Galactic Empire Wars

 Final Conflict

A Galactic Empire Wars Novel

(Galactic Empire Wars: Final Conflict, Book 6)

By

Raymond L. Weil

USA Today Best Selling Author

Books in the Galactic Empire Wars Series

Galactic Empire Wars: Destruction (Book 1)

Galactic Empire Wars: Emergence (Book 2)

Galactic Empire Wars: Rebellion (Book 3)

Galactic Empire Wars: The Alliance (Book 4)

Galactic Empire Wars: Insurrection (Book 5)

Galactic Empire Wars: Final Conflict (Book 6)

Website: http://raymondlweil.com/

Copyright © February 2019 by Raymond L. Weil

All Rights Reserved

Cover Design by Humblenations.com

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. All rights reserved. No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the author.

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Epilogue

Galactic Empire Wars: Final Conflict

Chapter One

Lieutenant Sue Adams threw herself to the ground as an energy beam passed overhead to strike a tree just behind her, setting it on fire. In the distance, she could hear loud explosions and the sky was full of smoke.

“Damn aliens!” muttered Sergeant Styles, who was lying on the ground close by. “Don’t they know we’re here to free them?”

“We’re Marines,” replied Adams over her comm unit. Both she and Sergeant Styles were encased in Type Seven battlesuits. The suits were nearly eight feet tall and could shield them from any type of hostile environment as well as being heavily armed. They were a deep black with hints of blue around the joints. “Besides, we don’t know if the incoming fire is from the inhabitants of this world or from Kleese conscripts.”

Lieutenant Adams used the advanced sensors in her suit to scan the land ahead of them. They were on the outskirts of a medium sized spaceport, which was the primary base of the Kleese on Promar Five. It was heavily defended with numerous pop-up weapons, which would suddenly rise up out of the ground and begin firing on any nearby target. Sue had already lost four Marines to the infernal weapons.

“Corporal Wright, I want an explosive barrage fifty meters in front of my position outward to three hundred meters. I want everything in that zone leveled!” From Sue’s position, she could see at least seven to possibly ten pop-up weapons. She was also certain there were more that hadn’t been activated yet. The Kleese over the years had learned how to make the Marines pay the maximum cost in lives for the ground they took.

Lieutenant Adams and her Marines were about five hundred meters from the perimeter of the spaceport. The ground was mostly level with a few trees, bushes, and several small gullies. The gullies were only a few meters deep, not deep enough to hide a Marine in a fully active battlesuit.

“Explosive barrage beginning,” reported Corporal Wright over the comm.

Immediately in front of Lieutenant Adams’ position dozens of explosions began striking the ground, hurling dirt and other debris up into the air to rain down on the watching Marines. All battlesuits had heavy explosive launchers on the backs of the suits and automatic targeting sensors that could put the explosives wherever they were needed.

Lieutenant Adams hunkered down as close to the ground as possible as the ground shook from the continuous explosive barrage. Smoke grew heavier in the air and she had to switch to the special filters in her helmet to allow her to see. Even as she watched she saw several of the pop-up weapons receive direct hits from the explosives, blowing them to pieces.

“That’s blowing the hell out of those emplacements,” said Sergeant Styles as he watched the pop-up weapons being annihilated.

The explosions came to a stop and Lieutenant Adams stood up and carefully peered through the smoke. The filters she was using allowed her to easily see through drifting clouds of smoke. The explosions had also set a few trees and some of the brush on fire. “Move out,” she ordered over the comm. “Staggered formation with scouts ahead. That means you, Private Bose and Evans.”

-

“Why am I always on point?” muttered Private Bose as he stood up and began jogging to the front of the Marine formation, his assault rifle held tightly in his arms.

Private Evans shook his head. “It’s your constant complaining. Maybe the lieutenant is trying to get rid of you so we can all have some peace and quiet.”

Private Bose stopped and glared at Evans though it wasn’t apparent through his helmet. “Naw, she likes me too well. She just wants me to have all the glory.”

“Shut up!” growled Evans. “We need to pay attention before one of us gets shot.”

The two quieted down and began advancing across the now uneven ground. Occasionally the two had to skirt bomb craters and twice they paused to examine destroyed pop-up weapons. Finally the two reached the perimeter of the spaceport and paused, standing behind a wall, which barely hid their eight-foot tall battlesuits.

Evans looked around the corner of the wall, seeing the hard surface of the spaceport stretching out in front of him. There was no doubt in his mind there were probably more hidden pop-up weapons. The Kleese were experts at hiding them. Toward the center of the spaceport was a tall tower, which most likely housed the Kleese in charge of this world. On several of the landing pads Evans could see two of the two hundred-meter assault ships. “We have two assault ships here,” he reported over his comm unit. “The Kleese may already have evacuated to them.”

-

“Why haven’t they taken off?” asked Bose. “What are they waiting for? They have to know this world is lost to them.”

“Our fleet,” answered Evans. “If they attempt to take off they’ll be shot down before they can make orbit.”

Bose stepped over beside Evans, peering toward the two disk-shaped assault ships. “Those things normally contain several hundred heavily armed conscripts. I wonder where they are?” Bose scanned the entire area with his sensors but could detect no movement. The spaceport looked as if it had been evacuated.

Looking back behind him, he saw the rest of the Marines moving up toward the wall. Lieutenant Adams was in the center along with Sergeant Styles. Bose shifted his heavy assault rifle in his arms. This particular rifle fired explosive shells and armor penetrating rounds. It was not unusual for them to be engaged by Kleese conscripts wearing their own battlesuits. Bose was about to say something when he felt a sharp pain in his left arm and just about fell over backward in his suit. The suit’s automatic servos kept him upright though a blinking red light in his HUD indicated damage to his suit. Looking at his left arm, he saw a large dent near his shoulder. “Damn, someone’s shooting at us!” He stepped back behind the wall, examining his shoulder closer. The round hadn’t penetrated though he knew he would have a painful bruise from the impact. The suit automatically injected a painkiller and the throbbing pain quickly went away.

“You think?” replied Evans sarcastically as he fired several energy beams bursts toward where he thought the round had come from. There were a series of large hangers between them and the spaceport tower. The firing from the hangers suddenly increased as numerous rounds slammed into the wall, some going all the way through.

-

Lieutenant Adams had taken cover behind a large tree near the edge of the spaceport. Around her other Marines were seeking whatever cover they could find. Occasionally a small explosion would throw up dirt and debris around them. Somewhere a Kleese conscript was firing a grenade launcher at the advancing Marines. Adjusting the sensors in her helmet, she studied the two assault ships sitting on the blastcrete. There was no movement around them and all the hatches seemed to be shut. Activating her comm unit, she sent a message to Captain Avery who was in charge of this mission. He was in orbit on the Marine assault ship Victory.

“Sir, I’m requesting an orbital strike on the two assault ships sitting near the spaceport tower. I’m concerned they may turn their weapons on us if we move out onto the spaceport blastcrete.”

“Just a moment,” replied Captain Avery. “I need to speak to Commander Brannon.”

A few minutes passed and then Captain Avery spoke again. “The fire order has been approved. The Victory will initiate a kinetic strike in five minutes. Make sure all of your Marines are under cover.”

Sue drew in a deep breath. She had seen numerous kinetic strikes over her career and knew full well how violent they could be. “All Marines, take cover! I’ve called in a kinetic strike against the two Kleese assault ships.”

-

Privates Evans and Bose both took cover behind the wall hoping it would give them sufficient protection.

“I hope the tactical officer hits the targets,” muttered Bose. “I was on Hawkins World when a KEW round went awry. The damn thing took out twelve Marines.”

Looking upward Bose could see several brilliant streaks that looked like meteors. “Here they come!”

Moments later the ground shook violently and a powerful blast wave struck the wall, causing parts of it to collapse.

Private Bose looked back around the corner of the wall to see two pillars of fire and smoke where the assault ships once were. One of the hangers was burning and two others had been leveled. The control tower seemed to be undamaged though Bose doubted if any windows in it had survived.

Evans joined him and nodded in satisfaction. “Nothing left but two holes in the ground. That probably took care of whoever was shooting at us as well.”

“That was some good targeting,” replied Bose, sounding pleased. “At least they missed us.”

“All Marines, advance!” ordered Lieutenant Adams over the comm. “Staggered formation and watch out for pop-ups.”

“Let’s go,” said Evans as he stepped onto the blastcrete of the spaceport. “Keep your eyes and sensors watching for pop-ups and whoever’s been shooting at us.” The firing had stopped when the two KEW rounds struck the assault ships.

-

The Marines rose from their covered positions and began advancing across the blastcrete. They had no sooner stepped onto the spaceport when dozens of pop-up weapons rose from the blastcrete and began firing. Some were energy weapons and others were firing armor penetrating rounds.

“Return fire!” ordered Lieutenant Evans over her comm as she raised her assault rifle and fired an energy beam toward the nearest pop-up. She missed but two others hit the weapon, turning it into a twisted pile of smoking metal. Checking her HUD, she saw with anguish four more of her Marine icons were now showing red and six more amber. Amber meant their suits were damaged or worse. They had walked into a trap and were paying a deadly price for it.

Explosions began to detonate on the blastcrete as some of her Marines switched to using explosive rounds. More of the pop-ups were destroyed and soon the firing died back down and then stopped. The blastcrete on the spaceport nearest them was now full of smoking and ruined pop-ups and numerous small craters where explosive rounds had struck. Once again the firing came to a stop.

“Privates Bose and Evans, get your asses moving,” ordered Adams, feeling anger at the loss of more Marines. Some of them she had known and trained with for months. Over the years the Kleese had made the pop-ups more dangerous. “I want to know if there are any armed conscripts waiting for us and how many. Move out!”

-

Bose looked over at Evans. “I was hoping she’d forgotten about us.”

“Are you kidding?” Evans said. “You know you’re her favorite. Who pulls all the extra duty all the time?”

Bose didn’t reply but began walking across the blastcrete toward the row of hangers. If there were any conscripts here that’s where they would be hiding. The tall hangers or what was left of them would give the enemy some protection as well as the ability to fire down toward the advancing Marines. With a dejected sigh, Bose changed his rifle over to fire explosive rounds. He realized he needed to change his attitude or one of these days he was going to be sent on a mission and wouldn’t return. However, he had always had a hard time keeping his mouth shut.

-

Lieutenant Adams watched Privates Bose and Evans move across the blastcrete. She didn’t hate Private Bose; on the contrary he was one of her most dependable Marines. His biggest problem was his cockiness and not knowing when to keep his mouth shut. It reminded her of others she had commanded in the past. Most of them had moved on to become officers.

-

In space, aboard the Marine assault ship Victory Captain Marcus Avery watched the viewscreens showing the fighting on the planet. There were four spaceports under siege by Marines. So far two of them had fallen and the other two should shortly.

“Any contacts on the sensors?” asked Avery, looking over at Commander Brannon who was in charge of the Victory.

Brannon shook his head. “No, our battlecruisers have destroyed all twelve of the Kleese assault ships in the system and we’re jamming communications. The Alliance invasion fleet should be arriving in another two hours.”

Avery turned his attention to the large tactical display to his left. It hung from the ceiling and showed the disposition of the fleet accompanying the Victory. There were two other Marine assault ships. The Lexington and the Terra. In addition there were four heavy battlecruisers, six standard battlecruisers, twelve light cruisers, and twenty assault ships with the fleet. For the time being they had control of the system until the Alliance fleet arrived and could take over.

For the last thirty years Earth and the Alliance had been fighting the Kleese Empire, steadily freeing the worlds the Kleese held under its power. As worlds were freed most tended to join the Alliance, making it even stronger. In his last briefing back on Centerpoint Station, Avery had been informed it appeared the Kleese were abandoning the outer sections of their Empire plus strengthening the defenses around their core worlds and the planets they controlled in that region of space. Captain Avery knew there were still years of fighting ahead of them. There were many older conscript races who knew no other way than that taught to them by the Kleese. With some of those races, it would take the Alliance years to bring them back into the fold of civilization.

Those worlds would have to be conquered and shown the way of the Kleese was not that of a civilized world. Shifting his gaze back to the main viewscreen, he could barely see the spaceport where the kinetic strikes had just gone in. Heavy smoke was covering many of the buildings and the control tower in particular. If there were any Kleese on the planet that’s where they would be. It was the only spaceport where disk assault ships had been spotted and now destroyed.

-

The Marines had made it to the hangers. After a quick search, they found all six of the still intact buildings to be empty other than a few small freighters there to be serviced.

Lieutenant Adams stood between two of the hangers staring at the tall control tower. It seemed to be solidly constructed and she could see only two entrances. There were a number of windows as well as the main spaceport observation windows at the top of the structure. All were broken and shattered glass lay everywhere. She wished she could order a kinetic strike to destroy it but there was a high probability there were civilians inside as well as Kleese so they would have to do it the hard way.

Turning around in her battlesuit, she looked at Sergeant Styles standing next to her. “What do you think, Sergeant?”

“I don’t like it,” he replied as he checked out the surrounding area. “Where are the conscripts? If there are Kleese inside that tower there should be large numbers of conscripts somewhere. Other than the pop-ups, the fighting’s been relatively light.”

Adams pursed her lips. She knew Styles was right. Something wasn’t adding up. Could they be walking into a trap?

“Everyone keep your eyes open,” she ordered. “Watch your sensors for any signs of movement.”

Suddenly weapons fire erupted from the windows of the control tower and a ring of pop-up weapons pushed up from the blastcrete.

“Return fire!” shouted Lieutenant Adams as she threw herself to the ground to avoid the incoming fire. The damn Kleese were using more pop-up weapons in every major battle. They were cheap to build and could be controlled remotely.

Explosions rocked the base of the tower as a number of Marines used explosive rounds to take out the pop-ups. Others were firing energy beams and armor piercing rounds at the windows where the weapons fire was coming from. Occasionally Adams could hear a Marine cry out in pain from a weapons hit. Several more icons on her HUD turned red and even more glowed amber.

After a few minutes of heavy fire it died down and came to a stop. Adams took some time to study the control tower. She could detect no movement with the advanced sensors in her suit.

“Sergeant Pepper, take your platoon in,” ordered Lieutenant Adams. “Search that tower floor by floor. Sergeant Styles, secure the perimeter to ensure no armed conscripts can get to us. I still feel they have to be around here somewhere.”

Immediately Sergeant Pepper and his platoon drew their energy lances and headed toward the two doors leading into the tower. The energy lances put out a bluish color and were capable of penetrating any known metal. These new and more deadly lances were an improvement over the older ones which could not penetrate some substances.

-

Privates Evans and Bose were the first ones through the shattered doors of the tower. Going inside they found the bottom floor full of smoke and the bodies of several Promar Five inhabitants. The people of Promar Five resembled Humans but were thinner with very little hair on their heads. They had no eyebrows and their noses were wider.

“Conscripts,” said Bose, shoving one with his armored foot to make sure the being was dead. All had been armed with energy rifles.

“We’ve got some dead conscripts in here,” Private Evans reported over the comm as more Marines came in through the doors and began spreading out.

Sergeant Pepper came over and examined several of the bodies. “No sign of any Kleese. They’re probably on one of the top floors.”

Private Bose swung his energy lance in front of him and gestured toward a wide set of stairs. “Let’s go up and see what’s there.”

“I’m sending a squad with you,” said Sergeant Pepper. “If you encounter any resistance contact me and I’ll send up another squad.”

“And if we encounter any Kleese?” asked Bose still brandishing his energy lance.

“Kill them,” answered Sergeant Pepper coldly. “We don’t take any Kleese captive.”

Private Bose nodded. He had killed a few Kleese in previous missions. He would enjoy killing a few more after what they had done to the Human race in the past. There was no love lost between Humans and Kleese. There never had been and there never would be. “Let’s go,” said Bose, heading up the stairs.

Evans followed close behind followed by Corporal Stokes and six more Marines.

The group slowly made their way upward searching each floor as they went. All they found were dead conscripts lying near the windows where they had died. Reaching the top two floors they prepared themselves, expecting to finally come across some Kleese. Blowing the heavy doors open with explosives they rushed in with energy lances raised ready to strike. With surprise they stopped and looked around. There were only a few dead conscripts and no Kleese.

“Where are they?” said Private Bose, his voice tinged with disappointment.

Corporal Stokes stepped forward and looked out the shattered windows. “They were never here,” he said. “If they were, they must have escaped in an assault ship when the fleet first arrived. Or they could have been in the two assault ships hit with the kinetic strikes.”

“What now?” asked Evans as he turned off his energy lance and placed it back in its holder at his waist.

“We go back downstairs and make our report. The Alliance fleet will be here shortly and pacifying the rest of this world will be up to them. Our part in this is finished.”

All the other Marines turned off their energy lances. Anytime there was possible hand-to-hand combat with the Kleese, the energy lances were the preferred weapon.

-

Lieutenant Adams listened to the reports coming in. There were no Kleese in the control tower and a careful search of the other buildings and ships on the spaceport had come up empty as well. It was disappointing in one way and a relief in another. Normally when Kleese were involved there were large numbers of conscripts and the fighting would have been much heavier. The absence of Kleese explained why there had been so few conscripts protecting the spaceport. When the Kleese left they most likely took their conscripts with them for protection.

“So, now what?” asked Sergeant Styles. He had just returned from supervising the search of a number of cargo ships sitting on the blastcrete. They were empty with no crews on board.

Lieutenant Adams looked upward. She knew the fleet was orbiting the planet. “We wait for the Alliance forces to arrive. They’ll take over and contact the planetary government or whoever seems to be in charge now that the Kleese are gone. Some cargo ships with the fleet will place defensive satellites in orbit. Hopefully in a year or two Promar Five will join the Alliance.” Adams knew it was not as simple as that. After years of indoctrination and living in fear of the Kleese, it would take great effort on the part of the Alliance to bring the planet around. Promar Five was a very advanced world and could play an important role in the Alliance someday.

Sergeant Styles looked over where two Marines were examining a destroyed pop-up weapon. “I guess we return home now?”

Lieutenant Adams nodded. “That’s the plan. We’re to be rotated out with another Marine company. We’ve served our time for now. It’s time to go back home and get some well deserved rest.” Lieutenant Adams’ Marines had been involved in combat on seven worlds. Nearly thirty percent of her Marines had been lost in the battles. The price of removing the Kleese and their conscripts from planets was always expensive.

-

Captain Avery listened as reports from the surface continued to come in. So far no Kleese had been found. Lieutenant Adams believed they had fled in an assault ship when the Human fleet was first detected.

“It appears the Kleese have escaped us,” Avery said to Commander Brannon. “All ground units report no contact with any of the enemy.”

Commander Brannon frowned at hearing this. “There’s a large Kleese trading station about two hundred light years distant. No doubt they have fled there.”

“Out of our reach,” replied Avery’, feeling frustrated the Kleese had escaped. In recent years the Kleese had heavily armed all of their remaining trading stations and they were protected by large fleets of warships. To attack one would involve losses the Alliance could ill afford. “All resistance on the planet should be over in another few hours. Once the Alliance ships start to land we can recall our people and head back to the Solar System.”

Commander Brannon nodded. “When we return another assault fleet will be sent out. I believe the Alliance has located four more star systems they want to free from the Kleese before the year’s out.”

This didn’t surprise Captain Avery. There was considerable concern about what the Kleese might be building in their core worlds. For nearly thirty years now the Alliance along with Earth had steadily been pushing the Kleese back from the outer fringes of their Empire. The members of the Alliance felt they needed to expand as rapidly as possible before the Kleese brought sufficient forces to bear to stop them. Many member worlds were surprised it hadn’t happened already.

“Rear Admiral Haden plans on us leaving late tomorrow,” added Brannon. “He wants to make sure the Alliance has a firm hand on everything before our fleet withdraws.”

This pleased Captain Avery. It had been nearly seven months since any of his Marines had been home. He was curious to see what Earth looked like. For the last few years the planet had been undergoing terraforming using some of the advanced science from the Alliance worlds. When Avery had been at Centerpoint Station last he had actually seen gaps in the heavy cloud layer over the planet. Someday the Human race might just be able to resettle their home world.

-

The next morning Lieutenant Adams walked up the ramp of one of the assault ships waiting for her Marines to board. Stepping inside she went over to an alcove and pressed a large green button on the side of it. Instantly magnetic clamps came down, holding the battlesuit in place and then the helmet rose up and the suit opened down the center allowing her to step out. She shivered slightly as she was only dressed in very light garments. This allowed the sensors in the suit to monitor her body during combat and take whatever medical procedures were necessary if she was injured.

Adams went over to a locker, took out her uniform, and then headed for the showers. Once she was cleaned up, she would head to her quarters and write her after action report. This would be the last combat mission she would be going on for a while. Her next assignment was a training one. She was to report to Centerpoint Station to help train the next generation of Marines. It was an assignment she was looking forward to. It was also much safer than being out in the field fighting the Kleese and their conscripts.

Chapter Two

Nine thousand light years away from Earth was the Kleese home world. The Kleese planet orbited a small K Class star slightly cooler than Earth’s. The sun was yellow-orange in color with twelve planets orbiting it. The fourth planet was nearly devoid of life due to the violent early years of the Kleese civilization and the wars they had fought for dominance of the planet. Much of the planet had been laid to waste from the weapons used in those conflicts. When the wars finally ended, only one faction of the Kleese race survived. The others had all been eliminated and their nests destroyed. The Kleese were egg layers and females laid multiple eggs in their nests. Great pain had been taken by the winning faction to make sure all the nests and Queens of their enemies were eliminated.

Deep in the heart of the Kleese Empire the Kleese Council of Overlords were meeting. There were twenty Kleese, the most powerful of their cruel race who were members of the council. Advancement on the council was done through open challenges and, if the council agreed the challenge was legitimate, a battle to the death was arranged. If the challenger won they would take over the council seat of the slain Overlord.

The Kleese looked like giant arachnids but had a large hair covered upper body which rose up into the air with a large triangular shaped head and strange looking multifaceted eyes. Two nearly black arms extended from the upper chest ending in what looked to be hands with seven long thin digits. The Kleese were large with their body and six legs reaching nearly eight feet in width and six feet in height.

-

Supreme Overlord Xatul stood near a large open window gazing out over the capital city. It had been fully rebuilt from the Humans’ devastating attack years in the past. Millions of Kleese worked day and night keeping the Empire functioning. The capital city spread out over one hundred kilometers and was inhabited by ten million Kleese. They performed the tasks needed to run an empire nearly eighteen thousand light years across and comprised of thousands of worlds. Towering buildings reached for the sky and massive structures which covered entire city blocks controlled the Empire. The architecture was harsh and brutal with no care for aesthetics. The city served a purpose and one purpose only: to rule and expand the Empire.

“The Alliance continues to make gains in the outer territories,” reported Bixutl who was the second most powerful Overlord. “I received word today Promar Five has fallen and the Kleese there have fallen back to the trading station in Sector Four.”

Xatul walked back on his six legs to stand at the front of the massive stone table the others were gathered around. His triangular shaped head turned to look at each of the other nineteen Kleese before he replied. “We made a mistake breaking our agreement with the Alliance so soon. We should have waited until we had more ships.”

“We did not know the Alliance had built such large defensive fleets,” protested Martule. “”We all believed we had allowed sufficient time for the Alliance to grow complacent. In the early stages of the new offensive we made huge gains in territory.”

“Territory the Alliance has now taken back,” replied Bixutl coldly. “Our control over many of our conscript worlds grows weaker every day as word of Alliance victories spread. Even some of the non-aligned worlds are speaking of joining the Alliance.”

“It’s the Humans,” said Overlord Caselt. “Their forces lead most of the attacks on our worlds. They are as fierce as the Zaltule in battle.”

The Great Hall became quiet at the mention of the Zaltule. A number of the feared clan had fled after the regular Kleese had killed the Zaltule Queens in a series of surprise attacks. Those who fled had never been heard from again.

“We will not mention the Zaltule in this chamber,” uttered Supreme Overlord Xatul harshly. “They are an abomination and one I should never have awakened.”

“They are our past and we are the future of the Kleese race,” said Overlord Bixutl. “Our concern now must be the Alliance and the Humans.”

“The shipyards at Sherlund are working day and night to build new warships,” reported Overlord Caselt. “We have also added more armaments to all of our trading stations as well as stationed fleets of our battlecruisers at each one to ensure no more are taken from us by the Alliance or the Humans.”

“Trade at the stations on the side of our Empire where the Alliance and the Humans are located has dropped by nearly 80 percent,” added Overlord Syndat. “I would suggest we move those stations closer to our core systems to ensure they stay under our control.”

Supreme Overlord Xatul considered this suggestion. By moving the stations near the core worlds, it would free up the fleets protecting them for use against the Alliance. It would also give the core worlds access to their massive manufacturing capability, particularly assault ship production. The negative side would be Kleese fleets needing to be repaired from battle with the Alliance would have nowhere to go except to return to the core worlds. In order to move the stations it might be necessary to construct repair yards in each of the sectors the Empire still controlled.

“I will take that into consideration,” Xatul said as he folded his massive arms over his chest. “We must ensure our core worlds are safe and bringing the remaining trading stations to this sector would help accomplish that.”

Overlord Bixutl shifted his multifaceted eyes to the Supreme Overlord. “Are we certain that no Zaltule Queens escaped with the warrior Zaltule that fled the Empire?”

Xatul wished the other Overlords would drop their questions about the Zaltule. “There has been no sign of any Zaltule in thirty years. While the Zaltule like all Kleese are very long lived, without any Queens they will eventually become extinct. From the reports I received when the hives of the Zaltule Queens were being destroyed, none escaped.”

“Let us hope that is correct,” replied Bixutl, expressing his concern. “I still believe we should have excavated the destroyed hives to ensure all the Queens were dead. If even one Queen survived, it could mean catastrophe for us in the future.”

Xatul felt his anger growing. Perhaps it was time to put this nightmare to rest. “Very well, send some exploration ships to the sites of the former hives. They are to excavate the ruins until they confirm the Queens were indeed killed.”

Bixutl nodded his triangular shaped head. “I will see to it immediately.”

The meeting came to an end with Xatul and Syndat remaining.

“What if Bixutl discovers some Queens are missing?” asked Syndat as the two looked out over the city. It was evening but the lights of the city made it look as if it was still daylight.

Xatul didn’t reply immediately. Ever since the Zaltule left this had been his greatest fear. From what he knew of the warrior clan, they would not have left unless they had a good reason. He was greatly concerned one or two of their young Queens might have survived and escaped with the Zaltule fleet. As the years had passed and no word of the Zaltule was received his fears had begun to abate. Today Bixutl had ignited those fears once more. It was the primary reason he had agreed to the excavation of the destroyed hives. It was time once and for all to know if any Zaltule Queens did survive the destruction. If so, the Zaltule would make the threat of the Alliance and the Humans seem like a minor inconvenience. They would want vengeance against the other Kleese for what had been done to their hives and young Queens thirty years ago.

-

Corporal Thomas Nelson let out a deep breath as he stared at the mountain in front of him and his squad. It was the legendary Charring Mountain that was the pain and nightmare of all Marines training to wear the battlesuits. They were in one of the larger domes on Centerpoint Station. This particular dome had barracks, training facilities, and everything else the Marines might need to train them to wear the powerful suits, which allowed them to take the fight to the Kleese and their millions of conscripts.

“I wondered when we would have to go up that damn mountain,” said Private Brian Parker as he stared up the steep slopes.

“Our parents did it,” replied Thomas. Thomas and Brian were friends as their parents were still close. They had been around each other their entire lives.

“That was thirty years ago,” said Brian, folding his arms across his chest as he gazed at the tall trees covering much of the mountain. From here he couldn’t even see the summit.

“When do we make our first attempt?” asked Private Kinsley Mays. Kinsley was a clone though you wouldn’t know it from looking at her. She looked just as Human as everyone else. Kinsley had blonde hair and deep blue eyes.

“First thing in the morning,” Thomas replied. “Our entire platoon will make a run for the summit.”

Brian let out a deep sigh and grimaced. “So we’re all going to get killed on our first attempt.”

Thomas grinned. “Just stunned.”

“I heard it hurts like hell,” muttered Brian. “My mother said it feels like hundreds of bees stinging you.”

Thomas nodded. “Lauren would know. She made the attempt several times.”

“It’s almost impossible even wearing battlesuits,” said Kinsley. “I bet we don’t even make it to the tree line.”

“Can you ask your dad for any advice?” asked Brian with a pleading look on his face. “He made it up that mountain in record time.”

Thomas looked up the mountain to where the tall trees began. It was a good five hundred meters to the first trees and reasonable cover. No doubt there were numerous pop-up weapons just waiting for them to make the attempt. “No, I’m not going to ask my father. In this we’re on our own.” Thomas was determined to do this himself and not rest on his father’s laurels or advice.

“We haven’t been assigned any battlesuits yet,” grumbled Brian as he stared at the mountain. “If we make the assault without them we won’t stand a chance.”

“It’s to make us appreciate them more,” replied Kinsley, pursing her lips. “We’ll all be stunned on the slopes tomorrow and then begin our actual training with the battlesuits. It’s a pain we’re all going to have to endure.”

“A pain I could do without,” complained Brian.

Thomas slapped Brian on the back. “It can’t be any worse than some of the pain we suffered as kids.” The two had constantly been involved in numerous wrestling matches trying to prove who was stronger. While Brian was bigger Thomas was more agile, constantly maneuvering out of Brian’s grasp.

“Let’s go eat,” suggested Brian. “We can worry about Charring in the morning. I’m famished.”

Thomas smiled. Brian was always hungry. He had a habit of sneaking snacks into the barracks.

“Alright people, let’s go get some chow. We’ve all seen Charring and we know what we’re up against. Let’s eat a good meal and then get some rest. Tomorrow is going to be a difficult day for us.”

-

In the Control Center for the dome where Charring Mountain was located Colonel Ryan Nelson and his wife Casey were watching the viewscreens. They had left Vesta to come to Centerpoint Station to watch this week of Marine training. They wanted to see how Thomas would do on Charring Mountain. They both well remembered their own painful experiences.

“This is going to be fun to watch,” said Captain Alexander Parker. He looked over at his wife, Lauren. “I bet Brian’s the first to be stunned. He’s too big of a target.” Alexander had been stunned numerous times in his training on the mountain years in the past. It was something he would not want to go through again.

“He might surprise you,” replied Lauren. “I bet he makes it as far as Thomas. The two have been so competitive all their lives they’re not going to let one outdo the other.”

“We’ll find out in the morning,” said Ryan, standing up and stretching. “Let’s go find a good restaurant to eat at.”

“Remember when we use to fly in the low grave park on the Moon?” commented Alexander.

Lauren grinned. “I loved doing that, though it was scary. I wonder if we still could?”

“Probably,” answered Casey with a grin. “But I think we’re getting too old to fly like that. We’d probably end up getting hurt.”

“We’re not that old,” said Ryan. He looked over at Casey. Even at fifty-seven and two kids she still looked gorgeous. “There’s a good Chinese restaurant in the food court.”

Alexander nodded. “Sounds good to me. I hope it’s all you can eat.”

Lauren punched Alexander on the shoulder. “You better watch what you eat. You’re not as young as you used to be. If you’re not careful that weight will go to your stomach.”

Alexander patted his stomach, which was still good and flat. “No, I work out too much. There’s a good gym in the cloning center.” Alexander had resigned his commission in the Marines and taken one as head of security for the cloning center inside Vesta.

Leaving the Control Center, the four headed toward the hatch and the short corridor which would take them to a tram station and then to the food court.

-

Early the next morning Corporal Nelson and the others were lined up with their entire twenty-six member platoon waiting for the order to begin their ascent of Charring Mountain. Lieutenant Breeze was in charge of the platoon with two sergeants: Sergeant Cain and Sergeant Welch. Breeze and the sergeants wouldn’t make the attempt but would watch and evaluate the Marines from the beginning of the slope.

“I hope they don’t get us all stunned too quickly,” said Brian in a quiet voice, staring straight forward while he stood at attention.

“Quiet,” Thomas said, not wanting to draw the lieutenant’s attention.

The lieutenant turned to face the lined up platoon. “Alright you scrubs; you’re going up Charring Mountain this morning. I have a bet with the sergeants that none of you make it to the tree line.” Lieutenant Breeze paused as her eyes raked across the assemble platoon. “You’ve all been given a standard assault rifle. This one shoots out an energy beam that will shut down any pop-up weapon it strikes. However, you should be aware some of the pop-ups will take more than one energy beam strike to immobilize it. The beams themselves are not dangerous so you can’t accidentally kill one of your squad members. The pop-ups are designed to register energy beam strikes and when enough have struck the pop-up it will automatically power down and drop back into the ground.”

“Will the pop-ups be trying to stun us?” asked a private in the back of the two lines of Marines.

Lieutenant Breeze frowned, not pleased at being interrupted. “Yes, and quiet painfully, Private Stout. As a matter of fact, you will be the lead scout for this morning’s drill.”

“I didn’t volunteer, sir,” answered a shaken Private Stout.

“You did now,” replied Lieutenant Breeze in a hard and calculating voice.

“Glad I kept my mouth shut,” said Brian softly. “Stout won’t last a minute once we start up the mountain.’

“Private Parker,” called out Lieutenant Breeze, her steel like eyes zeroing in on Brian. “Did I just see your lips moving?”

“No, sir,” replied Brian, keeping his eyes focused straight ahead.

“Never-the-less, you will be joining Private Stout as the second scout.”

“Damn,” muttered Brian quietly, his shoulders drooping slightly. “This shit’s going to hurt.”

Thomas didn’t reply. He knew the lieutenant’s eyes were still scanning the assembled Marines and he didn’t want to attract Breeze’s attention.

-

A few minutes later the Marines were standing at the foot of Charring Mountain. The mountain was legendary in Marine circles. It was designed to test one’s endurance and skill using a battlesuit. Many started out and a great number were washed out of the program once the training began in earnest. For several weeks now the assembled Marines had been going through physical fitness training and getting to know their squad mates.

“Privates Parker and Private Stout, front and center,” ordered Lieutenant Breeze. “It’s time the two of you showed the rest of us your value. Begin the ascent of the mountain.”

Brian and Stout looked at each other, both unhappy to be in the forefront.

“Well, we won’t last long,” said Stout with a disgruntled look as he gazed up the mountain.

“Maybe,” replied Brian as he eyed the slope ahead of them. “But I intend to make it to the tree line. Let’s go, no point in delaying this.”

Brian looked down at his assault rifle. It looked perfectly normal and weighed the same as a regular assault rifle. It had a blue tip on the end, which signified it shot out an energy beam on a specific frequency that could affect the hidden pop-up weapons and not harm anyone. Brian just hoped it worked as they had been told.

-

Thomas watched as Brian and Private Stout began their ascent of the mountain. Then Sergeant Cain gave his first order.

“Corporal Nelson and Corporal Coyle, your squads are next. Staggered formation and let’s see how many of the pop-ups you can take out before all of your Marines are stunned.” Sergeant Cain folded his arms across his chest with a huge smirk on his face.

Thomas looked over at Corporal Margaret Coyle. Her red hair was cut short and could barely be seen beneath her combat helmet. From what he knew of her, she was very intense and loved being a Marine. She was also a clone.

“Alright people, let’s go.” Thomas had six members in his squad.

As he stepped on the slope of the mountain he looked up at the tree line. It seemed a long ways off. Corporal Coyle’s squad was to his left and the other two squads were now coming up behind them and to the right. In less than a minute all four squads were on the slope of the mountain and moving cautiously forward, waiting for the first pop-up to appear.

-

Brian and Private Stout were about twenty meters ahead of the advancing squads when Brian saw movement up ahead. He hurriedly threw himself to the ground as two pop-ups rose up and began firing. He heard Stout cry out and stumble to the ground. He lay there writhing in pain.

“Damn, this hurts,” he said as he struggled to stand back up only to be hit again. This time when he fell to the ground he didn’t move.

Brian could tell Private Stout had been knocked unconscious from being hit repeatedly by stun beams. He tried not to think about how much pain he must have been in before he passed out.

Brian took careful aim through the scope of his rifle and began firing at one of the pop-ups. He hit it four times before it shut off and descended back into the ground. The other pop-up did the same as the squads behind him blasted it with weapons fire.

Standing back up Brian carefully scanned the ground in front of him, searching for any signs of hidden pop-ups. He knew there had to be more; probably a lot more. Drawing in a deep breath, he began moving forward.

-

Thomas signaled his squad to begin moving again. He hadn’t lost anyone to the pop-ups though several had been hit. They reported feeling like a bee had stung them and then after a minute or two the pain gradually subsided.

“Private Stout doesn’t look so good,” commented Kinsley, who was just behind Thomas.

Thomas nodded. “He’ll be okay once this is over. We all have to learn to keep our eyes searching for the pop-ups and to get down when they appear.” Thomas was keeping his eyes on Brian who was moving forward bent over trying to keep a minimal profile for any pop-up that might target him. Suddenly there was movement over a wide area in front of Brian and Thomas saw him dive to the ground. Without hesitation, Thomas did the same, striking the ground so hard it nearly knocked the breath out of him.

“Get those pop-ups!” shouted Thomas as he began firing nonstop at the ones he could see. Next to him Kinsley was doing the same.

One after the other the pop-ups were eliminated. Around him, Thomas could hear cries of pain and frustration as Marines were struck. A hail of energy beam fire and the last one collapsed back into the ground. Thomas cautiously stood back up and looked around. Over one third of the Marine platoon and two members of his own squad lay unmoving upon the ground.

“I don’t think we’re supposed to win this,” said Kinsley as she looked dejectedly forward. “Why would they put us in such a no win scenario?”

“Because in combat we may find ourselves in this type of situation,” answered Thomas as he began walking slowly forward ready to dive back onto the ground if more pop-ups appeared. “They want to see how we will react.”

“Can we reach the trees?” asked Kinsley. She was checking out the terrain so see if there was anything that might give them some cover. Other than a few small bushes, the ground was relatively level while sloping upward.

Thomas eyed the trees and took in a deep breath. They still had several hundred meters to go and the tree line seemed as far away as ever. His eyes shifted back to Brian who was edging cautiously forward. Brian’s feet seemed poised to throw him out of the way of any incoming fire. “Let’s go,” ordered Thomas to his surviving squad. “No point in delaying this.”

The squad continued to advance toward the tree line. Looking to his left side he saw Corporal Coyle only had three of her squad still with her. She looked at Thomas and slowly nodded her head.

Looking at Brian, Thomas saw he was within sixty meters of the trees. Just maybe they were going to make it after all. Maybe some of them were supposed to reach the tree line.

-

Brian was getting edgy. More pop-ups should have appeared by now. He had a strong suspicion they were all walking into a trap. Feeling concerned he went down to his knees using a small bush to partially shield him. His eyes searched the ground in front and around him for any signs of disturbance. He felt frustrated. Whoever hid these pop-ups had done an excellent job of concealing them.

Suddenly off to his right side he sensed movement. A bush fell over on its side and a hidden pop-up cannon appeared. Brian nearly fell over on his back when the bush he was hiding behind did the same thing. At his feet a pop-up cannon rose, aiming toward the advancing Marines. Without hesitation Brian raised his assault rifle and from point blank range began firing at the cannon while scrambling backward to put some space between it and him. After a few moments the cannon stopped firing and descended back into the ground with the bush sitting back up and covering it.

Brian looked around. There were pop-ups everywhere. The surviving Marines were completely surrounded as pop-ups had even appeared behind them. They were encircled in a trap with the pop-up cannons firing nonstop. The cannons made a zinging noise every time they fired. It sounded like an angry swarm of hornets. Brian could hear his fellow Marines crying out and a number were on the ground writhing in pain.

Brian noticed none of the pop-ups were now targeting him. He suspected their programming prevented them from firing at another pop-up cannon. With a wicked grin on his face, he began firing at the pop-ups, disabling one after another. Brian knew it had been a fluke he had taken cover near this bush. Now that bit of luck might just save some of his fellow Marines from being stunned. He edged closer to the bush until he was touching it.

-

Thomas felt a sudden searing pain like a hornet sting. He grabbed his shoulder, dropping his assault rifle.

“Corporal!” yelled Kinsley as she directed her fire toward the pop-up she thought had struck Thomas.

Thomas bent down and picked up his rifle, forcing himself to ignore the throbbing in his shoulder. “Keep firing,” he ordered. Looking around he saw most of the Marines were down. At this rate the pop-ups were going to win. “We need to get to Brian. For some reason the pop-ups aren’t targeting him.”

The two took off running zigzags to avoid the incoming cannon fire. Kinsley screamed and tumbled to the ground. Thomas stopped and helped her back up and the two continued on to Brian’s location, finally reaching him.

“They won’t fire because there’s a disabled pop-up located under this bush,” explained Brian who was still firing at the pop-ups.

Nodding his understanding, Thomas began firing at the pop-ups as well and soon Kelsey joined in. Between the three of them, it took nearly ten minutes of constant firing to disable all of the weapons. When the firing finally stopped Thomas looked around in shock. Only Brian, Kinsley, and he were still standing. All the other Marines were down.

“Well, this is a fine mess we’ve gotten ourselves into,” said Brian, looking over at Thomas. “Any suggestions?”

Kinsley looked toward the nearby tree line. “There probably are no more pop-ups until we reach the trees,” she said. “This last bunch was designed to take everyone out. The only reason we survived is because they’re programmed not to fire on another pop-up lest they damage it. As long as we stay here we’re safe.”

“Until someone in the Control Center overrides the pop-ups’ programming,” replied Thomas with a steep frown. “I don’t believe any of us are supposed to survive this.”

Brian looked toward the nearby tree line. It was only twenty or thirty meters away. “Do we make a run for it?”

Thomas looked around once more seeing no movement. “I don’t see where we have any choice. There are probably more pop-ups just inside the tree line designed to ensure none of us make it. I would like to see at least one of us reach those trees.”

“Let’s do it,” said Kinsley, using her right hand to massage her right side where she had been struck by a stun beam.

Seeing Kinsley still rubbing her side, Thomas spoke to her. “Are you okay?”

Kinsley flinched some but nodded. “It still stings some but it’s going away. I can run to the tree line.”

Thomas stared at the trees. “I think if just one of us makes it that will be a moral victory.”

“I hate the thought of getting hit again but I guess we have to make the attempt,” said Brian with a grimace.

Thomas checked his rifle and then looked at the other two. “Let’s go, no point in waiting.”

Thomas took off at a sprint heading for the nearest tree. The tree towered high into the air, easily reaching upward a good forty meters. The other two were right behind him and for a brief moment he thought all three of them were going to make it. Then he saw a flash of metal in the trees and a stun beam struck him in the left leg. He stumbled and then recovered his balance. Gritting his teeth he forced himself to continue to run. There was no point in stopping to shoot at the pop-ups. The question now was whether one of the three could reach the tree line before the pop-up cannons got all three of them.

“Get behind me,” Thomas ordered Kinsley. “I’ll use my body to partially shield you from the pop-ups. “Brian, get next to me so we can shield Kinsley, maybe that way she can get to the tree line.” Brian nodded his understanding and soon Thomas and Brian were running side by side. Four more times Thomas felt the burning pain of the stunners, then two hit him at once and he felt himself falling. At his side he saw Brian take two or three more steps and fall as well. As Thomas was passing out the last thing he saw was Kinsley reach the large tree and enter the tree line. With a smile of satisfaction, everything went dark.

-

“I don’t believe it,” uttered Major Reed, shaking his head. “One of them actually reached the tree line.”

Ryan laughed. “Thomas and Brian shielded Private Mays so she could reach the trees.”

“They sacrificed themselves so she could reach the tree line,” said Major Reed confused. “Why?”

Looking over at his wife, Ryan smiled. “To them reaching the tree line is a victory. I guarantee if you talk to them tonight, they will say they beat this scenario.”

Major Reed didn’t look happy. “The purpose of this scenario is not to survive but to learn how easy it is to die fighting the Kleese.”

“Some people don’t want to die,” replied Ryan, recalling his attempts to get to the top of Charring Mountain. “I never did.”

“Thomas and Brian both almost made it,” said Alexander with a pleased look on his face.

“Who is this Private Mays they were so protective of?” asked Lauren, her eyes full of curiosity.

“She’s brilliant,” answered Major Reed. “If she keeps on she will be an officer before this training is over. She’s also a member of Corporal Nelson’s squad.”

Ryan had a thoughtful look on his face. “When do they start their actual battlesuit training?”

“Later this week,” replied Major Reed. “They’ll be trained in the new Type Nine battlesuits. They’re the most lethal ones designed yet. Every member of the platoons currently in training was chosen for their intelligence and aptitude. They will be the first class to go through a complete training class in the new suits.”

Ryan knew about the Type Nine battlesuits. He also knew once the training was over his son as well as Brian would be sent out to battle the Kleese. He wondered how many sleepless nights waited in his future.

Chapter Three

Commander Bree Smith gazed at the main viewscreen of the heavy battlecruiser Sundance. They were fifteen hundred light years from the Solar System on an exploratory mission. Two light cruisers served as escorts. Their mission was to seek out space going species in this region of space to see if they would be willing to assist in the war against the Kleese. If they weren’t willing to join the war then trade would be a secondary option.

“It’s a G type star with seven planets,” reported Lieutenant Stover from his sensor console. The second planet is in the liquid water zone and we are detecting electromagnetic radiation of several types emitting from the surface.”

“Communications?” asked Second Officer Kamlin Berry.

“Maybe,” replied Lieutenant Pierce from communications. “We need to get closer to know for sure.”

“Any signs of spacecraft?” asked Commander Smith. Bree knew they were still a long ways out from the star system but there was always a chance the sensors might have picked something up.

Lieutenant Stover shook his head. “No, we’re still too far out. We should be in range in another twenty minutes.”

-

Bree relaxed in her command chair as the minutes ticked by until it was time for the ship to drop out of Fold Space. She felt the sudden wrenching sensation as the Fold Space drive deactivated, returning the ship back to normal space.

“Report!” she said anxious to see what was in this system. So far on this trip they had found six sentient races of which two of them had space travel. One of the races, the Simms, had even colonized several nearby star systems. The Simms had agreed to a trade treaty and would consider engaging in the war, though Bree suspected they would stay out of it unless the Kleese showed up on their front door.

“We have contacts around the second planet which are artificial,” said Lieutenant Stover excitedly. “There are also a number of contacts that appear to be spacecraft traveling between planets two and three.”

Bree nodded. This was good news. “Plot a course to take us back into Fold Space and drop us out ten million kilometers from planet two. Let’s go see who our new friends might be.”

-

The Sundance reentered Fold Space. The ship’s drive bent space in front of the ship as well as behind it, making the distance between two points shrink. The more the ship warped space the faster the ship could travel. The ship quickly moved across the star system heading toward its destination. The ship was at Condition Two as was required in all first contact scenarios. The two light cruisers serving as escorts were on the flanks of the Sundance ready to give protective support if necessary.

-

“Fold Space dropout in twenty seconds,” reported the navigation officer.

“Detecting several large contacts,” added Lieutenant Stover as he studied the latest data from the sensors.

“How large?” asked Bree suspiciously.

“I have two confirmed contacts,” replied Stover. “Both are three kilometers across.”

A cold chill swept across Bree. “Take the ship to Condition One. The same for our escorts. Tactical, prepare four of the multi warhead sublight missiles for launch. I want both of those contacts targeted as soon as we drop out of fold space.”

“Kleese?” asked Second Officer Newman, his eyes focusing on the tactical display which was now showing the contacts.

“Maybe,” replied Bree, taking in a deep breath. “However, one of their exploration ships is much larger. This could be something even worse.”

Newman’s face turned pale. “Zaltule? But no one’s seen one of their ships in over thirty years!”

Bree nodded. “True, but they had to go somewhere. We know some of them left the Empire after the other Kleese turned on them.”

“Drop out,” called out the navigation officer.

The viewscreens rapidly cleared as the stars appeared.

“Put one of those contacts up on the main viewscreen at full magnification,” ordered Bree, leaning forward in her command chair. The entire Command Center was quiet with all eyes glued to the viewscreen.

On the screen a massive ship appeared.

“Zaltule battlecruiser,” confirmed Bree quickly identifying the ship.

Bree gazed at the monstrosity on the viewscreen realizing her three ships could not defeat this threat. Her best option would be to turn around and flee while her ships were still intact. She gazed at the ship on the screen knowing she needed to act fast or her small exploration fleet would be lost. This was a nightmare and she had to be the one to find it.

On the main viewscreen floated a Zaltule battlecruiser. The ship was three kilometers across and one thousand meters thick. The hull was covered with weapon emplacements, pulse fusion batteries, and energy turrets. Hundreds of small hatches hid sublight antimatter missiles ready to be launched at a moment’s notice. Unlike the larger Kleese exploration cruisers these ships were designed for war and there were no large training facilities for conscripts or holding areas. The entire ship was filled with power systems and narrow corridors, which would make it nearly impossible for a conscript in a battlesuit to traverse. These ships were designed for fleet battles and planetary bombardment. They were designed for war!

“Where the hell did that come from?” said Second Officer Newman, his face showing shock.

“I want full scans of those two Zaltule ships as well as the planet they’re orbiting,” ordered Bree, her pulse racing. “We need as much data as possible to take back to Fleet Command at Centerpoint.”

“More contacts coming up from the planet,” reported Lieutenant Stover. “They match the size and dimensions of Kleese assault ships. They must have detected us.”

“Shields are up and weapons are ready,” added Lieutenant Berry.

Bree studied the tactical display showing twenty red threat icons rising from the planet.

Second Officer Newman frowned and turned toward Commander Smith. “They may use their Fold Space drives to get here quickly. Maybe we should leave while we still can.”

Bree looked over at Lieutenant Stover. “How are the scans coming?”

“Nearly complete,” Stover replied as his hands flew over his console. “Another thirty seconds and I’ll have everything.”

Nodding, Bree looked over at the navigation officer. “Set a course back for home. As soon as our sensor scans are complete I want the fleet back in Fold Space.

“Assault ships are entering Fold Space!” called out Stover. “They’ll be here about the time the scans are finished.”

“Tactical, stand by! Fire as soon as the first assault ship appears. Stover, how much longer on the scans?”

“Ten seconds,” replied Stover, his eyes focused sharply on the data coming in.

Bree felt her heart beginning to pound. This was going to be close. Her eyes switched to the viewscreens, showing the space around the Sundance. At any moment she expected to see a Kleese assault ship appear.

“Sensor scans are complete,” reported Lieutenant Stover

“Get us out of here,” ordered Bree, grasping the armrests on her command chair tightly.

“Course set, activating Fold Space drive,” reported navigation.

Just as the Sundance made the transition to Fold Space Kleese assault ships began appearing. Then they vanished from the viewscreens as the Sundance and its two escorts fled the system at a speed many times that of light. It was time to return to Centerpoint and inform Fleet Command of their frightening discovery.

-

Minor Overlord Lazorth gazed in frustration as the three Human warships managed to escape his assault ships. This would greatly upset War Overlord Tetus when he was informed. Standing upon the command pedestal, he gazed at the now empty viewscreen with his multifaceted eyes.

“Inform Minor Overlord Maldave I will be leaving to inform War Overlord Tetus of what has occurred here. It may be necessary to speed up the day of our return to the Empire.”

Lazorth gazed at the viewscreen showing his assault ships. His ship and that of Minor Overlord Maldave were in orbit over Lenox Prime. It was the homeworld of a small stellar empire of twelve star systems, now controlled by the Zaltule. The inhabitants worked for the Zaltule providing materials and labor for numerous Zaltule construction projects including the building of more assault ships. The inhabitants of the small empire had at first resisted the Zaltule but after a number of their cities on their worlds were destroyed as an example, the leaders of the Lenox agreed to provide whatever the Zaltule wanted if the destruction would stop.

It was nearly two hundred light years to the new homeworld of the Zaltule. In the star system there were two habitable planets where the Zaltule Queens were rapidly growing and maturing the next population of Zaltule warriors. Already millions of young adult Zaltule were ready to do battle against the Empire.

“Set a course for Warmik,” ordered Lazorth.

The sooner word of what happened here reached War Overlord Tetus the sooner he could set his invasion plans into motion. All races should be subservient to the Zaltule, including the Kleese which currently inhabited and ruled the Empire. If those Kleese refused to surrender and allow the Zaltule to rule then they would be eliminated.

A few minutes later the massive Zaltule warship made the transition into Fold Space. It would take a day and a half to reach the new capital of the Zaltule. He could have sent a message through hyperspace but he preferred to tell War Overlord Tetus the news in person. He was also going to request several more Zaltule battlecruisers be assigned to him. There was always the danger the Humans might return with a larger fleet. For the time being the Lenox Stellar Empire was too valuable to the Zaltule to risk its loss.

-

On board the Sundance Commander Smith was in her quarters reviewing the sensor files from the star system they had left. She was surprised to find there was a highly developed civilization on two planets in the system. The planet the Zaltule battlecruisers were orbiting was the homeworld of a species called the Lenox. Without surprise she noticed where several large cities on one of the planets had been destroyed. This was typical of Kleese or Zaltule tactics when conquering a new world or worlds.

Bree leaned back in her chair, turning the computer off. She looked down at several sheets of paper on her desk. She had been making notes about what they had discovered in the Lenox System. She was going to prepare a report for Fleet Command to inform them of what the Sundance found. The Solar System and the Alliance had hoped never to see the Zaltule again. Most intelligence reports indicated the regular Kleese had cleansed the Zaltule hives, eliminating all of the Queens. Now that looked doubtful. Bree was afraid somehow one or two Queens might have survived. It was the only explanation for the Zaltule being in that system and perhaps others.

For years the Solar System had been recovering from the Zaltule attacks. Mars was well into its terraforming and even Earth was undergoing drastic changes. The Human clone population was nearly half that of the “real” Humans in the system. Clones were now treated equally and the minority profiling of the past was over. Many regular Humans and clones had even married.

With a deep sigh, Bree stood up. She was going to get a good night’s sleep and then worry about this mess in the morning. It was nearly fifteen days back to the Solar System. That would give her plenty of time to prepare her report. They would stop several times to check the Fold Space drives but they were going to return home as quickly as possible. The Solar System and the Alliance needed to know the Zaltule were still around and were up to their old ways outside of known space.

-

War Overlord Tetus gazed down upon the world where the Queens had made the new nests of the Zaltule. The three nests were in mountainous regions of the planet buried deep beneath the granite. Unlike the ones destroyed back in the Kleese Empire these were protected by massive defensive emplacements. The planet itself would have to be broken open to get to the Queens and even then the special compartments built to house them would still survive. The planet was blue-white and very similar to what the homeworld was like before the great clan wars.

In orbit were four massive and sprawling shipyards. Each shipyard had four construction bays capable of building Zaltule battlecruisers. In addition smaller bays existed to build assault ships. All four shipyards were operated by Zaltule with a few thousand of the Lenox to do some of the more dangerous work, which their smaller size made more practical. None of the Lenox were in positions that monitored any of the major systems on the stations unlike what the Kleese in the Empire did in their trading stations and ships. There were no armed conscripts. All fighting would be done by Zaltule warriors.

An alarm sounded on the ship’s primary sensor console.

Tetus shifted his eyes toward the alarm.

“Battlecruiser exiting Fold Space,” reported the Zaltule at the console. “It’s Minor Overlord Lazorth.”

Tetus stepped off the command pedestal. Minor Overlord Lazorth should not be here. He was overseeing the home system of the Lenox. “Contact him. I want to know why he has returned to this system ahead of schedule.”

Tetus folded his black arms over his powerful chest. He stomped his six feet against the cold metal of the deck. He was not used to others failing to obey his orders. For a Zaltule to do so was to risk death.

“Minor Overlord Lazorth reports three Human ships appeared in the Lenox System. They scanned the system and left before his assault ships could engage them.”

Tetus felt anger flow through his veins. He was not quite ready to engage the Humans and their so-called Alliance. “Inform Minor Overlord Lazorth to report to me immediately. I want all the data he has on those three ships.”

Stepping back up on the command pedestal he thought of what this might mean for his future plans. The Humans had picked a very inopportune time to discover the Zaltule. They were over fifteen hundred light years away from the Humans’ home system. Tetus had felt certain when they came to this area of space the risk of discovery would be minimal.

Shifting his gaze to the tactical display, he could see several thousand green icons representing Zaltule battlecruisers. On the surface of the planet were a number of facilities capable of producing assault ships. He had planned on attacking the Humans, the Alliance, and the Kleese Empire in overwhelming force. Now he realized his plans might have to change.

-

Minor Overlord Lazorth came aboard the flagship and reported to War Overlord Tetus what had happened in the Lenox System. Tetus watched as the Human ships were displayed on the main viewscreen in the Command Center. He felt his anger grow upon recognizing the Human battlecruiser. If the Humans were exploring this far from their home system it indicated the war against the Empire was not going well for the Kleese.

“We cannot wait much longer,” Tetus said as he considered his options. “If we allow the Humans and the Alliance to push the Empire back to the Kleese homeworlds they will become too powerful to conquer. We must know more about what is happening in the Empire.”

“What is your command?” asked Lazorth.

Tetus thought long and hard about what needed to be done. Perhaps it was fortunate the Humans had found the Lenox System. It made Tetus aware they were a growing threat, which might need to be dealt with sooner rather than later. “Take a squadron of battlecruisers and two squadrons of assault ships and return to the Empire. We must know what is happening. Avoid combat if possible. Your return with the data on the condition of the Empire is of paramount importance.”

“The Zaltule do not back off from a fight,” uttered Lazorth, his triangular shaped head focusing on the War Overlord.”

“I am not ordering you to avoid a battle,” replied Tetus in a cold voice. “But you are not to go seeking one either. Get the data I need and then return. That is your mission.”

“As you command,” replied Lazorth, bowing slightly and exiting the Command Center.

