Grey War Saga 1: Twilight of Innocence (12 page)

After every ship
capable of fighting launched from the colonies, Confederation Headquarters, and
the surface of Dega Jul, the two planet killers and their fleets appeared. On
the light and dark sides of Dega Jul each planet killer had a fleet of six
thousand carriers and swarms of smaller attack vessels. The Grey forces were
intercepted by a coalition of ships on both sides of the planet. At the front
of the forces of Heaven’s Light the Maidens led the charge into the enemy
formation. The first wave was a swarm of over fifty thousand attack vessels.
Both the Artemis and Gemini used their heavy cannons in spread mode to destroy
their foes as quickly as possible. The sheer number of Grey ships forced them
back with their fellow ships and mobile suits. Even with the Aegis’s shield the
five mobile suits were taking hits.

“Is it just me
or are their weapons getting more effective?” Celi asked.

“It’s not your
imagination,” Valis said. “They learn slowly but when they do it’s enough.”

“Should we
berserk?” Mira asked.

“No, let’s hold
back for now,” Valis said.

“Patience isn’t
one of our virtues,” Kivi said.

“I’ve got an
idea,” Seles said.

“Go for it,”
Valis said.

“Alright,” Seles
said.

The Artemis’s
reflector plates shifted from the cannon to all around the Maidens’ mobile
suits. A few more popped off the frame of the Artemis and moved in circles
around them.

“So what do we
do now?” Mira asked.

“The key is to
know where to fire,” Seles said. “Because our enemies are everywhere around us
all you have to do is shoot. The Artemis’s system will do the rest.”

Kivi started by
firing into the nearest plate. As she did so the reflector caught her blast and
bounced around the other plates and amplified it greatly. The attack then
spread out and pounded the nearby Grey ships. Each of the others took their
turns and fired.

“Now deploy the
Novas on our crafts,” Seles said. “Program them to fire into the plates and
concentrate your weapons elsewhere.”

“Jesela must have
wanted you to test this,” Mira said.

“If we can’t use
our special systems then we’ll use what we do have,” Seles said.

The ten
Novaguards with the five mobile suits went into autopilot and used the
Artemis’s reflector plates to amplify their pulse cannons. The Grey ships
nearby started taking much heavier casualties while the Maidens were better
defended. Valis smiled and sent the same plan over to Meldi in the Mjolnir.

* *
*

The Freedom
shook as the swarms of incoming Grey ships concentrated their fire away from
the Maidens. The mobile suit units stayed on the hulls of their ships for
protection as the Greys became more aggressive by the moment. The entire fleet
and bases were backing off while the battle progressed. On the other side of
the planet their allies were running into the same impasse.

“Something’s
different,” Grigon said. “Their attacks are much better coordinated.”

“Maybe we should
get closer together for protection,” Jesela offered.

“No,” Brian
said. “If we do that the planet killer will fire on our formation.”

He noticed the
reflector plates around the Artemis and Mjolnir were acting as amplifiers for
the Novaguards.

“I didn’t know
they could be used like that,” Brian said.

“I added a
little something when we had a chance to overhaul them,” Jesela said before
looking at Grigon. “I hope you’re not offended.”

“I feel the
opposite,” Grigon cawed.

“Can we do the
same thing with our Novas?” Brian asked.

“Of course,”
Jesela said. “I’ll set the reflector plates on the ship up right now.”

“I’ll set the
Novas to autopilot then,” Brian said.

The reflector
plates on the Freedom shifted and moved into position while still attached to
the main ship. After a minute of frantic work Brian finished the program. Near
the front of the Freedom a pair of bay doors opened and over a hundred
Novaguards on autopilot emerged. The swarm of fighters quickly moved to their
assigned positions and began firing into the plates. The amount of pulse fire
coming from the Freedom was doubled as the Grey ships nearby were cut down.
Brian hit the com.

“Kyli, I want
you and the other pilots to do the same thing our Novas are doing,” he ordered.

“We’re on it
captain,” Kyli responded.

* *
*

The area of
space around the Maidens was devoid of enemy ships while the Greys moved around
them. A hole in the front line opened the way to the planet killer.

“What should we
do Valis?” Seles asked.

“I don’t like
how this looks,” Valis said.

“Is it a trap?”
Kivi asked.

“It’s a trap,”
Valis said.

“What’s the
Minerva telling you?” Mira asked.

“The planet
killer is already in position,” Valis said before hitting the com. “Veda, the
bases need to use their Hades systems. We need to make a shield using them.”

“We’re on it
Valis,” Veda said.

“I want all our
forces to pull behind the bases’ shields as well,” Valis said.

