Grey War Saga 1: Twilight of Innocence (2 page)

Dozens of Grey
carriers and thousands of attack ships surrounded the Freedom and pounded the
vessel’s shields. Brian controlled the Hades system and shifted it quickly to
Aegis mode to protect the ship and its mobile suits. The shaking made it
difficult to stand still.

“This is crazy,”
Jesela said.

“Crazy is who I
am,” Brian said. “How many carriers are passing us by?”

“Eight hundred
and ninety,” Droid B reported.

“Good,” Brian
said. “Seles, Mira, it’s time you two cut loose.”

A number of the
carriers fired their main cannons when they were in range and drove the Freedom
back. The shield held as the ship returned fire and destroyed a pair of
carriers.

“Are we still
cutting loose?” Seles asked over the com.

Brian narrowed
his eyes. “Of course, but make sure you fire your arrows at point blank range.
Our cannons don’t work as well at a distance.”

“Got it,” Seles
said.

“And Mira, don’t
hesitate to sing a song,” Brian said.

“I’ll sing one
of my favorites then,” Mira said.

The Artemis and
Siren lit up as their pilots berserked and charged into the thick of the enemy
ships. When they did so the two Novaguards on them detached to act as additional
weapons and shields while circling the mobile suits.

“Your autopilot
system is working well,” Brian commented.

“I expected it
to,” Grigon said.

The ship shook
as another round of powerful blasts weakened the Freedom’s shields.

“We’d better get
back to the business at hand,” Brian said.

* *
*

The Alaska base
fired every weapon it had at the closest planet killer but found the massive
vessel’s shields were too powerful. Both planet killers emanated purple and red
particles while they moved into position. A number of smaller attack vessels
and carriers moved in the way and charged into the asteroid base’s shields.
When the system was pushed to its limit Javrin was knocked unconscious as her
berserk ended violently. Loc quickly made her way to the Kalaidian woman as she
stirred from the knock out.

“Captain,” Loc
said.

“I’m alright,”
Javrin said.

The monitors
showed a number of the Reiki ships launching nuclear missiles at the planet
killers before charging with their ships and inverting their gravity drives.
The space around their homeworld lit up as their forces sacrificed everything
to stop the Greys.

“Can we do
anything to help them?” Javrin asked.

“That attack on
the base shut down the Hades system,” Loc said.

“Then let’s
attack the one the Reiki are giving their lives to destroy,” Javrin said.

“Of course
captain,” Loc said.

The Alaska base
turned about and attacked the other planet killer. None of their pulse weapons
or HV missiles could get through. But as one Reiki ship after another blew up
their gravity drives the massive vessel’s shields were being drained. Another
barrage of nuclear missiles from both the Alaska base and the Reiki orbital
defense satellites caused the interior of object to start exploding. After the
first planet killer went dead the second continued advancing. As the Reiki and
Alaska base desperately tried to get into position a flash of light came from
the planet killer and knocked everything back. While the crews righted their
ships a surge of energy spiked on their scanners as a massive beam of light
headed for Reiki Prime. Those on the surface watched as the beam slammed into
their orbital ring and then into the planet. Mere moments passed as the entire
surface of the octopi people’s world was burned away while all the water was
turned into scalding steam. Those ships below the stratosphere were vaporized
after their shields were drained. The damaged orbital ring surrounding the
planet then twisted before collapsing into the scalding mist. The Grey ships
all returned to the functioning planet killer before it gravity jumped away. A
moment of silence filled the battlefield as the survivors stared in shock.
Javrin held back her tears as she hit the com.

“All forces are
to recover as many survivors as possible,” she ordered. “We’re heading for Dega
Jul afterwards.”

“Yes captain,”
she heard back from the others.

“Javrin…,” Loc
said.

“Get the Hades
system back online,” Javrin said. “I want to see that thing,” she pointed at
the unmoving planet killer, “I want to see it pulverized to dust. We will not
leave even one of those murderers alive.”

* *
*

Valis shuddered
when she felt something horrible happen in her mind. A tear fell before she
quickly wiped it away. Kivi appeared on the monitor from the Gemini.

“Valis, did you
feel that?” Kivi asked.

“Yes, I did,”
Valis said. “It was the same as when the Braiden were destroyed.”

“Who was it?”
Kivi asked.

