The Star Cross: The Vorn!

A Star Cross Novel

Chapter One

Prince Ortumad looked at the ruins of the staging system. Its single planet was gone, blown up by the attacking ships. All that remained was a spreading debris field of dust and rocks. The Vorn fleet in the system had been smashed and worst of all, the Intergalactic Transports and Collector ships had all been destroyed. It was an unprecedented disaster. All forty-eight Intergalactic Transport ships, seventy-eight Collector ships, three hundred and twelve battleships, and over three thousand cruisers had been annihilated. The prince felt stunned by the events of the last day and knew his life was now in serious jeopardy.

Prince Ortumad stood upright, having a basic humanoid form with two legs and two arms. That was where the resemblance ended. The average Vorn looked like a cross between a humanoid and a wasp. The head was covered with very short hair and triangular shaped with two antennae. Its eyes were multifaceted and could see in several different light wavelengths. They had small wasp-like wings, which normally stayed folded on their backs. Their hands consisted of seven thin digits with which to manipulate equipment. However, the most shocking aspect of the Vorn race was that they were telepathic. They could sense each other’s thoughts over a short distance and used telepathy, for the most part, to communicate though they did have a spoken language.

Prince Ortumad looked away from the viewscreens contemplating what needed to be done next. There were more Collector ships and Intergalactic Transports in the habitats, but many of them were being held in stasis and would have to be activated. There were probably less than ten transport ships still functioning. Some were in intergalactic space and others were at the habitats. There were also a few Collector ships in Galaxy X241 being loaded with food pellets. He knew he would have to wait for an Intergalactic Transport ship to arrive from the habitats so he could send it back to inform Queen Alithe of the unprecedented disaster in the staging system. Ortumad felt his pulse quicken as he knew there was a good chance she would call for his immediate deletion for failing the Vorn race.

Drawing in a long breath, Prince Ortumad turned back toward the viewscreens. The screens showed the wreckage of countless Vorn ships. On one screen, a massive 10,000-meter Intergalactic Transport tumbled in space. It was a twisted mass of wreckage with occasional explosions still erupting from its shattered frame. Ortumad shook his head in disbelief. This was the greatest disaster in Vorn history since coming to this universe. He wondered if somehow Prince Brollen had been the cause. Prince Brollen’s desire for power made Prince Ortumad feel uneasy and had for quite some time. It seemed since the prince had risen in command, the Vorn had suffered one setback after another. Now the staging system had been destroyed!

I want to examine the reports of all motherships lost in Galaxy X241. Prince Ortumad was determined to get to the bottom of this mystery. How had the enemy found the staging system? His very life might well depend on what he found out.

To what purpose? asked Military Commander Madoul, looking confused.

Ortumad turned his eyes toward Madoul. I want to know how these food species discovered where the staging system was. That information is only in the navigation computers on Intergalactic Transports, Collector ships, and our motherships. This was a coordinated attack by at least two food species and the ancient race, which has stepped in recently to harass our harvesting of Galaxy X241.

You are implying one of our motherships was boarded and the information taken from its computer?

Yes, precisely. Prince Brollen has confirmed the destruction of every mothership we have lost. His multifaceted eyes drilled into Madoul’s. I want to know if he was telling the truth!

-

In Galaxy X241, Prince Lashall was involved in a battle with a powerful food species. His fleet of sixty battleships, seven hundred cruisers, and four motherships was being hard pressed by over four thousand attacking warships. For a moment he considered withdrawing. There were easier pickings in this region of the galaxy. However, this system had a large food species population making it very difficult to pass up.

Prince Lashall was on board his flagship, the mothership Ravager.

What does the battle computer say? he grimaced as another of his cruisers blew apart under the heavy energy beam fire from a group of attacking battlecruisers. The motherships were at the heart of the fleet formation, and so far the Vorn battleships and the black spindle-shaped cruisers were preventing them from being hit by enemy fire.

Ninety-two percent chance of Vorn victory, Military Commander Volmont replied. They do not have the dark matter missiles, and there are no ships of the ancient race present.

Prince Lashall switched his attention to the viewscreens on the front wall of the Command Center. Two enticing blue-white food worlds were visible. This system was rich in the number of inhabitants who could become food for the Vorn. The two worlds in the habitable zone were teeming with life. In addition, there were numerous colonies on the moons and inside several of the asteroids. A number of large space habitats had been located as well. If Lashall could harvest this system, it would finish filling his cargo holds with food pellets. He could afford to lose some of the small cruisers to achieve that end.

Firing black antimatter spheres, reported Military Commander Volmont.

Lashall nodded. As long as the battle computer predicted overwhelming odds for Vorn victory, his fleet would remain.

-

In space, hundreds of the deadly black spheres left the firing tubes of the 1,200-meter Vorn battleships. Their targets were the 900-meter battlecruisers of the Cabbols. They were a four-legged species with two arms and two hands with nimble fingers with which to work equipment. They were an extremely intelligent race and had reached Enlightened stasis thousands of years in the past. They maintained a large protective war fleet operated by sophisticated battle computers. The ships themselves had no living crewmembers.

The Cabbol fleet consisted of 4012 nine-hundred-meter battlecruisers, and they had all been recalled to the home system to protect it from the Destroyers of Worlds. They were armed with powerful energy beams and hyperspace antimatter missiles. Currently the fleet was positioned between the Vorn fleet and the Cabbol homeworld. The second inhabited world in the system was open to attack, but the Vorn seemed determined to destroy the Cabbol fleet before beginning their harvest.

On the Cabbol flagship, the primary battle computer continued to analyze the progress of the battle. It was ordering entire squadrons to close and attack individual Vorn cruisers, concentrating the fire of their energy beam weapons as well as their hyperspace antimatter missiles. The computer was sending four squadron-sized groups to attack the heavier Vorn battleships and two squadron-sized groups to attack the cruisers. The strategy was working though the Cabbol fleet was losing a large number of vessels for every Vorn ship they managed to destroy.

-

In space, Cabbol warships were hammering Vorn spindle-shaped cruisers. Intense energy beam fire and antimatter missiles were slamming into energy shields. Each antimatter missile exploded with a yield of one hundred megatons. Space was awash with the glow of released energy. Occasionally a Vorn energy shield would fail and the ship beneath it would be vaporized or would explode. Vorn energy shields absorbed tremendous amounts of energy, which made them grow even stronger during a battle. However, if that shield ever became overloaded or penetrated it would release all of the stored energy, usually causing the destruction of the ship it protected.

Four squadrons of Cabbol battlecruisers surged forward, concentrating their fire on a single Vorn battleship. The Vorn battleship was firing back with black spheres of antimatter, which were draining the energy from the Cabbol energy screens. Once a screen failed a Vorn antimatter missile would strike the ship, turning it into a raging fireball of uncontrolled energy. When the energy dissipated all that usually remained were a few wisps of glowing gas. Cabbol ship after ship died in this destructive manner.

The Vorn battleship’s screen never collapsed and the last Cabbol vessel exploded, never achieving the goal of the commanding battle computer to compromise the Vorn energy screen. Almost instantly four more squadrons were dispatched to attack the same Vorn battleship.

Nearby two squadrons of Cabbol warships pounded the screen of a spindle-shaped cruiser. The screen flared brighter and brighter from the detonation of numerous 100-megaton hyperspace antimatter missiles. In a sudden flash of light the screen collapsed, releasing all of its stored energy. The Vorn cruiser was instantly obliterated. The remaining ships of the two squadrons were reinforced and sent on to their next target. The commanding battle computer was meticulous in its method of attack.

-

The Vorn fought back systematically. Black antimatter beams and black spheres of antimatter were striking Cabbol warships across the entire front of their fleet formation. The antimatter beams were penetrating the Cabbol energy shields causing widespread damage. Gaping holes were being blown in their hulls, leaving many compartments open to space. Ships struck by the black antimatter spheres saw their power drained, leaving them defenseless to other Vorn weapons.

Across the Cabbol fleet formation, massive explosions marked the death of defending ships. Vorn ten-megaton antimatter missiles were detonating against ships’ hulls, hurling glowing debris across space. Some of the debris was colliding against other ships’ shields causing them to collapse. The fighting was becoming more intense as the two fleets closed.

Vorn antimatter beams penetrated the screen of a Cabbol battlecruiser, cutting deeply into the hull. Multiple secondary explosions ripped open several compartments sending debris hurtling away from the ship. Cabbol energy turrets rotated, firing upon the attacking Vorn cruisers. On the hull of the Cabbol warship, a small Vorn antimatter missile detonated. Ten megatons of furious energy was released, vaporizing a major portion of the ship. The rest of the ship was riddled by Vorn antimatter beams leaving a partial drifting hulk. The Vorn cruisers then shifted their fire to the next ship in the Cabbol fleet.

-

On the surface of the capital planet, the Cabbol Grand Council was in session. Large viewscreens around the room showed the ongoing battle in space.

“We will lose,” reported Councilor Odom. “Latest projections indicate our fleet cannot defeat the Destroyers of Worlds’ ships now nearing our planets.”

“Cannot anyone come to our aid?” asked Councilor Marshedd, with a desperate look in his eyes.

Odom shook his head. “No, not before our fleet is destroyed. We have sent requests to the Lakiam Alliance, but their nearest fleet will take four days to reach us.”

“Then we are doomed,” said Councilor Arrleen. She had a look of great sadness in her eyes. “We should have joined the Alliance when we were given the opportunity.”

Odom’s large brown eyes focused on Councilor Arrleen. “We believed with our fleet we would be safe. I fear we made the same grievous mistake as have so many other Enlightened Worlds.”

“Food for the Vorn,” muttered Councilor Marshedd, shaking his head. “That is going to be the fate of our race.”

“We must tell our colony worlds to begin evacuations,” said Councilor Arrleen. “At least some of us can survive and begin our race again. Our culture need not die.”

Odom was silent for a long moment. “I’m afraid that is impossible. I recently received word that all hypercom frequencies are being jammed. We cannot communicate with our colonies. We can only hope they realize what is happening and begin evacuations on their own. We did manage to get word out that a Destroyers of Worlds’ fleet had entered the system before all communications were jammed.” The Cabbols had known for days a Vorn fleet was nearby and called home nearly all of their warships as a precautionary measure. As a result their ten colony worlds were only lightly defended. They would fall quickly to the Vorn.

Their eyes returned to the viewscreens where their fleet was being systematically reduced to wreckage. They knew there was nothing else they could do.

-

The battle computer on the flagship continued to make adjustments in its fleet formation as more ships fell victim to the Vorn. Where once proud battlecruisers of the Cabbol fleet flew, there was now only glowing debris. Hundreds of ships were dying as they pressed their attack against the incoming Vorn. The computer ran a simulation of the current state of the battle and its likely outcome. The problem was the Vorn energy shields. They were just too powerful and only massive fire from entire squadrons of Cabbol ships could bring one down. The simulation estimated the fleet could destroy 12 percent of the Vorn ships but none of the Cabbol fleet would survive.

If the battle computer had been a living being, it would have known despair. But it was only a highly sophisticated computer and continued to send ships to attack the Vorn. It would destroy as many of the Vorn ships as possible while it still had a force to fight with. Its battle tactics were logical and designed to inflict maximum damage to the enemy. Unfortunately, it had never been designed to fight the Vorn.

-

Prince Lashall watched as another food species’ battlecruiser burned on one of the viewscreens. His twin antennae stood erect as the enemy fleet was slowly being pushed back toward one of the planets it defended. Occasionally several groups of defending battlecruisers would surge forward, firing their energy cannons and launching numerous hyperspace missiles at one of the ships in the Vorn fleet. Sometimes the Vorn ship would die when its energy screen failed, other times the enemy squadrons would be destroyed by Vorn black antimatter beams and the black antimatter spheres.

Most of the defending fleet has been annihilated, reported Military Commander Volmont. Only a few hundred of their vessels remain, and those are falling back toward the planet’s defensive grid.

How powerful is the grid? asked Lashall. In recent months the harvesting fleets had been running into much more powerful defensive grids defending the planets of various food species. Some of the grids were actually capable of destroying Vorn cruisers. A very powerful defensive platform was being deployed with much more powerful energy beams.

Military Commander Volmont spent a few moments communicating with the Vorn at the sensor console. There are none of the more updated defensive platforms some of our fleets have reported encountering. The ones in orbit over both planets will pose no threat to our ships.

Then let us finish this, ordered Lashall. I grow impatient to taste a food pellet from this species.

-

The Vorn fleet proceeded toward the planet. The surviving Cabbol battlecruisers added their firepower to the defensive grid that protected the Cabbol homeworld. Two Vorn cruisers were destroyed as their defensive screens were overloaded. However, the Vorn were firing nonstop against the grid and the remaining battlecruisers. In orbit around the planet, bright flashes indicated the deaths of the remaining battlecruisers and the defensive platforms which were supposed to protect the planet.

-

On board the Cabbol flagship, the battle computer knew defeat. The latest projection showed a 99.7 percent chance of defeat. As the computer ran simulations that might offer a chance for victory a Vorn black antimatter beam penetrated the ship’s energy shield, blasting right through the ship’s Command Center destroying the battle computer. Moments afterward the flagship was destroyed by four Vorn antimatter missiles. Hours later its shattered remains would rain down upon the planet it was supposed to protect.

-

Above the planet, the bright flashes of light died out. All the defense platforms and the last few defending battlecruisers had been annihilated. The Vorn now had unrestricted access to the planet.

The Vorn fleet went into orbit and the four motherships descended to the proper altitude to begin the harvesting. On each ship, fourteen large hatches slid open. From each a black ray flashed forth to strike the surface of the planet below. As a black beam swept across an inhabited city all of its inhabitants were transformed into a black ashy substance, which was gathered up by an embedded tractor beam.

In the council chambers of the Cabbol Grand Council, the councilors watched in silence as the deadly black rays swept across the planet, destroying their world and hundreds of thousands of years of history and culture. They watched in horror as their people were converted into a black ash. Then a beam flashed through the council chamber, changing the councilors into ash to be transported up to the waiting motherships and made into food pellets for the Vorn.

-

Prince Lashall made his way through the ship to one of the converter compartments where the ship’s tractor beams brought the ashy substance back to the ship and converted it to food pellets. The converters classified the different organic substances and then changed them into appropriate food for each of the castes of the Vorn race.

On the way Prince Lashall passed several members of the Working Caste busy cleaning the ship and doing basic maintenance. They were so dimwitted it was doubtful they even knew the ship had been in a space battle.

Reaching the converter compartment, he walked over and pressed a button on a small control panel. Instantly a receptacle slid open and a gray pellet in the form of a small cube was ejected onto a tray. The prince took the pellet and popped it into his mouth, crunching the pellet with his mandibles and feeling the invigorating strength that instantly flowed through him. This pellet was made from the organic material of one of the civilized inhabitants of the planet they had just culled. Gray pellets were for the Royal Caste and the other privileged, black cubes were for the Military Caste, and finally the brown cubes were for the Working Caste. Each cube would provide sustenance for a full day or two days if necessary without the Vorn feeling any hunger pains.

Is the food pellet acceptable? asked a member of the Science Caste who was operating the converter along with several technicians.

It is passable, Lashall replied. The pellet had a slight kick to it that made his throat feel as if he had eaten something containing an intense spice. Have one hundred of these delivered to my quarters. I will be adding them to my private collection. Lashall turned and headed back toward the ship’s Command Center. It was nearing time to use the ship’s weapons to eliminate all signs that intelligent life had ever inhabited the planet. The advanced technology on this world would never become a threat to the Vorn.

-

A few minutes later from the hatches of the four motherships spheres of white energy fell toward the planet’s surface. They quickly reached their targets and then burst like a bubble, releasing their stored energy. The energy spread outward destroying everything in its path. Buildings were incinerated, dams burst, and all the other signs of civilized infrastructure vanished. For an hour the four ships launched the spheres, annihilating all signs on the planet that a high tech civilization had ever inhabited the world. Dark dust and ash were hurled high up into the atmosphere reducing the amount of sunlight reaching the surface. Soon the planet would be thrown into a nuclear winter which would last for decades.

-

The spheres have completed their work, reported Military Commander Volmont.

Then let us move on to the other inhabited planet, ordered Prince Lashall. We will harvest it and then proceed to the smaller colonies on the moons and inside the asteroids. We will also harvest the eight artificial habitats we have detected. When we leave there will be none of this food species remaining in this star system.

Prince Lashall was pleased. There was nothing in the system to prevent him from filling the holds of all four of his motherships. It would be time to seek a Collector ship and unload the food pellets the fleet had harvested. He would return later to harvest the colony worlds.

-

Four days later the Ravager and its fleet dropped out of hyperspace in the system where the Collector ship would be waiting. As the ship exited hyperspace, Price Lashall was surprised to see a number of other Vorn fleets present.

There is no Collector ship in the system, sent Military Commander Volmont.

Prince Lashall felt confusion. The ship was supposed to be here. A Collector ship was supposed to always be on station in this system until relieved by another.

Where is the Collector ship? sent Prince Lashall telepathically toward another nearby mothership waiting in the system.

We do not know, replied the other prince. The replacement Collector ship did not arrive on schedule and the one that was in the system was full. It left to go to the staging system. That was six days ago.

Lashall felt a queasiness in his abdomen. Something was wrong. Have there been any other ships from the staging system? Sometimes Prince Ortumad sent replacement ships to replace any losses the fleets might have suffered.

No, nothing. We have been contemplating sending a small fleet of our vessels to investigate.

An icy coldness swept over Prince Lashall. Without a Collector ship, his four motherships could not empty their cargo holds. With full holds they could not continue the harvest.

Prince Lashall turned toward Military Commander Volmont. We will remain here until a Collector ship arrives.

I will place the fleet into orbit with the other waiting fleets, replied Volmont.

Prince Lashall gazed at the tactical display. There were twelve Vorn harvesting fleets in the system. It would not be long until the harvesting of this section of Galaxy X241 ground to a halt. Lashall could not recall anything like this happening before. Gazing in aggravation at the viewscreens showing the ships of his fleet, Lashall knew the only thing he could do was wait. For the time being his part in the harvest had come to an end.

Chapter Two

Fleet Admiral Kurt Vickers was on board one of the Glaymon-built shipyards watching the newest battleship exit the construction bay. The shipyard was totally automated with the latest Glaymon shipbuilding technology. It took three weeks to build a new battleship from start to finish. There were two of the super modern Glaymon shipyards in orbit around Newton, and they were both controlled by a Glaymon AI well versed in shipbuilding technology.

“I’m impressed,” Kurt said as the 1,500-meter-long ship passed through the atmospheric retention field and out into space.

“I come over here every other day for an inspection,” said Colonel Hayworth, his eyes focused on the departing ship. “I’ve never seen an operation that runs so smoothly. The Glaymons really know how to build warships.”

“They had millions of years to perfect their ship construction technology,” replied Marleem. Marleem was the Glaymon AI in charge of the shipyard. Her holographic figure stood next to Colonel Hayworth. “Our shipyards on the Dyson Sphere are even more advanced than the two we’ve built here.”

“I’ve seen them,” replied Kurt. “That’s where the Star Cross was rebuilt.” Kurt could well remember his time on the Glaymon Dyson Sphere. There had been some tense moments when he feared they would never make it back to Newton. Not all the Glaymons were as helpful as the Aggressives. The Advanced Glaymons had wanted Kurt and his crews to live out their lives on the Dyson Sphere.

“Reports have been coming in of decreased Vorn activity across the galaxy,” said Colonel Hayworth. “Your attack on the Vorns’ staging system has nearly brought their harvesting of worlds to a standstill.”

Marleem turned toward Kurt. “It is the destruction of so many of their Collector ships and Intergalactic Transports. They will have to replace them from ships in their home system or build new ones. They will eventually return.”

Kurt turned his attention back to the bay where preparations were already underway to begin construction of the next battleship. “If we can buy six more months of no attacks from the Vorn it will make a huge difference in the war. It will give Fleet Commodore Dreen and Fleet Captain Waelt time to better prepare for future Vorn incursions. Perhaps even more worlds will join the Lakiam Alliance.”

Colonel Hayworth looked thoughtful. “In six more months we can add eighteen additional battleships to our fleet as well as nearly eighty more heavy battlecruisers. It will allow us to greatly increase the defensive grids protecting Newton, Earth, Mars, Julbian, Sertez, and Maldon. It’s time we could certainly use.”

Kurt let out a deep sigh upon thinking about Mars. Nearly four million of the planet’s inhabitants had been taken by the Vorn. He shuddered thinking about their fate. The people had been converted into food pellets to serve as meals for the Vorn. Up until that time Kurt had been determined to keep Newton and Earth out of the fighting, hoping the Destroyers of Worlds would never find either planet. That hope was now gone, and Kurt was determined to avenge the loss of the people of Mars. No one deserved the fate which had befallen them. Already Newton ships were preparing to go to Julbian, Sertez, and Maldon to help with the construction of new shipyards to build modern warships. The ships wouldn’t have Glaymon technology, but they would have weapons powerful enough to bring down a Vorn energy shield if enough could be brought to bear on the target. Kurt also intended to supply them with dark matter missiles.

“Let’s get back to the station,” said Kurt, glancing over at Colonel Hayworth. “I need to check on the Star Cross as well as speak to Colonel Simms and Rear Admiral White.” Kurt knew they had bought themselves a respite by attacking the staging system, and he intended to do everything he could to take advantage of that.

-

As they approached the station in a shuttle, the Star Cross could be seen through the large cockpit windows. The 1,700-meter-long battleship was docked to Newton Station undergoing repairs from the battle in the staging system. It had already spent a few days inside one of the repair bays having several jagged rents in its hull repaired as well as a number of weapon turrets which had been destroyed.

Newton Station itself was 3,000 meters in length, 1,600 meters in width, and 800 meters in height. The station contained four repair bays and six construction bays. It was also responsible for the defense of the Newton System.

As soon as they docked to the station, Kurt made his way over to the Star Cross and then up to the Command Center. There was only a skeleton crew on board besides the workers making needed repairs. Entering the Command Center, he saw it was occupied by two officers and Aleea. Aleea was the ship’s AI who came from the Glaymons. She appeared as a beautiful Human woman and was standing upon a small platform directly in front of the command console. Her projection was a three-dimensional hologram and she almost seemed real. She was wearing a standard blue officer’s uniform without insignia.

“Admiral,” said Lieutenant Evelyn Mays who was sitting at her tactical console. “We weren’t expecting you.”

Normally when the Star Cross was docked to the station one of the primary command crew was always in the Command Center in case of an unexpected emergency. Today it was Evelyn.

“I have a meeting scheduled with Colonel Simms and Rear Admiral White,” replied Kurt. Rear Admiral Wilson was currently in the solar system helping to defend Earth though Kurt wasn’t expecting another attack anytime soon. “I wanted to stop by and check on the repairs to the ship.”

“Almost done,” Lieutenant Mays said. “All that’s left is some cosmetic work on the inside and then fine tuning the new weapon turrets we installed. That’s what I’m working on now.”

Kurt turned toward Aleea who was waiting patiently. Kurt knew the AI disliked being alone and preferred one or two people in the Command Center at all times. “What have we picked up on the Vorn?”

The Star Cross was equipped with a Glaymon hyperspace comm system capable of receiving and sending messages nearly anywhere in the galaxy. There was a time delay but nowhere like there once was. A message to Kubitz, over 5,500 light years distant, now only took a few hours. In the past it would have taken days.

“Destroyers of Worlds attacks are still decreasing,” Aleea replied as she accessed the latest data. “There are reports of numerous Vorn harvesting fleets just sitting idle in a number of outlying systems. I suspect the holds of their motherships are full.”

“Waiting on Collector ships,” said Lieutenant Mays with a deep frown. “Well, after what we did in the Vorn staging system they’re going to have a long wait.”

“The Vorn motherships have the capability to travel to their home system, but it would take them a considerable amount of time,” Aleea said. “Eventually Collector ships will be sent and another staging system set up. By attacking the staging system, we have bought some time but it’s difficult to estimate how much. It could be from a few weeks to a few months.”

Lieutenant Mays walked over to stand close to Admiral Vickers. “They’ll come back,” she said. A serious look crossed her face. “They’ll come back in even greater numbers than before and now they know where Earth is. What are we going to do?”

Kurt knew Lieutenant Mays was right. The Vorn would leave no world unharvested. “The shipyard above Earth is building new ships as rapidly as possible, the same as we are. We’ll be sending more of the new defensive platforms to Earth as well as Mars. Next time we will be ready for them.”

This seemed to satisfy Lieutenant Mays as she returned to her station. However, Kurt was not so confident of being able to stop the Vorn if they appeared with a truly large fleet. If that happened they would need the aid of the Glaymons.

Kurt’s eyes shifted back to Aleea. “Continue to monitor all communications. I want to know what the Vorn are doing. We must not be taken by surprise again.”

“I will,” promised Aleea. “I wish we had the communications equipment Gaylith has on the Dyson Sphere. It has the capability to intercept millions of hyperspace messages. There are two communication arrays outside the nebula that continuously monitor hyperspace communications.”

“Perhaps someday,” Kurt replied as he turned and exited the Command Center.

As he walked through the corridors of the Star Cross he encountered numerous work robots. These were the small automatons the Glaymons had designed to keep their ships repaired as well as their cities. They were capable of doing numerous repair jobs as well as construction work. Larger robots were used in the construction bays of the shipyards.

-

As Kurt made his way through the station, he still found it amazing at how large it had become. Originally Newton Station only had several repair bays for the exploration ships sent out on deep space missions. That was before they realized they were not alone in the universe. Now the galaxy had become a deadly place inhabited by thousands of advanced civilizations, all threatened by the Vorn. All the exploration ships had long since been converted into warships. The days of peaceful exploration were over. Kurt had always wanted to go out exploring. Now that dream was a thing of the past.

Reaching the Command Center, Kurt went inside and paused for a moment. It was a beehive of activity. Ships leaving Newton as well as arriving in the system were closely monitored. An up to date sensor system could detect inbound ships out to a distance of thirty-two light years. The Command Center was also responsible for directing the defenses around the planet. On several viewscreens, large defensive platforms were visible. On several others were views of Newton as well as the busy orbital space around the planet.

“Fleet Admiral on deck!” called out Lieutenant Haley, standing up quickly and saluting. Everyone else in the Command Center stood and saluted as well.

“As you were,” ordered Kurt. “Lieutenant, what’s the current status of ships in the system?” While the space around Newton was busy, it was nothing when compared to Earth. Interstellar commerce between Earth, Julbian, Sertez, and Maldon was booming. Fortunes were being made and lost every day.

“There’s a lot, sir,” replied Haley as she sat back down. “We have our own ships, vessels from Earth, Julbian, Sertez, and Maldon as well as several ships of Lomatz’s.”

“How many Glaymon disk ships?” The Glaymon warships were 1,000 meters across. They were as powerful as the Star Cross and contained even more advanced technology than Kurt’s flagship. They were essential to the defense of both Earth and Newton.

“Twenty-eight at the moment,” answered Haley.

Kurt knew he needed to travel to the Glaymon’s new star system and speak with Tasid about the recent events in the Vorn staging system. Kurt had attacked the system without informing Tasid of his plans. The Glaymons had originally asked him to do a clandestine survey of the system; instead he had attacked and destroyed it. Glaymon Captain Tolmass had agreed with Kurt’s decision and participated. Tolmass had returned to the new Glaymon system to report and had not returned as of yet.

“Rear Admiral White and Colonel Simms are waiting for you in the conference room off the Command Center,” Lieutenant Vargas, the station’s traffic controller, informed Kurt.

“Thank you, Lieutenant,” Kurt replied as he headed in that direction. It only took a few moments to reach the conference room, and after opening the hatch he stepped inside.

Rear Admiral Susan White and Colonel Simms quickly stood as Kurt entered.

“Sit back down,” said Kurt, gesturing toward them. “We have a lot to discuss and I need to get back down to Newton.”

Kurt sat and then looked at the other two officers. “Rear Admiral White, have all of your ships been repaired?”

“Yes, sir,” Susan responded. “The Langston exited the shipyard yesterday. She suffered the most damage in the battle with the Vorn.” The Langston was a heavy battlecruiser.

“I want you to take your fleet to Julbian. Two of Lomatz’s construction ships will be going along as well as a number of cargo ships.”

“I assume this has to do with updating the system’s defenses?” Currently, Julbian had a few Type Two defensive platforms as well as several of the newer and more powerful ones being built in one of the construction bays on Newton Station.

“Yes,” Kurt replied. “Our embassy on the planet has already signed an agreement with the Julbian government allowing for the construction of several new construction bays on their shipyard. We’re going to modernize their fleet but they will not be given Glaymon technology. The shipyard additions will be based on Kubitz construction technology which Lomatz and his crews are familiar with. The cargo ships contain additional defensive platforms, both old ones and ten of the newer ones. One of the ships also contains dark matter missiles for the Julbian fleet once their missile tubes have been converted.” The dark matter warheads could destroy Vorn vessels.

“What about Sertez and Maldon?”

“We will update them once we’re finished with Julbian. We’re in the process of sending other ships to begin some of the updates, but we’ll need Lomatz’s construction ships to add the new construction bays to their shipyards.”

Kurt looked over at Colonel Simms. “What’s the current condition of the Limeira?” The Limeira was Mara’s diplomatic cruiser, which had the firepower of a battleship. It was of Lakiam construction but had been updated with some Glaymon technology when it arrived at Newton.

“Repairs are complete. The ship has been moved out of the repair bay and is in orbit around Newton.”

Kurt nodded. Mara had left to return to Lakiam on board a Lakiam cargo ship to report to Fleet Commodore Dreen about what had happened at the staging system. When Kurt had last spoken to her, she still had not fully recovered from witnessing the destruction of the Aurelia. He didn’t expect her back from Lakiam for several more weeks. Mara was a complication in his life, particularly since he had slept with her. At least Keera hadn’t thrown him out of the house when she found out. She only smiled and said she had expected it to occur. Her reaction still mystified Kurt as he knew what a woman from Earth or Newton would have done. However, Keera was from a different culture and their moral values and customs were slightly different than what Kurt was accustomed to.

Leaning back in his chair, Kurt continued. “We probably have six months before we have to worry about the return of the Vorn. During that time we need to do everything in our power to get all of our Alliance worlds ready.”

Susan looked at Kurt, her eyes showing some concern. “When are you going to pay the Glaymons a visit?”

“In a few more days,” Kurt answered. “We still have Glaymon disk ships in the system and close to Earth, so at least they’re still supporting us. I just need to go and apologize to Tasid for not telling him what I was planning and why I did it.”

They went over a few more details on some items Kurt wanted done as well as deciding what ships Rear Admiral White would be taking with her. Kurt wished Susan would agree to move her flag over to one of the battleships assigned to her fleet. The heavy battlecarrier Ranger, while a powerful ship, still didn’t measure up to the firepower a battleship.

When they were finished with their meeting, Kurt took a shuttle down to the surface. He had promised Keera he would be home early as she had a special meal she was preparing. Kurt knew better than to be late.

-

As Kurt pulled up to his house, he saw that Dalen and Meesa were there. This was a surprise as Keera hadn’t mentioned to him that the two were coming over. Getting out of his vehicle, he went inside to find all three of them sitting in the living room. Dalen was drinking coffee, Keera had a cup of tea, and Meesa was sipping on a glass of water. All three had happy, contented smiles on their faces though Dalen’s looked a little suspect.

“What’s going on?” asked Kurt as he poured himself a cup of coffee and sat down. He didn’t drink coffee often but occasionally he had the urge for it.

Keera grinned even wider. “It appears in seven more months you’re going to have a little niece or nephew.”

Kurt looked over at Meesa whose face was showing a slight blush.

“I’m pregnant.”

Kurt started laughing. Now he understood the forced smile on Dalen’s face. Dalen had always lived his life on the wild side even though Meesa had worked hard at calming him down. Now a baby would ensure that wild side stayed buried.

“I’m glad to hear that,” Kurt said. “I know you two were wanting to start a family.” They had mentioned it several times when they had been over at the house.

Dalen let out a deep sigh. “I’ve been designing us a new home. Not quite as large as yours, but big enough to handle a few children.”

“I want three,” said Meesa excitedly. “Two girls and one boy!”

Dalen frowned. “Maybe I need to make the house bigger.”

Keera laughed, her eyes twinkling. “I can’t wait to see Dalen carrying a baby around.”

“I’m not changing diapers,” said Dalen firmly, his eyes focusing on his wife.

“We’ll see,” replied Meesa, cocking her eyebrow. “Raising a family is going to take both of us.”

“I can’t wait to help spoil my niece or nephew,” declared Keera. She looked over at Meesa. “We need to design a nursery and start talking about decorations.” Then her eyes focused on Dalen. “Get that new house designed as soon as possible.”

Dalen nodded. It looked as if his life was getting ready to change again.

-

Dalen and Meesa stayed for another hour and then left to go to their apartment. Meesa had some suggestions for their new home and was anxious to have Dalen make the adjustments to his design. Dalen had agreed with a heavy sigh, no doubt thinking about the cost. It might mean more hours of overtime at the construction company he was part of. At least he had a well paying job.

-

After they left Kurt turned toward Keera. “What did you do today?”

“I spent most of the afternoon at the new medical center. We’re adding some additional Glaymon medical technology to what we already have. There was even a Glaymon medical specialist at the center showing us how it works.”

Kurt nodded. There was a lot of advanced technology showing up on Newton. Some of the technology came from Kubitz and a few other worlds and now from the Glaymons. “I need to go see Tasid in another few days.”

“You don’t think he’s perturbed at you because your fleet attacked the Vorn staging system?”

“Maybe a little,” Kurt admitted with a shrug of his shoulders. “After what occurred on Mars I wanted to make the Vorn pay.”

“That was horrible,” said Keera, shaking her head. “Is Mars going to be repopulated?”

“Eventually,” answered Kurt. “We’re going to put a much stronger defense grid around it first.” The colonization of Mars was being done by the European Union along with Australia, the UK, and Japan. All were anxious to update the defenses and resume the colonization effort.

Keera was quiet for a few moments and then spoke. “Do you think the Vorn will come again?”

Kurt let out a deep breath. He didn’t want to worry Keera, but he also didn’t want to hide the truth. “Probably. We set back their timetable for harvesting our galaxy by destroying the staging system. We should have some time before they return.”

“But they don’t know where Newton is?” said Keera, folding her arms across her chest. “Maybe they won’t come here.”

“They know where Earth is and they would have tracked the ships going to and from the system. They must know there are other inhabited worlds nearby. When they return they will be looking for them. Eventually they’re going to find us.”

Keera nodded, realizing Kurt was right. “I’m sure you’ll think of a way to protect us.”

“We’re going to do our best.”

“I hope Mara comes back soon. I’m curious to hear how the tea and the popcorn we sent were received.”

The cargo ship Mara left on had been one from Lakiam. It had been loaded with numerous crates of various tea varieties as well as several types of popcorn Mara had thought the people of Lakiam would find intriguing.

Kurt still felt uncomfortable talking about Mara with Keera. “It will probably be a few weeks yet before she returns.”

“I was sorry to hear about the Aurelia,” Keera continued. “I know several members of the crew had been with her for quite some time. I was glad you were there to help console her.”

“The Limeira has been repaired and will be ready for Mara when she returns,” Kurt said. He hoped Keera would change the subject. For the thousandth time he wished he would have turned Mara down.

“I’m sure she will be fine when she gets back.” Keera stood up. “I’m fixing a stew for supper. It should be ready in about an hour.”

“Sounds good,” Kurt said smiling. He enjoyed Keera’s cooking. She was already a good cook when she came to Newton. Kurt’s sister, Denise, had been showing Keera how to prepare some of Kurt’s favorite foods. It would be nice to eat a good meal and then have a relaxing evening at home with his wife.

-

Later, as they prepared for bed, Keera paused and looked seriously at Kurt. “You know someday I want children as well. I still can’t believe Meesa and Dalen are starting their family before we do.”

Kurt nodded. They had talked about this a bit. “As soon as this threat from the Vorn has been settled we can start a family.”

Keera grinned. She slid her nightgown off her shoulders, standing nude in front of Kurt. “At least we can practice.” She stepped into Kurt’s arms and they kissed deeply before ending up on the bed. Keera paused and looked playfully at Kurt. “Are there any new positions Mara taught you? I understand Lakiams are quite flexible.”

Kurt didn’t answer but pulled Keera closer. He knew one sure way to silence her. As they became lost in each other’s bodies, Kurt just hoped the Vorn could be dealt with or he would never see his future children. His worries about that vanished when Keera moaned happily as the two became lost in heated lovemaking.

-

Deep in intergalactic space was the Vorn home star system. It consisted of one hundred and sixteen massive habitats, each one over ten thousand kilometers in diameter. The habitats were covered with the same dark metal which covered the hulls of Vorn warships. The habitats orbited a small red dwarf star and there were no planets in the system. A number of these small long-lived stars had been located in this region of intergalactic space when the Vorn first arrived. Many of them had planets or asteroid fields in orbit. These had been pulverized and used to build the habitats the Vorn race lived in.

-

Inside the Conclave Habitat, where the Royal Court met and many of them lived, Prince Brollen listened in shock as a member of the Vorn military reported what had transpired in the staging system. An Intergalactic Transport ship had dropped out of hyperspace to find the system destroyed and been instructed by Prince Ortumad to return immediately to the Conclave Habitat and report.

All of the Collector ships and Intergalactic Transport ships in the system at the time of the attack were destroyed. Prince Ortumad also reports the loss of large numbers of cruisers and battleships.

Incompetence, sent Brollen, his rage evident in the thought. How could such a small fleet destroy so many of our ships? It seemed as if ever since they’d begun the harvest of Galaxy X241, they had been met with one disaster after another.

There were several vessels from food species 236 in the attacking fleet. They hit the planet with an unknown projectile weapon until it exploded. The explosion itself destroyed many of our vessels which were in orbit around the planet.

Prince Brollen thought for a long moment on what needed to be done. By now most of the harvesting fleets in the galaxy would be at a standstill with full cargo holds. Send all the Collector ships we have activated as well as the Intergalactic Transports to Galaxy X241 to collect the food pellets from the harvesting fleets. The harvest is to continue, but all fleets are to avoid contact with ships of food species 236, 111, and the Ancients. Order them to concentrate on the periphery of the galaxy until we can locate and establish another staging system.

It will be done, the military leader replied as he turned to leave.

One more thing, sent Prince Brollen. Prince Ortumad is to be deleted immediately. His usefulness to the Vorn has ended. Prince Ortumad was a loose end which needed to be taken care of.

As the military leader left Prince Brollen felt uneasy. There was no doubt the information leading to the attack on the staging system had come from the captured mothership, Scythe. Brollen wondered if Prince Lantoll had been captured as well. The frightening thing was if the enemy knew where the staging system was, they probably knew where the Vorn habitats were located as well. If knowledge of the capture of the Scythe were to get out, it could endanger his future plans. He had already taken steps to ensure all Vorn who were aware of the capture had suffered deletion. Only Prince Ortumad might suspect something was amiss. Now his deletion would erase that threat.

For the moment everything was at a standstill due to the unfortunate death of Queen Alithe. The Vorn were going through thirty days of mourning at which time a new queen would be chosen to lead. The mourning period would end in a few more days. Already Prince Brollen was setting the groundwork for his own ascension to power. While a new and younger queen would be chosen to take Queen Alithe’s place, Brollen intended to have himself named to a new position, High Prince. This post would be higher in rank than the Hive Queen and would give him complete control of the Vorn.

Once Prince Brollen was installed in this new rank, he would order the activation of all warships still in stasis in the habitats. He would then order an all out attack on Galaxy X241 as well as upon the food species which had caused them so much trouble. He would use the destruction of the staging system to further point out the need for the rank of High Prince to protect the Vorn from danger. However, he would have to take great care to ensure none of the Vorn ever found out he was the direct cause of that threat. If the secret of the Scythe were to get out Prince Brollen had no doubt it would result in his own immediate deletion.

Prince Brollen wondered if there was anything else he could possibly have overlooked. In a few more days he would be named High Prince and Prince Ortumad would be no more. It would begin his long reign as leader of the Vorn. Long live High Prince Brollen!

Chapter Three

Fleet Captain Lilith waited with anticipation as the Glaymon fleet neared the star system where Tasid and the others were building their new habitat. She knew he would be thrilled when he saw what she was bringing home. Looking over at the tactical display on her new flagship, she could see nearly five thousand green icons representing Glaymon vessels. This fleet was far larger and much more powerful than the one Fleet Captain Waelt fled with when he had left to fight the Vorn.

“We’re nearly there,” said Lilith, looking over at the tall Glaymon standing beside her.

Councilor Marshton nodded. “It will be good for us to reach our destination. As soon as possible I would like to meet with Tasid and Fleet Captain Waelt to determine what we need to do to assist in the war against the Vorn.”

“A few more hours,” confirmed Marcus, Lilith’s second in command. “I believe you will be pleased to see what Tasid has accomplished.”

Lilith had no doubt Fleet Captain Waelt would be excited to see the Glaymon battleships with her fleet. There were over a thousand of them! When she left he had hoped she would be able to return with more of the disk battlecruisers. She still found it hard to believe she had actual first class Glaymon battleships in her fleet. If the Vorn thought the firepower from a Glaymon battlecruiser was horrifying, wait until they fought one of the battleships! She smiled to herself. She could hardly wait to see Tasid and the fleet captain.

-

Tasid was a weapons specialist as well as an engineer. He had been chosen by the other Glaymons to direct the construction of the new habitat which was 140 kilometers in diameter. Already the outer hull was in place and work was beginning on the inside. Each day ships returned from the asteroids and small moons being mined with valuable cargoes of various metals needed in the construction.

He was currently in the Command Center of one of the two colony ships watching work on the habitat with the viewscreens. He was startled when a warning alarm began sounding. Hundreds and then thousands of green icons began appearing on the main tactical displays.

“What are those?” he was confused. If the ships dropping out of hyperspace were a threat, they should have shown as red icons. Only Glaymon and Human ships would show up as green, and he knew Fleet Admiral Vickers didn’t have that many ships, nor did Fleet Captain Waelt.

“It’s Captain Lilith,” reported one of the Glaymons at the large communications console. “She says she’s brought a fleet from the Dyson Sphere to help in the war against the Vorn. They were running in stealth mode, and we were not scanning for ships using Glaymon stealth technology.”

Tasid frowned at this admission. He was on a colony ship and not a military one. He would issue an order that henceforth they would scan for ships using any type of stealth technology. There must also be something wrong with the sensors for showing so many inbound ships. Even if Captain Lilith had succeeded in her mission, he and Fleet Captain Waelt had expected only a few hundred to, at the most, a thousand of the 1,000-meter disk cruisers to be returning with her.

On one of the viewscreens, a massive Glaymon battleship appeared. Tasid had to sit down. He couldn’t believe what his eyes were seeing. Never in his wildest thoughts had he ever believed Captain Lilith would return with what was now showing up on the sensors. A Glaymon battleship was 2,000 meters in width and 400 meters thick. It was designed specifically to fight the Vorn. The battleships were the most powerful ships the Glaymons possessed.

“Is that a battleship?” he asked, wanting to make sure everyone else was seeing the same thing he was.

“Yes, a battleship,” confirmed the Glaymon in front of the sensors. “There are a lot of them.”

“Anything else?” Tasid was finding it hard to breathe. How had Captain Lilith managed to return with all of these ships?

“We’re also detecting ten colony ships and the mobile shipyard.”

“Valen and Marshton must have finished it,” Tasid said breathlessly. The mobile shipyard was twice the size of a colony ship. His eyes flew from screen to screen taking in all the Glaymon ships now in the system. “Send a message to Fleet Captain Waelt and Fleet Admiral Vickers that their presence is required. I believe we are going to have a lot to talk about. Also send a message to Captain Lilith and remind her to keep all of those ships under stealth.” Tasid knew the ships had been under stealth earlier or they would have been detected by the colony ship’s regular sensors.

“We have a count on the ships,” reported the Glaymon at the sensor console. We have 1,112 battleships, 3,714 battlecruisers, 10 colony ships, the shipyard, and 260 supply ships.”

“Tasid, I have Fleet Captain Lilith on the comm,” reported the Glaymon at communications. “She was promoted by Valen and Marshton. Not only that, Councilor Marshton is with the fleet.”

Tasid felt a flood of relief upon hearing Marshton was here. He was an actual Glaymon councilor and could assume the duties Tasid had been forced to take over. Perhaps now Tasid could concentrate his efforts on finishing the new habitat. From the look of the number of ships which had accompanied Councilor Marshton, they were going to need it.

-

In the Newton System Kurt was working at home. Later in the day he had an appointment with Governor Spalding at Government Center to go over the latest reports on the Vorn as well as to discuss some items a few business people were requesting from Kubitz. Even though they now had access to a number of advanced technologies, including Glaymon, there were still some items that could only be purchased on Kubitz. Everything one could imagine was available on the black market world for the right price.

His personal comm unit beeped. It was similar to an old time cell phone. “Yes?”

“Kurt, this is Commander Randson. We just received a message from Tasid, and he’s requesting our immediate presence.”

“Did he say what for?” Kurt felt uneasy, worried this was about his recent foray into the staging system.

“No, though he said Fleet Captain Waelt would be attending as well.”

Kurt’s eyes narrowed. This must be important. “Where are you?”

“On the Star Cross. I was over on Newton Station when Aleea notified me about the message.”

Kurt knew he had no choice but to respond. “Call in the crew.” Kurt glanced down at his watch. “We leave in eight hours.” Kurt knew some of the crew might not make it back in time, but that wouldn’t be a problem for a trip to the Glaymon’s new system. They shouldn’t encounter anything dangerous.

“So you’re leaving,” said a voice behind Kurt.

Startled, he turned around seeing Keera standing there with a disappointed look on her face and her hands on her hips.

“I was hoping to go out and eat at that Italian place we like.”

“When I get back,” promised Kurt. “I’ll only be gone for a few days. I need to flit over to the Glaymons and speak with Tasid.”

Keera nodded. “I was getting ready to go to the medical center. We have a lot to do there today.”

“It’s your work,” Kurt answered smiling. “You’re really good at helping people. I also think when you have the time it would be a good idea for you to come up to the Star Cross and help Doctor Willis for a few days. All of this new medical technology is really confusing him, particularly the medical nanites.”

Keera grinned. She had met Doctor Willis before. “I know it can be confusing. I promise when you get back I’ll spend a few days on the ship. I believe he has a medical technician who’s pretty familiar with all the equipment.”

“Yes, and I think that’s what bothers him the most. He feels uneasy asking the young man for advice or how to operate some of the equipment in the med bay.”

“Well, he’s not the only one. A lot of people are confused by all of this new technology. I was talking to Denise yesterday, and she mentioned Bryan’s school has changed over to the new technology. The school is actually setting up training classes for the parents so they’ll know what’s going on.”

Kurt felt this was a good thing. The generation of children going through school now would someday feel fully at ease with all the new technology being implemented. Kurt stood up and kissed Keera, holding her close for a long moment. “I’ll be back as soon as I can and then we can go to that Italian restaurant.”

“I’ll remember that,” Keera said with a smile.

-

Later that afternoon Kurt stepped through the hatch into the Command Center of the Star Cross. Walking over to his command chair, he sat down.

“We can leave anytime,” Captain Randson reported. “All the crew is aboard except a few and they’re either gone on extended leave or at some of the resorts. I can call for replacements from the station if needed.”

Kurt glanced around seeing that all the primary command crew was present. “No, I don’t believe that’s necessary. This won’t be a combat mission, and we’ll only be gone for a couple of days.”

“Very well,” said Captain Randson, turning toward the helm and navigation. “Lieutenant Styles, disconnect us from the station and move us out ten thousand meters.”

-

In space, the massive 1,700-meter battleship disconnected from the station and slowly began moving away using its station-keeping thrusters. In just a few minutes it was ten thousand meters from Newton Station. The ship’s hull seemed to glow from the sunlight striking it. Weapon turrets, sensor dishes, and communication antennas were plainly visible as well as the hatches hiding the launch tubes for the dark matter missiles. From the station, the Star Cross looked magnificent.

-

“Newton Station has given us clearance to activate our sublight drive,” reported Lieutenant Brenda Pierce from Communications. “Path in front of us is clear of traffic.”

“Lieutenant Pierce, take us out and prepare to activate the hyperdrive,” ordered Andrew.

Kurt watched the viewscreens as the Star Cross accelerated away from Newton. The planet rapidly grew smaller and then vanished as the ship made the jump into hyperspace. The Glaymons were in the system of Epsilon Reticuli, some fifty-nine light-years from Earth. From Newton, the system was only thirty-nine light years away. With the new enhanced hyperdrive the Star Cross was equipped with they could make the trip in less than five minutes. However, the Star Cross was not traveling at her highest speed and the trip would take a little over thirty.

“Sensors are clear of hostiles,” reported Lieutenant Lena Brooks. “There are a number of cargo and passenger vessels showing up.” On the tactical display, there were twenty-seven green icons inbound. The long-range sensors on the Star Cross could detect ships out to thirty-two light years.

This didn’t surprise Kurt as space around Newton was pretty heavily traveled. With a deep sigh, Kurt leaned back in his command chair wondering what Tasid wanted. If he was to be dressed down for attacking the staging system, he was prepared for that. There was no use speculating as he would find out when they got to the Glaymons’ new system.

-

Thirty minutes later the Star Cross dropped out of hyperspace in close proximity to the habitat the Glaymons were constructing. The ship had its stealth field activated as Kurt didn’t want to give the location of the Glaymon’s new home away. On one of the viewscreens a star appeared, an orange-red giant about six times the diameter of Sol. No habitable planets were in the system though a planet slightly larger than Earth was in the habitable zone. It was in an eccentric orbit due to the presence of a large gas giant. The Glaymons were building their habitat just beyond the edge of the mineral rich system.

“Admiral, I’m picking up a hell of a lot of ships,” reported Lieutenant Brooks. Then with a deep frown, she shook her head. “This can’t be right.”

“What is it?” Kurt could see that the lieutenant was shaken.

Suddenly on the main viewscreen of the Command Center, a massive Glaymon warship appeared.

Kurt drew in a sharp breath. He recognized the vessel as a Glaymon battleship. The problem was Fleet Captain Waelt didn’t have any of those vessels.

“Sir, there are hundreds of those battleships in orbit around the new Glaymon habitat and colony ships,” added Lieutenant Brooks, still looking confused. “Not only that, I’m detecting ten more colony ships and one vessel that’s at least twice their size.”

Kurt didn’t know what to say. It was obvious the presence of these ships was what Tasid had summoned him to talk about. Was it possible the Glaymons opposed to Fleet Captain Waelt’s leaving the Dyson Sphere had come out here to take the others back?

“I have Tasid on the comm,” reported Lieutenant Pierce. “He’s requesting you come over to the colony ship he’s aboard.”

Kurt looked over at Aleea who had remained silent through all of this. “Any ideas as to what’s going on?”

“No,” she answered. “The Aggressives on the Dyson Sphere do not possess any battleships. The presence of the battleships may indicate a major shift in the Glaymon Council’s opinion of the war against the Vorn. I do not believe they would risk sending a fleet out to force the others to return.”

“Let’s hope so,” Kurt answered as he stood up. “Lieutenant Mays, you’re with me.” If this was going to be a tactical discussion on how to use these Glaymon battleships against the Vorn he wanted the lieutenant with him.

-

Once Kurt arrived on the Glaymon colony ship, he was quickly reminded of why he disliked coming aboard these large vessels. In order to get to areas of the ship quickly, there were small transport shafts. A transport shaft nullified gravity and used small transport beams to take one to their destinations. A person just stepped out into nothing and was whisked away to one’s chosen destination. It was similar to floating in air and Kurt didn’t think he would ever get used to it. Looking over at Lieutenant Mays he noticed that her face looked as if she had seen a ghost. He almost laughed but he well remembered his first experience in a transport shaft.

After taking a number of transport shafts under the escort of a Glaymon, Kurt and Lieutenant Mays arrived at the conference room where they found the others already waiting. With surprise they recognized Councilor Marshton, Tasid, and a female Glaymon he didn’t know. Also present was Captain Tolmass.

“It’s good of you to come on such short notice,” Tasid said. He gestured toward the Glaymon woman sitting next to him. “This is Fleet Captain Lilith, the person responsible for the new fleet of Glaymon ships which recently arrived in the system.”

Kurt and Lieutenant Mays sat down and Kurt looked inquiringly at Councilor Marshton. “Does this mean the Glaymon Council has changed their mind about becoming involved in the war?” Kurt hoped so as it would tip the balance against the Vorn.

Councilor Marshton slowly shook his head. “Sadly the answer to that question is no. We have managed to gain some support with the aid of Fleet Captain Lilith’s recent remarks to the council. It was actually necessary to temporarily disable part of the Dyson Sphere’s defenses so we could escape with the ships you see. I’m sure we caused considerable turmoil within the council.”

“The council is still opposed to the war,” explained Fleet Captain Lilith, her eyes focusing on Admiral Vickers. “Lead Councilor Lavin was quite upset at what we did. I don’t think we dare send anyone else back to the Dyson Sphere. Unless there is a major shift in opinion in the council these ships are all that will ever be coming to assist in the war.”

“Will there be more repercussions for your people?” Kurt knew Marshton and Valen had both expected serious sanctions from aiding Kurt and sending Fleet Captain Waelt and his ships away from the Dyson Sphere.

Marshton smiled slightly. “No, not this time. We have notified the council we won’t be conforming to their request to reduce our population. Far from it; we told the council we would be expanding. We have worked very hard since the departure of your ships and Fleet Captain Waelt’s trying to gain support in the council. Fleet Captain Lilith made an emotional speech about our duty to protect other races from the Vorn. Thanks to her plea we managed to gain enough support to allow us to depart the Dyson Sphere with what ships we could. Councilor Valen stayed behind in the hopes he could persuade the council to come fully into the war. Whether he can be successful is unknown.”

Tasid looked at Kurt with a slight look of aggravation. “Please tell Councilor Marshton and Fleet Captain Lilith about the attack on the Vorn staging system in which you and Captain Tolmass took part.”

“The staging system?” asked Marshton, his eyes widening. “Did you cause any damage?”

“They didn’t damage it, they destroyed it!” answered Tasid. “They were supposed to survey it and report back. That isn’t quite what happened.”

“Tell me,” said Marshton, leaning forward.

Taking a deep breath, Kurt began explaining what happened. He started with the attack on the solar system and the loss of the four million Humans from Mars. He ended by describing how Mara had used her two ships to hit the single planet in the system with Zero-Point Energy rounds and dark matter missiles, causing the planet to blow apart.

“Remarkable,” said Councilor Marshton, leaning back and looking with admiration at Kurt and Captain Tolmass. “That has to be the greatest victory anyone has ever achieved against the Vorn. It shows they can be defeated, just what I’ve been trying to tell the council. I need to send this information back to the Dyson Sphere. Gaylith will be listening on a specific hyperspace frequency Valen and I set up to communicate with. I want news of this successful attack against the Vorn staging system to be revealed to the council. It just might persuade a few others to come over to our side.”

“Enough to bring the rest of the Glaymons into the war?” asked Kurt. There was no doubt in his mind that if the Glaymons committed their entire fleet, they could defeat the Vorn.

“No, but every councilor we can bring to our side draws that day nearer.”

Tasid looked over at Kurt. “Fleet Captain Waelt will be here tomorrow. Once he arrives we will let him decide on how best to use the new warships we have. Also, Councilor Marshton will be taking over as leader of the Aggressives who are here. I’ll be focusing my time on completing the habitat. We now have over 1,316,000 of our people in the system. They’re going to need a place to live.”

Kurt was surprised at the number. “I wish Fleet Commodore Dreen was coming as well. At the moment he’s pretty much in charge of the war effort against the Vorn.”

“We considered that,” Fleet Captain Lilith replied. “But we felt it might be best to keep the existence of our battleships and greatly expanded fleet a secret for now. If used correctly we can achieve some huge victories against the Vorn when we introduce them into the conflict.”

This made sense to Kurt. If a number of Glaymon battleships suddenly attacked one of the harvesting fleets, it would be a massacre. He had seen what the 1,000-meter disk ships could do. The battleships were probably three or four times more powerful; perhaps even more.

“The Vorn fleets are at a standstill at the moment,” Lieutenant Mays said. “Without any Collector ships or Intergalactic Transport vessels they cannot move their harvests. Their harvesting fleets have gathered in designated systems awaiting the arrival of the larger ships. Perhaps now would be the time to strike them.”

Kurt leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful look in his eyes. “Lieutenant Mays has a point. With our updated hyperspace drives we could reach most of those systems in a matter of days.”

“They would not be expecting an attack,” said Fleet Captain Lilith, looking thoughtful. “They might not even know about the loss of the staging system. Using our advanced stealth technology we could attack those fleets before they even know we’re there. If we are successful, we could eliminate most if not all of the harvesting fleets currently in this galaxy.”

“It could work,” added Captain Tolmass. “In the areas the Vorn fleets have gathered there are no habitable worlds; all have been harvested. They would not be expecting an attack.”

Councilor Marshton’s eyes narrowed as he considered the suggestion. “Fleet Captain Waelt will arrive tomorrow. Perhaps we should speak to him of this. If he agrees the attack is feasible then I see no reason we should not take advantage of this opportunity to attack the Vorn. That is why we came out here and left the Dyson Sphere.”

Kurt was pleased to hear this. If they could destroy the harvesting fleets, they might be able to buy an even longer respite before the Vorn could resume their harvest. “When we arrived we detected a truly large ship, one over two times the size of your colony ships. What is it?”

“A mobile shipyard,” replied Fleet Captain Lilith. “It is capable of repairing all of our warships as well as building more of our 1,000-meter disk ships. Only the shipyards back at the Dyson Sphere can build our battleships.”

-

The group talked a little bit longer with Councilor Marshton explaining in more detail what was going on back on the Dyson Sphere. He had hopes that eventually Valen could encourage enough councilors to support going to war against the Vorn even though Lead Councilor Lavin was intensely opposed to it.

They also discussed Vorn tactics in attacking inhabited planets. Tasid showed Marshton some videos of fleet battles as well as what a planet looked like after a Vorn harvest.

Marshton was stunned at seeing the destruction the Vorn left behind.

After a few hours of discussion, the meeting ended with plans to resume the next day when Fleet Captain Waelt arrived.

-

As they were returning to the Star Cross, Lieutenant Mays paused and looked at Fleet Admiral Vickers. “Will this new fleet of the Glaymons make a difference? Those battleships are gigantic!”

“It will for a while,” Kurt replied. “There’s a chance these new ships could even discourage the Vorn from continuing the harvest in our galaxy. The problem is we have no idea how large of a fleet the Vorn actually have.”

Mays nodded in understanding. “Then we could still be in for a long war.”

“Possibly,” Kurt answered. “Only time will tell.”

Chapter Four

On Kubitz in the Gothan Empire, Grantz was inside one of his favorite pleasure houses. The music was loud and the female entertainment was quite alluring. There was a new dancer he had been keeping an eye on, and he was going to see if he could set up an appointment with her for later in the evening. Grantz was a former Marsten Profiteer. He was bipedal and slightly taller than a Human. His skin was a light blue color with coarse white hair on his head. His face, while humanoid, had larger than normal eyes.

A cute server came over balancing a tray of food in one hand and a drink in the other. She was scantily dressed and her clothing left very little to the imagination. Stopping at Grantz’s table, she set down a plate containing a Merton steak and a small platter of Homalt eggs. Both were delicacies and hideously expensive. The server carefully placed the drink on the table and turned to leave.

“Wait,” said Grantz frowning. “I didn’t order any Homalt eggs.” Those things were expensive, and he wasn’t going to let the pleasure house stiff him for something he didn’t order.

The server stopped looking confused. “It was on the order. I’ll check and if it is our mistake, the eggs will be free.” She walked off swinging her hips enticingly.

Grantz grinned. He loved free stuff. With an appetite he cut into the medium rare Merton steak, stuffing a large piece into his mouth. It was cooked just like he preferred it. He was about to reach for a Homalt egg when another Profiteer slid into the chair across from him. Grantz looked up frowning; he didn’t like being interrupted in the middle of his meal.

Grantz recognized the Profiteer. This was one of the ones Grantz had threatened recently. The man was supposed to inform Grantz if High Profiteer Creed showed up on Kubitz.

“I may have some information,” the Profiteer began, eyeing the Homalt eggs. “For a price.”

“Take one,” Grantz said, indicating the platter of eggs. Since he wasn’t paying for them he didn’t mind offering one.

The Profiteer reached out taking a large bite out of the egg. “I’ve never eaten one of these but they’re delicious.” He quickly finished the egg, reaching for another.

Grantz reached out stopping the Profiteer from taking more eggs. “You’re information first and then you can have another.”

The Profiteer nodded. “High Profiteer Creed is coming to Kubitz,” the Profiteer began. Then he stopped as his eyes rolled back in his eye sockets. He began to gag and seemed to be choking. The Profiteer reached for his throat and then collapsed across the table, his head ending up in the platter of Homalt eggs.

Grantz stood up, stepping back and looking around apprehensively.

Instantly two men were at the table. One touched the Profiteer’s neck for a moment before looking up at Grantz. “He’s dead.”

The two men were the two bodyguards Avery Dolman had assigned to watch over Grantz. Grantz looked down suspiciously at the Homalt eggs. “I didn’t order the eggs.”

One of the men picked up one of the eggs which had spilled out onto the table. He took a small device out of his pocket and took a sample of the egg, placing it into a slot. After a moment the device let out a small ping. “Poison,” he said, setting the rest of the egg back down on the table. “Someone wants you dead and they almost succeeded.”

“High Profiteer Creed,” muttered Grantz, his appetite disappearing. He looked around for the server who had brought his food but she was nowhere to be seen. He had a strong suspicion she had left the establishment. Grantz shuddered upon realizing how close he had come to being poisoned. If the other Profiteer hadn’t shown up claiming to have information on Creed Grantz would be the one dead, not the Profiteer.

“Let’s get out of here,” said Grantz. Patrons dying in the pleasure houses weren’t that unusual. A lot of business was conducted in the lower levels where the food and entertainment were, most of it highly illegal and profitable. Someone would be along shortly to take care of the body.

The three turned and left, going out the main front entrance. A vehicle was parked across the street and soon they were on their way back to the Human embassy.

“This is getting dangerous,” one of the men said. “This attempt to poison you indicates Creed is upping his game. He wants you out of the way.”

“Plhtup!” uttered Grantz, his eyes narrowing. “It will take more than a little poison to do me in.”

Grantz leaned back in his seat thinking about his next move. He was determined to collect the ten million-credit bounty Fleet Admiral Vickers had placed on Creed. At some point in time, Grantz would deliver Creed’s head to Vickers. Once he did he would be a rich man and would never have to work another day in his life. He would buy a large share in a pleasure house and live out the rest of his life in luxury and indulgence.

Once Grantz reached the embassy he would make some calls. One of the people he would be contacting was Avery Dolman. Dolman knew about everything that occurred on Kubitz. For the right price, Dolman would sell that information. Grantz had a few people he wanted Dolman to locate for him. It was time for Grantz to set up his own hit team. While there were Marines at the embassy with orders to help Grantz locate and apprehend High Profiteer Creed, they would be hesitant to do anything which could be deemed illegal, even here on Kubitz. The people Grantz had in mind wouldn’t be concerned with the legality of what they were being asked to do. If things worked out as Grantz planned then High Profiteer Creed’s days were numbered.

-

In orbit around Marsten, High Profiteer Creed was meeting with Dacroni Clan Leader Jarls. They were on board Creed’s new battleship, the Ascendant Fury.

“A ten million credit bounty,” said Jarls, tapping the large pistol strapped to his waist. “I might be tempted to collect that myself.”

Creed gestured to two of his men who stepped closer, their hands resting on their weapons.

Jarls burst out laughing, moving his hand away from his pistol. “I was only joking. We’ve made a lot of credits together.” Jarls was a Dacroni mercenary. His home planet was a high gravity world. Jarls was of humanoid form with bulky legs, torso, and arms. His face was similar to a Humans’ but more round and chunkier. His neck was shorter with his head almost resting on his torso.

“And there will be more,” Creed said sharply. “I would hate to see anything interfere with our business relationship.”

Jarls’ face took on a look of seriousness. “There are rumors going around Kubitz that the Destroys of Worlds attacked the Human homeworld.”

“Really?” said Creed not wanting to admit he had heard the same rumors and been the one responsible for the Vorn learning of Earth’s location.

“Supposedly they were defeated by Fleet Admiral Vickers along with the aid of the Glaymons.”

Creed spat on the deck. “The Glaymons would have to come to his rescue. If they hadn’t Earth and Newton both would have been harvested and all their riches left behind. We could be in the gold vaults on Earth stripping the planet of its wealth.” Earth had some of the richest gold deposits known due to the fact much of the planet’s gold was near the surface and easy to mine. This wasn’t true on most worlds, making gold a very valuable commodity.

“How did the Vorn discover Earth’s location?” asked Jarls, eyeing Creed suspiciously. “Earth is rather isolated and well off the beaten track of galactic civilization. There should have been no Vorn fleets around Earth.”

“Human ships are everywhere,” Creed said carefully. “Perhaps a Vorn scout ship followed one back to Earth.”

Jarls folded his arms across his powerful chest. “A few months back there were rumors of a Vorn language program for sale on Kubitz. A few days later it was reported that program was no longer available. I figured either the Controllers seized it as being too dangerous or someone managed to procure it.” Jarls stared directly into Creed’s eyes.

“Never heard of it,” Creed said calmly. “I’m sure it was only a rumor. Kubitz is full of rumors.”

Creed could not afford to allow anyone to know he had purchased the program and then used it to give the Vorn Earth’s location. The Vorn fleet had come too close to the Gothan Empire for comfort on its way to and from Earth. Fortunately, it seemed the empire had escaped detection. If the other Profiteer leaders or the Controllers ever discovered what Creed had done, his career and most likely his life would be over.

“My people on Kubitz say Grantz is looking to collect that bounty. He has sworn he’s going to personally deliver your head to Fleet Admiral Vickers.”

“He’ll have to find me first,” Creed said dismissively. “I’ve taken some steps to ensure Grantz is taken care of. That blustering idiot will soon find he’s made a serious error in threatening me.”

“You managed to shoot him once and he survived,” Jarls was quick to point out. “He might not be so easy to eliminate. He’s a pretty crafty Profiteer to have survived this long on his own.”

“He has one serious weakness,” said Creed, his eyes narrowing. “Women and food.”

“The pleasure houses,” Jarls said in understanding. “I’ve heard he can’t stay away from them and occasionally splurges on extravagant meals and female entertainment.”

“Yes, that will be his downfall. He may escape one or two of my plans to eliminate him, but eventually he will let his guard down, and that will be the end of Grantz.”

Jarls saw several gold bars lying on the table in the center of the room. “When you sent me the comm message you mentioned a job that might bring both of us some credits. With the threat of the Destroyers of Worlds very few raiding fleets are leaving the star cluster. My ships have been pretty idle recently since they’re not needed for escort duty. What do you have in mind?”

High Profiteer Creed motioned for Jarls to take a seat at the table where the two gold bars were. “I was gone from the empire for a few days recently and came across several worlds the Vorn have harvested. I want to go and search these worlds to see what riches might remain. Every world keeps gold and other valuables in underground vaults. If we can find those vaults and open them, we may find the trip well worth our time.”

Jarls picked up one of the gold bars, testing its weight in his hand. “How far away are these worlds? All of our fleets are being encouraged to remain in the empire due to the threat of the Vorn.”

“Four thousand light years,” replied Creed. He had stumbled across these worlds on his trip to tell the Vorn about Earth. The surfaces had been ravaged but he was convinced some underground vaults containing riches must remain. “I just need ten of your battleships to serve as escorts. We may not be the only ones searching those worlds for what the Vorn left behind.”

Jarls picked up both gold bars. “These two bars plus 40 percent of whatever we find.” Since the advent of the Vorn credits had been hard to come by. “If we encounter any Vorn we turn back immediately. I’ll not risk my battleships fighting them.”

“Agreed,” said Creed. “I’ll have a contract ready for you to sign tomorrow.” Forty percent was high but he knew Jarls would not waver and go any lower.

Jarls nodded. “I just hope it’s never discovered you had anything to do with the Vorn attacking Earth. If you did that could come back to haunt both of us.”

