Ashes of the Realm - Death of an Empire (Ashes of the Realm (Book Three)) (22 page)

“We don’t take orders.”

Maddy looked at her Weapons Officer and nodded; he pushed a pad and an extremely bright, thin beam left the ship at light speed, struck through the building the leaders were located, and blew through the ceiling burning a hole through the floor in the center of the room they were gathered. All eight of them dove under the table. “Would you take a moment and reconsider that position?”

The Head Leader looked at his display and saw that the beam that had penetrated their hardened room was hotter than any weapon they possessed. The eight in the room knew their ships could not stand up to a beam of that strength.

“Can we overwhelm those ships with numbers?”

“If their force field can withstand their beam, we cannot penetrate it before the ships firing are destroyed.”

“What do we do?”

“We need to see what they want.” The Leader pushed the send pad, “What are you ordering us to do?”

“You will recall all your ships and occupying forces from the worlds you have conquered and return all the captives you’ve brought here to their home worlds. Once that is done you will disarm your ships and only use them commercially. You may travel between the three planets of your species but that is all. If you go outside that space I will destroy your planets.”

“Just how do you think you’ll do that?”

Suddenly the eight leaders saw the closest moon hit with a giant beam and exploded into dust. The beam then hit the dust and burned it out of existence. “I don’t want to have the dust fall on your planet and disrupt your atmosphere. However, I won’t worry about the dust your planet leaves behind.”

The incoming ships saw one of the strange ships fire on the moon and destroy it. The beam was more than five hundred miles wide and had blown completely through it. The ships in front of the oncoming fleet stopped and moved no closer.

All of the military installations on the planet saw the moon’s destruction and felt unimaginable fear. Were they next?

“You should also be aware that this is your only opportunity to survive. If you don’t agree to my demands I will go and destroy the other two planets as well. If you agree but they refuse to listen, I’ll destroy them.”

“Why are you doing this?”

“I represent an agency that follows a principle that those civilizations that cannot defend themselves against aggression will be protected.” Maddy didn’t want to say more but couldn’t stop herself, “Things look very different from the other end of a blaster, don’t they? Your days of wanton destruction and killing of innocent civilizations is ending and your survival means nothing to us. I honestly hope you turn my offer down. After all the horror you’ve caused, I’ll enjoy giving you what you’ve been delivering. Please tell me you refuse.”

Maddy waited a moment and said, “I know you’re thinking that we won’t fire on you and kill all the captives you’re holding on the planet, however, we will remove them and then kill you. Please turn your attention to the compound located at the northern edge of your city,”

Maddy turned to her Drive Officer, “Are you ready?”

He nodded and activated his board. The two million slaves in the compound were covered with a silver field that dropped on them and they disappeared. Some of the guards turned their blasters toward the silver field and were immediately burned into ash. The other guards dropped their weapons and looked around in all directions. The Riders that had teleported to the planet’s surface in stealth mode continued to keep close watch on the slave compounds.

The eight leaders were stunned. The Head Leader looked at the other seven, “We know what it means to be a conqueror. A stronger foe has found us.” He leaned forward and pushed a button, “We will agree to your demands.”

“Just to make sure you understand the details so there won’t be any misunderstandings; if any captive is harmed during the transfer, your world dies. If your forces on your captive planets harm the local populations, your worlds die. You have ten rotations of your planet to bring all your occupying forces back. You will have ten more to complete the return the captives. We will remain here to insure your compliance and I’ll have a ship at all of your conquests to insure you keep your agreement. Do you understand?”

“We need more time.”

“That is not something you have. I suggest you get your ships moving to bring your forces back.”

“Sir, their communications have increased to more than a hundred times normal.”

Maddy leaned back in her chair and smiled, “Keep the other compounds locked in. I hope they don’t force us to sort all of them out to get them home.”

“The planet Emperor Valrico forced to do this ultimately had to be destroyed. Do you think that will happen here?”

