Grey War Saga 1: Twilight of Innocence (6 page)

Another thousand
carriers appeared shortly after the first set of reinforcements. The five ships
and the Columbia base had been forced to return to normal mode. Brian shook his
head in frustration.

“They certainly
don’t want to make this easy,” he said.

“Captain, the
Viken ships are being evacuated,” Droid A reported.

“So we don’t
have them to count on for this,” Brian said. “Grigon, be ready to use your
trick.”

“The remaining
Talons are ready,” Grigon said.

The Grey fleet
moved forward. A moment later the now abandoned Viken fleet turned about and
advanced on them. As the damaged Viken ships took hits they detonated their gravity
drives one by one. With each explosion a two to three carriers was destroyed.
An encoded com line came in from the Viken flagship.

“General, is
that you?” Brian asked.

“I know our ships
can’t fight them as they are,” Yardek said. “But at least they can clear a path
for you.”

“Are you the
only one left?” Brian asked.

“Only one is
needed to control the system,” Yardek said.

“Then keep it up
while you can,” Brian said.

“I will,” Yardek
said.

* *
*

The Maidens
watched while the Viken ships took out the majority of the Grey carriers. The
Columbia base and its forces slowly marched forward to meet the planet killer
as it moved into position. Valis felt a chill go through her body and looked at
the Viken flagship with sadness in her eyes.

You know it’s
the only way.
The Minerva wrote.

“I know it is,”
Valis said. “It’s time we make our move.”

“Are we charging
in?” Kivi asked.

“On my signal,”
Valis said.

Another dozen
Talons from the Vomada charged the planet killer and inverted their drives. The
massive vessel’s shields flickered for a moment before holding. Ten more Talons
flew in as five of the last six Viken ships detonated their gravity drives. The
shields went down long enough for the ten Talons to blow themselves up. A large
hole leading inside appeared.

“Let’s go now,”
Valis said.

“Yes Valis,” the
other four said.

The Maidens
berserked before their mobile suits started glowing. The Gemini split in two as
they charged in and targeted the weakest point. Seles fired eight arrows shots
consecutively to force the shields down again. All of their allies fired into
the weak spot of the damaged planet killer. A number of smaller attack vessels
closed in to distract them. The Viken flagship was slammed into when it tried
backing away. The others shifted their attention to the smaller vessels to
clear themselves enough room to finish the job. The Maidens quickly flew in a
circle through the enemy ships, cutting them down by the dozen as they did so.
At the same time the planet killer charged up as it neared its destination.

* *
*

Numerous
consoles were on fire when Yardek got back on his feet. He quickly turned the
systems back on and found the engine materials were leaking into the ship. The
scanners showed the planet killer was charging up.

“I always knew
it would end like this,” he said.

His damaged ship
turned and headed straight for the planet killer’s weakened area. He found his
com line to the Freedom was still open.

“General, are
you still alive?” Brian asked.

“I’m here,”
Yardek said. “But I won’t be for much longer.” He laughed. “The gravity drive
is leaking badly and I don’t think I’ll last much longer anyway.”

The Maidens
destroyed a pair of ships looking to crash into Yardek’s ship.

“Are you sure
about this?” Brian asked.

“I told you I’d
clear a path for you,” Yardek said.

“But…” Brian
trailed off.

“I’m a soldier
Captain Peterson, always have and always will be,” Yardek said. “In the world
of peace you dream of those like us will be lost anyway. Perhaps it is better
we give our lives before that time. I’ve lived a long life and have no regrets.
Remember that captain. Fight on and keep your dream alive.”

“I will,” Brian
said.

When the Viken
flagship inverted its drive the entire ship was filled with light. Yardek
smiled one last time as he and his ship were vaporized. The explosion knocked
the planet killer’s shield down for the last time. The Artemis quickly moved in
and fired a pair of arrows into the center. As the planet killer rolled it
fired a weakened, off target beam towards the Viken homeworld. The beam slammed
into the southern pole and destroyed everything on the bottom third of the
planet. Although dust and debris covered the southern hemisphere of the planet
the majority was spared. The forces of Heaven’s Light fired everything they had
left at the core of the planet killer until the five hundred
ketre
diameter ship floated lifelessly near the moon.

