Grey War Saga 1: Twilight of Innocence (23 page)

After the last
of the androids onboard was taken care of Sunadin watched the first planet
killer go down. He smiled with confidence when the other two readied to fire
their cannons. He went to his control console and began moving the Red Star and
its forces into position. Even though he was doing his best to drone it out he
heard the singing from the Kalaidians in his mind. Behind that he heard the
voice of Tctie as he led one of the other forces.
The bases of Heaven’s
Light have had their shields drained. Nothing they have can stop us now.
Sunadin thought to himself. He watched as the Kalaidian forces split to avoid
being directly hit by the planet killer near them. When the planet killer fired
it had a direct shot at Kalaidia Prime. High in orbit, above the solar power
generation ring, a massive array flared up and generated an energy shield. All
of the power from the planet below was funneled upwards to the shield through
the orbital ring. The array quickly moved into the path of the beam from the
planet killer. When the beam slammed into it the power was dissipated. Though
damaged, the shield array held up and prevented the colossal beam of energy
from hitting the planet. On the other side of the world the second planet
killer went to fire its beam. Before it could do so the Nova base fired its
main cannon and stopped it from firing. The planet killer near the Nova base
fired its damaged cannon and started explosions throughout its structure. As
its shields weakened the Ick-Tckt and Malcovin ships fired a barrage of nuclear
missiles into the sphere shaped ship. Inside, the remaining Keinien androids
self-destructed. The second planet killer went silent as its systems went off.
Sunadin felt a terrible anger coming from the machine god he’d never sensed
before. The Grey general quickly contacted the surviving ships from both planet
killers to have them join his Red Star.
Looks like I was wrong.
He
thought while shifting his battle tactics around.

* *
*

Celestia and the
other Kalaidians turned around to check the state of their homeworld. Other
than burning out many of shield array sections the surface and atmosphere were
still intact.

“That worked
better than we could’ve ever hoped,” Jabril said.

“Yes, it did,”
Celestia said. “It’s been a long time since I fought in battle but I know when
I sense the tide turning. We need to redouble our efforts and strike down the
planet killer in front of us.”

“I have some bad
news my queen,” Admiral Nia said.

“It’s the
shield, isn’t it?” Celestia asked.

“Yes, it can
take one more direct hit before it’s destroyed,” Nia said. “Currently, the
other fleets are engaged with Grey carriers and attack ships.”

“The big planet
killer is still lurking about out there,” Celestia said.

“Should we move
the array?” Jabril asked.

“Do it,”
Celestia ordered.

“As you wish my
queen,” Nia said.

“If we have to
we’ll block the blast with our ships,” Celestia said.

“I’d rather take
the enemy down before that,” Jabril said.

“That’s what I
was thinking,” Celestia said.

The Kalaidian
forces united as one massive fleet and resumed their charge at the planet
killer. The Apollo switched its rifle to spread mode to take out lines of
attack vessels while Jabril and her fellow pilots kept the heat off their
ships.

* *
*

Admiral Regelik
stood up after the explosions ended. Next to him, Admiral Khcha was working to
restore power inside the Nova base.

“They weren’t
able to fire the main cannon, but the blast was enough to knock most of our
systems offline,” Khcha said.

“I’ll keep both
of you posted on the situation,”
Tctie reported telepathically.

“Your power is
very useful,” Regelik cawed.

“Tctie, what’s
the status of the fleet?” Khcha asked.

“Less than ten
percent of them were caught in the blast,”
Tctie reported.
“I’m
currently working with the commanding officers to organize our forces. But with
their power base down the Greys seem confused.”

“We’ll continued
attacking their carriers and smaller ships until they flee or are destroyed,”
Khcha said.

“I agree,”
Regelik said. “Leaving loose ends will only come back to haunt us later in the
battle.”

“There,” Khcha
said.

The monitors in
the base turned back on after power was restored. Although the power was at
thirty one percent, the base lit up as its shields went back on. The
communications line opened while all the captains spoke to one another. Regelik
switched the console in front of him to the Malcov language so he could pitch
in. The Malcovin and Ick-Tckt ships outside clustered together for protection
while their mobile weapons renewed the attack. Tctie’s specialized Phase Rakna
led the way.

