Out of the Ashes (Rise of the Empire Book 3) (3 page)

Chapter Two

Olympia station

Johanna Stern Fleet Commander of the Olympus Second Fleet walked down the hallway on her way to meet with Fleets Master Laura Reiss. As she walked, she reviewed reports on her ships via her imp, the information projected in her field of vision on her “HUD”. The retrofits on her ships as well as the two additions to her fleet were finally completed, and as the Third or rather Home Fleet was finished one month ago, Johanna knew why she was called to meet with the Fleets Master. It meant that most likely she would now officially be assigned the mission she had been preparing for.

Ten months ago Olympus received a message from Earth, and learned that it was now under the rule of an alien race. People from Earth asked for help, and Tomas Klein decided that they will give it. Although with the threat from Sowir, and Olympus now having responsibility for another system the timing couldn’t have been worse. It was decided that before any help was sent to Earth, Sanctuary needed to be protected. The construction of the third fleet began almost immediately. The battle of Nuva showed them the weaknesses and strengths of their ships. And Fleet Commander Farkas’ report had a lot of insight concerning the future ships. From the battle they learned that Olympus ships had stronger hulls and could take a lot more punishment than their Sowir adversaries, while their offensive capabilities were slightly inferior. The kinetic weaponry was Olympus’ one advantage, but it also required them to close the distance enough for it to be effective or catch the enemy unprepared. Their laser and missile technology closely matched. With the dreadnoughts laser’s being a bit stronger. But it was Sowir particle weapons that gave them the greatest advantage. Olympus tech departments have made great strides towards copying the technology, but now that samples of the technology were on their way from Nuva they only had to wait. Fleet Commander Farkas managed to capture one of the Sowir ships with some of its tech intact. The damage it incurred in the battle drained it of atmosphere and there were no survivors.

The report that Fleet Commander Farkas gave and his opinion on the future of the fleet influenced the Fleet’s action greatly. The Third Fleet would be a lot different than the First and the Second. It was comprised out of two dreadnought class warships, and three battleships, all trans-capable. The outside of these ships was the same as that of their older siblings, but the inside looked a bit different. Each dreadnought had six additional “command rooms”, and each battle ship three rooms that will in the future be used as the command centers for each ships drone squadron. Fleet Commander Farkas pointed out that the smaller class ships took the brunt of casualties in the battle, and that with their limited population they couldn’t afford to lose people. Especially now when their life span was infinite, because that would mean losing people with decades, even centuries worth of knowledge and experience. So he proposed that the Fleet replace the smaller class of ships with drone ships. Humanity had extensive knowledge in the area, as they used drones back on Earth for almost a hundred years. The research and development department was now in the testing phase where they built a few prototypes and were now conducting tests.

Johanna closed the report feed on her HUD as she reached the briefing room, after the nod from the Adjunct in front of the room, she entered. Inside sitting behind a see-through desk was Fleets Master Laura Reiss. She approached the desk and saluted, Olympus style with fist to chest. Fleets Master returned the salute from seating position and gestured toward the chair. Johanna took her seat and remained silent. After a moment Fleets Master spoke.

“I have called you here to give you your orders officially. And as we both know your mission, I will skip the mission briefing, I will send the official copy to your imp.” Laura Reiss said. “But there are a few things that I want to go over again. Primarily the two ships that have been assigned to your fleet.”

When Johanna nodded, Fleets master continued.

“The two trans capable ships will be your lifeline, if you lose them, you will be stuck however far you get, with years of travel time back. So your first priority must be the safety of those two ships.”

“I understand.” Johanna said.

“Good. Your mission is too important for you to lose those two ships. After your mission in Sol is accomplished one of the trans-ships along with a small task force should map out another trans-route back to Sanctuary or somewhere close enough for hyperspace travel.”

“Is there any certainty that we will find a route back?” Johanna asked.

“No. But everything we have seen and read in the Union database suggests that trans-lanes are common, and while they are random, there should be at least a few routes back to this area of space.” Laura said.

“It might take more time to come back than it will take us to get there.”

“That is unavoidable. After you secure the system we will start sending more ships, by then we should have enough resources to expand the fleet a bit more. But until then you will need to rely on what you bring with you. Your ships have been loaded with materials and fabricators to help you reinforce the system. Sol system is rich with resources so you shouldn’t be short on anything, and the mining facilities are already in place. But you should speak with the resistance leaders about that, after you reach halfway point to Earth you should open communications with them and start planning for the battle. They will need to take care of the ground fighting while you clear the system.” Laura said.

