Chapter One

In the Triangulum Galaxy, thousands of small twenty-meter-long probes searched the depths of interstellar space for any traces of intelligent life. Powerful sensors scanned the nearest stars for radio waves and other forms of electromagnetic radiation or pulses, which might indicate the presence of budding civilizations.

Probe #X-476-B-729 paused in its flight, as primitive radio waves struck its sensitive detection system. It only took the device’s complex computers a few microseconds to determine the high probability of these signals coming from a civilized source. The probe instantly activated its FTL communicator and sent a message to the nearest comm relay. The relay would notify a Simulin battle fleet of the detection of a possible future threat.

-

Taras Ralt stared thoughtfully at the small viewscreen in the exploration cruiser. The ship and its ten-person crew were nearing the orbit of the sixth planet in their solar system. This was the first time a ship had been sent so far away from their home world of Kall, the fourth planet of the system. “Ship status?”

“All systems functioning normally,” replied his second in command, Besel Dar.

The atmosphere inside the Kall vessel was very high in humidity. Kall was a water world with 92 percent of its surface covered in the liquid. The Kalls themselves had gill slits with which they could survive either on the surface or beneath the water. Most of the cities on their home planet floated on the large oceans held in place by massive anchors attached to the sea floor. The Kalls farmed the shallow oceans as well as harvested the teeming schools of fish.

“We will go down in our planet’s history as the first from our world to set foot upon Trillion,” said Dar, pleased with what would be his place in this historic mission.

The sixth planet was slightly larger than Kall with only trace amounts of water in the atmosphere. Someday mining operations and even domed colonies would be set up. The future for the Kall race was looking very bright.

The ship suddenly shook violently, and warning alarms sounded. The lights flickered, faded, and then came back on. The crew looked with sudden worry at their instruments, seeking the reason for the klaxons sounding.

“What just happened?” Ralt demanded, his large eyes narrowing with concern. “Turn off those alarms!”

The sensor operator merely pointed to the small viewscreen, showing a massive bulbous ship. The vessel was easily 1,700 meters in length with six large spires on the front hull. No such construction had ever been built in the Kall system.

“Aliens!” said Dar excitedly. “We must establish contact. Just think of what we can learn from them. This is the opportunity of a lifetime!”

He didn’t get to say anything else, as one of the tips on the six spires glowed, and a deadly beam of white energy annihilated the Kall exploration ship.

-

The Simulin sensor operator turned toward the ship’s commander. “A primitive interplanetary vessel. It didn’t possess even a rudimentary sublight drive. No shields or obvious weapons.”

“That is why we have the probes,” the Simulin commander replied.

The commander was slightly taller than a Human but with opalescent skin. Blood vessels, as well as some of the internal organs, could easily be seen. “It’s far more efficient to eliminate these primitive species before they become a threat. Set course for their home world and prepare the fleet to initiate nuclear bombardment of the surface.”

-

In space, twenty Simulin battlecruisers turned and proceeded toward the single inhabited planet in the system. Long-range scans detected a few small space stations in orbit, as well as numerous satellites.

As the Simulin fleet approached Kall, frantic messages were beamed into space, asking for peaceful contact. They stressed repeatedly that they were a peaceful race, only interested in exploring their own star system. Their long-range telescopes had witnessed the destruction of the exploration ship. Near panic had swept the planet, as news spread across the airways that alien invaders approached.

The twenty Simulin battlecruisers took up orbit two thousand kilometers above the target planet’s surface with each ship spaced equidistant from the others to cover the entire globe. For an hour, the Simulin ships orbited the planet, as their sensors scanned the numerous cities, calculating the primary impact points for the missiles.

-

“The primitives are still attempting contact,” reported the Simulin Communications officer. “They are offering to surrender their world.”

“There can be no others,” commented the commanding officer harshly.

Early in their history, their home world had been subjected to numerous bloody and damaging civil wars. Simulon was an arid planet with few resources, and the different existing tribes had fought brutal campaigns to control what was upon the planet. One tribe eventually won out, but the wars had seriously depleted what few resources the planet once had. In desperation, they’d journeyed into space to the three other planets in their star system. Like their own planet, resources even on those worlds were also sparse.

Then one day a brilliant scientist developed the hyperdrive. One of their first exploratory missions discovered a system rich in resources with a planet in the liquid water zone in a nearby system. Unfortunately that planet was inhabited by a primitive species just entering their Bronze Age.

The exploration cruiser returned and reported to the Simulin Grand Council its amazing discovery of a system rich in resources and a world much more suitable for life. The Grand Council didn’t take long to reach a decision. Life on Simulon was hard and growing more difficult with every generation. If something wasn’t done soon, their race would die out, as their planet would no longer be able to sustain life.

Four years after the discovery of the new star system, a Simulin battle fleet appeared in orbit over the inhabited planet. Nuclear missiles rained down upon the surface, detonating high enough above the cities to limit the spread of radiation. Then the first Conqueror Class drones were unleashed. Thousands were dropped on the surface with instructions to eliminate the planet’s inhabitants.

Ever since that time the Simulin race continued to expand, destroying every intelligent species they encountered. The Simulin population was growing rapidly, and no competition for the available resources could be tolerated.

-

In the Simulin flagship, the second in command turned to the ship’s commander. “Ships are in position, and targets are locked.”

The commander felt no remorse for what he was about to do. Emotions such as that had long since vanished from the Simulin race. “Fire missiles!” he ordered.

The ship shuddered imperceptively, as forty missiles left the missile tubes and entered the planet’s atmosphere. Each missile targeted one Kall city. At an altitude of three thousand meters, the first ten-megaton missile detonated, obliterating the floating city beneath it.

On the ship’s viewscreens, hundreds of brilliant fireballs appeared across the blue-white globe, as more detonations announced the death of the Kall civilization.

-

For several hours the Simulin fleet orbited the planet, ensuring all vestiges of the planet’s civilization had been eliminated. At the end of that time, four large Simulin transports exited hyperspace and took up low orbit above the planet.

“Instruct the cargo ships to deliver the Conqueror drones,” ordered the flagship’s commander.

Ten thousand of the deadly crablike drones would be dropped on the planet. Due to their amphibious construction, they could function just as easily in the water as upon the land. It would take a few years or possibly a few decades, but any Kall survivors would be hunted down and eliminated. Sometime in the far future, Simulin colony ships would come to this world, and it would become another Simulin-inhabited system.

From each of the four cargo ships, small pods fell toward the besieged planet. In each pod resided eight of the deadly Conqueror drones, programmed to be killing machines with no concept of mercy.

The Simulin commander watched impassively as the first pods fired their engines and set down on the landmasses and in the water. Upon contact the pods split apart, freeing their deadly cargo. The automatons would immediately begin searching for potential targets.

Satisfied this future threat had been eliminated, the commander turned toward his second in command. “The fleet will return to its patrol station for further instructions.”

“Shall we destroy the space stations?”

“Leave them,” the commander replied. “Without supplies their crews will soon perish. Our mission here is finished. This world will never be a threat to the Simulin race.”

“What about those strange ships that came from the AI galaxy?” asked the ship’s second in command. “What has become of them?”

“They’ve vanished,” replied the ship’s commander. “Our fleets are still searching. When they’re found, they will be eliminated.”

“Could they have returned to the AI galaxy?”

“It’s possible,” replied the Simulin commander. “That’s why the invasion is being sped up.”

“The AIs were supposed to eliminate the organic races in that galaxy.”

The commander nodded his head, as his gaze turned toward the ship’s viewscreens. “Their programming failed, and they’ve somehow joined with that galaxy’s organics.”

“Our invasion fleet will soon correct that unfortunate situation,” the second officer predicted. “Our race will someday need their living space, and those organics must be exterminated.”

-

Very little talking was heard in the Command Center of the Simulin flagship. The Simulins were a pragmatic and ruthless race. They’d long since decided they would tolerate no competition for resources. For thousands of years, they had spread across ten galaxies, colonizing tens of thousands of worlds. Already they had agents working in twenty more, preparing to add them someday to the Simulin Empire.

A spatial vortex formed in front of the flagship, and it jumped into hyperspace. Across the Triangulum Galaxy, hundreds of such fleets responded whenever a probe reported the presence of intelligent life. If all went according to plan, in a few hundred years, the only intelligent life in the Triangulum Galaxy would be Simulin, as all others would have been wiped out.

-

Admiral Jeremy Strong stood in front of the massive viewscreen of the Command Center within the 2,600-meter-long exploration dreadnought named the Distant Horizon. It was the largest ship ever built by the Federation or the Altons. Four months had passed since its battle with the Simulins, which had seen the dreadnought make it safely to the nebula and the hidden world where the lost fleets had made their home.

The original lost fleets encompassed Federation, Bear, and AI warships and crewmembers, plus Alton exploration ships and scientists, all under Jeremy’s ultimate command. The Federation’s Fourth Fleet had Rear Admiral Susan Marks as Jeremy’s second in command. The Bear contingent was within Grayseth’s fleet. The Command AI headed up his AI ships and crew with Admiral Cleeteus in charge of the Alton fleet. Now Rear Admiral Barnes’s exploration dreadnaught Distant Horizon was added to the “lost fleets” moniker.

It had been a busy four months, as the newest lost ship had brought messages from home for members of the original lost fleets, as well as additional technology, which might be of use. Some startling revelations came too, particularly where the Simulins and the AIs were concerned.

“I still can’t get over how this screen makes everything seem so real.” Jeremy stepped forward and touched the screen, as if to assure himself something was between him and the view of space. They were deep inside the heart of the ship, but the screen made it seem as if the deadly vacuum of space was only a footstep away.

“We enjoy this screen,” Andram Muce, the tall white-haired Alton, said with a smile. “This screen serves us well in our explorations.”

“I can see why,” replied Jeremy. He could easily imagine how useful such a screen would be in scientific studies. It made the viewscreens in the Avenger seem quite primitive by comparison.

Kelsey sat at the Navigational console and looked at Jeremy with a big smile. “You need to see what it looks like when we’re in hyperspace.” Over the last four months, Kelsey and Jeremy had spent most of their time together. After four years apart, it was a fantastic feeling to finally be together once again.

“I can only imagine,” Jeremy responded.

It had been a huge morale boost when the Distant Horizon had overcome the Simulins and finally appeared in orbit around Gaia, where the lost fleets were hiding. For Jeremy, the ship carried his wife—who he had never expected to see again. For others, it had brought messages from friends and family.

After a lot of discussion, Jeremy had agreed to allow both Katie and Kelsey to remain aboard the Distant Horizon in their current positions. Not only was the exploration dreadnought the most powerful ship in the Federation’s fleet, and now counted among the lost fleets, but it also had Clarissa on board as well. The Humanlike AI had been instrumental in bringing the ship safely to Gaia.

Reaching forward, Kelsey adjusted the screen, and a close-up appeared of the Clan Protector. “I don’t think Daelthon’s mobile shipyard will ever leave Gaia.”

The Bears’ shipyard had been greatly expanded and was now nearly three times its former size. Jeremy knew Kelsey had been excited to renew her friendship with her Bear friends, Malith and Karalle, who were on board the shipyard.

Jeremy let out a deep sigh and nodded his head in agreement. “Ariel says it would be possible, if we added additional hyperdrive systems. However, it would take one hell of a coordination job to transport the Clan Protector now. Grayseth wants to do it, but I’m not sure it’s worth the effort and materials.”

“Ariel or I could oversee that,” proclaimed the cute blonde, standing a few feet away. Her deep blue eyes gazed confidently at Jeremy. “Ariel and I have discussed the current configuration of the mobile shipyard, and we would add three additional hyperdrive systems, as well as a better integrated computer network. Mikow Lall claims she can design a system which could take the Clan Protector safely into hyperspace.”

“I don’t know if it will ever be needed,” replied Jeremy, nodding toward the AI. “Gaia is our new home, and it’s heavily defended. If the Simulins find us here, we’ll drive them out of the system.”

In the previous week, they’d completed construction of the last of the Alton particle beam satellites. Gaia was now protected by 1,500 of the powerful satellites. Also thirty-two Type Two battlestations were presently in orbit, with plans for forty total. Once the last eight were completed, Jeremy was confident they could hold the planet against the Simulins, if they ever did discover where the Federation fleets were hiding.

“I believe Andram wants to discuss with you the Alton probes stored in one of our flight bays,” commented Rear Admiral Kathryn Barnes, as she walked over to join Jeremy. Kathryn’s father was the current governor of Ceres and had been influential in getting the Distant Horizon built, as well as arranging for her to command the exploration dreadnought on this mission to find the lost fleets.

“The probes,” Jeremy said, his eyes narrowing. He had been stunned to hear the Altons on the Distant Horizon casually mention they had two probes which they might be able to send back home.

Andram nodded and explained. “Shilum, Mikow, and I have been working on the probes. Ariel and Clarissa have helped, and we believe one probe could be ready in just a few months.”

Jeremy let out a deep breath. It would mean so much to his crewmembers if they could get messages back to their families. Jeremy would also like to send a detailed report to Fleet Command about what the lost fleets had discovered about the Simulins. Kelsey had informed him Nagumo was the new fleet admiral, as Fleet Admiral Streth had retired, and Fleet Admiral Johnson had been killed in the battle at the galactic center.

“What would you need?”

“Six of the small vortex ring generators and four Fusion Five reactors to power them.”

“Can we do it?” Jeremy asked Clarissa. Over the years, he’d come to trust the judgment of the two AIs. They’d saved his life more than once.

“Yes,” Clarissa answered after a moment. “It will be necessary to construct the Fusion Five reactors, but we have the detailed specifications. And, with the capabilities of the mobile shipyard plus the fleet repair ships, we should be able to get them built. We also have the designs for the AIs’ capacitor stations, and we’ll build a scaled-down version of them to house the reactors.”

“Can we send the probe from inside this nebula?” Jeremy was hesitant about leaving the nebula, since it would expose them to possible detection by the Simulins.

Andram shook his head. “We can’t generate enough power. The heavy layers of gas in this nebula would prevent the spatial vortex from reaching our galaxy. It would destabilize it too much. We need to be in open space, preferably close to a large star or even a black hole, which we can use as an anchor for the vortex generators. It would drastically reduce the amount of energy we need. However, if we had a large enough gravity anchor, we could generate a vortex that would work through the nebula. But Gaia’s star is too small.”

“A black hole,” said Jeremy, recalling what had happened the last time he’d been close to one.

The battle at Sagittarius A, the massive black hole at the center of his home galaxy, had been brutal and extremely costly. It ended when he’d used the Avenger to destroy the AIs’ Hypertranslation Station, which had opened up an uncontrolled spatial vortex and then transported the Avenger and the other nearby fleets to the Triangulum Galaxy. It also won the battle for the Human Federation of Worlds and its allies.

“There is a large one at this galaxy’s center as well,” Andram informed Jeremy. “While we were traveling to find you, our Astrometrics department was busy cataloging many of the stars along our route. We also spent some time observing this galaxy’s center. There is a black hole here too but not a supermassive one. Our computer estimates place the mass of this galaxy’s black hole at three- to four-thousand solar masses.”

“The Distant Horizon has a stealth shield,” Kathryn informed Jeremy. “If we were careful about our chosen route, we could probably travel there undetected.”

Clarissa stood with her arms folded across her chest. “We’ve made some minor adjustments to the system to fine-tune it. Betrem Jalat, an Alton and the ship’s assistant chief engineer, has also done some work to make the ship more difficult to detect, even in hyperspace.”

“I don’t know if I feel comfortable sending the Distant Horizon that far without a powerful escort,” responded Jeremy with a frown. The ship had almost been destroyed by the Simulins on its voyage to the original rendezvous coordinates. He stared sharply at Clarissa. “Can we make the same adjustments to the Avenger and a few more of our ships?”

Clarissa quickly established a communications line with Ariel, who was on the Avenger, and filled her in on Jeremy’s question. Then the two of them ran a series of calculations and studied some specialized design plans for the systems on the Distant Horizon. All of this only took a few seconds, as the two were working at a speed, which would seem incomprehensible to Humans or even Altons.

“It’s possible. If we start the work immediately, we should be able to properly upgrade some of the fleet while the probe is readied,” Clarissa reported. “How many ships would you want to modify? Some of the changes are major.”

“Give me a couple days to get back with you on that,” Jeremy answered. He wanted to talk this over with Rear Admiral Susan Marks, Grayseth, the Command AI, Admiral Cleeteus, and, of course, Kathryn, since her ship would be heavily involved in this operation. “The task group needs to be small to prevent detection but powerful enough to get us out of a jam if the Simulins find us.”

Clarissa took another moment to confer once more with Ariel. “Ariel and I will provide design plans for Alton battleships, Human battleships, Human battlecarriers, and for the AI ships. We’ll have them ready within twenty-four hours.”

“Add strikecruisers to that also,” Jeremy ordered.

“That won’t be a problem,” responded Clarissa.

Jeremy looked at Kelsey, knowing once more he would be putting his wife’s life in jeopardy, but she was the daughter of an admiral, and Jeremy knew she would have it no other way. Turning away from his wife, he asked, “Can we be ready in two months?”

“Yes,” Clarissa and Andram both said together.

“Very well then,” Jeremy said, reaching a decision. “In two months we’ll travel to this galaxy’s center and attempt to send one of the two probes to our home galaxy. Let’s just hope we’re successful and don’t run into any Simulins.”

Chapter Two

Admiral Race Tolsen felt the WarHawk drop from hyperspace and exit the swirling blue-white spatial vortex which announced their reentry into normal space. The 1,600-meter-long flagship of Third Fleet was alone as it made a trip to the Altons’ home system deep in the galactic center. The rest of the fleet was at Careth, undergoing additional updates. The Bears’ shipyards were some of the largest and most efficient, outside of the Federation’s.

For the last four months, Race had been traveling around the Human Federation of Worlds, talking to various senators and even several key allies of the Federation, all at the bequest of former Fleet Admiral Streth. Race’s meetings had been met with skepticism and demands for solid evidence of the imminent threat he was foretelling. Only at New Tellus, Ceres, New Providence, and Careth had his words of warning been met with promises of future action. All four worlds had grown concerned when Race had invoked former Fleet Admiral Hedon Streth’s name.

“We’re being challenged,” reported Lieutenant Denise Travers from Communications. Denise’s cousin, Captain Austin Travers, was the Communications officer for the missing exploration dreadnought, Distant Horizon. “I have an Alton battleship at twelve million kilometers.”

“Send our ship ID and inform them we have permission from Ambassador Tureen to visit Astral,” Race responded.

His trip to the Altons’ current home system had been met with only lukewarm support. The Altons didn’t want to be involved in another drawn-out war, as most of their population were pacifists. They were also heavily involved in uplifting many of the former slave worlds of the Hocklyn Empire. Only at their former home world in the galactic center did the Altons maintain a powerful fleet of warships. They did have a few other battleships assigned to various Federation fleets, patrolling the borders of the former empire. However, for the most part, the majority of the Alton warships had been recalled to their core systems.

“I have a message from an Alton Admiral Victell. He says we were expected. We’ve been given permission to continue to Astral and go into orbit using a microjump.”

“That was easy,” commented Commander Madelyn Arnett.

The Altons were known to be very strict about allowing visits to Astral. Race glanced at Commander Arnett. “Ambassador Tureen feels the Federation, as well as the other allied worlds, owes much to former Fleet Admiral Streth. Tureen was very concerned when I relayed Admiral Streth’s premonitions. It’s unfortunate they’re such pacifists. Tureen wasn’t certain just how much support he could drum up for us.”

“Premonitions?” said Colonel Brice Cowel, the executive officer. “Do you really believe in those?”

“The people on New Providence certainly do,” Race replied. “All throughout the history of the original Human Federation of Worlds, there were people who could see the future.”

“They actually knew what events would occur?” asked Cowel, shaking his head in disbelief.

Race turned toward his executive officer. “Not quite. They appear as very vague dreams. For instance, before the battle at the galactic center, Fleet Admiral Streth had a dream about a great circle of white light.”

“The spatial vortex the lost fleets were drawn into,” said Cowel with a frown. “Fleet Admiral Streth actually saw it before the battle?”

“Yes, but he had no idea what it meant. That’s the problem with premonitions. They’re very unclear most of the time.”

Cowel’s expression revealed he was still finding it hard to accept. “What are we doing here at the Altons’ home system?”

Race looked at Commander Arnett before answering. She was the only one on the ship who he had revealed Fleet Admiral Streth’s warnings to.

“Research,” Race answered. “There may be a new threat we need to prepare for.”

“What type of threat?” asked Cowel, looking perplexed. “The Hocklyns are defeated. The Borzon are staying close to their own territory, and, after Third Fleet’s defeat of the Shari, the threat from them has greatly diminished.”

“That’s what we’re here to find out,” answered Race, turning toward the Helm officer. “Plot a short jump to just outside Astral’s orbit.”

Race leaned back in his command chair and let out a deep breath. He’d been briefed by Fleet Admiral Nagumo on what Rear Admiral Kathryn Barnes had discovered on Astral, about the Simulins and how they had reprogrammed the AIs. Then later Fleet Admiral Streth had summoned Race to Maken with a dire warning. The Simulins were still in existence and coming to conquer this galaxy. Streth had also revealed to Race how the invading galaxy was the same one where the lost fleets and the Distant Horizon were. Race had been explaining to key individuals across the Human Federation of Worlds and their allies how a new and terrible war was coming. They had to be ready.

-

Race looked in awe at the Command Center’s main viewscreen showing the Altons’ City of Light, the only remaining city on the planet of Astral. In its heyday, the city could easily have held over one hundred million inhabitants. It spread out for kilometers with wide avenues and soaring towers. Some of the buildings reached nearly to the few clouds, which floated high in the almost clear sky.

“It’s remarkable,” said Commander Arnett, as she gazed at the viewscreen. “To think the AIs preserved it all these years.”

“As the Altons’ empire shrank, and the Altons became ever more dependent on the AIs for their day-to-day lives, they came to this city,” Race answered. “For hundreds of years the city persevered, yet the Alton race slowly declined, and the birthrate fell. In the end, only the AIs were left.”

“Except for the Altons who had set up a colony in our sector of the galaxy,” commented Colonel Cowel. “They survived.”

Commander Arnett nodded her head. “Because they didn’t bring any AIs with them and believed their artificial constructs would someday pose a danger to the galaxy.”

“They were right,” Race said. “But not for the reasons they thought would come to pass. It was due more to the Simulins’ meddling with the programming of the master Codex.”

“Your shuttle is ready,” reported Lieutenant Travers from Communications. “General Wesley and Garak Rath are waiting for you at the city’s spaceport.”

“Let’s not keep them waiting,” Race replied, as he stood up. “Commander Arnett, you’re with me. Colonel Cowel, you have command.”

-

Several hours later, Race and Arnett were standing in the Altons’ computer center, deep beneath the city, staring in amazement at the largest computer system they’d ever seen. The room was so vast that neither Admiral Race Tolsen nor Commander Arnett were sure they could see the far wall.

“These centralized computers span many kilometers beneath the city,” Garak Rath informed them. The tall Alton was the chief researcher in charge of cataloging the comprehensive data stored in the massive computer system. “They’re all tied into the computer’s core several kilometers beneath us. Everything the early Altons discovered is recorded here, as well as the history and science of tens of thousands of worlds the AIs and their proxy races conquered.”

“The information about the Simulins and what they changed in the master Codex is here also?” questioned Race. They were standing on a platform twenty meters above the floor of the massive computer center.

“Yes,” Garak replied with a deep frown. “My research partner, Leental Malth, and her team have spent quite some time analyzing what the Simulins did. There can be no doubt their programming change caused the AIs to be a much deadlier threat than they ever would have been on their own.”

“Could these Simulins still be alive in another galaxy?”

Garak paused for a moment, considering his answer. “That’s unknown. However, the programming the Simulins used seems to indicate a long-term plan to conquer our galaxy. This implies they expected to be around to pick up the pieces, once the AIs fired off their Eternity Device.”

“You think they’ll return,” said General Wesley, his eyes widening. “That’s why you’ve come to Astral!”

Race focused his gaze on Garak. “If the Simulins were to return, is there any way to know where they would appear? It took a hell of a lot of power to open the vortex that the lost fleets went through. Are the Simulins tied down to using a black hole?”

Garak’s frown deepened. “That information may be available in the computers. I can have some of my research assistants search for any pertinent data.”

“I would appreciate that,” Race responded. “I’ve spoken to Fleet Admiral Nagumo, and it’s vital for us to know if we might soon be facing an invasion by these Simulins.” Nagumo had been one who had expressed doubt at Race’s warning of a possible intergalactic invasion. He’d heard Race out and informed him that Nagumo needed more proof, other than the ramblings of a retired fleet admiral.

“I would hope not,” Garak replied, his eyes showing concern. “If their science is any indication of their power, our fleets wouldn’t stand a chance.”

“Are you saying they would be more advanced than the AIs or Altons?” asked Commander Arnett in surprise. “I thought Alton science was supreme.”

“This change in the master Codex occurred thousands of years ago,” Garak answered. “We have to assume their science has continued to advance.”

Race felt disheartened by this information. If the lost fleets and the Distant Horizon had indeed gone to a Simulin galaxy, then those ships and their crews might have been overwhelmed by the deadly aliens. But then again, Fleet Admiral Streth had indicated he envisioned that the fleets and the Distant Horizon had survived. If they had, Race would give his right arm to know how they’d managed to do it. That information might prove vital in protecting this galaxy from a Simulin invasion.

-

Several hours later Admiral Race Tolsen, Commander Madelyn Arnett, and General Wesley were standing in the lobby of the huge building above the computer center. The edifice easily rose three hundred stories aboveground and extended down forty more.

Commander Arnett was admiring the hundreds of wondrous paintings placed with great care upon the walls. “They’re beautiful!”

These were some of the most gorgeous paintings of landscapes of different planets she’d ever seen. They showed sunsets, sunrises, mountains, massive green forests, lakes, waterfalls, and strange animals, the likes of which Madelyn had never imagined. She stepped closer, wondering what the artists must have felt when painting each one.

“Many of these buildings are filled with paintings such as these,” General Wesley informed them. “In the final days the surviving Altons gradually moved from the outlying cities to here, until all who were left lived in the City of Light. For a few more centuries, they practiced the arts to document their passing in this world, as their birthrates continued to decline. In the end they died out, but they left behind this wonderful artwork.”

“These are truly amazing,” Madelyn said, her eyes captured by one which showed a waterfall cascading over a steep cliff and falling for thousands of meters to strike a deep blue pool. The painting almost seemed alive. She wondered what world this painting depicted.

“It’s hard to believe they died out,” General Wesley continued. “Their minds were brilliant, but they became too dependent on the AIs. I’ve spoken to Garak about this, and he claims the Altons here in the City of Light, toward the end, became so involved living in computer-generated worlds that their bodies simply ceased to function. I could show you rooms where the Altons laid upon comfortable couches, immersed in unimaginable worlds of fantasy and make believe. The AIs attended them to the very end, but this final virtual reality was their doom. Over a period of two hundred years, the Alton population dropped from 112 million in this city to less than 10 million. By the time the remaining Altons grasped what was happening, it was too late to reverse it. Very few Altons of childbearing age were still alive, and most of them refused to give up their virtual worlds.”

“Virtual reality?” asked Madelyn, looking confused. “The Altons?”

“One of the Alton scientists, along with several AIs, discovered how to connect their computer system directly to their brains. They could create any type of world or adventure one might desire. This virtual world seemed so real that many Altons would only wake up long enough to eat and then go back into it.”

“That explains why the current Altons are so opposed to AIs,” added Race. “Although the Altons have learned to accept Ariel and Clarissa they have discouraged the Human Federation of Worlds from delving any further into AI research.”

“Have you found any more functioning AIs in the last few months?” asked Madelyn.

“Only a few,” Wesley replied. “I have over one hundred thousand Marines combing the installations in this system, searching for any still activated. We’ve only found twelve in the last four months. I believe only a few more are left.”

-

“I noticed, when we arrived, a number of Indomitable Class battlestations were in orbit around Astral,” Race commented. He had been surprised to see the massive Alton stations surrounding the planet.

“Yes,” Wesley answered with a nod. “There are twenty-four of them. Garak told me it’s to ensure the information stored in these computers stays secure and doesn’t fall into the hands of either the Shari or the Borzon.”

“A wise decision,” Race replied. He had also seen quite a few Alton battleships and battlecruisers in the system, as well as a small Federation fleet.

“So much knowledge is stored in those computers,” Wesley said, “that Garak and Malth both say it will take several hundred years just to catalog everything. Researchers are already coming from the Alton core worlds to study and do research here. Within two years, there will be more than twenty thousand Altons involved in various research programs.”

“What about your Marines? When will they be going home?”

Wesley turned toward Race. “The Altons have asked that we keep a large Marine contingent in the Alton system. We’ll rotate them on a regular basis, but it might be some time before the numbers drop significantly from where they are now.”

Race nodded his head in understanding. “The knowledge contained here in the computer core is beyond belief. I still find it hard to believe the AIs didn’t use it to create superadvanced weapon systems.”

“They didn’t feel they were necessary and, as a result, were deemed a waste of research and time,” Wesley responded. “The AIs had their four proxies, their four Slaver Races—the Hocklyns, the Borzon, the Shari, and the Ralift—who were doing most of the fighting for the AIs, and they ensured all four had weaponry considerably less advanced than their own.”

“We haven’t encountered the Ralift yet since they’re on the far side of the galaxy,” commented Race. “They shouldn’t be any more advanced than the Borzon or the Shari.”

“It’s a good thing,” Commander Arnett said. “The Hocklyns were difficult enough to conquer without having advanced firepower. Even the AIs would have been too much for us without the Altons’ expertise.”

“How long do you think my particular search request will take?” asked Race. Altons were known, at times, to be so deeply involved in their research that the passage of time meant little to them.

Wesley laughed and looked at Race. “Who knows? It could be a few days or it could be a few weeks.”

“Weeks,” moaned Madelyn, shaking her head.

“This might be a good time for some shipboard drills,” Race said thoughtfully.

Madelyn agreed. “I’ll set some up, as soon as we return to the WarHawk.”

-

Race was in his quarters, reading the latest messages from home. His parents lived inside Ceres and were still doing well. They wanted to spend some quality time with him the next time he had leave. His mother also wanted to travel to New Tellus to see the beach resorts, which she’d heard were fabulous. His sister, Massie, had sent a message. She had just been promoted to commander of the battlecarrier Hera. It had been well over a year since he’d last seen his younger sister. Race wondered if it would be possible to arrange for all of them to travel to New Tellus together. It was something he needed to look into. Rereading his parents’ message, he saw his mother had mentioned Massie was dating a vice admiral. He allowed a smile to cross his face; leave it to his sister to pick a higher-ranking officer to get involved with.

The comm unit on his desk sounded, and, getting up from his comfortable couch, he crossed the room and pressed the button. “Yes?”

Commander Arnett’s voice came over the comm. “We just received word from Garak Rath that Leental Malth has concluded her research and is ready with her report. Do you want her to send it to us, or would you like to go to Astral?”

“Astral,” Race answered. It would be a lot easier to ask questions if they were together on the surface. “Have a shuttle prepared, and we’ll leave in an hour.” He was highly curious to hear what the Alton research specialist had discovered.

-

They were once more far beneath the surface of the City of Light in a small conference room set up for the occasion. Race was surprised to see a half-dozen Altons in the room, as well as General Wesley, Garak Rath, and Leental Malth. It made him wonder just what the research had turned up.

“We have the information you requested,” Garak began, as they all sat down. “We were quite alarmed at what we discovered and also extremely concerned about the ramifications of this data.”

Leental stood up and gazed somberly at the group. “As you all know, several thousand years ago the Simulins came to our galaxy and made a programming change in the AIs’ master Codex, which eventually led to the war with the Hocklyn Empire and the AIs. It culminated in the battle at our galaxy’s center. The AIs built a massive ring of capacitor stations to store the energy given off by the black hole’s accretion disk. Their ring generators, when activated, created a spatial vortex nearly twenty kilometers in diameter. I now defer to Ablan Donalt, a scientist who specializes in black holes, and the effects of gravity and energy on the binding structure of space.”

An older white-haired Alton stood. “I was amazed and frightened by what our research turned up.” He paused for a moment, looking over the group, making sure he had their undivided attention. “Each time the AIs activated their vortex ring, they weakened the very binding structure of space. When the Avenger destroyed the Hypertranslation Station, an uncontrolled spatial vortex was created. This vortex was rampant with massive surges of energy and tremendous fluctuations in gravity. If our theories are correct, the very fabric of space in that vicinity has been severely weakened and possibly even ruptured.”

Race felt confused, not really certain what Ablan was implying. “I don’t understand.”

Ablan turned toward a female Alton and indicated for her to explain.

“Our hyperdrives work by creating a small spatial vortex, which momentarily creates a tear in space that allows our ships to travel through a higher-energy dimension. The holes are so small they instantly seal up, and, over a period of a few hours or days at the most, the binding structure of space returns to normal. However, that is not what happened at the galactic center. The release of energy and the tear in space at that position was so violent and massive that it cannot repair itself. It’s like a bubble which has been stretched so thin that it’s near its breaking point.”

“Okay,” Race said, barely grasping what the Alton was explaining. “What does that mean as far as the Simulins are concerned?”

“The amount of energy the AIs were using to power the vortex generators allowed them to establish a spatial vortex literally anywhere they wanted within the Triangulum Galaxy,” Ablan explained. “They just needed a reasonably massive star to serve as an anchor point, the destination point, for the vortex. There’s not a black hole in their galaxy as large as the one at our galactic center. We believe any attempt to travel here from the Triangulum Galaxy will result in drawing any enemy ship or fleet to the white vortex area which swallowed the lost fleets.”

“How likely is that?” Race asked sharply, his eyes narrowing.

“Computed to be 92 percent,” Ablan replied. “It takes a tremendous amount of energy to create an intergalactic spatial vortex and even more energy to actually control its emergence point. Due to the very nature of the spatial vortex created, it’s drawn to an area of extreme mass, plus any weakness in the binding structure of space between our regular dimensional space and hyperspace.”

Race nodded his head slowly. “They’ll enter where the Hypertranslation Station was.”

This could be a serious problem. Admiral Jackson was in that area, working on a special project for Fleet Admiral Streth. If the Simulins appeared there, they would wipe out Jackson’s fleet and destroy his work. This couldn’t be allowed to happen or any chance of sending a rescue mission or additional help to the lost fleets would be gone forever.

One of the other Altons looked at Race and spoke. “We have analyzed what type of race these Simulins are. The results of our study were shocking and quite unnerving. If we’re correct that the Simulins wish to eliminate all organic races except their own, then they may have already spread to several other galaxies. We may be facing an enemy who has vast resources and a population far beyond any race in our own galaxy.”

“Will they eventually come to our galaxy?” Race asked in a low voice, already knowing what the answer would be.

Ablan let out a heavy sigh. “Yes,” he said. “The Simulins are coming, and we don’t know if there is anything we can do to stop them.”

-

Race and Commander Arnett returned to the WarHawk, both speaking very little. The Altons had explained in more detail the type of threat the Federation and its allies might be facing from the Simulins. It made the Slaver Races and the AIs seem quite benign by comparison.

“A race without emotions,” said Madelyn, finally breaking the silence. “I can’t imagine such.”

“They have emotions,” Race replied. He’d been thinking heavily about what he needed to do. “They just no longer have the compassionate emotions, such as love and empathy. Something in their past forced them to abandon those in exchange for the harsher ones. We may never know what that was.”

“What do we do now?”

“When we dock with the WarHawk, I need to send some messages. Garak will send a complete report of their findings to Ambassador Tureen as well as Fleet Admiral Nagumo. I’ll be sending reports to New Tellus, Ceres, New Providence, Careth, and Fleet Admiral Streth.”

“What about Third Fleet?”

“I’m taking it to the galactic center to reinforce Admiral Jackson. We’ll be sending instructions for the fleet to meet us there.”

“Without orders from Fleet Command?” asked Madelyn, her eyes widening in surprise.

“We don’t have time to wait for orders!” Race responded tersely. “What if the Simulins come through and only Admiral Jackson is there to oppose them?”

-

Madelyn nodded. She knew Admiral Tolsen was making the right decision, though there might be some ramifications later. She also wondered, after what they had just learned, what that might mean for the lost fleets and the Distant Horizon. Was there any possible way they could have survived in the Simulin galaxy? Also was the Triangulum Galaxy even the home galaxy for the Simulins, or was it just one they had already conquered? Madelyn was beginning to realize the Triangulum Galaxy was a very dangerous place to be. She didn’t envy Admiral Strong’s predicament: preserving his command, if it still existed.

Chapter Three

Jeremy was aboard the Bears’ mobile shipyard, the Clan Protector, visiting with Rear Admiral Susan Marks, Grayseth, and the shipyard’s commanding officer, Daelthon. They were standing in one of the large construction bays where a new 1,200-meter-long Conqueror Class battlecruiser was being constructed.

“Her name will be the Gaia, after the planet our people have jointly settled,” commented Grayseth in his gruff and booming voice.

Grayseth had dark brown fur and towered over Jeremy. However, a softness was found in the Carethian’s eyes anytime he looked at his longtime friend and honorary clan member.

“Her primary weapons will be two bow particle beam cannons as well as two extremely dangerous power beams. With the new Fusion Five reactors the Altons on the Distant Horizon have made available, we believe both weapons will penetrate the Simulins’ energy screens.”

“These Fusion Five reactors are a blessing,” said Susan, as she looked inquisitively at the new ship. “Anything that can give us an advantage over the Simulins in combat, I want!”

This was the first large ship Jeremy had given his permission to build and then only after the scientists and technicians involved had patiently explained how powerful the ship would be.

A lot of discussions were had about building new warships, both pro and con, like where would they get the manpower to crew these new vessels—unless people were transferred from other ships? Every day more Humans, Carethians, and Altons were opting to live on the planet’s surface in the two cities established on Gaia over the last four years. Jeremy couldn’t blame the crews, as the warships were kept inside the gaseous nebula, in orbit around Gaia, not daring to venture out and encounter the Simulins again. The only ships allowed to leave the nebula were the heavily modified AI spheres, which were keeping an eye on the system where the lost fleets had exited the runaway vortex. They needed to watch the Sigma System, in case more Federation ships came through, though, from what Rear Admiral Barnes had reported, the odds of that were almost infinitesimal.

“How soon before she’s ready?”

“Two more months,” Daelthon answered. Daelthon was Grayseth’s second in command and a member of his clan. “We’re using the spider robots to help in its construction, and everything’s going very quickly.”

Jeremy nodded. The spider robots, over the years, had been greatly modified. They were capable of almost any type of work, including spaceship construction, and were untiring. They only required a minimal amount of maintenance and a new energy charge every thirty-six hours. Looking at the Gaia, Jeremy could see over a dozen of the large robots busily working.

“It may be necessary to suspend work on the Gaia for a few months,” Jeremy told the others, knowing they would be disappointed.

“Why?” asked Susan, raising her eyebrow. “The Gaia will be an excellent weapon against the Simulins. If she performs as expected, we could use a full squadron of these new battlecruisers.”

“On board the Distant Horizon are two special probes that might be capable of reaching our home galaxy,” Jeremy explained. “According to Andram, we may need to travel to the black hole in the center of this galaxy in order to launch one.”

“A black hole!” Susan said, her eyes narrowing with concern. “After what happened the last time, I have no desire to come close to another one.”

“Me neither,” rumbled Grayseth, folding his arms across his massive chest. “Is it worth the risk to send this probe? We don’t even know if the probe will work.”

Jeremy agreed about the black hole, but he also knew his duty. “We need to send word back to the Federation about the threat the Simulins pose.”

Susan let out an explosive breath, shaking her head. She closed her eyes, opened them, and then looked at Jeremy. “I know you’re right. We can’t let the Human Federation of Worlds and our allies live in ignorance of the real threat these Simulins represent. What you are suggesting will be extremely dangerous. I wish there were some other way.”

“While I detest the idea of going near another black hole, even I know the wisdom of warning our clans back home,” said Grayseth in a softer voice. “I would like the ability to send a message to Careth and tell them what’s happened in this hunt and the danger we have found.”

“That’s why I intend to modify some of our warships,” Jeremy explained. “The Distant Horizon has a stealth shield and other technologies which can aid us in reaching the black hole undetected. I also want to change the power plants in the ships to Fusion Five reactors to give us stronger shields and more deadly weapons.”

“You think we’ll encounter the Simulins somewhere along the way,” commented Grayseth, his large eyes widening.

“I didn’t say you’re going,” Jeremy reminded his Carethian friend. Jeremy knew Grayseth was always anxious for his Carethian ships to be involved in the fighting. Grayseth’s clan believed they were duty-bound to fight alongside Jeremy at every opportunity.

“I’m going,” Grayseth replied in a determined voice. “My flagship, the Warrior’s Pride, will be ready.”

“Very well,” responded Jeremy, deciding it was best not to get into an argument with the large Bear. When Grayseth made up his mind, it was almost impossible to change it. Jeremy turned toward Daelthon. “What’s the current status of the Clan Protector?”

Jeremy knew Daelthon was very proud of what had been accomplished under his command. With the help of the four fleet repair ships, as well as the manufacturing capability of the shipyard, there had been many changes over the years they’d been trapped in the Simulins’ galaxy.

“We currently have four construction bays operational. We can handle any ship in the fleet, including the AI spheres, though they’re too large to enter a bay. We’ve built a special docking cradle to allow for repairs or modifications to the spheres. We also have eight flight bays which hold active squadrons of fighters and bombers.”

“The fighter and bomber crews are a combination of Humans and Carethians,” added Grayseth proudly.

“We keep a full squadron out on CSP at all times,” Daelthon added. “We have 240 bombers and 480 fighters in the flight bays which can be launched to defend Gaia, if needed.”

“All the crews are well trained,” added Susan.

Jeremy knew how actively engaged she was in all fleet fighter training, since she was in overall command of the battlecarriers, and bomber and fighter operations. She took the task very seriously.

Jeremy gazed at the battlecruiser Gaia, as he thought over what needed to be done. “What’s the current status of the bays and the AI docking cradle?”

“Ships are in each bay, all being updated,” Daelthon reported.

“You have forty-eight hours to finish what updates you can, and then I want three of the bays as well as the docking cradle. There will be a number of ships that will need to be updated for the mission.”

“Forty-eight hours,” Daelthon repeated in surprise, his large eyes focusing sharply on the admiral. “That’ll be pushing it to get the ships space worthy again.”

“Use whatever people you have to,” ordered Jeremy. “I want to get that probe sent back home as soon as possible, and we can’t do it without modifying the ships. I don’t want to risk sending the Distant Horizon on its own for this mission.”

Daelthon’s light brown fur seemed to bristle, as he thought over the order and how to accomplish it. “If I pull the crews and work robots off the Gaia, we just might be able to do it.”

“Make it so,” ordered Grayseth. “If what our clan brother, Admiral Strong, has told us is true about the importance of getting a message back to our people, then we must prepare our ships for the hunt.”

“The hunt,” repeated Daelthon with an understanding nod. “The ships will be ready. How soon can we expect the specification for the new modifications?”

“Within twenty-four hours. Ariel and Clarissa will get them to you, as soon as the Altons have reviewed everything and confirmed the modifications will work.”

“Have you chosen which ships will accompany you to the black hole?” asked Susan.

“Yes,” Jeremy replied. “I’ll be taking the Distant Horizon, the Avenger, the Warrior’s Pride, two Alton battleships, the strikecruisers Nemesis and Orion, and four AI spheres.”

“What about the Command AI?”

“The Command AI and a few of their science AIs will be going,” Jeremy responded. “They may be needed, as the power-generating stations will, in many ways, resemble a smaller version of their capacitor stations. You will be in overall command of the defenses here at Gaia in my absence. Admiral Cleeteus will be your second.”

“If the Simulins are traveling regularly between galaxies, they could have a substantial presence around this black hole,” warned Susan with worry in her eyes. “It may not be possible to launch the probe.”

“It’s possible,” admitted Jeremy. “That’s why we’re taking every precaution we can to prevent detection.”

“The Warrior’s Pride will keep the Avenger safe,” boasted Grayseth, slapping Jeremy on the back. “We will destroy these Simulins!”

Jeremy winced from the force of the blow and only shook his head at his large furry clan brother. He was used to the bear hugs and the hefty slaps on the back from his Carethian friends. It was their way of showing their concern and friendship.

-

Kelsey, Katie, and Angela were down on Gaia at a clothing store to see what the locals had to offer. Currently two cities and three military bases had been built on the planet. The girls were in the largest city, with nearly ten thousand Humans living here, as well as a few Altons and Carethians.

“These fabrics are amazing,” said Katie, as she examined several bolts of cloth. She looked at the store clerk. “How are these made?”

“We’ve been setting up a number of small automated factories that can produce many consumer items,” the young woman explained. “Between the four fleet repair ships and the mobile shipyard, we had sufficient production capacity to make the parts for the needed factories. Once the initial factories were finished, we used them to construct more. While we don’t have everything that’s available back in the Federation, we’re making great strides in getting there.”

“What did you used to do, before coming down to Gaia?” asked Kelsey, feeling curious.

“I was a fighter pilot,” the young woman replied with a friendly smile. “I fell in love with a wonderful man, and we decided to come down to Gaia to begin our lives together.”

Kelsey nodded in understanding. Being cut off from home, many members of the crews in orbit were pairing up and coming to the surface to live. She couldn’t blame them; she might have done the same thing in their situation.

“Have you seen our beach resorts?” asked Angela excitedly. “I took Brace there last week, and he really loved it.”

“Not yet,” Kelsey replied.

Jeremy had told her about the resorts. They’d been set up to give the crews a place to relax and spend some quality leave time. It had been difficult to pry Jeremy away from his duties, even for a few hours, as he was intent on making Gaia as safe as possible. They did spend most of their evenings together, either in her quarters on the Distant Horizon or in Jeremy’s on the Avenger.

She looked at Katie. “How’s Kevin’s supply of hamburgers holding out?”’

Katie laughed, and her light green eyes shifted to Kelsey. “I’m rationing him,” she said with a grin. “There’s enough for several years, if I can keep him from eating them at every meal.”

“I’m sure you can think of some way to distract him,” Kelsey said mischievously.

Katie blushed and nodded. “These last few months have been great. I’m just worried about what’ll happen when the Simulins eventually find us.”

“Admiral Strong will protect us,” the young clerk said confidently. “He’s building a powerful defensive grid above the planet to keep us safe.”

“I’m sure he will,” Kelsey replied with a reassuring nod.

However, she wasn’t so confident. Every day more people were opting to come down to the planet, and they were becoming more dependent on the AI ships for protection. Even though Jeremy had spent a considerable amount of time explaining to her how the AIs were now a valuable part of their alliance, she still didn’t feel comfortable being so close to so many AI spheres. Mikow had spoken with Kurene and later reassured Kelsey that everything was okay. Mikow had told Kelsey there was nothing to fear from the AIs.

Kelsey was also deeply concerned about the upcoming mission to the black hole in the center of this galaxy. Andram had assured her that, with the new modification to the ship’s stealth shield, the Simulins wouldn’t detect them. Kelsey wasn’t so sure. They still knew very little about the Simulins’ technology.

“Let’s go find a restaurant,” Angela suggested. “There are several good ones close by, and it’ll be nice to eat somewhere besides the ship’s mess hall.”

“Sounds like a plan,” answered Katie, fully in agreement.

“Lead the way,” Kelsey said, gesturing for Angela to head toward the door. “I am feeling rather hungry.”

“Shopping,” Angela said, grinning. “It always makes me hungry.”

-

Jeremy returned to the Avenger and was met by Ariel as soon as he stepped into the Command Center. He was surprised she hadn’t greeted him as soon as his shuttle had landed in the flight bay.

“Update designs are nearly complete,” the dark-haired AI reported with a smile. “It’s great to have Clarissa here to help.”

“We’re all glad she’s here, as well as the others,” Jeremy responded. It had been a huge relief for all of them when the Distant Horizon was finally brought safely to Gaia.

“We’ll have the plans finished in another few hours and then sent to the Alton science vessels for verification.”

Jeremy walked to his command chair and sat down, with Ariel taking her customary position to his left. “What’s the current fleet status?”

“The battleship Deneb is reporting power fluctuations with their hyperdrive, and Commander Ashall has requested several Alton specialists to assist in correcting the problem,” reported Commander Kyla Malen, standing near Communications. “Admiral Cleeteus is in the process of sending over a team. Everything else is normal. How was your meeting?”

“I think Daelthon was aggravated about me taking three of his repair bays and the AI docking station. He understands the reason why, but I’m playing hell with his ship-upgrade schedules.”

“Did you tour the new battlecruiser?”

“No, not this time, though it’s well on its way to completion.”

A commotion at the hatch drew Jeremy’s attention, and he saw Kevin come in. He had stopped to speak briefly with the Marine guard standing in the outside corridor.

“I hear we’re going to visit another black hole,” Kevin said, as he walked to his Sensor console, taking a quick look to satisfy himself everything was still normal.

“Maybe,” Jeremy answered.

Kevin was his best friend, and they’d been together from the very beginning. Yet Jeremy hadn’t said anything to Kevin about the black hole, so he strongly suspected the information came from Ariel. She made it a habit to keep all five of them—Katie, Kelsey, Kevin, Angela, and himself, dubbed the Special Five—informed of what was going on that might affect them. Secrets were impossible to keep around the overly protective AI.

“We’re creating a possible mission profile to deploy one of the Alton communication drones back to our galaxy.”

“Finally!” said Kevin, his eyes lighting up with excitement. “Maybe if we can inform them that we’re still alive and how the Distant Horizon made it, then they can figure out some way to rescue us.”

Jeremy let out a deep sigh of regret. “I don’t think that’s possible, not as large as the Simulin presence is in this galaxy. I’ve spoken to Andram and the other Alton scientists on the Distant Horizon. There’s just no way the Simulins will allow us to build the energy capacitor stations and other equipment necessary to create a large enough spatial vortex, which is needed to send us home. It would take years to complete such a project, and we would have to defend it against the Simulins the entire time. All it would take would be a few well-placed antimatter missiles to destroy whatever we build.”

“We have a good world here,” Commander Malen said, gesturing toward a viewscreen, which showed the planet beneath them. “Our defenses are nearly complete, and I think we have to accept that Gaia is our new home.”

Jeremy nodded. He’d already conceded to that fact. “We need to send a message home to warn the Federation about the Simulin threat. I would also like to allow our people to send a farewell message to their families and loved ones in our home galaxy. This may be their only opportunity to do so.”

“What about the AIs?” asked Kevin. He still didn’t trust the machine people, but he knew Jeremy felt the AIs would not betray his trust.

“I’m meeting with the Command AI, as well as with Kurene and Mikow,” Jeremy said. Kurene and Mikow were their top computer and AI specialists. “We need to decide what to do about the master Codex the AIs possess, as well as whether we want to create more AIs. As more of our crewmembers go down to the planet, our fleet manpower dwindles. We’re more dependent every day on the AIs providing protection for Gaia.”

“We have also designed a new AI ship which will be much more combat capable than their current models,” Ariel added. “We can increase their combat efficiency and weapons systems by nearly 200 percent.”

“Much like the new battlecruiser Daelthon is building,” pointed out Commander Malen.

Kevin was silent for a long moment and then let out a heavy sigh. “Do we have any other choice than to trust the AIs with our protection?”

“No,” Jeremy responded. “If Gaia is truly to be our new home, we need the AIs and what they can do for us.”

“I’m just glad there are so many Alton scientists on the Distant Horizon,” Kevin said, folding his arms across his chest. “I feel more comfortable knowing we have people who can keep an eye on the AIs. Katie says Mikow is a computer genius, and the AIs could never fool her.”

“Since the Command AI agreed to be part of our alliance, they have fulfilled every demand I have made of them,” Jeremy responded. “I think we’ve reached the point where they can be trusted.” He also knew the AIs seemed to really enjoy working with the Altons.

“I agree,” said Ariel, placing her hands on her hips. She looked at Kevin. “I’m constantly running simulations based on their actions, and I’m confident we no longer have anything to fear from the AIs.”

“The Command AI, Andram, Shilum, Kurene, and Mikow are all coming to the Avenger for the meeting,” Jeremy informed them. “We have a lot of work to get done over the next few months, and the sooner we get started, the better.”

“The Command AI will agree to be a part of the expedition,” Ariel announced. “Since Kurene informed the AIs what the Simulins did as far as reprogramming the master Codex, the AIs have been even more cooperative than before. They now recognize their war against the organic races of our galaxy was wrong, and their initial Alton programming contained no such command. I don’t believe we’ll ever have anything to fear from the AIs again. I also believe it would be quite safe to begin creating more of them to crew additional warships.”

“More AIs,” muttered Kevin, shaking his head doubtfully. “After what happened in our home galaxy, I’m not sure I can ever trust the AIs—other than Ariel and Clarissa. Do we know just how many there are aboard their ships?”

“You may be surprised,” replied Ariel, walking to stand next to Kevin. Her holographic imagers allowed her to move about the ship just as a normal Human would. “There are 470 AI spheres and each has a crew complement of between sixty to seventy AIs.”

“That’s all?” Kevin said in surprise, his eyes widening. “I thought there would be hundreds at least on each ship.”

“It’s not necessary,” Ariel replied. “Their ships are highly automated, and the AIs don’t need rest like Humans or other organics. It’s rather easy for them to run diagnostics on any ship problems.”

