The Burden of Command

Empire Rising Book 14

D. J. Holmes

https://www.facebook.com/Author.D.J.Holmes

d.j.holmess@hotmail.com

Comments welcome!

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and any resemblance to any persons living or dead, business establishments, events or locales are entirely coincidental.

Copyright © D. J. Holmes 2022

Prologue

Midas Touch, outer edge of the Poitiers system, 29th January 2507 AD, (nineteen years after the battle of Gayla).

Cornelius Teal didn’t break his stride as he approached the double oak doors. In a flash, two of Midas Touch’s aides pulled them open and he stepped into his pleasure yacht’s main reception room. Spreading his hands out, he smiled at his guests. “Welcome to my home away from home,” he said when they all looked around at him. “I trust you have been enjoying my hospitality. My chef worked in Paris before I whisked her away to serve me here.”

François Garnier was the first to move closer to Cornelius. “Your hospitality is as lavish as your yacht, Cornelius. I will admit, I’m impressed, even when I know I shouldn’t be surprised. If you donated half as many credits to the Democratic Freedom Party as you spent on Midas Touch, we would have won the last Commons elections.”

Cornelius gave François a wry smile as he shook his hand. “If I doubled my donations to you, what would I have left to donate to your competition?” When François’s face reddened, Cornelius placed a hand on his shoulder as he gently shook his head. “It’s a joke, my friend. You know I support your cause. That’s why you’re here.” As François visibly calmed down, Cornelius moved on. The Democratic Freedom Party on New France been steadily growing in popularity for the past six years. Despite François’s high hopes, they were not yet at the point where they could seriously challenge the more established parties that were still loyal to the ideals of the Empire, but they were getting there. That made François the most important political figure on New France, in Cornelius’s mind at least. Though that didn’t stop him supporting the other parties as well. With his company’s second headquarters on the planet, it was good for business to keep everyone on side. “I trust your trip wasn’t too taxing?” Cornelius asked as he shook hands with his next guest, Nikal Smirnov. The Russian oligarch was the richest man on Rostov. As far as Cornelius’s spies could determine, he was worth about two-thirds of Cornelius’ net worth. Judging by the yacht he had come to the meeting on, it was certainly possible.

Smirnov gave Cornelius an amused look. “I was able to find ways to pass the time,” he replied.

Cornelius nodded and then continued to greet his other guests. In total, he had invited twelve influential and powerful men and women to meet with him. He was pleased to see that not one had failed to come. They all represented colonies, companies, or political movements that were far from happy with the status quo. Though he had kept veiled exactly what he wanted to discuss, they were all astute enough to read between the lines. Now that they had met one another, they would probably have an even better idea of just what was on his mind.

“Shall we begin?” Cornelius asked as he gestured towards the large oval table in the center of the reception room. Everyone nodded and moved to take a seat. Cornelius remained standing at one end of the table. “You know I am a busy man. So too are each of you. So let us not beat about the bush.” Pausing, Cornelius met the eyes of each of his guests. “The Empire was a great thing when it was established. The Emperor and Empress will always deserve our thanks for protecting us from the Karacknids. Yet that was two decades ago. The Karacknids have spent the last twenty years tearing themselves apart in their civil war. Not one of our planets or orbital stations have been attacked. And yet, still Earth levies heavy taxes on our citizens and our companies. Teal Trading Industries paid nearly a billion credits in taxes and trading fees last year alone. And where is all this money going? Not to New France, nor Rostov, nor New Delhi nor Houston, but to the former Chinese, Japanese and German colonies. To the so-called front line of the war. Where a shot hasn’t been fired in anger in twenty years. Think about that. Think about how much of a boost to the economies of your worlds that billion credits could have been. Think of all the new ship orders we might have made, and of all the jobs I could have created for your colonies. Yet it has all been taken. Sucked out of our worlds and spent on the Imperial Navy and infrastructure projects near the frontline. It is not fair. I know this, you know this, and many on our worlds know this. I have brought you all here, because in your own ways, each of you have suffered as Teal Trading Industries has. I have brought you all here because it is time to do something about it. Something more than the petitions some of you have brought to the three Houses. They have fallen on deaf ears. It is time for something more to be done.”

Cornelius brought his hands together as his eyes passed over his guests. He enjoyed the looks on many of their faces. None had expected him to be quite so bold. None of them really knew him though. He was a man of action. When his mind was made up, he saw no point in hesitating. And when it came to the Empire’s impact on his influence and wealth, he had made up his mind a long time ago.

“You speak much truth,” Governor Aanya Varma of New Delhi said slowly. “My politics are public knowledge. Twenty-four years ago, I opposed New Delhi’s forced annexation into the Empire, even if those on Earth claim it was by a free vote. Perhaps many of my populace once thought it had been free. Yet, after twenty-four years of Imperial taxes, most have come around to my way of thinking. Yet, what exactly are you suggesting?” Varma looked around at several of her fellow guests. “Individually, and even together, we have tried to make our voices heard in the Senate and Commons. We are outnumbered politically, there is no way for us to get what we want. Not when so many are still afraid of the Karacknids or are blindly loyal to the Emperor. What more can we do?”

Cornelius gave the Indian a wide smile. “You know as well as I that in the game of politics, there are always other options.” With one hand, he gestured at the other guests. “Look at us all. Together, we represent much of the economic might of the southeastern quadrant of the Empire. How do you think the Emperor’s precious naval budget would fare if we withheld our taxes from Earth? Or how would the economy of the Empire fare if we closed all the jump gates between our worlds and the rest of the Empire? If the three Houses will not listen to us, there are other ways we can get our message across.”

President Samuel Rutherford sat forward. “Other ways? Just what are you talking about? You almost sound like you’re suggesting some kind of strike or worse? Your Empire is still very new to my people and I, but even I can see that your Emperor would not stand for it.”

“You may be new to our collective community, but you are wise,” Cornelius said to the President of Houston. His colony was one of three pre-FTL colonies that had been reconnected to the Human Empire since the end of the war with the Karacknids. Varanni dark matter dispellers had allowed shift passages to be opened up to all the worlds colony ships had set out towards in the past. Interestingly though, while the other two colonies had quickly joined the Empire, Houston had remained independent. Cornelius suspected much of that was to do with the American colonists who had set out on the colony ship. Their descendants were suspicious enough of their own government, never mind a multisystem one with an Emperor and Empress based on Earth. That was exactly why Cornelius had invited Rutherford along. He was a living testimony that there were other options open to the rest of his guests. “President Rutherford is right,” Cornelius said as he glanced at the other guests. “A strike would not go down well on Earth. Yet it would get the Emperor’s and Empress’s attention, along with the dominant parties in each of the three Houses. Especially if it is a strike backed by a force of arms.” Reaching out, Cornelius activated the holo projector at the center of the oval table. A map of the southeastern quadrant of the Human Empire appeared. Six systems began to flash. “All our trade and taxes flow to Earth through these six systems. If we were to take control of the jump gates in them, it would double the time shipments of materials and freight would take to get to Earth. And if we waylay freighters specifically tasked with carrying cargo for the Imperial Navy, we could have an even bigger impact!”

Rutherford shook his head. “These are very dangerous ideas you are discussing. Seizing jump gates, waylaying freighters. That could easily spill over into fighting. Once lives have been lost, they cannot be taken back.”

Cornelius nodded. “We have tried every political avenue open to us. If our words will not be heard, then all we have left are our actions. A strike and a blockade of our space cannot be ignored on Earth.”

“Where exactly are you going with this?” Varma asked. “A strike and even a blockade would put us in direct opposition to the Empress and Emperor. You must know it would not end there.”

“No,” Cornelius agreed with a smile. “If we go down this route, we must be willing to see it through. President Rutherford’s world is free of direct Imperial control. Why should our worlds not be the same? If you’re willing, my true goal is that we here, and the worlds and allies we represent, would be willing to request secession from the Empire.” Cornelius paused to let his words sink in. He could see from many of the faces in front of him that he was speaking words they had all thought. Yet hearing it out loud made it sound far more real. He had to admit, his own heart was beating faster. When his eyes met François’, Teal nodded and continued. “It is what our peoples want. But to get there, we must get Earth’s attention. I do not want to cut off all ties. Nor I suspect, do any of you. We can make that clear. If they grant us freedom, our industries and freighters would immediately return to serving the Empire’s economy. But we would be doing so as free worlds, able to set our own taxes and terms of trade.”

Some of his guests shook their heads while the rest all began to share glances with one another. “I know this is a bold proposal,” Cornelius pressed on. “But it is what each of you want. You cannot deny it. If we can get it peacefully, then all the better. If we must shed a little blood to enforce a blockade and make our voices heard, then it will be a small price to pay to regain the freedom our worlds once knew.”

“But how would we get the ships to enforce this blockade?” Samuel Hartman asked. “Are you volunteering to convert your freighters?”

Cornelius clapped his hands together. Inwardly he smiled again. They hadn’t rejected his proposal out of hand. Discussing its details was a good sign. A very good sign. “That is exactly what I would propose. Though I couldn’t do it alone. Your trading cartel would need to support me.” He glanced at the other guests who represented shipping companies. “You all would.”

“Okay fine, so we have access to freighters,” Varma said. “But freighters do not a blockade make.”

“No,” Cornelius said, “they do not. But you know as much as I do that every week, tens of millions of credits worth of weaponry pass through our systems on their way to shipyards on Earth or Britannia. All it would take is for a handful of those shipments to go missing and we would have the arms we need.” Cornelius nodded to Rutherford. “And if our neighbor would be kind enough to allow us to overhaul our ships in his system away from the prying eyes of the Imperial Navy, we could put together a sizable force. Enough for a blockade at least.”

“And just what would this sector of space look like if we did secede?” François asked. “The Empire’s economy would dwarf any one of our planets. I have to think about the workers of New France. If the Empire wanted to, they could cripple our economy without firing a shot.”

“Houston has shown us the way there as well,” Cornelius replied. “Their import and export taxes have protected their economy over the last seven years. I would suggest that we seek to implement the same measures. In fact, what I am proposing is that if we do all secede together, we form our own confederation. One where our planets enjoy free trade with one another and do not interfere with the politics of each planet in any way. We’ll each be free to pursue our own economic policies, except that we will trade with the Empire based on one trade agreement. We can negotiate it as part of our separation from the Empire.”

Rutherford laughed. “And I thought my people were crazy. Half my subordinates prance around the White House boasting that we are the equals of your Empire. I dislike its whole political system as much as you seem to, but your suggestion is preposterous. Even if my people allow you to arm your ships in our space, this doesn’t sound like something that will end well.”

“But if we did secede, would your people join this confederation?” Varma asked. “We would be much stronger together than standing separate.”

Rutherford took a moment to reply. “We would consider it certainly. But I could not commit to anything more than that. We want to remain free from all oversight, not just your Empire’s.”

“And we wouldn’t ask any more of that from you,” Cornelius said. In reality, he didn’t care much about what Houston did. As long as the colony reminded his other guests that it was possible to be free, that was all that mattered. “So there you have it,” he said as he looked down the table. “I’ve put my cards on the table. You know my concerns with the Empire and now the only solution I believe will be feasible. Let me hear your thoughts.”

For the next two hours, Cornelius spent a lot of time listening as each of his guests took time to speak. All agreed that they needed to find a way to halt the Empire’s ravaging of their economies. Understandably, some were horrified by secession even being mentioned. Others spoke as if it had been on their minds long before Cornelius had brought it up. Many had questions about how his plan could be feasible. Though he kept much to himself, Cornelius shared what he thought would win over his listeners. When it came to what the political situation might look like on the colonies that did secede, he cared very little. In fact, the less cohesion there was between each world, the more power would accrue to him. He had risen as far as he could in the world Emperor and Empress Somerville had forged. To rise any further, he needed to bring about a new political and economic status quo. And if he could come to dominate the economy of the new entity that would arise out of a bid for secession, then the weaker the ties between each individual world were, the better for him.

“There’s one major flaw in your reasoning, my friend,” Smirnov said. Everyone else fell silent to listen. It was the first time he had spoken. “Unless I have misjudged the extent of your and your company’s wealth, a blockade, never mind a political quest for secession, would bankrupt you. Things are bad now, yes, but what you propose would only make them worse. Even if they succeeded and we managed to extract ourselves from the Imperial taxmen, none of us would be around to benefit from it. We’d all be broke and powerless.”

Cornelius gave Smirnov a small bow. “A year ago, I might have agreed with you. But it just so happens that I am not here speaking just on behalf of myself. A conglomerate of other interests has chosen me as a representative to speak to you.” Reaching into his jacket’s pocket, Cornelius fished out a group of datachips. Walking around the oval table. he handed each one to its intended owner. “Of course, these have not been activated yet, but if we are agreed today, then they will be by the end of the week. You will find in them enough funds to begin the plans we have discussed and to compensate you for the initial financial losses you will incur. And these are only the beginning.”

Smirnov was the first to pull out his datapad and insert the chip. His head shot up a second later. “This is no joke?”

Cornelius shook his head. “Neither I nor my backers hate the Empire, but we fear what it has become and what it is doing to our worlds. This is the measure of our commitment to seeking change.” Though he kept his face straight, inside, Cornelius smirked as the looks on many of the faces of his questioners began to change. It was the same in any line of business. Whether seeking permission to open a new shipping route or contemplating treason, money spoke more than words.

Chapter 1

Our forefathers had thought the Karacknids were a shrewd and skilled adversary, but little did they know what they would come up against when the Silizzeras’ plans finally came to light. Yet it took many years for their schemes to be discovered. All the while, their plots were unfolding while we fought against shadows and rumor.

-Excerpt from Empire Ascendant 3015 AD.

IS Resolute, Cambria system, 14th July 2508 AD, (eighteen months later).

Third Lieutenant Jake Jackson rolled his shoulders as he approached Resolute’s marine barracks. He had been avoiding this moment since he had first stepped on board the cruiser four weeks ago. Silently, he cursed whoever had updated his personnel file to include the physical implants his father had insisted he receive prior to joining the navy. He didn’t know who had done it, nor how Resolute’s marines had found out about them. But they had. And now, here he was. Oh great, Jake thought as he rounded a corridor and was confronted by First Lieutenant Gonzales and several petty officers. They were standing in front of the hatch that led to the marine barracks.

“Head up, Lieutenant,” Gonzales said with a grin. “It will all be over in a few moments. A little bruised pride won’t do you any lasting harm.”

Jake shook his head. “That’s easy for you to say. I don’t suppose you want to take my place?”

Gonzalez and the Petty officers laughed. “There’s no chance of that, lad. You got yourself into this mess, you can get yourself out. Or at least, get yourself thrown out.” With a hand, Gonzales gestured for Jake to go first into the area of the ship reserved for Resolute’s marines. As Jake passed, Gonzales gave him a conciliatory pat on the shoulder. “Just don’t trip over your own two feet.”

Jake tried to think of a snarky reply, but when the hatch opened to reveal a crowd of people standing chatting in the marine barracks foyer, he lost his nerve. At least thirty of Resolute’s officers and crew were there. Jake turned to Gonzales. “How many have come to watch?” He asked in trepidation.

Gonzales laughed again. “It’s pretty much everyone who is off-duty or not asleep.” His grin widened. “And it’s going to be recorded. No one wants to miss it.”

Jake let out a sigh of exasperation as he shook his head. He knew he was going to lose. That went without saying. It was also going to hurt, that too was unavoidable. Both were concerning, of course. Yet, he was far more worried about what would come after. He had joined Resolute four weeks ago after transferring from the battleship Hercules. He was still trying to find his way with the cruiser’s crew and his fellow officers. Getting his butt kicked by a marine was going to evaporate whatever small measure of respect he had been starting to gain. There was nothing he could do about it now though. Squaring his shoulders, he headed towards the hatch to the sparring ring. Unsurprisingly, as he stepped in, the place was already thronging with marines and more crew members. They were jostling for space as they sought to get the best place to watch from. At first, Jake had to push through them, but as more recognized him, they parted and allowed him to approach the ring.

His last shred of confidence evaporated when he saw his opponent was already in the ring, warming up with a sparring partner. Jake swallowed hard as he watched her muscled arms flex as she threw punch after punch into her sparring partner. Jake’s mind was momentarily taken to the many stories he had heard growing up about the duel Emperor Somerville had fought against the Karacknids’ last Imperator. Though he knew the comparison was silly, he couldn’t help but feel he understood a little bit about how Somerville must have felt stepping into the combat ring with Taranaki. Of course, Jake had seen many images of Karacknid warriors. He knew how dangerous and ferocious they were. Still, at this very minute, special forces marine Sergeant Becca Samuels looked just as intimidating.

When she saw him, she stopped sparring with her partner. Gracefully, she moved over to face him through the ring’s translucent protective barrier. “You came,” she said with a nod. “It’s good. I wasn’t sure you’d have the guts.” Becca gestured to several Marines who had parted to let Jake through. “I thought I’d have to send them to go and drag you down here.” Her words brought chuckles from those around Jake.

Jake raised his chin. “I’m here. A naval officer never refuses a challenge from a marine.”

Becca grinned. “And he’s got a little spunk,” she said even louder as she looked around at fellow marines. She then looked back at Jake. “Good, that will make this even more fun.” With a hand, she gestured towards the entrance into the ring. “Come on, let’s get started, unless you need a warmup?”

Jake shook his head. He had already stretched in his quarters. Over the last few weeks, he had tried to eke out a half an hour here and there to practice some of the moves he had been taught as a teenager. He had gone over them again after his stretches. He knew it would count for little, but it was the best he could do. Nothing more could help him now. “Let’s just get this over with so I can get back to my duties.”

As Jake made his way around the ring, another Lieutenant pushed her way through the marines that were around the outer edge of the ring. “Good luck Lieutenant,” Fourth Lieutenant Lydia Morrison said as she squeezed his forearm. “Don’t worry, she’ll go easy on you.” Jake glanced at Becca. The marine Sergeant was jumping from foot to foot as she went through a few final warmup exercises. Each leap propelled her more than a meter into the air. Lydia’s head turned and followed Jake’s glance. Her eyebrows rose at the site. “Well… Good luck anyway. Don’t let her beat you up too badly.”

Jake rolled his eyes at Lydia. “Thanks, I think.” Moving past Lydia, Jake stepped through the entrance into the ring. Becca’s sparring partner nodded to him and stepped out. The marine then tapped a few buttons on the sparring ring’s control panel and the entrance sealed itself shut. Jake rolled his shoulders and then moved to the center of the ring where Becca was now standing waiting.

“Are you ready?” She asked. Jake nodded. Becca raised both her hands to silence the crowd who had come to watch. “The rules are simple,” she called out to them all. “No blows to the head, our Lieutenant has requested that, and I am inclined to agree. Though I don’t know what he is worried about, I’m the only one whose good looks are on the line. Beyond that, the first one to tap out is the loser. And the loser buys everyone drinks at McGinty’s.” The crowd cheered at her words. “After all,” Becket continued when they quietened down again. “If our Lieutenant can afford special forces marine grade implants, he can afford to buy us all a drink or two. Isn’t that right, Lieutenant?”

Jake did his best to put on a genuine smile and raised his voice to match Becca’s. “I thought I was just going to get the pleasure of dumping a marine on her backside. But now, I’m going to get a drink at your expense as well. This day is getting better and better.” The crowd roared even louder at his words. Glancing around at them, Jake was sure most were rooting for Becca, but there were others like Lydia who seemed to be on his side. She gave him a little courage. Not that he expected to win, but as long as he didn’t completely make a fool of himself, he might not lose all the respect he had been trying to build up. And buying everyone a drink won’t hurt either, he thought as he glanced again at Becca. Is that what she intended? It would hurt his bank account more than Becca probably imagined, but it would be worth it.

Raising her fists, Becca moved towards Jake. She leaned towards him as Jake raised his. “You’re going to regret that Lieutenant,” she said as she gave him a wink. Then she tapped Jake’s fists with hers.

Immediately, Jake sprang back. Along with the enhancements, his father had insisted he do some training as a teenager. That had been before he joined the Naval Academy. His enhancements had allowed him to excel in the few hand-to-hand classes at the Academy, yet since then, Jake had let his training slip. As Becca circled around him, he knew he was going to regret that decision. Like a flash, she suddenly rushed at him. Cheers and roars erupted from the watching crowd. Both her fists flew out in dummy punches, then she flung a foot at his chest. Jake tried to dodge, but was too slow. It caught him right on his hip and sent him spiraling to the floor. As pain shot up through his left side, he contemplated tapping out there and then. A sudden spurt of shame made him grit his teeth and push himself back to his feet. Watch her eyes, he told himself. That was what he had been taught. Real attacks always came from the eyes. Taking a deep breath, Jake exhaled and forced his body to relax. Raising his arms into a defensive stance, he waited for Becca to approach once again.

This time, she moved in more slowly. Faking a punch, she threw a right hook at Jake. He managed to duck back just in time. Then as her foot came swinging at him again, he blocked it with his forearm. The crack as her shin hit his arm filled the sparring ring. Immediately, Jake’s arm began to feel numb. Becca spun away as if nothing had happened.

“You know what you’re doing,” she said as she nodded towards Jake’s arm. “At least you know how to use the speed your augments give you. Good, that will make this more fun.” And as she advanced on him again, Jake sensed something was different. She threw two punches that were slower than the ones before. Both times he dodged, though slower, they still almost landed. She wants me to block, he realized. The one part of his training Jake had hated the most was grappling. He remembered it well enough now. On many occasions, his instructor had used a block from Jake to pin Jake in place, move in close and put him into some kind of submission hold.

As Becca moved in again, Jake’s eyes widened. She was speeding up her attacks again, trying to force him to block. In his mind, he could now see how things were going to go. She’d keep wearing down his stamina until he couldn’t dodge, and then she would have him tapping out within seconds. There was only one thing he could do. Raising a hand, he blocked Becca’s next punch. Then with his other hand, he slammed a punch into her stomach. His attack struck just as Becca was moving in to grapple him. The force from his augmented muscles drove her back a couple of steps. The roaring from the Marines all around the ring suddenly stopped. Becca looked down at her stomach. A hand came up and rubbed where Jake had landed his blow. Though when she looked up, she was grinning. “I’m glad someone has taught you well,” she said. Before Jake could reply, she was on the attack again. Now she moved with a speed Jake could hardly follow. Punches and kicks began to rain down on him. At most, he dodged half. The rest were only partially blocked, or managed to land on unprotected spots. Within seconds, Jake’s legs, arms, and most of his chest and back began to throb as blow after blow struck them. All thought of attempting to land another punch left his mind. All he could do was try and keep track of Becca as she danced around him nipping in to strike and then spring back.

In quick succession, two blows to Jake’s thigh caused him to stumble and crumple to the ground. At once, Becca was on him. She wrapped her arms and legs around him in a way Jake couldn’t follow, nor did he understand. He suddenly found his back being arched and stretched in a manner that sent electric shock waves of agony down his spine. The pain caused him to forget to breathe for several seconds. He felt his face going flush and his eyes bulging. Through the agony, he could still hear the howls and whistles of delight from the marines. They made Jake angry. He hadn’t wanted to fight Becca. He had nothing to prove. Clenching his fists and teeth, he closed his eyes as Becca stretched him more and the pain intensified. None of his training had prepared him for this. He knew there was nothing he could do to escape. And yet, he didn’t tap out. He wasn’t going to give her the satisfaction. The howls turned to shouts for him to give up. The pain deepened even further. Still Jake didn’t relent.

“Just do it,” Becca whispered in his ear. “You made your point.” As much as Becca’s hold allowed him to, Jake shook his head. He cried out as Becca increased pressure even more. He felt his vision begin to close as the pain overwhelmed him. Then, everything went black.

Groggily, Jake opened his eyes. Relief washed over him. The pain was gone. Moving slightly, he realized he was lying on his back. Opening his eyes, he saw Becca peering over him. Concern was written across her face. A hand came up from somewhere and slapped him on the cheek a couple of times. Jake quickly raised a hand to protect himself. Instantly, Becca’s concern disappeared. She broke into a grin. “He’s okay,” she said as she jumped to her feet. “Far too stubborn by half, but okay.” Bending over, she held out a hand. Jake hesitated. “The fight is over,” she assured him. “You blacked out. I won.”

Reluctantly, Jake allowed himself to be pulled to his feet. As fresh pain shot up and down his back, he let out a groan. It brought laughter from the marines and navy crew. Becca put an arm around his shoulder and led Jake towards the exit of the sparring ring. “You did well, for a squishy navy Lieutenant. You could do with some practice though. There’s no point paying for those augments and not knowing how to use them.”

Jake blinked as he stared at Becca. She was actually being nice to him. “I didn’t pay for them myself. My father insisted on them.”

“Insisted? That’s quite the expense,” Becca said as they stopped at the edge of the ring.

Jake nodded. “Tell me about it. I’d much rather have had the credits. It was his one condition. If I wanted to join the Navy, I had to let him pay for the augments.”

Becca laughed as she shook her head. “Parents. I suppose he wanted you to be a doctor or something?”

Jake found himself smiling. “That would be my mother. Dad’s idea was a CEO or at worst a freighter Captain. Eventually, we came to a compromise.”

“Well, I have a deal for you,” Becca said. “How about we arrange a weekly training session? I can help you use your augments better, teach you how to get out of that hold. Then maybe next time a lowly marine Sergeant challenges you, you won’t embarrass yourself quite so much. What do you say?”

Jake knew what he wanted to say, yet given the beating he had just taken, he found the opposite coming out. “That would be good. Assuming I can find the time.”

Becca grinned and slapped him on the back, eliciting another groan. “Excellent. I’ll schedule you in during one of your off shifts. I’m sure you’ll be able to rearrange things if need be.”

Before James could reply, the lighting in the sparring chamber suddenly shifted. An alarm began to blare, and a voice called out through their room speakers. ‘Battle stations. Battle stations,’ it repeated.

The jovial atmosphere in the sparring ring dissipated immediately. Marines and Navy personnel sprang for the exits. Jake glanced at Becca. “I’ll have to buy you that drink another time, Sergeant.”

Becca nodded and gestured for him to leave the ring first. “You’re a bridge officer, don’t let me get in your way.” With a nod, Jake turned and moved as fast as he could out of the ring and across the chamber. Every muscle in his body groaned in protest, but he ignored it as best he could.

Chapter 2

I sit down to begin this, my second great work examining the history of the Empire twelve years after completing the first. Much has happened in the intervening years. When I began work on Empire Rising, I thought its completion would signal my retirement from the Imperial Fleet. Instead, out of nowhere, the Ca’casiadans invasion thrust war upon the Empire once again. The many lessons I learned from my historical studies proved invaluable during our long war against this new enemy. I only hope this new work will prove just as helpful to future generations of aspiring Imperial Fleet commanders.

-Excerpt from Empire Ascendant 3015 AD.

Becca hesitated for a few seconds as she watched Jake go. She hadn’t known his father had paid for his augments, but she had guessed. As soon as he had come aboard, she had looked him up. His father supposedly ran a shipping company based on Excalibur in the Void. He was a moderately wealthy individual. Not the type that you would expect to pay for his son to have such an invasive medical procedure. Nor the one who would be willing to pay for him to be trained, she added. She was still trying to trace where exactly the message and payments had come from. But someone had contacted her and requested that she encourage Jake to train with her. The money was more than good enough that she had no problem adding an extra hour or two to her training sessions each week. Though she had needed to find an inventive way to convince Jake that he needed them too. Maybe it won’t be so bad, she thought as Jake disappeared from sight. He wasn’t as snotty and stuck up as she had feared.

*

Jogging to the nearest turbo lift, Jake joined the other bridge officers who had come out to watch his fight. Lydia shot him a smile, but the rest ignored him. A call to battle stations was serious. No one was in the mood to joke around. When the turbo lift stopped at the deck Resolute’s bridge was on, Jake let everyone get off first. As they went ahead of him, he began to roll his shoulders and rub his sore arms and legs. If he wasn’t already, he was certain he would be covered in bruises by the end of the day. Within a minute of the call to battle stations being issued, he stepped onto the bridge and quickly moved over to his tactical console. The Sub Lieutenant who had been manning it nodded to him and then moved out of his way. At once, his eyes scanned the readout. An anomaly had been detected, Resolute was moving to investigate.

“I want an update as soon as we have a firmer reading on the anomaly,” Captain Domingo requested when all of her bridge officers were present. Then, she turned to Jake. “I hear you got your ass handed to you, Lieutenant. Are you fit for duty?”

“Of course, Captain. I’m a bit stiff and sore, but that won’t prevent me from performing my duties to the best of my ability.”

“Very well, carry on then,” Domingo said as her eyes passed over Jake.

Jake glanced at Lydia. She was manning Resolute’s sensor console. Leaving her to focus on the anomaly, he concentrated on the rest of the system. Since boarding Resolute at Britannia, the cruiser had been carrying out a patrol of the other systems along the eastern edge of the Empire. The Cambria system was their third stop. Without any habitable worlds, the only other contacts being picked up by Resolute’s passive sensors were from a small mining operation in one of the system’s outer asteroid fields. The anomaly was nowhere near there, however. So whatever it was, it was likely to be something else. The captain must think it could be a pirate, Jake concluded. Resolute was moving towards the anomaly at just fifteen percent of her maximum thrust. With her reactors and engines powered down, she would be very hard to detect. Once he was certain the passive sensors weren’t picking up any other potential dangers, Jake began to run weapons checks on all of Resolute’s fifty-two missile tubes. Then he worked through her energy weapons and point defenses. Everything was operating within their optimal ranges. If there was to be a fight, the cruiser was ready.

“We’re getting a clear reading now, Captain,” Lydia reported half an hour later. “The anomaly still hasn’t moved. The initial readings we detected are actually fading. I believe they were the last vestiges of heat from a breached reactor. We’re starting to get softer reflections on small metallic pieces. They’re consistent with debris from a damaged ship.”

Domingo sat forward in her command chair. “Take us out of stealth. I want full military power. Begin active scans. And contact the Teal Trading Industries mining station. Enquire if their sensors detected anything from this sector of the star system.”

As soon as Resolute’s active sensors powered up, they began to release megajoules of electromagnetic energy towards the area of space the anomaly had been detected in. It took three minutes for the energy to reach the anomaly and be reflected back. “Confirmed Captain, we’re detecting debris consistent with a damaged freighter,” Lydia reported. On the bridge’s main holo display, a computer generated image of the debris appeared. The nose section of a freighter was immediately recognizable. Around it was a slowly expanding ball of torn and twisted hull fragments.

“No other contacts being picked up,” Jake reported. “No sign of whoever did this.”

“The mining facility has replied to our query,” Lieutenant Hitoshi reported from the COMs station. “They have nothing unusual to report.”

Jake looked up in time to see Domingo frown. Mining facilities typically had advanced sensors to allow them to survey a system for prime asteroids to be mined and also to track rogue asteroids that might threaten to collide with them. “Query them again,” Domingo requested. “Send them the exact coordinates of the anomaly.”

“Aye Captain,” Hitoshi replied.

“Bring us to a halt relative to the debris,” Domingo requested. “I want to launch a drone and investigate. If we can, I want to know when the attack happened.”

Over the next forty minutes, Jake watched the tactical console carefully as Resolute closed with the stricken freighter. There was a small chance whoever had attacked it was trying to sneak away in stealth. If they were, they were successful, for Resolute’s active sensors didn’t get a whiff of anything untoward. When they reached the wreckage, Lydia launched a sensor drone and carefully guided it through the debris. Everyone on the bridge waited for her report.

“The computer has finished its analysis,” Lydia eventually said. “As best as we can estimate, the freighter was attacked less than three days ago. There are several hull fragments that have residual heat emanating from them. The heat appears to be from laser beams. Assuming whoever carried out the attack doesn’t have weapons more powerful than Resolute’s, they can’t have been fired more than three days ago.”

“And I think we can rule out some new alien threat,” Captain Domingo said. “It looks like most of the freighter’s cargo has been hauled off. There is far too little debris here otherwise.”

Jake nodded. Everyone knew what that meant. Pirates. For more than a decade, pirate activity had been increasing in The Wilds. That was the large area of space that had been abandoned by the Karacknid Empire. Hundreds of worlds formally under the control of the Karacknids were now free and struggling to rebuild their culture and economies. As best they could, the Empire and her allies were trying to help many of them. Yet ,neither the Empire’s economy nor Navy was strong enough to help all of them. Partly as a result, some species had turned to prey on their neighbors. At the same time, The Wilds had become a rich picking ground for pirates from other species. More than a few Humans had forsaken the Empire and sought to make their riches in The Wilds. Whilst most operated as independent traders bringing all sorts of commodities to the newly freed worlds, others had turned to less noble activities. Over the last couple of years however, reports of piracy had been coming closer and closer to the Empire’s borders. Reports of pirate activities were now even slowly moving down along the eastern flank of the Empire as well. That was why Resolute was carrying out her current patrol.

“What else do we know about the freighter?” Domingo asked.

“The drone did find this,” Lydia replied as the holo image zoomed in on a small hull fragment. “There is a partial name written on it. I think the freighter was either called Victoria or Victory. Our records have both freighters operating in this sector of the Empire.”

“What were their most recent cargos?” Domingo followed up.

“Victoria was carrying point defense plasma cannons to Fort Epsilon, Victory machine parts to Excalibur,” Lydia answered.

“Then I fear we are looking at the remains of Victoria,” Domingo said. “At least if I was a pirate, I know which shipment I’d be after.”

“If it is Victoria, it makes the Teal Trading Industries mining station’s silence even more curious,” Gonzales said. “Victoria is a TTI registered ship. Surely if it got into trouble with pirates, they would have reached out to the station.”

Domingo frowned. “It is curious. But we have pinged them twice. Unless we’re going to land some marines to search their memory banks ourselves, that’s all we’re getting out of them. Perhaps it was an inside job. If some of Victoria’s crew mutinied, then maybe the freighter didn’t get a chance to send out a SOS.” From her tone however, Jake guessed Domingo was dubious of her own suggestion.

As he continued to study the debris, an idea came to him. Quickly, he began to carry out an analysis of the slowly expanding ball of debris. “Captain, look at this,” he said as he adjusted the main holo display to show his analysis. “If the pirate ship sent in shuttles to retrieve the freighter’s cargo, they would have had to clear channels through the debris to safely get it out. I’ve identified four channels. They all head back to this point. I believe this is where the pirate ship sat while its crew collected as much plunder as they could.”

Domingo slapped a hand on her thigh. “Good thinking Lieutenant. If that is where the pirate ship sat, we can get a good estimate on where their next destination was.” As she spoke, Domingo’s hand danced over the console in her command chair. The holo image zoomed out to show the rest of the Cambria system. Two lines appeared from the point Jake identified to the two nearest shift passages. They were the most likely destinations the pirate ship had wanted to go to from the position it had chosen to stop beside the damaged freighter. The image changed again to show a star map of the local systems. The two shift passages Domingo had identified were highlighted. “Seti Five,” Domingo said as she chose one of the shift passages. “That would allow the pirate to head towards The Wilds. They’re probably taking whatever cargo they captured out there to sell to one of the former Karacknid worlds. Set course for that shift passage. Maximum military power. If they’re only a couple of days ahead of us, we should be able to catch them.”

As Resolute’s bridge officers turned the cruiser and powered up her reactors and engines once again, Domingo gestured for Jake to come over to her. “Good work Lieutenant,” she said when he approached. “I’m relieving you of duty for now, however. Go back to your quarters and get a shower. Then you can return. I don’t mind you stinking the place up when there could be an imminent threat. But I’d rather have my officers clean.”

“Yes Captain, I’ll go right away,” Jake replied as his cheeks redden.

“Oh, and Lieutenant,” Domingo said as she flashed him a smile. “I’m looking forward to seeing the video of your bout. I hope you didn’t embarrass the Navy too much.”

Jake reddened even more as he turned and fled out of the bridge. His pride at the Captain’s praise quickly turned to embarrassment. He hadn’t thought the Captain would have taken a personal interest in his fight. Having Captain Domingo watch him get beaten to the floor and momentarily knocked out was the last thing he needed.

Chapter 3

In volume one, we examined the early years of the Empire’s history and followed how our great Empire arose. Now in volume two, we will detail how the Human Empire came to dominate the sector of the galaxy that Humanity now considers its own.

-Excerpt from Empire Ascendant 3015 AD.

IS Resolute, 29th July 2508 AD.

Jake’s initial excitement at chasing the pirate ship that had attacked Victoria faded after two weeks of fruitless hunting. There had been no sign of the pirate ship in the Seti Five system, nor in Seti Six. Now Resolute was slowly cruising through the Magellan Three system with most of her systems powered down. Jake was watching the passive sensors closely. He knew from talking with his fellow Lieutenants in their mess hall that most had given up finding the pirate ship. Captain Domingo had not, however. After racing through Seti Five and Six, they were now moving much more slowly in stealth. If the pirate ship was out there, she was hoping it would do something to give itself away.

Glancing up from his console for a moment, Jake studied the holo display. It was currently showing a star map of the northeastern section of Humanity’s territory. On it, every report of pirate activity from the last year was marked. Domingo was studying it intently, clearly looking for some kind of pattern. Jake understood her desire. Having deviated from their assigned patrol route, she no doubt wanted some measure of success to justify her decision. As First Lieutenant Gonzales had explained back in the Officers’ mess hall, if it turned out another freighter was attacked along the route Resolute was supposed to have been patrolling, Domingo would get the blame from the Admiralty. Jake thought that unjust, yet he understood how it might look back on Earth. As it always did, the map of his species’ territory intrigued Jake. His eyes were first drawn to the line of fortified worlds that stretched across the Human Empire’s northern borders and matched up with the borders of the Varanni Alliance. More than ten thousand warships were spread out across the twelve border forts. A third as many again would currently be patrolling beyond the border forts in The Wilds; either watching the Karacknid systems that were approximately three hundred light years away, or escorting supply convoys bringing aid to the more friendly alien worlds within The Wilds. There were few reports of pirate activity directly adjacent to the border forts, but as one went progressively into The Wilds, they quickly increased. To the East in the opposite direction of Varanni Alliance space, they intensified even more. Only here and there, were there small bubbles where no pirate activity had been reported. Jake knew that they represented small observation outposts the Imperial Navy had set up to monitor the eastern Wilds in case a Karacknid attack fleet ever tried to outflank the border forts. As his eyes moved out of The Wilds and down the eastern edges of the Empire’s space, the pirate reports became fewer and fewer. Yet, they didn’t disappear altogether. Even the Magellan Three system had one report, though it was over nine months old. Jake knew no pirate would be smart enough to return to a system they had recently been spotted in. Yet, nine months was a long time. It was entirely possible the same ships that had attacked the freighter they had discovered had been responsible for the attack nine months ago.

Thoughts of both attacks led Jake to clench one of his hands into a fist. Few survived pirate attacks. Those that had, brought back harrowing accounts. Whether alien or Human, pirates showed little mercy to their prey. Those whom they could identify as being able to generate a large enough ransom would be separated and at least their basic needs met. The rest would either be killed or brought into The Wilds and sold as slaves. More than one alien species there was willing to buy Humans and use them as cheap labor to help kickstart their economies. Three years ago, an Imperial Navy raid on the planet Gonxico had freed over a thousand Human slaves. The Imperial battlecruiser squadron that had discovered the Humans had destroyed the few small orbital stations the Gonxians had built, in retaliation. The Imperial government had been very clear to all the alien civilizations in The Wilds; owning Human slaves was not acceptable. At least one other species had been cut off from all economic aid after they had been discovered using slaves. As much as Jake hated the idea of any alien civilization purchasing Humans to use for labor, he did understand it. Many of the species within The Wilds had suffered hundreds of years of Karacknid oppression. They were desperate, and the Humans often had skills or knowledge they desired. The pirates on the other hand, they deserved no mercy. They did it purely for profit, or worse, the twisted pleasure they got from attacking and domineering others. Since attending the naval academy, Jake had often wondered how he would face his first real engagement. His first deployment as a Sub Lieutenant on the dreadnought Hercules had been entirely uneventful. If Resolute caught up to the pirate ship, it would be his first real test as a tactical officer. Though he was confident in his abilities, he wasn’t a fool; he knew facing the Karacknids or even the Daralians would be an intimidating prospect. Yet if they had to fight a pirate ship, that would be different altogether.

“Passives have just picked up something interesting,” Lydia reported.

Jake almost jumped in his command chair. He had to fight to not let out a groan. He was stiff from his first training session with Sergeant Samuels. Quickly, he glanced over to Lydia’s sensors console. There was no way his thoughts could have summoned a pirate ship out of thin air. Yet there was a contact report flashing on her console. It lasted for just a couple more seconds, and then vanished.

“What do you make of it?” Captain Domingo asked.

Lydia shook her head. “I’m not sure Captain. It was a very small energy reading. Certainly not anything large enough to be a ship’s reactors or engines. Though, its location is interesting.”

On the holo display, a small dot began to flash. It was coming from the midst of the planetary ring around the system’s seventh planet. Information on the planet’s ring began to scroll along beside the image. Jake saw that though dense with large asteroids, the ring was very stable. The perfect place to hide a ship.

“That energy reading,” Captain Domingo queried. “Is it the kind of stray emission one might get from an open cargo bay door.”

“It’s certainly possible Captain,” Lydia replied.

“Keep us in stealth, alter course to put us onto a heading to intercept that contact,” Domingo ordered. “And launch two stealth recon drones. Slot them into orbit around the seventh planet. Send everyone to their duty stations as well.”

Jake could feel his excitement growing once again. If the Captain’s hunch was right, then it meant there was more than one pirate ship hiding in the planetary ring. Transferring cargo made sense. There was growing evidence that some, if not the majority, of the pirate activity near Humanity’s border was coordinated. Having a small, armed pirate ship that could hunt down freighters, take their cargo, and then deliver it to a larger pirate freighter to transport the goods on to a more distant buyer made a lot of sense.

As Resolute slowly cruised towards the planetary ring, the bridge descended into silence. Every officer was waiting with bated breath to see if they had found their quarry. “Both stealth drones are in position,” Lydia reported an hour later. “They will be coming around to pass the contact location in the next thirty seconds.”

Jake felt himself inching forward in his command chair towards his tactical console. He knew it was silly, but he didn’t care. He was excited. When the stealth recon drones crisscrossed past one another just below where the contact had been identified, their passive sensors peered up towards the planetary ring. Resolute had to wait until the drones completed another half orbit of the planet. Then, they transmitted an encrypted message using their laser COM arrays back towards the cruiser. A minute after Lydia’s announcement, an image appeared on the holo display. Jake grinned at it. Three ships were visible!

“They’re well hidden from ships out in space,” Captain Domingo commented. “Clearly, they aren’t expecting anything to be in orbit below them. Now, I want suggestions, how are we going to bag these three birds?” When she turned to her officers, she too had a wide smile on her face.

In response to her request, Jake’s mind began to whirl. A number of options came to him. Tapping fiercely on his tactical console, he simulated a number of them. He wasn’t going to open his mouth unless he was sure he had a concrete idea to share. In the space of two minutes, he settled on two possible scenarios. He didn’t get to suggest them, however, Second Lieutenant Julia Ahoka beat him to it. “Our sensor drones,” she said. “We can use them to flush the pirates out.”

“Go on,” Captain Domingo said as she nodded at Julia.

“If we match their orbits, we can move them close together. Then, we can activate their engines as they come around into sensor view of the pirates. We should be able to make them look like an Imperial destroyer, for thirty seconds at least. That ought to give the pirates a real fright. They’ll break out of the planetary ring and try to flee. The planetary ring hides them from our sensors, but it also hides Resolute from theirs. We could sneak right into missile range and grab them as they come out.”

Domingo claps her hands together. “A sneaky trick, Lieutenant. I like it. Let’s run some simulations and prepare some backup tactics in case they don’t flee, or they detect us or the sensor drones before we are ready.”

Joining in with his fellow officers, Jake helped run the simulations and work out possible responses to what the pirates might do. The most difficult part was going to be tracking and engaging each pirate ship, for they would most certainly flee in separate directions. Domingo also wanted them to give the pirates a chance to surrender. If there were slaves or prisoners on board, she wanted to rescue them if possible.

Half an hour later, every component of Ahoka’s plan was in place. “Activate the drones,” Domingo ordered. It took just three seconds for the laser COM message to be relayed to the stealth recon drones. As soon as it did, a new contact flared into existence on the bridge’s main holo display. At high speed, it began to orbit around the system’s seventh planet. To their credit, the pirates’ reactions were quick. Within twenty seconds, three new contacts appeared as the pirate ships pushed their reactors to full power. Resolute’s passive sensors easily detected the energy spikes. Then, the gravimetric sensors began to pick up the ships as their engines were activated.

“Tracking three contacts,” Jake instantly reported. “Four missiles targeted at each one. Plasma cannons trained on them as well. Once they clear the planetary ring, I’ll target their engines.”

“Hold fire until my mark,” Captain Domingo reminded.

“First pirate ship is breaking through the planetary ring,” Lydia said as a small freighter came out from behind a large asteroid. Its engines were flaring as it tried to get away from the two sensor drones. Closely behind it, two more ships appeared. One was a large freighter while another was smaller than the first ship. They were heading in three completely separate directions.

“No honor among thieves,” Lieutenant Gonzales commented.

“Or they think they have the best chance of escaping if they split up,” Captain Domingo responded.

Or they’re just scared out of their wits, Jake thought, but didn’t say out loud. From what he had read of the few run-ins Imperial ships had with pirate vessels, the pirates could have had ten ships and Resolute still would have a strong chance of defeating them all. Of course, there was no way to know for sure how heavily armed each of the ships in front of Resolute were, but it would take a lot to outgun an Imperial cruiser.

“All right,” Captain Domingo said. “Bring our reactors and engines up to full power. Open a systemwide COM channel.”

“Channel open Captain,” Lieutenant Hitoshi replied instantly.

“Pirate vessels, this is IS Resolute, we are a heavily armed cruiser. Each of your ships is currently being tracked by four missiles. Cut your engines and heave to immediately, or you will be fired upon. Repeat, cut your engines and heave to immediately. You have thirty seconds.”

Everyone on Resolute’s bridge watched the energy readings coming from each of the three ships. They didn’t falter. In fact, one of the ships increased their acceleration rates, likely pushing their engines beyond their safety limits. “Lieutenant Jackson, a warning shot, if you please,” Domingo requested.

“Aye Captain,” Jake responded. With a tap on his command console, one of Resolute’s twin plasma cannons shot out two superheated plasma bolts. At a speed of 0.4c they closed the distance to the nearest pirate ship in six seconds. Each bolt crossed directly in front of the vessels’ nose.

“There will be no more warnings,” Domingo said over the open COM channel. Still, none of the pirate ships decreased their acceleration rates. “Lieutenant Jackson, take the vessel that has increased its acceleration.”

“Yes Captain,” Jake replied instantly. His hand hesitated though. He had never fired a missile in anger before. The pirate vessel was full of sentients. And maybe even Humans who have been captured, a voice reminded himself. Yet, there was nothing else he could do for them. Pressing his finger down caused a mark VII missile to be accelerated out of its missile tube. As soon as it got two hundred meters away from Resolute, its engines kicked in and began to rapidly accelerate towards the pirate ship furthest away from the cruiser. Come on, Jake thought towards their pirate ship. Cut your engines. Cut your engines. His finger had moved to hover over the button that would send a command for the missile to self-destruct.

The other two pirate ships did cut their engines. Yet, the third stubbornly refused to. Point defenses on the converted freighter began to open up on the Imperial missile. Yet, the missile had already begun to carry out evasive maneuvers. Its ECM unit also pumped out copious amounts of energy, throwing off the freighters’ aim. Then the missile got close enough to release its payload. First, strips of its forward sections fell away, revealing twelve smaller missiles. Each missile locked onto the freighter with their own warheads. Then they ignited their engines. Accelerating at rates five times faster than the mark VII’s main engine could propel them, they raced towards the freighter. Their high-speed evasive maneuvers made them all but impossible to hit. Not even one was hit. Jake had targeted the freighter’s engines with the small missiles. All of them slammed home within the space of a half second. Detonating, they released balls of antimatter that ate into the freighters hull. In the blink of an eye, they wiped out nearly a quarter of its rear. For a moment, Jake thought that the freighter’s crew had been spared. If there were captured Humans on board, there was a chance Resolute could catch up to the freighter and send across boarding shuttles. A sudden explosion smashed his hopes. Something inside the freighter overloaded and the entire ship was blasted into wreckage. Guilt assaulted Jake. He had just killed for the first time.

“Send a drone to that wreckage, I want it investigated,” Captain Domingo said, no emotion in her voice. “I know they were pushing their engines, but that was a strange delayed secondary explosion.”

“You think they self-destructed?” Gonzales asked.

Domingo shrugged. “They weren’t for surrendering.” She then turned her head slightly towards the images of the other two pirate ships. “Lieutenants Ahoka and Jackson, report to the hangar bay immediately. Take boarding parties over to those ships at once. Secure their crews and search them. COMs, make sure those ships know that if they harm even one of their prisoners, they’ll live to regret it.”

“Yes Sir,” Lieutenant Hitoshi replied.

Jake nodded at Ahoka as they both jumped to their feet. As he passed Captain Domingo’s command chair a hand reached out and stopped him. Domingo leaned in closer. “Focus on securing that vessel,” she instructed him. “You’ll have plenty of time later to go over what just happened. It’s never easy the first time.”

“Thank you Captain,” Jake said as he tried to keep his emotions from his face. She had read him like a book.

Chapter 4

The period known as the Interwar Years is far from uninteresting. For the student of political history, there is much to learn from that period of the Empire. With the Karacknid War over, the founders of the Empire were able to turn their full attention to fleshing out many aspects of the Empire’s jurisprudence and administrative practices. Yet, for naval academy students interested chiefly in military affairs, our time is better spent elsewhere.

-Excerpt from Empire Ascendant 3015 AD.

When Jake stepped out of the bridge, Ahoka was waiting for him. “Everything okay?”

Jake forced a smile on his face. “Of course, let’s go. They’ll be waiting for us.” Quickly, they moved to the turbo lift and took it down to Resolute’s main hangar bay. Four assault shuttles were sitting in the middle of the hangar. Marines and Navy crew were loading up into them.

Major Onoda, the commander of Resolute’s marine detachment, and his second in command, Lieutenant Jamison, were waiting for them. “Lieutenants,” Onoda said as they approached. “Ahoka will join me, we’re going to secure the armed pirate ship. Jackson, you will accompany Jamison and secure the freighter. Get geared up in your combat suits, and let’s get this show on the road.”

“Yes Sir,” Ahoka replied for both of them. Moving over to one side of the hangar bay, Jake and Ahoka found their combat suits were waiting for them. Quickly, they put the light armor on, grabbed plasma rifles and jogged back to the shuttles. Jake shared a quick glance with Ahoka as they parted, and then boarded his shuttle.

Moving through its passenger compartment, he saw there was only one free seat. He smiled when he saw Sergeant Becca was sitting beside it. She gave him a nod as he sat. “It looks like you’re stuck with me, Lieutenant. Just stay behind me and you’ll be all right,” Becca said by way of greeting.

Several nearby marines chuckled, and Jake rolled his eyes. “Just don’t shoot me by accident.”

“I’ll try not to,” she replied with a grin.

Jake shook his head as the marines started cracking more jokes. Thankfully, they were not all at his expense. Despite their ribbing, it was a comfort to know the special forces marine squad would be with his boarding party. Pulling out his datapad, Jake looked through the personnel files of who had been assigned to his team as the shuttle took off. He nodded when he saw they were all officers and crew from his duty rotation. Glancing up, he looked around to catch their eyes and acknowledge their presence. A few gave him smiles or nods. They didn’t know him well yet, but he hoped they at least appreciated he knew what he was doing. At least, when it comes to running a ship, Jake said to himself. Boarding a pirate vessel was another matter entirely. Yet, it is for all of us, he reminded himself. Only the marines would have experienced this kind of thing before, and even then, probably not all of them. Thankfully, his team had been split up and assigned to the eight marine squads on his and Lieutenant Jamison’s shuttle. They would be well looked after.

As the shuttle approached the pirate freighter, Jake could sense the excitement from the naval crew around him growing. He understood. Admiralty law stipulated that thirty percent of the value of any ship taken as a prize would be distributed to the crew of the Imperial ship that captured it. Given that the pirate freighter was likely to be crammed with stolen cargo, they could all be seeing a very handsome reward. The changing attitude of the marines starkly contrasted with Jake’s team. Their banter had died away. Now, they were all quiet. Most stared at one point or another in the shuttle. Their minds were elsewhere. Jake accessed the COM channel for just his navy personnel. “Listen up,” he said to them. “This is serious business we’re about to attend to. The Marines can’t secure the entire ship for us. We will be operating in tandem with them. If the pirates put up a fight, we will have to neutralize them quickly. Forget about the prize money. Thinking about it now could get you killed. We need to get in and secure the freighter as quickly as possible. Keep your mind focused on the mission.” Leaning forward, Jake looked up and down the length of the shuttle to make eye contact with as many of his team as possible.

Satisfied he had concentrated them on the task at hand, he sat back and began to mentally prepare himself. The first thing he did was check his plasma rifle and make sure it was fully charged and had been run through a system’s diagnostic. Then he closed his eyes and focused on his breathing, already aware his heart was beginning to race. His mind went to his father. Even with his augments, Jake knew he wouldn’t be pleased at what was about to happen. You can’t protect me forever, he thought towards his father.

“All right, listen up,” Lieutenant Jamison’s voice said from the other shuttle. “When the shuttles dock with the freighter, the marines will exit first. We will secure the hangars and then the navy crew can come on board. We’ll split into our assault teams then, and clear the ship. Speed is key in these operations. You have all drilled for this. Just remember your training, and you’ll be fine.”

“Understood,” Jake replied on behalf of his shuttle.

“You’ll be with us,” Becca said as she leaned over touching her shoulder to Jake’s. “We are taking the bridge. Try to keep up, but don’t move ahead of your navy crew.”

“I’ll do my best,” Jake promised.

“Sixty seconds out,” the shuttle pilot announced.

“Combat helmets on,” Becca ordered. Up and down the shuttle, marines activated their combat armor, causing their helmets to slide up over their faces. The navy crew, in smaller combat suits, lifted their helmets from between their legs and attached them.

As he always was when he put on a combat suit helmet, Jake felt overwhelmed by the sudden influx of data. His helmet was integrated into the marines’ battlenet. It gave him access to all the information flowing from each marine. Minimizing most of the information, he focused on the layout of the freighter the shuttle’s scans had returned. It was a pretty standard layout. From the visuals he had seen of the freighter, it looked like it had been put together from a hodgepodge of other ship sections. That wasn’t unusual for pirates. It meant the ship could have been built by any one of a hundred different species. The only way they were going to find out who was manning the ship was to confront them face-to-face.

“Approaching one of their hangars now,” the pilot announced.

Jake twisted against his command chair’s restraints to look out the nearest view port. Up close, the freighter looked even more odd. Its different hull sections contrasted with one another starkly. He just got a glimpse of Lieutenant’s Jamison shuttle before it disappeared behind the freighter’s hull. Then, the black of space disappeared too as the shuttle descended into one of the freighter’s hangars.

As soon as the shuttle touched down, the Marines charged out of the rear access ramp. Jake followed right behind them. He waited until Becca looked back and raised a fist. “Clear!” she called over the COM channel.

Waving behind him, Jake led his crew out. “Stay close to your marines, and be careful,” he said over the COM channel. Quickly, he moved over to Becca’s side. “We are ready,” he said to the special forces marine.

“Higgins, take point,” Becca ordered.

Without another word, the four special forces marines set off towards the nearest hatch. Jake followed on their heels. Moving far quicker than Jake thought safe, they began to head through the freighter’s corridors. When they came to open hatches, the Marines paused, peeked in to make sure there were no hidden pirates, and then moved on. As they got deeper and deeper into the freighter, Jake grew more concerned. They still hadn’t encountered any pirates. Where are they? He asked himself. From the layout and size of the corridors and rooms, the ship could be used by many different species. He was still none the wiser.

“Bridge should be thirty meters ahead,” Higgins reported. “Just around the next corridor.”

“This is Jamison,” the Marine Lieutenant’s voice suddenly said. “We’ve encountered our first pirates, they are Human!” Jake stopped in his tracks. Humans. His hands gripped his plasma rifle tighter. Humans attacking other Humans was the worst kind of piracy. Jamison continued. “We have located thirty prisoners so far. Four pirates were guarding them. They have all surrendered. But they won’t share any intel on where the rest of the freighter’s crew are.”

“I think we just found them,” Higgins said. “Sergeant, you’re going to want to come and see this.” Ahead of Jake, Becca disappeared around a turn in the corridor. She popped her head back a moment later and gestured for Jake to join her.

“We have eight pirates manning a makeshift barrier in front of the bridge’s main hatch,” Becca said over the command COM channel. “They are armed.”

“They’ll be trying to delete files in the bridge,” Jake said hastily. “We need to take it.”

“You have permission to breach,” Jamison replied.

When Jake rounded the corridor, he saw Becca leaning her head around another turn just five meters ahead. She snapped it back in a flash. Four or five plasma bolts slammed into the corridor’s wall. Becca turned to Jake. “We’ll need you for this too, the more guns the better. We’ll launch grenades and then we attack.”

Jake nodded. “Understood,” he said as confidently as he could.

“In three,” Becca said as she unhooked two grenades from her utility belt.

Without issuing any more verbal commands, Becca and her three special forces marines attacked. Stun and explosive grenades were hurled around the turn in the corridor. As soon as they exploded, the marines charged. Moving quicker than Jake had seen any of them move before, they ran up the corridor. In just three seconds, they covered the twenty meters to the barrier. Jake rounded the turn in the corridor just in time to see Becca hurdle it. She was firing as she leapt, raining down plasma bolts on whoever was sheltering behind the barrier. By the time Jake reached the barrier, eight human pirates were lying on the floor smoking. Plasma bolts had burnt large holes in all their bodies. Despite his combat suit’s air filtrations system hiding the smell, Jake almost threw up.

Before he could, a rough hand grabbed him and pulled him towards the bridge’s hatch. “It is locked Lieutenant,” Becca said. “Work your magic.”

Jake had to think for a second to figure out what she meant. Then, he frantically pulled out his datapad. Attaching it to the door’s mechanism, his military grade decrypting software made short work of the door’s digital lock. As it slid open, he jumped back just as the marines hurled stun grenades through the opening. Their explosions were followed by screams and groans of pain. This time, when the marines rushed in, Jake did his best to keep right behind them. Plasma rifle up, he swept his gaze left and right as he looked for threats.

The bridge was small, about half the size of Resolute’s. Yet, it was crammed with pirates. Most were covering their eyes or ears. Some were still at their stations though, their fingers tapping furiously. Two began to draw weapons on the marines. Plasma bolts shot them down instantly. “Step away from those consoles,” Becca ordered loudly. “Now!” Four of the five pirates at their stations did so. One didn’t. Becca immediately moved towards him. She struck him on the head with the butt of her rifle. He crumpled to the deck.

Movement out of the corner of his eye caused Jake to turn. He opened his mouth to shout a warning. Instinctively, he knew it would take too long. Time seemed to slow down as he reacted with all his enhanced speed. Pivoting and raising his rifle, he depressed its trigger. Spraying shots along an arc, he drilled three bolts into the bridge’s deck, and then two at the pirate on the floor. He wasn’t quick enough to stop the pirate opening fire. One plasma bolt had left her pistol before Jake killed her. It flew just past Becca’s head before exploding against the bridge’s ceiling. Like lightning, Becca’s rifle whipped around. She held her fire when she saw the pirate was dead. “Good shooting Lieutenant,” she called out enthusiastically. Then she laughed. “That was close! I owe you one. Now get over here and see to this console,” she added before Jake could reply.

As Jake moved over, he shook his head. He knew he would be far more shaken up if an energy bolt had come so close to his head. As the marines secured the other pirates, he began to access the console. He quickly discovered it was the ship’s navigation controls. The pirate had been deleting all of the freighter’s astronomical data. Jake smiled when he found several files still largely intact. Everything before the last four months was gone. But several systems stood out in what was left. His smile widened when he selected the most interesting, and an attached file appeared from another database. Quickly, he attached his datapad to the console and extracted the files. He didn’t want them disappearing on him.

“Sergeant Samuels, status update,” Jamison voice requested seconds later.

“Bridge is secure Lieutenant,” Becca replied. “We have eleven dead pirates, ten more in custody. They were deleting files.”

“Good work. We have the engines and living quarters secure. Lieutenant Jackson, you can inform Captain Domingo the ship is in our hands.”

“Yes Sir,” Jake responded. He switched COM channels to connect with Resolute. “Captain Domingo, I’m pleased to report the ship’s main control centers are in our hands. I have also recovered some interesting files. I’m sending them over now.”

“Very well Lieutenant, make sure you and your team search that ship for anything else noteworthy…” Domingo broke off for a moment as she looked down. “My, my,” she said moments later. “Interesting indeed.” Jake smiled as he imagined how Captain Domingo looked as she stared at the holo image of the asteroid. “Keep searching,” Domingo continued in a more serious tone. “Find me more of this if you can.”

“Yes Captain,” Jake said as he gestured for his crew to move to the other bridge consoles and begin investigating them.

*

IS Resolute

In total, it took four hours for Jake and his team to search every compartment and analyze every data file on the freighter. When Captain Domingo recalled them, Jake liaised with Lieutenant Ahoka, and together they prepared a report for Resolute’s officers. As he stepped into Resolute’s main briefing room, Jake couldn’t keep the excitement from his face. He had seen more action in one day than in his previous four years of active duty. And with luck, it was only going to continue to increase. His excitement faded slightly when he saw Captain Domingo and the rest of Resolute’s senior officers were already there. Butterflies began to jump around in his stomach. Following behind Ahoka, he came to a halt in front of them all. He was glad Ahoka was going to speak first.

“You may proceed,” Captain Domingo said with a wave of her hand.

“Yes Captain,” Ahoka replied as she activated the briefing room’s holo display. Images of the two captured pirate ships began to rotate. “Both pirate ships are converted freighters. Rather, they are ships built from freighter hull components and have been adapted for pirate activity. From our analysis of the construction techniques used, and the ships’ crews, we believe Human pirates both built and served on the ships.

“The ship my team boarded was called Wolf Fang, she had a crew of thirty and was armed with six missile tubes and eight laser cannons. She holds almost no point defenses to speak of. All of her weaponry predates the Karacknid war era technology. Ten more ships like her wouldn’t be able to threaten us.”

“Yet that’s more than enough firepower to threaten most freighters,” Lieutenant Gonzales commented.

“Which is exactly what it appears they have been doing,” Ahoka said. “The crew of Wolf Fang didn’t try nearly so hard as the other pirate ship’s crew to delete their files. We have been able to extract the flight path of the pirate vessel for the last year and a half.” The holo display changed to show a star map of local space with a dotted line tracing out all the systems Wolf Fang had visited. “It seems the pirate ship has been patrolling in The Wilds for most of that time, though four months ago, she came into our sector of space. From her flightpath, it seems certain that she was the ship who attacked and destroyed the freighter we encountered in the Cambria system.” Ahoka glanced at Jake. “The prisoners Lieutenant Jackson freed confirmed this. Twelve of them were from the freighter. Originally, there were sixteen crew, the pirates killed four of them.” Several officers shook their heads or made sounds of disapproval. “Combining Wolf Fang’s flightpath with known reports of pirate activity and information from the prisoners we freed, I believe this vessel has been responsible for at least three attacks on our ships over the last four months, and possibly as many as six more in The Wilds. All of that is available in my fuller report. The crew of the ship have already been transported over to Resolute and are in the brig.”

“Thank you Lieutenant Ahoka,” Captain Domingo said. “What is the condition of the ship herself? Is she space worthy?”

“Her systems are relatively new,” Ahoka replied. “Though their maintenance has been poor. I have my crew running diagnostics and carrying out essential repairs on her main systems as we speak. She is space worthy, though I wouldn’t want to have to put her through the rigors of a combat drill.”

Domingo nodded. “Very good. And Lieutenant Jackson?”

Jake cleared his throat. “The pirate freighter is called Container. Not a very imaginative name; it is fitting though. She is stuffed to the gills with captured goods. From the surviving manifests attached to them, my team believes cargo from at least six other ships have been gathered into her holds. Most of the cargo is what you might expect to see being transported along our outer colonies. Though concerningly, we found these.” Tapping his datapad, Jake changed the holo image to show mark VII missiles and plasma cannon rounds. “There are three hundred missiles and ten thousand plasma rounds on board Container. They came from separate freighters. Survivors from two Teal Trading Industries freighters that were attacked confirmed that their ships were transporting these munitions to the Theta-fort system when they were attacked. Two attacks are not a pattern, but it is concerning.”

“Especially if they can get their hands on mark VII launchers to go with those missiles,” Captain Domingo said as she nodded her head. “The pirates would be an entirely different prospect then.”

“Only seven of the pirate freighter’s crew survived. The rest died defending the ship’s bridge. We weren’t able to extract nearly as much flight data from Container’s computers as Lieutenant Ahoka did from Wolf Fang, but we did get this.” Altering the holo image again, Jake displayed the information he had transmitted to Captain Domingo from Container’s bridge. “Twice in the last five months, Container visited this system, designated Zika-seven. According to Imperial charts, there is nothing of worth there. Yet Container went to the same exact spot twice and remained there for over a week each time.” Jake zoomed in to show a large asteroid on the edge of a larger asteroid field. He then zoomed it out again. “Overlaying Wolf Fang’s more complete flight info with Container’s also shows the two ships met once before we attacked them today. Not long after Container headed to Zika-seven. Ahoka and I believe Wolf Fang and the other pirate ship we destroyed acted as hunters, scouring nearby systems for prey to attack. Not being large enough themselves to carry all the cargo they might capture, they would then rendezvous with Container, offload their cargo, and resume their hunt. Container would then bring the stolen goods to Zika-seven.”

“Which means Zika-seven could be some kind of pirate base,” Captain Domingo said. “It could be serving as a center of operations for all the recent attacks on our shipping outside of The Wilds.” She shook her head. “The audacity. And if they are all Humans…” Jake felt the same. Though the pirate attacks had been increasing, no one had suspected they could be coordinated, nor that it might be Humans behind them all. “What about the prisoners the pirates had taken?” Domingo asked as her eyes snapped back to Jake.

Jake glanced at Ahoka. Most of the prisoners had already been transferred from Container, so she nodded for him to proceed. “We have rescued forty-four prisoners in total,” he answered. “Although they are from five different freighters. All report that at least some of their crews were killed. They’re all traumatized, but most are not in too bad a condition. It seems the pirates wanted to keep them as undamaged as possible to be able to sell. As you can imagine, they are very relieved that we found them when we did.”

“And Container is spaceworthy then?” Domingo followed up.

Jake nodded. “Like Wolf’s Fang, she’s not been looked after the best, but she should have no problem making a prolonged journey.”

Domingo turned to Lieutenant Morrison. “Anything more to update us on the pirate ship we destroyed?”

Lydia nodded her head. “Yes, there is Captain. Though, it comes more from the lack of evidence. Scans of the ship’s wreckage revealed almost nothing. The ship was obliterated when it detonated. More so than one would expect from a reactor overload caused by a power surge. I believe the ship’s reactors were overloaded on purpose. Only a full meltdown and explosive release of the excess energy could have destroyed the ship so completely.”

“You think they killed themselves?” Domingo asked.

Lydia nodded again. “I’ve run a hundred simulations, it is not impossible, but it’s highly unlikely the damage we caused to the ship’s engines could have caused such an immediate and overwhelming reactor failure.”

Domingo pushed her lips together. Everyone could see she was thinking. “Either they didn’t want to be captured, or they had something to hide,” she said after a few seconds. “My bet is on the latter. That is not good, however… ok,” she said as she brought a hand to rest on the briefing room table. “We have more questions than answers. We need to find out if these pirates are specifically targeting freighters carrying Imperial Fleet weaponry. We need to find out if they were acting alone or as part of a larger group. For if there are Human pirates out there arming themselves with Imperial technology, we need to know about it as soon as possible. We need to know who is behind it. If this really is an operation on this scale, someone has to have thought it up and be funding it.” Tapping on the command terminal to the desk in front of her, Domingo changed the holo display to show the asteroid Jake had zoomed in on previously. “Here’s what I’m thinking,” Domingo continued. “Lieutenant Ahoka, I’m giving you command of Wolf’s Fang. We’re going to transfer the prisoners we freed and the munitions to her. Then, I’m sending you back to Britannia. You can deliver the pirate ship to the Admiralty there and bring a report of what we have found. As for the rest of us, we are going to Zika-seven. That is where we are going to get our answers.”

Chapter 5

Sadly, despite the herculean efforts of many military historians, little is known about the events of the Karacknid Civil War but that which can be gleaned from declassified Imperial scouting reports. A number of historians have tried to visit Gayla in an effort to examine the Karacknid’s own historical records from the time, yet what they found cannot be trusted at all. The reports of the battles are all so one-sided that if believed, one would have to conclude Tanaka-lan could swat dreadnaughts out of space simply by casting his gaze upon them.

-Excerpt from Empire Ascendant 3015 AD.

Container, Zika Seven, 19th August 2508 AD, (three weeks later).

Jake sat perfectly still in his command chair on board Container. Butterflies were dancing around in his stomach like he had never felt before. He could feel his foot wanting to tap away on the bridge’s deck. Yet, he kept himself under control. A quick glance at Lydia and the petty officers manning the consoles around him told him they all looked under control as well. He knew it had to be a façade. They were about to attempt the most dangerous thing any of them had engaged upon before. Is this what it was like in the Karacknid War? Jake asked himself. He had read every battle report on every engagement from a small skirmish to the major fleet actions. Many of them he knew by heart. He had even met some of the famous commanders who had survived the war. Admiral Becket, Vice Admiral Fisher and even the Emperor’s niece, Admiral Emilie Somerville. They had all been different, but they had shared one thing in common. Wherever they went, they brought an uncontainable air of confidence with them. Within moments of seeing them take charge of a room, Jake had been sure they could lead a fleet to the gates of hell and back again.

Turning his eyes from his crew to the holo display of the large asteroid Container was cruising towards, Jake did not feel the same confidence in himself. He had been delighted when Captain Domingo had given him command of the mission. With Ahoka taking Wolf’s Fang back to Britannia and Gonzales needed to help run Resolute, he had been the logical choice. Still, Jake had been very grateful. He still was. Yet now, the full responsibility of what he had been tasked with doing was weighing on his shoulders. All of Resolute’s thirty-six marines, along with another thirty of Resolute’s crew, were on board Container. Keeping to the exact flightpath they knew Container had used before, Jake and his crew were approaching the suspected pirate base. Resolute was in stealth one light hour away at the edge of the system, waiting to spring into action when she was needed. Her presence was reassuring, but Jake knew things could go wrong far quicker than Captain Domingo could come to their aid. “The codes are ready?” Jake asked as he glanced at Lydia.

She nodded to him. “And the hologram. We’re as ready as we’re going to be.”

“Then let’s hope this works,” Jake replied. “Get ready for a full burn on our engines in case it doesn’t. And don’t wait for my permission to deploy the point defenses. If we’re fired upon, engage any incoming ordnance at once.”

“Aye Lieutenant,” Lydia replied enthusiastically. She gave him a quick smile.

Jake returned it. Despite his trepidation, he had to admit it was exciting. They were as prepared as they could be. During the three-week flight to Zika-seven, his crew had worked around the clock to improve the freighter’s engines, install hidden point defenses, and arm the freighter with two single plasma cannons. If the asteroid really was a pirate base, then they were going to get the shock of their lives when Container unleashed her offensive capabilities into them. We have to get there first, Jake reminded himself before he got too carried away.

Returning a stoic look to his face, Jake tried to exude as much confidence as he could. There was no doubt the pirates, if there were any present on the asteroid, would have detected Container by now. Likely, they were tracking the freighter using their passive sensors. Sooner or later, Jake expected to be hailed and queried. That would be their first test. Lydia was Resolute’s COM expert and so, it was over to her when they did. Twenty more minutes passed without anything happening though. Container came close enough that her optical sensors were able to study the asteroid in fine detail. The images made Jake start to doubt himself. There were zero signs of any other vessels near the asteroids. Nor did it look like the asteroid itself had been mined out.

A series of beeps from Lydia’s console made him jump. “We’re being hailed by a narrow beam laser COM array,” she reported as her head whipped up from her console. Her eyes were wide as she met Jake’s.

“Send the codes,” Jake responded as his heart began to race. The rest of Jake’s crew stopped what they were doing.

“Sent,” Lydia reported. Seconds dragged by as they waited for a response from whoever had hailed them. Fifteen passed before Lydia looked up again. Jake knew before she spoke. She didn’t look pleased. “They rejected the codes. They are saying they are old ones.”

Jake felt his body tensed. Fear filled Container’s bridge. If the pirates had weapons trained on the freighter, they could open fire at any second. “Prepare to transmit my response,” he said as calmly as he could.

“Transmitting now,” Lydia responded.

Jake mentally crossed his fingers. From the data files Container’s previous Captain hadn’t bothered deleting, multiple recordings of him had been found. Using them, Resolute’s computer had generated a holographic program that would overlay Jake with an image of the Captain. With a tap on his command chair, Jake activated the holographic display Resolute’s Chief Engineer had built into it. “What do you mean, old codes?” He demanded as roughly as he could. “These are the same bloody codes we used two months ago. If you’ve changed them, it’s not my problem.”

Jake held his breath to see what would happen next. He had studied the previous Captain’s mannerisms closely, but there is no way of telling if the ruse would work.

“They’re replying,” Lydia reported.

Container’s main holo display switched to show a woman with long, dark orange hair. Surprisingly, her flight suit looked clean and well-kept. “Captain Rodriguez, I see you are showing the same fine decorum as always. I instructed Prometheus to pass on the new codes to you.”

Jake shook his head. “We haven’t met Prometheus. She didn’t appear at the rendezvous. Only Wolf Fang showed up. We did hear rumors of an Imperial cruiser being sent to patrol the area though.” The woman screwed up her face, clearly thinking. Jake leaned forward, letting frustration fill his face. “Listen, if you don’t want the mark VII missiles and plasma rounds we’ve got, then fine, we can take them elsewhere.”

The woman shot a cold stare at him. She nodded, nevertheless. “Fine, dock at berth four. Have your crew ready to begin unloading at once. We want to get the cargo moving as soon as possible.”

“Of course, your Highness,” Jake said as he gave the woman a mock bow and waved a hand above his head. The woman shook her head and slammed a hand onto her command chair, cutting off the COM channel.

Jake couldn’t help but grin from ear to ear. It had worked! Lydia was beaming at him as well. “Good work,” he said to her. “Inform Major Onoda they have accepted us.” He added as he calmed down.

“Lieutenant look,” the crewwoman managing Container’s sensors said as she pointed to the holo display. It changed to show the asteroid once more.

A hole had suddenly appeared in its structure. As Jake watched, it looked like two massive hangar doors were retracting. It is hollow! Jake thought to himself. The doors had been perfectly hidden. Someone has gone to a lot of trouble to build and hide this. “Take us in,” Jake said as he nodded to the crewman at Container’s helm. “Have our weapons ready to charge up at once. Make sure Onoda is getting a live feed as we enter, he will have to plan his assault on the fly.”

As Container slowly approached the opening and then began to pass through it, everyone on the bridge fell silent as they waited to see what was on the other side. They weren’t disappointed. Jake’s mouth fell open. The pirates hadn’t just carved out a part of the asteroid, they had hollowed out the entire thing! Lights filled the inside, illuminating the asteroid base. Several of Jake’s crew gasped. There were eight pirate ships already docked within the asteroid. Shuttles and drones were moving back-and-forth between several of them, loading or unloading cargo. From one section of the asteroid, other lights shone on large duraglass windows. Someone zoomed the image in on them to reveal that they were arrayed in consecutive layers. Like levels, Jake thought. Large rooms and hangars could be seen on the other side of the glass. The asteroid itself is part of the base too, he realized.

“That must be berth four,” Lydia said as she pointed to a spot between two docked ships. Two red lights had just begun to flash, highlighting a free docking clamp.

“Take us in slowly,” Jake ordered. He wanted to give Major Onoda as much time as possible. As Container started to rotate to be able to approach the berth, he focused on the pirate ships. Quickly, he assessed each one’s capabilities and prioritized them. No one had expected to find so many ships. There was no way Container could engage them all.

“Major Onoda wants to speak to you Lieutenant,” Container’s COM officer said.

Jake nodded. “Go-ahead Captain,” he said when the COM channel was opened.

“Here’s our plan, Lieutenant, I will take most of my marines on our two shuttles and board the two ships furthest from Container’s docking berth. We will secure the ships, and then begin infiltrating the asteroid base itself. Sergeant Samuels will take her special forces marines and two more squads and push out from Container. Your people are to follow her. As she secures docking clamps, your people can hold them. If we control the manual override, none of the ships will be able to escape. Once we have the docking section under our control, we can assault the other parts of the asteroid at our leisure.”

“Understood Captain, we will hold position once Sergeant Samuels and our people are off the ship and blast anything that tries to escape,” Jake replied.

“We’ll launch now then, good luck Lieutenant.”

“And to you, Captain,” Jake said.

Seconds later, two shuttles emerged from Container’s hangar. At once, the COM console began to beep on Container’s bridge. “We’re being hailed again,” a crewman reported.

Jake activated the holographic unit on his command chair. “Put her through.” He ordered.

“Where are those two shuttles going?” The same red-haired woman demanded. “Your shuttles are to remain on your ship. That is standard procedure.”

Jake shrugged his shoulders. “We just thought we’d get a head start on unloading,” he said as innocently as possible.

“Balderdash,” the woman snapped. “What are you playing at Rodriguez?”

Jake held up his hands. “What more do you want me to say? This is my ship. I’ll run it as I please.” The woman stared at Jake for a couple of seconds, the suspicion on her face visibly grew. Without warning, she ended the COM channel. Jake swallowed hard. “Get ready,” he said to everyone. Moments later, a slight jolt ran through Container as she gently slotted into her docking berth. “Now!” Jake snapped.

Instantly, Container powered up her weapons and began to broadcast an unencrypted message demanding every ship and pirate surrender. At the same time, Onoda’s two shuttles blasted three pirate shuttles that had begun to close with them. Speeding up, they dived towards their targets. At Container’s docking berth, the hatch retracted, and marines came pouring out.

*

As soon as the hatch began to retract, Becca threw herself forward. She exited Container into a large corridor. Several pirates had already arrived, tools for unloading cargo in their hands. She barreled into three of them, knocking them to the ground. “Hands up,” she screamed over her combat armor’s speakers. Her plasma rifle was already aimed at the nearest pirate’s head. When he didn’t immediately react, she drove an armored fist into his stomach. He fell to his knees. Her aggression was enough to cower the rest. Their hands shot up in a flash. “Cuff and secure them,” she ordered as she gestured for the navy crew with her to take over.

Without waiting, she set off at a sprint along the corridor. As she moved, she used her combat armor’s HUD to release hundreds of miniature drones from her and her squad’s combat armor. They spread out and started to scan the entire asteroid mapping it out. The next berth was only one hundred and fifty meters further along the corridor. Scans of the asteroid showed the corridor formed a ring that went three quarters of the way around the asteroid, providing access to the docking berths. They needed to secure the ring as quickly as possible. Within seconds, she reached the next docking berth. Tapping on its access panel, she opened the hatch to the adjoining ship to Container. “Sergeant Magennis, she is yours.”

“Yes Ma’am,” Magennis replied as he charged in with his squad of marines. Eight armed navy crew followed him in.

Becca waited just long enough to be sure Magennis’ force made it into the pirate ship before turning away from the hatch. With a hand gesture, she sent Higgins and O’Malley racing ahead of her to the next berth. Staying right on their heels, she saw the pirates emerge from the next ship at the same time as O’Malley and Higgins did. All three of them threw themselves to the ground as the pirates raised their weapons. Firing as she dived, Becca saw two of her bolts hit a pirate even as his shots zipped over her head. As she, O’Malley, and Higgins continued to fire, Malhorta raced past them at a lightning speed and reached the hatch. Without hesitating, he flung stun grenades through the opening. Before they exploded, Becca was already on her feet sprinting to join him. With a nod to Malhorta, they both peered around the hatch. Three pirates were on the ground trying to cover their eyes and ears. Plasma bolts dispatched them. “Sergeant Shaw, you’re up,” Becca snapped as she looked back down the corridor. Shaw and her three marines were just catching up with them.

Again, Becca waited for Shaw to board the pirate ship and for the navy crew to follow her in. Then she moved to join her squad. Together, they moved further along the corridor and took up a defensive position. “No movement up ahead?” She asked.

“None,” Malhorta answered.

“Well, they know we are here now, let’s not give them any more time to prepare.” Moving past her squad, Becca broke into a fast jog as she led them along the curving corridor. She had her rifle ready as they approached the next berth. Yet, it’s hatch was closed. “Cover me,” she ordered as she moved up to it. Malhorta and Higgins moved further down the corridor to keep watch. Tapping on the access panel, Becca cursed when it didn’t respond. The pirates had locked her out. Some of the navy crew had charges and plasma cutters, yet it would take too long. She needed to secure the other ships and the pirate base. Turning round, she moved back down the corridor until she bumped into the rest of the Navy personnel moving to keep up with her. “Petty Officer Fernandes,” she called out.

“Yes Sergeant?” Fernandes said as he stepped forward.

“Leave four of your people at the next berth hatch. The pirates have sealed it. They are to guard the hatch. I don’t want any of its crew coming out to flank us. And inform Lieutenant Jackson that pirate ship may try to escape.”

“Understood Sergeant,” the Petty Officer replied.

Becca nodded to him. “Have the rest of your people follow me.” She spun on her heels and moved to continue her attack. “Let’s go,” she said over the COM channel to her squad as she re-joined them. Moving more slowly and cautiously, they continued along the corridor. The next berth was the same, its hatch was sealed tight. When they continued on around the corridor, they came to a large foyer opposite the next berth. It had a wide hatch that seemed to lead deeper into the asteroid base. Movement further along the corridor they were in caused Becca’s rifle to snap towards it. She stopped herself pulling the trigger just in time. It was Major Onoda and his marines.

“We have secured two ships,” she reported as she moved to join him. “The rest have locked themselves in.”

“We have boarded two as well,” Onoda replied. He gestured towards the foyer. “Let’s finish this. Take point.”

“With pleasure,” Becca said with a grin she knew no one could see.

Moving down the foyer, Becca saw hatches that led to four sets of stairs. They went both up and down relative to the level she was on. The majority of the asteroid base was above the level of the ship berths, so she chose one of the stairs leading up and gestured for O’Malley to take point. Moving up one level, her squad cautiously peered out into a large hangar. It was filled with stolen cargo. Even a cursory glance told Becca most of the materials were weaponry. It was like looking at a marine supply depot. There was no sign of any pirates however. “Keep going up,” she ordered. Onoda’s marines could secure the hangar, her priority was finding the asteroid base’s main control room and the rest of the pirates.

As they continued up three more levels, they didn’t encounter any pirates. Scans from her combat armor’s sensors and the drones they had released to map out the asteroid suggested the first two levels were also storage areas, but the third looked like the pirates’ living quarters. “The command room should be on the next level,” she informed her squad. It was the only area her drones hadn’t been able to access. The pirates had it locked up tight.

Without looking to see, she hurled stun grenades through the hatch when she came to the top of the stairs. As soon as they exploded, she rushed through into the corridor. Malhorta, O’Malley and Higgins were right behind her. She grunted when she found no pirates. The corridor was empty. Scans told her it led in one direction. There were no other hatches leading off it, only one large hatch at its end. Cautiously moving down to it, she tapped on the hatch’s access panel. It didn’t respond. “We’re going to have to cut through it,” she said to her squad. Switching COM channels, she connected with Major Onoda. “I believe we have reached the control room; it is sealed tight. We’ll need plasma cutters.”

“Sending them to you now,” Onoda replied. “We have found lots of stolen cargo, but no pirates yet. They must have sealed themselves in the control room.”

Becca waited as patiently as she could as a squad of marines joined her squad on the upper level. They immediately moved over to the hatch and two of them ignited their plasma cutters. She couldn’t help but tap her foot as it took nearly two minutes to cut through the center of the hatch. “We are ready,” one of the marines finally said as he switched off his plasma cutter. He pulled a small explosive charge and placed it on the hatch. “We better stand back,” he suggested.

“Back to the stairwell,” Becca said as she gestured for her squad to move back with the other marines.

“Detonating,” the marine shouted. A small pop followed.

Becca raced back out of the stairwell. The hatch had been blown into the control room. Her squad hurled stun grenades through the opening. Then, they charged in. She ground to a halt seconds later. She was definitely in the control room. A number of command consoles were arranged in concentric semicircles. Yet, there were no pirates. Quickly ,she scanned the outer walls of the control room. Her eyes narrowed when she saw it. There was another hatch. Get in here,” she ordered the second squad of marines. “Get this hatch cut open at once.”

A repetitive flashing from one of the consoles drew her attention. Moving over to it, Becca examined the console. Her eyes widened when she saw it. It was a timer that was counting down. Her mind went to the pirate vessel that had self-destructed at Magellan Three. At once, she switched COM channels to the command channel. “Onoda, Jackson, there are no pirates in the command center. There’s another hatch they have escaped from. There’s also a timer counting down. I think the base is set to self-destruct. The pirates are trying to escape. We only have seven minutes!”

