Chapter 17

And, seemingly, just like that, at least to those of us at the pointy end, the alien attacks just apparently ceased. Naturally, Fleet kept patrolling and the number of Ground Force Troopers kept rising, but, after two binary cycles, we were all wondering just where the hell they’d gone or rather, when were they coming back?

“The Empire and our major allies and friends are trying to track them down, Kiria,” my Dad informed me during a time-off family call. “We don’t think we defeated them, but merely gave them pause for thought and they are having a go at a weaker Realm.”

“So, possibly building up their resources for another go later on?” I questioned.

“That’s what we’re working on, but we don’t know where yet, as not every Realm out there talks to us. Even then, they might not want our help, or we’re not able to get out there,” he shrugged.

“I see,” I nodded, then changed the topic of conversation. “How are Hilli, Truna and Galh doing?”

“Settled in and enjoying life, at least outwardly. Your Mum thinks they are still grieving, but, it’s more the occasional bad moment than overwhelming misery.”

“Look forward to seeing them on my next leave,” I grinned. “All of you.”

“They’re looking forward to seeing their big sis. They often ask what you’re up to.”

“At the moment, it’s not a lot,” I grinned. “Spending a lot of time gaining experience in the civilian medical centres dotted about the planet, where they tend to get a lot more interesting cases, rather than the trauma cases that GF normally gets.”

“Enjoy it while it lasts,” he smiled, before handing me over to Mum.

The small Realm of Heggesipe was a cultural backwater of ten planetary bodies compared to the larger and more powerful Realms around it. Though it was generally ignored by them and even by planetary raiders as it generally, other than a few speciality food products, had nothing any of them wanted. They had a few localised space-based industries to cover their mineral needs as well as each inhabited planet having a small space station to deal with what little trade they did. The Confederation, as it called itself, didn’t even really have a defensive Fleet, just a few Frigate types vessels to cover customs inspections.

Hence they were woefully ill-prepared for the ten alien fleets that jumped to the edge of their systems and started inwards to the inhabited worlds. Nor were their pleas for help taken seriously enough by their closer neighbours to get a rapid response from them. Not that even the mightiest of them could have done much to help, even if they had arrived in time.

What was found by the neighbouring Realms, when given a further alarm by various trading vessels, were ten worlds more or less wiped clean of human life. There were clearly signs of desperate combat, even a few alien bodies amongst the desiccated and drained human bodies, but only a scant few isolated human settlements were left and all telling the same grim tale of a horrifying invasion and the mass killing of the vast majority of the population.

There naturally were a few conferences amongst the surrounding Realms, though it was merely assumed the Heggesipe had somehow offended another Realm, though what images they had of the alien vessels and aliens matched no known race or Realm. Hence the discussions were mostly over who were going to take over and settle the planets.

This naturally changed when the aliens attacked again and again, destroying Fleets and reducing planetary populations to a fraction of what they had been. Powerful Fleets were just swept aside and Alliances crumbled in the face of this powerful enemy, but gradually word got back to the Empire and plans were set in motion.

“So, we have information that they are attacking civilisations over a thousand Imperial light years away?” Empress Amantil questioned Grand Admiral Vuspic of FleetInt.

“Yes. Though we have few, if any, resources out that way, simply information passed on from one Realm to another and then handed onto us by Emirate Intelligence as they knew we were looking for something like this,” he answered.

“Can we get our Fleets and forces out there?”

“Not easily, no, Serenissima.”

“How about if we set up a base on, or in orbit of, one of the ... attacked worlds and use its resources to supplement what supplies we might need?” Cure David asked.

“They’d still be very exposed out there, beyond any immediate help or supply,” Admiral Arconti of Fleet Command replied. “Still, we could do it if we could find somewhere and, I agree, it’s definitely better to fight them out there than here.”

“Begin plans and send out our scouts,” Amantil ordered.

“It will take over two binary cycles to get out there, Serenissima,” Arconti countered. “Best to send our scouts loaded on something like a Carrier as they can store enough food, fuel and drop off Comm Relay stations on their way out to provide communications with the Empire. Also it would be best to send our best out with them.”

“I stand corrected,” Amantil nodded with a wry smile of appreciation. “Very well, begin preparations for an Expeditionary Group made up of 4^th and 5^th Fleets along with a Carrier complement and scouts. Other Fleets and Ground Force complements to follow. What information we have of potential problem Realms in their path as well as updates on what these aliens are up to and the direction they are going is to be passed along to them when in transit.”

“By your command, Serenissima,” the various people involved intoned, some with salutes.

“Meditechs and Healers, begin preparations for an extended mission,” Flinn announced several days later. “Travel time will be at least two binary cycles in stasis, followed by interdict missions on these aliens.”

“How long?” Meditech Banna asked incredulously.

“Seems these aliens have decided to pick on weaker civilisations and we still have several scores to settle. Hence a long trip, followed up by a lot of fighting.”

“Can we operate that far out?” I asked.

