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

“In the last two days we’ve received nearly two hundred requests from worlds wanting to join the Empire,” reported Admiral Marloo. “We believe it’s a direct result of the Confederation’s withdrawal.”

“But we know that withdrawal is not permanent,” said Governor Elaina Dreel of Glimmer. “Eventually the Confederation will return.”

Admiral Marloo nodded. “We have, at the most, two to three months to prepare for that. But how can we refuse these worlds?”

“In three months’ time, what size fleet will we have?” asked Governor Gregory Staley of Aquilla Three.

“Over 4,000 ships,” answered Marloo. “The Resistance fleet will also be up to around 1,500 ships, though many of their vessels will be lighter units.”

“This presents a quandary,” said Governor Able Marsk of Lamora Seven. “While we want to greatly expand the Empire, there is no way we can defend that many additional worlds.”

“I may have a solution,” said Fleet Admiral Marloo. “What if we only defend those worlds on the side of the Empire nearest Confederation space? We know the Confederation will have to fight its way through our defenses just to get to the core worlds. It will be almost impossible for them to go around the Hagen Star Cluster. It will present too large of a danger for them, if they attempt to bypass it. Admiral Cleemorl has placed extremely heavy defenses throughout the cluster. There’s a chance the Confederation will not get through them.”

Several of the Governors nodded. “So, you’re suggesting we leave the worlds on the far side of the Empire on their own and responsible for their own defenses?”

“Oh, we’ll help them. But we won’t focus most of our resources there. On the side of the Empire nearest the Confederation, we need to make it a death trap for any Confederation forces that come back into the Empire.”

“We have much work ahead of us,” said Chancellor Stein. “Every day that passes, the actual war comes closer. We must do everything we can to expand the Empire and to prepare for that day.”

Everyone nodded. All were determined that the Confederation would never regain control of their worlds.

-

High Princess Layla sat in the Royal Court, along with Krista and Andrew. For the last several weeks, during the afternoon, civilians were allowed to come into the Royal Court to address the Royal Family and, in some cases, to express their grievances. They were currently speaking to a family of four, who were concerned about all the funds being spent on the war effort.

“We could be doing so much for ourselves if not for the war,” said the man. “Is there no chance for peace talks with the Confederation?”

“I don’t want to die,” said the daughter, who looked to be a young teenager.

Layla smiled. “You are not going to die. I won’t let that happen.” She then turned toward the father. “More worlds are joining the Empire every day, making us stronger. Soon we will have more resources available that can be used to help everyone. As far as peace talks with the Confederation, they are not interested. The Morag are only interested in galactic domination, and we are in their way. With a little luck this war will not last much longer.”

“I hope not,” responded the mother, holding an infant in her arms. “I want a safe world for my children to grow up in.”

“And we are working hard so that they will have that,” replied Layla. “I promise.”

This seemed to satisfy the parents, as they thanked Layla for her time and then turned to leave.

“Just a moment,” said Andrew. From the look of the family, they were very poor. He stood and, reaching into his pocket, took out a couple one-hundred-credit notes. “Take this and find someplace nice to eat with your family tonight.”

The wife took the money, with trembling hands. “Thank you.” She then handed it to her husband, who carefully placed it in his pocket.

Layla watched as the family left the Royal Court. “So very nice. I wish I would have thought of that.”

“I’m amazed we still have so many poor people living on Golan Four,” commented Krista. “How can that be?”

Layla shook her head. “I’ll speak to Chancellor Stein about this. This may be something the Palace wants to get involved in.”

“Helping the poor is always good publicity,” said Andrew.

“I’m not worried about publicity,” replied Layla. “I just want to make sure we have no children on this planet going without food or proper clothing. Did you notice the pants the father had on? They had been mended a number of times. I suspect the clothes the children wore were hand-me-downs.”

Krista nodded, as she thought about how packed with clothes her closets were. She had gowns she had only worn once since she had purchased them.

“We need to see how widespread this is,” said Layla. The meetings with the public were over for the day.

“You do realize that not long ago the Confederation still had control of Golan Four,” said Andrew. “We may be seeing in this family the results of that.”

Layla nodded. Andrew was probably right. She would arrange for someone in her staff to check on this family. If they needed more help, she would arrange for it. It was the least she could do.

Chapter Ten

Councilor Ardon Reull was on Lormallia, which was the Lormallians homeworld. He was currently meeting with the Lormallian Ruling Triad, explaining his actions and what he had learned about the Morag.

“We’ve been enslaved by the Morag since nearly the very beginning of the founding of the Confederation,” explained Reull. “They have used their telepathic ability to influence and to change our very culture.” Reull slid three small computer disks across the table, one for each member of the Triad. “Study the information on those disks, and you will see what the Morag have