“The Minerva’s
system says it’s a ninety nine percent chance it was the Reiki,” Valis said. “I
can’t see everything yet but I’m getting an idea of the Grey’s overall
strategy.” She looked at Freedom on her scanners. “All we can do is focus on
the here and now.”

“I know,” Kivi
said.

Valis turned the
com back to Veda.

“Are we moving
in?” Veda asked.

“Yes,” Valis
said. “The Columbia base will advance with its ships and mobile weapons in
formation A-3. The remaining bases will act as the rear guard in case a planet
killer appears.” She glanced at the numbers around the Freedom. “How many
Lances does Commander Baeron have?”

“About ten
thousand,” Veda answered.

“That’s what I
thought,” Valis said. “Have Baeron, Siata’s first fleet, and a thousand Lances
move in to take some heat off the Freedom.”

“What about you
and your friends?” Veda asked.

“We’ll meet up
near the Freedom and make our way back to you,” Valis answered.

* *
*

Brian and Myden
both cringed when they felt something horrible happen. The Freedom continued
shaking from the furious assault on it. Brian aimed the main cannon and fired a
beam through another pair of Grey carriers. His expression changed from defiant
to vengeful sadness.

“What’s wrong?”
Jesela asked.

“The Reiki have
lost their home,” Brian said. He looked at Jesela. “Just keep us together or
we’ll join the dead ourselves.”

“Of course,” Jesela
said.

* *
*

Seles and Mira
continued their charge through the Grey forces. They focused their attacks on
the smaller vessels while the Freedom focused on the carriers. The pair went
back to back after the Artemis deployed its reflector plates to enhance their
pulse shots.

“This is
endless,” Mira said.

“This is only
the beginning,” Seles said.

Both of them
noticed the Freedom’s shields were being drained quickly.

“I think it’s
about time we step in,” Mira said.

“I couldn’t
agree more,” Seles said.

The Minerva, the
Aegis, and the Gemini joined them.

“It’s good to
see you haven’t run off yet,” Valis said.

“We were just
about to,” Seles said.

“We’re going to
use formation G-1,” Valis said.

“That means I’m
with you,” Kivi said to Seles.

“And the rest of
us are with Mira,” Celi stated.

“We’ll carve a
path for the Freedom to move forward,” Valis said.

The Maidens
grouped together while readying their special systems. The Artemis lit up and
prepared to fire a number of arrows. The Gemini split into two separate mobile
suits with massive swords in their hands. The Siren’s hull shifted as a number
of amplifiers poked out. The Aegis’s shield grew in size and power, causing the
enemy attacks to reflect back upon them. The Minerva lit up as Valis’s
consciousness extended outwards. After they were finished preparing the Gemini
charged into the Grey forces first with the Artemis following. The other three
stuck together and followed the Siren’s lead as Mira disrupted the Grey ships,
leaving them helpless. When they moved closer to the Freedom the Artemis used a
pair of arrows to take out the closest carriers. Behind them a fleet of fifty
heavy class ships and a thousand Lances joined the fray to help the Freedom.
Right behind that force was the Columbia base and the five main ships with all
of their mobile forces deployed. At the same time the main force of the
attacking Greys was approaching the rear defense line. Flashes of light filled
the space above Dega Jul as the two sides met in a blinding battle.

* *
*

After firing a
number of blasts from the Alaska base’s Hades system the dead planet killer
shattered into pieces. Javrin’s eyes returned to normal as she stumbled and
held herself up on the console.

“We should get
going,” Loc said solemnly.

“Agreed,” Javrin
said. “Have you determined their next target?”

“According to
our simulations the planet killer will head for Dega Jul,” Loc answered. “If
they have the power we estimate their ability to jump should get them there
shortly.”

“Last time I
heard the four bases within the Confederation territory were stationed there
for repairs and resupply,” Javrin said.

“Should we wait
for the Siberia base, or head for Dega Jul?” Loc asked.

“Because we
haven’t heard anything from them we have to assume they’ve been destroyed,” Javrin
said. “I pray they’re not, but let’s move on.” She looked at the now dead Reiki
homeworld. “For those who’ve died and all those who will we must survive. The
Greys can’t be allowed to get away with this.”

Veda and Reban
kept the com lines open on all channels as the battle entered its second phase.
The four bases of Heaven’s Light, their one hundred ships, and their five
thousand mobile weapons fought on all fronts. Battling the Grey forces with
them was a fleet of five hundred Confederation ships and ten thousand Lances.

