Grey War Saga 1: Twilight of Innocence (19 page)

Grigon and the
fleet with him were about to join the others when the Mylor began their charge.

“So it’s come to
this?” Grigon asked before hitting the com. “Valis, are you still with us?”

She appeared on
the screen. “I’m here.”

“Things aren’t
looking good, are they?” the old birdman cawed.

“Brian’s out for
the moment, our shields are flickering on and off, and our special powers are
all spent,” Valis said. “Take formation A-3 and give it a shot.”

“Sounds like a
plan,” Grigon said.

The automated
Talons and the ships with the Vomada moved into formation before joining the
fleet of Heaven’s Light. With planet killer charging up things were beginning
to look grim. The defenders of Dega Jul continued their movement forward and
met the enemies’ last line of carriers. Grigon rubbed his beak nervously.

“I don’t like
this at all,” he said.

A second later
their scanners flashed and showed two thousand heavy class Malcovin ships
appearing. They quickly launched their Talons and joined the attack. A moment
later an asteroid base like one of Heaven’s Light’s appeared with a similar
number of Ick-Tckt ships around it. After deploying their Auguar Stars the ant
people swarmed in to help. Everyone’s com flashed when the Malcovin flagship
signaled them.

“This is Admiral
Regelik of the Malcovin Gold Navy,” the admiral said. “We have cleared a path
from our homeworld and the Ick-Tckt territories to join in the defense of our
Confederation. Admiral Khcha and his second, Commander Tctie, represent the
Ick-Tckt forces in this endeavor. We will link up with your commanding officers
in a moment.”

Grigon cawed.
“It’s about time they showed up!”

* *
*

Valis quickly
calculated the new battle plan with the added forces from the Gold Navy and the
Ick-Tckt fleet. The planet killer was forced to cease its attack and send all
of its energy to the shields. The Maidens stayed together as they made their
way to the edge of the massive ship’s shields.

“Seles, do you
have any arrows left?” Valis asked.

“If I push
things there are three left,” Seles said.

“I’ll catch you
if you fall unconscious,” Kivi said.

“It would be
better she didn’t,” Celi added.

“Crack it open
Seles,” Valis said. “Caution doesn’t serve us right now.”

“Alright,” Seles
said.

The Artemis lit
up when Seles berserked and charged the rifle. The Gemini moved behind her
craft as she took aim and fired. Three successive beams hit the shields of the
planet killer and weakened it to the point where the others started hitting the
sphere’s hull. Feeling exhausted, Seles fell unconscious while the Gemini
caught the Artemis. The Maidens backed away when explosions rumbled throughout
the planet killer. The Mylor ships encircled it and used their power to keep it
from gravity jumping away. The lights flickered out as barrage after barrage of
pulse fire and HV missiles slammed into the massive ship. The Ick-Tckt base
moved forward and fired a beam three hundred
ketres
long into the center
of the planet killer, exposing its interior. The Mylor ships flooded the sphere
with energy and crushed everything inside. After it went dead the remaining
Grey carriers collected their smaller attack ships and gravity jumped away. The
sound of cheers for their victory filled the com lines once the battle was
over.

* *
*

Brian gasped for
air as he sat up. He was still in his exoskeleton and in the medical lab on the
Freedom. Both Mira and Suv Gar stood next to the bed he was on with shocked
looks on their faces.

“What?” he asked.

Both Mira and
Suv held up their instruments.

“We haven’t done
anything yet,” Mira said.

“I’d say he’s
had a full recovery,” Suv said.

Brian shook his
head before getting off the bed. “How long was I out?”

“About half an
hour,” Mira answered. “Are you feeling alright?”

“Yeah,” he said.

“The scanners
say everything’s okay,” Suv said.

Seles tapped on
the window.

“We’ll talk
about this later,” Mira said. “I want to do a full physical tomorrow if that’s
alright.”

“Sure,” Brian
said.

Mira and Suv
left to attend to the wounded. Seles stepped inside with black bags under her
eyes.

“You look like
hell,” Brian said.

“I’ve had better
days,” Seles said. “I’m glad you’re alright.”

“Thanks for
saving me,” he said.

“What were you
thinking?” she asked.