“We held up our
end of the bargain, let’s hope the queen can with hers,” Regelik said.

* *
*

Once the wave
from the planet killer’s explosion ended the fleet of Heaven’s Light moved back
into place. Three of the bases, including the Alaska, Death Valley, and Sahara
were forced to retreat because their shield arrays were completely fried. The
remaining five bases moved together to compensate while the fleets joined them.
Veda and Reban worked hard to get everything on the Columbia base back online.
After communications were reestablished Veda sighed with relief. She contacted
the others bases immediately.

“Is everything
alright with the rest of you?” Veda asked.

Shiken Ka
responded first. “Our Hades system is still operational.”

“The same here,”
Miv Daek answered.

“Our Hades
system is out, but everything else is still operational,” Vikrit said from the
Sicily base.

“We’re in the
same condition,” Captain Lena of the Nevada base reported.

“Valis is
sending out our new orders right now,” Veda said. “The three bases with the
Hades system will advance with the six ships from the Columbia base. The Sicily
and Nevada bases will act as our rear guard while the other three stay back for
repairs.”

“I’ve sent the
data over to the three damaged bases using direct laser communication,” Reban
said. “They’ve acknowledged the situation and report they can still move.”

“Have them take
in ships and mobile weapons for repairs,” Veda ordered.

“I’m sending the
order out now,” Reban said.

Valis appeared
on one of the screens. “The price we paid for the planet killer isn’t good,”
she said. “We’re one move behind them at the moment.”

“I don’t like
the sound of that,” Veda said.

“The good news
is Celestia’s fleet will be finished soon,” Valis said. “Once we collect all of
our forces we’ll surround the Red Star.”

“Do we have
enough fire power left to win?” Veda asked.

“Keep singing,”
Valis said. “Perhaps that’s all we can do.”

“As you wish,”
Veda said.

* *
*

The Freedom
righted itself while the battle continued. The Grey ships initially charged
after the explosion of the planet killer but were now retreating in mass. The
ships of Heaven’s Light were currently fixing all their systems. Brian looked
at the Grey ships on the monitor as they backed away.

“Sunadin’s a
cautious type, isn’t he?” he asked.

“He rarely takes
chances,” Myden said.

“He may have
changed after all these years,” Jesela warned.

“True, but we
all fight a certain way,” Myden said.

“From what I can
see he’s tightening up his defenses to stall us,” Brian said. “Even with the
Hades systems in place the best we can do is make it to the front door.” Brian
checked the power charge from the Red Star. “Our androids must be keeping them
busy; otherwise they’d have fired the main cannon by now.”

“They’ll be
ready in less than an hour,” Myden said.

“Then we’ll work
as if we had half an hour,” Brian said. His console flashed when Valis’s orders
came in. After looking them over he shook his head and tapped the com. “Are you
sure about this Valis?”

“Our only option
is to gamble on you,” Valis said.

“Alright,” Brian
said.

“Are we doing
something crazy again?” Jesela asked.

“No, I’ll be
doing something crazy,” Brian answered.

* *
*

With the lull in
the battle Seles and the other pilots took the chance to get a drink and run a
diagnostic. She felt spent from the berserk and shook off the fatigue.

“You look
tired,” Mira said over the monitor.

“You look the
same,” Seles said. “Berserking really takes it out of you, doesn’t it?”

“That and my
vocal cords are shot after a long battle,” Mira said. “What about the rest of
you?”

“I could use a
nap,” Kivi said.

“I’d like to
take a bath and get something to eat,” Meldi answered.

“I’d like to not
look at anything battle related for a week,” Valis said.

“It’s good to
know I’m not the only feeling this way,” Seles said.

“So who sent
your mother the Apollo?” Mira asked.

“Brian and Myden
have something to do with it,” Seles said. “They didn’t tell me anything about
it though.”

“Typical secrets
to keep,” Kivi said. “She’s taken to flying well enough.”

“My mother was an
excellent pilot during her term of service many years ago,” Seles said. “I
think that’s why she wanted to steer me away from it.”