Johanna nodded firmly again.

“We have also prepared enough comm relays for you to leave in each system you pass through. That will cut down the communication between Earth and us to a few days instead of months. Now, on the trip you will pass through two systems that according to the Union database held intelligent life. Both had planets with a civilization on stone age level. By now they could have reached the level of a space faring civilization. If they have, you need to step carefully, if their technology is inferior, just ignore them and pass through, if they are near or more advanced you might have problems. I can’t guide you in that case, you will need to make decisions on your own. Don’t leave a relay if there is a race advanced enough to see it. And for no reason can you jeopardize your fleet’s ability to fulfill your mission. Are we clear?”

“Of course Fleets Master, I understand.” Johanna responded.

“Good. Well, there is nothing more left for me to say. You are dismissed.” Fleets Master Reiss said.

Johanna stood saluted and went towards the exit, just as she was to leave the room Fleets Master called back.

“Fleet Commander.”

“Yes?”

“Good luck.” Fleets Master Reiss said.

“Thank you ma’am.” Johana said.

After leaving the briefing room, Johanna made her way towards one of the stations hangars where a shuttle waited to take her to the Second Fleet’s flagship, the OWS Monarch. The dreadnought class ships were too big to dock with the station, being 820 meters long, 380 meters wide and 140 meters high, hence her use of a shuttle. The entire Second Fleet was in the orbit around Sanctuary, ready to leave on their mission. It took her barely five minutes from boarding the shuttle until she stepped off on Monarch. As soon as she left the shuttle, she was met with Monarch’s Ship Master Andros Venter. Like Fleet Commander Farkas, Johanna too had promoted her previous High Prime to the command of her ship. He would command the Monarch while she commanded the entire fleet. Ship Master Venter saluted and Johanna returned it. Andros was a short man with wide shoulders, but his height did nothing to hamper his presence. His dark skin gave contrast to his piercing blue eyes, which were the only hint of a distant European heritage. Andros and Johanna knew each other for a long time, having met back on Earth in Concordis military. Andros was born in South Africa just a few years before his country joined Concordis. And after he came of age, he immediately joined the navy, but he, just as Johanna became disillusioned with the navy when he saw the corruption and connection based advances in the navy. So he accepted an offer to work for Olympus security when Johanna gave it. In hindsight that was probably the best decision either one of them made. Who would’ve thought that the two of them would now command enormous space ships.

As Johanna made her way towards the Command Center of the Monarch, Andros fell in beside her.

“Are we clear to leave.” He asked.

“Yes, we leave in three hours.” Johanna said.

Andros nodded, there was no need to delay anymore. The fleet had been ready for days.

“Great, I’ll let the other commanders know.” Andros said.

“Please do. I’ll be in my ready room, ping me when it’s time to go.” Johanna said.

Three hours later Fleet Commander Johanna Stern sat in the command chair of the Monarch’s Command Center. Her command board showed the holographic interface all around her chair, with the images of her fleet also shown on the Command Centers main holo projector in the middle of the room.

“Open the Fleet wide comms please Turiel.” Johanna said to her ships Ai. Unlike Fleet Commander Farkas, she did not have a personal Ai, but all warships were required to have one.

“The comms are on, Fleet Commander.” Turiel said in his deep voice.

“Attention Second Fleet. We are about to embark on a mission to free our home world, Earth, from alien oppressors. The trip will be long, and once we arrive our mission hard. But I, the Fleet, and all of Olympus have confidence in your ability to meet the challenge. We will not fail. I expect only your best.” Johanna said and closed the comm, then she manipulated the command board and issued the orders to the fleet. Immediately Ship Master Venter passed her orders to his crew.

“Set the course towards the outgoing trans-station. Maximum speed.” His confident voice rang out.

Almost Immediately Johanna could see the entire fleet move on her c-board. After the retrofits, her ships were now capable of moving faster, and the trip from Sanctuary would now take two days. After seeing that everything is in order, Johanna left the Command Center, to review reports in her ready room. She spent the next two days reading reports, scheduling and devising simulations, and reading the data from Earth resistance.

Johanna was on the bridge when they reached the trans-station. An area of space filled with trans particles. Projecting a “trans field” on this area of space would push any matter in the area (trans-station) from normal space into the trans-space, or what was called a trans-lane. Each lane was capable of transporting matter only in one direction. So in order to leave a system using a trans-lane one needed to find an outgoing trans-station. Looking at her c-board she opened the channel to the one of two trans-ships, the retrofitted explorer ship Traveler and the newly built Observer.