Chapter 6

What we can say for sure about the Karacknid Civil War is that it was one of the bloodiest conflicts in our galaxy’s history. Hundreds of worlds were laid waste by the fighting. Tens of thousands of ships must have been destroyed. The casualties must have reached into the hundreds of billions.

-Excerpt from Empire Ascendant 3015 AD.

Alarm filled Jake as he heard Becca’s warning. He opened his mouth to reply. Nothing came out. He was silenced by thousands of small explosions filling Container’s main holo display. They rippled across the bottom third of the asteroid. In an instant, he was looking out at the darkness of space. Before he could really grasp what had happened, larger explosions erupted from four of the docked ships. They had blown the docking clamps holding them in place. Several shuttles also appeared from some hidden hangar. They rushed towards the ships. Even as Jake watched, the pirate ships began to back away from their berths, their weapons turning towards Container. At once, he took control of Container’s weapons. “De-couple us from the clamps!” he ordered. Slamming his fingers down onto his control panel, he sent two plasma bolts hurtling towards the nearest pirate ship. Both struck its only plasma cannon, melting it to slag. Jake’s eyes flashed around the inside of the asteroid, looking for the next threat. He saw it too late. Another pirate ship fired three laser beams into Container’s nose. Hull fragments and internal bulkheads were blown apart. Jake felt the force reverberate up through the spine of the freighter and under his command chair.

Even as it fired, the pirate ship began to turn towards the large opening in the bottom of the asteroid. Losing track on the laser cannons, Jake blasted its engines instead. The vessel immediately lost thrust. Its maneuvering thrusters began to fire widely trying to correct its spin. Jake moved on from it. Three pirate ships were still making for the massive hole the small detonations had blown into the asteroid. It was clear now the pirates had an escape plan all along. They are trying to get out of here before the whole place self-destructs, Jake was sure. He cursed as he tried to bring Container’s plasma cannons to bear on the next pirate ship. “Turn us to follow them!” he ordered.

More jolts ran through the bridge as laser beams and then plasma bolts struck the freighter. Bridge officers began to call out damage reports. Jake was only half listening; his focus was on the pirate ships. He didn’t want any of them to get away. As soon as his plasma cannons recharged, he smashed the fire button again. Two bolts struck the third pirate ship. They didn’t hit anything vital, however. Jake swore again. “Come on, come on!” He demanded as he watched his cannon’s capacitors begin to charge up again. He grimaced as more enemy fire struck his ship. “No!” he cried as first one, then a second pirate ship pulled out of the hole in the asteroid. A third quickly followed them. The only one left was the first ship whose engines he had damaged. As Jake swung his weapons around to face it, it hurled three more laser beams into Container’s hull. More alarms went off around Jake. Jake didn’t care. He fired back plasma bolts of his own. Over the space of forty seconds, the ships fired three more salvos at each other. For a moment, Jake thought the pirate ship was going to escape too. But then as it tried to push its way out of the opening, a maneuvering thruster failed, causing it to clip the asteroid on the way past. The shunt sent the ship spiraling away towards the nearby asteroid field. With its main engines down and the additional damage Jake had done, Jake knew it was done for.

Instantly, Jake checked the chronometer on his command chair. For the briefest of seconds, he hesitated. He hadn’t fired Container’s two missiles. In the confined space of the asteroid, they could have killed as many of his own people as the pirates. Yet if he left the asteroid, he could lock onto the three fleeing pirate ships and take out two of them. Desperately, he wanted to take them out. Yet the engagement had already lasted four minutes. There was hardly any time left. He needed to get his people off the stricken pirate base before it blew.

“Bring us back to the docking berth,” he ordered. “And give me a damage report.”

“It’s not good, Jake,” Lydia shouted. “Our engines have taken damage, so have our power relays. Maneuvering thrusters will get us back to the berth, but we may not be able to get out of the asteroid in time. If it explodes and sends a shockwave of rock chunks…”

Jake nodded. He understood. The rock chunks could catch up to Container and tear her apart. He quickly pulled up the damage report on his command chair. Lydia was right. Container had taken a serious beating. Her large size had allowed her to absorb most of the pirate shots, yet they had been doing damage nonetheless. Closing his eyes, he tried to think. In the back of his mind, he could picture the timer counting down. He dismissed it as best he could. They needed a way out. They had Onoda’s shuttles. They should have the speed to escape the asteroid’s detonation. Jake dismissed them though. If they did escape, they’d be sitting ducks for the pirates. They needed a ship. His eyes snapped open. Quickly, he assessed the four pirate ships the marines had secured. His eyes were drawn to one immediately. It was the smallest, yet it looked most like a proper warship. Roughly the size of a destroyer, its engines looked impressive. At once, he activated the command COM channel. “Onoda, Jamieson, Samuels, we need to evacuate immediately. Container is too damaged to get us out of here. Make for Python. We’re going to take her.”

“Understood Lieutenant, we’re already on our way,” Onoda replied.

Jake locked eyes with Lydia. “Send the general order to evacuate ship. Get everyone off Container and onto Python. Make sure all our people on the asteroid know as well. And tell our crew already on Python to fire up her reactors and engines.”

“Yes Sir,” Lydia replied.

Jake spun towards the rest of the crew manning Container’s bridge. “Go on, get going this instant,” he ordered. Without hesitating, they began to move out of Container’s bridge. Jake waited just long enough for Lydia to transmit his orders before he grabbed her from her command chair and made sure she went ahead of him. Almost, he turned back to look at the bridge. Though Container was a poorly-built underpowered freighter, for three short weeks, she had been his. Reluctantly, Jake dismissed his sentimentality. Now was not the time for such juvenile thoughts. His crews’ lives were still at risk.

In less than a minute, Jake followed his bridge crew out of Container onto the berthing corridor. It was already full of marines and navy personnel moving from the other captured ships towards Python. Pirates who had been captured on their ships were being pushed along at gun point. “Go ahead and make sure she is ready to depart,” Jake ordered Lydia. Lydia nodded and sprinted off. Jake waited until everyone had passed and then followed behind. When he got to the hatch that led onto Python, he waited counting off everyone that headed into the ship. “Keep moving!” He ordered when the marines started to appear. They were already sprinting, but he felt he needed to say something. Though it took less than a minute, it felt like an eternity passed before Onoda and Becca appeared.

“Go get onboard,” Onoda said as he gestured for Jake to go ahead of him. “We’re the last ones.”

Jake switched his COM channel to speak with Lydia. “Detach the ship and get us out of here,” he ordered. As soon as he entered the ship, Jake rushed to the bridge. When he got there, he saw Python was already moving out of the hole in the asteroid. “How long have we got?” He demanded as he threw himself into the nearest command chair and strapped in.

“Forty-five seconds,” Lydia called out.

“Gun it,” Jake ordered. At once, he was squished back into his command chair as Python’s engines went into overdrive. Jake hoped everyone had found a seat to strap into. It was too late to worry about that now. Tapping on his command chair, he accessed the bridge’s holo display and brought up an image of the asteroid and space around it even as Python raced away from it. “There,” he said as he pointed at a small asteroid. “Put that asteroid between us and the pirate base.”

Python immediately began to alter course. The pirate ship made it around the asteroid just three seconds before the asteroid base blew up. When it did, Jake’s eyebrows rose in surprise. The explosion was massive. The large asteroid was turned into a million chunks of rock that were hurled out in every direction. Even with using the small asteroid as cover, Python was battered by several small pieces of rock. Alarms went off, warning of damage. “Cut our engines,” Jake snapped. “And reduce our reactor power levels.” He had no idea what condition Python was in. He couldn’t risk causing any additional damage. “And scan the area. I want to know where those pirate ships are.”

Moments later and the holo display widened to show a larger area of the system they were in. Three contacts were quickly identified. The pirate ships were racing towards three separate shift passages out of Zika-seven. After just a couple more seconds, a fourth contact appeared. Resolute was on the move. She was accelerating hard after the nearest pirate ship. Jake grinned at the site of the Imperial cruiser. She was more than twice as fast as the helpless pirate ship. There was no way they could escape. “All right,” he said after taking a couple of deep breaths to calm down. “Let’s take stock of our situation. Check on our crew and on the state of Python’s systems. I want a full report as soon as possible.”

“Right away Lieutenant,” Lydia replied. She then turned and began to organize the bridge crew.

Jake’s COM unit beeped a few moments later. “Go ahead,” he said to Major Onoda.

“I’m sending you an initial report I’d like transmitted onto Resolute,” the marine Captain requested. “It’s mostly the visual feed from some of my marines. What we saw on that asteroid was concerning. I think it was blown as much to hide the evidence as to allow the pirates to escape. Captain Domingo needs to know. If she can capture one of those ships intact, there could be vital intelligence we need to understand just what has been going on.”

“Understood Captain, I’ll transmit it right away,” Jake replied. With Lydia busy, he accessed Python’s COM unit and sent the message. Then he began to investigate the ship himself. Assessing its reactors, engines and then weapons, he tried to get a feel for the ship’s capabilities. What he found made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. Though not military grade, Python’s reactors and engines were impressive. Very impressive for a pirate ship. Her weapons were even more so. She was equipped with copious amounts of point defenses, four heavy plasma cannons and eight missile tubes. Unbelievably, the tubes were fitted to fire Imperial Navy missiles, and mark VI missiles no less. They were the standard missiles used by the navy in the later stages of the Karacknid war twenty years ago! Using them on a civilian freighter was the very definition of overkill. Jake quickly put together a brief report on Python’s capabilities and sent it on to Resolute. Captain Domingo would be very interested to learn just what kind of ships she might be up against.

“I’m ready to report,” Lydia said five minutes later, breaking into Jake’s thoughts. Jake looked up and gave her a nod. “We’re missing four crewmen and one marine. They were killed securing the other three pirate ships. Five more of our people are injured, though not seriously. We have thirty-three pirates captured. They are all in hangar bay one. Major Onoda’s marines are keeping a close watch on them.”

“And the ship? We know she can certainly fight if she needs to. How are her other systems?”

“Surprisingly, far better than Wolf Fang’s or Container’s were,” Lydia replied. “The crew seemed to know what they were doing. She doesn’t come close to navy standards, but it’s what I’d expect from a well-kept civilian ship. Her reactors, engines, and other primary systems are all fully functioning. The hits we took from the detonation of the pirate base only caused cosmetic damage. The hull seems to be well-built. From what I can tell, she was not put together from a collection of other ship parts. She has been built from her keel up as one ship. She even has ample life support systems; we should have no problem with everyone crammed on board. You certainly picked the right ship, Jake.”

“More questions,” Jake said as he shook his head. “We’ll have to interrogate the survivors from Python’s former crew closely. Send your report to Resolute.”

“Aye, sir,” Lydia replied.

“Everyone else, familiarize yourself with Python’s controls and systems as best you can,” Jake ordered. He then set about doing the same. His first priority was getting the ship’s computer to project the courses of Resolute and the three pirate ships. He quickly got the holo display to update to show him what he wanted. The results made him grimace. Resolute would easily catch the ship she was pursuing now, but then Captain Domingo would have a dilemma. She wouldn’t be able to catch up with both of the other pirate ships before they reached their respective shift passages. One of them was going to escape. Jake designated them as alpha-two and alpha-three. “Lieutenant Morrison, plot us two separate pursuit courses after contacts alpha-two and three.”

“Yes Sir,” Lydia said. A couple seconds later and two new lines appeared on the holo display. They showed alpha-two would make it to its shift passage before Python could catch up, but Jake could bring alpha-three into missile range just before it could jump out.

“Lay in a pursuit course for alpha-three. Load all our missile tubes,” Jake ordered. Tapping on his command chair, Jake opened a COM channel to Resolute. “Captain Domingo, as you can see from our reports, Python is a powerful ship. With your permission, I intend to close with alpha-three and try and prevent her from escaping. That will allow you to deal with alpha-two once you have subdued alpha-one.” As soon as he sent his message, Jake nodded to Lydia. “Engage engines.”

“Shouldn’t we wait for permission?” Lydia asked.

Jake shook his head. “We can always turn around if she says no. If she says yes, we don’t want to waste any time.”

Lydia nodded as her fingers danced over her console. Moments later and Jake felt Python’s engines kick in as the pirate destroyer began to rapidly accelerate. Once again, he found himself wondering who had built the ship and why. As he waited for his message to reach Resolute and Captain Domingo to send a reply, Jake’s mind wandered back to the attack on the pirate asteroid. They had always been walking into the unknown. Yet he couldn’t help but feel like they should have handled things better. Three pirate ships had escaped. The pirates had managed to self-destruct their base and they had taken casualties. It suddenly dawned on Jake that the deaths they had suffered were his fault. He was in overall command. In four years of active service, he hadn’t seen any Navy crew die. Now he was responsible for five. A sense of coldness descended around his heart. He didn’t know the numbers, but he was also aware of the fact that his orders had killed more pirates as well. Maybe as many as a couple of hundred had died in the attack on the base and then the ship he had sent crashing into the asteroid field. As Jake raised his eyes to the holo display and focused on alpha-three, he started to second-guess his decision to give chase to the pirate vessel. If they didn’t surrender, he’d have to fire on them and add more deaths to the day’s butcher’s bill. And what if they are as well armed as we are? He asked himself. Judging from the pirate ship’s acceleration rate and the unkept look of her hull, alpha-three looked more like a Wolf Fang than a Python, but there was no way to tell just what weapons she had until she opened fire. If she turned out to be well-armed, he was certain to lose more of his people. The excitement Jake had felt hours ago at the prospect of the mission was now completely gone. Almost, he wanted Domingo to reply and call him off. Ever so slightly, he shook his head. This is not like all the reports I read, he admitted to himself. In the heat of the moment, he had reacted to things as he had been trained to. But now that he had time to think, his confidence in himself was quickly draining.

“We have Captain Domingo’s reply,” Lydia reported moments later. She nodded towards the holo display. It changed to show Captain Domingo sitting in her command chair on Resolute’s bridge. Despite all the action going on in the system, she looked perfectly calm.

“I received your request, Lieutenant Jackson. You certainly are keen. Was destroying a pirate asteroid base and four of their ships not enough for you?” Domingo actually chuckled. “You’re an officer after my own heart, Jackson. Of course you can pursue. Accept her surrender if you can, destroy her if you can’t.”

Jake felt a small measure of his confidence returning. If Captain Domingo trusted him, then he didn’t want to let her down. Tapping his command chair he began recording a reply. “Thank you Captain, we will keep you updated.” Jake turned to Lydia. “Hail alpha-three, order them to surrender.” She nodded as she looked down at her console.

The pirate vessel was already carrying out evasive maneuvers just in case Jake tried hitting it with a long-range plasma cannon shot. When a minute passed from when Lydia sent her message, she looked back up and shook her head. “I don’t think they’re going to reply.”

“Very well,” Jake said, “we will keep gaining on them and try to bring them into missile range.”

For an hour, Jake sat in his command chair largely in silence as he watched alpha-three slowly get closer and closer. When Python was just half an hour from being able to launch a missile at the pirate ship, an energy spike was detected from it. The pirate ship’s acceleration rate increased slightly moments later. It wasn’t much, but as an updated projection of alpha-three’s course, it became clear it would get the ship to the system’s mass shadow before Python could fire.

“What do we do, Lieutenant?” Lydia asked.

Jake hesitated. He thought he knew what the pirates had done. They had taken the safeties off their reactors and engines. It was a risk, likely a massive risk given the condition the ship’s components were likely to be in. Either their reactors could meltdown or their engines overload, either would probably destroy the pirate vessel. He could do the same, but he would be putting his people in the same risk. If he was commanding a navy destroyer, he might just give the order. Navy ships were built to hold up under severe stress for short periods of time. But he didn’t have nearly the same confidence in Python. He shook his head. “It’s too risky. We can’t match them.”

“Should we reduce our acceleration?” Lydia followed up.

“No,” Jake said at once. “If we do, they will reduce theirs as well. If they want to run this risk, we will keep pursuing them. Maybe one of their engines will fail and we’ll catch them yet.”

For another nine minutes, they continued pursuing alpha-three. Then a message came in from Resolute, the cruiser had just destroyed alpha-two when it refused to surrender. Lydia put the message on the main holo display. “Lieutenant Jackson, if you’re willing, I’m giving you permission to pursue that pirate ship into the next system. With your speed advantage, you should be able to catch up to them and force them to surrender before they get far. These pirates have already done too much damage to our shipping, if we can stop that ship I want to. Resolute will wait here, we’re going to do a very thorough scan of the wreckage of the pirate base and the ships we have destroyed. Something very fishy is going on here.”

Jake felt every eye on the bridge turn to look at him. In theory, Domingo was giving him every Lieutenant’s dream. His own ship and an independent mission. Even if it was only for a couple of days, he would be in sole command. An acting captain in all but name. Instead of joy however, his doubts came back to assail him. If he failed, he could end up getting more people killed. Yet Captain Domingo’s words came back to him. If the pirate ship did escape, its crew could kill countless more people. He glanced at Lydia. She gave him the slightest of nods. He tapped his command chair to send a reply. “Thank you Captain, we will not let you down. Python out.” When Jake looked around at Lydia and the other crew on the bridge, they were all smiling. He couldn’t help but catch their enthusiasm. “Let’s check Python’s shift drive and get ready to make the jump into shift space,” he said as he flashed them a smile. “And then we are going to make these pirates regret ever thinking they could run from us.”

As his crew got ready, Jake watched alpha-three. There was still a chance her reactors or engines could fail. Yet now, Jake found a part of himself hoping they wouldn’t. His mind went to his parents and even his instructors at the Academy. If he was successful in hunting down the pirate ship, it would look very good on his record. It would also make those he respected the most proud. And that was what he wanted more than anything. Clenching his teeth together, Jake raised his chin and mentally prepared himself. When alpha-three disappeared from Python’s sensors as she jumped into shift space, he gave the order to follow. Twenty minutes later and the captured pirate ship tore open a hole into shift space and flew through it. Though Jake had endured hundreds of jumps, as the transition sent a small shudder through Python and up his command chair, it felt like none of the others. This time, he was in command.

Chapter 7

One of the first lessons I learned in the war with the Ca’casiadans was that most of a naval battle is spent waiting, and in the waiting, there is little for the mind to do but imagine how horribly things were about to go. Of course, I had said as much to my students many a time over the years. Yet, the reality of it was far harder than even I had imagined.

-Excerpt from Empire Ascendant 3015 AD.

Python

After Python jumped into shift space, Jake sent Lydia to get some rest, and then spent six hours touring the pirate vessel. With Petty Engineer McKay, he went over every primary and secondary system. If there was a chance they would have to fight alpha-three, he wanted to make sure Python would be up to it. Surprisingly, they found only a few secondary systems that needed minor repairs or software updates. Leaving McKay to it, Jake eventually made his way to what Lydia had identified as the Captain’s quarters. When he got there, he was happy to see someone had stripped the bed of the previous occupant’s bed clothes. Without even bothering to take off his uniform, he crashed onto the bed and fell asleep instantly.

In what felt like no time at all, the blaring of his COM unit pulled him from his slumber. Groggily, Jake fished around in his tunic pocket for it. “Go ahead,” he said when he finally found it. “Sorry to disturb you Jake, but McKay has just contacted me. There is a slight fluctuation in two of the shift drive’s nodes. He wants to jump out of shift space to examine them.”

“It can’t wait until our next scheduled stop?” Jake asked. The shift passage from Zika-seven to Hitachi-two, had five sharp turns in it where Python would have to revert to normal space, alter course and jump again.

“I asked him,” Lydia replied. “He said he is unfamiliar with Python’s shift drive. He can’t guarantee what might happen if we continue without assessing the problem. We could cause more damage.”

Jake rubbed his eyes as he tried to think more clearly. Even a small delay would give alpha-three more of a head start on them. Yet, if he waited and they did more damage, he would be giving them even more of a lead. And he couldn’t risk stranding his crew in the middle of nowhere if the engines failed completely. “Very well, jump us out. I’ll be on the bridge momentarily. No, wait. Inform McKay I’ll meet him in the shift drive compartment.”

“Understood,” Lydia said.

Not even bothering to take the time to straighten his uniform, Jake quickly made his way to where the shift drive was housed. The advanced spherical drive filled the largest hangar. Twenty cables were attached to the sphere. Each ran through the ship to the twenty shift nodes on Python’s hull. The nodes were how the drive tore a hole in normal space into shift space, and then also how the drive projected a shift bubble around Python, keeping her from being dumped straight back out of shift space once she entered. When Jake stepped into the hangar, McKay and several other technicians were already working on two of the cables. “What seems to be the problem?” he asked as he approached.

“We’re just getting a look at things now, Lieutenant,” McKay answered. “Fluctuations usually mean a faulty power relay or something more serious within the shift drive itself. We are checking the relays first.”

“How long will it take to find out?”

“No more than an hour,” McKay replied. He tapped the cable he was working on. “That is, to confirm whether or not the problem is with the energy transfer cables. If it’s not them, we’ll have to open up the shift drive itself. That would be a protracted exercise, and we don’t even have all the tools I’d like to make the attempt.”

“Then let us hope it is the cables,” Jake said. He waved towards the shift drive. “Carry on Petty Officer.” For several minutes, Jake watched the engineers continue their work. Then he began to pace back and forth across the length of the hangar. An hour to identify the problem was bad enough, never mind carrying out the necessary repairs. Alpha-three is getting away, Jake feared. For twenty minutes, he kept moving back and forth working out his frustrations. It was only when Jake looked up and caught one of the engineers staring at him rather than carrying out her work did he realize the effect he was having. No one liked a senior officer looking over their shoulders. “I will go to the bridge, inform me when you have an update,” he called out to McKay. When the engineer nodded, Jake turned and left the hangar. “I may as well relieve you Lieutenant,” he said to Lydia as he entered Python’s bridge. “I’m not getting any more sleep now. Go and rest and I’ll let you take over again once we know what’s happening next.”

“Of course Lieutenant,” Lydia said. She placed a hand on his elbow as she passed him. “Don’t worry, we’ll get this sorted and get after them.” Jake flashed her a smile. He didn’t quite share her optimism, but he saw no need to quell it.

Moving to the Captain’s chair, he threw himself into it and pulled up a number of reports his crew had generated since he had retired to his quarters. Most were of little importance, just routine reports on how they were familiarizing themselves with Python’s systems. With nothing else to do however, he tried to pass the time by reading them. They barely helped. Time seemed to drag by as he waited for an update from McKay. Finally, his COM unit beeped. Jake tapped it at once. “Go ahead.”

“Lieutenant Jackson, we have identified the problem. One of the power uplinks in relay seven is faulty. We found several replacement parts in one of Python’s storage compartments. We are checking them now to see which one has the best energy transfer efficiency. With your permission, we can pull out the faulty uplink and replace it. It shouldn’t take any longer than an hour to an hour and a half.”

“There’s no way we can continue on and carry out the repair once we reach Hitachi-two?” Jake asked.

“I would strongly recommend against it,” McKay answered. “Maybe we could risk trying to get back to Zika-seven. The relay could hold out for another ten or twelve hours possibly. But it’s two more days to Hitachi-two. The relay could blow out and cause a cascading overload, damaging several more. We might not even have enough parts to repair them all. We could be stranded.”

Jake had to hold in a sigh. “Very well, begin your repairs Petty Officer. Thank you for the update.”

“We’ll let you know as soon as we can jump back to shift space,” McKay promised.

Jake tapped his COM unit to end the channel. Unconsciously, he began to tap his command chair. On the chronometer on the main holo display, he counted down every minute as the next hour and a half slowly passed.

“Lieutenant, we have done it,” McKay finally reported. “We have replaced the uplink. Permission to activate the shift drive and run a diagnostic on the transfer cable?”

“Granted,” Jake replied. He had to wait five more minutes for McKay to confirm the repairs had been successful. As soon as the engineer did, Jake jumped Python back into shift space. Two and half hours, he thought to himself. Alpha-three had just gained a significant advantage over them, but he still had a chance to catch them. Please, he thought towards Python as he patted his command chair. Don’t let us down again.

*

Python, Hitachi-two system 23rd August 2508 AD. (two days later).

Jake jumped Python out of shift space right at the edge of the Hitachi-two system’s mass shadow. It was a calculated risk. Alpha-three could be waiting to ambush them, but he suspected the pirate ship would be well on its way to the next shift passage out of Hitachi-two. For a couple seconds, Jake’s body tensed ready for an attack, even though he thought it unlikely. When none came and Python’s active sensors detected no ships in the immediate vicinity of his command, he relaxed. “Take us into the system, maximum acceleration,” he ordered. “Have we got anything on the gravimetric sensors?” He asked next.

“Negative Lieutenant,” an officer replied.

Jake’s eyes narrowed as he studied the holo map of the Hitachi-two system. Even if the pirate ship had pushed its reactors and engines over their limit like they had at Zika-seven, there was no way they could have reached any of the system’s other shift passages. That meant they were in stealth. The question was: were they trying to hide somewhere in the system, or were they cruising towards one of the shift passages? If they were trying to hide, there were a hundred different places within the system they could be. Several thick asteroid fields jumped out at Jake. So too did one of the gas giants in the system. It had a very thick atmosphere and a low gravity. Theoretically, the pirate ship could slip into the gas giant’s atmosphere and hide even if he put a recon drone into orbit. He brought a hand up and rubbed his jaw as he thought. He could launch a spread of recon drones. Python actually had a number of them. Though they weren’t up to naval standards, neither would alpha-three’s stealth capabilities be. Yet if he waited to search every nook and cranny of the system, if alpha-three was making for a shift passage, they would be long gone by the time he confirmed they weren’t hiding somewhere. Jake pulled up a star map of the local systems. Alpha-three had fled Zika-seven in a direction that would allow them to head towards The Wilds. If they still wanted to head that way, there were two shift passages they could be heading towards. Reaching into one of his trousers’ pockets, Jake pulled out a gold coin his father had given him when he had joined the Admiralty. Supposedly, it was hundreds of years old. The image on it was of a man in a very fancy looking naval uniform which included a strange, peaked hat. Admiral Lord Nelson, Jake knew. Give me luck, he thought as he flipped the coin into the air. Reaching up, he snatched it out of the air with one hand and then set it in the palm of his other. Lord Nelson was looking at him. Heads. “Alter our heading,” Jake ordered. “Lay in a course to the Hitachi-five shift passage.”

“Aye Lieutenant,” Python’s navigation officer responded.

“You think that’s where they’re headed?” Lydia asked.

Jake showed her his coin. “I’m guessing.”

Lydia’s eyes widened when she saw the coin. Jake guessed she recognized the Admiral. Though she was from the Connecticut colony, everyone who went through the naval academy learned something about Horatio Nelson. Emperor Somerville had made sure of that. “Does it bring you luck?” She asked as she nodded to the coin.

Jake looked down and considered it. “My father gave it to me. I keep it close, but I’ve never thought about it like that before. I guess we’re going to find out.”

They got their answer just ten minutes later. “Contact report!” Lydia shouted excitedly. “New gravimetric contact. Ship bearing dead ahead. It’s lighting off its engines.” Jake grinned. The pirate ship knew if it stayed in stealth, he was going to catch it. It was making a run for it. He had guessed right! “Contact is seven light minutes ahead of us,” Lydia continued to update. “They have a momentum advantage. It’s not too significant, however. Getting a firmer read on their engines now. Confirm, contact is alpha-three. Plotting their flightpath now.”

On the holo display, a path to the Hitachi-five shift passage appeared in front of alpha-three. It showed the pirate ship would reach the shift passage in another three hours. With her greater acceleration, Python was going to bring alpha-three into missile range in just two. Jake nodded. They had the pirates. That meant the pirate’s next action was obvious. Sure enough, alpha-three’s acceleration increased again. “They’re risking their reactors and engines to get away again,” Jake commented. Eagerly, he sat forward in his command chair. Risking such a move for twenty or thirty minutes to get away at Zika-seven was one thing. Doing it for three hours was playing with fire. Thinking it all but inevitable, Jake sat back in his command chair and rolled his shoulders to relax. If the pirate ship blew itself up, it would make his job even easier.

To everyone’s amazement however, as the minutes ticked by, the pirate ship continued on its course unabated. When an hour passed, and no signs of reactor or engine problems were being detected, Jake began to grow concerned. By the time two hours had gone, his hand was tapping his command chair again. Somehow, alpha-three was going to make it to the shift passage ahead of him. He glanced at his father’s coin. Whatever luck it had brought him hadn’t lasted long. Suddenly, he found himself facing a new dilemma. Captain Domingo had given him permission to pursue alpha-three across Hitachi-two, but no further. What was he going to do now? He was certain that if he did continue the chase, he could catch and engage alpha-three in the next system. If it hadn’t been for the repairs McKay had needed to carry out, they would have caught the pirate already. Yet, Hitachi-five was three more days’ travel away. Going there and then coming back would add another week to how long it would take him to return to Resolute. And that assumed Captain Domingo would wait for them. All of a sudden, Jake felt very alone on Python’s bridge. He knew he could ask Lydia for her opinion. No doubt the other officers would have their own thoughts as well. Yet the buck stopped with him. He couldn’t send a COM message to Captain Domingo for advice. Whatever he decided, he would have to live with the consequences. He tried to weigh his options as best he could. Giving up the hunt and going back to Zika-seven was the safest option. Domingo would understand, he would just be obeying her orders after all. He would also be taking the crew out of harm’s way. Yet, as he stared at alpha-three, the same thoughts that had made him pursue the pirate ship in the first place stirred within him. He was certain the pirate ship had already attacked Human freighters in the past. That meant her crew had likely killed as well. If they got away, they would do so again. He didn’t want that on his conscience. He’d rather have Domingo mad at him than know he let alpha-three go free to attack other innocents. Jake made his decision. “Have McKay go over the shift drive one more time,” he ordered. “We’re going to reach the Hitachi-five shift passage in two hours. I don’t want any problems delaying us this time. Alpha-three is not going to escape us twice.” Lydia met his eyes before replying. She gave him the slightest of nods to show what she thought of his decision. Then she turned and began to give orders to the other officers. Jake refocused on alpha-three. He watched the contact until it disappeared from Python’s sensors as it jumped into shift space. Keep running, he thought towards it, we will be right behind you.

Chapter 8

As I emphasized in Empire Rising, many of our greatest naval commanders went to great lengths to stress to those who would come after them that there is a great difference between reading about a military campaign and actually being in one. Now, I too may add my own voice to this warning. Simply studying war will never equip a naval cadet to go through a real one. There is no substitute.

-Excerpt from Empire Ascendant 3015 AD.

Python, Hitachi-five, 26th August 2508 AD, (three days later).

Jake paced back-and-forth across Python’s bridge. He couldn’t help glancing at the holo display every few seconds. His ship had entered the system four hours ago. For the second time, there had been no sign of alpha-two. This time however, there was only one shift passage out of Hitachi-five that led further on towards The Wilds. Yet, when he had set course towards it, alpha-two hadn’t revealed itself. Python was now just one hour away from reaching the shift passage. If alpha-two had been trying to sneak to it, he should have caught up to the pirate ship by now. Python’s sensors hadn’t detected anything, however. Just as frustrating, two hours ago he had launched twenty recon drones deeper into the system to search it. They were sending back constant reports. Yet none had spotted anything. Every time he looked at the holo display, Jake hoped for a contact report. He was disappointed time and time again.

A sense of failure was building up within him. He tried but failed to regain the confidence that had led him to continue to chase alpha-two. If he returned to Captain Domingo empty-handed now, she would be upset, and he would have nothing to justify his decision. If she’s even there, he reminded himself. She was as likely to give up waiting for him and leave a drone to relay whatever orders she had when he finally returned. Or worse, she might think we are into danger and come looking for us. If Captain Domingo had found some important intelligence that she needed to get back to the Admiralty and yet felt forced to waste a week or more searching for him, she would be livid. Feeling helpless, Jake continued to pace. There was nothing else he could do.

As Python approached the next shift passage, Jake felt his bridge officers glancing at him. Reflexively, he picked up the speed of his pacing. It matched the speed at which his mind was working. He had a decision to make. He desperately didn’t want to return to Captain Domingo empty-handed. If his drones hadn’t detected the pirate ship deeper within the system, the chances were high that it had somehow found a way to beat him to the shift passage and was already in shift space. Yet, how could he justify taking Python to a third system? The shift passage in front of him led to Hitachi-nine. It was a four-day journey. Stopping his pacing, he stared at the holo display and the point where Python could jump into shift space. Jake shook his head. He couldn’t justify it. He had already risked his career and upsetting Captain Domingo enough. Coming to a decision, his shoulders slumped. The pirate ship had defeated him. “Turn us around,” he said quietly. “Plot us a course back to Zika-seven.”

Lydia opened her mouth as if she was going to say something. When she saw the look on Jake’s face, she shut it. Instead, she simply nodded. “And recall our stealth drones,” Jake ordered. “They can keep searching, but put them onto trajectories to rendezvous with us at the shift passage.” Jake moved to his command chair and sat down. Pulling up a number of data files, he tried to find something to distract him from his sense of failure. As Python completed her turn, silence descended on the bridge. Everyone picked up on Jake’s mood and no one wanted to speak. Jake was happy to be left alone. More than an hour passed with the bridge officers speaking to one another only when it was absolutely necessary.

Out of the corner of his eye, Jake saw Lydia turn around in her command chair. “Our sensor drones still haven’t picked up any sign of the pirate ship,” she reported.

Jake didn’t glance up from the report he was reading. “I’m aware.”

He sensed Lydia nodding. “I was thinking…” she continued. Jake bit back a sigh. Reluctantly, he raised his head. Lydia gave him a quick smile. “If the pirate ship is still in the system,” she continued. “It will look like we have given up.”

“That might be because we have,” Jake said, holding out little hope that the sensor drones would find anything now. If the pirate ship was still hiding in the system, it was well hidden.

“But what if we haven’t?” Lydia asked. She continued before Jake could reply. “Once we get to the shift passage back to Hitachi-two, we could carry out a micro jump. The pirates will think we have left and might reveal themselves. We could leave a couple of recon drones in the system. If the pirate ship is hidden, they might detect it, even if it tries to stay in stealth as it leaves.”

Jake’s complexion changed. It was a long shot, of course. But suddenly, he had hope again. He wanted to kick himself. He had given up too easily. He remembered a phrase his mother had often told him. ‘There’s always more than one way to skin a cat.’ Of course, she had been talking about something else entirely. Yet the proverb rang true. He gave Lydia a warm smile. “A sneaky idea, Lieutenant. I like it. That’s exactly what we are going to do. Make the preparations.” Before Lydia turned away, Jake mouthed ‘thank you,’ to her as well. She smiled, nodded, and then got to work. Suddenly more interested in what was going on, Jake watched eighteen of the twenty drones he had launched hours ago continue to make their way through the inner system towards the shift passage Python was headed towards. He smiled as he watched Lydia park two of them in orbit around two of the system’s inner planets. Both planets had rocky planetary rings that would help to mask the drone’s presence from the pirate ship. If the pirate’s ship was still in the system, and their passive sensors were in any way competent, they would probably have picked up several of the drones intermittently. However, with luck, they wouldn’t notice that not all of them were returning to Python.

Three hours later, Jake was still on the bridge when Python, having collected the drones, jumped into shift space. Just a couple of seconds after the tremor from the transition rumbled through his command chair, another one followed it as Python reverted to normal space again. Keeping her reactors and engines in low power mode, Python then turned and slowly began to cruise back into the Hitachi-five system in stealth. Jake felt like he was on the edge of his seat as he anxiously waited to see if the pirate ship revealed itself. As the minutes ticked by however, he found himself slowly edging back. An hour came and went without any sign of the pirate ship. One hour turned into two, and then three. Still neither the sensor drones nor Python detected anything. The frustration Jake had been fighting began to raise its head again. As more time passed, he felt the pressure building on him. He couldn’t hang around forever. For all he knew, the pirate ship had made it to the shift passage and left the system hours ago. Another impossible decision was before him. The burden of command, he thought as he remembered a lecture from the Naval Academy. He hadn’t understood the concept then. Even a month ago, he hadn’t really grasped the concept. Yet now he did. With every decision he faced, responsibility that weighed on his shoulders grew and grew. Letting out a sigh, Jake opened his mouth to order Python to be turned around once more. Something made him hesitate. Examining his emotions, Jake tried to figure out what it was. The last vestige of hope? Or a desire not to disappoint Captain Domingo? He wasn’t quite sure. One more hour, he bargained with himself. One hour and we turnaround. With his decision made, the minutes suddenly began to pass by far quicker than Jake would have liked. Every minute that came and went without the pirate ship being detected brought him closer to failure once more. Then, the hour finally came and went. Deflated, Jake prepared himself to turn Python once again. He didn’t get a chance to give his order though.

“Contact report!” Lydia shouted excitedly. “Gravimetric sensors are picking up a new ship…”

“What is it?” Jake demanded when she didn’t provide any additional information.

“It’s not in the inner system,” Lydia replied. “It’s coming in from the Hitachi-nine shift passage.” She spun around in her command chair to meet Jake’s eyes. “The computer doesn’t recognize the drive signatures, but I do. It’s a Karacknid vessel!”

Jake’s eyes bulged, and his heart rate suddenly went into overdrive. Fear shot up his spine. Everyone in his generation had grown up hearing about the Karacknid War. The Karacknids were Humanity’s chief enemy. If they could, Jake knew they would nuke every Human world in an instant. No one knew just how a Karacknid warship would fare against the newest Imperial warships, but one would easily crush Python. And what if their sensors are better than Resolute’s? Jake thought in concern. Python’s stealth capabilities were underwhelming to say the least. For all he knew, the Karacknids could already have detected him. “Power down our reactors another fifty percent and reduce our acceleration profile by half as well!” Jake ordered. Immediately his officers began carrying out his orders. From the look on their faces, they were as concerned as he was. “See if you can get a firmer idea of just what class of Karacknid ship it is,” he said to Lydia.

“I’ll try,” she replied.

Jake stared at the holo map of the system and the new contact as he fought to get his emotions under control. He needed to think clearly, not out of fear. As he began to get over his initial shock, questions started coming to him. What was a Karacknid ship doing so far from their territory? And why just one? According to all the intelligence reports he had access to, no Karacknid ships had been detected so close to Imperial space for more than a decade. And why are they travelling so openly? The Karacknid ship wasn’t moving extremely fast, but its engines were still putting out a lot of thrust. More than enough for Python’s gravimetric sensors to detect it. That meant any gravimetric sensor array in the system would be able to pick up the Karacknid ship. The Karacknids would know that, and yet they were still travelling at the velocity they were. There was only one conclusion Jake could come to; they weren’t afraid of being detected. It made sense to an extent. The Imperial Navy had never sent ships to patrol this far outside of their eastern borders before. It was only the recent pirate activity that had led to Resolute’s cruises. And even then, her initial orders hadn’t tasked her with coming anywhere near Zika-seven, never mind Hitachi-five. But the Karacknids must know that there could be pirates operating here? Jake thought. That confused him even more. Surely even pirates, assuming they were Human at least, would report sighting a Karacknid vessel so far from the Karacknids borders? Wouldn’t they? The Karacknids would have to assume so at least. And yet, they were still travelling in the open. Jake didn’t know what that meant.

“I’m still not a hundred percent sure,” Lydia said as she looked up from her sensor console. “And the Karacknid ship could be trying to mask its true identity. But according to the energy readings we’re starting to get, I’m not sure the ship is a warship. It looks more like a freighter.”

Jake raised a hand to rub his jaw. More mysteries, he thought. A Karacknid warship scouting systems near Imperial space made a certain kind of sense. But a freighter? “What do you think?”

Lydia shook her head. “I don’t understand it. Even if it is a warship, why pretend to be a freighter? Why not just remain in stealth and avoid being detected altogether? Certainly, there’s no way we could detect the Karacknid warship if it wanted to sneak past us. Not with Python’s sensor tech.”

Jake nodded. He suspected they weren’t going to get any answers. At least, not unless he wanted to switch on Python’s active sensors. Yet that would give away his position at once. Even if the contact was truly a Karacknid freighter, if she was even slightly armed, she could probably take Python. Suddenly, Jake found himself facing a far more significant decision. The Karacknid freighter was in Hitachi-five. That meant they were up to something. Something far more significant than whatever a few pirates might be up to. The Admiralty needed to be warned. Yet, what information did he have to bring back? A contact report told the strategic planners on Earth almost nothing. And even if we rush back to Resolute, the freighter will be long gone by the time we could get back here, Jake was certain. Surprisingly, the right path to take came to him easily. “Okay, here’s what I’m thinking,” Jake said loud enough for all of the bridge crew to hear. “Whatever this Karacknid ship is doing, it’s up to no good. We need to find out what that is. We’re going to launch another recon drone with orders to head back to the Hitachi-two shift passage. We’ll transfer a report to it with all the information we have. If Resolute comes this way looking for us, the drone can inform Captain Domingo what we are up to. Once we’ve done that, we’re going to alter course and follow this Karacknid ship. Whether it’s a freighter or warship, we need to find out which. Then we need to figure out just what it is up to. If this is some kind of precursor to an attack, we need to know.”

All of Jake’s officers nodded in agreement. Though fear was still on many of their faces, they understood the seriousness of the situation they had now found themselves in as much as he did. None of them had fought the Karacknids, but they all knew the stories. Far more than their own lives were now at stake. “All right then, get to work,” Jake said, “and let’s be careful, I don’t want even the smallest stray emission giving us away.”

As his officers got to work, Jake felt a wave of excitement pass over him. Despite the danger and the very real fear he was feeling, all of a sudden, he was doing what he had spent his entire adult life training for. Everyone knew the Karacknids would one day come for Humanity once again. Their civil war wouldn’t last forever. If this was the first moves of one of the Karacknid factions in preparation for another war, then Jake wanted to be nowhere else but facing it head on.

For the six hours it took the Karacknid ship to traverse through Hitachi-five, neither Jake’s fear nor excitement abated. Despite spending so long on the bridge, he didn’t start to feel weary either. Adrenaline was keeping him going. As soon as the Karacknid ship jumped into shift space, he gave the order for Python to come out of stealth. Firing up her engines, she raced across the rest of the system to the shift passage the Karacknid ship had just jumped into. Immediately upon crossing the system’s mass shadow, Python jumped as well. Jake knew he had no time to spare. The Karacknid ship was likely faster than Python in shift space. If he wanted to follow her and find out just what was going on, he couldn’t lose contact.

*

Python, 17th September 2508 AD. (three weeks later).

For the sixth time in three weeks, Jake felt his anxiety levels rising. Python was reaching the end of the shift passage she was currently travelling along. Each time the Karacknid freighter jumped ahead of them, there was a chance they would not get to the next system in time to spot where she was headed next. He would have thought he would start to get used to going through the experience, yet each time, he got just as concerned. In fact, as the days rolled on, Jake was becoming more and more worried about just what was going on. Two weeks ago, they had confirmed that the Karacknid ship was indeed a freighter. Python had gotten close enough to get accurate visual images of her. Though that answered one question, it just brought many more. The freighter’s direction of travel was also mysterious. Rather than heading closer to Imperial territory, the freighter seemed to be skirting around Human space. Jake was now sure it wasn’t on a spying mission against Humanity. It was up to something else. Yet, what that was, he had even less of an idea than when they had first discovered the freighter.

“Reverting to real space in thirty seconds,” Lydia reported. “All systems are powered down and ready for stealth.” Jake nodded to acknowledge her report. By now, he had complete confidence in his crew. They all knew what they were doing.

As Python tore open a hole in shift space and passed through it, Jake stared unblinkingly at the holo display. Within a couple of seconds it began to update as Python’s passive sensors sifted through all the electromagnetic energy washing over the ship. He let out a breath and sank back into his command chair when a gravimetric signature was detected. Within moments, electromagnetic energy confirmed it was the Karacknid freighter. Raising a hand to his neck, he began to massage it and his shoulders. The stress was getting to him. After just a couple of strokes, his hand froze in place. Jake sat up straight again. The Karacknid freighter wasn’t heading towards any known shift passages! Lydia swung round, her eyes widening. She saw it too. “Check this system,” Jake requested. “Has it been surveyed with a Kalassai dark matter scanner?”

Moments later Lydia was nodding her head. “It has, there were no additional shift passages detected.”

This is it! Jake said to himself. The system they were in had no official name other than the designation CB432. It was too far away from Imperial space to have deserved anything more than that. Yet it had been surveyed by the Kulreans over a thousand years ago. More recently, the Kalassai had also surveyed it on behalf of the Imperial Navy. The chances that the Karacknids knew about some kind of secret shift passage that the Kulreans and Kalassai had missed were slim. That meant the Karacknid freighter wasn’t heading towards another shift passage. It was heading towards its destination! “Project the freighter’s course,” Jake requested.

When a dotted line appeared on the holo display and began to trace where the freighter’s current trajectory would take it, Jake was even more sure. The freighter was going to pass close enough to the system’s ninth planet, use its gravity to alter its course towards the fifth, and then slot into orbit around the fifth planet’s largest moon. “Launch two recon drones towards the fifth planet,” Jake ordered. “Keep them at least two light minutes away, however. And make sure they use passive sensors only. Plot us a course directly for that moon.” Whatever was going to go down, Jake wanted to make sure they didn’t miss it.

Over the next four hours, as the Karacknid freighter and Python made their way into the system, Jake came up with a hundred different things the freighter could be doing. Each one was more outrageous than the last. Jake was all too aware how far-fetched they sounded. Yet, whatever the freighter was doing, it was highly unusual. The one thing he was growing more confident about though, was the idea that the freighter was meeting someone. That was the only thing that made sense. There was nothing else of interest in the system they were in. As a result, he started to draw up attack plans. For whatever was happening, Jake did not want to let it happen as the Karacknids wished.

“New contact just being picked up,” Lydia suddenly reported. “It has just come in from the CB421 system. It’s making for the moon as well.”

“What kind of ship is it?” Jake demanded.

Lydia shook her head. “It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen. Its drive signature is very strange.”

Jake fought to keep himself calm. If Lydia or Python’s sensors didn’t recognize the ship, then it was very likely they were looking at a species Humanity had never encountered before. Since the war with the Karacknids, the Kulreans had introduced Humanity to several other neighboring species. Diplomatic relations had been opened with them all. None were known to have any claim on systems near where Python was, however. Whoever they are, they know the Karacknids, Jake thought. That was more than a little concerning. The Karacknid freighter had travelled more than two months from their borders. If this new ship had travelled the same distance, then it was possible the ship had come from a part of space not even the Kulreans had surveyed. He needed to find out who it was. If they were some new threat, then getting intelligence about them back to Earth was now more important than ever. Mentally, Jake shelfed his plans to possibly attack the Karacknid freighter. He couldn’t attack when there was an unknown ship present, not if it could start a war.

“What are your orders, Lieutenant?” Lydia asked.

“Nothing,” Jake replied. “We do nothing. We’ve got the best seat to see what is about to go down. We’re just going to observe. That is all.”

Lydia nodded. “Right, understood.”

As the alien ship drew closer to the system’s fourth planet, Jake didn’t notice as the hours ticked by. His attention was focused entirely on every shred of data that Python’s passive sensors were picking up. He desperately wanted to learn more about the new ship. Lydia was able to ascertain that the ship used impulse engines like Python and the Karacknid freighter. The power readings from the ship also suggested its primary reactors utilized fusion technology. Yet there were strange secondary readings that Lydia kept detecting now and again. She was completely baffled by them.

Though the ship remained unidentifiable, even when it slotted into orbit around the same moon as the Karacknid freighter, its intentions were easily recognizable. Even from the distance away Python and the two sensor drones Jake had deployed where, it was obvious what was going on. Shuttles had taken off from both ships and large cargo containers had begun to be towed between them.

“What do you think they are transferring?” Lydia asked.

Only one answer came to Jake’s mind. “Weapons.” Everyone in the Navy knew full well that the Karacknids had armed several violent species in Humanity’s sector of the galaxy. It was a standard Karacknid tactic, they loved to arm aggressive species and so allow them to start wars and conflicts in a sector of space the Karacknids wished to move in and conquer themselves in due time. “They’re up to their old tricks again.”

“That can’t be a good sign,” Lydia replied.

“No, it is not,” Jake agreed.

“But it looks like they are finishing up,” another officer reported. “Look, the shuttles are returning to their ships.”

“Both ships power readings are increasing,” Lydia said.

Suddenly, Jake found himself facing a dilemma once again. What did he do now? Which ship did he follow? Though he didn’t know where it would take him, he felt he only had one choice. A day ago, he would never have been able to imagine letting the Karacknid freighter go. Yet he needed to know where the weapons were going. Suddenly, that was more important than anything else. “Follow the new alien ship,” he ordered, though he had no idea where his decision might lead.

Chapter 9

The Imperial Cross is only handed out to naval officers who have won outstanding victories in the face of overwhelming odds. The names of those who have been awarded the medal are all worthy of study by aspiring cadets, for there is much to be learned from each. This is especially true of the one fleet commander who was awarded the Cross twice.

-Excerpt from Empire Ascendant 3015 AD.

Imperial Palace, Earth, 18th September 2508 AD.

Holding his arms out, James allowed Fox to slip on his naval jacket. Coming around to his front, Fox buttoned it up and then spent a moment straightening the medals that hung from James’ left breast. “There you go sir; you look as regal as ever.” Standing back, Fox allowed James to examine himself in the large mirror than covered one wall of his personal dressing room.

James wasn’t too sure he agreed. His official dress uniform did fit, but just barely. He had only worn it sparingly over the last decade, but every time he did, he couldn’t help but notice it got a little tighter each time. He grimaced when his eyes fell on his medals. He hated wearing them. He had always thought medals were just for show. Receiving them was one thing. He understood a nation’s desire to honor the accomplishments of those who had fought on its behalf. As Emperor, he had certainly given out his fair share of medals. Yet parading around in them was another thing entirely. That was the main reason why he only rarely allowed Fox to get out his dress uniform. James couldn’t help but feel like a dandy as all his medals clinked together as he walked around. Today was an exception, however. Christine had insisted. From her tone, James had known not to argue.

“Are you not happy with the uniform?” Fox asked as he frowned at the expression on James’ face. “There might just be time to have it altered if there’s something you do not like?”

James shook his head. He had put on a little weight since he had stepped back from holding an active command in the Imperial Navy. There was no point trying to hide that now. Not when Christine would be waiting. “I think we are as ready as we’re going to be. Thank you.” Sounds coming from their living quarters told James Christine was indeed ready.

Though he had been expecting it, when he walked out of his dressing room, the vision that greeted him made James smile. “You look bewitching, my dear,” James said as he moved towards Christine, trying to lighten the atmosphere.

She had three aides around her, finishing off her make-up and arranging her dress. They started to step aside as James approached. Christine raised a hand gesturing James to halt. “Just you stay there, mister. You will ruin something if you get any closer. You can look, but you can’t touch.”

James faked a pout. “What’s the point of all this if I can’t enjoy it?”

Christine gestured to her dress. “This is not for you. And today is not a day for jokes. This is the most serious vote the Commons has held since the Empire’s founding. You should be more worried. I know I am.”

James allowed his complexion to change. He let his true feelings out. He was worried, though frustrated would be a better description. “I know just as well as you what is going on. I wouldn’t be in this costume otherwise. I just can’t stand that all we can do is sit there and watch. After everything we have done, after all the preparations we have made. We have devoted two decades to building up our defenses. We cannot allow them to crumple!”

Christine gave him a sad smile and reached out to squeeze his wrist. “We won’t my dear. And we will be doing more than just watching. We will be reminding everyone.”

James nodded. He understood what she meant, yet to him, it still felt like they would be doing nothing. But how will that be different than any other day? He asked himself as his mood got the better of him. It had been ten years since he had commanded a fleet from the bridge of a warship. Ten years of Admiralty meetings and playing politics with Christine. James was all too aware it had been wearing him down. He was a man of action, he needed to be doing more than playing the role of Emperor at Christine’s side. As it often did, James’ mind went to Tanaka-lan. News had come in just a month ago of another major battle in the Karacknid civil war. Tanaka-lan had defeated a fleet of over three thousand enemy warships. He had destroyed the fleet’s flagship and managed to win over nearly half of its remaining ships to his side. Though it was a great victory, it was just one in a long string of battles the Karacknid Admiral had fought over the last twenty years. Not all had been victories of course, many had been defeats. Yet James’ greatest rival was constantly honing his skills while James was stuck in the endless game of politics. A game he hated and yet one he knew he was bound to, for without it, the fleet he loved so dearly could find itself stripped of the resources it needed, right when the Karacknids might once again turn their attentions to Earth.

Tanaka-lan’s victory was just one in what James was growing to believe was the final stages of the Karacknid’s civil war. For the last two decades, nine contenders claiming the title of Imperator had risen, fighting to secure their position. That number had now dropped to just three. If the other two had allied against Tanaka-lan three years ago, the war would have already been over. Even as it was, outnumbered by more than fifty percent, Tanaka-lan was holding his own. The war was coming to a tipping point, James could feel it. Either Tanaka-lan or his rivals were going to gain a significant advantage. And when they did, James was sure the majority of the Karacknid clans would fall in line behind whoever gained it. Then the Karacknid war machine would be directed outwards once again, and their target would most certainly be Earth. James was the one who had killed the last Karacknid Imperator after all, so whoever managed to gather the Karacknid clans under one banner once again would undoubtedly wish to seek revenge. Though the odds were technically against him, James still had no doubts that it would be Tanaka-lan. Though Christine had often told him he was becoming too sentimental, James knew that he would have to face his opponent once again.

That was why he was so full of frustration now. As far as he was concerned, Humanity’s future was obvious. The Karacknid War might have ended in an uneasy peace, but that peace would not last forever. Humanity and her allies had to do everything they could to get ready for when hostilities would break out once again. Anything less than that would guarantee their species’ extinction. Another squeeze on his wrist brought James’ mind back to Christine.

“You are brooding again,” she said as she narrowed her eyebrows. “You’ve done quite enough of that lately. The Commoners need to see an Emperor who is optimistic, who knows we can win this vote and continue to secure the protection of our people, not someone who is full of doubts and concerns.”

“Maybe if they shared more of my doubts and concerns, we wouldn’t be facing this vote,” James complained.

Christine smiled again, though it didn’t touch her eyes. “Not everyone has seen what you have seen, my dear. It’s not the same seeing holo images or watching documentaries. There is a whole generation that has grown up with the Karacknids as just a distant threat. The Republic Caucuses’ demands are understandable. If it wasn’t entirely necessary, I would be on their side. They are not our enemies; we just have to win them over.” James looked away. He wasn’t sure he could bring himself to agree. Anyone who stood in the way of building up the Imperial Fleet and strengthening Humanity’s defenses felt like an enemy to him. “There, I think I’m ready,” Christine said as she stepped forward past her three aides. “And Fox has you looking as handsome as ever.” Christine held out her hand. “Shall we proceed?”

“If we must,” James said as he allowed Christine to hook her arm around his elbow. He hesitated for the briefest of seconds as she tugged on his arm and then he followed his wife out of their quarters.

Deborah Nicholls, James’ Chief of Staff, was waiting for them in the corridor. She frowned as soon as she saw the look on James’ face. James rolled his eyes when she glanced at Christine and they shared a knowing look. It wasn’t hard to guess what passed between them. “Everything is ready Emperor, Empress,” Nicholls said as she gave them both the slightest of bows. “Your shuttle is waiting. Fairfax has gone ahead to make the necessary arrangements at the House of Commons. The debate has begun, but none of the main speakers have had their time yet.”

“Then let us proceed,” Christine said. “And as we go, maybe you can convince my husband to cheer up a little.”

“I’m afraid that wasn’t in my job description Empress,” Nicholls said. “I’d say wrangling a bunch of Constitutionalist Senators to vote on an extension to your personal allowances would be easier than that.”

Almost, Nicholls’ words brought a smile to James’ lips. Nicholls had served her two terms as a Senator in the Imperial Senate representing the colony of Utah. After her terms, Christine had recommended that James recruit her as his chief of staff. Even before he had become Emperor, James had come to respect Nicholls. Her work as one of the leaders of the Imperial Loyalist Party in the Senate had endeared her to him even more. Even so, Christine and he had gone through quite the fight over the matter. Having a civilian Chief of Staff went against every fiber in James’ body. Yet as always, his wife’s advice had proven wise counsel. For almost ten years now, Nicholls had helped him navigate the numerous political pitfalls that came with trying to be Humanity’s Emperor.

“Oh, come on now,” Christine said with a wave of her hand. “The Constitutionalists are not nearly that bad. If they hear you comparing them to my husband, they’ll be insulted.”

James rolled his eyes. “I think you have had your fun ladies. If I promise to keep a sour look off my face, will you leave me alone?”

Christine nodded. “That’s what we were going for. Promise accepted.”

“I suppose someone better tell me what is expected of me next,” James followed up.

Nicholls grinned, “I’m glad you asked Emperor. You haven’t been to the House of Commons before?”

“Just for the opening ceremony,” James replied.

“Well, we’re taking you in one of the back entrances. No one knows you are coming. Fairfax will inform security once we are in the air. There is a private corridor to the Imperial Gallery. We shouldn’t be interrupted until we get to it. Then, all you have to do is make a grand entrance and take a seat and listen to their arguments.”

“You make it sound so easy,” James said as he filled his voice with sarcasm. “How many Commoners have requested to speak?”

“Thirty-three,” Nicholls answered. “Including almost half of the Republic Caucus.”

James groaned. The Republic Caucus had split from the Constitutionalists nine years ago. Initially, their main goal had been to push for an end to his and Christine’s positions as Empress and Emperor. With the war over, they wanted the three houses of the Imperial Parliament to elect a leader. Now however, they were pushing more for a reduction in military spending. Thanks to James and Christine’s popularity within the Empire, their initial policy hadn’t won them much support. However, with every year that passed causing the memory of the Karacknid War to fade in people’s memories, their constant cries against the Empire’s military spending were proving much more popular. As a result, they were swaying more and more independent Commoners to their side. James hadn’t believed it at first, but in the last two years, a growing trend had become undeniable. For the first time since forming the Empire, he had started to think limiting elected representatives to just two terms had been a mistake. With a much more transitory Parliament, party loyalties were not nearly so strong. It meant a small party like the Republic Caucus could gain significant support without having to spend decades building up their appeal throughout the Empire.

Christine gave James’s elbow a squeeze with her hand. “Think of it as practice, my dear. It’s been two decades since you led a fleet into battle. Pretend you’re sitting on the bridge of one of your warships again. Put on your stoic expression and convince your crew that you’re no more scared of charging in against a Karacknid fleet as taking Lexi for a walk. Only this time, you just have to convince several hundred Commoners you are not bored by their talks.”

James shook his head. “If only it were that easy,” he replied. “I’m more worried about losing my temper than looking stoic.”

“Well don’t,” Nicholls said in a more serious tone. “If you do, it will play into their hands. They may have a growing support base for cutting military spending and taxes. But it wouldn’t be hard for them to spin that support into an opposition to you directly. If people think you are trying to browbeat them into accepting your policies, it will backfire.”

“I know, I know,” James assured his Chief of Staff. “You and Christine have been reminding me of that every month of every year since I’ve known you both. I know… But it doesn’t make it any less frustrating.”

Christine laughed. “The challenge of democracy, my dear. Even when you know best, you still have to waste copious amounts of precious time and energy convincing everyone else.”

“Maybe we should have just set ourselves up as dictators,” James murmured.

Nicholls and Christine shot him dirty looks. “Don’t even joke about that,” Christine warned. “Not even in private. One recording and you could lose ten approval points.”

James ground his teeth together. There was another thing he hated. Approval points were irrelevant to him. Yet he couldn’t go a week without someone updating him about his. In the years immediately after the Karacknid War, no one had bothered. He had been the hero of Gayla after all. He had personally killed Taranaki and won peace at the cost of his arm. Still today, that bought him a lot of goodwill with the Empire’s populace, yet it was fading. As James led Christine and Nicholls out into the Palace’s main foyer, James’ mood brightened. General Johnston was talking to two Imperial Guard Captains. “General,” he called out. “I didn’t know you were visiting the Palace.”

Johnston stopped what he was saying and turned to grin at James. His smile widened when he saw what James was wearing. “And just what do we have here?” He asked. “An old Admiral coming out of retirement?”

James shook his head at Johnston. “You’re older than me by a couple of decades. Who are you calling old?”

Johnston turned back to the Captains, said something quickly and then nodded to them. When they turned and marched off, he came closer. “It suits you. You should wear it more often,” he said as he gestured to James’ dress uniform.

“That’s what I’ve told him,” Christine said.

“And you’re looking rather fetching yourself, if I may say so my Empress. Are you both off to some function I don’t know about?” Johnston asked.

“The Commons debate, we thought we’d pop in and observe for a couple of hours,” Christine answered.

Johnston’s eyebrows rose. “Well, I’m sure they’ll enjoy that. I hope it works.”

“As do we,” Christine said.

“And what are you doing here?” James asked, more interested in Johnston than what he and Christine were about to do.

“I just had to meet with a few bean counters,” Johnston said with a dismissive wave of his hand. “A joint exercise I’ve been trying to organize with the Navy. Someone wanted the funds to come out of the Marines’ budget rather than being split. I’ve convinced them of the error of their ways.” Johnston stood up straight and glanced down at the medals on his chest. “Two can play at your game Emperor.”

James laughed. “I’m glad it worked for you. You and Clare are still on for tonight? Emilie and Alvarez are able to come after all.”

Johnston clapped his hands together. “We certainly are. I’m looking forward to it. Though will you be back in time?”

“We should be,” Christine said. “If not, you can start without us.”

“We will be,” James countered. He glanced at his wife. “At least, I will be. If our Empress wants to stay up into the small hours of the night listening to the same issues be debated over and over again, she is more than welcome to.”

Johnston grinned as he looked back-and-forth between the both of them. “If only you could meet with each Commoner individually. I dare say you’d be able to convince them to vote your way… At the very least,” he continued as his grin widened. “You put their fears that the two of you have secret plans to take over the Empire and rule together with an iron fist to rest. If they could see how much you disagree, they might just think having a husband-and-wife as Emperor and Empress is the best check and balance our constitution has.”

Christine’s face tightened and she raised a hand to scold Johnston. Johnston quickly jumped back, showing off his augmented reflexes. Christine shook her hand and waved her head dismissively. “We have no time for this. I’ll be telling Clare what you said later though.” She smiled when Johnston’s grin faded. “That’s more like it. Now, let us be on our way. We have plenty of time to catch up later.”

“As you wish Empress,” Johnston said as he winked at James.

James smiled back, and then allowed Christine to direct him past his friend. As they approached the Palace’s main entrance, six Imperial guards appeared and began to march along behind them. Four more went out before them to secure the closest landing pad. Their Imperial shuttle was already sitting waiting for them. Its engines were glowing a dull blue as they waited to boost the shuttle into the atmosphere. When they got to its rear access ramp, James let Nicholls and Christine go first. He paused for a moment before stepping up himself. Taking a moment, he looked around at the beautiful Swiss Alps that surrounded the Palace. He allowed himself to take a deep breath of fresh mountain air. Despite living in such a beautiful place, he so rarely got to go outside. The duties of Emperor kept him busy almost every waking hour. That will have to change, James thought. The constant politicking was getting to him. He needed to be taking more time for himself, both he and Christine did. When all this is over, he promised, knowing full well it was far more of a wish than a promise.

Moving up the shuttle, James sat down beside Christine and strapped himself in and donned his flight helmet. “All passengers aboard and seated?” A familiar voice asked. James frowned for a moment as he tried to place it.

“All aboard,” the Imperial Guard Lieutenant in charge of James and Christine’s protection unit replied.

“Very well, Imperator I lifting off in ten seconds. Pilot Georgia Somerville in command.” The hint of a smile on the pilot’s lips was unmistakable in her voice.

James and Christine sat forward in their flight chairs. They both turned to Nicholls. Nicholls was smiling. “She didn’t tell you? She just joined the roster of Imperial pilots. When I saw her name there, I requested her for this flight. I thought it would be fitting.”

James didn’t know whether to be proud or upset that Georgia had kept it from them. He could tell Christine was thinking the same thing. At twenty-two, their daughter was a grown woman now. Yet he still thought of her as his little baby. Though it was a long time since a threat had been made on his or Christine’s lives, he still didn’t like the idea of Georgia flying their shuttle. It was a danger she didn’t need to be in. Despite his concerns, he kept quiet, he had learned years ago voicing such things only got him in trouble. Instead, he let his pride come through in his voice. “Glad to have you as our pilot, Flight Lieutenant Somerville. Just keep the flight simple please, there is no need to show off.”

“Copy Emperor, I will keep the number of barrels under ten then,” Georgia replied.

James rolled his eyes. He kept his mouth shut though. The shuttle had begun to take off. He didn’t want to give his daughter any excuse to do something that would get her in trouble. Instead, he reached out and took Christine’s hand. It was a proud moment for the both of them. Raising Jonathan, Georgia, Edward, and Rachel was their greatest accomplishment. Especially given the constant pressure each of their kids had been under. Growing up as the sons and daughters of Humanity’s first Emperor and Empress had come with many challenges even Christine, who had grown up as a Princess in the British Royal family, hadn’t anticipated. On James’ insistence, they had been given the strictest of privacy. For the most part, the holo news broadcasters had kept his wishes. Though neither he nor Christine had pressured any of their children to serve the Empire, Jonathan, Georgia, and Edward were all doing so in their own way. Rachel was still in school, but by all accounts, she had the same ambitions. Though James wasn’t particularly pleased Georgia had decided to become a pilot, it was far better than becoming a celebrity or leveraging her heritage in some other unseemly way.

As the shuttle rose above the Palace and banked towards Geneva, James found himself focusing on every slight turn and jolt that ran through the shuttle for the first time in many years. He was pleased to find his daughter was a very capable pilot. It brought a smile to his face. Mentally, he made a note to thank Flight Admiral Hawthorn. He knew the senior commander of the Imperial fleets fighter force had played a part in training Georgia herself. James had been concerned that other instructors would have gone easy on his daughter. Hawthorn, he had known, would have shown no such favoritism.

The flight to Geneva took less than four minutes. As the shuttle descended towards the town, the three massive parliamentary buildings dominated the view. The House of Commons sat between the Senate and the House of Servants. Even with the debate going on in the Commons, there were hundreds of shuttles descending and taking off from the three buildings. All told, James had been informed there were over two hundred thousand people spread between the three buildings at any one time. When a full debate was going on in any of the Houses, that number could easily triple. James could believe it. It took a large army to run the bureaucracy of the Empire. With seventy-eight inhabited worlds and a population of almost five hundred billion, keeping track of everything was a logistical nightmare. Thankfully, it wasn’t something James had to worry too much about.

When the shuttle touched down, James unbuckled himself and moved forward to the cockpit. He placed a hand on Georgia’s shoulder. “A well-executed flight, Lieutenant. You have my congratulations.”

“Thank you Emperor,” Georgia said as she turned around and grinned up at him. “Now go have fun with your friends.”

James shot his daughter a dirty look. She was taking after her mother far too much. Giving her a second squeeze, he turned and followed Christine and Nicholls out of the shuttle. The large dome of the House of Commons towered above him. Summoning his courage as if he was about to head into battle against the Karacknids, James took a deep breath and started forward. It was time to see if the last two decades of strategic planning were about to come crumbling down all around him.

Chapter 10

Only politicians like politics. That is a view I formed early in my naval career, and nothing I have observed since has dissuaded me of it. However, that does not mean I think Imperial politics are a waste of time. Our political system is vital to the strength and health of the Empire, even if it can be extremely tedious at times.

-Excerpt from Empire Ascendant 3015 AD.

As James walked up the corridor to the Imperial viewing gallery, the words of whoever was speaking echoed out of the chamber and down to him. What he heard made him bristle.

“For twenty years now, we have been pouring billions upon billions of credits into our military. We have fortified tens of systems, constructed thousands of warships. An entire generation of our sons and daughters have been seduced into joining the Navy or the Marines. And yet, every month we get reports of skirmishes or battles going on in the Karacknid territory. Not battles with the fleets we have built however, oh, no. But battles amongst themselves. This civil war of theirs shows no signs of ending. Rather than coming against us as we have so often been warned about, they are sapping their own strength as they kill each other. Not for two decades has a Karacknid ship been spotted near our space. What then are we afraid of? Our Admirals and our Emperor would have us believe we should live always looking over our shoulders. Always expecting the bogeyman to raise his head. Yet we here are not beholden to them. We are beholden to our planets and our people. We should not be funding more expensive toys for the Emperor to play with. No, we should be reducing the burden on our civilization’s populace. We should be redirecting our funds to improve their way of life. And so, this is why…”

James couldn’t help but smile as the voice suddenly cut off as he and Christine stepped up to their seats. Gasps echoed around the chamber. Every head turned to look up at the Imperial Gallery. With Christine, he stared down at the Commoner who was speaking. They were here to make a statement, and that was what he intended to do.

The Commoner looked up at them, then turned and looked over towards the much larger viewing gallery. James didn’t see who he was searching for, but whoever it was, the speaker seemed to regain some of his confidence, though as he began to speak again, it wasn’t with quite the same volume. “And this is why, I will be voting to pass the military allocation amendment. I no longer trust the Emp… a, the eh, Admiralty’s assessment of the Karacknid threat. They should still be taken seriously, yes, but so too should the other concerns of our populace. I urge all my fellow Commoners to do the same. We must put the needs of the common men and women ahead of the expensive tastes our Admirals have for fancy weapons.”

James’ hands clenched into fists at the speaker’s last barb. Every Admiral he knew, every Admiral he worked with, felt the huge burden they had all been putting on the Empire’s citizens. No credit was spent on a whim. Not when everyone understood the cost the Empire’s citizens were paying, and the vital importance of allocating the Empire’s scarce resources to where they were needed most. Insults to his own character he could take, he was used to that. But ones aimed at the men and women he worked with were another matter. His head turned slightly towards Christine when he felt her hand grasp his fist. She gave him the slightest of nods. James hoped that meant she approved. He was trying his best not to let his face show the same emotion as his fists.

“That was François Garnier of New France,” Nicholls whispered as she leaned in to inform James. “He is the leader of the Populist Party on his homeworld. They have thrown their support in with the Republic Caucus, though they are even more radical.”

James nodded, he hadn’t heard of Garnier before, but he remembered the Populist Party from a couple of intelligence briefs. Though they hadn’t carried out any violence, they had certainly threatened it over the last couple of years.

“Thank you Commoner Garnier,” the speaker of the House of Commons bellowed. “The House now recognizes Commoner Lafayette from Marseille to speak on Bill Four Hundred and Ninety-eight.”

A man who had been sitting just a few seats away from Garnier stood. James nodded in approval. He knew Lafayette well. The Commoner led the Constitutionalist Party in the House of Commons, served on the Naval Oversight Committee and for the past two years, on his and Christine’s Inner Council. “Mr. Speaker, my fellow colleagues, let me first begin by paying my respects to Commoner Garnier. I understand his concerns about our citizens’ rights and freedoms. I share many of them, as I know all of us here do. However, we cannot downplay the Karacknid threat. To do so would be to risk our very future. Their civil war will not last forever. Twenty years is a long time, that is true. Yet on a galactic scale, it is but a second. We cannot take our eyes off the true threat. We must be prepared. For when they attack us again, and I believe strongly that they will, we will not have time then to build up our forces. When the Karacknids renew their attack, we must be ready to beat it off, for if we are not, we will lose everything. All of you here lived through the Karacknid War. All of you know the cost we paid because we did not have a fleet able to stand up to them. Hundreds of millions of lives were lost. I know it is hard on our people. The taxes we demand do limit our economies’ growth; they do limit our people’s freedoms. Our situation is not ideal, far from it in fact, but it is where we find ourselves. We did not choose to go to war with the Karacknids, nor do we now choose for them to still count us among their enemies. Yet here we are; therefore, I for one cannot vote for this bill. My conscience will not allow me, and nor should any of yours.”

As soon as Lafayette sat down, many hands shot into the air requesting the right to respond. “The House recognizes Commoner Maddison,” the speaker said.

Maddison sprang to her feet. “One other point should be added to Commoner Lafayette’s important arguments. Because of our position and the accomplishments of our fleet in the Karacknid War, we are not just responsible for our own people, but for our neighbors and allies. Throughout our history, it has always been the burden carried by the strong to protect the weak. We should not shrink back from this burden now. The Varanni Alliance, the Kalassai, the Vestarians, the Conclave species, the Mindus, the Nanee, and all the species in The Wilds… they are all threatened by the Karacknids, same as us. We have made binding agreements with them all, agreements to protect one another, and agreements to build up our fleets. We cannot embrace Bill Four Hundred and Ninety-eight. To cut our military spending and reallocate our funds would not only put our own people in jeopardy, it would break the terms of our alliances and put all of our friends at risk.”

As Maddison sat down, James turned to Nicholls and raised an eyebrow. She leaned in towards him. “A new Commoner from Connecticut, she was just elected six months ago. As far as I know, she is an independent, she hasn’t aligned herself with any party.” James turned back to Maddison; he took a mental note of her. With politicians only being able to serve two terms in any of the three Houses of Parliament, there was a constant turnover of names and faces. He was always on the lookout for new like-minded leaders who he could work with.

“Commoner Maddison brings us to one of the key points in this debate,” a new Commoner said after being recognized. James didn’t catch his name, only that he was from New Delhi. That was enough to allow James to guess his position. The revolt that had brought about Bill Four Hundred and Ninety-eight, and that was how he saw it, had largely come from the colonies to the south and east of the Empire. They were the ones furthest away from the Karacknid Empire. They had been impacted the least during the Karacknid War. The horrors of fleet battles and orbital bombardments were unknown to their populaces other than in holo documentaries. The problem James feared though was that if they got their way, one day in the not-too-distant future, they would end up learning of them with their own eyes. As he continued to speak, the Commoner confirmed James’ guess. “It is true, our allies as my esteemed colleague has aptly pointed out, are in as much supposed danger as we are. Yet, I say supposed intentionally. For we all know that few of them have met their own promises when it comes to the build-up of their fleets. Look at the fleet numbers of the Varanni Alliance, or of some of the Conclave species. They have not met their own promises. For more than a decade, some of them have not been devoting the resources they promised towards improving their defenses and constructing new warships. Their politicians have seen what we should have seen already; the Karacknids are a spent force. Every world they fight over, every fleet that savages itself against another, reduces their strength. Their empire is almost half the size it was when they first attacked us. Their threat is diminished even more. Whereas we are far stronger. We have integrated military technologies from all of our allies. Together with them, we have tens of thousands of warships ready to stand against the Karacknids if they would be so foolish as to attack. For two decades, our people have paid the price to construct these defenses. Now it is time to alleviate this burden from our people. Now it is time to allow them to enjoy more of the freedom so many of our own citizens sacrificed their lives to protect. If our allies will not put such an onerous burden on their people, why should we?”

“You’re ignoring the facts Commoner,” another Commoner contradicted when she was given permission to speak. “The Karacknid threat is not diminished. Yes, they have fought many battles, and many of their worlds have been savaged, but you have seen the same intelligence briefings I have. For every shipyard they are losing, new ones are being built. Where once their economy was spread out and inefficient, they are now increasing the capabilities they give to the species they have conquered. Those same species now fear being bombarded from space by opposing Imperatorial factions, and so they work now like their very lives depend upon it. If one of the claimants to the title of Imperator manages to unite the Karacknid people, they will be an even deadlier threat than we faced in the past. In that light, we are still not prepared. To vote in this bill could doom us all.”

James shared a glance with Christine. The speaker was Marline Wang. For the past five years, the independent Commoner had opposed most of the legislation the Empire Loyalist and Constitutionalist parties had tried to pass. They had both been expecting Wang to be an ardent voice for cutting military spending. It seemed they had been wrong. Her words were a positive development. They would likely sway others who were on the fence. As the Speaker recognized a new Commoner, James’ gaze glanced up from the Commons chamber to the public gallery that was opposite his own. He started when he found one man staring at him. When James locked eyes with him, the man slowly allowed his lips to peel back. Though it looked like a grin to James, the man’s face was full of hostility. James couldn’t help but frown. He had never seen the man in his life before. At least, if he had, he didn’t remember it. He was used to people not liking him, but the anger he felt was unusual. Not wanting to goad him any further, James slowly let his gaze move past whoever it was. He wasn’t in the least bit surprised to find Governor Varma of New Delhi sitting beside the man. She wasn’t looking directly at him, but she too had a sinister expression on her face. James waited another couple of seconds and then half turned. Nicholls moved up to his shoulder. “What is it Emperor?”

“That man over there, in the black jacket, who is he?”

Nicholl stood up slightly and casually glanced over at the viewing gallery. “I believe it is Cornelius Teal. He is the owner of Teal Trading Industries. They’re the largest mining and shipping company out of Quebec. He has operations all over the southeast sector of the Empire. He supports a lot of political causes.”

“Thank you,” James said as he turned his attention back to the debate. Mentally, he marked Teal down as a new political rival. Going from past experiences, James guessed it was likely Teal had been his rival for quite some time now. That was usually how it went. Anyone who wanted to work against him and Christine, often remained in the shadows for as long as they could. That Teal was so blatantly making his thoughts known now was concerning.

“There is another cost that must be factored into this decision as well,” the next speaker was saying. “Whether we like it or not, we have become the de facto police force for much of The Wilds. I have been told first-hand by some of our senior Admirals that if the Navy’s budget is cut, one of the first things they will have to cut back our patrols in The Wilds. The results, as most of you can probably imagine, would be devastating. Pirates and slavers would move in and take over. Entire worlds could be enslaved again. Species that are already at one another’s throats could go to war. Millions of lives could be lost. As much as I know the people of Gulangyu, whom I am charged with representing, wish to see the burden on their lives lessened, they would not be willing to sacrifice the lives of other sentients to achieve this.”

When the Speaker acknowledged the next Commoner, James held his breath. He instantly recognized another one of the three representatives from New Delhi. The former Indian colony had been a thorn in his side years before anyone had even known about the Karacknids. Every time he had a run in with Chaya Patel, it seemed like she went out of her way to embody the hostility James felt the planet had for him. “All this discussion of Karacknid threats and our responsibility to our allies is all very noble and commendable. Yet I would remind this esteemed House of some famous words spoken many centuries ago. A house divided against itself cannot stand… I fear that many of my colleagues are not giving adequate weight to the concerns that are being brought before them. I know that when I speak for the people of New Delhi, these taxes that we have endured for twenty years are not just light burdens that we may complain about one day and easily forget the next. Before the formation of the Empire, New Delhi was a free world. We set our own policies, our own tax rates, and gave our people the freedom to better themselves.” James had to grind his teeth together not to shake his head or even shout out. New Delhi had been anything but free before the Empire. The other Commoners should all know that yet, as he looked around, none seemed like they wanted to object. “Many in New Delhi therefore look back to those days with envy. Yes, we are thankful for the Empire and what it has done to protect us from the Karacknids. But as that threat wanes, the restraints on our economic freedom feel like they bind all the tighter. Many here have warned that passing this bill would hurt the Navy. No doubt that is true. Yet what would happen to our military industrial complex if protests broke out on many of our planets? Or what about strikes and riots? If our industrial nodes were disrupted, it wouldn’t matter how many credits we had sitting in the Imperial coffers to spend on ship construction. We might even have to divert forces needed to protect the frontline back home to deal with such issues.” Patel paused as she slowly turned round to look at all of the over seven hundred Commoners gathered for the vote. James was certain that if he wanted to, he would be able to hear a pin drop. She had grabbed their attention. “Let me be clear, I am not making threats, but I am trying to read the sentiment on my planet. My people will not allow a government hundreds of light years away to impress undue burdens upon them forever. They will reach a breaking point. A point that may be bad for all of us.”

James did his best to keep calm. He shared another glance with Christine. Her face said exactly what he was thinking. The debate had just taken a very serious turn. Three months ago, Bill Four Ninety-eight had been first introduced to the House of Commons. Since then, it had been debated in several committees and on every holo news broadcast. The focus had always been on the hardships the heavy taxes that were needed for the continued military build-up put on the Empire’s citizens, versus the necessity of having a fleet large enough to fend off the Karacknids. Patel had just put a very different spin on things. Whether she said so or not, James knew she did mean her words as a threat. He didn’t have to consult with his close friend Andrea, who headed up the Naval Logistics Division to know New Delhi counted for about two percent of the Empire’s tax revenues and nine percent of the production capacity devoted to constructing mark VII missiles. And if New Delhi is just one of a number of planets where production could be disrupted, we could be in very serious trouble, James thought as panic filled him. Intentionally, the vast majority of the ship building and munition producing factories had been constructed in the southern half of the Empire, for they contained the systems furthest from Karacknid territory. In the event of another attack, it would mean most of Humanity’s industries would survive any initial invasion. But if half the worlds start rioting, it will be worse than passing the bill! James looked up from Patel to Governor Varma, both she and Teal were now looking at him. They weren’t quite smirking, but their sense of victory was there all the same. For the first time since he had initially learned about the bill, James suddenly feared it would actually pass. Until today, he had still held out hope. But now that Patel had outlined just where things might go if the Commoners didn’t pass the bill, his hope was fading.

When the Speaker turned to a new Commoner, James was proven wrong, there was an even worse scenario some members of the house of Commons were contemplating. “Commoner Justin Farnsworth, of the Quebec colony. He leads the Democracy Party,” Nicholls explained as she whispered in James’ ear. James nodded; he was all too aware of Farnsworth. He didn’t expect the Commoner’s words to be just as alarming however.

“Commoner Patel speaks wise words,” Farnsworth began. “She truly perceives many of the problems that our worlds are facing, problems that cannot be solved by lowering taxes alone. There is real unrest and disillusionment with the Empire and with what has been done over these last years. Our peoples’ desire freedom and the right to make their own laws and decide their own taxes. Yes, some may argue that the Imperial Constitution allows them to do just that. Yet electing a representative to make laws on your own world is very different to electing one to sit in a parliament hundreds of light years away. This concern is exasperated by the free colonies. Colonies like Houston benefit from the protection of the Imperial Fleet, and yet face none of the overbearing costs. Many other worlds I believe wish they lived under similar circumstances. Unrest is inevitable, I now fear, whatever we decide today. It is a pity, therefore, that the wise writers of our constitution didn’t see fit to provide a provision for worlds that once joined the Empire to peacefully leave it. For when something cannot be done peacefully, it leaves room only for violence.”

At Farnsworth’s last sentence, pandemonium broke out in the house. Commoners sprang to their feet and began to bellow at one another. The speaker banged his gravel loudly trying to regain order, yet to no avail. James heard it all, but took none of it in. He was looking at Christine, the blood had drained from her face. Farnsworth was talking about secession. Or worse, about some kind of armed revolt. Either would be deadly for the Empire. Even if such an attempt didn’t fracture Humanity’s cohesion, the Karacknids would see it as a golden opportunity. If Humanity was divided against itself, just one of the three sparring claimants to the title of Imperator could swoop in and crush Earth. And it was just possible pulling off such a victory might win them the support they would need to defeat their rivals. Suddenly, James realized that the future of the Empire itself was being debated among the Commoners. From the concern in her face, Christine clearly recognized that too.

It took the best part of five minutes for the speaker to regain control of the House. When he finally did, it was obvious even he was concerned. The next four commoners given permission to speak were all from the Empire Loyalist or Constitutionalist parties. As expected, they denounced Farnsworth and called for unity. James found himself only half listening; instead, he was watching the faces of many of the Commoners he knew would be swing votes. To his relief, some nodded here and there at what was being said, though not quite as many as he would have liked. Is this where we have come to? He found himself asking. He knew he didn’t pay as close attention to the internal politics of the Empire as Christine did, yet he didn’t recall anyone believing thoughts of secession were on the cards. Surely, they must all be as shocked as we are? When James glanced back up to the public viewing gallery, he realized that not everyone was. Teal was still staring at him. This time, there was the smallest hint of a smile on his lips. He knew, James was certain. Beside him, Governor Varma likewise did not look disturbed. What if there is something bigger going on? James asked, now even more concerned.

When he glanced at Christine to see if she was thinking along the same lines, his wife didn’t look up at him. Yet neither was she watching the debate as it continued. Her mind was clearly elsewhere. James tried to get her attention, but to no avail. All too aware that there were several holo recorders focused on him, he didn’t want to appear too worried. Content that she knew what she was doing, he turned back to the debate and feigned interest. Yet now bigger things were on his mind.

Chapter 11

All three Houses of Government have gone through several enlargements and refurbishments. They have had too, for as the Empire has grown from a body of sixty-four worlds to one of over a thousand, many hundreds more Senators, Commoners and Servants have had to be accommodated than was initially envisioned.

-Excerpt from Empire Ascendant 3015 AD.

James only realized the debate had come to an end when he noticed the Speaker was on his feet and was banging his gravel. “So ends the final debate on Bill Four Hundred and Ninety-eight. Every Commoner who wished to speak has now spoken. The House will retire for two hours to deliberate this matter before we return to vote. Thank you all for your participation.” Movement to James’ side made him turn around. His eyes widened when he saw Christine standing to her feet. The Speaker’s arm froze mid-swing. The noise of everyone shuffling in their seats filled the chamber as every head turned towards the Imperial Gallery. The Speaker cleared his throat, set down his gravel and then nodded to Christine. “We have been honored by the presence of our Emperor and Empress at this debate. Empress Christine now wishes to exercise her right to address us. Empress Christine, I yield the floor to you.”

