The Carlson Chronicle Chapter 1
Chapter 22

1-Aug-2355

Alex looked out at the task force assemble all around his ship. 1500 ships, over a thousand Andros, the rest his other design, the Infinite Struggle BCH.

As Anderson stepped up beside him, he nodding to the engineer, he spoke softly, as though speaking any louder and the Garshans might hear them.

“Impressive.”

“Just a bit.”

“Is it true, what they said at Center?”

“Regarding what?” Alex asked, turning toward him.

“Cygna’s really your daughter?” Alex nodded.

“I never met a Marrokian until she came aboard. I have to say, she’s very fetching.”

“Thank you.”

“That ability of her’s is quite extraordinary. Will we be able to use it when we reach Garshain?”

“Amy’s working all those details out now. For one, I’m willing to give the Garshans a fair shake, let them try to defend themselves in a truly military fashion. You and I both know they’ll likely lose, since they could never stand against the Galhadians before.”

“James accepted his assignment then?” Anderson asked, regarding James Carlson’s assigned task of finishing off the Vor’Gosh.

“Without hesitation.”

The capture of 2000 ships was a boon to the TE Forces. Not only did they get plenty of raw material to give to Center for the construction of over 500 Andros and 300 Struggles, the sheer amount of intel, from the locations of every Garshan world, be it main or colony, the location of every way station and ship yard, plus, the location of every Vor’Gosh system, and their strength, made putting the two task forces together so much easier.

James Carlson, taking his Andro and a fleet of over 1000 of the Graf Spee Escort Cruisers, started with the outer colonies of the Vor’Gosh, and, working his way back to their home system, reduced each world to a Reflex-charred cinder. At the time of Alex and Anderson’s brief exchange, he had pushed all the way to their home world, and was in the midst of bombing them back to the stone ages.

With no fleet, no ships with which to repel a space borne invader, thanks mainly to the Garshans subjugation, and with a limited surface to space weaponry system, James’ losses were minimal.

On their front, these last two years had been a system hop campaign. Starting with their farthest flung colonies, Task Force Hydra maneuvered in and through the Garshan’s front and rear lines, most of the task force focusing on the fleets and system defense ships they encountered, while Amythyst took command of a single Andro, ‘Prince of Wales’, and circled around to the absolute edge of Garshan-controlled space, toward the northern edge of the Milky Way, and waged a guerilla war on their nadir flank. Stripped of ships to defend the Hegemony from Hydra, these worlds had nothing save a garrison force, that once destroyed, yielded scads of intel. Cygna and Furball accounted for most of the intel gathered, and a great number of the dead.

As for the civilian population, once the military threat was neutralized, their shipyards in ruin, and no ships bigger then a shuttlecraft to service in-system colonies and outposts, they were left to fend for themselves, but with a warning: If a Garshan ship was seen in Empire space ever again, the Slayer would return, and no Garshan, military or civilian, would draw breath afterward.

Garshan Military Command HQ

Garshain

Same time

“Get me that report from Vashua!” Banachek yelled to an aide.

“Here ma’am.”

She read, and re-read the report of a single Terran battleship, with escorts, wiping out outer colonies that had no fleets to protect them.

“Dammit! Where is the 2nd!?”

“Destroyed ma’am, at Omicron 44.”

“What about the 15th Loyals?”

“Wiped out at Sol Beta Theron, last season.”

“Dammit! Get me Sector Admiral Drazzit!”

“Ma’am?”

“Commander of the 41st Elite Hussars!”

“Wait one.”

“On line three ma’am.”

“Drazzit, status report!” She yelled into her handset.

“Ahh, nice to hear your voice too, Elisia. How goes the conquest of Bineer?” The youthful voice on the line asked. She clearly had her gene activated at a much younger age than Admiral Banachek.

“Bah! Bineer is on hold. We’re getting our asses handed to us by this race, Terrans. Humans, I can scarcely believe I am saying this, but the ghosts of Barnard and Claudia are haunting us.”

“Ghosts you say? Well, I’ve no weapons in my inventory to use on ghosts, but what is it you require?”

“Haven’t you read or even received any reports, girl? The Hegemony has lost more fleets then even I thought possible. Our most elite units are gone!”

“Nonsense. I’m still here. Watching over our former masters. You know they’ve been building since last we spoke? Digging and building cities underground, to escape the radiation from their former foes’ attacks. The Kanin were quite ruthless.”

“Bah! Nevermind babysitting Galhadia, I need you to move your fleet to these coordinates. If the Terrans get passed you, we’re finished!”