“There are just over thirty thousand AIs in their fleet,” Jeremy said, grinning at Kevin and his obvious discomfort. Jeremy had known the actual numbers from the very beginning.

“So many,” Kevin said slowly. “I guess I worry that, if we allow more to be created, someday they’ll outnumber us.”

“There’s nothing to fear about that,” Jeremy responded. “One of the stipulations we’ll make of the AIs, if we decide to create more, is that they can’t come down to the surface of Gaia.”

“The Command AI and the others have arrived,” Ariel announced. “I’m having them brought to the main briefing room. I’ve already prepared it for the meeting.”

“Thanks, Ariel,” Jeremy responded. There were several matters he wanted to speak to this group about. Some he had been delaying, to allow for Kurene and Mikow to delve deeper into the AI programming. Today would be decision day for several of them.

-

Jeremy entered the briefing room to find the others were already waiting. He was surprised to see an additional AI next to the Command AI. The AIs used antigravity repellers, which allowed them to float six inches above the deck. Both AIs were cubicle shaped with six tentacles and a glowing globe of energy about the size of a basketball, which served as a head.

“I’ve brought one of my science AIs to this meeting,” the Command AI said, seeing Jeremy enter the conference room. “Its designation is Z14-E63-D38.”

“I call him Zed,” commented Kurene, the tall white-haired female Alton. “It’s much easier than memorizing long strings of numbers.”

“I will respond to Zed,” the science AI confirmed in its mechanical voice.

Jeremy nodded and sat down at the head of the conference table. “I have several things I want to discuss today.” Jeremy addressed Kurene. “What’s the current status on removing all traces of the Simulin changes to the master Codex?”

“It’s done,” answered Kurene, glancing at the Command AI. “With Zed’s assistance we have made sure all AIs in the fleet have had those commands purged from their systems.”

“We deeply regret what was done to us and how it affected our behavior for all these years,” said the Command AI in an apologetic voice. “In order to ensure no more tampering has been done to the master Codex, I have given Kurene permission to inspect all AI programming. Nothing will be restricted from her viewing or investigation.”

“I have assured the Command AI that I won’t make any changes without permission,” added Kurene, leaning forward with a serious look upon her face. “I will be assembling a team of qualified Altons to help study the programming. We’re talking about millions of lines of computer code.”

“We can do much of it with our own computers,” Mikow volunteered. “Once I’ve set up a program on what type of changes we’re looking for, the process of examining the AI Codex will go rapidly. We should be able to complete our preliminary study in six to eight weeks.”

Jeremy leaned back and took a deep breath. “Is it feasible to begin creating new AIs?”

The room became silent, as everyone focused their attention intently on Jeremy. This was not a question they’d been expecting.

“Why would you want to create more of our kind?” asked the Command AI, the ball of energy above its cube growing brighter and slightly larger. “After what we have done to your people, I would have thought you would desire just the opposite.”

Jeremy gazed at the Command AI. Each time he met with the mechanical construct, it seemed as if the AI was becoming more Human in its actions and in what it said. “As you know from what we’ve learned from the Distant Horizon crew, there is very little chance of our ever returning to our galaxy. Gaia will, in all probability, be our new home. For the next few years, we’ll be able to maintain our fleet, but, as more crewmembers opt to go down to the surface, it will become increasingly difficult to maintain our current fleet numbers.”

“You want to turn over more of our defense to the AIs,” said Andram in understanding. “That’s why you’re considering creating more.”

“It would please us to serve in that role,” answered the Command AI. “It is the least we can do after the terrible crimes we committed in the home galaxy.”

“We’re also redesigning our own ships for smaller crews and have designed a new AI vessel which will be much more suitable for defending the planet,” Jeremy added.

“The new battlecruiser in the construction bay on the Clan Protector,” reported Ariel, as she popped into existence just behind Jeremy. “The Gaia will be able to operate with a crew of less than five hundred. The normal crew complement of such a vessel is close to three thousand, including the Marines.”

“This is all very interesting,” commented Kurene, her eyes focusing on Jeremy. “After we finish studying the rest of the programming in the master Codex, I don’t see any reason which would prevent us from creating more AIs.”

“Very well,” Jeremy said, satisfied with her answer. “If no one objects then, once the study is complete and we’re all satisfied with the results, we may indeed begin creating more AIs to aid in our defense.”

“What about the trip to the black hole in the center of this galaxy?” asked Andram.

“The black hole might not be necessary,” Shilum commented. She was an expert in hyperspace and dimensional studies. “We have a design for a small capacitor station which can be powered by a Fusion Five reactor. We just need a strong gravitational source to anchor the vortex generators, so we can open up a stable spatial vortex back in our own galaxy. It should open in the vicinity of the black hole.”

“How strong of a gravitational force?” asked Andram with interest.

Shilum told him the figures, and Andram leaned back in his chair in thought.

“How soon before the vortex generators and capacitor stations can be ready?” asked Jeremy. He wanted to get a timetable set up as soon as possible. He had a strange feeling it was imperative to get this information to the Federation as soon as possible.

“The vortex generators are finished,” Andram replied. “They were done over a month ago, as we expected you would want to deploy one of the probes. The Fusion Five capacitor stations will take longer to build. We’ll need four of them to power the vortex ring. We should have them finished in six weeks.”

Jeremy looked back at Shilum. “You mentioned we might not need to travel to this galaxy’s black hole. Where else can we go?”

“The area your people have designated as NGC 604. It’s located northeast of the central core and is quite close,” she replied.

“We observed it from the Distant Horizon on our trip to the rendezvous point,” Andram said, recalling what the Astrometrics department had reported to him. “It’s an H2 region with a diameter of 1,500 light-years and contains several hundred massive blue giant stars ranging anywhere from twenty to sixty solar masses. The entire area is in a nebula containing ionized hydrogen.”

“Would it be safe for our ships?”

“With the proper precautions,” Shilum replied. “We would have to travel slower in hyperspace and to avoid the denser regions, and the blue giants would serve as an anchor for the vortex generators. We’d also need to find an area of open space free of the ionized hydrogen.”

“There should be several areas like that close to the stars,” Andram pointed out. “Once there, it wouldn’t take long to set up the vortex generators and power them with the Fusion Five capacitor stations. I think this would be much better than traveling to the black hole.”

Jeremy turned toward the Command AI. “I would like for you to accompany us with four of your ships. We have some upgrades that will need to be addressed, so your ships won’t be detectable in hyperspace. We’ll also be installing the stealth energy shield on all vessels.”

“I will go,” the Command AI responded. “I assume you will want several of my science AIs who are versed in capacitor stations and the vortex ring?”

“Yes,” Jeremy answered with a nod. “You have more experience using spatial vortices capable of reaching another galaxy. That experience will be useful in our attempt to send the probe home.”

“I’ll speak to the Astrometrics department on the Distant Horizon and pull up our scans of the blue giant region,” Andram said. Turning toward Shilum, he added, “If you will give me the specifications needed for the gravitational anchor for the spatial vortex, I will search the scans for an acceptable star.”

“You might choose several,” suggested Shilum. “We don’t know where the Simulins will be active in space. We’ll also have to ensure the nebula is thin enough in that area to allow the vortex to function properly.”

“We’ll base our plans on the assumption the Simulins will be in the area,” Jeremy said. “I need to know how long it will take to launch the probe, once we arrive at our target star.”

“I can get that information,” Ariel said. She looked at the Altons. “If you will transmit the necessary data to the computer core here on the Avenger, I’ll run simulations on the quickest and safest method to send the probe to our home galaxy.”

“Very well,” Jeremy responded, satisfied the meeting was going as hoped. “I have a few more items I want to discuss while we’re all together.”

Once this meeting ended, he considered flying down to Gaia to meet Kelsey. He also needed to speak with General McGown about the defenses the general was setting up to protect the two cities on the surface. Jeremy wished he could spend more time with his wife, but the weight of protecting the people under his command was a heavy burden to carry. Perhaps sometime later in the future he could set up some leave and spend some quality time with Kelsey at one of the beach resorts. He was just grateful she understood what he was going through.

Chapter Four

Admiral Race Tolsen let out a deep breath as the WarHawk exited the spatial vortex near Sagittarius A, the large black hole at the galaxy’s center. The main viewscreen quickly darkened to shield the viewers from the harsh light given off by the accretion disk, surrounding the all-consuming maw of gravitational attraction.

“Status on sensors?” asked Race, as he leaned back in his command chair and tried not to think about what had happened the last time he was here. That had been the great battle, which saw the defeat of the AIs and the loss of a major portion of the Human Federation of Worlds’ fleet.

“We’re ten million kilometers from the capacitor station,” reported Lieutenant Brent Davis. “I have the Dauntless showing up on the sensors, along with two battlecruisers, four strike cruisers, two battlecarriers, two fleet repair ships, and several supply vessels.”

Race nodded. The Dauntless was Admiral Jackson’s flagship. “What about Alton vessels?”

“Four battleships, ten battlecruisers, and four science vessels,” replied Davis.

“It seems both fleets have been substantially reinforced since the Distant Horizon made their transit,” commented Commander Arnett.

“And the other two damaged capacitor stations?”

“This is strange,” said Davis, checking his long-range scans. “One of the two is only twenty-two million kilometers from our current position, but I’m not detecting the other one. Maybe it’s too far away. Maybe our sensors can’t get past the radiation the accretion disk is giving off. From older scans, the station I’m detecting should be much farther away. It’s been moved!”

Commander Arnett looked at Admiral Tolsen but said nothing. There had been a lot of secret meetings and discussions over the last several months.

“Any ships around it?” asked Race, keeping his voice neutral. He knew who had ordered the station moved, and that order had come from the planet Maken, from retired Fleet Admiral Hedon Streth.

“I’m picking up another fleet repair ship and an Alton science vessel,” answered Davis.

Race turned toward Navigation. “Plot a course to the Dauntless. I need to meet with Admiral Jackson as soon as possible.”

“I have Admiral Jackson on the comm,” reported Lieutenant Travers.

“Inform him that I’ll be coming to the Dauntless as soon as we make rendezvous,” Race ordered. “We have a lot to discuss.”

-

High Lord Aktill of the Shari gazed at the dark purple colors of hyperspace flashing across his flagship’s main viewscreen. He had been sent by the Shari High Command to find out if there was any truth to the rumors of the Humans and the mysterious Altons destroying the AIs and their precious project. After reporting to command the results of his battle with the Human fleet, there had been much conjecture about the possibility of the defeat of the AIs. Nowhere in Shari space was there an AI sphere. They had vanished, and, if the Humans’ story was true, possibly they were no more. If this were so, it would remove a major obstacle to the Shari developing more modern and powerful warships.

“How much longer until we arrive at the AIs’ Great Project?”

“Two days,” reported his second in command. “We should exit hyperspace 110 million kilometers from their ring of constructs around the black hole.”

“If the constructs still remain,” responded Aktill, folding his arms over his chest. All they had to go on were speculations of what the AIs had been building.

“You think the rumors of the Humans defeating the AIs can be true?”

“It’s been years since we last saw an AI ship,” Aktill replied. “We know the Hocklyn Empire fell to the Humans and their allies. It’s possible the AIs have also been defeated.”

“I find that hard to believe. The AIs are too powerful.”

“Perhaps,” Aktill said. “We shall find out shortly.”

-

Race was shown to one of the briefing room in the Dauntless, where Admiral Jackson and several Altons were waiting for him.

“Greetings, Admiral Tolsen,” Jackson said, coming forward and shaking Tolsen’s hand. I want to introduce you to Shay Mele and Pelel Maz. Shay is the one in charge of repairing the stations, and Pelel is our hyperspace specialist.”

Shay was a tall female Alton of middle age, and Pelel was a male Alton, slightly older.

“Ambassador Tureen has instructed us to repair the capacitor stations as requested by Fleet Admiral Streth,” Shay said, nodding at Admiral Tolsen. “He was very vague as to why. Are we planning on launching another rescue mission?”

“Not at the moment,” Race replied. He would get to that shortly. “How are the capacitor stations?”

“Station One was never damaged and is fully charged,” Pelel replied. “Station Two is 60 percent repaired and will be ready for full operation in approximately five to six more months. Station Three has had only minimal repairs done and is at least one to two years away from holding any type of an energy charge.”

“We could proceed faster if we had a few more fleet repair vessels,” Admiral Jackson said. “New Providence sent a ship a few weeks ago with additional personnel to help. I wish others would do the same.”

Race nodded; it was about as he expected. He reached into his pocket and slid a small computer flash drive toward Pelel. “That’s from the computer core on Astral. We believe the very fabric of space where the white vortex formed has been severely degraded. Alban Donalt put together the research on the drive.”

“I know Alban,” Pelel said, reaching out and taking the flash drive. “I have wondered myself if the energies released might have caused an anomaly in that area. I’ve requested some scientific measuring equipment in order to scan the vicinity where the vortex formed. It should be arriving shortly.”

“There is an imminent danger,” Race said, looking over the group. Admiral Jackson had been briefed about the possible Simulin threat shortly after the Distant Horizon had gone through the vortex on its mission to locate the lost fleets. At the time, it had seemed like only a remote possibility.

“The Simulins,” said Admiral Jackson, looking thoughtful, when he realized what Admiral Tolsen was implying. “You’re afraid they’ll come through where the vortex was? That’s why my fleet, as well as the Altons’ ships, have been substantially reinforced?”

“Yes,” Race answered. “Fleet Admiral Streth feels the Simulins will make an attempt to conquer our galaxy. If they do, the most likely area for them to appear is here where the vortex has substantially weakened the fabric of space, making an intergalactic vortex easier to establish. The Altons at Astral have confirmed that belief, based on their research.”

Shay looked confused and then spoke. “Then why are we repairing the capacitor stations? I thought we were sending help or another rescue mission to find the lost fleets and the Distant Horizon.”

“We are,” Race replied. “If the Simulins are to be stopped, it needs to be done in the galaxy where Admiral Strong and Rear Admiral Barnes are. What ever they’re using to create intergalactic vortexes needs to be destroyed. Admiral Strong will need help to do that, and that’s why we’re repairing the stations.”

“If they’re still alive,” commented Admiral Jackson with a worried frown on his face. “We only have Fleet Admiral Streth’s word they still live.” He’d been told about the fleet admiral’s premonitions.

“That’s good enough for me,” Race replied. “I think we have no choice but to act on what Fleet Admiral Streth believes to be true, particularly after what he’s done for the Federation.”

“With the ships we have now, we’ll never stop these Simulins if they come through in force,” said Admiral Jackson. He leaned back in his chair and looked pointedly at Admiral Tolsen. “Do we know what type of weapons they have? Does Fleet Admiral Streth have any idea what we may be facing? Is there any information available on Astral that might indicate how powerful these Simulins are?”

“Research into that is still ongoing,” Race answered. He realized they didn’t know much, and that lack of data was a growing concern. “At the moment what information we have is very sketchy.”

“When will more Federation ships be arriving?”

“My fleet will be here in another two weeks,” Race informed the other admiral. “I’ve also asked for additional reinforcements to stop the Simulins. As far as their possible weaponry, we have to assume they’re more advanced than the AIs and even on a comparable level to the Altons.”

“Crap,” muttered Admiral Jackson, taking a deep breath. “If they’re equal to the Altons, we could be in for one hell of a fight.”

“There may be a solution,” Pelel said. He had been scanning the data on the flash drive on a small handheld computer pad he always carried. “If we can locate the damaged area of space, we could place our warships around the perimeter and destroy the Simulin ships as they exit the vortex. If their ships are like ours, it’ll take a few seconds after transit for their shields and weapons to be fully functional. That might give us the opportunity we need to destroy them.”

“More violence,” said Shay, shaking her head with a sad look in her eyes. “Why does everything involving Humans always seem to end in violence?”

Race had read up on Shay and Pelel before coming to the Dauntless. Shay was a pacifist, as were most Altons, whereas Pelel was more willing to accept that, sometimes, violence was a viable solution.

“I wish it didn’t,” Race said with a sigh. “But the universe we live in is much more violent than any of us would like. Perhaps someday things will change, but, for now, I plan on doing whatever it takes to keep the Human Federation of Worlds and its allies safe.”

“Let’s just hope they don’t come through before we’re ready,” commented Admiral Jackson with a heavy frown.

“The capacitor stations have no armaments,” added Pelel. “They would be quite easy to destroy. If we lose one of them, it would be difficult to ever launch a major rescue operation or attempt to reinforce Admiral Strong.”

“Then our first priority must be to protect the stations,” said Race. When his fleet arrived, he would place it around the former location of the white vortex, as soon as the weakened area of space was pinpointed.

“I’ll check on my equipment to see when it will be here,” added Pelel. “Once it is, I should be able to pin down the exact area of space which has been affected.”

“Let’s keep our repair work on schedule,” ordered Race. “With any kind of luck Third Fleet will be here before we have to worry about the Simulins. Perhaps, by then, your equipment will have arrived, and we can determine the damaged area of space.”

-

The meeting continued for several more hours and ended with Race taking a quick tour of the first capacitor station, 120 kilometers in diameter and covered with giant energy-collection dishes. Part of the inside had been modified to allow Human and Alton technicians to work in comfort. When the work had first begun to allow the Distant Horizon to make transit, no breathable atmosphere existed on the station. While Race was there, Pelel played a video of the Distant Horizon entering the spatial vortex created by the ring of small vortex generators.

“A small piece of debris hit the ship,” Race said in disbelief, gazing at Pelel. He knew the odds of something like that occurring were one in a million. “How did that affect their transit?”

“Unknown,” Pelel answered. “They were certainly thrown off course, anywhere from a few kilometers to hundreds of light-years. If the area in space where the lost fleets exited was also damaged by the runaway vortex, making a weak point in space, then the Distant Horizon, in all likelihood, still exited the vortex there. If the vicinity was not significantly damaged, then the deflection could have forced them to end up anywhere.”

Race wished he knew what happened after the Distant Horizon reached the Triangulum Galaxy. Fleet Admiral Streth had indicated he was certain Rear Admiral Barnes had found the lost fleets. Race just prayed the fleet admiral was right.

Once his inspection was completed, Race returned to the WarHawk and made his way to the Command Center.

“How was the meeting and tour?” asked Commander Arnett, as she stood up from the command chair.

“I didn’t realize just how big those capacitor stations were,” Race replied. “It’s hard to imagine over 1,200 of them used to orbit around this black hole.”

“So what do we do now?”

“We wait,” answered Race, folding his arms across his chest. “We wait for Third Fleet and whoever else might be coming to help.” Looking at one of the tactical displays and the few green icons displayed there, Race couldn’t help feeling worried. If the Simulins came through before Third Fleet arrived, he would be helpless to stop them.

-

Race was in his quarters, working on a report he intended to send to former Fleet Admiral Streth and current Fleet Admiral Nagumo. He also wanted to send a personal message to his parents on Ceres and his sister on the battlecarrier Hera. He was greatly concerned about what would happen if the vortex reopened and a massive Simulin fleet made transit. With the limited forces Race currently had at his disposal, there would be no choice but to withdraw and leave the enemy in control of the black hole area, as well as the three capacitor stations.

A knock on his quarters’ hatch drew his attention, and, reaching forward, he pressed a button on his desk, sliding open the door.

“Admiral,” said Colonel Cowel, “may I come in?”

“Certainly,” Race answered. He maintained an open-door policy for all his officers. He gestured for the colonel to take a seat in front of his desk. “I’m just finishing up a report to Fleet Command and a few personal messages. What can I do for you?”

“It’s about these Simulins, Admiral,” Colonel Cowel began, arching his eyebrow. “It’s been several thousand years since they tampered with the AIs’ master Codex. Surely, if they were returning to our galaxy, we would’ve seen some sign of them by now.”

“Fleet Admiral Streth feels they’re a viable threat,” Race reminded the colonel.

“Premonitions,” replied Cowel, shaking his head doubtfully. “I’m sorry, sir, but I just don’t believe in them. It seems we’re about to put a lot of time and effort into defending the black hole. Those fleet resources could be better used keeping an eye on the Shari and Borzon.”

“I understand your concerns, Colonel,” Race answered. It worried him also how thinly the fleet was stretched. “However, I know Fleet Admiral Streth very well, and, if he feels there’s a threat, I’m duty-bound to take his word seriously.”

“Yes, sir,” Cowel answered unhappily. “I understand your loyalty to the fleet admiral.”

Race gazed at the colonel, sensing something else worried Cowel. “Brice, go ahead and spit it out.”

“It’s your career, sir,” Brice said, looking sharply at the admiral. “If you’re wrong about this Simulin threat, you could be reassigned to a desk job, and you’re too good an officer for that.”

“I appreciate your concern,” Race replied.

He knew the colonel was correct. If Fleet Admiral Nagumo and some of the others Race had expressed his concerns to felt he was crying wolf, he could very easily be busted down to a desk job at one of the shipyards or planet-bound bases. Even former Fleet Admiral Streth would be powerless to prevent that.

Race was about to thank the colonel for his words of concern, when the Condition One alarms sounded, and the red lights in Race’s quarters began flashing. At the same time, he heard Commander Arnett’s voice over the comm system.

“Set Condition One. I repeat, set Condition One. This is not a drill. A large Shari fleet has just exited hyperspace 106 million kilometers from our position. Combat is imminent. I repeat, combat is imminent. Admiral Tolsen, please report to the Command Center.”

“What the hell!” Cowel said, standing quickly up. “What are the Shari doing here?”

“I don’t know.” Race slapped the comm button on his desk, as he stood up. “I’m on my way. Focus our long-range sensors on those Shari ships. I want to know the exact composition of that Shari fleet.”

Race took only a few minutes to reach the command deck and then make his way to the Command Center. He paused a moment as the two heavily armed Marines at the now-closed hatch checked his and Colonel Cowel’s identities before allowing them entrance.

“Status!” demanded Race, as he stepped inside, gazing at one of the large tactical holograms displaying the inbound Shari fleet.

“Thirty-two inbounds,” Commander Arnett responded, moving from the admiral’s chair. “Eight 1,100-meter-long battlecruisers and twenty-four 900-meter-long escort cruisers.”

“They’re definitely scanning us,” added Lieutenant Davis, as warning alarms sounded on his Sensor console. “I’m detecting high-intensity scans from several of their ships. They’re also moving toward us.”

Race switched his minicomm setting to ship-to-ship. “This is Admiral Tolsen. We have an inbound Shari fleet heading toward Capacitor Station One.”

“Tell us what you want us to do,” Admiral Jackson’s voice responded.

“My ships are yours to command,” a soft-spoken Alton said.

“Admiral Bachal,” acknowledged Race. He knew the majority of the crews on the Alton vessels were Human.

“Admiral Jackson, assign your two battlecarriers to protect Capacitor Station One. All noncombat ships are to fall back to the carriers. Form the rest of your ships on the WarHawk and prepare for a microjump. Admiral Bachal, I need two of your battlecruisers to cover Capacitor Station Two, with the rest of your fleet joining the WarHawk.”

“Orders have been sent to the battlecarriers,” Jackson reported promptly. “The rest of my ships are moving into position.”

“Same here,” Admiral Bachal added. “We are prepared for the microjump.”

“Stand by,” Race ordered, as he sat down and fastened his safety harness. He looked at Captain Daniels at Tactical. “Prepare Devastator Threes and sublight antimatter missiles. I want to show the Shari they’re not welcome in this sector of space.”

“The Shari seemed to be moving forward extremely cautiously. What do you think they want?” asked Madelyn, while she gazed at one of the tactical holograms.

“To see what happened to the AIs,” Race responded unhappily. “We should have seen this coming. Hell, the Borzon could show up too, once they figure out there are no more AI ships around.”

-

High Lord Aktill gazed at the main tactical screen in shock. “Where are the AIs?”

“They’re gone,” his second in command reported. “We’re detecting battle debris falling into the black hole. There’s not nearly as much as one might expect. Most of the debris may have already been consumed by the singularity.”

“Detecting three large structures,” reported the Shari at the sensors. “All three are obviously of AI construction. One is heavily damaged and the other two seem to be operational.”

“Status of the Human and Alton ships?”

“Forming into a single fleet,” answered the sensor operator. “Several ships have broken off and seem to be moving to protect two of the large AI structures.”

“So it’s true then,” Aktill’s second in command said. “The AIs have been defeated and their Great Project destroyed.”

“It would seem so,” Aktill replied.

He wondered what he should do now. They’d discovered what they came for. The AIs could no longer tell the Shari Empire what to do. This would result in a big change in war strategy by the Shari Grand Council of High Lords. Much would be different in the empire now that the AIs were no longer a controlling force.

“Human and Alton ships are jumping,” warned the sensor operator. “Spatial vortices detected at six thousand kilometers!”

“Charge all weapons,” ordered High Lord Aktill. “Hit them as soon as they exit the vortices!” He’d hoped to get away without exposing his fleet to combat; he now realized that wasn’t happening.

-

Race felt the WarHawk exit hyperspace, as his pulse raced. If he’d calculated correctly, they would be in extreme-weapons range. That would give his fleet just enough time to bring their systems online before the Shari could hit them with anything major.

“Inbound weapons fire!” warned Lieutenant Davis, as the WarHawk’s energy screen snapped into existence.

“Strikecruiser Drake is reporting moderate damage from an antimatter hit just as their screen went up,” Lieutenant Travers reported, listening to the damage report over her comm system.

“Weapons systems are online,” reported Captain Daniels. “I have a target lock with our Devastator Threes and antimatter missiles.”

“Fire!” ordered Race, leaning forward in his command chair. “Helm, close the range with the Shari fleet. I want our power beams and particle beam cannons ready to fire.” He felt responsible for the damage done to the Drake. Crew personnel had died because they’d exited hyperspace too close to the Shari. He hadn’t expected the Shari to be able to hit them at this range.

-

The twenty Human and Alton ships let loose a full barrage of their powerful missiles. Both the Devastator Threes and the antimatter missiles were sublight capable and seemed to vanish from their launch tubes as their drives were activated. Microseconds later a series of brilliant flashes of light ignited across the Shari fleet formation. The Devastator Threes were equipped with fifty-megaton nuclear warheads, and the antimatter missiles had one hundred-megaton warheads. They were the two most powerful missiles in the Federation and Alton arsenal.

Raw energy clawed at the shields of the Shari ships as the missiles detonated, causing them to strain and fluctuate. Four of the nine hundred-meter-long escort cruisers screens failed against the Alton and Human missile attack. A second wave of Devastator Threes arrived, impacting the hulls of the four ships, blowing them apart and leaving behind a field of glowing debris.

On one of the Shari battlecruisers, antimatter energy penetrated the ship’s defensive shield, blasting a gaping hole in the ship’s stern. Two of the ship’s main fusion reactors were destroyed, and the ship faltered as its sublight drive failed. Seeing the weakness in the Shari ship, the Dauntless launched two antimatter missiles through the now-fluctuating energy shield, and a pair of glowing suns appeared where the massive warship once existed.

The range continued to close, and energy weapons hammered the screens of the two opposing fleets. Dark violet power beams blasted against Shari shields, as well as the slightly more powerful bright blue particle beams. The defensive pulse laser turrets even added their ruby-red beams to the fray. Missiles were still launching, and the space around the two embattled fleets was aglow with deadly energy.

The Shari fired their heavy energy beams and sublight nuclear missiles. However, the Shari missiles were only equipped with twenty- and thirty-megaton warheads. The intensity of the battle rapidly ratcheted upward.

-

High Lord Aktill felt his flagship shudder violently, and red lights glowed on the Damage Control board. Warning alarms sounded, indicating a hull breach.

“All ships target the Alton vessel at coordinates Y-72 by X-43, he ordered, breathing hard. He hadn’t intended to fight a fleet battle at the galactic center. It was essential he return to the empire and report the AIs were no more.

-

From the Shari ships, a rain of fire descended upon the Alton battlecruiser. Its screen glowed brighter and brighter, as energy piled up against the straining protective shield. Dozens of Shari missiles detonated, releasing torrents of energy, trying to knock a hole in the screen. Finally fate took a hand, and a miniscule hole appeared just as a Shari missile arrived. The missile darted through and impacted the hull, blasting a huge glowing cavity in the battlecruiser’s side. The energy shield seemed to brighten momentarily and then failed completely. Moments later the Alton battlecruiser was turned into glowing plasma.

-

“Alton battlecruiser SwiftWind is down,” reported Lieutenant Davis, shaken by the sudden loss of the powerful Alton vessel.

The WarHawk shook perceptively, and the lights dimmed briefly. Race looked inquiringly at Commander Arnett.

“Several nuclear missiles hit our shield,” she reported. “It’s holding at 86 percent.”

Race took a deep breath. “Continue to close on the Shari vessels. Set all weapons to continuous fire.”

“The Drake’s been hit again!” reported Lieutenant Davis, with concern in his voice. Then the green icon on his main sensor screen that represented the Human Federation of World’s battlecruiser swelled up and vanished. “The Drake is down.”

Race sucked in a deep gulp of air and shook his head at the loss. Glancing at the main viewscreen, he could see one of the large Shari battlecruisers under attack from two Alton battleships. In a sudden flash of light, the Shari cruiser blew apart.

“Shari battlecruiser is down,” reported Lieutenant Davis. “Shari attempting to disengage. I’m detecting an energy buildup, indicating they’re activating their hyperdrives.”

“Other ships are reporting the same,” added Colonel Cowel.

“Continue to press the attack,” ordered Race evenly. “I want to impress on the Shari that they should never return here again.”

-

Less than a minute later, the last Shari vessel vanished into a swirling vortex, leaving the black hole far behind. The Shari fleet had been brutally savaged by the combined Human and Alton fleet—two Shari battlecruisers and seven cruisers had been lost in the brief encounter, with a number of other Shari ships severely damaged.

“The Humans and Altons are dangerous,” High Lord Aktill’s second in command said, as he looked at the report of the ships, which had been lost, as well as some early damage reports. “They could someday be a threat to our empire.”

“I doubt it,” Aktill replied. “They have their hands full taking control of the thousands of worlds the Hocklyns enslaved. Their forces are spread thin, and it will be many years before they can turn their attention toward us. We now know the AIs are no more, and we can proceed with developing a robust weapons-development program. When the Humans come for us, we will be ready, and they will know defeat.”

-

Race looked down at the battle report Commander Arnett had just handed him. The Drake and the SwiftWind had been destroyed, and several other ships were reporting minor-to-moderate damage. The loss of so many crewmembers weighed heavily on Race. Several of the fleet repair ships would be called upon to fix the battle damage. It would mean halting some of the work on the capacitor stations, but Race needed the ships repaired in case the Simulins appeared. He was also greatly concerned about the appearance of the Shari fleet. They would now know the AIs were no longer a controlling influence. The Shari Empire would become much more dangerous, requiring the deployment of more Federation forces along the border. He greatly feared that, even though this battle could be considered a victory, it might have cost him dearly in gaining any possibility of substantial military reinforcements here at the black hole.

With a deep sigh, he turned over the Command Center to Commander Arnett. He had a battle report to prepare and send to Fleet Admiral Nagumo. He also wanted to send his personal messages to his parents and sister. Race strongly suspected it would be a long time before he saw home again.

Chapter Five

Jeremy was in the Command Center of the Avenger with his eyes focused on one of the main viewscreens. A small tug—specially designed to move and position the stations—was moving a Type Two battlestation from one of the construction bays of the Clan Protector. Jeremy knew the Altons, along with some Human technicians, had redesigned the battlestations to greatly increase their survivability. The new ones were 150 meters in diameter, fully self-contained, powered by a Class Three fusion reactor, with an upgraded energy shield, defensive lasers, two particle beam cannons, twelve Devastator Three missile tubes, and a standard crew of fifty.

“That’s the last one,” Kevin said from his Sensor console, his freckles had faded but his hair was still a fiery red. He made an adjustment, and thirty-nine blinking green icons appeared, encircling Gaia. Each icon represented a completed battlestation.

“That completes our defenses,” Ariel said in a soft voice from Jeremy’s left side. “With forty Type Two battlestations and 1,500 particle beam satellites, Gaia should be safe from the Simulins.”

“I’m glad the battlestations are done,” commented Jeremy. He felt relieved knowing his defenses were now complete.

“And all required ships have been updated,” Ariel added. “Clarissa says the Distant Horizon is also ready, with most of the Alton scientists transferring to their science vessels until the ship returns.”

“So, with the probe set per the Altons’ calculations, then it’s time for us to send it back to our galaxy,” Commander Malen said, as she stepped away from one of the tactical displays where she had been studying the now-finished orbital defenses.

Jeremy nodded, as he leaned back in his command chair. It had been ten weeks since he’d given the order for the selected ships to be updated. He had delayed their departure until the final battlestation was completed. He felt better about leaving, knowing Gaia was safe.

“We leave in forty-eight hours,” he told the others. “Angela, contact all the ships which will be part of our task group. Tell them the mission is a go and give them the departure time.”

Angela nodded and turned her attention to her comm panel. It wouldn’t take her long to send the messages to the various ships involved. They’d been expecting the departure order.

-

Kevin walked toward Angela and waited patiently for her to finish sending the messages. Once he was satisfied she was done, he tapped her on the shoulder. “What’s this rumor about you and Brace making wedding plans?”

Angela blushed and then nodded her head. “Brace has been transferred,” she explained. “General McGown has promoted him to the rank of major and placed him in command of one of the military bases.”

“I’m impressed,” Kevin said, letting out a low whistle. Brace was a likable character, and Angela was completely smitten with the Marine. She’d brought him around on several occasions when the Special Five had been together. Kevin had sensed Brace felt a little uncomfortable in their presence, but that would go away in time. After all, they were no different than anyone else.

“He’s very proud of his promotion and has some very nice personal quarters. We can live on the base, when I’m not needed on the Avenger.”

“I can help plan the wedding,” Ariel said, suddenly appearing next to Angela. Her dark eyes were glinting in excitement.

“Better watch out,” warned Kevin with a laugh. “If you allow Ariel and Clarissa to be involved, your wedding could turn into a major production.”

“You can help,” promised Angela, smiling at Ariel. “However, Brace and I want to keep it simple, with only our closest friends.”

Ariel looked as if she was about to pout and then brightened up. “Small can still be fun,” she announced. Then she turned and walked back to Jeremy.

“Beware,” cautioned Kevin, watching the beautiful AI walk away. He wondered if she’d practiced that walk or had enhanced her software again.

“I can handle Ariel and Clarissa,” Angela said confidently. “Besides, they’re both my friends.”

-

Jeremy made a quick trip to Gaia to speak with General McGown about putting added defenses in place at the three military bases. They formed a triangle around the two cities, still in the expansion process. A lot of work remained in progress at all three bases, including installation of powerful weapons, in case of an actual invasion.

“How are things going?” Jeremy asked, as he stepped off the shuttle’s ramp where the general was waiting.

“As well as can be expected,” McGown replied. The two turned and walked toward the main control building. “Every time we finish up one aspect of our defense, we think of something else that might be useful. We’re installing Fusion Five reactors at all three bases. It will allow us to deploy power beam installations as part of our defense. We’re also looking to build some ion cannons, if the Altons can come up with a workable design.”

Jeremy nodded. The Distant Horizon had used some special defense globes, utilizing ion cannons, to disable the shields protecting the Simulin warships. It was a highly advanced technology, and the Altons were having some problems with the available resources, preventing them from building a workable prototype.

“I’ll be leaving shortly to launch the Alton probe, hopefully reaching our home galaxy,” Jeremy said, as they entered the large building. “What’s the current status of our Marines?”

“Great,” McGown replied. “We’re setting up a rotation for the crews on the battlestations. One month on and then two weeks off.”

“Are you stretched for personnel?”

“No,” McGown answered. “At least not yet. We have nearly forty thousand Marines available. I’ve moved ten thousand active-duty Marines down to the surface off our warships. Only a few hundred have requested to allow their enlistments to run out, so they can move to the cities.”

Jeremy nodded. He’d already considered talking to McGown about retraining some of his Marines to handle other positions in the fleet. If the number of fleet personnel who wanted to live on the surface of Gaia continued to grow, then it was something they would have to seriously consider.

“What’s the current condition of the Anlon bombers and Talon fighter squadrons transferred to the three bases?”

They entered the large aboveground Command Center. The walls were covered with hundreds of viewscreens, which showed views of the sky above and the landscape around all three bases. A few screens even gave views of the main streets in the two cities.

“Captain Marshall, change the main viewscreen to show the flight strip for the fighters and bombers,” ordered McGown.

The indicated captain quickly changed one of the viewscreens, and a long landing strip, as well as several metal hangars, were displayed. Along the strip, a number of fighters and bombers were parked.

“We keep a squadron of fighters on the tarmac at each of the three bases, ready to be deployed within just a few minutes’ notice,” McGown explained, as he gazed at the screen. “Between all three bases we have ten squadrons of fighters and six squadrons of bombers.”

“What if the Simulins land their scavenger drones?” This was a big concern for Jeremy. If the drones were to get loose in the cities, they could cause irreparable harm. The scavenger drones were merciless and quite deadly, and unaffected by some of their weapons.

“Our Marines are equipped with armor-piercing rounds that should handle them,” McGown replied. He glanced at the admiral. “We also have emplaced laser turrets on towers around the cities’ perimeters, which should aid in eliminating the drones, if they get that far. Special munitions for the bombers should be quite effective against them.”

“Let’s hope they don’t get through our defenses, so we don’t have to use them,” Jeremy responded. “It’s good to know we’re ready.” He gazed at a screen showing the main downtown thoroughfare in New Eden. They’d named the city after one of the original Human Federation of Worlds’ planets.

“This is a good planet and will make an excellent home for our people,” McGown said, seeing where the admiral’s eyes were focused. “I made a tour recently of the schools in New Eden. It was strange seeing Human, Alton, and Carethian children all in the same classrooms.”

Jeremy allowed himself to smile. He knew Kelsey’s two Carethian friends, Malith and Karelle, were talking about transferring to the planet and having children. Four hundred and twelve female Carethians had made the transit in the Clan Protector. Grayseth had recently commented he would like to see most, if not all of them, go to the surface of Gaia and start families. The Bears liked big families, and their homes were like giant dens. The Carethians came from a very family-oriented culture, and they all took their duties as family and clan members very seriously.

“How’s your underground Command Center coming?”

“It’s nearly complete,” answered McGown, turning to face the admiral. “We built it in an uninhabited area, in case the Simulins try to target it. We’ve installed the Hunter interceptor missile batteries and the defensive laser turrets. We should have it finished and ready to move into in another four to six weeks.”

Jeremy saw some movement on the screen showing the parked fighters and bombers. He watched as two Talon fighters accelerated down the runway and rose rapidly into the air. The two fighters did a barrel roll and then shot straight up into the sky, rapidly dwindling until they vanished from sight.

“Some of our pilots like to show off,” grunted McGown, slightly embarrassed by the pilots’ antics.

“I don’t mind it,” Jeremy answered. “It shows their level of skill handling their fighters.”

“We have some good pilots, both Human and Carethian.”

Jeremy took a deep breath and then looked at the general. “Charles, when I get back from the probe mission, we may be creating more AIs.”

“I though it was coming to that,” McGown said with a deep sigh. “Ever since the Distant Horizon arrived, and it became evident rescue was off the table, I’ve been hearing more people talk about coming to the planet and settling down. Even a large number of my Marines are discussing it.”

“We have a new design for an AI sphere, which should be much more powerful than their current ships,” Jeremy said. “With the particle beam satellites, battlestations, and the AIs, the planet should be pretty secure, particularly if we don’t venture out of the nebula.”

“We stay in our rabbit hole and don’t come out,” said McGown, nodding his head in agreement. “It’s the smart thing to do.”

Jeremy didn’t like the idea of hiding from the Simulins, but, cut off from home, he didn’t have the ships or personnel to fight a galactic war. All he could do was send a warning back home and then retreat to the nebula and stay there. At least Kelsey, Katie, and Clarissa were here now. Maybe it was time for them to settle down too.

-

Katie was staring at Clarissa with a deep frown on her face. It was obvious the AI was once more tampering with her program, making slight modifications to her appearance. Clarissa’s hips were slightly larger, and all her curves had been accentuated. Whenever she walked across the Command Center or stopped to talk to one of the male crewmembers, she instantly became the center of attention.

“Has she always been this way?” Rear Admiral Kathryn Barnes asked, as she watched the AI speaking to Lieutenant Styles at the Helm. Styles looked like a lovesick puppy when he talked to the provocative AI.

Katie laughed and nodded. “Sometimes more than this,” she replied. “Ariel did some experimenting but not to the extreme Clarissa has. She enjoys the attention she gets from the male crewmembers. Ariel has always been more reserved.”

“An AI flirting,” said Kathryn, shaking her head in amusement. “What’s next?”

“Who knows?” answered Katie, smiling. “Both AIs have been around Humans for a very long time.”

Katie could well recall the surprise she’d felt when Ariel had introduced herself in Admiral Jason Strong’s office so many years ago. She’d snuck into Jeremy’s dad’s office, searching for information on a computer program, and Ariel had caught her. They’d been friends ever since. She cherished those memories of her time at the Fleet Academy and, of course, the New Horizon mission, where all of them had survived nearly being killed. Since then both Ariel and Clarissa had looked over the Special Five, as they had come to be called, doing everything in their AI power to ensure the Special Five’s safety.

Looking at Clarissa’s computer console, Katie noticed that the AI was running battle simulations. Reaching out her hand, Katie entered a few commands to see more. The simulations were of the Distant Horizon battling numerous Simulin ships. There were about a half-dozen sims running simultaneously. It wasn’t surprising; the AI was easily capable of multitasking and still interacting with the crew.

“What are those?” asked Kathryn, seeing a blur of movement on one of the screens above Katie.

“Battle scenarios,” Katie answered. “Clarissa is fighting the Simulins, coming up with the best possible tactics to ensure our survival. Both Ariel and Clarissa run these almost continuously.”

Kathryn frowned and then glanced at Katie. “And who is commanding the ship in these simulations?”

Katie took a deep breath. “Sometimes you and sometimes Clarissa.”

“I almost hate to ask, but who is doing the best?”

“In the simulations where the Distant Horizon wins, Clarissa is in charge 72 percent of the time.”

“That means I’m only at 28 percent,” said Kathryn, frowning.

“It’s her reaction time,” Katie quickly explained. “When Clarissa is in charge of the ship, she can run simulations on her actual attacks to ascertain the best probability of victory. She can also control all the ship’s systems to ensure maximum efficiency.”

Kathryn was silent for a moment. She suspected that the AI was listening to every word she and Katie were saying. Nothing on the massive exploration dreadnought was a secret from the inquisitive AI.

“Just make sure she asks me before she takes control of the ship,” Kathryn said finally. “Only if the ship is in immediate danger of destruction is she to act on her own.”

“I’ll make sure she knows,” promised Katie. She knew how upset Rear Admiral Barnes had been about Kelsey and Clarissa taking over the ship in the battle with the Simulins. However, if the AI hadn’t taken control, there was a high probability the Distant Horizon would have been destroyed.

Kathryn paused and then asked another question. “In how many of the simulations do we lose?”

Katie hesitated before answering. Clarissa was running the simulations based on the Simulins’ tactic of attacking with overwhelming numbers. In none of the simulations were the odds even.

“The Distant Horizon is destroyed in 92 percent of the scenarios.”

Kathryn nodded and then said, “I guess it’s a good thing we’re not going on this mission alone.”

Katie watched as the admiral walked away and sat down in her command chair. Letting out a deep sigh, Katie wondered if she should talk to Clarissa about her current appearance. Even a few of the female crew were eyeing the AI speculatively. One thing Katie could say for certain: life around the two AIs was never boring.

-

Kathryn looked over her command console, seeing the Distant Horizon was ready for departure. She wondered what they would find in the blue giant nebula. Glancing around the Command Center, she noted nearly half the duty stations were vacant. That would change as they neared departure time. The majority of the Alton scientists had already left to board the four Alton science cruisers. Shilum, Andram, Mikow, and a few others would be going on this mission, in case their expertise was needed.

The hatch to the Command Center opened, and Colonel Anne Grissim walked in. She had been on Gaia, taking some well-deserved leave time.

“How was your leave?” asked Kathryn. She noticed Anne’s neck was a rosy red.

“Great! Spent a couple days at one of the lavish beach resorts. They remind me of the ones back on New Tellus,” Anne replied. “I’d forgotten what a sunburn feels like. Guess I spent too much time out on the beach.”

“Dr. Keil can take care of that, if necessary,” Kathryn said. She’d also made the mistake of staying out too long in the sun and had to see the doctor upon her return to the Distant Horizon.

“Already been there,” Anne replied, as she walked over and checked one of the command consoles. “She gave me some ointment and a shot, and said I should be fine in a few hours. I also got a lecture about being out in the sun so long after spending so much time aboard ship.”

Kathryn nodded. She’d gotten the same lecture. One thing about their ship’s doctor, the doc never hesitated in speaking her mind to the commanding officers.

“Any major changes while I’ve been gone?”

“Since we’re out of the defense globes, we’ve added another squadron of Anlon bombers in the flight bays.”

“I bet Major Arcles was pleased with that,” Anne answered.

“I imagine so,” Kathryn replied. “It gives him a few more options, if we have to deploy them.”

“What about our Marines?”

“We’re leaving half of them on Gaia,” answered Kathryn. “The Marine complements on all ships are being drastically reduced.”

“I’m not surprised,” responded Anne, nodding her head. “I always wondered why we had so many Marines aboard. I don’t recall any battle where there was a boarding action.”

“Our Marines will be taking on new roles,” Kathryn explained. “Between the battlestations and the three bases on Gaia, their mission profiles will be quite different than what they were before.”

Anne nodded in understanding. “Gaia will be our new home,” she said in a softer voice. “It’s hard to believe we’ll never see the Federation again.”

Kathryn sighed. She had put a message to her father in the drone. He was the governor of Ceres and had been responsible for her getting command of the Distant Horizon. She knew he would be highly upset when he received the message. While they hadn’t been that close in recent years, they’d been back when she was younger. The message had been hard to compose, as it was likely the last thing he would ever receive from her.

-

Jeremy gazed at the main viewscreen and the world it displayed. Gaia was an arid world, with a narrow swath of green that circled the planet around its equator. Several small oceans and a large number of rivers and lakes were in the habitable area. Gaia was slightly smaller than Earth, and the habitable area was only 1,400 kilometers across, with a wide variety of plant and animal life. It was enough to serve them for many hundreds of years, if they could just remain undetected by the Simulins.

“All ships report ready to depart,” Ariel said from Jeremy’s left side. “Trip to the blue giant area will take nine days.”

“We’ll have to drop out of hyperspace twenty-two times before we reach the nebula,” Commander Kyla Malen informed him, as she looked at some calculations on her Navigation console. “Kelsey has plotted a course which should allow us to avoid most of the systems that might have Simulin worlds or outposts in them. She based it on what they learned while fleeing the Simulins.”

Jeremy nodded; he had all the confidence in the world in Kelsey’s navigation abilities. She was one of the best in the fleet.

Jeremy allowed his eyes to linger on Gaia for a few more moments, and then he turned toward Commander Malen. “Take the task group out of the gravity well and prepare to enter hyperspace.”

They didn’t have to exit the gravity well, as all the allocated ships’ hyperdrives were capable of opening up stable vortices even in close proximity to a planet. However, there was no point in putting unnecessary strains on the task groups’ systems, if it wasn’t necessary.

“Helm, take us out,” ordered Commander Malen. “All ahead, one-third sublight. Distant Horizon will jump first, followed by the rest of the fleet.”

The Distant Horizon had the best sensors and was the most powerful ship. If she jumped into danger, she would have the best chance of survival and could warn the rest of the task group.

“Twenty minutes to jump,” reported Ensign Striker. “Hyperdrive is charged and ready to initiate.”

-

All eleven warships quickly left Gaia behind and accelerated outward. The small, compact system only had four planets and a very small asteroid field.

Once sufficient distance had been put between them and Gaia, a swirling blue-white spatial vortex formed in front of the Distant Horizon. The ship quickly accelerated and entered the center to instantly vanish. Moments later the vortex collapsed, leaving no sign of it ever existing. Shortly afterward vortices formed in front of the other ten ships, and they too entered them and quickly vanished.

On the battlecarrier Retribution, Rear Admiral Susan Marks watched as the vortices collapsed. She let out a deep breath, hoping Admiral Strong was successful in his mission. She also hoped they didn’t lead the Simulins back to Gaia, if and when the task group returned.

Chapter Six

The small task group slipped out of hyperspace for the fifteenth time and instantly activated their stealth energy shields. So far they’d avoided the Simulins and were well on their way to NGC 604.

On the Distant Horizon, Kelsey was staring at the viewscreen in front of her, displaying the nebula. It was aglow with energy from the blue giants. The magnificent sight mesmerized her.

“The stars are very young,” explained Andram, noticing Kelsey’s interest in the nebula. “They’re very hot, with temperatures around 72,000 degrees Fahrenheit.”

“It almost seems alive,” said Kelsey. The nebula appeared to be pulsing with a red glow.

“Intense ultraviolet radiation ionizes the hydrogen gas in the nebula, causing that red vibrating effect,” explained Andram. “It’s a stellar nursery with hundreds of newborn stars.”

“Have you located a suitable location to deploy the capacitor stations and vortex generators?” asked Rear Admiral Barnes, stepping closer to the two. The view of the nebula on the massive forward screen was breathtaking.

“We have several possibilities,” replied Andram, turning to face the admiral. “We’ll need to take some additional readings when we get closer.”

“Admiral Strong says we’ll spend six hours here to check our hyperdrives,” reported Colonel Petra Leon, the executive officer.

“Our own drive is functioning normally,” added Shilum, sitting at a science console. “Betrem reports the drive is functioning well within its operating parameters.”

“It should be,” Commander Grissim said. “We’ve slowed down considerably in hyperspace to allow the other ships to keep pace with us.”

“They don’t have the advanced hyperdrive, like we do,” Lieutenant Parker pointed out from the hyperdrive console. “We can travel at nearly one light-year every two minutes when it’s fully engaged. At the moment the best speed we can make is one light-year every five minutes, due to the drives the other ships are using.”

“We didn’t have time to update them,” Kathryn explained. “It would have been a major job to tear out the old hyperdrives and build these new ones, based on the experimental hyperdrive the Distant Horizon uses.”

“Any new ships we build will have the upgraded drive,” Clarissa said. “The battlecruiser Gaia on the Clan Protector was equipped with it.” She was standing to the admiral’s left. “Ariel and I have already prepared the new designs for our other ships, and the Altons on the science vessels are confirming the new construction blueprints.”

“Unfortunately this may be the last time we come out of our protective nebula,” Kathryn said with a sad look in her eyes. She would miss flying the Distant Horizon between the stars. “Once we launch the probe, it will be best if we avoid further contact with the Simulins. It might be quite some time before we venture out again.”

“What about the AI ships Admiral Strong is using to monitor the Sigma System?” asked Colonel Leon. “There are four on station, using long-range sensors to watch the system.”

“Eventually even that will be stopped,” Kathryn replied. “Someday the Simulins will figure out we’re hiding our ships in the atmosphere of gas giants to remain undetected.”

She let out a deep sigh. Most of her adult life had been dedicated to the fleet. It was difficult to imagine being pinned down to one solar system and not traveling to other stars, but they had to do whatever it took to survive in a hostile galaxy while vastly outnumbered.

“Sensor scans are in,” reported Captain Reynolds. “Star is an orange main sequence, spectral class K. It’s slightly smaller than Sol. I’m only picking up two planets, and they’re in extreme orbits.”

“Frozen balls of ice,” commented Colonel Leon, as she gazed at the data. “Not a very friendly system for life.”

“Also absent of any Simulins,” said Kathryn, her eyes gazing at the viewscreen.

“I just hope our luck holds,” added Commander Grissim. “We still have seven more transitions to make before we reach the nebula.”

As the others returned to their duties, Clarissa stepped closer to Andram and Kelsey. She had modified her figure slightly so her hips and breasts were no longer so pronounced. “The Distant Horizon’s sensors are detecting a lot of energy being given off by the blue giant stars in the nebula.”

“Yes, there is,” replied Andram, looking at Clarissa curiously. “More than I expected. It would be an ideal spot to build energy-gathering capacitor stations, if we ever attempt to return home.”

“You think it’s possible?” asked Kelsey in surprise. “I’ve been preparing myself to spend the rest of our lives on Gaia. It never occurred to me there still might be a possibility of going back.”

“It would take a few years, but the energy is definitely there.”

“There may be another problem here,” Clarissa said poignantly. “If the Simulins travel between galaxies, as we suspect, they could have a substantial presence in this nebula. With the energy available from the blue giants, it would make an ideal base of operations for them.”

Kelsey leaned back in her chair, her eyes growing wide with concern. “The Simulins,” she repeated. “I thought they would be at the black hole in this galaxy’s center.”

“It’s safer in the nebula,” Clarissa said in an even voice. “Why risk the high gravity near the black hole, when you have all this energy generated by hundreds of blue giants?”

“Andram, is what Clarissa’s saying possible?”

Andram’s brow creased in thought. He then turned and spoke to Shilum over his minicomm. For several minutes the two held an animated conversation. Finally Andram turned back toward Kelsey. “It’s highly likely,” he said with some anxiety in his voice. “If the Simulins are traveling regularly between galaxies, they could indeed have a major presence in the nebula. When we first discussed using the blue giants we weren’t aware of just how much energy was being generated.”

“Does Jeremy know?” asked Kelsey, speaking to Clarissa.

