“This is the real reason of why I came here, to show this to your people.” Jusan said to Adrian. Then he turned to Isani. “What this sphere will show you will be hard to see and hear. But afterwards you will realize that knowing the truth is always better than living in lies.” Jusan took a deep breath, and released it slowly, “This sphere has been passed down through my family for generations, from the ones that found it… The Order of Truth.”
Isani’s face twisted, but Jusan interrupted, “The history you know is not the whole truth. Please, see what this sphere holds. Afterwards you can say your piece.”
Isani calmed, and Jusan turned the sphere on and placed it on the floor. A hologram appeared, and the being started to speak,
“Greetings my children. My name is Axull Darr.” It said in Nel…
And then some time later the hologram finished it’s story.
“…You are my children, the successors of the People.”
The hologram stopped speaking. Isani looked in pain, while Adrian looked stunned. Jusan looked at them, “You see now. This could shatter my people. At least I thought so. But now that they have joined your Empire I think that it will strengthen the bond between us.”
“Amazing.” Adrian said in English. Then the hologram that was still active turned its all white eyes to Adrian.
“I see that the two of my children have found each other.” The hologram said in English. Jusan jumped back. He looked at Adrian and Isani in disbelief and said, “It never spoke more than the one message.”
The hologram turned to Jusan, “That was because the conditions for my secondary protocols were not yet met.” The hologram said in Nel. It turned to Isani and Adrian, “You all understand this language, correct?” It said in Nel.
“Yes.” Adrian responded in Nel, stunned even further.
“Good. Now that my secondary protocols are unlocked, I can provide select knowledge based on your technological level.” The hologram said.
“What are you?” Jusan asked softly.
The hologram turned to him, “I am the shadow of Axull Darr, his thoughts and knowledge transferred to a memory container.”
“We need to get this to Sanctuary. I think that perhaps you should talk with the Emperor in person.” Adrian said to Jusan, who couldn’t draw his eyes away from the hologram. Perhaps he might finally get some answers.
Chapter Thirty Five
May 2172 – Nuva
With Fleet Commander Isani and Jusan traveling to Sanctuary via hyperspace, carrying the orb there, Adrian was left in charge of the system. Commander Isani’s and Jusan’s warships were left in his command, all save Isani’s flagship, battleship Valor. The knowledge in the sphere is amazing, and they would need all the expertise of Sanctuary to unlock its full potential.
With little to do in Nuva, Adrian busied himself with tweaks to his colony “proposal”. It had engrossed his mind. It was fun, trying to come up with a way to run a colony. Especially when he knew that it would never happen, he could do whatever he wanted.
Then a ping on his imp interrupted him, again it was a call from Paul. Adrian sighed and answered.
“What is it?”
“Ships dropping from hyperspace, from the directions of Nelus.” Paul said. Adrian stood up and started towards the CC. “They came earlier than I thought they would.” Iris said. Adrian agreed, but in any case they were ready.
Adrian reached the CC and sat in his chair. His ships were ready. He gave the order to the First Fleet now consisting out of 20 Nel retrofitted merchant ships, 10 Nel light cruisers, 2 Nel heavy cruisers, 3 human light cruisers, 2 human heavy cruisers, 2 human battleships, and his flagship the dreadnought Leviathan. All of his ships moved towards the hyperspace barrier and the Nel ships.
There were fifteen Nelus ships in total, 10 retrofitted merchant ships, 3 light cruisers and 2 battleships. They started moving in the system towards Adrian’s ships. An hour later they received a message from the Nelus ships.
Adrian had it played on the forward screen. “We are here on behalf of the council of Nelus. The human presence in the Nel colony of Nuva is no longer needed, my ships are here to protect the system. You are to leave the system immediately. Before that we require that you escort us to Sestar Jusan.” The Nel said. Adrian smiled and looked at Paul,
“He didn’t even introduce himself.” Adrian said.
“No manners.” Paul said nodding gravely.
“Well, I was taught better.” Adrian said and started recording a message.
“Greetings, my name is Fleet Commander Adrian Farkas. Sadly Sestar Jusan is not in the system, and your claim on Nuva no longer applies. Both Sestar Jusan’s people and the people of Nuva had decided to join the Empire. Meaning that you are trespassing on our territory. I require that you turn your ships around and leave, otherwise my ships will consider you hostile and open fire. If you wish to make diplomatic contact with the Empire, you may send a diplomatic ship escorted by no more than four warships. Fleet Commander Farkas, end.” Adrian sent the message and waited.
When the response came, it was exactly what he thought it will be.
An angry Nel started speaking, “This system belongs to the council. You will leave the system immediately or we will open fire, and destroy your ships.”
Paul sighed, “They can see that they are outnumbered right?”
“I don’t think that they believe that the Nel ships on our side would fire on them.” Adrian said. Then he put on a calm commanding face, “Ship Master Isaacs, I believe that the Nelus ships had declared their hostile intent.”
“They have Fleet Commander.” Paul said.
Adrian nodded, “Order all ships to target the incoming Nelus ships with missiles. Missile package “warm welcome”.” Adrian said. He didn’t use the c-board, as the Nel ships in his fleet didn’t yet have their interfaces installed.
Paul acknowledged and relayed the orders to the fleet.
“Missiles locked.” Paul said.
Adrian nodded again, “Fire.”
Seven thousand Swarm Mk1 missiles launched from the First Fleet, from three times the missile range of Nelus ships. At almost twice the speed. The Nelus ships tried to take them down with their laser point defense, but the missiles were outside of their effective range, and their evading capabilities far too effective. Then, as the missiles finally entered the Nelus ships point defense range, and they started taking a few of the missiles down, the Swarm missiles engaged their secondary protocols. What was around seven thousand missiles suddenly became twenty one thousand. The Nelus commander knew that he was doomed his ships couldn’t possibly take down that number.
Their point defense firing frantically even as the Nelus ships tried to move out of the way. Then the missiles reached his ships. Nelus commander closed his eyes as he waited his death. After a few moments, he realized that he was still alive and opened his eyes in time to see the human missiles pass right through his formation and then explode behind them. Stunned, he looked at his crew. He realized that this was just a warning. Immediately he ordered his ships to turn and head back to Nelus.
“You think that they will be back any time soon?” Paul asked.
“Don’t think so.” Adrian answered,
“Yeah, probably not.” Paul added.
Sanctuary – ten days later