Into the Breach (Empire Rising Book 15) Read online

  Into the Breach

  Empire Rising Book 15

  D. J. Holmes

  https://www.facebook.com/Author.D.J.Holmes

  [email protected]

  Comments welcome!

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and any resemblance to any persons living or dead, business establishments, events or locales are entirely coincidental.

  Copyright © D. J. Holmes 2022

  Prologue

  Yun’mun system, ten light years outside the Karacknid Empire.

  Several vibrations ran through Rarmanca’s nest, gently waking her. Uncoiling her body, she stretched out her tail to its full length. Only then did she slowly open her eyes. A holo display built into her nest had already activated, and her ship’s computer was showing her what had prompted it to wake her. He has arrived, Rarmanca thought as her forked tongue flicked back-and-forth, between her lips. She was eager to get on with the exchange. Other pressing matters demanded her attention, and she wanted to go back to Eaglaton space. The display told her Tanaka-lan was one day late, but such delays were to be expected when both parties had to travel hundreds of light years. “Activate the other ships, take us out of orbit and onto a course to rendezvous with the Karacknid squadron,” Rarmanca ordered her ship’s computer. A beep in reply was all the computer needed to inform her the orders were already being carried out.

  Slithering out of her nest, Rarmanca’s excitement to be getting on with her mission faltered as she contemplated having to don her disguise. Though she was well used to the biological and mechanical hybrids her species had long ago perfected, wearing one of the prosthetics was never pleasurable. At least it will only be for several hours, she encouraged herself. When she got back to Eaglaton space, she’d likely have to spend weeks, if not months, undercover furthering her plans for the avian species and its client states.

  Approaching the large cylinder tank within which the particular alien form she needed floated, Rarmanca tapped a button with her tail. In a matter of seconds, the fluid within the tank drained away, and then a hatch swung open. Moving up into the tank, Rarmanca entered the alien form through the small entrance made for her. Worming her way inside, she settled into the command nodule and allowed hundreds of small antennae to reach forward and connect to her body. Together, the antenna would allow her to precisely control the alien form as if it was an extension of her own body.

  The last connection needed was the command helmet, as it moved down to fit perfectly across the top of her head, Rarmanca closed her eyes and prepared for the connection. Moments later, a sharp pain flashed through her mind and then outwards to her eyes and ears. It went as quickly as it came, however, and in its place, Rarmanca was greeted with the sights, smells, and sounds being picked up by the alien body.

  Taking her time, Rarmanca went through the familiar process of testing her control over the prosthetic. First, she looked around, getting used to seeing through new eyes. Next she began to move her claws, arms, and legs. Confident that everything was working correctly, she reached forward and tapped the button that released the clamps holding her new body in place. Falling just a handful of centimeters, she landed perfectly balanced on the bottom of the tank. Another button opened a larger hatch that gave her enough room to duck down and step out onto the deck of her ship’s main hanger bay. Moving forward as expertly as if she was controlling her own body, Rarmanca left the hangar and proceeded to her ship’s bridge.

  Sitting in the command chair designed for her prosthetic, she activated the bridge’s main holo display. An image of her ship and the six other freighters that were in formation behind it appeared. Rarmanca studied it until she was content the ships looked exactly as they should. Of course, there was little chance that they wouldn’t, but she wanted to make sure. Though built within the Rarmanca’s home system, they had been constructed according to Racumin designs. The only change had been the artificial intelligence command and control capabilities built into each. To all intents and purposes, to the Karacknid squadron that was approaching, the ships would look every inch as if they were Racumin freighters, identical to the ones they had dealt with when trading weapons technologies with the Flex-aor.

  Rarmanca’s physical disguise would complete the ruse. Even to the most advanced sensors the Karacknid’s were known to have, a detailed bodily scan would tell the technicians they were looking at a member of the Racumin species. Only a dissection of her prosthetic would reveal what it truly was, but any attempt to carry out such a dissection would cause the prosthetic’s built-in self-destruct to detonate.

  “We are being hailed,” the ship’s artificial intelligence reported.

  Rarmanca’s tongue flicked back-and-forth again. She took a moment to mentally don her Racumin persona, then she nodded her prosthetic’s head. “Put it on the holo display,” she ordered.

  At once, an image of Tanaka-lan appeared. He looked as imposing as ever. “Ambassador Savoy, I see you have brought your end of the bargain. I am glad to see it. I did not want to have to hunt down your species’ homeworld and teach your people not to cross a Karacknid.”

  The lips of Rarmanca’s real body cracked. She knew Tanaka-lan had no idea where the Racumin’s homeworld was. His threat was empty. She didn’t doubt he had scouts out searching for it. The Karacknid Admiral would want to conquer the Racumin once he finally won his civil war and defeated the alliance of species the Humans had built to confront his empire. Portraying a very different emotion to the one she felt, Rarmanca tilted the head of her prosthetic in a sign of respect. “My people do not wish to earn the ire of the Karacknid people. Both we and our benefactor honored our agreement. As promised, we have the weapons we described to you. Once we rendezvous, we will unload them and you will be free to take them with you.”

