The Forgotten Empire: War for the Empire Raymond Weil (the reading list TXT) 📖

as the Human core worlds. With Admiral Norlan’s fleet, they should easily overwhelm the Human defenses and the Imperial fleet units in the cluster, continued Torrant. If all goes according to plan, this war will be over in less than two weeks.

Torrant looked at the viewscreens, which showed some of the ships of the two fleets. Over ten thousand modern Morag warships were aligned around the two flagships. Torrant had also brought the secret weapon to ensure victory over the core worlds. The Humans had no idea what was coming toward them.

-

Layla watched with profound sadness as Derrick left their quarters. She was dressed in a robe and still feeling the warm afterglow of their lovemaking. It had been a very passionate two hours, and they had lain in bed afterward, talking about their future and the future of the Empire. Both had very high hopes for those futures.

With a deep sigh, Layla remained in bed, thinking how she needed to get back to the Royal Court, before Krista gave away the Imperial treasury. Later Layla wanted to invite Cheryl to the palace. Layla would offer Cheryl the use of one of the Royal Suites in the section of the Palace where she, Krista, and Andrew stayed. That way Layla could keep Cheryl better informed as to what was happening in the Hagen Star Cluster.

No doubt the next few weeks would be trying and very nerve-racking. Everything she had worked for was in danger of being destroyed. She was already worried about Derrick, and she knew Cheryl must be feeling the same way about Dylan. Then, of course, there was Krista, who Layla had caught crying in her quarters the night before. Krista was scared to death something bad might happen to Mathew.

A knock came on Layla’s door and, after looking at the screen, saw it was Brenda. “Open,” she said, and the door opened, allowing Brenda entry.

Brenda’s face turned red when she saw Layla was dressed only in a long robe. There was no doubt in her mind what the High Princess and Derrick had been doing for the last few hours. “Are you all right?”

Layla smiled. Brenda had known Derrick longer than Layla had. Brenda had served on the original light cruiser Destiny that had brought Krista and Layla from Golan Four, when the Confederation had long ago conquered the Empire. She trusted Brenda completely. “I’m fine. I’m just glad Derrick and I got to spend a few hours together before the Confederation shows up.”

“Everything will work out,” promised Brenda. “I’ve known Derrick for a long time. If anyone can defeat the Confederation, it’s him.”

Layla nodded. She knew she could do nothing more. Now it was up to fate, and she hoped, this time, that fate was on her side.

“Why don’t you take a long hot bubble bath? While you’re doing that, I’ll make your bed and lay out some clothes. I assume you will return to the Royal Court to see what all Krista has given away.”

This made Layla laugh. “Yes, I was a little nervous about leaving her there by herself.”

“She’s doing fine,” said Brenda, smiling. “I stopped by there on the way to your quarters. She’s doing very well.”

Layla smiled, feeling relieved. “Please lay out the light-blue gown, and I’ll go take my hot bath.”

Brenda watched Layla leave, heading for her bath. Brenda didn’t want to admit it, but she was worried about Derrick as well.

-

Krista tried not to act nervous. Anything she said or did could quickly become policy in the Empire. In most of the cases where she decided, she tried to think about what Layla would do. Krista was immensely relieved when Chancellor Stein came down the aisle and climbed the steps to stand next to her. “Need some help?”

Krista nodded. “I’m so afraid of making a mistake.”

Stein laughed. “We all make mistakes. In most cases we can come back later and correct them. We have a number of representatives from new Imperial worlds who just want to meet you or High Princess Layla. Why don’t I have them step forward, and you can introduce yourself. I’ve made arrangements for a tour of the Imperial Palace for later.”

“Sounds fine,” answered Krista. This was something she could do. It was a simple matter of introducing herself and then having them describe their worlds to her. Maybe by the time she was done with this, Layla would be back.

-

In the Command Center beneath the House of Worlds, Fleet Admiral Marloo sent out directional hyperlight messages to various commands and bases. It was essential they locate the Confederation fleets as soon as possible, particularly the Morag. He was greatly surprised that there had been so few attacks. For weeks he had been expecting the Empire to be attacked along a wide front near the Confederation. Other than Hastings, nothing else had happened.

General Lyra Gantts stood next to him. “Where are they?”

Admiral Marloo shook his head. “I don’t know. This doesn’t make any sense. Once they attacked Hastings, I expected a general onslaught clear across our outer border. Nothing has happened, and there have been no further sightings of any Confederation fleets. It’s as if they vanished.”

General Gantts frowned. “Maybe we’re looking at this wrong. What if they’re moving toward targets they don’t want us to know about?”

Marloo looked at Gantts with sudden concern in his eyes. “What do you mean?”

“Think about it. What sense does it make to fight at every inhabited world between the periphery of our Empire and our core worlds? If they can take out the core worlds, this war, for all intents and purposes, will be over.”

Marloo shook his head. “You’re right. It wouldn’t make sense to fight every world. The Hagen Star Cluster is heavily fortified and has enough densely populated worlds and colonies to continue the war.”

General Gantts nodded. “I