“I wasn’t involved,” Creed said in a level voice. “It’s as I said earlier. A Vorn scout ship must have followed one of the Human ships back to Earth and then summoned one of their harvesting fleets.”

Jarls stood up pocketing the two gold bars. “Let’s hope that’s what happened. I’ll come back tomorrow to sign the contract, and I’ll have the ten battleships you’ve requested here the day after.”

“To riches,” said High Profiteer Creed as he stood up.

“To riches,” replied Dacroni Clan Leader Jarls.

-

In one of the systems the Vorn harvesting fleets were gathered in Prince Lakat had just finished speaking to Military Leader Renwarld. Renwarld had taken command of what remained of Prince Caluume’s fleet. Many of our fleets are still waiting for a Collector ship, sent Lakat to Military Leader Dabbath who was standing a few feet away. The harvest is nearly at a standstill.

Our own holds are only 40 percent full, replied Dabbath. We need to find another world to harvest.

On our return from the world Prince Caluume led us to we passed a star cluster that contained numerous inhabited food worlds, sent Prince Lakat, wanting to finish filling his cargo holds. One of Military Leader Renwarld’s ships scouted the cluster, locating over sixty. There are most likely even more.

That many food worlds are more than our cargo holds can handle, replied Dabbath. We would need more motherships and possibly even more cruisers. All of those worlds will have some type of defenses and possibly defending fleets of warships. We can expect some losses.

I have spoken to Prince Lashall. While his motherships are all full he has indicated he is willing to accompany us. His fleet has sixty battleships assigned to it. He is making arrangements for his cargo to be stacked in the corridors of several other motherships. While this is not the best storage method, it will allow him to nearly empty his cargo holds. Once that has been done we will proceed to the star cluster and harvest it.

I will begin readying the fleet, responded Dabbath. I will also contact Military Leader Renwarld and have him transfer over all data he has of the worlds his scout ship detected.

Prince Lakat stared at the viewscreens with his multifaceted eyes. He clicked his mandibles thinking about the new food pellets his fleet would soon harvest. Perhaps there would be some suitable for his personal collection. Every prince in the fleet had their own private stocks. Some of these would be for personal use and others to trade for favors within the Royal Court.

On the viewscreens were thousands of Vorn ships ranging from the small spindle-shaped cruisers to the large 1,200-meter battleships. On a few screens several of the massive motherships were visible. Prince Lakat wondered why the Collector ships were so late. He knew Prince Brollen had returned to the Conclave Habitat and he couldn’t help but wonder if that was part of the reason. Was there something occurring back in the home system preventing the staging system from sending empty Collector ships to pick up the harvest?

It did not matter at the moment. He and Prince Lashall would harvest the food worlds in the star cluster Renwarld had discovered and then return with full cargo holds. Surely by then the Collector ship would arrive.

-

In the colony ship, Fleet Admiral Kurt Vickers was once more in a meeting, only this time Fleet Captain Waelt was present.

Fleet Captain Waelt was addressing newly promoted Fleet Captain Lilith. “I never expected you to return with so many ships. I greatly feared you would not be allowed to return at all.”

“It came close to that,” admitted Lilith. “If not for Valen and Marshton I would still be imprisoned on the Dyson Sphere.”

“I can’t believe Lead Councilor Lavin had you detained,” said Waelt, shaking his head in disbelief. “That is against our laws unless specific charges have been brought against you.”

“There were none to the best of my knowledge,” replied Lilith.

“The council is still split over becoming involved in the war,” explained Marshton. “I believe Lead Councilor Lavin wanted to keep Fleet Captain Lilith isolated where she could not speak to any councilors before the council meeting. While the majority are still opposed to going to war against the Vorn, we are making some progress bringing some of them over to our way of thinking. Talking to Lilith before the council meeting might have swayed even more to our side.”

“Let us hope they come to their senses in time to save this galaxy,” said Waelt with a deep frown. “The ships we have now can greatly affect the length of time it will take the Vorn to conduct their harvest, but we don’t have the firepower to defeat them.”

“The longer we can delay the Vorn, the more powerful the races who are willing to resist become,” said Kurt. “Fleet Commodore Dreen’s Alliance is growing more powerful every day.” Mara had briefed him on Fleet Commodore Dreen’s plans for the Alliance before she returned home on the cargo ship. She had communicated with the commodore briefly before leaving.

Fleet Captain Waelt turned his attention to Lieutenant Mays. “You have suggested attacking the Vorn harvesting fleets while they await the arrival of their Collector ships?”

“Yes,” Mays answered. “Their motherships are full and they are all grouped together in just a few star systems. With the battlecruisers and battleships Fleet Captain Lilith brought we could destroy them. By destroying the harvesting fleets currently in our galaxy, it may set back the Vorn harvesting even further.”

Fleet Captain Waelt looked over at Fleet Admiral Vickers. “And what do you think of this plan?”

Kurt drew in a deep breath. “From what we’ve been able to determine, the Vorn harvesting fleets are waiting in six different star systems. We may not have this opportunity again. The presence of Glaymon battleships in the attacking fleets will be totally unexpected. The Vorn will also not be expecting to be attacked. With the advanced stealth fields they will not detect our ships until we drop out of hyperspace. We can take them completely by surprise.”

“It is a daring plan,” admitted Fleet Captain Waelt. “However, I don’t believe we dare attack all six systems simultaneously. I do believe we can attack four with great success. I will lead one force; Fleet Captain Lilith, you will lead another.” Waelt’s eyes shifted over to Captain Tolmass. “Captain Tolmass you have shown an ability to make important decisions such as agreeing with Fleet Admiral Vickers to attack the staging system. I am promoting you to the rank of Fleet Captain and you will lead a third fleet.”

Newly promoted Fleet Captain Tolmass nodded his head. “I am pleased to serve as a Fleet Captain.”

“What about the fourth?” asked Lieutenant Mays.

Fleet Captain Waelt grinned as he looked over at Kurt. “Feel like destroying a few more Vorn motherships?”

Kurt nodded. He would rather fight the Vorn in deep space than at Earth or Newton. “I would.”

This seemed to satisfy Fleet Captain Waelt. “Then we have the commanders of our four attack fleets.” Waelt hesitated and then looked over at Councilor Marshton. “Do you approve?”

“Yes,” Marshton replied. “I am a civilian leader. You are the war leader. Just keep me informed of your plans. After all, the reason we came out here is to fight the Vorn.”

Fleet Captain Waelt leaned back in his chair looking at the others. “If we’re going to do this we need to attack as soon as possible before any new Collector ships arrive. By now the Vorn in their home system must know their staging system has been destroyed. I’m sure they must already be in the process of activating additional Collector ships to collect the harvest in the motherships waiting in those six systems. Our priority targets must be those motherships.”

“I agree,” Kurt said. “If we destroy as many motherships as we can, the Vorn will have to activate more. Unfortunately, we have no idea what they may have in reserve.”

Tasid, Marshton, and Fleet Captain Waelt remained silent. All three knew the Vorn had one hundred and sixteen massive habitats in their home system. Their fleet reserves could be massive.

“When do we launch the attack?” asked Fleet Captain Lilith.

“The sooner the better,” said Lieutenant Mays. “The Vorn Collector ships could arrive any day. When they do, the Vorn harvesting fleets may disperse and renew the harvest or they may withdraw completely due to the loss of the staging system.”

“We will launch our attack fleets the day after tomorrow,” Fleet Captain Waelt said. “That will give us sufficient time to make our plans of battle and to organize the attacking fleets. Fleet Admiral Vickers, your battleships with the Zero-Point Energy cannons are the most effective weapons we have against the Vorn motherships. How many battleships do you have that you can commit to this battle? I would like to divide them up between the four fleets. We can use our own battleships to get yours in close enough to take out the motherships.”

“I can only commit twenty battleships plus the Star Cross,” replied Kurt. “We’re building more but it’s going to take a while.”

“That will be sufficient,” replied Waelt. “We can assign five to each fleet plus your own flagship.”

“We need an estimate of what our fleets will be up against,” said Fleet Captain Lilith. “I feel uneasy going up against the Vorn not knowing their fleet strength.”

“I suggest we send a couple of your 1,000-meter disk ships to determine how many Vorn ships are in each system before we attack,” said Lieutenant Mays. “While it would be great to completely destroy these fleets we can’t afford large losses. We may find it more expedient to jump in and destroy the motherships and then leave.”

Fleet Captain Waelt slowly nodded his head in agreement. “We have no idea how well our battleships will function against Vorn ships. No doubt there will also be large numbers of Vorn battleships in these systems. Destroying the motherships will be almost as good as destroying the accompanying Vorn fleets.”

“We will know in the first few minutes,” Kurt said. “In the battles we have been in so far, we know Glaymon ships can withstand a lot of firepower before their shields become compromised. At the very least I believe we can inflict serious losses to the Vorn fleets.”

“Let each fleet commander decide,” suggested Fleet Captain Lilith. “If the Vorn are only inflicting minor damage then we stay and fight. If we find ourselves losing ships then we will withdraw after destroying the motherships.”

Fleet Captain Waelt considered this suggestion and then nodded his agreement. “That sounds acceptable. We have some information on the Vorn ships in the six systems. It’s not as detailed as I would like but it will give us something with which to begin making our battle plans. Let us meet again tomorrow to decide how many ships will be needed and which four of the six systems we attack.”

-

Later Kurt was back on board the Star Cross. He had explained to the command crew what was being considered.

Andrew looked shaken. “We will be risking a lot. There will be thousands of Vorn cruisers and battleships in those systems. If we lose the war is over. We’ll also be committing most of our battleships that possess the Zero-Point Energy cannons.”

“But if we win, think about the respite we’ll get,” countered Lieutenant Mays, her eyes glinting, “if those Glaymon battleships are as powerful as I believe. The Vorn won’t have anything that can crack their shields. We keep our ships close to them and we should have wide open shots at the Vorn motherships. With what we destroyed in the staging system and if we can destroy all the motherships in the four systems we’re considering attacking, it could set the Vorn harvesting of our galaxy back for years or possibly end it completely.”

“End it completely,” said Andrew, thinking about what that would mean.

“I believe it’s an opportunity we can’t pass up,” said Kurt. “I’ll be sending a message shortly to Rear Admiral White to gather our battleships and meet us in the Julbian System. From there the battleships will be dispersed to the various Glaymon fleets.” It was necessary to meet the battleships there as it was still important to keep the location of the Glaymon’s new system a secret. It would be a slight hindrance but one they could deal with. Kurt would also have one of the battleships bring some extra crewmembers for the Star Cross.

-

Prince Lashall watched as a cargo shuttle took the last container of food pellets to one of the other motherships. Each container was marked as coming from his harvesting fleet so there would be no confusion as to who had harvested these particular pellets.

Fleet is ready, reported Military Commander Volmont.

What is the total number of warships that will be accompanying us?

Sixteen hundred twenty cruisers and two hundred ten battleships. Military Commander Vasterus agreed to furnish us with more cruisers and battleships since so many were sitting idle in this system. We will also have five motherships.

Lashall nodded his triangular shaped head, his twin antennae waving slightly. That should be sufficient. He didn’t expect any major opposition to the harvesting of these worlds. There were no reported Protector Worlds in the region where the star cluster was located. They would go in, harvest the cluster of all of its food species and then return to wait for a Collector ship. Lashall looked at a nearby viewscreen showing the battleships which had been added to the fleet. Since he had the most ships and four of the five motherships were his, Prince Lakat had agreed to allow Lashall overall command of the harvesting fleet.

-

A few hours later the Vorn ships under Prince Lashall’s command entered hyperspace on a course for the Gothan Empire. Their plan was very simple. Drop out of hyperspace, eliminate all opposition, and then harvest the food species in that system. They would continue to repeat that method until all five motherships’ cargo holds were full. When they finally left the star cluster all of its inhabited worlds would be barren and their surfaces cleansed of any signs of intelligent life.

Chapter Five

Valen had been summoned to a meeting of the Glaymon Council to discuss recent events concerning the Aggressives. He smiled inwardly to himself thinking about how tumultuous this meeting was going to be. He had already spoken to a surprising number of councilors who agreed a more aggressive approach was needed in the war against the Vorn.

Sitting down in his office, he activated the holographic projector and instantly found himself inside the large council chambers of the Glaymons. Looking around he saw all the seats were full, and he was one of the last ones to make an appearance. Shifting his gaze to the podium on the large stage in front of him, he saw Lead Councilor Lavin staring at him as if he wished Valen would simply disappear and never show up to another meeting. Valen smiled and nodded.

Lavin quickly shifted his gaze to other councilors, not acknowledging Valen’s presence. Looking at some of the other councilors near him Valen saw a few acknowledge his presence openly. During the last few weeks since the exodus of the fleet he had spent numerous grueling hours speaking to those councilors who would listen. He was surprised at how many were now willing to openly support the Aggressives’ desire for the Glaymons as a whole to become involved in the war against the Vorn. The tide was shifting but Valen knew he still had an uphill battle. Lead Councilor Lavin would make sure of that.

-

“This meeting is called to order,” spoke Lead Councilor Lavin.

The room instantly quieted. Nearly all the Glaymons present were using holograms and could speak using them. However, the holograms were incapable of permitting telepathy, which all Glaymons except the Aggressives possessed. Only Lead Councilor Lavin was present in the flesh plus a few others sitting on the stage behind him.

Lead Councilor Lavin looked out across the sea of faces that represented all the habitation squares of the Dyson Sphere. There were eight thousand habitation squares where the Glaymons made their homes. This was only a fraction of the habitation squares inside the Dyson Sphere. Over twelve trillion Glaymons called the Dyson Sphere their home and had for millions of years.

“We are here today because there is a serious threat to our way of life,” began Lavin. “The Aggressives, aided by a small group of advanced Glaymons, disabled part of our defenses and nearly five thousand vessels have left the safety of the Dyson Sphere to go fight the Vorn. In doing so they may have put all of the rest of us in jeopardy.”

Across the room a number of voices could be heard demanding the Aggressives be punished. This was what Lavin wanted. The Aggressives had long been a headache, preventing the more advanced Glaymons from taking their civilization to new levels of attainment. This latest desperate move by the Aggressives would give him the opportunity to take care of the Aggressive problem once and for all, something his predecessors should have done long ago.

Lavin was silent for a long moment savoring what he was about to propose. “I have talked to some of our geneticists, and they all feel only twenty million Aggressives are needed to keep our gene pool vibrant. Therefore I call for the Aggressives to begin immediately to put in place stringent population controls to bring their population down to twenty million as soon as possible.”

“Vote!” called out several councilors.

“Do away with the Aggressives!” voiced a number of others. “They have put us all in danger!”

“We have support for a vote,” said Lavin smugly. “All in favor of reducing the population of the Aggressives to twenty million please vote accordingly.”

In each holographic chair where a councilor sat there were several icons on a computer screen, which indicated how a councilor could vote on an issue. Lead Councilor Lavin smiled as he saw the vote was heavily in favor of reducing the Aggressive population. Everything was going according to his plan. “By a vote of 67 percent of all councilors the motion has been carried. The Aggressives will immediately begin reducing their population and pull out of all but one of the four habitation squares they now reside in.”

-

Valen stood up and started laughing. The huge council chamber became deathly silent except for Valen’s echoing laugh. All eyes shifted to focus solely on him. Even Lead Councilor Lavin looked confused.

“And who is going to enforce this reduction of population?” Valen challenged, folding his arms across his chest. “Who has the will to come to any of our four habitation squares and force us to comply? After all there is a reason we’re called the Aggressives.”

“But it’s the will of the council,” stammered Lavin with a look of confusion on his face. “You must obey.”

Valen shook his head “No, we don’t. As a matter of fact, I have an announcement for the council. Effective immediately the Aggressives will be taking over the twelve habitation squares bordering the ones we now inhabit.” Originally it was only going to be eight but recent events had made them reconsider and add four more. “We will begin immediately to increase our population with the intent of going to war against the Vorn. We intend to send a major reinforcing fleet to Councilor Marshton and Fleet Captain Waelt as soon as it is feasible. Already the shipyards we control are busy building new battlecruisers. We have started the construction of battleships as well.”

“No!” voiced Lead Councilor Lavin, his voice quivering. “You are endangering everything we’ve built here. For over twenty million years we’ve stayed hidden from the Vorn. You’re putting all of that at risk. It is against our laws for the Aggressives to build any battleships. You must cease construction immediately.”

“No,” replied Valen in a calm voice. “It’s you who are putting the galaxy at risk. In those twenty million years we’ve remained hidden how many sapient species have been wiped out in our galaxy and others? For millions of years we’ve had the ships to stop the Vorn, but they’ve sat idle in our spacedocks waiting for an attack that never came. The number of beings the Vorn have turned into food pellets and consumed is beyond imagining. I say the time for action is now and I ask that other habitation squares join with us. It is time we join the war! It is time we put a stop to the Vorn!”

“Yes, let us fight,” a few voices said. “We must send our fleet.”

“I make a motion we join the war against the Vorn and mobilize our fleet,” said Valen. “Let us put it to a vote.”

“Yes! Vote!” a surprisingly large number of voices cried out.

-

Lead Councilor Lavin stood frozen behind the podium. He looked out across the council chamber knowing he had no choice. A call for a vote had been made and a number of other councilors had seconded it. “Very well. There is a call for us to go to war against the Vorn. How does the council vote?” He was shocked by the number of councilors who had called for a vote. With stark realization, he knew Councilor Valen had been speaking to other councilors.

For several long minutes the votes came in. Lavin grew concerned when he saw how many were voting to go to war but after a while calmer heads seemed to regain control. Then the final vote tally was in. “The vote is 32 percent for war and 68 percent against. The vote stands and we will not go to war against the Vorn.” Lavin was stunned by how many had supported the proposition.

Lavin shifted his attention back to Councilor Valen who was still standing. “We may not be able to force your people to reduce their population or stop them from taking over the habitation squares which border the four you now inhabit, but the council still controls the Dyson Sphere’s defenses. Steps have been taken to ensure those defenses cannot be compromised a second time. Your people may be building ships, but they will never leave the Dyson Sphere.”

Lavin was satisfied that at least for the moment he had the situation under control. This meeting had not gone as he had expected. It was disconcerting how many councilors had supported Valen and the Aggressives. There would need to be a campaign waged to bring those councilors back into the fold. The advanced Glaymons could not risk going to war against the Vorn. In two million more years their final solution would be ready to implement. The Vorn would be taken care of and sent back to their own bubble universe. That had been the plan for all these millions of years and Lavin was not going to endanger it.

Taking a deep breath there were other issues that needed to be discussed in this meeting of the council. However, none would be as disruptive as the ones they had just voted on. Lavin stared at Councilor Valen for several long moments and then went on to discuss the next issue the council was to hear. He would deal with Valen and his supporters later.

-

Valen sat through the rest of the council meeting voting on the issues that needed to be voted on. All were minor as most issues were. He stayed through the entire meeting wanting the other councilors to see the Aggressives were still a part of their civilization. As he listened to a discussion on whether the council should build a new university dedicated to the study of a particular style of art, Valen wondered how Marshton and Fleet Captain Lilith were doing. When this meeting was over it would be time to get back to work speaking with other councilors. He had gotten 32 percent to vote for war this time. At the next council meeting, he wanted that number to be over 40 percent. The Glaymon Council might not know it, but they had already taken the first step in going to war against the Vorn.

-

Fleet Admiral Kurt Vickers sat in his command chair as the fleet he was in command of dropped out of hyperspace near the Julbian star system. This fleet was by far the largest he had ever commanded. Eight hundred Glaymon 1,000-meter disk ships and 220 of the 2,000-meter Glaymon battleships. Kurt watched as thirty ships joined his fleet formation. He had summoned ten of the new heavy battlecruisers and twenty Human battleships from Newton. Fifteen of the battleships were quickly sent on to join the other three attacking fleets.

After a brief conversation with Rear Admiral Susan White, who was on her flagship, the Ranger, Kurt prepared to take the fleet back into hyperspace. Susan had been stunned when she saw the fleet Kurt had under his command but had not questioned where he had gotten it. Kurt told her he would explain when he got back to Newton.

“I hope this is enough,” Andrew said as he watched the viewscreens showing views of different ships in the fleet. The Newton ships were taking their places in the fleet formation.

“It will be,” said Lieutenant Mays with confidence. “We believe from the scanty information we have on the systems the Vorn have gathered in we will be facing no more than ten or twelve thousand of their ships. The Glaymon battleships will make mincemeat out of them while we blow their motherships to oblivion with our Zero-Point Energy rounds.”

Andrew shook his head. Lieutenant Mays really enjoyed using the ship’s new weapons, perhaps too much.

“The Vorn have never fought a Glaymon battleship before,” Aleea said as the fleet prepared to go into hyperspace. “From my studies of previous battles involving our disk battlecruisers, it is my opinion the Vorn will have no defenses against the weapons the Glaymon battleships will employ. The power of a battleship is at least four times that of a battlecruiser. If we achieve surprise this might be a very short battle.”

“When we get close to the system we will send in two Glaymon disk battlecruisers to scan the Vorn fleets so we will know exactly what we’re up against,” said Kurt. He didn’t want there to be any surprises. “Once we know the location and the makeup of the Vorn fleets, we will move in and attack.”

Kurt leaned back in his command chair. He wondered if any of the motherships they would engage would possess the food pellets from Mars. He would like to see them destroyed before they were consumed by the Vorn. It was one of the reasons he had agreed so quickly to lead a fleet.

-

Moments later the fleet entered hyperspace and set out for the target system. The total hyperspace flight time would be thirty-three hours. All four fleets were traveling at various speeds in hyperspace to allow them to attack their target systems within just a few minutes of one another. The Vorn would receive no warning of the attacks and would be unable to warn any of the other systems. As soon as the attacking ships dropped out of stealth and hyperspace, they would jam all outgoing communications. If all went according to plan, it would be as if the Vorn ships in the four targeted systems simply vanished.

-

Valen had ended his holographic attendance of the council meeting. Things had actually gone much better than expected. He knew that by now Council Leader Lavin would be contacting fellow council members trying to turn them away from supporting the Aggressives. He too would soon be contacting a number of council members Valen thought might be willing to listen to the Aggressives’ arguments about the war. At the very least he hoped to be able to turn enough votes to allow a large reinforcing fleet to be sent to Fleet Captain Waelt. There were hundreds of thousands of warships in the spacedocks of the Dyson Sphere, more than enough to drive the Vorn out of the galaxy and possibly even destroy the habitats in their home system. He had spent considerable time studying the information in the files Fleet Captain Lilith had brought with her and given to the council.

Standing up, Valen stretched. Sitting in the holo chair for such a long time tended to make his body feel stiff afterward. Walking over to set of large doors, he opened them and stepped out onto a spacious balcony. A light breeze struck him in the face as he gazed out over the capital city of the Aggressives. It was the night cycle and the city was brilliantly lit by millions of lights. The city of Myroplex had a population of nearly forty million. It spread out as far as he could see.

“How was the meeting?” a familiar voice asked from behind him.

Turning around Valen saw Gaylith standing in the open doorway of the balcony. She had an office close by where she monitored the daily communication intercepts from the huge communication dishes on the Dyson Sphere’s outer hull. There were several stealth communication arrays just outside the nebula, which constantly sent new information to the Aggressives’ Dyson Sphere communications center.

“We’ve received a message from Fleet Captain Waelt,” Gaylith said as she stepped out on the balcony next to Valen. She stood there looking out over the city. “It seems the Humans under the command of Fleet Admiral Vickers managed to destroy the Vorn’s staging system along with the aid of some of our ships. It was a massive defeat for the Vorn.”

“The staging system,” said Valen, wondering how he could use this information to his advantage. This might just be the news he needed to tip a few of the wavering councilors over toward the Aggressives. “It seems we made the right decision in aiding Fleet Admiral Vickers.”

“So it would seem,” Gaylith replied. “It has brought the Vorn harvesting of the galaxy to a standstill as all of their Collector ships and Intergalactic Transports in the staging system were destroyed. The Vorn harvesting fleets are waiting in six systems for Collector ships to arrive.”

Valen’s eyes narrowed. “Fleet Captain Waelt is going to attack them, isn’t he?”

“Yes; four of them,” Gaylith answered. “Fleet Captain Waelt, as well as the others, believes this is an opportunity that can’t be passed up. If they can inflict major losses on the harvesting fleets, it might be months before the Vorn can resume their harvest of inhabited worlds, months where the Lakiam Alliance can prepare for all out war.”

“We must join them before that time runs out,” Valen said as he thought of what needed to be done. At the very least he had to send Fleet Captain Waelt and Councilor Marshton another reinforcing fleet. While they might not be able to destroy the Vorn habitats, if they could cause the Vorn sufficient ship losses they just might abandon the harvest of the galaxy.

“Many on the council and Lead Councilor Lavin will always remain opposed to the war,” said Gaylith. “It will be difficult to get a majority to vote to go to war against the Vorn.”

Valen turned his eyes back to the city. His office was high up in one of the main government buildings in the administration complex. Looking up he wondered what the night sky would look like if he could see the stars. Someday, he hoped to find out.

“Keep me informed of what happens. If Fleet Captain Waelt can inflict major losses against the Vorn in those four systems, it will give my argument of joining the war effort more credence.”

Gaylith nodded. “The city looks beautiful from up here.” She stood next to Valen looking out at the tall towers, the lighted ribbon walkways which connected them, and the lighted streets below.

“Yes, it does. I never tire of this view. I can stand here for hours. It’s amazing what our people have built.”

Gaylith looked over at Valen. “I may have to request a balcony be added to my office.”

Even though the city was still active at this time of the night it was very quiet. Valen knew if he left to go join Marshton he would be giving all of this up. Even so, he and Marshton had dedicated their lives to finding a way to defeat the Vorn. If he could not convince the council into going to war against the Vorn, he would depart on the reinforcing fleet and leave all of this behind.

-

Prince Lashall was pleased with the progress of his harvesting fleet. With a hard core of two hundred and ten battleships plus five motherships, he was confident his fleet could handle any opposition they might encounter in the star cluster they were targeting for harvesting.

He was reviewing the information from Military Leader Renwarld’s scout ship, which had managed to locate fifty-eight inhabited star systems inferred from the ship traffic it had detected. Based on the size of the star cluster Prince Lashall believed that total could be even more. This concerned him as he would not have enough room on his five motherships for that many food pellets. It might be necessary to harvest enough worlds to fill the cargo holds and then return to the system where the other harvesting fleets were waiting. If a Collector ship had arrived by then he could unload and return to the cluster to finish the harvest.

-

The next day Valen was standing in one of the huge spacedocks of the Aggressives. Construction robots under the watchful eyes of a number of AIs were busy building the Aggressives’ first battleship. The Advanced Glaymons had long restricted the size of warships the Aggressives could build fearing they might go off seeking the Vorn. Valen had to smile. That time had finally come.

“It is a fine line you’re threading, my friend,” said Aalik who was standing next to him. “You’re pushing the council; maybe too quickly.”

Valen folded his arms over his chest as he watched a tractor beam move heavy battle armor into place on the new battleship. “It’s necessary. The data Fleet Captain Lilith brought back indicates the Vorn may have huge reserves of warships stored in their habitats.”

“One hundred and sixteen of them, all at least ten thousand kilometers in diameter,” replied Aalik. “I’ve read the report.”

“I’ve spoken to others and we all agree the Vorn seem desperate to harvest the worlds of this galaxy. We believe they may have over harvested other galaxies and ours may be the only viable food source available without having to abandon or move their habitats.”

“Can they move structures so large?”

“That’s unknown,” Valen said. “I’ve talked to a few hyperspace specialists and while it is possible to take a structure as large as a Vorn habitat into hyperspace, the energy requirements are astronomical. Even using Zero-Point Energy they would still lack the power.”

Aalik was silent for a moment as he watched the scurrying work robots swarming over the structure of the new battleship. “Can the Vorn habitats be destroyed?”

Valen let out a deep breath. “That too is unknown. The structures are most likely protected by energy shields powered by Zero-Point Energy. The same for the weapons which are bound to be on the outer hulls. I have some of our scientists studying the best solution to deal with the habitats though a direct attack by our battleships may be the only realistic option.”

“That’s why you need the help of the Advanced Glaymons,” said Aalik. “The Aggressives by themselves don’t possess the ships to be a threat to the Vorn habitats.”

Valen nodded. “That’s true. However, we’re not sure even with the use of every battleship in all of the spacedocks on the Dyson Sphere whether even that would be enough.”

“Then Lead Councilor Lavin’s final solution may be our only hope,” said Aalik.

“Let’s hope not,” replied Valen. “We can’t wait two million more years to defeat the Vorn. With the ships we’ve sent out into the galaxy, they know we exist. If we lose this war to save the sentient races of this galaxy, the Vorn will come hunting for us and eventually they will find our Dyson Sphere.”

“You weave a compelling argument for action now,” admitted Aalik. “I will continue to speak to the other councilors though Lead Councilor Lavin is growing suspicious of my intentions. I will use the information you supplied about the destruction of the Vorn staging system. That might sway a few.”

Valen knew he was fortunate to have Aalik’s support. Aalik knew many of the councilors who needed to be turned to support the war against the Vorn. The destruction of the Vorn’s staging system was also a good thing. It might buy Valen and Aalik the time they needed to get enough councilors to agree that now was the time to deal with the Vorn, not two million years in the future. At the very least perhaps they would agree to send a large fleet.

-

Fleet Admiral Vickers was watching the tactical displays as they neared the system that contained the massed Vorn harvesting fleets. He had slowed the fleet in hyperspace and sent two Glaymon disk battlecruisers ahead to scout the system.

“We are at extreme sensor range,” reported Lieutenant Brooks.

“The two disk ships should be dropping out of hyperspace on the distant edge of the system about now,” added Aleea. The ships were dropping out far enough away to allow for detailed scans but to prevent the Vorn from detecting the ships.

“Are we going to split the fleet or go straight in?” asked Andrew.

“Straight in,” replied Kurt. “We’ll attack their largest grouping of ships and then see how the others react.” Kurt believed when the Vorn realized what was happening some of their harvesting fleets might flee the system, particularly when they saw the Glaymon battleships.

“They may all stay trying to defend the motherships,” said Andrew. “We’re going to be heavily outnumbered.”

“With the Glaymon battleships we’ll have superior firepower,” said Aleea. “There will be much confusion when we drop out of hyperspace and begin our attack. We may have several minutes before the Vorn respond.”

Andrew looked pleased with Aleea’s words as he thought about the forthcoming battle. “For once we’ll have the advantage, not the Vorn.”

Kurt nodded. He hoped Aleea was right. This battle and the others would be important in forcing the Vorn to end their harvesting, at least for a while. It would be nice to have a year or two of peace so they could build up their forces.

“I have spoken to the tactical officers on the other battleships and all are prepared to fire Zero-Point Energy rounds at the Vorn motherships,” reported Lieutenant Mays. “One round at each one. That should either severely damage or destroy them. Damaged ones can be taken out by the fleet.”

“Agreed,” said Kurt. One other thing he was well aware of: by destroying the motherships he was depriving the Vorn of food. That in itself could be a turning point in the war.

-

The fleet dropped out of hyperspace eight light years away from the target system. Kurt felt a very faint wrenching sensation as the Star Cross returned to normal space.

“No unknown contacts,” called out Lieutenant Brooks. There had been some concern the Vorn might have picket ships in the surrounding star systems but long-range scans had detected no such vessels.

“Scout ships have dropped out of hyperspace in the target system,” reported Aleea with a look of concentration on her face. “Receiving data.”

For several minutes it was silent in the Command Center as Aleea went through the data being sent back by the two Glaymon disk ships.

“Scans complete,” Aleea said as her face returned to normal. “There are seventeen hundred Vorn battleships in the system as well as eight thousand two hundred of their cruisers. The two scout ships also detected forty-two motherships. We are looking at between eight to twelve harvesting fleets.”

On one of the tactical screens, the target star system appeared with several large clumps of red threat icons.

Kurt stood up and walked over to the holographic display, slowly walking around it and examining the disposition of the Vorn ships. “The Vorn are grouped into four major fleets,” he said as he paused staring at the display. He reached down to the controls and manipulated the screen. Suddenly the green icons of his fleet appeared in the system on a direct course for the Vorn fleets. As the fleet advanced, it passed through three of the Vorn fleet formations, narrowly missing the fourth. “If we attack on this course we can engage the majority of the Vorn vessels. Only that single fleet formation will be outside of our weapons fire.”

“We could split our fleet to take it out,” suggested Lieutenant Mays. She wanted to destroy every Vorn ship possible.

“No,” replied Kurt, shaking his head. “I want to keep all of our ships together. We go in, take out these three fleet formations, and if the fourth still remains we will turn and engage it at the end.”

Lieutenant Mays came over, examining the tactical display and the course Kurt had indicated. “In order to do as you want we’re going to be passing through those fleets. We’ll be in pointblank range of their weapons.”

“Just like back at Lakiam,” Andrew said with a huge frown.

“Yes,” Kurt answered with a smile. “It should make for easier targeting.”

Lieutenant Mays laughed. “I’m not going to miss. The Zero-Point Energy rounds on this ship all have a mothership as their target. There are going to be some very big explosions!”

“Is the fleet ready?” asked Kurt, looking over at Aleea.

“Yes,” she replied.

Kurt walked back over to his command chair and sat down. “Captain Randson, take the fleet to Condition One. “Lieutenant Styles, prepare to jump to the target system.”

Kurt waited as Andrew announced the setting of Condition One across the fleet. In the Star Cross red lights started flashing and klaxons began sounding. After a few seconds the red lights stopped, and the klaxons returned to silence.

“Fleet is at Condition One,” announced Andrew.

“All ships are ready,” added Aleea. “I have contact with the AIs on all Glaymon ships.”

Kurt nodded. “Lieutenant Styles, take us into hyperspace.”

It was time to see if the Vorn were prepared to face an actual Glaymon battle fleet. For the first time in the war, the Vorn were about to find out what it was like to face a superior force. Kurt would not show them any mercy, not after what they had done to Mars. This was war and Kurt intended to exterminate the Vorn.

Chapter Six

Kurt was leaning forward in his command chair as the fleet prepared to make the transition from hyperspace to normal space. The fleet would be emerging in a battle formation with the Glaymon battlecruisers in lines twenty ships high and forty wide. Interspersed in those lines would be the 220 Glaymon battleships as well as the Star Cross, five Human battleships and ten Human battlecruisers. The plan was to hit the Vorn hard and fast, annihilating their first fleet formation before they even realized they were under attack. The Glaymon stealth shields being used should prevent detection up to the time the fleet dropped out of hyperspace.

“Weapons are ready to fire,” reported Lieutenant Mays, her hands poised over her console.

“Fleet is emerging from hyperspace,” reported Aleea. “Glaymon ships are ready to engage.”

On the nearby tactical display, thousands of red threat icons suddenly appeared.

“First Vorn fleet, range twenty thousand kilometers,” called out Lieutenant Brooks.

“All ships accelerating toward targets,” reported Lieutenant Styles.

“Weapons lock on Vorn mothership,” reported Lieutenant Mays excitedly as she began pressing icons on her console. The two weapons officers next to her were doing the same thing. “Firing Zero-Point Energy round. Dark matter missiles launching.”

The Star Cross shook slightly as the Zero-Point Energy round left the ship’s massive cannon. The round had a velocity of nearly the speed of light.

On the ship’s primary viewscreen, a massive explosion appeared in the heart of the nearer Vorn formation as the Zero-Point Energy round slammed into the unprotected hull of a Vorn mothership. The ship was dumbbell-shaped with two enormous globes at each end connected to one another by a short cylinder. The ship was painted matte black and no starlight reflected from its hull. Each of the globes was 2,000 meters in diameter and the cylinder connecting the two was 400 meters long and 300 in diameter. The ship was also full of food pellets for the Vorn.

The viewscreen zoomed in on the targeted ship, which seemed to simply crumble in on itself as the massive release of energy destroyed the vessel’s superstructure and then the heart of the vessel itself. When the raging energy disappeared, all that remained were a few wisps of glowing gas and a few small pieces of twisted and melted wreckage.

“That ship won’t be feeding the Vorn,” said a satisfied Lieutenant Mays as she switched to the next target. There were more motherships to destroy.

Other massive explosions were now visible as the five other Human battleships slammed Zero-Point Energy round into their targets. They had caught the Vorn flatfooted as even their energy screens were down. Across the Vorn fleet formation, dark matter warheads were obliterating Vorn battleships and spindle-shaped cruisers. Energy weapons fire from the Glaymon disk battlecruisers and battleships began to play across the Vorn formation, causing tremendous damage.

-

In space, Vorn ships were blown into oblivion from the unexpected and powerful attack. Energy beams, particle beams, force beams, and dark matter missiles were pulverizing Vorn vessels. Most ships were operating at minimal energy levels, conserving power until the Collector ship arrived. In the first few seconds of the battle over twelve hundred Vorn ships died without returning fire or raising their energy screens.

-

“We caught them with their energy screens down!” said Captain Randson in elation as he watched a Vorn battleship blow apart on a viewscreen. “They haven’t even started to fire back and we’ve annihilated nearly 50 percent of the nearer Vorn fleet.”

“Their screens are starting to come up now,” Aleea informed them as she scanned the nearer Vorn ships with the ship’s sensors. “Vorn weapon fire is imminent.”

On the main screens, the images shifted to show more ships of the fleet. Energy beam fire was prevalent and on one screen, a Glaymon battleship was firing massive beams of energy, sweeping them across the Vorn formation. Wherever a beam struck, a Vorn cruiser simply vanished.

Kurt stared in awe at the awesome firepower from the battleship. He knew the Glaymon disk ships were powerful but nothing had prepared him for this display.

“Seven Vorn motherships have been destroyed,” reported Lieutenant Brooks. “The Vorn battleships are getting their screens up and beginning to return fire. They’re still very uncoordinated. We may have taken out their command ship in our initial attack.”

Kurt nodded. “Continue to target the Vorn motherships. Once those have been eliminated switch to their battleships.” Kurt could feel the adrenaline flowing and his breathing had quickened. There was a lot riding on this battle. His eyes flicked over to a screen showing the status of the fleet. So far, he hadn’t lost a single ship and none were damaged. That would change shortly as the Vorn became more organized and began to respond to the attack.

“We’ll be entering the first Vorn fleet formation in forty-two seconds,” reported Aleea. “All ships should be prepared to avoid collisions with Vorn ships and wreckage.”

“Lieutenant Pierce, pass that information along. We’ll be passing through the Vorn fleet formation at high speed so there will be the danger of collisions.” High speed was necessary so they could close rapidly with the next Vorn fleet.

Kurt turned his gaze back to the primary viewscreen. The Vorn fleet was lit up by continuous explosions. Many of those were dying ships.

“The Vorn screens can’t withstand the energy beams of the battleships,” Captain Randson reported, his eyes wide. “The beams are cutting right through the shields and tearing the Vorn ships apart.”

“Fleet mergence in twenty seconds,” reported Aleea. “The battleships are focusing their weapons directly in front of us to clear a path for the fleet. The disk battlecruisers will be focusing on the ships to our flanks as we pass through the enemy formation.”

“We’ve reached the Vorn fleet,” reported Lieutenant Brooks. On a viewscreen, the glowing wreckage of a Vorn battleship appeared and then vanished to the side of the Star Cross as it sped through the Vorn fleet formation firing its weapons.

Kurt felt the ship shake slightly but no lights appeared on the damage control console.

“Vorn black antimatter beams,” Aleea explained. “Shield is holding at 92 percent.”

“Adjusting course for the second Vorn fleet,” added Lieutenant Styles. It would only be a minor course correction but it would take them through the center of the next enemy fleet and keep them on course for the third.

-

In space, particle beam fire from a Human battlecruiser ripped into a Vorn battleship, opening it up from bow to stern. In a brilliant explosion, the enemy vessel blew apart. A Vorn energy screen acted like a normal screen until it became engorged with energy. Up until that point, in most instances, it could be penetrated without causing the sudden release of all of its stored energy. Once it was saturated with energy a punctured screen would collapse, releasing all the energy and oftentimes destroying the ship it was supposed to protect.

A Glaymon disk battlecruiser used its energy beams to knock down a Vorn energy screen on one of the small spindle-shaped cruisers, blowing a huge hole in its side. A dark matter missile arrived and the ship vanished as a small nova appeared.

From a Glaymon battleship, two powerful energy beams tore through the energy shield of a Vorn battleship. The two beams bore deep inside the enemy craft, exiting out the far side. Secondary explosions shook the ship, tearing it in two. A dark matter missile arrived and the Vorn battleship was no more.

The combined Glaymon and Human fleet blasted their way through the Vorn formation leaving mayhem in their wake. Burning and dying Vorn warships were scattered everywhere. All nine motherships at the heart of the fleet formation were gone. All that remained of their presence were some twisted wreckage and small clouds of drifting plasma.

-

Aboard the Vorn battleship Tranchal, Military Commander Vasterus arrived in the Command Center. Report! Moving his multifaceted eyes to the viewscreens, he saw one of the Vorn fleets in disarray as it was being annihilated by an attacking fleet.

A fleet of the Ancients has appeared, sent the Vorn at the sensor console. We are detecting eight hundred of their disk shaped battlecruisers and what appears to be over two hundred larger disk ships. They are 2,000 meters in diameter.

The battle computer is classifying them as a battleship. Their energy beams are cutting right through our shields. Our own weapons are having no affect.

Show me one of these battleships. Vasterus knew he needed to get control of the situation quickly.

On one of the viewscreens, a large disk shaped vessel appeared. It was covered in weapon emplacements and firing massive energy beams which were destroying Vorn warships with impunity.

A chill ran down Vasterus’s back between his wings. What is the status of our fleets?

Energy screens are up and weapons are ready to fire, reported Military Leader Camatte. Our outer fleet was attacked before they could even raise their shields. The enemy ships appeared without warning in combat range and began an immediate attack. Losses to the outer fleet are nearing 91 percent with all nine of its motherships destroyed.”

Military Commander Vasterus felt anger at the loss of the motherships. They had been fully loaded with food pellets, which were desperately needed back at the habitats to prevent future deletions. All fleets are to join up for our mutual protection. We have over seventeen hundred battleships in this system. We will destroy these ships of the Ancients once and for all.

Military Commander Vasterus shifted his gaze to the nearby tactical display, showing the deployment of the enemy fleet. It was nearly through the outer Vorn fleet, leaving a path of destruction in its wake. He didn’t know if any of that fleet was going to survive. However, he still had nearly eight thousand warships and all of them now had their shields up and their weapons online. He would test the power of these new Ancient battleships. If he saw his fleet was going to be overwhelmed he could always withdraw. He tasted sourness in his mouth at the thought. He clicked his mandibles several times and stood straighter. Vasterus was determined to defeat these enemies of the Vorn.

-

Fleet Admiral Kurt Vickers felt the Star Cross shudder slightly as it bore on ahead. It was flanked by ten Human battlecruisers and four Glaymon battleships. The four Glaymon battleships were laying down a heavy energy barrage on any ships threatening the flagship. Occasionally a black matter missile would exit a missile tube, annihilating a Vorn warship which had ventured too close.

The Star Cross suddenly shook violently and a few amber lights appeared on the damage control console.

“Six Vorn antimatter missiles struck our energy shield,” reported Lieutenant Mays. “Shield is holding at 82 percent.”

“The Glaymon battleships have destroyed the Vorn warship that fired on us,” added Lieutenant Brooks. On the main viewscreen, a Vorn battleship could be seen coming apart.

“Minor damage only to a few compartments,” added Captain Randson. “A few power relays blew and they’re being replaced.” Even as he spoke the amber lights vanished from the damage control console.

Kurt nodded. The energy shield of the Star Cross rotated through a set of frequencies which greatly increased its strength. It was of Glaymon design and very effective. “How many ships did we lose?” Kurt could see several red lights blinking on the fleet status console as well as some amber ones.

“Only two,” reported Aleea. “Two disk battlecruisers collided with Vorn battleships. Several others are reporting minor damage from weapons fire.”

Kurt looked over at Lieutenant Mays.

“I set off black matter missiles at the sites of both collisions. The Vorn will not recover any usable tech.” This had been agreed upon before commencing the attack.

“The remaining Vorn fleets are joining together,” reported Lieutenant Brooks.

Kurt looked at a tactical display showing the red icons of the Vorn fleets. Sure enough, they were all moving closer together. “How soon before we reach the next fleet formation?”

“Eighteen seconds,” answered Aleea.

“We’re already beginning to fire on it,” reported Lieutenant Mays. “The Vorn mother ships are moving toward the back of the formation.”

“We should slow down,” suggested Captain Randson. “If they’re going to join up into one large fleet we can stand off at optimum weapons range and destroy them.”

Kurt agreed with this. No point in risking any of his ships in more collisions. “Do so. However, I want those motherships destroyed.”

-

In space, the Glaymon fleet commanded by Fleet Admiral Kurt Vickers approached the second Vorn fleet formation, which was rapidly being reinforced by the other Vorn fleets. Intense weapons fire broke out between the two forces in the form of both energy weapons and missiles. Space suddenly lit up from the brilliance of the weapons exchange.

The Vorn were now firing their black antimatter spheres and antimatter beams in an attempt to destroy the Glaymon ships. However, Glaymon energy shields were impervious to the black energy spheres and when a sphere struck a shield the sphere merely flattened out and after a few moments vanished as its energy was depleted.

Vorn black antimatter beams played across Glaymon shields. Occasionally, when enough could be brought to bear, they were able to stress the shield enough for penetration.

-

“We’re receiving heavy weapons fire from the Vorn fleet,” reported Aleea. “The Vorn have moved their battleships to the front of their fleet formation so they can bring more weapons to bear.”

“They must believe the firepower from their larger ships will be able to penetrate our energy screens,” said Captain Randson as the Star Cross shuddered from several energy beam strikes.

On the viewscreens, the entire front of the Vorn fleet formation was covered in massive explosions from the detonation of dark matter missiles. Energy beams were prevalent as they were being used by both sides. Kurt knew his own fleet would look much the same from the Vorn side as thousands of antimatter missiles were exploding against the energy shields of the Glaymon fleet.

“Focus our weapons fire on their battleships,” ordered Kurt. “If we can get shots off at any of their motherships, take them.” The Vorn battleships were the only real threat. If they could bring enough beams to bear they might be able to overwhelm a Glaymon energy shield.

“We’re going to have to clear the space between us and them,” said Lieutenant Mays, shaking her head in frustration. “We can’t get any target locks on the motherships. There are just too many ships in the way.”

Kurt nodded. “Then let’s clear a path. Aleea, inform the Glaymon vessels we need a path cleared so we can destroy the Vorn motherships.”

“Message sent,” replied Aleea, as she used the ship’s sensors to monitor the progress of the battle.

-

In space, the battle increased in intensity. A Vorn antimatter beam managed to penetrate the screen of a disk battlecruiser, blasting out a deep gash in the hull. An antimatter missile struck the hull moments later and the Glaymon vessel vanished in the fireball from the released energy. When it cleared nothing remained but some twisted wreckage.

A group of twenty Vorn battleships managed to weaken the energy shield on a Glaymon battleship sufficiently for several black antimatter beams to penetrate and strike the hull. However, the battle armor on a Glaymon battleship was thick and designed to take punishment. Then a number of Vorn antimatter missiles struck the hull, detonating in huge explosions. Not even a Glaymon battleship could hold up to that much released energy. In a massive explosion the huge disk ship blew apart, spreading debris across space.

In the Vorn fleet formation, Glaymon energy beams were playing havoc as only a few strikes were necessary to destroy a Vorn cruiser. The battleships took a little more but they too were falling rapidly to the Glaymons’ superior weapons. The Glaymon beams in many cases were puncturing Vorn energy screens so rapidly that the energy held in the screens was not being released. However, occasionally a screen still failed in its entirety, releasing all of its stored energy and instantly obliterating the Vorn ship beneath.

-

We are suffering massive losses, Military Leader Camatte reported as he stepped away from the battle computer. If this continues, the probability of our victory is less than 8 percent.

Military Commander Vasterus gazed in irritation at a nearby viewscreen. On it a Vorn battleship was being riddled by energy beams and then, in a massive blast of light, exploded. Vasterus turned away as he switched his gaze to the tactical display. Already the enemy fleet was beginning to penetrate the front echelons of the Vorn fleet formation because of the Vorn’s forward motion. For the first time he felt great fear for the harvest. The ships of the Ancients were nearly indestructible. While the smaller disk ships could be destroyed by overloading their shields, it was next to impossible to destroy the larger ones. So far in the battle only two had been annihilated at great cost to the Vorn.

It was also disconcerting how easily the Ancients’ weapons were penetrating Vorn energy screens. In most cases ships were being destroyed before the energy screens collapsed. On the few occasions when a Vorn energy screen did collapse from being punctured or overloaded the ships beneath were being destroyed by the screens stored energy. It was evident a change would have to be made to Vorn energy screens before future battles were fought. The screens could not be allowed to destroy the ships they were supposed to protect.

Concentrate our fire on the smaller disk ships, ordered Vasterus. If we can destroy enough of them perhaps the rest will withdraw.

Turning his gaze back to the viewscreens, the entire forward section of both fleets resembled a furnace of roaring fire. How any ships could survive in that was beyond imagining.

-

“Target lock on a Vorn mothership,” called out Lieutenant Mays breathlessly as she fired the Zero-Point Energy cannon.

On the ship’s primary viewscreen, a nova-like flash of light occurred in the rear of the Vorn fleet. The Zero-Point Energy projectile incinerated the mothership, leaving no remains. It was as if the mothership had never been.

“Other battleships are acquiring target locks,” reported Lieutenant Pierce. “They’re firing Zero-Point Energy rounds.”

In the rear of the Vorn formation more massive blasts of light became visible.

“What are our current losses?” Kurt was having a hard time keeping track of the battle due to the number of ships involved.

“We’ve lost two Glaymon battleships, twelve Glaymon battlecruisers, and one of our own battlecruisers. A number of other ships are reporting damage,” answered Aleea. “However, we have decimated the Vorn fleet. As of this moment we have destroyed 62 percent of their ships.”

Kurt frowned. He hated losing two of the Glaymon battleships, but it was obvious the Vorn had nothing which was a serious threat to them. The two that had been destroyed had been overwhelmed by energy beam fire from dozens of Vorn battleships. “Continue to press the Vorn. I want all of those motherships destroyed and as many of their battleships as possible.” He was willing to risk losing a few more ships if he could destroy those motherships.

-

Military Commander Vasterus was shaken as he saw the motherships in the rear of the Vorn formation begin to die. The reported power of the explosions was nearly off the scale. Before this battle, Vasterus would have said such a weapon was impossible. Order the motherships to jump out! Vasterus took a deep breath. He studied the tactical display seeing how the enemy fleet was continuing to wipe out every ship he put in front of it. It was exasperating to feel so powerless, something he was not used to.

We cannot win, Military Leader Camatte reported. The battle computer is now forecasting only a .2 percent probability of Vorn victory.

Withdraw, ordered Vasterus, his eyes showing red. If we remain we will lose our entire fleet.

As you command, Camatte replied as he sent the order telepathically to the other ships in the fleet.

-

“Vorn are beginning to jump into hyperspace,” reported Lieutenant Brooks with relief in her voice.

“Vorn ships are disengaging,” added Lieutenant Mays as she fired a Zero-Point Energy round at the last remaining mothership in the system only to see it enter hyperspace just before the round arrived. She breathed out a long sigh of disappointment. A few of the motherships had managed to escape.

“Can we track them?” asked Kurt. If they stopped close by it might be feasible to follow them and finish the battle. He wanted every one of those motherships destroyed.

“Yes, but I believe they won’t be stopping anywhere close by,” said Aleea. “I strongly suspect once they get past our hyperspace jamming they will be contacting the other systems where Vorn fleets are waiting. They will probably choose one that is not under attack as their eventual destination.”

Captain Randson turned away from his command console. “All Vorn ships have jumped except a few which are heavily damaged. Glaymon disk battlecruisers are finishing them off.”

Kurt leaned back in his command chair feeling as if a massive weight had been lifted from his shoulders. The battle was over and they had won. He took several deep breaths. “Take the fleet to Condition Two and have all vessels begin initiating repairs as we plan our next move. Also, move the fleet away from the battle zone. There’s a lot of wreckage floating around and we don’t need to be colliding with it.”

“Vorn fleet is altering course,” reported Lieutenant Brooks, looking confused. “They’re not heading for any known grouping of other Vorn vessels.”

Aleea turned toward Kurt. “The Vorn in charge must suspect this is a wide scale attack against the Vorn ships remaining in the galaxy. He’s taking what remains of the Vorn fleet to where he believes it will be safe.”

“It’s a shame they got away,” said Captain Randson. “I would never have believed it but if they had stayed we could have destroyed their entire fleet. Those Glaymon battleships are something else!”

“What were our final losses as well as those of the Vorn?” Kurt knew they had lost some more ships; he just wasn’t sure how many.

Captain Randson checked his console and then answered. “We lost two Glaymon battleships, eighteen Glaymon disk battlecruisers, and one of our Human battlecruisers. There are about seventy other ships with various levels of damage.”

“The Vorn lost 920 of their battleships, 6,200 of their cruisers, and thirty-four of their motherships,” Aleea informed Kurt. “Many of the ships that escaped were damaged to some extent.”

Kurt wondered what the losses would have been if the Vorn had been prepared for an attack. Most of the first Vorn fleet had been destroyed before they could even raise their energy shields and the Vorn had never been able to get into a cohesive formation to defend their ships or to even attack. The entire battle had lasted less than twenty minutes.

“We got damn lucky,” proclaimed Captain Randson, stepping away from his console. “This won’t happen again. From now on, the Vorn will be expecting their fleets to be attacked. We won’t catch them with their shields down or in the type of formations they were in today.”

“They now know about our Glaymon battleships,” said Aleea, folding her arms over her chest, making her look even more Human. “From the scans they took of this battle and the others going on they will develop a method to deal with our battleships. We should be prepared for a major change in Vorn tactics.”

Kurt looked at a viewscreen showing the twisted wreckage of a destroyed Vorn mothership. Very little of it remained other than a few skeletal support beams. This mission could be considered a great success. If the other three fleets were as successful, the Vorn harvesting fleets will have suffered devastating losses.

“Make sure all the wreckage of our Glaymon vessels and our own battlecruiser has been thoroughly destroyed. Once that’s been done we’ll set a course for home.”

Kurt gazed at the tactical display showing all the green icons of his fleet. The realization of what they had just accomplished still hadn’t set in. As he thought about the battle, he began to believe they might indeed have a long period of peace where they could prepare for future Vorn incursions.

“We might just win this after all,” said Andrew as he stepped over next to Kurt. “It would be nice to be able to spend some time at home and not have to worry about the Vorn.”

Kurt allowed himself to laugh. “You’re just concerned about that young man your daughter’s dating.”

Andrew’s face darkened. “He’s seventeen and she’s sixteen. I remember what I was interested in at that age.”

“Fleet is ready to enter hyperspace,” Aleea reported.

“All Glaymon wreckage as well as that of our own battlecruiser has been eliminated by dark matter warheads,” added Lieutenant Mays.

“Let’s go home,” said Kurt. “Lieutenant Styles, take us into hyperspace.”

-

Moments later the fleet vanished from the star system as it entered hyperspace to begin the long journey home. It left behind a system full of wreckage and dimly glowing debris from thousands of destroyed Vorn warships. For the first time since the Vorn had come to this universe, they had encountered an enemy much more powerful than themselves.

-

Military Commander Vasterus looked at the tactical display showing the shattered remains of his fleet. Seventy-two percent of his fleet had been destroyed including thirty-four of the valuable motherships. In hindsight he knew as soon as the ships of the Ancients were detected he should have sent all the motherships out of the system under an escort of battleships.

I want all video footage and scans of the battle sent to the battle computer on this ship, he ordered. It is evident from this battle that there are many more Ancient ships than we first believed.

These larger ships, which the battle computer has classified as battleships, are nearly as powerful as the ships of the Great Enemy. Camatte was referring to the beings who had driven the Vorn from their home universe.

Vasterus narrowed his eyes. His antennae standing erect and quivering. These ships are going to be a problem. We have nothing to match them, not even in the habitats.

Then how do we defeat them?

Vasterus switched his gaze to his second in command. We will need to develop new strategies. First off we need to find out where these ships are coming from. Somewhere in this galaxy is the world or worlds of these Ancients. There are limited ways they could have remain hidden from us for so long. They either have habitats such as ours in deep space away from star systems or they are hiding in a gaseous nebula. Either way we must begin conducting a search. Until their worlds are found and eliminated our harvest of this galaxy will be endangered. I must return to the Conclave Habitat and speak with Prince Brollen.

Military Commander Vasterus knew the Vorn now faced a serious problem. Less than seven percent of the worlds in this galaxy had been harvested. Many of the more heavily populated food worlds were under the protection of the so-called Protector Worlds, food species 236, 111 and these mysterious Ancients. There was also another food species involved though they had committed only a small number of ships. That species also needed to be found.

As soon as his fleet departed the scene of the recent battle with the Ancients he sent out messages to the other systems with Vorn harvesting fleets. He greatly feared all or most of them were probably under attack. Over the next few days he would gather all the remaining Vorn ships in this galaxy into one system and then begin beaming messages into hyperspace requesting an Intergalactic Transport. It might take some time but eventually one would arrive. He needed to return to the Conclave Habitat to make plans for the future harvesting of Galaxy X-241. New strategies would have to be implemented as well as a change in Vorn energy shields.

Recent events deeply concerned Vasterus. He knew the food reserves on the habitats were minimal. There were no other nearby galaxies they could turn to. The harvest of Galaxy X-241 was supposed to furnish enough food pellets to last the Vorn for hundreds of years while they searched for richer feeding grounds. Now all of that was in jeopardy. The only way for the Vorn to survive was to strip all the planets of Galaxy X-241 of their food species. Either Galaxy X-241 would die or the Vorn would face starvation. Vasterus was determined the Vorn would prevail.

Chapter Seven

Mara was meeting with Fleet Commodore Dreen. They were distantly related and shared a good working relationship. Mara was a highly specialized communications officer who had become the commander of her own ship. She was also a very stunning looking woman with deep blue eyes. Mara was tall, well proportioned, her skin unblemished, and had a golden tan.

“When are you returning to Newton?” asked Commodore Dreen. He had spoken with Mara several times since her arrival in the Lakiam System. They were on board his flagship, the Lakiam battlecruiser Basera.

“I have leased a cargo ship, the Shimray and will be returning to Newton on it. Once we arrive I intend to load the cargo ship up with more tea and have it delivered to Lakiam for distribution. The samples we brought back with us have been in high demand and there have been numerous requests for more. I told Keera they would do well here and I was right. She was convinced as well but couldn’t make the necessary arrangements for distribution.”

Commodore Dreen smiled. “I’ve tried several of the tea varieties you brought back. They’re excellent. The Humans continue to surprise me.”

Mara let out a deep sigh. “I may have made a mistake in allowing myself to become attached to Fleet Admiral Vickers. Their morals and customs on some things are quite different than ours. I did not realize it had gone that far until I saw the Star Cross nearly powerless in the Vorn staging system. My heart nearly stopped when I realized the danger he was in.”

Commodore Dreen nodded. Mara had told him of her sleeping with the Human admiral. “I’m sure it will all work out. Fleet Admiral Vickers has already performed a miracle by destroying the staging system. From the latest reports, the Vorn harvesting throughout the galaxy has nearly come to a halt. Billions of innocent lives have been saved by that action.”

“What about the Alliance?” Mara knew Commodore Dreen was sending out emissaries to every Protector World within reach asking them to join and offering some advanced technology if they did. Even some of the Enlightened Worlds with large defensive fleets had been talked to.

“There are more joining every day,” he answered. “If this reduction in Vorn activity lasts for a few more months, we can have fleets in place to resist them in nearly 60 percent of the galaxy. We’ve ramped up the production of the new defensive platforms, and they are being sent to the homeworlds of every Enlightened World within Alliance space. The Andocks are producing the platforms as well. I spoke to Fleet Leader Arlak Moor yesterday, and he’s feeling more optimistic every day about being able to resist the Vorn. The Bascoms and Parmonts will begin production of the platforms in just a few more days. Not only that but warship construction is at an all time high.”

“What about the new power systems the Glaymons furnished?”

“We’re sharing that technology with any Protector World which wants it, the same with our dark matter missiles. If the Vorn give us time, when they return they will face a fully armed galaxy ready to resist. They won’t find it so easy to harvest our worlds.”

“It helps we have Glaymon disk ships available,” said Mara. “Their additional firepower makes a big difference.” She had noticed there were a number in the Lakiam System. It pleased her knowing the home system was well protected. She knew from personal experience what the Glaymon ships were capable of.

Commodore Dreen frowned. “There’s something going on there. Fleet Captain Waelt left a few days ago and hasn’t returned. You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?”

Mara shook her head. “No, I’m sure it’s just a meeting with the other Glaymons to discuss strategy against the Vorn. I can ask Fleet Admiral Vickers about it when I get back.”

“That won’t be necessary,” replied Commodore Dreen. “I’m sure Fleet Captain Waelt will be back shortly. And Mara, I want to say one more time I’m sorry about the Aurelia.”

Mara nodded. “I lost some close friends on that ship. The Vorn have taken so much away from us.”

“That’s why we formed the Alliance,” replied Commodore Dreen, his eyes narrowing slightly. “We plan on keeping what’s left.”

-

Later Mara was in the small Command Center of the cargo ship which would be taking her back to Newton. Looking at the ship’s main viewscreen, she could see the blue-white world of Lakiam. The planet had several large, deep oceans and three major landmasses. On the viewscreen, there was a thick white cloud layer covering many of the cities. It was the rainy season on Lakiam as the weather control system was being used to encourage crop growth. Mara’s eyes drifted over to the ship’s sensor display showing the entire system.

The home system was comprised of fourteen worlds. The fourth planet out from the system’s sun was Lakiam with planets number three and five having been terraformed. There were large domed cities on numerous moons and asteroids and over two hundred massive orbital habitats. In all the Lakiam home system held a population in excess of sixteen billion.

Her eyes shifted to another screen, which was showing one of the large habitats in orbit around the planet. The habitat was thirty kilometers long and eight in diameter. Habitats spun on their axis creating normal gravity inside. Some of the habitats were designed to produce food, others contained numerous factories, and still others had massive cities within. Mara had been inside a number of them over the years and been impressed by what she had seen. She felt very proud of her people and what they had built.

“We will be leaving shortly,” the captain of the cargo ship informed Mara. “If there is anything you need on the trip please don’t hesitate to ask.”

“Thank you, Captain,” replied Mara. The cargo ship had several quarters for guests. As with all Lakiam ships, even cargo ships, the quarters were quite comfortable and luxurious.

As the ship pulled out of orbit and accelerated away from Lakiam in preparation for its entry into hyperspace, Mara couldn’t help but wonder what was in store for her when she arrived at Newton. By now her diplomatic cruiser would have been repaired. There was really no reason for her to stay at Newton, but for some unexplained reason she felt that was where she needed to be. She had tried to analyze her feelings for Fleet Admiral Vickers. He was married and dedicated to Keera, but Keera was open minded as to how things were in galactic culture. It was one of the reasons Mara hadn’t been afraid to seduce Kurt. Now Mara greatly feared she had made the wrong decision. One of the first things she wanted to do when she reached Newton was to spend some time with Keera to ensure their relationship was still intact. Keera was a close friend and Mara was not going to endanger that.

The ship made its transition into hyperspace with Mara barely noticing, leaving Lakiam behind. In a few short days they would arrive at Newton. Mara had that long to make some important decisions, decisions which could drastically affect her life.

-

Prince Lashall studied the progress of his fleet. In two more days they would reach their target star cluster. What is the status of the fleet? he sent, looking over at Military Leader Volmont. It was part of Volmont’s responsibility to know how every ship in the fleet was functioning.

All ships are performing normally. We will arrive at the target system in a little over two days. I have studied the scans from Military Leader Renwarld’s scout ship and have chosen two worlds as our first targets. Both are heavily populated. The scout ship’s scans indicate they have large defensive fleets as well as powerful defensive grids. By destroying them we will greatly reduce the ships in the cluster available to resist us.

Will the fleets or the defensive grids be a danger to our ships? Prince Lashall did not intend to lose a major portion of his fleet. Most food worlds had defending ships and an orbital defensive system which was to be expected. Very few had ships which could destroy a Vorn warship. However, on occasion worlds were encountered with large enough fleets that were able to take out a few Vorn ships from exceedingly heavy weapons fire.

Not a major threat, replied Military Leader Volmont. We may lose a few cruisers but our battleships and motherships should be immune to the weapons fire these food worlds possess.

Put up the information on these two worlds on the tactical display, ordered Prince Lashall. I want to study what we will be facing when we move in to begin our harvests. While he trusted the tactical abilities of his military leader, Lashall wanted to make sure nothing was being overlooked.

On the tactical display, a visual of one of the two systems appeared, showing the disposition of fleets and the defensive grid. Prince Lashall studied this for several long minutes as well as the data on the system. Then he ordered the second world put up on the display. Finally satisfied, he turned toward Military Leader Volmont. We will split the fleet. Half the fleet will attack the first world and the other half the second. Once we have harvested these two worlds, we will continue on to the others in the star cluster. I am curious to see what the food pellets from these worlds will taste like. I still need more for my private collection and perhaps the worlds in this cluster will be worthy additions.

I will make the attack plans, Military Leader Volmont confirmed. Prince Lakat will lead the second fleet. He will have two motherships at his disposal while we will have three. With our battleships I expect we will eliminate all opposition very quickly. From studying the scans there are no disk ships of the ancient race in this star cluster.

Do it, ordered Prince Lashall. It is time we filled our cargo holds with food for ourselves and our Queens.

-

Prince Lakat waited in the Command Center of his mothership. He knew Military Leader Volmont was working on the attack plan for the star cluster Military Leader Renwarld had discovered. Perhaps as many as one hundred worlds were waiting to be harvested.

Prince Lashall is suggesting breaking the fleet into two harvesting fleets, reported Military Leader Dabbath. You would command one and Prince Lashall the second.

How many motherships will we have?

Two, answered Dabbath. The fleet would be divided into two equal parts and we would be targeting what is believed to be the two most powerful systems in the cluster. Each fleet will have an equal number of battleships. Once these two worlds have been harvested, the rest of the food worlds should pose no major threats. We will attack in two more days.

A renewed harvest, Prince Lakat sent in satisfaction. He strongly suspected their fleets were the only ones still active. He just hoped when they returned a Collector ship would be available or their harvesting would be over as well. This galaxy has been full of surprises. If Prince Brollen does not activate more ships, I fear we may fail in the harvest.

That must not happen, sent Dabbath, his eyes widening. It would result in mass deletions of the Working Caste and possibly others.

It has happened before, Prince Lakat responded. It will happen again. The galaxies around our habitat grow less abundant with suitable food species at every harvest. When last I was in the Royal Court, there was talk of moving to a different region of this universe where there is a larger grouping of galaxies.

What about our habitats? asked Dabbath, his antenna standing upright and quivering in concern.

Lakat’s multifaceted eyes focused on his military leader. They are too large to be moved. We would have to build new ones.

Dabbath looked confused. Our population is too large to move from the habitats. Would some of them be left behind?

Lakat nodded. That is the crux of the problem and why harvesting this galaxy is so important. We need the food reserves to decide what must be done.

-

Military Leader Dabbath nodded his understanding. However, he greatly feared if what Prince Lakat implied were true then some time in the near future mass deletions of Vorn would begin to take place. The deletions might very well include Vorn from every caste deemed not to be useful, even the military.

-

We will do what we must, sent Prince Lakat. We have our duties to the Vorn race and to our Queens. That is why every harvest is so important.

Prince Lakat turned toward the tactical display, gazing at the green icons. He had revealed more to Military Leader Dabbath than he had intended. What other princes spoke of was not to be shared with those lower in caste. Lakat knew because of his mistake it might be necessary to delete Military Leader Dabbath once this star cluster was harvested. It was regretful as Dabbath had served faithfully but it was the way of the Vorn.

-

High Profiteer Creed was inside a large vault they had just blasted open beneath the ruins of the capital city on a planet devastated by the Vorn. He gazed excitedly into numerous small rooms where several metals of value were stored, including gold. Perhaps the entire planet’s reserves! He knew he had struck it rich. His breathing quickened as he gazed into a room filled with gold bars.