War Overlord Tetus watched Lazorth leave. He would call in the other Overlords and Minor Overlords and begin making plans to return to the Empire. It was time to go back to war.

Chapter Four

Corporal Thomas Nelson was standing at attention as Lieutenant Breeze walked up and down the line of recruits. Behind her was another line of dark black battlesuits with a hint of blue around the joints. The suits were seven feet tall and looked to be almost formfitting. They were not the massive and bulky battlesuits of the past.

“These are the new Type Nine Battlesuits,” she said in a loud and clear voice. “They are partially composed of nanites and as soon as you step inside the suit will adjust to your own physical form. All of you have had your neural implants put in place so communication with the suit’s systems and computers will be easy once you grow accustomed to it.” Lieutenant Breeze took a deep breath, coming to a stop and gazing down the long line of Marines.

“These battlesuits are designed for one purpose and one purpose only and that’s to kill Kleese. Sometimes to get to the Kleese you will have to fight through hundreds or possibly thousands of heavily armed Kleese conscripts. Your suits will become covered with blood and gore. If you don’t have the stomach for this now is the time to bow out. Changing your mind about this training will not affect your military record. Many recruits are not cut out for this type of action and that is one of the reasons all of you have gone through rigorous screening.” Breeze paused once more, her eyes moving across the assembled Marines. “Are there any of you who wish to change your minds?” When no one stepped forward Lieutenant Breeze nodded in satisfaction to herself. “Very well. Each of the battlesuits behind me has one of your names on its chest. Find the one assigned to you and step inside. It’s time for the real training to begin.”

Thomas stepped forward; he had already spotted the battlesuit with his name on it. The suit had split down one side and was standing fully open. Taking a deep breath, he stood in front of the suit on its small platform and stepped backward into it. As soon as his back touched the rear of the suit, it closed up and the seam where it had split open vanished. For a moment Thomas felt claustrophobic and then his neural implant made contact with the suit. Suddenly the helmet became transparent, giving him a clear view of what was in front of him and to both sides. Cool air began circulating through the suit. Instinctively he reached his hand up to touch his head and saw his suit-encased arm move upward to touch his helmet.

“Once you are inside your suits they will begin to go through a cycle of instructions showing you how everything operates,” explained Lieutenant Breeze over the suit’s comm system. “Anytime you feel confused just ask the suit’s computer what you want to know. It will explain it to you in as much detail as you desire.”

On the HUD section of Thomas’s helmet instructions began to appear. Without hesitation, Thomas began following the instructions and was soon walking around in the suit. He was surprised at how effortlessly the suit moved. It almost seemed all Thomas had to do was concentrate on what he wanted done and the suit would perform the action. Thomas knew this was due to the neural implant, which allowed him direct access to all of the suit’s systems.

For nearly an hour Thomas experimented with the different functions of the suit. He was amazed at everything it could do. He looked over toward Charring Mountain. He knew next time he went up the mountain, he would be wearing this battlesuit and he was determined to make it to the top. His father had in record time and Thomas hoped to equal or best that performance. His father would expect no less.

“Marines, stop where you are and face me,” ordered Lieutenant Breeze.

Thomas turned his suit until he faced the lieutenant.

“I’m activating the suit communications equipment,” Breeze explained. “There are three settings. On setting one you can talk to any individual in your platoon by saying their name. Your suit will automatically signal the individual you want to speak with. The second setting is for your squad only. All corporals assigned a squad will have their team’s comm frequencies loaded into your suits. The third setting is for communication over the platoon general channel. That’s where in nearly all cases I’ll be giving orders. In most situations the only Marines speaking on this channel will be myself and the sergeants. Everyone else should be listening and only replying when asked a question.”

“Thomas, can you hear me?” Brian’s voice came over the comm channel.

Thomas focused and replied. “Clear as a bell.”

“These suits are great!” said Brian, jumping up and down several times. Each jump took him higher and higher.

“Private Parker,” came Lieutenant Breeze’s aggravated voice over the general comm. “We’re not here to see if you can fly. Stand still while I’m talking unless you want to volunteer for extra duty.”

Brian settled down and turned his attention to the lieutenant.

“For the rest of the day Sergeant Welch and Sergeant Cain will work with you in mastering the battlesuits. We’ll take a one hour break for lunch and then practice the rest of the afternoon.” Lieutenant Breeze paused and placed her hands on her hips. “Tonight get some rest. Tomorrow you will put on the battlesuits and attempt Charring Mountain again.” Breeze stopped and smiled. “I should warn you; tomorrow will be much more difficult than the last attempt as the pop-up weapons will be using more intense stunners as well as small explosive rounds.”

-

After lunch Thomas gathered his squad around him. “Lieutenant Breeze said we’re going back up Charring in the morning. This time I intend to make it to the top.”

“No one’s ever made it to the top in a battlesuit on the first attempt,” said Kinsley. “From what I understand the higher up we go the more pop-ups we’ll encounter.”

Thomas knew Kinsley was right. “That’s why for the remainder of the afternoon I want to practice moving our squad up the mountain.” Thomas pointed to a small hill about a kilometer away. “I’ve spoken to Sergeant Welch and he’s given permission for us to use that hill to practice on. We’re going to see what type of formation is the most effective for us to use when we go up Charring in the morning.”

“I hope all of us don’t get stunned again,” said Private Leah Adams. Leah was a twenty-two year old clone and had worked very hard to qualify for battlesuit training. “It hurt like hell last time.”

“That’s for sure,” replied Private Juan Greerman. He was also a clone and twenty-two years old.

“I understand they’re going to lob explosive rounds at us this time,” added Private Josh Henderson. “I hope they don’t blow these expensive new suits apart.”

Thomas looked over his squad. “If we do our jobs right we won’t have anything to worry about. From what I understand all four squads will set out together but each squad is responsible for their own action. I’ve already spoken to Corporal Coyle and her squad will be supporting ours.”

Brian looked around and then asked a question. “Why aren’t they here practicing with us?”

“They may later,” replied Thomas. “She currently has them learning to run in the battlesuits and acquiring more information about how to use them.”

“Why aren’t we doing that?” asked Kinsley.

Thomas grinned though no one could see it. “We’re going to do the same thing but on that big hill instead.”

-

A few minutes later Brian looked at the large hill in front of him. It was at least two to three hundred meters to the top where a small blue flag was flying. “Capture the flag?” This was a game he and Thomas had played a lot as children in Vesta.

-

Thomas nodded. “Exactly. We’ll divide up into teams of two. Both team members must touch the flag to win.”

“What does the winner get?” asked Brian. “I could use some cold beer tonight.”

“I’ll provide a six pack for whichever team reaches the flag the most often,” replied Thomas. He agreed a cold beer after this sounded great.

Thomas quickly selected the teams. Brian and Leah were together, Juan and Josh were the second team, and Thomas chose Kinsley as his partner. The strategy was simple: beat the other teams up the hill using whatever methods they could to accomplish that.

“Everyone at the base of the hill,” ordered Thomas.

“This is going to be easy,” Brian said, standing next to Leah.

Thomas grinned. Brian had forgotten everything was fair in the battle to the top. This was not simply a race but a combat situation.

Thomas switched his comm link so he could speak to Kinsley and no one could overhear. “Stay behind Leah. When I give the signal, trip her.”

“Trip her?” replied Kinsley, looking over at Thomas. “What if she gets hurt?”

“These are battlesuits,” answered Thomas. “They are capable of treating injuries, even serious ones. Besides, a little trip isn’t going to do that much harm.”

Kinsley looked at Thomas. “What are you going to do?”

Thomas grinned to himself. He wondered if the others realized how powerful these battlesuits actually were. “I’m going to toss Brian back down the hill.”

Looking around, Thomas saw everyone was ready. “Go!” he shouted over the squad comm link. Instantly all six of them took off running. Thomas stayed a few meters behind Brian and Kinsley was doing the same to Leah. Thomas almost felt sorry for Brian and Leah. Neither suspected what was soon to happen to them.

They were about halfway up the hill when Thomas signaled Kinsley. Kinsley leaped forward next to Leah and promptly stuck her leg out, causing Leah to trip and fall down.

-

“Hey!” shouted Brian, seeing Leah was down.

Brian hesitated and then felt himself being raised up in the air. With a sudden premonition he knew what was going to happen. He held his breath and waited for the pain as Thomas tossed him a good twenty meters down the slope. Brian hit the ground, knocking the air out of him and promptly began rolling down the hill. He managed to stop himself by digging his armor-encased hands into the dirt. Standing back up he saw he wasn’t injured and the suit wasn’t damaged. However, looking back up the hill he saw Thomas and Kinsley were nearly to the top. Juan and Josh were only a few meters behind them.

Brian smiled to himself. He now knew what Thomas had meant when he said anything was fair to reach the top of the hill. The next round would be much different. Brian was bigger than Thomas and he was certain he could toss Thomas farther down the hill than he had been tossed. He realized now just how much fun this contest was going to be. It was time to work out some strategy with Leah.

-

Thomas watched Brian and Leah standing next to one another. From the gestures Brian was making with the arms of his battlesuit, Thomas suspected this indicated his friend was making serious plans to even the playing field. “We need to be ready,” he said to Kinsley. “If I know Brian he’ll use every dirty trick in the book now to win.”

Kinsley nodded. She was pleased to be teamed up with Thomas. “They have to catch us first. I think we can outrun them.”

“That might work this next time but Brian will come up with something after that.”

Thomas was right. In the next round he and Kinsley managed to outrun everyone to the top and touch the flag for the second time. In the following round Thomas was halfway up the hill when a large rock struck him in the back, knocking him down. Then he felt Brian grab him and hoist him high up into the air.

“Have fun, this is going to hurt,” said Brian over the suit comm.

The next moment Thomas found himself thrown down the hill to strike the ground, throwing up a cloud of dust. Thomas then rolled the rest of the way down the hill before he could stop himself. He stood up only to be knocked back down by Kinsley as her suit came tumbling down the slope. “A rock,” moaned Kinsley, sitting up and rubbing her shoulder with her armor-encased arm. “I never would have thought of that.”

“It’s a lesson we needed to learn,” replied Thomas, standing up and seeing Brian and Leah had made it to the top. They had both touched the flag and were standing next to it, waving at them. “These suits can be used to make anything into a weapon.”

Kinsley stood back up with her hands on the waist of her battlesuit. “So, what’s the plan now?”

Thomas grinned. “If they can throw rocks, so can we.”

-

For the rest of the afternoon the three teams vied for superiority. In the end Thomas and Kinsley reached the flag six times, Brian and Leah came in second with four and Josh and Juan managed to reach the flag three times. When the day was over the six sat down at the foot of the hill feeling exhausted from their efforts. Their suits were filthy and all six suits had substantial dents in various areas, dents the nanites in the suits were already repairing. By morning the suits would look as good as new.

“That was fun,” said Brian. He had his helmet open and was smiling. “We need to do that again!”

“We may,” replied Thomas. “Only next time there will be a few rules.”

“Let’s go take a shower and then head to the cafeteria,” suggested Kinsley. “I’m getting hungry.”

“So am I,” said Brian. “This workout on this hill has built up an appetite.”

Thomas shook his head. “You’re always hungry. I don’t see where you put it all.”

Leah stood up and looked at the others. “Let’s go. If we wait too long the showers will be crowded and there will be a long line in the cafeteria.”

The group left the hill and headed toward the barracks where the showers were located. A hot shower, a good meal, and some sleep were needed to prepare them for what was ahead in the morning.”

Thomas also wanted to speak to Corporal Coyle about going up Charring Mountain.

-

In the morning Thomas was sitting at a table watching Brian eat his breakfast. Brian’s plate was loaded with eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns and biscuits. He shook his head as Brian wolfed down his food. “You’re going to get sick eating all of that.”

Brian grinned and shook his head. “No I won’t. A good breakfast is always the start of a good day. You should eat more yourself.”

Thomas looked down at his plate at the scrambled eggs, bacon and toast. It was about half what Brian was eating.

Thomas is right,” Kinsley said. “We’re going to be in our battlesuits for a considerable amount of time today. I would hate to see you get sick inside of yours.”

-

Looking down at his plate of food Brian considered what Kinsley said. With a deep sigh, he stopped eating. While the food was good it wasn’t worth getting sick inside his battlesuit. If he did he would never hear the end of it from Lieutenant Breeze.

“Thomas, do you have a plan for us today?” Brian knew Thomas had stayed up several hours last night looking at summaries of previous classes assailing Charring Mountain. Those reports were available for any recruit to examine and learn from.

Thomas nodded. “Yes, but it’s a little bit risky and some of us will most likely get stunned.”

“I was afraid of that,” replied Brian.

-

Kinsley shivered slightly. Getting stunned was not a pleasant experience. “Thomas, I understand your parents and Brian’s parents are here?” Kinsley had spent a few years on Vesta as that was where the primary cloning facility was located. She was very well aware of who Thomas and Brian’s parents were.

“Yes,” Thomas replied. “I imagine they’ll all be in the Control Center watching us go up Charring this morning.”

Kinsley realized this was probably even more pressure for Thomas to do well. As a clone, Kinsley did not have actual parents. Many of her memories and learning had come from special machines which placed that information in her brain while she was maturing in the cloning chamber. She often wondered what it would have been like if she had been raised as a regular Human child. She knew other clones thought the same way and there were even plans once the population reached sufficient levels to begin taking the clones out of the cloning chambers at a younger age.

“You’ll do well,” replied Kinsley.

She had watched Thomas over the months they had been in training. He worked hard at everything he did. She realized it must be difficult to have the last name of Nelson. Everyone in the Solar System knew who General Wade Nelson and Colonel Ryan Nelson were. Thomas had a lot to live up to and the expectations for him would be high.

-

An hour later they were all standing at the base of Charring Mountain clad in their battlesuits. Lieutenant Breeze was standing in front of them along with the two sergeants.

“Today will involve a live fire training session. You are all carrying two types of assault rifles. One fires explosive rounds, which can destroy a pop-up and the other fires an energy beam, which can do the same. Neither the explosive rounds nor the energy beams can penetrate a battlesuit. The pop-up emplacements on Charring Mountain will be firing explosive rounds as well. While these rounds can’t penetrate your battlesuits, they will hurt like hell and knock you down if you’re struck by one. The pop-ups will also be using smoke rounds to reduce your visibility. In addition,” this time Lieutenant Breeze grinned wickedly, “the settings on the stunners have been increased. They will sting twice as badly as they did on your first attempt on the mountain.”

-

This caused several of the Marines in the battlesuits to look at one another. The stunners had hurt badly enough the other day; now to hear that the effects of the stuns was going to be even worse worried a number of them.

-

“Just what I wanted to hear,” muttered Brian over the squad comm.

“You should be a girl,” replied Kinsley. “Most of you guys are bigger than we are so the stuns don’t affect you like it does us.”

“That’s for sure,” added Leah. “I thought I was going to die the other day they hurt so badly.”

Thomas looked at his squad. “I think the battlesuits will shield us somewhat. Maybe the effects won’t be as bad as we think.”

“Unless they’ve adjusted the nanites in the battlesuits not to resist the effects of the stunners,” said Brian sarcastically. “It sounds like something Lieutenant Breeze would do.”

Thomas didn’t answer. He knew Brian might be right about this. He turned back toward Lieutenant Breeze to listen to what she was saying.

-

“On top of Charring Mountain is a pedestal with a six large sensory input screens on it. All you have to do is touch the hand of your battlesuit flat against any of the screens and you will have won. When your hand touches the screen all pop-ups on Charring Mountain will become inactive. So you can see by reaching the top and touching a screen you can save the rest of your squad mates from a lot of pain.” Lieutenant Breeze paused, her eyes going across the two assembled rows of battlesuits. “However, I should warn you that in this stage of training no one has ever reached the top of the mountain.” Lieutenant Breeze looked directly at Thomas. “Not even your father, Corporal Nelson.”

-

Thomas remained rigid standing at attention. He wasn’t pleased Lieutenant Breeze had mentioned his father. However, it was something he was used to.

Breeze finished her speech and then indicated for the Marines to start their ascent of the mountain. There would be four squads of six each with the two sergeants and the lieutenant standing at the base of the mountain observing the attempted ascent. Thomas knew his parents and Brian’s would be in the Control Center for this training facility watching as well. With a deep sigh, Thomas was determined to make it to the top of Charring Mountain.

“Let’s go,” ordered Thomas, checking his energy rifle. Kinsley was carrying one that fired explosive rounds. He had split the squad back up into the same teams as the day before. Privates Greerman and Henderson would go first followed by him and Kinsley with Brian and Leah bringing up the rear.

With trepidation, the six stepped upon the slope of Charring Mountain. To their left side was Corporal Coyle and her squad. Thomas had spoken to her the night before and she had agreed to place her Marines into the same type of formation Thomas was using. Thomas hoped by being separated by such wide distances it would confuse the pop-ups. Looking to his right he saw the other two squads were in two staggered lines heading slowly up the mountain. Thomas could feel his heart start to pound as he knew shortly they would be under fire from the pop-ups.

-

Brian was watching his HUD and suit sensors intently expecting to see pop-ups appear at any moment. They were halfway to the tree line and nothing had happened. It made him nervous suspecting when it did it was going to be very bad. He was carrying an assault rifle which fired explosive rounds while Leah’s fired energy beams. He could feel his hair standing on end from the tension of knowing the pop-ups were bound to appear and start firing on them shortly.

-

“Nothing yet,” Corporal Coyle said over the comm link with Thomas.

“I don’t like this,” Thomas replied. They had gone over two hundred meters up the slope and no pop-ups had appeared. “I feel like we’re walking into a trap.”

Corporal Coyle brought her Marines to a stop and Thomas did like wise.

She and Thomas spent several minutes scanning the terrain ahead for any signs of pop-ups. The ground seemed undisturbed and there was no evidence of anything unusual. To their right side the other two squads continued up the mountain, intent on being the first ones to reach the pedestal at the top.

Suddenly just in front of the tree line over twenty pop-ups appeared.

“Run!” shouted Thomas. “Don’t fire on the pop-ups until we reach the tree line.

Instantly both squads began running. In a battlesuit a Marine could cover a lot of distance in a relatively short period of time. The pop-ups began firing but they did so on the two squads closest to them. Instantly explosions began going off on the slope and stunners were buzzing. Cries of pain echoed across the platoon comm line as Marines were hit. When an explosive round struck a battlesuit it knocked the Marine down, almost stunning him. In most instances, before the Marine could get back up they were hit by several stunners. In the two targeted squads Marines were falling like flies.

It only took a moment for Thomas and Corporal Coyle’s squads to pass by the two being hammered by the pop-up weapons. For a moment Thomas thought they might just make it to the tree line before the pop-ups changed their fire from the first two squads to his and Corporal Coyle’s. Suddenly several grenade-like explosions erupted near him and he heard Private Greerman scream as one slammed into his chest, knocking him down. He staggered back up only to be hit by a number of stunners, knocking him unconscious.

On Thomas’s HUD the green icon representing Private Greerman turned red indicating he was out of action. In a real combat situation the red would indicate the Marine was dead. Sprinting forward Thomas weaved back and forth trying to make himself a more difficult target. He was nearly to the tree line when he was hit by a stunner in the chest. The sudden sharp pain drove the breath out of him but he staggered forward to the tree line and stopped next to a pop-up. He hoped these worked like the others the other day and would not fire toward one another. Without hesitation he brought up his energy rifle and began firing at the nearby pop-up weapons. He saw Brian, Leah, Josh, and Kinsley join him. It didn’t take long and the five had eliminated all the dangerous and painful weapons. The last one Thomas destroyed was the one he was standing next to.

-

Thomas looked around to see who had survived. He had his entire squad except for Private Greerman. He saw Corporal Coyle about twenty meters to his left with two members of her squad. Down on the slope the other Marines lay unmoving, doubtlessly knocked unconscious by the stunners.

“Did anyone else besides me get stunned?”

“I think we all did,” Brian replied. There was a large burn mark on the center of his battlesuit. “I got hit by an explosive round. It knocked me to the ground but I managed to get back up and start running again before the stunners targeted me.”

Checking the sensors in his battlesuit Thomas scanned the terrain in front of them. They were in an area covered with a thick forest of trees and brush. There were no trails and a lot of the light was being restricted by the thick foliage. Even as he was standing surveying what was in front of them, he heard a popping noise and small cylinders began landing around them. They started emitting thick streams of dark blue smoke, obscuring the forest.

“Damn, now I can’t see,” complained Brian.

“Switch your filters,” ordered Thomas. The suits had special filters that should allow them to see through the smoke. While not as clear as normal sight, it would still allow them to see where they were going. “Single file and follow me.” Thomas began cautiously edging his way forward trying to thread his way through the brush and tall trees. To his left Corporal Coyle was doing the same.

The two squads continued forward. Thomas heard Brian trip and fall over a small bush.

“These sensors aren’t as good as my eyes,” Brian muttered as he stood back up.

“You’re just clumsy,” said Leah. “Watch where you’re walking.”

The two squads continued in the dim light of the forest floor when suddenly more explosions began going off around them. Leah screamed out in pain as several stun beams struck the chest of her battlesuit, immobilizing her. She fell to the ground unconscious.

“Use the trees for cover,” ordered Thomas as he stepped behind a tree with a large trunk, which easily hid his battlesuit. Brush, dirt, and pieces of tree branches were flying through the air, striking them. “Try to find those pop-ups!”

“I see one,” Brian replied. “It’s directly in front of us about twenty meters.”

“Take it out,” ordered Thomas as he leaned around the tree and began firing in that direction.

“I see another one!” said Kinsley. “I’m firing at it.”

For several long minutes the firing grew intense. The forest floor was covered in smoke and occasional explosions. Thomas spotted another pop-up and hit it with several energy beams, disabling it. The firing died down and the smoke began to dissipate. Taking a deep breath Thomas checked his HUD and then looked around. Brian, Kinsley, and Josh were still with him. Corporal Coyle was still okay as well as one other of her squad.

“Let’s join forces,” suggested Thomas, contacting her over the platoon comm line. “That will give us a full squad.”

“Agreed,” replied Corporal Coyle as she and Private Stout made their way over to where Thomas and his squad were. “What do you recommend we do now?”

Thomas looked ahead of them. He figured it should be clear for twenty meters or more. “Single file with about a five-meter spacing between us. That way if a pop-up appears only the leader will get stunned. We just need one person to make it to the top and press one of the sensor screens.”

“I’ll go first,” volunteered Brian. “I’m used to being in front and a target.”

“Be careful,” cautioned Thomas. “There’s no reason we all can’t reach the top.”

“Except this scenario is designed so we can’t,” said Corporal Coyle.

-

The squad spread out and began heading up the mountain, weaving around thick stands of brush and the tall trees. In some areas the foliage on the trees was so thick there was very little brush on the forest floor. What got Thomas the most was the quiet. There was no drone of insects or twittering of birds. Even the wind was absent.

They had gone about eighty meters when the sudden buzzing of a stunner was heard. Brian fell to the ground and lay there twitching for a moment, then he rose up on his knees and began firing at something ahead of him. Private Stout moved forward and began firing in the same direction.

“What is it?” asked Kinsley. She couldn’t see anything.

“Two stunners,” replied Brian. “Got one!”

At that moment Private Stout fell to the ground and lay there unmoving.

“Got the other,” grunted Brian as he stood back up. “Damn that stunner hurt!”

“Let’s move out,” ordered Thomas. “The sooner we reach the top the sooner we can get off this infernal mountain.”

Thomas stepped around Private Stout who was lying unconscious on the ground. Thomas knew Stout must have been hit several times by the stunners to have been knocked out so quickly.

They continued to move through the forest and then suddenly the trees became smaller, the brush disappeared, and they reached a steep slope covered with large boulders.

“Well, this is different,” said Brian as he stopped near a boulder big enough to shield his battlesuit.

The others came up to stand beside him, peering at the steep slope and the top of the mountain, which seemed so tantalizing close.

“It can’t be this simple,” said Corporal Coyle, gazing at the boulder strewn slope. “This has to be a trap.”

Thomas nodded. “Most likely. We should take it slow and be prepared to be attacked.”

-

“I’ll go first,” volunteered Josh. “I’ll try to lure the pop-ups into firing at me while the rest of you take them out. I think if I go from boulder to boulder I can almost get to the top.”

Josh moved out while the rest of the squad took up firing positions. Josh moved quickly to the next large boulder, not attracting any fire. Hesitating for a moment he picked out his next target and headed for it. As soon as he left the safety of the boulder pop-ups suddenly appeared everywhere. There were so many Josh couldn’t even count them. Several explosive rounds slammed into his chest, sending him painfully to the ground. Then stunners struck his suit and he felt himself losing consciousness. At least for him this scenario was over.

-

Thomas and the others were firing as rapidly as they could trying to eliminate the pop-ups. Thomas heard Corporal Coyle cry out in pain and then tumble to the ground to lay there unmoving. Kinsley was next and as she fell Brian rushed over to try to drag her to safety behind the boulder. He nearly made it when half a dozen stunners hit his suit, knocking him unconscious.

Thomas continued to fire and after a few more minutes all the pop-ups were eliminated, at least the ones he could see.

“Will someone get Brian off me?” said Kinsley as she struggled to move Brian’s battlesuit off her. She was in an awkward position and couldn’t get the leverage to move Brian in his battlesuit.

Thomas stepped over and slid Brian off Kinsley. Kinsley stood up and staggered over to the safety of the boulder. “My body is aching all over. I think I was struck by two stunners.”

“We’ll stay here for a few minutes until you feel better,” said Thomas. He wanted Kinsley with him when he made the final attempt for the summit.

The two stayed behind the boulder while Kinsley recovered. Thomas eyed the remaining distance to the top. It wasn’t that far but he strongly suspected there had to be more pop-ups.

“I’m ready,” said Kinsley as she checked her assault rifle.

Thomas nodded. “We’ll go single file with me in the lead. Remember, we just need one of us to reach the pedestal and touch one of the screens.”

Kinsley nodded as Thomas stepped out from the safety of the boulder and headed up the slope. Using the sensors in the battlesuit, Thomas tried searching for more hidden pop-up weapons. He strongly suspected the suit was programmed not to detect the pop-ups.

For several minutes they weaved up the slope using whatever large boulders they could for protection. With surprise he noticed they were now only thirty meters from the top. Was it possible they had eliminated all the pop-ups? “Let’s make a run for the summit,” he said. “Surely one of us will make it.”

The two started running and Kinsley promptly fell when the ground beneath her suit started sliding. At the same time more pop-ups appeared on the rim of the mountaintop firing down on the two. Kinsley promptly rolled over behind a large boulder, which offered some protection.

Thomas felt a sharp pain in his shoulder from a stunner, nearly causing him to drop his assault rifle. Falling to his knees he began firing at the pop-ups. Drawing in a deep breath, Thomas kept firing. Several more times he was hit by stunners. Finally he could bear the pain no longer and collapsed to the ground. Just before he lost consciousness he saw the last two pop-ups explode as they were struck by explosive rounds. Then Kinsley came into view. She bent down looking at Thomas.

“Thomas, can you move?” she asked in a concerned voice.

“No,” Thomas replied weakly. He felt as if he was about to pass out. “Get to the top and press a screen. It’s all up to you now.” With that, blackness overcame Thomas as he passed out, freeing himself of the pain from the stunners.

-

Kinsley stood up and looked around her. Everyone else was down. With a deep sigh, she began heading up the slope. At any moment she expected more pop-ups to appear. Finally she reached the plateau at the top of the mountain and stepped onto the level surface. Two hundred meters away was a pedestal with six screens. Looking around she saw no danger. Was it possible there were no pop-ups on the plateau because no one was expected to make it this far? Walking slowly across the plateau she kept up her guard looking for any sudden movement. There was none and she soon found herself standing next to the pedestal. There were six steps leading to the top of the pedestal and the screens mounted there. She had taken three of them when hidden pop-ups rose up behind her and promptly stunned her, knocking Kinsley off the steps to fall unconscious to the ground.

-

“Damn!” said Major Reed in the Control Center of the training complex. “She almost made it. I never expected anyone to reach the top of the mountain. It’s never happened in this scenario before.”

“They did well,” said Ryan with a smile. He knew when Thomas woke up he would feel sore from the effects of the stunners.

“They proved they are deserving of the battlesuits,” admitted Major Reed. “We’ll move Corporal Nelson’s squad on to the next level of training. Corporal Coyle’s squad won’t be far behind.

Casey looked over at Major Reed. It had pained her to see Thomas being hit by the stunners. “How much longer will the training last?”

“Another six weeks,” replied Major Reed.

Casey looked over at the others. “I think it’s time for us to go home.”

Lauren nodded. “Yes, our sons are doing very well. It was what we expected and they haven’t disappointed us.”

“I need to get back to the cloning facility anyway,” said Alexander.

Ryan stood up gesturing to the others. “Let’s go get something to eat and I’ll make arrangements to get us back to Vesta.” Ryan turned to Major Reed. “Major, thank you for allowing us to observe. I see Charring Mountain is still as difficult as always.”

Major Reed smiled. “We all have made our attempts at Charring. It builds character and prepares our Marines for their future. Anytime you want to come back feel free to do so. It has been an honor to have you in the Control Center.”

Ryan looked at one of the viewscreens showing Thomas still lying on the ground. Shortly he would awaken and it would be time for him to continue his training. Ryan was extremely proud of his son. However, now it was time for the four of them to return home. Their sons had proven they had outgrown the need for their parent’s protection. They were now adults and ready to take their places as Marines.

Chapter Five

In Centerpoint Station Admiral Kelly was in Fleet Command watching the tactical display. A number of green icons had just dropped out of Fold Space. Several assault ships were moving out from the orbit of the Moon to confirm their identity.

“It’s Rear Admiral Haden and Fourth Fleet,” reported Major Johnathan Moore from the large sensor console where three fleet officers were seated.

Admiral Kelly switched his gaze to one of the large viewscreens, showing the heavy battlecruiser Lamprey. With a deep sigh, he wished he still commanded First Fleet but his duties had been needed elsewhere. He was now in charge of Fleet Command and responsible for all of the Solar System’s military fleets. It was a rigorous job and many days he put in ten or twelve hours before he felt he could retire and get some rest.

“Inform Rear Admiral Haden to get his fleet into orbit and then he is to dock with Centerpoint and report to the main fleet conference room for debriefing.”

“Message sent and confirmed,” replied Captain Cynthia Edison.

Admiral Kelly nodded and walked over to a bank of viewscreens that showed the huge station. The trading station was one hundred and twenty kilometers across and twenty-four kilometers thick. On its surface were numerous habitation domes. Some of the domes were used for training facilities and ranged in size from ten to twenty kilometers across. Other domes were home to most of the nearly eighty thousand crew who operated the titanic station. The station had been built by the Kleese but was stolen by General Wade Nelson in the early years of Humanities war against the arachnids. A second station was closer to Earth. Freedom Station was the same size as Centerpoint and had also been taken from the Kleese. Over the years both stations had been modified for their Human crews. There were normally ten to twenty thousand Marines on the stations at all times as well as large numbers of ship crews.

The stations were so large it was possible to walk many of the numerous corridors for hours and see no one. Most long distance travel in the stations was done through the massive tram system which connected all of the primary sections.

“Contact Rear Admiral Blair and General Timmons,” ordered Admiral Kelly still gazing at the viewscreens. “Inform them Rear Admiral Haden and Fourth Fleet have returned and there will be a debriefing session as soon as Haden comes aboard Centerpoint.” Kelly folded his arms across his chest. At the moment the Solar System had ten fleets in operation. At all times at least four fleets were kept in the system to ensure its protection. While the chance of a Kleese attack on the Solar System was small it was prudent to stay cautious.

-

 Lieutenant Sue Adams was glad to get off the Victory. She was on one of the first shuttles to Centerpoint. She was excited about her new assignment and couldn’t wait to start. She would be working with the new recruits using the Type Nine battlesuits. Once she was satisfied they were combat ready she would take the platoon out on its first combat mission.

The shuttle was headed toward one of the many ship bays around the station. At any one time there were dozens of vessels coming and going. Some were trading ships from members of the Alliance and others were warships. The station also had a number of construction bays used to build assault ships and light cruisers as well as the larger heavy battlecruisers.

“Are you taking a few days off before you start your new assignment?” asked Sergeant Styles. Styles was sitting next to the lieutenant.

Sue nodded. “Two or three days. I want to do a little shopping and eat some home cooked meals. Shipboard food begins to taste the same after a while.”

“I know,” replied Styles. “I’m going to try some Italian and Mexican food in the food court while I’m on leave.” He paused and looked at the lieutenant. “Do you know who will be taking over while you’re gone?”

Sue shook her head. “With a little luck it will still be me. I’m going to ask that the new platoon be added to the Victory and see if I can have command of both.”

“With your record I can’t see them turning you down.”

“We’ll see. We both know the military makes strange and inexplicable decisions at times.”

Styles nodded. “At least it’s not as bad as it once was back on Earth.”

“Those were different times,” Sue said. “We weren’t involved in an interstellar war back then.”

-

The shuttle entered one of the large bays and set down softly on a landing pad.

Sue exited the shuttle enjoying the feeling of being out in such a large open space even if it was a ship bay. The bay was huge with a number of shuttles and even a few small cargo ships sitting on other landing pads. Crews were busy unloading and loading supplies and trading items. Taking a deep breath, she headed for one of the open hatches. There were quarters available for her where she could relax and enjoy the hospitality of the huge station. There was excellent food in the food court, entertainment, and even stores where you could buy nearly everything one could imagine. If everything worked out she would spend two or three days taking it easy and then report to Major Reed to begin her next assignment.

-

Admiral Kelly listened as Rear Admiral Haden gave his oral report of the time Fourth Fleet had spent battling the Kleese.

“We freed seven star systems,” Haden said. In front of him on the conference table was a copy of the written report he had put together. There was also considerable combat data stored on flash drives, which could be gone over as well. “During that time we lost four assault ships and one light cruiser. We managed to rescue most of the crews though there were some losses.”

“We have reports that Kleese resistance in the outer sectors of their Empire is collapsing,” said Read Admiral Blair. “We believe they are abandoning those sectors and consolidating their forces closer to their core worlds.”

This surprised Rear Admiral Haden. “What is the Alliance doing to take advantage of this?”

“Scout ships are being sent in to confirm Kleese garrisons have left the inhabited planets. However, there are still many conscripts on some of the planets that will have to be dealt with.”

“Will the Alliance be using any of their troops or will we be expected to do most of the fighting?”

Admiral Kelly glanced at several sheets of paper in front of him. “The Alliance will be doing some so we can bring these worlds into the Alliance as quickly as possible. In the harder cases where there may be intense fighting we’ll send our Marines in battlesuits in to eliminate the conscripts.”

“With the Kleese pulling back this should reduce our ship losses,” added Rear Admiral Blair.

“But it may increase our battlefield losses in Marines,” said General Timmons worriedly. “I’m afraid we’re going to be spread thin trying to retake so many worlds in such a short period of time.” Timmons was in charge of the Marines and other military units charged with defending the Solar System as well as offensive and defensive measures on the other planets.

“It may,” admitted Admiral Kelly. “However, with the Kleese pulling back it makes the security of the Solar System even better. It is becoming highly doubtful they will ever make another attack on us anytime soon.”

“How goes the terraforming of Earth and Mars?” asked Rear Admiral Haden. “From the Command Center of the Lamprey it looked as if I could actually see the Earth’s surface in some regions.”

Admiral Kelly nodded. “As you know we’ve been using the advanced science of several friendly races to modify the environments of Earth and Mars. On Mars we may actually have a breathable atmosphere in another ten years. We’ve started bringing in ice asteroids from the comet belt and releasing them over the Polar Regions away from our Mars colonies. Eventually there will be rivers and several small oceans on the planet. We’re using technology from the Lanolthians and the Kiveans.”

“Earth is a different ballgame,” said General Timmons. “We’ll have the atmosphere back to normal in a few more years but we still have a lot of volcanic activity going on across the planet. I spoke to Marken the other day and he is working on a plan with several other races to help alleviate some of that. He says it may be centuries before the seismic activity returns to even close to what it was. However, he feels confident they can make some areas of Earth safe enough to resettle well before then.”

“The vegetation and all the wildlife are gone,” added Admiral Kelly sadly. “There’s still evidence of some life in the deeper parts of the oceans but not nearly what it once was. The coral reefs are dead and all the larger fish in the oceans are gone. We’re going to have to bring in vegetation from other worlds and even animals. We’ll be looking for those compatible with Earth and similar to what was once there. Fortunately there are a number of different Earth species present on Vesta and some even in the Moon and Mars domes.”

“Same for some species of trees and vegetation,” said General Timmons. “We already have science expeditions out searching other planets for compatible species. Someday we’ll have Earth back.”

“I hope to see it,” said Rear Admiral Haden. “I would like to walk on the surface of Earth and breathe the air before I die.”

“General Mitchell felt the same way,” said General Timmons. “Unfortunately he died before he could go back down to Earth. He told me several times he wanted to walk the surface of Earth one last time with the sun shining down on his face. I wish he could have lived long enough to see that.”

“It’s been over thirty years since the Kleese destroyed Earth,” said Admiral Kelly. “We’ve come a long ways since then.”

Rear Admiral Haden nodded. “At least we’re not on the brink of extinction.”

“We have former President Mason Randle to thank for that,” said General Timmons. “If not for Vesta I’m afraid it would have been the end of the Human race.”

-

On Vesta General Wade Nelson had just left the huge docking bay inside the asteroid to travel over to the Kivean asteroid. He had some questions for Marken and he was looking forward to the visit. Over the years Marken, Harnett, Wade, and Beth had become very close. They had watched their children grow up and become adults.

“I can’t wait to see Harnett,” said Beth as she gazed out the small viewport next to her.

Wade nodded. The last few years had been very enjoyable. There had been no combat in the Solar System, the children had grown up and they had watched as Ryan’s kids, Thomas and Savannah became adults. He smiled to himself. He had spoken to Ryan about Thomas’s first few attempts at Charring Mountain. He knew how difficult the mountain was. Beth and he had attempted Charring Mountain while being held captive by the Kleese. That was a long time ago and much had changed since then.

It didn’t take long for the shuttle to reach the Kivean asteroid. There were actually two asteroids inhabited by the Kiveans. They were going to the smaller colony where Marken and Harnett lived.

-

Wade and Beth stepped out into the hollowed out section of the Kivean asteroid where the city was. It was the home to slightly over nine thousand Kiveans and was a modern wonder. It resembled those once prevalent on their home world with tall, slender towers and metallic bridges connecting them at different levels. The buildings were multiple colors and of various shapes and sizes. It looked like a city from the far future.

“I never can get over how beautiful their city is,” breathed out Beth as she gazed at the colorful buildings. “Do you think we’ll ever build something like this?”

“Maybe, but it will be a while. Right now our people are concentrating on winning the war against the Kleese. When that ends maybe we can turn our people back to building something like this.”

The two entered a tall building and went up to the level where Marken and Harnett’s large apartment was located.

The door slid open and a smiling Harnett was there to greet them. Kiveans were a light red with arms slightly longer than a Humans and long narrow fingers. Their faces were humanoid with narrow eyes, no eyebrows, a wide nose, and small ears. There was no hair on their heads and most were over six feet tall.

“Wade, Beth, it is good to see you,” said Harnett, stepping forward to hug Beth. “Come in, Marken and I are pleased you could come and visit.”

“I think Wade has some things he wants to talk to Marken about,” said Beth.

Harnett nodded. “Marken is in the study, Wade. Go on in; he has been expecting you.”

Wade made his way into the study to find Marken sitting in front of a large computer screen filled with complicated mathematical equations. “I don’t even want to know what that is.”

 Marken turned around and stood up with a huge smile on his face. “It’s a theory I’m working on to help reduce the volcanic eruptions on Earth.”

This interested Wade. “Any progress?”

“Some,” replied Marken. “It’s very complicated and I’m years away from finding a possible solution. How are things on Vesta?”

“Good,” replied Wade. “We’re slowing down the production of clones. The Human population in the system is nearing thirty million and we have slightly over seventeen million clones. We’re also considering taking the next group of clones out of their chambers just prior to their teen years.”

Marken nodded. “That’s good. The clones have adjusted well, even the ones we have created of Kiveans.”

“Our population is growing quickly now,” added Wade. “As soon as we’re finished terraforming Mars we’ll have room to really expand. Then hopefully a few years after that we can begin resettling parts of Earth.”

“I’ve done some simulations with the aid of other Kivean scientists and within ten years approximately twenty percent of Earth’s landmasses will be safe to colonize. The rest will have to wait until we discover a solution to the volcanic problem.”

“You’ll do it,” said Wade confidently. “Someday Earth will be like it was when I was a child.”

“Better,” replied Marken. “If we can solve the volcano problem we can make Earth into a paradise with the technology available to us from the worlds of the Alliance.” Marken gestured for Wade to have a seat. “Now, there must be another reason you’ve come to see me.”

Wade nodded. “Yes, our latest intelligence data indicates the Kleese are pulling back from the outer sectors of their Empire near the Alliance. They’ve even begun to move their trading stations.”

“Those that remain,” replied Marken with a smile. He knew the Humans and the Alliance had stolen a number of them in massive raids in the early years of the war.

“Admiral Kelly and General Timmons are a little concerned about what this might mean. In the short term it probably means less of a threat of an attack on us by the Kleese but what does it mean long term?”

Marken pondered Wade’s question for several minutes. “They’re consolidating their power. They have a huge ship manufacturing capability in their home systems. By moving the trading stations back to the core of their Empire it will give them even more of an ability to produce warships, particularly the assault ships. It will also free up the large fleets of battlecruisers and exploration ships they have been using to protect those stations. Those fleets could be used to attack the Alliance. I would caution Admiral Kelly and General Timmons about becoming too complacent. I don’t trust the Kleese and we should never underestimate them. They are very shrewd and their thinking is not quite like ours. They still feel they are superior to us and all other races.”

Wade was not surprised to hear Marken say this. It was what he had been expecting to hear. “I’ll pass on your concerns to Admiral Kelly and General Timmons.”

“What are Admiral Kelly’s plans with the Kleese pulling back?” asked Marken.

Wade could see Beth and Harnett talking away in the next room. They were laughing about something though Wade had no idea what it could be. He enjoyed seeing Beth laugh; it was good for her. “Plans are to continue to hold four fleets here in the Solar System as well as to continue to augment the defenses of Earth, the Moon, Mars, Vesta, and the other inhabited asteroids. Centerpoint and Freedom Stations will continue to construct warships at their present rate. Admiral Kelly wants to add two more fleets sometime next year.”

“It’s good he is staying prepared. We finally have the Kleese fighting a defensive battle and have freed numerous worlds. We must not give up the initiative. If we give the Kleese too much time to recover and rebuild we could be facing a different kind of war.”

“That’s another thing Admiral Kelly wanted me to talk to you about. Can you speak with the other races here in the Solar System and see what their opinion is? Should we launch a raid into the Kleese core worlds and try to take out some of their shipyards?”

“What about the trading stations?”

Wade shook his head. “They’re too heavily defended. We would lose too many ships taking one out though at some point in the future we may have no choice.”

“I will speak to the Talts, Deltons, Belens, and Bashans and see what they think we should do,” said Marken, referencing the other alien races which had taken up refuge in other asteroids in the Solar System. “However, at this time I think it would be a mistake to launch a raid deep into Kleese space. We should continue to push them back, adding more worlds to the Alliance. At some point the Alliance will be so strong the Kleese will either have to surrender or face annihilation.”

Wades eyes narrowed. “Do you really think the Kleese would surrender?”

“I don’t know,” replied Marken, shrugging his shoulders. “If we agreed to leave their core worlds alone I believe there’s a small chance they might consider it. However, they’ve ruled over so many worlds for so long they may not be able to conceive of doing anything differently.”

For the next several hours the two sat and talked about the Solar System and the races that now inhabited it.

-

On Centerpoint Lieutenant Adams had gone to her quarters on the station, taken a shower, and then changed clothes. She was now in the food court where she was going to meet Major Reed to discuss her new assignment over a meal. He had contacted her as soon as he found out the Victory had arrived in the Solar System and its Marine complement had shuttled over to Centerpoint.

Sue was sitting at a table waiting for the major to arrive. He had designated the meeting place and as she waited she looked around. The food court was a busy place. A number of the station’s crew ate here as well as many of the ships’ crews. The food court even had restaurants that catered to the Alliance races by offering food they could eat.

There were quite a few Marines sitting at some of the tables. This wasn’t unusual as there were a large number of Marines assigned to Centerpoint as well as Freedom Station. In the center of the food court were a large number of tables, several hundred of them, where people could sit and eat. There was seating inside most of the restaurants as well but Sue actually preferred this more open setting. She enjoyed sitting here and just watching people.

“Sorry I’m late,” said a voice from behind her.

Major Reed stepped around the table and sat down across from her. “I had a few last minute details to take care of.”

“I can easily understand that. I assume you have the new class of recruits ready for me to take over?”

Major Reed grinned. “Yes. It’s a very talented group and they’ve been flying through training. Just the other day one platoon nearly accomplished the impossible and several of their members actually made it to the top of Charring on their second try. One was stunned on the third step of the pedestal.”

“Wow!” exclaimed Sue, her eyes widening. “I didn’t make it to the top of Charring until my seventh attempt.”

“Nine for me,” replied Reed, recalling how he felt when he finally mastered the mountain. “I should warn you this is a very special platoon. Colonel Ryan’s son Thomas is in the platoon as well as his best friend, Brian Parker.”

“As in Captain Parker and his wife Lauren?”

“The same,” answered Reed. He picked up a menu glancing at it.

“Have they been a problem?” Sue was concerned that due to who their parents were they might be expecting special treatment.

Major Reed shook his head. “No, just the opposite. If anything Corporal Nelson is trying too hard and the same goes for Private Parker. Nelson is a born leader and I guess I shouldn’t be surprised considering who his father and uncle are.”

“I’m amazed Corporal Nelson is a Marine. After what his parents went through you would think they would keep him safe at home.”

“Not the Nelsons,” Reed replied. “They feel it’s their family duty to defend the Solar System. In truth, I feel safer just knowing they’re watching out for us.”

“I’m anxious to get started,” replied Sue. “I’ve learned a lot in my combat drops over the last seven months.”

“We all are,” replied Reed. “Actual combat is much different than the simulations we run in training. That’s one of the reasons we make Charring so difficult.”

Sue looked at her menu; she had already decided on chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes and gravy. “How soon do you want me to report in?”

“No hurry,” Reed replied as he signaled one of the food court servers to come over to take their orders. “Take two or three days off. You deserve it after being gone for seven months. When you’re ready you can begin training the recruits with the new energy lances.”

Sue nodded. “We had those on our last two drops. The damn things will cut through anything, even a Type Seven or Eight battlesuit.”

“They won’t cut through a Type Nine though they will leave scorch marks.”

The server came over and the two placed their orders. Sue leaned back, relaxing. It was nice to be off the ship and able to stretch. The ceiling was a good twenty meters above her head. It made her feel she was in a wide-open space. She suspected this was the reason the food court was designed as it was.

As she listened she could hear people talking and laughing. There were even a few children with their parents. The aromas of different foods were in the air making her feel even more hungry. She reached forward and took a deep drink of the tea in front of her. She noticed Major Reed had ordered a beer. Beer was something she had never developed a taste for though she wouldn’t object to a good glass of wine. Unfortunately wine was still scarce as the vineyards on Earth had all been destroyed. There were a few vineyards inside Vesta as well as in the domes on Mars.

The two continued to talk about the recruits Sue would be training as well as the latest news from Earth and Mars. Sue listened raptly as she was curious about everything that had occurred in the Solar System since she left with Fourth Fleet. One thing she did know after listening to Major Reed: she had a lot of catching up to do.

Chapter Six

Minor Overlord Lazorth stood on the command pedestal of his ship gazing with his multifaceted eyes at the tactical display. He had eight other Zaltule battlecruisers with him as well as twenty assault ships. He would use the assault ships to scout nearby systems once controlled by the Kleese to see if they still retained possession or if the sub races had succeeded in wresting control from them.

“Order the assault ships to begin their survey,” he commanded.

“Order has been sent,” confirmed Malvern the communications officer.

Lazorth thought for a moment and then turned back toward communications. “Have them meet us in the Zadole System in sixty hours.”

The Zadole System was the Kleese regional capital for this sector of space. While War Overlord Tetus had instructed him to avoid combat, he felt the best way to gain actual intelligence was to capture some Kleese. They could be tortured and forced to give him the intelligence data he wanted. With eight Zaltule battlecruisers plus his own ship, he was confident he could conquer the system and capture any Kleese who might be present.

“All assault ships have confirmed receipt of message and will be activating their Fold Space drives shortly,” reported Malvern as the seven digits of his right hand moved across his console.

Lazorth watched the tactical display as the twenty assault ships left on their missions. “Set a course for the Zadole System. It’s time we showed them the Zaltule are still around.” He could well imagine the fear of the Kleese in the system when they detected his ships.

“Course set,” reported Craton from the helm. “Arrival time will be twelve hours.”

“Initiate,” ordered Minor Overlord Lazorth. Now he would speak to Minor Military Overlord Vandeem. He commanded the Kleese warriors on the ship that would be involved in capturing the Kleese. If everything went as planned Supreme Military Overlord Tetus would be very pleased with him. Pleased enough to promote him to the full rank of Overlord.

-

Twelve hours later the nine Zaltule battlecruisers dropped out of Fold Space into the Zadole System. The fourth and fifth planets were heavily populated with planet four the capital of the system. As soon as the Zaltule battlecruisers were detected dozens of passenger and cargo ships began jumping out of the system. Their hyperspace comms were already blasting out the fearful message. The Zaltule have returned!

-

Commander John Higgins of the Human assault ship Destiny gazed in shock at the tactical display. His ship was in the Zadole System and had just finished delivering supplies to the Human ambassador. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing on his tactical display. He prayed this was a joke someone was playing on his crew.

“Please confirm those are Zaltule battlecruisers,” he ordered, looking over at the sensor officer. The Zaltule hadn’t been seen for over thirty years.

“Confirmed,” replied Lieutenant Braggs. “They match the size and shape of a Zaltule battlecruiser at three thousand meters.”

Commander Higgins shook his head in dismay. There were only a few medium sized cruisers in the system. The Zadolians had as yet to rebuild their fleet after the end of the Kleese occupation. “Send a message to Eighth Fleet; they’re on maneuvers in the Kewell System. Let them know what we have here. Contact our ambassador and inform her of what we’ve detected. We may need to evacuate her and her staff. Helm, put us into orbit over Zadole Four.”

“Passenger and cargo ships are already jumping out,” reported Lieutenant Braggs.

“There’s a lot of panic on the communications channels,” reported Lieutenant Rann.

‘Take us to Condition Two and prepare for combat,” ordered Higgins.

“Weapons are armed,” reported tactical. “Energy shield is coming to full strength.”

Commander Higgins nodded. He knew full well his two hundred-meter assault ship would stand little chance against the firepower a Zaltule battlecruiser could bring to bear.

“I have Zadole Space Command wanting to know what to do,” reported Lieutenant Rann.

Higgins ran several possible scenarios through his head. If the Zadolians resisted they risked suffering massive casualties. “Tell them to stand down. Send all Fold Space capable shipping to their nearest colony. Same for their warships. Their medium cruisers won’t stand a chance against the Zaltule. There’s no point in sacrificing them. We just need to buy time until Eighth Fleet can get here.”

“How do we do that?” asked Lieutenant Rann.

Commander Higgins shook his head. “I wish I knew.”

-

Minor Overlord Lazorth gazed at the viewscreen. Numerous red threat icons were leaving the system. Most of these were identified as passenger ships and cargo ships though seven medium sized cruisers were also leaving.

“No sign of any Kleese vessels except for one assault ship going into orbit around Zadole Four,” reported the sensor officer.

“Send a message to Zadole Four and demand their instant surrender,” ordered Lazorth in a cold and uncompromising voice. “Inform them any Kleese upon the planet will be turned over to us.”

A few moments passed and then Malvern replied. “Message sent and confirmed. Zadole Space Command states there will be no resistance and that currently there are no Kleese in the system.”

This surprised Lazorth. It indicated the system was no longer controlled by the Empire. “I want four of our battlecruisers to go into orbit around Zadole Five and the rest will come with us to Zadole Four. No ship is to fire upon the planets unless we’re attacked first or I order the attack. We’re here to gather information and we can’t do that if we destroy it. “Communications, contact Minor Military Overlord Vandeem and inform him his warriors will be needed to secure the orbital space stations as well as some of the planet’s leaders down on the surface.” Vandeem commanded the Zaltule warriors on the ship.

“What about the single assault ship?” asked the tactical officer. “Should I destroy it?”

Minor Overlord Lazorth was curious as to who controlled the assault ship. It could be Humans. “Try to disable its Fold Space drive. If we can prevent it from jumping out perhaps we can capture it.”

“It will be difficult to disable without destroying the ship,” replied the tactical officer.

Lazorth turned his triangular head toward the tactical officer and said in an uncompromising voice, “I want the ship disabled and not destroyed.”

The tactical officer nodded and began working on his console.

“Helm, take us to Zadole Four; it’s time we showed them the strength of the Zaltule.”

-

Commander Higgins waited impatiently for a reply from the Human ambassador. He had been told she was in an emergency meeting and it would be a few minutes before she could speak with him. Higgins had stressed he had limited time and would have to leave orbit if the Zaltule came too close to the planet. The ambassador’s aide had told the Commander the ambassador didn’t feel she was in any danger but would contact him as soon as she was out of the meeting.

“I knew it,” said Lieutenant Rann. “The ambassador is a politician and has no idea of the danger she’s courting.”

“Zaltule battlecruisers are en route to Zadole Four,” reported Lieutenant Braggs. “They will be here in twenty minutes.”

“Contact Zadole Space Command and recommend they agree to the surrender,” ordered Commander Higgins. He wanted to limit the damage to the system before Eighth Fleet could arrive.

“Message sent,” replied Lieutenant Rann. “No reply.”

Lieutenant Rann looked over at the Commander. “They must be talking it over.”

“Helm, keep the Fold Space drive ready. We may need to get out of here fast.”  Commander Higgins had no intention of endangering his command.

The minutes passed slowly by as the Zaltule battlecruisers drew nearer to the planet. On the assault ship’s main viewscreen, the huge disk-shaped vessels were clearly displayed.

“Take us to Condition One,” ordered Commander Higgins.

Alarms started sounding and red lights began flashing.

“I’ve never seen a Zaltule battlecruiser before except in pictures,” said Lieutenant Rann, looking at the main viewscreen. “Damn they look mean.”

“Zaltule battlecruisers are opening their missile hatches,” warned Lieutenant Braggs, looking concerned. “They will be in weapons range in seven minutes.”

“Message from the surface,” reported Rann. “The ambassador is requesting we remain in orbit. She wants to open negotiations with the Zaltule.”

Higgins’ face turned pale. No one bargained with the Zaltule. You either were made a slave or died. “Tell the ambassador we leave in five minutes. She can either come with us or stay behind.”

Higgins watched as Rann sent the message and received a reply. “She’s staying behind and is still requesting we do as well.”

“No, I won’t endanger this ship for her foolishness.” If she doesn’t watch it she could end up wearing a Kleese slave collar. She has no idea what she’s doing.” If it was up to him and he had the time he would send some Marines down to the planet to force her to come to the ship.

“Five minutes to weapons range,” reported Lieutenant Braggs

Higgins took a deep breath. “Inform the ambassador we’re leaving and we’ll return with the fleet. Helm, stand by to initiate Fold Space drive.”

“Detecting active targeting sensors,” reported Braggs, his eyes widening.

“Helm, take us into Fold Space. Set a course for Dorval Three. Dorval Three was the nearest Zadole colony world.

Commander Higgins felt the assault ship make the transition into Fold Space, leaving the Zaltule battlecruisers behind. He breathed out a sigh of relief knowing to stay would have been suicide. He leaned back in his command chair wondering why the Zaltule had returned after so long. The war might have just become much more complicated. “Take the ship to Condition Three.”

-

Minor Overlord Lazorth watched with anger as the assault ship vanished into Fold Space. He would have liked to have known who was on that ship.

“Message from Space Command above Zadole Four,” reported Malvern. “They have agreed to surrender and have shut down all of their defenses.”

“How many stations are in orbit?”

“Seven,” replied the sensor officer. “There are two shipyards and five other stations.”

Lazorth wanted to set an example to make the interrogations he was planning easier. Fear always seemed to work with these sub races. “As soon as we go into orbit target two of the stations and destroy them; also target the second largest city on the surface. I want to ensure the Zadolians cooperate. Minor Military Overlord Vandeem will take his warriors down to the surface and place obedience collars around the planet’s leaders. We will do the same to their Space Command. I want to know why the Kleese abandoned such a useful and wealthy system as well as what the Humans and the Alliance have been up to.”

-

The Zaltule fleet went into orbit. Suddenly, from two of the massive vessels pulse fusion beams fired tearing into two of the large orbiting space stations. The beams cut into the stations, ripping them apart and leaving shattered wreckage in orbit. Then from the command battlecruiser a single missile dropped toward the planet. It was a sublight antimatter missile targeting the second largest city on the surface.

In a massive explosion of energy and light the missile detonated three thousand meters above the city of twelve million. The heat and blast from the explosion smashed into buildings, causing them to collapse. Fires broke out everywhere. In less than twenty seconds over ten million Zadole citizens died. Above the city the superheated air caused a huge mushroom cloud to form. It rose so high it nearly reached into space. For hundreds of kilometers around the blast the force of the explosion was felt. The citizens of Zadole Four knew with fear in their hearts that the Zaltule had returned.

-

Minor Overlord Lazorth gazed at the destruction feeling no concern about the millions of deaths he had just caused. All races were inferior to the Zaltule and should exist only to serve. The death of a few million was inconsequential. His cold, multifaceted eyes watched as the massive mushroom cloud rose high above the planet.

