Ivan Kal - Out of the Ashes

“Hmm… Yes, I think that this a good suggestion.” Tavaar said. “Let’s vote. House Nor Ral votes yes on the proposal of house Dai Ven.”

The rest of the room then voted. It was unanimous of course. Rarely did one contest house Nor Ral.

“I thank the council for your trust in this matter.” Jusan said. Afterwards they moved on to other things, mostly involving petty disputes. Jusan listened only with a half ear, he was planning how to get all of his household to the merchant fleet without giving away his intention.

One month later everything was ready for their journey. Jusan stood on the bridge of one of his light cruisers. Looking at the screens he could see the rest of his fleet. The entire merchant fleet of house Dai Ven was present, ninety four cargo ships, plus twenty retrofitted ships and five light cruisers. Jusan somehow managed to get all the members of his household on board the merchant fleet ships without anyone figuring it out. It wasn’t as hard as he initially thought it would be. People of one great family rarely inquired in the personal matters of another. And his people managed to spin the sudden disappearance of so many entire families, as them all needing to help the endeavor of their ruling house. Of course they would realize that something was wrong, but Jusan hoped that by his people would be well on their way to Nuva. He knew that Tavaar’s response would be harsh once he finds out and manages to put everything together. But Jusan had no choice, he couldn’t help Nelus, but he would help his people. Even if they are just a fraction of the whole. Jusan watched as Retnor Savnai commanded his ship, soon the entire fleet would enter hyperspace. Jusan reached inside his robe, touching the sphere. And this time I will do what I should have done before.

November 2171 – Second Fleet

The Second Fleet dropped out of yet another trans-lane. Now only a hundred light years from the Solar system. They were close enough now that messages to Earth would take only a couple of days there and back. And so they could contact them while they were traveling to the next trans-station. Johanna was eager to hear about the Resistance’s plans. As they drew closer she felt apprehension, knowing that soon she would be in a battle for the first time. She had kept scenarios running throughout the fleet for their entire trip. And she had studied both battles that Fleet Commander Farkas fought, in Sol and at Nuva, but also the Voyager’s encounter with the Sowir. Each battle was so different than the other, and in each their commanders acted in ways that differed from what she would have done. But nevertheless, Johanna studied their tactics, and planned her strategy. She knew that it wouldn’t survive the first encounter with the enemy, but her goals were clear. Liberate Earth using any means necessary.

“Turiel, send the first message to the resistance.” Johanna said.

“Right away, Fleet Commander.” Turiel, the ship’s Ai responded.

Then Johanna stood up and relinquished control of the CC to her Ship Master. Andros accepted, and started ordering the fleet towards the next trans-station. Johanna left it to him. They had done this dozens of times by now, it had lost some of the excitement it had before. As she walked the corridors of her ship, she could feel the same from her crew. Before things would stop each time they entered or exited a trans-lane, everyone watching the view outside on the ship’s many view screens that showed images from the outside. Now, no one did, they walked around at a brisk pace, in a hurry to do their jobs. Stopping only for a moment to acknowledge Johanna’s presence with a quick salute.

As she walked, she glanced to the view screens seeing the fleet moving there alongside the Monarch. As she walked by she caught her own reflection in one of the screens. She studied herself for a moment, her short brown hair, a young pretty face, and a slim figure. She did not look like someone who commanded an entire fleet. At least not to her. But then she was old enough to remember what someone aged looked like. On Earth her job in the Concordis military, and later Olympus security, took her to almost every part of the world. In the undeveloped countries she saw people who couldn’t afford to buy life extension treatments. In Concordis and the League they were free, Olympus made them so. But in other countries, those that refuse to let Olympus in, they were expensive and only rich and powerful could afford them. Now that was a thing of the past, every child born now, would stop aging after their 25th year. Staying forever young. Johanna still didn’t quite understand what it meant to have a truly infinite lifespan, she thought that no one did. At least not yet. But it will hit people, in a hundred years or a couple of decades for some. Then they would truly see what this amazing discovery has done to them.

Shaking herself from her deep thoughts, Johanna continued walking. She visited every part of her ship, delighting in seeing everything working smoothly. She loved that part, the everyday command of a ship. She has delegated a lot of that work to Andros now that she was in charge of the entire fleet, but she still kept herself involved. The Monarch felt like a part of her, she loved this ship. She knew what it was capable of, and relished in the knowledge that soon she would be able to let her ship loose on the enemy. Just as she felt trepidation at the fact that many of the people under her command would not make it through it, perhaps even she and her ship. But it was what she chose to do, just like her people chose. Their job was to liberate Earth, and that was what they would do.

Solar system – OES Star Gazer

Mathias entered Jacob’s ready room on the Star Gazer. Jacob was sitting behind the desk a couple of holographic displays were open, showing various information. As Mathias approached Jacob raised his head and looked at him.

“What is it?” Jacob asked.

“Olympus fleet sent a message.” Mathias said.

Jacob immediately stood up, “Where are they?”

“They are about one hundred light years away, they requested that we start updating them about our plans.” Mathias said.

Jacob walked out from behind his desk, “How big is the communication lag?” Jacob asked.

“Five days.” Mathias said, “we need to send the message in the next three days, after that they will enter another trans-lane.”

Jacob nodded as he went for the doors, Mathias followed. With the new developments in Sol it their odd have turned for the better. The Ra’a’zani have sent all their warships back to their space with the last convoy, leaving only one warship in Earth orbit. The job for the Olympus fleet just got easier. Before, their plans were for the fleet to draw out all Ra’a’zani ships to the belt. Now they didn’t need to do that, they only had to take out the single ship in the Earth’s orbit. The Resistance still didn’t know the reason why they sent the ships away. They have been trying to get that information, but it looked like only the Overlord knew the reason. But what really stumped them was that they also gathered up all the breeding camps, and have loaded all the materials that they had stored. If Jacob didn’t know better he would have thought that they planned on leaving.

They reached the bridge of the ship. There were two people there waiting. More precisely one human and one Ai. The hologram of the ships Ai was projected on the holo-platform, he looked like a human dressed in standard black Olympus fleet uniform. The other person was Tamara Grace, Jacob’s second in command. Jacob entered, followed by Mathias.

“What do we have?” Jacob asked.