Grey War Saga 1: Twilight of Innocence (13 page)

Brian grabbed
the helmet for his exoskeleton and locked it into place.

“Are you taking
a step outside again?” Jesela asked.

“Hopefully
nothing goes wrong,” Grigon cawed.

“Thanks you
two,” Brian said. “Myden, please take care of things while I’m gone.”

“I will,” Myden
said.

Brian nodded
before activating the gravity drive inside his exoskeleton. His body flashed
and appeared outside near the Artemis. Seles quickly pulled him in using the
mobile suit’s hand. She put her helmet on before letting him inside. After she
returned the cockpit’s atmosphere to normal he waved his hand.

“Keep your
helmet on,” Brian said. “Last time I was able to control it without throwing
you outside, but I don’t know if I can do that every time.”

“Your power is
really annoying, you know that?” she asked.

“Of course my
love,” he said.

“You sound like
you’re in the mood,” Seles pointed out.

“Always when I’m
around you,” Brian said. “Alright, we should focus on the mission.”

“Billions of
lives are on the line,” Seles said.

“When this war
is over I’m filing a request for ten years of peace,” Brian said.

“I’ll sign the
petition when it happens,” Seles said. “So what do I need to do?”

“Save your
arrows for when we’re inside,” Brian instructed. He narrowed his eyes and found
what he was looking for. “I can see it Seles.”

“You know we’ve
never berserked together like this,” Seles said.

“If it’s good
we’ll try in my room one of these nights,” Brian said.

“You really are
in the mood,” she said with a laugh.

She heard the
other four laughing in their mobile suits.

“You two are
still just the way you were when you met,” Celi said.

“Foolish and
impulsive at least,” Kivi added.

“You two do know
everyone with an open com channel can hear you?” Mira asked.

Valis laughed.
“I think they’re enjoying the levity of the conversation.”

“Thanks,” Seles
said.

“Remember to keep
our enemies on their toes while Seles and I are busy,” Brian said.

“I will,” Valis
said.

The fleet of
Heaven’s Light joined the coalition fleet in the main battle over Dega Jul. The
six ships and the Siberia base pushed forward. Brian closed his eyes before
letting the berserk come over him. His left eye emitted green colored energy
while his body was covered in a similar aura. He put his hand on the Artemis’s
interior wall and spread the aura until it covered the mobile suit and Seles.
She let the berserk come over her and the Artemis’s drive spun faster. The
white and silver mobile suit was glowing brightly with green particles
surrounding it. The enemy pulse fire coming in flew through the Artemis like it
was incorporeal. The others began berserking and took care of the enemy ships
trying to shoot the Artemis down. Both Brian and Seles felt each other’s mind.

“Don’t let the
blue world take you,” Brian said.

“This is
strange,” Seles said.

“Fly according
to my lead,” he said.

“I will,” she
said.

The planet
killer looked like it was ready to fire a third shot from its main cannon at
any moment. The Artemis flew through the vessel’s shields as Brian guided Seles
until they were inside the massive ship. Thousands of Greys worked in every
location while they descended further into the core. When they reached the
center Brian materialized the Artemis inside the core chamber. A smaller
version of the machine god stood in the center like a menacing behemoth.

“Fire,” Brian
said.

“Of course,”
Seles said while taking aim.

The Artemis
fired an arrow shot straight into the core. Seeing it wasn’t more than
scratched Seles let loose and fired the remaining nine shots from her mobile
suit. Massive beam after beam slammed into the core. On the tenth and final
shot the center was damaged and the structure began collapsing. Brian used his
power to turn the Artemis immaterial again and quickly guided Seles back outside.
The moon sized ship went silent while the Grey ships in the area gravity jumped
away. Seles turned the Artemis about once Brian stopped using his power. The
pair ended their berserks and took a deep breath. All around Dega Jul the
battle was ended after the Greys fled.

“Other than the
core the planet killer is intact,” Seles said.

“I sense the
Mylor want to capture one to study,” Brian said. “I think they’ll let our
engineers take a peak as well.”

“What about the
Greys onboard?” Seles asked.

“That’s why
we’re going to let the Mylor take this one,” Brian said. “And thanks.”

“Save it for
later,” Seles said. “I’m heading back now.”

* *
*

Jesela looked up
from her work and watched the Artemis return to the ship.

“You’re
wondering why he doesn’t do that every time,” Myden inquired.

“I think he
should,” Grigon cawed.

“There’s
something holding him back from doing so,” Jesela said.

“All awakened
beings suffer when they discover their power,” Myden said. “In Brian’s case I
see a fate worse than many others.”

“What do you
mean by that?” Grigon asked.

“Scan his body
next time he uses his power and you’ll understand,” Myden said.

“Now I’m
worried,” Jesela said.

