The Slaver Wars: Galactic Conflict (19 page)

“She’ll be
surprised,” Katie said with a laugh. “It should help speed up her recovery.”

Ariel listened
to the four talk with a pleased smile on her face. Everything seemed so normal.

A few moments
later, the Avenger entered the spatial vortex and jumped into hyperspace.
Jeremy let out a long sigh of relief. It would be great to get back to the
Federation, but there was a nagging worry in the back of his mind. Due to the
relationships the five of them had established, he wondered if Fleet Admiral
Johnson would allow all of them to remain aboard the Avenger, especially if
Kelsey and he got married. Jeremy was deeply afraid that this trip home would
be the last time the Special Five would be allowed to serve together on the
same ship. Their lives were about to change once again, and Jeremy wondered how
they would all feel about it.

Fleet
Commodore Resmunt gazed at the tactical display as newly promoted Fleet Commodore
Versith jumped into the Kenward Seven star system with what remained of
Commodore Krilen’s fleets. He had received the new commodore’s detailed report
on the damage to the fleet ships earlier.

“It will take
weeks to repair all the battle damage,” he muttered in frustration, looking
over at First Leader Ganth. Already the systems repair bays were full of the
ships that had returned with him after the disastrous battle at the Human
world.

Ganth’s large
black eyes gazed back as he nodded in agreement. “From the reports it is
obvious that the Humans' new alien allies have given them better energy shields
and weapons. They will be difficult to defeat in battle.”

“Over two
hundred ships destroyed and only five or six Human vessels destroyed in
return,” Resmunt muttered with a deep frown. If Fleet Commodore Versith had not
confirmed the numbers, he never would have believed them. “We must update our
ships quickly if we want to be able to defeat the Humans. They become a bigger
threat to our Empire with each passing day.”

“I fear that
many of our warriors will find their final honor in this war,” Ganth responded
in agreement. Honor was important to a Hocklyn and death in battle was an
honorable way to die.

Resmunt let
out a heavy sigh. From his recent engagements with the Humans, he knew better
than to underestimate them. There was no doubt in his mind that the Humans
would use their new tactical advantage to continue to attack the Empire. There
were very few warships remaining between the Humans and Kenward Seven. A few
small bases and numerous slave worlds with only an older escort cruiser or two
for defense.

Looking at the
front wall of the War Room, he saw that one of the main viewscreens was
currently focused on the AI ship that was floating in orbit a short two
thousand kilometers from the Liberator. For days now, Hocklyn engineers had
been meeting with the AIs, discussing the new weapons systems the masters were
willing to supply. The meetings were always highly uncomfortable with the AIs
expecting the Hocklyns to easily understand what they were being told.

“Will the AI’s
new weapons make a difference?” asked Ganth, knowing that honor in the future
would be much more difficult to acquire. How could a Hocklyn warrior accumulate
honor and prestige if they continued to lose battles to the Humans?

“That is
unknown,” responded Resmunt, folding his powerful, sinewy arms across the chest
plate of his battle armor. Without thinking, his pale green scaly hand with its
six long fingers and sharp nails slid down to the knife at his waist. “Once the
updates have been completed our ships will be more powerful, but the Humans may
still possess an edge in weapons technology. Our biggest advantage will be in
numbers. I have already sent a message to the High Council suggesting that we
should not engage Human ships henceforth unless we have at least a two-to-one
advantage.”

“What did they
say?” asked Ganth, knowing the High Council was used to issuing orders, not
receiving them. They might frown heavily at a Fleet Commodore suggesting a
change in battle tactics to the council.

“Nothing yet,”
Resmunt answered with a cold look. He had expected to have received a reply by
now. “Make my shuttle ready. I will be going over to the Viden to speak with Fleet
Commodore Versith. We have a war to fight and Versith is our best tactician.
Unlike Commodore Krilen, I will pay close attention to Versith’s’
recommendations. He may also have some insight as to the new weapons the Human
ships are equipped with.”

