The Forgotten Empire:

War for the Empire

A Forgotten Empire Novel

(The Forgotten Empire: War for the Empire, Book 4)

By

Raymond L. Weil

USA Today Best Selling Author

Books in the Forgotten Empire Series

The Forgotten Empire: Banishment (Book 1)

The Forgotten Empire: Earth Ascendant (Book 2)

The Forgotten Empire: The Battle for Earth (Book 3)

The Forgotten Empire: The War for the Empire (Book 4)

The Forgotten Empire: The Confederation and Empire at War (Book 5)

Website: http://raymondlweil.com/

Copyright © March 2021 by Raymond L. Weil Publications

All Rights Reserved

Cover Design by Humblenations.com

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

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated first and foremost to my mom, Debra.  She encouraged my dad to follow his dream of writing and supported him throughout his writing career.  She was his inspiration and comfort in times of struggles and hardships.  They enjoyed 46 years of marriage. 

To my Dad’s sister, Diana, who he could joke around with and who allowed my dad to be his ornery self.  They shared a love of cooking, which I believe came across in numerous books, in the detail of the food. 

To Aunt Bobbie and Uncle George, who were like parents to my dad.  Thank you for supporting and taking care of both of my parents throughout their health struggles.  You are truly appreciated.  I know Dad always enjoyed your presence and nurturing manner.   

To my brother, Chris, who shared a love of farming and soccer with our dad.  I am glad he had someone to pass on all of his farming wisdom too.

To Payton, his oldest grand-daughter, who was cherished from the moment she was born.  He was so proud of you for working hard in pursuit of your career goals.  He enjoyed many years of watching you play soccer and your dad try to coach you. 

To Lexi, who he loved watching out on the farm spending countless hours riding and training your barrel racing horses.  He was so proud that you were so determined and persevered through everything to follow your passion of barrel racing.  He always did have pointers for you on how you could get better, but deep down knew that you probably knew more than he did about the subject. 

To my son Braden, who shared a love of camping and fishing with his grandpa.  He also loved hearing Grandpa’s campfire stories.  He always insists we tell stories around the campfire, but no one holds a candle to the stories Grandpa could tell. 

To Jacob, who I believe inherited his orneriness from his grandpa, as well as his creative imagination.  Grandpa loved hearing all the stories I would tell him of how ornery you are and the things you say.

To Victoria, who always had an ongoing game of tag with Grandpa.  He really loved all the time he was able to spend with you and being able to pick you up from school.

To Beckham, who will carry on the family name.  He was so excited to watch Chris “pay for his raising.”  I am sure we will all get some good laughs in the future watching you grow up.  Hopefully you will take after your grandpa a lot, especially in orneriness. 

As for myself, I think I inherited my Dad’s imagination, although I don’t hold a candle to him. 

The treasured friendships of Dusty, Dana, Judy, and Bud, I am glad you guys were able to have the special friendships that you guys have had all of these years. 

To the friends that Chris and I grew up with who, throughout different parts of our lives, were like kids to my dad.  He really valued you guys more than you could know.  Ray, thank you for all that you did for my dad, I sincerely appreciate it. 

To all the kids my dad ever coached in soccer, he really had a passion for the game and for coaching, thank you for allowing him to pursue that passion.

Lastly, I would like to thank all of the fans, who really allowed his dream of becoming an author to come true.  Through you and his books his memory, and his imagination will live on.

Raymond L. Weil

1953-2020

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Epilogue

The Seven Races of the Confederation

The Forgotten Empire:

War for the Empire

Chapter One

The Great Council of the Confederation was once more in session. They gazed at a number of large viewscreens, showing the shattered remains of the fleets they had sent to attack Earth. Out of over eight thousand ships they had sent, only 2,237 had returned, many of them showing major damage.

“How could this have happened?” demanded Clun, the Druin Councilor. “That fleet should have rolled over the Humans.”

“Fleet Admiral Horrabe, in his last message, stated the Humans of Earth were far more dangerous than those in the Empire,” answered Morag Councilor Damora. “Horrabe believed it was due to them having a barbaric culture for many years, before making contact with some survivors from the Human Empire. Horrabe claimed the Humans of Earth would be the most ferocious warriors the Confederation has ever encountered. He warned that, if they were not dealt with, they would become a far greater threat than even the new Human Empire.”

“Ridiculous!” said Clun, rising to his feet. “They are only a one-star system, and they are far away from us and the Empire.”

“Nevertheless, they have defeated all three of the fleets we have sent against them,” replied Damora, his large eyes focusing on Clun. “I recommend we send a small fleet of warships to monitor the Earth System. We must stay abreast of what occurs there. While the Human Empire is a danger, I am more concerned about what Earth may do after our recent failed attack.”

“Should we send a second fleet now to destroy the system, while it has been weakened by Admiral Horrabe’s fleets?” asked Head Councilor Ardon Reull, a Lormallian.

Damora was silent for several long moments, and then he spoke chilling words. “I have spoken to a number of Morag military analysts. We have analyzed in detail the scans that Admiral Horrabe took of the Earth System. We estimate it would take, at a minimum, twenty thousand warships to destroy it.”

“Twenty thousand!” spoke the Zang councilor in shock. “Of that twenty thousand, how many would we lose?”

“Twelve to fifteen thousand,” answered Damora calmly. “Many of the surviving ships will be damaged to some extent.”

“What do we do?” asked Klug, the Morphene representative, as his form flowed and shifted.

“We build up our fleets but leave Earth alone for now,” replied Damora. “In time we will be ready to deal with Earth. For now, we must turn our attention to the growing threat within the Confederation from the Human Empire. I propose we repair Admiral Horrabe’s fleet and greatly reinforce it. We then send it to the Human Empire and retake all their worlds. Once we have dealt with their Empire, then we can return our full attention to the Earth Humans and can decide what we must do to deal with them.”

Ardon Reull frowned. On one of the viewscreens, a heavily damaged Lormallian battleship was visible. It had several large holes in its side, with burn marks the length of its hull. Ardon was surprised the ship had made it back. “It will take us weeks to repair all the damage to our ships. While we’re doing that and then conquering the Human Empire within our Confederation, what will Earth be doing?”

“The small task group will be monitoring that,” explained Damora. “I want Earth kept under constant surveillance. We have another problem. Fleet Admiral Horrabe faced over seven thousand of the Humans’ small attack craft. We must have a way to deal with them.”

Ardon Reull reached forward and switched to one of the viewscreens to show a small heavily armed light cruiser. “This is a ship stored in our military archives, specifically designed to deal with small ships. After a few minor modifications, it should deal with the Humans’ attack craft. The specs are in the archives on Bator Prime. We can modify several of our shipyards and produce these immediately.”

Damora nodded. He saw how these vessels would be useful. They might have made a huge difference in the previous battle for Earth. “Send a copy of the specs to all the member races of this council. Each should build sufficient numbers of these light cruisers to protect our larger warships.”

“It will be done,” replied Ardon. “In the meantime, all member races of this council need to continue to build new warships. Our remote scouts indicate the core worlds of the Human Empire are now producing large numbers of warships. The same is true of a number of other worlds in the Empire. Taking some of those worlds, particularly the core worlds, will be very difficult.”

“Two weeks,” said Damora. In the back of Clun’s mind, Damora placed a mental command. In two weeks, we must send more ships to the Human Empire to retake those worlds for the Confederation. We must commit at least another five thousand warships to this endeavor.

Druin Councilor Clun nodded approvingly. “I would suggest we start on the periphery of the Human Empire and work inward. We take the weakest worlds first and, by doing so, reduce the resources available to the core worlds. In time, only the core worlds will stand against us.”

“And it will take time to conquer so many worlds,” commented Ralor Conn of the Zynth. “The Human core worlds will be no easy victory.”

“But they will fall,” responded Clun. “Let us repair our ships and make preparations for a full-scale attack on the Human Empire.”

All the councilors nodded in agreement. None knew that Damora had placed the suggestion to repair the ships and for an all-out attack on the Human Empire into Clun’s mind.

-

Admiral Dylan Cleemorl was in the Tantula Five star system. Every day new warships arrived from the core worlds. So many in fact that he had already sent a sizable portion of his fleet back to Earth. Cleemorl was intent on making the Hagen Star Cluster a roadblock for any Confederation attack on the core worlds. The cluster had seven major inhabited planets and eighteen other systems with major mining operations. Several of those systems had terraformed moons and large populations.

On the main viewscreen of the Themis an ODP was being assembled in orbit of Tantula Five. This would make the sixth one. On the ground, large and powerful PDCs were under construction. Around all seven of the major worlds in this cluster, these massive defense grids were now in place. Over the coming weeks ODPs would be installed around all the major worlds, as well as continuing construction of PDCs.

“We have 230 battlecruisers and 4 more dreadnoughts due to arrive by the end of the week,” reported Captain Fulmar. “That will put us up to 720 battlecruisers and 43 dreadnoughts.”

Dylan nodded. “Yet all the crews are very inexperienced when it comes to wartime battles. I want daily combat drills scheduled. I want those crews up to par as soon as possible.” He was deeply concerned about the lack of combat experience in these new crews.

“Yes, Admiral,” replied Captain Fulmar. “I’ll make the necessary arrangements. I would suggest we use the Novak Two system as a training area. It has a large number of asteroids and has been mined out. No Humans currently live in the system, and it will be a good location for some live-fire exercises.”

“See to it,” ordered Dylan. “The sooner these crews are ready for combat, the better I’ll feel.”

Returning his attention to the main viewscreen, he watched as two small construction vessels worked on the ODP. One of them had a weapons turret grasped in the vessel’s remote-controlled arms, which it slowly put in place. The small construction vessels were also equipped with fusion welders and cutters.

“It’s going pretty quickly,” commented Captain Fulmar.

“Yet again I’ll feel much better when we have all the major planets in this cluster protected by ODPs and PDCs,” replied Dylan, leaning back in his command chair. “It’s only a matter of time before the Confederation renews their attacks.”

Fulmar nodded. “There have only been a few in the last couple weeks. I wonder what they’re waiting on?”

“It may have something to do with their attack on Earth.” At that moment the alarm on the sensor console went off, drawing everyone’s attention.

“Zynth battlecruiser just dropped from hyperspace,” reported Lieutenant Casella. “It’s in the far reaches of the system and appears to be taking scans.”

Dylan let out a deep sigh. It seemed that every few days a Confederation warship appeared and scanned the system. “Send out two battlecruisers to chase it away.”

The orders were quickly sent, and two Imperial battlecruisers made the hyperspace jump to accost the Zynth battlecruiser, which jumped out at the appearance of the Imperial ships.

“Same as the last four times,” said Captain Fulmar. “They jump in, take a few scans, and then jump back out.”

Dylan nodded. “Have the two battlecruisers stay there for an hour and then have them return.” He doubted if the Zynth ship would return that soon, but he wanted to be ready just in case.

Dylan wondered where these ships were coming from. All seven of the major worlds in the Hagen Star Cluster had reported seeing them. Dylan had at least a full squadron of warships in each system, as well as ships monitoring the inhabited moons. If it came to a battle, he planned on being prepared.

-

Zynth Admiral Donlur gazed at the latest tactical information from the Hagen Star Cluster. It grew more evident with every passing day that the Humans were heavily fortifying it. Already the primary system of Tantula Five was a veritable fortress. The Humans were also building a massive base on the inhabited moon of Gideon in the system.

“We must slow this defensive buildup, until our fleets are ready to attack,” spoke First Officer Zakor. “Every day this cluster becomes a bigger danger to the Confederation.”

Admiral Donlur nodded; his yellow reptilian gaze moved across his Command Center. “We shall attack the system of Clovian Three. It has major mining operations. I plan on attacking all the Human mining operations throughout the cluster. It will greatly reduce their resources and will slow their defensive buildup.”

“How many ships will we use in this attack?”

“Our fleet is scattered, observing hundreds of Human worlds and installations. We will take the ships we have here with the flagship to make our attack.”

First Officer Zakor nodded. “That will give us 130 battlecruisers and 20 battleships. That should easily allow us to overwhelm the mining colonies at Clovian Three.”

“We’ll launch our attack tomorrow. We must soften up this star cluster, so our fleets can retake it for the Confederation.”

-

Captain Manson was on board the dreadnought Taggert, which was patrolling the inhabited moons and mining colonies of the Hagen Star Cluster. He had ten dreadnoughts and forty battlecruisers with him.

“Still receiving reports of Zynth warships scanning many of our systems,” reported First Officer Tricia Jansen. “Nearly every star system, including Tantula Five, has reported Zynth ships in the last two days. They jump in, take a series of scans, and then jump back out.”

“I don’t like this,” said Manson, crossing his arms over his chest. “It sounds too much like they’re up to something.”

“Should we warn the mining colonies?”

Manson nodded. “I think it would be wise. Unfortunately, there are a lot of them, and we can’t be everywhere at once.”

On the main viewscreen, several Imperial battlecruisers were visible. The one-thousand-meter-long vessels were covered in weapons and ready for combat. Manson’s task group crews were all well trained. If it came to a battle, they were ready.

-

Mayor Adrian Styles sat in her crowded office on the largest moon of Clovian Three. Clovian Three was a G-type star but had no planets in the liquid water zone. It had several large asteroid fields, as well as numerous small moons around its four gas giants, all rich in minerals.

On the moon of Clovian, the two large domed cities were where most of the miners and their families lived. Thanks to the Human Empire, both cities sat in a ring of protective energy beam turrets and heavy missile launchers. Both domes were protected by energy shields, and small spaceports were outside each one. Each city had a population of around fifty thousand.

Adrian was currently being briefed on several recent mineral discoveries that might be worth setting up more mining operations.

“We have two deep asteroid finds,” reported Darien Stokes. “Each has the capability of producing several million tons of heavy metals.”

“Our primary worlds could use those heavy metals in their defense preparations,” mused Adrian, as she thought of the costs involved. “Who do we have who could handle these two projects?” Dozens of mining families controlled most of the major mining operations in the system.

“I’ve already spoken to the Muton Corporation and the Hathan Cooperative. Both are willing to take on the mining projects.”

Adrian, as mayor, had to approve all mining contracts.

Nodding, Adrian decided to approve the two companies. Both were well run. “Set up standard contracts, and let’s get this started.” She knew how important resources were to the main worlds in the cluster, and they also paid very well for these types of metals. It would bring in a tidy sum for Clovian and would help finance a few projects she had in mind.

-

Around the system were dozens of mining operations. Some were very large, and others were quite small. Some were family run, while the larger ones were controlled by huge companies. However, all had one thing in common. Their primary base of operations resided in the two domed cities on Clovian.

Currently four Imperial battlecruisers were in the system. The small squadron was tasked with protecting Clovian Three, as well as several other mining operations in nearby systems.

“Sensors are clear,” reported Ensign Leeks, who was on board the Drendal, the acting flagship for the small squadron.

“Let’s hope it stays that way,” commented First Officer Nash. “With four ships, we wouldn’t stand much of a chance at stopping a major attack.”

“We’re supposed to get more ships, as soon as they’re available,” replied Captain Frederick. Eventually his squadron was due to have ten battlecruisers and one dreadnought.

Frederick had no sooner leaned back in his command chair when the sensor alarms sounded. His gaze instantly moved in that direction, expecting to see a single red threat icon. Instead, he saw what looked like over one hundred. He felt his pulse increase, as he glanced at Ensign Leeks.

“Contacts!” called out Ensign Leeks. “We have Confederation ships dropping out of hyperspace near Clovian. Initial identification indicates Zynth warships.”

Captain Frederick frowned, concerned. “How many?”

“Over one hundred so far and the count is still rising.”

“Communications, send a message to Admiral Cleemorl, informing him of the presence of the Zynth fleet and requesting immediate reinforcements.”

Taking a deep breath, Captain Frederick gave his next order. “I want all four ships of our squadron directly over Clovian. We’ll do the best we can, until help arrives.” He knew, against a fleet of this size, his small squadron would not last long.

-

Zynth Admiral Donlur gazed at his tactical display. Four Imperial battlecruisers were in the system. Even as he watched, all four jumped into orbit of the moon he planned on attacking.

“We’ll make short work of them,” proclaimed First Officer Zakor. “They cannot prevent us from destroying this moon.”

“Take the fleet in. I want the primary targets on this moon destroyed as quickly as possible.” Donlur knew that reinforcements for the Humans were not far away. He needed to destroy his targets before any arrived.

First Officer Zakor quickly gave the order. Time to kill some Humans.

-

Captain Manson on the Taggert was asleep in his quarters when the Condition One alarms sounded. Over the ship’s comm system, First Officer Jansen’s voice could be heard, requesting that the captain report to the Command Center immediately.

It only took a few minutes for him to dress and to reach the Command Center. He wished he had had time to take a shower and to eat breakfast, but the flashing red lights of Condition One stated plainly that he had no time. “What’s going on?” he asked, as he sat down in his command chair.

“Zynth fleet is attacking Clovian Three. Captain Frederick has requested aid. He only has four battlecruisers in his patrol squadron, and he’s facing in excess of one hundred Zynth warships.”

“Has he contacted Admiral Cleemorl?”

“Yes, the admiral is gathering a relief fleet. We’re to jump into the Clovian Three System and help defend Clovian, until the relief fleet can get there.”

“Thank the Human Empire we’re in a star cluster, and it won’t take long for that fleet to arrive. Prepare to jump to Clovian Three. Make sure all ships understand that we will be jumping into a combat situation. Ships should be prepared to fire their weapons upon emergence from hyperspace. They are to target the nearest Zynth ship.”

-

Captain Frederick winced as the Zynth fleet jumped into orbit.

“Put two battlecruisers each above the domed cities,” he ordered. “I want them to knock down as many incoming missiles as possible. The cities’ defenses will have to handle the rest.” Looking at the tactical display, Captain Frederick knew his ships would not last long against the Zynth fleet. However, he just needed to buy a few minutes until help could arrive.

-

Mayor Styles was in a deep underground bunker beneath the city. Already thousands of the cities’ inhabitants filed in, hoping the deep bunker would give them safety from the Zynth. The bunker had a small Command Center, and she was currently with Major Stone, who was in charge of the small complement of military personnel assigned to Clovian.

“Defenses are powered up, and energy shields are now protecting both of our cities,” reported Stone. “Missile batteries are ready to fire, as soon as the Zynth ships come into range. Captain Frederick has positioned his four battlecruisers above our cities to help with protective fire. Fleet reinforcements are on the way.”

“What about all the mining operations?”

“They’ve gone dark. Power has been shut down, and they are in their emergency bunkers.”

“Mining ships and cargo vessels?”

“Powered down until we sound the all clear.”

Adrian nodded. She turned her gaze toward the single large tactical display, which showed the now orbiting Zynth warships. Suddenly an alarm sounded, indicating a missile launch. On the tactical screen, dozens of missiles headed toward the two domed cities. Adrian felt frightened, as she realized, in a few minutes, everything she had worked so hard for could be destroyed. She folded her arms across her chest and looked up, wondering if the roof would cave in.

-

Captain Frederick’s battlecruisers fired all their weapons. The energy beam turrets targeted the inbound missiles, and the ships’ missiles were aimed at several Zynth warships.

Frederick felt the Drendal shake violently, as several missiles struck its energy screen.

“Screen is holding,” reported the first officer. “Most of the Zynth missiles are aimed at the two city domes.”

On the main viewscreen he saw the two cities’ defenses intercepting the missiles.

Suddenly one of the icons representing his four battlecruisers swelled up and vanished.

“Crayton is down,” reported the sensor officer. “Ships exiting hyperspace! It’s the Taggart and Captain Manson’s task force.”

Captain Frederick felt relieved. Just maybe he would survive this battle after all.

-

In the small underground Command Center, Major Stone had just sent the order for the missile batteries around the two domed cities to fire upon the orbiting Zynth fleet. Already the energy beam batteries that surrounded the two cities were firing nonstop, attempting to take out the descending missiles. In the sky above the two cities, bright flashes of light indicated successful interceptions. However, some missiles were getting through.

“Increase the power to the energy shields,” ordered Major Stone, seeing they would take some hits. Several viewscreens were focused on the two domed cities.

Suddenly the screens dimmed as they filled with a brilliant light.

“Four hits on each city dome,” reported the sensor officer. “Domes seem to be holding but just barely.”

“Let’s hope the fleet can take the pressure off the domes. They can’t handle much more.”

Mayor Styles stood quietly watching. She knew she could do nothing. This was completely out of her hands.

-

Zynth Admiral Donlur flinched as hundreds of deadly missiles rose from the surface of the small moon.

“Detecting fusion and antimatter warheads,” reported the sensor officer.

“Switch our firing to those missiles,” ordered the admiral. “I want them destroyed.” He hadn’t expected the colony to have any surface defenses.

“Imperial warships dropping from hyperspace,” warned First Officer Zakor. “They are in engagement range!”

The flagship suddenly shook violently, as several missiles exploded against its energy shield.

“How many?”

“Ten dreadnoughts and forty battlecruisers.”

On the main viewscreen, a Zynth battlecruiser came apart, destroyed by heavy weapons fire. In one final explosion, the ship vanished, replaced by scattering wreckage.

“We have intercepted several hyperlight messages,” reported the communications officer. “The moon is requesting additional aid from the main worlds of this cluster.”

Admiral Donlur was much aware of the large Imperial fleet at Tantula Five. No doubt, as soon as they heard of the attack, they would send help.

“Take us away from the moon and back into hyperspace. I don’t want to risk major losses at this time.” He had strict orders to avoid major combat losses until the Confederation was ready to launch a major attack on the Human Empire.

The admiral gazed at the small moon and the two domed cities that still stood defiantly. The area around the two domes was heavily scarred from the orbital bombardment, though the small spaceports near each were untouched. Energy shields protected both spaceports.

“These Humans will be a problem,” he said, as his flagship pulled away from the moon. “They are fortifying everything, even their mining settlements. It’ll be very costly for the Confederation to retake all these worlds.”

-

Mayor Styles breathed out a long sigh of relief. They had survived the attack. “Have crews go into the domes and inspect them for damage,” she ordered. “I want to make sure they’re safe to enter.”

Major Stone nodded. “We need to send a message to Admiral Cleemorl, informing him that the Zynth have withdrawn.

Mayor Styles nodded. “See to it.” Adrian was anxious to get back into the dome and back to her normal job.

-

Captain Manson was relieved the Zynth had withdrawn without a major battle. He could have lost a major portion of his fleet. “We’ll assign four more battlecruisers to Captain Frederick. That will give him a more powerful squadron, until his other ships arrive in the cluster.” Manson would request more ships from Admiral Cleemorl. Manson had a suspicion this would not be the last major incursion by the Zynth into the Hagen Star Cluster.

Chapter Two

Admiral Derrick Masters toured his new flagship. A new Destiny had been built, and what a ship, classified as a superdreadnought nearly two thousand meters in length. Already all of his old crew, who still survived, were on board, getting familiar with the behemoth.

“She has nearly 40 percent more firepower than the old Destiny did,” commented Captain Audrey Banora, a pleased look on her face.

Derrick nodded. He hadn’t mentioned it, but, in another week, Audrey would be promoted to rear admiral and given command of the Destiny. Derrick would still retain overall fleet command of Fifth Fleet. It would shift a lot of the workload of fleet logistics from Derrick’s shoulders to Audrey’s.

“How many ships do we have now in Fifth Fleet?” Every day new warships rolled out of the shipyards in the core worlds at an ever-accelerating rate.

“We’re up to 462,” Audrey replied. “We have 430 battlecruisers and 32 dreadnoughts. We also have 7 battlecarriers.”

Derrick knew the plans for Fifth Fleet were to have a little over one thousand warships, as it was responsible for protecting Golan Four, the homeworld of the Human species. A new Eighth Fleet was planned that would help protect the rest of the core worlds, though each system would have a major task group in system at all times.

“How are the wedding plans coming along?” asked Audrey, a wide smile on her face.

Derrick let out a deep sigh. “Only two more weeks. I can’t believe how big everyone is making this.”

Audrey laughed. “You’re marrying the High Princess of the Empire. What did you expect?”

“Some privacy on occasion. Every time I turn around, someone has a question about the wedding. I’ve lost count of the interviews I’ve done over the last month.”

Audrey nodded. “Andrew and Kala’s wedding was a big deal, watched on over two hundred worlds. They seem to be handling everything well.”

Derrick sat down in his new command chair, feeling it shift to accommodate his form. It used some new nanotechnology. The new Destiny also had advanced particle beam cannons, which were supposed to be even more dangerous than the fusion ones. Derrick was anxious to test them out to see exactly what their capabilities were. “How soon before we can put this ship through its paces?” Several other improvements had been added as well.

“Two more days,” replied Audrey. “We still have few crew positions to fill.”

Derrick looked around the Command Center, similar to the old Destiny’s as far as its setup. The primary difference was everything seemed so much more modern. The best military scientists in the Empire had been heavily involved in the ship’s design.

“Will you be staying on board tonight?”

Derrick shook his head. “I’d like to, but I need to get back down to the Imperial Palace. Layla has a meeting scheduled with the entire Imperial Council and the top military brass. The House of Worlds has grown to 118 worlds, and that includes some of the larger inhabited moons. Layla is ready to turn over more authority to the council and, through them, to the member worlds.”

“Sounds as if it will be an interesting meeting.”

“It should be. We’ll hold it in the Imperial Council Chamber at the House of Worlds. Layla says it’s time for them to start taking over more of the day-to-day running of the Empire.”

What Derrick didn’t mention was that they would be discussing the news from Earth that the Morag were telepathic and probably the true power behind the Confederation. Some Earth scientists would be present to explain their findings. Derrick wasn’t sure what that revelation would mean to the Empire and to the war effort.

-

Later that afternoon an aircar dropped Derrick off at the House of Worlds. The sprawling complex was now complete and covered a larger area than the Imperial Palace. All 118 worlds that had joined the new Empire were encouraged to have delegations on hand at all times to work on Imperial business. Each world had its own offices and a large suite of rooms to use, as they saw fit.

Getting out of the aircar, along with the two Imperial guards assigned to him, Derrick headed toward the main entrance. Other people came and went, and a security detail waited at the entrance to check everyone who entered. Upon seeing Derrick and the two Imperial guards, he was allowed to pass without question. Derrick had been to the House of Worlds a number of times over the past month, meeting with governors or their representatives.

Walking through the various corridors, Derrick was stopped several times by different planetary representatives and congratulated on his upcoming wedding to the High Princess. Finally he reached the large conference room, where the meeting would occur. Going inside, Derrick noted a number of people had already arrived.

All of the members of the Imperial Council were present, as well as Prince Andrew, Fleet Admiral Marloo, General Gantts, and several Humans from Earth, who he didn’t recognize. Smiling, he took his seat near the head of the table, where Layla and Krista would sit.

“How was your inspection of your new flagship?” asked Chief Chancellor Stein. “I heard she’s quite a vessel.”

Derrick nodded. “I’m anxious to test the new particle beam cannons. They could be a game changer in this war, if they are as powerful as the military scientists claim.”

“We found the designs in the old military archives, which were hidden in the Imperial Library. Our own scientists and engineers finished the actual design, and we even ran a few field tests. I think you’ll be impressed.”

Derrick was about to reply when High Princess Layla and Princess Krista entered the room. Everyone stood and waited, as the two Princesses took their places and sat down.

“Please be seated. I called this meeting today for several reasons,” spoke Layla, with a broad smile. “The first is that I’ll place more responsibility for the functioning of the Empire on this council. In recent weeks we have added more worlds to the Empire, and I feel we are now at the point that the Monarchy can take a step back. I have already spoken to Chancellor Stein about the new changes, and he will speak with all of you later about implementing them.”

Layla paused, and a more serious look crossed her face. “We have several visitors from Earth with us today. They bring some startling news that will no doubt shake the very foundation of what we have always believed about the Confederation. I know that it stunned me, as well as the few who have been told. I must remind everyone here that what you learn today is top secret and must not leave this room, until we are ready for it to do so.”

Fleet Admiral Marloo stood and looked at the assembled group. “What we’re about to reveal could change this war. We need to discuss two major items today. The first is the development of particle weapons, which are far more powerful than our fusion ones. The initial weapons of this type have been installed on Admiral Masters’s new flagship, the Destiny, for testing. If it works—as the early tests have indicated—we will have a weapon that can easily penetrate the Confederation ships’ energy shields.”

“Penetrate their shields?” asked Governor Lindsay Littrel of Jalot Four. “That could easily change the tone of the war. How soon before the weapon tests?”

“A few more days,” answered Derrick. “We’re just now getting the crew on board the new Destiny. They need to get familiar with the ship and the new systems on board. With a little luck we’ll soon be ready to conduct the first tests and can see just how well this new weapon works.”

“If it works as the military scientists believe it will, we’ll be putting particle beam cannons on all our dreadnoughts,” added Admiral Marloo.

“What about the battlecruisers?” asked Governor Alex Therron of Bratol Three.

“They’re not big enough to handle the power requirements,” replied Marloo. “We will emplace two bow particle beam cannons on each battleship. They use a series of magnetic accelerators to project subatomic particles at extremely high speeds. It functions as both an energy weapon and a kinetic weapon.”

“Due to the size of the new Destiny, we have four of the cannons on the bow,” explained Derrick. “They are paired into two batteries, and two of the cannons will fire each time they are activated.”

“Let’s hope the tests go well,” commented General Gantts. “We need a superior weapon we can use against the Confederation.”

“Now what’s this other matter we’re here to discuss?” asked Governor Julian Bemire of Ambary Two.

High Princess Layla stood, a solemn look on her face. “When the Confederation attacked Earth, they left many destroyed ships behind. The Earth’s military removed a number of the bodies of the seven Confederation races from the wreckage, as well as downloaded a tremendous amount of data from any working computers on the destroyed warships. We have two of Earth’s best medical research scientists with us today, Dr. Warren and Dr. Glancy. I’ll let them explain to you what they found.” Layla retook her seat.

Dr. Warren stood. “We did autopsies on the dead of every Confederation race to better understand their strengths and weaknesses. When we began examining the Morag, we found something unexpected. A portion of the Morag brain is greatly expanded. Upon doing more research, we believe the Morag are capable of telepathy.”

“What!” exclaimed Governor Dru Clarro of Vidon Seven. “Impossible. No records of any telepathic race anywhere in the known galaxy have ever been found.”

“The Morag have kept their ability a secret,” explained Dr. Warren. “I have a video presentation that will show the autopsies of several Morag brains, and you will see what we’re talking about.”

The presentation was loaded and played on the main viewscreen. Derrick noticed that Krista turned very pale but had watched the entire presentation.

“It also explains how the Morag fleet formations are far superior to everyone else’s,” added Derrick. “They are in constant telepathic communication, and orders can be sent instantaneously.”

Everyone went silent for several long moments.

Finally Fleet Admiral Marloo addressed the group. “Both Dr. Warren and Dr. Glancy have additional evidence and will be available to answer more of your questions after this meeting. One thing I should add. We don’t believe the other races of the Confederation are aware of the Morag’s ability. There is a good chance the Morag have been controlling the other Confederation races, perhaps since the very beginning of the Confederation.”

“So we have the Morag to blame for all this death and destruction?” asked Governor Littrel, a hint of anger in her voice.

“Most likely,” replied Fleet Admiral Marloo. “We don’t know how much they have influenced the Great Council of the Confederation, though some of the tacticians on Earth believe it has been considerable. Look at the attack on Earth, at the number of suicide ships. I’ll ask Dr. Glancy to explain what they believed happened.”

Dr. Glancy stood, his expression somber. “We are nearly certain that the Morag used their telepathy to take control of the commanders of any damaged ships to force them to suicide their vessels. This is something we have never seen in any other attack, and this only occurred with the presence of Morag warships. You can also study the videos of the battle and see how the Morag fleet moved almost as one. It’s obvious they were using some way to coordinate their fleet movements that we have never seen before. Telepathy explains everything.”

“I have a question,” said Governor Staley of Aquilla Three. “Why did they not take over the minds of Earth’s ship commanders and order them not to resist?”

Dr. Glancy looked to Dr. Warren, who nodded. “We believe the reason they are so afraid of Humans is because we are immune to their telepathic influence. It may well be the reason why they attacked the Human Empire to begin with.”

This caused an uproar, as most of the councilors began talking at once.

High Princess Layla stood again, which caused everyone to quiet down. “We must decide how to use this information. Right now everything in the Empire is relatively quiet, with only a few minor attacks over the last few weeks. We are fortifying as many of our worlds as possible and adding new fleet units every day. How much discord would the information about Morag telepathic influence cause if we revealed this information to the other member races of the Great Council?”

“It could cause the Confederation to delay any future attacks on the Empire, while they settle this internal problem,” commented Prince Andrew. “It could possibly buy us weeks before they could launch a major attack. Weeks in which we could build more warships and could add more worlds to the Empire.”

“The other Confederation races could even go to war against the Morag,” suggested Governor Able Marsk of Lamora Seven.

Fleet Admiral Marloo shook his head. “I doubt it would come to that, as the Morag would just use their telepathy to ensure the council stays loyal. However, it might take the Morag time to ensure they have control of the entire Confederation. Time we could definitely use to prepare for our future conflict with them.”

Layla looked around the group. “I would like to see us continue to expand the Empire, particularly to all the worlds close to the core worlds. We are now producing an excess of defensive grid components. I want to send envoys to selected worlds and offer our protection, if they will join. We are stronger as one Empire and not hundreds of separate worlds.”

“I agree,” said Derrick. “Some very heavily populated worlds nearby have considerable resources. We need to speak to those worlds.”

Chancellor Stein nodded his agreement. “Those worlds have been hesitant to join the Empire for fear of retaliation from the Confederation. If we can offer complete defense grids with ODPs, there’s a good chance some of them will change their minds.”

Layla looked thoughtful and then spoke to Chancellor Stein. “Chancellor, I want you to pick out a dozen of those worlds to travel to. You will have a full flotilla of warships, as well as cargo ships carrying defensive grid parts. Let’s see if we can persuade a few of those worlds to commit to the Empire, before this war breaks wide open.”

Stein nodded. “I’ll make the arrangements immediately. I can leave toward the end of this week.”

“Excellent,” answered Layla. “Now to the important question. In order to sew discord in the Confederation, we must alert the other races to the Morag’s telepathic ability. When should we do that?”

“Within the week,” suggested Fleet Admiral Marloo. “By now the Confederation fleet that attacked Earth has returned, and they are no doubt in the process of repairing their battle damage. The sooner we make this revelation, the better chance we’ll have of postponing any immediate attacks upon our worlds.”

“How is Earth doing on rebuilding?” asked Governor Littrel.

“We sent a fleet of vessels to help,” replied Fleet Admiral Marloo. “We’ve had a lot of experience on rebuilding after Confederation attacks. The fleet is already there, and everything is proceeding pretty rapidly. The Earth government estimates it will take them three to four months to repair their damage. They’re also building a number of new shipyards. I suspect that, at some time in the future, they’ll come after the Confederation.”

“Have we sent all of Earth’s ships back?” asked Governor Able Marsk of Lamora Seven.

Fleet Admiral Marloo shook his head. “No, we still have Third Fleet here, as well as parts of Fifth Fleet and First Fleet. The Earth crews that remain of Fifth Fleet and First Fleet are all volunteers. Third Fleet will return home in about two more months. By that time we should have sufficient warships to hold back the Confederation.”

“Will any Earth ships be returning to the core worlds?”

Fleet Admiral Marloo nodded. “As soon as their crews are rested and as soon as they have their new shipyards up and running, then they plan on sending two full fleets to help defend the Empire.”

High Princess Layla looked around the room. “I would like to see an Earth representative make the announcement about the Morag to the Confederation. Let’s see if we can shake up the Confederation some.”

“How about Rear Admiral Carrie?” asked Derrick. “She’s a high-ranking Imperial military figure and is from Earth.”

Layla nodded. “That should work. Now, when exactly should we make the announcement?”

“As soon as possible,” suggested Fleet Admiral Marloo. “We don’t know when the Confederation will become more aggressive against the Empire. It could be any day.”

“Very well, let’s schedule the announcement for the day after tomorrow. That should give us enough time to get everything together that we need. Let’s hope it buys us another four weeks or more of time.”

The meeting continued for another hour, as various items were discussed. Layla also spent some time outlining the additional powers she was giving the Imperial Council and how she expected it to work. “In a time of war, one person or one family can’t be expected to make all the decisions. I’m placing my trust in this council and in the military. Don’t let that trust down.” She knew that Chancellor Stein would do more explaining after she left.

-

After the meeting, Derrick, Andrew, Krista, and Layla conducted a tour of the newly finished House of Worlds for some of the visiting members. Already a number of member planets of the Empire had moved delegations into their sets of offices. More planets planned on doing the same over the coming weeks.

“We need more time,” said Layla, as she folded her arms over her chest. They had stopped in the main House of Worlds’ chambers, which could hold nearly ten thousand people. Here the business of the Empire would be conducted. Even now a few delegates were busy discussing various proposals.

“Revealing to the Confederation that the Morag have been manipulating them since the beginning might do that,” said Andrew. He was becoming more at ease in his role as a Prince of the Empire.

“Maybe,” replied Derrick, as he watched two delegates in a heated argument. “It’s the Morag’s damn telepathy that’ll be a problem. If any of the member worlds of the Confederation get out of line, the Morag may use it to bring them back under control.”

Krista turned to face Derrick. “Those worlds won’t be happy when they realize what the Morag have done.”

“The Morag can’t control everyone in the Confederation,” pointed out Layla. She was curious as to what the two delegates were arguing over, tempting her to join them and find out, but she had to learn to allow the members of the House of Worlds to solve some of their own problems.

“I believe it will cause enough unrest across the Confederation that any large united attack on the Empire will be delayed by weeks,” said Derrick. “Every day we’re turning out more warships and attack interceptors. The defensive grids around our main worlds are being made stronger, and we’re preparing for the coming attack.”

Layla looked thoughtful. “I wish we had the resources to put together a fleet aimed at attacking the Confederation forces in the Empire. I would like to go on the offensive instead of being on the defensive all the time.”

“Give us time,” replied Derrick. “I’m sure Earth wants to go on the offensive after what the Confederation did to them, and, in time, we’ll have the fleets that can do the same.”

Layla nodded. “And while we wait, more of the periphery worlds of the Empire fall under Confederation control. I’m afraid this will be a long war.”

Derrick knew Layla was right. He wished he could do something more, but, with their impending marriage, he could not leave the core worlds. Every time he stepped out in public, he was swarmed by the local media.

“When will you go up to the Destiny?” asked Andrew. He had been involved in finding the research on the particle beam cannon in the secret military archives in the Imperial Library.

“Tomorrow afternoon,” replied Derrick. The ship would be a nice getaway from the hustle and bustle around the Imperial Palace. He also wouldn’t have two Imperial Guards following him around everywhere. “I’ll be gone for about four days, while we put the new Destiny through her paces and test the new particle beam cannons.”

Layla put her hands on her hips and stared at Derrick, causing him to wince. “Four days only,” she said in a firm voice. “When you get back, we have a wedding to get ready for, and, since it’s a royal wedding, there’s still a lot we need to do.”

Krista laughed. “I’m glad to hear her use that tone of voice with you as well. I’ve had to hear it for years.”

Layla looked embarrassed. “Sorry, I guess I’m just a little tense from everything else going on.”

Andrew nodded; he could well understand. Kala had been the same just before their wedding. “Why don’t we all get together tonight and have a private meal at the Palace? Krista can invite Major Barkley, and we can have a relaxing evening.”

Layla grinned. “I like that idea. When we get back, I’ll call the head of the Palace kitchen and make the arrangements.”

This sounded fine to Derrick. The Palace chefs were some of the best in the Empire, and the food they served was delicious.

“Let’s finish up this tour and return to the Palace,” suggested Krista. She could hardly wait to get back and to call Mathew. He had been so busy recently with training new attack interceptor pilots that she hadn’t seen him for a while. She was already thinking about what she would wear tonight.

Chapter Three

Druin Admiral Falorr was on board his flagship, the Avenging Light. He had with him a fleet of 310 battlecruisers and 70 battleships. The target he had been ordered to take was a small terraformed moon in the Aspica System, mainly a mining colony, with a Human population of nearly thirty million. The moon had a weak defensive grid, and a few Resistance ships were in orbit.

“Have the fleet stand by to enter hyperspace,” ordered Falorr. “We will exit forty thousand kilometers from the moon. All ships are to target any Resistance ships that might be in range, though I expect them to be in low orbits around the moon and inside the defensive grid.” Admiral Falorr was confident of a swift victory. Time for him to make his mark in the history of the Confederation and of the Druins.

-

Captain Tomas Doran, a Resistance leader, was in his quarters on his heavy freighter when an alarm went off. “What now?” he said aloud. The freighter was completely loaded and would make its first hyperjump in less than an hour. He pressed the comm on his desk, putting him in contact with the ship’s Command Center.

“Captain, we have a Druin fleet dropping out of hyperspace forty thousand kilometers from the moon.”

“Damn!” uttered Doran, feeling a cold chill run down his spine. This run between the Aspica System and the core worlds had been very profitable. “Spin up the hyperdrive and stand by to jump. I’ll be in the Command Center shortly.” Doran wasn’t worried too much about his ship receiving damage. The Confederation very seldom targeted civilian vessels. However, with the Confederation, one never knew what they might do.

It didn’t take Doran long to reach the ship’s small Command Center. Only six others were present. The entire ship had a crew of forty-seven. His gaze went to the display, showing the inbound Druin warships—hundreds of them!

“Hyperdrive is ready to activate,” reported his first officer. “We can jump anytime.”

On the ship’s main viewscreen, a view of the inhabited moon was visible. The moon had been completely terraformed, thanks to the rich minerals in the system. The surface was covered in 34 percent water, and the rest included rich virgin forests and rolling grassy plains. Small cities were scattered across the moon.

“What are the Resistance ships doing?” He knew two battlecruisers and four support ships were in orbit.

“They’re moving underneath the defense grid.”

Doran shook his head. “Won’t do them much good. That defensive grid is very weak. They have more units ordered, but they have not arrived yet.” He knew this from messages they had intercepted. “What about additional fleet units?”

“No, none around,” his sensor operator confirmed. “This moon is way out on the periphery, and the Empire and the Resistance have more pressing priorities.”

“Druin ships are moving toward the moon,” his first officer stated.

Captain Doran let out a deep sigh. He hated losing this cargo run. “Let’s get out of here. Nothing we can do to help them.”

Moments later the freighter entered hyperspace, fleeing from the system, doubtful if they would ever return.

-

Captain Gregory gazed at the tactical display with a worried look. His small Resistance task group was heavily outnumbered and, even with the defense grid, they did not stand a chance against the inbound Druin fleet. “Send a message to Golan Four that we are under attack by a superior fleet of Druin vessels. Ask if any nearby task forces can come to our aid.”

“I have the governor on the comm,” reported the communications officer. “He’s asking what he should do.”

“Tell him that we’re contacting Golan Four and will get back with him shortly. Meanwhile have the people take cover.”

“They’ll be in combat range in seven minutes,” reported the first officer.

Captain Gregory looked at the tactical display, showing the weak defensive grid around the moon—forty defensive satellites and only four missile platforms. Not enough to even slow the Druin fleet now bearing down on them.

“I just received a reply from Golan Four,” spoke the communications officer. “No available units are in our area.”

Captain Gregory leaned back in his chair. “Well, that’s not good.” Gregory spent a few moments thinking. He was in a no-win situation, where he could lose all his ships. “Contact the governor and recommend that he surrender to the Druins. If they follow their normal pattern, they won’t cause any damage and will just leave a few ships in orbit. Have him shut down the defense grid, so no Druin ships will be targeted.”

“Message sent and confirmed,” replied the communications officer.

Gregory hated giving this next order, but, if he stayed, his ships would be destroyed, and he would accomplish nothing. “Move us out of the defensive grid and stand by to enter hyperspace. We can do nothing here.”

The six Resistance ships rapidly moved through the small defensive grid and made the transition into hyperspace. They would survive to fight another day.

-

Druin Admiral Falorr nodded in satisfaction, as the moon’s governor contacted the flagship and surrendered. Falorr had already noted the departure of the six defending Resistance ships. “Inform the governor we accept his surrender and will be placing a squadron of warships over his moon to ensure their obedience to the Confederation. We will also be destroying their defensive grid to ensure it can never be used against us.”

A few moments passed, and then the communications officer replied. “They governor has agreed, and they will not resist.”

“Have the fleet destroy all the orbiting defensive satellites and missile platforms.”

-

Moments later above the moon, bright flashes of light indicated the destruction of the weak defensive grid. It had never been designed to actually defend the moon but to act as a deterrent against small groups of Confederation ships. Now it was gone and so was the small Resistance task group assigned to defend the moon. Once more the thirty million inhabitants were back under control of the Confederation. For a few months they had hoped the new Empire would protect them; obviously now that hope had been greatly exaggerated.

-

The Great Council of the Confederation was once more in session. They waited to see what this new announcement from High Princess Layla Starguard would be about. Over the last two days, several hyperlight messages had indicated her broadcast would contain information that would shake the Confederation and would change it forever.

“What can this High Princess say that would affect the Confederation?” asked Druin Councilor Clun. “She must be bluffing.”

“Perhaps,” replied Ardon Reull, the current head of the Great Council and a Lormallian. “It is unfortunate that we have no known way to jam such hyperlight broadcasts.”

Morag Councilor Damora sat, listening. He had not involved himself in the conversation. He could think of only one thing that would seriously shake up the Confederation—if the Humans had found out about the Morag’s telepathic ability. He knew that hundreds of dead Morag had been left behind in the Earth System. What if the Humans had dissected those bodies and had discovered the Morag’s secret?

For the first time in many years Damora felt uneasy. He looked at the other councilors, wondering what their reaction would be if the announcement was what he feared. He wasn’t worried about his own safety; his telepathy would keep him safe. However, over sixty thousand worlds were in the Confederation. Even the Morag and their secret fleets could not keep control of all of them if they revolted. Damora wished now they would have sent a much larger fleet to attack Earth. They just hadn’t realized at the time how big a threat Earth was.

“We’re picking up the broadcast,” reported a communications officer, sitting in front of the huge screen on the nearest wall. “I’m putting it up on the screen.”

Instantly High Princess Layla Starguard’s face appeared. “Hello, I’m speaking to all the Human worlds in the Empire, as well as all the worlds of the Confederation, particularly the seven races. I’m here to report that, during the battle for Earth, an astonishing discovery was made. A discovery so frightening that it will shake the very foundation of the Confederation. Unfortunately, because of the nature of the discovery, I don’t believe the Confederation can do anything to remedy the situation. With me today is Rear Admiral Lira Carrie of Earth. Since her home planet made this discovery, it is only right that she reveal it to you and its possible ramifications.”

A young Human woman in a rear admiral’s uniform appeared on the screen, a serious and solemn look on her face. “As all of you know, the Confederation recently attacked Earth with overwhelming force. The Confederation fleets were driven off after several very intense battles. Once the fighting was over, the dead from the various seven races involved were retrieved and studied. I can assure everyone listening that, once the research was done, the bodies were properly disposed of. During our research we found nothing unusual in six of the seven races.”

Damora felt a shiver go up his spine. The Earthers knew! He prepared himself to use his telepathy to keep the council under control.

“The Morag were different. They had an enhanced region in their brain, and, after considerable study, we determined that this enlarged region allowed the Morag to be telepathic. We believe the Morag have been using this ability for untold thousands of years to control the Great Council and, in turn, the entire Confederation. The attack against the Human Empire was instigated by the Morag when they discovered that Humans were immune to their telepathic manipulation.”

Damora looked at the other councilors. They stared at him in shock and sudden fear. He quickly began using his telepathy to calm them down.

“The Morag are responsible for much of the death and destruction in the Empire, as well as the countless worlds the Confederation has taken over. Over sixty thousand worlds are under Confederation control. On many of those worlds, the populations have been significantly reduced. The Morag want one thing and one thing only—total domination and control of the Confederation and eventually the entire galaxy.”

The view of Rear Admiral Carrie was replaced by that of the High Princess. “I’m speaking now to the Morag. Because of you, billions of Humans have died. There is no room in this galaxy for a race like yours. I swear today that the Human Empire and Earth will not rest until your species has been destroyed. You want a war of genocide? We will give you a war of genocide!” The screen faded to the insignia of the Human Empire, a large starburst on a background of stars.

Councilor Damora used his telepathy to control the growing rage in the other Confederation members. His abilities were strained as the different members fought against his control.

“Is what the Humans said true?” demanded Lormallian Ardon Reull, as he fought against the control from Morag Damora, which Ardon now felt in his mind. He had felt this before but had not realized what it was.

“What does it matter?” replied Damora stiffly. “We have control of over sixty thousand worlds. The seven members of this council control all the military.”

“You did not answer my question. Even now I can feel you trying to influence my mind. I demand that you stop it instantly.”

Damora stood, his huge form towering over the table. “This council is mine,” he said in a steady voice. “You will do as I desire or face the consequences.”

“Our combined fleets will crush yours,” uttered Ralor Conn, the Zynth councilor. “Even with your telepathy you can’t control all of us.”

“We don’t need to,” replied Damora. “We only need to control your leaders and the heads of your military. To resist us is futile and suicidal. With a mere thought, I could order any of you to leave this chamber and to take your life. I hold your lives in the palm of my hand. Is anyone here ready to die?”

No reply came.

“I thought not,” said Damora, satisfied. “Do not threaten me or any of the worlds of the Morag. You will not like the result.”

The councilors looked at one another. They knew, for the moment, they were helpless.

-

On many of the sixty thousand worlds controlled by the Confederation, the news that the Morag were telepathic and that the Morag were the secret rulers of the Confederation brought about widespread anger. On several thousand worlds riots broke out, even citizens of the seven races on those planets were attacked, and some were killed.

The Morag knew they had no choice but to deploy their massive fleet to bring those worlds back under control. Thousands of Morag ships were sent to bring about stability and an end to the rioting. The use of obsessive force, including the destruction of cities, was authorized.

-

On Morag Prime, the High Council was meeting.

It’s unfortunate the Earth Humans discovered our secret, sent Lead Councilor Addonis. Growing unrest currently in the Confederation has been caused by the broadcast. I fear we must delay any major attack on the Human Empire, until we have our own planets back in order.

Which is exactly what the Empire wants, pointed out Councilor Delann. While we deal with our internal problems, the Human Empire only becomes stronger.

We have no choice, sent Councilor Brant. If we don’t bring this rioting under control, it could easily spread to other worlds.

What about the other six races? asked Councilor Hiram. Should we send fleets to their worlds?

It won’t be necessary, replied Addonis. We’ll send large fleets to put down the uprisings. When the worlds of the Great Council see our true military strength, they will fall back into line very quickly.

I would suggest we order all our shipyards into full production, sent Councilor Brant. We may find in the near future that we’ll need the additional ships.

Councilor Addonis nodded. I believe you are correct. The other six races may now be more resistant to attacking the Human Empire. We should stand ready to do it on our own, if necessary.

-

Back on Golan Four, High Princess Layla listened as Chief Chancellor Stein reported on the results of the broadcast.

“We have unconfirmed reports of rioting on a number of Confederation-controlled worlds. We have intercepted a lot of communications between the various Confederation races. I suspect we have bought us some time.”

“How much time?” Layla hoped it was a lot. They still had much to do to get the Empire ready for all-out war.

“I’m guessing at least four to six weeks, maybe more. Not only that but forty-seven former worlds of the Empire have contacted us since the broadcast, requesting to join.”

Layla smiled. This was good news. “When do you leave to visit the other worlds we have chosen to come into the Empire?”

“Early tomorrow,” replied Stein. “Two other members of the Imperial Council are going with me. In all we plan to visit forty various star systems.”

“Let’s hope some of those agree to join us. I fear our time is rapidly running out.” Layla grew more concerned with every passing day that the fledging Human Empire would not be ready for what was ahead.

-

Admiral Cleemorl was in the midst of making a hard decision. After the attack on the inhabited moon of Clovian, he had sent out battlecruisers to find the base where the Zynth fleet operated from. He considered taking the fight to them, rather than let them continue to attack the various worlds and inhabited moons of the Hagen Star Cluster whenever they felt like it. At some point one of those attacks would be successful.

“In another week the first warships will come out of the shipyards above Tantula Five,” reported Captain Fulmar. “They’re already producing large numbers of attack interceptors.”

“What about the other six major systems in the cluster?”

“They’re about one week behind in their ship construction. It won’t be long, and they’ll put up a sizable fleet to handle the defense of the entire cluster.”

Dylan nodded. “We have dozens of worlds now building warships and attack interceptors throughout the Empire.”

Captain Fulmar nodded. He knew Dylan had been working hard to fortify the Hagen Star Cluster. If the Confederation launched a major attack, no doubt this cluster would be one of the early primary targets.

“What do you want to do about the Zynth? Already today two more Zynth ships had jumped into the system to run their normal scans.”

“We attack,” said Dylan. “We know where their base is, and the last thing they’ll be expecting is for us to launch a full-scale attack against them. We can take them by surprise and, with a little luck, get off the first shots. If we annihilate this fleet, the Confederation will no longer know what’s taking place in this cluster, and that’s what I want.”

“So you spoke to Fleet Admiral Marloo about your plans?” Captain Fulmar knew the fleet admiral had to approve any such attack, as that which Admiral Cleemorl was planning.

Dylan nodded. “Yes, I did. He just said to do everything in our power to keep our losses to a minimum. We can’t afford any major fleet losses at this time.”

Captain Fulmar understood this very well. “So, how large a fleet are we taking?”

“I’ve thought it over. We’ll take five hundred of our battlecruisers and all our dreadnoughts. That should give us an advantage in ships and firepower. If we can get in the first strike, we should hold our losses to a minimum.”

“When do we leave?”

“Tomorrow morning. We need to make arrangements to ensure our remaining ships can protect the cluster while we’re gone.”

Captain Fulmar nodded. That would give him plenty of time to make the necessary arrangements.

-

Back in the core worlds, Derrick was on board the new Destiny. They had just arrived at the system that the core worlds normally used for war games. The system had eight planets, dozens of moons, and two small asteroid fields that had long since been mined out.

“System is empty,” confirmed Major Nower.

Derrick nodded. All ships had been told to stay away from this system for the next twenty-four hours. “Pick out a couple large asteroids, and we’ll test our main weapons systems. We’ll hold off on the particle beam cannons, until we’re satisfied everything else is working as it should.”

-

The Destiny approached a large asteroid, and its heavy fusion weapons rotated until they were aimed at the large space rock. Suddenly fusion energy beams leaped out to strike the surface, carving deep glowing gashes into the ground. For several minutes the Destiny assaulted the asteroid, as the ship turned to bring all its fusion weapons to bear. When the firing stopped, the large asteroid was crisscrossed with glowing canyons, where the beams had cut deeply into the asteroid’s surface.

The ship backed away, and its missile ports slid open. From six of the ports, antimatter missiles flashed out to strike the surface of the asteroid. The explosions were massive, and bright fusion fireballs rose above the battered surface. When the fireballs died away, glowing craters appeared, kilometers deep. Some of the debris from the blasts had been hurled into space, some of it even impacting the energy screen of the Destiny.

“All weapons systems check out,” reported Captain Banora. “Now we just need to test the particle beam cannons.”

Derrick nodded. So far he was very pleased with the performance of his new flagship. “Pull us back to ten thousand kilometers and then hit the asteroid with both of the twin cannons for the particle beams.” Derrick was anxious to see how much more powerful the particle beams were compared to the fusion ones. “Make sure we’re recording everything.”

-

The Destiny reoriented itself, until it faced the large asteroid, and then two light-violet beams shot out, striking the asteroid. A pair of tremendous explosions shook the asteroid and threatened to tear it apart. A massive cloud of dust and debris rose over the stricken area. Then the next two beams fired hit the same location. The asteroid shook violently and slowly split apart.

-

Derrick gazed at the ship’s main viewscreen in shock. Not only had the particle beams caused an unbelievable amount of damage to the asteroid but the second firing had actually split the asteroid in two.

“Do you see that!” said Audrey excitedly, her mouth open in shock. “Can you imagine what these beams would do to a Confederation warship?”

“Probably destroy it,” answered Derrick. “I want to hit both of those different pieces of the asteroid with the particle beams again. I want to see if we can duplicate what we just did or if we happened to hit a weak spot on the asteroid.”

The Destiny targeted one of the asteroid pieces and fired again. In a massive explosion, the section of the asteroid targeted blew apart, sending debris flying across space. When the debris field cleared, the asteroid had been blown apart. The ship then fired on the other large asteroid piece with the same result.

Audrey shook her head in amazement. “If we can equip all our dreadnoughts with these, it could change the war.”

Derrick nodded in agreement. They had needed a superweapon, and now it looked as if they had one. “We’ll run a few more tests and then head back to Golan Four. I know a lot of fleet people who will be highly interested in what our tests revealed.” He also needed to promote Audrey to the rank of Rear Admiral. He planned on doing that once they were back in orbit around Golan Four.

Chapter Four

The Themis and the rest of First Fleet dropped from hyperspace in a small red dwarf star system. Only one small planet was in the system, and it was a frozen ball of ice. The Zynth fleet was in orbit around this planet. First Fleet dropped out of hyperspace within weapons range and immediately launched a full broadside of missiles from every ship toward the Zynth.

-

Zynth Admiral Donlur was in his quarters, studying the reports from the latest scans of the Hagen Star Cluster. Evidently the entire cluster was preparing for all-out war. Suddenly alarms sounded, and red lights flashed. The comm light on his desk blinked. “Admiral Donlur.”

“Admiral, a large Imperial fleet has just dropped from hyperspace in combat range. They’re already launching missiles.” At that moment his flagship shook violently, and the lights dimmed. Moments later they returned to normal.

Admiral Donlur was almost thrown to the deck from the furious pounding his ship was taking. “Have all ships return fire. I’m on my way to the Command Center.”

He could not believe the Humans had dared to attack his fleet here at the red dwarf. Leaving his quarters, he hurried to the Command Center. Along the way he passed numerous crew personnel, rushing to their battle stations.

Already he heard reports of emergency bulkheads shutting to seal off damaged compartments. He was nearly to the Command Center when a loud explosion echoed through the ship, throwing him to the deck. For a moment he felt stunned and then, rising to his feet, made it into the Command Center.

Inside the room was chaos. Several consoles had shorted out, and a thick pall of smoke hung in the room, making the air almost unbreathable. “Activate the emergency air system,” he ordered. This was a special system devised just for the Command Center to keep it clear of smoke during battle. “What’s our current status?”

“Five hundred Human battlecruisers and forty-three dreadnoughts are attacking. We’ve already suffered widespread losses, as many of our ships were unable to get up their energy shields in time. So far we’ve lost seventy-four battlecruisers and twelve battleships. Many other ships are reporting damage.”

Admiral Donlur made it to his command chair with his large yellow eyes drawn to the ship’s main viewscreen. On it he saw several large Human dreadnoughts firing nonstop at his fleet.

“Our weapons effectiveness is down to 65 percent,” reported the tactical officer. “We’ve lost a number of weapons turrets, as well as sustained damage to a number of missile tubes.”

“We have several fires burning in the aft storage compartments,” added First Officer Zakor. “In addition I’ve ordered a number of emergency bulkheads to be sealed, cutting off damaged areas. Crew losses are significant.”

On another viewscreen, a Zynth battlecruiser blew up in a massive fireball, sending debris flying across space and slamming into the energy shields of several nearby ships.

“We cannot win this battle,” uttered Admiral Donlur, as he witnessed the damage his fleet was taking. “Order all ships to jump to the fallback location. We’ll reevaluate our situation there.”

The ship suddenly lurched violently to one side. Warning alarms sounded, and a console exploded, sending a shower of hot sparks across the Command Center.

“Take us into hyperspace!” ordered Admiral Donlur. He knew, if they stayed much longer, his flagship would be destroyed. It was now a matter of saving what ships he could.

“Fleet is jumping,” reported First Officer Zakor. “We have a large number of vessels too damaged to make the transition into hyperspace.”

Zynth Admiral Donlur had been afraid of that. The Humans had taken them by surprise, and his fleet was now paying the cost for that. He also had ensured his fallback hyperspace coordinates were not anywhere near any Morag vessels. After listening to the Humans’ announcement of Morag telepathy and how the Morag could control others, Donlur planned to maintain considerable distance between his ships and any Morag.

-

Admiral Cleemorl breathed out a sigh of relief, as the enemy fleet began jumping out. The First Fleet had taken the Zynth by surprise, hitting them with a missile barrage before they could even react. Obviously they had never expected to be attacked.

“How many of them did we get?”

“One hundred and thirty-eight,” answered Captain Fulmar. “That includes the heavily damaged ones we’re still in the process of destroying.”

Dylan nodded. “This should prevent any further attacks on the cluster, at least for the foreseeable future.” In four more weeks, the cluster should be ready to withstand any conceivable attack by the Confederation. More defensive grid elements arrived every day, including ODPs. In addition, the major worlds of the cluster now produced their own defensive elements, as well as large numbers of attack interceptors. On all seven major worlds of the cluster, large instruction classes were ongoing for the interceptor flight crews. In just four more weeks, the Hagen Star Cluster would be nearly as heavily held as the core worlds.

On the main viewscreen, the last Zynth battlecruiser was blown apart, ending the brief battle in this system.

“What were our losses?” Dylan knew his fleet had not suffered many.

“Sixteen battlecruisers and one dreadnought,” replied Fulmar. “We have about a dozen ships that will need some yard time.”

While those losses were painful, they were nothing compared to what the Zynth had lost. “Take us back into hyperspace and return to Tantula Five. I believe we’ve taken care of our Zynth problem for the foreseeable future.”

-

Above Golan Four in the core worlds, the Destiny had gone into orbit. Derrick had just activated the intrafleet comm system, where every crewmember on board all of Fifth Fleet’s ships heard his voice. Captain Audrey Banora stood beside him, waiting to hear what he had to say.

“Attention, all Fifth Fleet personnel. I have an important message for all of you regarding this fleet. Effective today I am promoting Captain Audrey Banora to the rank of rear admiral and giving her command of the fleet.” With a smile, Derrick took out a small case from his shirt pocket and, opening it, revealed the shiny silver officer symbols to the shocked captain. “I will still be using the Destiny as my flagship when necessary. However, when I am not on board, Rear Admiral Banora will have full command of the fleet.”

Derrick took the small symbols out of the box and placed them on Audrey’s shoulders. He noticed tears in her eyes. Tears of joy. He knew she had not been expecting this. He then stepped back and saluted his new rear admiral. “Rear Admiral Banora, I hereby present you with the command of Fifth Fleet and the heavy dreadnought Destiny.”

Audrey returned the salute. She felt faint and was in a state of disbelief. “Thank you, sir. I won’t let you down.”

“I know you won’t,” replied Derrick, with a huge smile.

The Command Center suddenly erupted with cheering and clapping. Time to do some celebrating!

-

Late that evening Derrick returned to the palace. The crew had gone way into the night, celebrating Audrey’s promotion. As soon as he entered the palace, he was met by Layla, standing there, her hands on her hips, frowning. “I expected you three hours ago,” she admonished unhappily. “I had the Royal Chef prepare a special meal just for the two of us. It’s cold now.”

