SF Books by Vaughn Heppner

  THE A.I. SERIES:

  A.I. Destroyer

  The A.I. Gene

  A.I. Assault

  A.I. Battle Station

  A.I. Battle Fleet

  A.I. Void Ship

  A.I. Rescue

  A.I. Armada

  LOST STARSHIP SERIES:

  The Lost Starship

  The Lost Command

  The Lost Destroyer

  The Lost Colony

  The Lost Patrol

  The Lost Planet

  The Lost Earth

  The Lost Artifact

  The Lost Star Gate

  The Lost Supernova

  The Lost Swarm

  The Lost Intelligence

  The Lost Tech

  The Lost Secret

  The Lost Barrier

  The Lost Nebula

  The Lost Relic

  The Lost Task Force

  The Lost Clone

  The Lost Portal

  The Lost Cyborg

  Visit VaughnHeppner.com for more information

  The Lost Cyborg

  (Lost Starship Series 21)

  by Vaughn Heppner

  Illustration © Tom Edwards

  TomEdwardsDesign.com

  Copyright © 2024 by the author.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. All rights reserved. No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without permission in writing from the author.

  -1-

  “Now, as to the fifth item on the agenda, we must decide how to retaliate against Captain Maddox and his allies.”

  “You are referring to his assault on Loggia?”

  “In our very chamber, if you remember?”

  “How could I forget? Enigmach, you have been silent for a time. Is there a reason for this?”

  “If you must know,” Enigmach said, “I am contemplating this very situation. I am partway to devising a response that takes into account Maddox’s maddening abilities.”

  “This is interesting. Do you care to tell us about your plan?”

  “Let me gather my thoughts a moment longer,” Enigmach said. “Then I shall elaborate.”

  The three highly ranked Grand Strategists of Leviathan met in a subterranean computer complex. The complex and meeting chamber were located on Loggia, the capital planet of the Sovereign Hierarchy of Leviathan. It was the most powerful government in the Scutum-Centaurus Spiral Arm, which was approximately 8,000 light years from the Commonwealth of Planets.

  In order of rank, the three Grand Strategists were Hyperion Codex, Tactix, and the sly Enigmach. Each humanoid cyber reclined on a couch. Each had inserted a jack into their massive, AI-enhanced brain. These jacks linked the three to huge mainframe computers that took up fifteen percent of the planetary surface crust.

  This was one of the most sophisticated and powerful computers in Leviathan, which meant one of the greatest in the spiral arm. The ruling entities of Leviathan were cybers, as stated, or cyborgs, indicating they were partly mechanical and partly biological. In their not-so-humble estimation, Leviathan cybers held themselves to be at the pinnacle of being.

  One interesting facet to being jacked-in like this or meshed meant that Hyperion Codex, Tactix and Enigmach concentrated on pure intellect. Their combined senses of sight sound, smell, taste, and touch no longer operated, while meshed like this, so they could focus solely on intellectual pursuits.

  According to cyber belief, only those elevated to the heightened levels of the mind like them could truly comprehend such an exalting experience. This was so much greater than loutish breeding or drunken revelry or gorging one’s gullet. This was deep thinking in a realm of scintillating meditation. Thus, the three did not “speak” with a mouth or “listen” with ears, but engaged in direct electric linkage with each other.

  The incident they wished to retaliate against was Maddox’s invasion of this very chamber. Some time ago, Maddox, Meta, and Riker had used a portal to gain access here, retrieve a computer crystal that recorded an earlier meeting regarding methods of entrapping Maddox with Omegan in order to murder him and start a cross-spiral space war against Star Watch. In other words, Maddox would never have invaded the chamber if the three and thus Leviathan hadn’t inveigled against him and Star Watch in the first place.

  That didn’t matter to these three, of course. Grand Strategists of Leviathan had their priorities in precise order, the first being the preservation and then the expansion of the empire. They had earlier determined that the Commonwealth of Planets might harm that expansion in one hundred and fifty-three years. That timeframe could accelerate if the New Men, those of the Commonwealth and the Spacers united. That, obviously meant, at least if you were a cyber, that Leviathan must preempt the danger. That meant militarily or otherwise destroying the Commonwealth.