“Inform Minor Military Overlord Vandeem it is time for him and his warriors to descend to the surface. The other ships are to send their warriors as well. Move us closer to the shipyard identified as Space Command. We will search its computers for any useful information.”

“What about the shipyard’s crew?” asked one of the other Zaltule in the Command Center.

“Exterminate them,” ordered Lazorth. “All except the leaders. Put collars of obedience on them and they will be questioned. The others are to be disposed of.”

-

Zaltule assault ships dropped down from the battlecruisers, landing in various regions of the planet. They rapidly rounded up hundreds of government officials, placing their collars of obedience on them.

In the Human ambassador compound a number of Zaltule had rounded up all the Humans including the ambassador.

“I demand you release me,” said Ambassador Linda Collins. Linda was in her mid forties and had never seen a living Kleese or Zaltule. “I am an ambassador from Earth and you have no right to hold me.”

“Silence, Human!” growled one of the Zaltule. He signaled one of his warriors who grabbed the Human, holding her still. He then snapped one of the obedience collars around her neck. The collar was silver with a light bluish tint.

“Release me!” screamed Linda, feeling violated. She reached up, touching the hard metallic collar, feeling confused. She had never been treated in such a manner. “I have diplomatic immunity!”

“We are the Zaltule and all races are meant to serve us,” replied the Zaltule in charge. “I am sure Minor Overlord Lazorth will be interested in questioning a Human.” He then looked at the other Humans who were standing silently watching. He then signaled two of his warriors. “Take this one back to the assault shuttle and exterminate the rest. They are of no use to us.”

Linda stood in shock as the Zaltule drew their energy pistols and callously shot all the other members of her staff.

-

In the Solar System, the heavy battlecruiser Sundance dropped out of Fold Space followed by her two escorts. The small fleet was running behind schedule as one of the escorts had developed a problem with its Fold Space drive and it had taken several days to repair it. They had then limped on in to the Solar System at a much slower Fold Space speed until proper repairs could be made.

“Contact Fleet Command,” ordered Commander Smith. “We need to inform them we have encountered the Zaltule.” Bree leaned back in her command chair wondering what her news and discovery would mean to the Solar System and the Alliance. It was obvious the Zaltule would have to be dealt with. They could not be allowed to grow and expand their new Empire. In time they would return to threaten the Solar System and all the worlds freed in the last thirty years.

“We’ve been ordered to dock with Centerpoint Station ASAP,” reported Lieutenant Matt Pierce. “Admiral Kelly wants a full report as well as all video evidence of what we encountered. He’s calling a meeting of the General Staff to listen to your account of the Zaltule encounter.”

“You’ve scared them,” said Second Officer Newman. “They were not expecting us to return with word about the Zaltule.”

“I wasn’t either,” replied Bree, with a deep sigh. “This could change how we’re fighting the Kleese. The Zaltule could be the greater danger.”

“One thing I don’t understand,” said Newman with a look of confusion on his face. “Didn’t the Kleese kill all of the Zaltule Queens?”

Bree nodded. “That’s what we thought. However, now it appears at least one might have escaped. I don’t believe the Zaltule would be making long term plans such as conquering that star system we were in unless they still had a living Queen.”

“Helm, take us to Centerpoint and dock. I need to speak to Admiral Kelly.” Bree took in a deep breath. This would probably be a long meeting and not a good one. The Zaltule were a terrifying threat and one they would now have to deal with.

-

Rear Admiral Amelia Stinson could not believe the message she had just received. Zaltule in the Zadole System! It was the primary system in this sector and the center of trade for dozens of worlds. She currently had her fleet spread out through three star systems conducting drills.

“Lieutenant Williams, contact all of our ships and have them rendezvous with the flagship,” Amelia ordered as she sat down in her command chair. “As soon as all ships are present we will set out for the Zadole System. Once you have contacted all of our ships send a message to Lanolth as well as Centerpoint informing them of the situation. Tell Admiral Kelly I intend to take Eighth Fleet to the Zadole System and destroy the Zaltule ships there. We will then stay in the system until relieved.”

Amelia hoped it would be that simple. From the reports she was receiving they would be facing nine Zaltule battlecruisers. Her own fleet was composed of six heavy battlecruisers, twelve standard battlecruisers, fourteen light cruisers and thirty assault ships. She prayed that would be enough.

-

Minor Overlord Lazorth stared in disgust at the Human in front of him. This was a female of the species and seemed unbelievably weak. “What is the current ship strength of the Humans? Answer correctly or you will be punished.”

“I don’t know,” replied Linda. She was an ambassador. It was beyond her understanding how anyone could treat her like this. She also wondered what the black box the Zaltule was holding was for. The Zaltule didn’t seem pleased with her answer and used one of his long fingers to touch a button on the box. Instantly she dropped to the floor screaming as excruciating pain spread from the ring around her neck. The pain finally stopped and she fought to regain her breath. “I can’t tell you what I don’t know!” She was really scared now and began to fear for her life.

-

Lazorth was not pleased with the answer. This Human was not going to be of any use. Without hesitation he pressed another button on the device, setting off the small explosive charge in the obedience collar. The charge detonated, ending the Human’s life. He looked at a Zaltule warrior who was standing nearby. “Clean up this mess and remove the Human carcass.”

“What have we learned from our other prisoners?” Nearly two hundred Zadolians had been brought on board and were currently being questioned.

“It seems the Humans and the Alliance have made vast gains in the outer regions of the Empire since we left,” replied Minor Military Overlord Vandeem. “The Kleese have evacuated many worlds as well as pulled back all of the remaining trading stations toward the heart of the Empire. At the moment it seems the Kleese are fighting a defensive action and are not openly engaging the Humans or the Alliance aggressively.”

“They are weak,” replied Lazorth coldly. “They should have allowed us control of the Empire and none of this would have happened. Now we will have to destroy these Humans as well as the Alliance before we turn our might against the Kleese and retake what is left of the Empire. War Overlord Tetus will be greatly displeased when we bring him the information we have gathered.”

“A number of our assault ships have returned and have found the same situation in other systems as we found here. The inhabited worlds have been freed by the Humans and the Alliance and in most there are only small fleets of warships.”

Lazorth nodded his triangular shaped head. “It takes time and resources to build a fleet. In time many of these worlds will do so. We must strike while they are still weak.”

Looking at the main viewscreen, Lazorth could see the blue-white world they were orbiting. Ship traffic in the system had ceased as soon as word of the Zaltule had spread. It pleased Lazorth they were feared so much by the other races. It was only right as the Zaltule were the superior species. Someday the Zaltule would rule all the star systems in the galaxy and then begin to expand beyond it.

“How many assault ships have not returned?”

“Twelve,” replied the sensor operator. “All should be back with the fleet in the next twenty to thirty hours.”

Once all the assault ships returned Lazorth would take his fleet and return to Warmik to inform Military Overlord Tetus what they had discovered. It was time to return to the Empire and retake what was rightly the Zaltules’.

Chapter Seven

Rear Admiral Amelia Stinson sat nervously in her command chair waiting for her fleet to drop out of Fold Space. The fleet was at Condition Two and would go to Condition One as soon as they entered the Zadole System. Eighth Fleet consisted of sixty-two warships though thirty of them were assault ships. She hoped it would be enough. In her career as rear admiral and even before then as a commander of a battlecruiser she had never fought the Zaltule.

“Status?” she asked, looking across the Command Center.

“All systems are powered up and working at optimum levels,” reported the systems officer.

“Weapons ready to go online,” reported Captain Smith from tactical.

“We’re as ready as we’re going to be,” reported Commander Hill.

Amelia took a moment to study the tactical display. Several assault ships in advance of the fleet were sending back sensor information on the Zadole System. There were nine confirmed Zaltule battlecruisers in the system as well as a number of assault ships.

“Assault ships and light cruisers will engage the Zaltule assault ships,” ordered Amelia as she thought over her battle plan. “The heavy battlecruisers and the standard battlecruisers will engage the Zaltule battlecruisers.”

Commander Hill looked over at the admiral with a concerned look in his eyes. “We’re going to take some losses; probably quite a few.”

Amelia let out a deep sigh. “I know, but as soon as our assault ships and light cruisers finish with their targets they will join us in attacking the Zaltule battlecruisers.”

“Are there any other forces we can call upon?”

Amelia shook her head. “There’s an Alliance fleet at Zanbarr Three but they’re a good two days away. They’re coming but they won’t get here in time.”

“Why don’t we wait?”

“I wish we could but long-range scans from our assault ships indicate the Zaltule have already destroyed the second largest city on Zadole Four. Sensor scans indicate casualties are in the millions. We can’t allow the Zaltule to strike the planet again. They’ve also destroyed two of the large space stations which were in orbit of the planet. The assault ships report two expanding debris fields where the space stations once were.”

Commander Hill nodded. “We have no choice then. We have to go in.”

“Fold Space drop out in twelve minutes,” reported Lieutenant Jones. “We’ll be exiting three million kilometers from Zadole Four.”

“Upon exit we’ll form up into a half diamond formation with the heavy battlecruisers and standard battlecruisers in the center,” ordered Amelia. “The light cruisers and assault ships will form a screen around us.”

“Multi warhead antimatter missiles have been loaded in the missile tubes,” reported Captain Aaron Smith, the tactical officer.

Amelia felt her heart begin to pound. She knew she was putting her fleet in danger but she couldn’t allow the Zaltule to kill more innocent civilians. “We’ll drop out of Fold Space and take detailed scans of the Zaltule. I suspect once they detect our ships they will come to us.”

“There’s a good chance they’ve already detected us,” said Commander Hill. “Their sensors are probably at least as good as ours.”

Amelia felt her breath catch in her throat. There was no way to know the outcome of the coming battle. They would need a little luck to take out all the Zaltule battlecruisers and assault ships. Eighth Fleet would have to be rebuilt after this battle if any of it was left.

-

“Ships detected,” reported the Zaltule sensor officer. “Long-range sensors indicate a fleet of over sixty vessels inbound. From the power readings they are all warships.”

Minor Overlord Lazorth looked at the tactical display showing the incoming enemy ships. “Contact our other ships at Zadole Five and have them rendezvous with us immediately. They are to use their Fold Space drives to get here. We will meet this new enemy together. We are the Zaltule, the mightiest warriors in the galaxy. If they dare to attack us we will destroy them.”

Lazorth was well aware of the strength of his ships. They were all updated with the latest Zaltule weapons and technology. Defeating this fleet would show the Alliance and the Humans exactly who was the dominant species in the galaxy. It was an example he would set before returning to report to Supreme Military Overlord Tetus.

-

Rear Admiral Stinson felt the Dauntless drop out of Fold Space. Instantly the viewscreens flickered and then showed the stars. In the center of the main viewscreen was a blue-white planet. The view was greatly magnified.

“All ships set Condition One throughout the fleet. Standby to fire weapons,” announced Amelia over the fleet comm.

“All ships are moving into formation,” reported Commander Hill. “Fleet will be ready for combat in two minutes.”

“Zaltule warships are still near the planet,” added Lieutenant Jones. “Sensors indicate the battlecruisers at Zadole Five are moving this way.”

Amelia nodded. Her nerves were calming as they neared the time for combat. “No doubt moving to join the other Zaltule ships. At least we won’t have to go hunting for them.”

On the main screen, the image shifted to show a Zaltule battlecruiser.

As Amelia watched the viewscreen, her heart sank and breathing quickened. How was her fleet going to destroy nine of those giant vessels without sustaining massive losses?

“Sublight drive half speed,” ordered Amelia. “Let’s see what the Zaltule are going to do.”

“Half speed,” replied Lieutenant Jennifer Hines.

“Fleet is in formation,” added Commander Hill.

At this velocity it would take them a few minutes to reach the Zaltule. It would give her time to evaluate their formation and how best to attack it.

“The Gauntlet is reporting problems with their sublight drive and can’t keep up,” reported Lieutenant Susan Williams.

Amelia frowned. The Gauntlet was one of the fleet’s standard battlecruisers. “Tell Commander Dawson to get it repaired as quickly as possible. Lieutenant Hines, reduce fleet speed to one-third perhaps that will give the Gauntlet time to initiate repairs and catch up.” She didn’t want to engage the Zaltule without all of her ships present. “Commander Hill, assign two assault ships to fall back and cover the Gauntlet until they can rejoin the fleet.”

“Yes, Admiral,” replied Hill as he quickly sent the order.

-

Minor Overlord Lazorth nodded his triangular shaped head in satisfaction as the rest of his battlecruisers dropped out of Fold Space and took their places in his fleet. Without hesitation he ordered the fleet to move forward with the assault ships, taking screening positions around the larger battlecruisers. The incoming warships had been identified as Human. They were a foe worthy of combat. He would advance and engage the Humans, destroying their fleet and once more establishing the superiority of the Zaltule.

“Sensors are showing twelve capital ships and twenty lighter support vessels including thirty assault ships,” reported the Zaltule at the sensors. “Human fleet is advancing toward us. Estimated weapons range in twelve minutes.”

Lazorth stepped down from the command pedestal. “Prepare our missiles. I want to hit the Humans with our sublight antimatter missiles followed by the pulse fusion weapons. We will annihilate the Humans before they even realize their puny vessels are under attack.”

On the outside of the Zaltule battlecruisers missile hatches slid open. Pulse fusion turrets turned until they were facing the approaching Human fleet. Energy shields snapped into place ready to repel any attack. The Zaltule fleet was ready for battle.

-

“Five minutes to weapons range,” reported Lieutenant Jones. “Zaltule fleet is moving toward us. Fleet is in a double line, five battlecruisers in the top line and four in the bottom. The assault ships have formed a protective ring around the major warships.”

Amelia gazed at the tactical display. She had thought long and hard about how to engage the Zaltule fleet. There was no way to give her fleet a better advantage. They would have to meet the Zaltule head on and hope the Eighth Fleet had the firepower to destroy all of the enemy vessels.

“Hit them with our multi warhead sublight missiles first,” ordered Amelia. She studied the tactical display and then shifted her eyes to the viewscreens showing the Zaltule ships. “Concentrate the fire of our heavy battlecruisers and standard battlecruisers on just two Zaltule battlecruisers. Light cruisers and the assault ships will target the enemy assault ships. I want one light cruiser and two assault ships targeting the same enemy vessel. Let’s see if we can thin them out by concentrating our fire.”

Commander Hill acknowledged the order and began speaking to the other ships of the fleet.

“Three minutes to weapons range,” reported Jones in a nearly monotone voice.

“The Gauntlet has repaired its sublight drive and is moving up to take its place in the fleet formation,” reported Lieutenant Williams.

Amelia nodded. At least she would meet the Zaltule with her full fleet. She studied the main viewscreen showing a Zaltule battlecruiser. She could see the open missile ports as well as the hundreds of weapons turrets on its hull. She thought she could actually see the weapons turrets moving to point toward Eighth Fleet.

Amelia leaned forward in her command chair sensing the tension in the Command Center. People were speaking in hushed tones and everyone’s eyes kept glancing over at the viewscreens. Unfortunately Amelia knew shortly many of the talented crewmembers in her fleet were about to die and there was nothing she could do to prevent it. This was war and unfortunately good people died in combat.

“We have incoming contacts,” reported Lieutenant Jones. “It’s the assault ship Destiny and it has twelve Zadole medium sized cruisers with it. They will be dropping out of Fold Space in seven minutes just to the rear of our formation.

Twelve cruisers were the total number of warships the Zadole had. Captain Higgins must have gathered together every ship he could from the Zadole colonies. “Have them form up with us.” The additional ships would help. “Have the Zadole cruisers target the Zaltule assault ships.” Amelia suddenly felt a little better about the battle. The odds had shifted a bit more in her favor.

-

“We’re in weapons range,” reported the Zaltule officer at the weapons console.

“Then destroy those ships in front of us,” said Minor Overlord Lazorth coldly. “I want every vessel annihilated.” He stepped back up on the command pedestal to oversee the battle.

-

“Weapons range!” called out Lieutenant Jones. “Zaltule are launching missiles.”

“All ships launch missiles!” ordered Amelia over the fleet comm network. “We need to take out as many of those Zaltule battlecruisers as quickly as we can. Defensive batteries, target those missiles!”

“Launching missiles,” reported Captain Smith. “Defensive batteries activated.”

-

The Dauntless shook slightly as twenty-four missiles left their tubes. The sublight missiles each contained four twenty-megaton warheads. Just before they reached their targets the missiles MIRVed, giving the Zaltule more targets to try to destroy.

Defensive batteries in both fleets were firing at the incoming missiles. However, the missiles were traveling so fast it was nearly impossible to track and destroy one of the incoming warheads. Some missiles were intercepted and bright explosions indicated their destruction. Hundreds of antimatter missiles began striking the Zaltule warships. Two battlecruisers were the primary targets of the Human battlecruisers and standard sized cruisers. The energy shields of the Zaltule battlecruisers lit up as antimatter energy was released in massive amounts to pummel the shields. After a few seconds the shields went down and both battlecruisers blew apart as dozens of antimatter warheads detonated against their heavily armored hulls.

-

“We got two of them!” said Lieutenant Jones elatedly.

“All ships switch to the next two targets,” ordered Amelia. Those two had been the easy ones. Now her own ships were under attack. Even as she watched a Human assault ship blew apart followed moments later by a light cruiser.

-

Minor Overlord Lazorth stared in shock as two of his battlecruisers were destroyed. He felt his anger grow and his multifaceted eyes focused intently as his fleet’s own missiles began exploding in the Human fleet formation. With satisfaction he saw Human ships start to die.

-

The top section of a standard battlecruiser exploded and debris started drifting away from the ship. An antimatter missile slammed into the stern of the cruiser and the ship vanished in a fiery explosion. Pulse fusion fire slammed into the main part of a light cruiser setting off massive explosions and hurling glowing debris into space. In a fiery detonation, the ship blew apart.

Several antimatter missiles struck the shield of a Zadole medium cruiser, knocking it down. Pulse fusion fire then riddled the ship, leaving it a drifting wreck. All across the Human formation more ships were dying under the unrelenting fire from the Zaltule battlecruisers.

            The Human light cruisers turned broadside and opened fire with their main batteries, quickly scoring several hits with their pulse fusion weapons and energy turrets. The space between the two fleets was covered in bright explosions and energy beams. The two fleets themselves were lit up from the numerous explosions of antimatter missiles, each as bright as a star.

-

The Dauntless shuddered as two antimatter missiles hit her energy shield, severely jarring the ship. A Zaltule pulse fusion beam penetrated the weakened shield, blowing an energy beam turret to shreds and blasting out a gaping hole in the hull. The screen seemed to flicker and then the flickering vanished as the screen returned to full power.

Amelia looked quickly around the Command Center to see if everyone was okay. Several appeared shaken but were still performing their duties.

“Damage control teams are en route to the damaged area,” reported Commander Hill. “We have a ten-meter hole in our hull and the surrounding compartments have been sealed off.”

“Casualties?”

“Unknown at the moment,” Hill replied. “There were personnel working in that area of the ship and several in the section where the hull was penetrated. Several injured are being taken to med bay.”

Looking at the viewscreen, Amelia saw several more Zaltule assault ships had been eliminated. “What are our losses so far?”

“We’ve lost two of our standard battlecruisers, three light cruisers, and seven assault ships. The Zadole have lost two of their cruisers and five assault ships.”

On the screen, one of the remaining Zaltule battlecruisers was under heavy attack. Antimatter missiles were exploding against its energy shield and pulse fusion and particle beam cannons were seeking an opening.

“Firing plasma cannon,” reported Captain Smith.

Instantly on the screen a brilliant beam struck the Zaltule energy screen and then penetrated. It smashed into the Zaltule hull, setting off a massive explosion. At the same time the Zaltule energy screen weakened, allowing more pulse fusion and particle beams to penetrate. Additional explosions rocked the Zaltule ship and then two twenty-megaton antimatter missiles impacted the hull, exploding in two brilliant flashes of light. When the screen cleared the Zaltule ship was a shattered wreck with visible fires burning where oxygen was escaping. The fires rapidly died out.

-

Minor Overlord Lazorth stared in shock as another one of his battlecruisers was destroyed. Two more were reporting major damage. His own flagship had suffered from several energy beam strikes. The Human fleet was losing many of its light cruisers and assault ships but they still had the numbers. With growing frustration, he realized he did not have the ships to defeat this fleet. He could destroy most of it but it would cost him many if not all of his own ships.

“Prepare the fleet to enter Fold Space,” he ordered. His multifaceted eyes seeming to glow red with anger. “We must return to Warmik and inform Supreme Military Overlord Tetus of what we have discovered.” Even as he spoke he saw two more of his assault ships vanish from the tactical display.

-

On the Dauntless Amelia winced as she watched another of her heavy battlecruisers under attack. The Vindication seemed to lurch as its energy shield was hit by several antimatter missiles. The shield flickered and the battlecruiser took a massive hit to her bow, losing most of her heavy weapons, she quickly turned broadside and opened up with her remaining pulse fusion beams and energy weapons firing upon the Zaltule ships. The Zaltule retaliated with more pulse fusion beams, penetrating the weakened shield ripping open compartment after compartment. Internal explosions started rupturing the hull.

-

Aboard the Vindication Commander Brindle fought to keep his ship alive. The damage control board was covered in red lights with more appearing every second. The ship was shuddering and he could hear the sound of metal being ripped open and explosions.

“We have numerous compartments open to space and our energy shield is down to 20 percent,” reported Second Officer Wright. “We’re losing the ship.”

“Weapons?”

“We’re still firing,” reported Lieutenant Murphy. “We’re down to only a few energy turrets and four missile tubes.”

The ship shook violently and the lights dimmed then brightened back up.

“We just took an energy beam strike near Engineering,” reported the damage control officer. We have several major fires and the fire suppression equipment has failed. We’re venting a lot of atmosphere out into space.”

An explosion rattled the Command Center and several consoles exploded, sending showers of hot sparks across the room.

“Inbound missiles!” called out the sensor officer.

“Take them out,” ordered Commander Brindle. “Our shield can’t withstand an antimatter strike.”

The weapons officer shook his head. “Defensive turrets are down. We can’t stop the missiles.”

Commander Brindle knew his ship was doomed. There was nothing he could do.

-

“More incoming sublight missiles targeting the Vindication,” warned Lieutenant Jones.

Amelia looked in anguish at a viewscreen showing the stricken heavy battlecruiser. The missiles struck and the Vindication exploded in a series of bright white fireballs. When the fireballs died away there was nothing left but some twisted wreckage.

“We lost the Vindication,” said Commander Hill grimly.

“Zaltule are leaving,” reported Lieutenant Jones, sounding relieved.

Amelia looked at the tactical display, seeing it was true. The remaining Zaltule battlecruisers and assault ships were entering Fold Space and leaving the scene of the battle.

“There are a few Zaltule assault ships too heavily damaged to escape,” reported Commander Hill, noticing the red icons on the screen.

“Destroy them,” ordered Amelia. There was no thought of asking them to surrender.

A few minutes later the battle was over. Looking at the tactical display, Amelia drew in a sharp breath. There were no red threat icons anywhere on the screen. Unfortunately the green icons representing friendly ships were far fewer than at the beginning of the battle.

“Get me a status on all fleet ships and the condition of their crews. I want to know the causality figures.” Amelia knew they would be heavy. Eighth Fleet was a shattered remnant of what it once was. However, it had succeeded in forcing the Zaltule to withdraw before they could do any more damage to the planet.

“See if we can contact our ambassador on the surface and see what assistance we can provide.” Amelia knew there was little her fleet could do but she still felt she needed to make the offer.

-

A few hours later the remains of Eighth Fleet were in orbit around Zadole Four. Rear Admiral Amelia Stinson now knew the terrible cost of the battle. She had lost two heavy battlecruisers, three standard battlecruisers, eight light cruisers, and fourteen assault ships. The Zadole had lost three of their medium cruisers. In return they had destroyed four Zaltule battlecruisers and twelve of their assault ships. Many of the ships remaining in her fleet were damaged; several would need extensive yard time before they could leave the system.

“Zadole Space Command has given permission for us to dock our damaged vessels,” reported Lieutenant Williams.

“The shuttle we sent down to the ambassador’s compound has reported back,” said Commander Hill. “All embassy staff were found dead and the ambassador is missing. It’s believed the Zaltule took her.”

Amelia let out a deep sigh. If that was true then in all likelihood the ambassador was dead.

“Let’s get our ships repaired,” said Amelia. “We’ll stay here until the Alliance can send some ships and do an investigation of what the Zaltule were after.”

“It can’t be good,” said Commander Hill. “I suspect the war against the Kleese is about to change and not for the better.”

“I’m afraid you’re right,” said Amelia. She shifted her eyes to the main viewscreen showing a sea of stars. She wondered what new threats they might be hiding. Fleet Command back on Centerpoint would have to now plan new battle strategies. Fighting the Zaltule was not like fighting the Kleese. The Zaltule were much more deadly and better at combat. The war had just taken a much deadlier turn.

Chapter Eight

Corporal Thomas Nelson stood at attention as their new training instructor began to speak. From what Thomas understood she had just returned from a seven-month tour of taking worlds back from the Kleese. She was also wearing a Type Nine battlesuit without the helmet.

“She looks tough,” said Leah, who was standing just behind Thomas.

“Not bad looking either,” added Brian.

“Watch it Brian,” warned Kinsley. “That kind of talk will get you into trouble.”

“Be quiet and listen,” said Thomas. “We can learn a lot from what she’s telling us.”

-

Lieutenant Sue Adams stared out over the recruits. She had already spotted Corporal Nelson and Private Parker. There were definitely family resemblances. “In seven sorties against planets held by the Kleese Marines died on every one. In recent years the Kleese have come to rely more on their pop-up weapons and have improved their deadliness and accuracy. It is one of the reasons we came up with the Type Nine battlesuits. These are the first suits, which have nanites that can actually repair suit damage. They are also more resistant to enemy fire. The suits might bend slightly or even show dents but the nanites in most cases can prevent severe injury.”

“These suits are smaller than previous battlesuits,” said Private Stout. “Is there a reason for that?”

Sue looked over at Private Stout. “Miniaturization. We’ve managed to make everything smaller using technology from the Alliance and the Kiveans. We’ve also increased the power of the energy lance all of you will be carrying into battle.” She reached to her waist and withdrew the lance from its holder. Pressing a small switch, it hummed with energy as a meter long lance of pure energy formed. She swung it, cutting a piece of metal next to her in two. “The lance has also been updated. It can now cut through any known substance except for what these suits are made of. In direct combat against the Kleese we always use the lances. They are deadly and quite effective at taking the head off a Kleese.”

Sue paused, her eyes moving over the recruits. “We have six weeks to prepare you before your first deployment. I want everyone in their suits in ten minutes and we will work on using the energy lances. If used properly they can save your lives.”

-

“More sword play,” muttered Brian. They had practiced some with the energy lances and he had been disappointed to find Thomas, Kinsley, and Leah were all better at it than he was.

“You need the practice,” said Kinsley, elbowing Brian in the side. “We all do.”

Brian knew Kinsley was right. In some things he had always been a slow learner. He suspected it was more due to his stubbornness than anything else.

-

For the next hour the platoon practiced with their energy lances. They practiced against each other with Lieutenant Adams giving them advice on how to hold the lance and how to best use it to kill a Kleese.

“The best target to aim for is a sweeping blow to the head, completely decapitating a Kleese,” she said, demonstrating with her own energy lance. “If you stab a Kleese in the center of their chest there’s a good chance they will not go down and end up killing you. In most battles against the Kleese, you will find them wearing highly advanced battlesuits. As we’ve improved our battlesuits so have the Kleese. While they may look like giant spiders they are highly intelligent and conniving. They are also heartless and will show no mercy. If you give them an opportunity they will kill you without hesitation.”

Brian was dueling with Thomas and continuously losing. He was getting angry and pressed forward. Thomas promptly used his lance to jar Brian’s hand, causing him to lose his grip on his lance. It fell to his side and automatically shut off.

“Private Parker!” uttered Lieutenant Adams, coming toward him with narrowed eyes. “I would expect better of you. Grab your energy lance and face me.”

Brian gulped, knowing he was in for it now. He should not have allowed himself to grow angry. His mother had always told him that would get him into trouble in the Marines. Brian grabbed the handle of his energy lance which automatically re-energized itself.

“Hold it like this,” Lieutenant Adams said demonstrating. “The lance can be used to protect yourself as well. She calmly waved hers a few inches from Brian’s helmet.

He could swear he could feel the heat from it.

-

“Now everyone gather around and watch,” ordered Lieutenant Adams. Sue waited until the entire platoon was gathered in a circle around them. Once she was satisfied everyone was ready she turned back to Private Parker. “Now Private, try to stab me with your energy lance.”

“What!” said Brian, surprised.

“Do it,” ordered Lieutenant Adams, holding her lance in front of her.

-

Taking a deep breath, Brian stepped forward and tried to stab the lieutenant. She easily swatted the energy lance away, causing brilliant sparks to fly every time the lances made contact. Time after time he tried to strike her battlesuit but each time she deflected his lance.

“Concentrate, Private,” ordered the lieutenant. “Using the energy lance is more finesse and less about brute force.”

For another five minutes Brian continued to try to get through the lieutenant’s guard, failing miserably each time. He was feeling frustrated and doing everything he could not to grow angry.

Finally the lieutenant put down her lance. “Now let me demonstrate. Prepare yourself, Private Parker. Let me demonstrate how easy it would be to kill you if you were a Kleese.”

Brian raised his lance trying to shield himself as he had seen the lieutenant do. For several moments he succeeded in blocking her lance. Then, suddenly, he felt a searing pain on his neck as she abruptly changed hands and succeeded in striking the neck of his suit. The suit HUD showed the neck area of his suit as amber, indicating damage. After a few seconds it turned back green as the nanites in his suit repaired the damage. Instinctively Brian reached up, touching the neck of his suit.

“Don’t worry, Private Parker; your head’s still there.” Lieutenant Adams stepped back, preparing to strike again.

For the next ten minutes the two circled each other. Time after time Lieutenant Adams managed to strike Brian in the neck. “I think that’s enough,” the lieutenant finally said. “Now, Corporal Nelson. I want you to practice against Private Parker. Strike his neck as if he’s a Kleese. You won’t hurt him as the suit will protect him.”

-

Thomas stepped forward, grinning. He was much better with the energy lance than Brian and expected this to be easy. He noticed the others were all gathered around in a circle, watching.

-

Brian prepared himself trying to emulate what the lieutenant had done with her energy lance. Thomas stepped forward, igniting his lance and promptly attacking Brian. Brian instinctively parried the thrust and for the next fifteen minutes the two circled each other with Thomas continuously on the offensive. Only twice in that time did Thomas manage to land a killing blow. Brian was amazed and pleased he was doing so well against Thomas. He now understood what the lieutenant had been attempting to teach him.

-

“Good,” said Lieutenant Adams as she signaled for them to stop. “Over the next week I will be spending time with each of you, teaching you how to properly use the energy lance. Also tomorrow we will attempt Charring Mountain once more. This time we will be using live weapons. The weapons have been set so they will not fire if they detect a battlesuit in the line of fire. It’s a safety precaution we use in training. However, out in the field in actual battle situations our weapons are not equipped with that safety feature. We’ll spend the next hour working with our energy lances and then break for lunch. After lunch we’ll be working with our assault rifles. We use three types of assault rifles in combat. One fires an energy beam, another fires explosive rounds, and the third fires armor penetrating rounds. In addition on the back of all suits there is a miniaturized explosives launcher with forty small explosive rounds. Each round has the explosive force of two grenades.”

-

Later they were eating lunch and Brian was in a much better mood. “I think I’m going to like this new lieutenant.”

“You’ve just got the hots for her,” said Leah as she ate her mashed potatoes. “Everyone else in the platoon has turned you down.”

Brian’s face turned red. “I’m not like that. I just enjoy having a good time now and then.”

“We’ll the lieutenant did manage to kill you a number of times,” said Kinsley, grinning. “I can’t wait to work with her so I can learn to do the same thing.”

Brian frowned at her and then glanced down at his food.

“We all need to work hard,” said Thomas as he cut up his pork chop. “Tomorrow we get to go up our favorite mountain again.”

“Eat hearty today for tomorrow we die,” said Brian as he took a bite of his potatoes. “I don’t know if we’ll ever make it to the top of Charring.”

Thomas slowly nodded his head. “It’ll be hard but we’ll do it. It may just take a number of attempts.”

“I hate those stunners,” said Leah, frowning deeply. “That’s the worst pain I’ve ever felt.”

Brian looked over at Leah. She was actually quite cute with her dark hair and hazel eyes. “What was it like when you were awoken in the cloning facility? You don’t mind talking about it, do you?”

Leah looked surprised by the question. “No, it doesn’t bother me. I guess the best way to describe it is confusion. You have all this basic knowledge and memories they implant in your mind while your body is maturing. When you are awoken you have twelve years of education and you can actually remember attending the classes though the teachers’ names and the faces of other classmates are sort of vague.”

“Once you’re awake they take you to a facility with other clones and some older Humans who teach you how to use what you were taught in the cloning chambers,” continued Kinsley. “It’s not a bad experience. They’re very patient and help you to adjust to the real world. After that we begin our higher studies and decide if we want to go into civilian life or the military.”

“How many chose the military?” asked Brian curiously. He knew that many did.

“Nearly half,” replied Kinsley. “I chose the military because I thought it would be exciting and I wanted to travel to other worlds.”

“Same here,” added Leah. “I thought it would give me the experience to live in Human society better. I think all clones are concerned about fitting in.”

Leah looked over at Brian. “What about you and Thomas? Look at who your parents are. Heroes who pretty much saved the entire Solar System. How have the two of you dealt with that?”

Brian took a deep breath. “I guess we were lucky to grow up together. We’re used to running around with Kiveans and other races. Thomas and I practically grew up in Marken’s home playing with his son and others. On Vesta no one treats us any differently which is the way we prefer it.”

“However, we do run into problems when we leave home. People go out of their way to be nice to us hoping to score points with our parents,” added Thomas with a deep sigh. “It does them no good as neither of us will ever use our parents to help us gain anything.”

“That’s one reason why we joined the Marines,” said Brian as he bit into a chicken leg. At least the food here was good with large portions. “While we wanted to do our part to defend the Solar System we wanted to get away from the shadow of our parents.”

Thomas nodded. “So far it’s worked pretty well. If anything our Marine training has been harder as no one wants to be seen as taking it easy on us because of who our parents are.”

Thomas looked over at Kinsley. “Have you experienced any problems with other Humans because you’re a clone?”

Kinsley shook her head. “No, at least not yet. I know back in the early days there were a large number of Humans who didn’t want to accept us as equals. That seems to have changed over the years particularly since so many Humans and clones have gotten married and had children.”

Thomas had to grin. His mother was a clone. He had never noticed the difference in his home or how people treated her. He knew at first his grandparents had a hard time accepting his mother but eventually they welcomed her into the family.

Finishing off his chicken leg, Brian reached for a second one. “We’d better eat up; I suspect we’re going to need the energy for this afternoon’s drills.”

“Let’s hope everything goes well,” added Thomas. “I need to speak to Corporal Coyle about tomorrow’s attempt at Charring. I really don’t want to get stunned again.”

Leah nodded. “None of us do but I suspect there’s little we can do about it. There will be more stunners and explosive pop-ups than last time. Each time it will get increasingly more difficult and challenging.”

“I heard some Marines never make it to the top,” said Kinsley. “They still graduate, though.”

A serious look crossed Brian’s face. “One thing though: once you make it to the top you don’t have to go up Charring Mountain again unless you volunteer to.”

Kinsley looked surprised. “Well, I don’t think I would volunteer to get stunned again if I didn’t have to.”

“Me either,” chimed in Leah.

“However, it would be good training to prepare us for when we actually have to face the Kleese,” said Thomas.

They all looked at each other thoughtfully. Of course one of them would have to make it to the top first before a decision could be made.

-

The next morning the platoon was once more lined up at the foot of Charring Mountain. Thomas was surprised to see Lieutenant Adams there dressed in her battlesuit as well as both the sergeants.

“This will be a live fire exercise and Marines have been known to be hurt in these,” explained the lieutenant over the platoon’s comm channel. “A few broken bones are not uncommon.”

The Marines shifted uneasily in their stances not expecting to hear this. So far no one had been seriously injured in the attempts on Charring. It sounded like today was going to be different.

“You need to learn to fight through the pain. Have faith in your battlesuits. The suits are capable of healing even the most serious of wounds. All Type Nine battlesuits are capable of injecting medical nanites into your bodies. Of course if your head gets blown off or you have a hole in your suit the size of my fist there’s very little the nanites can do.”

Brian looked over at Thomas. “Sounds like today is going to be interesting.”

“Painful,” muttered Leah unhappily.

“A learning process,” said Kinsley excited to get the drill started.

“Just follow orders,” Thomas said. “We know what the objective is.”

“Not to get stunned,” answered Leah. “I hate getting stunned.”

Thomas had to agree. He didn’t care for it either. “I’m curious to see what Lieutenant Adams does to get us to the top of the mountain.”

“Do you think she wants us to get to the top?” asked Brian, shifting his attention back to the lieutenant.

Thomas nodded. “I think so or she wouldn’t be going up the mountain with us. I doubt if she wants to get stunned any more than we do.”

“Corporal Coyle and Corporal Thomas, your squads will take the left side of our formation,” ordered Lieutenant Adams. “Corporal Hasher and Corporal Anderson, your squads will be on the right. I have no idea where the pop-ups are on this mountain. I have asked Major Reed to throw everything he can at us. This may well be the toughest ascent anyone’s attempted of Charring Mountain. We will use what I learned in combat against the Kleese in our attempt to reach the top. I will admit the odds are not in our favor.” Lieutenant Adams paused and then continued. “All four squads will advance forty meters up the mountain and then stop and wait for orders. There will be no scouts at this point until we reach the tree line.”

Leah looked over at Kinsley. “Well, let’s go get stunned.”

Stepping onto the slope of the mountain, Thomas kept his assault rifle at the ready. He was carrying one of the rifles, which fired an intense energy beam. Leah was carrying the same type of rifle while both Kinsley and Brian had the ones that fired explosives. After advancing about forty meters he signaled for his squad to stop. He then waited to see what Lieutenant Adams’ next command would be. The four squads were formed into a skirmish line stretching out over one hundred meters along the slope. So far no pop-ups had appeared.

“Every other Marine will now use their explosive launchers to clear potential weapons sites,” ordered Lieutenant Adams. “You will set your launchers to fire fifty meters ahead of us and then advance in ten meter increments. Each Marine will fire exactly ten rounds and then stop.”

Thomas looked around. From the way the Marines were counting off Kinsley and Brian would be firing their explosive rounds. The squad had only practiced firing this type of explosive once before on the practice range. Thomas was curious to see what its effect would be.

“Stand by,” ordered Lieutenant Adams. A moment passed and then she spoke again, “Fire!”

Instantly grenade-like explosions began occurring up the slope, throwing dirt and other debris on the waiting Marines. The explosions slowly advanced up the slope and after about a minute came to a stop. Much of the slope was now covered in smoke with a few small bushes burning.

“We will now advance another one hundred meters,” ordered Lieutenant Adams.

Thomas signaled to his squad and they began advancing once more.

“Well, this is interesting,” commented Kinsley as they moved up the slope. “It’s definitely better than being stunned.”

Thomas stopped to examine what appeared to be a destroyed pop-up weapon. All that remained was a twisted tripod and a barrel split in two. Thomas wondered if the pop-up had been real or a fake.

“Corporal Thomas, keep moving,” ordered Sergeant Cain loudly. “We don’t have time to ogle the scenery.” Sergeant Cain was behind the two squads keeping an eye on the recruits.

Thomas began walking again keeping his eyes and sensors looking for any signs of additional pop-ups. After moving up the slope another one hundred meters Thomas brought his squad to a halt, waiting for the next order from Lieutenant Adams.

“Private Henderson!” called out Sergeant Cain. “You’re too close to Private Greerman. We don’t want a pop-up taking both of you out at the same time. Increase your spacing before I throw you back down the mountain.”

Josh carefully stepped over to his left side another two meters.

Looking at his HUD, Thomas checked the position of the rest of his squad. They were in a slightly staggered formation and all currently standing still waiting for orders.

“Same as before,” ordered Lieutenant Adams. “Those of you who did not fire explosive rounds before will now get your turn. “Set the beginning of the rounds for thirty meters in front of us and then every ten meters until I tell you to stop.”

Thomas quickly used his neural interface to set the parameters for the launch of the explosives. A green light on his HUD indicated the explosives launcher was ready.

“I think I like the lieutenant,” said Brian. “So far none of us have been stunned.”

“I agree,” said Leah. “We haven’t lost anyone yet.”

“The day’s not over,” Kinsley reminded them. “The forest will be a total different matter as it will be difficult to use our explosives there.”

Thomas knew Kinsley was right. He was curious to see what the lieutenant did to get them through the tall trees.

“Fire!” ordered the lieutenant.

Instantly Thomas activated the explosive device on the back of his battlesuit. He felt a nearly imperceptible vibration as the first explosive was launched. In front of him a line of explosions began and then slowly marched up the slope. The explosions continued until they nearly reached the tree line when Lieutenant Adams ordered them to stop firing. Checking his HUD, Thomas saw he had five rounds remaining. He wondered if the lieutenant was saving those for some reason.

“We’ll advance until we’re sixty meters from the tree line,” ordered the lieutenant. “At sixty meters we will stop and see if we can eliminate the pop-ups that are generally located there.”

“I wonder how we’re going to do that?” asked Brian. “We can’t use the explosive launchers on our backs, the trees are in the way and our assault rifles that fire explosives won’t reach far enough into the tree line.”

“Move forward!” ordered Lieutenant Adams.

Thomas and his squad moved up the slope in their staggered formation until they were about sixty meters from the tree line. Not a single pop-up appeared though Thomas was certain the tree line was full of them. He wondered what trick Lieutenant Adams had to deal with those.

“Attention,” said Lieutenant Adams over the platoon comm. “Everyone with an energy rifle will aim it about ten meters above the ground. The goal is to use our energy rifles to cut down the tops of the trees, causing them to collapse to the forest floor. We will then use explosive rounds to finish off any pop-ups that might be waiting for us at the start of the tree line. In most Charring Mountain scenarios the most pop-ups are always located in the beginning of the tree line. If we can eliminate those then most of us should be able to make it to the top. All corporals, you will be in charge of eliminating the trees directly in front of your position. Continue to fire until I tell you to stop. Energy rifles only!”

“Do it,” ordered Thomas as he took his energy rifle and aimed at the trunk of a tall tree directly in front of him. He fired and a beam of energy lanced out, striking the tree and after a second cutting through the thick trunk, causing it to tumble to the forest floor. He then picked out another target and fired again. All across the front of the tree line limbs and trunks were falling. Some were on fire, causing the tall brush and overgrowth on the forest floor to begin burning.

“Cease fire!” ordered Lieutenant Adams. “Now, everyone use the remaining explosive rounds in your explosive launchers. Fire them into the beginning of the tree line and then back for forty meters. That should clear out all the pop-ups in that region.”

All the Marines began firing and a serious of grenade-like explosions rumbled through the trees, throwing dirt and fragments of branches up into the air. After about two minutes of firing the Marines ran out of explosive rounds.

“Move forward,” ordered Lieutenant Adams.

“What!” said Brian. “But the forest is on fire!”

Thomas had to grin. Brian should have paid more attention in their briefings about the battlesuits. “The suits are nearly impervious to fire. Activate the special filters in our helmets and we should be able to see just fine. Keep spread out and watch for any pop-ups that might have survived. So far this has been way too easy.”

“Think we’re walking into a trap?” asked Kinsley.

Thomas nodded. “Most likely. I imagine Major Reed knew some of what Lieutenant Adams would do to get us to the top of Charring Mountain. So far the lieutenant has demonstrated how to clear out pop-up weapons, something we will find useful in actual combat. However, I still suspect we’re not supposed to make it to the top of this infernal mountain.”

“So we’re still going to get stunned,” said Leah with a deep sigh. “I was hoping to make it to the top this time.”

“We may,” replied Thomas. “We just need to see what other tricks the lieutenant has as we get up higher.”

Thomas signaled his squad and into the tree line they went. The smoke was thick and in some areas fires were raging. It was difficult to keep track of one another even with the advanced equipment of their suits. Thomas had the hearing of his suit turned up and he paused as he heard the unmistakable sound of a stunner going off. Somewhere nearby there was still an active pop-up weapon.

“Everyone beware, there are still a few active pop-ups hidden in the trees,” said Lieutenant Adams over the platoon comm frequency.

Thomas thought he heard someone cry out in pain and then there was silence. Several explosions suddenly rang out as someone fired an assault rifle loaded with explosive rounds. Almost immediately the sound of the pop-up vanished.

After a few more minutes Lieutenant Adams ordered the four squads to stop their advance. “Now for the interesting part of the drill. I’ve gotten all of you this far and now you will be on your own to get to the top. I’ll leave you to your own initiative as to how you do that.”

Thomas turned to see the lieutenant and the two sergeants heading back down the mountain.

“Damn!” uttered Josh. “I knew this was way too easy.”

“Corporal Coyle, looks like we’re on our own,” said Thomas, calling his fellow corporal over the comm.

‘Yeah, what do you suggest?” Corporal Coyle sounded unsure.

Thomas thought for a moment. “Keep in our staggered formation and continue to advance up the mountain. We’ll stop every twenty meters and sweep the forest in front of us with our energy rifles. There’s no reason we can’t create additional fires and bring more of the forest down to destroy the pop-ups before they can fire on us.”

“You think there’s more?” said Corporal Coyle.

Thomas nodded though he knew she couldn’t see him. “I’m positive of that. I still don’t think we’re supposed to win this scenario. Let’s move out.”

The two squads continued their advance up the mountain, pausing periodically to fire their energy rifles into the trees ahead of them. Occasionally the sound of stunners going off and even explosions could be heard. The smoke and visibility were bad enough that even with the special filters in the helmets it was difficult to keep track of everyone.

Thomas could see his squad through his HUD and by contacting Corporal Coyle, he knew where her squad was. He had tried to contact the other two squads but other than some static and a voice he couldn’t quite understand he had no idea where they were. They could be ahead of them or even behind them.

The two squads continued their slow advance up the mountain, most of the time walking through smoke and burning trees. Several times tree trunks fell over, nearly landing on several Marines. At last they reached the area where the trees became smaller and with a large patch of boulders going up to the summit. Thomas called a halt and waited for everyone to catch up.

At this height the smoke was less and the fires were far fewer.

Thomas waited and was surprised to find he still had his entire squad as did Corporal Coyle. No one from the other two squads had put in an appearance. This confused Thomas as he did not see how stunners could have taken out the other two squads without him knowing about it.

“We’ll wait here another few minutes to see if anyone else shows up,” he ordered. “Then we’ll advance to the beginning of the boulder field and see what we can do about reaching the top of the mountain.”

They waited expectantly for the other two squads but after a several minutes it was obvious they were not going to show up. “Let’s go,” ordered Thomas, moving carefully through the smaller trees. “Find a large boulder and get behind it. We’ll use them for protection until we decide what to do.”

It took a few minutes as the two squads took their time moving through the small trees. Surprisingly not a single pop-up appeared. Finally they reached the field of boulders and took cover behind the larger ones.

“Well, we’ve been here before,” said Brian. “That didn’t work out so well last time.”

“Do we go one at a time?” asked Juan. “There are enough of us this time that we should be able to eliminate all the pop-ups when they try to take out the first two or three of us.”

Thomas shook his head. “No, I want both squads to make it to the top.” Thomas spent some time studying the boulder-strewn slope as well as the parts of the summit he could see. “Corporal Coyle, do you have any suggestions about what to do now?” Thomas was open to ideas from his fellow corporal if she had any.

“I don’t know, Thomas. We could try firing our rifles with explosive rounds toward the top of the summit. That’s where the pop-ups were the last time.”

Thomas considered this. He realized now why Lieutenant Adams had made them use all the explosive rounds in their explosive launchers earlier. Now they would have to use a little ingenuity. Looking at the boulder covered slope Thomas had an idea. It would be a little dangerous but their battlesuits should keep them safe.

“I want everyone with rifles that fire explosive rounds to target the area about five meters below the summit. There’s a lot of small loose rocks and gravel there; we may be able jar it loose and cause some landslides. If we can that should ensure any pop-ups hidden in the boulder field are taken care of.”

“We’ll bury them!” said Leah enthusiastically. “That’s a lot better than being stunned.”

A few moments passed and then Corporal Coyle spoke. “We’re ready, just give the order.”

“Fire!” ordered Thomas.

Instantly at the top of the slope near the summit a series of grenade-like explosions began blasting the ground. A few small rocks and some dirt began sliding down, dislodging other small rocks, boulders, and dirt. More explosions dislodged even more and soon a major portion of the slope was moving.

“Hold your fire and be prepared to jump out of the way if the big boulders you’re hiding behind begin to move.” Thomas was a little concerned about the damage a big boulder rolling over a battlesuit could do.

More rocks and even some of the larger boulders were moving now. The air became filled with dust and the roar of a major landslide. The boulder Thomas was behind began to shake as the landslide moved around it. Fortunately the boulder stayed put and after a few more minutes everything stopped moving again. Thomas stepped out from behind the boulder so he could see better. “Everyone check in.”

While all of his squad’s icons still showed green in his HUD, he wanted to make sure no one had been buried by the rock-slide.

“I’ve got one Marine down,” reported Corporal Coyle. “Private Stout has a broken arm and possibly a broken leg. His suit is administering nanites but he won’t be of any help in the rest of this.”

“The hell I won’t,” said Stout as he stood up and began to hobble up the slope.

Instantly a number of pop-ups appeared on the summit and began firing at Stout. Thomas and the rest of the Marines quickly returned fire. Thomas heard several Marines yell from being stunned and saw one hit by an explosive round and knocked down the slope several meters. On top of the summit explosive rounds and energy beams quickly took out all of the pop-ups. Looking toward Private Stout, Thomas saw he was lying on the slope, unconscious. That was probably for the best. While Stout had a habit of getting in trouble with his mouth he didn’t lack in courage. Everyone else seemed to be nearly recovered from being hit.

“Let’s move,” ordered Thomas as he began making his way up the slope toward the summit.

“Do you think we got all of them?” asked Brian.

“All those in this area,” replied Thomas. “I’m sure there are more on top of the mountain. This isn’t over yet.” Thomas wondered what awaited them on the plateau of Charring Mountain. He had a strong suspicion the worst was still ahead.

-

The two squads made it to the summit and stopped, gazing at the destroyed pop-ups. Twisted pieces of metal were scattered everywhere. The two squads took cover, looking over the summit at the large flat surface with the pedestal in the middle with six screens. Just touching one of them would mean victory.

“There are eleven of us,” said Leah. “Surely if we all make a run for the pedestal at least one of us should make it.”

“No,” answered Kinsley. “Last time when I tried that the pop-ups waited until I reached the pedestal and was halfway up those steps before they stunned me. I promise you if we all make a run for it none of us will make it.”

Thomas spent some time examining the ground on the small plateau. Nowhere were there any signs of the earth being disturbed. “Everyone with rifles that fire explosive rounds start firing on the ground between us and the pedestal. Be careful not to hit the pedestal. If we accidentally destroy it we can’t win. Everyone else use your energy rifles to sweep the ground. Maybe we’ll get lucky and take out a few of the pop-ups.”

The eleven Marines quickly began firing. The entire half of the plateau nearest them erupted in explosions and the ground was further torn up by beams from their energy rifles.

“I’m out of ammo,” said Brian, shaking his rifle.

“Me too,” said Kinsley.

“My energy rifles stopped firing,” said Leah. “Its charge is depleted.”

“Hold your fire,” ordered Thomas. He didn’t want to deplete all of their explosive rounds and energy rifles.

“What now?” asked Corporal Coyle. “I can’t tell from my sensors whether we took out any pop-ups or not.”

“No choice but to try to reach the pedestal,” said Thomas. “We’ll increase the distance between each Marine and move slowly toward the pedestal. Those with weapons still functioning will have to take out any pop-ups that appear.”

“Why don’t those of us without ammo or who have depleted energy rifles move out first,” suggested corporal Coyle. “We can act as decoys for the ones who still have functioning weapons.”

“Damn, I’m getting stunned again,” said Leah dejectedly.

“Good idea,” said Thomas. “We’ll implement Corporal Coyle’s suggestion immediately. If the rest of us are fast enough maybe no one will get stunned. Let’s move out.”

The two squads began moving across the plateau toward the waiting pedestal. They had only gone a few meters when half a dozen pop-ups appeared and began firing. Three Marines were stunned and knocked unconscious before the pop-ups were eliminated. Leah was one of those lying on the ground.

Thomas let out a deep breath. He knew he would hear it from her when this was over. “Keep going.”

As they moved across the plateau more pop-ups appeared. By the time they reached the pedestal only Thomas and Brian remained.

Thomas looked down at his energy rifle. The charge was showing way in the yellow. He probably only had one or two more shots left.

“Let me go up first,” suggested Brian. “That’s how Kinsley got stunned. If any pop-ups appear you can take them out.”

“You just want to be the first one to touch one of those screens,” teased Thomas, grinning.

“Maybe,” replied Brian. “Somehow, I don’t think that will happen.” With that Brian took three steps up the pedestal and four pop-ups promptly rose up and stunned him, causing him to fall back down the steps to collapse at Thomas’s feet.

Thomas instantly swung his energy rifle in an arc melting all four of the pop-ups. The charge level on his rifle started blinking red. It was now useless. Thomas dropped the rifle and turning ran up the steps. As soon as he reached the top of the pedestal two pop-ups rose up and promptly stunned him. As he was falling he used all of his willpower to reach out and slap his right hand against one of the screens.

-

“Damn!” said Major Reed, shaking his head. “I can’t believe he did that.”

“Just like his father,” said Lieutenant Adams impressed. “I think I found our sergeant for the platoon.” She had ordered the other two squads to go back down the mountain leaving Corporal Thomas and Corporal Coyle no other support. She had been curious how they would respond.

Reed leaned back shaking his head. “I’m not sure how to list this. They wouldn’t have made it so far if you hadn’t shown them how.”

“I have a suspicion Corporal Nelson would have figured it out eventually.”

Major Reed let out a deep breath. “You’re probably right. This will go down as a new record for reaching the top of Charring Mountain. By tomorrow everyone on Centerpoint will know a new record’s been set and by who.” Reed looked over at Lieutenant Adams. “Now what will you do with them?”

“Finish their training and then take them out to kill some Kleese. We still have a long war ahead of us and we need Marines like these.”

Sue looked at the viewscreens showing all of the stunned Marines. Already personnel in other battlesuits were moving up the mountain to pick them up and bring them back down. With sadness Sue wondered how many of these brave Marine recruits would still be alive a year from now. She knew some of them would lose their lives battling the Kleese.

Chapter Nine

Admiral Kelly was meeting with Rear Admiral Blair, Rear Admiral Haden, General Timmons, General Wade Nelson, and Marken. Nelson and Marken had been summoned to Centerpoint for this emergency meeting.

“All of you have received the summary of the report by Commander Smith of finding the Zaltule on her exploratory mission,” Kelly started off.

Wade shook his head. “I was hoping we wouldn’t hear from them again. After the defeat they suffered here in the Solar System and what the Kleese did to the Zaltule Queens I believed we had seen the last of them.”

“Unfortunately it doesn’t seem so.” Kelly looked at the assembled group of military leaders. “The Alliance has received rumors the Kleese are excavating the sites where the Zaltule Queens were supposedly killed. It seems now there is a good possibility one or more Queens escaped.”

Marken looked deeply concerned. “The Zaltule are more of a danger than the Kleese. From what I read in the report, it’s clear they are building up their strength and in my opinion will someday return to destroy us as well as take over the Kleese Empire. From the report Commander Smith made I’m certain at least one Zaltule Queen survived.”

Kelly slowly nodded his head. “That’s what we’ve concluded as well. The question is what have they been able to build over the last thirty years?”

Wade looked steadily at Kelly. “We know they took a new and heavily armed trading station with them as well as several thousand warships. The station is capable of building nearly anything the Zaltule want. It would give them a massive industrial base to rebuild from. If they have one or more Queens they could have easily greatly increased their numbers. We could be facing a massive Zaltule fleet.”

Everyone was quiet as they contemplated what that might mean.

“Is there a solution to our problem?” asked Kelly. “We’re looking at fighting a war on two fronts. That’s not a winning situation.”

“We need to take out the Zaltule Queens,” said Wade, leaning forward and placing his hands on the conference table. “If we can kill their Queens the Zaltule will have no reason for their continued existence.”

“Impossible!” said Rear Admiral Blair, shaking his head. “We don’t even know what planet their Queens are on and even if we did, they’re bound to be heavily defended.”

Wade felt his shoulders tense up. There was a way to do this but it would be highly dangerous. “We use a surgical raid. We jump a fleet into orbit above the planet or planets where their Queens are located and land Marines to take them out.”

General Timmons face turned pale. “There’s a good chance we would lose all or most of those Marines. It would be a one way mission.”

Wade shook his head. “Not if we use our fleets to hold the space above the targets. It would be a viscous battle but we should be able to hold out for a few hours while the Marines do their job. The Zaltule will not be expecting an attack and it might take them a while to rally sufficient forces to take on our fleet.”

Admiral Kelly was thinking about what would be needed. “We can’t risk too many of our heavy battlecruisers in such an attack. If we did this it would have to be done primarily by assault ships and our lighter units.”

“We’ll need sufficient heavy units to hold the orbital space above our Marines,” pointed out Wade.”

“We need more ships,” said Rear Admiral Blair.