“You are clear to begin the transfer.” Johanna said.

“Yes ma’am.” Answered Ship Master Kisaragi Hana of the Traveler, “Beginning the transfer sequence in sixty seconds.”

On the main holo table in the middle of the Command Center a countdown clock appeared, ticking off the sixty seconds. Johanna turned to her Sensor Handler,

“Turn on the viewer if you please Adjunct Reddy.”

“Yes Fleet Commander.” Sensor Handler Mark Reddy answered.

A second later the round walls of the Command Center turned bright white and then they showed space, the CC was now sitting in space on top of the Monarch. Around them they could see the Second Fleet with its exterior lighting turned on and the light of Sanctuary’s sun Apollo reflected off a part of their hull, while it bathed the rest in shadows. The background was that of the nebula, dark teal streaked with greenish and red mass of thick gas, its opacity blocking the stars of the galaxy.

And then the clock reached zero. For a moment nothing happened and then a violet wave of light appeared, washing over the Second Fleet. As soon as it passed, they were away. The outside changed, it looked as if they were traveling through a tunnel of violet and white light. Her crew looked at it in awe as small arcs bounced off their ship’s hull, looking all the more impressive because the Command Centers viewer was active. Johanna already saw what trans travel looked like from the First Fleets recordings, but she had to admit that in person it looked even more impressive. Every now and then a big arc of lightning would bounce off Monarch’s hull and leap towards another ship, and then to the next. The sight was breathtaking.

Snapping herself from her reverie Johanna turned to Ship Master Venter, “What does the Fleet Report?”

“All ships report clear Fleet Commander.” Ship Master Venter said.

“Good.” Johanna said, she got up and started towards her ready room, “You have the command Ship Master.” She said.

“I have the command.” He confirmed.

Johanna entered her ready room and went to her desk turning it on, she sat and opened the records of the Earth’s Great War. The Second Fleet would not arrive in Sol for another fourteen months, plenty of time for her to learn the Ra’a’zani language, and get completely informed about everything that happened on Earth since Olympus left.

Chapter Three

Dreadnought Leviathan

Fleet Commander Adrian Farkas was in big trouble, he could not find a way to escape the danger no matter what he did. Every move he could make that didn’t result in instant death would only serve to prolong his life for a couple more moves. But he refused to surrender, he raised his head and looked into the swirling green eyes of his opponent, who was looking at him with an apparent blank face. But Adrian had spent a lot of time in the company of Retsar Isani. He knew his opponent was in fact amused by Adrian’s futile attempts at delaying his defeat. But accepting defeat was not in Adrian’s nature, so he lowered his eyes back to the board and after another minute of thinking decided to make the move that would delay his defeat the most. After another four moves, his opponent finally won.

“Another good game Adrian, you almost had me there.” Retsar Isani said in Nel.

“Almost doesn’t matter.” Adrian responded in Nel as well.

“You should have let me help you.”
Iris said in Adrian’s head.

“You have only learned Lus, it is a testament to your skill that you almost made it hard for me who had played it since childhood. But I believe it is still impossible for you to achieve victory. Perhaps if you study the game for a few more years.” Isani said, smiling softly.

“I want to win on my own”
Adrian said to Iris in the privacy of his head.

“Well, I do plan on beating you in the near future. Each game we play gives me more insight in your strategy.” Adrian responded to Isani with a corner of his mouth lifting in a crooked smile. Iris snorted in the back of his head.

“That is the beauty of Lus, each game one plays give something to the opponent. It is key that one learn to give only that which he desires his opponent to know.” Isani said.

Adrian turned his palm in a Nel gesture, agreeing. “Yes, I noticed. The game is similar to a game my people play call chess, although much more intricate.”

“Lus was created many millennia ago on Nelus. And it has been used in various situations, from simple fun to as a means for resolving conflict. Now it is primary mean of settling debates between families and political opponents on Nelus.” Isani said.

Adrian shook his head in disbelief, “I have no idea how your people could have reached so far by using a game as the primary means of resolving conflict.”

“Same as I have no idea how yours could have survived by using war.” Isani said in the same tone.

“Point, I forget sometimes how different we truly are.” Adrian said.

“As do I. But perhaps both of our people could learn something from each other.”