  Tanaka-lan leaned forward in his command chair. His lips retracted to show his razor sharp teeth. “And just who are your benefactors?” He asked.

  Rarmanca tried to make the face of her prosthetic look as blank as possible. “I’m afraid that is not information I am at liberty to divulge, except of course to say that they wish to see you victorious in your civil war.”

  “And the Flex-aor successful in hurting the Humans,” Tanaka-lan replied. “Do not take me for a fool. I know why you wanted us to trade weapons with them. Any attacks they carry out with our weapons will cause the Humans to blame us. You are trying to restart the war between us and them.”

  Rarmanca was all too aware of Tanaka-lan’s tactical brilliance and strategic awareness. From the beginning of her plan, she had known he wouldn’t be so easily deceived. “I’m afraid I am a simple ambassador, Imperator. I am not privy to the plans and councils of my leaders, nor my species’ benefactors. However, your analysis is most likely correct. Do you not wish to win your civil war and conquer the Humans?”

  Rarmanca’s lips cracked again at Tanaka’lan’s response. Both his hands rose up into view and his long claws shot out of their sheaths. “I do not wish it, Ambassador. I will it. And I will see it done, with or without your fancy weapons.”

  Rarmanca tilted the head of her prosthetic again. “Of that, I have no doubt, Imperator. I only hope that the weapons systems I bring now will aid you in these goals.”

  Tanaka-lan let out a low rumble of a growl. Rarmanca took it that he wasn’t entirely happy. “Just make sure you inform whoever your benefactor is, that I am not fooled. I will unite the Karacknid people once again and I will conqueror all our enemies. But I will not be a pawn in someone else’s game. If your species or your benefactor try to meddle in Karacknid affairs,
we will conquer and enslave your worlds just as we will the Humans.”

  Though the irony was not lost on Rarmanca, for her species had indeed been meddling in Karacknid affairs for more than a millennium, she allowed none of her thoughts to be visible on her prosthetic’s face. “Of course, my species has no desire to anger your great civilization, Imperator. We simply wish to help you as best we can and so earn your favor rather than anger. For while we may have advanced weapon systems, we are a small and isolated species. We simply wish for you to leave us alone once you have conquered the Humans.”

  Tanaka-lan paused before answering. Rarmanca guessed he knew she was lying. Tanaka-lan had to suspect that whoever was able to provide him with weapons even more powerful than those of his fleet, could have a sizable fleet as well. Nevertheless, he nodded. “If your weapons systems perform as promised, then your species will have nothing to fear from us.”

  Rarmanca nodded in reply, knowing full well that Tanaka-lan was the one lying this time. There was no way he would allow any alien civilization to remain free that had weapon technologies greater than his own. “Just remember,” she advised him, “the weapons will only work once. And if you try to tamper with them or reverse engineer them, they will self-destruct.” She couldn’t help but add one more sentence. “I have been informed to advise you to use them wisely.”

  Tanaka-lan growled louder this time. “Do not presume to tell me how to fight my war. What does a freighter Captain know of such things?”

  “My humblest apologies,” Rarmanca replied as she tilted her prosthetic’s head again. “I meant no offence.” Purposefully, she turned her head slightly to one side as if looking at another screen. “Our ships are approaching your squadron. I must go to begin the unloading process. Once the weapons have been unloaded and my freighters have moved to a safe distance, you can close and collect them.”

  “Very well. We will test one of the weapons and if it performs as advertised, your ships will be free to go,” Tanaka-lan said.

  “As you wish,” Rarmanca replied. In reality, she could easily escape the Karacknid squadron. Her other freighters might not be any more capable than standard Racumin freighters, but she had made sure her’s had the full engine capabilities of a Silizzera’s warship. If she needed to escape, there was nothing Tanaka-lan could do to stop her.

  “Then there is nothing more for us to discuss,” Tanaka-lan said. “Our business together is complete.”

  “It appears so,” Rarmanca said. “If my Benefactors wish to speak with you again, they will be in touch.”

  Tanaka-lan barked a sharp laugh. “Tell them not to bother.” Before Rarmanca had a chance to say anything, Tanaka-lan cut the COM channel.

  “Begin the unloading process,” Rarmanca ordered her A.I., choosing to ignore the insult. Tanaka-lan hadn’t really insulted her, anyway. The Racumin civilization was a small, inconsequential one. They were nothing compared to the Karacknid civilization. And if Tanaka-lan ever does discover them and seek to discover their Benefactors, the trail will just lead back to the Eaglatons.

  In silence, Rarmanca sat in her command chair watching as her drone shuttles unloaded the cargo from the various freighters. She remained in her prosthetic in case Tanaka-lan wanted to talk to her again. When all the cargo was removed, her ships began to back away. Over the course of the next hour, the Karacknid squadron moved alongside the weapons and began to examine them. One weapon was brought away from the others and orientated out towards an open area of space.