Creed stepped inside followed by Dacroni Clan Leader Jarls. From what he had seen in the other chambers there were several hundred million credits worth of gold and precious metals stored here, perhaps more.

“You were right,” said Dacroni Clan Leader Jarls as he hefted a gold bar, checking its weight. He moved it from hand to hand. “This bar alone is worth over one million credits.”

“I have some of my Profiteers checking out several other locations on the planet,” Creed said as he ran his hands greedily over the gold bars. “A planet with a population as large as this one had must have more than one vault. I would guess this is the primary vault and somewhere there must be a secondary one.”

Jarls set the gold bar back down. “This was once an Enlightened World; I wonder if there is any technology we could take back with us?”

“Who cares about the technology!” growled Creed as he began walking through the small chamber counting the number of gold bars. “With this gold we can buy anything we want.”

“Agreed,” replied Jarls. “But Enlightened World technology is in high demand on the black markets on Kubitz. They’ll pay a fortune for the right technology.”

“Plhtup!” said Creed, shaking his head. “The Controllers will only have it confiscated and then they will levy a hefty fine. It makes dealing in illegal technology highly risky.” Creed knew this first hand from several shaky business deals in the past.

Jarls let out a deep sigh. “Perhaps you’re right. If we can make several more hauls like this from worlds the Vorn have destroyed neither of us will have to worry about our futures. We will both be very rich.”

Creed finished counting the gold bars and there were one hundred and twenty in this chamber. He knew there were several other chambers still to inspect. His dream of buying that land on Marsten might just be about to become a reality. The good thing was this operation was much smaller and less risky than when he had tried to pilfer Earth of its gold. He had Jarls’ ten battleships in orbit as well as his personal battleship and his Profiteer fleet. His fleet consisted of twelve battlecruisers and four large cargo ships. He had sold off all of his smaller warships and decided the battlecruisers were the best route to go for future profiteering raids.

A Profiteer stepped into the small room. “High Profiteer, we have found another sealed vault and opened it. You may wish to come and see what’s inside.”

Creed looked over at Jarls. “Let’s go see what they’ve found.”

Going down a wide corridor with metal doors broken open on both sides, they reached the end where explosives had been used to blast open a thick metal door. The corridor still had some smoke in it, making seeing difficult.

“Bring in some ventilation equipment so we can get this smoke cleared out of here,” ordered Creed in between coughs. Explosives had been used to force open most of the sealed doors making the air difficult to breathe.

A couple of Profiteers hurried to comply and soon several large fans were drawing out the smoke filled air. Soon the corridor and adjoining chambers were clear enough to enter. Creed and Jarls stepped inside what appeared to be a large room. Both stopped staring in amazement as a look of greed spread over both of their faces.

“I think this is the main deposit of wealth on this planet,” said Jarls, gazing around with wide eyes.

The room was piled high with gold bars.

“I’ve never seen so much gold in one place,” said Jarls as he walked down an aisle with gold piled high on both sides. “There’s a fortune in here!”

Creed spent a few minutes trying to get a count. He finally stopped when he had counted a thousand bars. He looked over at Jarls and grinned. “I told you I had a way for both of us to get rich.”

Jarls nodded. For the first time, it looked as if one of High Profiteer Creed’s plans was actually going to work.

Creed turned to one of the waiting Profiteers standing at the doorway. “Bring a crew down here with some gravity sleds. I want this gold taken up to the cargo ships. Strip everything in these vaults, don’t leave anything behind.”

‘Make sure you count everything that comes out of these vaults,” Jarls said, giving a piercing look to the Profiteer. “I don’t want to find out there were any discrepancies later.”

The Profiteer looked over at Creed.

“Do it,” Creed ordered. “There’s enough here for all of us.”

Jarls stepped over placing his hand across several gold bars. “There’s enough gold and other valuable metals here that the two of us should end up with over a billion credits each. I think I can retire on that.”

“Same here,” Creed replied.

Jarls spent a moment looking at all the gold in the room. “I think we should load all of this up and return to the empire. There is not much point in seeking other worlds to search. There is always the danger of coming across the Vorn. I say we take this and end our search.”

Creed nodded. “I agree. We have what we came for; there is no point in taking additional risks. We will return to the empire and sell the gold on Kubitz.”

High Profiteer Creed drew in a deep breath. Finally he had achieved his life long goal. He would be one of the richest Profiteers on Marsten. The others would be coming to him for advice on how to thrive as a Profiteer. He was already thinking about how much land he was going to buy. It looked as if he wasn’t going to need those battlecruisers after all. He would sell them, only keeping his battleship. It would now serve as his personal yacht. There would be some changes made on it as well, particularly his personal quarters. It was time to take advantage of his new found wealth.

Chapter Eight

The Star Cross dropped out of hyperspace back in the Newton System. It was accompanied by the twenty Human battleships that had participated in the raids on the Vorn fleets as well as nine battlecruisers, which had served as an escort for the Star Cross. One battlecruiser had been lost in the fighting along with all of its crew. There were also two Glaymon battleships Fleet Captain Waelt had assigned to Kurt’s fleet. Kurt hadn’t asked for this but was pleased Waelt had made the offer.

“It’s good to be home,” said Andrew, seeing Newton appear on the ship’s main viewscreen. “Maybe this time we can stay for a while.”

Kurt grinned. “It might be some time before we see the Vorn again. I spent some time talking to Fleet Captain Waelt and Fleet Captain Lilith. We managed to take out over 70 percent of the Vorn ships in the four systems we attacked with an 80 percent kill rate on their motherships.”

Andrew looked at one of the viewscreens showing one of the 2,000-meter Glaymon battleships. “Those things are going to cause the Vorn a lot of headaches. I’m just glad we brought two of them back with us. I’ll sleep better at night knowing those two battleships are overhead.”

“What are you going to do when you get back home?” asked Kurt. “We sort of left in a hurry when Tasid summoned us.”

“I think I’ll take Emily to one of the new seaside resorts,” Andrew said smiling. “We can do some snorkeling and sailing; she’d like that.”

“And leave Alexis home with this new boyfriend she has?” Kurt couldn’t help ribbing Andrew about that knowing how sensitive he was to his daughter dating.

Andrew frowned. “This dating thing is going to screw a lot of things up.”

“Talk to Keera. Alexis can come stay with us while you take a few days off. Keera would enjoy having her around.”

“You think she would do that?” asked Andrew, his eyes lighting up.

“I’m sure of it,” Kurt replied. Keera had a way with kids as he had watched her around Bryan, his ten-year-old nephew.

Andrew seemed pleased with that and then asked another question. “What are your plans if the fighting is over for a while?”

“I need to meet with Governor Spalding and the other admirals. We need to find a few more ship captains to promote.” Kurt looked at Andrew. “You wouldn’t want to become a rear admiral, would you?”

Andrew shook his head. “No, I’ll stay where I am.”

Kurt had expected that response. Being captain of the Star Cross was almost like being a rear admiral anyway. “We need to continue building new warships, working on the defenses around Newton and Earth, as well as the other planets in our Alliance. We can use as much time as the Vorn will give us.”

“The Vorn will return,” said Aleea. “They always have.” The AI looked intently at Kurt. “You may have set their harvesting of this galaxy back by a few months or even longer, but they will return with more ships and an increased determination to harvest this galaxy. The biggest battles are still ahead of us.”

Aleea’s words brought Kurt back to reality. He knew she was right. Even with the new ships of the Glaymons this was going to be a long and difficult war. The disk battlecruisers and the battleships Fleet Captain Lilith had brought from the Dyson Sphere would help to slow down the Vorn attacks, but the only real hope of eventual victory over the Vorn was if the Glaymons on the Dyson Sphere committed their entire fleet, and Kurt was not certain that was going to happen.

“We’ll be docking with Newton Station in twenty minutes,” Lieutenant Styles informed Kurt. “We’ll be using docking port four.”

“I have Colonel Simms on the comm,” reported Lieutenant Pierce. “He’s asking about the two Glaymon battleships.”

Kurt had to grin to himself. No one in the Newton System or anywhere else for that matter had ever seen a Glaymon battleship. “Tell him I’ll explain in detail when I come on board the station. For now just tell him they’re Glaymon ships and will be aiding in Newton’s defense.”

Kurt had a number of things to take care of over the next few days, one of them being to take Keera to the Italian restaurant she liked. Listening to Andrew talk about taking his wife to a resort made Kurt consider doing the same thing with Keera. Shortly after she came to Newton, he had taken her to a ski resort up in the mountains. It might be nice to return to that resort for a short vacation. He owed it to her after some of the things which had happened over the last few months, particularly after the little incident with Mara. Kurt had swore to himself never to allow that to happen again. He still felt guilty for allowing himself to sleep with her, and it was something he was going to regret for a very long time. He was determined not to allow it to happen again.

He also needed to check up on what was going on at Kubitz. Ambassador Brent had sent a message just before the Star Cross left to go to the new Glaymon System that someone had tried to poison Grantz. While this didn’t surprise Kurt too much he was concerned about Grantz’s reaction. The Profiteer was intent on collecting the bounty Kurt had placed on High Profiteer Creed’s head. Knowing Grantz he would use every method he knew of to collect that bounty, even illegal ones. Kurt was going to suggest Colonel Briar assign a couple of Marines to keep an eye on the conniving and greedy Profiteer.

Kurt’s eyes went to the viewscreen showing Newton. The planet was rapidly growing larger on the screen. As soon as they docked he would send a message to Keera informing her he was home. He would also go ahead and make reservations at the Italian restaurant. Kurt knew Keera would be excited to learn the fighting with the Vorn was over, at least for a while. For once Kurt felt he had nothing to worry about for the foreseeable future.

-

Prince Lashall gazed at the ship’s tactical screen as the Ravager and its accompanying fleet neared the target star cluster. On the tactical display, numerous red icons were visible depicting unknown ships traveling in hyperspace on the outskirts of the cluster.

Two hours until we reach our target, reported the Vorn at the sensor console.

Lashall had already split the two fleets with Prince Lakat taking his harvesting fleet to the second food world they were going to attack. If everything went as planned, once these two worlds were harvested the two fleets would then begin harvesting all the nearby food worlds. Lashall also intended to send out some scout ships to determine exactly how many food worlds were in this star cluster. From the amount of ship traffic the Ravager was detecting there had to be a large number, more than what Military Leader Renwarld’s scout ship had originally detected.

We are using our sensor dampening fields so the food worlds will not detect our presence, reported Military Leader Volmont. The fleet will drop out two hundred thousand kilometers from the target world. There are a number of orbital stations which will need to be scanned to determine if they are armed. Most likely these are only trading stations and orbital refineries.

Lashall nodded. This was common above most advanced food worlds. He clicked his mandibles in expectation of sampling the food pellets from this new food species. Very soon his fleet would be in position to harvest the first of many food worlds in the star cluster.

-

High Profiteer Mott was on his flagship, the Jablan, in orbit above Marsten. With a yawn, he gazed at the tactical display noting all the Profiteer ships in orbit above the capital planet of the Gothan Empire. Since the appearance of the Destroyers of Worlds very few raiding fleets were being allowed to leave the empire. The Profiteer leaders on Marsten had ordered all Profiteer fleets to stay close to their homeworlds until the situation with the Vorn was decided one way or the other.

“I think I’m going to turn in for the night,” said Mott, standing up and stretching.

“We need to be out raiding,” muttered Second Profiteer Aleut. “We’re not making any credits sitting here in orbit waiting for an enemy that may never come. Our crews are becoming bored to death.”

The words were scarcely out of his mouth when warning alarms began sounding on the sensor console.

“Unknown contacts dropping out of hyperspace two hundred thousand kilometers from Marsten,” called out Third Profiteer Seth, his eyes showing shock.

“Impossible!” said High Profiteer Mott, glaring at Seth. “If those are ships we should have picked them up in hyperspace. It has to be a fault in the sensor system.”

“Not if they’re using a sensor dampening field like the Vorn are rumored to possess,” said Second Profiteer Aleut as he stepped over to the sensor console. He spent a moment examining the scans and then turned around with a stunned look on his face. “We have a Vorn harvesting fleet closing on Marsten.”

High Profiteer Mott froze in place, not believing he had heard those dreaded words. Surely the Destroyers of Worlds were not here!

“It’s confirmed,” reported the Profiteer at Communications. “All fleets are being placed on high alert, and High Profiteer Gaston has ordered all ships to stand by for combat.”

Mott sat back down in his command chair scarcely believing what he was seeing on the tactical display, which had just started to display the enemy ships.

“We are barely picking them up on the sensors,” reported Seth. “They are using a sensor dampening field and it’s reported only our battleships are getting positive readings on the Vorn ships. Our battlecruisers are reporting there’s nothing there.”

“That’s just great,” muttered Mott, shaking his head. “How are they going to lock their weapons onto targets they can’t see?”

“Several of the shipyards in orbit above Marsten are going to start sending out powerful sensor pulses which should allow the battlecruisers to detect the Vorn,” explained Second Profiteer Aleut.

“The defensive grid has just been activated,” reported the Profiteer at Communications. “All cargo ships and noncombat ships are being told to jump to Kubitz.”

High Profiteer Mott looked over at Seth. “What are the numbers?” He had no desire to fight the Vorn. There was no profit in this and he had no desire to lose valuable and expensive warships.

“Eight hundred and four of their small cruisers, one hundred and six battleships, and three motherships.”

Mott leaned back in his command chair, deeply concerned. There were only twelve hundred Marsten warships in the entire system. Most of those were battlecruisers.

“The defensive grid has some of the new defense platforms which are supposed to be capable of destroying Vorn ships,” reported Third Profiteer Hama who was sitting at the tactical console.

High Profiteer Mott had a bad feeling about what was going to happen. If the reports he had heard of the strength of the Vorn ships were true, Marsten was doomed. “Keep the hyperdrives spun up on all ships,” he ordered. “If it appears resistance is futile we will jump to Kubitz.”

No one in the Command Center responded. Survival was the foremost part of being a Profiteer. No point dying in a losing battle.

-

High Profiteer Gaston stared at the latest information on his tactical display. The Vorn fleet was rapidly closing with the defending fleets and would soon be in combat range. With a deep frown, he knew it was going to be difficult to coordinate the defense of the planet. All of the raiding fleets were used to working independently. Instead of facing one main fleet and a coordinated formation, the Vorn were going to encounter dozens of smaller ones.

“All fleets, standby to attack,” he ordered over the general comm channel. “If the Vorn inflict major losses pull back to the defensive grid.”

“They’ll run,” predicted Second Profiteer Mahler, his eyes narrowing sharply. “If the fleets start suffering losses they’ll leave rather than risk losing everything.” Profiteers spent a lot of credits on their ships and would not want to lose them.

High Profiteer Gaston did not reply; he knew Mahler was right. A Profiteer had an instinct for personal survival. There were over one hundred worlds in the empire. No doubt many would flee to Kubitz, which had the largest fleets and the most powerful defensive grid. As much as he hated to admit it, he would most likely do the same if he had a choice.

-

Fleet will be in combat range shortly, Military Leader Volmont reported. We will launch our black antimatter spheres as soon as we are in range. These ships will have no defense against such a weapon, and it will demonstrate how useless it is to oppose us. We will follow up with our black antimatter beams and antimatter missiles, destroying all ships whose power has been drained. This battle will be short.

It had better be, Prince Lashall replied. We have a number of worlds to harvest, and we cannot afford ship losses.

-

In space, the various fleets continued to close. The individual Profiteer fleets were hesitant to be the first to attack, fearing massive retaliation. The different Profiteer leaders had built their fleets to take them raiding all over the galaxy, not to fight the Destroyers of Worlds. As the Profiteers waited for someone to attack the black spindle-shaped ships of the Vorn, they came within weapons range. Profiteer tactical officers were poised with their fingers over the firing icons on their computer screens. Everyone was waiting for someone else to fire first.

-

On the Ravager it was time to launch the attack. Launching black antimatter spheres, reported the Vorn in front of the tactical console.

All ships are launching, sent Military Leader Volmont. The enemy has yet to engage.

Prince Lashall gazed closely at the viewscreens showing the enemy fleets. He was confused as to why they were choosing to fight in smaller groups rather than one large fleet. It was a massive tactical error on the part of the defenders of the food world and one they would pay heavily for.

-

High Profiteer Mott held his fleet back slightly behind the others. He had no intention of being the first to attack the Vorn. Let the others commit their ships and he would observe how effective their weapons were against the Destroyers of Worlds.

“The Vorn are launching some type of black spheres,” warned Third Profiteer Seth. “I’ve never seen anything like them before.”

On one of the viewscreens, several of the dark spheres could be seen moving rapidly toward the lead Marsten warships. Bright flashes of energy could be seen occasionally around the periphery of the spheres. Mott felt a cold chill run down his back as the spheres neared the Profiteer fleets.

“What are those?” asked Mott as several impacted the energy screens of the leading Profiteer ships. They struck the screens and then seemed to do nothing. Perhaps they were ineffective against the Profiteer energy screens.

“I have heard of some type of energy draining weapons the Vorn deploy,” said Second Profiteer Aleut, his attention focused on the ship’s viewscreens. “This could be those.”

“They are,” confirmed the Profiteer at Communications. “High Profiteer Leesman reports all of his ships have been struck by the spheres and the power from their energy shields is being drained.”

“Some of our fleets are opening fire,” added Third Profiteer Seth, pointing at the viewscreens.

Mott glanced up at the screens, seeing hyperspace antimatter missiles detonating against the Vorn shields. Energy beams and ion beams were also being used.

“The Vorn ships?”

“No effect,” reported Seth. “The Vorn screens seem to be absorbing the energy from our weapons.”

“High Profiteer Leesman reports his shields have been drained and the black spheres have attached themselves to his ships,” reported the Profiteer at Communications. “He is reporting a massive power loss.”

Mott looked at a viewscreen which had been switched to show High Profiteer Leesman’s ships. A series of brilliant explosions suddenly appeared and when they faded away all twenty-six ships in Leesman’s fleet were gone.

“Antimatter missiles, yield around ten megatons,” reported Seth.

High Profiteer Mott took a deep breath. He had sixteen ships in his fleet including one battleship which was his flagship, the Jablan. “Take us out of here,” he ordered, reaching a decision. “This battle is lost.” He was not going to sacrifice his fleet like High Profiteer Leesman had.

The crew was silent. Their families were down on Marsten.

“Look,” said Mott, his voice rising. “If we stay, we die. If we go to Kubitz or some other planet in the empire we can at least start over. We’ll have our ships and we have some credits in our accounts with the Controllers.”

“Stand by to enter hyperspace,” ordered Second Profiteer Aleut. “Today is not our day to die.”

-

Moments later the sixteen ships of High Profiteer Motts’ fleet made the jump into hyperspace leaving Marsten and the Vorn behind. They were not the only ones as other panicked High Profiteers decided to try to escape with their fleets rather than risk destruction. Their weapons were useless against the Vorn and more Profiteer ships were falling to the Vorns’ weapons every second they remained. The only hope for survival was to flee. Other fleets began jumping away from the battle as well.

-

In space, the deadly black antimatter spheres of the Vorn were making quick work of any Marsten warships that tried to stay and fight. The spheres would drain the energy from the energy shields and then attach themselves to the ships’ hulls, depleting the vessels of their energy. A few moments after that a Vorn antimatter missile would arrive, turning the defenseless vessel into a miniature nova. In less than seven minutes every ship that stayed and tried to resist the Vorn had been annihilated. Only a small number of vessels made it back to the planet’s defensive grid.

-

High Profiteer Gaston managed to escape with most of his fleet and had formed up just below the defensive grid. He was angry at how so many Profiteer fleets had turned and fled once the Vorn demonstrated the power of their weapons. Profiteers routinely bragged about how brave they were; many had just demonstrated the fallacy of those statements.

“What do we have left?” Gaston knew it would not be enough. The entire attack by the Profiteer fleets had been a total bust. Different High Profiteers had hesitated to engage and very few ships had even fired their weapons. Gaston estimated over six hundred ships had fled.

“One hundred and eighty-seven vessels,” Second Profiteer Mahler reported. “Twenty-three battleships and the rest are battlecruisers and escort cruisers.”

“The Vorn are advancing,” warned Third Profiteer Tallow from his sensor console. “They will be in range of the shipyards and stations within thirty seconds.”

The four shipyards and six space stations were all heavily armed. They might be able to take out a few Vorn cruisers but it would not be enough. “We will stay inside the defensive grid,” ordered Gaston as he gazed at the tactical display showing the approaching Vorn. There were twenty of the new defensive platforms, which were supposed to be able to destroy a Vorn ship. Just maybe that would be enough to turn the Vorn away from Marsten. If not, then Gaston knew he could either take his fleet and flee as the others had or he would die here. At the moment he was not certain what he would do.

-

Prince Lashall was watching the battle. So far, it had gone as expected. The black spheres of antimatter had proven deadly to the enemy fleets. Many had fled at seeing the power of the Vorn.

There are ten space stations orbiting the planet, sent Military Leader Volmont. Four appear to be shipyards. They are all heavily armed.

Destroy them, ordered Lashall. I am anxious to harvest this world. I have never seen fleets act as these have. They attacked as separate entities but when they saw the power of the Vorn over half fled in terror. Their taste may be unique.

-

The Vorn harvesting fleet closed on the orbiting stations and as soon as they got within range black antimatter spheres launched. Dozens struck the energy shields of the shipyards. At the same time, the shipyards began firing on the Vorn fleet with their energy weapons and started launching hundreds of antimatter missiles. The entire forward section of the Vorn fleet erupted in light as the missiles detonated. However, the brightness rapidly died away as the energy from the blasts was absorbed by the Vorn energy screens.

The Profiteers on the shipyards saw this and intensified their rate of fire. Hyperspace antimatter missiles were being launched as rapidly as possible and every bit of energy available was being funneled to the energy projectors.

-

Under the surface of the planet in a deep underground bunker, the most powerful and rich of the Profiteers on Marsten watched as the Vorn fleet crept closer and closer to the planet. These Profiteers, for all intents and purposes, were the leaders of the Gothan Empire. There were even several Controllers present.

“Most of our fleets have fled,” growled High Profiteer Lushun in disgust. “The cowards left us here to die!”

“We would have done the same,” replied High Profiteer Rasta. “We made a mistake not creating a fleet to defend Marsten. We should not have depended on the different raiding fleets to fill that role.”

“It was the cost,” muttered High Profiteer Banish. “It would have been nearly a billion credits to create such a fleet. Who among us was willing to make that type of investment?”

“We will lose everything!” cried out High Profiteer Maraud. “If the Vorn go into orbit they will destroy every structure on the planet. Marsten will become a dead hulk with no value. Our land and our homes will be worthless.”

“Silence!” roared High Profiteer Lamotte. Lamotte was the richest of all of the Profiteers on Marsten. “We all have credits on Kubitz. This is not the end.”

“It might just as well be,” replied High Profiteer Lushun. “When the Vorn are through with Marsten what’s to stop them from going on to the other worlds in the empire?”

The Profiteers looked at one another. There was a good possibility they were going to die in this bunker. If the Vorn harvested the other worlds of the empire, there would be no one to come to their rescue. They would live out their lives in the meager warrens of their underground complex.

-

In space, a single Vorn spindle-shaped cruiser exploded as its shield was overloaded. The shield collapsed, releasing all of its stored up energy and instantly destroyed the ship. At the same time, the Vorn began launching their own antimatter missiles at the shipyards and the stations. Sensors indicated the shields had failed and most of the power had been drained. Already weapons fire was markedly reduced and still decreasing.

The missiles slammed into the large shipyards, annihilating entire sections. Alarms sounded and bulkheads slammed shut. Crews ran for the escape pods as lights dimmed and went out. The shipyards shook violently as they became unstable. Escape pods burst forth only to be shot down by Vorn black antimatter beams. More missiles struck the large structures slowly turning the work of centuries into molten wreckage. In a matter of just a few minutes all four shipyards and the six orbital stations were gone. All that remained were spreading debris fields of glowing gas and twisted metal.

-

High Profiteer Gaston stared aghast at the viewscreens, showing the utter destruction of the four shipyards and six space stations. He didn’t want to think about the cost of rebuilding them.

“How many Vorn ships have we destroyed?”

“Only one,” replied Second Profiteer Mahler. “And it was only one of their smaller cruisers.”

Gaston felt a cold chill pass over him. “Have we sent out messages requesting aid to nearby worlds?” There were several Profiteer worlds close by with reasonably sized fleets.

“All hyperspace frequencies are jammed,” replied the Profiteer at the comm station. “Perhaps some of the ships that fled sent out messages.”

Mahler shook his head. “I doubt it; they’re more concerned about saving their own hides rather than saving Marsten. Besides, I don’t believe any world would be willing to send aid since they may be the next target.”

“Defensive grid is preparing to fire,” reported Third Profiteer Zankal.

Gaston leaned forward. Now they would see if the new defensive platforms could kill a Vorn ship. This was their last hope to save the planet.

-

Around Marsten was a defensive grid compromised of sixty Class One orbital defensive platforms as well as a Class One Command and Control Center. In addition, there were twenty of the new platforms, which supposedly were designed to kill Vorn ships. There were also six hundred small defensive satellites with twin energy beam cannons in orbit.

As soon as the Vorn entered weapons range the defensive grid fired. The twenty new satellites were tasked with striking Vorn spindle-shaped cruisers to see if their energy cannons could actually penetrate the Vorn screens.

Beams lanced out and struck the Vorn ships. In seven instances the beams penetrated the screens of the Vorn cruisers, causing the screens to collapse releasing their stored up energy. In seven blazing flashes of light, the Vorn cruisers were obliterated.

-

What was that? demanded Prince Lashall, turning to gaze angrily at Military Leader Volmont. Volmont had told him this system posed no danger to the ships of the Vorn harvesting fleet and now seven had been destroyed.

We are analyzing it now, Volmont replied. It appears to be some type of intensified energy beam designed to puncture our shields. I have reissued targeting instructions to our battleships to make them a priority target.

Prince Lashall grew angrier as two more of his cruisers blew apart. Destroy them now! This was Military Leader Volmont’s fault, and Prince Lashall would see to a fitting punishment if more ships were lost.

-

On board the 1,200-meter Vorn battleships orders were received to destroy the defensive platforms causing damage to the fleet. A storm of black antimatter spheres exited the launch tubes of the massive ships, moving rapidly toward the twenty defense platforms firing the deadly beams on the fleet. The spheres struck quickly draining the energy shields that protected the platforms. Then black antimatter rays flicked out, tearing the platforms apart. Moments later all twenty ceased to exist. Additional weapons fire began taking out the other platforms.

-

On the surface of Marsten, bright flashes of light far above indicated the death of the defense grid that was supposed to protect the planet. Most of the people of Marsten didn’t even know what was going on as the Profiteers controlling the planet had not issued any type of warning or statement. Individual Marstens stood around gazing upward wondering what was causing the brilliant flashes of light. Only a few suspected a space battle was occurring. There were some actual Profiteers looking up who recognized what the bright flashes meant. They also realized there was nothing they could do.

-

In a massive blast, the Command and Control Center for the defensive grid blew apart as it was struck by twelve antimatter missiles after its shield failed. Much of its scorched remains would fall into the atmosphere of Marsten over the next several hours.

-

High Profiteer Gaston was thrown to the floor as his flagship was struck by a Vorn black antimatter beam. Alarms sounded and cries for help could be heard coming over the comm system.

“Status!” barked Gaston as he sat back down, gazing intently at the tactical display.

Second Profiteer Mahler tuned toward Gaston, his face showing the strain of the situation they were in. “The defensive grid has been destroyed as well as most of our ships. The Rogue has received heavy damage and our sublight drive and hyperdrive are both nonfunctional. We are beginning to fall out of orbit and will be entering Marsten’s atmosphere in twenty-six minutes.”

“Can the drives be repaired?” Gaston knew the battle was lost and soon the Vorn would begin the harvest of Marsten. He had never believed he would see this day.

Mahler shook his head. “No, it would take a spacedock to repair them. The damage is too heavy.”

The Rogue shook again and more red lights flared up on the damage control console. The lights dimmed brightened and then went out. Dim emergency lighting came on.

“We took another hit to the stern,” Mahler reported as he listened to the ship’s comm. “We’ve lost the rear third of the ship.”

Gaston was about to respond when the Rogue blew apart, killing everyone on board.

-

The last of the enemy ships have been destroyed, sent Military Leader Volmont. The planet is ready to be harvested.

Excellent, Prince Lashall replied. They had lost ten Vorn cruisers while eliminating this food world’s defenses. However, this was supposed to be one of the most powerful worlds in this star cluster. The rest would be easier. Take us in so we can commence the harvest. I am anxious to taste a food pellet from this world.

-

The three motherships settled in above Marsten. From each fourteen large hatches slid open. Black rays flashed forth to strike the surface of the planet below. Wherever one struck any usable organic material was transformed and transported up to the ship. As a black beam swept across an inhabited city, all of its inhabitants were transformed into a black ashy substance that the beam sucked up.

On the planet no one knew what to do. There was nowhere to run and nowhere to hide. Many still had no idea what was happening. They died where they were standing or in their homes. Across the planet the beams swept, destroying the capital planet of the Gothan Empire. It died without even a whimper.

In the underground bunker, the High Profiteers watched on viewscreens as the people of Marsten were converted into food for the Vorn. They were far enough underground not to be affected. In a few hours they would be the only living biological life forms on the planet.

The two Controllers inside the bunker remained silent. They watched as the deadly black beams eliminated the planet’s population. They were pressing icons on their small handheld computers lowering the value of the property on Marsten.

-

Prince Lashall was in a converter room on board the Ravager. He walked over and pressed a button on a small control panel. Instantly a receptacle slid open and a gray pellet in the form of a small cube was ejected onto a tray. The prince took the pellet and popped it into his mouth, crunching the pellet with his mandibles and feeling the invigorating strength that instantly flowed through him. This pellet was made from the organic material of one of the civilized inhabitants of the planet they had just culled.

The prince was pleased with the taste. These pellets would make an excellent addition to his private collection. Have two hundred of these food pellets taken to my quarters, he ordered. The rest will be going to the Queens. They will be quite pleased with these when they arrive at the Conclave Habitat.

As you command, answered the scientist in charge of the converter.

Lashall was convinced the Queens would find the taste of these pellets pleasing. It might help to increase his standing in the Royal Court.

Returning to the Command Center he saw the harvest was finished. Moments later white energy spheres began falling toward the surface of the planet. The spheres were condensed balls of energy, which burst like bubbles and expanded outward, destroying everything in their path. Across the planet flashes of light indicated the detonation of the energy spheres. Dust, smoke, and ash began to rise into the planet’s atmosphere, cutting off the sunlight. For several decades the planet would be uninhabitable.

Satisfied the fleet had done its work, Prince Lashall gave the order to proceed to the next food world. The harvest would continue.

Chapter Nine

Dacroni Clan Leader Masak sat in his command chair with a stormy look on his face. They had just received word the Destroyers of Worlds had attacked Marsten. Panicked messages had been received from cargo and passenger ships fleeing the system and then later from Profiteer warships leaving the scene of the battle. There was no doubt in Masak’s mind that Marsten had fallen.

“We have unconfirmed reports of a disturbance in hyperspace coming toward us,” Raster, who was second in command, informed Masak. “Several Profiteer ships have reported a region they cannot scan rapidly approaching our star system.”

Masak stood and approached the tactical display showing the space around Dacroni Four. It was covered in green icons representing nearly two thousand Dacroni warships. There were two massive shipyards and three large trading stations orbiting the planet. All heavily armed. “It is the Destroyers of Worlds.”

“How did they find us?”

Masak frowned. “There are still a few raiding fleets going out led by minor High Profiteers. I fear one of them may have led the Vorn back to our star cluster.”

Masak switched his gaze to a secondary tactical display that only showed the ships of his fleet. He had been sent out several months back by the clan leaders to discover how powerful Vorn ships were. He had lost fourteen battleships in only a few seconds while destroying just one enemy warship. It had shaken him to see how powerless his battleships were when compared to a Vorn cruiser. If he had stayed longer he would have lost his entire fleet. Masak had replaced the losses with six new battleships with more scheduled to be delivered in a few months. He had one hundred and twenty specially designed Dacroni battleships in his fleet. His fleet was one of the largest of the Dacroni clan leaders.

“Orbital defense grid is activating,” Raster reported as the sensors detected the sudden activation of dozens of power sources.

“All ships are being ordered to drop down to the defense grid,” reported Fantac from Communications. “Combat with the Vorn is expected shortly.”

Masak’s eyes widened. “What about the shipyards and the orbital stations? Are we not going to defend them?”

It was incomprehensible to him to sacrifice such valuable assets. It had taken years to build the massive stations. Every clan leader paid a small fee to the Dacroni government out of the profits they received for going out on various types of missions. These fees had been used to build the stations.

“They say they’re not defensible,” Fantac answered, his eyes wide in shock at the admission. “The shipyards and the stations are being placed on automatic and the crews being evacuated except for a few volunteers who will man the Command Centers and Engineering.”

Raster shook his head. “They will be sacrificed so we can learn more about the Vorn. We have prepared for this day, let us hope we find victory.”

“All noncombat ships are being ordered to jump to Kubitz,” added Fantac. “Several smaller Dacroni fleets are being sent along as escorts.”

Masak understood the reasoning for this. If they lost, at least some of their people would make it to Kubitz along with enough warships to protect them from Profiteer clans who might attempt to take advantage of the situation. A few Dacroni battleships would ensure that did not happen.

“Pull the fleet back to the defensive grid,” ordered Masak, knowing there was no other choice. “We will add our firepower to the platforms. Contact one of the Command and Control Centers and recommend fleet firepower be used to augment the firing of the individual platforms.” Masak was high enough up in leadership for his orders to be obeyed.

There were three of the massive Control Centers in orbit above Dacroni Four. Masak knew from his experience with the Vorn, it would take a number of ships and platforms firing in unison to overcome the energy shields of the Destroyers of Worlds. Unlike Marsten, Dacroni Four had increased the strength of their own weapon platforms as well as purchased more of the newer ones from Kubitz. When the Vorn arrived they would not like what was waiting for them.

-

All around Dacroni Four, the various mercenary fleets dropped down into the defensive grid which surrounded the planet. Sixty Class One Defense Platforms, three Control Stations, and forty of the newer platforms were in geostationary orbits. Just below them eight hundred energy beam satellites were in orbit tasked with destroying any missiles that approached the planet. There were even some planet-based missiles that could be called upon if necessary.

On board the shipyards and orbiting stations one hundred-megaton antimatter missiles were loaded into missile tubes. Energy projectors, ion cannons, and direct energy cannons were charged up and made ready to fire. The Dacroni had always been warlike, and their stations were some of the most heavily armed in the empire.

-

“Telescopes on the stations are detecting Vorn warships dropping out of hyperspace,’ reported Fantac. “Morlar Station is reporting spotting eight hundred Vorn cruisers, one hundred and four battleships, and two motherships.”

Masak’s face paled at hearing this. He knew the strength of the Vorn cruisers; a battleship would be a hundred times worse. “Contact the Control Center and tell them it’s essential the new platforms target the Vorn battleships. They are a priority target.”

“Message sent,” Fantac replied after a moment.

“Our sensors are not detecting the approaching Vorn vessels,” said Raster with concern in his voice. “How do we fire on something we can’t see?”

“We’ll see them when they open fire,” replied Masak. “Use our viewscreens to spot the targets then hit them with antimatter missiles. We’ll use the missiles’ detonations to lock on with our other weapons.”

“That should work,” said Tomask from Tactical as he began making adjustments to his weapons console.

“I have one of the Vorn battleships on the viewscreen,” reported Ardell from sensors. On the screen, a Vorn 1,200-meter spindle shaped vessel appeared. “This is coming from Morlar Station.”

“That’s a monster,” said Fantac, his eyes glued to the screen.

Masak had to agree. Dacroni battleships were 1,100 meters in length and the most heavily armed in the empire. “I want all of our missile tubes to target just one Vorn vessel. The fleet will fire in groups of ten all targeting the same enemy ship. Groups will continue to fire until the Vorn’s shields collapse.”

“Raster, I want the Iron victory and the nine ships firing with us to target the same Vorn ship the defense platform near us does.”

There were six defensive platforms in the quadrant Masak’s fleet was tasked with defending. Two were of the new type. Masak took a deep breath. The tactical display was now showing the incoming Vorn fleet. It was full of red threat icons all moving toward Dacroni Four. The data was based on interpolations of what the stations were seeing on their telescopes and other long-range observation equipment.

“Vorn will be in combat range in twelve minutes,” reported Ardell. “Morlar Station has been varying the frequencies of their sensor scans and reports they are getting a faint return on sensor frequency V-14.”

“Switch to it,” ordered Masak. “It will help with our targeting.”

A few moments later Ardell turned toward Clan Leader Masak. “Sensors are now picking up the Vorn ships.”

“I have confirmed contacts with our targeting systems,” reported Tomask.

Masak nodded. “Prepare for combat. This battle is not about credits or increased standing as a Draconi mercenary. Today we defend our world and our families.”

-

Prince Lakat gazed questionably at the ship’s primary tactical display. It appears they have detected the presence of our ships.

Yes, sent Military Leader Dabbath. The food species is pulling their warships back to their defensive grid. There are a number of large stations around the planet. Two are shipyards and the other three are either for trade or research. I suspect they may have detected our ships using long-range observation equipment. They have also been changing the frequencies of their long-range scanners.

Are these ships a danger to our fleet?

Prince Lakat had been assured earlier by both Prince Lashall and Military Leader Volmont there were not any vessels in this star cluster that were a major threat. A few Vorn cruisers might be lost due to overwhelming weapons fire, but that was to be expected occasionally in a major battle.

It is strange, Military Leader Dabbath replied as he studied the data coming in on the ship’s sensors. Most of the vessels defending the planet are in the battleship class with only a few battlecruisers. The battleships are 1,100 meters in length.

Prince Lakat did not reply. He flexed the small wings on his back and clicked his mandibles. Very soon he would be tasting a new food species. He could feel the anticipation building up inside at the thought. He was interrupted by a Vorn of the Worker Caste stumbling and falling near the communications panel. The Worker Caste were so clumsy and for the most part nearly useless. They were only capable of doing mundane tasks such as cleaning and simple repairs. Prince Lakat gestured to a guard and sent a thought. The guard helped the worker up and escorted it from the Command Center. It would be taken down to the engineering section and fed into one of the ship’s disposal units. Lakat had always felt there were too many of the worker drones on his mothership.

-

The black Vorn ships continued to close with the waiting fleet. The skeleton crews in the stations waited expectantly, their hands on the controls of their weapons. Every Dacroni in the five stations knew they would not be returning home.

-

In Morlar Station, the station’s commander watched as the Vorn ships reached weapons range. While his weapons were not as powerful as the two shipyards, the station still boasted a large number of energy cannons and missile tubes, enough he hoped to destroy a Vorn ship.

-

Upon reaching weapons range of the two shipyards and the three trading stations, the Vorn opened fire with every weapon they had. From the shipyards the hatches to the missile tubes slid open and eighty hyperspace antimatter missiles launched. Almost instantly brilliant explosions lit up a small section of the Vorn fleet formation. Using the explosions and their sensors the Dacroni locked their weapons on the Vorn ships and began firing their energy weapons. It was fortunate Dacroni Clan Leader Masak had attacked a Vorn vessel to test its strength. The information from that mission led the Dacroni mercenaries to adopt a specific line of attack again the Vorn. Instead of spreading their weapons fire across the entire Vorn fleet they would only focus their weapons on a few.

-

In Morlar Station, the Dacroni commander watched a large viewscreen as every weapon the station possessed struck an incoming Vorn cruiser.

-

In space, the Vorn spindle-shaped cruiser was struck by sixteen antimatter missiles and a barrage of energy beams. Its shield could not absorb so much raw energy and collapsed instantly, incinerating the ship it was supposed to protect. Several other Vorn ships met the same death as the concentrated fire from the other stations succeeded in overloading the shields of the attacking ships. In less than forty seconds six of the small Vorn cruisers died fiery deaths.

-

Explain! demanded Prince Lakat, his eyes focusing intently on Military Leader Dabbath with his twin antennas standing erect in anger.

Dabbath could sense the anger radiating through the thoughts of the prince. They are concentrating their weapons fire on just a few of our ships. Our own vessels are beginning to return fire and will shortly neutralize the stations.

Prince Lakat did not reply but merely switched his gaze back to the tactical display where another Vorn cruiser flared up and then vanished.

Dabbath knew his life was in jeopardy. Those five stations needed to be eliminated as quickly as possible or he could face deletion by being fed into one of the ship’s waste disposal units as the unfortunate worker had been only a short time ago.

-

In space, the Vorn fleet moved steadily forward. The one hundred and four battleships moved to the apex of the fleet, splitting into five smaller formations to attack the food world’s shipyards and orbiting stations. The energy screens of the battleships were being pummeled by the relentless detonation of antimatter missiles as the stations attempted to puncture or bring down the shields. The ships seemed to be covered in fire as the raw energy washed across them.

Realizing the battleships were much more powerful than the smaller cruisers, the two shipyards suddenly adjusted all of their weapons fire until it impacted just one Vorn battleship. The ship’s shield glowed brighter and brighter and then began to flicker. In a massive blast that lit up space the shield collapsed and the Vorn battleship blew apart, sending glowing debris flying across space with some of it striking the energy shields of nearby Vorn vessels.

In retaliation the Vorn began launching their black energy spheres followed up by their deadly black antimatter beams. The spheres struck the powerful energy shields of the shipyards and stations and began draining them of power. Several of the antimatter beams breached the weakening shields, ripping open huge gashes in the hulls of the stations. Multiple large explosions occurred, shaking the massive structures and threatening to break them apart.

A second Vorn battleship was incinerated as its shield was punctured, releasing all of its stored power. When the glow from the explosion faded all that remained were wisps of plasma and a few pieces of twisted wreckage.

The Vorn black antimatter spheres continued to drain the shields until two of the stations suddenly found their hulls exposed to weapons fire. The spheres promptly attached themselves to the hulls, stealing more energy. Black antimatter beams swept across the vulnerable hulls blasting out huge rents and causing secondary explosions. Weapons fire from the two stations died down and then ceased altogether. Vorn ten-megaton antimatter missiles then arrived, obliterating both stations.

-

On board Morlar Station, the Dacroni Commander watched the master control console as the station’s energy shield was drained of power. His station had managed to destroy two Vorn cruisers.

“Power to the shield is nearly depleted,” reported the Dacroni at Tactical.

The station shook violently as several Vorn black antimatter beams penetrated deep inside. Across the station the lights flickered and then faded.

“Main power conduits have been compromised,” reported the Dacroni at the damage control console. “Emergency power is coming online.”

The Command Center’s lighting came back on dimly. The few Dacroni on the station knew their end was near. They were mercenaries and being such they always knew death was a real possibility.

-

A few moments later Morlar Station blew apart as two ten-megaton warheads detonated in its heart.

The two shipyards lasted a little bit longer as they had larger energy reserves. However, the Vorn black antimatter spheres were relentless and both shipyards saw their energy shields drained of power, leaving the shipyards unprotected. Explosions shook both, threatening to tear them apart. Then Vorn antimatter missiles slammed into the hulls turning them into miniature novas.

-

Two battleships lost! sent Prince Lakat in growing anger. How could you allow that to happen?

The food worlds are learning, responded Military Leader Dabbath. They are focusing their firepower on just a few of our ships, overloading the energy shields. All five of the orbiting stations have been destroyed so the threat from them has been eliminated.

Prince Lakat felt bile in the back of his throat. Send the entire fleet except the motherships against the defensive grid. I want the defenses of this food world destroyed now!

Dabbath nodded as he began sending telepathic messages to the various segments of the fleet. He greatly feared more ships were going to be lost and when this battle was over he might face the disposal chute for deletion. It had happened to other military commanders in the past.

-

The Vorn fleet surged forward, its weapons blazing and antimatter spheres launching out of the fleet’s tubes by the thousands. The Dacroni defensive grid opened fire along with the two thousand battleships and battlecruisers.

Across the Vorn formation, cruisers began to wink out of existence as their shields were overloaded by the incoming fire, particularly from the forty special defense platforms. In less than twenty seconds eighteen Vorn cruisers died. Then the Vorn weapons began to strike. Black antimatter beams swept across defense platforms, penetrating their shields and causing catastrophic damage. Black energy spheres attached themselves to defense platforms and Dacroni warships, draining the power from their energy shields.

The battle became more intense. In the Vorn formation, a battleship’s screen went down from the firepower of two of the new defense platforms and sixty Dacroni battleships. The ship blew apart in a massive explosion of light.

Around the planet the energy shields of defending ships and platforms began to fade away as their power was drained. The damage to the defensive platforms mounted as their vulnerable hulls were exposed to Vorn weapons fire. Bright flashes of light above Dacroni Four marked the death of the platforms as the Vorn blew them into oblivion.

-

Clan Leader Masak felt the blood drain from his face as the defensive platform nearest the Iron Victory blew apart, slamming debris into the energy shield of his flagship. On various viewscreens, ships of his personal fleet as well as others were dying.

On one screen, antimatter fire from a Vorn battleship struck a Dacroni warship amidships setting off massive explosions and hurling glowing debris into space. A few weak energy beams flashed out from the struggling vessel before it blew apart. On another screen, an antimatter missile slammed into the stern of a Dacroni battleship causing the vessel to vanish in a fiery explosion. The Dacroni fleet was losing warships too rapidly. If something didn’t change quickly, the entire fleet would be destroyed.

The Iron Victory shuddered violently as two antimatter missiles hit her energy shield, severely jarring the ship. The screen seemed to flicker and then the flickering vanished as the screen returned to full power.

-

“We’re not going to last much longer,” shouted Raster from his command console. “We’ve lost 80 percent of the defensive platforms and 48 percent of the fleet.”

“Pull us back to the orbital satellites,” ordered Masak. “That will give us additional energy weapons to use against the Vorn if we can lure them within range.” The energy weapons on the orbiting satellites had a much shorter range than those on the warships or the destroyed defense platforms. They were also not as powerful as they were primarily designed to shoot down incoming missiles.

“The entire fleet’s been ordered to pull back,” reported Fantac. “We’re supposed to try to hold the Vorn at the satellite grid. If we can’t then all ships are to jump to Kubitz.”

“Kubitz,” muttered Raster. “I hate that planet!”

“It’s more heavily defended than Marsten or Dacroni Four,” replied Masak.

He gazed at a viewscreen showing the planet. It was a harsh world but one the mercenaries called home. Every major clan maintained a deep bunker to protect their families from an orbital attack. This had been the case for hundreds of years. Masak knew, even if the Vorn harvested the planet, there was a good chance several million Dacroni would survive, enough to rebuild their world in time. Masak’s own clan had a bunker large enough for hundreds of clan families. It also explained why the clan leaders on the planet wanted to preserve a major part of their fleet if victory was out of reach.

“Take us down to the defensive satellites. Spin up the hyperdrive and prepare to jump on my order. Send the same message to all of our surviving ships.” Masak was determined not to lose his entire fleet.

-

How many more ships did we lose? demanded Prince Lakat. He knew it was a large number as he had witnessed the destruction of several on the mothership’s viewscreens.

Military Leader Dabbath hesitated to answer. He could see the prince’s antennae quiver indicating anger. We lost thirty-two cruisers and six battleships. However, the planet’s main defensive grid has been destroyed and nearly half of the defending fleet. They have pulled back to the defensive satellites which surround the planet. There is nothing that can prevent us from achieving victory. The battle computer predicts a 96 percent probability of success.

Prince Lakat shook his head, barely holding his anger in check. This has been far more costly than predicted. Do not disappoint me again. Destroy what is left of the defensive fleet and the orbiting satellites so we may begin the harvest. I grow famished.

Dabbath nodded moving away from the prince. He had a short reprieve. Perhaps once the actual harvesting of the planet began, the prince would be pleased and Dabbath would not have to fear deletion.

-

The Vorn fleet moved closer to the planet, coming within weapons range of the remaining defending ships as well as the orbital defensive grid of energy beam satellites. Weapons fire erupted on both sides. The Vorn trying to destroy the defenders blocking them from harvesting the planet and the Dacroni trying to destroy every Vorn ship they could.

-

The Iron Victory shook violently as several Vorn black antimatter beams penetrated the ship’s energy shield. The lights in the Command Center flickered and warning alarms began sounding.

“We have major damage to the bow of the ship,” reported Raster. “A Vorn antimatter beam penetrated through nine decks, opening all of them up to space. Another hit amidships and nearly penetrated to the Command Center. We have several power conduits compromised and have lost power to 30 percent of our weapons.”

“Message from the surface,” called out Fantac. “All ships are being ordered to jump out now. We’re to return once the Vorn have left and help with rescue operations.”

Clan Leader Masak stared meaningfully at Raster. “There will be nobody left above ground to rescue. Navigation, jump us to Kubitz. Communications, order the rest of our ships to jump as well; we’re leaving.”

Masak leaned back in his command chair as the Iron Victory accelerated forward and made the transition into hyperspace, leaving Dacroni Four behind. With a feeling of dread Masak wondered what he would find when they returned. He had seen videos of what the Vorn did to planets they harvested.

“How many of our ships made the jump into hyperspace?” Masak knew he had lost part of his fleet. He had witnessed the vessels being destroyed.

“Forty-seven,” Ardell answered from his sensor console.

Masak took a deep breath. Forty-seven out of one hundred and twenty. That was a little over one-third of his fleet.

“The other fleets jumped as well,” said Raster. “Computer estimates indicate a little over six hundred warships escaped.”

It was still a sizable fleet, one that in normal times would be able to protect Dacroni Four. Masak couldn’t help but wonder what was in store for the Dacroni mercenaries. The coming of the Vorn was going to reshape the Gothan Empire if any of it survived.

-

The Vorn fleet quickly eliminated the defensive satellites. The defending fleet fleeing into hyperspace had pretty much left the planet undefended. Black antimatter spheres and antimatter beams made quick work of the orbiting defensive satellites, leaving the planet open to harvest.

The two motherships descended into low orbit, only to climb back up as hundreds of defensive missiles were launched from the surface. Several of the missiles managed to impact the energy shields of the motherships, severely jarring them.

-

Prince Lakat was livid. If enough of those missiles had struck his ship he could have died. You have failed me for the last time, he sent to Military Leader Dabbath. He then turned to two armed guards who were stationed in the Command Center. Take former Military Leader Dabbath to the disposal chute and toss him in. He has failed in his service to this fleet, this mothership, and to the Queens.

The two guards quickly seized Dabbath and led him away.

Prince Lakat then contacted Military Leader Renwarld who was on his cruiser. Renwarld, you are now the military leader of this fleet. Dabbath has been deleted for his incompetence. Destroy those surface bases that launched missiles at us and then scan the planet for any additional threats. I grow impatient to complete this harvest.

I will do as you command, Renwarld replied.

Moments later the remaining Vorn battleships entered a lower orbit, enticing the enemy to fire on them. Hundreds of new missiles roared upward from the surface only to be shot down by the defensive energy turrets on the hulls of the powerful battleships. Black antimatter beams flashed down toward the launching points and soon all firing of missiles came to a stop.

You may commence the harvest, Renwarld sent to Prince Lakat. I have ordered each mothership to be protected by four battleships. If any more missiles are fired from the surface, they will intercept and destroy them.

Very well, Lakat replied. Once we have finished the harvest you will transfer over to my mothership to assume your new responsibilities.

I am here to serve you and our Queens, answered Renwarld.

-

The two motherships went into low orbit flanked by their protective battleships. From each fourteen harvesting beams flicked forth toward the surface of the planet. Wherever they touched any organic organism it was transformed into a black ashy substance, which was transported back to the motherships by the embedded tractor beams.

-

Prince Lakat entered one of the converter chambers and walked over to press a button upon a small control panel. Instantly a receptacle slid open and a gray pellet in the form of a small cube was ejected onto a tray. The prince took the pellet and popped it into his mouth, crunching the pellet with his mandibles and feeling the invigorating strength which instantly flowed through him. This pellet was made from the organic material of one of the civilized inhabitants of the planet they were currently culling. The prince was pleased with the unique taste of this pellet. It was one of the better tasting pellets he had ever experienced. The Queens back home would be thrilled at this new and unique taste.

I want five hundred of these food pellets delivered to my quarters for my personal collection, he ordered the scientist in charge of this particular converter. Lakat turned to leave the converter room still munching with his mandibles. The taste of these food pellets almost made the loss of the battleships and cruisers while conquering this system worthwhile.

-

It took four hours for the motherships to finish harvesting the planet. Once Prince Lakat was satisfied they had harvested everything organic, he ordered the battleships to wipe out all signs of civilization on the planet.

From the battleships hundreds of white balls of energy began falling toward the planet. When they reached the surface they burst like a bubble, spreading destruction in all directions. Buildings were knocked down, infrastructure annihilated, and massive fires erupted. Smoke, ash, and other pollutants rose high into the atmosphere, blotting out the sun.

-

It is done, sent Military Leader Renwarld as he entered the Command Center to join Prince Lakat. We are ready to go to the next world to harvest.

Prince Lakat nodded. I will allow you to choose the world, one that is only lightly defended. Many of our ships need repairs and we need to keep combat on the light side. Most of the damage could be repaired without the need of a shipyard. It would just take some time.

I know of a number of such worlds from our earlier survey, replied Renwarld. There are several nearby.

Then let us continue the harvest, ordered Prince Lakat. I am curious to see what other food worlds in this star cluster taste like. If they are similar to this one my personal collection will see many new additions.

-

A few minutes later the Vorn fleet entered hyperspace on its way to the next target. The harvesting of the Gothan Empire was well underway.

Chapter Ten

Kurt and Keera were at Keera’s favorite Italian restaurant with his sister, Denise, her husband Alex and their son ten-year-old Bryan.

“We’ve just finished a full week of orientation at Bryan’s school on the new technology they’re going to be using,” said Denise with a deep sigh of frustration. “I just don’t see any way I’m going to be able to help Bryan with his homework.”

“It’s unbelievable what they’re going to be teaching,” Alex added, smiling at his wife in understanding. “I guess I’m lucky to have a lot of computer experience in my background. But even then I’m going to need some help.”

“The people at the school explained there would be teacher’s aides available every night from 6:00 to 8:00 to answer questions,” Denise said. “I have a suspicion I’m going to be up there quite often.” Denise looked over at Bryan who seemed totally unconcerned about his school and what he would be learning.

Bryan was busy working on his spaghetti and meatballs. He was currently cutting his meatballs up and stacking them uniformly on one side of his plate. He had made a dividing line between the spaghetti and the meatballs so they were not touching.

Keera was eating Pasta Primavera which was mostly a vegetarian dish. “I love how fresh this tastes,” she said, grinning. “Denise, I went to a few schools on several Enlightened Worlds. What Bryan and the other children are going through is very similar to what’s taught there. It may be hard at first but once he gets the hang of it he will find learning a lot more fun and interesting than ever before. It will also be a lot easier.”

“I hope so,” Denise said as she watched Bryan toying with his spaghetti, trying to roll it up around his fork using a spoon. He finally gave up and just stuffed it into his mouth and slurped up the noodles. “Bryan!” she said threateningly, her eyes boring into her son’s.

Bryan chomped his spaghetti using his fork to spear part of a meatball which he crammed in on top of the spaghetti already in his mouth.

Kurt burst out laughing. “Let him enjoy it. Spaghetti’s hard enough to eat as it is without making a mess.” Keera always gave Kurt those same looks when he ate spaghetti.

“At home yes, but not here in public,” said Denise, feeling mortified at the way Bryan was acting. She reached for a napkin and wiped the spaghetti sauce off Bryan’s chin. He glared at her but said nothing.

“How long do you think it will be before the Vorn resume their harvesting?” asked Alex, looking over at Kurt. “It would be nice not to have to worry about that for a while.”

Kurt smiled. “After their recent reversals, I would say we could have a year or two before they become a threat again. In that time we’re going to make the defenses above Earth and Newton so powerful the Vorn will never be able to get through them.” Kurt was determined to do this. With the Glaymon technology he now had available, the new defensive platforms would be able to blow the Vorn back to where they came from.

“I’m just glad we have the Glaymons on our side,” said Keera. “When I was a child my mother used to tell me stories about the ancient race and how wise and benevolent they were and how their science was the greatest in the galaxy. She kept telling me someday they would return to unify the galaxy and bring about an age of peace and plenty for all. I wish she could have lived long enough to see the Glaymons return.”

Kurt shrugged his shoulders. “All that may be true in part but they have their own problems. They’re not quite as benevolent as everyone may have hoped. We’re just fortunate to have Glaymon ships here in our system to help us if needed.”

“When will Mara be returning?” asked Denise. “I’m curious to hear how the tea and popcorn samples she took back to Lakiam were received.”

Kurt felt uncomfortable talking to Denise about Mara, particularly after what had happened between the two of them that one night on the Star Cross. The only ones who knew were Keera and Aleea. Kurt had told Keera not to mention to anyone what happened and Aleea was staying quiet about it as well.

“Shortly,” Keera said grinning. “I think the tea samples we sent will be in high demand. Maybe even the popcorn. Mara’s supposed to be bringing back an even larger cargo ship when she returns.”

“Tea,” said Alex, shaking his head in amazement. “I never would have expected it to be so popular on other worlds.”

“It’s a common drink,” explained Keera. “However, for some reason, Earth has many varieties which aren’t grown anywhere else. Mara and I both think it could be a huge market and could bring in hundreds of millions worth of credits to Earth and Newton every year if not more.”

“I’d rather have pop,” said Bryan as he tried cutting up his spaghetti. Using the fork and spoon together wasn’t working.

“Pop’s not good for you,” admonished Denise. “It’s got too much sugar in it. That’s why you can only have it on special occasions like tonight.”

Bryan didn’t reply as he took a small sip of the pop his mom had allowed him to have with his supper.

“How’s work at the medical center going?” asked Denise, looking over at Keera.

“Great,” Keera answered with a huge smile. “We’ve finished installing some Glaymon medical equipment that is far in advance of anything we had on Kubitz. It’s going to make diagnosing patients and coming up with treatments much easier. There are a number of common diseases we’re going to be able to eradicate completely, including the common cold.”

“That would be great,” said Denise, glancing over at Bryan. “Colds are a mess every school year. It seems if one child comes down with it they all do.”

Kurt took a bite of his Lasagna, enjoying the taste of the different blends of cheese. This particular Lasagna had five different kinds of cheese in the mixture. He was about to take a bite of his garlic bread when his cell phone began vibrating in his pocket. Frowning, Kurt took the cell phone out, wondering who could be calling him. This particular phone was for official business only and capable of receiving messages from ships in orbit around Newton as well as Newton Station.

Glancing down he saw the caller was Colonel Simms. “Hello, this is Fleet Admiral Vickers.” Everyone at the table including Bryan became quiet when they heard Kurt use his military title. An aggravated look crossed Keera’s face as she looked pointedly at Kurt.

Kurt listened for a moment, his face turning pale. “Place the fleet at Condition Two and summon all the crews back to their ships. I want all battleships and battlecruisers ready to leave orbit in four hours with whatever crews they have. Contact the two Glaymon battleships and explain the situation. I want half of the Glaymon ships in the system going with me. Contact Rear Admirals White and Wilson and tell them what’s happened. I’ll be up on the Star Cross within two hours.” Kurt placed his phone back in his pocket.

“What is it?” asked Keera, seeing the look of deep concern on Kurt’s face.

“It’s the Vorn. Evidently two of their harvesting fleets was not in the systems we attacked. We just received a message from Ambassador Brent on Kubitz. The Vorn have attacked the Gothan Empire and both Marsten and Dacroni Four have been harvested. There are two Vorn fleets involved, and they are currently harvesting additional worlds in the empire. Estimates indicate we’re looking at around two thousand Vorn ships, including some of their battleships.”

Keera’s face turned white. “Both Marsten and Dacroni Four are gone! Those are two of the most heavily defended systems in the empire other than Kubitz.”

“What are you going to do?” asked Denise, her appetite forgotten.

“Kill the Vorn!” shouted Bryan, his face lighting up with excitement. “They’re just giant bugs.”

“Bryan, be quiet,” admonished Denise, seeing people were looking at them.

Kurt let out a deep sigh. “I don’t see we have any choice. If we don’t step in the Vorn might harvest every world in the cluster except Kubitz. Ambassador Brent is reporting hundreds of cargo ships, passenger ships, and even some warships are jumping to Kubitz for protection. We have two battlecruisers there which can take on a Vorn ship and, added to the defenses in the Kubitz system, they might just be able to stop the Vorn from reaching the planet.”

Keera shook her head. “While I strongly disagree with what goes on in the Gothan Empire there are a lot of innocent people on those worlds, even on Kubitz. We can’t let them die.”

“Are you going to kill the bugs?” asked Bryan in a much quieter voice.

Kurt stood up looking at his family. “I’m going to try.”

-

Nearly two hours later Kurt stepped into the Command Center of the Star Cross. He was surprised to see Andrew already there as well as Lieutenant Mays. Sometimes he wondered if the lieutenant ever left the ship.

“The Vorn,” complained Andrew as he checked his command console. “I was just talking to Emily about going on a nice long vacation when my phone starts ringing.” He turned to face Kurt. “I thought we were through with the Vorn for a while. Where did these come from?”

“I would guess their motherships still had room for additional harvests.”

Andrew’s eyes narrowed sharply. “How did they find the Gothan Empire? Could this be part of the same fleet that attacked Earth and Mars?”

Kurt felt a knot swell in his stomach at hearing those words. “It’s possible,” he admitted.

“I project a 93 percent probability this is the same fleet,” said Aleea, who had been listening from her holographic pedestal. “From the direction they came when they attacked the solar system and the course they took when they left they would have passed very close to the Gothan Empire. They most likely detected the empire on their way to Earth or after they left.”

Andrew’s eyes took on a look of steel. “I understand they already harvested Marsten and Dacroni Four. I’m finding it hard to have any sympathy for either of those words. Perhaps High Profiteer Creed was there as well. It would serve him right to become food for the Vorn.”

Kurt understood how Andrew felt. Emily and Alexis had both been kidnapped by High Profiteer Creed, a Marsten Profiteer. The Dacroni mercenary had been involved in attacks on Earth as well as on Kubitz. Once Andrew was nearly killed when the Humvee he was riding in was attacked.

More of the command crew filed into the Command Center, taking their seats in front of their consoles.

“Admiral, I have Fleet Captain Lilith on the comm,” reported Lieutenant Pierce, her eyes opening wide. Everyone in the command crew knew about the Glaymons, where their new home was, as well as who was in the Glaymon command structure.

“Put her on my console,” ordered Kurt as he activated his comm unit.

“Fleet Admiral,” began Lilith. “We have intercepted communications indicating several Vorn harvesting fleets are in the Gothan Empire. I offer the service of any of my fleet you may need to deal with this threat.”

“Thank you,” Kurt replied. “We are looking at approximately two thousand Vorn ships. If you can provide a few hundred of your battleships and, say, six hundred disk battlecruisers I think we can easily deal with this menace.”

“I’ll have the ships ready,” Lilith replied. “Do you want to rendezvous with us here or at the Gothan star cluster?”

“Outside the cluster,” Kurt replied. “We’ll send you the coordinates.”

“We’ll be there,” promised Lilith.

Andrew looked over at Kurt and smiled. “You know, I think I’m going to like having her around.”

-

In the new system of the Glaymons, Fleet Captain Lilith looked over at Councilor Marshton. “It looks as if I am off to fight the Vorn once more.”

Marshton nodded. “It’s why we came out here. If the intercepts from our long-range communication systems are correct, these are the last Vorn harvesting fleets still at work in the galaxy. Eliminate them and we will have a respite, perhaps a long enough one for Valen to sway the Glaymon Council into joining the war and ending this menace once and for all.”

“We can hope,” Lilith replied. “I need to get to my ship and prepare the fleet. With a little luck this might be our last combat sortie for quite some time.”

-

A little while later Fleet Captain Lilith was on board her battleship briefing Marcus and Arleen on what was occurring in the Gothan Empire.

“The Gothan Empire is the most despicable star cluster in the civilized galaxy,” Marcus said, frowning. “They have preyed on the Enlightened Worlds and less civilized cultures for thousands of years.”

“It does not matter as the Vorn are there,” Arleen, the ship’s AI responded. “Anything we can do to deprive the Vorn of food is worth the effort, even if it means saving the Gothan Empire.”

“When do we leave?” asked Marcus.

“Shortly. We need to get our ships ready and then we’ll meet Fleet Admiral Vickers just outside the star cluster. I imagine as soon as we determine where the Vorn are harvesting we will jump in and destroy them.”

“The ships Fleet Admiral Vickers is requesting should have no trouble in handling these two Vorn harvesting fleets,” Arleen added as she ran some quick simulations. “I would suggest we make our priority target the Vorn motherships and battleships but ignore the cruisers initially. Once the motherships and the battleships have been destroyed we can then concentrate on the cruisers. There is a high probability they will flee once the larger ships have been destroyed.”

“I agree with targeting the larger ships first,” said Marcus, nodding his head. “The cruisers will not be a threat if the motherships and the battleships have been eliminated.”

Lilith took her seat. “Let’s get the fleet organized. It’s time to go kill some more Vorn.” Lilith took a deep breath. It was good to finally be able to do what the Aggressives had always wanted. Destroy the Vorn!

-

On Kubitz, Grantz was in a near panic. The embassy was on lockdown and no one could leave. The Marines were on full alert and everyone was walking around heavily armed. The deep underground levels were being prepared in case it was necessary to evacuate the embassy buildings. Grantz was in his room with a small open safe. The safe was built into the wall and full of the gold coins and small gold bars he had been paid by the Humans. It was enough wealth to allow him to live comfortably for the rest of his life.

Slamming the safe shut he made sure it was secure and left his quarters. He quickly went to the small communications room where he was stopped by Corporal Binger. “You can’t enter,” the corporal said. “We’re trying to monitor what the Vorn are up to.”

“Plhtup!” uttered Grantz, his eyes showing apprehension. “Are the Destroyers of Worlds coming here?”

Binger took a deep breath. “Not yet. They’re still harvesting other worlds in the empire. Our two battlecruisers are in orbit. I’m sure if the Vorn come here we can stop them.”

“Where’s Vickers? Is he on his way?”

“He knows what’s going on. I would suggest you go to your quarters and remain there until this is over. They’re still serving meals in the cafeteria if you’re hungry.”

Grantz whirled around and marched back the way he had come. Going back inside his quarters he pulled out a small private communicator he kept hidden. “Dolman, this is Grantz. What’s going on? I’ve heard rumors both Marsten and Dacroni Four have been destroyed by the Vorn. Is it true?”

If it was the loss of those two worlds would drastically change the Gothan Empire. In all likelihood it would result in the capital being moved to Kubitz, giving the Controllers even more power over the other worlds in the empire. Grantz could already see the fees for doing business on the black market planet skyrocketing.

There was silence and then Avery’s voice came over the communicator. “It’s been confirmed: both worlds have been harvested by the Vorn. The good news is a major portion of the fleets from both planets are now at Kubitz.”

“What about Vickers, is he on his way?” Grantz would feel safer if Vickers was here. He knew the Human admiral had already fought the Vorn several times and lived to tell about it.

“He’s on his way,” Avery confirmed. “We intercepted some communications between the two Human battlecruisers and Newton. He’s bringing a fleet.”

Grantz felt relieved. His other big concern was Marsten. What if High Profiteer Creed had been killed? Grantz was depending on that ten million-credit reward to help purchase part ownership in his own pleasure house. He wondered if there was any way he could find out if the Marsten Profiteer had died. “Dolman, can you find out if Creed survived?”

“I already know,” answered Avery. “He was nowhere near Marsten when the Vorn attacked. His fleet left nearly a week ago on some raiding mission and he hasn’t returned. Dacroni clan leader Jarls is with him as well.”

Grantz breathed out a sigh of relief upon hearing Creed was still alive. If anyone was going to kill the renegade Profiteer, it was going to be Grantz.

-

Several hours later the Star Cross, along with her accompanying fleet, dropped out of hyperspace at the rendezvous point four light years from the star cluster containing the Gothan Empire. Kurt had brought sixteen battleships and forty battlecruisers. Since Fleet Captain Lilith was bringing Glaymon ships he had left the ones in the Newton System there to protect the planet. It was a relief knowing there were two Glaymon battleships in orbit over Newton in case something went wrong.