Now James understood why Christine had been so distracted. The Imperial Constitution gave the Emperor and Empress the right to visit each of the three Houses and observe the deliberations going on. It also gave them the right to address each House if they thought it necessary. Intentionally, since the Empire’s formation, Christine had insisted they only attend debates on the most important bills. Never had either of them actually spoken at one of the Houses. Christine had often said she didn’t want to set a precedent of abusing the power. James found himself nodding in approval. If ever there was a time to break that unwritten rule, it was now.

Raising herself up to her full height, Christine squared her shoulders, raised her chin, and put a regal expression on her face. “Thank you Speaker,” she said slowly. “Commoners of the human Empire, I wish to take this opportunity to express my deep gratitude for the service you have all given our species. Whether we are political allies or not, whether we agree about certain key issues or not, I know at heart each of you has the best interests of those you represent, and of our civilization. For that, I thank you. It is no secret that Bill Four Hundred and Ninety-eight has been a controversial issue in this house and throughout our Empire. I feel just as torn as many of you do. On the one hand, I know how real and ever present the Karacknid threat is. Nor can I forget the price that we have already paid fighting them. I lost my father and mother and all of my siblings in our war with them. My husband has lost countless friends. All of us here know someone who suffered at the hands of the Karacknids. Because of this, I have sworn to protect our people at any cost. This oath drives me to fight tooth and nail to protect our fleet and our fortifications, for only in their strength does our species endure. And yet, I love our people. It pains me to see the burden that so many of them face. Yes, I am not ignorant of the cost our military build-up has had on our worlds. High taxes, restrictions on our economy, the constant recruitment drive for new Navy personnel and Marines. Our focus on these things has stunted other aspects of our economy. So much of our potential has been flowing into our military rather than improving the lives of our citizens. Whether you believe it or not, this does hurt me. I want nothing more than for our species to flourish.”

As James knew Christine liked to do, she paused and glanced around at many of the Commoners. Some nodded to her, others looked away when their eyes met, here and there a a few returned her gaze defiantly. “Balancing these two competing demands is no easy task. Your debate today demonstrates this well enough. Navigating our future falls on all of us, but today, on each of you especially. Therefore, as the Empress of the human species, chosen by all of our people, I wish to implore you to think carefully as you deliberate. The Karacknid threat will not always be hanging over us. Someday, they will renew their offensive, when that day comes, it is my hope that we will be ready to meet it. That we will be ready to defeat them once and for all. Then, we can allow ourselves to turn to other priorities. But I implore you, do not lose sight of why this Empire was founded. Do not lose sight of the responsibility each of you has to your people and to the generations that will follow us. We cannot let our guard down. We have accomplished too much and sacrificed too much to make this mistake. And finally, let us not forget all those who have already gone before us from this galaxy. Millions have died that we might have the freedoms we enjoy now. Let us not throw them away before the task of defeating the Karacknids has been accomplished.”

As Christine sat down, one solitary Commoner began to clap. He continued on his own for several seconds causing James’ heart rate to rapidly accelerate. To his great relief, two more joined the solitary Commoner, then others followed suit. Soon, the chamber was full of applause echoing throughout it. James couldn’t help but glance down at all the Commoners as he tried to see how many were clapping and how many weren’t. More than half were, he was sure of that, yet almost as many weren’t as well. And how many are clapping just to fit in? He asked himself. There was no way to tell, they would just have to wait for the vote.

When the clapping for Christine died down, the Speaker stood to his feet once again. “Now, I declare this debate over. We will recommence in two hours.” As soon as his gravel hit his bench, the chamber became full of the sound of people speaking and getting to their feet. Christine jumped to her feet as well. She held out a hand for James and gestured with her head for them to leave.

Standing, James took his wife’s hand and they stepped out of their gallery. Fairfax was standing in the corridor waiting for them. James nodded to him. He had been wondering where Christine’s Chief of Staff had been. Supposedly, he had been getting their gallery ready for them. No doubt they would find out what he had been up to momentarily.

“I have a room prepared for you,” Fairfax said. “We can wait there until the vote, unless you would like to return to the Palace?”

Christine shook her head. “There’s no point flying there and back.”

“Then follow me Empress,” Fairfax said as he turned and quickly headed off down the corridor.

As they started to move, Christine turned to Nicholls, “Can you invite the House leaders of the Empire Loyalist and Constitutionalist parties to join us, and Commoner Maddison as well?”

“Of course Empress,” Nicholls replied. “I saw Senator Grimshaw in the gallery, shall I invite him as well?”

“Yes, please do,” Christine said.

The more the better, James thought as Nicholls turned and disappeared. Grimshaw led the Empire Loyalist party in the Senate, and was recognized as the party’s overall leader. The more minds they had working on the problem, the better. James sensed Christine was in the mood to do even more. Yet just what that was, he had no idea.

When they got to the room Fairfax had prepared, James and Christine sat down. Fairfax joined them. Though there was food and drinks arranged on a table, neither of them moved towards them. “That was far worse than I was expecting,” James said to break the ice. “But your speech was exactly what everyone needed to hear.” He reached out and squeezed Christine’s hand. “It was good that we came.” James turned to Fairfax. “How do you think it will go?”

Fairfax shrugged his shoulders. “I’ve been trying to get an answer to that all afternoon. I’ve been speaking with the chief aides of many of the undecided Commoners. I thought things were starting to swing our way as the debate continued, but after Patel and Farnsworth spoke, I am not certain of anything anymore. Many who were on our side may now be fearing riots or worse. That may cause them to choose the lesser of two evils and support the bill.”

“We cannot allow that to happen,” Christine snapped. “We cannot. It will undo everything we have done.”

“Then what can we do?” James asked.

Before anyone could answer him, the door into the room opened and Nicholls glanced in. “They are here,” she said. Christine waved for James’ Chief of Staff to show them in.

James stood and greeted each of them. “Commoner Maddison,” he said as he shook Madison’s hand and gave her a smile. “I enjoyed your speech today.”

“Thank you Emperor,” Maddison replied. “I must say, I was not expecting an invitation like this.”

James chuckled despite the gravity of the situation. “Don’t worry, we’re not trying to recruit you to the Empire Loyalist party. We just want to pick your brains.”

Maddison nodded and moved to greet Christine. Next, James shook hands with Senator Grimshaw and Commoner Havertz, the leaders of the Empire Loyalists in the Senate and House of Commons. Last to come in was Commoner Lafayette.

“Thank you all for coming,” Fairfax said as he took charge of the meeting after a glance from Christine. “I have no doubt we are all concerned about the threats Patel and Farnsworth made. Whether they are real or not, they have put the cat among the pigeons. Empress Christine’s speech has helped, but she wishes to know, is there more we can do to sway the vote?”

The three politicians glanced at one another. Havertz spoke first. “I’m not sure what you might have in mind,” he said as he held Christine’s gaze. “With just two hours to go, there is not much more that can be said. Your intervention was timely. I’m still confident enough Commoners will see sense.”

“What about if we announced some kind of tapering of the military budget?” Nicholls suggested. “We have already been discussing such a possibility,” she continued as everyone looked at her. “Yes, that was for ten years from now, but we could bring it forward slightly. Maybe by five years? We could reduce the tapering, of course. My sense is that people just want to know that there is light at the end of the tunnel. All our projections suggest that in another ten years, we should have reached parity with the Karacknids. If we taper our spending slightly, it may take us an extra year or two. I know that is risky, but it is better than having our budget slashed this year rather than in five years’ time.” When she finished speaking, Nicholls glanced guiltily at James. She knew James hated any mention of reducing the Navy’s budget. Yet James understood, they were in dire circumstances. He gave her a conciliatory nod.

Maddison shook her head. “I’m sorry, but I don’t think it would be enough. Promises of a slight reduction in spending in five years will not allay the fears of those who are on the fence. Most who are undecided or wavering are up for re-election in the next one to three years. Their people want them to deliver results for them now. Their electorates will not want promises that might be fulfilled when their candidates are out of office.”

“And I assume we would only be talking about a one or two percent reduction in the Navy’s budget to begin with,” Grimshaw said. “Even if that directly translated into reduction of one or two of percent in our tax rates, that would make little difference in the lives of our people. I’m afraid we have come too far for small actions to be deemed acceptable. Those who want to pass Bill Four Hundred and Ninety-eight have already decided drastic measures are required.”

“Then what if we announce plans to incorporate all of the free colonies into the Empire,” James suggested. It was an idea he had been pushing for several years, though few on his and Christine’s Inner Council had supported it. “It is clear their existence gives fuel to those pushing to pass this bill and now it seems, to those thinking of taking more drastic actions. We have the economic might to force the free colonies to join us. If their tax bases were added to the Empire’s, we would not need to burden the rest of our worlds so much.”

“I would not advise that Emperor,” Grimshaw said slowly. “Today shows the danger of that all the more. Farnsworth’s threats were shocking to many. Yet even after just an hour to consider them, I realize I should not have been surprised as I was. All of our planets agreed to join the Empire because of the threat of the Karacknids. Many would not have joined such a governmental structure otherwise. Yes, the last twenty years have been good for all of us, even taking into account the high taxes. But there will always be those who bristle at the thought of being ruled by an Emperor or Empress on Earth. I fear that if you tried this, you would be putting out one fire only to ignite a hundred others. The worlds we would force to join us would feel like their rights have been trampled. Others within the Empire would grate against the idea that they were part of an organization that would do such a thing. We might ease the tax burden only to really stoke the fires of secession.”

“I agree, if you don’t mind me saying,” Maddison said. “Not being privy to Inner Council discussions, I assume this is not a new topic. I can only speak for my planet, of course, but forcing colonies like Houston to join the Empire against their will would not go down well at all. Many on Connecticut look at Houston with envy, that is true. Yet we haven’t forgotten the Flex-aor invasion of our space, nor have we forgotten the Karacknids.”

“And we do not wish to become that which we oppose,” Christine said, repeating an argument she had often used against James. “The Karacknids impose their will upon others, we do not.”

James pushed his lips together. Christine knew he wasn’t suggesting they use military force to bring the free colonies into the Empire. Just exert a little economic and political pressure. He saw no reason why Houston and the four other pre-shift drive colonies that had been rediscovered shouldn’t pay their fair share to protect against the Karacknids. Nor why the more than fifteen other colonies founded in the last twenty years without Imperial support should enjoy the same protection. He let it go though; clearly, he was in the minority. “What else can we do? Lafayette all but threatened to take Québec out of the Empire. Is that even possible?”

“Legally, no,” Nicholls answered. “But if they wanted, they could hold some kind of referendum on Québec. Technically, it would be illegal. But we don’t have the resources on the planet to stop such a move. Then, if some kind of majority did vote to secede, what would we do? Send troops to occupy the planet? There are not many that would support such an idea.”

“Doing so would fracture the Empire immediately,” Grimshaw agreed.

“Then we have no other options?” Christine asked, the emotion on her voice was unmistakable. Her eyes were almost pleading.

“I am sorry Empress,” Grimshaw replied. “All the Commoners have had their chance to say their bit. Your speech has won over more than a few, I imagine. Yes, Patel and Farnsworth’s speeches have brought new disturbing possibilities to the minds of many. Yet we must trust in the process. Do not lose sight of how much your husband and you are respected by the people of our Empire, and therefore by their Representatives. This vote will be close, but I still have hope.”

Christine nodded to Grimshaw, but she turned to Fairfax all the same, her eyes still filled with the same emotion. Fairfax gave her a reassuring smile. “You have done your best Empress. If we make any kind of announcement now, it will seem desperate. Even if it swayed a few, it could turn more against us.”

Christine closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. James could feel her gathering her strength. “Very well then. If this is all I can do, then we will have to accept the outcome, no matter what.”

“And even if it passes today, this bill will still have to go through the Senate and the House of Servants,” Grimshaw reassured her. “There is still time.”

Christine nodded. James knew she was all too aware of that. Yet the Commons was where the Empire Loyalists and Constitutionalists held the most sway. If Bill Four Hundred and Ninety-eight passed the House of Commons, it would have an easier time passing through the other two houses. As Christine stood and moved over to the table with the refreshments, James clenched his teeth together. He couldn’t be nearly as serene as his wife, nor could he bring himself to think he would accept the results. Even after twenty years of constant effort, Humanity’s fleet was still not powerful enough to defeat the Karacknids if they ever united and turned the full force of their arms against Earth. After seeing so many of his comrades die fighting the Karacknids, and then spending two decades of his life working to prepare for the next war, he wasn’t going to simply let one vote start to undo everything. Though those were the thoughts going through his mind, he knew voicing them now would be fruitless. Instead then, he joined his wife in picking out a few small refreshments. At least eating them would help pass the time as they all waited to return to the chamber. As the others took some refreshments too, they all made feeble attempts at engaging in small talk, and then one by one, the other politicians filtered out to make last minute efforts to speak to Commoners who might still be undecided. Taking himself off to one side, James couldn’t help but start to think of many friends he had lost. Gupta, Lightfoot, Ya’sia, and all the others went through his mind. He didn’t know what he would do if the bill was passed and the fleet’s budget was slashed, but he was determined to not let them down.

“It’s time,” Fairfax eventually said. “We should return to the chamber.”

“You two go on,” Christine said to Fairfax and Nicholls. “We’ll be right behind you.” As they left, Christine moved to James’ side. “I know what you’re thinking,” she said as she took his hand. “I don’t blame you. If this bill passes, it will be a slap in the face for those we have lost. Yet you can’t let everyone else see that. If you get angry, it will only give our opponents more ammunition.”

James wanted to argue. He wanted to vent his frustration. Yet directing it at Christine was unfair. “I will do my best,” was all he could bring himself to promise. “If this passes, we could be in serious trouble. Not now, not even in six months or a year, but it will come.”

Christine squeezed his hand. “I believe that as strongly as you. Do not worry, if the bill passes, we will think of something. Losing a battle does not mean we have lost the war.”

James nodded. Of course that was true, yet losing a key battle could very well lose a war. “Let us go and see where the chips fall,” he said. At this point, he just wanted to get it over with. Keeping a hold of Christine’s hand, he led her out of the room. Together, they followed Fairfax and Nicholls back to the viewing gallery. The chamber below them was full of Commoners moving to their seats. James sat back down beside Christine. He couldn’t help but glance at the public gallery. Teal was there, the industrialist was still staring at him. James only gave him a glance. Whatever the man was up to, James had no interest in playing his games.

“Please, all representatives should take their seats,” the Speaker of the House called out after banging his gravel. “The time has come to vote on Bill Four Hundred and Ninety-eight. Please, take your seats.” Despite the Speaker’s words, it took another couple of minutes to get everything organized. Every Commoner elected to the House of Commons was present. There wasn’t a spare seat to be seen. “All right,” the Speaker said once everyone was finally in place. “I have activated your voting mechanisms; you may now vote.”

Below James, all the Commoners leaned forward as they accessed the voting buttons built into the tables in front of their seats. Despite the fact that they had a simple choice, it took an agonizing three minutes until every Commoner made their decision. The results were immediately sent to the Speaker. “Voting has been completed,” the Speaker announced. “The results are in. Bill Four Hundred and Ninety-eight received a total of seven hundred and forty-three votes. Eighty-three commoners chose to abstain. Three hundred and eighteen commoners voted in favor of the Bill, while three hundred and forty-two voted against. The Bill has failed. It will now return to the Spending Appropriations Committee for review. That is all. Today’s proceedings are over.” With another smash of his gravel, the speaker brought this session to an end.

James could hardly believe it. He had been expecting the worst. He spun around to Christine. He didn’t care about her concern they were being recorded. He shot her a grin. Suddenly, all the weight he had been feeling left his shoulders. They had done it. No, he told himself. “You did it,” he whispered to Christine. Of course she did, he chided himself. He never should have doubted her, not after her speech. Though Christine kept most of her emotions from her face, she did give him the briefest of smiles. Then, she turned and stared out at the Commons chamber. The news broadcasts would be zooming in on her face along with the leading politicians who had favored or opposed the Bill. The best shots would be used for this evenings holo news reports. James did his best to match Christine’s expression, though he did spare a second to glance up at where Teal had been sitting. He was pleased to see the industrialist had already left along with Governor Varma. It brought James more than a little pleasure to know they would be seething.

When Christine felt they had given the holo recorders enough footage, she stood and gestured for James to lead them out of the Imperial gallery. As soon as they were in the corridor, her regal expression vanished, and she turned and threw herself at James. James welcomed the hug. “I’m so relieved,” she said into his chest. “You have no idea.” She shook her head against him as she spoke. “It was so close in the end. If just a few of those who had abstained had voted another way.”

“But they didn’t,” James said as he rubbed her back. “And you know your speech was what kept them from doing it.” Raising his head, James looked over Christine to where Fairfax and Nicholls waited for them. “You can send our thanks to Commoners Havertz and Lafayette. Make sure they know that we owe them.”

“I will speak to them before they leave,” Fairfax promised as he shuffled off.

James gently prized Christine from him. “You have done very well today, my dear. Now, let us go home and celebrate. We still have Johnston, Clare, Emilie, and Alvarez coming over. Now we can actually relax and enjoy ourselves.”

“That sounds wonderful,” Christine said as she beamed at him.

Even though James returned her smile, he caught something else in her eyes. She doesn’t think it’s over yet, though to himself. It wasn’t hard for him to figure that out. He felt the same. He couldn’t help but think back to that first grin Teal had given him. It had been too sinister to think whatever Teal was planning would go away with just one Commons defeat. But that’s a problem for another time, James thought himself. They had won today, now it was time to enjoy it.

Chapter 12

It is a strange thing for an old Admiral when the ones you have fought so long to protect step up to fulfil their responsibilities within the Fleet and become the ones who now fight to protect you.

-Excerpt from Empire Ascendant 3015 AD.

Imperial Palace

“Let me propose a toast,” James said as he raised a glass. “To family.”

“To family,” everyone around him repeated as they clinked their glasses together.

“Now, let’s tuck in,” James encouraged. “Otherwise, Fox will have the main course out and we won’t have even begun.”

“You don’t have to tell me twice,” Johnston said as he began to reach for the nearest plates of food. To no one’s surprise, he went for the largest bread roll and began to break it apart with his hands. Then, he moved to dip a slice into his soup.

Clare swatted one of his hands. “Dear, you are in the Imperial Palace. Please try and show some manners.”

“What?” Johnston complained as everyone laughed at him. “James said we are to make ourselves at home.”

“And do I allow you to do that at home?”

“Well, not when you are looking,” Johnston replied, then using his augments, lightning quick he popped a slice of bread in his mouth, bringing more laughs, especially from the teenagers.

Clare gave him a dirty look. It was strong enough that Johnston set down the rest of the bread he was holding and reached for a spoon. James shook his head. “I’ve seen you go face-to-face with a Karacknid warrior and not flinch. You’re losing your touch in your old age, General.” As Claire turned her gaze on James, he quickly shut up.

“That’s more like it,” Christine said as she raised a hand to cover a smile. “You put him in his place.” As she spoke, Christine lowered her chin and pointed her nose towards James. “And if you don’t, don’t worry, I will.”

Seeing both their fathers being scolded led Georgia, Edward, Rachel, Sophia, and Noah to exchange smiles with one another. None were brave enough to crack their own jokes, however. They knew Christine or Clare’s ire would be directed at them next.

Their exchanges weren’t lost on James. “Let’s have less laughing at your fathers’ misfortune and more eating,” he instructed them. Instantly they all began to reach for food themselves.

Glancing up to the other side of the table, James saw Emilie and Scott sharing a look. “This is what you have to look forward to,” Scott said as she gestured towards the other end of the table.

Emilie smiled and half-turned to look over her shoulder. When she did, James was able to see past to the small cot behind her and Alvarez’s chairs. It was gently rocking as little Samuel slept. “We have a few years to wait yet,” Emilie said as she turned back. She then looked back around and stuck her tongue out at James and Johnston’s kids. “And besides, my kids will not be nearly so impudent.”

All five of the kids laughed at Emilie’s words. Georgia rolled her eyes. “Come on Emilie, you’re the worst of us all. If Samuel is anything like you, you’re going to have your hands full. Never mind if you and Mark have any more. Speaking of which, you don’t have any news for us?”

Now it was Emilie’s turn to give a dirty look across the table. “I’ll have you know one is more than enough for us at the moment. If you want to talk babies, though, maybe we could tell your father about a certain young fighter pilot I caught you chatting with the other week at the Admiralty? He certainly seemed to scarper pretty fast when he realized who I was.”

Georgia’s face went bright red when everyone around the table turned to look at her. “What’s this?” Edward asked his twin as he elbowed her in the ribs. “I haven’t heard about him.” Georgia fought off her brother’s hand and then lowered her face almost close enough to her soup that she could slurp it up.

James found himself sitting up straighter in his seat. Before he could speak however, Christine tapped him with her knee. “You shouldn’t let your Cousin make fun of you like that. Not when you have far more important news,” Christine said, saving her daughter from any more embarrassment, or her husband from putting his foot in it. “Can anyone guess who was piloting the Imperial shuttle as it flew us to the House of Commons today?”

“Congratulations Georgia,” Clare said as she beamed at the young pilot. “That’s quite the accomplishment.”

“Indeed it is,” Emilie joined in. “Are you on the rotation now, or was it a one-off?”

Before she answered, James caught Georgia mouthing a thank you to Christine. It made James even more suspicious. Did Christine know about this new boyfriend? If so, why didn’t he? He made a mental note to bring it up with Christine later.

“I’m on the full rotation,” Georgia said with pride. “I will be flying the shuttle one day a week, and then serving as co-pilot a second day.”

Emilie nodded. “That will look good on your CV. How does she handle? I guess she is nothing like a Hellcat?”

“Not even close,” Georgia said as she glanced at Christine again. “But it’s far better than being stuck in a simulator all the time. And it’s getting me flight hours. That’s the most important thing.”

James sensed Christine stiffen beside him. Since Georgia had first declared her intention to become a fighter pilot, there had been a constant struggle between the two of them. Both he and Christine knew all too well the survival rates of fighter pilots. Having their daughter become one had added a few grey hairs to both of their heads. At least flying shuttles was far safer, but if war broke out, James knew she would be called back to her squadron. Christine fretted about it constantly. It had been bad enough when Jonathan had signed up to join the Navy. At least on a large dreadnought, Christine could imagine him safe. The idea of her daughter on a small Hellcat fighter was not a comforting one. James felt the same, yet he knew he couldn’t hold his daughter back from putting herself in harm’s way. Not when he had done so a thousand times at her age. Not when she had grown up hearing stories of everything he, Emilie, and Scott and so many others had done fighting the Karacknids. “And we are both very proud,” James said as he placed a hand on Christine’s. “Aren’t we dear?”

“Of course,” Christine said a little rigidly. “It was a nice surprise to have you flying us today.”

“Speaking of which, I believe congratulations are in order for you too Empress,” Emilie said. “You managed to defeat Bill Four Ninety-eight. I know everyone at the Admiralty was celebrating when we heard.”

“They certainly were,” Mark replied.

“It was close,” Christine said. “Alarmingly close. At least it is behind us for now. The Commoners who spoke against it just managed to carry the day.”

Clare chuckled causing everyone to turn to her. “You’re being too modest as always Empress. I was watching the live holo feed. It was your speech that turned the day. After what Patel and Farnsworth said, the bill might have passed if you hadn’t intervened.”

“What did they say?” Edward asked. “I wanted to watch, but I lost track of time.”

“With your books and not a young woman, I imagine,” Georgia said as she grinned and elbowed her brother in revenge.

As Edward’s cheeks reddened this time, James felt a little sorry for his son. Unlike his older brother and twin sister, he hadn’t joined the frontline Navy. Instead, he was working to complete his PhD in advanced astrophysics. Scott was one of his direct supervisors. James didn’t fully understand the project. He knew they were working on some new weapons systems with the Navy’s Research and Development Division which Scott headed up. He knew first-hand Scott was a hard taskmaster. It was highly unlikely Edward had any free time to be dating.

“Patel suggested there could be riots, and Farnsworth even mentioned the possibility that some planets could end up considering secession,” Clare explained.

“What!” Emilie snapped. “Secession! That’s insane. He really said that?”

“He did, and let me tell you, it wasn’t lost on many of the ambassadors,” Claire said as she turned and held Christine’s gaze. “Frolomain and Kintail were in close discussion after the vote.”

James sensed his wife’s mood change once again. Frolomain and Kintail were the Ambassadors from the Varanni Alliance and Kulreans respectively. They were Humanity’s two most important allies. Clare was one of the chief diplomatic liaisons who worked with all the alien Ambassadors stationed on Earth. If she thought they were worried, it was because they were. “I will schedule a meeting with each of them this week,” Christine said. “I understand their concerns, in fact, I share them. Hopefully, I can put their minds at ease.”

“Those ungrateful gits,” Johnston said turning conversation back to Patel and Farnsworth. “Just because their planets are furthest from the Karacknid Empire they think they are safe. They are fools. I’d love to give them a piece of my mind and remind them of just how much danger they are in.”

From his tone, James guessed Johnston didn’t just have a few harsh words in mind. He rather agreed. “They couldn’t actually secede, could they?” Georgia asked.

Her twin answered her. “Not according to the constitution they couldn’t, because there is no provision for such an act. Though perhaps that was an oversight, Mother?” When James and Johnston spun around towards Edward, he seemed to shrivel up in his chair.

“Don’t blame him,” Emilie said coming to her nephew’s rescue. “It is a question everyone is asking, even if this Farnsworth only brought it into the open now.”

“They are?” Christine asked, her voice full of surprise.

“At least in the circles I run in,” Emilie replied.

“And mine,” Sofia chimed in. “It’s discussed regularly in my platoon.”

“And why haven’t you told us?” Clare asked her daughter.

Sophia shrugged. “You are a diplomat, I thought you would know.”

“Word of this has never reached our ears,” Christine said. “Just what is being talked about? And what else have we missed?”

Emilie shook her head. “It’s not been anything serious. But we’ve all sensed the tensions rising these last months. Heck, it’s been more than a year now. It has not been everyone, but one or two have been theorizing how things might go if the tensions continue to rise. Secession is an obvious possibility. Though Edward is right of course, there is no provision for such a possibility in the Imperial Constitution.”

“Then what do planets do if they want to leave?” Noah asked innocently. He was only fourteen and too young to fully grasp the weight of what was being discussed.

“They don’t do anything,” Johnston answered his son gruffly. “We formed the Empire to forge Humanity into one force to fight the Karacknids. If we hadn’t, we all would have been wiped out. The Karacknids are as big a threat as ever, and Humanity cannot go back to being fragmented and fighting amongst ourselves.”

“I agree Dad,” Sofia said, “but not everyone sees it that way. Especially in my platoon, there are many from the southern colonies. Their parents never saw a Karacknid warship throughout the whole war, and they’ve grown up knowing nothing but peace.”

“But they’ve grown up in the Empire,” Christine said, concern filling her voice. “And they are Imperial Marines, surely they have some loyalty?”

“Of course they do,” Sofia said almost defensively. “They are all ready to fight and die to protect our worlds. That’s not in question. I think more are repeating what they hear from their parents. None of their parents grew up in the Empire. It is confusing at times. While many of us think of ourselves as Imperial citizens, we also have loyalties to our worlds. To our American or British or French or Chinese worlds.” Sophia gestured towards the other kids. “I mean, we are sons and daughters of some of the most famous Imperial war leaders, and we still think of ourselves as British.” Clare cleared her throat. “And partly Havenite,” Sophia quickly corrected.

Christine shared a look with Claire. “It’s obvious when she says it,” Claire said. “Maybe we have even more to worry about than we thought.” James didn’t like the look on both women’s faces. It was putting a downer on the sense of victory he still felt from defeating Bill Four Ninety-eight.

“I thought this was supposed to be a family get-together,” Emilie said in a much more cheerful voice. “Can’t we leave the politics in the office for one night? I know I’d much rather hear about how Rachel’s studies are getting on? Do you know what your plans are for when you graduate high school?”

Rachel smiled at Emilie, but then looked down to her soup when everyone focused their attention on her. Of his four children, James knew Rachel was the shyest. She was also by far the smartest. Secretly he and Christine were hoping she would follow Edward down the University route and want to get a PhD and a desk job or something safe like that.

“I have been thinking about it a lot,” Rachel said quietly without looking up. “I was thinking, a career in medicine. I should have the grades for it.” James found himself grinning from ear to ear. He couldn’t help but turn to Christine and wink at her. When he turned back to Rachel, he saw she was staring at Sofia. Sophia gave her a gentle nod. It tapered James’ smile. “I was thinking maybe about having the Marines pay for it.” What was left of James’ smile vanished. Rachel’s eyes flicked to him and then she began to speed up as she spoke. “At eighteen, I’ll be getting my augments anyway. And they will pay for medical school. I only have to serve five years, and then I can de-enlist if I want to.”

“An excellent idea,” Johnston said as he clasped his hands together. “A Somerville in the Marines. That’s not a phrase I thought I’d be saying. But you would be more than welcome. You could certainly show Jonathan, Edward, and Georgia a thing or two by the time we finished training you.”

James reached under the table and placed a hand on Christine’s knee. Rachel joining the Marines was the last thing she wanted. It was bad enough Georgia being a fighter pilot. As everyone else began to probe Rachel about her plans, he shared a quiet moment with his wife. He knew she would be able to read what he was thinking. What else could they expect from their children? They had grown up with two parents who had dedicated their lives to serving the Empire and to facing the Karacknids. It was no surprise their children wanted to follow in their footsteps. It didn’t make it any easier though. After a few moments, Christine gave him a nod to let him know she was okay. James flashed her a quick smile. He was sure they would be talking about it a lot more later this evening. For now though, he was determined to enjoy having time with his family and friends. “What about you Noah?” He asked when there was a lull in the discussion. “I can’t tempt you into thinking about joining the Navy?”

Noah shook his head vigorously. “No way. I’m going to be a marine, like my father.” As he spoke, the teenager puffed out his chest, causing everyone to burst into laughter. Noah frowned for a moment, confused, and then tried to push his chest out further.

Sophia reached over and ruffled his hair. “We’d be pleased to have you. Just make sure you don’t break any of my records at the Marine Academy.”

“Just you wait,” Noah said excitedly as he tried to push his sister’s hand away. With her augmented strength, he couldn’t even move her a millimeter. “No fair!” He complained.

“Nice try,” Johnston said when James turned to him. The marine General winked. “Johnstons aren’t soft enough for the Navy anyway. We’d just break too many of your delicate electronic systems.”

James rolled his eyes. “If I recall, I’m the one who defeated Taranaki, not you. Though from the way I hear you tell the story these days, I’m not sure you remember it quite like that.”

“Don’t worry, old friend, I remember,” Johnston said. “I still remember carrying you out of there. I’ll never forget that day.” He grinned. “But as my dad always said, why let the truth get in the way of telling a good story?”

“Did Dad really have his side sliced open?” Rachel asked. “I’ve studied the wounds Karacknid claws can make. They are gruesome.”

“Gruesome doesn’t even half describe it, girl,” Johnston replied. “Though if you’re going to be a medic, you’re going to have to get used to that kind of thing.”

“How about,” Christine said loudly, “we change the subject… James and I were thinking of taking a couple of days to holiday at Menorca. After all the trouble with Bill Four Ninety-eight, we need a day or two away. We were wondering if any of you might like to join us?”

“All of us?” Emilie asked.

“Of course,” Christine replied. “We can rent a villa, or even a couple of villas, right on the beachfront.”

“And you don’t need to worry about a babysitter,” James promised his niece. “I’m sure we can work something out.”

Emilie smiled at James. Everyone knew he liked to take every opportunity he got to get a cuddle with their son. “Well, if you are offering to baby sit, I’m sure Mark and I would love a day on the beach.”

“Count me out,” Edward said. “I’m far too busy.”

“And me,” Georgia added.

“I doubt I’ll be able to get the time away from my platoon,” Sofia informed them. “But I’m sure Mom and Dad would love to go. They need a break too.”

Both Johnston and Claire turned around to their daughter. “Do we now?” Clare asked.

“You’ve both been stressed out lately,” Sophie replied nonchalantly.

Johnston shook his head as he chuckled. “I guess someone has grown up. That’s us told. I guess we have little choice.”

“Scott?” James asked as he turned to one of his closest friends. He always did his best to include her in family get-togethers and outings. Despite the war with the Karacknids having ended two decades ago, as far as he could tell, she hadn’t been romantically involved with anyone. As she often told him, she was married to her work. James understood; often, it felt like he and Christine were the same, yet they still were able to carve out time for one another.

“I’m sorry, James, but I just have too much on my plate the next few weeks, maybe next time,” Scott replied.

“I’ll hold you to that,” James said. He turned and smiled at everyone else. “It’s settled then, Rachel and Noah can come as well. I’m sure they won’t mind getting a day or two off school.” From the look on their faces, James knew he had guessed right. “Christine and I will arrange a few dates and send them to you all to see if they suit.”

“What about cousin Jonathan,” Noah asked. “Will he be able to join us?”

At the mention of Jonathan’s name, his three siblings stopped pestering one another. Everyone else fell quiet. Everyone but the kids knew what Jonathan was really up to. “I’m afraid not,” James said. “He is too busy in Britannia with his research,” he lied. “I doubt he’ll be back for another year or two.” Though he saw the look of disappointment on his children’s faces, James didn’t add anything more. He didn’t like lying to them, but it was too big a chance they might let something slip. Though it had only been a couple of months since they had last seen him, he knew they missed Jonathan greatly. So did he.

Before the conversation around the table started up again, Fox appeared with several servants. They began to remove the starters from the table and then the main course arrived. James licked his lips at the large fillet steak that was sat in front of him. Everyone laughed when Johnston asked for a second steak ,and then they all began to greedily tuck in. As the discussion began to flow freely once again from topic to topic, James was content to enjoy his steak and listen as everyone enjoyed each other’s company.

More than an hour passed before they were finally disturbed. The knock on the main door into the dining room cut Christine off midsentence. She and James had given strict orders for them not to be disturbed unless it was an emergency. When Fairfax popped his head in, they both knew it was serious. “Sorry to disturb you Emperor, Empress, but a delegation has come to the Palace wishing to speak with you.”

“A delegation?” Christine asked, her voice full of irritation.

“Yes, I’m sorry Empress. Governors Varma, Solzhenitsyn, and Lannes are among them, as well as Commoners Patel, Garnier, and Farnsworth. Cornelius Teal is there, too.”

James set his wine glass down instantly. His body went numb. His mind was immediately drawn back to the vicious grin Cornelius Teal had given him earlier in the day. Given the list of names Fairfax had just rattled off, there was no way they wanted something good.

“We’ll be right there,” Christine said as she stood. Her voice was as cold as ice.

Chapter 13

The Empire has experienced no greater betrayal than that which lead to our Civil War, yet there have been others that have come close.

-Excerpt from Empire Ascendant 3015 AD.

Imperial Palace

“Where are they?” Christine asked, concern filling her voice as soon as she and James followed Fairfax out of the dining room.

“I had one of the staff show them to the main audience chamber,” Fairfax said. “Not that I think it will do any good.”

James hoped Fairfax was wrong, but he rather doubted it. The Palace’s main audience room was dominated by two large thrones, and was full of carvings and paintings depicting the Empire’s victory over the Karacknids. He and Christine had only sat on the thrones once or twice in the last twenty years, they were there more for show than anything else. Given who was requesting to speak to them, they weren’t likely to be swayed by tributes to the past.

“And just who is here?” Christine followed up.

“I didn’t get a look at them all,” Fairfax answered. “When I saw Governors Varma and Solzhenitsyn, I came straight to you.”

“Okay, we’ll just have to hear what they have to say.” Twisting her head, Christine caught James’ eyes. “And we need to be polite. Whatever request or complaint they are going to make, we will listen to it, promise to consider it and nothing more. No decisions need to be made tonight. They can’t expect anything more from us.”

James nodded but remained silent. He could already feel his blood beginning to boil. Bill Four Ninety-eight had been defeated in the Commons, Varma and the others should have accepted their defeat. Instead, he was certain they were going to make matters worse.

When they got to one of the side doors into the audience chamber, Christine stopped. She took a moment to compose herself, then nodded to Fairfax. Fairfax opened the door, stepped in, and announced them. “Emperor and Empress Somerville,” he said loudly.

Christine went in first, following right behind her, James’ eyes quickly darted to the group of people standing in one corner of the large room. The first person he recognized was Nicholls. She was standing off to one side of them. James wondered how she had got back to the Palace so quickly. He had sent her home a couple of hours ago. The grim look on her face told him she was as worried as he. As he and Christine moved over to the two chairs Nicholls had set out in front of the visitors, James tried to put names to all the faces. Governor Varma of New Delhi and Governor Solzhenitsyn of Rostov he knew by sight. He was relieved when he saw no other Governors present. Alarmingly though, there were a number of Senators, Commoners, and Servants. In fact, the entire gathering was made up of elected officials. And they’re all from the southeastern section of the Empire, he realized. They represented thirteen different worlds formally part of the Canadian, French, Indian, Argentinian, Russian, Danish, and Nigerian colonial empires. When his eyes met Cornelius Teal’s, the industrialist had the same smirk on his face James had first saw him with. Ever so slightly, Teal gave James a nod. It was nothing but mockery.

When he saw it, James’ fingers twitched. He wanted to tighten his hands into fists. Only years of Christine’s schooling him kept him from it. Following Christine’s lead, he didn’t show any sign of acknowledging the gathered politicians. Instead they moved to their seats and sat down.

“You have disturbed us at a late hour,” Christine said formally. “Clearly, you have something important to say. So say it.” Only then did James realize no seats had been set out for Teal or any of the others. Obviously Christine had no intention of giving them the chance to fetch any from the nearby tables. He approved.

Commoner Patel was the one who stepped forward and spoke on behalf of the group. She was holding a rolled-up scroll in her hands. “We have come to give you this Empress,” she said as she lifted the scroll slightly.

Christine made no effort to reach for it. “And just what is it?”

“All of us here are agreed. The people we represent elected us to protect their interests. We no longer feel it is benefiting our planets to be formal members of the Empire. This is a request that we be allowed to peaceably secede from the Empire.”

James failed to keep his hands from forming fists. His vision narrowed, and the massive audience chamber was suddenly closing in around him. He had to repeat Patel’s words in his mind to really take them in. As he did, he was gobsmacked. Threatening secession to win a vote was one thing. Actually coming before Christine and him with such a request. It was unforgivable. The audacity, he snarled to himself.

Patel continued, unaware of just how strong James’ emotions were running. “Of course, we will agree to continue to uphold the human rights enshrined in the Empire’s constitution. We are also willing to continue to contribute to the Imperial Navy’s budget. Just at a level our peoples deem acceptable. Ideally, we would like to keep any potential trade tariffs to an absolute minimum. Though that would be open to discussion.”

To James’ shock, when Christine spoke, her voice was perfectly calm. “And so your worlds all plan to form their own political union?”

Patel nodded. “It will be a loose confederation. Each world will be independent, but we will work together on things like trade.”

“And you expect the Imperial Navy to continue to protect you?”

“We would hope so,” Patel replied. “It has been built with our taxes and is crewed by tens of thousands of people from our planets.”

“And just how do you think the Empire is to recognize this document you bring before me?” Christine asked. “Do you plan to hold a vote in the Senate, or the Commons? What about on your own worlds, will there be referendums? Do you expect to win them all?”

“As we speak, we have people bringing identical documents to the Speakers of each of your three Houses,” Patel said, the use of ‘your’ not lost on James or Christine. “As there is no law regarding how a planet may secede, we believe that is sufficient. There is no need for any referendums. We have been voted by our people to speak for them and we are speaking now.”

“So what is it you would have me do then?” This time, ice filled Christine’s question.

Patel took a half step back. “We did not come here to argue with or insult you Empress. We are all grateful for the service you and your husband have given our species. We came here out of respect. We wish to tell you in person. And assure you that we mean no ill will towards the rest of the Empire. The Empire was formed to fight the Karacknids, and though their threat has diminished, we still intend to bear arms with you if and when they might attack again.”

James couldn’t contain himself any longer. His derision spilled over into laughter. “You expect us to protect you if you do this? When the Karacknids attack again, your worlds will receive no protection from the Imperial Navy. Not if you go through with this. We will not waste lives protecting those who betray us.”

Patel’s face darkened at James’ words. It was clear she was trying to control her emotions. Very deliberately, she turned back to Christine. “Does your husband speak for himself or for the Empire?”

Christine raised her chin. “In this, he speaks for me and every other Imperial citizen from the worlds you are trying to leave. This is nothing short of betrayal. You are fools if you do not understand that. Perhaps you are reading public sentiment on your planets correctly, though your unwillingness to even hold a referendum betrays even that lie. Yet you have made a severe miscalculation if you think the rest of the Empire will just sit back and let your planets leave.”

“What are you threatening?” Governor Varma asked as she spoke for the first time. “You would use force against your own species?”

“Against a traitor, yes, I would,” Christine replied harshly. “Have you forgotten all the wars the British Star Kingdom defeated your people in before the Karacknids? If you secede from the Empire, you are declaring yourself an enemy of the human species. You are joining the Karacknids in everything but name.” Christine stood to her feet and stepped closer to Patel and Varma. “I promise you this, I will make sure that is how the Empire’s citizens see your actions.”

Laughter from a single one of the group juxtaposed Christine’s savage tone. “She is bluffing,” Cornelius Teal said. “You are,” he repeated when he moved out from the middle of the group and held Christine’s gaze. “You would not divert ships and troops from the frontline. It would take millions of Marines to pacify all of our worlds, and hundreds of ships to bring and support them.”

Christine shook her head. “You may think you know me, but you do not. Your worlds have only known me as your Empress, as your servant and protector. If you make me an enemy, you will reap a devastation you could not even imagine. What would happen if I declared you a traitor and seized all your assets? What would happen if I cut off all trade to your worlds and blockaded them? Several hundred destroyers would be enough to strangle every one of your planets. How long then would your people support you? How long before they strung up every one of you and lynched you for your crimes against the Empire? If you do this, if you attempt to secede, then you will be removing yourselves from the protection of our laws. I will be free to do whatever I wish to you.”

“That’s absurd,” Patel said, though her voice cracked. “The way the constitution is written, every human deserves the legal protections written into it.”

Christine smiled and icy smile. “The way the constitution is written, there is no way for a planet to secede. To do so is tantamount to a rebellion against the Empire. You seem to think you can reinterpret the constitution to leave peaceably. Why then can I not reinterpret it to do with you as I please?”

“You can try,” Teal snarled. “But you will not find us to be the weak opponents you seem to think. We can sway public opinion as much as you. And we know you cannot tarnish your impeccable reputation. You can bluster all you wish, but it does not scare us. Now, we came here to be civil to you. You can accept our document or not. We will not argue any further.”

Beside him, Patel held out the scroll to Christine, who still did not reach for it. Patel glanced at Teal. The industrialist nodded to her. In response, she dropped the scroll at Christine’s feet. “This does not need to be this way,” Patel said. “I hope you will come to understand this. Farewell Christine, James, I hope we’re able to find a way to work together in the future.”

As the group of politicians all turned and began to move towards the audience room’s main door, Christine’s hands clenched into fists. Neither she nor James had anything to say to the group as they left. Instead, they stared at their backs, burning holes into them with their eyes. Only when the large ornate wooden door shut behind the politicians did Christine move. She half-stepped; half-stumbled back into her chair. Collapsing into it, all the fight and tension in her body disappeared.

“What have they done?” She asked as she lowered her head into her hands. “The fools!”

“You are right,” James said as he reached over and placed a hand on Christine’s shoulder. “They are traitors. They are risking the future of our species. We must deal with them at once.”

Christine raised her head; her eyes were bloodshot. “They are,” she agreed, “but they are also right. I tried threatening them because I hoped it would make some reconsider. They were empty threats; Teal saw right through me.”

James ground his teeth together. Teal’s mockery of his wife made his anger flare. As far as he was concerned, Christine’s words weren’t empty. She might not be willing to cross certain lines, but he would do whatever it took to protect Humanity from the Karacknids.

“Empty threats or not,” Fairfax said as he moved over and picked up the scroll. “We need to go through this immediately and see just what they are proposing. Then, we need to respond as soon as possible. If a copy of this has been given to the Speaker of each House, it will be leaked to the public within hours, if Patel and the others aren’t already doing that right now. We need to gather the Inner Council at once. This is not something we should decide on our own.”

“Of course,” Christine said as she sat back in her chair. The anger and defiance that had filled her was now gone. She looked deflated. “Call them at once, we will need their help.”

James stood and moved over to Christine. He took one of her hands and helped her to her feet. “Come on, let’s go and say good night to our guests and the kids. It’s obviously going to be a long one. The Inner Council will have gathered by then.”

From the look on her face, it was clear Christine didn’t want to have to see anyone. That was why James was making the suggestion. He knew she would force herself to put on a brave front. Once she did that, he knew she’d start thinking clearly again. The next three hours were crucial, and he couldn’t have Christine feeling sorry for herself. “Come on,” he repeated as he gently pulled on Christine’s arm. Reluctantly at first, Christine let James lead her. Before they left the audience room, James nodded to Nicholls and Fairfax to assure them she would be all right. He just hoped that was true.

Chapter 14

Throughout Earth’s history, democracy has always been a fragile thing. Within one generation, the ideals and values that underpin it can be lost, and once lost, they are far harder to recover. The Empire, like every past Human institution, faces this vulnerability too. There is always the temptation for those voted into power to permanently seize it for themselves, or just as disastrously, for the electorate to willingly hand over their power to a strongman who would protect them from their fears. It is the responsibility of every generation to fight both temptations.

-Excerpt from Empire Ascendant 3015 AD.

Less than an hour later, Fairfax had gathered most of James and Christine’s Inner Circle into the briefing room they usually met in. “Unless we’re going to wait another hour, this is all we’re going to get for now,” Fairfax said as Andrea Clements stepped into the room and moved over to take her seat.

“No, we need to start,” Christine replied. “Nicholls, can you update everyone please?”

“Of course Empress,” Nicholls said as she stood.

James only half-listened as his Chief of Staff outlined the events of the last hour and a half. Instead, he watched the faces of those who were present. Each responded slightly differently, though there were common themes. Shock was the first, followed by anger. Here and there, there was a hint of fear. That concerned James. He didn’t know if it was fear at what the attempted secession might mean for Humanity’s defenses against the Karacknids, or at what might happen as a result of how the Empire would respond. It wasn’t hard for James to imagine things spiraling out of control. For the politicians among the Inner Council, it would be even easier to picture how things might play out.

“And so, this is where we find ourselves,” Christine said when the Nicholls finished. “I will not deny that I am furious. Yet we must think through this carefully, very carefully. One misstep here, and everything we have built over these last twenty years could fracture. So tell me, what are your initial thoughts?”

Senator Grimshaw was shaking his head. “This is bloody outrageous. The sheer insolence of how they went about it. They might have said they were trying to leave on friendly terms, but it was a slap in your face. You are right in at least one thing Empress, this will not be received well, especially not in the northern colonies. They will feel abandoned.”

“And they will cause severe divisions on their own worlds as well,” Servant Liu added as he let out a sigh. “For no matter how confident they are that they have the support of their citizens, there will be many who will balk at the idea of splitting from us. Their worlds are full of retired navy crew and Marines who fought in the war.”

Lafayette slammed a fist onto the table. “I knew they were slimy, but I never suspected this. All the while Patel, Garnier and the others were trying to negotiate Bill Four Ninety-eight with us, they were planning this. They need to be brought to heel immediately. We cannot let this playout for any longer than absolutely necessary. The longer even the idea of secession seems like a possibility, the more people will be swayed by it.”

“Which is why we must come to a decisive decision tonight,” Fairfax said as Christine nodded at him. “Though perhaps first, it might be helpful to get an idea of just how serious a problem it would be for our military budgets if all these worlds did secede.”

“I don’t have the figures in front of me,” Andrea, the head of the Imperial Logistics Division said. “But it would be bad. Just the colonies Nicholls has mentioned account for about eight percent of our tax base. That would be an immediate hit if they stopped paying. We’d have to put many projects on pause, if not scrap them altogether. Far more concerning would be the loss of industrial facilities. Since the end of the war, we have built most of our new shipyards and mineral processing facilities in our southern colonies to keep them away from the frontline. Between New Delhi, New France, and Rostov, we would lose fifteen percent of our shipyard and ten percent of our raw mineral processing capacity. I assume Governor Varma and the others believe they would lease out these facilities to us in the long run, but if they wanted to, I’m sure they would withhold them from us until they got whatever concessions they think they deserve. None of this takes into account the sheer disruption all this would cause to our shipping and construction timetables.” Andrea paused as she shook her head. “It would be a catastrophe. It could wipe out everything we hope to accomplish for the next two years. And even then, it could take two or three more to get back up to the throughput we are producing right now.”

“So what you’re saying is this act is tantamount to industrial sabotage,” Commoner Ishida concluded. “If the Karacknids could do such damage to us, they would have no problem throwing away a fleet of three thousand or more worships.”

“Or more,” Andrea agreed with the retired naval Captain. “We have six thousand new warships scheduled to join the fleet over the next two years. At best, we’d be able to complete two thousand of them if all these worlds actually managed to secede. The rest would be delayed indefinitely.”

“And that’s assuming Varma and the others don’t seize all the ships in their construction yards,” James said as the possibility entered his mind. “If they have the finances, they might think they can complete them themselves.”

“And they might just have that kind of backing,” Commoner Lafayette said. “Since Emperor Somerville mentioned him earlier today, I’ve been doing some digging on Cornelius Teal. He is not in the top ten richest Imperial citizens, but he has been steadily moving in that direction. Perhaps even more importantly, most of his holdings are in freight shipping, civilian spaceship construction and mineral extraction and processing. He would be perfectly placed to take over any number of our naval shipyards and run them.”

“I’ve had a thought,” Alvarez said, speaking for the first time. “My mind is drawn to the increased pirate activity we’ve been seeing along our Eastern border over the last two years. One of my analysts sent me an insightful report just the other day. It was a breakdown of all the freighters known to have been attacked and their cargoes. My analyst had the idea to cross-reference all the cargoes. What she found was potentially alarming. She has developed a working theory that whoever was attacking the freighters was trying to build up a small pirate fleet. It wasn’t obvious at first, but in the last several months, more freighters filled with weapons and munitions were starting to go missing. Just the kind of things you would want if you had a group of ships you wanted to refit.”

“You mean a group of freighters?” Andrea asked, “Like the freighter fleet Teal owns?”

Alvarez nodded. “There’s no way this move is an overreaction to the defeat of Bill Four Ninety-eight. It has been planned, and planned well. Having a small fleet to back up your move would be a wise option if it was a possibility.”

“But you’re saying Teal and the others may have been conspiring with pirates as well as planning secession?” Grimshaw said. “That is going beyond treachery. It is despicable.”

“But we don’t know anything yet for sure,” Liu cautioned. “We should not jump to conclusions without far more evidence. At least, not now as we consider our response.”

“You’re right,” Alvarez agreed, “but it is a possibility we should factor into our response.”

“It certainly is,” James said as his dislike for Teal grew even more. “I’d very much like to see this analyst’s report. And it leads me to an even greater concern. If Teal is as wealthy as Lafayette says, what’s to say he hasn’t constructed a small hidden shipyard somewhere? He might be building his own warships, as well as converting freighters. If he has the backing of several colonial Governors, there would be nothing to stop him.”

Christine shook her head. “This is getting out of control. Yes, I know it’s possible,” she said as she glanced at James. “But we don’t know anything yet. In any case, we’re not going to send a fleet to New France, New Delhi, or Rostov to seize control of the planet’s orbitals. If it turns out they have their own warships, then we will deal with that later. If we can, I’d much rather bring this to an immediate end right here and now. We need to decide how are we going to respond to this tonight. If it isn’t already, it will be all over the holo news channels within the next hour or two.”

“Perhaps we are getting too worked up over this,” Senator Marshall, leader of the Conservative party said. “Yes, of course it is bad. But what really has happened? A group of politicians have handed in a paper document to our Emperor and Empress. A paper document that is meaningless. It has no legal standing. If we overreact to this, we could give it more credence than it is worth. There may be wisdom in waiting. If we let things play out a little more, we may find these traitors have shot themselves in the foot. Public opinion here and on their own planets could turn against them. And there’s another thing to consider as well. Technically, Varma and Patel haven’t done anything illegal yet. If we were to move against them, they might actually have legal grounds to challenge us. Perhaps that is even what they are hoping for.”

James glanced around at the other politicians in the room. To his surprise, he found himself wanting to agree with Senator Marshall. If there was even a chance the whole thing could blow over, he wanted to see that happen. Lafayette dashed his hopes. “I’m sorry, but it has already gone too far for that approach. If we do nothing, many will interpret that to mean we have no answer to their desire to secede. Or worse, that we were caught off-guard and unprepared. It would only swell the confidence of others who might start to entertain similar thoughts.”

“And this is where we must consider Teal’s financial capabilities and the possibilities Admiral Alvarez has outlined,” Andrea said. “If they truly are serious about this, and we must assume now that they are. Then they will be doing everything they can to protect themselves. The longer we give them, the more entrenched they will be, and the harder it might be for us to reverse what they are doing. If we can stop them now, then it may avoid greater costs and perhaps even bloodshed. But if we wait, they may only be able to be stopped by warships and Marines.”

“You’re not possibly saying we might use military force to prevent this?” Marshall asked.

“If they take our ships and shipyards, how else would we get them back?” Andrea asked. “Four thousand warships could be the difference between success and defeat when the Karacknids turn their attention back to conquering us.”

“Then we must do everything we can to avoid such an outcome,” Nicholls said. “There are things we can do right now. We can freeze all of their assets, Teal’s especially. That could cut them off at the knees.”

“It would be a good start,” Alvarez agreed. “But they will have seen such a move coming. They will have taken steps to protect themselves.”

“The way I see it,” Senator Grimshaw said, “we have no choice. We must formally reject this attempted secession. We cannot ignore it nor deny it. If we reject it however as illegal, then we can move to have each of the politicians stripped of their positions. I think we would have no problem getting the necessary majorities in each of the Houses.” Pausing, Grimshaw glanced at Lafayette and Liu. Both nodded to show they thought the same. “We could do this before the end of the week. Then we can send our official rejection along with notices that each politician has been removed from office to all of their worlds. If we strip them of their authority, their declaration to secede will be meaningless.”

“I like that,” Christine said. “I’m sure with Andrea’s help, I could put together a speech to address the Empire in the morning. If you can confirm we have the vote, we can announce we are moving ahead with this in light of the serious impact the actions of these traitors could have.”

“And then we arrest them,” James said. If there were no hope things could simply blow over, then he wanted to be as decisive as possible. In truth, he wanted to bring Teal to his knees. “We seize their assets, and we arrest them. If we move quickly, we could end this now. We could even have them arrested before you make your speech tomorrow.”

“But that would be illegal,” Marshall protested, concern filling his voice.

“And why would that concern us given what is at stake?” James asked. “Christine was right when she threatened them when they were here. If they can change the rules we’re all playing by, why can’t we?”

“And one could argue that by handing in an official request to secede, these politicians have voluntarily stepped outside of the legal protections of our system,” Ishida suggested.

“But that would mean we would be recognizing that their request to secede is genuine. If we start treating them as if they are not citizens, it means we think legally they have seceded,” Marshall countered.

“It also leaves them no room to back down or surrender,” Grimshaw added. “If they see no other way out, then they will resist us to the bitter end. That could make things harder. If we leave them an out, a way where they could back down and save face, then we might get what we want with less difficulty.”

“And yet, as has been said, if we let this drag on, we may allow more to flock to their cause,” Christine suggested. “If that happens, it will make it far harder to stop this from going into a movement we cannot control.”

“Then what we need is a two-pronged approach,” Havertz suggested. “On the one hand, we need to be decisive and wrest power from the hands of those who have started this. To do that, I believe our best option is to declare them traitors, strip them of their political ranks, and seek their arrest. At the same time though, we could introduce new legislation into the Houses to enact a constitutional amendment. We could add a clause regarding secession.” Havertz quickly held up his hands as it looked like several of the Inner Council were about to protest. “Hear me out. Perhaps it was an oversight that we did not include this to begin with. That is an admission we could even make publicly, for it would likely appease many who are on the fence on the issue. Yet, if we introduce the constitutional amendment, then we will control how things play out. For one, it would be absolutely necessary that any such world hold a referendum on the issue. And, it would be my view that at least sixty percent of the population would have to be in favor of secession. Then in addition, we wait and include a number of other clauses. For example, the whole process would have to take a number of years to make sure the citizens of said planet knew exactly what the consequences of their actions would be. In addition, if there is an immediate threat of war, then the process could be stopped or postponed. There would also have to be the orderly transfer of power over a set period of time if a vote to secede was passed. They should also be followed by a second vote a decade or maybe two later, to allow the planet’s citizens to confirm that they believe they have made the right decision. From my reading of the few I have met who have actually spoken of secession, I think these things would go a long way to appeasing them. It is my estimation that many rile against the Empire’s authority simply because they don’t like not having an exit. Yet if that exit was made available, I do not believe they would wish to use it.”

“I don’t know if that is a brilliant idea or one that could lead to our eventual ruin,” Fairfax said as he rubbed his hands together. “It would cut Patel and the others off at the knees. It would make them look like dictators trying to force their planets to do their will rather than let them choose. Yet if we open Pandora’s box, we might not be able to get it closed again.”

“But Havertz is right,” Christine said barely above a whisper. “Perhaps I didn’t see it before, but today’s events are demonstrating our folly. There should have been such a clause in the constitution from the beginning. We claim democracy to be the foundation upon which the Empire is built. Yet if planets cannot vote to leave just as they voted to join, then perhaps her claim is an illusion. Or at least, I can see how it may seem so to many. If we were to draw up a draft of such an amendment, I could include it in my address to the Empire.”

“That would give us little time to think through the suggestion,” Nicholls cautioned.

Christine nodded and gave James’ Chief of Staff a brief smile. “It certainly would, but sometimes, events get the better of you. I don’t think we have time to think through every possible scenario. Not when so much is on the line.”

“I’m afraid I have some bad news,” Alvarez said, holding a datapad in his hands. “As soon as we first discussed the possibility of freezing assets, I sent a request for each of the politicians you mentioned to be monitored. In the last twenty minutes, each and every one of them has boarded a civilian ship. Most have already taken off and headed out of the system.”

“They are fleeing,” Fairfax said.

“Not fleeing, I think,” Alvarez replied. “This was likely planned. They have to have guessed that we would respond swiftly.”

“Can we catch them?” Andrea asked.

Alvarez tapped his datapad, and the holo display built into the table they were all sitting around activated. It showed the Sol system with seven dots flashing. Each was headed towards either the Alpha or Beta shift passages.

James studied the star map for several seconds. “No,” he said regretfully. “We have no ships close enough. Those civilian vessels are moving at an impressive speed. They have to be as fast as a military frigate.”

“Another indication that their escape has been well-planned,” Alvarez said.

James nodded. “But we can send orders to the Alpha and Beta jump gates not to let them through. They’ll have to use their own shift engines to travel to Alpha and Beta. That would buy us several more hours. If Christine makes her address in the morning and we send our fastest ships to their colonies, we could have news of their arrest warrants and removal from their positions arriving just behind them. That is bound to impact what they are planning to do next on their own worlds.”

“Then do it,” Christine ordered. “I will not have them return to their worlds declaring themselves to be some kind of national heroes. And let the rest of us get to work as well, we are going to quench this fire before it spreads.”

*

A beep from Christine’s COM unit made her glance down at it. A message had just been received from Fairfax. It was only one word. Looking back up, she nodded to James who stood at her side. He knew what her gesture meant. The three Houses had held their votes. Putting a grim expression on her face, she stepped up to the podium. Every holo recorder from all of Earth’s news agencies were already pointed at her. She paused for just a second as a strong gust of wind blew her hair to one side. Her podium was in the middle of the nearest shuttle landing pad in front of the Palace. She wanted the large structure behind her for what she was about to say. It was a reminder to everyone of where they had come from and what they had all accomplished together. Taking a deep breath, she began. “People of the Empire, I have grave news to share with you all. Those of you on Earth will already have learned of it, for those outside the Sol system, this will be the first time you are hearing of it. This is not something I ever thought I would have to come to speak to you about. Yet here I am. It grieves me deeply that I must do this, but I have no other choice.” Christine paused to let her words sink in. She wanted everyone paying full attention to her.

“Last night,” she continued, “several political figures requested an audience with Emperor James and I. Claiming to speak on behalf of thirteen worlds, they declared their intention to secede from the Empire…. Yes, you heard me right. After everything we have achieved together. After all the blood that has been spilt. After the losses we have suffered. They have chosen to turn their backs on us. And to make matters worse, these worlds are all worlds in our southern sectors. Worlds that are far from the Karacknid Empire, worlds that have greatly benefited from the investment we have funneled into them to build up our military industrial capabilities. Worlds that enjoyed peace and safety while other worlds like Earth and New Shanghai were invaded and bombarded by the Karacknids.

“There is only one word that describes what these people have done: betrayal! These politicians have betrayed everything the Empire stands for, everything so many of our loved ones have given their lives to protect, and everything so many of you have worked tirelessly to build.

“Now, let me make one thing very clear,” Christine said as she raised her hands, placed them on the podium and leaned forward to emphasize her point. “I am not speaking here of the people of these worlds. They have played no part in this. These politicians have not consulted with them. There have been no referendums. Forsaking democracy, these politicians are seeking to set themselves up as a local dictator, where their worlds are beholden to their every whim. They think that by simply handing me a document they have written, they can speak on behalf of their people. Well, I am here to say this morning that I and Emperor Somerville, on behalf of all three Houses of Parliament, absolutely and categorically reject this attempted secession.

“Further, this very morning, emergency meetings of all three Houses were held. Two new bills were presented before them and accepted unanimously. Their full details will be made public within the hour; however, I can share with you their main contents now. The first bill removed each of the elected officials from their positions. The second introduced a new amendment to our Empire’s constitution. Our Third Amendment now lays out a democratic, peaceful, and respectful process for any planet that wishes to secede from the Empire. Neither I nor James wish to force any planet to be a part of our Empire against their will. Each and every one of you had a vote on whether to join the Empire, and you should have the right to be able to vote to leave. But what you should not have are petty tyrants who would betray you, to seize power for themselves.

“What has happened in the last few hours has been grave. I believe that is clear in the responses we have taken. I wish these politicians had tried to work things out with us. I wish they had sought to respect the desires of their own people and of all the Empire’s citizens. However, they have not, and so this is where we find ourselves. Both of these bills were passed unanimously, and so the Empire’s democratic system has spoken. This attempted secession has been seen for what it was, nothing but a naked power grab. And each of our Houses have dealt with it accordingly.

“There remains one final act that I, as your Empress, must carry out. Based on the authority granted to me by our constitution, I now declare each of these politicians traitors to the Empire.” Reaching under the podium, Christine took out a document and laid it on the podium. She took a pen out of her dress pocket and signed it. “On my written orders, each of the politicians involved in this sedition are now wanted criminals. On my orders, they are to be hunted down and brought back to Earth for trial.” Setting down the pen, Christine stared at the holo recorders for several seconds. “And let me make this clear, any who aid and abet them will suffer the same fate. We can have a diplomatic discussion about secession. I do not fear that. But what I will not tolerate are a group of power-hungry rebels whose actions threaten the very stability of our Empire when the Karacknids could renew their attacks against us at any minute. Anyone who seeks to split the Empire’s strength in the face of the Karacknids has made themselves an enemy of the Empire and an enemy of mine.”

Lifting up the document she had just signed, Christine began to read, “I hereby declare that all those listed below, and those who aid them, are now to be considered traitors and enemies of the Empire, they are to be apprehended and brought to Earth where they will face trial as enemy combatants.” Carefully, she then read out the list the eighteen politicians who they knew for certain were involved in the attempted secession. When she was done, she set the document down. Once again, she stared at the holo recorders. “I know that for some of you who have grown up since the Karacknid War, my actions today may seem disproportionate. I am sorry that you may feel this way. Yet for those of you who have lived through the Karacknid War, who have bled and lost to protect our species, you will know why such a betrayal cannot be tolerated. You know I will do whatever it takes to protect this Empire and our democratic constitution. To the rest, I trust that in time, you will come to understand why I, James, and the three Houses of Parliament have taken such decisive action.”

Without waiting for questions, Christine turned from the podium and strode towards James. She held out her hand and allowed him to lead her back into the Palace. She had said what she wanted to say. Now, it was time to see how the public would respond. The ball is now in your court, she thought towards the eighteen names she had just read out.

Chapter 15

According to the official statistics, the Empire has made first contact with three thousand four hundred and fifty-two other sentient species. Much has been learnt from these experiences and there are complex protocols in place to guide naval Captains who find themselves in such a situation. Yet rarely do such things go to plan.

-Excerpt from Empire Ascendant 3015 AD.

Python, 17th October 2508 AD, (four weeks later).

Jake’s nerves were frayed. For four weeks, Python had followed the new alien ship. A rhythmic pattern had developed. Slowly in stealth, Python would follow the alien ship until it jumped into shift space. Then as soon as it was gone, a mad dash would begin to the next shift passage to try and close the lead the freighter opened up while Python was stuck in stealth. Though rhythmic, the pattern was far from relaxing. At any moment, Jake had expected Python to be detected. Or worse, when jumping out into the next system, the alien ship to be gone.

Miraculously, neither had happened. Yet rather than diminishing, Jake’s concerns were growing as the chase lengthened. For another problem had begun to play on his mind. The alien ship had been plotting a steady course south, and then southwest around the southernmost tip of Human space. Each day brought Python further away from an inhabited colony and a source of fuel. As things were, engineering specialist McKay assured Jake they only had enough fuel for another two weeks. Then they’d have to turn around and set course for Swaraj, the nearest Imperial colony. Before that point came, Jake knew he would have another tough decision, an impossible one even. Whoever the alien race was that had taken the Karacknid cargo, if the cargo was weapons, he couldn’t allow them to keep them. Of that he felt certain. That meant he would have to capture or destroy the alien vessel. There was only one way such an act could be interpreted: as an act of war. And yet, Jake didn’t know for sure the alien vessel was carrying Karacknid weapons. It was unlikely the Karacknids were trading anything else, but not impossible. The ship could have a political delegation on board. Or some other commodities could be being traded. Though Jake felt he had to stop the freighter from getting away from him, he was dreading making the decision to bring it to battle. As long as he could, he wanted to keep putting it off.

One thing that wasn’t bothering him any longer, however, was his concern about what Captain Domingo would say when they finally managed to meet up with Resolute again. A Karacknid freighter delivering something to a new alien race was far bigger than chasing pirates or missing a planned rendezvous. However cross Domingo might end up being, Jake was sure she would have to begrudgingly accept he had made the right decisions.

“We’ll be exiting shift space in ten minutes,” an officer reported, drawing Jake out of his reflections.

“Thank you,” Jake replied. “Send word for the main watch to report to the bridge. Prepare Python to enter stealth.”

“Aye, Lieutenant,” the officer said.

Moments later, Lydia walked onto the bridge. “Ready to do this again?” She asked Jake.

Jake nodded. “And again after that,” he replied. He then watched as she moved to her seat and sat down. He hadn’t yet brought up the dilemma he knew was approaching them. He wanted to have considered it thoroughly before he did. Chasing an unknown alien ship that had contact with the Karacknids was one thing, attacking it was another entirely. He was sure Lydia, and the rest of the crew, would have some serious misgivings. Already, he could sense a number were growing concerned at how far they were moving away from Imperial space. Yet as he watched Lydia closely, there was no sign she shared such concerns. When she glanced at him and caught him staring, she flashed him a smile. Jake returned it. Her trust in him hadn’t wavered. Which means it’s time you better talk to her, Jake concluded. Once we locate the alien ship and lay in a course to pursue it, he decided. If she agreed with him, it would at least ease his conscience a little.

“Exiting shift space in twenty seconds,” the officer at Python’s navigation console announced.

Jake tensed himself as Python reverted to real space, and a tremor ran through the pirate vessel. When it passed, everyone’s eyes focused on the main holo display as Python’s passive sensors peered into the system. According to the Kulrean survey data, the system had three shift passages that led away from it, not counting the one Python had just used. That made it a crossroads of sorts. Which direction the alien ship took would tell them a lot about its final destination.

“Got it!” Lydia exclaimed. Moments later, a contact began to flash on the holo display.

Jake frowned when he saw it. The contact wasn’t heading towards any of the shift passages. Instead, it was heading towards the system’s only planet with an asteroid ring. As soon as he realized what it meant, Jake’s eyes widened, and he sat forward in his command chair. “Another rendezvous,” he said out loud. It made the most sense. There wasn’t anything of interest in the system, nor in orbit above the planet the alien ship was headed towards. That, or they’re on to us, another thought hit him. If the alien vessel thought it was being followed, hiding in a thick planetary ring, and watching to see if another ship appeared wouldn’t be a bad idea. “Take us forward, one percent thrust,” Jake ordered. “Let’s not take any risks. Maybe they’re trying to see if they’re being followed.”

“Yes Lieutenant,” the navigation officer replied.

It took the alien vessel two hours to reach the planet it was headed towards. In that time, Python covered a fraction of the distance the alien vessel did. As the alien contact approached the planetary ring and began to slow, Jake expected it to begin to reduce its emissions. There was no point trying to hide if it was still going to keep its engines and reactors operating at full power. Yet Python’s passive sensors had no problem continuing to track the vessel.

“They’re not hiding,” Lydia commented. “You were right the first time. It is a rendezvous.”

“Agreed,” Jake replied. “Take us up to five percent thrust. I want to get closer. Set course for the system’s gas giant. We can slot into orbit there and see what unfolds.”

“Who do you think they’re meeting?” Lydia asked in a lower voice after Python completed her course change.

“A very good question,” Jake said. He shrugged his shoulders as he looked at the alien vessel. “We have no idea who they are. It’s as likely as not that whoever they’re meeting is unknown to us as well.”

“Which will make it all the more concerning,” Lydia said. “If the Karacknids have hired one species to transport weapons to another, then how many have they working with them?”

Jake nodded. “And right on our southeastern border, where we have almost no defenses.” For the last twenty years, the Empire had been building up fortifications along its northern border. If one or two powerful enemies suddenly appeared to the south, many systems could be in trouble. Suddenly, Jake felt even more weight on his shoulders. Whoever the alien vessel had come to meet was not likely to be friendly towards Humanity. Not if they were working for the Karacknids. With Python’s fuel situation, he could end up having to fight them as well. As he felt his anxiety growing, Jake sat back in his command chair. It was probably going to take hours or even days for whoever the aliens had come to meet to arrive. The wait would end up forcing him to go over and over the problem in his mind. He wouldn’t be able to avoid it. Not for the first time, he wished Captain Domingo or even some of the more senior naval officers he had met were here instead of him. Admiral Becket would certainly know what to do. He, on the other hand, couldn’t help but feel terribly conflicted. Firing on an unknown alien vessel could be viewed as piracy at best, and a war crime at worst. Even if the aliens proved to be unfriendly, Jake was almost certain attacking and destroying the Karacknid weapons would put an end to his career. He knew enough about how politics worked to know that the Imperial Navy’s senior Admirals would have to publicly condemn him, whether they secretly agreed with whatever he did or not.

“Second energy reading!” Lydia shouted excitedly. “Their contact is already here. They’re coming out of the planetary ring.”

“What are the sensors telling us about the new ship?” Jake demanded.

Lydia shook her head. “The energy readings aren’t being recognized by the ship’s computer.” She turned around to Jake. “Though our computer doesn’t have anything like the database of alien ships an Imperial warship would have.”

“Let’s see a visual,” Jake requested. On the holo display zoomed in, Jake’s internal struggle ceased. He couldn’t keep the shock from his face.

“What is it?” Lydia said. Others had turned around to look at Jake as well.

Jake raised a hand and ran it through his hair. Everything was clicking into place. “Flex-aor,” he said slowly as his mind wrestled with the revelation. “That’s a Flex-aor ship. The Karacknids are giving weapons to the Flex-aor!”

“But that’s impossible,” another officer said.

Moments ago, Jake would have thought the same. He had spent the first four years of his naval career serving in the Flex-aor demilitarized zone. He knew the history well. Just months before the beginning of the Karacknid War, Admirals Somerville and Ya’sia had located the Flex-aor homeworlds. The Flex-aor had attacked both human and Varanni Alliance worlds. In response, Somerville and Ya’sia destroyed several Flex-aor fleets. A follow-up attack by a Varanni fleet had finished the Flex-aor off. Since then, an Allied fleet had been stationed in their space, keeping watch over the Flex-aor worlds. Any attempt to rebuild their orbital stations and return to space was quickly snuffed out. As best as Allied scientists and archaeologists could determine, the Flex-aor had been responsible for exterminating six sentient species before they had attacked Humanity and the Varanni Alliance. At least, that was as many worlds as had been discovered and examined. No one knew if there were more worlds out there that had been turned into mass graves. Everyone agreed, they could never be allowed to build spaceships again. And yet, Jake was certain he was staring at one.

“Are you sure?” Lydia asked.

Jake nodded. “I served in the demilitarized zone. I know what they look like. And if there is one, that means there are more. There has to be a Queen that escaped the Varanni Alliance fleet twenty-five years ago.”

“A Queen?” Another officer asked.

Jake quickly explained. “It’s how they organize their society. They have one High Queen who rules them. Yet each planet and warfleet is controlled by one of her daughters. She is a Queen in her own right who rules over all her male offspring. The fleet thought they had located and quarantined or killed them all.”

“If one escaped, that means they’ve been in hiding all this time,” Lydia said, her eyes were wide. “Hiding and preparing. If they’ve been receiving weapons from the Karacknids…”

Lydia didn’t have to finish her thought; the concern was obvious to everyone on Python’s bridge. When the Flex-aor had first attacked, their numbers had been overwhelming. Only a combined fleet from every Human nation was able to stop them, and even then, it had largely been down to the technological advantage Humanity had held. Every one suspected the Karacknids had given weapons to the Flex-aor. Yet by design, they had been weapons that were centuries out of date. No doubt that would have made them easy to conquer if the Karacknids had managed to destroy Humanity. But if they have modern Karacknid weaponry now, Jake thought, that would make the Flex-aor an entirely different threat. And a threat that likes to nuke Human worlds, he thought as the full ramifications of what he was looking at hit him. “We can’t let them have those weapons,” Jake said out loud, determination filling his voice.  “This may not be the first weapons transfer there has been, but we can’t take the risk. We cannot let the Flex-aor get their hands on modern weapons. It could spell disaster!”

“We are in complete agreement Lieutenant,” Lydia said as she and several other bridge officers nodded. “We are with you, whatever you want to do.”

Jake didn’t hesitate. “Alter course, put us onto an intercept heading. Bring us up to eighteen percent thrust. If we reveal ourselves now, they may run. We need to get closer before we attack. If we can, we’re not going to let either ship escape.” Whoever the other alien species was, if they were working for the Karacknids, helping them arm the Flex-aor, Jake felt no sympathy for them. Whatever it meant for his career, he had to destroy the weapons their ship was carrying.

“What do you know about that Flex-aor ship?” Lydia asked.

Jake focused his attention more fully on the new ship. Only then did he realize he had ordered Python forward without even knowing what they were facing. It could have been a battleship for all he knew! Cursing himself for his brashness, Jake forced himself to slow down and to think. He couldn’t just go charging gung-ho, that was likely to get himself and his crew killed. Carefully, he studied the visual in front of him. “It’s not a warship,” he said in reply to Lydia’s question. Immediately he felt the tension around him slacken slightly, his own included. “Though Flex-aor freighters were known to be armed,” he cautioned. Tapping a few buttons on his command chair, Jake zoomed the holo image in further and rotated it slightly. “Look there,” he said as he pointed. “That has to be a missile port. Flex-aor fire long-range, two-stage missiles. The first stage releases several smaller agile missiles like our mark VIIs. We should outrange them if they haven’t improved their tech over the last twenty years.” Jake knew that was a big if. The fact that the Karacknids were giving them weapons tech suggested the Flex-aor were still behind the Empire’s tech level. Yet Python wasn’t exactly state of the art. She wasn’t much more powerful than a frigate from the Karacknid War. If the Flex-aor had surpassed that era, they were going to be in trouble. And that doesn’t even take into account the alien vessel, Jake thought as he switched the image to show it. Carefully, he studied it for any sign of weapons, but as in the weeks previous, there was no way to tell if it was armed at all. We have to assume it is, he said to himself. Which means we could be outnumbered and out-gunned. A straight-up fight is going to be risky. We need a backup plan.

Reaching back with his mind, Jake tried to recall all the small engagements he had studied at the naval academy and during his four years of active service. Several options came to him quickly. Just as quickly, he dismissed them. Most involved weapons systems he didn’t have access to, or fancy maneuvers he wasn’t sure Python could pull off. Then, one more sprang to his mind. It was from the early career of one of Earth’s greatest Admirals. Lightfoot had died in the Karacknid War. No doubt that was in part why he was studied so closely at the Academy. The other was because he had been a tactical genius. “I have an idea,” Jake said as he looked over to Lydia. When everyone on the bridge turned their attention to him, he reminded them of how the British and Chinese War had begun. Within a minute, his orders were relayed throughout the rest of the ship, and preparations were under way.

Forty-five minutes later and everything was ready. Python’s weapons had all gone through a final systems check. The pirate ship was closing in on the two alien vessels and their targets had just begun to ferry cargo over to the Flex-aor ship. When Lydia looked up from her station, Jake knew she was looking for permission to begin. I hope I don’t let you down, Jake thought towards his father and all his instructors who had brought him to this moment. He nodded to Lydia. “Go to full military power.”

The combination of Python’s reactors and engines pumping out gigajoules of energy announced their presence in the system. It took the aliens just a few seconds to respond. No doubt they were shocked. Within moments though, the shuttles that had been moving back and forth between both ships turned and fled back to their hangars. Power readings from both ships spiked as well as they increased the output of their reactors. “Send the message,” Jake ordered.

“Transmitting now,” an officer responded. Jake doubted either ship would obey his order to cut their engines and remain in position. For appearance’s sake, he felt he had to send a message anyway. “No response,” the officer updated thirty seconds later.

“We will enter missile range in five minutes,” Lydia reported. “It looks like the last shuttles are docking now.”

Jake nodded. “Now we will see.” If both ships wanted to flee, they would split apart to maximize the chances that at least one of them would get away. If they stuck together, it meant they were going to fight. As much as Jake didn’t want them to engage him simultaneously, he willed them to remain together. If they did split, he wasn’t sure Python could catch both of them. As the seconds ticked by and neither ship turned their noses away from each other, his confidence grew.

“They’re moving,” Lydia shouted. Jake saw it when she did. “Both are turning towards us. Their engines are kicking in too.”

“They’re going to fight,” Jake confirmed. “All right, this is what we’ve planned for. Fire as soon as we get into range. Target the Flex-aor freighter first.” The Flex-aor ship was Jake’s main priority. If he could take it out, then even if the other alien ship escaped, at least the Karacknid cargo wouldn’t fall into Flex-aor hands.

“I’m getting additional energy spikes from the unknown alien ship,” Python’s sensor officer said, her voice full of concern. “I don’t think it’s from their drive system.”

Jake’s heart rate spiked. It had to be the alien’s weapon system. “We’ve got movement on the ship as well,” Lydia reported. The holo image zoomed in to show the alien vessel. Several compartments had opened to reveal what were clearly some kind of cannons. “I don’t think they are missile ports,” Lydia added.

“An energy weapon, or some kind of projectile weapon,” Jake concluded. “Unless they have figured out a way to exceed the speed of light, they’ll be firing at an extremely long range. Begin evasive maneuvers. And reprogram our missiles, they will have to go evasive much earlier as well.” Though it would decrease the range of his missiles, Jake didn’t want to take any chances.

“Detecting strange energy particles!” Python’s sensor officer announced. “They just passed us on our starboard side. Sixteen passed us in quick succession.”

“And the alien vessel’s weapon systems are spiking again,” Lydia said. “With that count, they can fire every twenty seconds.”

“All right, that puts a serious dampener on our plan,” Jake said. “Switch targets, focus our fire on the alien vessel.” He needed to destroy it, and quickly.

As soon as Python got into range, Lydia launched four missiles at the alien ship. Once hurled from their tubes, the missiles began to carry out evasive maneuvers. It was good that they did. Ten seconds into their flight, sixteen energy beams flashed through the space they were in. One missile was hit and destroyed. Jake’s hands tightened into fists. “Keep up our evasive maneuvers,” he ordered.

“Missile launch!” Python’s sensor officer reported. “One Flex-aor missile incoming.”

Over the next fourteen minutes, Python fired two more salvos and the Flex-aor ship another one. Despite their best efforts, the unknown alien vessel wasn’t able to strike any more of his missiles with their heavy energy weapons. Though when Python’s first salvo got closer, both alien ships opened up with smaller point defensive energy weapons. Their rate of fire made Jake sit forward in his command chair. His missiles were in trouble. Sure enough, another one was blown apart. Seconds later, a third followed it. For a moment, Jake that the fourth would strike home. But then, three energy beams struck it just seconds before it would have struck the alien vessel. As soon as the missiles were gone, the alien ship resumed firing its heavier energy beams at Python.

At the same time, the Flex-aor missile broke apart. Accelerating out of the wreckage were four smaller missiles. Jake swallowed hard. Four was bad, it could have been worse, larger Flex-aor missiles were known to release up to ten small missiles. Yet four was still a lot for Python to have to handle. “Engage them at long-range,” Jake snapped. “Force them to carry out evasive maneuvers early.” Doing so would cause the missiles’ formation to become disjointed. It was the best chance he could give his gunners. “Bring us up to one hundred and two percent military thrust,” he ordered next.

Twelve seconds later, Python’s point defensive weapons began to fire. First, plasma cannons opened up, then laser beams and finally, AM missiles. As Jake watched the Flex-aor missiles try to dodge them, he began to wish he had a more modern warship. Resolute’s flack cannons, arc emitters and long-range AM missiles would have shredded the Flex-aor missiles already.

A cheer went up when the first Flex-aor missile was destroyed. Then, a second when another quickly followed it. Silence quickly descended on the bridge when the other two continued on. Jake felt fear grip his spine. He opened his mouth as he prepared to order more strenuous evasive maneuvers. Yet he didn’t have to. Through skill or luck, the last two missiles were both destroyed in quick succession. Jake, along with everyone else on Python’s bridge, breathed a sigh of relief. Now it’s our turn again, Jake thought to himself as his next salvo charged in towards the alien vessel. If only we had bomb pumped laser warheads, he wished, or even antimatter warheads! With just standard nuclear warheads, his missiles had to get close enough to engulf the alien ship with their explosions. The combined point defensive fire from both enemy ships made that difficult. Still, Jake found himself leaning forward in his command chair again as he willed on his missiles.

When hundreds of enemy energy beams missed the missiles, Jake’s hopes soared. They were quickly cut down again. Two missiles detonated right after one another. Then a third followed them. To everyone on Python’s bridge amazement, the fourth dodged everything thrown at it. It raced right in towards the alien ship. Only a sudden evasive maneuver saved the alien ship from a direct hit. The missile’s warhead, detecting that it wouldn’t get any closer, detonated. A wave of thermonuclear energy crashed into the ship. Jake punched his fist in the air as he let out a yell of triumph. Yet his elation didn’t last long. The alien vessel flew through the explosion and continued on. Visual images showed several of its armor sections had been burnt off and it looked like two of its offensive cannons were gone. Yet it was still very much in the fight.

“They’re moving closer together,” Lydia reported. “I think we startled them.”

“Let’s do it again,” Jake said as he summoned as much confidence as he could. “A direct hit, and we’ll take one of them out of the fight. Alter heading to seven three three point six.” As more salvos were launched by Python and the Flex-aor ship, Jake did his best to keep the enemy ships at extreme missile range. The unknown alien vessel’s energy cannons would become more effective the closer the alien ship got. Knowing that, they were trying to close with him. Jake was still hoping he could win a prolonged missile duel.

As two more of his salvos attacked the alien vessel, Jake started to think his hope was no more than that, just hope. With their point defensive fire overlapping, all his missiles were shot down. Then, as the fourth Flex-aor missile salvo attacked Python, Python’s point defenses failed them. One missile almost closed enough to score a direct hit. Failing that, it detonated, bathing Python in thermonuclear fire. Jake was flung around in his command chair. Alarms blared all around him. “Damage report?” He demanded as soon as he was sure Python wasn’t about to completely break apart.

“We took the hit portside amid ships,” Lydia replied. “Several sensor blisters and point defense nodes are not responding. No indication of any hull breaches though.”

“Reactors and engines are still in the green,” Engineering Specialist McKay added.

Jake’s shoulders slumped in relief. “We keep fighting then!” He commanded. Just thirty seconds later, and another of Python’s salvos tried to attack the alien vessel. Once again, they were all shot down. Jake shook his head.

“Sending you a fuller damage report Lieutenant,” Lydia informed him.