  The three brilliant Grand Strategists had noticed something critical in their previous mediations. This was from several years ago. Much of their data came from a full spectrum Intelligence sweep and later an Intelligence assault throughout that region of the Orion Spiral Arm.

  Captain Maddox, as a di-far, had unusual abilities that often meant he thwarted attempts to harm Star Watch and then practiced inversion against the foes. That meant he badly hurt or destroyed those trying to hurt him or Star Watch. The three hadn’t yet pinpointed the exact reason why or how Maddox did this each time, but they decided that direct attempts at killing Maddox had the least chances of success. That meant a roundabout method, even trapping him elsewhere, so Star Watch would succumb more easily to direct methods without Maddox being in the way. Those direct methods would be beams, missiles and asteroid bombs from attacking Leviathan warships.

  “I have it,” Enigmach said. “My plan is now ready for dissemination.”

  “You know how to eliminate Maddox?” Tactix said.

  “What? No. Why would you ask that?”

  “I thought you said you were devising a solution to the problem of Maddox?”

  “I did, and I have,” Enigmach said.

  “Your plan will cause Maddox harm for invading our chamber?” Tactix said.

  “No, not directly,” Enigmach said.

  “What good is it then?” Tactix said. “Have you even been paying attention to our problem?”

  “Let me answer you with a question,” Enigmach said. “What is our primary objective?”

  “That is obvious,” Tactix said. “Teaching Maddox a lesson.”

  “Do you agree with this assessment, Hyperion Codex?” Enigmach said.

  “Do you seek to lecture me?” Hyperion Codex replied.

  “I do not,” Enigmach said promptly. “I am merely attempting to ascertain if this is our primary objective.”

  “Then you are seeking to gain rank at my expense,” Hyperion Codex said, “as I deem this a trick question. We all know that our primary goal is defending and then expanding the Sovereign Hierarchy of Leviathan.”

  “I concur with that,” Tactix said in a rush.

  “I naturally agree with the both of you,” Enigmach said. “That means, then, that harming or teaching Maddox a lesson is not the primary objective.”

  “You are correct in this,” Hyperion Codex said.

  “My idea, then, the one I’ve been contemplating, addresses our primary objective,” Enigmach said.

  “I thought you said this was in relation to our problem with Maddox,” Tactix said, apparently unwilling to give up that angle.

  “Maddox is a problem as he stands athwart our primary objective regarding dealing with the Commonwealth of Planets,” Enigmach said laboriously.

  “Do we simply let Maddox be then?” Tactix said.

  “Once more,” Enigmach said. “I will answer with a question. Would not the conquest of the Commonwealth cause Maddox anguish?”

  “I desire a more immediate pain to the man,” Tactix said.

  “I see,” Enigmach said. “Is this perhaps an example of emotionalism at play within you?”

  “No!” Tactix said.

  “But you just said—”

  “I desire this in a brutish sense, I mean regarding Maddox’s concept of self,” Tactix said, interrupting. “I do not mean brutish in my thinking on the matter. I say this as I suspect brutish or direct pain to Maddox will affect him more than a cerebral pain, such as seeing the Commonwealth suffer.”

  “You may be right about that,” Enigmach said. “I am, however, less concerned with Maddox directly than in our primary duty to Leviathan.”

  “That is well said,” Hyperion Codex replied. “I commend you on your adherence to the primary problem.”

  “I merely state the obvious and my full cooperation and obedience to it,” Enigmach said, perhaps with a touch of pride.

  “I have now begun to wonder, Tactix,” Hyperion Codex said, “if you have allowed emotionalism to cloud your analysis of the Maddox Dilemma as Enigmach has suggested.”

  “I am analyzing myself,” Tactix said. “No. I do not detect any emotionalism on my part.”