“This is the
largest battle I’ve ever seen,” Veda commented.

“That’s saying a
lot given your history in the Kalaidian military,” Reban said.

“They’re only
going to get worse from here on,” Veda said.

“What makes you
say that?” Reban asked.

“This is only
the first wave,” Veda said. “Until we’ve seen a planet killer to two we can’t
rest.”

A pair of Grey
carriers exploded when they crashed into the base’s shields, causing the
structure to shake.

“What’s our
status?” Veda asked.

“Our shields are
still at seventy five percent,” Reban reported. “But our pulse cannons on
section eight have been completely destroyed.”

“Do you need
some help?” Dreka asked from the bridge of the Raulno.

“I think that
would be wise,” Veda said.

“Then all of us
will do what needs to be done,” Esra said from the bridge of the Daevoni.

“Agreed,” El Kar
said from the bridge of the Reinkar.

“As you wish
Admiral Veda,” Zae said from the bridge of the Avoni.

The five ships
and their mobile weapons moved over the weakened area of the base’s shields.

“That should do
for now,” Veda said.

“Do you want me
to prepare the Hades system?” Reban asked.

“Tell everyone
to do so,” Veda said. “I’m not as keen as Valis is to the enemy’s strategy, but
it looks like they’re buying time.”

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

“No, you
shouldn’t,” Veda said.

* *
*

The Freedom’s
special shields went down after a pair of Grey carriers crashed into it. The
ship tilted a bit before the backup power systems came on.

“I think our
choice of being the first distraction could cost us our lives,” Brian admitted
as he ended his berserk.

“Not this time
young man,” Commander Baeron said when his forces moved in to support the
Freedom.

“It’s good to
see you could join us,” Brian said.

“And you’re
acting as reckless as ever,” Baeron said.

“That’s my way,”
Brian said. “We’ll fight our way out this mess and circle around to join the
others.”

“Sounds like a
plan,” Baeron said before speeding away in his Lance to join the fray.

“From the lack
of Mylor or other Original Five ships we can assume the Greys have those worlds
under siege as well,” Brian said. “I hope the other bases follow protocol and
make it here in time.”

“With the rapid
response system they should be able to,” Grigon said. “By the way, our engines
are back online.”

“But the Hades
system will be down for a while,” Jesela said.

“As long as the
other ships and the bases have it working we have a chance for victory,” Brian
said before hitting the com. “Kyli, have the mobile suits assume formation D-3
until further notice.”

“Of course
captain,” Kyli responded.

* *
*

Seles fired the
third arrow from the Artemis.

It looks like
the power battery Jesela made is working.
The Artemis wrote on the screen.

“Let’s be glad
it does,” Seles said.

The Gemini
continued its charge forward as it slashed through one enemy ship apart after
another. After noticing the Greys were moving away, both halves of the Gemini
drew an extra heavy pulse cannon and joined with the Artemis.

“Looks like
Dreka got that working,” Seles said.

“Of course he
did,” Kivi said. “The original design of the Gemini was for melee, but the
bombardment capabilities were left to be expanded upon.”

The number of
Grey ships in their area was quickly reduced to nothing. In the area next to
theirs the Siren led the Minerva and Aegis on a rampage. After a few minutes
the five mobile suits met.

“All of us will
stand down our berserks for now,” Valis said.

“Yes Valis,” the
other four said.

The five mobile
suits returned to normal. When they headed back to the Freedom they moved
inside the Aegis’s shield.

“Seles, how many
do you have left in the quiver?” Valis asked.

“Seven,” Seles
answered.

“Good,” Valis
said.

“Have you
figured out their plan?” Kivi asked.

“They’re buying
time,” Valis said. “The Minerva predicts a planet killer will appear any moment
now. From their movements I can predict where it will appear with ninety
percent accuracy.”

“Hopefully not
on the other side of the planet,” Celi said.

“No,” Valis
said. “Because Dega Jul’s atmosphere is generated using artificial methods
rather than natural the planet killer will have to target the equator on this
side of the planet. Otherwise its beam will only destroy the area it hits.” She
narrowed her eyes. “The Mylor were smart to construct it with only one weak
point.”

“None would have
been better,” Kivi said.

