Annihilation: The Power of a Queen (27 page)

Sten’s display went dark. Dgzh was sitting off to the side in the room and saw his former leaders face turn dismal. Sten then took a deep breath and said, “Who is commanding the fleet in our system?”

Dgzh smiled and said, “The Vgrig Subleader is trying to bring order out of the chaos. His ship was one of the first to arrive.”

“Get him on the com.”

The wall display came on and the Subleader was looking out at them. “We find ourselves in a totally new situation now,” Sten said. “Are you willing to help us try to resolve it?”

“Yes, State Leader, I am.”

I am no longer the State Leader, I’m asking you as one individual concerned about the welfare of our people.”

“You are my State Leader. Talk with the ships here; they will listen to you. You are the only one that can give us hope.”

Sten looked at the Vgrig and knew he was letting others dictate just how much power he had. He had as much as he wanted to take. “Open an open channel to the fleet and broadcast what I’m about to say to as many member as are willing to listen.”

Dgzh said, “The channel is open and it is being sent to all members of the Alliance.”

“I want to thank those ships that have chosen not to join in on another attack against the race known as Human. Our history is replete with the number of worlds we have destroyed because of fear. Fear of Ancient technology, fear of them being too strong, fear of them being too different. The tie that holds us together is fear. No one would dare attempt to leave the Alliance, it would mean annihilation. Right now our member worlds are once again gathering forces to attack a race that is peaceful and wants to only be left alone. Our attacks against them have demonstrated to us that there is another way to live; that we should support each other and find commonality in our desires to live in harmony and peace. Now we face the pivotal moment of our history. Our fleets are divided and will probably be fighting each other shortly. All of the races that make our Alliance of Worlds are now waiting to take the moment to right old wrongs. There is such a heavy debt of anger that civil war is a real possibility and if that happens, billions of lives will be lost. We could quite literally kill more than 75% of our populations if that war breaks out. I ask all members of the Alliance to refrain from attacking another member until the fleet action is over. I beg all of you to think about what the future will be if the first attack happens, it will escalate out of control. To the ships in my system, I am appointing the Vgrig Subleader over our forces. He managed to save many of you after our last invasion of the Humans system and I believe he will do the best thing now. We will keep all of you informed of what’s happening as long as we can.”

Harauik turned off his display and sneered, “Order 9,000 more of the Hargon ships to join my fleet. We will be going to Alliance Central to deal with these traitors first, then we will finish the Humans.” He had noticed that once the former State Leader had spoken, ships had stopped jumping in and joining his fleet. He had 20,000 ships and the additional 9,000 from his fleet will make short work of the others at the Central Planet. For good measure he was going to totally destroy all the population after he destroyed their fleet. “Get ready to jump in 40 drags.”

“Danielle,” Tag thought.

“Yes, Darling”

“I need your help. The Alliance is either going to attack us or go after the rebels at the Alliance Central Planet. We need to know which. Can you tell me where they’re going?”

“How many ships do they have?”

“They had 20,000 or so until the former Alliance State Leader broadcast his fears of a civil war and made the Vgrig Subleader the commander of the ships in their system. The Alliance commander then ordered 9,000 more ships from his home fleet to join him?”

“They’re going to Attack the Central World.”

Tag didn’t want to doubt her but the decision was too critical to make a mistake. “You answered that pretty quickly; are you sure?”

“Yes, he wouldn’t take the bulk of his home fleet to Earth because they would be too far away to jump back and protect his world. Even if he doubts civil war will happen, he won’t risk his planet if he can avoid it. He thinks that he can handle the rebel fleet and then use intimidation to force the worlds that haven’t supported him to send him all the ships he’ll need. He can then send his home fleet back home. Besides, let say I’m wrong. What is he going to do if he goes to Earth? He won’t crack our Asteroids and if he goes that far in system, he’ll be trapped when you return.”

“Once again, your reasoning is impeccable. Thanks, I love you. Will you ask Tgon-Gee to com me?”

“Certainly.”

Tgon-Gee appeared on Tags wall display thirty minutes later and said, “Do you need to communicate with me Mister Tag?”

“Yes but I need to get Terl on the channel, too.”

A moment later Terl appeared on the split display screen. “Hello Prince Tgon-Gee.” He then looked at Tag and said, “I see you’re planning something to help our Alliance brothers.”

“Terl, you never cease to amaze me. Am I that transparent?”

“It doesn’t take a Glod psychic to see that if what the State Leader broadcast is halfway true, you won’t sit idly by and let it happen.’

“You’re right. I am going to need your entire ships inventories for what I’m planning. Your worlds are protected by your Asteroids so you don’t need your ships to ensure your safety. What I’m planning should be over quickly. Will your people help me?”

“Tag, why don’t you just get Danielle to order it?” Tgon-Gee asked.

“Because the benefit of choosing to participate is that you begin to become what you choose.”

Tgon-Gee and Terl looked at each other and Terl broke the moment by saying, “I’m going to have a headache trying to fully understand what you just said. I do understand it on one level but now my brain has locked on it and won’t let go until I really understand. My world is at your disposal.”

“As is mine,” Tgon-Gee said.

“Then will you have your Fleet Commanders contact Admiral Kosiev and he will give them their assignments.” Both nodded and Tags display went dark.

Harauik impatiently waited for the fleet report. He felt that his enemies would only use more time to better prepare themselves against his forces. “What is the matter? What’s taking so long to get the ships formed up?”

“Council Member, the extra ships from your fleet have arrived piecemeal and we have had to assign them to formations as they arrived. There are still 800 that have reported that they will arrive within the hour. Do you choose to go without them?”