“I would suggest we speak to our alien allies here in the Solar System,” said Wade. “Several of them have sizable fleets. We also need to get the Alliance involved.”

“I can speak to them,” said Kelly. “Though the Alliance at the moment is heavily involved in taking the planets back the Kleese seem to be abandoning. I’m not sure how much help we can count on.”

“We need to find where the Zaltule Queen or Queens are,” added Rear Admiral Haden. “All of this is useless unless we know where their new homeworld or worlds are.”

“How many Zaltule are we looking at?” asked Wade, looking over at Marken.

Marken sighed with a look of deep concern in his eyes. “Millions. One Queen is capable of producing thousands of eggs every few months. They are also capable of modifying their eggs to produce more Queens.”

“This is sounding more like a nightmare all the time,” muttered General Timmons. “Zaltule warriors will have battlesuits possibly as good as ours. If we have to fight our way into the Queens’ chambers we’re going to lose a lot of good people. This is going to be a difficult mission to plan.”

“I don’t see where we have any choice,” said Wade. “The longer we wait the more powerful the Zaltule will become.”

Kelly leaned back and then spoke. “We can send Commander Smith back to the region again to do a more complete survey. We’ll give her a bigger fleet this time as she many have a large area to search.”

“I propose we do that,” said Wade. “We can go ahead and set everything in motion but wait for her return before we finalize anything.”

“This is going to be extremely dangerous,” said General Timmons. “We may be looking at a very low possibility of success.”

Marken looked at the assembled group of military leaders. “I don’t believe we have a choice. If the Zaltule return they won’t make the same mistakes as last time.”

Admiral Kelly took in a deep breath. “We’ll send Commander Smith back to the region where she encountered the Zaltule as soon as we can get her ships ready. In the meantime, General Timmons, you need to get a Marine force ready. This needs to be volunteers only and they must understand the dangers of this mission. They need to know there’s a good chance none of them will be coming back.”

Wade grew a little concerned. He knew Thomas was currently training in the new Type Nine battlesuits. There was a good chance he might be included in this mission. It was something he needed to mention to Ryan.

-

Supreme Overlord Xatul stood before the Kleese Council of Overlords with disturbing news. “It has been confirmed by intercepted messages from the Alliance that the Humans have found the Zaltule.”

“What!” uttered Overlord Bixutl. “Where?”

“Out beyond explored space. A Human exploration vessel encountered several Zaltule battlecruisers in a conquered system. Even worse I only received word this morning that the Zaltule attacked the Zadole System before engaging a Human warfleet. The Zaltule withdrew and their fleet hasn’t been spotted since.”

“So one or more Queens did survive,” said Overlord Syndat, turning his multifaceted eyes toward Overlord Bixutl.

“It is so,” responded Bixutl. “Our excavations at the sites of the Zaltules’ former hives indicate as many as three young Queens might have escaped.”

Overlord Raluth shook his head back and forth. “They will come for us. As soon as they’ve built up their strength they will attack the Empire. Only this time they will kill us all.”

“We still have sufficient battlecruisers and assault ships to protect our homeworlds,” pointed out Supreme Overlord Xatul. “I would suggest we pull the remaining trading stations all the way back to our primary worlds and greatly reduce the size of the Empire. We can call a truce between us and the Alliance.”

“A truce with inferior races!” uttered Overlord Martule, harshly. “They should be serving us. We are meant to be their rulers.”

Supreme Overlord Xatul starred coldly at Martule. “If we don’t pull back and stop our ship losses we will have no Empire to defend. The Alliance will weaken us sufficiently for the Zaltule to overrun our homeworlds.”

The other Kleese stood quietly, the only sound being the rustling of their feet against the cold floor of the Council Hall.

“What do you propose?” asked Overlord Raluth. “If we pull back too far we risk encouraging the Strell to attack the parts of our Empire nearest them.”

“We will maintain control of that part of our Empire. We will only pull back from the sectors where the Alliance is and the worlds they are attempting to take from us. We will keep control of all alien worlds in Sector One. Some of those are necessary for the production of parts for our warships. We will also sign trade agreements with all nonaligned worlds in the sectors we are withdrawing from to secure future trade of items we may need against the Zaltule. In addition we will procure agreements for the safe passage of our ships to those worlds.”

Overlord Martule did not look pleased. “What you are proposing will reduce the Empire to 60 percent of its current size.”

“It is necessary,” said Overlord Bixutl. “Supreme Overlord Xatul is correct. If we fail to take the appropriate action the Zaltule will come to our homeworlds and bomb us out of existence. After what we did to their Queens they will want us destroyed. There will be a new Empire but it will be an Empire of the Zaltule.”

“Then we have no choice,” said Overlord Martule.

“For now,” replied Supreme Overlord Xatul. “Perhaps someday after the Zaltule have been dealt with we can reestablish our Empire.”

-

Commander Bree Smith looked at the primary viewscreen watching Centerpoint Station gradually shrink as the Sundance pulled away.

“Back to Zaltule space,” said Second Officer Newman, sounding disgruntled. “This time they will be looking for us.”

“We have a larger fleet this time,” said Bree. Looking at the tactical display, she could see the standard battlecruisers Newcrest and Lisbon as well as the four light cruisers providing escort. It was enough to take on a Zaltule battlecruiser but just barely.

Newman glanced at the tactical display. “I just hope we don’t need them.”

“We have a large area of space to search,” replied Bree. “How many star systems do the Lenox control and where are the worlds the Zaltule inhabit? We know they took a new trading station with them. It has to be found as well.”

“Do we have a plan?”

Bree nodded. “We’ll return to Lenox Prime and monitor the system. Perhaps by monitoring incoming and outgoing traffic we can better pinpoint where we need to look.”

“How long will we be gone?”

“As long as necessary,” answered Bree. “We’re not to come back until we know where the Zaltule are located.”

“We’ve cleared the outer markers,” reported Lieutenant Stover. “We can enter Fold Space at any time.”

Bree folded her arms across her chest. Her eyes wandered to the viewscreen showing Earth. She was pleased to see a few breaks in the clouds. She could actually see parts of the Atlantic Ocean. “Contact Fleet Command and inform them we’ll be entering Fold Space shortly.”

“Message sent,” replied Lieutenant Pierce. “Admiral Kelly wishes us the best of luck in our explorations.”

“We’re going to need some luck,” said Second Officer Newman.

“All ships, prepare to enter Fold Space,” ordered Bree over the fleet comm channel. “Maintain standard Fold Space spacing. We have a long journey ahead of us but with a little luck we’ll complete our mission and return home safely. We’ll enter Fold Space in five minutes.”

-

In Centerpoint Station Admiral Kelly stood in the Command Center watching the seven ships of Commander Smith’s fleet. He wondered what they would find. He hoped the Zaltule weren’t as big a threat as he feared.

“They’re about to enter Fold Space,” reported Major Moore.

“So it begins,” said General Timmons.

Kelly turned toward the general. “While they’re gone we need to prepare the fleet we’re going to send to try to destroy the Zaltule. I’m meeting with the Alliance Council in a few days to apprise them of what’s occurred. I’m going to ask they provide some warships.”

“Do you think they will?”

Kelly nodded. “Yes, I’m just not sure how many. We can’t afford to let our defenses against the Kleese down. If we pull back too many ships they might be tempted to launch an offensive. The Alliance is also involved in a pretty good-sized offensive at the moment.”

“Maybe we should encourage the Zaltule to attack the Kleese.”

“Not a bad idea except we’re between the Zaltule and the Kleese. I have a suspicion they would hit us and the Alliance first.”

Timmons looked at the primary viewscreen showing the seven ships of Commander Smith’s fleet. “Are we doing anything to detect the Zaltule if they send a warfleet toward us?”

“Yes, I’ve sent out some assault ships and they’ve set up a picket line between us and the Zaltule. If they come we’ll have a few days’ warning.”

Timmons glanced at some other screens showing different areas of Centerpoint. “I suggest we move the two trading stations to Condition Three; that will put Marines in all the high security areas. It will also station companies of Marines in specific locations so they can rapidly respond to any attack.”

Admiral Kelly disliked doing this. It had been years since either of the two stations had taken this step. However, the two trading stations were so large it took time, even with the trams, to move troops to where they were needed. “Go ahead. I’m also going to double the number of assault ships we have on patrol in the Solar System.”

“Should we call up the reserves?” These were people who had retired or recently finished their stint in the military.

“No, not yet. Let’s wait until we hear back from Commander Smith. No point in panicking the entire Solar System.”

The Sundance and its fleet are entering Fold Space,” reported Major Moore.

Looking back at the main viewscreen, Admiral Kelly thought he could see a shimmer around the Sundance and then it vanished as it made the transition into Fold Space. He leaned back in his command chair, a concerned look on his face. He had hoped the war against the Zaltule was over; now it looked as if it might be starting all over again.

-

War Overlord Tetus listened to the report from Minor Overlord Lazorth of what he had encountered in the Empire. He was gravely concerned the Kleese seemed to be losing the war against the Alliance. In one respect he was not surprised as his distant cousins had proven their weakness in the past. The Kleese allowed sub-races to help operate their ships and even hold important positions in the Empire. This went against everything the Zaltule believed in. The sub races were meant for only one purpose and that was to serve the Zaltule. There were no members of the races the Zaltule had conquered on any Zaltule warship or serving as armed conscripts. The Zaltule would do their own fighting. Sub races were used in the shipyards and even on board the trading station to perform tasks beneath a Zaltules’ station.

With him were the three Overlords responsible for the nests of the three Senior Queens on the planet. “What is the status of our Queens?”

“They are content with the progress of the nests,” replied Overlord Vaxdol. “The nests have sufficient food and the Queens’ chambers are as comfortable as possible. In the three nests combined we have nearly four hundred thousand Zaltule warriors maturing. They will be ready for combat in another seven months.”

“What about the younger Queens?” Over the years twenty more Queens had been hatched. They served the older Queens and were capable of producing more Zaltule warriors upon demand.

“They obey the older Queens and serve the nests,” replied Vaxdol.

“The defenses around the nests?” Tetus had no intention of these nests being destroyed by antimatter bombardment like the ones in the Empire had been.

“As powerful as we could make them. We can shoot down any missile we detect and the approaches to the nests are all heavily guarded by pop-up weapons and Zaltule Warriors. The chambers the Queens live in are the strongest we could build. Not even an antimatter weapon could damage the chambers.”

This satisfied Military Overlord Tetus. In the beginning he wanted to place the Queens on three different worlds but by having them all on one it allowed him to concentrate his defenses to ensure nothing could threaten them.

“Overlord Barral, what is our current ship strength?” There were four large shipyards orbiting Warmik as well as the heavily armed trading station.

Barral swiveled his triangular shaped head toward Tetus. Barrel was Tetus’s second in command. He was also a survivor of the battle in the Humans’ home system.

“We currently have 5,274 Zaltule battlecruisers and 8,255 assault ships which are combat capable.” Originally they had brought seventeen hundred Kleese battlecruisers with them but all of those had been refurbished and updated to become Zaltule battlecruisers.

Military Overlord Tetus thought about this. His goal had been to have ten thousand Zaltule battlecruisers before he returned to the Empire. But if he waited too long instead of the Empire, he would have to face the Humans and the Alliance, which was steadily growing stronger with every world they took back from the Kleese.

“What about the systems we control?”

“The sub-races are obedient,” replied Overlord Barral. “They are providing the necessary resources to build our new fleet.”

“Double the number of battlecruisers we have patrolling each one,” ordered Tetus. “I also need a picket line of assault ships stationed one hundred and twenty light years toward the Empire. I want to know if any more Human ships come this way.”

Barral’s multifaceted eyes grew larger. “That will take several hundred assault ships and even those may not be enough.”

“Double it if necessary,” said Tetus coldly. “We must not let the Humans take us by surprise again.”

“You think they will return?”

Tetus folded his massive arms over his dark chest. “I am certain of it. Discovering we still exist will have frightened them. They will want to know what we control and how many ships we have. When they do return I intend to destroy their vessels. They will not escape with the tactical information they seek.”

“When do we return to the Empire?” asked Barral.

This was something Tetus had already been considering. “We need to know more. I want you to lead a fleet to test the strength of the Alliance as well as the Empire. If we are satisfied of their weakness we will launch the invasion of Alliance space and the Empire within the year.”

“How many vessels will be under my command?”

Tetus did not want to risk too much of his fleet in this endeavor but it had to be a sufficient force so he could find out what his main fleet would be up against. “Eighty battlecruisers and two hundred assault ships. That should be sufficient to discover what is necessary. You are to enter Alliance space and attack several of their worlds, engaging the fleets which protect them. That will tell us of any new weapon developments as well as the strength of their ships. Once you have done that proceed to the Empire and engage some of their exploration vessels as well as several Kleese battlecruisers. I must know if there have been any new developments there as well.” Tetus was deeply concerned he didn’t have the ships to defeat both the Alliance and the Kleese. Then of course there were the Humans as well. By the Humans stumbling across the Lenox System they had endangered the time he had planned to use to build up the Zaltule fleet to an unstoppable size.

Barral stood silently for several minutes contemplating his new command. He had commanded much larger fleets in the past. “The fleet you have assigned to me should be sufficient to achieve the desired goal. When do we leave?”

“Ten days,” replied Tetus. “That will give you sufficient time to check the ships as well as make sure they are properly supplied.”

Barral was preparing to leave when he paused and turned back to Military Commander Tetus. “Since the Humans found the Lenox System it is only logical they will return there to start their search.”

“I have already considered that,” replied Tetus. “I have sent additional ships to the system which will assure the Humans’ destruction if they are foolish enough to return there.”

-

The Sundance and her fleet were rapidly nearing the star system where they had discovered the Zaltule battlecruisers.

“They may be expecting us,” said Second Officer Newman. “We could be heading into a trap.”

“I agree,” replied Bree, pursing her lips. “That’s why we’ll bring the fleet out of Fold Space a few light years from the Lenox System. We have several probes on board which we can use to monitor the system without endangering the fleet. They’re small enough the Zaltule might not notice them immediately.”

Newman nodded. “That might work. We still run the risk of the Zaltule detecting the FTL communications between us and the probes.”

“That’s a risk we’ll have to take. The chances of the Zaltule detecting our communications with the probes is minimal. However, we will keep the fleet at Condition Two just in case.”

Bree’s eyes shifted to the tactical display, showing the other six ships of her small fleet. She had a lot of firepower in case it was needed. However, these were the Zaltule and they possessed the most powerful warships known. She knew even with the firepower the fleet possessed they wouldn’t last long in a stand up battle if more than one Zaltule battlecruiser was involved. It concerned her deeply that where they were going there might be hundreds, possibly thousands of the deadly ships.

“I want to drop out of Fold Space tomorrow,” Bree said as she considered her options. “I think we need to spend a day doing some battle drills.” This was particularly important as some of the ship commanders in her fleet had never served with her before.

“I’ll see what systems are ahead of us and try to pick out one that would be appropriate,” replied Second Officer Newman.

“Very well,” said Bree. “I’m turning the Command Center over to you. I’m going to go get something to eat and try to get a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow’s going to be a long day. I would suggest you do the same thing in a few hours.”

Bree left the Command Center. After she had her meal she had a few reports to write up. Then she planned on listening to a little music before turning in. As she walked through the ship toward the Officers’ Mess, she smiled to herself seeing how efficiently her crew was performing. She was proud of her crew and would not trade any of them for anyone else. They were like a well-oiled machine: the type of crew she would need if they went into battle.

Chapter Ten

Sergeant Thomas Nelson gazed in the mirror at his new uniform. He had been surprised when Lieutenant Adams called him into her office and offered him the promotion. He had instantly accepted and grinned even wider when he was told Brian was going to be promoted to the rank of corporal.

They had several more weeks of training ahead of them and then they would be going on a short deployment on several alien worlds. There were also rumors going around about a special mission in a few more months, which might require a large number of Marines.

Making sure his uniform was correct he stepped outside his quarters. The squad had a night’s leave and they were all going to the food court to eat. While the food here in the training center was fine there was a far greater variety at the food court.

“Ready?” asked Leah, who was standing with Kinsley waiting for Thomas.

“Your new uniform looks sharp,” said Kinsley, grinning. “Where’s Brian?”

“He’ll be along,” replied Thomas. The girls wore their uniforms as well and both filled them out nicely.

“There he is,” said Leah as Brian came around the corner of the building with Josh and Juan.

Kinsley smiled at Brian and saluted. “Corporal Parker!”

Brian laughed and shook his head. “No, to all of you I’m still Brian except when we’re on duty.”

Thomas nodded. “Let’s go eat. It’s hard telling when we’ll get another night off from training.”

The group quickly exited the training facility and headed to a tram station. The food court was located closer to the center of the station and it was a twenty-minute ride by tram to get there.

-

Arriving at the tram station nearest the food court Thomas and the others quickly walked down one of the large corridors leading to the court. Already they could smell the delicious aromas drifting down the corridor from the different foods being cooked. It made all of them feel even more hungry.

“It’s a good thing the food court is so far away,” said Leah, looking over at Brian. “Someone I know would probably gain a lot of weight.”

Brian frowned and then answered. “My metabolism is too fast. I’ve always been able to eat a lot and not worry about my weight.”

“It was all the wrestling we were doing when we were kids,” replied Thomas as they neared the entrance to the food court. Stepping inside, he saw it was crowded with people, many sitting at tables and others on the comfortable benches, which were everywhere.

“I wouldn’t mind doing a little shopping while we’re here,” said Kinsley, eyeing the shops that started on the far end of the food court.

Brian shook his head. “I want something to eat and a couple of beers. I’ll pass on the shopping.”

“There’s a table,” said Josh, pointing at an empty one nearby. “We can see everything that’s going on from there.”

Occasionally there was some live entertainment and tonight there was a band standing on a stage playing some music that was currently popular.

Everyone sat down and after a few minutes placed their orders. The good think about sitting at the tables, which ran down the center of the court, was you could order from any of the numerous restaurants there.

Thomas noticed Brian had ordered Chinese food, Leah Italian, and Juan, Mexican. Thomas ordered a steak. It was expensive since most of the cattle were currently raised in the underground farms on Vesta and in the large domes on Mars.

“I heard a rumor the Zaltule are back,” said Josh, his face showing concern. A server returned bringing their drinks.

Brian took a deep drink of his beer and grinned. “This tastes great!”

Leah shook her head. “I don’t see how you can drink that stuff. I prefer iced tea or even lemonade.”

“You have to develop a taste for it,” replied Brian. He took another long drink and then sat his bottle down, looking across the food court. He noticed a large number of Marines sitting at tables as well as fleet officers. “Do you really think this rumor about the Zaltule returning is true?”

Thomas took a drink of his coffee and frowned. He didn’t drink coffee often but had been in the mood for it tonight. “I don’t know. Supposedly there have been a lot of meetings of the General Staff over the last few weeks. I’ve even heard Rear Admiral Stinson’s fleet has been recalled. Something seems to be going on though I’m not sure what it is.”

“Let’s not worry about that for now,” said Kinsley. “Let’s enjoy our night out, have some good food and after Leah and I do a little shopping maybe we can go dancing.”

Brian shifted uneasily in his seat. “I’m not a very good dancer,” he said.

Thomas laughed. “He means he’ll step on your feet if you let him lead.”

Leah shifted her eyes to Brian. “You’ll do just fine. I can teach you. Besides, if you step on my feet I’ll hurt you.”

Brian gulped and nodded. The look in her eyes made him realize she was serious.

Looking across the food court, Thomas was surprised to see Lieutenant Adams and Major Reed eating together. They seemed to be having a serious conversation about something. Occasionally he could see the lieutenant shake her head as if she was disagreeing with something the major said. He wondered what they were talking about.

-

“They’re not ready,” said Sue as she glanced down at her plate of pasta. “They will need at least six months of combat before they can be committed to such a mission.”

“One month,” replied Major Reed as he bit into a buttered roll. “As soon as they’ve completed their training we’ll ship them out with Read Admiral Stinson’s fleet. We’ll pick out a couple of the more difficult worlds that need to be pacified.”

Sue leaned back in her chair frowning. She had lost much of her appetite. “Taking Marines into a hive is suicide. They will be facing hundreds, perhaps thousands of Zaltule warriors as well as whatever interior defenses the hives have. Even if they can make it to the Queen’s chamber, it’s doubtful enough of them would be left to make it back to the surface.”

“You don’t have to go with them,” replied Major Reed, putting his half-eaten roll back down. “This mission is voluntary due to its danger.”

“Except for them,” replied Sue, feeling anger over what the major was suggesting.

Major Reed let out a deep sigh. “We need Marines in Type Nine battlesuits if this is to succeed. They have the best chance of making it to the Queens’ chambers.”

“We can’t just nuke them from orbit?”

Major Reed shook his head. “It’s highly doubtful. After what the Kleese did to the rest of the Zaltule Queens the Zaltule have probably dug in deep on the planet, making it impossible to reach the nests with any type of weapon including antimatter. The nests will also be hardened against such an attack.”

Sue took a small bite of her pasta. It didn’t taste nearly as good now as it had earlier. “How many Marines will be involved?”

“Unknown,” replied Major Reed. “Commander Smith is currently heading toward the region of space where she first encountered the Zaltule. We’re hoping she can determine how much territory they control and what world or worlds they are based on. With a little luck we’ll know where their nests are and how many we’re looking at.”

Looking across the food court, Sue noticed Sergeant Nelson as well as several other members of his platoon. She saw how that core group stayed together. If they went on this mission there was a chance none of them would survive.

-

In the Kleese Empire, Supreme Overlord Xatul stood in the Command Center of his updated battlecruiser, the Empire’s Dawn. They were in orbit of the planet Sherlund. It was the home to over ten billion Kleese and also contained the massive shipyard used to construct new trading stations as well as exploration ships. There were fourteen worlds in the system as well as numerous moons. In the distant past there had been several large asteroid fields but those had long since vanished as they were used as resources for massive Kleese construction projects.

The planet Sherlund was the most heavily populated of the three worlds in the system, which had breathable atmospheres. Sherlund was the fourth planet from the K class star. The third and fifth planets had been terraformed to allow the Kleese to move about on the surface of the planets without the aid of breathing devices. All three worlds now held robust populations of Kleese, all dedicated to expanding the Empire and someday dominating the galaxy.

“All goes as planned,” reported Overlord Syndat. “We are building a new trading station similar to the one the Zaltule took. It will be heavily armed and in many ways will be more like a battlestation. It will have construction facilities for both assault ships and battlecruisers.”

This pleased Xatul. It was one thing he had learned from the Zaltule: you must always be prepared for battle. “As soon as it is completed have it moved to the home system. I want it in geostationary orbit above the capital.” This would protect the capital from a Zaltule attack as well as one by the Alliance.

“How is the construction of the new battlecruisers coming?” The new battlecruisers were not quite as large as their Zaltule counterparts but they were still very powerful vessels.

“We have repaired all the damage done to the shipyards as well as the other installations in the system from the original fighting. We currently have six thousand new battlecruisers completed and ready for combat. Their crews are a mixture of Kleese and highly trained conscripts. We also have twelve thousand assault ships ready as well.”

Xatul gazed at the main ship construction yard. It was gigantic, easily measuring over two hundred kilometers across. This was the yard, which built the trading stations for the Empire. Currently its massive construction bay was filled by a nearly completed station. Bright flashes of light indicated where battle armor was being put in place on its hull.

“How much longer until the station is complete?” Xatul was considering making the new station his center of power. With its firepower, it would easily be able to hold a Zaltule warfleet at bay.

Syndat turned his triangular shaped head toward Xatul. “Three more months and it will be finished. We’ll then remove it from the construction bay and move it to the home system.”

“What about the orbital defenses in the system?” Sherlund was too important to allow its space infrastructure to be damaged or the surface of the three inhabited planets in the system to be bombed.

“All in place,” replied Syndat. “We’ve made the system as secure as possible.”

Xatul gazed at the huge shipyard. “As soon as the new station is done I want one of the older ones brought in and updated. I would like to see one of these newer type stations above each of our inhabited worlds.”

Syndat was silent as he contemplated how long it would take to modify and update a trading station. “It will take two years for each station and that is if we work nonstop.”

Xatul nodded. “See to it. We must ensure the heart of our Empire is secure from attack. When that is done then we may move against the Alliance and the Humans.”

Syndat nodded. “Are you still going to seek a truce with the Alliance?”

“I think we must,” replied Xatul. “The Zaltule are too big of a threat and the Alliance grows stronger every year. If we turn over the outer regions of our Empire to them it will stretch their resources, perhaps enough to substantially weaken them.”

“A strategy, then,” replied Syndat approvingly.

“Of course,” answered Xatul coldly. “All races in this galaxy should serve the Kleese. We are the most powerful and intelligent race. The truce with the Alliance will only last for a few years. It will allow us to consolidate our power and when the time is right we will strike all of the Alliance’s primary worlds simultaneously. In just a few days from the start of our attack the Alliance will be no more.”

“And the Humans?”

Xatul didn’t want it to show but he was greatly concerned about the Humans. They had developed some type of super weapon that had destroyed War Overlord Harmock’s fleet. Since the Humans only controlled one system perhaps it would be best to quarantine that system. “We will deal with them when the time comes. First we must deal with the Zaltule and once that has been accomplished we can finish off the Alliance.”

Xatul spent a few more moments gazing at the new trading station. “I want to go on board the station and inspect it. I will be making a proposal to the Council of Overlords that we move to the station once it is in orbit of the homeworld. It will be much more secure than the city.”

Xatul was deeply concerned about the Zaltule. There was no doubt they would mark all of the Kleese Overlords as primary targets when they returned.

-

On Centerpoint Thomas was busy directing his four squads as they went up Charring Mountain. Lieutenant Adams had informed them they would go up the mountain every other day until their training was completed. Reaching the pedestal on top of the summit and pressing a screen no longer meant that part of the training was over.

“I can’t believe this,” complained Leah. “How many times am I going to get stunned?”

“None if you’re careful,” replied Brian as he blew apart a pop-up, which had just appeared in front of him. Pop-ups were now hidden everywhere and it wasn’t uncommon for ten or fifteen of them to appear at once. They were also buried deeper so destroying them with explosives was much more difficult.

Thomas had his four squads in a staggered formation of two lines with two squads in each line. The Marines were armed with energy rifles and assault rifles that fired explosive rounds. The Marines held their rifles in front of them, swinging them back and forth in a small arc ready to fire. Each Marine had an assigned area to watch and if a pop-up appeared it was their responsibility to destroy it.

Periodically Thomas would call a halt and the two lines would switch places, giving each Marine equal time in the front line. The four corporals in the platoon were responsible for making sure every Marine was doing his or her job. Thomas was determined to get as many as possible to the top of the mountain.

-

“Interesting tactic,” commented Lieutenant Adams. She was in the Control Center with Major Reed watching the platoon attempt their ascent. “By limiting each Marine’s area of responsibility he prevents more than one Marine firing on the same pop-up and does a better job keeping the area in front of them covered.”

“But he’s leaving his two wings open,” pointed out Major Reed.

“Not really,” answered Sue. “See how the two Marines on each of his wings are swinging their weapons in a wider arc covering the area out to about 45 degrees?”

Reed watched and then nodded. “I hadn’t noticed that. We’ll see how that works shortly. I’m getting ready to hit them with twenty pop-ups from three sides. This time there will stunners and explosive rounds as well as smoke rounds. We’ll see how they handle that.”

-

Brian was walking up the slope behind Leah and thinking even in a battlesuit she looked good. He was about to make a comment when something landed nearly at his feet. Looking down he recognized a pop-up smoke canister, which instantly began emitting thick streams of blue smoke. Without hesitation he reached down and picked it up. Turning, he tossed it down the slope.

“Pop-ups!” yelled Thomas over the platoon comm. “Take them out as we’ve practiced.”

There were several explosions throwing up rock and debris, which rained down on the platoon. The buzzing noise of stunners could be heard and the occasional scream of pain. Swearing wasn’t too uncommon as a stunner struck a Marine. The leading members of the platoon were now firing at the pop-ups in their zones of control. Explosive rounds and energy beams were rapidly taking them out. Whenever a stunner knocked one of the Marines down a Marine from the second row stepped forward to take their place. The attack didn’t last long as the pop-ups were rapidly eliminated.

-

Thomas took a deep breath as he checked the platoon icons on his HUD. Two were red indicating the Marines were unconscious from multiple stunner hits. Four more were blinking amber showing they had been hit but were still combat capable. “We’ll stay here for a few minutes until everyone has recovered,” said Thomas. He wanted everyone at 100 percent before they continued moving up the slope. He also needed to adjust his lines to take the two unconscious Marines into account.

-

Brian looked over at Kinsley who was rubbing her shoulder with her armor-encased hand. He knew it wouldn’t do any good but it was an automatic gesture. “Did you get hit?” he asked, stepping over next to her.

“Yeah,” replied Kinsley. “Just once. It still stings like hell.”

Looking around Brian saw others who had obviously been hit. One or two stunner strikes were normally not enough to immobilize a Marine. However once it reached three or more the nervous system tended to shut down to protect the Marine from the pain. Two battlesuits were lying on the ground unmoving, one from Corporal Coyle’s squad and another from Corporal Anderson’s. For the unconscious Marines the suits were set to keep them that way until a command code was sent allowing the suits to administer stimulants to bring the Marines back to consciousness. In some cases for a Marine who had been hit repeatedly, other Marines in battlesuits would ascend the mountain and carry them back down to be treated by medical specialists.

Several minutes passed and Brian heard Thomas’s voice over the platoon comm. “Okay everyone, we’ve waited long enough. Get back in our scrimmage formation and we’ll head for the tree line.”

The squads started moving forward again, keeping their eyes on the ground in front of them.

-

“We’ll that was interesting,” said Major Reed. “At least I took out two of his Marines.”

Lieutenant Adams was watching the numerous viewscreens showing different scenes from Charring Mountain. “I suppose the tree line is full of pop-ups?” This was pretty standard for Charring Mountain.

Reed shook his head. “No. Since you demonstrated how to wreck the forward section of the tree line I pulled them back. I have pop-ups scattered throughout the trees all the way up to the boulder field. I should be able to take out at least half of Sergeant Nelson’s Marines before they reach the boulders.”

“I’m not so certain,” replied Lieutenant Adams. Sergeant Nelson had demonstrated to her he was a born leader as well as being very innovative. “Let’s keep watching.” Sue leaned back trying to get comfortable. It would probably be several hours yet before this scenario was over.

-

Thomas was surprised as they reached the tree line without encountering any more pop-ups. He signaled the squads to come to a halt as he thought about their next move.

“No pop-ups,” said Brian suspiciously. “I wonder what’s going on?”

They had fired a few explosive rounds into the trees trying to elicit a response from any hidden weapons but nothing happened.

“We’ll pull our squads in and continue to advance. I want three marines in the front with energy rifles. The rest will form two columns behind the outer two Marines. The forward three will keep their eyes and sensors peeled for any movement in front of us. Everyone else be aware of movement to the sides of our columns. We’ll advance slowly but we must be prepared for pop-ups at all times. There are bound to be some scattered throughout the forest.”

Thomas wanted to advance on a smaller front. With the thickness of the trees this would put his Marines out of sight of some of the pop-ups, limiting the number that could fire upon the advancing columns. Thomas waited as everyone adjusted to the new formation. “Move forward!” Thomas was directly behind the front three Marines. He was searching everywhere for any signs of pop-ups. He suspected Major Reed still had a few tricks up his sleeve.

-

Major Reed leaned forward, frowning. “I wasn’t expecting that. Over half of the pop-ups I have waiting aren’t going to be able to hit those Marines.”

Lieutenant Adams laughed. “I suspected he would do something different.”

“Well, he may get most of his Marines through the forest but the boulder area is full of pop-ups.”

“He’ll just blow them apart,” said Lieutenant Adams. He has hardly used any of the explosive rounds in his Marines’ back launchers.”

“Damn!” said Major Reed, realizing Lieutenant Adams was right. “It’s possible he’s going to make it to the top with most of his Marines. That’s never been done before this early in training.”

Sue did not reply. The way Sergeant Nelson was outperforming previous training groups only made it more likely his platoon and the others would be going on the raid into Zaltule space. She wished things could be different but war was a harsh reality.

-

Kinsley was now in the front three Marines. As a matter of fact she was in the center and responsible for sweeping the area directly ahead of her. She suddenly sensed movement and a pop-up appeared. It fired instantly and she felt an explosive round detonate against the chest plate of her battlesuit. The round staggered her, nearly causing her to fall. Behind her she heard Thomas’s energy rifle fire and looking back up saw the twisted remains of the pop-up.

“Kinsley, are you okay?” Thomas asked as his armored encased hand reached forward to steady her.”

“I will be. My entire chest hurts like hell.”

 “Private Graham, move forward and take Private Mays’ position in the formation.”

Graham moved quickly and then everyone waited while Kinsley recovered. For nearly five minutes the four squads waited.

“I’m okay,” breathed out Kinsley. She suspected she was going to have a large bruise in the morning. The suit had injected her with some painkillers and she was feeling much better.

“Move forward,” ordered Thomas.

-

The four squads continued through the trees, occasionally stopping to take out more pop-ups. Four more Marines were hit with three knocked unconscious but they finally reached the boulder-strewn slope which stretched to the summit of Charring Mountain. Thomas then used the explosive rounds from the suits’ explosive launchers to clear the boulder area and the top of the summit of pop-ups. When the explosions stopped and they stepped up onto the boulder strewn slope not a single pop-up responded.

-

“Well that tears it,” said Major Reed, shaking his head. “I can’t stop them now. They have enough firepower left to take everything out on top of the mountain.”

Sue smiled to herself as she continued to watch. She saw the remaining Marines stop right before the summit and then use their unexpended explosive rounds to devastate the area around the pedestal. She then watched as they formed two parallel lines and began advancing toward the pedestal, firing at the ground between them and their destination. A few surviving pop-ups rose up but were eliminated before they could fire. In the end she saw Sergeant Nelson gesture toward Private Leah Adams who stepped up on the pedestal and placed her armor-encased hand against one of the screens.

“Over three of his squads made it,” said Major Reed impressed. “I don’t see the point of having them go up Charring anymore.”

“They will,” replied Lieutenant Adams. “We’ll limit the amount of explosive rounds they have and reduce the charge of their energy weapons by half.”

Reed nodded. “That will work. It should make it more interesting next time they attempt Charring.” He looked over at Lieutenant Adams. “When will that be?”

“Day after tomorrow.” Sue replied. “I want them to get a lot of practice on Charring considering where they might have to go eventually.” Sue was going to make the training as difficult as possible hoping it would help the Marines to survive when they went into Zaltule space.

-

Thomas stood grinning at the top of Charring Mountain. He had made it to the top with most of his platoon. Now it was time to go back down, take the suits off, and take a long hot shower.

“What next?” asked Brian as he stepped over next to Thomas.

“I’m sure Lieutenant Adams will have some new twists to throw at us next time,” replied Thomas. “We’ll just have to see if we can outsmart her.”

Thomas was proud of his Marines and how they had reacted to this battle scenario. Thomas walked over to the edge of the plateau and looked down at the training facility. There were three other platoons in training as well as his. Taking a deep breath, he allowed himself to relax. It was time to go back down Charring and prepare for the next day’s drills.

Chapter Eleven

The Sundance dropped out of Fold Space just outside the Lenox System.

“Deploying probes,” reported Second Officer Newman.

From the Sundance a large hatch opened and four small probes exited. They had already been programmed and quickly made the transition into Fold Space. It was hoped due to their small size the Zaltule would not detect them dropping back out of Fold Space in the Lenox System.

“Probes have entered Fold Space,” confirmed Lieutenant Stover.

On the ship’s primary viewscreen, the four probes vanished as they left the area at a speed faster than light.

The Sundance was at the extreme edge of the ship’s sensor range where they could keep an eye on the entire Lenox System. Commander Smith was hoping this would mean the Zaltule would have a difficult time detecting her fleet as long as they didn’t draw attention to themselves.

“All ships have set up in standard defensive formation,” reported Newman.

Bree glanced at the tactical display. The battlecruisers Newcrest and Lisbon were on the flanks of the Sundance with the four light cruisers forming a box around the three heavier ships. “All ships are to hold emissions to a minimum. We may be here for a while. Secure to Condition Three until we start hearing back from the probes.” Bree knew there was a chance the probes might be detected. If they were there was no doubt the Zaltule would begin searching for the Sundance and her fleet immediately.

“Probes should reach their scanning positions in thirty-eight minutes,” reported Lieutenant Stover.

Bree nodded. She knew due to the small size of the probes they traveled a lot slower in Fold Space than a regular spacecraft. Leaning back in her command chair she looked around the Command Center. The crew seemed to be relaxed and doing their jobs efficiently. She was pleased with her crew. It was a good one and one she was not afraid to go into battle with. She just hoped that wasn’t necessary during this mission though she knew there was a good chance eventually the Zaltule would detect her ships.

-

Into the Lenox System the four probes flew. Two of the probes dropped out of Fold Space ten million kilometers from Lenox Prime, the second planet out from the sun. The other two probes dropped out of Fold Space near the third planet, which earlier scans indicated was heavily populated. For several minutes the probes were still as their onboard computers ran diagnostics and then orientated the probes for maximum sensor coverage. Almost simultaneously the sensors on all four probes activated but at a low level. The purpose of the probes was to detect and track incoming and outgoing traffic to the two planets. It was hoped this would allow the crew of the Sundance to calculate the locations of where the ships were going or coming from.

-

Minor Overlord Lazorth studied the latest reports from Lenox Prime. Production of assault ships was on schedule and all supply orders were being filled from the other planets in the Lenox Empire. After his report to Military Overlord Tetus, Lazorth had hoped to be promoted to the rank of full Overlord but so far that had failed to materialize.

“Status of our fleet?” he asked, looking over at the Zaltule in front of the sensor console.

“There are currently six Zaltule battlecruisers in the system including our own,” replied the Zaltule. “In addition there are thirty assault ships on patrol throughout the system.”

This satisfied Lazorth. He fully expected the Humans to return to the Lenox System. When they did, he would be ready for them.

-

The probes rapidly began gathering data and started sending it back to the Sundance. The sensors detected the Zaltule battlecruisers and assault ships as well as numerous other spacecraft. All this information was sent to the Sundance to correlate and determine its significance.

-

Commander Smith watched with interest as the data from the probes came in. So far they had been scanning the system of Lenox Prime for nearly two days. Each day cargo ships and Zaltule vessels entered the system while others left. Based on the ship types it seemed as if there were probably eleven other star systems controlled by the Lenox. The majority of the Zaltule vessels all came and went in the same general direction. Astrogation had reported three stars in that region of space with two of them being capable of supporting life.

“We’ve seen enough,” said Bree, squaring her shoulders. “We’ll be sending the Newcrest and the Lisbon to take quick scans of those star systems we believe are controlled by the Lenox. We’ll take the light cruisers and scan those systems we believe might hold the Zaltule. I want all of our ships to rendezvous in one week.” Bree checked with navigation and chose an appropriate rendezvous site. “Once we’re all back together we’ll compare notes and decide on our next move. Also, all ships are to avoid contact with the Zaltule.” They weren’t here to fight a battle but to gather tactical information.

“Order the probes to head out of the system and then shut down.” It wasn’t practical to recover them. Once they were out of the system the likelihood of the Zaltule finding them was minimal.

-

It was two hundred light years from the Lenox System to the first target star. Even before they reached the system long-range scans detected Zaltule battlecruisers. The four light cruisers had been sent to the other star system that might contain Zaltule. If none were detected the light cruisers were to proceed to the rendezvous point and wait there.

“There is definitely a heavy Zaltule presence in the system,” said Second Officer Newman as he studied the results from the scans. “While we can’t see enough detail from this distance, there is no doubt we are detecting hundreds of Zaltule battlecruisers.”

“Keep the ship at Condition Two until further notice,” ordered Bree as she gazed at the tactical display, which was filling with red threat icons. “Drop us out of Fold Space near the system’s Kuiper Belt. That should shield us from detection.”

“We won’t get accurate scans from there,” warned Newman.

Bree nodded. “I know. I just want to get a general idea of what we’re up against.”

A few minutes later the Sundance dropped out of Fold Space. Instantly the tactical display filled with yellow objects.

“We have a considerable number of Kuiper Belt objects showing up,” reported Lieutenant Stover. “They range in size from a few meters to hundreds of kilometers across.”

On the viewscreen an ice covered orb appeared.

“Take us close to one of the larger ones,” ordered Bree. “It will help to shield us while we send the probes in.”

Second Officer Newman looked with concern at the Commander. “If we send the probes in there’s a good chance they will be detected. There are just too many Zaltule ships in the system.”

“I know,” replied Bree. “But it’s a chance we’ll have to take. It’s the only way we can see if the nests of the Zaltule Queens are on one of the planets. Fleet Admiral Kelly and General Timmons need to know the exact locations so they can plan their assault.”

Newman looked at the main tactical display showing the Zaltule ships. “I don’t see how they can land Marines in this system. There are simply too many enemy ships.”

“That’s not our problem,” replied Bree. “We’re just doing the advanced reconnaissance. Admiral Kelly and General Timmons will have to figure the rest out.”

-

The Sundance maneuvered into the Kuiper Belt, bypassing several ice-covered rocks and larger mountains of what looked like ice. It finally came to a stop next to a large icy object nearly two hundred kilometers in diameter. It was more oblong than round but it would serve to help mask the heavy battlecruiser and the light cruisers.

-

“Is that solid ice?” asked Lieutenant Kamlin Berry.

“No,” replied Lieutenant Stover. “Sensors indicate the ice only goes down several kilometers. There’s a solid rocky surface beneath that.”

Kamlin shivered. Just looking at the icy surface made her feel cold. She was glad she was on the ship and wouldn’t have to set foot on the surface of that ice-covered rock.

-

“We’re in position,” reported Second Officer Newman. “Station-keeping thrusters will keep us just above the ice planetoid.”

“Very well, let’s launch the probes and see what we can find out.” As heavy as the ship traffic was in this system Bree strongly suspected this might be the new home system of the Zaltule.

-

Four probes left the Sundance and quickly made the jump into Fold Space. There were two planets in the liquid water zone with space traffic around each. The heaviest traffic surrounded the second planet in the system, which was the warmer of the two in the habitable zone. Two of the probes headed for that world while the other two traveled toward the other.

It took over seventy minutes for the probes to reach their positions and orientate their sensors so they faced their targets. The probes were only two million kilometers from the two planets and should be able to take detailed images of space around the planets as well as what was on the surface. When all four probes were positioned properly the sensors turned on and they began their scans.

-

“First scans are coming in,” reported Lieutenant Stover. “I’m putting them up on the tactical displays.”

Instantly on the two largest displays two planets appeared surrounded by numerous red threat icons. Five of the icons around the second planet were extremely large.

“What are those five large icons?” asked Bree, her eyes widening. She knew they had to be gigantic to show up as they did.

Lieutenant Stover took a minute to examine the data from the probes’ sensors before he replied. “The largest is a trading station. It’s one hundred and twenty kilometers across and twenty-four kilometers thick. It’s surrounded by a number of Zaltule battlecruisers as well as several hundred assault ships.”

“And the other four red threat icons?”

“Shipyards,” answered Lieutenant Stover. “Each is about thirty kilometers across and four kilometers thick. There are more Zaltule battlecruisers and assault ships around them as well.”

Bree drew in a deep breath. This didn’t sound good. Any assault against this system would result in heavy losses. “I need detailed scans of those four shipyards and particularly the trading station. I want to know what the fleet will be up against if it attacks them.”

Looking at the tactical display, Bree saw more red threat icons appearing every second. With a shudder, she realized there had to be hundreds of Zaltule battlecruisers in the system as well as several thousand assault ships. She didn’t see how the fleet could get through to the planet if they attempted to attack the Zaltule Queens.

-

War Overlord Tetus was on board the trading station, which he considered a battlestation, discussing with the other Overlords what to do about the Kleese and the Alliance. For the time being the Humans would be left alone.

“Overlord Barral will return in a few months with information on the Alliance and our Kleese brethren,” Tetus said in a cold voice devoid of emotion. “At that time we will decide whether to attack and reestablish the Empire under our control or if we need to move further into unexplored space and continue to build up our power.”

“We are the Zaltule!” roared Overlord Vaxdol. “We do not retreat from any inferior race.”

Tetus turned his triangular shaped head toward Vaxdol. “That is what Supreme Military Overlord Harmock initially thought as well. We are all aware of what happened to him and his fleet.”

“The Kleese will not be a problem,” stated Overlord Praveen. “From what Minor Overlord Lazorth reported the Alliance is steadily pushing them back and conquering large sections of the outer Empire. They have grown weak since our departure.”

“Perhaps,” replied Tetus. “However, they still possess a powerful fleet that will have to be dealt with.”

“Military Overlord,” interrupted a Zaltule officer who had just entered the room the Overlords were meeting in. “We have detected unauthorized scans of Warmik as well as Harbinger. We are attempting to locate the source.”

The Humans!” uttered Tetus, turning to the officer. “I want all ships searching for the source of those scans. I will be in the Command Center shortly.”

“The Humans, here?” said Overlord Praveen. “How did they find us?”

“I expected them to return,” answered Tetus as he made for the heavy metal hatch. “No doubt they traced our ships from one of the Lenox Systems. They seek information as to our strength and the locations of our Queens. We must do everything in our power to prevent that from happening.” Tetus felt anger toward the Humans. They were forcing his hand.

-

Commander Smith watched impassively as more data appeared on the tactical displays as well as on several computer screens. It appeared the second and third planets in the system were infested with Zaltule.

“The trading station is heavily armed,” reported Lieutenant Stover. “I would estimate it has four times the firepower of those we’re familiar with.”

“This just gets worse all the time,” muttered Second Officer Newman, shaking his head. “What’s the current ship count?”

Lieutenant Stover checked his data and then turned toward the commander. “Three thousand four hundred Zaltule battlecruisers and over six thousand two hundred assault ships.”

Bree felt her body turn cold. She had not been expecting such large numbers.

“There are probably more ships in other regions of their new Empire,” added Newman.

“Continue to record data and try to find those hives,” ordered Bree. “If any of the probes are located we’ll leave immediately.” She was starting to have a bad feeling about this mission. “Send two of the probes closer to the planets for more detailed scans. If there are hives on either of the two planets I want to know as much as possible about them.”

“I’m ordering two of the probes closer to the planets and they’ll focus on scanning the surface,” replied Lieutenant Stover. “If the hives are on either of those two planets we should be able to detect them.”

-

For several more hours the probes continued to scan the Zaltule System. Two of the probes moved to within one hundred thousand kilometers as sensors probed the surface of both planets, seeking signs of the hives of the Zaltule Queen.

-

“Got one!” called out Lieutenant Stover excitedly. He adjusted the main viewscreen to show the surface of a planet. On the screen was a tall mountain surrounded by defensive emplacements as well as thousands of Zaltule.

“Are you sure?” asked Bree, leaning forward in her command chair.

Stover nodded. “From the energy emissions and as heavy as the defenses are I can’t see it being anything else. There’s also a large entrance big enough for a light cruiser to enter.”

Bree nodded. “Scan the rest of the planet and see if you can find any more hives.”

It didn’t take long now that Stover knew what to look for. Within twenty minutes he found two more.

-

Military Overlord Tetus was in the Command Center of his battlestation. Over the last few hours they had located three of the Human probes. He was certain there was one more and waited impatiently for the announcement of its discovery. Already assault ships had moved discreetly closer to the three known probes in an attempt to trace any communication between the probes and the ship or ships, which had launched them.

“We have detected the fourth probe,” reported the sensor officer in a cold and emotionless voice. “We also have analyzed the communications signals we detected from the probes and determined the location of their mother ship.”

“Show me,” ordered Tetus, shifting his multifaceted eyes to the tactical display.

Four red threat icons appeared and then another far out in space at the very edge of the system.

“They are using an icy planetoid to hide behind,” explained the sensor officer.

Tetus studied the tactical display. “Just one ship?”

“Yes, that’s all we’ve been able to locate. At least that’s the one the probes are communicating with.”

“Contact Minor Military Overlord Breerel. He is to take his task force and destroy that ship. If it escapes into Fold Space he is to follow until he completes its destruction.”

“By your command,” replied the communications officer. “I will send the order immediately.”

“As soon as Minor Military Overlord Breerel makes the transition into Fold Space I want those four probes destroyed.”

Tetus looked around the Command Center. He was a little more cautious and pragmatic than Supreme Military Overlord Harmock had been. “Call up the schematics of the defenses around the hives. I want to be satisfied we have done everything we can to protect the Queens.” Tetus knew without the Queens there would be no Zaltule.

-

On board the Sundance Lieutenant Stover grew suddenly alarmed. “Commander, I believe we have been detected. A fleet of Zaltule battlecruisers and assault ships have entered Fold Space and are headed directly toward our position.”

Bree took in a deep breath. She suspected the Zaltule had located the probes and then traced the communications back to her ship. “Prepare to enter Fold Space. Send a self-destruct order to the probes. As soon as we have confirmed they have been destroyed we’ll leave.”

-

In the Zaltule System the four small probes suddenly exploded as the five-kiloton nukes inside each one detonated, leaving no debris behind.

-

“Take us into Fold Space,” ordered Commander Smith as soon as she was notified of the destruction of the probes. “Set a course for the rendezvous with the rest of the fleet.”

The Sundance quickly moved away from the icy planetoid it had been using for protection and accelerated away toward deep space. When they were far enough away from the planetoid the ship’s Fold Space drive activated and the ship fled the Zaltule system at a speed many times that of light.

-

Military Overlord Tetus was not surprised when the four probes self-destructed and the Human ship went into Fold Space. “Does Breerel have a trace on their direction?”

“Yes,” confirmed the Zaltule at communications. “His fleet will be following at a discreet distance and when the Humans drop out of Fold Space he will move in and attack. The Humans will not escape his grasp.”

Minor Military Overlord Breerel was very efficient and a crafty fleet commander. Tetus was satisfied the Human threat would be annihilated. Turning back to one of the large viewscreens, he began studying the defenses around the three hives on the planet. It was paramount he make sure the Queens were well protected. He also knew it was wise not to underestimate the Humans.

-

The Sundance was well on its way to the rendezvous with the rest of the fleet when Lieutenant Stover noticed a flicker on the long-range sensors. His eyes widened as he adjusted the sensors to give him a clearer reading of what was barely registering at extreme range. “We may have a problem,” he announced, looking over toward the commander. “It appears we have some Zaltule ships following us. I can’t get a clear image of what they are but I believe there are at least several Zaltule battlecruisers and a number of assault ships.”

“Can they be tracking us in Fold Space?” asked Newman, his eyes narrowing sharply.

“Maybe,” replied Bree as she shifted her gaze to one of the tactical displays. “Change our course by twenty degrees and see if they continue to follow.”

The course was changed and after a few minutes Lieutenant Stover confirmed they were still being followed.

“Well that tears it,” said Newman, folding his arms over his chest. “When we drop out of Fold Space we’re going to have a battle to fight.”

Bree quickly considered her options. “How long will it take to gather the rest of the fleet and plot our next set of Fold Space coordinates?”

“Only a couple of minutes but the Zaltule will arrive before we can safely get the fleet into Fold Space and even then they may continue to follow us.”

Bree didn’t like hearing that but knew there was little she could do to change it. “As soon as we drop out of Fold Space send all the data we’ve collected to the other ships. At least that way if one ship of the fleet makes it back to the Solar System the data we’ve gathered will as well.”

Newman nodded. “We still have over twelve hours of travel before we reach the rendezvous coordinates.”

“Make sure everyone gets some rest between now and then. Once we drop out of Fold Space we’re going to be busy.”

-

Minor Military Overlord Breerel was watching the long-range sensors with interest. He suspected the Human ship was going to a star system to rendezvous with more Human ships. When they did he planned on dropping out of Fold Space and englobing the enemy, making it impossible for them to escape. He realized he would have a very small window of opportunity to carry out his plan. Focusing his multifaceted eyes on the tactical display, he could see the twenty battlecruisers and eighty assault ships assigned to his task group. That should be sufficient to carry out what he was planning.

-

Early the next morning Bree made her way back to the Command Center. She had gotten a good eight hours sleep and eaten a hearty breakfast. Now it was time to see if the Zaltule were still following them and to make up a plan of battle, which would allow most of the ships in her small fleet to survive.

Stepping into the Command Center Bree made her way to the command chair and sat down. It was still a little early and only about half of the primary command crew were at their stations. “Status of the Zaltule ships?”

“Still following us,” replied Lieutenant Stover. “I have better readings on the Zaltule fleet. There are at least twelve battlecruisers following us as well as thirty assault ships. There may be more our sensors aren’t picking up.”

Bree leaned back in her chair taking a deep breath. This wasn’t good news. “How long before we can send a message to our fleet?” They did have limited FTL communications while in Fold Space.

“Another two hours,” replied the communications officer.

The fingers of the commander’s right hand tapped the armrest of her chair as she thought of what to do. “As soon as we’re in range, transmit all the data we’ve gathered to the fleet. As soon as they’ve confirmed receiving it they’re to enter Fold Space and head back to the Solar System.”

There was quiet in the Command Center. Everyone knew without the fleet the Sundance would stand little chance of escaping the pursuing Zaltule ships.

“Yes, Commander,” the communications officer replied.

“Are we still going to drop out of Fold Space?” asked Newman.

Bree nodded. “Yes, I want to give our other ships time to get far enough away so the Zaltule can’t detect them. The Zaltule will home in on us and with a little luck will never know the other ships were ever there.”

Newman looked at Bree with a dead serious look in his eyes. “We may not survive.”

“Then we’d better get our Fold Space drive recharged as soon as we can. As soon as we exit Fold Space we’ll go to Condition One and raise our shields. When the Zaltule show up we will hit them with every missile and energy beam we have. We’ll make them regret ever attacking the Sundance.”

-

Four hours later the Sundance dropped out of Fold Space and immediately its defensive energy shield snapped into place. At the same time the ship’s Fold Space drive began recharging. Hatches slid open on missile tubes and all weapons turrets were pointing toward space.

“We’re at Condition One and ready for combat,” reported Second Officer Newman.

“The Zaltule fleet will be dropping out of Fold Space in two minutes and eighteen seconds,” added Lieutenant Stover.

Bree felt her pulse racing. She knew there was a good likelihood her ship and crew would not survive this battle.

“Closing all emergency bulkheads and repair crews have been stationed throughout the ship,” said Newman. “We’re as ready as we can be.”

Bree closed her eyes and said a short prayer. While she was not overly religious, it wasn’t going to hurt. Opening her eyes she gazed at the tactical display. There were more Zaltule ships now showing.

“Enemy force estimated at twenty battlecruisers and eighty assault ships.”

A cold chill ran down Bree’s back. “Can we survive for thirty seconds against that type of firepower?”

Newman shook his head.

“Are there any asteroids or planets nearby?”

“No, but there’s a comet close by,” reported Lieutenant Stover. “It’s less than sixty thousand kilometers distant.”

An idea came to Bree. “Put the Sundance near the comet’s tail. Maybe it will confuse the Zaltule targeting sensors. It just might buy us the time we need to escape.”

The Sundance turned forty degrees and accelerated rapidly toward the comet. The ship was almost there when the Zaltule began dropping out of Fold Space.

“Launch missiles!” ordered Bree, leaning forward. She knew it would take a few seconds for the enemies’ shields to snap into place.

“Missiles launched,” reported Lieutenant Berry as she pressed several icons on her computer screen. “Twenty-four missiles away. New missiles are being loaded into the launch tubes.”

“Fire energy beams!”

-

Space suddenly lit up as multi-megaton explosions slammed into a Zaltule battlecruiser, splitting it in two. Particle beam fire then finished off the battlecruiser, tearing the two burning sections apart. The fires rapidly died as the oxygen was depleted, leaving a wrecked hulk floating in space.

A Zaltule assault ship blew apart as it was hit by the Sundance’s plasma cannon. Then the energy shields of the Zaltule ships snapped into place.

-

“Enemy shields are up,” reported Lieutenant Stover. “Our weapons fire isn’t getting through anymore.”

“Switch our fire to the assault ships,” ordered Bree. “We might still be able to knock a few of them down.”

“We’re nearing the comet’s tail,” reported Newman. “That should shield us partly from enemy fire.” Even as he spoke the Sundance shook violently and alarms began sounding.

“Hull breach in section seventeen,” reported the damage control officer. “We’re venting atmosphere and I’m sealing the section off.”

On the primary viewscreen, another Zaltule assault ship blew apart as several multi-warhead antimatter missiles knocked down its shield.

“Twenty seconds until Fold Space drive is charged,” reported Newman. “Energy shield is down to 47 percent.”

The Sundance shook violently and the sound of tearing metal could be heard. Almost immediately there were several small explosions.

“We’ve taken two fusion beam hits to the hull. We’ve suffered major damage near Engineering and Life Support,” reported the damage control officer. “I’ve sealed off both areas.”

“Are they still operational?” asked Bree concerned. Without Engineering or Life Support they were as good as dead.

“Yes,” replied the damage control officer. “The damage is just outside the compartments. I sealed them off to help protect them. We have several fires burning at the moment.”

Bree looked at the viewscreen. The Sundance was near the comet and hugging the tail without quite entering it. That was preventing the majority of the Zaltule ships from firing upon the ship.

“Ten seconds until Fold Space drive is charged,” reported Newman in a tight voice.

The Sundance shook again and the lights dimmed and then returned to normal. A console exploded in a shower of sparks as a power surge overloaded it. In the distance, Bree thought she could hear someone screaming.

The ship shook again and was rattled by a muffled explosion.

“We have a large hole in the hull at section B14,” reported the damage control officer. “We just lost two KEW turrets and four particle beam turrets.”