“Relaying the
orders as we speak,” Veda said. “Is there anything else?”

“Send the six
ships from the Columbia base and their mobile weapons forward,” Valis said.
“The five of us and them are going to make a charge for the planet killer.”

“Alright,” Veda
said.

“One more
thing,” Valis said. “Do we have any nuclear missiles left?”

“Only the five
equipped on the Mjolnir,” Veda said.

“That should be
enough,” Valis said. “Take care of things here Veda.”

“I will Valis,”
Veda said.

The forces of
the Confederation and Heaven’s Light moved behind the line of asteroid bases.
Seeing the opportunity, the Greys charged forward while the eight bases started
glowing with energy. The Freedom, Avoni, Daevoni, Reinkar, Raulno, and Vomada
moved forward with their mobile forces and joined the Maidens. Valis switched
her com to the Mjolnir.

“Meldi, I need
you to use the last of our nukes to punch a hole in their carrier line,” Valis
said.

“I’m ready when
you need me captain,” Meldi said.

Valis switched
over to the Freedom. “Brian, does Grigon have any Talons left to sacrifice?”

“There’s twenty
two remaining on the Vomada,” Brian answered.

“Prepare all of
them for self-detonation,” Valis ordered.

“Things are
going to get that bad?” Brian asked.

“Yes, that bad,”
Valis said.

The planet
killer’s main cannon flared up with energy before firing. The massive beam
slammed into the glowing bases of Heaven’s Light. As their energy was drained
most of the power behind the attack was lost, but a wave of destruction rolled
around the edge of the formation. A ring several
ketres
wide and hundreds
of
ketres
in diameter slammed into the planet below, scorching a portion
of the city. At the same time, a strange glow from the planet killer surrounded
the vessel for a moment before it went back into recharge mode. Valis and the
others looked back at their bases saw their shields were close to being
drained, while most of the other systems were severely damaged.

“It’s worse than
I thought,” Valis said. “Everyone, we need to strike now. If that thing gets
another shot off our allies are finished.”

“Yes Valis,” the
others said.

* *
*

The power
systems throughout the Columbia base fluctuated while everyone onboard
desperately worked. Veda and Reban found their communications systems had been
damaged.

“What’s our
status?” Veda asked.

“The Hades
system is down and eleven of our gravity drives are fried,” Reban said. “Our scanners
say most of our mobile weapons are alright though.”

“Let’s establish
contact with them first,” Veda said.

“I’m working on
it right now,” Reban said.

She rebooted the
com systems and the monitors turned back on. Shiken Ka, Miv Daek, and Captain
Javrin appeared on the monitor a second later.

“Have your base
move to the rear,” Shiken said. “The Siberia, Hong Kong, and Alaska bases
sustained the least damage and should become our forward line.”

“What about the
other bases?” Veda asked.

“They’re still
functioning, but not very well,” Javrin said.

“We’ve contacted
them using the direct laser system,” Miv Daek said.

“I understand,”
Veda said. “Until further notice the Siberia base will be our main command
center. Make sure you talk with Valis.”

“I will,” Shiken
said.

The Columbia,
Nevada, Death Valley, Sicily, and Sahara bases slowly moved to the rear while
the other three moved ahead. The majority of the surviving ships and mobile
weapons moved to the front as well. Veda and Reban turned their attention away
from the battle to order the repairs.

“This is the
first time we suffered damage like this,” Veda said.

“You’ve been
spoiling for a challenge,” Reban said.

“I know, but
this is rough,” Veda said.

The monitor
showed thousands of vessels on both sides of Dega Jul locked in battle. The
planet killer on the opposite side flared up and fired. A number of Mylor
battleships moved in the way and absorbed most of the blast, but a third of
their ships were damaged or destroyed. Another ring of destruction rained down
on Dega Jul.

“What should our
engineers focus on?” Reban asked.

“The gravity
drives first, then the shields,” Veda said.

“They’re on
their way now,” Reban said.

She glanced at
the monitor. For a moment both of the women were mesmerized by the scale of the
battle.

“Do you think we
stand a chance in this war?” Reban asked.

“As long Brian’s
alive we do,” Veda said. “Kali blessed that young Terran, even if he doesn’t
believe in her.”

“I wonder if
she’s watching this,” Reban said.

“The stage is
set and all the actors are here,” Veda said. “The great war is upon us. Even if
our role is to die, let it be a grand death on the great stage of existence. If
Kali wills it, then let us sing.”

“If Kali wills
it, then let us sing,” Reban repeated.