“Glaymon ships are here,” reported Lieutenant Brooks. “I’m detecting three hundred battleships and seven hundred and twenty of the small disk battlecruisers.”

“Wow!” said Andrew impressed. “She really wants to kill the Vorn.”

Kurt nodded. “The Aggressives have wanted to leave the Dyson Sphere for millions of years to eliminate the Destroyers of Worlds.”

“It has been a contentious time on the Dyson Sphere,” said Aleea. “With the appearance of the Star Cross and the ships in your small exploration fleet, it changed everything. The Aggressives finally were willing to commit themselves even if it meant alienating the Advanced Glaymons.”

“And now we have Glaymon warships out in the galaxy,” said Andrew.

“Lieutenant Pierce, do we know where the Vorn are at?” asked Kurt.

Brenda nodded. “They’re currently attacking two worlds. One is the Tellurite System and the other the Gomarsh System. All communications ceased from both worlds over an hour ago.”

Kurt nodded, feeling numb. His ships had encountered the Tellurites in the past. The fact that both worlds had been silent for over an hour indicated the Vorn harvest was already in progress.

“We’ll go to the Tellurite System first and eliminate the Vorn fleet there. Once we’ve done that we’ll head for the Gomarsh System. Lieutenant Pierce, send that information to Fleet Captain Lilith. We jump in ten minutes.”

“You don’t want to split the fleet?” asked Andrew.

“No,” Kurt replied. “It’s already too late for both systems. With a little luck we can destroy both Vorn fleets before they move on to their next targets.”

Kurt leaned back in his Command Chair as Lieutenant Styles sent the jump coordinates for the Tellurite System to all the ships in the two fleets.

“Captain Randson, take the Fleet to Condition One and prepare to enter hyperspace. Lieutenant Mays, are your Zero-Point Energy rounds ready to fire?”

“Locked and loaded,” she said, grinning. “All of our battleships will target the Vorn motherships first and then their battleships.”

“What about the Glaymons?” asked Captain Randson.

“The Glaymon battleships will be targeting the Vorn battleships while the disk battlecruisers will be focusing on the Vorn cruisers,” replied Lieutenant Mays. “This should make for an interesting battle.”

-

A few minutes later Andrew turned toward Kurt. “Both fleets are ready to jump. We’ll exit hyperspace thirty thousand kilometers from the Tellurites’ home planet. We’ll stay under stealth the entire time to ensure the Vorn don’t detect our ships until we exit hyperspace.”

“We should take them completely by surprise,” Aleea added. “If we’re lucky we might be able to take out the Vorn motherships before they realize we’re even there.”

“Get me within range and I’ll blow them to hell!” proclaimed Lieutenant Mays.

Kurt nodded. “Don’t miss! Captain Randson, take the fleet into hyperspace.” It was time once more to teach the Vorn that further harvesting in this galaxy was going to be extremely costly.

-

Moments later both fleets vanished as they headed toward the Tellurite System. It would be a short trip and they should come out of hyperspace in combat range of the Vorn.

-

Prince Lakat was quite pleased with the current harvest. This food world only had a few small fleets to overcome and the defensive grid protecting the planet was minimal. Not a single Vorn ship had been damaged or destroyed.

The harvest is nearly complete, Military Leader Renwarld reported. I have already chosen a second food world similar to this one to harvest next if you approve.

I approve, Lakat answered. He would let Prince Lashall deal with the more heavily protected food worlds. With the information Military Leader Renwarld had of this star cluster they could cherry pick the worlds they would harvest. I am going to a converter chamber to sample one of this world’s food pellets.

Lakat turned to leave, his mandibles clicking in anticipation when warning alarms suddenly began sounding.

Unknown ships are dropping out of hyperspace within combat range, warned the Vorn at the sensor console.

The battle computer has identified them, Military Leader Renwarld sent. We are detecting ships of the ancient race as well as vessels similar to the ones we fought at the food world where we harvested 4 million inhabitants recently.

Ships of the Ancients, replied Prince Lakat, becoming fearful. He had not expected to encounter them here.

There is a new class of Ancient vessel we have not encountered before, added Renwarld. The battle computer is classifying it as a battleship.

Prince Lakat shifted his multifaceted eyes to the tactical display, seeing an intimidating number of red threat icons. He knew these ships could destroy his fleet. On one of the main viewscreens, the disk ships of the Ancients were visibly moving closer.

Enemy fleet is opening fire, warned the Vorn at the sensor console.

Prince Lakat’s mothership shook violently, nearly throwing the prince to the floor. Are we damaged? Prince Lakat looked toward the damage control console.

No, replied Renwarld. That was wreckage striking our energy screen.

Wreckage?

Yes, the Dawn Enforcer has been destroyed.

Prince Lakat felt shocked. The Dawn Enforcer was the other mothership with the fleet. Before the prince could reply or give the order to flee into hyperspace, the ship began shaking violently and a white light filled the Command Center.

-

“Both motherships have been destroyed,” confirmed Lieutenant Brooks.

“I don’t miss,” said Lieutenant Mays haughtily as she targeted a nearby Vorn battleship. Moments later on a viewscreen, a massive flash of light signaled its annihilation from a Zero-Point Energy round.

“All ships are engaging,” reported Captain Randson. “The Vorn appear confused from the destruction of their two motherships. Their return fire is sporadic.”

“Then let’s destroy them,” ordered Kurt. “I don’t want a single Vorn ship escaping.”

-

In space, the combined Human and Glaymon fleet unleashed a fierce barrage of weapons fire upon the stunned Vorns. Zero-Point Energy rounds, five-hundred-megaton dark matter missiles, particle beams, force beams, energy beams, and direct energy projectors opened up on the Vorn fleet. The fleet was already reeling from the loss of Prince Lakat and the two motherships. There was confusion between the military leaders on the battleships over who should assume command of the fleet.

Bright explosions littered space as Vorn energy shields were overwhelmed. The volume of incoming fire was so great many Vorn ships simply ceased to exist as their shields collapsed, releasing their stored energy and vaporizing the ships they were supposed to protect. Most of the Vorn small spindle-shaped cruisers were annihilated in the first thirty seconds of combat with only the larger Vorn battleships able to withstand the terrible onslaught of raw energy raining down upon their fleet. However, even the Vorn 1,200-meter battleships could handle only so much destructive energy and soon even their shields began to fail.

While the Vorn battleships’ battle armor could sometimes withstand the loss of their energy shield and the release of the shield’s stored power, they were helpless against the weapons being used against them.

Particle beam fire from several Human battleships ripped open the hull of a Vorn battleship, exposing its vulnerable heart. A well placed dark matter missile turned the ship into a miniature nova. Human battlecruisers systematically overloaded Vorn energy screens and then used their beam weapons to savage the vessels, tearing them apart.

A pair of dark matter missiles slammed into the center of an ailing Vorn battleship, annihilating it. The Vorn fleet was rapidly dying when one military leader managed to reestablish command and ordered the surviving ships to flee.

-

“Vorn fleet is entering hyperspace,” reported Lieutenant Brooks.

“How many?” asked Kurt disappointed they weren’t going to be able to destroy all the Vorn ships.

“Twelve battleships and eighteen cruisers.”

Andrew grinned broadly. “That’s cutting them down to size.”

“Our own losses?” Kurt wasn’t aware of any ships being destroyed.

“None,” replied Andrew. “We have a few ships reporting minor damage only.”

“By destroying the motherships first we destroyed their command structure,” explained Aleea. “By the time the other military leaders in the battleships were able to come to a consensus on command the battle was over.”

Kurt nodded. He quickly contacted Fleet Captain Lilith and congratulated her on a well-fought battle. The Glaymon ships had fought as well as the Human ones.

“Where’s the other Vorn fleet?” Kurt intended on doing the same to it. If this type of attack had worked once it should work again.

“Kubitz,” Lieutenant Pierce answered. “I’m picking up panicked communications from passenger and cargo ships jumping away from the system. They report a Vorn fleet is attacking the Controller Station.”

Kurt took a deep, steadying breath. “Lieutenant Styles, set a course for the Kubitz System. Bring us out of hyperspace twenty thousand kilometers from the station.”

“The Controller Station?” Andrew said with a deep frown. “There are races from all over the galaxy there.”

“I’m surprised the Vorn attacked the Kubitz System so quickly. There are easier targets they could have chosen.”

Lieutenant Styles looked back at the admiral. “Fleet is ready to enter hyperspace.”

“Take us to Kubitz; we will stay at Condition One.”

-

Moments later the combined fleet vanished into hyperspace, leaving a devastated world behind. The Vorn had managed to harvest 88 percent of the planet but part of the planet’s population and all of its infrastructure remained. The Tellurites could rebuild though it would be decades before they dared venture away from their planet to raid others.

-

Grantz was in the deep shelter beneath the Human embassy compound with most of the civilians and a few Marines. Word had been received that the Vorn had entered the system. There were a lot of worried people as they talked about what might happen.

“Where is Vickers?” demanded Grantz worried about his gold in the safe above.

“He’s coming,” replied Corporal Binger, growing impatient with Grantz. He was in command of a small squad of Marines helping the civilians in the deep underground shelter.

It was all Grantz could do not to go charging back up to the upper levels of the embassy and get his gold. His entire future was upstairs in his quarters.

He took out his private comm unit but it wasn’t working. Grantz glared at the thick walls, knowing he was cut off from finding out what was going on in the system. He wanted to speak to Dolman. Avery would know the current status.

“Be patient,” suggested Corporal Binger. “There’s nothing you can do anyway.”

With a snarl, Grantz turned and went further into the shelter brushing by several startled civilians. He found a seat and sat down, trying not to think about everything that he had worked for could shortly be gone.

-

Prince Lashall gazed at the main viewscreen showing the large space station sitting between the sixth and seventh planets of the system. The station was forty kilometers in length and ten in width. On its surface were a number of what looked like small habitable domes one to two kilometers in diameter.

This is the system the fleeing ships are coming to, sent Military Leader Volmont. The fourth planet appears to be heavily populated.

What about this station? Why is it so far out?

Unknown, Volmont answered. When we arrived, there were over five hundred ships in orbit around it. Most of those jumped into hyperspace. The station is heavily armed and we have detected a large number of small warships which have taken up positions between it and our fleet. The ships are 200 meters in length.

Prince Lashall gazed fixedly at the station on the viewscreen. This would be the third world for his fleet to harvest. He was convinced this system must be special because the ships in the other two systems had fled here. It made him want to harvest the planet to see if its food pellets would be as unique as the ones from the first planet they had harvested in this cluster. He was already feeling the eagerness to taste the pellets from this food species.

Do we need Prince Lakat’s fleet?

Volmont shook his triangular shaped head, his antenna waving slightly. No. While we may lose some cruisers in this system, I do not believe there is anything here capable of harming our battleships or the three motherships.

Very well, begin the attack.

-

In space, the Vorn fleet surged forward toward the massive space station and the squadrons of Kubitz patrol ships which waited. There were twenty-two squadrons of twenty ships each, all heavily armed. As soon as the Vorn began moving the twenty-two squadrons accelerated forward, spreading apart. The crews in each ship knew it would take the full firepower of an entire squadron to have any hope of bringing the shields of the Vorn warships down.

The small ships accelerated forward at a reckless speed and then turned sharply just as they came within weapons range, going around the Vorn ships. They flew down the flanks of the Vorn fleet formation raking it with weapons fire. Their wild speed was making it difficult for the Vorn ships to get a weapons lock. Black antimatter beams flicked out, missing their targets. Small antimatter missiles hit several of the small patrol ships causing minimal damage. The twenty-two squadrons flew past the Vorn formation managing to destroy two Vorn cruisers and suffering few losses.

-

Those small craft are moving too quickly, sent Military Leader Volmont with a hint of frustration. Our ships are finding it difficult to get a solid weapons lock.

Prince Lashall watched the tactical display, seeing the small vessels changing course. They are coming back around.

We will be ready for them. Volmont sent new orders to the Vorn ships telepathically. Their speed would not protect them this time.

-

As the small ships began flying past the Vorn formation black antimatter spheres began launching by the thousands out of the tubes of the Vorn cruisers and battleships. There were so many the small patrol ships couldn’t maneuver through them even at the high speeds they were traveling. Sphere after sphere latched onto energy shields and began rapidly to drain them of power. Once the shields failed the spheres reached the ship hulls and the patrol ships began to lose power and drift helplessly in space.

From the Vorn ships small antimatter missiles were launched and soon space was full of the detonations of ten-megaton antimatter explosions. Every explosion marked the death of a Kubitz patrol ship. In just a few minutes all four hundred and forty ships were gone. Only a few drifting clouds of glowing gas indicated where they had been.

-

On the massive Controller Station, the commanding officers activated the station’s weapons. The station was very heavily armed with ion cannons, energy projectors, and hundreds of hyperspace missile tubes. They had hoped the patrol ships would have been more effective. Extra power was shunted to the station’s powerful energy shield in preparation for combat. A call was sent to Kubitz requesting part of its fleet be sent to aid the station.

-

At Kubitz, a decision was made. The Controllers and the leaders of the Kubitz government were in session trying to save the situation. The Controller Station was worth over a trillion credits and could not be lost. It would nearly bankrupt Kubitz to refinance its reconstruction. So a part of the Kubitz fleet was ordered to go to the aid of the station. They still had the Profiteer warships from Marsten and Dacroni Four to help protect the planet if necessary. The commanders of those ships had been informed if they failed to fight all the credits currently in their accounts would be forfeited. There were also the two Human battlecruisers in orbit as well as the powerful defense grid. The Kubitz defense grid had one hundred and ten of the new defensive platforms, which were supposed to be able to destroy a Vorn ship. It was the strongest defense grid in the Gothan Empire. There were powerful defensive batteries based on the ground as well.

-

In space, just outside of engagement range of the Vorn, two hundred and ten Kubitz battleships and four hundred and seven battlecruisers flashed into existence as they exited hyperspace. They had jumped from the orbit of Kubitz to the Controller Station. The fleet quickly formed up just in front of the station and waited.

-.

They are committing more of their fleet, reported Military Leader Volmont as he studied the arrival of the new ships. It seems they value this station highly.

All the more reason to destroy it, sent Prince Lashall.

We are nearing engagement range of both the new ships as well as the station.

Destroy them, ordered the prince. I wish to sample a food pellet from this food species. I suspect it will be highly pleasing.

As you command, replied Volmont.

-

On Kubitz, Grantz was becoming more concerned. He had just overheard several of the Marines talking about how all the patrol ships at the Controller Station had been destroyed and the Vorn were about to attack the station. Supposedly part of the fleet that was supposed to protect Kubitz had been sent to help the station.

“The fools,” muttered Grantz, seeing all of his dreams about to go up in flames. “The fleet should have stayed here. Perhaps by the time the Vorn destroy the station Fleet Admiral Vickers will have arrived.” No one responded and Grantz leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes. He didn’t know what else could possibly go wrong today.

-

In space around the Controller Station the battle was intensifying. The Kubitz warships were firing every weapon they had at the advancing Vorn fleet. Their weapons fire was augmented by the heavier weapons on the station. In the Vorn formation, a number of cruisers died under the intense fire. One hundred-megaton antimatter explosions covered the front of the Vorn fleet forming a wall of fire. In less than a minute over two thousand warheads exploded against Vorn energy shields. When a shield failed, releasing its stored energy, the ship beneath it was in most cases annihilated.

The Vorn were firing back. Black antimatter beams were blasting huge chasms in the sides of Kubitz warships, sending debris flying through space. Black antimatter spheres were latching onto ship screens, draining away their energy. Very slowly the Kubitz warships were being forced back toward the station.

The commanders on the station were becoming desperate. They began overpowering their energy projectors in an attempt to knock down the Vorn shields. In bright flashes the beams shot out, penetrating Vorn screens. In the space of two minutes eight Vorn battleships died at the expense of every projector that fired as they melted from the excessive energy.

In sudden fear the commanders saw a number of Vorn black energy spheres latch onto the station’s energy screen. But this screen was powered by a number of antimatter chambers, and it was going to take time for the screen to be made powerless.

The station suddenly shuddered violently as a number of Vorn black antimatter beams penetrated the screen, ripping open several sections of the station. On its surface, one of the habitation domes blew apart as it was struck by a pair of beams. In the Command Center of the station, numerous red lights were appearing on the damage control board indicating growing damage.

The sound of tearing and stressed metal could be heard throughout the station as damage control teams and repair robots raced to make repairs. There were thousands of beings from other worlds trapped on board. Their ships had fled when the Vorn dropped out of hyperspace.

The entire station suddenly seemed to keel over as a Vorn antimatter missile penetrated and exploded against one end of the station. The massive structure was torn apart and secondary explosions blew entire sections away. A second antimatter missile penetrated, striking the same area. A full third of the station had suddenly become uninhabitable and a torn and twisted wreck.

-

Prince Lashall remained silent even when the fleet started losing battleships. The enemy fleet was nearly powerless and the large space station was starting to take major damage. Once the fleet and station were destroyed, the Vorn fleet would advance on the planet. This fleet had to be the planet’s main defense and once it was eliminated, the planet would be open to attack and being harvested.

Suddenly alarms began sounding on the sensor console as more red threat icons suddenly began appearing behind the Vorn fleet. On one of the viewscreens a monstrous disk ship appeared. It was easily 2,000 meters across. With a sinking feeling he recognized its construction as being a ship of the Ancients. Why had they come here and why now?

They are already in combat range, sent Military Leader Volmont as he tried to adjust the Vorn fleet formation to defend against this new threat.

Prince Lashall was about to respond when a Zero-Point Energy round detonated against the mothership’s energy screen, sending it into oblivion.

-

“All three motherships have been destroyed,” reported Lieutenant Brooks. On the ship’s main viewscreen, three glowing nova-like explosions were visible in the heart of the Vorn formation. Other explosions were now appearing as the full fleet poured their weapons fire into the stunned Vorn ships.

“Add another one to my list,” gloated Lieutenant Mays as she targeted a Vorn battleship with a Zero-Point Energy round. She pressed an icon on her computer screen, and almost instantly the Vorn battleship vanished as it was annihilated by the deadly round.

“Order all Kubitz warships to pull back to the station and stay there,” ordered Kurt. “This is going to get violent.”

Evidently this Vorn fleet was better organized than the last as the battleships and cruisers turned rapidly to face the Human and Glaymon fleet. Black antimatter beams flashed from the Vorn ships and black antimatter spheres were being launched in massive numbers.

Kurt only smiled as he knew these weapons would be ineffective against his ships. The Vorn were going to learn a harsh lesson in space warfare when it came to Glaymon battleships and energy screens. The Vorn in this battle just didn’t have the numbers to be a serious threat.

-

On board her command ship, Fleet Captain Lilith was calmly directing the weapons fire of her fleet. Arleen, the ship’s AI, was communicating Lilith’s orders to the other AIs in other ships. There was at least one on every vessel. The Glaymon battleships were focusing their firepower on the Vorn battleships while the smaller Glaymon disk battlecruisers were annihilating the Vorn cruisers.

“Fleet has suffered only minor damage,” Marcus reported as he monitored communications. “Fleet Admiral Vickers has destroyed all three motherships and is shifting his fire to the Vorn battleships.”

Lilith nodded as she watched the large viewscreens in the Command Center. The Vorn fleet formation was almost impossible to see because of all the weapons fire. Dark matter missiles were slamming into Vorn shields bringing them down, often resulting in the destruction of the Vorn vessel. Glaymon energy beams were penetrating through shields causing critical damage to numerous Vorn ships. Sometimes the Vorn energy shields would collapse due to the penetration of a Glaymon energy beam either destroying or heavily damaging the ship they were supposed to protect.

“Detecting increased power readings from the Vorn,” reported Arleen. She turned to face Fleet Captain Lilith. “I believe they’re preparing to enter hyperspace.”

“Continue to hit them with our weapons,” ordered Lilith, leaning forward. “I want as much of that fleet destroyed as possible.”

-

In space, Vorn battleships and cruisers continued to die. The military leader who had taken command knew his fleet was hopelessly outmatched and gave the order to flee. He had just received reports Prince Lakat’s fleet had also been destroyed and its survivors were on their way to one of the systems where the Vorn fleets were gathered waiting for a Collector Ship.

-

“Vorn fleet is entering hyperspace,” reported Lieutenant Brooks.

Kurt felt the Star Cross shake slightly from the impact of a black antimatter beam and then all fell silent.

“All Vorn ships have entered hyperspace,” reported Andrew with a look of relief on his face.

Kurt looked at the ship’s main viewscreen. Space was full of wreckage and glowing plasma fields from the destruction of Vorn warships. Many dark matter explosions were only just now fading away. “How many escaped?”

“Twenty-two battleships and eighty-seven cruisers,” reported Lieutenant Brooks.

“They can’t handle the firepower from the Glaymon battleships,” said Aleea with a pleased smile. “It is also causing mass confusion when we are able to destroy the motherships first. They have no defense against our Zero-Point Energy rounds.”

“The Controller Station took a lot of damage,” said Andrew, gazing at a viewscreen. The station was showing tremendous damage to its hull and a good one-third of the station was a mass of twisted wreckage from the detonation of several Vorn antimatter warheads.

“It’s repairable,” answered Kurt, knowing that a lot of lives had been lost on the station. Many of them would have been from races here to trade on Kubitz.

“There’s a large number of Kubitz warships without power,” added Lieutenant Brooks.

“I’m hearing calls for help,” reported Lieutenant Pierce from Communications. “Kubitz is telling them help is on the way.”

“They’re fortunate to be alive,” answered Kurt. “Captain Randson, I want to leave two of our battleships and four battlecruisers here near the Controller Station for the time being. That should be sufficient to protect Kubitz if the Vorn return.”

“What about Glaymon ships?”

“No, not yet. I’m hoping this is the last we’ll see of the Vorn for a while. I’m just leaving the ships here to prevent a panic. Lieutenant Pierce, see if you can get through to Ambassador Brent and I’ll inform her of what we’re doing. She can speak to the Kubitz government for us.”

Andrew came over to stand next to Kurt. “So what do we do now?”

“I’m going to send Fleet Captain Lilith back home and I think we’ll take the rest of the fleet and inspect Marsten and Dacroni Four before we head back.”

Andrew nodded. “I’d like to see them as well.”

-

Hours later the Human fleet was over Marsten. The planet’s atmosphere was a sickly color filled with ash and smoke from the surface bombardment.

Andrew stared for a long time before he finally spoke. “After High Profiteer Creed kidnapped my wife and daughter and dropped the nukes on Earth, I always wanted to come here and do the same thing to them. It looks as if the Vorn beat us to it. It’s strange; seeing their world this way makes me wonder if I was wrong wanting to see them suffer.”

“It’s not for us to judge,” Kurt replied somberly. The entire planet was surrounded by wreckage and numerous fires were still burning on the surface. A few ships were in orbit, doubtlessly searching for survivors. They were staying well away from the Human warships. “The Marstens lived a life of preying on others, now they’re gone.”

“What will happen to the Gothan Empire?”

Kurt turned toward Andrew. “I imagine Kubitz will take over as the capital and the Controllers will become even more powerful. It’s an issue we may have to address someday.” Kurt wasn’t too worried about the Controllers. With the aid of the Glaymons and the contacts he had with people connected to the planet, such as Avery Dolman and Lomatz, he could handle them.

Andrew nodded, turning away from the viewscreen. He had seen enough. They had already been to Dacroni Four and rescue operations were ongoing there as well. It seemed the Dacroni had a considerable number of underground shelters and might someday even be able to rebuild their civilization. “Let’s go home.”

“Lieutenant Styles, set a course for Newton,” ordered Kurt.

Kurt leaned back in his command chair, letting out a deep breath. After seeing the Glaymon ships in action in large numbers he knew they had a fighting chance now against the Vorn. Wherever they appeared in the galaxy they were going to find resistance. He just hoped Valen was successful back in the Glaymon Dyson Sphere getting them to commit to the war. If he did then the threat from the Vorn could be erased from the galaxy forever.

Chapter Eleven

Kurt was back at Newton. The latest reports from the Gothan Empire indicated rescue efforts were underway at Dacroni Four and in the Tellurite System. No survivors had been found on Marsten though the search was still in progress. After speaking to Ambassador Brent, Kurt left two battleships and four battlecruisers in orbit above Kubitz. There were multiple reasons for doing that. After defeating the two Vorn fleets, it would prevent panic from sweeping across the Gothan Empire. If Kubitz was stable the Controllers would see to it the other worlds stayed in line. The other reason was High Profiteer Creed was still alive. Corporal Binger had overheard Grantz talking to Avery Dolman. Evidently Creed had been gone from Marsten on some type of raiding mission when the Vorn struck. Kurt had instructed the ambassador to contact Dolman and find out what was going on and if he knew where Creed was.

“Damn,” muttered Andrew, shaking his head in disappointment. “I wish Creed would have been in the Marsten System or even better down on the planet where the Vorn could have made him into a food pellet.”

“High Profiteer Creed seems to have nine lives,” replied Kurt, totally in agreement with Andrew. “If he shows back up at Marsten the warships I left over Kubitz have instructions to immediately go there, engage his fleet, and destroy it.”

Andrew grinned. “That will certainly upset Grantz. He wants to bring Creed’s head to you personally and collect that ten million credit reward.”

“And he would do just that,” Kurt replied with a grimace. “Things would be much simpler if the fleet over Kubitz could destroy Creed’s fleet and Creed along with it.” Sometimes he regretted placing the ten million-credit bounty on Creed’s head. However, it served to limit where he could go in the Gothan Empire and now with both Marsten and Draconi Four gone Creed’s options were even more limited.

They were in Newton Station waiting for a shuttle to take them down to the planet. Most of the rest of the crew had already gone and only Lieutenant Mays and a few others remained on board the Star Cross. The lieutenant was going over the combat footage from the battles in the Gothan Empire with the Vorn. She wanted to analyze the Vorns’ battle tactics to see if she could spot additional weaknesses.

Andrew looked over at Kurt. “Lieutenant Mays scares me sometimes. She’s always looking for ways to kill more Vorn. She spends way too much time on the ship running combat scenarios with Aleea.”

“She’s damn good at her job,” Kurt answered. “But you’re right about her spending too much time on the ship. I’m going to insist she take a few days off every week even if I have to make the Star Cross off limits to her.”

Andrew laughed. “I don’t want to be around when you tell her that. She may toss you out of the Command Center.”

“We’ll see how it goes,” replied Kurt. “She’s a good officer. I just don’t want to see her get burnt out.”

“There’s our ride,” said Andrew as a large shuttle sat down in the landing bay. “Unless there’s another surprise attack by the Vorn Emily and I are off to the ocean in two more days.”

“Do you want us to take care of Alexis?”

“You need your time off too,” replied Andrew. “Besides, your sister volunteered and it will do Alexis some good to be around Bryan. If that ten-year-old can’t sour her on boys, no one can.”

Kurt shook his head. Andrew just needed to accept Alexis was becoming a young woman. Boys were going to be a part of her life from now on. Once Kurt got down to Newton he needed to meet with Governor Spalding to go over a few things, including the new fleet the Glaymons now possessed. Then he would see about taking Keera up to the mountains to the ski resort they had gone to shortly after she arrived on Newton. It would be exciting and fun to relive those memories. With the Glaymons around he wasn’t worried about taking time off from his fleet duties.

-

High Profiteer Creed was looking forward to returning to Marsten. There was a Controller office on one of the orbiting shipyards where he could deposit some of his gold. However, most of it would be taken to Kubitz so he could avoid the fees collected by the Marsten government. Clan Leader Jarls and his ten battleships had already left Creed’s fleet to go to Dacroni Four.

“We’re all going to be rich,” gloated Second Profiteer Hurkler. As a Second Profiteer, his share would be in the millions of credits.

“High Profiteer Creed, I’m not receiving any messages from Marsten to my requests to dock at the shipyard,” reported the Profiteer at Communications. “As a matter of fact, I’m not picking up any type of communications from any of the orbiting stations or Marsten itself.”

“Are we in sensor range?” Creed could not imagine why Marsten was being silent. Perhaps some type of drill was being run. He couldn’t recall one being scheduled.

“Yes,” replied the Profiteer at the sensor console. “Long-range scans are showing only a few ships in the system. Scans are not showing the stations around Marsten, only a jumble of much smaller contacts. If I were to hazard a guess I would say the sensors are picking up debris fields in orbit around the planet.”

Creed suddenly felt his blood turn cold. Was it possible his attempt to have the Vorn destroy Earth had led them instead to the Gothan Empire and Marsten? “Drop us out of hyperspace ten thousand kilometers from the planet,” he ordered. He took a deep fortifying breath. He was fearful of what the viewscreens and sensors would show when they reached Marsten.

Minutes later the Ascendant Fury dropped out of hyperspace and High Profiteer Creed’s worst fears were realized. The shipyards and trading stations were gone. In their places were slowly expanding fields of debris. The defending fleets were missing though the amount of debris drifting around the planet indicated some had certainly met their destruction defending the planet. The same for the defense grid.

“It’s all been destroyed,” said Second Profiteer Hurkler, his eyes and face showing shock. “There’s nothing left.”

“I have established communications with several Marsten battlecruisers,” reported the Profiteer at Communications. “All the cargo and passenger ships escaped to Kubitz. Part of the fleet did as well. The only survivors on the planet were the ruling council, and they have been rescued and are on board a battleship.”

Creed looked at the viewscreens showing his homeworld. The atmosphere was dark and flashes of lightning leaped from ash cloud to ash cloud. The surface was completely obscured. He knew with a sinking feeling the land he wanted to purchase on the planet was now valueless. No one would come seeking his advice before going on a raiding mission. If they ever suspected it was his fault the Vorn came to Marsten his reputation would be ruined forever.

“Could we have led the Destroyers of Worlds here?” asked Hurkler. “Did we make a mistake trying to lead them to Earth?”

“I don’t know!” growled High Profiteer Creed not wanting to believe he was the cause of this. He turned toward the Profiteer at Communications. “Did the Vorn destroy any other worlds and where are they?” If they were still harvesting worlds in the empire, Creed was going to take his fleet and depart for some other region of the galaxy. At least the gold in the cargo ship would ensure they lived a life of luxury.

The Profiteer at Communications spoke to the other Profiteer ships for several minutes before turning toward High Profiteer Creed. “The Destroyers of Worlds harvested Dacroni Four, Gomarsh, and Tellurite Six. They also attacked the Controller Station in the Kubitz System, heavily damaging it before the Humans and Ancients appeared and drove them off, destroying a major portion of the Vorn fleet. The Humans and Ancients also destroyed most of the Vorn fleet attacking the Tellurite System.”

“Vickers,” muttered Creed, his eyes narrowing sharply. “Of course Vickers would come to the rescue.” Then he realized what he had just been told. “Did you say Dacroni Four was harvested as well?” This could be very bad news.

“Yes,” the Profiteer at Communications replied. “The battle against the Vorn was more intense but the Vorn still won. There are several million survivors as the Dacroni have a large number of deep underground bunkers.”

Creed was already thinking about how angry Clan Leader Jarls was going to be when he reached Dacroni Four. His hope of keeping his involvement in this a secret had just vanished. It wouldn’t take Jarls long to put two and two together and figure out who was responsible for the Vorn finding the Gothan Empire. “Set a course for Lylan Six. The Controllers have a large station there, and we can stay in the system until we decide what to do.” If necessary Creed could use a portion of the gold on the cargo ship as a bribe.

“We don’t have a home to go to,” accused Hurkler, his voice rising in anger. “Is your revenge against Fleet Admiral Vickers worth what it has cost us? Most of my family was on Marsten. The same with the rest of the crews on our ships. I cannot guarantee their continued loyalty.”

High Profiteer Creed’s eyes drilled into Hurkler’s. “What about your loyalty?”

Hurkler bit his lip but nodded after a moment. “With my share of the gold I can buy a new family. But I fear we may lose some of our crews once they realize we were the cause of this.”

“When we reach Lylan Six we will pay off the crews. Those who want to leave can take their share and do so. We just need enough to operate this battleship and maybe a couple of battlecruisers. If necessary, I’m willing to pay a bonus to keep those we need.”

“It may come to that,” Hurkler replied. He left to pass on the orders to the Profiteer at the Helm.

Creed knew Lylan Six would be a safe refuge for a while, long enough for him to figure out his next move. At some point, he needed to go to Kubitz and sell all the gold in the holds of the cargo ship. The second cargo ship had gone with Clan Leader Jarls. Creed knew next time he saw Jarls there was a good chance the Dacroni clan leader would try to kill him.

He felt a slight wrenching sensation as the Ascendant Fury entered hyperspace. Leaning back in his command chair he thought about what his hatred of Vickers had cost him. His world, his hope for a bright future, everything was gone. Well, nearly everything. He still had over one billion credits worth of gold in the cargo ship and on the Ascendant Fury. It might be necessary to delay his vendetta against Vickers until this threat posed by the Destroyers of Worlds was dealt with. It would be wise to lay low and then strike when Vickers least expected it. At some point in time, Vickers would return to Kubitz and when he did High Profiteer Creed would be ready. A billion credits would buy a lot of opportunities to eliminate the Human fleet admiral.

-

Dacroni Clan Leader Jarls stared at the ship’s main viewscreen in growing anger. Dacroni Four was plainly visible, or what was left of it. The planet’s atmosphere was dark and turbulent with flashes of lightning crisscrossing the planet.

“What are the conditions like on the surface?”

“Bad,” replied Salas. Salas was second in command. “On some parts of the planet there are torrential rains and at others snow is falling. Ash covers everything and nearly every structure on the planet has been destroyed. The only survivors are in the deep underground bunkers and they’re going to be difficult to rescue due to the atmospheric conditions. There are also still massive fires raging at the locations of most of our cities.”

Jarls looked at the tactical display. Hundreds of Dacroni warships and some passenger liners were in orbit. He had spoken to a few other clan leaders and they had told him what happened. There was no doubt in his mind High Profiteer Creed had led the Vorn to the empire. Now both Marsten and Dacroni Four were dead.

“Where will our people go?” asked Salas. “We have no colonies.”

“Dacroni Five is marginally habitable,” Jarls replied. “We can build habitation domes for our people and perhaps someday return to Dacroni Four.” He knew that would be decades even using some of the advanced technology available to correct the ecological disaster sweeping the planet.

“How did the Vorn find us?” asked Salas. “The nearest world they have harvested is over two thousand light years distant.”

Jarls knew how the Vorn had found the Gothan Empire; he just needed to prove it. “Set a course for Kubitz. The rest of our ships will remain here and help in the search for survivors.” His clan had a deep bunker, and he was certain there would be survivors. At the moment any communication with the planet was impossible due to the atmospheric conditions.

“What’s on Kubitz?”

“Someone bought an illegal Vorn language program there a few months back. I want to find out who it was.”

Salas’s eyes opened wide as he realized what Jarls was implying. “You think it was High Profiteer Creed.”

Jarls nodded. “I think Creed’s hatred of Fleet Admiral Vickers and the Humans may have just cost us our homeworld. If it did, Creed will soon find out Grantz is not the only one he needs to fear when it comes to collecting that ten million-credit bounty.”

-

A few minutes later Jarls’ battleship jumped into hyperspace on a course for Kubitz.

-

On Newton, Kurt was speaking to Keera about going to the mountains.

“I have nothing to wear,” she said as she stood in front of her closet gazing at her clothes. “If we’re going to the mountains for a few days I need to go shopping. I’ll give Denise a call and maybe Meesa. We can spend the day at the Westside Mall. I also need to call and take a few days off from the medical center so they’ll know I won’t be around.”

Kurt groaned. It seemed as if Keera used every excuse she could to go shopping, particularly with his sister, Denise. When Mara had been here they had spent days at the mall.

Keera went over to a dresser and pulled out several slinky nightgowns. With a deep frown, she put them both back.

“Hey, I like both of those!”

Keera shook her head. “If we’re going back to the first resort we went to I want something special. Meesa should be able to help me pick out something appropriate.”

Kurt let out a deep sigh. Why did he think this was going to be expensive? “Okay, spend the day tomorrow shopping. We’ll pack tomorrow night and then head to the mountains first thing the next morning.”

Keera came over and kissed Kurt. “Thank you. This is going to be fun. Is there a lot of snow in the mountains this time of year? Snow is something we didn’t have a lot of on Kubitz.”

“Where we’re going there’s snow,” promised Kurt. That was one of the first things he had checked on.

Walking over to another closet, Keera pulled out three large suitcases. “I guess I can pack a few things today.”

Kurt’s eyes bulged at seeing the three suitcases. “We’re only staying a few days, not a month.”

Keera grinned. “A girl’s got to look good.” She stepped back, eyeing the three suitcases and then took a smaller one out of the closet, adding it to the others. “That should do.”

Shaking his head Kurt went back into the living room. He would never understand why women always packed so many clothes.

-

The next day Kurt was in Governor Spalding’s office at Government Center for a short meeting. Colonel Simms, General Mclusky, and Rear Admiral Jacob Wilson were also there.

“We need to promote some officers to the rank of rear admiral,” Kurt began. “Effective immediately Rear Admiral White and Rear Admiral Wilson will be promoted to full admirals with the privileges thereof.”

Admiral Wilson smiled broadly. “Thank you, Fleet Admiral. I won’t let you down.”

“How many do we need to promote?” asked Governor Spalding.

“Two at least,” replied Kurt. “I want people who are good at tactics and can handle adversity.”

“There are a number of qualified officers in the fleet,” added newly promoted Admiral Wilson. “I can think of several who would make excellent rear admirals.”

Colonel Simms looked over at Kurt. “Would Captain Watkins consider being promoted? The light carriers aren’t really useful against the Vorn. We’re mostly using them to check on ships entering the system to confirm their identification. I know the same thing is being done in the solar system.”

Kurt shook his head. “I think not. Henry enjoys being on the Vindication. It’s his pride and joy. Even if he’s just using his fighter craft to confirm ship IDs I believe he’s still going to be quite satisfied.”

“What about Captain Anniston and Captain Weinstein?” suggested Admiral Wilson. “They each command battlecruisers and are excellent commanders. Both have shown a sufficient knowledge of strategy to be able to command a task group or a small fleet.”

Kurt nodded. “I was already thinking of Captain Anniston. Captain Weinstein will be suitable as well.” Kurt looked over at Governor Spalding who had to approve all promotions to the rank of rear admiral or above. He had spoken earlier to him about promoting Wilson and White to the rank of full admiral.

“I’ll sign the promotions,” Spalding said. “Which fleets will they be commanding?”

“They will be taking over the fleets patrolling between Julbian, Sertez, and Maldon,” Kurt answered. “Admiral White and Admiral Wilson will be responsible for the defense of the solar system and Newton.” Kurt was going to reorganize the fleet structure for all four admirals.

Colonel nodded. “They’re going to need command ships. I have two new battleships coming out of the Glaymon shipyards toward the end of the week. Once the two new rear admirals have been notified of their promotions, I’ll contact them and see what they want to name them. I’ll also order the modifications necessary for a flagship.” The modifications consisted of several extra holographic displays in the Command Center as well as more spacious living quarters.

Governor Spalding shifted his attention to Fleet Admiral Vickers. “What’s the current status in the Gothan Empire and with the Vorn?”

“The Glaymons have reported harvesting in the galaxy has ceased,” Kurt began. “All the Vorn fleets have gathered in one system and are waiting for the arrival of Collector ships and Intergalactic Transports. After the losses they sustained, I’m almost certain they will all be returning to their home system. They’re going to have to activate more ships before they resume the harvest of our galaxy.”

Spalding shook his head. “So you think they will return?”

“Yes, probably in even greater numbers than before. As far as the Gothan Empire goes, we have a small fleet in orbit above Kubitz to help keep things stable. Everything seems to have calmed down considerably since the Vorn fleets were defeated.”

“That’s what Ambassador Brent says as well. How long do you intend to keep those ships at Kubitz?”

A serious looked passed over Kurt’s face. “High Profiteer Creed left the empire shortly before the Vorn attack. I can’t help thinking he was the cause of the Vorn attacking Mars and possibly, as a result, the Gothan Empire. I’m already arranging with Avery Dolman to spread that rumor on Kubitz. That will ensure it reaches every world in the empire. Creed will have no place to go which will give him sanctuary. His only option will be to take his fleet to Kubitz where no ship is allowed to engage in combat above the planet. Once there our ships will make sure he doesn’t leave.”

“Will that restriction stop you from blowing his command ship to hell?” asked General Mclusky.

“The relationship between us and the Kubitz government is still a little shaky. I would prefer to wait until High Profiteer Creed comes down to the planet so we can capture him. If he doesn’t I won’t hesitate to give the order to destroy his ships.”

“If Grantz doesn’t get to him first,” commented Colonel Simms. “I understand he plans on personally delivering Creed’s severed head to you and collect the ten million-credit bounty.”

Kurt let out a deep sigh. “If Grantz brings me Creed’s head I’ll pay him. After what that Profiteer did to Earth and now to Mars he deserves whatever he gets.”

Spalding took a moment to respond. “Normally I would be against such a ghastly deed. But I have to agree; Creed needs to be done away with.” Spalding shifted his attention to Colonel Simms. “What about the defensive grid?”

Colonel Simms grinned. “Getting stronger every day. The Glaymons have helped with construction by modernizing our construction methods for the new defense platforms. “We currently have sixty-four modified Class One Defensive Platforms in orbit. All are now powered by an antimatter chamber which greatly enhances their firepower. In addition, we have forty-two of the new platforms which are powered by dual antimatter chambers and can easily destroy a Vorn warship, even one of their battleships. The plans are to put one hundred and twenty of these in orbit as well as a new Command and Control Station for them. We also have six hundred dual-firing energy beam satellites in orbit as well.”

Spalding turned toward General Mclusky. “What about surface weapons?”

“We have twelve planetary defense sites with top of the line energy cannons which can hit anything in orbit or shoot anything down that enters the atmosphere. We’re also in the process of building a number of deep underground bunkers to protect our people in case the Vorn get past our defenses.”

“Our fleet?”

“We’re building ships as rapidly as possible,” replied Colonel Simms. “We just need time.”

Governor Spalding looked over at Kurt. “How much time do you think we’re going to have before the Vorn return?”

Kurt had spent some time talking about this with Aleea. She had run numerous scenarios on the computers of the Star Cross and spoken to other Glaymon AIs on other warships. “Four months minimum to a maximum of eight,” he replied. Kurt had hoped for more, but the AIs were convinced the Vorn desperately needed food pellets and would return as soon as feasible. “We had hoped the losses we have caused the Vorn would give us a year or two of time but the Glaymon AIs are adamant that’s not going to happen.”

Spalding leaned forward in his chair. “Let’s make the best use of that time. In four months I want this system able to repel a full-scale Vorn attack.”

Kurt nodded. “With the aid of the Glaymons I’m certain we can do that.”

-

After the meeting was over Kurt stayed behind to speak to Governor Spalding.

“I understand you’re taking a few days off?”

Kurt nodded. “Yes, Keera and I are going up to the mountains for a few days. Admiral Wilson will be in command while I’m gone.”

“You need the time off,” Spalding said. “We know the Vorn are gone for now so take as much time as you need. When they return days off may be few and far between.”

“I’m afraid you’re right. This war is far from over.”

Spalding stood and walked over to the window overlooking the capital. “Is there any chance the Glaymons will assign more of those big battleships to defend Newton and Earth?”

Kurt walked over to Spalding and looked out through the window. It was midday and the city was bustling. On the outskirts there was new construction and new businesses were opening almost every day across the city. Hundreds of automated factories had been brought in from Kubitz and could be programmed to produce nearly anything the people of Newton needed. For the first time in its brief history, the planet was truly self-sufficient.

“Fleet Captain Waelt is supposed to meet with Fleet Commodore Dreen to discuss how best to use the ships Fleet Captain Lilith returned with.” Kurt had briefed the governor on the numbers and what had happened back in the Glaymon Dyson Sphere. Kurt wasn’t certain how many ships the Glaymons would be committing to Fleet Commodore Dreen’s fleets.

“Still not saying where the new Glaymon System is?” asked Spalding, his eyes focusing on Kurt.

Kurt shook his head. “Only the command crew of the Star Cross knows, and the Glaymons have requested it stay that way for the time being.”

“I guess I’ll have to honor their request,” Spalding said with a deep and long sigh.

Both men stood silently looking out over the city wondering what the future held. While the Vorn had been defeated the war was far from over.

Chapter Twelve

High Prince Brollen stared out over the Royal Court. Only yesterday he had been elevated to the newly created position to guide recently elected Queen Berlyne. Berlyne was a young Queen and a supporter of Brollen’s. A procedural vote had split the power of the Vorn race. High Prince Brollen would have supreme power over all military operations and the defense of the habitats. As High Prince he was immune from deletion as was his progeny. Queen Berlyne would rule the civilian population and command the daily life of the Vorn in the habitats.

Things had not worked out as Brollen had hoped but he still had all the power he could ever want. Brollen stood by Queen Berlyne as a Vorn high up in the military stepped forward to make a report.

We sent several Intergalactic Transports to Galaxy X241 loaded with Collector ships to bring back the harvests from our remaining motherships. We have learned from surviving military leaders the ancient race and a second race we have classified as food species 843 have attacked our harvesting fleets, nearly destroying them. Less than 19,000 of our ships still survive.

High Prince Brollen stood stunned by this announcement. He had planned to renew the harvest immediately with the harvesting fleets still inside Galaxy X241. By furnishing more food pellets for the habitats, he could solidify his new standing inside the Royal Court.

How did they destroy so many of our ships? demanded Brollen, barely keeping his anger in check.

The ancient race deployed a new vessel which we have classified as a battleship. Four fleets attacked four of the systems our harvesting fleets were in with synchronized assaults. Our ships were not expecting an attack and many of our vessels were lost before shields could be raised or weapons fired upon the attackers.

Brollen drew in a long breath, his twin antennae standing erect as his multifaceted eyes focused on the military leader. It is becoming essential that we discover the location of the homeworld of this ancient race. I want Intergalactic Transports sent back to Galaxy X241 to remove our ships and bring them back here. Two thousand of our cruisers will remain. They are to search for the home of these Ancients and do everything in their power to remain undetected.

What of the harvest? asked one of the older Queens. Our food supplies will only last a few months.

Brollen knew this wasn’t right. There should be enough food pellets for another six to eight months. It indicated to him some of the Queens and other members of the Royal Court were hoarding the valuable pellets. He turned toward Queen Berlyne, indicating for her to answer.

Deletions may be necessary, sent Queen Berlyne. If necessary I am prepared to order the deletion of 34 percent of the Worker Caste. Studies by some of our leading scientists have indicated such a deletion will not impact the day-to-day functioning of our habitats or our warships and will greatly extend our food supply.

High Prince Brollen had already discussed this possibility with the Queen. Galaxy X241 must be harvested if we wish to avoid further deletions. I am ordering the activation of the full Vorn fleet. All ships will be modified with the latest weapon updates, particularly shields. We are losing too many warships when our shields are overloaded causing them to fail and destroy the ships they are supposed to protect.

We have never activated our entire fleet since the early days of our arrival in this universe, sent one of the older military leaders. Is this necessary?

It is necessary, High Prince Brollen replied.

How long will this take? asked Queen Erriles. Erriles was one of the older Queens and had considerable support in the Royal Court. She had also been against creating the position of High Prince. I do not want to see other deletions.

Two to four months, High Prince Brollen replied. Once our fleet has been updated we will return to Galaxy X-241 and harvest every food world. We will have sufficient food pellets for hundreds of years, giving us the time we need to find other sources.

Queen Erriles stared directly at High Prince Brollen, her triangular shaped head moving slowly from side to side. You realize if we fail to fully harvest Galaxy X241, it could be the end of our race. Scout ships returning from all nearby galaxies indicate there are few food worlds ready for harvest. There was a shuffling in the Royal Court as various Vorn considered what Queen Erriles had communicated.

We must move the habitats, sent a number of Vorn. We must send our ships out further in this universe to find new food worlds.

There is no reason to be concerned, replied High Prince Brollen. Once Galaxy X241 has been harvested we will have sufficient food supplies to allow for such a search as well as the time to move the habitats if that is what we decide to do.

Brollen knew it would be impossible to move the habitats. They were simply too large and the Vorn lacked the power sources to open a hyperspace window of the size needed to move a habitat. If they decided to move they would have to build new habitats and then transfer the Vorn population to them. Of course if that were to happen then massive deletions would be required as there were far too many Vorn in the habitats to be moved by the fleet.

How did the Ancients and food species 843 find the staging system? asked Queen Erriles. Is it possible they know the location of our habitats as well?

This caused a major stirring of the Vorn in the Royal Court. The location of the habitats was the Vorns’ most carefully guarded secret. That was why only the motherships, Collector ships, and the Intergalactic Transports’ computers contained the coordinates and those were heavily encrypted.

They must have followed some of our ships back from Galaxy X241, explained Prince Brollen. He was finding lying was becoming easier the more he did it. Unfortunately, many of our Collector ships and even our transports have been taking a direct path from Galaxy X241 to the staging system. It would not have been difficult for the Ancients or food species 843 to track our vessels. In the future all ships returning to our habitats will take different paths which will not risk leading either race back to this system. I can assure you we are safe here.

The ancient race concerns me, sent Queen Erriles. We have never encountered such a race before. It is evident their science is superior to ours. How dangerous are they?

They are dangerous, admitted High Prince Brollen. But their fleet is few in numbers and our updated vessels will be capable of destroying them.

They had better be, replied Queen Erriles, sounding unconvinced.

With the activation of our full fleet these Ancients will fall quickly. There is nothing to be afraid of. We will harvest Galaxy X241 and fill our habitats with all the food pellets they need for centuries to come.

This seemed to satisfy Queen Erriles as she fell silent.

-

Later High Prince Brollen was inside one of the massive ship construction bays within the Conclave Habitat. A new ship was being built which would be his personal flagship. It was a new mothership but far larger and much more powerful than a normal one. It would have twice the firepower of a Vorn battleship and still retain the capability to harvest worlds. A new experimental energy shield was being added powered by a Zero-Point Energy module. It was one of the reasons the vessel was so large. The Vorn still had not found a way to adequately shrink the size of the modules to allow them to be used in a normal warship. Brollen had a large cadre of scientists and technicians working on the problem but so far the solution for smaller power modules was eluding them.

There was one other thing which deeply concerned High Prince Brollen. Prince Ortumad had disappeared. His flagship as well as other ships that were supposed to be in the destroyed staging system were missing. This caused Brollen to feel considerable unease. Ortumad was the only Vorn who might suspect a mothership was missing. Ortumad was a problem that needed to be dealt with as he was becoming a direct threat. Brollen wasn’t sure how the Royal Court would react if it were discovered that the Scythe and possibly Prince Lantoll had been captured by food species 111 and 236. There was no doubt Queen Erriles would demand his immediate removal as High Prince. Somehow Ortumad needed to be found and deleted.

-

In Galaxy X241, Prince Ortumad gazed at the tactical display as his small fleet entered hyperspace. On the screen were thirty-three green icons representing the eight battleships and twenty-five cruisers that comprised his fleet. All the crews were dedicated to Prince Ortumad and would go wherever he ordered. He knew that by now Prince Brollen would know something was amiss. There was no doubt in Prince Ortumad’s mind that upon learning of his disappearance Brollen would order his immediate deletion.

We are approaching the space controlled by food species 111 and 236, reported Military Commander Madoul. Our ships have their stealth fields activated though if we encounter ships of the ancient race they may not be effective.

Prince Ortumad understood the danger. His fleet was too small to face ships of the ancient race and expect to survive. We will stay far away from the home systems of both food species. When we are close enough we will send in cruisers to scan the systems. Prince Brollen reported losing motherships in both food systems. If a mothership was captured one of these two systems is where it should be.

What if we do find a mothership in one of the systems? How does that help us against Prince Brollen?

Then we return to the Conclave Habitat and inform Queen Alithe what we found. I suspect she will immediately order the deletion of Prince Brollen as well as his progeny.

If he is responsible for what happened in the staging system then he is guilty of treason against the Vorn, sent Military Commander Madoul. His deletion will be extremely drawn out and painful. It may take him several days to die.

It is the way of the Vorn for those who betray our Queens, replied Ortumad.

The Queens are the life of our race, responded Madoul.

How long until we reach the vicinity of the two food worlds? I want our two scout craft to arrive in the systems simultaneously. We must conduct the scans before we are detected. Once the scans are complete we will leave the region of space controlled by the two food species.

We will be within range of the two target systems in four days, Military Commander Madoul answered. Let us hope we find what we are searching for.

Prince Ortumad nodded his triangular shaped head. If there is a mothership that has been captured, I’m sure it is in one of those two systems. Ortumad had always felt uneasy about Prince Brollen’s desire for power.

It deeply concerned him what might be happening on the Conclave Habitat. Prince Brollen had a way of manipulating events to his advantage. Ortumad greatly feared Brollen was manipulating Queen Alithe to give himself greater power and authority. Prince Brollen must be stopped before he brought about the ruin of the Vorn race.

-

In the Lakiam System, Fleet Commodore Dreen was on his flagship, the Basera, staring in shock at the ships Fleet Captain Waelt had returned with. On the main viewscreen, a Glaymon 2,000-meter battleship was visible. It was covered in weapon emplacements and looked capable of annihilating an entire world.

“How many did you bring back?” he asked, looking over at Fleet Captain Waelt who was in the Command Center with him.

The fleet captain smiled. “Two hundred and eighteen battleships and twelve hundred and forty disk battlecruisers. I believe that should help us against the Vorn.”

Commodore Dreen had to sit down in his command chair. These ships could change the entire complexion of the war against the Vorn. “You say you have already used them to attack the last of the Vorn harvesting fleets in our galaxy?”

“With the aid of Fleet Admiral Vickers,” Waelt replied. “I believe the Vorn losses have been so heavy they will be forced to abandon the harvest of this galaxy for a number of months. Our AIs believe we have bought a four to eight-month reprieve. We have that much time to prepare for their return.”

“With those ships added to our fleets we can resist the Vorn wherever they appear,” said Alborg, the ship’s tactical officer. “We can increase the number of fleets which can actively engage the Vorn.”

“That is the general idea,” Fleet Captain Waelt replied. “When the Vorn return we want to resist their harvesting at every opportunity. We need to deprive them of their food sources. We believe the Vorn are on the verge of starvation.”

This was news to Commodore Dreen. “I understand the Vorn attacked the Gothan Empire?”

“Yes, both Marsten and Dacroni Four were harvested as well as two smaller worlds.”

“No loss there,” said Alborg. “The Gothan Empire has preyed on ships and weaker worlds for centuries.”

“Commodore, Lead Councilor Atratis is requesting the presence of both you and Fleet Captain Waelt at an emergency council meeting. It seems Councilor Darmas is demanding to know why we have so many Glaymon ships in the system. He claims all it is going to do is make us a target for the Vorn.”

Fleet Commodore Dreen’s shoulders drooped. Councilor Darmas was becoming a constant headache with all of his complaints and demands to sign a peace treaty with the Vorn.

“Politics,” said Fleet Captain Waelt with a deep sigh. “We have much the same even where we come from.”

Fleet Commodore Dreen stood up. There was no point in delaying this. “Let’s go to the council meeting and see if we can get this straightened out. I for one am getting tired of Councilor Darmas constantly interfering with the military. I think it’s time to end this once and for all.”

-

An hour later Fleet Commodore Dreen and Fleet Captain Waelt stepped into the large Lakiam council chamber. The councilors were seated at a long conference table with several hundred Lakiams sitting in the viewing area.

“I’m glad to see you could come to this meeting of your superiors,” said Councilor Darmas with a smirk on his face.

“That’s enough,” said Lead Councilor Atratis, frowning at Councilor Darmas. “We will show respect in this chamber.”

Darmas frowned and then spoke. “Nevertheless, it has been brought to our attention the Vorn have stopped their harvesting efforts in our galaxy and have withdrawn back to their home system. I propose we send out a peace mission to find the Vorn and ask for an armistice. I’m sure at this point they have no desire to lose more vessels.”

“The Vorn will not negotiate,” said Fleet Captain Waelt. “We are only a food source to them and nothing more.”

“So you claim,” said Darmas dismissively. “We have no evidence that is true. I’m sure in the current situation the Vorn will be open to negotiations if we agree to allow them to harvest some of the more barbaric regions of our galaxy as a future food source.”

“You will sacrifice others so we can survive?” said Councilor Marl, standing up and glowering at Darmas. “How could we live with ourselves if we were to do such a thing?”

“At least we would be alive,” said Councilor Croiss, his eyes narrowing sharply.

Councilor Caselt stood, shaking her head. “I will never agree to such an atrocity. We are a Protector World and to do as you suggest would make us no better than the barbaric worlds you wish to sacrifice.”

“The military will not be making any deals with the Vorn,” stated Fleet Commodore Dreen, his eyes drilling into Councilor Darmas’s. We will not speak to them and we will not negotiate.”

“What! You would dare go against the council?” stammered Councilor Darmas. “You should be removed from command for insubordination immediately.”

“And who would do that?” challenged Fleet Commodore Dreen. “I have the full support of the Fleet. I may not be so easy to remove as you believe.”

“I support Fleet Commodore Dreen,” proclaimed Councilor Marl along with several others. “There will be no challenge to his command.”

“What about all the new Glaymon ships that just showed up? They’re bound to attract the Destroyers of Worlds.” Darmas looked at the other councilors, expecting them to agree. “Surely you can see the danger they represent.”

“Our battleships are far more powerful than any warships possessed by the Vorn,” said Fleet Captain Waelt evenly. “We came here to destroy the Vorn and that’s what we intend to do.” Waelt paused and looked directly at Councilor Darmas. “Of course the Andocks have stated numerous times they would like to see more of our ships in the space they control. If the council wishes I can move my fleet to the Andocks’ home system.”

“But what if the Vorn attack here?” asked Councilor Croiss, his eyes showing sudden fear.

Fleet Captain Waelt shifted his gaze to Councilor Croiss. “I guess Councilor Darmas can take a ship out and talk to them, though I suspect the Vorn will either destroy it or make him and the ship’s crew into food pellets.”

Councilor Darmas turned pale and for a moment didn’t know what to say.

“I intend to grow the Alliance and assign Glaymon warships to multiple fleets,” explained Fleet Commodore Dreen, addressing the entire council. “It is true the Vorn have stopped their harvesting for now but we expect them to return in four to eight months if not sooner. When they do we will resist them at every world they attempt to harvest. The time of this galaxy being easy pickings for the Vorn has come to an end.”

“We will never return to the path of Enlightenment,” protested Councilor Darmas, his eyes red with frustration. “It will be lost to us forever. We will return to a barbaric state of civilization. Enlightenment is our future. We can’t throw it away!” Darmas looked desperately at the other councilors seeking support.

“You left that path long ago when you planted a fake fleet officer in these proceedings,” said Councilor Marl, folding his arms across his chest. “You are being hypocritical.”

“A fake officer?” asked Councilor Caselt, her eyes widening in shock. “Are you referring to the officer Fleet Commodore Dreen removed from this council chamber?”

Councilor Marl nodded. “Yes, he was a plant by Councilor Darmas to give false and misleading information. I have heard his confession.”

“All lies!” said Councilor Darmas, his eyes showing panic. “The man was a fleet officer and Fleet Commodore Dreen knows that.”

“They are not lies,” said Lead Councilor Atratis with a deep sigh. “I have heard the confession myself. I had hoped it would not come up in a council meeting as it now requires us to take action.”

“Suspension,” called out several councilors. “Giving false testimony in a time of war is treason.”

Councilor Darmas’s eyes suddenly widened in fear. “I did not mean for it to go as far as it did.”

“Censure,” called out several other councilors. “He may not speak in any meetings until this threat of the Vorn has been eliminated.”

“But I must speak!” protested Darmas. “We must return to the path of Enlightenment.”

“Vote,” said Councilor Caselt. “I propose we vote on censuring Councilor Darmas for his actions against the council and Fleet Commodore Dreen. He may not speak of anything to do with the war with the Vorn or of our military until this crisis is over.”

“I second,” said Councilor Marl.

Darmas glared at the other council members, knowing he was powerless to prevent this. “You are dooming our race!”

“Let us vote,” said Lead Councilor Atratis.

Moments later the votes were in and Councilor Darmas was officially censored.

“I’m leaving; anyone else going with me?” said Darmas defiantly. He looked around but none of his former supporters would meet his eyes. Shaking his head in anger he exited through the large doors to the council chamber without uttering another word. No one else left; the rest of the councilors remained standing or sitting.

“Since that has been settled let’s continue this meeting,” said Lead Councilor Atratis. “Fleet Commodore Dreen, with the influx of new Glaymon ships, particularly the battleships, what do you propose for the war effort? I can assure you Lakiam is 100 percent behind you.” The other councilors nodded in agreement.

Fleet Commodore Dreen relaxed. Perhaps now the council would listen to reason without the steady interruptions of Councilor Darmas. “Here is what I propose if we want to defeat the Vorn.”

-

For the next twenty minutes he outlined what he wanted to see done and how it could be accomplished. When he was finished, the council chamber was left in silence.

Finally Lead Councilor Atratis spoke. “Fleet Captain Waelt. Your ships will be the centerpiece of nearly all future battles with the Vorn. Are you in agreement with what Fleet Commodore Dreen has proposed?”

“That’s why we’re here,” replied Waelt. “It is time the Vorn discover what real war is like.”

Lead Councilor Atratis looked at the other councilors. “Is there anyone here who objects to what Fleet Commodore Dreen has proposed?” No one raised their hand or shook their head.

“Very well, then we shall adopt his proposals for all out war against the Vorn.”

Fleet Commodore Dreen was pleased with the vote. There was one other thing he knew and it would soon dawn on the council. After doing this they would not be able to return to the path of Enlightenment. Lakiam would have to find its own place in the galaxy and that might be a very difficult place to be.

Chapter Thirteen

Mara stepped off the cargo ship into Newton Station. She had already contacted the Limeira, informing the crew she had returned. With a deep sigh, she looked around the docking bay seeing the flurry of activity that was always present. These Humans seemed to have so much energy. Compared to other civilizations spread across the galaxy, including the Lakiams, the Humans were a young and upstart race.

“Mara, it’s good to see you again,” greeted Colonel Simms, walking up to her with a friendly look on his face. “Your ship has been fully repaired and resupplied. How was your trip?”

Mara smiled. She liked Colonel Simms. He always seemed so polite and efficient. “Fine; our cargo ships are actually quite comfortable. Was the damage to the Limeira difficult to repair?”

“No, it didn’t take long. We had other ships with far more damage.”

Mara nodded. She had seen some of the damage caused in the battle of the staging system, particularly that done to the Star Cross.

“If you will come with me I have prepared a briefing of what has occurred with the Vorn since your departure.” Mara was the official liaison between Newton and Lakiam.

As they walked through the station, Mara couldn’t help but wonder where Fleet Admiral Vickers was. She felt guilty having such thoughts. Lakiam women normally didn’t allow their emotions to affect them so much. For some reason the attraction she felt for the Human fleet admiral was even stronger than ever before. She was still uncertain as to how she was going to deal with it.

“I noticed the Star Cross is in orbit around Newton.”

Colonel Simms nodded. “Yes, it arrived several days ago. The crew is currently on leave and I believe both Fleet Admiral Vickers and Captain Randson have taken their wives to resorts. They definitely needed the downtime after recent events.”

Mara was disappointed to hear Kurt was not available. Taking a deep breath, she knew she would just have to wait before speaking to Keera and Kurt. She also wondered where the Star Cross had gone if it had only just returned.

-

They reached a small briefing room and Colonel Simms spent some time explaining to her the appearance of more Glaymons ships, including battleships, as well as the battles against the gathered Vorn harvesting fleets. He went on to tell her of the events in the Gothan Empire.

Mara was taken aback by what Colonel Simms was telling her. “It’s amazing,” she said, finding it hard to believe all that had happened in the short time she had been gone. On the cargo ship, the captain had put one of the large Glaymon battleships up on one of the viewscreens as they neared Newton. She recognized it instantly as she had seen several during her time on the Glaymon Dyson Sphere. “Every day I feel better about our chances against the Vorn.”

“Aleea, the AI on the Star Cross, believes we have four to eight months before the Vorn return,” explained Simms. “They’ve suffered such massive losses we believe they will be forced to abandon their harvesting and withdraw back to their home system. During that time we’re going to be building all the ships we can and increasing the strength of the defensive grids around Newton, Earth, and the other Alliance worlds. When the Vorn return we’ll be ready for them.”

“Does Fleet Commodore Dreen know about all of this?” Mara knew the commodore could use the time to greatly enhance his fleet and expand the Lakiam Alliance.

“Yes; Fleet Captain Waelt has returned to Lakiam and has a fleet with him including Glaymon battleships.”

Mara could well imagine how thrilled Fleet Commodore Dreen would be upon seeing the large warships. “I’ll be sending more tea back on the Shimray as soon as I can make the necessary arrangements. The samples I took back were very well received on Lakiam.”

“That’s good to hear,” Colonel Simms replied. “Once this threat of the Vorn is gone we’re going to need items to trade.”

Mara nodded. “I believe tea, popcorn, and several other items unique to Newton and Earth will be in high demand.”

“It’s hard to imagine popcorn being so popular.”

“Worlds are always looking for something unique and different. There’s nothing like your popcorn on any other world that I know of. I firmly believe it’s going to be very well liked.”

“Will you be going down to Newton or over to the Limeira?”

“The Limeira,” replied Mara. “I want to speak with the crew and then I will begin making arrangements for sending the Shimray back.”

“I’ll have a shuttle ready for you,” said Colonel Simms. “If there’s anything else you need, let me know.”

Mara nodded as she stood up. She needed to go over to the Limeira and brief them about what was occurring back home and then go down to Newton. She had some shopping she wanted to do at the Westside Mall, and she needed to start making preparations for having the Shimray loaded with tea. There were four varieties her people really enjoyed and she was going to fill the cargo holds. While she was on Lakiam, she had spoken to the manager of a distribution center about handling the shipping of different tea varieties to other Lakiam worlds. He had been excited at the prospect of handling the distribution and had promised to ship whatever Mara could furnish. She knew Keera would be thrilled to learn how popular the tea was on Lakiam.

-

Kurt and Keera had just returned from skiing down several challenging mountain slopes. Kurt had skied for years and he was pleased to find Keera was a quick learner. She had only taken a few tumbles before she was skiing like an expert. They walked into the ski resort with both of them laughing. Keera’s hair was a mess and Kurt was still covered in snow from when Keera had shoved him into a snowdrift.

“This is fun,” Keera said as she tried to straighten her hair and then gave up. “I can’t remember when I’ve enjoyed myself so much.”

“Me neither,” replied Kurt as he brushed the snow off. “We’re going to have to do this more often.”

“We should have asked your sister’s family to come along. Bryan would love the snow.”

Kurt nodded. “They will have a week-long break from classes in a few months; maybe we can all come back then.”

“That would be great! I think this would be so much fun with a large group of family and friends.”

As they were going to their room Kurt’s phone went off. Frowning, he answered it. After a few moments he turned it off, putting it back in his pocket.

“Do we need to leave?” asked Keera with a disappointed look in her eyes.

Kurt shook his head. “No, that was Colonel Simms.”

“What did he want?”

“Mara’s back with another cargo ship. This one is much larger than the last.”

“More tea shipments,” said Keera with her eyes lighting up. “This indicates the ones we sent back were well received and they want more.” Keera looked at Kurt, seeing the perplexed look in his eyes. “What’s wrong?”

They reached their room and Kurt opened the door stepping inside. “I just don’t feel comfortable around Mara. Not after what happened.”

Keera began laughing as she took began taking off her ski clothes. “It was just casual sex. It happens all the time on numerous worlds. Also, don’t forget Meesa worked at a pleasure house for a time. It doesn’t bother Dalen. As a matter of fact that’s where he met her.”

“Maybe I’m just old fashioned,” Kurt said as he watched Keera take her clothes off. “I feel guilty about what happened.”

Keera walked over, taking Kurt’s hands. “I promise you it doesn’t bother me. You’re married to me, not Mara. If in the future the two of you are off on a mission and you feel the need to get together I won’t have a problem with it.”

“See, that’s what I just don’t understand,” said Kurt, feeling mystified. “Women from Earth would be throwing a fit.”