“I hope so.” Adrian said. Isani nodded in a human gesture and reached over to the game board, clearing its holographic top and resetting it for another game. They spent the first few opening moves in silence. Then after Isani finished his move Adrian spoke,

“How much chance do you think there is that your people will accept our offer.” Adrian asked. The two of them set off towards Nelus four months ago at Leviathan’s fastest hyperspace speed, they still had another two months of travel until they reach their destination. Aside from Leviathan, Adrian had brought the light cruiser Swift and the heavy cruiser Enterprise. While Retsar Isani didn’t bring any of his ships, choosing to travel on board the Leviathan. He didn’t want to risk his government trying to confiscate his ships. He was already worried that they might try to imprison him, but Adrian assured him that he won’t allow that to happen. The rest of Adrian’s force was back at Nuva, there was little chance that Sowir would return anytime soon, but they couldn’t risk it.

Isani waited until Adrian finished his move before he responded, “A small chance only. I believe we can convince enough of the ruling families that your fabricating technology can give them the edge against the Sowir, but I fear there is very little chance of convincing them of your leaders offer. They will not agree that you control the technology.”

“Lanai Sumia told the same to Tomas Klein.” Adrian noted as Isani finished his move.

“Yes, and she knows the ruling families better than I. She was part of one of the strongest families on Nelus before she was sent to Nuva.” Isani said, as Adrian moved a piece on the board.

“Why exactly was she sent to Nuva?” Adrian asked.

“That is her story to tell, if she so wishes.” Isani said, thinking about Adrian’s last move and devising his response.

“Fair enough. But is there nothing we can do to convince them?” Adrian asked as Isani made a move that would effectively cut down the amount of Adrian’s possible moves.

“If Nelus was still part of the Consortium, perhaps. But when the war cut us off, the ruling families saw the chance to regain the power they lost when we became a part of the Consortium. They hate handing power to others. And your plan requires them to place a great deal of their resources into your hands. They will not accept this. I know what your leader hopes for. But it is impossible for you to change their minds.” Isani said. Adrian studied the board, and then seeing an opening he moved a piece. Isani responded exactly as Adrian hoped he would. The next few moves Adrian led Isani on, while setting up a trap. Then after another two moves Isani noticed it. The game speed up and another six moves later Isani was driven back into a corner, he raised his head from the board looking into Adrian’s eyes with disbelief.

Adrian smiled, “Impossible as it was impossible for me to beat you at Lus?” Adrian asked.

Isani’s face showed confusion and then he realized that Adrian was referring to Isani’s last statement. Isani looked back to the board.

“I hope you manage to convince them, otherwise I fear there is no hope for my people.” Isani said.

“I hope so as well, my friend.” Adrian added softly.

***

A few days later Adrian walked the hallways of Leviathan on his way to the training room, behind him were his ever present followers, Sora and Akash. The two wolions have become an ordinary sight on the ship, as they followed him almost everywhere. They had grown a lot in the last nine months, they were now larger than the largest dog breeds on Earth. Although they have not yet grown to their full size. There was no mistaking what they were now, predators. Their muscled bodies, claws, and teeth guaranteed that anyone who looked at them would immediately know. Their light blue fur coupled with two pair of eyes gave them an alien look, at least to the humans. But everybody on the ship knew that they would not harm them. While there were times when they played rough, it was never with other humans, only with each other. And Adrian made sure that they got enough exercise and time to play. They usually accompanied Adrian on his runs, and exercised alongside him. They even “trained” with the military squad on Leviathan when Adrian joined them in a session, where the soldiers (usually two or three) would try to take one of the wolions down. There had never been an incident. Of course, there were small things, someone falling badly spraining their ankle or one of the wolions falling on someone by accident, but those things happened anyway when humans trained by themselves. Adrian was very surprised at their intelligence as they seemed to understand the human spoken language. They followed instructions almost to the letter most of the time, ignoring them only when they thought they knew better. Their mannerism was similar to that of cats on Earth, only much more intelligent cats. Adrian had been sending everything about their progress and intelligence back to Sanctuary, even a blood sample via one of the transport ships that was carrying Nel from Nuva to Sanctuary, hoping that people there could learn more about them. But the wolions on Sanctuary never approached humans, and they always ran away when people tried to approach them. Adrian believed that the most probable explanation was that they understood the danger humans posed to them and chose to keep away. His companions being raised by a human obviously had no problem being around them.

When they reached the training room Adrian turned towards the changing room, while Akash and Sora continued inside, they went straight to the small running track getting behind people already running there and starting to run behind them. The people mostly ignored them now, it had been a long time since they were a novelty aboard. Adrian left them to their exercise and went to change into his kimono. Once he put the black kimono on, he exited and went straight towards one of the free tatamis where one person stood waiting.