Veda opened the
com and began a chant praising the goddess. Reban joined her as they worked.
All across the base and expanding outward the chant emerged from the lips of
every Kalaidian while they worked or fought. The chorus warmed the hearts of
those hearing it and raised the spirits of those in battle.

The Maidens and
the six ships went forward while the planet killer recharged. As they did so
the smaller Grey vessels started emitting energy and took the rough outline of
mobile suits with the saucer in the center. The Grey ships then switched from
attacking in swarms to attacking in organized units like the actual mobile suit
teams. Brian and the other captains watched the tide shifting with grim looks
on their faces.

“I don’t like
this at all,” Esra said from the bridge of the Daevoni.

“We’ve seen this
before, but not on such a scale,” Zae said from the Avoni.

“What exactly do
they gain from changing their shape like this?” El Kar asked from the Reinkar.

“They’re more
organized,” Dreka said from the Raulno.

“I know your
instincts are to berserk, but we can’t at this point,” Brian said. “We have to
get closer.” He looked at the Artemis. “Maybe that would work.”

“Do you see
something?” Esra asked.

“There’s a way
out of this but we have to get closer,” Brian said.

Valis appeared
on their monitors. “Switch to formation D-3 and have Grigon send the Talons
out.”

“They’re on
their way now,” Grigon cawed.

“Valis, are you
thinking what I’m thinking?” Brian asked.

“Yes,” Valis
said. “The Talons will clear a path through their carriers. All we have to do
is keep moving.”

“Alright,” Brian
said before she left the screen.

“You didn’t
answer my question yet,” El Kar reminded.

“Their
telepathic energies allow them to shape reality,” Brian explained. “Don’t be
surprised when they start emulating our ships and weapons.”

“Now I know I
don’t like this,” Esra said.

The enemies flew
around the six ships as they shifted form and fired. Far behind them the main
force of the Greys was fighting the fleet of Heaven’s Light. On both sides of
the planet the orbital defense system kicked in and began firing pulse blasts
into the Grey ships using automated attack satellites. Through the com systems
the sound of the Kalaidians’ chant was sent through all their ships and mobile
suits. Each of the women joined the chant as their spirits were raised.

“It’s
beautiful,” Grigon said.

“Yes it is,”
Myden said.

“If Kali wills
it, then let us sing,” Jesela said before chanting quietly.

“I agree,” Brian
said before lending his voice to the cause.

* *
*

The Maidens
listened as their fellows sang in unison. Valis watched their foes carefully
and noticed something happening to the Grey vessels. While they maintained
their copied forms, their movements slowed down as if they were confused. She
smiled when the Minerva’s system agreed with her.

“Brian, have the
ships turned their Hades systems on and go to Siren mode,” Valis ordered.
“Mira, you’re leading the way for us and doing the same.”

“Is the music
getting to you?” Mira asked.

“No, it’s
affecting our foes,” Valis said.

“How does
chanting doing that?” Kivi asked.

“It probably has
something to do with their telepathic power,” Celi offered.

“I don’t mind
joining the chant,” Seles said.

The five ships
spread out before their Hades systems went on. The Grey forces nearby were
quickly subdued by the Siren system while Mira led the Maidens forward. Her
craft started glowing as they rendered nearly half the Grey fleet useless. When
they reached the first barrier of carrier ships they punched their way through
using the Siren’s system and a good amount of pulse fire. At the same time the
automated Talons around the Vomada flew into the enemy formations and detonated
their gravity drives. The Mjolnir then took aim and fired its last nuclear
missile volley. Five flashes of light filled the area as the explosions opened
the final stretch to the planet killer. When they closed in the five ships
shifted their systems to cannon mode and fired a series of powerful energy
blasts into the shields. The planet killer’s power systems seemed shaky as it
turned and fired a smaller than normal blast from its main cannon. The beam
missed the fleet of Heaven’s Light and instead crashed into the surface of Dega
Jul. Though the planet was spared, a crater one hundred
ketres
wide
emerged from the smoke. Before the five ships could deliver a decisive blow the
planet killer collected as many ships and carriers as possible and gravity
jumped away. Valis quickly contacted her allies.

“All forces are
to stand down the Hades system,” Valis said. “To all ships and bases capable of
fighting, dive into the mass of disabled enemy ships and destroy them as
quickly as possible. When we’re finished here we’ll join our allies on the
other side of Dega Jul.”

“Yes Valis,” the
others responded.

The five ships and
the Siren stopped glowing when they returned their systems to normal. The Maidens
and the six ships then turned about and began destroying every Grey ship
floating in their path. Their allies in the main fleet did likewise as they
crept forward.