“Then don’t,”
Myden suggested. “It’s not like you to be that way anyway.”

“I’ll try
following your advice old man,” Jesela said as she went to leave. “But I’d
better get those two ready for combat again.”

Myden, Grigon,
and the droids silently went back to work at their consoles.

“What did you
mean by all that?” Grigon asked.

“His power deals
with dimensional boundaries,” Myden said. “All powers prior to his dealt with
the material world we perceive, but his goes beyond it. I can sense the change
only because I’m telepathic.”

“You still
haven’t answered my question,” Grigon said before cawing.

“Of course,”
Myden said. “Now and then we he’s asleep his mind disappears to me. I watched
him one night and found the reason why.”

“You don’t need
to say anymore,” Grigon said. “I think I understand now.”

“Then remember
to be prepared,” Myden said. “We never know when he may fade from this plane of
existence forever.”

* *
*

Siata and a
contingent of Mylor troops entered the now dead planet killer. What they found
inside were the bodies of thousands of Greys. All of them had been exposed to
the vacuum of space due to the entire vessel losing air and pressure. The
exoskeleton covered cat people floated through the ship in search of anything
useful.

“The construction
of a ship like this is still only in the design stage for us,” Siata said.

“True,”
Commander Uta said. “What should we do with this one?”

Siata noticed a
dim flashing light in the hallways. After checking the purple hieroglyphics she
turned to her troops.

“We need to
leave here immediately,” she said. “This vessel is programmed to self-destruct
and we need to get it out of the Degan system.”

“How do we do
that?” Uta asked while they rushed back to their ship.

“We’ll abandon
ten of our ships and use them to gravity jump this titan between star systems,”
Siata ordered.

* *
*

The Artemis and
Siren landed on the Freedom. Seles, Mira, and Brian all went down to the ground
while Jesela began her work.

“I’d better get
to the bridge,” Brian said before rushing off.

“I’d better get
to sickbay,” Mira said before doing the same.

Seles looked at
Jesela. “Can I help with the maintenance work?”

“It’s better to
have company then work alone,” Jesela said.

“Thanks,” Seles
said. She noticed some armor plating on the legs of the Artemis was damaged.
“I’ll start with that then.”

“You’re pushing
these things to their limits,” Jesela said before sighing.

“I know,” Seles
said. “But what I want to know is what magic spell you cast on Brian.”

“I can’t use
magic,” Jesela said.

“His smile is
back,” Seles said. “Both Mira and I have been looking for it for a while now.”

“You should know
I’ve spent only two nights with him,” Jesela said. “Both have been when he was
at his worst. But this last time I felt the same as him.” She put pictures of
the damage to Dega Jul from the battle on a monitor in the room. “These are
only the first round of images. One of the great rings of destruction hit the
area near the Kalaidian district we frequent. I have to be honest and admit I’m
shaken.”

“I may not be
showing it but I am too,” Seles said. “So many have died and we haven’t had the
time to mourn them.”

“I know,” Jesela
said. “As to the answer you seek I can’t give you one. Perhaps he feels he
can’t say certain things around you or Mira because he doesn’t want to worry
you. He’s a loner Seles, always has been.”

“He is, and it’s
annoying at times,” Seles said. “He shouldn’t hide himself from those he
loves.”

“All of us have
a character flaw, that’s his,” Jesela said.

“If you know so
much then what’s my flaw?” Seles asked.

“You worry too
much about what others think of you,” Jesela said. “I attribute it to your
princess complex.”

Seles laughed.
“Thanks.”

“You’re
welcome,” Jesela said. “Now let’s get to work and finish this before our shift
is over. I’d like to get some sleep for a change.”

“Sure,” Seles
said.

* *
*

Brian walked
onto the bridge and found Myden and Grigon oddly quiet. After checking the
console near the captain’s chair he turned to the two.

“Were you
talking about me again?” Brian asked.

“Your ability to
discern such things is beginning to disturb me,” Myden said.

“He’s learned
well from you old man,” Grigon cawed.

Brian laughed.
“I know what you’re worried about. Pondering about it doesn’t do you any good.”

“Pondering
things is what I did for centuries,” Myden said. “Doing so made me feel older.”

“I’m still young
because I do things rather than think about them too much,” Grigon said. He
glanced at his console. “It looks like the Mylor are doing something.”

“Put in on the
screen,” Brian said.

Grigon nodded
before showing what was happening. Ten Mylor ships were evacuated and moved to
specific positions around the dead planet killer. After taking a moment to
resonate their gravity drives the Mylor ships covered the planet killer with an
aura of energy and gravity jumped it away.

“Why do you
think they just did that?” Brian asked.

“There was
likely a self-destruct device inside,” Myden said.

“Damn,” Grigon
cawed. “I wanted to take a look around it.”