“I wasn’t,
that’s the problem,” he said before sighing. “I don’t know how to control this
power at all.”

“What did you do
to that planet killer?” Seles asked as she leaned against the wall.

Brian shrugged.
“I think it’s in another dimension or something right now. Hopefully there was
nothing on the other side.”

“That’s all we
need, extra dimensional life forms attacking us,” Seles said. “I know there are
some things we need to talk about but I’m about to fall over.”

“Go get some
sleep,” Brian said. “I’ll head to the bridge and make sure everything gets
done.”

“Thanks,” Seles
said.

* *
*

Jesela worked on
her tablet computer in front of the Artemis and Siren. Myden walked in and went
to the Artemis. He reached out with his three fingered hand and touched the
mobile suit.

“What are you
doing?” Jesela asked.

“The same thing
you are,” he answered after pulling his hand away.

“You can scan a
craft using a touch alone?” she asked.

“That wasn’t
what I was doing,” he said. “I sense some residual artifacts left by Brian and
Seles.”

“Now I’m even
more confused,” she said.

“Confusion leads
to breakthroughs,” Myden said. “Have you ever wondered why the older races
aren’t more advanced than they are?”

“It does pose
the question,” Jesela said.

“It’s because
technology and theory only can go so far before hitting a wall,” Myden said.
“Think of your people only a few years before Brian.”

“Our gravity
drive technology and Novaguards hadn’t advanced much in a century and a half,”
Jesela said. “Everything sped up after Brian received the plans for the Phase
Talon.”

“Don’t you find
that strange?” Myden asked. “In less than ten years the entire paradigm of the
Confederation changed. For centuries before there was little advancement in
such weaponry, even by the older races.”

“Are you
implying Brian had something to do with it?” Jesela asked.

“A breakthrough
isn’t always a piece of technology or theory,” Myden said. “Think of all living
things as the branches of a tree. From the simple trunk we came and to the
upper branches we reach. But eventually gravity holds us down. Until the day a
new branch grows just above us. Terrans are the branch above us Jesela. They
reach towards the heavens and in doing so pull us with them.”

“Interesting
metaphor,” Jesela said.

“I’m speaking in
such a way because there’s no other way to express it easily,” he said.

“What about your
people?” she asked. “Where do they fit into this?”

“The Naerendi
tree is black and withered,” Myden said. “Our homeworld is lifeless and it
reflects on our society. We do not reach for the heavens but instead spread
darkness wherever we go. My people are a sickness onto the universe.” He went
to leave. “Remember to look at the flowers of your world when you’re there
Jesela, lest you forget their beauty.”

“I’ll keep that
in mind,” she said as he left.

* *
*

Veda and Reban
quietly worked on getting the Columbia base back to normal when Siata and
Baeron entered. A pair of android guards stopped them for a moment before
letting them pass.

“It’s been a
long time since I saw one of those,” Siata said.

“I’ve never seen
one before,” Baeron said.

“A few years ago
I got the idea to tinker with them a little,” Veda said. “The end result is a
generation of androids far superior to the old ones.”

“I came to ask
for their A.I. information,” Siata said.

“Regulations on
artificial intelligence say as much,” Veda said before she tossed a data
crystal to Siata. “That has the basics, but more importantly it will allow you
to access the mainframe computer inside my estate. That’s where all the
information you need is.”

“Do you plan on
decommissioning them after the war?” Baeron asked.

“No, we won’t
make that mistake again,” Veda said. “I thought it was idiotic when my people
did so the first time. No, the androids stay. In a few years they’ll have built
up enough memories to be given names and their freedom of course.”

“I didn’t know
you came this far forward in your line of thinking,” Siata said.

Veda smiled.
“It’s only right to give intelligent beings their freedom. Brian taught me
that. When I first started on the project to bring them back he told me to
handle it like this.”

“I’ll make sure
the High Council sees everything on this,” Siata said.

“Have you heard
from Admiral Regelik or Admiral Khcha yet?” Baeron asked.

“I’ve spoken to
both of them extensively,” Veda said. “They’ve come to join our fleet. Because
they have the Ick-Tckt base I told the two forces to join together and act as
our Fifth fleet.”

“What’s our next
move?” Siata asked.