“My fleet is yours to command, Admiral. Can you give me a rough estimate of size and strength of these ‘Terrans’?”

“The last report we received was somewhere around 2,000 ships, most of this new class.” She said, sending an image of an Andro.

There was a long moment of silence.

“Admiral? If this force is indeed this strong and this numerous, and they have indeed decimated our forces to date, I have only one piece of advice.”

“And that is?” Banachek asked, exasperation entering her tone.

“Surrender.”

“WHAT!?”

“I have a force of a thousand ships, but nothing newer then a handful of Victory class ships. My whole force is made up of ships older than you, my punishment for overzealously crushing the Strahnan’s, if I recall.” The younger woman responded, as Banachek dropped into her chair, the chaos around her hitting a peak as a new report came in, another Garshan fleet, the 17th Loyals, being crushed not 300LY away.

“Come home, Daria. Come home while you still have a home to come home to. We’ll plan our defense once you arrive.”

“But, what of the Galhadians? Who will keep them from rising up and killing us all?” She asked sarcastically, since they lacked the stomach for war these days, and everyone knew it.

“They already are, by proxy. The Terrans found Shipyard Fortress 2112. Lorelei has been hard at work, educating these humans and equipping them with pre-civil war era technology. That ship I showed you, can best 5 ‘Scathing Victories’ by itself.” Banachek said with a sigh. Daria dropped her mug.

“Then advise the Council. Galhadia has come for us, and there’s nothing we can do to stop them. Besides mine, how many fleets remain?”

Banachek rummages through the data pads on her desk, looking for the most recent update of their forces. Finding it, her mouth dropped open at what she read.

‘All fleets destroyed, remnants and survivors heading for Garshain. Estimated functional ships: 135.’

“I...I’ll advise the Council on the surrender option. Your’s is the last, Daria. Less then 150 stragglers, remnants of over 500,000 ships, are returning home.”

“I’ll be home in 3 weeks. Best I can do.”

“See you soon, sister.” And Banachek disconnected the line...

“I thought you said 2500?” Iris asked from where she lay, rubbing her swollen belly, she nearly ready to burst, his handy work very much in evidence.

“While that was an estimate, I failed to take in how smart that boy really is. Combine his intellect with everything Lorelei no doubt taught him, and his natural charisma, I dare say the Garshans are facing their final curtain call. Is it time?”

“No, not yet. I’m just going to rest here for a bit. I feel as though you’ve given me twins this time! I feel so huge! Bigger even then some of Amythyst’s bubbles!”

“Mother? Father? You should see this!” Anna yelled to her parents.

“What is it Anna?”

“The Garshan Council just agreed with Banachek! They’re going to surrender!”

Turning to Iris, Mannis smiled.

“See? The Marrokians were a horrible distraction. I wonder though.”

“Wonder what darling?” She asked.

“I wonder if he’ll accept their surrender, considering all the evils they have done.”

“Well, most of their evils were done at the direct order of our own High Command. Maybe he should let Cygna vent some rage at Galhadia.”

“We’ll just have to wait and see. Anna! Back to your studies, my daughter!”

“Awww, ok. Can we get any of that bubblegum? I’d really like to try it.”

“Study, and I’ll see what I can do.”

2 weeks later...

Alex surveyed the scene before him. Over 4,000 Andros stood ready, along with over 10,000 Escort Cruisers. Before them, lay what remained of the Garshan Hegemony Navy: 145 ships, most barely cruisers by tonnage, but a few of the ‘Victory’ class battleships.

“Impressive display of firepower, wouldn’t you say son?” Barnard said from behind him.

“Most impressive. What have Mother and Ericka learned? Do they really wish for peace?”

“All signs point to it. But tell me, if they come, asking, ne, begging for peace, what is to be your answer?

“My answer? Why is it my answer? They have to answer to Tiberius for Ironsides and to Cygna for Marrok. I’m merely the military commander on scene.”

“Come now son, don’t you see? None of this would have ever been possible without you.”

“Look, all I see, is a race of psuedo-tyrants getting their comeuppance. Nothing more.”

“And what of the tyrant’s masters?”

“What masters?”

“The Galhadians. They were the ones that basically set the Garshans and the Vor’Gosh loose on everyone and everything this side of Andromeda.”

“I thought they were all dead already?” But Barnard shook his head.

“No, maybe a million, maybe fewer, still inhabit their home world. None of their colonies exist however, they were all wiped out during their war with the Kanin.”