The lights in the Command Center dimmed again and stayed dim. Bree looked questionably at Newman.

“We’re losing power,” he replied as he listened to someone over his comm. “We’re switching to auxiliary power.”

“Fold Space drive is charged!” yelled the navigation officer.

“Then get us out of here!” ordered Bree through tight lips.

-

The heavily damaged battlecruiser made the transition into Fold Space and sped away from the scene of the battle, leaving the Zaltule behind.

-

Minor Military Overlord Breerel gazed coldly at the viewscreen, which was now only showing the tail of the comet. The Human ship was gone.

“Do we pursue?” asked the Zaltule at navigation.

“Their ship is heavily damaged,” answered Breerel. “Our last scans indicate a major power loss. It’s doubtful if the ship can make it back to the Humans’ system. “We will return to Warmik and report the success of our mission.” Breerel had been surprised by the power of the Humans’ weapons. He had lost a battlecruiser and two assault ships. True, two of those losses had been due to shields being down after exiting Fold Space. Overall he was satisfied with the battle. It gave him vital tactical information if he ever had to fight the Humans in the future.

-

The Sundance was plodding along at half its normal speed in Fold Space. Repair crews were working throughout the ship.

“We took a lot of damage,” reported Newman. “It will be four or five days before we can restore main power.”

“What about casualties?” Bree knew there had to be quite a few. Her ship had taken too much damage for there not to be.

“One hundred and fifteen confirmed dead and another twenty-seven missing,” replied Newman grim faced. “We have an additional one hundred and eighty who are injured. Forty-two of those are in critical condition. At the moment our med bay is swamped.”

Bree shuddered. That was nearly half of the crew either dead or injured. “Can we make it back?”

“Maybe,” replied Newman. “If the ship holds together. We have some structural issues we may have to attend to. If we hadn’t made the transition into Fold Space when we did we wouldn’t have lasted another ten seconds against that firepower.”

Bree nodded. She knew they had been lucky to escape. She just hoped now they could make it back to the Solar System. However, as severely damaged as the Sundance was, that might not be possible.

Chapter Twelve

Admiral Kelly was in the Command Center of Centerpoint Station when an alarm began sounding.

“We have a problem,” reported Major Moore, looking concerned. “Two of our assault ships we sent to detect a possible Zaltule incursion have detected an inbound Zaltule fleet.”

Admiral Kelly felt a cold chill sweep over him. He walked over to the large sensor console. “How many ships?” He had been afraid this was going to happen. The initial incursion by the Zaltule had been a minor one.

Moore glanced at a data screen and then replied, “Eighty battlecruisers and two hundred assault ships.”

This didn’t sound good. “Do we have a course?”

Moore nodded. “They appear to be heading toward Pradel.”

This surprised Kelly. Pradel was eight hundred and seventy light years from Earth and one of the main worlds of the Alliance. Why would the Zaltule be heading there?

“Is there any sign the Zaltule know they’ve been detected?”

“No, the assault ships were powered down and using passive sensors only. The Zaltule fleet dropped out of Fold Space to take navigation readings before setting a course directly for Pradel.”

Kelly took a few moments to think. At the speed the Zaltule were traveling, it would take them ten to twelve days to reach Pradel. That gave Kelly time to set up a welcoming committee for this fleet of the Zaltule. “Contact Rear Admiral Blair and General Timmons, we have some war plans to make.”

-

Later the three were in Admiral Kelly’s office reviewing the data from the assault ships on the Zaltule fleet.

“Eighty of those damn big battlecruisers,” muttered Rear Admiral Blair, shaking his head. “We can handle the assault ships but I don’t know about the battlecruisers. This could get nasty.”

“The Pradelians’ have a pretty good size defense fleet,” said Admiral Kelly as he checked some information on his computer. “We can also reach out to other Alliance worlds for ships.”

“If we do this how many of our own fleets do we send?” asked General Timmons. He didn’t want to leave the Solar System under defended, not after all the work which had gone into the rebuilding effort.

“Two,” replied Kelly. “Rear Admiral Haden’s fleet and Rear Admiral Stinson’s fleet.”

“Stinson lost a lot of ships in her battle at Zadole Four,” pointed out Rear Admiral Blair. “Her fleets not in shape for another major battle.”

“Yes, she did,” answered Kelly. “However, we’re assigning new ships to her fleet to replace the ones she lost. If we can send two fleets and the Alliance can send some ships, and if you add the Pradelian home system defense fleet we just might be able to take out these Zaltule.”

“What about the Alliance ships here in our system?” asked General Timmons. “Are we going to include any of them?” Timmons was referring to the alien races living in some of the larger asteroids in the system. They had fled to the Solar System to escape the Kleese and the Zaltule years ago.

This was something Kelly had already considered. “We may ask for a few. As you know, the Alliance races living in the asteroids don’t have massive populations. They’ve only built a few new ships over the years and those with our aid.”

“It would be nice to take a third fleet made up of their vessels,” said Rear Admiral Blair. “All of those ships are equipped with different types of weapons.”

“I’ll ask but I don’t want to put any pressure on them. Those fleets are also useful for defending the Solar System.”

Rear Admiral Blair looked thoughtful. “We have ten days to get ready and it will take our fleets eight days just to get to the Pradel System.”

“They’ll leave late tomorrow. I’ve already sent out orders canceling all leaves and calling the crews back to their ships.”

“We’re going to take some losses,” said General Timmons with a concerned frown. “Possibly some pretty big ones.”

Admiral Kelly nodded. “It can’t be helped. Hopefully we’ll have enough ships from the Alliance and Pradel to hold our losses to a minimum. However, these are Zaltule and they know how to fight. We can’t afford to underestimate them.”

“I’ll start the work to get all the ships of both fleets fully supplied. That’s going to take nearly twenty-four hours by itself,” said Rear Admiral Blair.

The group talked for another hour. In the end battle plans were made and it was time to put them into effect.

-

Overlord Barral stood upon the command pedestal with his multifaceted eyes focused on the tactical display. So far his fleet had not encountered any ships in the systems they had stopped in. He was stopping the fleet in uninhabited systems to take star readings for navigational purposes. Unless they stumbled upon a mining operation he didn’t expect his fleet to be discovered before he reached the Pradel System. He had chosen that system to attack as it would have the most current technology available to the Alliance. It was also one of the founding worlds and by attacking it, he would be sending a clear message to the rest of the worlds of the Alliance: none were safe from the wrath of the Zaltule.

Once he knew the capabilities of the ships of the Alliance he would set a course for the Empire. He would like to locate a few Kleese exploration ships as well as battlecruisers. After his fleet had defeated those vessels his mission would be complete. He would take the information back to Military Overlord Tetus for review. Barral knew if Tetus was satisfied with the information about the strengths of Alliance and Kleese vessels then he might very well order a full-scale invasion. Barral wanted to take control of the Empire back from the Kleese. They had demonstrated weakness and if any were allowed to survive they would serve the Zaltule.

-

Rear Admiral Stinson had been placed in overall command of the two fleets as she had previous experience fighting the Zaltule. Her fleet had been greatly reinforced for the upcoming mission. She currently had eight heavy battlecruisers, fourteen standard battlecruisers, twenty light cruisers, and forty assault ships. In addition ships from some of the alien races living in the Solar System had committed some warships as well. There were ten Delton battlecruisers, four Belen battlecruisers, and eight Bashan battlecruisers. It gave her a pretty powerful fleet.

“Have all of our ships been given full loads of the forty-megaton missiles?” These were missiles designed by the Alliance world of Tureen. They had been fitted with MIRV warheads.

“Yes,” replied Commander Hill. “All ships contain full load outs of the missiles.”

Amelia gazed at the viewscreens. One showed Earth which was mostly covered in clouds. At least now most of the cloud layer was white and not the dingy grays and browns of the past. Another showed the Moon and even from here she could see the lights of the massive domes of Luna City.

“All supplies have been loaded and all crew personnel are present,” continued Commander Hill. “Rear Admiral Haden reports his fleet is ready to depart whenever you give the order.”

Amelia nodded. Even Rear Admiral Haden’s fleet had been augmented with extra ships. It was evident Admiral Kelly wanted this Zaltule fleet destroyed. “We’ll depart the system in two hours. I want all ships checked to ensure everything has been loaded. Once we leave there will be no turning back.”

-

Two hours later the two fleets made the transition into Fold Space and set course for Pradel. All the ships of both fleets were heavily armed with the crews knowing they would soon be facing the Zaltule.

-

On Centerpoint Station Admiral Kelly watched as the ships vanished from the viewscreens. This would be a major battle against the Zaltule. If Rear Admiral Stinson could destroy the Zaltule fleet, it might cause the Zaltule to reconsider attacking the Alliance. He hoped that by Commander Smith stumbling across their new Empire it might have forced the Zaltule to react before they were ready. Just maybe, at this moment in time, the Zaltule were vulnerable.

“Increase the patrols in all nearby star systems,” ordered Kelly, looking over at Rear Admiral Blair. “I want to double the number of assault ships we have in those systems. If the Zaltule come for us I want as large a warning as possible.”

Kelly stood looking at the viewscreens. “We should have heard from Commander Smith by now. I’m worried something might have happened to her fleet.”

Commander Smith is an able commander,” replied Rear Admiral Blair. “If anyone can accomplish the mission you sent that fleet on, it’s her.”

“I hope so.” Kelly knew a lot was riding on what Commander Smith discovered. If they could launch a surgical raid and take out the Zaltule Queens then there would be no war against the Zaltule. The Zaltule would simply die out. However, if they couldn’t take out the Queens and the Zaltule attacked there was no guarantee the Alliance and the Solar System could win.

Rear Admiral Blair stepped closer to the admiral and spoke in a lower voice. “What’s this I’m hearing about the Kleese suggesting a truce and pulling back from all space bordering the Alliance? Are they getting tired of the fighting?”

Kelly shook his head. “You heard right but I fear this has to do more with the Zaltule than anything else. I’ve already voiced my concerns to the Alliance Council. It sounds to me as if the Kleese are attempting to consolidate their forces in case the Zaltule attack the Empire.”

Blair frowned with deep wrinkles appearing on his forehead. “This will spread the Alliance forces even thinner. They’ll want more of our Marines to help clear conscripts from the worlds the Kleese are vacating. Do we have them?”

“Not really,” replied Kelly. “We have to keep in mind when Commander Smith returns we’ll be planning a mission to take out the Zaltule Queens. Depending on what she finds that might involve a lot of our available forces. At the moment we can’t afford to commit too many to clearing these new worlds. We had difficulty scraping up the ships we sent with Rear Admiral Stinson due to our previous commitments.”

“I thought we were going to hold back our heavier units when we attack the Zaltule Queens?”

“For the most part,” Kelly replied. “If things go south we must be ready to defend the Solar System. We’ll send sufficient heavy ships to cover the attack but the defense of the Solar System has to be our number one priority.”

Rear Admiral Blair stepped closer to the tactical displays showing all the ships in the system. It was full of several thousand friendly green icons. Many were warships but quite a few were cargo and passenger ships. “What did the Alliance say about sending a fleet to Pradel?”

“They’re sending one; a pretty good sized one. They don’t want Pradel to fall or for the Zaltule to inflict heavy damage to the planets and industry in the system.”

“I just hope the Zaltule don’t change course,” said Blair, folding his arms across his chest as he continued to study the tactical display. “If they do we’re screwed.”

“As long as they don’t think they’ve been detected we should be okay. I have a few assault ships following them at extreme range. If they change course we’ll know.”

-

Thomas was on the firing range practicing with his assault rifle. This particular rifle fired an energy beam and he was becoming quite proficient with it. He was looking through his scope at a target nearly one thousand meters distant. So far he had scored six bullseyes out of eight.

“Not bad shooting,” commented Brian. He was holding his own energy rifle and watching Thomas.

“The girls want to go dancing again tonight,” said Thomas as he fired again and scored another bullseye.

Brian grimaced. “The last time we went dancing I stepped on Leah’s toes. I thought she was going to kill me.”

“But she did keep dancing with you,” said Thomas, grinning. “She may not say it but I think she likes you.”

Brian remained silent. Leah was a girl he was having trouble figuring out. “What about you and Kinsley?”

Thomas put down his rifle, gesturing for Brian to take his place. “We’re just good friends. We enjoy hanging out with each other but that’s it.”

Brian took his place on the firing line and promptly hit two bullseyes. “I’m not sure she feels that way. I see the way she looks at you.”

Thomas didn’t answer as he watched Brian hit the bullseye several more times. At this point in his career he didn’t want to become romantically involved with anyone. However, he knew from his parent’s experience and even his uncle that sometimes things don’t work out quite as you expect.

Thomas watched as Brian hit every single target. “I guess I owe you a beer.”

Brian grinned. “Double or nothing?”

“Sure,” replied Thomas as he stepped back up on the firing line. He sighted down his scope and hit the first two bullseyes before missing. Lieutenant Adams wanted them to become proficient with their weapons without wearing battlesuits. She claimed one could never know what might happen in a combat situation.

-

Kinsley and Leah were standing off to the side watching Brian and Thomas work on their shooting accuracy.

“They’re both pretty good,” said Leah impressed.

Kinsley nodded in agreement. She was starting to develop feelings for Thomas though she had been careful not to voice them to anyone. She suspected Leah was experiencing the same thing with Brian. “Good food and some dancing tonight and then tomorrow we go up Charring again.”

Leah sighed. She had been stunned the last two times they went up the mountain. “We only have a few more weeks of training and then we will be going out on real combat operations. I wonder what that will be like.”

“Just follow our training and we’ll be okay. Between Lieutenant Adams and Thomas they’ll keep us safe.”

Leah shivered slightly. “I’m really concerned about combat. What’s it going to feel like to actually kill someone? I know they’re conscripts indoctrinated by the Kleese but it still doesn’t feel right.”

“It’s something all of us will have to deal with,” replied Kinsley. She had been thinking about this as well. “I think the fact they’re trying to kill us as well will help us accept it. There are also psychologists on all the Marine assault ships to help us get through what we do in combat. I suspect many of us will have some misgivings about what we’re being asked to do after the first few combat drops.”

Leah watched as Brian beat Thomas again. She suspected, knowing Brian, he was betting a beer on each round. “Let’s go get some shooting practice in. We can’t let those two get ahead of us.”

Kinsley grinned. “Let’s go. Maybe we can out-shoot Thomas, I’m not so certain about Brian; he’s really good.”

The two girls moved onto the shooting range toward several empty stations. There were a number of Marines from the different platoons currently on the range practicing their marksmanship.

-

Lieutenant Adams was in the Control Center watching some of the cameras. It was late afternoon and all the Marines were on their free time. This was two hours a day where they could work on any skills they felt needed polishing. Some were working out in their battlesuits and others were on the target range. There were a few instructors available to help with any questions or to work with the trainees.

“They’ve made a lot of progress over the last few weeks,” commented Major Reed. “I’ve spoken to the other officers in charge of the other training centers and they say we’ll be ready.”

Sue shook her head. “Four companies of Marines in Type Nine battlesuits are not going to be enough to take out a Zaltule hive. We have no idea of the defenses they’ll be facing once they enter.”

“It’ll be far more than four companies of Marines,” replied Major Reed. “Fleet Command is suggesting we send one Marine assault ship for each hive Commander Smith discovers.”

Sue looked over at Major Reed. “That’s still just five companies for each hive. We could be facing thousands of heavily armed Zaltule inside those hives. Not only that but the Zaltule will be wearing battlesuits almost as good as ours.”

Major Reed looked thoughtful. ‘I’m open to suggestions if you have any. I have a meeting with Admiral Kelly and General Timmons the day after tomorrow.”

“Let me think about it,” replied Sue. “If we’re going to attempt to take out the Zaltule Queens we can’t afford to screw this up. We’ll only get this one opportunity. If the Zaltule beat back our attack they’ll make the defenses around their Queens impenetrable. We’ll never get a second chance.”

Major Reed shifted his eyes to Lieutenant Adams. “I thought you were opposed to this attack.”

“I am,” replied Sue. “But if my Marines are going to be leading it I want to bring back as many of them as possible. I just need to figure out a way for us to survive inside the hives.” This was something Sue had been thinking about for days. She had several ideas but she wasn’t sure how practical they would be.

Chapter Thirteen

Admiral Kelly was summoned to the Command Center after being informed part of Commander Smith’s fleet had just dropped out of Fold Space.

“Where’s the Sundance?” he asked as he checked the huge tactical display in front of him. He could see the standard battlecruisers and the light cruisers but not the Sundance. The heavy battlecruiser was missing.

“She was being pursued by Zaltule warships and Commander Smith ordered the rest of the fleet to go ahead,” reported Captain Edison from communications where she had been talking to the commanding officer of the battlecruiser Newcrest.

“Damn!” said Kelly, aggravated. “I was hoping she would be able to get the data we need without being detected.”

“She did get the data. She transmitted it to her fleet before ordering them to leave the Sundance behind. The Newcrest is transmitting the data to us now. It’s quite an extensive file.”

Admiral Kelly stared at a viewscreen showing the small fleet making its way toward Centerpoint Station. He hoped the Sundance had survived its encounter with the Zaltule and would eventually make its way back to the Solar System. “Have the information broken down and then sent to my office. I want a meeting of the General Staff in two hours. Let’s hope the Sundance found the Zaltule hives.”

-

Far away from the Solar System, the Sundance was struggling to stay in Fold Space. The damage suffered in the battle with the Zaltule was gradually tearing the ship apart.

“We’re not going to make it,” said Second Officer Newman, shaking his head. “The chief engineer says he might be able to keep the Fold Space drive operating another ten to twelve hours and that’s it.”

“How short will we be from the Solar System?” Bree knew they were still on the edge of unexplored space.

“Six hundred and twelve light years.”

Bree was worried. There were a large number of crewmembers in the med bay who were critical. If they could not make it home many of them would be lost.

“See if we can find a system close by with a habitable world.”

“We can’t land,” pointed out Newman. “The Sundance was never designed to land on a planet.”

“No, but we can crash the ship if necessary. At least some of us might survive.”

Newman was quiet for a long moment. “I hate the thought but it may be the only choice we have.”

“How many Fold Space probes do we have left?”

“Only two.”

“If we can find a planet I want to launch both the probes back to the Solar System with our coordinates. Maybe they’ll make it there and we can eventually be rescued.”

Newman frowned. “The probes aren’t designed to travel that far. The odds of either of them making it isn’t good.”

Bree let out a long sigh. “I know, but at least it will give us hope.”

“I’ll start looking for a planet. We passed several on our initial exploration trip. Maybe we can make it to one of them.” With that Newman headed over to navigation and began talking with the officer there. Soon they were looking over star charts.

Bree looked around at her crew. She was planning to maroon them on a planet with little hope of rescue. They might never see their friends or loved ones again assuming they survived the landing.

-

Admiral Kelly was in his office with Rear Admiral Blair and General Timmons. General Wade Nelson was on one of the viewscreens as well as Marken. In addition Mayor Strong from Luna City and General Alise from Mars were on screens as well. FTL communications eliminated any transmission lag.

“You all have received the reports of the Sundance’s reconnaissance mission. It seems Commander Smith was able to locate three hives of the Zaltule.”

“Are we certain she found all of them?” asked Marken. “It’s a waste of time to attack the hives if we don’t get them all. Just one Queen can keep the Zaltule race viable.”

Kelly nodded. “It appears the Zaltule have colonized only the single star system. The system contains two habitable worlds.”

General Timmons pointed at the report in front of him. “It appears all three hives are heavily fortified. From the readings of the probes they are also deep underground.”

“As to be expected,” said Marken. “After what the Kleese did to the Zaltule Queens in the Empire, the Zaltule will have taken fanatical steps to safeguard their Queens from future attacks.”

“So, we’re looking at three Queens,” said General Alise as she studied the report.

“Not necessarily,” said Marken. “It is possible there are multiple Queens living in those three hives. There will be a primary Queen who controls the hive and her daughters who will obey her every command.”

Rear Admiral Blair shook his head. “Look at the number of ships the Zaltule have in the system. Thousands of battlecruisers and thousands of assault ships. I don’t see any way we can even get a Marine assault ship near the planet.”

“It will be difficult,” agreed General Nelson. “Particularly if we have to hold the orbital space above the hives while the Marines conduct their operations. We could easily be talking about hours. I fear if we do that we might lose the entire fleet.”

General Timmons cleared his throat and then began talking. “We wouldn’t have to hold it for that long if we leave as soon as the Marines enter the hive. The Zaltule will not fire down on their Queens.”

“You mean abandon the Marines on the Zaltules’ new home world?” gasped Rear Admiral Blair. “We can’t do that to our people.”

“What if we land some assault ships?” suggested Wade. “There are several entrances to the hives large enough to park one or two assault ships in.”

“It would be risky,” said Admiral Kelly as he considered the suggestion. “We don’t know how far back those entrances go or how heavily they’re defended.”

“It would at least give our Marines a chance to escape after they complete their mission,” said Wade. “Not only that the weapon batteries on the assault ships might be useful on the surface. They could prevent Zaltule reinforcements from entering the hives.”

“We’re going to have to commit a large number of Marines to this operation and I’m afraid many of them won’t be coming back,” said General Alise. “General Nelson, I understand your nephew is currently undergoing Type Nine battlesuit training. How are you going to feel if he is picked to go on this mission?”

Wade had already thought about this. “We’re at war. I can only trust Thomas will find a way to survive and come back to us. We can ask no less of him than we would of anyone else.”

“I’ll meet with some of my officers and see what forces we will need to commit to succeed with this mission,” said General Timmons. “I want those Marines to come back.”

“We all do,” replied Admiral Kelly. “We’ve already lost too many good people in this war.”

“Has there been any word of the Sundance?” asked Mayor Strong.

Kelly shook his head. “No, and she’s way overdue. I’m afraid we have to consider the ship lost.”

Wade hated hearing this but he had suspected that was the case. “After the Sundance’s mission the Zaltule will be on a higher stage of alert. They may expect some type of response from us.”

“I’m afraid you’re right,” replied Kelly. “That’s why we need to take our time planning this mission and get it right. We’re not going to get a second chance at their hives if we fail the first time.”

The meeting lasted another few minutes and then broke up. There was a lot of planning which needed to be done. Also before any attack on the hives could be launched the Zaltule fleet currently heading for Pradel needed to be dealt with.

-

The Sundance managed to make it to a star system with a habitable planet. They had explored this system several months before. The fourth planet while colder than Earth had a reasonable green belt with several large bodies of water around its equator. A few minutes after the ship dropped out of Fold Space Newman looked over at the commander.

“That’s it. The Fold Space drive is finished. The chief engineer reports we have no way to repair it. Not only that but Life Support is failing. We just have too many critical systems damaged. The main reactor is down and we’re on secondary power. We need to find a place to land in the next eight hours or the ship will become unlivable.”

Commander Smith let out a deep breath. She was doing everything she could to keep her crew alive. “Can we make it to the fourth planet?”

Newman nodded. “The sublight drive is functional but for how long I can’t say. If we’re going to try to set the Sundance down on that planet the sooner the better.”

Bree looked over at the navigation officer. “Set a course and put us in a low orbit. We need to pick a site where we think we can set the ship down.”

“Commander, this ship was not designed to land on a planet,” pointed out the navigation officer, his face turning white.

“I know, we’ll just have to improvise.”

-

It took nearly two hours for the Sundance to reach the planet and go into orbit. The hull, once shiny and new, was now pitted and burned. Several massive and jagged holes were in the hull extending down several decks. Parts of the ship were without power and Life Support was barely functioning.

-

“The damage is much more severe than I thought,” said Newman regretfully. “Maybe I just didn’t want to admit how damaged the Sundance is.

Bree nodded in understanding. “Are the two probes ready to launch?”

“Yes,” Newman replied. “But it will take them over four months to reach the Solar System, if they last that long. The Fold Space drives on the probes were never designed for such extended operation. We’ve added secondary power systems to the probes which should be sufficient but I can’t guarantee this is going to work.”

“Put a copy of the ship’s logs in each probe’s data bank as well as the coordinates of this planet,” ordered Bree. “At least by launching the probes we give ourselves the hope of being rescued even if it is a small one.”

-

Several minutes later Newman returned to stand next to Commander Smith. “Drones have been programmed and the ship’s logs have been uploaded. Both drones contain the coordinates of this system and descriptions of the planet.”

Bree nodded. “Launch them. We need to land this ship as soon as possible.”

“Drones launched,” reported navigation. “They should enter Fold Space in two minutes.”

“Is med bay ready?”

“As ready as can be,” Newman replied.

“We better get everyone out of the lower levels of the ship.”

The Sundance continued to orbit the planet. Scans of the planet had found several possible landing sites.

Bree looked around as the lights in the Command Center flickered. She knew her ship was slowly dying. “Standby for deceleration.”

The navigation officer adjusted his controls, causing the battered battlecruiser to begin entering the atmosphere.

“Energy shield is at 12 percent,” reported Lieutenant Berry as she fought her controls trying to keep the shield up. “I’ve diverted most of our remaining power to the shields. I don’t know how long the shield will continue to function.”

Bree felt the ship start to shake uncontrollably from its passage through the atmosphere. She knew it was only going to get worse. She glanced over toward the damage control console already covered in red and amber lights seeing more of the amber lights change to red.

“Eighty kilometers from the surface,” reported Lieutenant Stover. “We’re dropping about twenty kilometers a minute.”

“Outer hull temperature is increasing,” reported Lieutenant Berry. “Energy shield is down to 7 percent.”

“I’m attempting to slow our descent with our station keeping thrusters,” reported the navigation officer. “Some of them are nonfunctional.”

The ship continued to drop down through the atmosphere. Bree felt the shaking intensify as they entered the thicker air. If the ship had been undamaged with a fully functional energy shield, it could probably be set down safely. As it was the landing was going to be rough. She knew the Sundance would never leave this planet.

“We’re on course for our primary landing zone,” reported Newman. “All bulkheads are closed and the crew has been evacuated from the lower decks. We’ve made the med bay as secure as possible.”

“Make sure the crew has also evacuated all the damaged areas,” ordered Bree. Some were vital to the functioning of the ship but they weren’t worth more lives.

“All damaged sections have been evacuated and secured,” reported Newman.

“Forty kilometers from the surface,” reported Lieutenant Stover.

“I’m saving some of the thrusters until the end,” reported the navigation officer. “I’m hoping to be able to slow the ship down to make the landing survivable.”

Bree took in a deep breath. The ship continued to shake and she could hear a distant whistling noise. She knew this was atmosphere being deflected by the failing energy shield. She suspected the ship looked like a giant meteor falling through the sky.

“Outer hull temperature is still increasing,” reported Lieutenant Berry.

Bree was gripping the armrests on her command chair. Her breathing had quickened and her heart was racing. On the viewscreen, the planet’s surface was growing nearer and more detail could be seen.

“Twenty kilometers from the surface,” reported Lieutenant Stover in a strained voice.

“I’m trying to level out the ship using the nose thrusters,” reported the navigation officer. “The ship’s fighting me!”

“Energy shield is at 3 percent and about to fail,” warned Lieutenant Berry.

“Everyone brace for landing,” Bree said over the shipwide comm. “This is going to be rough.”

On the viewscreen, the surface seemed to be rushing up. Bree could see forests and even a few streams. The ship was attempting to head toward a flat area covered in tall grasses.

“Eight kilometers,” reported Lieutenant Stover.

“All thrusters are on full,” reported the navigation officer.

The ship seemed to shake even more violently.

“Energy shield is down,” warned Lieutenant Berry. “Hull temperature’s increasing rapidly. It’s nearly in the critical zone.”

An explosion echoed through the ship, nearly causing it to turn sideways. More red lights flared to life on the damage control console.

“Two kilometers,” reported Lieutenant Stover. “We’re coming in too fast!”

“I’m going to try to make us slide,” reported the navigation officer. “The thrusters aren’t slowing us down enough!”

As Bree watched the viewscreens, her heart sank. She knew this type of landing was going to cost more lives.

“One thousand meters,” reported Lieutenant Stover.

“Hull temperature is reaching critical levels,” warned Lieutenant Berry.

“Five hundred meters.”

“Three hundred meters.”

“One hundred meters.”

“Impact!!!”

-

The Sundance landed violently and began sliding through the tall grass, setting off numerous fires and churning up the ground. Parts of the ship broke off and several small explosions rattled through the hull. The ship slid for several thousand meters before finally coming to a rest. On board the ship numerous fires had broken out and the fire suppression system was trying to deal with them. Unfortunately in some areas of the ship the fire suppression system was not working.

“We’re down,” called out Lieutenant Stover as the power to his sensor console died.

Bree blinked as the power in the Command Center died. Almost immediately the emergency lighting came on. The Command Center was full of smoke and broken equipment lay everywhere. Several crew personnel were down and unmoving.

“Get some medics up here,” Bree ordered as she unbuckled her safety harness. She saw Newman was one of the officers lying on the deck unmoving. His arm was bent at an unnatural angle and he was bleeding profusely from a large cut on his forehead. One of the other officers was working on him trying to make Newman more comfortable.

“We can’t get the hatch open,” reported one of the Marines. The two Marines were both trying to open the hatch and having no success.

“We’re running on battery power,” reported Lieutenant Berry. She had a dark bruise on her forehead where her head had struck her console during the landing. “I’ll switch some of the power over to the hatch controls. I would recommend once we open it we leave it open.” Berry touched some icons on a still working console and the hatch slid open.

Bree looked toward the now open hatch seeing the corridor outside was full of smoke. It was obvious there were some fires burning in the ship. She knew they needed to wait until the outer hull finished cooling down before they attempted to exit the vessel. “Lieutenant Berry, head down to med bay and see what’s going on. It seems the ship’s comms are down. Try to get me a report on the condition of the ship. We also need to get all these fires under control. Lieutenant Stover, go with her. Once you reach med bay send some medical personnel up here if they have any they can spare.”

-

Several hours later Bree had the grim report on her ship and crew. There were two hundred and eighty-seven survivors with ninety-two of those injured. Of the injured nearly twenty-eight were not expected to survive. The ship was pretty much a wreck. There were several new holes in the hull and the ship was nearly broken in two. Med bay had survived intact as it was in the most secure part of the ship. Currently the remaining battery power was being shunted to med bay to keep the medical equipment working. The surviving engineers were trying to jury rig a power generator to recharge the ship’s batteries. Both reactors were too damaged to risk ever being restarted. The lower four levels of the ship had been crushed in the landing and there was actually a four hundred meter tear in the bottom of the ship.

“All fires are out,” reported Lieutenant Berry. “I have crewmembers searching the damaged sections for other survivors.”

Bree nodded. The emergency power was still on in the Command Center though it didn’t seem the Command Center really served much purpose any longer. Most of the consoles were dead.

“Has anyone gone outside?”

“I sent a squad of Marines out earlier,” Berry replied. “They have orders to reconnoiter the immediate area around the ship. They should be back shortly.”

The lights suddenly brightened and several consoles returned to life. Lieutenant Berry smiled. “The engineers must have the emergency power generator running.”

Bree stood up and looked around at the wreckage of the Command Center. It looked as if a bomb had gone off inside. “Let’s get out of here. Shut down everything we don’t need. We need to do everything we can to conserve power.” Bree wasn’t certain how long the emergency generator would continue to function.

-

As Bree made her way through the ship toward the med bay, Bree was astonished at the damage the ship had suffered. It was a miracle any of them were still alive. Beams and metal wall panels were lying everywhere. Overhead wiring and pipes were visible or hanging loose in the corridors. Hatches were torn off and even the deck plating was buckled.

At last she and the officers with her made it to the med bay. This section of the ship seemed to be relatively intact and the power was on. “Do we have any of the mess halls functioning?” She knew the crew had to be hungry.

“Yes,” replied Lieutenant Stover. “The mess hall in this section is still operational. I ordered all the ships consumables from the other mess halls to be brought here and stored in the dry storage units and the freezers.”

“We have emergency rations as well,” added Lieutenant Berry. “They’re not very tasty but they should get us by for a few months. I’m also fairly certain we can rig up something to give us clean water.”

Entering the med bay Bree came to a stop, her breath catching in her throat. Every bed was full and some of the injured were sitting in chairs. A few others were lying on blankets on the floor. The med staff was busy going from one patient to the next administering what aid they could. Bree was glad the ship had several qualified doctors on board as well as nurses.

Doctor Bowman saw the commander and quickly hurried over. “Commander, are you injured?”

“No, I’m fine. How are your patients?” Bree was deeply concerned for her crew. She had already lost too many.

A grim look passed over the doctor’s face. “Most will make it but there are a few who probably won’t. We’ve had to do a few amputations and just about used up all of our medical nanites on the more severe cases. Some of the injuries are so severe even the nanites can’t help.”

Bree blinked. “Try to keep them as comfortable as possible. There’s not a lot more I can offer you.”

“At least some of us are still alive,” replied Doctor Bowman. “The critically injured we’ll give pain killers to so they won’t suffer. At least we’re well stocked on most medical supplies.”

Bree looked around the crowded med center. “Do what you can. If there’s anything else I can do let me know.”

Doctor Bowman nodded and then returned to his patients.

“Let’s continue our tour of the ship. I want to see what’s still functional and if it’s even safe to stay inside.”

-

For the next several hours Bree and her officers walked through the areas of the ship they could reach. Some areas were so badly damaged it was unsafe to enter.

“How many of our Marines survived?” Bree hoped the Zaltule hadn’t managed to follow them. If they did even the Marines wouldn’t be able to keep them safe.

“Twenty-two are uninjured,” replied Berry. “The ones not outside on reconnaissance are helping move food supplies to the med section.”

They finally reached Engineering to find several engineers standing next to a small motor which was humming away. Several large wires led from the motor to a bank of batteries on the wall.

“Captain,” said Lieutenant Simmons. Simmons was the ship’s second engineer.

Bree already knew the chief engineer had died when crushed by equipment the crash had shaken loose. “How are we doing, Lieutenant?”

Simmons gestured toward the running generator. “We have power, at least as long as the fuel lasts.”

Bree pursed her lips. “How long will that be?”

“A month or two. We don’t have a lot of fuel for the emergency generator so we’ll use it to charge the ship’s batteries and then turn it off. If we really stretch it and limited power to the mess hall and the med bay we might be able to stretch it out to around six months.”

“Looks as if we’re living outside,” said Stover. “We have some emergency gear but not a lot.”

“We’ll scavenge the ship for what we need,” said Bree. “As soon as we can we’ll get several teams together and see if we can find a spot close to the ship with water where we can establish a camp.”

“There are several streams nearby,” said Berry. “I ordered our Marines to check them and bring back some water samples.”

“Let’s go outside. I want to see what our new home looks like.”

-

A few minutes later Bree was standing outside looking around. The fires had burned off much of the tall grass and in the distance she could see one of the streams Lieutenant Berry had mentioned. She drew in a deep breath. The air was much fresher than what was in the ship.

“We’ll find us a place to build that offers some protection. It’s hard telling how long we’ll be here before we’re rescued.”

Bree didn’t want to voice her greatest fear. The odds of either of the two probes making it back to the Solar System weren’t good. As she looked around she realized this planet might be their home for a very long time. Bree knew for her and her crew the war was probably over. Their war now would be trying to survive on this virgin world and making a future for themselves.

Chapter Fourteen

Rear Admiral Amelia Stinson watched the tactical display tensely knowing at any moment the inbound Zaltule warfleet would appear. The Dauntless and her attending fleets were powered down just outside the Kuiper Belt of the Pradel System.

“Everything’s so quiet,” commented Commander Hill.

Amelia nodded in agreement. It was like the calm before the storm. On the tactical display, nearly a thousand vessels were shown. Many of these were cargo and passenger ships conducting business in the Pradel System. Near the second planet, the home world of the Pradelians, two large fleets of ships were visible. These were Pradelian battlecruisers. Each ship was one thousand meters in length with a diameter of two hundred meters. The ships were built in a standard cylindrical shape with their hulls covered with numerous energy weapons and hatches hiding missile tubes.

On the far side of the system barely within detection range was another large fleet of nearly three hundred ships. These were vessels from the Alliance waiting for the arrival of the Zaltule. Amelia had seeded the system with probes to allow real time scans of the entire system.

“We’ll greatly outnumber them,” said Commander Hill, folding his arms over his chest. “The Alliance sent a good sized fleet.”

“Maybe so, but they’ll have the more powerful ships in their battlecruisers.” This greatly concerned Amelia since she knew to destroy those powerful Zaltule battlecruisers other Allied ships, including possibly some Solar System ships, would have to die.

“Contacts!” called out Lieutenant Jones. “Eighty Zaltule battlecruisers and two hundred assault ships have just appeared on the long-range sensors.”

Amelia drew in a deep breath. “Contact Pradel Space Control and inform them we’ve detected the inbound Zaltule fleet. Recommend that all civilian vessels exit Pradel space immediately. Also contact Admiral Vreel of the Alliance fleet and inform him we have detected the Zaltule.”

“They should be dropping out of Fold Space in twenty minutes,” added Lieutenant Jones.

Amelia nodded. “Add that to the message as well.”

Amelia waited as the messages were sent. They were using FTL transmitters so the messages would be received almost immediately after being sent.

“Recommend we go to Condition Two,” said Commander Hill.

“Agreed,” replied Amelia. “See to it.”

Almost immediately red lights started flashing and klaxons began sounding as Condition Two was announced across the ship and the fleets.

Amelia looked across her Command Center. The crew was ready as they sat before their consoles. She heard the large metal hatch to the Command Center close and lock. Looking in that direction she saw two heavily armed Marines standing there. She knew there were two more on the other side of the hatch.

“All ships are at Condition Two,” reported Commander Hill.

Nodding, Amelia leaned back in her Command Chair. There was nothing else that needed to be done until the Zaltule arrived.

-

Overlord Barral stood upon the command pedestal watching the progress of his fleet. They would shortly drop out of Fold Space in the Pradel System where he intended to test the ships and weapons of the Alliance. Pradel was a heavily populated and highly civilized system. No doubt there would be a substantial number of defending warships. His plan was very simple. His fleet would drop out of Fold Space, engage the Pradel warships and destroy several of the large shipyards orbiting the second planet in the system. Then his fleet would withdraw and set a course for the Empire where he would seek out Kleese vessels to engage.

“We will drop out of Fold Space in eighteen minutes,” reported the Zaltule standing in front of the sensor console. “Long-range scans indicate heavy ship traffic in the system.”

“Target any vessel in range of our weapons,” ordered Barral coldly.

It did not matter to him whether the vessels were civilian or military. They were the Zaltule and all must serve them. This would be a lesson to the lessor races of sheer power. It was time to remind this part of the galaxy who the Zaltule were and to demonstrate why all races must be subservient.

-

The minutes passed and the Zaltule fleet dropped out of Fold Space. All around them other space vessels were fleeing and leaving the Pradel System. A Nalton cargo ship was too close and a Zaltule antimatter missile blew it apart in a massive fireball. The Zaltule fleet was two hundred thousand kilometers from Pradel, the homeworld of the Pradelians.

-

“Take us in,” ordered Overlord Barral anxious to demonstrate the power of the Zaltule against this Alliance world. “As soon as we are in range target the shipyards over the planet.”

“Overlord, there are two fleets of Pradelian warships closing with us,” reported the Zaltule at the sensors.

Barral shrugged his massive shoulders. “Then we shall destroy them. We are the Zaltule and none shall stand in our way.” Barral was confident his fleet would make short work of the defending ships. The power of his battlecruisers was supreme and he doubted the Pradelian defensive fleets would even be able to damage one.

-

“Initiate Fold Space drive,” ordered Rear Admiral Stinson, leaning forward in her command chair.

She was coordinating with Admiral Vreel as well as the two admirals in charge of the Pradel fleets. If their timing was appropriate all would engage the Zaltule within a few seconds of one another. The Zaltule would be trapped in a pincer movement against four opposing fleets.

“Entering Fold Space,” reported Lieutenant Hines.

“Twelve minutes to target,” added Lieutenant Jones.

“Take the fleets to Condition One,” ordered Amelia as she made sure the harness, which held her in the command chair, was buckled securely. It was time to deal with the Zaltule.

-

“We have several unidentified fleets closing on our position,” reported the Zaltule at the sensors as several alarms began sounding. “They are in Fold Space and will reach us in a few minutes.”

Overlord Barral stared at the tactical display showing the incoming fleets.  He was not overly concerned. They were the Zaltule and Zaltule battlecruisers were the most powerful ships in existence. “Continue to close with the fleets in front of us. We will deal with them and then handle these new fleets when the time comes. After the ships have been destroyed we will annihilate the orbiting shipyards and the planet’s capital city. Then we will set a course for the Empire. It’s time our weaker brethren learn the Zaltule are still alive and all powerful.”

On the hulls of the Zaltule battlecruisers and assault ships energy beam turrets turned toward the inbound Pradel warships. Hatches over missile tubes slid open in preparation for launch.

-

The two Pradelian fleets slowed their advance, giving time for the two Solar System fleets and the Alliance fleet to arrive. Each fleet contained ninety one-thousand-meter battlecruisers.

Admiral Vass was in overall charge of the two fleets and he had no intention of allowing the Zaltule to get too close to the planet.

“Time until engagement range?” he asked, looking over at the sensor officer.

“Four minutes.”

“How long until the Human and the Alliance fleets get here?”

“Seven minutes.”

Admiral Vass turned his attention back to the tactical display. That meant his fleets had to survive for three minutes against the full firepower of the Zaltule. In three minutes his fleets could take a lot of damage.

“Bring the fleets to a temporary halt; that will decrease the amount of time we will have to face the Zaltule by ourselves.”

The two fleets slowed and came to a stop.

“What will the time difference be now?” asked Vass.

“A little over one minute,” replied the sensor officer.

Admiral Vass took a deep breath as his eyes studied the tactical display. “We will wait until thirty seconds before engagement range and then place the fleets into a defensive movement. We will begin with defensive pattern three-seven. All ships are to fire upon the assault ships initially. I fear our weapons will have little effect on those battlecruisers. We will need the Humans and the Alliance for that. It will take a massive amount of firepower to bring the energy shields of those battlecruisers down.”

-

The fleets continued to close and then weapons fire erupted between them. The Pradelian ships opened fire with their powerful energy weapons and from their missile tubes twenty-megaton sublight missiles launched. A series of antimatter missiles slammed into a Zaltule assault ship, knocking down the energy shield leaving the hull open to attack. Several energy beams struck the hull, drilling deep into the ship setting off secondary explosions. The ship seemed to shake violently and then began to come apart as more beams tore open compartment after compartment. After just a few seconds the assault ship was nothing more than a riddled wreck floating powerless in space.

The Zaltule were returning fire. Pulse fusion beams struck the energy screens of the Pradelian battlecruisers, threatening to overload them. Antimatter missiles exploded in bright flashes of light.

A Zaltule antimatter missile penetrated the failing energy screen of a Pradelian vessel, slamming into the stern of the ship. In a massive explosion, the ship vanished in a fiery blast of heat and energy.

In both fleet formations, explosions lit up space and energy beams were being fired non-stop. Two more Zaltule assault ships exploded as their screens were overloaded. In the Pradelian formation, the superior firepower of the Zaltule battlecruisers was devastating as six more battlecruisers were blown apart in nova-like explosions.

-

Admiral Vass stood grimly in his Command Center as his fleet suffered heavy damage from the Zaltule. He grimaced as another battlecruiser was blown apart and then he saw the tactical display light up with friendly green icons as the Alliance and Human fleets arrived.

-

Rear Admiral Stinson realized the defending Pradelian fleets were taking heavy losses. “All ships, fire on the battlecruisers. I want the Alliance fleet to concentrate on the Zaltule assault ships.”

Instantly from the two Human fleets missiles left the missile tubes and energy weapons began firing.

“Firing plasma beam,” reported Captain Smith.

-

In the two Human fleets there were fifty-eight heavy battlecruisers and standard battlecruisers including those from the Deltons, Belens, and the Bashans. The combined firepower slammed into the Zaltule battlecruisers, overloading shields and knocking them down. In the first few seconds seven Zaltule battlecruisers exploded, sending flaming debris across space.

-

“Zaltule are returning fire,” warned Lieutenant Jones.

On the tactical display, Amelia saw several of her battlecruisers and six assault ships flare up and then vanish.

“Continue to fire on the Zaltule battlecruisers. Close the distance!” Her heart was beating rapidly and she was leaning forward in her command chair as far as her safety harness would allow. “How are the Alliance ships doing against the Zaltule assault ships?”

“Twenty-two destroyed,” reported Lieutenant Jones. “They’ve lost seven battlecruisers so far.”

“All ships will continue the attack.” Amelia knew she had to pressure the Zaltule as much as possible.

On the primary viewscreen, a Zaltule battlecruiser was visible under heavy fire from several ships. Its energy screen was lit up from titanic explosions as antimatter missiles detonated. Energy beams probed for a weakness in the shield. A plasma beam suddenly penetrated, carving out a large hole in the hull. Several secondary explosions dislodged a large section of the ship’s armor, causing it to float off into space.

More energy beams began penetrating opening up numerous compartments to space. Suddenly a pair of antimatter missiles with MIRV warheads penetrated the screen. The warheads separated, striking different sections of the ship’s hull. Instantly the viewscreen became covered in light. When the light died down all that remained of the Zaltule battlecruiser was a scattering debris field.

The Dauntless suddenly shook violently and the lights dimmed briefly. Amelia looked inquiringly at Captain Hill.

“We took several antimatter hits to the shield,” he said. “The shield is holding but we did receive some minor damage to the ship’s hull.”

Amelia nodded. The battle was becoming more intense as the fleets moved closer.

-

Pulse fusion fire from several Zaltule battlecruisers struck the heavy battlecruiser Illustrious, penetrating its already weakened energy shield. One beam struck Engineering, severely damaging one of the ship’s reactors. With less power the energy shield began to fail. The top section of the ship exploded and debris started drifting away from the vessel. A Zaltule antimatter missile arrived, turning the ship into a miniature nova. When the light died away nothing remained of the vessel.

The fleets’ light cruisers and assault ships were suffering heavy losses. Intense fire from Zaltule battlecruisers were cutting through the shields, causing major damage and occasionally destroying a ship. An antimatter missile slammed into the midsection of a light cruiser and the ship vanished in a fiery explosion.

On the battlecruiser Boston, a Zaltule pulse fusion beam penetrated the stressed energy shield, blowing an energy beam turret to shreds and blasting out a ragged hole in the hull. A few moments later the Boston took a massive hit to her bow, losing most of her heavy weapons. She quickly turned broadside and opened up with her remaining particle beam cannons and energy weapons, firing upon a nearby Zaltule assault ship ripping open numerous compartments. The Zaltule vessel broke apart with all of its power dying. Moments later the Boston was destroyed as two Zaltule antimatter weapons detonated against the hull, forming two miniature suns.

-

Overlord Barral was stunned. The ferocity of the attack of the enemy ships had shocked him. They fought with the intensity of the Zaltule, particularly the Humans.

“We are losing too many ships,” warned the Zaltule at the sensors. “The numbers are not on our side.”

“We are the Zaltule,” replied Barral coldly. “We do not run from inferior races. Continue to fire our weapons. We are destroying large numbers of the ships which oppose us.”

“But they are killing us as well,” answered the Zaltule at the sensors. “At this rate we will lose all of our warships.”

Barral turned his triangular shaped head toward the Zaltule who had dared to challenge his authority. “Then we will die. We are Zaltule warriors and we do not fear death!”

Barral turned his multifaceted eyes toward the tactical display, seeing two more of his powerful battlecruisers vanish from the screen. His assault ships were suffering heavily as well as they were under attack from ships of the Alliance. “Press toward the planet. I want to destroy their shipyards.” By destroying the shipyards it would weaken the Alliance and demonstrate the power of the Zaltule even if he lost his fleet.

-

The Zaltule fleet began advancing at a faster rate, reaching the two defending Pradelian fleets and pushing through them. All three fleets lit up with intense fire from the explosions of antimatter missiles and energy weapons. The remaining Zaltule assault ships formed a protective bubble around the Zaltule battlecruisers, forcing the defenders to concentrate more on the smaller craft. In space, Zaltule assault ships were dying in growing numbers as the Alliance fleet redoubled its efforts to destroy them.

The two Human fleets pushed forward, assaulting the rear of the Zaltule formation. Ships on both sides were being blown apart from the heavy weapons fire.

-

“What are they doing?” asked Commander Hill as he studied the tactical display. “Why aren’t they holding their position?”

Amelia gazed at the tactical display and her face turned pale. “They’re going to attack the planet. Contact Rear Admiral Haden. We must do everything we can to stop them!”

-

Admiral Vass stared at the viewscreens in disbelief. The Zaltule were pressing forward into his fleets, decimating his ships. On all sides of his flagship Pradelian battlecruisers were being blown apart by heavy weapons fire from the Zaltule. Behind the Zaltule fleet the Humans were in hot pursuit, pouring weapons fire into the Zaltule warships.

“We can’t stop them,” groaned his second in command. “They’re blowing right through our fleets. Our losses are catastrophic!”

“Keep us in engagement range,” ordered Vass determinedly. “We can’t let them fire on the planet.”

“We’re losing too many ships!”

Vass felt his second in command’s pain. He was feeling the same thing. Many of the crewmembers of those ships being destroyed he had known for years and some he had personally trained. “We have no choice. Perhaps our sacrifice will stop the Zaltule from bombing the cities of our planet.”

Admiral Vass felt his flagship shake severely. Compartments began to report heavy damage. Officers in the Command Center were reporting damage to the hull. The ship was venting atmosphere and slowly losing power. The lights flickered and then dimmed.

“Energy screen is at 15 percent and dropping,” reported the second in command. “Expect failure in the next twenty seconds.”

Admiral Vass nodded. He knew his ship was finished. It just needed to complete its dying. Looking at a viewscreen, he saw several Human battlecruisers destroy a Zaltule battlecruiser. It would be up to the Humans to save his world now. Suddenly a massive explosion shook the ship. Admiral Vass felt himself flying across the Command Center to strike a console. Sparks were shooting everywhere as panels shorted out. Vass felt dizzy and found he could not stand. It was difficult to breathe. Then everything went dark and Admiral Vass of Pradel faded away into oblivion.

-

“The Zaltule are smashing their way through the Pradelian ships,” pointed out Commander Hill. “They’re nearly in range of the planet!”

“Damn!” said Amelia with a concerned look. “We need to press forward faster. Contact the Alliance fleet and have them switch their fire to the Zaltule battlecruisers. They’re the biggest threat to the planet. We can deal with the assault ships later.”

“We just lost Admiral Vass,” reported Lieutenant Jones. “His flagship has been destroyed.”

“Admiral Torrel has taken command of the remaining Pradelian warships,” added Lieutenant Williams from communications.

The Dauntless shuddered as two antimatter missiles hit her energy shield, severely jarring the ship. The screen seemed to flicker and then the flickering vanished as the screen returned to full power.

“Shield is holding,” reported Captain Smith.

“We just lost a Bashan battlecruiser,” added Lieutenant Jones.

Amelia nodded. This battle was intense and she knew in her heart more ships would die before it was over.

“Light cruisers Peru and Crete have taken heavy damage,” reported Commander Hill as he listened to the reports coming in over his comm. “Assault ships Calgary, Benson, Detroit, and Joplin have been destroyed.”

“More incoming missiles!” shouted Lieutenant Jones.

-

Overlord Barral stared coldly at the tactical display and viewscreens. His fleet was nearly in range of the planet. The defending Pradelian fleets were in disarray and their formation broken. The Humans and the Alliance fleets were closing with his ships but they would not be in time to prevent him from firing on his targets.

“Target the shipyards and open fire!” His harsh voice echoed through the Command Center.

On the viewscreens, three massive shipyards were visible. They were protected by energy screens and armed. Barral was confident the firepower of his remaining ships would be able to batter down the shields and make the shipyards vulnerable to attack.

-

Antimatter missiles began exploding against the energy shields of the massive shipyards. Defensive fire was destroying nearly 60 percent of the inbound missiles but too many were still getting through. The surviving Zaltule battlecruisers were now pouring all of their firepower into their attack on the shipyards. Suddenly the shield around one of the shipyards failed and half a dozen antimatter missiles slammed into the structure. Six massive explosions obliterated major portions of the shipyard. The remaining parts of the shipyard began to come apart as pulse fusion beams started tearing open the remaining sections. A few moments later all that remained of the shipyard was a huge mass of drifting and glowing wreckage.

-

Rear Admiral Stinson grimaced as one of the Pradelian shipyards was destroyed. “Is there anything we can do?” Amelia didn’t want to see the other two shipyards destroyed. It would severely limit the Pradelians’ ability to build new warships though there were several smaller shipyards around Ryerson, the third planet in the system with a population of nearly two billion.

Commander Hill shook his head. “No, there are just too many Zaltule battlecruisers and assault ships between us and the two remaining shipyards. The best we can do is continue our attack and hope we can destroy the remaining Zaltule ships before they can take out the other two shipyards.”

Amelia turned her eyes to the viewscreens. Several Zaltule assault ships were under heavy attack and suddenly exploded in bright fireballs of released energy. Unfortunately in order to get to the battlecruisers the fleets were finding it necessary to remove the Zaltule assault ships that were in the way.

-

Overlord Barral was nearly knocked off the command pedestal as his ship was rocked by a series of antimatter strikes to its energy shield. With every passing minute more of his assault ships were being destroyed, allowing the Human and Alliance fleets to fire upon his battlecruisers. Even as he watched the tactical display, two more of his battlecruisers were blown apart by intense weapons fire.

His multifaceted eyes focused on the large viewscreens. A second shipyard was in trouble. Its shield was beginning to fail and several pulse fusion beams had already penetrated the shield causing major damage to the shipyard.

-

Inside the shipyard’s Command Center, the commanding officer gazed in horror as the damage control console began to fill with red lights. Damage control crews were rushing about trying to contain the growing damage.

“Can we increase the power to the shield?” The Commander knew if they could survive a few more minutes the Human and Alliance fleets might be able to reach them.

“We can cut off our defensive fire but that will allow even more of the Zaltule antimatter missiles to reach the shield,” reported the tactical officer.

The shipyard vibrated violently as more compartments were ripped open.

“We’re losing atmosphere and reactors three and four have been destroyed,” reported the damage control officer. “The shield is not going to last longer than another ninety seconds.”

“It’s time to evacuate,” said the Commander as he realized he could not save the shipyard. “Everyone to the evacuation capsules. We’re leaving. Set the defenses on automatic. I want everyone off the station while they still can.”

-

Overlord Barral watched impassively as the second shipyard was systematically blown apart by his fleets’ weapons. “Focus all of our fire on the third shipyard.” As he watched he saw the third shipyard’s energy shield flare up brightly as it was pummeled by weapons fire. Barral then switched his attention to the planet. He intended to destroy one or more of its major cities as an abject lesson to the Alliance of what the penalty was for resisting the Zaltule.

-

Rear Admiral Stinson was feeling anxious as the second shipyard was destroyed.

“Detecting numerous escape pods,” reported Lieutenant Jones. “The Zaltule are targeting some of them!”

“Damn spiders,” muttered Commander Hill as he watched several pods being vaporized by energy beams on a viewscreen.

“How many ships do the Zaltule have left?” asked Amelia.

Lieutenant Jones checked some data on his sensor screens. “Thirty-seven battlecruisers and fifty-eight assault ships. Many of those vessels have some damage.”

Amelia looked over at Commander Hill. “Our own losses?”

“We’ve been hit pretty heavily. We’ve lost two heavy cruisers, six standard battlecruisers, twelve light cruisers, and seventeen assault ships. In addition we’ve lost two Delton battlecruisers, one Belen battlecruiser and one Bashan battlecruiser. That’s a combination of our fleet and Rear Admiral Haden’s.”

Amelia nodded; she still had over half the ships she had started out with. “What about the Alliance fleet?”

“It’s lost about 30 percent of its ships,” replied Hill. “They’re continuing to attack the right flank of the Zaltule fleet and attempting to reach the shipyard before it’s destroyed.”

Amelia took a deep breath. She had to stop the Zaltule from firing on the planet. “Attention all ships,” she said over the fleet comm. “We will advance until we’re within the Zaltule fleet formation. Engage targets of opportunity. We must stop the Zaltule before they reach the planet.”

“We’re going to lose a lot of ships if we get that close to those Zaltule battlecruisers,” warned Commander Hill.

“I know,” replied Amelia, her eyes narrowing. “But so will they. It’s the only shot we have of keeping them away from Pradel.”

Looking back at the viewscreens, Amelia saw the Zaltule ships suddenly begin to grow larger as the Dauntless and the rest of the Human ships accelerated toward the enemy. Antimatter energy crawled over the energy shields of the Zaltule ships. Amelia knew her ships must look much the same as some of the Zaltule ships were now firing on her fleet.

-

Overlord Barral felt his flagship shake violently. His six feet kept him safely on the command pedestal.

“The Humans are advancing and have entered the rear of our formation,” reported the Zaltule at the sensors. “The Alliance fleet is continuing to attack our right flank. Most of our assault ships and a few of our battlecruisers are returning fire.”

Barral took a moment to study the tactical display. His assault ships were now being destroyed rapidly as the enemy attempted to remove them so they could intensify the firepower being directed toward his remaining battlecruisers. Switching his multifaceted eyes to the viewscreens, he saw the single surviving shipyard was still resisting his fleet’s weapons fire. However, the planet was now in range. “Launch two antimatter missiles at the city of Maxlet and two more at the city of Leyland.” These were the two largest cities on the planet. Both were currently on the side of the planet facing the fleet.

“Missiles launched,” confirmed the tactical officer.

Barral watched the large viewscreen showing the planet. His gaze was cold and heartless. The Pradelians, while highly intelligent, were meant to serve the Zaltule. The killing of millions of innocents meant nothing to Barral.