The Grey forces
were finished regrouping and resumed advancing forward.

“They never
stop, do they?” Seles asked.

“No, that’s why
I hate fighting them,” Valis said. “Everyone get into formation.”

“Yes Valis,” the
others said.

While the
orbital shield shifted its position the Kalaidian fleet charged. With her
people’s voices behind her, Celestia felt something come over her. When her
eyes began glowing the drive inside the Apollo spun faster and faster. Her
attacks became more deadly while she flew at the front. When a number of Grey
carriers moved together to resonate and block her path the reflector plates
shifted on her mobile suit to power mode. The rifle flared up as she fired an
arrow shot identical to the Artemis’s into the carrier formation. She fired
another three to clear the way. On the areas around the center the Kalaidian
ships fired the last of their nuclear missiles to blast a hole in the Grey
line. Celestia flew the Apollo in and fired another pair of arrows just as the
planet killer was charging up. After the main cannon exploded its shields went
down. Inside, the remaining Keinien androids self-detonated and brought the
massive ship to a complete stop. Seeing the situation for what it was, Celestia
took aim and fired her last four arrows. A massive hole through to the center
cleared the way. All the mobile suits nearby fired their pulse weapons and HV
missiles into the hole. Once the last vestiges of energy from inside were gone
Celestia’s berserk ended. She turned Jabril and the others.

“Now that we’ve
concluded this part of the battle it’s time to clean up,” she said.

“Of course my
queen,” Jabril said.

“Nia, what’s the
status of the shield?” Celestia asked.

“It’ll take five
more minutes to get in position,” Nia answered.

“Excellent,”
Celestia said.

The Apollo and
the rest of the fleet turned their attention to the Grey ships and carriers
around them. With the destruction of their planet killer the Grey forces were
in disarray.

“That was an
amazing display,” Jabril said.

“Brian told me
to berserk while flying the Apollo,” Celestia said. “He was right.” She tapped
her com to speak to everyone. “The goddess is with us. Let’s finish this act
and prepare for the finale!”

The queen began
chanting again, picking up where she left off before berserking. The Grey ships
turned around in waves and headed to the Red Star. On the other side of the
planet they did the same while fleeing the forces of the Gold Navy and
Ick-Tckt. The ships near the forces of Heaven’s Light did the likewise as the
Greys massed around the Red Star.

* *
*

Sunadin looked
closely at the Confederation forces before him. Three large fleets moved to
surround the Red Star as it approached Kalaidia Prime. The last android was
finally destroyed when he readied the main cannon.
They fight well. If it
was my place I’d say it was heroic. But all good things must come to an end.
He
thought as the cannon flared up and fired. A beam four times the strength of
the other planet killers slammed into the shield array protecting the Kalaidian
homeworld. As the array countered it bent before giving. But the energy
dispersed was enough that only a ring of fire crashed onto the planet in its
large ocean. The Grey general smiled.
Guess I’ll have to hit it again.
He
focused his mind to touch all of the Grey ships as they surrounded the Red
Star.

“To all the
knights of the Red Star, this is our moment of victory,”
Sunadin said to
them.
“Our enemy has fought well and I give them their due. But our lord has
ordered their destruction. Only by purification can Alden ever be one. Thoughts
of difference, thoughts of greed and power, thoughts of lust, all these things
are what led us down the path of war. By smashing away all the mortal desires
we smash away war itself. We gave ourselves to the cause long ago because we
believed a better world could be created. But the price of such a creation is
high and there will be many sacrifices along the way. We must always be
vigilant of mortal desires and quash them wherever they appear. The universe
needs order to survive. Chaos will only bring destruction. Now go forth brave
soldiers of Naerendi! Victory will be ours!”

Sunadin felt all
the minds of the Greys within his fleet cheering as they prayed to their god.
As they did so the fleets organized quicker and were finally able to filter out
the singing from the Kalaidians.

* *
*

Valis felt a
strange wave of pressure come from the Red Star.

“Did you feel
that?” Kivi asked.

“I did,” Seles
said.

“Me as well,”
Meldi said.

“What are you
guys talking about?” Mira asked.