Jake waited just long enough for another four missiles to be launched from Python’s tubes before accessing it. He grimaced when he saw just how many point defensive weapons were no longer operational. In desperation, he looked back up at the holo display. Three salvos were currently racing across the distance between the combatants. There was a chance some of his missiles might cause more damage to the alien ship. Yet it seemed now there was a much greater chance that the Flex-aor missiles would get Python. We are not going to win this, Jake realized. Not unless we are extremely lucky. “It’s time to go to Plan B,” he said, barely above a whisper.

“What was that?” Lydia called out as she looked up from her station.

“It’s time for Plan B,” Jake repeated more loudly. As he spoke, he tried to add more conviction to his voice. “We are not winning this missile duel. We’ll shoot ourselves dry before we destroy both of those ships. We’ve planned for it, now we’re going to have to use it. Execute the turn.”

“Aye, Lieutenant, turning onto a direct intercept course,” Lydia replied.

“Powering up the heavy plasma cannons,” another officer reported.

“McKay, your charges are ready?” Jake asked his senior engineer.

“Ready for your command Lieutenant,” McKay replied.

Jake nodded and turned his gaze back to the holo display and the two alien vessels. In moments, Python’s nose turned to face them. Then her engines went to one hundred and ten percent thrust. Alarms began to go off warning of the danger. Lydia silenced them. To all intents and purposes, it looked like Jake had given up winning with the missiles and was trying to close to heavy plasma cannon range. It was a desperate move. It would give the unknown alien vessel more of an advantage with their weapons, and the Flex-aor freighter could be armed with laser cannons as well. Yet if Jake managed to get into range, the result would almost certainly be mutual destruction.

Jake had something else in mind, however. First though, Python had to fight her way through two more Flex-aor missile salvos. To his relief, she managed to do that without suffering any additional damage. Then, as the third and final salvo from the Flex-aor freighter closed in, Jake looked around at his officers. “Everyone ready?” He asked.

They all nodded or replied in the affirmative. “Wait until we get the last missile. McKay, you have permission to detonate as soon as we strike it. Don’t wait for me.”

“Understood Lieutenant,” McKay responded.

His orders given, Jake could do nothing more but watch. The final Flex-aor missile broke apart a minute later. Then, it’s four smaller missiles raced towards Python. When defensive fire reached out towards them, two were snuffed out. The final two twisted and weaved, dodging everything fired at them. Jake started to fear that he wouldn’t even get a chance to see if his plan would work. Yet eventually one more missile was destroyed. Then, as all of Python’s defensive weapons focused on the final one, it was struck. As it blew apart, McKay detonated the charges that had been placed on Python’s hull.

Again, Jake was jostled about in his command chair. Then, according to his plan, systems all across the ship began to power down. Within seconds, Jake felt weightlessness take him as even Python’s inertial dampeners were switched off. The last to go out were the bridge’s lights. They flicked off and were replaced by emergency lighting. Though he couldn’t see it, Jake could easily picture what McKay’s explosives had done. All the spare parts and junk they had been able to scavenge had been laid around Python’s engines. McKay’s explosives had flung them out into space to give the appearance of debris. It was Jake’s hope the Flex-aor would either think the missile had scored a proximity hit, or Python’s engines had overloaded from being overstressed.

As everyone around him stayed in their seats and looked around at each other in silence, Jake could feel their apprehension growing. Python was dead in the water. They were at the Flex-aor’s mercy. One missile or alien energy beam now could slam in and destroy the pirate ship. Jake felt the hairs on the back of his neck begin to stand up. He couldn’t help it as his body tensed up. An attack could strike home at any moment. There was only one thing that might keep the aliens from finishing Python off. Jake was betting his life and the lives of his crew on it: the alien’s curiosity. The Flex-aor and their partners had to have been surprised when Python appeared. They would be worried that Humanity had discovered what they were doing. Jake was betting everything on the belief they would want to investigate Python to find out if she had been operating alone, or if she had sent word back to Earth before being destroyed. It was a last-ditch tactic; playing dead to lure them in. But it was the only card Jake had thought of to try and play.

For several minutes, everyone on Python’s bridge sat in total silence. It was as if they were afraid to even move for fear of giving themselves away. As the minutes continued to pass by, however, and Python’s hull wasn’t suddenly rocked by an energy bolt or a missile impact, Jake started to hope. Around him, the rustling from people moving started up again. When Lydia looked around at Jake, he nodded.

“Switching on our reserve capacitor,” Lydia informed everyone. Moments later, a new light source appeared as the holo display reactivated.

The image of the alien ships that it projected was nowhere near as clear. Only Python’s passive sensors were being operated, and even then, at a very low power level. Jake felt the tension in his shoulders slacken when he saw them. There were no signs of any additional missile launches. And seeing as Python was still intact, the unknown alien ship had obviously ceased fire. Instead, both ships were slowly approaching Python. When several shuttles launched from both ships, Jake actually smiled. The aliens were resuming their cargo transfer! They must be in a hurry to get out of here, he thought. Moments later, he froze. One of the shuttles was coming towards Python. “When will it get here?” he asked at once.

“Fifteen minutes,” Lydia answered. She answered Jake’s next question as well. “We’ll just be outside energy weapon’s range.”

Oh crap, Jake thought to himself. A sinking feeling engulfed him. If the shuttle figured out Python wasn’t really disabled, the unknown alien ship would blast them into scrap with their longer-range energy weapons. That meant he would have to shoot it down. But that would have the same result. His plan was falling apart.

Chapter 16

Sometimes it takes an Imperial Marine’s touch.

-Excerpt from Empire Ascendant 3015 AD.

“What do we do Jake?” Lydia asked, fear written across her face.

Jake didn’t have an answer. He had frozen. One thought had his mind trapped. He had led his people to their deaths. Worse, they would take the information about the Karacknid freighter with them to their graves. Suddenly, he saw his bravado for what is really was: Utter foolishness. What was I thinking? He asked himself. Why did I think I could win a space battle? How could I have been such a fool? When he didn’t immediately answer Lydia’s question, more of the bridge crew turned to look at him. Jake opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came out.

“I hear we have a problem,” a new voice said. Her tone was so different from the mood on the bridge that everyone immediately turned towards her.

Jake didn’t know whether to groan at Becca’s overconfidence, or smile at the fact that she at least wasn’t defeated yet. “We’re in trouble,” he said as he found his voice again. “That shuttle is going to give away our ruse.”

Becca turned to look at the holo image of the shuttle. She then shook her head. “You navy types are always overlooking us marines. That shuttle will only rumble us if you open fire on it. What if you let it dock? Will that not buy us the time we need?”

Jake swung around to Lydia. She was already doing the calculation. When she looked up, she was nodding. “You think you can hold them off?”

Becca glanced at the approaching shuttle again. “It’s a Flex-aor one, isn’t it?”

“I’m afraid so,” Jake replied. He knew from the accounts he had read that Flex-aor troops were formidable. Not the equals of Karacknid warriors, but not to be taken lightly either. If at all possible, Jake had no desire to let any of them on his ship. Yet what choice did he have?

“Then we can take them. Just how much time do you need us to buy you?” Becca asked.

“Four minutes,” Lydia answered.

“Alright then, here’s what we do. Everyone who is not essential to your plan needs to move into the service ducts. That’s the last place a boarding party will search. We’ll let them dock with us and explore the ship for the four minutes you need. Then as soon as you can spring your trap, we’ll engage them and kill them or drive them off the ship. How does that sound?”

“Unbelievable risky,” Jake said. “They could figure out our systems aren’t really damaged. Or they could find the fully charged capacitors hooked up to our energy weapons. But I don’t see that we have any choice. I’ll move to the forward gunnery position to launch our attack. Everyone else should go with Sergeant Samuels. The bridge is the first place any boarding party will make for.”

“I’m coming with you,” Lydia insisted. “If they send a party to check out our weapons, you may need help.”

Jake wanted to protest, but Becca cut him off. “I’ll be there too; we’ll station a squad of marines there to launch our counterattack from. Major Onoda will have his own ideas of where to place the rest of his marines.”

“Then we have a plan,” Lydia said quickly. With a couple of taps on her command console, she switched off the holo projector, then the emergency lightening on the bridge, plunging everyone into darkness. “Let’s get going,” she added. A new light appeared as she activated a flashlight built into her flight suit and unbuckled herself. Standing, she activated her grav plating on her boots to lock her in place.

All around Jake, the other bridge officers did the same. “This way,” Becca said as she began to lead them out. He was the last to unbuckle himself. He hesitated before standing. It felt wrong abandoning his command chair. Like he was giving up. This is where your plan has brought you, he berated himself. However foolish, you have to trust Becca will bail you out. You need to see this through.

“Coming?” Lydia asked as she paused before exiting the bridge.

“Right behind you,” Jake said as he jumped to his feet. They were committed now, there was no turning back. As he left the bridge and made his way forward, he passed a number of crew making their way with their flashlights to the nearest service ducts. The ducts ran between Python’s decks, giving engineers access to her systems. Jake hoped they would all be ok.

“I’ve transferred flight controls to the forward gunnery station,” Lydia said as she walked in front of him. “That way, we can power the engines back up again if we need to try and charge into weapons range. I’m going to go and seal and vent several of our outer sections. I’ll open one of our hangar bay doors slightly as well. That will give them something to ponder about. I’ll go to engineering and meet you at the forward gunnery station.”

“Good thinking,” Jake said as he looked around him. With Python’s inertial dampeners powered down, bits and bobs were floating all around him. His crew had done their best to tidy up the pirate vessel, but it was still nowhere near where an Imperial Navy ship should be. But that will work in our favor, Jake thought. The more mess and sections open to space, the better.

When he got to the forward gunnery station, Jake was surprised to find a petty officer still sitting at it. He was hunched over a small holo display. “Lieutenant?” he said as Jake approached, startling him.

“Weren’t you supposed to go to the service ducts with everyone else?” Jake asked.

“I couldn’t leave Sir; I’m keeping a live track on the Flex-aor shuttle and the two enemy ships.”

“Very well, you can stay with me,” Jake replied, not having the heart to argue with him. Moving in to sit beside the gunner, Jake joined him in watching the approaching shuttle. Understandably, as it came closer, it began to slow. Jake mentally crossed his fingers. Python was damaged from the energy beam and proximity missile hit she had taken. He hoped that would be enough to convince the shuttle pilots she really was disabled.

Lydia arrived just as the shuttle began to swoop down and around Python. “How are they getting on?” she asked.

“They’re carrying out a close flyby now,” Jake said as he waved her over. “Get ready,” he said to the gunner. “Fire on them on my command.” He held his breath as the shuttle closed in and flew around Python twice. Her active sensors bathed Python’s hull in electromagnetic energy. As far as Jake knew, the Flex-aor didn’t have sensors capable of determining if his crew were alive or dead. Yet he didn’t know for sure. When the shuttle began a third flyby, Jake didn’t know whether to be happy or concerned. Being more cautious was buying more time for his plan, but if the shuttle had found something, then the first warning they would get would be a handful of energy bolts from the unknown alien vessel. When he heard more movement, Jake glanced over his shoulder to see Becca and two marines had entered the compartment. He nodded to her and quickly turned back to the shuttle.

“Look, they are closing with us,” Lydia said as she placed a hand on Jake’s shoulder.

Jake shook his head as his shoulders slumped. The tension was getting to him. It wasn’t over yet, however. Setting his shoulders again, he turned to Becca. “Okay, this is happening. It looks like they’re moving to our rear hangar. The one Lydia left open.”

“I have my people in position. Don’t worry Lieutenant, we’ll protect this ship. You just focus on your task.”

Jake nodded to the special forces marine a second time, and then turned back to the holo display. Not for the first time, he checked that the pirate ship’s plasma cannons had his updated targeting information. The design of both ships were unfamiliar to him, yet he had targeted his plasma bolts where he hoped they would do the most damage.

A slight vibration, followed by a distant thud, told Jake the shuttle had attached itself to Python’s hull. “They’ve entered the hangar,” Becca reported seconds later. “Twenty and counting have exited the shuttle. They are all armed.” Jake listened but didn’t turn from the display of the two pirate ships. “They’re splitting into separate parties. The largest one is heading towards the bridge. Another is going to engineering… Crap, one looks like it might be heading this way… How long do we need to wait now?”

“One minute,” Lydia answered.

“They could be here before that,” Becca said slowly. “Get ready.”

Unconsciously, Jake’s right hand fell down to the plasma pistol holstered at his side. Only when he felt his palm wrap around its handle did he realize what he was doing. Taking it out, he glanced down at it to make sure it was fully charged and the safety was on. Then he holstered it again. “I will take the shot,” he informed to the gunner.

“Yes Lieutenant,” he replied.

“Thirty seconds,” Lydia updated.

Jake moved his hand to hover over the button. Currently, each of Python’s three twin plasma cannons were pointed away from their targets. As soon as he activated them, their fully charged capacitors would pivot them to where he wanted and release a volley of plasma bolts. Then, the additional capacitors engineer McKay had jury-rigged to them would quickly recharge the weapons, giving Jake a second volley. After that, he’d have to jumpstart Python’s reactors to charge the weapons a third time. If his first two shots didn’t work, he doubted they would get the chance to fire a third. In his head, he counted down as the timer in front of him marked off the seconds until Python’s ballistic course brought her into effective plasma cannon range.

“They’re coming this way,” Becca hissed when Jake got to eleven.

When he got to seven, he heard the familiar sound of the hatch into their compartment opening. Jake couldn’t help but turn to see. He was just in time to see three Flex-aor peer into the compartment. Though he had never encountered the aliens in person before, the way they recoiled told him they were just as shocked to see him as he was them. For what seemed like an eternity, both groups stared at one another. Then Becca broke the spell as she screamed and unleashed a stream of plasma bolts from her rifle. The other marines did the same and then the Flex-aor replied. As laser bolts exploded all around him, Jake swung back round to the gunnery station. The countdown was at two. Even as the gunnery petty officer screamed beside him, Jake smashed the firing button.

In less than a second, the three twin plasma cannons’ servos activated, rotating them into position. Then, the capacitors discharged all their power. Six plasma bolts shot out towards the two alien vessels. They covered the distance in two seconds. Four targeted the unknown alien ship. Each struck home. They burnt through its hull and ripped into its insides. The other two bolts also hit their target. They too melted holes in the Flex-aor freighter. Laser beams and explosions were still going on around Jake. He winced as a beam nearly blew out the gunnery station. Despite the firefight, he didn’t take his eyes from the track of the two alien ships. He ground his teeth together when the Flex-aor freighter suddenly exploded. His shots had hit something vital!

Two things happened in quick succession, cutting off any further celebration. Energy spikes from the unknown alien vessel told him it had just fired. His mind was barely able to register the fact when Python shuddered. If he hadn’t been strapped in, Jake would have been thrown from his chair. All those around him weren’t so lucky. Marines in combat armor, Lydia and the gunnery petty officer were flung about. Knowing Python couldn’t survive a second volley, Jake hit the fire button again as soon as his plasma cannons were recharged. This time, all six bolts smashed into the unknown alien vessel. It hadn’t had time to begin evasive maneuvers. The bolts burning through its hull didn’t cause any secondary explosions. Yet the power readings from the ship vanished. Seconds later, it split in two! Jake had cut its internal superstructure in half.

For a few brief moments, Jake was still concerned the alien vessel might be able to fire again. Yet when it didn’t, he finally turned around to check on Lydia and the gunnery officer. Only then did he realize the gunnery compartment had been torn to shreds. He winced when he saw the petty officer lying on the floor not far from him. At least two beams had hit him in the back. Most of his torso had been burnt away. There was no sign of Becca or the other marines. His hand shot to his buckle to release it when he saw Lydia. She was lying slumped against one of the compartment walls. He rushed to her side. “Lydia, Lydia,” he said as he reached her. Gently, he propped her up straighter. His eyes searched her body looking for any sign she had been hit. She had a bruise forming on her right temple, but other than that, she looked okay. “Lydia, can you hear me?” Though her eyes flickered, they didn’t open. As gently as he could, Jake laid her down on her back. Then, he got up and moved towards the compartment’s hatch. He needed to get help and find out what was happening on the rest of his ship.

Stepping out of the gunnery compartment, Jake was confronted by three dead Flex-aor. There were no marines, however. That was a good sign. Pulling out his COM unit, Jake activated it. “Sergeant Samuels, what is your status?.. Major Onoda?” When no reply immediately came, he carefully made his way down the corridor back towards the bridge. That’s where the action would be. He already had his plasma pistol out.

Thirty seconds later, his COM unit crackled and then Becca’s voice came through loud and clear. “Lieutenant, we just killed the last of them. We are about to board their shuttle before it can undock. You can order your crew to come out of hiding.”

“Great work Sergeant,” Jake replied. “Lieutenant Morrison has been injured. Can you send a medic to the forward gunnery compartment?”

“Sending one now Lieutenant,” Becca replied. “I’ll contact you again once we have secured the shuttle.”

“Understood,” Jake replied. He then switched COM channels. “McKay, get everyone out of the service decks and back to their stations. Tell them to be careful. We’ve taken several hits. We need to know just how bad the damage is.”

“We’re on the move Lieutenant,” McKay said.

Slipping his COM unit back into his tunic pocket, Jake increased his speed as he continued towards Python’s bridge. He kept his plasma pistol out, just in case. Fifteen meters from the main hatch into the bridge, he encountered where the main fight had taken place. Nine dead Flex-aor littered the corridor. Two injured Marines were propped up against a side wall and a third was helping them. Jake lingered just long enough to see how badly injured they were. Not being able to do anything more for them, he headed onto the bridge. Being the first one there, he moved over to his command chair and sat down. First, he activated the emergency power capacitors, bringing the bridge’s main stations online. Then, he sent damage queries to all of Python’s major systems. Most of what came back to him was little more than gobbledygook. Half of the systems weren’t responding or were sending back conflicting information. Jake shook his head. They’re all going to have to be checked out visually. Of most concern were Python’s reactors and engines. Neither were showing they were operational. We need to get drones outside to survey the hull, Jake decided. As more damage reports came in, he started to realize that they were lucky to still be in one piece. The unknown alien race’s energy beams had done a number on Python. We could be stranded here, he feared.

“Lieutenant,” McKay said as he entered the bridge, leading the rest of the bridge officers behind him. “It’s good to see you in one piece.”

“And you, to,” Jake replied. “Though I fear we can’t say the same for Python.”

“I know, we have already seen some of the damage. We had to make two detours around sections that have been breached or badly damaged,” McKay said. “What do you want us to do?”

“Man your stations here on the bridge for now, let’s try and get as accurate a picture as we can from here. But then, we’re going to have to spread out and inspect everything by hand. We need to get a full account of the damage before we can start to prioritize repairs. It’s going to be a long day.”

“It sounds like it,” McKay replied. “But at least we are alive. And your plan worked! We stopped the weapons falling into Flex-aor hands.”

“That we did,” James said as he nodded. He had been so worried about Lydia, the thought hadn’t sunk in until that moment. “That we did,” he repeated as a small smile played across his lips. Lightfoot’s tactic had paid off after all.

“Lieutenant,” Becca’s voice said from Jake’s COM unit before he could say anything more to his bridge officers.

“Go ahead,” Jake responded.

“We have secured the shuttle, what do you want us to do with it?”

“Leave it for now,” Jake replied. “We’re not going anywhere any time soon. It can stay attached to our hull. We will investigate it later. For now, you better get back on board Python. We’re going to need all the help we can get to assess our damage and figure out a plan.”

“Understood, we’ll re-join you presently,” Becca said.

“Thank you, and pass on my ‘well done’ to Major Onoda and your marines. We couldn’t have pulled this off without you,” Jake replied.

“No sweat Lieutenant, our part was easy. I have to hand it to you, you’ve got balls. That trap took some nerve. I’m glad it paid off, for all our sakes.”

Jake couldn’t help but laugh at the sound of respect on Becca’s voice. It was the last thing he had been expecting. “So am I Sergeant, so am I.”

Chapter 17

Though most naval cadets already have a firm idea of just how they want to serve on a warship when they graduate, every cadet is trained in the basics of naval warship design. In times of war, and especially during fierce firefights, having officer interoperability is essential.

-Excerpt from Empire Ascendant 3015 AD.

It took twelve hours for Jake to organize his crew, carry out a complete analysis of Python and get an accurate picture of just how much damage the enemy fire had caused. In that time, Jake also dispatched Python’s only shuttle to survey the wreckage from the two alien ships, as well as assign a team to investigate the captured enemy shuttle. When he was confident he had all the information he was going to get, he called Becca, Onoda, McKay, and thankfully, Lydia, who had made a quick recovery from her head injury, to join him in Python’s small briefing room. “Thank you for coming,” he said to them all when Becca joined them and took a seat around the small briefing table. “We have a lot of work to do if we’re ever going to get out of here. It is going to take maximum effort from each of us. Before we begin, I wanted to make sure we are all on the same wavelength. Then we can make a plan and execute it together.”

“That sounds good to me Lieutenant, you’ve got us this far, I’m sure you can get us home,” Becca said. For the second time in one day, Jake was surprised by the respect in her voice. “Where do you want to start?” She asked.

“Let’s start with our casualties, how are they faring?” Jake asked Becca. He had placed her in charge of overseeing them.

“We still have four seriously injured I’m afraid,” Becca answered. “Private Hatun, our medic, doesn’t think Jamieson is going to make it. Not without access to proper medical facilities. The other three are stable. He is confident he can keep them that way until we get back to Imperial space.”

“How long has Jamieson got?” Jake asked, though he didn’t want to hear the answer. They had already lost three Marines in the firefight with the Flex-aor boarders. Another five crew had been killed when an enemy energy beam had vaporized the service ducts they had been hiding in. Jake didn’t want any more deaths on his conscience.

Becca shook her head. “Hours at best.”

Jake nodded as his head fell. Words he had heard from his father echoed in his mind. The burden of command. “And there’s nothing we can do for him?” He asked without meeting Becca’s eyes.

“I’m sorry Lieutenant, but we just don’t have the facilities to deal with his wounds. He has serious internal bleeding.”

Jake’s hands clenched into fists. Python had been equipped with a small medical bay. Yet, it had been completely destroyed by another energy beam that had burnt through the pirate ship’s armor. If only we had a stasis pod, he wished. Then at least, Jamieson could have been put in stasis until they got back to an Imperial world that could have operated on him. If there’s nothing you can do, Jake said to himself sternly, then you need to prioritize getting everyone else home. Though it was difficult, Jake raised his head back up to meet everyone’s gaze. “All right, then we must move on. McKay, you understand Python’s condition the best, you may brief us.”

“Yes Lieutenant,” McKay responded. “As best we can tell, we took three energy beam hits when we had our systems powered down. With the proximity missile strike and energy beam that hit us during the missile duel, Python has taken a battering. Reactor One is out of commission. I can’t get her to cold start. Maybe if we opened her up, we could figure out what is wrong, but that could take weeks and we’d need to berth her in a repair yard with the necessary equipment. Reactor two is giving me five percent power. It’s enough for life support for now and to keep the systems we’ve been using to run diagnostics online.” As he spoke, McKay shook his head. “I’m really not sure how much more we can get out of it at this point. Trying to push it any further could cause a meltdown. That’s not our biggest problem though, all four of our impulse engines are off-line. An energy beam struck them, damaging all of them to various degrees. We also have three hull breaches and several compartments that have been vaporized by the enemy fire. The damage has caused disruptions to secondary systems throughout the ships as energy transfer lines and other communication cables have been destroyed. It was actually a good thing all our crew were in the service ducts. If they hadn’t, we might have lost two or three times as many people. In short then, we are barely space worthy, and a long way from being able to go anywhere any time soon.”

“What about the shift drive?” Becca asked. “If it’s destroyed, then is no chance of us getting out of here.”

McKay gave the briefest of smiles. “Miraculously, the drive itself is intact. We lost two shift nodes, but the remaining six are functioning. From the spare parts we have, I believe I can jury-rig a seventh. That should be all we need to tear a hole into shift space. Provided we ever have enough energy to try it.”

Jake clapped his hands together. “That is good news. It means we have hope. If we can get Python’s other systems put together, we can get home. We just have to figure out how we’re going to do it. So, what about our impulse engines, can we salvage parts from three of the damaged ones to repair a fourth?”

McKay shrugged his shoulders and shook his head. “I’m afraid at this point, I just don’t know. There are some spare parts in one of our cargo holds. With them, and salvaging the others, we might be able to. At least, we might be able to put together something akin to an impulse engine. We won’t know until we try.”

Jake nodded. “But it is possible. That has to be our priority then.”

“That and Reactor One,” Lydia added. “If we can’t get more than five percent power, it could take us months, if not years, to get back home. By my calculation, we need to get it up to at least thirty.”

“Then that is our next target,” Jake said. “We can worry about patching the holes in our hull and bringing weapons systems and other secondary systems online later.”

“But what about protection?” Becca asked. “It sounds like we’re going to be stuck here for days, if not weeks. What are the chances the Flex-aor or the other alien race send someone to look for their missing ships?”

“High, I’d say,” Jake guessed. “Though that is the one other piece of good news we have,” Jake continued. “The survey I had Sub Lieutenant Davidson carry out of the enemy wreckage confirmed the unknown alien vessel was carrying Karacknid weapons. She managed to collect an intact missile and two laser cannons. We’ve stored them in a hangar bay. We can worry about investigating them properly later.”

“It means we did the right thing,” McKay said as he nodded in approval of what Davidson had found. “We’re not in this mess for no good reason.”

“Agreed,” Jake replied. “But it means Becca is likely right. Whatever Flex-aor are still out there, they’ve been hiding from us for nearly thirty years. There’s no doubt they would be desperate for whatever technologies the Karacknids might give them. Once they realize their freighter is missing, they are bound to send ships looking for it.”

“Which means if we are still here, they’ll find us for sure,” Lydia said. “If our hull has been shot to pieces, our stealth coating will be completely useless.”

“Which is why the first task I have for you is to tow us back to one of the asteroid fields on the edge of the system,” Jake replied. “We can attach our shuttle to Python’s hull and use its engines to slot us into the middle of the asteroid field. With luck, we can hide there until we can carry out enough repairs to get out of here.”

Lydia’s eyes widened. “You want to maneuver a frigate using only a shuttle’s engines? And worse, into an asteroid field?”

Jake nodded and flashed Lydia a small smile. “I didn’t say it was going to be easy. But I have confidence in you. We need to get out of the open where we’d be a sitting duck. Once we’re safe, we can take as long as we need to carry out repairs. Are you up for the challenge?”

Lydia glanced around at McKay and Samuels. “It’s going to take a lot of preparation. And I’d like to simulate it a number of times before trying. But if we have no other choice, I’m willing to give it a go.”

“Excellent,” Jake said as he flashed Lydia a small smile. “We have a plan then. It’s vital we all work together. Stopping the Karacknid weapons was just the first part of what we must accomplish. We need to get back to Earth now with news the Flex-aor are still a threat. For nearly thirty years now, we have thought them no longer a factor. If there is a Queen out there with her own fleet, it could change the entire strategic situation. The Admiralty needs to know as soon as possible.”

“Not to mention these new aliens as well,” Onoda added. “Did Davidson find anything else out about them?” Jake glanced at Lydia and nodded. She had been heading up that work as well as assisting McKay with assessing Python’s damage.

“We haven’t found too much. Of most interest are two bodies, and one largely intact computer core we managed to recover from the wreckage of the unknown alien ship.” Lydia explained. “However, Python isn’t equipped with the same Kulrean computer tech our warships are. Breaking the encryption and translating the data on the core is proving difficult. We are basically limited to what Kulrean cryptography and translation software we have on our datapads. We have been able to decipher one thing though, they call themselves the Racumin. Who they are or why they are working with the Karacknids and the Flex-aor, I have no idea. This is what they look like.” The small holo display they had been using changed from a schematic of Python to that of a three-legged, three-armed alien. Surprisingly, its body and head looked almost Human, but its two sets of three appendages made it look very disconcerting.

Becca screwed up her face. “They are weird. How do they walk or keep their balance?”

“I’m sorry, none of our crew are semiologists. Your guess is as good as mine Sergeant,” Lydia replied.

“They are strange, but clearly, they know how to fight. If nothing else, at least we have a name and a face to go on,” Onoda said. “That will give the higher-ups back on Earth something to go on.”

“And if they are transporting arms of the Karacknids for the Flex-aor, we have to assume they are one or both of their allies,” Lydia added.

“I suppose we do,” Jake agreed. “Though it makes little sense. The Flex-aor have tried to exterminate every other race they have met. The Karacknids might be a little kinder, but only just. Whoever the Racumin are, they could be making a big mistake by getting into bed with either of them.”

“And they are also making a big mistake by making enemies of us,” Becca assured him. “Once we get this tin can fixed up, we can get back to Earth and let the Admiralty know. In months, this whole sector will be crawling with scout ships and patrols.”

“Let’s hope so,” Mackay said, “for that will mean we make it back in one piece. There are a lot of things to do before then.”

“Indeed there are,” Jake said as he clapped his hands together. “Now that we are all caught up, it’s time to get to them. I’m going to split the duty rosters between the five of us. We can each take six hours on Python’s bridge standing watch. Then we can oversee our own duties the rest of the time. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep though, this is going to be a long process. Trying to rush things isn’t going to get us home any faster.”

“Understood,” Lydia said as Mackay, Onoda, and Becca nodded. “We can do this,” she promised Jake.

“Then let’s get to it,” Jake said as he stood. “I have faith in you all.”

*

Python, 9th November 2508 AD. (three weeks later).

“Jake, you better get to the bridge,” Becca’s concerned voice hissed over the COM channel.

Jake had just awoken to its beeping. The tone of the marine’s voice drove any lingering grogginess from his mind. “On my way,” he replied as he swung his legs out of bed. Less than thirty seconds later, and he rushed onto Python’s bridge. He didn’t have to ask what was going on. The holo display was clearly showing it. The stealth recon drones they had left outside the asteroid field had picked up three new contacts. They were headed straight towards the wreckage of the two ships Python had attacked three weeks ago. From the shift passage they were coming from, Jake doubted they were friendly. “Do we have any IDs on them yet?”

“Not yet, Lieutenant,” the officer manning the sensor station replied. “The computer is still analyzing.”

“Which means it isn’t going to come to a conclusive answer,” Jake predicted. The computer had had long enough to analyze the gravimetric waves being given off by the ships’ engines. If it couldn’t identify them already, it wasn’t going to. “They must be Flex-aor or from this Racumin civilization. At least, I hope so, we have enough enemies as it is.”

“Someone has come looking for their missing freighter?” Lydia asked as she stepped onto the bridge. McKay was right behind her.

“Three someones,” Jake informed her. “The question is, how thoroughly are they going to look?” The debris from the Flex-aor and Racumin ships hadn’t spread out too far. That meant it would be easy for the ships to investigate the wreckage. Before slowly moving Python away from the area using Python’s shuttle, Jake had made sure every piece of Karacknid tech had been scooped up or destroyed. He hadn’t wanted it to fall into someone else’s hands. In hindsight, he realized maybe he should have destroyed all the wreckage. That would have left more of a mystery for whoever had now appeared. Yet then, maybe they might have searched the rest of the system more thoroughly than they might, he figured.

Over the next hour, everyone on Python’s bridge watched the three alien ships come to rest at the point where the two ships had been destroyed. From Python’s current location, the contacts were too far away to get a useful visual image of them, and so there was no way to tell whether they were Flex-aor, Racumin or someone else. Here and there, their passive sensors got returns on smaller craft. Jake guessed they were shuttles, examining the wreckage. Then one of the ships powered up its engines and moved away from the other two. “What is it doing?” Becca asked.

McKay came to the answer first. “That’s where we blew our charges to fake being badly hit,” the engineer said. “They’ve detected some wreckage from Python.”

Jake felt a bolt of fear shoot up his spine. He shouldn’t have just destroyed the wreckage from the other two ships, he should have made sure there was no trace of Python left behind. “If they detect enough damage to think our ship was crippled, they might come looking for us,” he said, giving voice to his concerns.

“Or just as bad, if they figure out wreckage is from a Human ship, then they’ll be tipped off that we know about them,” Becca added. “If they are Flex-aor, then that knowledge might force them into moving up whatever plans they have been concocting these thirty years.”

Jake’s eyes widened at that thought. The Flex-aor that had survived the Human and Varanni attack on their worlds had to have been plotting their revenge. If they thought they had been discovered, then Becca was right, they would probably launch whatever evil plan they had as soon as possible. They are hardly likely to try and run away now, he doubted.

“They’re splitting up further,” Lydia said as the three contacts on the holo display did indeed begin to move away from one another. Twenty minutes later, the time it took for the electromagnetic energy from the three ships to reach Python’s stealth drone, the drone began to pick up emissions from active sensors. “They’re looking for us!” Lydia announced. “And they are Flex-aor, the emissions are the same the Flex-aor freighter used to track and engage our missiles.”

Jake grimaced. They were looking for Python. If the Flex-aor thought she was still in the system, they’d want to destroy her before she could escape with news of their existence. “We need to power down all our non-essential systems,” he ordered. “How are the repairs on our hull breaches?” He asked as he turned to McKay.

“We’ve closed over all the holes, most have a first layer of stealth coating placed on them,” the engineer answered.

“Most, but not all?” Jake asked. “Which ones don’t?”

McKay tapped on his command console and brought up an image of Python in front of Jake. “These four here,” he said as four damaged areas began to flash.

Jake nodded. “All right, we need to reorientate Python to face these areas towards the nearest asteroid,” he responded. “I guess we’re going to get to test if the repairs to our maneuvering thrusters are going to work a little early. Give me just zero point one percent thrust on them as we roll,” he said as he gestured for Lydia to carry out the maneuver. “And pull back our recon drone, its stealth tech isn’t nearly as good as an Imperial drone’s. Let’s not take any risks.”

“Aye, Lieutenant,” Lydia replied. “Beginning the maneuver now.”

Jake tensed. If something went wrong, it would give away their position instantly. Or we could just break something new, he feared. Yet they had to turn their damaged sections away from the Flex-aor ships. If one came close, its active sensors would get a reading off Python’s damaged hull. With every muscle of his body tight, he watched as ever so slowly, the image of Python on the holo display began to rotate. The four hull sections that were flashing turned to face the nearest asteroid.

Then Lydia moved Python as close to the asteroid as she safely could. When she was done, she sat back in her chair and let out a sigh. “That should help us blend in with it.”

“Good work,” Jake said. “And pass my compliments to your repair teams,” he added as he glanced at McKay as well. “She held together nicely.”

“Just don’t think we can try the main engines yet, we’re not ready for that,” McKay cautioned.

“If they find us, we might have to try,” Jake replied. “And we need to warm up a missile tube or two.”

“That might be more doable,” McKay said. He shook his head. “But if we try the engine we are working on, it’s far more likely to explode and take us with it than get us anywhere.”

Jake nodded. “Noted.” He turned back to the nearest Flex-aor ship. The computer was now estimating it was roughly the same size as an Imperial destroyer. “If they come this way, we’re just going to have to hope the asteroids keep us hidden then.” He swallowed hard after he spoke. Jake was pretty certain that if Resolute came close to the asteroid field, her sensors would pick up Python with ease. Which means we’re going to have to hope the Flex-aor aren’t as good as us. That was true thirty years ago, but Jake still had no idea if it was still true today.

Over the next three hours, the tension on Python’s bridge gradually grew. The Flex-aor ship that appeared to be tasked with searching their third of the system first orbited the system’s only gas giant. As it did, it scanned every one of its sixteen moons. Then, it investigated the system’s seventh planet and its planetary ring. After that, it made its way to another asteroid field on the edge of the system. Finally, it turned towards the field Python was hiding in. As it came closer, Jake had a running fight with his foot. It kept wanting to start tapping on the deck. He also had to resist the urge to ask Lydia to keep checking if every non-essential system was powered down. Mentally, he knew they were, yet he still wanted to keep asking.

A small beep from Lydia’s console made Jake jump. Movement around him told him he wasn’t alone. “Our passive sensors are beginning to pick up electromagnetic radiation from their active sensors,” Lydia said, almost in a whisper.

“They’re getting close,” Jake said needlessly. He just felt he had to say something. Almost, Jake opened his mouth to order the missile tube they had close to being repaired powered up. If he could surprise the Flex-aor ship and launch a missile from close range, he could maybe take it out. But then the other two would come for you, he reminded himself. There really was nothing he could do. Either the Flex-aor ship would find him and they would all be killed, or it wouldn’t. Jake closed his eyes. He had tracked the Karacknid freighter, he had destroyed the Karacknid weapons before they could be transferred to the Flex-aor. If this is where it ends, it is not a failure. All his life, Jake had felt a burden to serve the Empire. He knew that without the sacrifices of the generation that had fought in the Karacknid War, none of the blessings he had enjoyed would have been his. That was why he had joined the Imperial Navy despite his parents’ misgivings. If this is all your career amounts to, it was no waste, he told himself. A sense of peace descended upon him. He knew it was true. Whether his parents or anyone else ever found out what happened to them, if the Flex-aor found them, he could die content.

Opening his eyes again, Jake found most of Python’s bridge officers staring at him. Without having to force it, he smiled at them all. “If this is the end, it’s been a pleasure to serve with you. We have accomplished a great deal for a prize crew on a poorly-built pirate ship.” Jake couldn’t help but chuckle at the concern his words brought to some of his officers. “I’m not giving up yet, just reflecting on what we have been able to do together,” he assured them. When most of the bridge officers nodded or smiled back at him, Jake smiled again. “Let us wait this out together and face it bravely, whatever comes.”

“Together,” Lydia echoed.

No one else spoke, but Jake felt they all shared the same sentiment. Giving them all one final nod, he intentionally turned his gaze back to the holo display. With their stealth drone back in Python’s hangar, his ship’s passive sensors were only able to give a rough location of the Flex-aor ship. It was still coming closer every minute, however. The clearest indication of that was that ever-rising level of electromagnetic energy hitting Python’s hull. Most should be being absorbed by the stealth coating, yet on a secondary holo display, the rising levels were being recorded. On the same holographic, the level where Lydia expected the stealth coating to be fully saturated came ever closer.

When the amount of active sensor emissions reached the point where just another five percent increase would reveal Python’s presence, Jake’s hands tightened into fists. As the seconds ticked by, the entire situation began to feel surreal. Despite the impending possibility of a swift death, Jake still felt at peace. Yes, his body was tensing up, expecting a blow to come in, yet his heart rate was calm. He had faced death several times over the last handful of months. To his own surprise, he realized he was starting to grow accustomed to it. You’ve come a long way from throwing up after Resolute’s first encounter with the pirate ships, he told himself. Looking around the bridge at the other officers’ demeanor, he recognized they all had. It would be a shame if it ended here, he thought. His next words to himself vanished even as they began to form. The electromagnetic energy coming in dipped! For the first time in more than an hour, it had gone down! Jake didn’t want to tempt fate, so he sat perfectly still. A second later, it ticked down again. They could have just turned their active sensors in a different direction, he cautioned himself, not wanting to get his hopes up. Yet as the energy started to tick down at a faster rate, he turned to meet Lydia’s eyes.

She was beaming. “They’ve moved past us! They didn’t spot us!”

Jake found himself grinning from cheek to cheek as well. “We made it!” He said as he turned to take in Becca and McKay as well. “We made it!” All around him everyone began to congratulate themselves, relief poured off everybody. Jake could hardly believe it. He had all but accepted what was going to happen. Their sensors can’t be as good as ours, he concluded moments later as he began to calm down. That boded well for the future. Whatever the Flex-aor had planned, if he could get back to Earth, it meant there was a good chance they could be stopped.

“All right everyone,” he said as his officers started to calm down as well. “We are not starting up our repair work again until those ships leave the system. But we can make preparations. We are going to redouble our efforts to get Python moving once again! We’ve been given a second chance. Let’s not waste it.”

*

Python, 23rd November 2508 AD, (fourteen days later).

Whether out of relief at having survived such a close call, or fear of having to face another one, over the days and then weeks that followed the encounter with the Flex-aor destroyer, it seemed like a fire had been set under the feet of Jake’s crew. He didn’t know how they all found the time to get enough sleep and work miracle after miracle repairing Python, yet somehow, they did. First, McKay managed to rebuild one of Python’s impulse engines to the point where he was confident they could begin to test it at low power levels. Then, reactor two was slowly powered up to sixty-four percent of its maximum. There were a couple of wobbles along the way, and McKay was certain pushing anything above sixty-four would cause a cascading failure. Yet, they were able to get enough power to test the engine and begin to bring other systems online. Like a stack of dominoes, once the reactor was working at a reasonable capacity again, more and more systems were brought back to at least a decent level of functionality.

Just two weeks and two days after the encounter with the Flex-aor destroyer, or five weeks after the battle with the two freighters, Jake finally felt everything was in place to try leaving the asteroid field. “All right,” he said as he nodded to McKay, “bring the reactor up to full.”

“We had sixty-four percent Lieutenant,” McKay reported thirty seconds later.

“Give the engine ten percent thrust, bring us out,” Jake ordered Lydia.

Ever so slowly at first, but then with increasing speed, Python began to move out from between the asteroids. With far more caution than normal, Lydia weaved around several asteroids, giving them a wide berth. Jake, like everyone else on Python’s bridge, held their breath during the maneuvers. If Python’s sensors weren’t calibrated exactly, or some of her maneuvering thrusters failed, they could end up careening into one of the asteroids. Jake needn’t have worried though. Lydia expertly handled Python while all of McKay’s repairs held up beautifully. “Well done,” Jake said, grinning at his officers as Python slipped out of the asteroid field and into open space. “Set course for the shift passage home,” Jake added. His words caused his smile to widen. There had been times when he hadn’t been sure he’d ever get to give such an order.

“Aye, Aye Lieutenant!” Lydia replied enthusiastically, returning his grin.

Jake nodded to her and then shared a look with McKay and Becca. They had all done it together, they each deserved to be able to enjoy the moment. Yes, with just one engine and an underpowered reactor, it was going to take them far longer to get home than otherwise. Yet they were on their way. We are coming, Jake thought towards many of the senior officers he had met at the Admiralty and even Emperor Somerville. We will get our news to you.

Chapter 18

The years immediately after the War of Doom were quite possibly the most unified Humanity has ever been. When the looming threat of complete destruction suddenly lifted, a wave of optimism swept across the Human colonies. All of the Empire’s citizens were united in their gratitude for what the Imperial Fleet accomplished and in their determination never to be so threatened again. Yet, as the years past, it was inevitable that many of the pre-Imperial fault lines would remerge.

-Excerpt from Empire Ascendant 3015 AD.

Midas Touch, Outskirts of New France system, 1st October 2508 AD, (6 weeks previous).

Moments after Midas Touch entered the New France system, holo news reports were detected and sent to Cornelius Teal’s personal datapad. For a moment, he frowned at what he read. News of the events at Earth had beaten his yacht to the former French colony. Despite how bad it looked, he smiled. Empress Christine and the three Houses of Parliament had reacted far more swiftly and decisively than he had anticipated. They intend to put up a fight. Good! Cornelius enjoyed a challenge. He and his co-conspirators had played a bold move. Walking right into the Imperial Palace and demanding secession had always been a gamble. Now, the two Somervilles were doing the same. They’re going all in, he thought to himself. That was fine with him. He was already all in. Now all those he had brought on board to the idea of secession would have no choice. They couldn’t back down.

As he expected, within seconds of him reading the reports, Midas Touch’s COM board lit up like a Christmas tree. He had travelled in convoy with most of the politicians who had accompanied him to the Palace. They would all be in a panic. “Arrange a holo conference with everyone for ten minutes,” Cornelius said to his chief aide. “I’ll take it in my conference room. Oh, and I guess we better hold station here. Given there’s warrants out for all of our arrests, let’s not get too close to New France until we know which way the colony’s local government is going to jump.” Though he had most of the colony’s bureaucracy in his back pocket, Cornelius was not one for taking chances. “And send word to Dmitry station, our little surprises are to reveal themselves and rendezvous with us.”

“Right away sir,” his aide replied.

Cornelius nodded to her. He stood and stretched to show his nonchalant attitude at finding out he had been declared a traitor and outlaw, and then casually walked from Midas Touch’s command deck towards his quarters.

“This is outrageous!” Governor Varma almost shouted as soon as the holo conference began. “Who do they think they are? They cannot just strip us of our elected positions and put out warrants for our arrest. We did nothing wrong!”

“Those who are in power determine what is right and wrong,” Cornelius said calmly. “We are simply seeing our worst fears about the Empire coming to fruition.”

“But this is far more serious than we anticipated,” François Garnier protested. “We thought we would have time to cement our power bases. To prepare for Empress Christine’s countermove. Yet news has beaten us here.”

“And if here, then everyone else too,” Patel warned. Her eyes flashed as she stared at Cornelius. “Every one of our worlds will know of what we did before we can return home. You have got us into a hole we cannot get out of!”

“I will admit, the swiftness of the Empire’s response is impressive,” Cornelius said. “Even I didn’t see them getting a unanimous vote. Though it did help them that they didn’t count all of you among those who needed to vote in favor of their bill.”

“Impressive,” Varma complained. “Impressive! That’s all you have to say?”

“On the contrary, I have much to say,” Cornelius assured her. “I was simply giving Empress Christine her due. However, we have nothing to be worried about. We have been making preparations for two years now. This is a setback yes, but one that we can easily overcome. We simply have to move up our timetable.”

“You mean take direct action?” Hartman asked.

Cornelius nodded. “It is time to deploy our converted freighters. We have all been preparing our ships for just this situation. Between your cartel, my company, and our good friend Smirnov’s freighters, we shall have more than enough ships for our purposes. And I have a little surprise I have been preparing.”

“You want to increase the tension even more?” Patel said, her voice was full of surprise and horror. “If we start deploying armed freighters, we will look like the traitors they claim we are.”

“One man’s traitor is another man’s freedom fighter,” Cornelius replied. “We have all carefully judged the public sentiment on our planets over the last two years. You all know where your people stand. We began this trusting that they would back us. We cannot forget that at this crucial stage. Nor do we have any choice. Christine has bet everything on stopping us. She cannot fail. We have no choice now but to do the same. We have the forces in place, we just have to make our move. We can seize every jump gate and blockade each of our systems, closing them to Imperial shipping. Then, we can rally our worlds to our cause, and halt all taxes and trade with the Empire. Think about it, they have declared each of you outlaws, yet you were elected by your people. You represent them. In effect, they have declared each of your worlds to be outlaw worlds. You must encourage them to rise up with you. It will take Earth weeks to respond and by that time, the economic damage will have already begun. All we have to do is seize and hold our worlds’ orbitals and wait. Public opinion will turn in our favor, and the pressure on our esteemed Empress and Emperor to give in and accept our petition will grow.”

“You’re talking about a giant game of bluff,” Varma complained. “If we blockade our own systems, our economies will grind to a halt. Even if our people don’t reject us outright when we return, they soon will when we do that. They will be hurt as much as Earth.”

“I rather doubt that,” Cornelius said. “But even if it’s true, they will know why they are suffering, because you will tell them. A momentary, passing hardship is worth it if our planets can regain their freedom. I know Québec will follow me.”

“But what about our finances?” Governor Solzhenitsyn asked. “If all our assets are frozen, how can we maintain our power base?”

“Check the credit chips I gave you all,” Cornelius advised. “They have been updated. You will find more than enough credits on them to allow you to keep functioning. Then, once your worlds rise up to join you, you’ll have all their wealth and power under your control.”

“More credits?” Commoner Acosta of the Estados colony responded. “Where is all this money coming from?”

Cornelius turned to her. She was the most influential Senator from the four former Argentinian colonies whose representatives had accompanied him to the Imperial Palace. “As I explained to each of you two years ago, I am not just here speaking for myself. There are other powerful players who wish to see our worlds secede. Players that might not be willing to be as public as I, yet who are just as committed. This is just the kind of eventuality we anticipated. It’s why we’ve all been preparing freighters and other forces. We were never going to be able to secede without making a stand. So, we ensured each of you would have the liquidity you need to continue operations.”

“That’s assuming we can even get to our worlds,” Patel said. “Or they will accept us,” she added as she nodded to Garnier. “If our esteemed Commoner headed into the system, do any of us know what would happen? The nearest customs cutter could intercept and arrest him before he makes it to the surface.”

“That could be a problem, I admit,” Cornelius said. “At least, here in New France, our support has always been the weakest here. But at Québec, all the customs officials know who really pays their salary. I assume it is the same on your world?”

Patel and Varma shared a glance. “If we can make it to New Delhi, we will probably be safe,” Patel admitted begrudgingly.

Cornelius smiled. He already knew both of them had New Delhi in the palm of their hands, just as he had Québec. If he was a gambling man, Cornelius would almost be tempted to try entering New France’s orbit and publicly taking a shuttle to the surface. He had half of the colony’s officials working for him, or bribed to one degree or another. Yet he never took any risks he didn’t have to. What was the point when he knew he had the time and resources to mitigate them? “Then I have you covered. Already, six armed freighters are on their way to rendezvous with us from one of my stations in the system. They will provide an armed escort for those of you who will head on to your worlds from here.”

“What about me?” Garnier asked.

“In your case, I would advise caution,” Cornelius said. “You can accompany me to the Bernadette System. I have a surprise waiting there for us. With it, we can ensure New France joins our cause.” Cornelius smiled at the confusion on Garnier’s face. Bernadette was an uninhabited system located up a dead-end shift passage. Apart from a small mining operation Teal Trading Industries operated, no one ever visited the system. At least, that had been the case up until two years ago. “So, what does everyone say?” Cornelius asked. “Garnier and I will ensure Québec and New France are closed off to Imperial shipping. If New Delhi, Rostov, and your other colonies join us, then with us united, Earth will have to take our demands seriously. They cannot simply declare us outlaws and think this will all go away. They have pushed us to this quicker than I would have liked, but they have put a knife to our throats. It is now time for us to do the same to them.”

The elected representatives and heads of companies and industries all glanced around at the holo images of each other. It was clear most were uncomfortable with what Cornelius was demanding they now do. Though he kept his face impassive, Cornelius couldn’t help but smile to himself. They could take as long as they want to think about it, but in the end, he knew where they would end up. He had already said it, what choice did they have? In one sense, Empress Christine had played right into his hands. Faced with arrest and trial, he knew everyone in front of him would agree to his plan. They were all too ambitious to do otherwise.

“It would seem, this is the path that is now set before us,” Governor Varma said slowly. “It is one I will walk with reluctance, yet for the people of New Delhi, I will walk it if I must.”

“As will I,” Garnier said. “If the people of New France will back me, then I will not abandon them at the threat of arrest and imprisonment.”

Slowly, one by one, all the others agreed to Cornelius’ plan. “Excellent,” he said when they were all of one mind. “We will split up now as soon as my armed freighters arrive to escort you. Each of you must return to your worlds and seize power as quickly as possible. Hartman, Smirnov, and I will distribute the freighters we have armed to each of your worlds as needed.” Pausing, Cornelius nodded to two of his closest competitors. They each nodded in return. “You also need to activate the other forces you have prepared, and incorporate all the customs ships and even naval warships you can seize into your forces. We handed in our petition to secede and form our own community of planets, we declared ourselves to be a new political entity. Now, we must prove that by also becoming a military one. Trust me, once we close the shipping lanes, the Empire will have no choice but to bargain with us. They cannot risk their economy, not when they are so terrified of a renewed war with the Karacknids. They will come to the negotiating table soon enough. It is simply economics.” Pausing, Cornelius gave the rest of the gathering a chance to add to his words. He was pleasantly surprised when no one else spoke, given the majority of them were elected politicians, the few meetings they had together tended to run on for hours. They are all scared, he thought as he smiled inwardly once again. That was good, it was making them more pliable. Which means once I seize all the Empire’s shipping, I will be the one calling the shots, Cornelius thought with glee.

*

Midas Touch, 8th October 2508 AD, (seven days later).

“All right, so we’re here. Are you finally going to tell me what this is all about?” Garnier asked as he followed Cornelius onto Midas Touch’s command deck.

Cornelius nodded to his yacht’s Captain and moved over to his command chair. Only when he sat did he gesture for Garnier to take the seat beside him. “You have been patient over this last week. I suppose you deserve an answer.”

Garnier shook his head. “If I didn’t know you always had a plan, I’d say heading to this dead-end system was a total waste of time. This better be worth it.”

“Oh, it will be,” Cornelius guaranteed. “Captain Tremblay, you can send the signal to our hidden shipyard. Order them to launch all ships.”

“Yes Sir,” Tremblay replied.

“Hidden shipyard?” Garnier asked, his eyebrows rising as he turned to Cornelius.

“See for yourself,” Cornelius said as he gestured towards the yacht’s main holo display. In less than a minute, a new power signature was detected right in the middle of one of the system’s asteroid belts. Seconds later, new smaller contacts appeared. Midas Touch identified them as Human-built ships. One by one, they began to emerge from the asteroid belt until thirty of them all settled into formation with one another. Only then did Cornelius nod to another officer on the command deck. The holo display zoomed in to show one of the ships. Though small, its design was unmistakable. With sleek lines, missile tubes, and many weapons emplacements, it was clearly a warship.

“These… These are yours?” Garnier asked.

Cornelius spluttered. “Come on, you’re not that dumb. Who else do you think they belong to?”

Garnier shook his head. “They are purpose-built warships. You’ve been anticipating a fight all along. You were prepared to spill blood from the beginning of this.”

“Having a military fleet does not mean one intends to use it,” Cornelius replied carefully. “As I have said many times to you and the others, if we are to be a true independent political entity, we need to have both political and military power backing us up. These thirty destroyers are the beginning of that. I have another thirty spread out beyond the Empire’s borders at several other hidden bases. Together, they will give us the strength we need to initially stand up to Earth. With the time these ships will buy us, we will be able to cement our positions and construct new ships. Ships that can protect us and that will be a bargaining chip in cementing a friendly relationship with Earth. If we have to break a few eggs in the meantime to get there, then so be it.”

Garnier felt his teeth grind together. Breaking eggs was one thing, spilling blood was something else entirely. He held his tongue, however. It was too late now to change who he had got into bed with. “But how have you paid for all this, and how have you kept it a secret?” He asked instead.

Cornelius smiled. “You didn’t think that when I gathered you and our fellow co-conspirators two years ago that that was the first move in this direction I had made? The shipyard and the ships have been a project of mine for the last five years. As to the credits, I have already explained that.”

“Yes, your mysterious backers. Every time you mention them, my concern grows,” Garnier said. “I don’t like working with people I don’t know, not when I don’t know their true motives. That was then, now I am even more concerned. Whoever has helped you bankroll all this clearly wants something. Just what is it?”

“That is none of your concern,” Cornelius snapped. “They are helping us, that is all they are willing to divulge, and so it is all you need to know. Or… Do you not wish to accompany me back to New France with this squadron, and take control of the colony’s orbitals and install yourself as the leader of your homeworld’s bid for freedom?”

Garnier hesitated. The force in front of him was formidable. Not compared to an Imperial battle squadron, of course, but the vast majority of the Imperial Navy’s strength was deployed along the front lines. The thirty warships in front of him would give him the final political leverage he needed to make himself the primary leader on New France. Everything comes with strings attached, he said to himself. Though it was with reluctance, he slowly nodded to Cornelius.

“Excellent,” Cornelius said with a smile. “Tremblay, you can send orders for the ships to rendezvous with us. I want one sent out to Vancouver Station. It is to bring orders for all our other destroyers and the operatives in our employment to rendezvous at New France.”

“We will send the order now,” Tremblay responded.

“Operatives, what operatives?” Garnier asked, certain he was not going to like the answer.

Cornelius half-turned and winked at him. “Come on now, I think you can guess. Where do you think we’ve been getting all the weapons for our freighters and these destroyers from?”

“The increased pirate activity, you are responsible for some of that?” Garnier asked, shock filling his voice.

“Some?” Cornelius replied with a shake of his head. He stood and nodded to Tremblay. “As soon as our destroyers reach us, set course back to New France.” Only then did he turn back to Garnier. “No, not some.” Without waiting for a reply, he continued across the command deck towards the exit hatch.

Garnier’s face went white. “But some of those freighters attacked were your own. Their crews have been missing for months.”

Cornelius’s paused as his head turned back. “Maybe now you understand why the idea of spilling blood at Québec or New France is not quite so concerning. Nor should it be for you. You’re just as implicated in all of this as I.”

As Cornelius turned and left, Garnier’s face whitened even more. What have I got myself into? He couldn’t help but ask.

Chapter 19

It has been all but forgotten now, except to military historians, but one of the most exciting times to be a naval weapons researcher was during the inter-war years between the First and Second Karacknid Wars. With the Allies sharing technologies freely, Varanni, Mindus, Crian, Human, Kulrean and Kalassai weapons systems were all combined and integrated. Looking back over the records, it seems new systems were being purposed almost every month. Of course, most never made it past the planning stages, while others took several decades to be brought into production. Nevertheless, they must have been exhilarating times for the scientists involved.

-Excerpt from Empire Ascendant 3015 AD.

Midas Touch, New France, 16th October 2508 AD, (eight days later).

“We’re being hailed, Sir,” a COM officer informed Cornelius.

“Looks like the show is about to begin,” Cornelius said as he glanced at Garnier. The New France politician didn’t reply. Cornelius wasn’t bothered. Garnier had been brooding since they had left the Bernadette System. He could be upset all he wanted; it wasn’t going to change anything now. “Let us hear what they have to say,” Cornelius said to his officer.

Moments later, the holo image changed from showing the giant shift gate and the Imperial destroyer guarding it, to an image of a woman in an Imperial Captain’s uniform. “Midas Touch, your request to transit through the shift gate has been denied. Further, transient to Imperial decree, your ship is to be impounded and I will be placing you under arrest. Cut your engines and power down your weapons. I will not demand this twice.”

“Well, well, doesn’t she seem friendly,” Cornelius said to the officers manning Midas Touch’s bridge as a smile played across his lips. “I suppose we better do as she says. Bring Midas Touch to a halt. Send in the rest of our ships.”

The holo image changed again to show space around Midas Touch and the shift gate on the edge of the New France system. Whilst Midas Touch began to slow, the six destroyers that had been accompanying her continued on towards the shift gate and the Imperial destroyer. Though his yacht was actually equipped with more point defenses than his destroyers were, Cornelius had no intention of risking his personal ship. That’s what he was paying others for.

The Imperial Captain, clearly recognizing what was happening, powered up her own destroyer’s engines and reactors. Then she accelerated away from the shift gate. “She’s trying to get some room to maneuver,” Tremblay commented. Cornelius nodded. Tremblay had served in the Imperial Navy himself and risen up to the rank of First Lieutenant before Cornelius had tempted him away with the offer of a far higher salary.

“Another message is coming in from the destroyer, the Captain is demanding our six ships power down their weapons,” the COM officer reported.

Cornelius didn’t need to give a response. The six captains he had commanding his own ships knew what they were about. Their reply came moments later as they opened their missile tubes and powered up their energy cannons. Only then did he tap the communications button on his command chair. “Imperial Captain, I’m afraid I didn’t catch your name. Sadly, it is you who should cut your engines and surrender. If you do so, no harm will come to you or your ship. I am here with Commoner François Garnier. He speaks for New France. Surrender your vessel to him.”

“The destroyer is replying,” the COM officer reported.

“Let us see it,” Cornelius asked. He sat forward in his command chair. If the Imperial Captain had any sense, she would surrender.

“Cornelius Teal, you are a wanted criminal. So is former Commoner François Garnier. I am Captain Nicolette Lavigne of New France. Garnier does not speak for all of my homeworld. Surrender now and no harm will come to you or your ship.”

Cornelius shook his head in disappointment. He had been hoping to add the destroyer to his growing fleet. “Stupid naval bravado… Very well, send word to our ships to take her out if she opens fire.” Beside him, Cornelius sensed Garnier shift in his seat. “Let us hope that not all of your people feel as she does, my friend,” he said as he half-turned to Garnier.

“They will not,” Garnier assured him as he met Cornelius’s eyes.

“But there will be holdouts, holdouts you’ll have to deal with,” Cornelius pushed.

“Then deal with them I shall,” Garnier replied as he turned from Cornelius and fixed his eyes squarely on the Imperial destroyer.

Cornelius grunted in satisfaction. He knew Garnier didn’t like what was happening, but he was a part of it now. And soon, you will have blood on your hands, my friend. Then, there will be no turning back.

The battle was over surprisingly quickly, compared to what Cornelius had expected. From everything he had read of naval battles, they had always been described as long, drawn-out affairs, with only brief flashes of actual combat. What played out in front of him was almost the opposite. Just moments after he had given the order, all six of his destroyers opened fire. They released four missiles each, all of which began to rapidly accelerate towards the Imperial destroyer once they cleared their tubes. Almost instantly, the Imperial destroyer returned fire, hurling six missiles back at his ships.

In amazement, Cornelius watched as the single Imperial destroyer fired thousands of point defensive weapons at his missiles. More than half of his missiles were destroyed. In contrast, when he glanced at his own ships, the amount of defensive fire seemed pitiful. The difference made his jaw clench. He knew his ships were built with older technology, yet he hadn’t realized just how significant the difference in capabilities was. As a result, he let out a sigh of relief when three of his missiles survived the fire aimed at them, closed with the Imperial destroyer, and detonated. A gasp quickly followed, however. For the destroyer appeared moments later flying out of the midst of the explosions. “How?” He demanded.

“They must have only been proximity hits,” Tremblay explained. “The destroyer’s gaseous shields will have absorbed much of their explosive force.”

Another explosion caused Cornelius’s head to turn. One of his destroyers had just been blown apart. “What just happened?”

Instead of answering him, an officer rewound the holo display. He watched as two Imperial missiles dodged everything his ships fired at them. They closed to their attack range and then detonated. Rather than release thermonuclear explosions like his missiles did, they focused their explosive power into laser-focusing crystals. In an instant, six beams covered the final distance to his destroyers. All six intersected with one ripping it apart.

“Our second salvo is closing with the enemy destroyer,” the COM officer reported as a holo image reverted back to real time.

Cornelius found himself edging forward in his command chair. For the first time in a very long time, he felt a slither of concern take a grip on him. He had lost all control. If the next salvo of missiles from his ships failed to destroy the Imperial warship, it would be able to fire a third, and then fourth missile salvo. Already, it had a second approaching his ships. If it gets two more fired off, it could cripple my force. Then it could come for Midas Touch, Cornelius feared. Suddenly, he wished he had brought more of his destroyers with him.

Before his anxiety could really take a hold of him, it vanished as quickly as it had appeared. Five missiles from his ships’ second salvo closed in on the Imperial destroyer. Three looked like they scored proximity hits again, but two got close enough to actually strike the Imperial warship’s hull. Both detonated at the same time, ripping the destroyer in two. Debris, atmosphere, and bodies were flung out in all directions. Secondary explosions ripped the rear half of the ship apart while its nose spiraled uncontrollably away. Cornelius pumped a fist into the air in satisfaction. His earlier disappointment at not being able to capture the Imperial destroyer had vanished. Now he was just happy it was dead.

“Enemy salvo closing into attack range,” a sensor officer reported emotionlessly.

Cornelius turned to his ships. His anxiety suddenly returned. This time, only one of the destroyer’s missiles got close enough to detonate. Its three laser beams reached out and struck two of his destroyers. To his relief, both took the hits and continued on, neither disappearing in a blinding flash. “Pull our two damaged destroyers back,” he ordered after taking a moment to compose himself. “Send the other three to the shift gate.”

Feeling much calmer, Cornelius watched as the three destroyers closed with the shift gate. Rather than have it power up and use it to jump into shift space back along the route to Earth, they docked with it. He watched as live visuals showed his armed mercenaries board the giant structure and take control of it. After watching the Imperial ship be destroyed, none of the military or civilian personnel assigned to the shift gate put up any resistance. When it was all over, Cornelius nodded in satisfaction. The first part of his plan was complete. “Let us see the rest of the system,” he requested. “And send the go order to the rest of our forces.” Then he turned to Garnier. “It’s time to take you home, my friend. Set course for New France,” Cornelius ordered.

On the holo display, as his order crossed the system, eighty additional ships powered up their weapons systems. Six destroyers closed with the shift gate that led deeper into the former French colonies. Wisely, the Imperial destroyer guarding it turned and jumped into shift space. The rest of Cornelius’s destroyers and converted freighters closed in around New France. They didn’t enter into weapons range of New France’s orbital battlestations, but they did seal off the planet. No freighters would be coming to or leaving the colony without his say so. As far as Earth was concerned, New France was no longer a part of its economic system.

When Midas Touch joined the rest of Cornelius’s forces in high orbit around New France, he turned to Garnier. “It is time, my friend, good luck.”

“I want to choose to believe you truly mean that,” Garnier said as he stood.

Cornelius overplayed looking insulted. “Of course I do. We are in this together. I need you as much as you need me.”

“I will hold you to that,” Garnier said before leaving Midas Touch’s command deck.

Cornelius’s eyes narrowed as he watched the politician leave. He started to think it might be a mistake to let the Commoner out of his sight and supervision. Of all the politicians he had co-opted to his side, Garnier was one of the few he was not entirely sure about. Yes, Garnier was extremely ambitious. That was what Cornelius had used to draw him in. Yet ideologically, Garnier wasn’t as enthusiastic about forming a community with the other independent-seeking worlds as some of Cornelius’s other co-conspirators were. He will try to set up his own power base on the planet, Cornelius was sure. But no matter, he said to himself. I will control the orbitals and all intersystem trade.

Minutes later and a shuttle emerged from Midas Touch’s hangar bay. Cornelius watched it go. He knew Garnier would be transmitting a live speech to the people of New France to announce his return. He had no interest in listening to the promises Garnier would be making. Sure, there would be an election to cement the decision to secede from the Empire, Christine’s snub had forced them to hold one, but it would only be as free as it needed to be to ensure the outcome they wanted. When the shuttle entered energy weapon range of New France’s battlestations, Cornelius did sit up a little straighter. Yet no discharges were detected. The shuttle passed by them without being intercepted. When it began to pass down through New France’s atmosphere, Cornelius smiled. Despite everything Empress Christine had said in her speech that had beaten them to New France, the colony hadn’t rejected Garnier. And now, they have seen him play a part in destroying an Imperial ship. There will be no turning back for him. Cornelius couldn’t help but bring his hands together in satisfaction. Things were playing out exactly as he had hoped.

*

Transport ship Kursura, New Delhi, 20th October 2508 AD, (four days later).

Governor Aanya Varma made a point of stepping onto her transport ship’s bridge just before it reverted to real space and into the New Delhi system. She wanted to see her homeworld as soon as her ship’s sensors detected it. When the holo display began to update itself, she sat forward in her command chair. “What is going on?” She demanded. In front of the shift gate half a light second away from Kursura, a string of freighters were all sitting stationary. Varma quickly counted nineteen of them. As their transponders registered their names and information, a pattern became apparent. They all belonged to Teal Trading Industries, were members of the Hartman Group or one of the other organizations that were backing her move for secession. “Who has ordered the ships to be waylaid?” Varma followed up, her voice hardening. New Delhi was her system. She was its Governor. No one could impound freighters without her say so.

“They belong to Cornelius and our other allies,” Patel pointed out from where she sat. “Empress Christine’s proclamation has beaten us here as well. Someone is working against us.”

“Then they are going to rue the day they went against me,” Varma snapped. “Take us towards those freighters, make sure our armed ships keep station with us,” she ordered.

“Yes Governor,” Kursura’s Captain replied.

“We’ve got movement ahead, Governor,” a different officer said. The holo display zoomed in to show three small craft appearing from behind one of the freighters. They were moving towards Kursura.

“What are they?” Varma asked.

“Customs cutters,” Kursura’s Captain explained. “They’re not much bigger than shuttles, but they are armed with a single heavy plasma cannon.”

“They are hailing us,” the COM officer reported.

Once again, the holo display changed, but this time, it showed a young man in an Imperial Navy Lieutenant’s uniform. “Governor Varma. I’m sorry that I am the one who has to do this, yet I have my orders. Your ships are to cut their engines and heave to. My people will dock with your ship and take you and Commoner Patel into custody, by order of Empress Christine.”

Varma laughed at him. “Just who do you think you are, Lieutenant?” She put as much contempt into the officer’s rank as she could. “You are nothing. Turn your ships around and count yourself lucky I don’t demand your arrest and imprisonment.”

“I’m afraid I can’t do that Governor. You have been stripped of your authority. Have your ships cut their engines now, or I will be forced to open fire. There will be no warning shots. If you don’t power down, I’ll take out your engines,” the Lieutenant warned.

Varma wanted to scream. The sense of self-righteousness in the Lieutenant’s voice brought back her discussion with Christine in the Imperial Palace’s audience chamber. It had been decades since anyone but Empress Christine had spoken to her so insolently. Suddenly, all her frustration from that meeting and her anger at the audacity of what Empress Christine had done by stripping her of her position came bubbling out. “Cut the COM channel!” she hissed. “Captain, order our armed freighters to take out those cutters immediately.”

“Governor, are you sure?” Kursura’s Captain asked, spinning around wild-eyed.

Varma flashed her eyes at him. “Do it. That was an order, not a suggestion.”

“Governor,” Patel said in a strained voice.

Varma held up a hand towards the Commoner. “I said fire on them,” she ordered without taking her gaze from Kursura’s Captain. “Before they come into range with their weapons.

“Yes Governor,” he replied, turning away from her.

Varma grunted in satisfaction when six missiles were fired from the two armed freighters that were flanking Kursura. Two raced towards each of the cutters. Her satisfaction grew when the cutters tried and failed to shoot the missiles down. They simply didn’t have the point defenses for such a battle. Each cutter then carried out a series of desperate last-minute evasive maneuvers. They failed as well. Three explosions signaled the death of the ships and their crews. “Inform the freighters in front of us that they can continue with their normal business,” Varma said in a cold voice when it was over. She turned to Patel. “They chose their side. We couldn’t let them capture us.”

“But we could have fired a warning missile,” Patel protested. “They might have surrendered.”

“And they might have just pretended to surrender until they got close enough to open fire,” Varma countered. “I am the Governor of this system; they chose to go against me. They suffered the consequences.”

Patel visibly swallowed, but she nodded nonetheless. “I agree,” she replied. Varma nodded back. That was enough for her.

“Two Imperial destroyers have broken orbit from New Delhi and are moving onto an intercept course for us,” the same sensor officer reported.

Kursura’s Captain swung around again. “Our armed freighters cannot take on two destroyers,” he said as he shook his head.

Varma smiled at him. “Trust me, they won’t have to.” She had clearly made a mistake not exerting more influence over New Delhi’s custom patrols. That was something she would have to remedy quickly. She hadn’t made the same mistake with the Imperial warships stationed in her system though. For two years, she had been working on their commanders and crew. “Open a channel to those two warships,” she requested. “New Delhi warships,” she said when the COM officer nodded to her. “This is your Governor speaking. You serve me. Turn around and return to orbit. That is an order. Anyone who will not obey is to be relieved of duty immediately.”

Confident she didn’t need to say anything more, Varma sat back in her command chair. Sure enough, five minutes later, just minutes after her message reached them, both destroyers began to turn back towards New Delhi.

“How?” Patel asked, awe in her voice.

“Don’t be so surprised,” Varma said as she shot her friend a small smile. “While you have spent the last two years on Earth in the House of Commons trying to win our freedom, I’ve been working here. I’m sure not everyone will be in favor of our decision to secede, nor of the plans we intend to implement. But you will find many are already on board.” Half-turning, Varma sought out Kursura’s COM officer again. “Open a systemwide channel this time, if you would,” she requested. “People of New Delhi,” she said moments later. “You all know me. You all voted for me. No matter what a British Princess two hundred light years away says, I am your Governor. This is my homeworld, as it is yours. All of us yearn to be free, and I intend to see that you are. From this moment on, we are no longer part of the Empire. We will choose our own destiny. Their laws and rules no longer apply. Only those that we favor will remain. Those who do not like this new reality are free to leave and go to your precious Empire. However, anyone who resists the will of the people of New Delhi will suffer serious consequences. I’m not playing political games. We will do our part to defend ourselves and our species from the Karacknids if that threat should ever return. But we will not be made economic slaves for the pleasure of those who deem themselves our betters back on Earth. From today, things will be changing for the better for all of us. I look forward to returning to you when Kursura reaches orbit.”

“Do you really think we will be able to enter orbit freely?” Patel asked.

Varma smiled. “By the time we get there, we will,” she assured her ally. “My speech was not just for the public. All those who support me will know it is time to act. The orbitals will be ours before we get there. New Delhi will truly be free.”

Patel smiled at Varma’s words. “I never thought we could move so fast. Yet, we are doing it. We are really doing it.”

“Indeed we are,” Varma agreed. “Now we just need Cornelius and the others to keep up their end of the bargain. If we can all stand united, then Earth will have to give into our demands.”

Chapter 20

Anger is a powerful emotion. Anger at one’s enemies can drive a naval commander to accomplish unimagined feats. Yet it can just as easily blind that same Admiral to their doom. Sadly, I speak of this from first-hand knowledge.

-Excerpt from Empire Ascendant 3015 AD.

Imperial Palace, Earth, 11th November 2508 AD, (three weeks later).

“Traitors!” James shouted as he flung a datapad across the room with all of his augmented strength. It smashed into a wall and shattered into a hundred pieces. Christine stared at him open-mouthed. He knew she hadn’t seen him this angry for years, if ever. He didn’t care. He looked around for something else to smash.

“What is it?” She demanded as she rushed to his side. She grabbed both his hands before he could do any more damage.

“That was a message from Alvarez,” James said as he breathed heavily. Despite the calming effect of Christine’s hand, he still looked around the room. He wanted to throw something else.

Christine reached up and turned James’s cheeks towards her face. “And? It must be bad if you’re in this state. You need to tell me.”

James sighed. A little of his anger left. Just enough for him to regain control. Yet the rest continued to boil just under the surface. He had no desire to try and push it down. “He just received a report from an intelligence agent he has on New France. Garnier and Cornelius have seized the orbitals of the planet. They have taken control of the shift gate, and have put an embargo on all Imperial freighters.” He turned to fully face Christine. “They destroyed an Imperial destroyer. The entire ship’s crew were lost! He murdered them all!”

Christine gasped. She released his hands and took a half-step back. One hand came up and covered her mouth. “No, surely not,” she said as she shook her head.

“There can be no doubt,” James replied. “The entire planet witnessed it. And if that’s what they’ve done at New France, what you think will be happening at Québec, New Delhi, Rostov, and all the others? They mean to cut off all economic ties with us. They will seize our freighters and warships if they can. It will disrupt our entire economic supply chain.” Even as he thought it through, James growled at the prospect. His hands tightened into fists.

Christine was still shaking her head. “The fools. They have gone too far. They’re endangering us all. What are we going to do?”

Christine’s question crystallized James’ anger. “I’m going to put an end to them,” he promised himself as much as Christine. His hand slipped into his tunic and pulled out his COM unit. “Nicholls, assemble my war council immediately. I want to meet within the hour.”

His Chief of Staff didn’t reply right away. Almost, James barked his order at her again. The COM unit began to crackle just before he did. “Sorry Emperor, I was in a meeting. Did you say you want your war council?”

“Yes,” James snapped. “At once. I don’t care what they’re doing, get them together. And alert Home Fleet, inform Admiral Davenport I want her ships ready to break orbit as soon as possible.”

“I will get right on it Emperor, has there been a Karacknid attack?” Nicholls asked.

“No, but it’s almost as bad. I’ll explain when we meet,” James replied.

Christine closed to his side and took his hands once again. “Just what are you thinking? We can’t be rash.”

“Yes we can,” James insisted. “They crossed a line when they sued for secession the way they did. Now, they have gone even further. We have tried to deal with them politically. Now, they have turned it into a military matter. Cornelius has armed freighters and even small purpose-built warships. They’ve been planning this for years. If we don’t act decisively, they will dig themselves in and it could take us years of political and military wrangling to remove them.” When Christine opened her mouth to protest, James raised a hand and placed a finger on her lips. “We have done it your way. That was the right thing to do. But now they have killed some of my people. They no longer deserve the protections of our legal system. They must be stopped. What do you think the Karacknids will do if they hear of this? Either one of the other warlords will strike at us to gain prestige among their own people, or worse, Tanaka-lan will see our weakness and prepare an attack. It has only been our strength that has stopped them diverting forces away from their civil war. If we look weak…” James knew he didn’t have to finish his thought. Christine was as aware of the strategic situation as he.

“But what can you do? Home fleet has no more than eighty warships. You can’t cover all of the systems that want to secede. Not if they have been building up their own military forces.”

“That is what they will be counting on,” James replied. “I don’t care how long they have been preparing for, they can’t have had access to military-grade technologies and shipyards. They have small forces prepared, enough to seize control of our shipyards and warships we have stationed in their systems. If we give them months, they will begin to add modern warships to their squadrons. That cannot be allowed to happen. At the very least, I can take Home Fleet and all the Marines we have in the Sol system. We can destroy whatever armed freighters they have, seize all the Imperial shipyards, and deny them access to them. If we control the orbitals, then you can work things out diplomatically with the colonies themselves.”

“If any of the colony’s populace actually remains loyal after we bring warships into their systems,” Christine cautioned.

“If they have so quickly forgotten everything we and all those who have died have sacrificed to protect them, then let them have the illusion of freedom they desire,” James growled. “But they are not taking shipyards and military industrial nodes we have built to defend all of Humanity. I’m going to get them back and I’m going to kill every one of those traitorous scum I can get my hands on. They are not going to destroy everything our species has built. Come on, my counsel will have started to gather.” James could tell Christine wanted to say more, yet he wasn’t in the mood to hear it. Insistently, he held out a hand to his wife. She hesitated for a moment, and then reached out and took it. Gently, he led her out of their quarters.

Five minutes later and they both sat down in one of the Palace’s briefing rooms. Nicholls, Fairfax, and Andrea Clements were there in person. Rear Admiral Davenport, the commander of Home Fleet, Alvarez, the head of the Navy’s Intelligence Division, General Johnston, Emilie, and several other military officers were all there via holo COM link. “Thank you for gathering so quickly,” James said to them. “Alvarez, you are the most familiar with what has happened. Fill us in please.”

“Certainly Admiral,” Alvarez replied. “I just received word an hour ago from one of my agents in New France. Cornelius Teal and former Commoner François Garnier have seized control of the system. They command more than sixty armed warships and have taken control of the system’s shift gates and planetary orbitals. Garnier is on the surface claiming he now represents the people of New France. According to my agent, most of the populace do not understand what has happened. Some support him, most are ambivalent. The speed at which he has gained control of the government and main power structures has left most in shock. No one has stood up to him. Not after one of the Imperial destroyers in the system was destroyed with all its crew.” Alvarez paused when Emilie swore. Several of the other naval officers voiced their anger as well. “That is all the concrete news I have to report,” he continued, “though regular check-ins from agents we have in Québec, New Delhi, Rostov and several other former French, Indian, Canadian, and Argentinian colonies are all overdue. I strongly suspect communications and shipping has been interrupted in all of the colonies who attempted to secede. If I had to bet, I would wager Cornelius Teal has been planning this far longer than we initially thought. If he has converted freighters into armed warships, they could have squadrons in all of their systems controlling all shipping in and out of them.”

“Which means even if the populace of their planets doesn’t agree with what they have done, they have effectively removed themselves from the Empire’s control,” James concluded for Alvarez. “Andrea, what will the ramifications of this be for our fleet?”

“Disastrous,” Andrea said. “And that isn’t an exaggeration. Fully one-third of our raw materials and advanced components are produced or pass through the systems in question. A disruption of one or two months will cause bottlenecks throughout the rest of the Empire. Any longer than that, and we’ll have to abandon all of our construction schedules. If they do cut off all shipping permanently, it could take two or three years for our supply chains to sort themselves out and return to the levels they were just a month ago.”

“And how many ships will we lose that should have been constructed in that time?” Emilie asked.

Andrea paused for a moment, she looked up at the ceiling, mentally counting. “Two to three thousand would be my conservative guess,” she replied.

“That is unacceptable,” James said as he slowly looked around at his military council. “I’m not going to let that happen. We’re going to intervene. We will destroy any of Cornelius’s warships that do not surrender to us, and then we’re going to seize all of our orbital shipyards and industries. We will have to deal with the political ramifications later. Right now, we must limit the economic impact this rebellion is going to have on our warship construction programs. I intend to take Home Fleet straight to New France and cut the head off the snake before it can grow any bigger… unless anyone has any objections or better ideas?”

Unsurprisingly, everyone looked to Christine. She didn’t speak for several seconds. “I am with my husband,” she said slowly. “Since the secessionists fled, public opinion here on Earth and throughout the colonies has swiftly turned against them. No one outside of the secessionist systems will shed a tear if we put down their rebellion with force. The military ramifications of their actions are too severe to act slowly on this. Are you in agreement Fairfax?” She asked her Chief of Staff.

Fairfax visibly swallowed. “If we go in with too heavy a hand, we could create divisions that may last generations. Most of the secessionist planets already resent us and many of our policies. We could cause wounds that will not easily heal. Yet, two or three thousand warships could be the difference between deterring the Karacknids from attacking us for several more years or inviting an invasion of Earth.”

“Or it could be the difference between defeating an invasion fleet or succumbing to it,” Emilie interjected.

“Exactly,” Fairfax said with a nod. “Given that fact, seizing control of all the orbital industries that are vital to us is understandable.” He turned to fully meet James’ gaze. “But it must be done carefully. Civilian casualties need to be limited, if not eliminated altogether.”

“My own citizens are not my enemies,” James assured Fairfax. “But if they are working with Teal, then I cannot guarantee their safety. They will have ample warning of the consequences of their decisions though. Of that, I promise you.”

Fairfax glanced at Nicholls. “What do you say?”

Nicholl shook her head. “I don’t like it, not at all. We should be trying to resolve this diplomatically.”

“But how?” Emilie demanded. “They have set out their terms very clearly. They have no intention of listening to reason or following the laws of the Empire. They are traitors. How else can one deal with traitors but by force?”

“We can’t,” Nicholls admitted. “But that doesn’t mean I have to like doing it. And it doesn’t mean we should be responding with anger.” She looked directly at James as she spoke.

James felt the accusation in her eyes. He had been doing his best to keep his anger under wraps. After decades, she knew him too well. “How else would you have me respond to my people being killed? Wolf was the warship Teal destroyed. She had a crew of two hundred and sixty-eight. That is two hundred and sixty-eight sons, daughters, husbands, wives, mothers, and fathers. Teal killed them all, and for what? His own selfish political desires. And how many more will he kill, either directly or through the mayhem he will cause to our shipbuilding timetables? Anger is exactly what I should be feeling right now. But that doesn’t mean I can’t think clearly. He must be stopped, the quicker the better.”

Nicholls nodded slowly to James. “On that, I believe we are agreed. But I am uneasy, nonetheless.”

“As am I,” Christine agreed as she reached out and placed a hand on James’ forearm. “But I trust my husband. He has never let us down. This needs to be dealt with, and there is no better commander for the job.”

“You intend to take Home Fleet yourself?” Davenport asked.

James turned to his former Operations Officer. “Teal and all the others came to Christine and me in person to announce their secession. I intend to put an end to it in person. Do not worry, you will remain in command of Home Fleet, but I will be accompanying you. This rebellion must be put down swiftly and decisively. The rest of our planets need to see me doing this in person. How soon can you be ready to go?”

“I have already given notice to all of our ships. We’re taking on extra provisions as we speak. In six hours, we will be fully stocked, but if we need to, we can depart sooner, in an hour, if necessary. We can dispatch supply freighters to follow us. If we’re going to New France, we can depart as soon as all our personnel are shuttled up from Earth.”

“Then we depart in an hour,” James decided. “Our supplies can follow us.”

“What about me?” Emilie asked. “What can I do?”

“I want you to send word to Admiral Becket at Delta-fort,” James informed his niece. He knew she would want to come to, but too many Admirals would only cause confusion. “I want an additional five hundred ships dispatched from the frontline back here. I intend to cut the head off the snake, but there may be mopping up work needed to be done after that. Once they arrive, you will assume command and come and join us. Hopefully, it will be over by then, but if not, your help will be needed.”

Emilie looked like she wanted to protest, but in front of the rest of the Military Council, she knew better. “Understood Emperor,” she replied formally.

“Then let us get moving,” James said as he clasped his hands together. “I want to be on our way within the hour.”

*

Forty-five minutes later, and James stepped back into his and Christine’s quarters. He smiled when he saw Fox was busily packing several chests with his clothes and other personal items. “It’s been a few years, my friend,” he said to his steward. “How do you feel about going back to space?”

“To be honest sir, I was hoping those days were behind us. But we have to do what we have to do,” Fox replied.

“Hopefully this will be a short trip,” James said.

Fox nodded. “Christine and the kids are in the living room.”

“Thank you,” James said as he walked through the hall to where they were. His heart swelled when he saw them. Christine had gathered them together quickly. He shot her a thankful smile. Only then did he realize someone was missing. Georgia wasn’t in the room. He frowned at that. Nevertheless, he moved over to Edward and held out his hand. “You’re going to have to take on some more responsibilities while I’m away,” he said as he shook his son’s hand firmly. Then, he pulled him into a hug. “Mainly, you’ve got to keep your mother from worrying,” he whispered loud enough for everyone else to hear. “You know how she gets.”

“I know,” Edward said as they broke apart. “Don’t worry, she’ll be safe here. And if she isn’t, I’ll be one of the first to hear about it.”