“Sorry,” replied Derrick, knowing he was in trouble. “We were celebrating Captain Banora’s promotion to rear admiral, and I guess the time got away from me.”

Suddenly Layla looked embarrassed. “I forgot about that. Still, you should have called.”

“I’ll make it up to you,” promised Derrick.

“Yes, you will but later, after we get married,” replied Layla, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. “Now let’s go see if the chef can warm our food.” With that, Layla took Derrick’s hand, and they headed toward the small dining room, which was reserved exclusively for the Royal Family.

-

Later, as they ate, they discussed the events of the last few days. While they talked, two attendants served them the different courses of their meal, with the chef making sure everything was just right.

“Admiral Cleemorl launched an attack against the Zynth fleet harassing the Hagen Star Cluster,” reported Derrick. While he was away, he had kept abreast of everything with regular communications with Fleet Admiral Marloo. “He inflicted heavy losses and drove the fleet away.”

Layla frowned. “Should we be attacking right now? We still need to build a lot more ships.”

“Admiral Cleemorl is making a fortress out of the Hagen Star Cluster. In another few weeks he will have it as strongly held as the core worlds are. Already all seven of the major worlds are building warships, with the first coming out of the shipyards next week. They’ve already built several thousand attack interceptors and are in the process of training the crews.” Derrick took a bite of his food. It tasted a lot like a game hen and was extremely delicious with the gravy that accompanied it.

“Krista and Emira have been helping me finalize our wedding plans. All that’s really left is for us to decide where we’re going on our honeymoon.”

“I was thinking about Glimmer,” said Derrick. He had been impressed with the planet, when he had visited it. “It has some wonderful beaches and great resorts. How about spending a few days there and then heading to Aquilla Three? I understand it has some really nice ski resorts.”

“Snow,” said Layla, laughing. “You’ll take me someplace cold on our honeymoon?”

Derrick smiled. “Just gives me a better excuse to warm you back up later.”

Layla’s face flushed, and she shook her head. “Are all men like you?”

Derrick laughed. “Most.”

“I spoke to Fleet Admiral Marloo briefly today. He said he will have Fifth Fleet up to full strength in two more weeks. All the warships currently coming out of the shipyards above all the core worlds will be contributing to the fleet. Fleet Admiral Marloo plans on a fleet of one thousand battlecruisers and two hundred dreadnoughts. All the dreadnoughts will have the new particle beam cannons on them. Even the ships already built will be pulled back into the shipyards, and the cannons added.”

Derrick leaned back, folding his arms across his chest, as the servers brought in dessert, a cake with what looked like vanilla ice cream. “I think the new particle beam cannons will make a huge difference in the war. If we can get enough dreadnoughts built that have the cannons, we may drive the Confederation forces completely out of the Empire.”

Layla looked surprised. “That would be wonderful. You really think it’s possible?”

Derrick nodded. “Yes, I do.”

-

The two continued to talk, while they ate their dessert. After the meal, they took time to thank the chef and the two servers. They then headed up to one of the sky towers to stand on a balcony that overlooked the city. Of course they were followed discreetly by two Imperial Guards.

“I love being up here,” said Layla, as she leaned into Derrick’s arms.

“So do I, especially when I’m with you.”

“Are you going anywhere with the fleet before our wedding?” This greatly concerned Layla. Derrick would not shirk his duty, even if it meant delaying their wedding.

Derrick shook his head. “Nothing planned. Rear Admiral Banora can handle the fleet for now.”

This seemed to satisfy Layla, as she gazed out over the multitude of lights that lit up the city. “The House of Worlds is now complete. I’ve turned over more responsibility for the government and the military to the Imperial Council. It’s time for me and Krista to take a step back. If everything goes as I hope, in another four to six weeks, we will have over two hundred worlds in the Empire.”

“Our fleets are growing with every passing day.” Derrick didn’t mention that, with the new particle beam cannons, there was a chance the other worlds of the Empire could be freed quickly. He was also curious about what else was going on in the Confederation, since Layla and Rear Admiral Carrie had made their momentous announcement.

-

In the Confederation, Morag Fleet Admiral Torrant was over the capital world of the Creetins—an insect race, very similar to a praying mantis, standing six feet tall. The Creetins were spread across twenty-two star systems that the Confederation controlled. However, on six of those worlds, including the capital, now widespread riots protested the domination of the Morag. The Creetins demanded more rights and for their worlds to be allowed to leave the Confederation, if they voted to do so. The Morag could not allow this, for it would cause the Confederation to splinter, so an example needed to be made.

The planet was not defended, as the seven Confederation worlds did not allow any of their subservient planets to have any defenses. This was due to Morag intervention using their telepathy. On the main viewscreen, the massive cities of the Creetin were plainly visible. Even though the population of the Creetins had been greatly reduced in the past, the planet now held nearly twelve billion of the insect people.

“We’ve received messages from the surface, demanding we leave their orbit immediately,” reported the communications officer.

Admiral Torrant merely shook his head. “No, their planet will serve as an example to their other systems and to any other world that thinks about revolting. Stand by to initiate orbital bombardment.” Torrant planned on reducing the planet to rubble. After this demonstration the revolts across the Empire should subside.

The fleet of 220 battleships spread out above the planet, until they were all in position. Then the order was given to bombard. Instead of antimatter missiles, they would use fusion ones. They wanted to make the planet uninhabitable for decades to come.

From the orbiting fleet, hundreds of deadly fusion missiles flashed out of their launch tubes, heading toward the helpless planet below. The first missile detonated over the capital city, immediately killing twenty million inhabitants. At the center of the blast, the deadly heat melted and vaporized everything it touched, including the inhabitants. A massive blast wave radiated outward, toppling buildings and smashing through everything in its path.

Then a second and third missile detonated, spreading the death and the destruction even farther. In just a matter of minutes, everything within a radius of twenty kilometers had been destroyed. Thousands of fires and a thick pall of smoke hung over the stricken city. Three massive mushroom clouds rose into the atmosphere.

Across the planet this scene was played out time after time. When the bombardment finally stopped, over two thousand mushroom clouds were visible. The radiation level climbed, and the atmosphere turned dark from the smoke, dust, ashes, and debris which the blasts had hurled upward into the atmosphere.

Three large space stations were in orbit as well. Each were targeted, and antimatter weapons were used. In brilliant flashes of light all three were easily eliminated. Throughout the system, ships with hyperspace drives jumped out, fleeing the Morag fleet. Word was already spreading as to what the Morag had done.

-

Lormallian Councilor Ardon Reull was on Bator Prime, speaking with his brother, Marlon, who was the head curator of the Confederation archives.

“Is there any record of the Morag being telepathic?” Ardon was determined to free himself and his people from control of the Morag. He wondered about all the atrocities committed by the Confederation and if they would have still occurred if the Morag had not encouraged them with their telepathy.

Marlon sat in front of the main interface for the massive computer complex in this building, as well as in the underground vaults. The underground archives ran for kilometers in specially sealed and shielded vaults. Even a direct hit from a fusion missile would not penetrate. Through a port in the back of his neck, Marlon currently searched the archives for any record of the type Ardon had asked about.

“It seems, when the Confederation was first formed, it brought many worlds under its control peacefully. The original plans were for those worlds to join the Confederation and to become full members.”

“What changed?” asked Ardon, surprised at this revelation. The Confederation had been in existence for over thirty thousand years.

“After several hundred years no world was allowed full admittance to the Confederation as promised. In every vote of the Great Council the planet requesting full admission was turned down unanimously. Shortly after that, the seven races began using force to reduce the population levels on all the planets the Confederation controlled. They also sent out warfleets into Confederation space to bring other worlds under their control.”

Ardon shook his head. “What was our race like before we joined the Confederation?”

Marlon gestured for Ardon to take a seat next to him. Once seated, Marlon placed a special headset on Ardon’s head, which would show him the same thing Marlon saw in the computer archives. “You may not like what you’re about to see.”

-

For the next hour Ardon saw his race as it once was. A peaceful and scientifically advanced race that lived in harmony with others and discouraged violence. Ardon listened to the music of that time and witnessed much of the fantastic and wondrous artwork.

When the recording was over, he took off the headset, breathing hard. He could not believe what the Morag had taken from his race. Not only that but they had probably done the same thing to the other races as well.

“I have found some further archives that have been sealed since the early days of the Confederation,” reported Marlon, with surprise. “I will have to go underground in order to enter the vaults to access them. There’s a chance they may contain the information you are seeking. I would suggest you wait in the visitor section. Food and refreshment are there, if you would like. You can also relax, until I return. This may take several hours.”

-

Ardon was in the lounge area for nearly four hours before his brother made an appearance. Not many people were here, as most made requests of the archives from their home planets. As a result not a lot of visitors came to Bator Prime.

Marlon indicated for Ardon to follow him, and they were soon in Marlon’s private office. His face was pale, and his breathing a little ragged. “You won’t believe what I found. A few years after the Confederation formed, suspicions grew that the Morag were telepathic and were controlling the Great Council. A group of scientists got together from several of the council worlds and worked in secret to develop a protective device against Morag telepathy.”

“Were they successful?” Ardon was most interested in this.

Marlon nodded. “Yes, they were, but, before they could implement manufacture of the device, the Morag learned of their research and moved in and destroyed the research facilities and killed everyone involved.”

“Then how is knowledge of this device in the archives?” Something didn’t sound right.

“One of the scientists wasn’t present. Once he learned what had happened at the research facilities, he came here and downloaded everything into the archives. He had a computer drive with him, with all the known research. He had been off-site, searching for a manufacturing facility to produce the devices that would inhibit the Morag’s telepathic ability. Once he downloaded all the information, he committed suicide to ensure the Morag never discovered that the research wasn’t lost.” Marlon reached into his pocket and handed Ardon a small disk. “All the information is on that disk. If the Morag discover what you have, they will kill you and will probably come for me as well.”

“Do the Morag ever come here?” asked Ardon, concerned for his brother.

“Very seldom. If they do, I’ll make sure I’m deep inside the archives, where they can’t sense me with their telepathy. I’ll be fine. You’re the one who needs to watch out. If you return to the Great Council, I’m certain the Morag councilor will know what you’ve been up to.”

“I’ll be absent for a while,” admitted Ardon. “I’ll explain that I have some personal business to attend to and that my assistant will be filling in for me, until I can return. That should buy me a few weeks at least.”

“Where are you going?”

Ardon smiled. “Someplace safe and I’ll build what’s on this disk. Then I’ll equip a fleet of our warships with this defense against telepathy and return to the Great Council. We’ll see just how tough these Morag are when I demand they stop using their telepathy to influence the council. Once every councilor is protected, we’ll decide what to do about the Morag.”

“You’re playing a dangerous game, brother,” replied Marlon. “For the sake of the Confederation and all its planets, I hope you’re successful.”

-

Hours later, Ardon was headed to an out-of-the-way Lormallian colony world. It had several highly advanced science labs, as well as the necessary manufacturing facilities to produce the necessary equipment mentioned on the computer disk. Also this world very seldom ever saw any of the Morag.

With a little luck Ardon might just get the necessary devices built and then distributed to the fleet. The Morag might think they were the most powerful force in the Confederation, but they forget that the Lormallians were the most populous and, in many ways, the wisest.

Ardon shuddered as he realized what the Morag had caused the other six founding races to do over the past thirty thousand years. None of the races now resembled anything that was once so important to their cultures. The six races had become more warlike and aggressive. The amount of time spent on music and art had almost vanished. Ardon was determined to bring those times back. The Morag had much to pay for, considering all the harm they had caused over the years.

Ardon planned on changing vessels several times before arriving at his destination. On the last leg, he would hire a private ship to take him where he was going, and he would travel in disguise. He wanted it nearly impossible for the Morag to trace him. No doubt that, at some point, the Morag would attempt to do exactly that.

Chapter Five

Several weeks passed, and time for the Royal Wedding approached. Dignitaries from across the Empire were coming to the Palace to watch the joining of Princess Layla Starguard and Derrick Masters. Security was tight, not from fears of an attack but for the millions of people flooding into the capital. Outside the Palace grounds, multitudes of excited people gathered. Massive holographic projectors had been set up in numerous locations, so everyone could see the nuptials.

In orbit, the planetary defenses were at high alert, and Fifth Fleet was poised to repel any attack. Thousands of spacecraft were bringing in people, some on private yachts and others on fancy passenger liners. On the ground, thousands of attack interceptors were ready to be deployed at a moment’s notice.

Rear Admiral Carrie had fourteen battlecarriers, four dreadnoughts, and twenty battlecruisers in low orbit. She had several interceptor squadrons out on CAP to ensure the space around her fleet stayed clear of civilian vessels. As soon as the wedding started, she would take her fleet to Condition Two and have the rest of her interceptors ready to launch.

In the large Command Center beneath the House of Worlds, Fleet Admiral Marloo stood vigilant. He would not be attending the ceremony. His job was to make sure the Confederation did not take advantage of this event to launch an attack against Golan Four or any of the other core worlds. The wedding would be visible on the Command Center’s main viewscreen. Sitting down in his command chair, Admiral Marloo knew this would be a long afternoon and night.

-

Admiral Cleemorl was back on Golan Four, which greatly pleased Cheryl. She had been afraid he would miss the wedding. Already guests were flooding the palace, where drinks and hors d’oeuvres were readily available. Also a number of Imperial Guards were plainly visible to ensure no one got too unruly. Cheryl whisked Dylan through the Palace, stopping occasionally to greet guests and several times to sample some of the different foods.

“The foods here are from nearly every world!” exclaimed Cheryl, as she tried a small delicate cake from a silver serving tray. “The chefs have been cooking for days, getting ready for this.”

Dylan nodded, as he looked out across the growing crowd. A number of large banquet rooms were in the Palace, and they would all be very crowded. He also noticed several media broadcasters, who were filming everything. He knew this was being broadcast to every world in the Empire. He had spoken to High Princess Layla and Vice Fleet Admiral Derrick Masters earlier. While broadcasting this event was a possible security nightmare, both hoped that the widespread coverage would encourage a few more worlds to join the Empire.

While talking to Derrick, Dylan had asked about the particle beam tests.

“They were fantastic,” replied Derrick excitedly. “I don’t think the Confederation has anything like them. If we can get them on enough dreadnoughts quick enough, I think we could drive the Confederation completely out of the Empire.”

Dylan nodded. “I wonder how soon I can get them installed on the Themis?”

“Probably a few months,” replied Derrick. “We don’t want the Confederation to learn of our new weapon, until it’s too late. Once we’re ready to engage the Confederation with the particle beam cannons, I’ll have the Themis recalled, as well as the rest of your other dreadnoughts, and have all of them equipped. If we use all the shipyards around Golan Four, I believe we can finish the conversion in less than two weeks.”

“Sounds good,” replied Dylan. He liked the idea of attacking the Confederation fleets with a new superweapon. About time for someone to teach the Confederation a resounding lesson in warfare.

-

After leaving Derrick and Layla, Dylan and Cheryl had gone to another of the huge banquet halls, where they were currently.

“This event will be unbelievable,” said Cheryl, as she sipped a glass of rich red wine.

Dylan looked around. He recognized some people, but hundreds more he didn’t—just in this one room.

“Let’s go into the main dining hall,” suggested Cheryl. “I bet they have some really good food in there.”

Dylan shook his head. He didn’t see how his wife kept her gorgeous figure.

-

In the Confederation, the riots had greatly expanded after the Morag destruction of the Creetins’ homeworld. Now nearly one thousand worlds were in open revolt. The Great Council was once more in an emergency session. However, around this planet, a massive fleet of five thousand Morag warships were in orbit, clearly meant to be a show of force for the rest of the council worlds.

Morag Councilor Damora now sat at the head of the massive table. “Where is Councilor Reull?” The Lormallian councilor had been missing for over two weeks. Damora had wondered if the councilor might be up to something, but all the Lormallian worlds were quiet, and its fleets were doing their regular patrols.

“He had a personal situation come up, involving his family, which he needed to take care of,” replied Barlten Aveth, Ardon Reull’s assistant. “He should be back in another week or two.”

Councilor Damora still felt suspicious, though he could sense no evidence of lying in Barlten’s mind. “Very well, if you see him, tell him his presence is required at the council.”

Barlten nodded but said nothing.

Damora decided he would have a search done to find out Councilor Reull’s actual location. He had a feeling something wasn’t right.

“I want Confederation fleets sent to all the worlds currently in open revolt,” stated Damora in a threatening tone. “Use of fusion and antimatter weapons is authorized to bring these worlds back under control.”

“That will just cause this revolt to spread,” warned Ralor Conn of the Zynth. “It is your duplicity that has caused this revolt.”

“Silence!” roared Damora, angry that Ralor Conn had dared to question the actions of the Morag. “This council is under Morag control. If any of you refuse to do as I say, the fleet currently orbiting this planet can be sent to annihilate your homeworlds.”

Everyone looked at one another and remained silent.

“I repeat, I want Confederation fleets sent to all the worlds near you currently in revolt. Once this revolt is put down, we will return our attention to the Empire.”

“Should we recall our fleets currently in the Empire?” asked the Zang councilor. “We may need them to put down these revolts.” Several other councilors voiced their agreement.

Damora did not like that idea. It would allow the Human Empire to retake more of their worlds, if the Confederation fleets were withdrawn. However, the growing revolts currently ongoing in the Confederation needed to be brought to an end. “Very well, you may withdraw 70 percent of your current fleets in the Empire. The rest will remain to hold those worlds we have brought back under our control.”

This seemed to satisfy the council. “In the meantime I suggest your shipyards build as many warships as possible. They will be needed when it comes time to retake all the Empire worlds and to make them once more part of the Confederation.”

Damora realized he needed to speak to the High Council of the Morag. Evidently it would take several months or more to pacify the worlds in the Confederation currently in revolt. It would also be necessary to increase the size of the patrols responsible for keeping Confederation space safe. This was all a result of the Earth Humans’ intervention.

-

Councilor Ardon Reull was on the Lormallian world of Proxy Seven, an out-of-the-way world with a small population of only twenty million. However, it held several top secret research labs that no one, outside of a few high government officials, were aware of. Ardon was currently meeting with Dom Marse, who was the chief research scientist.

“We have studied the data on the disk you provided us, and we can produce the telepathic nullifier.”

“How soon?” asked Ardon. The more time that passed, the more likely that the Morag would discover what he was up to.

“We can have the design perfected within the week and start production after that.”

“How many can you produce?” Ardon would need tens of thousands of the devices.

“We must manufacture two types,” replied Dom. “One will be a series of devices that can protect an entire warship. The second will be a small headset that an individual can wear, which should provide adequate protection. We are already setting up production lines. With the use of robotics, we should turn out thousands of units per week.”

“We must hurry,” said Ardon. “I expect the Morag will search for me shortly, if they haven’t already.”

“We’re operating around the clock,” replied Dom. “Have you chosen the first ships and crews to be equipped with the telepathic nullifiers?”

Ardon nodded. “I’ve positioned one of our larger fleets nearby. They are supposedly seeing to the revolts on several planets. It should not raise any suspicion. When you’re ready, I’ll arrange to have the devices delivered to the warships.”

After the meeting, Ardon returned to his quarters. One other thing his brother had furnished him with was a disk describing the Lormallian worlds before they had joined the Confederation. Every day that he studied the disk, he realized in growing horror all they had lost and what they had now become.

-

At the Imperial Palace, Derrick prepared for his wedding. He wore his dress-blue Vice Admiral uniform, with a purple cape. Layla had insisted, as she wanted to remind everyone who was second in charge of the Empire’s fleets.

Derrick currently stood in the Imperial Court, where the high-backed chairs normally resided. Next to him was Prince Andrew, acting as his best man, as well as Major Barkley and Admiral Cleemorl.

Layla’s attendants were Kala, Krista, and Cheryl. The Imperial Court was covered in purple flowers, special red roses imported from Earth, and white lilies as well. The room was packed, with a wide aisle down the center, where Layla would walk. Around the periphery of the room, hundreds of media cameras were focused on the proceedings.

The Grand March of the Empire began playing, and Layla made her entrance. She was escorted by Colonel Emerson and twenty of his Imperial Guards, all walking in step. The procession made it slowly down the long aisle, and then Emerson placed Layla’s hand in Derrick’s.

-

The ceremony took nearly thirty minutes, and then Layla and Derrick were escorted to the main Imperial banquet room, where numerous cakes waited and where they would greet their guests.

“I’m glad that’s over,” said Derrick quietly, hoping Layla didn’t hear him, as they entered the banquet room. A ball was scheduled for later, and Ensign Allert had already reminded Derrick that he owed her a dance. Fortunately he had been practicing, and Brenda had been more than glad to help teach him. At least now he didn’t think he would make a fool out of himself.

-

For nearly an hour Derrick and Layla stood in the receiving line, greeting their guests. Then they made it to the cakes, where over twenty magnificently decorated cakes awaited them. Derrick almost felt embarrassed to cut into them, but the wedding ritual demanded it and some of these cakes were from worlds considering joining the Empire. After the cakes were cut, they made the traditional wedding toast.

“I don’t think I can eat another piece of cake,” said Layla, giggling.

“They’re great!” exclaimed Krista, who stood nearby. “They’re some of the best cakes I’ve ever eaten.”

“We better make our way to the ballroom for the first dance,” said Layla. “I see Emira over there, looking impatient.”

“Let’s not keep her waiting,” said Derrick. He wanted to stay on the good side of Emira.

The two made it into the Royal Ballroom and soon were moving about the room in a slow dance, as everyone watched.

“Ensign Allert did well,” commented Layla, as they moved smoothly across the room in each other’s arms.

Derrick nodded. “She was determined that I learn how to dance. She was very patient.”

Once the dance was over, the two excused themselves, so they could put on more comfortable clothes. Then they would return and dance with their guests for several more hours.

-

Across the Empire and even into the Confederation, the Royal Wedding was being broadcast. On numerous inhabited worlds in the Confederation, more questions were raised. Why did the Confederation worlds not have the same freedom the Empire did? In the coming days even more unrest would spread across the Confederation worlds. Unknown to Layla and Derrick, their wedding would do more to shatter the Confederation than anything else they could have done, for it showed the Confederation worlds what their lives could have been like.

-

Cheryl and Dylan took a break from the dancing. The chefs were still busy cooking, and more food constantly came out. “This wedding must cost a fortune,” commented Cheryl, as she filled her plate from the serving trays.

“I thought you were watching your weight,” teased Dylan.

Cheryl laughed. “I am, but it doesn’t hurt to splurge every once in a while. How long are you staying?” Cheryl knew Dylan needed to get back to his fleet.

Dylan smiled. “A few days at least. Things are pretty quiet at the star cluster, and Captain Manson can handle everything until I get back.”

“You really need to promote someone to rear admiral,” commented Cheryl. “Either Captain Manson or Captain Fulmar.

Dylan let out a deep sigh. “You’re right. I will discuss that very subject with Fleet Admiral Marloo, while I’m here on Golan Four. How are your restaurants and clubs coming along?”

Cheryl turned a little red. Some things she didn’t want Dylan to know. “Just fine. We now have restaurants in all the major cities on the core worlds, all serving Earth food. It’s becoming quite popular.”

“And the clubs?” Dylan planned on visiting several of Cheryl’s clubs, without her knowledge. It wouldn’t surprise him if she were pushing the boundaries some.

“Oh, you know. There’s music, dancing, and of course a lot of drinking. As the size of the military grows, so does the service my clubs provide.”

Dylan saw that both Derrick and Layla had come back into the ballroom. Derrick had his usual vice admiral’s uniform on but still wore his purple cape. Layla had a long gown on and looked absolutely ravishing. Dylan smiled when he saw Ensign Allert latch onto Derrick’s arm and head out onto the dance floor.

-

“I’ve waited for this nearly all my life,” said Brenda, with a huge smile on her face.

Derrick grinned and, taking Brenda into his arms, moved around the dance floor. “I don’t know how I’ll ever thank you for teaching me how to dance properly.”

“You’re doing it now,” replied Brenda happily. “This is what I’ve always dreamed of, living in the Palace, dancing at one of its balls.”

-

Layla watched the two, smiling. She was not jealous of Brenda, who had become a good friend. Layla knew Brenda was enjoying this dance more than anything else they could have offered her.

“May I?” asked Governor Alex Therron of Bratol Three.

“You may,” said Layla, smiling and taking the governor’s hand. She knew this would be a long night, but it also offered opportunities to talk to many governors, including some who had not yet joined the Empire.

-

In his personal quarters, Councilor Damora watched the wedding events in the Human Empire on the large viewscreen in his private office. Already reports of more unrest flooded his office. He slammed his hand down on his desk, cracking the top. He frowned and then stood. In the last hour he had already sent messages to Morag Prime and to the High Council, informing them of what he had done. He had also expressed his concerns about missing Councilor Ardon Reull.

The Confederation was falling apart around them. It was become more essential that they keep a firm grip on the other six races of the Great Council. The Morag were the only ones who had actual warfleets; the other sixty thousand worlds of the Confederation were completely unarmed.

As Damora paced back and forth, he thought over what he needed the other six races to do. It was essential they keep all the inhabited worlds in their region of space under their firm control. This rebellion must be brought to a stop and soon. They could not allow the Human Empire time to fully arm itself. Damora stopped, realizing the Confederation was now facing its greatest danger since its inception—a danger so great that even the massive Morag fleets might not be enough to keep the Confederation together.

-

On Morag Prime, the High Council was still meeting. They were busy discussing the current situation and what could be done to bring it back under control.

We must send operatives to all the worlds in revolt, sent Delann. We can take over the minds of their leaders and bring these riots to a stop.

After the Empire’s broadcast, the presence of any Morag will only bring about more unrest. It would take thousands of our people to bring a single world back under our control, replied Addonis. I suggest we bring all of our shipyards fully online and activate the reserve fleet. The Morag kept a huge number of older outdated ships in stasis. While not as powerful as our current vessels, they should be useful in putting down any unrest on Confederation worlds. They could also be used for patrol duties in the Confederation, while we use our modern vessels to take on the Human Empire.

It will take several months to do as you suggest. Time in which both Earth and the Human Empire will be growing stronger, sent Brant. We may find ourselves in a very long and difficult war.

We have no choice, replied Addonis. If we don’t conquer the Human Empire, someday they will come for us.

Then I suggest we increase the defenses around our worlds, as well as all our inhabited moons, sent Hiram. While we already have adequate defenses, we should ensure the Humans cannot attack any of our worlds.

Your suggestion is a wise one, answered Addonis. I’ll give the order immediately to construct more and better orbital defenses.

What about Lormallian Councilor Reull? asked Delann. Is he a threat?

I doubt it, replied Addonis. However, it might be wise to learn of his exact location. I’ll have some of our operatives on the Lormallian worlds search for him. On every one of the major worlds of the six other ruling Confederation races, there were beings who were under complete telepathic control. It wouldn’t take long to figure out where Councilor Reull was hiding.

-

The festivities were finally over, and Layla and Derrick had retired to their Royal Quarters. They were currently standing on a large private balcony, looking out over the city and the Palace grounds. Fireworks were going off over the capital, and large numbers of revelers were still visible, celebrating below.

“I loved everything,” said Layla, leaning back into Derrick’s arms. “It was perfect.”

Derrick smiled. “Yes, it was. A little tiring but I think we accomplished a lot. Several of the governors I spoke to indicated they would be joining the Empire.”

“Same here,” replied Layla. “Krista and Andrew told me that they had a lot of luck also in speaking to the various governors. I’m anxious to see in the next several weeks what happens.”

After a few more minutes standing here and watching the fireworks display, Layla turned to face Derrick, with a smile on her face. “Now, if you will excuse me, I’m going to go take a long hot bath. Afterward we have a little more business to take care of.”

Derrick grinned. “I wouldn’t call it business. More like romantic fun.”

Layla blushed slightly. “Give me thirty minutes, and I’ll be back.”

With that, Layla turned and headed inside. Derrick waited a few minutes and decided he probably should take a quick shower. It might be quite some time yet before he got to sleep.

Chapter Six

Two weeks passed, and Ardon Reull once more met with Dom Marse. Ardon was anxious to hear the results on the telepathic nullifiers.

“We have two thousand of the personal ones finished,” Dom informed Ardon. “We also have enough to fully protect 112 warships.”

Ardon considered what Dom told him. The fleet Ardon had stationed nearby had eight hundred battlecruisers and sixty-seven battleships. “How many of each can we produce in another week?” Ardon wanted to fully protect all the ships of the fleet, as well as have personal nullifiers for all key personnel.

Dom smiled. “We have the production techniques all worked out and are ready to go to full automation tomorrow. In a week we can turn out enough nullifiers to protect one thousand ships and ten thousand crewmembers.”

Ardon knew from his contacts on several Lormallian worlds that the Morag were searching for him. “What can we do to fortify this world?”

Dom frowned. “We don’t have any production facilities to build any major defensive elements. We could build a few ground-based cannons and perhaps a few missile launchers, but that’s about it.”

“Then we need to keep secret what this planet is producing. If the Morag learn, they will come here and destroy everything.”

“I will suggest we build some energy cannons and missile launchers around our production facilities and research labs,” said Dom, after thinking about it. “We have what is necessary to do that.”

“What about an energy shield?” Ardon wanted to make sure this facility stayed safe. The future of all the Lormallian worlds might very well rest on the continued survival of this particular Lormallian world, Proxy Seven.

“It will take longer and would require adding some fusion reactors, but it can be done.”

Ardon nodded. “Do so. The survival of our people might depend on what we do here. Also, once we have a sufficient number of our ships equipped with the nullifiers, I can station some nearby, in case they’re needed.”

-

Later Ardon returned to his quarters. He had some plans to make. Once the Morag learned of what he was doing, he planned on sending the plans for the nullifiers to all the worlds in the Confederation. If the Morag thought the revolts now were bad, wait until then.

-

Fleet Admiral Marloo read the latest reports, coming in from the battlecruisers that were keeping an eye on Confederation fleets. Over the last week many of the enemy vessels had left, setting a course back to the Confederation. “What do you think?” he asked, looking over at Fleet Vice Admiral Masters and Admiral Cleemorl.

“The revolts in the Confederation must be getting worse,” suggested Dylan. “The Confederation is pulling back every ship it can to handle the unrest.”

“I agree,” said Derrick. “If this is true, we need to go on the offensive. We could free a number of heavily populated and industrialized worlds and bring them into the Empire. We don’t dare waste this opportunity.”

Fleet Admiral Marloo turned to Admiral Cleemorl. “How many ships of First Fleet could you commit to this attack and still keep the Hagen Star Cluster safe?”

“Five hundred battlecruisers and thirty dreadnoughts. The cluster is already turning out warships of their own and will have produced a sizable fleet within the month.”

“Vice Admiral Masters?”

“We still have Admiral Barnes’s Third Fleet here. However, as soon as my Fifth Fleet is up to its full numbers, we would allow Third Fleet to return to Earth. I can engage my entire Fifth Fleet, though I suggest we use it to attack Confederation positions relatively close to the core worlds.”

Fleet Admiral Marloo nodded. “We’ll start our offensive in four days. I still need to get approval from the council, though I don’t think that’ll be a problem. Return to your fleets and await further orders. Derrick, you can choose to allow Rear Admiral Banora to command the fleet or you can take charge. It’s up to you.”

Derrick thought long and hard about what he should do. “She needs experience commanding the fleet on her own. Since the Confederation has withdrawn so many of their warships, I think she can handle Fifth Fleet this time around. I’ll go up to the Destiny in the morning and inform her of what will be happening.”

“I approve,” said Fleet Admiral Marloo. “We need as many experienced admirals as we can get. At some point in time, this war will get very intense, especially when we go up against the Morag.”

“I’ll leave later this evening,” said Admiral Cleemorl. “It will be good for us to go on the offensive. It will be a huge morale booster for the Empire.” Of course he still needed to go home and to tell Cheryl.

-

Morag Councilor Damora gazed at the latest reports. The violence was slowly subsiding, but several thousand worlds were still in open revolt. However, he grew more concerned every day about Lormallian Councilor Reull. So far all the searches had turned up negative. He did know that Reull had journeyed to see his brother at Bator Prime. What he was doing there was a mystery. After leaving Bator Prime, the councilor had switched ships multiple times and then had vanished completely.

After some consideration, Damora decided to send a couple warships to Bator Prime and to speak to Councilor Reull’s brother. It was essential to find out what the councilor had been doing there and, even more important, what he may have found.

-

Admiral Cleemorl had returned to his fleet. He had a list of twenty-two targets to hit, and he also had a large number of Imperial freighters loaded with defensive grid elements. In addition he had the construction crews to rapidly put a defensive grid into orbit.

The first thing he did was call Captain Manson and Captain Fulmar to his office. It didn’t take long for both of them to arrive.

“Have a seat, gentlemen,” he said, indicating two comfortable chairs in front of his desk. “As you know, First Fleet now comprises 720 battlecruisers and 43 dreadnoughts. I’ve been speaking to Fleet Admiral Marloo, and I need a rear admiral to handle the fleet while I’m gone. One thing to keep in mind, we plan on increasing the size of First Fleet until we have one thousand battlecruisers and one hundred dreadnoughts. We feel we need the increased fleet size to take on major Confederation forces.”

Dylan paused, looking at the two officers. “We have decided to make both of you rear admirals, with each of you in charge of an equal section of First Fleet, when I’m not around.”

Dylan opened up a desk drawer and took out two small boxes, which he handed to the two stunned officers. “Those are your rear admiral insignias. The promotions are effective immediately.” Dylan stood, as did the two officers. He saluted them, and they in return saluted back.

“Thank you, Admiral,” said Rear Admiral Fulmar, as he opened the small box with shaking hands. This was something he had not been expecting. He was determined not to let Admiral Cleemorl down.

Captain Manson opened his box with a wide smile. This was something he had long hoped for. “Thank you, Admiral. I’ll do my best.”

“I know both of you will. Now we have new orders. Effective tomorrow we are going on the offensive. The Confederation has pulled back most of their fleets to deal with the unrest currently sweeping the Confederation. We’ll take advantage of their pullback to retake some of our worlds. I have a list of twenty-two targets we’ll hit. The cargo ships that returned with me are loaded with defensive grid parts. As we take back a world, we’ll leave a squadron of ships and enough supply ships to put up a moderate defensive grid. We’ll do that for all of the twenty-two star systems.”

The two newly promoted rear admirals looked uncertainly at one another. “Won’t that encourage the Confederation to counterattack?”

Dylan shook his head. “We don’t believe so. The Confederation has several thousand worlds supposedly revolting. It’ll take them weeks, perhaps months, to bring that under control. We’ll use that time to retake and to refortify more of our worlds and to grow the Empire.”

Rear Admiral Fulmar nodded. “So we’re finally going on the offensive. It’s about time.”

Dylan took a deep breath. “For the first part of our attack, we will divide the fleet into two sections of 250 battlecruisers and 15 dreadnoughts each. The remainder of First Fleet will remain here to protect this star cluster. Each section will be assigned eleven different star systems to retake. Rear Admiral Manson, you will command one section, and Rear Admiral Fulmar will command the second. Even though I will be on the Themis, I will not be active in giving out orders.”

Both men nodded.

“Admirals, I suggest you return to your quarters. You will find a list there of the ships under your command. Get those ships organized and ready to depart at 0800 in the morning. You are dismissed.”

After the admirals left, Dylan leaned back in his chair. It was difficult giving up command but necessary. The Empire needed some well-trained admirals, and this was the only way he knew to accomplish that. What he didn’t tell either rear admiral was, at some time in the future, they would be assigned fleets of their own, separate from First Fleet.

-

Above Golan Four, Rear Admiral Banora prepared to go into hyperspace with Fifth Fleet. She had been told by Vice Admiral Masters that she could not use the particle beam cannons under no condition. Those had to remain a secret, until they were ready to take on larger Confederation fleet units. At the moment Fifth Fleet comprised 512 battlecruisers and 47 dreadnoughts. Every day new ships arrived and were added to the fleet.

“Take us into hyperspace,” ordered Audrey. It felt strange not to have the admiral on board. She had a list of eight priority targets to retake. She also had a massive number of supply ships with her to build new defensive grids. Time to push the Confederation out of the Human Empire.

-

Audrey drew in a deep breath as Fifth Fleet dropped out of hyperspace above the Human inhabited world of Macron Three, a densely populated world with considerable heavy industry. It also had two large shipyards in orbit, as well as three space stations used for trade and to handle the system’s large asteroid mining operation.

“Detecting ten Morphene battlecruisers and one battleship,” reported Major Keela Nower. “All are in low orbit above the planet.”

Audrey nodded. “Target them with fusion energy beams and fire!” She couldn’t use fusion or antimatter missiles, as they might hit the planet.

The eleven Morphene warships turned toward the inbound fleet of Imperial vessels. They began firing fusion and antimatter missiles as they were firing away from the planet. However, their screens were already glowing brightly from the impact of hundreds of fusion energy beams. A few of the screens wavered, and holes formed. Suddenly one of the Morphene battlecruisers blew apart, followed seconds later by a second and then a third.

“Close the range,” ordered Audrey, her focus on the main viewscreen. “Let’s end this quickly.” She grimaced as she saw one of her battlecruiser’s screens overloaded. It then vanished in a massive burst of light. When the light faded, the battlecruiser was gone. She shuddered, thinking about the lives lost. This was the first time when people had died under her direct command.

On the main viewscreen, two more Morphene battlecruisers exploded in massive fireballs, which quickly vanished in the vacuum of space. Almost instantly the remaining Morphene warships entered hyperspace and vanished. The battle was over.

Audrey let out a deep sigh. Her first trial by fire was over. “Take us into orbit and contact the planetary government. Tell them we will place a defensive grid in orbit and will leave a few battlecruisers and a dreadnought. If they want the protection to remain, they need to consider rejoining the Empire.”

It had been decided to be more forceful in getting planets to come back into the Empire. They could still refuse, but, if they did, all defenses would be withdrawn to be used around worlds that did want to join.

-

Rear Admiral Fulmar winced, as the Themis shook violently. They were facing a larger-than-expected Confederation fleet, consisting of nearly forty Druin warships. He had already lost three battlecruisers but had both an advantage in numbers and firepower. Rather than pull back and conserve his fleet, he had decided to destroy this Druin force, so it could not reinforce any of the other worlds he was supposed to free.

On the main viewscreen, a Druin battleship was lit up by weapons fire. Its energy screen glowed brighter and brighter, and already a few holes could be seen in the screen. Suddenly an antimatter missile darted through one of the holes and detonated against the ship’s hull. Moments later the shield failed completely, and more missiles turned the warship into a small brightly glowing nova.

The battle lasted for a few more minutes, with the Druins finally withdrawing. Out of their original fleet of forty warships only eighteen escaped.

“What were our losses?” asked Rear Admiral Fulmar.

“Four battlecruisers and one dreadnought,” replied Lieutenant Casella from the sensor console.

Fulmar nodded. While he hated losing any ships and their crews, they had destroyed twenty-two Druin warships. By any degree of measure, this was a sizable victory.

“Put us into orbit above the planet and contact the planetary governor. We have some business to discuss.”

Fulmar was determined this world would join the Empire. With the supply ships he had with him, he could offer them a reasonable defensive grid, plus he would leave a few warships behind to defend them. “Have all ships repair their battle damage. We will leave for our next target in six hours.”

-

On Morag Prime, the High Council was once more in session.

The Humans have gone on the offensive inside their Empire, sent Addonis. They are taking back all the worlds we control in close proximity to their core worlds, as well as the worlds we possess near the Hagen Star Cluster. From multiple reports, we estimate that over one thousand ships are engaged in this offensive.

How much success are they having? asked Councilor Delann.

Considerable, answered Addonis. Since we withdrew so many of our ships to help put down the unrest on Confederation worlds, we just don’t have the forces in the Human Empire to stop them.

The council members looked at each other, as they considered the ramifications of the Human Empire taking back more of their worlds.

How soon before the unrest is put down? asked Councilor Brant. We need to get ships back to the Empire as soon as possible. We can’t afford to allow the Human hold to grow stronger.

Addonis shook his head. Weeks yet. Since the wedding of the High Princess, the unrest has been growing.

How soon will the reserve fleet be fully activated? asked Councilor Hiram. Thousands of warships were in the reserve fleet. Enough to bring a stop to the unrest.

Two months, answered Addonis. Each ship must have a crew assigned, while the ship spends some time in a shipyard being updated and checked. We’ve already started this, but it’s a time-consuming process.

Still much faster than building a new warship, pointed out Councilor Brant.

What about the search for Lormallian Councilor Reull? asked Delann.

No trace. We were not able to find his brother on Bator Prime, and the other archivists had no clue where he was.

Councilor Hiram shook his head. I don’t like the sound of this. Is there any chance Reull found something in the archives that we are unaware of? The archives held a tremendous amount of data, including research information from tens of thousands of worlds.

Maybe, admitted Addonis. But, at the moment, we cannot find out what that might have been. We are still searching for Reull, but the trail has gone cold.

Councilor Brant stood towering above the table. I suggest we send Morag troops to some of these trouble spots. We have more than enough to put down these insurrections. If Councilor Reull has found something, we need to end this unrest as soon as possible.

The rest of the council agreed.

Addonis let out a deep guttural growl. We have kept it a secret from the other six races just how large our military is. If we start landing millions of troops on Confederation worlds, it may push the other six races farther away from us. Dangerously so.

It’s a chance we must take, sent Delann. We must put down these insurrections, so we can return our attention to the Human Empire and to Earth.

Also we must address any problems with Councilor Reull and the Lormallians. We can’t risk open warfare with any member of the six races.

That won’t happen as long as we have our telepathic advantage, replied Delann.

Councilor Addonis knew that Delann was correct. However, he feared repercussions for deploying millions of Morag troops. Repercussions that could last for a very long time.

-

Derrick was in the Command Center deep beneath the House of Worlds. He was keeping track of the progress that Rear Admiral Banora had made.

“She’s doing fine,” said Fleet Admiral Marloo, smiling. He could tell that Derrick wished he were out there. “We must have more fleet admirals, and this is the only way we’ll get them.”

Derrick nodded. “How are Rear Admirals Fulmar and Manson doing?”

“Fine,” replied Marloo. “Both are succeeding in their missions. They’ve taken a few losses, but they’ve destroyed far more Confederation ships. I’m already considering adding a few more targets. This may be our best opportunity to free more Human worlds.”

“I’ll arrange to send some representatives of the Empire to all those worlds to talk to them about joining. I know we’re offering them a defensive grid if they do, but I want to offer them more. It’s hard telling how long the unrest in the Confederation will last, but, when it’s over, you can bet the Confederation will come after the Empire as well as Earth. I’ve already spoken to the council, and they agree.”

“We’ve intercepted a lot of hyperlight communications from the Confederation. It seems the Morag had a much larger fleet than anyone suspected. They’re threatening the other six races of the Confederation with annihilation, if they fail to cooperate.”

Derrick nodded. “So it’s as we suspected. The Morag are the real power behind the Confederation.”

“Yes, we also believe they will be quite brutal in putting down these planetary revolts.”

Derrick wished they could do something to help the worlds currently in revolt, but they just did not have the ships. Not yet.

-

Above the planet of Daneb, close to Morag space, one hundred large troop transports suddenly appeared in orbit, along with a Morag warfleet. Immediately troop assault shuttles launched, each carrying a full platoon of Morag infantry. Overall they would drop five hundred thousand fully armed and trained Morag troops upon the planet. The goal was to have the revolt fully under control within twenty hours. After that, all but twenty thousand troops would be withdrawn, and the fleet would then continue on to its next target.

-

On the surface, the two billion civilians who lived on the planet saw the bright flashes of light in the sky above them, as the assault shuttles descended through the atmosphere. Already the government sent warning messages to the general population that Morag troops had arrived. Many people were determined to resist. This was their world and not the Morag’s! They wanted their freedom, and they would fight for it. Most were armed with hunting rifles or light energy pistols. Heavy weapons of any sort had not been allowed on Confederation worlds for thousands of years.

As the shuttles began landing, they were met by heavy resistance. Thousands of angry citizens met each shuttle as it landed. The Morag used their telepathy to try to control the crowds, but they were too large. Then they noticed a large number of aircars coming toward them. The commanders of the shuttles and the troops assumed these were more citizens coming to join the fight.

However, when they used their telepathy to try to control whoever was flying the vehicles, they discovered no one was on board. Then the first one went into a dive and crashed into a grounded shuttle. In moments a dozen others had done the same. All across the planet, unmanned aircars were ramming grounded shuttles, destroying them and any Morag troops still on board.

-

On board the flagship, Fleet Admiral Colane only shook his head. Troop losses were heavy and rapidly growing worse. Pull our troops off the planet, he ordered as a half-dozen more shuttles were destroyed. If we wait any longer, we won’t have any shuttles left.

-

Over the next hour the surviving shuttles returned to their ships. Total losses were 172 shuttles and nearly 47,000 troops.

-

Standby for a planetary broadcast, ordered Colane. Take over all their broadcasting stations. I have an announcement to make.

A few minutes passed, and then the communications officer turned to the admiral. All stations are now under our control. Ready whenever you are.

Colane activated the communicator on his console. “Attention, citizens of the planet Daneb. You are in open revolt against the Confederation. We attempted to land troops to put down the rebellion but met heavy resistance. We will not tolerate this. As a result we will now destroy your twenty largest cities. After that, my troops will attempt to land again. If we continue to meet resistance, we will destroy twenty more cities. We will continue to do this until all resistance stops or until everyone on the planet is dead. The choice is yours.”

Admiral Colane turned toward his tactical officer. Coordinate with the other battleships. I want the twenty largest cities destroyed. Use fusion missiles.

-

On twenty of the orbiting battleships, missile hatches slid open, and twenty fusion missiles roared from the missile tubes, heading toward the planet. They quickly entered the atmosphere, leaving a fiery trail behind them.

-

Panic rose in many of the major cities, as millions of citizens tried to flee. Wrecks occurred everywhere, as ground vehicles collided, and aircars dropped from the sky, knocked out of the flight lanes. Fires were already spreading, and loud sirens sounded.

From the sky came a roaring sound, followed by a sudden flash of light, then the blast wave struck. Aircars by the thousands were knocked from the sky. Ground cars burst into flames. Buildings collapsed, as the damage spread farther out. For ten kilometers in every direction, the damage was nearly absolute. In the center of the now-ravished city, a firestorm formed. A massive mushroom cloud rose into the air. Dust and smoke was everywhere, making it hard for the few scattered survivors to even breath.

This was the scene in twenty cities on the planet Daneb. In less than twenty minutes nearly forty million citizens died.

-

In orbit, Admiral Colane nodded his satisfaction. Inform the government of Daneb that we will soon land troops once more. If there is any more resistance they will lose twenty more cities.

The communications officer sent the message and, after a few moments, turned toward the admiral. They say there will be no more resistance.

Colane expected that response. We will land troops once more. After we’re satisfied the resistance is over, we will leave six battlecruisers and a battleship in orbit to ensure the planet stays peaceful. We will also leave twenty thousand of our troops.

-

Six hours later Admiral Colane was satisfied the resistance on Daneb was over. Time to move on to his next target. He now had a method that worked. He was satisfied it would not take long to put down all the remaining uprisings.

Chapter Seven

Lormallian Councilor Ardon Reull was meeting with Lormallian Admiral Zed Garr. He was in charge of the large fleet patrolling near Proxy Seven.

They were in Garr’s office on board his flagship. On Garr’s desk was a small simple-looking headset. Garr picked up the small device and eyed it dubiously. “You claim this will completely block the Morag’s telepathic abilities?”

Reull nodded. “Yes, we found its design in the archives on Bator Prime. I’ve brought enough to completely protect all of your warships, and, in addition, these smaller devices will protect individual members of your crew.”

“What is it you want, if we install these devices on all my warships?”

“Freedom,” replied Reull, without hesitation. “Freedom from being influenced by the Morag. I’ve studied what our worlds were once like before the Morag influenced us telepathically. We were a much different race. The Morag have turned us more toward darkness and have hidden much of our history from us.”

“I do not like being influenced by the Morag,” admitted Admiral Garr. “It would be nice to be free of their influence. You should be aware the Morag are deploying some very large fleets across the Confederation. We can’t possibly defeat them.”

“No,” replied Reull. “But we can use this technology to bargain with them. We can demand they not use their telepathy to influence anyone on any of the worlds of the other six races of the Great Council. If they refuse to meet our demands, we will broadcast the secret of the telepathic nullifiers across the Confederation. In order to do that, I need this fleet behind me, when I return to the Great Council.”

Admiral Garr stood, putting his hands behind his back, as he considered what he had just been told. “Are you certain these nullifiers will work?”

Reull nodded. “We’ve ran some tests, and they block the frequencies that the telepathy uses. They will work.”

Admiral Garr nodded. “Very well. I will give the approval to install these devices immediately. How soon do we set out for the Great Council?”

Reull smiled. Finally things were looking up. “As soon as all the devices are installed on your ships and an adequate portion of your crews are equipped with the personal nullifiers.”

“Let’s just hope your plan works, or we could find ourselves in a battle we cannot win.”

Reull was well aware of this. He had no idea how Councilor Damora would react when he found out the Lormallians had a working telepathic nullifier.

-

On Golan Four, Layla was in her office in the Imperial Palace, going over the list of worlds that had recently requested admission to the Empire. Already word of the Human Empire’s counterattack was spreading like wildfire. Most of the worlds that had not yet been subjugated by the Confederation were requesting immediate admittance, plus defensive grid parts.

Orders had been sent to all the core worlds—the Hagen Star Cluster, the Vortex Worlds, the Lamina Stars, Vidon Seven, and Helgoth—to produce as many defensive grid elements as possible.

“Can we do all this?’ asked Krista, as she looked at the list Layla was working on.

“We’ll try. I’ve asked Andrew to take the Royal Dreadnought High Kingdom to speak to a number of the more heavily populated worlds who are still wavering. Having a member of the Royal Family come to their worlds should make a big impression.”

Krista looked concerned. “Will he have a fleet with him? If word got out of a member of the Royal Family leaving the core worlds, the Confederation might make him a target.”

Layla smiled. “Already taken care of. Rear Admiral Carrie and her fleet will serve as an escort. They plan on being gone from three to four weeks.”

Krista frowned. “What does Kala think about this?” Krista knew she would hate going that long without seeing Mathew.

“Kala’s going along also,” replied Layla. “Several of those worlds have women governors. Kala will be very useful in the negotiations.”

Krista laughed. “Has she been told that?”

Layla shook her head. “Not yet, I’m leaving that to Andrew. If she were to find out now, she might go into hiding.”

“Will you send any samples of our defensive grid elements?”

Nodding, Layla slid over another list for Krista to look at. “Defensive satellites, missile platforms, ODPs, and designs for PDCs. Plus we will also be demonstrating our attack interceptors. As you already know, they’re quite deadly and easy to build.”

Krista leaned back in her chair and stretched. “It’s been a long day. How do you like married life?”

Layla flushed. “It’s been different, but I really love it. Derrick’s been great.”

“Keeping you up late at night?” asked Krista, with a mischievous grin.

“Maybe I’m the one keeping him up,” countered Layla, grinning back.

Krista stood; she was meeting Mathew for the evening meal. “Maybe in another year or two Mathew and I can get married. If you like married life this much, I would really enjoy it.”

“Don’t rush into it,” advised Layla. “You and Mathew have plenty of time. Besides, we’re still rebuilding the Empire.”

“Father and Aiden would be proud,” commented Krista, wishing both of them were here.

Layla nodded. She had a few more things to take care of, and then she would head to the Royal Quarters. She and Derrick were having a private meal together tonight, and they planned on doing nothing more than listening to music and relaxing. Even a Royal Princess needed some time off.

-

Andrew and Kala had taken a shuttle to the dreadnought High Kingdom. Several of the quarters on board had been converted for use by the Royal Family and their guests. Six members of the Imperial Guard were with them, as well as a small number of attendants.

“Welcome aboard the High Kingdom,” greeted Captain Jacob Barrow. “Your quarters are ready for you, as well as for those who came with you. We’re honored to have you on board.”

“Thank you, Captain,” replied Andrew, smiling.

“How soon do you want to get underway?”

“That’s up to Rear Admiral Carrie,” answered Andrew. “She has command of the fleet. I don’t even know where we’re going yet. All of that has been kept secret, and only the Imperial Council and Rear Admiral Carrie know all of our planned destinations.”

Captain Barrow nodded. “A wise security precaution. I’ll have an ensign show you to your quarters, while I inform the rear admiral that you are on board, and then we can depart anytime.”

-

It didn’t take them long to reach their quarters, and, as they entered, Kala paused in surprise. The quarters, while not lavish, were very nice. Nearly as nice as the ones she had stayed in on the Emerald Princess. “I can’t believe quarters like this exist on a dreadnought.”

Andrew smiled. He could tell Kala was pleased with the accommodations. “Another set of quarters quite similar to this one is across the hall. These quarters were designed in case the Royal Family had to leave the core worlds to visit places in the Empire that might be a little dangerous. A full company of space Marines are on board as well.”

Kala walked through the suite of rooms. “This will work quite well, if we’ll be on board for three or four weeks. I wonder what the food will be like?” Kala had to admit that she was a little spoiled from the fare the Royal Chefs had been cooking at the Palace.

“Better than you expect. They have some of the better chefs in the fleet on board. If they served it at the Palace, they could probably serve it here. I understand they have stocked up the freezers and the dry storage units in recent days, anticipating our arrival.”

Several attendants came in, carrying their luggage. Kala directed them to the large bedroom, where they began unpacking everything. This had taken Kala a while to get used to. Now she didn’t worry about it.

As the attendants left, the female ensign returned. “We will enter hyperspace in twenty minutes. We’re just waiting for a few supply ships to join us. Captain Barrow said, if the two of you wanted to come to the Command Center, you are both more than welcome.”

Andrew smiled. “Thank the captain, but, I think, for now, we’ll just stay in our quarters and out of everyone’s way.”

The ensign nodded and left, closing the door behind her.

Kala sat down and looked over at Andrew. “I guess we’re on our way.”

“Yes.” Andrew still hadn’t told her that she would be involved in some of the negotiations. That would come about later.

-

In the Solar System, Pallas Fleet Admiral Reynolds studied the latest reports coming in on the reconstruction going on across the Solar System. New shipyards were being built over Earth, Mars, Ganymede, and Callisto. Thousands of Pallas work robots had been constructed and were heavily involved in building the new ship-construction facilities.

Inside each of Pallas’s forty-two ship construction bays were new partially assembled warships. Ten more bays were under construction and would be completed in another two weeks. The Solar System was preparing for all-out war against the Confederation, particularly the Morag. All the construction bays inside Pallas were fully automated, and construction of warships was a rapid process.

“We’re ahead of our construction schedule,” reported Colonel Evelyn Bryson. “I understand that Third Fleet will be returning in about another month?”

“Yes,” replied Admiral Reynolds. “They’re coming back for some R&R and possible crew rotation.”

“With the ships that have returned from First Fleet, that will once more give us a sizable force in the Solar System.”

“Over 1,600 warships, with more coming out of the active shipyards every day.”

Colonel Bryson asked the question on everyone’s mind. “When do we launch our attack against the Confederation?”

“A few months yet, at least,” replied Reynolds. “I want all the shipyards here finished and all the defensive grids brought back up to full strength.”

“Who will command the fleet that we send to the Confederation?”

“We will send two Rear Admirals—Rear Admiral Collison and Rear Admiral Barnes. They will each be in charge of at least one thousand battlecruisers and two hundred dreadnoughts.”

“What about battlecarriers, supply vessels, and repair ships?”

“We hope to send twenty battlecarriers, a fleet supply train, as well as four repair ships.”

“Four repair ships?” repeated Bryson, frowning. “That’s all that we have.”

Reynolds nodded. “Yes, but we have shipyards here to effect ship repairs.”

“What about the new particle beam cannons the Human Empire has developed?”

“We have the designs. Every dreadnought we have is being equipped with them. We are also working on a mass accelerator cannon. We’ll be doing tests toward the end of the month. These could be put on our battlecruisers. They can accelerate a medium-size projectile up to nearly the speed of light. We think, if we hit the enemy shields with one, it would knock down the shield completely.”

Colonel Bryson glanced at the large viewscreens in the Command Center, focused on the massive defensive grid around Pallas. “I understand you’re getting ready to go on a tour of the system and to check on the progress of the reconstruction.”

“Yes, I’ll be taking the Dassault. It will also give me a chance to speak with Rear Admiral Everett. I think I’ll check on the construction going on in the new bays.”

Bryson nodded. “Colonel Fillmore is down in bay forty-five. Some of the engineers overseeing the construction had some questions.”

Reynolds nodded. “Bay forty-five is for dreadnought construction, if I remember correctly.”

“Forty-five through fifty,” responded Bryson.

-

Twenty minutes later Fleet Admiral Reynolds stood in the Control Room for bay forty-five. He listened to Colonel Fillmore argue with several engineers.

“I don’t care. I want this bay fully automated, and I expect us to stay on schedule. If you need more construction robots, requisition them. I’ll sign the approval.”

The engineers stopped to consult with one another, and finally the lead engineer turned toward Colonel Fillmore. “In order to meet your schedule, we need sixty more construction robots.”

“Very well, you will have them by the end of the week.”

Admiral Reynolds looked out over the partially completed bay. Construction robots were everywhere. A few engineers were visible, directing their activities. In another few weeks the bay would be done, and the keel would be laid for its first dreadnought. The bay was 1,600 meters long and 600 in diameter.

“Admiral,” said Colonel Fillmore. “What can I do for you?”

“Just checking on the progress of the bays.”

Fillmore smiled. “They’ll all be ready on time.”

“I never doubted it. What about raw materials? We’ll need a lot for all the ships we plan on building.”

Fillmore nodded. “We’re bringing that in, and some of the more important components are already being manufactured in our factories.”

“Excellent. If there’s anything you need, let me know.”

“I will.”

Admiral Reynolds looked one last time at the bay and then turned to leave. Time to board the Dassault for a quick tour of the Solar System.

-

The Dassault orbited Titan, the large moon around Saturn. Fleet Admiral Reynolds was in the Command Center, gazing sadly at the main viewscreen. The moon’s atmosphere was still dark and gray from all the debris thrown up by the fusion and antimatter blasts that had rocked the moon in the last Confederation battle. New terraforming equipment had been brought to the moon, but it would be several years before the atmosphere was clear once more.

On the surface four large domes now housed the survivors. All four domes were protected by powerful energy shields, and a series of fusion energy beam turrets surrounded the domes to give them added protection. Outside each dome was a small spaceport, which served the mining operations now reopening on many of Saturn’s moons.

“The new defense grid is nearly finished,” commented Rear Admiral Everett.

Reynolds nodded. At the moment two hundred defensive satellites, twenty missile platforms, and two ODPs were up and operational. The ODPs were positioned to protect the four domes. Plans called to double the current strength of the defensive grid. “These miners are stubborn. However, we’ll need what they’re mining. One more reason we decided to rebuild the defensive grid and to place the ODPs in orbit.”

Reynolds didn’t mention it, but also two dreadnoughts and twenty battlecruisers were assigned to protect the Saturn system. He didn’t want a Confederation ship to pop in and to hit any of the moons with a few antimatter missiles. The ships would ensure that didn’t happen.

“Admiral, I have Colonel Edwards on the comm,” reported the communications officer.

“Put him through,” ordered Reynolds.

“Admiral,” said Edwards. “Did you come out to see our progress?”

“Yes, Colonel. Is there anything you need?”

“I would like to build two new PDCs to help protect our four domed cities. We’ll need some help with that.”

“I’ll see what I can arrange,” replied Reynolds. He was determined to make every inhabited place in this Solar System as heavily defended as possible.

-

They spent a few more hours in orbit, discussing the defenses and allocating the necessary resources. When they were finished, Reynolds was satisfied they had put in motion everything they could for Titan. “Set a course for Earth. I want to inspect the Moon and the construction of the new shipyards.”

-

The Dassault dropped from hyperspace just above the Moon. Even from here the massive craters where Luna City once stood were visible. Fortunately most of the other domed cities had survived.

“I always wondered why we didn’t terraform the Moon,” said Rear Admiral Everett.

Fleet Admiral Reynolds laughed. “Esthetics. The Moon has always looked a certain way orbiting the Earth, and the people didn’t want to change it.”

Everett shook his head. “But look how many people could live on the Moon if it were terraformed. It would be like another complete world.”

“Maybe someday,” replied Reynolds. “Let’s inspect the new defense grid.”

The Dassault made a slow transit around the Moon, inspecting the defensive grid. Much of it had remained after the attack, and more elements were added every day. There was even some discussion of rebuilding Luna City in its old location.

“A lot of progress has been made,” commented Rear Admiral Everett. “When we’re finished, our defenses will be stronger than ever.” On one of the viewscreens, a squadron of attack interceptors was visible and out on patrol.

“In another month we’ll have twenty thousand attack interceptors,” replied Reynolds. “If the Confederation returns, we’ll be ready for them. Let’s head for Earth. I want to see how much progress we’ve made on the new shipyards.”

-

As they neared Earth, Reynolds saw one of the new shipyards being built. Altogether three new shipyards were in orbit. At the moment the construction of the new shipyard looked like a tangled mass of girders and beams, with only part of the armored shell in place. Increasing the magnification on the viewscreen, he saw hundreds of Pallas construction robots crawling over its surface.

“All three of the new shipyards are at this stage,” said Rear Admiral Everett. “Construction will accelerate greatly now that the beams and girders are in place. In two months, all three shipyards will be finished and ready to start producing warships.”

Reynolds nodded. They were building two more major shipyards above Mars, two above Ganymede, and one above Callisto. In two more months the Solar System would be producing a tremendous number of warships. The Confederation had stirred up a hornet’s nest and would soon learn what attacking Earth would cost them.

-

Lormallian Councilor Ardon Reull nodded in satisfaction. All the ships in Admiral Garr’s fleet were now protected by the telepathic nullifiers. In addition, all the command crews—as well as other important members of the crews—wore the individual protection gear.

“What now?” asked Admiral Garr.

“We head to the Great Council, where I will go down to speak with Morag Councilor Damora. I’ll demand that all Morag remove themselves from Lormallian worlds and that they immediately stop influencing the council telepathically. I’ll furnish individual nullifiers to all the council members and see where it goes from there.”

“What if the Morag refuse to give in?”

Councilor Reull frowned. “Then you get me off the surface, and we immediately start transmitting the designs for the nullifiers across the Confederation. I’ve made sure that, if something happens to me and to this fleet, the broadcast will still occur.”

“It’s a risky game you’re playing,” said the admiral admirably, “but I believe it’s necessary.

Ardon believed it too. Now it was time to return to the council. He just hoped he survived the coming meeting with Councilor Damora. Ardon knew that Damora could pick him up and crush him with his massive arms, especially when angry.

Chapter Eight

The Great Council of the Confederation was in session, when Morag Councilor Damora received a telepathic message from the Morag admiral commanding the fleet currently in orbit.

Over one thousand Lormallian warships have just jumped into orbit. All of their ships prohibit telepathic communication, as if a protective field of some sort surrounds each ship, preventing our telepathy from passing through. Their missile ports are open, and my fleet is being targeted.