“Something is
trying to project its thoughts into us,” Valis said.

The Aegis and
Dreka’s Talon returned. The Talon carried a pair of extra energy packs to
exchange with the Artemis and Mjolnir. Once the fix was done both showed the
use of four more arrows.

“With the time I
had that’s all I could get,” Dreka said.

“Thanks for
giving us more to work with,” Seles said.

“It’s better
than nothing,” Meldi added.

“What about you
Celi?” Mira asked.

“I’ve had enough
time to recharge for about ten minutes of shield usage,” Celi said.

“What about you
Valis?” Seles asked.

“I’m alright,”
Valis said. “Everyone, it’s time to clear the path for our friends.”

“Yes Valis,” the
others said.

The six ships
and three bases still able to use the Hades system waited for the signal nearby.
Behind them thousands of ships from the surviving militaries and the
Confederation waited as well. From both sides of the planet a fleet approached,
one the Kalaidians, the other the Gold Navy and Ick-Tckt. The Red Star was
surrounded on all sides by over nine thousand carriers and nearly half a
million smaller attack ships. Valis touched her com after communing with the
Minerva for a moment.

“This is Captain
Valis speaking to all allied forces,” she started. “We are entering the final
phase of the battle plan. The Kalaidian forces and Fifth fleet will engage the
enemy from two sides while Heaven’s Light and the Confederation forces move to
pierce their lines. If you have any special weapons remaining do not hesitate
to use them. I anticipate the Grey leader has something left to use, so be
prepared for anything.” She narrowed her com to her nearby allies. “Seles,
Meldi, Dreka, cut us a path. The rest will follow.”

“Yes Valis,” the
three pilots said in unison.

After the three
berserked again each fired an arrow shot into the Grey forces. As they flew
forward they fired again and again to clear the way. Behind them the other
Maidens and their friends followed.

* *
*

Admirals Regelik
and Khcha quickly worked to regroup their forces as they approached the Red
Star’s fleet. Tctie continued flying his specialized Phase Rakna about and kept
communications going between everyone.

“We’ve lost
about a third of our forces so far,” Khcha said.

“That’s a hell
of a lot better than we thought,” Regelik said. “Captain Valis knows how to
plan a battle.”

“You know this
from personal experience, don’t you?” the Ick-Tckt warrior asked.

Regelik cawed.
“Losing is very educational if you survive.”

“That’s been my
experience as well,” Khcha said.

Both felt a
strange wave of energy flow through their mind when another pulse came from the
Red Star.

“What was that?”
Regelik asked.

“There’s a
strange buzz in my mind,” Khcha said.

“It’s the
machine god,”
Tctie said.
“I think it’s trying communicating with us.”

“We will not
yield,” Khcha said.

“The prime
minister will roast my feathers if we do that,” Regelik said.

“Tctie, please
use your power to lessen its effects,” Khcha said. “I don’t want this thing to
get into our heads too much.”

“As you wish
admiral,”
Tctie said.

The front line
of the Gold Navy reached firing range with the Grey forces and began their
assault. Ick-Tckt ships and Auguar Stars swarmed in a moment later.

* *
*

Celestia held
her head after the pulse went through her. She looked at the monitor and saw
something written in text.

Don’t let it get
to you Celestia.
The Apollo wrote.
The machine god is a false deity created to establish
control, nothing more.

“You really are like
your father,” Celestia said.

I’m trying my
best being alone like I am.
The Apollo wrote.

“Thank you for
the reassuring words,” Celestia said.

“Is he talking
to you?” Jabril asked.

“The A.I. system
is working well,” Celestia answered.

“So what are we
going to do?” Jabril asked.

“Since we’re out
of nuclear weapons and arrows we’ll have to do things the old fashioned way,”
Celestia said. “To all Kalaidian forces, this is your queen speaking. Victory
is within our grasp and we cannot allow it to slip away. Show them no mercy and
remember Kali is with us. Now let us chant together.”

Celestia led the
singing as they reached the ninth hymn to their goddess. While the battle raged
another pulse was sent out from the Red Star. This one was much more powerful
than the first two and touched the minds of all those it could.