“Makes sense, but, and I do stress this but just a bit, what good would it do to put the screws to the few remaining Galhadians? For something their ancestors did?”

“While most of that is true, I would hazard to guess that a few from the high council from those times might still be around.” Alex quirked an eyebrow at that statement!

“Well, with no navy to stand against us, Maybe we should pay them a visit.”

Alex said with a smile.

“I would say send James, but diplomacy isn’t really his best attribute.”

“No, but it is Ericka’s.” Alex reminded Barnard. Activating his i-COM, he called his OTHER father.

“Yes?” He heard James say rather gruffly, as though he was being interrupted.

“Catch ya at a bad time, pop?” Alex asked.

“Sexing up my new wife. Gods she’s tight!”

“What!? I heard that, Ahhh!” Alex heard first from James, then from E. He chuckled.

“When you’re through, call me. I have a job for the two of you.”

“Ooook, Wi..will do!” And the COM was cut. He laughed.

“Now I know how I sound when someone calls me mid-tryst.” He said with a grin. Barnard grinned also.

“Yes, i-COM’s tend to ruin certain moments. Also, glad to see you accepted Cygna. She loves you a great deal.”

“And I her, Father. I like Furball too, though I’m gonna make him sleep with the tigresses. His purr is just a bit loud.” He replied grinning.

“Admiral to the Bridge! Admiral, please report to the bridge!” They both heard Jett say over the 1mc.

“Come, this will be important.” He said to Barnard, who followed him from the ready room and out onto the main bridge.

“Status report!” He yelled, as he and Barnard strode onto the bridge.

“Incoming COM from Garshain. Their ships appear to be falling back to that space station in orbit.”

“On the main screen, if you please Jett.” She nodded, and everyone turned to see Council Elder Drehanah, a stout woman in her apparent 40′s.

“I am Olivia Drehanah, Supreme Leader of the Garshan Hegemony. Who speaks for the Terran Empire?”

“I do, Alexander Carlson, Admiral of the Fleet.”

“Know this, young Admiral, I do this only to avoid the destruction of my people, not to admit defeat, and...” But Alex cut her off.

“You are defeated, and I’ll not grant you any humility in that defeat. Your crimes are many, and thusly, your judgments will reflect that. This is an unconditional surrender we demand, and it is an unconditional surrender you will grant. Contact me at such time as your Council has ratified the terms of that surrender, and not before.” He finished, making the cut the COM motion to Jett, who cut it immediately. The screen returned to a starfield, their fleet still back-pedaling toward the space station.

“Talia!”

“Aye!”

“Prove to these fools we’re serious! Take out the closest Victories!”

“Aye-Aye Boss, I mean Admiral.”

“Boss, Admiral, Sir and Alex are all fine Talia. Once this is over, I mean to go out and just explore, no more rank, Tiberius, etc.” He said with a smile.

Tracking the lead two Victories, she unleashed Null gun hell upon them, vaporizing the first one she targeted. As she acquired the second one, the COM system lit up with a call from the world below.

“Should I hold fire?” Talia asked. Alex nodded.

“Jett? Main screen please.” Flipping a switch brought a distraught looking Olivia Drehanah back on the COM.

“Stop this nonsense! We agree to your demands! All of them.” She said dejectedly, but then looked up at the screen, a twisted little smile on her face.

“But, I do have a couple of people here who wish to say good-bye, before they are executed.”

“Oh, and let me guess, that would be my traitorous son and daughter, Jayce and Becca?” He answered, looking off camera and giving Cygna the wink and nod to come to him. She did so obediently. Reaching out, he stopped her from coming into view, at least not yet. Looking back at the camera, he smiled at Olivia. She only glowered at him, spinning her camera around, showing the two twenty-somethings to their father. Grabbing Cygna by her shoulder, Alex pulled her to him, so she could see the screen. In the blink of an eye, just as two Garshan troopers were raising rifles to shoot them, they disappeared!

“What?! Where did they go? He’s out of range for transporters!” She cried out, as Alex pulled Cygna completely into the camera view, so Olivia could see her.

“Council Woman Drehanah, allow me to introduce to you, my daughter, Cygna, last of the Marrokians.” He said, as she seemed to stand up straighter. He hugged her and kissed the side of her head, her giggling.

“NO! We destroyed that planet! None escaped!” She declared.

“Honey, where are Jayce and Becca?” He asked her, curiously.

“I ’ported them to sickbay.”

“No, no, no. Bring them to the bridge.” He asked. She wide eyed, thought for a moment, then did as he asked.