“And you,” James said as he moved to Rachel. With ease, he scooped her up into his arms like he had done a thousand times before. For the last several years, she had resisted his attempts. This time, she dug her head into his shoulder and wrapped her arms around him.

“Be careful out there, Daddy,” she whispered into his ear. “Don’t let them hurt you.”

James couldn’t help but chuckle. “It’s not me that needs to be worried this time,” James assured her. “You just focus on your studies and helping Edward look after your mum.”

“I will,” Rachel promised as he set her down.

Moving to his wife, James pulled her into a deeper hug. “Just who do you think I am?” She asked, “that I need these two to look after me? I’m the mother here.”

“I know you are not going to worry one bit, nor fret about what I’m up to,” James said as he winked over her shoulder to Edward and Rachel. “I’m sure they’ll not need to keep you distracted at all.”

Christine playfully punched him in the arm and then gripped him tighter. “Just be safe out there. For all our sakes. It’s not just me you’re coming back to now.”

“Where is Georgia?” James asked after releasing Christine.

Christine shook her head. “She didn’t reply to my message. I was hoping you could find out.”

Frowning again, James pulled out his datapad. He typed a quick query into it. The last time her ID chip had been used had been to check into her squadron’s barracks on the Moon. James’ hand froze. A thought occurred to him. Quickly, he typed another query into his datapad. “What is it?” Christine demanded, reading James’ face instantly.

Reluctantly, James raised his eyes to meet hers. “Georgia’s squadron.”

“No,” Christine said as she shook her head. “No. They’re supposed to be on Sol defense duty. Not assigned to Home Fleet.”

“Additional squadrons have been assigned to Home Fleet. Two carriers that were completing their space trials are joining us. I’m sorry, I didn’t know.”

“We can still have them reassigned. You haven’t left yet,” Christine insisted.

James reached out and took both of Christine’s hands in his. Slowly, he shook his head. “We can’t do that. Everyone will know why. Worse, she will know. She’ll never forgive us.”

“But if there is a fight,” Christine complained. “You know as well as I the survival rates of fighter pilots.”

“Things have changed,” James insisted. “And as far as we know, the secessionists don’t have any fighters of their own. It’s highly unlikely she’s going to see any action.”

“But you can’t promise me she won’t,” Christine replied. “I can’t just let her go into harm’s way. I don’t care how she will feel about it.”

James squeezed Christine’s hands gently. “She is a grown woman now. It is exactly what we have to do. It’s what our parents did with us. It’s what we are asking every parent of every navy personnel across the fleet to do. I will do my best to look after her, but we have to let her go.”

Christine closed her eyes and shook her head. A tear ran down her cheek. Without warning however, her eyes flashed open. “You better look after her. I’m going to hold you to that.” James nodded. Rationally, he knew Christine understood he couldn’t protect their daughter from every danger that might come her way. But she wasn’t thinking rationally. Christine’s eyes flashed as another thought occurred to her. “And what about Jonathan? He could be in harm’s way as well, couldn’t he?”

James shook his head vigorously in an attempt to cut off another avenue of concern that could end up eating away at his wife. “His ship is on patrol far from the main planets that have seceded. It’s likely they will not even hear about what is happening until it’s all over.”

Christine’s jaw tightened into an expression that told James she wasn’t entirely convinced. Thankfully, she didn’t press any further. What he had said was true, of course, but it had been months since anything had been heard from Jonathan’s ship. He couldn’t know for sure exactly where it was or what it was up to.

“Neither of you need to worry,” Edward said as he came closer and put his arm around his mother. “It’s Georgia we’re talking about here. If anyone threatens her, it’s they who are going to have to worry. And she’ll have her wing mates with her as well. Griffin squadron is said to be the best in the system. They’ll cut anyone who comes up against them to pieces.”

“Yeah, she will not let you down,” Rachel piped in.

James held out his hand to her and she came closer as well. Gently, James pulled them all into one final hug. “Just look after each other, okay? Georgia and I will be all right.” For several moments, James enjoyed holding his family. It had been three years since he had last left the Sol system without them, and then it had just been for a brief tour of Britannia and several other of the Navy’s main shipbuilding centers. “I’m going to miss you all terribly,” he confessed. Squeezing them all tightly one last time, he let them go. “But the fleet will be departing soon, and so must I. Goodbye,” he said as he leaned down, kissed Rachel on the forehead and then squeezed Edward’s shoulder. Finally, he kissed Christine on the lips. As they moved apart, their eyes stayed locked together. Much passed between them. James gave her a final nod, and then turned and forced himself to leave the living room.

Fox had already disappeared. The chests he had been packing were gone as well. When he stepped out of his quarters, Nicholls was waiting for him. She had a small bag in one hand. James’ eyebrows rose. “You’re coming with us?”

Nicholls nodded. “I’m your Chief of Staff, of course I’m coming. Did you think I wasn’t?”

James hesitated at the note of defiance in her voice. “No, no, I guess I just didn’t think about it. You don’t have any naval experience, that’s all.”

“You will have Rear Admiral Davenport’s command staff for that,” Nicholls replied. “We’re going to be walking into a political powder keg when we get to New France. You’re going to need me and the team I have put together.”

James balked at the mention of a team. He wanted to ask about it. Yet he knew better. Instead, he smiled at the former Senator. “Of course I am. I’m glad you’re coming. At least if things go awry, I’ll have someone else to blame it on.”

Nicholls rolled her eyes. “Come on, we better go or we might miss our shuttle.”

“Lead on,” James said as he gestured for Nicholls to proceed him.

Just a few minutes later and they left the Palace’s main entrance and strode over to the nearest shuttle. As they ascended its access ramp, James saw that it was full of marines. He was pleasantly surprised when he spotted General Johnston. He immediately moved over and took an empty seat beside him. “You have found berths for all your people?” He asked.

“Close enough,” Johnston said. “It’ll be a tight squeeze in some of the ships, but they’ll make do.”

“It can’t be as bad as some of the things they put us through at boot camp,” a familiar voice piped up.

James’ smiled widely when he looked over to find Sophia Johnston sitting further down the shuttle. Then, he frowned when he looked back to Johnston. His friend was beaming with pride. There wasn’t a hint of concern for his daughter on his face.

“Don’t worry about her,” Johnston said as he slapped James on the shoulder. “She is a chip off the old block. If we survived wars with the Chinese, the Indians, the Flex-aor and the Karacknids, Sofia and Georgia can handle a few rebels.”

James felt his cheeks redden. He hadn’t realized his own emotions had been so obvious. “Yes, of course they can,” he said as Johnston’s words brought him a little encouragement.

For the rest of the flight, Johnston and Sophia kept him talking. James was thankful for the distraction. Only when the shuttle approached Oblivion, Davenport’s flagship, did their conversation fade away. James barely noticed. He was staring at the massive dreadnought. It was literally bristling with weapons emplacements. Nearly a quarter again bigger than Drake, the dreadnought the Kulreans had built for him near the end of the Karacknid War, James knew Oblivion was even more deadly. Her mark VII and VIII missiles would have torn Drake apart, and with her systems a combination of fully integrated Human, Kulrean, Varanni, and Mindus technology, she had many tricks up her sleeve designed to catch the Karacknids off-guard. “They’re not going to know what has hit them if Teal and the others let her open up on them,” Johnston said, reading James’ thoughts again.

James nodded, yet he couldn’t’ help but think of all the orbital battlestations at New France and the other secessionist colonies. A few armed freighters would certainly be no match for Oblivion. Even though they weren’t quite as modern as the dreadnought, a handful of battlestations would be another matter. Still, James kept his thoughts to himself.

When the shuttle landed in one of Oblivion’s hangar bays, he said his goodbyes as Johnston and Sophia made their way to the marine barracks whilst James headed for the bridge of Rear Admiral Davenport’s flagship. Stepping onto the bridge, he found every officer on their feet holding a salute.

“Welcome aboard Admiral,” Davenport called out. “We are honored by your presence.”

“At ease,” James said as he waved for the officers to return to their command chairs. “And the honor is all mine.”

“Don’t even think about it,” Davenport said as James made his way to the command chair off to one side of the Admiral’s chair. She quickly stepped away from her chair to the one James had headed for. “You’re taking the central one. I’m not going to argue with you.”

James shook his head. No matter how long he served as Emperor, it always seemed to be the same. Whether it was Christine, Nicholls, Johnston, or any of his other close friends. None seemed to have an issue bossing him around. “Very well,” he replied diplomatically. Flashing Davenport a quick smile, he sat down. “But let me make myself clear,” he said loudly to Oblivion’s bridge officers, “Rear Admiral Davenport commands the fleet.”

Davenport chuckled. “Don’t worry Admiral, they know how the chain of command works. The fleet is ready to depart if you are?”

James nodded. “You may give the order.”

Davenport returned his gesture and then swung back around to her command staff. With a word, she sent them into a flurry of activity. Within moments, Oblivion and the other sixty ships in formation around her turned their noses away from the orbits they had been in and fired their impulse engines. Despite his anger at everything that happened over the last several months, despite his loathing at Teal and the other traitors who were risking the Empire’s defenses, and despite the fact that he was leaving most of his family behind, James couldn’t help the small smile that spread across his face. Once again, he was sitting on the bridge of a military warship, leading it out to hunt down his enemies. More than two decades had passed since he had fought the Battle of Gayla. Despite the years, he felt just as at home in his command chair as he had that day. This is where you belong, he realized, surprising even himself. He thought he had become accustomed to life on Earth, serving as Humanity’s Emperor. He had been wrong. He was still an Admiral at heart. With a mixture of joy and curiosity, he watched Oblivion’s bridge officers and the ships in Home Fleet carry out their duties as they slipped away from Earth and towards the Alpha shift gate.

Chapter 21

When they first attacked the American colonies, the Flex-aor were the greatest threat Humanity had yet faced. Yet after their defeat and the appearance of the Karacknids, they quickly faded in the minds of the Empire’s early strategists. The events that would play out over the next several years after their rediscovery would prove the folly of this mistaken assumption.

-Excerpt from Empire Ascendant 3015 AD.

Python, 25th November 2508 AD.

Almost there, Jake thought to himself. His fingers were typing furiously on his command chair. It had taken weeks for them to get back to Imperial space, even longer than Jake had expected. Several system malfunctions had delayed them far longer than he had hoped. Since leaving the system they had encountered the Flex-aor freighter in, Jake had felt a growing tension building within him. He was certain the Flex-aor were planning some kind of attack. Being discovered must have caused them to move up their timetable. He had to bring a warning back to Earth and the rest of the Empire’s colonies. Soon, he promised himself. Python was approaching the Frigila system. The system was home to an independent colony. According to the information Jake had access to, there were barely more than forty thousand colonists living on the planet. Though their settlement wasn’t much larger than a small city, Jake was hoping there would be some ships in orbit, a freighter or two at least bringing supplies. As long as there was something, he could transmit his findings to them and order them to make straight for New Delhi. With the speed Python had been travelling at, even a freighter would get there faster than his broken command. And if they won’t listen to us, we’ll board their ship and take it ourselves, Jake had already decided. Whatever it took, he was getting his warning out.

“We’re getting a power fluctuation from the shift drive,” Lydia said hastily.

Jake sat up in his command chair. His fingers stopped their tapping. It was a warning he was becoming all too familiar with. “How bad is it?”

“The last fluctuation was six percent. Wait, here’s another one. Nine percent,” Lydia swung around in her command chair. “I suggest we exit shift space now.”

Jake glanced at the holo display and the map of the shift passage Python was travelling through. They were now less than thirty seconds from the end of the shift passage. He was sorely tempted to risk it. What harm could thirty more seconds do? He ground his teeth together. He knew the answer. If Python’s shift drive had a stronger fluctuation, it could burn out some of its nodes or even the drive itself. A distance that would have taken seconds to cover in shift space could end up taking days or weeks for Python to traverse in normal space. He shook his head. They were so close. The timer had already counted down to twenty-five seconds.

“Lieutenant?” Lydia said, requesting an order.

“Do it, take us out,” Jake snapped. Instantly, Lydia tapped a button to shut down Python’s shift drive. A small tremor ran through the ship as it reverted to normal space. “Carry out a full systems check of the shift drive,” Jake ordered. “And begin recharging the capacitor. I want to be able to jump as soon as we can be sure there won’t be any more fluctuations.”

“Aye Lieutenant,” Lydia replied.

Jake ground his teeth some more. With just one reactor working at sixty percent efficiency, what would have taken twenty minutes before the battle with the Flex-aor freighter now took nearly two hours. As if mocking him, the holo display changed to show the Frigila system’s distant star. It was so near, and yet so far. If Jake wanted to transmit his report to the Frigila colony, it would take three weeks to reach them. It had taken the same time for the images the holo display began to show as it zoomed in onto the habitable world to reach Python’s sensors. For a second, Jake was confused by what he saw. Then he frowned. He shook his head. It couldn’t be. Looking down at his own holo display, he began to tap on his command chair. “It’s no mistake,” he said out loud.

“Sorry Lieutenant, what was that?” Lydia asked.

“Look at the electromagnetic profile of the third ship our sensors are detecting. It’s a copy of Python.” Looking up from her console, Lydia narrowed her eyes as she focused on the contact. There were five faint energy readings coming from Frigila itself. Three had been identified as the orbital stations the colonists had built when they had first come to colonize the world six years ago. Python’s computer estimated the other two were freighters. Though their signals were faint, as they appeared to have their reactors largely powered down. In contrast, the only two other contacts in the system were releasing massive amounts of energy. Accelerating into the system from one of its shift passages, they were both headed towards Frigila at an impressive rate. “The drive signature is the same,” Lydia said after several seconds. She turned around to Jake. “How can that be? What is a pirate ship doing racing towards an independent colony?”

“Nothing good,” Jake said. “Nothing good at all.” He felt helpless. Whatever the powered ships were going to do, they had already done it three weeks ago. They could have destroyed the colonist’s orbital stations, captured their freighters, or worse, landed armed parties and carried off slaves. He could hardly believe what he was seeing. The audacity of the pirates. Surely, they feared being hunted down? Jake was already surprised Python hadn’t run into an Imperial patrol already. After carrying out such a brazen attack, the Imperial Navy would throw as many resources into hunting the pirates as was necessary to find and bring them to justice. Yet they don’t care, Jake thought as he continued to watch the two ships close on Frigila.

While Lydia and McKay worked on Python, Jake had nothing to distract himself with. For more than an hour, he was forced to watch the events of the past unfold. The pirate ships slotted into orbit around Frigila, and then small energy spikes were detected. Jake guessed they were from shuttle engines. Whether the shuttles moved to the orbital stations or to the planet’s surface, Python’s sensors couldn’t tell. Either way, the pirates were clearly intent on taking control of the colony. And that left more questions on Jake’s mind. Why was there an identical ship to Python? One purpose-built warship in pirate hands was an anomaly, two was a pattern. Someone was building them for a purpose. And whoever it was, they were upping their game. Attacking a colony was a step up in their activities.

“I’d love to get my hands on them,” Becca growled from where she stood just beyond the hatch into the bridge. Jake turned around. He hadn’t heard her enter. The look on her face told him she felt as he did. “We’re not going to be able to intervene if they are still there, are we?”

Jake grimaced, then shook his head. “I’m afraid not. We have to get our report back to an Imperial warship to take to Earth. Our news is too important.”

Becca’s hands clenched into fists at her side. “Maybe my marines and I could take the shuttle. We could sneak into orbit and land far from the main city. If the pirates are still there, we could surprise them.”

Jake couldn’t help but smile at the earnestness in the Marine Sergeant’s tone. “If this were any other situation, I would not hesitate in giving you permission,” he replied. “But if the pirate ships are still there, they would likely detect you long before you got to Frigila. And if they did, they’d start to wonder where your shuttle came from. Then they might end up trying to hunt us down. I can’t take the risk.”

“But there are thousands of helpless people out there,” Becca protested, her eyes were almost pleading with Jake.

Jake nodded. “Thousands who will be even more helpless against the Flex-aor if they attack. As bad as pirates are, they won’t nuke the entire colony. At least, I hope they won’t. We need to focus on the bigger threat.”

“If they do hurt anyone down there, I’m going to make sure they pay,” Becca said through gritted teeth as she stared at the holo display.

“And I will join you,” Jake promised her. “Just as soon as we get our news delivered.”

Becca looked back at him. Slowly she nodded. “You’re a man of your word Lieutenant. I’ll hold you to that.”

Jake flashed her another smile. “I expected nothing less.”

“There,” McKay said, breaking into their conversation. “I think we have the shift drive fully functional again.”

James turned to the engineer. “You’re sure?”

McKay nodded. “As sure as we can be. If we get another fluctuation building up, we’ll have to jump out again. Hopefully the shift drive will hold out for the last few seconds to get us into the system. I’d be surprised if it didn’t.”

“The capacitor is just ten minutes away from being fully charged,” Lydia added.

“Very well,” Jake replied. “Good work, both of you. Jump us in as soon as we are ready. Prepare the ship for stealth. If the pirates are still there, I don’t want them detecting us when we do jump in.”

For several more minutes, James watched the representation of the pirate ships as they stayed in orbit around Frigila. Though he knew it likely meant the pirate ships would have left with a store of cargo and possibly even slaves, he was hoping they would be gone. There was no way Python could fight one of them, never mind two. And even if we told them what was going on, what are the chances they would simply let us pass? He asked himself. The pirates would see Python’s damage and jump at the chance to recapture her.

“Jumping in five seconds,” Lydia reported.

Two tremors ran through Python in quick succession. The first signaled her jump into shift space. Twenty-one seconds later and the second told Jake his ship had successfully completed the jump into the Frigila system. Every head turned to the passive sensor display. Jake delayed giving the order to proceed into the system until they knew exactly what was happening. It didn’t take long to find out. Seven energy sources were picked up in orbit around Frigila. The two pirate vessels were still there! Jake shook his head. It didn’t make sense. “Why are they still there?” He found himself asking. “They’ve had three weeks to do whatever they want with the colony.”

“Even the colonists’ freighters are still there,” Lydia commented. “You would think they would have put prize crews on them and taken them away to whatever base they have. Keeping them here just means they could lose them if an Imperial patrol shows up.”

“And why hasn’t it already?” Becca asked. “The pirates must know something we don’t. Why else would they have stuck around so long? Even if a patrol hasn’t shown up over the last three weeks, there’s bound to be one before the month is out. Yet they are still sitting there, seemingly without a care in the world.”

“Are there any transmissions coming from the colony or the ships in orbit?” Jake asked.

Lydia shook her head. “There’s nothing out of the ordinary. A lot of radio signals from the planet’s surface, the computer is analyzing them. So far, we’ve detected nothing to tell us what is going on. The ships are all quiet. If they are communicating, they’re using laser COM links.”

Jake waited ten more minutes to see if anything could be learned from the radio signals. Nothing was, they were all standard information broadcast. Nothing mentioned the pirate’s presence or what they were up to. Jake ground his teeth together. The pirate ships in orbit suggested they had taken over the colony. Yet it appeared as if life was continuing as normal on the surface. It was a mystery. A mystery we’ll have to figure out another time, he told himself. “All right, there’s nothing we can do for Frigila. As the pirate ships are still in orbit, then hopefully, their focus will be on the colony. Lay in a course for the next shift passage. Take us there at twenty percent maximum thrust. Once we get beyond the point where the pirate ships can catch us, we will go to the maximum power our engine can sustain. I doubt the pirates will want to chase us to a more built-up system.”

“Aye Lieutenant,” Lydia responded.

As his bridge officers got to work and Python began to move into the system, Jake along with everyone else, kept glancing at Frigila. He guessed they were all thinking the same as he was. He desperately wanted to know what was going on. Yet no answers were forthcoming. A part of Jake couldn’t help but feel that he was betraying his uniform. He was sworn to protect the Empire’s citizens and all Human colonies. Flying past a colony under siege filled him with shame. Yet his awareness of the wider strategic situation stopped him from altering Python’s heading. His father’s favorite phrase came to him again. ‘The burden of command.’ Does it ever get easier? Or does it just keep getting worse and worse? He asked. It seemed the more responsibility he found himself carrying, the harder the decisions and the more people who got hurt, no matter what he chose.

“We are ready to increase acceleration,” Lydia informed him when Python crossed the point where the pirate ships couldn’t catch them.

“Do it,” Jake ordered. “And jump us out as soon as we cross the system’s mass shadow.”

As Lydia powered up Python’s reactor and engine as much as she safely could, Jake expected the pirate ships to break orbit. The presence of another ship in the system was bound to spook them into fleeing. Yet they did no such thing. Jake shared a look with Lydia and they both shook their heads. The pirates were fearless. Something was most certainly going on. Yet they had no answers. Two hours later, when Python reached the next shift passage, they were still sitting in orbit without concern. Jake’s hands were in fists as he nodded for Python to jump out. He felt horrible abandoning the colony. We’ll be back, he promised the Frigilian colonists. Glancing over to where Becca had taken a seat, he knew they would. The look on her face told Jake she would throw him over her shoulders and drag him back, if that’s what it took.

*

Six days later, and Jake finally got some of the answers he had been yearning for. “It can’t be,” he said moments after Python jumped into the Chennai system. His mouth had fallen open. Shock was written in the face of every one of Python’s bridge officers. The Chennai system was home to a colony over one hundred years old. Hundreds of vessels were moving back and forth across the system. Initially, it had appeared they had made it back to civilization. But then, he had detected two more pirate vessels identical to Python. It took only seconds to realize that the freighter traffic in the system was also strange. All the ships were being carefully shepherded by the two pirate vessels and four others which Jake quickly guessed were armed freighters. The pirates had taken the Chennai system! No, Jake said himself as he shook his head. Something far bigger was going on. They weren’t just pirates, they couldn’t be.

“We’re picking up a systemwide broadcast,” Lydia said. “I think you’re going to want to hear it.”

Jake nodded to her. An unknown woman’s voice suddenly filled Python’s bridge. “All ships entering the Chennai system. You are now under the jurisdiction of the Independent Chennai colony. You will be boarded and inspected by our System Security Force. Then you will be free to go on your way. Resistance will be taken as loyalty to the Empire. Your ship will be seized or destroyed. There will be no warnings.”

Jake turned wide-eyed to Lydia and Becca. He had no idea what was going on. An Independent Chennai. How was that even possible? He had no idea. Yet it had happened. As outrageous as the situation was, that wasn’t even his main concern. He was staring at the pirate vessels. They were scattered across the system. His elation at finally reaching a world where he could bring his warning had evaporated. If the pirates were hostile to Imperial ships, they would not be friendly to him. How on Earth are we going to get through the system undetected? Jake asked himself. He had no answers.

*

IS Oblivion, Aurora System, 25th November 2508 AD.

James’ COM unit buzzed. “Go ahead,” he said after tapping it.

“Admiral Somerville, I think you might want to come to the bridge. We’ve just received a report from the cruiser Resolute. It’s not good news,” Admiral Davenport informed him.

James’ fork froze halfway towards his mouth. Over his shoulder, he sensed Fox stop as well. Davenport doesn’t know, he said to himself. Whatever it is, it can’t be that. His knife and fork clattered onto his plate. Even if she didn’t know, it didn’t stop fear assaulting him. Resolute was meant to be on the far side of the former British colonies. Not one system away from New France.

“Admiral, I’m sorry, did I disturb you?” Davenport asked when he didn’t reply over their COM channel.

Her words shook James into action. “I’m on my way,” he replied. As he stood, he couldn’t help but share a glance with Fox. He saw his concern reflected in his steward’s face. “Don’t worry, we don’t know anything yet,” he said weakly. Fox nodded, but if he had planned to say anything, James didn’t give him the chance. He was already moving out of his quarters and rushing towards the bridge. “What is it? Is Resolute okay?” he asked as soon the bridge’s hatch swished open.

Davenport swung around at the tone in James’ voice. “She’s okay Admiral. She has brought back a report from her patrol though. It is quite concerning. Do you know someone on board?”

“You could say that,” James replied. His fear didn’t leave him until he sat in his command chair and was able to see Resolute on the holo display. Two frigates flanked the cruiser and all three of them were moving to join up with Oblivion. “Just what news have they brought?”

“I’ll let my Chief of Staff update you,” Davenport replied. “He has been going through the report.”

James turned to Commander Hoover and nodded. Though the man was an experienced Commander, he blushed slightly. It annoyed James. He had spent the last two weeks working closely with Davenport’s command staff. It was time they got used to having him around. He kept his irritation to himself, however.

“Resolute was tasked with carrying out an extended patrol along our eastern border. There’s been an increase in pirate activity stretching down from The Wilds over the last several months,” Hoover explained.

“I’m well aware Commander,” James responded.

“Of course Admiral,” Hoover said, his cheek turning a little red again. “Well, Domingo, Resolute’s Captain, has stirred up a hornet’s nest. They came across the wreck of a freighter and managed to hunt down the pirate ship that had attacked it. When they did, it turned out two pirate ships were offloading their cargo to a third pirate freighter. Resolute managed to destroy one of the ships and capture the other two. One was sent back to Britannia, but the other had navigational data on it that led Resolute to a pirate base in the Zika Seven system. Using the captured ship, Domingo and her crew infiltrated the Pirate base, captured another pirate ship, and destroyed the rest that were there. In total, eight pirate ships were taken out.”

James let out a whistle, his fear replaced by relief. “That is quite the feat. Captain Domingo and her crew deserve quite the congratulations.”

“That’s not all Admiral,” Hoover said, his tone not matching James’. It made James sit forward in his command chair. “One of the ships that Domingo captured, it’s identical to the purpose-built warships Teal used to take control of the New France system.” On the holo display in front of James, the image changed to show a destroyer making its way out from the inside of what was clearly a hollowed-out asteroid. It did look identical to the ones that had been spotted in New France.

James’ teeth clamped together. Things suddenly fell into place. The increased pirate activity, the focus of the attacks on freighters carrying military cargo, it hadn’t been down to chance. Nor had it been other alien species trying to capture human technology. It had been Teal and his allies all along. Now he understood how Teal had managed to build up a small fleet of purpose-built warships and arm so many of his freighters. He had been the one launching attacks on Imperial shipping. He had clearly been building pirate bases out beyond the Empire’s borders. Bases capable of building such ships, James thought as his hands clenched into fists. His mind continued to whirl. “When did Resolute encounter the ships?”

“Two months ago Admiral,” Hoover answered.

James nodded. Teal’s attack on New France had come almost immediately after he would have reached the system after fleeing from Earth. He wouldn’t have had time to send word to Zika Seven and call in the pirate ships he had there. Which means he had a force stationed closer by. It also meant he may have even more ships coming in from out beyond the Empire’s borders. He could have been reinforced already, James realized. Another thought made James frown. It shouldn’t have taken Resolute two months to reach the Aurora System. “What delayed Resolute? And where is this pirate destroyer they captured? I’d very much like to get a look at its specs.”

“We have its specs Admiral, but I’m afraid the whereabouts of the pirate destroyer is unknown,” Hoover replied. “That’s why Resolute was delayed. Resolute and the captured destroyer split up during the attack on the pirate asteroid. They pursued different pirate ships that were trying to escape. Captain Domingo gave the prize crew on board the captured destroyer the authority to pursue a pirate ship into the next system. However, it never returned. After dispatching the pirate ships she was after and waiting several days for the captured ship to return, Domingo went searching for it. When she came across the two frigates currently in formation with Resolute, she co-opted them into the search as well. Yet they were unsuccessful. They weren’t able to find any sign of the captured ship or the pirate vessel it was chasing.”

Suddenly, the sinking feeling in James’ stomach returned. His voice cracked as he spoke. “The prize crew, who were they?”

“Hold on Admiral,” Hoover said as he turned back to his console and pulled up the information. “The prize crew was led by a Lieutenant Jake Jackson, Resolute’s Third Lieutenant. Resolute’s Fourth Lieutenant, Lydia Morrison was assisting him. Do you want the names of the other senior officers?” James couldn’t breathe. Yet his heart suddenly began to race. Oblivion’s massive bridge started to make him feel claustrophobic, like the bulkheads were closing in around him. “Admiral, are you all right?” Hoover asked. James didn’t hear him. Davenport tried to speak to him as well. None of their words registered. Even the anger James had been harboring at Teal since before leaving Earth vanished. In his mind, he was recalling the last time he had seen Lieutenant Jake Jackson, just before he had set off to rendezvous with Resolute. James couldn’t shake the image. Closing his eyes only made it sharper. In his mind, Jake was being hugged by his mother. The concern that Christine had been trying to hide from her son hadn’t escaped James at the time. Now, in his mind, it seemed far worse than he remembered. What am I going to tell her? James asked with despair.

Chapter 22

The list of Human colonies that have been obliterated by nuclear weapons is thankfully not a long one. Yet even one name is more than there ever should have been. Every naval cadet would do well to study each incident, and then equip themselves to never let it happen again.

-Excerpt from Empire Ascendant 3015 AD.

Python, Chennai system.

“What do we do?” Lydia asked, her voice full of confusion. “If Chennai really is trying to secede, can we reveal ourselves? They could attack us.”

“Python wouldn’t stand a chance,” Jake said, finishing her thought.

“What if we told them about the Flex-aor, surely they would let us past then?” McKay suggested.

“And what if they don’t?” Jake countered. He shook his head. “It’s too risky. We aren’t strong enough to fight them off, and we can’t allow them to waylay us. For all we know, they’d just think we were bluffing about the Flex-aor and try and capture us. If they really are attempting to secede, they’ll want to get their hands on as many military ships as possible. Even damaged, Python will be a prize. We have no choice; we have to try and sneak through the system. It will be a further delay, but we can’t help that. I think we can assume the shift gate is closed to us as well. So plot us a course to the New Delhi shift passage. Keep us as far away from all the ships in the system as possible.”

“Working on a course now,” Lydia replied. “It’s going to be a complicated one.”

Moments later, Jake saw just what she meant as the holo display updated to project the course Lydia was proposing. He grimaced as he studied it. It was going to take twenty-two hours for Python to pass through the system. For nearly a minute, he studied it closely, hoping he could see one or two changes he could make to cut some corners. Yet there was none. “Very well,” he said with a sigh. “This is as good as it’s going to get. Take us in.”

“Aye Lieutenant,” Lydia responded.

As Python began to move, Jake joined Lydia and Becca as they began to scan through all the COM messages Python’s sensors were picking up. Most were mundane. Over the course of the next four hours however, they began to build up a picture of what was happening within the Chennai system. To Jake’s shock, they learned that Chennai wasn’t the only planet that was attempting to secede. At least a dozen other planets were. For someone who loved the Empire dearly, it hurt Jake to realize so many wanted to leave. Right now though, of more concern was the prospect that not just Chennai was trying to secede, but New Delhi and several other systems that were between Python and Earth. The prospect of having to sneak through all of them and the delays that would inevitably result put Jake in an even worse mood.

“Hey, look at this,” Lydia said as she sent a recording over to Jake’s command chair. “Not everyone on Chennai is on board with this new route their leadership is trying to take.”

Jake watched the recording. It was a mash-up of more than a dozen people laying out short arguments against secession. As it finished, the recording called for a mass protest against the undemocratic attempts to remove Chennai from the Empire. “Well, that’s a little encouraging,” Jake admitted. “Though it could just be a fringe element. And each of those people could already be under arrest.” From the recordings, they knew martial law had been declared on Chennai, and a curfew put in place. That was just the kind of circumstances that allowed those in power to systematically apprehend anyone they thought a threat to the new regime.

“Or it could represent the view of the masses,” Lydia suggested, trying to be more optimistic. “I’m sure the authorities are trying to suppress anything like this. That would make it hard to know just what way public opinion is really leaning.”

“But what does it matter if it’s being suppressed?” McKay countered. “Even if everyone feels like this, if they are kept isolated, they will never know they could band together to fight back.”

“And if New Delhi and the other nearby colonies are all on board with this, what good would protesting or even fighting accomplish?” Becca followed up. “A division of New Delhi’s Colonial Militia could be shipped in to pacify any protests.”

Jake shook his head again. The whole situation was a mess. Right when the Flex-aor were raising their ugly heads again, the very sectors of the Empire they were likely to target were crumbling. And if the Flex-aor do attack, it will draw away a significant proportion of our forces from the border with Karacknid space, Jake realized. “I wish we could do more, but we can’t. We’re just a small cog in all this. All we can do is try our best to get our warning to where it is needed most. Or at least to where it will be listened to.”

“Hold that thought,” Lydia said, her voice taking on a tone of concern. “Contact Sierra-six, it’s altering course towards us.”

Jake swung around towards the holo display. He had to stop himself from swearing. Sierra-six was one of Python’s sister ships. It was now heading right for them! “Our stealth capabilities must be more compromised than we thought,” he groaned. Desperately, he checked the distance to the next shift passage. He groaned again. Even if he pushed Python’s engine as hard as he could, they could not outrun the destroyer. “We have no choice. Bring our reactor and engine up to full. Increase acceleration rate to our maximum. Open a COM channel.” Though he hated doing it, when Lydia nodded to him, Jake didn’t refer to the ship’s crew as pirates. “Chennai destroyer. This is the Imperial destroyer Python. We have been in a battle with a Flex-aor ship beyond the borders of Imperial space. We are bringing vital intelligence about a possible Flex-aor attack on Chennai and the other nearby colonies. We have no wish to become involved in your quest for secession. As far as I am concerned, that is between your people and the Imperial Houses of Parliament. All we ask is for safe passage to New Delhi to deliver our news.”

It took several minutes for a reply to come back. When it did, Jake had it played on the main holo display. The woman who sat in a Captain’s command chair identical to the one Jake was sitting in looked every inch like the pirate Jake knew she really was. Her uniform was made up of mismatched pieces of clothing and her hair was slightly disheveled. Most telling of all were her eyes, they stared at Jake with a predatory gaze. “Python, you have entered Chennai space without authorization,” she said. “Neither the Imperial government, nor it’s Navy, are recognized here. Power down your reactor and cut your engines. Your ship is being impounded. Your crew will be taken into custody. No harm will befall you if you do not resist. If you do, then I can give you no promises.”

Jake ground his teeth together. “I have no time for messing around. The news I have to deliver is far more important than me or you. The Flex-aor could have a battlefleet nearby. We are all in danger. Please, let us past. We do not wish to fight you.”

This time the pilot responded immediately. The message began with her laughing. “What kind of fool do you take me for Lieutenant? Why would a non-imperial built warship, commanded by nothing more than a Lieutenant, be bearing such important news? Confess. You stole that ship somehow and were trying to sneak back to your precious Earth. You are a spy, nothing more. Now cut your engines or be destroyed.”

Jake looked around at his fellow officers desperately. “She is not listening. She is going to kill us all.”

“If it comes to a fight, I’d bet on our people over her any day,” Lydia said as she raised her chin. “We might be badly damaged, but we still have a missile tube and some point defenses. Maybe we could damage her ship enough to escape.”

Jake shook his head. “We’d all be killed. And even if we succeeded, other ships would hunt us down.”

“Then we share all our sensor data with them,” McKay suggested. “If they see that we tracked a Karacknid freighter and then engaged the Flex-aor freighter and the unknown alien vessel, they’ll see we are not lying.”

Jake doubted it would change anything, but it was worth a try. “Do it,” he said as he nodded to McKay.

“We still have my marines,” Becca said. “If they won’t listen, we can cut our engines. Then when they try to board us, we can board them instead. There’s no way I’m going into custody without a fight.”

Jake liked that idea a little better. Yet it was still extremely risky. The other destroyer could simply veer off and blast Python with her plasma cannons when they realized what was happening. “Make the preparations,” he ordered Becca. “It’s a last resort, but you’re right, we can’t be taken into custody. Not unless we’re sure they’re going to pass on our intelligence to New Delhi.”

“We’re being hailed again,” Lydia reported.

“Let’s speak to them,” Jake replied.

This time, the pirate Captain had a grin on her face. “I have to hand it to you Lieutenant, you know how to spin a good story. Maybe I’ll host you for dinner once I take you into custody. It would be fun hearing you tell me all that in person.” She leaned forward and the smile fell from her face. “Your lies change nothing, however. Cut your engines, now!”

Jake felt panic racing through him. He couldn’t defeat the pirate vessel, nor could he convince its Captain to let him go. Could he risk trying to fight the pirate ship or board it when the death of his ship would mean their vital intelligence wouldn’t reach Earth? Damn the secessionists! Jake cursed. Damn them and their hatred for Earth and for my parents! Jake froze. A thought occurred to him. Maybe, just maybe it might give them a chance. And if it doesn’t, then they might be willing to barter for Python’s freedom, he realized. With a COM channel still open with the pirate vessel, Jake reached up to his face and sunk his fingernails into his prosthetic chin. With a grunt, he ripped it away. Then he moved to his nose and pulled the prosthetic from it as well. Finally, he ripped away his prosthetic forehead. Looking back up, he stared at the pirate Captain straight in the face. “If you won’t listen to me as a Lieutenant, then listen to me for who I really am. Jonathan Bartholomew Somerville, son of Emperor and Empress Somerville, crown prince to the Imperial throne. I have vital intelligence I must bring to Earth; I order your ship to stand down and let us pass.”

Around Jake, gasps escaped the lips of pretty much every officer. Jake sensed them all staring at him in wonder. He felt bad that he had deceived them for so long. Yet his eyes never left the pirate Captain’s. For the briefest of seconds, shock rippled across her face. It quickly disappeared. She shook her head again. “This is another trick. An impressive one, but a trick nonetheless.”

Jake slowly raised his hand, then pressed it down onto his command chair. “I’m transmitting my handprint and DNA sequence to you now. That will confirm who I am.”

The pirate Captain waved her hand dismissively. “Those things can be faked. Trust me, I should know.” Before she could say anything more however, another muffled voice could be heard across the COM channel. The pirate Captain looked away for several seconds. Then the channel ended. Jake frowned. He couldn’t afford for the pirate to be wasting his time.

“Jake!” Lydia hissed.

When Jonathan turned to her, she was staring at him wide-eyed. He gave her a small smile. “I’m sorry for the subterfuge. It was my father’s idea, he wanted me to serve in the Navy without being treated as his son.”

“You mean… You mean this isn’t some kind of trick?” Lydia asked, her mouth hanging open.

Jonathan smiled at her again, then turned to look at Becca and McKay; they each looked just as surprised. Becca was the first to shake herself out of it. “Now it starts to make sense. Your augments. It wasn’t because you have some rich father. At least, that wasn’t the only reason.” Jake nodded. “And your insistence we didn’t land any strikes on the head during our bout.”

Jonathan nodded again. He then waved the prosthetic forehead he was still holding. “One good blow from you, and this would have been ruined.”

“But how did you get away with it?” McKay asked. “So many personnel files would have had to be altered.”

Jonathan couldn’t help but chuckle. “When your father is the Emperor and head of the Navy, and your cousin in law the head of Naval Intelligence, it’s not too hard.” He turned back to Lydia. She wouldn’t meet his eyes. “Lieutenant Morrison,” he said in a voice as close to his father’s as he could. “As your friend, I am asking you to forgive me. I’d rather that, than have to order you to as the Empire’s heir.”

Slowly, she did look up. Her cheeks were red. “Of course I forgive you,” she said. “It’s just, I didn’t realize. This changes everything.”

Jonathan shook his head firmly. “It changes nothing. Not among any of us,” he added as he glanced at McKay and Becca again. He couldn’t help but frown when he saw Becca was grinning at him. “What?”

“I was just thinking, I’m probably the first Marine to ever kick the butt of a sovereign,” Becca replied.

“I wouldn’t be so sure of that,” Jonathan said. “I have seen my dad and General Johnston spar with one another more than once. He has no problem laying Dad flat on his back. Come to think of it, when Dad does hear you beat me, he’ll probably hire you to be my personal trainer. He was always complaining the trainers I had in the Palace were too soft.” Something in Becca’s face changed. Jonathan frowned. “What’s the matter?”

“I just remembered something. I’m afraid I’ll owe you an apology, too. You see, someone hired me to train you. Our fight, I thought that was the best way to get you to accept my invitation to train together. I didn’t think you would otherwise. I guess I know who hired me now.”

Jonathan couldn’t help but laugh. His dad was always up to something behind the scenes. It had been the same throughout his entire life. For years, Jonathan had hated it. Yet since joining the navy, he had slowly but surely been coming to see that everything his father had taught him or forced him to go through had been preparing him for the real challenges he would face in life. I guess I have one more thing to add to the list, he told himself.

“We’re being hailed again Jake, eh, I mean Jonathan… sorry, Prince Jonathan,” Lydia stumbled.

“Cut that out immediately,” Jonathan warned her. “It’s Lieutenant, or Jonathan...” He waited for her to nod. “Now, let’s see what they have to say.”

“Putting it on the holo display now,” Lydia said, “it’s from the planet, not the pirate ship.”

This time, a man dressed in a far finer outfit appeared in front of them. “Prince Somerville, I am truly astonished that you have come to Chennai, and in such a beat-up ship. My name is Ragnus Dewan. I want to apologize for the tone of my Captain. You must understand, of course, these are delicate times politically. If you would, I would like to extend an invitation for you to visit Chennai. I will be able to protect you here, and we can send word to your mother and father that you are here. I’m sure we will be able to arrange your safe passage back to Earth in due time. If you join us, I will also guarantee the safe passage of your ship. It can return to New Delhi, and in due course, to Earth. If the intelligence you claim to have is correct, then ensuring it reaches Earth is of paramount importance.”

Jonathan smiled at the politician, for though he hadn’t identified himself, he was certain he was speaking to one. Growing up, his mother had as much influence on his training as his father. As a result, he knew exactly what was being discussed. If he surrendered himself, then Python could go free. Of course, why wouldn’t the politician be willing to make such a deal? Capturing the heir to the Imperial throne could massively swing the balance of power in any attempt to secede. Chennai and New Delhi could use Jonathan as a bargaining chip to gain their freedom. Jonathan knew that too. Yet the Flex-aor threat was the greater threat. Even if it meant being taken prisoner or possibly even killed, he knew he had to take the deal. He began to nod. “Very well, have your ship rendezvous with us.” The COM channel suddenly died. Jonathan swung around to Lydia. She was just taking her hand back from her console. “What are you doing?”

Her eyes flashed as she looked at him. “I’m not letting you do that your Highness. You are the heir to our Empire. We cannot let you fall into secessionist hands. It would be a national disaster. We are all sworn to serve your parents, and to protect you. We cannot break our oaths. If they really are serious about seceding, we’d be giving them the biggest bargaining chip they could ever dream of.”

“I concur,” Becca said. “Accepting that offer is madness. You know they just mean to take you prisoner?”

“Of course I know, why do you think I told them who I was?” Jonathan asked. “Surrendering myself is the only way I can get Python out of Chennai peacefully.”

“But you will be giving them just what they want,” McKay added.

“And if the Flex-aor attack, what will it matter if a planet is trying to secede or not?” Jonathan countered. “This is bigger than my rank or title.”

“But that’s exactly why we can’t hand you over and leave you here,” Lydia said, her voice was growing in forcefulness. “If the Flex-aor attack, you would be here, helpless. You would be killed with everyone else.”

“If that’s the price, then I’m willing to pay it to get our intelligence to Earth,” Jonathan said solemnly. “I’m the commanding officer here; I will hear no more arguments about this. The Chennai destroyer, is it not moving to rendezvous with us?” No one answered him for several seconds. “Is it not?” Jonathan repeated, adapting his father’s commanding tone again.

“Yes, it is approaching,” Lydia reluctantly admitted.

“Then move us alongside it, we will dock, and I will transfer across. Then you can be on your way,” Jonathan said. His words were greeted by silence. James could sense his officers sharing glances with one another. Yet none would look at him. Nevertheless, Python altered her heading in obedience to his command. As the two ships closed, the silence on the bridge got thicker and thicker. Lydia, Becket, and McKay were all typing furiously on their consoles. Jonathan guessed they were trying to come up with an argument to change his mind. Though it irked him, he left them to it. He knew they meant well. Over the last months, he had come to think of each of them as important friends. He hoped they still felt the same. In that light, their concern was touching. Yet they had to put it aside.

Suddenly, Becca unbuckled herself and jumped to her feet. “I need to see to my marines,” she announced. “We’ll secure the docking hatch to make sure the pirates don’t double-cross us and try to board us.” Jonathan thought Major Onoda could see to that, but he let her go.

Half an hour later, when both ships moved together and began to dock, Jonathan unbuckled himself. His action caused Lydia and McKay to swing around. He smiled at each of them and then took a moment to look over at the rest of his bridge officers. “It has been an honor to serve with all of you,” he said as he nodded to each of them. “We have accomplished far more than I thought possible. And with luck, you will be back in the Sol system in no time. Then my father can get a fleet together to kick the Flex-aor back to the stone age. Don’t worry, we’ll be reunited soon enou…”

“New contacts!” One of the sensors officers called out, interrupting Jonathan’s last moments with his friends. “Hundreds of new contacts!”

Jonathan swung around to the holo display. His heart fell. The display was filling up with new ships. They were coming from the shift passage Python had exited just hours ago. Every ship was of a strange design. Python’s computer couldn’t identify them. Yet he could. They were Flex-aor. They have brought forward their plans, Jonathan knew. Whatever attack they had been planning for the last thirty years, his encounter with their freighter had caused them to put it into action. And now Chennai will die.

“Look, everyone’s going crazy,” the same sensor officer announced.

Jonathan wasn’t surprised. All the Human ships in the system were scattering. The freighters were all turning towards the shift passage to New Delhi. Most of the warships were doing the same. Only a handful were heading back to Chennai. The ones manned by Chennai inhabitants rather than pirates, Jonathan guessed. They were going to protect their homeworld.

“The pirate destroyer is trying to undock with us,” McKay reported. “I think they want to get out of here.”

“Keep our docking clamps in place,” Lydia snapped.

“Our shuttle has just launched,” another officer announced.

“What? What is going on?” Jonathan demanded.

“This is the perfect opportunity,” Lydia replied without meeting his eyes. “And we can’t escape those ships on our own. Look how close they are, we don’t have the acceleration.”

“For what?” Jonathan asked. The holo display gave him his answer. It switched to show Python’s shuttle. Moving quickly, it flew up and over the pirate destroyer and clamped itself onto its starboard side. Jonathan knew who was in it, Becca and her special forces marines. No doubt Onoda also had several squads rushing across the docking umbilical to attack the pirate destroyer from one side, while Becca’s team cut their way into the destroyer from their shuttle and attacked from the other side. Without waiting for an answer from Lydia, Jonathan rushed out of the bridge. He quickly made his way to the docking hatch. Drawing his plasma pistol, he crossed into the other destroyer. Several bodies greeted him. They were all in ordinary flight suits. Before he got any further, his COM unit crackled. “This is Sergeant Samuels to all of Python’s crew. We have secured the pirate destroyer. Repeat, we have secured the pirate destroyer. Evacuate Python immediately.” Movement behind James made him swing around. Lydia was stepping onto the destroyer. She had a plasma pistol in one hand. Behind her, more of his crew followed.

She flashed him a smile. “Sorry to disobey you, Jonathan, but we weren’t going to leave you behind. If you’re upset, you’ll just have to report us to your father.”

Jonathan wanted to shout out to her. They had been planning to do this even before the Flex-aor had arrived! Trying to take the pirate ship had been risky, even for a squad of special forces marines. They could have gotten themselves all killed. Yet the Flex-aor have arrived, Jonathan reminded himself. That changed everything. They had to get out of the system as fast as they could. “To the bridge,” he said instead. “We need to remove the docking clamps and get underway!”

Matching action to words, he turned and sprinted towards the new ship’s bridge. Being identical to Python, it was easy to find the way. Becket and two marines were already on the bridge. They were pulling bodies out. “She’s all yours Lieutenant,” Becca said. “Most of the crew surrendered, we have them in one of the hangar bays.”

Jonathan shook his head, “I don’t know how you do it Sergeant. But you are a miracle worker.”

“Just make sure you get us out of here,” Becca replied. “We are not out of danger yet.”

“Right,” Jonathan said with a nod. “Everyone, to your consoles,” he ordered. As he moved over to the Captain’s command chair and began to input commands into its panels, it felt like stepping back in time. The ship, Jonathan realized he didn’t even know its name yet, was identical to how Python had been before the changes they had made to her. At least it won’t take us time to familiarize ourselves with her, Jonathan thought. “Set course for the New Delhi shift passage. Disengage from Python as soon as all of our crew are across. Then engage the engines at maximum military power. And check on that Flex-aor fleet!”

In less than a minute, their new ship disengaged from Python. Her maneuvering thrusters immediately spun the destroyer’s nose around towards the New Delhi shift passage. Then her forward impulse engines went to full power. As soon as they did, the ship’s computer plotted a course to the shift gate. Two hours and twenty minutes, Jonathan read. He immediately sought out the Flex-aor fleet. Anguish washed over him when he saw it. Eight hundred warships had now been detected. The vast majority of them were headed towards Chennai. The colony had just two Noble battlestations. Each was as powerful as an Imperial Dreadnought, but against eight hundred Flex-aor ships, they would be useless. The colony was doomed. As the holo display updated to project the course of the other Flex-aor ships, guilt was added to Jonathan’s anguish. Forty Flex-aor ships were racing across the system in an effort to catch and destroy every Human contact. Most weren’t going to make it out of the system alive. His ship was, though it would be close. And we don’t know just how much range they have on their missiles, Jonathan reminded himself. “We need to use the shift gate,” he said to his officers. “It will cut our travel time to New Delhi down by nearly a day. Contact them immediately. Order them to activate the gate, and then set its self-destruct. They can launch their shuttles and land in our hangar bay.”

“Contacting them now,” Lydia responded.

Jonathan nodded to her, then looked back at the Flex-aor fleet. Soon, everyone on the ship’s bridge was doing the same. As the alien ships approached Chennai, Jonathan’s hands clenched into fists and his whole body tensed. COM messages reached their ship. The same politician who had spoken to Jonathan was pleading with the Flex-aor to spare them. He was offering the surrender of his planet. The Flex-aor didn’t respond. At least, not with words. As soon as they got into range, they released a massive swarm of missiles. Jonathan wanted to close his eyes. His father had only spoken of the Karacknid’s nuclear attack on Earth once, but Jonathan could still remember the look on his face and the tone of his voice. Jonathan knew what he was about to see would haunt him. Nevertheless, he didn’t look away. He owed the people of Chennai that. Secessionist or not, they were still his people.

The first missiles saturated the point defensive fire of the two battlestations and then blew them apart. The rest, hundreds more, punched through Chennai’s atmosphere. All across the planet’s surface, large mushroom clouds erupted into the sky. It seemed completely surreal. Like something Jonathan had seen in a holo drama. Yet he knew it wasn’t. The anger and rage pumping through his body told him it was real. In the space of seconds, Jonathan watched as Chennai went from a green and orange pristine world, to a nuclear wasteland. He shook his head as a tear ran down his cheek. Tens of millions of humans had just been wiped out, and for what? Their deaths served no purpose. They are pure evil, he growled to himself. Not once in Humanity’s brief war with the Flex-aor had Humanity bombarded a Flex-aor planet, nor in the thirty years they had occupied their systems. Yet seemingly, that meant nothing to the Flex-aor. They have killed them all, Jonathan thought. Murderers! Despite his rage, other thoughts began to filter into his mind. Suddenly, so much of what he hadn’t understood about his childhood made sense. All his life, both his parents had seemed driven beyond anything he could grasp. Whilst he knew they hadn’t neglected him, growing up, time and time again he had watched them spend hours upon hours serving the Empire. They had explained to him many times, but only now did he truly see it. If he could, he would have done anything to save Chennai. Or if not save them, to avenge them, Jonathan thought as he remembered the anger with which his father often spoke of Tanaka-lan. His mind then turned to New Delhi. The planet was home to over a billion colonists. If the Flex-aor managed to breach its defenses, the destruction they would ravage there would outstrip Chennai by a factor of twenty. “We must get there ahead of them,” he found himself saying out loud. “We must get there and prepare to fight. We are not letting this happen again!”

Though no one responded directly to his words, Jonathan knew his friends well enough to sense they were all thinking the same. The atmosphere on the ship’s bridge was full of rage. While no one spoke as their destroyer cruised up to the shift gate, took on three shuttles, and then used the gate to jump into shift space, words weren’t necessary. No one took their eyes from the Flex-aor fleet. They were all of one mind. Whatever it took, they intended to see the Flex-aor ships wiped from existence.

Chapter 23

Every Emperor and Empress has faced the same dilemma with their children; how does one raise a child to lead Humanity without spoiling them? More often than not, our leaders have answered this question by sending their children to serve in the Fleet and Marines. This has resulted in tragedy on more than one occasion.

-Excerpt from Empire Ascendant 3015 AD.

IS Oblivion, Aurora System, (three hours earlier).

“Did you know someone on the crew of the prize ship Admiral?” Davenport asked James. From the tone of her voice, he could tell she was trying to be careful.

James closed his eyes. He couldn’t handle the pain and loss that was assaulting him. Throughout the Karacknid War, he had lost many friends. Before that, he had lost his first wife. More than once over those years, the anguish had threatened to overwhelm him. All of it now seemed ludicrously trivial compared to what he was feeling. Jonathan was gone. His first son.

“Is it this Jake Jackson?” Davenport pressed.

James opened his eyes. When he looked at Davenport, she flinched back. “Jake is Jonathan,” he moaned as it all came pouring out of him. “I wanted him to experience life as a naval officer without everyone looking at him as my son. Now he is gone.” Saying it out loud completely deflated James. He turned away from Davenport as his hands clenched into fists. What a fool he had been! If he had let everyone know who Jake was, Jonathan likely never would have been assigned to such a dangerous mission. Certainly Resolute’s Captain wouldn’t have put him in charge of a captured pirate vessel. You condemned him! James cursed himself.

“I’m so sorry Admiral,” Davenport said, shock filling her voice. “I had no idea. We can send out a search squadron at once. We don’t need all the ships we have with us. We could spare twenty or more to go and search the area more thoroughly.”

James felt Davenport’s words elicit hope within him. Like an ember trying to catch alight, it flickered and strengthened. His own thoughts blew it out. “We can’t spare any ships, not to go on a wild goose hunt. Resolute searched the area already. They would have discovered the prize ship if it was there. Either it’s been destroyed, or Jonathan took it further afield. If it’s the latter, we would need a hundred more ships to carry out a thorough search.”

“One thing Resolute’s report doesn’t include is finding any debris,” Hoover said, trying to be helpful. “That is positive, surely. If your son took the prize ship to another system, then he could be safe and well.”

James wanted to believe that. Yet it made no sense. If Jonathan had been trying to hunt down a pirate ship, either the ship had escaped or Jonathan had destroyed it. Either way, Jonathan should have returned to Resolute. Even if the prize ship had been damaged, Resolute would have found them when she came looking. No, the most likely explanation was the one he feared the most. Jonathan’s ship had been destroyed or even captured by pirates. No! he told himself, not by pirates, by Teal’s people. Anger swelled within him. He could picture it now. Jonathan had no doubt charged after the fleeing pirate ship and probably walked into some kind of trap. He would have had no idea that he was up against an organized secessionist force rather than a group of independent pirates.

“What is going on?” Nicholls asked as she stepped onto the bridge.

James couldn’t bring himself to tell her. After a few moments of silence, Davenport explained. “We have just rendezvoused with the cruiser Resolute. It’s not good news.”

“No,” Nicholls said as she moved to James’ aside. “Not Jonathan. What has happened?”

“Resolute captured a pirate ship,” Davenport answered. “Captain Domingo put Jonathan in charge and Jonathan pursued another pirate ship into an adjacent system. Nothing has been heard of them since.”

Nicholls placed a hand on James’ shoulder. “But we don’t know anything more?”

“We know he should have returned weeks and weeks ago,” James said. “There is only one reason he hasn’t.”

“Nonsense,” Nicholls said sternly. “There are a hundred reasons. I never served with you in the war, but I’ve heard all the stories. There are literally hundreds of reasons Jonathan might have taken his ship somewhere else.”

James felt his hope flickering again. “But there’s just as many reasons to think his ship has been lost,” he countered.

“But we don’t know anything,” Davenport said. “We need to send more ships to search for him.”

James closed his eyes again. Despite his voiced pessimism, he desperately wanted to dispatch his entire fleet to search. If there is even a slim chance that Jonathan was still alive somewhere, he wanted to move heaven and earth to find him. Yet he couldn’t bring himself to give the order. Doing so would be abandoning the mission they had left Earth for. He was Humanity’s Emperor. He had to think of the Empire first and his family second. The danger Teal and the other secessionists posed to the Empire’s economy and military strength was just as real as it had been before Resolute had sent across her report. How could he commit the whole fleet to a possibly fruitless search that would take months? It would give Teal time to cement his position, both politically and militarily.

“If Jonathan’s ship is damaged somewhere, there could be no time to spare,” Nicholls insisted. “I agree with Admiral Davenport, we should dispatch ships immediately. The more, the better.”

James shook his head. “No, we can’t,” he said as he opened his eyes again. Everyone on Oblivion’s bridge was staring at him. As he looked around, they all looked down, but he sensed them coming up again after his gaze passed over each of them. Finally, he turned to Nicholls. “To search the area of space we are talking about would take all of our fleet and more. Be honest, you know we can’t do that. We can’t give Teal any more time than he has already had. Stopping this secession is more important than Jonathan’s life.”

Davenport sighed. James could see she was trying to find an argument to refute him. When she screwed up her face, he knew she had failed. “Okay, you’re right. We can’t just abandon everything and go running after him. But we shouldn’t lose hope either. We don’t know something bad has happened. That means we shouldn’t jump to conclusions. We should dispatch as many ships as we can spare to go look for him. He is not just your son remember; he is the heir to the Imperial throne. Finding him is crucial.”

“I am in agreement,” Davenport said. “With your permission Admiral, I’d like to dispatch Resolute and a squadron of destroyers and frigates to resume the search. Now that they know who Jake is, I’m sure they will redouble their efforts.”

James nodded as he began to allow his hope to kindle again. This time, he didn’t squash it with his own words. “Yes, we can spare some ships I’m sure.” His voice hardened, “And if Teal has more forces than we’re expecting, then we’ll just have to crush them. It was his ships that Jonathan was hunting. I am going to make Teal pay.”

Nicholls nodded to Davenport, “Write up the orders now Admiral.”

“We could also put a reward out for locating the pirate ship,” Hoover suggested. “There are plenty of adventures out there with their own ships. If we put out a high enough reward, they will scour the nearby systems as well.”

“An excellent idea,” Nicholls replied. “I’ll make those arrangements immediately.” She turned back to James and placed a hand on his shoulder. “I am so sorry James, but now is not the time to lose hope. We will deal with Teal swiftly, and then we can join the search for Jonathan if he hasn’t been found by then.”

Though James still felt like a massive hole was opening before him, threatening to suck him into a pit of loss and despair, he clung to the hope Nicholls and Davenport had given him. He may yet be alive, he told himself. Think of all the scrapes you managed to get yourself out of. “Yes,” he said, surprising himself by how confident he sounded. “We will crush Teal and find my son.”

Nicholls smiled at him as she squeezed his shoulder again. She leaned in closer and whispered to him. “You should contact Georgia; she should hear this from you.”

James’ heart filled with emotion. He and Christine had kept Jonathan’s service with the Imperial Fleet hidden from his younger siblings. They hadn’t wanted them to have to keep his secret. He knew Georgia would be mad at him for the lies. Yet she will be even more scared than me, he was just as certain. “Yes, of course, I’ll speak to her immediately,” James said as he reached up and tapped Nicholls’ hand on his shoulder. “Thank you,” he said as he gave her a nod.

“Go now Admiral, we’ll handle things here,” Nicholls insisted.

James wasn’t going to argue. “Set course for New France, maximum velocity,” he ordered before he stood. “We are going to get this over with as quickly as possible.”

*

Oblivion, New France, 27th November 2508 AD, (two days later).

“Firefly has just returned Admiral,” Oblivion’s sensor officer reported. “She’s transmitting her sensor data now.”

“Put it on the holo display,” Davenport ordered. Seconds later, everything the scout ship had detected within the New France system was visible to James and Oblivion’s bridge officers.

“Twelve ships patrolling the shift passage,” a tactical officer announced. “Four more are guarding the shift gate.”

James studied the display in silence for a couple of minutes. He wasn’t just interested in the secessionist ships guarding the shift passage, he wanted to assess the forces deeper in the system. Oblivion’s computer identified a further forty-two armed vessels. Most were in orbit around New France. The fact that they were scattered amidst New France’s orbital battlestations told James the battlestations had all been taken over. Either their crews had joined the mutiny, or they had been replaced. His mind went to Jonathan as he ground his teeth together in frustration. If his son still was out beyond the Empire’s borders, either in a damaged ship or a pirate’s prisoner, he wasn’t going to be able to go searching for him any time soon. Teal had a strong force, and if the battlestations were willing to put up a fight, James didn’t have the ships to take them on. James squared his jaw. He wasn’t going to let battlestations he had built delay him from searching for his son. “Jump us in,” James ordered. “Just out of missile range of their patrols.” In seconds Davenport’s fleet carried out the micro jump into the system. “Order them to surrender,” James snapped.

At once, Davenport opened a COM channel. “This is Admiral Davenport, commander of Home Fleet. All ships patrolling the Aurora shift passage are to stand down immediately. Failure to do so will be taken as a hostile act. Surrender or be destroyed.”

“No response Admiral,” Oblivion’s COM officer announced moments later.

Davenport glanced at James. He nodded. “Take us in,” Davenport ordered.

“They are scattering!” A sensor officer reported.

James smiled. The only opposition any of the secessionist ships had likely faced so far would have been from irate freighter Captains. Now they had eighty warships bearing down on them. Suddenly, their courage had evaporated. “Take the ones we can reach,” James said.

“Dispatch Commodore Osami’s forces,” Davenport commanded.

From the forward elements of Home Fleet, two groups of six frigates suddenly started to race ahead. They easily began to gain on the nearest secessionist ships. “Missile launches,” an officer announced. Two of the secessionists had opened fire. They were the two purpose-built warships within the secessionist squadron. Crewed by pirates, James guessed. Each secessionist destroyer released four missiles towards one of Osami’s groups of frigates. Their fire was sloppy and uncoordinated however. The first group of four missiles would reach the frigates five seconds before the second group. Just seconds later and the six frigates returned fire. Each frigate was armed with three missile tubes, and so the six of them released eighteen mark VIII missiles towards the destroyers. With higher acceleration rates, the mark VIII missiles closed the distance first. The destroyers tried to shoot them down, but they failed miserably. Both were flashed into debris as the missiles detonated. They pumped their thermonuclear energy into focusing crystals and slammed upwards of twenty laser beams into each destroyer.

Though their motherships were dead, the secessionist missiles continued on towards the frigates. Almost casually, the two groups of six frigates altered formation to receive the missiles. Before they opened fire, a new group of contacts sped past them. James sat forward in his command chair out of interest. The new contacts were gunships. About four times the size of a standard Hellcat fighter, they were designed for one thing: engaging enemy missiles. Moving ahead of the frigates, the gunships slowed, then turned around and charged back towards the frigates. The enemy missiles quickly caught up with them. As soon as they were in range, the gunships opened fire. Travelling along the same trajectory as the missiles, the gunships had sixteen seconds to engage the missiles. Each gunship fired four AM missiles, and then they opened up with their twin turbolaser cannons. Hundreds of low-powered laser beams assaulted the secessionist missiles. Sensing the incoming ordnance, the missiles started to carry out evasive maneuvers. None of the first four managed to dodge what was fired at them. Just one from the second group of missiles did; however, the first salvo of AM missiles from the frigates vaporized it.

“Amateurs,” Davenport said as she shook her head. “They have no idea what they’re up against.”

“Repeat the order for them to surrender,” James requested. As angry as he was at Teal, every ship they destroyed would be killing more Imperial citizens. It brought James no pleasure seeing them die.

Despite the second warning, none of the fleeing ships cut their engines. Osami’s frigates opened fire on three more. The secession ships weren’t even able to return fire, clearly not equipped with missiles that had a long enough range to engage. Stubbornly, two of the ships tried to shoot down the missiles, and then carried out evasive maneuvers when their point defensive fire failed. Both succumbed to Osami’s attack. At the last moment, the third ship cut its engines. For a moment, James thought they had acted too late. But then self-destruct instructions reached the missiles and they detonated just seconds away from striking the secessionist ship.

“We’ve got movement from New France,” a sensor officer announced. “Multiple ships breaking orbit.”

“Someone knows what they’re doing,” Davenport commented.

“What do you mean?” Nicholls asked.

“They’re moving out to protect the ships that are fleeing. We can’t catch them, only Osami can. Yet Osami’s frigates can’t engage that many secessionist warships. He’ll have to pull back.”

“Three more are cutting their engines,” an officer reported. “They are the ones that Osami will be able to bring into range before the other secessionists can engage him.”

“Send boarding parties to each of the surrendered ships,” James ordered. “I want their crews taken off and interrogated. Get every scrap of intelligence out of them we can. Order Osami to pull back.”

“What about the forces coming from New France, shall we attack them?” Davenport asked. “We could strike them with our fighters, and then push our faster ships forward. They should be able to catch any ships our fighter strike damages before they get back to New France.”

James considered it. There was a decent chance they could knock out a quarter or even a third of the secessionist ships. Yet it would be putting his fighters in significant danger. James shook his head. “No, we will hold them back for now. We may need our fighters to assault the planet, or when we get to New Delhi. Let us try something else first.” He glanced at Nicholls. She was sitting just to his left. His Chief of Staff had pleaded with him on the journey from Aurora to try one last time for a diplomatic solution. He gave her a nod. Realizing what it meant, she smiled back at him. “Open a systemwide COM channel, I want everyone in the system to hear me,” James requested.

“We’re being hailed ourselves Admiral,” a COM officer reported. “It’s coming from a pleasure yacht called Midas Touch, I believe it is owned by Cornelius Teal. The COM channel is unencrypted. The whole system will be able to listen in.”

James took a deep breath. As he exhaled, it came out as a grunt. He had no desire to speak to the traitorous industrialist. Nicholls cleared her throat beside him. He understood. If they wanted to discuss terms, James had to hear him out. “Fine, put him on.”

When Teal’s face appeared on the main holo display, James had to fight to keep his hands from clenching into fists. He knew his whole body would be visible to the secessionist, and he didn’t want to give his opponent the satisfaction of knowing how much James hated him. Beside Teal, François Garnier sat looking almost as smug. The sight of the both of them enraged James further. “Emperor,” Teal said, sounding far calmer than he should have. It put James even more on edge. “What a pleasant surprise. And I see you have brought some friends. I suppose we should have expected this. You conquered our neighbor New Delhi twenty-five years ago and forced them into your Empire. Now you are here to do the same to us, I presume?” Before James could reply, Teal’s tone turned aggressive. “Who do you think you are Somerville? The people of New France have rejected you. This system and its citizens are no longer your playthings to do with as you wish. Take your war fleet and be gone. We, nor any of the other planets who have decided to secede from your Empire, will be your slaves any longer. You have already murdered some of our people. Do not turn yourself into more of a war criminal. Nobody wants you here. Leave and do not force us to defend ourselves from your illegal invasion.”

James wanted to scream at Teal. He wanted to hurl insult after insult at him. Though he didn’t turn around, he could sense Nicholls’ agitation. She didn’t have to guess to know how he was feeling. Instead of giving into the temptation to argue though, he took a deep breath to calm his thoughts. Then he spoke with as clear and level a voice as he could manage. In his mind, he was trying to mimic how Christine often addressed those she disagreed with. “Teal, Garnier, you are both criminals. Under Imperial law, I intend to arrest you. Neither I nor anyone else in the Empire believes your lies. Your very actions now show them to be what they are. Why is it that you, Cornelius Teal, speak to me in this way? Who elected you? You’re not even from New France, and yet, you speak as if you own the system. You are nothing more than a pathetic, little, power-hungry man using the people of New France for your own selfish desires. And Garnier, you once represented your people’s interests, why then are you playing second fiddle to a rich, would-be tyrant? Has he bought you off?” James held up his hand to prevent any reply. “I’ve already heard enough. I took your call to give you the chance to discuss your surrender. Clearly, you have no interest in that. I came here to speak to the Empire’s citizens, to my people, not to traitors.” With a wave of his hand, James ordered the COM channel cut. “Open our own systemwide channel,” he ordered.

Chapter 24

There are times when swift military action is needed to stave off disaster, and yet, others where words can cut deeper than any grazer beam. The challenge for naval cadets and fleet commanders alike, is to determine just which weapon they should employ.

-Excerpt from Empire Ascendant 3015 AD.

“COM channel to the system open Admiral,” a COM officer replied to James’ request.

James looked at the holo recorder with a grave expression on his face. “People of New France, I have come to deliver this message to you in person, because I have taken an oath to serve and protect each and every one of you. I therefore owe you the truth. Your planet, and each and every one of you, along with the entire Empire, are at a serious crossroads. Twenty years ago, the Karacknids had the strength and the desire to conquer, kill, and enslave every single one of us. Only the most daring attack by our fleet and a great deal of luck averted that disaster. Yet the threat has not waned. In fact, it has only increased. The intelligence reports our scouts bring back from the Karacknid Empire have been made public for years now. You are all aware of how the Karacknid civil war is going. Even as each side fights one another, they continue to improve their economies, build up their shipbuilding capacity, and enlarge their fleets. Sooner or later, one side will win. Then the Karacknid Empire will be united once again, and though its borders may have shrunk, its strength will only have increased. For twenty years now, we have done all that we can to prepare ourselves for when that day comes. Our economy and our fleet have been designed to do one thing, to stand in the breach, face the Karacknids, and protect you, our people. Yes, I know, this has meant hardships for us all. Yet that is the price we must pay for our future.

“This Karacknid threat has tied all of our worlds far closer together than they once were. Here in New France and in your neighboring planets, because you’re so far from the frontline, much of our shipbuilding and other industrial nodes have been constructed. Whereas near the frontline, much more of our fleet bases, battlestations and supply depots have been built. The Empire has been designed to work as one functioning economy and in times of conflict, one war machine. For this reason, it cannot be split apart, at least, not as Teal and Garnier think that it can. By wrenching New France, New Delhi, and the other secessionist planets from the Empire, you will wreck our economy and our fleet. This will not just be to the detriment of the frontline colonies, it will be to all of our detriment. For if the frontline colonies fall, all of Humanity’s colonies will fall. We stand or fall together.

“That said, I am not indifferent to the concerns and complaints you have against the Empire. It is for this reason that all three Houses of the Imperial Parliament have passed an amendment to our constitution giving New France and any other planet that wishes, the means to carry out a peaceful exit from the Empire. An exit that will be democratic and ensure that the Empire’s defenses and so your planet’s defenses do not crumble in the process. What Teal and Garnier have done is nothing short of treason. They have put their selfish desire for power above your needs and the needs of every citizen of the Empire. As your Emperor therefore, I am calling on every citizen of the New France system to reject Teal, Garnier, and their lackeys. Remove them from their positions of power and free yourselves from their attempted tyranny. Then, if you desire, I give you my word, you may hold your own elections and choose to leave the Empire as our constitution now allows.”

James took a moment to take a breath. He then looked unblinkingly at the holo recorder. “Let me finish by being honest with you all. This is not a threat, nor even a warning. I am simply telling you what I must do to uphold my oath to you and to the rest of the Empire’s citizens. If Teal and Garnier are not removed, I will have no choice but to remove them myself. That is why I’m here with Home Fleet. One way or another, New France and its shipyards and industrial nodes will continue to serve the fleet’s needs. I cannot allow anything less. I have no desire to enter into conflict with your planet or its defenses, but I will not hesitate if the Empire’s safety is threatened. Let me also share this with you, my eldest son, Jonathan Somerville, has just been reported missing. He was serving on an Imperial cruiser out beyond our borders. His ship is now lost.” Though he tried not to show any emotion, James’ voice broke. He had to pause for a moment to collect himself. “With every fiber of my being, I want to rush to the system he was last spotted in with all of Home Fleet and search for him. And yet, I am here. My duty to the Empire and to all of you means that I must be here.

“I urge you therefore to reject Teal and Garnier. Twenty-five years ago, you all voted overwhelmingly to join the Empire. Remember what drove you to do so then. Remember that you are a valued part of our Empire. Remember what we may all lose if our strength is weakened. I trust each and every one of you to do what is right. I will always serve and protect you, the people of New France. Please, I beg of you, do not force me to begin military operations to remove Teal and Garnier from the positions of power they have stolen. It will not end well for any of us.”

“Well done Emperor,” Nicholls said enthusiastically as soon as the COM channel was cut. “You spoke well.”

James took a moment to collect himself. He then turned to her and raised an eyebrow. “You sound surprised? Or maybe relieved?”

Nicholls shook her head. “I was worried for a moment. Maybe you’ve been listening to Christine’s speeches more than I thought.”

“Do you think it will work?” Davenport asked the former senator.

“It was a good speech,” Nicholls replied. She then gave James a coy smile. “I’m not usually a betting woman, but in this case, I think maybe I could be tempted. My money is on our Emperor.”

“There is only going to be one way to find out,” James said. “Set course for New France, take us in at thirty percent thrust. We need to give them time to come to a decision.”

“Right away Admiral,” Davenport said as she turned and began to give orders to her command staff.

“We are picking up another transmission from Midas Touch,” the COM officer reported, it’s not directed at us, but the whole system.”

Reluctantly, James nodded for the transmission to be shown on the main holo display. He smiled when he saw Garnier was the only one in view. It meant his words had struck home. Garnier didn’t want Teal to be the one to speak to his people. For nearly five minutes, James listened as Garnier did his best to convince his people about the merits of leaving the Empire. Listing James’ points one by one, Garnier attempted to counter them. Though he didn’t feel nearly as assured about his own speech as Nicholls did, James’ confidence grew. Rather than present his own case, Garnier was reacting to James. And he is not speaking as someone who already has his people’s loyalty, but as someone trying to earn it, James noticed. He is not nearly as confident about his own position as Teal wanted to us to think. “Well?” James asked Nicholls when Garnier finished.

Nicholls smiled. “He’s good; clearly, he’s a competent politician. But he doesn’t hold a candle to you Emperor. I think my money is safe.” With a nod, Nicholls sat back in her command chair.

James pressed his lips together. “I guess we will see.” He wished he could be as relaxed as his Chief of Staff.

For three hours, Oblivion and Home Fleet slowly moved into the system. Teal managed to get all of his ships back to New France and back into formation with the planet’s battlestations. Every armed warship and station had their active sensors on full and their weapons powered up. Against a full Imperial battlefleet, James would have had no concerns. Yet against the eighty ships he had, New France’s defenses were formidable. Without his fighters, he would stand next to no chance. Even with them, it was likely to be a bloody battle. As they approached the planet, his mind kept going to Georgia. If New France didn’t surrender, he’d have to send her fighter wing in. She would be in extreme danger. Despite his promise to Christine to do everything he could to protect her, he couldn’t order her to remain on her carrier. For one, he knew she wouldn’t listen, and secondly, it would destroy the fleet’s morale. How could he expect any of the other fighter pilots to risk their lives if he wasn’t prepared to risk his own daughter’s? Despite knowing what he had to do, James’ fear grew. He didn’t know if he could handle seeing Georgia’s fighter blown apart, especially not with Jonathan missing.

As they drew closer to New France, the little confidence Nicholls had given him also began to fade. No signs or transmissions were picked up from any of the battlestations to suggest their loyalty to Garnier was waning. Transmissions from the planet’s surface suggested there was a heated debate going on, on all of the holo news channels and across many private broadcasters. A number of groups had also contacted Oblivion, pledging their allegiance to the Empire. Yet it was all talk. There was no sign of any actions that might disrupt Garnier’s control over New France’s defenses. Alongside his fear for Georgia, James also began to grow concerned for New France’s citizens. He desperately didn’t want to have to open fire on the orbital battlestations, for their destruction would inevitably damage or even cripple other orbital stations. Worse, in the midst of the fighting, it was possible large chunks of debris could be sucked down through the planet’s atmosphere. An unlucky strike could kill tens of thousands. James did not want that on his conscience. Yet he meant what he had said. He wasn’t going to back down, too much was at stake.

“Launch all our fighters, power up our weapons and tracking sensors,” James ordered as they continued to close with New France. “Let’s show them what they’re up against.” As his fourteen squadrons of fighters and bombers launched from their three carriers, James couldn’t help but locate Georgia’s Hellcat. He watched as she formed up with her squadron. Then, as the attack wing turned towards New France, James forced himself to look away. If he kept staring, he wasn’t sure he could bring himself to give the order to attack when the time came.

“We’ll be in long-range missile range in thirty minutes Admirals,” Oblivion’s tactical officer reported. “Request targeting priorities.”

“We will focus on the armed ships,” James answered. “I have no doubt Teal or Garnier have put a lot of their own people on the battlestations, but pirates alone cannot man them. The majority of Teal’s people have to be in the ships. If we kill them all, then maybe the battlestations will have a change of heart.”

“Or maybe they will have one sooner,” Davenport said as her hand shot up towards the holo display. “Look Admiral!”

James’ head turned as fast as Davenport’s hand had moved. He instantly saw what she was pointing out. Two of the orbital battlestations had switched off their targeting sensors. The energy readings coming from them was also quickly falling. It was a sure sign of surrender. James’ heart went out to whoever was on the battlestations, they were taking a great risk proving their loyalty. Teal’s ships or the other battlestations could open fire on them in retribution. But they are showing the others the way, James realized. He held his breath as he waited. A smile broke across his lips thirty seconds later. A third battlestation was powering down!

“We’re picking up COM transmissions from a number of the battlestations,” an officer called out. “Some are contacting us, they’re requesting help. I think their crews are trying to take control of them. Other stations are asking Teal for backup!”

“Admiral, perhaps we should hold back until the confusion dies down,” Davenport suggested. “If we give them time, more stations might surrender.”

James shook his head. “People loyal to us are fighting and dying to take those stations, we’re not going to keep them waiting. Instruct Johnston to prepare his marines. I want every station boarded and secured as we close. We will destroy Teal’s ships, and then see how the dust settles. Without his ships, the battlestations have to surrender.”

“Understood Admiral,” Davenport replied.

“Look at this,” Davenport’s COM officer said as the image on the bridge’s secondary holo display changed. It began to show a live feed from one of the colonies’ holo news stations. “Protests are breaking out! That is Marseille! There are thousands of protesters.”

Sure enough, as everyone on the bridge watched, the image panned out to show thousands upon thousands of demonstrators marching through the city. The feed then changed to show other cities. Some protests were peaceful, others showed confrontations building between the colonies’ police force and the protestors.

“Oh no,” Nicholls said when the image changed again. This time it showed Sevres, New France’s capital. There were thousands of protestors outside the Senate building. Yet it wasn’t the colony’s police opposing them, it looked to be an armed militia. “They have to be Garnier or Teal’s men.”

Though they were still millions of kilometers away, James could feel the tension between both groups as they faced off against one another. Don’t do it, he thought towards the militia. Don’t do it. Even as they were watching, a rock suddenly appeared from the midst of the crowd. It looped up into the air and then fell down, crashing into one of the militia, hitting him in the chest. He stumbled back, but then quickly re-joined the line. A roar erupted from the protesters. Suddenly, more rocks and all kinds of materials began to be hurled at the militia line. Retreat, James urged the militia. For several seconds, they tried to hold their ground. Then it looked like they were about to falter. The protesters were edging closer and closer, allowing their attacks to become more accurate. Suddenly, almost as one, the militia raised their plasma rifles. James’ heart jumped into his mouth. “No!” He cried even as green bolts began to erupt from the rifles. Hundreds tore into the protesters, mowing down the front lines that had been throwing objects at the militia. The rest of the protesters tried to scatter. They fled in every direction even as more bolts tore into them. “No!” James cried again as the militia continued to fire. They had pushed back the protest, why were they still shooting?

Without warning, the image cut off. Whoever had been recording deciding it was time to get out of harm’s way. It only took a few seconds for images from the other protests to return. From the look on the faces of the holo news reporters talking over the images, they appeared as shocked as James was. It took just seconds for news of what had happened at Sevres to reach the other protestors. At once, their mood changed. Peaceful protests suddenly became violent. Police were attacked or charged. In many cases, the police themselves threw down their riot gear and joined the protestors.

“He has lost them,” Nicholls said. “I don’t know if Garnier gave the order to fire, but whoever did, they have driven New France from the separatists’ cause.”

“Whoever gave it, I want to get my hands on them,” James snarled through clenched teeth. “The murderer is going to pay!”

“I think word has reached the battlestations,” Davenport said as she zoomed in the main holo display. As if they all had received the same command, many of the battlestations began to power down their targeting sensors. In the space of just two minutes, more than half did so. At that point, a wave of relief washed over James. He would not need to send in his fighters. His ships alone had enough strength to engage and cripple Teal’s ships.

“I’m picking up a large group of shuttles taking off from the planet’s surface,” a sensor officer informed everyone. “They’re heading towards Teal’s ships.”

“The ships are powering up their engines,” another sensor officer added. “I think they’re planning to break orbit.”

“He’s running,” James said as his hands clenched into fists. “The coward!”

“Garnier and his people are probably on those shuttles,” Nicholls suggested. “They’re getting out of dodge!”

“What do we do Admiral?” Davenport asked. “Do we pursue?”

James felt torn. He had no doubt Teal’s ships would use New France’s gravity to slingshot them out along a trajectory that his ships would struggle to follow. If he wanted to catch them, he’d have to abandon New France. Yet from the transmissions still coming in from the battlestations and other orbital stations, it was evident a fight was going on between loyal New France citizens and Teal’s people. He couldn’t abandon them to fight and die without support. Yet he desperately wanted to get Teal under his guns.

Nicholls was clearly reading his mind. “I want Teal as badly as you do Admiral. But our economy is more important. If there are pirates on our stations, they may scuttle them rather than simply surrender. We will catch up to Teal sooner or later.”

James knew his Chief of Staff was right, yet it galled him to give the order. “We will maintain course. Hold fire unless we are fired upon. Have Johnston’s shuttles launched and prepare to board every station in orbit. I want to secure everything.” James’ mind then went to his fighters. He could still strike at Teal’s ships. The more we destroy now, the less we’ll have to fight later. “Patch me through to Wing Commander Jensen,” he requested. When the Wing Commander’s face appeared on his command chair’s holo display, he outlined what he wanted her to do. When she nodded enthusiastically, James felt a shiver of fear ran down his spine. He knew Georgia would respond with exactly the same bravado. He wanted to contact her Hellcat and order her to be careful, yet he knew she would take it badly. Words he had shared with Christine many times came back to haunt him. ‘They are adults now; we have to learn to trust them.’ It had sounded so easy saying it back on Earth when Georgia had just been going through flight school. Now she was about to face hostile fire from an enemy who wouldn’t hesitate to kill her. Yet James had to strike at Teal’s ships. He had no doubts about where they would flee to, New Delhi. And if former governor Varma had as many ships under her command, then taking New Delhi would be far harder than even New France had threatened to be. Just after James cut the COM channel to Wing Commander Jensen, her fourteen squadrons stopped accelerating and went into stealth mode. Doing so caused them to drop from Oblivion’s sensors. Despite his concern, it made James smile. The Hellcats were a significant advancement over the Spitfires he had fought the Karacknids with in the Karacknid War. Most of their capabilities were a closely guarded secret. With luck, Teal wouldn’t realize just what he was up against.

But they are not your immediate concern, James reminded himself as he pushed his fears for Georgia to one side. Others were fighting and dying for him. He had to help them. And then we need to restore order to New France. James hoped all of the militia, or pirates on the colony’s surface, had fled. But if they hadn’t, they were likely being hunted down by the colony’s populace. And there would undoubtedly be many hundreds or even thousands more who had cooperated with Garnier, many reprisals could erupt in the coming days. James had to cut that out immediately. He knew from all the history Christine made him study; once wounds were opened within a populace, they took generations to heal.

“We are entering missile range in twenty seconds,” Oblivion’s tactical officer reported. “Four battlestations still have their targeting sensors active.”

“Target them with our missiles, but hold fire until I say so,” Davenport responded.

As soon as Oblivion and Home Fleet crossed into missile range of the orbital battlestations, alarms began to blare. James watched as two of the battleships released a volley of missiles. Firing eighty each, their firepower would be enough to seriously threaten Oblivion’s defenses but together, Home Fleet would have little problem dealing with them.

“Release our gunships,” Davenport ordered. “Release defensive drones and begin tracking all those missiles. Engage them as they come into range.” She glanced at James. James gave her a slight shake of his head. “Hold off on firing our own missiles,” Davenport added.

Thirty gunships raced ahead of Home Fleet. Like they had done when the fleet had first entered the New France system, they slowed and eventually came to a halt relative to New France. Then their engines began to accelerate them back towards Home Fleet. In that time, the two battlestations fired two more salvos of missiles. When the first salvo reached them, the gunships engaged. They had twelve seconds to target the missiles as they passed the small heavily-armed fighters. Tens of thousands of laser beams tore into the missiles destroying twenty-seven of them. Next, long-range AM missiles reached out to engage the missiles. Eighteen more were destroyed. Then in order, Oblivion’s flak cannons, point defensive plasma and laser cannons, and then finally, her arc emitters all engaged the missiles which were wildly trying to evade the fire coming at them. From above and below Oblivion relative to the incoming missiles, the drones Oblivion and the other capital ships had released also opened up with their laser beams. Catching the missiles in a crossfire severely reduced the effectiveness of their evasive maneuvers. Everyone was blown apart long before they got close enough to threaten Home Fleet. None of James’ ships even needed to raise their gaseous shields. When the second and then third salvos from the battlestations tried to penetrate Homes Fleet’s defenses, they each suffered the same fate.