  “That is excellent news,” Enigmach said. “Such being the case, I can now explain my plan. It addresses the Maddox Dilemma by focusing on the apparatus that sustains him and his blasted starship
.”

  “Yes?” Hyperion Codex said. “What is that?”

  “To begin with,” Enigmach said, “as the first move, I suggest we eliminate the Lord High Admiral of Star Watch.”

  “You mean eliminate the position from the Star Watch hierarchy?” said Tactix.

  “No, I mean eliminate the one named Cook,” Enigmach said. “Lord High Admiral Cook has brought great stability to Star Watch. His death would undoubtedly shake the foundations of the hated military arm. That, in turn, will aid our military forces against the Commonwealth.”

  “I have begun to doubt your so-called plan,” Hyperion Codex said. “Or is there more to this than mere assassination?”

  “Oh, yes,” Enigmach said. “There is much more. I have an extended program in mind, which, incidentally, will cause great mental anguish to Captain Maddox.”

  “What is the root method you’re proposing?” Hyperion Codex said. “I ask, because so far you appear to suggest direct methods. We know Maddox most easily counters those.”

  “I am perfectly aware of that,” Enigmach said. “My method involves the humans of the Spacer Third Fleet. It will also entail giving the Spacers a set of Phantasma Synth Crystals.”

  “I seem to recall something regarding those,” Tactix said. “Do these crystals not originate from the planet Ector?”

  “Indeed they do,” Enigmach said. “I was unaware you knew of Ector or the crystals.”

  “Ector orbits a distant pulsar,” Tactix said. “The ancient and extinct Aetharians discovered or invented the Phantasma Synth Crystals, is this not so?”

  “It is indeed so,” Enigmach said. “I am impressed with your extended knowledge on such an arcane subject.”

  “Does this have to do with bio-electromagnetic synchronization and etheric projection?” Hyperion Codex asked.

  “Exactly,” Enigmach said. “I’m surprised you know about this. I congratulate you both on your extended knowledge.”

  “Never mind that,” Hyperion Codex said. “We are supposed to know about arcane subjects so we can apply them to troubling problems others would miss. Let me contemplate a moment on your suggestion.”

  Tense seconds passed as the three Grand Strategists ran thousands of computer computations. During this time, Enigmach allowed them access to his master plan. They ran simulations on it, double checked the results—

  “Yours is a risky plan,” Hyperion Codex said suddenly. “Humans with Phantasma Synth Crystals… None of them knows about or understands this exotic technology yet.”

  “I’m not sure I would call the crystals technology at all,” Tactix said primly. “The Phantasma Synth Crystals smack of senso-cultism and mystic alchemy.”

  “We have extensive records that indicate the crystals work,” Enigmach said.

  “Rather say that ancient texts claim so,” Tactix said. “I’m not sure we have modern evidence of their viability. Are we sure that we of Leviathan wish to indulge in such mystical methodology?”

  “In this instance, success is what counts,” Enigmach said. “Besides, in resisting Maddox’s semi-mystical functions, we will now employ some of our own. In this instance: like will face like.”

  “But the crystals won’t be our own,” Tactix pointed out. “They are Aetharian, an ancient cultic race of alien shamans.”

  “Do you vote against the endeavor then?” Hyperion Codex said, forestalling more invective against the idea.

  “I…I have qualms regarding this approach,” Tactix said, sidestepping the question.

  “It is clear that you think the attempt will fail,” Enigmach said. “Thus, you hope to diminish my standing by recording these so-called qualms. Is this because you think I sought to gain rank at your expense a few moments ago?”

  “I do not indulge in such antiquated modes of revenge,” Tactix said. “I simply deem this an exotic, perhaps an even semi-mystical attempt. Our first such exotic attempt failed, and it was…” Tactix trailed off without finishing.

  “Yes?” Hyperion Codex said coldly. “Please finish your thought.”

  “It was nothing,” Tactix said. “I may even consider the last part a misstatement.” He referred to the Omegan Plan Hyperion Codex had advocated some time ago, a plan that had ultimately failed against Maddox.