  Five minutes later, it was activated. In the space of thirty seconds, six high-powered grazer beams were released from it. They covered a distance more than twice what Rarmanca knew Karacknid energy weapons could reach. Whoever Tanaka-lan chooses to use them against, they are going to get a surprise, Rarmanca thought as her tongue flicked out of her mouth in pride. The weapons were a long way away from the best the Silizzeras Navy could field, but they were still evidence of the supremacy of her species’ civilization and culture. It did concern her slightly that the weapons would only increase Tanaka-lan’s interest in ascertaining the Racumin’s benefactors. Yet, there was no way the trail could lead back to her or her people.

  Less than a minute after the successful weapons test, the weapon detonated, blowing itself into millions of small pieces of debris. There would be nothing left for Karacknid scientists to pick through. Undeterred by the detonation of one of the weapons, more than fifty Karacknid shuttles suddenly appeared and began to move towards the rest of the weapons. Quickly, they began to collect them and bring them to the freighters Tanaka-lan had brought.

  “Set course for the shift passage back towards Eaglaton space,” Rarmanca ordered her ship’s A.I. Her work was complete. Soon, the Karacknid civil war would be over, and the two largest threats her species faced in this sector of the galaxy would begin hurling their strength at one another once again.

  Chapter 1

  When it came, the war was sudden and swift.

  -Excerpt from Empire Ascendant 3015 AD.

  Achilles, Bastion System, 3rd May 2509 AD.

  Five minutes before Achilles was due to exit shift space, Jonathan stepped onto his destroyer’s bridge. The officer who first spotted him tensed. Her reaction was picked up and passed through the rest of the bridge officers. Sensing his presence, First Lieutenant Samantha Cortez looked up from the holo display of her command chair. She gave him a nod and a smile which Jonathan returned. “Everything is on schedule for our arrival at Bastion,” she reported.

  “Glad to hear it,” Jonathan said in a jovial tone loud enough for all his officers to hear. He hid a smile as they began to relax. “I doubt we will be staying long, but I’m sure we’ll be able to give the crew several hours of shore leave.” More than one officer cracked a smile at his words. The Bastion colony was the only world Humanity had settled this side of the Gift wormhole. As a result, it held an air of mystery for the rest of the Empire’s citizens. Jonathan doubted it was substantially different than any of the other ninety worlds Humanity had colonized. Still, it would do his crew good to get the chance to find out for themselves, for once they left Bastian, he feared it would be many months before they would return to civilization.

  Moving over to his command chair, Jonathan sat down and began to study the main holo display as his officers remembered they had their own responsibilities to oversee. A cursory glance at the display told Jonathan when they were scheduled to reach their destination and that all of Achilles’ main systems were functioning optimally. He was as much concerned with the latter as the former. Rear Admiral Salamanca commanded the Imperial Fleet based at Bastion. He had been his father’s navigation officer during the Gayla campaign in the Karacknid War. His father wouldn’t have promoted him up to the rank of Rear Admiral over the last twenty years if Salamanca didn’t know what he was doing. Which meant Salamanca would no doubt be watching Achilles closely. Jonathan wanted to make a good impression with his new commanding officer.

  “Reverting to real space in thirty seconds,” Fifth Lieutenant Scholes informed the rest of the bridge officers from the navigation console.

  When the timer on the main holo display reached zero, a slight tremor ran through Achilles as she tore open a hole in shift space and passed through it into the Bastion system. Within seconds, alarms blared informing Jonathan and the other officers that Achilles was being swept by targeting sensors. On the holo display, Achilles’ own sensors detected two nearby ships. Their transponders identified them as Imperial frigates. Nonetheless, as per standard operating procedures, Achilles’ shields were already powered up and her weapons systems fully manned.

  “We’re being hailed by the frigate Foxglove, Captain Amelia Beckham,” Fourth Lieutenant Rutherford reported.

  “Put her on screen,” Jonathan replied. “Transmit our identification codes as well.” When the main holo display changed to show the image of a Captain almost as young as Jonathan, he raised a hand in salute. Beckham returned the gesture. “I am Captain S
omerville of the destroyer Achilles,” he informed her. “We have orders to report to Rear Admiral Salamanca at Bastion.”

  Beckham nodded. “Captain Beckham of Foxglove. We are part of the system picket. My officers are examining your codes as we speak.” Beckham paused as she turned away from Jonathan. She said something that was inaudible and then turned back. “It seems they check out. Welcome to the Bastion system, Captain.”

  “Thank you,” Jonathan replied. “It is a pleasure to be joining your fleet,” he said, though he could not bring himself to put too much feeling into his words. It was a small lie. Yet, his disappointment at his father sending him to Bastion was still raw, and so he had to put effort into it.

  “And it is an honor to have the Imperial Prince serving with us,” Beckham said, causing Jonathan to stiffen. Now that everyone knew who he really was, no one treated him as a normal Captain anymore. He hated it, and yet could do nothing about it. “You may proceed on to the colony,” Beckham continued, unaware of Jonathan’s thoughts. “No doubt Rear Admiral Salamanca will wish to meet with you before the day is out….” Beckham opened her mouth as if she was going to say more, and then stopped herself.