-

Back on the
Hocklyn home world of Calzen, High Leader Nartel and the High Council were
waiting nervously for the AIs to make an appearance. Ten AI ships had jumped
into orbit above the planet in the clear space made by the AI’s destruction of
the habitats that once floated in that region. Only recently had all the debris
from the destroyed habitats been cleared away. The AIs had demanded an
immediate audience with Nartel and the council.

“What can they
want?” Ruthan asked, his large cold reptilian eyes showing fright as he tried
to think of an answer. Then, turning toward Nartel, he said accusingly, “It’s
your weapons research! Never have they come to Calzen with so many ships. Your
foolish desire to pursue this weapons program has brought disaster upon us. The
AIs will kill us and install our subordinates as new council members. They will
demand that the weapons research program be disbanded. You have brought ruin to
all of us!”

“I doubt if it
is the weapons program that they are here for,” responded High Councilor Berken,
frowning heavily at Councilor Ruthan and the obvious weakness he was
displaying. “It is the war with the Humans that they are here to discuss. I
strongly suggest we listen to what they have to say.”

“Yes, the Humans
and these new allies of theirs,” added Councilor Desmonde, rising to his feet
and looking at Nartel and the other councilors. “It is becoming more evident every
day that the Empire is in danger. We must learn more about what the AIs know of
the Humans and their new allies. They have never been forthcoming in telling us
why they fear the Humans so much. It has now become essential that they do so.”

It was at that
moment that two Hocklyn Protectors opened the massive council chamber doors,
allowing six AIs to enter. The room fell into silence as the councilors stared
at the mechanical monstrosities. Each one was a different shape. The only thing
they had in common was the glowing globe of energy that served as a head and
the numerous tentacles attached to various locations of their metal bodies.

“We have come
to address the council,” the one who had entered first spoke as they floated
over and took up positions on each side of the council table. “It is time you
know the truth about the enemy you now face. If you fail to understand the
danger, then your Empire will fall.”

“I don’t
understand,” responded High Leader Nartel, rising to his feet and trying not to
show fear or nervousness in front of the AIs. “What is this truth you speak of?
What is it about the Humans that make them such a threat?”

“The Humans
are extremely dangerous, but these new allies of the Humans are even more so. These
new allies of the Humans are our creators, the Altons,” the AI replied as it
floated even closer to Nartel. “We thought they had died out over ten thousand
years ago; we were wrong. It is the Altons who have been responsible for
guiding the Humans in their conflict with you. They brought Humans to the
original Human Federation of Worlds from the Human home world, which you have
recently come into conflict with. We believe the Altons must inhabit several
star systems in close proximity to the Human worlds.”

Nartel sat
back down, his large dark eyes growing even wider after hearing these
revelations. He was now beginning to understand why the AIs feared the Humans. “How
advanced are these Altons?”

“Perhaps as
much as we are,” confessed the AI in a voice that sounded unsure of itself. “They
are an unknown factor in this war. All AI ships have been recalled to the
galactic center to be updated with better weapons in order to combat the
Altons. Your own ships will be given more powerful weapons in order to combat
the Humans. We do not believe the Altons will make their most powerful weapons
available to the Humans as they are a more youthful and less advanced race.”

“What are your
orders for us?” asked Nartel, gazing inquiringly at the AI that was doing the
speaking.

“You will
continue to attack the Humans wherever they can be found once your ships have
been updated. Leave the Altons to us.”

“It will be as
you command,” responded Nartel, knowing they had no other choice but to obey.

“This war must
be won quickly or your Empire will soon lie in ruins,” the AI spoke as it
turned and begin moving toward the large doors to the council chamber followed
by the others. “Do not underestimate the Humans or they will destroy you!”

Nartel was
silent as the AIs left and then he looked around the conference table. “This is
extremely serious,” he said after a moment. “We are facing the Humans, who are
a proxy race for the Altons much as we are to the AIs.”

“And the
Altons created the AIs,” Ruthan spoke his eyes wide and looking terrified.
“What if they cannot be defeated?”