“You are late.” Platoon Leader Sahib Adin, his best friend said.

“Well, I do have a ship to run.” Adrian smiled. Sahib and Adrian met as orphans being brought into Olympus, back on Earth. And had immediately struck a friendship, afterwards as they became separated, Adrian went to the fleet and Sahib to the military, they fell out of touch. But then when Sowir attacked Nuva, Sahib’s Platoon was one of those sent to the planet to help with the defense. Afterward, they reconnected as Sahib’s Platoon was assigned to the Leviathan. It only took a couple of minutes in each other’s presence for their friendship to resurface. And since then they made sure to see each other at least once every few days, even though they were both very busy.

“Excuses, excuses.” Sahib said grinning. Seeing that grin Adrian couldn’t help himself and he started grinning in return. The same grin once helped a terrified boy on an Olympus transport keep his fear in check.

“Well, I’m here now, so are we doing this or are you giving up already?” Adrian asked.

Sahib snickered, “No chance in hell, I’m taking you down this time.” Both Sahib and Adrian started studying Ninjutsu as children on Earth. And both have become masters, although Adrian held a higher rank. Sahib didn’t have much chance to train with a master when he joined the military, but had continued training by himself, going to classes when he could.

“Not in a million years. Your technique is nowhere near good enough.” Adrian said as he moved to the center of the tatami. He took a relaxed stance and waited for Sahib to do the same. They were both dressed in the same black kimonos. When Sahib stood across from Adrian they both bowed and started moving. They moved parallel to one another. Each step Adrian took Sahib followed by one of his own, while each step was slowly bringing them closer. Soon they were separated by only two meters and Sahib threw himself at Adrian, just as Adrian knew he would, he could read the move in his opponent’s body. Sahib chose to open with a left straight to Adrian’s face. A straightforward attack, that carried additional weight because of Sahib’s superior speed and strength. Any other person would have been surprised and probably knocked out with that one punch. But Adrian wasn’t any other person. His reflexes were much faster than those of an average person, and even before Sahib started closing the distance Adrian moved his feet. Just a bit to the side, but enough to evade the attack. As Sahib’s fist drew closer, Adrian switched his center of balance to his right leg twisting his upper body and bringing his own left hand up towards his face and with a light openhanded touch, moved Sahib’s fist just a few centimeters of its trajectory. The attacked went past Adrian’s head and he moved his legs, moving behind Sahib as he went pass. Immediately after missing, Sahib halted his body and used expert foot work to change direction, his left hand bent at the elbow and it was now moving back, straight towards Adrian’s chest. But Adrian already anticipated the move and easily blocked, with a downward block using his right forearm. As Sahib’s elbow attack moved down, he continued the attack with his other hand, sending another straight attack towards Adrian’s head, using his body to hide the attack until the last possible moment. But to a master such as Adrian, the attack was as obvious as the light in the dark from the way Sahib’s body was positioned, and with his forearm still on Sahibs left elbow he could feel the attack coming. Again he moved back a step, giving himself space to block Sahib’s next attack. Sahib uncoiled his body and unleashed another attack, Adrian again twisted his body and using his left hand to adjust Sahib’s fist towards a new target just past Adrian’s head. With another step Adrian brought himself out of Sahib’s immediate hand range. But Sahib followed with a series of quick jabs to Adrian’s face and torso. Adrian blocked every attack with minimal movement of his body, catching Sahib’s attacks on his shoulders or making them glance of his chest, using his hands only when necessary. After he finished with the hand attacks, Sahib drew back a step and unleashed a round house kick towards Adrian’s head. Seeing an opening, Adrian ducked under and swiped Sahib’s other leg. Sahib lost balance and hit the tatami hard, losing his breath in the process.

After he regained his breath, Sahib let out a curse, and switched to a sitting position, “Damn, I thought I had you there for a moment.”

Adrian lowered himself down and sat in a cross-legged position. He kept silent and looked at his friend.

“I’m stronger, and I know that I’m faster. So why can’t I lay a hand on you? And don’t say technique again.” Sahib asked.

Adrian sighed, this was not the first time they had this conversation. After thinking things through for a bit Adrian spoke, “You are correct, you are both stronger and faster than me. But my technique is better than yours…” Sahib’s expression darkened and he started to say something, but Adrian interrupted him with a raised hand. “My technique is better, but not by much, it is not the reason why you are always losing.” Adrian said.

Sahib’s face took on an attentive look, “So why then?”

“It is a side effect of my implant.” Adrian said.