Maddy looked down at the beautiful planet, “Probably, but the hard work should be done before we’re forced to take that action. Some lessons are just not learned by those that prey on the innocent.” She looked over at her Communications Officer, “What’s happening at the other two planets?”

“They’re arguing with the Leaders about this but I think they’re going to comply. The Head of this group has told them he will attack them himself if they don’t start following his demands.”

Maddy looked back at the planet, “Maybe I’m wrong and they will survive. We’ll see.”

* * *

Jingo and Trey sat on board Greyson and listened as Maddy handled the aggressor planet. “You’ve got to be proud!”

Jingo stared at the display and smiled, “I am. She is so much like her mother.”

“And her Father as well.”

“Yeah, I guess she is. I’ve been worried that her fast advancement in rank would be resented.”

“The ships under her command are some of the best in the Empire’s Fleet. They know they have a great Commander. I think we need to give her a fleet.”

“Not yet, Trey; she needs more experience.”

“Jingo, we desperately need good Flag Officers. You know our numbers are growing faster than we can control and she runs a tight organization. She can bring her officers from her ship with her but we need her now.”

“Who will she report to?”

Trey thought a minute and said, “She’ll report to Paul Blake and take command of his Fifth Fleet. The eight hundred ships in that fleet are basically new and they need someone with experience. I’ll have Timmy cut the orders.”

“Why don’t you just move her ships into that Fleet?”

“No, I’m going to promote one of our more promising Captains over them. Those sailors will help him get his legs under him.”

“That’s a good idea.”

“We’re making progress. Stay on top of this.”

Jingo looked at Trey, “How much longer before we take on the Black Ships?”

“The Robbins is due to be launched in two years. We’ll start our attacks a year before it’s completed.”

“Then we need to hurry.”

“Yes, we do.”

* * *

Maddy teleported aboard the HMS Retribution and the crew came to attention. Captain Jason Oliver saluted and said. “All present and accounted for, Sir!”

Maddy looked at the Captain and saw he looked nervous. Good! There was a lot to do and not much time. She returned his salute and said, “At ease, Captain.”

The crew assumed an at ease posture and she looked over the two hundred sailors on her Flagship. She stared at them for a long moment and then said, “We will start our training immediately.” She pressed her com and Lt. Jent sounded the alarm, “Battle stations, all hands to battle stations.” The red lights started flashing throughout the ship and Captain Oliver saw Maddy press her stop watch. He rushed out of the landing bay and Maddy slowly made her way to the Bridge. The ship was almost a mile long so this should tell her how good the crew was trained. “Lt. Jing, I want to know how long it takes for all departments to report in.”

“Aye, aye, Sir.”

Maddy walked through the landing bay doors and saw one of the sailors disappear. She noticed that he was wearing the uniform of a weapon’s operator and made a note on her com. She arrived at the Bridge and looked at Lt. Jent, “Two minutes, thirty four seconds, Sir.”

She took her seat in the Command Chair and turned on the general display where all the members of the crew could see her, “One of you teleported to your assignment; you have a minute to report to the bridge.”

She waited while the crew remained at Battle Stations. The sailor that had teleported came running onto the Bridge and came to attention. The crew watched their displays and was thankful they were not under the Admiral’s gaze.

“What’s your name sailor?”

“Trent Moore, sir.”

“How were you able to teleport to your assignment? If you arrived with someone at your point of entry you could have caused damage to the ship.”

The sailor straightened and said, “I synchronized my com to the cameras in the bay sir. I have eight places locked in to my teleportation module and looked for one that was not occupied, Sir.”

Maddy watched the nervous sailor and kept a stern expression. The sailor knew he was in big trouble. Maddy turned on the general frequency and said, “Every sailor on this ship will select the place at your station and lock it into your teleport module. Whenever Battle Stations is sounded you will immediately, and I do mean immediately, teleport to that location and not move an inch until all the members of your unit are present. I don’t care if you’re naked at the time; you will immediately teleport. You will lock in your location now and report back to the landing bay. Now move!”