“Ariel is informing him of our suspicions even as we speak,” Clarissa replied. Anytime the Distant Horizon was out of hyperspace, it was easy for the two AIs to communicate with one another.

“How will this affect the mission?”

“It shouldn’t,” Clarissa responded. Her deep blue eyes focused on Kelsey. “It won’t take us very long to deploy the capacitor stations and the vortex generators. Once they’re in position, we can activate the vortex ring and send the probe through.”

“How long?” Kelsey persisted. If there were Simulins in the nebula, then their mission had just become much more dangerous.

“Six to ten hours,” Clarissa responded, “if everything goes according to plan.”

Kelsey took a deep breath. That was six to ten hours in which the Simulins could find the task force. Standing up, Kelsey motioned for Clarissa to follow her. “We need to inform Rear Admiral Barnes of this. If we find a suitable star, the Distant Horizon will be jumping in first. Rear Admiral Barnes needs to know what might be waiting for us.”

-

Jeremy closed his eyes and shook his head. It seemed like their plans to use the blue giants would be just as dangerous as traveling to the black hole. He wondered why the Altons hadn’t been aware of the massive amount of energy being generated by the blue giants.

“Do we proceed?” asked Commander Malen. She had listened as Ariel explained the possible danger of a major Simulin presence in the nebula.

“I think we have to,” Jeremy responded with a deep sigh. “We’ve come this far, and I don’t want to turn back without knowing what’s in the nebula.”

“I assume Clarissa has informed Rear Admiral Barnes of what might lie ahead?” asked Commander Malen.

“Clarissa and Kelsey are doing that now,” Ariel replied. Her eyes seemed to focus sharply for a moment, and then she continued. “I don’t think Rear Admiral Barnes is pleased. She’s asking Clarissa a lot of detailed questions about the Simulins and what they might be doing in the nebula.”

Jeremy looked at the viewscreens on the front wall of the Command Center. Most were focused on the stars, and one was showing a magnified view of the nebula, which glowed a light red on the screen.

“We’ll jump in, emplace our equipment, send the probe, and then leave as soon as we can.”

“We could leave the capacitor stations and the vortex generators behind,” Ariel was quick to point out. “That would reduce our time in the nebula by several hours.”

“It’s an option,” Jeremy conceded. He didn’t really want to leave the equipment, as it had taken several months to construct.

“Angela, get me the Command AI on the comm. I need to inform it of the danger we may be jumping into.”

“The AIs could jump first when we reach the nebula,” suggested Kevin, looking at Jeremy.

“The Distant Horizon is better suited for such a jump,” Jeremy reminded Kevin, shaking his head at his longtime friend. He knew Kevin had no love for the AIs. Unfortunately there were many crewmembers in the fleet who felt the same way. It would take years before the AIs were fully accepted.

“It was just a suggestion,” answered Kevin, turning to check his sensor screens. Eleven friendly green icons were displayed. Four of them were the massive 1,500-meter AI spheres.

Once the Command AI was on the comm, Jeremy quickly explained the possible danger they might be jumping into. The Command AI took a few moments to consult with several of its science AIs and then informed Jeremy how they agreed the Simulins might have a significant presence in the nebula. They also saw no reason to cancel the mission.

Once he was finished speaking to the Command AI, Jeremy contacted Rear Admiral Barnes and held a brief conversation with her. All they had at this time was conjecture and no hard evidence that the Simulins would be in the nebula, but it would be wise to take precautions.

“Contact the Warrior’s Pride,” Jeremy said to Angela.

In moments Jeremy was explaining to his large friend what might be waiting for them in the nebula.

“It is the way of the hunt,” Grayseth boomed over the comm. “We must always be prepared for the unexpected. If the Simulins are there, we will destroy them.”

“The way of the hunt,” Jeremy repeated. He knew his clan brother would always be there beside him.

Once he finished talking to Grayseth, Jeremy sent a joint message to the two Alton battleships and the strikecruisers Nemesis and Orion, updating their commanders. Everyone agreed the mission should continue. The launching of the probe was a high enough priority to justify the risk.

-

Later Jeremy made his way to Engineering to check on Chief Engineer Roger Simkins. He was a firm believer in keeping the ship’s intricate systems running at top efficiency. Jeremy had found he needed to remind the chief engineer to let his people have some time off occasionally. It wasn’t unusual to walk into Engineering and find competent engineers down on their hands and knees scrubbing the floor. It was a joke on the Avenger that only in Engineering were the floors so clean a person could eat off them.

“How’s it going, Chief?” Jeremy asked, as he walked over to a large control console where Simkins was working. A constant hum was present in the Engineering spaces, coming from the steady operation of the fusion reactors and other necessary equipment.

“Admiral,” Simkins said, standing up and acknowledging Jeremy. “These Fusion Five reactors are fantastic! They’re much smaller than our old reactors and put out 40 percent more power. I think you’ll really like what that will mean to the ship’s particle beam cannons and power beams.”

“Did you have to make any adjustments in the weapons for the additional power?”

“Some,” Simkins said, nodding his head. “We had to increase the protective lining in both weapons’ systems to handle the increase in energy.”

“How’s the hyperdrive holding out?”

“No problems,” replied Simkins, allowing some pride to show in his voice. “It’s working exceptionally well, and there hasn’t even been an iota of variation in the drive harmonics.”

“Your Engineering crew?”

Simkins looked down at the deck and then back up at the admiral. “I’ve been working them hard,” he admitted. “But, I promise, once this mission is over, I’ll give them all some well-deserved leave time.”

“Just don’t overwork them now,” cautioned Jeremy. “We may need them at their optimum when we reach the nebula.”

“We’ll be ready,” Simkins promised. “I have the best Engineering crew in the fleet.”

“I know you do,” Jeremy replied with a smile.

He spent a few more minutes in Engineering, talking to various crewmembers, and then left.

-

Stepping into the officers’ mess, Jeremy picked up a tray and selected something light to eat. Most of the food they were consuming now was grown on Gaia’s established farms. Several herd animals had been selected for breeding to make their meat more consumable by Humans.

Sitting down at a table next to the wall, Jeremy thought over what was ahead. Once they reached the nebula, their margin of safety would be gone. The Simulins could show up at any time.

“Deep in thought?” asked Ariel, as she suddenly appeared across the table from Jeremy. Her holographic emitters allowed her to appear anywhere in the ship.

Jeremy smiled at the gorgeous dark-haired AI. He was used to her popping up unannounced. “This could be a risky mission. I just hope we all get back safely.”

“We will,” Ariel replied confidently. “After all, both Clarissa and I are in this task force, and we won’t let any harm fall to the Avenger or the Distant Horizon.”

Jeremy pushed away his plate and gazed seriously at the AI. “Ariel, I want you and Clarissa to work out some battle plans where the two of you are in command of the Avenger and the Distant Horizon. I know the two of you have done these types of scenarios before.”

“You mean you want us to command the ships?” Ariel asked, her dark eyes gleaming with excitement. It wasn’t often she got this opportunity.

“If we get into a jam, it might be our only option to get out,” Jeremy answered. “You and Clarissa can do things the regular crews can’t.”

“I’ll tell Clarissa,” Ariel said, still showing her excitement. “She’ll be thrilled at the prospect, though I would suggest you speak to Rear Admiral Barnes about the idea. She wasn’t very happy the last time Clarissa took control of the Distant Horizon.”

Jeremy nodded in understanding. Kelsey had finally told him about the incident and how she’d ordered the AI to take control of the ship. It was borderline mutiny, but their actions had saved the Distant Horizon and allowed it to be rescued.

-

The downtime needed to cool the hyperspace drives passed quickly by, and soon the small fleet jumped back into hyperspace, leaving no evidence in the system they had just left of ever having been there. Seven more times the fleet dropped out of hyperspace to let their drive cores cool and to scan the nebula they were rapidly approaching. The high levels of radiation given off by the hundreds of blue giant stars were making long-distance observations nearly useless.

“What to do you think?” Rear Admiral Barnes asked Andram, gazing at the viewscreen and the massive nebula that now dominated space in front of the ship.

Andram had changed the main viewscreen several times to show different blue giant stars buried deep inside the glowing nebula.

“Astrometrics is still making observations,” Andram replied. He stood up and took a step closer to the screen. The tall, white-haired Alton was an imposing figure. Using his minicomm, he spoke once again to the Alton running the Astrometrics department.

“There’s a lot of radiation out there,” commented Clarissa from Kathryn’s left side. “We’ll have to keep our energy shields up at all times, though at a low level.”

“Our armor isn’t enough to protect us?” Kathryn asked, surprised. She’d thought, as thick as the battle armor was, it would protect them from all forms of radiation.

“For a while it would,” said Clarissa. “However, there are areas in this nebula where the high levels of radiation would quickly penetrate our armor.”

“What about our radiation meds?” asked Kathryn, growing concerned. “Should I ask Dr. Keil to have them ready? We could give the crew shots as a precaution.”

“I don’t believe it’ll be necessary,” Clarissa answered. “If I see the radiation count is getting too high, we could always move the crew deeper into the ship. The interior areas should be safe for quite some time, even if the shield is off.”

Kathryn looked back at Andram; the Alton scientist was still speaking to the Astrometrics department.

“Damn nebula is impressive,” commented Commander Grissim. “There’s nothing like it in our galaxy.”

“Sixteen hundred light-years across,” added Colonel Leon. “Even here outside the nebula, we’re starting to see some of the radiation. I doubt if there are any habitable worlds in this area. The radiation would have long sterilized their surfaces. Over two hundred stars of spectral type O and WR are in the central cluster.”

“You may be surprised,” Clarissa replied. “Life has a way of adapting, even to the most virulent environments.”

“It wouldn’t be life as we know it,” said Commander Grissim.

-

Andram finished talking to the Astrometrics department and returned to sit down next to Kelsey. “We have three possible targets. We detect none that are free of radiation. However, the ones we’ve chosen are emitting lower levels and are a few light-years from the other stars in the nebula.”

“Give me the coordinates, and I’ll see if I can plot a course,” Kelsey said. They would have to avoid the heavier radiation areas and the thicker hydrogen-gas clouds within the nebula or risk dropping out of hyperspace once more.

“We may have to make several shorter jumps to reach any of these stars,” Andram informed Kelsey.

“Do you have a preference?”

“This one,” Andram said, calling up a star chart from Astrometrics and showing Kelsey the star he was talking about. “It’s six hundred light-years inside the nebula.”

“Wow!” Kelsey said, shaking her head at Andram. “You couldn’t find one any closer?” She didn’t like the idea of going so far inside the nebula. She’d thought they would find one on the outskirts.

“Not one that is massive enough and with low-enough radiation levels,” Andram answered. “There are several large hydrogen clouds partially shielding the star I’ve chosen from the radiation. The central cluster of blue giants is where we need to go.”

Kelsey spent some time working out a navigational path, which would be safe for the fleet. When she finished, she wasn’t happy with the results. “Five days,” she said in exasperation. “We have to reduce our speed by nearly half, and we’ll have to exit hyperspace eight times to get there. We need to avoid a number of areas, or we risk being stranded in the nebula.”

“I’ll inform Admiral Strong,” said Rear Admiral Barnes, listening to the conversation with interest. “What type of course are you plotting?”

“There are other stars besides the blue giants in the nebula,” Kelsey replied. “I’m maneuvering our course to allow us to come out of hyperspace in the vicinity of five M-Class T Tauri stars and three Class M.”

“T Tauri stars?” repeated Kathryn, her eyes wide with concern. “Don’t they still give off a lot of radiation?”

“Not as much as the blue giants,” Andram answered. “T Tauri stars haven’t started their hydrogen-fusion stage and are powered by gravitational energy generated as the stars slowly contract. There will be some high X-ray emissions, and we’ll have to watch out for powerful stellar winds.”

“I’ll plot exit points far enough out so those shouldn’t pose a problem,” Kelsey promised.

“Very well,” Kathryn said, satisfied with Kelsey’s response. “Captain Travers, get me Admiral Strong on the comm. We have a decision to make.”

-

“Interesting,” commented Commander Malen, as she followed the course Kelsey had plotted on her computer screen. “I’ve never jumped to a T Tauri star before.”

“There may be protoplanets in orbit,” added Ariel, studying the data on the stars Kelsey had designated. “As long as we stay on the far outskirts of the systems, we should be okay.”

“I’m not certain how well our sensors will function in the nebula,” Kevin added. On one of the main screens of the Command Center, the pulsing red nebula glowed ominously. “The radiation and hydrogen clouds will have some effect.”

“Can you compensate for the radiation?” Jeremy asked Ariel.

“Some,” Ariel replied with a frown appearing on her face. “I can set the system to take into account the potential aberrations caused by the radiation. If I do so, it will extend our sensor range, but what the sensors show might not be 100 percent accurate.”

“Don’t modify our short-range sensors, but I do want to extend our long-range sensors to the maximum.”

“What about our special Alton sensors?” asked Malen. “The ones that allow us to see ten light-years around our ship, even when we’re in hyperspace?”

“Unknown,” Ariel answered. “We’ll know once we enter the nebula how the radiation and the hydrogen clouds will affect them.”

“Very well,” replied Jeremy, knowing they’d done everything they could in preparation.

Looking at one of the viewscreens, he could see the Distant Horizon. The 2,600-meter-long ship looked awesome and quite deadly on the screen. It was comforting to know Rear Admiral Barnes was on the ship, along with Kelsey and Katie. The Distant Horizon was the safest place for them to be.

“Angela,” Jeremy said, “contact all ships and tell them we’ll be jumping in one hour. We’ll relay the first coordinates shortly. All ships will go to Condition One twenty minutes prior to exiting hyperspace.”

“Afraid we’ll be jumping into a nest of Simulins?” muttered Kevin, his eyes focusing on Jeremy.

“Possibly,” Jeremy answered. “We don’t know what lies ahead of us. I want to get to our destination, set up the vortex generators, deploy the probe, and then get out as quickly as possible.”

“Do we call off the mission if we encounter the Simulins?” asked Commander Malen.

“I don’t know,” answered Jeremy. The Simulin threat was constantly in the back of his mind. “We’ll deal with that scenario if and when it occurs.”

Putting the mission into action was something he was greatly concerned about, since it took people in space, not in spaceships, to launch the probe. Once they deployed the small capacitor stations and the vortex generators, the fleet would be more vulnerable to attack due to the energy readings alone the capacitor stations would be generating. Jeremy was committed to not leaving anyone behind, as there would be shuttles deployed from many of the task groups’ ships aiding in the operation. If the Simulins showed up, it would take time to get everyone back aboard their respective ships—time they might not have.

-

Time passed as the fleet prepared to jump. Systems were checked, and jump coordinates were confirmed.

“Ready to initiate jump,” Ariel informed Jeremy. She was in constant contact with Clarissa and knew her counterpart was ready to complete their mission.

“Order the Distant Horizon to jump. We’ll follow,” ordered Jeremy, as he took a deep breath and settled back in his command chair. He could sense the heightened level of anxiety in the crew. They were jumping into the unknown, with no way to tell what was waiting for them.

“Distant Horizon is jumping,” reported Kevin, as his Sensor console picked up a spike in energy readings.

On the main viewscreen, a blue-white vortex formed in front of the exploration dreadnought. The massive ship accelerated to its center and instantly vanished.

“Counter is running,” reported Commander Malen.

Two minutes later, the Avenger and the rest of the ships of the task group followed the Distant Horizon into their respective vortices. They were entering the nebula and would soon find out if the Simulins were waiting. If they were, some of the task group might never see Gaia again.

Chapter Seven

The Avenger came out of the spatial vortex in the vicinity of an M-Class T Tauri star. It was a mass of slowly coalescing gas that someday would become a main sequence star.

Jeremy frowned as the viewscreens on the front wall of the Command Center remained covered in static. This was a major problem each time they dropped out of hyperspace in the vicinity of one of these stars.

“Detecting high levels of X-ray and radio emissions,” reported Kevin, as he worked diligently at his Sensor console to clear up the static coming in on his scans. He looked at Ariel in annoyance, as his efforts seemed to be having little effect.

“One moment,” Ariel said, as she adjusted the ship’s systems as well as the stealth energy shield. On the front wall, the screens gradually cleared, until all showed views of space.

“Sensors are not indicating any signs of artificial objects or other ships besides ours in the system,” Kevin reported, as the information finally came in. “Our sensors are not penetrating some areas, due to high levels of radiation and the clouds of hydrogen gas being drawn to the star.”

“Communicate that to the other ships,” Jeremy ordered. He knew only the Distant Horizon had the capacity to use all its sensors normally in these conditions, since it was designed for this type of work. Ariel was doing everything she could to help Kevin operate his Sensor console.

“One more jump,” Commander Malen commented, as she ordered the ship back to Condition Two.

Toward the end of each jump, all the ships in the fleet went to Condition One, just in case they jumped close to a Simulin ship. So far that hadn’t happened; there had been no sign of the Simulins.

Jeremy nodded. The long-range sensors, which normally reached out for ten light-years, had been nearly useless with all the radiation and ionized hydrogen gas in the nebula. Things had gotten worse as they neared the center of the nebula, where most of the blue giants were located. The fleet was traveling through areas where the density of hydrogen gas was lower, as well as the level of radiation.

“I have the Distant Horizon on the comm,” Angela reported. “Kelsey says it will take her a few minutes to confirm the next set of jump coordinates, as we’ll be jumping into a blue giant system. She also says their sensors confirm this system is clear.”

“We’ll have to use our regular defensive shield in the target system, if we want to cancel out the effects of the intense ultraviolet radiation,” Commander Malen added. “The stealth shield is capable of blocking some of it but not enough.”

“Inform all ships,” Jeremy ordered. He knew the Distant Horizon, with its extra thick armor, would be the least affected. However, once they started work in the system, the shuttles, capacitor stations, and vortex generators would all be easily detectable by Simulin warships, if one happened to enter the system. The work shuttles had been equipped with minimal shields to protect them from the radiation. “We’ll stay here for one hour. If any ship is having system malfunctions of any kind, we need to know before the hour is up. If not, then we’ll jump to the blue giant.”

Angela busied herself at her Communications console and then turned back toward Jeremy. “Messages sent.”

“This last jump will be sixty-eight light-years,” Ariel said, as she checked the figures on the Navigation computer. “At our current hyperspace speed, it will take us 11.3 hours to reach the blue giant.”

“How far ahead of us can our long-range sensors scan?” Jeremy asked.

“Only two or possibly three light-years,” Ariel responded, her dark eyes narrowing slightly. She had learned how to change her facial expressions to mimic normal Humans. “It will depend on the density of the hydrogen gas we’re passing through, as well as the level of interfering radiation given off by the blue giants.”

Kevin shook his head and gazed at Jeremy. “I almost wish we’d gone to the black hole instead.”

-

The hour passed, and the fleet prepared to jump. On the Distant Horizon Rear Admiral Kathryn Barnes took a deep breath while the familiar blue-white vortex formed in front of the ship. The crew was anxious, as they knew this jump could bring them into contact with the Simulins, if they were using the blue giants to power some type of intergalactic transfer system.

“Entering the vortex,” reported Lieutenant Styles from the Helm.

Kathryn tensed slightly as the Distant Horizon suddenly accelerated forward. She felt a slight twinge in her stomach as the ship made the jump into hyperspace. Looking at the large viewscreen, which covered the entire front wall of the Command Center, she saw the comforting colors of swirling deep purple, which signaled they were in the higher dimension that allowed faster-than-light travel.

“All systems functioning normally,” Commander Grissim reported. Anne was busy at her command console, checking the various ship departments.

“Secure from Condition Two and take us to Condition Four,” ordered Kathryn, as she relaxed a bit. This would allow the majority of the crew to get some rest before they reached their destination.

Leaning back in her command chair, Kathryn thought over what was ahead of them. She wondered what type of response there would be back home, if they were successful in sending the probe through. Thinking about home, her thoughts turned to her father. She knew he would be shaken upon learning she would never be returning to Ceres. They would spend the rest of their lives apart, living in two separate galaxies. During her career in the fleet, she hadn’t had that many opportunities to spend significant quality time with her father. She regretted not making more of an effort, as she would never see him again. Taking a deep breath, she decided it was best not to dwell on it.

“Relief crew will be reporting in thirty minutes,” Commander Grissim informed Kathryn. “The command crew will report back one hour before emergence at our target star.”

“Very well,” replied Kathryn, looking at Anne. Colonel Grissim had served her well since she had come on board the Distant Horizon.

Anne had spent considerable time on the StarStrike, Fleet Admiral Streth’s flagship. She was a well-trained officer, and Kathryn felt fortunate to have Anne as the commanding officer of the Distant Horizon. Anne had been at the battle of the galactic center as well as most of the other titanic battles fought against the Hocklyns and the AIs during the war. She was a seasoned officer and had been tested under fire.

“Make sure you get some rest too,” Kathryn reminded Anne.

“Colonel Leon will be reporting shortly with the relief watch,” Colonel Grissim replied. “I’ll return an hour before emergence.”

-

Kelsey looked at Andram, who was sitting close to her at a science console. “What do you think we’ll find at the blue giant?”

It had been hard being away from Jeremy, since he was on the Avenger, and she was on the Distant Horizon. They did talk regularly each time they dropped out of hyperspace. However, the separation reminded her of the four years they’d been apart, until the Distant Horizon had made the hyperspace jump to the Triangulum Galaxy.

“Probably nothing out of the ordinary,” Andram replied, as he checked some data on his console. “It’s a typical blue giant, and I’ve been on several exploration missions to stars similar to it before.”

“What if the Simulins are there?” asked Kelsey.

This worried her considerably. In their last battle with the Simulins, the Distant Horizon had come very close to destruction. If she hadn’t taken command and turned over the ship to Clarissa, the ship would have been destroyed.

Andram turned toward Kelsey. “There’s no sense worrying over something that might not happen,” he answered, taking a pragmatic view. “We’ll know for sure when we exit hyperspace. We’re on the most powerful ship ever built by either your people or mine. Why don’t you get some rest? It’s been a long day, and we all could use some downtime.”

“You’re right,” Kelsey said with a long sigh.

She turned back to her console to check a few things. As soon as her relief arrived, she would head to her quarters and try to get some sleep. Then later she would give Katie a call, so they could eat together before returning to the Command Center. Glancing at Katie’s computer console, she saw her friend was deep in conversation with Mikow.

Clarissa had been listening to the conversation between the two. While she did, she was running battle simulations with her and Ariel in command of the Avenger and the Distant Horizon. They’d also set up a program to control the strikecruisers Nemesis and Orion. Clarissa was excited about commanding the ship in combat against the Simulins, though she hoped that didn’t happen. If it did, then it meant the task group was in a dire situation. Both she and Ariel had sworn to each other to do everything they could to protect the Special Five. They would never allow any harm to come to any of them, if it was within their power to prevent it.

-

Kathryn returned to the Command Center fifty minutes before the ship was scheduled to drop out of hyperspace. Without surprise, she saw most of the command crew were already at their duty stations.

“Report,” she said, glancing at Commander Grissim.

“All systems are operating normally. Long-range scans are only reaching out a little over three light-years, due to the density of the hydrogen clouds as well as the intense radiation. This entire nebula is an H II region. The hydrogen gas is ionized by the cluster of blue giants we’re about to enter.”

Kathryn sat down in her command chair and looked around the large Command Center. Sensors and Communications were just to her right. Damage Control and the main computer station were to her left. In front of the command dais and slightly to the side on the left and right were two tactical holographic displays. Helm, Navigation, hyperdrive control, and several science stations were in the front of the large viewscreen. The biggest station was Tactical, directly behind the command dais on an upraised platform. It was manned by eight officers, who controlled the ship’s weapons as well as the Distant Horizon’s powerful energy shield.

For the next half hour, the operations in the Command Center were relatively normal. Kathryn was watching a timer counting down on one of the two tactical displays. When it reached thirty minutes, she turned toward Commander Grissim. “Take us to Condition One. I want Devastator Threes in the missile tubes. We’ll hold back on our antimatter missiles, until we determine whether there’s a significant threat to the task group.”

Commander Grissim nodded and instantly sounded the Condition One alarm, while making the appropriate announcement over the ship’s comm.

“Admiral, our long-range sensors are picking up some possible artificial constructs in orbit around the star,” reported Captain Reynolds.

Kathryn’s eyes narrowed sharply. “What type of constructs? Are we talking about ships?”

“No, I don’t think so,” Reynolds replied. “Our sensors are just barely picking them up. The only reason I know they’re artificial is because our sensors are detecting ten of them, and they’re all in the same orbit spaced equidistant around the star.”

“Andram, any ideas?” Kathryn didn’t like what she was hearing. Any type of artificial construct probably meant a Simulin presence.

Andram looked at Shilum, and the two had a quick conservation over their minicomms. Then Andram turned toward the admiral. “Some type of energy-collection satellites is our best supposition. If the Simulins are using the cluster of blue giants to power an intergalactic transfer system, they would need some method of powering their operations. We may be looking at the Simulins’ version of the AIs’ capacitor stations.”

“We could target them, as soon as we exit hyperspace,” suggested Major Weir from his Tactical console. The major examined the location data on the ten objects. “If we make four short hyperspace jumps, we could take out all ten of them with our sublight missiles.”

“Using that tactic, it would take twenty-six minutes for some of the missiles to reach their targets,” warned Clarissa, as she quickly ran several simulations. “There’s a possibility the energy stations will send out a hyperspace message, if one or more of the units stops functioning.”

Kathryn leaned forward in her command chair. They would exit hyperspace five minutes before the rest of the task group. “When we depart the vortex, I want the stealth shield activated,” she ordered, “as well as detailed scans of those objects before Admiral Strong arrives. If we deem they’re not a threat, we’ll drop our stealth shield and activate our main defense shield to stop the radiation.”

“Our ship’s armor will protect us,” Colonel Leon informed the admiral. “We would probably be safe for at least twenty minutes before the radiation begins to penetrate the outer hull. I’ll order Dr. Keil to have her radiation meds on standby, just in case.”

-

The minutes seemed to pass slowly as all eyes in the Command Center kept glancing at the countdown timer in the large holographic tactical display. Talking was minimal, as everyone waited for the ship to exit hyperspace.

“Two minutes to dropout,” called out Lieutenant Parker from his hyperdrive console.

“Tactical, stand by,” ordered Kathryn, feeling her pulse racing. “Captain Reynolds, I want our sensors scanning as soon as our systems stabilize.”

“I’m ready,” the captain replied. His fingers flew nimbly over his console, as he made some adjustments.

“Captain Travers, I want a comm link to the Avenger as soon as it exits its vortex.”

“Yes, Admiral,” Travers replied.

“One minute to dropout.”

Kathryn took a deep breath and prepared herself. Were they about to jump into a system controlled by the Simulins and would they shortly be engaged in combat?

“Clarissa, if you detect an imminent threat to the ship, you have my permission to take whatever actions you deem necessary to prevent damage to the Distant Horizon.”

“Yes, Admiral,” Clarissa replied. She stood a little straighter, surprised at the words. Perhaps the admiral had faith in her ability to defend the ship.

“Dropout!”

Kathryn felt a twinge in her stomach, as the ship returned to normal space. Her eyes instantly went to the main viewscreen, which was covered in static. After just a few seconds, it cleared.

“Stealth shield is operational,” reported Commander Grissim.

“Weapons are online and ready to fire,” reported Major Weir.

“Sensors are operating,” added Captain Reynolds. “We should have good readings on the nearest artificial construct shortly.”

“Communications, search all channels to ensure no hyperspace message is transmitted by the objects,” ordered Kathryn.

“I have one of the objects on the viewscreen,” Andram said.

On the screen a large, nearly circular object appeared. It was metallic and covered with what were obviously energy-collection dishes of some advanced type.

“How large is that thing?” asked Commander Grissim.

In many ways, it resembled an AI capacitor station, except the collecting dishes were much smaller.

“Twenty kilometers,” reported Captain Reynolds, as the results from his first sensor scans came in. “It’s also emitting a massive energy signature.”

“Any signs of Simulin ships?” asked Kathryn. It was hard to imagine the Simulins would have collecting stations like these around the star and no warships close by.

“None detected,” answered Reynolds, as more scans came in. “It’ll be a few minutes before we have the entire system scanned.”

“What about planets?”

“None,” reported Reynolds. “I’m not even picking up a debris field.”

“No protoplanets or anything, just radiation,” uttered Commander Grissim, shaking her head. “Not a very hospitable place.”

“I would suggest we stay away from the constructs,” said Andram, as he gazed at the one on the viewscreen. “If we come too near, it might send an automatic message to the Simulins.”

“Then you believe this is a Simulin creation?” asked Kathryn, her eyes focusing on the Alton.

“Yes,” Andram replied, his eyes narrowing. “It’s obviously some type of very advanced energy-collection station in close orbit around this star.”

“How does it transmit the energy it collects?”

“Unknown,” Andram answered. “We may find out before it’s necessary for us to leave.”

“Spatial vortex detected!” called out Captain Reynolds. “It’s the Avenger.”

Over the next few minutes, all the ships of the task group arrived. They took up position around the Distant Horizon, and a quick conference was set up for all ship commanders.

-

With deep concern, Admiral Jeremy Strong gazed at the object displayed on one of the ship’s main viewscreens. “You mean to tell me there are ten of these in orbit around this star?”

“Yes, Admiral,” Rear Admiral Barnes answered. “Andram feels they will not send out a message to the Simulins as long as we don’t interfere with them.”

“We should destroy them!” boomed Grayseth. “They may be scanning us right now. We could have a Simulin fleet already en route. They are a danger to the hunt!”

“These objects do indeed resemble our capacitor stations,” commented the Command AI. “My science AIs agree the objects will not send out a message unless we approach too close or interfere with their operations in some way.”

“I agree with Grayseth,” said Commander Zack Davidson of the strikecruiser Nemesis. “We have eleven warships. We could destroy all ten stations before they could send out a message.”

“Possibly,” Jeremy said, as he considered what needed to be done. “However, so far we’ve detected no hyperspace message from the objects. Let’s begin immediately to deploy our own capacitor stations and the vortex generators. The sooner we complete our mission and launch the probe, the better off we’ll be.”

-

For the next four hours, crews in shuttles worked diligently, as the four small capacitor stations containing Fusion Five reactors were towed out from one of the Distant Horizon’s flight bays and placed in position. Once the four were aligned and tested, the six vortex ring generators were brought out. It took another two hours to place them and run the necessary tests.

During the entire time, all eleven ships stayed at Condition One with sensors on full, constantly scanning for any sign of an opening spatial vortex, which might indicate the arrival of a Simulin warship. Comm systems were monitoring all hyperspace communication channels, in case one of the Simulin energy stations sent out a message about the presence of the task group.

The space around the small capacitor stations and vortex generators was busy with dozens of small shuttles deployed. Even a few Humans and Altons were jetting around in special spacesuits, which protected them from the star’s radiation, making minute adjustments to the systems of the capacitor stations and vortex generators.

-

Kathryn walked over toward Shilum and Andram, who were standing in front of one of the science consoles, monitoring the work. “How soon before we can deploy the probe?” She felt more anxious as time passed. At any moment she expected a Simulin warship to show up and bring the work to a halt.

“Shortly,” Andram replied. “We’re still making some minor adjustments to align them properly so we can establish an intergalactic vortex, which will link with the black hole at our home galaxy’s center. The gravity inside the cluster and from this star is sufficient to establish an anchor to allow us to open the vortex, even with the hydrogen gas in the surrounding nebula. Remember, the vortex needs a gravitational anchor on both ends.”

“The probe should exit at the same location as the black hole vortex that sent us here,” Shilum explained. “The black hole will function as the anchor in our home galaxy.”

“I hope Admiral Jackson is still there,” Kathryn said.

“He will be,” Andram replied. “My people still have many months’ worth of studies to do on the intact capacitor station.”

“Contact!” called out Captain Reynolds, as an alarm sounded on his Sensor console. “Spatial vortex opening at eighteen million kilometers.”

Kathryn’s shoulders slumped; she knew this would happen.

“Simulins,” said Commander Grissim, as she went to her command station. She glanced up at the nearest tactical display, as a red threat icon glowed.

On the viewscreen, an 1,100-meter-long ship suddenly appeared. It was bulbous in form, with large metallic-looking pylons stretched out in front of it. Six of the massive structures extended for at least two hundred meters from the main hull of the ship.

“Confirmed,” reported Clarissa, as she took her customary place next to the admiral. “It’s a Simulin escort cruiser, and it’s already scanning us.”

“How soon before we can launch the probe?” demanded Kathryn. She had a sinking feeling their time had just run out. The Simulins had shown up at the worst possible time.

“Twelve minutes,” answered Andram, as he rushed back to his science console and touched various icons on the computer screen. “Shilum is finishing the last few adjustments to the vortex generators. We’ll need a few more minutes after that to maneuver the probe into the vortex.”

Kathryn took a deep breath and activated her minicomm to put her in contact with Admiral Strong. Somehow they needed to buy twenty minutes of time, if they wanted to succeed in their mission. If the Simulins knocked out even one of their capacitor stations or a vortex generator, the probe wouldn’t make the transit.

-

Jeremy gazed at the primary viewscreen at the one Simulin ship, which was now approaching the task group at a high rate of speed. “Ariel, you have command of the Avenger, the Nemesis, and Orion. I want that Simulin ship destroyed. We need to buy the Distant Horizon twenty minutes to finish the vortex ring and send the probe through.”

“Yes, Jeremy,” Ariel replied, as she accessed the computers on the two strikecruisers. She’d already emplaced a program as well as a special hyperspace Communications channel to allow instant communication, so she could control all three ships. “Preparing for a microjump. We will come out just in front of the ship and have a window of 6.2 seconds to fire our weapons, before their current speed puts them out of range.”

“Do it,” ordered Jeremy, as he buckled his safety harness around him. He knew, from past experience with Ariel controlling the ship, they could be in for a rough time. They had to get the probe launched; no doubt, if they didn’t, they would never get another opportunity.

“Jumping,” reported Ariel, as she concentrated, and blue-white spatial vortices suddenly formed in front of all three ships. Using their Helm controls, she accelerated the warships into the heart of the swirling anomalies.

-

Almost instantly the three Federation ships appeared in a triangle formation just in front of the rapidly moving Simulin vessel. Even so, the computers on the enemy warship reacted, and power was sent to its deadly energy weapons. The tips of the six spires glowed, and then massive beams of white energy speared the Nemesis. The strikecruiser’s shield had just come up and met the powerful onslaught. The screen glowed bright, and then one of the beams penetrated, blasting a huge glowing hole in the side of the strikecruiser. Emergency bulkheads slammed shut, and warning alarms sounded as secondary explosions rattled the ship.

From the Avenger and Orion, particle beam cannons and power beams fired, hitting the energy shield of the Simulin vessel. Two particle beams penetrated, cutting one of the long spires in two and striking just above the ship’s Engineering section. The Simulin ship seemed to stagger, and its sublight drive flickered as power became intermittent. Then three power beams penetrated the weakened shield, blasting huge holes in the bow section and setting off secondary explosions deep inside. Large sections of the ship’s hull were blown off to drift away from the vessel.

Two seconds remained as Ariel fired a Devastator Three missile through a hole in the Simulin’s energy shield caused by a particle beam. As the Simulin ship flashed by the three Federation vessels, a huge fiery explosion consumed the enemy ship as the Devastator Three missile detonated. Moments later only a glowing field of spreading debris and gas marked the location of the enemy vessel.

-

“Enemy vessel destroyed,” reported Ariel, as she checked on the status of the Nemesis. The ship had taken major damage but was still operational. “They attempted communications over a hyperchannel, but I blocked it. I don’t believe the Simulins got the message off.”

“What about the Nemesis?” Jeremy asked with concern in his eyes. On one of the primary viewscreens, he could see the glowing hole in the side of the ship. The Nemesis had been an important part of Fourth Fleet from the very beginning. It pained him to see the damage the ship had suffered. He knew there had to be numerous casualties.

“Commander Davidson is checking on damage and casualties now,” Ariel reported. “He may need to transfer some of his injured.”

She was highly disappointed and upset that one of the ships under her command had been hit. She’d been stunned at how rapidly the Simulins had responded to the microjump. She would take that into consideration in future battle scenarios she ran.

“Can the Nemesis still jump?” asked Jeremy. He didn’t blame Ariel for what happened. She’d destroyed the Simulin ship, and he knew they had powerful weapons.

“Yes,” Ariel replied. “The Engineering section is still intact.”

“Jump us back to the task group,” Jeremy ordered. “We need to get that damn probe launched before more Simulins show up. I suspect next time it won’t be just one ship. Once we’re back, we’ll make arrangements to transfer some of Commander Davidson’s injured to other ships.”

-

“Capacitor stations are online,” reported Shilum, as four icons on her computer screen blinked green.

“Powering up the vortex generators,” added Mikow from her computer station. On her computer screen, the six small vortex generator icons turned from amber to a steady green.

“Generators are online,” Katie reported. She was at the computer console next to Mikow.

“Probe is exiting the flight bay,” Commander Grissim reported. On one of the viewscreens, a small twenty-meter-long wedge-shaped vessel appeared.

“I’ve downloaded the visuals and telemetry from the recent battle with the Simulin vessel,” Colonel Leon reported. “Probe systems are all functioning normally.”

“Stand by to activate the power transfer,” ordered Kathryn.

She’d watched the battle with the Simulin warship tensely and had felt ill when the Nemesis had been damaged. The Simulins were just too dangerous, and they had technology at least on a par with the AIs. The injured hadn’t been transferred from the vessel as of yet. They were planning to make a short hyperspace jump to another T Tauri system, where it would be safe to evacuate the wounded. Kathryn had already told Dr. Keil to expect an influx of critically injured.

Warning alarms suddenly sounded on the Sensor console. Kathryn’s gaze shifted instantly to the one of the tactical displays, as numerous red threat icons appeared. She leaned forward and looked at the Sensor console.

“Simulin vessels at two million kilometers,” reported Captain Reynolds. “All are battlecruiser size!”

Kathryn let out a deep breath. Battlecruiser size meant the vessels were 1,700 meters in length and much more powerful than the escort cruiser they’d just destroyed.

“Our other ships are moving to shield the vortex ring from attack,” reported Clarissa. “We need to send the probe through now. We don’t have the ships to withstand a Simulin attack from that many heavy vessels.” On the screen, twenty red threat icons were now visible.

“Activate power transfer,” ordered Kathryn, leaning forward in her command chair. “Stand by on all weapons. We may have to fight.”

“Simulins have turned toward us and are accelerating,” reported Captain Reynolds. “Contact in six minutes.”

“Can we get the probe through the vortex in that amount of time?” asked Kathryn anxiously.

“Barely,” replied Andram with an intense frown. “If everything goes right.”

-

In space, the four capacitor stations glowed brightly, and energy beams suddenly lanced out, striking the six vortex generators. For a moment nothing happened, and then a beam of light spread from one vortex generator to the others, until all were connected. The light seemed to spread, as the space between the generators became full of swirling energy. Then a signal was sent from the Distant Horizon and a white spatial vortex formed.

-

“Vortex is established,” reported Andram, as his hands hovered over his science console.”

“Probe is nearing the vortex,” added Colonel Leon. Petra held her breath as the wedge-shaped vessel seemed to take forever to reach the swirling area of white light. Then the probe touched the vortex and instantly vanished.

“Probe has entered the vortex,” reported Clarissa, as she used the ship’s sensors to closely monitor the proceedings.

“Simulins will be in range in two minutes,” reported Captain Reynolds.

“How long do we have to leave the vortex ring on to ensure a safe passage?” demanded Kathryn. On the main viewscreen, the swirling white vortex was still evident.

“Another minute and a half,” replied Shilum. “If we shut it down before then, the probe might not make it at all. We would be cutting the gravity anchor.”

“Inform Admiral Strong,” ordered Kathryn, as her breathing quickened. “We’re cutting it close,” she murmured.

Kathryn glanced at the nearest tactical display, seeing the rapidly approaching red threat icons. “Stand by on the hyperdrive. Make sure all ships have the emergency coordinates.” They’d set up some emergency jump points in case the Simulins found them. The Nemesis would have to wait to have her injured attended to. Kathryn swore silently to herself, knowing this would cost some lives.

“One minute to combat range,” Captain Reynolds said in an even voice.

“Prepare a spread of Devastator Three missiles,” ordered Kathryn. She knew the powerful missiles couldn’t bring down the Simulin shields, but it might be enough to buy them the time they needed to jump out.

“Shutting down the vortex ring,” Shilum reported.

“Set the self-destructs,” ordered Kathryn. There was no way would they have time to save any of the valuable units. “Are all shuttles back aboard their respective vessels?”

“Affirmative,” answered Clarissa. “We have several extra that came on board, since they didn’t have time to make it to their own ships.”

“Admiral Strong says we’re to jump in twenty seconds,” reported Captain Travers from Communications.

“Set the clock,” ordered Commander Grissim.

“Combat range,” called out Captain Reynolds. “Simulins are firing.”

“Launch missiles!” ordered Kathryn, holding her breath. She watched as the countdown timer reached zero. “Jump!”

The ship shuddered as several Simulin energy beams struck the shield. Two of the vortex generators exploded as they were targeted. Then all the other units vanished in brilliant fireballs as their self-destructs activated.

A blue-white vortex formed in front of the Distant Horizon as Lieutenant Styles accelerated toward it. The last thing Kathryn saw, as the ship reached the vortex, was the strikecruiser Nemesis vanishing in a brilliant flash of light as numerous Simulin energy beams penetrated its weakened screen, destroying the Federation ship.

Kathryn’s eyes opened wide in shock at the destruction of the Nemesis, and then the Distant Horizon jumped into hyperspace. She gazed in relief at the swirling colors of deep purple that signaled they had escaped the Simulins. However, Commander Davidson and the eight hundred men and women under his command were gone. The task group had launched the probe, but the cost had been very high. Kathryn just hoped it had been worth it. Tonight she would say a prayer for those who had been lost.

Chapter Eight

“We have vortex activation!” called out Lieutenant Davis, as a swirling white vortex suddenly appeared on one of the main viewscreens of the WarHawk.

“All ships go to Condition One and prepare to engage the Simulins,” ordered Admiral Tolsen, as he looked grimly at the viewscreen. This was what he had been afraid of. He looked at Lieutenant Travers, wanting more information.

Third Fleet had arrived on schedule, and he had it aligned around the perimeter of the vortex. Pelel’s equipment had arrived several weeks before, and they now had an exact location of the weakened area of space. Race had positioned his fleet within attack range to blast any vessel that came through before it could raise its screens or power up its weapons.

“Pelel says it’s definitely intergalactic,” reported Lieutenant Travers.

“Order Admiral Bachal to cover Capacitor Station One and Admiral Jackson to do the same for Capacitor Station Two,” ordered Race, as he prepared for combat. “All civilian ships are to be on standby to evacuate if the Simulins get past us.” Race knew that would leave a lot of people, both Human and Alton, trapped on the two capacitor stations.

On one of the tactical displays, the sixty ships of Third Fleet were in a circular formation around the intended target. The sixty friendly green icons were all that stood between the incoming Simulins and the inhabited worlds of the galaxy.

“All ships in position and ready to fire,” reported Commander Arnett. “The hospital ship Raven is moving back to Capacitor Station One.”

Race nodded and activated his ship-to-ship minicomm, so he could speak to Rear Admiral Rance Wyler on the battlecarrier Saratoga. Wyler was in command of Third Fleet’s six carriers.

“Rance, prepare your bomber squadrons for a shipping strike. They’re to take out any damaged Simulin vessels that have lost their shields.”

“Squadrons are being armed,” Rance replied. “Give me ten minutes, and I’ll have four hundred Anlons ready to launch. Each will be armed with two Shrike missiles.”

“Okay,” Race replied. “As soon as your first squadrons are ready, go ahead and launch. Don’t wait for orders from me. This could get extremely violent quickly.”

“Object is coming through!” called out Colonel Cowel, as a wedge-shaped vessel suddenly shot out of the swirling vortex.

“Hold your fire!” screamed Lieutenant Travers, as she received a frantic message from Capacitor Station One. “Shay claims the vessel is one of the Distant Horizon’s probes!”

“What?” stammered Commander Arnett, a stunned look on her face.

“All ships, hold your fire!” ordered Race, as he looked in amazement at the twenty-meter-long wedge-shaped vessel on the viewscreen, which had now come to a complete stop.

“Admiral Jackson has confirmed that,” added Lieutenant Travers. Her face was nearly white, realizing how close they had come to destroying it. “He’s receiving a massive download of data.”

“Holy crap,” muttered Colonel Cowel, shaking his head in disbelief. “They made it!” He looked at Admiral Tolsen. “Fleet Admiral Streth was right.”

Race’s attention returned to the vortex, only to see it fade and then abruptly vanish. “Take the fleet back to Condition Three until we find out for sure what’s going on.” He’d never expected to hear from the Distant Horizon again, not after speaking to Fleet Admiral Streth. Race was anxious to see the data and whether it contained anything about the Simulins.

-

Four hours later Admiral Tolsen sat in a briefing room on the Dauntless, along with Admiral Jackson, Admiral Bachal, Commander Arnett, and Altons Shay Mele and Pelel Maz. They had just finished going over the information the probe had transmitted. Most of the information they’d skimmed, only stopping to examine pertinent sections.

“Fourth Fleet survived,” said Admiral Jackson, his eyes wide with excitement. “I can’t believe most of the ships that went through the vortex made it. I guess this proves Fleet Admiral Streth’s faith in Admiral Strong is well justified.”

“A lot of families will be relieved,” Madelyn said. “Thousands of personal messages were downloaded in the probe’s files.”

“Good-bye messages for the most part,” Jackson said with sadness in his eyes. “I read a few of them not marked private. They don’t expect to ever come back.”

“Rear Admiral Barnes knew her mission was possibly a one-way trip,” Race said. He also knew her father on Ceres would be deeply affected by this. Race had checked and found a long personal message from the rear admiral to the governor.

“A lot has happened since Fourth Fleet and the others made the transit to the Triangulum Galaxy,” Madelyn added. “They’ve fought several intense battles against the Simulins, and the Distant Horizon was nearly destroyed.”

“But the AIs?” Race said in a bitter voice. He still found it hard to digest that Admiral Strong had made a pact with the deadly automatons. With so many people dead in the battle at the galactic center, it was nearly incomprehensible to consider allying with the AIs.

“They’ve changed,” Shay said, as she pointed to some data on one of the numerous screens in the briefing room. “We know the Simulins adjusted the AIs’ master Codex, which set them on their path to galactic domination and the elimination of all organic races. From what I’ve been able to learn from the files, Kurene and Mikow have removed that programming from the AIs’ master Codex they have possession of and from the AIs themselves. They are no longer a threat.”

“The master Codex survived,” said Race, a worried look on his face. Only two copies had ever existed, and one was safely under Federation and Alton control on Astral. “We had assumed the other was on the Central Nexus, which was destroyed. With an intact master Codex, they could create more AIs.”

“Admiral Cleeteus will not allow that to happen, if he believes they could still be a threat,” stated Admiral Bachal in his soft voice. The Alton looked at the others gathered here. “The information Kurene and Mikow have provided states specifically that the AIs are no longer a threat and have placed themselves completely under Admiral Strong’s command. Four Alton science vessels went through the vortex originally, plus other Alton scientists and specialists on the Distant Horizon. I’m certain they will not risk creating more AIs without the proper safeguards in place.”

“He needs more ships,” added Admiral Jackson solemnly. “They’re hiding in a nebula and are building up their defenses around a habitable planet. If they hope to survive, they’ll need the AIs’ assistance. It’s the only practical way to increase their numbers.”

Admiral Tolsen turned, and looked long and hard at one of the viewscreens. It showed a Simulin battlecruiser which bristled with power. He shook his head slowly. This AI thing would take a while to get used to. He suspected it would be heavily frowned on back at Fleet Command. Race let out a deep breath and shook his head.

“The probe brought back a lot of data,” Pelel said. “It will take us days, perhaps weeks, to go through it all.”

“Admiral Strong took a huge risk just to send the probe to us,” Race said in an even voice. “His fleet was detected, and the Nemesis was heavily damaged while just taking out one Simulin vessel. What would happen here if a fleet of those things came through?”

“We would give a good accounting of ourselves,” Jackson said, his eyes focusing on Race. “But in the end I don’t believe we could stop them. Not if they make a determined effort to establish a bridgehead in our galaxy.”

“Can they establish a vortex anywhere else besides here?” Race asked Shay. He was deeply concerned about the Simulins coming through in another star system, where they would face no organized resistance.

“It would take a tremendous amount of energy to shift the vortex from this region of space,” Shay replied. “The weakness of space where the runaway vortex originally appeared will attract any intergalactic vortices for quite some time.”

“Will it eventually heal itself?” asked Race. He knew the Alton scientists back on Astral had voiced their opinion that it might not.

“Yes, our recent research suggests that it will,” admitted Shay, looking unhappy. “It will take a few decades, but, at some point, the Simulins will be able to shift the entry vortex with little effort.”

Race leaned back and considered what he knew to date. Fleet Admiral Streth had been correct about the danger present in the Triangulum Galaxy. The question was, what could they do about it from this galaxy? Under the fleet admiral’s direction, Race had set plans in motion but was deeply concerned they were not enough. From the small amount of data he’d skimmed through, the Simulins were a far greater danger than the AIs ever were. How would the Federation and its allies react to that?

“Send this data to Ambassador Tureen, Fleet Admiral Nagumo, Governor Barnes, Senator Karnes, Malrez on Careth, and Senator Arden on New Providence.”

“Should we add any recommendations?” asked Admiral Jackson.

“No,” replied Race, shaking his head. “We’ll wait for a response from Fleet Admiral Nagumo.”

“I’ll have the data packets prepared and sent immediately,” uttered Admiral Jackson. “Is there anyone else?” Jackson looked at Admiral Tolsen with a knowing look.

“One more person,” Race said, meeting Jackson’s eyes. “I’ll take care of that myself. I want a copy of this data packet for everyone in this room. As a high-security file, don’t send this to anyone else without my explicit permission. If news were to get out in the Human Federation of Worlds that we’re facing a potential intergalactic threat even worse than what the AIs posed, it could cause a general panic. We’ll let Admiral Nagumo decide what the Federation Council needs to know and how this information will be handled.”

“It could indeed cause a panic on all civilized worlds,” Admiral Bachal said, nodding his head in agreement. “With your permission, I would like to send a copy of this information to Garak Rath on Astral. With the scientists currently on the planet, they may give us some insights as to the Simulins’ technology. I will stress the information is not to leave the planet.”

“Send him the information,” Race said without hesitation.

It would be good to have the Altons look over the data Admiral Strong had sent. Race’s next problem was what to do about the weakened area in space where the Simulins could come through in force. No doubt the Simulins were coming, and he only had his fleet, Admiral Jackson’s ships, and Admiral Bachal’s, to stop these enemies. If they failed, then the Simulins would be loose in this galaxy and might very well finish what the AIs had started: the total annihilation of all organic life.

-

Several days later former Fleet Admiral Hedon Streth received a priority message from Admiral Tolsen. He spent hours in the small building behind his cabin reading through the report and the implications of what it contained. Admiral Tolsen had been good enough to prepare a synopsis of what was in the data, as Hedon knew it would take him days to wade through all the information.

“Is it from Race?” his wife asked from the doorway of Hedon’s small office.

Hedon turned around to see Janice standing there. She looked radiant and as beautiful as ever. She was also four months’ pregnant.

“Yes,” Hedon replied with a deep sigh. “Rear Admiral Barnes linked up with Admiral Strong, just as I had hoped. Jeremy has set up a base inside a concealing nebula that contains a habitable planet.”

“Then they have a home,” said Janice, as she walked to stand next to Hedon. “I’m glad to hear they’re safe.”

“They’re in a very dangerous galaxy,” Hedon responded in a quiet voice. “They have no way to return.”

“Just as your visions foretold.”

“Yes,” answered Hedon, wishing his premonitions had been wrong. They were hard enough to interpret as it was. There had also been no further occurrences. In a way it was a relief, as the splitting headaches were nearly unbearable.

“What are you going to do?”

Janice knew Hedon had to have a plan. He felt it was his personal responsibility to keep the Human race and its allies safe from harm. She doubted Hedon would ever willingly give up that weight he carried on his shoulders. It was one of the reasons she’d married him.

“I want to spend more time going through all this data Jeremy sent. We have several courses of action, none of which are good. Fortunately most of his ships survived the transit.”

Hedon also wanted to spend some time studying the alliance Jeremy had formed with the AIs. It had left a sour taste in Hedon’s mouth when he had read about it, but the more he’d studied why Jeremy had made that incredible decision, the more Hedon understood the reasoning behind it.

“I’m sure you’ll figure something out,” Janice said, placing her hand on Hedon’s shoulder. “You always do.”

“How are you feeling today?” Janice had been experiencing some minor morning sickness, though nothing that couldn’t be controlled with simple medication.

“Fine,” Janice replied with a smile. “The doctor said everything looks normal.”

“Have you told Amanda?”

“Yes,” Janice said with a laugh. “She’s excited about our news and plans to be here when the baby’s born.”

“How’s her son doing?”

“Fine. I think Amanda loves being a mom.”

“I’m not surprised,” Hedon said. “She was the best admiral I had. I’m sure she’ll put the same effort into motherhood.”

Janice could tell Hedon was anxious to get back to studying Jeremy’s information. “Dinner will be ready shortly. I’ll keep it warm for you, if you need more time.”