“I see,” said Keera, releasing Kurt’s hands and taking a step back. “Mara and I have become good friends. Lakiams are even more relaxed in their sexual habits than where I come from. I guess it doesn’t bother me because I know Mara will never be a threat to our relationship. I mean on Kibitz, even after they’re married, men and women still occasionally go to the pleasure houses. It’s not like all three of us are going to be sharing the same bed.” Keera suddenly smiled mischievously. “Unless you want to try something like that, would you?”

“No!” Kurt said, his eyes growing wide in alarm. He stepped forward taking Keera into his arms. “You’re more than enough for me, and I don’t need anyone else.”

Keera smiled. “Why don’t we go take a long shower together? Maybe afterward I can show you why I’m not jealous of Mara.”

Kurt allowed Keera to lead him away. He knew she was right. He just needed to relax and accept things as they were. If this war with the Vorn ever ended, there might be a number of things that would have to change if Newton and Earth became a part of the larger galactic community.

-

Fleet Commodore Dreen was in his flagship, the Basera, when the sensor alarms began sounding. On the sensor console a red light was flashing.

“Vorn ships are being detected by the sensor net,” Laylem reported. The sensor net was a series of satellites placed throughout Lakiam, Andock, Bascom, and Paramount space capable of detecting incoming Vorn ships even if they were using their stealth fields. More satellites were being added to encompass other Protector Worlds. Currently an area of space nearly fourteen hundred light years across was covered by the sensitive satellites.

“Where did they come from?” asked Alborg, looking surprised. “I thought all the Vorn ships were leaving.”

Commodore Dreen looked at Laylem. “How many ships are we detecting and what types?”

“Eight battleships and twenty-five cruisers. They are on a course for Andock Prime.”

“Andock Prime?” said Alborg, looking confused. “They must know if they come anywhere near that system they will be destroyed, especially with a fleet that small.”

Commodore Dreen agreed with Alborg’s statement. There were Glaymon disk battlecruisers in the Andock System as well. “Why would they be coming here?” He had hoped they wouldn’t see any Vorn ships for a while.

“The mothership,” suggested Camol from Damage Control. “Perhaps they are coming to see if we possess it. They must be wondering how the Glaymons and the Humans found their staging system.”

“Don’t forget Mara was there with two Lakiam ships as well,” added Alborg. “They know we’re allied with the Andocks and seeing Mara’s ships might have indicated one of us has a captured mothership.”

Commodore Dreen knew Alborg was probably right. It was a surprise the Vorn hadn’t come searching for their missing ship before.

“What should we do?” asked Alborg. “It wouldn’t be difficult to send a couple Glaymon battleships and destroy that fleet. I’ll bet the Glaymons with their stealth fields could drop out of hyperspace without being detected. The Vorn would never know what hit them.”

“Possibly,” replied Commodore Dreen as he thought the situation over. “I think for now it’s best if we just observe them until we can determine what they’re up to. Sheera, get me Fleet Caption Waelt. I’m going to prepare a welcoming committee for those Vorn ships if they get too close or appear to be a danger. They don’t have a mothership with them so they’re not here to harvest any worlds. Also, contact Fleet Leader Arlak Moor. I’m sure by now he’s detected the Vorn ships as well. And contact all military commands not to show any reaction to the Vorn fleet. We’ll inform them if that needs to change.” The Glaymons had furnished them with new communication equipment which allowed for far faster communications than in the past. Messages between the Lakiam System and the Andock System only took a few minutes.

Commodore Dreen leaned back in his command chair. For the moment he was more interested in discovering why the Vorn were here rather than destroying them. That would come later.

-

Prince Ortumad was growing more concerned the deeper they went into the space controlled by species 111 and 236. He had a feeling something wasn’t right. Are there any signs we have been detected?

No, answered Military Commander Madoul. Our scans are reaching several nearby systems that have moderate fleet formations in them, but there are no indications we have been detected.

Prince Ortumad focused his eyes on the nearby tactical display. Keep as far away from all worlds as possible. We know the ships of the Ancients can penetrate our stealth fields with their sensors.

Only if they are looking for us, sent Madoul. I do not believe they have any reason to suspect our presence.

Prince Ortumad gazed at the long-range tactical display and saw Military Commander Madoul was correct. There was no reaction to the presence of the Vorn fleet.

Military Commander Madoul stepped closer to the main tactical display, his jointed legs making clicking sounds against the metal deck. It is nearly time to send the cruisers if we want them to reach their targets at the same time.

We will keep to our schedule, ordered Ortumad. He wanted to depart this region of space as soon as possible. It is essential we know if one of our motherships is in either of those two systems.

And if it is?

Prince Ortumad turned toward Madoul. Then our home system and the habitats could be in grave danger.

-

Fleet Commodore Dreen watched the tactical display with interest. A few minutes earlier two of the Vorns’ small spindle-shaped cruisers had left the fleet formation with one heading toward Andock Prime and the other to Lakiam. The small Vorn fleet seemed to be avoiding densely populated worlds and was trying to stay as far away as possible from major fleet formations. Whenever one was detected the Vorn quickly moved away.

“We don’t want them scanning our systems, do we?” asked Alborg.

“Not all of our ships are here,” replied Commodore Dreen. “Fleet Captain Waelt has activated the stealth fields on all of his vessels and the Vorn will not be able to detect them. I suspect if they are indeed searching for the missing mothership they will stay far out on the periphery of our system. Scans from that distance won’t give them enough detail on our upgraded defenses.”

“If they come in closer?” asked Alborg.

Fleet Commodore Dreen turned to address the tactical officer. “Then we destroy them.”

-

Fourteen hours later the two Vorn cruisers arrived at their targets. They dropped out of hyperspace on the extreme outskirts of the two systems and immediately began scanning. For ten minutes they did a full range of scans and then, turning away from the systems, jumped back into hyperspace. Once the two ships returned to the fleet, they would send the scanned data over to Prince Ortumad’s battleship to see if what they were seeking had been found.

-

“Interesting,” said Alborg as the Vorn ships went into hyperspace and headed back toward their waiting fleet.

“From the distance they took the scans they were obviously seeking something large such as a mothership,” added Laylem. “Scans from that distance would show little detail about the defenses around our worlds.”

Fleet Commodore Dreen stood up and walked over to the tactical display, showing the retreating Vorn ships. “Is it possible they don’t know we captured one?”

“They may think it was destroyed,” said Alborg. “Other motherships were totally annihilated during the battle in which the mothership was captured.”

Commodore Dreen stood gazing at the screen. “Something just doesn’t add up. Why come searching for it after all of this time?”

“Because of the attack on the staging system,” suggested Sheera. “They must be wondering how we got the coordinates.”

“Possibly,” Commodore Dreen answered. “I think it’s best if we let this Vorn fleet leave. It might cause some concern with the Vorn if they realize we have access to its files. It could even further delay their return.”

“Or cause them to attack in an attempt to destroy it,” suggested Alborg. “It’s what I would do. I would not allow an enemy access to the tactical data that ship contains. It would be vital to the war effort that it be destroyed.”

“But this is the Vorn,” said Sheera, shifting her gaze to Alborg. “We don’t know how they think other than they’re telepathic. What is important to us may not matter to them.”

Fleet Commodore Dreen returned to his command chair. “If the Vorn return we could destroy their fleet with the Glaymon ships we now have. I’m going to contact Fleet Leader Moor and suggest we do nothing to that small Vorn fleet but use the mothership as a trap. The Andocks can tow it out away from their planet to the outer regions of the system. We can place automated dark matter missiles and defense platforms around it. If the Vorn want the ship back we can make its retrieval very costly.”

-

The next day Prince Ortumad stared at the data the two ships had brought back. In the system of food species 111, there was a Vorn mothership anchored next to one of the food species’ shipyards. It was as he had feared. He now knew how the Ancients and the food species which attacked the staging system had found the coordinates.

By now they have stripped anything useful from the ship, said Military Commander Madoul. These food species are intelligent enough that they have probably accessed the ship’s computer files as well, particularly if the Ancients are involved.

Prince Ortumad was deeply concerned. The capture of the mothership meant the Ancients and the food species involved would have learned a lot about the technology of the Vorn, possibly even ways to counter it.

The ship is the Scythe under the command of Prince Lantoll, sent the Vorn scientist who was examining the data from the scans. It was reported destroyed by Prince Brollen as it was part of his harvesting fleet.

Prince Ortumad stood staring at the scan showing the Scythe near the food species shipyard. This is how the Ancients and the other food species knew where the staging system was.

Military Commander Madoul’s twin antenna stood straight up and began quivering. If they know where the staging system is they must also know where our home system is located. Our habitats and the Queens could be in danger.

Prince Ortumad spent a moment considering his options. Was it possible Prince Brollen did not know the Scythe had been captured? Then again, after that particular battle, there had been an unusual number of deletions on board Brollen’s mothership as well as other ships of his fleet.

Set a course back to the staging system. By now there should be some Intergalactic Transports there. We need to get back to the Conclave Habitat and report our findings. Ortumad was convinced once Queen Alithe discovered the danger Prince Brollen had put the habitats in, he would be immediately deleted and his wild desire for power would finally be over.

-

On the Basera, Fleet Commodore Dreen watched as the small Vorn fleet went into hyperspace and set a course out of Lakiam controlled space. It would take it days to exit Alliance space but it was definitely on a course to do so.

“So what now?” asked Alborg. “Fleet Leader Moor isn’t too happy about setting a trap in the Andocks’ home system.”

Commodore Dreen took a deep breath. “Fleet Captain Waelt is going to pay a visit to the Andock System and demonstrate the firepower of his battleships to Fleet Leader Moor. I think once he sees what we have to defend Andock Prime with his concerns will vanish.”

“Do you think the Vorn will attack in force or send a small fleet in to take out the mothership?”

“That’s one of the things that confuses me,” confessed Commodore Dreen, looking over at Alborg. “If that Vorn fleet believed we didn’t detect it why didn’t they do that? They could have jumped in close to the captured Vorn mothership and annihilated it with a few well placed antimatter missiles.” Commodore Dreen wondered if there was something else in play here. Unfortunately he had no way of finding out. All they could do was wait and see if the Vorn attempted to destroy the mothership.

Chapter Fourteen

Dacroni Clan Leader Jarls was sitting in one of the pleasure houses on Kubitz. It was two weeks since the destruction of Marsten and Dacroni Four. From the latest reports nearly three million Dacroni had survived in the deep bunkers each clan leader maintained. Marsten was much worse as less than one hundred had survived on the entire planet though many had escaped in passenger, cargo, and Marsten Profiteer ships.

“I see why so many Profiteers prefer these establishments,” said Salas as he ate food from the three plates in front of him. He looked up as a scantily clad server refilled his drink.

“It makes them soft,” replied Jarls as he downed the drink in front of him, feeling it burn all the way down his throat. He indicated for the server to refill it.

Jarls turned toward the stage where live entertainers were slowly stripping, leaving only a few small bits of clothing to cover up their private parts. He knew the services of these girls could be bought rather cheaply. Rooms were available upstairs and many patrons indulged in these types of activities.

“Music’s too loud,” complained Salas. “I can barely hear myself think.”

Jarls was about to reply when he saw Avery Dolman enter the entertainment area. He looked around and upon spotting Jarls made a beeline for his table.

“Clan Leader Jarls,” said Dolman, staring at the Dacroni mercenary.

“That’s correct,” replied Jarls, indicating for Dolman to sit down. Jarls gestured for the server to bring Dolman a drink.

A moment later the girl placed a drink in front of Dolman with the glass covered in frost and steam rising from it. Dolman reached out and took a hefty swallow and then set the glass back down. “I understand you’re seeking some information?”

Jarls leaned forward. “A few months back there was an illegal Vorn language program floating around Kubitz. Rumor has it someone bought it. I want to know who it was.”

Dolman’s eyes narrowed. “Do you believe whoever bought this program contacted the Vorn and brought them here to the Gothan Empire?”

“Not directly,” Jarls replied. “I think another world was the Vorns’ target and on their way either to that world or from it, they stumbled across our empire. The loss of Dacroni Four, Marsten, Tellurite, and the Gomarsh System were the result.”

“Don’t forget about the damage done to the Controller Station and the loss of ships here as well,” said Dolman, taking a smaller sip of his drink. “You are aware there are many individuals as well as governments who are interested in this information.”

“I’ll pay well,” replied Jarls. He still had a fortune in gold in the cargo ship currently in orbit above Kubitz.

Dolman leaned back, eyeing Jarls. “Someone’s been spreading a rumor that High Profiteer Creed was behind the Vorn finding the empire. Some of my sources indicate the rumor originated from several Dacroni mercenaries.”

“So what if it did?” challenged Salas. “If Creed was indeed behind the Vorn finding our empire then he deserves whatever is coming to him.”

Dolman reached forward and finished off his drink. He reached into a pocket and took out a small computer disk which he placed on the table between himself and Jarls. “Four million credits and the disk is yours. It tells who was selling the Vorn language program as well as who bought it and for how much. All the information you need is on this disk.”

Jarls eyed the disk. Four million credits was a lot. “One million credits.”

Dolman smiled. “There are rumors there’s a cargo ship in orbit with nearly a billion credits worth of gold on board.”

Jarls eyes turned dark. Someone had been talking. “Two million credits.”

Dolman hesitated for a moment and then nodded. “Since an atrocity was committed to your world due to this information I’ll let you have it for that price.”

“Two million is still a lot of credits for information.”

Dolman reached into one of his pockets and took out a small handheld computer. It was similar to the ones the Controllers used. He spent a moment pressing some icons and then handed it to Jarls. “This is a standard contract for information. I have entered two million credits as the fee for the information you have requested.”

Jarls gazed at the computer disk for a moment and then reached for the device. He hesitated and looked Dolman squarely in the eyes. “You swear this will tell me who bought that language program?”

“It will,” replied Dolman. “I can also say with some certainty this individual was responsible for inadvertently bringing the Vorn here.”

Jarls entered his account number and pressed his thumb to the device. It hummed as it checked his DNA and then flashed green.

“You have forty hours to make the necessary deposit to my account,” said Dolman, standing up.

“Just one question before you go,” said Jarls. His eyes drilling into Dolman’s. “Was it Creed?”

Dolman stood for a moment and then slowly nodded his head. “Yes, it was High Profiteer Creed. If my information is correct, he bought the program so he could contact the Vorn and get them to attack Earth.”

“I knew it,” said Jarls with a snarl. “I’m going to kill him!”

“You’d better get in line. From what I’m hearing several governments including the one here on Kubitz are thinking about placing bounties on Creed.”

Jarls stood up, his appetite gone. He placed the computer disk in a pocket of his uniform. “Not if I can get to him first.”

-

Dolman stepped outside the pleasure house where his two bodyguards were waiting. He grinned to himself. Two million credits was far more than he had hoped to obtain for the information. One thing he hadn’t mentioned to Clan Leader Jarls: the same information he had given him for two million credits he had also furnished to Ambassador Brent for free. Dolman suspected the Humans from Newton would get to Creed first. However, there was one wild card in all of this. Grantz was ahead of everyone particularly since he had hired his own team of Profiteers to find the High Profiteer. Grantz was determined to deliver Creed’s head to Fleet Admiral Vickers and collect the ten million-credit bounty Vickers had placed on Creed’s head.

-

Jarls looked over at Salas. “It was High Profiteer Creed. Dolman has a reputation to uphold, and he wouldn’t have said that unless he was certain.”

“So what now?” asked Salas, trying to keep his eyes off the server who was bending over far more than necessary as she served another customer at a nearby table.

“We go back to the ship and study the information on this disk,” said Jarls, patting his pocket. “Then we contact some of the other Dacroni clan leaders and see about placing another bounty on Creed’s head. He was responsible for destroying our world and for that he must be punished.”

Salas finished off his drink. “What about our other business?”

“Tomorrow we will start bringing the gold down to the Controller Exchange at the main spaceport. A sufficient number of our clan survived that we need a home for them and that’s not Kubitz. We can build on Dacroni Five for now until such a time as our home planet once more becomes habitable.”

Jarls had found a number of his own ships had been sent to Kubitz once the primary Dacroni clan leaders determined defense of the planet was impossible. As a result, fourteen more battleships had joined the ten he had taken on the mission with Creed. Not only were there survivors in the clan bunker but a few more had been off planet or working on cargo ships. All were being recalled to help in the rebuilding effort. With the gold Jarls had he could pay for a substantial habitation dome for the survivors of his clan. Not only that there were a few smaller clans he might offer refuge to if they agreed to become part of his clan. If he was careful with the gold he had he could become one of the primary Dacroni clan leaders. Fortunately, due to the planet being semi-habitable they wouldn’t need a dome capable of resisting a vacuum or the more hazardous forces of nature. A simple dome similar to the ones above the primary cities on Kubitz would work with a few extras added to ensure comfort. With the credits Jarls would receive for the gold he could afford to add what was needed to the dome to make his clan comfortable.

-

Kurt and Keera returned home feeling both refreshed and exhausted from their trip. They had stayed a few extra days taking advantage of Kurt’s time off. As he carried in all of Keera’s suitcases he couldn’t help wondering what was in them. They felt like they weighed a ton.

“What’s in these things?” he asked as he placed the last one in the bedroom.

Keera smiled. “I picked up a few special items at the resort.”

“What, rocks?” Kurt stood up rubbing his back.

“A few,” she confessed in an even voice.

Kurt’s face paled. “You’re joking!”

“Of course I am,” Keera replied laughing. “I bought a few T-shirts for Bryan and some postcards of the resort for Meesa and Dalen. They might want to go there someday to get away from everything before the baby comes. It would be a good place to relax and the food’s great. They wouldn’t have to ski.”

“I’m going to check in with Colonel Simms and see what’s going on.” Kurt had promised Keera he would stay away from his job while on vacation. There had only been one interruption and that had been minor.

“Go ahead. I’m going to see if I can find Mara so we can discuss the next shipment of tea.”

Kurt paused, his eyes narrowing.

Keera laughed. “Don’t worry. I won’t invite her over. I can meet her somewhere.”

“No,” said Kurt, drawing in a deep breath. “You can have her over. This is something I need to get used to since you and her are in business together.”

“Great! I also need to speak to Meesa. She had a doctor’s appointment while we were gone and I want to hear what her obstetrician said.”

-

A few minutes later Kurt was speaking to Colonel Simms. The colonel informed Kurt about the small Vorn fleet which had ventured into Lakiam Alliance space obviously in search of the missing mothership. Simms had been informed by the Glaymons.

“So, Fleet Commodore Dreen is setting a trap.”

“If they return,” replied Simms. “They’re putting a few Glaymon battleships in the Andock System just in case.”

“I’ll be coming up to the Star Cross tomorrow,” Kurt informed Simms. “I want to begin reorganizing our fleets. Then later this week I’m going to take a trip to Earth, Julbian, and to speak to the Glaymons.”

“Should I call in the crew of the Star Cross?”

“No, not yet,” Kurt replied. “We’ll give them a few more days. We’ve bought some time and I want to make the best of it. When the Vorn return this next time, it’s either going to be them or us. I want all of our crews to spend as much time as possible in the coming months with their families.”

“You believe the Vorn will bring a larger fleet?”

“Much larger,” Kurt replied. “I believe they’re going to send everything they’ve got.”

Simms was silent for a long moment. “I’ve been speaking to the Glaymon captain on one of the battleships. He’s suggesting we build two more Glaymon shipyards as well as add another construction bay to Newton Station for the defense platforms. He’s hinted this could be done in less than a month with their technology.”

Kurt thought for a moment. He hadn’t thought it could be done that quickly or he would have already suggested it. “Speak to the Glaymon captain and see if he can make the arrangements.”

“He said he would if we approved it.”

“Colonel Simms, we have four months minimum to prepare. What we do in those months could be the difference between our survival and becoming food for the Vorn.”

“I’m not getting turned into a food pellet,” replied Simms evenly. “I’ll die first.”

Kurt shared Simms’ sentiments. “I’ll stop by Newton Station after I’m finished on the Star Cross.”

“By the way, Aleea has been asking about you. I think she’s getting bored.”

Kurt wasn’t surprised. One of the last things he had done before going on vacation was restrict the amount of time Lieutenant Mays could spend on board. Kurt wanted his brilliant tactical officer to get sufficient rest before the war began again in earnest. “One more thing: contact Lieutenant Mays and see if she can meet me on the Star Cross tomorrow.”

Colonel Simms started laughing. “That will be easy. She’s on the station. She’s been staying in one of the guest quarters and working on the station’s computers several times a day.”

Kurt let out a deep sigh. It seemed as if there was nothing he could do to control the lieutenant and her obsession with tactics.

-

The next day Kurt took a shuttle up to the Star Cross. As the shuttle climbed up through the planet’s atmosphere and finally into space Kurt could see several bright dots outside the cabin window. He knew these were defensive satellites with dual firing energy cannons. In the distance he could barely make out a Class One Defensive Platform. As they passed near Newton Station he was pleased to see several small shuttles with mechanical arms exit one of the construction bays with sections for a new platform.

Leaning back, he was satisfied with the progress they were making increasing the defenses around Newton. With Glaymon technology he intended Newton to have the most powerful defenses in the known galaxy, except perhaps the Glaymons’ Dyson Sphere. Looking ahead he saw the Star Cross growing larger. It would feel good to be back on board his flagship. Admiral Wilson and newly promoted Rear Admirals Cheryl Anniston and Marcus Weinstein were supposed to meet him there.

-

Stepping into the Command Center he saw Lieutenant Mays at her station busily pressing icons and occasionally swearing in a low voice.

“Is there a problem?” asked Kurt. There was no one else in the Command Center other than Aleea.

Aleea looked over at Kurt and smiled. “The lieutenant and I are engaged in a battle between two ships of equal strength. I just blew a sixty-meter hole in the hull of her vessel. I don’t think she’s very pleased with what I just did.”

“I allowed you to do that so I could bring my particle beam cannons to bear,” said Lieutenant Mays with a wolfish grin as she pressed another icon on her computer screen. “You’re dead!”

The smile on Aleea’s face faded and her shoulders drooped. “I was not expecting that maneuver. I concede.”

Kurt turned to address Lieutenant Mays. “I hope you enjoyed your mandatory time off.”

Mays’ face blushed and she let out a deep sigh. “Colonel Simms told you about me using the computers on the station.”

“Yes,” replied Kurt in a slightly stern voice. “I wanted you to take some time off to relax.”

“Admiral, doing this kind of stuff to me is relaxing. Running simulations against Aleea is like playing a complicated computer game. I find it exhilarating and unbelievably exciting.”

“Nevertheless, I want you to take a day off occasionally just to clear your mind.”

“Yes, sir,” she replied obediently. “The admirals are waiting for you in the small conference room.”

“Thank you, Lieutenant,” Kurt said. “I want to speak to you for a few minutes after the meeting.”

“I’m not in trouble, am I, sir?” Mays’ face showed concern. She knew she had bent the admiral’s orders about taking time off.

“No, Lieutenant. I just want to speak to you about what we may be facing when the Vorn return.”

-

Stepping into the small conference room the other three admirals rose and saluted.

“As you were,” said Kurt, returning the salutes. “I called the three of you here to discuss the composition of the fleets you will be commanding. With the arrival of the new Glaymon force we’re going to modify our original ship assignments.”

“Does that mean Glaymon ships are going to be assigned to our fleets?” asked Rear Admiral Anniston, her eyes lighting up at the thought.

Kurt nodded. “I spoke to Fleet Captain Lilith as well as Councilor Marshton, their new leader, and they agreed to place a few of their ships within our fleets.” Kurt leaned forward and pressed an icon on a small computer screen set into the conference table. Instantly on the large computer screen in the room a 1,500-meter Human battleship appeared. It looked impressive with its weapon turrets, heavy cannons, and numerous missile launching tubes.

“Each fleet will be assigned ten battleships and twenty heavy battlecruisers,” said Kurt, indicating the battleship behind him on the screen.

“Will Admiral White and I have to give up our battlecarriers?” asked Admiral Wilson.

“That’s up to the two of you,” Kurt replied. “The Ranger and Kepler have both been fully updated to the latest technology. They’re nearly as powerful as a battleship. All they are missing is the KEW cannon to fire off Zero-Point Energy rounds.”

“I’ll discuss it with Admiral White and let you know what we decide.”

“What about the Glaymon ships?” asked Rear Admiral Weinstein. “How many of them are we going to get?”

“Two of their battleships and ten of their disk battlecruisers will be assigned to each fleet,” replied Kurt. “Keep in mind the purpose of your fleets is to delay any Vorn incursion until larger forces can arrive.”

Admiral Wilson frowned. “Many of the ships you’re assigning to us haven’t been built yet.”

“No, they haven’t. As new ships come out of the construction bays they will be assigned to your individual fleets. We’re hoping for four months of no Vorn harvesting. As you know we’re also drastically increasing the size of the defense grids around our planets as well.”

Admiral Wilson leaned forward, addressing Kurt. “At least Earth and Julbian will have their own fleets to add to ours if we need them.”

“Yes, that’s true. Unfortunately Malden and Sertez will not have much to add ship-wise other than a few battlecruisers and some lighter ship elements. We’re just not going to have the time to build up their fleets since new shipyards will be needed.”

Kurt changed the view on the viewscreen to show one of the Glaymon battleships. The vessel was 2,000 meters across and covered with weapon emplacements, sensor devices, communication dishes, and multiple missile launching tubes.

-

For the next hour the four of them discussed various tactics to use against the Vorn as well as the defense of the individual systems in the Human Alliance.

“It sounds as if the defense grids are going to play a big role in all of this,” said Rear Admiral Anniston.

Kurt nodded. “We need to use them to buy time for reinforcements to arrive. That’s why we need to pull our fleets back to add the firepower of our ships to the grids to inflict the maximum amount of damage possible on the Vorn until sufficient fleet units arrive to drive them out of our star systems.”

Admiral Wilson leaned forward with a grave look on his face. “Is this war with the Vorn winnable?”

“Maybe,” Kurt replied. It was something he had thought a lot about. “It depends on the size of the fleet they return with and how many ships the galaxy has to oppose them.”

A startled looked crossed Rear Admiral Weinstein’s face. “If I understand all of this, there’s a chance a year from now we could all be dead and every world in our Alliance harvested by the Vorn.”

Kurt let out a deep sigh. This was his greatest fear. If the Advanced Glaymons in the Dyson Sphere continued to stay out of the war that could indeed be the end result. Earth, Newton, and the other worlds in the Alliance all harvested by the Vorn. “Not if I can help it,” Kurt replied.

-

Going back into the Command Center, Kurt walked over to Lieutenant Mays’ tactical console where she had a Vorn battleship up on one of her screens.

“What are you looking at?”

“The Vorn energy screens. When we overload Vorn cruisers’ screens causing them to collapse they generally destroy the Vorn vessel they’re supposed to protect. That’s not always true with the battleships because their hull armor is so much thicker. However, some of our weapons can penetrate a Vorn screen without collapsing it if it hasn’t become engorged with energy. I’ve noticed many of the energy weapons the Glaymon battleships use go right through the screens without causing them to collapse.”

“Where is this leading, Lieutenant?”

“If I were the Vorn I would spend the next few months updating my fleet and changing the energy shield. We’ve demonstrated we can overload their shields with our five hundred-megaton dark matter missiles. They will want to stop their ships from being destroyed when their shields become overloaded with energy. I suspect they will go to a type of shield more similar to what we use.”

Kurt sat down at one of the consoles next to hers. “Are you saying we won’t be able to penetrate their energy screens?”

“No, their ships will just be a little harder to destroy.”

“Lieutenant, we’re taking the Star Cross in a few days on a quick trip to Earth, Julbian, and then to the new system of the Glaymons. They’ve never told us a lot about the home system of the Vorn. I’m starting to wonder if there’s a reason for that omission.”

“You think they know something they’re not telling us? Why would they do that?”

“Because it’s bad news,” said Kurt, letting out a deep breath. “I believe they fear if we knew what was in that system, it might shatter the Lakiam Alliance and even harm our own war effort.”

“Because if we knew what was in that system we would know we can’t win,” said Lieutenant Mays, her eyes showing worry.

“That’s what I’m afraid of. That’s why we’re going to go talk to Councilor Marshton and Fleet Captain Lilith. It’s time we know the truth.”

Lieutenant Mays nodded. “We can handle the truth. I would like to know myself what we’re up against.”

“I’m going to invite Mara to come along with the Limeira. Since she figured out how to destroy the staging system maybe between you and her a way can be found to destroy the Vorns’ home system as well.”

“That may be asking a lot,” said Mays, showing doubt in her eyes. “That system is bound to be heavily defended, maybe as strong as the Glaymons’ Dyson Sphere.”

Kurt nodded. “It may be, but if we want to win this war the Vorn home system is going to have to be dealt with.” Kurt knew he was asking a lot but to save Earth and Newton plus the other worlds in the Alliance the Vorn home system had to be destroyed.

-

A few hours later as Kurt pulled into his driveway he saw another vehicle parked there. He strongly suspected it was Mara’s. Well, he needed to speak to her anyway. Taking a deep breath, he exited his vehicle and began walking toward the house.

-

Mara was busy talking to Keera about plans for the next shipment of tea and popcorn.

“There are a number of different popcorn flavors,” said Keera. “I think we should send a few of the more exotic ones and see how they go over.”

Mara nodded and then tensed as the front door opened and Kurt stepped in. She felt her heart start to beat faster and she suspected her face was flushed. She was starting to believe she was spending too much time around the Humans, which was causing her to become more susceptible to her emotions. Lakiams had the same emotions as Humans but better control over them. Mara feared she was losing some of her self-control.

“Keera, Mara,” said Kurt, coming in and sitting down in a recliner across from them. “Planning your next tea shipment?”

“Yes,” said Keera. “Mara says our first shipment of samples was highly popular. We’re going to send a second and much larger shipment of the four main varieties. She’s even found a distributor on Lakiam who will handle selling the tea and popcorn.”

Mara looked at Kurt and then spoke. “At some point, Keera and I need to go to Earth and talk to some of the suppliers. If these varieties sell as well as I think they will we’re going to need some major suppliers to furnish the tea for future shipments.”

Kurt looked thoughtful. “Keera hasn’t been to Earth yet. It would be good for her to see the home solar system.”

“Speaking of tea, I’m going to make some for us. I’m getting thirsty from all of this business talk.” Keera stood and walked into the kitchen.

Mara felt uneasy being left alone with Kurt. “I’m sorry if my being here makes you feel uncomfortable.”

Kurt let out a deep sigh. “It’s something we need to get over. You and Keera are good friends and she doesn’t have many of those on Newton. It also seems the two of you are going to be business associates.”

“I should not have come to your quarters!” blurted out Mara. “It was a mistake.”

“We all make mistakes and if I remember correctly I didn’t exactly send you away.”

“Then you’re not angry with me?” Mara was still having problems understanding Human emotions and exactly why Humans reacted the way they did to certain things. Sometimes they were highly irrational.

“No,” Kurt said smiling. “I’m not angry. As a matter of fact I’m getting ready to go to Earth, Julbian, and the Glaymons’ new system and I want you to accompany me.”

Mara’s eyes widened. “It won’t upset Keera, will it?”

“No, she actually has no problem with what happened between us.”

Mara breathed out a long sigh of relief. “I didn’t think she did but it’s good to hear. Why do you want me to accompany you?”

“I don’t think the Glaymons have told us everything about the Vorns’ home system. I want to know what they’re hiding.”

“I got the same impression. They were very open about the staging system but have been evasive when asked about where the Vorn come from.”

“We leave in two more days. You can come on the Star Cross or bring the Limeira. I’ll leave that up to you.”

“I think I’ll bring the Limeira. The crew is a little bored and they will be thrilled to see the Glaymons’ new habitat, particularly the scientists on board.”

Keera returned carrying three glasses of tea. She handed one to Keera, one to Kurt, and kept the third. She looked over at Kurt. “Now, how much tea do you think we can get from Earth?”

-

Relaxing back into his recliner, Kurt smiled. Maybe this wasn’t going to be as bad as he had thought. Mara seemed very reasonable and he noticed her clothes were very moderate in taste. Nothing alluring or revealing which was a first for her while not on official business. “I would suggest getting Governor Spalding involved and forming some type of company based on Newton. He knows enough business leaders to get you the help you need.”

Keera nodded. “If this was Kubitz everything would be so much simpler.”

“Thankfully it’s not,” Kurt answered. “It won’t be nearly as difficult as you think.”

Kurt listened with interest as the two women outlined their business plans for the sale of the tea. Kurt found it somewhat calming to hear the two talking about setting up a business with the threat of the Vorn looming overhead. It made him feel, just maybe, there was still hope for the future.

Chapter Fifteen

Councilor Valen was once more in the large council chamber of the Glaymons. Since the last meeting, the Aggressives had begun to build new cities in the habitation squares bordering the four which held the main part of their population. Within just another few months people would begin moving into the cities.

“It has been brought to my attention the Aggressives have already begun building in the habitation squares bordering the ones originally assigned to them,” began Lead Councilor Lavin with a stern look on his face. “This expansion is against the will of the council and must come to a stop immediately. The Aggressives must also begin reducing their population to the levels voted on by this council.”

Councilor Valen stood and folded his arms defiantly across his chest. “We will not stop our expansion, and we plan on growing our population from its current level of eight billion to twenty billion.”

This caused a rumble of voices throughout the chamber.

“We do not need twenty billion Aggressives,” countered Lavin. “Our geneticists say twenty million are sufficient.”

“The twenty billion are not just to be used by the geneticists to continue the Glaymon race but to fight the Vorn,” countered Valen. “We have already started a rapid expansion of our fleet. We plan on sending another fleet to Fleet Captain Waelt as soon as possible.”

“You’re building battleships!” accused Lead Councilor Lavin. “Possession of such powerful warships is prohibited to the Aggressives. You must cease such construction immediately. If you do not I will order work robots to immediately move in and begin dismantling your spacedocks and construction facilities.”

Valen laughed. “If you try such a dangerous act we will destroy every work robot you send.”

Lead councilor Lavin’s face turned red with anger. “You must obey the council!”

“Not when the council is wrong and self-centered,” replied Valen defiantly. “If you would agree to allow us to send our fleet out to fight the Vorn, the Aggressives might consider staying within the four habitation squares assigned to us as well as keeping our population at its current level.”

“The defenses on the outer hull of the Dyson Sphere will prevent any fleet you try to send from leaving. I will order it destroyed.” There were several voices raised in objection to this as well as others who approved.

“We will go anyway,” proclaimed Valen. “It is time for us to fight the Vorn!”

“Yes, fight the Vorn,” a few voices called out.

“Fleet Captain Waelt has reported Fleet Admiral Vickers, with the aid of Glaymon battlecruisers, has destroyed the Vorns’ staging system and inflicted massive ship losses on the Destroyers of Worlds. Not only that, subsequent attacks with the aid of Fleet Captain Lilith’s forces have resulted in the Vorn pulling their harvesting fleets out of the galaxy. Our fleet captains are showing us victory against the Vorn is possible. We just need to follow their lead. We have the ships here in the Dyson Sphere to defeat the Vorn permanently. We need to use them to end this scourge once and for all. Let’s send our full fleet out to engage the Vorn!”

“Vote!” rang out a surprisingly large number of voices. “Send the fleet!” called out others.

-

Lead Councilor Lavin glared at Councilor Valen. “We will vote though it’s a waste of this council’s valuable time. All in favor of going to war against the Vorn please indicate so. Those opposed, which is the majority, please indicate your vote.”

Lavin had spent his time since the last vote on this subject speaking to numerous councilors. He was certain it would fail by an even larger margin this time which should put an end this ridiculous talk of going to war against the Vorn. They had a plan to get rid of the Vorn. Two million more years and it would be implemented with no danger to the Dyson Sphere.

The votes began to come in and Lavin’s eyes widened in concern. Over 40 percent of the councilors were voting to go to war. What was happening? His eyes wandered over to Councilor Aalik who was sitting in his councilor’s chair near the podium. The councilor had a smile on his face as if he knew something unforeseen was about to happen. Lavin had suspected Aalik secretly supported the Aggressives. He was now positive of it.

Lead Councilor Lavin looked down at the counter on the top of his podium indicating the vote. It was hovering at 42 percent for going to war and 58 percent opposed. This was 10 percent more than last time!

“What’s the tally?” demanded Councilor Valen. “Are we going to war?”

“Yes, the tally!” called out other councilors.

“No,” responded Lavin, his eyes drilling into Valen’s. “The vote is 42 percent for war and 58 percent against. The motion has failed.”

“Next time,” Valen said in a confident voice. “More councilors are realizing our future is out there in the galaxy and not hiding here in our Dyson Sphere. There are trillions of beings depending on us to end this terrible war with the Vorn. We cannot let them down.”

Lavin’s eyes glanced down at the final vote tally in disbelief. For the first time he realized if something wasn’t done soon to turn the tide at the next council meeting, the councilors might indeed vote to go to war against the Vorn. Lavin knew somehow he had to stop that from occurring. The Glaymons could not go to war against the Vorn; it would change everything in the Dyson Sphere. They had adapted to this way of life and Lavin was not going to allow it to end.

-

Later Valen stood in his office gazing at a picture of the four habitats the Aggressives controlled from thousands of kilometers above the surface. Eight billion people called the four habitats home. Large cities were easily visible as well as oceans, rivers, mountains and even glaciers. Every type of environment one might find on a habitable world was duplicated somewhere on one of the four habitats.

“It seems the last few Vorn harvesting fleets attacked the Gothan Empire, harvesting four of their worlds,” Gaylith informed Valen. She was standing at the large balcony staring out over the capital city. “Fleet Captain Lilith provided Fleet Admiral Vickers with some of our ships and he nearly wiped out the two Vorn fleets. According to our latest communication intercepts, the harvesting of the galaxy has come to a complete stop.”

“That’s good news, isn’t it?” asked Aalik, who was present using a hologram.

“For now,” replied Valen, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. “It gives the Lakiam Alliance and others time to prepare for the Vorns’ return. Councilor Marshton believes they have bought four to eight months of time.”

Gaylith shook her head. “I’m afraid not. We’ve been studying the Vorns’ harvesting, and they almost seem frantic. We believe they are near starvation. Their food reserves are probably depleted.”

“How?” asked Aalik, looking confused. “I would assume by them harvesting other galaxies they would have large reserves of food.”

“That’s the problem,” replied Gaylith, placing her hands on her hips. “The Vorn may have over-harvested all of the nearby galaxies. Our galaxy may be their only viable source of food for the immediate future.”

“How soon will they return?” This information would have to be sent to Councilor Marshton.

“Two to three months at the maximum,” replied Gaylith. “When they do return they will commit a much larger fleet and will be harvesting worlds as rapidly as possible.”

Valen looked meaningfully at Aalik. “Two months from now, I’ll call for another vote. We must have a majority.”

Aalik shook his head. “It might not be possible. Lead Councilor Lavin is bringing additional pressure to bear on more of the councilors every day. I’m not certain the votes are there to get us to the majority. We might be able to get up to 48 percent, but it’s going to be nearly impossible to get over 50.”

“We’ll keep trying. I have one more option I might be able to use. I don’t like it but Lead Councilor Lavin might allow us to send another fleet if I make the offer. Perhaps even ships from some of the other habitats which have been supporting us in our effort to go to war against the Vorn.”

“Not expanding into the other habitation squares,” said Gaylith in realization. “You mentioned that today and Lavin ignored the offer.”

“That and an agreement to reduce our population,” Valen said, his eyes showing how much he didn’t want to make that concession. “If we can’t reach a majority vote, it might be the only way to get Councilor Marshton and the fleet captains the ships they need. I greatly fear if we don’t get the ships out to Fleet Captain Waelt soon we never will.”

Aalik looked shocked and then nodded his head. “I can understand the need but let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”

“Any messages you want to send to Councilor Marshton?” asked Gaylith.

Valen thought for a moment and then replied. “Tell him we’re doing everything we can. If I can’t get the Advanced Glaymons to agree to go to war against the Vorn, I think I have a way to talk them into sending a large reinforcing fleet.”

Gaylith was silent as she considered the implications. “Let’s hope we send a very large reinforcing fleet.” With that comment she left, going back to her office.

“I’m going to go talk to a few more councilors. I know of several who might be willing to switch their votes if I offer them a few favors in return.” With that Aalik vanished as his hologram was turned off.

With a deep sigh, Valen walked over to stand on the balcony. Why couldn’t the Advanced Glaymons understand that now was the time to get rid of the Vorn? For far too long they had lived inside the Dyson Sphere and the safety it provided. They had abandoned the rest of the galaxy because they had everything they could ever need inside the massive megastructure. Valen wondered if perhaps the Advanced Glaymons were not nearly as advanced as they thought they were.

-

In the destroyed staging system, Prince Ortumad was in a state of confusion. There were several Intergalactic Transport ships present docking ships which had survived the destruction of the system’s only planet. Not only that, other Intergalactic Transport ships were bringing surviving Vorn harvesting fleets from Galaxy X241. Ortumad was shocked to hear what had happened in four of the systems in which the fleets had been waiting. Nearly 80 percent of all the motherships in those systems had been destroyed along with their precious cargoes of food pellets. It seemed as if the disaster was continuing to grow.

There are orders for your immediate deletion, reported Military Commander Madoul. I have spoken to several military leaders, and they report the order was issued by Prince Brollen.

This deeply concerned Prince Ortumad. The only reason he was still alive was because he was on his battleship and the small support fleet which was loyal to him. I have informed the other princes that I have important tactical information I must take to the Conclave Habitat.

The secret of the Scythe will not protect you from deletion, replied Madoul. Queen Alithe is dead and a new Hive Queen has been chosen. Prince Brollen has been elevated to the rank of High Prince and is the Hive Queen’s immediate adviser. Even if we can prove he knew about the Scythe and because of it the staging system was attacked, he has put himself out of our reach.

Prince Ortumad’s eyes grew larger, and his antenna quivered in rage. There are other Queens who may not find the new High Prince so captivating. I know several of the older Queens, and they will not like the power Prince Brollen has now usurped from the Hive Queen. Perhaps several of them will listen to reason and be willing to take action.

They will also have to protect you, sent Military Commander Madoul. Once we arrive in the home system, there will be an effort to have you deleted. They may also delete those of us who follow you.

Do not be concerned, Prince Ortumad replied. I know of at least one older Queen who will give us refuge.

Ortumad looked at one of the main viewscreens showing an Intergalactic Transport being loaded with battleships. All of the surviving motherships had already been taken back, no doubt to remove their harvests. Ortumad was worried. The food reserves at the habitats were minimal. Without continued harvesting, there would be the need for massive deletions.

We have permission to dock with the Fraelhold, reported the Vorn at the Helm. However, our other battleships and cruisers are being assigned to a different transport.

Prince Ortumad wondered if this was an attempt to separate him from those who would protect him. Contact several of the other battleships and have more guards sent to our ship. Also, arm an antimatter warhead so it can be detonated from here.

That will destroy the Intergalactic Transport! protested Military Commander Madoul. Not many of them still survive.

I would not detonate it, Prince Ortumad assured Madoul. However, the threat of detonating it may prevent other Vorn from attempting to board our ship.

I understand, replied Madoul as he turned and went to carry out the prince’s commands.

Ortumad’s eyes moved from screen to screen. There were eight of the large 10,000-meter ships in the system. Six others were shuttling warships from Galaxy X241 to the staging system. Seven more were already on their way to the habitats or already there. Ortumad had been informed these were all the transports currently active. This was not surprising due to the fact forty-eight transports had been destroyed in the attack on this system. The denizens of Galaxy X241 were proving to be extremely dangerous. The Vorn had never encountered such resistance before.

-

An hour later Ortumad felt his battleship dock to the transport ship. He had brought over two hundred additional guards. That should be sufficient to prevent other Vorn from forcibly boarding the vessel and trying to remove him. It was a five-day trip from here to the star system that contained the habitats. As soon as they arrived, he would contact one of the older Queens and inform her he had valuable information about Prince Brollen and the missing mothership Scythe. If everything went as Ortumad hoped Prince Brollen’s reign as High Prince would be a short one.

-

Inside the Conclave Habitat High Prince Brollen listened as Hive Queen Berlyne spoke to the Royal Court.

Our latest inventory of food supplies, including the recently arrived motherships, indicates we only have a four-month supply of food. As a result I am ordering the deletion of 38 percent of the Worker Caste beginning immediately.

Who will clean our habitats? demanded a young Queen who had only recently taken over the responsibilities from an older Queen near the end of her time. The Worker Caste serves many useful purposes.

Hive Queen Berlyne shifted her multifaceted eyes to the Queen who had spoken out. If we do not reduce the size of the Worker Caste then we will all starve. Do you wish to die of starvation?

“No,” answered the young Queen, lowering her head. I will order the military caste in my habitat to begin the deletions immediately.

When will we resume the harvest? asked a powerful member of the military. Galaxy X241 still has a bountiful supply of food species.

Hive Queen Berlyne looked over at High Prince Brollen.

In three months, Brollen replied. At that time we will have sufficient warships activated to be able to protect our motherships. We will begin by harvesting a number of worlds where they will be little resistance. Once we have sufficient reserves of food, we will destroy the races that have been responsible for our recent reverses. Once they have been converted to food pellets the rest of the galaxy will be easier to harvest.

What about the ancient race? several Queens asked. What will be done about them?

Brollen had already instituted a plan to solve that problem. There are still over two thousand of our cruisers in Galaxy X241. They are tasked with finding the homeworld of this race. Our scientists believe it must be in either open space between star systems or in the heart of a nebula. At the moment our ships are searching every nebula which might be able to hide such a world or worlds. It will take much longer to search the open spaces between the stars.

This seemed to satisfy the Queens. High Prince Brollen knew the food supplies were much greater than what was being admitted. Many of the Queens were hoarding food and not reporting the true quantities of what was stored in their habitats. In the Conclave Habitat there was over a years worth of food supplies. He had not revealed this fact to Hive Queen Berlyne. Brollen had long believed there were too many workers and they were a heavy drain on food resources. This seemed like a good way to get rid of the more useless ones.

The ancient race and their allies found the staging system, sent Queen Erriles. Is there a danger they might show up here?

This caused a shuffling of legs and a stir of fear in the Royal Court.

No, High Prince Brollen replied. We still believe they followed one of our ships back to the staging system and that’s how it was discovered. There is no chance of them showing up here. I can assure you all of our habitats are safe as they always have been.

Brollen was still concerned about Prince Ortumad. Reports from the destroyed staging system indicated the prince had left the system and gone to Galaxy X241 with a small fleet of battleships and battlecruisers. No one knew why though Brollen had a suspicion. Several times Prince Ortumad had asked Brollen about the destroyed motherships. High Prince Brollen was convinced Ortumad had gone in search of the truth.

-

Later that day High Prince Brollen was in the construction bay that was building his new flagship. The new ship was fully twice the size of his former mothership with much more powerful weapons and a new energy shield.

Progress on the new ship goes well, sent Military Leader Gallet. I understand you have given the order to build an entire fleet of these vessels.

Brollen nodded. These Ancients concern me. Their weapons seem to be able to easily penetrate our shields. The scientists have informed me the new shields on the larger motherships will not be so vulnerable.

Military Commander Vasterus has returned, added Gallet. He has requested we begin immediate production on the dreadnought class of battleships.

High Prince Brollen thought over this suggestion. The dreadnought class had been designed in case the Great Enemy who had driven them from the Vorns’ home universe ever appeared. Since that had never occurred the dreadnoughts were never built.

I will speak to the scientists and engineers in charge of building our ships and see if it is feasible to build any dreadnoughts between now and when we resume our harvest of Galaxy X241.

This seemed to please Military Leader Gallet. I will inform Military Commander Vasterus of your decision.

High Prince Brollen watched as Military Leader Gallet walked away, heading toward a large hatch to exit the construction bay. Brollen had hesitated about ordering the construction of the dreadnoughts as they would take resources away from the reactivation of the hundreds of thousands of Vorn ships stored in stasis inside the habitats. Now he realized that with the threat of the Ancients construction of the dreadnoughts should have been a higher priority.

-

In the Glaymon Dyson Sphere, Councilor Valen stood inside one of the huge construction bays of the Aggressives where a number of Glaymon battleships were being built. This was in direct disobedience of the council’s long standing order that the Aggressive were not allowed to possess the larger and much more destructive ships.

“Another month and the first battleships will be complete,” reported Fleet Captain Kriegon. “There are ten under construction in this construction bay and twenty more in the others.”

“They are powerful ships but we need many more.” Valen looked over at the fleet captain. “A number of other habitats have promised support in providing ships if we can get the council’s approval.”

Fleet Captain Kriegon seemed to hesitate and then spoke. “I may know of a way to win this war outright, but it will be a grave risk to our fleet if we make the attempt. It could even be a risk to this galaxy.”

“What is it?” asked Councilor Valen, feeling intrigued.

Fleet Captain Kriegon turned his attention back to the battleships. “This is what I propose if the council does not vote for all out war.”

-

For the next twenty minutes the fleet captain carefully outlined his daring plan. When he was finished, he looked expectantly at Councilor Valen.

Valen’s face had turned pale upon hearing what Fleet Captain Kriegon was proposing. “It will be dangerous but I agree with you. It may be our only hope of defeating the Vorn. Make the preparations but we won’t initiate it until we see there’s no other choice.”

“If it doesn’t work we will lose our fleet and I fear there will be nothing left which can stop the Vorn,” said Kriegon.

Valen didn’t reply. There was much work that needed to be done in the coming months. If they were to enact Kriegon’s plan it would infuriate most of the council. Of course, Valen and Marshton had been doing that for months anyway.

-

Prince Ortumad gazed at a viewscreen which was covered in static. Very shortly the Intergalactic Transport his vessel was docked to would be exiting hyperspace in the red dwarf system which contained all of the Vorn habitats. For the last five days he had kept heavily armed guards at all of the hatches and in the key compartments of the ship in case they were boarded. Everything had remained quiet, including very little communication with the transport ship.

They may be waiting until we drop out of hyperspace, warned Military Commander Madoul. Our ship will still be docked to the transport ship and they may believe it will be easy to overwhelm us.

They will not, replied Prince Ortumad, gesturing to the antimatter warhead strapped down to the deck in the center of the Command Center. Not as long as they believe we will detonate that. Once we exit hyperspace, I will contact Queen Erriles and inform her I have damaging information concerning High Prince Brollen. She is one of the older and more respected Queens. She will not allow anything to happen to us until she has seen the information we possess.

-

Military Commander Madoul shifted his eyes to the antimatter warhead a few meters away. It made all of the Vorn in the Command Center uncomfortable knowing the power of the deadly device. Walking over to the long-range sensor console he could see the Vorn habitats appearing on the screen. Soon they would be home to an uncertain welcome. He had tied his future to that of Prince Ortumad’s. There was a very good possibility that future would result in him being deleted in the next few days.

Madoul shifted on his legs wondering if he should have obeyed his original orders to delete the prince. However, after witnessing the destruction in the staging system he had decided to follow the prince and see if it were true that High Prince Brollen had somehow been responsible. Now it seemed Prince Ortumad had been correct. The only problem was High Prince Brollen might very well be beyond their reach. He held a position of power never before wielded by any another Vorn.

Exiting hyperspace, reported the Vorn at the sensors.

The viewscreens suddenly cleared and one of the massive ten-thousand-kilometer habitats of the Vorn appeared. Madoul knew tens of billions of Vorn lived inside. There were massive docking bays, ship construction bays, and spacedocks containing thousands of warships inside each habitat.

I have established contact with Queen Erriles, sent Prince Ortumad. She has agreed to hear our evidence against High Prince Brollen and is ordering our deletion delayed until after we have been brought into her presence.

This placated Military Commander Madoul only slightly. Their deletion had only been delayed, not canceled. Madoul thought briefly of ordering the deletion of Prince Ortumad. The four heavily armed guards would follow the military leader’s orders without question since there was a standing order for deletion. However, Madoul knew even doing that now might not save his own life. No, he had no choice but to go along with Prince Ortumad and hope the evidence they had against High Prince Brollen was enough to save them.

It was at that moment the Command Center shook violently. Alarms sounded and warning lights began flashing.

-

What’s happening? demanded Prince Ortumad, his multifaceted eyes looking frantically around. Has the transport struck something?

We are under attack, sent Military Commander Madoul.

We have fourteen battleships approaching and firing on us, reported the Vorn at the sensors.

The ship continued to shake with more warning alarms sounding. Red lights were appearing on the damage control board indicating severe damage to the ship.

We cannot raise our energy screen because we are still connected to the Intergalactic Transport, added Military Commander Madoul, with concern. We are taking heavy damage throughout the ship. Already a number of compartments are open to space.

Then get us disconnected! There was no doubt in Prince Ortumad’s mind High Prince Brollen was behind this attack. He must have figured out what Ortumad was up to.

There is not enough time, answered Madoul.

Then fire back!

We cannot, answered the Vorn at Tactical. The Intergalactic Transport has established an energy draining field and our power is rapidly being depleted.

With a sickening feeling, Prince Ortumad felt betrayed. Queen Erriles must have informed High Prince Brollen of the request for asylum inside her habitat.

The ship shook violently once more and the lights dimmed and stayed dim.

We are on emergency power, reported Military Commander Madoul.

Prince Ortumad looked at the flashing icon on the screen in front of him. All he had to do was touch it and the antimatter warhead would detonate. Taking a deep breath, Prince Ortumad moved his hand away. He would not destroy the transport. Death was at hand and there was nothing he could do to prevent it. He was a Vorn and he would accept his fate.

-

Queen Erriles watched on a large viewscreen as a massive explosion tore Prince Ortumad’s battleship in two. Two more explosions and the ship was reduced to space dust. The Intergalactic Transport had also been damaged but was repairable.

What was so important that Prince Ortumad risked coming here? asked a military commander assigned to Queen Erriles.

We may never know, Erriles responded. However, we cannot risk alienating High Prince Brollen at this time. He has control of the harvesting fleets and that means our food supply. For the time being he must be allowed to remain in command.

Then we will move at a future date?

A very distant future date, Queen Erriles replied. The Vorn have always been ruled over by a Hive Queen which is our tradition. At some point in time, Prince Brollen must be reduced to the rank of prince and Queen Berlyne must be allowed to rule all the Vorn as Hive Queen.

The military commander looked confused, his twin antennae quivering. You will not attempt to supplant Hive Queen Berlyne?

No, answered Erriles. However, a cadre of older Queens could be selected to give her advice on what is best for the Vorn.

Erriles knew to move against High Prince Brollen would be tantamount to suicide as just demonstrated by his ruthless attack on Prince Ortumad’s ship while it was still docked to a transport. It did bring about the question of what Prince Ortumad discovered. Whatever it was High Prince Brollen had ensured it would never be revealed.

-

High Prince Brollen gazed in satisfaction at the spreading debris from the destruction of Prince Ortumad’s battleship. It irked him at how close the prince had come to revealing Brollen’s secret. No one must learn the Scythe had been captured. He was fortunate Queen Erriles had notified him of Ortumad’s arrival and request for sanctuary. The problem had been dealt with and there was no longer a viable threat to Brollen’s position within the Vorn. He could now dedicate his time to planning the harvesting of galaxy X241 and the nuisance food races which had been so disruptive to the harvest.

Chapter Sixteen

The Star Cross dropped out of hyperspace into the solar system. It was escorted by two other battleships, ten battlecruisers, and the Limeira. There were also four large cargo ships bringing the next shipment of the new defense platforms to be placed in orbit around Earth and Mars.

“All systems operating at peak efficiency,” reported Aleea from her holographic platform. “There’s very heavy ship traffic in the system.”

“She’s right,” said Lieutenant Brooks, checking her sensor screens. “The sensors are showing over four hundred ships.”

An alarm suddenly sounded on the sensor console. “Ship just exited hyperspace six hundred kilometers from us. I’m detecting fighters launching.”

“It’s the Wasp,” Lieutenant Brooks informed the admiral.

“I have Captain Wills on the comm,” added Lieutenant Pierce. “He says welcome to the solar system and we have permission to proceed in toward Earth.”

“Those fighters are fast,” said Andrew impressed by how quickly the fighters were closing the distance between the light battlecarrier and the Star Cross.

Kurt smiled. He was going to give those pilots something they would long remember. “Hold our current position and let them do a close flyby.” Kurt knew this was something the pilots would be talking about when they returned to the carrier. The Star Cross was the most powerful warship ever built outside the Glaymon battleships.

On the main tactical display and viewscreen, the four Lance fighters flew down the center of the fleet before banking to starboard and coming back along the port side. Then, with a flash of their turbos, they headed back to the light carrier.

“Those pilots are good,” said Andrew. “It’s a shame our fighters and bombers are useless against Vorn ships.”

“Tactics change,” Lieutenant Mays said. She had been watching the four fighters on the main viewscreen like everyone else in the Command Center. “I can remember back when I used to want to be a pilot.”

Andrew walked over to the Helm. “Set a course for Earth. Let’s see the progress they’ve made updating their fleet and the defenses around the planet.” During the Vorn attack many of those defenses had been destroyed.

“Swing us past Mars first,” ordered Kurt. “I want to inspect the defenses around it as well.” Kurt knew new colonists were still not being allowed until a solid defense grid and fleet were available to ensure the planet was not harvested again by the Vorn.

-

An hour later the Star Cross was in orbit above Mars. It looked much the same as always. There had been very little damage done to the habitation domes when the Vorn harvested four million of the colonists.

There were eight of the new defense platforms in orbit around Mars as well as a newly constructed Class One Command and Control Center. Another two hundred dual firing energy beam satellites were showing on the tactical display as small white dots circling the planet. In addition, the Earth battleship Mars and four battlecruisers were in low orbit.

“It’s progress,” said Andrew as he gazed at one of the new defense platforms on the main viewscreen. The platform was two hundred meters across and forty meters thick. On top sat a pair of massive particle beam cannons, four direct energy projectors, and eight large defensive energy turrets. There were six pods containing eight hyper-missiles with an automatic reloading system. Everything was computer-controlled and a crew of twelve could operate the entire platform.

“Fleet Admiral Colmes wants at least twenty more of the new defensive platforms installed before they allow any additional colonists,” explained Kurt. He had spoken to Colmes about this very subject a number of times. “He also wants to keep two battleships and ten battlecruisers in orbit as a permanent defensive fleet.”

Andrew nodded. “I can understand after what happened the last time. Four million colonists turned into food for the Vorn. I still find it hard to believe that happened. I’ve been to Mars a number of times in the past. The habitation domes are magnificent.”

“Set a course for Earth,” Kurt ordered as his eyes lingered on one of the screens showing a view of the red planet. He could remember how he had felt walking in one of the domed cities of Mars after it had been harvested. It had been eerie seeing everything just as the colonists had left it. He hoped fervently one of the motherships they destroyed had been the one containing the Human food pellets from Mars.

-

On board the Limeira, Mara gazed at the planet Mars as it began to shrink in the viewscreen. She knew Kurt had been seriously shaken when he had gone down to the surface to inspect the damage the Vorn had caused. She wondered how she would feel if she ever set foot on Lakiam if the Vorn had done the same to her homeworld. It was something she didn’t even want to consider.

As the ship accelerated on a course for Earth, Mara thought about her future relationship with Kurt. On Newton, Keera had taken Mara aside and reassured her she was not angry about her and Kurt sleeping together. Mara informed Keera it would never happen again. Keera only smiled and commented that if it did she wouldn’t be upset.

Afterward Mara had felt more confused than ever.

-

“Traffic is getting heavier the closer to we get to Earth,” reported Lieutenant Brooks. “There are also a number of fighter patrols checking ships as they approach the planet.”

“The light battlecarrier Princeton is in orbit around the Moon,” reported Andrew. “Most of the fighter patrols are coming from her.” The Princeton had been reassigned to Earth to help monitor the increased ship traffic. Trade between Earth, Newton, and the other three worlds of the Alliance was growing steadily.

Kurt looked at the viewscreens seeing a number of different ship types: cargo ships, passenger liners, ore carriers and even a few small private vessels.

“Fleet Admiral Colmes wants to know if he needs to come over to the Star Cross,” reported Lieutenant Pierce.

Kurt shook his head. “No, tell him we’re just checking on the current progress of Earth’s defenses, dropping off the four cargo ships, and then we’ll be on our way to Julbian. Ask him while he’s on the comm what his current fleet status is.”

A few moments later Lieutenant Pierce reported back. “He has three battleships, three older battlecruisers, eight new battlecruisers, plus the three light battlecarriers. He expects to add four more battlecruisers to his fleet over the next six weeks.”

Kurt pursed his lips. He didn’t feel comfortable with the number of battleships Earth had. All the ships currently in Colmes fleet were fully updated with the latest technology though his battleships didn’t have the massive KEW cannons to fire a Zero-Point Energy round. They did have updated antimatter power chambers and five hundred-megaton dark matter hyper missiles. There were ten Glaymon disk battlecruisers assigned to the system that were on patrol between Jupiter and Saturn. While Kurt was concerned about Earth’s fleet, Newton and the Glaymons’ new system were close enough to send reinforcements before a Vorn fleet could arrive.

“When we get back to Newton I want to get a better fleet rotation set up with our new rear admirals. The fleets will spend two days in the solar system and one day each in the systems of Julbian, Sertez, and Maldon. If we stagger it just right we’ll have a fleet in the solar system most of the time.”

“What about Admirals Wilson and White?”

“One of their fleets will always be at Newton; the second will be on patrol in Newton Alliance space.” Kurt had decided on this rotation as the best way to respond to a Vorn attack.

“Admiral, I have President Lambert on the comm requesting to speak with you,” reported Lieutenant Pierce.

Kurt let out a deep sigh. This was one call he couldn’t avoid. It also probably meant he was going to have to spend an extra day in the solar system.

-

Two days later the Star Cross and her fleet dropped out of hyperspace in the Julbian System. The system consisted of twelve planets with planet four being inhabited by a humanoid race, which had already reached out and explored several nearby star systems before being discovered by Newton. The people of Julbian were very similar to Humans. Their civilization was just slightly behind Earth in its development though plans called for the two to be on an equal technological footing within a few more years. The Julbian System was 412 light years from Earth and was Earth’s largest trading partner.

Kurt had already sent a message ahead informing the Julbian Space Command his fleet would be passing through but would only be spending a few hours in the system. Kurt wanted to avoid talking to the politicians. The day before he had gone down to Earth and held a brief meeting with President Lambert over an evening meal. Kurt disliked politics though he understood that on occasion it was necessary to deal with politicians. President Lambert had been very polite, asking Kurt for any recommendations to better defend the solar system, particularly Earth. They had discussed a few with President Lambert calling in her chief of defense to listen.

“There are currently eight of the new defense platforms in orbit, six Class Two Defense Platforms, and two hundred dual energy beam satellites,” reported Lieutenant Brooks. “There are also two of Lomatz’s construction ships at the shipyard updating it and adding an additional construction bay.”

“The work should just about be finished,” added Aleea. “The ships will go to Sertez next. Admiral White has already left with her fleet to speak to the Sertez government about what’s going to be done.”

Kurt stood staring at the viewscreen focused on Julbian’s shipyard and the two construction ships which were updating it and working on the new construction bay.

“We need to build a Class One Command and Control Center as well,” Kurt said as he turned to look at the defenses protecting the planet on the tactical display. “At the moment command of the defense grid is being done through their shipyard. Let’s see if Lomatz can get two more construction ships out here to begin constructing a Command and Control Center.”

“I’ll speak to Lomatz about it when we return to Newton,” Lieutenant Mays said. “I agree Julbian needs one. The Command and Control Centers are heavily armed and will add considerably to the planet’s defense.”

Andrew looked over at Aleea. “What about their fleet?”

“They currently have eight battlecruisers and fourteen smaller craft. The battlecruisers have been updated with the newer energy shields and an improved antimatter chamber for power. However, they don’t have the five hundred-megaton dark matter warheads for their hyper missiles.”

Andrew looked curiously at Kurt. “Why none of the dark matter missiles?”

“We want them to understand the power of the missiles,” Kurt replied. “The new defense platforms are equipped with them though they’re currently crewed by Humans from Newton. A demonstration of the firepower of the missiles is going to be done by Fleet Admiral White in a few more weeks. Once we’re satisfied the Julbians are ready for the responsibility of such weapons, we will furnish what they need for their warships. There is a large cargo ship with Admiral White’s fleet loaded with the necessary missiles.”

Kurt looked at one of the viewscreens showing Julbian. The planet resembled Earth with large oceans and several continent-sized land masses. Julbian was by far Earth’s largest trading partner as there was a huge demand for the fruit from the Talo plant which was extremely popular on Earth. The Talo plant produced a fruit similar to an orange only smaller and sweeter. Julbian was shipping all of its excess crop to Earth for a tidy profit.

-

The Star Cross and her fleet turned away from Julbian after speaking briefly with their Space Command and then jumped back into Hyperspace. The fleet split apart with only the Star Cross and the Limeira setting a course in the general direction of the Glaymon’s new system with the rest of the fleet returning to Newton. Just to be on the safe side the Star Cross and the Limeira were not going straight to the Glaymons’ system just in case some curious captain on one of the other ships happened to notice the course the two ships took. The Star Cross and Limeira would travel in hyperspace until the other ships were out of detection range and then adjust their course for the Glaymons’ System. Kurt had contacted Councilor Marshton earlier and informed him he had some questions about the Vorn.

-

Inside the new Glaymon habitat, Councilor Marshton looked out at the new city being rapidly built by tens of thousands of construction robots. The shell of the habitat was complete as well as the secondary shell inside. Between the two shells would be all the spacedocks, construction yards, factories, and other systems which would control the environment inside the habitat. A thick layer of soil was already being brought in to allow for the growth of crops plus other ecological necessities.

Marshton had spent some time studying the design Tasid was adhering to. The new habitat was one hundred and forty kilometers in diameter. There would be six cities, each one capable of holding half a million Glaymons. While the current population was only around 1.3 million, they wanted to leave room for eventual population expansion.

The inside of the habitat still didn’t have an atmosphere and an atmospheric retention field was being projected around the new city so work could be done without wearing cumbersome spacesuits. “Six more months and it will be finished,” said Tasid, stepping over to Marshton’s side and eyeing the construction going on with a critical eye.

“It will be like a miniature Dyson Sphere.”

“Very similar,” Tasid replied. He pointed toward several tall peaks rising in the distance. “Those are the beginning of a small mountain chain we’re building. There will be numerous streams, lakes, and even forests.”

“What about Fleet Admiral Vickers?” asked Fleet Captain Lilith. “I suspect he’s guessed we haven’t been telling him the truth about the Vorn.”

Councilor Marshton turned away from the window and went and sat down behind his desk. “I don’t think we have a choice. We’ve decided to live in Newton’s region of space and the Human admiral has done everything we’ve asked of him and more. I believe we need to tell him the truth.”

“One hundred and sixteen habitats, each over ten thousand kilometers in diameter,” said Lilith. “If each one of those habitats has two thousand warships that puts their available force at over 232,000 vessels.”

“Possibly more,” put forth Tasid. “If their habitats are built as I suspect we could be looking at a fleet much larger than that, possibly between 500,000 to 800,000 vessels.”

Everyone in the room grew quiet. They all knew what that meant and Valen was their only hope. Only the Advanced Glaymons on the Dyson Sphere had a fleet which could truly challenge the Vorn.

-

The Star Cross and Limeira dropped out of hyperspace near the new Glaymon habitat. Kurt was surprised to see all the progress. The habitat was now completely enclosed and several other structures were under construction. The large mobile shipyard was in the center of the construction activity.

“What are they building now?” asked Andrew, gazing at a maze of girders where a number of small automated shuttles were working. Manipulator arms on the shuttles were carefully putting girders in place while work robots welded them.

Aleea was quiet for a moment and then she answered. “I spoke to several of the AIs involved in managing the construction. They are building six large defensive platforms that will be placed around the habitat. Each platform will have the firepower of ten of our battleships.”

Kurt was impressed. He had witnessed the firepower of the Glaymon battleships.

“Doesn’t the habitat have its own defenses?” asked Andrew.

“It will,” replied Aleea. “It is hoped the platforms will prevent damage to the hull of the habitat if a battle occurs.”

Kurt nodded. “Defense in depth. The Glaymons will have their fleet, then the platforms, and finally the habitat itself.”

“Fleet Captain Lilith is asking if you can come over to the habitat,” Lieutenant Pierce said from Communications. “They have one city which is nearly complete and protected by an atmospheric retention field. They would like to meet there.”

“Andrew, Lieutenant Mays, you’re with me. Let’s go find out what’s going on with the Vorn. Lieutenant Pierce, contact Mara and have her meet us at the habitat.”