Damora felt a cold chill pass through him. He now knew what Councilor Reull had been doing on Bator Prime. He had found the secret to some type of telepathic nullifier and had managed to equip a full warfleet with them. Don’t do anything until we find out what they want. He was certain Councilor Reull was with this fleet.

We just received a message from the Lormallian flagship. Councilor Reull will come down to address the council. They also recommend we do nothing threatening. They claim it could be disastrous for us if we do.

Councilor Damora knew he had no choice. Very well, for now maintain orbit but do not fire on any of the Lormallian warships. Inform the admiral of their fleet that I will allow Councilor Reull to address the council.

Councilor Damora looked at the rest of the council. “Councilor Reull is coming down from a Lormallian warship, and he is to address the council. I should warn you now not to overreact to what he will say. It could have some very serious consequences for your worlds.”

The council members looked at one another, wondering what was going on. They also wondered what Councilor Reull would tell them.

Damora leaned back in his large chair. This was his people’s greatest fear that some race would learn to nullify their telepathy, which had always been their greatest and most powerful weapon. Depending on what Reull said today, all of that could be about to change.

-

Councilor Reull and four heavily armed guards stepped into the council chamber; Ardon’s gaze instantly focused on Morag Councilor Damora. “As you can tell, my mind is now shielded against your telepathy. These guards are here to ensure my safety.” The four guards took up positions near the door, with their hands on their weapons.

Damora did not reply. He had already tried his telepathy and had met a blank wall. He noticed Reull and his guards wore a very small headset, and Damora assumed this was the source of the jamming field, which blocked him from reading the Lormallian councilor’s mind.

Reull stepped up to the council table and stared at Damora. “I believe you are in my seat.”

Damora frowned but stood and moved to his normal spot. “What do you want?” It took a few moments to shift the appropriate chairs around.

“My fleet is also protected from your telepathy. If you refuse to agree to what I’m about to propose, I am prepared to broadcast the secret of the telepathic nullifier across the Confederation. If you think you have a problem with revolts now, wait until everyone has a nullifier. They are actually quite easy to make.”

“Even if you equipped all your Lormallian fleets with the nullifier, the forces of my people still greatly outnumber yours.”

“That may be true, but my people are not the ones who have manipulated this council for thousands of years.”

The other council members looked from one to the other. They were not exactly sure what was going on.

“I have some very simple demands to make of the Morag,” replied Reull. “All fleets of the other six member races will be equipped with the nullifiers, if they want. All government leaders of all the worlds of the six races will have personal nullifiers available to them. All Morag will leave all the worlds of the six races, and there will no longer be any Morag telepathic interference into how we run our worlds or the Confederation worlds we control.”

“You ask too much,” growled Damora, coming to his feet. “My people will never agree to that.”

“Your people have no choice!” replied Reull forcefully. “The Confederation is about to change, and there is nothing you can do to prevent it.”

“Compromise,” said Damora. “We will leave all Lormallian worlds alone, and you may equip all your fleets with the nullifiers but no others.”

“I want my worlds left alone as well,” called out the Zang Councilor. “We demand that we be left free from your telepathic influences.”

Damora looked over at Councilor Clun of the Druins. “What say you?”

“We will stay with you, as long as I am free of telepathic influence and can make my own decisions. I want one of the telepathic nullifiers.”

The Lamothians, the Zynth, and the Morphene all decided to support the Morag. They feared, if they did otherwise, the Confederation would fall apart. However, all of them asked for personal telepathic nullifiers for themselves.

Damora looked at Councilor Reull. “I will speak to the Morag High Council. I don’t believe they will agree to your demands, but it is their decision.”

“It’s very simple,” replied Reull in a steady voice. “They can have part of the Confederation or none of it. One simple order from me or my fleet admiral and every Confederation world will know the secret of the nullifiers.”

Damora did not reply. He was not certain what to say or to do. It would now be up to the Morag High Council to make a decision. “We will meet again tomorrow. By then I should have heard back from the High Council.” Damora looked at Councilor Reull with a hard glare. “Until then, I suggest you do nothing that we might consider a threat.”

“I will return to the Lormallian flagship in orbit,” said Councilor Reull. “Inform me when you have heard back from your council.” With that, Councilor Reull turned and left, escorted by his four guards.

For a moment Damora considered having Reull killed, before he returned to his shuttle. However, doing so might make matters worse. He had no idea what the High Council would do.

-

As soon as Councilor Reull arrived back on board the fleet flagship, he was met by Admiral Garr.

“How did the meeting go? I wasn’t sure if I would have to send troops down to get you back or not.”

Councilor Reull smiled. “It might be that bad tomorrow. Councilor Damora will contact the Morag High Council, and they will decide what must be done. At the moment the Zang are standing with us. All of the other races have sided with the Morag.”

Admiral Garr shook his head. “Why would they do that after what the Morag have done to them?”

“The Druins and the Zynth like war. The Lamothians know the Morag will furnish them with intelligent food, and the Morphenes just don’t care.”

“At least the Zang are on one of our borders. Do you think we will have to fight?”

Reull let out a deep sigh. “I don’t know. I have already made arrangements for a second of our fleets to have the nullifiers installed. The installation should be finished within four days. I’m hoping I can drag out these negotiations for that long. It will double the number of ships we have fully under our control.”

Admiral Garr turned to go to the Command Center. “I wish we knew the true size of the Morag fleet.”

“It’s large, much larger than what we have always been led to believe. It’s essential we build up our own fleets. If I can get the concessions that I want, we will have over two thousand inhabited worlds that will be under our control. Worlds we have mistreated for thousands of years. It’ll be difficult to build back any trust.”

“So we’ll change how we treat those worlds?”

Reull nodded. “When the Confederation was first formed, some of those worlds were promised entry as equals, with seats on the Great Council. The Morag prevented that from ever happening.”

Admiral Garr was silent for a long moment. “This really will be a huge change. What should we do about those worlds that are now in revolt? We have warships in orbit around most of them.”

“I’ll send a detailed message to our Lormallian government as to what’s been going on. I’ll also recommend we pull back all our fleet units from those worlds. Their presence is only making the situation worse.”

-

Later, Councilor Reull was in his quarters, resting, thinking, sending off numerous messages to various Lormallian planets and fleet admirals, explaining what he was doing. Everyone voiced support but suggested he move cautiously. Evidently now the Morag could not be trusted.

As Reull lay in bed, he also wondered if the Morag could do anything to counter what he had demanded. He didn’t see what the Morag could do, but Reull also knew that the Morag were very crafty and dangerous.

-

The Great Council of the Morag was yet again in an emergency session. The news from Councilor Damora was not good.

A nullifier? sent Councilor Hiram, shaking his head and hitting his fist hard against the council table, causing the wood to splinter. Where did they come up with that?

Council Leader Addonis stood gazing at the council. These were the most powerful telepaths in the Morag systems of worlds. From Bator Prime. Evidently sometime in the remote past, one was developed but never used, probably developed in the early days of the Confederation and then buried in the archives.

So what do we do? We dare not let the secret of the nullifier get out to all the Confederation worlds, said Delann.

I fear there is nothing we can do, answered Addonis. Too many know about the nullifier and how to build it. I suspect it doesn’t matter what we do now. The secret will eventually come out.

The good news is that four of the Great Council races still support us, pointed out Brant. Only the Lormallians and the Zang have come out against us.

Councilor Addonis walked around the room to where a giant hologram map of the Confederation was visible. Over sixty thousand worlds were under the control of the seven races. If we allow the Lormallians and the Zang to maintain control of the Confederation races in their regions of the Confederation, we lose control over nearly five thousand inhabited star systems.

Can we afford to lose that many inhabited worlds? asked Hiram worriedly.

It will placate the Lormallians and the Zang for the immediate future, answered Addonis. Many of those worlds are in open revolt against the Confederation. No matter what those two races want to do, they must bring peace to those worlds. It will tie up their military for months, possibly years. By the time they have control of their own worlds, all our ships from the reserve will be fully activated. At that time it might be prudent to move against the Lormallians and the Zang to bring them back firmly into the Confederation and under our rule.

So, we let them have their way for now, and then, in the future, we attack and retake all their worlds under our control? asked Councilor Brant.

Addonis nodded. It makes the most sense. Also, during that time, we run all our shipyards full-out, producing more modern warships. We still have the Human Empire to deal with.

After that, we must take on Earth, added Delann. Some very difficult times are ahead.

Difficult times we can deal with, sent Addonis. With our fleet and the reserve, we have more warships than all six of the other races combined. We will be victorious. It may just take longer than we had planned. I will communicate our decision to Councilor Damora.

-

Early the next morning Councilor Reull busily read messages that had come in overnight. The installation of nullifiers on the second Lormallian fleet progressed as planned. Currently personal nullifiers were being sent to all the main Lormallian government officials, as well as the command crews of all the fleet’s flagships. Also key military personal on all Lormallian planets were given the nullifiers as well.

There had also been no movement of any Morag fleets toward Lormallian space. This was good news, as Councilor Reull hoped to have all Lormallian warships protected by the nullifiers in a few more weeks. He had also spoken briefly with the Zang councilor, who was interested in forming an alliance with the Lormallians against the Morag, if any of the worlds of either species were attacked. This was something Reull would have to discuss with the government leaders of the Lormallian inhabited worlds.

-

Morag Councilor Damora had received his orders from the High Council. For now they would allow the Lormallians and the Zang to go their own way, though they would still remain as members of the Great Council. Telepathic nullifiers would be limited to members of the two races and no one else, not even other members of the council. Anyone not of the Zang or Lormallian races caught with a nullifier would be executed on sight. The two races would be responsible for maintaining order on all the worlds in or near their regions of space. They also would not be allowed to put up orbital defenses around their worlds, except for their capital planets. Damora was surprised the High Council was giving so much. He wondered what they were really up to.

-

The Great Council was once more in session. Morag Councilor Damora had just finished going over what the High Council was offering.

“We accept,” said Councilor Reull, “with the following changes. All Lormallian and Zang fleets will be pulled out of the Human Empire immediately to help in pacifying our planets currently in revolt. We will no longer take any active part in your war with the Humans. The war began because you feared the Humans, when you learned of their natural resistance to telepathy. Before then, the Human Empire was not a threat to the Confederation. The Humans are your problem and not ours. We will transmit a message to Golan Four that the Lormallians and the Zang are pulling out of the war and will hence forth be a neutral party.”

This caused a stir in the rest of the council, with several members talking at once.

“It has been decided,” said the Zang councilor. “The war for us is over. It’s time we turned our attention and our resources to helping our own people.”

“I fear you will regret your actions in the future,” replied Damora. He noticed the Zang councilor now wore a telepathic nullifier, no doubt furnished by Councilor Reull.

“One more thing,” said Councilor Reull. “The planet of Bator Prime and the archives are in Lormallian space. We will allow limited access to the archives. However, no armed ship may approach the planet. Appointments must be made with the curators in order to do any research into the archives. The Lormallians have been in charge of the archives for thousands of years, and we plan on continuing that tradition. Also a defensive grid will be put around the planet, as well as a defensive fleet. We will not allow anyone to attempt to take the archives from us.”

“You will allow us access?” asked Morag Councilor Damora, wanting to clarify that.

Reull nodded. “Yes, all you need to do is send a hyperlight message to the curators, and they will schedule a time for your people to do their research.”

Damora knew the High Council would not like this. “I will inform the High Council.”

“One more thing,” said Reull. He knew, with the telepathic nullifier, that he had the Morag over a barrel for now. “The Zang and my people will be putting defensive grids around our three most populous star systems, not just our capital world. This is not negotiable.”

“You push us too far,” warned Damora, his eyes turning red.

Reull placed a small communication device on the table with a very large green button on it. He placed his index finger over the button and then spoke. “If I press this button, the secret of the nullifier will be broadcast throughout Confederation space. You have ten seconds to agree to my terms.”

Damora looked at the device. He could not risk the secret of the nullifier spreading across the Confederation. “Very well, but you must do everything in your power to ensure the construction of the nullifier is kept secret. They may exist in Lormallian and Zang space but nowhere else.”

“Agreed,” replied Reull. He had his victory; now he had a lot of explaining to do back home. It might be necessary to take many government people to Bator Prime and let them see for themselves what the Morag had done to the Lormallian civilization.

-

For two weeks Andrew and Kala had traveled from one world to the next, pitching joining the Empire. Nearly every world they visited agreed, with the condition that the Empire would help in construction of a defensive grid. After each world signed an agreement, the fleet Andrew was with would leave twenty defensive satellites in orbit, as well as four missile platforms, with promises of much more.

Kala was currently on the surface of Vizen Three, where she spoke with the female governor of the planet. Andrew stood nearby, listening and making comments when necessary.

“You offer much,” said Governor Aspen. “However, I must ensure my people are safe from the Confederation. We ship them one hundred thousand tons of heavy metals every year and have never had a problem with them.”

“I don’t believe the Confederation will allow any Human world to remain neutral in this war,” said Kala. “You do trade with other Human worlds, don’t you?” Kala knew they did, from all the transports in orbit and at the planet’s two large space stations. “What if all that trade is cut off?”

Governor Aspen went silent for a moment. “I have heard of that happening with some worlds,” she admitted. “If I agree to join the Empire, can you guarantee my worlds continued safety?”

“We can promise to defend it,” replied Kala. “In war, nothing is a guarantee.”

“Truthful words,” replied the governor, impressed. “I know you have a large number of supply ships with you, and they contain defensive grid components. What can you offer my world?”

“For now we can put in place twenty defensive satellites and four missile platforms,” answered Andrew. “Within the month we can double that, and, by the end of next month, we can add two ODPs.”

The governor pursed her lips, as she considered the offer. “What about warships?”

“We are positioning a medium-size task force in this sector of the Empire,” answered Andrew. “It will routinely stop by and check on your world. It will be near enough at all times that it can be here within the hour, in case any Confederation ships make an appearance. We will also put some powerful energy shields around both of your space stations, and we can arm them, if you wish.”

Governor Aspen looked from Andrew to Kala. “This war will grow, and I fear none of us will escape it. Bring the papers tomorrow, and I will sign them. For tonight, I have arranged a banquet to celebrate your coming to our world. It is not often a member of the Royal Family ventures out from the core worlds, and we are pleased you came to our planet.”

Kala nodded. “We want to visit as many worlds as possible, and you are more than welcome to come to Golan Four. I’m sure both High Princess Layla and Princess Krista would enjoy meeting you.”

Governor Aspen smiled. “Perhaps someday. I would like to see the Imperial Palace, now that it has been rebuilt. I watched your wedding as well as the wedding of the High Princess, and the Palace seems to have been restored to its former glory.”

“It has, indeed,” replied Kala. “Prince Andrew and I live there, and it’s fabulous. I would be more than glad to show you around someday.”

“I may take you up on that. Now I need to finish making the arrangements for tonight’s banquet. Will you go back to your ship or stay down here?”

“We’ll return to our ship for a few hours,” answered Andrew. “We need to file some reports and to take care of a few things. We’ll be back in plenty of time to attend the banquet.”

-

Later Andrew and Kala were in their quarters, with Andrew sitting behind a large desk, entering information on a computer screen. “You’re becoming a very good diplomat,” he said, smiling at Kala.

“You all tricked me,” replied Kala, shaking her head. “You knew I would have to be involved in some of these negotiations.”

“And you’ve done a great job. We’ve already added eight more star systems to the Empire, and Vizen Three will make nine.”

At that moment alarms sounded, and Captain Barrow’s voice came over the speakers. “Attention, a Morag fleet has dropped out of hyperspace and is inbound. They will be in weapons range in twelve minutes. Condition One has been set throughout the fleet. Stand by for combat.”

“The Morag,” said Kala worriedly, looking at Andrew. “Are we in danger?”

“I don’t know. If we leave, Vizen Three will never rejoin the Empire.”

A knock came on the door, and the female ensign who had been assigned to them came in. “Prince Andrew, Captain Barrow would like you to join him in the Command Center. I’ve made arrangements for two of your attendants to stay with your wife.”

Andrew looked at Kala and then nodded. “Very well, let’s go.”

-

The Morag fleet was commanded by Admiral Brack. His fleet had intercepted several hyperlight communications, indicating a member of the Royal Family was visiting Vizen Three. If Brack could strike quickly enough and kill this Royal, it would be a massive blow to the Human Empire. He had three hundred modern battlecruisers and forty-four heavy battleships. His plan was simple—sweep in and attack before the Humans could jump out. He had already picked out the large dreadnought the Royal must be on. His entire fleet knew it was the primary target.

Increase speed, ordered Brack. We must reach them before they can break orbit and escape.

-

Rear Admiral Carrie frowned, when she saw what came toward her fleet. Not only did she need to defend the High Kingdom and Prince Andrew but she also needed to prevent any attack on the planet. “Send out a request for aid,” she ordered. She didn’t know if any Imperial forces were close enough to respond or not. “Put the fleet into a wedge formation with the High Kingdom in the center. I want the battlecarriers in a double line behind us. Stand by to launch interceptors.” Lira planned on getting in a few missile strikes, and then she would launch her interceptors. She was hoping they would help to even up the battle. “Any response to our plea for help?” She hoped at least one task group was close by.

“Nothing,” answered the communications officer.

Lira leaned back in her chair. It looked as if they were on their own.

-

Andrew made it to the Command Center, escorted by two Imperial Guards. The guards stayed outside in the corridor, with the two heavily armed Marines who were also stationed there.

Upon entering the Command Center, Andrew saw a beehive of activity. Commander Barrow saw him and gestured for Andrew to come stand by his command chair.

“They’re inbound and should be in combat range in a few more minutes,” said Barrow. “I just spoke to Rear Admiral Carrie, and she wants to get off two full missile strikes, before she starts committing her attack interceptors. We have nearly 1,700 of them.”

“They still have us outnumbered, and they have superior firepower,” commented Andrew, as he studied the tactical display. “Any chance of more help coming?”

“Rear Admiral Carrie sent out a request for more ships, but, so far, no one has answered.”

Andrew shifted his gaze to the main viewscreens. He saw several Morag warships bearing down on the fleet. “What will we do?”

“We have orders to stay in the center of the fleet, which should give us maximum protection,” replied Barrow. “As to how this battle will go, I have no idea.”

-

Kala paced back and forth in her quarters. Two of her attendants were with her, and Kala could tell they were just as frightened as she was. Outside her door were four Imperial Guards. With a deep sigh, she sat down on a comfortable sofa. She could do nothing but wait for Andrew to return.

-

Admiral Brack had his focus on the viewscreens. His powerful arms were folded across his chest, as he took note of the Humans’ fleet formation. Their warships were in a wedge formation, with the ship he was after in the middle. The carriers of their small warcraft were in the rear in a double line formation. He wished he had some of the new light cruisers being built, loaded with point defense, to deal with the small deadly craft. However, they were still four weeks away from the first ones coming out of the shipyards.

Weapons range in one minute, reported the sensor officer.

Weapons are ready to fire, added the tactical officer.

I want a general hit on the leading Human warships, and then I want all our vessels targeting that large dreadnought in the center. The Morag High Council had ordered this strike. This would seriously damage the morale in the Human Empire, making it easier to bring all its worlds back under Confederation control.

-

The Morag fleet entered weapons range and immediately fired. Within microseconds the Human fleet fired as well. Space lit up with titanic explosions, as fusion and antimatter missiles detonated against defensive screens. Energy beams flicked out, seeking a weakness. In the Human fleet, several battlecruisers were blown apart from the initial massive bombardment.

In the Morag fleet, two battlecruisers and a battleship vanished in nova-like explosions. However, the Morag fleet vastly outnumbered the Human warships, and three more battlecruisers and one of the dreadnoughts in the Human fleet exploded in brilliant flashes of light, as the intense weapons fire overwhelmed them.

-

Rear Admiral Carrie winced as her heavier fleet units were being pounded. “Launch the interceptors. Have them in close-to-medium attack range and then launch all their missiles. Once they have, they’re to return to the battlecarriers to rearm.” On the viewscreen, Lira saw the energy screen of the High Kingdom suddenly light up from dozens of explosions. “Crap! The entire Morag fleet is targeting the High Kingdom. They must know who’s on that ship. Communications, order the High Kingdom to fall back to the battlecarriers. They’ll provide additional protection.”

-

From the battlecarriers, 1,700 attack interceptors were launched. They hurriedly formed up into squadrons and then accelerated toward the Morag ships. They would launch their missiles from medium range and not go into the Morag fleet formation. With a little luck, most of the interceptors would survive.

The squadrons arched around the embattled Human ships, picking out targets in the Morag fleet. The Morag didn’t hesitate and changed some of their targeting, using heavy fusion energy beams and an occasional fusion missile to attempt to thin out the mass of incoming attack interceptors.

Bright fireballs filled space, marking the death of hundreds of interceptors, and then the rest reached medium attack range, and all the surviving craft launched four fusion missiles each into the advancing Morag fleet. As soon as the missiles were launched, the interceptors turned and sped back to the waiting battlecarriers.

Over five thousand fusion-tipped missiles were now inbound toward the Morag fleet. The Morag had switched nearly all their heavy fusion energy beams from the targeted dreadnought to now repel the missiles. However, it was hard for the large beam turrets to track and to destroy a missile. They did manage to take out a few hundred, and then the rest were in the fleet perimeter and slamming into Morag targets. Suddenly the Morag formation was full of dying ships. In the space of twenty seconds, sixty-two Morag battlecruisers and four battleships were turned into drifting masses of twisted metal and glowing wreckage. Many other ships had been heavily damaged.

-

Kala held on to the arm of the sofa tightly, as the High Kingdom shook from the missiles striking her energy shield. “Don’t let me die,” she said softly, wishing Andrew were here. Her two attendants sat across from her, and both looked even more scared than she was.

“Attention, this is the captain. We’re pulling back behind the battlecarriers. The shaking should stop shortly. So far, the High Kingdom has only suffered some minor damage.”

Kala felt relieved. She hoped this battle would be over soon.

-

Rear Admiral Carrie wished the attack interceptors could be rearmed quicker. It would be ten minutes before they were ready for a second strike, and she greatly feared, by then, nothing would be left of her fleet. For a second she thought about ordering the battlecarriers and the High Kingdom to jump away. At that moment, alarms on the sensor console screamed, and more red threat icons appeared around the inbound Morag fleet. More enemy reinforcements had arrived! She was about to order the battlecarriers and the High Kingdom to jump away, when the red threat icons turned green.

“It’s Third Fleet,” yelled the sensor officer. “It’s Rear Admiral Barnes, and she’s brought nearly five hundred Imperial warships.”

Lira leaned back in her command chair, relief flooding over her. Already Third Fleet targeted the Morag ships, blowing them out of space. Lira watched the tactical display, as well as the viewscreens. In less than two minutes every single Morag ship had been destroyed.

“I have Rear Admiral Barnes on the comm,” reported the communications officer.

“Put her through to my command console,” ordered Lira.

“Sorry we were late,” began Rear Admiral Barnes. “Fleet Vice Admiral Masters sent us to follow you around as you traveled to all the worlds on your list. He felt certain the Morag would attack. The fleet we just destroyed was the last major Morag or Confederation fleet in the Empire.”

Lira shuddered to think what would have happened if Third Fleet had been a few minutes later. “Glad to see you. I believe we’ll be returning to Golan Four tomorrow. Prince Andrew still has to finish getting the legal documents signed for this planet to join the Empire.”

“We’ll stick around,” replied Rear Admiral Barnes. “I don’t believe any Confederation ships are left within hundreds of light-years.”

-

Andrew returned to his quarters, joining Kala. She had finally calmed down, but she was highly upset with Fleet Vice Admiral Masters.

“Did he use us as bait?”

“It may look like that, but he actually sent Third Fleet to ensure nothing would happen to us.”

“Maybe, but we still lost some ships and attack interceptors.”

Andrew nodded. “We’re at war, and I understand the reasons for wanting to destroy this Morag fleet, if it is the last major Confederation fleet in the Empire. Plus I understand the need for secrecy as to the Third Fleet guarding our backs, to keep our communications channels from being intercepted by the Confederation.”

Kala let out a deep sigh. “I guess I do too. Now, after tomorrow’s meetings, are we going home?”

“Yes,” said Andrew, smiling. “Third Fleet will be escorting us.”

This was fine with Kala, as she was ready to return to the safety of the Imperial Palace.

Andrew stepped back and looked at Kala. “Now we need to get ready for tonight’s banquet. We’ll have a lot of explaining to do.”

“You think the banquet’s still happening?”

Andrew nodded. “I spoke to the governor just before I returned to our quarters. She can’t wait to see us.”

Kala sighed. She guessed she had better go pick out some appropriate clothes. It seemed a diplomat, even one married to a Prince of the Empire, never got to rest.

Chapter Nine

Fleet Admiral Marloo, High Princess Layla, Chief Chancellor Stein, Fleet Vice Admiral Derrick Masters, Rear Admiral Carrie, Rear Admiral Barnes, and Prince Andrew were in one of the smaller conference rooms in the Imperial Palace, holding an important meeting.

“It’s been confirmed?” asked High Princess Layla.

Fleet Admiral Marloo nodded. “Yes, the Morag fleet that Rear Admirals Barnes and Carrie destroyed was the last major Confederation fleet formation in the Empire. There are still a few smaller Confederation ships and patrol squadrons out there, but we’re hunting them down where possible.”

“We also can confirm that the Lormallians and the Zang have pulled out every single one of their ships from the Empire and have pulled completely out of the war,” added Chancellor Stein. “From what we have put together, the Lormallians have developed a telepathic nullifier and are in the progress of installing them in all their warships, while the Zang are reportedly doing the same thing.”

“Not only that but we received a confirming hyperlight message directed at Golan Four this morning from the Lormallians,” said Andrew. He hadn’t had a chance to tell anyone yet, since the message had to be authenticated. “The Lormallians say they and the Zang will no longer be a part of this war. This war should have never happened, and they lay the blame directly on the Morag.”

High Princess Layla smiled. This was good news. “How are the Morag handling this?”

“Not well,” replied Fleet Admiral Marloo. “They are using excessive force to quell the uprisings on many Confederation worlds. We believe, as soon as they have the uprisings under control, they will turn toward us. We estimate we have a two- to three-month window, before we are once more under attack.”

Layla looked over at Chancellor Stein. “How many worlds have now joined the Empire or are planning to?”

Chancellor Stein smiled. “We have 317 worlds now represented in the House of Worlds. We have an additional 57 considering joining.”

“What’s our current fleet status?” Layla knew that dozens of worlds were now producing warships, and many others would be soon.

Fleet Admiral Marloo also smiled. “At the end of the week, all our worlds combined will have produced 2,230 new warships. In three months we can easily double that.”

“What about Earth?” Layla had been very concerned about Earth, as it was far from the Empire.

Chancellor Stein laughed. “The Confederation should never have attacked Earth. They’re building new shipyards and accelerating the rate of warship construction. In three months’ time, they’ll have their fleets rebuilt and will be ready to strike back at the Confederation.”

“What about the installation of the particle beam cannons?” asked Andrew. He knew just how important this was. The particle beam cannons could be a game changer.

“We’re now installing them on all new construction,” answered Marloo. “We also have one shipyard converting the dreadnoughts built without them.”

Andrew nodded. “I’ll see about the possibility of installing the particle beam cannons on the shipyards. I may have an idea that will work.”

“That would be great,” said Fleet Admiral Marloo approvingly. “The more particle beam cannons we have, the better off we’ll be.”

“I understand Earth may have a new superweapon as well?” asked Derrick. He had heard some rumors over the last several days.

Fleet Admiral Marloo nodded. “Yes, they are constructing an accelerator cannon that accelerates a projectile to almost the speed of light. Fleet Admiral Reynolds believes it will instantly knock down the shields on Confederation ships.”

Rear Admiral Carrie nodded to herself. “It sounds like, if we have the time, we may have the weapons to win this war.”

Everyone nodded. “If we have the time,” said Rear Admiral Barnes. “Let’s hope we have three more months.”

“I also want to report we have improved the forward shield on our attack interceptors,” added Carrie. “We have developed a new miniaturized fusion power plant that doubles the power of the shield. We will install the new generator in our interceptors next week.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” said Derrick. “We’re losing too many of them in our battles with the Confederation.”

The meeting lasted another two hours, with numerous issues discussed. Finally it ended, with everyone returning to their duties.

-

Later, High Princess Layla and Derrick were near the top of one of the sky towers, standing on a large balcony. The sun was setting, and the horizon was filled with a rainbow of colors.

“We’re doing it,” said Layla, as she leaned back into Derrick’s arms. “The Empire is growing and growing fast.”

Derrick nodded. “Fifth Fleet will be up to full strength by the end of next week. At that time Rear Admiral Barnes will return to Earth. Her Third Fleet will be needed to defend Earth, when they launch their attack against the Confederation.”

“Will we have enough ships to defend ourselves without Rear Admiral Barnes?”

“Yes, more than enough. We have a lot of warships now coming out of the shipyards. In another few weeks we will reassign some of our new rear admirals to the new fleets.”

Layla felt more at ease. “We’re building a lot of defensive grid elements as well and shipping them all across the Empire.” Layla took a deep breath and closed her eyes. “We’ll lose a lot of people in this war, won’t we?”

“Maybe,” answered Derrick. He knew war always brought losses, some quite substantial. “We always have losses in war, and the Confederation won’t hesitate to attack civilian targets, once this war fully breaks out.”

Since the earlier meeting, Layla had a burning question she wanted to ask Derrick. “Is there any chance the Lormallians and the Zang will aid us?”

Derrick shook his head. “No, I don’t believe they’re ready for anything like that. We must hope they stay neutral.”

“I guess we’ll have to settle for that. At least now we’re only fighting five of the races of the Great Council, better than all seven of them.”

Layla and Derrick stood on the balcony for nearly an hour, until the sun had set and the lights of the city came on. In the air above the city, thousands of aircars were visible in the sky lanes.

Derrick felt Layla shiver. “We better go in. It’s getting a little chilly.”

Layla nodded. “We have a long day tomorrow. I’m meeting a number of the representatives from the new worlds that have joined the Empire.”

“Are you going over to the House of Worlds?”

Layla shook her head. “No, we’ll hold the meetings in the Royal Court. Many of the representatives want to see the Palace, and we’ll arrange some tours as well.”

“Fifth Fleet will be back toward the end of the week. I’ll inspect one of the shipyards building the dreadnoughts and installing the particle beam cannons.”

Layla frowned. “Just don’t go flying around in one of the new dreadnoughts, no matter how tempting it is.”

Derrick grinned. “A task group leaves orbit tomorrow for some target practice. I may go observe for a few hours.”

“Just make sure it’s a few hours. Now let’s go to our quarters.”

-

Krista had just returned to her quarters, and she was in a very good mood. She had spent the evening with Mathew, under the watchful eyes of Ensign Allert. They had gone to a sporting event in the city in an outdoor arena. Emira had insisted Brenda accompany them, and she had.

One thing about Brenda, she was not overbearing and didn’t get in the way. She also managed to give them a little privacy every so often, though not for very long. Krista hoped she and Mathew would eventually get married, but he had not yet brought up the subject.

With a deep sigh, she entered her quarters, sitting down on one of the comfortable couches. Layla had mentioned they would be receiving a number of representatives from different worlds in the Royal Court the next day. It would be boring, but that was part of being a Royal, and Krista was determined not to let Layla down. With a smile, Krista thought back to her date with Mathew. At least they were seeing each other on a regular basis now.

-

Admiral Cleemorl wanted to get Cheryl to come to Tantula Five and stay for a while. The planet was now nearly as heavily defended as Golan Four, and he felt she would be perfectly safe here. Currently First Fleet was back in the Hagen Star Cluster, after a successful series of attacks on Confederation-held Human worlds.

He had met briefly today with Governor Ansell Dyson, and they had discussed how ship production was going, as well as the new defensive systems being installed around the other eighteen large mining colonies. Already several squadrons of warships—just recently built in the shipyards of the seven major systems—were on patrol, checking up on the mining colonies on a regular schedule.

“Things are looking up,” commented Rear Admiral Fulmar.

Dylan nodded. “I want to send some patrols to some of the nearby worlds, under Confederation control. Set up four fleets of two dreadnoughts and ten battlecruisers. I want to know if the Confederation has completely withdrawn from our region of space. If they have, we need to see if we can encourage those worlds to join the Empire. The seven main worlds of this star cluster are now producing an abundance of defensive grid elements. We need to arm every Human planet within range of this cluster. I also want to place large numbers of attack interceptors on as many worlds as possible. When the Confederation returns, and they will, I want them to find every world armed and ready to defend themselves.”

“I’ll arrange for the patrols,” said Fulmar. “We should also speak to the governors about our plans to place defensive elements around all these worlds. It’s an expense the Hagen Star Cluster will have to pay for.”

“Perhaps,” responded Dylan. “I’m hoping the worlds we’ll defend can offer some compensation to help pay for the costs, perhaps in raw materials or manufactured products.”

Rear Admiral Fulmar folded his arms across his chest. “Any luck in talking Cheryl into coming out to the cluster?”

“Some,” replied Dylan. “She’s open to coming out for some short visits. We’ll see what we can work out.”

-

Several hours later the Themis went into orbit around Gideon, the only inhabited moon in the system. On its northern pole, a massive military base was taking shape. Already over two thousand attack interceptors were based there, and constant training flights occurred. In orbit above Gideon was a massive defensive grid and eight ODPs. All to protect the four hundred million people who lived on the terraformed moon. Already on the surface, twelve PDCs were under construction, with the first scheduled to be completed within the week. Dylan had more ODPs coming from the core worlds. He wanted Gideon to be a death trap for the Confederation and particularly the Morag.

Above the moon, a large space station and a greatly expanded shipyard were in orbit. Both had been heavily armed and had energy shields.

“Inform Governor Bloom that I’ll be coming down for an inspection,” said Dylan. “I want to inspect several of the PDCs, as well as the base at the north pole of the moon.”

“I’ll get the message sent,” replied Fulmar.

“You will be accompanying me as well,” said Dylan. “I want you fully familiar with the defense capabilities of this moon. Someday I expect a major battle to be fought here.” Dylan planned on using Gideon as a trap for the Confederation. Its defenses would be far greater than anything the Confederation had faced before.

-

Several hours later they were in a large aircar, with the governor slowly orbiting one of the ground PDCs under construction. Everywhere they looked, they saw construction engineers and hundreds of construction robots. Bright flashes of light indicated the operation of fusion welders, while cranes lifted massive pieces of metal into place.

“This one will be complete in about three more weeks,” said Governor Bloom.

Dylan nodded. The construction site was well over a kilometer across. Parts of it were complete, and missile launchers and small defensive turrets were already visible, where they had already been installed. Around the perimeter, a ten-meter-high wall—with guard towers every one hundred meters—provided extra security.

“We’ll have nearly one thousand Marines stationed on the perimeter of each PDC,” Governor Bloom informed Dylan and Rear Admiral Fulmar. “If it comes down to fighting on the ground, we’ll be ready.”

Dylan saw formations of Marines performing drills. “I’m expecting a major battle to be fought over this moon,” said Dylan. “I’ve made arrangements to add at least four more ODPs.”

“What size fleet will we have to help defend us?” asked the governor worriedly.

“All seven of your major worlds are building warships. I want at least ten dreadnoughts and one hundred battlecruisers assigned permanently to your defense, once we have the ships available. I would also like to see five thousand attack interceptors ready to deploy as well.”

Governor Bloom nodded. “We’re building them ourselves. But, in order to have that many and the crews to fly them, it’ll take three more months at least.”

Dylan had suspected this. “I’ll see if I can get some interceptors and crews from some of the other worlds. I’ll make it plain that I expect the main battle to be above Gideon.”

Governor Bloom frowned. She knew the importance Gideon would play in the admiral’s plans to defend the star cluster. She just hoped her people would be safe.

Dylan looked down at the PDC one last time. “Let’s go inspect the main base. We may spend most of the afternoon there, as I want to do an inspection on the ground.”

Dylan leaned back in his seat, as the aircar turned and headed north. He wondered how much time they had before the Morag had the Confederation back under control. No doubt once that was done, they would launch a full-scale attack against the Empire.

-

It took nearly an hour to reach the massive base sitting on the north pole of the moon. As they neared the base, Dylan was taken aback by its pure size. The base stretched out over one hundred kilometers. The landscape was dotted with defensive turrets, massive fusion energy cannons, and hundreds of missile launchers.

As they flew over the base, Dylan looked down and saw the gigantic reinforced hangars that held several thousand attack interceptors. He saw many more under construction. Above the base several full squadrons of attack interceptors underwent flight training.

“We have four flight schools continuously in session,” explained Governor Bloom. “Once we land, I’ll have General Flynn explain everything in more detail.”

The aircar descended and soon approached a small landing field. As soon as Dylan stepped from the aircar, a military band began playing the Imperial March, and several hundred Marines were lined up in parade formation. Dylan paused, surprised, and, upon seeing the small line of officers in front of the assembled Marines, headed straight toward them. He stopped in front of them and saluted, being saluted back in return.

“You have a fine group of Marines here,” commented Dylan, smiling.

“This is General Flynn,” introduced Governor Bloom, gesturing toward the most decorated officer.

“General, it’s good to meet you. If you don’t mind, I would like to take a tour of your base.”

Flynn nodded. “I would be delighted to show you around. We’ve accomplished a lot these last few months. We have construction across the base going nonstop throughout the day and night. If you will follow me, we have some vehicles waiting.”

-

For the next several hours they drove around the base, inspecting weapon turrets, missile launchers, and one of the massive fusion energy beam cannons that could reach up into space. Finally they stopped at one of the large reinforced hangars that housed a full squadron of attack interceptors.

-

Dylan walked over and put his hand on one of the interceptors. He saw a young pilot standing nervously nearby. “How does she fly?” he asked, looking at the pilot and smiling.

“Great, sir,” he stammered.

“Don’t be nervous, son,” Dylan said, reaching out and putting his hand on the pilot’s shoulder. “We need you pilots. Learn everything you can because what you do is very important to the Empire.”

“Yes, sir,” replied the pilot a little less nervously.

Dylan stopped and talked to a few mechanics and a few other pilots, as they walked through the hangar. He was surprised how well trained everyone was and how young some of them were.

“Let’s go to the Command Center,” suggested General Flynn.

-

The Command Center was located one thousand meters beneath the ground. As they stepped inside, Dylan was surprised at how large it was. Hundreds of viewscreens revealed areas from across the base as well as the moon.

“From here we can monitor the entire star system,” General Flynn informed Dylan. “We are tied in with the main Command Center on Tantula Five, and we can cross-coordinate, if we need to.”

They walked around the Command Center, stopping occasionally to talk to some of the hundreds of officers operating the control consoles.

“I’m impressed,” commented Dylan, as they finished the tour. “You’ve made more progress than I could have hoped for.”

“We recognize the danger,” replied General Flynn. “If the Confederation comes here, I don’t intend to lose the battle.”

Dylan smiled. “I believe that. I will promise you this. If the Confederation comes here, I’ll be close by with my fleet, and you can count on that.”

-

Later, as Rear Admiral Fulmar and Dylan flew back up to the Themis, Dylan turned toward Fulmar. “What do you think?”

“I was amazed at what all they have accomplished. If they have time to finish everything, this moon will be a death trap for any Confederation fleet that attacks it.”

Dylan didn’t reply. No one knew he was setting up the Hagen Star Cluster to stop the Confederation cold. The cluster would be the site of the biggest and deadliest battles. He just hoped most of the cluster survived.

-

All across the Empire, Confederation ships and small patrol fleets were pulling back to the Confederation to put down the unrest sweeping over so many Confederation-controlled worlds.

On numerous Human planets, they looked up into the sky and noticed the Confederation warships were gone. Many wondered what had happened. Also a strong demand came across many worlds to join the Empire, as they did not want to fall under Confederation control again.

-

On Golan Four an emergency meeting was held of the Imperial Council. They were discussing the sudden influx of messages from worlds requesting immediate admittance to the Empire.

“In the last two days we’ve received nearly two hundred requests from worlds wanting to join the Empire,” reported Admiral Marloo. “We believe it’s a direct result of the Confederation’s withdrawal.”

“But we know that withdrawal is not permanent,” said Governor Elaina Dreel of Glimmer. “Eventually the Confederation will return.”

Admiral Marloo nodded. “We have, at the most, two to three months to prepare for that. But how can we refuse these worlds?”

“In three months’ time, what size fleet will we have?” asked Governor Gregory Staley of Aquilla Three.

“Over 4,000 ships,” answered Marloo. “The Resistance fleet will also be up to around 1,500 ships, though many of their vessels will be lighter units.”

“This presents a quandary,” said Governor Able Marsk of Lamora Seven. “While we want to greatly expand the Empire, there is no way we can defend that many additional worlds.”

“I may have a solution,” said Fleet Admiral Marloo. “What if we only defend those worlds on the side of the Empire nearest Confederation space? We know the Confederation will have to fight its way through our defenses just to get to the core worlds. It will be almost impossible for them to go around the Hagen Star Cluster. It will present too large of a danger for them, if they attempt to bypass it. Admiral Cleemorl has placed extremely heavy defenses throughout the cluster. There’s a chance the Confederation will not get through them.”

Several of the Governors nodded. “So, you’re suggesting we leave the worlds on the far side of the Empire on their own and responsible for their own defenses?”

“Oh, we’ll help them. But we won’t focus most of our resources there. On the side of the Empire nearest the Confederation, we need to make it a death trap for any Confederation forces that come back into the Empire.”

“We have much work ahead of us,” said Chancellor Stein. “Every day that passes, the actual war comes closer. We must do everything we can to expand the Empire and to prepare for that day.”

Everyone nodded. All were determined that the Confederation would never regain control of their worlds.

-

High Princess Layla sat in the Royal Court, along with Krista and Andrew. For the last several weeks, during the afternoon, civilians were allowed to come into the Royal Court to address the Royal Family and, in some cases, to express their grievances. They were currently speaking to a family of four, who were concerned about all the funds being spent on the war effort.

“We could be doing so much for ourselves if not for the war,” said the man. “Is there no chance for peace talks with the Confederation?”

“I don’t want to die,” said the daughter, who looked to be a young teenager.

Layla smiled. “You are not going to die. I won’t let that happen.” She then turned toward the father. “More worlds are joining the Empire every day, making us stronger. Soon we will have more resources available that can be used to help everyone. As far as peace talks with the Confederation, they are not interested. The Morag are only interested in galactic domination, and we are in their way. With a little luck this war will not last much longer.”

“I hope not,” responded the mother, holding an infant in her arms. “I want a safe world for my children to grow up in.”

“And we are working hard so that they will have that,” replied Layla. “I promise.”

This seemed to satisfy the parents, as they thanked Layla for her time and then turned to leave.

“Just a moment,” said Andrew. From the look of the family, they were very poor. He stood and, reaching into his pocket, took out a couple one-hundred-credit notes. “Take this and find someplace nice to eat with your family tonight.”

The wife took the money, with trembling hands. “Thank you.” She then handed it to her husband, who carefully placed it in his pocket.

Layla watched as the family left the Royal Court. “So very nice. I wish I would have thought of that.”

“I’m amazed we still have so many poor people living on Golan Four,” commented Krista. “How can that be?”

Layla shook her head. “I’ll speak to Chancellor Stein about this. This may be something the Palace wants to get involved in.”

“Helping the poor is always good publicity,” said Andrew.

“I’m not worried about publicity,” replied Layla. “I just want to make sure we have no children on this planet going without food or proper clothing. Did you notice the pants the father had on? They had been mended a number of times. I suspect the clothes the children wore were hand-me-downs.”

Krista nodded, as she thought about how packed with clothes her closets were. She had gowns she had only worn once since she had purchased them.

“We need to see how widespread this is,” said Layla. The meetings with the public were over for the day.

“You do realize that not long ago the Confederation still had control of Golan Four,” said Andrew. “We may be seeing in this family the results of that.”

Layla nodded. Andrew was probably right. She would arrange for someone in her staff to check on this family. If they needed more help, she would arrange for it. It was the least she could do.

Chapter Ten

Councilor Ardon Reull was on Lormallia, which was the Lormallians homeworld. He was currently meeting with the Lormallian Ruling Triad, explaining his actions and what he had learned about the Morag.

“We’ve been enslaved by the Morag since nearly the very beginning of the founding of the Confederation,” explained Reull. “They have used their telepathic ability to influence and to change our very culture.” Reull slid three small computer disks across the table, one for each member of the Triad. “Study the information on those disks, and you will see what the Morag have done. They have used us for thousands of years to help accomplish their goal of galactic domination. I can guarantee you that everyone in this room has had their minds manipulated by the Morag. They have forced us to do things we thought were our own ideas, but, in reality, they were theirs.”

“There is much anger among our civilian population, since the revelation of the Morag’s telepathic manipulation,” said Mador Angst, the leader of the Triad. “I find it revolting to think that the Morag have been in my mind and that I have been forced to do things I normally would not have done or recommended.”

“Many of our people believe we should go to war against the Morag,” added Serrie Voll. She leaned back and gazed at Councilor Reull for his thoughts. “What do you think?”

Ardon shook his head. “We dare not. I believe the Morag would like nothing more than to move in and to take over our worlds. As long as we don’t move against them, the rest of the Great Council will not support such an action.”

“Even with Morag manipulation?” challenged Birx Storl.

“If the Morag were to make such a move, several of the other races might come over to our side,” explained Ardon. “What I recommend is that we put up defensive grids over our three most populous planets. At the same time we increase our warship construction to the maximum. No doubt a time will come where the Morag will come for both us and the Zang. We should also heavily arm all our space stations and shipyards and make sure they have the most powerful energy shields possible.”

“What about the Zang?” asked Serrie. “What are they doing?”

“They are doing the same. I spoke to the Zang councilor earlier, and he firmly believes that, once the Morag are finished with the Human Empire and Earth, they will send their fleets against us.”

Mador nodded his agreement. “We are too much of a danger, being in the heart of the Confederation. We also have the largest population and the most inhabited worlds. We should sign a mutual defensive pact with the Zang. The two of us standing together might force the Morag to hesitate, before turning their forces against us.”

“Maybe,” replied Ardon, sounding doubtful. “However, I believe someday they will come for us, no matter what we do.”

-

The Triad and Councilor Reull met for several more hours, making plans and deciding how best Ardon could serve the Triad at the Great Council. Finally the meeting ended, and Ardon headed home for a few days’ rest. Then it would be time to return to the Great Council to keep an eye on the Morag.

-

Ardon was up early the next morning. He had a meeting scheduled with several military leaders. So far, no one knew where he was producing the nullifiers. He intended to keep that a secret, until all Lormallian warships were protected, as were all major military and government leaders. The production facilities were also sending modified head and ship units to the Zang as well.

One thing Ardon would recommend was that nullifier units be placed on board all their shipyards and space stations, as well as civilian ships. This would greatly reduce the chance of any Morag-controlled individual from sneaking onto any Lormallian world. One of the side effects of the nullifiers were they canceled any Morag commands already in a person’s mind. Ardon didn’t know if the Morag realized this yet, but it would only be a matter of time before they figured it out.

-

On Morag Prime, the High Council was in session. This time Councilor Damora was there, as he had a seat on the council, since he was one of the strongest telepaths in the Confederation.

I don’t see the Zang or the Lormallians being a threat to us, he sent, as he took his place at the table. They will be spending months, possibly years, dealing with the unrest on the worlds in their sections of the Confederation.

We are rapidly putting down the unrest in the rest of the Confederation, with the aid of the four races that have sided with us, sent Addonis. Admirals Colane and Torrant estimate it will be six more weeks before all the unrest is brought back under control. We will then place the Morphenes and the Lamothians in charge of seeing that those worlds stay under our control. A few Morag warships with their fleet formations will remain nearby to ensure everything goes smoothly.

What about the Druins and the Zynth? asked Delann.

They are the more aggressive races and enjoy war, replied Addonis. They will take part in the invasion of the Human Empire.

What about the defensive cruisers? asked Brant. Will they be ready by then?

Yes, replied Addonis. We’ll have enough for all our fleets. In addition, the Druins are building drone carriers for their attack drones. Normally the drones are used to protect large installations or observation posts. They will be a good response to the Humans’ small attack craft.

Hiram asked Addonis, How soon before we launch our attack on Human space? The longer we wait, the stronger they become.

Eight weeks. We want the reserve fully activated, as well as many new warships as possible out of our shipyards. Our admirals will roll over the Humans, taking back all their worlds. Those worlds that will not surrender we will destroy. Once we have the Empire firmly back under our control, we will turn our attention to Earth. We will give them a choice of staying inside their small system and living in peace or total annihilation.

We have left the Zang and the Lormallians on the Great Council, said Damora. Is that a wise decision?

While they are two powerful races, their power is insignificant when compared to ours, replied Addonis. Besides, we may find a use for them in the future.

I will return to the council tomorrow, sent Damora. We must keep a watchful eye on the rest of the council members. None of the others must be allowed to turn against us.

-

Morag Admiral Torrant was above the capital world of the Screel with his fleet. The Screel resembled flying bats but had a set of arms with fingers that allowed them to manipulate equipment. Rioting currently took place in over forty of their largest cities. Even a few Morag had been killed, when their vehicles had been overrun by massive crowds of Screel.

A few missiles had been fired at Torrant’s fleet, when it first went into orbit, although Admiral Torrant had no idea where the Screel had come up with such offensive weapons.

All ships are in position, reported First Officer Markel. We have picked out the ten largest cities for our fusion weapons.

Admiral Torrant nodded. He had developed a system for dealing with these rebellious worlds—a system that worked—and he had ended the revolts on Confederation world after world. Launch missiles, he ordered.

-

From ten Morag battleships, deadly fusion missiles darted toward the surface. Numerous Screel civilians looked up to see streaks of light coming down through the atmosphere toward them. Many became frightened and took to the air, using the powerful beats of their wings. They turned to flee the city but were already too late.

In a massive blast of light and heat, the missile detonated three thousand meters above the city. Most of the Screel who had taken to the air were thrown violently to the ground, breaking wings, legs, and, in many cases, dying. The powerful heat and blast wave moved outward from the city’s center, toppling buildings and communication towers. Roads filled with the falling rubble and quickly became impassible.

Then a second and third explosion occurred, adding to the destruction. In moments a massive firestorm engulfed the city’s center, killing most of the remaining inhabitants. Those in underground shelters or transportation tunnels became trapped, as thousands of tons of rubble covered up and buried the entrances.

The heat became oppressive, and the air was full of ash, debris, and deadly toxins. The radiation count rose, as some of the ash settled on the ground. Across the city could be heard the screams of anguish from those who had survived the blast but were too badly injured to flee. As time passed, the screams faded and then died away completely. In slightly less than twenty minutes, nearly eleven million Screel died.

Across the planet in nine other heavily populated cities, more mushroom clouds rose into the air. Millions more of the Screel died, killed without mercy. Then came the ultimatum from the orbiting Morag fleet. End the revolts immediately, or twenty more cities would be destroyed.

The Screel hastily called a meeting of the remaining rulers of their planet. No doubt the Morag threat was not a bluff. Too many other worlds had seen their cities destroyed.

“We have no choice,” spoke one of the Screel in an extremely high-pitched voice. “We must do as they say or face destruction.”

The Screel leader nodded. He had hoped to see his people set free. “Send the message. We will stop the revolts.”

-

An hour later they had their answer, as Morag troop assault shuttles landed. “They will establish a military base upon our planet,” spoke the Screel leader. “Five thousand Morag troops will ensure that we keep the peace and that we remain loyal to the Morag and the Confederation.” The Screel leader felt as if he had let his people down. He wondered what other repercussions would appear for revolting against the Morag and the Confederation.

-

In orbit, Morag Admiral Torrant nodded to himself. Another world was now no longer a problem. In a few hours his fleet would travel to a nearby world in open revolt. This was great training for his fleet for when they went to war against the Humans.

-

Derrick was in his office in the Imperial Palace, going over the latest fleet deployments, as well as reviewing the construction being done across the Empire in shipyards and manufacturing space stations. The Empire was turning out a tremendous number of ships now and even a more impressive number of defensive components.

The comm unit on his desk flashed, and he pressed the blinking button to answer it. “This is Admiral Masters. Go ahead.”

“Admiral, this is Colonel Young in the Command Center. We have detected a large number of ships exiting hyperspace two million kilometers from Golan Four. We have identified one of the ships as belonging to the Visth, and the others belong to various alien races. They have come to a stop and request permission to go into high orbit above Golan Four.”

Derrick wondered what they could want. The Visth had been here months earlier. “Give them permission, but inform them they will be escorted in by units of Fifth Fleet. Contact Rear Admiral Banora and inform her of the situation and that she’s to provide the escort.”

-

Two hours later the Visth and representatives of fourteen other alien races walked into one of the secure conference rooms in the House of Worlds. Fleet Admiral Marloo was currently on an inspection tour of the core worlds and would not be back for two more days. Derrick was present, representing the fleet, and Chief Chancellor Stein and five other Imperial Councilors were present as well. Prince Andrew was present, acting as an observer for the Royals.

It took a few moments to make the proper introductions, as the automatic translators had to be adjusted to translate all the different languages.

“What may we do for you?” asked Chancellor Stein. “We were not expecting to be visited by so many races from such diverse cultures.”

The Visth representative stood. The Visth were a humanoid species, with a greenish tint to their skin and very large eyes. The hair on the top of their head was white and very thick. The Visth controlled eleven star systems and had been subjugated by the Confederation several thousand years in the past in a short and bloody war.

“We wish to form an alliance with your Empire,” Stralon Karn said in a calm and steady voice. “Between our fifteen races represented here today, we control over 227 worlds. We would like to secede from the Confederation and join your people in the war.”

“We don’t currently have the ships to protect your worlds,” said Chancellor Stein. “It may not be safe for you to do as you’re suggesting.”

Stralon Karn smiled. His large eyes grew even larger. “We have some warships we have built in secret. If you could provide a task force or two, we believe we could hold our own. Defensive grid elements, such as you have around your worlds, would be useful as well. We are currently in the process of changing over some of our space factories to construct defensive grid elements of our own.”

“Are any Confederation forces currently around any of your star systems?” asked Derrick. He wondered if the Confederation had pulled their warships back from all outlying systems.

“No, they all withdrew several weeks ago.”

“We need your help,” pleaded the Cajjun representative. “My people yearn to be free.” The Cajjun representative vaguely resembled a large dog that could walk on two legs and had hands instead of paws.

The other alien representatives voiced their concerns as well. All promised to do whatever was necessary, if the Humans would only help them.

“We need to discuss this among ourselves,” said Chancellor Stein. “I’ll have an aide escort all of you to a nearby executive lounge, where you’ll find refreshments and food.”

Several House of Worlds’ security people politely escorted the fifteen alien representatives from the room.

“We don’t have the ships,” said Julian Bemire of Ambary Two. “What do we do? They’re offering us over two hundred more inhabited worlds to fight the Confederation with.”

Governor Gregory Staley of Aquilla Three frowned. “Two hundred and twenty-seven possibly unarmed worlds. Do they even have a large enough fleet they can use to help defend themselves?”

“We must help them,” said Governor Elaina Dreel of Glimmer. “It will make for a useful alliance, once this war is over. We have very few alien races in Empire space, and most of them are very primitive.”

Chancellor Stein turned toward Derrick. “Admiral, what do you suggest?”

“I think we need this alliance, if only for what it might mean in the future. I suggest we offer enough defensive grid parts to protect all their capital worlds. We can also place a large squadron of our warships in their section of space, to conduct routine patrols and to assist their forces, if the Confederation attacks.”

“How large of a force?” asked Governor Staley.

“Twenty dreadnoughts and eighty battlecruisers,” replied Derrick. “I believe we can spare that many, and it will be a gesture of good faith to those fifteen races.”

“What do you think, Prince Andrew?” asked Governor Staley.

Andrew took a deep breath. He wanted the council to make this decision. “I think we need as much help in this war as possible.”

-

The Imperial Council spent nearly an hour making plans, until everyone was satisfied they had something that would work. Then they called the representatives back in.

“We have reached a decision,” announced Chancellor Stein. “We will, indeed, form a mutual defense alliance, and, maybe later on, we can expand upon that to include trade and other items.” He noticed the relieved look on all the representatives’ faces. “Here’s what we’re willing to offer. First, enough defensive grid elements to protect all of your homeworlds. The rest of your worlds will be up to you to furnish what will be needed to protect them. We will also place a heavy task group of twenty dreadnoughts and eighty battlecruisers in your region of space, to assist if the Confederation attacks. We do have one important question. How many warships do you have and how powerful are they?”

Visth representative Stralon Karn stood and looked at the Imperial Council. “Some of us have been building warships in secret for years. Currently we have 1,200 light units, which could be classified as light cruisers. We have 212 medium cruisers and 72 battlecruisers.”

Chancellor Stein looked at the Visth representative Stralon Karn in disbelief. “How can you have so many ships?”

“We fifteen races have been planning on leaving the Confederation for nearly two hundred years. We have been careful to keep our warship construction a complete secret. If the Confederation found out, the repercussions would have been horrendous. We also have a quite a few defensive grid elements already built as well.”

Stein looked over at Derrick to get his response.

“That sounds like a good-size fleet, but I doubt if you’ve had time to train your crews properly. I’ll get the heavy task force organized as soon as possible, and they can help your fleet learn basic battle maneuvers and repair drills. In a few months we can have them up to Empire standards and ready to meet any Confederation incursion into your space.”

“That sounds great,” replied Stralon Karn. “We have four fleet admirals, as we have our ships set up in four large task groups. We welcome any assistance you can furnish us.”

For the next several hours the council members asked the various races represented here what their level of technology was and how prepared they were for war. Both sides had questions they wanted answered. When it was all over, a document was put together, which everyone signed, setting up the Empire’s first alliance with alien races. Definitely a step in the right direction.

-

When the meeting was over, Chancellor Stein stood near Derrick, as the fifteen alien representatives filed from the room. “I’ll let you explain to the High Princess what we’ve just done.”

Derrick smiled knowingly. “I’m sure she will support it. After all, she is the one who wanted the Imperial Council to have more power.”

Chancellor Stein smiled. “Two hundred and twenty-seven more worlds opposed to Confederation rule. I’d call that a win any day.”

Derrick nodded. “So would I. And I guess I better go inform the High Princess and then figure out what fleet units we want to send.”

“I’ll start working on the defensive grid elements. We need to get those capital worlds protected as soon as possible, before the Confederation realizes what’s going on.”

“We have a lot to do over the next several months,” admitted Derrick. “Let’s just hope the unrest in the Confederation lasts long enough for us to finish our preparations.”

Andrew smiled. The Imperial Council had made its first major decision without being influenced by the Royals. He knew Layla would be very pleased with that.

-

Ardon Reull was back in the Great Council hall, waiting for the rest of the councilors to show up. So far his plans were going well. The entire Lormallian fleet would be equipped with the nullifiers by the end of the week. The Zang still needed a few more days.

At the moment he had an important decision to make. The Visth had contacted a Lormallian government official, requesting one hundred thousand of the nullifiers. Both for ships as well as individuals. The Visth had refused to say why they wanted them, but Ardon suspected they were preparing to pull out of the Confederation. He also knew the Visth were quite close to several other nearby alien races, who would most likely follow their lead.

With a deep sigh, he realized he was putting himself into a bad situation, if the Morag ever found out he had sent nullifiers to the Visth. For the time being, he decided to send them just ten thousand, all capable of protecting warships and one thousand capable of protecting individuals. If the Morag showed no signs of knowing what he had done, he would send the rest of what the Visth had requested. No doubt someday the Morag would turn against both the Lormallians and the Zang and try to force them back under Morag control. It would not hurt the Lormallians and the Zang if they had a few more allies for when that day came.

The other councilors filed into the room, followed by Morag Councilor Damora. Reull still sat in the lead councilor’s seat, as he had not been voted out of it, though he fully expected that to happen soon. Damora eyed Ardon for a few seconds and then sat in his customary seat.

“What orders of business do we have to discuss today?” asked Ardon, acting as if nothing had changed.

“We need to prepare for the attack on the Human Empire,” said Druin Councilor Clun. “We are producing large numbers of carrier ships that will be capable of transporting our attack drones. We believe these drones will handle the Humans’ small attack craft.”

“Only the Morag, the Druins, and the Zynth will be involved in the attack,” added Damora. “All other races will be responsible for maintaining peace in the Confederation, while the attack takes place.”

Councilor Reull was a little surprised by this. He wondered if the Morag had concerns about the Morphenes and the Lamothians. “How soon before this attack takes place? There is still considerable unrest in the Confederation.”

Damora’s gaze turned toward Ardon.

Ardon was certain he could sense hate in that deadly stare.

“In a little over two months. We want to make sure we have a sufficient number of the light cruisers constructed to handle the Humans’ small attack craft, before we engage them in battle.”

-

For the next two hours the meeting continued, as they covered numerous subjects. For the most part it was a normal meeting of the Great Council, though everyone could sense the undertones of distrust between Lormallian Councilor Reull and Morag Councilor Damora.

At the end of the meeting, Councilor Reull returned to his office in the massive building that housed the Great Council. He had changed his mind. He would furnish the Visth with exactly what they had asked for. He would also include a message that the Morag, Druins, and Zynth would attack the Human Empire in a little less than two months.

With a little hesitation, he added the information about the Druin attack drones and the new light cruisers, designed to destroy the Humans’ small attack craft. No doubt the Morag would consider this treason against the Confederation, but, if his Lormallian people were to survive, something had to be done about the Morag, and the Humans were the best possibility.

Chapter Eleven

Across the Confederation, the planets in revolt were ruthlessly put down. Planet after planet was brought back under the firm control of the Confederation. The Druins, the Zynth, and the Morag employed the deadliest methods in destroying cities and, upon rare occasions, entire planets. The Lamothians and the Morphene, while still using violent methods, were much less violent than the Druins and the Morag. Of course the Lamothians were taking captives to be used in their savage feast festivals.

The Zang and the Lormallians were using more peaceful methods, like negotiations, to help quell the violence. Many of the planets in Zang and Lormallian space agreed to listen, particularly after learning what had occurred in other sections of the Confederation. Already billions had lost their lives, and the worlds under control of the Zang and the Lormallians did not want to see that happen to their worlds. In most cases the worlds agreed to end the revolts for more freedom in exchange for a larger say-so in what went on in their space.

-

In the Morag region of space, Councilor Addonis was on board a battleship, inspecting the ships coming out of the reserve. The reserve was a massive collection of ships, some over one thousand years old. Many of the ships were kept in stasis for future use, while others had the airlocks open, allowing the vacuum of space to preserve them.

Four large space stations on the edge of the shipyard were responsible for disassembling the oldest of the ships. However, now, instead of taking ships apart, they were updating them and equipping them with modern equipment and weapons.

As Councilor Addonis watched, a massive battlecruiser eased from one of the bays. Its design was used nearly two hundred years ago. The battlecruiser turned and moved away from the station toward a large conglomeration of ships. Addonis knew over four thousand ships were in that formation. All were ships that had been repaired and updated. Three other similar formations were above other worlds in Morag space, where similar repairs had been done or were being done.

Your fleet is nearly ready, sent Addonis to Admiral Norlan, who stood close to him. In two more weeks it will be time for you and your ships to take part in the attack on the Human Empire. This would be the only reserve fleet used in the attack. The rest would be used to patrol Confederation space, while most of the more modern warships took part in the assault.