“Ground Force can operate anywhere. The plan is to orbit an attacked world and get them to supplement our supplies,” Flinn replied.

“What about replacement parts, spares etc?” Torun asked.

“Fleet will be bringing their mobile repair complement; Medical Carriers will operate as base hospitals and a supply chain will be set up to supplement anything we can’t get when we’re out there.”

“Won’t we be passing through a few hostile Realms to get out there?” I asked. “Or at least a few where they won’t want us trespassing?”

“The intention is to get permission or go around. as far as our intel goes. Only the Emirate would be a potential threat to our mission militarily and they’ve already said we can use a transit lane through their core worlds.”

“We’re still going to have issues killing the damned things,” Torun semi-groused.

“True, but we also want them to know there’s no hiding from us.”

“OK.”

“So, begin base prep and decide what we’ll need to take with us as if it doesn’t go, it could be two binary cycles before we get replacements. Liaise with the Fleet weenies to see what their Medical Carriers have.”

“What about a Cure?” I asked.

“Above my paygrade, but I’ll pass it upwards,” Flinn replied.

“Thanks, I believe having one would be to our advantage.”

“The Empress might think differently, but it is a good idea.”

I said nothing more on this. Flinn was not really in on just how well I knew Aunt Manny and Torun knew that she might take a serious zap and a mind-wipe if she mentioned it. That said, I was pretty sure there would be a Cure on one of the Medical Carriers. The Empire had done it with my Dad in the past a few times.

“We’ll need to stock up on nanite mixes in bulk,” Torun added, changing the subject.

“Yes, though I’m having a word with engineering to see if we can move the building plant onto a starship, though it won’t be an Assault Carrier, more likely a freighter,” Flinn nodded.

“Is it transportable?” Meditech Klees asked, looking puzzled.

“That’s what I’m trying to find out.”

“Useful if we can,” he nodded.

“It will. We’ll be able to fully charge our wands as well as keep on top of the various blends we use to fix up the Troopers.”

“Best bring some spare wands,” Torun grinned. “Kiria here uses hers as a weapon when attacked.”

“Hey, it was only the once and the gore washed off!” I retorted with a grin of my own.

“I’m assuming we’ll be able to use the medical core AI on the Medical Carriers?” Torun asked.

“Yes, except for fighting on planet,” Flinn noted.

“Might be worth bringing along several planetary style cores ourselves and seeing if we can fit one into a landing craft as it’s for certain we won’t find any planets compatible with our set up,” I added.

“Good idea, Kiria. I’ll see if engineering can do it.”

“Even a satellite version might do it,” Torun mused out loud. “Particularly if they have a space station.”

“Again, good thought,” Flinn nodded. “Now go have a think. Get the AI to put it in a report and prepare for the longest voyage of your lives.”

“How are the preparations for the Expedition going?” Amantil questioned her security group.

“We have loaded several scouts onto a Fleet Carrier and have sent it out along with enough relay satellites to enable communications with the vessel to the area we intend to operate in. These satellites will be left in interstellar space and not be detectable to any but the most sophisticated Realms, none of which are on the Carrier’s route,” Admiral Arconti replied.

“Will they have enough supplies and fuel?” Imperial Troubleshooter Herrick enquired.

“We believe so. The Carrier removed half of its fighter and bomber complements to take a yeast growing plant and extra fuel cartridges. Also onboard are the necessary plans to build a gas mining plant from nanotube extrusion from broken down asteroids.”

“How about the main expedition?” Amantil asked.

“We’re going over the various lists of necessities and suggestions and it should be in a position to set off in less than a binary cycle,” Admiral Venuzli of Fleet Logistics replied.

“What’s going?” Justiciar Bonsarr asked.

“4^th and 5^th Fleets including their tenders, repair and medical ships. Another fifty freighters with supplies ... mostly missiles. Also the newest Missile Carrier, Imperial Vengeance, will be joining them.”

“Heavy Fighters?” Ortialantomina Honack (highest Imperial Noble under the Empress) asked.

“Will be tethered to the various Carriers and freighters in the Fleets, twenty-five squadrons in total,” Venuzli finished his report.

“What of a Cure?” Cure David asked.

“Cure Pello volunteered as he’s unattached and one of our finest and discreet Cures,” Amantil replied.

“He’s a good man,” Cure David nodded.

“Others have volunteered as well and will rotate out there if this campaign lasts a while.”

“What of any breakthroughs on the alien defensive weapons?” Senior Investigator Kirim asked.

“We’ve found that the dispersion beam of the old Hegemony ships will destroy the corrillium shielding. We’re currently in negotiation with the Hegemony to get hold of their obsolete ships to strip the existing weaponry out of, as well as building our own version together with hopefully improving on it,” Admiral Denslos of Fleet Research replied.

“If necessary, I can talk to Voice of Truth Amarissa about it if negotiations get stalled. We remain good friends, even if the Hegemon’s bureaucrats still have delusions of grandeur in thinking somehow they remain superior to us,” Amantil replied.