The Forsaken Empire (The Endervar War Book 2) (11 page)

It was precisely the question already on Arendi’s mind. Her stare lingered on the screen as she wrestled with what to do. The images before her showed the inexplicable, the destruction so wanton.

Why now? she wondered. And for what reason?

In the end, Arendi couldn’t leave just yet. She looked at Red and thought back to what he had said.

Stand by, Arendi ordered. If Red is right, then this is only the beginning.

***

The admiral’s voice was hoarse. With each breath, he vented dread.

It’s confirmed, the Arcenian admiral said. The old commander was on the other end of the comm feed, and he stared back at her solemnly.

We spotted an Endervar fleet entering Arcenian space less than an hour ago, Onatagias said. Destroyed our base at Gaidrogen and bombarded the nearby colony. Over a million are projected dead.

But that was just the first attack, he added sullenly. Scans had picked up another enemy fleet entering Arcenian space and then another. According to what we know, the Endervars are assaulting us across the empire.

He wiped his face and scratched his stony skin, astonished at the enemy force now blazing through his people’s territory.

Luckily your warning put us on alert, he said. We’ve dispatched all available ships, and we’ve begun engaging them. I’m hoping we can contain them until reinforcements arrive.

He tried to smile, glad to see Arendi. The wrinkles creased through his bony cheeks. But other than that, his face remained grim. Clearly, this was no random attack. If anything, it was an ambush.

Our surveillance networks, Arendi said. They were less effective than we thought. Only when it was too late did we know.

The old networks. They had been built centuries ago and had been designed specifically to detect Endervar activity, including the enemy’s signature mode of travel a warp field. Most of the surveillance systems had been deployed in deep space, as singular probes or monitoring satellites, but together they formed a massive web across the quadrant.

That trusted safeguard had warned the galaxy, time and time again, of the enemy’s imminent arrival. But in this instance the surveillance systems had utterly failed in their task.

So why? the admiral asked. How did they know? Unless

The only conclusion was a disturbing one that the Endervars had somehow acquired the information or perhaps had been supplied with it.

It was a strange thought. Not once had the Endervars ever communicated with the Alliance. What mode of speech they used was still unknown. But aside from their massive ships, they possessed no other agents. No other until now.

This Farcia character and the Unity, the admiral said. Intelligence on the networks was widely known among the various governments. Of course, even the Unity knew. They helped deploy it.

I don’t like this, Arendi said. I warned the Alliance days ago. But we’re still vulnerable. Perhaps more than we realize.

Alliance territory was undeniably vast. It cut across the quadrant, spanning heavily developed planets and colonies sparse with life. Even with the different militaries already on alert, there were still plenty of targets to attack, many of which were nearly defenseless.

The admiral agreed, but for other reasons as well. To him, the ongoing assault was a replay of the time thirty years ago when the Endervars had invaded Arcenian space. That incursion had culminated in the fall of Vellanar, a battle that had killed thousands, most of them trained officers.

But this was worse. Far worse. All indications showed that the enemy was laying waste to every colony or base it came across. Nothing alive had been spared.

Venting a puff of steam from his lips, the admiral fell back in his chair, fearing the potential onslaught.

The enemy as much as we feared them in the past, they always fought us with one fist behind their back, he said. Now they don’t care for sentient life, it seems. They want us all dead.

The admiral spoke to Arendi as he sat in a location in a military facility underground. She could see the commotion around him. Officers were shouting orders and bustling through. Onatagias sighed as he looked at a separate holofield. If this continues, the death toll will reach over a billion or more, he lamented. Our precious peace is gone.

Although the admiral couldn’t see it, Arendi was just as tense. She heard the commander’s words and felt her breath sapped. It was a dire situation, and it risked growing worse.

I’m sorry. I wish I had something more hopeful to say, he added. But I’m glad you’re here, fighting for us. We need all the ships we can get.