* *
*

Brian stopped
chanting with the Kalaidians when he ordered the mobile suits to spread out and
attack the Grey ships.

“What was it you
were thinking of doing with Seles?” Jesela asked.

“The planet
killer gravity jumped away before we could do it,” Brian said. “That just means
we’ll have to save it for the other one.”

“You’re being
vague about this,” Grigon said.

“He was going to
use the same trick he used two years ago in the battle over the Ick-Tckt homeworld,”
Myden said.

“I almost forgot
about that,” Jesela said.

“It’s because I
don’t use my power very often,” Brian said.

“It’s a
dangerous one to use,” Myden said. “By the way, our weapons are working at
sixty eight percent.”

“Our shields and
other systems are functioning at seventy five percent,” Grigon said.

“Eleven of our
mobile suits have taken severe damage,” Jesela said. “Five have been
destroyed.”

“Dammit,” Brian
said. “What about the planet?”

Droid C put the
scans on the monitor. “Our computer estimates half a billion civilians have
died so far. In addition, due to the material thrown into the atmosphere the
global temperature of Dega Jul will drop significantly in the next few months.”

“How much is the
estimated drop?” Brian asked.

“To a level just
above the freezing mark for water,” Droid C reported.

“That’s really
cold,” Jesela said.

“Pack a thermal
cloak from now on,” Brian suggested. “How much longer will it take us to clear
the area?”

“It will take us
two hours at this rate,” Myden said.

“We should hurry
up then,” Brian said. “Kyli, have the mobile suits move into formation A-3 and
spread out even more.”

“Yes captain,”
Kyli said.

The Artemis,
Gemini, and Mjolnir shifted their cannons to spread mode and flew away from the
main formation. The disabled enemies easily succumbed to their attacks as they
blasted everything in their path. The chant amongst the Kalaidians resumed
while they mopped up the remaining Grey ships.

* *
*

Siata was on the
bridge of her ship while the other Mylors onboard worked. Her forces and the
Third Mylor fleet had been cut in half during the battle. After the planet
killer fired a second shot the Mylor ships flew into its path and deflected
most of the blast using their telekinetic powers. All of their eyes glowed blue
as they heard the song coming through from the Kalaidians fighting on the other
side of the planet. The Greys fighting the fleet under her command slowed down.

“Captain, what
do you think is the cause of this?” Commander Uta asked.

“The Kalaidian
chant is unifying their thoughts,” Siata said. “We never thought such a simple
thing could disrupt their communications.”

“What should we
do then?” Uta asked.

Siata hit the
com to contact all the Mylor ships. “To all forces of the Mylor Republic, focus
your minds and resonate together.”

“Yes captain,”
the others responded.

The Mylor ships
began glowing as all the beings inside used their powers to resonate on the
same frequency. The nearby Grey ships slowed down but still fought.

“It’s working,”
Siata said. “This is Captain Siata to the Shandi, Viken, and Reiki forces. We
have discovered an unusual weakness amongst the Greys. Find a chant, a song, or
a thought each and every one of your people can hold. We have to hold them off
until our allies on the other side join us.”

Instead of
hearing an acknowledgement of her order Siata heard the sound of cheers from
the Reiki, and old war call from the Viken, and the epic prose of the struggle
of the Shandi. The Grey ships near those projecting the sounds slowed down and
were easier to fight against.

“That should buy
us some time,” Siata said.

* *
*

Seles was in the
Artemis while the chant continued. When the fleet of Heaven’s Light came around
to the other side of the planet they heard the sound of all the other races singing
or cheering. Seles watched the Mylor ships pushing into the Grey carrier line.

“It’s strange
that it works,” Mira said.

“There must be a
reason behind it,” Celi said.

“No matter what
the reason is singing disrupts them,” Kivi said.

“It’s because
singing or chanting unifies our thoughts,” Seles said. “But more importantly it
ignites our spirit.”

“As the people
of Kali it makes sense,” Valis said.

“That’s true,”
Mira said.

“So what’s our
next move?” Celi asked. “It looks like the Mylor can make it to the planet
killer without our help.”

“True, but they
won’t have anything left when they get there,” Kivi said.

“Then we’ll help
them,” Valis said. “To all Confederation forces with our fleet, fall back and
join your fellows in the main battle zone.”

“We’re on our
way,” Baeron responded.

“To the forces
of Heaven’s Light, we’re making a charge straight for the remaining planet
killer,” Valis said. “Use formation A-11.”

“Yes Valis,” the
others responded.

“And Brian, I
think it’s time you use your special move,” Valis said.

“I’ll be ready in
a minute,” he responded.