“Valis says
they’ll attack Kalaidia in the next week or so,” Veda said. “We plan on
repairs, getting supplies, and then go as soon as possible. We’re going to need
every ship we can spare for this next battle.”

“Are we leaving
Dega Jul undefended?” Baeron asked.

“No,” Veda said.
“The other Confederation members are sending a total of twelve thousand mixed
class ships.”

“I thought we
had that one under wraps,” Siata said.

“Our
intelligence network is second to none,” Veda said. “Dega Jul will be in good
hands. We must take this opportunity to move forward and strike at the enemy.”

“I agree,” Siata
said.

General Sunadin
stood up and cursed under his breath when after the third planet killer was
destroyed. When he turned on his holographic table he looked at the battle
lines on the side of the galaxy he was on and saw a large hole in it. The Saeki
were holding off the forces he sent against them. His Red Star and only five
planet killers remained near him, with two of those being severely damaged. The
Grey began pacing around the table and looked at the entire situation up and
down. After trying a few probable situations he found the only option with a
chance of succeeding was to invade Kalaidian territory and destroy them. The
general sat on a chair and stared at the battle lines again, unsure of his next
move.

“Hesitation is
your best trait,”
Myden said after his image appeared opposite of Sunadin.

“Your Warrior
has thrown us into chaos,”
Sunadin said.

“Brian hesitates
as well,”
Myden said.

“A soldier
should never be possessed with uncertainty,”
Sunadin countered.

“True, but the
soldier who never stops to think will end up heartless and miss things along
the way,”
Myden said.
“Sunadin, it’s not too late to join us. The machine god will not
save you; it will only serve to destroy you.”

“I know,”
Sunadin said.

“If you know
then why do you insist on this?”
Myden asked.

“Because I don’t
know any other way of life,”
Sunadin answered.

“Then we will
meet on the battlefield of Kalaidia Prime,”
Myden said.

“Whether it’s
victory or death I will go,”
Sunadin said.

After Myden’s
image disappeared the voice of the machine god ached in Sunadin’s mind. He felt
an overwhelming sense of anger and hatred coming from the being. As he stared
at the hologram of the war he turned to Kalaidia again. The image of Brian came
to his mind and a smile came to the Grey’s face.

I’d like to
fight him myself.
Sunadin thought to himself before heading to the main control room.

* *
*

Seles watched
Mira and the other medical officers as they worked to save as many lives as
they could. From the dark circles under Mira’s eyes it was obvious she hadn’t
slept the night before. Suv Gar looked similarly tired but pushed on. Brian
walked up and stood with her.

“She’s amazing,”
Seles said.

“She is,” Brian
said. “But you are as well.”

“My best talent
is taking life,” Seles said. “Hers is giving it back.”

“You’ll find
something to keep you going,” Brian said. “Your musical skills are close to
hers. Not to mention you’re a damn good chef.”

Seles looked
down with sadness in her eyes. “Brian, why did you do that?”

“One life for
billions, there really isn’t a comparison,” he answered.

“When you say it
like that the feelings I have seem so petty,” Seles said.

“Let me show you
something,” Brian said before taking her hand.

He brought her
to the HDC without another word. When the two stepped inside the holographic
system turned on and shifted to that of a familiar cave. It was the one the two
lived in for twelve days right after Brian was rescued by the Avoni.

“This is exactly
as I remember it,” Seles said. “Why did you bring me here?”

“When I was taken
from my world I had no future,” Brian said. “My life on Earth was meaningless;
if I had died no one would have known nor cared. This cave is where my life
began. Looking back it seems like an eternity ago, but my feelings are the
same.” He took Seles and held her close. “I was in darkness, the kind so black
light can’t be found. Everything that meant a damn to me was gone. I
was…alone.” He looked her in the eyes. “Then I met you. When we crashed you
became the spark to light the fire inside me again. Seles, I wake up every day
and am thankful we met.”

“Before I met
you I was searching for something to believe in,” Seles said. “Although I was
surrounded by friends and comrades, I too felt alone.” She brushed her hand
over his beard. “Myden gave me the gift of your memories. For what reason I’ve
never figured out, but they are there.”

“He did that so
I could live on through you,” Brian said.

“That sounds
like Myden,” Seles said with a tearful smile.