Admiral. This may all just be a diversion, she warned. My source Cieras Novaire he’s still convinced that the true target is Vellanar.

I see. So far the enemy is attacking our fringes. But as a precaution, our defense drones at Vellanar will remain in the system.

It was at least one reassuring sign. Even without the Alliance fleet, the Arcenian home world was still well defended by a machine army, built to protect the empire. Thousands of the small, unmanned ships were already patrolling the edge of the system, armed to fight off any threat, including the Endervars.

If anything happens, we’ll be ready to join them, Arendi said.

The admiral nodded and slouched back in his seat again. Next to him, another Arcenian officer had approached. He was leaning in and whispering into the admiral’s ear.

I’m sorry, Arendi, the old commander grumbled. But I have to leave.

Already, panic was spreading across the Alliance. Reports of the enemy attacks were reaching the news spheres, and the admiral was scheduled to address the public.

A chore, he complained, rubbing his creased brow. I wish I actually had answers if only were here then this would

The words and his image were starting to freeze and jumble. Arendi’s feed to the Arcenian military command was cutting in and out. They both knew why.

Not exactly the best timing, he grumbled. But I hope we’ll find whatever this Farcia is looking for.

With the help of the admiral, Arendi had managed to access the computing systems across the government. It had all been done in secret, however, and without official authorization. The hack being used was extreme and invasive, to say the least.

She could hear his frustration on the other end. He pounded the console in annoyance.

What’s done is done, he said. It’s quite the gamble.

Arendi watched, flexing her right hand. I know. But if necessary, I’ll take full responsibility.

He couldn’t quite hear her, however. The static was gargling her voice.

It didn’t matter. The admiral took comfort in the fact that she was still there, not far from the planet. As his image began to fade, the old commander straightened his uniform.

Well, if there’s anyone who can stop the Endervars, it’s you, Arendi.

He came close to the comm feed and smiled one last time. The creases rivered through his hard face, contorting his gray and white cheeks. He then saluted with his clawed hand, as an Alliance sentinel would, and placed it across his chest.

Admiral, she said, wishing he could hear her. But before Arendi could speak further, the old commander had signed off.

***

She returned to the bridge, hearing the voices. There were several of them, speaking in different dialects through the static. As she listened, translating the contents in her mind, Arendi realized that they were all desperately pleading for help. Each one was frantic.

This is Baradac Colony, requesting immediate assistance! To anyone out there.

Enemy craft are everywhere. We’ve sustained heavy damage to orbital shields. Bombardment continues

We won’t last much longer defense perimeter collapsing Endervar forces are

Even as they spoke in different alien languages, Arendi could hear the terror. It was distinct, and it pierced through the interference.

Red and the ensign were there as well, sitting near the command console. They quietly listened, stomaching their horror. The distress signals across the long-range comm feeds were only building.

Osilig City is it’s gone. I repeat, it’s been completely destroyed

Although there was no visual data, all of them could imagine the destruction. The ensign nervously fumbled with her hands.

Obviously, the natural response was to intervene. To plot a course and travel via hyperspace at the fastest speed. It was the thought on all of their minds. The entire empire was facing attack, but still they were here, waiting for what?

Arendi, the ensign said, rising from her seat. She stood at attention, but her eyes were awash in worry. What are your orders?

It should be simple, Arendi thought. Millions are dying, and we need to act.

Alliance Command had already ordered them to do so. The ensign had seen the recent dispatch. All Sentinels had been instructed to join the Alliance fleet in the sector and begin a counterattack. So why did they still linger?

For a moment, Arendi stood there, hesitant. Although her orders were decisive, she was still at odds with herself. As all could see, this was no typical Endervar attack. Something had utterly changed.

Farcia it has to be her.

Arendi stared at Red, remembering everything he had told them. At the time, she had been skeptical. His claims came without any real evidence. Even now, there was nothing to prove it. Regardless, Arendi had begun to believe.

She is an Endervar. Farcia is their agent, just as you said, Arendi went on. That’s why this attack is different.