“Thanks,” Hedon said, standing up and giving Janice a quick kiss. “I’ll be in soon.”

Hedon stared as Janice left, closing the door behind her. Taking a deep breath, he watched one more time the quick battle between Jeremy’s three ships and the Simulin escort cruiser. He winced as the Nemesis was hit, knowing Human lives had been lost. From the tactics of the three Federation ships, Hedon was almost certain Ariel was involved. He was saddened to know he would never speak to the two AIs again. They’d developed interesting personalities over the years.

Letting out a deep breath, he looked down at some notes on his desk. Somehow or another he needed to get help to Jeremy and more ships to Admiral Tolsen. He looked at the list of people Tolsen had sent copies of the data to. Several more needed to be apprised of the danger that might soon be coming their way, since he didn’t have a single ship under his command. It was time to send out more hyperspace messages and hope his words of concern would be heard and acted upon.

-

Deep in the Triangulum Galaxy in the cluster of blue giants, the Avenger and her task group had stopped at a T Tauri star, still reeling from the loss of the Nemesis.

“Status?” Jeremy asked, as he let out a deep breath. It had been four days since the loss of the strikecruiser. He didn’t think he would ever get used to losing people under his command.

“We’re clear. No contacts,” Kevin answered, as he looked closely at his sensors. “All other ships of the task group have exited hyperspace.”

This was their second hyperspace dropout since withdrawing from the blue giant system. It still galled Jeremy that they had to leave behind all that valuable equipment. He’d witnessed its destruction on the ship’s viewscreens, as part of it was destroyed by Simulin energy beams and the rest by the nuclear self-destructs they contained. The Simulins would learn nothing from the wreckage.

“Jeremy, Admiral Barnes is requesting we stay here for several hours. Andram would like to make some astrometric scans of an anomaly they detected deep in the blue giant cluster,” reported Angela, as she listened to the message from the Distant Horizon.

“How?” asked Commander Kyla Malen, looking confused. “Their long-range sensors are nearly as limited as ours from the ionization of the nebula and the radiation.”

“They have astronomical instruments they can use,” Ariel explained. “The Astrometrics department on the Distant Horizon is capable of penetrating the radiation and even the less dense areas of hydrogen. You must remember, while the ship is indeed a dreadnought, it was also designed as an exploration ship.”

“Grayseth wants to know when we’ll be jumping,” Angela added, as several more messages came across her console. “He’s worried the Simulins will be searching for us.”

Jeremy activated his ship-to-ship minicomm so he could speak to all the commanders at once, including the AIs. “We’ll be staying in this system for two hours to allow the Distant Horizon to investigate an anomaly they’ve found. The task group is in no danger at this time. Once the two hours are up, we’ll resume jumping to Gaia.”

“Two hours,” Commander Malen said, sounding concerned. “It’s risky waiting two hours while the Simulins are hunting for us.”

“Keep the task group at Condition Two,” Jeremy ordered, fully in agreement with Kyla but also curious about the anomaly Andram mentioned. Jeremy strongly suspected the venerated Alton scientist wouldn’t be putting the task group at risk without a good reason.

“What type of anomaly is Andram investigating?” Commander Malen asked Ariel.

“Clarissa says it’s at the heart of the cluster of blue giants and is giving off more energy than the entire cluster combined.”

“What can possibly do that?” asked Kevin, arching his eyebrow. “Is there a black hole in the center?”

“Dark energy,” answered Ariel, her eyes narrowing as she ran several simulations accounting for the reported energy variation. “Dark energy comprises about 70 percent of the known universe and dark matter about 26 percent. Dark energy is a property of space and makes the universe expand at an ever-increasing rate. It’s explained by Einstein’s cosmological constant.”

“Knew I shouldn’t have skipped that course at the academy,” muttered Kevin.

“Dark energy and dark matter still aren’t understood very well,” Commander Malen commented. “The Altons may have a better working knowledge, since they’ve made many more observations along those lines than we have.”

“I just wonder why it’s here,” said Jeremy. “And I’m not liking where my thoughts are going.”

“What if the Simulins have found a way to harness dark energy?” asked Commander Malen with concern in her voice. “It would be a very powerful energy source.”

“One that could possibly power an intergalactic network of spatial vortices,” Ariel said, as she calculated the energy the Simulins might draw upon. “Such power would allow them to make regular transits between galaxies, much more so than what the blue giants provide.”

“Or send an invasion fleet,” responded Jeremy, more worried this time. He looked at a viewscreen, focused on the Distant Horizon. He wondered just what Andram was studying. Jeremy had a feeling he wouldn’t like it.

-

Katie was standing next to Kelsey, as they listened to Andram and Shilum arguing over what Astrometrics had reported. Mikow had helped run some computer simulations, which involved higher math than anything Katie was familiar with. Even Clarissa was confused by the Altons’ discussions.

“I don’t like this,” Katie said nervously. “Every time we find something new, it’s always bad.” She wished Kevin were here, but he was on the Avenger with Jeremy and Angela.

“We’re safe for now,” Kelsey answered reassuringly. “I already have the next two sets of jump coordinates programmed into Navigation.”

Katie nodded. The main viewscreen showed a simulation from Astrometrics of what was in the center of the blue giant star cluster: nothing. No light, no radiation, nothing, just a dead area. She felt a cold shiver spread across her shoulders. That area of darkness frightened her. She had a feeling something terrifying would happen there, which would affect her for the rest of her life.

-

“Dark energy?” Shilum said, running her slim right hand through her white hair. “I don’t believe the Simulins are advanced enough to harness it as a power source. Even our own scientists are years away from such a venture.”

“But we’re not on a war footing, like the Simulins are,” countered Andram. “Most of our people are pacifists, and, while we have a thirst for knowledge, it’s not driven as it may be with the Simulins.”

Shilum looked down at her computer screen and the region of nothingness it displayed. “That area’s nearly three light-years across. It’s full of both dark energy and dark matter.”

Andram nodded his head. “It can’t be a natural occurrence.”

“But how?” demanded Shilum. “It would take a tremendous power source to attempt to tap dark energy. Even with our Fusion Five reactors, we couldn’t come close to the power needed.”

“They have the power source,” pointed out Andram, gesturing toward the main viewscreen, showing some of the blue giant stars. Most were hidden by clouds of hydrogen gas.

“The energy collectors we found around the blue giant star,” uttered Shilum, as she considered the ramifications. “You think they have such a system set up around all of them?”

“I do,” Andram replied.

Shilum spent a long minute gazing at the screen before shifting her focus back to Andram. “We need to find out what’s there. If the Simulins are using dark energy as a power source, they could travel anywhere they want in the nearby galaxies. This also implies their technology is on a level with ours, if not slightly higher.” Alton science was supreme in the home galaxy, but it was becoming rapidly apparent it might not be supreme in this one.

Andram nodded in agreement. “This may be our only chance. I’ll speak to Rear Admiral Barnes to see if we can divert the Distant Horizon for a little side trip.”

-

“They want to do what?” exploded Jeremy, staring in disbelief at Ariel.

Ariel looked unabashedly at Jeremy. “The Altons on board the Distant Horizon want to take the ship to the center of the blue giant cluster to investigate an area of dark energy and dark matter, which the Simulins might be using to power an intergalactic spatial vortex system.”

“We can’t let them do it,” said Commander Malen, shaking her head in denial. “The Simulins are already looking for us, and it would be too dangerous to travel deeper into the cluster. Hell, we may have a hard enough time just escaping from the nebula.”

Kevin looked at Jeremy. “We’ve already lost the Nemesis. We could lose the entire task group if we do this.”

“Not the entire task group,” Ariel said softly. “Only the Distant Horizon. The exploration dreadnought is the only ship that might be able to reach the center of the cluster and get out without detection. The ship’s also powerful enough to defend herself, if necessary.”

Jeremy leaned back in his command chair and let out a deep breath. He closed his eyes briefly, as he considered the dangers of sending the Distant Horizon on this mission alone. He tried to keep his personal feelings out of it, since Kelsey and Katie were aboard the ship. Opening his eyes, he realized he didn’t have a choice. If this area of dark energy was where the Simulins conducted their intergalactic operations, Jeremy needed to find out.

“You’re going to do it, aren’t you?” Kevin said, his eyes narrowing accusingly. “Katie and Kelsey are aboard that ship!”

“I know,” replied Jeremy, with an ache in his heart. “If we send more ships, it will only endanger the mission.”

“I have Rear Admiral Barnes on the comm,” Angela reported.

Jeremy activated his minicomm, having reached a decision. He felt the lonely weight of command on his shoulders. He would approve the mission, even though he was putting his wife and Katie in jeopardy. He would endure a number of sleepless nights, waiting for the exploration dreadnought to return.

“Admiral Barnes, I understand you have a request you want to make,” Jeremy said with a deep sigh. He didn’t look at Kevin, knowing his best friend was deeply concerned for the danger his wife was about to be placed in. Jeremy just hoped he was making the right decision, sending the Distant Horizon. If something were to happen to the ship, he would never forgive himself, and it would also probably cost him his best friend.

Chapter Nine

The Distant Horizon came out of its sixth hyperspace jump on the outskirts of a blue giant system. It was the closest star to the area of dark matter and dark energy that the ship had detected earlier. The rest of the task group was waiting at the T Tauri star for the ship’s return, once its clandestine mission was completed.

“Get me a status report,” ordered Rear Admiral Kathryn Barnes, as the ship’s systems came online. The brief hesitation in the ship’s systems, due to exiting the vortex, always made her feel uneasy. “The ship will stay at Condition One until further notice.”

On her command console, she saw that the stealth shield had activated and was functioning normally. They’d come out far enough so the shield and the ship’s thick armor would protect them from the star’s intense radiation.

“This system is relatively free of hydrogen,” commented Commander Grissim, as she consulted some of the screens on her command console. Data was scrolling over them from the short-range sensors. “Our scans should cover the entire system.”

“What about our long-range sensors?”

“Still blocked by the dark matter,” Andram answered, as he turned around from his science station. “We don’t have anything that can penetrate it.”

“What will happen if we try to enter the area using our hyperdrive?”

“That’s unknown,” Shilum responded, her forehead creasing in a frown. “We have no experience using hyperdrives under such conditions.”

“There may be a way to find out,” commented Clarissa. She’d been doing some calculations and had come up with several interesting facts. “The Simulin energy-collection stations probably use a spatial vortex to transmit the energy they’ve gathered to this area of space. If they have a way to safely use hyperspace to transmit energy, we could use the same method for the Distant Horizon.”

“I have the results from our first scans,” reported Captain Reynolds. “There are ten Simulin energy-collection stations around the star. I’m also detecting what appear to be two Simulin warships in the same orbit as the stations.”

“They may have sent ships to all the blue giant systems to protect the stations after detecting our presence,” added Colonel Leon. “The Simulins are concerned about our presence here.”

“Unfortunately they might detect us, if they noticed the energy surge when our exit vortex formed,” Kathryn said, worried. “Helm, turn us 180 degrees starboard, three-quarters sublight. I want to put some additional distance between us and the Simulins.”

“Admiral, we need to continue to observe this system,” Andram said. “If Clarissa is correct, and I believe she is, all we need to do is wait for these stations to activate a vortex and see if we can detect its end point.”

Kathryn looked at the nearby tactical display, showing the system. No planets or asteroids were visible. Twelve glowing red threat icons were displayed. Two had triangles around them, designating Simulin warships. So far there had been no obvious reaction to the Distant Horizon entering the star system. Possibly, due to the Simulin ships’ nearness to the star, their sensors might also be affected by the intense radiation and hadn’t detected the appearance of the hyperspace vortex.

“Continue on course,” ordered Kathryn. As long as the Simulins gave no signs of having detected the Distant Horizon, she was willing to risk staying in the outskirts of the system.

“We are able to scan 50 percent of the area around the dark matter,” Clarissa reported. “Our scans can’t penetrate even the outer regions, but, if a spatial vortex forms in close proximity to the area, we should be able to detect it.”

“So what now?” asked Colonel Leon, shifting her gaze from the tactical display to the admiral.

“We wait,” replied Kathryn, folding her arms over her chest. “We’ll stay at Condition One for another hour. If there’s no response from the Simulins, we’ll go down to Condition Three. Clarissa, if we’re at Condition Three and the Simulins attack, you have control of the ship.” She knew the AI could go from Condition Three to Condition One in an instant, whereas it would take the crew several minutes to get to their combat stations.

Clarissa nodded. It pleased her immensely that the admiral trusted her so much.

-

“I can’t believe we’re separated from Kevin and Jeremy again,” complained Katie to Kelsey over their private comm channel. Clarissa kept a secure channel between the three of them open at all times.

“I know,” Kelsey replied. “I’m sure Jeremy wasn’t pleased about our mission.”

“No special treatment,” Clarissa reminded the two of them. “That was one of the conditions both of you agreed to, in order to stay on the Distant Horizon.” What Clarissa didn’t mention was that she would give preferential treatment to the two women anytime she felt it was necessary, even if it meant going against Rear Admiral Barnes’s orders. Ariel would do the same for Jeremy, Kevin, and Angela.

“We know,” answered Katie, with a sigh. “We just didn’t expect to be going on a mission like this one.”

“I’ll protect you,” Clarissa declared. “You have nothing to fear.”

“We know you’ll keep us safe,” Katie said. Every day Clarissa sounded more and more like the old Clarissa. There’d been a time, after her memory crystal had been damaged, when Katie doubted that would ever happen.

-

Kelsey looked in front of her at the massive viewscreen, which covered the front wall of the Command Center. It was currently focused on the dark matter nebula, and all it showed was an area of emptiness where stars should be.

“It’s frightening to look at, isn’t it?” commented Andram, glancing at Kelsey.

“I’ve never seen anything like it before,” Kelsey replied. “In all my studies at the academy and my actual space time with the fleet, we’ve never encountered dark matter or dark energy that might be dangerous. We know it’s there. It’s everywhere. But it’s usually so spread out that it has no effects on hyperspace travel.”

“That we’re aware of,” Andram reminded her. “Shilum believes dark matter may play a limiting role in how fast our ships can travel in hyperspace.”

Kelsey looked at Andram in confusion. Some very complicated mathematical formulas were used to compute hyperspace jumps. “Do you mean to tell me the hyperspace formulas take into account the effects of dark matter?”

“You know the swirling deep purple colors we see while we’re in hyperspace?”

“Yes,” Kelsey answered. “They’re comforting in some ways, since we can’t be attacked in that realm. They’re also frightening, because no one really knows what causes them.”

“Shilum believes it’s the interaction of hyperspace upon dark matter at faster-than-light speeds which causes the colors. I’m sure you’ve noticed that, when the Distant Horizon is traveling at top speed, the colors seem more turbulent.”

Kelsey nodded; she had noticed that. “What about dark energy? What does it do?”

Andram hesitated. “We’re not sure. Dark energy is a property of space. As the universe continues to expand, more dark energy comes into existence. The spatial vortices we create tear a hole in space and push away the dark energy. That’s one reason why vortices collapse so rapidly once we quit applying energy. Dark energy rushes back in and fills the void we briefly created.”

Kelsey’s eyes returned to the viewscreen. “What does it mean if the Simulins have learned how to harness dark matter or dark energy?”

“We could be in serious trouble,” Andram said, his face taking on a troubled look. “My own people are years away from such a feat. If the Simulins are indeed that advanced, they’re using a power we can only dimly grasp.”

Kelsey leaned back in her chair, lost in thought. If Andram was right, then it would be wise for them to return to Gaia and never venture forth into the Triangulum Galaxy again. In their early battles with the Simulins, they had been fortunate to survive. By now the Simulins would have a basic understanding of the capabilities of the lost fleets’ ships, even though there had been changes. She was aware some newer ship designs were planned. When they returned to Gaia, she intended to have a long talk with Jeremy. She wanted to know exactly how safe he thought they were in the nebula.

-

Rear Admiral Barnes was in Engineering, speaking to Assistant Chief Engineer Betrem Jalat, the Alton who was very knowledgeable about the ship’s hyperdrive as well as the Fusion Five reactors. He’d helped in the design of the new hyperdrive.

“So you don’t believe the Simulins are opening up a vortex in the center of the dark matter area?” Kathryn asked. The two had been discussing the mysterious area of space at the heart of the blue giant cluster for several minutes.

Betrem slowly shook his head. He was slightly taller than Kathryn and could be considered short for an Alton. Most Altons were easily over six feet tall. “I don’t think it’s possible,” he answered. “It would take a tremendous amount of energy. I can’t even estimate how much without getting into some serious hyperspace mathematics.”

Kathryn grew more confused. She began to believe this mission was a serious mistake. If they couldn’t travel in hyperspace through the dark matter, then how could the Simulins be using it to power a network of intergalactic portals?

“Then the Simulins can’t be opening up vortices inside the dark matter area?” she asked, trying to understand what Betrem was telling her.

“Not regular spatial vortices,” Betrem replied, his eyes narrowing. “You misunderstand. An intergalactic vortex uses a higher band of hyperspace for travel. It’s how we can get such tremendous speeds to make a transit seem almost instantaneous. To access the higher bands takes a vast amount of energy, and the dark matter will have a smaller effect. With enough power to open up a spatial vortex to travel at the higher levels, it would be possible to travel through hydrogen nebulas, even densely packed ones, such as what we have here in NGC 604.”

Kathryn nodded. She vaguely understood what Betrem was telling her. She would ask Andram or Shilum for more details later. For now she was satisfied the mission needed to continue. Whatever was at the center of the area of dark matter, the Distant Horizon and its crew had to find it.

“Admiral Barnes, please report to the Command Center,” Commander Grissim spoke over the ship’s comm system. “We have detected a spatial vortex in the system.”

Kathryn flipped on her minicomm and replied, “On my way.” It had been two days since they’d arrived at this blue giant system. Kathryn had begun to wonder just how long it would be before the energy collectors in the system activated. The Distant Horizon couldn’t hang around forever. Every hour they stayed increased the risk of detection.

After taking several turbolifts and walking through the short corridor to the Command Center, Kathryn stepped inside to find a much higher level of activity than when she’d left. “Report,” she ordered, as she approached her command chair.

“One of the energy collectors formed a spatial vortex twelve minutes ago,” replied Commander Grissim, as she stepped closer to the admiral. “It’s generating a tremendous amount of energy. Andram and Shilum feel all ten collecting stations are linked through hyperspace in some way. They haven’t been able to detect how, but the amount of energy sent into the vortex seems to validate that belief.”

“Where’s the energy going?” asked Kathryn. Perhaps now they could find a way into the dark matter region.

“Here,” Captain Reynolds answered, as he activated one of the tactical hologram displays. On one edge of the dark region, a red icon flashed. “That’s the emergence point. It’s 6.7 light-years from our current location.”

Kathryn looked at Kelsey. “Plot a jump for us, maximum hyperdrive speed. Commander Grissim, take the ship to Condition One. Let’s see if we’ve found a way into the dark matter region.”

Commander Grissim nodded. Almost instantly alarms sounded, and the Condition One announcement was made.

The anxiety in the Command Center increased, as the crew realized they were probably about to jump in close proximity to the Simulins, not knowing what might be waiting for them when they exited the vortex.

“Hyperjump plotted, and the course has been sent to the Helm,” Kelsey reported. “Due to the lower levels of gas in the area, we can travel at 1.2 light-years every three minutes. It will take us less than sixteen minutes to reach our destination.”

“Hyperdrive is charged and ready for activation,” reported Lieutenant Parker.

“Let’s go find us some Simulins,” ordered Kathryn, feeling her pulse race. “Lieutenant Parker, activate the hyperdrive. Lieutenant Styles, take us into the vortex!”

The ship suddenly charged ahead, as a swirling blue-white vortex formed. The Distant Horizon flashed up to the vortex and entered its center. Moments later, the vortex collapsed, leaving no sign of the ship.

-

Back in the T Tauri system, Kevin watched his sensors anxiously. So far the Simulins hadn’t located them, and there was still no sign of the Distant Horizon.

“It’ll be several days yet before they’re back,” Ariel said, seeing the stress on Kevin’s face. “Clarissa is with them, and she’ll keep Katie and Kelsey safe.”

“I know she will,” answered Kevin, forcing a smile. “I just can’t help worrying about them.”

Kevin’s biggest fear was the Simulins finding the task group before the Distant Horizon returned, forcing the Avenger and the other ships to leave this area. If that happened, then the exploration dreadnought would be on its own for the return trip to Gaia.

“Rear Admiral Barnes is an excellent officer,” Commander Malen added, overhearing the conversation between Kevin and Ariel. “She demonstrated that in getting the Distant Horizon safely to us. I’m sure she can handle anything the Simulins might throw at them. If not, she can always run away. The exploration dreadnought is the fastest ship in our fleet.”

Ariel placed her hand on her hips and nodded. “Jeremy would never have let them go if he thought any harm would come to the ship or its crew.”

Kevin let out a deep sigh, while his focus stayed on his sensor screens. Nine green icons showed the disposition of the task group. The Avenger was in the center of a small circle of warships. His eyes were drawn to one of the icons, Grayseth’s flagship, the Warrior’s Pride. Jeremy had gone to the ship to meet with Grayseth.

-

On the Warrior’s Pride Jeremy was in the midst of a long conversation with his friend and fellow clan member, Grayseth. They were discussing the ramifications of what would happen when the information they’d placed in the computer of the Alton probe reached the Federation.

“My people will do everything in their power to come to our aid,” Grayseth boomed in his loud, rumbling voice. “Once Malrez discovers we’re still alive, he will throw all the might of Careth into mounting a rescue effort.”

“But they don’t have the power to send a major fleet through,” pointed out Jeremy, shaking his head. “They have a single capacitor station, and it’s too dangerous to send one or two ships at a time. The Simulins would pick them off as soon as they emerged from the vortex.”

“My people will find a way,” Grayseth said, reaching out and putting one of his large hands upon Jeremy’s shoulder. “It is the way of the hunt and of the clans. My people will never abandon us.”

“Nevertheless, when we return to Gaia, there will be no more trips outside the nebula,” Jeremy said with determination in his voice. “We’ll keep a couple stealthed AI ships in a gas giant near the Sigma System to signal us at any signs of a vortex appearing there. Other than that we won’t be sending any ships outside the nebula for the foreseeable future.” While Jeremy thought the odds of additional ships coming through the intergalactic vortex were low, it might be wise to continue to monitor the Sigma System, in case the Federation sent its own message probe through.

Grayseth was silent for a moment, as the large Bear eyed his Human friend. “It is a wise decision. I fear, if we continue the hunt, our forces will gradually be reduced to the point where we might not be able to defend Gaia. It is a good world, and our people will do well there. Someday, when we are stronger, we will return to the hunt and drive the Simulins from this galaxy.”

“Someday,” Jeremy responded. If that day were to come, it would be far in the future. Jeremy doubted if he would live long enough to see it.

-

Kathryn felt a wrenching sensation in her stomach as the Distant Horizon dropped out of hyperspace. For a brief moment all the systems in the ship hesitated, as the effects of exiting the spatial vortex spread through the exploration dreadnought. Then the systems came back online, and the stealth energy shield snapped into existence, hiding the ship from detection.

“Status!”

“All systems are online and working at optimum levels,” Commander Grissim answered, as she checked her command console and listened to the different departments report in over her minicomm.

“Sensors!”

“Activated,” replied Captain Reynolds. “Contacts!”

Kathryn’s eyes narrowed sharply. “What do we have?”

“A massive structure at twelve million kilometers,” Reynolds answered. “The damn thing is over seven hundred kilometers in diameter!”

“That’s bigger than the AIs’ Central Nexus!” Colonel Leon gasped, her eyes widening in disbelief.

On the large viewscreen a highly magnified view of the construct appeared. It was a massive globe with giant energy-collection dishes in a circle around its midsection. Huge antennas and other constructions covered the other areas of its surface.

“It’s heavily armed,” reported Clarissa, as she analyzed the data coming from the sensors. “There are hundreds of large energy cannons in six concentric rings around the station.”

“With the power I suspect they have available, we don’t dare approach too close to those weapons,” added Andram, as he looked at some of the data. “The energy beams could easily penetrate our main energy shield.”

“Look at the screen!” said Commander Grissim excitedly.

Everyone’s eyes shifted to see a small vortex open and a beam of energy shoot out to strike one of the large dish collectors. For a full minute, the vortex stayed open. Then the beam stopped, and the vortex collapsed.

“There’s a path through the dark matter cloud,” reported Captain Reynolds, studying his sensor data. “It extends all the way to the center.”

“Plot a jump,” ordered Kathryn, taking a deep breath. She might be putting the ship in danger, but the only way to find out what was in the dark matter cloud was to reach its center.

“Clarissa, I’ll need some help,” said Kelsey, as she examined the data on her computer screen.

The tunnel reached all the way to the center of the dark matter cloud. It was 1.6 light-years long and seemed to end in an open area free of dark matter. However, the tunnel was only twelve million kilometers in diameter. The ship would have to travel down the narrow corridor. If it touched the walls of dark matter during its trip through hyperspace, the Distant Horizon could be violently thrown out of that higher dimension and could be seriously damaged or even destroyed.

Kelsey set up the necessary hyperspace equations and, with Clarissa’s help, soon had a course plotted. Once she was satisfied they could safely travel through the tunnel, she turned toward Admiral Barnes. “The course is set, but I should warn you. If we encounter a Simulin vessel coming down the corridor, we could be thrown into the dark matter wall. Also, if that huge energy-collection station activates a vortex and releases its energy into hyperspace through the corridor, our ship could be destroyed. I’ve plotted our course to one side and perilously close to the dark matter wall to reduce the possibility of that happening.”

“Any signs we’ve been detected?” Kathryn was concerned the Simulins might have spotted the Distant Horizon when the ship exited the spatial vortex.

“I’ve located six Simulin battlecruisers and ten escort cruisers near the station,” reported Captain Reynolds, as he looked at the red threat icons now showing up on one of the tactical displays. “Four of them are breaking orbit from around the energy-collection station and seem to be heading in our direction.”

“Probably detected our exit vortex,” Commander Grissim said, as her eyes focused intently on the tactical display.

They didn’t need to get in a battle with the Simulins, if they could avoid it.

“Take us into hyperspace,” ordered Kathryn. They were committed now.

Instantly in front of the Distant Horizon a swirling blue-white vortex formed. Lieutenant Styles sent the ship hurtling rapidly toward its center with some unknown aid from Clarissa. Their course had to be dead-on when they hit the vortex, and she was making sure it was.

The trip down the corridor was harrowing for the crew in the Command Center; they knew at any moment they could encounter a Simulin ship coming from the opposite direction. If they did, their ship could be knocked out of hyperspace and into the dark matter wall. Even if they survived, it would only be a matter of a few minutes before other Simulin ships arrived in the area.

A few moments after entering hyperspace, the Distant Horizon flew out of the exit vortex.

“Full stop!” ordered Kathryn, as the systems came online, and warning alarms sounded. Her eyes focused on the large viewscreen, but all it showed was darkness. No light, no sign of other ships, just a vast, empty nothingness.

“Where are we?” asked Colonel Leon.

Kathryn had never seen anything like this before. It was a frightening sensation not to be able to see any light.

“Inside the dark matter cloud,” uttered Commander Grissim grimly.

“I’m picking up numerous Simulin ships, hundreds of them!” warned Captain Reynolds, as red threat icons appeared on the tactical display.

“Our stealth shield?” inquired Kathryn. With that many ships, the Simulins would detect the Distant Horizon quickly, if their shield wasn’t working.

“It’s up,” Clarissa answered. “However, I would recommend moving away from our exit point as the Simulins might have detected the vortex.”

“Move us away at two-thirds sublight,” Kathryn ordered, as she considered what the ship’s sensors were detecting.

“I have something on the sensors, but it doesn’t make any sense,” Captain Reynolds said, a look of confusion on his face.

“Why is that?” Kathryn asked Reynolds.

“It’s too big,” Reynolds said in a shaken voice. “Nothing can be that big!”

“What are you talking about, Captain?” demanded Kathryn. The man sounded frightened.

“I’m picking up an artificial object with a radius of 1.2 AU.”

“Check your sensors again,” ordered Kathryn with a deep frown. “Clarissa, run a diagnostic. Those numbers can’t be right.” Just what the hell had they stumbled into?

“I’m afraid they are,” Andram said, turning to face Admiral Barnes. He’d been talking to Shilum about the sensor readings. He turned back to his science console and adjusted the viewscreen. Even in the darkness, an area of even deeper blackness appeared. “What you’re detecting is a Dyson Sphere. It completely surrounds the star which Shilum and I suspect is at its heart.”

“A Dyson Sphere?” repeated Kathryn in disbelief. She looked intently at the dark object on the viewscreen. “I thought those are impossible to build. Are you telling me the Simulins have the science to construct one?” If they did, then how could they ever be stopped? That would indicate their science was far in advance of the Federation’s and even the Altons’.

“No, not impossible, just extremely difficult,” Andram replied with a deep sigh. “I’ve made a few additional scans. The Dyson Sphere is at least three million years old, and the Simulins didn’t build it.”

“Then who did?” Kathryn was growing even more confused.

Andram looked at Shilum, who nodded back. “The Originators,” he said in a soft voice. “The Originators built the Dyson Sphere.”

“Originators?” Kathryn repeated, her eyes narrowing. “Who the hell are the Originators?”

“That’s a long story,” Andram replied, his eyes focusing on the admiral. “We didn’t believe anything they built had survived.”

Kathryn looked at the viewscreen and then back at Andram and Shilum. It was obvious they felt uncomfortable talking about these Originators. “I’m waiting.” She strongly suspected she was about to hear more news she wouldn’t like.

Chapter Ten

“The Originators are an ancient race who predates ours by many millennia,” Andram explained. “There’s not a lot known about them.”

“We have a number of Simulin vessels which have changed course and are heading where we exited the vortex,” broke in Captain Reynolds, as he studied his sensors. “They must have detected our exit vortex.”

“How many?” demanded Kathryn.

The Distant Horizon was moving rapidly away from that area, and the ship was in stealth mode. Kathryn knew, if they could put sufficient distance between them and their exit vortex, they might remain undetected. It was a gamble, but they had to learn more about the Dyson Sphere and what the Simulins were doing with it. This was the discovery of a lifetime; she only wished the circumstances were different.

“Twenty-six,” Reynolds replied. “All battlecruiser class.”

“There’s no sign they’ve detected us,” Commander Grissim added, keeping a close watch on the ship’s tactical displays. A group of red threat icons was moving steadily closer.

“Keep me informed,” Kathryn ordered, as her attention shifted back to Andram, wanting to hear more about these Originators. “Sorry for the interruption. You were saying these Originators are an ancient race?”

“Yes, in our early explorations we found evidence of a very advanced culture which once flourished in our galaxy. On several planets we found abandoned cities that, in their prime, would have been larger than the City of Light on Astral. The cities were mostly buried beneath the ground, and only their foundations remained. We did some excavating and found the building material to be far superior to anything we were using at the time.”

“Were there any tools, scientific instruments, or anything that might give us insight into who these people were?”

“We never found anything functional that would be of help,” Shilum said, taking over the conversation. “It was as if the cities had been carefully picked clean of any object or artifact that might give a clue to the science or technology involved.”

“On how many planets did you find evidence of this civilization?”

Shilum looked at Andram before replying. “Hundreds.”

“Hundreds?” Kathryn gasped, her eyes widening. “That’s larger than the Federation and our allies combined.”

“Yes,” Shilum replied with a slight nod of her head. “We estimated a population of three to four hundred billion.”

“What makes you think this Dyson Sphere was made by these Originators?”

“Our scans indicate the metal the sphere is made from contains several special alloys very similar to some we found on the explored planets,” Shilum answered. “No one knows what happened to their race. Many of our leading archeologists believe they died out from a virulent disease that suddenly appeared among their population, though there is no evidence to support that theory. The only thing we do know is they were very advanced, and the ruins on the planets are all from about the same time period.”

“Why do you call them the Originators?” asked Kathryn. She glanced at the tactical displays, seeing the Simulin ships were still inbound. On their present course, they would miss the Distant Horizon by several million kilometers. She could sense a heightened anxiety among the crew as the Simulins drew closer.

Andram picked up the conversation, as he was more familiar with this part than Shilum was. “Until the Originators appeared in our galaxy, only a few spacefaring races were present at any one time, normally no more than six. While many planets teemed with life, the necessary step to bring about intelligent life seems to have been absent from most. We believe the Originators traveled to many of these worlds and used gene splicing and genetic manipulation to bring about the necessary changes to create species more inclined to develop a technological civilization.”

“They played God then,” Commander Grissim commented with a deep frown on her face.

Kathryn knew Anne was from Ceres and how her parents were very religious. She also knew many people didn’t share Anne’s parents’ views. Over the years, the religious fervor of many people had faded, until only the most devout still believed.

“Perhaps,” Andram responded, his eyes taking on a faraway look. “Most civilized cultures have beliefs in a superior being or some type of life after physical death. Even among my own people there is a belief that the consciousness will continue on after the physical form expires, though there is no scientific evidence to support this.”

“That’s a debate which will likely go on forever,” Colonel Leon said. “So what else did these Originators do?”

“In our early days of exploration, we found a few ancient satellites in orbit around some of their worlds,” Andram continued. “They were brought back to Astral, but very little was learned from them. When the satellites were disassembled, we found their insides were burned out. Some of our top scientists and engineers believed that, once the satellites had served their purpose, some type of self-destruct destroyed the advanced technology they contained.”

“Admiral, my scans are picking up strange readings from several locations on the Dyson Sphere,” reported Captain Reynolds. “There are some very large energy spikes showing up on my sensors.”

“Can we magnify those areas and put them up on the main screen?”

“I’ll make the necessary adjustments,” Andram said, turning to touch several icons on one of the screens on his science console.

Instantly the dark area on the screen swelled until only a small section of that titanic construct was displayed. In the center of the screen, a swirling white vortex appeared.

“It that what I think it is?” asked Kathryn, as she studied the object.

“It’s a spatial vortex,” Andram confirmed, as he glanced down at some data coming across his console. “It’s also of intergalactic range.”

“I’m picking up four such vortices on the side of the sphere we can see,” Captain Reynolds reported. “There may be more on the other side.”

“When did they first appear?” asked Kathryn.

“I think they’ve been there all along,” Reynolds responded.

“Where are they getting the power?” asked Commander Grissim. “Even the AIs couldn’t keep their vortex open for more than a few minutes.”

“From the star inside the Dyson Sphere,” Shilum answered. “From my estimates the sphere would intercept 2,695 yottawatts of the star’s energy output.”

“There’s the extra energy the Simulins are collecting from the two hundred or so blue giant stars in this cluster,” Andram added. “They may also be tapping into dark energy or even converting the dark matter into a power source.”

“Lieutenant Styles, put us in orbit around the Dyson Sphere. I want to know how many operational vortices there are.”

Kathryn was growing worried about what the discovery of the active intergalactic vortices might mean. It also concerned her that the Simulins had access to the Dyson Sphere and its advanced technologies. She would give anything if her crew could explore that massive technological wonder.

-

For the next fourteen hours, the Distant Horizon made a circular orbit around the Dyson Sphere, scanning its surface and the Simulin ships hovering about. In doing so, they found three more tunnels through the dark matter cloud, all of which connected to the blue giant cluster outside. During that time, the Simulins searched the area where the Distant Horizon had exited the vortex and then fanned out in a standard search pattern. As time passed, even more Simulin ships joined the search, until over 120 vessels were scanning the space around the Dyson Sphere.

-

“Twenty-seven possible vortex rings are in the hull of the Dyson Sphere,” Andram reported, as he studied all the data they had gathered. “It appears they only keep six or seven activated at all times, probably due to energy constraints.”

“All of intergalactic scope?” asked Kathryn. If they were, then the Simulins were even more widespread than originally believed.

“It appears that way,” answered Andram, with a crease on his wide forehead. “The bigger question is, are all those vortex rings connected to other Dyson Spheres?”

“That would give them access to a tremendous amount of Originator technology,” Shilum pointed out worriedly. “There may be other intact Originator artifacts in those galaxies.”

“We also detected 412 Simulin warships around the Dyson Sphere,” added Commander Grissim.

“Plus whatever ships may be inside,” pointed out Colonel Leon. “There could be thousands within the sphere.”

“What’s the current status of the Simulin search?” asked Kathryn, looking at Captain Reynolds.

“Still no sign they’ve detected us,” he reported. “However, the Simulins are in the process of moving ships to block the four tunnels which lead out.”

“They’re probably doing the same outside the dark matter cloud as well,” commented Commander Grissim.

Pursing her lips, Kathryn worried about how they would escape their current predicament.

-

Kelsey gazed at the viewscreen, then she heard Katie’s voice over their private channel. “I wonder if one of those vortices connects to our home galaxy?”

It was something Kelsey hadn’t thought of. Was there a way home right here in front of them? “Possibly,” she replied after a moment. “But how would we ever access it? I don’t think it would be practical to bring the fleets here.”

“Simulin energy cannons are mounted around the vortex rings,” Clarissa informed them. “Any type of near approach with the fleets would result in catastrophic losses.”

“With this Dyson Sphere the Simulins could easily mount an invasion of our home galaxy,” Kelsey said, as she began to fully realize the ramifications of what they’d discovered. Jeremy will be really upset when he heard about this.

“At least we got the probe launched,” Katie said. “It will give them some warning of what might be coming their way.”

“But will it do any good?” Kelsey asked poignantly. “The Federation and its allies have enough problems acclimating all the worlds which were once Hocklyn slave planets. Where would they find the resources or the ships to hold back the Simulins?”

Katie didn’t respond. She didn’t know the answer.

“I’m sure Jeremy will be highly interested in our discovery,” Kelsey said. “The only problem is, I don’t see anything we can do about it.”

-

“How do we get out?” asked Commander Grissim, looking back at the admiral. “Any way we go, we’ll encounter Simulin ships.”

“They’ll detect us when we activate our hyperdrive,” Clarissa informed them. “They’ll have time to react to that.”

“How much time?” Kathryn asked.

“Approximately twenty-two seconds,” Clarissa replied. She closed her deep blue eyes briefly, as if in deep concentration, and then opened them. “I would recommend we creep up as close as we can to these three Simulin ships here.” On one of the tactical displays, three red icons blinked. “We drop our stealth shield, activate our main energy screen, and fire our particle beam cannons and power beams at these Simulin ships. If we can take them by surprise, we just might be able to establish the vortex, fly into it, and jump into hyperspace, before they can respond.”

“That’ll take some careful timing,” commented Colonel Leon.

Kathryn knew the crew could do it, but just one slipup could mean disaster. She let out a deep breath. She knew what needed to be done. “Clarissa, if I turn over control of the ship to you, can you get us out?”

A look of pleased surprise crossed the AI’s youthful face. “Yes, Admiral,” she responded. “However, there may be more Simulin ships waiting outside the dark matter cloud.”

“We’ll deal with them when we get there,” declared Kathryn. She’d made up her mind, and it was time to go.

-

It took nearly two hours for Clarissa to maneuver the ship into the position she wanted. Carefully monitoring the ship’s stealth systems, and seeing to it that energy emissions and other system emissions were held to a minimum, the AI brought the ship to a halt within just a few thousand kilometers of the three ships she intended to target.

The Command Center was unusually quiet with the large viewscreen focused on the narrow tunnel, which was their escape route.

“Damn, those ships are close!” spoke Commander Grissim, sounding very worried as she gazed at the nearby tactical display. “They could detect us at any time.”

“That’s why we’re not staying long,” declared Clarissa, as she powered up the ship’s weapon systems.

-

The three Simulin battlecruisers were part of a blockade force ensuring the unknown interloper could not flee down the energy corridor. Two unconfirmed reports of a single unscheduled vortex opening at the energy-collection station outside the dark matter cloud and one inside the cloud near one Simulin ship’s present position had been detected. For hours the Simulin fleet had searched, but no trace had been picked up of an interloping vessel. The search would continue until every kilometer of space around the ancient artifact was pronounced clear.

Alarms abruptly sounded on all three Simulin battlecruisers as a glaring red contact suddenly appeared in the midst of the three patrolling ships. Weapons systems went hot as automatic targeting systems found and locked on the nearby ship. The interloper had been located!

-

“Firing!” reported Clarissa. “Activating hyperdrive.”

The two bow particle beam cannons locked on and fired upon the Simulin ship farthest away. At the same time, ten power beam turrets on the main hull of the exploration dreadnought fired upon a second enemy vessel. Space was suddenly full of deadly energy beams seeking to destroy their targets.

Four power beams struck a Simulin energy shield, causing it to erupt in a fusillade of colors, as it struggled against the sudden onslaught of energy. The shield shifted and wavered, then two beams flashed through the fluctuating shield, blasting deep holes in the ship’s hull. Moments later the other two beams penetrated, and a massive explosion rocked the Simulin vessel. The enemy ship’s Engineering section was hit, and it suddenly went dead in space as it lost its power. Detecting this sudden weakness, Clarissa launched two sublight Devastator Three missiles, and the Simulin ship ceased to be, as it was blown apart.

The second Simulin ship rocked under the weaker attack of the Distant Horizon’s secondary power beams. Two beams managed to penetrate causing minor damage but its shield managed to hold.

“Vortex is opening,” reported Lieutenant Parker, as a blue-white vortex formed in front of the Distant Horizon.

“Accelerating into the vortex,” reported Clarissa. She winced as the unharmed Simulin vessel fired its powerful energy beams at the exploration dreadnought. Their ship shook violently, and several red lights appeared on the Damage Control board. Then they were in the vortex and on their way down the tunnel.

Almost before the crew could relax, the ship exited the end vortex, reappearing in normal space.

“Contacts!” yelled Captain Reynolds, as the ship rocked violently, and alarms sounded.

“Multiple breaches along the forward hull. We’re venting atmosphere,” the Damage Control officer reported.

“Firing full spread of Devastator Threes,” responded Clarissa, as she turned the ship away from the approaching Simulin battlecruisers.

“We have twelve Simulin battlecruisers bearing down on us,” reported Captain Reynolds, as the glaring red threat icons appeared in the two tactical displays.

“Energy shield is up,” reported Commander Grissim. “Damage repair crews are en route to the damaged areas.”

On the large viewscreen, space suddenly lit up as eight Devastator Three missiles detonated just short of the Simulin vessels.

“The missiles detonated prematurely,” uttered Colonel Leon angrily.

“No,” replied Clarissa, as she rapidly accelerated the ship. “I used them to blind their targeting sensors. Stand by for hyperspace entry.”

“At this speed?” said Commander Grissim with worry spreading across her face. “It’s impossible!”

“Not for me,” Clarissa grated out, as she activated the ship’s hyperdrive and hit the swirling vortex just as it was forming.

Kathryn heard the ship scream in pain and the sound of grinding metal, and then the deep purple colors of hyperspace appeared on the big viewscreen.

“Get me a ship status,” she ordered. Looking at Clarissa, Kathryn saw the strained look on the AI’s face.

“You did well, Clarissa,” Kathryn said sympathetically. “No one else could have gotten us out of that mess.”

Clarissa nodded. She’d just checked, and sixteen crewmembers were missing from the forward sections where the Simulin energy beams had hit. It pained her to know she had been the cause of their deaths.

“We have six compartments open to space,” reported Colonel Leon, as she spoke to the Damage Control teams responding to that section of the ship. “Two power beam turrets are damaged and have ceased functioning, as well as four energy beam turrets. There’s no way to tell how bad the damage is until we send someone out to inspect the actual hull.”

Kathryn nodded. “Clarissa, do you have any cameras on the outer hull in that area that can show us the damage?” There was no way they could send someone out on an EVA while in hyperspace.

“Checking now,” the AI replied, as she checked the numerous cameras on the hull of the exploration dreadnought.

Suddenly on the main viewscreen, the damaged area came into view. As the camera panned over it, Kathryn felt her heart stop. A massive, glowing hole—easily twenty meters in diameter—was carved into the hull. Three smaller rips in the hull were nearby.

“Damn,” Major Weir uttered, as he looked at the damage. “That’s definitely an energy beam hit.”

“We can only seal off the affected areas,” Commander Grissim said with a grimace. “It will take a fleet repair ship or the Clan Protector to repair that damage.”

“There used to be a power beam turret there,” added Major Weir. “I believe the power cables to the other power beam turret and the energy turrets have been destroyed. They ran through the compartment directly beneath that energy beam strike.”

“I’ll see if I can reroute the power,” Colonel Leon said, as she moved to a console. “I should be able to do it from here.”

Kathryn nodded. “Do what you can. I’m not certain we’ve seen the last of the Simulins.”

-

Kelsey and Katie looked with concern at one another. They were on their way back to Jeremy and Kevin, but were they leading the Simulins to the task group as well? Neither said anything; they had been friends for so long they didn’t need to say any words. Both knew what the other was thinking.

-

Ariel was watching the sensors with a frown. At any time the Distant Horizon could be returning, and the task group would then return to Gaia. Checking on Kevin, she saw his eyes were focused intently on the sensors as well. Her friend was deeply concerned about the danger the exploration dreadnought might be in. Ariel wished all five of her friends were on board the Avenger, but she knew Clarissa would do everything in her power to protect Kelsey and Katie.

She was about to say something to Kevin when the ship’s sensors picked up a sudden energy spike.

“Spatial vortex forming four million kilometers off our port side,” called out Kevin in an excited voice.

Ariel watched intently as a ship exited the vortex. “It’s the Distant Horizon,” she announced happily. The ship had made it back, and she was already establishing communications with Clarissa.

“More vortices forming!” warned Kevin, his eyes growing wide with fear at the implications.

“Simulin battlecruisers are emerging around the Distant Horizon,” Ariel reported, as she sounded the Condition One alarm. “The Distant Horizon has also been damaged.”

“Power up all weapons,” ordered Commander Malen, as Jeremy came bursting into the Command Center. “All task group ships prepare to go to the Distant Horizon’s aid.”

“Status!” barked Jeremy, seeing the single green icon surrounded by over a dozen red blips.

“It’s the Distant Horizon,” reported Ariel grimly. “A short time after they emerged from hyperspace, fourteen Simulin ships showed up. They are circled around the exploration dreadnought. There’s also a large hole in the Distant Horizon’s hull from what appears to be an energy beam strike.”

Jeremy took a deep breath and then sat down in his command chair. Activating his fleet-wide minicomm, he spoke to the ships of the task group. “All ships prepare to do a short hyperjump to the Distant Horizon’s location. Ariel will be transmitting the jump coordinates momentarily.” Jeremy looked at Ariel with an intense gaze.

“Transmitting jump coordinates,” the AI replied. “Hyperdrives are powering up. We can jump in twenty seconds.”

“Distant Horizon is under attack!” called out Commander Malen. On one of the main viewscreens, energy beams became visible, targeting an object in the center of the Simulin formation.

“Rear Admiral Barnes is reporting their hyperdrive has been disabled. It will take them ten to fifteen minutes to get it back online,” Angela reported with concern in her voice.

“Stand by to jump,” ordered Jeremy, determined to rescue the exploration dreadnought.

-

The Distant Horizon shuddered as two Simulin antimatter missiles hit the energy screen, severely jarring the ship. The screen seemed to waver, and then the flickering vanished as the screen returned to full power.

“All weapons, fire!” ordered Kathryn, as she tried to save her ship. The sudden appearance of the Simulin battlecruisers had stunned her.

“Betrem reports ten to twelve minutes until the hyperdrive is functional,” Colonel Leon reported.

“We won’t last that long,” Commander Grissim said tersely, as the ship shook violently, and the hull seemed to ring from the sound of the impacts to the screen.

“Energy screen is down to 60 percent,” Major Weir reported.

Every weapon the exploration dreadnought had was firing nonstop at the encircling Simulin battlecruisers. On the primary viewscreen, particle beam fire slammed into the main part of a Simulin warship, setting off massive explosions and hurling glowing debris into space.

“How did they follow us?” demanded Kathryn. “Our sensors should have picked them up.”

“Unknown,” replied Clarissa. She wasn’t currently in command of the ship, but she was doing everything in her power to ensure all the ship’s weapons were on target.

“Task group is jumping in,” reported Captain Travers from Communications. “We’re to join their formation.”

“Sublight drive?” asked Kathryn, looking at the Helm station.

“Still functional,” answered Lieutenant Styles.

“Vortices forming,” called out Captain Reynolds. “Task group is twelve thousand kilometers off our starboard bow.”

“Get us there,” ordered Kathryn, feeling her heart hammering in her chest. If they could make it to the task group, they just might survive this.

“All weapons target Simulin battlecruiser at X-axis 17 degrees, Y-axis 40 degrees,” ordered Major Weir. “Fire on the turn.”

-

As the ship turned to starboard and accelerated toward the task group, every weapon the ship had was fired upon the Simulin battlecruiser blocking its path. Power beams, particle beams, energy beams, and Devastator Three missiles pummeled the ship, breaking down its shield. Moments later two Devastator Three missiles detonated against the Simulin hull, turning the vessel into a glowing cloud of gas.

“Target destroyed,” reported Captain Reynolds.

“We’ll make it,” said Colonel Leon, as she watched the ship’s tactical display.

“We’re being bracketed by the remaining Simulins!” warned Captain Reynolds. On the tactical display, the enemy ships were rapidly closing the range to the Distant Horizon. It was obvious they didn’t plan to allow the Federation ship to escape.

The Distant Horizon took a massive hit to her bow, losing most of her heavy weapons. Warning alarms sounded, and more red lights appeared on the Damage Control console.

“Energy beam strike to our bow,” reported Commander Grissim grimly. “We’ve lost our particle beam cannons and two of our primary power beams.”

“We have numerous compartments in the forward section open to space, and there are several fires out of control in adjoining compartments,” reported the Damage Control officer. “I’m initiating the fire-suppression systems in those areas.”

Major Weir fired a broadside at the nearest Simulin vessel with the ship’s secondary hull weapons. Power beams and energy weapons fired upon the Simulin ship, ripping open compartment after compartment.

Just then, the deck heaved under Admiral Barnes, and she found herself flying through the air and crashing to the deck. The lights in the Command Center seemed to flicker and then steadied. Struggling to stand, Kathryn stumbled back to her command chair. Her safety harness, which was supposed to hold her in place, was torn in two. Looking around, she saw smoke and sparks everywhere. Alarms were screaming from the Damage Control console, and red lights were rapidly blinking on.

“Sublight drive is out,” reported a shaken Commander Grissim. She had a dark bruise on her forehead.

“Energy screen is at 20 percent and falling,” added Major Weir. “It won’t last much longer.”

“Medics to the Command Center,” Colonel Leon ordered, as she saw a number of the crew were unconscious and possibly injured.

“Simulins are closing,” reported Captain Reynolds, a strained look upon his face.

Taking a deep breath, Rear Admiral Kathryn Barnes prepared to die. Her ship would not withstand another missile strike or energy beam. She looked around the Command Center, seeing the knowing looks on the faces of her crew.

-

Kelsey looked at Katie. “I’m sorry, Katie,” she said in a soft voice.

“I wish I could have said good-bye to Kevin,” Katie answered in a wavering voice. “He was so happy when we arrived in the Distant Horizon.”

Clarissa didn’t know what to say or what to do. Many of the ship’s weapons were either destroyed or disabled. The sublight drive was damaged, and it would still be another eight to ten minutes until Betrem had the hyperdrive functional again. For the first time in her long life, the AI felt completely helpless. She had sworn to protect the Special Five, and now she was incapable of saving Kelsey and Katie. She sent a mournful message to Ariel, apologizing for her failure.

“Spatial vortices forming off our port and starboard side,” Captain Reynolds said in total shock. “We have two AI spheres dropping out of hyperspace.”

“I have a message from the Command AI,” Lieutenant Travers reported. “It says these two AI ships will buy us the time we need to activate our hyperdrive.”

Kathryn leaned back in her command chair in shock. On the main viewscreen appeared one of the 1,500-meter AI spheres. All of its weapons were firing, blasting away at the Simulins. The Simulins reeled from the sudden point-blank attack. We might have a chance, she thought.

“Commander Grissim, tell Betrem he has five minutes to get that hyperdrive functioning!”

-

Jeremy looked at one of the main viewscreens in the Command Center of the Avenger. It showed a literal firestorm at the edge of the Simulin formation. He knew this was the location of the two AI spheres and the Distant Horizon. He leaned forward, searching for the exploration dreadnought, praying it survived.

“More vortices opening,” Ariel reported. She was fidgeting, as she wanted to close the range to help Clarissa. “Clarissa is reporting heavy damage to the Distant Horizon.”

“Fifteen more Simulin battlecruisers,” reported Kevin, with anxiety in his voice.

“All ships continue to fire upon the Simulin formation,” Jeremy ordered. They were at extreme range for most of their weapons, but, just maybe, they could take enough pressure off the two AI spheres and the Distant Horizon to allow the exploration dreadnought to finish the repairs to its hyperdrive.

A sudden flash of light filled the viewscreen. When it cleared, one of the AI spheres was gone. Also a Simulin battlecruiser was missing. It had been too close to the blast and had been torn apart by the powerful explosion.

“We just lost AI sphere 264,” Kevin reported. If the AIs succeeded in saving the Distant Horizon, he would never doubt their allegiance again.

“Distant Horizon reports hyperdrive is online,” reported Angela excitedly.

“Tell them to jump to the emergency coordinates,” Jeremy quickly ordered. “We’ll follow.”

