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

“You will allow us access?” asked Morag Councilor Damora, wanting to clarify that.

Reull nodded. “Yes, all you need to do is send a hyperlight message to the curators, and they will schedule a time for your people to do their research.”

Damora knew the High Council would not like this. “I will inform the High Council.”

“One more thing,” said Reull. He knew, with the telepathic nullifier, that he had the Morag over a barrel for now. “The Zang and my people will be putting defensive grids around our three most populous star systems, not just our capital world. This is not negotiable.”

“You push us too far,” warned Damora, his eyes turning red.

Reull placed a small communication device on the table with a very large green button on it. He placed his index finger over the button and then spoke. “If I press this button, the secret of the nullifier will be broadcast throughout Confederation space. You have ten seconds to agree to my terms.”

Damora looked at the device. He could not risk the secret of the nullifier spreading across the Confederation. “Very well, but you must do everything in your power to ensure the construction of the nullifier is kept secret. They may exist in Lormallian and Zang space but nowhere else.”

“Agreed,” replied Reull. He had his victory; now he had a lot of explaining to do back home. It might be necessary to take many government people to Bator Prime and let them see for themselves what the Morag had done to the Lormallian civilization.

-

For two weeks Andrew and Kala had traveled from one world to the next, pitching joining the Empire. Nearly every world they visited agreed, with the condition that the Empire would help in construction of a defensive grid. After each world signed an agreement, the fleet Andrew was with would leave twenty defensive satellites in orbit, as well as four missile platforms, with promises of much more.

Kala was currently on the surface of Vizen Three, where she spoke with the female governor of the planet. Andrew stood nearby, listening and making comments when necessary.

“You offer much,” said Governor Aspen. “However, I must ensure my people are safe from the Confederation. We ship them one hundred thousand tons of heavy metals every year and have never had a problem with them.”

“I don’t believe the Confederation will allow any Human world to remain neutral in this war,” said Kala. “You do trade with other Human worlds, don’t you?” Kala knew they did, from all the transports in orbit and at the planet’s two large space stations. “What if all that trade is cut off?”

Governor Aspen went silent for a moment. “I have heard of that happening with some worlds,” she admitted. “If I agree to join the Empire, can you guarantee my worlds continued safety?”

“We can promise to defend it,” replied Kala. “In war, nothing is a guarantee.”

“Truthful words,” replied the governor, impressed. “I know you have a large number of supply ships with you, and they contain defensive grid components. What can you offer my world?”

“For now we can put in place twenty defensive satellites and four missile platforms,” answered Andrew. “Within the month we can double that, and, by the end of next month, we can add two ODPs.”

The governor pursed her lips, as she considered the offer. “What about warships?”

“We are positioning a medium-size task force in this sector of the Empire,” answered Andrew. “It will routinely stop by and check on your world. It will be near enough at all times that it can be here within the hour, in case any Confederation ships make an appearance. We will also put some powerful energy shields around both of your space stations, and we can arm them, if you wish.”

Governor Aspen looked from Andrew to Kala. “This war will grow, and I fear none of us will escape it. Bring the papers tomorrow, and I will sign them. For tonight, I have arranged a banquet to celebrate your coming to our world. It is not often a member of the Royal Family ventures out from the core worlds, and we are pleased you came to our planet.”

Kala nodded. “We want to visit as many worlds as possible, and you are more than welcome to come to Golan Four. I’m sure both High Princess Layla and Princess Krista would enjoy meeting you.”

Governor Aspen smiled. “Perhaps someday. I would like to see the Imperial Palace, now that it has been rebuilt. I watched your wedding as well as the wedding of the High Princess, and the Palace seems to have been restored to its former glory.”

“It has, indeed,” replied Kala. “Prince Andrew and I live there, and it’s fabulous. I would be more than glad to show you around someday.”

“I may take you up on that. Now I need to finish making the arrangements for tonight’s banquet. Will you go back to your ship or stay down here?”

“We’ll return to our ship for a few hours,” answered Andrew. “We need to file some reports and to take care of a few things. We’ll be back in plenty of time to attend the banquet.”

-

Later Andrew and Kala were in their quarters, with Andrew sitting behind a large desk, entering information on a computer screen. “You’re becoming a very good diplomat,” he said, smiling at Kala.

“You all tricked me,” replied Kala, shaking her head. “You knew I would have to be involved in some of these negotiations.”

“And you’ve done a great job. We’ve already added eight more star systems to the Empire, and Vizen Three will make nine.”

At that moment alarms sounded, and Captain Barrow’s voice came over the speakers. “Attention, a Morag fleet has dropped out of hyperspace and is inbound. They will be in weapons range in twelve minutes. Condition