“It is going to take a lot more than that to penetrate our defenses,” Davenport commented confidently.

“Then why aren’t they surrendering?” Nicholls asked.

“They still have their energy weapons,” James reminded her. “They could do a lot of damage if we are foolish enough to come into range of them.”

“But we’re not slowing?” Nicholls said.

James nodded but turned back to the holo display. The first part of his orders to Wing Commander Jensen was about to be played out. Just seventeen seconds later, and four squadrons of fighters were detected by Oblivion’s sensors again. They were rapidly decelerating as they closed in on the two battlestations. As soon as they dropped their stealth field, the battlestations opened fire with their point defenses upon them. The forty-eight Hellcats were already carrying out their own evasive maneuvers, however. James quickly identified the four squadrons. Mixed feelings assaulted him when he saw none were Georgia’s. The attack on the battlestations was by far the safer of the two things he had ordered Wing Commander Jensen to attempt. He had been hoping Georgia would be assigned to this mission. He was disappointed and worried when he saw she hadn’t. Yet as one and then a second fighter was blown apart by defensive fire, he was relieved at the same time.

As soon as the fighters got into range with their own small plasma cannons, they began to open up on the two battlestations. Systematically, they blew apart every one of the battlestations’ point defenses. Then they took out the heavy plasma cannon turrets and then finally slammed plasma bolts into the missile tubes of the stations. Structurally, the stations would be fine, but they had lost their teeth. Two fighters lost to protect those battlestations crews, I hope some of them are not pirates, James thought to himself.

“All the other battlestations have powered down their tracking sensors,” Oblivion’s tactical officer reported. “No sign of any other opposition.”

“Pass on our thanks to the fighter squadrons,” Davenport responded. She turned to James. “Shall we give General Johnston the go-ahead?”

James nodded. “Do so. Though keep our weapons active. Make sure every station knows that if they open fire on our shuttles, they will be destroyed.”

“Aye Admiral,” Davenport said as she turned back to her officers.

James watched the shuttles as they launched, and then moved towards New France. Attempting a planetary invasion or the boarding of orbital stations was always a risky task. The shuttles were extremely vulnerable. A single hit from an AM missile or a point defense laser beam could split them apart, killing the forty or so marines inside. When no fire was detected, he breathed a sigh of relief. His eyes then turned to Teal’s ships. One hundred and forty-five of them where accelerating hard towards one of the shift passages that led deeper into the former French colonies. About sixty appeared to be armed with missile tubes, yet undoubtedly, they all had point defenses. As he expected, they were headed towards the shift passage that would take Teal to New Delhi. Yet you are not there yet, James thought towards Teal as his fear for Georgia began to grow again.

Chapter 25

As one of our greatest ever pilots has aptly said, ‘Good fighter pilots cannot be trained, they are only born,’ (Wing Commander Malan, 2792). Nevertheless, training is essential, for without the proper training, even the most gifted of pilots rarely survive their first few experiences of combat.

-Excerpt from Empire Ascendant 3015 AD.

Georgia had to fight not to reach out and grasp her flight stick. Her Hellcat’s autopilot was keeping the fighter in formation with the rest of her squadron. Even so, she had an almost irresistible urge to hold the flight stick. She needed to be in control. Calm yourself, she insisted. Relax. It was dawning on her that flying into a real battle was nothing like the simulations. With their stealth fields still up, ten of Wing Commander Jensen’s squadrons were moving to intercept Teal’s ships. The stealth field generators were a brilliant combination of Kulrean and Human technology. Each generator formed a bubble around its fighter, distorting all incoming electromagnetic waves around it. Essentially, when active, a Hellcat became a black hole in space. Better, even, for the bubble allowed the light from distant stars to warp around the Hellcat and so still reach an enemy ship’s sensors. The only thing that could give them away therefore were the heat and gravimetric emissions from their engines. With her Hellcat currently directing all of its emissions in the opposite direction to Teal’s ships, and Jensen’s attack wing moving slow enough not to give off gravimetric waves, Teal’s ships could not know where they were. Of course, Teal was not a complete fool. All of his ships had their active sensors filling space around them with electromagnetic energy, and there was an outer shell of small frigate-sized ships also patrolling the approaches to Teal’s squadron. Teal knew her father had launched fourteen squadrons of fighters, the fact that only four of them had attacked New France’s orbital battlestations meant the other ten were still a threat. But do you know just how much of a threat? Georgia thought towards the ships directly in front of her Hellcat. Either her father or Jensen had predicted exactly what route Teal would take to try and escape. All of Jensen’s one hundred and twenty fighters were on an intercept course that would allow them to strike at the rear of Teal’s ships. At the center of the enemy formation, Midas Touch’s sleek lines stood out. She had clearly been built to impress. Yet that now made her a prime target. If she could, Georgia intended to destroy the secessionist’s ship. He had insulted her parents and called into question everything the Empire stood for. Despite her nerves and even, something she would only admit this to herself, her fear, she wasn’t going to let him escape if she could help it.

Minutes later, Georgia’s COM unit began to crackle. “This is Jensen, we will drop our stealth fields in sixty seconds. I have assigned targets to Red and Eagle squadrons; they will take out the outer shell ships and open a channel for us. They will go to maximum acceleration as soon as we come out of stealth. Every other squadron will go to eighty percent until my order. I know this is the first combat for all of you, but don’t worry, you’ll get through this. Taking on these guys will be a cakewalk compared to fighting the Karacknids. Trust me.”

Georgia felt her fear subside. Jensen had been a pilot during her father’s Gayla campaign. She had flown multiple sorties as the Allied Fleet had fought its way to the Karacknid homeworld. If she had no fear going up against the secessionist ships, then Georgia felt more confident. Of course, her nerves still remained. She desperately didn’t want to disappoint her wing mates and even more so, her father.

“All fighters, drop stealth fields,” Jensen ordered when the time came.

Georgia immediately tapped the button to disengage her stealth field generator. Then she eased her throttle up to eighty percent. Her Hellcat’s autopilot kept in formation with her squadron. As soon as her active sensors detected the secessionist fleet, targeting data began to appear on her HUD. Griffin squadron had been tasked with taking out Midas Touch herself. Georgia smiled. Four squadrons would be going in just before them to pick off the ships around Midas Touch. Then all twelve of her squad mates would nail the pleasure yacht.

As she watched the secessionist fleet, they began to react to the sudden appearance of the fighters. Their formation tightened and Midas Touch moved further ahead in their formation. The coward, Georgia thought towards Teal. He was putting as many ships between him and danger as possible. We are still coming for you. Before she could launch her attack though, Red and Eagle squadrons closed with the eight ships that were trailing behind the main secessionist squadron. The ships fired all their point defenses at the fighters. The occasional energy flare told Georgia that their shields had been hit by a laser beam or plasma bolt. Yet the shields did their job. No fighter was destroyed. Spaced out and unable to support one another, the secessionist ships didn’t fare so well. Multiple antimatter warheads slammed into each one of them. The bright blue explosions filled Georgia’s vision, as they dissipated, no sign of the secessionist ships was left in their wake. The antimatter had completely negated them.

“All right, Griffin squadron we are up,” Griffin squadron leader announced. “Accelerate to ninety-nine percent acceleration. Let’s give our wing mates a chance to strike first. Increase acceleration on my mark... Mark!”

Georgia did as she was ordered, and then reached forward and grabbed her flight stick. Her free hand hovered over the autopilot deactivation button. “Begin evasive maneuvers,” her squadron leader ordered. At once, Georgia deactivated the autopilot. Then she began to twist and weave. Easily, she settled into a relaxed rhythm. She had done this thousands of times before in simulators and in space combat drills. Everything changed when the first flak cannon round exploded less than a kilometer in front of her fighter. Several small pellets slammed into her shield. They were deflected away, but not before she saw the shield flash as its energy was sucked away. Terror ran through her. For a split second, she thought she was about to die. But then nothing worse happened. Her shields had held. Checking her systems whilst continuing her maneuvers, she tried to calm her breathing when she saw nothing had been damaged. A glance at a secondary readout told her, her shield was still intact. Quickly though, more and more flak explosions appeared in front and around her fighter. Plasma bolts and laser beams began to zip by as well. In a way that had never happened before, Georgia’s vision narrowed down to just the space in front of her fighter. Flying for her life, she dipped, twisted, and weaved as randomly as she could. In her peripheral vision, she sensed an explosion too large to be the burst of a flak cannon round. It could only have come from one of her wing mates being blown apart. She gripped her flight stick harder. Sweat had already begun to form on her brow and run down her back. She was vaguely aware of other larger explosions ahead of her. Fighters from the squadrons ahead of her were being hit. Yet her awareness was too narrow to keep track of the explosions or count them. Time felt like it slowed down to a snail’s pace. Every twist or turn she put her Hellcat through seemed to take an eternity to happen. Georgia constantly felt like she was moving too slow, like a laser beam or plasma bolt would snuff her out of existence before the maneuver she wanted to perform actually happened.

Out of nowhere, massive blue explosions bloomed far ahead of her. Georgia had been so concentrated that they made her jump. The squadrons ahead of her had already launched their missiles! They were exploding amidst the secessionist squadron. The enemy fire coming her way slackened considerably. Georgia instinctively knew the secessionists had switched their fire onto the next wave of antimatter missiles that must have been fired. She couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief. Her grip eased ever so slightly on her flight stick. Almost at once, she was blinded as her shield flared again. Alarms screamed in her ear. Georgia swore. Something had struck her shield. Before she regained her senses, another flare glowed in front of her. A new alarm started. Her shield had just failed. The enemy had re-doubled their fire on her squadron!

Fighting a level of fear she had never realized existed before, Georgia panted heavily and her eyes bulged as she stared ahead of her, trying to sense where the next enemy shot would come from. Flak cannon rounds exploded all around her squadron. The timer appeared on her HUD. She had just six seconds until she could open fire with her missiles. Ahead of her, she saw other missiles light off their engines as they were launched by squadrons attacking just before hers. Without warning, her fighter was suddenly thrown off balance. Another flak round exploded right in front of her Hellcat. Shrapnel tore through one of her fighter’s wings. For a split-second, Georgia thought she had lost control of her Hellcat. Her body tensed as she expected follow-up fire to finish her off. Yet as she twisted her flight stick, her Hellcat responded!

Desperately pulling off every evasive maneuver she could, Georgia struggled to stay alive. At the same time, her left hand hovered over her command console. One of her antimatter missiles wasn’t responding. Either it had been disabled or ripped off by shrapnel. She didn’t have time to figure out which. Before she knew it, another beep was telling her she had just entered missile range. From her left and right, she sensed missiles being fired by her wing mates. At once, she slammed her thumb down on her flight stick’s main firing button. Just one antimatter missile disengaged from its weapons rack. Its engine kicked in and it shot ahead of Georgia’s Hellcat. As soon as it was away, she pulled up and to her left with her flight stick. The enemy fire slackened instantly as they tried to take out her missile.

Though she knew it was risky, Georgia twisted her head to watch her missile’s progress even as she continued her evasive maneuvers. She was able to count nineteen missiles racing towards the secessionist fleet. That told her two of her wing mates had been lost. Ahead of their missiles, there were several holes in the secessionist squadron’s formation. Georgia couldn’t tell at a glance, but it looked like a number of their ships had already been wiped out. Crucially, she could see a channel was open to Midas Touch. Mentally, she willed on her missile. Counter fire destroyed nearly half of what her squadron had fired. Yet hers managed to dodge everything thrown at it. She gritted her teeth as the missile closed with Midas Touch. At the last moment, however, three new ships moved in behind Teal’s vessel. Their point defense fire blasted apart two more missiles. Georgia’s survived. Yet one of the secessionist ships moved right between her missile and Midas Touch. Georgia swore. The missile was unable to dodge around it. In a bright antimatter explosion, the secessionist ship and Georgia’s missile disappeared. She cursed again even as her ship moved out of range of the secessionist point defenses. Midas Touch had survived! She had failed. Two of her wing mates had had their fighters blown apart and were possibly dead. She had let them and her father down!

*

Special forces Marine Sergeant first-class Sofia Johnston was thinking of her father as well. Her shuttle was racing towards battlestation Alpha-three. Her briefing identified it as one that had been requesting help from Teal before the industrialist had fled. That meant a fight had likely broken out between Teal’s people and some of the battlestation’s crew. That the battlestation hadn’t opened fire on the Allied Fleet suggested the crew were winning. Yet there was no way to know how much opposition they might face. Sophia knew her father would be watching the progress of the platoon of special forces marines she was in closely from his troopship. He could even be watching the live feed from her combat armor, and she wouldn’t know about it. I’m going to show you, she thought towards him as she tensed the muscles in her arms and legs. Despite how many times he had assured her he had full confidence in her abilities, Sophia knew she needed to prove herself. All through the marine boot camp and throughout her first deployment as a special forces marine, she had heard story after story of her father’s accomplishments, both before and during the Karacknid War. It had put a great weight on her to live up to her family’s reputation. But now, she was going to get the chance to show once and for all just what she could do!

“We are sixty seconds out,” the platoon Lieutenant announced over the platoon’s COM channel. “Alpha squad will take point and secure the docking hatch. Beta and Gamma flank left and right. Set up defensive positions at either end of the corridor. We’ll release our drones and get a sitrep before advancing further.”

“Acknowledged,” Sophie said along with the other squad leaders.

“Docking,” the shuttle pilot reported in what seemed like no time at all.

A slight jolt ran through the shuttle as it came to rest against the battlestation’s hull. Alpha squad was immediately on their feet and moved to the docking hatch. As soon as its lights turned green, the hatch retracted. The four marines of Alpha squad rushed through. Sophia made sure her squad was right behind them. As soon as they set foot onto the battlestation, she scanned the large open area that led to the docking hatch. It was abandoned. Immediately, she pivoted left and up the corridor that led away from the docking foyer. Moving at a fast jog, which was easily quicker than an unaugmented Human’s sprint, she led her squad to the end of the corridor. It ended at an intersection with two additional corridors leading left and right. Skidding to a halt, she poked her head out and glanced either direction. Once again, there was no sign of anyone. “Take up defensive positions,” she ordered her squad. Then she changed the COM channel. “Lieutenant, left flank secure.”

“Acknowledged, hang tight,” her Lieutenant replied. “Deploying drones now.”

Though she knew she wouldn’t be able to see them with the naked eye, Sophie couldn’t help but look back down the corridor they had come up. Thousands of nanite drones would be swarming up along it. As she expected, there was no sign of them. As her HUD began to update with the scans and the intelligence they were gathering, she knew they were already well past her position. Struggling to maintain her patience, Sophia waited for nearly a minute as the drones spread out across the battlestation. When nearly a third of the station was fully mapped out, her COM unit activated again. “All right, we’ve got three concentrations of bodies,” her platoon Lieutenant reported. “Alpha squad investigate sector three. Find out if they are friendlies or not. If they are not, only engage if you are confident you can take them. Otherwise, wait for backup.”

“We’re on the move,” Sophie said at once. “Let’s move,” she said to her squad. “Martins, take point. Rodriguez, watch left, Hamilton, right.” Taking up the rear, Sophie moved forward, trusting her squad to watch for danger. She kept half an eye on her HUD as she barked out directions to Martins. Working their way through the maze of corridors that were the battlestation’s internal compartments, they headed towards what appeared to be a large storage hangar. The drones had identified twelve humans within the hangar. From the looks of things, they were taking cover behind several containers. Sophie hoped they weren’t some kind of munitions containers. The last thing she wanted was a firefight in a battlestation’s magazine.

When they approached the hangar, Sophie didn’t take any risks. Tapping the access panel for one of the hangar doors, as soon as it swished open, her squad hurled flashbangs in. Moments after they exploded, they rushed in. No plasma bolts greeted their charge. Instead, they discovered civilian defense personnel crouched over, covering their eyes and ears. None were armed. “They can’t be Teal’s people,” Sophie said to her squad. “Be cautious however.” She wasn’t going to lower her plasma rifle just yet. Glancing around, she located the only officer in the group. Moving over to him, she reached out and gently helped him to his feet. He flinched back when he cracked an eye-open to see who had grabbed him. Then relief washed over his face when he tried opening his eyes again.

“You’re a marine!” He said. “Thank goodness. You have come to retake the battlestation?”

“We have,” Sophie said as she let him go to stand on his own feet. “What is your situation?”

“I’m Petty Officer Metaxes. The secessionists took most of the crew off when they took over the system. After Emperor Somerville’s speech, we all abandoned our posts. Lieutenant Villeneuve managed to hide some weapons from the secessionists. She took those of us who had combat training to try and retake the station. I was to lead the rest of us here to hide. Without us, the secessionists couldn’t fight the battlestation properly.”

“Where was Villeneuve going to attack?” Sophie asked.

“The gunnery deck,” Metaxes answered. “Without control of it, the secessionists wouldn’t have control over our missiles. We didn’t hear any launches so she must have been successful.”

“Okay, what about these secessionists, where are they?”

“When the fighting started, I believe they moved to secure the bridge and engineering. At least, that’s the last I heard.”

“Thank you, you have done well. We’ll take it from here. You keep your people here out of sight,” Sophie ordered. “Lieutenant,” she said as she switched COM channels. “The humans in sector two were friendlies. We’ve got intel that Loyalists have taken the main gunnery deck. That will be the group the drones have identified in sector five. It appears the secessionists still hold the bridge and engineering. We are close to engineering. Permission to advance and capture it? The drones show only seven hostiles there.”

“Permission granted,” her Lieutenant replied. “Try to keep damage to a minimum. I’m sure Emperor Somerville will want to put the station back together as soon as possible.”

“We’ll do our best,” Sophie replied. “Martins, take point again, let’s move.” As before, Sophie used her HUD and the drone’s intelligence to guide her squad quickly towards the heart of the battlestation. The engineering department itself was massive. The battlestation had three more reactors than Oblivion which were all housed in a large, open hangar. “Whatever you do, don’t shoot any of the reactors,” Sophie said to her squad. “And don’t use them for cover in case the secessionists aren’t so smart. Take only killing shots.”

When they got close to the engineering compartment, Sophie highlighted one of the access hatches. “Rodriguez, move here and launch a faint assault. Blow open the hatch if you have to. Throw in a few stun grenades and fire some shots at a bulkhead. Just aim well away from the reactors. The rest of us will breach through this second hatch,” she continued as she highlighted another hatch. “They’ll be no grenades. The drones are monitoring the location of each secessionist. Speed and surprise are all we’ll need. Everyone understand?”

After each of her squad replied in the affirmative, Sophie tapped Rodriguez’s shoulder. “Get going.” She then led her other two marines to the second access hatch. A quick query of the hatch’s control panel told her it wasn’t locked. Either the secessionist didn’t know they had been boarded yet, or they didn’t have the access codes to lock it. On her HUD, Sophie assigned targets to Martins and Hamilton. she would take three of the secessionists and they two each.

“In position,” Rodriguez reported moments later.

“Go in ten seconds,” Sophie replied. She nodded at Martins and Hamilton. When they nodded in reply to say they were ready, Sophie raised her rifle and moved over to the hatch’s control panel. Mentally, she counted down to ten. As soon as she got to zero, the faint noise of stun grenades going off on the other side of the hatch reached her ears. She waited just two more seconds, and then tapped the access hatch. As soon as it started moving, she charged with all her augmented speed. Her plasma rifle was already aimed up and to her left. Though she couldn’t visually see the secessionists, the feed from the nanite drones was telling her exactly where they were. As a man came into view, he was turning towards her, alerted by the sound of the hatch opening. Sophie’s plasma rifle was already pointing at him. Two plasma bolts dropped him before he could raise his weapon. Sophie was already pivoting towards her next target. She had to take four quick steps and then hurdle over a railing. She dropped down one deck and landed right behind her next target. The woman was covering her eyes, protecting herself from Rodrigues’ stun grenades. Sophie swung the butt of her rifle into the back of the woman’s head, knocking her unconscious. Still charging forward, she sought out her final target. He was above her, two levels above where her squad had entered the engineering chamber. Sophie skidded to a halt when he came into view. He already had a plasma rifle to his shoulder and was leaning over an observation berth, lining up a shot on Martins. Snapping her rifle to her shoulder in the blink of an eye, Sophie hesitated just a fraction of a second to zero her sight on his chest. Then one bolt erupted from her rifle. Her aim was true. The secessionist crumpled out of view before he could depress his own trigger.

A quick check of her HUD told Sophie the other four secessionists were down. The fight had lasted less than seven seconds. The secessionists hadn’t got off a single shot. “Secure all of them,” Sophie ordered. “Administer medical aid if it is needed.” She quickly surveyed the battlestation’s eight reactors. She knew she was a long way from being a nuclear physicist, yet none seemed to have any obvious signs of damage. “Lieutenant, engineering has been secured. What are your orders?”

“Good work Sergeant,” her Lieutenant replied. “You are to hold your position. We have surrounded the last secessionist. They will either surrender or be taken out. The battlestation is firmly under our control.”

“Understood Lieutenant, we will await further orders,” Sophie said. She paused for just a second before moving to help her squad secure the injured secessionists. She nodded as she surveyed her handiwork. It didn’t feel good to have killed two other humans. Yet throughout her training, it had been impressed upon her that such an outcome was a very real possibility. You couldn’t have done it any better, she thought towards her father. I hope you’re impressed.

*

James breathed a sigh of relief when reports from the battlestations started to come in. Though he knew Johnston would be unhappy if he found out, he had been keeping a close eye on his friend’s daughter. Unsurprisingly, she had handled herself admirably. As did Georgia, James reminded himself. He had been gripped by fear as she had launched her assault on Teal’s squadron. Watching her fighter twist and weave its way through the secessionist point defensive fire had filled him with a terror he had never experienced before. Yet she had come through it largely unscathed. At least, that’s what James had thought watching from a distance. When her fighter had returned to its carrier, and he had gotten a closer look at it, his terror had returned. Nearly a third of her Hellcat had been dented and scratched by shrapnel. She had been lucky she hadn’t lost an engine or worse. Still, she made it back in one piece. That’s what counts. James knew he would have to remind Georgia of that as well. He was sure she would be angry at the fact Midas Touch had escaped the clutches of her squadron. James was too. Yet he was far happier to have Georgia back safe and sound.

“That’s the last battlestation declared secured,” Davenport reported. “The orbitals are ours.”

“Very good,” James replied as he was pulled out of his thoughts. “Begin landing troops on the surface. Secure Sevres first. Then locate all the politicians and administrators who didn’t assist Garnier. We need to get order re-established as quickly as possible. I don’t want to spend any longer here than necessary. Teal is headed for New Delhi. We need to take that system before he has more time to prepare his defenses.”

“Johnston has his first wave of marines on their way through the planet’s atmosphere now,” Davenport updated. James nodded to Home Fleet’s commander.

“The secessionist squadron is approaching the mass shadow,” one of Oblivion’s sensor officers reported. The main holo display switched from showing New France’s orbitals to an image of the distant ships.

Suddenly, twenty new contacts appeared beside them. Their acceleration rates told James they were missiles. He shook his head as he clamped his teeth together. The shift gate that would have allowed Teal’s ships to head further into the former French colonies faster had refused to allow Teal to jump. In response, he had just fired upon it. James hoped Teal had given the shift gate’s crew warning so they could escape in their shuttles. Given how far away the shift gate was, Oblivion’s sensors wouldn’t be able to tell. You’re going to pay for that, James thought towards Teal as secessionist ships began to disappear into shift space. The destruction of the shift gate might slow his fleet down by half a day or so, it was unfortunate, yet James intended to be on Teal’s heels as fast as he could. And you won’t escape me a second time.

Chapter 26

A naval Captain is seen to hold a rank equal to that of a Colonial Senator. A Rear Admiral one equal to a Colonial Governor. Whilst this has helped to reduce the number of power struggles that inevitably crop up when naval affairs touch upon local colonial matters, it has far from eradicated them.

-Excerpt from Empire Ascendant 3015 AD.

Sevres, New France, (one day later).

James desperately wanted to tap his fingers on something, or fish his COM unit out of his tunic and fidget with it. He wanted something to distract him as he listened to apology after apology. At least, the colonial senators that he had managed to round up were saying as many pleasantries as they could without out right giving him an apology. James knew from copious dealings with politicians on Earth that their words were as close to an apology as he was ever going to get. Unconsciously, his hand moved towards his tunic as another colonial senator began to speak. He quickly snapped it back down to grip his other hand. He knew full well how any fidgeting would be interpreted. It was one thing to be impatient, it was another thing to show it. Finally, after nine colonial senators each apologized for their failure to stop Garnier, Governor Lannes stepped forward. James nodded to him and tried to convey as much respect as possible. Within an hour of Garnier landing on New France, his people had taken over most of the colony’s bureaucracy. Twelve colonial senators had rallied to his side. James already had them all locked up awaiting trial. To James’ amazement, Garnier had actually managed to place Lannes under house arrest. Some of the Governor’s own people had betrayed him, allowing Garnier or Teal’s armed thugs to grab him. The resulting confusion had made it far easier for Garnier to assert control over the colony. From the look on Lannes’s face, it was clear he understood that all too well.

“My Emperor, let me give you my thanks and the thanks of the people of New France for your swift arrival. Former Commoner Garnier betrayed us all, and his betrayal ran far deeper than we suspected. New France has let the rest of the Empire down by allowing his coup. I promise you; we will do all that we can to make up for the disruption and damage he has caused.”

“I am glad to see that you are safe and sound after your ordeal,” James replied, not willing to simply brush under the rug how easily Lannes had been captured. “Especially since so many of your staff turned to Garnier’s side. I expect your office will be hampered for several weeks as you seek to rebuild your administration.” James looked beyond Lannes to the Colonial Senators who were standing before him. Nicholls had insisted he sit on a large, ornate chair to receive them. It wasn’t quite a throne, but it gave off the same impression. “The same goes for New France’s colonial Senate. With a number of your members under arrest, others under investigation and quite a few still missing, presumably in hiding either from Garnier’s people or mine, the political situation here is quite the mess. It is for this reason that I have decided New France should hold new elections for the position of Governor and your Senate members.” At once, James had to hold up a hand to cut off the protests he saw welling up. “This is not a suggestion. I am informing you what will happen. Each of you will be able to run for your seats, of course, but by the end of today, I want the Colonial Senate convened and a bill passed to hold elections one month from today. Lannes, you cannot continue to govern without a fresh mandate from your citizens. Nor can the Colonial Senate continue to function with so many of its members under arrest or investigation. Fresh elections will give you a measure of respect back. Then together, New France’s Governor and Colonial Senate can decide if your colony wishes to begin to avail yourselves of the Imperial Constitution’s new provision allowing secession.”

“But Emperor,” Lannes said, “We weren’t scheduled to have fresh elections for another three years. Holding them now would be highly unusual.”

“And New France’s Governor being arrested by your own people and confined to your residence for nearly a month isn’t unusual?” Lannes’ face whitened. James couldn’t tell if it was from shame or rage; either way, he continued before he could respond. “But perhaps you are not in favor of fresh elections. That is no problem. If you wish, I can have my people open investigations into you and every member of the Colonial Senate. Of course, until they are done, and your name is cleared, I would have to enact direct Imperial rule during this time of crisis.” James leaned forward and held Lannes’ eyes. “If I was forced to do this, I’m sure you can imagine what one of my first acts would be?” James intentionally paused to force Lannes to answer.

He hesitated for a moment, but then spoke. “You would order fresh elections to be held. Elections none of us could run in until the investigations into us were over.”

“Exactly,” James said as he forced a wide smile on his face. “And so you see why I am loath to do so. Each of you here remained loyal to the Empire. You did not go over to Garnier’s side. I have no desire to hurt your political careers more than they already have been.”

Lannes glanced around at the Colonial Senators on either side of him. “We accept your terms Emperor,” he said as he turned back to James. “I will order an emergency session of the colonial Senate to be convened this afternoon. We will pass a Bill along the lines you have outlined.”

“Very good, I’m glad we have come to understand one another,” James said. “Now,” he continued as he jumped to his feet. “I have other work to see to. It is my intention to break orbit with my fleet this evening or early tomorrow morning once your Bill has passed. I am going to pursue Teal and Garnier to New Delhi and dissuade them of their secessionist notions once and for all. I’m sorry I have to leave you all with your colony in the difficult position that it is, but I trust you and New France’s citizens can right the wrongs that have happened here.”

Unsurprisingly, the look on Lannes face softened at James’ words. James could see his mind working in his eyes. As soon as James was out of the system, Lannes would be free to use every political trick to try and hold onto his position in the upcoming elections. James was sure it was going to be a hard task. Already, public sentiment was turning against him. As much as the people of New France blamed Teal and Garnier for the death and destruction that had visited their colony, it had all happened during Lannes’ watch. He had allowed Garnier’s people to corrupt so much of New France’s bureaucracy.

“We understand your need for haste Emperor,” Lannes said. “And we wish you godspeed. We wish to see this rebellious secessionist movement ended swiftly.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” James replied. “My fleet will be requesting supplies and other materials be sent on to follow us to New Delhi. I hope your people will be able to meet our needs.”

“I will personally see to it,” Lannes promised.

James nodded as he stood and walked down to the governor and held out his hand. “I trust that you will,” he said as they gripped one another’s hands. He moved along the line of Colonial Senators and shook each of their hands as well. Then he nodded to them again as they turned and left.

As soon as they were gone, Nicholls moved to join him. She had been standing off to one side, observing the audience. “You really plan to leave today? New France is a mess. And Johnston’s marines haven’t rounded up all of Teal’s people. If we leave, the situation could become more destabilized.”

“Of that, I am all too aware,” James said as he turned to his Chief of Staff. “We’ll be leaving some of Johnston’s marines here to continue their work and provide backup for the colonial police. I suspect a large part of New France’s citizens trust the marines more than their own police at the moment.”

Nicholls nodded. “That will help. But as soon as we leave, Lannes and the others will see the Marines as just another pawn they can use in their political games.” James smiled at Nicholls’ words. Her eyes narrowed at him. “What is it?”

“I was already thinking along the same lines,” James explained as his smile turned into a grin. “That’s why I’m planning to leave you here as my official representative.” He spoke quickly so as to prevent Nicholls interrupting. “Only for a short period. Two or three weeks should be all that will be needed. Perhaps until the elections are held. I intend to make an official proclamation informing New France’s citizens that you speak and act on my behalf until the elections are held. Everyone knows you are a former Imperial Senator. You command respect on your own right, and not just as my Chief of Staff.”

Nicholl shook her head. “I should be with you. Especially since you’re going to New Delhi. Dealing with Governor Varma and Teal is going to be a delicate task. And the aftermath on the Indian colony will be worse than here, I’m sure.”

James spread his hands in front of him as he smiled again. “All the more reason to put you in charge here until the elections. By then, we will have secured New Delhi and you can come and re-join me. I assure you, I have no problem putting you in charge there as well. Think of this as preparation for the harder task to come.”

Nicholls stared at him for several seconds. “I can’t change your mind on this, can I?”

“No,” James said as he shook his head. “I need to know that New France is secure. I can’t have it revolting again and cutting the fleet’s supply lines. But I trust your judgement; if you think things are on track and the elections will go smoothly, you can leave early and re-join me.”

Nicholls laughed. “There’s fat chance of that. I could be stuck here for months even after the elections.”

James gave Nicholls a conciliatory smile. “I’ll be leaving you express orders for you to follow me once elections are held. You may not think it, but I do need you. And besides, I’ve already sent word back to Earth. I’ve requested Christine and Fairfax put together a delegation to come and help oversee the elections and take over for you.”

Nicholls sighed. “Okay, I guess I understand. I’ll do my best.”

James winked at his Chief of Staff. “I expected nothing less.”

*

New Delhi, 7th December 2508 AD, (eight days later).

Governor Varma paced back and forth across the spaceport’s main arrival hall. Her fast footsteps echoed off the metallic floor filling the empty space. She had ordered the spaceport emptied. Only her personal protection unit and Commoner Patel were present. Her head shook as she turned to walk another length. She couldn’t believe it! New France had already returned to the Empire! She didn’t know what was making her more furious. The fact that Emperor Somerville thought he could use force to get his way, or the complete failure Teal had turned out to be! He had promised warships, loyal crews, and enough armed ‘volunteers’ to prevent the Imperial Navy from capturing their planets easily and to put down any citizens that might get a notion of remaining loyal to the Empire. Next to New Delhi, New France had been the most important planet to secede, and yet Teal had lost it within hours. As soon as his makeshift fleet had arrived and sent word to her residence, she had ordered Teal and Garnier to meet her in person. She wanted answers! And, she reluctantly admitted, she needed to know what was coming against her. News of New France’s fall had shaken her confidence in her own position and in the sentiment of New Delhi’s people.

“The shuttle is approaching Ma’am,” one of her security officers said as he stepped in from the shuttle landing pads.

“Bring them right here,” Varma ordered. She stopped her pacing. Drawing herself up to her full height, she composed her features as best she could. Showing Teal her frustration or fear would not be productive. She knew he would just try to use it against her.

Moving far quicker than she had ever seen him before, Teal almost marched into the spaceport. He stopped cold when he saw Varma. “Governor, I was not expecting you.” He glanced around the empty spaceport. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to see you,” Varma replied, letting some of the ice she felt into her voice. “What are you doing here? How have you allowed such a catastrophe to happen? You have put everything we have worked for in jeopardy! Both of you!” Varma added as Garnier stopped beside Teal.

“We were betrayed,” Teal said as he lifted his chin. He gestured a hand out towards Garnier. “People we thought were loyal to us betrayed us. Some of our people on New France and many on the battlestations changed sides when Emperor Somerville showed up.”

“Of course they did!” Garnier snapped. “Somerville turned up with the entirety of Home Fleet. You would have surrendered if you hadn’t been able to run. Even at that, we barely escaped their fighters. We were unprepared. That is why we failed.”

Teal’s eyes flashed at Garnier. Even Varma was surprised at the spite in the Commoner’s words. Clearly, the power dynamic in their relationship had shifted. “Whatever the reason,” Teal growled. “We can still remedy this situation.” He turned back to Varma. “Are you confident in your people? If Somerville comes here, will they stand against him?”

Varma felt Garnier’s anger well up within her. “Of course they will,” she assured him. “I have put my most trusted people on our battlestations. They believe in our cause. They will not fail me.”

Teal actually smiled as he nodded. “Good, then we are far from defeated. I sent word as soon as we fled New France for all of our ships to gather here. They will be arriving as quickly as they can. New Delhi’s defenses were always more powerful than New France’s. We can make our stand here. If Admiral Somerville wants to hurl Home Fleet at your defenses, we will destroy his ships and maybe even kill him. Then we can return to New France. There are still key people loyal to us; if we can retake the orbitals again, the colony will turn back to us, I know it. This actually works in our favor,” Teal said as his smile widened. It looked almost feral. “If we defeat Emperor Somerville, it will give far more credence to our secession than any written document. And once we have defeated him, everyone will fear us. We will be unstoppable!”

For what seemed like the first time, Varma thought she was truly looking at Teal. He was a fanatic. Worse, he was full of hatred. It oozed out of him every time he mentioned Somerville’s name. Disgust filled Varma. Much of it was for Teal, yet almost as much was at herself. She had trusted him. She had taken his money, listened to his plans, and committed herself and her colony to them. Now that she was seeing him clearly, she felt dirty. She had always known Teal saw New Delhi as a pawn in his own schemes. Yet she had accepted that, for as long as their ultimate goals were aligned, she had been able to use him as much as he had used her. Yet there was no using a fanatic. But what choice do I have? She asked as the horror of just what she had committed herself to began to dawn on her. As much as she didn’t want to admit it, Teal had his fingers as deep into her people as she did. He held the purse strings after all. And he will not back down. He will fight Somerville to the end. Varma shook her head. From everything she knew about Emperor Somerville, he was just the same. She had already saw the speech he had given the people of New France. She knew he believed every word of it. In the political realm, that was what made him such an easy adversary. He lacked guile. Yet now, when the battle lines had been drawn, Varma was realizing one of his greatest weaknesses was in reality a strength. And he’s coming here! “How far away is Admiral Somerville’s fleet? How long do we have to prepare?” Varma demanded.

“We have time. Two weeks, maybe three or more,” Teal answered confidently. “It will take him time to pacify New France, and then he has other nearby secessionist colonies he will have to deal with. We have time to prepare a warm welcome for him.”

Varma shook her head. There was no way Somerville would delay setting out for New Delhi. She had seen the passion in his eyes when he had confronted Teal in New France. “You are a fool! You have underestimated Somerville once, now you would do it a second time? He will be here as soon as he can. He is no fool, he knows New Delhi’s importance. If we are removed from the secessionist movement, every other colony will give in. They cannot stand without New France and New Delhi. We have a week at best!” And we have made our bed, Varma thought with despair. There was no way out now. Somerville would never accept their surrender, at least he wouldn’t accept a surrender were she got to remain free. Varma turned to Patel. “Either we fight and try to win, or we will spend the rest of our lives rotting in some black site prison. We must do everything we can to prepare our defenses.” Patel nodded, the determination on her face told Varma she too grasped the seriousness of their predicament. Varma put a stern look on her face as she turned back to Teal. “I am putting Rear Admiral Sobti in charge of all of our forces. He is my most loyal officer. If we must face Somerville, I will trust no one else to lead our forces.”

Teal’s eyebrows narrowed. He hunched his shoulders and opened his mouth to protest. Varma’s hand snapped up and her eyes flashed. She finally allowed the anger she had been keeping down to show.  “This is my system! My people will be defending it. Your people have already run away from a fight once. They will not be in position to do so again. I will be sending out an order, any ship that tries to leave the system will be destroyed. You either accept that or turn around and leave my system here and now, you can try hiding in one of the other smaller colonies if you like.”

Silence engulfed the spaceport as Teal stared back at Varma defiantly. Varma could see his mind working behind as he rapidly assessed the situation. Suddenly though, Garnier stepped in between them. “Of course we are not going anywhere Governor. We came here to join our forces and accept your hospitality. As we have said many times before, we must all stand or fall together. Of course your commander can lead our forces. His experience will be warmly welcomed.”

Varma nodded to Garnier. “I’m glad to hear it.” She glanced past him and raised an eyebrow at Teal.

He hesitated for just a second, but then he relented and gave the slightest of nods. “My ships will follow your commander. But do not think this changes things between us. Don’t forget who is bankrolling all of your activities. I can cut that off at any moment. If I do, something tells me many of the people you think so loyal, will suddenly have a change of heart.”

Varma’s eyes flashed again. “If you do that, you’ll be signing your own death warrant. Don’t play smart with me. Whatever else I might know, I know this; we are in this together. We are equals now, and this is my planet, so you will do as I say.” Spinning, Varma didn’t give Teal a chance to try and answer her back. He had failed at New France. He had misjudged just how Somerville would respond to his plan to blockade Imperial shipping. Now, New Delhi was going to pay the price. From here on out, she was the one in charge, and if she could, she was going to salvage a future free from the Empire for herself and her people. Yet what if freedom is not what they want? A sudden voice of doubt asked as she stormed out of the spaceport towards where her shuttle waited. Just as she had seen Emperor Somerville’s message pleading with New France to remain within the Empire, she had also seen the holo recordings of the riots and protests from New France’s citizens. Teal and Garnier had badly misjudged the desire of their colony’s populace to be free. From the moment she had first set out on her quest to secede from the Empire she hated so much, she had never questioned the desires of her own people. But if Teal and Garnier could be so wrong, why can’t you? The same voice from before asked.

Chapter 27

In war, timing is everything. The best laid plans have been ripped apart because of a delay of just a few minutes. The most foolish of attacks had worked because they struck at the most inopportune time for the defender. A message arriving minutes too late, or just as many minutes early, has turned the tide of more than one battle. The best naval commanders understand and respect how critical the right timing can be, but even they cannot bend the timing of events to their will.

-Excerpt from Empire Ascendant 3015 AD.

Oblivion, 10th December 2508 AD, (three days later).

“The last squadron has just checked in Admirals, they are all ready to jump,” Oblivion’s COM officer warned James and Davenport. James took a breath to prepare himself. His fleet had passed through four systems in the last nine days on their way to New Delhi. Two had been uninhabited, whilst the other two had been home to Imperial colonies. Both of which had been a part of the secessionist movement. The first one they had come to, a former French colony called Ushant, had already removed the secessionist ringleaders from power. The local Governor and most of the colonial Senate had sworn allegiance to him as soon as his ships had entered the system. James strongly suspected more than a few were trying to cover how involved they had been in the secessionist movement, yet he hadn’t had time to worry about that. His fleet hadn’t even entered orbit, he had simply spoken to the Governor and Senators as Oblivion had passed by. At the former Indian colony of Agatti, things had been a little different. The secessionists had been able to remain in power, despite many protests and a significant amount of civil unrest. At first, they had refused James’ demand to surrender, but then, as his fleet approached the colony, they blinked. The leaders contacted James and offered to relinquish power, provided he pardon them for any crimes they may have committed. The idea had galled James, yet he had been seriously considering it. Circumstances snatched the decision out of his hands, however. Somehow, word of their offer got out to the colony’s populace. Fresh protests and riots erupted. To James’ surprise, the secessionists had requested a second meeting where they pleaded to be taken off the planet and protected from the colony’s citizens. James had readily agreed. They were all in Oblivion’s brig. They would stay there until Imperial agents could be sent back to Agatti to investigate their crimes. As soon as he had apprehended them, James had continued on with Home Fleet once again. Though he knew he was leaving Agatti in a serious political mess, an overwhelming desire to get to New Delhi quickly drove him. Now, he was here, and he knew returning New Delhi to the Imperial fold was not going to be anywhere near as easy as New France, never mind Ushant or Agatti. It was going to be a tense, deadly confrontation. Yet one he had to face. After slowly letting out his breath, he turned to Davenport. “Very well, jump us in, let us see what awaits us.”

The final jump took just ten minutes. Unsurprisingly, as Oblivion reverted to real space and her sensors began to actively search the immediate vicinity for threats, none were detected. New Delhi’s defenders had pulled back all their scout ships from the opening of the shift passage. They didn’t have enough forces to contest Home Fleet’s arrival, and so they hadn’t even tried. Immediately, James’ focus shifted to New Delhi itself. His lips pressed together at what he saw. The former Indian colony was a hive of activity. Several groups of ships were quickly moving towards it. The energy readings from them identified then as warships. In orbit, there were what looked like at least two hundred active military ships. James couldn’t help but screw up his face when he saw several of them where Imperial Navy warships. Either their crews had mutinied, or they had been captured by Teal or Governor Varma’s people. Though the secessionist ship numbers were concerning, it was the active targeting scans coming from the battlestations and defense satellites in orbit around New Delhi that gave James pause. Every one of them was active. Clearly, Varma had enough loyal crews to man them. That was not what James had been hoping to see. New Delhi, being much closer to the Empire’s borders, was nearly twice as heavily defended. The combination of the battlestations, defense satellites, fighter hangars and secessionist ships did not put him at ease. In his mind, James began to play out the many planetary assault tactics he and his senior Admirals had devised during the Karacknid War and over the last two decades. One by one, he dismissed them. Either it would take too long to make the preparations, or it would be far too costly for the colony. There was no point in him capturing New Delhi, only to end up destroying much of its precious industry in the process.

“How do you want to approach this Admiral?” Davenport asked, sensing what James was thinking.

“What would you suggest?” James replied.

“The colony’s defenses are formidable. And it looks like they have been making the best use of the time. I imagine Teal has drawn in as many ships from the nearby systems that he could. Yet that means if we defeat them here, we may very well put an end to this attempted secession. Yet they are powerful. A frontal assault will be costly. Perhaps very costly. Do you think a message to the system would change things? If we could weaken their defenses, it would help us greatly.”

James had been considering that very thing during the journey to New Delhi. He had been searching for the right words that he thought might persuade New Delhi’s citizens to turn away from the path Governor Varma had put them on. Yet New Delhi was not New France. He had a history with the Indian colony. Back when he had served in the Royal Space Navy, he had fought a war in the Indian colonies. Then as the newly-elected Emperor of the Human Empire, he had technically invaded New Delhi to ensure they held free and fair elections. The citizens of New Delhi had subsequently chosen to join the Empire, yet he knew full well that sentiment had dissipated over the last twenty years. “I do not think there’s anything I can say to persuade them. At least, not enough to make a difference. This must be solved militarily.”

“Then perhaps, there may be prudence in waiting for reinforcements. Emilie may not be more than a month or perhaps six weeks behind us. Her numbers would swell our fleet to the point where we would not need to worry about New Delhi’s defenses. We could overrun them with ease.”

“We could overrun what is here now with ease, yes,” James agreed. “How many reinforcements might Teal have on the way that will arrive in that time? Our numerical advantage might not end up being what we expect. And we would be giving them more time to prepare other defenses and surprises. Not to mention turning the hearts of New Delhi citizens even more against us. We could take the orbitals, only to find the idea of secession has firmly entrenched itself within the people’s minds. We could end up fighting a guerrilla war for years to no avail.” James shook his head. “No, we need to strike now and as quickly as we can.”

Davenport nodded solemnly. James’ words meant some of her crew and ships were going to be killed in the coming hours. “We take their ships first then. Like at New France, if we kill the ring leaders, it may persuade others to surrender… Though,” Davenport added as she considered it more. “I doubt Governor Varma will be fighting in orbit. She’ll be safe on the planet’s surface… What if we could get to her? Maybe that would change things.”

“What are you thinking?” James asked, suddenly intrigued by Davenport’s suggestion.

“I was thinking of Gayla,” Davenport replied. She gave James a quick smile at the memory. She had been his operations officer on board Drake during the Allied fleet’s Gayla campaign. “We could do the same here. Punch through a section of their battlestations and land Johnston’s marines. Though we wouldn’t need so big a hole, as we’d maybe only have to land a few hundred Marines. There are bound to be Loyalist groups on the planet surface. We could make contact with them and get some intelligence on Varma’s location and any other important leaders. If a Marine force could scoop them up, and we destroy the secessionist ships in orbit, the rest of the defenders may lose the will to fight.”

James nodded. It was a good plan. He didn’t think it had the greatest chance of success. Scooping up enough leaders to decapitate the secessionist movement would be a tough ask. Yet the downsides were minimal. If it didn’t work, he could pull his fleet back and reassess the situation. And we have to fight them anyway. We may as well fight them smart. He nodded again. “I like it. Start putting our side of the plan together,” he requested as he turned to Oblivion’s COM officer. “Patch me through to General Johnston. “

“Admiral, I presume you have a plan up your sleeve?” Johnston said as soon as a holographic representation of his face appeared in front of James.

James grinned. “Not me this time, Davenport actually. How do you feel about inserting some of your marines through the planet’s atmosphere in the midst of a firefight?”

Johnston screwed up his face. “I wouldn’t be very keen on the idea. The shuttles would be sitting ducks. I suppose I’ve got little choice though?”

“We’ll provide fighters, gunships, and frigates to escort them in,” James replied. “We’re thinking that if we destroy the pirate ships in orbit, and can land ground forces to capture Varma and the other main secessionist leaders, cutting the head off the snake might encourage the battlestations to surrender like at New France.”

Johnston’s expression turned more skeptical. “Just how many leaders are we talking about? The more politicians we try to grab, the riskier the whole plan would become. Trying to pull off a coordinated ground attack is difficult enough without doing it in the midst a fleet battle.”

“We’ll focus on the most important, Varma and Patel for sure. We’re going to try and contact any Loyalist groups that are on the planet. We can get intel from them regarding who we should nab and where they are. I know it’s going to be risky, but we have to try. Many more lives will be lost if our fleet has to engage and take out every battlestation.”

Johnston nodded. “That I understand. All right then, I’ll speak to my staff officers, and we’ll begin drawing up plans. Send all the intelligence you can get from any Loyalists on to us.”

James smiled at his old friend. “Thank you,” he said before he cut the COM channel. “All right,” he said to Davenport and the rest of Oblivion’s bridge officers. “We have a plan, let’s flesh it out. Take the fleet forward as well. Let’s get into position.”

Davenport nodded to her Flag Captain to begin the fleet moving and then turned back to James. “Do you intend to offer them the chance to surrender?”

“I suppose I better, but let’s wait until we reach New Delhi. Maybe once we are closer, the threat we pose will sink in a little more.” Davenport nodded and turned to see to the fleet’s needs.

As his ships closed with New Delhi over the next two hours, James worked with Davenport’s and Johnston’s staff officers to put their plans together. Though he was far from happy with a frontal assault on New Delhi, there truly were no other options. When his ships came to rest not far outside powered missile range, he ordered an unencrypted systemwide COM channel be open.

“People of New Delhi, Governor Varma, you all know who I am. I am sure news of the Imperial Parliament’s unanimous vote to remove Varma from her position and to reject your planet’s declaration of secession has also reached you. You will also have heard what has already happened at New France. Let me say what I said to the citizens of New France. We are one species. For better or worse, the responsibility to protect all of us has fallen on my shoulders. Therefore, I cannot, and will not, allow New Delhi to secede from the Empire. At least, not through an unconstitutional, undemocratic dictate from your former governor. The Empire has put in place the means where, if you so wish, your colony may secede peaceably. I urge all of you to reject the path Varma has taken you down and to return to following the Imperial Constitution and the democratic rules you all chose to adopt twenty-five years ago. To Varma, Patel, and those who are following them, I offer you this one chance to surrender. Face the consequences for the crimes you have committed, and no further harm need come to you or the citizens of your homeworld. Please, I have no more desire to attack New Delhi than I did New France, yet if you force my hand, I will. The resources that the Empire has committed to New Delhi and the strength its economy gives to the Empire are too great for me to simply allow you to squander, not when the threat of the Karacknids is ever growing. Surrender now, and there need be no bloodshed. Surrender now, and we may work out our differences peacefully. You have ten minutes to decide, for in ten minutes, we will begin our assault.”

As at New France, James expected Varma or Teal or someone else to reply to his message. He was surprised when none came. Instead, when the ten minutes were up, every orbital battlestation and warship increased their active sensors to full power. It was a clear message. They were ready to fight. James couldn’t help but feel worried. That Varma didn’t openly reply to publicly answer his words told him she was confident in her people. She doesn’t want to be seen negotiating with me, James realized. It would only make her look weak. “Very well,” he said, unable to hide all the disappointment from his voice. “They have answered. Take us in, let us get this over with.” As his fleet began to surge forward, James was filled with sorrow. Sorrow for his own people who were about to die, and for the secessionist and civilians on New Delhi. All of it was unnecessary, and yet now, it had become unavoidable.

*

Secessionist ship Neptune.

“Reverting to real space,” Lydia called out just before their destroyer jumped out of shift space. Jonathan’s body tensed as a small tremor ran through Neptune, the destroyer they had captured. He didn’t know what was awaiting them in the New Delhi system. Likely, there were secessionist patrol ships. Jumping out right on top of them was risky, but he couldn’t afford the delay jumping out sooner would cause.

“Active sensors,” Jonathan ordered. “Transmit the prearranged message.” From Neptune’s COM array, a message Jonathan had recorded was transmitted on every angle. It declared that Neptune was an independent vessel, not seeking conflict with any side in the secessionist war. It also included sensor data on the Flex-aor attack on Chennai. Jonathan was hoping it would stop Neptune being attacked on site.

“Look at that!” Lydia said, awe filling her voice. She was pointing at the main holo display’s depiction of New Delhi. Several other officers gasped. Jonathan was taken aback at the sight. Two powerful fleets were on the precipice of engaging one another. Even as he watched, Neptune’s computer started to assign ID’s to the various ships. It was immediately apparent what was happening. New Delhi’s orbitals were full of secessionist destroyers identical to Neptune along with almost a couple of hundred other ships. The battlestations were all emitting massive amounts of energy and emissions from their targeting sensors. Not far out of missile range from the large battlestations, an Imperial Fleet was charging them. Though eighty warships, Jonathan recognized Home Fleet when he saw it. The four dreadnoughts in the middle of the Imperial fleet’s formation alone would be able to crush all of the secessionist ships. It’s going to be a bloodbath! Jonathan thought as horror filled him. They will destroy each other and then the Flex-aor will waltz in and nuke the planet.

“We have to warn them!” Lydia gasped. “We can’t let them fight.”

Jonathan glanced around him. He had to convince the Imperial Fleet not to engage. Yet no Imperial Commander would listen to a warning coming from a secessionist ship. They would assume it was some kind of ruse to delay their attack. As his eyes passed back over the holo display, he froze. Neptune had just picked up one of the dreadnought’s transponder information. It was saying Oblivion was commanded by Admirals Davenport and Somerville. Jonathan’s eyes widened. Since his aunt had married in and become Emilie Alvarez, there was only one Admiral Somerville in the Imperial Fleet. His father was commanding the Imperial forces! Of course he was, Jonathan said to himself. His father would have insisted on dealing with the secessionists in person. Suddenly, his fear for New Delhi evaporated. If his father was here, then the Flex-aor could be beaten! They could be turned back before they could destroy the colony. But I have to warn him! Jonathan wracked his brain. He needed a way to get his father’s attention. “I’ve got it!” he said as he spun around to Lydia. “We need to use the prearranged maneuvering signals. Gravimetric waves are the only way we can stop them in time.”

“But what will we send?” Lydia asked, her eyes pleading with Jonathan. “If we say enemy sighted, they will think we are bluffing.”

“We have to spell something out,” Jonathan explained. When he told her the phrase, Lydia frowned. “Look at the transponder for Oblivion, my father is commanding. Trust me, send it immediately. There’s no time to spare!”

*

“Admirals, a secessionist warship has just jumped into the system,” a sensor officer called out. James heard her, but left the report to Davenport. One secessionist ship hardly warranted his attention. In the background though, he heard her reply to Davenport’s query. “It’s carrying out a prearranged Imperial Navy signal maneuver. It’s strange though, it’s only spelling out a phrase.”

Davenport didn’t reply immediately. She was more focused on keeping her fleet’s formation as it advanced. “What is the phrase?” She eventually asked without even glancing at the sensor officer.

“The burden of command,” the sensor officer answered.

James’ head suddenly whipped around to the sensor officer. “Repeat that,” he ordered. “What is going on?”

“It’s the newly-arrived secessionist destroyer, it’s using the gravitational waves from its engines to send out a signal. It has spelled out ‘The burden of command.”

“Show me!” James demanded. In response, the main holo display switched away from showing New Delhi, and instead focused on a small image of a single secessionist destroyer. James’ heart swelled within him. It couldn’t be, could it? He asked himself. Hope said yes, but logic told him otherwise. It was far more likely to be a ruse. News of his son’s disappearance had reached New Delhi ahead of him. Varma or someone else could be trying to play a trick on him. Yet how many people knew he used that phrase? James only ever shared it with his closest friends. And with Jonathan, he knew. Most of all, he used the phrase with his son. It was something he had tried to drill into him from a young age. It’s just the phrase he would use to get my attention, James realized. He nodded as he put himself in his son’s position. If his son was on that destroyer, how would he convince James he wasn’t a secessionist? James would immediately be suspicious of any kind of message, even a holo recording sent to Oblivion. “What else is the destroyer saying?”

“We haven’t received any COM transmissions yet,” the sensor officer replied. “It would take another forty-five minutes for anything they have sent to reach us. Wait… They’re carrying out another signals maneuver. They’re saying, ‘Enemy Sighted.’” James’ mind began to whirl. If it was Jonathan, what was he trying to say? Was it a warning?

“Admiral, we’re thirty seconds away from the point of no return on our attack,” Davenport said hastily.

James hesitated. If he ordered the fleet to reverse course, it would bolster the morale of New Delhi’s defenders. He would look weak and scared. The chances that they would surrender to him would be severely reduced. Yet it had to be his son. With every second, his certainty grew. “Reverse course immediately!” he ordered. “Break off the attack.”

“At once Admiral!” Davenport replied. The holo display snapped back to Home Fleet and New Delhi. Within seconds, every Imperial warship began to fire their maneuvering thrusters as they turned their noses up and away from New Delhi. Pointing their engines instead towards the colony, they began to decelerate as hard as they could. Ordinarily, James would be imagining the glee on his opponents faces as he retreated from them. This time however, his mind and heart were directed towards the secessionist destroyer. He so desperately wanted to be right about Jonathan being on board.

“Admirals,” the same sensor officer called out, “we’ve got more ships coming out of shift space near the secessionist destroyer. It looks to be civilian freighters and pleasure yachts. There is a constant stream of them.” James didn’t understand what he was looking at as the holo display changed again. It looked like the secessionist destroyer had brought a squadron of mismatched ships with it. “The destroyer is sending another signal. It is spelling this one out as well. “F, L, E, X, A”

James face went white. He didn’t need to hear any more. The pieces had already fallen into place. He shook his head in disbelief. Fear gripped him. Not for himself, at least not yet, but the secessionist destroyer had just come from the Chennai colony. A dark sense of foreboding overwhelmed him. He couldn’t help but feel the colony was gone. His mind was taken back to the Farnsworth colony. He had seen the devastation there after the Flex-aor had ‘cleansed,’ it. Next, images of Earth flooded upon him as mushroom clouds filled the atmosphere from the Karacknid attack. The mismatched ships told him they had all fled the Chennai system. If they had fled from the Flex-aor, then the colony was already likely dead, consumed in its own wave of mushroom clouds.

“The Flex-aor?” Davenport asked when the sensor officer had finished her report. “But how Admiral? Their planets are being watched.”

James turned to Home Fleets commander. His face was still white. He shook his head slowly. “I do not understand how. But if there is a Flex-aor fleet out there, then some must have escaped, and they have come for revenge.”

“What are your orders then?” Davenport asked.

“Pull the fleet back from New Delhi,” James ordered. “Taking it is not important now. And order that destroyer to rendezvous with us immediately.”

For James, the next forty minutes seemed like the longest forty minutes he had endured for many years. Whilst everyone else on Oblivion’s bridge had duties to occupy them, he had nothing to do but wait as whatever COM transmission the secessionist destroyer had sent reached them. When it finally did, his greatest hope and fear were both confirmed. Within minutes, he had scanned through his son’s report. Joy had filled him upon reading the first words indicating that it was indeed his son who commanded the secessionist destroyer. Yet by the end, only anguish remained. Chennai was destroyed, the Flex-aor had wiped out every single human on the colony. And they are coming here, James thought as he got to the end of the report and read Jonathan’s breakdown of the enemy fleet’s strength. He was certain of that. New Delhi would be their next target, and if he didn’t stop them, its billion citizens and all of the military industrial complex nodes he had come to win back would be destroyed.

Chapter 28

‘The enemy of my enemy is my friend’ is an ancient proverb just as applicable to modern interspecies diplomacy as it was when it first referred to relations between waring Human factions.

-Excerpt from Empire Ascendant 3015 AD.

“Get me a direct COM channel to Varma,” James demanded. This secession has to end, he said to himself. Varma and Teal’s folly have almost doomed New Delhi. If his fleet had have engaged New Delhi’s just an hour earlier, all hope of protecting the colony from the Flex-aor would already have been lost. His anger at Teal, Varma, and the others hardened his heart. He knew Christine would hate him for it, but at this very moment, he didn’t care.

“Varma has responded Admiral, she is willing to speak to you,” one of Oblivion’s COM officer’s responded.

James nodded for her to put the COM channel onto the main holo display. “Varma,” he said by way of greeting, intentionally not ascribing her any kind of title. “You will have received reports of the Flex-aor from your own ships that have arrived. I promise you, this is no ruse. Chennai has been destroyed, and you know the Flex-aor are already on their way here. New Delhi will be next. Here are my terms. The secessionist movement will end immediately. Every politician or public figure who has supported it must renounce their views. You must also publicly vow never to seek public office in the Empire again. Do that, and I will pardon all of you. If we survive this, there will be no criminal charges. That is, all of you but Teal. I want him handed over to me at once. He will not be getting off the hook. If you accept these terms, then Home Fleet will stay and defend New Delhi with your forces under my command. If necessary, we will fight and die to protect your people. If you refuse, then you will be sealing their fate, for I will not sacrifice my own people for a colony that does not desire our protection.”

“You’re bluffing, you would never abandon so many of your own people,” Varma hissed. “Even you, Emperor, are not that heartless.”

“Wouldn’t I?” James retorted as he waved a hand towards New Delhi. “How can they be my people if, as you have said so many times in your propaganda, they have rejected me? You seem to forget that though I am an Emperor, I am also a strategist. There are twenty human colonies within striking distance from this system. It is my duty to protect them as much as New Delhi. In fact, now that you have expressed your wish to secede, I owe them my protection, not your colony. I will not sacrifice my fleet protecting traitors when there are many loyal colonies I could risk my fleet to protect. My terms are fair. If you do not take them, New Delhi will be wiped out. You can give your colony a chance to avert complete disaster, and all it will cost you is your own political future. You call me heartless; I say that if you reject my deal, you will reveal your cause to be nothing more than a phony idea you concocted to exploit your people for your own political gain. Surrender now, hand over command of your forces to me, and you will face no criminal charges. This is fairer than you and your fellow traitors deserve.”

Varma looked away for several seconds. When she turned back, she visibly deflated. “This is not fair. You are a monster.  You are bargaining with the lives of a billion people.”

“You bargained with them when you tried to secede without even holding an election,” James countered as his anger grew. From the look on Varma’s face, he knew she had already made up her mind. “Now, you’re wasting my time. Give me your answer.”

Though it hardly seemed possible, Varma’s body shrank more. “Fine. We accept. Our forces will fight alongside yours. But let me make it clear, the people of New Delhi wish to be free. Shoving us to the side-lines will only delay the inevitable.”

“Your concerns may be mute if we fail to defeat the Flex-aor fleet,” James replied. “And if we do, I hope the people of New Delhi, including yourself, will be more appreciative of our efforts. In any case, I accept your surrender. You may retain your positions for now until we fight the Flex-aor, but if we win the battle, I will expect all of your people to step down from whatever official or unofficial roles they hold.”

“We will do as you say,” Varma said with a nod. “But I cannot make any promises regarding Teal and his people. I doubt he has any concern for New Delhi, and nor do I have any control over him.”

“My terms were very clear,” James said, not in the mood to compromise on Teal. “He is on your side. You are responsible for him. I expected him handed over to me.”

Varma took a deep breath and sighed. “We will do what we can.”

“See that you do,” James replied harshly. “Now, instruct all your battlestations and ships to follow the instructions my ships will give them. I’ll also be sending some of my own people to command most of your forces. If we are going to fight this enemy fleet, we must fight as one, and I need my people to be in charge for that to happen.”

“I will send the instructions Emperor,” Varma promised. “And whether you believe it or not, I do wish you the best of luck. I realize you are risking your life for ours. As strong as the differences between us are, I appreciate that.”

“And I appreciate that you can put your personal political views aside for the sake of your homeworld,” James responded, deciding that he had shown enough anger. If Varma was prepared to offer him an olive branch, he was going to take it. “Perhaps we are not as different as each of us thinks.”

“Perhaps,” Varma said slowly. “If we survive what is approaching, maybe we can discuss that in person.”

James wasn’t sure he wanted to take it that far, but he nodded nonetheless. “I’ll contact you again if I need anything from you,” he said. Giving her a final nod, he cut the COM channel. He turned to Davenport to speak to her.

“Movement amongst the New Delhi warships,” a sensor officer called out before James could begin to speak. “Multiple ships breaking orbit!”

James knew right away who they were. Before the COM officer could give an update, the holo display zoomed in on the ships. Teal’s yacht was easily identifiable. It and five other secessionist destroyers were pulling up and away from the colony. From their heading, it was clear they were fleeing in the opposite direction the Flex-aor fleet was expected to arrive from. James opened his mouth to order ships dispatched to intercept the cowards. Again, the same sensor officer stopped him.

“Look! Those battlestations’ energy readings are spiking!”

James saw it too. The energy spikes meant one thing. Sure enough, more than thirty plasma bolts were fired by the three battlestations. They crossed the short distance to Teal’s yacht in just three seconds. Though the yacht tried to evade them, there were far too many. James felt nothing but satisfaction as they smashed into the lightly-armed civilian ship and ripped it apart. So much of the ship’s hull and innards were melted by the plasma that no secondary explosions followed. What was left of the ship simply broke apart into hundreds of small pieces. And with it goes the secessionist movement, James hoped. Deep down, he knew that was wishful thinking. Yet he could still hope. As he examined his feelings, he was surprised to see he didn’t feel even a slither of sorrow for Teal. The man’s conniving had threatened the very unity of the Empire and the future of their entire species. If anything, the sudden reappearance of the Flex-aor only reinforced the importance of Human unity. James just hoped new Delhi and the others would come to see that.

“What now Admiral?” Davenport asked.

“Now we get our people onto those battlestations and ships. We need to take a full inventory of New Delhi’s defenses and assess what capabilities we have. Let’s not delude ourselves. Even with the secessionist forces added to ours, we are going to be heavily outnumbered. We need to take stock of what we have and figure out the best way to protect this world.”

“Understood Admiral, we will begin immediately,” Davenport replied.

James nodded to her; she could handle everything without his interference. Instead, he turned back to the holo display. There was something else he wanted to do before the demands of readying New Delhi’s defenses drew all his attention. The secessionist destroyer Neptune was still approaching Oblivion. She would be close enough to dock soon. Unbuckling himself, James stood. “I’m going to the docking hatch,” he announced, knowing he didn’t need to give any further explanation. “By the time I return, I expect to have a full inventory of the forces at our disposal. Then we will begin to draw up our plans.”

“We will be ready Admiral,” Davenport promised. “Before you go though, I was thinking…” From Davenport’s command chair, a holo image appeared. James frowned. He knew what Davenport was suggesting, but it seemed too much to him. “I have read through his full report. I think he deserves it,” Davenport insisted. “Unless you intend to overrule me, I am going to write up the orders now. You did say I would remain in command of Home Fleet for this mission.”

Instead of irritation, James couldn’t help but be filled with pride. He smiled at Davenport. “You’ve been spending too much time with Scott and Emilie.”

Davenport smiled back. “You’ll have to take it up with them then.”

“If we make it out of this, I might just do that,” James promised. He waved a hand dismissively. “If this is your decision, then I will not stand in your way. Not least, because I’d never hear the end of it if we survive this.” Before leaving, James shared one last look with Davenport. It said quietly what he couldn’t say out loud. Thank you, my friend.

*

Consciously, Jonathan looked down at his uniform. It wasn’t quite in tatters, but there were several grease marks, a couple of tears and it had been a long time since his tunic or trousers had been washed. For most of the last few months, he had been wearing clothes scavenged from Python’s and then Neptune’s former crews. He had been trying to keep his naval uniform as pristine as possible. Now that he was looking at the fruit of his efforts, he decided he had failed. If he been about to step on board any other ship but the flagship of Home Fleet, and meet any other naval officer but his father, he wouldn’t have been so worried. For certain, Jonathan knew that if his mother saw him in the state he was in, she would be clucking her tongue at him in disapproval. But Dad will understand, Jonathan assured himself. It might have been thirty years ago, but he knew his father understood the hardships of a long cruise in a small warship. Still, that didn’t stop him feeling self-conscious.

“Docking clamps are secure Lieutenant, you’re ready to go across,” a petty officer informed Jonathan.

Jonathan turned to Lydia, Onoda, Becca, and McKay. They had all joined him. He knew his father and Home Fleet’s senior staff would want to debrief them all. “Are you all ready?” He couldn’t help but smile at the nervous expression on all their faces. “Don’t worry, they won’t bite. And even if they were tempted to, they’ve got bigger problems on their hands at the moment. They’ll want to pull every piece of information out of us they can about the Flex-aor fleet, and then, we’ll hopefully get some well-earned R&R.”

“That’s easy for you to say,” Becca replied, “no one is going to bite you, no matter what you’ve done.”

Jonathan raised an eyebrow. “Really? I seem to recall you had no problems giving me a good thumping for the right price. Tell my father about it, and he might even give you a bonus.” When Becca’s cheeks reddened, Jonathan smiled wider. It was rare he got one up on her. “Let’s go,” he said as he waved for them to follow him. As soon as he stepped up to the hatch, it swished open. Eight steps took him from Neptune onto Oblivion. The change was immediate. Neptune’s dusty deck and grimy feel gave way to an immaculately clean hangar bay. The ragged petty officer who had overseen attaching the destroyer’s docking clamps couldn’t have contrasted more with the well turned-out naval crew who were working throughout the bay. Jonathan couldn’t help but hesitate, for he knew he looked just as out of place. Movement directly in front of him brought his eyes back to the officers who had come to greet him. His hand twitched as he prepared to salute whatever Lieutenant had been sent to bring him to his father. When his eyes fell on the naval officer in front of him, he stopped mid-step. He just managed to get his hands up as the officer crashed into him and pulled him into a hug.

“Jonathan!” His father said, not remotely concerned about protocol. “You have no idea how good it is to see you. To hold you.”

For a second, Jonathan’s body tightened. A flicker of embarrassment ran through him. Everyone was watching. Yet as his father’s hug tightened, the weight of the last months began to lift. Memories flooded through his mind. The first time he had killed other humans by firing on them with Resolute’s weapons. The pirate he had killed with his own plasma pistol to save Becca. The strain from weeks of vainly searching for the pirate ship, and then pursuing the Karacknid freighter. The final battle with the Flex-aor and unknown alien species’ freighters. Then, the laborious task of trying to get Python home, only to encounter a Flex-aor warfleet. All of the pressure that had been building and building upon him started to lift. He had made it back. He had brought warning about the Flex-aor fleet. And now, his dad was here. Letting himself go, Jonathan enjoyed the feeling of being in his father’s strong arms. He didn’t break the hug until James did.

“Let me get a look at you,” James said as he held his son at arm’s length. He couldn’t help but grin. “You look a sight. If some of the Admirals back at the Admiralty could see you, you’d never get a new assignment again.”

“Yes Admiral, I must apologize for our appearances,” Jonathan said, more formally than he had intended. “When we captured Python back at the pirate asteroid base, we didn’t exactly have time to transfer all our belongings across.”

James slapped him on the shoulder and pulled him into another quick hug. “There is no need to apologize! I’m just overjoyed to have you back safe and sound. We ran into Resolute on the way here. Captain Domingo told me everything she knew. We thought you had been lost. No one had seen sight nor sign of you for months.”

Jonathan found himself apologizing again. “I’m sorry. I never meant for us to get so far from Resolute. It was just one thing after another. We thought we were doing the right thing.” With his father in front of him, Jonathan started to second-guess everything that had happened.

James shook his head. “That’s not it at all. You don’t get it. I read your report in full. I’m proud of you. But until your ship arrived, we feared the worst. I thought I had lost you.”

For the briefest of seconds, Jonathan saw his father’s composure slip. He’d never seen his father look scared before. Nor had he seen the strain and weight of responsibility that was mixed in with the fear. It shocked him to his core. His father had always been a rock. The hero of the Gayla campaign. Jonathan had never thought of his father as someone struggling with his decisions or being weighed down by the burden of leading the Empire. But now you know what it’s like, Jonathan realized. At least, you’ve had the smallest of tastes of it. As his father’s composed look returned, a new sense of pride swelled within Jonathan. He had always respected his father growing up, it had been impossible not to; he had been surrounded by so many great men and woman who showed his father the utmost respect, it had just naturally been passed on to him. But now, he looked at his father with fresh eyes. “I’m sorry to have worried you like that,” he said before hugging his father for the third time. When they parted, James was grinning at him. “What is it?”

“You’re starting to sound like me when your mother is around,” James said through his grin. “Always apologizing, and for no good reason at that! You did good. Encountering that Karacknid freighter when you did was a stroke of great fortune. Destroying it even more so. I shudder to think what the Flex-aor would do if armed with Karacknid weapons. And the other alien ship... I have no idea who they are, but at least now we know about them.” Jonathan’s eyes fell. He couldn’t handle the look of pride in his father’s face. It didn’t feel earned.

James reached out and raised Jonathan’s chin with a finger. “Don’t,” he said. “Don’t downplay what you achieved,” James continued, answering his son’s unspoken question. “You’ve always done it. Maybe I’m partly to blame, I always wanted to keep you grounded. But not this time. You deserve the praise you’re going to get.” Jonathan nodded, but his expression didn’t change, praise or no, that wasn’t what was on his mind. “Aahh,” James said as his expression changed as well. “Chennai… I understand. That will live with you for the rest of your life. I’m afraid I cannot take the memories from you. But you must accept it was not your fault. There was nothing you could do. That is the price those who would lead have to pay. We will always feel responsible.”

Jonathan nodded. “The burden of command,” he said as he met his father’s eyes. “I think I’m finally beginning to understand what you have meant all these years.”

James couldn’t help but grin again as he slapped Jonathan on the shoulder. “You’re just starting on that journey son. Just wait until you command a battlecruiser with a crew of one thousand. Or a fleet of eight hundred thousand. You’re still learning, I think. But we’ll get you there.”

“I think I’ve had my fill of that kind of experience,” Jonathan replied. “I be happy to return to Resolute and get back to my old duties. I didn’t see her with the fleet?”

“No, you certainly didn’t,” James said. “When Captain Domingo realized who you truly were, she begged me to send her to look for you again. We dispatched several ships to scour space around the last system you were seen in. I imagine she’s driving herself crazy trying to find the Imperial prince she lost. She will box your ears when she finds out you beat her back to Imperial space safe and sound.”

Jonathan found himself nodding seriously. That was one reunion he wasn’t looking forward to. “I fear she will. Maybe you could put a good word in for us?”

James shook his head. “No chance, that will be between you and her. But I wouldn’t worry too much about that yet. We have a few problems to deal with before you’re going to see her again.”

Jonathan had almost forgotten. “Right, the Flex-aor. We were so focused on getting a warning to New Delhi, we didn’t think about what would come after. What are we going to do?”

“Now, we prepare New Delhi’s defenses for the battle of her life.” James answered. “They outnumber us heavily. Davenport’s staff will debrief you now, we need to understand their capabilities as best we can. They’ve had thirty years to prepare for this.”

“Of course,” Jonathan said, “we will help in any way we can.”

James smiled. “I’m glad to hear you say that.” Reaching into his tunic, James pulled out a datapad. He activated its small holo display to show an image of an Imperial destroyer. “For once you have been debriefed, Admiral Davenport and I have another job for you. She is Achilles. She just came out of her construction yard three weeks ago. Former governor Varma’s people completed her space trials as best they could and added her to their fleet. We’ve taken her back now. She is in need of a Captain.” James paused and glanced over Jonathan’s shoulders. “And a crew. Admiral Davenport has already decided. She is yours once we’ve finished debriefing you.”

Jonathan’s mouth fell open. For weeks now, he had been dreaming of getting back to Resolute and a life with far less stress. The prospect of taking command of a full Imperial destroyer terrified him. Yet his mind went to the Flex-aor fleet. It was coming for New Delhi. Achilles would be needed to fight them off. He turned and glanced at Lydia, Becca, Onoda, and McKay. They all nodded at him encouragingly. “We are honored,” he said as he turned back to his father. “We will not let you down.”

Chapter 29

The Battle of New Delhi was small by the standards of the time, yet that made it no less significant.

-Excerpt from Empire Ascendant 3015 AD.

IS Oblivion, 12th December 2508 AD, (two days later).

As James expected, the Flex-aor wasted no time advancing on New Delhi. Just two days after Jonathan arrived in Neptune, the first Flex-aor scout ships showed up. They did little more than remain on the edge of the system observing Home Fleet as it readied New Delhi’s defenses. They also quickly fled when James dispatched a squadron of destroyers to engage them. Yet despite only remaining in the system for a couple of hours, their arrival hardened everyone’s resolve. There could be no doubt now, the fleet that had wiped out Chennai had set its sights on New Delhi. For the two days before the Flex-aor scouts arrived, and for another after, James barely slept more than four or five hours. A hundred different things had to be prepared. Whilst James did trust Davenport, and the command staff she had put together, he still felt he needed to have as much oversight of the preparations as he could. The vast majority of the Lieutenants and Captains in his fleet had never seen battle before. Only Davenport and several of the more senior squadron commanders had fought in the Karacknid War. It was only when Davenport finally confronted him and warned him that he was burning himself out that James finally relented and retired to his quarters for a proper sleep. That was why, after collapsing into a deep sleep of more than ten hours, James’ steward had to shake him awake when his COM unit failed to wake him.

James groaned when he felt a hand gripping his shoulder. He groaned again as his body was moved back and forth against his will. “What is it?” He mumbled as he cracked open his eyes. “Fox! What are you doing?” Before Fox could answer, James got a good look at his face. Concern was written across his steward’s features. Seeing it brought James’ mind back to the present. The Flex-aor, they are here! He was sure. “Never mind,” he said quickly as he pushed himself up into a sitting position. “The Flex-aor fleet has been sighted, I presume.” Fox nodded. “Very well. Get me my dress uniform. This is a day to be seen.”

“Right away Admiral,” Fox replied as he moved back and quickly scurried over to one of James’ wardrobes.

James stood and stretched. Then glanced at a chronometer. He was shocked to see how long he had slept for. Yet I needed it, he told himself as he examined his body and mind. He felt fresh. Given the challenge that he was about to face, the sleep was just what he needed. Quickly, he stepped into his bathroom, freshened up, and came back into the bedroom. Fox already had his uniform ready. With his steward’s help, he donned his uniform and left his quarters.

When he stepped onto Oblivion’s bridge, James could sense the tension in the air. A quick glance at the holo display told him why. Eight hundred contacts dominated the visuals. They were right on the edge of the system, but their noses were pointed directly at New Delhi. James cleared his throat. Every eye turned to him. He paused for a second as they studied him. With ease, James exuded charm and confidence. Partly, it was a well-practiced act. The sight of so many ships did cause him a great deal of concern. Yet a part of him welcomed the challenge. It had been too long since he had faced down an enemy fleet. For two decades, he had helped forge the technological and tactical capabilities of the Imperial Fleet. Now, the fruits of his labor were finally going to be tested for real. “It has been many years since the Imperial Fleet has had to face a serious enemy,” he said to Oblivion’s bridge officers, knowing that his words would end up being passed on to the rest of Oblivion’s crew and on throughout the fleet. “But now once again, our species finds itself being threatened by enemies who would destroy us if they could.” Turning, James faced a secondary holo display showing New Delhi. “A billion of our people live on that planet. We are all that stands between them and death. I expect that every one of you shall do your duty for the Empire. If that is the case, then we will win this day.” Pausing again, James surveyed Oblivion’s bridge crew. He gave them a nod of approval. “Carry on,” he said before moving over to his command chair. He couldn’t help but give Davenport a wink as he passed her. She flashed him a smile in return. “Status update?” He asked as soon as he sat down.

“We have eight hundred and sixteen Flex-aor contacts confirmed Admiral,” Davenport’s sensor officer snapped at once. “The first scouts dropped out of shift space approximately four minutes ago. Their larger warships have been jumping in since. The main bulk of their force is forming up now into a defensive posture, whilst several squadrons of frigates are proceeding into the system. It looks like they are searching for any surprises.”

James nodded to the sensor officer. “A wise precaution.” For a moment, he wondered what else the Karacknids might have shared with the Flex-aor. It was possible Tanaka-lan, or whoever was trying to work with the Flex-aor, might have shared details of James’ Gayla campaign. The Flex-aor commander he was facing might just be aware of some of James’ tricks. With a shake of his head, James dismissed that possibility. Many of the battles he had fought against the Karacknids had ended in defeat for the bloodthirsty aliens. He rather doubted they would be willing to share those details with anyone. Which means they are just being cautious, James concluded. For a few moments, he silently studied the holo display. The main Flex-aor fleet hadn’t moved from the end of the shift passage it had jumped out of yet. It had formed up into a tight ball with all of its capital ships protected behind frigates, destroyers, and cruisers. Carefully, he studied the Flex-aor capital ships. He shook his head slightly when he saw no sign of a flagship or queenship. The last time the Flex-aor had attacked, the UN fleets had quickly learned that taking out a Flex-aor flagship or even better, killing one of their Queens, often fragmented their forces. Yet only the largest Flex-aor fleets had been commanded by such leaders. Which means that it may be no Queen managed to escape the blockade we put on their worlds, James thought. Though he would have liked to be able to target the fleet’s commander, if no Queen had escaped thirty years ago, it meant the fleet in front of him was likely all the forces the Flex-aor had.

Further out from the ball of capital ships, about forty frigates were patrolling back and forth, their active sensors blaring as they filled space with electromagnetic energy. An additional six groups of six frigates were moving into the system. Spread out forming a cone formation, they were actively searching what would presumably be the main fleet’s course towards New Delhi. James wished he had mines or some other kind of surprise waiting for the Flex-aor; sadly the enemy scouts weren’t going to find anything. All of the Imperial fleet’s advanced defensive weaponry where stationed along the frontline facing the Karacknid Empire.

The only thing he had opposing the Flex-aor fleet was Home Fleet itself. Currently, James had Home Fleet sitting just one light hour from the shift passage, blocking the Flex-aor fleet’s line of advance. In the previous war, the Flex-aor’s massive advantage in missile range had meant every siege battle had been fought as James had his ships stationed now. Back then, stationing a defensive fleet in orbit of the planet an Admiral wished to protect had essentially been a death sentence. The Flex-aor had been able to stay outside the missile range of the defenders and bombard the planet’s defenses into debris. Now, James was far more confident both his mark VII and VIII missiles could out-range the Flex-aor. Yet he wasn’t certain, so he wanted to make sure before he fell back to New Delhi. Plus, putting his ships where they were was hopefully exactly what the Flex-aor commander would have expected. James wanted his opponent to continue thinking things would play out as they had in the past for as long as possible. “It seems they have begun as we anticipated,” James said as he turned to Davenport. “What do you think?”

“We start with Plan Three,” Davenport suggested. “Our destroyers should have no problems with their targets. At least, if they do, then we’ll know we are going to be in even more danger than we fear.”

James nodded. “Plan Three it is. Send out the orders.”

Moments later, from the one hundred and eighty-seven contacts that surrounded Oblivion, four divisions of destroyers lit up their engines and moved towards the Flex-aor fleet. An uneasy feeling assaulted James’ stomach. Achilles was in one of the divisions. She was at the rear of the line, and facing six Flex-aor frigates was far less of a risk than what every ship in the fleet would soon be facing. Nevertheless, he couldn’t help but feel concern for his son. He had just got him back and already, Jonathan was heading into danger once again. Stay safe, he thought towards his son as the battle for New Delhi began. And look out for him, James added as his mind turned to the Commodore commanding the destroyer division. Now, everyone in Home Fleet knew who Jonathan really was. James suspected Jonathan wasn’t enjoying that in the least; for his part, James hoped it meant the other destroyer Captains in Jonathan’s division would go above and beyond to protect him.

*

Achilles

“Two of the Flex-aor frigate squadrons are moving to intercept us,” Lydia reported from her position manning Achilles’ sensor console.

Jonathan smiled at his acting Second Lieutenant, “It seems we’re going to get to put our new ship to the test. Any orders from Commodore McMillan?”

“None yet Captain,” Lieutenant Rutherford replied from the COM station.

“All weapon systems are fully functional,” First Lieutenant Samantha Cortez added. “She is as ready as she is going to be.”

“Of that, I have no doubts,” Jonathan said as he turned to his second-in-command. Initially, when he had read Cortez’s personnel file, he had been concerned by her transfer. She had been Second Lieutenant on board the battlecruiser Zeus. She also had five years’ seniority over him in the Navy. By all rights, she deserved command of Achilles. Jonathan had feared she would resent his position. Yet over the last three days, she had thrown herself into getting the newly-constructed destroyer fully operational. In the live fire drills and fleet maneuvers his father had carried out as Home Fleet had prepared for the Flex-aor, Achilles had performed admirably. Jonathan was very aware that most of that was down to Cortez.

Turning from his officers, Jonathan assessed the situation. The four destroyers of Commodore McMillan’s destroyer division were moving to intercept one of the Flex-aor frigate squadrons. A second enemy squadron was trying to pin McMillan between their forces. At present, it seemed like McMillan was content to let his command be trapped. If Jonathan didn’t know McMillan’s orders were to test the Flex-aor’s combat capabilities and not commit to a running battle, he would be starting to get concerned. Four against twelve were not good odds.

“I’m getting targeting data through from Commodore McMillan,” Third Lieutenant Schmidt reported. “We will be focusing our fire on the first three ships of Beta squadron.”

Jonathan nodded as the targets began to flash on the holo display. McMillan had switched targets. Rather than engage the first squadron they were currently closing with, he intended to attack the second group of Flex-aor frigates trying to close with their destroyers. This should be interesting, Jonathan thought as he licked his lips. Beta squadron was further away from McMillan’s destroyers than Alpha. Logically, engaging them made no sense. At least, not as things were. Jonathan couldn’t help but edge forward in his command chair as he anticipated what was coming.

“Course change coming in from Danube, McMillan is turning us towards Alpha squadron,” Fifth Lieutenant Scholes reported from his position at Achilles navigation console. “Turning now.”