-

An hour later a small air car settled down on one of the tall towers in the Glaymons’ new city. Stepping out, Kurt looked out over what the Glaymons were building. The city, while much smaller than the ones he was familiar with, still contained the tall towers with ribbon-like walkways connecting them.

“I wonder if we will ever build something like this?” asked Andrew as he stood staring out over the city. A number of the slim towers were still under construction.

“Someday,” Kurt replied. “We just have to deal with the Vorn first and that’s why we’re here.”

“Some of our cities are similar,” said Mara, looking out at the ribbon-like walkways. “However we don’t have the walkways between buildings.”

Tasid suddenly appeared, stepping out of a nearby open doorway. “Hello, Admiral, Mara,” he said smiling. “What do you think of our new city?”

“It’s good to see you’re making so much progress with your construction. I’m amazed at everything you’ve accomplished so far.”

“It’s impressive,” Mara added.

“If the four of you will follow me, Councilor Marshton, Fleet Captain Lilith and several other of our people are waiting to speak with you.”

-

They made their way down through the tower to a large conference room where the other Glaymons waited. The room had one wall that was covered in viewscreens. Several were on, showing the construction going on in the city.

“Fleet Admiral Vickers, it’s good to see you again,” said Councilor Marshton, indicating for everyone to sit down. “Mara, it’s good you accompanied the fleet admiral.”

Once everyone was seated Councilor Marshton took a deep breath. “We understand you have some questions for us.”

Kurt looked directly at Councilor Marshton. “We are curious about the Vorns’ home system. If we are to win this war it will have to be dealt with. Is there any possibility we can take a fleet of your battleships along with our Human battleships and destroy that system?”

“I’m certain Fleet Commodore Dreen and Fleet Leader Moor would be willing to provide major fleets as well,” said Mara.

“Look at the screen behind me,” directed Marshton. He pressed an icon on the holographic computer screen on top of the conference table. Instantly a metal sphere similar to the habitation sphere the Glaymons were building appeared. “This is from the computer files of the Vorn mothership Scythe. What you are seeing is a Vorn habitat located in a red dwarf star system. The habitat is 11,200 kilometers in diameter.”

“We do not believe the Vorn use their habitats as we do,” continued Tasid. “These are not miniature Dyson Spheres where they live on the inner surface with an internal power source replicating the energy put forth by a star. Instead we believe there are numbers of shells inside the Vorn live upon; possibly hundreds. The habitation sphere you see on the screen may have the equivalent living space of over one hundred worlds or more depending on the diameter and number of shell layers within.”

“One hundred worlds,” said Andrew, his eyes wide. “There could be over 100 billion Vorn living inside.”

“Imagine the industrial might such a structure possesses,” added Fleet Captain Lilith.

Mara looked at the habitat on the screen and then back to Councilor Marshton. “They have more of them, don’t they?”

Marshton nodded. “That’s the problem.” He touched an icon on the conference table, and the view on the screen widened, showing a larger region of space. More habitats became visible. “From the encrypted files on the Scythe we know they have 116 of these habitats. The largest one is called the Conclave Habitat where the Royal Court resides along with their ruling Queen.”

On the screen a Vorn appeared, only this one was larger and its body seemed bloated. “This is one of their Queens. Each habitat is ruled over by a Queen and a Royal Court. All the Vorn are ruled by what is called a Hive Queen who sets policy for the entire Vorn race.”

Kurt looked at the ghastly creature on the screen. It didn’t look as if it should even exist.

“The Vorn are from a different bubble universe,” one of the other Glaymons reminded Kurt. “They were driven into ours when another race forced several Vorn ships to flee through the wormhole in the center of a massive black hole. In the other universe a great battle was being fought in which the Vorn were being destroyed. A Hive Queen and several junior Queens along with a few of their warships managed to survive the transit.”

“The Vorn aren’t even from our universe,” muttered Andrew, shaking his head. “Why didn’t this other race pursue the Vorn to make sure they were all destroyed?”

“Not all black holes have stable wormholes. We believe the race in the process of destroying the Vorn believed the ships which fled into the wormhole were destroyed.”

“And we’ve had them rampaging through our universe for over twenty million years,” said Andrew.

Mara studied the viewscreen for a moment and then asked her next question. “How many ships do the Vorn have? I assume that’s the problem and why you haven’t told us about these Vorn habitats before.”

Fleet Captain Lilith nodded. “Yes, our strategists believe there are between 500,000 to possibly 800,000 warships in those habitats. Not only that but the habitats themselves are armed with massive defensive systems.”

Kurt could feel his heart pounding in his chest as he realized the ramifications of what he was hearing. “With the industrial power of those habitats they can build new fleets nearly as rapidly as we can destroy them.”

Councilor Marshton nodded. “Unfortunately, that is correct. It’s one of the reasons we’ve been silent about this.”

“Could a Zero Point Energy round penetrate one of those habitats?” asked Lieutenant Mays.

“It could,” replied Fleet Captain Lilith. “However, as impossible as this seems those habitats are protected by energy screens powered by massive Zero Point Energy modules. We would have to knock those screens down before we could attack the habitats with the rounds.”

Lieutenant Mays shook her head, realizing how difficult that would be.

“We can’t tell anyone,” Mara said, her eyes showing deep concern. “It would crush the Lakiam Alliance if they knew they were fighting a battle they can’t possibly win.”

“Is there any chance if we can cause sufficient losses the Vorn may turn toward another galaxy?” asked Kurt.

Fleet Captain Lilith shook her head. “We believe the Vorn are on the verge of starvation. In order to survive they must harvest our galaxy. Our galaxy is the only one with sufficient food sources.”

“Is there any hope?” asked Lieutenant Mays.

“A slim one,” Councilor Marshton replied. “If Councilor Valen can convince the Glaymon Council to go to war with the Vorn, we believe the combined Glaymon fleet could destroy the Vorn habitats.”

Kurt leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing. “So we need to fight a delaying action, giving Councilor Valen the time he needs to convince the council to go to war?”

Marshton nodded. “It’s our only hope. At the last council meeting 42 percent of the council voted to go to war against the Vorn. If we can have a few more significant victories, Valen may be able to get the 51 percent he needs.”

Taking a deep breath, Kurt asked his next question. “We know where these habitats are located. Would it be feasible to take a task force and attack the Conclave Habitat, killing the leaders of the Vorn?” Kurt knew such an attack would almost certainly end in the total loss of the attacking fleet.

Fleet Captain Lilith looked uneasy. “Travel time from here to their location in intergalactic space would take six to seven weeks with our current hyperdrives. Even so it is doubtful we could approach their habitats without being detected. The Vorn deploy very powerful sensors in the area of space where their habitats are located. Even our stealth fields would most likely be penetrated. They would be waiting for us with an overwhelming force.”

“Then I guess we have no choice but to fight a delaying action and hope Councilor Valen comes through.”

“That is our best option,” Councilor Marshton replied. “In the meantime we will aid in building new defenses for your worlds as well as deciding what is best for our common defense.”

“I’m keeping a portion of our fleet here at all times,” Fleet Captain Lilith added. “It will be dedicated to defending our new habitat as well as your Alliance.”

“Thank you,” Kurt responded. “Let us hope Councilor Valen succeeds in getting the votes he needs in the council.” Kurt knew the Vorn must be activating a large portion of their fleet. When they finally did return to the galaxy, they might number in the hundreds of thousands. It was a sobering thought realizing the numbers they would be facing.

-

Later Kurt was on the Limeira eating a meal with Mara in her quarters. He had been hesitant about doing this but Keera had been insistent he not stay away from the beautiful Lakiam woman.

They were seated at a comfortable table, and Mara was once more dressed in slightly revealing clothing. Every time she bent over her breasts were in plain view. Kurt could feel his heart beating faster and it was difficult to concentrate on the meal. After all, Mara was very beautiful. Kurt knew all he had to do was ask and they would be in her bedroom.

“What do you think of the situation with the Vorn habitats?” asked Kurt as Mara poured some type of Lakiam beverage into his glass.

Mara finished filling his glass and sat back down. “The habitats are going to be the problem. I firmly believe Fleet Commodore Dreen will be able to handle the Vorn fleets when they return, at least for a while.”

Kurt took a cautious sip from his glass, finding the contents to be very sweet. “Only problem is as fast as we destroy the Vorn ships they can build new ones.”

-

“We’re trying to buy time.” Mara’s blouse was extremely low cut and she smiled upon seeing Kurt’s eyes move downward. She doubted if she would be able to seduce Kurt tonight but it was still fun trying and Keera had even encouraged her. If not for that she wouldn’t have even considered flirting with Kurt as she was.

“It may cost us a lot of ships while we wait for the Glaymons in the Dyson Sphere to make up their mind.”

“How much time can we buy?”

This concerned Mara. There was a possibility much of the galaxy would have to be abandoned. “It may come down to defending Lakiam Alliance space and the central region of the galaxy where the Hanorians reside.” Mara hoped she wasn’t putting Kurt off by dressing as she had. She had spent several hours agonizing over what to wear. She finally decided to dress seductively but not to the extent she had in the past.

“I thought you would say that. We could lose over 60 percent of the civilized races in the galaxy. However, I also realize if this war goes on too long we may have no other choice but to be more selective in what regions we defend.”

Mara nodded. She felt all tingly inside and knew she really needed to join with Kurt. It would do away with a lot of the tension and anxiety she had been feeling lately. Taking several deep breaths, she tried to calm herself. “We are talking about survival. We can only hope Valen comes through soon.”

-

They finished their meal and went into the main part of Mara’s living quarters, sitting down on a comfortable couch. Kurt was highly aware of how close Mara was to him. They continued to talk about the Vorn and what the Glaymons were offering.

“I’m going to ask Councilor Marshton tomorrow if there’s any possibility of the Glaymons helping build additional defenses around Lakiam.”

“I suspect they will agree to that,” Kurt replied with a nod. “I also want to talk to them about fleet deployments in our region of space as well as placing a small fleet in the Gothan Empire.”

Mara looked surprised. “Why there? Most of those worlds have preyed on the rest of the civilized galaxy for generations.”

“Keera insists many of the people in the empire are just like everyone else. Besides, Kubitz has the most powerful defensive grid in the empire and if we place a fleet there we could probably hold it against the Vorn. We’ve already seen during a Vorn attack where all the civilian vessels are going to go as well as any surviving warships.”

“I see,” Mara said. “It’s a world we can save and perhaps not be forced to use a major fleet.”

“Precisely,” replied Kurt. “We have to carefully choose our battles if we want to survive.”

-

A few minutes later Kurt stood up. “I need to get back to the Star Cross. We’re going to have a busy day tomorrow talking with the Glaymons.” Kurt knew it was best to leave before temptation overcame him.

Mara stood also and then, almost hesitantly, she leaned forward, kissing Kurt on the lips. Kurt was momentarily surprised and then found himself responding. He pulled Mara to him feeling the softness of her body against his chest. Unconsciously he began running his hands up and down her back.

With a deep sigh, Mara stepped back. She smiled, looking at Kurt. “That was nice.”

“I’d better go before things go too far,” Kurt stammered. He felt uncomfortably warm and he knew if Mara pushed it he would have a hard time saying no.

Mara placed her hand gently on his chest. “Your heart is really beating fast,” she said with a smile. “I’m pleased I still affect you that way.”

“You’re beautiful,” Kurt replied. “How could I not react this way?”

“You’d better go,” Mara said with regret in her voice. “I know you’re not ready for us to join again. Just remember, when you are I will be here.” Mara leaned forward, kissed Kurt gently on the lips and then stepped back. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

A few moments later Kurt was in the corridor heading toward his waiting shuttle. He was surprised and immensely pleased Mara had shown the restraint she had by not taking him to her bedroom. Even though Keera had given Kurt permission to sleep with Mara, it was something he still needed to think about. He was also becoming acutely aware of the traditions and different moral values of different cultures. With a deep sigh, he walked a little faster. It was time to get back to the Star Cross.

Chapter Seventeen

Grantz was at a local bar meeting with several of the Profiteers he had hired to help take care of High Profiteer Creed. The bar was out of the way and not near any of the well known pleasure houses. The music was loud and the room was full of smoke from various types of drug inhalants. The crowd was typical for such an establishment: Profiteers who were down on their luck and people looking to make a quick credit.

“It’s been confirmed, Profiteer Larick has managed to become part of the crew of High Profiteer Creed’s fleet,” reported Profiteer Waskom. “They were short on crewmembers and had to offer steep bonuses to get additional Profiteers to sign on.

“Are they still at Lylan Six?” Grantz had managed with a few small bribes to learn the current location of High Profiteer Creed and his ships.

Waskom nodded. “He’s been forced to sell off most of his fleet due to his crews abandoning him, particularly after the rumors which are spreading across the empire. Most planets suspect he was directly involved in bringing the Destroyers of Worlds to the empire. They don’t want any part of him.”

“They’re not rumors,” replied Grantz, pleased his strategy of spreading that information was working. “That’s what he did. It wasn’t intentional. He was actually after Earth but the route the Vorn took to get to Earth was just too close to the empire. We lost four planets because of his hatred of Fleet Admiral Vickers. How many ships does he have left?”

Waskom took a drink from the mug sitting in front of him then wiped his mouth with the sleeve of his Profiteer uniform. “His battleship and two battlecruisers. There is also a large cargo ship he’s keeping close.”

“Gold,” said Grantz, his eyes lighting up with greed. “Dacroni Clan Leader Jarls has deposited a tremendous amount of gold at the Controller Exchange at the main spaceport. Supposedly he acquired it on a joint raiding mission with Creed.”

Waskom’s eyes narrowed. “I understand Clan Leader Jarls is now after Creed as well and has even added to the rumors about Creed being responsible for the Vorn attack.

“It’s possible,” replied Grantz. He knew this was true and was a little concerned Clan Leader Jarls just might beat him to High Profiteer Creed.

“You think his cargo ship contains the same amount of gold as what Jarls deposited?” asked Profiteer Simpkon, leaning forward.

“Probably more,” replied Grantz. “Creed probably hired Clan Leader Jarls to go on the raiding mission with an agreement to split the profits. Knowing Creed he would demand the majority share. There are unconfirmed rumors Clan Leader Jarls deposited close to one billion credits worth of the yellow metal.” It was hard for Grantz to even visualize such a fortune in gold. In his mind he could see piles and piles of gold bars extending for as far as his eyes could see.

Grantz leaned back in his chair. There was loud music playing in the bar and the local patrons were all heavily armed. Glancing over at a nearby table he saw his two bodyguards were also heavily armed. Grantz didn’t go anywhere without Dolman’s watchdogs.

“Is there any way we can get the cargo ship?” asked Simpkon. “We’re talking about over a billion credits. We could go anywhere in the galaxy.”

“I’m staying here,” said Waskom, shaking his head. “The Vorn are out there, and I don’t want anything to do with them. If we were to take that cargo ship I would stay right here on Kubitz behind its defense grid.”

Grantz shook his head. “Creed will have heavily armed guards on that ship and it will never leave the vicinity of his battleship. As much as I would love to get my hands on that gold we need to keep to the original plan. At some point in time, Creed will come to Kubitz to sell his gold. We kill Creed, take his head, and collect the bounties. All of us will then retire rich.”

“There are smaller Controller Exchanges scattered throughout the empire,’ pointed out Waskom. “He could go to one of those.”

This was a possibility Grantz had already considered. “No, only at Kubitz will he feel safe. No ships are allowed to fire on one another in orbit. He can come to Kubitz, sell his gold, and go on from there. If he tries to go to one of the smaller exchanges he risks another Profiteer clan attacking what is left of his fleet and hijacking the gold.”

“The Human ships will never allow him to make it to the planet,” said Waskom, his eyes narrowing. “As soon as Creed’s ships jump into the system near the Controller Station, they’ll jump out and destroy them. The Humans could care less about the gold.”

They were all aware the Humans did not respect the boundaries set forth by the Kubitz government and the Controllers as to not making hyperspace jumps within the orbit of the sixth planet or using weapons in orbit. The Humans were the wild card in all of this and they wanted Creed almost as bad as Grantz did.

“I’ll speak to Ambassador Brent and explain if they attack Creed’s ships he will just do an emergency jump and may vanish forever. There’s a chance if Creed is unsuccessful in his attempt to sell his gold at the Controller Exchange, he will take his fleet and leave the empire. There are several worlds he could go to which would be happy to deal with him considering the amount of gold he probably has on that cargo ship.”

“What position is Profiteer Larick in?” Creed had paid a lot of credits to get Larick to Lylan Six and be in a position to take a spot on one of Creed’s ships. Avery Dolman had informed Grantz Creed was searching for crewmembers to staff his vessels.

“Communications officer on one of the battlecruisers,” replied Waskom. “He will keep us informed of Creed’s movements. When he sets course for Kubitz, we’ll know.”

This pleased Grantz immensely. He now had a spy on one of Creed’s ships. From the latest reports, there were 22 million credits in bounty on High Profiteer Creed’s head. Grantz also wondered if there was any way he could get his hands on some of Creed’s gold. That cargo ship was soon going to be in orbit around Kubitz. It was a tempting target and would require a lot of thought and careful planning. Glancing back over at the two bodyguards Dolman had provided, Grantz wondered if Avery would be interested in a joint venture to take the cargo ship. There were hundreds of shuttles constantly going back and forth from orbit to the surface of Kubitz. If several shuttles loaded with a group of specially handpicked Profiteers were able to make their way onto the cargo ship, they just might be able to take it before Creed realized what was going on. With Larick in charge of communications on board one of the battlecruisers, it might offer an opportunity to make such an attempt. Grantz leaned back, taking a deep drink from the mug in front of him. While not as good as the liquor he was used to in the pleasure houses, it still burned on the way down and created a pleasant buzzing feeling in his head.

-

High Profiteer Creed had just finished talking to one of the Head Enforcers on Lylan Six. His fleet had forty-two hours to depart the system or it would be attacked. He had only been allowed to stay this long due to the fact he sold his other battlecruisers to the Lylan space defense force. After the attack of the Vorn every world in the empire was clambering for more warships.

“These rumors of us bringing the Vorn to the empire are spreading like wildfire,” muttered Second Profiteer Hurkler. “Soon there will be no safe havens for our ships.”

“At least the Lylans allowed us to stock up on supplies,” replied Creed. It would be months before they ran low.

Hurkler looked over at the High Profiteer. “Where do we go now?”

“I know of another small Profiteer world we can go to for a short time. Their largest Profiteer clan owes me a favor. We can stay there until we decide on our next move.”

“We can’t keep running forever,” said Hurkler. “Our crews won’t tolerate it. They will want to get off the ships to spend some of the credits they’ve earned.”

High Profiteer Creed knew Hurkler was right. “We will have to go to Kubitz eventually to exchange our gold for credits.”

“What about the Human ships in orbit? They will not obey the rule about not firing upon another ship. As soon as they recognize the Ascendant Fury, they’ll blow our ships apart. Our energy screens cannot resist the weapons those ships are armed with. If we go to Kubitz we will all die.”

High Profiteer Creed smiled. “They will be expecting us to jump into orbit with warships. What if we do so with just a cargo ship instead?”

Hurkler’s eyes widened. “Are you suggesting we go to Kubitz with just our cargo ship filled with gold? That in itself will be a huge risk.”

“The Profiteer world I intend to go to has a large number of cargo ships and trades routinely with Kubitz. I propose we purchase one of their cargo ships and transfer our gold over to it. I can get another Profiteer I know of to act as an intermediary to sell the gold once we arrive at Kubitz. If things work out right no one will ever know we were there. Once we’ve sold the gold for credits, I know of several nice cozy worlds outside the empire where we can settle down.”

Hurkler nodded. “It just might work. The Humans will never know we were there and Grantz will never collect his bounty.”

Creed’s eyes narrowed sharply at hearing Grantz’s name. “While we’re at Kubitz that slimy Profiteer needs to die. I’m going to arrange for a hit on Grantz and this time he won’t escape.”

“We must be careful,” cautioned Hurkler. “Grantz is not a fool. He can’t learn we’re there or he might tip off the Humans.”

“Plhtup! He’s just been lucky,” growled Creed, clenching his hand. This was the hand he had regrown at Marsten. “Well this time his luck is going to run out.” A satisfied smile crossed Creed’s face. If he succeeded in his plan, he could still retire as a rich Profiteer and Grantz would be dead!

“We jump out tomorrow.” Creed looked around the quiet Command Center. It was far less boisterous than it had been in the past. Then in a loud voice, he spoke. “In less than a month every Profiteer in this room will have more credits than they know what to do with.”

Instantly the Profiteers in the room began talking and slapping each other on the back. For the first time in weeks the crew seemed back to normal.

-

Deep in the heart of the galaxy, a small Vorn spindle-shaped cruiser was following a trail of rumors. For days it had listened to multiple communication intercepts from various food worlds speaking of the Ancients, or Glaymons as the food worlds called them. The ship’s stealth field was activated and its military leader was being careful not to come to close to any ships that might be dangerous. Already the Vorn cruiser had detected a number of heavily armed fleets patrolling this region.

There are more rumors about the Glaymons in this sector than any other we have explored, sent Haycort, the Vorn at Communications.

We are getting close, Military Leader Victell responded. There are four nebulas we must search. I have summoned four other Vorn cruisers to aid us. One of those nebula is considered to be too dangerous to enter. Reports indicate all ships that do never return. It will be the first one we investigate.

That must be our target, sent Barlol from Navigation. It will take us two more days to get there. It is also the largest of the four nebulae.

We must wait for the other four Vorn cruisers,” replied Victell. “If it is indeed dangerous and this is where the Ancients live, we must be very careful not to fall into the same traps as previous ships. The Ancients will have a very efficient detection system in place. In all likelihood at some point our ships will be detected.

This will be difficult, Barlol sent. The nebula is dense and full of radiation. Our shields can handle it but it is going to take some time to search the nebula for any worlds which may be hidden within. The radiation may also interfere with our stealth field.

Military Leader Victell gazed at a star map showing a 3D representation of the nebula. It is no wonder the Ancients have been able to remain hidden for so long. With the hazards in that nebula, there has never been a reason to search it. The radiation by itself should make any worlds within uninhabitable.

That is why this must be their hiding place, replied Barlol. They knew the radiation and dense gaseous clouds would prevent us from performing a search. Any Vorn that ventured close would automatically assume the nebula could only contain dead worlds. The nebula is also located close to the center of the galaxy where the highest concentration of food worlds are.

I do not understand why they have chosen to interfere with our harvests, sent Haycort. Why, after millions of years, reveal their presence to us?

Military Leader Victell had wondered about this as well. There was so much the Vorn didn’t know about these Ancients. Set a course for the nebula being careful to avoid as much ship traffic as possible, he ordered. This is a heavily populated region and there are many ships showing on the tactical display. Most are cargo ships or passenger vessels but there does appear to be a large number of warships. Those we must avoid at all costs.

Victell stood gazing at the data being put up on the long-range sensors. In all of his travels as a Vorn military leader never had he seen so many food worlds this close together. In just this one sector alone there was sufficient food to last the Vorn for years. Even if the nebula they were going to was not the home of the Ancients, the report on this sector’s food worlds would make the trip worthwhile.

-

Councilor Valen was busy making plans for the next vote in the council. Somehow or another he had to get over 50 percent to go to war against the Vorn.

“Anything new from Fleet Captain Waelt?”

“No,” Gaylith replied. She was standing at her usual place on the balcony looking at the city. It was night and everything was lit up. In the distance other cities of the Aggressives were visible. “I wish the night cycle was longer.”

“The artificial rings around our sun are set to rotate at a speed giving the entire Dyson Sphere seven hours of darkness,” Valen replied as he studied some information on a screen on his desk. “Most plants and animals require such a period.”

“We should slow the rings down,” suggested Gaylith.

Valen shook his head. “If we slow them down the night cycle will be off in some parts of the Dyson Sphere. It would actually extend the daylight hours in some regions while lengthening the number of hours of darkness in others. The rings are set to simulate the number of hours of darkness and daylight on our original homeworld.”

Gaylith sighed. “I should have studied my space science better when I was doing my studies. I was interested in communication technology and not so much in how we built this Dyson Sphere. I wonder if our original world still exists?”

“Possibly,” Valen replied. “By now it most likely holds another intelligent race. We left it over 22 million years ago.”

Gaylith nodded. “We’ve hidden too long in this Dyson Sphere.”

Valen agreed with that. “It’s been over five weeks since the last attack by the Vorn. How is Fleet Commodore Dreen doing on enlarging his alliance?”

“Sixty-eight Protector Worlds have officially joined,” answered Gaylith, turning toward Valen.

“Nearly half,” replied Valen, nodding his head. “What about the others?”

“Some are just too far away. The Hanorians, who are the largest Protector World in our vicinity, have upgraded all of their ships with the latest technology including improved antimatter chambers and shields. They have also shared that technology with the other two Protector Worlds in our region.”

“That is good,” Valen replied. “It will make it more difficult for the Vorn to find us if they have to go through a number of heavily armed Protector Worlds.”

Gaylith looked surprised. “You believe the Vorn will find our Dyson Sphere?”

A strained look crossed Valen’s face. “I believe they’re already searching for it. From some of the reports you have given me there have been sightings of Vorn ships across the galaxy. Most of the reports indicate sightings of just one of two of their small cruisers. It is only a matter of time before they find us, even here in the heart of this nebula.”

“Then by sending out our fleets we’ve given the Vorn the incentive to hunt us down.” Gaylith looked extremely worried.

Valen forced a weak smile. “Don’t worry. With the fleets we have in our spacedocks and the defenses on the outer hull of the Dyson Sphere we are in no danger. Perhaps if they did find us I could force the council to vote for war. What is Fleet Captain Waelt doing with the new ships we sent him?”

“Between Fleet Captain Waelt and Fleet Commodore Dreen they are deploying large joint fleets throughout Alliance space. Their plan is to resist the Vorn at every opportunity. No world within the Alliance will be allowed to be harvested without massive resistance. Those Protector Worlds which are far outside of Alliance space are being provided with the technology for improved power systems, energy shields, and dark matter weapons. Fleet Captain Lilith is holding a portion of the fleet in reserve to protect the new habitat being built and to aid the Humans when necessary.”

Valen stood and walked over to the balcony. In the distance, he could see the lighted towers of three other Aggressive cities. “Fleet Captain Kriegon has a plan to destroy the Vorn habitats. It’s risky and I’m certain the council will vote against it.”

Gaylith stared at Valen for a long moment. “You’re going to implement his plan anyway. I can tell from the look on your face.”

Valen let out a deep sigh. “It may be our only hope for victory. Even so, we don’t know for certain if it will work and it will make Lead Councilor Lavin livid when he finds out what we’ve done. In all likelihood the Aggressives will be thrown out of the council and our habitats quarantined from contact with the Advanced Glaymons for many years to come.”

“You will do what’s right for us,” Gaylith replied. “How much longer do you think it will be before the Vorn return?”

“Their food supplies are running low. Some of our strategists are suggesting one to two months at the outside. When they do they’ll bring their entire fleet. They can’t afford to fail in the harvest or it will be the end of their race.”

Looking up Valen could see a number of bright lights moving across the night sky. These were shuttles going to the nearby spaceport or other cities. For millions of years the Aggressives and the Advanced Glaymons had lived in peace and for the most part harmony on the Dyson Sphere. With what Valen and Fleet Captain Kriegon intended to do that harmony would be shattered forever.

Chapter Eighteen

Fleet Commodore Dreen was in the Command Center of the Basera looking at a large holographic star chart showing the latest deployments of the Alliance fleets. There were six fleets in Lakiam space consisting of twelve hundred Lakiam battlecruisers, ten Glaymon battleships and seventy of the Glaymon disk battlecruisers. The six Lakiam fleets could reach any of the Enlightened worlds under their protection in a matter of hours.

Lakiam was responsible for protecting eighty-seven Enlightened civilizations and fourteen hundred Enlightened colony worlds. All eighty-seven of the primary worlds of those Enlightened civilizations were now protected by massive defense grids consisting of the newest defense platforms capable of destroying Vorn ships. The new defense platforms were two hundred meters across and forty meters thick. They were manned by a permanent crew of ten as well as a complement of combat robots. The platforms had six large direct energy projectors and two powerful force beam cannons. They also had twenty missile tubes all loaded with five hundred-megaton dark matter missiles. These were the new and more powerful missiles which the Glaymons had helped Lakiam and several other Protector Worlds build.

In addition, Fleet Commodore Dreen was in direct command of the home fleet which consisted of three thousand Lakiam battlecruisers, sixty Glaymon battleships, and two hundred Glaymon disk battlecruisers. In case the home fleet had to leave the Lakiam System, there were still six hundred battlecruisers in orbit around the planet reinforced by ten Glaymon battleships and forty Glaymon disk battlecruisers. Not only that, Lakiam had the most powerful defense grid known.

“How much longer do we have?” asked Alborg who was busy running simulations on his tactical station.

“Not much,” Dreen replied as he slowly walked around the big holographic display studying the fleet deployments. “I spoke with Fleet Captain Waelt earlier today and he feels we have about a month left. It seems the Vorn are in danger of starvation and our galaxy is their only remaining primary food source.” Commodore Dreen stopped and adjusted the screen to show Andock space.

Five massive fleets appeared, four in the region of space where the Enlightened worlds Andock was supposed to protect were located. All of these fleets had been reinforced with Glaymon warships. In the system of Andock Prime was a truly massive fleet commanded by Fleet Leader Arlak Moor. Continuing to change the display, Dreen checked on the deployments of the Parmonts and the Bascoms. Their fleets too contained Glaymon warships. Commodore Dreen spent a few more minutes inspecting the fleet dispositions of several other allied Protector Worlds. When he was done he nodded to himself. They were as ready as they were going to be.

“I’m glad we have the detection grid,” said Laylem. “We can see our fleet deployments as well as those of our allies. If the Vorn appear anywhere within the grid, we will know and can dispatch our fleets there.” Currently an area of space nearly two thousand light years across was being monitored with more of the sensor satellites being added every day.

Fleet Commodore Dreen was in total agreement. It had helped that a week back an additional eighty Glaymon battleships and four hundred of the disk battlecruisers had arrived. Fleet Captain Waelt had explained this would be all he could summon. Even so, Commodore Dreen was pleased he had so many Glaymon warships available to reinforce Alliance fleets.

Settling back down in his command chair he gazed at the main viewscreens showing views of space and Lakiam. “Our time is running out,” he said softly. “Very soon we will be in an all out war with the Vorn.”

“Can we win?” asked Sheera. She had been watching Commodore Dreen as he studied the tactical display.

Commodore Dreen gazed at a viewscreen where a shuttle was docking to one of the many shipyards above Lakiam. “I don’t know. I’ve asked the same question of Fleet Captain Waelt. All he says is, hope isn’t lost.”

“What does that mean?” asked Alborg, looking confused.

Fleet Commodore Dreen shrugged his shoulders. “He’s a Glaymon. They’re a very advanced civilization and sometimes it’s very difficult to understand what they’re thinking or saying.”

-

In toward the center of the galaxy, five Vorn spindle-shaped cruisers circled the nebula Military Leader Victell believed hid the mysterious race of Ancients. As the senior military leader all five vessels were under his command.

Not once have we seen a ship approach the nebula, reported sensor operator Harran. We have circled it forty times mapping as much of it as our sensors can penetrate. The gas density and radiation are leaving nearly 70 percent of the interior out of our reach.

Military Leader Victell nodded, his antennae waving slightly from side to side. It would make an ideal place to hide a world or worlds.

Not only that we have located eight areas outside the nebula our sensors cannot penetrate, added Harran. Analysis by the battle computer indicates these areas are protected by extremely sophisticated stealth fields possibly hiding massive sensor or communication arrays.

Makes sense, Victell answered. If I were this ancient race, I would want to know what was going on in the galaxy and if anyone came near the nebula.

Harran’s antennae stood up straighter. Do you believe we have been detected by these hidden sensor arrays?

Victell gazed at a viewscreen showing near darkness due to their proximity to the nebula. It is highly probable. I am surprised we have not elicited a response from the Ancients if this is indeed the nebula they are hiding in. I am confused as to how their planet or planets could survive. The radiation alone would make the surface of any world inside uninhabitable.

What now? Should we return and announce we have discovered where our enemy is hidden? asked Barlol from Navigation. There is no doubt High Prince Brollen will send a large fleet of our battleships to annihilate this troublesome ancient race.

Victell moved over to a console and studied the latest readings on the nebula. No, we must have proof. We will send our ships into the nebula in a staggered line. Each ship will move to the extreme range of our sensors inside the nebula and then the next ship will enter. We may be able to scan its center with this method.

The lead ships will most likely be destroyed if this is indeed the abode of the Ancients, pointed out Haycort from Communications.

We are Vorn, replied Military Leader Victell. Sometimes it is necessary to make sacrifices to protect our race and our Queens.

-

Councilor Valen had been summoned to Gaylith’s office. Three walls were covered with massive viewscreens showing views of the galaxy outside the nebula. On one of the viewscreens was a Vorn cruiser. Valen’s eyes opened wide upon seeing this. Another two Glaymons were with Gaylith. Valen recognized them as Aggressives whose duty it was to monitor the six stealthed sensor arrays the Aggressives had secretly placed outside the nebula centuries in the past. There were also two massive communication arrays outside the nebula as well. Valen turned toward Gaylith and the other two Aggressives. “What’s going on? That’s a Vorn cruiser!”

“We have a problem,” Kamen reported. Kamen was in charge of a small team monitoring the sensors. “Our sensor arrays have detected five Vorn cruisers circling our nebula and attempting to scan it. We believe they’re searching for us. We would have detected them earlier but they are operating under stealth and we weren’t looking for them. We only detected their ship when it came near one of our sensor arrays. We then initiated a search and found the other four.”

Valen gazed at the Vorn ship on the viewscreen. “Have any of the ships tried to enter the nebula?” Inside the nebula, the Dyson Sphere maintained a series of sensor satellites which monitored any unknown activity. Once a Vorn ship entered the nebula it would be detected immediately. It wouldn’t be long before the Advanced Glaymons knew about the Vorn ships if they didn’t already.

“No,” Kamen replied. “However, we’re pretty certain from their actions they have detected the stealthed sensor and communication arrays. We have ordered their AIs to initiate the self-destructs if any Vorn ship penetrates the stealth fields.”

“Good,” Valen replied. This was a precautionary measure they had set up in case the arrays ever became compromised.

“What will Lead Councilor Lavin say when he discovers the Vorn are at the doorsteps of our nebula?” asked Gaylith with a worried frown.

“That we led them here,” replied Valen, wondering how he could use this information to garner support for going to war against the Vorn. Several ideas passed through his mind.

“Are we in any danger?” asked Gaylith worriedly.

“Our battleships will destroy any Vorn ship that comes too close,” Valen said. “However, the council will be highly upset to learn the Vorn have discovered us.”

“Then let’s not wait,” suggested Gaylith. “Let it be us to announce to the council the Destroyers of Worlds have arrived. It will throw Lead Councilor Lavin off balance and perhaps swing enough councilors over to vote for war.”

A pensive looked crossed Valen’s face as he considered Gaylith’s words. “Let me contact Councilor Aalik and see what he thinks. You are right, Gaylith; if we use this event correctly, we just might get the votes we need.” Valen then looked over at Kamen. “Inform me immediately if it appears any of those five Vorn ships are going to enter the nebula.” Valen knew as soon as they did Lead Councilor Lavin would be informed.

-

Valen hurried back to his office and contacted Councilor Aalik. He then explained to Aalik what was happening and his reasoning for calling an emergency council meeting. Any councilor could call such a meeting if there was a danger to the Dyson Sphere. The Vorn were definitely a danger.

“Five Vorn cruisers!” Aalik said, his voice sounding shocked. “Are there any more coming?”

“No,” answered Valen. “We’re pretty certain they’re only scouts searching for us. We’ve received reports of Vorn ship sightings around numerous nebula in the galaxy. It’s obvious they’ve initiated a galaxy-wide search.”

“And you’re only just now reporting this?” Aalik said in disbelief. “The council will be mortified when they hear.”

“That’s why I want to call an emergency council meeting to inform them the Vorn have found us. We need a war vote to ensure our continued safety.”

Aalik was silent for several long moments. “Lead Councilor Lavin is going to try to blame the Aggressives for this. You’d better be prepared.”

“I will be,” promised Valen. “If you have any favors up your sleeves to get us a few more votes now is the time. If we can’t get a war vote passed now, we never will.”

Valen could hear a long sigh from Aalik. “You’re asking a lot. The presence of Vorn ships is going to horrify a number of councilors.”

“We must use that to our advantage,” Valen replied. “If we send out our fleet, the Vorn might never return to our nebula again.”

“I’d better call for the emergency meeting,” Aalik said in resignation. “If you do it Lead Councilor Lavin may ignore the request. I still have enough friends in the council to ensure my request will be granted.”

“Fine,” Valen replied. “We need to meet as early as possible tomorrow.” Valen just hoped the Vorn didn’t enter the nebula before then.

-

Military Leader Victell had all five of his cruisers poised next to the nebula. In another few hours the first cruiser would enter followed by the others at intervals to allow their scans to reach the center. Victell was certain somewhere around the middle of the nebula they would find the Ancients’ homeworld.

Our cruiser will stay just on the edge of the nebula, ordered Military Leader Victell. Our hyperspace drive is to remain charged and we must be prepared to initiate an emergency hyperspace jump if an Ancient ship is detected coming toward us.

You believe they will attempt to destroy us? asked Harran from his sensor console.

Yes, Victell answered. If this is where their world or worlds are hidden, they will not want that information to get back to our main fleets. Once we are detected they will make every effort possible to eliminate our five ships.

Harran gazed at his sensors. All they showed was heavy ship traffic in several nearby food systems. No ship was coming near the nebula. It is strange they have not already attempted to do so. Surely they have detected us by now.

Military Leader Victell agreed with that thought. We will know more when we begin sending ships into the nebula. It is also important we remain vigilant.

-

Councilor Valen was in his office when Kamen sent him a message saying the latest scans from the sensor arrays indicated the Vorn were about to enter the nebula. With a deep sigh, Valen knew Councilor Lavin and most of the other councilors would know about the Vorn before the scheduled meeting of the council. While this did not change his plans, it would give Lavin time to prepare.

Valen spent several minutes considering what his next steps should be. Realizing he had little choice, he called in Gaylith. It took her only a minute to arrive from her office.

“The Vorn cruisers are moving too fast,” she said. “Kamen believes they will be entering the nebula sometime in the next few hours.”

Valen nodded. “I am afraid he is correct. I’m going to send a general message to all the councilors who voted for war in the last council meeting informing them of the presence of the Vorn cruisers.”

“Is that wise?”

“It is our only choice. I will inform them of our sensor arrays detecting the vessels and explain they were not detected earlier because they were stealthed. I will also indicate this might only be the first of a massive fleet which could soon be on the way, and if we don’t move to a war footing we will be fighting the Vorn in our own nebula and around the Dyson Sphere.”

Gaylith’s eyes widened in comprehension. “You’re going to try to force them to vote for war.”

“Yes, some of them will contact other councilors who voted for war and some who voted against. I’m hoping when we arrive at the council meeting tomorrow I can force a war vote and the presence of these Vorn ships will be enough to finally give us the majority we need.”

“You tread a dangerous path,” said Gaylith with concern. “If this vote fails there may never be another. Keep in mind while the sensor and communication arrays we placed outside the nebula are not common knowledge, there are some councilors who are aware and that includes Lead Councilor Lavin.”

Valen knew Gaylith was correct. “We are at a crossroads. If the vote fails, I will ask every councilor which has supported us to pledge ships for a joint fleet to go forth and fight the Vorn with Fleet Captain Waelt. I don’t believe Lead Councilor Lavin would fire on a fleet from hundreds of different habitation squares. It would anger too many councilors and turn them permanently against Lavin. To further ensure that doesn’t happen, I will make the offer to restrict the Aggressives to our four habitat squares and cut our population in half. Knowing Lavin he will consider that a moral victory and allow the fleet to go unimpeded.”

“Cut our population in half?” said Gaylith with a pained look in her eyes. “Do you think that’s necessary?”

Valen let out a deep sigh. “I think it will be necessary if we want to send a large enough fleet. However, if the vote tomorrow approves a war resolution then we will not have to concern ourselves with making such an offer.”

“Let’s hope it goes our way,” replied Gaylith, letting out a deep breath.

-

A few hours later Military Leader Victell felt his small fleet was ready. With a mental command he instructed the first cruiser to enter the nebula. An hour later he sent the second as the first was nearly out of sensor range due to gas, dust, debris, and radiation inside the nebula. An hour later he sent the third.

-

Inside the nebula, the first Vorn cruiser was cautiously moving forward. Its stealth field was at maximum though the nebula made it less effective. Just as it began to move out of sensor range of the other Vorn cruisers, the next cruiser entered following a safe distance behind the first. The cruisers continued to go deeper into the nebula with their sensors probing ahead seeking any signs of the Ancients.

The fourth cruiser was inside the nebula and nearly out of sensor range. Military Leader Victell was about to order his own ship into the periphery of the nebula when the lead ship suddenly vanished from the sensors.

What happened? demanded Victell, gazing in consternation at the sensor screen displaying the readings from the other ships. Did it get too far ahead of ship two?

I do not know, Harran replied as he checked his sensors. One moment it was there and the next it was gone.

Pull us back from the nebula, Victell ordered with a strong suspicion.

The second ship just disappeared as well, reported Harran, his antennae waving in concern.

Victell had expected this. It’s the Ancients. They are destroying our ships. Keep a close watch on the sensors and keep them powered at maximum. The Ancient ships are no doubt stealthed. Barlol, standby to make the jump into hyperspace at a moment’s notice. It may be the only thing that can save us.

The third ship just vanished, reported Harran in alarm. There is nothing showing on the sensors.

Keep an eye on the fourth, ordered Victell. It will be next.

Just as Victell predicted, the green icon representing the fourth Vorn cruiser promptly vanished.

I did pick up an anomaly on the sensors before the last ship vanished, reported Harran, turning toward Military Leader Victell. There was an area of space near the cruiser that could not be scanned. It was showing as an empty void.

A stealth field, replied Victell, his suspicions confirmed. Harran, watch your sensors. Barlol, get ready to make the jump into hyperspace.

Anomaly detected emerging from the nebula! sent Harran, sounding alarmed.

Jump! ordered Victell. He was concerned they might have waited too long.

The ship accelerated and made the transition into hyperspace just as a pair of powerful energy beams swept through the ship’s previous position.

Another few seconds and those beams would have destroyed us, sent Harran.

Military Leader Victell felt vindicated. He had sacrificed four Vorn cruisers but had confirmed this nebula was most likely the home of the Ancients. The way the ships had vanished and the powerful energy beams directed at Victell’s ship all seemed to confirm that.

The battle computer reports a 92 percent probability the nebula is indeed the home of the Ancients, sent Haycort who was standing next to the computer.

Then let us take the news back to the Queens, replied Victell. With this information he might have earned a promotion to command a battleship. The Queens always rewarded those who served them the greatest.

-

Lead Councilor Lavin stared in anger at the main screen in one of the six primary Defense Centers in the Dyson Sphere.

“It’s confirmed,” Captain Larson said. “The fifth Vorn cruiser escaped.”

“How?” Lavin could not believe this was happening. The Vorn had found them.

Captain Larson stared directly at Lavin. “The fifth and final ship must have had their hyperspace drive powered up and ready to initiate. As soon as our battleship cleared the nebula, the Vorn ship jumped into hyperspace.”

“Is there any way we can destroy it?” Lavin knew it was on its way back to report on its discovery.

Captain Larson stepped over to several AIs standing on holographic platforms and conversed with them for several minutes before returning to Lead Councilor Lavin. “Our ships are faster and we could follow the Vorn cruiser but we can’t destroy it while it’s in hyperspace. Our battleship currently outside the nebula is not provisioned for a long mission. That Vorn cruiser will not be dropping out of hyperspace until it reaches its destination. As soon as it arrives where other Vorn ships are located, it will doubtlessly begin broadcasting what it discovered.”

“The location of our Dyson Sphere,” replied Lavin, his eyes wide with horror.

“None of their ships came close enough to scan the Dyson Sphere,” replied Larson. “They still have no idea what’s inside the nebula.”

A scowl covered Lavin’s face. While most of the time he kept his emotions under tight control he found them rising uncontrollably on numerous occasions recently. He was starting to feel like an Aggressive. “This is Councilors Valen and Marshton’s fault. They have allowed the Vorn to discover where we reside. Soon the Vorn will be bringing their war to us.”

Now Lavin knew what the emergency council meeting for tomorrow morning was for. Councilor Aalik had called it, no doubt under the recommendations of Councilor Valen. They must have detected the Vorn ships earlier with the sensor arrays the Aggressives maintained outside the nebula. No doubt the Aggressives planned on using the presence of Vorn ships to force a vote on going to war. That plan was now disrupted since Lavin had ordered the battleships to destroy the Vorn vessels.

Lavin was determined to use this incident to force the Aggressives to reduce their population and to stop building new warships. While the Vorn were a danger, he was convinced the defenses on the outer hull of the Dyson Sphere could deal with any force the Destroyers of Worlds might send. In order to get Valen to agree to the new resolution to reduce the Aggressive population, Lavin would allow a small fleet of several thousand disk battlecruisers to be sent to reinforce Fleet Captain Waelt. If Valen refused then no fleet would be leaving the Dyson Sphere. Lavin smiled. He was finally going to get what he had long desired. Very soon the Aggressives would no longer be a threat to the way of life preferred by the Advanced Glaymons.

-

Valen was in Gaylith’s office with Kamen and Aalik. Aalik was using his hologram.

“Well, Lead Councilor Lavin will know about the Vorn now,” said Aalik, shaking his head. “No doubt he’s in one of the Defense Centers watching everything.”

“I can confirm that,” Kamen said. “I have a friend in one of the Defense Centers and he reported Councilor Lavin is in Defense Center two.”

Gaylith looked over at Valen. “He knows; now what?”

Valen let out a deep breath. He wasn’t surprised Lavin had ordered the battleships to destroy the Vorn vessels. What concerned him was that one had been allowed to escape. If Aggressives had been commanding those battleships every Vorn ship would have been annihilated. Valen wondered if he could use that against Lead Councilor Lavin.

“This doesn’t change anything,” he said after a moment. “We’ll attend the meeting tomorrow morning and try to force a vote to go to war against the Vorn.”

Aalik nodded his approval. “I still have a few more councilors to talk to. Some I’ve already spoken with have expressed their deep concerns about the Vorn being so close to the nebula. I’m not sure how Lavin destroying the Vorn cruisers inside the nebula is going to affect their vote.”

Valen thought for a minute before speaking. “Kamen, I need to be able to show the other councilors how the four Vorn ships were destroyed and that one escaped. Can you do that?”

“Yes, I can access the battle footage from the battleships’ core computers. It will have to be done by one of our AIs. They have the highest level of access.”

“See to it,” ordered Valen. “I may have a need for that video tomorrow.”

Gaylith came over to stand next to Valen as Aalik’s hologram vanished. The same happened to Kamen who was in the underground Command Center which monitored the sensor and communications arrays. The underground Command Center was something the Advanced Glaymons were not aware of.

“I was just thinking. The council meeting tomorrow may be the most important one since we built the Dyson Sphere and took refuge in it.”

Valen nodded. “We’ve stayed hidden far too long. Just think what we could do for the galaxy. I have to convince the council to go to war.”

Gaylith put her hand on Valen’s arm. “You will succeed. This is too important to allow it to fail.”

“Let’s hope so,” Valen replied. “I need to go to my office and finish preparing for the meeting and I still have several very influential council members to speak to.”

-

Gaylith watched Valen leave her office. He was a great man and a great leader. There was no doubt in her mind he would succeed. She was also surprised at how strong his arm had felt when she touched it. It made her feel warm inside, causing her to wonder if she was developing feelings toward the councilor. With a slight laugh at how ridiculous that was she turned and walked back to her desk. She still had a few communication intercepts from across the galaxy she wanted to study.

-

The next morning Lead Councilor Lavin strolled into the vast council chamber ready to put the Aggressives in their place once and for all. As he entered he noticed an unusual amount of conversation between the councilors. Since they were all, for the most part, represented by holograms they could not communicate telepathically but had to resort to verbal communication.

Lavin stepped behind the podium and called the meeting to order. “As some of you are no doubt aware, the Vorn have found our nebula. Early yesterday evening a force of four Vorn cruisers attempted to reach our Dyson Sphere but were destroyed by our battleships before they could get within range.” Across the chamber the talking grew in intensity. Many councilors had deeply concerned looks on their faces. Lavin smiled inwardly to himself. This was exactly what he wanted.

“It is because of the Aggressives and their desire to fight the Vorn that this danger has been brought to our doorstep. Even as we speak a single Vorn cruiser which managed to jump into hyperspace before we could destroy it is on its way back to reveal to the other Vorn where we have remained hidden. For over 22 million years we have known the safety of the nebula and the Dyson Sphere which we made our home. Now all of that has been put in jeopardy by the rashness of the Aggressives and their desire to go to war.”

“The Vorn would have found us eventually,” broke in Councilor Valen, standing up. “If Aggressives had been in command of the battleships that attacked the Vorn cruisers the fifth one would have been eliminated. The galaxy is being harvested once more. Granted the harvesting has been delayed due to our involvement but it will resume shortly in much greater intensity.”

“You are out of order,” said Lavin pointedly. “You have not requested to speak. Do not try to switch the blame for this calamity.”

“As if you would let me,” countered Valen, folding his arms defiantly across his chest. “If everyone would focus on the main screen, I have a video to show you.”

Instantly on the massive screen behind Lead Councilor Lavin, the destruction of the four Vorn cruisers was shown as well as the failed attempt to destroy the fifth.

“I want to call to your attention at how easily our battleships destroyed the Vorn vessels. We have tens of thousands of battleships sitting inside our spacedocks gathering dust. We have the power to destroy the Vorn once and for all.” Valen started another video. This one showing world after world that had been harvested by the Vorn and the aftermath of the Vorn bombardments making the planets uninhabitable.

“We have seen this before,” said Lead Councilor Lavin, trying to take back control of the meeting. “For million of years the Vorn have come to this galaxy and others to perform their harvests. This is nothing new.”

Valen started another video showing Fleet Captain Waelt and Fleet Captain Lilith’s ships in action against the Vorn. Motherships, Intergalactic Transports, Vorn battleships, and cruisers were being blown apart. In almost every case the Vorn fleets hastily withdrew.

“We have the ability to bring this war to an end. The Vorn have found us. Is it not better to fight them out in the galaxy instead of inside this nebula and around our Dyson Sphere?”

“Yes, send the fleet,” a surprisingly large number of voices called out.

“No!” called out Lead Speaker Lavin. “We must reduce the Aggressive population and defend the Dyson Sphere. The defensive weapons on the hull of the Dyson Sphere can inflict sufficient losses on the Vorn that they will leave our nebula and never return.”

“And sacrifice every race in this galaxy?” challenged Valen, glaring sharply at Lavin. “If we follow your recommendations we could all die. I say we take the fight to the Vorn. We drive them out of this galaxy and then we destroy their habitats. We end this war once and for all!”

“Vote!” called out a large number of councilors. “Vote! Destroy the Vorn!”

Lead Councilor Lavin was speechless. He stood at the podium knowing if he allowed this vote the Aggressives would take the Glaymons to war. All of his careful planning was crashing down around him. He felt a presence at his side. Turning he saw Councilor Aalik standing next to him.

“It’s over,” Aalik said quietly. “Call for the vote and accept it. This day has been long in coming.”

Lavin nodded barely able to speak. He knew he had no choice. “All in favor of going to war against the Vorn please indicate so.”

The votes came in much quicker this time. When the tally finally presented itself on the top of the podium, Lavin knew his time of being the Lead Councilor of the Glaymons was over. “The vote is 72 percent for going to war and 28 percent against. The motion has carried. Effective immediately we will send our fleet to fight the Vorn.” Lavin knew he could not leave the Dyson Sphere unprotected. There was one more vote he was determined to ask for. “Because of the threat of the Vorn coming to the Dyson Sphere I propose 50 percent of our fleet remain here to protect us.”

“Yes, we must be protected!” several voices called out.

Lavin saw Valen’s eyes widen in anger. “Let us vote.”

The vote came in and Lavin’s proposal narrowly passed. “The vote is 53 percent for keeping half of our fleet here and 47 percent against.” He knew there was no point in attempting to vote on reducing the Aggressives’ population. They would be needed to fly the ships going into battle. “The motion has been carried.”

Valen was still standing. “How does this council want us to fight this war?”

“To win! To destroy the Vorn!” called out a number of voices. “Let the Aggressives fight for us.”

Lead Councilor Lavin nodded his acceptance. “I will leave it up to Councilor Valen and the Aggressives on how best to fight this war. Councilor Valen will also make regular reports to this council on his actions.”

Lavin had already decided once this meeting was over he would be stepping down as Lead Councilor. Most likely someone like Aalik would be taking over. Lavin greatly feared this vote had doomed the Glaymon race. However, he was an Advanced Glaymon and would accept the will of the council.

-

Valen stepped away from his chair, which projected his holographic image to the council chambers. He could scarcely believe they had won. While it irked him Lavin had managed to get the council to vote to keep half of the fleet at the Dyson Sphere that still left a tremendous number of ships at his disposal. Also, if he implemented Fleet Captain Kriegon’s plan to defeat the Vorn, he might not need the other half of the fleet.

Sitting down behind his desk he began thinking about what needed to be done. Later this afternoon he would call in Fleet Captain Kriegon and several other Aggressive officers who would be promoted to that lofty position. They had a lot of planning to do. It wasn’t going to be easy planning the fleet movements of over 260,000 warships. For the first time in the history of the Glaymons, they were in a state of war. Valen just hoped he had done the right thing. Getting back up, he needed to pay Gaylith a visit. Councilor Marshton and Fleet Captains Waelt and Lilith needed to be informed of what the council had decided. This was going to greatly alter the war in the galaxy and for the first time in their long history of war, the Vorn were going to be faced with a powerful and superior opponent.

Chapter Nineteen

High Prince Brollen watched as the twenty Intergalactic Transports made the jump into hyperspace on their way to Galaxy X241. The transports held battleships and cruisers bound for a lonely star system right on the periphery of the galaxy. For weeks now he had been sending fleets as soon as the ships were updated and ready for combat. The first ships to be brought out of stasis and updated were the six hundred and forty Intergalactic Transports stored in the habitats. After that were the battleships, followed by the cruisers, and finally the motherships. This time there would be no danger of the Ancients and their allies taking the new staging system by surprise.

Military Commander Vasterus was in the system organizing the fleets as they arrived. Vasterus was under strict orders to keep several fleets combat ready at all times to ensure the Ancients did not launch another attack similar to the four which had devastated so many motherships a few months back. Several powerful fleets of battleships were on constant patrol with shields and weapons fully activated as a precaution.

One more week and the fleet will be ready, reported Military Leader Ansolk. Four hundred thousand warships will be involved in the harvest as well as nearly four hundred motherships. In just a matter of a few months we will have all the food pellets our Queens desire.

This time we will not fail, Brollen replied, his multifaceted eyes watching as more ships exited the habitats. Another two hundred thousand Vorn ships were being left behind to protect the home system.

Several military commanders had asked why so many ships were being left behind. Brollen didn’t dare tell them the Ancients had the coordinates to the location of the habitats. Instead he had explained to the military commanders the other ships would be used as a reserve and called to Galaxy X241 if the fleets sustained major losses against the Protector Worlds and the Ancients during their harvesting campaign.

The Arbitrator is about to exit the space dock, reported Military Leader Gallet.

High Prince Brollen turned to view the indicated screen. The Arbitrator was his new flagship. It was a mothership but like none ever built before. The Arbitrator was dumbbell-shaped with two enormous globes at each end connected to one another by a short cylinder. The ship was painted a matte black and no starlight reflected from its hull. A powerful energy screen protected it and a sensor-dampening field ensured it could not be detected. Each of those globes measured 3,000 meters and the cylinder connecting the two was 600 meters long and 400 in diameter. The ship was powered by a Zero-Point Energy module.

High Prince Brollen gazed at his new flagship. With its powerful energy screen and weapons he would have nothing to fear. The ship was capable of flying in intergalactic space without the need for an Intergalactic Transport. Only the new dreadnoughts were more powerful.

The new mothership is taking up position with the completed dreadnoughts, reported Military Leader Gallet.

Brollen watched as the massive mothership settled into formation with the forty 2,800-meter dreadnoughts. By the end of the week the other eighty would be finished. All one hundred and twenty would possess a Zero-Point Energy module. The primary role of the dreadnoughts would be to protect the Arbitrator and destroy any Ancient warship that came within range. Only the immense size of the vessels permitted installation of the Zero-Point Energy module.

The Ancients will tremble before our power, proclaimed Military Leader Ansolk, his thoughts projecting confidence.

I must go to the Conclave Habitat, Brollen sent. Several of the Queens are reporting a lack of food in their habitats. Brollen knew the problem was that a number had hesitated at reducing the size of the Working Caste. He also doubted if their food reserves were as low as they were proclaiming.

-

High Prince Brollen stood next to Hive Queen Berlyne listening to four Queens request additional food for their habitats.

We have less than a two week supply remaining, projected Queen Anadem. If something is not done soon we will have to resort to widespread deletions across all castes.

We must have more food pellets, pleaded Queen Somlyay. If not many in my habitat will starve.

Hive Queen Berlyne waved them to silence. Queen Anadem, I have been informed you have only deleted 4 percent of the Worker Caste in your habitat. Why is that?

Queen Anadem looked stunned that the Hive Queen was aware of such information. We need the Worker Caste, she said, looking around for support. They keep our habitats clean and do many of the menial jobs the other castes refuse to do.

I will send our military to your habitat and begin mass deletions of your Worker Caste immediately. By deleting 80 percent of your workers that will increase your food reserves sufficiently to allow your habitat to survive until the new harvests arrive.

Queen Anadem looked as if she was going to protest but then bowed in submission and backed away.

Hive Queen Berlyne looked at the other three Queens. The military will be coming to your habitats as well. If you would have reduced your Worker Caste as I directed previously you would have been spared this.

The three bowed and moved away from the Hive Queen.

How soon will the harvest begin? asked Queen Erriles. It has been months since a mothership loaded with food pellets arrived here at the habitats. During that time we have been taking thousands of ships out of stasis and using valuable resources to update them. Surely we have enough ships available to renew the harvest.

Hive Queen Berlyne looked over at High Prince Brollen.

The harvest will resume in two more days, Brollen answered. We will harvest several regions of Galaxy X241 where we expect little opposition and then our forces will be turned toward those who have resisted us. By crushing them our harvesting fleets will be able to roam throughout the galaxy without fear of being hindered by powerful war fleets.

Queen Erriles looked critically at High Prince Brollen. I hope you are correct. So far our harvesting fleets have met with a multitude of failures under your command. If you want to remain High Prince make sure they do not fail this time. Queen Erriles gazed directly at High Prince Brollen, her multifaceted eyes showing no fear.

We will succeed, answered Brollen. Our mistake was allowing this galaxy so much time to grow an abundance of food species. Because of that the resistance is much stronger than originally forecast. We now know what we are up against and have adjusted our strategy accordingly. Brollen knew Queen Erriles led a group of older Queens who still wielded much influence over the Royal Court.

I hope so, Queen Erriles replied. If not, changes will be made. With that Queen Erriles and a number of older Queens left the Royal Court Chamber.

Brollen felt frustrated. He had worked long and hard to accomplish his rise to power. He was not going to allow Queen Erriles to take it away. He dared not arrange for Queen Erriles to meet an unfortunate end through an accident, it would be too suspicious coming so soon after Hive Queen Alithe’s death. No, once plentiful food supplies began arriving at the habitats Queen Erriles would lose what power she and her group thought they had over the Royal Court.

-

Near Galaxy X241, Military Commander Vasterus watched one of the viewscreens as a fleet of Interstellar Transports exited hyperspace. One moment space was empty and then it was full of ships.

We have over 240,000 ships in the system, sent Military Leader Camatte. When will High Prince Brollen allow us to begin the harvest?

Soon, replied Vasterus.

At the moment he was more interested in the report he had just received from Military Leader Victell. It seemed he had found the nebula the Ancients were hiding in. Vasterus was going to make arrangements for Victell to return to the nebula and complete a detailed mapping of the interior. In twenty hours Military Leader Victell would be departing with a fleet of sixty Vorn battleships and four hundred cruisers. That should be sufficient to discover exactly what the Ancients were hiding inside the nebula. Once Vasterus knew for certain he would send a large fleet to destroy it.

-

In the Newton System, Fleet Admiral Kurt Vickers was studying the latest readiness reports of the fleet and the Newton Alliance.

“My ships have updated all of the shipyards in the Alliance,” Lomatz reported. “They have been equipped with Kubitz construction technology and their ship construction rate has been increased by fourfold.”

“You charged enough,” muttered Captain Randson. “The Sertez claim you billed them an arm and a leg to build a complete shipyard.”

Lomatz smiled, his slightly tinted yellow eyes gazing at the captain. “I can assure you the profit from building and updating these shipyards was minimal. The one at Sertez was much more difficult as their current shipyard was so dilapidated that a completely new structure had to be built. In the end, to get it completed in time I had to send four of my best construction ships.”

“I appreciate what you did,” Kurt replied. He had studied the fees Lomatz had charged. They were not exorbitant but not cheap either. “New warships are already coming out of most of those shipyards. We’re going to need every ship we can get when the Vorn return.”

Lomatz leaned back in his chair. They were in a conference room on board Newton Station. Several large viewscreens in the room were focused on the ships in orbit around Newton. The most imposing was the Glaymon battleship. It dwarfed everything else on the screens. On another screen the Star Cross was visible. “The Vorn know where we are from their attack on Earth. It won’t be difficult for them to plot the courses of inbound and outbound ships that were visible on their sensors.”

“That’s why we’re still increasing the power of our defensive grid,” replied Colonel Simms, touching the computer pad on the conference table and bringing a defense platform into view that was being assembled. “The only defense grid which may be stronger is the one around Lakiam.”

Kurt nodded. “That’s because Fleet Commodore Dreen is expecting the Vorn to attack Lakiam as they are the center of the Lakiam Alliance and the resistance against The Destroyers of Worlds.”

“Can we win this war?” asked Colonel Simms, arching his eyebrow. “Or are we only delaying the inevitable?”

Pointing toward the Glaymon battleship, Kurt replied. “With the ships the Glaymons recently sent to aid Fleet Captain Waelt we have a slim chance. The problem is numbers. When I last spoke to Glaymon Councilor Marshton, he indicated the Vorn may attack with an overwhelming force when they return. Our only real hope is that the Glaymons back in their Dyson Sphere decide to come to our aid.”

Lomatz shook his head. “Those Advanced Glaymons will never agree to go to war against the Vorn and they control most of the Dyson Sphere’s warships. They will remain safe in their nebula while the rest of the galaxy fights the Vorn.”

“Unfortunately, you may be correct,” replied Kurt with a deep sigh. “Councilor Marshton and Fleet Captain Lilith had to use trickery and a little sabotage to escape the Dyson Sphere with their fleet. I doubt if the same trick will work again.”

“What about our latest fleet deployments?” asked Governor Spalding who had come up to the station for an inspection of the defenses protecting Newton.

“All of our fleets are currently out on patrol,” reported Admiral Wilson who was Kurt’s second in command in the fleet. “As new ships come out of the shipyards they’re being sent out on short shakedown cruises and then assigned to their respective fleets.”

“What about the two new shipyards the Glaymons built for us?” asked Spalding.

“The first pair of battleships came out of the shipyards two days ago,” Simms replied. “Our shipbuilding capacity is greater than ever before.”

As Kurt continued to listen to the status of the fleet and defenses around Newton he couldn’t help but feel it wasn’t enough. Every day now his apprehension was growing. According to Councilor Marshton the Vorn could strike at any moment. This was a tremendous letdown to Kurt as he had hoped their attacks on the Vorn would give them a year or more of time to prepare. Destroying the staging system and the Vorn harvesting fleets in those four systems was supposed to have bought them the time they needed to prepare for the next attack. Now, it seemed, from what the Glaymons were saying their time of peace was about over.

“How are the defenses over Earth and Mars?” asked Spalding.

Admiral Wilson answered this question as he had just returned from a quick inspection. Kurt listened as the admiral began listing the defenses and fleet dispositions around the two planets.

-

Mara was visiting Keera to discuss the latest shipment of tea. The large Lakiam cargo ship was still in orbit and loading would be finished in the next day or two. It had taken longer than expected to get everything set up.

Mara leaned back in her chair, finding it relaxing. She enjoyed her conversations with Keera. “We have six tea varieties we’re sending back.”

“Yes,” replied Keera as she took a sip of tea from the glass she was holding in her hand. “We have the four varieties we chose originally plus two more we want the Lakiams to try.”

Grinning, Mara looked at Keera. “I can assure you my people will like them. What do you think of the trading company we’ve set up with the help of the business people Governor Spalding introduced us to?”

Keera smiled. “It should make everything much easier. We’re going to hire a few people and set up an office to handle all the paperwork and orders. Once we get everything going we will only have to check in every once and a while.”

“Your way of doing business is much different than the way we do it on Lakiam.”

Keera hesitated a moment and then asked. “When the Vorn return will you be taking the Limeira to fight?”

“If my ship is needed, I will.”

“I’m sure Kurt will be in the middle of all the fighting.”

“Better to fight the Vorn away from Newton.”

Keera pursed her lips. “There’s always a lot of pressure on Kurt. He doesn’t admit it but I know it weighs heavily on his shoulders. If you see the pressure is getting to him you have my permission to do whatever is necessary to take that away.”

“You mean sex,” replied Mara, her eyes widening at Keera being so blunt.

“Yes, I know you enjoyed the time you shared yourself with Kurt. I have no problems with that as I’ve spent a lot of time on Kubitz and several other Enlightened Worlds.”

Mara nodded. “Yes, you are very open minded. I have read up on the morals of these Humans from Earth. They are a very monogamous species.”

“For now,” Keera replied. “As they become indoctrinated into galactic culture some of that is bound to change.”

“Earth and Newton are unique in many ways,” Mara said. “Due to their locations they have been cut off from most of the civilized galaxy.”

Keera reached for a notepad she had been using to list their plans for the next tea shipment. “We need to set up several cargo ships to make routine trips between Newton and Lakiam.”

“The captain of the Shimray has volunteered his ship for a share of the profits.”

“How much would that be?” Keera had never had a business before. She wanted to get all of this set up so she could return full time to her medical profession.

“He’s only asking for 5 percent which I believe is reasonable. I can ask him if he knows of another captain who might be interested in the same type of deal.”

“Sounds fine to me,” replied Keera. “We already have several companies on Earth which are anxious to sign contracts to supply us with the necessary tea varieties.”

The two women spent another hour working out all the details and then Mara stood up. “I need to get back to the Limeira and speak to the captain of the Shimray. I think our tea business is about to take off.”

Keera nodded in agreement. “Kurt should be home shortly. We’re going to one of Bryan’s baseball games.”

“Children and their games,” replied Mara with a short laugh. “Even on Lakiam the young indulge in such activities.”

“You’re welcome to come if you like,” suggested Keera.

“No, I better get back to my ship. I have a number of items I need to take care of.”

-

As the shuttle Mara was on approached the Limeira she couldn’t help but admire her ship. It was everything she had always wanted. Powerful, sleek and capable of traveling across the galaxy. As the shuttle neared the ship a large hatch opened. Moments later the shuttle set down smoothly inside without the smallest jar.

Stepping outside the shuttle, the small flight bay was spotless and brightly lit. Captain Bryles entered a small hatch across the bay and walked over to Mara.

“We just received a communication from Fleet Commodore Dreen. A Glaymon scout ship has spotted a large concentration of Vorn ships in an isolated star system just outside the galaxy. Long distance scans indicate over two hundred thousand Vorn ships in the system with more arriving daily.

Mara felt faint at hearing the numbers. “Have you notified Fleet Admiral Vickers?”

“Yes, just moments ago.”

Mara’s heart began beating faster. The time for all out war against the Vorn was nearly upon them. “Make sure the Limeira is fully supplied and ready for combat.”

“It is; we can go into battle at a moment’s notice.”