“True,” Valis
said. “But even they have budget constraints.” She hit the com. “This is
Captain Valis to all forces fighting the Greys in Degan space. Our enemy is
planning to strike with a planet killer in a little while. The Nevada, Sicily,
and Hong Kong bases are to maintain their position along with the Confederation
forces. The Columbia base, its forces, and the remaining Confederation forces
will move to the point designated.” She paused as the information was sent
over. “In addition, arm all Hades systems immediately.”

* *
*

The battle
around the Freedom subsided as it grew worse around the bases of Heaven’s Light
and the Confederation fleet. Brian watched the battlefield shifting.
The
system in the Minerva is amazing. Not even touching the Universal Database
would give us such accuracy.
He thought as he worked on the Freedom’s
systems.

“All standard
systems are back to normal now,” Jesela said.

“I’ll head to
the launching bay to help repair the damaged mobile suits,” Grigon said. He
looked at Jesela before leaving. “Take care of things here young lady.”

“I will,” Jesela
said.

After the old
birdman left the three people and the four droids quietly went about their
business. Brian looked at Myden.

“Can you hear
its voice?” he asked.

The Grey looked
up. “It haunts me as we speak.”

“Will you be
alright?” Brian asked.

“I’ll manage,”
Myden said. “As long as we’re not near my homeworld I’m not concerned.” He
looked at Brian and then Jesela. “If I turn kill me immediately. Better that
then suffering an eternity as that thing’s slave.”

“Let’s hope it
doesn’t come to that,” Brian said.

The scanners
went crazy when something big appeared in a flash of light. A planet killer
emerged with around thirty thousand smaller attack ships.

“I hoped to
never see one of those again in my life,” Brian said.

“Well, the
scanners say it’s there,” Jesela said.

Brian smiled.
“You have a way of saying the right thing Jesela.” He looked at the image on
the monitor as his left eye flared green for a moment. “I see.”

“You’re doing
that weird thing again, aren’t you?” Jesela asked.

“Yeah, that’s
what I did,” Brian said. “I’d better tell Valis what to do.”

* *
*

“I got it,”
Valis said. Brian nodded before ending transmission.

“What was that
about?” Kivi asked.

“Brian gave us
our marching orders,” Valis said.

“Is it crazy?”
Seles asked.

“The best kind
of crazy,” Valis said.

The Maidens
stayed together as they approached the planet killer at top speed. Behind them
the Columbia and its forces followed with the Freedom the Baeron’s fleet
alongside it. The smaller Grey vessels moved to surround them while the planet
killer moved into position.

“That thing is
big,” Seles said.

“Really big,”
Mira added.

“This is our
first encounter with one,” Valis said. “Even with the data brought back from
the sojourn I hesitate to charge in.”

“It really is
the stuff of nightmares,” Kivi said.

“Kali obviously
didn’t hear my prayers,” Celi said.

“We all feel
that way Celi,” Valis said. “All we can do is have faith and push on.”

“I’d rather push
back,” Seles said. The Artemis shifted its reflector plates to the front of the
rifle for power position.

“Then we shall
oblige your request my friend,” Valis said.

* *
*

Siata appeared
on the bridge of a darkened Mylor battleship. When she extended her hand out
the systems on the sphere shaped craft began turning on in order. Around her a
number of other Mylor wearing different colored exoskeletons appeared like she did
at the control consoles.

“It’s been a
long time since we did this,” said Commander Uta, a male Mylor wearing a purple
and black exoskeleton.

“Yes it has,”
Siata said. “Where peace once existed it is now shattered.”

“Were you alive
when the machine god was activated?” Uta asked.

“I’m not that
old Uta,” Siata said. “But Lord Jita, our ambassador on Kalaidia, was alive at
the time.” She looked at holographic display of the battle above Dega Jul. “I
hope all of you have been practicing your powers.”

“We have,” Uta
said.

“Good,” Siata
said. “Prepare the gravitation systems. The special cannons the ships of
Heaven’s Light use may be enough, but we’ll do our best to help them.”

“As you wish
captain,” Uta said.

From below the
ground a gate opened and allowed the Mylor ship to ascend to space. Those still
outside watched the twenty
ketre
diameter sphere shaped warship as it
headed for space. Above them in the sky flashes of light from the battle drove
fear and uncertainty into the soldiers and citizens alike.