We will be ready, replied Norlan with confidence. The war in the Human Empire will be short and over very quickly. They have never fought the Morag when we have deployed full fleets of our warships.

Addonis nodded. The Zynth and the Druins will take part in the attack as well. Each will be assigned a sector of Human space to attack.

We will not need either, replied Norlan. Our forces will be sufficient.

Perhaps not, agreed Addonis. But we must not underestimate these Humans. They have shown to be quite cunning and dangerous in past battles.

Norlan did not reply. His gaze was on the massive fleet of reserve vessels that he was to command. He would take over the fleet today and would begin practicing battle maneuvers. Battles, such as were ahead, often led to very good promotions. He hoped to be a fleet admiral before this was over and maybe someday to hold a seat on the Morag High Council. After all, he was a very strong telepath, one of the strongest in Morag space.

-

Admiral Dylan Cleemorl nodded in satisfaction, as he inspected the last of the major inhabited moons in the Hagen Star Cluster. All had powerful defensive grids around them, as well as a few ODPs. The seven major worlds of the cluster had also built a few hundred battlecruisers to add to the cluster’s defense. No dreadnoughts had been built, as the decision had been made to concentrate on quantity for now. Dreadnoughts would come later.

“We’re as ready as we can be,” commented Rear Admiral Fulmar, as he gazed at an orbiting ODP on the main viewscreen.

Dylan nodded. He expected an attack within the next few weeks. All across the Empire, preparations were being made to defend against a massive assault by the Confederation. He was pleased that all his dreadnoughts had been equipped with the new particle beam cannons. When used, they should present a great surprise to the Confederation fleets.

Dylan was also pleased with the number of warships he currently had. Not counting the ones being produced by the worlds of the cluster, he had 1,350 battlecruisers and 129 dreadnoughts. He planned on dividing his fleet into three task groups of 450 battlecruisers and 43 dreadnoughts each.

“How soon will you send Cheryl back?”

“A couple more days,” answered Dylan. He didn’t want her around all the fighting, and he expected the fighting in this star cluster to be quite heavy. “She’s actually enjoyed spending time on Tantula Five. It’s very similar to the core worlds, and she’s been running around with the governor’s wife.”

“Probably asking questions to find out if she can put some of her entertainment bars here in the cluster.”

Dylan smiled. His wife still had that wild side to her, and he enjoyed it. It made her very special. “Probably.”

A more serious look crossed Fulmar’s face. “Do you think we can actually stop them here?”

“We’ll make one hell of an attempt,” answered Dylan, his eyes narrowing. He hoped he hadn’t set this star cluster on a path toward total destruction. In another few weeks he would know.

-

On Tantula Five, Cheryl stayed at a luxury resort that catered to anything she wanted. The food was fabulous; the entertainment was great, and the resort offered so many other things. She also was greatly enjoying her time with Dylan. She so looked forward to the end of this war, when they could be together all the time.

She had seen some of the things he had done in this cluster. There was no doubt in her mind that Dylan intended to end the war right here. Cheryl was so proud of what Dylan was doing. One other thing she wanted to do—take advantage of a huge opportunity in this cluster for her restaurants and entertainment clubs.

She had spoken to the governor’s wife a number of times; Cheryl believed her entertainment bars and family restaurants would be a big hit in the cluster. Once she returned to Golan Four, she would meet with Captain Bryan about extending their operation out of the core worlds and across more of the main worlds of the Empire, particularly this cluster. A fortune could be made here, and she would not miss out on it.

-

Dylan and the Themis were back in orbit around Tantula Five. He was rotating the downtime for the crews of his fleet. He wanted everyone to get some time off over the next ten days, as he knew, after that, the Confederation could attack with overwhelming force, or at least with what they thought was overwhelming force. He was turning command of the fleet over to Rear Admiral Fulmar, while he went down and spent a few days with Cheryl, before she headed back to Golan Four. He knew full well it might be the last time he saw her, until after the Confederation attack.

-

Morag Fleet Admiral Torrant was above the Barsoon’s homeworld. The planet was even protected by a primitive defensive grid, and the Barsoons had managed to arm a number of their civilian ships. This was the last major world still in open revolt in this sector of space. Once crushed, it would be time to turn their attention to the Humans.

Defensive grid is firing, warned the sensor officer. Weapons are weak and ineffective; mostly high intensity lasers.

Torrant looked at the main viewscreen. He saw a few weak energy beams striking his ships’ energy screens. They didn’t even make the screens light up.

Missile launch from the surface, warned the sensor officer. Twenty-seven missiles inbound.

Intercept them, ordered Torrant, leaning forward in his command chair and hearing it creak under his massive weight. Being launched from the surface, they would be easier targets to destroy.

Targeting, replied the tactical officer. All battleships are targeting the inbound missiles with their fusion energy beams.

On the tactical display, the twenty-seven missiles were displayed as small red icons rising from the planet. One by one they blinked out of existence, as they were annihilated, until none remained.

Take out their feeble defense grid, ordered Torrant.

Instantly fusion energy beams leaped from the orbiting warships, striking the defense grid. Bright explosions signified the successful destruction of the energy beam satellites. For the next several hours debris would fall on the planet, creating a bright display in the night sky.

We have twenty cargo ships approaching, added the sensor officer. All are lightly to moderately armed. They also have no energy shields.

Torrant shook his head. These primitive races would never learn. Use antimatter missiles and destroy them.

Missiles streaked from the fleet, and, in brilliant nova-like explosions, all twenty cargo ships vanished, being turned into molten wreckage.

Torrant nodded in satisfaction. Destroy their ten largest cities.

-

The Barsoons lived in massive city hives. They had descended from a species of bees and had developed into a species of medium intelligence. Many of their cities contained tens of millions of inhabitants. At the heart of each city lived the queen and her court. All were quite intelligent and directed the activities of the other Barsoons living in the city hive.

Inside the largest of the city hives, the Queen watched on a viewscreen, as the Morag fleet destroyed the planet’s weak defensive grid and fleet. “They are here,” she said in a high-pitched voice. “Evacuate all essential personnel to the lower levels of all city hives. Our workers can easily be replaced.” Unknown to the Morag, far beneath all the cities of the Barsoons were deep underground caverns, where the egg hatcheries were hidden and where the future generations of the Barsoon waited to be hatched. Also where the Queen, her Royal Court, and other essential workers would go to ride out the attack.

-

From ten battleships, numerous missiles belched forth to fall toward the planet. Above the capital city, a bright flash and a sudden overwhelming heat signified the detonation of a fusion weapon. Buildings melted, and others were smashed flat from the blast wave. Two other missiles detonated as well, and soon a massive firestorm erupted in the heart of the city. Millions of worker Barsoons died in a matter of just seconds.

Other cities met the same fate. Those Barsoon workers still there all died horrendous deaths, and, in a matter of a few minutes, nearly three hundred million were dead.

Demand their immediate surrender, ordered Torrant.

A few minutes passed, and the communications officer turned toward the admiral. There has been no response.

Torrant frowned. This had never happened before. Destroy the next twenty largest cities. We’ll see if they stay quiet after that.

-

Across the planet, more fusion explosions occurred above heavily populated cities. Nearly a billion more Barsoons died. The atmosphere was already turning dark from all the ash and pollutants hurled high into the air.

-

Once more, demands were sent to the planet to surrender. Again no reply.

Fleet Admiral Torrant took a deep breath. This was unexpected. He knew of only one thing he could do. No planet could be allowed to resist the Morag. Destroy all their cities, and then I want a general bombardment of the surface. We will destroy this world.

-

From the orbiting Morag warships, hundreds and then thousands of fusion missiles rained down upon the planet. The planet’s atmosphere seemed to light up from the tremendous number of explosions. Earthquakes were triggered, and even some volcanoes erupted. When the last missile detonated, not a single Barsoon still lived upon the surface. Nearly sixty billion Barsoons had died from the orbital bombardment. Rising mushroom clouds were visible everywhere across the planet.

-

Morag Fleet Admiral Torrant nodded. It was over. The other less populated worlds would doubtlessly end their revolts after they heard what had happened here. Set a course for home. It’s time we prepare this fleet for the attack on the Human Empire.

-

Deep beneath the ground, the High Queen of the Barsoons listened as her advisors described to her what the conditions on the surface were now like. It would be years before they dared venture out of their underground warrens. “Inform all the other queens that we will remain in our underground cities for the foreseeable future. We have everything we need to continue our civilization. We also have tens of billions of eggs that can be hatched, if needed to rebuild our population quickly. In the meantime, we have sufficient underground production capacity to build warships. We will do so, and, when we emerge, we will be a force to be reckoned with. In time we will have our revenge on the Morag.”

-

Dylan watched sadly as Cheryl boarded a luxury liner to return to Golan Four. It would be part of a convoy going back to the core worlds and would have a heavy escort of two dreadnoughts and twenty battlecruisers. Nearly one hundred supply and cargo ships joined them, as well as a few other passenger liners. He and Cheryl had shared a passionate goodbye, both knowing there was a chance they might not ever see one another again.

Dylan watched as the passenger liner left orbit and took its place in the waiting fleet. A few minutes later the fleet accelerated and made the transition into hyperspace. He stood there, gazing out the large viewing port, where the convoy had been only a few moments before.

“Well, I guess we better get ready for war,” said Governor Dyson, who stood next to Dylan. The governor was on the large space station, inspecting its defenses. He rode on the shuttle with Dylan and Cheryl. “I wish Cheryl could have stayed. She and my wife have been getting along very well.”

Dylan laughed. “Just make sure your wife doesn’t get involved in any of my wife’s crazy schemes. The next thing you know, she will be putting her entertainment bars in the cluster.”

The governor smiled. “She did mention something about that and how much money they would bring to the cluster.”

Dylan shook his head. It seemed that Cheryl, once again, was one step ahead of him.

“How soon do you think it will be before the Confederation attacks?” This question had been at the top of the governor’s mind for several days now. Particularly when he found out Cheryl was being sent back to the core worlds.

Dylan took in a deep breath. He had been wondering this as well. “We could see the first attacks as early as next week. Most likely the Confederation will hit the Human worlds on the outer edge of the Empire. The majority have been told not to resist but to surrender immediately. We want to hold civilian losses to a minimum. Some worlds have very strong defenses and even a few fleet units. These worlds will resist as long as possible. The defenses we’ve set up are designed to force the Confederation fleets to come here.”

Governor Dyson nodded. “I figured that, as strong as you’ve made all the defenses in the cluster. Will the core worlds be sending any more ships?”

Dylan frowned. “I don’t know. I’ve asked for them, but I don’t know if they have any they can spare.”

Governor Dyson went silent for several moments and then asked another question. “Can we win?”

“I would be lying if I said yes. We have a chance of winning. It just depends on what they hit us with and how our new particle beam cannons work against Confederation ships.”

“It’s a shame we couldn’t put some of those cannons on the ODPs.”

Dylan nodded in agreement. “We talked about it, but it would have taken a major redesign.”

“Want to join me on an inspection of this station?” Dyson still had a lot of questions he wanted to ask.

“Sure,” replied Dylan. “I was planning on doing an inspection of both of the stations as well as the shipyards, while I’m up here.”

“Then let’s go,” said the governor.

Dylan followed the governor out of the hatch. He would do a series of inspections over the next few days throughout the cluster. Dylan wanted to make sure they were ready for what was coming.

-

The Great Council of the Confederation was once more in session. Council Leader Ardon Reull had called the meeting at the request of the Morag and the Druins. He suspected they were ready to go to war. However, he had a question he wanted answered first. “Why did Morag Fleet Admiral Torrant destroy the main inhabited world of the Barsoons? They were no threat to the Confederation or to any of its worlds.”

“They had a defensive grid and even some missiles,” replied Damora, dismissing Reull’s attempt to challenge the Morag. “We gave them multiple chances to surrender, and they refused to do so. They left us with no choice but to destroy their world. Also, since then, all the revolts on any Confederation worlds have come to an end, even those in your Lormallian space as well as the Zang space.”

Ardon did not respond. No point in arguing with Damora. The Morag now thought of themselves as the most superior race in the galaxy. “Why have you called this meeting?”

Everyone looked at Morag Councilor Damora.

“To announce that we will move against the Human Empire in eight days. The Morag are committing 14,000 warships, the Druins 2,600 warships, and the Zynth are committing 2,300 warships.” He didn’t mention another 8,000 modern Morag warships were held in reserve, if needed.

Ardon looked surprised. He knew, with all the losses at Earth and in the Empire, that was nearly all the active warships the Druins and the Zynth had left. He wondered if the Morag were intentionally trying to weaken their two allies.

“Don’t think that you can take advantage of us during that time,” added Damora, looking straight at Ardon. “We have activated nearly 16,000 warships out of our reserve, and 12,000 of them will still be available to protect our interests and to ensure no Confederation world attempts to take advantage of our modern warships’ absence.”

Ardon exchanged glances with the Zang councilor. No one had suspected the Morag had such a massive fleet.

“We have constructed several hundred of the new light cruisers,” said Damora. “In addition the Druins have built a large number of drone transport carriers. Our invasion of the Human Empire will be much different from ones in the past.”

“Their core worlds are very well defended,” pointed out Ardon. “Even your massive fleet might not get through to Golan Four.”

Damora smiled. “Oh, we’ll get through all right. We have a weapon we have kept secret from this council and the rest of the Confederation. That secret weapon will ensure we reach Golan Four and destroy it. Once Golan Four is gone, all resistance in the Empire will collapse.”

“What is this secret weapon?” asked Ardon. He had never heard of this before.

Damora shook his head. “No, that’s our secret for now. Once we use it, everyone will know.”

Ardon leaned back in his chair, taking a deep breath. He had no love for the Humans, but they held the best chance of defeating the Morag. He wondered if he should arrange for a message to be sent to Golan Four about the Morag claim to possess a superweapon of some type. It might be possible to have the Visth contact the Humans to pass on the information. Ardon had some serious thinking to do after this meeting.

-

Dylan was on board the Themis, which was in orbit above Gideon. Working with the core worlds, he had arranged for eight more ODPs to be brought to Gideon, instead of the four he had planned on earlier. That made sixteen that were the center of the massive orbital defense here. In addition, they had two thousand energy beam satellites and 180 missile platforms. Also five thousand attack interceptors were at the massive base on the north pole of this moon. All the PDCs and the big base were complete. Drills were being run every day in preparation for the coming attack.

“Any word on more ships?” asked Rear Admiral Fulmar.

“They’re working on it,” answered Dylan. He contacted Fleet Admiral Marloo nearly every day, requesting more warships. Marloo said they were working on it, but it would be a few more days before they knew anything.

“We’ll be dividing the fleet in a few more days,” Dylan informed Fulmar. “You and Rear Admiral Taggert will be responsible for the defense of the next two most important worlds in this cluster. I’ll keep the third section of the fleet here to defend Tantula Five and Gideon.”

Fulmar nodded. “I just hope that’s enough. I know all seven of the major star systems are heavily defended, but we have no idea what might be coming at us this time.”

Dylan understood Rear Admiral Fulmar’s concerns. Dylan had the same ones. He looked at the main viewscreen and the moon of Gideon. So much would ride on the battle that was soon to be fought here. Dylan knew he had done everything in his power to prepare. He just hoped it was enough.

Chapter Twelve

High Princess Layla visited with Cheryl in the Royal Quarters. “Does Dylan think they can stop the Confederation at the Hagen Star Cluster?” Layla knew Dylan had been intent on heavily fortifying the cluster.

“He’ll try,” answered Cheryl, wishing Dylan were here at Golan Four. “The entire cluster has been made into a giant trap for the Confederation. He’ll either stop the Confederation cold or die trying. I know Dylan. He won’t give up.” Tears were in Cheryl’s eyes, knowing she might never see Dylan again. “I just think the odds are too great!”

Layla was afraid that Cheryl was right. She knew Derrick would do the same as Dylan had. “I’ll speak to Fleet Admiral Marloo and see if there’s anything we can do.” Layla had been staying out of the military planning, but she didn’t want to see Admiral Cleemorl die in the coming battle with the Confederation. “I’ll see if we can find more ships to send.”

-

Later Layla made her way into the Command Center beneath the House of Worlds. The massive building was now occupied by hundreds of Human representatives from the various planets, and the business of the Empire grew every day, as new worlds asked for admittance. Layla was pleased with how everything was going, but she knew it could come to a crashing end if the Confederation defeated the new fleets the Human Empire had managed to build.

She was instantly allowed into the Command Center, particularly since she had four Imperial Guards with her. Stepping inside, she saw her husband, Derrick, and Fleet Admiral Marloo, standing in front of a massive holographic display, which showed Imperial ship deployments.

“What’s going on?” she asked, as she walked up to the two.

-

Derrick was startled to hear his wife’s voice. She hadn’t been in the Command Center for weeks. He wondered what had brought her here. There had to be something.

“Layla,” said Derrick, turning to face her. “We’re just going over the latest fleet deployments.”

“Anything I should know about?”

Derrick looked over at Fleet Admiral Marloo.

“We received a message from the Visth this morning,” answered Marloo. “It seems the Morag have some superweapon they plan on using to take out Golan Four.”

Layla’s face turned pale. “Where did the Visth get this information?”

“It could have only come from one place,” replied the admiral. “Someone on the Confederation’s Great Council is feeding the Visth information on Confederation military movements and plans. We also know the Morag will launch their attack in about six more days. Of course it will take them a few days to reach the Empire, so we’re about eight to ten days out from the beginning of their attack.”

“We also know what we’ll be facing,” added Derrick. “The Morag, the Druins, and the Zynth will be taking part in the assault. Altogether they have committed over 19,000 ships, with who-knows-what being held back in reserve.”

Layla suddenly felt as if her breath had been stolen from her. “Can we stop that many?”

Fleet Admiral Marloo adjusted the holographic display to show the Hagen Star Cluster. “We’ve set up defenses across the part of the Empire nearest the Confederation. With the help of Admiral Cleemorl, we’ve set up our defenses to force the Confederation forces to converge on the Hagen Star Cluster. Its defenses are nearly as strong as the core worlds.”

Layla shook her head. “Nineteen thousand Confederation warships and their new superweapon the Morag claim to have may be more than Admiral Cleemorl can resist.”

“Don’t forget,” said Derrick. “All of Cleemorl’s dreadnoughts have the new particle beam weapons. The Confederation will not be expecting that.”

Layla shook her head. “It’s still not enough. They’ll just overwhelm his fleet. Is there anything else we can do to help?”

Fleet Admiral Marloo let out a deep sigh. “One more thing we haven’t mentioned. We have a final card to play, if we see the cluster is about to fall. It could make a major difference in the battle.”

“What is that card?” asked Layla, folding her arms across her chest.

Marloo shook his head. “I would rather not say, until we know for sure it’ll be available in time.”

“And another thing,” said Derrick, a deep frown on his face. “Evidently the Druins have developed a drone carrier for their attack drones. We may be facing hundreds, even thousands of them, in the coming battles.”

Layla shook her head. She wondered if the news could get any worse.

-

Later Layla was with Krista, discussing the coming attack.

“Eight to ten days?” said Krista, feeling a cold chill sweep over her. “Will we be safe here on Golan Four?” She also wondered if Mathew would be involved in the fighting.

“I don’t know. The Morag claim to have a new superweapon that can reach us here.”+

Krista looked at Layla, new concern in her eyes. “Where will Derrick be?”

Layla squared her shoulders. “He will be with his fleet. He’s a member of the Royal House and a fleet admiral. Derrick will do his duty, just as our brother did so long ago.”

-

Rear Admiral Lira Carrie had just received new orders. Not only that but her fleet had been heavily reinforced. She now had the Exeter, which was her flagship, twenty dreadnoughts, and eighty battlecruisers, along with twenty battlecarriers. Each battlecarrier carried a maximum load of 160 attack interceptors.

“Admiral, we have reports that the Druins have developed a carrier for their AI attack drones,” Fleet Admiral Marloo had explained to her. “As a result we want to position your fleet near the Hagen Star Cluster, just in case it’s needed. We want you within one hour’s hyperspace jump of the cluster.”

Carrie frowned. She didn’t know of anyone who had fought against these drones. “How dangerous are these drones?”

“It’s been years since anyone had to fight them,” explained Marloo. “In the Solar System years ago, when the Druin surveillance system was still under their control, there was a battle. They’re a little bit larger than one of your interceptors and are armed with both fusion energy beams and missiles.”

“I’ll have to look up the information on the drones  in the Solar System,” replied Carrie. She was curious if there were any videos of the battles.

-

She had found some videos and didn’t like what she had seen. The damn things had actually taken out a few battlecruisers. The AIs that commanded them were efficient and very deadly.

Carrie recalled all her crews currently on leave. They would jump out in two days.

-

On the surface of Golan Four, in the Royal Palace, High Princess Layla, Derrick, Krista, Mathew, Kala, and Andrew shared a quiet family meal. Ensign Brenda Allert discreetly watched everything closely, as Emira wanted Brenda to learn everything about being an attendant. Brenda suspected that Emira was grooming her to take Emira’s place someday. Every night, Emira brought Brenda books on Royal history or videos of specific events that she wanted Brenda to watch. Sometimes all the studying was tiring, but Brenda really enjoyed it. She now felt like a trusted member of the Royal entourage, and she loved it.

-

“Will you be with your fleet?” asked Andrew, though he already suspected what the answer would be.

Derrick nodded. “Yes. Rear Admiral Banora and I will be splitting the fleet to give us better coverage of the core worlds. Every core world will be protected by its defensive gird, as well as a task group of warships. Our entire Imperial fleet numbers are a little over 4,300 ships. We’re pushing for every ship near completion to be finished and out of the shipyards in the next seven days.”

“Where will our main fleet units be?” asked Mathew.

“We’ll have major fleet units at the Vortex Worlds, the Lamina Stars, and the Hagen Star Cluster. The Resistance fleet will have major units at the Haven Nebula, Vidon Seven, Helgoth, Cleetus Three, Lydol Four, Bratol Three, and Malor Two. We’ll also have a heavy squadron at the inhabited moon of Hastings, out on the edge of the Empire. The moon is heavily fortified and will probably be the first Human world to be attacked.”

“Hastings?” said Krista, trying to remember where she had heard that name before.

“It’s where my fleet ended up after attacking the Druin homeworld,” explained Derrick. “We’ve added a lot of defensive elements to the moon, including ODPs. Not only that but enough underground bunkers to house the moon’s entire Human population, so, even if the Confederation bombards the surface, most of them should survive.”

Andrew laid down his fork and asked a question. “How many ships do we have there?”

Derrick sighed. “I wish we had more. We have a heavy task group consisting of ten dreadnoughts and seventy battlecruisers.”

Andrew’s eyes narrowed. “Will the dreadnoughts be allowed to use their particle beam cannons?”

Derrick shook his head. “The only dreadnoughts that have the particle beam cannons are those in the Hagen Star Cluster and here in the core worlds. We don’t want the Confederation to learn about our new weapon, until we engage them with a major fleet.”

“How many is that?” asked Krista. She sat very close to Mathew, their legs touching. “How many of your ships will have the cannons?”

“Over four hundred dreadnoughts,” answered Derrick. “Every ship in my fleet is so equipped.”

Krista looked over at Mathew. “You will stay at the training base.” She had just assumed he would be staying on Golan Four.

Mathew looked over at Derrick and slowly shook his head. “No, I’m returning to the Orion to coordinate the attacks of our interceptors.”

Krista looked stunned. “I don’t know if I like that.”

“We all have a duty to perform,” said Derrick. He had been aware that Mathew had requested a transfer to the Orion for the duration of this emergency. The Orion would be in Rear Admiral Carrie’s fleet.

“I’ll be all right,” promised Mathew. “The Orion’s the best battlecarrier in the fleet, and I won’t be flying an interceptor. I will be directing the squadrons from the Command Center.”

Layla looked at her cousin and saw Krista was not pleased with the news. She hoped it didn’t harm her and Mathew’s relationship.

Derrick noted Brenda standing to one side, watching. He knew Emira was training her to take her place someday. Emira had already discussed it with Derrick, and he had given his approval. “Brenda, why don’t you come join us. There’s plenty of food.”

Brenda blushed. “I’m not really supposed to.” Brenda didn’t want to get in trouble with Emira.

Layla smiled. “Don’t worry about Emira. In the past, I saw her eating with my parents on occasion. Come. Sit down.” Layla indicated a chair near her.

Nodding, Brenda walked over and sat down. A kitchen attendant instantly showed up with a plate and silverware, as well as several glasses—one for water and the other for one of the wines on the table. Soon Brenda was eating and joining in the conversation at the table.

Derrick smiled. He really liked Brenda, and she would make a wonderful replacement someday, when Emira was ready to retire.

-

“How do you do it?” asked Krista. She and Layla were in the Royal Quarters in Krista’s suite of rooms. “I mean, I know that Derrick has gone off several times on dangerous missions, but you always seem so calm.”

Layla indicated for Krista to sit down next to her. “I may look calm, but I’m not. I’m scared to death every time Derrick leaves with his fleet. However, we both must realize it’s our duty as a Royal to represent and to serve the Empire. We lead by example, even though we may not like what we have to do at times.”

Krista sighed, as she sat next to Layla. “This time it’ll be both of them in danger.”

“Not just them,” corrected Layla. “This time all of us will be in danger. The Confederation is coming to conquer the Empire. Remember what happened last time. We lost the entire Empire, and thousands of people who were part of the Royal Court—our parents, my brother—were either executed or banished to Earth. I strongly suspect, if the Confederation were to win again, Andrew, you, and I would have a very short life expectancy.”

“You think they would execute us?” asked Krista, with very wide eyes.

Layla nodded. “We are the last of the Royals. They would not hesitate. So you see? We will all be in equal danger. We just have to hope for the best and for us to achieve the outcome we want, and our best people must be fighting for us, and that includes Derrick and Mathew.”

Krista nodded. She knew Layla was correct; it was just so hard to accept. She didn’t know what she would do if Mathew didn’t come back. Krista also knew that Layla felt the same about Derrick.

-

Several days later Derrick watched as Rear Admiral Carrie’s fleet left for the Hagen Star Cluster. Admiral Marloo had only informed Admiral Cleemorl this morning that the fleet was on its way and would position itself just outside the cluster. Derrick knew that Dylan would be relieved to hear he had a powerful battlecarrier fleet close by, and he could call upon them, if needed. Derrick was on board the new Destiny, which was the fleet flagship. Rear Admiral Banora had already transferred over to the dreadnought Defiant to use as her flagship.

“Fleet status?” asked Derrick, as he relaxed in his command chair. He had actually missed spending time on the Destiny.

“Fleet is ready for combat,” reported Colonel Sheena Bryant, who had recently been promoted to executive officer. “Everyone is back from leave, and all ships have full loadouts of munitions.”

Derrick had expected no less. “For now we will continue to orbit Golan Four.” Derrick leaned back and thought over what they had heard about the Confederation, having a new superweapon. There was no way to find out what it was until it was actually used in combat. Then the Empire would have to figure out a way to deal with it.

-

Admiral Cleemorl smiled when Fleet Admiral Marloo informed him that Rear Admiral Carrie’s fleet would be stationed just outside the cluster. Carrie’s fleet had over 3,200 attack interceptors. If he added those to the number on Gideon, he would have 8,200 to use against the Confederation. The odds of being able to hold the cluster had just gone up a little bit more.

-

In the Confederation, the attack fleets assembled. It had been decided that Morag Fleet Admiral Torrant would command the joint fleet, with Morag Fleet Admiral Colane as his second. The Zynth and the Druins also had admirals for their fleets, though they were still under the command of the Morag admirals.

Fleet Admiral Torrant spent several long moments gazing at his command on his ship’s massive viewscreens. As far as his eyes could see, there were hundreds, thousands of warships. He felt confident he could easily reconquer the Human Empire. Send a message to all commands. We leave in two days. There were still a few squadrons that had not yet arrived.

What will be our first target? asked Fleet Admiral Colane, who had come over to the flagship.

A small inhabited moon is in the Ralkor Three System. It has a very strong Imperial presence. We will completely destroy the moon as an example to other worlds. From there we will split the fleet into four sections and move toward the center of the Empire. Our primary target is Golan Four. Once we take it, the war will be over.

Chapter Thirteen

Rear Admiral Glenda Krest and her fleet were above Hastings, nestled around the four ODPs in orbit. The defense grid was massive, and currently she had everything at Condition Three. From what they knew, the attack could come anytime.

“Admiral, Colonel Jenkins reports that one of their cargo ships ran into a fleet of Confederation ships in the Sigma Duros System two hours ago,” reported Major Karla Every. Colonel Jenkins was in charge of Hastings Defense Command, which was located beneath a large mountain.

“Sigma Duros,” Krest repeated, as she called up the system on the ship’s navigation display. “That puts them about four hours away. Major Every, take the defensive grid to Condition Two and be prepared to go to Condition One at a moment’s notice. I think we can expect an attack within the next twenty hours. Communications, send a hyperlight message to Golan Four and inform them Confederation ships have been spotted in the Sigma Duros System, and we expect them here shortly.”

Krest leaned back in her command chair and crossed her arms over her chest. Nothing more she could do until the Confederation showed up. She looked at the viewscreens and the defenses they had put up around Hastings. She knew they couldn’t win the battle, but her job was to kill as many Confederation ships as possible.

-

Down on the planet, people entered the deep bunkers, as warning sirens howled. An orderly evacuation had been rehearsed a number of times. Each family had a particular bunker assigned to them, as well as quarters. They already had clothes and other essentials stored there. Each person was allowed one additional small bag to bring into the shelter during the evacuation. No one would be left on the surface, except in the three PDCs around the capital city, as the city was also being evacuated.

In the Hastings Defense Command Center, Colonel Jenkins watched as people filed into the bunkers in an orderly manner. Each bunker had Imperial Marines present to ensure everything was coordinated.

“In three hours, everyone will be inside the bunkers, and we can close them up,” reported Major Muskin, who was Jenkins’s second in command. “No sign yet of any enemy warships.”

Jenkins nodded. “Let’s hope it stays that way, until the bunkers are closed and sealed.” Sitting down in his command chair, he wondered what the moon of Hastings would look like this time tomorrow. He was afraid he wouldn’t like it.

-

Druin Admiral Falorr was in his Command Center as his fleet of 2,600 warships dropped from hyperspace, followed by the Zynth fleet of 2,300 warships. It had been decided by Morag Fleet Admiral Torrant to attack all targets with overwhelming force to ensure victory. Perhaps if the Humans saw that resistance was futile, they would agree to surrender to prevent a massive loss of life.

“Detecting a powerful defensive grid, four ODPs, ten Imperial dreadnoughts, and seventy Imperial battlecruisers,” reported the sensor officer.

“A very powerful defensive force for such a small moon,” commented First Officer Dagor, looking at the admiral.

Falorr did not like what he saw, but he dared not postpone the attack. Fleet Admiral Torrant would not like that. “We will not use our attack drones against this moon. We will hold them back for a more worthy target.” He had twenty carriers full of the small AI attack drones.

Admiral Falorr studied the tactical display for several moments, as he considered how best to proceed. “Contact Admiral Donlur. He’s to hit the far side of the moon, and I’ll hit the side facing us. This battle should be short and decisive. We attack in ten minutes.”

Falorr leaned back in his command chair, his short neck balanced on his massive torso. He studied the tactical display, making sure he wasn’t missing anything. Satisfied, he was ready for his first major victory over the Humans.

-

Rear Admiral Krest watched tensely, as the two Confederation fleets headed toward Hastings.

“I think we’re outnumbered,” commented Major Every.

Krest nodded. “It’s nearly always that way against the Confederation. Our goal here is not to win but to bloody their nose. Inform all ships to stand by to enter hyperspace on my command. We’ll exchange blows with the enemy, until such a time as we have no choice but to pull out.” Krest wouldn’t sacrifice all her ships in a no-win scenario. She would stay as long as she could, but her orders were clear. When her position became untenable, pull out and drop back toward the next fortified Human world.

On the viewscreen, the enemy fleets drew nearer. Krest noted that the Zynth were going around the moon to attack the defenses on the other side, and the Druins were coming straight in.

On the side her fleet was defending, she had the four ODPs and the three PDCs. The other side of the moon was protected only by the defensive grid.

“Colonel Jenkins has taken the defensive grid to Condition One,” reported Karla. “Same for the ODPs and the PDCs.”

Rear Admiral Krest nodded. “Take the fleet to Condition One as well and prepare for immediate combat.”

Everyone in the Command Center was focused on the tactical display, which showed the Druin fleet nearly in combat range.

“Stand by to fire,” ordered Krest. She wanted to get in the first strike, if possible.

She felt the growing tension in the Command Center. Her hands clenched the armrests on her command chair. Krest’s gaze now focused intently on the viewscreens, which showed the Druin ships bearing down on Hastings and her fleet.

“Engagement range!” called out the tactical officer.

“Fire!” ordered Hasting, leaning forward in her command chair.

The defense grid and the ODPs opened up at the same time. Hundreds of energy beams and nearly one thousand missiles were hurled toward the incoming Druin fleet.

“Druins are firing,” warned the sensor officer.

On the viewscreen, the front of the Druin fleet lit up with multiple explosions, as fusion and antimatter missiles slammed into energy screens. Rear Admiral Krest felt her flagship shudder, as a missile struck its energy screen.

“Screen is holding at 92 percent,” reported tactical.

-

In space, several Druin battlecruisers came apart, as the missile and energy beam bombardment overloaded energy screens. In a massive explosion of light, a Druin battleship blew up, splitting in two and scattering debris from the broken halves. Several more missiles arrived, turning the two halves into glowing suns.

Druin missiles and energy beams hit the defending ships as well as took out parts of the defense grid. Missile platforms launched as quickly as possible, trying to empty their magazines before being destroyed. In bright flashes of light, energy beam satellites and occasional missile platforms were annihilated. The debris fell toward the moon, where it would burn up in the atmosphere.

Around Hastings, the defensive grid, the ODPs, and the defending warships were under heavy attack. The sky above Hastings was full of bright flashes of light, where fusion and antimatter weapons were going off. With every passing moment more weapons fire was focused on the ODPs and the defending fleet.

-

In the underground Defense Command Center, Colonel Jenkins watched the display of lights on the viewscreens. “Status of the evacuation?”

“Nearly complete,” reported Major Muskin. “An estimated 92 percent of the population is safely inside their assigned bunkers.”

Colonel Jenkins took a deep breath. “We’ll leave the bunkers open for another thirty minutes or until the first missile strike. As soon as either one happens, we seal them all shut, even if we have to leave some people outside. I won’t endanger those already inside because a few are taking their time getting to their assigned bunkers.”

On one of the viewscreens, a sudden bright flash drew his attention. “What was that?”

“Rear Admiral Krest just lost one of her dreadnoughts, and ODP Baker is taking heavy damage,” replied the sensor officer, monitoring the battle in orbit. “It won’t last much longer.”

Jenkins nodded. “Have the ground PDCs ready to fire. The Druin fleet is still heading closer.”

“They will be in range of the PDCs in seven minutes,” reported the sensor officer.

Jenkins exchanged looks with Major Muskin. “We’ll fire as soon as the Druins are in range. Maybe we can take some of the pressure off the ODPs and the fleet.” Jenkins knew that, no matter what, this was a battle they could not win. However, winning the battle was not the goal. They wanted to inflict as much damage on the incoming Confederation fleets so Admiral Cleemorl could destroy them when they reached the Hagen Star Cluster. Jenkins also knew that whatever the Confederation destroyed on Hastings could always be built back later and better than before.

-

Druin Admiral Falorr was not pleased. The resistance from Hastings was far greater than he had expected. “We must finish off the defensive grid,” he said, a hint of frustration in his voice. “Once the grid is gone, we can concentrate on the warships and the ODPs.”

First Officer Dagor nodded. “I’ll change the fleet’s targeting immediately.”

-

Around the planet, the defensive grid was now under heavy fire from both the Druin and the Zynth fleets. Energy beam satellites were dying like countless moths in a flame. Missile platforms were now blown apart rapidly, as multiple antimatter missiles slammed into their shields, rapidly overloading them. In less than four minutes, the defensive grid was annihilated. With the defensive grid gone, the Zynth began bombarding the moon itself, while the Druin ships focused on the ODPs and the Human warships.

-

“Inbound missiles on the far side of Hastings!” called out the sensor officer. “Defensive grid is 98 percent destroyed. Only the ODPs and a few missile platforms still survive.”

Colonel Jenkins’s gaze met Major Muskin’s. “Seal all bunkers and activate planetary defensive network.” This was a series of missile interceptors scattered over the surface.

“Bunkers sealing up,” reported Major Muskin. “Estimate about four thousand civilians did not make it to their assigned bunkers.”

Jenkins shook his head. “Nothing more we can do. They had their chance to get to safety and didn’t make it. We can’t risk tens of thousands of others by waiting for them any longer.”

Across the planet, beneath mountains, huge metal doors slid shut. Most of the bunkers were protected by a series of such doors, as well as a contingent of Imperial Marines. In just a matter of a few minutes, all the bunkers were sealed tight and on internal air and power.

-

On the far side of Hastings, interceptor missiles rose in the air. For several long minutes they managed to intercept every incoming missile, and then the supply of interceptor missiles was exhausted. In a sudden flash of light, the first fusion warhead exploded above one of the smaller cities on that side of the moon. In moments a deadly mushroom cloud rose, as the city beneath it died. For the next several minutes, missile after missile detonated above cities, damns, valuable infrastructure, and even farmland.

-

In the Hastings Defense Command Center, Colonel Jenkins winced, as he watched the horrible destruction Hastings was suffering. He knew it would take years to recover.

Taking a deep breath, he returned his attention to the tactical display and the viewscreens. The battle was about to get more intense, as the PDCs on the ground were about to begin firing.

-

Rear Admiral Krest grew more concerned with every passing minute. Already she had lost three dreadnoughts and seventeen battlecruisers. The Druins had lost double that, but they were still inbound.

“Ground PDCs are firing,” reported the sensor officer.

In only a matter of a few moments, the number of explosions detonating in the Druin fleet intensified. Two battlecruisers and a battleship vanished under a massive onslaught of missiles. All three looked like a supernova had gone off. When the light bursts and the fire died down, only a small amount of twisted glowing wreckage remaining.

“ODP Baker is evacuating,” reported Major Every. “They’re reporting 80 percent of their weapons are off-line, and their energy shield is down to 40 percent and dropping.”

Krest winced. She hated losing the firepower of an ODP, but it couldn’t be helped. “Tell them good luck.”

Moments later on the main viewscreen, several large shuttles left the ODP and headed toward the surface. They headed toward the PDCs, hoping they could find a safe refuge there.

One minute later a massive blast of light filled several of the viewscreens, as the ODP’s energy screen finally collapsed, and several Druin antimatter missiles destroyed the heavily damaged ODP.

Krest felt her flagship shake violently, and one of the consoles exploded in a shower of sparks. The officer in front of the console screamed, as he was burned.

“Medic to the Command Center,” ordered Major Every, as several crew personnel rushed over to help the injured officer. “Get that fire put out.”

The Command Center filled with smoke, as the emergency air filter system was activated to pull it out. The fire was quickly put out, as a technician examined the console to see if it could be repaired.

The ship shook again, keeling over to one side.

“Antimatter missile explosion,” reported Major Every. “Part of the force of the explosion made it through the energy shield.”

“Shield is holding at 62 percent,” reported tactical. “We’re taking a lot of hits to the energy screen.”

Suddenly the ship shook violently, as if being pounded by a giant hammer. The entire hull seemed to ring, and Krest heard the sounds of tearing metal.

“ODP Cora has been destroyed,” reported the sensor officer. “Part of its wreckage hit us.”

“Damage report?” Rear Admiral Krest saw numerous red and amber lights on the damage control console.

“It’s bad,” answered the executive officer. “We’ve lost 32 percent of our weapons, and our shield is down to 22 percent. One of our fusion power plants has been damaged and is only operating at 17 percent capacity. At that rate, our shield will fail in less than ten minutes.”

“What’s the status of the other two ODPs?”

“Both are damaged,” reported Major Every. “They won’t last more than another ten or fifteen minutes. They’re being hit with so many missiles that their screens are covered in light from all the released energy.”

Rear Admiral Krest knew she had to make a decision. “Inform the rest of the fleet we jump out in five minutes. Order the two surviving ODPs to evacuate at that time. Contact Colonel Jenkins, and tell him we’re pulling out. Wish him good luck.” Glenda knew she could do nothing more here. They had bled the enemy and would continue to do so until the ground PDCs were destroyed. That part of the battle her ships would not witness, as they would be long gone.

-

Druin Admiral Falorr grew more agitated with every passing minute. He was losing too many ships in this battle.

“Admiral, the Imperial ships are charging their hyperdrives,” reported First Officer Dagor. “I believe they’re preparing to jump out.”

“The last two ODPs are being evacuated,” reported the sensor officer. “Shuttles have left both and are headed toward the surface.”

“Then concentrate on those ODPs and finish destroying them,” ordered Falorr. Finally things seemed to go his way.

On the main viewscreen, the number of explosions going off around the ODPs intensified. At the same time what was left of the Human fleet vanished, as they made the transition into hyperspace.

It didn’t take long, and the energy screen on one of the ODPs failed. Almost instantly dozens of antimatter missiles detonated, blowing the ODP into a million glowing pieces. The other remaining ODP soon followed, leaving the Druins and the Zynth in total control of the orbital space around Hastings.

-

In the Hastings Defense Command Center, Colonel Jenkins shook his head. “Did the shuttles make it down?”

Major Muskin shook his head. Only two out of four made it. The other two were destroyed before they could land.”

Colonel Jenkins leaned back in his command chair. “Now it’s up to the PDCs, and I fear they won’t last long.”

-

The three PDCs were firing energy beams and missiles nonstop, attempting to destroy as many Druin warships as possible. Interceptor missiles were constantly launching and intercepting incoming missiles. The sky was full of bright explosions where interceptions occurred.

Suddenly a massive blast slammed into one of the energy screens protecting the largest PDC. The screen held, and the PDC continued to attack the orbiting Druin ships.

-

Druin Admiral Falorr grew angrier as his losses continued to mount. He had ordered some of his battlecruisers to hit the areas of the moon not protected by the three PDCs. Mushroom clouds rose, and soon the atmosphere turned dark.

“We could leave those PDCs,” suggested First Officer Dagor. “We have destroyed all the cities on the planet, including the one in the center of those bases. The radiation level is climbing, and soon all light will be cut off from the ash and pollutants in the atmosphere. Those bases no longer pose a threat. They’ll be cut off, with no way to escape.”

Falorr knew that Dagor was correct. No point risking more ships to accomplish something no longer necessary. The defensive grid had been smashed; all four ODPs had been destroyed. The defending fleet had suffered major losses and had been forced to flee; all the cities and infrastructure on the moon had been annihilated. There was no point in continuing this battle. “Notify all ships to withdraw from the moon. For all intents and purposes, we have won this battle. The moon of Hastings is no longer a threat to the Confederation.”

Moments later the two fleets pulled away from the moon and soon entered hyperspace. The battle for Hastings was over.

-

Colonel Jenkins breathed a sigh of relief, when he saw the two Confederation fleets exit the system. All four PDCs were still intact, as well as the majority of the underground bunkers. They were getting a count, but early estimates put the survival rate within the bunkers at over 90 percent.

“What now?” asked Major Muskin.

“We do nothing,” answered Jenkins. “The bunkers are supplied sufficiently to get by for two years. Hopefully by then, this war will be over, the radiation will have dissipated, and we’ll be in the process of rebuilding.”

Looking at the viewscreens revealing the devastation, Major Muskin shook his head. “We’ll have a lot of rebuilding to do.”

“We’ll have the Empire to help,” replied Jenkins. “That should make a huge difference.”

“Assuming they win this war,” said Muskin, some doubt in his voice.

Jenkins didn’t reply. As much as he hated to admit it, there was a chance the Empire could lose.

-

Rear Admiral Krest watched as her fleet emerged from hyperspace. They were in the system of Ranier Two, where Glenda hoped to spend some time repairing her ships. “What did we lose?”

Major Every turned toward the admiral. “We lost four dreadnoughts and twenty-seven battlecruisers. We have a number of ships that need some major repairs and a few that should really be sent to a repair bay.”

Krest looked at the main viewscreen showing Ranier Two. The Druins had destroyed its two largest cities and had only recently vacated the system. While there was no threat here, there was also no help. “We will stay for six hours and then continue to Xnea Two. They have a shipyard we can use for repairs and a very strong defensive grid.”

Major Every looked doubtful. “We have a few ships that might not make it that far.”

Krest had been afraid of that. “If necessary, we’ll take the crews off and scuttle them. Our mission out here is done. Now we need to get our ships repaired.”

-

Druin Admiral Falorr had stopped in an uninhabited system to conduct repairs on his fleet. He had lost 157 of his warships in the battle over Hastings. He had already contacted Morag Fleet Admiral Torrant and reported on the results of his attack. It had been an interesting conversation.

-

“They have fortified many of their worlds,” said Torrant, as he listened to the report from Falorr. “They plan on bleeding our fleets at every world as we advance toward their core worlds.”

Falorr was in agreement with that. “So, what should we do?”

There was silence for a long moment, and then Torrant responded. “Take your fleet and the Zynth fleet and attack the Hagen Star Cluster. The Empire has too large a fleet presence there for us to bypass it. I will take my fleet and head directly to the core worlds.”

This sounded like a good strategy to Falorr. “What should we do once we’ve taken the star cluster?”

“Wait for my orders. Once my fleet has the core worlds under our control, the war should be over. Particularly after we destroy Golan Four.”

Chapter Fourteen

On Golan Four, in the underground Command Center beneath the House of Worlds, Fleet Admiral Marloo and Vice Fleet Admiral Masters listened to the report from Rear Admiral Krest. She described in detail what had happened at Hastings.

Admiral Marloo turned toward Derrick, after hearing the report. “We hurt them, but we can’t sacrifice entire worlds for a few hundred of their ships.”

Derrick nodded in agreement. “What are we to do? We made our plans, based on each world that they attacked would further weaken their fleet, so, by the time they reached the core worlds, we could handle what was left of their forces.”

Marloo rubbed his chin and then spoke. “We must order all worlds to resist to a certain point and, when resistance looks futile, to immediately surrender. That way we limit civilian casualties. We can’t risk billions of innocent lives lost in this.”

“We may still suffer some losses,” replied Derrick. He knew how the Confederation admirals would not hesitate to bomb civilians cities if given any excuse. “Look at how they bombed Hastings. They were attempting to kill everyone.”

“Yes, but Hastings resisted to the very end. Our other worlds must not do that.”

Derrick looked up at the multiple tactical displays for all the major core worlds, as well as the inhabited moons and smaller colonies. All were still clear of Confederation ships. “We know where the Druin and Zynth fleets are. Where are the Morag?” Derrick was greatly concerned about the fact there had been no trace of the Morag.

Marloo shook his head. “We’ve had no reports of any contact with them, though I doubt if the Druins and the Zynth would have launched their attack without the Morag close by. I’ve got scout ships out looking for them. Perhaps we’ll know something in the next few hours.”

Derrick took a deep breath. Layla did not even know he had come down from the Destiny for a meeting with Fleet Admiral Marloo. “I’ll stop by and speak to Layla and then head back up to the Destiny. I have a bad feeling we’re missing something.”

Marloo blinked his eyes and gazed at Derrick. He had learned to trust the young admiral’s intuition. “I already have all bases across the Empire at Condition Three. They won’t take us by surprise.”

Derrick nodded. “I hope you’re right. I won’t be coming back down from the Destiny again until this is over.”

Fleet Admiral Marloo had expected no less of Derrick. High Princess Layla would never have married a man who would shirk his duty.

-

Layla was busy in the Imperial Court, meeting with members of the public. A number of wives and husbands of the representatives of the House of Worlds were present as well. All were dressed in fine dresses and the men in suits designed for Royalty. This was the beginning of the new Royal Court that, in time, would number in the thousands.

Krista sat next to Layla, occasionally answering questions. Andrew was busy overseeing the installation of some particle beam cannons on the outside of the shipyards and space stations orbiting Golan Four. It had been decided it would take too long to install them on the ODPs, but the stations and shipyards were massive. The particle beam cannons were being installed on the outer hulls in large turrets.

Layla had just finished speaking with a local businessman who wanted to know if the military was careful to spread around their spending, so everyone would benefit. She assured the man that was occurring, but she would look into it to make sure nothing had changed. Layla was surprised when some loud voices and even applause came from the back of the Royal Court. Looking up, she saw Derrick, in his admiral’s uniform, coming down the center aisle, stopping occasionally to talk to a few of the new members of the Royal Court who he knew.

After a minute or two Derrick reached Layla and Krista.

“What are you doing here?” asked Layla, completely surprised to see her husband. She hadn’t expected him to come down from the Destiny, not until after the Confederation fleets had been dealt with.

Derrick smiled. “I had a short meeting with Fleet Admiral Marloo. I’m going back up to the Destiny in a few more hours.”

Layla looked over at Krista. “I’m going with Derrick for a while. You can handle things here.” Layla almost laughed when seeing the chagrinned look on her cousin’s face. Krista had never been left in the Royal Court alone before.

Taking a deep breath, Krista nodded. “Don’t be too long, or I might give away part of the Empire.”

Layla laughed, and, standing up, she and Derrick left through one of the doors behind the thrones. “Let’s go to our quarters. Two hours is plenty of time for what I have in mind.”

Derrick was surprised, but he was game if Layla was. After all, it was hard telling when they would see one another again.

-

Rear Admiral Krest had just received new orders. She was to take her fleet to rendezvous with Rear Admiral Carrie to add more protection to her fleet of battlecarriers.

“How many combat-capable ships do we have?”

“Four dreadnoughts and thirty-three battlecruisers,” answered Major Every. “Some of them are damaged, but most of the repairs can be made by the crews.”

That was more than Rear Admiral Krest had been expecting. “We leave in two hours. The ships that can’t fight will continue on to Xnea Two for repairs. Will we have to scuttle any ships?”

Major Every shook her head. “No, they may be near wrecks, but the captains have assured me they can get to Xnea.”

Rear Admiral Krest nodded. “Excellent. All ships are to continue repairs until it’s time for us to leave. What kind of shape is the Tetrex in?” The Tetrex was her flagship, and the vessel she was currently on.

“Not good. I don’t know if I would recommend taking her into combat. We can have 68 percent of her weapons back online in twelve hours, and the reserve fusion reactor back up to 80 percent power in twenty hours. That’s about all we can do without putting her in a shipyard.”

“What about the hole in the hull?” Krest referred to the one-hundred-meter-long gash in the side of the ship.

“We’re welding plates over it. It won’t look good, but it will hold in air and will give us some protection, though I would recommend we keep the compartments next to the fissure locked down.”

Rear Admiral Krest felt deep pain to learn how badly her ship was damaged. “Anything else?”

Major Every took a deep breath. “I would recommend you move your flag over to the Dreadnought Stargazer. She’s operating at nearly 98 percent combat efficiency. The vessel must be charmed, as it received very little damage.”

“I’ll take your recommendation under advisement. For now I will remain on the Tetrex.” She could always change flagships later, if she deemed it necessary.

For over an hour now, Rear Admiral Krest had listened to reports coming in over the hyperlight receiver. So far, there had been no sightings of any Confederation forces. She wondered where they had vanished to.

-

Morag Fleet Admirals Colane and Torrant moved their fleets through Human space, being careful to avoid all heavily populated areas. They did not want their fleets to be detected, until they launched their attack on the Human core worlds. This caused them to take numerous detours, and it would be days yet before they reached their target.

I have dispatched Admiral Norlan and his fleet of reserve ships to the Hagen Star Cluster. I don’t trust the Druins and the Zynth to complete their mission.

I agree, replied Colane. Both fleet admirals were on their flagships and were communicating telepathically over a distance of nearly fifty thousand kilometers. The two massive fleets had dropped out of hyperspace in a small white dwarf system. They were doing some maintenance that could not be done while the fleets were in hyperspace. It would only take a few hours, and they would be on their way once more.

We must destroy the defenses in both targets, as either could recreate the Human Empire, if one were to survive. The Hagen Star Cluster is nearly as big of a threat as the Human core worlds. With Admiral Norlan’s fleet, they should easily overwhelm the Human defenses and the Imperial fleet units in the cluster, continued Torrant. If all goes according to plan, this war will be over in less than two weeks.

Torrant looked at the viewscreens, which showed some of the ships of the two fleets. Over ten thousand modern Morag warships were aligned around the two flagships. Torrant had also brought the secret weapon to ensure victory over the core worlds. The Humans had no idea what was coming toward them.

-

Layla watched with profound sadness as Derrick left their quarters. She was dressed in a robe and still feeling the warm afterglow of their lovemaking. It had been a very passionate two hours, and they had lain in bed afterward, talking about their future and the future of the Empire. Both had very high hopes for those futures.

With a deep sigh, Layla remained in bed, thinking how she needed to get back to the Royal Court, before Krista gave away the Imperial treasury. Later Layla wanted to invite Cheryl to the palace. Layla would offer Cheryl the use of one of the Royal Suites in the section of the Palace where she, Krista, and Andrew stayed. That way Layla could keep Cheryl better informed as to what was happening in the Hagen Star Cluster.

No doubt the next few weeks would be trying and very nerve-racking. Everything she had worked for was in danger of being destroyed. She was already worried about Derrick, and she knew Cheryl must be feeling the same way about Dylan. Then, of course, there was Krista, who Layla had caught crying in her quarters the night before. Krista was scared to death something bad might happen to Mathew.

A knock came on Layla’s door and, after looking at the screen, saw it was Brenda. “Open,” she said, and the door opened, allowing Brenda entry.

Brenda’s face turned red when she saw Layla was dressed only in a long robe. There was no doubt in her mind what the High Princess and Derrick had been doing for the last few hours. “Are you all right?”

Layla smiled. Brenda had known Derrick longer than Layla had. Brenda had served on the original light cruiser Destiny that had brought Krista and Layla from Golan Four, when the Confederation had long ago conquered the Empire. She trusted Brenda completely. “I’m fine. I’m just glad Derrick and I got to spend a few hours together before the Confederation shows up.”

“Everything will work out,” promised Brenda. “I’ve known Derrick for a long time. If anyone can defeat the Confederation, it’s him.”

Layla nodded. She knew she could do nothing more. Now it was up to fate, and she hoped, this time, that fate was on her side.

“Why don’t you take a long hot bubble bath? While you’re doing that, I’ll make your bed and lay out some clothes. I assume you will return to the Royal Court to see what all Krista has given away.”

This made Layla laugh. “Yes, I was a little nervous about leaving her there by herself.”

“She’s doing fine,” said Brenda, smiling. “I stopped by there on the way to your quarters. She’s doing very well.”

Layla smiled, feeling relieved. “Please lay out the light-blue gown, and I’ll go take my hot bath.”

Brenda watched Layla leave, heading for her bath. Brenda didn’t want to admit it, but she was worried about Derrick as well.

-

Krista tried not to act nervous. Anything she said or did could quickly become policy in the Empire. In most of the cases where she decided, she tried to think about what Layla would do. Krista was immensely relieved when Chancellor Stein came down the aisle and climbed the steps to stand next to her. “Need some help?”

Krista nodded. “I’m so afraid of making a mistake.”

Stein laughed. “We all make mistakes. In most cases we can come back later and correct them. We have a number of representatives from new Imperial worlds who just want to meet you or High Princess Layla. Why don’t I have them step forward, and you can introduce yourself. I’ve made arrangements for a tour of the Imperial Palace for later.”

“Sounds fine,” answered Krista. This was something she could do. It was a simple matter of introducing herself and then having them describe their worlds to her. Maybe by the time she was done with this, Layla would be back.

-

In the Command Center beneath the House of Worlds, Fleet Admiral Marloo sent out directional hyperlight messages to various commands and bases. It was essential they locate the Confederation fleets as soon as possible, particularly the Morag. He was greatly surprised that there had been so few attacks. For weeks he had been expecting the Empire to be attacked along a wide front near the Confederation. Other than Hastings, nothing else had happened.

General Lyra Gantts stood next to him. “Where are they?”

Admiral Marloo shook his head. “I don’t know. This doesn’t make any sense. Once they attacked Hastings, I expected a general onslaught clear across our outer border. Nothing has happened, and there have been no further sightings of any Confederation fleets. It’s as if they vanished.”

General Gantts frowned. “Maybe we’re looking at this wrong. What if they’re moving toward targets they don’t want us to know about?”

Marloo looked at Gantts with sudden concern in his eyes. “What do you mean?”

“Think about it. What sense does it make to fight at every inhabited world between the periphery of our Empire and our core worlds? If they can take out the core worlds, this war, for all intents and purposes, will be over.”

Marloo shook his head. “You’re right. It wouldn’t make sense to fight every world. The Hagen Star Cluster is heavily fortified and has enough densely populated worlds and colonies to continue the war.”

General Gantts nodded. “I think you have answered your own question. Only two really important targets exist in the Empire. Our core worlds and the Hagen Star Cluster. Those have to be the targets, and that’s why we haven’t heard or seen anything of the Confederation fleets, yet we know they must be out there.”

“A surprise and concentrated attack.” Fleet Admiral Marloo sat down hard in his command chair. He took a deep breath. How could he have missed the obvious? For months they had been preparing for a general attack against hundreds of Imperial worlds. Why would the Confederation do that, when all they had to do was take out the two most powerful Human entities? Meaning, the core worlds and the Hagen Star Cluster.

“Get me Admiral Cleemorl immediately!” he ordered. He had some messages to send and some fleet units he needed to redeploy. They had really messed up, and he hoped it didn’t end up costing them.

-

Rear Admiral Carrie smiled when she saw the arrival of Rear Admiral Krest’s fleet. Four more dreadnoughts and thirty-three additional battlecruisers. That greatly increased the firepower of her fleet and helped to ensure the safety of the twenty battlecarriers she was protecting.

“Many of Rear Admiral Krest’s ships suffered damage at Hastings,” reported Major Sullivan, the executive officer. “They’re still doing repairs, and Rear Admiral Krest reports she expects to have all her ships fully combat ready in another eight to ten hours.”

“I hope we have that much time,” commented Rear Admiral Carrie. “The Confederation could show up in the cluster at any time.”

“There’s been no sign of them,” replied Sullivan.

“I know, but they have to be out there somewhere. Assign some additional engineers to Rear Admiral Krest’s ships. I want them as fully repaired as possible, particularly her flagship.”

-

On board the battlecarrier Orion, Captain Anderson spoke with Major Barkley. “Have you thought about the tactics you’ll use when we engage the Confederation?”

Mathew nodded. “We know the Druins are bringing some of their AI-controlled attack drones. We have no idea how many or where they’ll commit them. I’m setting up the squadrons to take the drones on in two-to-one combat. That should ensure none reach our major warships. As far as attacking Confederation fleets, we will use medium-range missile fire. Of course that means more missiles will be intercepted, but we will lose far fewer interceptors. We’ll only go in close when we see a substantial number of damaged Confederation warships, so we can take out those without putting the squadrons at grave risk.”

“Have you studied the videos of the attack drones, when they were used in the Solar System?” Anderson had looked at them and knew they could be a serious threat.

Mathew nodded. “In detail. The drones seem to follow a strict series of attack methods, all controlled by the AIs. From what I’ve determined, they’re extremely dangerous, though I don’t know how they will perform in a dogfight.”

Captain Anderson was curious as well. “I just received a message from Fleet Admiral Marloo. He expects the Confederation to attack the Hagen Star Cluster, as well as the core worlds. He believes the Confederation is skipping all the systems in between and hoping to end the war by taking out our main seats of military power. He believes the battle in the cluster will be intense and very violent. This will be a battle neither side can afford to lose.”

“We’ll be ready,” promised Mathew. “We’re flying training missions regularly off all the battlecarriers. I want our flight crews to be as sharp as possible. For many, this will be their first time in combat, and that’ll be a lot different than what they experienced in the simulators.”

“Don’t forget. Over five thousand attack interceptors are based on Gideon, where the heaviest part of the fighting is expected to take place.”

Mathew nodded. He was already making plans on how to use those additional fighters.

-

Later Mathew was in one of the flight bays of the Orion, watching as squadrons took off to practice combat drills. His mind turned to Krista and the future that might be waiting for him. He knew she was greatly upset that he had volunteered for this mission. But how could he stay home when so many he had trained were putting their lives on the line?

As he watched, Black Dart squadron was in the process of launching. This was the most talented and experienced squadron on board the Orion. Many of the flight crews Mathew knew personally. Some of them had even come down to the training facility on Golan Four and had spent considerable time helping train the first crews for the attack interceptors.

Mathew was in the control and observation room, overlooking the flight bay. As the last of the Black Dart attack interceptors launched, he wished he were on board one. He did get to fly some at the training base, but it wasn’t the same.

“Go,” suggested Captain Denise Barrat. “No reason for you not to take an interceptor out. Go join the Black Darts.”

Mathew hesitated. An extra Black Dart interceptor just sat here. It was one of the backups the squadron had in case one of the regular interceptors was not ready for launch.

“It will be good for you,” added Captain Barrat. “I’ve got everything under control here.”

Mathew didn’t need any more coaxing. He quickly found a navigator and a weapons officer who were willing to go with him. A few minutes later he was putting on his flight outfit and feeling the excitement growing inside.

-

The interceptor darted out of the flight bay and joined the orbiting squadron of interceptors.

“This is Major Barkley,” Mathew announced over the squadron comm channel. “All interceptors partner up, and we’ll do some dogfighting. The last surviving pair of fighters will have a special meal prepared for them by the ship’s cooks. Anything you want to eat and drink.”

“I’ve got this,” said a voice over the comm.

“Less talk and more shooting,” another voice replied.

“Glad you could join us, Major,” said Lieutenant Stephens, who was a group leader. “It’s been a while.”

“Too long,” admitted Mathew.

Mathew watched as the interceptors quickly paired up. He waited a good sixty seconds and then made the announcement. “Exercise begins. Double-check to make sure weapons are deactivated and laser beams are turned on.” The laser beams were just bright beams of light that, when an interceptor was struck, special sensors would indicate damage suffered. The interceptors spread apart in pairs and then turned to engage.

-

For the next thirty minutes the fighting was intense. No one wanted to lose, but not everyone could win. Interceptors twisted and dove in crazy attempts to eliminate their opponents. Occasionally Mathew had to warn the pilots not to get too extreme. He didn’t want anyone flying into another interceptor. In some of the maneuvers, the interceptors came within a few meters of one another.

Mathew was pleasantly surprised, as he saw the squadron was extremely well trained and seemed to know exactly what they were doing.

Finally the contest was down to the last two pair. Both had eliminated all their opponents and were pretty evenly matched.

“Pilots, identify yourselves,” ordered Mathew.

“Lieutenant Vick, sir.”

“Lieutenant Mallory, sir.”

“Lieutenant Gains, sir.”

“Lieutenant Stephens, sir.”

Mathew wasn’t surprised. He had known all four for quite some time. “Why don’t we call it a draw, and all of you can eat the meals of your choice, as well as whatever you want to drink.”

All quickly agreed. The more, the merrier the party would be.