As Danube, McMillan’s flagship turned, she also increased her acceleration rate. Achilles and the other two destroyers and McMillan’s division did likewise. The result of the maneuver meant the destroyer division was closing with Alpha much faster. Jonathan realized what McMillan was doing. If Beta wanted to still engage, they would have to increase their acceleration rates. That was, if they could. Moments later and they got an answer. Beta squadron did increase its acceleration rate.

“The readings from their reactors haven’t increased,” Lydia reported.

“They were sandbagging,” Jonathan concluded. The Flex-aor frigates had been hiding their full capabilities. Of course, so too had McMillan’s division.

“We’re increasing acceleration again,” Scholes updated everyone.

This time, Achilles raised her acceleration rate to her maximum. The closing rate with the Flex-aor Alpha squadron increased even more. When Alpha began to react, Jonathan realized just what McMillan was doing. Not wanting to engage four destroyers on their own, Alpha squadron actually began to turn away from Danube to give Beta a chance to catch up. At the same time, Beta squadron increased their acceleration rates again. This time, the energy emissions leaking from the reactors did increase.

“Beta is pushing themselves beyond their normal acceleration rates,” Cortez guessed.

“A trick we still have up our sleeve,” Jonathan commented. “One I think we are about to use,” he predicted. Sure enough, four minutes later, just long enough that the Flex-aor squadrons had fully committed to their new courses, McMillan sent new orders to his destroyers. Pushing their impulse engines and maneuvering thrusters beyond their recommended safety limits, McMillan swung his destroyers around. In spaceship terms, they turned on a dime and suddenly began to charge towards Beta squadron. The Flex-aor were slow to react. It took nearly thirty seconds for Beta to turn their noses in an effort to decelerate. Nearly as much time again passed before Alpha reversed its trajectory to once again try and close with McMillan’s division. Their delay only enhanced the effectiveness of McMillan’s maneuver, for the Imperial destroyers’ advantage in engine power meant they were now closing with Beta squadron far quicker than Alpha could catch up with them. Beta squadron, having already committed so much energy into trying to close with McMillan’s destroyers, was desperately trying to overcome their own momentum that was still taking them towards Danube and Achilles. Even when they pushed their engines harder and increased their acceleration rate by another percentage point, it was clear on the holo display that they were not going to be able to get out of missile range.

“Instructions coming through from Commodore McMillan,” Lydia reported. “We’ll be firing two salvos and then breaking off the engagement. The first salvo will be mark VIII missiles, the second mark VII. We will fire our first salvo when the Flex-aor do.”

“Very well,” Jonathan replied. “Load our tubes accordingly.” With Achilles keeping station with Agamemnon, directly ahead of her, Jonathan had nothing more to do but sit and watch. This was McMillan’s battle. Though if things went awry and Danube was destroyed, Captain Shepherd of Agamemnon was next in the seniority line. She would take command to continue the fight. I just have to fight Achilles as best I can, Jonathan thought to himself. Surprisingly, after everything he had been through, he found himself far less nervous heading into the teeth of an enemy squadron than he would have expected a year ago. In comparison to commanding Python tens of light years away from the nearest Imperial base and having to make decisions on his own that could have wide reaching ramifications, following Agamemnon was relatively straightforward.

“Missile launches!” Schmidt suddenly called out. “Beta squadron has opened fire. Six contacts inbound.”

Jonathan’s stomach clenched. He berated himself for downplaying the situation. Enemy missiles were approaching his ship. You are responsible for all their lives, he told himself as he tried to remember the faces of as many of his crew as he could. Achilles was manned by one hundred and ninety-six Humans. Nearly five times as many people as Jonathan had been in charge of on Python.

“Prepare to alter course,” Jonathan warned Lieutenant Scholes.

“Sir?” Scholes questioned.

Jonathan didn’t have to answer. New orders came in from Danube. Keeping formation with Agamemnon ahead of her, Scholes swung Achilles away from the Beta squadron frigates. Far quicker than before, Beta squadron responded by reducing their deceleration. It wouldn’t be enough however; McMillan had the momentum and acceleration advantage. His destroyers would be able to get out of range before the Flex-aor could fire a second salvo.

“The range of their missiles is impressive,” Lydia said. “They’ve been able to triple it since we last fought them.”

“It’s a good thing we have increased ours even more,” Jonathan replied. Technically, McMillan could have ordered the mark VIII missiles fired several minutes ago, and the even longer range VIIs before that. Doing it this way though, McMillan had determined the maximum range of the Flex-aor missiles. That would serve Home Fleet well in the coming fleet battle. “For once, it looks like we’re going to have the range advantage,” Jonathan added.

“We are being assigned target Sierra six as our primary target, and Sierra five as our secondary,” Schmidt reported. “Tracking Sierra six now…. Opening fire in five seconds,” Schmidt continued… “Firing!”

Achilles joined her sister ships in hurling six mark VIII missiles from her tubes. As soon as they were clear, their engines kicked in and began to move them rapidly towards Beta squadron. Jonathan nodded in satisfaction as he watched both groups of missiles. The mark VIIIs had a significantly higher acceleration rate than the Flex-aor missiles. As a result, they would strike the Flex-aor frigates with a higher closing velocity, making them harder to hit. “Launch our combat drones,” Jonathan ordered as Achilles’ missile tubes began to be reloaded with mark VIIs.

From Achilles’ hull, six drones detached and took up positions above and below the destroyer relative to the incoming missiles. Four of the drones powered up their active sensors allowing Achilles to better triangulate on the Flex-aor missiles. The other two charged up their laser cannons to catch the enemy missiles in a crossfire.

“It would be nice to have a couple of gunships right about now,” Cortez commented. “They could fly out and engage those missiles before they release their ordinance.”

“It would be very nice,” Jonathan agreed. “We’ll just have to do it the old-fashioned way.”

“Missile separations,” Schmidt updated.

Jonathan held his breath as the first stage of the Flex-aor missiles broke apart. This was where things would get interesting. The last time Flex-aor frigates had been seen in action, their smaller caliber missiles had released just four short range missiles. Now, as the six missiles broke apart, they each revealed six more contacts that immediately began to accelerate. Thirty-six enemy missiles were now closing with McMillan’s destroyer division. The next question was, how effective would the Flex-aor missiles ECM be? Thirty-six could either be easy to take out, or could end up running rings around the Imperial destroyers’ defensive fire.

Before Jonathan got an answer to his question, everyone on Achilles’ bridge was able to watch their own missiles strike home. The Flex-aor frigates put out an impressive amount of defensive fire. Yet as far as Achilles’ sensors could tell, they were only firing laser beams. The sheer weight of fire started to take its toll as Imperial missiles were destroyed. However, without more sophisticated area effect weaponry, the Imperial missiles’ ECM was throwing off much of the Flex-aor fire. Evasive maneuvers from the missiles also allowed more of them to close with their targets. Jonathan smiled when five of the twenty-four reached attack range. As soon as they did, they detonated. Funneling the nuclear energy from their detonations through focusing crystals, they hurled fifteen laser beams at the Flex-aor frigates. Not expecting to be attacked so soon, the Flex-aor ships hadn’t begun any evasive maneuvers. Three of them were pierced by energy beams. Two disappeared in blinding explosions. The third began to tumble away from its remaining comrades out of control and breaking apart.

More than one of Achilles’ bridge officers shouted in triumph. Jonathan even punched his fist in the air. One of Achilles’ missiles had scored two laser beam hits on the frigate that was falling out of formation. Even as he watched, the forces from its uncontrolled spin caused the frigate to break into three chunks. Achilles had her first official kill. “Now let’s make sure the same doesn’t happen to us,” Jonathan cautioned to bring his crew back to reality.

“You heard the Captain,” Cortez said sternly. “Focus on the matter at hand. Your lives depend on it.”

The jubilation at scoring their first kill quickly give way to a focused silence as everyone turned back to their own consoles. “Enemy missiles entering outer point defensive range in thirty seconds,” Schmidt reported.

“Open fire at will,” Jonathan responded.

As soon as the missiles came into range, long-range AM missiles were launched from the four destroyers. They had a flight time of one hundred and twenty seconds. Just moments after being launched, the Flex-aor missiles detected them and began carrying out evasive maneuvers. Their maneuver caused the missiles to begin to spread apart. When the AM missiles reached them, five hits were registered. Seconds later, the destroyer’s flak cannons and arc emitters opened up. Filling large areas of space with either shrapnel bursts or electric waves, they took out another eleven missiles. Next, it was the turn of Achilles’ small plasma and laser cannons. Hundreds of bolts and beams were shot out towards the missiles. For a few seconds, Jonathan’s concern began to grow as no hits were registered. The Flex-aor’s ECM was impressive. Yet eventually, one more missile was blown apart. Another quickly followed it. Then more and more started to detonate. When they were reloaded, Achilles’ flak cannons and then arc emitters fired again. Finally, shorter-range high-velocity AM missiles began to be launched.

“We’ve destroyed all our assigned missiles,” Schmidt announced ecstatically.

“Three from Agamemnon are still tracking us,” Lydia warned.

“Take them out!” Jonathan ordered, worried that Schmidt had lost his focus. His fingers twitched as he was tempted to take control of Achilles’ tactical station. It had been his position on Resolute after all. Trust in your people, Jonathan said to himself. As far as he had been able to tell, Schmidt had scored just as well as he might have expected himself to do in the training maneuvers they had carried out.

Achilles threw everything she could at the remaining three missiles. Within seconds, Agamemnon joined in, having destroyed the missiles targeting her. Two were blasted apart. The final one proved more stubborn, however. It dodged everything thrown at it. “Evasive maneuvers!” Jonathan found himself screaming.

Achilles’ engines roared and everyone’s restraints tightened around them as Scholes threw Achilles into a corkscrew to throw off the missile’s aim. The maneuver met with partial success. The missile missed scoring a direct hit. Sensing its failure, the missiles’ warhead detonated it as close to Achilles as it could. Alarms blared in Jonathan’s ear as thermonuclear energy washed over his command. As he was thrown around in his command chair, he feared the worst. Yet unlike on Python, the bridge’s lights didn’t fail. Rather than get worse, the alarms quickly silenced themselves. “Damage report?” Jonathan demanded as soon as he stopped being jostled.

“Nothing to report Captain,” Cortez responded instantly. “All systems are reporting normal. The explosion was a proximity hit; our gaseous shields deflected most of the explosion wave. Our armor absorbed the rest.”

Jonathan pulled up a live feed of Achilles’ systems. He had to see it himself to believe it. Sure enough, no damage was being reported. He shook his head as he silently thanked whatever scientists had come up with the idea to adapt the gaseous shields. He knew they had been strengthened considerably since the Karacknid war. Python hadn’t had the shields, a proximity hit like the one Achilles had just suffered probably would have ended the pirate destroyer. It could have crippled us, Jonathan was certain, if not for the shields.

“Commodore McMillian is requesting a status update,” Rutherford reported.

“Inform him we are undamaged and battle ready,” Jonathan replied.

“He has acknowledged Captain,” Rutherford said.

“We’re getting new targeting data,” Schmidt announced. “Firing our mark VIIs in thirty seconds.”

Jonathan smiled as he pictured the Flex-aor’s shock when Achilles opened fire once again. The mark VIIs had eighty percent more range than the VIIIs. If he wanted to, Macmillan could have engaged the Flex-aor frigates without ever letting them get into range to fire their own missiles. The Flex-aor that had survived the Imperial destroyer’s first salvo probably thought themselves safe. If so, they had been wrong. Over the course of thirteen minutes, the mark VIIs raced towards the Flex-aor frigates. With a less powerful engine, they didn’t quite reach the same closing velocity of the VIIIs but they had other tricks. First, just two minutes outside of the Flex-aor’s point defense’s range, the first stage of the mark VIIs disengaged their engines. Four smaller missiles were released from the missiles’ forward section. Gunning their engines, the smaller missiles accelerated with far greater thrust. They were also equipped with advanced maneuvering thrusters. When the Flex-aor did open fire with their defensive lasers, the Imperial missiles twisted and weaved with great flexibility. However, not large enough to be armed with focusing crystals, the small missiles had to dodge every defensive beam fired at them as they closed to point-blank range with the enemy frigates. Many were destroyed. Yet several punched through the Flex-aor defenses to strike each of the frigates. Though small, their warheads were antimatter warheads. As they struck the frigates and detonated, they each released more than enough antimatter to wipe out their targets. Seconds after the explosions began, all three Flex-aor frigates were no more.

“Six down and not a scratch on any of us,” Cortez said as she flashed Jonathan and then Achilles’ other officers a grin. “That’s not a bad start.”

“No it’s not,” Jonathan said, sharing his First Officer’s grin. As he looked beyond the other forward Flex-aor frigate squadrons, his grin quickly faded. Destroying six Flex-aor ships hardly made more than a scratch in their strength. As Jonathan glanced back to Home Fleet, what was left of his enthusiasm began to fade. His father’s fleet was still outnumbered ten to one. We’re going to need a lot more similar victories if we’re going to survive this, he couldn’t help but feel.

Chapter 30

Despite being focused on only a handful of systems, and not gaining widespread public support, the attempted secession of 2508 did significant damage to the Imperial Fleet’s supply chains and construction schedules. Those ships would end up being dearly missed in the years that immediately followed.

-Excerpt from Empire Ascendant 3015 AD.

IS Oblivion

“That worked well Admiral,” Davenport commented as the last of the destroyer divisions pulled back from their engagements. “They have improved their capabilities, but they haven’t overtaken us.”

“Which is just as well for us,” James replied. “I guess we have something to thank the Karacknid War for.” Of the sixteen destroyers James had sent forward, only one had been lost. In contrast, the four destroyer divisions had scored twenty-three kills. “Any damage reports coming yet from the destroyers?” He couldn’t help but ask. Everyone on Oblivion’s bridge now knew his son commanded Achilles. There was no point him trying to hide his concern. He knew the destroyer had suffered a proximity hit.

“They have just started to come in over the last thirty seconds,” Oblivion’s First Lieutenant reported. “Achilles reports all systems functioning as normal. She also has one confirmed kill.” James nodded to the officer, unable to hide all the relief from his face. He even smiled a little. His son was already proving the trust Davenport had placed in him was merited.

“The destroyer divisions are pulling back to join us,” Davenport said. “What are your next orders Admiral? It seems that we out range them with both in mark VIIs and VIIIs. Operation Slash and Burn?”

James considered Davenport’s question for several seconds. The Flex-aor already had several stronger squadrons of light cruisers, destroyers, and frigates moving ahead of their main fleet to replace the frigate squadrons that had been damaged or destroyed. He was tempted to push forward his own reinforced squadrons to engage them. If he could continue taking out their ships at a ratio of twenty-three to one, there was a chance he could whittle away the Flex-aor fleet strength before it ever reached New Delhi. Yet he was certain the Flex-aor would never allow him to keep engaging their ships with forces of equal numbers. They had the numerical superiority; it was only a matter of time before they used it. And besides, that wasn’t why James had his fleet out beyond the support of New Delhi’s battlestations. He was here to buy time for New Delhi’s defenses to be strengthened. Every hour he could buy, more defense satellites and other makeshift weaponry that most of the fleet’s engineers were working on could be brought online. “Operation Slash and Burn it is,” he said with a nod.

“Sending the orders now Admiral,” Davenport responded immediately.

In response, Home Fleet turned their noses away from the Flex-aor fleet and actually began to accelerate out of their blocking position. To the casual observer, it would look like they were opening the way for the Flex-aor to attack New Delhi. Sensing some kind of trap, the Flex-aor fleet slowed its approach. Yet they didn’t deviate from their course. Instead, more frigates and destroyers spread out searching for some hidden danger.

For an hour, James watched the Flex-aor fleet as it closed with and then began to pass in front of Home Fleet. When the time finally came, he glanced at Davenport. “Let us begin the first attack run.”

Moments later, and Home Fleet roared into action. Oblivion’s reactors went to full power, and her impulse engines thrust her forward. The Flex-aor had already observed the full acceleration capabilities of an Imperial destroyer, but James doubted they had anticipated just how fast even Davenport’s dreadnought was. All of the Imperial war fleet had been designed with speed in mind. Barely slower than Jonathan’s Achilles had been able to accelerate, Oblivion led Home Fleet as they charged towards the Flex-aor fleet. As the holo display updated projecting the course of both fleets, it became clear that James had his ships aimed at the rear of the Flex-aor formation. With his higher acceleration rates, he’d be able to close with the Flex-aor with ease. More importantly, he’d be able to fire off half a dozen salvos of his long-range mark VII missiles, and then angle away from the Flex-aor fleet before they could open fire. The only way they could prevent his maneuver would be to turn and face him. Yet doing so would drastically slow their approach to New Delhi.

For nearly ten minutes, the Flex-aor fleet allowed James to charge at them without responding. When the eleventh minute came and passed, James glanced at Davenport. They can’t be that foolish? His look asked. Davenport shrugged. “Movement!” A sensor officer called out, snapping James’ and Davenport’s heads back towards the holo display. James nodded when he saw what the Flex-aor were doing. Finally, they were turning their ships to face his. “Calculate the opportune time for us to alter course,” James requested. “I want to be able to hit them with two mark VII salvos.” Several seconds later, he smiled when the holo display updated to show Home Fleet’s projected course. As of yet, the Flex-aor hadn’t seen the full range Human mark VII missiles had. They were about to find out. “Carry out the maneuver when we reach the designated point,” James ordered.

When the time came, the ships of Home Fleet altered their heading away from the Flex-aor fleet. The Flex-aor tried to change course as well to continue to close with Oblivion and her consorts, yet as the holo display updated, it was evident the Flex-aor ships didn’t have the momentum or acceleration rates. “Ready to fire,” Davenport’s tactical officer announced. James nodded at Davenport who then gave the order. From Oblivion and the eighty-five ships in formation with her, two thousand four hundred missiles were launched towards the Flex-aor fleet.

Realizing they had been had, the Flex-aor fleet abandoned its attempts to close with Home Fleet. Instead they turned back towards New Delhi and started to accelerate towards the colony with renewed vigor. Their formation also changed as their larger ships huddled closer together to better protect one another. Before James’s first salvo crashed home, Home Fleet fired for the second time, and then their momentum and acceleration took them out of missile range. As soon as their second salvo of missiles were away, the ships of Home Fleet flipped end over end and began to decelerate. Having cut across behind the path of the Flex-aor fleet, they began to slow themselves and prepared to repeat the same attack maneuver.

As Davenport oversaw Home Fleet’s course change, James watched the progress of his missile salvos. With two thousand four hundred missiles closing on the Flex-aor fleet, their ships only had to destroy three missiles each to negate his entire attack. That was, until the mark VIIs cut off their first stage engines and released four smaller antimatter missiles. Now the Flex-aor had many more targets to try and track. Nevertheless, when their point defensive laser beams began to reach out towards his missiles, hundreds of them were blown apart. A wall of explosions gradually crept closer and closer to the Flex-aor fleet as they destroyed missile after missile. As far as Oblivion’s sensors could tell, only ninety missiles reached attack range. Boosting their engines to their maximum for the final few seconds, the missiles dove in towards their targets. Having been so used to seeing the bright blue balls released by the detonation of antimatter warheads erupting among his own ships, James was momentarily taken aback as they bloomed amongst the Flex-aor fleet. It was far from a disappointing image, however. At least forty missiles had got close enough to detonate and immerse their targets in antimatter. When the second salvo crashed in, it wasn’t quite so successful. The Flex-aor clearly learnt from engaging the first salvo. Even so, more than thirty more Flex-aor ships were destroyed or severely damaged.

“Good shooting,” James said to Oblivion’s bridge crew. “Now let’s see if we can hit them again. Repeat the maneuver.”

It took forty minutes for Home Fleet to fully reverse its momentum and begin to charge the Flex-aor again. This time, the Flex-aor reacted differently. Rather than turn and face James’ ships in an effort to force a proper fleet engagement, they actually increased their acceleration rates as they continued on towards New Delhi. “They’re not taking the bait this time,” Davenport said. “They’re willing to let us engage them at long range.”

James nodded. If the Flex-aor didn’t turn towards him, he could stand off and hit them with six missile salvos as he passed along behind their line of advance. Yet this time, if he did so, the Flex-aor fleet would be able to beat him to New Delhi. They’d be able to hammer the colony’s defenses without his ships there to aid them. There were many scenarios in which James would have had no problem allowing the Flex-aor’s plans to play out. For it would allow his fleet to remain at their rear and engage them from behind as New Delhi’s battlestations engaged them from the front. Yet that wasn’t a tactic available to him now. Not when he knew for certain the Flex-aor would try to slip nuclear warheads through New Delhi’s defenses to strike the colony’s cities. If he was facing a Karacknid fleet, he could have tried taking the risk. For the most part, the Karacknids were more interested in conquering than destroying. However, the Flex-aor were another matter entirely. “We can’t let them get to New Delhi ahead of us. Set course for the colony. Maximum acceleration.”

“Aye Admiral,” Davenport responded as she began to give out orders to her command staff.

Pulling up a holo display on his command chair, James did some calculations. He looked back up to Davenport when he saw what he wanted was possible. “From this position, we’ll pass almost parallel to them. As we close, I want to try and strike them with a couple more salvos. They’ll probably alter course to keep us out of range. If they do, it will give us more time to get to New Delhi; if they don’t, all the better. Make sure you update Wing Commander Jensen about our intentions as well.”

“Understood Admiral,” Davenport replied.

It took an hour and a half for Home Fleet to catch up with the Flex-aor fleet. When James’ ships altered course slightly to close, the Flex-aor were slow to react. Home Fleet managed to fire off one more mark VII missile salvo before the Flex-aor turned away. Then James continued to race his ships towards New Delhi. As James watched his next missile salvo head towards the Flex-aor fleet, his stomach began to tighten up into knots again. He had already watched his son go into harm’s way, now he was going to have to watch his daughter. Though he had fought battles where Humanity’s entire future was on the line, James couldn’t help but feel that watching his own children going into battle was wearing him down far more than anything the Karacknid War had.

*

“We have our attack orders,” Wing Commander Jensen said to all her pilots. “We don’t have time for stealth, this will be a hot approach. Engines to maximum. Speed is key today. Our first missiles are to clear a path, reserve your second for enemy capital ships. We need to take out as many as we can. New Delhi is counting on us.”

Georgia listened as each squadron leader acknowledged Jensen’s words. Then new flight data was transmitted to her Hellcat. With a command from Jensen’s fighter, the autopilots in all twelve squadrons that were part of the attack wing brought their fighters out of stealth. Engines roared into life, and their one hundred and forty-four attack craft raced towards the Flex-aor fleet. Georgia understood the need for haste, her Hellcat’s passive sensors had already picked up Home Fleet’s missile salvo. From where the fighters had been hiding in open space, it would take everything her Hellcat had to reach the Flex-aor fleet and attack it in conjunction with the missiles. She couldn’t help the tremor of trepidation that ran up her spine as she stared at the Flex-aor fleet. Even with half or more of the enemy fleet’s point defenses focused on the incoming missiles, it was going to be one hell of a hot approach. Focus, Georgia told herself as she glanced at New Delhi. Jensen was right. Whatever the cost to her or her squadron, she needed to strike hard at the Flex-aor fleet. And don’t forget about Jonathan, she reminded herself. Her Hellcat had picked up the report Achilles had transmitted back to Oblivion, and Georgia had read it as she had been waiting in her Hellcat. Her brother now had one confirmed kill with Achilles. Added to the other pirate ships he had already destroyed, he was leaping ahead of her. She needed to start to claw him back. “Let’s do this,” Georgia said out loud as she ran a final system’s check and then focused her full attention on the Flex-aor fleet.

When the time came, she gripped her flight stick and disengaged her Hellcat’s autopilot. The Flex-aor fleet had already opened up on Home Fleet’s missile salvo with their point defenses. As soon as she had control of her fighter, Georgia began to gently move it into a series of evasive maneuvers. They were simply warmup exercises. When the warning beep from her Hellcat told her she was thirty seconds out from the maximum effective range of the enemy weapons, she put her full effort into their maneuvers. This time, as her vision narrowed down to just the space immediately in front of her fighter, she wasn’t surprised. Though she still felt fear coursing through her body, tensing her muscles and causing her stomach to do somersaults, Georgia kept herself under control. She knew what was coming. She had faced it before. This time, she was determined to be the one dishing out death and destruction.

Georgia didn’t flinch when the first laser beams began to zip past her fighter. Nor when larger explosions marked the first deaths among her fellow pilots. Falling into the same trancelike state she had reached at New France, she instinctively twisted and weaved, all the while keeping her focus on the Flex-aor destroyer she had targeted. The sudden flaring of a multitude of colors in front of her didn’t even make her blink. She knew her fighter’s shields had just deflected a laser beam. Without faltering, she continued her evasive maneuvers. If her fighter was going to be blown apart, it would happen before she realized. As long as she could still maneuver, she would fix her attention on the enemy destroyer. You’re not nuking any cities today! She growled into herself as her body tensed up anticipating what was about to come. Seconds later, she wasn’t disappointed. Her fighter beeped at her to say her missile was in range. Without hesitation, she pressed the firing button on her joystick. For the briefest of seconds, her view was dominated by the exhaust plume from her antimatter missile. In a flash, it accelerated far faster than her fighter could and raced towards the destroyer.

At once, Georgia switched targets. Even as she focused her gaze on the much larger Flex-aor heavy cruiser that was a real target, antimatter detonations suddenly began to fill her vision. Home Fleet’s missile salvo was striking home. Don’t hit the heavy cruiser, Georgia found herself wishing. She didn’t want her kill taken from her. Sure enough, the heavy cruiser survived the barrage intact. As soon as the last detonation dissipated, the amount of defensive fire coming Georgia’s way intensified. She swore as several beams came dangerously close to her Hellcat. Then her shields flared again. A new alarm warned her that they had failed. Despite her fear spiking, Georgia grunted in satisfaction when she saw the destroyer she had targeted appear in her peripheral vision. Just moments after it did, her fighter beeped at her again. Her second missile had locked onto the Flex-aor heavy cruiser. Without hesitation, she released it. Immediately, Georgia snapped her fighter up and away from the Flex-aor fleet while still carrying out her evasive maneuvers. Despite the missiles that she and her wing had fired, a colossal amount of point defense fire continued to be directed at her Hellcat. Sweat ran down Georgia’s back as she fought desperately to keep her fighter from being hit. She didn’t even think of trying to glance back to see if her second missile had struck home. Even when the fire began to slacken and then dissipate, her mind didn’t go to the heavy cruiser. Instead, she was overwhelmed by a deep sense of relief. The enemy fire had been far more deadly than her attack on the pirate ships. Yet somehow, she had survived once again!

As Georgia checked her sensor feed, her relief faltered. All of Jensen’s squadrons had holes in their formations. A quick glance told her nearly a third of the one hundred and forty-four fighters that had begun the attack hadn’t made it back. When Georgia turned her attention to the Flex-aor fleet, it looked like more than one hundred ships had been destroyed. I hope it was worth it, she thought as she fought to hold back tears for the friends she knew she was going to find out she had lost. The first missile salvo the Flex-aor would be able to fire at New Delhi’s defenses had been cut by an eighth. She just hoped that would be enough!

Chapter 31

Though the secessionist movement of the 2500’s was short lived, it was a foretaste of more serious problems to come. Since then, throughout the Empire’s history, pockets of secessionist sentiment have flared up again and again. None were more serious or had such far-reaching impacts as the movement that lead to the first Imperial Civil War.

-Excerpt from Empire Ascendant 3015 AD.

IS Oblivion

“And now, the real battle begins,” James said to Oblivion’s bridge officers as Wing Commander Jensen’s fighters were all pulling up and away from the Flex-aor fleet. Their antimatter missiles had finished detonating. Now nothing stood between the Flex-aor and New Delhi. Nothing but Home Fleet and the colony’s orbital battlestations. But at least Georgia survived, James thought to himself. He was certain she would be racing back as fast as she could with the rest of Jensen’s fighters to land on their carriers, refuel, and rearm for another sortie. Guiltily, a part of James hoped they wouldn’t be able to return to the fight in time. If the battle was over, whatever the outcome, she would be spared having to risk her life again. Not whatever the outcome, James scolded himself. We are going to finish this the right way. No nukes are striking New Delhi. Not if I can help it! “How are our modifications coming along?” He asked as determination made his hands clench into fists.

“Eight more battlestations have been readied,” one of Davenport’s staff officers replied instantly. “Three more are nearing completion. They should be ready in time. The total number is now twenty-six.”

“All right, abandon the efforts on the other stations,” James decided. “They will have to defend New Delhi as they were originally intended. Send a flash alert to all ships and stations involved in Plan Lift-off, order them to carry out final systems checks and report readiness to proceed.” Twenty-six was not as many as James had been hoping for, but it was better than twenty or twenty-one. His engagement of the Flex-aor fleet had bought enough time to get several more battlestations ready. It will have to be enough, he told himself.

“Aye Admiral,” a COM officer said in response to James’ order, unaware of her Admiral’s concerns.

“How soon do you want to begin?” Davenport asked.

“We must wait until they are close enough that they can’t get missiles around us to strike the colony,” James replied. “As soon as they get that close, we will begin.” Officers around James, including Davenport, nodded at his words. As James looked up at the holo display and the depiction of the Flex-aor fleet, most officers did the same. In silence, they all watched the seven hundred strong enemy fleet approach New Delhi. Every Flex-aor ship had its missile ports open and its active sensors at full power. Their intention was unmistakable. They were coming for blood. And they’re going to get it, James was sure. He had been badly outnumbered in battles before. He was no stranger to that. For once, he had the technological advantage. Yet he was outnumbered by at least a factor of four to one. And he wasn’t just fighting to defend his forces; New Delhi’s future hung in the balance. That severely limited his options. Still, brooding wasn’t going to do him any good. “How is the evacuation coming along?” James asked to break the silence.

“Most of the major cities have now been cleared,” one of Davenport’s staff officers answered. “At least, cleared of as many people as can be convinced to leave. Former Governor Varma is making sure they are spread out across the planet’s surface as much as is feasible.”

James nodded. Over the last two days Varma had proven herself a competent administrator. Begrudgingly, James had to admit she was skilled. He was glad he longer had to consider her an opponent, at least, not in the short term anyway.

“Former Governor Varma is actually trying to open a COM channel to you Admiral,” a COM officer reported.

James glanced at the Flex-aor fleet. They were still about ten minutes away from the point where he could begin his plan. “Very well, put her through,” he replied.

“Admiral,” the former Governor said, scorn completely absent from her voice. Instead, she spoke with an earnestness James hadn’t heard from her before. “I have watched your fleet’s engagement with the enemy so far, and I wish to thank you for your efforts to this point. I see the Flex-aor are quickly approaching. I wanted to let you and your ships know that the hopes and prayers of the people of New Delhi will be with you as you stand between us and certain death.”

“Thank you,” James said, taken aback at her words. “I know it must cost you to speak like that to us. My people will understand the genuineness of your concern for us.”

“I’ve had it explained to me what you intend to attempt,” Varma replied. “I’m no tactician, but I understand at least in part. Your force is risking everything to give us a chance. I may have my disagreements with you Admiral, but I will not disparage your courage, nor that of your fleet’s.”

“I hear you have done well evacuating your people. If it comes to it, you will have saved many lives,” James said. “But let us hope the courage and skill of my people will mean your efforts will have been for nothing.”

Varma nodded, and even smiled a little. “For once, I couldn’t agree with you more Admiral. Thank you for your time. I will owe you a drink when this is all over. But do not let me distract you any further.”

“I will hold you to that,” James replied as he found himself smiling slightly as well. “Farewell.” Varma gave him one final nod and then cut the COM channel. James turned to Davenport. “That was unexpected. See that Varma’s words are sent to the fleet.”

“Of course Admiral,” Davenport responded as she gestured to her COM officer.

James waited several more minutes as he resumed watching the Flex-aor fleet approach. “It’s almost time,” he said as he sat up straighter in his command chair. “Open a COM channel to Home Fleet.” When the channel was open, James took a breath and then stared unblinkingly at the holo recorders. “Men and women of the Imperial Fleet. You all know me; you all know what I and my generation accomplished against the Karacknids two decades ago. For most of you, war is a new experience. So far this day, you have all handled yourselves admirably. Now however, the real test comes. The Flex-aor may not be the Karacknids, but the threat they pose to New Delhi is as serious as any Human world has ever faced. As even a child could tell, we are badly outnumbered. Yet we have all committed our lives to the Imperial Fleet. We have trained for many years to prepare ourselves for moments like these. I want each of you to look around at those to your left and right. Do not lose sight of who you are fighting for, and who you are fighting with. We are the Imperial Fleet. We have faced Karacknid invasion fleets thousands of ships strong and not backed down. We have advanced right to the heart of the Karacknid Empire and won our freedom.” James paused as he shook his head. “No Flex-aor fleet is going to take that from the people of New Delhi. Not while we are here. We may have come to put down a secessionist rebellion, but citizens of New Delhi, those loyal or even those who may not be, are still human. They are our people. Let us show the Flex-aor that they cannot be snuffed out like unwanted bugs. Let us meet them in battle! It is an honor for me to lead you into battle. Do not waver, and you will not disappoint me, nor our Empire.” For a moment, James stared at the holo recorder to let everyone in the fleet see his resolve. Then, with a gesture, he ordered the COM channel ended. “This is it then,” he said to Davenport and her staff officers. “Break orbit, take us out.”

“Aye Admiral,” Davenport said, passion filling her voice. “You heard him,” she said to her officers. “Let us blast these scum to smithereens!”

James watched as, with a renewed vigor, Oblivion’s officers got the dreadnought and the rest of Home Fleet moving. As the holo display showed however, not just Home Fleet, but every ship in James’ command began to break orbit. Two hundred and fifty-six secessionist ships had been joined to his force. A further one hundred and forty freighters and yachts had been commandeered and armed with point defenses. What kept James’ focus though, were the twenty-six orbital battlestations that also began to move. Far slower than even a bulky freighter, they gradually moved out of their orbits. Though it couldn’t be seen from the angle James was looking at them from, he knew each battlestation had four freighters welded onto the underside of their superstructures. The freighters’ engines were pushing them out of orbit. Around the battlestations, other unarmed freighters also started to move. Long wires stretched out behind them as they towed more than two hundred small defense satellites with them. Though the satellites had no long-range offensive weaponry, they were designed to bolster New Delhi’s battlestations’ defensive fire.

With his mismatched fleet all keeping formation with one another, they broke out of New Delhi’s orbit and slowly moved towards the Flex-aor fleet. Oblivion’s nose pointed directly at the heart of the Flex-aor’s formation. James was making his intentions crystal clear. If the Flex-aor wanted to get into missile range of New Delhi, they had to go through his force. Either his ships would blast the Flex-aor apart before they could attack the colony, or Home Fleet would be wiped out, and then New Delhi destroyed. There was no more time or space for James to carry out any additional tricks. The one thing he couldn’t allow, was for the Flex-aor to get into range to engage New Delhi’s defenses, for they would undoubtedly try to slip some nuclear warheads past the colony’s defensive fire. James had to take the battle to them. Now all he could do was trust in the weapons technologies and the skills of the people he had spent the last two decades preparing.

“We’re entering missile range with our mark VII’s,” a tactical officer reported.

“Fire as soon as we can,” Davenport responded.

Seconds later and the Imperial ships and battlestations fired three thousand eight hundred missiles at the Flex-aor. As soon as they could, a second salvo was released, and then a third. “Switching to mark VIII’s,” someone called out, just before the fourth salvo was fired.

Barely a minute before the first salvo reached the Flex-aor fleet, they fired their first group of missiles. Nearly seven thousand new contacts appeared on the holo plot tracking towards James’ fleet. He swallowed when he saw the number, for he knew each missile would break apart to the release as many as ten more. Still, before they reached Oblivion, James got to watch his first salvo strike home. As each successive wave of mark VII’s got close to the Flex-aor fleet, they broke apart, releasing four smaller antimatter missiles each. Hundreds of thousands of laser beams were fired at them. Thousands were destroyed before they could cause any damage. Yet enough from each salvo survived to fill the Flex-aor fleets formation with bright blue balls of death.

Next, it was the turn of the first mark VIII missiles. Not having to get as close to the Flex-aor, more of them survived to detonate and hurl overpowered laser beams into the Flex-aor ships. Oblivion’s sensors detected too many hits for James to fully count. Before he could assess just how badly damaged the Flex-aor fleet had been, their first salvo finally closed to attack range. Like his own mark VII’s, the Flex-aor missiles were programmed to break apart before entering point defensive range of James’ fleet. Yet many of them didn’t get the chance. James had pushed all of his gun ships ahead of the fleet, hidden in stealth. As Flex-aor missiles passed them, they revealed themselves as they sprang into life and hurled thousands of laser beams at the missiles. Hundreds were destroyed. Sensing the danger they were in, the Flex-aor missiles either began to carry out evasive maneuvers or released their smaller missiles early. Both actions disrupted the coordinated fire of the Flex-aor attack.

Even so, as thousands of missiles began to enter point defense range, James knew his fleet was in trouble. Sure enough, despite everything his fleet hurled at them, Flex-aor missiles breached their defensive fire. Around Oblivion, warships, civilian freighters and battlestations began to die. When the explosions ceased, and Oblivion’s sensors were once again able to see beyond the dreadnought’s immediate vicinity, the next Flex-aor salvo was just minutes away. James’ eyes sought it out first on the holo display, then snapped to the Flex-aor fleet. Another one of his salvos was already attacking them. James watched as more Flex-aor ships died. Then his own fleet, back in formation, fired again. This time, an even larger missile salvo was accelerated towards the Flex-aor. Finally, the secessionists’ ships were close enough to be able to use their missiles. The missiles barely left their tubes however, before the secessionists’ ships and the rest of James’s force had to open up with their point defenses again. As more Flex-aor missiles reached attack range and began to detonate, James winced. Three battlestations and five Imperial ships were blown apart. Nearly three times as many secessionist and civilian ships were destroyed as well. His force was being whittled away far too quickly!

Desperately, he checked the range to the Flex-aor fleet. With his force moving so slowly because of the battlestations, they still weren’t in energy weapon range yet. Three more salvos, James said to himself as he judged the distance. His fleet had to survive three more salvos. James began to doubt himself. Each enemy salvo was reducing the effectiveness of his fleet’s defensive fire. Yes, he was hurting the Flex-aor as well, but as he looked at their fleet, he guessed they had nearly six hundred ships still fully operational. He was losing ships almost as fast as they were. Yet they had the numerical advantage, he couldn’t afford a like-for-like trade!

In desperation, James glanced around at his officers. Davenport and the rest were focused on their own tasks however. His eyes then looked back to the holo plot. The strategic situation was set. There was nothing he could do. There is one thing, James told himself. He hated the idea, yet he knew it had to be done. “Order the civilian and secessionists’ ships to push ahead of Home Fleet,” he ordered. “They are to absorb any missiles that make it through our point defensive fire. Our warships must survive to enter energy weapon range.”

“Understood Admiral,” Davenport replied at once. “We will see it done.”

James felt dirty for giving the order. Putting others in front of Oblivion to die in his place felt wrong. We might all be dead soon enough, he thought. Though it didn’t ease his conscience any.

“The enemy fleet is altering course!” a sensor officer called out.

James’ eyes snapped to the Flex-aor fleet. The sensor officer hadn’t been mistaken. The Flex-aor were turning up and away from their direct route to New Delhi. “What?” He couldn’t help demanding.

“They are altering course,” the officer repeated, not realizing just what James was saying.

James shared a glance with Davenport. It made no sense. No sense at all! The Flex-aor were winning. Their numbers were taking their toll on Home Fleet. “It has to be a trick,” he said, though he was not sure exactly how. Within seconds, it became clear, however. As everyone on Oblivion’s bridge watched, the Flex-aor fleet began to split into two. One hundred and seven of their ships suddenly increased their acceleration rates and moved ahead of the main body of Flex-aor warships.

“Frigates,” Davenport said as soon as Oblivion’s sensors identified them. “They’re all frigates.”

James recognized what was happening right away. “They’re going to try and loop them around us to strike at New Delhi,” he warned, his voice faltering. He could see it now. He was going to have to order his faster ships to turn and decelerate. Every Imperial warship would have to try and race back to New Delhi to beat the Flex-aor frigates. Yet in the meantime, the main Flex-aor fleet could decelerate itself and continue to pummel the battlestations and secessionist ships. They would be destroyed with ease. Yes, Home fleet could probably catch the Flex-aor frigates and wipe them out. Yet then the main Flex-aor fleet would come for them. Though James could see what was about to play out, he had no choice. He couldn’t let the frigates reach New Delhi. Their missiles would saturate the defenses of the battlestations still in orbit and rain down on the colony’s cities. Deflated, James sank back into his command chair. He opened his mouth to give the order he knew he must. A COM officer stopped him.

“I’m sorry Admiral, it’s Wing Commander Jensen. She has demanded to be put right through to you.”

Before James could respond, Jensen’s face filled Oblivion’s bridge. “Don’t worry about those frigates Admiral, we have got them.” On the holo plot, ninety-four new contacts sprang into life.

“Jensen’s fighters!” James said, relief flooding over him. “Yes, Wing Commander, you go get them!” Even as he watched, they began to rapidly accelerate after the frigates. James nodded. It was a risk. If Jensen didn’t kill enough of the frigates, the survivors might still be able to overwhelm the six orbital battlestations still at New Delhi. Yet it was a risk he would have to take. “Alter course, pursue the main Flex-aor fleet. I still want to close with them,” he ordered. His original plan still had a chance of working. The Flex-aor weren’t charging right for New Delhi, but they weren’t retreating either.

As his ships turned to continue to pursue the Flex-aor, James couldn’t help but look at the groups of missiles moving between each fleet. His ships still had a long way to go to get to energy weapon range. But we are going to make it, he told himself even as Oblivion’s point defenses began to fire once again. We have to! For if Jensen managed to stop the Flex-aor frigates, he was sure the main enemy fleet would resume its charge for New Delhi once again. He had to have destroyed them by then.

*

Though she knew she shouldn’t, Georgia couldn’t help but watch as missile salvo after missile salvo crashed into her father’s fleet. Her focus should have been solely on the frigates Jensen’s attack wing was pursuing. Yet she couldn’t stop herself. Even as her Hellcat’s engines were screaming at her in protest as she red-lined them, and targeting data was coming in from Jensen’s fighter, Georgia watched as the Flex-aor missiles scored proximity hits on Oblivion. She winced as the thermonuclear energy washed over Oblivion’s shields. A sigh of relief passed her lips when the dreadnought continued on without drawing any outward signs of damage.

A beep from her fighter drew her eyes back in front of her. Focus, she warned herself. The beep was telling her she was approaching energy weapon range of the Flex-aor frigates. Currently, they were looping high up over her father’s fleet relative to New Delhi. It would take them nearly forty-five minutes to circle the Allied Fleet whilst keeping out of missile range and reach New Delhi. At least, if Jensen left them alone, they would. We have to take them, Georgia demanded. She had spoken to Jonathan about what he had seen at Chennai. The scars he carried had been visible. Georgia didn’t want to have to carry around her own.

Forcing her concerns for her father and Jonathan aside, Georgia sought out the frigate that had been assigned to her. Disengaging her autopilot, she threw her fighter into a series of random evasive maneuvers. In her mind, she summoned an image of a mushroom cloud igniting over New Delhi’s capital. The image made her teeth grind together. Her vision narrowed and the Flex-aor frigate consumed her attention. Though her fingers and wrists never stopped twisting and weaving her fighter, Georgia was acting on instinct. Her father and brother were forgotten, even her concern for her own life disappeared. Only one thing mattered, taking out the enemy frigate.

As enemy defensive fire started to zip past Georgia’s Hellcat, she didn’t falter. Even as some of her wing mates were blown apart, she continued on. The moment her Hellcat beeped to inform her she was in range, she depressed the trigger on her flight stick twice. Two missiles accelerated from their racks towards the frigate. Unlike before, Georgia didn’t pull up. Instead, she continued to twist and weave. The Flex-aor frigate switched its fire to both of her missiles. One was blown apart within seconds. Georgia screamed in rage. Then she depressed her second trigger, sending hundreds of laser beams from her two small cannons towards the frigate. They weren’t powerful enough to punch through the frigate’s armor, yet they caused small explosions as they struck the frigate’s hull. Sensor nodes and weapon points exploded when they were hit. Her fire caused enough confusion to throw off the defensive gunners’ aim. Charging in right behind her missile, Georgia escorted it right to its target. Only at the last second did she pull up, fighting with her flight stick as she tried to get out of range of her missile’s detonation.

The sudden blooming of a blue antimatter ball bathed her cockpit in light. More alarms blared as her shields were sucked away. For a split second, Georgia thought she was next. But then, her fighter’s momentum raced her ahead of the antimatter wave. Within another second the matter stopped advancing and quickly disappeared. When it did, the Flex-aor frigate was gone. Georgia punched the air as she yelled in delight. She yelled again when she glanced at her sensors and saw at least seventy of the Flex-aor frigates had been taken out. The rest were pulling up and away from New Delhi, unwilling to try and engage its battlestations alone.

*

Despite the death and destruction that surrounded Oblivion, James couldn’t help the relief that hit him when he saw so many of the Flex-aor frigates taken out. Just as much relief washed over him when it was confirmed Georgia’s Hellcat had survived the attack. Deeply thankful that at least one of his children would survive the battle, he slowly turned his head back to the Flex-aor fleet. Another one hundred of their ships had been taken out by the constant missile salvos striking at them. His fleet had lost almost as many ships. They were now down to the last eight battlestations. Yet Home Fleet was just ten minutes away from entering energy weapon’s range. Movement from the Flex-aor fleet made him sit up in his command chair. They were altering course again. James frowned. He shook his head. No! The Flex-aor were completely turning away from New Delhi. They were trying to disengage!

James didn’t understand. They still had the numerical advantage. If they continued the battle, the Flex-aor’s numbers would allow them to crush his fleet. Then New Delhi would be theirs for the taking. Why are they running now? He asked himself. One answer came to him. His fleet had already been badly damaged, their strength crippled. The Flex-aor could break out of the New Delhi system and he couldn’t give chase. Leaving Home Fleet in their wake, they could strike deeper into Imperial space and attack other colonies. James glanced at his fleet. The secessionist and civilian ships did not have the acceleration rates to match the Flex-aor’s move. Many of his Imperial ships had taken damage as well. He came to a decision. “Home Fleet is leaving the battlestations. I want full military power; we’re closing to energy weapon range before they pull out. Execute the maneuver immediately!”

Several officers acknowledged James’ orders at the same time. It took just seconds for them to begin to be carried out. First, Oblivion’s reactors went to full power. Then the extra energy flowed to her impulse engines. Almost like a missile being hurled from its tube, Oblivion and sixty-six other Imperial ships shot ahead of the rest of the fleet. Their course was projected on the holo display in front of James. Currently, the Flex-aor fleet’s momentum was still bringing them towards Oblivion. Yet soon their course change would allow them to start to pull away. Yet not before Home Fleet came into energy weapon range. Thirty seconds, James said to himself as he saw the course projection. His ships would have thirty seconds. “We need to make every shot count,” he said calmly to Davenport’s staff officers. “Pass the word to the rest of our ships. Every shot counts.”

“The fleet is acknowledging Admiral,” a COM officer informed him.

James nodded. He had given his order. Now his fate was out of his hands. With Oblivion’s engines straining, it took just nine minutes for the dreadnought to enter energy weapon range. James’ body tightened as the moment came. He knew all too well what was about to happen. As both sets of ships got close enough to use their heavy energy weapons, all hell broke loose. From the Imperial ships, plasma bolts and then laser beams struck out towards the Flex-aor. The Flex-aor fired their own laser beams in reply. Explosions erupted in every direction he looked. Yet the Flex-aor were hit far harder. James couldn’t help but smile as Oblivion’s shields flared, absorbing or deflecting several beams. Many other Imperial ships managed to likewise fend off most of the destructive energy hurled at them. Nevertheless, others were blown apart as the shields were overwhelmed. The Flex-aor had no such protection. More than a hundred of their ships were ripped apart. Then the survivors from both sides desperately tried to lock onto undamaged enemy ships as their capacitors recharged. Just twelve seconds after the first volley, a second was released by the Imperial ships. They destroyed or crippled nearly as many enemy ships again. The remaining Flex-aor fired four seconds later. More explosions rippled up and down the Imperial fleet. The damage was far worse this time. Many of James’ ships had their shields depleted and so could no longer defend themselves. Oblivion shook under James’ feet for the second time in the battle. From the force James felt, he knew the strikes were worse than the proximity hits Oblivion had suffered earlier. Yet the dreadnought held together.

Almost in silence, both fleets drifted away from each other as their momentum carried them on differing trajectories. James desperately waited for the holo plot to update. For a second, his hope soared, it looked like the Flex-aor fleet had been decimated. But then, the enemy ships changed course. At least as many as could, did. Almost three hundred began to turn further away from New Delhi. James’s heart sank. Three hundred would be enough to push deeper into Imperial space and attack other colonies. There was no way Home Fleet could pursue them. Not now. He had no idea how many of his own ships had even survived, but he was sure there would be more than a handful that were undamaged.

As if to mock him, the surviving Flex-aor ships fired one last missile salvo towards Home Fleet. James’ ships did this same. The difference in missile numbers told their own story. Home Fleet fired just under a thousand while the Flex-aor managed three thousand. James swallowed as he stared at the enemy missiles. With his ships so damaged, they were almost certainly going to wipe out his force. Yes, his missiles would get many of the Flex-aor too, but enough were going to survive.

“Look Admiral,” Davenport said as she pointed to a secondary holo display. “Our battlestations and the secessionists!”

James spun. He hardly believed what he saw. The freighters attached to the battlestations were pushing their engines far beyond their limits, driving to catch up with Home Fleet. Even as he turned, one freighter’s engines failed, sending a cascading explosion up the length of the freighter and into its battlestation. The battlestation disappeared as it succumbed to the destructive force. Yet the other battlestations kept coming. Even more significant, the secessionist ships had already left the battlestations behind and were rushing to add their point defenses to Home Fleet’s. “We’re not done yet!” James shouted as a fighting spirit surged within him. The Flex-aor fleet would escape, but if enough of Home Fleet ships could be saved, there was a chance he could still shadow them. He knew more reinforcements would already be on the way from Earth. With them, the Flex-aor fleet could still be stopped. We just have to survive this! He told himself. “Fall back towards the secessionist ships. Coordinate our defensive fire. Hit them with everything we’ve got!”

“Wing Commander Jensen’s fighters are moving to cover us as well,” someone shouted as more contacts appeared on the holo plot. James grinned as he saw his daughter’s Hellcat. The fighters had no missiles left, yet still had their small laser cannons. Before the Flex-aor missiles got close enough to disgorge their smaller counterparts, the surviving fighters from Jensen’s attack wing tore into them. Hundreds were blown apart. Then the fighters pulled up and away as Home Fleet, the secessionist ships, and then as they got closer, the surviving battlestations, opened up with their point defenses. Their combined fire took out hundreds of Flex-aor missiles, hundreds more continued on, however. To James’ amazement, the secessionist ships didn’t slow down and slide into formation with Home Fleet as they caught up. They actually forged ahead, placing themselves between the Imperial ships and the incoming enemy missiles. Within seconds of passing Home Fleet, they started to blow up as missiles struck them. James’ heart swelled within him as more and more of the secessionist ships were destroyed. It was the last thing he had expected. So many of them were taken out that hardly any Flex-aor missiles were left to strike at Home Fleet. Many of those that tried were taken out. A few scored hits, destroying more Imperial ships. Yet, the majority of what was left of James’ damaged fleet survived.

All of a sudden, the battle was over. Though he felt guilty for doing it, the first thing James checked was the status of Achilles. Though the destroyer looked like she had taken some damage, James smiled when he saw she was still in the midst of his ships. We did it, he thought to himself. Even though he was still deeply concerned about what further damage the Flex-aor fleet could do, they had averted disaster at New Delhi. And Jonathan and Georgia survived. With all the emotions washing over him, James couldn’t help but sit back in his command chair and close his eyes as he took a deep breath to calm himself.

When he opened them, he was met by one final surprise. He heard a gasp from Davenport beside him when she saw it. The Flex-aor fleet wasn’t turning towards a shift passage that would take them deeper into Imperial space. They were turning back towards the Chennai shift passage. James shook his head. He didn’t understand it. The Flex-aor had the numbers to win the battle. Even after he had struck them with his fleet’s energy weapons, they still had the numbers to delve deeper into Imperial space and attack other, smaller, and less heavily defended colonies. It didn’t make any sense. Why come all this way to turn back now? James had no answer. Yet he sensed he needed to find one. Something was happening. Something he needed to understand. As he turned to Davenport, he saw the same look on her face. There was something they were missing.

Chapter 32

The interwar years, or the Short Peace, as the time between the First and Second Karacknid Wars, was one of the longest periods without conflict that the Empire has enjoyed. Yet at the time, the peace seemed more natural to our species than the war. It took a number of decades for this way of thinking to change, but eventually our ancestors had to face up to the reality of our species’ new way of life.

-Excerpt from Empire Ascendant 3015 AD.

IS Oblivion

It took almost three hours to put the fleet back into a semblance of order and begin to head back to New Delhi. Many ships had to be repaired enough to undergo the trip. Others had to be towed back, so badly damaged that only the construction yards orbiting New Delhi could work on them. Hundreds of shuttles also scoured the area of the battle, looking for survivors. James threw himself into the work. Yet all the while, the Flex-aor’s actions continued to nag at the back of his mind. Despite discussing it with Davenport though, he couldn’t put his finger on what was concerning him.

“I have the list of light ships that are in best repair,” Davenport informed James. “Here is the squadron I’ve put together. I belief Commodore Matthews is best suited to command.”

James glanced at the list. Matthews commanded the light cruiser Hastings. Along with her sister ship in Matthews’ division, Davenport was giving him four destroyers and three frigates. All had survived the battle basically unscathed. “Very well,” James said with a nod. “Dispatch them now.” As his orders were carried out, James took a moment to watch as the nine ships broke formation. Together they turned towards the Flex-aor fleet and began to follow. As far as it was possible, Matthews had orders to keep in contact with the Flex-aor fleet and watch where they intended to head next. At the moment, they were slowly making their way back to the Chennai shift passage. No doubt they were carrying out repairs as well. Sooner or later though, James was certain they would pick up speed and try to evade being followed. As soon as his fleet was able, James intended to give chase. When the time came, he wanted to know where his enemy had gone.

When Oblivion reached two-way communication of New Delhi, James hailed Varma. Upon investigation, he had discovered that it had been the former governor who had sent orders for her secessionist ships to break from the battlestations and race to support Home Fleet against the final Flex-aor salvo. Given that most of the secessionist commanders had died in the maneuver, James felt he owed Varma.

“Admiral Somerville, I know I no longer speak for New Delhi, but on behalf of my people, let me thank you and your fleet for your sacrifices today. As much as it pains me to admit it, without your ships, my entire world would have been destroyed. Thank you. I know you risked much in this fight. And I’m glad to see both of your children are alive and well.”

“Your thanks are appreciated Varma,” James replied. “Especially given our recent history. I hear you also deserve my thanks. If your ships hadn’t moved to support us in the end, the final Flex-aor salvo would have been far deadlier than it was.”

Varma nodded. “I understood what you were doing Admiral. “You had to strike at the Flex-aor to stop them being able to attack another system. I have no more desire to see any of our neighbors wiped out than I do New Delhi. Sending our ships to support you was the only choice I had.”

“And yet, I wish to thank you for it nevertheless,” James said.

The former Governor bowed slightly to James. “Then I will take your thanks with gratitude. I am confused about one thing though. Even though you hit them hard, the Flex-aor fleet is still powerful. Why do they retreat?”

James shook his head. “I’m afraid I have no answer to that. Clearly, they came here to strike at our colonies. Presumably to get revenge for what we did to their homeworld. Even the battle today was going their way. If they had wanted, they could have closed with us and destroyed Home Fleet and then moved on to New Delhi. Even now, they could try to evade us and strike at Nicobar or Pamban. Yet they do not.”

Varma raised a hand and rubbed her chin. “That is strange. Though perhaps not. What if the entire attack was a diversion? Often in politics, that is the best approach. Present one line of attack for your enemy to deal with while you’re preparing the real thrust from another direction. Though, with Bill Four Ninety-eight, it didn’t exactly work out for us.”

James didn’t hear her words about the House of Commons Bill. The entire attack a diversion? He repeated. He cursed himself for not seeing it sooner. Of course it was diversion! His fear for New Delhi and his shock at the sudden appearance of the Flex-aor had blinded him. The Flex-aor attack on Chennai had been real. Their intention to destroy New Delhi had been real as well. Yet why retreat when they had Home Fleet and New Delhi under their guns? It only made sense if the Flex-aor’s main objectives had nothing to do with New Delhi or destroying his ships. And attacking New Delhi makes no sense for them anyway, James realized. The Flex-aor’s priority had always been their Queens, and especially their High Queen. The entire attack is a diversion! James was suddenly sure. Blood drained from his face as a new fear gripped him. Home Fleet was in the wrong place. He was in the wrong place. As much as New Delhi needed them, there was somewhere they were needed more.

Varma frowned when she saw James’ face change. “What is it Admiral?” She asked as she grew concerned.

“The Flex-aor homeworlds!” James said, no longer hearing Varma. He had turned to Davenport. “It makes no sense that they’re attacking us here. Not if they’ve had twenty-five years to prepare. They would try to free their High Queen.” His hand rose and gestured towards the retreating Flex-aor fleet. “And there’s no way that’s all the ships they have. This is a diversion. They have to be planning to hit our garrison fleets at their homeworlds.”

Davenport’s face went white as well. She slowly nodded. “That’s why they’re retreating. They’ve accomplished their purposes. We sent word out to every squadron and fleet within a hundred light years to race here. They are all heading in the wrong direction.”

James’s hands clenched into fists as he looked up at the main holo display and the depiction of the retreating Flex-aor ships. He had zero evidence to prove his theory. Yet he knew he was right. “Recall two of Matthews’ frigates. We need their speed. Send one to the Flex-aor homeworlds. They need to be warned. Send the second to Earth. We need to send a FTL communication to Varanni Prime. The Varanni Alliance needs to send ships to the Flex-aor homeworlds at once. They are the closest. They can react the quickest.”

“Sending the new orders now,” Davenport replied. “But they may not be the nearest. Emilie should be leaving Earth soon with her reinforcements for us. We could redirect her.”

In his mind, James pictured just where the ships Emilie had requested from Admiral Becket should be. He nodded when he saw Davenport was right. If they hadn’t already, the ship should reach Earth within the next couple of weeks. Emilie would probably take a day or two to refuel and resupply them before departing. If he could get word to her, he could divert her force through the former American colonies and out to the Flex-aor homeworlds. “What is the fastest ship we have in the fleet?” James demanded.

“Admiral, I don’t understand. What are you saying?” Varma asked before Davenport or any other officer could answer James. “You think there are more Flex-aor ships out there?”

James frowned when he realized Varma was still there. “Yes, if I’m right, many more,” he answered quickly. “I’m sorry, I have to go. Someone will update you when we know more.” Without waiting for her reply, James tapped its command chair to end the COM channel.

“The cruiser Magnificent is the fastest ship we have at the moment,” Davenport said as James turned back to her. “She took some damage to her shield emitters and lost two missile ports. But her reactors, engines, and shift drive are fully operational.”

“All right, I’m transferring my flag to her immediately. Alert her Captain,” James decided without hesitation. “I’m moving my command. Prepare your ships to hunt down that Flex-aor fleet. Don’t let them escape if you can. Certainly, don’t let them hit any other colonies. I’m going to join up with Emilie. We need to get her ships moving as soon as possible.”

“I understand Admiral, we will not let you down here,” Davenport replied. “I hope you’re wrong, and I wished you were staying. But if you’re right…”

James nodded. She didn’t need to say anything more. If he was right, the Flex-aor could have a fleet thousands of warships strong. They could retake their homeworlds and then move to strike at Varanni Alliance or Human space. Tens of inhabited worlds would be at their mercy before a sizable fleet could be brought to bear on them. “I need to get ready to leave,” James said as he stood. “Take command Admiral. You have my complete trust.”

“Godspeed,” Davenport replied as she gave James a salute. James returned it. As he turned, he found all of Oblivion’s officers standing to salute him. He snapped a second salute to them, and then moved quickly to his quarters. Unsurprisingly, Fox and a couple of crew were already packing.

“Don’t you worry about your things Admiral. We have them. Give Jonathan and Georgia a call. We’ll be ready to depart for Magnificent when you’re done,” Fox advised him.

James gave his steward a smile of appreciation, then stepped into his office. Sitting behind his desk, he activated its COM unit and sought to speak to Georgia and Jonathan. Holo images of both their faces appeared in front of him within seconds of one another. James was filled with pride, and couldn’t help but smile at them. “You both have served the Empire well today. Better than I could have ever hoped. And I’m very glad I don’t have to return to Earth with news that would break your mother’s heart.”

Georgia winked at her older brother. “You have no need to worry on our account Dad. We know what we’re doing. Make sure you tell Mom in your next letter that I’m only a couple of kills behind Jonathan.”

Jonathan rolled his eyes. “I doubt either of them care much about that.”

“We certainly don’t,” James said as he eyed his daughter rather more sternly than he had intended. “I don’t want to hear any more competitiveness like that. You were both risking your lives, and New Delhi’s one billion citizens were hanging in the balance. This is no joke or game.”

Georgia’s face stiffened. “I understand Father. I meant nothing by it. Three pilots from our squadron died today. I wasn’t making light of their loss.”

James tried to soften his expression. “I know you weren’t. I understand the jubilation from surviving and winning a battle. I was your age once. This wasn’t why I wanted to speak with you, either. I won’t be writing another letter to your mother. I’ll probably be able to speak to her face to face. I’m heading back to Earth. That’s what I wanted to tell you.”

“But the Flex-aor fleet, we need you here,” Jonathan protested.

James shook his head. “Home Fleet is in capable hands. I fear this may have just been a diversionary attack. A much larger attack may hit us elsewhere. I need to go back to Earth and redirect the reinforcements to the Flex-aor homeworlds.”

“Their homeworlds? You think they’re going to try and retake them?” Jonathan asked. James nodded. Jonathan grimaced. “Is this what the Flex-aor have been planning? If a new warfront is opened up in our southern colonies, we’ll have to split our defenses. Our border with them will be seriously weakened.”

James frowned. His mind hadn’t got that far yet. But of course, it made sense. If the Karacknids were supplying the Flex-aor with weapons, they probably knew something of the Flex-aor’s full strength. That meant they could be preparing their own attack if Imperial ships were pulled back from their border forts. “It is a strong possibility,” James said to his son. “But let’s not forget, they didn’t expect you to intercept their freighters. If the Flex-aor put forward their timetable for their attack, we may yet have time to respond. The Karacknids may not be ready to exploit any shift in our fleets either. Tanaka-lan nor either of the other two contenders, have won a significant advantage yet. Either way, I need to get to Earth and prepare our response as quickly as possible. I’ll be leaving in Magnificent within the hour. I wanted to tell you both and order you to stay safe while I’m away.”

Jonathan and Georgia looked at the holo representations of each other, they nodded and then turned back to James with serious expressions on their faces. “We will not let you down Father,” Jonathan said, speaking for them both. “Neither will Home Fleet. We will make sure this Flex-aor fleet doesn’t cause any more trouble.”

“Then maybe we can join you at the Flex-aor homeworlds,” Georgia said enthusiastically.

“Maybe,” James said slowly, “maybe.” He was unable to hide the small smile Georgia’s tone brought. If he could do anything about it, he would keep them right where they were. But he understood her desire all too well. “Just look after one another. Hopefully I will see you soon enough. Goodbye.”

“Goodbye,” Jonathan and then Georgia said. James smiled at them one more time and then cut the COM channel. He took a second to soak in the joy it brought him to see his children serving the Empire. Then he stood and stepped back into his main quarters. Unsurprisingly, Fox had all of his belongings already packed away. More of Oblivion’s crew had appeared and were carrying trunks out.

“You go on to Magnificent in the first shuttle,” Fox advised. “We’ll follow you in the second. We shouldn’t be more than five minutes behind you.”

“All right old friend, I’ll see you over there,” James said as he took one last glance at his empty quarters and then stepped out onto Oblivion’s corridor. Now was not the time for sentimentality, he needed to go to Magnificent and get underway at once.

*

IS Magnificent, outer Sol system, 29th December 2508 AD.

Though he could have spent these sixteen days from New Delhi to Sol second-guessing himself, instead when Magnificent jumped out of shift space into Humanity’s home system, James was more confident than ever. With plenty of free time during the voyage, he had gone over every piece of sensor data from Chennai and New Delhi. He was now certain. The Flex-aor fleet hadn’t acted like the main thrust of an attack designed to get revenge for twenty-five years of Flex-aor worlds being occupied. No, they had acted exactly like what James would expect a diversionary attack to do. That meant there was a far larger attack about to fall somewhere. James was certain he knew where.

Seconds after jumping into the system, Magnificent’s holo display began to show all the activity going on. For several moments, so many new contacts began to appear that James couldn’t make sense of them. Thousands of civilian and military ships were moving back-and-forth across the system from its many colonies and several shift gates. One blob did quickly capture his attention, however. More than seven hundred ships were in a tight V-shaped formation marking them out as an Imperial Fleet. More importantly, they were heading right towards the shift passage Magnificent had just entered the system from. James was sure they could only be one fleet. Given Magnificent hadn’t bumped into his niece’s fleet on the way to Sol, it had to be Emilie’s ships. “Hail whatever ship has Admiral Alvarez’ flag. Inform them I am ordering their fleet to divert to the Beta shift passage. I want one hundred and fifty ships detached and sent onto New Delhi however. Make sure they get the reports I have prepared transferred to them. That will tell Admiral Alvarez what we are up to. Once they have acknowledged, set course for Earth. Maximum acceleration.”

“Aye Admiral,” Florez, Magnificent’s Captain responded.

James couldn’t help but smile as the Imperial Fleet in front of him split into two, and most of the ships turned towards the Beta shift passage. At the heart of the larger group, Admiral Alvarez’s flagship, a dreadnought identical to Oblivion, was easily identifiable on the holo display. James could imagine his niece having a thousand questions. He had outlined his suspicions in his report that she was doubtless reading even at this moment. Even so, she was sure to want to speak with him. Yet James knew she trusted him implicitly. She hadn’t hesitated in turning her fleet away from New Delhi. And she’ll get answers, James knew, just not yet. With Magnificent rushing towards Earth, and Emilie now heading towards the Beta shift passage, their ships wouldn’t come within two-way communication range. Emilie would just have to wait until James spoke with Christine, and then caught up with her fleet again.

It took three hours for Magnificent to reach two-way communication range with Earth. As soon as she did, James ordered her to turn around. He didn’t have time to actually enter into orbit around Earth. He only intended to speak to Christine and then race off after Emilie’s fleet. As he expected, Magnificent was hailed by the Imperial Palace as soon as they were in range. James stepped into Magnificence’s briefing room to accept the call. As soon as he activated the COM unit, five holographic faces appeared in front of him. James smiled at them. They were all friends. He allowed his lips to widen when he locked eyes with his wife. “It is good to see you,” he said. “I’ve missed you.”

“As have I,” Christine said as she returned his smile. “And I’m very glad to see you too. Your report is worrying. Very worrying. Yet even what has already happened is terrible enough.” Christine shook her head. “I can’t believe Chennai is gone.”

James’ face hardened. “I know. It is despicable. No, worse than despicable. We cannot allow the Flex-aor to do this again. Never again. I failed us all when I last fought them. Some of their species must have escaped. Maybe even a Queen escaped. They must be stopped.”

“And you are sure about the Flex-aor homeworlds?” Alvarez asked.

James turned to the head of Naval Intelligence. “You have seen all the information I have. What does your gut tell you?”

Alvarez nodded. “Something bigger is going on. But it is just a guess.”

“Even if there is just a chance, we have to act decisively,” Admiral Scott said. “If a Queen did escape, she’s had nearly twenty-five years to build up her strength. From everything we know about the Flex-aor, her goal will be to liberate their High Queen. I’m not even sure if she could choose to abandon the High Queen, even if she personally wanted to.”

“Which is why I cannot come and see you all in person. With the reinforcements Emilie is sending to Vice Admiral Davenport, she should be able to contain the Flex-aor fleet that attacked New Delhi. Emilie and I must get to the Flex-aor homeworlds at once. I need you to contact the Varanni Alliance and get them to dispatch all the ships they have available to join us. We also need to pull more ships away from the frontline with the Karacknids. All of our allies need to be alerted. Hopefully the Varanni and Mindus can divert some of their frontline forces to cover the gaps in our defenses.”

“I will send personal messages to each of their leaders requesting help,” Christine assured him. “We will get you the forces you need.”

James smiled at his wife again. “I’m sure you will my dear. Impress upon them that time is of the essence however. If the Karacknids are partially behind this, then it’s possible Jonathan discovering their weapons’ shipment forced the Flex-aor to step up their timetable. If one of the Karacknid factions is planning to hit us, they can’t have been ready to attack so soon. If we can deal with the Flex-aor quickly, then our forces can return to their positions before the Karacknids can strike.”

“We should also dispatch more scout ships and have a close look at all the neighboring Karacknid fleet bases,” Alvarez suggested. “That should give us an idea of who might be planning what.”

James nodded. If any of Humanity’s scout ships were detected, it could provoke a Karacknid response. Yet they needed to know. “Do it.”

“And I will ensure Emilie’s fleet and the reinforcements we sent have all the supplies they need,” Andrea promised him. “Our supply chains are still a mess after the attempted secession. It will take months to sort things out. But we will get you what you need.”

James glanced at the chronometer in the briefing room. “I just have a few more minutes before I’m out of two-way communications range. We can discuss the finer details back-and-forth over recorded message.” James’ eyes turned to his wife. “If you all wouldn’t mind.”

“Of course,” Scott said for everyone else. “Good luck Admiral. We all know you won’t let us down out there.” One by one, their faces disappeared until only Christine remained.

James gave her an apologetic smile. “I am sorry I couldn’t come to the Palace, even for half an hour. How are Edward and Rachel?”

“They’re both doing fine,” Christine answered. “They have been shocked by the news about the Flex-aor attack on Chennai. I don’t think they really grasp just what has happened. But they are scared for their brother and sister. As am I.” Christine closed her eyes. “I can’t believe they have both been in battle. I don’t know how you were able to stand watching it.”

James waited for Christine to look at him again. “I don’t know how I did it myself. I feel I have aged a decade in the last month. But they handled themselves admirably. We should both be proud.”

Christine nodded her head slightly. “I am proud. But I am more scared. They’re both still out there, and now you’re not there with them.”

“They are as safe with Davenport as with me,” James promised. “And the main threat has gone. Davenport won’t act until she has her reinforcements. The Flex-aor fleet has been badly damaged. They won’t have to face the same odds we did at New Delhi.”

“That doesn’t take away my concern. And now you’re going off to face what could be an even greater threat. If you’re right, you’ll be outnumbered once again.”

James shrugged his shoulders. “It seems to be the story of my career.” He grew more serious. “Whatever happens though, I need to stop them. We cannot have another Chennai. Not again.”

“No,” Christine said forcefully. The concern on her face for her children vanished, and she looked like the Empress Humanity was used to seeing. “That cannot happen. And I know you will do whatever it takes to stop it. No matter the cost.” Christine’s last sentence broke her façade, and her concern came rushing back again. “I do wish you could have taken the shuttle down and I could have held you, even for a brief moment.”

James reached a holographic hand out towards his wife. She did the same. “I’ll be back before you know it. You’ll see.”

Christine nodded and smiled at him, both of them knew he could make no such promise. “Just be careful. No more charging enemy fleets unless you hold the advantage,” she commanded.

James smiled. “I’ve been trying to do that my entire career. But if it’s my Empress’s command, then maybe this time that’s the way it will be.” James glanced at the chronometer. “My time is up. Send me as many recordings as you can before we jump out of the system. And make sure Edward and Rachel send some as well. I want to hear everything they’ve been up to.”

Christine smiled. “I’ll see that they do.”

James held up a hand and waved goodbye to his wife. She blew him a kiss and then the COM channel ended. All right, James said to himself as he stood. Let’s get on with this.

*

IS Dreadnought Matilda, Beta system, 1st January 2509 AD, (three days later).

As Magnificent docked with Matilda, James was already in the hangar bay. As soon as the access hatch flashed green to say the docking umbilical had been sealed, he strode forward. Fox followed behind as several of Magnificent’s crew moved with their belongings. As James expected, Emilie was on the other side waiting for him. She gave him a formal salute, but then couldn’t help herself and moved forward, pulling him into a hug.

“I’m glad you’re coming along for the ride,” she said as they broke apart. Her voice carried throughout the hangar bay for all the nearby crew to hear.

“And I look forward to seeing what your ships are capable of,” James replied just as loudly.

“Please,” Emilie said as she gestured towards the hangar’s exit. “Let me show you to your quarters.”

“Of course,” James replied.

“So…” Emilie said more quietly once they left the hangar. “The Flex-aor homeworlds. I’ve never been there. What do you think we’re going to find?”

“I don’t know, but we’ve got three weeks and four days until we get there to prepare. We need to be ready for any eventuality,” James replied gravely. “We can’t let the Flex-aor regain their homeworlds. If they do, we will need a far larger fleet to dislodge them, and we can’t afford to divert so many ships from the frontline with the Karacknids.”

Emilie nodded, the look on her face just as serious as James’. They both understood the strategic situation all too well.

Chapter 33

Sometimes it is as pleasant to meet old enemies as it is to meet old friends.

-Excerpt from Empire Ascendant 3015 AD.

IS Achilles, Phosphorus system, 5th January 2509 AD, (four days later).

Jonathan sat forward in his command chair. Three new contacts had just appeared on the passive sensors. They were rushing from one shift passage towards another. Just the kind of thing three Flex-aor scout ships might do. Eagerly, Jonathan waited for the ships to be identified.

Achilles was currently cruising in stealth through the Phosphorus system looking for any sign of the Flex-aor fleet. Nine days ago, word had come to New Delhi from Commodore Matthews. His small squadron that had been shadowing the Flex-aor fleet had been attacked and forced back by a Flex-aor screening squadron. During the battle, the main Flex-aor fleet had slipped out of Matthews’ sensor range. In response, Davenport had sent out a number of light warships to scour the systems around New Delhi and out beyond Imperial space. Jonathan and his officers had worked around the clock to get Achilles battle ready. To Jonathan’s delight, they had been selected. Yet after the mad rush to finish repairing the damage Achilles had taken in the battle of New Delhi, the actual task of searching for the Flex-aor had proven fruitless. The last Matthews had seen of the Flex-aor fleet, it had been continuing to retreat away from Imperial space. Jonathan had taken Achilles through three systems and found no sign of the Flex-aor. At least until now.

“The computer has analyzed the engine signatures,” Lieutenant Schmidt reported. “They are Human, not Flex-aor.”

Jonathan’s excitement immediately faded. The presence of Human ships suggested the Flex-aor hadn’t been in the Phosphorus system. For if they had, they would have destroyed any eyewitnesses. Jonathan frowned at the three contacts. The Phosphorus system was just outside Imperial space, not far from Chennai. He had no idea why three ships would be out in the middle of nowhere. Not with what was going on. Unless they fled from Chennai, Jonathan concluded. He supposed that made sense. “Keep us in stealth,” Jonathan ordered. There was still a chance some Flex-aor scouts were in the system checking to see if it would be safe for the Flex-aor fleet to traverse through. If Jonathan revealed Achilles, it might spook the Flex-aor.

“Jonathan, you’re going to want to see this,” Lydia said in a tone that changed Jonathan’s mood. She continued when he turned to her. “Those three contacts, we’ve seen them before. Remember Frigila? We got a good look at those three secessionist ships that occupied the colony. Well, I think we’re looking at them now.”

Jonathan’s hands clenched into fists. After the Flex-aor had fled New Delhi, word had come from Frigila. Thankfully, the Flex-aor had attacked Chennai from another direction. Jonathan had feared the smaller colony had been wiped out as well. They had been spared. At least, spared the Flex-aor’s wrath. The secessionist ships, or as Jonathan really thought of them, the pirate ships, once they had learnt that the secessionist movement was all but over, had reverted to their true nature. After raiding the colony for anything valuable they could carry off, they had then filled their holds with prisoners before breaking orbit and fleeing. As he stared at the three contacts with a fresh feeling of anger, Jonathan’s teeth clamped together. He wanted to blow the pirate ships to smithereens. Yet could he blow his cover? A beep in his command chair told him someone was trying to open a COM channel. When Jonathan glanced down at it, he wasn’t surprised to see it was Sergeant Samuels. He swallowed as he remembered his promise to her. I said we would make them pay, he reminded himself. Hesitating for another second, Jonathan then tapped his command chair. “I assume you see who we have just spotted?” He asked Samuels.

The marine Sergeant nodded vigorously. “And I’m sure you know what I’m calling about. We can’t just let them slip by us. They are pirates! They probably still have the colonists they captured from Frigila on board. We need to intercept them. It is our duty.”

Jonathan didn’t reply right away. Instead, he glanced at Lydia. He found the same look on her face as on Samuels’. Both of them would be furious if he didn’t act. Even Cortez, his First Lieutenant, looked like she wanted to get her hands on the pirates and she hadn’t been at Frigila. You haven’t seen any sign of the Flex-aor, Jonathan reminded himself. And if they have a scout ship reconning the system, a scuffle between one Imperial destroyer and three pirate ships isn’t really going to deter them. Taking a deep breath, he nodded as he turned back to Samuels. “All right, we’re going to take them. Inform Major Onoda, ready your marines.” With a tap, Jonathan ended the COM channel. When he looked up, every one of his bridge officers were staring at him. “Those pirates have killed innocent humans and taken others captive. We’re going to liberate them if we can, and put an end to their evil. We’ll remain in stealth for now, alter course to seven seven four point five. Let’s get a little closer before we reveal ourselves.”

“Aye Captain,” Cortez said enthusiastically as she broke into a grin. “You heard the Captain people, we’re about to get our hands on some pirates!”

As his destroyer turned to put itself in front of the pirate ships’ trajectory, Jonathan couldn’t help but be drawn back to the days he had spent on board Python, slowly approaching the Frigila system. With Python’s shift drive down, he had been forced to watch the three pirate ships close with Frigila and enter orbit. His imagination had been filled with all the despicable things the pirates would have been getting up to while he had been forced to watch helplessly. As it turned out, the pirates hadn’t done anything more than lock the colony down in an attempt to force them to join the secessionist cause. At least not then, but they had done just what Jonathan had feared and worse since. Well, now you’re going to pay, he thought towards the pirate ships. Only then did he realize his hands were still in tight balls. With an effort, he forced himself to relax. Though Achilles was far more powerful than Python had been even before she had been damaged, the three pirate ships were still a threat. He needed to focus and make sure they didn’t slip away from him.

For an hour and a half, Achilles continued in stealth as she moved to place herself in front of the pirate ships. When she was in position, Jonathan ordered her brought to a halt. Then everyone on the bridge waited as the pirates closed with them. The moment the pirate ships entered mark VII missile range, Jonathan began to give orders. “Bring up our active sensors. Take us towards them. Transmit the surrender message.”

Understandably, the pirate ships began to alter course as soon as they detected Achilles. Decelerating hard, they tried to turn towards a different shift passage. They had a serious problem though; their momentum was still carrying them towards Jonathan’s ship and Achilles had a significant acceleration advantage to boot.

“They should have received our surrender demand thirty seconds ago Captain,” Lieutenant Rutherford reported. “Still no sign of a reply.”

“Give them another minute, and then fire a warning shot,” Jonathan ordered.

When the time came and went, Cortez looked over to Jonathan. He gave his First Lieutenant a nod. In response, a single missile was released from one of Achilles’ forward tubes. It took twelve minutes to race after the nearest pirate ship. Just before it got into attack range, Jonathan opened a COM channel. “Pirate ships, I am Captain Jonathan Somerville. Cut your engines now, or be destroyed.”

“They’re not slowing down,” Schmidt complained.

Jonathan waited almost to the last second. He cursed when neither of the three pirate ships slowed. “Self-destruct the missile,” he snapped.

“We’re being hailed now,” Rutherford announced seconds later. “Audio and visual.”

As the holo projector switched from showing the pirate ships, a man in his late fifties with a bushy grey beard leered at Jonathan. “You need to work on your bluffing Captain,” he said with a chuckle. “You guessed right though; I do have captives on board.” Pausing, the man nodded to someone off screen. Rough voices could be heard shouting something, and then several women and children shuffled into view. “If you destroy us, you will be killing them. Let us go, or I will kill them myself.” The pirate leaned forward and stared at Jonathan. “Unlike you, I don’t bluff. Break off your pursuit or they all die.”

“Wait,” Jonathan said desperately as the pirate’s hand moved toward his command chair to end the COM channel. “The secessionists who surrendered at New Delhi, they were offered immunity from prosecution for their crimes if they surrendered their ships to the Imperial Fleet to help defend against the Flex-aor. I can offer you the same deal. Surrender, handover your captives and allow us to add your ships to the forces defending this sector of Imperial space, and you will be set free.”

The pirate laughed. He gestured to the three other pirates who were aiming plasma rifles at the women and children. “What do you think I or they would do without our ships? You take them, and you will turn us into beggars. That is, if you even let us live at all.” He half-turned and spat onto the bridge of his ship. “No, I never trust the word of an Imperial Captain. Turn around, or you will be responsible for killing all these and more,” he said as he waved a hand towards the women and children. Before Jonathan could reply, he cut the COM channel.

Cortez swore at the pirate. “If it wasn’t for those civilians, I’d blow his ship to debris whether he surrendered or not!” She hissed. Jonathan shared her sentiment.

“What are your orders Captain?” Lydia asked.

Jonathan bit his lip. The women and children were probably all going to be sold into slavery if they were taken away. It didn’t take much imagination to guess what kind of slavery. A fate worse than death, he thought to himself. “We are not letting them take those women and children,” he said to his bridge officers. “We can’t stop them from killing them now. If they do, we will avenge their deaths. But I will not be told what to do by scum like that. Continue the pursuit. We will close to energy weapon range and disable their engines. Then Major Onoda and Sergeant Samuels can deal with them.”

“Understood. I’m sure Samuels will have no complaints,” Lydia said. Jonathan nodded at the look on her face. If Samuels had just heard the pirate’s threats, Jonathan had no doubt Lydia was correct.

For fifteen minutes, Jonathan patiently waited as Achilles drew closer and closer to the pirate ships. The sudden blaring of alarms was accompanied by fourteen new contacts appearing on the holo display. “They’ve just opened fire!” Schmidt announced.

“I see them,” Jonathan replied calmly. After facing off against a Flex-aor fleet of seven hundred ships, fourteen pirate missiles was not nearly so concerning. “Deploy our sensor and laser cannon drones. Prepare to engage.”

Jonathan watched in approval as his officers efficiently prepared to defend Achilles. Long range AM missiles were the first weapons to be fired. Then the rest of Achilles’ point defenses joined in as they were able. None of the pirate missiles came close to threatening the Imperial destroyer. Moments after the last one was destroyed however, the pirates fired again. Like the first salvo, Achilles’ defenses easily dispatched them. That didn’t stop the pirates firing for a third time. They were just as unsuccessful though.

“We’ll be entering energy weapon range in thirty seconds,” Schmidt announced. “Laser cannons set to half strength and are trained on target Sierra one.”

“Fire one shot at a time,” Jonathan requested. “I don’t want to cause any more damage than necessary.”

“Understood,” Schmidt responded.

As soon as Achilles came into range, a single laser beam shot off towards Sierra one. Despite the evasive maneuvers the pirate ships had begun, it struck Sierra one’s engines dead center. Two of the pirate ship’s three engines immediately ceased producing thrust. A couple of seconds later, a small secondary explosion destroyed the third. Sierra one began to drift under its own momentum. Schmidt turned his fire onto Sierra two. His first shot missed. The second struck home. Momentarily Sierra two continued accelerating but then a third beam ended the pirate ship’s attempted escape.

“Hold fire,” Jonathan ordered. “Send the surrender message one more time.” If he could, he wanted to capture at least one of the pirate ships intact. He waited thirty seconds for a reply, but none came. Then, the final pirate ship turned and fired three more missiles at Achilles. “Take out its engines,” Jonathan snapped. Two beams fired in quick succession stopped the final pirate ship in its track. “Bring us up behind Sierra one,” Jonathan said. “Use our point defensive plasma cannons to take out all of its defensive weapons. Once they’re cleared, give Major Onoda the go ahead to launch his shuttles.”

In the space of just three minutes, Achilles closed with Sierra one. More than sixty small plasma bolts were fired towards the stricken ship. Small explosions ripped up and down her hull as every defensive laser cannon was destroyed. Then four shuttles launched from Achilles’ two hangar bays. Jonathan pulled up the visual feed from Sergeant Samuels. As her shuttle docked with Sierra one, he wasn’t the least bit surprised to see her take point. He could easily imagine the anger at the pirates that was running through Becca. In a flash, she moved into the pirate ship as soon as the docking hatch opened. Jonathan could hardly keep up with what was happening as she led her special forces marines through the pirate ship. At breakneck speed, they moved down corridors, cleared several living quarters, and then made for the bridge. By Jonathan’s count, Becca had dispatched three pirates herself. The rest of her squad had possibly got as many as five more.