Maddy teleported to the landing bay and waited for the crew to arrive. After six minutes they were all present in ranks and breathing hard from running through the ship.

“Now let’s try this again. Lt. Jent, if you wil,l please sound the alarm.”

The alarm sounded and the entire crew instantly disappeared. Maddy disappeared with them and appeared in her Command Chair. “Lt. Jing?”

“Four seconds, Sir.”

Maddy looked at the crew in the display again and said, “This is an example of how we can all learn things that will help us survive in a hostile environment. We get better by learning from each other and that’s how we will become the Empire’s best warship. Trent Moore, you will report to Fleet Academy tomorrow and begin your training to command one of our ships. I expect you to make all of us proud. I will request you be assigned to my fleet upon the completion of your training. Congratulations. Stand down from General Quarters.”

The sailors all looked at each other and knew they were in good hands. Soon the entire fleet began to feel their pride in their Admiral; the Fifth Fleet began calling themselves Maddy’s Marauders. She pretended not to know it. Teleporting to Battle Stations become known as Maddy’s Jump. She pretended not to know that as well.

* * *

The Empire’s Fleets grew in number and the right leaders were found to build the Empire’s Navy around. Thousands were enlisting from the sixty six planets and the candidates for the Empire’s Warriors numbered in the millions. Greyson watched what was happening and one day asked Trey, “I notice that the ships being built by the Empire are no long controlled by a cybernetic computer.”

“We will not travel down that road again, Greyson.”

“Tell me why? We’re not far from having the technology to build them.”

“How many people would we have to search to find an adequate partner for a cybernetic ship?”

“I don’t know; a million?”

“No, more like a billion. And what happens to those that are left out of the struggle? They sit back and don’t have a part in achieving the fruits of that fight. They lose themselves to a pedestrian existence and ultimately resent the price being paid for the quest. That’s why the Realm fell. The citizens were left out of the struggle and were lead by those that played on their longing for peace. This fight to bring balance back to Creation must be shared by everyone. We can build a ship just as powerful at one tenth the size of our current vessels. We will not do that and deprive our citizens of taking part in a quest that grabs their imagination and makes them stronger for the effort.”

“I think I understand. Am I a dead end?”

“Greyson, you are one of the most powerful ships all of Creation. I honestly believe that you no longer need a partner and can take part in this struggle on your own. You’re different now.”

“I sense that and I’m feeling a need to become something more.”

“I don’t know what your destiny will be my old friend. I’ll help you find it if you need my help.”

“No, there’s too much to do right now. I just worry that there are so few of us left.”

“That’s not true.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re forgetting the Stars Realm. They have millions.”

Greyson brightened up, “Yeah, you’re right. I didn’t think of that. Are you going to take part in the trial against the Black Ships?”

“The Emperor has forbidden anyone Flag Rank and above to be involved.”

“Since when has that stopped you?”

Trey chuckled, “You know me too well but this time I’m going to follow his edict.”

“Why?”

“At some point I am going to have to depend on others to carry out my plans. My partner agrees.”

“How is Cassie doing?”

“Greyson, how long have you known about her?”

“Since the day you were three years old and the two of you wouldn’t come close to each other during Carter’s meeting to move the Industrial Planets.”

“Boy, you can keep a secret.”

“She’s quite remarkable. The two of you are perfect for each other.”

“Thank you, Greyson.”

Greyson was startled, “You’re welcome, Cassie.”

“You have always been my favorite ship.”

“Why is that?”

“You brought Trey back from Bristone. You’ll always have a place in my heart.”

“Greyson, we will be at the trials.”

“What?”

“We can’t be on the ships but we can be in the gallery cheering them on.”

“Now that sounds like a plan.”

“We also have a Fleet Vice-Admiral who has requested to go with us?”

“And who would that be?”

“Admiral Dorg.”

“Maddy! Oh this is sounding better all the time.”

“One of her ships has been selected to take part in the initial confrontation and she wants to be there.”