“Then our
Empire is finished,” replied Nartel grimly. He did not tell the council he
still had one trump card to play. If it worked, then the Human threat would be
neutralized and that would leave the AIs to deal with the Altons. If things went
according to plan, the Hocklyns would be left to pick up the pieces.

-

Fleet Admiral
Streth gazed thoughtfully at the latest reports from the stealth scouts. The
supply fleet had brought twenty of the new long-range stealth scouts with them in
their cargo bays. For the last four weeks, Hedon had deployed those scouts
searching the edge of Hocklyn space for any bases that might pose a potential threat.
For the most part, they had found nothing. It was as if the Hocklyns had
withdrawn their fleets farther back into their Empire.

“They must be
modernizing the same as us,” Admiral Telleck spoke through pursed lips. “If we
don’t attack soon, our tactical advantage given to us by our new weapon systems
may be reduced or even eliminated.” He didn’t like the fact that there were no
signs of any AI or Hocklyn warships.

“You’re right,
of course,” responded Hedon, leaning back and folding his arms across his
chest. “We need to find some targets that are easy pickings but will still hurt
the Hocklyn’s war effort.”

“What about
freeing the worlds in this sector as you did last time?” Telleck suggested. He
knew that none of the worlds in this sector, other than the Carethians, possessed
an advanced enough culture to help in the war effort.

“Not yet,” answered
Hedon, shaking his head. “The Hocklyns took them back easily enough the last
time. This time, I want us to be able to hold them.”

Telleck let
out a deep sigh. “That will mean more type two battle stations and defensive
satellites,” he said, knowing the Federation would be hard pressed to furnish
enough to protect any slave worlds that they might free.

“The scouts
must go deeper into the evil one's territory,” Grayseth announced in his
powerful voice. “We must go to wherever they are; we cannot wait for them to
come to us.”

“I fear you
are correct,” responded Hedon, looking over at the large bear. “We know from
captured records at Commodore Resmunt’s former fleet base where some of those
bases might be. I will send the orders to the scouts to go deeper into Hocklyn
territory.”

-

Later, after
the meeting, Admiral Telleck walked with Grayseth through one of the large
flight bays on the station. Numerous bear pilots were excitedly checking over
the new fighters and bombers that had been brought by the Federation and the supply
fleets.

“Your people
are brave warriors,” Admiral Telleck commented as they paused to watch several
bear mechanics working on an Anlon bomber. They seemed very knowledgeable about
what they were doing.

“As are
yours,” Grayseth responded. “Admiral Strong has been made an honorary member of
my clan on Careth. He is held in very high esteem by my people.”

“Admiral
Strong is a good admiral,” Telleck agreed.

He knew he'd
made the right decision in the beginning promoting the young man. Telleck
watched in amusement as a bear pilot came over to the mechanics and started to complain
about something. The two mechanics seemed to become agitated and began
gesturing toward the bomber with their hands. It reminded him so much of Human
pilots making suggestions and demands to their own repair crews.

“Repairs have
been completed to the station,” Grayseth continued as they begin walking once
more. “We now have eight of the type two battle stations surrounding the station
as well as a large number of the more powerful defense satellites and missile
platforms. I have spoken to my government and we will start construction on a
new and larger shipyard next week. In time, we will go out with you to combat
the evil ones wherever they may be.”

“We have four
of the large repair ships with us,” Telleck said with a thoughtful look upon
his face. If the bears could build larger warships and form a fleet, it would
give a tremendous boost to the war effort. “They can help in the construction.”

“They helped
in building this one,” Grayseth responded as they entered a large passenger elevator,
which took them up toward the command level of the station. “The new one will
be much larger and more heavily defended.”

“How large?” asked
Telleck, curiously. The station they were on was already considered to be large
even by Federation standards.

“There will be
six construction and ten repair bays,” Grayseth responded in an even voice.
“The repair bays will be able to handle both Carethian and Federation
warships.”