The Forgotten Empire: War for the Empire by Raymond Weil (ereader ebook .txt) 📕

stayed clear of civilian vessels. As soon as the wedding started, she would take her fleet to Condition Two and have the rest of her interceptors ready to launch.

In the large Command Center beneath the House of Worlds, Fleet Admiral Marloo stood vigilant. He would not be attending the ceremony. His job was to make sure the Confederation did not take advantage of this event to launch an attack against Golan Four or any of the other core worlds. The wedding would be visible on the Command Center’s main viewscreen. Sitting down in his command chair, Admiral Marloo knew this would be a long afternoon and night.

-

Admiral Cleemorl was back on Golan Four, which greatly pleased Cheryl. She had been afraid he would miss the wedding. Already guests were flooding the palace, where drinks and hors d’oeuvres were readily available. Also a number of Imperial Guards were plainly visible to ensure no one got too unruly. Cheryl whisked Dylan through the Palace, stopping occasionally to greet guests and several times to sample some of the different foods.

“The foods here are from nearly every world!” exclaimed Cheryl, as she tried a small delicate cake from a silver serving tray. “The chefs have been cooking for days, getting ready for this.”

Dylan nodded, as he looked out across the growing crowd. A number of large banquet rooms were in the Palace, and they would all be very crowded. He also noticed several media broadcasters, who were filming everything. He knew this was being broadcast to every world in the Empire. He had spoken to High Princess Layla and Vice Fleet Admiral Derrick Masters earlier. While broadcasting this event was a possible security nightmare, both hoped that the widespread coverage would encourage a few more worlds to join the Empire.

While talking to Derrick, Dylan had asked about the particle beam tests.

“They were fantastic,” replied Derrick excitedly. “I don’t think the Confederation has anything like them. If we can get them on enough dreadnoughts quick enough, I think we could drive the Confederation completely out of the Empire.”

Dylan nodded. “I wonder how soon I can get them installed on the Themis?”

“Probably a few months,” replied Derrick. “We don’t want the Confederation to learn of our new weapon, until it’s too late. Once we’re ready to engage the Confederation with the particle beam cannons, I’ll have the Themis recalled, as well as the rest of your other dreadnoughts, and have all of them equipped. If we use all the shipyards around Golan Four, I believe we can finish the conversion in less than two weeks.”

“Sounds good,” replied Dylan. He liked the idea of attacking the Confederation fleets with a new superweapon. About time for someone to teach the Confederation a resounding lesson in warfare.

-

After leaving Derrick and Layla, Dylan and Cheryl had gone to another of the huge banquet halls, where they were currently.

“This event will be unbelievable,” said Cheryl, as she sipped a glass of rich red wine.

Dylan looked around. He recognized some people, but hundreds more he didn’t—just in this one room.

“Let’s go into the main dining hall,” suggested Cheryl. “I bet they have some really good food in there.”

Dylan shook his head. He didn’t see how his wife kept her gorgeous figure.

-

In the Confederation, the riots had greatly expanded after the Morag destruction of the Creetins’ homeworld. Now nearly one thousand worlds were in open revolt. The Great Council was once more in an emergency session. However, around this planet, a massive fleet of five thousand Morag warships were in orbit, clearly meant to be a show of force for the rest of the council worlds.

Morag Councilor Damora now sat at the head of the massive table. “Where is Councilor Reull?” The Lormallian councilor had been missing for over two weeks. Damora had wondered if the councilor might be up to something, but all the Lormallian worlds were quiet, and its fleets were doing their regular patrols.

“He had a personal situation come up, involving his family, which he needed to take care of,” replied Barlten Aveth, Ardon Reull’s assistant. “He should be back in another week or two.”

Councilor Damora still felt suspicious, though he could sense no evidence of lying in Barlten’s mind. “Very well, if you see him, tell him his presence is required at the council.”

Barlten nodded but said nothing.

Damora decided he would have a search done to find out Councilor Reull’s actual location. He had a feeling something wasn’t right.

“I want Confederation fleets sent to all the worlds currently in open revolt,” stated Damora in a threatening tone. “Use of fusion and antimatter weapons is authorized to bring these worlds back under control.”

“That will just cause this revolt to spread,” warned Ralor Conn of the Zynth. “It is your duplicity that has caused this revolt.”

“Silence!” roared Damora, angry that Ralor Conn had dared to question the actions of the Morag. “This council is under Morag control. If any of you refuse to do as I say, the fleet currently orbiting this planet can be sent to annihilate your homeworlds.”

Everyone looked at one another and remained silent.

“I repeat, I want Confederation fleets sent to all the worlds near you currently in revolt. Once this revolt is put down, we will return our attention to the Empire.”

“Should we recall our fleets currently in the Empire?” asked the Zang councilor. “We may need them to put down these revolts.” Several other councilors voiced their agreement.

Damora did not like that idea. It would allow the Human Empire to retake more of their worlds, if the Confederation fleets were withdrawn. However, the growing revolts currently ongoing in the Confederation needed to be brought to an end. “Very well, you may withdraw 70 percent of your current fleets in the Empire. The rest will remain to hold those worlds we have brought back under our control.”