The Lost Fleet: Genesis: A Slaver Wars Novel by Raymond L. Weil Page B

encounter any Simulin ships, we will destroy
them.”
    “There
will also be some of the larger AI spheres going along as well,” Jeremy added,
curious to see how this would affect Grayseth.
    The
large Bear was silent for a moment and then nodded his head. “The AIs know much
about science and I will work with them. The Altons know how to control them so
I don’t foresee any problems.”
    “Very well,”
Jeremy responded, pleased with the Bear’s response. “Prepare your fleet; you
will be leaving as soon as the Altons are ready.”
    “I will do so,
clan brother,” Grayseth replied. “We will be ready to bring honor to the clans
of Gaia.”
    -
    After the
meeting was over, Kevin stood up from his sensor console and walked over to
Jeremy at the command dais. “So, we’re finally going to start taking action
against the Simulins.” There had been a lot of discussion about this over the past
few months but no plans had been set in motion. It had been a trying time for
everyone with the loss of the Distant Horizon , Rear Admiral Barnes, and
Clarissa.
    Jeremy looked
over at his best friend. “Yes. Now that the AI shipyards are finished, we can begin
going on the offensive. We also have a number of the new Gaia class battlecruisers
ready for deployment that Daelthon has recently finished building. They have a
much lower crew complement than our other ships and I plan on putting them to
use.”
    “We’ve had over
three months to recover from what happened at the Dyson Sphere,” Kevin said
with a deep sigh. “I think it will significantly improve morale if we go on the
offensive. What are your plans for Kelsey and Katie since they no longer have a
ship?”
    “I spoke to
Kelsey some about that the other night,” confessed Jeremy with an odd look in
his eyes. “She wants us to build a new exploration ship to explore more of this
galaxy with. I believe Katie has even been working with Ariel on a new design.”
    “That may not
be necessary,” Ariel said suddenly appearing next to Jeremy. The dark-haired AI
was wearing her customary blue fleet uniform without insignia.
    “What do you
mean?” Jeremy looked questionably over at the AI. Since the death of Clarissa,
Ariel had been more quiet and reserved.
    “Kazak has
agreed to allow a small group of Humans and Altons to come aboard the Dominator .
I just finished speaking to Kelsey and Katie about this while you were having
your meeting with Admiral Jackson and Grayseth.”
    Jeremy stepped
back as this was a stunning development. “When, who, and why now?”
    “Kazak has
informed me that he has completed all the repairs on the Dominator and
the ship is now once more operating at 100 percent efficiency. He wants to meet
with you and others to see if you’re worthy of the heritage of the Originators.
If he finds that you are, then he is willing to place the Dominator under your command to use against the Simulins. Katie and Kelsey would be quite
safe on that vessel.”
    Jeremy drew in
a sharp breath. If he could have the Dominator under his control, it
would be a game changer. The ship by itself could defeat entire Simulin fleets.
He wasn’t sure, though, about Ariel’s suggestion of assigning Katie and Kelsey
to the ship. Something about Kazak made him feel uneasy.
    “The Dominator’s AI is quite upset about what the Simulins are doing with the Dyson Spheres,
which the Originators left behind upon their passing. He’s willing to share information
with you. He also has informed me you can choose the group that will be going
on board.”
    “If we can
have access to that warship just think of what we could learn,” Kevin said
breathlessly. His eyes glowed with excitement. “Andram and the other Altons
will be clamoring to go on board once they find out we have permission from
Kazak.”
    Jeremy nodded
his agreement. However, he couldn’t help feeling there was something else
behind the Originator AI suddenly deciding to grant them access to the Dominator .
He