  “Tactix clearly assaulted your idea from last time,” Enigmach said. “He is now seeking to gain rank at your expense.”

  There was a stiffening in the linkage, a slight stir of static between them. It might have come from one of them physically moving or shifting on his couch.

  “I am Tactix. I believe in tactical and strategic excellence. On such, was Leviathan built and sustained. On such will Leviathan continue to expand. That is where my thinking on this matter originates. I am not sanguine about more exotic attempts, especially in regard to these mystical Aetharian artifacts.”

  “No matter,” Hyperion Codex said abruptly. “I vote that we attempt this. Enigmach, do you agree?”

  “I…I obviously do,” Enigmach said, seemingly surprised. “This is my idea, after all.”

  “Tactix?” Hyperion Codex said.

  “I will abstain, rendering neither a yea nor a nay verdict,” Tactix said.

  “You surely understand that Enigmach will gain rank if his plan succeeds,” Hyperion Codex said.

  “Yes,” Tactix said, “as he should.”

  “Do you wish to add any addendum to the proposal?” Hyperion Codex asked.

  “Not at this time,” Tactix said.

  “What about your stern invective against relying upon mystical apparatuses?” Hyperion Code said.

  “I have made my statements,” Tactix said. “The records contain them. I need say no more on the subject at this point.”

  “Then the proposal passes,” said Hyperion Codex. “We will send it to Great Leviathan. With his acceptance, we shall begin the process. Enigmach, are you ready to deliver the crystals to the Spacer Third Fleet?”

  “All is ready for immediate deployment,” Enigmach said.

  “You have an Intelligence Senior in mind for this?” Hyperion Codex asked.

  “I do. Senior Dax will head the delegation to the Spacer Third Fleet. I have already instructed Dax in the needed techniques.”

  “This is excellent news,” Hyperion Codex said. “We will adjourn then and reconvene tomorrow. In my estimation, Great Leviathan will agree to the plan. Thus, have the package ready, Enigmach. Tomorrow, we will discuss the best way to unleash the assembled assault fleets against Star Watch, as I’m sure that will be next on the agenda.”

  “Agreed,” Enigmach said.

  “I look forward to the discussion,” Tactix added.

  “Very well,” Hyperion Codex said, “until then, my good Grand Strategists, a pleasant day to you each.”

  -2-

  Great Leviathan accepted the proposal. Enigmach sent the needed message to his subordinates, and time passed.

  Months later, Senior Dax of the Leviathan Space Intelligence Service (LSIS) met with the High Visionary of the Spacer Third Fleet.

  Dax had traveled from Loggia in the Scutum-Centaurus Spiral Arm to the double star, Gamma Andromedae, in the Orion Spiral Arm. The star system was approximately 350 light years from Earth. The trip had taken several months via Builder Nexuses such as those the Commonwealth employed and then simple Laumer-Point jumping.

  Dax had arrived in the Gamma Andromedae System in three Kraken-class warships. They were midsized in Leviathan terms but large in Star Watch terms, as they were similar in tonnage to Conqueror-class battleships. The Krakens were teardrop-shaped with iridium-Z hull plating. Each carried a complement of cyborg troopers, along with Leviathan state-of-the-art beam and missile weaponry. In a hangar bay, the newest ship held an extremely rare phase-ship of ancient and alien design.

  Interestingly, no one in Leviathan or the Commonwealth knew how to build such a phase-shifting vessel. Leviathan scientists had tried taking a phase-ship apart before, and ended up disappearing with the vessel. Since then, no Leviathan technical expert had attempted that again. This phase-ship was one of three and nearly on the verge of breakdown. It was the reason Great Leviathan had agreed to letting it leave the Scutum-Centaurus Spiral Arm and go on loan to the Spacers.

  Senior Dax had also brought a set of Phantasma Synth Crystals encased in a distinctive, elaborately designed wooden box. The crystals and phase-ship were still aboard the Python, the name of the newest Kraken-class warship.