On the viewscreen a swirling blue-white spatial vortex formed. The Distant Horizon used its remaining maneuvering thrusters to push it into the vortex. Moments later the vortex vanished. At the same time the second AI sphere rammed a nearby Simulin battlecruiser. Both ships vanished in a brilliant fireball of released energy. Two nearby Simulin battlecruisers suffered severe damage from the blast and flying hull fragments drifted away from the site of the explosion.

“All ships, jump to the emergency coordinates,” Jeremy ordered over his minicomm, set to ship-to-ship. He felt vastly relieved to see the Distant Horizon had made the jump into hyperspace.

He would have to remember to thank the Command AI. Jeremy hadn’t ordered the two AI ships to jump in as they did. That had been a decision by the Command AI. It reinforced Jeremy’s belief that the AIs were no longer a threat. When they returned to Gaia, and he had an opportunity to talk to Kurene and Mikow, he would give the order to begin creating more AIs.

Chapter Eleven

Governor Barnes was standing, looking out across the Aquaria habitat deep inside Ceres, but his mind was a million light-years away. In his hand he held two sheets of paper which contained a message from his daughter—a message he’d read countless times since receiving it.

“I can’t believe she’s not coming back,” he said slowly to the fleet officer standing beside him.

In the distance he could see birds flying in the air above the city. Even from here, a few kilometers away, he could see people moving about and electric vehicles driving down the thoroughfares. As a child, Kathryn had always liked to eat at this one Chinese restaurant in the city. He could still picture her opening her fortune cookie and looking expectantly as he opened his. They would then read their fortunes to each other, laughing the entire time.

“They did find Admiral Strong and his fleets,” spoke Admiral Kalen. “They’re not alone.”

Governor Barnes was silent, as his heart felt empty. “We used to come here together and gaze at the habitat. We would have a contest to see how many different bird species we could identify. I think her favorite were the scissor-tailed flycatchers. She used to get so excited anytime she saw one.”

“She became a fine officer,” Kalen said. “Admiral Teleck would have been proud of her.”

Governor Barnes let out a deep sigh. “We’ve lost so many good people since the start of the war with the Hocklyns and the AIs. Sometimes I wonder if we’re destined to go from one war to the next with no end in sight.”

“We’ve had relative peace the last few years,” Kalen pointed out. “Just a few skirmishes with the Borzon and the Shari. The Federation and our allies are growing stronger as new civilized worlds become members. We’re not as alone as we once were.”

“I spent too much time worrying about politics instead of her in recent years,” Barnes said with sadness in his voice. “I used to drag her around to diplomatic dinners, hoping someday she would follow me into politics.”

“She chose the fleet instead,” Kalen said. “That must have been a shock.”

“It was,” Barns responded with a slight smile, recalling the argument he had had with Kathryn over her decision. “But she’s as stubborn as her mother was.”

Admiral Kalen was silent for several moments, knowing the governor was grieving for his daughter. “I’ve studied the data packet Admiral Tolsen and Admiral Jackson sent. The Simulins will be a problem. I don’t think the Federation Council will be anxious to rush into another war, even considering the potential danger these Simulins pose. Many of the senators desire peace and will do almost anything to keep it, even if it means ignoring this threat.”

Governor Barnes let out a deep sigh and nodded. “Former Fleet Admiral Streth has been sending messages across the Federation, requesting aid for Admiral Tolsen at the black hole. He also wants to send a relief fleet to the Triangulum Galaxy to aid Admiral Strong in his fight against the Simulins.”

“From what I read in Admiral Strong’s report, he plans on returning to Gaia and staying there,” Kalen replied. “He’s built some powerful defenses and has the ships to protect it, if the Simulins ever stumble across it. They’ve already begun colonizing the planet.”

“Kathryn’s new home,” responded Governor Barnes wistfully. “I wish I could see it.” Nearby he could see a pair of birds circling. Were they scissor-tails?

“What do you want to do?” asked Admiral Kalen. “Ceres hasn’t always followed the will of the council.”

“I’m meeting with Ambassador Tureen and Senator Karnes later this week,” Governor Barnes replied. “I’m not sure what we can do, but I’m not standing idly by and letting Admiral Strong and my daughter fight the Simulins alone.”

“What about President Malle?” Kalen asked. “What will you say to him?”

“The council will be in a quandary,” Barnes said, shaking his head in disgust. “Governor Fulbright will never agree to commit any forces to fight the Simulins. He’ll instruct the senators from Serenity to block any such attempt. The senators from Bliss will support him, as their world is also in the Epsilon Eridani System. I don’t see any help coming from the council because it’ll get bogged down with political infighting.”

“Do you want me to speak with Fleet Admiral Nagumo? He might be more responsive for a request to send aid.”

Governor Barnes hesitated. He hated dragging the fleet admiral into this, but anything he could do to help would be appreciated. “Yes. Make sure he understands we feel the Simulin threat is real and needs to be addressed. If he’s interested in helping, I want to meet with him.”

“He’s currently in the Alpha Centauri System, visiting Harmony,” Kalen replied. “I’ll do a quick flight over there in the Ceres and speak with him.”

“Thanks,” Governor Barnes replied. In the distance he could see a pair of scissor-tails circling above a grove of trees. He wished Kathryn were here; she would have loved the sight.

-

Two weeks later Admiral Race Tolsen stood in the Command Center of the WarHawk, staring at one of the tactical displays showing the current disposition of the ships under his command. After the Distant Horizon’s drone had come through, he’d been expecting the Simulins to show up at any time. The Federation fleet was practicing battle maneuvers on a regular basis in preparation for meeting the threat.

“You’ve done everything you can,” commented Commander Arnett, as they finished the latest drill. “Third Fleet is in the best possible tactical position.”

“Yes, but it’s not enough,” Race said, stepping back from the display. Later he would go over the results from the drill to see if he could spot any obvious weaknesses in his plan.

Third Fleet was circled around the expected emergence point of a Simulin attack. Admiral Jackson’s flagship, the Dauntless, along with his two battlecruisers and four strikecruisers, were mixed in with Race’s command. Jackson’s two battlecarriers had been assigned to protect Capacitor Station One, all its civilian ships, as well as the fleet repair vessels. Admiral Bachal’s Alton ships were close by and would be used as a quick-response strike force, once the Simulins arrived. The Alton ships would hit the Simulins head-on as they emerged from the spatial vortex.

“You’d think they’d come through in force,” stated Colonel Cowel. “It’s what I would do. I’d keep sending ships through, until I had a beachhead established, and then move out to secure the area around the black hole.”

“We’ll give a good accounting of ourselves,” Madelyn said confidently. “They won’t find us so easy to overcome.”

“I know we will,” Race said. “But, damn it, Madelyn, we’re talking about facing 1,700-meter-long battlecruisers with technology equivalent to the AIs and possibly even the Altons. How can we stop something like that?”

At that moment the alarms on the Sensor console sounded. “Spatial vortices detected,” reported Lieutenant Davis, his trained eyes shifting to his sensor screens. “Two million kilometers.”

“I’m getting Alton ID codes,” added Lieutenant Travers with relief in her voice. When the alarms sounded, everyone was instantly afraid it was the expected Simulin attack.

“Altons?” Madelyn said, looking confused. “Admiral Bachal didn’t mention any other ships showing up.”

“Put them on the main viewscreens,” ordered Race, shifting his attention to the front of the Command Center. He hoped the Alton vessels were warships and not more research ships.

The viewscreens zoomed in on the new arrivals, and Race felt his breath taken away. “Please tell me those are what I think they are.”

“Twelve Alton battleships, each towing an Indomitable Class battlestation,” Commander Arnett said with eyes aglow. “Now that’s a relief for sore eyes.”

“I have Admiral Victell on the comm,” Lieutenant Travers said with a smile. “He wants to know where you want the battlestations.”

“The only way they could get Indomitable Class battlestations here so quickly was if they came from Astral,” Colonel Cowel said, his eyes widening. “They must have removed them from orbit.”

Race nodded, still finding it hard to speak. He knew exactly where he wanted them. The Indomitable Class battlestations were one thousand meters in diameter and armed with numerous heavy particle beam cannons and sublight antimatter missile tubes. They also had multiple energy beam turrets for defense. They’d be a hard nut to crack with their powerful defensive screens. They could easily be a game changer in a battle with the Simulins. He’d have to adjust his battle plan to take into account this sudden addition to his forces.

“I want them around the expected entry vortex for the Simulins,” Race ordered, finally able to talk. With these Alton battlestations, he just might be able to drive back the expected Simulin attack and keep them from the capacitor stations.

-

Over the next few weeks, additional reinforcements straggled in. A full squadron of fifteen battlecruisers from New Providence, a fleet of thirty battlecruisers from Careth under command of the Bear battleship Hunter, as well as a few more Federation ships. More surprising was the fact that New Providence sent twenty Type Two battlestations as well as five hundred particle beam satellites.

Admiral Tolsen carefully placed the Type Two battlestations in positions where they could support the more powerful Indomitable Class stations. The five hundred particle beam satellites he ordered as close as he dared to the suspected emergence point of the Simulins. For the first time Race felt he could beat back any conceivable Simulin attack.

-

“That’s one hell of a mousetrap,” commented Commander Arnett, while she watched the last particle beam satellite being put into position on one of the viewscreens.

“It should be enough,” Race said, folding his arms across his chest. “We’ll blow anything apart that comes through the vortex.”

“So, what do we do now?”

“We wait,” Race replied, looking at Madelyn. “We continue the repairs to the capacitor stations, so we can send a relief fleet through to Admiral Strong and Admiral Barnes. I just hope they can stay alive until we can send them reinforcements.”

Madelyn nodded.

There had been very little response from the Federation about forming a relief fleet. Discussions were still ongoing, but only Careth and New Providence had promised to provide ships. It was difficult to find people and crews who were willing to make the journey to the Triangulum Galaxy, particularly since it was most likely a one-way trip.

-

Fleet Admiral Nagumo was at New Tellus Station, still fuming from his meeting with the Federation Council. President Malle had asked him to present to the council the evidence of the threat the Simulins posed.

Nagumo had been pressed by the senators from Serenity and Bliss about whether any Simulin vessels had been detected in the galaxy. He’d been forced to admit they had not. Then Senator Davis from Bliss demanded to know when was the last time a Simulin vessel had been spotted in the galaxy. Stone-faced, Nagumo had admitted it had been several thousand years. In the end the vote was close, but the measure to prepare for a Simulin invasion had been voted down.

“Bureaucrats,” Nagumo mumbled, tossing back a stiff drink and staring across his office at a picture taken of the beaches on New Tellus.

“We’re not all assholes,” responded Senator Amy Karnes with a grin. “Some of us actually want what’s best for the Federation and our allies.”

“Sorry,” Nagumo replied, as he filled his glass a second time from the bottle on his desk, then placed it in the bottom drawer. He very seldom drank, but he was infuriated at the council.

“If the Simulins come through, as Admiral Tolsen believes they will, it’ll be the start of an intergalactic war,” Amy said in a calm voice. “The council will have no choice but to respond to the threat.”

Nagumo left his glass on his desk, stood up, and walked to a large viewscreen focused on the command asteroid fortress, twenty-two kilometers in diameter, with the Command Center located at its heart. The asteroid was honeycombed with passages and power plants, and a crew of twenty thousand operated the massive fortress and its intricate systems and weapons. Nagumo would give anything if Admiral Tolsen had something like that available to him to hold back the Simulins.

“I suppose you’ve seen the communiqué from former Fleet Admiral Streth that’s been floating around in some circles of the military and the political establishment?” asked Nagumo, still gazing at the viewscreen.

“Possibly,” Amy said evasively.

“It’s riled a few people,” Nagumo said, as he turned to face the senator. “Not anyone in the military, but a few of the higher-ups with deep political connections.” He knew Senator Karnes had been one of the recipients of the fleet admiral’s message. “It’s not like it was five or six years ago, when he was leading our fleets against the AIs and the Hocklyns. Several times he called the bluff of the council and got what he wanted. He’s a living legend and could get by with things I can’t even consider.”

“Will you help him?” Amy asked, her eyes focusing intently on the fleet admiral. “I believe I can guarantee enough votes in the council to prevent your removal as fleet admiral, if things go south.”

“What are you willing to do?” asked Nagumo. He knew they should be readying the fleet for possible war, but the council was too close-minded over this threat.

“Whatever is necessary,” Amy replied in a steady voice. “New Tellus was settled by people from the old Human Federation of Worlds. We owe our lives to Fleet Admiral Streth. If he’s asking for aid, we’re honor-bound to send it.”

“It’ll be risky,” Nagumo said, returning to his chair and sitting down.

“Politics are always risky,” Amy responded with a wry smile. “I can stand the fire, if it comes my way.”

Nagumo nodded. Senator Karnes had always been an outspoken senator and an ardent supporter of the fleet. “I’ll make calls and speak to some people. There may be a few things we can do that won’t raise too many eyebrows.”

“Fleet Admiral, you should know Fleet Admiral Streth has already set some plans into motion,” Amy ventured cautiously.

Nagumo laughed and smiled. “I suppose you mean the repair of the AI capacitor stations?”

“How … ?” Amy stammered, surprised. A lot of effort had gone into keeping secret the repair of the second and possibly third capacitor station.

“You didn’t think I’d know what was going on when one of my admirals takes his fleet to the galactic center without orders from me?”

Amy didn’t reply; she merely gazed questioningly at the fleet admiral.

“I trust Admiral Tolsen’s judgment in this matter. That’s why a few additional warships have been sent his direction. Not as many as I would’ve liked but still enough to sizably increase the strength of his fleet. I also placed documented orders in the records that I sent the fleet there on a special mission.”

“What about Fleet Admiral Streth’s plan?”

“To send a relief fleet to the Triangulum Galaxy to wage war against the Simulins?” Nagumo asked carefully, his eyes narrowing sharply. “Some will say we’ll be starting the war.”

“We won’t be starting a war. We’ll be saving the galaxy,” Amy said firmly.

Nagumo nodded. He had work to do, if he was to send any ships to aid Admiral Strong and Rear Admiral Barnes. If he was careful, he wouldn’t violate any regulations, and the Federation Council wouldn’t know what he’d done until it was too late. He was taking a risk with his career, but he trusted Senator Karnes to come to his aid, if needed. A number of ships were in the reserve fleet, which could easily be brought back into service. Nagumo was also fairly certain he could find the personnel to crew them.

-

At the galactic center, work was continuing on the three capacitor stations. With the aid of the Alton battleships, the third capacitor station had been moved closer to the other two. Now all three stations were nearby one another, with four of the battleships in defensive positions around them, and work crews had begun major repairs to the third station.

Race had been surprised at the number of Federation warships that continued to trickle in. He wasn’t sure how long he could keep them at the black hole, until they were ordered to return to their patrol routes.

“What of the relief fleets?” Commander Arnett asked Race, as they were shuttled inbound to Capacitor Station One for a meeting with the Alton and Human scientists working on the project.

Race gazed out the viewport. It still concerned him being so close to the black hole, but their distance and orbital velocity kept them safe. “I’ve received commitments from Careth, New Providence, and Ceres. The fleet will make transit in four months. There may also be a fleet from New Tellus, but that’s a little questionable.”

“Can we be ready by then?”

“We have to be,” Race replied, as the shuttle docked to the massive capacitor station. “The Simulins must be forced to focus on their galaxy and not ours. Only by attacking them there can we guarantee that. By now, Jeremy has pulled his ships into the nebula and won’t be venturing back out. He just doesn’t have the needed ships or the necessary manpower. It’s up to us to change that.”

“Will Admiral Strong fight? So far he’s been primarily in defensive mode,” Madelyn said. “They’ll still be vastly outnumbered.”

“Jeremy will fight,” Race said with a vicious grin. “Give him the ships and crews, and he’ll kick the hell out of the Simulins.”

-

After docking, they made their way to a conference room set up for the meeting. Shay, Pelel, Admiral Victell, and several other Altons were present, as well as a few Human engineers.

“Admiral Tolsen,” greeted Admiral Victell, stepping forward and shaking Race’s hand.

After greeting the others, everyone sat down and looked at Race expectantly.

“The relief fleets will be going through the vortex in four months,” he announced.

“Four months!” spoke Shay in surprise. “We can’t be ready in four months. Capacitor Station Three is too heavily damaged.”

“I’m assigning additional repair crews from our ships,” Race told her. “We don’t need to repair the entire station, just get online as many energy-collection dishes as possible.”

Pelel looked at Race with a frown on his face. “At best we may have it 20 to 25 percent operational. It’ll take years to repair the heavier damaged areas of the station.”

“That’ll be sufficient,” answered Race. “Once we send the relief fleets through, we won’t need the capacitor stations again.”

“What?” Shay said, confusion written on her face. “Why not?”

“Because of this,” answered Race, sliding a computer flash drive to Pelel. “The Alton scientists at Astral have come up with a solution to prevent the Simulins from opening an intergalactic vortex into our galaxy.”

Pelel took the flash drive and inserted it into his handheld computer pad. He scanned the data as his face turned white. “They can’t be serious,” he stammered, looking up at Race.

“Yes,” Race replied. “Once the relief fleet has gone through, we’ll recharge the three capacitor stations and move them into the area of weakened space. Once all three are in position, we’ll detonate the stations, releasing all their energy in one massive burst. It will not only tear a hole in the fabric of regular space, it’ll also rupture hyperspace in the vicinity.”

“If the Simulins attempt to come through, they’ll be thrown so violently out of hyperspace that it will destroy their vessels,” Pelel said, as he studied the data.

“It’ll also make it impossible for them to change the exit vortex to another point in our galaxy,” Race explained. “The rupture in hyperspace will act as a magnet for any intergalactic vortex, and the amount of energy to counter that is nearly incomprehensible. It would take an energy-collection system far greater than what the AIs built here. With the relief fleets we’re sending Admiral Strong, he’ll see to it that the Simulins can’t build the necessary energy stations to accomplish that.”

“That means there’ll be no future missions to the Triangulum Galaxy or even a way to send message drones,” commented Admiral Victell. “We’ll be trapping our fleets in that galaxy with no way to ever come home or send a message.”

Pelel nodded his agreement at the assessment. “This sounds like an effective way to seal off our galaxy, at least temporarily, from the Simulins. However, keep in mind we’re assuming they have no massive power source.”

“Based on the technology level we’ve observed in the data sent by Admiral Strong, the scientists on Astral feel confident the Simulins have no power source of that magnitude,” Race responded.

Race knew the day he carried out the destruction of the stations would be one that would haunt him forever. He would be permanently marooning the lost fleets, the Distant Horizon, and the relief fleets in the Simulin galaxy. There would be no way for them to ever come home or for the Federation to know the outcome of the war in the Triangulum Galaxy.

Chapter Twelve

Jeremy let out a deep breath of frustration. It would take another two months for all the damage to the Distant Horizon to be repaired, requiring the use of two of their four fleet repair ships for the entire time period. The exploration dreadnought had suffered much more damage than originally believed. Looking at one of the main viewscreens on the front wall of the Command Center, Jeremy could see the ship in orbit above Gaia currently docked to the Clan Protector. Two fleet repair ships hovered nearby, and he could see the bright flashes of welding arcs and torches as the damaged parts of the hull were cut away. New hull plates would be built in the shipyard, since the battle armor on the exploration dreadnought was thicker than that of the other warships.

“Clarissa says, for a brief moment, they all expected to die,” Ariel said from Jeremy’s side.

The AI was in her standard dark blue uniform without insignias. Her trim, lithe figure was that of a woman in her early twenties.

Jeremy reached forward on his command console and magnified the view until the Distant Horizon filled the screen. On the hull of the battered ship, dozens of spider robots were busy at work, repairing minor breaches and scorched areas where the hull had been exposed to high temperatures from the Simulins’ energy weapons and antimatter missiles.

“There’s a lot of interior damage to the bow,” Ariel continued, as she examined the full damage report. “Any lesser ship would have been destroyed from the destruction ravaged upon the vessel by the Simulins. All her bow weapons will need repairing or rebuilding. An energy beam hit the stern in the sublight engines’ area. The engines weren’t damaged, but many of the control linkages and power couplings were either smashed or burned away.”

“Eighty-seven dead with another ninety-four injured,” Jeremy said.

He didn’t know what he would have done if either Kelsey or Katie had been hurt. They’d been back for several weeks now, and it still pained him to think about the lives lost and how close they had come to losing the ship.

“They’re going to try to put an ion cannon on the bow of the ship,” Ariel added, as she studied the weapons to be installed.

Jeremy felt horrible about the danger he’d put the exploration dreadnought in. “Some of the Alton scientists and technicians believe they can make it work, after studying the blueprints Andram turned over to them,” Jeremy said. “They just don’t have what we need to create a miniaturized version, like the defense globes the Distant Horizon originally had. I would love to have several hundred of those in the defense grid around Gaia.”

“Those defense globes allowed the exploration dreadnought to survive until we got there,” Commander Kyla Malen commented, stepping closer to Jeremy and Ariel. “The ion beams they generated played havoc with the Simulins’ energy shields.”

“Grayseth and Daelthon want to place some ion cannons upon the Clan Protector as well,” Ariel added. She focused her dark eyes upon Kyla. “With the weapons they’re currently installing on the mobile shipyard and with the addition of a half-dozen ion cannons, Daelthon’s command will be a hard nut to crack.”

Jeremy smiled at Ariel’s comment. Sometimes she sounded so Human. “The battlecruiser Gaia is out of the construction bays and undergoing her trials. Commander Newman is quite pleased with his new command.”

“He should be,” Kyla said with a jealous smile. “She’s the most powerful battlecruiser in our fleet.”

Ariel was smiling, and then the smile on her face faded abruptly. “Jeremy,” she said in a strained and deeply concerned voice, “you need to get to the Clan Protector. There’s been a development.”

“What is it?” He turned, seeing the strange look on the AI’s face.

“Daelthon’s people were removing the wreckage from an interior section of the Distant Horizon, and they’ve found something.”

“What?” asked Jeremy, feeling confused. He couldn’t imagine why they would need him there.

“Mikow and Andram believe it’s some type of tracking device.”

Jeremy’s face turned pale at the ramifications. If this was indeed a tracking device, had it revealed to the Simulins where the lost fleets were hiding?”

“Get my shuttle ready,” he ordered. “I want Rear Admiral Barnes, Rear Admiral Marks, Admiral Cleeteus, the Command AI, Grayseth, and Andram to meet me on the Clan Protector immediately.”

Commander Malen nodded and immediately contacted the ship’s flight bay.

As Jeremy prepared to step out of the Command Center, he turned back toward Commander Malen. “Contact the AIs and inform the Command AI the Simulins may know Gaia’s location. Order it to place half of the AI spheres at Condition Two.”

-

Jeremy arrived on the Clan Protector and was met by Daelthon as well as Grayseth. For the first time Grayseth didn’t rush to greet Jeremy. His large face had a look of worry and fear.

“Clan brother,” Grayseth bellowed, his large eyes focusing intently on Jeremy. “I have just come from the Distant Horizon. The Alton computer specialist Mikow and the Alton scientist Andram bear bad tidings. Technicians removed a section of a bulkhead to be repaired and found a metallic device embedded within. It was determined to be of Simulin manufacture.”

“We thought it was a bomb at first,” said Daelthon, as the three turned and walked through the large flight bay. “However, our munitions expert examined it and determined it was some type of electronic device. We took it to a lab on the ship, and Mikow and Andram inspected it, along with a few other Human and Alton specialists. They believe it to be a Simulin transmitter.”

Jeremy couldn’t believe their bad luck. Just when he thought they were safe inside the nebula and the defenses around Gaia were finished, this had to happen. “Was it still functioning?”

“Andram said it was emitting a weak hyperspace signal,” Daelthon replied. “We set up a jamming frequency, so the signal could no longer escape the ship. Since then we’ve disabled the transmitter.”

“So it’s been transmitting all this time.”

“I am afraid so, clan brother,” Grayseth said.

They reached a turbolift, and the three stepped inside. It moved immediately at a high rate of speed toward the docking port, where the exploration dreadnought was connected to the shipyard. While the dreadnought was too large to fit inside any of the Clan Protector’s repair bays, it could still be docked to the station while the fleet repair ships worked on it. In addition, Daelthon’s repair crews could provide some assistance.

Reaching the docking port, they were ushered inside by the Marine guards at the large open hatch. It didn’t take them long to reach the conference room, where the meeting was to be held.

Going inside, Jeremy saw Mikow and Andram were already there, as well as Shilum. On the table in front of them was a shiny silver object in the shape of a saucer approximately one meter across.

“Is that it?” asked Jeremy, striding across the room to stand and gaze at the device. He noticed some burn marks and several large dents on its exterior.

“Yes,” answered Andram, standing up. “We’ve examined it very thoroughly. Its transmitter has also been disabled.”

“Then it was transmitting a signal?” Jeremy asked with a feeling of dread.

“Yes,” Andram confirmed. “On a seldom-used hyperspace frequency which we were unable to detect, until we realized what this was.”

Before Jeremy could say anything else, Rear Admiral Barnes came rushing into the room. “I was at the spaceport on Gaia when I heard the news. Is that the transmitter?” She walked over to view with distaste the object in front of Jeremy.

“Yes,” Jeremy answered. He turned back toward Andram. “Is there any possibility its signal could reach through the nebula that surrounds us?”

“I doubt it,” replied Andram, shaking his head. “Its transmitter isn’t powerful enough.”

“Do the Simulins know we’re in this nebula?” asked Rear Admiral Marks, who had just arrived along with the Command AI. The nebula was quite large, and, if the Simulins didn’t know Gaia’s exact location, it could take them a while to locate the planet.

“I’m guessing the Simulins only know the general direction the Distant Horizon was traveling,” the Alton scientist answered. His forehead creased in thought as he continued. “The signal could only be transmitted each time the ship dropped out of hyperspace. Then it must be triangulated to determine where the ship was heading. Not an easy task but certainly possible with the number of ships the Simulins have available to them.”

“I have placed half of my AI fleet on alert,” the Command AI confirmed. The globe of energy above its cube seemed to glow brighter. “I have spoken to several of my science AIs, and they feel it unlikely the Simulins will find us anytime soon. It will take time to triangulate the signal and explore all the surrounding stars. The nebula will be one of the last places they will look.”

“But they’ll come eventually,” Admiral Cleeteus said, his face creasing in a frown. “When they find no trace of us at the nearby stars, their attention will turn to the nebula.”

Jeremy sat down, deeply concerned. The defenses around Gaia were pretty powerful. When added to the ships he currently had at his disposal, he doubted if the Simulins could take the planet. However, it might be extremely costly to hold the planet against the Simulins in a major fleet battle. He could order an evacuation of Gaia. The only problem was, where would they go? The Simulins had a strong hold on the Triangulum Galaxy, and their limited explorations had yielded no other habitable planets. With a deep sigh, Jeremy knew this would be a very tumultuous meeting. They had some very important decisions to make—and quickly.

-

Several days later Jeremy was on the surface of Gaia in New Eden, walking alongside General McGown down one of the busy streets of the small city.

“I would recommend bringing more Marines down from the orbiting ships,” McGown said, as they stopped to watch a group of civilians going into a small restaurant.

“Station them in New Eden and Clements?” asked Jeremy. He didn’t know how the civilian populations of the two cities would take to having a large number of Marines patrolling the city streets.

“We can set up some barracks on the outside of the cities,” suggested McGown. “I can assure you that we can keep our presence minimized. However, if the Simulins attack, we can spread out across the cities and be ready for combat quickly.”

“Nearly everyone in the cities is former military,” Jeremy said, as they crossed the street and continued down the other side. It was nearly lunchtime, and a lot of people were already milling about, going to the various eating establishments. “They’re used to seeing people in uniform, but they came down to the planet to get away from that.”

“Better than having to face scavenger robots on their own,” McGown pointed out.

“We should prepare them,” Jeremy said, taking a deep breath. “I’ll make a general announcement that there might be an impending Simulin attack. They have a right to know what might be ahead of us.”

McGown stopped and gestured to the wide two-lane street next to them, with a number of electric cars and a few small delivery trucks passing by. “We made all the streets in both cities a little larger than normal. It won’t take us long to disperse our troops when the time comes. Small bomb shelters are beneath every home and business. Once we sound the alarms, the city streets should clear quickly. If the Simulins land any of those scavenger robots of theirs, we’ll take care of them.”

Jeremy nodded. He wished he could think of some way to keep the Simulins out of the nebula, but he had no idea at the moment as to what could be done. He had a team working on it. Several Altons scientists had a wild idea about increasing the density of the hydrogen cloud around Gaia’s star system to make hyperspace travel impossible. They were talking about building some type of gravity-generating satellites to deploy in a distant orbit around Gaia’s star, which would slowly draw the hydrogen gas in around them, making it too dense to allow a ship to travel in hyperspace. Jeremy just wasn’t sure they would have the time to enact such a daring plan.

“We’re not certain how the Simulins land their scavenger robots,” Jeremy said, as the general led him to a small military vehicle. As they got inside, Jeremy looked at McGown. “We don’t know if they land a vessel or have some type of landing pod that comes crashing down to the surface, releasing its cargo.”

“We have defensive batteries around the three bases, as well as laser turrets around the two cities to take either out,” McGown said in response. “Don’t forget about the fighters and bombers stationed at the bases. The Simulins won’t have an easy time getting their scavenger robots to the surface.”

As the military vehicle drove out of the small city, Jeremy had his first clear view of one of the laser turrets the general was referring to. It stood upon a tower twenty meters high with a small dome on top, the barrels of two laser cannons pointed upward.

“How many of those do you have finished?”

General McGown ordered the driver to come to a stop, and he stepped out, motioning for Jeremy to follow him. “We have twenty-four around New Eden and sixteen encircling Clements.” He led Jeremy closer to the tower.

At the base of the tower was a small building, housing the controls for the laser turret as well as the four Marines responsible for its operation.

“The towers will be effective against any scavenger robot that comes within two kilometers of it,” McGown said, as they stopped near the base of the tower. A tall fence to keep out unwanted visitors surrounded the tower and small control building. “It’s also capable of taking out descending shuttles.”

Jeremy gazed around at the surrounding countryside. The taller trees had been cut down to give the laser turret a clear field of fire. The area within one hundred meters of the turret had been cleared of trees and brush, with only a low native grass remaining. The tower was a kilometer from the outskirts of the city of New Eden.

“Will more Marines be sent to defend the laser towers if the Simulins get into orbit?”

“Yes,” replied McGown. “Two additional squads of Marines have been assigned to each laser tower, if we’re attacked.” He gestured to several short three-meter-tall concrete walls with firing slits. “Their duty will be to help defend the tower from attack, while it deals with any threats to the city.” A half-dozen small concrete walls faced away from the city and the tower.

“How will all your Marines be deployed if we face a massive invasion of scavenger robots?”

McGown folded his arms across his chest and gazed toward the outskirts of the city. Even from here, vehicles were visible, and people could be seen moving about. “I have 14,000 Marines on the surface now, and I plan on bringing down 6,000 more from our orbiting ships. As soon as a Simulin fleet is detected, we’ll deploy troops around our three military bases, as well as a solid cordon around New Eden and Clements. If the Simulins land scavenger robots, they’ll hit a solid line of Marines with armor-piercing rounds and explosive charges to take them out. Some Marines will also be assigned to patrol the city streets, in case a few scavengers get past or overrun our positions. We have sufficient ground vehicles to get my Marines where they need to be.”

“Let’s hope that doesn’t happen,” Jeremy commented. He didn’t even want to think about the consequences of scavenger robots getting loose in the cities. “Let’s check out the three military bases. Also how is the underground Command Center coming?”

“It’s finished,” General McGown replied with a pleased look upon his face. “Even the defensive and offensive weapons are installed.”

“I want a tour of it while I’m here on Gaia,” Jeremy said. He was deeply concerned that they might need the Marines on Gaia shortly, and their readiness could very well determine if they could hold the planet and keep the two cities safe.

“I’ll arrange it,” McGown answered with a nod. They went back to the waiting vehicle and were soon speeding down the road to the newest Marine base, where Major Brace Caulder had been assigned.

-

Kelsey and Katie were on the Clan Protector, speaking with Karalle and Malith. Since the arrival of the Distant Horizon, the four had spent a lot of time together.

“So, are the two of you going down to the planet to start families?” asked Katie. She knew the Bears preferred large families, and the females normally married quite young.

“Not immediately,” Malith replied, her large eyes focusing on Katie. “A few of our females went down to Gaia almost immediately. Over four hundred of us were on the Clan Protector when we made the transit to this galaxy. It was a great honor for us to be allowed to participate in the defense of our planet, as well as the war against the Hocklyns and the AIs.”

“It would be a violation of that honor if all of us went down to Gaia to begin families,” Karalle continued. “For the time being, a few of us will remain on the Clan Protector, though we realize, because of our numbers, at some point in time it will be wise for all of us to go down to Gaia, so the size of our clan can grow as quickly as possible.”

“What about the two of you?” asked Malith. She was a little taller than Kelsey, and her deep brown fur almost seemed to glisten in the steady lights of the Command Center.

Kelsey flushed slightly. She and Jeremy had only briefly discussed children. They wanted kids someday, but they both realized it might not be for quite some time. “Eventually,” she confessed. “I would like at least two, a boy and a girl, but my duties for now are on the Distant Horizon.”

“Same here,” Katie said with a smile. “Kevin and I have talked about kids, and I want at least three!”

Malith laughed. “Carethian families normally have five or six offspring. When the Hocklyns took over our planet, they reduced the allowed size of our families. For many years we were only allowed one child or, under special circumstances, two.”

“Katie, I have some computer questions,” Karalle said. “Would you mind helping me at my console? We have some updates the Altons have added to our systems, and I’m not happy with the way our computers are functioning.”

“I would be glad to,” Katie replied.

Kelsey knew that Karalle was actually quite good with computers, but sometimes the Altons seemed to forget not everyone else was a computer genius.

Malith and Kelsey watched the other two walk off across the Command Center to Karalle’s station.

“Karalle was due to mate with a young officer, once we returned from the galactic center,” Malith said with a look of sadness in her eyes. “They have been planning their joining since they were very young.”

“Childhood sweethearts,” murmured Kelsey in understanding.

“You could say that,” Malith answered. “Her separation from Slanarde has been hard on Karalle.” Malith then turned toward Kelsey with an intense look in her eyes. “The tracking device embedded inside the Distant Horizon, do you think the Simulins will find us? And, if they do, what will happen?”

“Gaia’s pretty powerfully defended,” replied Kelsey. “We have the AI fleet, Fourth Fleet, Grayseth’s fleet, and the Alton fleet to defend it. The Simulins would have to jump in with a truly massive force to reach the planet. Jeremy will never allow that to happen.”

“I know he won’t,” Malith replied somberly. “But what happens afterward? What if they jump in fleet after fleet? What happens then?”

Kelsey was silent for a long moment. Malith was right. Even if they could handily defeat the first attack, there would be more. “The Altons are working on a possible solution to prevent the Simulins from jumping in.”

Jeremy had mentioned to her the gravity generators the Altons were developing. It was a long shot, but they couldn’t have Simulin fleets jumping in every few days or even every few weeks. Eventually the enemy would wear down Gaia’s defenses and the fleets, until the Simulins could assault the planet. Once that happened, it would all be over.

“I hope they come up with something,” Malith responded, her large eyes growing even wider. “At least here we have a planet to live on and a possible future.”

-

Rear Admiral Kathryn Barnes reviewed the current status report of the repairs on the Distant Horizon. She let out a deep breath as she realized everything that still needed to be done.

“We were lucky,” commented Commander Grissim, seeing what Kathryn was studying. “Another few minutes and we would have lost the ship.”

“We still might, if the Simulins trace us here,” Kathryn answered with a deep sigh. She felt responsible that the Simulins had managed to place a tracking device on her ship.

“It will take them time to gather the ships they’ll need to mount an attack,” Andram said, as he stood up from his science console. “They may know we’re in this nebula, but it’s a pretty sizable one, and it will take them a while to locate us. We should have some warning of their arrival.”

“What about your research?” Kathryn asked. She knew Andram had been going over the information they had downloaded from the archive computers at Astral, information the AIs had garnered from countless worlds.

“There are some intriguing possibilities,” Andram said, as he considered what he’d discovered. “My fellow scientists on board the four Alton science vessels are working on a method to use gravity generators to pull in enough of the hydrogen gas in the nebula to make jumping into the Gaia System impossible.”

“How would that protect us?” asked Kathryn. Jeremy had briefed her about that line of research.

“It would cause the Simulin ships to drop violently out of hyperspace, possibly damaging or even destroying them. However, we have to assume they have sensors as good as ours and would detect the increased hydrogen density before striking it. They would then drop out of hyperspace and proceed toward us on their sublight drives. It might take them a few extra days, but they would eventually arrive here.”

“Then what would we do?” asked Commander Grissim.

Andram smiled and pointed toward his science console. “I think I have found a possible solution in the information we downloaded at Astral. I need to speak to Shilum and Mikow, as well as a few other Altons on the science vessels, but it may offer an answer.”

Kathryn knew they had downloaded a tremendous amount of data from Astral that the scientists, as well as Andram, thought might come in useful. She wondered what he’d found.

“What is it?” she asked, burning with curiosity.

“Not yet,” responded Andram, shaking his head. “Let me make sure what I’ve discovered is feasible. If it is, then it will change everything and will ensure Gaia remains safe.”

“Very well,” Kathryn replied with a deep sigh. “Just keep me posted.”

Andram nodded and then left the Command Center to fly to one of the science vessels.

“Altons and their science,” muttered Commander Grissim, as she stared at the now empty seat at Andram’s science console. “Why do I feel this will be something mind-shattering when he finally tells us?”

“Because he’s an Alton,” Kathryn answered with a wry smile. “They always figure out ways to do the impossible.”

“I hope so,” responded Anne, turning to face the admiral. “If Andram and his Alton friends don’t come through this time, then I fear our stay in this nebula and on Gaia might be very short. I’m afraid it won’t be long before the Simulins find us.”

Kathryn nodded, knowing Commander Grissim was right. Kathryn hoped Anne and the rest of the Distant Horizon crew hadn’t come all this way to find the lost fleets only to see them destroyed. Of course if the lost fleets were destroyed, then, in all probability, the Distant Horizon would be also.

Chapter Thirteen

Inside the Dyson Sphere, the Simulins prepared for an invasion. A massive fleet of 1,700-meter-long battlecruisers, along with 1,100-meter-long support cruisers, and 1,000-meter-long Conqueror drone ships were assembling. In the harsh glare of the blue giant, the waiting ships hovered far above a gap in the sphere, where an intergalactic vortex would be established. While inside the Dyson Sphere, all ships continually operated their energy shields, due to the intense radiation generated by the star. Massive energy collectors adorned its surface, converting the radiation of the star into energy—enough to continuously power eight intergalactic vortices.

The Simulins had found the first Dyson Sphere nearly ten thousand years previously. The science and technology required to build the massive structure was far more advanced than anything the Simulins had ever thought possible. The Grand Council had sent numerous exploration ships to the sphere to study it. It took generations, but enough was eventually learned to allow the Simulins to operate the intergalactic vortex generators. When their heavily armed exploration ships went through, the crews were astonished at what they found. A massive network of Dyson Spheres were spread across numerous galaxies, all connected by intergalactic vortices.

The Simulins used the vortices to travel to and explore other nearby galaxies. They were stunned to find large numbers of space-going races, who would need to be overcome first if the Simulins wanted control of those galaxies. The Simulins began making plans to extend their power and dominance over the inhabitants of those distant star systems.

For hundreds of years the Simulins prepared. They tested new weapons, and built larger and more powerful warships. They solidified their control over their home galaxy and then finally invaded another. Then for thousands of years they used the Dyson Spheres to spread slowly from one galaxy to the next. The Simulins were an unstoppable force, as civilization after civilization fell to their massive war fleets. In all of their explorations, they never encountered the builders of the spheres.

While much research had been done to unlock the secrets behind the construction of the massive artifacts, many areas of the spheres remained sealed, hindering further exploration. Regardless of the methods used to attempt to gain entry, the Simulins met with failure. Only the immediate areas around the vortex generators seemed to be open. Accepting that, the Simulins didn’t hesitate to send their invasion fleets through to galaxy after galaxy. Now they were ready to launch the next invasion. This one would be to the home galaxy of the AIs and the mysterious organic races who infested it.

-

Admiral Tolsen gazed nervously at one of the tactical displays. Two hours previously, the intergalactic vortex had activated for just a few seconds before shutting down. All twelve of the Indomitable Class battlestations and the twenty Type Two stations had been instantly placed at Condition One.

“I just finished speaking to Pelel, and he believes the brief vortex opening was a Simulin test to confirm the vortex was functional,” reported Commander Arnett. “He feels we can expect a fleet to come through next.”

Race took a deep breath. He had 145 warships with which to stop the Simulins. Looking at one of the viewscreens, he could see one of the twelve Indomitable Class battlestations. If they could hold the Simulins at the vortex, it would be due to their firepower. Five hundred particle beam satellites were also stationed around the expected vortex opening, as close as Race dared get them to the black hole. At a single command, he could turn the area where the vortex would form into a raging inferno.

Pressing a small switch on his minicomm, he spoke to his fleet admirals and commanders. “We expect a full activation of the intergalactic vortex at any moment,” he said in a calm and commanding voice. He paused, weighing his words carefully. “There has been a lot of debate as to whether this threat is real or not. I can assure you it is indeed real, or you and your ships wouldn’t be here. Our plan is very simple. We’ll attempt to destroy the Simulin invasion fleet at the periphery of the vortex as they come through. We have no idea of the fleet size we’ll be facing, other than, in all likelihood, it will be massive. The fate of our galaxy could very well depend on what we do here today. The WarHawk will not withdraw until every Simulin ship has been destroyed, or we ourselves have died in battle.”

Race looked around the Command Center at the faces of his crew. They all looked just as determined as he was. “Prepare for battle,” he ordered. The words were scarcely out of his mouth when the warning alarms sounded on the Sensor console, and red lights flashed.

“Vortex activation,” confirmed Lieutenant Davis.

Taking a deep breath, Race nodded. This was it! “All ships go to Condition One,” he ordered. “Close on the vortex and open fire as they come through!”

-

The Simulin fleet commander gazed impassively at the amassed fleet preparing to enter the swirling vortex in the floor of the Dyson Sphere. Over eight hundred warships and twenty Conqueror drone vessels were ready to make transit. All ships were on a war footing, as they were entering a relatively unknown galaxy. Once the ships emerged from the vortex, they would take up preassigned positions in a globular shape, until all the ships of the fleet made the transit. The fleet would then move to secure the area around the intergalactic vortex. Energy-collection satellites would be deployed around the galaxy’s black hole to provide a power source to send individual ships back to the Dyson Sphere, as well as send messages when the support fleet was ready to come through.

One thing high on their priority list was to find this galaxy’s Dyson Sphere. For some reason it was not allowing the establishment of an active vortex. They knew its location from sealed records they’d found on the original Dyson Sphere. Once they had control of it and could activate the corresponding vortex, they would have unlimited travel for their invasion fleets to move back and forth between the two galaxies.

“Begin transit,” ordered the fleet commander in a cold and nearly emotionless voice. Time to add another galaxy to the ever-growing number the Simulins were bringing under their control.

“First Assault Fleet is moving into position for transit,” answered his second in command. “Second and Third Fleets will follow at two-minute intervals.”

Above the Dyson Sphere, a group of seventy Simulin escort cruisers broke out of orbit and accelerated toward the swirling intergalactic vortex.

-

Admiral Tolsen leaned forward in his command chair, gazing at a viewscreen showing the swirling intergalactic vortex, which was easily four kilometers across. It appeared in the exact location where the earlier brief vortex had formed. “All ships and stations, stand by to fire,” he ordered. “Commander Malen, set the particle beam satellites on automatic so they will fire as soon as they detect a Simulin ship.”

“Sending the command,” Malen replied, holding her breath.

“All weapons ready to fire,” reported Colonel Cowel. He stood anxiously watching the tactical displays, waiting for the enemy ships to appear.

For several minutes the white vortex spun, and then the first Simulin vessels spewed forth. Eleven hundred-meter-long escort cruisers suddenly flashed out of the vortex. Not one at a time but in full squadron strength and in very tight formations.

“Fire!” ordered Race, as more Simulins ships continued to arrive. “Lieutenant Travers, send a message to Fleet Command that Simulin warships are transiting into the galaxy in large numbers. Add to the message we’re engaging. We’re now at war!”

The anxiety in the Command Center markedly increased. On the main viewscreens, hundreds of bright blue particle beams suddenly flashed into existence and smashed into the Simulin vessels as the defensive satellites fired. Shields were almost in place when the particle beams struck, smashing into the Simulin hulls. At the same time, Devastator Three missiles were launched from the Type Two stations to take advantage of the momentary weakness of the enemy.

Space seemed to light up with the steady burst of exploding fifty-megaton warheads and the bright blue flashes of particle beams. It was as if a massive energy fire burned at the center, where those deadly weapons were aimed. Simulin ship after ship exploded under the devastating attack. However, before the Simulin fleet could be completely destroyed, shields snapped into place on the surviving ships, and weapons fire was returned. Then the second wave of Simulin warships made transit. In this wave, a number of the more powerful 1,700-meter-long battlecruisers were present, which would be much more difficult to destroy.

“More Simulin ships are making transit,” reported Lieutenant Davis. “Battlecruiser size and a lot of them.”

“Move the fleets closer,” ordered Race, his eyes intently watching the tactical displays. The only chance he had to win this battle was to destroy as many Simulin ships as possible as they made transit. “We need to add our firepower to the battlestations and the defense satellites. It’s the only way we’ll stop them.”

“Particle beams firing,” reported Captain Daniels from Tactical. “Locking on with Devastator Three missiles.”

“Missile launch,” another Tactical offer said.

On the main viewscreen, more brilliant flashes of light became evident, as the advancing Federation ships poured weapons fire into the heart of the emerging Simulin formations.

-

In the second Simulin fleet, a High Commander realized what was happening. The inhabitants of this galaxy had laid a trap for the incoming fleets, and he could do nothing to warn those coming behind him. This had never happened before. Somehow this galaxy must have been warned about the impending Simulin attack!

“Form a defensive wall in front of the vortex,” he ordered briskly, as he studied the recommendations from the battle computer. “We must protect the ships coming behind us to give them time to activate their energy shields.”

He felt anger at the audacity of such primitive organics to attempt to thwart the Simulin invasion. If the ships with shields down could protect those coming out of the vortex long enough, they would soon have sufficient forces to push out of a defensive formation and go on the offensive to destroy their attackers.

-

Race grimaced as one of the Type Two battlestations exploded in a fiery ball of light as a half-dozen Simulin energy beams blew it apart. The battle quickly intensified as additional Simulin ships successfully made transit. While the Federation fleets were still destroying many of the enemy, a growing number of enemy vessels with intact shields were now holding position in front of the vortex, making it more difficult to strike those still emerging and vulnerable.

“The Simulins are firing upon the particle beam satellites,” reported Colonel Cowel. “We’re losing them pretty rapidly.”

On one of the tactical displays, the small icons, which represented the satellites, were winking out in rapid succession.

Race nodded. He’d been afraid of that. The particle beam satellites had no defensive screens and were easy targets for the Simulin weapons.

“Alton battlecruiser Stardust is down,” reported Lieutenant Davis, as its green icon swelled up and vanished from the sensor screen.

Race winced at hearing that. He greatly feared many more ships would follow the Stardust into oblivion. “All ships, continue to fire! Pour it on! We can’t let them break free of the vortex area.” Race leaned forward, his eyes focused intently on the tactical displays. This was a battle they had to win, or the consequences to the galaxy would be grim.

-

Space was full of exploding Devastator Three missiles, particle beams, and power beams. The Simulins were responding with their own powerful energy beams, as well as sublight antimatter missiles. In front of the vortex, Simulin ships were packed so close together their energy shields were nearly touching. The final Simulin fleets were making transit and were composed primarily of the large battlecruisers.

As each minute passed, more and more Simulin ships survived the transit, and the weapons fire became heavier. The Simulins were now using their defensive energy batteries to take out the surviving particle beam satellites in an attempt to alleviate that threat. They were also using their main energy weapons to annihilate the battlestations, which were pouring a withering particle beam fire into the amassed fleets.

An Indomitable Class battlestation was under heavy attack. Numerous energy beams pummeled its shield, as well as antimatter missiles. Its defensive screen seemed to flicker under the assault, and then two energy beams struck the hull, blasting a huge glowing rent in the side of the station. Several internal explosions caused the station’s power to fail momentarily. Its crew rushed to initiate repairs, but it was too late. Three Simulin antimatter missiles slammed into the now-vulnerable hull, detonating in fiery explosions. The battlestation blew apart with most of its structure converted into gas and flaming debris. There were no survivors.

-

“We just lost an Indomitable Class battlestation,” reported Commander Arnett in a shaken voice. “We’ve also lost six more of the Type Twos.”

“Four hundred and twelve of the particle beam satellites have been taken out,” added Colonel Cowel. “The rest will be gone shortly.”

Race took a deep breath. “Order the remaining Indomitable Class battlestations to close on the enemy.” He might be ordering them to their destruction, but, with their heavy energy shields, they stood the best chance of withstanding the Simulins’ energy weapons fire at point-blank range. They could also cause a tremendous amount of damage.

-

Admiral Jackson held his breath as the Dauntless shook violently, and the lights in the Command Center briefly dimmed then returned to full brightness. “Report!” he demanded, seeing a number of red lights appear on the Damage Control console.

“Heavy damage to hull sections seventeen and eighteen at bulkhead twenty-two,” reported the Damage Control officer. “I’ve sealed off the area.”

“Casualties?”

“At least fifteen missing,” reported Executive Officer Colonel Milson. “A Simulin energy beam penetrated our shields.”

On one of the viewscreens there was a brilliant flash of light.

“What was that?” asked Jackson, suspecting the worst.

“The battlecruiser Malta,” the sensor operator reported. “She was hit by multiple energy beams and antimatter missiles. The Malta is down.”

“We’re getting hammered,” Colonel Milson grated out, as the Dauntless was hit with what felt like a massive hammer.

More red lights appeared on the Damage Control console, and screams could be heard in the distance.

Jackson sensed the damage being done to his ship. The hull seemed to ring with every energy beam strike to the shield, and he knew some of the energy was impacting the ship’s armor. The Dauntless shuddered violently once more, and Jackson glanced at Colonel Milson.

“Fusion reactor three is down,” reported Colonel Milson in a grave voice. “We can either fire our particle beams or the power beams but not both.”

“Particle beams,” ordered Jackson, taking in a deep breath. “They seem the most effective. Get repair crews on that reactor. I want full power to all our weapons as soon as possible!”

“Yes, Admiral,” Colonel Milson replied, as he contacted Engineering.

Looking at one of the tactical displays, Jackson saw several other green icons blink out. The fleet was taking heavy casualties. This battle was far from over.

-

Calmat, the Carethian Admiral in charge of the Bear fleet, gazed at the main viewscreen in the Command Center of his battleship, the Hunter. If the reports were true, the powerful warships they were now engaging were what stood between someday rescuing Clan Leader Grayseth and the others of the lost fleets. He was determined his clan would do their part to allow for that eventual rescue. While others spoke of a relief fleet, he hoped someday Grayseth could return triumphantly home from the hunt. “Press onward,” he ordered. “The enemy before us must be destroyed if we ever wish to rescue our clan brothers. This is a hunt we must win.”

The Bear fleet continued to close on the amassed Simulin ships. Weapons fire between the two fleets intensified as the Bears bored straight ahead. First one, then two, then six of their cruisers exploded in massive bursts of energy, as Simulin weapons fire blew them apart. However, the Bears were making the Simulins pay a heavy price, as the Bears fired particle beams and power beams into the heart of the Simulin formation. Two Simulin escort cruisers died after losing their shields, then a battlecruiser exploded as Bear particle beams tore it apart. This was the hunt, and the Bears were unwavering in their resolve to bring honor to their clan.

-

Admiral Victell and Admiral Bachal had combined their forces into a single Alton fleet of sixteen battleships and ten battlecruisers. Already the battlecruiser Stardust had been destroyed, and other ships were reporting heavy damage.

Admiral Bachal turned to his second in command, Colonel Derrick Shepherd, a Human officer. “We’re suffering heavy damage across the fleet. Even our shields are failing when hit by large numbers of Simulin energy beams. Admiral Strong was correct in reporting the dangerous power of these weapons.”

“Battleship Lexil is under heavy attack,” the Human sensor operator reported.

He made an adjustment and the large screen on the front wall of the Command Center showed the massive Alton battleship. Dozens of Simulin energy beams were beating upon the energy shield, along with the occasional explosion of an antimatter missile.

“Their Engineering compartment has taken a hit, and they’re losing power,” reported Colonel Shepherd, as he listened to a status report over his minicomm.

“Intensify fire upon the ships attacking them,” ordered Admiral Bachal in a strained voice. “We must take some of the pressure off them.” While he was one of the few Altons capable of serving in a combat position, it was still very difficult for him to order the deaths of others, even their enemies.

“The Indomitable Class battlestations have reached point-blank range,” the sensor operator reported. “Weapons fire between them and the Simulins has grown so intense it’s interfering with our sensors.”

At that moment a half-dozen Simulin energy beams blasted through the Lexil’s energy shield, penetrating deep into the ship. Massive explosions rocked the ship, and large sections of the hull were blown away. On the viewscreen, several large gaping holes were easily visible.

Admiral Bachal’s face turned pale, knowing what was about to happen and that he was powerless to stop it.