“Continue to monitor communications. I want to know as soon as those Vorn ships move.”

After dismissing Captain Bryles, Mara made her way to her quarters to put on a clean uniform. As she undressed she stopped and peered into a full-length mirror. For a Lakiam she was very well proportioned. Her stomach was flat and her breasts still had that youthful look. She turned sideways, satisfied her routine workouts were keeping her fit. With a deep sigh, she changed into her clean uniform, wondering if she would ever get the opportunity to share with Kurt again. Just thinking about it made her feel tingly inside. Taking a deep breath, she decided if they went on another long mission together she would do everything she could to make that thought become a reality.

-

Later that evening Kurt and Keera were at the baseball field watching Bryan. Kurt’s sister, Denise, and her husband Alex were sitting with them on the bleachers.

“You know, you would think they would find a way to make these bleachers more comfortable with all the technology we have,” complained Denise. She shifted slightly on the metal bleacher trying to get more comfortable.

“Look! Bryan is up to bat!” said Keera excitedly. She leaned forward to see what would happen.

Bryan let the first two balls go by, taking a strike and a ball. On the third pitch he swung as hard as he could, connecting with the ball. In a high arc it flew into the outfield to be caught by the center fielder.

“He’s out,” said Denise, disappointedly.

“He got a good hit out of it,” pointed out Alex. “One of these days he’s going to hit a home run.”

“I hope so,” said Keera.

Kurt leaned back watching the game. Before coming down to Kubitz, he had placed the fleet on Condition Five which was the lowest alert level. All it meant was crews currently on leave needed to be prepared to be recalled at a moment’s notice. It also increased the in-system space patrols done by the Lance fighters based on Newton Station and the Vindication.

As he watched, he saw Bryan catch a line drive. Kurt couldn’t help but smile, recalling the baseball games he had been involved in as a youth.

“At least he can catch the ball,” said Denise.

“He should as much as he makes me practice with him,” retorted Alex.

The next time Bryan was up he hit a ground ball to the shortstop who threw him out at first base.

“Oh,” moaned Keera in disappointment. “I want to see him get on base.”

Denise nodded. “So do I.”

Kurt glanced at the scoreboard. The other team was ahead three to one. As he watched he grinned when Bryan ran down a hard ground ball, throwing the runner out at second base. That was the last out needed for the inning and Bryan came in once more to bat.

Once more he let the first two balls pass by, swinging on the third. It was a line drive that landed between second base and center field. Running as hard as he could Bryan made it safely to first.

“He’s on base,” said Denise, her face lit up with excitement.

“Yes, he is,” replied Alex, gripping his wife’s hand.

Another base hit advanced Bryan all the way to third and then a high sacrifice fly allowed him to cross home plate.

“He scored!” cried out Keera excitedly.

The rest of the game was scoreless with Bryan’s team losing three to two. Both teams trotted out to shake hands while the fans and parents made their way out of the bleacher area.

“It was close,” said Keera disappointed Bryan’s team failed to win.

“We’ll beat them next time,” Alex replied. “Let’s go wait for Bryan and tell him how good he played.”

-

Later Kurt was standing next to Bryan. They were in line at the concession stand and Kurt had promised to buy the ten-year-old a corn dog and a soda after getting permission from Denise.

“That was fun!” Bryan said, his eyes still glowing with excitement. “Our coach said that was the best game we’ve played. He thinks if we can continue to improve we might be able to make the playoffs.”

Kurt placed their order and the two went over to a table to sit down. The others were visiting some friends who had come to watch the game.

“When I grow up I want to be a starship captain,” Bryan said as he took a bite of his corn dog.

‘That’s quite a ways off,” Kurt said. He hoped Bryan got the opportunity. If he did that meant the Vorn had been defeated and Newton was no longer in danger.

“Are you going to come to more of my games?”

“I’m going to try.”

Bryan nodded as he took a sip of his soda. “I understand. You’re the Fleet Admiral and you have to go kill more of those bugs.”

“You mean the Vorn,” replied Kurt. He wondered who had begun calling the Vorn ‘bugs’.

“They’re bugs,” Bryan persisted. “That’s what all the kids at my school call them.”

“How are you doing in school?” Kurt knew some of the new technology for teaching had been introduced at Bryan’s school.

Bryan took another bite of his corn dog. “It’s a lot different than last year. It’s also a lot more fun.”

Kurt saw Keera walking toward them. She hesitated and went over to the concession stand, coming back with a hot dog covered in chili, mustard, and onions. She sat down next to Bryan who smiled really big.

“We don’t have these either on Kubitz,” she said as she took a bite. “Maybe Mara and I should see about shipping hot dogs to Lakiam as well.”

Letting out a deep sigh, Kurt nodded. He had a suspicion Mara was going to be around for a long time. It also made him wonder if that happened how he was going to deal with the situation. Mara was just too damn beautiful and extremely captivating. Kurt greatly feared if he was around her too much he might give in to temptation, particularly since neither Mara nor Keera seemed to have a problem with it. It was easier being Fleet Admiral than being stuck in the middle of the two women, one being his wife.

Chapter Twenty

Military Commander Vasterus had just ordered the Vorn ships currently in the new staging system to launch their attack on certain specified targets. Food was needed back at the habitats and a number of relatively defenseless worlds had been chosen as the first worlds to harvest. On the main viewscreens of the Tranchal, fleet after fleet jumped into hyperspace, heading toward the worlds they were to harvest. Forty fleets were leaving. Each fleet consisted of twelve hundred battleships and four thousand cruisers. At the center of each fleet were five Vorn motherships. The sheer size of the fleets ensured they would survive initial contact with a fleet of the Ancients or a powerful Protector World. The five motherships would be able to quickly harvest any food world they came across.

On the ship’s viewscreen, the last fleet disappeared.

All fleets have entered hyperspace and should arrive at their targets over the next five days, reported Military Leader Camatte. We have sent scout ships to all of these worlds and there should be very little resistance to the harvest.

Excellent, replied Vasterus. Walking over to the large tactical display with his legs making loud clicking sounds against the deck he stopped and examined the location of the fleets remaining in the system. In another seven or eight days High Prince Brollen would be arriving. Currently Vasterus had three fleets each consisting of two thousand battleships at a state of high alert in case the Ancients appeared. That would give him time to bring the rest of the fleet to combat readiness if there was indeed an attack. High Prince Brollen had placed Vasterus in charge of the harvest until he arrived.

Shortly we will begin sending food pellets back to the home system, sent Camatte. Our Queens will be pleased.

Military Commander Vasterus hoped that was so. Currently there were ten Intergalactic Transports and twenty Collector ships waiting for the return of the motherships. Vasterus knew if this harvest failed it would be the end of the Vorn. They had no other galaxies which could be harvested.

-

Far outside the staging system, a single Glaymon disk battlecruiser had noted the departure of the Vorn fleets. The ship was operating under stealth and using its long-range sensors to keep watch on the Vorns’ new staging system.

“Forty Vorn harvesting fleets have left the staging system,” reported the Glaymon at the sensors. “Our ship’s computer has calculated their most probable destinations. Their targets are forty inhabited worlds outside the Lakiam Alliance.”

“Send the data to Fleet Captain Waelt and Fleet Captain Lilith,” ordered the ship’s captain. “We will remain here and continue to observe further Vorn ship movements.” The captain felt great sadness knowing more intelligent beings were about to become food for the Vorn.

-

In the Glaymon Dyson Sphere, Councilor Valen stood in one of the Defense Centers with several other council members watching as the Glaymon fleet assembled outside the sphere. New Lead Councilor Aalik was standing closes by. “This had better work,” Aalik said softly. “If it doesn’t I won’t be in this position for long.”

“Is former Lead Councilor Lavin causing problems?”

“No, he believes in our customs and laws. He has retired and will not be involved in politics anymore.”

The comm unit Valen was holding in his right hand suddenly began going off. “Yes,” he said, answering it.

“We have the device and the frequency,” a voice replied. “We’re loading it on board a battleship, and the ship should be out of the bay in the next twelve to fourteen minutes.”

“Very good,” answered Valen, turning the comm unit off.

“Something I should know about?” asked Aalik, glancing over at Valen.

Valen shook his head. “No, that was just a short update on loading supplies for the fleet. We’re nearly done.”

What Valen didn’t mention was he had just committed treason against the Glaymon race. He had no idea how the Advanced Glaymons would react when they found out what he had ordered done. It was one of the reasons over two million Aggressive civilians were going with the fleet. It was why it had taken so long to get the fleet ready to depart the Dyson Sphere. Each ship was being operated by Aggressives as the Advanced Glaymons had no desire to be involved in a galactic war. Each ship before it took its position in the fleet was coming into one of the spacedocks adjacent to the Aggressive habitats to load both supplies and civilians. There was also an update being made to the ships’ hyperdrives which would greatly increase their speed in intergalactic space. The update was a simple add on to the current drive that had been available for quite some time but hadn’t seemed necessary. Now it appeared there was a need for it so the slight modification was being made to every ship.

-

For the next two hours the massive fleet assembled. Ninety thousand battleships, one hundred and seventy thousand disk battlecruisers, plus support craft.

One of the communications officers in the Defense Center suddenly called for Lead Speaker Aalik to come to the communications console. As Aalik listened to a message his face turned pale and his eyes focused on Councilor Valen as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Taking a deep breath, he told the person on the comm not to do anything yet, he would be getting back to him.

He came back over to stand close to Councilor Valen. “You just had to push it, didn’t you?” accused Aalik in a quiet voice where no one else could overhear. “I can’t believe what I just heard over the comm. How could you do such a thing?”

Valen let out a deep sigh. He and Aalik had been friends for a long time. What he had just done had probably ended that. “It was necessary. The Vorn must be exterminated if we want this galaxy and universe to survive. When Lead Councilor Lavin managed to pass a resolution keeping half the fleet here, he didn’t leave me much of a choice. We must destroy the Vorn habitats.”

“I’m going to set a record being Lead Speaker for the shortest length of time in our long history. I’ll be blamed for allowing this atrocity.” Aalik remained silent for several long moments. “Due to our long friendship, I’m going to allow you to leave this Defense Center and take your shuttle to the fleet.”

Valen nodded. “Thank you.”

“Now go,” Aalik said in a strained voice. “And Valen, don’t ever come back!”

-

An hour later Lead Speaker Aalik watched as Councilor Valen’s shuttle docked with one of the waiting battleships. Shortly after that the fleet began to move. Aalik continued to watch the large tactical display showing the position of the fleet as it made its way through the nebula. He then turned back toward the communications officer who had summoned him earlier. “Send a message to all councilors. There will be an emergency meeting tomorrow morning of the full council. I have a case of possible treason that needs to be dealt with.”

The communications officer’s eyes widened but he dutifully began sending the message.

Aalik stood in the Defense Center watching as the Aggressive fleet finally cleared the nebula and made the jump into the safety of hyperspace. What Valen had stolen was the most valuable piece of technology on the Dyson Sphere. It was also going to be very hard to replace.

-

Councilor Valen stood next to Fleet Captain Kriegon. “Well, we’re on our way.”

“Are we going to enact my plan?”

Valen nodded. “It’s our only chance.”

“What have you two done?” asked Gaylith suspiciously. Valen had insisted she and several other Aggressives who worked with him come with the fleet.

“We did what we had to in order to save the galaxy,” Valen answered softly.

On one of the viewscreens, the nebula was visible and quickly receding. That was one thing about Glaymon battleships: they could see out from hyperspace. He knew he could never return home and would never see Aalik again. He only hoped Aalik survived the verbal storm which would arise when the council heard what Valen had taken. They would demand a scapegoat and Valen greatly feared Aalik would be put in that role.

“Set a course for the new habitat Tasid is building,” ordered Valen. “We’ll divide the fleet there and drop off the civilians.”

“Divide the fleet?” asked Gaylith, looking confused. “Why?”

Shifting his eyes over to Gaylith, Valen replied. “Part of the fleet will be staying to fight the Vorn harvesting fleets. The rest of the fleet has another mission.”

“What?” asked Gaylith, her eyes widening with concern.

Valen let out a deep breath as a troubled looked crossed his face. “The rest of the fleet will be traveling in intergalactic space to the Vorn home system.”

“Why?” asked Gaylith already knowing the answer but wanting Valen to say it.

“It’s simple,” Valen replied, his eyes meeting hers. “We go there to destroy them!”

Gaylith’s eyes widened in fear. She had a suspicion of what Valen was up to and why he had been so secretive the past few days. Suddenly she became very frightened.

“Gaylith, contact Councilor Marshton and tell him we’re on our way.”

Valen stood for a long while in the Command Center only now realizing how different his life was going to be.

-

Councilor Marshton was in his office in the new capital city of the Aggressives inside the habitat. He stood staring out the window at the recently completed city.

“I can’t believe he did it,” said Fleet Captain Lilith. “Two hundred and sixty thousand ships.”

“That’s only half of our total fleet and there will be no more,” replied Councilor Marshton, turning away from the window. “From our latest reports we know the Vorn have committed at least three hundred thousand warships to harvesting our galaxy, possibly more.”

Lilith nodded. “Our AIs believe the Vorn have updated their warships substantially as well. Do you think they will attack the Dyson Sphere?”

“Not yet,” Valen replied. “I spoke to several of our strategists. They believe the Vorn will wait until most of the galaxy has been harvested before attacking our home. Most likely they will send additional ships to survey the nebula. Four of the five cruisers they sent were destroyed with the fifth escaping. They never came within scanning range of the Dyson Sphere.”

“Have you notified Fleet Captain Waelt of the new fleet Councilor Valen is bringing?”

“Yes, he’s already making plans on how best to use the ships. He wants to make Lakiam Alliance space secure from Vorn attacks. It will allow him to protect thousands of inhabited worlds. He also wants to send some ships to fight the Vorn harvesting fleets.”

Lilith looked out the window at the distant mountains that were now finished. There was even some snow on the taller peaks. “We still have no way to deal with the Vorn habitats. They can easily replace all of their ship losses where the Dyson Sphere and its ship production is lost to us.”

Marshton hesitated and then spoke. “Councilor Valen and Fleet Captain Kriegon may have a way to deal with the Vorn habitats.” It was something Valen had mentioned to him in a message a few weeks back.

Fleet Captain Lilith looked surprised. “How?”

Taking a deep breath, Marshton explained Kriegon’s plan.

“That’s crazy!” gasped Lilith, her eyes wide with shock. “That will never work!”

“Valen and Kriegon think it’s worth the risk. If their plan does work we will never have to worry about the Vorn again.”

Fleet Captain Lilith looked worried as she considered the ramifications. “How soon before Valen’s fleet arrives?”

“Two more days,” replied Marshton. “The Vorn are already on the move and will soon be harvesting their first planets. As soon as Valen gets here we will arrange for our fleets to meet the Vorn in combat. Fleet Commodore Dreen wants to resist them at every opportunity and I agree. Our primary target will be the motherships. Our strategist believe the Vorn are near starvation. If Fleet Captain Kriegon fails in his plan to destroy the Vorn habitats, we may still be able to starve them to death if we make it impossible for them to harvest our galaxy.”

“I’ll contact Fleet Captain Waelt to determine our first targets. My fleet is ready to engage the Vorn. From the message I received from the scout ship, the Vorn have sent forty harvesting fleets from their new staging system. We need to destroy some of them.”

Marshton nodded. “That’s why we’re here. I’m also going to be contacting Fleet Admiral Vickers. Fleet Captain Kriegon says they may need Human battleships to attack the Vorn habitats. He feels certain the Zero-Point Energy rounds the Humans use will crack the shields on the Vorn habitats if his first plan fails.”

“It will be a long journey to the Vorn System,” pointed out Lilith. “Much can happen during that time.”

“Not as long as you think,” replied Marshton. “All of Valen’s fleet has been equipped with the new hyperspace power module which allows for far greater speeds. Since the Human ships have the identical drive, we’ll place them inside our shipyard and make the same modification to their hyperdrives. That puts the Vorn habitats within easy range. I checked and our hyperspace specialists say a fleet equipped with the modified drives can reach the habitats within ten days.”

Lilith let out a deep breath. “So after all of these millions of years we’re finally going to do it. We’re going to attack the Vorn habitats.”

“Yes,” Marshton answered. “As soon as we can get the Human battleships here we will begin making the modifications.”

“I’d better get back to my flagship. I need to begin making preparations for battle.”

Marshton watched as Fleet Captain Lilith left his office. He was pleased Valen was bringing an additional two million Aggressive civilians. He had already spoken to Tasid about building a second and much larger habitat. Tasid had been enthusiastic at the prospect of building a larger habitat for the Aggressives. The new one he was already designing would be five hundred and twenty kilometers in diameter. It would also possess several space docks and ship construction yards. If the Vorn were defeated Marshton intended for the Aggressives to play a major role in future galactic civilization.

-

At Newton, Kurt was looking over the message they had just received from Councilor Marshton. He was sitting in a small briefing room with Admiral Wilson, Colonel Simms, Captain Randson, and Captain Watkins.

“Attack the Vorn habitats,” said Andrew, his face turning pale. “The Vorn will have tens of thousands of ships protecting them. Plus the habitats are bound to have their own defensive systems. It may be impossible to cause much damage even if we take a significant part of the available Glaymon fleet.”

“I don’t think the Glaymons would suggest this if they didn’t feel they had a reasonable chance of success,” said Admiral Wilson. “They want to make modifications to the hyperspace drives on our battleships. If we’re going to do this we need to get our battleships to the Glaymons as soon as possible.”

“How many will we take?” asked Andrew. He knew from the look on Kurt’s face they were going to do this.

“All but eight,” replied Kurt, his brow furrowed in thought. “We have four fleets and each one will have two battleships at their disposal as well as some Glaymon vessels. All the heavy battlecruisers will remain as well. That will give us twenty-six battleships plus the Star Cross to use against the Vorn habitats.”

Henry looked over at Kurt. “It seems as if we’re putting all of our eggs in one basket. This mission to destroy the Vorn habitats sounds like a one-way proposition. Are you sure you want to risk so many of our most powerful ships? The Vorn fleets are already preparing to resume their harvests of inhabited worlds. They could show up here at any time.”

Kurt blinked his eyes, knowing there was much truth in Henry’s words. It was one of the reasons he had asked his old friend to attend this meeting. “If we ever want to end the war, the Vorn habitats have to be dealt with.”

Andrew let out a deep breath. “As much as it frightens me to attack what we know will be heavily defended, I have to agree. If we want a life of peace for our children we have to do as the Glaymons have suggested.”

Admiral Wilson looked from Andrew to Kurt. “I believe with the forces we currently have and with the help of the Glaymons we can keep our Alliance safe from the Vorn while you’re gone.”

“I don’t like the decision,” said Henry, rubbing his hand over his forehead. “But I to feel it’s the only choice if we ever want to end this war.”

“Then it’s decided,” said Kurt. He handed a list to Colonel Simms. “Have all of these battleships report to Newton Station. Make sure they’re fully loaded with Zero-Point Energy rounds as well as supplies. I would like to depart for the Glaymons’ new system tomorrow.”

Simms nodded as he looked over the list.

Kurt stood up. He was going to go home and explain to Keera where he was going and why. He knew with the dangers there would be on this mission, there was a very good chance he might not return.

-

It didn’t take long for Mara to discover what Kurt was up to. Her communications officer had picked up the transmission from the Glaymons requesting Kurt’s battleships.

“Make sure the Limeira is fully supplied and ready for combat,” she ordered. “We will be going with the Fleet Admiral.” Mara knew it would be risky but she was determined that in a battle of this significance, the Lakiams must be represented and she had her people’s most powerful ship.

-

Keera listened to Kurt explain why he had to go. She fidgeted slightly trying to keep her emotions in check. She could not believe what she was hearing. “The Vorn home system,” she said. “No one’s ever attempted to attack them. No one until now even knew where they were. For all we know they could have millions of ships protecting their home. You may be outnumbered hundreds or even thousands to one.”

“We don’t think they have millions of ships,” Kurt replied. He could tell Keera was having a hard time with this. “Just enough to conduct their harvests and probably to protect their habitats from attack. Keep in mind the Vorn have never faced an opponent with the technology the Glaymons have.”

Keera walked into the kitchen and poured herself a glass of tea. She took a long drink as she tried to think of some way to talk Kurt out of going. “I want children someday,” she said. “That won’t happen if you’re not here.”

“I’ll be here,” Kurt promised. “Not even the Vorn can keep me away. Someday I want to play catch with my son and go to ballgames.”

Keera sniffed, trying not to cry. “Meesa and Dalen will be having their child soon. Dalen is starting on their new house next week. Meesa and I have already been talking about the nursery. They have decided not to know the sex of the child until it’s born. It would be nice for their child to have a little cousin someday.”

Kurt stepped over and put his arms around Keera. “There will be a little cousin,” Kurt promised. “Maybe more than one. If we’re successful destroying the Vorn habitats, the threat of war in our galaxy will be gone forever. We have the Glaymons here now and they will ensure we have peace.”

“You’d better come back,” said Keera, feeling secure in Kurt’s arms. “There is so much I want us to do together.”

“I will,” answered Kurt, kissing Keera on the lips. “We will have a long life together.”

-

Later that night Kurt was lying next to Keera listening to her deep breathing as she slept. Their bodies were touching and Kurt was hoping he could experience many more such nights. After their passionate lovemaking, Keera had fallen immediately to sleep with her hand on his chest. Lying there, Kurt thought of everything she had brought to his life. Granted, at first things were a little strange as she had spent so much time on Kubitz but once she adjusted to Newton they had steadily become closer. Now Kurt could not imagine spending the rest of his life with anyone else.

In the morning Kurt planned to get up early and fix the two of them breakfast. Breakfast was Kurt’s best meal as far as cooking went. Eggs, sausage, hash browns, pancakes, and orange juice. It would be his last meal at home before he went off to fight the Vorn. It was one he wanted to remember.

-

The next day Kurt was on board the Star Cross preparing to take his fleet to the Glaymons’ new system. It would be a short trip in hyperspace. Looking at a nearby tactical display, he saw twenty-six battleships represented by bright green icons as well as another large green icon sitting next to the Star Cross.

“Let me guess; that’s the Limeira.”

“It is,” Aleea replied from her holographic platform. “Mara informed me earlier that Lakiam needed to be represented on this mission. I could not refuse her request.”

Kurt let out a deep sigh. Somehow the presence of the Limeira didn’t surprise him.

“We’ll be ready to depart in ten more minutes at the most,” Andrew reported. He looked over at Kurt. “How was your last night at home?”

“Keera’s not happy about this mission. I think this time she’s really worried.”

Andrew nodded in understanding. “My family is also. Emily said if I didn’t come back she would give Alexis a little more latitude in what time she has to come home at night. I stepped out on the porch the other night and caught Alexis and her boyfriend sitting on a lounge chair all wrapped up in one another, kissing. Her curfew does not need to be extended at least until she reaches eighteen!”

Kurt started laughing. “What did you do when you caught them?” Kurt could well imagine Andrew’s reaction.

“I told Alexis to come in immediately. She was pretty miffed about my catching them. I later told Emily she and Alexis needed to have a long talk about certain things.”

“Do you remember back when you and Emily were dating?”

“Yeah; her father caught us once in the back seat of a car. I’ll never forget that. I don’t think this boy will forget my interruption either.”

“Alexis has a good head on her shoulders,” Kurt said. “I don’t really think you have anything to worry about.”

“All ships are in fleet formation,” reported Aleea.

On the main viewscreen, Newton was showing. “We may be gone around a month,” Kurt said as he gazed one last time at the planet he now called home. It would be nice to be able to come home and not have to worry about the Vorn anymore.

“We have a full load out on weapons,” announced Lieutenant Mays. “I would like nothing better than to see how a Zero-Point Energy round reacts when it strikes a Vorn habitat.”

Kurt had informed the entire fleet of where they were going. “I hope you get the opportunity.”

“Fleet is ready for departure,” reported Aleea.

“We have departure clearance from Newton Station,” added Lieutenant Pierce.

“Then it’s time. Aleea, coordinate the jump into hyperspace so all ships maintain their place in the formation.”

Captain Randson stepped over to his command console. “Lieutenant Styles, initiate jump.”

Kurt felt the Star Cross accelerate forward and then make the transition into hyperspace. Glancing at the tactical display, he saw the rest of the fleet was in formation. It was time to go to the Glaymons’ system and prepare for the final battle against the Vorn.

Chapter Twenty-One

The Vorn harvesting fleet dropped out of hyperspace within two million kilometers of the blue-white planet. It was surrounded by a series of weather and communication satellites and even a primitive space station.

Ground based telescopes and radar instantly picked up the appearance of the unidentified objects that had suddenly appeared. A few observers realized instantly what the significance of this breathtaking event was. The secret to whether they were alone in the universe had just been answered. With excitement, they began to notify the proper officials.

-

Prince Parthain gazed at the viewscreens on the front wall of the mothership. His antennae quivered in excitement at the sight in front of him. A virgin food world! One that even in previous harvests over millions of years had never been harvested. Finally intelligent life developed which had spread across the world. Feeble radio and video transmissions had given its position away to the Vorn fleet. Now they would become food for the Vorn.

Any indication of warships or a planetary defense grid? asked the prince.

No, nothing, replied Military Leader Kawold. This is a primitive world just on the verge of space travel. They barely qualify as a food species.

Nevertheless we will harvest this world. Food is needed back at the habitats and our Queens grow hungry. It is our duty to provide that food. Put our cruisers in orbit around the planet. We must determine if there are any ground based defenses. Even a world as primitive as this one may have a few nuclear tipped missiles.

Military Leader Kawold bowed slightly and then turned to carry out the prince’s orders. A quick mental command sent four hundred Vorn spindle-shaped cruisers hurtling toward the planet.

We are picking up requests for communications, sent the Vorn at the comm station. The planet’s language had already been translated by the ship’s computers. They say they are pleased to see our vessels and look forward to peaceful contact.

How many of this food species live upon the planet? asked Prince Parthain, ignoring the request for communication.

Over two billion, replied the Vorn at the sensors.

Prince Parthain nodded his triangular shaped head. A good beginning to our harvest.

-

The Vorn cruisers went into orbit above the planet and began a careful scan of its surface. A few ground based missiles were discovered. The battle computers on the scout ships quickly determined the purpose of the missiles was to destroy any asteroids that might threaten the planet. The system had a massive asteroid field and there was evidence of previous collisions on the planet’s surface. This was quickly reported back to Military Leader Kawold who ordered the missiles destroyed.

From the Vorn cruisers, black antimatter beams flicked out, striking the isolated military bases where the missiles were located. Seventeen times the rays flashed down, destroying every missile which might be a potential threat. When the last missile was destroyed the cruisers pulled back.

-

At the military facilities the commanders looked out at the towering fires and black smoke rising high into the atmosphere. None knew for certain what had happened. There were scattered reports of black beams from space and then massive explosions. Moments after the first attack frightened military leaders began reporting the destruction of the missiles that were supposed to protect the planet from an errant asteroid.

-

In the capital city of the planet, the president listened to his science advisors who were in a near panic. Reports of the attack on the military bases had shaken the government.

“We have been broadcasting, trying to establish communications,” one advisor reported. “There has been no response.”

“Is it possible they don’t understand us?” asked the president.

“They have over five thousand ships in their fleet,” the military advisor said pointedly. “It is not an exploration fleet. It is a fleet of conquest. They proved that when they destroyed every missile on the planet which might be a danger to them.”

The president stood and walked around his desk until he stood facing his military advisor. “Do we have any weapons we can use to defend ourselves?”

The military advisor shook his head. “No, we were never expecting an invasion from space. We did not believe other life forms existed.”

The president bowed his head. “Then we have no choice but to surrender.” He looked sadly at the military advisor. “Began broadcasting our unconditional surrender immediately. Perhaps this will not be as bad as we fear.”

-

The five Vorn motherships went into orbit over the food world. Prince Parthain gazed down at the planet in anticipation of the harvest. The Vorn at Communications had already reported the planet’s pitiful offer to surrender. Parthain was curious as to how the food pellets from this world would taste. Perhaps they would be unique.

Activate the harvesting rays, he sent to all the motherships. It is time to collect food for our race and for our Queens.

-

On each of the five motherships fourteen large hatches slid open. From each hatch a black ray flashed forth to strike the surface of the planet below. Wherever the rays struck, any usable organic substance was transformed and transported up to the ships. As the black beams swept across the planet’s cities all of the inhabitants were transformed into a black ashy substance to be transferred up to the motherships by imbedded tractor beams.

-

The planet’s president watched several video monitors in horror as news crews showed the black beams seemingly vaporizing citizens and leaving a black ash behind.

“They’re killing us,” said the military advisor. “Reports are coming in from all across the planet. Those beams are vaporizing every organic substance they come into contact with. Numerous cities have already been depopulated. Our scientists are predicting within two hours the entire planet will be lifeless.”

The president turned away from the monitors looking confused. “But why? We would have surrendered.”

“We will never know,” the military advisor said as a black beam swept across the building, turning everyone inside into ash.

-

For two hours the deadly black harvesting beams swept across the planet leaving no area untouched. Almost in unison, the beams from all five ships shut off.

The harvest is complete, reported Military Leader Kawold. The scientists and technicians are reporting that only 8 percent of the food pellets are of sufficient quality to be consumed by the Royal Caste and our Queens.

Disappointing, replied Prince Parthain, deciding to forgo sampling a pellet. Launch the planet cleansing spheres.

-

From each of the five motherships spheres of white energy dropped down toward the planet. Just before reaching the surface they burst like a bubble with their energy spreading outward. Buildings, dams, power lines, and other infrastructure were destroyed. Massive firestorms erupted in the larger cities sending plumes of smoke and ash high into the atmosphere. The sky across the planet rapidly began to darken. It would be years before most of the surface saw the full light of the system’s sun again.

-

Planet has been cleansed, sent Military Leader Kawold.

Excellent, replied Prince Parthain. Have the fleet set course for our next target. We need to fill our holds with food pellets as rapidly as possible to send back to our Queens. The fleet’s next target was deeper in the galaxy and a little more civilized than the one they had just harvested. Perhaps there Prince Parthain would find food pellets worthy to sample.

-

A few minutes later the Vorn fleet entered hyperspace leaving a ravaged and dead world behind.

-

In the Lakiam Alliance, Fleet Commodore Dreen listened to the latest reports coming in over Communications. The Vorn were harvesting the more primitive worlds of the galaxy and even a few of the more advanced barbaric ones. They were staying well away from the Lakiam Alliance.

“Are we going to allow them to harvest those worlds unimpeded?” asked Alborg. “They are killing billions.”

Commodore Dreen shook his head. “No, I’ve already directed Captain Veen to take his fleet to the region where the Vorn are active. I’ve also substantially reinforced his fleet. He will have twenty-four hundred Lakiam battlecruisers, forty Glaymon battleships and four hundred Glaymon disk battlecruisers under his command.”

“A powerful force,” Alborg replied. “Are there any other fleets being sent?”

“Fleet Leader Arlak Moor is sending a fleet as well. It will consist of twelve hundred Andock battleships, fourteen hundred battlecruisers, forty Glaymon battleships, and four hundred Glaymon disk battlecruisers. We want to show the Vorn that our fleets may show up anywhere and anytime. Perhaps we can stall this harvest.”

“Or force them to turn toward us,” said Alborg. “It would be the correct strategic move once they realize we’re going to be resisting them at every opportunity.”

“A risk we will take,” replied Commodore Dreen. “It is one of the reasons we have been building up all of our Alliance fleets as well as putting massive defensive grids around our worlds. The Lakiam Alliance will be a killing ground if the Vorn return here.”

Sheera looked concerned. “Someday the Vorn will come here. I just hope we survive that day.”

-

Fleet Admiral Vickers was in Marshton’s office inside the new Glaymon habitat.

“Your habitat is impressive,” Kurt said as he looked out at the snow-capped mountains in the distance.

“Tasid is planning a much larger one,” said Marshton. “Construction will begin in another few weeks.”

A curious look crossed Kurt’s face. “Why so soon? I would think the space provided on this one would last your people for decades.”

“Because of this,” Marshton answered gesturing toward a large viewscreen showing space outside the habitat.

As Kurt looked thousands of Glaymon warships began to appear. He stood up, staring in disbelief. Glaymon battleships, disk battlecruisers, and even a few support ships were dropping out of hyperspace. “Councilor Valen succeeded?” he asked, glancing at Marshton who had a big smile on his face. Now he understood why the Glaymons wanted to attack the Vorn habitats.

“Yes, he’s brought over 260,000 of our warships. We will be sending nearly 200,000 of them on the mission to attack the Vorn home system. The rest will be used to reinforce Fleet Commodore Dreen’s fleets as well as to ensure the safety of this habitat.”

Kurt sat back down as he watched more Glaymon ships dropping out of hyperspace. “What is the makeup of Councilor Valen’s fleet?” Kurt had not expected to see a fleet such as this one. It would greatly change the war with the Vorn.

“Ninety thousand battleships and 170,000 of our disk battlecruisers.”

Kurt felt as if his breath had been taken away. With a fleet of the size Councilor Marshton was proposing to send against the Vorn habitats, their ability to cause major damage had just skyrocketed.

“When do we leave for the Vorn home system?”

“Fleet Captain Kriegon will be in charge of the Glaymon fleet which will be involved in the attack. There is one aspect of what he plans I need to fill you in on. It is also the reason why none of our people will ever be able to approach our Dyson Sphere again and why we cannot expect additional help. We either win this war against the Vorn with the ships we now have, or we lose.”

Leaning forward in his chair, Kurt spoke. “I don’t intend to lose. Now, what is Fleet Captain Kriegon’s plan?”

Taking a deep breath Councilor Marshton began describing in detail what Kriegon was going to attempt. When he was finished he looked over at Kurt. “What do you think?”

Kurt’s eyes narrowed. “If it was anyone but your people who were planning this I would say you’re crazy. However, I can see the reasoning behind Fleet Captain Kriegon’s plan. It’s risky but it could also bring us total victory over the Vorn.”

“That’s what we think also,” Marshton replied. “Fleet Captain Kriegon wants to leave in two days. The longer we wait the more worlds are being harvested by the Vorn though I imagine when we send Fleet Captain Waelt and Fleet Commodore Dreen the fifty thousand new ships that might change. They should be able to drive the Vorn back out of our galaxy, at least for a while.”

“Let’s hope so,” Kurt replied. He hated hearing of any world being harvested by the Vorn.

-

Later Kurt was back on the Star Cross. Sitting in his command chair he gazed at the numerous screens showing different Glaymon ships. The space around the habitat seemed to be packed with warships.

“I’ve never seen so many vessels,” Andrew said in awe.

“This is only half of the fleet available on the Dyson Sphere,” Aleea reported. “I have spoken to several AIs in the fleet and the rest of the ships still at the Dyson Sphere will be used for its defense. It seems a group of Vorn cruisers penetrated the nebula and the Glaymon Council is expecting more Vorn ships to be arriving at any time.”

“What is the current progress on updating our hyperdrives?” asked Kurt.

“Four battleships have completed the procedure. The AIs in charge of the shipyard expect to have all the updates completed by this time tomorrow.”

“Aleea, what type of forces do the Glaymons expect us to encounter in the Vorn home system?” Kurt could not even imagine commanding the size fleet they would be taking to attack the Vorn. He didn’t see how all the ships could be kept track of least of all used in battle. The tactical problems of handling such a fleet were mind-boggling.

Aleea was quiet for several moments as she spoke to some of the AIs on the other Glaymon ships. “They are uncertain,” Aleea reported back. “They expect all the Vorn habitats to have heavy defenses and a defending fleet in the system of anywhere from one hundred thousand to four hundred thousand vessels.”

Andrew let out a whistle. “This is going to be one hell of a battle.”

“The Vorn home system has never been attacked according to the information we were able to glean from the Scythe,” added Aleea. “Fleet Captain Kriegon is hoping to take them by surprise.”

“How long will it take to get to the Vorns’ home system?” asked Andrew.

“Eleven days,” Aleea replied. “Fleet Captain Kriegon is planning on sending a small task group of disk battlecruisers commanded by a battleship ahead of the fleet to scan the Vorn system. The fleet will travel with full stealth fields activated to see if the Vorn detect it. There’s a chance the Vorn won’t detect our fleet until after we begin dropping out of hyperspace. They will not be expecting an attack and may not be scanning for ships hidden in stealth.”

Andrew looked over at Kurt. “We’ll need that surprise if this plan is going to work. We need to take out as many of their ships as possible in the opening round of this engagement.”

“If we could use all of our battleships to target one or two of their habitats initially it might cause enough confusion to give us an advantage,” suggested Lieutenant Mays. I can set it up with the other ship captains to target two habitats as soon as we emerge from hyperspace.”

“Make the necessary tactical plans for such a strike,” Kurt ordered. “I will also make Fleet Captain Kriegon aware of your intentions.”

On one of the viewscreens showing the Glaymon mobile shipyard, Kurt saw the Limeira maneuvering to enter one of its large bays. He hadn’t spoken to Mara since they arrived at the Glaymon habitat and knew he should. He wished she had stayed at Newton. This mission was going to be extremely dangerous and there was no guarantee of its success. However, he knew arguing with Mara about her participation in this mission would have been useless. As someone from an advanced culture, Mara could be very stubborn at times.

-

Later Kurt was in the ship’s cafeteria eating a light meal. The food was good but he much preferred Keera’s cooking.

Andrew was sitting across from him eating a ham sandwich. “You know it’s hard to believe we’re sitting here talking about traveling over a million light years to the Vorns’ home system. Just a few short years ago we didn’t even know other life existed in the galaxy.”

“Then High Profiteer Creed showed up over Earth with his Profiteer fleet,” Kurt said. “It changed everything.” Earth had nearly been devastated in the Profiteer attacks With cities nuked and civilians harassed for their wealth.

“Speaking of Creed, I wonder where he is? Much of the Gothan Empire is now off limits to him.”

Kurt leaned back, thinking about what Andrew had just said. “He has a cargo ship filled with gold. As near as our operatives working out of the embassy on Kubitz can determine, he and Clan Leader Jarls raided a world the Vorn harvested and took the gold reserves hidden on the planet. Jarls has already cashed his in and is buying materials to build a dome on a semi-habitable world in his home system.”

“How much gold?” asked Andrew, arching his eyebrow.

“Jarls turned in close to a billion credits.”

Andrew’s eyes widened at the thought of what that could buy. “Creed’s going to have to cash his share of the gold in sometime.”

“Kubitz is the only place in the Gothan Empire which can handle such a transaction. Our ships above Kubitz are watching for his appearance. When he does show up they have orders to destroy his ships immediately.” Kurt had thought long and hard about that. It would anger the Kubitz government but they’d get over it.

Several other crew personnel came in to the cafeteria, breaking Andrew’s train of thought. After several moments he looked over at Kurt. “Won’t Creed be expecting that?”

“Most likely,” Kurt answered. “That’s why I’m expecting him to use some type of trickery to sell his gold. From what Ambassador Brent has reported it seems Grantz has managed to plant an agent in Creed’s fleet. Grantz doesn’t know his quarters are monitored around the clock. The security people in charge of keeping an eye on our greedy Profiteer have reported he has put a team together of other Profiteers. They intend to try to take the gold from Creed when he arrives over Kubitz. Our people haven’t been able to discover exactly how Grantz intends to do that as many of the meetings he holds are inside the pleasure houses.”

Andrew blinked his eyes and frowned worriedly. “Can you imagine what Grantz would be like if he gets his hands on that much gold?”

Kurt nodded. “No doubt he would be contacting you about setting up a line of pleasure houses on Newton.”

“I wish he would quit bringing that up,” said Andrew, sounding peeved. “Emily is starting to believe Grantz and I are business partners.”

“I’m sure Grantz would like that. He’s been very adamant when I’ve spoken to him that the two of you have a lot in common.”

Andrew groaned putting his partially eaten sandwich back down on his plate. “Sometime after this war with the Vorn is over, Grantz and I are going to have to sit down and have a long and serious talk.”

-

Above Kubitz, a large cargo ship moved into orbit. It was from one of the smaller worlds of the Gothan Empire. It had already stopped at the Controller Station and paid the necessary fees to trade on Kubitz and remain in orbit.

High Profiteer Creed gazed at a viewscreen showing the planet. “It’s been a while since we’ve been here,” he remarked. Looking over at the tactical display he had installed in the cargo ship’s small Command Center, he saw there were hundreds of ships in orbit. He also noticed the two Human battleships and the battlecruisers.

“Months,” said Second Profiteer Hurkler. “We need to sell this gold, convert it to credits, and finish paying off our crews. They’re all anxious to get away from the ships and start spending.”

“All in good time,” Creed replied. He was pleased to see the Human ships had not made any response toward his cargo ship. That indicated the Humans were unaware he was on board or what the ship contained.

His battleship and two battlecruisers were just a few light years away. He intended to convert the gold to credits and then take the empty cargo vessel back to his waiting ships. Once there he intended to release the two battlecruisers and cargo ship and then take his battleship and a major portion of the credits to one of the more advanced worlds outside the Gothan Empire where he could live out his life in luxury. He would also make sure it had an adequate defense grid and fleet to keep the Vorn at bay. He had several worlds already in mind.

“It’s going to take time to make the arrangements to sell so much gold,” said Second Profiteer Hurkler. “There are several of Clan Leader Jarls’ battleships in orbit as well though I don’t see his flagship.”

“No, it’s not here. I made sure of that. Clan Leader Jarls is back in the Dacroni home system setting up a small colony on Dacroni Five.”

“Just as well. From the reports we’ve received he has also added to the bounty on your head. We should not spend too much time here at Kubitz lest someone grows suspicious.”

High Profiteer Creed grinned. “We have the time. No one suspects this cargo ship is anything more than what it is. I need to contact a few acquaintances on the planet to begin making the necessary arrangements to convert the gold to credits. In less than two weeks we will be gone from here and far richer than any of us ever dreamed possible.”

-

In the Human embassy, Profiteer Grantz had just received a message from Profiteer Waskom. Profiteer Larick had sent a message detailing the arrival of a cargo ship containing High Profiteer Creed’s gold.

Grantz was careful about what he said in reply. He knew his Human friends most likely had his personal quarters monitored. It’s what he would do in their place.

“I will meet you at the Loramar Pleasure House and we can discuss this in more detail. Also, contact the special teams we set up and inform them we will be in need of their services shortly.”

Grantz disconnected from his comm device with a wide and devious smile on his face. He now had two options to become rich. He could take the cargo ship in orbit which would make him the richest Profiteer in the Gothan Empire. If that failed he could still kill Creed and deliver his head to Fleet Admiral Vickers. The total bounties currently on Creed had risen to nearly thirty million credits over the past few weeks. Grantz could well imagine the look on Vicker’s face when he presented Creed’s severed head to him.

Chapter Twenty-Two

High Prince Brollen arrived in the new staging system with the last ships of the fleet he intended to use to harvest Galaxy X241. From all reports the harvest was proceeding according to plan. As his new mothership settled into orbit around, the star the one hundred and twenty dreadnoughts he had ordered built moved into a protective formation around his vessel.

The harvest goes well, reported Military Leader Ansolk. Over eighty worlds have been harvested thus far. Soon the first fleets will be returning with the holds of their motherships overfilled with food pellets for our Queens. The Collector ships are already here, waiting.

We will continue to harvest the weaker worlds saving the most powerful until we are ready to destroy them, replied Brollen. Food species 236, 111, 843, and the Ancients are to be avoided until that time. We must send a number of Collector ships back to the Conclave Habitat loaded with food pellets to satisfy our Queens. Once we have built up a sufficient food stock then it will be time to destroy those races.

Military Leader Gallet turned away from the tactical display where he had been confirming the number of ships currently in the system. We can send out another thirty harvesting fleets which will greatly speed up the harvest.

Military Commander Vasterus recommends keeping those fleets here until we see if there is any reaction from the more dangerous systems to our renewed harvest.

Not necessary, sent Military Leader Gallet. All of our ships have been updated and we have sufficient battleships and dreadnoughts here to ensure this system is not endangered. Our Queens grow hungry. Let us speed up the harvest.

Then do so, ordered High Price Brollen after a moment of thought. The sooner we finish the harvesting of this galaxy the quicker I can bring a new order to our habitats. Brollen fully intended to continue on his course for power. Sometime in the future, he would be the Vorns’ Supreme Leader. What about the fleet Military Commander Vasterus sent to that nebula to search for the Ancients? The Ancients concerned him the most. He was confident his fleets could subdue and harvest the other food worlds in this galaxy including those which had successfully resisted up to now. However, until they found the home system of the Ancients, there was no way to know their true power. As long as it remained hidden, the Vorn could not attack and harvest it.

It should have arrived by now, reported Military Leader Ansolk. We will know shortly if the Ancients are truly a threat.

This satisfied Brollen. He turned his multifaceted eyes toward the viewscreens showing the large dreadnoughts that protected his mothership. He was highly curious as to what a food pellet from the Ancients’ world would taste like. He would certainly add a large number to his private collection if the Vorn could harvest it.

-

Military Leader Victell stood in the Command Center of his cruiser gazing at the darkness ahead. For several days his fleet had waited outside the nebula trying to elicit a response from those within. Victell knew several of the other military leaders in the fleet did not believe this was where the Ancients were hidden. Every day doubt was spreading throughout the fleet. It didn’t help that he was junior to several of the other military leaders and they did not believe he should have been chosen to lead this mission.

The other military leaders grow restless, Haycort reported from Communications. They question our delay entering the nebula.

Victell was well aware of this. If this is indeed where the Ancients have their homeworld we could be facing tens of thousands of warships. We must be careful in our approach. Victell had come up with a plan that should allow the fleet to scan the center of the nebula. He then sent a telepathic message to all ships in the fleet that they would be entering the nebula in two more hours.

While the fleet waited for the two hours to pass Military Leader Victell spoke telepathically to the military leaders in nine small spindle-shaped cruisers. Once he finished conversing with them Victell felt satisfied they would learn what was inside the heart of the nebula. However, he had other plans for the rest of the fleet.

-

Lead Councilor Aalik was inside one of the Defense Centers gazing in worry at what was showing on the viewscreens and the tactical display. The Vorn were back!

“Four hundred and sixty ships,” reported the Glaymon monitoring the sensors. “They’ve been sitting outside the nebula for several days as if waiting for something. They are also keeping their stealth fields up.”

Aalik was thankful the Aggressives were feeding them this information from their sensor arrays. The arrays’ sensors could easily penetrate the Vorns’ stealth fields. After the last council meeting Aalik felt fortunate to have survived as Lead Councilor. The Aggressives had agreed to reduce their expansion to just two additional habitation squares with only a minor increase in their population. This only happened after the two new Aggressive council members managed to convince the rest of the council they had no idea what Councilor Valen and Marshton had planned. They were as shocked as the rest of the council at what Valen and Fleet Captain Kriegon had taken.

“Disposition of our own forces?” Aalik asked. He knew a number of battleships and disk battlecruisers were always on patrol.

“We have twenty battleships and two hundred disk battlecruisers prepared to meet them if they enter the nebula.”

“Are Aggressives operating the battlecruisers?”

“Yes,” replied one of the Advanced Glaymon military officers. “However, only Advanced Glaymons are on board the battleships.”

Aalik nodded. It had taken a tremendous amount of political maneuvering to allow the Aggressives to maintain control over some of the battlecruisers. Once more they were restricted from being on board or building battleships of their own. Aalik was convinced this was a mistake.

“Vorn are moving,” reported the Glaymon monitoring the sensors.

On one of the viewscreens, several 1,200-meter Vorn battleships were visible. Moments later they vanished into the nebula.

Aalik took a deep breath. He felt the weight of authority settle about his shoulders. Those Vorn vessels could not be allowed to reach the Dyson Sphere.

-

Military Leader Victell ordered the fleet forward; his own cruiser was bringing up the rear. As soon as the fleet entered the nebula all ships deactivated their stealth fields. They wanted to attract whatever was hiding inside. For nearly an hour the ships ventured deeper and deeper into the darkness, then suddenly the warning alarms on the sensors began going off.

Ancient ships detected, reported Harran from sensors. Twenty battleships and two hundred battlecruisers, all disk shaped.

Barlol, bring our ship to a stop and reverse course. Activate stealth field. Victell was certain the Ancients’ sensors could penetrate the field but he was hoping in all the confusion of the battle, his ship activating its stealth field and dropping further behind the Vorn fleet might not be noticed.

-

The fleets continued to close. In the Vorn fleet, Military Leader Talkor stared disapprovingly at the tactical display as Military Leader Victell’s cruiser vanished.

They are withdrawing, sent the Vorn from the sensor console.

Military Leader Victell should be deleted, projected the Vorn standing at Tactical.

Nearing weapons range, sent the Vorn at sensors.

Fire as soon as we have a weapons lock, ordered Talkor.

It will be difficult to get a positive lock in this nebula, reported the Vorn at Tactical. The radiation and ionized gas are interfering with our targeting sensors.

Do the best you can, ordered Talkor. We must blast our way through this Ancient fleet to see what they are hiding in the center of this nebula.

Alarms sounded and red lights began flashing. Ancients have fired! reported the Vorn at the sensor console.

-

In space, the Glaymon battlecruisers opened fire, followed a few seconds later by the battleships. A number of energy beams struck Vorn vessels, penetrating and blasting out huge glowing craters in the hulls. Then five hundred-megaton dark matter missiles began arriving. Once again the battlecruisers fired first. In the Vorn fleet formation, ships began to die. In brilliant explosions of released energy six Vorn cruisers and two battleships blew apart. Hundreds of dark matter missiles were pounding the Vorn fleet formation.

The Vorn reached combat range and opened up with every weapon at their disposal. Black antimatter beams flicked out to play across Glaymon energy screens. Black spheres of antimatter hurtled toward Glaymon vessels in a fruitless attempt to drain their energy screens. In the Glaymon formation, a battleship blew apart as twenty Vorn battleships focused all of their firepower into it.

The Glaymon disk battlecruisers pushed to the front of the fleet formation becoming more involved in the battle. Vorn cruisers were now exploding with increasing regularity as the battlecruisers focused their powerful energy beams, penetrating shields, and causing major damage to ship hulls. Debris was blown away from the Vorn ships as their hulls became seriously compromised. All it took was a flicker in their energy shield and the cruisers would send a dark matter missile through, annihilating the vessel.

The Vorn ships were focusing on the larger Glaymon battleships believing they were the greatest danger and allowing the disk battlecruisers to move even closer to the Vorn fleet.

-

Military Leader Talkor was nearly thrown to the deck as his battleship shook violently.

Major damage to the outer hull, reported one of the other Vorn. Several compartments are open to space. The battle computer is predicting a 92 percent probability of the Ancients winning this battle. It has also noted the smaller Ancient ships are causing the most damage.

On one of the viewscreens, a second Ancient battleship blew apart after suffering extensive damage from Vorn black antimatter beams.

We have lost over 62 percent of our fleet, reported the Vorn at the sensors. We must withdraw.

Our mission is to reach the center of the nebula, sent Talkor. We must confirm this is the home of the Ancients! Talkor glanced at the tactical display. There was no sign of Military Leader Victell’s cruiser. Talkor felt anger. If he survived this he would see to Victell’s deletion and it would not be quick.

The battleship suddenly jerked violently and more alarms sounded in the Command Center.

Extensive damage in Engineering. Hyperspace drive has been destroyed, sent a Vorn in close proximity to Engineering. We have fires raging out of control. Secondary explosions are occurring. Then the telepathic message abruptly stopped.

Military Leader Talkor could suddenly hear the tortured sound of tearing metal. Then the battleship blew apart, killing every Vorn on board.

-

When the Vorn fleet had first entered the nebula, nine Vorn cruisers had gone into stealth and rapidly accelerated away from the fleet. Their goal was to take separate routes to the nebula’s center while the rest of the fleet was engaged in battle with the Ancients. Two of those cruisers had been destroyed by Glaymon battleships on patrol. Seven others made it to their destination and scanned the unbelievable artifact they found. On the way back out four more of the cruisers were located and destroyed. Only three made it back to Military Leader Victell.

-

Military Leader Victell gazed in fear at the object being shown on the main viewscreen of his cruiser.

It cannot exist, said Harran. That object is far larger than all of our habitats combined.

Victell knew he was looking at the end of the Vorn. If the Ancients sent out their full fleet, they could destroy all of the Vorn forces in this galaxy and most likely the Vorn habitats as well. Victell was assuming the Ancients had a ship reserve similar to what the Vorn had inside their habitats. This information had to get back to the Conclave Habitat. The Queens must be informed about the impossible home of the Ancients and the true danger they represented.

What is the current status of our fleet? asked Victell, his antenna waving from side to side. Does it still survive?

Only 18 percent of our vessels still fight, reported Harran. They cannot make it back out of the nebula. We are barely able to detect them.

This did not surprise Military Leader Victell. We will return to the staging system and then go to the Conclave Habitat to report to Queen Berlyne. She must be told the Ancients are a far bigger threat than we believed possible.

Moments later the four Vorn cruisers made the jump into hyperspace speeding away from the nebula.

-

Lead Councilor Aalik watched as the last Vorn ship vanished from the tactical display.

“All Vorn ships have been destroyed,” reported the Glaymon at the sensor console.

“Our own losses?”

The sensor officer studied his console for a moment. “Three battleships and one battlecruiser.”

“Our battleships fought poorly,” Aalik pointed out, not pleased with losing three of the powerful vessels.

He strongly suspected if the ships had been crewed by Aggressives none would have been lost and the battle would have been over quicker. It would be difficult but this battle would serve to show the council how important the Aggressives were to the defense of the Dyson Sphere. Aalik would call another meeting and recommend the Aggressives be allowed to crew the battleships.

“We also detected four Vorn cruisers leaving the vicinity of the nebula. We believe these are some of the cruisers we detected earlier close to the Dyson Sphere.”

Aalik let out a deep sigh. There was no doubt those ships had scanned the Dyson Sphere and were now taking that information back to the Vorn. He would have to tell the council they must be prepared for a major attack from the Destroyers of Worlds.

-

Deep in intergalactic space, the Glaymon fleet under command of Fleet Captain Kriegon was well on its way. Sixty thousand battleships and one hundred and fifty thousand disk battlecruisers were in the massive fleet formation as well as the thirty ships from the Newton System. In six more days they would reach their target.

-

It’s sure lonely out here,” commented Andrew as he stared at the viewscreens. All that was visible were distant galaxies. There wasn’t a star for thousands of light years.

“There are a few rogue stars and some isolated star clusters,” Aleea said. “Even the void between galaxies isn’t as empty as it seems.”

“The Vorn found an older star cluster of red dwarfs,” replied Kurt. “From the data we got out of the Scythe, the Vorn habitats are in one of the red dwarf systems while the others were mined for material to build their habitats.”

“Habitats which I’m going to destroy,” said Lieutenant Mays with a wide grin.

Andrew spent a quiet moment gazing at the nearby galaxies. “I never dreamed we would be so far from home.” On one viewscreen, a stern view showed the Milky Way. “I don’t think I’ll ever forget what our galaxy looks like from here.” The spiral arms and the brilliant central hub of the galaxy were plainly visible.

“It’s beautiful from here,” admitted Lieutenant Mays. “It’s hard to imagine the battles that must be going on there.”

Kurt nodded his head. “It should make us realize how small we are in the grand scheme of things.”

Kurt had to admit the view was breathtaking. Everything he held dear was in that spiral galaxy. He also knew Lieutenant Mays was correct about the battles. By now Fleet Commodore Dreen and Fleet Captain Waelt would have launched full-scale attacks against the Vorn with the extra Glaymon ships Councilors Marshton and Valen had sent them. Only a few thousand Glaymon vessels were being kept to protect the new Glaymon habitat as well as Newton’s small Alliance of worlds.

-

Prince Parthain dropped his fleet out of hyperspace at the third food world they were going to harvest. Once again they were in a system which was lightly defended.

What do our scans of the system indicate?

Planet four is heavily inhabited, replied Military Leader Kawold. The planet has several small space stations in orbit, and the inhabitants have begun mining their two asteroid fields. Their ships are very primitive and capable of only minimal subspace speeds. Detailed scans of their ships indicate they are not armed and there is no defense grid around the planet.

Prince Parthain was pleased with this information. Drop the stealth fields and let us begin the harvest of this world. Parthain was anxious to fill the holds of all five motherships with food pellets and return to the new staging system.

-

The Vorn fleet dropped their stealth fields and began moving openly toward the planet. Almost instantly they began receiving communications from the planet asking who they were and what they wanted. As usual the Vorn ignored the pleas for explanations. Several slow moving spacecraft were in the way of the Vorn fleet and black antimatter beams flicked out, erasing them from existence. The pleas from the planet requesting communication only increased.

-

However, the Vorn were not the only ones in the vicinity of the system. Lakiam Captain Veen was on board his flagship the Hadlor and monitoring the Vorns’ approach to the planet. He had nearly three thousand ships under his command. His Lakiam battlecruisers were 1,700 meters long and all equipped with the new KEW cannon which fired a modified energy round provided by the Glaymons. While not as powerful as the Zero-Point Energy rounds the Humans used, they should still be sufficient to destroy a Vorn vessel. However, the Glaymon vessels within his fleet were still his heavy hitters.

“Drop us out of hyperspace directly in front of the Vorn ships,” Veen ordered. “I don’t want them to strike the planet with any of their weapons.”

Tamith nodded from Navigation. “Course plotted. Ready to implement.”

Captain Veen smiled. “Take us in. Let us show the Vorn the galaxy will no longer tolerate their harvesting of innocents.”

-

Prince Parthain was feeling enthusiastic about sampling a food pellet from this new food species when alarms began sounding on the sensor console.

Unidentified ships are exiting hyperspace between our fleet and the planet, sent the Vorn at sensors.

Put the ships up on the viewscreens, ordered Parthain, shifting his multifaceted eyes to the screens. On one of them a massive disk ship was visible while on another a slimmer vessel appeared. Both were heavily armed. Parthain instantly recognized the ships. Those are ships of the Ancients and food species 236!

Military Leader Kawold gazed at the screens, looking perturbed. Those ships should not be here.

They are nearly in weapons range, warned the Vorn at the sensors.

Parthain looked at the ships on the screen and then over to the tactical display. They are outnumbered and we have twelve hundred updated battleships. Move in and engage. Parthain was confident his ships could defeat this fleet of the Ancients and food species 236. It was time to show them not to interfere with the Vorn.

-

The two fleets closed to weapons range. From both powerful weapons fire erupted. The Lakiams were firing their force beams, direct energy projectors, and launching thousands of dark matter hypermissiles. In the Vorn fleet, defensive energy screens began to go down.

The Vorn were hitting back with their black antimatter beams, black antimatter spheres, and their ten-megaton antimatter missiles. Unfortunately for the Vorn their weapons fire was being stopped by the powerful energy screens the Glaymon-Lakiam fleet possessed.

The Glaymons were firing their deadly energy beams, which ripped right through the shields of the Vorn ships, causing tremendous damage. The beams were blasting out huge craters in the hulls of the Vorn vessels causing critical damage to the ships.

Force beams from several Lakiam battlecruisers penetrated the screen of a Vorn battleship, setting off massive explosions and hurling glowing debris away from the ship. Numerous compartments were opened up to space as secondary explosions began tearing the Vorn ship apart.

A Glaymon energy beam struck a Vorn spindle-shaped cruiser causing the top section of the ship to explode and sending debris drifting away from the ship. A five hundred-megaton dark matter missile arrived, vaporizing the vessel and leaving behind only a few wisps of glowing gas.

-

Prince Parthain gazed in shock at the viewscreens seeing how ineffective his fleet’s weapons were. Concentrate our fire on fewer ships. We need to knock down their screens so we can damage or destroy their vessels. Parthain was convinced the weapons fire from the Vorn ships was too spread out to be effective.

I am switching our battleships’ fire to the Ancient vessels only, replied Military Leader Kawold. Our cruisers will continue to fire upon the ships of food species 236.

-

In the flagship of the Glaymon vessels, the commanding officer grimaced as one of his battleships came under intense fire from the Vorn, causing its energy screen to fail. Almost immediately the ship was riddled by hundreds of black antimatter beams, causing the ship to blow apart. “Intensify our rate of fire,” ordered the ship’s commander. “I don’t want any Vorn ships escaping.”

-

Lakiam Captain Veen felt the Hadlor shake violently as several Vorn antimatter missiles slammed into the protective energy shield. His eyes focused on a pair of Vorn battleships closing with the flagship.

“Fire enhanced energy rounds,” he ordered. “Let’s see how the Vorn ships do against them.” The enhanced energy rounds were the new ones for the KEW cannon. Upon detonation they were supposed to release over one thousand megatons of explosive force.

“Firing,” reported Barston from Tactical. The ship shuddered slightly as the massive KEW cannon fired.

On the viewscreen, a massive explosion struck one of the approaching Vorn battleships. When the glare from the blast died down, the forward third of the Vorn ship was gone and secondary explosions were annihilating the rest.

“Targeting the second battleship,” said Barston as he pressed an icon on his computer screen.

On the viewscreen, the second Vorn battleship vanished as the released energy from the KEW round struck the ship’s energy screen. When it died down the Vorn battleship was broken in two. A few well-placed force beams and the ship was no longer a threat.

“It seems these enhanced energy rounds work very well against the Vorn,” commented Captain Veen, feeling pleased with the results. “Inform the rest of our fleet to use more of them.”

No one had known for sure how the new enhanced rounds would work. The Glaymons had assured Fleet Commodore Dreen they would be nearly as effective as the Zero-Point Energy rounds the Humans used. Veen now knew for certain that assertion was correct. The Lakiams now had a weapon which was deadly to Vorn ships.

-

In the Vorn fleet, dark matter missiles began having an effect. Vorn cruiser after cruiser was being blown apart by the powerful missiles. Those that survived the blasts were finished off by energy beams or force beams. The entire Vorn formation was lit up by the steady detonation of thousands of dark matter explosions. The Lakiams began firing more of the enhanced energy rounds, adding to the mayhem.

-

The battle computer reports a 78 percent probability of defeat, reported Military Leader Kawold in disbelief.

Prince Parthain was unsure what to do. His fleet was destroying a few of the attackers but not enough to bring about a Vorn victory. On one of the viewscreens, he saw another Ancient battleship fall victim to Vorn black antimatter beams.

His flagship suddenly shook violently. The lights dimmed and then brightened. What was that?

We lost the Scavenger, reported the Vorn at the sensors. The Scavenger was one of the five motherships with the fleet. Food Species 236 is also deploying some type of new explosive round fired from a cannon on the bow of their ships. It has an explosive force of over one thousand megatons. The weapon is capable of bringing down our energy screens.

We are defeated, said Military Leader Kawold, his twin antennae wavering. If they can bring down our energy screens so easily they can destroy us.

Gazing at the viewscreens, Prince Parthain could see more Vorn ships dying, far more than the enemy were losing. We must withdraw and report to High Prince Brollen. If there are more of these fleets in operation, the harvesting of this galaxy may no longer be feasible.

Kawold gazed at Parthian, his twin antennae standing straight up. If we do not harvest this galaxy then it will be the end of the Vorn.

Prince Parthain turned to look at his military leader. Perhaps he had given Kawold too much leniency in expressing his opinions. Maybe it was time to delete Kawold and train a new military leader. Take the fleet into hyperspace and set a course for the new staging system. We must report to High Prince Brollen. He will decide what needs to be done.

Military Leader Kawold sent the order telepathically to all the surviving ships of the fleet.

-

Moments later the Vorn ships began to enter hyperspace to escape the deadly weapons fire of the Ancients and food species 236.

-

Captain Veen watched in elation as the Vorn fleet entered hyperspace. From the initial sensor tracking reports they were on their way back to their new staging system.

“We won!” exclaimed Barston from Tactical. “Our new enhanced energy rounds broke their backs.”

Veen had to agree. The enhanced energy rounds combined with the dark matter missiles made the Vorn energy screens utterly useless. For the first time Veen began to feel there was a light beginning to shine for an end to this terrible war. “What were our losses?”

“We lost six Glaymon battleships, eighteen disk battlecruisers, and twenty-seven of our own battlecruisers.”

Veen winced at hearing of the Glaymon losses though he knew the Vorn battleships had been concentrating their firepower on them. “The Vorn?”

“Six hundred and seventy of their battleships and sixteen hundred of their smaller cruisers.”

Captain Veen’s eyes widened upon hearing of the Vorn losses. He had achieved a major victory against the Destroyers of Worlds. He also knew there were ten other fleets out in this region of the galaxy seeking Vorn fleets to engage. Some of those fleets were composed entirely of Glaymon vessels.

“Send a message to Fleet Commodore Dreen and Fleet Captain Waelt informing them of our victory and the effectiveness of the new enhanced energy rounds. Inform them we are going on to seek other Vorn fleets to annihilate.”

Feeling exhilarated by their victory, Captain Veen leaned back in his command chair. It was time to take the battle to the Vorn and drive them out of this galaxy once and for all.

Chapter Twenty-Three

High Prince Brollen watched the tactical display as a seventh shattered Vorn harvesting fleet arrived in the staging system. The report from the military leaders and princes in this fleet were the same as the others. Ships of the Ancients had exited unexpectedly out of hyperspace and then shortly after engaged the harvesting fleet, inflicting heavy ship losses. This particular fleet had lost three of its five motherships. It was becoming apparent to Prince Brollen the Ancients were making it a point to target the motherships. They were trying to deprive the Vorn of food.

From the reports we have gathered so far the battle computer estimates we are facing at least 22,000 ships of the Ancients as well as vessels from food species 111 and 236, reported Military Leader Ansolk. There may be more Ancient fleets active we are not aware of.

Prince Brollen was livid with anger. The scientists had assured him the new improved energy shields would protect his ships; instead, it seemed they were more vulnerable now than ever. Send out ships to recall all of our harvesting fleets. We will send what food pellets they have gathered back to the Conclave Habitat for our Queens.

That will not be sufficient food for all of the habitats, sent Military Leader Gallet, his triangular shaped head turning toward High Prince Brollen.

There is more food in those habitats than the Queens are admitting, replied Brollen dismissively. If not they can begin a second series of deletions.

That will make the Military and Scientist Castes uneasy, sent Military Leader Ansolk. They are already wary due to the mass deletions to the Worker Caste.

Prince Brollen turned toward the two military leaders, allowing his growing rage to be felt in his thoughts. We have no choice. We will gather our fleets here to wait for the Ancients and the two food species to attack us. We will have vastly superior numbers and should be able to destroy them. Once we have accomplished that we can resume the harvest.

As you command, replied Military Leader Ansolk. We will recall the harvesting fleets.

Looking at several viewscreens showing the shattered Vorn fleet which had just arrived Brollen wondered if he should have brought more ships from the habitats. He had left nearly one-third of the Vorn fleet there in fear the Ancients might attack the system. They had the coordinates and Brollen dared not risk them damaging a single habitat or his days as High Prince would be over.

-

Fleet Commodore Dreen was far away from the Lakiam Alliance. He had received a message from Fleet Captain Waelt that the Vorn were in full retreat. The new enhanced energy rounds the Lakiam ships were using were proving to be deadly to Vorn ships. Not only that but the improved power systems and energy shields were holding losses to a minimum. Fleet Captain Waelt was convinced the Vorn were falling back to their new staging system in the hope of drawing the Glaymon and Alliance fleets into a major battle. No doubt the Vorn thought their superior numbers would carry the day. Dreen was determined not to let that happen.

He had called in all of Lakiam’s fleets except for one fleet, which he had repositioned near the home system. He had even stripped ships from the planetary defenses. He was leading a fleet of 12,220 Lakiam battlecruisers on a course for the Vorn staging system. A few light years behind him was an Andock fleet led by Fleet Leader Moor. He was bringing over 8,800 vessels, a mixture of battleships and battlecruisers.

“We are risking a lot to destroy the Vorn,” said Alborg with an uneasy look on his face. “We could be outnumbered by four or five to one.”

“This is a battle which must be fought,” Commodore Dreen replied. “Fleet Captain Kriegon and Fleet Admiral Vickers are off to attack the Vorn home system. If they are successful and we can destroy these harvesting fleets then the war with the Vorn will be over. They will never return. No longer will any galaxy have to fear the Destroyers of Worlds.”

-

Kurt was over on the Limeira visiting Mara in her quarters. The fleet had stopped just short of the Vorn home system while the advance ships scouted the system. Sometime tomorrow the fleet would attack the Vorn habitats.