“Captain, we’re
receiving a signal from Commander Baeron,” Droid A reported.

“Put him
through,” Brian said.

“Yes sir,” the
droid said.

Baeron was still
in the cockpit of his Lance.

“Captain
Peterson, we request your ship land on the surface,” Baeron said. “The power
grids across the planet are unstable and we need help treating the wounded.”

“All of the
ships of Heaven’s Light will do what they can for those in need,” Brian said.

The Freedom and
many other ships landed on Dega Jul at the docks, in the streets, or on top of
the larger buildings. When the officers from the vessels ran outside to begin
the task of treating the wound and search for survivors the destruction to the
planet was evident. The air was filled with ash and dust, dimming the daytime
sky with a hue of red. Cutting through the area next to the Kalaidian district
was a massive swath of destruction. Workers of every race fought the numerous
blazes across the city planet while Minan soldiers patrolled the streets to
keep a semblance of order. The citizens who had evacuated to the underground
shelters were now emerging to either help the cause or salvage what they could
from their homes. Brian and Seles went outside to assess the damage.

“What is this?”
Seles asked with a bit of shock behind her voice.

“This is war,”
Brian said.

“Why?” Seles
asked. “Why are they so merciless? What’s the point of doing this?”

“Their goal is
the same as Heaven’s Light, just the opposite path,” Brian answered. “We can
unify the galaxy under the banner of solidarity or purification. Seles, focus
on the task at hand. None of us can understand this right now.”

“Alright,” she
said before shaking it off. “Where am I supposed to go?”

Brian checked
his wrist computer. “The area near Mya’s shop is badly torn up. Take the Artemis
and ten Raknas with you.”

“Do you think
she’s alright?” Seles asked.

“That’s why I
chose you for that area,” Brian said. “I owe her a payment for the suit she
made for me.”

“I’ll take care
of it,” Seles said before turning to leave.

Brian grabbed
her arm. “Keep an eye out for anything strange. I have a bad feeling I can’t
shake.”

“My eyes will be
open,” she said before going to the launching bay.

Brian watched as
the fires blazed. He heard the screams of the wounded and those trapped in the
rubble.

“This is hell,”
he said before heading to back to the others.

* *
*

On the edge of
the Kalaidian district Kivi and Dreka were leading the recovery operation.
Behind them on the barren street the Raulno sat quietly. Numerous individuals
and mobile suits worked together to clear the rubble. Standing half destroyed
on the very tip of the ring of destruction was the mixed race bar called the
Kritkar. After searching through the place for a while Dreka met with Kivi.

“There’s nothing
left but the broken remains of an old man’s dream,” she said.

“He was still in
there when it hit,” Dreka said.

“How do you
know?” Kivi asked.

“I found some
blood and grey feathers that match his DNA,” Dreka said. “Old Grig was a good
man to the very end. He tossed everyone out before it was hit.”

Kivi looked
across the scar on the planet with the sky still colored red. “Madness has come
upon us, hasn’t it?”

“Of course,”
Dreka said. “And even though a part of me wants to give in, I can’t.”

“What’s holding
you back?” Kivi asked.

“A little over
twelve years ago a foolish Terran took a hit for me,” Dreka said. “My life
should’ve ended that day. But I live on because of Brian. He was willing to
give his life so I could change. I can’t die, not yet.” Dreka cawed. “Also, I
have a pair of little ones back on the homeworld.”

“Have you heard
from them lately?” Kivi asked.

“No, the Greys
have smaller fleets lurking everywhere,” Dreka said. “Communication was the
first thing to go because of it. What about you Kivi? Is there someone you fear
will die?”

“My grandmother
back home,” Kivi said. “She raised me well and is the only family I have left.
Although she’d tell I’m an idiot and that she’s lived a long and good life.”

“If she were a
bird I’d ask her to look after Grigon,” Dreka said.

Kivi smiled. “They’d
make a great couple.” She looked at Dreka. “When we have some time I’d like us
and our friends to gather and have a drink for Grig. I think he’d be happy
knowing we cared.”

“He would be,”
Dreka said. “The gods blessed him with a good life and much wealth.”

“Kali’s got a great
bartender now,” Kivi said before the two went back to work.

* *
*

Brian stood
outside the main sickbay of the Freedom and watched the medical officers treat
the wounded. He looked at Mira while she and Suv Gar were working on a Minan
whose body had been half crushed in some rubble. Jesela came down the hallway
and stood with him.

“This is the
true battle for someone like her,” Brian said.

“Mira’s great at
her job,” Jesela said. “I’d say she’s as good at putting people back together
as I am with mobile suits.”

She watched as
Brian’s left eye started glowing green for a second. As it did so his body
faded from view for the same amount of time. He cringed and held his eye shut.

“Something’s
wrong,” Brian said.