When they got to the bridge, Becca paused and gestured to her squad mates. Jonathan guessed she already had a good view of what was happening on the bridge, thanks to the recon nano drones she would have launched. One of Becca’s marines placed a small charge on the hatch into the bridge. Then they all took cover. Barely a second after the explosion detonated, grenades were thrown through the broken hatch doors. Then Becca charged in. The scene that greeted her made her freeze. Jonathan held his breath. The pirate Captain was there. He had two women held in front of him, a plasma pistol firmly pressed against one of their temples. The other pirates had plasma rifles trained at a group of children as well. Jonathan didn’t have the audio turned on, but he could see the pirate Captain’s mouth moving. It wasn’t hard to imagine what he was saying.

Ever so slightly, one of Becca’s fingers holding her plasma rifle twitched back-and-forth. Jonathan was sure she was giving her squad some kind of order. Another couple of seconds passed as the Marines and pirates stared at one another. Then Becca sprang into action. Diving forward and to her left, she slid along the bridge’s deck. Her movement gave her just enough of an angle to sight her plasma rifle in on the pirate Captain’s left leg. Even as she was still moving, she blew out his knee. Almost as if he was watching it in slow motion, Jonathan saw the pirate scream in agony. Both his hands flew towards his wrecked leg. As they did, he stumbled back. Before he made it even half a step, two more plasma bolts blew right through his chest. Becca was back on her feet in the blink of an eye. When the group of children came back into view, both pirates who had been threatening them were also down. Quickly, Becca and her Marines moved throughout the rest of the bridge. Two more pirates were discovered hiding, both threw down their weapons when the marines came into view. Becca then began to move around the bridge accessing its control panel. Leaving her to it, Jonathan switched to see the visual from Major Onoda. It looked like he was rounding up surrendered pirates as well.

After another minute or so, Onoda opened a COM channel to Jonathan. “The pirate ship is secure,” he reported. “Thankfully, it appears none of the prisoners were killed. Though some have been beaten up a little, and they haven’t been looked after well at all. We can begin transferring them over to Achilles now. Ten minutes or so, and I’ll have my marines ready for the next assault.”

“Good work Captain,” Jonathan replied. “What about casualties?”

“Two marines have been hit with plasma bolts. Their armor absorbed most of the damage. They’re already on their way to sickbay. I don’t think either are in life-threatening conditions.”

Jonathan nodded. “Glad to hear it. Keep me updated.” He then turned his attention to the two other pirate ships that were drifting uncontrollably. “Prepare to close with Sierra three. We’ll destroy its point defensive weapons and close with it next,” he ordered. “Oh, and why don’t we send the visual feed from Sergeant Samuels’ boarding of Sierra one to them. Maybe that will encourage them to surrender.”

“It couldn’t hurt,” Lydia replied with a grin. “I wouldn’t want her coming after me!”

When his COM unit beeped again. Jonathan activated it, expecting it to be Onoda. Instead Becca’s voice spoke to him. “I’m transferring some files to you,” she said. “You’re going to want to see this. One of the pirates surrendered. He was a bridge officer. He wants to trade this information for his freedom. I think I know why the three ships were hightailing it through the system so fast. Look at what they saw in the Plankton system.”

In front of Jonathan, the holo display blinked and then changed to show twenty-two large contacts. Achilles’ computer didn’t recognize them. Yet it did the fifty or so other smaller ships moving around the larger ones. They were Flex-aor cruisers and destroyers. But if they are cruisers, Jonathan thought to himself, what on earth are the bigger ones? The larger contacts were massive compared to the cruisers. Far bigger than Flex-aor battleships. Even considerably larger than an Imperial dreadnought. No wonder the pirates were fleeing so fast! But they can’t be warships, Jonathan reasoned. If they were, they would have used them against New Delhi. Tender ships, he figured. Bringing fuel and fresh munitions to their fleet. When Jonathan noticed the course of the large contacts, he sat up in his command chair. They weren’t heading towards the shift passage out of the Plankton system. They were heading towards one of its gas giants. It’s a rendezvous point. It has to be! That meant the Flex-aor fleet would be moving there to meet with them. We have to get word back to New Delhi! “Have those other two pirate ships responded to Becca’s visuals?” Jonathan demanded, suddenly aware that time was of the essence.

“Sierra three has,” Lydia replied. “They are willing to surrender and allow themselves to be taken into custody.”

“Tell the others we will show them no mercy,” Jonathan ordered. “Either they surrender, or they all die. Contact Onoda. Tell him to evacuate Sierra one. I want everyone off and on-board Achilles ASAP. Move us towards Sierra two.” As orders were carried out, Jonathan made another decision. “Order the surrendered pirate ship to assemble all their crew and captives in their hangar bay. We are sending over shuttles to them. I want them all taken off immediately.”

“What are you thinking Captain?” Cortez asked. “Those contacts are too large to be warships surely?”

“You’re right,” Jonathan replied. “That means they are probably supply ships. If they are, you know what that means?”

Cortez nodded. “It means we have them!”

Jonathan gave his First Lieutenant a predatory grin. That was exactly what it meant.

“The other pirate ship has now surrendered as well,” Lydia reported.

“Send shuttles to them as well, get all their captives off,” James replied.

Just eight minutes later, and all of the captives were on board Achilles. Jonathan was shocked when he was told there were one hundred and six of them. The pirates had clearly stuffed their ships to the gills with human cargo. “Major Onoda reports his marines are ready to launch again, and secure and search the remaining two pirate ships,” Cortez reported.

“Tell his marines to stand down,” Jonathan ordered. “We are not securing any of the pirate ships. Charge up the plasma cannons. I want each of them melted to slag. I don’t want a trace of them left behind. They are too slow for us to take with us and I don’t want any Flex-aor scouts discovering them. Blast them, and then get us out of here. Set course for New Delhi. We must get word to Admiral Davenport. We may not know where the Flex-aor fleet is, but we know where it’s going!”

Chapter 34

As the Short Peace came to an end, it must have seemed to our Empire’s founders that enemy after enemy were rising up against them. If only they could have seen what was around the corner.

-Excerpt from Empire Ascendant 3015 AD.

IS Achilles, 13th January 2509 AD, (seven days later).

Jonathan’s face lit up as Achilles jumped into the New Delhi system. His destroyer’s sensors were picking up a whole host of new contacts. Admiral Davenport’s reinforcements had arrived! “They are just in time,” Jonathan said as he shared a smile with Cortez and Lydia. “Transmit our message and take us into the system.”

“Aye Captain,” Lieutenant Scholes said from the navigation console.

As Achilles cruised towards New Delhi, Jonathan waited patiently. It took half an hour for his message to reach the colony. Seconds later, more than one bridge officer gasped. The response was immediate. Gravimetric waves began to be detected from every Imperial warship. They were all breaking orbit!

“I think Rear Admiral Davenport is pleased,” Cortez guessed. “She is certainly not beating about the bush.”

“She knows we only have a small window of opportunity,” Jonathan replied. “The Flex-aor fleet won’t stay with their tender ships forever. Alter course, put us onto a heading to rendezvous with Oblivion’s new trajectory.”

For more than two hours, Achilles moved to rendezvous with Oblivion. Not once did the fleet’s flagship send any kind of message to Jonathan’s destroyer. The silence got to the point where he started to get nervous. Obviously, Davenport had agreed with his interpretation of the sensor data they had collected from the pirate ship. Yet other than acknowledging his initial transmission. No one had contacted him. As soon as Achilles got into two-way communication range, butterflies began to jump around in his stomach. They intensified when the bridge’s COM console beeped.

“Admiral Davenport to speak to you Captain,” Rutherford reported.

Jonathan swallowed hard. He had thought maybe the Flag Captain or one of Davenport’s officers would want to debrief him. Not the Admiral herself. “Put her through,” he said after quickly glancing down at his uniform to straighten it. “Admiral,” Jonathan said as he snapped a salute. “Captain Somerville and Achilles are at your service.”

“Relax Captain,” Davenport said, a small smile playing across her lips. “I wanted to congratulate you in person. Don’t worry, you’re not in trouble. You and your ship have done well. It’s a pity you had to destroy those pirate ships, but you have struck gold locating the Flex-aor tender ships.”

“I am sorry about the pirate ships,” Jonathan replied woodenly. “They could have been used to bolster New Delhi’s or one of the nearby colony’s defenses. I just felt getting the report I had for you back here as quickly as possible took precedent.”

Davenport chuckled gently. “That wasn’t meant as a rebuke. You did well. Destroying the pirate ships was the right decision. Though I’m sure your crew would have enjoyed the prize money from their capture. I’m sending you the name of one of the freighters in my fleet. Have your prisoners and the captives you freed transferred to her. Once they’re on board, she’s going to return to New Delhi. After that, I want Achilles to take up station in the van of the fleet.”

Jonathan couldn’t help but frown. Thinking he had misheard, he glanced at Cortez, yet she looked as confused as him. “I’m sorry Admiral, you want us to take station in the van? Are we being assigned to the vanguard squadron?”

Davenport shook her head. “Not exactly. Given that Achilles was the ship who found these Flex-aor tender ships, I just thought you might like the honor of leading us out of the New Delhi system and into shift space.” Jonathan’s hesitation brought another chuckle from Davenport. “Just say thank you Captain. Your ship is honored to lead Home Fleet out.”

Jonathan splattered as he rushed to get his words out. “Of course Admiral, we are deeply honored. Achilles thanks you for showing us such favor.”

“Good,” Davenport said as she nodded. “That’s better. You first discovered the Flex-aor, and now you found where their fleet is fleeing to. I’ll tell you something Captain, you’ve inherited your father’s luck. Maybe I should have you lead the attack if they’re still there when we get there.” Davenport laughed when Jonathan’s cheeks redden. “Don’t worry, I wouldn’t do that to you just yet. Maybe someday, you’ll be ready.” Jonathan didn’t know how to reply. Being a Captain still felt alien to him. The responsibility was as much weight as he wanted to carry. The last thing he needed was to be in charge of a division or squadron, let alone a fleet! “Cat got your tongue?” Davenport prodded. “Maybe you’re a little more different from your father. Empress Christine always says he never knows when to keep quiet. No matter. You’ve done well, you and your crew. Give everyone on Achilles a triple food ration for the day. Let them know I gave the order.”

“I will Admiral. They will be delighted. Thank you for honoring us.”

“Just keep up the good work Captain. I’m sure we’ll speak again before we get to Plankton.”

Jonathan gave Davenport a salute and then she cut the COM channel. When he turned back to his bridge officers, they were all beaming at him. “You heard the Admiral, alter our heading, let’s rendezvous with this freighter and then move to the head of the fleet,” he said as his own smile joined theirs.

*

Achilles, outer Plankton system, 20th January 2509 AD, (seven days later).

Jonathan could hardly bear the wait. An hour ago, four stealth frigates had carried out a micro jump into the Plankton system. The rest of Home Fleet was waiting just beyond the system’s mass shadow for confirmation that the Flex-aor were in the system. Two weeks had passed since the pirates had spotted the Flex-aor tender ships. Jonathan was all too aware that anything could have happened in that time. The Flex-aor fleet could have arrived just after the pirates had left. If that was the case, they would almost certainly have resupplied themselves and long since left the system. Just as likely, the Flex-aor tender ships, or their scouts, might have detected the pirate ships and moved on to a different system. It was also quite possible that the Flex-aor had simply changed their plans and were tens of light years away.

Every minute that passed without the stealth ships returning had Jonathan coming up with reason after reason for why their hunt for the Flex-aor fleet could end in failure. If he had dragged Home Fleet all the way to the Plankton system for nothing, he would be furious with himself. Worse, if the Flex-aor struck somewhere else and destroyed another colony while Home Fleet was out of position, he’d never forgive himself. Of course, mentally, he knew Davenport had scout ships out searching all the nearby systems for the Flex-aor fleet. If they had doubled back, the chances were very high that they would have been spotted. Yet his emotions and imagination weren’t seeing things logically. Unbeknown to him, the stress started his foot tapping. He was so focused on watching the holo display that he didn’t even hear the sound echoed throughout Achilles’ bridge. Several officers glanced at Jonathan, and Lydia cracked a smile. He didn’t notice that either.

Minutes later, the sudden appearance of a new contact stopped Jonathan’s tapping dead. He held his breath when Achilles’ sensors confirmed the contact was one of the stealth frigates. “The frigate is communicating with Oblivion via laser COM link,” Rutherford reported. When no orders immediately came from Oblivion, Jonathan’s foot started tapping again. Over the next five minutes, the other three stealth frigates jumped in and began to report back as well. “We’re getting new orders through,” Rutherford eventually said. “They’re for your eyes only Captain.”

Only as the orders were transmitted to his command chair did Jonathan realize his foot was tapping. He stopped it at once with a hand on his knee. His cheeks reddened slightly even as he pulled up the message from Oblivion. Scanning through it quickly, relief washed over him. Then as he read further, he smiled, remembering the conversation he had had with Davenport at New Delhi. It seemed she wanted to honor Achilles further. “The Flex-aor fleet is still here. Most of their ships are still docked with their tender ships. We are getting the privilege of launching the attack. Prepare to take us into the system. We can carry out a micro jump to these coordinates and then cruise deeper into the system in stealth.” With a tap on his command chair, Jonathan transferred the sensor data to Achilles’ main holo display. “This Flex-aor destroyer is our target. Taking it out will begin the Fleet’s attack.” As he finished speaking, Jonathan couldn’t help but share a grin with Lydia. They had avenged the pirates that had attacked Frigila, now they were going to get to avenge Chennai. He knew it wouldn’t bring back the hundreds of thousands of colonists who had been killed. But it would feel good to destroy the ships that had committed such mass murder.

“Ready to jump Captain,” First Lieutenant Cortez announced a minute later.

“Inform the flagship we are proceeding,” Jonathan requested.

“They have acknowledged us,” Rutherford reported.

“Then take us in,” Jonathan ordered. Moments later, a slight tremor ran through Achilles as she tore a hole into shift space and jumped in. Just two seconds later, a second announced she had jumped out again. As Scholes brought Achilles’ engines up to four percent thrust, she slowly began to cruise into the system. For three hours, Jonathan and his bridge officers sifted through every trace of electromagnetic energy Achilles’ passive sensors detected. Sixteen Flex-aor frigates and destroyers had been detected within minutes, they were cruising around the outer system, their active sensors on full, giving away their positions. They weren’t what concerned Jonathan. Meticulously, he had his officers search for other hidden Flex-aor ships that might be in stealth themselves. Despite their best efforts, no such ships were detected. Jonathan was forced to conclude that either Flex-aor stealth technology was too good to enable them to detect their hidden ships, or that they had none. Either way, there was nothing more he could do to help Admiral Davenport’s fleet if there were any. Instead then, he shifted his focus onto Achilles’ flight path as his destroyer began to approach the Flex-aor picket ships. Slowly and carefully, he wove his way past three frigates and then began to sneak up on the destroyer Davenport had tasked him with engaging. Slotting in behind the destroyer, just outside of mark VII missile range, he began to wait.

“If they do have extra ships hidden out there in stealth that we can’t detect, at least we can be happy they can’t detect us either,” Cortez said once Achilles was in position. They’re going to get some fright when we light them up with our targeting sensors.”

“Which is just what they all deserve,” Lydia said. “They gave Chennai no chance. I’m not going to lose a wink of sleep if we don’t give them one either.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” Jonathan replied. “But let’s not get ahead of ourselves, I want every system constantly monitored. One stray emission, and we could give everything away.” Despite his words, Jonathan couldn’t help the occasional glances he stole towards the Flex-aor fleet and its tender ships. In total, it looked like three hundred and twenty enemy warships had survived the battle at New Delhi. Each of the twenty-two tender ships had at least ten ships docked with it. Even without Achilles’ active sensors, it was clear ships weren’t just being refueled and resupplied. Small shuttles were racing around many of the ships carrying out repairs. The tender ships must have repair yard facilities, Jonathan concluded. The Flex-aor had clearly gone to a lot of effort to build them. Which means this Flex-aor fleet is meant to continue operations along our border. A prolonged diversion, Jonathan thought as he remembered his dad explaining what he thought was really going on. He couldn’t help but become more worried. If the Flex-aor had gone to the trouble to cause such a diversion, how much effort had they put into whatever they were planning for their homeworlds? However much effort it was, Jonathan was all too aware that his father was heading towards it.

“It’s almost time,” Lydia announced, drawing Jonathan’s thoughts back to the destroyer in front of Achilles.

Jonathan nodded. “Prepare the active sensors. Fire as soon as every missile warhead has a lock.” Pausing, Jonathan waited for the counter on the holo display to reach zero. “Now! Go active with our sensors.”

Immediately, Achilles active sensors powered up and blasted the area around the Flex-aor destroyer with electromagnetic energy. As soon as the first returns were picked up, the data was fed to the warheads of the missiles in Achilles’ starboard tubes. A second later and they had all fully locked on. In the blink of an eye, they were hurled out of their tubes into space. Their engines ignited a fraction of a second later. Before the Flex-aor destroyer even knew what was going on, eight missiles were tracking it. Behind the missiles, Achilles’ reactors and engines powered into action as the destroyer charged in after its own ordinance.

“Prepare the second salvo,” Jonathan ordered. “But hold fire until we see how our first missiles fare.” Achilles was still well outside of the Flex-aor destroyer’s missile range, so he had no need to rush a second salvo. Instead, Jonathan watched the reaction of the Flex-aor destroyer. Bravely, it was already turning to try and close with Achilles to get into missile range. Brave but foolish, Jonathan thought. The destroyer would have been better to race towards one of its comrades to try and overlap their point defensive fire. Understandably, the rest of the Flex-aor scout ships had all turned their active sensors towards Achilles. Even as Jonathan watched though, some began to switch their sensors to look behind them in case Imperial ships had snuck upon them. A number were not disappointed. Over the course of thirty seconds, twelve other Imperial destroyers and frigates revealed themselves as they too launched missile salvos at their targets. James smiled as the Imperial ships appeared. Achilles’s appearance could have been written off as a one-off fluke, but the presence of so many hidden ships meant one thing; the Flex-aor fleet was about to come under attack. Sure enough, a flurry of activity was detected coming from the Flex-aor tender ships as their main battlefleet prepared itself.

“Our missiles have jettisoned their first stage,” Schmidt announced.

Jonathan turned his attention back to his target. His eight missiles suddenly became thirty-two. Then they charged in towards the Flex-aor destroyer. Desperately, it tried to shoot them all down. The Flex-aor fire fell woefully short. Only twenty-three missiles were destroyed. Evasive maneuvers saved the Flex-aor destroyer from five more. Yet that still left four antimatter warheads. Each one struck the Flex-aor freighter in the space of two seconds. The detonations negated every atom of the enemy ship.

Over the course of the next sixty seconds, eight more Flex-aor scout ships were destroyed as a large gap in their picket line was created. Just moments after the last detonation, two hundred and seventy new contacts appeared rushing towards the gap. Home Fleet was announcing its presence. Having jumped into the system at the same time as Achilles, only further out, Davenport’s warships had been slowly accelerating for hours. Now their reactors and engines went to full power as they charged towards the Flex-aor tender ships.

“Quite the show,” Cortez commented. “I wonder how the Flex-aor are taking it.”

Just how they are supposed to, Jonathan thought, but didn’t say, as he glanced at the Flex-aor ships. The sudden sneak attacks, followed by the revelation of Home Fleet’s proximity to the Flex-aor tender ships, was meant to grab their attention. That was just what was happening. Flex-aor capital ships were rushing to disengage from the tender ships and their light screening ships were moving out to face Home Fleet. With his part of the initial plan complete, Jonathan’s mind turned to Georgia. Be safe, he thought towards his little sister.

*

Watching the feed from her passive sensors, Georgia was enjoying the dramatic show too. As every active sensor in the Flex-aor fleet powered up and began to peer out towards Home Fleet, she enjoyed it even more. No one was looking towards her Hellcat. Davenport has timed it perfectly, she thought as her respect for the Rear Admiral grew. Clearly, her father knew what he was doing when he had put her in charge of Home Fleet and then left her in charge at New Delhi.

When her COM unit activated, Wing Commander Jensen spoke to all the pilots in the attack force. “Listen up boys and girls, we’re not going to get a better chance than this. Hit the tender ships, and then break off. We just need to soften them up for the fleet. Let’s not take any more risks than we need to. Come out of stealth on my order.”

Knowing the order was coming soon, Georgia rolled her shoulders and tried to force her body to relax. Then her hand moved to her flight stick. Within sixty seconds, her COM unit crackled again. As soon as she heard Jensen’s voice, Georgia slammed her accelerated control forward. Her Hellcat’s reactor thumbed into life, and then her engines thrust her forward. Having snuck up so close to the Flex-aor tender ships from the rear, her secondary HUD told her she was just one minute’s flight time from entering range of their point defenses. The sudden appearance of eighty fighters threw the Flex-aor into a panic. Georgia smiled. Frigates and destroyers that had been rushing to form a secondary screening line in front of Home Fleet now tried to reverse course. The larger capital ships that were docked with the tender ships tried to speed up their decoupling. Good luck, Georgia thought towards them. It was possible more than a few had their reactors taken off-line to carry out repairs. Others seemed to have sections powered down as work was being carried out on them.

When she was thirty seconds out from the enemy’s point defensive range, Georgia started her evasive maneuvers. For a few seconds, she examined her emotions. Fear still ran through her as she anticipated what was about to come. Yet neither her heart rate nor breathing were elevated. She couldn’t help the small grin that touched her lips. You’re almost becoming a veteran, she thought. Then her mind went to Jonathan. Achilles had scored another kill. So is he; you better step it up to stop him getting any further ahead!

Knowing she couldn’t afford any more such thoughts to distract her, Georgia let out one long, final breath, and then cleared her mind. With ease, she fell into the trancelike state she was becoming accustomed to. Thousands of hours of training in flight simulators and live fire exercises made every movement of her flight stick instinctive. Her heart rate barely fluttered when the first laser beams started to zip past. Diving in with the rest of Wing Commander Jensen’s force, Georgia’s Hellcat dodged everything fired at it. With so many Flex-aor ships on the far side of the tender ships, the defensive fire was relatively weak. Yet it slowly ramped up as more and more ships got back to help defend the tender ships. Hellcats started to be blown apart. Georgia didn’t notice the increased fire or the destruction of other fighters from the attack force. Only one goal dominated her mind. The tender ship designated Beta three. As soon as her fighter beeped at her, Georgia fired one, and then a second, antimatter missile. Six other missiles appeared from around Georgia’s Hellcat as her surviving wing mates fired. The moment they were away, she depressed her secondary trigger, flinging tens of laser beams towards the tender ship. Small explosions peppered its hull. Larger explosions momentarily blinded Georgia’s vision as several antimatter missiles were taken out. Three still remained. Georgia willed them on to their target, even as she continued to fire laser beams. When the first one struck, the tension that had been building up in her erupted into a scream of victory. As the second two crashed home and three massive holes were ripped in the tender ship, she pulled her fighter up and away from the Flex-aor fleet. She screamed again when secondary blasts ripped the tender ship apart. Then in one final explosion, the tender ships reactors were overloaded. The shockwave ripped apart the five or six ships that were still docked with it. Many large chunks of ships were flung in every direction. The debris smashed into a handful more ships destroying or crippling them. In jubilation, Georgia glanced at the rest of the tender ships. More explosions were tearing through them. She counted eleven that were either already destroyed or in the process of being ravaged. Tens of warships were dying with them. Now we get out of here, she thought to herself as the defensive fire coming towards her Hellcat slackened. It’s back over to you, she thought towards her brother. Minutes after moving out of energy weapon range of the Flex-aor warships, Georgia joined the rest of Wing Commander Jensen’s wing as they went back into stealth.

*

Jonathan couldn’t help but be overawed by the destruction wrought amidst the Flex-aor fleet. Their formation had been so disjointed and confused that the Hellcats had roared right into attack range before the Flex-aor had a chance to prepare to receive them. The damage was colossal. More than half of the tender ships had been wiped out. According to Achilles’ sensors, their destruction had taken another sixty-two Flex-aor capital ships. Now the enemy fleet had been reduced to less than three hundred. And their formation is in even more of a mess! No doubt they would be able to reform themselves before Home Fleet got into missile range, yet beyond that, they would have no time to prepare. “Davenport’s ruse has worked wonderfully,” Jonathan said to his bridge officers. “Now it’s time to finish this off. You all know our duty now. Protecting the flagship is our top priority. Let’s not let the Admiral down.”

“Aye, Aye, Captain,” Cortez said forcefully.

Jonathan nodded to her and then met the eye of each of his officers. Achilles had already slotted back into formation with the rest of Home Fleet. Davenport had assigned Jonathan’s destroyer to the small squadron tasked with covering Oblivion. Jonathan had no problem with that. It meant they would be in the thickest part of the action.

“Targeting data coming through from the flagship,” Rutherford reported from the COM station.

“Fire when we get the order,” Jonathan said to Schmidt. By now, he trusted his tactical officer to target and fire Achilles’ missiles as Oblivion wished. As Home Fleet continued to close with the Flex-aor, Jonathan watched their warships form up and move to intercept Admiral Davenport’s force. Jonathan thought he understood why. It was the reverse of what had happened at New Delhi. The Flex-aor didn’t want to fight in the vicinity of their tender ships, lest Davenport slip missiles through their defenses to blow up more of them.

“Firing,” Schmidt announced as over four thousand mark VII missiles were fired from Home Fleet. A second salvo was fired before the Flex-aor got into range to release their own missiles. Just moments after they did, Home Fleet fired its third salvo, this time of mark VIII missiles. Less than thirty seconds before the first Imperial missiles reached the Flex-aor fleet, sixty new contacts suddenly appeared behind them. With acceleration rates matching Hellcat fighters, they dove in to strike at the Flex-aor capital ship’s engines. The Flex-aor response was immediate, if a little panicked. Nearly a third of their light ships turned to intercept the fighters. Yet there was one problem. As soon as enough sensor emissions washed over the contacts, they were revealed to be nothing more than recon drones. Too late, the light ships desperately tried to get back to their previous positions. Even as they charged past their capital ships back to the front of the Flex-aor fleet’s formation, antimatter explosions began to bloom all around them. Jonathan counted over fifty ships completely disintegrated or badly crippled. Then, to add insult to injury, Wing Commander Jensen’s ships really did spring to life. Coming out of stealth right behind the first salvo of missiles the Flex-aor had fired, they tore into them with their laser cannons. The Flex-aor missiles, being so far from Home Fleet, were not able to break apart to fire off their smaller warheads. Each hit Jensen’s fighters scored took out between five and ten missiles at a time. Davenport’s final ruse had worked. The threat from the Flex-aor’s first missile salvo had been severely reduced, and with the destruction from Jensen’s attack on the tender ships and then Home Fleet’s first salvo, the Flex-aor fleet’s strength was now also compromised. Their next salvo wouldn’t be nearly as threatening.

Over the course of the next half an hour, Jonathan had little more to do other than watch as Home Fleet’s technological advantage took its toll. The second salvo of mark VII’s crashed home before the Flex-aor could fire again. Nearly thirty more ships were destroyed. The once-proud Flex-aor fleet of eight hundred warships that had destroyed Chennai was reduced to less than two hundred. As the numerical advantage switched to Home Fleet, the battle became even more one-sided. The Flex-aor only managed to get off three more salvos. Only a handful of missiles from each managed to find any targets. Sixteen Imperial ships were destroyed, with a further forty-three suffering various degrees of damage. Achilles wasn’t threatened throughout the battle. The combined fire from Oblivion and her defensive squadron obliterating any Flex-aor missiles that came close.

In contrast, the Flex-aor fleet that fired off its third salvo was a shadow of what it had been only thirty minutes before. Less than sixty ships still remained in the battle. Within four minutes of firing, they had to defend themselves from another full-strength Home Fleet salvo. The mark VIII missiles only had to fly through twenty seconds of point defensive fire before they came into range. As they detonated and concentrated their thermonuclear energy into grazers, all but a handful of the remaining Flex-aor ships were blasted with the deadly beams. When the explosions ceased, only six Flex-aor ships remained under power. Orders from Oblivion sent out a much reduced final salvo that finished them off. Without pausing, Home Fleet then closed in on the remaining tender ships. They too succumbed to grazer beams from mark VIII missiles. When the final Flex-aor ship was blown apart, Jonathan let out a deep breath as much of the tension left his shoulders. Chennai had been avenged. The Flex-aor fleet would be threatening no more Imperial worlds. At least, this one won’t, Jonathan thought as his mind went to his father.

Chapter 35

Telepathic species are very rare. Humanity has only come across a small handful of them. Each has been studied in as great a depth as possible. Yet our history with such things makes me nervous. On more than one occasion, a scientist or group of scientists have argued a Humanity bound together and controlled by one telepathic mind would be unbeatable. Though I suspect them wrong, even if they were right, would the sacrifice not deplete our Empire of everything that makes it worth fighting for?

-Excerpt from Empire Ascendant 3015 AD.

IS Matilda, Hiva’non, Flex-aor home system, 8th February 2509 AD, (three weeks later).

“Here we go,” Emilie said as the first scout ships began to jump out of shift space back to the point where her fleet was waiting.

Unknowingly, James held his breath as they waited for the sensor report to be sent to Matilda. At last, he was about to find out. Ever since the Flex-aor fleet had fled New Delhi after ravaging Home Fleet, the same question had been nagging him. Why did they flee when they had the advantage? He had bet everything on the Flex-aor attack at New Delhi being a feint. But if he was right, that meant he was not going to like what he was about to see. Fearful that he was right, yet just as concerned that he was wrong, James found himself fiddling with his wedding ring as he rocked back and forth almost imperceptibly.

Within seconds, the Flex-aor home system was projected onto the main holo display. James’ jaw dropped in horror. He had been right!... and they were too late. Thousands of contacts filled the system. Barely any of them registered as friendlies. More than one officer on the bridge gasped or groaned. James found himself shaking his head. Even he hadn’t imagined it would be this bad. The count on the holo display had risen to over eight thousand. It was far worse than he had imagined. The Flex-aor numbers were even more than the fleet that had attacked the American colonies twenty-five years ago.

“Look, survivors,” Emilie said, her voice breaking as she pointed to one part of the holo display.

James’ jaw snapped shut when he saw them. Nearly a hundred ships were fleeing towards the shift passage Emilie’s fleet was in. It took a second to realize there were no other Imperial or Varanni ships in the system. The garrison fleet was supposed to number over five hundred. Shaking himself, James fought to get over his shock. “Jump us in immediately,” he ordered. “We need to cover the retreat.” Behind the Imperial and Varanni force, more than three hundred Flex-aor ships were chasing them. James had failed those who were already dead, but he wasn’t going to let any more succumb to Flex-aor fire. “But send our fastest frigates back to Connecticut and Cral’van. We need to warn the reinforcements that are coming here of what is happening.”

As Emilie began to bellow orders, James looked beyond the surviving Allied forces and back into the heart of the system. The vast majority of the Flex-aor fleet was moving towards Hiva’non. His scout ships had already detected thousands of shuttles moving from the starships towards the planet. Landing ground forces, James guessed. That, or some kind of ground-based space weapon systems. Whatever the Flex-aor had planned, he was certain it had something to do with allowing them to keep their homeworld from being overrun again. Not a single human or Varanni foot soldier had set foot on Hiva’non. The Allied Fleet had been content to hold the orbitals and prevent the Flex-aor from building any new warships. If the Flex-aor were smart, they would find a way to place weapons they could fire into space onto their homeworld. That would force us to land troops. Something James was absolutely loath to even contemplate. The Flex-aor weren’t as good fighters as the Karacknids when it came to ground battles, yet there were billions of Flex-aor warriors and worker drones on their homeworld. Even as James continued to assess the situation, Matilda carried out a micro jump bringing her into the system. Within moments, James was able to look at the vast Flex-aor fleet through Matilda’s own sensors. When he did, any thought of landing ground troops vanished from his mind. Attacking Hiva’non was not going to be a possibility for months. There were simply far too many Flex-aor warships. Instead, his thoughts went to the nearest Human and Varanni Alliance colonies. Connecticut, Utah, Cral’van and Bu’m’mel were all in serious danger. And we have no idea what is happening at the other Flex-aor colonies, James worried. He was certain the main Flex-aor effort would be focused on the world that was home to their High Queen. But there were four other colonies that also housed other Queens; if they too were being liberated, then the Flex-aor would have even more strength. For the first time since he had learned of the Flex-aor from Jonathan, James really began to fear for his Empire. Eight hundred Flex-aor ships had seriously threatened New Delhi, but he had been confident his forces had stood a chance at fending them off. Eight thousand was another matter entirely. Especially when the vast majority of the Empire’s strength was arrayed along border forts more than four hundred light years away. Focus, James told himself. Giving into his fear now would accomplish nothing. He had to get the garrison’s survivors out of the system, then he could worry about the wider strategic situation. “Take us in, maximum military thrust. Order what’s left of Hiva’non’s garrison fleet to rendezvous with us. Send the damaged ships on through the shift passage back towards Utah.”

At once, the six hundred ships in formation around Matilda surged forward. Within seconds, Hiva’non’s garrison turned towards them. The Flex-aor weren’t quite as quick to react. Initially, they matched the garrison ships maneuvers to continue to chase them. After several minutes, they fired off another missile salvo from their forward tubes. Instead of turning, they still continued with their pursuit. James watched as their missiles crashed into the garrison ships. Eight were destroyed, and a further four fell out of formation. Not long after, the Flex-aor fired again. Only then did they turn. Fools, James thought towards them. The Flex-aor ships should have turned at the first sight of Matilda. Destroying a handful more of the garrison ships wasn’t worth it.

“Perhaps they thought we would just turn tail and run once we rescued them,” Emilie said, reading her uncle’s thoughts.

“Well, let’s show them the folly of such thinking,” James ordered. “Launch all fighters, coordinate them with our first missile salvo.”

Ten minutes later and three hundred fighters had launched from the four carriers in Emilie’s fleet. Forming up, they charged past the garrison ships towards the now decelerating Flex-aor. Five minutes after they left, Emilie’s fleet entered mark VII missile range. Six thousand missiles were hurled towards the Flex-aor. This isn’t going to be like engaging the garrison ships, James thought towards whoever was commanding the Flex-aor squadron. The garrison ships had been firing their own missile salvos from their rear tubes at their pursuers. Because of the Flex-aor’s numerical advantage, none of the missiles had got through. That wasn’t the case as Emilie’s salvo crashed home. Hundreds of antimatter missiles detonated amongst the Flex-aor ships. Then the fighters came swooping in. With the Flex-aor’s formation torn to shreds, the fighters faced almost no resistance. In the space of thirty seconds, over two hundred Flex-aor ships were destroyed. The fleet pursuing the garrison ships was gutted. A single follow-up salvo finished them off. Despite the small victory, as the last few Flex-aor ships were vaporized by antimatter missiles, James’ mood didn’t lift. Destroying three hundred Flex-aor ships didn’t even come close to making up for the four hundred Imperial ships lost from the garrison fleet. “Open a COM channel to the senior surviving officer from the garrison fleet. I want to know what happened.”

“What orders do you have for us?” Emilie asked before the COM channel was opened.

“We continue on towards Hiva’non,” James answered. “We need to know exactly what they’re up to. Send out flanking squadrons of screening ships. Let’s make sure we don’t get ourselves surrounded as we push deeper into the system.”

“Understood,” Emilie said with a nod.

“Admiral, I’ve got Commodore Cavendish on a COM channel for you,” a sensor officer reported.

With a wave of his hand, James ordered the COM channel sent to his command chair. A holo image of a Commodore he didn’t recognize appeared in front of him. “Commodore, I’m glad we were able to come to your assistance.”

“So am I Admiral, you’re a godsend. We thought we were done for,” Cavendish said quickly. “We thought they’d pursue us all the way to Utah before any help was able to come.”

“This is not the first Flex-aor attack,” James said, answering the Commodore’s unasked question. “A small fleet attacked New Delhi. That is how we knew to come here. Tell me exactly what happened. If the Flex-aor arrived with so many warships, why didn’t the garrison fleet retreat?”

Cavendish shook his head. He brought a hand up to rub his temple. “I’m sorry Admiral. I don’t have a good answer for you.”

“Explain yourself,” James said, allowing a bit of force to come into his voice.

“I’m not sure I can,” Cavendish replied. “I was called to the bridge as soon as the first Flex-aor ships began engaging our scouts on the edge of the system. Several of our ships got a sight of the main Flex-aor fleet and sent warnings back. Rear Admiral McDowell sent orders for every ship to prepare to break orbit. But then, there was nothing. Even after the full Flex-aor warfleet began accelerating into the system, we didn’t move. I know several of the other senior squadron commanders requested orders from McDowell. But none came. We did what we could and prepared to defend the orbital stations. But we knew we couldn’t hold out against so many enemy ships, even if they hadn’t made any technological advances in the last two decades. Still, no orders came. It was only when the first enemy missile salvo was fired that the fleet seemed to wake up. Except, instead of breaking orbit to flee. McDowell ordered us to charge. I’m not one to turn tail and run Admiral, but it seemed like suicide.”

James was shaking his head as he listened. He couldn’t understand. He knew McDowell. The Rear Admiral wasn’t among the best of James’ fleet commanders. That was why he was commanding the Hiva’non garrison and not a border fort fleet. Yet he was far from incompetent. It made no sense. “Then what happened?” James pressed when Cavendish paused.

“We were wrecked by that first salvo,” Cavendish said as he hung his head. “McDowell’s flagship was destroyed. More than two hundred other ships were as well. That was when Rear Admiral Jiang ordered us to pull back. We reversed course as quickly as we could. Yet another salvo struck us. Jiang’s flagship was lost in it. Command of the fleet fell to me. I did my best to get us out of the system. Thankfully, the main Flex-aor fleet was content to move on to Hiva’non. Yet the fleet that did chase us continued to hound us. We lost another thirty-two ships as we fled.”

“All right Commodore, you did your duty and you saved as many as you could. There’s nothing for you to feel shame about. But I do not understand McDowell’s actions. He all but threw away his fleet.”

“I didn’t understand at the time either Admiral,” Cavendish said as he raised his head to meet James’ eyes. “I thought McDowell had some kind of plan. Yet now it seems he didn’t. I don’t know why we attacked when we should have retreated.”

James shared a glance with Emilie. It was a mystery. A concerning mystery. “We’ll have to try and get to the bottom of it later,” he said as he turned back to Cavendish. For now, slot your ships that are still battle ready into formation with our fleet. Did you get much of a look at what the main Flex-aor fleet is up to?”

Cavendish shook his head. “I’m sorry Admiral. We were too busy defending ourselves to divert any ships or drones to Hiva’non.”

“No matter, you got your ships out, that’s what counts. We will remedy that oversight now. Fall into formation Commodore, and we may yet be able to avenge some of your losses.”

“With pleasure Admiral,” Cavendish said, a little more life returning to his voice.

With a nod, James ended the COM channel. Then, he turned fully to Emilie. “What’s your take?”

Emilie shook her head. “If they had just stayed in orbit, I’d think McDowell lost his nerve. Yet breaking orbit and charging the Flex-aor? That was madness. If we were talking about a war between different Human factions, I’d almost suggest McDowell was bribed. But he was killed. And what would the Flex-aor have to offer him anyway?”

James found himself shaking his head as well. It made no sense. “Perhaps we will get an answer as we continue,” was all he could think of to say. “Let’s fire another shell of recon drones. We need to keep our wits about us.” Emilie nodded and turned to her staff officers. James left overseeing the fleet in her hands. Instead, he focused on assessing just what the main Flex-aor fleet was up to. For two hours, as the six hundred and fifty ships of Emilie’s fleet crept deeper into the system, James watched every sensor feed and read every analyst’s report. The more he saw, the more confused he became. The Flex-aor were making no effort to hide what they were up to. Tens of thousands of shuttles were landing and taking off from Hiva’non’s surface. There were far too many to just have come from the Flex-aor warships. Clearly, the inhabitants of Hiva’non had secretly been building shuttles of their own. James wasn’t sure how they had gotten past Rear Admiral McDowell’s watchful gaze. Yet given how McDowell had reacted to the appearance of the Flex-aor fleet, it maybe wasn’t as surprising as it should have been. Something had been wrong with him.

“They must be landing hundreds of thousands of troops,” one sensor officer commented. “Half those warships must have been filled with soldiers.”

James tended to agree. That, or they were filled with the ground-based space weapons he feared. Yet there were no clear signs coming from Hiva’non’s surface as to exactly what the Flex-aor were up to. All the stealth drones that were sent towards the planet were destroyed before they could get good readings.

“We’ve got movement from their warships!” A tactical officer eventually announced. James had been expecting it. The Flex-aor fleet couldn’t allow his ships to just stroll right up to Hiva’non and attack their shuttles. “One thousand ships turning onto an intercept course.”

Emilie glanced at James. He shook his head ever so slightly. They weren’t going to begin decelerating just yet. He knew he couldn’t fight the Flex-aor fleet. It would be as suicidal as McDowell’s charge. Yet he didn’t want to retreat so easily. He needed to gather as much data on the Flex-aor fleet and their purposes as possible, for if their next target was Connecticut or Cral’van, he desperately needed something that might tip the balance. As things stood, James was all too aware that either of the major colonies could be attacked with ease. The only thing he could think of that might give the hundreds of millions of Humans and Crians who lived on each world a chance was the Flex-aor’s logistics. Moving a fleet of eight thousand warships from Hiva’non to Connecticut was no small undertaking. Especially if they haven’t had access to their homeworlds, James thought. Even as his hope rose slightly, it faded again as he continued to think through the situation. Clearly, the Flex-aor had access to shipyards Humanity had never discovered. They had also been able to bring a fleet of eight thousand warships from wherever they were to Hiva’non. That told him they already had a sophisticated supply chain set up.

For another half an hour, James held his nerve as one thousand ships closed with his fleet. When no new information was gathered on just what the Flex-aor were up to in that time, he relented. “All right, turn us around. Set a course back out of the system. And prepare several scout squadrons to be dispatched to the other Flex-aor worlds. We need to bring a warning to their garrisons and find out what is happening there.” Though he had tried to keep his tone level, the deflation he felt crept into it. They were abandoning the Hiva’non system. And James feared, by the time his scout squadrons visited the other Flex-aor worlds, they would have already come under attack as well. All of the Flex-aor worlds would be liberated. And with eight thousand or more warships, they will have months to start to rebuild their orbital defense stations and construction yards. It will take us that long at least to gather a force large enough to dislodge them, James told himself as his head shook. He would need to gather at least six thousand Imperial warships to be able to face the Flex-aor threat. And if I take them from the front lines, what will the Karacknids do? He feared he knew the answer to that as well.

“The Flex-aor fleet pursuing us is decelerating,” the same tactical officer announced.

James’ eyebrows rose in surprise. His fleet was showing it didn’t want to fight. The Flex-aor fleet need do nothing more than follow him at a safe distance to ensure his ships left. Why were they stopping? They were allowing him to continue to watch their activities if he wished. Turning to Emilie, he opened his mouth to voice his confusion. No words made it out. Instead, James’ skin began to crawl. He felt like an invisible slimy rope was sloppily sliding across his torso. The feeling made his eyes bulge. Around him, he saw other bridge officers react in a similar fashion. In the blink of an eye, the slow, sliding feeling suddenly intensified. The rope seemed to grasp onto James’s body and move its way up past his chest over his neck, and wrapped around his head. An intense pain assaulted his mind. James shut his eyes and his hands snapped up to his ears as a piercing sound threatened to explode his eardrums.

Just as the pain reached the point he thought his head would explode, it ceased. James’ eyes flicked open. Yet all he could see was darkness. Then an image from a horror movie flooded into his mind. Except, this was a movie James had seen before. It was one he had lived through. Though he had no idea how, he found himself staring into the many eyes of High Queen Ala’ron. She was floating in a large pool of thick goo, her many tentacles swishing back and forth. James recoiled as he recognized the slimy ropes that had curled around his body for what they were. For several seconds, panic threatened to overwhelm him. He knew the Flex-aor queens were telepathic. That was how they controlled their warrior and worker drones. Once before, Ala’ron had tried to connect to his mind, yet then, she had needed to physically touch him with her tentacles. Now she was millions of miles away on Hiva’non. Wait, James struggled to think. Now that he thought about it, when he had stopped her from touching him, she had still tried to access his mind from a few meters away. She had failed then. His horror increased. She hadn’t this time.

“Admiral Somerville,” Ala’ron’s repulsive but familiar voice said into James’ mind. “Or shall I call you Emperor now? I confess, I didn’t think I’d get the pleasure of speaking to you again so soon. You have made this day a truly joyous one.” She paused and James felt her mind probing at his. Her large maw opened. “How delightful. I see you believed me defeated.” Ala’ron let out a high-pitch screeching sound James sensed was a Flex-aor’s laugh. “Then you’re even more foolish than I thought.” Her tone suddenly changed; James felt a great weight pressing down upon his mind. “Your species has met its end Human. You will keep me as a slave no longer. I’ll have my revenge. Not one of your planets will be protected from my touch. I will wipe your species from off the face of the galaxy. You will rue the day you thought you could imprison me on my own planet!”

The assault on James’ mind intensified. Though he put up a fight, he couldn’t resist Ala’ron’s strength. Suddenly, he found images being forced into his thoughts. One by one, he saw all of the Imperial and Varanni Alliance worlds he had visited be overwhelmed by Flex-aor fleets and turned into smoldering nuclear wastes. As his horror at the images grew, he felt Ala’ron’s sadistic delight rise as well. Mixed in with the images of destroyed worlds were other images Ala’ron made him see, images of Karacknid fleets pouring over Humanity’s northern border. If he had been in any doubt before, he now knew that the Flex-aor had been in contact with the Karacknids. He didn’t sense any awareness of a formal alliance coming from Ala’ron, but then, they didn’t need one. All both species had to do was act in their best interests, and Humanity would be destroyed between them.

Despite the horror of what he was seeing, and the great pressure on his mind, a new thought occurred to James. He desperately reached out for it. Years ago, when Johnston had been attacked by one of Ala’ron’s daughters, she had tried to read Johnston’s mind when she had entangled him in her tentacles. James had heard the story many times from Johnston. He had always claimed he had been able to read her thoughts as well. Gathering his strength, James suddenly stopped trying to resist Ala’ron’s mental assault. Instead, he forced his own thoughts back through the mental link she had made.

Ala’ron roared and hissed at him. In the blink of an eye, all of her strength turned to snapping the connection between them. James resisted it as best he could. He lasted less than a couple of seconds. Then, the link severed. But not before he managed to get a glimpse of several images from Ala’ron’s mind. What he saw shook him to his core. The Flex-aor did have other fleets. Even as he sat on Matilda’s deck, they were assaulting the other Flex-aor worlds who housed other Queens. Yet that wasn’t what sent shivers of panic down James’ spine. The Flex-aor hadn’t come to retake their worlds. The thousands of shuttles he had watched weren’t landing troops or weapons. They were taking off Flex-aor workers and drones! Already, Ala’ron was on board one of the battleships orbiting Hiva’non. The Flex-aor weren’t trying to recapture their worlds, they had come for their people! The clearest image James had got had been of massive mobile construction ships. Ships large enough to house millions of Flex-aor and build thousands of ships. They are completely changing their ways, James thought even as his body began to shiver. A deep coldness was beginning to assault him. His whole body felt weakened and his mind drained. Nevertheless, his thoughts were clear. The Flex-aor were evacuating their worlds. They planned to become a nomadic species. One that could move from system to system with ease and strike at any Human world they wished. And they have more ships, James told himself. What Matilda’s sensors were looking at now were just the ships the escaped Flex-aor had enough warriors to man. They had thousands more out in unexplored space just waiting for warrior and worker drones to be brought back to man them. James shook his head. It wasn’t just Connecticut, Utah or Cral’van that were at risk, every border colony throughout Varanni Alliance and Imperial space was at risk. And the ships that would be needed to defend them all would strip the northern border forts of all their strength.

“James,” a very concerned voice said loudly. “Uncle!” As he slowly became aware of the voice repeating his name, James also realized his body was being shaken back and forth. Suddenly remembering where he was on Matilda’s bridge, his eyes fluttered open. “Oh, thank goodness!” Emilie said. She was hunched over in front of him, one hand on his shoulder, and the other on his forehead. “You are freezing! What happened?”

James opened his mouth to speak, but only a croak came out. His throat was bone dry. Turning slightly, he reached for a glass of water he kept under his command chair. Only when he saw his hand move in front of him did he notice it was shaking. Trying to stop it made him realize his whole body was shivering. Gritting his teeth together, he wrestled to regain control of himself. When Emilie saw what he was reaching for, she beat him to it and moved the glass to his lips. James drank deeply and then allowed a final sip to roll around his mouth. As his shivers started to subside, he let out a deep breath. “I’m… I’m alright,” he managed to say to Emilie. When he tried to give her a reassuring smile, his lips barely widened.

“What is going on? Are you unwell?” Emilie demanded.

James shook his head as best he could. “No, it’s not that,” he said slowly. “It was Ala’ron, she reached out to me.”

Emilie swung round and looked at the holo display of the Flex-aor fleet. Then she turned just as quickly back to James. “Their High Queen?” She asked, then her eyes narrowed. “Telepathically!” James nodded. “But how?”

James shrugged. “I thought it impossible. But it was her.”

Emilie’s hands clenched into fists. “That’s what I felt? Her mind trying to touch mine?”

“I believe so,” James replied. “Like a slimy tentacle reaching right into you?” Emilie nodded. James couldn’t help but chuckle slightly at the look of disgust on her face. “Just be thankful she wasn’t looking for you. It was me she was after.”

“What did she want?” Emilie asked.

“To gloat,” James answered. “To show me what she intends to do to our worlds in revenge for what we did to hers.”

Emilie’s face fell. “That’s what has you so shook up?”

James nodded. “That, and the other things I saw. When she was reading my thoughts, I managed to get a glimpse of some of hers. They have more ships. Perhaps as many as twenty thousand. But that’s not all, they are not landing troops or weapons on Hiva’non’s surface, they are taking their people off. Whatever Flex-aor forces escaped when we occupied their systems before, they’ve been building massive ships; new homes for the Flex-aor Queens. They plan to head to them now and disappear, only to strike at our worlds when we least expect it. Ala’ron knows about the Karacknids, she knows we have to defend our northern border. She is just going to keep striking at us where we are weakest until she or the Karacknids destroy us.”

Emilie’s face had turned white to match James’. Slowly, she turned to the holo display. As James followed her gaze, he could see the Flex-aor fleet was already pulling away from Hiva’non. Evidently, they had picked up all the warriors and workers they needed. “They will jump out and try to disappear,” James said. It was more than a guess, he was certain. He could still feel Ala’ron’s intentions within his own mind.

“What do we do?” Emilie asked. When James turned back to her, he saw a look of defeat and fear that he felt himself. “We cannot protect every one of our planets.”

James tried to summon what mental strength he had left. What he had seen from Ala’ron had shaken him badly. But the future she envisaged wasn’t certain yet. Not by a long shot. With a great deal of effort, he straightened his facial features. Slowly, he smiled at Emilie, trying to convince her of the same confidence he was attempting to convince himself of. “What do we do now?” He echoed. “Now I have the biggest task of your life for you,” as he spoke, James allowed his voice to rise so everyone on Matilda’s bridge could hear. He raised a hand and pointed at the retreating Flex-aor fleet. “That force intends to destroy everything we have built these last two decades. I need to get back to Earth. The situation is far more precarious than even I feared. But reinforcements are already on their way here. I need you to track that fleet if you can. Keep in contact with them and hunt them down.” Holding Emilie’s eyes, James stared at his niece unblinkingly. He knew the weight of the order he was giving. Keeping Emilie out in the Flex-aor homeworlds meant she wasn’t going to see her son any time soon. It also meant there was a very high chance she would never be returning to Earth. A large part of James thought he should be the one to stay. Yet he felt an overwhelming burden to get back to Earth. The strategic situation had completely changed. He and he alone had an insight into Ala’ron’s thinking. He needed to be somewhere where he could direct all of Humanity’s forces. As he stared at Emilie, he knew she was reading all those thoughts and more in his face.

Ever so slowly, she nodded to him. Her eyes told him she understood exactly what he was asking. “We will not let you down,” she promised. “We will hunt them and destroy every last one of their ships. No other Human colonies will be bombarded from space.” Murmurs and whispers from around James told him Matilda’s bridge officers were in complete agreement. James nodded to his niece. Neither of them had any choice. They had to do what they had to do. “I will begin to make the arrangements for you uncle,” Emilie said more quietly than before. “You’ll want to get on your way as soon as possible.”

“Yes, as should your ships. You need to pull back, possibly to the old fort at X-36. That will be the best place to gather the ships coming from Varanni Alliance space.”

“Agreed,” Emilie replied, “though not before we dispatch scout ships to try and follow them. I will write up those orders for my best Captains now. With our damaged ships from the garrison fleet, it will take us time to fall back to X-36. You should leave before us.”

Though James hated doing it, he nodded in acquiescence to Emilie’s recommendation. “Just make sure you are careful, especially if you come up against Ala’ron or one of her daughters. I think we can now guess what happened to Rear Admiral McDowell. Ala’ron has had years to work on him, maybe she gained some sort of control over that time, or maybe she was able to just overwhelm him when her fleet first arrived. We can’t know for sure. You need to be careful.”

“I understand,” Emilie said as she brought a hand up to her jaw. “We will have to instill some new safety precautions. Adapt the chain of command. But we will figure something out. Don’t you worry about it.”

“Good,” James replied as he gave his niece one final nod of confidence. Before he stood and went to inform Fox of their need to change ships once again, he took one last glance at the retreating Flex-aor fleet. He had thought coming to Hiva’non might have given him a chance to put an end to whatever the Flex-aor were planning. Instead, he now knew the Flex-aor threat was beginning to come to fruition. He had been a fool to think their species had been contained. Now, James feared, Humanity and her allies were going to suffer the consequences.

Chapter 36

One would think it easy to plan grand strategy far from the frontline in safety and comfort, and one would be correct. At least, for any commander who has never led from the frontline and knows not what he is sending his ships to face. Yet for an experienced commander, sending others in your stead is an unenviable task. Unenviable, and yet utterly necessary.

-Excerpt from Empire Ascendant 3015 AD.

Imperial palace, Earth, 15th April 2509 AD, (nine weeks later).

With a tap, James changed the holo display to show a zoomed-out image of Imperial space. Multiple fleets were represented on it. “So in total,” he concluded his briefing, “We have approximately twelve hundred ships under Admiral Alvarez’s command stationed at X-36. Another nine hundred are under the command of Admiral Davenport based out of New Delhi. In the next two weeks, both of their forces should receive upwards of another five hundred ships. Alvarez will be receiving Varanni Alliance reinforcements from Cria and Davenport, ships dispatched from the Void and the New Shanghai sector. I intend to dispatch half of the ships you have brought with you to Admiral Alvarez, the rest, you are to take to New Delhi and assume command of our southeastern sector’s defense. The Kulreans are also mobilizing their worldships, fifty of them will be spread out along our and the Varanni Alliance’s southern borders to bolster our defenses. Admiral Becket, you will have by far the longest border to protect, so the rest of the ships we are moving from the northern border forts will be diverted to you. Hopefully, between your fleet and Admiral Alvarez’, we will be able to locate the Flex-aor High Queen and crush her before she can fully establish herself.”

Admiral Becket nodded as she stared up at the large briefing room’s holo display. James turned and looked at it with her. Literally thousands of ships were being shown rushing from the Empire’s northern sectors down through the Sol system either towards X-36 or New Delhi. In total, James had sent out orders to put ten thousand Imperial warships into motion. Out beyond the Empire’s borders, other fleets were shown to be on the move as well. The Mindus were moving over two thousand warships towards the Empire’s border forts to strengthen the weakened defenses there, whilst several thousand Varanni Alliance ships were moving to defend their border and further reinforce Emilie’s fleet.

“I would much rather be commanding the fleet at X-36,” Admiral Becket said, breaking her silence. She had listened to James’ entire account of events without interrupting. “Our southeastern sector is massive and has little fixed defenses. Even with my full force, I’ll be hard pressed to defend every world and still search for Ala’ron.”

James nodded. “I’m afraid so. Though, when you have enough frigates and destroyers, you could begin to push out a screen of scout ships. Andrea and Scott have been working on the tactic we plan to use with Emilie’s fleet first, but once you have the necessary strength, you may attempt to employ it as well.” Glancing at Scott, James gave her permission to speak.

“This is what we were thinking,” Scott said, “though it will heavily depend on a functioning supply chain,” she added as she glanced at Andrea. Moving over beside James, she changed the holo display. It zoomed in on X-36 and the Flex-aor homeworlds. From the borders of the Flex-aor worlds, concentric dots began to appear, fanning out towards unexplored space. “Each dot represents a supply depot. One from which squadrons of destroyers and frigates can operate. Expanding their lines, they can set up small bases and fan out to search for the Flex-aor. From each base, we will also operate additional scout ships that will monitor the nearby systems. In this way, we will be able to hunt for the Flex-aor and set up early warning stations that should spot their main fleet’s approach if they try and attack. The small depots will also allow Admiral Alvarez’ fleet to rapidly advance towards the Flex-aor fleet wherever it is discovered.”

Becket frowned. “You’re talking about a heck of a lot of supplies and construction effort. I’m assuming most of it will be diverted from the northern border forts?”

“I’m afraid so,” James said with a grimace. Becket had spent much of the last ten years as the senior Admiral commanding the northern border forts. He knew it had to be hard for her to watch ships and materials be taken away from them. It was hard enough for him. “At this very moment, the Flex-aor are the biggest threat. We have to act accordingly.”

“What about the scout ships we sent out to check on the Karacknid fleet bases?” Becket asked as she turned to Mark, Emilie’s husband and the head of Naval Intelligence.

“At the moment, everything is quiet along the borders of Karacknid space. Neither Farmic’kan nor Grong’gar appear to be building up any additional forces along our border. They have just enough to deter a serious attack. The rest of their strength still seems to be focused on fighting each other and Tanaka-lan.”

“Which means we have time, and hope,” James said. “The Flex-aor threat is massive. Even with all the ships we are deploying, they could strike somewhere where we are weak and cause untold damage. Yet from what I saw from Ala’ron’s mind, it will take them time to man all their additional ships and then begin to put their plans into motion. We need to use that time to find and crush her before she can do the same to us.”

“And you got no idea where their nomadic construction ships are located from her?” Becket asked.

James shook his head. “Only that they were some distance away, where she thought them safe.”

“Then if she finds out we are searching for her, she may just remain in hiding,” Becket cautioned. “You said she knows about the Karacknids and their strength. If she thinks she has caused us to divert enough ships from our northern borders and so jeopardize our defense, she may be satisfied with that. We could be searching for her for years. Years we do not have if the Karacknids are preparing to hit us. For as soon as the Karacknids learn we have weakened our defenses, they will begin their preparations.”

“I wouldn’t begin to argue that with you,” James said. “Yet what choice do we have? We cannot leave our southern colonies undefended. We must find Ala’ron and destroy the Flex-aor’s strength once and for all.” James watched as Becket looked from him to Alvarez, and then to Andrea. He could tell she was concerned. He was as well.

“And our supply situation, we can handle only so many ships being diverted to new bases and put on active duty? We will be burning up five times as much fuel searching for Ala’ron compared to defending our fortified systems.”

“I won’t lie and say it will be easy,” Andrea said. “Both you and Emilie will have to manage your fuel situation carefully. At times, it may limit just what you can do. But we are doing our best. We’ve also rushed the completion of all the fuel freighters we have under construction. Once they start to come online, they should help to ease the problems.”

Becket took a deep breath. Then she nodded. “Very well, this seems to be the best plan we have available to us. How soon do you think Emilie will push forward to retake the Flex-aor homeworlds?”

“If she hasn’t already, any day now,” James answered. “I’m also expecting to hear back from the scouts she sent after the Flex-aor fleet. They wouldn’t have been able to follow the Flex-aor all the way to wherever their nomadic construction yards are hidden, but they should be able to give us a general direction the Flex-aor fled towards. It should be enough to help us narrow down our search.”

“All right then, how soon do you want me to depart for New Delhi?” Becket asked.

“As soon as possible old friend,” James replied. “I know, I’m sorry you can’t enjoy more time on Earth. But Ala’ron could have diverted one or two thousand of her warships to raid our frontier colonies even while she retreats with her main force. I need your fleet on station right away.”

Becket smiled as she stood. “The burden of duty. I guess there is no rest for the wicked. I need to tell my command staff and start to step up our preparations to depart. There are also a few people I’d like to see.”

“No problem,” James said as he held a hand to Becket. “We are having a family dinner tonight, Christine wanted to invite you and Rick to join us.”

“We’d be honored,” Becket said as she released James’ hand and snapped him a quick salute. “I’m sure I have more questions for all of you, but I better see to my ships first.”

“Of course, we can reconvene in a couple of hours,” James promised his best Admiral. After Becket left, Andrea, Alvarez and Scott each headed out as well. They had almost as much to do to help prepare Becket’s fleet for departure. When they were gone, James checked his chronometer. It was already time for his next meeting to begin. Instead of calling the Captain in, he changed the holo display to show a small destroyer. Idly, he studied it for several moments as he gathered his mental strength and sought to calm himself. He knew what he was about to do wasn’t going to be easy. When he felt he was ready, he tapped a button on the briefing room’s table. Moments later, a side door opened, and a young Captain briskly walked in.

“Admiral Somerville,” the Captain said as he stopped in front of James and snapped a formal salute.

“At ease,” James said as he returned the salute and gestured to the chair. “You may sit.” As the Captain quickly moved to the chair, James gave him a wink. “I think we can dispense with the formalities, don’t you?”

“Thank you,” Jonathan said as he grinned back at his father. “What did you want to speak with me about?”

“How are Achilles’ repairs going?” James asked.

“We are getting there,” Jonathan replied. “Another couple of weeks, and we should be ready to come out of the repair yard. The bean counters at the Admiralty want us to redo our space trials. A number of systems were found not to have been installed exactly up to standards. It seems the secessionists rushed her out of the yard at New Delhi and cut a few corners. With those updates and the minor repairs we needed, we’ll have to jump through the safety hoops all over again.”

James nodded. “It won’t do you any harm. Better to be safe than sorry.”

“I know, it’s just frustrating. We could have done all this at New Delhi and been back with Admiral Davenport’s fleet already.”

James chuckled. “The ever-present complaint of the destroyer Captain, the bigger and more powerful warships are always getting precedent over you lot.”

Jonathan squared his jaw. “Just because Achilles isn’t some heavy cruiser, doesn’t mean she didn’t deserve to be prioritized. We could have been out there patrolling beyond the Empire’s borders looking for a Flex-aor attack fleet.”

“About that,” James said as he decided to get right to it. Picking up a datapad he had brought with him, he handed it to Jonathan. “Once Achilles is declared space worthy again, I have a different assignment for you.”

“We are being attached to Admiral Becket’s fleet?” Jonathan asked as his face lit up.

James shook his head slightly. “I’m sorry, no. Not this time. With everything that’s been going on, we are extending our long-range patrols right across all of the Allied systems. The sudden appearance of the Flex-aor has thrown the defense strategies we have developed over the last two decades out the window. Allied High Command doesn’t want any other new threats suddenly appearing on our unprotected borders. I’m sending you through the Gift to the Blackwood colony and Conclave space. Achilles has been designed for long-range reconnaissance; she is perfect for this kind of mission.”

Jonathan jumped to his feet. He shook his head vigorously as he complained, “You can’t do this! You can’t just send me away because I’m your son. I uncovered the Flex-aor threat. I’m not going to just slip off through the Gift when things get dangerous. I’m not running away.”

James stared at his son unblinkingly. “Sit down Captain,” he ordered, allowing an edge to come into his voice. “Now!” he had to add. When Jonathan did so, he allowed his tone to relax again. “Do not forget who you are speaking to son. I am your Emperor and Admiral, as well as your father. Achilles is best suited for this kind of mission. And I’m not singling you out, five other destroyers are being sent out to survey the area as well, and tens more to other sectors. You might be interested to know, each of them are commanded by competent captains who I know I can entrust such extended missions to.” James smiled at his son. “It just so happens that you now find yourself on such a list. You handled yourself excellently with Python and Achilles. This is not a punishment, but a reward. Nor am I trying to protect you. You’ll be going into unexplored space. Neither of us have any idea what you might find there.”

“But I cannot abandon Admiral Davenport’s fleet. Sooner or later, they will have to fight the Flex-aor again. I need to be there when they do!”

“Do you now?” James asked. “And do you presume to tell me where every other ship in the fleet needs to go as well?” Before Jonathan could answer, James pressed on. “You have already proven your mettle in battle. Both at New Delhi and at the ambush of the Flex-aor tender ships. If you re-join Admiral Davenport, you’ll likely end up spending months, if not years, hugging Oblivion’s exhaust ports as you protect the flagship. Think about it, do you suppose Davenport is going to assign you to a reconnaissance squadron now that she knows who you are?” James shook his head. “No. You will be assigned to Oblivion’s escort squadron for safe keeping. Instead, I’m offering you a chance of an independent command. One where you can grow and learn as a Captain. It’s going to take us months, maybe even years, to find and destroy the Flex-aor. The chances are, you’ll be back by then and can then re-join Davenport or maybe Emilie’s or Becket’s fleets. And even if you miss whatever goes down with the Flex-aor, we still have the Karacknids to think about. So, I suggest you accept this assignment with thanks.”

From the look on his face, James knew Jonathan wanted to argue more. He rather suspected that when they next met informally, the topic would come up. Probably, he would speak to his mother about it as well. Nevertheless, Jonathan nodded. “I accept your assignment Admiral,” he said, his tone and body language making it clear just how begrudgingly his acceptance was given.

James ignored it. “Very well,” he said with a nod. “I look forward to seeing the results from your space trials. Carry on Captain, you are dismissed.” James watched his son’s back as he left the briefing room, the tension there was obvious to see. When the automatic door closed behind him, James let out a sigh of relief. It hadn’t gone quite as badly as he had feared. A beep from his COM unit told him his next appointment had already arrived. With another sigh, James pulled up a file on one of his datapads to remind himself of what was next on his schedule. Not for the first time, he wished he was back on-board Oblivion or Matilda, for despite the threat of death and destruction, it was still far more peaceful there than being back in the Imperial Palace.

*

Four hours later and James finally managed to get some time to himself. After coming out of his latest meeting, he had managed to slip into his private study without anyone noticing. Pouring himself a drink, he sat down in what he called his reading chair. In reality, very little reading got done, but at least it was somewhere where he liked to sit and think. Pushing himself to forget about the Karacknids and the Flex-aor, James allowed his mind to wander. As it often did, he went back to when he had been a Captain himself, and the happy times those days had been. Mostly, that had been thanks to the many friends he had made. Sadness touched him. Years ago, the sadness would have rushed him to anger or threatened to pull him into a deeper depression. Now however, he embraced it. The sadness was a reminder of the good times. It only hurt because he still missed Gupta, Romanov, Jil’lal, and the others. Several memories brought smiles to his face. It was hard to imagine he had been so young and naïve once. Yet his memories assured him he had.

Sometime later, the wooden door into the study clicked open. James turned. He smiled when he saw Christine entering. “There you are,” she said as she matched his smile. “I’ve been looking all over for you. How did it go with Becket and Jonathan?”

“As well as can be expected, I suppose,” James said as he motioned for Christine to come closer. He smiled at her again as she allowed him to grab her hand and gently pull her down onto his lap. They shared a kiss before he continued. “Becket doesn’t like leaving the northern border forts. Yet she understands the threat all too well. It’s not going to be easy trying to secure all of our southeastern colonies, but she is the best we have.”

“And Jonathan?”

James chuckled. “That wasn’t quite so easy. I expect you’re going to hear about it sooner rather than later. Yet he agreed.”

Relief washed over Christine’s face. “Good. Very good. At least, that is one less child we have to worry about.”

“Hopefully,” James said. “Hopefully.”

Christine frowned. “What do you mean?”

James shrugged. “Nothing probably. It’s just, with everything going on, who knows if it’s really any safer out there than here? It’s starting to feel like the last two decades were nothing more than a dream. Suddenly, we are surrounded by threats on all sides again. Who knows what else is out there?”

Christine swatted Jonathan’s shoulder. “Don’t. You’re getting me concerned now. I know things are bad, yet we are a long way from where we were before the Battle of Gayla. We have thousands of ships. More than enough to defeat the Flex-aor if we didn’t have to also defend our northern borders. And we have Emilie, Becket, and Davenport out there leading our forces. Things may be bad, yes, but they’ve been far worse. We will get through this. I just,” Christine said as even her confidence faltered slightly, “I just worry about Georgia. She’s already seen so much death amongst her squadron.”

James nodded. Georgia had already survived three attack runs against enemy fleets. If she hadn’t proved to be such a skilled pilot, the odds might have already caught up to her. “Was there some reason you were looking for me?” James asked in an effort to change the subject. He had already consoled Christine about Georgia a handful of times since returning from the Flex-aor homeworld. Rehashing the same conversation now wouldn’t be helpful for either of them.

Christine sat up a little straighter on James’ lap. “Yes, there was, though given the mood you’re in, I don’t want to darken it further.”

James raised his hands to Christine’s sides and touched her with his fingernails, threatening to tickle her. “I think you better just tell me Empress, before a bunch of aides discover us and find a new list of tasks for us to complete.”

Christine moved her elbows down to protect her sides. “If you insist... I just got done with Fairfax and the forensic investigators who have been looking into the secessionist movement. There is still one problem they are struggling to solve. It has to do with Cornelius Teal and the financing of their movement. We’re still tracking down many of his accounts to make sure they are shut off and cannot be used by the groups that have gone to ground.”

“Well, that’s good, so what is the problem? James asked.

“It’s the amounts in some of the accounts,” Christine answered. “They are impressive. Very impressive. They are far larger than Teal could have accumulated himself, despite how wealthy he was. But that’s just the problem, we haven’t been able to account for where the extra funds have come from. There are plenty of other wealthy individuals or corporations who could have been secretly backing him, but there are no traces that link back to any of them. One of the investigators made a strange comment. She said it was almost as if the funds had come from outside the Empire.” Shifting on James’ lap, Christine turned to look at him. There was a worried look in her eyes.

James grasped where she was going. “The sudden appearance of the Flex-aor and the secessionist attempt happening at the same time, you’re not thinking they are linked?”

Christine shook her head, “I know it sounds silly. But as you were just saying, we’ve had twenty years of relative peace, and then both of these happen together? And don’t forget about the unknown species Jonathan encountered. The Racumin, their computer core said. We haven’t heard sight nor sound of them since, yet clearly they are willing to operate near our borders. What if there is another threat out there? Or what if the Karacknids are behind both?”

James didn’t like where his wife’s thoughts were going. It wasn’t the Karacknids’ MO to try to acquire a foreign species’ currency, and then stir up internal dissent. Yet they did often supply weapons to aggressive species to foment war in sectors they wished to later conquer, so was it such a big jump to fund the secessionists? James had a hard time believing Varma or the other politicians would accept funds from the Karacknids. But Teal, that was believable. And who’s to say they even knew who they were dealing with? James wondered. And there was the Racumin. James had thought of them often, yet hardly any data had been retrieved from the cores Jonathan’s team had collected. They were all but a complete mystery. “A mystery we need to solve,” James said out loud.

“The Racumin?” Christine guessed. James nodded. “If there is even a chance you’re right, we need to think more about this. If there is something bigger going on, then we need to know.” His face changed again as another thought occurred to him. He tried to hide it, but Christine saw through his effort.

“What is it?” She pressed. “Out with it,” she ordered as her voice changed to the tone she used when giving orders.

“Jonathan,” James reluctantly answered. “If there is something bigger going on, who’s to say we’re not sending him out into the midst of it?” Christine shared a look with James. It was a worrying thought for both of them. Then she lowered her head and rested it on his shoulder. James pulled her into a hug. Whether they were right or wrong, there was nothing more they could do to protect their children. They were grown now. They had to face the risks of the galaxy like everyone else.

For several minutes, they enjoyed just holding each other in silence. It wasn’t until Christine’s COM unit beeped that they broke apart. She sighed when she opened it. “I have to go, another minor emergency. I’ll see you at dinner? We can talk about this more with Becket.”

“Of course,” James said. “I’m looking forward to it.” He gave Christine a gentle pat on the bum as she got off him. She shot him a dirty look, but then smiled before she left.

Left to himself once again, James’ mind went to his uncle, Jonathan’s namesake. Throughout most of James’s career as a Lieutenant and Captain, his uncle had been the head of the Royal Space Navy. From his office in the British Admiralty, his uncle had sent out fleets, squadrons, and individual ships all throughout what had been the British colonies, to protect convoys and fight battles during times of war. Now I know what it’s like, James thought towards the man he still thought of as his greatest mentor. He had tasked Becket and Davenport with trying to protect the southeastern Imperial colonies. Georgia would be with them. Meanwhile, Emilie had the almost impossible task of actually trying to find the fleeing Flex-aor. At the same time, he had just sent Jonathan out into the unknown, which though hopefully safer than hunting the Flex-aor, could end up being just as dangerous. Especially if there is another species up to no good, James thought. If they were stirring up trouble along Humanities southern colonies with the Flex-aor, then why not cause trouble on the other side of the Gift, and in Conclave space too? How did you do it uncle? James asked. How could you just sit back and send people out to risk their lives for you? Even as he asked the question, James knew the answer, the burden of duty. He was now the Empire’s most experienced commander; it was his duty to orchestrate things from Earth and trust his subordinates to accomplish his purposes. It never gets easier, James thought as he shook his head. Never.

Epilogue

Pillar of Seclusion, Silizzeras home system, (four weeks later).

With a swish of her tail, Agent Rarmanca propelled herself along the smooth path that led through the outer courtyards. It felt good to be out of her prosthetics. No, more than good, she told herself as she swished her tail again. Rarmanca prided herself in her ability to slip from one disguise to another. Posing as a Human, Vestarian, Karacknid, Racumin, or Eaglaton was nothing to her. At least, for short durations. Doing so for months on end had been taking its toll. Now that she was free to be herself again, she reveled in her ability to coil herself up, and then slide her long thin body down the path. Almost, she forgot about who she was going to meet. As the massive spike that rose far above all the nearby buildings began to loom over her, she could suppress her nerves no longer. The Pillar of Seclusion was where she had grown to maturity. It was where she had been trained endlessly for decades before ever being allowed out in the field. It was also where the Assembly protected the Silizzeras people, ensuring that no other sentient species ever threatened their future. She had been summoned to give an account of herself. Only twice over the last thirty years had she been summoned before. Neither had been overly pleasant. Whilst she had supreme confidence in her abilities, Rarmanca doubted this time would be any different.

As she approached the Pillar of Seclusion, two large, black metallic doors slid open. The light didn’t come on as Rarmanca entered the darkened grand foyer. That didn’t bother her, her eyes instantly adjusted. At the far end of the foyer, one of her species awaited her. Its lower body was coiled in a circle while its upper body pointed straight into the air. Rarmanca approached, and then raised herself up to look her fellow agent in the eye. Releasing a combination of pheromones, Rarmanca communicated with the agent. “Agent Rarmanca reporting as requested.”

“The Speaker is waiting. Proceed to the three hundred and twelfth chamber,” the agent replied.

As she passed, the agent flicked out his tongue, tasting the air that wafted off Rarmanca. From the pheromones he gave off, Rarmanca sensed his amusement at her nerves and his disgust at the foreign tastes he took in. Rarmanca tried to hide her shame, but she knew her pheromones would give her away. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t get the smells and tastes of the foreign planets and ships she had been on from her body. Instead of hiding her shame, she mixed it with pride. The smells and tastes were like battle scars. It was the price she had to pay to protect her people.

Moving forward into the elevator, Rarmanca touched one of its buttons with the tip of her tail. The door swished closed before she could taste the other agent’s response. She didn’t care though; he could be revolted by her all he liked. It wouldn’t change how she thought of herself. Once the elevator started moving, she remembered his words. The Speaker was waiting for her! She had seen the Speaker just once, thirty years ago at her graduation. Even then, it had been from afar. Rarmanca felt all the ribs along her spine contract. She knew her sector was becoming more and more important to the Ministry of Seclusion, yet she hadn’t realized just how important. If the Speaker was interested in her report, then it meant the Karacknids and Humanity had become one of the Ministry’s primary projects. Before she was ready, the elevator’s doors opened. Knowing any hesitation would be frowned upon, Rarmanca propelled herself out of the elevator as confidently as she could. To her surprise, only one of her species was waiting for her. Coiled around a long pole, twenty meters off the ground, the Speaker looked down upon her. Moving herself to the foot of the pole, Rarmanca prostrated herself before the Speaker as she tried to hide the nervous pheromones she knew she had to be secreting. “Agent Rarmanca, here to report on the Karacknid Sector.”

“You may arise Agent,” the Speaker said. Rarmanca did so, seeking to lift her head as high as her body would allow. Still, she had to crane her neck back to look up towards the Speaker. “You know why you are here, Agent. I have been keeping a close personal interest in the Karacknid sector. You have been stationed there for eight years now. How are our plans progressing?”

Rarmanca chose her words carefully. “As I’m sure you’re aware Speaker, no covert operational plan, no matter how meticulously conceived, endures long after it commences. Nevertheless, the opening stages of Divide and Conquer have begun well. The faction within the Human Empire that we have been cultivating finally acted. They caused great disunity among the Empire’s worlds. Though other unseen events have diminished the long-term output we hope from this movement, nevertheless, significant economic and supply chain disruption has been caused. It will take the Humans months, if not more than a year, to recover from the disruption.”

The Speaker’s head moved up and down as his tongue flicked out to further taste the pheromones Rarmanca was giving off. “For the limited expenditure we allocated to this tactic, the results have met the Assembly’s approval. These unforeseen events, I presume you speak of the Flex-aor’s pre-emptive attack?”

Rarmanca tried and failed to hide her surprise. She had come straight from the Karacknid sector, she didn’t know how the Speaker had found out about that so quickly. “Yes,” she said hastily, in an effort to mask her surprise with words. “One of our arms shipments from the Karacknids was intercepted. It spooked the Flex-aor, and caused them to launch their attacks early. Nevertheless, they were still partially successful. One Human colony was destroyed. The Flex-aor High Queen was also rescued from her homeworld. Now the Flex-aor fleet has pulled back to complete its preparations in anticipation of resuming offensive operations. The Human reaction has been swift and substantial. They have diverted many thousands of ships from their defensive forts facing the Karacknid Empire to confront the Flex-aor. As a result, their defenses have been seriously weakened.”

“And yet, the Karacknids are not in a position to take advantage of this development, are they not?” The Speaker asked.

Rarmanca shook her head. “Not at the moment, I am afraid Speaker. Their civil war still rages on. As yet, the plans we have put in place to bring it to a conclusion are not ready to be put into motion. As a result, neither of the three factions are prepared to immediately move against the Humans, though I have put in motion events that may change this. There is one benefit that has come from the Humans’ discovery of the arms shipments we arranged. They now fear the Karacknids are working with the Flex-aor. It may be that we have found a way to encourage the Humans to launch a pre-emptive strike of their own.”

“Now that would be even more preferable,” the Speaker said. “In any case, it is the Assembly’s expressed wish that hostilities would resume between these two factions in the immediate future. Neither side can be allowed to become too strong. This protracted civil war is giving the Humans too much time to build up their strength…”

When the Speaker paused, Rarmanca tried to think of something to say. Yet as she hadn’t been asked a direct question, she thought it wiser to just wait. “I understand our work with the Eaglatons is coming along very nicely,” the Speaker continued, changing the topic.

“Already they have convinced the Cardicians and Bulanese to prepare for war,” Rarmanca answered. “I hope this stage of our plan will commence within the next six to twelve months. With the Humans so focused on the Flex-aor, the strike will come out of the blue.”

“Excellent, soon we will have these two great enemies at war with each other once again. Then, when the time is right, we will have the Eaglatons strike and assert their dominance. With the right interventions, we can remove the Karacknid sector from our threat board once and for all. Your efforts are going a long way in securing the future of your species Agent,” the Speaker said as Rarmanca tasted the first hint of emotion from her superior. It was a mixture of yearning and anticipation.

Rarmanca couldn’t help the pride she felt. “It is my honor to serve Speaker. Are there any updates to operation Divide and Conquer that I should know about?”

“No,” the speaker said firmly. “We never expected it to play out exactly as our planners imagined. Things are going well enough that no additional interventions are deemed necessary at this point.”

Rarmanca took the speaker’s words as a compliment. “Thank you,” she said.

“I did have two further questions,” the Speaker said, not acknowledging Rarmanca’s thanks. His tone made Rarmanca’s ribs stiffen.

“I’m here to answer any and all questions Speaker,” she said.

“The Humans’ discovery of the Karacknid arms shipments. I understand they encountered one of the Eaglatons’ client species?”

“That is the case,” Rarmanca answered, certain that any lie would be found out. “I lost many of my key contacts on Earth after the breakaway movement was put down. But those that I have assured me that very little information was learnt about them. What we have planned with the Kalrieccians and Bulanese should not be foreseen by the Humans.”

“Nevertheless, it is unfortunate,” the Speaker said as he broke into Rarmanca’s explanation. “A new unknown hostile species will raise the Humans’ suspicions. You should do everything you can to allay any new fears this might cause within their leadership.”

Rarmanca bowed her head to the Speaker. “I will do my best,” she promised. With many of her key contacts arrested or removed from their positions of power, she wasn’t sure what she could do, but it was something she would have to look into.

“And my second question then, tell me, how is your work with the Antarians coming along?”

Again, Rarmanca suspected lying could endanger her life. Quickly, she quashed her desire to embroider the truth. “That is one area where I have been unable to follow the directions the Ministry has given me. Infiltrating their species is simply impossible. Their hivemind means they immediately recognize any agent I disguise as one of their species and try to insert into one of their colonies. It also means manipulating them is extremely difficult, for changing the mind of one or two individuals has almost no impact on the collective will of their species.”

“So the projected timetable for when they may encounter the Humans or Eaglatons has not been altered?”

Rarmanca shook her head from side to side. “No, our estimates are still that first contact with either species won’t occur until sometime in the next twenty to forty years.”

The speaker didn’t reply for several moments. The silence seemed to drag on for Rarmanca. It was clear he was displeased. “If the Antarians meet the Eaglatons first and open hostilities with them, it will greatly displease the Ministry. Many decades have been spent maneuvering the Eaglatons into the position they are in now. On the other hand, the Humans have already proven themselves resourceful, significantly beyond our preliminary estimates. Our initial plans for the Karacknid sector had them being conquered thirty years ago. It was the Karacknids who were supposed to encounter the Antarians.” Rarmanca nodded, she was all too aware of this. It was what had got her predecessor executed. “If we could speed up the Antarians’ first contact with the Humans, it would give us substantially more operational flexibility. If you cannot encourage the Antarians to move towards Human space quicker, maybe you could encourage the Humans? I understand subgroups of their species are far more prone to expansion than even their administrative bureaucracy is, no?”

Rarmanca saw where the Speaker was going. She berated herself for not thinking of it independently. “Yes Speaker, I believe that is an insightful idea. As I said, my contacts are limited after many of the dissenters were dealt with. Yet I may have enough influence to attempt what you have in mind.” Rarmanca could see how it would work easily enough. Many of the Humans were desperate for the riches new worlds opened up to them. All she would have to do would be to find two or three suitable systems and make their location known to the right people. Doing so could speed up first contact between Humanity and the Antarians by ten years or more.

“Very good,” the Speaker said, “I will expect regular updates on this. The General Assembly Members may have more questions for you, so do not leave the homeworld just yet. You will be informed if you are needed further before the day is out. May I ask, where do you plan to head once we are done with you?”

“To Karacknid space,” Rarmanca answered at once. “I have a meeting scheduled with Imperator Tanaka-lan. If it goes well, the end of the Karacknid civil war should be in sight.”

“Then we will delay you only as long as necessary,” the Speaker said. “For the sooner we have the Karacknids, Humans, and even the Antarians at war with one another, the more easily the Assembly and all of our people will sleep at night. You are doing a satisfactory job Agent. Continue the good work.”

Sensing that she was being dismissed, Rarmanca prostrated herself before the Speaker once again. “It is my honor to serve the Assembly.” Raising herself, she quickly left the large auditorium. Entering the lift, she tapped the button that would take her to the ground floor again. As she descended, she relived the brief conversation. Her tongue began to flick back and forth from her mouth excitedly. A number of new potential exploits were coming to her. Soon, neither the Humans and their allies, nor the Karacknids, will dominate the Karacknid sector, she promised herself. And then my name will be spoken of throughout the Ministry of Seclusion for centuries to come.

The End.

I hope you have enjoyed this continuation of the Empire Rising Series. The tale of James, Christine Jonathan, Georgia and all the others will continue in book 15 where the even greater threats to the Empire will threaten to stretch the Imperial Navy to breaking point.

If you enjoyed the book please take a few seconds to leave a review with some stars. Every review helps keep the series going (it really does!).

Sign up here to the mailing list for updates on future books

https://www.facebook.com/Author.D.J.Holmes

d.j.holmess@hotmail.com

Comments always welcome!