Suddenly a bright explosion filled the screen, and, when it cleared, the Lexil was gone.

“Battleship Lexil is down,” reported the sensor operator.

“Look at the viewscreen,” said Colonel Shepherd, his eyes opening wide in awe.

The eleven surviving Indomitable Class battlestations had closed to the point at which every one of their weapons could be brought to bear upon the remaining Simulin ships. Several of the stations were nearly inside the Simulin formation. The battlestations were one thousand meters in diameter and armed with particle beam weapons, power beams, and numerous antimatter missile tubes. Each station seemed to be enclosed in a fury of brightness, as the Simulins did everything in their power to destroy them.

“The fleet will advance and engage the enemy,” order Admiral Bachal. “Those battlestations won’t last long under that type of bombardment.”

-

All the fleets were now closing on the enemy in a brave attempt to support the battlestations. Two more Carethian cruisers exploded, as Simulin energy beams riddled them. Four Human light cruisers vanished as Simulin antimatter missiles slammed into their hulls after their energy screens failed. A Human battleship collided with a Simulin battlecruiser, and both vanished in a fiery blaze of light. The battle was growing more intense as the defenders closed to put an end to the invaders.

-

“We’re taking heavy losses,” reported Commander Arnett, as the WarHawk shuddered from an antimatter missile strike to the energy shield.

“So are the Simulins,” Race answered, as he watched the tactical displays. “Our battlestations are taking a heavy toll on the enemy. At our range now, almost all of our particle beam and power beams are penetrating the Simulins’ shields.”

“Battlestation Reliant is reporting catastrophic damage,” reported Lieutenant Davis. On one of the tactical screens, the blue icon representing the battlestation suddenly swelled up and vanished. “Battlestation Reliant is down.”

“How many Simulin ships remain?” demanded Race. He knew the battle still could go either way. Space was full of destroyed and damaged ships.

“One hundred and eighty-seven,” Colonel Cowel answered, as he studied some data on a screen near him. “Many of them are damaged with weakened energy screens.”

“Our own ships are suffering the same type of damage,” Commander Arnett said with a worried frown. “We might not have the ships we need to finish this.” She grimaced as another battlestation vanished from the tactical display.

“We have one more card to play,” Race answered with a deep sigh. It would be costly, but he had no other choice. Pressing the small button on his minicomm, he contacted Rear Admiral Rance Wyler. “Rance, it’s time to send in the bombers. Once they’ve been launched, move your battlecarriers into combat range. We’ll need their firepower.”

“Squadrons will be launching in thirty seconds,” Rance replied. “We’ll do you proud, Admiral.”

“I know you will,” responded Race, knowing he was sending most of those pilots to their deaths. The pilots’ quarters on those carriers would be mostly empty when this was over.

-

From the eight battlecarriers, nearly seven hundred Anlon bombers launched. Each was armed with four Shrike missiles carrying twenty-kiloton nuclear warheads. In addition to the Anlons, nearly one thousand Talon fighters launched as well. The Talons would serve to take some of the pressure off the bombers, so they could launch their missiles at the damaged Simulin vessels. The fighters and bombers made several circles around the carriers, as all squadrons finished launching and became aligned in their attack formations.

“Target the damaged Simulin vessels only,” ordered Rear Admiral Wyler over the joint squadron comm channel. “If we can take out the majority of the damaged Simulin warships, we can win this battle.”

“We’ll take them out,” promised Major Terrill, who was the CAG for the Saratoga and in charge of the strike. Terrill looked down at his small sensor screen and saw hundreds of small green icons. “All squadrons, begin your attack runs. There’ll be a lot of energy beam fire and missile fire as we close. Try not to get hit by friendly fire.”

The bombers were in ten ship squadrons, as the fighters fanned out to form a protective circle around the Anlons. It was essential the bombers get in close enough to deliver their missiles.

-

“Bombers and fighters have been launched,” reported Commander Arnett, as one of the tactical displays lit up with nearly 1,700 small green icons.

“I want all ships to continue to press the Simulins, regardless of the damage they’ve suffered,” Race ordered grimly. “We need every particle beam, power beam, and missile fired now. Order all ships to fire one-hundred-megaton antimatter missiles. Let’s light up the Simulins.”

-

The remaining Simulin High Commander gazed impassively at his ship’s tactical display. The other four High Commanders had died along with their flagships.

“These organics are unusually dangerous,” he said, as several more Simulin escort cruisers were blown apart beneath the onslaught of the weapons assailing the beleaguered fleet. “In many areas their technology seems to be on a similar level to ours.”

“The same was reported of the fleets which made transit into the galaxy we just left,” his second in command replied. “However, the weapons deployed were of a wide diversity in both strength and type. This fleet seems to be relying more on their particle beams and now antimatter missiles.”

“Numerous small vessels have appeared,” the sensor operator warned. “The battle computer is identifying them as some type of assault craft.”

“Target them with our defensive weapons, when they come within range,” the High Commander ordered. “Our defensive batteries should destroy them.”

This battle will be costly, but, if he managed a victory, he could still deploy enough energy-collection stations to send a message in a few short weeks, requesting additional reinforcements.

-

Major Terrill winced as heavy Simulin defensive fire focused on his incoming bombers and fighters. “Spread out. Don’t give them too easy a target.” His words were cut short as a Simulin defensive energy beam vaporized his bomber.

Major Paxell felt shock at seeing the CAG’s green command icon blink out. “This is Major Paxell. I’m taking over. All bombers spread out and continue on your attack runs. Fighters, try to draw some of that defensive fire off the Anlons.”

Space was lit up with the fiery deaths of fighters and bombers, as the Simulins defensive fire blew apart the small ships. Three hundred fighters and over two hundred bombers died before they entered launch range. Even though the Anlons had a forward defensive screen, the Simulin energy fire was cutting right through it.

“All Anlons, lock on targets and fire,” ordered Captain Gail Swenson. All her superior officers had died in the heavy Simulin defensive fire. Space was crisscrossed with deadly energy beams seeking targets. “Once your missiles have been released, get the hell out of here!”

Gail heard her targeting system beep loudly as it acquired its target. Pressing the missile release switch, she fired two of her Shrike missiles at a nearby Simulin escort cruiser, which was heavily damaged and only had a few weapons still firing. The two missiles slammed home, and the ship blew apart as the twenty-kiloton warheads detonated. Pulling up, she targeted the next Simulin vessel. Firing her remaining two missiles, she felt disappointment when they exploded harmlessly on the still-operating energy screen. However, her missiles must have weakened the screen, as another bomber’s missiles penetrated, blowing the stern off the vessel.

Kicking in the bomber’s turbos, she turned and accelerated toward the inbound carriers. All around her Shrike missiles were striking targets. Many found Simulin hulls to explode against, while others struck still-operational energy screens. Gail just hoped they were causing enough damage so the Federation fleet could finish off the remaining Simulins.

Looking out her cockpit window, she saw the Indomitable Class battlestation Invictus under heavy attack, and, even as she watched, its energy screen wavered, and several Simulin antimatter missiles slammed into the hull, blasting huge glowing craters into the thousand-meter station. A titanic explosion suddenly blew it apart, sending debris into another nearby station as well as several Simulin vessels. Gail took a deep breath and looked away. Too many people were dying. She didn’t want to think about how many friends she’d lost in the last few minutes.

-

Admiral Victell found himself too deep in the Simulin formation as his ship became cut off from the other Alton warships. He felt his flagship, the Ralus, shake violently while warning alarms sounded on the Damage Control console. On the large viewscreen, he saw a heavily damaged Simulin battlecruiser turn toward the Ralus.

“Continue on course,” Admiral Victell ordered in a calm voice. From the lights on the Damage Control console, he knew his ship was mortally damaged. The least he could do was ensure another Simulin ship died along with her.

Moments later the two ships collided, and space was lit up, as glowing suns appeared where the two ships had been. When the light faded, all that remained was a glowing and scattering debris field.

-

“Alton battleship Ralus is down,” uttered Lieutenant Davis in shock. “It rammed a Simulin battlecruiser.”

“Fighters and bombers are returning to the carriers,” Colonel Cowel reported, his face a ghastly white. “We lost 72 percent of the bombers and 38 percent of the fighters. We also lost every one of the CAGs. A squadron captain led the strike at the end.”

Race swallowed hard, hearing the casualty report. He’d known they would lose a lot of them. “How badly did we hurt the Simulins?”

“They’re down to eighty-two ships still operational, and almost all of them are damaged to some extent,” Commander Arnett reported. “With the remaining battlestations and our ships, we should be able to take them.”

“Let’s finish this then,” Race ordered, his eyes flashing with a glint of steel. “I don’t want a single one of their ships to escape!”

-

An hour later it was over. The last Simulin ship had been changed into stardust, and the fleet had gone back to Condition Two as it began search-and-recovery operations.

“How badly did they hurt us?” Race asked, as he leaned back in his command chair and tried to relax. He knew they’d come dangerously close to losing the battle.

“Bad,” Commander Arnett replied with a grim look. “We lost all five hundred of the particle beam satellites, eighteen of the Type Two stations, eight of the Indomitable stations, and the remaining four will need major repairs.”

“What about our fleet units?” Race was deeply concerned about what would happen if the Simulins tried to come through with another fleet anytime soon. It would take a while for reinforcements to reach the galactic center, once the report of this battle went out.

“Third Fleet’s losses are four battleships, seven battlecruisers, nine strikecruisers, two battlecarriers, and eight light cruisers,” Commander Arnett reported in a strained voice. Many of those ships had been with Third Fleet for several years. She’d known some of those ship commanders and their officers very well.

“Admiral Jackson lost one battleship, two battlecruisers, and three strikecruisers. The Altons lost six battleships and four battlecruisers including the Ralus and Admiral Victell. The Carethians lost sixteen of their cruisers and, finally, the New Providence fleet lost nine of their battlecruisers.”

“Seventy-one ships,” Race spoke in a low voice. These were the largest fleet losses since the war with the Hocklyns and the AIs.

“What about damages?”

“Heavy,” replied Madelyn, shaking her head. “Every ship will need some repair time. A few will need to be towed to a shipyard.”

“Let’s get the four battlestations repaired first,” Race ordered. “They can remain on guard at the vortex site, while we start on other repairs. With any kind of luck, we’ll see substantial reinforcements before the Simulins attempt to come through again.”

At least Race hoped they would. The nearest reinforcements would have to come from Astral, New Providence, and Careth. A few small fleet bases were deep in what was formerly the Hocklyn Slave Empire, but Race wasn’t certain it would be wise to raid those bases of their ships.

“What if they come through before we’re reinforced or finish our repairs?” asked Colonel Cowel.

Race still felt shaken at how close they had come to losing the battle. He knew all too well that, if not for the Indomitable Class battlestations, the Simulins would have blown right through Third Fleet and the other defenders.

Race looked at the colonel and then replied, “We’re in no shape to fight another battle. If the Simulins come through in force, we’ll have no choice but to withdraw and destroy the capacitor stations.”

“Then what about the relief fleets?” Cowel asked, his eyes growing wide. “We won’t be able to send them.”

“I know,” Race said solemnly. “Let’s just hope the Simulins don’t come too soon, or Admiral Strong and those with him will be on their own—permanently.”

Race turned away, lost in thought. He needed to get his battle report and assessment done. One of those needed to go to Fleet Admiral Streth. Time was about to run out for the relief fleets. If they weren’t launched soon, they never would be.

Chapter Fourteen

Jeremy sat on a beach lounger at one of the large Oceanside resorts built for the crews of the orbiting ships to enjoy some quality leave time. Kelsey had finally demanded he take a few days off to relax, before he burned himself out from his constant worry. He’d relented and agreed to come down to Gaia. One thing he feared more than the Simulins was an angry and unhappy wife.

“How are the wedding plans going?” Katie asked Angela who was on a lounger next to Brace. “Are Ariel and Clarissa helping?”

Angela brushed her brunette hair from her eyes and grimaced. “They’re full of suggestions,” she said. “You wouldn’t believe all the ideas the two of them have come up with. You’d think they were the ones getting married.”

Brace laughed and nodded his head. “Those two AIs enjoy helping with the wedding. I don’t believe they’ve ever done something quite like this before.”

Jeremy grinned. He could well imagine what the couple was going through. He was glad he’d asked General McGown if he could spare Brace for a few days. This was the first time since the Distant Horizon had arrived at Gaia months earlier that all six of them had managed to take some leave time together.

“Have you decided where the wedding will be?” Kelsey asked. She was wearing a dark blue two-piece swimsuit, which did a good job of accenting her figure.

“We’re thinking about here on the beach,” Angela replied. “It’s a beautiful setting.”

“That might be a problem,” Katie said with a frown. “I strongly suspect Ariel and Clarissa will demand to be in attendance.”

“Can you set up some holographic projectors on the beach for them?” Angela asked. “I was thinking about having them in the wedding.”

Katie pursed her lips in thought. “Maybe,” she said after a moment. “I’ll need to talk to Mikow. We’ve never projected their holograms this far.”

“I’m sure you’ll figure something out,” said Kevin. He took a deep sip of his fruit drink and then looked at Jeremy. “You really need to try this drink. It tastes very similar to the ones they serve at the beach resorts on New Tellus.”

At the mention of New Tellus, everyone became quiet. It was hard to accept they would never see those resorts again or be able to go home.

Kelsey cleared her throat and looked at Kevin. “How are the hamburgers here?”

“Passable,” Kevin replied grudgingly. “Katie wouldn’t let me bring any down from the Avenger or the Distant Horizon.”

Everyone laughed at Kevin’s predicament. Katie had brought cases of hamburgers with her on the Distant Horizon and rationed how many Kevin could have each day. Hamburgers and french fries were Kevin’s favorite food, and he’d been vastly disappointed a few years back when the lost fleets had run out of the meat they’d brought from the Federation.

“Brace, how’s your new post?” Jeremy asked.

“We’ve been busy,” replied Brace, taking Angela’s hand and squeezing it. “The base is finished, and the Marines have settled in.”

“You saw the scavenger robot on the Distant Horizon?” asked Kevin.

“Yeah,” Brace replied. “Damn scary-looking thing. I wouldn’t want to meet one of them in a dark alley. I wasn’t involved in the fighting on the surface when we first encountered them, but several of the Marines told me all about it.”

“They’re actually called Conqueror drones,” Katie said brusquely. She didn’t like talking about the killer robots. “Mikow and I found that out after looking more into their programming.”

“Conqueror drones,” repeated Brace with a frown. “Sounds ominous.”

“Let’s go for a swim,” suggested Angela, standing and pulling Brace with her. “The water looks great!”

Jeremy watched the two run off into the water, splashing each other and laughing loudly. He wished every day could be like this one.

“They look good together,” Kelsey said, coming over and sitting down next to Jeremy.

“I’m glad,” Katie commented, as she watched the couple in the water. “They have a lot to look forward to.”

Kelsey looked down at the sand and dug her toes into it. “Reminds me of the beaches of New Tellus,” she said, almost in a whisper. “Jeremy, how much danger are we in?”

“We don’t know,” he replied truthfully. “Andram and several other Alton scientists have been studying the Simulin tracking device we found on the Distant Horizon. We’re not certain how far its communication system could have penetrated through the nebula. There’s little doubt the Simulins probably tracked the Distant Horizon to its last hyperspace dropout point. That was eight light-years outside the nebula. The Simulins should be able to put two and two together, and figure out where we’re hiding eventually.”

“What will happen if they show up here?” asked Katie with a deeply concerned look in her light green eyes.

“We’re building more particle beam satellites,” Jeremy answered. He’d opted for those than more Type Two battlestations. The satellites could be built faster and in much greater numbers.

“This is our new home,” Katie said, taking Kevin’s hand and holding it tightly. “I don’t want to lose it.”

“We won’t lose it,” Jeremy promised. “Andram and the Altons are working on two separate methods to keep the Simulins out of the nebula. If either work, we’ll be perfectly safe.”

“What if they come before those are ready?”

Jeremy looked at Katie. Sometimes he still saw the young fourteen-year-old who had come to the Fleet Academy full of excitement and thousands of questions. Back in those days, she even had a crush on him.

“We’ll be ready,” Jeremy promised. “Between the fleets, the battlestations, and the particle beam satellites, I’m confident we can hold back the Simulins until Andram is ready to deploy the devices they’re working on.”

“Let’s go for a swim,” Kelsey suggested. “Work and the Simulins are not something I want to discuss on leave, even though I may have brought it up. We’re here to get away from all that.”

Nodding his head, Jeremy stood up. “The water looks good,” he said. Looking at Kevin and Katie, he added, “Last one in pays for supper tonight!”

“Crap!” muttered Kevin, as he jumped up and then nearly tripped over his lounge chair. He grabbed Katie’s hand and sprinted toward the water, dragging her along.

“Guess we’re buying supper,” Kelsey said, putting her arms around Jeremy and gently kissing him on the lips.

“Yes,” replied Jeremy, smiling. “Did I forget to tell you that they’re letting us stay here for free and not charging for our meals?”

Kelsey laughed and shook her head. Stepping out of Jeremy’s arms, she walked with him toward the water. It didn’t take but a few moments, and the two of them joined their four friends.

These were times they would long remember; Jeremy just hoped there were many more of them.

-

Rear Admiral Kathryn Barnes was in her quarters on the Distant Horizon, reading a novel from her bookshelf. She’d brought along nearly one hundred hardback books. The ship’s digital library contained tens of thousands of e-books, but she enjoyed the feel of turning the pages and sitting back in a comfortable chair with her feet tucked underneath her.

Clarissa suddenly popped into existence in front of Kathryn with a confused look on her face. “Why do you read those?”

“They’re from my home on Ceres,” Kathryn replied, as she looked up at the AI. She had grown used to the AI popping in and out. “I’ve always enjoyed reading. It helps me to relax and takes my mind off things for a while.”

“I see,” Clarissa said. “Sort of like when Ariel and I take different sides in simulations to see who comes up with the better battle tactics.”

“Sort of,” Kathryn answered with a nod. “Is there a reason for this visit?”

“These Originators which Andram and Shilum mentioned,” Clarissa said, looking inquisitive, “do you think there’s any chance they could still be alive somewhere?”

Kathryn closed her book and looked thoughtfully at the AI. “I doubt it,” she said. “Andram suggested the Dyson Sphere we discovered was over three million years old. The science to build such a thing is far more advanced than anything we’ve imagined.”

“Could there be more than one Dyson Sphere?” asked Clarissa. “Andram mentioned the possibility that the vortices could be linked to others.”

“It’s possible,” uttered Kathryn, her eyes growing wide at the thought.

“We detected twenty-seven vortex rings in the hull of the sphere,” Clarissa pointed out. “What if each one connects to another Dyson Sphere and those to even more?”

“Andram did say these Originators had colonized hundreds of worlds in our galaxy,” Kathryn mused, considering the ramifications. “They could have been much more widespread, perhaps existing in numerous galaxies, all connected by the spheres.”

“I wonder if there’s a Dyson Sphere in our home galaxy?” asked Clarissa. Her deep blue eyes held a look of intense concentration.

“If there is, why did the Simulins come through the black hole at the galactic center?” asked Kathryn.

She felt a tingling at the back of her neck, thinking about the possibility of a sphere in the home galaxy. If the Originators had colonized several hundred worlds, wouldn’t that seem to indicate there should be one?

“Perhaps they haven’t found the Dyson Sphere in our galaxy or been able to activate it.”

“If there is a Dyson Sphere back home, we need to locate it,” stated Kathryn, more worried now. “Somehow we need to get word to the Federation to begin searching.”

“That might not be possible,” Clarissa said, placing her hands on her hips. “We lost the capacitor stations as well as the vortex generators. It will take months to build new ones, and the Simulins will be on watch in the blue giant nebula in case we return.”

“I’ll put it in my report to Admiral Strong,” Kathryn said, even if there was little they could do. Clarissa was correct; they might never send another message home. If there were a Dyson Sphere, the Federation would have to locate it on its own.

-

The next day Kathryn toured the forward section of the ship where most of the damage had occurred from their recent Simulin encounter. Outside, two fleet repair vessels were busy laying new plates of battle armor over the shattered hull. Reaching the area where the Simulin energy beam had burned a hole deep inside the ship, she paused upon seeing Commander Grissim.

“Admiral,” Grissim said, standing up from where she’d been inspecting a recently installed metal support column.

“How are the repairs going?” Kathryn was anxious to get the ship repaired. With its main weapons disabled, the Distant Horizon wouldn’t be much help in a major battle if the Simulins found them.

“Have you been outside?” Grissim asked. “Dozens of spider robots are doing hull repairs. We should have all the outer hull damage repaired within the week and two more weeks for the particle beam cannons and power beam projectors to be rebuilt.”

“What about the new ion cannon?” asked Kathryn. It would be nice if the Distant Horizon could punch holes in the Simulins’ shields so missiles could penetrate. Ion beams seemed to have a much more pronounced effect in disabling the shields than a particle beam or power beam.

“It’s coming along,” Commander Grissim said, as she stepped back to allow several deck hands to pass by carrying some equipment. “The Altons can’t quite figure out how to miniaturize all the components to create more of our defense globes. They know what needs to be done. We just don’t have the equipment here to do it. However, they feel pretty confident they can get the big cannon to work.”

Kathryn stepped to the opening, where the Simulin energy beam had torn through the ship. A safety rail was up, and, peering inside, she could see the jagged gash that extended several decks below into the ship. Welding arcs flashed regularly, and, in some areas, cutting torches removed damaged metal.

“Still a lot of work to do,” uttered Kathryn, wishing she could do more to help.

“We’ll get there,” promised Commander Grissim, walking to stand next to the admiral. “When we’re done, the ship will be as good as new. Daelthon has his best people working on it.”

“Keep me posted,” ordered Kathryn. “I’m going to meet with Shilum and several other Altons from the science ships. They’ve been studying the data on the computer drive we brought from Astral and have an idea about strengthening the ship’s energy shield.”

“That drive has a lot of information on it,” Grissim said, nodding her head. “If the AIs had spent more time studying the information they were storing on the computers at Astral, the Federation would never have stood a chance.”

“I know,” Kathryn replied. “They thought their weapons technology was supreme, and they didn’t want anything too advanced falling into the hands of their proxy races. They only used information needed to establish their empire, so they could work on their Great Project.” Kathryn watched the work for a few more moments and then left to go to the meeting.

-

Kathryn stepped into one of the large briefing rooms on the mobile shipyard. She was greatly surprised to see Daelthon, Andram, Shilum, Kurene, Mikow, and Rear Admiral Susan Marks.

“Admiral Strong is taking a few days off on Gaia, so he asked me to sit in on this meeting,” Rear Admiral Marks explained.

“I understand this has to do with shield modifications for the Distant Horizon?” asked Kathryn, as she sat down across from Susan.

“Yes,” boomed Daelthon, his large eyes focusing on Rear Admiral Barnes. “The Altons have found a possible method to greatly enhance the shield capability of the exploration dreadnought. Unfortunately it will mean more work for my construction people.”

“We want to use heterodyne technology on the energy shield,” explained Andram.

“Heterodyne,” said Kathryn, feeling confused. “I thought we already modulated the frequency of the shield when it’s in operation.”

“Not like this,” Shilum said. She stood up and turned on a viewscreen. Instantly a scale version of the Distant Horizon appeared, showing the energy screen, which normally surrounded the ship.

“We modulate the frequency of the shield to enhance its ability to disperse energy. What we intend to do is modulate the flow of the energy powering the shield.”

“What good will that do?” asked Kathryn.

“We believe it will greatly influence the amount of energy the shield can disperse,” Mikow said, standing up and gesturing toward the viewscreen.

On the screen, the energy shield fluctuated, and then several energy beams impacted it. The energy was spread out over a small section of the shield and gradually dissipated.

“That’s how our normal screen operates,” she said. “Now watch this simulation of the new screen with both the frequency and power modulated.”

The energy beams struck the shield again but were dispersed over a much larger area. Satisfied, Mikow turned off the screen.

“As you can see, by using this method, we can increase the effectiveness of the energy shield by nearly 200 percent,” Andram said.

Kathryn and Susan both leaned back, looking surprised.

“Can we apply this to all our ships?” Susan asked.

“Unfortunately, no,” answered Andram, shaking his head. “It takes the full power of a Fusion Five reactor just to power the energy modulation.”

“We can use this technique on some of our ships which have already been modified with Fusion Five reactors, such as the Avenger, Warrior’s Pride, Shree, Riel, the Orion, and the two surviving AI spheres from the trip to the blue giant cluster,” commented Daelthon. “The battlecruiser Gaia can also be so equipped.”

“We need to try out the shield first,” suggested Rear Admiral Marks. “Can we bring the Gaia to the Clan Protector today and make the necessary modifications?”

“It shouldn’t be a problem,” answered Daelthon, placing one of his large hands upon the conference table. “It won’t take more than a day.”

“I’ll check with Admiral Strong, but let’s plan on doing that,” suggested Susan. “Anyone have anything else we need to discuss?”

“I’ve spoken to the Command AI,” said Kurene. “As you know, one of the things Admiral Strong wants to do is create more AIs.”

“We have the designs for the new AI ships,” Daelthon said, his large brown eyes looking at the group. “I’d like to start construction of the first one as soon as possible.”

“I spoke to Admiral Strong briefly about that before our meeting,” Susan said. “He wants to hold off constructing any new AI ships for now with more emphasis placed on particle beam satellites.”

“We have added an additional assembly line for the satellites,” Daelthon reported. “Admiral Strong wants three thousand of them in orbit around Gaia as soon as possible.”

Rear Admiral Marks nodded her head. “Admiral Strong is concerned the tracking device the Simulins placed on the Distant Horizon will eventually lead them to our nebula and soon after that to Gaia.”

“What about the new AIs?” asked Kurene, her eyes focusing intently on Susan.

“He approved the first one hundred,” the rear admiral replied. “He wants you to oversee their programming.”

“The Command AI will be pleased to hear this,” Kurene responded, thrilled with the new responsibility. “I can assure you there will be no problems. Zed and I have set up the master Codex to program the new AIs with a desire to protect the organic races of the Federation as well as any others we designate.”

Rear Admiral Marks nodded. Zed was one of the science AIs who had been working with Kurene. “Very well, go ahead and build them. Admiral Strong wants regular reports on the progress, particularly if there are any problems.”

“There won’t be,” promised Kurene. “Since we removed all traces of the Simulin programming from the master Codex, the AIs’ entire attitude toward organic races has changed. We’ve even noticed a considerable change in their relationship with other members of my race. It seems as if the AIs are going out of their way to be useful to any Alton.”

“I haven’t interacted with too many AIs since the Distant Horizon first arrived here,” Kathryn said with a sigh. “I’m still not sure if I’ll ever get used to them being around.”

“We’ve had years,” commented Rear Admiral Marks. “It took some getting used to. A lot of mistrust was present in the beginning. Even now there are some who lost family members or friends in the war who will never completely forgive the AIs.”

The meeting continued for a few more minutes with the subject changing to the repairs on the Distant Horizon. Afterward Kathryn returned to her ship, looking forward to a hot relaxing bath and then going to bed to read more of the book she’d started earlier.

-

Jeremy was lying in bed next to Kelsey. They’d just engaged in some passionate lovemaking, and he was feeling relaxed, more so than he had in a long time. He could feel her hip against his, and, turning over, he moved his hand across her stomach and pulled her a little closer.

“I really enjoyed that,” Kelsey said with a yawn. “I’m glad you could get away for a few days.”

“I wonder what our parents would think if they could see us now?” Jeremy said.

Kelsey giggled. “I hope not while we’re in bed.”

“No,” answered Jeremy, grinning. “Where we’re at in our careers.”

His dad had been the first admiral and responsible for establishing the Fleet Academy on the Moon, as well as laying the foundation for the establishment of the new Human Federation of Worlds. Kelsey’s parents had lived in Ceres, and her father was the fleet admiral at the time. That had been several hundred years ago. Kelsey, Kevin, Katie, Angela, and Jeremy had spent considerable time in cryosleep, so they could be part of the war against the Hocklyns. It had been a hard decision for them to opt for cryosleep and leave their parents behind.

“I think they would be proud of us,” Kelsey said softly. “I know my father would be. He always told me that I could accomplish anything, if I only set my mind to it. I remember my first flying lessons with him and how encouraging he always was.”

“We’ve come a long way,” Jeremy said, “but we missed out on a lot with our families.”

“They did leave us messages,” Kelsey replied. “I just wish they could have been there for our wedding. Mom would have loved it.”

“We have another day before I have to return to the Avenger,” Jeremy said. “I wish we could stay longer, but there’s so much that needs to be done.”

“I know,” answered Kelsey, kissing Jeremy gently on his lips. “Let’s just enjoy the time we’ve got. It might be a while before we do this again.”

Jeremy closed his eyes. Kelsey was right; this time off was good for them as a couple and good for all of the Special Five. He just hoped there would be other times to enjoy the beach resorts. The problem was the Simulins and if they found Gaia. If they did, Jeremy wasn’t sure what would become of the lost fleets.

Chapter Fifteen

Admiral Race Tolsen breathed a sigh of relief as more ships from the Federation exited vortices close to the three capacitor stations. For the last two months, the Federation and its allies had been rushing warships to the black hole to reinforce Third Fleet. Near panic had ensued in the Federation, once it was learned what Admiral Tolsen’s command had faced when the Simulins had tried to invade. A lot of finger-pointing had been done, particularly after it became known Race had warned his superiors about the possible threat.

“That’s the Sixth Fleet,” reported Commander Arnett, as she recognized the flagship, the Orion Victory. The original Orion Victory had been destroyed in the battle against the AIs when attacking the capacitor stations. It had also resulted in the death of then Fleet Admiral Karla Johnson. “Admiral Korrel will be in command.”

Race nodded. The Sixth Fleet was the largest contingent of Federation ships to arrive so far. With its six battleships, ten battlecruisers, twenty strikecruisers, eight battlecarriers, and ten light cruisers, it would substantially increase the number of ships Race could place around the vortex area. The week before, Admiral Zanth of the Kessels had arrived in his flagship, Fangs of War, along with ten battlecruisers, twenty heavy cruisers, and fifteen light cruisers.

“Admiral Korrel is requesting an immediate meeting,” Lieutenant Travers announced, as the message came in over her comm station.

“Problems?” asked Madelyn, looking at the admiral.

“Probably.” Race sighed. “He may have orders directly from the Federation Council.” Race had been expecting this to happen eventually.

“You think they want to close the weakness in space at the vortex location by detonating the capacitor stations?” surmised Madelyn. “All the reinforcement fleets aren’t here yet. Some won’t arrive for at least another six weeks.”

“I know,” Race answered, as he stood up and gazed at one of the primary viewscreens showing the Orion Victory. The battleship was a new build, only recently finishing its space trials after leaving one of the construction bays at New Tellus Station. “We’ll have some tough decisions to make.” Turning toward Lieutenant Travers, he said, “Tell Admiral Korrel that I’ll meet him on board Capacitor Station One in two hours. I also want Admiral Jackson, Admiral Bachal, Admiral Zanth, Admiral Calmat, and Admiral Sithe to attend.”

“What about the Alton research scientists?” asked Madelyn. “I’m sure Admiral Korrel will have a lot of questions.”

Race nodded. “That’s probably a good idea. Add Shay Mele and Pelel Maz to the list.”

“You know Admiral Calmat and Admiral Sithe will not want to hear any talk of sealing the vortex area before the relief fleets are launched.”

“I know,” answered Race. The Carethian Admiral and the New Providence Admiral were adamant about sending the relief fleets to Admiral Strong. The Bears were still hoping for some way to rescue them. “We’ll see how the meeting goes.” Race let out a deep sigh. Messages from Fleet Command had been few and far between. Perhaps now he would find out what was going on.

-

Two hours later Race and the other admirals were in a large conference room set up in Capacitor Station One. Once everyone was present, he began the meeting.

“Admiral Korrel, I’m glad to see your fleet. With the reinforcements we’ve received thus far, as well as the battlestations which have been rushed to us, I’m confident we can hold the vortex area against any possible Simulin attack.”

Admiral Korrel looked around the group, as if he was hesitant to speak.

Korrel had been an admiral for nearly eight years and was a firm believer in doing everything by the book. He was an older man with gray around his temples.

“Unfortunately the Federation Council doesn’t agree with your assessment,” he stated very bluntly. “They want the vortex area destabilized immediately to ensure the Simulins don’t come through again.”

“No,” roared Admiral Calmat, standing up, his fur bristling. The large Bear was dark brown in color and towered over the conference table. “Careth will not allow the vortex area to be destabilized until the relief fleets have gone through. We must send new warriors to assist Clan Leader Grayseth in the hunt.”

“Nor will New Providence,” said Admiral Sithe, also rising to his feet. “Fleet Admiral Streth has requested we send aid to Admiral Strong, and we fully intend to do that. Our relief fleet will be arriving in another two weeks.”

“Ours as well,” stated Calmat.

“I have my orders,” Korrel said evenly. “The council had decreed the vortex area be destabilized. I am also to remind you that Fleet Admiral Streth is no longer an active officer in the fleet. He’s retired!”

“The Federation has no say over what Careth or New Providence does,” added Calmat loudly, his gaze challenging Admiral Korrel. “As for Fleet Admiral Streth, my people will always follow his orders. He is a wise leader of the hunt and should be obeyed without question.”

Admiral Korrel shifted uneasily in his chair. He hadn’t been around very many Carethians. “I can only pass on my orders,” he said in a less certain voice.

“Am I removed from command?” demanded Race. There was no way he would allow the capacitor stations to be used to destroy the vortex area before the relief fleets went through. At least not as long as he was in command.

“No,” replied Korrel grudgingly. “Fleet Admiral Nagumo is quite satisfied with your performance and how you stopped the Simulin attack. For that reason he was able to convince the council to leave you in command of the forces here.”

“How long is the council giving me to close the weakened area of space in the vortex area?” For once Race was glad of the weeks-long communication lag between here and the Federation.

Korrel hesitated for a moment and then spoke. “They weren’t specific,” he admitted. “They told me to inform you to close it as soon as possible without risking danger to the forces under your command.”

“My worlds are part of the alliance the Federation has formed,” spoke up Admiral Zanth. “I was at the great battle here when Admiral Strong flew the Avenger into the heart of the enemy. He didn’t know if he would survive, but odds were he and his command would perish. What he did that day saved the Federation and my worlds, as well as all the other organic races of this galaxy. If the Eternity Device had sent out its deadly hyperwave, some of us in this room would be dead now, and the rest would be waiting for our worlds to die. I feel confident my people would want the relief fleets launched, even if we take a risk by leaving the vortex area as it is for a few more weeks.”

“We have brought all the Indomitable Class battlestations from Astral,” added Admiral Bachal, the white-haired Alton, as he leaned back and gazed at the group. “New stations even now are en route to Astral to replace them. We also have two thousand particle beam satellites focused on that area of space, which have been furnished by my people and those of New Providence. It’s doubtful whether the Simulins can launch a successful attack against the forces we now have available.”

“I am only bringing the orders of the council,” Admiral Korrel replied defensively. “I’m not in command here.”

All eyes shifted to Admiral Tolsen for his response.

“If we close the vortex now, we’re probably sealing the fates of our lost fleets,” Race began in a soft voice. “They don’t have the supplies or the equipment to survive long term in a galaxy controlled by the Simulins. Even in the nebula they’re currently hiding in, they’ll eventually be found and forced to fight. Not only that, if we truly want to stop the Simulins from invading our galaxy in the future, Admiral Strong needs reinforcement forces to keep them at bay.”

Pelel cleared his throat and looked expectantly at the admiral, as if he wanted to say something.

“Yes, Pelel?” Race asked curiously.

“It may make no difference if we close off this area of space to the Simulins,” he said in an even voice. “Our sensor recordings of the vortex they established while their fleet made transit revealed some startling properties. That vortex was much more powerful than the one the AIs’ Great Project was designed to produce.”

“Stronger?” asked Admiral Jackson in disbelief. “The AIs had over one thousand capacitor stations around the black hole. It took them centuries to build those power collectors. Are you saying the Simulins have something even bigger?”

“Not necessarily bigger,” Pelel said, shaking his head. “Just more powerful.”

“So what does that mean?” asked Race. He’d thought, by destabilizing the weakened vortex area that the Simulins would not have the power to open up another spatial vortex. That’s what Pelel had indicated in an earlier meeting.

“They have the power to open a vortex anywhere in our galaxy,” replied Pelel. “It’s just easier here at the galactic center due to the weakness of space in the vicinity of the original vortex. They can shift its exit point by applying more energy to create a smaller vortex, which will allow them to open it anywhere. Instead of sending an entire fleet through, they might have to send one ship at a time instead. If our sensor readings are correct, they have the energy to do just that.”

The room was silent as everyone thought about what Pelel had just said.

“Then there’s no point in destabilizing the vortex area,” Admiral Calmat said. “We’re better off allowing the Simulins to appear here, where we can destroy their ships as they emerge.”

“At some point in time they’ll realize what’s happening,” Shay said, joining in on the conversation. “I’m sure their ships were bringing energy-collection stations, so they could at least create a small spatial vortex to send messages back and forth. That’s why they want to exit here, so they can use the energy from the black hole to power their systems. When the Simulins in the lost fleets’ galaxy don’t receive those messages, they’ll suspect something’s wrong.”

“They’ll come through somewhere else to discover what’s happened,” said Admiral Bachal. He leaned forward with his tall frame nearly over the conference table. “We must keep the vortex area open, until we can send the reinforcing fleets through.”

“There is one other thing,” Pelel said with an intense look on his face. “If we blow up the capacitor stations in the area of space which has been weakened, it will disrupt that area severely. In order for the Simulins to change the end point of their intergalactic vortex, it will take a tremendous amount of energy. They currently have the energy to change the exit location of the vortex, but, once this area has been destabilized, they will need even more energy to prevent the vortex from being drawn to this location.”

“So even though they may still send ships through, it might be in very small numbers but in other locales,” said Admiral Korrel, seizing upon those words. “If the vortex area here stays open, they could send large numbers through.”

“If we reinforce Admiral Strong, he may be able to disrupt the Simulins to the point where they can send no ships,” Race was quick to point out.

Korrel frowned. “If you don’t destroy the vortex area, the council will remove you from command.”

“It will take several weeks to get a message to the Federation,” Race said. “By the time the council responds, the relief fleets will have been sent through. At that point I will follow their orders and destroy the vortex area.”

“I hope you’re not making a mistake,” Korrel said with a frown. “My orders are to place my fleet under your command until such a time as the council order has been carried out.”

“Then let’s hope we can complete our mission before the Simulins return,” Race responded. He looked at Shay. “What’s the progress on Capacitor Station Two?”

“It will be ready in four weeks,” she replied. “Capacitor Station Three suffered much more damage. We can have it at 30 percent in one month.”

“Will the three stations have enough power to open an intergalactic vortex long enough to get the relief fleets through?”

“They will, with the alterations we’ve made to their power retention systems,” Shay answered. “By applying Alton power storage technology, we’ve greatly enhanced the amount of energy the capacitor stations can hold.”

“How much more?”

“Each station will hold six times the energy over what they were originally designed for. “We can open an intergalactic vortex eight hundred meters in diameter for thirty-eight minutes before we run out of power.”

“That will have to do,” Race said.

He knew, by delaying the destruction of the vortex area, he was probably ending his career. Once word of what he’d done reached Fleet Command, without a doubt, orders would be sent for Admiral Korrel to relieve him of his command. Hopefully, by then, the relief fleets would be on their way, and he would have fulfilled his mission.

-

On Maken, former Fleet Admiral Hedon Streth stood on the shores of the lake, watching the sun slowly descend on the distant horizon. The orange-red colors of the fading sun covered the western sky.

“I love the sunsets here,” Janice said, as she reached out and took Hedon’s hand.

Hedon smiled and looked down at her swollen belly. “Still no pains?”

“I have a few more weeks yet, according to the doctor,” Janice replied. “I spoke to Amanda earlier, and she plans on coming early next week and staying until I have the baby. The guest room is ready.”

“Is she bringing her son?”

“Of course,” Janice answered with a grin. “That way you can get used to having a little one around the house.” Janice could tell something was bothering Hedon. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s the damn council,” he answered tightly. “The senators from Bliss and Serenity managed to get a motion passed to destroy the vortex area around the black hole by detonating the capacitor stations.”

“Oh, no!” Janice said, her eyes growing wide with concern. “What will Race do?”

“I don’t think he’ll do it,” Hedon replied. “He might have just enough time to get the relief mission launched before they remove him from command.”

“Lose his command!” exclaimed Janice, growing angry. “They can’t do that!”

“They can and probably will,” Hedon answered. “I’ll do what I can to prevent it, but I don’t know if it’ll be enough.”

“Are the relief fleets on their way to the galactic center?”

“Yes,” Hedon replied with a deep and satisfied sigh. “More ships than I could hope for. If they can make it through, then Jeremy will have what he needs to take the war to the Simulins. If he’s successful, he might just save our galaxy.”

“You said you knew Jeremy’s father?”

“Yes,” Hedon replied. “Admiral Jason Strong. I can still recall the day he stepped into my office, after making the trip to Ceres in one of the old Avenger shuttles. The damn things were over one hundred years old, and he still took the risk to see what was there.”

“That was a long time ago,” commented Janice.

“Yes, it was,” agreed Hedon. “I think Jason would be very proud of what his son has accomplished.”

“Are you sending a personal message to Jeremy?”

Hedon was silent for a long moment. He let out a deep sigh and nodded. “Yes,” he answered. “It’s necessary for him to know what’s at stake. He has to take the war to the Simulins.”

Janice placed her hand on her belly. She could feel their daughter kicking. “I think your daughter will make a fine admiral someday.”

Hedon looked at Janice in surprise.

“I strongly suspect both our daughter and Amanda’s son will follow in their parents’ footsteps,” she said.

“Perhaps,” Hedon said, turning to look at the sun, sliding beneath the distant horizon.

He could remember standing here many times with his brother, watching the sunset and talking about the big fish that had gotten away. Those days had been so much simpler.

“Let’s go inside and eat,” Janice suggested. “We need to talk about what we’ll do while Amanda’s here. She might have some useful ideas about this Simulin threat.”

Hedon nodded. It would be good to talk to Amanda and reminisce about old times.

Chapter Sixteen

Above Gaia two thousand small particle beam satellites and forty Type Two battlestations were in stationary orbit above the planet, ready to open fire on the enemy at a moment’s notice. The Type Two battlestations were 150 meters in diameter and had upgraded energy shields, two particle beam cannons, four power beam cannons, twelve missile tubes containing Devastator Three missiles, and defensive laser turrets. Their fusion reactors had been upgraded from a Class One to a Class Three, giving the stations much more power than previous models.

Slightly above them were the massed fleets that had come through the runaway spatial vortex nearly five years previously. Four hundred and seventy of the 1,500-meter AI spheres surrounded the planet. At any one time, two hundred of the AI ships were at Condition Two, ready to respond to a Simulin attack. The AIs, not being organic, required no rest and were determined to defend the organics, who in the past had been their enemies.

Fourth Fleet was in a higher orbit in a loose defensive formation. Its ninety-two warships led by its flagship, the Avenger, were prepared for an impending Simulin attack. Further along in the same orbit, Grayseth’s Carethian fleet was in a defensive formation around the mobile shipyard. Grayseth commanded thirty-three warships led by his flagship, the Warrior’s Pride. Alton Admiral Cleeteus, aboard his flagship the Cydonia Two, had a powerful fleet of Alton warships. His seventy-eight Alton battleships and fifty-nine battlecruisers were the heart of Admiral Strong’s planned defense against the Simulins. With the superior technology and heavy weapons of the Alton ships, they would take the lead in any attack against an incursion.

Last of all was the Clan Protector itself. The mobile shipyard had been greatly expanded and was presently over six thousand meters in length and two thousand in width. Massive weapons emplacements covered its hull, and the entire structure could be protected by an energy screen powered by four Fusion Five reactors.

For weeks the fleets had waited, knowing it was only a matter of time before the Simulins found their hidden sanctuary.

-

Kevin leaned back in his chair in front of his Sensor console, watching the screen with a bored look upon his face. They’d waited weeks for the expected appearance of the Simulins, but nothing had happened yet. There had even been some discussion that the Simulins might not have been able to trace the exploration dreadnought to Gaia using their tracking device. Perhaps the last few jumps had put the Distant Horizon out of range of Simulin detection, and their planet would remain safe and undetected inside the nebula.

“Stay awake,” cautioned Ariel, who suddenly popped into existence next to Kevin with a grin on her youthful face. “You’re supposed to be setting an example for the rest of the crew. After all, you’re one of the Special Five.”

“I absolutely hate that name,” responded Kevin, frowning and letting out a deep sigh. “We’re not any more special than anyone else in the fleet.”

“That’s debatable,” responded Ariel, placing her hands on her shapely hips and staring at Kevin. “Will you be in Angela’s wedding?”

Kevin nodded his head. “I’ll be there,” answered Kevin. “Not sure what she has planned for me, but I’m sure she’ll have me doing something.”

Ariel giggled. “You could be an usher. If the wedding’s on the beach, you could even go barefoot.”

Kevin glared at Ariel. “Don’t even suggest that to Angela! Have you heard when the wedding will be?”

“They’re waiting until the Simulin threat has been dealt with,” Ariel replied, her dark eyes looking at Angela’s Communications station. Currently another woman was sitting there, as Angela was on the Distant Horizon, visiting Kelsey and Katie.

“Just as well,” Kevin said. He was about to say more when an alarm went off on his Sensor console. “What the hell?” he muttered, sitting up straight and powering up the Avenger’s full complement of sensors. His hands moved rapidly over his console, as he called up data on the disturbance.

“It’s a spatial vortex,” confirmed Ariel, her face turning pale. “It’s between the orbits of the third and fourth planets.”

The entire system of Gaia had been seeded with vortex detection satellites. The satellites were designed to detect any nearby vortices and report on the type of ship that emerged.

“Video coming in from satellite 212,” reported Ariel. “I’m putting it up on the main viewscreen.”

On the screen a 1,100-meter-long Simulin escort cruiser appeared, its six spires glinting dangerously in the starlight.

“Go to Condition One,” ordered Kevin, his eyes growing wide. The Simulins had finally found them! He pressed another button on his console, as red lights flashed, and klaxons sounded. “Commander Malen, report to the Command Center. A Simulin escort cruiser has just jumped into the outer system.” Then he turned toward Ariel. “Contact Jeremy. I think he’s on the Clan Protector. Inform him of what’s happened.”

“Yes, Kevin,” Ariel replied without hesitation. She didn’t bother to inform Kevin that a sensor operator didn’t have authority to take the entire fleet to Condition One. However, because he was one of the Special Five, no one questioned the order.

-

Between the orbits of the third and fourth planet, the Simulin escort cruiser drifted slowly through space. Its sensors were already recording data on this star system it had discovered deep in the heart of the nebula. For several weeks now, Simulin escort cruisers had been jumping into the nebula, searching for the hiding place of the mysterious organics and AIs, who had thus far eluded them. Now it seemed as if their hiding place had finally been found.

The ship’s commander gazed impassively at the sensor screens as the data came in. “The organics and the AIs have set up a base on the second planet of this system. This must be reported, so this potential threat can be eliminated.” A massive search had been launched since the recent disturbance in the blue giant nebula.

“They found the Great Sphere of the ancients,” commented his second in command. “That knowledge must be concealed at all costs.”

“They shall die without passing on the knowledge,” stated the ship’s commander. “The Great Spheres are the key to expanding our influence across other galaxies. Their existence must be kept secret. Someday this entire universe will be a Simulin universe. There can be no other organics.”

Alarms sounded, as a spatial vortex opened up within one thousand kilometers of the escort cruiser.

“Enemy vessel detected,” reported the sensor operator.

“Engage our hyperspace drive,” ordered the ship’s commander. Time to take what they’d discovered back to their waiting fleet.

-

Out of the blue-white vortex stormed the Warrior’s Pride. It had been on high alert and set up the jump as soon as the presence of a Simulin vessel had been confirmed. Grayseth hadn’t waited on formal orders.

“Lock weapons on that vessel,” ordered Grayseth, as he stood next to the ship’s Tactical station. “We must not allow it to take word back of what it has discovered.”

“Weapons locked,” confirmed the Tactical officer.

“Detecting an energy spike,” reported the ship’s sensor operator.

“They’re preparing to open a spatial vortex,” warned Ganlon, the ship’s second in command.

“Fire!” roared Grayseth heatedly. “They can’t be allowed to escape!”

“Firing particle beams,” the Tactical officer replied. Then, a few seconds later, he added, “Launching two sublight antimatter missiles.”

The Simulin vessel was displayed on the Warrior’s Pride’s main viewscreen. Two bright blue particle beams smashed into the ship’s hull, and then one of the sublight missiles detonated against the vessel’s energy screen in a brilliant flash of light. The second missile shot through a six-meter-wide gap in the screen, created by one of the ship’s particle beams, and detonated against the heavily armored hull of the Simulin warship. In an instant a small sun formed where the Simulin vessel had been.

“Target destroyed,” the Tactical officer reported.

“A successful hunt!” boasted Ganlon, his face in a wide grin. “The Warrior’s Pride has shown she’s a worthy adversary in the hunt of the enemy.”

The crew nodded. To the members of the clan, the success of the hunt was a justification of their ability to defend the fleet and respond to threats.

“Jump us back to Gaia,” ordered Grayseth. “Our clan brother, Admiral Strong, will want a report of our action.”

-

Commander Malen had entered the Command Center, just as the Warrior’s Pride exited hyperspace and engaged the Simulin vessel. Thanks to the hyperspace detection satellite, they had a front-row seat to the action. When the antimatter missile destroyed the Simulin escort cruiser, the Command Center broke out into cheers.

“Detecting any other Simulin ships?” demanded Commander Malen.

“No,” replied Kevin, checking the Avenger’s long-range scans as well as the data transmitted by the hyperspace detection satellites. “Only the one.”

“A probe ship,” suggested Ariel, as she walked to stand slightly behind and to the left of Commander Malen. “There are probably a large number of these deployed in the nebula searching for us.”

Commander Malen nodded. “Their search routes are probably known, so, if one vanishes, they have a record of where it was going.”

“We can expect another probe to appear once this one fails to return,” confirmed Ariel, as she ran some simulations and probability calculations. “There is a 72 percent probability of more Simulin ships appearing in the system within the next seventy-two hours.”

“I have Admiral Strong on the comm,” reported the Communications officer. “He watched the entire engagement from the Command Center of the Clan Protector. He’s ordering the fleet, other than the AIs, to go to Condition Three. The admiral is also ordering all crews currently on leave to be recalled.”

“Take us down to Condition Three,” ordered Commander Malen. Then she turned to Kevin with a disapproving look on her face. “I understand you ordered the entire fleet to go to Condition One.”

Kevin looked sheepishly at the commander. “Yes,” he answered. “It seemed like the prudent thing to do.”

Commander Malen nodded. “Next time wait until I reach the Command Center, unless it involves a direct attack upon Gaia.”

“Yes, Commander,” Kevin answered in a subdued voice. His reaction had been automatic. After his involvement in so many battles over the years, his instincts had taken over.

“You did the right thing,” Ariel said over their private channel. “Commander Malen knows it. She’s just saying that for the benefit of the crew, so they’ll respect the chain of command.”

“I know,” Kevin replied.

Looking up at one of the viewscreens, he could see the Clan Protector and the Distant Horizon. Most of the repairs to the ship were completed. Kevin wondered if he would see Katie again before the Simulins arrived. He let out a deep breath as he thought about their future. The Simulins would do everything in their power to root out the Federation forces and the AIs from the nebula. The next few days would probably be quite tumultuous.

-

Jeremy looked at Rear Admiral Barnes, who had joined him in the Command Center of the Clan Protector. “Grayseth bought us a little time.”

“But not much,” replied Kathryn, pursing her lips. “The Simulins will know we’re here now. It’s obvious they did track the transmitter on the Distant Horizon to the nebula.”

“We can have the Distant Horizon ready to undock in forty-eight hours,” Daelthon informed them. The large light-brown Bear was standing at his command console, towering over the two Humans. “The ship just needs some cosmetic touches on the interior. Her armor and weapons are fully functional. The ship is ready to return to the hunt.”

“The ion cannon?” asked Jeremy. He was anxious to see the new weapon tested, particularly after seeing how successful the Distant Horizon’s defensive globes had been.

“It’s ready,” Kathryn replied. “It’s not been tested, but the Alton technicians have assured me it’ll work.”

“We’ve installed six of them on the Clan Protector,” added Daelthon. “The Simulins will meet the full fury of the clan if they dare to attack the shipyard.”

“I’m sure the clan will be brave in the hunt and give a good accounting of themselves,” replied Jeremy in a respectful voice.

“How are Andram and his Alton scientists doing on their two projects to keep the Simulins out of the nebula?” asked Kathryn.

Jeremy knew it would be near suicide to fight a series of long-drawn-out battles above Gaia. Eventually the Simulins would wear down their defenses.

“The gravity generators will be ready to deploy in two to three weeks,” Jeremy answered. “However, once they’re deployed, it will take at least four weeks for them to increase the density of the hydrogen gas around Gaia’s system to interfere with hyperspace jumps. They won’t be much help in the short term.”

“What about Andram’s other project?” Kathryn asked. “I know he’s working on something he’s really excited about, but he’s keeping it close to his chest.”