“I don’t plan on
dying Seles, not now, not ever if I can help it,” he said. “But we both know
death could come at any moment. If that happens I want you to know I love you.”

“Thanks for
saying it,” Seles said.

She took his
hand and pulled him out of the HDC. She kept his hand and led him towards the
cafeteria.

“Where are
taking me?” he asked.

“Let’s make a
few pizzas together,” Seles said. “I think Mira and the others in sickbay could
use a pick me up.”

He smiled. “Good
idea.”

She stopped
suddenly and smiled at him. “I love you,” she said before leading the way.

* *
*

Grigon worked on
the bridge of the Vomada when Dreka walked in. The monitor showed still images
of the planet killer Brian used his power on.

“Sleep is
obviously something our family is allergic to,” Dreka said.

“Too many things
and so little time,” Grigon cawed. “Your Talon is magnificent. Now I can call
you an engineer.”

Dreka cawed.
“Thanks. Unfortunately it’s like the special models. Mass production is out of
the question for the time being.”

“It’s not like
the special models, it is one,” Grigon said. “You should give it a name.”

“I’ll get on
that when I know it works,” Dreka said. “By the way, can you explain what Brian
did?”

“His power
forced that giant into another dimension,” Grigon answered. “As far as theories
go that’s the best I can come up with.” The old birdman paused for a moment.
“He almost died again.”

“Brian’s an
expert on near death experiences,” Dreka said. “So how did he emerge this
time?”

“He didn’t,”
Grigon said. “That little lady he favors breathed life back into him. I’ve seen
it twice now, once with Celi, and now with Seles. It’s almost time for us to
find out if our work will ever come to fruition. Remember, once is a fluke,
twice is an experiment. From what I’ve see I can conclude the Kalaidian power
is that of energy manipulation.”

“It sounds
interesting,” Dreka said. “Well, I have to get back to the Raulno. Captain Kivi
needs me to lead the maintenance crew as usual.”

Grigon laughed.
“I’ll be doing the same on the Freedom. Work work and work, that’s all we do.
The life of an engineer is filled with such things.”

“Well, now that
I’m an engineer to you my life is the exact same,” Dreka said.

* *
*

Mira and Suv Gar
were taking a break in the med lab while the others continued working. Mira
rubbed her eyes before sipping on a bottle of water. She perked up when Suv
poured a glass of tea and drank some.

“That brings
back memories,” Mira said with a smile.

“Do you want
some?” Suv asked.

“You know what
that does to Kalaidians, so not right now,” Mira said.

“That’s not a
no,” Suv said.

“I haven’t slept
a wink in two days,” Mira said.

“It’s your night
with the Terran,” Suv said.

“I know, that’s
why I want you to give me some of that later,” Mira said. “I’d like to have
some fun before passing out cold.”

Suv grinned.
“You mammals sure have fun with that.”

“Yes, we
certainly do,” Mira said.

The two laughed
together for a while before looking out the window.

“He almost left
you again,” Suv said.

“I know,” Mira
said. “I can say all the things I want about being ready, but we both know that’s
a lie.” She drank some more water. “Have you had a chance to mourn?”

“Yes,” Suv said.
“All the Shandi on the base gathered together and performed a ceremony of
remembrance. Those who died are gone, but the memories of their lives are not.
They live on through us.” She looked at Mira. “Do your people believe in an
afterlife?”

Mira nodded.
“When we die we go behind the stage. Kali blesses us and thanks us for playing
our roles in life. Afterwards, we pass through a tunnel of light and see
everyone who died before us. There, in a land of infinite bounty, we rejoice
and celebrate for the rest of eternity.”

“It sounds like
a beautiful place,” Suv said. “I wonder if the rest of us are invited to the
party you speak of.”

“I’m sure Kali
would be accepting of such,” Mira said. “Everyone who’s born to the Grand Stage
is playing a role and thus should be allowed in.”

“I hope you’re
right,” Suv said.

Brian and Seles
came in a moment later with a cart full of pizzas and drinks. They started
passing out the fares to patients and medical officers much to their surprise.
Mira smiled.

“They went out
of their way, so why not?” she asked before running out to grab a slice.

You’re a strong
woman Mira. I hope he appreciates you.
Suv thought as she joined the others.