-

In the city of Maxlet, the capital of the planet, sirens began sounding and across the media orders were sent for those who had not yet taken cover in shelters or the lower parts of buildings to do so.

Panicked citizens raced for cover, sending fleeting glances up at the sky. High above two meteors seemed to be heading toward the massive city. There were numerous underground shelters as well as many buildings with underground levels. Even so it was not enough to hold the majority of the population of the city of twenty million.

The two antimatter missiles detonated two thousand meters above the city. In the first few seconds over four million inhabitants died as the heat vaporized their bodies. Millions more died in the blast wave that rolled out from the explosions. In the heart of the city superheated air rushing in toward the blasts began forming two massive mushroom clouds which began to tower over the stricken city. Fires spread and buildings collapsed. The blasts could be felt for hundreds of kilometers. The work of centuries was being ruthlessly destroyed. Museums, monuments, parks and some of the rich history of the Pradelians were going up in flames. A few seconds later the other two missiles hit the city of Leyland with the same devastating affect.

-

Rear Admiral Stinson gazed in shock at the ship’s viewscreens. Even from this distance, she could see the mushroom clouds rising up into the atmosphere of the stricken planet. She knew millions of Pradelian citizens had just died or were in the process of dying. She felt anger at the Zaltule for their callousness in attacking innocents. It reminded her as to why they did not take Kleese or Zaltule as prisoners.

“I want every weapon we have focused on those Zaltule battlecruisers,” she grated out, fighting to control her anger. “I don’t want any of them to get away. I don’t care if it costs us every ship in this fleet!”

The command crew was silent, a few of the women had tears in their eyes. All agreed with the rear admiral. These Zaltule must die!

-

Overlord Barral nodded in satisfaction as the mushroom clouds rose over the two cities. The Pradelians and the Alliance had been taught a lesson they wouldn’t soon forget. It was now time to turn his attention to the Humans and the Alliance ships still attacking his fleet. Looking at the tactical display, he was taken aback by the number of ships he had already lost. Nearly all of the assault ships were gone and only seventeen battlecruisers remained. Of those nearly all had suffered some damage.

“Reverse course; we must fight our way through the Humans and make the transition into Fold Space.”

“What about the last shipyard?” asked the Zaltule, standing in front of tactical.

“Ignore it. We’ve found out what we needed to know as well as demonstrated our power.”

The ship shook violently and the lights dimmed.

“We’ve lost several of our reactors and numerous power couplings have been destroyed,” reported one of the Zaltule at a console now covered in red lights.

“Thirty percent of our weapons are not responding,” added the Zaltule at tactical.

The ship suddenly began shaking nonstop and in the distance explosions could be heard.

“Energy shield is down to 14 percent,” reported the Zaltule at tactical. “We no longer have sufficient power for our energy weapons.”

“Inbound missiles,” reported the Zaltule at the sensors. “Our defenses are being overwhelmed.”

Overlord Barral gazed at the viewscreens showing his dying fleet. He had badly underestimated the resistance he would face in this system. “Then we will die,” he said without regret. “We are Zaltule and we shall die in battle.”

Suddenly a massive white light swept through the Command Center. Moments later the Zaltule flagship blew apart as antimatter energy destroyed it.

-

The battle lasted for another twenty minutes. When it was over not a single Zaltule battlecruiser or assault ship remained.

Rear Admiral Stinson leaned back in her command chair and breathed out a long sigh of relief. Nearly every remaining ship in her fleets was damaged. The same was true of the Alliance fleet. The cost in ships and lives had been heavy but the Zaltule had been destroyed.

“Have all ships repair what they can. I don’t know if the remaining shipyard will be of any use or not.”

“There are shipyards at Ryerson,” pointed out Commander Hill. “We could send some of our ships there for repairs.”

Amelia nodded. “Let’s see if we can get in touch with whoever is in charge of that remaining shipyard. Also get some shuttles out and begin searching the wrecks for survivors.” Amelia knew there wouldn’t be too many. With the use of antimatter missiles survivors would be few and far between.

She would also have to go to her quarters and prepare an action report for Fleet Command back on Centerpoint. Admiral Kelly would want to know every detail of the battle and what her impressions of the Zaltule were. Amelia knew how she felt about the Zaltule. They were cold-blooded killers and needed to be exterminated.

Chapter Fifteen

Admiral Kelly shook his head as he read over the list of ships destroyed in the battle with the Zaltule fleet at Pradel.

“We lost a lot of good people,” said Rear Admiral Blair as he read over the list he was holding in his hand.

“But we stopped the Zaltule. We completely annihilated every ship in their fleet.”

“What are the latest reports on civilian losses in the two cities destroyed?”

Kelly frowned. The Zaltule had once more demonstrated why they needed to be wiped out. “Fourteen million with another six million injured. The Alliance is sending in ships to help with search and rescue as well as rebuilding the two shipyards which were destroyed. There is also growing fear in the Alliance about who might be attacked next.”

General Timmons stood up and walked over to the large map on the wall showing the stars controlled by the Alliance and the Kleese. His hand touched the map and moved into unknown space out past the Solar System. “The Zaltule have already sent two fleets into Alliance space. There’s a good chance they’ll send a third. I suspect they’re probing for weaknesses in the Alliance and possibly the Kleese Empire. I fear we can’t wait too much longer if we intend to strike at the Zaltule nests.”

“We need to go now,” agreed Read Admiral Blair. “If we wait, we may not get another opportunity.”

Kelly didn’t like hearing this though he suspected the other two officers were right. “We can’t do this alone. We’re going to need help from the Alliance. I’m recalling Rear Admiral Stinson and Rear Admiral Haden. Their fleets will be repaired and new ships added to replace those they lost.”

“Do we have those ships?” asked Rear Admiral Blair.

Kelly let out a deep breath and slowly shook his head. “No, we don’t. We’re spread too damn thin! We’ll have to take ships from our other fleets to make up the difference. I suspect after this latest Zaltule attack we won’t have much of a problem getting a large fleet from the Alliance.”

“How soon do we go?” asked General Timmons. “I was hoping to send our new Marines in the Type Nine suits out for some additional training in retaking several former nonaligned worlds.”

“We’re not going to have the time,” replied Kelly. “General Timmons, begin making your plans to take out those three Zaltule hives we know about. Commit whatever resources are necessary. I can give you four weeks and at the end of that time we have to go. We don’t dare delay any longer.”

General Timmons face became covered in a deep frown. “I need a general idea of the ships that will be involved. Are we going to hold the space above the hives with our ships or will the Marines have to escape in grounded assault ships?”

Admiral Kelly thought for a long minute. “I’m calling in General Nelson and his brother Ryan to help plan this mission. They’ve had a lot of experience in hand-to-hand fighting with the Kleese and even the Zaltule.”

“Better include Marken as well,” suggested General Timmons. “His perspective on this mission could be useful.”

Kelly nodded. “I’ll have them here in a few days and we can begin planning. I have a few ideas as far as the fleets go but I want to run them by Rear Admirals Stinson and Haden. I also want to spend some more time reviewing the data they sent on their battle with the Zaltule ships.”

“I’ll send the recall order to the Rear Admirals,” said Rear Admiral Blair. “I know some of their ships are still being repaired.”

“They’ll have to leave those ships behind. I need those two admirals here to help with the planning of this operation. Those ships can join them later if they’re repaired in time for this mission.”

Rear Admiral Blair stood up. “I’ll look over our available ships to see what can be spared to reinforce their fleets. It might be necessary to recall one or two of our fleets from their current missions.”

“If we need to,” replied Kelly. “The attack against the Zaltule hives must take precedence over everything else.” Kelly knew if they didn’t neutralize the Zaltule they would someday overwhelm everything the Solar System and the Alliance were trying to build.

-

Sergeant Thomas Nelson was in his Type Nine battlesuit running along the path which led completely around the inside of the large dome that housed the training facility. The rest of his platoon were with him keeping pace. It was nearly twelve kilometers to complete one circuit. The battlesuits made it relatively easy but Thomas wanted all the members of his platoon able to run in the suits for a considerable length of time. This was a one hundred kilometer run and they were currently on the fourth circuit of the dome.

“I hate running,” muttered Brian over the comm. “It’s boring.”

Kinsley laughed. “It’s just training. If we’re ever in a combat situation where we need to get away fast this is good practice.”

“Or if we need to move quickly to take an objective,” added Leah. “Besides, the suits are doing most of the work. We’re not even sweating.”

Thomas agreed with Leah. The suits had their own environmental systems and were resistant to both heat and cold. They could even function as a spacesuit for a limited amount of time. They also held water and other nourishment to allow a Marine to function for nearly forty-eight hours without removing the suits.

“We finish our training in another few days,” said Corporal Coyle. “Have you heard anything about our first assignment?”

“No, not yet,” replied Thomas. He thought that was strange. Normally when Marines finished battlesuit training they were sent into a combat situation immediately to test the success of their training. Lieutenant Adams hadn’t mentioned anything about where they might be going.

“I heard Fourth Fleet and Eighth Fleet were sent to fight a Zaltule fleet heading for Alliance space,” said Private Lindsey Graham. “My cousin is a communications officer with Eighth Fleet on one of the heavy battlecruisers. I hope she’s okay.”

Thomas had heard the same thing though he hadn’t been briefed on what was going on. The only thing he knew for sure was their training was nearly over and they would soon be going on an actual combat mission. “Lieutenant Adams has set up some special training for us in another dome tomorrow.”

“I wonder what that can be,” said Brian, sounding nervous. “I hope it’s nothing like Charring. I’m getting tired of going up that damn mountain every other day.”

“I hate being stunned,” said Leah, who was right behind Brian. “I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been hit by stunners.”

“We all have,” added Kinsley. “I’m ready for something different.”

So was Thomas but knowing Lieutenant Adams whatever the special training was going to be it wouldn’t be easy.

-

The next day they found themselves standing on the parade grounds in another training dome. Like their own training dome, there were the standard training facilities and what looked like another Charring Mountain.

“I can’t believe this,” said Brian, staring at the tall mountain. “I bet we’re going up that mountain and it will be completely different from what Charring is.”

“We’re all going to be stunned,” proclaimed Leah in a distressed voice. “I can’t believe we came to another dome just for that.”

“Attention everyone,” ordered Lieutenant Adams, who was standing on a small podium in front of them. “We have a new drill to run today and we’ll be doing it every day for the next several weeks.” She paused as her eyes roamed across the assembled Marines. All four platoons were present. “You can see the mountain behind me. It’s not a normal mountain and does not resemble Charring in anyway whatsoever. Inside that mountain are a series of tunnels which represent a Zaltule hive. Inside is a hidden Queen chamber you must locate and destroy. The hive is full of programmable pop-up weapons in a much higher ratio than anything you’ve faced before.”

“We’re going underground,” muttered Brian not sounding happy with the scenario. “They’re probably going to bury us alive.”

Thomas turned his attention back to the lieutenant. He wondered if this new drill had anything to do with their first mission.

“The drill will not end until all of you have been neutralized or have succeeded in taking out the Queen. The use of explosive rounds and energy weapons will be allowed as we want to make this as realistic as possible. In addition there will be more pop-ups with explosive rounds as well.”

“How many tunnels are there in the mountain?” asked Private Stout. “How will we know where the Queen is located?”

Lieutenant Adams turned slightly to face the private. “The mountain is a honeycomb of tunnels. Some lead to dead ends while others lead to food storage chambers, egg chambers, and other storage facilities. In all likelihood, the Queen’s chamber will be the one that’s the deepest underground. We can’t confirm that but knowing the Zaltule it’s a logical assumption.”

“Does this have anything to do with our first mission?” asked Private Stout.

-

Lieutenant Adams let out a deep sigh. Private Stout always asked the most questions. One thing she did have to admit: he never seemed afraid to speak up. “I can’t say at the moment. All I can say is there is a reasonable chance that sometime in the future we may be called upon to assault a Zaltule or even a Kleese hive. We need to be able to do so and survive if that time ever comes.”

“Will all four platoons be going into the mountain at the same time?” asked Corporal Coyle.

Lieutenant Adams nodded. “Yes, in this scenario all four platoons will be needed for there to be any possibility of success.”

-

Thomas frowned upon hearing that. To him it seemed to indicate if they ever did go into a Kleese or Zaltule hive most of them were not expected to survive. He felt uneasy as he listened to the lieutenant give a more detailed description of what might be inside a hive and how it would be defended. This sounded more and more like they were preparing them to actually go into a hive to kill a Queen. He wondered if this had anything to do with the increased Zaltule activity being reported. With a cold feeling he had a strong suspicion that somehow Fleet Command had learned the location of a Zaltule hive and were preparing them to take out the Queen. Thomas hoped he was wrong but deep inside he felt he was probably right.

-

Thomas took a deep breath as he gazed at the large dark tunnel in front of him. All four platoons were at the entrance to the hive in their battlesuits and fully armed.

“In a real life scenario an assault ship will have already cleared the entrance,” explained Lieutenant Adams. “All I can say is there are no pop-up weapons for the first one hundred meters. After that, all bets are off. Sergeant Welch, your platoon will enter first followed by Sergeant Nelson’s. Sergeants Cain and Hudson you will follow immediately behind. To make this scenario more realistic I will command but I have not been informed of where the pop-ups are or where the Queen’s chamber is located. Sergeant Welch, move out!”

Into the tunnel Sergeant Welch’s four squads marched followed by Thomas and his squads.

“Activate infrared sensors,” ordered Lieutenant Adams.

“Damn it’s dark in here,” complained Brian as he peered ahead with his suit’s sensors. “I wonder why we don’t use our suit lights.” Brian was referring to the bright lights located on their shoulders, which would illuminate everything around them.

Leah looked over at Brian, shaking her head. “It would make us too visible. It would be like painting a target on your chest.”

Brian was about to make a retort when loud explosions erupted ahead of them where Sergeant Welch and his platoon were located.

“Spread out!” ordered Thomas.

Thomas was using his sensors to see and was disappointed about what they were showing. Taking a deep breath he made a decision. “Suit lights on. Fire on any target you see.”

Instantly bright lights lit up the tunnel, illuminating everything for several hundred meters. Several side tunnels were visible as well as the main one they were in. Flashes of light indicated pop-ups firing nonstop at the advancing Marines.

Sergeant Welch’s Marines were being knocked down by explosive rounds as he shouted frantic orders. Then the sound of stunners began to echo through the large tunnel.

“Fire explosive rounds!” ordered Thomas. It was the only way he could think of to take out so many weapon emplacements. They seemed to be everywhere.

Almost instantly explosions started to fill the tunnel as explosive rounds began to take out the pop-ups. Smoke began to fill the air and even small fires were burning where some of the pop-ups had been destroyed.

“We need to go faster and deeper,” called out Leah as she fired an explosive round at a distant pop-up. “If we go too slow we’re all going to be picked off.”

“Forward at a run,” ordered Thomas. “Fire on any pop-ups you see.”

“Let’s go,” ordered Brian to his squad. “Keep firing explosive rounds in front of us as we go.” At least with the explosive rounds they didn’t have to hit a target directly to disable it.

The platoon began moving forward faster and Thomas saw most of Sergeant Welch’s platoon was down. The tunnel was filling with smoke and there was the steady drone of explosions. An explosive round struck Thomas directly in the chest, driving him to the floor of the tunnel. Fighting to catch his breath he stood back up and saw an amber warning light on his HUD indicating his suit was damaged. Even as he watched he saw the amber light fade away to be replaced by a green one. The nanites in his suit armor were hard at work.

As they continued down the tunnel Leah signaled Thomas. “There’s a tunnel to our left about forty meters ahead. My sensors indicate it goes down at a sharper angle than this one.”

“We’ll take it,” replied Thomas. He intended to find the lowest level of the tunnels. That was bound to be where the Queen’s chamber would be located.

Reaching the tunnel the platoon entered, continuing to fire in front of them. Watching his HUD Thomas was concerned to see the other two platoons continue down the main tunnel. “Lieutenant Adams, this is Sergeant Nelson. My platoon’s entered a smaller tunnel with a more downward slope.”

“I saw that,” replied Adams. “Continue on. I want to see if there are more tunnels up ahead that do the same.”

Thomas’s platoon continued forward and after about twenty minutes reached a large chamber with a number of what looked like giant egg sacs in it. The eggs were rippled and about a meter in length.

“Talk about realistic,” commented Kinsley as she stepped over to examine one in more detail.

“We can’t go forward any further,” reported Leah. She had been examining the walls of the chamber searching for an exit. “We’ll have to go back. There were several smaller side tunnels we passed.”

Thomas nodded. “Pull back and set some explosive charges in this room. I want everything destroyed.” Even though this wasn’t the Queen’s chamber it was still important. Destroying it should at least give them some points in this crazy mixed up scenario.

Thomas watched as several members of his platoon removed explosive charges from satchels they were carrying. After the charges were set they pulled back and set them off. Several bright flashes and fire flashing through the chamber indicated the dummy eggs had been destroyed.

“Let’s head back down the tunnel and try one of the smaller ones,” ordered Thomas as he motioned for Corporal Coyle’s squad to take the lead.

-

In the Control Center Major Reed was watching over a dozen different viewscreens, displaying scenes of the Marines in the artificial hive. Only Sergeant Nelson’s platoon had achieved any success as they had destroyed one of the three hatching chambers.

“They’re getting wiped out,” said General Timmons who was watching the scenario play out.

Major Reed nodded. “We were expecting this. That hive is filled to the brim with pop-ups. This will give us an idea of potential casualties and what we will need to achieve mission success.”

“Have you reached any conclusions yet?”

“Yes, it’s evident we’re going to need more explosive rounds if we want to penetrate through hundreds or possibly thousands of Zaltule. I’m going to recommend we double the power of the rounds. We’ve used hover tanks in the past which carry chargers for the suits as well as extra munitions. The tanks also have small cannons on them that might be useful.”

“How many different types of battlesuits are you suggesting we use against the Zaltule hives?”

“At least two, maybe three,” replied Major Reed. “The Type Nines obviously because they give us greater maneuverability and speed and possibly the Type Sevens. They’re a larger battlesuit and can carry more weapons.”

“What about nukes?”

Major Reed shook his head. “I don’t want to send any into the hive. If we set one off it will probably wipe out our Marines as well as the Zaltule.”

“I think we need to have one or two in case that’s the only way to take the Queen out.”

“I’ll discuss it with Lieutenant Adams later and see what she thinks.”

“Speaking of Lieutenant Adams, how far into the hive has she made it?”

Major Reed adjusted several of the viewscreens. There were hundreds of cameras scattered throughout the artificial hive. On one of the screens, Lieutenant Adams and the platoons with her were blasting away at dozens of pop-ups hammering her Marines with explosive rounds. “She’s lost over half of her Marines and by now they should be running low on explosive rounds.”

General Timmons watched as the pop-ups gradually reduced Lieutenant Adams’ platoons to less than two squads. “If this is anything like what they’ll encounter in a real hive we’re going to suffer very heavy losses.”

Major Reed took a deep breath and then replied. “Unless I’m mistaken, a real Zaltule hive will be much worse.”

-

Thomas was becoming aggravated with this drill. It seemed as if there was no way to win. He had long since lost contact with Lieutenant Adams. The last report from her indicated she was pinned down with her remaining Marines at a junction where several tunnels met. Thomas and his platoon had continued down a number of winding tunnels trying to remain going downward. They had found one more egg chamber and destroyed it using nearly the last of their explosive charges. The charges left he was saving for the Queen’s chamber if they ever found it.

“What now?” asked Corporal Coyle. She was down to three squad members. All the squads had taken losses as they advanced down the narrow tunnels.

“My sensors indicate a junction up ahead where a number of tunnels meet,” reported Leah.

“Brian, send a couple of scouts up ahead. I don’t want to be taken by surprise. Tell them to be cautious as there may be pop-ups at the junction.”

A few minutes passed and the scouts reported they were in a large chamber with six tunnels radiating out. Two seemed to descend toward a lower level.

“We have to be getting close to the Queen’s chamber,” said Kinsley, holding her assault rifle in her armor encased arms.

“We’re nearly out of explosive rounds,” added Leah. “We still have our suit explosives but they’re too dangerous to use in these tunnels.”

Thomas looked down the dimly lit tunnel. “Let’s go on to the junction and then we can decide our next move.”

It didn’t take long for the four squads to reach the junction. The chamber they found themselves in was large with a high dome.

Thomas examined each of the tunnels which connected to the chamber noting the two that seemed to descend. He had a tough decision ahead of him. He strongly suspected one of the two tunnels might connect with the Queen’s chamber. They had descended so far it had to be close. He could split his platoon and send two squads down each tunnel. It would increase the odds of at least some of his Marines reaching the objective. He was about to issue the order when dozens of pop-ups descended from the ceiling. Explosive rounds and stunners began firing. In less than twenty seconds all of the Marines were down and unmoving.

-

“They came close,” commented General Timmons. “Another two hundred meters and they would have reached the Queen’s chamber.”

“But they failed,” pointed out Major Reed. “We’re bound to face traps like that one when we send our Marines into the Zaltule hives. We have to figure out a way to survive.”

General Timmons looked back at the viewscreens showing the down Marines. Already Marines in other battlesuits were moving in to take the stunned Marines out of the artificial hive. “It’s a learning process. That’s why we built this artificial hive. We’ll keep running our Marines through it until we understand what the best tactics will be to increase our chances of success.”

Major Reed looked worriedly at the general. “If Sergeant Nelson had two nukes with him and fired them down those two tunnels it would have destroyed the Queen’s chambers.  I think I have to agree with you it might be necessary to take nukes into the hive. They may have to be weapons of last resort.”

General Timmons looked over at Major Reed. “Those hives must be destroyed no matter what the cost. We have two weeks to come up with a viable plan and begin gathering the assets we’re going to need to make this happen.”

Major Reed looked back at the viewscreens showing the first of the stunned Marines being brought out. “Two weeks is not a lot of time.”

“I know,” replied Timmons. “But it’s all we’ve got.”

-

Admiral Kelly was busy going over the list of potential ships that would be going on the mission to the Zaltule System. Tomorrow he had a meeting with General Wade Nelson, Colonel Ryan Nelson, and Marken as well as a few others. He had already sent several messages to Lanolth, the capital of the Alliance, describing what he was wanting to do and requesting whatever ships the Alliance worlds could send to aid in the mission. He had stressed the importance of destroying the Zaltule before they could create a force which would threaten the Alliance as well as the Solar System with annihilation.

“How many ships do you think the Alliance will send?” asked Rear Admiral Blair.

“Several hundred at least,” replied Kelly. “We’re going to have to hold the space above those hives at least long enough to get our Marines down. We also need to take out part of the Zaltule fleet if possible. We need to use this opportunity to weaken the Zaltule as much as possible.”

“What about the trading station they have?” asked Blair. “It’s bound to be heavily armed and we don’t have anything to take it out. Are you thinking about sending some Marines on board to attempt to neutralize it?”

Kelly shook his head. “No, anyone we send aboard would have almost zero chance of getting back out. I won’t send anyone on a suicide mission.”

“Isn’t that what we’re doing to the Marines we’re sending down to the surface?”

“If we can provide them some assault ships, at least they’ll have a chance to get away once they’ve accomplished their missions.”

Timmons nodded. “They’ll have a chance though a small one. At the moment I’m planning on using one of our Marine assault ships for each hive. That will give us nearly six hundred Marines to use.”

Admiral Kelly stood up and walked across his office to a large painting of the old Marine assault ship Leviathan hanging on the wall. The ship was firing its defensive energy beam turrets and launching its drop ships. “We may need more Marines than that. We may lose some of the drop ships as they’re descending through the planet’s atmosphere. The Zaltule are bound to have defensive weapons around the hives that can shoot them down. Also don’t forget about those four giant shipyards. Who knows what type of weapons those will have.”

“We’ll send assault ships in first to soften up the landing zones,” explained Timmons. “We’re also going to attempt to land at least two assault ships inside the large entrances to the hives. We’ll have additional Marines on those ships as well. As for the shipyards, we’ll just have to wait and see. If our fleet gets into a low enough orbit they may be out of range of the weapons from the trading station as well as the shipyards.”

“If we can get everyone down that would give us an additional one hundred and sixty Marines.”

“More if we put extra Marines on the ships. We can easily double the number an assault ship would normally carry.”

Admiral Kelly nodded. “Sounds like we have the beginnings of a plan. We’ll see what General Nelson and Marken think about what we’re proposing when we talk to them tomorrow.”

Kelly walked back to his desk and sat down. They still had a tremendous amount of planning to do. He knew very well the future of the Alliance and the Solar System might rest on the success of this mission. If they failed he doubted if they would be able to stop the Zaltule when they eventually returned.

Chapter Sixteen

Commander Bree Smith looked out across the camp her surviving crew had built since the crash landing. They had scavenged what they could from the wreckage of the Sundance. Limited power was available from some solar cells the engineers had cobbled together. There was still power in the ship from the emergency generator but it was being used to power the med bay as well as the large freezer in that section which held their perishable food supplies.

In the time they had been here there had been no sign of any Zaltule or even more worrisome, any rescue craft. The days were beginning to become routine. Each day several hunting parties set out to search for potential food animals as well as any dangerous animals that might be lurking near the camp. So far only one large cat-like animal had been spotted. The local streams were full of fish though several had been found which were not palatable for Humans. One fish resembled a catfish and tasted great when grilled over an open fire.

“What’s on the agenda for today?” asked Bree, looking over at Second Officer Newman. He had recovered from his injuries thanks to the use of some medical nanites.

Newman was busy cleaning one of the assault rifles the hunting parties used. “Pretty much the same as yesterday. I’m sending out a hunting party to the southwest to check out a small lake we saw from orbit. Another party is going to bring back some samples from a large stand of trees a couple of kilometers to the east. We may be able to use them to build more structures we’re going to need if we have to stay here long term. We don’t know yet what the winter may be like.”

Bree nodded as she looked around the camp. Several fires were burning, partly for heat in the cool morning as well as to keep any large predators away. Several lights had been put up so they would have illumination at night. The solar panels were connected to several of the ship’s batteries so they would have power throughout the night. There were currently about a dozen structures in the camp built primarily from panels taken from the ship. Several more were under construction.

Near the ship she could see the graves of the hundreds of crewmembers who had been buried on this world. There were still over forty in the med bay undergoing treatment.

“The probes should have reached the Solar System by now,” she said as her eyes looked up into the cloudless sky. In the time they had been here it had only rained three times and that was early in the morning.

“If they made it,” Newman reminded her as he began putting the assault rifle back together. “The odds of the probes reaching the Solar System were never very good.”

Bree let out a deep sigh. “I know, but some hope is better than none.”

“We need to begin making plans for a long term stay. There’s a good chance we’ll never be rescued.”

Bree let out a laugh. “It’s hard to imagine we may become the Solar System’s first actual interstellar colony. I wonder what future generations will say. Someday, if Humans continue to explore they will find this world again.”

Newman nodded. “It could happen in our lifetime or our descendants. All we can do now is continue to survive.”

Standing up Bree began heading toward the ship. Each day she went to the med bay and spoke to those still being treated. If they did end up remaining on this world they would need every single person.

-

Newman watched the Commander leave. She had been devastated by the crash and the loss of so many members of the crew. She had done her best to cope but had left many of the day-to-day tasks of setting up this new settlement to him. He had no objections and felt more alive than he ever had before. He knew given time Commander Smith would be back to her old self but for this type of healing it was going to take some time.

Standing up he slung the assault rifle over his shoulder. He was going to make a quick inspection of the surrounding area before sending out hunting parties for today. There was an antelope-like animal that fed on the tall grasses this world seemed to be covered in which was quite tasty when cooked over an open fire. They were also learning how to smoke the meat to preserve it. Plans were already underway to build a large smokehouse as well as an underground root cellar. Newman didn’t know what the future held for them, but if they were destined to remain on this world the least he could do was make sure they could survive here. Looking around he allowed himself to smile. It really wasn’t a bad world and it was kind of exciting to think about actually establishing the Solar System’s first interstellar colony.

-

Deep in Kleese space, the Council of Overlords was once more in session. Reports from Alliance space were causing deep concern among the powerful Overlords.

Supreme Overlord Xatul stood at the head of the massive stone table in the ornate chamber of the Council of Overlords. Twenty Overlords were present for the meeting as it concerned the Zaltule and what was being done to prepare the Empire for their coming.

“We have nearly completed the withdrawal of our ships from the sectors of our Empire near the Alliance,” reported Xatul. “In addition we have signed non aggression and trade treaties with over one hundred nonaligned worlds, guaranteeing future trade with them for materials we need to sustain our Empire. In the treaties is a clause guaranteeing us the right of passage for our large exploration ships to conduct trade.”

“I still think it’s a mistake to give up so much of our Empire,” said Overlord Raluth. “Someday we will have to reconquer all of those worlds again.”

“And we shall,” replied Xatul. “However, in the meantime they will serve as a barrier between us and the Zaltule. The Alliance and the Zaltule will fight for domination of Alliance space. When their war is over, we shall sweep in and destroy what warfleets are left. Even the Zaltule will be severely weakened after taking on the Alliance and the Humans. By allowing them to do the fighting it clears the way for our future domination.”

Overlord Syndat stood to address the council. “Production of warships has been increased in the Sherlund System. For the time being the production of our large exploration ships has been suspended. We will be concentrating on building battlecruisers while all of our surviving trading stations will be constructing assault ships.”

“Is there any chance of retrieving the trading stations the Alliance and the Humans have seized?” asked Overlord Caselt. He was normally in charge of the shipyards constructing the exploration ships. He was working with Overlord Syndat to change those shipyards to build battlecruisers.

Supreme Overlord Xatul focused his multifaceted eyes on Caselt. “No, not without risking major losses to our fleets. As it is, the Zaltule will have to face those stations. We believe the Humans and the Alliance have placed heavier weapons on all of them.”

“Who will be the Overlord representing the Empire to the Alliance?” asked Overlord Martule.

“I will,” answered Overlord Bixutl. “We have chosen one of the nonaligned worlds we have signed a treaty with as a meeting place.”

“We have also just received word a Zaltule fleet attacked the Pradel System, nearly destroying the two system fleets defending it. The Zaltule also destroyed two of the main shipyards and dropped antimatter weapons on the planet’s two largest cities.”

“The loss of two cities of a lessor race is of no concern,” said Overlord Raluth. “What of the Zaltule fleet? Where is it now?”

Supreme Overlord Xatul moved his triangular shaped head as his eyes swept over the other Overlords. “There was a large Alliance fleet in the system as well as several Human fleets. We believe they trapped the Zaltule fleet between the planet and their attacking fleets. The entire Zaltule warfleet was destroyed.”

“By the lessor races?” uttered Overlord Martule, his eyes focusing intently on Xatul.

“They had a vast superiority in warships,” explained Xatul. “Even a Zaltule battlecruiser can be destroyed if enough weapons can be brought to bear.”

“Perhaps this plan will work,” said Raluth. “We will let our enemies destroy one another, leaving us to move in to subjugate the lessor races and finish destroying the Zaltule. It is the destiny of the Kleese race to rule over all sentient species.”

“And we shall,” said Supreme Overlord Xatul. “Someday we shall rule this entire galaxy!”

-

On Centerpoint Station a meeting of the General Staff was taking place. While not everyone could be there they could be seen and heard via the large viewscreens in the room.

“This is a dangerous plan,” commented General Wade Nelson after he finished listening to Admiral Kelly and General Timmons. “I’ve fought the Kleese in hand to hand combat and killing them isn’t easy. Colonel Nelson can testify killing a Zaltule is even more difficult.”

Ryan nodded. “You’re talking about going into a Zaltule hive which will be filled with thousands of Zaltule warriors. They will be in a killing frenzy trying to keep their Queen or Queens safe. The only way you’re going to get into that hive is with superior weapons. For every Marine you send into a hive they will have to kill at least ten Zaltule each if not more. Not only that you’re attacking what will be a heavily fortified position.”

General Timmons looked from one to the other. “Do you have any suggestions?”

“Take as many hover tanks as you can inside the hive and arm our Marines with the most powerful explosive rounds their assault rifles can handle,” answered Ryan. “There’s a good chance once they reach the Queen’s chamber the fighting will be hand to hand. The Zaltule will be encased in battlesuits and will be willing to die to protect their Queens.”

“There will be no conscripts to fight through,” added Wade. “All the warriors will be Zaltule. They will show no mercy and will kill every Marine they can. This battle in the hive won’t end until every one of them is dead.”

“Can we even take the hives?” asked General Alise from Mars.

Wade took a deep breath before answering. “We can, but I’m afraid it’s going to be costly.”

“Should we even attempt this operation?” asked Mayor Strong from Luna City.

Wade nodded his head. “Unfortunately I don’t believe we have any choice. This may be the only way to stop the Zaltule threat. If we wait and they attack, our losses will be even higher. Look at what happened in the Pradel System. Millions of civilians were lost. Look what happened to Earth in the original attack by the Kleese. We lost billions. The Kleese and the Zaltule consider all other races inferior.”

“That does give us an advantage,” said Ryan. “Both have always underestimated us. The Zaltule will never believe we would dare to attack the hives. We can use that belief to our advantage. From the videos I’ve studied of what the Sundance was able to film of the hives, I believe they are more designed to survive an attack by nuclear and antimatter weapons. I seriously doubt they believe anyone would dare mount an actual physical assault of the hives themselves as we are considering. Yes, the hives will be heavily defended but the element of surprise will be on our side.”

General Timmons looked over at Marken who had been silent so far. “Where will the Queen’s chamber be in the hive?”

“It won’t be the deepest chamber,” Marken said. “Unfortunately we don’t know a lot about the Queens as none have ever been seen. Doubtlessly there will be escape tunnels and the Queen or Queens should be in the lower levels of the hive.”

“Why not the lowest level?” asked Mayor Strong.

“That will most likely be an emergency chamber, one where the Queen can be taken if the main chamber is about to be breached. We know very little about the breeding habits of the Queens or even if they’re intelligent. They may be more like a drone used solely for the purpose of breeding.”

-

The discussion lasted for several more hours with everyone voicing an opinion and others asking detailed questions about the operation. At the end of that time Admiral Kelly looked at everyone and spoke. “Then we are all in agreement the mission is a go.”

“We have no choice,” replied Wade grimly. “Not if we want to survive.”

Admiral Kelly nodded. “Very well, I would like for General Nelson and Colonel Nelson to remain on Centerpoint for the foreseeable future and help with the mission planning. This is going to be an operation we can’t afford to screw up. I want our best people involved in this.”

General Timmons looked over at the two officers. “I would like the two of you to come to one of the training domes where we’ve built a representation of a Zaltule hive. We have several companies of Marines in Type Nine battlesuits assaulting the hive every day. You’re thoughts and recommendations would be appreciated.”

Wade looked over at Ryan. Thomas was in training for the Type Nine battlesuits. There was no doubt he was going on this mission.

-

Thomas woke up to find himself lying on a bed in the medical facility of the training center.

“Relax Sergeant,” the attending nurse said. “You’ve got a broken arm and two broken ribs. I’ve injected some specialized medical nanites into you and you should be healed back up in a couple of hours. I would suggest you just lay there and relax.”

After the nurse left Kinsley came in with a big grin on her face. “I can’t believe you actually got hurt. This is the first time in all of our combat scenarios you have actually ended up in the hospital.”

“We’re not the only ones attacking that hive,” Thomas said as he tried to sit up. “There are other platoons going through the same scenario. Whatever is being planned is big.”

Kinsley stepped over and helped get his pillow situated. “Is that better?”

“Now you’re acting like a mother hen.”

Kinsley’s face turned red but she finished getting the pillow straightened. “Today was the third time we’ve tried to reach the Queen’s chamber. Each time we all end up getting stunned. Every day they change the tunnels and move the pop-ups. How are we ever going to reach the Queen’s chamber?”

Thomas thought for several moments. “We can’t with our current weapons. We need to change something.” Thomas had been injured when three explosive rounds struck his battlesuit.

“What?” asked Kinsley. “What can we change?”

“The explosive launchers on our backs. Those explosives are much more powerful. We need some way to use them in the tunnels.”

“We can’t,” said Kinsley, sitting down on the side of the bed with her hand resting casually on Thomas’s leg. “The explosive launchers on the back of our suits are not designed to launch in a straight line. They’re designed to go up in an arc and then come down. All the software that controls the launchers and makes sure they land in the correct spot are programmed for an arc.”

Thomas felt suddenly very aware of Kinsley’s presence. Her hand was resting casually on the blanket covering him. He also noticed she was wearing perfume. “Would you contact Lieutenant Adams and tell her I would like to speak with her?”

Kinsley nodded and stood up. Thomas thought her hand had lingered on his leg a little longer than necessary.

“I’ll go tell her. The last I saw of her she was giving Private Stout a lecture about needing to duck occasionally.”

Thomas had to laugh. Sometimes Private Stout is a little bit too brave for his own good.”

-

A few minutes later Lieutenant Adams came into the medical ward and went over to where Thomas was. “I understand you want to see me?”

Thomas nodded. “It’s evident we’re training to take out a Zaltule hive and kill the Queen or Queens.”

Sue did not respond but waited for Thomas to continue.

“I’m assuming by your silence I’m correct. I have no desire to sacrifice myself and my platoon in an endeavor that cannot succeed.”

“Are you saying you will refuse to follow an order if it involves a Zaltule hive?” Sue asked, surprised by Thomas’s comment.

Thomas shook his head. “No, Lieutenant. We need better weapons to assault a hive if we hope to survive and reach the Queen’s chamber. What we have now won’t do it.”

“What do you have in mind?” Sue didn’t tell Thomas they had already made plans to strengthen the explosive rounds the assault rifles fired to double their current strength.

Thomas spent a few minutes explaining what he was wanting. When he was finished Lieutenant Adams had to agree in part.

“The only danger I see is if the explosives bring down the roof of the tunnels.”

“They shouldn’t,” replied Thomas. “The Zaltule are bound to have made the tunnels resistant to explosives. They must expect we would use nuclear or antimatter weapons on the surface. The tunnels in the hives must be resistant to some point.”

Sue could see no way to disagree with Thomas. She had much the same thoughts. “We will not attempt the hive tomorrow. I want to talk to Major Reed about the changes you have suggested. I don’t believe they will be too difficult with the manufacturing facilities we have here on the station.”

She was about to leave when she had one more thought. “If we use more powerful weapons in the artificial hive it could result in the deaths of some of the Marines participating in the drill. Right now our weapons are set up not to seriously endanger any of our people.”

Thomas took a deep breath. “It’s a risk we will have to take. We need to know how to use the weapons and how effective they will be.”

“I suspect Major Reed will have to get permission from General Timmons to use your modified weapons in the hive. I should also tell you that your father and uncle are both here on the station. I can make arrangements for you to see them if you wish.”

Thomas thought for a moment before replying. “Just tell them I’m doing fine and will see them when I can. Right now I need to focus on this training if we’re going to find and kill a Zaltule Queen.”

-

Later as Lieutenant Adams made her way to the Control Center to speak with Major Reed she realized Thomas might be better suited for command of the company of Marines than she was. She had combat experience but Thomas continued to demonstrate his ingenuity. This mission they were going on to take out the Zaltule hives was not going to be a normal combat situation. She thought back over how Thomas had performed on Charring Mountain and in other drills. He was far above most of the other Marines. It really wasn’t that much of a surprise considering who his family was. She would explain to Major Reed her concerns and see what he thought.

-

The next day Thomas stood at attention as Major Reed appeared to address the assembled platoons. For the first time all of the Marines currently training in the Type Nine battlesuits were together in one place. Thomas thought there had to be well over four hundred of them.

“I am here to dispel several rumors going around. First off, the training you are currently going through is designed to take out a Zaltule Queen buried deep within a hive. The heavy battlecruiser Sundance located three such hives on what we believe to be the Zaltules’ new homeworld.”

There was a shifting in the assembled Marines as they looked uneasily at one another. A few voices could even be heard.

“Is this a one way mission?” asked Private Stout.

Major Reed hesitated and then answered. “No, Private, it is not. While we do believe there will be some heavy casualties every effort is being made to ensure as many of you as possible make it back to the Solar System safely.”

“What happened to the Sundance?” asked another Marine. “I heard it was lost.”

“Sadly, that is true,” answered Major Reed. “However, Commander Smith made sure the data she had recorded on the Zaltule hives was sent ahead with the rest of her fleet. We are still hoping the Sundance will make it back.”

“When will we leave?” asked Private Stout.

“In a few more weeks,” Major Reed answered. “Current plans are to take at least three fully crewed Marine assault ships to take out the hives. One Marine assault ship for each hive. There will also be some changes in command.” Major Reed turned to look at Lieutenant Adams who was standing behind him. “Lieutenant Adams, step forward. In consideration of the effort you have put forth in training I have decided to promote you to the rank of captain.” Major Reed handed the startled lieutenant a box containing her new rank. “Congratulations, Captain.”

“Thank you, sir,” replied Adams as she took the box.

“In addition due to his outstanding performance during drills and suggestions he has made as far as new weapons to use in taking out the Zaltule hives Sergeant Thomas Nelson is being promoted to the rank of lieutenant. Lieutenant Nelson, will you please come forward.”

Thomas felt stunned. He had expected nothing like this. Taking a deep breath, he made his way up to where the major was and accepted the small box containing his new insignia.

“You will now be in charge of all four platoons in your company. Captain Adams will remain your immediate superior and in overall command of what happens in the hive. There will be additional Marines going in Type Seven battlesuits as well as a number of hover tanks. This is going to be an all out effort to take out all the Zaltule Queens and end the threat of the Zaltule once and for all.”

-

Major Reed spent another half hour talking more about the mission and what they might encounter as well as answering questions. When he was done he had one more thing to say. “We never send people on a one way mission. That is not our way. However, due to the extreme danger involved in this mission if anyone wants to sit this one out you may. If you decide not to go it will not be a mark against you. There will be no questions asked. If you decide this mission is not for you, just inform Captain Adams.”

-

Later Thomas was surrounded by many members of his platoon and others congratulating him on his promotion.

“If a Nelson is gong to be leading us then I’m not afraid to go,” remarked a corporal from another platoon. “Your family has a reputation of doing the impossible. If you go, then I’m going.” Many others voiced the same sentiment.

Thomas looked around and then spoke. “I’m going because it is my duty to go. I expect the same from everyone here. As Major Reed said this mission may be the most dangerous one Marines have ever attempted. Spend tonight thinking about that. If you have families or people close to you, perhaps it’s best for you not to go. That decision is up to you and you alone.”

As everyone went back to their quarters Thomas found the main members of his platoon still with him.

“A captain,” muttered Brian, shaking his head. “How does that feel?”

“Pretty good, Sergeant Parker,” Thomas replied with a grin.

“Sergeant,” moaned Brian, shaking his head. “Why would you do that to me?”

Leah started laughing. “You’re qualified. Just take the job and shut up.”

“So, what now?” asked Kinsley. “Are we really going to get some stronger weapons?”

“According to Captain Adams we are. Several construction facilities in the station have been working overtime redesigning the Type Nine battlesuits just for this mission. With a little luck we’ll have them tomorrow.”

Kinsley was quiet for several moments. “I’m a little scared. If this mission is as dangerous as Major Reed says it is some of us might not come back.”

The entire group was silent as they thought over what Kinsley had just said.

“There was always the danger of that no matter what mission we go out on,” said Thomas. “I firmly believe as long as we stick together and look out for one another we’ll make it through this.”

Kinsley and the others nodded. “We’d better go get some rest. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow.”

“Let’s go eat first,” said Brian, patting his stomach. “I’m starving.”

Leah laughed. “You’re always hungry.”

The group turned and began walking toward the base cafeteria.

-

The next day General Wade Nelson, General Timmons, Colonel Ryan Nelson, and Major Reed watched as Thomas led his Marines once more into the artificial hive. The explosive launchers had been modified so the end of the launch tubes sat on the shoulders of the battlesuits pointed ahead. Their overall range had been drastically reduced but they could still fire at targets several hundred meters in front of them.

They watched as Thomas used the explosive launchers to blast his way through the artificial hive, taking out the pop-up weapons and destroying the egg chambers his platoons came across. In the end they made it to the Queen’s chamber and blew everything in it into thousands of pieces.

“He only lost seven Marines!” exclaimed Major Reed with a big grin on his face. “His idea for those explosive launchers made a huge difference.

“I want the same thing done to the Type Seven battlesuits,” ordered General Timmons. “The Type Sevens are much larger and contain far more explosive rounds.”

“They’ll have hover tanks with them in the hive as well,” commented Wade. He had been impressed by Thomas’s performance. “If we can land at least two assault ships in the entrance we can use ship weapons to hold any Zaltule reinforcements back. I would recommend we send an extra assault ship to each hive. It will have additional hover tanks and Marines on board. They will be responsible for holding the entrances against any attempts by the Zaltule to enter the hive. We don’t want our Marines trapped between two forces.”

General Timmons nodded. “Then we’re nearly ready. We’ll run our Marines through this scenario a few more times and see what further refinements we need to make. There’s a General Staff meeting in two more days to finalize everything including the fleet units going. I understand Admiral Kelly has heard from the Alliance and they have agreed to send a sizable fleet. I think the disaster at Pradel shook them up considerably.”

Wade looked one last time at the viewscreen watching Thomas leading his Marines out of the now destroyed hive. “Let’s hope everything works out; we have a lot riding on this.”

Chapter Seventeen

Admiral Kelly gazed at several large viewscreens showing the fleet forming up around the Moon. The Alliance had sent over six hundred battlecruisers commanded by Admiral Vreel. Fourth Fleet and Eighth Fleet had both been greatly expanded by pulling ships from other Solar System fleets. Currently the two fleets each had ten heavy battlecruisers, sixteen standard battlecruisers, thirty light cruisers, and one hundred and thirty assault ships. In addition there were three Marine assault ships: the Victory, Lexington, and the Terra. A number of the smaller two hundred-meter assault ships had Marines on them as well in case they were needed down on the planet.

“We’re still going to be vastly outnumbered,” said Rear Admiral Blair, gazing at the viewscreens. “A big part of that fleet won’t be returning if any of it does.”

Admiral Kelly looked over at General Wade Nelson who was in the Command Center watching the fleet prepare for departure. “What do you think, General?”

Wade gazed at the viewscreens one of which was showing a magnified view of Rear Admiral Stinson’s ship the Dauntless. “It’s a big risk we’re taking. We’ll have the element of surprise on our side. We have to take advantage of that as soon as the fleet drops out of Fold Space. This isn’t a battle to destroy their fleet but to kill their Queens.”

“Won’t the Zaltule detect the fleet before it even enters the star system?” asked Rear Admiral Blair.”

“Maybe,” replied Wade. He wondered what Thomas was doing. He was on board the Victory along with Captain Adams. “We have to hope the Zaltule fleet is scattered and not all congregated around the target planet. There are two planets in the system which have been colonized by the Zaltule. In addition there are other worlds their ships are protecting in a number of star systems they control.”

“Even so the odds will not be in our favor,” replied Blair. “I just have a bad feeling about this entire operation.”

Admiral Kelly turned away from the viewscreens. “We either fight them now or fight them later. I would much rather fight them in their solar system instead of ours.”

Rear Admiral Blair didn’t reply. He just kept gazing at the viewscreens.

“We’ll do okay,” said Wade. “Our Marines are highly trained and ready for anything. The same for our warships. If we can win this by taking out the Zaltule Queens the heavy fighting in our section of the galaxy will be over for awhile, particularly with the Kleese pulling back to the center of their Empire.”

“I’m still not comfortable with that,” commented Rear Admiral Blair. “I still believe it’s some type of trick they’re pulling.”

“Maybe,” replied Wade. “Even if it is a trick it gives us more time to prepare our defenses and build more ships.”

“Rear Admiral Stinson is requesting permission to depart,” reported Captain Cynthia Edison from communications.

Admiral Kelly took a deep breath. “Permission granted. Tell Admirals Stinson, Haden, and Vreel good luck and good hunting.”

They all watched the viewscreens as the fleet left the vicinity of the Moon and began to accelerate away. Shortly afterward the ships of the fleet began entering Fold Space and vanishing from view.

Admiral Kelly gazed at the viewscreens that now only showed a sea of unblinking stars. The fleet was off; it would be weeks before he knew who won the battle. Weeks in which he would be anxious and concerned for the crews of the ships and the Marines who had gone with them. Looking over at General Wade Nelson, Kelly knew he wouldn’t be the only one deeply concerned.

-

Rear Admiral Stinson watched the tactical display as the huge fleet formed up and entered Fold Space. It was a two-week journey to the Zaltule system where they would attempt to kill the Queens.

“Have you thought of a battle plan?” asked Commander Hill.

“I have a general plan. It all depends on how the Zaltule fleet is deployed.” She had spent hours with Admiral Kelly and others discussing possible tactics.

Commandeer Hill glanced down at the command console in front of him which showed the status of the ship and allowed him to contact any department or ship of the fleet if necessary. “How long is it going to take to land our Marines?”

Amelia let out a deep sigh. “We have to take out the surrounding defenses first before we can attempt to land the Marines. We have some weak antimatter missiles we’ll use for that. Then we’ll send in some assault ships to make sure all the defenses have been dealt with. Once that’s been done we’ll begin to land the Marines. We have to give them cover at least until they’re inside the hives and their escape assault ships have landed in the entrances.”

“That’s going to take some time, maybe an hour or more.”

Amelia nodded. “I know, but if we leave before the Marines have secured their landing zones, they’ll be wiped out even before they can start their mission.”

Commander Hill looked at the tactical display. The entire fleet was now in Fold Space. “I don’t know who has the hardest job, us or the Marines.”

Amelia allowed herself to smile. “We’ve always known this mission would be difficult. My father used to say just grin and bare it.”

“Sounds like good advice. I want to schedule some fleet-wide damage control drills starting tomorrow. We need to keep the crews busy for the next few weeks.”

Amelia nodded. “See to it. This is going to be a difficult battle and we may take some damage. The crews need to know how to react in case of a hull breach or a fire.” The crews normally ran a few disaster drills as a regular part of their training but this coming battle would probably test their repair abilities to the limit.

For the next several hours everything was routine. True, this was a much larger fleet than Amelia was used to handling but with the help of Admiral Vreel and Rear Admiral Haden everything was running smoothly. Amelia hoped it continued to run this way until they reached the Zaltule system. Once they did all bets were off.

-

Thomas was in one of the cargo holds of the Victory inspecting one of the small hover tanks. There were eight of them in the cargo hold. Each tank had a powerful energy cannon as its main armament. The tank also had two small secondary railgun cannons and a pair of dual explosive launchers. On the back of the tank were recharging connections for the battlesuits. A crew of three in environmental suits would operate each tank as the tanks were a sealed environment.

“I like these tanks,” commented Brian as he ran his hand over the tough battle armor that covered them. “They will be useful in the hive.”

“Unless the tunnels are too narrow,” pointed out Thomas.

Brian stepped back and examined the hover tank. “The Zaltule aren’t exactly small. I’ll bet this tank will fit down most of the tunnels.”

“Let’s hope they fit in the one that leads down to the Queen.”

Brian stepped over and examined the large energy cannon on the tank. “I’ve never seen one of these actually fire. I wonder how powerful it is?”

“Strong enough,” answered Thomas. “They’re too dangerous to fire in the training domes. They’re also not normally used on strike missions. They’re kept back to be used in situations where a battle will be really intense or last for several days.”

“How many of these are we going to have with us?”

“At least eight,” replied Thomas. “There will be some on the assault ships coming down as well but some of those will be needed to defend the ships.”

Brian was quiet for several moments. “I think Leah and Kinsley are both really worried about this mission. We’ve all gotten really close and they’re afraid not all of us will be coming back.”

“We’ll come back,” promised Thomas in a solemn voice. “I’ll see to it.” Thomas could not imagine any of his friends dying in the hive. He would do whatever was necessary to keep them all alive.

-

Leah was with Kinsley as they were sharing quarters. “Are you as nervous about this mission as I am?” Leah asked. She was sitting on one of the small beds trying to relax with her back against the wall.

Kinsley was on the other bed facing Leah. “Some,” she admitted. I was talking to some of the other members of our squad and they’re all concerned. It probably would have helped if we could have gone on several combat missions on worlds the Alliance is attempting to take back from the Kleese.”

“Yeah,” replied Leah in agreement. “It would have made this easier. Instead of fighting conscripts where we would have superior weapons, we’re going to be fighting real living Zaltule who will be in battlesuits with weapons similar to ours. They will even have energy lances.”

Kinsley though about that for a moment. “You know I just realized that no one in our squad has actually been in combat. None of us has actually had to kill anyone. I’m not sure I’m ready for that even if it is a Zaltule.”

“I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about that,” replied Leah as she took in several deep breaths. “I’m just going to follow Thomas’s orders and try not to think about the repercussions of what I’m doing. I’m sure afterward I’ll have nightmares for weeks.”

“The doctors have medications to help us get through this,” said Kinsley. “Some of the older Marines say after the first few times it gets a little better. You just have to remember the enemy is trying to kill us as well. We simply need to kill them first.”

“I’ve seen the videos of what the Kleese and the Zaltule did to Earth, Mars, and even Vesta. They were heartless when they attacked and killed so many civilians.”

Kinsley forced a grin. “Look at it this way. They’re just giant spiders. What do you do when you see a spider?”

“Squash it,” replied Leah without hesitation.

“Do you feel guilty afterward?”

Leah shook her head.

“The same goes here. The Zaltule are giant spiders and we’re going to go and squash them.”

“I think they’re a little bit larger than the ones I’ve seen crawling across the floor.”

Kinsley’s smile grew wider. “That’s why we have bigger weapons: so we can kill bigger spiders.”

“Maybe,” replied Leah. “I don’t want to fail Thomas or Brian.”

Kinsley looked at Leah with a more understanding look. “You really like Brian, don’t you?”

Leah let out a heavy sigh and nodded. “More every day. What is there not to like about him? He’s everything I’ve ever wanted or dreamed about in a guy.”

“Have you told him how you feel?”

Leah looked frightened and shook her head. “I can’t, at least not yet. What about you and Thomas? Don’t you feel the same way about him?”

“Maybe,” replied Kinsley, her eyes narrowing slightly. “I’m not sure Thomas is ready for that type of relationship yet and I don’t want to push him. If it happens for us it does, if not I’m prepared to wait.”

“Let’s just hope we all return from this mission,” replied Leah with a deep sigh.

“Thomas will keep us safe,” promised Kinsley. “He won’t let anything happen to us.”

Leah didn’t reply. This was the Zaltule they were going to fight. They were supposedly the most fierce warriors in the galaxy. Leah hoped Kinsley was right but she was greatly afraid some of them would not be coming back.

-

War Overlord Tetus was in the Command Center of the heavily armed trading station orbiting Warmik. Ship construction was on schedule and he was waiting to hear back from Overlord Barral on the ship strengths and weapons of the Alliance and the faltering Kleese Empire. He was already making plans to deal with the Alliance. By taking out particular key worlds he was certain the war with the Alliance could be greatly shortened. Once the Alliance was under control of the Zaltule then he would turn toward the Empire. He would save the Humans for last.

“What is the latest status of our new warriors?” asked Tetus.

“Undergoing training,” replied Overlord Praveen. “Between the three hives we have over two hundred thousand new warriors. They will be ready for combat within six weeks.”

“What is the status of the egg chambers?” Each hive had numerous egg chambers with different levels of development.

“Four hundred and twelve thousand eggs are currently maturing.”

War Overlord Tetus was satisfied with this information. He would need many new warriors for the battles ahead of the Zaltule.

-

Rear Admiral Stinson had just finished speaking to the other two admirals in the fleet. They had a battle plan but part of it was dependent on the location and number of Zaltule battlecruisers in the star system which was their target.

“We have to hold the space directly above the three hives for at least an hour,” said Amelia as she folded her arms across her chest. On one of the large viewscreens was the target planet with the three hives marked in red. Around the hives more red and amber circles indicated layers of defense that protected the hives from attack.

“I don’t know if that’s even possible,” said Commander Hill. “Once we go into orbit and begin launching our ground assault, the Zaltule are going to zero in on our fleet. It will take them only a few minutes to realize we’re attacking the hives. They’ll go berserk!”

Amelia was afraid that Commander Hill was correct. “We need to find a way to reduce that one hour to half that.”

Commander Hill thought for several moments. “It will take the assault shuttles at least eighteen minutes to reach their targets once they launch from the Marine assault ships. We’re going to hit the area around the hives with weak antimatter missiles to take out the defenses. We have to hold the space above the hives until all of our Marines and the designated assault ships are inside. It will take time just to clear the orbital space of Zaltule warships so our craft can land safely. I just don’t see how we can reduce the time by more than a few minutes.”

Looking at the three large green icons on the tactical display that designated the large Marine assault ships Amelia wondered if there was anything they could do. Each one of those ships was carrying one company of Marines trained in the Type Nine battlesuits and four companies trained in the Type Sevens. In addition there were three of the two hundred-meter assault ships assigned to land in the entrance of each hive. Each assault ship held another eighty Marines in the Type Seven suits as well as four hover tanks.

“How many Zaltule do you think will be in one of those hives?”

Commander Hill pressed an icon on his computer screen and the view on the main viewscreen changed to show a close up of one of the hives. From this vantage point the hive looked massive. “Thousands,” he replied. “We have no way to know how they will be armed or what the internal defenses of the hives will be like. We won’t know until our Marines are actually inside.”

“By then it will be time for the fleet to leave.” Amelia felt like they were leaving the Marines behind in a no win situation. Even if they succeeded and managed to kill the Queens how would they ever get off the planet? Once the fleet left the Zaltule would have full control of the planet’s orbital space and be ready to shoot down any vessels attempting to leave the surface.

“I don’t like this mission,” Amelia said, shaking her head. “To me it’s going to be too costly. I wish there was someway we could cover those Marines until they leave the hives.”