“How many of the 800 are dreadnaughts?”

“Our registry indicates that more than 650 are dreadnaughts. It took them longer to recall their crews because, obviously, they have larger crews to recall. We could have left two days ago but for the extra ships.”

“Make those ships their own unit. Assign other ships to join them from our current formations. That should speed things up,” Harauik ordered.

“Who will command that unit, Excellency? We divided all our Fleet Leaders to the current formations.”

“Order one from our home system to jump in immediately even if we have to ferry him out in a shuttle. Make it happen!”

The Adjutant swallowed and said, “I’ll order it now.”

Tag commed Kosiev and said, “Are we ready?”

“Yes, we’re as ready as we’re going to be. Are you sure where this Alliance fleet is going?”

“Danielle is sure.”

“Kosiev smiled and said, “Then that’s where they’re going. Has she ever guessed wrong on anything?”

“Honestly Admiral, I can’t remember if she has. She usually won’t guess if she’s not sure. Are you comfortable with the tactics we’re planning; we’re back in the outnumbered and backs to the wall situation again.”

“Fortunately I have been able to practice the new tactics with the ships we’re going to use because there are so few of them. I think you are going to be pleasantly surprised by their efficiency. You know you could have used all our ships in this action?”

“No I couldn’t; there are too many chances that many are waiting for the fleet action to start before they make their move.”

Kosiev thought a moment and said, “You make a good point. If it gets dicey we can always call for help.”

“Not if you’re well inside the jump limit?”

“Well, what is life but a gamble,” Kosiev said. “It’s not like we haven’t done it before.”

“One of my favorite songs from our ancient history was done by the Matt McCagg Experience; Don’t play with the Spaceship. I usually listen to it prior to a fleet action and somehow it brightens my mood enough let go of the worry and nervousness. Perhaps the Alliance will finally learn that Humans don’t make good playmates in battle. Someone should tell them, “Don’t play with the Spaceship.”

“I want a copy of it,” Kosiev said. “I think I can use it.”

Tag reached down to his console and pushed several buttons. “You have it now.”

Kosiev put an ear bud in his ear and started head nodding to the music. “There’s only one thing missing.”

Tag looked at him and they both said together, “POPCORN.”

Harauik looked at his control board and thought, “Finally, we can go now.” They he commed his fleet and said, “Group commanders we will jump to the Central Alliance system in 50 sems and begin moving is system. Target the rebel ships first then the ships assigned to bombard the planet will start as soon as the fleets are engaged. You have your orders; make sure you follow them. I will punish anyone that fails.” The countdown continued and the 29,000 ships all disappeared at once.”

T
he Hargon fleet appeared just outside the jump limit opposite the Central World, formed up and began moving in system. It would take the fleet two days to reach the planet because the size of the star in this system being larger than normal pushed the jump point further out. Harauik asked his sensor officer, “How many ships do they have to face us?”

“Our sensors show about 6,700. They are formed around the planet but are now moving to intercept us before we reach the planet.”

“A lot of good it will do them,” Harauik sneered. “We outnumber them in dreadnaughts 10 to 1. This won’t take long. Assign the targets to our groups. I want them destroyed quickly and then we’ll make an example of that planet. Call me in 12 drags; I’m going to my quarters.”

The Hargon fleet sailed toward the planet. Sten looked at his display and thought, “There’s too many and they have much heavier ships. We stand no chance.” Then he commed the Vgrig Subleader and said, “It is my opinion that you have no chance of survival if you take on that fleet. You should order your ships home and save them against the coming war.”

The Subleader looked at him and said, “State leader, we all knew we would be outnumbered but at some point in a military person’s life, the cause they’re fighting for becomes more important than the person. Make your announcement to the fleet but I choose to stay.”

Sten turned on the general channel and said, “I have just spoken with your fleet commander and told him that I see no way you can prevail against the number of ships coming to attack us. I think you should leave and save yourselves.”

Silence dominated the channel for more than ten dregs but no ships left. Finally a voice said, “I’m the commander of one of the ships that came here because I refused to attack the Humans again. They gave me my life back when they chose not to destroy my ship. I learned that day that I could no longer support a government that arbitrarily destroyed civilizations at their whim. I think you’re right, State Leader. We will probably lose, but if I can reduce the strength of the ones that make those outrageous choices then my life will have been worthwhile. I choose not to leave.” Suddenly the com was filled with voices yelling their refusal to run. Sten felt a pride rise up in him and his voice joined theirs. Even Dgzh was shouting. Finally, Sten said to Dgzh, “It’s been a great pleasure working with you. I don’t know if I’ve ever told you, but I value your insights. I just wanted to tell you before I no longer had the chance.”

Dgzh looked at Sten and Sten said, “Uh, oh. You have that look again. Are you not telling me something?”

Dgzh smiled and said, “You haven’t asked me about my trip to the Glods home world. I had an opportunity to get to know their new queen; she’s Human by the way. One thing I learned there; it’s actually a Human expression, “It ain’t over till it’s over.” I think that describes our situation perfectly here.”

Sten watched his friend closely and then looked at his display showing the two Alliance fleets moving toward each other. Finally he smiled and said, “Those Humans; they’re always full of surprises aren’t they?”

Dgzh actually laughed at how quick Sten had figured it out, “You have no idea State Leader.”

“Admiral, I think they’ve gone far enough in system, don’t you?” Tag said while watching his monitor.

“Yes Mr. Gardner, would you be so kind as to let them know what’s about to take place.” Kosiev said.