Mathew watched as the four flew back to the battlecarrier. With a smile, he decided to do a slow orbit of the fleet. Looking out the cockpit window, he saw the battlecarriers, dreadnoughts, and battlecruisers that made up the combined fleet. Some of Rear Admiral Krest’s ships still showed damage, as well as multiple burn marks on the hull.

“Looks as if they were in one hell of a fight,” commented his navigator, Ensign Brigum Meld, who was from Glimmer.

“They were,” answered Mathew. “That fleet was at Hastings and just escaped before the Druins and the Zynth bombarded the moon’s surface.”

Mathew adjusted course, until he flew parallel to Rear Admiral Krest’s flagship, the Tetrex. The ship had a massive patch down one side, and a big part of the hull was covered in burn marks. It was obvious many of the weapons turrets were brand new, as some of them hadn’t even been painted yet.

“It’s amazing that ship survived,” commented Ensign Meld.

“They make dreadnoughts tough and able to take a lot of damage. From what I understand, they are still doing a lot of repair work inside.” Mathew knew that Rear Admiral Krest would do everything she could to make her ship fully combat ready as quickly as possible. A number of engineers from across the fleet had gone on board to help speed up repairs.

With a deep sigh, Mathew turned the interceptor and headed back toward the Orion. He absolutely loved flying the small attack interceptors. He really had missed not being on the Orion, but training new pilots and flight crews had to take priority. He just hoped that most of them survived the coming combat, even though he knew that some of the brave interceptor crews that he knew would probably lose their lives in defense of the Empire.

Chapter Fifteen

Admiral Cleemorl took a deep breath, after receiving the hyperlight message from Fleet Admiral Marloo. If his information was correct, the Confederation fleets were bypassing all the heavily defended Human planets and heading directly for the Hagen Star Cluster and the core worlds. That would mean the Humans would face the full force of the Confederation and not fleets that had taken significant losses while engaging other Human worlds.

At the moment, Admiral Cleemorl had both of his newly promoted rear admirals on the comm. “It’s been suggested that the Druins and the Zynth are probably heading our way, and the Morag are heading directly to the core worlds.”

“We can handle the Druins and the Zynth,” commented Rear Admiral Manson confidently.

“Perhaps so, but we need to hold our losses to a minimum.”

“They may head directly toward Gideon,” suggested Rear Admiral Fulmar. “Annihilate our biggest base and then work outward from there. That’s what I would do.”

“Or the Druins may attack one target and the Zynth another,” suggested Rear Admiral Manson. “They both have pretty large fleets.”

There was silence for a long moment, and then Rear Admiral Fulmar spoke. “So what do we do with our fleets?”

“We keep all three deployed as they are,” answered Cleemorl. “Each one of us has a group of worlds and inhabited moons to protect. The shipyards above all seven of the major worlds of this cluster are turning out new warships nearly every day. Once we know the target or targets of the Confederation fleets, then we can decide for sure where we need to commit our fleet assets.”

“The entire star cluster is currently at Condition Three,” added Fulmar. “We’ve increased attack interceptor patrols in every system, including the mining colonies. When the Confederation fleets show up, we’ll know.”

Dylan leaned back in his command chair, deep in thought. “If the Druins and the Zynth headed directly toward us, after leaving Hastings, they could arrive as early as late tomorrow. I would suggest you ensure your crews get as much rest as possible in the next sixteen hours.”

“Agreed,” replied Rear Admiral Manson. “Once this battle starts, there won’t be much time for rest.”

The two rear admirals signed off, and Dylan ordered the Themis and its accompanying fleet to head to Tantula Five. He wanted to speak to Governor Dyson about the upcoming battle. Dylan also planned on positioning his fleet around Tantula Five, until he saw the strength of the enemy. Tantula Five was nearly as heavily defended as Golan Four. Currently Tantula Five had sixteen ODPs, two thousand energy platforms, three hundred missile platforms, and twelve PDCs. All three space stations were heavily armed and possessed powerful energy shields. The shipyard had been expanded and was heavily armed as well and protected by a very powerful energy shield. In addition large numbers of missile interceptors were based on the planet, and every major city sat inside a ring of energy beam turrets, designed to track and to take out incoming missiles. Also three thousand ground-based attack interceptors were at all twelve bases on the planet.

-

Druin Admiral Falorr grew impatient. They were two days away from the Hagen Star Cluster, and he knew that the main Morag fleets were four days away from the core worlds. Morag Fleet Admiral Torrant wanted Falorr to wait to attack the Hagen Star Cluster at the same time he attacked the core worlds.

Falorr had no intention of following those orders. As soon as they arrived at the cluster, and his ships were ready, they would attack. Even Morag Admiral Norlan had agreed. With Norlan, Falorr had met a Morag who was as interested in moving up the ladder as Falorr was.

Falorr had spent some long hours going over the attack plan for the Hagen Star Cluster. Much of that time he spoke with Zynth Admiral Donlur, who had already been driven away from the cluster by the Humans.

“The inhabited moon of Gideon in the Tantula Five System is the biggest danger,” Donlur had stated. “They have based their entire defense on the moon being too powerful to conquer. Tantula Five is also very heavily defended.”

Falorr was no fool. He knew the Humans could be a dangerous adversary. For that reason, he would give Morag Admiral Norlan the glory of destroying Gideon or at least softening it up. The four thousand Morag ships would lead the attack, followed by the Zynth and then the Druins.

Once Gideon was destroyed, Admiral Falorr would demand the rest of the cluster surrender to his fleet or face total annihilation.

“We will stop at the large red giant system just outside of the cluster,” Falorr informed his First Officer Dagor. “We’ll stay there for twelve hours to do routine ship maintenance and to rest our crews. Then we will jump directly into the Tantula System and attack Gideon and destroy it.”

“A sound plan,” said First Officer Dagor. “What do we do once we’ve conquered the cluster?”

Falorr looked at the tactical display, showing the multitude of ships under his command. “We wait. We wait and see what happens with the Morag fleets when they attack the Human core worlds.”

-

Morag Fleet Admiral Torrant was not pleased. From his last communication with Druin Admiral Falorr, Torrant had the impression Falorr would not wait four more days to attack. Not only that but Morag Admiral Norlan might have aspirations that would cause him to disobey Torrant’s direct orders as well.

What do we do if they attack early? sent First Officer Markel.

Torrant shook his head. Nothing we can do. However, I fear if Admiral Falorr attacks the Hagen Star Cluster, the core worlds of the Human Empire will realize what we are up to. They will be prepared when we arrive.

Should we change our plans?

Suddenly an idea flashed into Torrant’s mind. He had a fleet of eight thousand modern Morag warships waiting in reserve just outside the Human Empire. Perhaps if he had them attack, it would confuse the Humans, and they would underestimate his arrival time at the core worlds.

We will send a directional hyperlight message to Admiral Voxx. I’ll order him to attack the Human worlds of Leonora Five and Ranier Two. Both are on the edge of the Human Empire and will force the Humans to reconsider the location of our fleets. They will figure we are behind Admiral Falorr and not ahead of him.

When will we send the message?

Now, replied Torrant. This will ensure the Humans will not expect us to attack their core worlds so soon. They will figure we are using the Druins, Zynth, and our older ships to lead the invasion, with our main forces following behind.

It is a good strategy, replied First Officer Markel. The Human core worlds will not expect our attack.

-

Morag Admiral Voxx was pleased with his new orders. He had not been certain he would even get to take his fleet into battle. Now he had two targets for his fleet and possibly more. Prepare to get underway, he ordered, looking over at First Officer Bale. We have two targets that Fleet Admiral Torrant wants us to conquer.

Which two?

Leonora Five and Ranier Two. Both are on the periphery of the Human Empire and heavily populated. From our most recent reports, both are protected by a defense grid and a few Imperial warships. We should have no trouble taking both of them. I will split the fleet into two sections of four thousand ships each. We will attack both worlds simultaneously. It will make the Humans think the real Morag attack is just beginning our attack on the periphery of their Empire.

In the meantime, both Fleet Admiral Torrant and Fleet Admiral Colane will continue toward the Human core worlds.

Admiral Voxx nodded. Yes, soon this Empire of Humans will once more be under our control and no longer a threat.

-

On Ranier Two, the defensive grid had been completely repaired. They even had four ODPs in orbit. In addition a small shipyard was in orbit, as well as two large space stations. Ranier Two had once done a lot of trade with alien worlds, as well as with a few worlds in the Confederation. Those days were long gone, particularly after the Druins destroyed the capital city, killing over ten million civilians.

In the deep underground Command Center, General Landryal sat in his command chair, watching the viewscreens and the tactical displays. If his world were to be attacked again, he would be ready. In the months since the attack, dozens of massive underground shelters had been built. They could safely put nearly two million people inside them, if needed.

“All clear,” reported Major Billingsly. “Picking up no Confederation ships on our long-range sensors.”

General Landryal nodded. They only had a small squadron of Imperial warships to help protect the planet. These were currently around Ranier Two’s only shipyard. The shipyard was heavily armed and possessed a powerful energy shield. The two space stations were similarly protected.

“Attack interceptors are ready when needed,” added Billingsly. They had only two hundred of them, and those would be used to shoot down incoming missiles. In addition, the ten largest cities sat in a ring of energy beam turrets and missile interceptors.

The Empire had furnished much of the new weapons components, since they felt that Ranier Two would be one of the first targets of the Confederation. They had orders to surrender, if defeat became inevitable.

-

On the shipyard, Colonel Evelyn Hatcher paced nervously in the Command Center. Her shipyard was armed as heavily as three dreadnoughts and had a very powerful energy shield, as two extra fusion power plants had been installed just to provide power. Around the shipyard orbited ten missile platforms and twenty energy beam satellites, plus six Imperial battlecruisers. Already she had evacuated all nonessential personnel and had closed off all areas of the shipyard deemed not necessary. Emergency bulkheads were down and sealed, and damage control teams were assigned to different sections of the shipyard and were ready to be deployed, if needed.

-

Morag Admiral Voxx felt his flagship drop from hyperspace into the Ranier Two System. Instantly alarms sounded, as defending Imperial warships were detected.

“Heavy defenses around Ranier Two,” reported the sensor officer, as he studied the scans. “At least four ODPs, missile platforms, energy beam satellites, two space stations, both heavily armed, and one large shipyard, heavily armed as well. Detecting six Imperil battlecruisers around the shipyard, as well as additional missile platforms and energy beam satellites.”

Admiral Voxx nodded. If his fleet were a normal-size fleet, that might be enough to deter an attack. However, he had four thousand modern Morag warships and a lot of firepower. “Take us in and continue scans. I want to know what’s on the surface.”

-

In the Command Center of the shipyard, alarms sounded as the tactical display lit up with red threat icons.

“Morag warships detected,” reported the sensor officer. “Eighteen hundred and the count still rising.

Colonel Hatcher drew in a sharp breath. Eighteen hundred! She had never expected they would face such a fleet. In the past, Confederation fleets had numbered in the hundreds and occasionally around one thousand. “Send a directional hyperlight message to Fleet Admiral Marloo on Golan Four. Tell him a large Morag fleet has appeared. At least 1,800 vessels with more still dropping out of hyperspace. Tactical, take all commands to Condition One. No one is to fire until I give the order.” Colonel Hatcher was in charge of all orbital assets.

-

In the underground Command Center on Ranier Two, General Landryal stared at the tactical display in disbelief.

“Colonel Hatcher has placed all orbital defenses at Condition One,” reported Major Billingsly.

General Landryal nodded, as he tore his gaze away from the tactical display. “Take all ground defenses to Condition One. Order the evacuation to the underground bunkers. A chosen group of young people, doctors, scientists, technicians, and other highly qualified people had been chosen to enter the bunkers. All other civilians are to remain in their homes or their own personal shelters.” Landryal knew a large number of community and private shelters had been built over the last few months. Not enough to protect everyone but a major portion of the population should be able to ride out this attack, if the surface was bombarded.

“Evacuation alarms should be sounding now,” reported the communications officer.

“All ground defenses have been activated,” reported the tactical officer. “Crews are reporting to the attack interceptors. They will launch at your command.”

All General Landryal wanted to do was prevent any bombardment of the surface. “Have the crews stand by. They will probably launch sometime in the next thirty minutes to an hour.”

“Morag ships have stopped dropping out of hyperspace,” reported the sensor officer. “Final count is 4,128 warships.”

General Landryal felt his heart skip a beat. He had never expected a fleet like this. “Send a hyperlight message to Fleet Admiral Marloo and give him the numbers. Do we know how many battleships and battlecruisers we’re facing?”

“The computers are still working that out. We should know in a minute or two.”

“Wait until you have that information before you send a message to the fleet admiral,” ordered General Landryal.

“Ten minutes until they are in combat range of our orbital defenses,” added the tactical officer.

General Landryal leaned back in his command chair and took in a deep breath. All they could do now was wait. Once the defenses were gone, he would offer to surrender. He hated that order, but it would help decrease civilian losses.

-

Morag Admiral Voxx had placed his fleet into a massive wedge formation, aimed directly at the planet. Stand by to open fire as soon as we’re in range. This would be Voxx’s first major battle, and he was looking forward to it.

On the viewscreens, his warfleet was visible for as far as his eyes could see. Battlecruisers and battleships were all aimed at the planet. He wondered what the enemy commander was thinking when seeing what he was up against.

Defenses around the planet and upon its surface have powered up, reported the sensor officer. The energy shields around the space stations, and particularly those around the shipyard, are extremely powerful.

If we hit them with enough antimatter missiles, they will collapse, replied First Officer Bale.

Admiral Voxx nodded his agreement. We have enough ships for a general assault on all their defensive assets, as well as the space stations and the shipyard. This battle will not last long and will be an example to the rest of the Human Empire not to resist the Morag.

-

Captain Jill Jennings was in charge of the small squadron of Imperial battlecruisers currently just inside the small defensive grid protecting the shipyard.

“Weapons range in three minutes,” reported the sensor officer.

Jill shook her head. She had six battlecruisers opposed to over four thousand Morag warships. She wondered if anyone else had ever fought against greater odds.

“All ships are at Condition One,” reported Lieutenant Drew Berry, her executive officer.

“Stand by to fire. I want as many missiles launched as possible and as fast as possible. Keep us behind the shipyard’s defensive grid at all times.” The defense grid would give them some protection but not much.

“Combat range in two minutes,” called out the sensor officer. “Morag ships are in a wedge formation. Estimate at least 607 battleships.”

-

Colonel Hatcher watched apprehensively as the Morag fleet approached. She was fearful this would be a very short battle. The firepower of that fleet was nearly beyond belief.

“Morag fleet is entering extreme weapons range,” reported the sensor officer.

Hatcher knew there was no point in waiting. “Fire! All commands to initiate immediate weapons fire.”

From the defensive grid, the ODPs, the battlecruisers, the small defense grid around the shipyard, the space stations, and the shipyard itself, weapons fire erupted. From this extreme distance, only about 30 to 40 percent would actually strike the Morag fleet.

-

Morag Admiral Voxx frowned when the Human defenses opened up on him. He had expected to close the distance for at least another minute. Return fire, he ordered. Target all Human orbital installations. With four thousand warships he did not expect this to last long.

On the ship’s viewscreens, the front of his fleet lit up as antimatter and fusion missiles detonated against energy screens. Voxx frowned when he saw a few of them go down. It was a reminder that the Humans possessed very powerful weapons.

A moment later his own weapons fire began reaching the Human installations. Defensive energy beam satellites and missile platforms vanished in brilliant flashes of released energy, as they were blown apart in fiery blasts of destruction.

-

In the underground Command Center, General Landryal watched, as the Morag fleet annihilated the defensive grid protecting the planet. “Launch the interceptors. They’re to stay under fifty kilometers, and their primary job is to take out any inbound missiles. They are not to engage any of the Morag fleet.” General Landryal knew, if they did, they would quickly be wiped out.

“We’ve lost 68 percent of our energy beam satellites and 42 percent of the missile platforms,” reported Major Billingsly. “The remaining platforms are launching missiles as fast as they can.”

“Place the remaining platforms on automatic and evacuate the crews,” ordered General Landryal. “We can control them from here if necessary. What’s the situation in the underground bunkers?” He knew there had not been enough time to get everyone inside yet.

“Sixty-two percent full,” replied Major Billingsly. “They still need another hour to get everyone inside.”

General Landryal shook his head. “We don’t have an hour. Tell them to speed things up.”

On the viewscreen, the bright flashes in space increased as the Morag fleet drew nearer. Already debris from the destroyed elements of the defensive grid fell to the planet. Brilliant streaks of light were prevalent, as the fragments burned up in the atmosphere.

-

Captain Jennings felt her battlecruiser shake violently, and she heard the sound of tearing metal.

“Energy shield is down to 36 percent,” reported the tactical officer.

“We have a hole in our hull nearly thirty meters long and extending inside through four decks,” added Lieutenant Berry, shaking his head. “We have nearly 50 percent of our weapons off-line, and the hyperdrive is nonfunctional.”

Jennings found it difficult to swallow. She realized there was no escaping this battle. “All weapons are to continue to fire. Seal off all the damaged compartments. Tell the chief to get to work on that hyperdrive.”

Berry’s gaze met Jennings’s. “He says it will require at least fourteen hours or more to repair.”

Taking a deep breath, Captain Jennings squared her shoulders. “I want this ship empty of missiles. Let’s take as many of those Morag as we can with us.”

The ship suddenly keeled over hard to one side and then back to the other. It was all Jennings could do just to stay in her command chair. Not true for some of her other officers. She saw that Berry had been thrown to the deck and was not moving. A medic rushed over to check him and, after a moment, looked up at the captain and shook her head.

Jennings merely nodded. Drew Berry had been her executive officer since her ship was commissioned. Everyone on the ship was from the core worlds, and it looked as if their military careers would be short ones.

“Energy screen is failing,” reported tactical. “Those last two strikes took out our main fusion power plant. We’re operating on the reserve, but it won’t be enough.”

Looking at the tactical display, Jennings saw that only her battlecruiser and one other still survived. The others had been destroyed by the heavy firepower of the Morag. “Can our other ship escape?”

“No,” answered the communications officer. “They report their damage is worse than ours.”

At that moment the icon of the other battlecruiser swelled up and then vanished. Jennings knew they were now alone. Her squadron was gone.

Deep inside her ship, she heard a rumbling sound, steadily growing louder. Explosions could be heard tearing open compartment after compartment. In the outer corridor, she thought she heard screams that were quickly silenced.

Leaning back in her command chair, Captain Jill Jennings closed her eyes. She wished she knew how the future turned out for the Empire. That was her last thought as blackness suddenly overcame her when the Command Center was blown open to the harsh vacuum of space.

-

Colonel Evelyn Hatcher closed her eyes, as the Imperil battlecruiser squadron died. It had fought to the last ship and had gone out in a blaze of glory.

“All we have left are ten energy beam satellites and three missile platforms in the shipyard’s defensive grid,” announced Captain Harms, the executive officer.

“Energy shield?”

“Holding at 92 percent,” answered the tactical officer.

Evelyn looked at two of the viewscreens, which showed the space stations. Both were under heavy attack but still putting up resistance.

“General Landryal says he needs more time to get the underground bunkers filled,” reported the communications officer.

Evelyn looked at the tactical display and the massive Morag fleet, now bearing down on the shipyard and the two space stations. “We may not have the time to give him.” She knew that even the shipyard’s powerful energy shield could not withstand the attack of so many enemy warships. “Continue to fire all weapons. Make sure we empty those three missile platforms and tell them to evacuate and go to the ground. We can control those stations from here.”

“Colonel, space station Ganlon is under heavy attack, and their energy shield is about to fail,” reported the communications officer.

Evelyn shifted her gaze to a large viewscreen, focused on the space station. Station Ganlon was a very large space station and had handled much of the trade with alien races. Even as she watched, a huge explosion occurred in one of the docking pylons. The pylon came apart, and a few fires could now be seen burning in the station.

Another explosion occurred in the main docking bay, and the station started to wobble, as its gyroscopes were now out of balance. Weapons fire from the station suddenly came to a stop, and a large number of shuttles could be seen evacuating. The station vibrated and shook violently. Two more missiles slammed into the hull, and the station exploded, throwing glowing debris in every direction. A few of the escaping shuttles were struck by the debris and torn apart. The rest descended into the planet’s atmosphere.

“Station Ganlon is down,” reported the sensor officer in a shaken voice.

-

The two hundred attack interceptors were busy, shooting down any stray missiles that entered the atmosphere. In addition, ground-based interceptor missiles were steadily being launched to take out any missile the interceptors missed. From the ten cities with energy beam turrets surrounding them, a steady energy beam fire took out even more missiles.

Suddenly above an unprotected city, a fusion missile detonated. The blast wave and tremendous heat leveled the center of the city, and a mushroom cloud rose. Fires were everywhere, and the sky was full of smoke and ash. Terrified screams for help came from the rubble of collapsed buildings.

Over the next several minutes, three more cities were struck and devastated.

-

General Landryal shook his head, sadly seeing the destruction of the cities. “Contact the Morag admiral and tell him we are willing to surrender.”

Major Billingsly looked at the general in surprise. “Are you sure? The other space station and the shipyard still have a lot of firepower.”

“I know, but I don’t want to lose them, and we’re losing some of our cities.”

Billingsly nodded and went over to Communications to send the surrender message.

General Landryal leaned back in his chair with a big sigh. He had known they could not win, but he had never expected to face a fleet this large. He wondered now if even the Hagen Star Cluster or the core worlds could stop a fleet of this size.

-

Morag Admiral Voxx listened to the offer to surrender. He had been expecting this. He was surprised it hadn’t occurred earlier. Inform the Humans all resistance must stop immediately. The energy screens on their remaining space station and shipyard must be lowered. We will leave a few ships in orbit to ensure they don’t try to rebuild their defenses.

Voxx listened as First Officer Bale spoke to a Major Billingsly. It only took a few minutes for both sides to come to an agreement to stop the fighting.

What did we lose? asked Voxx.

Sixty-seven battlecruisers and four battleships, answered Bale.

Admiral Voxx nodded. Not a bad price to pay for conquering a heavily populated and defended Human world. It was a good victory. Leave ten battlecruisers and one battleship in orbit to ensure this world stays out of the conflict. We will go on to our next target.

Moments later the Morag fleet entered hyperspace to go a little deeper into the Empire. They had new orders to attack the Human World of Astor. The war for the periphery of the Human Empire would continue.

-

“Have all the interceptors land,” ordered General Landryal. “Put them inside their hangars and wired to explode. We don’t need the Morag capturing any of them. If we detect Morag shuttles coming down to any of the bases where the interceptors are based, the interceptors are to be destroyed. Also we need to begin rescue operations in the cities hit by missiles. We might save quite a few people, if we work quickly enough.”

General Landryal turned toward the communications officer. “Send a hyperlight message to Golan Four and inform them that Ranier Two has fallen. Our part in this war is over.”

Chapter Sixteen

Fleet Admiral Marloo was now thoroughly confused. Ranier Two had been attacked by a fleet of over four thousand Morag warships, and now Leonora Five reports they were under attack as well by a similar fleet.

“Could we be wrong?” asked General Gantts, as she studied the reports.

“Maybe,” admitted Marloo, rubbing his forehead. “Though I don’t see how.”

General Gantts put down the reports, a heavy frown on her face. “Ranier Two lost four more cities, though many of the inhabitants were in personal shelters. They’re in the process of rescuing them now. Even so, the casualties will still be in the millions.”

Fleet Admiral Marloo leaned back in his command chair. “What are we missing?”

General Gantts pursed her lips and then answered. “Could these two attacks be a diversion?”

Marloo looked at the general. “You mean, to get us to take our eyes off the real target.”

Gantts nodded. “How better to fool us than to make us think the Morag fleet is still on the periphery of the Empire. Could this be a fleet they were holding in reserve?”

“Eight thousand ships?” answered Marloo, stunned. “I can’t imagine them having that many ships held back as a reserve force.”

“But what do we know about the Morag? Supposedly they are very intelligent and, from what we know, an extremely warlike race. This could be part of their strategy.”

Marloo shook his head, as he thought over what General Gantts said. What should he do now? “I think we have no choice but to assume the main Morag attack is still aimed at the core worlds. However, I want some battlecruisers sent out to monitor these two new Morag fleets. I want to know everywhere they go and what worlds they attack. Also see if we can monitor their communications. We need to put a few ships between them and the core worlds and see if we can detect any directional communications.”

Admiral Marloo looked at the reports he held in his hand. He hated the thought of eight thousand Morag warships running rampant in the periphery of the Empire. They could do considerable harm. Unfortunately Marloo didn’t have the ships to send to try to stop them. For now he could do very little. Marloo contacted Admirals Masters and Cleemorl and informed them of what was going on, if they didn’t know already. The situation had changed again. If these eight thousand ships were reserve ships, they were facing a massive number of Morag ships. A number they may not be able to stop.

-

On Leonora Five, Governor Barrington stared at the large tactical display in disbelief. Four thousand Morag warships were inbound toward his planet. “What can we do?” He was in a small underground Command Center directly beneath the capital building.

“We have a defensive grid. All four space stations are armed and have energy shields. In addition the shipyard is heavily armed with its own energy shield. Unfortunately we have no warships or other means of defense,” answered Colonel Pierson. “I tried to get you to increase our defenses.”

Governor Barrington turned around, glaring at Colonel Pierson. “It was too costly.”

“The Empire volunteered to defer much of the costs,” Pierson reminded the governor. “We could have had a very powerful defensive grid, if you would only have allowed the Empire to help us.”

Barrington looked back at the tactical display. “Could we have built any defense that could have stopped that?”

Colonel Pierson shook his head reluctantly. “No, we never expected to face a fleet of that size.”

“What do you recommend?”

“Ranier Two surrendered, after putting up a brief but stiff resistance. There was no retaliation from the Morag fleet. I would suggest we surrender immediately, before we lose some of our space stations or even the shipyard.”

Governor Barrington immediately stood, his expression horrified. “Surrender to the Morag and fall back under Confederation control?”

Pierson nodded. “It’s better than losing some of our cities. Ranier Two lost four of their cities, even with their powerful defenses. We are not anywhere close to their defensive strength.”

Governor Barrington sat down. “You’re right. We dare not risk having our cities bombed. Contact the Morag fleet and offer our immediate surrender. Then contact Golan Four and explain to them what we have done and why.”

The governor felt as if he had let his people down. He had firmly believed that, as long as they were not a threat to the Confederation, they would be left alone. For that reason, he had refused help from the core worlds in strengthening the defenses around Leonora Five. He had also refused to allow any warships from the Empire or the Human Resistance to be stationed in the system as well.

It took a few minutes to establish communications with the inbound Morag fleet. Their offer to surrender was immediately accepted with the conditions that they destroy their defensive grid and immediately begin to disarm the space stations and the shipyard. Governor Barrington quickly agreed.

-

Captain Liam Anderson stood in the Command Center of the dreadnought Lodestone. They were in orbit over the Human world of Astor. He had a mixed fleet of Imperial warships and Resistance warships. He had his dreadnought, twelve Imperial battlecruisers, six Resistance battlecruisers, and fourteen Resistance support vessels. Liam’s fleet was one of the largest ones on the periphery of the Empire.

“We have several cargo ships that have spotted a Morag fleet,” reported Lieutenant Ardlee Proston, the executive officer. “It appears to be the one that attacked Ranier Two, based on its current location, and it’s headed directly for us. I estimate the fleet will be here in four to six hours.”

Liam nodded. He had hoped they would be bypassed. “Contact Golan Four and tell them we have detected a Morag fleet headed toward us with an arrival time of four to six hours. Ask if any additional support is available. Also contact the planetary governor and inform him that we will soon be under attack and to evacuate the major cities.” Liam knew a large number of underground bunkers had been built over the last few months.

“What’s the status of the planet’s defenses?” Governor Stewart had been adamant that he wanted the planet as strongly defended as possible. For several months the entire planet’s industries had been turning out defensive grid elements. They had also received a number of missiles and other items from the core worlds.

“Planetary defenses include 6 ODPs in orbit, some 1,400 energy beam satellites, and 170 missile platforms. Both space stations are heavily armed with powerful energy shields. On the surface one large PDC is near the capital city, as well as a number of energy beam turrets and interceptor missiles scattered across the planet. The capital city is protected by an energy shield and sits inside a ring of protective energy beam turrets.”

Captain Anderson nodded. He hoped that was enough. He knew he could not destroy this Morag fleet, but he might be able to force them to retreat, rather than risk significant losses.

-

On the surface of the planet, Governor Stewart had just reached the massive underground Command Center located beneath a tall snowcapped mountain. Stepping inside, he looked at all the screens and the military personnel busily monitoring the entire system and the planet.

“Governor,” said General Marley. “We estimate the Morag are four to six hours out.”

“I was hoping they would skip us.”

“Unfortunately it appears that won’t happen.”

The governor sat down and looked up at the general. “How’s the evacuation going?”

“It’s on schedule. We’ll have all the bunkers full within four hours. People in the cities are being told to go into the country. We have military personnel in all major cities directing traffic. So far, everything seems to be going smoothly, with only a few traffic tie-ups.”

Governor Stewart looked directly at General Marley. “I don’t want to fall under Confederation rule again. Do whatever is necessary to defend this planet.”

“Yes, sir,” replied Marley.

The governor left to go to his personal quarters. He hated the Confederation and what they had done to his planet in the past, the Druins taking hundreds of thousands of the planet’s young people. Time for some payback.

-

On Golan Four in the underground Command Center, Fleet Admiral Marloo had just received the message from Astor. Chancellor Stein and General Gantts stood next to him.

“Is there anything we can send to help them?” asked Stein. He knew Governor Stewart, and the man would not surrender his planet if there was any chance he could successfully resist the Morag.

Admiral Marloo frowned. “We don’t have any major fleet units that far out. We do have a few squadrons based at some nearby worlds, as well as additional Resistance units.”

“Wouldn’t it be better for them to be gathered together, rather than being picked off one at a time?” asked General Gantts.

“Probably,” replied Marloo. He had already been thinking along those lines. “Astor does have a pretty strong defense setup. Governor Stewart had demanded it because of all the young people the Druins took in the past. Let me send out some hyperlight messages and see how many ships we can get there in the next few hours. I’ll probably upset a few worlds by pulling their battlecruiser squadrons from their systems.”

Chancellor Stein understood but nodded in agreement. “Pull them out and I’ll speak to their governors and explain we’re trying to put together a big enough force to stop the Morag from attacking their worlds.”

“One more thing,” said General Gantts. “You might want to promote Captain Anderson to the rank of rear admiral. He’ll end up with a sizable fleet to command.”

“You’re right. I’ll do that immediately. Let’s hope our new rear admiral survives this battle.”

-

Newly promoted Rear Admiral Liam Anderson was still dazed by his promotion and the fact that more Imperial and Resistance warships were rushing to Astor to increase the size of his fleet.

Already twelve more battlecruisers had arrived, and more were expected over the next several hours.

“How do you want to play this?” asked Lieutenant Proston.

Liam had been thinking furiously, since his promotion, on how best to defend Astor. “We will put all our Imperial ships into one fleet to face the Morag. All of the Resistance ships will be assigned to protect the ODPs. They’re our most powerful weapons asset. As long as we can keep the ODPs operational, the Morag cannot take the planet.”

Lieutenant Proston studied the tactical display for a long moment. “Why don’t we move some of the elements of the defensive grid closer to the ODPs to give them more cover? Particularly the missile platforms.”

Anderson liked this suggestion. By moving the missile platforms, the ODPs and fleet units would offer them some protection. “Okay, let’s do that. We’ll use our Imperial fleet units for quick hit-and-run attacks against the Morag.”

-

“Admiral Marloo,” said Colonel Hillstrum. “Captain Novak is in that sector with his heavy squadron. He can be at Astor in three hours.” Captain Novak was on patrol in the outer periphery, searching for Confederation ships. It was the only heavy fleet squadron on the entire periphery besides Rear Admiral Anderson’s fleet.

“What does he have?” Marloo was trying to remember what ship units Captain Novak had been assigned.

“Two dreadnoughts and twenty-seven battlecruisers.”

Fleet Admiral Marloo didn’t hesitate. “Divert them to Astor. Inform Captain Novak he will be under Rear Admiral Anderson’s command.”

As Colonel Hillstrum turned to carry out the order, Fleet Admiral Marloo leaned back in his command chair. This was beginning to look like a possible fleet battle. The Morag would still have a great advantage, but at least Rear Admiral Anderson would now have some options in how to conduct the battle.

-

Rear Admiral Anderson felt some relief when he found out that Captain Novak’s heavy squadron was also being diverted to Astor and placed under his command.

“That gives us some options,” said Lieutenant Proston. “Captain Novak has two dreadnoughts and twenty-seven battlecruisers in his heavy squadron.”

Rear Admiral Anderson nodded. “Now we just need to figure out how we’ll use our warships.” Liam had several ideas, but he wanted to wait another few hours, until he knew for sure how many warships he would have to oppose the Morag. Imperial warships were still straggling in.

-

Morag Admiral Voxx grew impatient. During their last stop to finish a few needed repairs, several Human cargo ships had been in the system. Both had jumped out before he could destroy them.

It does not matter, sent First Officer Bale. We have nearly four thousand warships. They cannot stop us from conquering Astor.

No, agreed Voxx. But now Astor will have time to prepare and to possibly call in reinforcements. We must be prepared to fight a fleet battle.

Even so, they won’t have near as many warships as we do.

Admiral Voxx knew First Officer Bale was correct. Nevertheless we will take some precautions in attacking this system. We will divide the fleet once again into two sections of two thousand warships each and attack from two different directions. Even if the Humans have put together a fleet, they will have to split it to take on our forces, and, with our firepower, we will decimate it.

We’re two hours from reaching the Astor System, reported First Officer Bale.

Admiral Voxx nodded. Time to notch up another victory for the Morag and their future.

-

Rear Admiral Anderson felt more optimistic. Captain Novak had arrived with his heavy squadron, and, in addition, several other Imperial units and Resistance ships had arrived. “What do we have now?”

Lieutenant Proston took a minute to study the tactical display, before she answered. “I’m including all our ships as well. At the moment we have three dreadnoughts, sixty-three Imperial battlecruisers, fourteen Resistance battlecruisers, and twenty-nine Resistance support ships.”

Rear Admiral Anderson nodded. More than he expected. “Have all the Resistance ships take up defensive positions near the six ODPs. All the Imperial ships will be in one fleet, and we’ll use hit-and-run raids against the Morag. We’ll jump in, fire off a couple waves of missiles, and then jump back out before they can unload on us. That way we can keep our losses to a minimum and sew some confusion in the enemy ranks.”

-

Fleet Admiral Marloo explained to Prince Andrew exactly what was going on. For the last few days Andrew had been busy installing particle beam cannons on all the orbiting shipyards and space stations. “Rear Admiral Anderson has a small fleet,” Marloo said. “He plans on using it for hit-and-run attacks against the Morag.”

Andrew frowned. “That Morag fleet is around four thousand ships. How many attacks can he make before his fleet is whittled away?”

Admiral Marloo shook his head. “Unknown. He will have to go in fast, launch his attack, and then get back out. It’ll all be a matter of timing and precise execution.”

“Is there anything else we can do to help them?” Andrew was afraid a large number of Humans would die on Astor. He had met Governor Stewart and knew that he hated the Confederation and would risk the safety of his planet to stay free.

“No, we’ve pulled all our forces in the periphery of Astor. We have no more assets available.”

“What will happen to our worlds on the periphery?” Andrew was deeply concerned. The loss of life could be incalculable.

“Many of the worlds on the periphery have defense grids. They will offer those worlds some protection.”

Andrew drew in a deep breath. “Are these two Morag fleets their primary forces?”

Marloo hesitated for a moment. “We’re not sure. There’s some thought that these attacks on the periphery of the Empire are nothing more than a diversion and that the main attack is still aimed at the Hagen Star Cluster and the core worlds. We’ve been adjusting our fleet deployments assuming that is correct.”

Andrew’s face turned pale. “Just how many ships are we facing?”

“Possibly as many as 27,000.”

Andrew felt a cold chill run down his back. With the Empire and Resistance fleets combined, they had, at a maximum, six thousand warships. “Can we defeat that number of ships?”

Fleet Admiral Marloo let out a deep sigh. “Truthfully I don’t know. We had based our original strategy on inflicting casualties on the Confederation fleets as they fought their way across the Empire to reach the core worlds. Now it looks as if the main part of their fleet may be bypassing all those worlds and coming directly here.”

“So, instead of facing a greatly reduced fleet, we may be facing the full brunt of their main attack force.”

Admiral Marloo nodded. “It’s possible.”

“Does Layla and Krista know about this?”

Admiral Marloo shook his head. “No, we weren’t going to say anything to the two Princesses until we knew more.”

Andrew understood the reasoning behind this decision, though he disagreed with it. “I’ll go speak to them. Perhaps we should get one of them off of Golan Four, as a precaution.”

“It might be wise,” admitted Admiral Marloo. “We’re not sure what we might be facing, and, if we wait too much longer, we may not get one of them to safety.”

Andrew was not looking forward to this coming conversation, but he knew how upset Layla would be if she were kept in the dark.

-

“No, absolutely not!” exclaimed Krista, stomping her feet in frustration. “If Layla is staying, so am I!”

Andrew shook his head. “We’re facing an overwhelming Morag force. If Golan Four is their target, they’re on their way here right now and could be here in just a few days.”

Layla squared her shoulders defiantly. “I’m certain, between Derrick and Fleet Admiral Marloo, they will keep Golan Four and the other core worlds safe.”

Andrew knew there was no point in arguing with the two Princesses. Once they had their minds made up, they weren’t going to change. “Just promise me one thing. When the Morag show up, the two of you will go to the Command Bunker beneath the House of Worlds. You cannot remain in the Imperial Palace, as it will be one of the primary targets for the Morag.”

Layla smiled. “There is one thing you don’t know. I had a very powerful energy shield installed to protect the Palace and the surrounding grounds. It is much more powerful than the ones our dreadnoughts are equipped with.”

Andrew was surprised. He hadn’t known this. “Well, let’s hope the energy shield isn’t needed. One more thing I’ll recommend. The Morag would like nothing more than to capture one or both of you. We need to double or triple the number of Marines guarding the Palace and the surrounding grounds.”

Layla nodded. “You’re right. I’ll mention that to Colonel Emerson immediately.”

Andrew turned to leave, when Layla spoke. “Andrew, you need to stay here as well. No need for you to risk your life on the space stations or the shipyards.”

Andrew shook his head. “I still have a few more things to do on one of the shipyards. As soon as I’m done, I’ll return to the Palace.”

“Make sure you do,” said Layla sternly. “Also, before you go back up to the space station, you need to go see Kala.”

Layla watched as Andrew left. She was now very concerned about Derrick.

“Are we in any real danger?” asked Krista. She had a highly nervous look on her face.

Layla took her cousin’s hand. “We’re perfectly safe here in the Palace. The energy shield will protect us, if necessary.”

Krista nodded. She was still uncertain. “I hope Mathew is safe.” She was greatly worried about him.

“He’s with Rear Admiral Carrie, and Admiral Cleemorl will make sure he stays safe. Now let’s go get something to eat. We have some House of Worlds’ representatives coming to the Palace for a grand tour later, and we don’t want to disappoint them.” They still had to conduct business as usual, even with the danger of an impending attack.

-

Rear Admiral Anderson watched as the Resistance ships took up defensive positions around the six ODPs, and all the Imperial warships formed up around the Lodestone.

“Still no sign of the Morag,” commented Lieutenant Proston, who had her focus on the tactical display,  still only showing green icons. Many of them were cargo and passenger ships.

Anderson studied the tactical display for a long moment and then spoke. “I think it’s time all those cargo ships and passenger ships head toward another Human system, until this is over. No point in some of them being destroyed by stray weapons fire.”

“I’ll have them on their way shortly,” promised Proston.

The rear admiral watched as the other two dreadnoughts and the sixty-three Imperial battlecruisers formed into a tight wedge formation around the Lodestone. He wanted to hit the enemy hard and fast, and this would be the best formation for that.

It took about twenty minutes for all the ships to form up around the ODPs and around the Lodestone. Looking at the tactical display, Rear Admiral Anderson knew that all he could do now was wait.

-

In the underground Command Center, Governor Stewart had returned from his quarters. “What’s the current status?”

“No change, as far as the Morag,” replied General Marley. “However Captain Anderson has been promoted to the rank of rear admiral, and all the Imperial and Resistance ships in this region of the periphery have been directed here. Currently we have 109 Imperial and Resistance ships in orbit, including three dreadnoughts. The Resistance ships have been assigned to protect the ODPs, and Rear Admiral Anderson has the Imperial ships in an attack formation. He intends to do hit-and-run raids against the Morag fleet once it gets here.”

“Will that be enough?”

General Marley shook his head. “No, Rear Admiral Anderson is hoping to cause the Morag to lose enough ships that they will retreat. However, both he and I agree the odds of that are slight, due to the number of warships he will be facing.”

Governor Steward nodded. He understood their chances of victory were almost nonexistent.

-

Morag Admiral Voxx was once more ready for combat. In only a few more minutes they would drop out of hyperspace into the Astor System. No doubt, after the attacks against Ranier Two and Leonora Five, the enemy would be expecting his fleet.

We will drop out twenty thousand kilometers from Astor, sent First Officer Bale. That will be outside of any potential defensive weapons fire and will give us a few minutes to analyze the Humans’ defense.

Let’s hope the Humans have no surprises for us, commented Admiral Voxx. So far we have faced about what we expected, but the Humans are cunning, and we must not take these easy victories for granted.

Chapter Seventeen

Rear Admiral Liam Anderson was in the ship’s officers’ mess, eating a sandwich, when the alarms sounded, and red lights flashed. Lieutenant Proston’s voice instantly came over the ship’s comm system.

“We are detecting a Morag fleet exiting hyperspace at twenty thousand kilometers. Fleet is going to Condition One. Stand by for combat. Rear Admiral Anderson, please report to the Command Center.”

Liam took another two bites of his sandwich and two swigs of his tea and headed out of the officers’ mess. With a deep sigh, he knew it was time to go to war.

-

Detecting Human warships, reported the Morag sensor officer.

How many? asked Admiral Voxx.

The sensor officer was silent for a moment, and then he sent his findings. A combination of Imperial ships and Resistance ships. Three dreadnoughts, seventy-seven battlecruisers, and twenty-nine smaller support ships. All the Resistance ships are defending the six ODPs in orbit.

Admiral Voxx’s eyes narrowed. This was a much larger force than he expected to face. Also the planet seemed to be heavily armed. While there was no doubt in his mind he could still take this planet, he would suffer some losses. He decided to change his formation to a stronger one. His idea to attack with two fleet sections of two thousand ships each had now changed.

Advance the fleet. Form up into a ten-line formation, one hundred ships in each line, and four deep. Stagger the formation so all ships have a clear line of fire.

-

The Morag fleet quickly adjusted its formation and soon advanced on the Human world and the waiting warships. Admiral Voxx was surprised when the main Human force of three dreadnoughts and sixty-three Imperial battlecruisers vanished as they made the transition into hyperspace. Were they fleeing?

Suddenly, on the right flank of his formation, the Human ships reappeared and launched missiles.

Target those ships! ordered Voxx. Already massive explosions lit up the energy screens on the right flank of his fleet, threatening to bring shields down.

-

Rear Admiral Anderson nodded in satisfaction, as his fleet jumped back into hyperspace to appear one hundred thousand kilometers from the Morag. In their brief encounter, he had managed to get off three waves of antimatter missiles before the Morag returned fire.

“What damage did we do?”

“We took out seventeen of their battlecruisers and two battleships,” replied Lieutenant Proston. “We also damaged a number of others.”

This was better than Anderson had hoped. Of course they had taken the Morag by surprise, and that wouldn’t happen again. From now on, the Morag would be ready, and the hyperspace jumps to attack would be much more difficult and dangerous.

“We’ll hit them in the rear this next time. Prepare all ships for the next hyperspace jump.” Anderson wanted to hit the enemy as often and as hard as possible, before they reached the planet’s defenses.

-

Where are they now! demanded Morag Admiral Voxx.

Sitting one hundred thousand kilometers away, replied First Officer Bale.

Waiting to attack again. Next time we will be ready. He quickly sent out a telepathic message, warning all the ship captains in his fleet. He also sent out a telepathic feeler, to see if he could influence any of the Human minds in that small fleet. Nothing! It was like a blank wall.

They’re jumping! warned the sensor officer.

Alarms sounded as the Human fleet appeared behind the Morag forces, and instantly began pounding the rear of the fleet with antimatter missiles.

The rear line of ships in the Morag fleet responded by turning and launching their own missiles in return. However, by the time the maneuver was complete, the Humans were gone once more.

On the viewscreens, Admiral Voxx saw the glowing debris where a number of Morag warships had been destroyed. Have the rear line of our fleet form up into five fleets of two hundred, ordered Voxx. Their orders are to protect the rear of our fleet. We must put a stop to the attacks of these Human ships.

-

Rear Admiral Anderson was quite pleased. Two attacks and not a single ship in his fleet had been damaged.

“They’re readjusting their formation,” warned the sensor officer.

Anderson studied the tactical display, the Morag were taking the rear ships in their formation and forming them up into five small fleets. These were facing different directions to give better protection to the rest of the Morag ships. “This will be more difficult now. We should get off the next first wave of missiles, but we’ll have incoming before we can launch the second.”

“Is it necessary to launch the second?” asked Lieutenant Proston. “We could just launch one and the jump back out before they can retaliate.”

Anderson shook his head. “If you study our last two attacks, the first wave is causing damage, and the second and third waves are actually destroying the damaged ships.”

-

Governor Stewart stood next to General Marley, watching the events in space. “Can he stop them?”

General Marley shook his head. “I doubt it. All he can do are these quick attacks, but they won’t stop the Morag. Rear Admiral Anderson is doing what he has to in order to preserve his fleet and to inflict as much damage as possible on the enemy.”

“How’s the evacuation going?” Stewart knew that millions of people were on the move. Many went into underground bunkers, and others fled the major cities to go into the country.

“We’ll seal the bunkers in about an hour,” General Marley informed the governor. “At the same time I’ll pull the military out of the cities.”

The governor looked at the numerous viewscreens that revealed the evacuation going on in all the major cities. He knew he had no way to safely evacuate everyone in the time they had left. No matter what, millions would die. However, if they could stay free of the Confederation, it would be worth it. Stewart just hoped enough of his people survived to rebuild everything they were about to lose.

-

The Morag fleet was now closer to Astor. They were nearly in range. On the command ODP, Colonel James Phillips watched intently, as the enemy neared combat range. He had pulled in a lot of the energy beam satellites and missile launching platforms closer to the ODPs. He knew, if the ODPs could survive long enough, they could do considerable harm to the Morag fleet.

“They’re nearly in combat range,” reported the ODP’s sensor officer. “Three more minutes at their current speed.”

James nodded. He keyed his comm set to broadcast to all the ships, ODPs, and missile platforms. “Attention, all commands. The enemy will be in range shortly. We’ll use the energy beam satellites to take out as many missiles as possible. All missile platforms are to go to continuous-launch mode and empty your missile storage bunkers as quickly as possible. All ODPs will concentrate on the enemy fleet. Let’s make them pay for daring to attack Astor.”

“Do you think we can stop them?” asked Captain Dru Turner, who was second in command.

“I don’t know,” replied Colonel Phillips. “But we’ll sure make one massive attempt to stop them.”

-

“Jump!” ordered Rear Admiral Liam Anderson, as his small fleet once more vanished to appear on one side of the Morag fleet formation.

“Missiles launching,” reported the tactical officer.

“Incoming fire!” called out the sensor officer.

Anderson braced himself as the Lodestone shook violently from multiple missile impacts. On the viewscreen, the ship’s energy shield glowed brightly. Suddenly a massive explosion off to one side shook the ship. “What was that?”

“The battlecruiser Thunderbolt just blew up,” replied Lieutenant Proston. “It’s shield suffered a catastrophic failure.”

“Second wave of missiles is off!”

“Get us out of here,” ordered Anderson, as he saw another Imperial battlecruiser vanish from the tactical display. These hit-and-run attacks now would take a cost in Human lives.

Anderson felt the ship make the transition into hyperspace, and once more they exited one hundred thousand kilometers from the Morag fleet. “What did we lose?”

“Four battlecruisers with three more moderately damaged,” reported Lieutenant Proston. “The damaged ones report they are still combat capable.”

Suddenly the alarms on the sensor console blared. Looking up at the tactical display, Liam saw several hundred red threat icons appearing around his fleet.

“One of their smaller fleets has followed us,” reported the sensor officer.

“Open fire!” ordered Liam. He had not been expecting this.

On the viewscreen, a rain of missile fire headed toward his fleet.

-

In space, the weapons fire grew very intense. Both sides were losing ships. In the Morag fleet of two hundred vessels, a battlecruiser was blown in two, with each half drifting apart. Inside the ship, emergency bulkheads slammed shut, sealing in some of the air. Red lights flashed, and the crew tried to find a safe place to stay, until the battle was over and they could be rescued. Dozens of crewmembers had already been lost to the unforgiving vacuum of space. Even more were injured and being treated. Suddenly in the largest half, the artificial gravity failed, and the lights went out. At that moment an Imperial antimatter missile arrived, vaporizing the ship section. Moments later the same occurred to the second half. In space war there is no mercy.

Weapons fire penetrated energy shields, slamming into ship hulls. Large rents were torn open, throwing debris into space. Some of the debris slammed into other ships’ energy screens but didn’t bring them down. Fusion energy beams, antimatter missiles, and even a few fusion missiles lit up space as they struck energy screens, causing them to glow brightly.

In the Human fleet, several battlecruisers exploded, as their energy shields were overloaded. Other ships were damaged from the intense fire.

“Jump us out of here,” ordered Rear Admiral Anderson, his face pale. He was losing too many ships. “Put us near one of the space stations, until I can decide what we need to do next.”

The Human ships hurriedly withdrew from the battle, making the short hyperspace jump to the nearest space station.

-

“What did we lose?” asked Anderson. At least it appeared, from looking at the tactical display, that most of his ships were still with him.

“Six battlecruisers with another seven suffering moderate to heavy damage. All are still combat capable,” answered Lieutenant Proston.

Rear Admiral Anderson knew there was no point in doing anymore hit-and-run raids. “We’ll divide the fleet into two sections to protect the space stations. Both are heavily armed, and, between us and them, we should be able to hurt the Morag when they come within firing range.”

“They’re almost there now,” reported the sensor officer.

“Contact Captain Novak. He’s to take half the fleet to the other space station. I’ll leave his actions up to him, as to the defense of that station.”

-

In just a few moments the fleet split in two. Captain Novak took his original ships and headed to the other heavily armed space station. Rear Admiral Anderson took the rest and deployed them around the space station they were currently at.

“Combat range in thirty seconds,” warned the sensor officer, as the Lodestone took up its position, flanked by two undamaged battlecruisers.

“Stand by to fire,” ordered Rear Admiral Anderson. The Morag ships now filled the viewscreens, and the tactical display showed them as a red swarm.

The tension in the Command Center quickly increased as everyone focused on the viewscreens, showing the nearing Morag warships. They looked massive and dangerous.

“Extreme combat range!” called out the sensor officer.

“Fire!” ordered Anderson, leaning forward in his command chair.

All of his ships fired at once and were soon followed by the heavy weapons on the space station.

-

Colonel Phillips saw the Imperial ships firing and ordered the ODPs and the missile platforms to do the same.

“Incoming fire,” warned the sensor officer. “Missiles and energy beams.”

On the main viewscreens, the entire front of the Morag fleet lit up from numerous antimatter explosions. Several Morag ships lost their energy screens and were blown apart in massive explosions of released energy.

Missiles and energy beams were now striking the defending Humans. However, many of the incoming missiles were picked off by the 1,400 energy beam satellites.

Phillips winced as a number of the defensive satellites were blown apart. There was just too much incoming fire. It would only be a matter of time before the missiles reached the planet.

“It’ll only get worse, the closer they come,” warned Captain Turner.

Phillips saw another Morag battlecruiser die. “At least it’s costing them. Warn General Marley to expect missiles to penetrate the defensive grid shortly.”

-

Morag Admiral Voxx was taken aback by the sheer amount of firepower coming from the planet’s defenses. Even the two shipyards, which were now protected by the remaining Imperial ships, were causing substantial damage to his fleet.

Should we withdraw? asked First Officer Bale.

No! replied Voxx. The planet is heavily defended, but we have the ships to take it. Continue to move the fleet forward.

Admiral Voxx was determined to remove this Human world as a threat to the Confederation.

On one of the viewscreens, he saw one of his battleships being hammered by weapons fire. A few fusion energy beams penetrated its energy screen, carving out massive holes in its side, causing pieces of hull material to drift away from the ship. Suddenly an antimatter missile came through the screen and detonated against the ship’s hull. The ship exploded, breaking into three large pieces, with a number of smaller ones floating nearby. Heavy fusion energy beam fire then riddled all the segments, making them lifeless.

-

The battle grew in intensity, as the Morag fleet drew closer. Defensive grid elements were destroyed on a regular basis. The space above Astor was full of brilliant explosions, and soon debris rained down upon the planet.

In the underground Command Center, Governor Stewart gazed at the destruction in orbit. “It’s bad, isn’t it?”

“It’s getting there,” replied General Marley. “We’re losing our defensive grid, though all six ODPs and the two space stations are still fully functional. Most of the warships protecting those facilities are still unharmed as well.”

“How are the evacuations going?”

“Bunkers are nearing 77 percent capacity, and we have a steady flow of people out of the cities.”

Stewart nodded. “Let’s hope we can save most of them.”

“Still don’t want to surrender?”

Stewart shook his head. “No, I will not allow this world to become a part of the Confederation. Not after what they’ve done to our people in the past. I would rather die, and I think most of the people of our planet feel the same way.”

General Marley wasn’t sure of that, but, at least with the deep bunkers, millions of people would survive. Taking a deep breath, he returned his attention to the battle in space. The Morag fleet was almost in range of the large PDC’s weapons. As soon as they were, he intended to have it open fire. This battle was a long way from over.

-

Rear Admiral Anderson flinched, as another one of his battlecruisers was blown apart, and the shattered remains drifted toward the planet. Now a lot of debris gathered around the space station. Some, the wreckage of warships, and some, the debris from the defensive grid that once surrounded the station.

Looking at the viewscreens, he saw a horrifying sight. The screens were full of Morag warships advancing toward his position. With every passing moment the weapons fire intensified. So many explosions occurred that they nearly touched one another. The energy screens on his warships and the space station radiated brighter and brighter, as they took more weapons hits.

“We won’t survive much longer,” commented Lieutenant Proston.

Liam nodded. “I know. Contact all ships and order them, if their weapons capability drops below 30 percent, to jump to the fallback position in the Zenith Seven System.” That should at least save some of his ships.

Lieutenant Proston turned to send the message.

The Lodestone shook violently, tossing the lieutenant to the floor. With a groan, she stood back up. “I’m okay.” She straightened her uniform and then continued to Communications.

Looking at the damage control console, Liam saw a number of red lights. The ship was taking damage, and the damage was gradually degrading the vessel’s combat ability.

“Weapons status?”

“Seventy-two percent,” answered the tactical officer. “The energy shield is at 60 percent, and we’re getting some leakage from the enemy’s weapons.

-

Captain Novak groaned, as another one of his battlecruisers met oblivion in a massive energy burst that resembled a nova. Even the space station was taking some damage now.

Looking at the viewscreen, he saw that most of the defensive grid protecting the planet was now gone. A few Morag missiles entered the atmosphere, but they were intercepted by ground fire and an occasional interceptor missile. So far, nothing had struck the planet. The only defensive grid elements that still survived were those around the ODPs and a few around the space stations.

“Any of our ships that are 30 percent combat capable or less are to withdraw to the Zenith Seven System,” reported the executive officer.

Novak nodded. That was a good decision. It indicated that the rear admiral wanted to preserve as many ships as possible. It was much easier to repair a damaged ship than to build a new one. “See to it. Keep track of the damage our ships are suffering.”

Novak looked at the green icons representing his fleet. He still had both of his dreadnoughts and eighteen battlecruisers. All were taking heavy incoming fire from the Morag fleet.

“We have three battlecruisers that should withdraw,” reported the executive officer.

“Get them out of here,” ordered Novak. Looking at the viewscreens, he did not think this battle would last much longer. The Morag fleet was now at optimal combat range, and damage to his remaining ships would mount rapidly.

-

Morag Admiral Voxx grew angry. He had already lost several hundred valuable warships, and the losses still grew. The ODPs and the two space stations, which were his main orbital targets, still existed and were actively engaged against his fleet. I want more firepower directed at our primary targets, ordered Admiral Voxx. Particularly those six ODPs.

As you ordered, replied First Officer Bale. Changing targeting.

On the ship’s main viewscreen, the energy screens around the ODPs suddenly brightened even more, as more missiles and energy beams struck them.

Yes, that’s better, sent Admiral Voxx. Under this kind of firepower, the ODPs would not last long. Once they were gone, he would turn his attention to the two space stations.

-

Colonel Phillips instantly noticed the sudden increase in firepower directed at his ODPs. “We should have gotten the crews off earlier.” With the kind of firepower now directed at the ODPs, it would be impossible to safely launch a shuttle. “Direct all ODPs to go into full launch mode and get all their missile magazines emptied. We won’t have a lot of time before our shields fail.”

“What about the warships protecting us?”

Phillips saw the energy screen on one of his ODPs fluctuate. A moment later an antimatter missile penetrated the energy screen, blasting a huge hole in the side of the ODP. Then its energy shield failed, and a barrage of Morag missiles tore apart the ODP. “Have them report to Rear Admiral Anderson. Perhaps they can help protect the space stations.”

The message was sent, and soon all the Resistance ships protecting the ODPs headed toward the rear admiral’s fleet. Perhaps combined they could defend the two space stations, or at least ensure they survived long enough to inflict more losses on the Morag.

-

In the underground Command Center, General Marley shook his head, as the Morag took out the ODPs. First one was destroyed and then, less than two minutes later, two more met the same fate. In the sky above the planet, fiery debris fell through the atmosphere.

“It’s nearly over,” Marley said, looking at Governor Stewart.

“The bunkers?”

“Eighty-six percent full,” replied the general. “We’ve already intercepted over two hundred missiles aimed at the planet. As soon as we lose the first city, I’ll order the bunkers to be sealed.”

Governor Stewart nodded. “What about the evacuations in the cities?”

“As good as expected. However, we estimate that over 40 percent of the population is still in the cities. It will still take us hours to evacuate everyone.”

“You think I should surrender, don’t you?”

Marley nodded his head. “It might save over one billion lives if you did.”

Stewart’s shoulders slumped. “Maybe you’re right. I’ll keep your suggestion in mind.” Stewart did not want to surrender. He hated the Confederation. But could he allow that hate to cause over one billion of his people to possibly die? He had a lot he needed to think over and not a lot of time to do it.

-

The command ODP shook violently and had a hard time staying in orbit. Massive explosions slammed into the ODP’s energy screen, threatening to bring it down at any moment.

Captain Turner noted the growing number of red damage icons on the main damage control console. “Colonel, we won’t last much longer.” Already three of the other ODPs had succumbed to the heavy Morag weapons fire.

Colonel Phillips nodded. “I know. But we’re taking a lot of them with us.” On the main viewscreens, he saw the debris from a number of destroyed Morag ships. Even as he watched, another Morag battlecruiser blew apart in a nova-like explosion.

Phillips heard the sounds of tearing metal and an occasional scream. He wished he could get his crew off the ODP, but the weapons fire was too intense. The air in the Command Center was smoky. A number of consoles had shorted out, showering some of the personnel with hot sparks. The air circulation system had a hard time keeping the air clear.

“We did what we had to do,” he said loud enough for the entire Command Center crew to hear. “We destroyed a lot of Morag ships, and they will have second thoughts before ever attacking a Human world as heavily defended as ours was. We have set an example for the rest of the worlds of the Empire, and we should all be proud.”

Several of the crew stood and saluted the colonel.

-

A sudden massive explosion shook the ODP, knocking it out of orbit. The gigantic structure drifted down into the atmosphere. The Morag did not let up. An antimatter missile slammed into the hull, vaporizing a good one-quarter of the massive structure. The ODP’s energy shield failed completely, and now fusion energy beams riddled the falling structure. As the ODP hit the thicker regions of the atmosphere, it came apart, soon nothing more than a lifeless hulk. Its flaming pieces would soon impact the planet it had been protecting.

-

Rear Admiral Anderson watched the viewscreens, showing the falling pieces of the command ODP.

“The last two ODPs are under heavy attack, and they expect their energy screens to fail in the next few minutes,” reported Lieutenant Proston.

Anderson nodded. He had split the surviving Resistance ships, sending half to Captain Novak’s position. “They’ll hit us next, with everything they’ve got.”

-

From the ground, the massive PDC hammered the Morag fleet. This particular PDC was nearly twice the size of those on other worlds. Governor Stewart had wanted it to protect the capital. It and the capital both were protected by powerful energy shields. Not only that, the capital sat in a ring of interceptor missiles and energy beam turrets. It was the only city on the planet so heavily protected.

-

In the Command Center, General Marley kept abreast of the situation in orbit. He watched the viewscreens, as the last two ODPs were blown apart. “We’ve got some pretty large wreckage descending through the atmosphere,” he told the governor.

“Anything we can do about it?”

“Maybe. I’ll have some of our energy beam turrets target the wreckage and try to break it up into smaller less-dangerous pieces.”

The governor’s gaze moved over to the main tactical display. Nearly all the green icons once in orbit were now gone. All that remained were the two space stations and Rear Admiral Anderson’s fleet.

“Evacuation status?”

“Bunkers are 98 percent full, and I’m ordering them sealed up. The cities are at 72 percent empty, and I doubt if we’ll achieve too much more. I’m pulling all our troops to defensive positions outside the cities, in case the cities are bombed. Have you made a decision on surrender?”

Governor Stewart nodded. “We’ll surrender but under certain conditions. No Confederation troops can land on the planet, and the PDC stays intact.”

General Marley was surprised the governor had changed his mind. “Should we contact the Morag now? We might save both space stations, as well as the rest of Rear Admiral Anderson’s fleet.”

The governor let out a deep breath and slowly nodded his head. “Yes, the least we can do is try to save some lives.”

-

Morag Admiral Voxx listened to the message from the surface. His gaze drifted to the viewscreen, showing the massive PDC. He had already lost over four hundred ships. Ships he had not planned on losing.

What about the Human fleet? he demanded.

The fleet is not under control of this planet but of the Empire. They will depart shortly, answered First Officer Bale.

Voxx hated leaving the PDC and the space stations intact, but he had already lost four hundred ships, with many more damaged. To take out the PDC, the two space stations, and the Human fleet would probably cost him at a minimum two hundred more. I agree. Hostilities will end as soon as all Human forces stop firing.

A minute later the weapons fire from the PDC, the space stations, and the Human fleet ceased. Voxx then ordered his own fleet to stop its weapons fire. Moments after that, all the Human ships entered hyperspace and were gone from the system.