Commander Hill understood how the rear admiral was feeling. He felt the same way. “I don’t see how. If we stay too long the Zaltule will destroy our fleet. We’re going to take some heavy losses as it is.”

Leaning back in her command chair, Amelia thought long and hard about what could be done. She called up some different data and images of the Zaltule system looking for some weakness she could exploit with her fleet. The problem was the Zaltule had too many ships! No matter what she came up with she could not get around that fact.

-

Thomas was meeting with Captain Adams discussing what would happen when they reached the Zaltule planet.

“We’ll have twenty hover tanks at our disposal,” Adams said. “We’ll probably leave four at the entrance to help defend against any attempts the Zaltule make to rush more of their warriors into the hive. We’ll also have three assault ships to defend the entrance.”

“How many Marines will we leave with the ships?”

Sue touched her computer screen and then answered. “Eighty should be sufficient. They will serve two purposes: preventing Zaltule reinforcements from entering the hive and helping protect the assault ships. We’re going to need them to get back off the planet.”

Thomas arched his eyebrow and slowly shook his head. “Can we put eight hundred Marines on those three ships?”

Captain Adams frowned. “We could for the short term. But we would have to rendezvous with the larger Marine assault ships at some point.”

“I wish we knew more about the hives,” said Thomas. “We practiced in the artificial hive back on Centerpoint but we have no idea how close that facsimile was to an actual Zaltule hive.”

Sue had to agree. “No one has ever been inside an actual Kleese or Zaltule hive. What we built was the best guess from a number of Alliance races, including Marken and his people.”

Thomas looked at a viewscreen on the wall showing the hive and the vicinity around it. The hive had one large main entrance and several secondary entrances. “When we go in will we keep all of our Marines together or will we split up?”

“We’ll split up,” replied Captain Adams. “I think two main groups will work best. That will give both forces considerable firepower and double our chances of finding the Queen’s chamber. I’ll take one and you will take the other. It will also force the Zaltule to split their forces.”

Thomas spent a few moments gazing at the video of the hive and the surrounding area. “Once the Zaltule realize what we’re doing they’re going to rush reinforcements to the hive and that includes ships. Will our three assault ships be able to hold out?”

“Maybe,” replied Captain Adams. “I don’t think the Zaltule will risk using heavy weapons against our ships if they’re parked in the entrance of the hive. Instead I think we’ll see massive waves of Zaltule warriors trying to overwhelm our defenses and take the entrance away from us.”

“What about additional explosive rounds? Will we be carrying any?”

“The hover tanks have a small heavily armored compartment on the rear next to the suit chargers which will contain extra explosive round clips for the assault rifles, a few extra charge modules for the energy rifles, and some armor piercing rounds. That’s the best we can do.”

Thomas stood up and walked over to the viewscreen examining the view of the hive. “What do you think our chances are of surviving this?”

Sue took a deep breath. “I don’t know. We have no idea what we will be facing in the hive. Even if we reach the Queen’s chamber we may have to fight our way back out again. Once we reach the assault ships, assuming they’re still there, we have to take off and hope we can escape. The Zaltule are bound to be firing on the ships and we can’t enter Fold Space until we’re out of the planet’s atmosphere.”

“Doesn’t sound good,” replied Thomas, feeling a knot in his stomach.

“No, it doesn’t, but we have a mission to complete and we’ll do our best to follow our orders.”

“How many hover tanks will my group have?”

“Eight; we’ll both have eight. We’ll also be carrying several low yield nukes as a last resort weapon.”

Thomas knew if they had to use the nukes no one was getting out of the hive alive. He was determined for that not to happen. Thomas sat back down. The two of them still had much to talk about.

-

Several days later Rear Admiral Stinson had finally come up with a plan to divide the Zaltule forces.

“If we send a small task group to take out the Zaltule ships in the Lenox System it should cause the Zaltule to send ships from their new home system to deal with that force.”

“Do we want to divide the fleet?” asked Commander Hill, his eyes narrowing sharply. “We’re going to need every ship we have to attack their home planet.”

“We’ll only divide it for a short time,” replied Amelia. “I’ll have Rear Admiral Haden take his fleet into the Lenox System and destroy all the Zaltule ships there. Once he’s done his fleet will rejoin ours and we’ll head toward the Zaltule homeworld. Hopefully the Zaltule will hear what we’ve done and will dispatch part of their fleet to deal with us. They may fear we’re going to attack the other worlds the Lenox have. Once they hear the size of Rear Admiral Haden’s fleet they won’t be expecting us to attack their homeworld. They’ll think that’s all we sent on this mission.”

Commander Hill nodded. “It’s a risk but if we can pull some of those Zaltule ships away from their home system it’ll be worth it.”

“It’s the best we can do. I want to give those Marines every chance we can to survive this mission. The longer we can stay in orbit and the more damage we can do to the Zaltule fleet, the better their chances will be of getting back off the planet and making it home.”

“What happens if we fail in this mission and can’t destroy all the hives?”

Amelia let out a deep sigh. “If that happens then I imagine the Zaltule will be angry beyond belief at us daring to try to kill their Queens. They’ll come after us with everything they have.”

Commander Hill blinked his eyes and replied. “Then we’d better not fail.”

Amelia knew Commander Hill was right. Failure was not an option. The entire future of the Alliance and the Solar System was riding on the success of this mission. Somehow or another she had to make sure the Zaltule Queens died.

Chapter Eighteen

Minor Overlord Lazorth was growing impatient. He currently had seven Zaltule battlecruisers and thirty-four assault ships to protect the Lenox System. He strongly suspected the Humans would return to either attempt to free the system from the Zaltule or to gather more information. He stepped off the command pedestal and turned his triangular shaped head toward the tactical display. His ship was in high orbit above Lenox Prime.

“Have we received any word from Warmik on my request for more ships?” Lazorth wanted to double the ships he currently had in the system. He didn’t want to risk the Humans being able to enter the system undetected or not be able to detect any probes they might attempt to use.

“No, there have been no new communications,” replied Malvern.

It was at that moment alarms on the sensor console began sounding.

Minor Overlord Lazorth’s multifaceted eyes shifted to the tactical display to see dozens of red threat icons dropping out of Fold Space. “Identify those ships!” he ordered in a cold and harsh voice.

“Human battlecruisers and support craft,” replied the Zaltule at the sensor console. “Total count is sixteen battlecruisers, thirty of their smaller support cruisers and one hundred and thirty assault ships.”

Lazorth felt a cold shiver spread through his body. The Humans were back and with a fleet large enough to conquer the Lenox System. This was what he had been afraid of. “Send one of our assault ships to Warmik with the sensor data and a request for immediate reinforcements.”

“Human ships are closing on Lenox Prime.”

“Why didn’t we detect them in Fold Space before they entered the system?”

“Unknown,” replied the Zaltule at the sensors. “We were detecting a field of interference but assumed it was due to unusual activity from the system’s star. Such interference is quite common in this star system.”

Minor Overlord Lazorth stepped back onto the command pedestal and then turned to face the tactical display. “I want all warships to enter Fold Space and rendezvous at our position immediately. We will hold the Human ships here in the Lenox System until more fleet units arrive from Warmik. Then we will destroy them.”

“Message sent,” replied Malvern. “Assault ship 239 will be departing immediately.”

“Human fleet has formed up into a cone formation and is headed toward the planet,” reported the Zaltule at the sensors. “Estimated time to engagement range is fourteen minutes.”

Lazorth’s multifaceted eyes widened. “The Humans were wasting no time. It was evident they intended to destroy his fleet and free the system from Zaltule rule. Reinforcements might not get here in time.

“Craton, I want the fleet in a globe formation with the battlecruisers in the center and the assault ships on the outside. Put us close enough to the planet so the Humans cannot get behind us.”

Lazorth was holding in his anger at the sheer audacity of the Humans to actually attack the Lenox System. The Humans were an inferior race and should submit to the Zaltule. So far in all of the dealings with the Humans they had been a troublesome species. It was becoming obvious the Humans, instead of being conquered and forced to serve the Zaltule, needed to be eliminated instead. It was a recommendation he would make to Military Overlord Tetus if he survived the coming battle.

-

Rear Admiral Haden sat in his command chair as his fleet closed with the Zaltule. Sensors indicated every Zaltule ship except one was headed toward the target planet. Haden smiled as he realized Rear Admiral Stinson’s plan was working. There was no doubt the assault ship fleeing the system was going to the Zaltule homeworld to report the presence of the Human fleet and to request reinforcements be sent immediately.

“All the Zaltule ships should arrive just prior to us reaching engagement range,” reported Lieutenant Klein from her sensor console.

“What’s the total we’ll be facing?”

“Seven Zaltule battlecruisers and thirty-three assault ships.”

Haden eyed the tactical display for a moment. “Our own assault ships will target the enemy assault ships. Our battlecruisers and light cruisers will target the Zaltule battlecruisers. I want full spreads of our multi-warhead antimatter missiles launched at first contact. I want all the missiles focused on four of those battlecruisers. After they have been destroyed I want full spreads of missiles launched at the remaining three. With a little luck this battle will be over before it starts.”

Commander Kendra Allison quickly passed on the orders. The fleet was in a cone formation with the heavier ships in the center. Allison was confident of victory as they had superior numbers and firepower.

-

Minor Overlord Lazorth watched the tactical display as the rest of his ships began to arrive. It was obvious he was heavily outnumbered. For a moment he toyed with abandoning the system but he was a Zaltule Overlord and did not retreat from battle. His orders were to defend this system and keep it under control of the Zaltule. Military Overlord Tetus would be very displeased if he abandoned the system. It was better to die as a warrior than to be executed for failing to fulfill his duty to the Zaltule.

“All weapons are ready,” reported the Zaltule at the tactical console. “Energy shield is at 98 percent.”

“All ships will target the Humans’ heavier vessels,” ordered Lazorth. “If we can destroy a number of them in the initial exchange, they will be forced to withdraw and when our reinforcements arrive we can hunt down what remains of this fleet and destroy it.” Lazorth was confident his plan would work. The Humans, while they did possess powerful war craft, were still not Zaltule. He would make them realize they should never have attempted to attack this system.

-

“Two minutes until engagement range,” reported Commander Allison as the two fleets edged closer on the tactical display. “It appears all of the Zaltule ships have arrived and formed up into a globe formation with the battlecruisers on the inside and the assault ships on the perimeter.”

Rear Admiral Haden nodded. If the Zaltule had more ships that formation would be hard to crack. However, he had one hundred and thirty assault ships against only thirty-three for the Zaltule. That was an advantage of over four to one. The perimeter of the Zaltule globe would not last long against that amount of firepower.

“I want our missiles launched as soon as we reach engagement range. We must hit the Zaltule before they begin firing on our ships.”

“We’re ready,” replied Commander Allison.

On the main screen, the image shifted to show more of the Zaltule fleet. The battlecruisers looked ominous and impressive at three kilometers each. They were massive vessels of war far larger than anything in the Human fleet. However, enough antimatter missiles striking their shields could still destroy them.

-

In space, the two fleets continued to close until the Human fleet reached the edge of engagement range. Instantly, missile hatches slid open and hundreds of multi-warhead sublight missiles launched. At nearly the same time the Zaltule battlecruisers opened up with their pulse fusion batteries and energy weapons. Sublight antimatter missiles were launching as well.

Defensive batteries in both fleets opened up attempting to knock down the incoming missiles. Space became filled with small explosions marking the successful interception of a number of the missiles. Energy beams lanced out, striking the energy shields of both fleets and then the missiles began to strike. Huge flashes of light designated where antimatter warheads were exploding against energy shields.

Both fleets were lit up brightly from the massive detonations of twenty and forty-megaton antimatter warheads. In the Zaltule formation, assault ships began to die as their shields were overwhelmed. Antimatter warheads were overloading the shields allowing more missiles to reach ship hulls and blow them apart.

Several antimatter missiles slammed into the hull of an assault ship turning it into glowing wreckage. Numerous Zaltule assault ships were dying in the same manner.

Four Zaltule battlecruisers were under heavy attack. Their shields were radiating brighter and brighter as massive explosions rolled across them. Suddenly a shield collapsed and dozens of warheads struck the heavily armored hull of the ship turning it into molten plasma. In a massive explosion of light the three-kilometer vessel blew apart, its flying wreckage striking a nearby Zaltule battlecruiser and knocking its shield down. Moments later that battlecruiser also died a fiery death.

-

Minor Overlord Lazorth was livid with rage as his warships died around him. Four of his battlecruisers were gone as well as nineteen of his assault ships. “I want those Humans destroyed!” he said harshly, his anger rising. “We are the superior species!”

Even as he spoke his ship shook violently, nearly throwing him off the command pedestal. Alarms began sounding and several consoles shorted out, throwing fountains of sparks across the Command Center. The Zaltule in front of the communications console was thrown into another panel and died instantly. Others were injured from the massive impact.

“We had an antimatter warhead detonate against the hull,” reported the Zaltule at the damage control console. “We’ve lost two fusion reactors and nearly a fourth of our weapons emplacements. We have a hole in the hull nearly three hundred meters in length and one hundred meters in depth. There are numerous fires burning around the impact area.”

“Energy screen is down to 18 percent and dropping due to a lack of power,” added the Zaltule at tactical. “We can no longer fire our pulse fusion cannons due to a decrease in available energy. At the current rate of failure our shield will collapse in another two minutes maximum.”

Minor Overlord Lazorth looked at the tactical display. The Human ships were still closing with his fleet and were now using their energy weapons as well as launching more missiles. Blinking his multifaceted eyes he knew his time as a Zaltule Overlord was coming to an end. The ship suddenly shook violently and Lazorth could hear the sound of tearing metal. In a sudden blast of light, the Command Center and everything in it was incinerated as antimatter energy flashed through the ship.

-

Rear Admiral Haden watched the viewscreens as the last Zaltule battlecruiser was blown apart. Only a few assault ships remained and they were rapidly being dealt with. “What are our losses?”

“We lost two standard battlecruisers and seven assault ships,” replied Commander Allison. “Several other ships are reporting damage but it’s repairable. Fleet should be back to 100 percent combat effectiveness in about two hours.”

“We will remain here for another hour and then set course for the rendezvous coordinates.”

They would not be leaving in the direction of the Zaltule homeworld but in another direction as if they were searching for another target to attack. Rear Admiral Haden hoped Rear Admiral Stinson’s plan worked. The fewer ships they had to face at the Zaltule homeworld, the more likely they could give the Marines the cover they needed.

-

Two days later the fleets were recombined and heading toward the Zaltule homeworld. Rear Admiral Stinson had reviewed Rear Admiral Haden’s attack against the small Zaltule fleet to see if she could learn anything from it. One thing she did notice was the Zaltule tended to depend more on their energy weapons rather than their antimatter missiles while the Human fleet did just the opposite.

“I wonder why?” asked Commander Hill. “It makes no strategic sense.”

“It could be the Zaltule consider themselves to be warriors and they just prefer energy beams over missiles,” replied Amelia. “It’s something we may never know the answer to. However, it’s something I intend to exploit. We have a large supply of missiles for this mission and we’ll use them to our advantage.”

“I wish we knew more about their planet-based defenses,” said Commander Hill. “We don’t know how powerful those will be.”

Amelia had to agree. From the data files the Sundance had transmitted, there were not a lot of details on the planetary defenses other than those around the three Zaltule hives.

“By now the Zaltule assault ship that left the Lenox System should have arrived at the Zaltule homeworld,” commented Commander Hill. “If there is going to be a response we should know it when we enter the system and scan for warships.”

Amelia looked at the tactical display, showing the nearly one thousand ships of her fleet. It was a powerful fleet but the enemy they were going up against was even more powerful. “Let’s hope a sizable portion of their fleet has been sent to search for us in Lenox space. It’s the best we can hope for.”

-

War Overlord Tetus watched as a large Zaltule fleet left the Warmik System. He was sending seven hundred battlecruisers and nine hundred assault ships to seek out and destroy the Human fleet now marauding through Lenox space. He was confident the size of the fleet would ensure the Humans’ destruction.

“These Humans are becoming a pest,” said Overlord Haler, stomping his six feet against the deck. “For a minor race and one with such a small population, it’s becoming more apparent sometime in the future they will have to be dealt with.”

“Supreme Military Overlord Harmock failed in his attempt to destroy the Humans’ star system,” Tetus replied. “I was there when his fleet was destroyed by the sun weapon. It might be best to quarantine the system until we’ve dealt with the Alliance and the Empire. By taking their allies away we will seriously weaken the Humans.”

Overlord Haler nodded his triangular shaped head. “Supreme Military Overlord Harmock believed at the end the Humans might be equal to our own warriors in their fighting ability.”

Tetus shook his head. “I never believed that though I did hear Supreme Military Overlord Harmock voice such an opinion several times. I’m convinced his belief in the Humans’ fighting ability is what caused his defeat. Remember, we are the Zaltule and the galaxy’s greatest warriors. All races should be subservient to us. Someday we will rule this galaxy and it will be time to expand our reach into intergalactic space.”

“A goal all Zaltule share,” replied Overlord Haler.

Tetus looked at the large tactical display. Overlord Barral should be back shortly with his report on the defenses of the Alliance and the Kleese Empire. Once he knew what the Zaltule would be facing in combat, it would be time to launch the first attacks against the Alliance. Tetus had spent considerable time deciding upon his first targets. Lanolth would be the primary target since it was the capital of the Alliance and the largest shipbuilder. After Lanolth was conquered the systems of Nalton, Pradel, Waltarn, and Tureen would be attacked. Once all five of those systems were under Zaltule control the Alliance should collapse and the Zaltule could then focus on the Empire.

Tetus would like to see the look on the faces of the Kleese Council of Overlords when they realized the Zaltule were back in force and had the Empire set in their sights. Someday Tetus would stand in the Council Hall on the Kleese homeworld as the Supreme Overlord of the Empire and a large section of the galaxy.

-

Rear Admiral Stinson sat nervously in her command chair as they neared the system containing the Zaltule homeworld. The fleet was emitting an interference pattern, which should confuse the Zaltule sensors. It would cause the sensors to show numerous snowy areas of interference as would occur during intense solar activity. They had already fooled the Zaltule once with this gambit and now they hoped to again.

“This won’t work too many more times,” commented Captain Hill. “The Zaltule will eventually figure it out.”

“We just need it to work one more time,” replied Amelia. She could feel her heart beating faster and she was breathing quicker as they neared the Zaltule System. She knew she was taking her fleet into a very dangerous situation.

“Forty minutes until Fold Space drop out,” reported Lieutenant Hines from her helm and navigation console. “We’ll drop out approximately forty thousand kilometers from the target planet.”

Amelia would like to drop out closer but she dared not risk it with the heavy ship traffic around the Zaltule homeworld. “Bring the fleet to Condition Two. We’ll go to Condition One ten minutes before we arrive at the target.”

-

Thomas was inside one of the Marine drop ships on board the Victory. He had his battlesuit on with the helmet open. He would close it once the drop ship was launched. In all, the Victory would be dropping ten drop ships and six cargo ships. The cargo ships would hold the eight hover tanks, extra ammunition, as well as a large number of Marines in the Type Seven battlesuits. The rest of the Marines in the Type Sevens would be in the drop ships along with Thomas and the Marines wearing the Type Nine battlesuits.

Thomas looked around the inside of the drop ship at the assembled and waiting Marines. Some looked nervous while others seemed unaffected. Fortunately many of the Marines in the Type Sevens had experienced combat before including being dropped from a drop ship.

“It’s not that bad,” confided Sergeant Bixt who was in a Type Seven suit and sitting across from Thomas. “There’s a lot of shaking and noise from going through the atmosphere and before you know it we’re down.”

“If they’re not shooting at us as we try to land,” added Private Benson. “On my last drop we had two drop ships shot down by Kleese weapons fire from some grounded assault ships. From what I hear this drop might be even tougher.”

“A Zaltule is just like any other overgrown spider,” growled Sergeant Bixt. “Chop off their head and they will die.”

“If they don’t get yours first,” replied Private Benson.

Sergeant Bixt frowned at Private Benson but did not reply.

-

Brian was inside another drop ship along with Kinsley and Leah.

“Are you as nervous as I am?” asked Leah, looking over at Brian.

Brian grinned. “What’s to be nervous about? We’re leaving a perfectly good ship to land on a planet inhabited by millions of Zaltule all wanting to kill us. We’re going to invade their hives and pretty much attempt to kill their mothers. What could possibly go wrong?”

Kinsley frowned at Brian. “Be serious. We could die down there.”

“I always make jokes when I’m nervous,” replied Brian in a softer tone. “It helps me to take my mind off everything.”

Leah shook her head. “You didn’t look nervous this morning the way you ate breakfast. You ate more than Kinsley, Thomas, and I combined.”

“Might be my last meal for a while,” answered Brian as he shifted his assault rifle to his other arm. “I wanted to make sure I had enough to last.”

“We have food and water in our suits,” pointed out Leah.

Brian snorted. “I don’t know if I would call that food. Some of it’s just paste and the rest is like a compact food bar. The taste is sort of bland.”

“But it has all the nutrients we need to survive,” said Kinsley. “We can live in our suits for at least forty-eight hours and have everything we need.”

“Maybe so,” replied Brian. “But I would still prefer real food.”

“There are MREs here inside the drop ship,” said Kinsley. “We can eat them in an emergency.”

“If we get back to the drop ships,” replied Brian. “From what I understand of the plan we’re going to leave them on the planet and take the assault ships back up into orbit and then try to rendezvous with the fleet.”

Leah leaned back and closed her eyes. “I have a horrible feeling something bad is going to happen. I wish we were all back on Centerpoint.”

The others didn’t reply. They all knew the odds of surviving this mission were small.

-

Rear Admiral Stinson took in a deep breath. The fleet had just gone to Condition One and would soon be exiting Fold Space. Scans indicated the presence of over 4,300 Zaltule battlecruisers and 7,000 assault ships.

“Not very good odds,” commented Commander Hill as the tactical display began to light up with red threat icons.

“No, they’re not,” answered Amelia. “However, they are scattered across the system. We just need to worry about the ones in orbit of the planet and the trading station.

Commander Hill checked his data screen which was giving a breakdown of the Zaltule fleet and its location. “There are still 3,200 battlecruisers and 4,300 assault ships close to the planet. Scans also indicate the trading station is heavily armed. It’s more like a battlestation than anything else. Same goes for the four shipyards.”

Rear Admiral Stinson looked over at the helm. “As soon as we drop out of Fold Space I want the fleet to accelerate and close with the planet. We’ll go into low orbit, drop our missiles on the defenses around the three hives and begin landing our Marines. Our job will be to hold off the Zaltule fleet until the Marines are down. Once that’s done, we’ll leave.”

Commander Hill looked at the tactical display and the swarm of red threat icons. “I just don’t see how any of those Marines will make it off the planet. Even if they make it back to the assault ships they’ll just be shot down by the orbiting Zaltule warships when they leave the hives.”

“Then I suggest we come up with a plan,” replied Amelia. “We don’t leave people behind!”

-

Military Overlord Tetus was in his quarters working on battle plans to conquer the Alliance when klaxons started sounding and red lights began flashing. He looked up perplexed, wondering what was going on. There were no drills scheduled and no reported equipment malfunctions. Touching the communicator on his desk he contacted the Command Center. “Why are the alarms sounding?” he demanded harshly.

“We have unidentified ships dropping out of Fold Space 38,000 kilometers from Warmik,” answered the Zaltule on duty in the Command Center. “Sensors estimate approximately one thousand ships.”

A suspicion made Tetus ask his next question. “Are they Human?”

There was silence for several moments before the Zaltule answered. “Yes, Overlord. We have identified Human ships as well as vessels from several Alliance races.”

Tetus could not believe the Humans would be so brash as to attack him here. “Have the fleet go to battlestations and prepare for combat. I am on my way to the Command Center.” Tetus hurriedly put on his light combat armor. He would destroy this Human and Alliance fleet. They should never have come here to his center of power.

Chapter Nineteen

“Head for the planet,” ordered Rear Admiral Stinson as she made sure her safety harness holding her in her command chair was tight. “Flank speed on sublight drives until we go into orbit. Put us directly above the hives at six hundred kilometers.” Amelia was glad all three hives were on the same side of the planet though separated by hundreds of kilometers. “I want a double layer defensive formation. The standard cruisers, light cruisers, and assault ships first with our battlecruisers in the second layer. All three Marine transports will be in the third layer. I want ten light cruisers assigned to protect them.”

“Sending the orders,” replied Commander Hill.

This was one of the formations they had discussed earlier and all the commanders in the fleets knew where their ships were supposed to be.

“Zaltule are beginning to react to our presence,” reported Lieutenant Jones. “They are forming up into a disk formation between us and the planet.”

Amelia took a deep breath. “Prepare to blow through them. Marine transports are to move into the center of our formation.” The combined fleets were currently in a cylinder formation with the front end of the cylinder aimed toward the assembling Zaltule ships. “I want to start firing missiles just before we’re in combat range. Focus on the center of their formation and we’ll attempt to go right through it behind our missiles.”

Commander Hill let out a controlled laugh. “Chicken huh?”

Amelia grinned. “It will be a new lesson for the Zaltule.”

“We’ll reach engagement range in seven minutes,” reported Lieutenant Jones.

“Begin firing our missiles thirty seconds before that,” ordered Amelia.

“They’ll shoot most of those missiles down if we fire them from that distance,” said Commander Hill.

“We have a lot of missiles to fire,” replied Amelia. “At least some of them should get through.”

On the viewscreens, a vast number of Zaltule warships could be seen scrambling to get into the giant disk formation they were forming.

“Other Zaltule ships across the system are entering Fold Space,” warned Lieutenant Jones.

“What do you want to bet those ships will drop out of Fold Space behind us,” said Commander Hill, his eyes narrowing. “They’ll want to pin us between two fleets of their ships.”

“By the time that happens, we should be through the fleet in front of us.” Amelia replied. She took several deep breaths as she watched the viewscreens. She was taking a gamble trying to smash her way through the Zaltule fleet, but it was the only way to reach the planet and her targets.

-

War Overlord Tetus stared in fascination at the many viewscreens in the Command Center of his battlestation. He had ordered the Zaltule ships around the planet to form up into a massive disk formation to oppose the attacking Human and Alliance ships. So far there were over twelve hundred battlecruisers and two thousand assault ships in the disk with more being added to it every second.

“Why are the Humans and the Alliance ships attacking us?” asked Overlord Vaxdol. “We have far more warships than they do. They must know this attack has no chance for success. Why are they sacrificing their ships?”

Tetus looked over at the Overlord. “The Humans and the Alliance races are all inferior beings. While this attack may make no sense to us, it may to them. We will use this opportunity to wipe out this fleet of ships. It will leave fewer for us to face when we attack the Alliance.”

Tetus was confident how this battle would end. He had far more ships, superior firepower, the battlestation, as well as four heavily armed shipyards. Unless the Humans and the Alliance were hiding a larger fleet somewhere, they were doomed to fail in their attack.

-

“Engagement range in forty seconds,” reported Lieutenant Jones

“Standby to launch missiles,” ordered Amelia as she leaned forward slightly. Her eyes were focused intently on the viewscreens showing the assembling Zaltule fleet. They seemed to be full of enemy warships.

“Zaltule ships dropping out of Fold Space behind us,” added Lieutenant Jones.

Amelia nodded. They had been expecting that.

“Thirty seconds,” said Captain Smith as he began firing missiles.

-

Throughout the cylinder thousands of missiles were launched. All were targeted on the center of the Zaltule disk formation. The Human and Alliance fleets entered regular engagement range and more missiles launched. The Zaltule ships began to fire at the nearing missiles in the first wave shooting most of them down, however so many had been launched some began to impact against the energy shields of the Zaltule ships in the front and center of the Zaltule formation.

The center of the disk formation suddenly erupted with light as hundreds of antimatter missiles began to strike energy shields and explode. Then the second wave of missiles struck and many more missiles began to detonate.

Several antimatter missiles slammed into the midsection of a Zaltule assault ship causing the ship to vanish in a fiery explosion. Other assault ships were facing the same fate as hundreds of explosions smashed into the Zaltule formation. More missiles began penetrating deeper into the formation, striking some of the heavier battlecruisers. The Zaltule fleet seemed to be on fire.

A Zaltule battlecruiser was the recipient of over twenty antimatter explosions against its energy shield causing the shield to briefly collapse. In those few seconds of vulnerability six 40-megaton antimatter missiles slammed into the hull. The battlecruiser exploded in a bright white fireball of antimatter energy.

-

“The Humans and the Alliance vessels are not reducing their speed,” warned the Zaltule at the sensor console. “At their current speed they will reach our fleet in twenty-two seconds.”

War Overlord Tetus’s large multifaceted eyes narrowed as he considered what this meant. “Have all of our ships concentrate their weapons fire on the enemy ships. I want them destroyed!” He didn’t understand what the Human in charge of that fleet was attempting. Their actions made no strategic sense. One thing he was certain of and that was a Human had to be in charge to attempt such a foolhardy attack on a numerically superior fleet.

-

The two fleets continued to close with massive explosions and energy beam fire now wracking both fleets. The Human and Alliance fleets began to penetrate the Zaltule disk formation. Several brilliant explosions indicated where ships actually collided with one another destroying both vessels in the process.

Zaltule pulse fusion beams penetrated the weakened energy shield of a Lanolthian battlecruiser, blowing several energy beam turrets to shreds and blasting out a jagged hole in the hull. Then a twenty-megaton antimatter missile struck, sending the ship into oblivion.

-

Rear Admiral Stinson felt icy calm as the Dauntless entered the Zaltule formation and barely missed crashing into a Zaltule assault ship. On the ship’s viewscreens, she could see ships being blown apart on both sides. It was as if the Dauntless was inside a giant furnace with tentacles of flames reaching out in every direction.

“We’re losing a lot of ships,” reported Commander Hill as he saw several Human assault ships die fiery deaths on a viewscreen.

“So are the Zaltule,” replied Amelia as the Dauntless came out of the other side of the Zaltule formation along with many other ships of her fleet. The cylinder was now a ragged formation from the ships which had been lost.

“Put us into orbit above the planet and turn the fleet to face the Zaltule. We have to buy the Marine assault ships time to launch their drop ships as well as take out the Zaltule defenses around the hives.”

Amelia blinked her eyes. Now would come the hard part. They had to hold their position above the hives until the Marines were safely inside. She just hoped she had a fleet left when this was over.

-

The three Marine assault ships and their light cruiser escorts took up their positions just behind the fleet. Almost immediately the three large ships began launching low yield antimatter missiles as well as KEW rounds at selected targets.

The weapons flashed downward through the atmosphere to strike the surface of the planet. Massive explosions tore through the Zaltule defenses, blasting wide gaps in the defensive lines. Zaltule interceptors rose up into the sky meeting some of the missiles and destroying them. Defensive energy beam turrets swept across the sky knocking down more missiles.

Commander Brannon of the Victory saw the enemy defensive positions were not being destroyed quickly enough. Too much defensive fire was knocking down his weapons. He contacted the ten supporting light cruisers and ordered them to begin firing on ground targets. Brannon was certain with their help he could overwhelm the defenses and annihilate them.

-

“Zaltule defenses around the hives are more powerful than we thought,” Commander Hill reported. “Commander Brannon is using the light cruisers to help take them out. This is putting us slightly behind our schedule.”

Rear Admiral Stinson nodded. She felt the Dauntless shake as several missiles slammed into its shields. It would not take the Zaltule fleet long to react to what her ships had done. Already some of them were turning to bring more weapons to bear. “We have to hold,” she said, clenching her teeth. “We’re not budging until the Marines are safely down.”

-

For several long minutes more weapons continued to fall on all three hives until the ground for kilometers around looked like a desolate war zone. Fires and smoke were everywhere and visibility was greatly reduced. Every time a surviving Zaltule missile battery or energy beam fired, it was struck almost immediately by heavy KEW rounds. Finally the defensive fire slackened and then came to a stop. Of the Zaltule defensive positions little was left. Where major fortifications had existed KEW rounds had left deep holes in the ground. In some areas a few battered Zaltule warriors still wandered around in confusion.

From the three orbiting Marine assault ships small vessels began exiting the huge flight bays. Drop ships and cargo ships began heading for the planet. The invasion by the Marines was beginning.

 Nine two hundred-meter assault ships broke from the fleet formation to follow them down and provide covering fire. Now they would find out how good a job they had done in destroying the defenses around the hives.

-

Military Overlord Tetus was livid. He now realized what the targets of this attack were. The Humans and the Alliance ships were attacking the hives! They had fought their way through his fleet suffering substantial losses and now over eight hundred enemy ships were in orbit above the planet. Already the ground defenses protecting the hives had been smashed by orbital bombardment.

“Turn the fleet and have all ships target the enemy ships,” Tetus ordered coldly. “I want all of our ships in the disk formation. It shouldn’t take us long to destroy these inferior races who dare to attack our hives.” Tetus knew the Queens were safe. They were in chambers deep beneath the ground under granite and reinforced armor, which would protect them from the strongest weapons.

“The Human ships are launching smaller vessels along with nine assault ships. All are descending toward the surface and the hives,” reported the Zaltule at the sensor console.

Tetus turned his triangular shaped head toward a viewscreen showing the descending ships. His multifaceted eyes focused on the vessels wondering what the Humans were attempting. Were they planning on placing bombs on the surface near the hives?

“Contact the hives and warn them Human warships are descending toward them. Be prepared for additional explosions.”

-

Thomas felt the drop ship begin to shake violently. He could hear the sound of the atmosphere as it buffeted the drop ship’s energy shield. The shield was a weak one and could only withstand one or two strikes from an energy cannon. Thomas hoped all the ones on the surface had been destroyed.

“Everyone close your helmets!” ordered Sergeant Bixt. “Check your weapons and make sure the safeties are on. I don’t want anyone to accidentally blow a hole in the hull of the drop ship. As soon as we’re down Corporal Haley will take her squad out and set up a perimeter around the drop ship. As soon as that’s been done the rest of us will exit. Be prepared for heavy resistance. We will be taking no prisoners. The only good Zaltule is a dead one!”

Thomas closed his helmet which automatically activated the environmental controls in his suit. He felt cool air flow over him and his HUD activated. “Systems check,” he said over the comm, which connected him to the sergeants and corporals in the drop ship.

“Loud and clear,” replied Sergeant Bixt.

“Same here,” replied Corporal Haley.

“Same here,” replied Corporal Coyle.

“The assault ships should have the entrance cleared out for us,” Thomas said over the comm. “The plan calls for one assault ship to move into the entrance and use its weapons to take out all resistance. The drop ships and cargo ships will land next followed by the last two assault ships. Once everyone is out and on the ground we will divide into two groups and begin our search for the Queen’s chamber. Use of heavy explosive rounds is authorized to help keep our casualties to a minimum. Each group will have eight hover tanks for support. We’ll use the hover tanks to take out the heaviest resistance.”

“Any idea of what we may be facing in the hive?” asked Sergeant Bixt.

Thomas shook his head. “No, we’ve never been inside one. We have no idea how deep the hive extends into the ground. It could be kilometers.”

Sergeant Bixt did not reply. He just checked his assault rifle and prepared for the coming battle.

-

Brian felt the drop ship shake violently and the sound of the rushing air was reaching a crescendo. If not for the suit comms they would not be able to talk. “Damn, this is rough,” Brian said as he held on tightly to his assault rifle.

Leah was across from Brian with her eyes closed. “Tell me when we’re down.”

-

Kinsley was taking deep steady breaths to try to stay calm. Looking around the cabin she saw the other Marines in their battlesuits all with tense expressions on their faces.

“Seven minutes until we reach the surface,” a voice came over the comm. It was the co-pilot in the cockpit.

Kinsley would feel better when they were reunited with Thomas. She knew that shortly they would be engaged against the Zaltule. She just hoped all of her friends survived this mission.

-

The assault ship Destiny was heading directly toward the hive that was their target with the other two assault ships on her flanks. Occasionally energy beam fire and a few defensive missiles were striking the shields causing them to flare up briefly. In return the three assault ships were firing their pulse fusion and energy beams trying to take out the installations firing on them.

“Time to target?” asked Commander Higgins.

“Two minutes,” replied Lieutenant Braggs.

Commander Higgins looked at the viewscreens in the front of the Command Center. The landscape around the hive looked totally devastated. Fires and smoke were everywhere. There was little movement and he didn’t see how anything could have survived the orbital bombardment.

The ship shook violently and several red lights flared up on the damage control console.

“Someone’s lobbing nukes at us,” reported Lieutenant Braggs. “I have their position pinpointed.”

“Hit that position with our pulse fusion cannons. I don’t want anymore strikes like that.” A nuke of that size would destroy a drop ship and seriously damage if not destroy the larger cargo ships. Higgins wanted all the drop ships and cargo ships to reach the surface as every Marine would be needed to invade the hive.

From the Destiny all four pulse fusion cannons fired on the target, tearing up the ground and finally blowing the missile launcher into hundreds of pieces.

“Target destroyed,” confirmed Lieutenant Braggs. “One minute from the hive.”

On the main viewscreen, the large entrance to the hive could be seen. It looked dark and foreboding. Commander Higgins had no idea what might await for them inside. “We’ll use our energy beam turrets to clear out any Zaltule in the entrance. Stand by, we’re going in.”

The Destiny slowed and then entered the cavernous mouth of the hive. The floor of the entrance tunnel swarmed with Zaltule. Some were armored but most were not.

“Fire!” ordered Higgins, leaning forward in his command chair his eyes focused on the viewscreens. “We need to clear this entrance of Zaltule!”

Energy beams from the Destiny began sweeping across the floor of the tunnel, vaporizing the Zaltule where they stood. Strangely none of them ran; they just stood there and died. The few who had weapons fired them at the assault ship but the ship’s energy shield shrugged off the attack as if it was a minor hindrance. If a nuke couldn’t knock the shield down what danger was there from handheld weapons?

“How far back does the entrance extend?” Higgins knew they needed to get the Destiny and all the drop ships and cargo ships as well as two more assault ships inside where they would be safe from orbital attack.

“Nearly eight hundred meters then it seems to angle downwards sharply. There are smaller tunnels that lead off the sides,” replied Lieutenant Braggs.

“Take us in as far as possible and then set the ship down. Have the Marines ready to exit. They’re to establish a perimeter until the other ships are down. Keep our energy turrets focused on those smaller tunnels as well as the larger one that goes deeper.”

Moments later the Destiny landed softly. Its energy turrets were still firing, taking out groups of Zaltule.

“Hatches are open. Marines are exiting,” reported Ensign Reynolds from tactical. “Hover tanks are moving out of the main cargo bay.”

On the viewscreens, Higgins could see the Marines spreading out and establishing their perimeter. Weapons fire was sporadic as most of the Zaltule had already been eliminated by the Destiny’s energy weapons.

“Drop ships are beginning to enter the tunnel,” reported Lieutenant Braggs.

-

Thomas felt tense as the drop ship landed. As soon as the ship was stable the large back hatch swung up and the descent ramp lowered.

“Let’s go,” yelled Corporal Haley. “Do you all want to live forever?” Grasping her assault rifle the corporal darted out of the hatch followed by her squad of Marines in Type Seven battlesuits.

“Give her a minute to set up the perimeter,” said Sergeant Bixt. “Then the rest of us will go out.”

Thomas nodded. For now he was willing to follow Sergeant Bixt’s advice since he had been on numerous combat missions.

-

In orbit, Rear Admiral Stinson grimaced as the Dauntless shook violently and then stabilized again. On the viewscreens, her fleet was being pummeled by the Zaltule who were moving in, attempting to destroy her ships.

“We’re losing a lot of ships,” reported Commander Hill as he listened to reports coming in over his comm. “The Zaltule are closing with our fleet and we won’t be able to hold this position much longer.”

“What about the landings?” asked Amelia as the Dauntless shook again and the lights dimmed briefly. She could see a number of red lights showing on the damage control console.

“Another ten minutes and all the assault ships, drops ships, and cargo ships will have landed.”

Amelia drew in a sharp breath as she saw the heavy battlecruiser Princeton explode on one of the viewscreens. The fighting was now so intense she knew they would not last another ten minutes. All Zaltule ships in the system had now joined the Zaltule disk formation, which was steadily advancing toward the battered Human and Alliance fleets.

Amelia reached a decision. “We leave in two minutes. We can’t wait any longer.” If she waited any longer she risked losing her entire fleet.

“We’ll have to fight our way through the Zaltule fleet again,” pointed out Commander Hill. “There’s too much energy being released to safely enter Fold Space from out current position. We’re also too close to the planet.”

Amelia winced as she saw two more of her assault ships explode in bright fiery blasts from antimatter strikes. She just hoped the Marines succeeded in their mission though she was still at a loss as to how to get them off the planet.

-

War Overlord Tetus reeled in shock from the reports he was receiving. The Humans were attempting an actual armed invasion of the hives. They were going after the Queens!

“I want all of our warriors on our ships in battlesuits and armed. As soon as we deal with these enemy ships we’ll be sending them down to the planet to kill the Human invaders.”

To Tetus it was beyond belief that an inferior race would dare to attack the hives and harm the Queens. Fortunately the Queens were deep underground and there were hundreds of thousands of Zaltule in the hives. However, many of them were young and untrained. Most would not even be wearing battlesuits. His eyes returned to the viewscreens. He watched in silence as a Zaltule battlecruiser was ripped in two by several antimatter missiles. He had lost a lot of ships in his fleet but the Humans and the Alliance fleets had lost more. It would not be much longer before they were all destroyed and then he could deal with the invasions of the hives.

-

The battle between the two opposing fleets was intense. The space between them was full of exploding warheads and the flashes of energy beams. The firepower being used was so great that if an energy shield wavered or failed the ship beneath that shield died almost instantly.

The heavy battlecruiser Titan was near the center of the fleet formation. Its energy shield was flickering and threatening to fail. The ship was already heavily damaged from a number of pulse fusion beams, which had cut deep swaths of destruction in the hull of the ship. Damage control teams were rushing through the vessel trying to contain the damage.

In the Command Center Commander Singh felt his ship shuddering almost uncontrollably as more antimatter missiles and energy beams struck the shield.

“The shield is starting to leak like a sieve,” reported the tactical officer. “Energy shield is down to 18 percent.”

“Communications, inform the Dauntless we won’t last much longer.”

“We’re supposed to be ready to depart in another few seconds,” reported the communication officer.

“Back through the Zaltule fleet,” muttered Commander Singh, knowing his ship would never make it. “Stand by to move out and away from the planet.”

“Signal from the Dauntless,” reported the communications officer. “It’s time to go.”

The Titan began moving forward. Around her the other ships of the fleet were doing the same. As they neared the Zaltule fleet the firing grew more intense. The Titan shook violently and more red lights flared up on the damage control console.

“Major hull breach near Engineering,” reported the damage control officer. “I’ve sealed the area off and damage control teams are on the way.”

The Titan began passing through the Zaltule fleet. All of its remaining weapons were firing. Missiles were being launched nonstop as the ship attempted to escape to safety.

More Zaltule pulse fusion beams struck the ship’s energy screen with several penetrating and blasting out more jagged and deep rents in the hull. Fires were now burning throughout the ship as the fire suppression system failed.

Commander Singh winced as a massive explosion wracked the ship. Numerous red lights flared up on the damage control console.

“We’re losing power,” reported the ship’s second officer.

“Energy shield is down to 8 percent,” added the tactical officer. “We’re losing many of our weapon emplacements. Most of our missile tubes are nonfunctional.”

“We’re losing speed,” reported the helm officer. “Sublight drive is only functional at 12 percent.”

Commander Singh crossed his fingers. They were almost through the Zaltule fleet. Another few seconds and they could enter Fold Space where they would be safe.

“We’re in the clear,” reported the sensor officer. “We can make the transition into Fold Space.

Commander Singh felt relieved. They were going to survive after all. Just as he was about to give the order to activate the Fold Space drive another explosion shook the Titan. The lights died as the power failed.

-

“We just lost the Titan,” reported Lieutenant Jones. “She’s dead in space and Zaltule pulse fusion beams are tearing her apart.”

Amelia looked at a viewscreen and saw the end of the valiant ship as it blew apart in a brutal explosion.

“Take us into Fold Space,” she ordered.

Looking at the tactical display, she saw fewer than two hundred ships were still with the Dauntless. She had lost 80 percent of her fleet getting the Marines down and into the hives. She hoped it was worth it. Several hundred thousand lives had just been lost. Amelia felt the Dauntless make the transition into Fold Space and safety. It would take them some time to figure out just what ships survived.

As the shattered fleet left the Zaltule System, Amelia couldn’t help but wonder about those she was leaving behind in the hives. After the intense battle she had just fought she could not think of a single way to safely retrieve them. She was afraid the Marines she was leaving behind would die in the hives on the Zaltule homeworld. She just could not see any way they could escape.

Chapter Twenty

Thomas was out of the drop ship and meeting with Captain Adams.

“The fleet has pulled out so we’re on our own,” she informed him. “For the time being our position here is secure. All of our assault ships, drop ships, and cargo ships made it down. We’ve got a perimeter established and I’ve got Marines placing explosive charges in all the side tunnels in case the Zaltule try to come through them. We’re leaving four hover tanks and eighty Marines here to keep the Zaltule at bay. Along with the firepower from the assault ships that should be sufficient.”

Thomas looked down the long, gently descending tunnel. At least it was lit by dim lighting. “When do we start?”

Captain Adams looked down the tunnel. “There’s no point in delaying. We’ll send a couple of scouts ahead followed by two hover tanks and two squads of Marines in Type Seven battlesuits. The rest of us will follow with the rest of the hover tanks. We’ll only divide up when we reach a point where I feel it’s necessary.”

A few minutes later the Marines were headed down the tunnel. The floor was littered with hundreds of dead Zaltule killed by the energy beams from the Destiny.

-

For ten minutes the Marines walked down the tunnel expecting to be attacked at any moment. Suddenly firing erupted in front of them and the two scouts came running back to the hover tanks. Both hover tanks began firing explosive rounds down the tunnel. Bright explosions shook the ground.

In the distance, Thomas could see a large group of Zaltule moving toward them. He used the sensors in his suit to zoom in on them and noticed with surprise they were not wearing battlesuits and didn’t seem to be armed.

“Why are they unarmed?” he asked Captain Adams.

Captain Adams brought everyone to a halt as she used her sensors to peer down the tunnel. “I don’t know. It could be because they never dreamed we would dare attack one of their hives.”

Even as Thomas watched the two hover tanks made quick work of the Zaltule.

“Forward,” called out Captain Adams. “Scouts take the lead.”

Thomas stopped to examine several of the dead Zaltule. “These Zaltule don’t look as large as they should be.”

Captain Adams looked also and then spoke. “They may be juveniles and not fully developed. That might explain why they don’t have armor and are unarmed.”

Thomas nodded and ordered his Marines to continue down the tunnel.

They continued for a few more minutes and reached a fork in the tunnel. Two tunnels of equal size led off in different directions. Both seemed to slope downward.

“I guess this is where we separate,” said Thomas as he stared down the tunnel on the left. He had hoped they would all be able to stay together longer.

Captain Adams nodded. “I’ll take the right one. We’ll also each take one of the nukes.”

“If either of us sets off a nuke down here it’s likely to kill all of us.”

“That can’t be a concern,” Captain Adams replied. “Our job is to kill the Queen or Queens and we must not let anything prevent us from doing that.”

Thomas felt his breath catch in his throat. “I know. I’ll do what’s necessary.”

“I know you will,” replied Captain Adams. “That’s why I made you a lieutenant.”

It took a few minutes to divide the Marines into two separate groups and then each group entered their assigned tunnel.

“Damn it’s spooky in here,” said Brian as he stared at the dark tunnel walls.

“It’s too quiet,” added Kinsley. “You would think we would have encountered more Zaltule by now.”

“They’re up to something,” said Leah. “At any moment they’ll come swarming up the tunnel.”

“If they do, we’ll kill them,” said Corporal Coyle.

Thomas had two platoons of Type Seven battlesuits in the lead along with four hover tanks. The rest of the Marines and the remaining four hover tanks were about fifty meters behind.

“Corporal Haley is reporting movement up ahead,” said Sergeant Bixt, who was walking next to Thomas. “She’s bringing everyone to a halt until she sees what’s going on.” Corporal Haley was inside a Type Seven battlesuit.

There was silence for a few minutes and then Haley began moving forward again. She reported it had been a false alarm. For nearly ten minutes they advanced before they arrived in a massive chamber with a ceiling over a hundred meters high. From the chamber a dozen tunnels radiated out in different directions.

“We have a major junction here,” Haley reported over the comm. “According to my sensors two continue to lead down.”

“Hold your position until I get there,” ordered Thomas.

It only took a few moments before Thomas was standing in the large chamber. According to his sensors, there were no hidden weapons or any Zaltule within range.

“I don’t like this,” commented Sergeant Bixt. “We should have met more resistance by now or at least a few pop-ups.”

Thomas had to agree. He couldn’t help but feel they were walking into a trap. “Leah, scan all of the tunnels and see which one offers the best chance of going toward the Queen’s chamber. Corporal Coyle, stay close to Leah with your squad.”

Thomas watched as Leah approached each tunnel and used her sensors. Several times she entered the tunnels for a short distance followed by Corporal Coyle and her squad of Marines. Finally Leah returned to where Thomas was standing.

“Two tunnels definitely go downward, however one seems to level out after several hundred meters. The other continues to go down for as far as I can scan.”

“Can we get the hover tanks inside?” Thomas didn’t want to leave them behind because of the firepower they represented as well as the extra munitions they carried.

Leah nodded. “The tunnel is wide enough. If it narrows farther down it could be a problem.”

“Do we split our Marines and check both tunnels?” asked Sergeant Bixt.

“No,” Thomas replied. “We need to stay together. Somewhere up ahead we could be facing thousands of Zaltule and we’ll need every Marine.”

Sergeant Bixt looked around. “They could be behind us by now. I’m surprised we haven’t been attacked. Have you been able to contact Captain Adams?”

Thomas had lost contact with the captain shortly after they separated. “No, not a word. I think there’s something in these tunnel walls which limits communication.”

“I don’t like being cut off like that but I don’t see what we can do about it.”

“Neither do I,” replied Thomas. “Let’s move out and check out that tunnel. The sooner we find the Queen’s chamber the sooner we can leave this place.”

The Marines began moving into the tunnel expecting an attack at any moment.

-

Military Overlord Tetus was standing in the Command Center of the battlestation as numerous Zaltule craft carrying heavily armed warriors raced toward the surface. Reports from the hives indicated all three were under attack by Humans in battlesuits. At the moment the hives were preparing to counter attack with the warriors they had who were wearing battlesuits as well as a large number who were not. The younger warriors who were still going through training would be sacrificed to give the older warriors a chance to destroy the interlopers.

“Are the hives in danger?” asked Overlord Vaxdol.

“Possibly,” answered Tetus, folding his massive arms over his chest. “We never expected someone to physically invade one of the hives.”

Tetus did not want to voice his deep concern for the Queens. The Humans had done something completely unexpected. The hives defenses had been designed to defend from an orbital attack, not from an actual invasion. Tetus was even now considering if there was any way to get a Queen safely out of a hive just in case the worst happened.

-

“We’ve found another large chamber,” reported Corporal Haley. “It’s full of crates and other supplies. There are also half a dozen tunnel entrances.” Corporal Haley was standing in the center of the large chamber. It was easily twice the size of the last one they had found. The sides of the chamber were lined with racks containing numerous boxes and crates.

“Corporal, I’m detecting movement in several of the tunnels,” reported one of the scouts stepping back and aiming their assault rifle toward one of the tunnels.

“We may be about to encounter some Zaltule,” Haley reported over the comm. She had no sooner said that than hundreds of Zaltule began swarming out of two of the tunnels. Both of her scouts were overrun as Zaltule hit them, knocking them down and beginning to tear at their battlesuits. “Fire!” ordered Corporal Haley as she began firing her assault rifle into the mass of Zaltule.

She could hear shrieks and screams of rage from the Zaltule as they attacked the Marines. She flipped on her suit translator so she could understand what the Zaltule were saying. She could plainly hear the words die and kill being repeated over and over again. The number of Zaltule in the chamber was so large her squad was being forced back toward the tunnel they had just come out of. Just when she thought they were going to be overrun a platoon of Marines in Type Seven battlesuits appeared with their weapons firing. Armor penetrating rounds, energy beams, and explosive rounds tore into the mass of Zaltule.

-

Thomas and Sergeant Bixt reached the chamber to see hundreds of Zaltule being slaughtered. The floor was covered with their black blood and ripped apart bodies.

“They’re not wearing battlesuits and they’re not armed,” pointed out Sergeant Bixt as he fired several armor piercing rounds into the head of a nearby Zaltule.

“I’m detecting movement in the other tunnels,” yelled Leah over the comm.

No sooner had she said that than more Zaltule swarmed out of the tunnels, only these were wearing battlesuits and were carrying weapons.

The fighting instantly grew more intense. Some of the Zaltule were wielding energy lances while others were firing energy rifles. Marines started to fall as more Zaltule crowded into the chamber.

“We’re going to have to use our lances,” grunted Sergeant Bixt. “We’re running out of room to fire our assault rifles.”

Thomas agreed as he drew his energy lance and turned it on. “Energy lances,” ordered Thomas over the comm. “Corporal Coyle, keep your squad back and pick off whatever Zaltule you can with your assault rifles.”

The Marines drew their energy lances and waded into the Zaltule swinging the deadly blades. The lances cut through the Zaltules’ battlesuits. Arms, heads, and torsos were being hacked off. Black blood was everywhere as the Marines fought a desperate battle.

Thomas found himself facing two Zaltule. He swung his blade cutting the head off one and then found himself flung to the floor as the other Zaltule slammed an armored fist into his battlesuit. Thomas raised his energy lance just as the Zaltule swung his in an attempt to drive it through Thomas’s chest. At that moment a series of armor piercing rounds struck the Zaltule, killing him.

Thomas stood shakily back up and waded back into the fight. Looking toward the tunnels Thomas saw more Zaltule flooding into the chamber. “Corporal Coyle fire some suit explosive rounds down all those tunnels. We have to stop the Zaltule from coming into this chamber!”

Moments later massive explosions began going off deep inside the tunnels. The explosions continued until the flow of Zaltule stopped. For several long minutes the fighting continued until finally the last Zaltule was dead.

Thomas stopped and looked around. The floor was covered in dead Zaltule as well as some of his Marines. He turned off his energy blade and put it in its sheath at his waist. “Sergeant Bixt. Station some Marines in front of each tunnel. If they detect any movement they’re to fire suit explosive rounds down the tunnel.”

“Yes, sir,” Bixt replied as he hurriedly sent Marines to stand in front of each tunnel entrance. “I’m a little worried. Did you notice the energy lances the Zaltule were using could penetrate our suits? The ones the Kleese have cannot.”

“I guess we shouldn’t be surprised,” replied Thomas. “These are the Zaltule and they’re more formidable warriors than the Kleese.”

“Thomas, Leah’s been injured,” reported Kinsley.

Thomas looked to where Kinsley and Brian were standing next to Leah who was leaned up against a wall. Her battlesuit was covered in black blood from the Zaltule as well as red blood flowing from a wound in the side of her suit. Thomas hurried over to where they were. “How bad?”

“It hurts like hell,” replied Leah, sitting down. “The suit’s injecting pain killers and some medical nanites. I don’t think I’m going to be able to move for a while.”

Sergeant Bixt came up to Thomas. “We lost eighteen Marines in the Type Seven suits and eight in the Type Nines. We have another ten who are too injured to move.”

Thomas turned to Kinsley. “Scan all the tunnels and see if any lead downward. Sergeant, assign two squads of Marines in Type Seven battlesuits to remain here with our wounded.”

Turning back to Kinsley, Thomas saw Brian was speaking to her. He had his hand on her armored shoulder. “Brian, why don’t you stay here with Leah.”

Leah shook her head, wincing from the movement. “You might need Brian. I’ll be fine here with the other injured Marines. Most of us can still fight if we need to.”

Thomas ordered some of the Marines to clear out an area for the wounded. He also had them pile some of the crates and boxes up around them for a protective barrier.

“There are three tunnels which go downward,” reported Kinsley. “However, one of them is wider than the other two.”

“Let’s clear a path for our hover tanks. I want to leave two here and the others will go with us.” He had kept the tanks back in the tunnel as the fighting inside the chamber had been more hand-to-hand and the tanks would have been useless in such combat.

Thomas turned back toward Leah. “We’ll be back as soon as we can. We’re all getting out of here.”

“I’ll be waiting,” said Leah with a grimace. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“You’ll be safe here with the hover tanks to help take care of any Zaltule,” said Brian. “If they detect movement in any of the tunnels other than the one we’re going into they’ll fire their big cannons. That should take care of any Zaltule.”

Leah nodded. “Be careful Brian and come back.”

“I will,” promised Brian squeezing Leah’s armor encased shoulder gently.

“We better go,” said Thomas.

“Go kill a Queen,” said Leah.

A few minutes later the Marines were ready and began descending once more.

-

Leah watched them go. Her eyes lingered on Brian as he disappeared into the tunnel. She sat up a little straighter and took a drink of water from a tube in her helmet. The pain in her side was subsiding and she knew that in only a matter of a few hours the medical nanites would be finished mending the wound.

“How are you feeling?” asked Corporal Haley. She had been left in charge of the two squads detailed with protecting the wounded. She had parked both the hover tanks in the center of the chamber where they could use their cannons to fire into any of the tunnels. Marines were stationed in front of each tunnel listening for any signs of movement.

“Better,” replied Leah. “I just hope they all make it back.”

Haley nodded. “So do I.”