“Shilum and several other Alton hyperspace specialists have come up with a new theory on what generates the properties in hyperspace that allow us to travel faster than light,” Jeremy answered, his forehead creasing in a frown. “Part of what they’ve learned comes from observing the dark matter around the Simulins’ Dyson Sphere and information Andram found on the computer drive we brought from Astral. They called in some Alton mathematicians just to work out the formulas for what they’re trying to do.”

“And what is that?” asked Kathryn. She still didn’t know what Andram was up to, and he was supposed to be under her command.

“I don’t know,” Jeremy admitted ruefully. “Andram says he needs another week before he’s ready to run a test.”

Kathryn looked up at a viewscreen, which still showed glowing gas and drifting debris where the Simulin escort cruiser had been destroyed. “The only problem is, we may not have a week.”

Jeremy let out a deep sigh. Kathryn was right. The Simulins were coming, and his people would have to hold out until they knew if Andram’s device would work. If not, then they might have to seriously consider evacuating Gaia. If that came to pass, Jeremy didn’t know where they would go.

-

Hours passed, and then two days slid by. Jeremy was spending much of his time in the Command Center of the Avenger with his eyes on the sensor screens. He could feel the heightened anxiety in the crew, as they waited for the expected Simulin attack.

“Calm down, Jeremy,” said Ariel over their private comm channel. “You’re making the crew nervous with all your pacing.”

Jeremy sighed and nodded. He knew Ariel was right. “Commander Malen, I’m going to the Distant Horizon to speak with Andram.”

“Yes, Admiral,” Commander Malen replied.

Jeremy left the Command Center and stopped by the officers’ mess to grab a quick bite to eat. Stepping inside, he was surprised to see Kevin here, sitting at a side table eating a hamburger. He was supposed to be in his quarters, getting some much-needed rest.

Picking up a tray, Jeremy selected several food items and then sat down across from Kevin. As soon as he did, Ariel appeared at his side.

“Couldn’t sleep?” Jeremy asked, as he toyed with the potato soup on his tray.

“I tried,” confessed Kevin with a deep sigh. “I kept waking up, thinking I was hearing Condition One alarms going off. I tried calling Katie, but Clarissa informed me she was asleep and asked that I not disturb her.”

“Protective Clarissa,” Jeremy said with a small chuckle. “Sounds like someone else we both know.” He looked at Ariel, who only nodded.

“Both of you should get some sleep as well,” she announced with concern in her voice. “Dr. Ruyl will be glad to give you something to help.”

“It’s hard to sleep knowing the Simulins could show up at any minute,” replied Kevin, as he ate a french fry covered in ketchup. He paused and looked down at his plate. “Even my hamburger doesn’t taste good today.”

“Nerves,” Jeremy responded, looking across the table at Kevin. “Everyone in the fleet’s suffering from it, except for the AIs.”

“I think everyone’s afraid they’ll show up in overwhelming force and drive us away from Gaia,” Kevin responded somberly. “When we first found Gaia, everyone felt that, if we could never return home, at least here we had a new one, a place safe from the Simulins, one where we could raise our families.”

“We haven’t lost it yet,” Jeremy replied.

He well understood everyone’s fear. It would be tough if they had to leave Gaia. They’d have to leave behind so much: the two cities on the surface and probably the Clan Protector, as it was now too large to travel through hyperspace. There were also the orbital defenses, which had taken them years to put in place.

Jeremy had just swallowed a spoonful of his soup when suddenly the Condition One alarms sounded. Commander Malen’s voice came over the ship’s comm, announcing the setting of the higher alert level.

“I knew it!” exclaimed Kevin, pushing back his plate and standing up. “They’re here!”

“Detecting spatial vortices in the same location as before,” confirmed Ariel. Even in the mess hall, she still had access to all the ship’s systems. “Six have been detected so far. We’ll know shortly what’s coming through.”

“Let’s get to the Command Center,” Jeremy said, as he stood up and headed toward the hatch. “Ariel, inform Commander Malen I’m still on board and will be there shortly.”

Ariel nodded and promptly vanished, as her hologram in the mess hall was deactivated.

Jeremy and Kevin rushed to the Command Center amid a beehive of increased activity. Walking to his command chair, Jeremy sat down and shifted his attention to the tactical display nearest him. Six red threat icons were visible between the third and fourth planets of the system.

“What do we have?” he asked, wanting to know the makeup of the Simulin ships. Without a doubt they were Simulin.

“Four escort cruisers and two battlecruisers,” Commander Malen reported. “They’re holding their positions at their emergence points.”

Kevin sat down at his Sensor console, relieving the junior officer who had been there. “I’m detecting scans,” he reported.

“Grayseth wants permission to jump out and engage the enemy,” Angela said from her Communications console.

“Tell him to hold,” Jeremy ordered. “We don’t know if these are all the ships jumping in or just the beginning of a fleet. I don’t want him to get trapped out there.”

“Message sent,” replied Angela after a moment.

“Initiate jamming,” ordered Jeremy.

Instantly the screens in the Command Center became covered with lines of static as the jamming signal was broadcasted. They could still detect the Simulin vessels, but detailed scans were now impossible.

For ten minutes, the six Simulin vessels sat there, attempting to scan the area around Gaia, and then they jumped out.

“They’re gone,” Kevin reported with a sigh of relief.

“They got what they wanted,” Jeremy said grimly. “They know where we are and have a general idea of our ship strength. The only thing they’re still unaware of is how powerful our defensive grid is around the planet and how heavily armed we’ve made the Clan Protector. Secure from Condition One and go back to Condition Three.” Shifting his attention to Ariel, he asked what was on everyone’s mind. “How soon before they return with a warfleet?”

“Assuming the fleet is already assembled and just waiting on a report from the probe ships, we can expect a full-scale attack within the next twenty-four hours. If they postpone the attack due to the information they gathered from their scans, it could be another week or two, if they bring in more ships.”

“Let’s hope they postpone it,” Jeremy said, hoping Andram could complete his research project in time. Leaning back in his command chair, Jeremy knew their entire future in the Triangulum Galaxy now rested on the shoulders of the Alton scientist.

-

“Release docking clamps,” ordered Commander Grissim.

“Docking clamps released,” reported Colonel Leon. “Repair ships are pulling away and heading toward a lower orbit.”

Kathryn nodded. The repair ships were going beneath the defense grid, since they were technically noncombat ships. They were armed, but only lightly with a few energy turrets and one main power beam.

“Back us away from the shipyard with our maneuvering thrusters,” ordered Commander Grissim.

“Maneuvering thrusters activated,” confirmed Lieutenant Styles from the Helm.

“Twenty meters,” reported Captain Reynolds, as he watched his sensors showing the Distant Horizon pulling slowly away from the shipyard. He was sending the same data to the Helm, so Lieutenant Styles could safely maneuver the ship. “Forty meters, sixty meters, one hundred meters.”

Kathryn breathed easier. It always made her a little nervous when any ship she was in command of was undocked from a shipyard. One small miscalculation could easily result in hull damage, as it wasn’t safe to activate the ship’s energy shield so close to such a large object.

She watched for another minute, until the ship had put a full kilometer between it and the Clan Protector, and then gave permission to activate the ship’s sublight drive to place them in their assigned spot in Fourth Fleet’s formation.

-

“Blasted Simulins interrupted my nap,” Katie complained over the private channel Clarissa maintained for the three of them. “Clarissa also said Kevin called.”

“I’m sure he was just checking up on you,” Kelsey replied. “I spoke to Jeremy earlier, and he’s having a hard time sleeping. I think he’s really worried about the Simulin attack.”

“We all are,” answered Katie. “Everyone’s afraid they’ll drive us from Gaia. I hope that doesn’t happen. We have no other place to go!”

“Where’s Mikow?”

Katie glanced at the vacant chair next to her and then toward Kelsey’s Navigation console. “Down in one of the research labs. Andram, Shilum, Mikow, Kurene, and Zed are all huddled up, working on Andram’s special project.”

“There’s an AI on the ship?” asked Kelsey, wondering how Rear Admiral Barnes was handling that.

“Yes, there’s an AI on the Distant Horizon,” Clarissa’s voice cut in. “Zed is helping in the construction of a hyperspace drone which Andram needs.”

“What are they building?” asked Katie. The group in the lab had been unusually secretive about what they were working on.

Clarissa seemed to hesitate and then replied, “It’s some type of device which uses dark matter to interfere with the higher frequencies in the hyperspace dimension. I think if it works, it will make hyperspace travel impossible in the vicinity of the drone and particularly in the nebula.”

“Then the Simulins can’t reach us!” exclaimed Katie excitedly and then quieted down, not wanting anyone to hear her. Looking around, she noticed a few heads had turned in her direction.

“That’s the idea,” Clarissa answered. Her deep blue eyes shifted until she was looking at Kelsey. “Don’t mention that to anyone. I think it’s supposed to be a secret. They don’t want to get everyone’s hopes up, in case it doesn’t work.”

“It has to work,” Katie said, as she looked at the large viewscreen in the front of the Command Center, which was focused on Gaia. To Katie the planet looked beautiful. Someday she planned on raising her children there. She couldn’t imagine the fleet surviving if they had to abandon the planet. In her mind she was convinced, if that happened, it would be the end of everything.

Chapter Seventeen

Thirty-two hours passed with no sign of the Simulins. Across the amassed fleets, nerves were frayed, waiting for the inevitable attack. Only on the AI ships was there a sense of normalcy.

“Report,” ordered the Command AI, as it hovered in the middle of the ship’s control center. Around it, twenty other AIs were monitoring operation consoles.

“All sensors are clear,” reported the AI in front of the ship’s massive Sensor console. “No unknown contacts have been detected.”

“We have 230 ships currently at Condition One,” reported the AI in front of Tactical. “All other ships are at a heightened state of alert.”

“The master Codex ship has moved to a lower orbit beneath the defense grid,” added one of the science AIs.

“Ten of our ships are in a protective circle around it,” added the AI at Tactical. “If endangered, it will initiate an emergency hyperspace jump.”

“The master Codex ship must remain intact,” intoned the Command AI. “It is essential for our survival, as well as the organics whose well-being we’ve been entrusted with.”

“What of the research Z14-E63-D38 is working on with the Alton scientist Andram Muce?” inquired one of the other AIs.

“They’re constructing a prototype,” replied the Command AI. “If it functions as projected, it will block the Simulin organics from using the higher levels of hyperspace inside the nebula.”

“Then the planet we’re protecting will be safe,” stated another AI, hovering before the ship’s main computer console.

“It will be safe,” replied the Command AI in a nearly monotone voice. Around its fellow AIs, the Command AI rarely expressed or showed emotions. “It will give us the time we need to build new AIs, as well as the new ships which have been designed. At some time in the future, we will emerge from this nebula and take the war to the Simulins.”

“The Humans seem opposed to leaving the nebula, if it can be made secure,” commented one of the science AIs. ‘Why would they want to continue the war at a later date?”

“They’re Human,” responded the Command AI in explanation. “They will not be satisfied to stay in this one star system forever. At some point, they’ll want more living space. When that time comes, we must be ready.”

The other AIs agreed. Since discovering what the Simulins had done to their programming, the AIs had gone out of their way to help the organics who were on or above Gaia, particularly the Altons.

Suddenly alarms sounded on the Sensor console, and red warning lights flashed. The Command AI immediately focused its attention on the AI hovering in front of the console. “Report.”

“Numerous spatial vortices are forming twenty million kilometers from Gaia,” the AI replied. “Sixty vortices detected so far, with more still forming.”

“Probability of this being the main Simulin attack is at 92 percent,” reported the AI in front of the ship’s main computer console.

“Take all ships to Condition One and prepare to engage the Simulins,” ordered the Command AI. “Special emphasis is to be placed on ensuring maximum survivability of our organic allies’ vessels.”

-

Jeremy stepped into the Command Center amid the blaring of the Condition One klaxons and flashing red lights. “Someone turn off those alarms,” he ordered, as he sat down in his command chair. “Status report!”

“Simulin vessels detected,” Commander Malen reported, as she turned to face him. “They’re jumping in much closer this time. So far, we’ve detected a little over one hundred spatial vortices and more are still forming. I’ve ordered the entire fleet to Condition One.”

“The Command AI is requesting to be allowed to take enough AI spheres to meet the Simulins in open space, before they can come near the planet,” added Angela from Communications.

Jeremy nodded. He pressed a button on his minicomm, so he could speak to his admirals as well as the Command AI. “All ships will hold their current positions until we have a full count on the Simulin ships. Grayseth, your primary responsibly is protecting the Clan Protector.”

“I will keep the mobile shipyard safe,” the Bear promised over the comm. “We are ready for the hunt!”

“Rear Admiral Marks, you will pull all battlecarriers beneath the defense grid. If the enemy gets close enough to fire upon the planet, you’re authorized to launch Talon fighters to intercept any missiles.”

“Yes, Admiral,” Marks replied. “We won’t allow any missiles to get through.”

“No more vortices are being detected,” Ariel informed Jeremy, as she monitored the ship’s sensors. “Early estimates indicate we’re facing 92 battlecruisers, 270 cruisers, and 10 other ships I’m unable to identify.”

“I thought they would have sent more,” Commander Malen said in surprise.

“They probably don’t know our ships’ full capabilities or exact numbers,” Ariel responded. “The only thing they have to go on are the few engagements they’ve had with our fleet over the years. Keep in mind we have upgraded both our energy shields and weapons, plus fitted the AI ships with multiple particle beam cannons.”

“We can take them,” said Commander Malen, shifting her eyes from Jeremy to the tactical display.

Jeremy nodded. He was confused by the tactics used today by the Simulins. From the scans their probe ships had taken, they should have a fairly accurate estimate on the number of ships he had at his disposal. Something just didn’t feel right.

“Ariel, is there any reason for the Simulins to attack with a fleet they have to know we can probably destroy?”

“A trap,” responded Ariel, as she quickly ran some simulations. “They want us to move away from the planet to engage their fleet. I suspect when we do, a second fleet will jump in around Gaia.”

“They can’t communicate through the nebula,” Commandeer Malen was quick to point out. “How would they know when to jump in?”

“It could be a timed attack,” Jeremy said grimly. “They estimated how long it will take us to react and respond to their fleet, and then, after that time has passed, they jump into orbit around the planet and launch the real attack. They may also have their second fleet much closer than we think.”

“They may not be aware we have equipped all the AI ships with multiple particle beam cannons,” Commander Malen said thoughtfully. “They may still think the AIs are as they were at the first engagement, when we arrived in the Sigma System.”

“They know we’ve upgraded a few AI ships,” Jeremy responded. “They saw that when we rescued the Distant Horizon.”

“They may think that’s all we’ve had time to update,” Ariel suggested. “We could turn the trap on the Simulins.”

Jeremy gazed at the tactical display; the Simulin ships were just sitting there, waiting for the Federation forces to make the first move. “Very well, we’ll play their game with them.” Changing his minicomm so he could talk to his admirals, he passed on new orders. “Rear Admiral Marks, we expect a large Simulin fleet to jump in around Gaia momentarily. As soon as they do, launch all your fighters to intercept any missiles fired at the planet. All AI ships, move lower into orbit, until your ships are mixed in with the defense grid. Let the Simulins think you’re attempting to avoid engagement. When they come within range, all AI ships, particle beam satellites, and Type Two stations are to open fire.

“At the same time, I want all our Anlon bombers launched. They’re to target all Simulin ships that show signs of damage from our initial attack. I want entire squadrons targeting individual ships. Grayseth, I want the Clan Protector and your vessels to open fire as well. Do not under any circumstances move your fleet away from the shipyard. It must be protected at all costs. Fourth Fleet and the Alton fleet will move out to engage the Simulin fleet that just jumped in. If everything works out, we’ll hand the Simulins a massive defeat and buy us the necessary time to close off the nebula from future attacks.”

Jeremy paused and looked around the Command Center; all eyes were on him. “Begin implementing maneuvers now. I want a jump plotted to put Fourth Fleet and Admiral Cleeteus’s fleet twenty thousand kilometers from the Simulins.”

This would put them just out of weapons range and give them time to get their shields up and weapons ready before they engaged. Jeremy took a deep breath. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest. If he made a mistake, they could lose Gaia and most of the fleet. He just hoped Ariel was correct in her assessment of the Simulin tactics.

“Jump plotted,” reported the Navigation officer. “Coordinates sent to both fleets.”

“Ready to implement jump,” reported Ensign Striker from the Helm.

“Jump!” ordered Jeremy, as he held his breath.

Instantly in front of the Avenger a swirling blue-white vortex appeared. On the main viewscreens, more vortices were forming in front of the Federation ships taking part in the attack.

Running his hand across the Helm controls, Ensign Striker activated the ship’s sublight drive, and the Avenger darted into the heart of the waiting vortex.

Jeremy felt a brief feeling of disorientation and then the deep purple colors of hyperspace appeared, but only for a brief instant. A second gut-wrenching moment occurred, and the Avenger emerged from the exit vortex back into normal space.

“Sensors coming online,” reported Kevin.

“Weapons charging,” reported Lieutenant Preston.

“Energy shield activating,” reported Commander Malen.

“Both fleets are in position,” added Ariel, as she used the ship’s now-active sensors to confirm all ships were present. “Simulins are maneuvering to form a shallow cone formation with the apex away from us.”

On several of the viewscreens, highly magnified views showed the Simulin ships. The 1,700-meter-long battlecruisers looked especially threatening with their six spires containing their most powerful energy weapons, pointing directly toward the Federation fleet.

“Helm, take us into optimum combat range. All ships to fire upon my command,” ordered Jeremy. No point in delaying this.

“Fleets are moving,” Ariel reported.

-

The combined fleets moved into a half-globe formation with the flat side facing the Simulins. In this formation damaged ships could fall back to be replaced by fresh ships from the rear.

“Twelve thousand kilometers,” reported Commander Malen, her eyes focused on the tactical displays. “Particle and power beams ready to fire.”

Jeremy could sense the tension in the Command Center as the combined fleets closed on the enemy. His eyes shifted to the nearest tactical display, showing the situation around Gaia. No enemy ships had been detected as of yet. The AIs were in the process of moving their ships into the defense grid to add their formidable firepower to the particle beam satellites and battlestations. Rear Admiral Marks had already launched a half-dozen fighter squadrons of twenty each, which were taking up patrol positions in low orbit just above the two cities. Jeremy knew, down on the surface, the civilians would be going to their underground shelters.

“Ten thousand kilometers,” reported Commander Malen. “We’ve reached optimum firing range.”

“Fire!” ordered Jeremy over his minicomm, which connected him to all the commanders in his fleet, including the Altons.

-

Instantly space lit up with bright blue particle beams and violet power beams. Almost at the same time, the Simulins opened fire, as powerful white energy beams shot toward the inbound fleets from the spires of their warships.

Space became awash in the glare of released energy as hundreds of beams crisscrossed space, seeking a vulnerable target. Both sides deployed powerful defensive shields to protect their ships from the other’s weapons.

Particle beams impacted the Simulins’ shields, tearing through them and blasting deep gashes into the hulls. On a number of ships, internal explosions gutted the insides of the warships as energy ran amok. Four Simulin escort cruisers exploded in bright fireballs, as numerous particle beams blasted through their shields, causing catastrophic damage. Others vessels suffered major damage but continued to fire their weapons.

A Simulin battlecruiser had two of its spires blown off as a pair of particle beams struck the bow of the ship. Moments later a Devastator Three missile impacted the hull, and a fifty-megaton explosion vaporized the forward section of the warship. For the most part, the particle beams were penetrating the screens of the escort cruisers but were finding a much more difficult time blasting holes through the more powerful energy screens of the Simulin battlecruisers. Only by focusing multiple beams on a Simulin vessel were the particle beams able to penetrate.

Four Simulin battlecruisers blasted down the defensive screen of the Alton battlecruiser SwiftStar. A massive explosion tore through the stern of the ship, and it began tumbling. Two Simulin antimatter missiles arrived, and twin glowing suns appeared where the ship had been.

-

“Alton battlecruiser SwiftStar is down,” reported Kevin, as the bright green icon vanished from his screen.

“Battleship Regales is reporting heavy damage,” added Commander Malen, as she listened to the damage reports coming over her minicomm. “Commander Trenton is pulling back to implement repairs.”

“Continue to close the range,” ordered Jeremy with a grim look of determination on his face. The closer they could get to the Simulins, the more effective their weapons would be. Unfortunately the Simulins could also cause more damage.

-

Grayseth paced back and forth in front of the main tactical display, glaring at the battle taking place out of reach of his fleet. He bared his teeth and growled his displeasure at not being involved in the combat. Fourth Fleet and the Altons were rapidly closing on the enemy, and, glancing up at the viewscreens, which covered the front wall of the Command Center, he could see space was lit up with the intensity of the battle now raging.

“Admiral Strong has gone on the hunt,” spoke Ganlon, standing behind the main Tactical station. “He represents our clan well.”

“He is a worthy clan brother,” agreed Grayseth.

“Vortices detected,” reported the sensor operator, as alarms sounded.

“Admiral Strong and the AI were right!” roared Grayseth, as he gazed at a viewscreen showing numerous white vortices forming. “This was a trap to pull our fleets away from the planet.”

“But we’re still here, and so are the AIs,” said Ganlon with a bearish grin on his face.

“Prepare for the hunt!” ordered Grayseth, as the first Simulin battlecruiser emerged from the vortex. “Today we find honor!”

-

Rear Admiral Susan Marks fastened her safety harness, as she listened to the reports of numerous Simulin vortices detected inside the gravity well of Gaia. The Simulins must have been just outside the system in a lighter section of the nebula. The Simulins could have no idea of the massive number of particle beam weapons that would shortly be fired at them.

“Begin launching all bombers,” she ordered. “As soon as the bombers are clear, send out the rest of our fighters.” She adjusted her minicomm to put her in contact with the rest of the ships around Gaia, including the Clan Protector and the battlestations. “All commands, stand by to fire. We’ll let them come into optimum firing range and then open up. Make your first shots count, as they won’t be expecting the amount of firepower we’ll hit them with.”

Admiral Marks had fourteen battlecarriers under her command, and she fully intended to use her bombers to extract a painful price on the inbound Simulins. Against ships with fully powered shields, the bombers would be useless. However, by attacking damaged ships with weakened energy shields, they might just make a difference.

“Bombers are launching,” reported Commander Hiru Akira. “Bays will be clear in six minutes, and then we’ll launch the fighters.”

“Time until Simulin contact?” demanded Susan, looking at the Sensor console.

“Eighteen minutes,” replied Lieutenant Brewster. “Vortices have stopped appearing, and the Simulins are inbound.”

“Ship count?”

“Three hundred escort cruisers and seventy battlecruisers,” Brewster replied in a somber voice. “There are also twenty vessels of escort cruiser size which I can’t identify.”

“Conqueror drone carriers,” suggested Commander Akira, glancing at Rear Admiral Marks. “That’s the only thing they can be.”

Susan nodded. “Communications, contact General McGown and inform him that we’ve detected what we think are Conqueror drone ships.”

“Sending message,” Ensign Peyton Wilde replied, as she worked her console.

“All commands, stand by for combat,” Susan said over her minicomm. “We think the twenty unknown vessels are drone carriers. They’re a priority target. We can’t let them reach Gaia.”

“The drone carriers are staying at the rear of the Simulin fleet,” announced Lieutenant Brewster.

Around the fleet, crews stood ready at their combat stations. They were fighting for a planet and their new home. They were determined to protect it from the Simulins at all costs.

-

Rear Admiral Barnes was jerked against her restraining straps as a Simulin energy beam partially penetrated the exploration dreadnought’s energy shield and smashed into the hull.

“Minor damage to outer hull, sector twelve,” Colonel Leon reported.

“Energy shield is at 92 percent,” added Commander Grissim.

“Firing ion cannon,” reported Major Weir.

On the large viewscreen, an ion beam reached out and struck the energy screen of a nearby Simulin battlecruiser. Right behind it, two bright blue particle beams flashed through the twelve-meter-wide hole the ion beam had made in the Simulin ship’s energy shield. Two glowing explosions erupted from the enemy ship’s hull, as the beams cut deep within, causing major damage. The ship’s shield flickered, as too many power couplings had been severed by the beams.

“Firing Devastator Three,” called out Major Weir, as he nodded to one of the weapons officers at his side.

Almost instantly a massive explosion hid the Simulin vessel, as the fifty-megaton warhead slammed into its hull. When the explosion died down, the Simulin vessel was still there but a shattered wreck. Half the hull was blown away, and the rest was torn and streaming debris. Numerous fires could be seen burning deep within.

“Second missile away,” reported Weir. He’d hoped one would suffice. It only went to show just how strong the armor was on the Simulin ships.

Moments later, the remnants of the Simulin vessel were turned into glowing gas.

“Simulin battlecruiser is down,” confirmed Captain Reynolds from his Sensor console, as the red icon swelled up and then vanished.

The Distant Horizon suddenly shook violently and seemed to roll to one side before the ship stabilized, and normal flight resumed.

“What was that?” demanded Kathryn, drawing in a deep breath. She could feel her pulse racing and the adrenaline rushing through her veins.

“The battlecruiser Cheyenne exploded,” reported Captain Reynolds. “Our energy screen was struck by some of the debris from the ship.”

“Find the Simulin ship that destroyed the Cheyenne,” ordered Kathryn, feeling anger. She had spoken to the ship’s commander several times in recent weeks. He was an older man who’d been planning on retiring in a few more months and settling down on Gaia.

“Got them!” reported Captain Reynolds. “Two Simulin battlecruisers off our port bow.”

“They’re the ones that fired upon the Cheyenne,” confirmed Clarissa.

“Target the first one with our ion beam and then, once we’ve knocked a hole in their shield, switch to the second. I want antimatter missiles fired through those rips.”

“That must be closely coordinated,” commented the blonde-haired AI.

“Help with it,” Kathryn ordered. “Coordinate both our ion beam and missile strikes.”

“Yes, Admiral,” Clarissa replied, as she calculated, down to the microsecond, when the weapons needed to strike the Simulin warships in order to destroy them.

-

In one of the Simulin battlecruisers, the ship’s commander nodded in satisfaction, seeing one of the large warships of these strange organics fall to the Simulin’s superior weapons. “Target that truly large vessel which is bearing down on us,” he ordered. From the reports he’d studied, this was the lone vessel that had traversed many of the inhabited Simulin worlds in this galaxy. It would be a coup if he could destroy it.

“We’ve been targeted by an ion beam,” reported the sensor operator.

“It’s tearing a hole in our shield,” warned the ship’s second in command, as alarms sounded.

“All weapons, fire on that vessel!” ordered the commander harshly. How could these organics possess an ion beam of this strength? It was something the Simulins didn’t even possess.

A bright light suddenly filled the Command Center, and then roaring heat rushed in, vaporizing everything in its path. The Simulin commander didn’t even have time to realize what had happened as he died.

-

“Two more Simulin battlecruisers are down,” reported Kevin excitedly. “The Distant Horizon has taken three of them out in the last two minutes. Their new ion beam is playing havoc with the Simulins’ shields.”

“Wish we had more,” Commander Malen said.

“Clarissa helped coordinate the attack on the last two,” Ariel said proudly.

“What’s the current status of Gaia?” asked Jeremy, glancing at Ariel. He was deeply worried about the attack upon the planet.

“Defenses are online and ready to fire,” Ariel reported, as she monitored Rear Admiral Marks’s commands over one of the encrypted fleet frequencies. “She’s allowing the Simulins to close to within optimum range, and she’ll hit them with everything all at once. She’s hoping the mass attack will take them by surprise, particularly considering how many particle beams will be fired.”

“The bombers and fighters?”

“Already launching,” Ariel replied. “She’s holding back in reserve the ones on the Clan Protector.”

The Avenger vibrated for a moment, drawing Jeremy’s eyes to the Damage Control console. All the lights remained green.

“What’s the current status of Fourth Fleet and the Alton fleet?”

“Altons have lost two battlecruisers. We’ve lost one battlecruiser and two light cruisers so far. The Simulins are down four battlecruisers and six escort cruisers, most of them to Alton particle beam fire and from the Distant Horizon.”

Jeremy nodded. He knew there were already a number of damaged ships on both sides. “Hold the range at two thousand kilometers,” he ordered. “Pound them with our particle and power beam cannons. Full use of antimatter missiles is approved.” Jeremy hated using so many of the antimatter missiles, as they had no way to replace them. They just didn’t have the necessary technology to create new antimatter warheads.

-

In space, the dueling fleets fired at each other in earnest. All weapons were now at optimal range. Particle beams, power beams, and even pulse lasers flashed out to impact the Simulin formation. Screens wavered and a few went down; when one did, an antimatter missile would arrive almost instantly, sending the ship to oblivion.

In the Simulin formation, an escort cruiser was hit with multiple particle beams, which sliced through the energy shield, carving up the ship. The top section of the vessel exploded, and glowing debris was ejected from the shattered hull. A power beam blasted out a large crater on the bow of the ship, breaking off two of the long spires, which held energy weapons. A fifty-megaton Devastator Three missile arrived, and the ship disappeared as a small blazing sun took its place.

The Simulins were responding by firing their heavy energy beams, knocking brief holes in Human and Alton energy shields. The Human battleship Canus came under the attack of ten Simulin vessels, as they tried to overload the powerful energy shield, which protected the vessel. The shield glowed brightly as brilliant arcs of energy erupted forth. Then a Simulin energy beam penetrated, striking a power beam turret and blowing it to shreds, leaving a gaping hole in the hull. Moments later two more beams penetrated, damaging numerous power couplings and cutting part of the power to the ship’s energy shield. Then a pair of Simulin antimatter missiles slammed into the stern of the battleship, destroying the vessel in a fiery explosion.

-

Battleship Canus is down,” called out Kevin, swallowing hard.

Jeremy grimaced at the news. They were losing ships, but the Simulins were losing more. “Continue to fire all weapons,” he ordered, even more determined now. “Damaged ships to fall back to the rear of the formation.”

Ariel looked at Jeremy, seeing the deep concern on his face. “Rear Admiral Marks is preparing to fire.”

On the tactical display, Jeremy could see that the Simulins were now in range of the defensive grid around Gaia as well as the AI ships. The next few minutes would decide the battle.

-

“Fire!” ordered Susan, as she saw the Simulins were now exactly where she wanted them. The AIs had adjusted their fleet formation until the majority of their warships were on the side of Gaia facing the Simulins.

Suddenly space lit up with several thousand particle beams. Behind the particle beams, hundreds of antimatter missiles followed to take advantage of any holes the beams might cause in Simulin energy shields.

-

In the Simulin flagship, the High Commander cursed in anger as he saw he’d led his fleet into a trap. “Those small satellites are particle beam weapons,” he declared, as his ship shuddered violently, and red warning lights flashed. “It’s also evident all the AI ships have been upgraded with particle beam weapons as well.” On his tactical display, he saw large numbers of his ships vanish, destroyed by the massive strike.

“Fire our planetary bombardment missiles at the planet,” he ordered. From their scans, he knew two small cities were on its surface. “Stand by to release the Conqueror drones.”

“The range is too great,” warned his second in command. “Many of them will not make it to the surface.”

“But some will,” the High Commander said. “They will do their duty and hunt down the organics on the planet.”

-

Major Wink Thurman, the CAG for the Retribution, was leading the bomber strike against the Simulins. “All squadrons form up and pick your target.” One hundred and twelve squadrons were involved in the mass attack. “Each squadron, pick a damaged Simulin warship and hit it with your Shrike missiles. Keep your energy shield fully charged and focused in front of your bomber. The shields can probably take one hit from a Simulin defensive energy beam. We’ll be going in using evasive pattern S-6.” It was a weaving pattern to confuse enemy targeting systems and to prevent them from getting a firm lock on a bomber.

-

“I wish I was in my fighter,” muttered Lieutenant Riley over his squadron’s comm channel. “I never should have volunteered to fly this bomber. It handles like a truck!”

“Just fly the damn thing,” ordered Captain Julie Brice, the squadron leader. “Quit complaining. We have a Simulin escort cruiser to target. Don’t mess this up, or you’ll answer to me later!”

Julie looked ahead and took a deep breath. Space was full of mass particle beam fire, and now the Simulins were firing back. Numerous fiery explosions dotted space around Gaia, and she knew those were particle beam satellites the Simulins were targeting. A larger explosion off her port side startled her. Looking at her small sensor screen, she saw the green icon for battlestation B-14 vanish. The Simulins had taken out one of the forty Type Two stations defending Gaia.

“Missile launch detected,” warned Rear Admiral Marks over the general comm channel. “Particle beam satellites are firing on the inbound missiles. Talons, target any leakers.”

Julie shook her head. If those were sublight missiles, the Talons couldn’t touch them.

As if reading her thoughts, Rear Admiral Marks’s voice came back over the comm. “Missiles are slow movers, probably some type of nuclear bombardment missiles. Don’t let any of them reach the surface!”

Julie felt her bomber shudder as the defensive screen glowed brightly. A Simulin energy beam flashed by, and she grimaced as a bomber in her squadron was hit and vanished in a brilliant fireball.

“Change to evasive pattern E-7,” she ordered. This pattern was more complicated and involved more gyrations of the bomber, as it dipped and swerved to avoid Simulin energy beams.

She groaned silently to herself as two more bombers in her ten-ship squadron succumbed to Simulin defensive fire. All too often, a brief fiery explosion told the end of another bomber. Scanning space outside her cockpit, she grimaced at the number of small explosions she could see in the attacking bomber formation. A lot of her fellow pilots wouldn’t be returning to the carriers.

They were coming up and over the fighting to avoid heavy weapons fire between the two fleets and the defensive grid. From her position looking down at the battle, she could see numerous small explosions moving toward Gaia. Those would be the missiles being intercepted. She just prayed they got them all.

A soft tone suddenly sounded, indicating she had a missile lock on her target. “I want a coordinated strike on target T-112,” she ordered. “It’s an escort cruiser, and my scans are indicating its shield is nearly down. Let’s take it out, people. Missile release on my mark. Three, two, one, mark!”

Instantly, from the seven Anlon bombers remaining in her squadron, twenty-eight twenty-kiloton Shrike missiles arrowed toward the damaged Simulin warship. Eight missiles smashed into the weakened shield, which failed completely, allowing the other missiles to impact the battered ship’s hull. Moments later space was lit up as the escort cruiser was turned into plasma and glowing debris.

“Good shooting!” Julie exclaimed, pleased they had taken out their assigned target. Space all around them was full of detonating missiles. Looking at the tactical display, she could see other red icons designating Simulin vessels blinking out. She just hoped they were hurting them badly enough.

“Let’s head for home,” she ordered. A bright flash off her starboard wing shook her bomber. She could hear small pieces of metal ricocheting off the hull. Glancing at her display, she saw another bomber in her squadron was gone. “Go to turbos,” she ordered. “We need to get out of here!”

-

Above Gaia, the Talon fighters swerved and darted through space, firing their Hunter interceptor missiles at inbound targets. Particle beam satellites were also firing, wiping out many of the missiles in space, before they could even penetrate the defense grid.

“Admiral,” Commander Akira said. “We’ve taken out all the missiles, but they pulled our fighters to one side of Gaia. We have hundreds of other larger contacts passing through the defensive grid toward the planet. We might not be able to take all of them out.”

On one of the viewscreens, a closeup appeared of one of the contacts. It looked like a small shuttle, except more egg-shaped.

“Those things contain Conqueror drones,” Susan said emphatically. “Let General McGown know what’s coming his way. He has his own fighters and defensive batteries. Perhaps he can take out the ones we miss.”

-

On the surface of Gaia, around the three Marine bases and the two cities, laser turrets went into action. Dual ruby-red beams of energy shot into the air at the descending Conqueror drone pods. In just a matter of moments, the sky was full of fiery explosions, marking the destruction of some of the pods.

“Report!” demanded General McGown, as he stood watching the numerous viewscreens displaying the battle above the planet in the atmosphere. He was in the underground Command Center to coordinate the activity of his Marines as well as the fighters and bombers they had at their disposal.

“We have a hell of a lot of those pod things hitting the atmosphere,” Colonel Jarrins reported. “Our fighters are up, intercepting a lot of them with Hunter missiles. We’re firing additional missiles from the three bases, as targets are identified. A few have nearly made it to the ground and are being taken out by our laser turrets.”

“Will we get them all?” McGown could see several drones, close to the surface.

“No,” admitted Jarrins, shaking his head. “The pods have a minimal profile, making them hard to target, and they also seem to have some type of simple stealth shielding. A few will make it to the surface.”

McGown turned toward the Communications Center. Time to prepare the Marines who had already deployed for what might be coming their way. The Conqueror drones were deadly, but with the weapons the Marines were equipped with, McGown hoped the drones could be taken out swiftly. They were about to find out.

-

The Simulin High Commander gazed impassively at the tactical display. The battle had not gone as planned. The organics had laid a trap, luring his fleet into range of a powerful orbital defense grid. Then they had attacked his damaged ships with their small attack vessels.

“Status!” he demanded in a cold voice.

“We’re damaging their defensive grid, and we’ve annihilated nearly 39 percent of their small attack vessels,” his second in command reported. “The battle computer indicates the small vessels will not be a danger again for the immediate future.”

“Our fleet’s damage?”

“Twenty-two battlecruisers and eighty-two escort cruisers destroyed.”

“Enemy losses?”

“Light,” the second in command reported. “Their particle beams are tearing apart our ships.”

“What does the battle computer say about our winning a victory?”

The High Commander didn’t have to follow the recommendations of the computer, but failure to do so could result in him losing his command. The battle computers helped the Simulins to fight in the most efficient manner possible.

“Probability of victory is at 22 percent.”

“Prepare to withdraw,” the High Commander ordered, stunned by the low percentage. “We’ll regroup outside the nebula and bring in reinforcements. We now know their defensive setup and the capabilities of their warships. The next time we attack, we’ll annihilate them.”

The High Commander watched, as his orders were carried out. Very rarely did the Simulins encounter organics who could withstand one of their attacks. They would withdraw, analyze the data collected in this battle and then return. The High Commander had no doubt that, next time, the result of the battle would be far different.

-

“Simulins are withdrawing,” reported Commander Akira.

“Let them go,” ordered Rear Admiral Marks, exhaling a deep breath. “No point in losing more ships when it’s not necessary. We’ve already lost enough of our Anlon bombers.”

On the main viewscreen, white vortices formed as the Simulins jumped out. A few ships were obviously too damaged to escape, and fiery explosions marked where their vessels self-destructed.

“It’s over,” said Akira with relief.

“For now,” Susan replied, as she felt her tension ease. “What about the Conqueror drone pods?”

“We got most of them,” Akira replied, as he studied some data on a computer screen. “But a few did make it to the surface. General McGown is dealing with those now.”

Susan nodded. They’d won the first space battle, but she wondered how many more there would be ahead of them. Looking at the tactical display, she saw a large number of the particle beam satellites were missing as well as six of the Type Two battlestations. It was a victory, but it had a cost.

-

Jeremy breathed a long sigh of relief as the Simulin fleet disengaged and jumped out. Glancing at the tactical display, he saw that most of his fleet remained though there were a lot of ships that had received damage. Considering the force they’d been up against, they should consider themselves fortunate to have suffered so few losses.

“Simulins have jumped away from Gaia,” Ariel reported. “Rear Admiral Marks reports a few Conqueror drones may have made it to the surface.”

“General McGown can handle them,” Jeremy replied. He looked at Commander Malen. “Let’s jump the fleet to Gaia and begin repairs. The Simulins will be back, and we must be ready.”

“This was only the first engagement,” Commander Malen said with a frown.

“Yes,” responded Jeremy, knowing there would be more. “Possibly the first of many.” Unfastening his safety harness, Jeremy leaned back in his command chair. “Once they’ve analyzed this battle, they’ll make adjustments and return. Next time I’m afraid we won’t find victory so easy.”

The battle had been won, but the war was far from over. Studying the tactical display, he saw the Distant Horizon was undamaged. It took some of the worry off his mind, knowing Kelsey and Katie were safe. Now if only Andram and his fellow scientists would come up with a way to keep the Simulins out of the nebula, Jeremy’s people on this new world might have a chance for survival. If not, then Jeremy was afraid they would all die here, for there was no other place for them to go that would be safe.

Chapter Eighteen

Lieutenant Barkley and his squad were standing behind several concrete barriers with a laser turret tower behind them. They’d come to the surface of Gaia to help train more Marines to face a Conqueror drone. While their experience was limited, it was better than none.

“Damn robots,” muttered Sergeant Schneider, staring toward the line of trees, about one hundred meters away. “Why is it always robots of some kind? First the AIs and now these crab things.”

“Command reports at least two of their pod carriers landed three kilometers due south of us,” Lieutenant Barkley informed everyone.

Even as he spoke, a pair of Anlon bombers flew overhead. Moments later, several towering explosions occurred about three hundred meters back from the tree line. Flame and black smoke rose up into the air.

“They’re coming!” Private Jarman said, as he clicked the safety off his heavy assault rifle. He placed it into one of the firing slits in the wall and peered through the rifle’s scope to see if he could spot anything.

Above them, the laser turret rotated until its twin barrels were pointing in the direction the two Anlons had dropped their bombs.

Lieutenant Barkley watched as the two bombers slowly circled, seeking additional targets. Suddenly a small interceptor rocket appeared and arched upward toward one of the Anlons. Before the bomber pilot could react, the missile struck, blowing the bomber apart and raining flaming debris on the ground below.

“I’ve got two chutes!” yelled Private Julian Spencer, pointing to the sky.

Everyone looked up and were relieved to see the two pilots slowly descending toward the ground. They flinched as another towering explosion shook the ground in the vicinity where the missile had been launched, as the remaining Anlon dropped another bomb. Then it turned and headed back toward base, probably to rearm.

“Crap,” uttered Sergeant Schneider, when he saw where the pilots would come down. The two would land somewhere behind the line of trees, very near where the Conqueror drones were.

“Lieutenant, permission to lead a rescue mission?”

“Permission granted,” replied Barkley, nodding at Schneider. He knew if the Conqueror drones reached the pilots before the Marines did, they would die.

“Take Privates Spencer, Renaldo, Hays, and Brentwood.”

The words were scarcely out of his mouth when the parachutes disappeared behind the tree line. Almost instantly the screaming began.

“Belay that order,” Barkley said, his face turning a ghastly white. He’d heard those types of screams before—on the planet where they’d found the drones during their early exploration when the Distant Horizon had first made transit into this galaxy. “It’s too late!”

Sergeant Schneider gripped his rifle tighter, as the distant screams faded away. He gazed in the direction of the tree line, contemplating a search for the pilots.

“They’re gone,” Barkley said, tight-lipped and angry. He looked around, considering his options. He had two full squads protecting the laser turret. In the distance, near other towers, he could see more Anlon bombers diving and dropping munitions. He had a sinking feeling more Conqueror drones had made it to the surface than command was admitting or aware of. He wondered just how many drones one of those pods held.

Movement in the trees drew his attention, as the first Conqueror drone appeared. The metal crablike creature was about four meters across with numerous legs and four appendages with large and dangerous-looking claws. It seemed to pause for a moment and then charged toward the laser turret and the Marines.

Barkley heard a loud humming noise, and suddenly two ruby-red beams struck the drone, blowing it apart. Before he could voice his approval, the entire tree line came alive, as dozens of the deadly drones emerged and charged toward the Marines’ position. He was stunned by how fast they were moving.

“Fire!” he yelled, seeing the drones would take only a few seconds to cover the distance between the trees and the concrete barriers.

From the protection of the concrete the Marines fired, laying down a heavy hail of automatic rifle fire that blasted the oncoming drones. Above them, the laser turret cycled and let out another blast, incinerating a second drone.

“More bombers are inbound,” yelled Sergeant Schneider, pointing upward, as he saw another flight of four Anlons diving toward their position.

Lieutenant Barkley nodded, as he kept the trigger on his weapon depressed. He was firing round after round into the advancing drones, but his ammo had little effect. The bullets weren’t penetrating! With dawning realization he realized the drones they’d fought before were an older model; these must be newer and better armored.

“Switch to explosive rounds!” he yelled, his Marines were in danger of being overrun. At the same time, the bombers made their first pass, dropping munitions on the charging drones. The bombs detonated, blasting huge smoking craters in the ground, and throwing dirt and debris over the Marines. With satisfaction, Barkley saw nearly half the drones had been taken out. “Continue to fire!”

Most of the Marines had switched to explosive rounds and now began taking down the drones. First one and then another collapsed, as they were blown apart or lost too many appendages to continue to charge the Marines. The bombers returned but couldn’t drop more bombs, as the drones were too close to the Marines’ position.

Barkley backed up as a drone reached the concrete wall he stood behind and crawled over. He fired an explosive round into the drone’s carapace, blasting a gaping hole in it. The drone collapsed and tumbled off the wall, no longer moving. On his right, he heard a Marine let out a piercing scream. Turning, he saw a drone grab a Marine between two of its pinchers and promptly tear him apart. Several Marines charged the drone, firing explosive rounds into it and blowing it to pieces.

The laser cycled again and blew a drone off the wall it had scaled. Barkley could feel the heat from the beams and stepped back even farther. His Marines were being forced back from the concrete firing walls and slowly retreating toward the laser tower. As they fell back, they fired a hail of explosive rounds into the advancing drones. Another Marine screamed as his leg was torn off, but he was spared a gruesome death when Sergeant Schneider ran up and placed his rifle against the drone’s carapace, pressing down on the trigger until his rounds penetrated and damaged the control circuits inside. The drone flopped down to the ground and stopped moving. Then the fighting died away.

“That’s the last of them,” Sergeant Schneider called out, as he scanned the battlefield around them.

“Let’s get to the firing walls and make sure no more come through the tree line,” ordered Barkley, as he took a deep breath.

Between the two squads he’d lost two Marines with another three injured. Medics were already treating the wounded. In the distance, he could hear rifle fire and explosions from others under attack. He could also see large numbers of Anlons in the air dropping munitions. He just hoped none of the Conqueror drones had made it into the cities.

-

General McGown was in the underground Command Center, monitoring the battle against the Conqueror drones. There had been more drones in the drop pods than he’d imagined possible. They must’ve been stacked on top of one another inside.

“What’s the status around New Eden?” McGown asked, as he gazed at the numerous viewscreens.

On one, a ruined laser turret tower lay on the ground with Marines engaged in hand-to-hand combat against a dozen Conqueror drones. He grimaced as the last Marine was torn in two, then the screen seemed to shudder and the area around the downed tower erupted in violent explosions.

“Anlon bomber strike,” Colonel Jarrins reported. “We couldn’t hit the drones while they were engaged with our Marines. The other towers held, and our Marine squads are reporting the destruction of all Conqueror drones in their respective areas. Around Clements the fighting was much lighter, and most of the drones were eliminated by Anlon strikes.”

“Any word on casualties?” McGown knew from watching the viewscreens that a number of his Marines had lost their lives in the brief battle.

“Not yet,” Jarrins replied. “These Conqueror drones moved much faster than we expected. They overran a few of our positions before the Anlons could react.”

General McGown let out a deep sigh. It had been difficult to watch the screens and see his Marines being torn apart by the drones. “We’ll adjust our future strategy to take into account this increased speed of theirs.”

“The armor on these drones seems different than the one the Distant Horizon has in its lab,” Jarrins continued with a frown on his face. “Our armor-piercing rounds had little effect unless fired at nearly point-blank range. Most of our Marines had to resort to explosive rounds to stop the drones.”

McGown watched the screen, as Marines moved across the battlefield, making sure the Conqueror drones were all inactive. Occasionally a Marine would fire several rounds from point-blank range at a drone and then continue on.

“I want those drop pods located and secured,” he ordered. “I need to know how many of those damn drones one of them contains. I also want to know why we were having such a hard time shooting them down. None of them should have made it to the surface of Gaia.”

“Yes, General,” Colonel Jarrins replied. “I’ll have teams on the way to the drop pods momentarily.”

General McGown stared at the viewscreens for another few moments. The city streets were empty, with all the civilians safely in the underground shelters. The only movement were Marine squads patrolling the streets.

“I want the surrounding area searched between the pods and the two cities. Make sure we’ve destroyed every one of those damn things.”

Colonel Jarrins nodded. “I’ll contact the commanders of all three bases and have them send out Marines for a thorough sweep.”

McGown turned away, knowing, for today, the battle had been won. His biggest concern was what would happen next. If today was any indication, the next wave of Conqueror drones would be much larger, particularly if the defense grid had suffered major damage.

-

Fourth Fleet and the Alton fleet jumped back into orbit around Gaia. Several ships were sent immediately to the Clan Protector for damage repair, and the four fleet repair ships were ordered to work on the other damaged ships.

“How many did we lose?” Jeremy asked, as he leaned back in his command chair. They’d won this first round, but how many others were waiting in their future? He was also greatly concerned about the cost in lives.

“It’s not as bad as it could have been,” Commander Malen said, as she looked at the latest data on the ships and crewmembers lost, as well as the damage the fleets sustained. “We lost the battleship Canus, battlecruiser Cheyenne, strikecruiser Alpine, and two light cruisers. The Altons lost the battlecruisers SwiftStar and StarReach. We also have about a dozen ships which will need major yard time to bring them back up to full combat readiness.”

“What about our forces here at Gaia?”

“They were hit pretty hard,” Commander Malen replied. “The AIs lost six of their ships, and Rear Admiral Marks lost two Monarch cruisers and three light cruisers. She also lost 42 percent of her Anlon bombers and 12 percent of her fighters. From the defense grid we lost six of the Type Two battlestations and 24 percent of the particle beam satellites.”

Jeremy winced, hearing those numbers. “What about Grayseth and the Clan Protector?”

“For some reason the Simulins avoided that area,” Malen answered. “Grayseth is highly aggravated that he didn’t get to take part in the battle.”

“They might have detected the ion cannons the shipyard has,” suggested Ariel from Jeremy’s side. “Or they could have been saving the shipyard for the mopping up process, if they won the battle.”

“What now, Jeremy?” asked Kevin, getting up from his Sensor console and coming to stand by his friend. “The Simulins will be back, and they know what our defenses are like now.”

Jeremy looked at Angela and saw she had the same questioning look upon her face. He let out a deep sigh. “We mourn our dead, repair the damaged ships, and get ready for the next attack. We’ll redistribute the remaining particle beam satellites and adjust the orbits of the battlestations to fill in the gaps. Next time Fourth Fleet and the Alton fleet will move down into the grid, and we’ll add our firepower to it when the Simulins return.”

“What about the project Andram and the others are working on?” asked Kevin. “I don’t think the Simulins will return until they feel confident they can take us.”

“Should we consider evacuating?” asked Commander Malen.

The Command Center became very quiet, as the crew waited to hear Jeremy’s answer.

“No,” Jeremy replied firmly. “It’ll take the Simulins several days at least, or maybe longer, before they can launch another attack. I’m going to the Distant Horizon and see how close Andram is to completing his research.” Jeremy paused for a moment and then added, “Angela, Kevin, I want you to come with me.”

The crew didn’t seem surprised at their admiral taking Kevin and Angela along. After all, they were part of the Special Five.

-

Rear Admiral Kathryn Barnes gazed at the massive viewscreen, which dominated the front wall of the Command Center, focused on Gaia. She was relieved damage on the surface had been minimal, considering.

“We only have some minor damage to the hull,” reported Colonel Leon. She’d been going over the damage reports submitted from each department.

“I wish we had the new energy shield ready to go,” Commander Grissim said. “It could make a big difference.”

“It’s installed on the Gaia,” Kathryn responded. “She was in orbit along with the rest of our ships. Check with Commander Newman to see how the shield reacted during the battle.”

“Admiral Barnes,” interrupted Captain Travers from Communications. “Admiral Strong is coming over, and he wants to meet with Andram.”

Kathryn nodded. She’d been concerned about going into battle with the research group on board, but Clarissa had been quite vocal about being able to keep the ship and crew safe.

“He’s also bringing the other two of the Special Five with him.”

Kathryn noted Kelsey’s frown. Kathryn knew none of the Special Five cared for that name.

“Very well,” she answered. “Inform Andram the admiral is on his way over.” She would speak to Travers later and remind him to use the ranks of the five and not their nickname.

-

Jeremy entered the large research lab where the Altons and Zed were working amid the hectic activities of over a dozen Alton scientists plus a number of Alton and Human technicians in the room. A large rocket-shaped device on a big metal table near Zed drew Jeremy’s attention. Zed was busily attaching a complicated-looking electronic device.

Kevin and Angela tentatively followed Jeremy inside, not quite sure why they were here. With surprise, they saw Katie and Kelsey were already in the lab, along with Rear Admiral Barnes.

“Admiral Strong,” spoke Andram, seeing the admiral had entered the lab. “I’m glad you could come over. We’re just about to run our first test.”

“I need to finish installing this final hyperspace frequency wave emitter,” Zed commented, as the AI used two of its tentacles to carefully attach the device to the missile like object on the table. “It’ll only take another minute.”

Shilum was standing near Zed, observing the AI. “Will the power be sufficient?”

“It should be for this test,” Zed replied, as the AI completed the installation and then attached a cover piece, making the small missile look whole. “We’re only using an infinitesimal amount of dark matter.”

“Everything looks good,” Mikow informed everyone from her computer console. “Power is flowing, and the emitter is ready to activate.”

“What exactly are you doing?” asked Jeremy.