Mara was dressed in a gorgeous gown designed to evoke mystique and desire. As long as she stood perfectly still the ankle length gown covered everything but if she moved, tantalizing glimpses of her nude body beneath were clearly visible. She had asked Kurt to come over for an evening meal before they went into battle.

“This is a Merton steak,” Mara said as she placed a medium cooked steak on his plate. “It is considered a delicacy and is very hard to come by.”

Kurt cut off a piece, looking curiously at it. He hadn’t sampled a lot of off-world foods. Even on Kubitz the food at the embassy was shipped in from Newton.

Mara grinned. “Try it; I think you will enjoy it.”

Kurt took a cautious bite and was pleasantly surprised. It tasted a little similar to beef but there was a unique sweet flavor to it that was very pleasing. With a smile, he cut off another piece.

“I knew you would like it,” said Mara, looking pleased. “I have several other foods I want you to try. If Newton is to become a part of galactic culture, you should become familiar with some of the more exotic foods highly desired by many races, including mine.” She placed several large spoonfuls of something that looked like mashed potatoes on his plate. “These are similar to your potatoes but different.”

-

For the next hour Mara plied Kurt with various foods until he was feeling stuffed. If she intended to seduce him, filling him up with food was a bad idea. All he really wanted to do now was lay down and get a good nights sleep.

Mara stood up, and helped Kurt to his feet and started laughing. “You Humans are so much like the males on my world in some ways.”

Kurt couldn’t help but notice Mara’s breasts were visible beneath her gown. He could feel his breathing growing heavier. He wondered if Mara had placed something in his food to ensure she got what she wanted out of this evening. She was a very desirable woman and difficult to say no to.

They sat down on the comfortable couch, their legs touching. Kurt almost felt like he was on fire. For several hours they sat like that talking. Kurt explained to Mara what he would like to see happen to Newton and its Alliance in the future. Mara in turn told Kurt she would like to someday return to Lakiam and become a member of its ruling council. This was a surprise to Kurt. He hadn’t known Mara had any political ambitions.

“I would like to see some changes made to Lakiam culture,” she explained. “I no longer believe Enlightenment is the best path for my people. There is so much diversity throughout the galaxy. I want Lakiam to find its own path.”

Eventually Mara walked Kurt to his shuttle. The few Lakiams who saw them ignored the two as if they were used to seeing Mara walk around nearly nude. It reminded Kurt how different Mara’s culture was from his. They stopped at the hatch to his shuttle and Kurt looked inquiringly at Mara. “I thought you might have something else planned for tonight.”

Mara smiled playfully. “Would you have cooperated?”

Kurt looked into Mara’s deep blue eyes. “Maybe.”

“I thought tonight we should just enjoy ourselves. Tomorrow we go into battle and neither of us can know what may happen. If this is to be our last memory of one another I wanted it to be a pleasant one.”

Kurt nodded. “You’ve certainly achieved that.”

“Then go back to your ship and get a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow you will need to be at your best.”

Leaning forward, Kurt kissed Mara gently on the lips. “Don’t do anything reckless in the battle. You and Keera still have to finish setting up your tea company.”

“I won’t,” Keera promised. “The same goes for you. Keera is expecting you to come home and I promised her I would make sure you do.”

-

Later, back on the Star Cross, Kurt lay in bed. He had been pleasantly surprised by Mara. There was a hidden depth to her he hadn’t realized. Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes. Tomorrow would be a long day and there was no way to know what might happen.

-

In the Vorn system, the ships left behind to protect the habitats were scattered around the system. Most had their energy shields down, and only a few were actually ready for combat. Never in the 24 million years the Vorn had been in this universe had the home system been attacked. It was located so far out in intergalactic space, it was inconceivable that any race could ever threaten it.

There were 116 habitats holding ten trillion Vorn. The habitats were multilevel, almost like a hive. No food was grown or raised in the habitats; it was all taken from the different galaxies the Vorn harvested. Inside the habitats were the factories, shipyards, spacedocks and other facilities necessary to maintain a technological civilization. Each habitat had the capability to recreate the Vorn civilization on its own if necessary. On the surface of the thick metal hulls were numerous defensive weapons; even missile tubes. Inside the habitats were a number of large Zero-Point Energy modules which could power an energy shield that would completely surround the habitat, protecting it from weapons fire.

Every level of the habitat was protected by thick armor. If the first level of the habitat was damaged the other levels would be unaffected. The habitats were capable of taking tremendous damage and still survive. The Vorn had learned to do this after being driven from their home universe. Every effort had been made to ensure the habitats could survive any conceivable attack. The Vorn were convinced their habitats were indestructible.

Inside the Conclave Habitat, Queen Berlyne stood in front of the Royal Court listening to the latest reports of food shortages. High Prince Brollen was gone and he had assured her the other Queens were exaggerating when reporting they were nearly out of food.

Delete more of the Worker Caste, she ordered. New food will be here shortly from Galaxy X241.

Will there be enough for all of our habitats? demanded Queen Erriles. Will the new food pellets be distributed evenly?

The young Hive Queen was not certain how to answer. She missed High Prince Brollen’s guidance. Our fleets are even now harvesting Galaxy X241. Once the first Collector ships begin arriving we will have plenty of food.

Then you have no objections if a small group of qualified Queens sees to its distribution? sent Queen Erriles.

Queen Berlyne hesitated and then answered. No, I have no problem with a group of our older and more knowledgeable Queens seeing to the distribution of the first food shipments.

Queen Erriles bowed her head and backed away.

Queen Berlyne wondered if she had made an error. High Prince Brollen had cautioned her about the other Queens, telling her they were jealous of her power. She was about to retract her words when the habitat suddenly shook violently, throwing many of the Royal Court to the floor.

-

The combined Glaymon-Human fleet dropped out of hyperspace within combat range of the Vorn habitats and ships. Almost immediately the Human ships and the Limeira fired their KEW cannons at the nearest habitats while the Glaymons concentrated on taking out the Vorn fleet. Massive explosions lit up space as Zero-Point-Energy rounds and dark matter missiles slammed into the habitats and ships of the Vorn.

-

On board Fleet Captain Kriegon’s command ship he turned toward the communications officer. “Begin broadcasting the signal.” It was time to see if the gambit he had come up with to defeat the Vorn would work.

-

On the Star Cross, Fleet Admiral Vickers gazed at the massive habitat in front of his ship. A brilliant flash of light momentarily hid it as a Zero-Point Energy round struck the energy shield protecting it.

“Round failed to penetrate though we are detecting a wild fluctuation in the shield,” reported Lieutenant Brooks as she studied the readings of the impact. “The shield activated as soon as our ships exited hyperspace.”

“The other battleships are reporting the same,” Andrew confirmed.

“We’re going to have to hit the same location on the shield with multiple rounds,” said Lieutenant Mays as she contacted several other battleships.

“That habitat is 11,200 kilometers in diameter,” added Lieutenant Brooks.

“There are 116 of those damn things,” said Andrew.

Commander Randson gazed at the large habitat on one of the viewscreens. The screen zoomed in showing numerous weapons turrets and what appeared to be missile tubes. “That thing’s heavily armed.” Even as he spoke weapons fire erupted from the habitat.

“How are we doing against the Vorn fleet?” asked Kurt as the Star Cross shuddered slightly from the incoming fire. They had exited hyperspace in combat range specifically so they could get in the first weapons strikes.

“Twenty-eight percent of the Vorn fleet has been eliminated,” Aleea reported. “The rest of their ships have activated their shields and are beginning to return fire. There were 226,000 Vorn ships in the system at the start of the engagement. The initial attack took out over sixty thousand of them.”

“Vorn battleships are closing,” reported Lieutenant Brooks. “There are several large fleets which were on patrol in the outer parts of the system. They have their energy shields up and will soon be in weapons range. Both fleets contain over six thousand battleships!”

Andrew glanced over at Kurt. “We’re going to take a lot of losses; I hope Fleet Captain Kriegon knows what he’s doing.”

“So do I,” replied Kurt. He had been briefed on what Kriegon was attempting. Aleea had informed Kurt she felt it had less than an 18 percent chance of success since there were so many unknowns.

“Lieutenant Mays, have all of our ships focus on a single habitat. Perhaps that way we can begin causing some significant damage.” Splitting the fire between two wasn’t working.

-

Mara felt the Limeira lurch slightly as a Vorn antimatter missile struck its energy shield.

“Shield is holding at 97 percent,” reported Captain Bryles.

“Firing Zero-Point Energy rounds,” reported the Lakiam at Tactical. “The Vorn energy screen is still resisting our weapons fire.”

“Keep firing,” ordered Mara as she looked at a viewscreen she had focused on the Star Cross. She was determined not to allow Kurt to take any unnecessary risks with his ship. “That shield will come down if we focus enough weapons fire on it.” It had to or this entire mission would be a failure and Mara knew that Kurt had no intention of losing. “Keep our ship close to the Star Cross.”

-

In the Conclave Habitat, Queen Berlyne felt frightened. Her senior military leader had just informed her the habitats were under attack by the Ancients. Already a major portion of the defending Vorn fleet had been destroyed.

Send an Intergalactic Transport to summon High Prince Brollen, she ordered, feeling panicked.

It will do no good, sent the senior military commander. By the time the transport can get to Galaxy X241 and return this battle will long be over.

Berlyne fell silent. She was powerless in this situation. She was relieved the Conclave Habitat was no longer shaking.

The weapons on the surface of our habitats will protect us, sent the military commander. Our scans are showing a force of over 210,000 ships in the attacking fleet.

And these are the Ancients who have caused us so much trouble in our harvests?

Yes, replied the military commander. They have made a colossal mistake attacking our habitats. We will destroy them once and for all.

Queen Berlyne looked around the Royal Court. The court was strangely silent as the gathered Queens and military leaders communicated telepathically with their own habitats.

-

The Star Cross, all twenty-eight battleships, and the Limeira were targeting one habitat with Zero-Point Energy rounds. After each titanic blast, the shield grew weaker until finally a portion failed. Six Zero-Point Energy rounds struck the armored hull of the massive habitat, releasing their energy. In a stupendous explosion an enormous crater measuring over thirty kilometers across and ten deep appeared. The crater was glowing cherry red and secondary explosions were evident around it. The next few Zero-Point Energy rounds were once more stopped by the habitat’s energy screen as it snapped back into place.

“The Vorn are directing more power to the screen directly above the damage,” reported Lieutenant Brooks. “Our rounds are no longer penetrating.”

Kurt let out a deep breath. He had expected the Zero-Point Energy rounds to do more damage.

“The habitat’s hull is built in layers,” reported Andrew, checking the data from the sensors. “Each layer is protected by thick armor plating.”

Kurt looked over at Lieutenant Mays. “Continue to hit the same location. We must make that crater deeper.”

Lieutenant Mays nodded. “I’m coordinating our weapons fire so we can hit the energy screen with a number of Zero-Point Energy rounds simultaneously. That should open up a brief hole in the screen, allowing a second wave of rounds to penetrate.”

“Do it,” ordered Kurt. The Star Cross suddenly shook violently and several red lights appeared on the damage control console.

“We’re starting to take a lot of incoming fire from the habitat,” said Andrew, looking concerned. “Fleet Captain Kriegon is directing a number of his battleships to take up defensive positions around us to protect us from the weapons fire.”

“Scans indicate the Vorn are using Zero-Point-Energy to power their shields and weapons,” said Lieutenant Brooks.

Kurt didn’t like the sound of that. It made the weapons fire from the habitats even more dangerous.

-

The battle in space was growing more intense with every passing minute. The Vorn were still losing ships at an astonishing rate and the military commander in charge had finally ordered them pulled back around the habitats.

-

Fleet Captain Kriegon watched silently as heavy Vorn weapons fire destroyed ship after ship of his fleet. “Is the signal still going out?”

“Yes,” replied the communications officer. “But there’s no way to determine if anyone is receiving it.”

Kriegon nodded his understanding. If his plan failed then the Vorn would live and continue to harvest more galaxies. On one of the viewscreens, he could see a Glaymon battleship under heavy attack. Its screen flared up brighter and brighter and finally failed. When it did the ship was riddled by hundreds of powerful energy and black antimatter beams. In a massive explosion, the battleship blew apart.

“Should we pull back from the habitats?” asked the navigation officer.

Kriegon shook his head. “No; if we can’t destroy the habitats the least we can do is destroy their fleet.” At minimum that would give the galaxy time to recover from the Vorn attacks. Even with the resources of the Vorn habitats it would take them time to replace their fleet.

-

Queen Berlyne had been escorted to one of the Command Centers inside the Conclave Habitat. She gazed in rapt fascination at the ongoing battle in the system. Bright explosions and dying ships were being displayed on multiple viewscreens.

Only one habitat has been damaged, reported the military commander in charge of the Command Center. Our fleet has been pulled back to help defend the habitats.

A habitat has been damaged? This was a disaster. Never since coming to this universe had there been such an occurrence.

On one of the viewscreens a habitat appeared. Even as she watched, the surface vanished as massive explosions penetrated deeper into the structure. When the explosions stopped a crater hundreds of kilometers deep and close to one hundred kilometers wide was visible. Queen Berlyne knew billions of Vorn were dying.

Can they destroy the habitat? It was nearly unthinkable to imagine a habitat being destroyed.

The military commander stepped over to a computer and after a moment turned back toward the Queen. The battle computer confirms if the observed weapons fire continues the damaged habitat will be destroyed.

Queen Berlyne’s thoughts froze. Over one hundred billion Vorn lived in that habitat. Granted a large number were of the Working Caste but they were still Vorn.

I want the attacking fleet destroyed immediately! she sent in anger. That habitat must be protected at all costs.

We will redeploy our fleet, replied the military commander.

-

On the Star Cross, Kurt watched in satisfaction as another wave of Zero-Point Energy rounds exploded deep inside the crater. With every round that struck the crater more secondary explosions were occurring. The crater was surrounded by a fused mass of metal which extended deep inside. Kurt estimated over 20 percent of the habitat had been destroyed.

“Their shield is down!” called out Lieutenant Brooks. “That last strike must have hit part of their power source.”

“Lieutenant Mays!”

“I’m on it,” Mays replied as she sent out new strike orders.

Suddenly, on the viewscreens, massive explosions began to march across the habitat. Zero-Point Energy rounds and five hundred-megaton dark matter missiles began ravaging the entire surface of the habitat. The number of explosions suddenly ramped up as the Glaymon battleships protecting the Star Cross began hammering the habitat with their own missiles.

“It’s going to blow,” warned Lieutenant Brooks. “I’m picking up large power fluctuations from deep inside the habitat. I’m pretty certain they’re explosions, and they’re getting more violent.”

“Move all of our ships back,” ordered Kurt, recalling what had happened when Mara destroyed the planet in the Vorns’ staging system.

“All ships moving back,” replied Andrew. “The habitat is starting to come apart.”

On the main viewscreen, several violent explosions shook the habitat, throwing debris into space and narrowly missing a number of ships. All ships, Glaymon, Human, and Vorn were maneuvering frantically trying to avoid the debris from the disintegrating structure. The explosions began to die down, leaving a shattered habitat. It had broken into twenty jagged pieces. On several, secondary explosions were still occurring. One segment was still firing defensive weapons fire at the fleet. The Glaymon battleships were destroying the few Vorn ships that were in the area since they could no longer use the habitat as protection.

“Put several Zero-Point Energy rounds into each one of those sections,” ordered Kurt. “That should finish them off.”

On the screen, large explosions struck each of the segments of the shattered habitat. When the explosions stopped, there were no longer any signs of life.

“Move on to the next habitat,” ordered Kurt. Kurt was greatly concerned. It had taken over twenty minutes to destroy one habitat. The Vorn were not going to give him enough time to destroy many others. He looked at a viewscreen showing Fleet Captain Kriegon’s battleship. Kriegon’s plan had to work or none of them would be going home.

-

Queen Berlyne gazed in shock at the viewscreen showing the destroyed habitat. She looked over in disbelief at the military commander. How?

They are firing what our scientists believe is a Zero-Point Energy round. Unfortunately, these rounds are capable of bringing the shields down on our habitats.

Zero-Point Energy? sent Berlyne confused. What is that? She was not up to date on the latest technology. There had never been the need. The Scientist Caste was in charge of such things.

It is very powerful, answered the military commander. More powerful than any weapon we possess.

But we are the Vorn. The most powerful and advanced race in this universe.

The military commander slowly shook his head pointing toward an Ancient battleship on one of the viewscreen. No, my Queen. The Ancients are the most powerful and advanced race in this universe.

Queen Berlyne did not reply. She wished High Prince Brollen were here.

-

The battle progressed with more ships being lost on each side. The only reason any Vorn ships still survived was due to their close proximity to the habitats. Several fleets had moved away from the habitats to engage the attacking fleets but were quickly annihilated. After that the remaining Vorn ships stayed close to the habitats, afraid to venture too far away. The habitats were laying down a heavy rate of weapons fire, keeping the Glaymon ships at bay. Already they had reduced the attacking Ancient fleet to less than one hundred thousand ships. However, their own fleet was down to fewer than twenty-two thousand vessels and growing smaller with every passing minute as the Ancients risked the firepower from the habitats to destroy the last of the Vorns’ mobile forces in the system.

-

Fleet Admiral Vickers watched as the third Vorn habitat disintegrated from massed Zero-Point Energy round fire and heavy bombardment by dark matter missiles. On several viewscreens, the wreckage of destroyed Glaymon battleships was visible. The Glaymons were taking terrible risks to protect Kurt’s battleships. Even so, six of the Human ships had been destroyed by weapons fire from the habitats. Even the Limeira was showing damage.

“Do we target another habitat?” asked Andrew. His brow was covered in sweat from the stress of the battle.

Kurt nodded. “Yes; target the next nearest one. We may never get this opportunity again.” Kurt drew in a deep breath. If only they had the entire Glaymon fleet they could destroy all of the habitats. As it was they might be able to destroy two or three more before they would have to withdraw or risk annihilation.

“I guess Fleet Captain Kriegon’s plan didn’t work.”

Aleea looked over at Andrew. “We’re still here and he’s still broadcasting the signal. There’s still a chance.”

“Fleet is moving toward the next target,” reported Andrew. “We’ll be there in twelve minutes.”

Twelve minutes the ships could work repairing damage. Kurt looked at the tactical display. More Glaymon battleships were forming up around the Human fleet and the Limeira to replace the ones lost attacking the last habitat. Kurt had to admit, the Aggressives did not lack in bravery.

-

Mara was growing deeply concerned. Both the Star Cross and the Limeira had suffered damage and only three habitats had been destroyed. She knew the battle wasn’t going well. If this continued she might not be able to keep her promise to Keera to bring Kurt home safely.

-

Fleet Captain Kriegon stared at the tactical display noting how much smaller his fleet was now than what he had originally brought into the battle. “Have our ships concentrate their fire on only the habitat the Humans are attacking. It’s becoming too dangerous to attempt to destroy the Vorn ships using the habitats for protection.” The losses the Glaymons were suffering to take out the last few Vorn ships were proving to be way too high.

“Still no response to our signal,” reported the communications officer.

“If we focus on only attacking one habitat at a time how many can we destroy before our weapons fire becomes ineffective?”

“Four, maybe five,” replied the tactical officer. “At that point the losses to our fleet will make further attacks too risky.”

Kriegon shifted his gaze to Communications where a bright green light indicated an outgoing signal from the device in one of the battleship’s holds. The hold contained the device he had removed from the main research lab in the Dyson Sphere.

-

I just received a report from the Scientist Caste, sent the military commander, standing close to Queen Berlyne. One of the Ancient ships is transmitting a signal. The scientists claim that signal must be stopped at all costs even if it means losing the rest of our ships.

A signal? replied Queen Berlyne, feeling confused. Why would a communications signal be dangerous?

“Because it is not aimed at us,” the commander sent with great concern in his thoughts. It is an inter-dimensional signal which can potentially reach other bubble universes.

The Ancients are attempting to contact someone? asked Queen Berlyne, feeling mystified. Who?

More alarms suddenly began sounding in the Command Center. The habitat itself began to shake uncontrollably. They are signaling the Great Enemy, replied the now frightened military commander. Those who expelled us from our own universe millions of years ago!

On one of the viewscreens, a great rift seemed to be opening in space. From it massive vessels began to emerge. The vessels had a central sphere with dozens of massive spires extending outward in all direction. The vessels were a solid crystalline black and reeked of power.

They are here, sent the military commander. It is our end.

Queen Berlyne gazed at the viewscreen with her multifaceted eyes. She did not fully understand what was happening.

-

Alarms starting sounding in the Command Center of the Star Cross as the impossible ships began appearing from the rift.

“What are those?” asked Kurt, his eyes gazing in disbelief at the vessels.

“The Great Enemy as the Vorn refer to them in their legends,” Aleea responded. “These are the beings who drove the Vorn out of their bubble universe and who Fleet Captain Kriegon has been trying to summon with the communications device. The device is part of what the Advanced Glaymons were building to send the Vorn back to their bubble universe in two million more years. It is set to locate their universe and then activate a device that would form a bubble around the Vorn habitats separating them from our universe and then send them back to their own. The Aggressive scientists modified it to send a communications signal out asking for help in defeating the Vorn.”

“How big are those ships?” asked Andrew, his eyes open wide in shock at what was on the viewscreen. “They look alien as if they don’t belong here.”

“They don’t,” replied Kurt. “From the data on the Scythe, the Vorn universe is vastly different than our own. It may even have different natural laws.”

“Our sensors are failing to detect them,” replied Lieutenant Brooks, appearing confused. “They show nothing is there,”

“I estimate the vessels, including their spires, are over twenty kilometers,” reported Aleea. “Our sensors can’t detect anything because the ships are made out of a substance which does not exist in our universe. The same with their power source.”

Kurt leaned back in his command chair. “What now?”

-

Fleet Captain Kriegon stared at the strange vessels on the viewscreen. He felt his heart racing as he realized his signal had been answered. He also noticed all firing from the Vorn ships and habitats had come to a stop. He quietly ordered his ships to do the same. There was no way he wanted to risk antagonizing whoever these people were. He strongly suspected they were far more advanced than his own.

“We’re getting a signal,” reported the communications officer. “Our software is having a hard time understanding it, but I think we’ve got a fairly decent translation. I’m putting the message up on the main viewscreen.”

GREETINGS FROM THE FEMRI. WE RECEIVED YOUR REQUEST FOR AID AGAINST OUR FORMER FOOD ANIMALS WHO ESCAPED FROM OUR UNIVERSE SO MANY MILLIONS OF YEARS AGO. WE REGRET THE PAIN AND SUFFERING THEY HAVE BROUGHT TO YOUR UNIVERSE. THE VORN WERE BRED TO BE THE PRIMARY FOOD SOURCE FOR OUR PEOPLE BUT BECAME SEMI SENTIENT AND ESCAPED FROM THEIR BONDAGE.

THE RESULT WAS A WAR WHICH LASTED FOR SEVERAL THOUSAND YEARS WITH THE LAST OF THE VORN DYING IN A GREAT BATTLE AROUND A COLLAPSING BLACK HOLE. WE DID NOT REALIZE SOME OF THEIR SHIPS HAD ESCAPED THROUGH THE ROTATING SINGULARITY. WE WILL TAKE THESE HABITATS BACK WITH US, AND THE VORN WILL NEVER BE A PROBLEM FOR THIS UNIVERSE AGAIN.

End of message.

“That’s as close as we can translate it,” reported the communications officer. “The computer put the message in language we could understand. If it had put up exactly what the Fermi transmitted, it would have been unrecognizable.”

“Fleet Captain, look at the viewscreen!”

-

There were now twenty of the massive ships in this universe. They paused and spread out in a large circle around the still open rift. A dark beam flicked out from each ship to strike the rift, which rapidly grew larger until it was over twenty thousand kilometers across. Then beams flashed out to touch each habitat of the Vorn. Almost imperceptibly, the Vorn habitats began to move. As the seconds passed, the habitats began to move faster and faster. The Vorn warships tried to move away from the habitats but found themselves held firmly in place.

-

“They’re going to send the habitats through the rift,” reported the tactical officer.

As Fleet Captain Kriegon watched, first one habitat and then the next began passing through the rift. He suddenly felt as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders. Other than the harvesting fleets back in the galaxy the threat of the Vorn was over.

-

Queen Berlyne stared in horror at the massive ships on the viewscreens. This was the Great Enemy who had created the Vorn millions of years in the past and used them as a food animal. It was for this very reason the Vorn had decided to prey upon the intelligent races of this universe, making them food for the Vorn. On one of the screens, she watched as a habitat entered the massive rift in space and disappeared. She knew the habitats were being sent back to the home universe. She wondered fearfully if the Vorn in the habitats and the surviving ships would once more become food for the Great Enemy. Berlyne knew the Vorn were powerless to prevent that from happening.

-

Fleet Admiral Kurt Vickers sat in his command chair watching the Vorn habitats enter the rift in space one by one. The fleet had pulled back to a safe distance to observe the end of the Destroyers of Worlds.

“This is going to take a while,” said Andrew, walking over to stand next to Kurt. “I can’t believe this is happening.”

“It is,” Kurt replied. “We still have close to sixty thousand surviving ships. In a few more hours we’ll begin the long journey back to our galaxy to help Fleet Captain Waelt finish destroying the Vorn harvesting fleets if he hasn’t already.”

Andrew turned to look at the viewscreens. “So the war will soon be over.”

Kurt nodded. “Yes, in a way no one expected.”

“It’s going to be a different galaxy,” Andrew said.

“And universe,” Kurt replied. “With the new hyperspace drives of the Glaymons we’re not restricted to just our galaxy. Someday in the future we’ll be sending exploration missions to other galaxies.”

Andrew had a peculiar look on his face. “With what we’ve been through the last few years, I don’t think I’ll be doing any exploring. I may even retire from the fleet and stay home with Emily and Alexis.”

Kurt nodded. “I suspect a lot of fleet people will be doing that.” Kurt knew Keera would like to see him more; much more. While he had no intentions of retiring from the fleet he would be spending more time on Newton.

-

Fleet Captain Kriegon watched as the last Vorn habitat passed through the rift. Then all the Femri ships but one passed through. The final ship paused in the center of the rift and a new message appeared on the viewscreen.

THANK YOU FOR RETURNING OUR FOOD ANIMALS. IT APPEARS THEY HAVE BEEN WELL FED. WE WILL NOT SEE OR CONTACT YOU AGAIN AS OUR TWO SPECIES ARE TOO DISSIMILAR TO EVER BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND ONE ANOTHER.

End of message.

The rift rapidly began to shrink and the last of the Femri ships vanished into it. Then it closed as if it had never existed.

“System is clear of Vorn ships and habitats,” reported the sensor officer.

“Let’s move out a few light years from this system and then stop and take a day to work on repairs. Once all of our ships are fit for travel, we’ll return and see how Fleet Captain Waelt is doing against the Vorn harvesting fleets.”

As the fleet prepared to enter hyperspace Fleet Captain Kriegon gazed at the viewscreens. It was hard to believe but in just a few more days the war with the Vorn would be over once and for all.

Chapter Twenty-Four

High Profiteer Creed was on Kubitz at the Controller Exchange at the main spaceport. As a precaution he had eight heavily armed Profiteers with him looking out for his safety. He had brought a number of gold bars in a large chest for the Controllers to look at and use to set a value. That would give Creed a good idea as to how much the gold on his cargo ship was worth. He was certain he was looking at selling the gold for between one billion to one billion two hundred million credits. His own share would be nearly eight hundred million credits if everything went as planned.

“The Controller is busy at the moment,” one of the Lylan Enforcers informed Creed.

Creed frowned. There should be a number of Controllers at the exchange. His contact had guaranteed one would be available and aware of what Creed was offering to sell. “Where are the rest of the Controllers?” Creed was growing concerned considering how much gold was at stake.

“Busy,” the Enforcer replied. “The Controller should be available in an hour or two. If you would like to wait we have a room where you and your guards can go. It is secure and whatever you have in that chest will be safe.”

High Profiteer Creed looked around. The spaceport was busy as it normally was. He felt exposed out in the open considering the bounty on his head. “We’ll wait inside,” Creed said. The eight Profiteers with him were capable of handling any danger and Creed felt once he was inside he would be even more secure. Besides that, no one but the Controllers and his contact knew he was down on Kubitz and they wouldn’t talk.

As High Profiteer Creed stepped inside the building, the Lylan Enforcer sent a quick message to several shuttles waiting on the far side of the spaceport. He then activated a device which jammed all communication signals from the room Creed was going to. He had been well paid in advance to take these actions.

-

In one of the shuttles, Profiteer Grantz grinned in anticipation. The first part of his plan to seize the cargo ship containing Creed’s gold had been set into motion. He looked over at Profiteers Simpson and Waskom. “It’s time to fly up to the cargo ship and board it.” In the back of the shuttle were twenty heavily armed Profiteers. Each had been offered one hundred thousand credits to participate in this raid. They would receive an additional fifty thousand credits if it was successful. The same number of Profiteers were on the second shuttle.

“We have permission to take off,” reported the pilot.

Grantz nodded. He was growing excited at the thought of all of that gold waiting in orbit.

-

Second Profiteer Hurkler was in the Command Center of the cargo ship waiting on word from High Profiteer Creed as to the disposition of the gold. He was already thinking about what he was going to spend his share on. As Second Profiteer his share would be over twenty-five million credits. That was enough to allow him to settle down comfortably on any world in the galaxy for the rest of his life.

“We have a message from Controller Nirron,” reported the communications officer. “He is sending two shuttles to dock with us. They want to inspect the gold to confirm the quantity and purity. If it matches the samples High Profiteer Creed has they will make the payment and begin shuttling the gold back to the surface. There will be several Enforcers as well as a representative for the Controllers on the shuttles.”

Hurkler smiled. This was good news. If everything worked out he would have his credits by the end of the day. “Open the flight bay,” he ordered. He then turned back to the communications officer. “Inform the two shuttles they have permission to land. I’ll meet the Controller representative in the bay.

-

“We have permission to land,” the pilot informed Grantz.

Grantz grinned. “Inform the other shuttle. We take the bay first and then the Command Center and Engineering. Take us in and land us as close to the front of the bay as possible. The other shuttle needs to land directly behind us.” Grantz stood, unhooking the safety strap which held his heavy pistol in place. It was time to take High Profiteer Creed’s gold.

-

Hurkler waited impatiently as the first shuttle entered the bay followed closely by the second. As soon as the first one set down, he made his way toward the shuttle’s hatch with an escort of four heavily armed Profiteers. Coming to a stop he waited as the hatch slid open. Shots suddenly rang out and Hurkler’s four escorts dropped to the deck, dead. He stood frozen, seeing the heavily armed Profiteers standing in the open hatch. In shock he saw a familiar Profiteer push to the front and stand defiantly in front of Hurkler waving his pistol. “Recognize me?”

“Grantz!” stammered Hurkler. “Creed will kill you.”

“Maybe,” said Grantz, pointing the pistol at Hurkler’s head. “But you won’t be around to see it.”

-

Grantz pulled the trigger, feeling the pistol buck in his hand. The bullet struck Second Profiteer Hurkler directly between the eyes, dropping him to the deck. “Let’s go,” ordered Grantz as he descended to the foot of the ramp stepping over Hurkler’s body. The hatch to the other shuttle opened and more heavily armed Profiteers swarmed out. “The Command Center and Engineering,” roared Grantz. “Leave no survivors.” These were Creed’s hand-picked Profiteers. All would have taken place in the raid on Earth and had blood on their hands. Death would be merciful for them.

-

Across the ship Grantz’s Profiteers spread out. They met little resistance in the Command Center or Engineering as armed intruders were not expected. At the holds containing the gold, the fighting was more intense and several of Grantz’s Profiteers were killed in the brief firefight. When it was over Grantz made his way to the first hatch and opened it. Stepping inside he stood spellbound at what he saw. Pallet after pallet stacked high with gleaming gold bars. Taking a deep breath, Grantz and the other Profiteers entered walking over to the gold. Grantz reached out and touched a gold bar. His plan had actually worked. The cargo ship was his as well as the gold. With a grin, he knew he didn’t need to collect the bounty on High Profiteer Creed. Using his communicator he sent a brief message to the Human compound and Colonel Briar. He calmly informed the colonel where he could find High Profiteer Creed. Grantz had been fortunate Lomatz had been in orbit and agreed to loan him Controller Nirron. Nirron was in Lomatz’s back pocket and would obey the weapons dealer. Since he was a Controller he could also use one of the offices at the Controller Exchange. Nirron had played his role perfectly.

-

High Profiteer Creed was growing concerned. They had been waiting in the room for over an hour. He was about to send a message to Second Profiteer Hurkler when the door opened and the Lylan Enforcer appeared.

“If all of you will follow me I will take you to Controller Nirron.”

Down the hall they went and into a large office. High Profiteer Creed stopped just inside the doorway, not moving. Over a dozen weapons were pointed directly at him. The people holding the weapons were Human Marines. A Controller was standing behind them with a neutral look on his face.

“High Profiteer Creed,” began Colonel Briar. “You’re my prisoner and as soon as arrangements can be made you will be sent to Earth to stand trial for crimes against humanity. I imagine in the end you will either face a firing squad or be spaced out of an airlock. Either way, you will be dead.”

The Marines stepped forward, disarming a stunned Creed and his escorts. They then shackled Creed’s hands and ankles to prevent him from attempting to escape.

“Any attempt to escape and my Marines will shoot you,” Briar warned. “Of course some of my Marines are bad shots and they might have to shoot you several times to bring you down.”

Creed said nothing. He could tell by the look in the eyes of the Marines they were hoping he would try to escape.

Moments later the Marines led him and the others from the Controller Exchange. Outside several heavily armed vehicles were waiting with more Marines on guard.

Creed felt his entire world crumbling. He wondered what Second Profiteer Hurkler would do with all the gold.

Colonel Briar smiled as if knowing Creed’s thoughts. “As for your gold I am told Profiteer Grantz and some Profiteers of his choosing have just taken your cargo ship. I believe you have made Grantz a very rich Profiteer.”

High Profiteer Creed lowered his head. He couldn’t imagine things getting any worse.

-

High Prince Brollen studied the tactical display as the last harvesting fleet dropped out of hyperspace into the staging system. It too had been savaged by a fleet of Ancient war vessels. It only had one mothership out of five still surviving and it was heavily damaged.

They are trying to stop the harvest, sent Military Leader Ansolk. From the reports we have received a large number of Ancient vessels as well as fleets from Food Species 236 and 111 are involved.

Prince Brollen watched as the damaged mothership moved over to a Collector ship to unload its meager harvest. Brollen was deeply concerned because the amount of food pellets he was preparing to send back to the Vorn habitats was far less than he had intended.

One Intergalactic Transport can handle the Collector ships that need to return, sent Military Leader Gallet.

Brollen knew this would not be received favorably by the other Queens. What of the Ancients and the fleets of the two food species, what are they doing?

Moving toward us, reported Military Leader Ansolk. We have scout ships monitoring the various fleets, and they will all arrive here in eighteen to twenty hours.

This was what High Prince Brollen expected. It was evident the Ancients and the two food species were attempting to drive the Vorn out of Galaxy X241. Looking at the tactical display, there were nearly three hundred thousand Vorn ships in the system. He also had his 120 dreadnoughts which were tasked with protecting his mothership. Send all the Collector ships, Intergalactic Transports and motherships back to the home system. When this is over we will send back a dreadnought to let them know when it’s safe to return. Brollen knew if he lost too many ships in the coming battle it would be necessary to return to the habitats for more vessels. There were over 220,000 ships still in the home system and more could be rapidly built if necessary.

Prince Brollen decided to consult with Military Commander Vasterus. He was the most knowledgeable of all the military commanders. Brollen had already decided to allow Vasterus to conduct the defense of the system and destroy the Ancients and food species vessels which were soon to arrive. It would be a massive battle but the Vorn would prevail.

-

Lakiam Fleet Commodore Dreen gazed expectantly at the massive fleet gathering a short distance from the new Vorn staging system: fifty-two thousand Glaymon warships, 14,620 Lakiam battlecruisers, and 11,400 Andock vessels.

“We have a large fleet,” said Alborg, gazing at the tactical display filled with green icons.

Commodore Dreen nodded. “The largest fleet we have ever gathered. Fleet Captain Waelt told me earlier he does not plan to leave the battle until every Vorn ship has been destroyed.”

“We’ve significantly degraded the Vorn harvesting fleets,” replied Alborg. “We’ve forced them back to their staging system for a final battle. If we win we push them out of the galaxy.”

“And if Fleet Captain Kriegon and Fleet Admiral Vickers win in the Vorn home system the war will be over.”

“When do we attack?” asked Laylem.

Looking over at Laylem, Dreen replied. “In about twenty hours. We have a few ships with battle damage and Fleet Captain Waelt wants every ship at 100 percent.”

The Command Center was quiet for a few moments as everyone thought about what was happening. Two separate battles would determine the fate of the galaxy and perhaps this universe. One of those battles was probably already over, but there was no way of telling who had won until the survivors from Fleet Captain Kriegon and Fleet Admiral Vickers’ fleets returned, if any survived.

-

Many hours had passed and High Prince Brollen stood in his Command Center staring with shock at what was on the ship’s main viewscreen. Military Leader Victell had returned with only a few surviving cruisers. All the rest of his ships had been destroyed by the Ancients.

That cannot exist! sent Military Leader Ansolk. No race can build such a structure to completely enclose a star.

Prince Brollen shook his triangular shaped head. The data is indisputable. That megastructure is over two hundred and twenty million kilometers in diameter. The surface area inside is enough to hold millions of planets. This is the home of the Ancients.

Military Leader Gallet stepped away from the battle computer, his legs making clicking sounds. The computer confirms the structure is real. Not only that, if the structure has shipyards comparable to our own habitats the Ancients have far more ships than we do. The structure is also heavily armed. It is doubtful our combined fleets could destroy it.

Military Leader Ansolk’s twin antennae seemed to wilt. Then we have lost. We cannot defeat the Ancients.

Before Prince Brollen could reply the sensor alarms began sounding. Shifting his gaze to the tactical display, thousands of red threat icons were appearing. The Ancients and the other two food species are here. We must destroy them and then withdraw to our habitats to determine our best strategy. We dare not leave this fleet intact as it might attempt to destroy our home system.

They do not know where it is, replied Ansolk confused.

Brollen did not reply. He knew full well the enemy knew where the home system was and if he didn’t destroy this fleet, the home system might be in dire danger.

Military Commander Vasterus is asking for orders, reported Ansolk.

High Price Brollen knew he had no choice. This battle had to be fought. He quickly sent a telepathic message to Military Commander Vasterus. Engage and destroy.

-

Glaymon, Lakiam, and Andock ships exited hyperspace with their weapons already locking on targets. All around them were Vorn warships.

“Target lock!” called out Alborg as he fired an enhanced energy round from the ship’s large KEW cannon. On the main viewscreen, a Vorn battleship exploded in ruins as the round slammed home. “I wish we had more of these cannons on the ship.”

Their effectiveness had even surprised Fleet Commodore Dreen. The Glaymons told him how powerful the enhanced energy rounds were, but he hadn’t realized what their effects would be until he saw one strike a Vorn vessel. Fortunately, every ship in the Lakiam fleet was armed with one. “Target the battleships,” Dreen ordered. “We need to take them out as quickly as possible.”

-

In space, the Vorn fleet attempted to englobe the Ancients and the two food species. Military Commander Vasterus ordered his battleships to focus on the Ancients’ battleships with the cruisers to concentrate on destroying the smaller Ancient battlecruisers. He made a tactical error in not realizing the threat posed by food species 236s’ new weapon.

Space erupted into brilliance as weapons fire from nearly three hundred thousand Vorn warships erupted. Hundreds of black antimatter beams stuck an Ancient battleship, tearing through its screen and penetrating deep inside the ship. Internal explosions began shaking the ship and it suddenly exploded, sending parts of its structure hurtling through space.

Another Ancient battleship had its screen knocked down and then eight ten-megaton Vorn antimatter missiles detonated almost simultaneously, turning the location of the massive warship into a miniature sun. Throughout the Ancients’ formation ships began to die from the concentrated firepower of the Vorn battleships.

-

High Prince Brollen was focusing on the Ancient vessels. On the main viewscreen, he watched as several Ancient battlecruisers were ripped apart by the combined firepower of hundreds of Vorn ships. So far the Ancients had not managed to target his mothership or any of his dreadnoughts. On the screens, space seemed to be on fire with dying ships from both sides. If not for the Vorns’ battle computers, it would have been impossible to keep track of the carnage.

-

Fleet Commodore Dreen’s massed fleet continued to edge forward into heavier Vorn fleet formations. Fleet Leader Moor and his Andock fleet had moved to cover the right flank of Dreen’s fleet, and a large group of Glaymon battlecruisers was protecting his left flank.

“I can’t tell who is winning this battle,” Laylem said worriedly. “Both sides are losing ships at such a rate it’s impossible to keep track.”

Dreen looked over at Laylem as the Basera shook from a weapons strike to the energy screen. “It’s simple,” he replied. “When the last Vorn ship is destroyed that means we won.”

Laylem let out a deep breath. The data coming in was threatening to overload his sensors. “There’s an unusually compact group of Vorn ships in the center of their largest fleet. What scans I’ve managed to do indicate a truly massive mothership protected by a group of ships twice the size of a regular Vorn battleship.”

Fleet Commodore Dreen’s eyes widened. “Their leader. That’s the one we want to kill. Jalad, adjust our course toward that fleet. Move us close enough to allow us to fire on those ships in the center of that formation. Sheera, contact Fleet Captain Waelt and inform him what we’re going to do.”

-

The Lakiam, Andock, and the Glaymon battlecruisers began moving toward the largest and most dense Vorn fleet formation. As soon as the Vorn realized what was happening a large group of Vorn battleships attempted to intervene. However, Fleet Captain Waelt was watching and immediately dispatched a large number of Glaymon battleships to Fleet Commodore Dreen’s aid.

-

The Basera shook violently and several red lights appeared on the damage control console.

“We have four compartments open to space,” reported Camol. “We have a ten-meter hole in our hull that extends inward for nearly thirty meters.”

“Get repair robots to that area immediately,” ordered Dreen. “I want that hole in the hull sealed.”

“The Vorn have definitely noticed us,” Laylem said as he watched his sensor console. “Inbound weapons fire has increased substantially.”

Commodore Dreen looked up at a viewscreen where a Lakiam 1,700-meter battlecruiser seemed to be on fire. Of course this was impossible in the vacuum of space but the intense weapons fire the ship was receiving made its hull glow a cherry red. Suddenly, in a stupendous explosion, the battleship broke in two. Vorn antimatter missiles arrived, turning the two pieces into total wreckage.

“We’ve lost nearly sixteen hundred battlecruisers,” reported Laylem. “The Andocks have lost nearly the same number of vessels.”

Dreen drew in a deep breath. “It’s only going to get worse. We came here to destroy the Vorn and that’s what I intend to do.”

-

In space, Fleet Commodore Dreen’s fleets continued to close with the main Vorn fleet formation. Now other Vorn fleets were trying to intervene, and Fleet Captain Waelt was constantly adjusting his fleet to give support. The battle was becoming restricted to a much smaller region of space. Now when a ship exploded, it was not unusual for wreckage to strike the energy screens of other vessels. In several instances screens failed, resulting in the immediate destruction of those ships.

Energy weapons fire was ripping open the hulls of ships and then missile fire was turning the partial wrecks into space dust. Vorn antimatter missiles and Glaymon five hundred-megaton dark matter missiles were creating what looked like miniature novas throughout both fleets. Thousands of missiles were exploding every second. Ships were dying at such a rate that neither side was keeping count. They only had one desire: win the battle and annihilate the opposing fleet.

-

High Prince Brollen winced instinctively as the viewscreens flared up in brightness and then automatically dimmed. His flagship shook slightly.

Dark matter missile strike to our energy screen, Military Leader Gallet reported. Screen is holding at 93 percent.

This pleased Prince Brollen. The large Zero-Point Energy module which furnished power for his ship was doing its job.

Examining the tactical display, Brollen saw his fleet had nearly englobed the fleets attacking him. His flagship shook again only this time much more violently.

The ships of food species 236 are firing some type of high energy rounds. The explosive force measures over one thousand megatons, sent Military Leader Gallet. Energy shield is down to 72 percent.

On a viewscreen, one of the massive dreadnoughts protecting Brollen’s mothership suddenly exploded, sending several large pieces of wreckage into the mothership’s energy shield. The lights dimmed and several consoles exploded in sparks. For a brief moment the artificial gravity went out but quickly returned.

Have the dreadnoughts move closer so their shields will protect us from weapons fire and wreckage. Brollen was growing concerned. What does the battle computer show?

Military Leader Gallet spent several moments at the computer and then turned toward High Prince Brollen. There is now only a 42 percent probability of a Vorn victory. The weapon species 236 is using to destroy our ships has shifted the probability of victory away from us.

Brollen’s multifaceted eyes looked intently at the tactical display. He quietly sent a telepathic message to Military Commander Vasterus. The ships of food species 236 must be annihilated!

-

Fleet Commodore Dreen groaned inwardly as more of his battlecruisers were destroyed by the Vorn. Ships were being lost at such a rapid pace all Laylem could do was report the numbers. In the last few minutes it seemed as if the Vorn had increased their efforts to destroy his fleet. More and more Vorn battleships were attacking. The Basera shook violently and more red lights appeared on the damage control console.

Hyperdrive is questionable,” Camol reported. “We have severe damage adjacent to Engineering. Repair robots as well as several technicians are trying to make repairs.”

On one of the viewscreens, an outside view of the Basera appeared. A gaping hole over seventy meters across was visible in the hull.

“That hole goes down another forty meters,” Camol said with a grave look in his eyes.

“Combat effectiveness has been reduced by 12 percent,” added Alborg as he fired another enhanced energy round at a Vorn battleship which promptly split in two. A five hundred-megaton dark matter missile finished off the two pieces.

“Fleet Captain Waelt is sending more Glaymon battleships to protect us,” reported Sheera. “He believes the Vorn have become frightened of our KEW rounds.”

Commodore Dreen studied the tactical display. “Can we hit that large ship in the center of those larger battleships?”

Alborg shook his head. “No, those larger ships have moved closer to it. Their energy shields are nearly touching.”

Dreen considered his options. He had over nine thousand surviving battlecruisers. “Have every battlecruiser target that clump of ships with their enhanced energy rounds. Maybe we can blast our way through.”

“Re-targeting,” replied Alborg.

-

Moments later on the viewscreen, a section of the Vorn fleet suddenly erupted in brilliance as if a supernova had formed in its midst. Nine thousand enhanced energy rounds striking in one small area threatened to rip open the very fabric of space. The light from the blasts was so intense all viewscreens in the battling fleets dimmed. When the screens returned to normal, they showed a scene of near utter destruction.

-

High Prince Brollen was thrown across the Command Center as his flagship shook violently and threatened to come apart around him. When the shaking subsided he gazed at the viewscreens in shock. The majority of the dreadnoughts protecting his mothership were wrecks. Many had ceased to exist. Glowing wreckage and clouds of burning plasma were everywhere.

We only have fourteen dreadnoughts surviving, reported Military Leader Ansolk. If not for the dreadnoughts protecting our ship with their energy shields we might have been destroyed.

Brollen stood back up. His right arm was bent at a wicked angle. The bone in it was broken. Ignoring the pain he gave his next order. Take us into hyperspace. The surviving dreadnoughts are to accompany us. We shall return to the Conclave Habitat. This battle has demonstrated we need more dreadnoughts and a larger fleet.

The habitats do not have sufficient food to last long enough to build the ships we need, replied Military Leader Gallet.

Brollen’s eyes took on a look of hardness. They will if we delete 40 percent of all the Vorn in the habitats.

Neither military leader replied. They could not believe what they had just heard.

With a calculated coldness in his thoughts, he sent a telepathic message to Military Commander Vasterus. Destroy as many of the enemy as possible. Do not withdraw. This is for our race and our Queens. High Prince Brollen had no problem with sacrificing the rest of the fleet if he could inflict substantial losses on the Ancients and the two food species.

-

It shall be done, replied Vasterus. We will destroy the enemy fleet.

Moments later High Prince Brollen’s damaged mothership and the fourteen surviving dreadnoughts made the transition into hyperspace, fleeing the battle.

-

The battle continued to rage for several more hours. The Vorn threw every weapon they had at the Ancients and the two food species. Ships died by the thousands but the battle raged relentlessly on. The wreckage of Vorn battleships and spindle-shaped cruisers littered space. The same was true of the ships of the Ancients and food species 236 and 111.

-

“It’s almost over,” said Laylem from his sensor console. “The Vorn have fewer than eight thousand ships remaining.”

“Why don’t they retreat?” asked Jalad from Navigation. “It makes no sense the way they fight.”

Fleet Commodore Dreen nodded. “If we were facing any sane enemy they would either surrender or retreat. These are the Vorn, and their thought processes are far different than those we are familiar with. Even the nonhuman races in the galaxy are easier to understand than the Vorn.”

“Fleet Captain Waelt has managed to englobe the remaining Vorn; this won’t last much longer,” reported Laylem.

-

For many more long minutes the battle raged. The Vorn ships were slowly forced back into a defensive globe formation. The enhanced energy rounds from the Lakiam fleet pounded the globe into wreckage. When it was finally over not a single Vorn ship remained.

-

“It’s over,” said Alborg as his hands dropped away from his tactical console. “All targets have been destroyed.”

Fleet Commodore Dreen let out a deep breath. It was indeed over but the battle had been costly. He had started the battle with over fourteen thousand ships; less than four thousand survived. Captain Veen and his flagship the Hadlor had been lost. Fleet Leader Moor’s flagship had been destroyed but Moor had managed to evacuate and transfer his flag to another Andock vessel. The Andocks had lost all but two thousand of their warships. The Glaymon fleet had suffered the most. Out of fifty-two thousand ships only eight thousand were left. Damage across the surviving ships was widespread. It would be days before the fleet could enter hyperspace and return home.

Dreen stood up. He wondered what had happened with Fleet Captain Kriegon and Fleet Admiral Vickers’ fleets. Was it possible the war with the Vorn was over? It would be days yet before they knew for certain.

Epilogue

Fleet Commander Dreen had just returned from a meeting of the Lakiam Council. He was very pleased with the results. He had made his final report on the war with the Vorn. Dreen had only learned the day before that Fleet Captain Kriegon’s plan had worked. Dreen had watched some of the video provided by Fleet Captain Waelt of the Fermi ships. It had been frightening to realize such power existed though they were from another bubble universe.

Councilmember Darmas had put forth a motion to immediately return to the path of Enlightenment since the war with the Vorn was over. The motion had been voted down by a huge majority of the council. Not only that, it had been decided the Lakiam Alliance would continue and every effort would be made to include all the Protector Worlds. Fleet Captain Waelt had agreed to allow some Glaymon ships to remain to help keep peace and order throughout the galaxy. The very presence of the Glaymons would ensure the new and expanded Lakiam Alliance would succeed. It was hoped this was the first step to someday having a galactic government.

“So, what now?” asked Alborg. “The fighting’s over.”

“There are still a few Vorn ships out there,” Commodore Dreen replied. “Though I don’t know what they will do since their habitats have either been destroyed or taken by the Fermi.”

“I understand the few Vorn captives we had from the Scythe committed suicide.”

Dreen nodded. “Fleet Leader Moor’s people showed them the video of what happened to their habitats. Every Vorn promptly committed suicide. Fleet Captain Waelt believes it’s because all of their Queens are gone.”

“A strange race,” said Sheera. “I’m glad this is over.”

“The Destroyers of Worlds are gone,” said Laylem in disbelief. “There are hundreds of galaxies out there which were harvested. Maybe we should go to some of them and see what’s there.”

Fleet Commodore Dreen looked thoughtful. The Glaymons had the hyperspace drive to make intergalactic travel possible. “Perhaps we will,” he replied. “But for now, I just want to enjoy the fact the war with the Vorn is over.” There was a resort on Lakiam Dreen planned on visiting. While he had no intention of resigning and retiring he had no problem with taking a long and relaxing vacation.

-

Inside the new Glaymon habitat, there was much discussion over what to do next.

“We must send a ship back to the Dyson Sphere and inform our people what’s occurred,” Valen said. “Perhaps we can convince them to come out of hiding.”

“I don’t know,” replied Marshton, sounding doubtful. “The Advanced Glaymons are very set in their ways.”

Valen nodded in agreement. “But our people are not. Perhaps we can talk the council into letting the Aggressives have contact with the rest of the galaxy in a limited way. If we agree to rules limiting the number of races who can visit the Dyson Sphere they may agree to it. However, I would like the Aggressives to have unlimited access to the galaxy.”

“It would be nice to be able to return home occasionally.” Marshton looked over at Fleet Captain Lilith. “Any chance you would be interested in leading a mission back to our Dyson Sphere?”

Lilith grinned. “Why not? It’s going to be pretty boring around here for awhile.” Lilith had not participated in the big battles. She had remained at the habitat. If the battles had gone the way of the Vorn, she would have been responsible for continuing the war with the ships that remained.

“I’ll be going with you,” Valen said. “With the threat of the Vorn gone I don’t think we’ll have to worry about being imprisoned.”

Marshton leaned back in his chair. “The Lakiams are going to try to unite all the Protector Worlds. This is the first step in establishing a truly galactic entity to keep the peace. I think we want to be a part of that, perhaps a very big part. We can help prevent them from making some of the tragic mistakes we made in our distant past.”

“When we left the Dyson Sphere I never imagined being where we are today,” replied Valen. “For over twenty million years we feared being found by the Destroyers of Worlds. What would the galaxy be like if we had emerged from the protection of the Dyson Sphere millions of years ago?”

“Maybe the same,” replied Marshton. “With the Lakiams and Humans being involved this time it changed everything. It gave us the opportunity to finally end the Vorn.”

Valen took in a deep breath. “I wonder what the Fermi are going to do with them?”

“They mentioned the Vorn being a food animal. I think it would be ironic if the Vorn found themselves being fed upon as they have on so many other races. I cannot find any pity in their fate.” Then a smile spread across Marshton’s face. “I believe Gaylith will be interested in returning to the Dyson Sphere with you. She asks about you quite often.”

Valen let out a deep sigh. “I guess I’m going to have to do something about that. I enjoy being around her as well.”

Marshton nodded. This was going to be a new day and age for the Glaymons. He was going to need people like Valen and Gaylith. He didn’t think either realized how much work was going to be involved in guiding this galaxy toward the bright future which now awaited it.

-

On Kubitz, Grantz had purchased a large pleasure house and changed its name. Not only that he had a large penthouse on the top floor which served as his primary residence. With a deep smile, he looked up at the huge sign. Just below the sign was his name and one other. He guessed he should send word to Captain Randson that the two of them now owned a pleasure house on Kubitz. He figured he would let the captain take care of making sure the pleasure house operated at a profit. Of course most of the pleasure houses on Kubitz made tidy sums without a lot of interference so Randson wouldn’t have a lot to do. Maybe seeing to the hiring of a few accountants to keep track of the books and clients and come check on things once or twice a month.

Stepping back inside Grantz grinned at seeing how full the pleasure house was. It was nearly filled to capacity. Music was playing in the entertainment areas, and numerous scantily clad women were moving among the patrons. With a deep sigh of satisfaction, Grantz knew he had nothing more to worry about. He could now enjoy the life of luxury he had always desired.

-

In the Newton System, Fleet Admiral Vickers was at home with Keera and Mara. The three were sitting in the living room discussing what the galaxy would be like without the Vorn.

“I know one thing,” Keera said with her arms folded across her chest. “Without the threat of the Vorn, the Gothan Empire will soon be back to their raiding ways.”

Kurt shook his head. “I don’t think so! I’ll be going to Kubitz shortly with a large fleet. I’m going to inform the new government that if I hear of any raiding outside the empire, I won’t have any choice but to eliminate all power the Controllers have. I think with my battleships and battlecruisers hanging over their head they will see the wisdom of taking a more peaceful path.”

Keera just laughed. “It won’t work. You don’t know them as I do. Kubitz is always going to be a black market world. You can’t change that.”

A stubborn looked crossed Kurt’s face. “We’ll see.”

“What about you?” Keera asked Mara. “What are you going to do?”

Mara looked for a long moment at Kurt. “I’m going back to Lakiam and run for a seat on the council. Fleet Commodore Dreen sent me a message informing me the council voted overwhelmingly not to return to the path of Enlightenment. My world’s going to need help finding a new path for itself.”

Kurt grinned. “I think it already has. I strongly suspect someday Lakiam will be the seat of the new galactic government.”

“Perhaps,” replied Mara. “But it’s going to take a lot of work to make that happen.”

“What about you and Keera?”

Kurt looked over at Keera. “I think children might be in our near future.”

“Children?” said Keera with an excited look appearing on her face.

“Yes, I thought you said Meesa and Dalen’s child would need a cousin or two.”

Keera nodded. “I would like that.”

Mara stood up. “I need to get back to the Limeira. We’ll be leaving for Lakiam tomorrow.”

“So soon?” said Kurt, surprised. He had been expecting Mara to stay around for a while. He suddenly realized he was going to miss her.

“Yes; Keera and I have decided to sell our tea company to one of the business people we have been dealing with here on Newton. Neither of us really has the time for it.”

“Will you be coming back?” asked Kurt, feeling guilty for even asking.

Mara smiled. “Oh yes, my business here isn’t totally finished.” She gave Kurt an impish look. Standing up she walked to the door with him. She stopped and then, leaning forward, kissed Kurt gently on the cheek and went out the door.

Kurt coughed and turned toward Keera. “What are your plans now that you won’t have the tea company to deal with?”

Keera stepped over and kissed Kurt long and deep. “My medical work and starting our family.”

Kurt grinned. He liked that idea.

-

Far out in intergalactic space, High Prince Brollen gazed at the ruins of the destroyed habitats.

There are no signs of the other habitats, reported Military Leader Ansolk. On the tactical display was the drifting wreckage of the destroyed habitats, his fourteen dreadnoughts, the Collector ships, the Intergalactic Transports, and the motherships but there were no intact habitats. He had also discovered there were no living Vorn on the Collector ships, transports, or the motherships. All were void of life.

“The Queens are gone,” said Military Leader Gallet, using his actual voice. “We have no reason to live.” With that Gallet turned and left the Command Center.

“It is over,” Military Leader Ansolk said also speaking aloud in a rasping voice. “Without our Queens, there is no reason to continue living.” Ansolk then left following Gallet.

-

For a long time High Prince Brollen stood in the Command Center. After a while he realized he was alone; all the other Vorn had left. He sent out a telepathic thought and all he received was silence. He knew without having to check all the other Vorn had ended their lives. The Vorn could not exist without their Queens.

Taking a deep breath, he walked through his now empty mothership. He wondered if his desire for power had brought all of this about. It didn’t matter much as the Vorn race was no more.

Reaching Engineering High Prince Brollen stepped inside a disposal unit, shutting the door behind him. Looking down he gazed at the red button which would activate it. Brollen knew he had led his race to ruin. Without hesitation he reached down and pressed the button. Moments later raw energy filled the chamber, incinerating the prince. High Prince Brollen, the last of the Vorn and the Destroyers of Worlds, was gone.

The End

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Turn the page for an introduction to Earth Fall: Invasion a new military science fiction series that will be starting early in 2018. See a list of all of my books at the end of Earth Fall: Invasion and future publication dates.

Earth Fall: Invasion

Below the 2,000-meter in length Trellixian battlecruiser, was a large fleet of primitive sailing vessels. Hundreds of ships with tall masts drifted in a tight defensive circle with their crews on watch for the mysterious attackers who were destroying their world. A sense of impending doom lay over the fleet as most crewmembers had seen their homes ruthlessly destroyed. City after city had burned beneath the heartless ravages of nuclear fire. Buildings had burst into flame and crumbled as the air was sucked away in the superheated updraft of the mushroom cloud that rose above the destruction. Only a few sailing vessels that had been far enough away from the blasts survived. Now they were gathered together awaiting their fate.

-

Talog Dumas stood upon his sailing vessel gazing up into the cloudless sky. His ship was on the outer edge of the fleet. A speck high up was steadily growing larger. With a chill, he recognized one of the hated spacecraft that had come to his world to destroy it. His people were a peaceful race dedicated to living in harmony with their world. They had developed just enough technology to allow for trade and to communicate with one another.

“What do we do?” asked Marcol Dumas, Talog’s brother. “Our homes are gone and our families have perished in the nuclear fire.”

“I fear we can do nothing,” replied Talog, seeing the sadness in his brother’s eyes. “We have no weapons and all of our attempts to communicate have met with failure. Our home city has been destroyed as well as all the others. Only a few fleets of our sailing ships survive.”

Talog looked sorrowfully about his vessel. For years he had cruised the oceans of his world trading between the numerous floating cities and then he looked back at his brother. Their families and nearly everyone else they knew were gone. “I fear brother that shortly we will be going to join the rest of our people.” Stepping forward he put his arms around Marcol hugging him. Looking upward, he saw a circular hatch open on the spacecraft. He knew that doom had come to the fleet. A few vessels set sail trying to escape, but Talog knew there was no escaping what was about to happen

-

From the battlecruiser, a single missile exited an open hatch and accelerated toward the assembled ships below. In a massive explosion, the twenty-kiloton nuclear warhead detonated 1,500 meters above the clustered vessels. Beneath it, the water turned instantly into superheated steam. Ships burst into flame and others simply disappeared. The rush of inbound air and steam soon created the tell-all mushroom cloud associated with a nuclear explosion. As the blast radiated outward, the masts on the remaining ships were filled with hurricane force winds and torn away. The blast and accompanying wave of water caused many of the vessels to capsize. When the mushroom cloud began to dissipate all that remained were a few scattered pieces of wreckage drifting on the surface.

-

Talog found himself in the water. He had been blown off the deck of his ship from the force of the blast. Looking desperately around, he saw no sign of his brother. There were a few others in the water nearby calling for help but no one he recognized. His people were excellent swimmers and could swim underwater for hours as they had gills, which they could use to breathe. Talog knew it was useless; there was no longer any place to go. There was nothing he could do but wait for death and hope that it was quick.

-

The battlecruiser descended lower and powerful energy beams flicked out playing over the wreckage ensuring there were no survivors. Where it touched wood, canvas, or survivors flames flared briefly up and then died out. Shortly the calm ocean water was void of any wreckage as if the fleet of sailing ships had never existed. The commander of the battlecruiser satisfied that his mission was a success ordered his ship back up into orbit to seek other targets.

-

In the water, Talog resurfaced and looked around. The battlecruiser was rising up higher into the air and soon vanished from sight. With a deep sigh, Talog scanned the ocean near him seeing no other survivors. Kicking his feet, which had webs between the long toes, he began swimming toward a nearby island that had a small village under the water near a deep ocean trench. His only hope was that the enemy had missed the village and he could find refuge there. If not, perhaps he could find enough in the wreckage to allow him to survive.

-

The Battle Commander of the Trellixian fleet looked down at the once inhabited world his ships had conquered. A sentient ocean-dwelling species had inhabited the blue-white globe with their tall sailing ships traveling from city to city. They had adapted to living on both the land and in the deep ocean waters. The Olcons, as they called themselves, had spread their civilization across the world including numerous small chains of islands. Where their massive cities once floated on beds of kelp now only blackened ruins remained. Across the entire planet, every visage of civilization had been wiped out. Their lasts ocean-going ships had been annihilated wherever they gathered for mutual protection.

Currently, Trellixian soldiers in heavy combat suits were sweeping the planet and the deeper parts of the oceans to ensure there were no survivors. Already word had been sent back to the Trellixian High Command advising them the planet was now ready for colonization. Sometime in the next six weeks, the first of hundreds of colony ships would begin arriving. Within ten years, the planet would be a thriving Trellixian world.

“Ships are ready for departure,” Second Officer Jaltor reported.

Commander Balforr nodded his head. Balforr was taller than an average human with dark green skin due to his Saurian ancestry. The commander had a large lizard like head with sharp tearing teeth and large eyes.

“We’ll leave in two hours,” Balforr replied, his eyes looking coldly at the ship’s main viewscreen. “I wish to make one more sensor sweep of the planet, particularly the deeper parts of the oceans to confirm there are no major Olcon population centers surviving.”

Second Officer Jaltor frowned. “Some areas of those oceans are twelve kilometers deep. Our sensors have difficulty scanning at those depths.”

“I am aware of that,” replied Balforr, turning to gaze with narrowed eyes at his second in command. “However, I want those areas scanned anyway; we might detect a power source or one of the Olcons’ deep water submersibles. If we do not, then I’ll feel it’s safe for us to leave this world in the hands of the soldiers we’re leaving behind.”

“It will be done,” replied Jaltor. “We’re leaving a battlecruiser in orbit; if any Olcon communities have been overlooked they’re capable of making short work of them.”

“I believe in thoroughness,” responded Commander Balforr. “We were given the responsibility of clearing this planet of its inhabitants to make room for the continued expansion of our race.”

“And we have done that,” said Jaltor. “This race did not have the capability to defend itself against our superior weapons. Have you heard what our next mission will be?”

Commander Balforr was silent as he recalled the FTL transmission from the High Command, which had informed him where to take his fleet. “A world called Earth,” he answered. “It’s in the early stages of interplanetary spaceflight, and its population must be annihilated before they become a serious threat to the Empire. They’re a warlike species and there will be additional ships and soldiers going on this mission.”

“A warlike species,” mused Jaltor thoughtfully. “It’s very seldom we encounter such a civilization. Has the High Command suggested how we deal with this race?”

Balforr showed his sharp teeth and nodded. “Subterfuge and negotiations to begin with. We have much to offer that this species will be highly interested in. While we talk, we will learn their strengths and more importantly, their weaknesses.”

“It is a wise decision,” commented Jaltor.

Balforr turned toward the navigation officer. “How long will it take to travel to Earth’s star system?”

The navigation officer spent a few moments studying some star charts on his computer screens. “Two weeks travel in hyperspace. The system is far out on the very edge of explored space.”

“I am curious as to why the High Command chose our fleet for this mission,” said Jaltor, showing some confusion in his eyes. “There are other conquest fleets much closer.”

“It’s due to the difficulty of this particular mission,” Balforr responded. “Our fleet has the highest efficiency rating in using limited resources to annihilate civilizations which inhabit worlds which are needed for the continued expansion of our race.”

Jaltor nodded his understanding. The planet Earth would be the fleet’s next conquest and the race that currently inhabited it would become extinct.

Other Books by Raymond L. Weil

Available on Amazon

Moon Wreck (The Slaver Wars Book 1)

The Slaver Wars: Alien Contact (The Slaver Wars Book 2)

Moon Wreck: Fleet Academy (The Slaver Wars Book 3)

The Slaver Wars: First Strike (The Slaver Wars Book 4)

The Slaver Wars: Retaliation (The Slaver Wars Book 5)

The Slaver Wars: Galactic Conflict (The Slaver Wars Book 6)

The Slaver Wars: Endgame (The Slaver Wars Book 7)

The Slaver Wars: Books 1-3

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Dragon Dreams

Dragon Dreams: Dragon Wars

Dragon Dreams: Gilmreth the Awakening

Dragon Dreams: Snowden the White Dragon

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Star One: Tycho City: Survival

Star One: Neutron Star

Star One: Dark Star

Star One

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Galactic Empire Wars: Destruction (Book 1)

Galactic Empire Wars: Emergence (Book 2)

Galactic Empire Wars: Rebellion (Book 3)

Galactic Empire Wars: The Alliance (Book 4)

Galactic Empire Wars: Insurrection (Book 5)

Galactic Empire Wars: The Beginning (Books 1-3)

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The Lost Fleet: Galactic Search (Book 1)

The Lost Fleet: Into the Darkness (Book 2)

The Lost Fleet: Oblivion’s Light (Book 3)

The Lost Fleet: Genesis (Book 4)

The Lost Fleet: Search for the Originators (Book 5)

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The Star Cross (Book 1)

The Star Cross: The Dark Invaders (Book 2)

The Star Cross: Galaxy in Peril (Book 3)

The Star Cross: The Forever War (Book 4)

The Star Cross: The Vorn! (Book 5)

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The Originator Wars: Universe in Danger (Book 1)

The Originator Wars: Search for the Lost (Book 2)

(All dates are tentative)

The Originator Wars: Conflict Unending (Book 3) December 2017

Earth Fall: Invasion (Book 1) February 2018