Read Online Galactic Empire Wars 2: Emergence by Raymond L. Weil - Free Book Online Page B

here?”
    “This involves
him and his race as well,” said General Mitchell, who was sitting at the head
of the conference table next to Fleet Admiral Kirby. Colonel Adamson was also
at the table. “Have a seat, Major.”
    Wade sat down
with Marken taking a seat next to him. He looked over at General Mitchell,
noticing that the general had a look of deep concern etched on his face.
    “Your mission
to procure intelligence information from the Kleese communications center was a
complete success,” Mitchell began in a steady voice. “Our intelligence experts
are still poring over the information you transmitted to us a few days back after
the Constellation came into communication’s range.”
    “That’s good
to hear,” Wade said, wondering if there was a problem.
    “As you know,
the Kleese control an area of space roughly sixteen thousand light years across,
with our solar system on one edge of it,” Admiral Kirby said his calm eyes
focusing on Wade. “The Kleese home worlds themselves are at the center and they
are constantly fighting small wars of acquisition to expand their area of
control.”
    “Yes, we had
to fight in a number of those when we were captured and used as conscripts in
their military,” Wade replied. Those were days he wanted to forget. The Kleese
were a cruel and dangerous race, and Wade had never thought he would enjoy
killing anyone until he killed a Kleese.
    “Most worlds
submit to the Kleese once they are contacted by the Empire rather than risk
attack; the few that do resist fall rather quickly to conscripts in Type Two
battle suits,” added Mitchell, recalling the battles they'd fought when the
Humans under his command had been conscripts. “As we all know, the Kleese will
not hesitate to use their assault ships to wipe out any opposing fleet and then
land their troops upon the surface of a world. Most battles are short and
almost always end in that world capitulating.”
    “However, as
Marken has told us there are a number of nonaligned worlds that the Kleese have
left alone, partly because their science and technology are so advanced that
the Kleese would have to commit to a major military operation to conquer them.
Rather than do so, the Kleese have avoided these worlds, allowing them to trade
with one another and even use the Kleese space stations. From what we
understand, there is some type of neutrality agreement between the nonaligned
worlds and the Kleese.”
    “We want to
make contact with some of those worlds,” spoke Admiral Kirby, leaning forward
and looking intently at Major Nelson and Colonel Adamson. “After studying the
data you procured, we've learned that there is a Kleese station solely
dedicated to trading with these races. It allows any race to trade there, and
the safety of all races is guaranteed while they are on the station. This particular
station is the hub for most of the trade between species for a major portion of
their Empire. Even many of the worlds under their control send trading ships
there.”
    “Why are we
being told this?” asked Colonel Adamson, feeling suspicious. This wasn’t the
type of debriefing he had been expecting, and they had just returned from a
dangerous mission. He wondered if the Constellation was about to be sent out on
another.
    General
Mitchell stood up and then continued with a serious look upon his face. “We
want you to take the Constellation and several other ships and go to this
station to see what they have to offer. Your primary mission will be contacting
some of these races and seeing what technology, if any, they might be willing
to share.”
    “How does this
involve my race?” asked Marken, feeling intrigued. He had heard of this station
before but had never been there.
    “Simple,” replied
General Mitchell, peering intently at Marken. “From the information procured by
Major Nelson’s people, we've learned that the station has a large contingent of
Kiveans on board. We’re hoping that will give us an