“I’d say so,”
Jesela said. “You need to have Mira look you over.”

“That’s not what
I mean,” Brian said.

“Then speak up,”
Jesela said. “You’re starting to talk like Myden.”

Brian laughed.
“That’s not good. No, what I mean by wrong can’t be defined by words. It’s just
a bad feeling.”

“What do you
want me to do?” Jesela asked.

“Prepare the
Siren for launch,” Brian said. “But before that, take a look at my exoskeleton.
I’ll need to use it soon.”

* *
*

After giving orders
Seles took a step outside of the Artemis. She felt the chill in the air as she
led the search for survivors near Mya’s shop. After looking around she saw Mya
standing outside her clothing store. The interior was dark and the back half of
the building had been destroyed. Seles grabbed a spare thermal cloak from the
supply shuttle and handed it to Mya.

“Oh, it’s you
Seles,” Mya said.

“I’m glad to see
you’re alright,” Seles said.

“I’m thankful
Kali kept me on the stage,” Mya said.

“Your role is
important,” Seles said. “Reality can’t function if everyone’s a soldier.”

“Thank you for
saying so,” Mya said.

“Has anyone gone
into your shop?” Seles asked.

“A pair of Minan
officers went in there a few hours ago,” Mya said. “I’m getting worried since I
haven’t seen them since.”

“I’ll check in a
minute, but I have to do one thing first,” Seles said.

She pulled out a
gold card and ran it over Mya’s wrist computer.

“What’s this
for?” Mya asked as she looked at the numbers.

“Brian wanted to
pay for his last visit,” Seles said.

Mya laughed. “I
think he overpaid.”

Seles took a look
at the numbers. “I’d say this is a rebuilding fund.”

Mya pulled the
thermal cloak tight. “I will rebuild my shop. I have a simple dream Seles.
There will come a day when more Terrans like Brian walk amongst us. I’d like to
design clothes for them.”

“They’ll love
your shop,” Seles said. “Not just for the clothes, but their lovely maker.”

“Thanks,” Mya
said. “By the way, is there place I can stay for a while?”

“The troops near
the shuttle will take you back to the Freedom for a few nights,” Seles said. “We’ll
find you a place, and if we can’t I’ll let you stay in my apartment nearby.”

“I’m grateful,”
Mya said before leaving.

Seles put her
helmet on and turned the exoskeleton’s systems on. After entering the darkness
of Mya’s shop she went to the back room. On the ground she found the body of a
Minan soldier. She saw he’d been shot in the head by pulse fire. She turned and
found another Minan soldier curled up in the corner. His body was alive
according to Seles’s scanners, but he wasn’t moving. She checked him and found
his higher brain functions weren’t working. She heard a noise and spun around
with a
rakna
blade in hand. She stood down when she saw it was Commander
Baeron with his
zenti
axe drawn.

“Commander
Seles, do you know what’s going on?” he asked.

“No,” she said.
“I entered the room and found them like this.”

“This is the
tenth incident in this sector in the last two hours,” Baeron said.

“Are you the
only one here?” Seles asked.

“No, I have
thirty soldiers searching the buildings adjacent to this one,” Baeron said.

“I’ll take point
because of this,” Seles said while pointing to her exoskeleton.

“I’ll back you
up,” Baeron said.

The two
descended the stairs in the next room until they were in the basement of Mya’s
shop. Amongst the rubble and materials they noticed a number of footprints in
the dust. When they reached the back of the storage area they noticed a hatch
leading to the sublevels of Dega Jul was open. When Seles went to open it
further she heard Baeron growl. She turned and saw him shining a light on a
Grey soldier dressed in black body armor while holding a pulse rifle. The Minan
charged and chopped the creature in half before it could fire. Seles looked
around and saw a few more using the thermal vision in the exoskeleton. She
quickly tossed a stun grenade at them and dove behind a metal crate. After the
explosion she calmly walked over to the creatures with her
rakna
blade
ready. She cut the throat of the first one and turned the second when it opened
its black eyes and focused on her. She knelt in pain when something entered her
mind.

“You must be the
lady he cares for so much,”
a voice said in her mind.
“I’ll enjoy the look
on his face when you’re dead.”

“Get out of my
mind!” she screamed before chopping the Grey’s head off.

She heard laughter
in her mind before it faded from her thoughts. She snapped back to normal when
Baeron shook her.

“Are you
alright?” the bearman asked.

“I’m okay,” she
answered. She looked at the Grey foot soldiers. “How did they get down here?”

“My guess would
be the strange light from the planet killer we damaged,” Baeron said. “It
probably gravity jumped a number of these soldiers everywhere.” He helped her
up. “You should contact your ship immediately. Brian and Myden should be able
to help us with this.”

“Let’s get back
to the street first,” Seles said. “There are a few things in the Artemis I’m
going to need.”