We will leave ten battlecruisers and a battleship in high orbit, sent Voxx. If any of our ships are fired upon, we will return and destroy this planet.

The message was sent, and soon a verbal peace agreement was agreed upon. The war for the planet Astor was over, and the Morag were once more triumphant.

-

Rear Admiral Anderson’s fleet dropped from hyperspace in a blue giant system. “What do we have left?”

“All three dreadnoughts, thirty-nine battlecruisers, six Resistance battlecruisers, and eleven Resistance support ships,” replied Lieutenant Proston.

Anderson leaned back in his command chair. He knew that many of his ships were damaged, including his flagship. “What’s the nearest heavily defended Imperial world that has a decent shipyard?” He needed to get his ships repaired before they went into combat again.

“Xnea Two has everything we need.”

Anderson nodded. “Set a course immediately. For the time being, our part in this war is over.”

A minute later all the ships vanished once more into hyperspace.

Chapter Eighteen

“That’s another system we’ve lost,” said Fleet Admiral Marloo, as he finished listening to Rear Admiral Anderson’s report. “I fear, if this continues, we’ll lose the entire periphery of the Empire.”

“At least they didn’t bomb the planet,” commented General Gantts. “The people survived.”

“Astor also took out nearly four hundred Morag warships,” added Colonel Hillstrum. “If all of our planets could do that, we could win this war.”

Admiral Marloo nodded. “But it would cost us a lot of resources, as well as people. Just because the Morag didn’t bomb Astor doesn’t mean they wouldn’t bomb the next planet.”

“What do you think their strategy is?” asked Chancellor Stein. He had been in the busy Command Center for the last several hours.

Marloo leaned back in his command chair, rubbing his forehead. “I wish I knew. The best our analysts have come up with is that these attacks on the periphery are, indeed, a diversion. The Morag have divided their reserve fleet up into two sections of four thousand ships each. These two fleets are rampaging across the periphery, attacking worlds, perhaps in the hope we will commit a major portion of our core worlds fleet to stop them.”

“We did commit quite a few ships at Astor,” pointed out Colonel Hillstrum.

Admiral Marloo replied, “Nearly everything we had in that section of the Empire. Rear Admiral Anderson is taking what’s left of his fleet to Xnea Two for repairs. I’ll order him to stay there for the time being, until we know more about what the Morag are actually doing.”

Chancellor Stein looked up at the huge viewscreens that showed views from across all the core worlds. “You still think their main targets are the Hagen Star Cluster and the core world?”

“My gut feeling says so,” answered Marloo. “We should know in a few days, if the Hagen Star Cluster is struck.”

“Is Admiral Cleemorl ready?”

Marloo turned toward Chancellor Stein. “If any of our admirals is ready, it’s Admiral Cleemorl.” Marloo was well aware how heavily the Hagen Star Cluster was fortified. Admiral Cleemorl wanted the cluster to become a killing field for the Morag.

-

Above Tantula Five, Admiral Cleemorl was in his personal quarters, reviewing his battle plan. He had received a few more ships, plus the ones that had been constructed in the shipyards of the seven main star systems in the cluster. Currently he had his fleet divided into three sections. Rear Admiral Manson had four hundred battlecruisers and forty dreadnoughts. Rear Admiral Fulmar had the exact same size fleet, while Dylan had 550 battlecruisers and forty-nine dreadnoughts.

Only the seven primary star systems would be defended by the fleets. All had massive defensive grids and powerful ground-based weapons systems. Dylan was certain the enemy would recognize Tantula Five and Gideon as the primary dangers to the Confederation in the cluster and would most likely attack here first. If they did, Rear Admirals Manson and Fulmar would bring their fleets to the Tantula Five System immediately. Not only that, Rear Admiral Carrie would be called in as well. Dylan had his trap set, but he had no idea what he would be up against. No matter what, Dylan suspected this would be the biggest battle fought so far in the war.

Later in the day he had meetings scheduled with both Governor Dyson of Tantula Five and Governor Anna Bloom of Gideon. He wanted to make sure that both were ready for what was ahead. With a deep sigh, he leaned back in his chair. He needed to send a recorded message to Cheryl. Not a goodbye message but he wanted to tell her how important she was to him and how, someday, they would be free of this war and would be together permanently.

-

The High Council of the Morag was once more in session.

Admiral Voxx is using his reserve fleet to attack the periphery worlds of the Human Empire, reported Addonis. He hopes to lure the Human fleets away from their core worlds and the Hagen Star Cluster.

What if he is unsuccessful? asked Delann. So far there has been no sign of any of those fleets moving.

Then we do it the hard way, and Fleet Admirals Colane and Torrant will destroy the Human fleets and conquer both the core worlds and the Hagen Star Cluster. Admiral Torrant has orders to destroy Golan Four, and that should bring an end to all resistance by the Humans.

What about the Hagen Star Cluster? asked Hiram, not completely convinced they could take both. If it survives, it could rebuild the Empire.

Admiral Norlan has instructions to destroy Tantula Five and the inhabited moon of Gideon, explained Addonis. Once those are gone, no hope remains of ever reforming the Human Empire, even if the rest of the Human worlds in the cluster survive.

Morag Councilor Damora stood, his massive size hovering above the table. I propose we drastically reduce the populations of all the Human worlds, so they will be more manageable in the future.

The other councilors looked at one another. This had been done in the past to prevent worlds from becoming too big of a danger. They all nodded in agreement.

Very well, sent Addonis. Once we have conquered the Human Empire, we will have the Druins reduce the Human population, since they seem to enjoy such widespread destruction.

What about the Lormallians and the Zang? asked Morag Councilor Damora. What will we do about them? I have confirmed reports they are expanding and updating their fleets, as well as building defensive grids around large numbers of their worlds. That was not the intent of our original agreement. They are also becoming much more difficult to control in the Great Council. Both the Lormallian councilor and the Zang councilor are wearing telepathic nullifiers at all times.

Addonis looked at Councilor Damora and replied. In the next meeting of the Great Council, you are to demand they explain why they are violating our agreement. You will also tell them to stop immediately or face the consequences.

Councilor Damora nodded. I will do so.

Addonis dismissed the council. Some important decisions were to be made shortly, but first they had to know the results of the attacks on the Human Empire. Once those were successful, and the Human Empire was back under control of the Confederation, then it would be time to address the situation with the Lormallians and the Zang and eventually Earth.

-

Admiral Cleemorl met with the two governors, Dyson and Bloom, in the underground Command Center on Gideon. The center was a beehive of activity, as it monitored the space traffic across the system.

“We’re ready,” said General Flynn. “Thanks to you, we have crews for all the attack interceptors, and they fly combat drills nearly every day.”

“Most of our major cities sit in a ring of missile interceptors and energy beam turrets,” added Governor Bloom. “Nearly half of our population will go into underground bunkers, and the rest will head for the mountains.”

“We have soldiers ready to ensure an orderly evacuation of the cities,” said General Flynn, “though we expect some people will refuse to leave their homes. We estimate we’re looking at around 10 percent of the population.”

Dylan examined the viewscreens, seeing the busy cities. Aircars and surface transportation were prevalent. All of the cities were extremely modern and very clean. Other screens showed the landscape. No signs of pollution. Forests were pristine, and the taller mountains were covered in deep snow. The oceans were an azure blue and full of life. Dylan hoped this world pulled through the coming attack. He already felt guilty for putting it in so much danger, but, in order to preserve the Human Empire, he felt he had no other choice.

“Do you think they will attack both Tantula Five and Gideon at the same time?” asked Governor Dyson, concern in his voice.

Dylan nodded. “I would expect so. They’ll want to pin down our forces on both worlds, so one world cannot aid the other. How are we set up for rescue efforts, once the battle ends, assuming we win?”

“We have considerable rescue equipment and personnel on standby in safe locations away from the cities,” answered Governor Bloom. “As soon as the battle is over, we’ll send them in to the worst hit areas.”

“Same for us,” added Governor Dyson. “We’re prepared for a huge rescue effort, in case some of our cities are hit.”

Dylan looked over at General Flynn. “What about the civilian space traffic?”

“They’ll be sent to other worlds, as soon as the enemy is detected. We should clear the entire system in less than twenty minutes.”

“How soon do we expect the attack?” asked Governor Bloom.

“Within the next fifty hours,” replied Dylan. “We have scout craft in many of the outer systems of the star cluster, searching for any signs of the enemy. With a little luck we’ll get a few minutes’ warning at least.”

On one of the viewscreens, Dylan saw two squadrons of attack interceptors taking off and heading toward space. He knew at all times at least three to four squadrons were on patrol around Gideon. The same for Tantula Five.

-

Later they took a quick ground tour of parts of the base. They stopped in front of a massive dual cannon, pointed toward the sky.

“This is one of our new fusion energy cannons,” boasted General Flynn. “Because of its size it can reach nearly 35 percent farther than the normal cannons built on the ground.”

Dylan stepped out of the ground car to inspect the twin cannons. They were truly impressive. “How many times a minute can they fire?” He stepped up and climbed on a platform, where several technicians checked out the cannon. He placed his hand on the hard cold metal, thinking of the power the cannon represented.

“Once every twenty seconds,” replied General Flynn. “Any more than that and they have a tendency to overheat.”

From the platform, Dylan saw dozens of the massive twin cannons, also hundreds of smaller ones as well.

“How does the firepower of this PDC compare to a normal-size one?”

Flynn laughed. “There’s no comparison. I would guess this PDC has at least fifty times the firepower of any other PDC ever built. We built this base to take out an entire Confederation fleet by itself. It also has the most powerful energy shields ever designed. It takes twenty separate shields just to protect this base.”

“Where do you get the power?” asked Dylan. He didn’t see how fusion power plants could furnish enough.

“We used a core tap,” replied Flynn a little nervously. “The hot core of this moon provides us the power. It’s one of the reasons we could build such large cannons.”

Dylan frowned. “Isn’t that a little dangerous? Core taps overall were outlawed since, if control of one was lost, serious damage could occur to the moon or planet.

“We have sufficient safeguards. In the event of an extreme case, where we lose total control, a series of fusion explosions deep underground will seal off the shafts. Our scientists are certain that will work.”

To Dylan it sounded more like a desperate measure, but, if it worked, it might be worth it. He looked once more at all the massive cannons aimed toward space. Just maybe all these cannons powered by a core tap could make a huge difference in the battle. He suddenly felt a little better about the odds of winning.

-

For the next several hours they toured parts of the base. They inspected more fusion cannons, some missile launchers, and the attack interceptor hangars. Everyone was impressed by what they saw.

“How many personnel do you have here?” asked Dylan. Everywhere he looked, he saw technicians and soldiers.

“Nearly one hundred thousand,” replied General Flynn. “We also use a lot of work robots for construction and for moving material about. When the Confederation fleet or fleets are detected, everyone has a place to go. Some will go to underground bunkers, and others will be on damage repair details. Most of the troops will be aboveground in special barracks that should offer them some protection.”

Overall Dylan was satisfied with his inspection. “I think it’s time for me to get back up to the Themis. This tour has only increased my confidence that we will stop the Confederation cold, when they hit these defenses. General Flynn, you have done an excellent job with this base. I couldn’t have asked for more.”

The two governors agreed. They had discussed much during the tour and had a lot of questions answered. Now all they could do was wait for the Confederation attack, which was probably less than two days away.

-

On Golan Four, Cheryl had received Dylan’s recorded message. She had listened to it a number of times. A cold feeling passed over her, as she heard his words. It almost seemed as if Dylan were saying goodbye. Wiping the tears from her eyes, she decided to visit Layla and see if she knew if anything was happening in the Hagen Star Cluster. With every passing hour, Cheryl was more worried, feeling as if her life were about to come to an end.

-

Layla was in her office in the Imperial Palace, when Cheryl entered. Layla could tell instantly from the look on Cheryl’s face that she had been crying. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m scared that something’ll happen to Dylan,” Cheryl blurted out. “I just received a recorded message from him, and it almost sounded as if he was saying goodbye.”

Layla stood and walked over to a large couch, against one of the walls of her office. She indicated for Cheryl to come over and to sit next to her. “From what we know, the Confederation should hit the Hagen Star Cluster within the next day or two. I’ll call you when the battle starts, and we’ll go to the Command Center beneath the House of Worlds, so we can keep track of what’s going on. I want you to know that I’m just as concerned about Derrick. There’s not a moment I don’t think about the danger he’s soon to be in. I also know there’s nothing I can do to change his mind about commanding his fleet. We both know our two best admirals are Dylan and Derrick. We need them in command of their fleets, if we’ll survive what’s coming.”

Cheryl nodded. Her hands were in her lap, clasped together. “I know you’re right. I just wish things were different.”

“We all do,” replied Layla. “Look at it on the bright side. If we win the coming battles, we can permanently free the Empire from being attacked by the Confederation. We can usher in a new age of peace and prosperity.”

Cheryl forced a smile. “You’re always so positive about everything.”

“I have to be,” replied Layla. “I’m the High Princess, and my attitude reflects on the Empire and what I want it to become. It’s also very hard at times. In the coming days all of us will be filled with worry—Krista, Kala, you, and me—as we all have someone who we love who will be in grave danger. At times our minds will be full of doubt and fear, but we’ll get through this. Dylan, Derrick, Andrew, and Mathew will expect that of us.”

Cheryl leaned back against the sofa. “This will be hard.”

“Yes, it is,” replied Layla. She had spent days worrying about Derrick.

“I just wish this was over.”

Layla reached over and took Cheryl’s hand, squeezing it. “We all do.”

-

In orbit, Derrick was in his quarters, examining the Golan Four System on a holographic display. Twelve planets were in the system, with minor Human colonies on Golan Three and Golan Five. Several of the moons in the system were inhabited as well, and one of the moons of Golan Eight, which was a large gas giant, had been terraformed and had a Human population of over six hundred million. This moon, Meta, was heavily defended with a massive defensive grid, ODPs, and PDCs on the surface. A major shipyard was in orbit, as well as two medium-size space stations. Several asteroid fields were nearby, but these had been mined out hundreds of years in the past. Still some active mining occurred on some of the other planets and particularly the moons in the system.

With the belief that the Morag would attack the core worlds, more ships had been recalled. Now both he and Rear Admiral Banora had fleets of slightly over 1,200 battlecruisers and 200 dreadnoughts. The fleets were heavy in dreadnoughts because of the new particle beam cannons. He hoped the cannons would give the Human forces an edge in the battles soon to come.

Reaching forward, Derrick adjusted the hologram to show all the core worlds. The Mall Star Cluster consisted of nearly four thousand stars. The cluster was very rich in minerals, with numerous mining operations spread across the cluster. Over sixty large mining colonies existed, as well as twenty-two terraformed moons, all with major Human populations. Sixteen heavily populated Human star systems were in the Mall Star Cluster. All of those sixteen worlds had heavy industry and were capable of building spacecraft.

Every inhabited world, moon, and mining colony had been heavily fortified. If any were attacked, they should hold out until an Imperial fleet could arrive. At the moment Rear Admiral Banora would be that reactive fleet. Derrick dared not move Fifth Fleet away from the Golan Four System, since it would be the primary target in the cluster. Every moon or planet with Human inhabitants also had squadrons of attack interceptors available to aid in their defense. On all sixteen of the major worlds, thousands of interceptors waited to be thrown into combat.

Currently Rear Admiral Banora had her fleet at Ambary Two, which was the most heavily populated core world. From there she could easily reach any of the other primary core worlds or major inhabited moons in a relatively short time.

-

During the next four hours Derrick examined the defenses of every core world and inhabited moon. He had done this multiple times in the past, seeking anything they could change to make the defenses stronger. From what he saw, it would take a massive fleet to conquer any significant portion of the Mall Star Cluster. Unfortunately he was certain the Morag had exactly that.

Finally Derrick turned off the hologram. The Hagen Star Cluster would be hit first or at the same time as the core worlds. Once the attack in the cluster began, Derrick intended to take his fleet and all the core worlds to Condition One. Meaning, full-scale war was imminent.

Leaning back in his chair, Derrick closed his eyes. He wondered what Layla was doing. It would be a simple matter to call her, but she was probably busy in her office, and he did not want to interrupt her. Derrick decided he would wait for later in the evening, when she should be in their quarters, and they could have a long private conversation.

-

Morag Admiral Norlan’s fleet had dropped out of hyperspace in a red giant system. Already his warship crews, as well as the Druins and the Zynth, went over all ship systems, as well as conducting maintenance that could not be done while the vessels were in hyperspace. His plan called for them to stay in the red giant system for twelve hours and then travel another two hours to the Hagen Star Cluster.

-

Unknown to Admiral Norlan, a heavily stealthed Human scout ship sat in the outer regions of the red giant system, mixed in with a large asteroid field. The scout ship was carefully scanning the Confederation fleets as to their makeup and ship type. Finally satisfied they had the information they needed, a directional hyperlight message was sent to Gideon, Admiral Cleemorl, and Golan Four.

-

On board the Themis, Admiral Cleemorl was hastily summoned to the Command Center.

“We just received a message from scout ship 462,” reported Colonel Jase Bidwell, who had recently been promoted to ship’s captain to take the place of former Captain Fulmar, now a rear admiral. “Three Confederation fleets have dropped out of hyperspace in the Beta Fourteen Red Giant System.”

Dylan sat down in his command chair and called up a holographic star map. He quickly plugged in the necessary information, and a small red icon began blinking. “About two hours away. What are we facing?”

“Four thousand Morag vessels, though they seem to be of an older model, 2,443 Druin warships, and 2,300 Zynth warships. Also some very large unidentified ships were in the Druin fleet, which we believe are drone carriers.”

Dylan rubbed his chin. “Nearly nine thousand enemy ships.”

“Yes, sir. The same message was sent to Gideon and Golan Four.”

Dylan leaned forward in his command chair. “They must be doing some routine maintenance before making their final hyperspace jump into the cluster.”

“The scout is supposed to notify us when they jump,” replied Colonel Bidwell.

Dylan nodded. Nearly five hundred of the small six-man scout ships were scattered about, seeking the enemy fleets. This was the first actual contact.

“Send the word out to all commands that the incoming fleets have been spotted. They are currently doing some repairs and are two hours away. As soon as they move, the entire cluster will go to Condition One. All worlds or moons with emergency shelters or bunkers should fill them now.”

Standing up, Dylan walked over to communications. “Get me General Flynn on Gideon.”

It took only a moment for General Flynn to answer. “Yes, Admiral.”

“I take it you received the message from the scout ship?”

“Affirmative. We’re still analyzing just what it means. We’ll be facing a hell of a lot of ships.”

Dylan was in agreement with that. “If they all come here, I’ll pull in the rest of my ships. Between my ships, the weapons on Gideon and Tantula Five, plus all the attack interceptors we have, we just might pull this off.”

“I’ve already placed all of Gideon and our defenses at Condition Two. We’ll go to Condition One as soon as they drop from hyperspace in our system.”

Dylan had already estimated how long that will be. “I believe we’re looking at somewhere between twelve and fourteen hours. We have that much time to prepare.”

“I agree,” replied General Flynn.

“I need to speak with Governor Dyson next. He needs to know what we’re facing and how soon to expect an attack. I’ll also send a message to all the primary worlds and inhabited moons shortly, letting them know the attack is imminent.”

Dylan also wanted to send a last message to Cheryl. While most of the time she acted tough and brave, he knew that, deep inside, she was not. She would be scared to death, worrying about him. He wanted to reassure her that he planned on coming back to Golan Four when this was over.

-

Fleet Admiral Marloo had just informed Derrick about what was soon to happen in the Hagen Star Cluster. Admiral Cleemorl expected a full-scale attack in the next twelve to fourteen hours.

Derrick did some math and grew worried. With the two Morag fleets out on the periphery, plus what enemy forces were soon to attack the Hagen Star Cluster, he counted already nearly 17,000 Confederation ships. Just how many ships had the Confederation sent? If a Morag fleet was on its way to the core worlds, it had to at least number between 5,000 to 8,000 warships. That would put the entire attack force at 25,000 ships.

Derrick leaned back in his command chair, with a steep frown. He really wanted to take his fleet to reinforce Admiral Cleemorl. If he left now and ran at full hyperspace speed, he might  arrive in the middle of the battle. However, what if an attack were coming toward the core worlds? That attack would have to begin at the same time as the one on the Hagen Star Cluster or soon afterward.

Derrick was thinking hard. Assume the Morag attacks on the periphery are, indeed, a diversion. Then the attack on the Hagen Star Cluster could be an even bigger diversion, all aimed at pulling Human warships from the core worlds. The more Derrick thought, the more certain he was this was a maximum effort by the Confederation, led by the Morag, to smash the Empire and to bring it back fully under Confederation control once more.

Looking over at Communications, he gave an order. “Contact Rear Admiral Banora and have her fleet return to Golan Four immediately.” If the Morag were coming, their target would be Golan Four. They would bypass the other worlds, feeling, if they could take Golan Four, the war would be over. There was sound reasoning for the Morag to think that, and Derrick knew they just might be right. For that very reason, he would consolidate his ships into one fleet. He would not allow the Morag to take Golan Four, even if it cost him every ship under his command, including his own.

-

Fleet Admiral Marloo was tempted to countermand Vice Fleet Admiral Masters’s orders. However, Derrick was a great admiral and had a knack for being right. If Golan Four was, indeed, the main target and not any of the other core worlds, then what Derrick was doing was the correct strategy.

“How are the evacuations going?”

Colonel Hillstrum looked over at the admiral. “All primary bunkers are now full and closed. Secondary bunkers will be full in another two hours. People who can are heading into the countryside and the mountains. We have a heavy military presence in all major cities, ensuring the evacuations are orderly. So far everything is flowing smoothly.”

Admiral Marloo looked at the hundreds of screens in the Command Center. They showed scenes from across the core worlds. On every world, people were leaving the cities. Marloo just wondered what those screens would look like after this battle was over. He greatly feared that a lot of good people would soon die.

Chapter Nineteen

Admiral Cleemorl was back in the Command Center of the Themis, after taking a short nap. He doubted if he had slept more than thirty minutes total. Too much tossing and turning, as he thought about the coming battle. Finally he had gotten up, taken a quick shower, and put on a clean uniform. “Status?”

“No change,” replied Colonel Bidwell. “All commands report they’re at Condition Two and awaiting further orders.”

“Admiral!” called out the communications officer in an excited voice. “The scout ship reports the Confederation fleets have entered hyperspace. Course indicates they are on their way toward the Hagen Star Cluster.”

Dylan looked at Colonel Bidwell, their gazes meeting. “Guess that’s that. Take all commands to Condition One. Estimated combat in two to three hours.”

Red lights flashed, and sirens howled.

“Communications, get me Rear Admirals Fulmar and Manson.” Dylan wanted to have a long talk with both of them. Fulmar’s fleet was twenty minutes away, and Manson’s was nearly thirty.

It didn’t take long, and he had both of them on the comm. “There’s a good chance the enemy fleets will bypass all the other worlds in the cluster and come straight here. If they do, I want both of your fleets here in the Tantula System as soon as possible.”

“We could come now,” suggested Rear Admiral Fulmar.

“I considered that,” replied Dylan. “But we can’t be 100 percent certain they are coming directly here. If I’m wrong, I could be endangering some of the other heavily populated worlds in the cluster, and I don’t want to take that risk. If the Confederation fleets do come directly here, I’ll summon Rear Admiral Carrie and her fleet for support as well. Unfortunately they are currently forty minutes out.”

“Why don’t you call in Carrie’s fleet now?” suggested Rear Admiral Manson. “You might need her attack interceptors.”

Dylan considered what Manson proposed. “I might just do that. Between her fleet and mine, we might hold out until your fleets get here.”

“We’ll be waiting for your call,” said Fulmar. “Jump coordinates are already being entered into the fleet’s navigation computers.”

“Same here,” added Manson. “Call and we’ll be there as soon as possible.”

After Dylan finished speaking to the rear admirals, he put in a call to the two governors. He informed them of the impending attack and that they needed to take any precautions they could to protect their people. When finished with the governors, Dylan spent nearly an hour talking to General Flynn. It was essential that Dylan lure the enemy fleets above the huge PDC on the north pole of Gideon. General Flynn was convinced his huge fusion cannons could cause considerable damage.

“Get them above the base, and I’ll destroy their fleet,” boasted the general.

“I’ll get them there,” promised Dylan. “I’ll do my part, and you can do yours. Maybe between the two of us, we can save this system.”

-

Dylan had his fleet poised above Tantula Five, waiting. Rear Admiral Carrie and her fleet had arrived twenty minutes earlier. Her dreadnoughts and battlecruisers surrounded her battlecarriers. Along with Rear Admiral Carrie, Rear Admiral Glenda Krest had brought along the remains of her fleet. Both fleets combined consisted of 25 dreadnoughts, 113 battlecruisers, and 20 battlecarriers, each carrying 160 attack interceptors.

Dylan stood in front of his command console, watching the tactical display. There had been no reports from any other world in the cluster of any signs of Confederation fleets. All this indicated to Dylan was that the target was, indeed, the Tantula System. Taking a deep breath, he made an important decision.

“Contact Rear Admirals Fulmar and Manson,” he ordered. “I want their fleets here as soon as possible. I’m now convinced the target is the Tantula System.” Dylan wanted his entire fleet present before he engaged the enemy. If he had to send them back, he could. All the primary worlds of the cluster had massive defense grids around them and should hold out until the fleets returned.

-

Nearly twenty minutes passed, and suddenly the tactical display lit up with red threat icons. At the same time alarms and red lights sounded on the sensor console.

“Confirmed Confederation ships,” reported Lieutenant Casella. “I have over six thousand so far, and more are still exiting hyperspace. Distance is four million kilometers.”

“That’s a long way out,” commented Colonel Bidwell.

“They’re being cautious,” answered Dylan, as he eyed the tactical display. “They want to take detailed scans before they attack. They know from Zynth scans that this system is very strongly held. No doubt they want to see if there have been any changes.”

“Admiral, Rear Admiral Fulmar’s fleet is dropping from hyperspace,” reported Casella. “Distance is two hundred thousand kilometers.”

“Communications, order Rear Admiral Fulmar to join his fleet up with ours.” Dylan gazed at the tactical display. No matter what, he would be heavily outnumbered.

-

For the next ten minutes Rear Admiral Fulmar’s fleet formed up on the right flank of First Fleet. During this time more Confederation ships still dropped from hyperspace.

“Admiral, Rear Admiral Manson is here,” reported Colonel Bidwell, sounding relieved. “His fleet is only forty thousand kilometers distant.”

Dylan was glad the last part of his fleet had arrived. “Have Rear Admiral Manson form up on our left flank.” Dylan was pleased that he now had the entire First Fleet at his disposal, plus the ships of Rear Admiral Carrie and Rear Admiral Krest.

Leaning forward, Dylan activated the ship-to-ship comm link that would put him in voice contact with all his ships. “This is Admiral Cleemorl. The Confederation ships have arrived, and battle is imminent. We are facing nearly nine thousand enemy warships. However, this star system is held nearly as strongly as Golan Four. We have thousands of attack interceptors and massive ground and orbital defenses. Today is a day that will long be remembered in the history of the Human Empire. It will be the day we stopped the invasion of the Empire and crushed the enemy fleets. All dreadnoughts have permission to use your particle beam cannons. Let’s see how big a surprise they will be to the enemy. For the Empire and victory!”

-

Morag Admiral Norlan was surprised at the number of ships he faced. Nearly 1,700 Human ships orbited Tantula Five. Also scans revealed defenses the likes of which he had never seen before.

Which do we attack first? asked First Officer Kenold.

We will split our fleet, replied Admiral Norlan. We will take our four thousand ships and attack Gideon. While we attack the moon, the Druins and the Zynth will attack Tantula Five. That will pin down this fleet while we destroy Gideon. Once Gideon is finished, we will return here and finish off Tantula Five. We will bombard the surface of both Tantula Five and Gideon, erasing any signs of Human civilization.

Admiral Norlan then used his telepathy to inform the other two admirals of his decision. He also placed a few mental commands in the back of their more primitive minds to ensure they did exactly what he wanted.

-

Druin Admiral Falorr and Zynth Admiral Donlur had joined their fleets together and advanced on Tantula Five. On the viewscreen, a large Human fleet blocked their path to the planet. “How many ships do we face?” This was by far the largest Human fleet Falorr had ever confronted.

“Nearly 1,700 Human ships are in that formation,” reported the sensor officer. “I’m also detecting twenty of the Human attack interceptor carriers.”

This did not surprise Admiral Falorr. He had expected that. Fortunately he had twenty drone carriers in his fleet. He still had a nearly three-to-one advantage in warships. “We will advance and engage the Human fleet and annihilate it. Once the fleet is destroyed, we will move forward and engage the planet’s defenses. While the defenses are engaged, the drones will move in to bombard the planet.”

“A good plan,” commented Falorr’s First Officer Dagor. “When should we launch the drones?”

“As soon as the Humans launch their attack interceptors. I want them destroyed.”

-

Dylan watched the tactical display, as the combined Druin and Zynth fleets advanced.

“We’ve identified twenty vessels that might be drone carriers,” reported Colonel Bidwell. “Should we order Rear Admiral Carrie to launch her interceptors?”

Dylan shook his head. “Contact the interceptor bases on the planet and tell them to launch. I want all three thousand of those interceptors in orbit as soon as possible.” Once the battle started, he would rotate the ground-based interceptors through the bays of the battlecarriers to be refueled and rearmed. It would be much quicker than sending them back to their planetary bases.

“Orders sent,” reported Lieutenant Newsome from Communications.

-

On the planet in the huge reinforced hangars that held the attack interceptors, ground crews began the process of rolling them out. The crews had been standing next to their ships for nearly two hours, waiting for the enemy fleets to show up. In rapid succession, squadron after squadron took off and accelerated toward space and the waiting fleets. All knew that a good part of them might not be coming back. Into the crystal-clear sky the squadrons formed and then headed upward toward their waiting destiny.

-

“Human interceptor launch from the planet has been detected,” warned Falorr’s First Officer Dagor. “Six hundred and still rising.”

Druin Admiral Falorr frowned at hearing this. “Launch the drones. They are to stay near their carriers until needed. I also want to know how many Human interceptors are launched from the planet.”

-

Several more minutes passed, and First Officer Dagor turned toward Admiral Falorr, with a look of concern on his face. “Scans detect slightly over three thousand ground-based Human attack interceptors. They are taking up positions near the Human battlecarriers.”

“Seven minutes to attack range,” reported the sensor officer. “Human ships are not moving. They are in a line formation, facing us. The line is 10 ships high and 170 ships long. All their dreadnoughts are in the center of the line formation. No reserves other than these warships protecting the battlecarriers.”

Admiral Falorr nodded. The formation the Humans were in could easily be broken, and, once it was, their defense would fall apart. His own ships were in a wedge formation, with the point of the wedge facing the center of the Human fleet. His battleships and the Zynth battleships were scattered throughout the formation to give better coverage of weapons fire.

Looking at the viewscreens, he saw the Human dreadnoughts and battlecruisers lined up to take on his fleet. “As soon as we open fire, send our drones to attack the Human battlecarriers. I suspect they will send out all their attack interceptors to stop our drone attack. That will give us the opportunity to destroy the Human small attack craft.” Falorr felt confident the Druin drones were far superior to the Human attack interceptors.

-

In space, the two large fleets drew closer. The Human fleet was unmoving, forcing the Druins and the Zynth to come toward it. In orbit, all sixteen ODPs, two thousand energy beam satellites, and three hundred missile platforms prepared to fire. In addition all three space stations were heavily armed and protected by energy shields, and the greatly expanded shipyard was also heavily armed with an active energy shield. On the surface of the planet, missile interceptors, energy beam turrets, and the twelve ground-based PDCs were ready to fire.

-

As the fleets neared combat range, the Human ships moved forward. A stationary object was just too easy to hit.

“All dreadnoughts are to target enemy battleships with their particle beam cannons,” ordered Dylan. He was anxious to see the effects of the beams on the enemy energy shields. If they worked as predicted, the enemy was about to get a major surprise. Dylan felt his heart pounding in his chest, as he waited to see the results of their opening attack.

“Thirty seconds to weapons range,” reported Casella. “Detecting power buildups in the enemy ships. They’re getting ready to fire!”

Dylan keyed the ship-to-ship comm. “All ships prepare to fire. Hit them with everything we have. I want a full wave of antimatter missiles going in, as well as the new particle beam cannons. Cannons are to fire as quickly and as often as possible.”

“Weapons range!” called out Casella.

“Fire!” ordered Dylan, his focus on the enemy battleships. Suddenly the entire front of the Druin and Zynth formation erupted in bright explosions. Light-violet beams slashed out from the fleet’s dreadnoughts. The beams struck the screens of the enemy battleships, causing them to flare up brightly, and then they were through. Massive explosions rocked over one hundred battleships, ripping massive holes in their sides. Many of the ships’ energy shields failed, making them vulnerable to missile attack. All across the front of the enemy wedge formation, ships were dying.

Druin and Zynth battleships careened out of control, as huge holes were blasted from one side of the ship to the other. Massive explosions threatened to tear apart the ships, as numerous compartments were ripped open to the vacuum of space. Emergency bulkheads slammed shut, and damage control teams raced to control the damage, but it was already too late. Their power failed, as too many power couplings had been destroyed. The energy shields protecting the ships failed, and, when they did, a fusion or antimatter missile arrived, vaporizing huge sections of the ships. In less than thirty seconds, the enemy lost over one hundred of their prized battleships, and the particle beam fire continued, as the beams could be fired three times per minute.

Dylan was stunned by the damage from the particle beams. However, the enemy fleet far outnumbered his own ships, and now vessels in his fleet were dying. A few dreadnoughts and a larger number of battlecruisers were blown apart from the intense and dangerous weapons fire. On the viewscreens, both fleets were lit up by the intense weapons fire.

“Pull us back closer to the defense grid and the ODPs,” ordered Dylan. “We’ll need their firepower.” Even with the particle cannons, he was still losing too many ships.

“Admiral, the Druin drones are going around our fleet to attack Rear Admiral Carrie!” reported Colonel Bidwell worriedly.

Dylan looked at the tactical display, seeing that was true. Already the three thousand attack interceptors launched from the planet were moving out to intercept the incoming drones. At the same time Carrie was in full launch mode, as entire squadrons of interceptors spewed out of the launch bays of her battlecarriers. This battle was about to get much more intense.

-

On board the battlecarrier Orion, Mathew was busy giving out orders to the squadrons, as they moved to intercept the Druin drones. The drones were about 40 percent larger than an interceptor.

“We don’t know their maneuverability,” said Mathew to all his pilots. “We know they are equipped with fusion energy beams and fusion and antimatter missiles. Squadrons are to use maximum dispersal to keep losses down, in case the drones use their missiles. Squadrons are to attack in pairs. I believe we will have superior maneuverability. Use that against them. All squadrons, you are free to engage.” Mathew leaned back in his chair, keeping his gaze on the two tactical displays above his console. There were also four small viewscreens, which showed views from some of the interceptors. It was almost like being in the pilot’s seat. Even so, Mathew wished he were out there with his squadrons, instead of safely inside the Command Center of a battlecarrier.

-

In space, the two groups closed and then met in combat. As Mathew had suggested, the interceptors did have an edge in maneuverability, but the drones’ fusion energy beams were more powerful, as well as their energy shields. The shield protected the entire drone. In the opening moments of the dogfight, it was evident the drones had a tactical advantage over the interceptors, as the drones’ fusion energy beams  blasted the interceptors from space. Bright fireballs littered space, as Human interceptors in the dozens died.

“Damn!” uttered Mathew. The AIs controlling the drones demonstrated superior targeting as well. “All interceptors, switch from your fusion cannons to missiles. We must knock down those shields.” Each interceptor carried four small missiles with fusion warheads.

Suddenly large explosions went off in the drone formation. It soon became clear that a single fusion explosion could bring down a drone’s shield. Now the dogfight changed, as the drones were outnumbered by the Human attack interceptors. Suddenly large numbers of drones were destroyed. The only question was if the interceptors could destroy enough of the drones before they ran out of missiles.

“How many drones remain?” asked Mathew, as he watched the tactical displays.

“Twenty-two hundred and seven,” answered Captain Anderson, who was watching the dogfight on the main screens. Explosions and flashes of light were everywhere.

Mathew nodded. His interceptors had enough missiles, if they used them carefully. “All interceptors, the missiles are effective. Use them sparingly.” Mathew winced as he saw the icons of several more interceptors swell up and vanish. The drones were still destroying interceptors on a steady basis.

-

In space, a massive dogfight ensued as the two sides tried to destroy the other. Human fusion missiles knocked down drone energy shields, and then the interceptors would use fusion energy beam fire to finish off the drone. The drones were in turn using their more powerful fusion energy beams to knock down the forward shield on the interceptors and then using their beams to blow apart the interceptors.

Human pilots were swerving and throwing their interceptors into wild movements in attempts to avoid the beams. The Druin drones were not as maneuverable and were trying to bully their way through the Human squadrons to attack the battlecarriers.

-

Druin Admiral Falorr grew frustrated, as the losses to his drones grew. “Order the drones to use some of their missiles to blast a path through those Human interceptors.” Even as he gave the order, he felt his flagship shake, as several antimatter missiles detonated against its energy shield.

“The Human fleet is moving back toward the planet’s defensive grid,” reported First Officer Dagor.

This concerned Falorr, as scans of the grid showed the strongest one they had ever faced over any Human world. He wished now that Admiral Norlan had not split the fleet.

-

Admiral Cleemorl grimaced every time one of his ships was destroyed. His losses were mounting, but so were the Druins’ and the Zynths’. He felt confident that, once he reached the defensive grid, the battle would be more than even.

“We’ll reach the defensive grid in two minutes,” reported Colonel Bidwell. The fleet was moving backward at a very slow speed, as they wanted to inflict as much damage as possible on the enemy fleets before they began firing on the grid.

On the viewscreen, the dreadnought Indomitable was under heavy fire. Its energy screen flared up brighter and brighter.

“Order the Indomitable to pull back behind the fleet,” ordered Dylan. He knew, if the dreadnought did not do so immediately, it was in danger of being destroyed.

-

On board the Indomitable, smoke was everywhere, as the air circulation system was overwhelmed by the sheer amount of damage the ship now took.

Captain Vidmann Dorn was doing everything he could to save his ship. “Can we pull back?”

“Sir, the sublight drive is down,” reported the executive officer. “The chief engineer reports at least forty minutes to repair. Energy shield is wavering, and we have a lot of bleed through coming through the shield”.

“What about our maneuvering thrusters?”

“Some are still functional.”

“Then use them to move us back. The fleet is falling back toward the defense grid, and, in another few minutes, we’ll be out here by ourselves.”

The Indomitable shook violently, as the lights dimmed and then brightened. More red lights appeared on the damage control console.

“All emergency bulkheads have been activated,” reported the damage control officer. “We have fires in several compartments, where the fire suppression equipment has failed.”

“Activating maneuvering thrusters,” reported the executive officer. “We’re moving backward but very slowly.”

Captain Dorn looked at the viewscreens, but all he saw was a brilliant light as the energy screen was covered in explosions.

The ship suddenly felt as if it collided with a large object. Dorn instantly looked at damage control, seeing more red lights flare up.

“We have a hole in our starboard hull nearly thirty meters across and descending through numerous compartments. It goes down through seven decks.”

The lights suddenly dimmed and stayed dim.

“We have too many damaged power couplings,” reported the damage control officer. “I’m trying to reroute power.”

“Chief engineer reports major damage to secondary engineering,” reported the executive officer. “He’s shutting down the reserve fusion power plant, before it explodes.”

Moments later the lights dimmed even further.

“We’ve lost power to all weapons systems,” reported tactical as the consoles shut down.

“That’s it then,” said the executive officer, looking over at the captain.

Captain Dorn nodded. “Unfortunately so.”

The next moment the Indomitable blew apart, as an antimatter missile tore the ship into a million flaming pieces. Captain Dorn was not even aware that his ship had been destroyed.

-

“Indomitable is down,” reported Lieutenant Casella.

Dylan grimly nodded. Over one thousand Humans had been on that ship. “Continue to pull back.” Dylan shifted his gaze to the dogfight. The drones were now using fusion and antimatter missiles to try to take out the attack interceptors. They were having some success, but the squadrons were spaced far apart, making it hard to take out large numbers at a time. They were getting closer to Rear Admiral Carrie’s fleet, but, with her dreadnoughts and battlecruisers, she was well protected. Also the defense grid now fired on the drones. They wouldn’t last long under the intense firepower from the defensive grid’s energy beam satellites and missile platforms.

-

Druin Admiral Falorr saw his drones were about to be wiped out by the heavy firepower from the defensive grid. “Order them back,” he said, shaking his head. Falorr was greatly disappointed in the effectiveness of the drones. The Human interceptors were more maneuverable and, with their missiles, held a slight advantage over the Druin drones. This would have to be reported, so the designers could see if the drones could be modified to make up for this failure.

However, his ships still had the superior firepower, though this new weapon the Human dreadnoughts were equipped with was devastating to his battleships. He had ordered all Zynth and Druin battleships to concentrate on the Human dreadnoughts, while all the battlecruisers focused on the Human battlecruisers.

“We’re almost in range of the planet’s defensive grid,” warned First Officer Dagor.

“I want 20 percent of all missiles aimed at ground targets,” ordered Falorr. “Maybe we can get some through.”

Looking at the viewscreens and the tactical displays, his fleets were still taking out two Human ships for every one he lost. However, he was losing a larger percentage of his battleships. He had pulled his own battleship back into the center of his wedge formation, where it should be partially safe.

-

In space, the Druin drones broke off their attack and headed back to their carriers. Only 847 still survived. They had lost nearly two-thirds of their number.

The defense grid was now in range of the enemy fleets and began obliterating the front sections of the Zynth and Druin formation. Thousands of missiles were launched, as well as energy beams. The entire front of the two enemy fleets suddenly looked as if they were on fire. Tendrils of raw energy from exploded fusion and antimatter missiles spread across space.

-

Suddenly on the Themis, alarms sound, as more red threat icons appeared out of hyperspace, just behind the Confederation fleets.

Dylan felt his heart skip a beat. If these were reinforcements, then the battle might be lost. Suddenly the red threat icons turned green.

“They’re Earth ships!” shouted Lieutenant Casella.

“It’s Rear Admiral Barnes with Third Fleet,” reported Lieutenant Newsome from Communications. “Rear Admiral Barnes wants to test out their new accelerator cannons against the Confederation ships, if it’s okay with you.”

“Hell yes!” replied Dylan. Leaning back in his command chair, he knew the battle had just turned.

-

“Whose ships are those?” demanded Druin Admiral Falorr, as a large number of red threat icons appeared behind his fleet.

“Those are Earth ships,” answered the sensor officer. “There are 1,412 warships in that formation.”

Falorr suddenly felt a cold chill run down his back. The battle had been even after the planet’s defense grid opened up. Now he was not so sure. The Earth Humans were considered the most dangerous of all the Humans.

-

Rear Admiral Barnes smiled as the Phobos locked on one of the enemy battleships with its new accelerator cannon. The cannon could accelerate a projectile almost up to the speed of light. Each cannon was capable of firing once every thirty seconds. However, every dreadnought and battlecruiser in her fleet was equipped with just one pair.

“Target locked,” called out the tactical officer.

“All ships fire!” ordered Barnes, her gaze focused intently on the viewscreens, so she saw the damage the projectiles inflicted.

Her ship shook slightly, and suddenly the energy shield on one of the Druin battleships lit up brightly and then failed, overloaded. Several small explosions erupted from the hull of the Druin ship. The next projectile arrived, and the ship vanished beneath a massive fireball, as the vessel disintegrated.

All across the rear of the Druin and Zynth formations, ships were dying by the hundreds. It was a massacre, as the Confederation ships had no defense against this new weapon.

-

“What are they hitting us with?” demanded Falorr, as he saw the rear echelons of his fleets being decimated.

“Some kind of projectile accelerated to a very high speed,” reported First Officer Dagor. “We have no defense against it.”

“Get us out of here,” ordered Admiral Falorr, knowing this battle was lost. “Take us back to the red giant system. If we remain here, we will all die.”

The least he could do was save part of his fleets. To stay here and fight would be suicide. While he could still inflict serious damage to the fleet in front of him, the one in his rear would eventually destroy his two fleets. Better to retreat and come back to fight when they were better prepared.

-

Morag Admiral Norlan saw Druin Admiral Falorr suddenly turn and flee the system. Norlan had witnessed the arrival of the Earth ships and their devastating attack on the Confederation fleets. We shall withdraw as well. Take us to the red giant system. We need to evaluate these new weapons the Empire and the Earth Humans have used against our ships. We must also contact Fleet Admiral Torrant. The fleet admiral must be made aware of the new weapons the Humans have used in the Tantula System.

A few moment later, the Morag fleet vanished from the system, and the fighting, for now, was over.

-

Admiral Cleemorl leaned back in his command chair, with a huge feeling of relief. Most of his fleet was still intact and, not only that, now had a very powerful Earth fleet in the system. “Contact Rear Admiral Barnes. I need to know how her fleet got here and exactly what her orders are.”

-

On Golan Four, Fleet Admiral Marloo had a big all-knowing grin on his face.

“You knew!” exclaimed Layla accusingly. “You knew an Earth fleet would intervene.”

Admiral Marloo nodded. “I knew one was on the way. I just wasn’t sure if it would  reach the Hagen Star Cluster in time. They have been pushing their hyperdrives ever since they left the Solar System to get here. I didn’t tell anyone, as I didn’t want to give anyone a false sense of hope, until I knew for sure they would make it.”

Cheryl had sat down in shock. For many minutes she had feared the Themis might be destroyed, but now all those fears had evaporated. “Is the battle over?”

“Who knows,” replied Marloo. “The Morag fleet is still intact, and a major portion of the Druin and Zynth fleets are still intact as well. I’m sure our new particle beams and Earth’s accelerator cannons must have come as a shock. It may force them to reconsider this entire attack.”

Layla looked suspiciously at Fleet Admiral Marloo. “Are there any more Earth fleets currently in the Empire?”

Marloo smiled. No point in keeping secrets any longer. “One more. It’s on its way here. It should arrive sometime tomorrow.”

Layla felt as if she could cry. Their odds of winning had just increased tremendously. “What do you think will happen now?”

Fleet Admiral Marloo let out a deep breath. “If I had to guess, the Confederation will halt their attacks, while they evaluate our new weapons. Whether they will continue their attacks is hard to say. All we can do now is wait.”

Krista sat next to Cheryl. “It looks like our men survived this battle.”

Cheryl nodded. Dylan and Mathew had both survived. She would just feel better when they were both home.

“The Tantula System and the entire Hagen Star Cluster will return to Condition Two,” reported Colonel Hillstrum. “It looks as if the fighting was over, for now.”

Admiral Marloo nodded. One thing that did concern him was that the Morag supposedly had a secret weapon as well. A weapon they hadn’t seen yet. Because of that, he strongly suspected these attacks were probably not over but just beginning.

Chapter Twenty

Morag Fleet Admiral Torrant was stunned when he heard the report from Druin Admiral Falorr, Zynth Admiral Donlur, and Morag Admiral Norlan. Torrant had brought his fleet to a stop in a white dwarf system that only contained a small ice planet and a large asteroid field. His fleet was currently tucked in close to the asteroid field at reduced power, making it harder to detect.

After listening to the three reports, Torrant ordered the three admirals to stay where they were, until they heard back from him. Next he contacted Fleet Admiral Colane and told him what the other admirals had reported.

So the Humans have two new weapons, sent Colane. It’s evident one was developed by the Humans of the Empire and the other by the Earth Humans. It’s also evident the Earth Humans’ weapon is the more dangerous, as it is also on their battlecruisers.

Both weapons can penetrate our energy shields, replied Torrant. In combat we must target the Human Empire’s dreadnoughts, as only those ships seem to meet the power requirements of their new weapon. The Earth Humans are a different matter.

Perhaps, but keep in mind their fleet in the Hagen Star Cluster only consists of 1,400 ships. If we have a sufficient numerical advantage, we could still destroy them.

Fleet Admiral Torrant was in agreement with this. We must call forward Admiral Voxx and his reserve fleet. We shall send part of his fleet to reinforce Admiral Norlan, and the rest will come with us. That should give us the necessary numbers to overwhelm whatever forces the Humans put in front of us.

I agree, replied Colane. We should wait here until the reinforcements arrive. Unfortunately, if Admiral Voxx quits attacking Human worlds on the periphery, the Humans will suspect what our actual targets are.

I will send the message immediately, replied Torrant. It will delay our attack by another four days. I’ll have Admiral Voxx come straight here instead of taking the long way, as we did to avoid detection.

Torrant then turned toward Communications and had the necessary messages sent off. They were directional messages, as they knew exactly where Admiral Voxx was, as well as the other fleets that had attacked the Tantula System.

Looking at one of the viewscreens, Torrant saw one of the secret weapons he had brought to destroy the Humans’ homeworld. He wondered how effective the new weapons the Humans had developed would be against his secret one.

-

The High Council of the Morag was once more in session. The news they had received from their fleets in the Human Empire was not good. The attack against the Tantula System had failed due to the intervention of the Earth Humans.

I have spoken to some of our highest scientists, sent Addonis. They feel we are facing two new weapons developments. The first is a particle beam weapon, which can drill through our energy shields. This weapon was developed by the Humans of the Empire. The second weapon is a mass accelerator cannon. From some of the scans made, our scientists believe it can accelerate an object to nearly the speed of light. Such a weapon will be nearly unstoppable.

What will we do? asked Brant. Should we recall our forces?

Fleet Admiral Torrant is confident that, by combining the Morag fleets, he can still conquer both the Human core worlds and the Hagen Star Cluster. It will delay attacks on both by four to six days at the most.

Delann looked thoughtful. Is it possible the secret to these two new weapons developments can be found in the archives on Bator Prime?

Addonis had already considered that. Bator Prime is in Lormallian-controlled space. We will have to get their permission to search the archives for such information. Addonis didn’t like that requirement but now was not the time to force a war that would split the Confederation.

They agreed to allow us to search the archives, if we made such a request, pointed out Hiram. We should do so now.

Addonis nodded. I will inform Councilor Damora of our request. We should also prepare some of our scientists to visit the archives. The sooner we discover the secrets to these weapons, the sooner we can come up with a defense. Addonis was deeply concerned about the Earth Humans. A fleet equipped with such weapons could cause considerable harm to the Confederation, if such a fleet were sent to attack Confederation worlds. No doubt, after the recent Confederation attack against Earth, the Earth Humans would not hesitate to attack the Confederation.

-

The Great Council of the Confederation was in session. The meeting had been called by the Morag.

“Why have you called this meeting?” demanded Councilor Reull. He wore his nullifier, as was the Zang councilor. He wondered what new demands the Morag would make today.

Ardon was suspicious of anything Morag Councilor Damora said or requested. Damora had already threatened both the Zang and the Lormallians if they continued to build defensive grids around their key worlds. So far, the Morag had taken no action, though Ardon wondered what would happen once the Confederation’s war with the Human Empire was over. Both the Lormallians and the Zang were building defensive grids and new warships at an accelerated rate. At the moment, with so many Morag ships in the Human Empire, the Morag could do nothing to prevent them. The danger would be when the Morag fleets returned.

“We would like to send a team to Bator Prime to search for some information in the archives.”

Ardon was already aware of the exact information the Morag wanted. He had forewarned his brother, who was the head curator, to hide this information where the Morag would never find it. The Visth had informed him of the situation in the Human Empire and of the new weapons that had been used to temporarily stop the Confederation invasion. No way Ardon would allow the Morag access to even more dangerous weapons than they had now.

“I believe I can arrange for some of your people to search the archives. Let me speak to one of the curators and see when a time can be arranged.”

Councilor Damora rose to his feet in anger. “Our ship with our research scientists will be at Bator Prime by the end of the week.”

“Fine,” replied Ardon, his gaze meeting Damora’s. “However, there may not be any curators available, and no one may enter the archives without having a curator with them. I will see to it that your research scientists are made comfortable until a curator is available. The curators are quite busy at the moment, as there have been many requests for information recently. I will also add that Bator Prime is heavily defended, and we have added substantially to those defenses recently.”

Councilor Damora sat down. He hated that nullifier Councilor Reull wore. If not for it, he would simply order the Lormallian councilor to make sure the Morag scientists had full access to the archives. Unfortunately, because of the archives, the planet had always been heavily armed. “Very well, I will tell the scientists they may have to wait a few days. But I warn you, the wait had better be very short, or there will be consequences.”

“I will notify the curators,” replied Reull. “Now, on to other business. Councilor Damora, how is the invasion of the Human Empire going? By now your forces should be reporting some positive results.”

Damora’s large angry red eyes stared down Councilor Reull. Somewhere, the Lormallian Councilor had gotten information that was supposed to be secret. “As well as expected. Our forces have taken a number of the Human worlds on the periphery of their Empire and are currently moving inward. We expect the fighting to be over in another few weeks.”

“Rumors are that your attack on the Hagen Star Cluster has been thrown back, with major loses to the Druin and Zynth fleets. Is that true?”

The other councilors looked at each other in surprise. None of them had heard this information. Not even the Druins and the Zynth were aware of how the war in the Human Empire was going. The Morag were in charge of the disposition of warships in the ongoing war, and they had reported no reversals.

Councilor Damora glared at Councilor Reull. If looks could kill, the Lormallian councilor would be dead. “There have been some setbacks,” admitted Damora. “It has been necessary to adjust our battle plans, as the Empire has a few more warships than we expected.”

“Close to the truth,” replied Ardon. “Isn’t it true all your offensive actions have come to a stop due to the Humans of the Empire and the Humans of Earth deploying new weapons capable of bringing down the energy shields of Confederation warships?”

A rumbling came from the other councilors, as they digested this information. Several looked at Damora, wanting to know if this was true.

“I’ve answered enough of your questions,” replied Damora, as he turned and left the council chambers.

Councilor Reull watched him go. “I think that answers that question.” Ardon then looked at the other councilors, who had sided with the Morag. “As to you other councilors, the Morag may not be as invincible as you think. All they are doing is sacrificing your fleets in order to preserve theirs.” With that Ardon turned, and he too left the council chambers. He needed to send out a few hyperlight messages. Councilor Damora had confirmed that the fleets in the Human Empire were currently not attacking.

-

Admiral Cleemorl met with Rear Admiral Barnes in his office. “Why did we not know you were coming?” He had been stunned when Rear Admiral Barnes’s fleet had dropped out of hyperspace.

Barnes smiled. “Fleet Admiral Marloo knew we were. We kept it quiet because we were not sure we would get here in time. We pushed our hyperdrives to the limit, and I’m afraid that nearly all of them need some maintenance before we dare make another long hyperspace jump. We have a supply fleet about a week behind us. It has another ten dreadnoughts and forty battlecruisers for protection. Also two mobile repair yards, a large number of supply ships, and twenty-three battlecarriers are on their way.”

Dylan looked suspiciously at Rear Admiral Barnes. “This is part of the fleet you would use to attack the Confederation in reprisal for what they did to the Solar System?”

Admiral Barnes nodded. “Yes, but we decided that defending the Human Empire had to come first. We will attack the Confederation later.”

“What about the core worlds?” Dylan felt the Earth fleet should have gone there. “Should your fleet go there, once its hyperdrives are repaired?”

“Rear Admiral Collison and Fourth Fleet are headed there,” replied Barnes. “They should arrive sometime late tomorrow. Collison’s fleet is about the same size as mine. He also has a supply fleet, but it’s nearly two weeks behind. However, all his battlecarriers are with his fleet.”

“How many?”

“Fifteen,” answered Admiral Barnes. “We were not sure how many you would leave here to protect Golan Four, if the Hagen Star Cluster was attacked.”

Dylan grew concerned that Earth may have sent too many ships. “Does Earth still have the ships to defend itself?”

Barnes nodded. “Rear Admiral Mendoza and Rear Admiral Everett are still there. Not only that, we have over twenty thousand attack interceptors. The Solar System is well protected, and that’s why we could send these fleets. We would have sent them sooner, but we were still equipping some of the ships with the new accelerator cannons.”

“The accelerator cannons seem to work very well. They were blowing the hell out of the Confederation warships.”

Barnes smiled. “Yes, they were. The accelerator cannon rounds strike the energy shield with the force of nearly 23,000 megatons of raw energy. No energy shield can survive such a blast to such a small area. The shield basically bursts, and many of the power couplings in the ship blow from the power feedback. The second shot will normally disintegrate its target. That’s why each ship has two of these cannons. One to bring down the shield and the second to destroy the ship. Your particle beam cannons seem to work very well also.”

Dylan nodded. “Yes, they accelerate a large number of small particles into a beam, and the resulting kinetic energy, where the beam strikes, will tear a hole in an energy shield, and then the beam will strike the ship. So far, it’s been very effective. So what are your plans now?”

Rear Admiral Barnes let out a deep sigh. “To stay here in the Hagen Star Cluster. It will take at least a week to get all my ships’ hyperdrives back to 100 percent. So my fleet is at your disposal.”

This pleased Dylan. With Rear Admiral Barnes’s fleet plus his own vessels, no doubt he could keep the cluster out of Confederation hands. “We’ll join our fleets into one fleet formation. Then we just need to wait and see what the Confederation does next.” Dylan was certain the attacks were not over.

-

Derrick felt great relief when Rear Admiral Collison and his Fourth Fleet dropped out of hyperspace inside the Golan Four System.

“Detecting 1,253 battlecruisers, 242 dreadnoughts, and 15 battlecarriers,” reported Lieutenant Nower from her sensor console.

“Excellent, have them join our formation and see if any of their ships’ hyperdrives need work. We can put them in some of the repair bays, if needed.” Derrick knew that Rear Admiral Collison had been pushing his ships to get them here in time.

As Collison’s fleet moved toward Fifth Fleet, Derrick had to smile. That gave him over four thousand warships to defend the Golan Four System. When he added in all the attack interceptors based on Golan Four as well as Meta, he felt certain he could repel any size attack by the Confederation. The only thing he was worried about was this mysterious weapon the Morag supposedly had. This weapon had not been used at the Tantula System, so it was still an unknown.

As soon as Collison had his fleet in formation, Derrick planned on having a video call with both Rear Admiral Collison and Rear Admiral Banora. At least Collison was a very experienced admiral. He had to be to be entrusted with the defense of Earth.

-

Fleet Admiral Marloo was in the underground Command Center beneath the House of Worlds. Chancellor Stein and Governor Bemire from Ambary Two were also with him.

“I’m glad to see the Earth fleet arrive,” said Chancellor Stein.

“As am I,” added Governor Bemire. “It greatly strengthens all the core worlds.” Bemire turned toward Admiral Marloo. “Are you certain the Golan Four System will be the primary target of the Morag and not another core world?”

Marloo nodded. “It’s the only target that makes sense. If they can conquer the Golan System, it would seriously affect the morale in the entire Human Empire. The war could still continue if the Hagen Star Cluster survives, but I’m certain the Confederation’s goals are to conquer both.”

“I agree,” said Chancellor Stein. “How soon do you expect an attack?”

“There have been no new attacks on the periphery and no sign of the Morag fleets active out there. I’m convinced those fleets have been called inward to reinforce the fleets aimed at us and the ones recently driven out of the Hagen Star Cluster.”

Chancellor Stein nodded. “So, a few days at least.” He wished the attacks were over but knew they weren’t.

“Probably closer to four to six. It will take some time for those fleets to travel from the periphery to where their other fleets are waiting.”

“I’ll return to Ambary Two late tomorrow,” said Governor Bemire. “Seeing the ships now in orbit above Golan Four has increased my belief we will win this war.”

“It’s a long way from over,” replied Fleet Admiral Marloo. His gaze traveled to the tactical display, full of friendly green icons. “But this is certainly a good start.”

-

Derrick had just finished talking to Rear Admiral Banora and Rear Admiral Barnes. The consensus was that the Confederation would attack Golan Four first, in an attempt to either conquer or destroy the planet.

“I think they’ll try to destroy the planet,” said Barnes. “It would destroy the morale in the Empire, and many worlds would probably refuse to even fight if Golan Four was gone.”

“I agree,” said Banora. “The only worlds that might still fight are some of the more major worlds, but they would have to be led by someone. As long as the Hagen Star Cluster survives, I believe they could still lead the war, particularly with Admiral Cleemorl there with a major fleet.”

Derrick remained silent for a long moment. “What would it mean if the entire Royal Family was killed in the attack?” This was a question that needed to be asked and one he feared asking.

Rear Admiral Banora shook her head. “It would be devastating. At least one of them needs to survive. We can’t afford to lose the entire Royal Family. They’re what’s holding the Empire together. Have you taken a walk in the capital? Nearly every store, office building, and restaurant has hung up a picture of one of the two Princesses. The same in residential areas, where signs in yards show their support for the Princesses. The Princesses are the Empire.”

Derrick had not been aware of this. It made him realize just how popular Layla and Krista were with the people. He would talk to Layla again. Tantula Five was nearly as powerfully held as Golan Four. He knew there was no way Layla would consider leaving, the same for Andrew. However, Krista might agree, since Mathew was currently in the Hagen Star Cluster. Krista and Mathew should be safe in one of the deep underground bunkers. Before he spoke to Layla, he wanted to contact Admiral Cleemorl, as well as Governor Dyson, to ensure proper arrangements could be made and made quickly. He also knew that Admiral Cleemorl would do whatever was necessary to keep Krista safe.

-

Krista was once more in Layla’s quarters, along with Emira, Brenda, Cheryl, Andrew, and Chancellor Stein.

“We’re expecting a major attack by the Morag on Golan Four within the next four to six days,” began Stein. “Derrick contacted me earlier, and he’s really concerned about what would happen to the Empire if the entire Royal Family is killed in the upcoming battle.”

“But we should be safe here!” protested Krista.

“Maybe,” replied Layla. She had spoken to Derrick for nearly an hour, as he expressed his concerns. “But Derrick’s right. We can’t risk all of us being killed. We can’t all be in the same place.”

Tears formed in Krista’s eyes as she knew what Layla would say. “Then what do you want to do?” She suspected where this conversation was going.

Layla took a deep breath. “I want you and Cheryl to go to the Hagen Star Cluster. Tantula Five is just as heavily defended as Golan Four is. Admiral Cleemorl has seen to that. In addition, Derrick has made arrangements for Mathew to be responsible for your protection. He will be taken off the Orion and transferred to Tantula Five and placed in charge of your guard detail.”

“It’s best for the Empire,” added Chancellor Stein. “There’s a good chance, if the entire Royal Family were to be killed, the Empire would fall apart. At least if one member of the Royal Family survives, the war would continue. This has to be done for the sake of the Empire.”

Krista closed her eyes tightly and then reopened them. She wiped the tears from her eyes and took in a deep breath. “I am a Royal Princess, and it is my duty to do what is best for the Empire. When do we need to leave?” This was the hardest decision Krista had ever made. She did not know what she would do if Layla were to be killed in the coming attack.

Layla smiled. She had never felt prouder of her cousin. “Tomorrow. The dreadnought High Kingdom will take you and Cheryl to Tantula Five. In addition Brenda will go with you, and she will be in charge of all your attendants and Royal functions.”