“When we travel in hyperspace, we actually enter another dimension of space and time,” explained Shilum, as she stepped to Mikow’s console and studied several readings. “The jump drives in our ships generate a hyperwave that opens up a spatial vortex. The more power we can use to generate the hyperwave, the faster our ships can travel. The governing laws in our universe prevent vessels from exceeding the speed of light because of the increase in inertial mass as a ship nears the speed of light. It would require nearly infinite energy to accomplish speeds faster than the speed of light. However, in the hyperdimension, the laws of our universe no longer hold true. We have also discovered the hyperdimension has a number of different levels, perhaps an infinite number, which can be influenced by dark energy and dark matter. What this device does is make the levels we normally use too unstable to allow hypertravel.”

“What if the Simulins use different levels than we do?” asked Kelsey.

“From our observations, they travel in what we would call the midrange-upper levels, the same as we do. Those are the ones we’ll destabilize.”

Jeremy stepped closer to Zed to examine the jamming missile. “How many of these would we need to keep the Simulins out of the nebula?”

“Hundreds,” admitted Andram with a deep sigh. “However, if we were to deploy just a few dozen around Gaia’s star system, we could make the Simulins’ dropout of hyperspace considerably short of the system. From what we’ve seen of their subspace drives, it would take them over a year to reach us from where we can force them to drop out. That’ll give us time to deploy even more hyperspace emitters, eventually sealing off the entire nebula.”

“And us too,” commented Kevin with a frown. “It would tie us permanently to Gaia with no way to see what’s going on in the rest of the galaxy, particularly the Sigma System.”

“We would never know if any more ships come through from our galaxy,” Angela said, her worry evident in her expression. “Another rescue mission could come in the future, and we would never know about it.”

“Can we make our ships immune to the jamming signal?” asked Jeremy. He would like to continue to monitor the Sigma System, as well as keep an eye on the Simulins.

“No,” answered Shilum, shaking her head. “It’s not the ship’s hyperdrive we’re influencing with the emitters. It’s hyperspace itself.”

“Perhaps we should leave several tunnels open through the nebula,” mused Andram, as he thought over what would be necessary. “We could set up a number of the emitter satellites to shut down when signaled.”

“It would still take a few hours for hyperspace in those areas to return to normal,” Shilum said, as she ran some quick calculations on Mikow’s computer console. “It’d take a powerful hyperspace transmitter and several booster satellites placed strategically in the nebula to order the emitters to shut down in the designated tunnel areas.”

“A hyperspace transmitter will still work?” asked Kathryn, showing surprise. “Wouldn’t the emitters affect hyperspace communication as well?”

“No,” Andram replied. “Hyperspace communications use the lower levels or bands for messages. If we had the power and could assess the really high levels of hyperspace, communications across light-years would be almost instantaneous.”

“That’s one of the reasons we’ve made the advances in FTL communication over recent years,” Angela added. “When we started using Alton power systems to operate our communication systems, we nearly cut in half the time it took to send a message across Federation space. I ran some simulations with the aid of Ariel, and, with the Fusion Five reactors and a big enough transmitter, we could cut that time in half again.”

“Everything seems to be functioning within the set parameters for the test,” reported Mikow, as she checked her console one more time. She turned around and looked expectantly at Andram.

“Very well, let’s turn it on,” he responded.

“Activating the emitters,” reported one of the Human technicians, as he touched several icons on a computer display.

From the small device, a low-pitched humming could be heard. Everyone except Zed moved back from it.

“There is no danger,” Zed said in a nearly Human voice.

“Twenty percent power,” Mikow reported. “Disrupting wave is forming.”

The emitter seemed to hum even louder, and the level of pitch increased.

“Forty percent power,” Mikow reported, her eyes focused on her computer display. “Disrupting wave has formed into a sphere ten meters in diameter.”

“Confirm minor disruption of midrange hyperspace bands,” added Shilum, while she studied the data flowing across one of Mikow’s displays.

“Sixty percent power,” Mikow reported, as the device vibrated slightly, and the humming increased in pitch.

“Confirming major disruption in all normal hyperspace travel bands,” Shilum reported excitedly. “It’s working!”

“Eighty percent power,” reported Mikow, as the device vibrated more violently.

Suddenly sparks shot from the emitter, and one of the panels blew off, striking Zed’s metal cube. The AI moved back a few meters and continued observing. Then the humming faded away, and, moments later, the lab was left in silence.

“What happened?” asked Jeremy, fearing the test had failed.

Zed and several Alton and Human technicians approached the missile-shaped object and removed a number of panels, so they could peer inside. Zed used several tentacles to remove one of the emitters, which looked shorted out, as it had obvious burn marks on it.

“We need to better ground the emitters,” the AI reported after a moment. “The emitter couldn’t handle the power we were feeding into it, and the dark matter at its core burned it out.”

“What does that mean?” asked Kevin. “If it’s grounded better, will it work?”

“Yes, I assume so,” Andram replied, as he examined the damaged emitter. “A full-scale model properly powered and grounded should work fine.”

“Then we can deploy these things?” Kathryn asked, her eyes showing excitement.

“Yes,” answered Andram, smiling. “The test exceeded my expectations. It will require adjusting some of the hyperspace equations we set up to predict how the emitters would work, but I don’t see any reason not to go ahead and construct some to deploy.”

“How many would we need to protect just the immediate area around Gaia?” asked Jeremy. The danger remained that the Simulins could attack before the emitters were ready to deploy.

Andram stepped over next to Shilum, and the two spent a few minutes checking equations on one of the computer consoles with the help of Mikow. Finally the two seemed to agree, and Andram turned back around.

“Fourteen will adequately protect Gaia from attack,” he reported.

“How long will it take to build them?”

Andram gazed at Zed with a questioning look in his eyes.

“With the aid of Human, Alton, and AI technicians, as well as unlimited access to the construction facilities on the Clan Protector, we can have the needed fourteen ready to deploy in three days,” Zed answered.

“Can we get by with fewer?” asked Jeremy, wanting to keep the Simulins away from the system.

They knew which way the Simulins had come from when they jumped into the Gaia System. If these emitters would work, he’d deploy six of them just outside the system to block the Simulins’ return.

“No,” Andram answered. “It would only deflect the Simulins’ emergence point to a clear area, possibly even in another part of the Gaia System.”

“Understand also that the disrupting wave the emitters generate only travels at the speed of light in our dimension. Once an emitter is deployed, it will take nearly forty hours for it to reach maximum coverage,” added Shilum.

“Then let’s build these emitters,” Jeremy ordered. “I want them deployed as soon as possible.”

“Ariel and I will have tentative blueprints for a full-size model within the hour,” Clarissa said, as she suddenly appeared next to Katie. “I’ve already downloaded all the necessary information.”

“Zed and I will go to the Clan Protector and set up an assembly line,” added Kurene, who had been observing everything, because Zed was in the lab.

“I’ll speak to Daelthon to make sure he understands the importance of this,” added Jeremy. He wanted everyone to realize construction of the emitters had first priority over everything else, even repairing the damaged warships.

As everyone filed out of the lab, Jeremy just hoped they had the time. He was deeply worried the Simulins would attack again before the emitters were ready to deploy.

-

All five of them were in the officers’ mess on the Distant Horizon.

“Can we get the emitters finished in time?” Angela asked. She’d spoken to Brace earlier and had been relieved to hear he wasn’t involved in the fighting on the ground, though many of his Marines were.

“I hope so,” replied Jeremy, wanting to sound positive. “It should take the Simulins several days to gather the forces they need to attack us again.”

“Maybe,” Kevin said doubtfully. “The fleet we engaged between the third and fourth planets escaped with most of their ships intact. They could return at any time.”

“Yes,” Jeremy admitted with a frown. “After viewing some of the battle data, it’s evident their main purpose was to keep us from returning to Gaia. In many instances, when one of their ships was damaged, it immediately withdrew to the back of their formation rather than press the attack.”

“Same as we did,” Kevin said. “That’s why losses on both sides were so light.”

“The only problem is they can afford to lose ships and manpower, and we can’t,” stated Kelsey. “We certainly can’t replace the lives that were lost.”

Jeremy knew Kelsey was right. Every ship they lost impacted their population base. They’d lost more people in the recent battle than the number of babies born since the fleets had been stranded. He took a deep breath and gazed down at the food on his plate; he didn’t feel much like eating.

“We’ll get the emitters built in time,” Katie said, her light green eyes glowing with confidence. “I know Andram and the others will do everything they can to make that happen.”

“And once the emitters are in place, we have a wedding to finish planning,” quipped Clarissa, as she suddenly appeared next to the table with a big smile on her face. “Ariel and I have come up with some other ideas for a beach wedding.”

“On, no,” muttered Angela, closing her eyes.

Katie and Kelsey laughed. Only Clarissa could go from talking about life and death to planning a wedding.

“I have picked out an outfit also,” Clarissa announced. She closed her eyes, and her clothing changed. She was now wearing a dark blue low-cut dress, which was extremely short. It also showed a tremendous amount of cleavage.

“Clarissa!” admonished Katie, her eyes bulging. “I’m not sure that’s appropriate for a wedding, and I suspect you’ve enhanced your boobs again.”

“Only somewhat,” Clarissa said defensively. Then, with a frown, she closed her eyes for a moment, and her boobs shrank, and the dress adjusted to show much less of her captivating figure. “Is this better?”

“We’re getting there,” Katie said noncommittally. “Kelsey and I will help you pick out something to wear.”

“Can we go shopping?” Clarissa asked, her eyes lighting up. “We could set up some holographic projectors in one of the clothing stores in New Eden.”

Katie let out a deep sigh. “Maybe,” she replied. “Let’s get the hyperspace emitters built first, and then we’ll talk about it.”

“Great,” Clarissa answered. “I’ll tell Ariel we’re going shopping.” With that, the AI promptly disappeared.

“Wait!” Katie said, but the AI was gone.

“Guess we’re going shopping,” Kelsey said, shaking her head. “That should be an interesting experience.”

Kevin and Jeremy said nothing. The entire exchange had been highly humorous. With the constant danger they faced, it had been nice to feel normal for just a few minutes. Jeremy wondered if that had been the real purpose of what Clarissa had done. Sometimes Jeremy suspected the two AIs understood Humans much better than they let on.

Chapter Nineteen

Ten days passed, and the first fourteen emitters were successfully deployed with no interference from the Simulins. Tensions were high in the Gaia System, as the second wave of hyperspace emitters were readied for deployment.

“I don’t understand,” Kathryn said to Jeremy with a confused look in her eyes. They were in the Command Center of the Avenger, discussing the coming emitter deployment. “Why haven’t they attacked?”

“I don’t know,” Jeremy admitted, as he leaned back in his command chair and folded his arms across his chest. He looked at Kathryn, sitting in the chair to his right. “It doesn’t make any sense.”

“It might,” Ariel said, as she turned and stepped away from Angela’s console, where she’d been discussing the upcoming wedding. “What if the Simulins need their ships elsewhere?”

“What do you mean, elsewhere?” asked Jeremy, looking perplexed. “They pretty well control this galaxy, as near as we can tell.”

“Yes, but remember the Dyson Sphere and the intergalactic vortices we detected?” Ariel reminded him. “What if, somewhere, they’ve met unusual resistance and need the ships for an attack?”

Jeremy sat silently for a moment, as he thought over Ariel’s words. “You don’t think they’re mounting an invasion of our home galaxy, do you?”

“Unknown,” Ariel responded, her dark eyes focusing on Jeremy. “Though it is a possibility. After we located the Dyson Sphere and beat back their first attack here in the Gaia System, they may consider our home galaxy a potential threat.”

“I wish there was some way to destroy the Dyson Sphere,” Kathryn said, a frown spreading across her face. She’d come to the Avenger to discuss the new energy shield the Distant Horizon would be equipped with. “If we could, it would cut off this galaxy from other Simulin-controlled ones and ensure our home galaxy stays safe.”

“We have no idea how far they’ve expanded or even if this is their home galaxy,” responded Jeremy, wishing they had more information. “For all we know, the Triangulum Galaxy is one of their conquests. I agree it would be great if we could do something about the Dyson Sphere. However, it’s so big, and the material it’s constructed from is probably impervious to any type of weapon we currently have. I don’t think a particle beam or an antimatter missile would affect it.”

“I can confirm that,” Ariel said. “The Distant Horizon scans show the entire sphere is composed of several unknown alloys of tremendous strength. Some of these same alloys were found in the Altons’ excavations on several abandoned Originator worlds, which were discovered in the Altons’ early explorations.”

“It would have to be, in order to withstand the radiation from the star it surrounds. I don’t see any way we can attack it.”

“I wish we knew more about these Originators,” commented Kathryn. “From what Andram said, their science is tremendously more advanced than the Altons.”

“The Dyson Sphere is absolute proof of that,” Ariel responded. “Not even what the AIs built around the black hole can compare to it, and that was the biggest construction project ever done in our galaxy.”

“I’ll speak to Andram,” Kathryn said after a moment. “Once this next set of emitters is deployed, I’ll suggest he focus his research on a method to destroy the Dyson Sphere. I also want to see if he can tell me any more about these mysterious Originators. I get the impression the Altons are hesitant to speak about them.”

“It might be a waste of time having Andram look into a way to destroy the sphere,” Jeremy replied. “How can you destroy something that encloses a star? However, it won’t hurt to see what he can come up with.” Looking at the main viewscreen, Jeremy gazed down at Gaia. The planet seemed so peaceful. “I too want to know more about the Originators. Where did they come from and did they have colonies in this galaxy as well?”

“The probability is very high,” Ariel responded. “With the Dyson Sphere being here, there are bound to have been Originator colonies as well.”

Jeremy let out a heavy sigh. The Triangulum Galaxy held a number of mysteries. He would love nothing better than to go in search of the Originator colony worlds, though he suspected all they would find would be ancient ruins. He knew Kathryn felt the same way. The Distant Horizon had been built for exploration, a task that, with the decision to stay in the nebula, the ship would never get to fulfill.

Once this next set of twenty-four emitters was deployed, they would be safe from attack and committed to not venturing forth in the near future. Perhaps they could finally make this world their home. Eventually he planned on seeding the entire nebula with the hyperspace disruption emitters to keep out the Simulins.

-

In the blue giant nebula, the Simulins prepared for another invasion. Inside the Dyson Sphere, nearly three thousand Simulin warships were gathered. For some unknown reason, the expeditionary invasion force sent to the AIs’ galaxy had failed to report back. They would shortly be sending a massive reinforcing fleet through to ensure that galaxy was swiftly brought under their control. It was remotely possible the initial force had run into unexpected resistance. If its numbers had been significantly reduced, the remaining ships might not have been able to deploy sufficient energy-collection satellites so that a reverse vortex to the Great Sphere could be established.

“We will go through in twenty hours,” said the High Commander of the fleet. “All ships will be at maximum battle readiness.”

“I have checked with the battle computer,” replied the ship’s second in command. “It believes the expeditionary fleet might have met resistance from the AIs and the same organics who came to this galaxy.”

“It doesn’t matter,” spoke the High Commander confidently. “This fleet is powerful enough and contains sufficient battlecruisers to ensure victory.”

“What about the AIs and organics we discovered hiding in the nebula?”

“They will be dealt with shortly,” replied the High Commander. “A second force is being gathered and will arrive at the nebula in eight days. We know their defenses and the capabilities of their ships. This time they will be defeated and annihilated.”

-

Admiral Race Tolsen looked worried, studying the ship’s tactical displays, fearful of what might shortly be coming. Less than an hour previously, the intergalactic vortex had once more flared to life for a brief time. It was suspected to have been a test vortex before the Simulins sent through their next invasion fleet.

“They could be coming through at any moment,” commented Commander Arnett. “The fleet’s at Condition Two.”

“And they’ll come in far greater numbers than before,” Race predicted.

“The relief fleets for Admiral Strong are all here,” Madelyn pointed out, gesturing toward another display and the waiting fleets. “We could push the schedule and send them through now.”

“It would be a risk,” Race said, as he considered her suggestion. “The Simulins could show up as the fleets are going through. If that were to happen, they’d be sitting ducks. We also don’t know what would happen if two intergalactic vortices were established in such close proximity to one another.”

“If we wait, we might not get the opportunity to send them through at all,” said Colonel Cowel. “I think we have to take the risk.”

Race took a deep breath, as he reached a decision. This was their only chance to reinforce the lost fleets. To wait might cause them to miss that opportunity permanently. “Let’s do it. Contact Pelel and tell them it’s time to send the fleets through.”

Looking at the tactical displays, the area around the weakened area of space was covered in green icons, representing Federation and Alliance ships. There were also twenty Indomitable Class battlestations enclosing the area, plus two thousand particle beam satellites. Race had a horrifying feeling it wouldn’t be enough to stop the Simulins this time.

-

The relief fleets rapidly organized themselves, as excitement swept through the ships. They were finally going to the Triangulum Galaxy to aid the lost fleets. Every person in the fleets was a volunteer and knew this was probably a one-way mission. There would be no returning home. They were going to fight a war in an unknown galaxy to keep the home galaxy safe, as well as colonize a new world. Morale was high, as word swept through the fleets the time had finally come.

-

“I can’t believe so many ships showed up,” Madelyn said, as the command crew worked like mad to coordinate everything.

“My head will roll, once word of what I’ve done gets back to the Federation Council,” Race said grimly. He knew he’d stretched his orders by not destroying the capacitor stations when the Sixth Fleet had arrived, when he’d been told to do so. “I’m not sure even Fleet Admiral Nagumo will survive the repercussions of our actions.”

“I have Admiral Korrel on the comm,” reported Lieutenant Travers with an unhappy look. “He’s demanding to know what we’re doing and why we’re not moving immediately to detonate the capacitor stations.”

“Tell Admiral Korrel we’re sending the relief fleets through first,” answered Race, then dismissed Korrel from his mind. The Sixth Fleet admiral could do nothing to stop the fleets now.

“Message sent,” reported Travers. A few moments later, she frowned and turned back to Admiral Tolsen. “I’m picking up an FTL transmission from the Orion Victory.”

“He’s sending a report of what we’re doing to the Federation,” commented Madelyn, shaking her head. “How did that man ever become an admiral?”

Race didn’t show the anger he was feeling, only nodded his head. “He has some family connections. It’ll take several weeks for his message to reach the Federation. This will all be over by then, and we’ll be on our way back home.”

“I wonder what kind of welcome we’ll get?” asked Colonel Cowel with a grimace. “We’ll probably all be court-martialed.”

“If we are, we won’t be alone,” Race responded. A lot of people had been involved in assembling the relief fleets.

“Pelel says he can activate the vortex at any time,” reported Lieutenant Travers, as a new message came in.

“Relief fleets are ready,” Madelyn said, as she listened to the different fleet groups report over her minicomm.

Race touched his own minicomm, switching it to fleet-wide so all commanding officers in the different fleets could hear him. “We are about to activate the vortex. You will be going to another galaxy to fight a war against a race who poses a far greater threat than the AIs or the Hocklyns ever did. You’re all volunteers. Some of you have family in the lost fleets.” Race paused, looking around the Command Center, all eyes on him. “I wish you luck and good hunting. The Federation and its allies will never forget you.”

Race turned to Madelyn. “Inform Pelel to activate the vortex.”

Looking at the viewscreens, Race could see the three capacitor stations, which had been moved in close proximity to the weakened area of space. Thirty small vortex generators formed a ring, which would allow the generation of an intergalactic spatial vortex eight hundred meters in diameter.

“Vortex activated,” reported Colonel Cowel, as a spinning white spatial vortex formed in the center of one of the main viewscreens.

“Send them through,” Race ordered in a calm voice.

“Type Two battlestations transiting,” reported Lieutenant Davis from sensors.

Race nodded. They had modified twenty of the Type Two battlestations, adding additional particle beam weapons and equipping them with heavier shields. The battlestations had minimal crews and would be responsible for defending the exit vortex from Simulin attack. The stations had basic hyperdrives to allow them to make the transit. They were using maneuvering thrusters to enter the vortex, since they were not equipped with sublight drives. As Race watched, the first 150-meter globe reached the vortex and vanished. The others followed in quick succession.

“Admiral Jackson is moving his fleet up,” Madelyn reported, as she watched the tactical display near her, full of friendly green icons waiting to make the transit.

Admiral Jackson had volunteered to lead the Federation contingent through the vortex. He’d explained to Race that, at his age, he didn’t want to face a court-martial or be assigned to a desk job. The fleet he was leading in the flagship Dauntless was the ships, which Fleet Admiral Nagumo had pulled from the reserve fleet and updated in the shipyards around New Tellus. The fleet consisted of six battleships, six battlecarriers, ten battlecruisers, twenty strikecruisers, ten light cruisers, eight older fleet repair ships, two hospital ships, twenty supply ships, six fleet-training vessels carrying sixty thousand replacement crew personnel, and ten very old and very large colony ships. Each colony ship held twenty thousand colonists who had volunteered to go to Gaia to live.

As Race watched, the six battleships moved up to make transit first, in case their firepower was needed when they exited the vortex. No one knew for sure what might be waiting for them, but some type of Simulin response was to be expected when they detected the fleets appearing in the Sigma System. That was one of the reasons they’d sent the battlestations first.

“Good luck, Admiral Jackson,” Race said over his minicomm. “It’s been an honor serving with you.”

“I’ll tell Admiral Strong you said hello. Give the politicians hell back in the Federation,” Jackson replied, as the Dauntless vanished into the vortex. The other ships of the fleet quickly followed their flagship into the swirling spatial anomaly.

“Ceres’s and New Tellus’s relief fleets are going through next,” Madelyn reported, as the next group of ships neared the vortex.

Race looked at the tactical display and the green icons representing the fleet. These were all new ships, which Governor Barnes and Senator Karnes had constructed and sent to the galactic center in the guise of protecting Astral. Ambassador Tureen had even gone along with the deception. There were eight battleships, four battlecarriers, twelve battlecruisers, twenty strikecruisers, twenty light cruisers, one hospital ship, two fleet-repair ships, twenty supply ships, and five more colony ships carrying twenty thousand colonists each. The mixed fleet quickly entered the vortex with the distance separating transiting ships less than one thousand meters.

“Admiral Bachal is up next,” Madelyn said, as she watched the tactical display. So far everything was going very smoothly.

It had been a surprise when the Altons informed them they also would be sending a relief fleet—a powerful fleet of twenty battleships, forty battlecruisers, six additional science ships, and two very advanced colony ships carrying twenty thousand Altons total. Ambassador Tureen had sent a message to Race saying that, after reviewing Admiral Strong’s data from the message probe, it was better to fight the Simulins in their galaxy rather than our own. He had also promised to speak to the Federation Council on Race’s behalf as well as the others who were involved in this endeavor.

However, the big thing about the Alton ships was what the battleships were dragging behind them with their ships’ powerful tractor beams. Each ship was pulling one-half of an Indomitable Class battlestation. Once they reached Gaia and were reassembled, there would be ten of the powerful battlestations protecting the planet.

“Alton fleet’s making transit,” Madelyn informed Race. In the tactical display, the friendly green icons of the Alton vessels blinked out, one by one as they were swallowed by the vortex.

“Pelel is asking us to hurry,” reported Lieutenant Travers. “He has enough power to keep the vortex activated for only another fourteen minutes.”

“That’ll be long enough,” answered Race.

The fleets were entering the vortex with minimal spacing and at high speeds to get all the ships through in the designated time period. Race’s gaze kept shifting to the sensor screens above Lieutenant Davis’s console, worrying the Simulins could show up at any moment and bring the transit of the relief fleets to a screeching halt.

“New Providence relief fleet is up next,” said Madelyn, as another group of green icons neared the swirling vortex.

Looking at one of the viewscreens, Race saw the two New Providence battleships enter the vortex followed by thirty strikecruisers and ten supply ships. “Only the Carethians remain,” he said as the last group of ships neared the spatial anomaly.

“We go on the hunt,” Admiral Calmat said with pride over the comm to Race and the others who were listening. “Our clans will grow strong and earn much honor in this new galaxy.”

“For the hunt,” Race responded gravely. “Go with honor.” As he watched, the Bear’s flagship, Hunter, entered the vortex, followed by sixty medium cruisers, twenty supply ships, and forty small colony ships carrying two thousand Bears each.

“All relief fleets are through,” confirmed Lieutenant Davis with a relieved sigh as the last icon vanished.

“Shut down the vortex and recharge the capacitor stations,” ordered Race. They’d finished with a few minutes to spare, so a lot of power still remained in the stations.

“Recharge them?” inquired Colonel Cowel, looking confused. “Shouldn’t we be getting ready to destroy them?”

“Not quite yet,” Race said, a wolfish glint in his eyes. “I have a plan for the stations and the Simulins when they arrive.”

“I wonder if the Simulins were waiting for the relief fleets?” commented Madelyn. “There may be a huge battle taking place even now in the Triangulum Galaxy.”

“We just sent 269 warships there, not counting hospital, supply, and colony ships,” spoke Colonel Cowel with a worried frown. “Each ship has a maximum crew load. I hope we didn’t send them all to their deaths.”

“We didn’t,” Race responded, his eyes shifting to Cowel. “Those crews are maxed out to give Admiral Strong additional crew support if he needs it. Most of those ships could easily operate with 30 percent less personnel than they have on board. The battlestations and Admiral Jackson’s battleships should be able to protect the fleets as they arrive.”

“Admiral Korrel is on the comm again,” reported Lieutenant Travers in a tired voice. “He’s demanding we immediately destroy the capacitor stations, or he’ll fire on them himself.”

“Maybe we should have gone with the relief fleets,” muttered Madelyn, shaking her head. Admiral Korrel would be a problem, particularly when they returned to the Federation.

Race activated his minicomm, so he could speak directly to the rebellious admiral. “Don’t fire on those stations,” Race warned. “If you do so, I’ll have you brought up on charges of mutiny.”

“Mutiny?” sputtered Korrel, barely able to hold his anger in check. “I’ll see you court-martialed!”

“Perhaps,” Race replied evenly. “But I’m in command now, and you will follow my orders, or I’ll have you placed in the brig.”

Korrel was quiet for a long moment. “Are you going to destroy the stations?”

“When the time is right,” Race replied calmly. “The Simulins won’t get control of them nor will they gain a foothold in our galaxy.”

“You’d better be right,” warned Korrel. “If not, I’ll be the first one to testify at your court-martial.”

Race turned off his minicomm with a heavy sigh. What he was planning carried some serious risks, but, if he was successful, it would deal a serious setback to the Simulins and their war machine.

-

Admiral Jackson felt a wrenching sensation and a brief moment of dizziness as the Dauntless dropped out of hyperspace. He blinked his eyes and took several deep breaths. Even as he did so, he felt the ship shake violently, and alarms sounded.

“Glancing energy beam strike to bow section fourteen, only minor damage,” reported a shaken Commander Sharon Blanton, as she staggered to the Damage Control console. “Energy screen is coming up.”

“Weapons online,” added Captain Dwight Lance from Tactical.

“Who hit us?” demanded Jackson, as the ship’s viewscreens came on and the tactical displays updated.

“Simulins,” reported Lieutenant Miguel Ortega from his Sensor console. “I’m detecting eighty Simulin warships engaging the Type Two battlestations. Two of the stations have already been destroyed.”

“All systems are powered up and working at optimum levels,” reported Commander Blanton.

“Set Condition One throughout the fleet. Stand by to fire weapons!” ordered Jackson. They’d made transit at Condition Two.

“Battlestations are under heavy fire,” reported Lieutenant Ortega. Even as he spoke, one of the battlestations vanished from his sensor screens.

“Battlestation T-6 is down.”

“Move us in to assist them,” ordered Jackson, seeing that his other five battleships had made transit and his battlecruisers were appearing. “Put us between the Simulins and the vortex, so we can protect our other ships as they emerge. We need to give them time to get their energy screens and weapons online.”

The Dauntless and the other five battleships accelerated and were soon mixed in with the seventeen remaining Type Two battlestations.

“All ships, fire!” ordered Jackson, his eyes focused intently on the tactical display.

The battleships fired a flurry of particle beams at the attackers, slamming into the main part of a Simulin battlecruiser, setting off massive explosions, and hurling glowing debris into space. Three of the massive spires disintegrated and then the ship blew apart.

“Simulin battlecruiser is down,” reported Lieutenant Ortega.

On one of the viewscreens, another one of the battlestations was under heavy attack. Its energy screen glowed brighter and brighter, and then a Simulin energy beam penetrated, blasting a huge glowing crater into the side of the station. It seemed to shudder violently and then blew apart, as a Simulin antimatter missile detonated inside the damaged area.

“Battlestation T-16 is down,” reported Ortega gravely. “The stations are taking a lot of damage.”

“Our battlecruisers are joining the battle,” reported Commander Blanton, as the ten vessels took up supporting positions around the six battleships.

“Order the battlecarriers to hold position behind us to cover the support vessels. They’re to keep the light cruisers with them, but I want the strikecruisers here pronto.”

“Message sent,” reported Lieutenant Brenda Neal from Communications.

“All of our fleet has made transit,” reported Commander Blanton as the friendly green icons appeared in the tactical display. “Ceres and New Tellus fleets are making transit next.”

“I want their battleships and strikecruisers in this battle as soon as their shields and weapons are up,” ordered Jackson. “The rest of their ships are to form up with our battlecarriers and support ships. We need to end this battle quickly.”

The Dauntless shuddered again as several Simulin antimatter missiles slammed into the ship’s energy shield.

“Energy shield is holding at 90 percent,” reported Captain Lance. “Firing power beams.”

“Battlecruiser Phobos is under heavy attack,” Commander Blanton informed Jackson, as she listened to various commanders over her minicomm, set to fleet-wide. “They’ve suffered an energy beam hit to secondary Engineering and have several fires out of control.”

“Put her up on a viewscreen,” ordered Jackson, shifting his attention to the front wall of the Command Center. The powerful battlecruiser appeared, and Jackson grimaced, as he saw the top section of the ship explode, and debris drifting away from the ship. “Order the Phobos to pull back!”

“Too late,” Commander Blanton replied, as an antimatter missile slammed into the stern of the battlecruiser, and the ship vanished in a fiery explosion.

“Battlecruiser Phobos is down,” reported Lieutenant Ortega in a shaken voice.

“Our strikecruisers have arrived,” Commander Blanton reported, as the twenty green icons spread out around the battleships and battlecruisers.

“Intensify our rate of fire,” ordered Jackson firmly. “Hit them with everything we have!”

-

The space between the Simulins and the relief ships became filled with weapons fire. Exploding missiles slammed into the screens on both sides and occasionally a particle beam or an energy beam would slip through, damaging the unfortunate ship. From the vortex, more ships emerged and as they did, warships were sent up to assist Admiral Jackson in his battle with the Simulin fleet. With each passing minute, the Simulins lost more ships, as they were now vastly outnumbered.

-

“What does the battle computer say?” demanded the Simulin High Commander.

He’d not been expecting to face a fleet of this size. His ships had been on patrol in the system when the vortex had activated, and twenty small spheres had come through. He’d instantly engaged them, thinking this was some type of probe force.

“Chance of victory is at 8 percent and dropping,” the ship’s second in command reported. “The battle computer is recommending an immediate withdrawal.”

The Simulin High Commander winced as one of the viewscreens was covered in white light as an escort cruiser exploded from an antimatter strike. “If our other fleets were still in position, we could destroy these organics,” he proclaimed, as he gazed with hate at the numerous red icons flooding into the system through the vortex.

The other Simulin fleets had been pulled back to participate in the invasion of the AI galaxy, the same galaxy these ships were coming from. So the High Commander had no reinforcements to call upon.

“We know where they’ll go,” the second in command replied. “The battle computer predicts with a 95 percent certainty these ships will proceed to the nebula where the other organics and the AIs have taken refuge.”

The High Commander nodded. He’d made his decision. “In a few more weeks we’ll have gathered sufficient forces to annihilate all within the nebula. We’ll withdraw and take part in that attack. No technologically advanced organics can be allowed to survive. Once our invasion fleet reaches their galaxy, there will be no more ships of the organics coming through this vortex.”

-

“Strikecruisers Nimrod and Voltaire cover battlestation T-14,” ordered Jackson, as he saw six Simulin vessels attack the station. In the last few minutes, six more of the battlestations had died fiery deaths. They’d served their purpose in keeping the Simulins away from the open intergalactic vortex, though they were paying a steep price.

-

The station was fighting valiantly against its attackers, firing particle beam after particle beam with its missile tubes in auto mode. Antimatter missiles were expelled at a rapid rate, lighting up the Simulin energy shields with cascades of exploding energy. Suddenly one of the Simulin shields weakened, and several bright blue particle beams penetrated, raking the ship’s hull and opening up numerous compartments to the vacuum of space. Then one of the station’s antimatter missiles shot through a hole in the screen generated by a particle beam, and the Simulin escort cruiser vanished in a massive fireball of uncontrolled energy.

The remaining Simulin ships continued to press the station as they moved closer, firing every energy beam they had at the battlestation. The station’s screen exploded in a cascade of colors, as energy spread across it. However, the firepower from the Simulin ships was too great. A Simulin energy beam penetrated the weakened shield, blowing a particle beam cannon to shreds and blasting out a deep glowing gash in the station’s armor. Several more energy beams slipped through the energy screen, tearing open major sections of the hull. Finally twin Simulin antimatter missiles flashed through the now minuscule screen and exploded. Two glowing suns appeared as the station vanished under the onslaught of the released energy.

-

“Battlestation T-14 is down,” reported Ortega.

“The strikecruiser couldn’t get there in time,” said Commander Blanton sadly.

“Simulin fleet is withdrawing,” reported Lieutenant Ortega, as vortices appeared on his sensor screens.

“Let them go,” ordered Commander Jackson, not wanting to risk losing any more of his valuable ships. “How many of the battlestations are left?”

“Only seven,” reported Commander Blanton, shaking her head at the losses the stations had taken. “Two of them are reporting significant damage.”

“Pull the crews off the two damaged stations and have several of the battlecarriers move up and attach the other five to their hulls. Once the two damaged ones have been evacuated, I want Devastator Threes set to destroy them. Also check the wreckage from the other stations to see if we need to eliminate any of it before we leave.”

“All fleets have made transit,” Lieutenant Ortega informed the admiral. “I’m also not picking up anything on the long-range scans, except the retreating Simulin fleet.”

Jackson nodded. That gave him enough time to organize his fleets and set out for the nebula. He was surprised there hadn’t been more Simulin ships waiting for them. From the data Admiral Strong had sent, the Simulins normally kept several fleets nearby. He wondered where they were.

-

In a nearby star system, an AI sphere slowly rose up out of the thick concealing atmosphere of the gas giant it had been hiding in. Its long-range sensors had detected the arrival of more Federation fleets and the ensuing brief battle with the Simulins. The AI in command immediately ordered an FTL message to be sent to the nebula and to stand by to make a hyperspace jump to the Sigma System. They would make contact with the new arrivals and escort them back safely to the nebula where they would be taken to Gaia. The AI in command was curious as to why such a large fleet had been sent. No doubt it would please Admiral Strong and the other organics, but the AI was interested in finding out just why this fleet was here.

-

Deep in the heart of the blue giant cluster, the gathered Simulin fleet waited inside the Dyson Sphere. Several times small vortices had been established with the AI galaxy, as tests were run to ensure everything was as it should be.

The massive fleet’s High Commander gazed impassively at a viewscreen showing the now inactive vortex. His fleet was ready and would be making the journey in waves with numerous ships transiting within seconds of one another. If there were an organic or AI fleet waiting, this method would ensure enough ships survived to carry the attack to the enemy. As rapid as the transit was planned, it would take only a few minutes to allow them to overwhelm any waiting opposition.

“We attack in twelve hours,” the High Commander spoke, satisfied with the reports from the last test. “Our battle computer predicts a 96 percent probability we can successfully make transit and eliminate any waiting opposition.”

“It is as it should be,” replied his second in command with little emotion in his voice. “We shall go to this new galaxy, find its Great Sphere, and then begin our war against that galaxy’s organics.”

-

Hours passed, and Race paced in the Command Center, as much more time had gone by than he’d thought possible before the expected Simulin attack. Glancing at one of the main viewscreens, he could see three massive globes floating in space. All three of the capacitor stations had been moved inside the weakened area of space where he expected the vortex to open.

“Admiral Korrel is demanding to know what you’re waiting for,” reported Lieutenant Travers with a disgusted look on her face. “He’s threatening to send another FTL message to the Federation.”

Before Race could reply, warning alarms flashed, and red lights appeared on the Sensor console.

“Vortex activation,” reported Lieutenant Davis. “Massive vortex is forming.”

“All ships, go to Condition One,” ordered Race over his fleet-wide minicomm. “Stand by to fire weapons.”

Immediately more alarm klaxons sounded, and additional red lights flashed. The Command Center came alive with intense activity as the crew prepared for battle.

“Order all noncombatants to jump out,” ordered Race. The fleet repair ships, Alton science vessels, and the supply ships would make the jump to the Astral System.

“Simulin ships making transit,” reported Commander Arnett, as red threat icons appeared in the tactical display near her.

“All ships, hold your fire,” ordered Race, as he prepared to implement his plan.

Colonel Cowel looked at Race in confusion but passed the command on to Tactical.

“Entry of 240 Simulin battlecruisers,” reported Lieutenant Davis, as the sensors identified the enemy ships. “More ships making transit. Our noncombat ships have jumped.”

“What is the first group doing?” demanded Race. He needed them to stay in the weakened area of space.

“Forming a defensive circle around the vortex,” Madelyn answered, as she studied the tactical display.

“They’re scanning the capacitor stations but haven’t fired upon them,” added Lieutenant Davis.

“They’re not armed, so they’re not a threat,” explained Race, nodding his head in satisfaction.

He had hoped the Simulins would ignore the stations. More than likely, they’d want to board them and check out the technology, to see if they could add anything to their own.

“More ships making transit,” Colonel Cowel said, worried, as the tactical displays filled up with red threat icons.

“Admiral Korrel is demanding permission to open fire,” reported Lieutenant Travers.

“All ships, hold your fire,” Race ordered again, knowing some of the crews were probably getting trigger-happy.

For long minutes, the Simulins continued to make transit and then, finally, after the last ship had come through, the vortex collapsed and disappeared.

“Detecting 3,212 Simulin vessels,” reported Lieutenant Davis in a stunned voice.

“Admiral Korrel is requesting permission to withdraw,” added Lieutenant Travers.

“That figures,” muttered Madelyn.

Race was quiet for a moment and then, leaning forward, typed in a code on his command console. Instantly a signal was sent to the three waiting and now unmanned capacitor stations. Inside each, a dead-man switch activated. Power conduits opened, and energy was allowed to flow unrestricted through the massive stations. In just a few microseconds, all three stations detonated in blasts as bright as a supernova. The sudden release of energy spread out around the stations, encompassing a number of Simulin vessels. Also a powerful blast wave radiated outward from all three. Filaments of fire spread across the weakened area of space, consuming nearly everything it touched.

“Confirmed detonation of all three capacitor stations,” reported Lieutenant Davis, as all the screens in the Command Center were suddenly covered in static. The ship shook briefly, lights dimmed, and then everything settled back down. For a few moments, silence ruled, before the screens came back to life. Race looked intently at one of the viewscreens, showing three glowing suns in the center of the weakened area of space. Around them hundreds of smaller fires seemed to be burning.

“All units, open fire!” he ordered. “Lieutenant Davis, get me a count on the surviving Simulin ships.” It looked to Race that the damage the capacitor stations had done to the Simulins was far more than he’d hoped.

“There’s still a lot of interference,” Davis reported, as he tried to interpret the data coming in.

“Just how big were those explosions?” asked Commander Arnett, as she gazed in awe at the viewscreens. “I’ve never seen anything like that, not even when Admiral Strong destroyed the Hypertranslation Station of the AIs.”

“I don’t know,” Race replied. “Not even Pelel was certain what would happen when we released all the stored energy in the capacitor stations. I know it was far more than a thousand antimatter missiles all detonating at once.”

“At least 1,600 Simulin ships confirmed destroyed,” Davis finally said, as his sensors gave him some data. “Many of the others are heavily damaged or adrift.”

“All ships, move in and finish them off,” ordered Race, feeling the tension ease. “All battlestations and particle beam satellites are to open fire.”

“We lost some of the particle beam satellites in the blasts,” Commander Arnett reported.

“That was to be expected,” Race replied, as the fleet opened fire on the now disorganized and nearly helpless Simulin ships. Most of their shields were down, and, with the firepower Race had available, they wouldn’t last long.

His trap had worked. As he gazed at the viewscreens, he felt great sadness. While he had in all probability eliminated the Simulin threat to this galaxy, he’d permanently marooned the lost fleets and the relief fleets in the Triangulum Galaxy. There was a good chance they would never be heard from again. The explosion of the three capacitor stations in the weakened area of space had ensured no vortex could ever form there again.

Chapter Twenty

Jeremy stared in amazement as the relief fleets continued to drop out of hyperspace into the Gaia System. Ship after ship exited swirling blue-white vortices and joined their fleet formations. It had been necessary to shut down 20 percent of the hyperspace disruption emitters to allow the fleets entry into the Gaia System. As soon as the last ship made transit, the signal would be sent to reactivate them.

“There are so many,” spoke Kelsey, staring in disbelief at the large viewscreen in the Command Center of the Distant Horizon.

“Admiral Jackson is leading the fleets,” commented Kathryn, as a large number of Carethian ships appeared.

“There are colony ships, supply ships, and even fleet-repair ships,” added Kevin. He was standing next to Katie at her computer console.

“As well as some Alton colony ships,” added Andram with a big smile. “I am told twenty thousand members of my race volunteered to come to Gaia.”

“But look at this,” Kathryn said, as she adjusted the large viewscreen. Instantly an Alton battleship came into view, pulling a partial sphere behind it.

“What’s that?” asked Angela, not recognizing what she was seeing.

“Part of an Indomitable Class battlestation,” answered Clarissa. She was standing next to Kathryn with her hands on her shapely hips. “When reassembled, there will be ten of them.”

Jeremy was silent for a long moment. “Admiral Jackson is the senior officer. He will now be in command of our fleets.”

“Surely he won’t take command away from you!” uttered Kevin, showing shock at Jeremy’s statement.

“It’s his right,” Jeremy replied in calm voice. “I want to set up a meeting with all fleet admirals on the Clan Protector in four hours. That should give the relief fleets sufficient time to go into orbit.”

“A total of 420 ships,” confirmed Captain Reynolds.

“Why are they here?” asked Commander Grissim. Anne looked at Jeremy.

“I don’t know,” answered Jeremy.

It was great to see the ships from home, but he was deeply concerned they were here for another reason rather than just to colonize Gaia. He suspected he would find out when he spoke to Admiral Jackson.

-

Four hours later, Jeremy and all the admirals of the fleets were gathered in a large conference room upon the Clan Protector. Looking around the room at those present, Jeremy couldn’t help but feel a big chunk of the leadership of the Federation fleet as well as their allies were present in the room. Gathered from his own forces to stand with him were Grayseth, Daelthon, Rear Admiral Marks, Rear Admiral Barnes, Admiral Cleeteus, and the Command AI. Representing the relief fleets were Admiral Jackson, Admiral Bachal, Admiral Sithe, and Admiral Calmat.

Jeremy cleared his throat and spoke. “Let’s get this meeting started. I’m sure we all have a lot of questions. For the first order of business, I formally turn over military command of the forces in the Gaia System to Admiral Jackson.”

A number of the people in the room looked surprised. Even the Command AI seemed to be startled, as the glowing ball of energy, which served as its head, doubled in size and brightness.

Admiral Jackson stood and smiled. “I believe we’re missing a few key people.” He spoke into his minicomm, and the door opened as Kelsey, Kevin, Katie, and Angela stepped in. “I asked them to attend this meeting, as we have a very important ceremony to attend to.”

“I don’t understand,” said Jeremy, sounding confused.

Admiral Jackson stepped around the table and approached Jeremy. From a folder he carried, he removed a letter bearing the seal of the President of the Human Federation of Worlds. From his pocket, he removed a small metal case.

“Admiral Jeremy Strong, by orders of the President of the Human Federation of Worlds, you are hereby promoted to the rank of Fleet Admiral,” Jackson said in a solemn voice.

He opened the case and removed two five-pointed gold stars. The symbol of the rank of a Fleet Admiral. With an element of grace, he removed the simpler stars of admiral from Jeremy’s shoulders and replaced them with the new insignia. Stepping back, he saluted Jeremy, as everyone else in the room stood and did the same.

“Fleet Admiral,” commented Kevin with a grin. “Does that mean I get a raise?”

Everyone laughed and started talking. Grayseth walked up to a still stunned Jeremy and grabbed him in a tight bear hug, forcing the breath from his lungs. “The clan has been greatly honored by your promotion,” Grayseth proclaimed with deep satisfaction in his voice. “It is only right that you continue to command the hunt.”

Kelsey came to Jeremy and looked at him with pride. “After what we’ve all been through, you deserve this,” she said. “You’re the reason we’re all still alive.”

Clarissa and Ariel suddenly appeared, startling Admiral Jackson. Both were dressed in their regular fleet uniforms.

“Fleet Admiral,” they both said in unison with pleased looks in their eyes.

“Thank you,” Jeremy finally managed to stutter, addressing Admiral Jackson. “I think it’s best if we get this meeting started.”

-

For the next several hours, Admiral Jackson and the others filled in the lost fleets’ admirals on what had been occurring back in the Federation and the former Hocklyn Empire.

“The Borzon and the Shari are stirring up trouble along their respective borders,” Jackson informed them with a deep sigh. “Sometime in the future there will be another war, but, by then, we should have hundreds of former Hocklyn slave races as new allies.”

“You mentioned Admiral Tolsen plans on using the remaining three capacitor stations to close the black hole area and prevent intergalactic vortices from forming?” asked Jeremy with a concerned look.

This would permanently maroon them in the Triangulum Galaxy, and, from what Jackson had said, they wouldn’t even be able to send a message probe back, because they couldn’t generate enough energy to do so.

“Yes,” Jackson replied. “That will effectively eliminate the Simulin menace to our galaxy. We think, from some of the energy readings we observed in their previous attack, they’ll still be able to open up small vortices in other sections of the galaxy. However, Admiral Tolsen and the Altons feel confident only a few ships could come through, and they should be able to handle them easily. That’s one of the main reasons for the size of the relief fleets. We want to take the war to the Simulins in this galaxy and prevent any of their ships from entering our galaxy. It’ll take a lot of energy to move the vortex’s exit point away from the galactic center. We need to find their power sources and eliminate them, so they can’t eventually generate the power to send large fleets through again.”

“Admiral Tolsen’s wrong about the threat being eliminated,” Jeremy said, shaking his head and drawing in a deep breath. “I need to tell you what we found here in the Triangulum Galaxy and why the home galaxy is still in grave danger.” Jeremy then described, with the help of Kathryn, Andram, and Clarissa, the Dyson Sphere they’d discovered.

Admiral Jackson and those with him stared in utter shock when Clarissa projected an image of the Dyson Sphere on the viewscreen in the conference room.

“We’d have been better off leaving the area around the black hole alone,” commented Admiral Sithe of New Providence. “At least there we could pin down the Simulins as they emerged. Now what will we do? They could show up anywhere in the galaxy with a massive warfleet.”

Jeremy looked around at the others, seeing the worry in their eyes. “There is only one thing we can do,” he said grimly. “We have to find some way to destroy the Dyson Sphere.”

All eyes turned toward the massive dark sphere on the viewscreen. How could they destroy something so large and protected by thousands of Simulin warships?

“It will take time to develop a plan,” Jeremy said after a few moments. “We need to continue deploying our hyperspace disruption emitters to ensure this nebula is impervious to the Simulins. The new colonists need to be settled on Gaia. We have a lot of work to do if we’re to take the war to the Simulins.”

“You’re right,” Admiral Jackson responded. “The Dyson Sphere has been there for millions of years. It can wait a bit. We should have the time, particularly if Admiral Tolsen is successful in destabilizing the vortex area. It’ll take the Simulins a while to figure out what happened.”

Jeremy nodded. “Then let’s figure out how we’ll settle the new colonists on Gaia. With the number of people you’ve brought, we can build a bigger and more beautiful world to live upon. The two cities we currently have on the surface can be the beginning of something truly marvelous. While it’s true that only a small part of Gaia around the equator is habitable, it’s still a large enough area to serve us for many centuries to come.”

Grayseth stood and looked at Admiral Calmat. “You have brought males and females from our five largest clans,” he boomed in his loud voice. “Gaia will be a good home for the clans, and our young can learn the ways of the hunt, as they did in the early years.”

Jeremy smiled warmly. “Admiral Jackson, Admiral Bachal, Admiral Sithe, and Admiral Calmat, I want to welcome you to your new home. I’m certain the members of the lost fleets are anxious to receive the messages you’ve brought, as well as to be reunited with the family members and loved ones who are part of the colony fleets.”

-

In the home galaxy in the old Human Federation of Worlds, the planet Maken orbited around its sun. On its surface, former Fleet Admiral Hedon Streth was in the midst of a terrible dream. He was floating in space and, before him, was a massive black object encompassing a star. His mind could scarcely comprehend what he was seeing, when he suddenly awoke.

Janice sat up when she heard Hendon groan loudly. “Was it a vision?” she asked, worried. It had been months since Hedon had last experienced one. Janice had hoped they were over. “Was it about Jeremy and the lost fleets?” She reached over and turned on a lamp.

“My head,” muttered Hedon, massaging his brow. He stood and staggered to the window. Opening it, he allowed the cool breeze blowing off the lake to reach him. Taking a number of deep breaths, he turned back toward his wife. “I think we screwed up big time.”

Janice got out of bed and went to the crib, which held their daughter. She was still sound asleep. “What did we do wrong?”

“That’s just it. We did everything right. I even called in a favor from President Malle, so Jeremy could be promoted to Fleet Admiral.”

“He has the forces now. He should cause the Simulins a lot of problems in the Triangulum Galaxy.”

“I’m sure he will,” Hedon answered. His head felt like someone was pounding it with a sledgehammer. “The problem isn’t in the Triangulum Galaxy. It’s here in ours.”

Janice remained silent, not sure what to say. When Hedon was ready to explain, he would.

With a deep sigh, Hedon sat back down on the bed. He remained there for several moments, trying to make sense of his vision. He strongly suspected what it was he had seen, but it was so fantastic. If he was right, this galaxy was in deadly danger.

“I need to send a message to Admiral Tolsen,” he said at last. “I have another mission for him, one I’m not sure even he will believe.”

-

Back on Gaia, several days had passed. The cities of New Eden and Clements were in a euphoria of happiness and nonstop partying. The first colonists had already come down, reuniting hundreds who’d thought they would never see their loved ones again. Many more were still up in orbit, waiting. The supply ships had brought several thousand of the spider work robots. They’d been unloaded, and new streets, businesses, and homes were already under construction. There would be three races on Gaia: Human, Alton, and Carethian. It would be a new society like none before. In orbit, new AIs were being constructed. Soon new AI ships would be built, much more powerful than their predecessors. With the aid of the newest repair ships, which had come with the relief fleets, a massive spacedock was being added to the Clan Protector. In orbit, ten Indomitable Class battlestations, were in the process of reassembly. They would form an impenetrable barrier to Simulin attacks when combined with the Type Two battlestations and the particle beam satellites.

-

On the beach a solemn and festive ceremony was being performed. Admiral Jackson had been asked to officiate the ritual and had agreed without a moment’s hesitation. How often did one get the opportunity to perform the marriage ceremony for a member of the Special Five?

Kelsey and Katie stood at the happy bride’s side, holding colorful bouquets of native flowers. Jeremy and Kevin stood next to Brace, their gazes on their beautiful wives.

The ceremony was short and sweet, and, as soon as Brace kissed Angela, everyone broke out in applause and laughter.

“We should have had hamburgers for the meal,” commented Kevin, as he filled his plate from the large buffet provided by the resort.

“You’re going to turn into a hamburger,” Katie said, shaking her head and laughing.

“Did you hear about Karalle?” asked Kelsey from Katie’s side.

“What?” asked Katie. “I haven’t spoken to her since the fleets arrived.”

“Slanarde was on one of the Bears’ colony ships,” Kelsey announced. “Karalle has already resigned her commission and is coming down to Gaia to start their family.”

“That’s wonderful,” said Katie, feeling excited for her Bear friend. She glanced at Kevin, wondering how much longer it would be before they started a family. Perhaps it was time for them to have a serious talk about it.

Jeremy looked around at all his friends and loved ones. Gaia will be a great world to live on, a place where their families could be raised in safety and learn the history of the three organic races who inhabited it. Above it, the AIs would serve as protectors.

Looking upward, Jeremy knew nearly a thousand warships now orbited the planet. He had hoped his time of fighting had ended, but now the Dyson Sphere represented a serious threat to the home galaxy. With a deep sigh, he knew it must be dealt with. Pushing the thought to the back of his mind, he walked over and took Kelsey’s hand. Angela and Brace were laughing and looked unbelievably happy. Tonight was not about war; it was about a new beginning.

Ariel and Clarissa watched the ecstatic couple, feeling extremely pleased with everything. Centuries in the past, Ariel had promised Jason Strong that she would look after Jeremy and the others. Now all five were happily married and perhaps soon would be starting families of their own. She wasn’t overly worried about the threat the Dyson Sphere represented. The reason was simple: Jeremy always found a way to win. And she was certain he would solve this problem also.

“What now?” asked Clarissa in her youthful voice.

Ariel replied with a big smile, “Let’s join the party.”

Moments later the beach was full of laughter, as the party really began.

The End