-

Thomas and his Marines had gone deep within the hive. Twice more they had to fight off Zaltule who were not wearing battlesuits and were unarmed. They reached another major junction to find one of the tunnels barricaded with armed Zaltule behind it. Thomas called one of the hover tanks forward and they used it to destroy the barricade and explosive rounds to take out the Zaltule.

“That tunnel does not go downward,” reported Kinsley. “I wonder what was so important that they were defending it?”

Thomas eyed the tunnel. It was too small for a hover tank to fit into. “Sergeant Bixt, I want you to stay here with the Marines in Type Seven battlesuits. I’ll take the ones in Type Nines and check out that tunnel. If we’re not back in thirty minutes proceed down that one tunnel which still seems to be going downward.”

“Thirty minutes,” replied Sergeant Bixt. “Should I keep the nuke with me?”

Thomas looked over at the Marine who had the nuke. It was a small one with an explosive force of about ten kilotons. It was in a small pack strapped to the back of the Type Seven battlesuit. “Yes, for the time being until we determine for sure where the Queen’s chamber is.”

Making sure everyone was ready, Thomas led his Marines into the tunnel. After a few moments he sent two scouts ahead just to be on the safe side. For about ten minutes they continued down the tunnel until it opened up into a wide and long chamber.

“It’s full of eggs!” exclaimed Private Stout as he stepped over to examine one of the meter long oblong objects.

“There must be thousands of them in here,” added Corporal Coyle as she gazed about in awe.

“Lieutenant, I’ve found something you need to see,” reported Corporal Hasher. He had his squad standing next to another tunnel entrance. “This opens up into another chamber and the eggs inside are much larger.”

Thomas walked over to where the corporal was and looked inside. There were about a dozen eggs lined up neatly in the chamber. However, these eggs were nearly double the size of the other eggs in the larger chamber.

“Queen eggs!” said Kinsley, stepping around Thomas and walking over to use her sensors on the eggs.

“We need to destroy them,” said Corporal Hasher, pointing his assault rifle at the eggs.

Thomas thought for several moments about what to do. “I want to secure one of these Queen eggs and take it back to where our wounded are. If we have one of these eggs, it might make the Zaltule hesitate before attacking if they think we might destroy it.”

Kinsley looked at the eggs and then turned to face Thomas. “It’s going to be heavy but I think we can make a rigging so two of our Marines can carry one back.”

“Do it,” ordered Thomas. “Then I want some explosive charges set to blow this chamber.”

“What about the larger chamber?” asked Corporal Hasher.

“We’ll back out to the opening in the entry tunnel and use our explosive launchers to take them out. Once that’s done we’ll fall back to where we left Sergeant Bixt.”

Explosive charges were set and the Queen eggs were destroyed except for the one Kinsley had secured. Thomas then had his Marines use their explosive launchers to destroy everything in the large egg chamber. Explosions rang loudly as the blasts blew apart the eggs. Once the explosions stopped Thomas had several squads walk through the smoke-filled chamber making sure all the eggs had been destroyed.

“We got all of them,” reported Corporal Hasher.

“Then let’s get out of here and back to Sergeant Bixt and our other Marines,” ordered Thomas. He didn’t like splitting up his forces. There was no telling what the Zaltule might be planning next.

-

It didn’t take long to get back to the chamber Sergeant Bixt was waiting in. Sergeant Bixt walked over and looked at the large Zaltule egg two of Thomas’s Marines were lugging.

“Is that what I think it is?”

“Yes,” replied Thomas. “We found a large egg chamber and in a small side chamber we found what we believe were a dozen Queen eggs. We destroyed all the eggs except this one.”

“Why not this one?” asked Sergeant Bixt, pointing his assault rifle at it.

“A bargaining chip,” replied Thomas. “It might be our ticket back out of here once we find and destroy the Queen’s chamber.”

“If we find it,” replied Bixt.

“We will,” replied Thomas. “It can’t be too far from the egg chamber.”

Sergeant Bixt gestured toward the egg. “What do you want to do with this, take it with us?”

“No,” replied Thomas. “I want to send a squad back to where Corporal Haley is. I think the Queen egg will be safer there.”

Kinsley walked over to Thomas. “I checked all the other tunnels. The larger one still leads down and I thought I could detect movement at the far end of my sensor range.”

“They’ll be waiting for us at the Queen’s chamber,” predicted Thomas. “We’re going to have some heavy fighting ahead of us. It may be necessary to use explosive rounds to clear the tunnel in front of us as we get closer to the Queen.”

After getting everyone organized Thomas started the Marines down the tunnel. He still had nearly three hundred Marines in Type Nine and Type Seven battlesuits.

They progressed down the corridor with an entire squad of Type Sevens serving as scouts with two hover tanks supporting them. About fifty meters back the rest of the Marines and remaining hover tanks followed.

“They’re bound to be waiting for us,” said Brian as he checked his assault rifle.

“Why have so many we’ve encountered been unarmed?” asked Kinsley.

“They’re young,” replied Thomas. “Probably recently hatched and not full grown warriors. That would explain their lack of armor as well as weapons.”

“I thought we would encounter some pop-up weapons by now,” added Brian as he looked around at the smooth tunnel walls. “We haven’t seen a single one.”

“I suspect they never thought they would need them inside one of their hives,” answered Thomas. “However, that might change when we reach the Queen’s chamber.”

“Maybe Captain Adams has already found it?”

Thomas looked over at Kinsley. “Maybe, but I think if she had we would have heard some weapons fire by now. It echoes pretty well down these tunnels.”

-

The Marines continued their descent and soon the tunnel began to widen. Suddenly the leading squad found themselves in the largest chamber they had found so far. Over a dozen other tunnels were visible with one covered by a large sealed metal hatch. From the tunnels armed Zaltule suddenly swarmed.

The two hover tanks began firing explosive rounds and blowing huge holes in the ranks of the attacking Zaltule. In moments the lead squad was overrun and the Zaltule began attacking the tanks.

-

“We need to get down there!” ordered Thomas, fearing for the lives of the lead squad. The Marines hurried forward, entering the chamber to find hundreds of Zaltule waiting for them with more coming out of the tunnels. The lead squad was down and both hover tanks had been smashed. “Get the rest of the tanks up here,” yelled Thomas as he began firing his energy rifle into the massed ranks of the Zaltule. Thomas ducked as an energy beam struck the wall just behind him.

Fighting was heavy as both sides were using energy rifles and explosive rounds. It seemed as if for every Zaltule Thomas’s Marines killed two more took their place.

The flow of the battle ebbed back and forth with the reserve hover tanks helping to hold back the Zaltule. The floor of the cavern was becoming covered in bodies and blood, both Zaltule and Human.

Thomas had his energy blade out with Brian and Kinsley at his side. They hacked and stabbed at the Zaltule who were trying to kill them. Occasionally an energy beam would penetrate the battlesuit of a Zaltule, driving him to the floor. Thomas could hear the screaming and yelling as both Humans and Zaltule fought to kill one another. The Zaltules’ voices sounded more like piercing shrieks unless the suit’s translation software was activated.

Thomas realized they were fighting a losing battle. Over half of his Marines were down. “Attention hover tanks,” said Thomas, switching frequencies. “Fire your heavy cannons down the tunnels. We must seal them off or were lost!”

Almost instantly powerful energy beams flashed into the tunnels, vaporizing the Zaltule who were exiting. The tanks also fired heavy explosive rounds into the depths of the tunnels. In moments the flood of Zaltule entering the cavern slowed to a trickle and then stopped completely. The battle rapidly wound down and soon all the Zaltule lay dead on the floor of the cavern. Bodies were piled waist high and a Marine could not move without stepping on the dead.

“Clear a path to that sealed hatch,” ordered Thomas. He was convinced the Queen’s chamber had to lie behind it as it was the only sealed entrance they had found.

Marines in the larger Type Seven suits hurried to do so while the hover tanks kept their cannons pointed down the tunnels. Reaching the hatch they found it sealed tight.

“Put some explosive charges on that hatch,” ordered Thomas. “We need to get in.” Thomas wanted to hurry as at any moment he expected the Zaltule to renew their attack. Checking his HUD he realized he had fewer than one hundred Marines left and some of those were wounded.

Two Marines hurriedly attached the charges and then stepped back and set them off. Several loud explosions rang through the cavern but the charges had served their purpose. The massive door was left hanging by its hinges. Several Marines stepped forward and using the extra strength of their battlesuits tore the battered door off its hinges.

“Well, let’s go inside and see what’s there,” said Thomas as he started walking toward the now open hatch. Reaching the hatch Thomas stepped inside followed by his Marines

The open hatch was too small for a hover tank and they would have to remain outside. Stepping inside Thomas and the other Marines came to a stop. They stared around in amazement. The inside was like a tropical jungle. They were in a large chamber with artificial sunlight and very high humidity. Lush tropical plants were everywhere with winding paths where the Zaltule could walk. There was even a small stream flowing from one end of the chamber to the other end to vanish beneath a wall. On the far side of the chamber was a massive dais and on that dais stood the largest Zaltule Thomas had ever seen. It was easily four times the size of a regular Zaltule and its multifaceted eyes were focused on the Marines. Standing in front of the giant Zaltule were six normal-sized Zaltule. All were unarmed and looked confused at seeing the Marines.

“Is that the Queen?” asked Brian, raising his rifle and pointing it at the large Zaltule.

“I’m guessing so,” replied Thomas as he began walking toward the Zaltule. The other Marines followed him keeping their eyes peeled for any other Zaltule who might be hiding in the foliage.

As they neared the dais one of the unarmed Zaltule stepped forward.

“Stop!” ordered the Zaltule in a cold and harsh voice. “This is the Queen’s chamber and no member of the lessor races is allowed entry. To come any closer will result in your death.”

Thomas had his translation software on so he could understand the Zaltule. “Who are you?”

“You dare to speak in my presence without permission?” said the Zaltule, stepping closer. “If I had a weapon you would die for such sacrilege.”

Thomas activated his energy lance and held it menacingly before him. “I will ask you only one more time and then you will lose your head. Who are you?”

The Zaltule eyed Thomas’s energy lance and then replied. “I am one of the Queen’s attendants. There are many of us. We remove the eggs and have them taken to one of the egg chambers.”

Thomas saw movement behind the Queen and noticed a number of Zaltule only slightly smaller than the Queen. “Who are those Zaltule behind the Queen?”

“They are the minor Queens.”

“I wish to speak with the Queen.”

The Zaltule looked confused. “The Queen does not have the ability to speak. She is a Queen and her sole purpose is to lay eggs and create more Zaltule warriors.”

“Are you saying she is not intelligent?”

“She has rudimentary intelligence. But her entire life is devoted to laying eggs. She has no other purpose. Why would she need intelligence?”

Thomas shook his head. He was finding it difficult to believe what he was hearing. All this time they had thought the Queens ruled the Zaltule. “Are there other Queens in the hive?”

The Zaltule shook his head. “There is no need. Our current Queen and her minor Queens are sufficient for our needs. You must go. I shall answer no more of your questions.”

Thomas turned toward Sergeant Bixt who was standing next to him. “Kill them all and then set the nuclear warhead. Give us thirty minutes to get back out of the hive.”

Bixt nodded and gave the order. Energy beam fire and explosive rounds quickly eliminated all the Zaltule and the Queens.

“Check the chamber to make sure we didn’t miss anything,” ordered Thomas. “Hide the warhead in that foliage where it won’t be found.”

“We’ll bury it,” said Sergeant Bixt.

A few minutes later they were ready to go. Thomas stepped up on the dais and looked at the dead Queens. There were several smashed eggs there as well. There was no doubt the Queens were dead. “Let’s go. We need to gather our other Marines and our wounded and get out of here.”

“What about Captain Adams?” asked Corporal Coyle as they left the chamber. “If she’s too close to the Queen’s chamber when the nuke detonates there’s a good chance the explosion will kill her and her Marines.”

“I know,” replied Thomas. “But it’s a risk we have to take. By detonating that nuke we will ensure any other egg chambers and Queen eggs are destroyed as well. There’s no other way to ensure the success of this mission. Captain Adams would do the same.”

Leaving the chamber they had the hover tanks turn around and then the Marines took off down the tunnel at a jog. Some of them were helping to carry wounded.

Thomas spent a few moments examining his HUD to see who they had lost. He felt his heart stop when he saw some of the names. Private Josh Henderson, Private Lindsey Graham, and Private Marvin Stout had all lost their lives in the battle outside the Queen’s chamber. There were many others as well but those three he had known the best. Two had been in his first squad and of course Private Stout was known to everyone.

-

It didn’t take them long to reach the junction where Corporal Haley was waiting with the wounded. Most of them were much better and could stand on their own. The Queen egg was there as well.

Thomas looked at the egg and then turned to his Marines. “We need to get back to the assault ships as quickly as we can. If we hurry, we should be able to make it just before the nuke goes off.”

“After killing the Queens we don’t need to be fried by our own nuke,” said Brian. “I’ll help with the wounded.” He headed over toward Leah and started speaking to her.

The Marines moved through the tunnel at a fast trot never slowing down. On their way back to the assault ships they didn’t see any signs of any more Zaltule. The hive was strangely quiet.

Thomas breathed out a long sigh of relief when they reached the large entrance tunnel where the three assault ships were waiting. Thomas made sure all of his Marines were headed toward the assault ships. He turned to see Sergeant John Pepper walking up to him. Sergeant Pepper had been with Captain Adams.

“Where’s the Captain?” asked Thomas not seeing her anywhere.

Sergeant Pepper shook his head. “She didn’t make it. We encountered heavy resistance deep in the hive. There must have been thousands of them. The deeper we went the more Zaltule attacked us. We killed thousands. In the end they overran us killing most of our Marines. When the captain saw we couldn’t go forward any further she remained behind with one platoon to give the rest of us a chance to escape. Even so, only 38 of our Marines made it back to the ships. We lost everyone else.”

Thomas felt a knot form in his stomach. With the loss of Captain Adams that left him in charge. “We managed to breech the Queen’s chamber and take out the Queens. We also set the nuke to ensure all the egg chambers are destroyed.” Thomas checked his timepiece seeing they only had a few minutes left. “We need to get everyone inside the assault ships before it detonates.”

“We set ours as well,” replied Sergeant Pepper. “We put it in a side passage where we thought the Zaltule might overlook it. “It’ll be ten more minutes before it detonates. We wanted to give you as much time as possible to complete the mission.” Sergeant Pepper gestured toward the Queen egg being loaded on board one of the assault ships. “What are you going to do with that? Our orders are to kill all the Queens.”

Thomas grinned. “With a little luck, it will be our ticket out of here. I don’t think the Zaltule will fire on us if they know we have one of their Queen eggs.”

“I hope you’re right,” replied the sergeant. “We’d better get on board before the nukes start going off. The ships’ energy shields should be able to protect us.”

Thomas nodded and hurried over to the assault ship Destiny, seeing the Queen egg was already on board. Looking around he saw most of the Marines and the hover tanks were loaded as well.

Going on board the ship, he went up to the Command Center.

-

Commander Higgins saw Lieutenant Nelson enter the Command Center. Ever since the Marines left the three assault ships had been under constant attack. Several thousand Zaltule had appeared from smaller tunnels, hurling themselves at the defending Marines and hover tanks. Fortunately the superior firepower from the three assault ships energy turrets had managed to keep them at bay. Zaltule had also attacked from outside the hive but the assault ships and the Marines had managed to hold them back. There had been several large waves of Zaltule attempting to get into the hive.

So far there had been no ship attack from the outside though a large number of Zaltule assault ships were hovering just outside of weapons range. The short-range scanners also indicated another large wave of Zaltule warriors was assembling to make an additional attempt at storming the entrance.

-

Thomas looked at his timepiece, seeing the first nuke was due to explode any second. “Is the ship’s energy shield up?”

“Yes,” replied Commander Higgins. “I ordered the shield up as soon as the last Marine made it on board. The same is true of the other two assault ships. We can leave at any time.”

“We have two nukes set to go off shortly. I don’t know if we’ll feel anything here or not as both of them are deep within the hive.” Thomas had no sooner uttered those words when the ship shook violently. Thomas’s eyes went to the viewscreens hoping the entrance tunnel wasn’t going to collapse. He saw some dust come up from the main tunnel but little else.

“Confirmed nuclear detonation,” reported Lieutenant Braggs. “Depth was approximately three kilometers.”

Thomas looked over at the Commander. “Is there any way to establish communication with the Zaltule?”

Commander Higgins looked doubtful. “We know their frequencies but I doubt if they’ll respond.”

“They’ll respond,” replied Thomas, “once I tell them we have a Queen egg on board.”

Commander Higgins looked inquisitively at Thomas. Thomas had his suit helmet open. “What do you have in mind?”

“I’m not sure yet. Let’s just see how desperate the Zaltule are to get the egg back.”

“Won’t that defeat the purpose of this mission?”

“Depends on what they offer,” replied Thomas. He had an inkling of an idea but it depended on what the Zaltule said.

-

War Overlord Tetus was furious. In the last few minutes they had recorded nuclear explosions deep underground in two of the hives. From the depth of the explosions there was no doubt the Queen chambers had been destroyed.

“The Humans are requesting to establish communications,” reported the Zaltule at the large communications console. “They claim they have a Queen egg on board one of their ships.”

War Overlord Tetus’s multifaceted eyes widened at hearing this. “What of our assault ships?”

“We have assault ships at all three hives,” reported the Zaltule at tactical. “All of our attempts to take the entrances of the hives from the Humans have failed. Our assault ships can destroy the Humans when they attempt to escape.”

“What’s the status of the third hive?”

“Not good,” replied the Zaltule at communications. “The last report indicated some of the Human warriors were approaching the Queen’s chamber.”

Tetus reached a decision. One he did not care for. “Inform our assault ships not to engage the Humans. Tell the Humans we will contact them shortly.” Tetus wanted to wait until he knew for sure about the Humans’ attack on the third hive.

-

“We have a reply back from the Zaltule,” reported Lieutenant Rann with a surprised look on his face. “War Overlord Tetus will speak with us shortly.”

Commander Higgins looked over at Thomas. “They’re scared. It indicates to me our other operations were successful. It’s possible the Queen egg you secured is their last Queen.”

Thomas nodded. If that was true he needed to figure out how to use the leverage the Queen egg gave them. What would the Zaltule be willing to offer for the safe return of the egg? At that moment the ship shook again as the second nuke detonated.

“Confirmed nuke detonation,” reported Lieutenant Braggs.

Commander Higgins shifted his eyes to Thomas. “Lieutenant, we can’t give them the egg. If we destroy it, the war against the Zaltule will be over. In a few decades there will be no Zaltule.”

“We’ll destroy it if it’s necessary,” replied Thomas. “Let’s see what the Zaltule are willing to offer first for its safe return.”

-

Deep inside the third hive the few surviving Marines had fought their way into the Queen’s chamber. There were only twelve of them left and they knew there was no way they were getting out. Without hesitation the sergeant in charge gave the order to detonate the nuke. He looked at the other eleven Marines who were covered in black blood from the Zaltule they had slain.

“We have done our job,” he said over the comm. “It’s been an honor to have served with you.”

Moments later the nuke detonated, vaporizing the Marines and everything else inside the chamber.

-

On board the battlestation, War Overlord Tetus felt numb when he was informed of the detonation of a nuke deep inside of the third hive. It was a feeling he had never experienced before. There was no doubt in his mind all the Queens were dead. “Contact the Humans. I will speak to their leader.”

War Overload Tetus was now coming to believe the truth of what Supreme War Overlord Harmock had said about the Humans. Perhaps it was true the Humans were equal to the Zaltule in their fighting ability.

-

“I have War Overlord Tetus on the comm,” reported Lieutenant Rann.

Thomas stepped over to the comm and spoke. “War Overlord, I believe I have your last remaining Queen egg.”

“Your will return it immediately or your ships will be destroyed,” replied Tetus coldly. “My fleet will not allow any of your vessels to escape. You will die here if you do not follow my orders.”

Thomas took a deep breath. “If you destroy my ship you will be killing your last Queen. I don’t believe you want to do that.”

There was silence over the comm for several seconds and then the Overlord’s voice returned. “What is it you want?”

Thomas had been thinking furiously of what demands to make of the Zaltule. “I want to ensure the Zaltule never attack the Solar System or the Alliance in the future.”

“If I agree to that, will you return the egg?”

Thomas decided to see how far he could push the Zaltule. He was not certain how good their word would be. They had lost too many good Marines and fleet personnel to risk the Zaltule failing to keep their promise. “No, there are several more items you must agree to. I want your fleet destroyed and the battlestation destroyed. I will allow you to keep one hundred battlecruisers. In return I will give you the Queen egg. You must also leave this area of space and agree never to return.”

There was silence for several long moments. “We are the Zaltule. We do not obey lessor races. Give us the Queen egg and I will spare your lives.”

“No,” replied Thomas firmly. “You have five minutes to agree to my demands and at that time I will destroy the egg and it will be the end of the Zaltule race.”

Several minutes passed before Military Overlord Tetus spoke again. “I will agree to destroy half of my fleet and the Zaltule will leave this area of space never to return. We will not attack the Solar System or the Alliance.”

Commander Higgins looked over at Thomas surprised at Tetus’s offer. “I never would have expected him to agree to even that.”

Thomas nodded. “He’s desperate to get the Queen egg. Let’s see how much further we can push him.”

“I want all of your assault ships destroyed, all but five hundred of your battlecruisers, and the battlestation,” said Thomas. “You will leave this area of space immediately to some other distant section of the galaxy. The Solar System and the Alliance will be off limits to any of your ships.”

-

On board the battlestation, Military Overlord Tetus was seeking a solution to his dilemma. He had to have the Queen egg or his race was doomed. “I will agree to your demands if I’m allowed to keep the battlestation and one thousand of my battlecruisers.” Tetus knew with that he could reestablish the Zaltule as an Empire in another section of the galaxy. It was not what he wanted but in order to get the Queen egg and preserve the Zaltule race he did not see what other choice there was.

-

Thomas looked over at Commander Higgins who nodded. “I doubt if we’re going to get better than that.”

“I agree,” replied Thomas over the comm. “I want to bring all of my assault ships up into orbit where we can witness the destruction of your fleet. Once I’m satisfied you are doing as agreed, I will turn the egg over to you.”

“Agreed,” replied Tetus. “I will be in contact with you later. Be warned if you fail to return the egg I will destroy your ships.”

Commander Higgins shifted his eyes to the viewscreens showing the Zaltule assault ships a short distance from the hive. Even as he watched they began to go back up toward orbit. “Can we trust this Military Overlord?”

“No,” answered Thomas. “But they do want the Queen egg back. As long as we have it I suspect they’ll do as we have demanded.”

Commander Higgins frowned and then spoke. “We have no idea what other ships the Zaltule have in other systems. We may be missing a large part of their fleet.”

Thomas nodded. “I’m aware of that. However, if we can get the Zaltule to destroy most of their ships in this system they will no longer be a threat to the Solar System or the Alliance for years to come.”

“I’ll contact the other assault ships. We can monitor all of this better from orbit.”

Thomas let out a deep breath. He hoped he was doing the right thing. If not he knew he would face a Court Martial when they returned to the Solar System.

-

Military Overlord Tetus was facing Overlords Praveen, Vaxdol, and Haler. “Our information indicates all the Queens in the hives have been killed, All the Queen eggs, except one, have been destroyed.”

“And the Humans claim to possess this egg,” said Overlord Praveen.

“Unfortunately it seems so. We have reports from Zaltule who survived the nuclear blast in the hive that the Humans were seen dragging the egg to their ships.”

“To face defeat from an inferior race is unacceptable,” said Overlord Vaxdol. “How did this happen?”

Tetus looked at the viewscreens showing the nine Human assault ships going into orbit. “We never planned for an actual physical invasion of the hives which is exactly what the Humans did.”

“Supreme Military Overlord Harmock claimed toward the end of his reign the Humans might be equal to the Zaltule,” said Overlord Vaxdol. “Is that possible?”

Tetus nodded his triangular shaped head. “After what happened here with their fleet and the physical invasion of the hives I would have to say it is possible.”

The other Overlords were quiet as they considered the implications. None cared for the position they now found themselves in.

“What do you recommend?” asked Overlord Praveen.

“In order for our race to survive we must do as the Humans have asked. We will keep one thousand of our battlecruisers and the battlestation. We will leave this section of the galaxy and set up a new Zaltule Empire far away from the Humans. Fortunately we have other ships the Humans are not aware of including the fleet I sent to hunt them down earlier. We will still have a sizable force.”

“Will we ever return?” asked Overlord Haler.

Tetus blinked his multifaceted eyes. They looked red in color. “No, we shall set up our own Empire and use it to expand across the galaxy. Perhaps sometime in the distant future we may encounter the Humans again but I think it is best for our race if we leave them alone.” This was difficult for Tetus to say. He had always believed the Zaltule were superior. Now he was not so certain.

-

Several days passed and Thomas watched from the Command Center of the Destiny as the Zaltule sent a major portion of their fleet including all of their assault ships into the system’s sun. They had an actual signed agreement with the Zaltule as to what was going to happen. Thomas didn’t know what Admiral Kelly and General Timmons would think about him and Commander Higgins signing on their behalf.

Once Thomas was satisfied the Zaltule had kept up their end of the agreement he used a drop ship to deliver the Queen egg to the Zaltule battlestation. Shortly after unloading the egg the drop ship returned, the battlestation and the attending battlecruisers made the transition into Fold Space and left the system.

“They have abandoned a lot of Zaltule on the surface of the two habitable planets in this system,” said Commander Higgins. “Our scans show millions of Zaltule still on the surface of the two worlds.”

Thomas nodded. “They crammed as many as they could on board their battlestation and remaining battlecruisers. The rest are being left to live out their lives and die on the two planets. For them, there is no future.”

“So, what do we do now?” asked Commander Higgins.

Thomas let out a deep breath. “We go home and see what the repercussions of what we just did are going to be.”

“You know we could be facing a Court Martial,” said Higgins.

“Yes, we could be. But I still believe what we did was right.”

Thomas turned to leave the Command Center. He was meeting Brian, Leah, and Kinsley in the ship’s cafeteria. They had a lot to talk about.

Epilogue

Admiral Kelly, General Timmons, and Rear Admiral Blair were listening as Lieutenant Nelson and Commander Higgins explained their actions in turning over the sole remaining Queen egg to the Zaltule. The inquiry had already been going on for nearly an hour.

“We forced the Zaltule to destroy most of their warships as well as abandon the worlds they had colonized,” explained Thomas. “With only one Queen egg and the majority of their ships destroyed it will be decades before the Zaltule become a threat to us again, if ever. In my opinion they are traveling to a distant part of our galaxy where they will attempt to set up their new Empire.”

Admiral Kelly let out a deep sigh. “Lieutenant Nelson, I have to commend you on the ingenuity you used to get all nine assault ships and the surviving Marines out of a difficult situation, Particularly since Rear Admiral Stinson could not risk returning due to the losses her fleet suffered. However, the Zaltule are still out there and someday we may have to deal with them. Your actions have not ended the war, only delayed it.”

“I respectfully disagree,” said Captain Higgins. “I don’t believe the Zaltule will return. By the time they have increased in sufficient numbers to be a threat to us the Solar System and the Alliance will be too powerful for them to conquer. I trust they will realize this. I don’t believe we will ever see or hear from the Zaltule again.”

Rear Admiral Blair leaned forward, placing his hands on the table in front of him. “In some ways the two of you may be correct. In a few more decades we will have doubled or even triple the population of the Solar System depending on how many clones we create. Our orbital industries will increase to the point where we can create far larger fleets for our defense. Are there any other reasons why you did not destroy this last Queen egg?”

Thomas nodded. “I firmly believe if we had the Zaltule would have sent their entire fleet, including their battlestation, to the Solar System to destroy it. By destroying the Queen egg we would have effectively ended the Zaltule race. I feel certain they would have wanted to do the same to us.”

Admiral Kelly leaned back, folding his arms across his chest. “A powerful argument and one I can’t disagree with.” Admiral Kelly turned to the other two officers and spoke to them for several minutes in a lower voice. Finally he nodded his head and turned to face Thomas and Commander Higgins.

“It is the opinion of this board the two of you acted in the best interest of the Solar System and for the continued survival of our people. As a result all charges will be dropped and commendations for your actions will be placed in your files. This inquiry is now over.”

-

Thomas turned around to face those who had come to the inquiry to support him. A number of his surviving Marines were there as well as his father and uncle.

“Congratulation, Thomas,” said Genera Wade Nelson, shaking Thomas’s hand. “I knew you would get through this.”

“Yes,” added Colonel Ryan Nelson with a huge smile on his face. “I had no desire to go back to Vesta and explain to your mother why you were going to be executed.”

Thomas’s face paled. “You don’t think it could have come to that, do you?”

Ryan laughed. “No, but you might have been hard to find for a very long time.”

Kinsley, Leah, and Brian all came forward.

-

Kinsley stepped into Thomas’s arms, giving him a huge hug and then, after a moments hesitation, she kissed him on the lips. She was greatly surprised and pleased when he kissed her back.

“About time,” said Leah, grinning.

“Is there something your mother and I need to know about?” asked Ryan, eyeing the two.

Thomas slowly nodded his head. “I think I’ll bring Kinsley out to Vesta to meet mother. I think the two of them will get along very well.”

Ryan nodded approvingly. “I think that can be arranged.”

Thomas took Kinsley’s hand and gave her a serious look. “Would you like to meet my mother?”

Kinsley laughed and nodded. “I would love to.” She was very pleased with these recent and unexpected developments.

-

Later Thomas, Kinsley, Brian, and Leah were all in the food court eating their favorite foods. There were people all around and the sounds of them talking and laughing were everywhere.

“I like the food court,” said Kinsley, watching a family of four take their seats a short distance from them. “It seems so alive.”

“I’m just glad we’re all alive,” replied Leah. “There were several times I didn’t think we were going to make it back.”

“Some of us didn’t,” said Kinsley sadly. “So many died in the hive?”

“It’s over now,” replied Thomas. He knew what had happened in the hive would haunt all of their dreams for a very long time. “We’ll always remember those we lost.”

Brian looked at Leah with a serious look on his face. “Why is it you always seem to get stunned or shot?”

Leah grimaced. “I’ve wondered about that myself. Things just seem to happen to me.”

Kinsley patted Leah on the hand and then looked over at Brian and Thomas. “I have a suspicion we’ll be well looked after from now on.”

Thomas’s face turned slightly red. The battle with the Zaltule had made him realize just how important his friends were, particularly Kinsley. With the Zaltule out of the way and the Kleese pulling back to the center of their Empire, the dangerous fighting was pretty much over.

“In the Vesta New Eden habitat there are several really nice resorts on a couple of the lakes.” Thomas paused, looking at the girls. “Why don’t I make some reservations for us to take some days off and spend there?”

Kinsley’s eyes narrowed. She was nervous about asking the next question. “How many rooms. Two or four?”

Thomas felt his voice catch in his throat and then he looked directly at Kinsley. “Only two. One for Brian and Leah and one for us.”

Kinsley’s eyes widened and then she slowly nodded her head. “I think I would like that, what about you, Leah?”

“Sounds good to me,” replied Leah, grinning. “Someone needs to keep Brian under control and I’ve always liked a good challenge.”

The four started laughing. It was good to be alive and the food tasted fabulous.

-

Far from the Solar System, Commander Bree Smith took a few moments to look around their small community. There were two hundred and forty-seven survivors from the Zaltule attack and the crash landing of the ship. Bree knew she should be thankful so many survived.

“The engineers have rigged up a steam generator from parts they salvaged from the ship,” reported Second Officer Newman. “We should be able to keep the med-bay and the section around it powered up for the time being.”

In the distance, Bree saw the small steam-driven tractor the engineers had built. It was pulling a trailer full of logs from the stand of trees they were cutting down. They would be used to build log homes for the surviving crew. Fortunately they had a lot of tools from the ship, which was making surviving on the planet easier. They had even built a smokehouse where several of the antelope-like animals were curing.

“This is a good world,” said Bree. She had finally gotten over the shock of the crash. “It will make a good colony.”

“You don’t think we’ll ever be rescued?”

Bree slowly shook her head. “Sometime in the future I’m sure our people will find us. But we need to be prepared to stay here for years if need be. I’m just glad we had a mixed crew.”

Newman nodded. Already some of the crew had paired up. “We’ll have children running around in another year or two if not sooner.”

Bree could feel the warm rays from the sun shining down on her face. She wondered what future history books would say about the Solar System’s first true colony. In the distance, she could hear birds singing and even the dim drone of this planet’s insects. She had quit thinking about the Zaltule and the war days ago. For now, she had something more important to do and that was to build and maintain a colony. Bree actually felt as if she had finally found a home.

-

Months later in the far reaches of the Solar System a patrolling assault ship detected a powerless probe drifting through the Kuiper Belt. It was badly damaged where a small meteor had struck it. Upon bringing the probe inside the commander was surprised to see the name Sundance on the side of it. Unfortunately much of the data stored in the probe had been destroyed by the meteor strike. With a deep sigh, the commanding officer knew this would only deepen the mystery of what had happened to the ship. It might be generations before they discovered the fate of the ship and its brave crew.

Going back to the Command Center he prepared a message to send to Admiral Kelly about the find. He looked up at the viewscreens and the sea of stars that was showing. He wondered if somewhere out there the Sundance and its crew still survived. It was an answer he realized he might never know.

The End

If you enjoyed Galactic Empire Wars: Final Conflict please post a review with some stars. Good reviews encourage an author to write and also help sell books. Reviews can be just a few short sentences, describing what you liked about the book. If you have suggestions, please contact me at my website, link below. Thank you for reading Galactic Empire Wars: Final Conflict and being so supportive. If this book does well there is a possibility of one more book in the series, which will deal with the Kleese.

Note from the Author: This book came out late due to the fact I suffered from severe Kidney failure in June. I was hospitalized for over three weeks and unable to write for nearly three months. I am now on home dialysis and have begun writing again. Once again I’m sorry for the delay. I also want to thank everyone for being so supportive during my illness. The e-mails and personal messages allowed me to get through some very bad days and to start reliving my life again.

Special Announcement!!

Due to numerous requests The Originator Wars will continue in a new series. (The Originator Wars: Explorations) If you want to continue to follow the exploits and adventures of the Special Five, Ariel, Clarissa, and the others in the Slaver Wars, Lost Fleet, and Originator Wars series the first book should be out sometime in April or May of 2019. Once again I want to thank everyone for your support in my writing and all the wonderful emails I’ve received.

Thank You

Raymond L. Weil

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Read on to discover another military science fiction series by Raymond L. Weil.

The Star Cross

Over 550 Reviews!

Chapter One

The Earth’s eight-hundred-meter-long heavy battlecruiser Star Cross slid silently through empty space, the ship’s powerful sensors scanning everything ahead and around it. Her four light cruiser escorts were in screening positions, protecting the massive battlecruiser from attack. The six-hundred-meter-long light carrier Vindication followed closely behind, protected by six small destroyers. Each ship was on high alert, and tensions were high among the crews. Everyone glanced anxiously at one another, wondering what was awaiting them at Earth.

In the Command Center of the Star Cross, Admiral Kurt Vickers watched the main viewscreen, which was focused on the light carrier, as four Lance fighters left the flight bay to patrol in front of the fleet. The light carrier had twenty fighters in its bay, plus ten small Scorpion bombers.

“CSP has been launched,” Lieutenant Lena Brooks reported, as four friendly green icons appeared on her sensor screen. The twenty-eight-year-old woman let out a quiet breath.

Vickers could tell Lena was hoping they would remain undetected by her rapid breathing. She wasn’t the only worried one in the Command Center.

Lena focused her hazel eyes upon the admiral, awaiting further orders. She trusted him to bring them through the coming ordeal.

“Current status?” asked Vickers in a steady voice, turning to his XO and commander of the battlecruiser, Captain Andrew Randson.

The captain checked several data screens before answering the admiral. “Long-range sensors indicate no unusual movement from the enemy ships. I don’t think they detected our hyperjumps.” Randson let out a deep, ragged breath.

He seemed to be feeling the tension running through the Command Center. Everyone’s nerves were on edge. The first part of the mission was a success. They had jumped into the Sol System without the enemy becoming aware of the small battle fleet.

Admiral Vickers nodded, as his gaze returned to the main tactical screen, now displaying information from the long-distance scans. He felt a tremendous weight of responsibility upon his shoulders, knowing his next few decisions could well determine the future of the human race. His fleet was the last fleet Earth still possessed; all the others had been destroyed by a vicious and unknown enemy.

The Command Center crew waited his further orders in silence. Everyone wanted to know what had happened here in their home star system, and if their friends and families were still alive. Kurt knew they had good reasons to be concerned.

-

Two weeks back a mysterious and hostile alien fleet had appeared out of hyperspace and annihilated the two human fleets permanently stationed around Earth for protection. The majority of the ships had been destroyed before their shields could be raised or a single weapon fired. Only a few had managed to fight back and then only briefly. This wasn’t surprising, as no aliens had been detected by any of Earth’s long-range exploration ships, and no one had been expecting an attack. So the ships had been at a low level of alert. Many of the crewmembers had even been on leave down on Earth.

The Star Cross and her fleet had been in the Newton System, practicing maneuvers and testing the new particle beam weapons the battlecruiser and the light cruisers had been equipped with. The Newton System held a thriving human colony of nearly eight million inhabitants, plus a large orbital station designed for deep-space exploration and minor ship repair. The colony had a number of large scientific outposts, since ships sent on exploratory missions were required to report to Newton before being allowed to return to Earth. Newton was also the only true Earth-type planet to be discovered so far in the humans’ explorations. Humans could survive on other planets, but none could compare to Earth or Newton.

A heavily damaged light cruiser had limped into the Newton System and reported the shocking news of the attack on Earth. The ship’s commander, Captain Owens, had barely escaped and had lost over half of his crew in the brief battle above the planet. The report of the attack had shaken the Newton colony, and, after conferring with the colony’s governor, it had been decided that Admiral Vickers would return to the Solar System. His mission was to determine the current condition of Earth and the number of alien ships still present.

-

“What now?” Captain Randson asked, as he stepped closer to the admiral. Upon the tactical screen, a large number of red threat icons were visible. “Twenty alien ships are in orbit above Earth. Four of them are approximately the same size as the Star Cross, and the rest seem to be similar to our own light cruisers.”

Vickers nodded. “From the reports we received from the captain of the light cruiser, the alien ships are heavily armed. I don’t want to risk an engagement with them at this time if we can avoid it. We have the Newton colony to think about. Our fleet is their only means of protection.”

“The enemy ships are still above Earth,” Randson pointed out. “They may not even know about Newton.”

“We can’t afford ship losses,” Kurt replied with a heavy sigh. “Governor Spalding specifically requested that we return to Newton rather than risk involvement in a major combat operation.”

“You don’t have to answer to Spalding,” responded Randson, raising his eyebrow. “Fleet Command and the president are on Earth.”

“I’m not sure about that,” Kurt said. “If Earth has been conquered, then Governor Spalding’s next in line for the presidency. There are no other high ranking members of the government off Earth.”

Randson was silent for a moment, as he seemed to consider that. “So what do you want to do?”

“We need more information.” Kurt had spent hours with Captain Owens, going over the tactical data recorded during his light cruiser’s brief battle above Earth. It had been painful to watch as Earth’s proud space fleet had been all but annihilated.

“Our new particle beam weapons should give us an advantage,” Randson carefully pointed out. “None of the ships we had over Earth were equipped with them. I’m very concerned about what the aliens may have done to our people.”

Kurt didn’t like entering such an unknown situation while the Solar System was so quiet. The Moon and Mars both held sizable human colonies. The total silence was eerie and frightening as to the possible cause that ceased all communications. Normally the radio frequencies were full of transmissions and messages. “Can we detect any transmissions from Earth, the Moon, or from Mars?”

“No, and all the scientific outposts are also silent. Not a peep coming from the asteroids or the moons of Jupiter and Saturn,” Randson replied with growing concern in his eyes. “It’s just too damn quiet! I can’t believe they’ve all been wiped out.”

Kurt could only imagine how Randson felt. His wife and twelve-year-old daughter were on Earth, just outside of Houston. So was Kurt’s sister and her family.

“We could send in a couple destroyers,” Randson suggested, “to check on some of the outposts.”

“Not yet,” replied Kurt, shaking his head, as he thought about the absence of signals. “They might be detected. Right now, our biggest tactical advantage is that the aliens don’t know we’re here. Let’s keep it that way for a little while longer.”

“Sir,” Lieutenant Brooks said, her eyes alight with fear. “The long-range sensors are picking up elevated radiation levels from Earth.” Lena worked at her console fervently. “I’m trying to get better readings.”

Captain Randson stepped over and studied the data, the frown on his face deepening. He shook his head, and his breathing quickened. “A few nuclear weapons have definitely been dropped on the surface,” he stated, drawing in a sharp breath. “The level isn’t dangerous, but it’s four times higher than normal.” He gazed at the admiral, his expression deeply concerned. “I’m not sure we can afford to wait. What if they drop more bombs?”

“The bombs may have been dropped in the original attack,” Kurt said evenly, struggling to stay calm.

He knew, if the radiation-level readings were correct, that millions of people could be dead on the planet. He felt anger growing inside him at such an enemy who would nuke a planet from orbit. This said a lot about the temperament of the aliens they faced. While Kurt had never gotten married and his parents were deceased, he worried about his sister, Denise, and her six-year-old son, Bryan. Denise’s family lived in Houston because her husband, Alex, had a systems analyst job with an up-and-coming company there.

“What are your orders?” Randson asked.

The indications of nukes being used on the planet might also explain the communications silence, if everyone was afraid of drawing the aliens’ attention.

Admiral Vickers studied the tactical screen for a few more moments, while he decided on the best course of action. The enemy ships couldn’t be allowed to continue to orbit the planet. They had to be driven off before they nuked Earth again. The presence of an elevated radiation level changed things considerably. Vickers was afraid to even guess how many people had already died. He wondered if the aliens had landed ground troops. In the back of Kurt’s mind, he could hear Governor Spalding saying to not risk his fleet. He had a hard decision to make, and it wouldn’t be easy.

“It looks as if the shipyard is relatively intact,” Kurt said, looking at the large green icon on the tactical screen. Earth’s only shipyard orbited forty thousand kilometers above the planet.

“It is, sir,” Lieutenant Brooks said, nodding her brunette head as she studied one of her data screens. “My scanners are showing only minor damage to the shipyard, and its power systems still seem to be operating.”

“I wonder why they spared the shipyard?” asked Captain Randson with a questioning look upon his face. “You would think it would’ve been one of their first targets.”

“Unless they want it for themselves,” Kurt responded, thinking about the two thousand men and women who operated the station. He wondered if they were still alive or had been killed by boarders. So many unknowns faced them.

“The first alien race we encounter and they’re the ones to find us,” Randson said, as his eyes narrowed. “Why did they attack us in the first place?”

The higher officers in Earth’s space fleet had always expected to eventually encounter an alien race with the planet’s exploration ships ranging deeper and deeper into unexplored space. First-contact protocols had even been set up with linguists and other specialists assigned to each exploration mission, just in case another exploring spacecraft from an alien civilization was encountered.

“We may never know,” replied Kurt brusquely. “Lieutenant Brooks, are you detecting anything else on the long-range sensors?”

“No,” responded Brooks, shaking her head.

“What about communications?”

“Nothing,” replied Randson. “No radio or video broadcasts of any type have been picked up from Earth, the Moon, or Mars. Everything’s silent.”

“I’ve got additional information on the radiation in Earth’s atmosphere,” Lieutenant Brooks added, her eyes showing growing worry. “It originates from twenty-two different sources where major cities are located on the planet.”

The silence in the Command Center was profound, as everyone realized the magnitude of the calamity that had struck Earth.

Randson’s eyes widened in anger. His gaze shifted back to the admiral. “We need to get into Earth orbit!”

“Get Captain Watkins on the Vindication,” ordered Kurt, folding his arms across his chest, as he thought about his options. He knew he didn’t really have any but one. The knowledge that some of Earth’s cities had been nuked was the deciding factor. He didn’t think Governor Spalding would react negatively to Kurt’s decision, once the governor learned of this.

“Captain Watkins is on the comm,” Ensign Brenda Pierce, the communications officer, reported.

“Henry, we need to drive away those alien ships. From our scans, it’s obvious that Earth has suffered a nuclear bombardment. We can’t afford to allow them to bomb the planet again.”

“I was afraid of that,” his longtime friend replied. “Our scanners are showing the same thing. What do you have in mind? We’re outnumbered by nearly two to one.”

“I’ll jump in first with the light cruisers. We’ve spotted what looks like four enemy capital ships. We’ll try to take them out with the new particle beam weapons. Once we’re engaged, you and the destroyers will jump in. Launch your bombers and have them target the smaller ships with their Hydra missiles. Hopefully we’ll have enough surprise on our side to carry this out.”

“It’s risky,” Henry replied after a moment’s pause. “But I don’t see where we have any other choices. We’ll only have one shot at this.”

“Get your bombers ready,” Kurt ordered decisively. “We make the jump in twenty minutes.”

Lieutenant Brooks stepped over and handed Kurt a list of the nuked cities. He noted with relief that Houston wasn’t on the list. However, Chicago; Washington, DC; Rome; Cairo; Moscow; and numerous other cities scattered around Earth were. He felt his heart grow cold as he looked over the list. If this was correct, well over forty million casualties could have resulted from the orbital attack. His eyes shifted to the tactical screen and the twenty red threat icons. How could an enemy be so callous as to nuke defenseless civilians?

-

The tension and anxiety in the Command Center had increased considerably as the time for the attack neared. All the ships in the fleet were at Condition One with their crews at their battlestations. This would be the first time any member of Admiral Vickers’s fleet had actually gone into combat. They had trained for it and even participated in war games against other Earth fleets, but never in the history of the fleet had a weapon been fired against another ship.

“Ready to jump,” reported Captain Randson, as he listened to the readiness reports from various ships over the short-range comms. His eyes focused on the admiral, still studying the large tactical screen on the front wall of the Command Center.

Kurt nodded. There was no point in waiting. Pressing the fleetwide button on his command console, he announced, “All ships, initiate jump in sixty seconds. All ships to fire upon targets as soon as you exit hyperspace. Don’t wait on orders from the flag to engage. The element of surprise is essential if we want to win this battle. Good luck and good hunting.”

Captain Randson activated a counter on his console. “Helm, prepare for hyperspace insertion.” Randson buckled himself in his chair in preparation for combat maneuvers.

The hyperspace jump would only last a few seconds. Kurt, like everyone else, wondered what they would find when they reached Earth.

“Tactical, ready the main particle beam cannon,” ordered Kurt, noting the increased activity in the command crew as they prepared for combat. “Lock on the enemy’s nearest capital ship and fire as soon as you have a confirmed firing solution.” The cannon could only be fired once every forty seconds due to heat buildup. They needed every shot to count.

“Weapons are ready,” reported Lieutenant Evelyn Mays from tactical.

The counter on Captain Randson’s console reached zero. “Jump!” ordered Randson, his hands gripping the armrests on his command chair.

-

High Profiteer Creed of the Gothan Empire stood in the Command Center of the Profiteer ship Ascendant Destruction. He was bipedal and slightly taller than a human, with light blue skin and coarse white hair. His face, while humanoid, had larger-than-normal eyes. The last few days had been quiet, while he awaited the return of the rest of his ships, plus the others he had sent for: a large fleet of detainee ships and a number of heavy cargo ships.

The Gothan Empire, with planet Marsten as its capital, was a loose federation of 118 star systems that routinely raided many of the civilized races of the galaxy. It was a dangerous living, but the huge rewards from the bounty collected more than offset the danger.

“We’ll make huge profits from this planet,” gloated Second Profiteer Lantz, as he gazed at the main viewscreen on the front wall of the Command Center, depicting the blue-white planet beneath them. “Their people will sell well in the slave markets on Kubitz.”

“Their world is rich in many things that will bring good profits on the black markets,” added Creed, recalling his last trip to the bustling black market world. “Gold, platinum, jewels, and even some of their art will add much to our coffers.”

Hundreds of alien races could be found on the planet Kubitz, either selling or buying, some of it openly and some done in the back rooms of the pleasure houses. It was also a very dangerous place for someone unfamiliar with the workings of the black market system. People were known to vanish quite routinely, and the local authorities always seemed to look the other way.

“We were fortunate to find this world in this backwater system,” Lantz said. “Few ships have ventured into this area where the stars are so far apart.”

“We can thank the Kreel for that,” Creed said. “Several of their cargo ships have reported unknown ships detected by their satellite marker buoys in a number of systems they have claimed. It wasn’t difficult for the computers on Marsten to correlate the data and extrapolate the most likely location of those ships’ home world.”

Lantz nodded in agreement.

Though it hadn’t been quite that simple, as the computers had given them an area of space nearly thirty light-years across, which had contained quite a few stars, even in this sparse region. The Profiteer fleet had searched for two weeks before finally pinning down the system they sought.

“It is well that we found this system when we did,” Lantz said with greed showing in his eyes. “They had a sizable fleet and, in a few more years, would have been too powerful to overwhelm without major losses. They still remain hesitant to obey our demands, even after we destroyed their cities. More examples might need to be made.”

Before Creed could reply, warning klaxons sounded, and red lights flashed in the Command Center. His eyes instantly went to the sensor operator. “What’s with the alarms?” he demanded.

“We have ships exiting hyperspace,” reported Third Profiteer Bixt, as red threat icons appeared on the sensor screen before him. Then, after a moment, he looked at First Profiteer Creed with astonishment on his face. “They’re human!”

“We didn’t get them all,” muttered Lantz.

-

Admiral Vickers felt the familiar gut-wrenching sensation as the Star Cross dropped from hyperspace within close proximity to its intended target. The tactical screen quickly updated, showing the alien ships in orbit around Earth.

“Energy shield is coming online,” reported Captain Randson.

“Target lock!” called out Lieutenant Evelyn Mays, as green lights flashed on her console. “Firing particle beam cannon.” She reached forward and pressed several buttons, activating the deadly weapon. Beside her, two ensigns entered targeting information for the ship’s heavy KEW batteries and prepared to fire the ship’s missiles.

-

From the Star Cross, a deep blue beam flashed across space, smashing into the targeted enemy battlecruiser. Its defensive energy screen was operating at a low level, which failed to stop the beam. A massive explosion tore into the cruiser, leaving a gaping hole fifteen meters across in its hull and blasting a huge fragment off into space. The ship seemed to stagger, as valuable systems inside were compromised and ceased to function. Several secondary explosions rattled the ship, sending waves of fire through shattered interior compartments and corridors.

From the bow of the Star Cross, the two heavy KEW cannons fired, sending a pair of large armor-piercing rounds at 10 percent the speed of light toward the reeling enemy cruiser. The rounds impacted the alien ship, tearing completely through it, setting off additional explosions. The energy generated was like twin nuclear explosions. With a brilliant flash, the battlecruiser blew, sending debris in all directions.

“Enemy battlecruiser is down!” Lieutenant Brooks reported with elation, as the red threat icon swelled up on her sensor screen and then vanished.

“We caught them before they could raise their shields!” uttered Captain Randson, his eyes shining with a wolfish glint. “We surprised them, just like they did when they attacked Earth.”

“Switch to secondary target,” ordered Kurt, as he intently watched the tactical screen, seeing what success his other ships were having. They had to hit the enemy quick and hard if they were to have any hope of victory.

“The Hampton has downed a second enemy battlecruiser,” reported Brooks, as she saw another red icon vanish from her screen.

“Vindication is jumping in!” added Captain Randson, seeing more green icons appear on the tactical screen. “We caught them flatfooted!”

-

First Profiteer Creed picked himself up from the deck, looking around the Command Center in anger. “What’s happening!” he demanded, as his gaze shifted to the ship’s tactical screen. He could see numerous red threat icons appearing nearby. They were appearing almost on top of his fleet!

“It’s a human fleet, and they’re attacking,” reported Second Profiteer Lantz breathlessly. “We’ve already lost the Warriors Pride and the Addax. The enemy is using a powerful particle beam weapon against us and kinetics.”

“Particle beams and kinetics!” roared Creed in disbelief, his eyes growing wide.

He knew that, for most warships, particle beams were impractical—as they required a tremendous amount of energy and needed a long cool-down time between firings. Most Gothan ships were armed with ion cannons, energy projectors, and missiles, which were cheap and efficient. Kinetics were a thing of the past and had been given up to be replaced by more modern weapons. No one used kinetics anymore!

“One of the new arrivals is a carrier of some kind,” Third Profiteer Bixt warned. “It’s launching smaller warships toward us.”

“We’ve lost four of our escorts,” said Lantz, watching the ships drop off the tactical screen. He groaned and murmured, “My profits … the pleasure houses …” Then he reported, “All our ships have their shields up and are returning fire, but I fear we’ve already lost too many. The Glimmer Fire is reporting heavy damage, and they’re asking permission to withdraw.”

The Glimmer Fire was their only other remaining battlecruiser besides the Ascendant Destruction. Creed looked at the viewscreen, which showed numerous explosions in space. He could even see the flash of a few beam weapons. “Order all ships to jump!” he grated out, knowing that he had no other choice but to withdraw or risk being destroyed.

They were in this for profits, not to lose expensive warships! He would return to Kubitz and come back with a much more powerful fleet. This planet was too rich to allow a single human fleet to keep him from it. The humans could have the planet for now, but, in time, he and his much larger force would retake it. He would also have to intercept the detainee and cargo ships on their way here and have them return to the Kubitz System.

-

“We’ve taken out two more of their light units,” Captain Randson added, watching as a pair of red icons fell off the tactical screen.

Andrew Randson breathed a little easier. At this rate, they would win the battle, and then, as soon as possible, he intended to take a shuttle to Houston and evacuate his family. He knew others would be doing the same thing.

“Destroyer Brant is down,” Lieutenant Brooks reported grimly, as the friendly green icon representing the small destroyer vanished from the sensor screen.

Kurt winced at that news. It was the first ship under his command he had ever lost.

“Enemy ships are showing an energy spike,” Lieutenant Brooks informed them, per one of her sensors. “They’re activating their hyperdrives.”

Kurt switched his gaze to a large viewscreen just in time to see one of the two remaining enemy battlecruisers jump away. On the tactical screen, other red threat icons also vanished.

“Their last battlecruiser is too damaged to jump,” Brooks reported, as the enemy ship turned toward them with its weapons firing. “They’re attacking!”

Kurt felt the Star Cross shudder slightly as an energy beam struck the ship’s screen.

“Some type of ion beam is hitting us,” Lieutenant Brooks reported, looking at the data on one of her sensor screens.

“The shield is holding at 84 percent,” Captain Randson said.

“Particle beam is recharged,” Lieutenant Mays stated, as she targeted the alien battlecruiser. “Firing!”

-

The deep blue particle beam smashed into the Glimmer Fire, flashing right through its weakened defensive energy screen. A huge hole was blasted in its bow, and the ship seemed to lose all power. Two heavy KEW rounds from the human’s bow cannons plowed into the Profiteer ship, traveling nearly its entire length, and then the vessel detonated in a blaze of light as too many vital systems were compromised.

-

“All enemy ships have either jumped or been destroyed,” reported Lieutenant Brooks, breathing a sigh of relief. “We have control of Earth orbital space.”

Kurt nodded, allowing himself to relax. This battle had gone far better than expected. “Get me Captain Watkins. I’ll have the Vindication check out the shipyard. We may need their Marines to secure it.” Kurt turned his attention back toward one of the viewscreens, which showed Earth.

“Now let’s try to contact someone down on the surface and see just what the hell is going on!”

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017CM03GE/ref=cm_sw_su_dp

Other Books by Raymond L. Weil

Available on Amazon

Moon Wreck (The Slaver Wars Book 1)

The Slaver Wars: Alien Contact (The Slaver Wars Book 2)

Moon Wreck: Fleet Academy (The Slaver Wars Book 3)

The Slaver Wars: First Strike (The Slaver Wars Book 4)

The Slaver Wars: Retaliation (The Slaver Wars Book 5)

The Slaver Wars: Galactic Conflict (The Slaver Wars Book 6)

The Slaver Wars: Endgame (The Slaver Wars Book 7)

The Slaver Wars: Books 1-3

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Dragon Dreams

Dragon Dreams: Dragon Wars

Dragon Dreams: Gilmreth the Awakening

Dragon Dreams: Snowden the White Dragon

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Star One: Tycho City: Survival

Star One: Neutron Star

Star One: Dark Star

Star One

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Galactic Empire Wars: Destruction (Book 1)

Galactic Empire Wars: Emergence (Book 2)

Galactic Empire Wars: Rebellion (Book 3)

Galactic Empire Wars: The Alliance (Book 4)

Galactic Empire Wars: Insurrection (Book 5)

Galactic Empire Wars: Final Conflict (Book 6)

Galactic Empire Wars: The Beginning (Books 1-3)

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The Lost Fleet: Galactic Search (Book 1)

The Lost Fleet: Into the Darkness (Book 2)

The Lost Fleet: Oblivion’s Light (Book 3)

The Lost Fleet: Genesis (Book 4)

The Lost Fleet: Search for the Originators (Book 5)

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The Star Cross (Book 1)

The Star Cross: The Dark Invaders (Book 2)

The Star Cross: Galaxy in Peril (Book 3)

The Star Cross: The Forever War (Book 4)

The Star Cross: The Vorn! (Book 5)

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The Originator Wars: Universe in Danger (Book 1)

The Originator Wars: Search for the Lost (Book 2)

The Originator Wars: Conflict Unending (Book 3)

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Earth Fall: Invasion (Book 1)

Earth Fall: To the Stars (Book 2)

Earth Fall: Empires at War (Book 3)

(All dates are tentative)

The Originator Wars: Explorations (Book 1) April or May 2019

Dragon Dreams: Firestorm Mountain (Book 4) July 2019