“She is ready,” announced Emira, smiling broadly. “I’m getting too old to travel across the Empire. It’s time for a younger, more energetic woman to take my place, and Brenda will do nicely. She has been a superior student in learning what her responsibilities will be.”

“You will have your normal escort of Imperial Guards. However, due to the circumstances, I have doubled the number who will go with you. In addition, Emira and I have chosen a dozen Royal Attendants who will accompany you as well.”

“Also a full platoon of Marines is going,” added Chancellor Stein. “These Marines will be assigned permanently to you, as a special guard detail. They are some of the best we have.”

“Andrew and I will be splitting up as well,” said Layla, seeing the surprised look on his face. “Andrew will be assigned to the underground Command Center beneath the House of Worlds. Kala, I’m having quarters for you set up there as well.”

Andrew was dumbfounded. He had planned to be aboard the main shipyard, where he had been working. However, he realized that what Layla had suggested was the wise thing to do. “Thank you” was all he said.

Layla forced a smile and then spoke. “Tonight we will have a family meal, along with a few special guests. I’ve already asked the chefs to cook something special.”

Krista nodded. She was committed now. At least she would have Mathew with her. Even though she hated leaving Layla and the Imperial Palace, Krista knew it was the right thing to do. She just needed to continue to tell herself that.

-

Later that evening, Krista entered the dining room reserved for the Royal Family. She had spent most of the afternoon packing, with the help of Emira, Brenda, and two of her attendants. Krista was amazed at all the clothing that Emira and Brenda insisted she take with her. Looking around the dining room, she saw all of the Royal Family, including Derrick.

“I’m surprised to see you,” said Krista, walking over and giving Derrick a big hug.

Derrick smiled. “Rear Admirals’ Banora and Barnes can handle the fleet. Both have sufficient battle experience. Besides, this is a meal I didn’t want to miss.”

“Am I doing the right thing in going to Tantula Five?” Krista asked in a low voice.

Derrick nodded. “Layla and I discussed this for a very long time earlier. For the Empire, it’s the right and the smart thing to do. I wish you could stay at the Imperial Palace. It’s the safest structure on Golan Four. However, we just can’t take the risk of having the entire Royal Family together.”

Gazing at the long dining table, Krista saw that appetizers were being brought to the table. The smell of the food was tantalizing. At least nothing was wrong with her appetite. “We better go sit down. The chefs get aggravated when we let their food get cold.”

In a few minutes everyone was seated and engaged in routine conversation, while the attendants served the food. Krista noticed they were all her favorites. Looking accusingly at Layla, who sat across from her, she spoke. “Is this a bribe?”

Layla laughed. “No, but I don’t know how good the food is on Tantula Five. You might be eating military rations, for all that I know.”

Krista turned pale. She had tried military rations a few times. While they were decent, she had no desire for a steady diet of them.

“Don’t worry,” said Emira, frowning at Layla. “I’m sending two Royal Chefs as well. You will eat just fine.”

Feeling relieved, Krista began eating. She felt a little sad, knowing this would be her last meal with Layla and the others for possibly quite some time.

At the end of the meal, the servers brought in Krista’s favorite dessert. Strawberry ice cream on top of a thick piece of red velvet cake. Krista savored every bite and noticed that Layla watched her with a pleased smile on her face.

“Did I do good?”

Krista nodded. “Of course you did. This meal was great!”

After the meal, everyone stood around, talking. They all knew this would be the last time they would be together until the Morag were driven out of the Empire.

“What type of escort have you arranged for Krista?” Derrick asked Fleet Admiral Marloo, who was sipping a glass of red wine.

“Ten battlecruisers and three more dreadnoughts. The High Kingdom and two battlecruisers will remain at Tantula Five, in case they need to make a run for it with the Princess. The other ships will return here as soon as they can.”

“If Tantula Five and Gideon fall, where will the High Kingdom take Krista?”

“Lydol Four, The Lamina Stars, and lastly the Vortex Worlds. I’ve already spoken to the governors of the worlds involved, and they all have said they would take and protect the Princess.”

Derrick nodded. “I think I would prefer Lydol Four. It’s now heavily defended, and I know General Livingston and Governor Lang. I would trust both of them with Princess Krista’s life. Not only that, they have five other nearby worlds to aid in Lydol Four’s defense, if it ever became necessary, Krista could safely hide on any of them.”

“I’ll inform Captain Barrow of our choice then. I’ll also let Governor Lang know to be ready, if it becomes necessary to hide the Princess.”

“Rear Admiral Barnes brought fifteen battlecarriers with her,” said Derrick. “I’ll position them in low orbit, with twenty battlecruisers to protect them. Since Rear Admiral Carrie is at Tantula Five, we’ll need those fifteen battlecarriers to refuel and rearm our ground-based attack interceptors.”

Admiral Marloo nodded. “I’ll need one thousand of those interceptors to help shoot down any missiles that get through the defense grid.”

“I expected that. That will still leave me nearly 11,000 to throw at the Morag.”

“Let’s just hope our defenses are good enough,” added Marloo. He let out a deep sigh. “By this time next week this will be over. Either we will have won or Golan Four will have been destroyed. I don’t believe they dare allow the capital planet of the Empire to survive intact.”

Derrick and his rear admirals had already come to the same conclusion. “I agree. This will be a battle to the death, and one we have to win.”

-

Later Derrick and Layla were in their quarters. He had to head back up to orbit shortly. “Krista will be fine,” he assured his wife. “Just make sure, when the battle starts, that you get to safety. By that I mean, the deep underground bunker beneath the Palace. The Imperial Palace will be a primary target, and they will be firing hundreds if not thousands of missiles. Not even the energy shields you have put around the Palace and the surrounding grounds can resist that type of pounding. As soon as the alarm has sounded that the Morag have entered the system, you’re to evacuate everyone in the palace to the underground bunker and to stay there until you hear from either me or Fleet Admiral Marloo.”

“Yes, Derrick,” replied Layla meekly. She knew Derrick was dead serious about this, and she didn’t want him worrying about her during the battle.

The two spent another hour talking, and then, after a long affectionate kiss, Derrick left their quarters to head back to the Destiny.

Layla greatly feared she would never see him again.

-

Layla was in Krista’s quarters, along with Emira and Chancellor Stein. “I have some papers you need to take with you,” she said, as she handed a large folder to Krista.

“What are these?” Krista could tell they must be important, as the folder was very heavy.

“The succession of power, in case something happens to me,” answered Layla. “They spell out in plain language that, if I’m killed in the coming battle, you will become the High Princess of the Empire and its overall leader. They’ve been signed by the entire Imperial Council and witnessed by the necessary people. Also a long letter in there is from me. I want you to read that in case the worst happens. Don’t read that letter unless you know that Golan Four has fallen and that I did not survive.”

Krista had tears in her eyes. “Nothing will happen to you!”

Layla took Krista’s hands. “We can’t know that for certain, but we must be prepared if it does.”

Emira nodded. “Layla’s parents filled out a succession of power as well, making it plain that Prince Aiden would rule. They also added that, if Aiden were dead, then Layla would fulfill the role of leader. You were mentioned too, Krista,” Emira informed them. “I was there when the papers were filled out and signed. Every ruler, no matter how hard it is, must make sure the succession of power is smooth and without legal challenge.”

“I understand,” replied Krista. She squeezed Layla’s hands. “I will do as you wish.”

-

The next day, Layla, Kala, and Andrew watched on one of the large viewscreens in the underground Command Center beneath the House of Worlds, as the dreadnought High Kingdom left orbit and accelerated away from Golan Four with her escorts. A few moments later the small fleet made the transition into hyperspace, and then they were gone from the Golan Four System.

“She’ll be safe at Tantula Five,” said Andrew, seeing the sad and lonely look on Layla’s face. “Admiral Cleemorl would never allow any harm to come to her.”

“I know,” replied Layla. She just hoped everything worked out. She knew very well the next few days could decide the fate of the Empire and her and Krista’s future.

Chapter Twenty-One

Morag Admiral Voxx had stopped in the red giant system, where Admiral Norlan waited, and dropped off two thousand of his modern warships. Both he and Admiral Norlan felt this would be sufficient to conquer the Tantula System, forcing the entire Hagen Star Cluster to surrender.

You are to attack in thirty hours, Admiral Voxx informed Admiral Norlan. The main attack against Golan Four will occur eight hours after your attack has begun.

Fleet Admiral Torrant still hopes, by attacking the Tantula System, we will draw some of the Imperial ships away from the core worlds.

Yes, but your attack here should long be over before any of them can arrive.

On the viewscreens, hundreds of warships were visible—the older Morag warships from the reserve and dozens of Druin and Zynth battleships and battlecruisers. It was an impressive sight.

We will leave in an hour, added Admiral Voxx. I want to get my fleet to Admiral Torrant as soon as possible.

-

An hour later Morag Admiral Norlan watched as Admiral Voxx and his fleet vanished, as it made the transition into hyperspace.

Well, we now have 6,000 Morag warships, sent First Officer Kenold. That should be more than enough to take the Tantula System.

It should, agreed Norlan. Keep in mind we still have nearly 1,800 Druin warships and over 1,900 Zynth warships.

Nearly 10,000 Confederation warships, said First Officer Kenold. No single Human star system can resist a force like that.

This time we will go in behind the Druins and the Zynth. We will take a lesson from our fleet admiral who attacked Earth. If necessary, I will order damaged Zynth and Druin ships to ram Human vessels and Human targets.

First Officer Kenold frowned. Our Druin and Zynth allies won’t be pleased with that tactic. Kenold knew this tactic had been used before.

They are weak allies at the best, replied Norlan dismissively. Better to sacrifice several hundred of their vessels than to lose a single Morag warship.

You are correct. When the time comes, I will assist you in implanting the necessary orders in the minds of the command crews. This victory will be ours, and the entire Hagen Star Cluster will fall to our forces. The same in the core worlds, when Fleet Admirals Torrant and Colane attack.

-

Admiral Cleemorl was on board the Themis. He had just returned from Tantula Five, after getting Krista and Cheryl settled in. Governor Dyson had been greatly honored by having one of the Royal Princesses come to the planet, as it was considered one of the safest places in the Human Empire. Krista had been greeted by an honor guard of over one thousand military personnel and had been taken on a quick tour of the city, before shown to her special suite of rooms, which were to be all hers. Also she had several large military vehicles on call at all times that could whisk her and her entourage to the underground Command Center at a moment’s notice.

Dylan had spent some time with Cheryl, telling her how happy he was she had come back to Tantula Five. He wished she had never left in the first place.

“I should have stayed,” confessed Cheryl, as she leaned forward and kissed Dylan on the lips.

“You’re here now, and that’s what’s important. You and Krista should be quite safe in the underground Command Center. From there both of you can keep track of the battle.”

“You just be careful,” replied Cheryl, her gaze meeting Dylan’s. “If something were to happen to you, I might have to go to the Confederation and conquer all their worlds myself.”

Dylan laughed. “I can just see you doing that.”

They spoke a little bit longer, and then Dylan had to return to his fleet. The expected attack by the Confederation fleets neared, and it could be anytime.

-

Dylan was back on board the Themis and had just sat down in his command chair when an alarm went off on the sensor console. “Report!”

“Zynth battlecruiser just dropped from hyperspace on the fringe of the system,” reported Lieutenant Casella. “I believe it’s scanning the system.”

To Dylan this was a good indication of an impending attack. “Take the entire star cluster to Condition Two. Condition One will most likely be issued in the next few hours.”

“Communications, I want to know if any Confederation warships are scanning any other star system within the cluster, and I want to know that information immediately.”

On the tactical display, the singe red threat icon sat immobile. “Send out two battlecruisers to chase that ship away,” ordered Dylan. He leaned back in his command chair, as two Imperial battlecruisers made the transition into hyperspace.

A few moments later the two battlecruisers appeared less than two thousand kilometers from the Zynth vessel and immediately opened fire. The Zynth commander must have been expecting this, as he immediately made the transition into hyperspace and fled the system.

-

Morag Admiral Norlan had his fleet just outside the Hagen Star Cluster. He waited for the Zynth battlecruiser he had sent to scan the Tantula System to return.

A green icon suddenly appeared on the tactical display.

Zynth battlecruiser is back, reported the sensor officer.

Results of scans are being transmitted now, added the communications officer.

-

For the next hour Admiral Norlan studied the scans, making notes of any changes since the last battle. He did note that the Earth and Imperil fleets were combined into one large fleet hovering over Tantula Five.

Nodding in satisfaction, he made an announcement to the combined fleets. We will enter hyperspace in two hours. Our target will be the inhabited moon of Gideon in the Tantula System.

Admiral Norlan was convinced that, if he could hit the moon before the Human fleet could react, he could cause some major damage. His plan was to keep the Human fleet away from the moon’s defensive grid, making the fleet more vulnerable. He would then destroy it, and, once the Human fleet was eliminated, destroying Gideon and Tantula Five would be a much easier task.

-

Krista and Cheryl had been whisked to the underground Command Center, as soon as Condition Two had been implemented. They were both now in the Command Center, where several comfortable chairs had been set up, so they could observe what was happening. A Marine major had been assigned to them to answer any questions they might have. Four Imperial Guards with their purple capes stood behind them. In addition, Brenda had been allowed in to attend to any needs that Krista might have. In front of them was a small table with sandwiches and drinks.

The large hatch opened again, and Mathew came in. He smiled at Krista and came over and gave her a big hug. “I’m glad to see you, but I’ve got a job to do.”

A look of concern crossed Krista’s face. “You’re not going back up to the Orion, are you?”

Mathew smiled. “No, I had a console set up here in the Command Center, so I can speak and direct the various interceptor squadrons. They’re still under my command.”

Krista felt relieved. “Then go do your job and save this star system.”

“I’ll do my best,” said Mathew, releasing Krista. Mathew then went off and sat down at a large console, where four other officers waited for him. The console was covered with small viewscreens and tactical readouts.

Krista noticed a lot of the female personnel in the Command Center stared at her, smiling. Krista realized they all approved of how Mathew had greeted her. It reminded all of them that Krista was just as Human as they were, with the same emotions and desires.

-

In the command chair surrounded by several high-ranking officers General Clarkson watched the viewscreens and the tactical displays intently. He was in constant communication with General Flynn on Gideon. Other communication stations were in contact with all the primary worlds in the star cluster, as well as most of the larger mining colonies.

General Clarkson looked at the fleet officer, standing next to him. “Order the High Kingdom and its two escorts to take a lower orbit, just beneath the defense grid. Also have the special shuttle ready to launch at a moment’s notice.” A special heavily armored shuttle was in a launch bay close to the surface. This would carry the Princess and her people to safety, if the worst came to be.

Suddenly alarms sounded, and, on one of the tactical displays, hundreds and then thousands of red threat icons appeared.

“They’re at Gideon,” reported the sensor officer. “Six thousand contacts and increasing.”

“Take us to Condition One,” ordered General Clarkson, just as Governor Dyson came in through the massive metal hatch that protected the Command Center.

Dyson’s face paled as he saw the red threat icons appearing on the tactical display. Taking a deep breath, he came over and sat down by Krista in an extra chair. “I don’t want to bother the general. He’ll be very busy for the next few hours.”

“That’s a lot of Confederation ships,” said Krista. She now wondered if they had made a mistake by coming here.

Governor Dyson nodded. “Yes, it is, but we’re prepared for them.”

-

Admiral Cleemorl had just given the order to go to Condition One. “What are we facing?”

“Six thousand Morag warships, 1,800 Druin warships, and 2,000 Zynth warships,” reported the sensor officer.

“Nearly ten thousand Confederation ships,” said Colonel Bidwell, his eyes widening. “Two thousand more Morag ships than they had last time.”

“Confederation forces are thirty thousand kilometers from Gideon,” added the sensor officer.

Dylan leaned back in his command chair. “Have the fleet set a course for Gideon, three-quarters sublight speed.” Dylan didn’t want to use a hyperspace jump. He wanted to watch the Confederation forces for a few minutes, just to see what they were up to.

-

On Gideon, General Flynn had already placed all of his forces at Condition One. The deep underground bunkers were all full and sealed, and all the cities were evacuated of everyone willing to leave their homes. Still a few thousand people in each city refused to leave. Most of these were older people who didn’t want to leave their homes and possessions behind.

“Are the attack interceptors ready?”

Colonel Edison nodded. “Yes, crews are standing by to launch.”

“We have some time,” replied General Flynn. “The Confederation is very slowly closing the distance. I believe they are making sure no surprises are waiting for them.” Fortunately there was no way they could know about the huge energy cannons on the base.

“Admiral Cleemorl’s fleet is coming up behind them,” reported Colonel Berks, who was second in command. “He’s still a good twenty minutes away but coming fast.”

“He’s being cautious.”

“I don’t blame him,” said Edison. “This will be the biggest battle in the Empire yet.”

General Flynn’s gaze shifted to the tactical display. If the Confederation threw this many ships at the Tantula System, what would they attack Golan Four with? “Send a directional hyperlight message to Golan Four and inform Fleet Admiral Marloo what we’re up against.”

-

Detecting a massive military base on the north pole of the moon, reported the Morag sensor officer. It’s by far the biggest one I’ve ever detected. The power readings coming from it are off the scales.

Morag Admiral Norlan grew suspicious. What is the base’s power source?

The sensor officer frowned and shook his head. If I’m reading this correctly, they have an active core tap.

Norlan knew how dangerous a core tap was. If the Humans lost control of it, the entire moon could be torn apart. See if you can find the source of the core tap. If we can destroy it, the battle for this moon will be over, as the core tap will do our job for us. The Humans may have made his job much easier by creating an easy way to destroy the moon.

-

“Engagement range in twelve minutes,” reported Lieutenant Casella. “The Confederation fleets will reach engagement range of Gideon four minutes before that.”

“I just received a message from General Flynn,” reported Colonel Bidwell. “The base on the pole is being scanned heavily. He believes they’re searching for the source of the core tap.”

Dylan nodded. He knew the power station for the core tap was nearly twenty kilometers underground, putting it out of range of any of the Confederation’s weapons. They would have to hit the ground above the core tap with at least forty antimatter missiles to come even close to it.

“Increase sublight speed to 90 percent. That should put us there a few minutes sooner.”

Dylan felt the Themis surge forward, as more power was fed to the sublight drive. Looking up at the tactical display, he saw the large number of green icons that surrounded his flagship. Taking in a deep breath, he knew it wouldn’t be long before they were once more engaged with the enemy.

-

Rear Admiral Carrie busily prepared her battlecarriers for combat. She knew that Major Barkley would command the actual interceptor squadrons once they were launched, and she wanted to ensure those launches went smoothly.

“I want all our battlecarriers ready to launch at a moment’s notice,” she told her executive officer, Major Patrick Sullivan. “Make sure all battlecarriers are prepared to execute hot turnarounds on all squadrons when they return to refuel and rearm.” The turbo engines on the interceptors were all that needed refueling. They allowed for rapid increases in speed. The regular sublight drive had a long-term power supply.

Carrie looked at the tactical display. It wouldn’t be much longer before they were in range of the Confederation fleets.

-

On Tantula Five, Krista and Cheryl watched tensely, as the Human fleet closed with the Confederation vessels.

“They look like so few,” said Cheryl, seeing how badly Dylan’s fleet was outnumbered.

“We’re always outnumbered,” replied Krista.

“I wouldn’t be too worried,” said Governor Dyson. “The biggest mousetrap ever built sits on the north pole of Gideon. If Admiral Cleemorl can force the Confederation ships into weapons range, we have a surprise waiting for them. You see, on the north pole of Gideon is the most powerful military base ever built by the Empire, designed to destroy a fleet, a Confederation fleet. Now we just have to wait and see if it works.”

Krista took Cheryl’s hand and squeezed.

Cheryl smiled and said, “Dylan knows what he’s doing. He may be our most talented admiral.”

Krista just hoped Cheryl was right. A lot was resting on what occurred in the next few minutes.

-

“Confederation fleet is heading toward the north pole of Gideon,” reported the sensor officer. “They will be in combat range of the moon in two minutes.”

“And us?” asked Dylan.

“We’re thirty seconds behind them.”

Dylan activated his ship-to-ship comm and waited for Rear Admiral Carrie to come on the line.

“Yes, sir,” she answered.

“We’ll be in combat range in another few seconds. As soon as you see the rest of the fleet open fire, you’re to launch all your interceptors. I want them to launch all their missiles from medium range and then return to be rearmed. I want those Confederation ships pushed closer to Gideon so the big base can hit them with their new fusion energy cannons.”

“What’s so special about those cannons?” asked Rear Admiral Carrie, confused.

Dylan smiled. “You will see. Stand by to launch.”

-

Rear Admiral Carrie was on board her flagship, the dreadnought Exeter. All twenty of her battlecarriers carried full loads of attack interceptors. Backup interceptors and crews had been brought in from several of the other primary worlds of the Hagen Star Cluster to fill out the squadrons that had suffered losses over Tantula Five, while fighting the Druin drones.

She had divided up her command. She was in charge of her dreadnought and all twenty battlecarriers. Rear Admiral Krest on board the dreadnought Tetrex was responsible for the defense of the battlecarriers.

Looking at her executive officer, she gave an order. “All carriers are to stand by to launch. Inform Major Barkley that Admiral Cleemorl wants a medium-range launch of missiles and then for the squadrons to return and rearm.”

On the main viewscreen, she saw the fleet slowing down, and then weapons fire erupted as the Confederation fleets lit up with explosions. At the same time the entire front of Admiral Cleemorl’s fleet lit up as well. The battle had started.

“Launch!” ordered Carrie. She felt the adrenaline flowing through her, as her heart beat rapidly. She knew what was at stake in this battle, and she had no intentions of letting Admiral Cleemorl down.

-

Dylan winced from the sheer volume of weapons fire striking his fleet. Already a number of battlecruisers and a few dreadnoughts had been destroyed. But the Confederation forces were suffering as well, as Imperial particle beams tore through ships, leaving lifeless hulks in space, and Rear Admiral Barnes’s accelerator cannons blew enemy ships into oblivion.

On the main viewscreens, Dylan saw the attack interceptors launching and forming up into squadrons. After only a few minutes they moved toward the Confederation fleet in two waves. Dylan needed their extra missiles to help push the Confederation fleet closer to Gideon and the heavy weapons of the base.

-

“Activate defense grid,” ordered General Flynn, as he watched the nearing enemy fleets on the viewscreens and tactical displays. The Confederation fleets were now in range of most of the grid. The ground-based PDCs were still out of range, but the distance was still dropping.

“The enemy fleets are still heading directly toward the north pole and this base,” reported Colonel Jensen. “They will be in range of our primary cannons in three more minutes, if they keep moving at their current speed and direction.”

“Have our primary cannons target enemy battleships. The more of them we can take out, the weaker their fleets will become.” A wolfish grin spread across General Flynn’s face. The Confederation fleets had no idea what was waiting for them when they engaged this base.

-

Morag Admiral Norlan was surprised by the heavy firepower coming from the moon’s defensive grid.

Enemy attack interceptors coming in range, warned the sensor officer. They’re launching their missiles. Missile count is 10,200 and still rising.

Shoot down as many of those as possible, ordered Norlan. The Humans were attempting to overload his fleets’ energy screens by massive missile bombardments.

Norlan wished he had some of the new light cruisers, designed to take out the Human interceptors, but Morag Fleet Admirals Torrant and Colane had all of them, since the two fleet admirals felt they would be needed in the Golan Four System, where they expected to face large numbers of the dangerous interceptors.

Order the Druins and the Zynth to engage the Human fleet. We’ll take out the moon’s defensive grid and that huge base.

-

The ODPs in range of the Confederation fleets were in full launch mode. They had extra-large supplies of missiles, and every ODP commander was intent on launching every missile he had into the enemy fleets. Fusion energy beams slammed into energy shields, and energy beam satellites intercepted a few missiles aimed toward the moon.

In the Confederation fleet formation, a large number of Druin and Zynth ships were destroyed by the particle beam cannons and the accelerator cannons. Everywhere along the front line near the Human fleets, ships were dying. Space was lit up like a massive nova from all the explosions going off.

The Morag, Druin, and Zynth fleets adjusted their formations, so the Morag were now actively engaged against the moon, and the Druin and the Zynth were engaged against the Human fleets. The battle grew more intense, as the weapons fire steadily increased when more defensive grid elements came into range.

In the Druin formation, a battlecruiser had a huge portion of its hull blown off, leaving dozens of compartments open to space. More explosions rattled the vessel, as it came apart. An antimatter missile finished off the ship, as a small nova appeared where the ship once was.

In the Human fleet, a dreadnought was being hammered as its screen became weaker and weaker. The screen suddenly flared up and failed, leaving the ship open to weapons fire. The ship was hit by so many fusion energy beams and missiles that it simply vaporized.

The defensive grid was now under fire from the Morag. Dozens of energy beam satellites were being blown apart and even a few missile platforms. The sky above Gideon was full of explosions. Occasionally a missile was intercepted by either an interceptor missile or shot down by a defensive energy beam turret, before it could hit the surface.

-

I want 10 percent of all our missiles fired to target that moon, ordered Admiral Norlan. I want to turn it into a wasteland.

On the main viewscreen, the Morag fleet was nearly over the pole. Norlan planned on hitting that massive base with nearly every weapon his fleet possessed. If he could hit the core tap, this moon would be history.

-

In the underground Command Center beneath the base, General Flynn watched the tactical displays and the viewscreens, as the Morag fleet moved into position above the base. Already orbital ODPs and parts of the defense grid above the base were firing on the enemy fleet.

“Morag fleet is almost in engagement range for our big fusion cannons,” reported Colonel Berks. “Estimate they will be in optimum firing range in two minutes.”

General Flynn nodded. He could have already fired the larger fusion cannons, but he wanted to kill as many Morag ships with the first firings as possible. “How are our energy shields?” Multiple energy shields protected the massive base.

“All at 100 percent,” replied Berks. “Core tap is functioning at 98 percent efficiency. We have plenty of power.”

“Locking on targets,” reported Colonel Harkin, who was at the massive tactical console, along with over twenty other officers.

On the main viewscreen, a highly magnified view showed the Morag fleet. Battleships and battlecruisers filled the screen. The fleet was already in heavy combat with the defensive grid, as energy beams and antimatter missiles struck the Morag fleet. Occasionally a Morag vessel would explode, as its energy shield was overloaded.

Wait until our main cannons fire, thought General Flynn. He doubted the Morag had ever encountered such firepower.

“Targeting Morag battleships,” reported Colonel Harkin. “We’ll be ready to fire in twenty seconds.”

On one of the viewscreens, the energy screens above the base suddenly lit up.

“In coming fire,” warned the sensor officer.

“Shields are holding at 97 percent,” added one of the tactical officers, whose job was to monitor the shields and to adjust power as needed.

“Optimum firing range and targets are locked in,” reported Colonel Harkin looking over at the general.

This was it. Time to see if their trap worked. “Fire!” ordered General Flynn, leaning forward in his command chair, his gaze focused on the viewscreens.

-

From the base sixty-two heavy fusion cannons fired in unison. Their beams shot up through the atmosphere and struck the energy shields of the targeted Morag battleships. They clung to the shields, as they grew brighter and brighter, and then they shot through, striking the armored hulls of the battleships. The beams smashed through the hulls, tearing though the compartments beneath. Secondary explosions rattled the battleships, as power conduits were torn apart, and multiple compartments were exposed to the uncaring vacuum of space.

Antimatter missiles arrived from the missile platforms, and, in a matter of less than a minute, the Morag lost fifty-eight of their first-line battleships.

-

Morag Admiral Norlan reeled in shock, as he watched his battleships destroyed by the massive fusion energy beams.

What are those? Norlan had never seen energy beams of such power before.

Fusion energy beams powered by the core tap, reported First Officer Kenold. They’re at least 30 to 40 percent more powerful than the energy beams of one of our battleships.

On the viewscreens, Norlan saw the beams fire again. Switch all of our weapons fire toward that base. Forget about bombing the moon. We must destroy that base, or it will destroy us! The Humans had forced him to change his battle plan again.

-

Krista and Cheryl watched breathlessly, as the main viewscreens showed the carnage inflicted on the Morag fleet. Battleship after battleship were blown out of space.

“We’re winning!” said Cheryl excitedly.

“So far,” said Governor Dyson. “But the Morag have one hell of a fleet out there. The battle is a long way from over.”

Krista moved her focus to where she knew the Themis was. She shook her head. It seemed to be in the middle of the fighting. She would expect no less from Dylan. Krista was being careful not to point out the location of the Themis to Cheryl, as it would probably freak her out.

Looking over at Mathew, Krista noted he spoke to several officers at once, as he directed the attack interceptor squadrons. She was very proud of him.

-

Admiral Cleemorl felt the Themis shudder, as it flew through a barrage of antimatter missiles. For a moment the ship’s energy screen had dropped to 62 percent.

“Ground-based attack interceptors are being launched,” reported Colonel Bidwell. “Major Barkley is ordering the interceptors to fly above the Morag fleet, to release all their missiles, and then head to the battlecarriers to rearm.”

Dylan nodded his approval. They needed to hammer the Morag fleet, the juggernaut for this attack. Destroy it and the battle was over.

“How are we doing on destroying the Druin and Zynth battleships?”

“Forty-eight percent have been destroyed. Some are deep in the fleet formations and hard to reach. We may have to clear a path to them.”

“We will continue to press the attack.” At the moment the Human fleets and the Zynth and Druin fleets were pretty evenly matched, with the new particle beam cannons and accelerator cannons giving the Human fleet a slight edge. “Contact Major Barkley and inform him that I want the next two interceptor attack waves to concentrate on the Druins and the Zynth. After that they are to focus on the Morag fleet.”

On one of the viewscreens, a Human battlecruiser was torn apart by Druin fusion energy beam fire. Beam after beam struck the ship, ripping through it. He saw crewmembers sucked out into the vacuum of space. Finally an antimatter missile arrived, putting the ship and its crew out of their misery. Dylan shuddered, thinking about all the lives lost on those warships.

“Get me Rear Admiral Barnes, Rear Admiral Fulmar, and Rear Admiral Manson,” ordered Dylan. In moments he had them on the comm. “Rear Admiral Fulmar, I want you to concentrate on the Druin ships. Rear Admiral Manson, I want you to concentrate on the Zynth. My section of the fleet will concentrate on both. Rear Admiral Barnes will continue to target the enemy battleships in both fleets. I want them destroyed.”

-

Druin Admiral Falorr looked over at his first officer. “How many flight-worthy drones do we have? I don’t care if they’re combat capable. I just want them to carry a load of missiles.”

First Officer Dagor did some checking and then reported. “We have 617 flight capable.”

Falorr nodded satisfied. “Get them loaded with missiles and then have them target the moon. Those that can launch their missiles are to do so and then return. Those that can’t are to crash into any Human city they can find.” Falorr was intent on causing as much damage to the Human moon of Gideon as possible. It was already evident the Morag were intent on destroying the massive Human base on the pole. At the moment they weren’t having a lot of luck.

The Humans had installed a core tap and were using that energy to power tremendously powerful fusion energy beam cannons—if they could even be called fusion. This was just pure energy fired off in a beam form toward targets. Those targets at the moment were the Morag battleships.

On one of the viewscreens, drones began launching from one of the drone carriers; at the same time Falorr’s flagship shook violently, as an energy beam penetrated the ship’s shield.

“Minor damage to one of the aft cargo holds and supply areas,” reported the damage control officer.

Admiral Falorr frowned. “Move us back farther into our formation.” He had no plans on dying here.

-

What’s Admiral Falorr doing with his drones? demanded Morag Admiral Norlan. He reached out with his mind and was stunned when he was blocked. Falorr was wearing a nullifier! Where did he get that?

The drones are targeting the moon with antimatter and fusion missiles, replied First Officer Kenold. They are going up and around our fleets to avoid combat. Cancel that. A number of Human attack interceptors have just changed course to intercept them.

Admiral Norlan was aggravated. Druin Admiral Falorr should not have taken such an action without permission. When this was over, Norlan would speak to Falorr about taking such an initiative without first speaking to him.

-

In space, the Druin drones had been detected, and Major Barkley had redirected a number of squadrons to intercept. He suspected what the drones were up to because Vice Fleet Admiral Masters had once done the same thing to the Druin homeworld.

Four hundred and fifteen attack interceptors were directed to intercept the drones and destroy them. The interceptors had recently been rearmed and were on their way to launch their missiles at the Morag.

“Target those drones,” ordered Lieutenant Mallory, as his interceptor locked on a drone. “We can’t let them get through to Gideon.”

The interceptors dove on the drones, only to find the drones were not firing back. They dodged and wove an intricate pattern in space designed to avoid fire, even as so many of them were still destroyed.

They came within range of the defense grid, and energy beam satellites locked on and took out more of them. Space was full of explosions, but, in the core of the Druin drone formation, twenty-three drones were not capable of launching their missiles. Instead they accelerated to their top speed flying through the defensive grid which could not lock on. From the surface, interceptor missiles and additional energy beam fire took out a few of them. Several exploded as the terrific heat of their passage through the atmosphere brought down their energy shields, and the incredible heat melted the hulls, destroying the drones.

A few more were picked off by ground fire, and then fourteen of them slammed into the surface, detonating the fusion and antimatter missiles in their holds. The entire moon shook slightly from the detonations. Huge debris clouds rose into the air. Massive blast waves radiated outward, leveling buildings, setting forests on fire, and contaminating the surrounding countryside. Huge mushroom clouds rose into the atmosphere to the very edge of space. Dust, smoke, and pollutants rose, the sky darkening.

-

In the underground Command Center, General Flynn turned pale, as reports of the damage came in. Early estimates pointed to nearly 23 percent of the surface now being uninhabitable. An estimated twelve million people had died in the blasts.

“We have rescue personnel already on their way to the affected areas,” reported Colonel Berks. “The drones were moving at nearly sublight speeds, and we couldn’t stop them all.”

Several viewscreens revealed the damage. Fires raged out of control; roadways were blocked or were now nonexistent; dams had burst, and power stations were just leveled.

“Did any drones survive?” asked Flynn.

“None,” answered Colonel Edison. “Our attack interceptors and Rear Admiral Carrie’s interceptors took out all the rest.”

General Flynn returned his attention to the battle in space. Already his main fusion energy cannons had destroyed hundreds of Morag battleships, and the base’s other weapons were blowing apart numerous Morag battlecruisers. Space was littered with debris.

“ODP eleven is under heavy fire!” called out Colonel Harkin. “It’s energy shield is failing.”

On one of the viewscreens, the stricken ODP appeared. It was covered in explosions, as its energy shield was battered down. Huge sections of the station were torn apart, as fusion energy beams ripped open the hull, causing more explosions, hurling hull material off into space. In a massive explosion, the ODP blew apart, scattering flaming debris in every direction.

“Several other ODPs are reporting damage,” added Colonel Harkin.

General Flynn knew what the Morag were doing. They were attacking the defensive grid directly above the base, so they could hit the base with more of their weapons. “All we can do is keep hitting them and hope we hurt them bad enough to force them to withdraw.” General Flynn leaned back, knowing this battle was a long way from over, and Gideon would probably be hit again.

-

Krista and Cheryl looked on in shock at the huge mushroom clouds rising above Gideon.

“At least most of Gideon’s population is safe in the underground bunkers and in the mountains,” explained Governor Dyson.

“It’s horrible,” said Krista, realizing that could easily have been Tantula Five or even Golan Four. Now she understood why Layla and Derrick wanted her safely away from the Imperial Palace.

“Who is winning?” asked Cheryl. She saw so much destruction on both sides that it was hard to tell. Her gaze searched for and then found the Themis. She hadn’t told Krista that she had known which green icon was Dylan’s ship.

“Right now we have a slight advantage,” answered the military officer, sitting with them. “The Empire’s particle beam cannons are inflicting heavy damage on the enemy’s battleships. The same for the accelerator cannons on Rear Admiral Barnes’s ships. The big base at Gideon’s north pole is causing considerable damage as well.”

“This can’t last much longer,” said Governor Dyson. “Each side is taking heavy losses.”

Looking at the tactical displays, Krista saw Imperial and Earth ships vanishing, as they were hit by enemy weapons and destroyed. So many were destroyed that she could not even keep count. Looking where Dylan’s flagship was, it seemed to be safe for the moment, but who knew for how much longer? Krista saw Cheryl’s gaze raptly watching the long-range viewscreens, showing the battle. “Dylan’s still fine.”

Cheryl nodded. Her heart pounded. She found she couldn’t even reply.

-

Dylan grew more concerned with every passing moment. If this battle continued as it was, no ships would remain of any of the engaged fleets, including the Confederation. Everything was too evenly matched.

“We need to break this stalemate,” commented Colonel Bidwell.

Dylan nodded. “I know, but, if this continues, these Confederation fleets will no longer be a threat to the Empire.”

“True, but we won’t have much of a fleet left either.”

On the viewscreens, everywhere Dylan looked was wreckage. Some large and much of it just small pieces drifting in space. Dylan felt uneasy looking at the viewscreens. Occasionally bodies were visible, floating in the darkness.

The Themis shook violently, and a few red icons appeared on the damage control board to join the others already there.

“Fusion beam hit to the starboard side,” reported the damage control officer. “We lost two small energy beam turrets and a missile tube.”

The damage was adding up. Dylan thought hard about what he could to that would be a game changer. If things stayed as they were, he could destroy the Confederation fleets, but his fleet would no longer be an effective fighting force. There would be little of it left. Closing his eyes, he shook his head. There had to be something he could do.

-

Morag Admiral Norlan had arrived at the same conclusion. If the battle continued as it was, his fleets would lose. Of course the enemy fleets would be destroyed as well. It’s time we send in some of the Druins ships to ram the base on the pole.

First Officer Kenold nodded in agreement. I will help you emplace the commands in the command crews of the selected vessels.

I want thirty undamaged Druin warships. That will allow them to defend themselves. They are to set their fusion and antimatter missiles to explode on contact with either the ground or an energy shield. We will send them in fifteen minutes.

Instantly the two got busy entering the minds of the Druin command crews and emplacing their orders in their minds. None of the Druins thought it strange that they were to suicide their ships.

-

The minutes passed, and suddenly thirty Druin battlecruisers broke formation and headed toward Gideon.

“Where are those ships going?” demanded Druin Admiral Falorr. “Contact them and tell them to get back in formation.”

“They’re not responding,” replied the communications officer.

Instantly Falorr knew what had happened. Admiral Norlan had taken over the minds of those Druin command crews and had ordered them to commit suicide, by ramming the big base of the Humans. “Contact Zynth Admiral Donlur. We need to talk.” Falorr would not allow his fleet to be treated like this. They were not cannon fodder for the Morag.

-

In the underground Command Center, the sensor officer noticed the inbound Druin warships. “General, we may have a problem. Thirty Druin battlecruisers have left their formation and are headed directly toward the base.”

“Suiciders,” suggested Colonel Berks worriedly. “I’ve heard rumors the Morag have done this before.”

General Flynn knew he could not allow a single one of those vessels to strike his base. “Switch all base weapons to target those ships and destroy them!” His gaze focused on the tactical display.

-

In space, the Druin ships sped up, as they headed toward the moon. They passed through the Morag formation and were soon hit by the remaining defensive grid. Seven Druin battlecruisers died in spectacular explosions as all the fusion and antimatter weapons on board detonated.

The remaining ships were now taking fire from the big base. Battlecruiser after battlecruiser were being blown apart. Each destroyed ship lit up space, like a supernova. Twelve more ships died as they entered the atmosphere.

The weapons fire intensified as every weapon in range tried to shoot down the incoming ships. Eight more died, setting off tremendous explosions in the atmosphere. The three surviving battlecruisers were hit numerous times, but they were now too close to the surface. All three of them slammed into the energy shields of the big base. The entire moon shook from the sheer ferocity of the blasts.

-

Inside the underground Command Center, General Flynn was thrown to the floor. Consoles exploded in huge showers of sparks, and military personnel cried out in pain. The lights dimmed and then turned bright once again. Overhead beams came crashing down, smashing consoles and personnel.

Staggering back to his feet, General Flynn sat back down. “What did we lose?” He didn’t know if any of the base had survived the blasts. “Someone check on the core tap.”

“Forty percent of the base is gone,” reported Colonel Berks, who had a large bleeding gash across his forehead. “Power from the core tap has been greatly reduced. We can’t fire any of the big cannons.”

“Find out what’s wrong and get it fixed. We need those big cannons!”

The viewscreens and tactical displays flickered and then cleared. A view from one of the ODPs revealed the base. All that was visible were three huge mushroom clouds rising into the atmosphere.

“Get some techs in here and medical personnel. I need this Command Center back up and running and all the rubble cleared out.”

“Missile batteries and secondary fusion turrets have power and can fire,” reported Colonel Harkin. His left arm hung limply at his side, obviously broken.

“Colonel, get to medical.”

“No, sir. I need to remain at my station. I’ve taken some painkillers, and I’m fine for now.”

General Flynn nodded. “I need those big cannons firing as soon as possible. Get everything else firing now!”

“I just spoke to the lead technician over at the core tap,” reported Colonel Berks. “They took some major damage but can have full power restored in five minutes. They don’t know how long that will last. They’re close to losing it. They may have to detonate the deep fusion devices to close off the tap.”

“I’ll take the power for as long as they can provide it.” Flynn knew this was bad news about the core tap. They all knew that the deep fusion devices might not shut it down. If they didn’t, then the entire moon was lost.

-

Admiral Cleemorl looked in shock at the massive mushroom clouds rising above the base. From what he saw, no way to tell if any of the base had survived. “Can we contact them?”

Lieutenant Newsome shook his head. “Too much static. I’m trying, but, so far, I can’t get through.”

“Admiral, the base has started firing again,” reported Colonel Bidwell, pointing at a large viewscreen. Sure enough, some weaker fusion beams were visible, as well as missiles. To Dylan, the base had been heavily damaged. The questions were, how much of it was left, and could they get the big cannons firing again?

-

Druin Admiral Falorr watched a timer. Neither he nor Zynth Admiral Donlur would allow any more of their crews to be used like that by the Morag. The timer hit zero, and all the Druin and Zynth ships that could enter hyperspace vanished from above Gideon.

“Where are we going?” asked First Officer Dagor. Just the thought of the Morag being able to take over his mind made him want to get as far away as possible.

“Home,” answered Falorr in a tired voice. “We need to report what the Morag were doing. It won’t go over very well with our military leaders.”

“But what can we do? The Morag can still control our minds.”

“Not if we have enough of these,” replied Falorr, pointing to the nullifier he wore. “I suspect our alliance with the Morag is about to come to an end.” Falorr was glad that a contact of his had been able to get two of the nullifier headsets. He had one, and Zynth Admiral Donlur had one. Falorr had never trusted the Morag, and now it seemed his instincts toward the Morag had been true.

-

Morag Admiral Norlan was stunned when the Druins and the Zynth suddenly made the transition into hyperspace and withdrew from the battle. Attempts to contact them were unsuccessful.

It’s because we used some of their ships as suiciders, sent First Officer Kenold. They left so we couldn’t do it again.

Looking at the tactical displays, Norlan saw the Human fleets reorganizing in preparation for moving against his fleet. He still had the numbers, but now the Morag were on their own.

-

“We have full power from the core tap again,” reported Colonel Berks. “The scientists and technicians feel they can give us thirty more minutes, and then they need to try to shut it down. If they’re unsuccessful, they’ll have to detonate the fusion charges.”

“Can we fire the big cannons?”

“Yes, General,” reported Colonel Harkin. “We only have twenty-eight of them still fully functional. Some of the others were damaged from all the shaking from the explosions.”

“Then fire them!” ordered Flynn. “This battle isn’t over yet.”

-

Dylan smiled when he saw the big cannons from the base firing once more. Not near as many but it indicated a sizable portion of the base still survived. “Move us forward. It’s time we engaged the Morag.”

Looking at the tactical display, it was obvious that, between his fleet and Rear Admiral Barnes’s, they had lost nearly 30 percent of their ships. However, they still had a powerful fleet, and it was time to teach the Morag a lesson. Already he noticed that General Flynn had moved some of the other ODPs to put them within firing range of the Morag. This battle still had a long way to go.

-

In the underground Command Center on Tantula Five, everyone stared at the giant mushroom clouds rising above the base. Absolute quiet took over the massive Command Center.

“We have reports of an increase in earthquakes, and several volcanoes have erupted on Gideon,” reported Colonel Jensen. “We have contacted the base, and General Flynn reports they lost over 40 percent of it. He also says they may lose the core tap, and they’ll try to shut it down in thirty minutes. They don’t know if they will be successful.”

“Send our interceptors to Gideon,” ordered General Clarkson. “At full speed they can be there in twenty minutes. Maybe they can make a difference.” It was a chance he was taking, sending in his interceptors. But he wanted to keep the battle at Gideon. He didn’t want to see that kind of damage on Tantula Five.

-

Krista and Cheryl could not believe what they saw. The inhabited moon of Gideon was on one of the viewscreens. The big mushroom clouds were clearly visible. The moon’s atmosphere was already turning a dark gray with static lightning.

“That’s horrible,” said Cheryl, tears in her eyes. She knew that tens of millions of people must have just died. “That’s what they’ll do to Golan Four, if they get the chance.”

Krista nodded. She felt ill, seeing all the destruction. “That’s why both Dylan and Derrick insist on leading their fleets. They know what’s at stake.”

Cheryl shook her head. “I feel guilty about being so selfish. Dylan is where he needs to be.”

Krista returned her attention to the viewscreens. She knew that soon Golan Four might well be under the same type of attack.

-

Morag Admiral Norlan was now heavily engaged against the Human fleet, as well as the defenses of the moon. At the moment he was losing two ships for every Human ship he destroyed. Between the Human fleets’ particle beams and accelerator cannons, he had already lost most of his battleships. Now the big base on the moon had started firing again. Not as heavily as before, but those big beams were still deadly.

We can’t win, said First Officer Kenold, his eyes wide in disbelief. We lost the Druin and Zynth fleets, and our own fleet has suffered substantial losses. We have fewer than four thousand ships left. The Humans have nearly two thousand warships, plus several thousand of their attack interceptors. We have also detected another three thousand that have launched from Tantula Five. They will be here in about fifteen to twenty minutes.

On the viewscreen, one of his few remaining Morag battleships exploded, blown apart by an energy beam strike from the moon. If Norlan stayed, he could still destroy Gideon and the Human fleet, but he would have no fleet left.

Taking a deep breath, he shook his head. We have no choice. We must withdraw. Even if we destroy Gideon and the Human fleet, we won’t have the forces left to conquer Tantula Five and the rest of the cluster. We have lost. Stand by to take the fleet into hyperspace. At least I can save the rest of the fleet.

A few moments later, the Morag fleet disappeared from the Tantula Five System. The battle for the Hagen Star Cluster was over, and the Humans had won.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Dylan was stunned when the Morag ships suddenly vanished, as they made the transition into hyperspace. On the tactical display, only a few heavily damaged Morag ships remained, and Gideon’s defensive grid was taking care of those.

“Where did they go?” asked Colonel Bidwell, as he gazed at the empty viewscreens.

“They left,” replied Dylan. “Their admiral realized, as we did, that neither side would win this battle, so he pulled out.”

“Where will they go?”

Dylan thought for a long moment and then replied, “Probably to join up with the other Morag forces to attack Golan Four.”

Dylan quickly contacted Rear Admiral Barnes and ordered her and Rear Admiral Carrie to return to Tantula Five. He would stay at Gideon with his fleet—or what remained of it. On the ship’s main viewscreen, Gideon’s atmosphere turned darker and darker.

-

In the underground Command Center, General Flynn leaned back in his command chair, feeling as if a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders. Gideon was a mess, but they had survived and had driven off the Confederation fleets. “Take all commands to Condition Three, and implement full rescue operations.”

Flynn knew that, in only minutes, a massive rescue effort would begin. In each of the huge underground bunkers, hundreds and then tens of thousands of rescue personnel would be moving out.

“Get me the scientist in charge of the core tap. I need to know what’s going on over there.” If the tap blew, then all of this was for nothing.

“I just talked to him,” replied Colonel Berks. “They’ve successfully shut it down. However, he says it will take over a week to repair the damage.”

Flynn nodded. “I think he will have that week. Now let’s see what we can do about repairing parts of this base, just in case those Confederation fleets return.” He knew from earlier reports that many of the weapons just needed some minor repairs. However, some of the larger weapons, like the big energy cannons, their tubes were either warped or the frame holding the cannons was partially collapsed.

-

In the underground Command Center on Tantula Five, there was considerable cheering. The Confederation fleets had been driven off, and, so far, no one else reported any signs of them across the cluster.

Governor Dyson stood and walked over to General Clarkson. “I want Operation Salvage implemented immediately. Send the message out to the other primary worlds of the cluster.”

Dyson returned and sat back down next to Krista.

“What’s Operation Salvage?”

Dyson smiled and gestured toward the tactical display, where a large number of friendly green icons appeared. “Those large cargo ships contain everything Gideon might need to rebuild. Every primary world in the cluster will send a fleet like that in the next few hours. The first thing we’ll do is clean the moon’s atmosphere, putting out fires, helping to rescue survivors. Two years from now you won’t be able to tell Gideon was even attacked.”

Krista nodded. “I think I can assure you that the Empire will send whatever is needed as well. This battle wasn’t just for the Tantula System. It was for the Empire.”

“Thank you, Princess,” replied Governor Dyson. “The help will be much appreciated.”

Looking at the main tactical display, Krista was relieved to see the Themis still there. Now the main part of the battle would shift to the Golan Four System, where Layla was. One worry was over, with an even larger one about to begin.

-

On Golan Four in the underground Command Center beneath the House of Worlds, Fleet Admiral Dom Marloo just received the final report from the battle over Gideon. Both Admiral Cleemorl and Fleet Admiral Marloo were in agreement. The defeated Morag forces would join up with the forces aimed at Golan Four and then attack the Golan Four System in a massive attack.

“Can you spare Rear Admiral Carrie and Rear Admiral Krest?” asked Admiral Marloo. “I could sure use her battlecarriers and Krest’s warships.”

“I believe so,” replied Dylan. “However, many of her pilot crews and interceptors are from this cluster. I would like to keep them, so we have a reasonable number of interceptors here to help protect Gideon and Tantula Five, in case the Druins or the Zynth return.”

“No problem,” replied Marloo. “I can get the necessary interceptors and crews from the other core worlds. I’ll have them here waiting, when Rear Admiral Carrie arrives. I also doubt if we’ll be seeing any more of the Druins or the Zynth. I believe the Morag might have shattered their alliance when their admiral took over the minds of those thirty Druin ships that attacked the base. They can’t be happy about that. The next meeting of their Great Council might see the Confederation shattered.”

“Let’s hope so,” said Dylan. “We already know the Lormallians and the Zang are close to rebelling. Perhaps we should find a way to add some encouragement.”

Marloo nodded thoughtfully. “I know the Visth are in contact with the Lormallian councilor. Perhaps I could set up a clandestine meeting, and we could discuss some options.”

“I’ll leave that part up to you. In the meantime, I better get busy and start rebuilding this system’s defenses. Fortunately I can get everything I need from the other six primary systems as well as from a few of the larger mining colonies.”

“You fought a great battle,” praised Marloo. “Now let’s just hope we can do the same thing here.”

-

Layla was in the Imperial Palace in her office. She had just been contacted by Governor Dyson of Tantula Five as to the damage suffered on Gideon. From the latest reports, they were estimating the Human losses at over forty million, maybe more. Already rescue personnel and supplies were pouring in from all the other worlds in the star cluster. Layla had also talked briefly with Krista and promised that the Empire would also help rebuild Gideon.

“We’ll be next,” said Andrew, who sat in front of her desk. “Based on the fleet size that hit Gideon, we can expect an attack by up to ten thousand Morag warships.”

“Can we stop that many?”

“Maybe,” replied Andrew. “We’ll take some damage. There will just be way too many missiles flying around.”

“How’s Kala doing?” Layla knew Kala was concerned about the coming attack. Everyone was.

“Same as everyone else. Dreading the coming attack but wishing it were over.”

Layla leaned back, putting her right hand on her desk. “At least Krista, Cheryl, and Dylan are safe. I’m glad Krista finally relented and agreed to go to Tantula Five.”

“Right into the war,” pointed out Andrew.

Layla nodded. “The combined defenses of Tantula Five and Gideon were more than what we have here. Not only that but I trusted Dylan to keep her safe, and we had contingencies in case, if it looked as if the Confederation fleets would win.” Layla had only talked briefly to Krista, though Layla hoped to have a much longer conversation later in the day. She really hated being separated from her cousin and Derrick, who was stuck on board the Destiny. He was so close but still so far away.

-

In the Tantula Five System, Admiral Cleemorl watched as Rear Admiral Carrie and Rear Admiral Krest took their ships into hyperspace. He had replaced all of Rear Admiral Krest’s ships that had been destroyed from his own fleet, to bring her force up to where it was when it had first entered the Tantula System.

Dylan leaned back in his command chair. His ship was back over Tantula Five, where work crews from the shipyards were already busy doing repairs. “What were our final losses?”

Colonel Bidwell shook his head. “They hurt us pretty badly. We still have about a dozen ships that might have to be scrapped. In the battles, we lost 512 battlecruisers and 42 dreadnoughts. That leaves us with an effective force of 838 battlecruisers and 88 dreadnoughts.

“What about Rear Admiral Barnes?”

“She lost 374 battlecruisers and 62 dreadnoughts.”

It was not as bad as it could have been. If the Druins and the Zynth had not retreated, the losses could easily have been double what they were or even worse. The Morag admiral had made a tactical error, and it had cost them the battle.

Dylan wondered if this would delay Earth’s planned attack on the Confederation. He hoped not. When he had the chance, he would speak to Rear Admiral Barnes about that.

-

Morag Fleet Admiral Torrant was fuming. He had already torn his command chair from its mount and tossed it across the Command Center, destroying another console. Everyone stayed out of his way. That fool Norlan may have just cost them this war. He should have known better than to take over the minds of the crews of undamaged ships. If he had chosen heavily damaged ships that would have been destroyed anyway, he might have gotten away with it. Now both the Druin and the Zynth fleets had vanished. There was no doubt in Torrant’s mind that they were on their way back to the Confederation to report on what had happened at Gideon. How soon before Admiral Norlan gets here?

Another thirty hours, answered the navigation officer.

Fleet Admiral Torrent knew that Admiral Norlan still had nearly four thousand warships, though many of them were from the reserve. We will wait until Norlan arrives with his fleet and then attack Golan Four. We will attack in forty hours, and all ships should be ready to enter hyperspace at that time.

Torrant looked at his demolished command chair. Have some techs come in here and repair that, he sent, pointing to the twisted pedestal his command chair once sat on. I’ll be in my quarters. When they attacked, he would put Admiral Norlan in the most dangerous position in the fleet. A fool like that did not deserve to be in command.

-

Everyone watched as the angry fleet admiral left the Command Center. Once he was gone, First Officer Markel summoned some techs to repair the damage.

-

The next day Vice Fleet Admiral Derrick Masters had his fleet in a distant orbit of Golan Four. Derrick had 1,072 battlecruisers and 212 dreadnoughts in his fleet. A few more warships had arrived over the last few days. In addition, Rear Admiral Banora had 1,242 battlecruisers and 210 dreadnoughts. Derrick had combined both fleets into one massive wedge-shaped formation.

In lower orbit, just above the defense grid, hovered Rear Admiral Collison’s fleet. Collison had 1,253 battlecruisers and 242 dreadnoughts.

Derrick gazed at the tactical display, thinking about how this battle would go. Over the last month Prince Andrew had been working himself to death, getting particle beam cannons installed on all the shipyards and space stations. Each shipyard had twenty of the dual cannons and the power systems to handle them. The space stations had ten. Derrick didn’t see how Prince Andrew had managed to get all the cannons installed in time, but he had.

“Rear Admiral Carrie should be here in another few hours,” reported Colonel Bryant. “What will you do with her fleet?”

“Get full complements of attack interceptors on board her battlecarriers and put them and Rear Admiral Krest’s fleet directly behind us. We can stage ground-based interceptors through her bays. We also have the fifteen battlecarriers that came with Rear Admiral Collison. They’ll stay just beneath the defense grid. For the time being, they will be responsible for intercepting any missiles aimed at the surface that gets through the grid.”

On the tactical display, Derrick looked at Golan Four’s massive defense grid, the most powerful one in the Empire. Even more powerful than the ones above Tantula Five and Gideon. Currently Golan Four had 30 ODPs, 3,000 energy platforms, 520 missile platforms, and 20 PDCs. All four space stations were heavily armed and possessed powerful energy shields. The four shipyards have been expanded and were protected by energy shields. In addition large numbers of missile interceptors were based on the planet, and every major city sat inside a ring of energy beam turrets, which were designed to track and to take out incoming missiles. Also 12,000 ground-based attack interceptors were at sixteen bases.

With a deep sigh, Derrick knew they were as ready as they would ever be. If he could not hold back the Morag with the ships and defenses he had available, then the war was lost. One thing did concern him: the rumors that the Morag had a secret weapon that would assure them victory. This rumor had kept him up for several nights over the last week. Whatever that secret weapon was, it had not been used in the Tantula Five System.

“I’ll have Rear Admiral Collison form his fleet into a 10-high line formation and 120 ships long. Once Rear Admiral Krest gets here, I’ll add her ships to Collison’s as a reserve.”

Colonel Bryant nodded. She saw Derrick’s reasoning.

“I’ll let Collison attack independently from different directions. Maybe it will help disrupt the Morag’s fleet formation.”

“Let’s hope so.”

Derrick sat forward in his command chair. Admiral Cleemorl had won his battle and had driven away the Zynth, the Druins, and the Morag. Soon it would be Derrick’s turn, and he hoped he was just as successful. Derrick’s greatest worry was the sheer amount of Morag ships he might be facing.

-

Several hours passed, and Rear Admiral Carrie’s fleet dropped out of hyperspace. As soon as her fleet was all safely in the system, she received orders from Admiral Masters to take up a position directly behind his wedge-shaped fleet. He would provide her with twenty battlecruisers for protection. Rear Admiral Krest was to take her fleet and join Rear Admiral Collison’s fleet.

“Put us behind Admiral Masters’ fleet,” ordered Rear Admiral Carrie. She saw the fifteen Earth battlecarriers, sitting just behind an ODP and behind the defensive grid that surrounded Golan Four. “Rear Admiral Krest will be taking her fleet to reinforce Rear Admiral Collison. Have our escorts that Fleet Admiral Masters is furnishing us form up into a lose globe around our battlecarriers.”

It didn’t take long for her fleet to be in position. “We will have some attack interceptors coming up from the surface.” She looked over at Major Sullivan. “See that the crews get settled in. I would also like to run a few practice drills, to remind them what landing and taking off from a battlecarrier is like.”

As soon as she contacted the surface and informed the commanding officer of the interceptors that the fleet was ready to receive, numerous squadrons of attack interceptors launched from the surface to fill the bays of her battlecarriers. She still had nearly half of her original squadrons and two-thirds of her pilots and crews.

“Get those interceptors in as soon as possible,” she ordered, as she watched them land on her battlecarriers. “Get them familiar with the ship and assign them to quarters. We probably still have twelve to sixteen hours before the Morag attack. I would like to do several practice drills in that time period.”

“Yes, Admiral,” replied Major Sullivan. “I’ll get it taken care of immediately. I want them to get some food and rest as well. Once this battle starts, rest and time to eat will be a thing of the past.”

Carrie needed to speak to Admiral Masters, and then she would go do the same. A good eight hours of sleep and then a good meal and she would be ready for what was ahead. At least she hoped she would be.

-

Layla paced in her quarters. She had just finished talking to Krista, and it looked as if Krista and the others were safe. It had been the right decision to send them to Tantula Five, where Admiral Cleemorl was. Layla was ready to go to bed and knew there was a chance she might be awoken in the middle of the night and rushed to the protective bunker deep beneath the Palace. Colonel Emerson stood ready with an escort of Imperial Guards to get her into the underground bunker as soon as confirmed reports of the Morag’s arrival reached him.

Sitting on a sofa, Layla couldn’t help but think about Derrick. He was about to put himself in the greatest danger of his career. She felt a cold chill run down her back, knowing there was a good chance she might not ever see him again. With a deep sigh, she knew this would be a long and sleepless night.

-

Hours later in the underground Command Center, Fleet Admiral Marloo had just returned from getting some sleep. Sitting down in his command chair, he looked up at all the viewscreens and tactical displays, showing views from all the core worlds. Everything was still quiet, but he knew that would probably change in the next few hours.

Looking at the main tactical display, he took note of the fleet dispositions that Derrick had made. It didn’t look to him as if Derrick planned on fighting a defensive battle. His fleets were set up to attack.

“It won’t be too much longer,” commented Colonel Marst, who was in charge of Golan Four’s 12,000 attack interceptors. “Do you think they’ll attack both us and Meta at the same time?”

Admiral Marloo shook his head. “No, I think they learned their lesson in the Tantula Five System. They’ll come straight for Golan Four. They know, if they can destroy our home planet, it will make a huge difference in the war.”

Colonel Marst nodded, as he turned and sat down in front of his command console, where four other officers were.

On one viewscreen was a view of the Imperial Palace. It looked grand in the early morning light. Marloo hoped it was still there when all this was over.

Suddenly an alarm sounded on the main sensor console. Looking up at the tactical display that showed the entire star system, half a dozen red threat icons appeared.

“They’re scanning us,” reported Colonel Adams from the sensor console. “Detecting two Morag battleships and four battlecruisers.”

Ten Human ships from Fifth Fleet suddenly vanished to appear in combat range of the Morag ships. There was a brief exchange of weapons fire, and then the Morag vessels made the transition back into hyperspace.

“Take all commands to Condition Two,” ordered Fleet Admiral Marloo. It would probably be a few minutes or longer before the main Morag force jumped in. They would want to go over the scans made by their warships before committing themselves to battle. “Send a message to Colonel Emerson that we’ve gone to Condition Two, and he’s to get the High Princess and Prince Andrew to the deep underground bunker beneath the Palace. Make sure you get a confirmation that the message was received.”

Leaning back in his command chair, Admiral Marloo had most of the viewscreens changed to show views of Golan Four’s magnificent cities. Nearly 28 percent of the population were in underground bunkers. Another 20 percent had been evacuated to mountainous regions. Nearly 22 percent had their own personal shelters beneath or near their homes. Another 17 percent of the planet’s population lived in rural areas. That left about 13 percent still in the cities and unprotected. Those people would be directed to building basements and large underground storage facilities.

Marloo knew that alarms already sounded in all the cities and across the planet. Marloo saw a few aircars, fleeing into the countryside. Probably people who had waited until the last minute to leave their homes. His gaze returned to the main tactical display. All he could do now was wait.

-

Layla was awakened when Colonel Emerson burst into her bedroom. He had passwords where he could override the door locks on every suite in the Royal living quarters of the Palace.

“Get up and get dressed,” said Emerson. “Morag scout ships have already jumped into the outer regions of the system. Fleet Admiral Marloo expects the main Morag force to appear at any time.”

Layla sat up and nodded. “Get everyone else in the Palace ready to evacuate. I’ll be ready in just a few minutes.”

Emerson nodded and hurriedly left Layla’s bedroom to get Prince Andrew and the others still in the Palace ready to evacuate.