She pointed to the main screen and the galactic map still on display. The Arcenian Empire remained imperiled, but now other galactic races were under threat as well.

They’re spreading, she said. The enemy clearly knows where we’re weak. They’re attacking civilian centers, shipyards, even communication nodes. Even Terran colonies are under attack.

The Endervars. Does she control them? Does Farcia lead them?

Red looked at her. His gills inhaled another rush of air. Slowly, he turned to the galactic map and felt the chill in his hands.

As I said before I don’t know. But now maybe it’s apparent.

Red thought back to that moment. To the moment when he touched Farcia’s mind. It was only a fleeting glimpse, surrounded more by shadow than actual detail. For days now, he had tried to piece the memories together, only to fail and fall back on his own speculation. But for him, at least one thing was resoundingly clear.

I didn’t think she could do this. Or at least, I didn’t foresee this elaborate attack. But the pain, the hatred, the anger she feels, he continued, it was there always there.

Red shook, overwhelmed by the grief. It was like before, when his people had become the victims. Now, all he could do was regret and warn the rest of the galaxy.

This isn’t my Farcia, he said. It’s the other. The imposter the Endervar inside.

Red winced, clenching his fingers together. As he did, the guilt weighed on his mind.

Why is this happening? Why couldn’t I stop this?

He was desperate for answers, but he could offer no more, even as Arendi was gambling that his suspicions were right.

It was then that the alarm went off. Above, the klaxon began to shriek. The surrounding lights turned violet, and soon their vessel would scramble to leave orbit.

Priority code, Arendi said. Endervar craft detected.

At that moment, the Sentinel’s ship began to move. Arendi’s artificial mind had fully synced with her vessel, the Kinnison, and she ordered it to take flight.

Where? Red asked, feeling the vessel rise. The ship’s accelerators vibrated. The high-pitched whine howled throughout the bridge.

On the edge of the system, she explained. Only a few light-years away.

The screen shifted, and the scans revealed the incoming fleet’s position. Arcenian defense drones were already there to engage.

I’m counting at least a hundred contacts, the ensign added. Maybe more. All moving aggressively.

Arendi expected nothing less. This is it, she said. Battle stations.

Chapter 13

They came in the night, burning the darkness. For now, the ships cared for nothing else. They were here to destroy. The enemy exploded across the system’s outer rim their bombardment erupting through the vacuum and soon the inferno began to invade. Searing through the cold and empty space was their signature weapon, the particle beam, or what the galaxy knew to be energy unleashed. To any observer, it was a wave of deadly oncoming light. Then it scorched, bursting into a nova of flame.

Wave after wave arrived, consuming everything in its path. It was relentless, the enemy holding nothing back.

My God, Red said, watching the scans. They won’t stop.

There were only a hundred Endervar ships, against the Arcenian Empire’s drone army. But each vessel appeared like a giant in the night. The outer hull glowed crystal-white. One craft alone had enough power to annihilate more primitive fleets, Red knew. The military of his own people had suffered the fate over and over again. Powering the enemy was an alien energy, capable of bending physical laws. So, as always, they passed through space with blazing speed, generating force fields and weaponized energy that few could counter, let alone match. Even now, the Arcenian military struggled to contain them. Their drones, while armed to teeth, were like gnats against the encroaching flame.

Ships are exchanging fire, the ensign said, as she sat at the command console. But the Endervars, they keep coming.

The scans were starting to detect it. The force was smashing against the fabric of space. New enemy contacts were appearing, dropping out of warp, there to join their brethren in battle.

Total number still unknown, the ensign said. But they’re accelerating.

Arendi stood by, listening. Their vessel, the Kinnison, rushed to meet the enemy. Hearing the engines pulsate, she made a fist and pressed it against her lips.

For now, the ensuing battle had been relegated to the edge of the system. But that wouldn’t last. The enemy ships were spreading far and wide as their bombardment only grew.