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

to go on the offensive instead of being on the defensive all the time.”

“Give us time,” replied Derrick. “I’m sure Earth wants to go on the offensive after what the Confederation did to them, and, in time, we’ll have the fleets that can do the same.”

Layla nodded. “And while we wait, more of the periphery worlds of the Empire fall under Confederation control. I’m afraid this will be a long war.”

Derrick knew Layla was right. He wished he could do something more, but, with their impending marriage, he could not leave the core worlds. Every time he stepped out in public, he was swarmed by the local media.

“When will you go up to the Destiny?” asked Andrew. He had been involved in finding the research on the particle beam cannon in the secret military archives in the Imperial Library.

“Tomorrow afternoon,” replied Derrick. The ship would be a nice getaway from the hustle and bustle around the Imperial Palace. He also wouldn’t have two Imperial Guards following him around everywhere. “I’ll be gone for about four days, while we put the new Destiny through her paces and test the new particle beam cannons.”

Layla put her hands on her hips and stared at Derrick, causing him to wince. “Four days only,” she said in a firm voice. “When you get back, we have a wedding to get ready for, and, since it’s a royal wedding, there’s still a lot we need to do.”

Krista laughed. “I’m glad to hear her use that tone of voice with you as well. I’ve had to hear it for years.”

Layla looked embarrassed. “Sorry, I guess I’m just a little tense from everything else going on.”

Andrew nodded; he could well understand. Kala had been the same just before their wedding. “Why don’t we all get together tonight and have a private meal at the Palace? Krista can invite Major Barkley, and we can have a relaxing evening.”

Layla grinned. “I like that idea. When we get back, I’ll call the head of the Palace kitchen and make the arrangements.”

This sounded fine to Derrick. The Palace chefs were some of the best in the Empire, and the food they served was delicious.

“Let’s finish up this tour and return to the Palace,” suggested Krista. She could hardly wait to get back and to call Mathew. He had been so busy recently with training new attack interceptor pilots that she hadn’t seen him for a while. She was already thinking about what she would wear tonight.

Chapter Three

Druin Admiral Falorr was on board his flagship, the Avenging Light. He had with him a fleet of 310 battlecruisers and 70 battleships. The target he had been ordered to take was a small terraformed moon in the Aspica System, mainly a mining colony, with a Human population of nearly thirty million. The moon had a weak defensive grid, and a few Resistance ships were in orbit.

“Have the fleet stand by to enter hyperspace,” ordered Falorr. “We will exit forty thousand kilometers from the moon. All ships are to target any Resistance ships that might be in range, though I expect them to be in low orbits around the moon and inside the defensive grid.” Admiral Falorr was confident of a swift victory. Time for him to make his mark in the history of the Confederation and of the Druins.

-

Captain Tomas Doran, a Resistance leader, was in his quarters on his heavy freighter when an alarm went off. “What now?” he said aloud. The freighter was completely loaded and would make its first hyperjump in less than an hour. He pressed the comm on his desk, putting him in contact with the ship’s Command Center.

“Captain, we have a Druin fleet dropping out of hyperspace forty thousand kilometers from the moon.”

“Damn!” uttered Doran, feeling a cold chill run down his spine. This run between the Aspica System and the core worlds had been very profitable. “Spin up the hyperdrive and stand by to jump. I’ll be in the Command Center shortly.” Doran wasn’t worried too much about his ship receiving damage. The Confederation very seldom targeted civilian vessels. However, with the Confederation, one never knew what they might do.

It didn’t take Doran long to reach the ship’s small Command Center. Only six others were present. The entire ship had a crew of forty-seven. His gaze went to the display, showing the inbound Druin warships—hundreds of them!

“Hyperdrive is ready to activate,” reported his first officer. “We can jump anytime.”

On the ship’s main viewscreen, a view of the inhabited moon was visible. The moon had been completely terraformed, thanks to the rich minerals in the system. The surface was covered in 34 percent water, and the rest included rich virgin forests and rolling grassy plains. Small cities were scattered across the moon.

“What are the Resistance ships doing?” He knew two battlecruisers and four support ships were in orbit.

“They’re moving underneath the defense grid.”

Doran shook his head. “Won’t do them much good. That defensive grid is very weak. They have more units ordered, but they have not arrived yet.” He knew this from messages they had intercepted. “What about additional fleet units?”

“No, none around,” his sensor operator confirmed. “This moon is way out on the periphery, and the Empire and the Resistance have more pressing priorities.”

“Druin ships are moving toward the moon,” his first officer stated.

Captain Doran let out a deep sigh. He hated losing this cargo run. “Let’s get out of here. Nothing we can do to help them.”

Moments later the freighter entered hyperspace, fleeing from the system, doubtful if they would ever return.

-

Captain Gregory gazed at the tactical display with a worried look. His small Resistance task group was heavily outnumbered and, even with the defense grid, they did not stand a chance against the inbound Druin fleet. “Send a message to Golan Four that we