Jayce and Becca arrived, and as they took in their surroundings, Jayce pulled a small remote from up his sleeve!

“Now, now you will all die!” He shrieked, pressing the lit red button...

A half a kilometer off the port beam of the ‘Richelieu’, two small fusion explosions rocked the mighty ship, it’s EMF snapping on a nano-second after the devices detonated, absorbing the small blasts. Shaken but not rattled, Alex turned to Cygna.

“How did you know?”

“Garshans are treacherous to a fault Father. Years of fighting them have taught me that.” She said with a smile. Jayce flew into a rage.

“FATHER!? That thing is your daughter!?” Was all he got out as he suddenly became all wooly. Becca received the sheep treatment a second later. Cygna’s eyes went wide!

“You both can use this ability?” She asked, looking first to Amythyst then to Alex. He nodded, leaning down and kissing her softly, ignoring the rants from the woman on the screen, Cygna returning his affections. Breaking off the kiss a few moments later, he looked at the stunned faces of Becca and Jayce. Looking around, and seeing no way out, Becca dropped to her knees, and began to cry. But as Ericka tried to move to her, Amy sheeped her too!

“Amythyst?!” Alex asked, until he saw the small blade in Becca’s hand, right before she became a farm animal again. The knife clattered to the floor as Ericka stood back up, looking shocked.

“That was so weird!” She said, thanking Amy with a smile. Alex turned to the screen, looking annoyed with the Council-woman.

“Cygna, bring that worthless cunt here please.” And she did so, Olivia appearing 3 meters before him. Talia and Jenny (formerly 42) covered her with Kuritas.

“Task Force Hydra! Move out, engage and destroy ALL targets in this system, Nuke that fucking world until it glows!” He ordered, and not a single ship in the task force missed.

While the fleet exacted it’s revenge for Ironsides, Marrok and a host of other worlds and races wiped out by the Garshans, Alex and Amy decided on Jayce and Becca’s fate.

“Talia! Jenny! Take these two juveniles down to the brig. But Talia, do me a favor?” He asked as they moved, rounded up the two kids, and hustled them into the lift.

“Yeah boss?”

“Kill Becca please.” She grinned at that order.

“With pleasure!” Since only she had the gene. Jayce was mortal.

An unnerving scream could be heard inside the lift after the door closed, which was cut off suddenly. Alex called Talia on his i-COM.

“Tali? Just kill her, don’t behead her.”

“No worries. Kinda hard to do that with claws anyway. Can I ask, other then the obvious reasons, why?”

“She has the gene.”

“Oooooooh.”

Ericka turned to look at Alex, the shock and horror on her face very telling to him. He merely laid it out, plain and simple.

“They’re both going back to Earth to stand trial for Treason, if for nothing else. While Treason carries a death penalty, they’ll be tried under special circumstances. No death penalty.” He said, as at first, James started laughing, and then Anderson. Ericka looked even more confused, until Cygna gave it away.

“Ahh, so Jayce will die of old age, but Becca, as an eternal, will be in jail forever. Life without ever getting out, right?” She asked Alex.

“Correct. Life without the possibility of parole.” He said with a smile, turning his attention back to Olivia.

“As for you. You will go back with us to Center, where you’ll face a military tribunal, found guilty, and executed by firing squad, unless you can tell me why we shouldn’t.”

“Father?” Cygna asked, eying the Garshan evilly. She only shuddered. Turning back to the screen, she saw her once blue-green world reduced to flames and ash, over 500 Andro’s circling it, pounding it with their mains.

“Cygna, call me Dad.” He said, she turning in surprise, leaping into his arms, and hugging him tightly. He hugged her back, knowing now that she was whole again, he having accepted her fully into his family unit. She kissed his cheek, and slipped out of his arms.

Turning to Olivia, she blinked once, and all of Olivia’s internal organs appeared lying beside her, Jett nearly losing her lunch at the grisly sight. The guts then disappeared, but sadly not the smell.

Olivia dropped to her knees, unable to speak, breath or do anything, except die. She was then ’ported out into space...

“Ok, Marrok avenged. Is that what you used to do to Garshans?” Alex asked, his nose and chin tucked under his shirt collar. She nodded, as small robots shot across the bridge, cleaning and disinfecting the area. Jett took a tentative breath, and gave everyone around the thumbs up.

“Yes.” Cygna said, collapsing into his arms, sobs wracking her svelte frame, he holding her close as Amy and Jett joined in on the hug, her finally able to let out all of the pain and anquish of these last few years...