Once the colonel was gone, Layla got out of bed. She had already laid out her clothes, so it wouldn’t take long to get ready. She was surprised when Emira came in.

“Even in an emergency, you must look like the High Princess. I have several attendants on the way to help.”

Layla started to object but saw the determined look in Emira’s eyes. “Okay, but we need to hurry.”

Emira grinned. “I’ve been helping Royals get ready in emergencies before. Sit down, and let’s start with your hair.” Even as Emira spoke, two more female attendants rushed in.

-

Thirty minutes later Layla was ready. She wore a modest gown, as she stepped out into the corridor to find an anxious Colonel Emerson.

“The others are on their way to the bunker,” said Emerson. “We must hurry.”

“Have the energy shields been raised over the Palace and the surrounding grounds?” Layla knew these shields were very powerful, particularly the one protecting the Imperial Palace.

Emerson nodded. “They’re up, and no one can get in or out. The Marines have taken up positions throughout the Imperial Palace grounds and the surrounding area. They do have small bunkers they can go to if necessary. All the Imperial Guards will be responsible for protecting the Palace itself, as well as the tunnel to the underground bunker. We better get going.”

Layla, Emira, the two attendants, and the four Imperial Guards with Colonel Emerson all followed him. They took an elevator to the lower level far beneath the ground, where the Imperial bunker was located.

-

As they stepped into the bunker, Layla was surprised by its appearance. The corridors were carpeted and had modest lighting. Andrew and Kala were already there, waiting for her.

Kala laughed. “Even in an emergency you have to look like a High Princess.”

Layla felt a little embarrassed but nodded. “Emira insisted.”

“Let me show you to your quarters,” said Colonel Emerson. “Then we can go to the bunker’s Command Center, where you can keep track of what’s happening on the surface, as well as in space.”

-

Admiral Masters was watching the tactical display when the sensor alarms sounded, and thousands of red threat icons appeared fifty thousand kilometers away from Golan Four.

“Confirmed Morag warships,” reported Major Nower calmly. “Four thousand and increasing.”

Derrick nodded. The battle for the Empire was about to begin, and this was a battle he could not afford to lose.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Morag Fleet Admiral Torrant gazed at the tactical display, showing his fleet of slightly over 15,000 warships. At the heart of his formation were 50 truly massive vessels. Each was three thousand meters in length and was classified as a Conqueror class battleship. Each had three times the firepower of a normal battleship, with heavier weapons and energy shields. With these, Torrant planned on destroying the Human homeworld.

All ships are here, reported First Officer Markel.

Torrant nodded. We will form up into one fleet of ten thousand with the fifty Conquerors and a second fleet of five thousand. This will prevent the Humans from focusing on just one of our fleets and force them to divide their forces. I want both fleets in cone formations and ready to engage the Humans in twenty minutes.

-

Admiral Masters gazed at the ship on the main viewscreen, a monstrosity. If it was as powerful as it looked, it would be a problem. “We’ll need to hit those with our particle beams and accelerator cannons. I don’t know if anything else has a chance of penetrating those screens.”

There was no doubt in Derrick’s mind this was the secret Morag weapon they had heard rumors about. Those fifty giant warships had to be kept away from Golan Four.

“A little over 15,000 Morag warships are in the system,” reported Major Nower. “No more are dropping from hyperspace. They have formed up into two cone formations.”

“One hell of a fleet,” commented Colonel Bryant, as she gazed at the myriad of red threat icons on the tactical display. “What do you want to do?”

Derrick was deep in thought. He had a little over 3,500 ships to take on 15,000—nearly five-to-one odds. “I don’t think we have much of a choice. We need to fall back closer to the defense grid, so we can use its firepower to help even things up. Counting the ground-based attack interceptors, we have nearly 18,000 of them that we can use in the battle.”

“We’re detecting another ship type,” reported Major Nower, as she put a view of it on the main viewscreen.

The new ship appeared to be about the size of a light cruiser.

“An interceptor killer,” hissed Colonel Bryant. “Look at all those short-range energy beam turrets. I can see a lot of missile tube hatches as well, so they probably have interceptor missiles also.”

“How many of them are there?” asked Derrick, as he examined the ship up on the viewscreen.

“One hundred and thirty-two,” replied Nower. “They’re scattered throughout the main Morag formation.”

“Designate them as a primary target,” ordered Derrick. “If we can take them out in the early part of the battle, then our interceptors will be more effective.”

-

In the underground Command Center beneath the House of Worlds, Fleet Admiral Marloo stared at the tactical display in shock. He had not expected that many Morag warships to appear. They must really want to destroy Golan Four.

“All commands are at Condition One,” reported Colonel Hillstrum. “Energy shields have been activated over all major cities and military bases.”

“I want one thousand interceptors ready to launch. Their only job is to stay in the atmosphere and to shoot down any missiles that get past the defensive grid.”

Marloo was afraid that, no matter what they did, a few would get through and strike the planet.

-

All across the planet, the alarms and sirens went off, designating the Condition One setting. Energy beam turrets pointed upward, and interceptor missiles were prepared to launch. At all military bases weapons were readied, and targeting systems started searching the sky.

At the interceptor bases, one thousand attack interceptors rolled out of their armored bunkers, ready to take flight. They had no missiles, as they would be shooting down inbound missiles with their energy beam cannons. The missiles would only add extra weight, and the interceptors might need to do a lot of quick maneuvering to target the descending warheads.

-

In the Royal Bunker beneath the Imperial Palace, Layla, Andrew, Kala, and Chancellor Stein were in the small Command Center, where they could watch developments.

“I thought you would be in the big Command Center with Fleet Admiral Marloo,” said Layla, focusing on Stein.

Chancellor Stein shook his head. “No, I would just be in the way. At least here I can still keep track of everything going on.”

-

In the small Command Center’s command chair, Colonel Katelyn Mace watched the developments on the main viewscreens and tactical displays. Ten other officers were in the Command Center, operating consoles. All they could do from here was observe. Colonel Mace was a little nervous about having the High Princess and the others sitting behind her. She hoped she didn’t screw anything up.

-

The two Human fleets dropped back toward Golan Four, with the Morag fleets now closing the distance. They were still too far away for any weapons fire.

“We’ll close to five hundred kilometers from the defense grid and then come to a stop,” said Derrick. “That should allow the grid to add its firepower to ours against the Morag.” That would help even up the battle some but still not enough. “Once we’re fully engaged, we’ll launch all the attack interceptors from the battlecarriers and send them against the Morag. Medium-range missile launches to start with. At the same time we’ll also prepare to launch the attack interceptors from the ground bases. They can rearm and refuel by landing on the battlecarriers. We’ll try to hold the Morag here as long as we can.”

“Engagement range in seven minutes,” announced Major Nower.

Derrick activated his ship-to-ship comm. “All commands, prepare to fire. I want the Morag light cruisers taken out first. They offer the biggest threat to our interceptors, and we’ll need those interceptors if we want to win this battle. I also want to hit those big ships of the Morag with as many particle beams and accelerator cannon rounds as possible. We can’t allow those big ships near Golan Four.” Those big ships were deep in the Morag formation, and Derrick wasn’t even sure they could reach them.

-

In the underground Command Center, Fleet Admiral Marloo looked over at General Gantts; she was in charge of the orbital defenses as well as the ground defenses.

“All orbital defenses stand by to fire,” she ordered. “Don’t let those Morag vessels get close to Golan Four. Inbound missiles are primary targets.”

“Three minutes to combat range,” reported Colonel Marks.

Marloo nodded. “Launch the one thousand attack interceptors. They are on missile watch.”

-

Across the planet, the chosen squadrons took off, heading high up in the atmosphere. Each pilot was determined not to let any missiles strike the planet, as Golan Four was their home, and they were protecting their families. As soon as the first squadrons of fighters were gone, technicians and mechanics got the next squadrons ready. It wouldn’t be long before they were launched as well.

-

Derrick brought his fleets to a stop, facing the Morag. They were nearly in combat range.

“One thousand interceptors have launched,” confirmed Major Nower.

“Their primary job will be missile interdiction,” said Colonel Bryant.

“Fleets are in stationary position,” reported Lieutenant Viktor. “Standing by for orders.”

“Morag fleets have entered extreme combat range.”

“All ships stand by to fire,” said Derrick over the comm, leaning forward, as he watched the tactical display. “Launch attack interceptors.”

-

On Rear Admiral Carrie’s battlecarriers, attack interceptors shot out of the flight bays. The interceptors rapidly formed into squadrons and waited for further orders. Rear Admiral Collison’s fifteen battlecarriers were doing the same thing. Shortly nearly 5,600 interceptors waited to attack.

-

Derrick knew of only one way to win this battle. He had to drastically weaken the Morag fleet to the point where the defense grid could finish them off, and to do that would require fighting from nearly point-blank range. Derrick planned on getting so close to the Morag fleets that they wouldn’t be able to use their numerical advantage. He had already spoken to his admirals, and they were in full agreement with his plan.

“Optimum combat range!” called out Major Nower.

“Fire!” ordered Derrick, just as the Morag opened up.

-

Space erupted with explosions of energy, as the Human and the Morag fleets opened fire. The defense grid around Golan Four opened up as well. In moments, space was full of exploding missiles and bright energy beams. The front sections of both fleets were full of exploding ships. Tens of thousands of missiles detonated every few seconds, and over one hundred thousand energy beams were fired by the opposing fleets. Also added in was the weapons fire from the defense grid.

-

Morag Fleet Admiral Torrant was surprised at the amount of firepower the Humans were unleashing on his fleet. Keep the Conquerors back for now. I want to substantially reduce the size of the opposing fleets and their defense grid before we commit them. The Conquerors were key to destroying the planet.

On the viewscreens, Morag battlecruisers and battleships were dying. Ships exploded, torn in two, shattered by massive explosions, and literally vaporized by the tremendous amount of firepower the Humans poured into the front of the Morag fleet. Switching his gaze to the Human fleets, Torrant was satisfied to see they were suffering heavy losses as well. He could afford to lose the ships; the Humans could not.

-

Derrick felt the Destiny shudder, as a number of Morag fusion energy beams slammed into the energy shield. “All ships advance to point-blank range,” he ordered. “Rear Admiral Carrie, have your interceptors launch their missiles at the right flank of the enemy fleet and then pull them back to be rearmed.”

“When do you want the ground-based interceptors launched?” asked Colonel Bryant.

“Not yet,” replied Derrick, as he watched the viewscreens. “We need to weaken the Morag fleet some, before we risk hitting them with the main interceptor force. How are we doing on taking out those light cruisers?”

“We took out about 30 percent of them in our first missile and energy beam attack. The survivors have pulled back deeper into the Morag fleet, where it’s more difficult to hit them.”

Looking at the viewscreens, Derrick noted that all the fleets were now engaged. Rear Admiral Collison was hitting the Morag’s flank, forcing them to adjust their formation. As expected, the Earth fleet’s accelerator cannons were ripping the front of that section of the Morag fleet to shreds. Already space had filled with debris from destroyed Morag ships. However, because of the Morag’s superior numbers, Collison was losing ships as well.

“What are their big ships doing?”

“Staying at the rear of their formation for now,” reported Major Nower.

This didn’t surprise Derrick. Those big ships were here to destroy Golan Four, not to engage in a space battle.

“How’s the defensive grid holding up?” Derrick knew that some of the Morag firepower was aimed at the grid in an attempt to degrade it, so their missiles could get through to the planet.

“We’ve lost a few energy beam satellites and two missile platforms so far,” answered Major Nower.

-

Morag Fleet Admiral Torrant was surprised when the Human ships advanced until their forward ships were nearly in his formation. He had pulled the smaller cone formation over until it nearly touched his, so they could act as one fleet. On the viewscreens, ships on both sides were dying rapidly. One thing he could say about the Humans, they were not cowards. All ships continue to fire. We must substantially weaken the Humans fleets, as well as their defensive grid, so we can fire on the planet. At the moment the grid was too powerful to allow missiles to get through.

-

In space, across the fronts of both fleets, tendrils of energy fire seemed to crawl from ship to ship, as vessels died in giant explosions or were torn apart by fusion energy beams. Battlecruisers on both sides found their shields knocked down, and then energy beam fire would blow entire sections of the hulls off into space, exposing the compartments below. Some beams drilled deep inside the vessels, setting off secondary explosions. Debris then slammed into energy shields of surrounding ships, occasionally overloading a shield and knocking it down.

Human particle beam fire was now a more concise attack. Each dreadnought had two cannons. One would fire, knocking down the screen and drilling into the ship. The second one would fire, moving across the ship and causing major damage. It usually resulted in the ship exploding or being broken in two.

Human accelerator cannons were being fired in twos as well. The first would knock down the energy screen, and the second would obliterate the ship.

However, the Morag were retaliating with massive waves of missiles and a tremendous energy beam fire. Human ships found their energy shields battered down, and then their vessels would die, as massive energy beam fire riddled the ships, or antimatter missiles would send the ships into oblivion.

-

Rear Admiral Collison grew worried as the battle progressed. Due to his accelerator cannons, he destroyed two Morag ships for every one that he lost. However, the Morag could afford to lose ships on that scale. He could not.

Captain Billingsly shook his head. “We can’t do this much longer.”

Collison nodded. “I know. We’ll have to drop back to the defensive grid again shortly. I’m sure Admiral Masters is aware of that.”

The Mercury shook violently, and several red lights appeared on the damage control console. The entire fleet was taking damage. Looking up at the viewscreen, Collison had not seen such weapons fire since the battle for Earth. He hoped this one turned out the same.

-

Rear Admiral Carrie looked at her dwindling interceptor force on the tactical display. SAR vessels were out, constantly rescuing pilots who had ejected or were in wrecked interceptors. Her squadrons were down by nearly 30 percent. “Get them rearmed. Crews can have a ten-minute rest, before we send them out again.”

“We’ll wear them out at this rate,” warned Major Sullivan.

“I know,” replied Carrie, showing her concern. “Maybe in the next round we can give them a longer break.”

Sullivan nodded, but he knew, as intense as this battle was, the longer break was unlikely.

-

Fleet Admiral Marloo and General Gantts watched the battle anxiously, as the Human fleets were gradually pushed back now, toward the defensive grid. So far no missiles had penetrated the defense grid, though the grid was now taking more hits. Looking at the viewscreens, bright flashes could be seen in the sky, and glowing debris shot through the atmosphere.

“Morag fleets are in optimum attack range of the grid,” reported Colonel Marks from the tactical console. “They’re also at the maximum range of our ground PDCs.”

Gantts shook her head. “Hold off on the PDCs, but I want everything else firing. Put the missile platforms on maximum launch. We need to reduce the size of that Morag fleet before they get any closer.”

“What about the shipyards and the space stations?” asked Colonel Hillstrum. “The particle beam cannons we have on all of them could cause considerable damage to the Morag fleet.”

Marloo had been waiting to bring them into the attack. So far the Morag had not fired on them, but, once he unleashed the particle beam cannons they were equipped with, that would change immediately. However, it might cause some of the weapons fire now focused on the fleets to be turned toward the shipyards and the space stations. All the shipyards and stations had very powerful energy screens. “Communications, order the shipyards and the space stations to open fire. Let’s take out some more Morag ships.” Fleet Admiral Marloo hoped this wasn’t a mistake, but he needed the extra firepower.

-

On board the largest shipyard, Colonel Macey Long nodded to herself, as she received the orders to fire. At the moment only her shipyard and one more were on this side of the planet and in range of the Morag, as well as two of the space stations.

“Pick out ten Morag battleships and prepare to fire,” she ordered. With twenty particle beam cannons, she expected to destroy all of them. “As soon as they are destroyed, pick out ten more.” She wouldn’t mess with lessor targets with her particle beam weapons. “All other weapons are to fire on the front of the Morag fleet.”

“Weapons locked,” reported the tactical officer.

“Fire!”

-

Instantly from the shipyard, a barrage of missiles, fusion energy beams, and particle beams rained down on the Morag fleet. All ten of the targeted battleships were hit. Their screens lit up brightly, and then the particle beams penetrated, slamming into the hulls, blasting out deep glowing craters. The second particle beam arrived, cutting deep into the ships and traveling along the hulls, causing massive damage. Internal explosions rattled the ships, and then several antimatter missiles arrived, turning the ten battleships into small novas.

-

Fleet Admiral Colane was in charge of the section of the Morag fleet closest to the largest shipyard. He flinched visibly when it opened fire and started destroying his battleships.

Target that shipyard! he ordered, upset by the destruction it caused. I want it destroyed. This battle was not going as he had hoped. Already he had lost too many ships to the Earth fleet he faced, and now this shipyard was causing havoc as well.

-

Derrick frowned; he was losing too many ships. Activating the ship-to-ship comm system, he waited until Rear Admiral Carrie was on the line. “Rear Admiral Carrie, as soon as your interceptors are back, pull beneath the defensive grid, where Rear Admiral Collison’s battlecarriers are. I’ll shortly pull the fleet back into the defensive grid.” It was the only thing Derrick could do to prolong the life of his fleets.

The Destiny shook violently, and a few more red icons appeared on the damage control console. The Destiny was the largest ship in the fleet by far and could handle the damage. However, it was becoming clear the Morag had identified the Destiny as the fleet flagship and were targeting it more heavily. Currently Derrick had a dozen battlecruisers surrounding the flagship, helping to take off some of the pressure.

Derrick waited until he saw the battlecarriers and their escorts drop back toward the grid. “All ships, this is Vice Fleet Admiral Masters. All ships are to drop back into the defensive grid immediately.”

Derrick just hoped being inside the grid didn’t allow Morag missiles to penetrate and hit the surface. He had one more message he needed to send. From what he saw, there were a considerable number of damaged Morag ships. Time to eliminate them.

-

In the underground Command Center, Derrick’s message was received. “Fleet Admiral, Vice Fleet Admiral Masters is requesting we launch all ground-based interceptors,” reported the communications officer. “He’s pulling his fleet back into the defense grid to increase the amount of weapons fire striking the Morag fleet. He wants to launch a massive strike against the damaged warships in the Morag fleet immediately.”

Admiral Marloo looked over at Colonel Marst. “Get it done.” Marloo was concerned that Derrick had been forced to pull back into the defensive grid. He would only do that if his fleet were taking heavy losses. “General Gantts, warn all ground commands that we can expect some missiles to be coming through shortly.”

Gantts nodded and sent off messages to the various ground commands.

-

Layla sat pensively in the Royal Bunker, watching what was occurring in space. “We’re losing, aren’t we?” She looked over at Andrew. What she had been watching on the viewscreens was frightening. She knew that tens of thousands of good men and women had already died, and the battle still had a long way to go.

Andrew nodded. “For now. Derrick has pulled back into the defensive grid, so he can add its firepower to his fleet. This is a long way from over. Don’t give up yet. Have faith in Derrick.”

Kala took Andrew’s hand. “Are we in danger here?”

“I don’t think so,” replied Andrew. “We’re deep underground, and this bunker is very heavily reinforced. Don’t forget about the energy shield above us, protecting the Palace.”

They all looked back at the viewscreens. Several of them showed interceptors taking off from nearby bases.

“Looks as if Derrick’s calling in the interceptors for a mass attack. We have 12,000 of them on the bases, though I understand one thousand of them are being used as a missile defense.”

Layla looked deeply concerned. “Do you think some missiles will get through?”

This was a question Andrew did not want to answer, but he knew he had to. “If the Morag continue to attack and are willing to take major losses, eventually a few missiles will get through. Most of our larger cities sit inside a ring of energy beam turrets and have energy shields. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens.”

“We’ll make it,” said Chancellor Stein. “We won’t allow the Morag to destroy our world.”

-

Derrick had his fleets tucked inside the defensive grid. The interceptors from the surface bases were assembling, just behind the battlecarriers. Derrick had ordered Rear Admiral Carrie to give her interceptor crews a break, while the ground-based interceptors took the fight to the enemy.

“Where are you sending them?” asked Colonel Bryant, as he stared at the huge number of green icons around the battlecarriers.

“To attack the damaged ships in front of Rear Admiral Collison. He’s taken out most of the battleships in that section, as well as those small light cruisers. They’ll have the best chance of survival by hitting that section of the Morag fleet.” Derrick had to reduce the number of enemy ships he faced and had to reduce the incoming weapons fire, or this battle would not last much longer.

-

Orders were passed, and soon the amassed squadrons of interceptors swept through the defensive grid and headed for the Morag fleet—eleven thousand attack interceptors, all armed with four fusion-tipped missiles.

-

Fleet Admiral Colane gazed at the mass of Human interceptors coming toward his fleet. Bring up the light cruisers that still survive. It had been a mistake earlier to have them scattered throughout the formation. He had lost over half of them in the early stages of the battle.

Detecting over 11,000 Human interceptors, reported the sensor officer.

Colane looked once more at the massive wall of interceptors coming toward his portion of the fleet. Pull us back farther into the fleet, he ordered. He would not take the risk of a few lucky hits damaging his flagship.

-

Major Lisa Conroy led the attack. She was the senior commander and had originally been on the Orion. Major Barkley had her transferred permanently to help train the interceptor crews, and now, as the most senior pilot and officer still on the planet, she led the attack.

“We will not fly into the fleet as they probably expect,” she explained over the comm, which connected her to all the squadron commanders. “We will fly to the optimum range to launch our missiles and then do so. Once we launch, we will turn and get the hell out of there. Expect a massive wall of defensive fire, as well as antimatter missiles. Because of that I want all squadrons to practice maximum distancing. Now, let’s go kill us some Morag!”

The squadrons spread apart and accelerated toward the waiting Morag fleet. Before they got to their missile release point, a wave of defensive fire broke out. Looking out her cockpit window, Major Conroy saw numerous small bright explosions that marked dying interceptors, like flying through a wall of flak. The interceptors dodged, twisted, and changed course to throw off enemy tracking systems. The interceptors did have a powerful forward-facing energy shield that could take one hit, but the second hit would often knock down the shield, destroying the interceptor.

Several times Major Conroy narrowly missed being hit. She saw her wingman vanish in a bright fireball several hundred meters off her wingtip. Her interceptor was shaken several times by weapons fire but, so far, had escaped damage.

“Almost there,” reported her weapons officer. “Ten seconds.”

For a moment they seemed to burst out of the wave of destruction, and then the interceptor shook as its four fusion missiles were launched.

Without hesitation, Major Conroy kicked in the turbos and turned sharply, straining the gravity inertia controller. She felt herself pressed back briefly into her acceleration couch, and then the pressure vanished as the turn was complete. Now she had to fly back through the weapons fire to reach the safety of the battlecarriers.

Behind her thousands of fusion-tipped missiles slammed into the weakened energy screens of hundreds of Morag warships. Bright explosions walked across the forward section of the Morag fleet, turning night into day.

-

Fleet Admiral Colane stood in range as hundreds of his damaged ships were blown apart in the massive attack by the Human interceptors. Not only that but they had targeted his light cruisers, destroying twenty-three more. However, his fleet had inflicted devastating losses on the Human interceptors, destroying thousands of them. They would not make this type of attack again. Space was littered with their debris.

-

Derrick watched as the surviving interceptors returned to the battlecarriers to be rearmed. Already the squadrons on the carriers had launched again.

“How many did we lose?” He knew many of the interceptors had been destroyed, but it had been necessary to further weaken the Morag fleet.

“Four thousand two hundred and seventy,” reported Colonel Bryant. “From our scans, they took out 512 Morag warships.”

Derrick nodded. Now the battle would once more increase in intensity, as the Morag fleet was now in range of the ground PDCs. “Inform Rear Admiral Carrie that her interceptor squadrons are to go back to medium-range missile launches. I want to hold their losses to a minimum.” Derrick knew he might need them for a major attack later. On the tactical display, he saw dozens of SAR craft attempting to pick up crews from damaged interceptors and those who had ejected safely.

-

Morag Fleet Admiral Torrant shook his head. The Human interceptor attack had been far more successful than expected. The Morag just didn’t have enough of the light cruisers to make a major difference. Not when faced with an attack numbering in the thousands. Taking a deep breath, he knew it was time to put more pressure on the Humans. Time for Admiral Norlan to pay for his mistakes in the Tantula System.

-

Morag Admiral Norlan had his orders. He was to take the surviving vessels of his reserve fleet and destroy the planet’s largest shipyard, which was destroying the forward section of Fleet Admiral Colane’s fleet. Its powerful particle beam cannons had already destroyed most of Colane’s battleships. Norlan had a little over 2,047 surviving warships from his battle in the Hagen Star Cluster. He had also lost some ships in the current battle.

Stand by to begin our attack, he sent, as he leaned back in his command chair. This was a chance to prove himself, after his defeat in the Tantula System.

Fleet is ready, reported First Officer Kenold.

Norlan nodded. Advance the fleet. We will attack in an open-ended cone formation. That would allow him to partially englobe the shipyard and bring more weapons to bear.

-

Rear Admiral Collison saw part of the Morag formation break apart, as over two thousand warships headed for the shipyard. “Contact Rear Admiral Krest and tell her to move her fleet to help cover the shipyard the Morag are headed for.”

Collison hated doing this, but, if he didn’t, the shipyard had no chance of surviving. He also knew that Rear Admiral Krest did not have enough ships to adequately protect the shipyard, yet, with her fleet there, it would allow the shipyard to keep firing for a little bit longer. And, right now, they needed its heavy weapons.

-

Rear Admiral Krest saw what the Morag were doing. “Stand by to get underway,” she ordered. “We will take up a position just behind and above the shipyard. That way we won’t get in the way of its weapons fire.” Krest knew, if she hoped to survive, she needed that shipyard to last as long as possible with its heavy weapons. She currently had twenty-two dreadnoughts and ninety-eight battlecruisers, thanks to the extra ships Admiral Cleemorl had sent with her.

-

Colonel Long saw a large segment of the Morag fleet break away from one of the main formations and head directly toward her shipyard. “Guess we made them mad.”

Major Kurtley nodded in agreement. “Guess we destroyed too many of their battleships.”

“Colonel, Rear Admiral Krest has been ordered to bring her fleet to help defend the shipyard,” reported the communications officer.

Long saw that, indeed, the rear admiral had already headed toward the shipyard. “That will help, but I don’t know if it will be enough.” She was glad she had gotten most of her crew off already.

-

Fleet Admiral Marloo gazed at one of the main viewscreens, showing the planet’s biggest shipyard. Already its energy screen was covered in weapons fire.

“Can we save it?” asked Colonel Hillstrum.

“I don’t know,” replied Admiral Marloo, as he watched the developing battle. Rear Admiral Krest’s ships were nearly in position. “It’s being attacked by over two thousand Morag warships. I don’t know if anything would survive that.”

Marloo had a heavy frown on his face. Since the battle began, they had already lost nearly 12 percent of the defensive grid and two ODPs. The sky above the planet was constantly full of bright flashes, indicating explosions or the destruction of elements of the grid. Already seventeen missiles had been intercepted that had made it through the grid, and that would only get worse.

Leaning back in his command chair, Marloo turned his attention to the viewscreen, showing a closeup of the shipyard.

-

Rear Admiral Krest quickly maneuvered her fleet into its position just behind and above the shipyard. That would keep them out of the shipyard’s weapons fire, while allowing her fleet to fire all of its weapons.

“Contact in forty seconds,” reported Major Every.

Krest nodded. She would not allow this shipyard to be destroyed, if she could help it.

-

Derrick closely watched what was going on at the shipyard. He knew Rear Admiral Krest didn’t have enough ships to stop the Morag attack. She would need some help. Without hesitation, he contacted Rear Admiral Carrie. “I need you to prepare an attack on the Morag fleet heading toward the shipyard. What can you give me?”

“I still have 7,057 interceptors combat ready. Some of those are out on raids.”

Derrick had a plan, a risky one, but it might just work. “I want four thousand of your interceptors armed and ready to attack. They will follow four hundred of my battlecruisers. We’ll use the battlecruisers to clear the way to the Morag fleet attacking the shipyard. This will be a point-blank attack. We need to destroy as much of that fleet as possible. I’ve scanned the attacking fleet, and none of the Morag light cruisers are in the force.”

“I’ll make the arrangements,” replied Carrie. “We’ll be ready in ten minutes.”

Derrick nodded. “So will we. I need to start organizing the battlecruiser force.” He just needed to decide who would command it. He knew this might be a suicide mission.

-

Rear Admiral Krest had pulled her flagship, the Tetrex, away from the developing battle. She had put another captain of one of her dreadnoughts in charge of the fleet. She had volunteered to lead the attack of the four hundred battlecruisers and four thousand attack interceptors. She knew the chance of survival was not high.

Krest waited impatiently, as the battlecruisers and the squadrons formed up just below the defense grid. When it was time, she gave the order, and the entire force accelerated and headed toward the Morag fleet attacking the shipyard. Already the shipyard had been hit several times, and its energy shield was weakening, glowing brighter and brighter as more Morag weapons hit.

-

Colonel Long shouted orders, trying to keep her command intact. Already several fusion energy beams had penetrated the weakening shield, causing considerable damage to the shipyard. Many sections were already sealed off and in vacuum.

“Rear Admiral Krest is inbound,” reported Major Kurtley. “They’ll be in range in less than a minute.”

On the tactical display, a massive force of green icons headed toward the Morag fleet. Unfortunately only four hundred of those icons were major warships; the rest were interceptors. The shipyard shook again, and the damage control console filled with more red lights. The shipyard would not last much longer. Already nearly 40 percent of the shipyard’s weapons had either been destroyed or were nonfunctional. She was still directing her remaining particle beam weapons at Morag battleships, though her supply was becoming scarce.

-

Rear Admiral Krest flinched, as the Morag fleet turned some of its firepower toward the fleet she led. She saw two of her battlecruisers explode, as their energy shields were battered down, and numerous bright flashes indicated where attack interceptors were dying. However, the Morag fleet was almost in point-blank range.

-

Morag Admiral Norlan saw the Human attack coming in on his flank. He tried to adjust his formation to face it, but, before he could, the Human battlecruisers were inside his formation. Moments later the Human interceptors were as well. Instantly carnage filled the Morag fleet. The Human battlecruisers fired every weapon they had, and the interceptors were making close-in attack runs, then releasing their missiles. The Morag were handicapped, as they had to be careful not to hit their own ships when firing.

-

Morag ships died in large numbers, as the Human battlecruisers and attack interceptors let loose thousands of missiles. Space was full of small explosions, as the desperate Morag battlecruisers fired at the interceptors, sometime hitting their own ships. Once the interceptors had fired all their missiles, they made attack runs on damaged Morag ships, using their fusion beams to inflict even more damage.

“Order the interceptors to break off and to return to the battlecarriers,” ordered Rear Admiral Krest. She didn’t see the point in allowing them to sacrifice themselves, once their missiles were expended.

-

Morag Admiral Norlan was angry at the damage the Humans were causing. All ships, use all your weapons, even antimatter missiles. I want that Human fleet destroyed!

-

The weapons fire inside the Morag fleet suddenly intensified, as antimatter missiles detonated everywhere. Some of the Morag fire even hit and destroyed their own ships.

Rear Admiral Krest felt the Tetrex shake violently, as it was hit by multiple antimatter missiles. Red lights filled the damage control console, and smoke was everywhere in the Command Center. Two consoles suddenly exploded, sending huge showers of sparks across the room. There was a nearby explosion, and two major support beams broke free from the ceiling and fell, crushing several of the crew and destroying a console.

Krest heard the sound of tearing metal, and she thought she heard distant screaming. “Helm, do you see that big Morag battleship in front of us?”

“Yes, Admiral,” answered the helm officer.

“I think that’s the Morag flagship for this fleet. It has had other ships protecting it throughout the battle. Think you can ram it?”

The helm officer looked shocked and then nodded. “Yes, Admiral. I can hit it dead center.”

Rear Admiral Glenda Krest drew in a deep breath. “Then do so!”

Major Every looked respectfully at her admiral. “It’s been an honor to serve with you.”

Glenda smiled. “The honor’s been all mine.”

On the viewscreen, the enemy flagship grew larger. In moments the two ships would collide.

-

Morag Admiral Norlan stared in shock at the Human dreadnought about to collide with his flagship. Increase speed and change direction! he sent hurriedly.

Just as the flagship obeyed his orders, the Human dreadnought slammed into the energy screen, knocking it down. The next moment the Morag ship shook violently, as part of the Human ship crashed into its stern. Instantly the power went off in the Command Center, and everything quit working. Admiral Norlan was surprised he was still alive. The emergency lights came on, his Command Center in wreckage. Nearly everything was smashed, and over half his crew was dead. He saw First Officer Kenold lying on the deck, impaled by a structural beam.

Do we have any power, and can we maneuver?

Yes, Admiral, answered the helm officer. We have battery power for about ten more minutes, and some power to our sublight drive but not much.

Admiral Norlan squared his shoulders. He had failed the Morag race once more, but he would not fail in his final act. Target the Human shipyard and ram it! His ship was dying, but he could still use it as a weapon.

-

The heavily damaged Morag flagship moved forward, heading directly toward the shipyard. The shipyard was so heavily damaged that only a few beam weapons were still working. Most of Rear Admiral Krest’s original fleet was gone as well. Only a few battlecruisers still survived, and they were heavily damaged, only capable of firing a few energy beams.

-

Colonel Long watched stoically as the Morag flagship grew closer and closer. Weapons fire hit it, and parts of it broke off. But it was too close. No matter what they did, it would strike the station. Colonel Long sat down in her command chair and waited for the inevitable.

-

With a massive explosion, the Morag ship crashed into the weakened energy shield, and then the remains of the vessel slammed into the shipyard. Both blew apart in a massive explosion that completely lit up the sky above Golan Four.

-

Major Lisa Conroy watched the explosion through her cockpit window. She saw multiple pieces of glowing debris flying everywhere, much of it heading toward the planet. She quickly contacted Rear Admiral Carrie. “Admiral, the shipyard has been destroyed, and I estimate over half of the debris is falling toward Golan Four. Much of the debris is so large, it will have a good chance of impacting the surface. You may want to warn Fleet Admiral Marloo of what’s coming toward them.”

“Thanks for the information,” replied Carrie. “I’ll send a warning immediately. Now get what’s left of your attack force back to the battlecarriers.”

Major Conroy looked around and checked her sensors. Less than six hundred of the interceptors she had gone into battle with were still with her. Over 3,400 had been destroyed in the attack on the Morag fleet.

-

Morag Fleet Admiral Torrant nodded in satisfaction. The planet’s biggest shipyard had been destroyed, and Admiral Norlan had paid an appropriate price for his past failures. Nearly all of the two thousand Morag reserve warships had been destroyed but so had over five hundred Human ships and thousands more of their interceptors. It was a good trade off. All ships, concentrate more heavily on the Human defense grid, particularly the energy beam satellites. I want to hit the planet with missiles. He was almost ready to call his Conqueror battleships up for the attack on the Human’s homeworld.

-

Derrick was not pleased with what had just happened. He had not planned on losing Golan Four’s biggest shipyard or Rear Admiral Krest.

“An increased amount of the Morag weapons fire is being directed against the defense grid,” reported Colonel Bryant.

“They want to get missiles through,” replied Derrick. On the viewscreens, he saw the Morag concentrating on the energy beam satellites, as they were used to intercept and to destroy Morag missiles. “Rear Admiral Carrie,” he said, as he had her on the comm. “Send five hundred more of your interceptors into the atmosphere to help with missile interdiction. If the Morag continue to degrade the defensive grid, it’s only a matter of time before more missiles get through. With your remaining interceptors, use them for medium-range missile attacks.”

-

In the underground Command Center, General Gantts was redirecting some of her ground weapons fire toward large chunks of debris falling through the atmosphere. Some of the pieces were large enough to cause considerable damage. So far, the ground-based energy beam turrets had taken out everything before it struck the ground.

“It’ll only get worse,” commented Fleet Admiral Marloo.

Marloo was still greatly upset that they had not managed to save the planet’s primary shipyard. Colonel Long had been a fine officer. Fortunately most of the shipyard’s personnel had been evacuated, but still over one thousand people had died when the shipyard was destroyed. Turning his gaze back to the tactical displays, he wasn’t sure what could be done to save the planet. The Morag still possessed a greatly superior fleet, and their fifty giant ships had, as of yet, not engaged. They still hung back, as if waiting for the opportune moment to attack.

Fleet Admiral Marloo grew more concerned with every passing minute that they were fighting a battle they could not win.

-

Derrick pulled all his fleets in closer. If they stayed too far apart, they would all be picked apart, until nothing was left. It did increase the chance of some missiles getting through to Golan Four, but Derrick was hoping to force the Morag to focus more on his fleets rather than the defensive grid and the planet.

-

Morag Admiral Torrant was becoming aggravated. He still had the advantage, but the ODPs and PDCs were taking a heavy toll on his fleet. I want all ships to fire a full wave of missiles at the planet. I want to see if we can get any of them through the Human defenses.

Moments later thousands of fusion and antimatter missiles were launched toward Golan Four.

-

The Human ships and the defensive grid instantly tried to shoot down all the missiles, but there were simply too many of them. The ground PDCs changed their targeting to take out even more, but several thousand still slipped through.

Attack interceptors rose up to engage, and hundreds more of the deadly missiles were destroyed. Missile interceptors rose from the surface, killing even more. The sky above Golan Four was full of small fiery explosions, marking the destruction of incoming missiles. The energy beam turrets protecting the cities began firing, and even more of the deadly Morag missiles died. Even so, twelve of them struck the surface. Two hit in the oceans, vaporizing millions of tons of water, four hit in the countryside, and six more hit cities—two small cities that had no energy shield, and four that did. All four of the cities with protective energy shields survived; the two smaller cities did not. Every building in the two smaller cities was either vaporized or leveled by the heat and the explosive blast. A massive crater appeared in the center of both cities. In less than a minute, all the people who had refused to evacuate were dead.

-

Layla looked on in shock, her hand over her mouth, as she saw the explosions and then the mushroom clouds rising high into the air. “Oh no,” she cried out. She had hoped Golan Four would be spared being struck by Morag missiles. Now it was evident it would not be.

“We’re still okay,” assured Andrew. “All four of the major cities survived. We can clean up what just happened.”

“But what if we get hit again?” asked Layla worriedly. She felt her pulse beating wildly, and she was breathing rapidly. “It could get a whole lot worse.”

Andrew didn’t reply. He knew the High Princess was right.

-

Derrick was doing everything he could to stop the Morag from firing on the planet. “Rear Admiral Carrie, assign another five hundred of your interceptors to missile interdiction. Too many got through in that last attack.”

“I will,” replied Carrie. “However, after I deploy those five hundred, I’ll be down to fewer than two thousand interceptors still combat capable.”

Derrick knew the interceptors had taken some massive losses. But hearing the actual numbers made him realize just how bad those losses had been.

“Admiral, the Morag ships are moving forward again,” reported Major Nower. “I believe they’ll attempt to enter the defensive grid to neutralize part of its firepower, so they can more easily hit the planet.”

Leaning forward in his command chair, Derrick saw that Nower was correct. In less than a minute the Morag ships would be mixed in with the Human fleets and the defensive grid. Looking at the fifty massive Morag ships still in the back of their formation, there was no doubt that, when the fleets were intermixed, those behemoths would make their attack on the planet, and Derrick had no idea how he would stop them.

“Rear Admiral Carrie, after your interceptors make their next attack run, have all of them fall back into the atmosphere to act on missile interdiction. Drop your fleet down as low as possible as well.”

Looking at the viewscreens, the advancing Morag fleet looked ominous. Missile fire was still raking the front ships in the formation, and some Morag ships were dying in fierce blasts of raw energy but not enough.

“Thirty seconds until interpenetration of fleets,” warned Major Nower, as the Destiny shook violently. A console exploded, sending a shower of sparks across the room.

-

In the Royal Bunker beneath the palace, Layla’s focus was on the Destiny. Every time it took a hit, she cringed. “He won’t make it, will he?” Layla saw no way Derrick would survive this battle. She knew he would never flee.

“The battle’s not over yet,” replied Kala.

“Kala’s right,” Andrew said. “A lot could still happen.”

Layla nodded, but she felt as if her world would come to an end.

“You have to have faith in our military,” said Chancellor Stein in a strained voice. “A lot can still happen yet, and our ground PDCs are still intact.”

-

Morag Fleet Admiral Torrant was satisfied the battle was now under his control. He would use his fleet and Fleet Admiral Colane’s fleet to drive a hole in the Human fleet formation and the planet’s defensive grid. Once he had accomplished that, the fifty Conqueror battleships would be brought forward and destroy the planet.

-

Rear Admiral Banora grew more concerned, as the battle progressed. She had already lost nearly 40 percent of her fleet, and many of her surviving vessels were damaged. “Tighten up the formation,” she ordered. She had been gradually edging the Defiant closer to the Destiny. She didn’t trust Derrick not to try to do something heroic to win the battle, and she wanted to be close by, in case he needed her.

-

In the Command Center of the Destiny, Derrick watched the viewscreens, as the ship’s powerful weapons blew apart a Morag battlecruiser, sending debris flying across space.

“We won’t last much longer,” warned Colonel Bryant. “We’re losing too many ships.”

Derrick knew Colonel Bryant was right. “All we can do is try to take as many of the Morag ships as we can with us. Perhaps the ground defenses will hold back the rest.” Derrick knew this wasn’t true. Even the ground defenses would have a hard time against those fifty large Morag warships.

Suddenly the sensor alarms sounded again. On the tactical display, thousands of new red threat icons appeared. Derrick felt his heart skip a beat. This was the end; he could do nothing now to save Golan Four and Layla. Even as he watched, the red icons mysteriously turned green.

On the viewscreens, the new arrivals fired on the Morag fleet. “Where did those ships come from?” There were dozens of different ship types, as well as what appeared to be Resistance ships.

“It’s the Visth, and they’ve brought some friends,” reported Lieutenant Wolman, smiling.

“Total ships are 5,432,” reported Major Nower breathlessly. “Nearly 1,600 are Resistance ships, and the rest are Visth and other races, plus a few of our ships mixed in.”

“But the Morag will just take over the minds of the Visth and the others and use them against us,” protested Derrick, as he gazed at the various new arrivals on the viewscreens. He was glad they were here, but he feared they were only putting themselves in danger.

Lieutenant Wolman shook her head. “No, the Visth admiral reports that all the command crews are protected by Lormallian nullifiers. The Morag cannot take over their minds.”

Even as Derrick watched, the new arrivals launched a full-scale attack against the rear of the Morag formation, where their fifty large warships were located. Space filled with massive explosions, as a majority of the new arrivals targeted the large Morag warships. An explosion that threatened to break open space itself marked the death of one of the big warships, and then another one died, followed quickly by a third. Even those big ships could not handle hundreds or thousands of missiles all detonating against their energy screens at the same time.

-

Morag Fleet Admiral Torrant stared in shock at the five thousand warships that had just appeared and attacked the rear of his formation. Already seven of his Conqueror class battleships had been destroyed. Push through the defenses, he ordered desperately. We must destroy the Human’s homeworld. He knew if he didn’t, the Confederation could very well lose the war.

-

Space filled with explosions and dying ships. Both sides were now trying to destroy the other as quickly as possible. Ships on both sides were taking chances to give them an advantage. Occasionally the Morag would fire more missiles at the planet, but, so far, the attack interceptors and the ground defenses were destroying them before they could reach the surface.

-

Morag Fleet Admiral Colane suddenly found his flagship surrounded by several dozen Resistance ships. He reached out for their minds but found his mental touch blocked because the ships were operated by Humans. His flagship shook violently, and the lights dimmed and then brightened. He saw first one and then two of the small Resistance support ships blow apart under the weapons fire from his ship. His ship shook again, and this time the lights dimmed and stayed dim.

We have a hole nearly two hundred meters long and forty meters deep in the port side of the ship, reported First Officer Dukal. The secondary power unit has been destroyed, and 30 percent of our weapons are nonfunctional.

The ship shook again, and the shaking continued. On the damage control console, more red lights appeared rapidly.

On the viewscreen, a Resistance battlecruiser blew apart when it was struck by several antimatter missiles.

Colane’s ship shook uncontrollably, and all the lights went out. Before Colane could send a mental message to Fleet Admiral Torrant, his flagship blew apart, sending flaming debris across space.

-

Morag Fleet Admiral Torrant pushed through the Human forces. In another few minutes he would be through the Human ships and their precious defense grid. Once that happened, he would start a full bombardment of the planet. He had pulled up his Conqueror battleships, but now they were all under heavy fire. Evidently the Humans had made them a prime target. All ships, sent Torrant. Begin immediate bombardment of the planet. Torrant grew concerned that, if his losses continued at this rate, he would not have enough ships to hit the planet with.

Suddenly Torrant felt his flagship shake wildly. Alarms sounded, and red warning lights appeared everywhere.

We’re losing primary power, reported First Officer Markel. We’ll only have full power for another minute or two.

On the viewscreen, a Human dreadnought was visible, the largest ship in the Human fleet. No doubt the Human admiral was on board. Torrant knew his ship was dying. Once the power failed, the Humans would make short work of his flagship. Helm, ram that large dreadnought. We’ll take the Human admiral with us. Torrant leaned back in his command chair. He would go out in honor, by taking his enemy with him.

-

The Destiny had been heavily damaged and was barely able to move, only by using its maneuvering thrusters. The chief engineer said, after fifteen minutes, the main drive would be back on.

“Enemy battleship on collision course,” reported Major Nower with concern in his voice. “It will collide with us in less than a minute.”

Derrick looked at the viewscreen and the Morag battleship rapidly growing closer. There was no way they could dodge it. I’m sorry, Layla, he thought. I so wanted to come back home to you.

-

In the Royal Bunker, Layla looked on in horror, when she realized what was about to happen. The Destiny was about to be rammed by the enemy. She knew Derrick, the love of her life, was about to die.

-

Rear Admiral Banora saw the danger heading toward the Destiny. Her own dreadnought was heavily damaged, with most of its weapons nonfunctional. But she could still save Derrick. “Full power to the sublight drive,” she ordered.

“It won’t be much,” cautioned her executive officer.

“It will be enough,” replied Audrey, as she watched the viewscreen. The Human Empire could do without her, but the Empire needed Derrick.

Moments later the Defiant moved, heading directly toward the Morag battleship. It rapidly grew larger on the viewscreen until it filled the entire screen. Then the Defiant slammed into the battleship’s energy screen, knocking it down and then a moment later crashed into the side of the ship. In a massive explosion, both ships blew apart sending huge amounts of debris flying across space.

-

Derrick stood and stared in shock at the main viewscreen. The Defiant had taken out the enemy ship. “Audrey,” he said, as he sat back down in shock. She had been with him from the very beginning. He couldn’t believe she was gone.

-

Layla looked over at Andrew. “Was that the Defiant?”

Andrew nodded. “I believe so. Rear Admiral Banora saved Derrick.”

Layla leaned back and closed her eyes. She couldn’t imagine how Derrick must be feeling. Rear Admiral Banora had been one of Derrick’s closest friends for many years.

-

Some of the Morag fleet now broke through the defense grid and was launching every missile they had at the Human planet below. From behind them came an avenging Rear Admiral Collison, his ships firing every weapon they had to stop the attack on the planet.

Attack interceptors led by Major Lisa Conroy were doing everything they could to stop the incoming missiles. Even so, many were getting through. The ground-based missile interceptors launched. Energy turrets surrounding the cities fired. The sky was full of the explosions of descending Morag missiles. Still, a few made it to the surface.

The energy shield around the city of Dreeson failed first, leaving the city open to a fusion missile that detonated just above it. In moments the city was consumed by the blast and the firestorm that followed. Four other missiles hit in the countryside, doing little damage. Seven more struck the oceans. Then three hit the energy shield protecting the Imperial Palace.

In the Royal Bunker, Layla felt the ground shake. Some dust fell from the ceiling. She knew a warhead must have gone off above the Palace. For a long minute the shaking continued, and then it stopped. Her gaze went to a viewscreen, and, with relief, she saw the Palace and the capital city were still intact.

“We got hit pretty hard,” said Andrew. On the viewscreens, multiple mushroom clouds rose. “But it looks as if the battle is over.”

On the tactical display, only a few red threat icons were still left, and those were rapidly being annihilated.

Layla looked at the display. Yes, it looked as if the battle was over, and they had won. The price of victory had been heavy, and it would be a long while before Golan Four was back to normal. At least for now, the war for the Empire was over. Time to rebuild and prepare for the future.

Epilogue

Morag Admiral Voxx fled the Golan Four System. He had been stunned when so many ships from worlds supposedly under Confederation control had showed up and had attacked the Morag fleets. Even more surprising was their command crews had all been protected by Lormallian nullifiers. The surprise had been total when combined with the Human Resistance ships which had changed the course of the battle. Voxx had taken command—as soon as Morag Fleet Admiral Torrant had been killed, when his flagship had been rammed by a Human dreadnought—and had ordered the Morag fleet to withdraw.

Looking at his ship’s main tactical display, slightly over two thousand green icons represented the surviving Morag warships. Fourteen of those were the big Conqueror class battleships. The attack on the Human homeworld had been a complete disaster, and it would be years before the Morag recovered from its ship losses. Years where the Morag would be facing numerous dangers both from within the Confederation and from the outside.

Deciding that, for now, the surviving fleet was safe in hyperspace, Admiral Voxx would go to his quarters and prepare his report on the failed attack. The Morag High Council would not be pleased to hear that not only had Golan Four survived but so had the Hagen Star Cluster. Even more worrisome was that more worlds, once thought to be under Confederation control, were now joining the Humans. It was now extremely possible that the Confederation and the Morag could lose the war against the Humans. The future had suddenly become very unclear and unsettling.

-

Derrick spoke to the Visth admiral in charge of all the races who had come to the aid of Golan Four. “Why did you come? Doesn’t this put your worlds in grave danger?”

“Perhaps,” replied Admiral Larr. “But, if your Empire were to collapse, our worlds would be doomed anyway. Only by the Humans winning were we assured of a possible future. Visth representative Stralon Karn, has been visiting many of the races in our vicinity of space. It was surprising how many felt as we did, some even had secret warfleets as well. We decided to combine our fleets and to come to your aid. Our only regret is that we did not arrive sooner.”

“Your arrival was perfect,” replied Derrick. “With the Morag engaged against my fleets and the defense grid, they were in a very vulnerable position. It could not have worked out better. I thank you.”

Admiral Larr replied, “Is there anything else we can do to aid you?”

“You have done more than enough. Your help has been greatly appreciated. However, it might be wise for your fleet to return home and to guard your own worlds. Some Morag ships did escape, and they will spread the word back to the Confederation that your worlds were involved. As soon as we can, I promise we will send a large fleet to help defend you. I’ll have a government and a fleet representative come to your worlds shortly to work out the details. In the meantime, the task force we sent earlier will remain with you.”

“Thank you, Fleet Admiral,” replied Admiral Larr. “We have a few repairs to make, and then we will be on our way.”

“If any of your ships need the aid of one of our shipyards, I’ll be glad to arrange it.”

“I do not believe that will be necessary, but once again I thank you.”

-

Derrick studied his Command Center, where numerous technicians busily tried to get all the consoles functioning again. Throughout the entire ship, repair crews were busy. Already the sublight drive had been repaired, and power was back to normal.

“We’ll need considerable time in a repair bay,” reported Colonel Bryant. “We have several large holes in our hull that need repair, and numerous compartments suffered major damage.”

Derrick nodded; he had expected that. Much of the surviving Human fleet would need time in repair bays. Fortunately, when he considered the shipyards available in the core worlds, that would not be a problem. He still didn’t know how much of his fleet had survived. That information should be available shortly.

Leaning back in his command chair, Derrick thought about Audrey and the sacrifice she had made. It was hard to believe he would not ever hear her voice again or her laugh. As in all battles, there was always a price that had to be paid.

“Contact Rear Admiral Collison,” ordered Derrick. “I need to find out the status of his fleet.” He would mourn Audrey later. Right now he needed to get the surviving ships organized and to get a defense set up around Golan Four.

-

Derrick spent nearly an hour talking to Collison. He still had 617 battlecruisers and 133 dreadnoughts, a little over half the fleet he started out with.

“Of course many of them will need some repairs done,” said Collison. “Our supply and repair fleet should be here in a few more days.”

“In the meantime, any of your ships that need it can have access to our repair bays,” promised Derrick. “We can use the repair bays on the shipyards orbiting all the core worlds. That gives us a huge repair capability.”

“I appreciate that,” replied Rear Admiral Collison. “I’ll prepare a list of ships that have suffered major damage and will need some dock time. What do you think will happen next with the Morag?”

Derrick was quiet for a moment and then answered. “They’ve suffered their biggest defeat ever, and it cost them a major portion of their fleet. They’ll have to rebuild, and they may be facing problems back in the Confederation as well. Particularly since the Lormallians furnished the Visth and the other races with nullifiers that work against the Morag mind control.”

Collison nodded. “I’ll have to speak with Fleet Admiral Reynolds, but I suspect we’ll combine my fleet with Rear Admiral Barnes’s fleet, once all our ships have been repaired. We may still go to the Confederation and see if we can sew a little discontent.”

“I wish we had the ships to send with you,” replied Derrick. “But it’ll take some time to replace all our losses.”

“I understand. We’ll probably avoid any major battles, but I would like to destroy as many Morag shipyards as possible to limit their shipbuilding capability.”

Derrick liked the sound of that. “Sounds like you have a battle plan. I only wish I were going with you.”

Rear Admiral Collison laughed. “Like the High Princess would let you lead a battlefleet into the Confederation again after this. She would hang you out to dry.”

Derrick smiled. Collison was right. There was no way Layla would allow him to take such a risk, at least not now. But someday, when the time was right, he planned on returning to the Confederation and finishing this war.

-

Fleet Admiral Marloo was extremely busy. He had tugs all over Golan Four’s orbital space, trying to prevent the massive amount of wreckage in orbit from falling to the planet. Ground-based energy beam turrets were still busy busting up descending wreckage into smaller pieces. The sky was lit up with streaks of fire from the descending debris. Because of that, the energy shields were still up over all the major cities and military bases.

“We’ll have a lot of heavy rain and severe storms along the coasts,” commented Colonel Hillstrum. “Those antimatter strikes that hit the oceans will have our weather screwed up for years to come.”

“A small price to pay for survival,” replied Marloo.

The skies had darkened some from the ground strikes, and special chemicals were already being sprayed in the atmosphere to cause the ash and other debris to fall to the ground. The same for any radiation detected. Chemical agents were used to eliminate that as well.

“What will we do about the destroyed shipyard?”

“Rebuild it and make it bigger and better,” answered Admiral Marloo. “We still have a war to fight, though I suspect it will now shift to the Confederation, but we’ll need ships regardless. Lots of ships.”

General Gantts walked over. “I have the latest reports on the defense grid. “We lost 12 ODPs, 210 missile platforms, and 1,600 energy beam satellites. In addition two of the space stations report substantial damage. All the ground PDCs and bases survived.”

Fleet Admiral Marloo let out a deep sigh. “We need to get our defense grid back up and fully operational. We’ll contact the other core worlds and see what they can do to help.” Marloo leaned back in his command chair. It would take some time, but eventually everything would be repaired, and Golan Four would be back to normal.

-

On Tantula Five, Krista was in her quarters, having just spoken to her cousin. Golan Four had survived! It had been a huge relief to hear her cousin’s voice.

“When do we go home?” asked Brenda, sitting across from Krista.

“Not for a few more weeks. I guess Golan Four took some hits, and the orbital space is a mess. Layla wants me to take the High Kingdom and visit a few of the main Human worlds out in this sector. It’s time we put the Empire back to how it once was, with every Human world and inhabited moon a part of it.”

“Sounds interesting,” said Brenda, nodding her head. “You could take Mathew along as a military advisor.”

Krista’s eyes widened. She hadn’t thought of that. “I’ll speak to Admiral Cleemorl and see if I can get him to agree.” She knew there was a chance he might not, but, with Brenda along as a chaperone, he just might.

“What will Cheryl do?”

“I think she’ll stay here with Dylan. Tantula Five is a very advanced world, and she’s already out looking for an appropriate house. She also mentioned something about bringing her yacht out here and expanding her businesses.”

Brenda laughed. Only Cheryl would be thinking of something like that at this time. “I’m glad we packed the appropriate clothes for you, if you’ll be visiting some planetary governors.”

Krista nodded. “Emira never misses anything.”

Brenda had to agree. She just hoped she got that good at helping the Princesses as Emira was.

-

Layla was back in the Imperial Palace. She was so relieved that it had survived. She had spoken to Derrick earlier, and it would be a few days at least before he could leave the Destiny. Layla felt great sadness at all the lives that had been lost and was already planning on having a planetary memorial service to honor those who had given their lives for the Empire.

Layla stood on one of the higher balconies in one of the sky towers, with Colonel Emerson and two Imperial guards standing protectively behind her. Looking out, she saw the capital city in all its glory. As hard as the Morag had tried, Golan Four still existed. It was still a symbol against tyranny and oppression. Squaring her shoulders, Layla turned to go in. She knew that soon it would be time to plan the next phase of the war. Soon it would be time to take the war to the Confederation, and, though she didn’t want it, soon she knew that Derrick would play an important role in that.

-

On board the Destiny, Derrick was thinking about the sacrifice Audrey had made in saving his flagship. He felt great sadness knowing he would never see her again or hear her friendly voice. Looking at the main viewscreens, which showed Golan Four, he swore he would make the Morag pay. Even though Layla would not approve, he planned to lead the eventual invasion of the Confederation. He would not rest until every Confederation world had either surrendered or had been conquered or willingly joined the Human Empire. If the battles at Tantula Five, Gideon, and Golan Four had seemed intense, they would be nothing in comparison to what he had planned for the Morag. Derrick looked at the main viewscreen and spoke aloud. “Morag, if you think this is over, you’re very wrong, for someday, I’ll come for you, and then you will know what real war is.”

The End

Coming in 2021, The Forgotten Empire: The Empire and Confederation at War. Book Five of The Forgotten Empire series.

The Seven Races of the Confederation

The Druins are the most populous and the most aggressive of the Confederation races and are a cold-blooded and logical species with limited emotions. Their form is slightly humanoid but squat, with their head sitting almost directly on their torso via a short neck. Their arms are massive and could easily snap a Human in two. They stand eight feet tall.

The Lamothians are large sluglike creatures that consume intelligent life. They are the second-most intelligent race of the seven Confederation races. They spend much of their time contemplating the mysteries of the universe. For the past one thousand years their favorite food source has been Humans, who are considered a delicacy and are in high demand at the food markets on their worlds.

To procure a Human for a feast, the various Lamothians bid on the Human until only one bidder remains. The Lamothians only live upon six worlds of the Confederation. They stand upright on four legs and have six appendages that serve as arms, with three protuberances on their hands that allow them to manipulate equipment. Their skin is pale and glistens with an oily sheen. They have two eyestalks, which protrude from their heads. Their names are unpronounceable, more of a symbol than an actual word. Their lifespans are around eight hundred years.

The Zynth are a reptilian race that resemble an ancient Earth raptor, only slimmer and with actual arms and clawlike hands. The Zynth are the second-most aggressive Confederation race, after the Druins. They have yellow reptilian eyes.

The Lormallians are a warm-blooded species and stand nearly seven feet tall. They are humanoid in form, with a bone crest on the top of their head instead of hair. They have large eyes, and their arms end in hands with six digits. The Lormallians are also a very logical race, and nearly all their decisions are based upon logic, though they do have emotions. The Lormallians are the oldest race in the Confederation and act as custodians for the archives on Bator Prime.

The Morphenes resemble giant amoebas and have no true form. Their form constantly shifts. Morphenes are very coldhearted and logical in their thinking.

The Zang are a birdlike race, with the ability to fly. They have large wings and very sharp beaks. They have a set of arms attached to the main part of their body, with clawlike fingers. Very intelligent and very seldom speak. Have a grating whistle-like voice.

The Morag are massive apelike creatures. A cross between a gorilla and Big Foot is the best description of them. They stand nearly ten feet tall. Very intelligent but seldom speak. Are telepathic with other members of their race. The Morag maintain a massive secret warfleet, which is very seldom used. They live on over 112 planets in ninety-two different star systems. They have also terraformed nearly two hundred moons, which are also heavily inhabited. Some are powerful telepaths and have secretly controlled the Confederation’s Great Council from the very beginning.

The Morag were the ones behind the Confederation attacking the Human Empire, originally because Humans are immune to the telepathic abilities of the Morag. They have manipulated the Confederation since its very founding and have been responsible for many of the harsher actions taken by the Confederation. The Morag’s telepathic abilities allow them to plant suggestions in the minds of others, which also allows them to force others to do their bidding. Their telepathic abilities are a closely guarded secret, even from the other Confederation races.

What no other race knows is that the Morag maintain a large warfleet of nearly 15,000 vessels, which they very seldom use. The other members of the seven races think that the Morag population numbers are far less and that their fleet is only a fraction of its true size.

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

-

Dragon Dreams: Dragon Wars

Dragon Dreams: Gilmreth the Awakening

Dragon Dreams: Snowden the White Dragon

Dragon Dreams: Firestorm Mountain

-

Star One: Tycho City: Survival

Star One: Neutron Star

Star One: Dark Star

Star One

-

Galactic Empire Wars: Destruction (Book 1)

Galactic Empire Wars: Emergence (Book 2)

Galactic Empire Wars: Rebellion (Book 3)

Galactic Empire Wars: The Alliance (Book 4)

Galactic Empire Wars: Insurrection (Book 5)

Galactic Empire Wars: Final Conflict (Book 6)

Galactic Empire Wars: The Beginning (Books 1-3)

-

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)

The Lost Fleet (Books 1-5)

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The Star Cross (Book 1)

The Star Cross: The Dark Invaders (Book 2)

The Star Cross: Galaxy in Peril (Book 3)

The Star Cross: The Forever War (Book 4)

The Star Cross: The Vorn! (Book 5)

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The Originator Wars: Universe in Danger (Book 1)

The Originator Wars: Search for the Lost (Book 2)

The Originator Wars: Conflict Unending (Book 3)

The Originator Wars: Explorations (Book 4)

The Originator Wars Explorations: The Multiverse (Book 5)

The Originator Wars Explorations: The Lost (Book 6)

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Earth Fall: Invasion (Book 1)

Earth Fall: To the Stars (Book 2)

Earth Fall: Empires at War (Book 3)

The Forgotten Empire: Banishment (Book 1)

The Forgotten Empire: Earth Ascendant (Book 2)

The Forgotten Empire: The Battle for Earth (Book 3)

The Forgotten Empire: War for the Empire (Book 4)

All Dates are Tentative

The Forgotten Empire: The Confederation and Empire at War (Book 5) Summer 2021

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Raymond Weil lived in Clinton, OK with his wife, Debra, of 47 years and their beloved cats.  He attended college at SWOSU in Weatherford, Oklahoma, majoring in Math with minors in Creative Writing and History.

His hobbies included watching soccer, reading, camping, and of course writing.  He also enjoyed playing with his six grandchildren.  He had a very vivid imagination, writing more than 47 science fiction novels over his writing career. 

He was an avid reader and has a huge collection of science fiction/ fantasy books.  He always enjoyed reading science fiction and fantasy because of the awesome worlds the authors would create.  He was always amazed that he was creating these worlds too.