* *
*

After the
surviving Grey ships fled the forces of Heaven’s Light moved into orbit of the
Viken homeworld. Dust and fire covered the bottom of the planet while thousands
of ships fled the surface. Veda grimly looked at the situation when Prime
Minister Ulad appeared on the monitor.

“Is it over?”
she asked.

“For now,” Veda
said. “I’m sorry for what happened today.”

“It could’ve
been worse,” Ulad said. “Our home is damaged, but not dead.”

“What about your
moon?” Veda asked.

“The Mylor
ambassador, Lady Drevis, has assured me the Mylor will take care of it,” Ulad
said. “How I don’t know, but I trust her.”

Veda sighed. “How
do you wish to proceed?”

“What matters
now are the lives of the people,” Ulad said. “For now the majority of them will
leave the planet.”

“The
Confederation might not be able to deal with so many,” Veda said.

“Then I’ll ask
for asylum from the individual races,” Ulad said. “If we don’t leave the Greys
will return to finish us off.”

“I understand,”
Veda said. “Heaven’s Light will do everything in its power to help.”

“Thank you,”
Ulad said.

* *
*

Brian sat in his
quarters with the lights off and stared at the monitor. The first clip was the
destruction of the Braiden homeworld. The second was the recording of the
destruction of the Reiki homeworld. The last was the recent strike on the Viken
homeworld. After the video ended he looked over the casualty figures.

“So many,” he
said.

“It’s not your
fault,” Seles said.

He turned, having
not noticing she had come in a moment ago.

“I know,” he
said as he stood up. “But it doesn’t help.”

She embraced
him. “I felt it. I felt everything as they died.”

He held her
tight. “I hear its voice day and night. It tells me to die.”

“Don’t listen to
it,” Seles said. “Listen to my voice and filter everything out.” She reached up
and brushed his face. “When all seems lost think of those you love. We’ll
always be here for you.”

He smiled.
“You’re a great woman Seles. The best I’ve ever known. If you hadn’t come into
my life I’d be a mess right now.”

“You’re a mess
even with me,” she said. “Anyways, Mira would step in, wouldn’t she?”

“Perhaps,” Brian
said. “But she’s not you.” He gazed into her purple eyes. “What should I do?”

“Mourn the dead
and do what you can for the living,” Seles said. “It’s all mortals like us can
do.”

“You’ve gotten
wiser as well,” Brian said.

“My swordplay
isn’t half bad either,” Seles said. “Give me a try next time you have a day
off.”

“I’ll take you
up on that,” he said before kissing her.

* *
*

Mira and Jesela
stood outside Brian’s quarters and quietly listened to the conversation inside.
Mira stretched before the two left. She looked down at her hand and made a
fist.

“I still don’t
understand how paper beats rock,” she said.

“It’s a Terran
game, right?” Jesela asked.

“Maybe that’s
why it doesn’t make sense,” Mira said. “I really wanted to be the one to
comfort him this time.”

“It wasn’t as
bad as the sojourn,” Jesela said. “When Celi told me what he was like then I
didn’t believe it.”

“There are times
when he sits up at night and stares at the mirror in the dark,” Mira said.
“It’s like there’s a voice that only he can hear.”

“He is
different,” Jesela said. “The years have taken away his innocence.”

“Is that what it
is?” Mira asked.

“He’s the same
man we found on that Grey ship,” Jesela said. “But it was inevitable he’d be
scarred by his experiences with us.”

“You don’t seem
different,” Mira said.

“That’s because
it’s all a big show,” Jesela admitted. “Beneath the surface I’m scared. I’ve seen
this before and know it’ll only get worse.”

“Then make sure
to see my performance tomorrow,” Mira said. “That should lift your spirits.”

“Sounds like
just the thing I need,” Jesela said.

The two found
themselves in a packed cafeteria. In addition to the normal crew there were
several hundred Viken refugees onboard.

“That’s a long
line,” Jesela said.

“Then let’s go
to my quarters and get something there,” Mira suggested.

“Don’t tell me
you’re learning to cook,” Jesela said.

“I’m not
anywhere near as good as Seles is yet,” Mira admitted. “But I know a few
tricks.”

“By the way,
what’s that necklace you gave Brian?” Jesela asked. “He wears it all the time.”

“Let’s just say
it’s his beacon,” Mira said with a smile. “Though what I wonder about is the
earring I gave him after he returned from the sojourn.”

“Are you talking
about this?” Jesela asked as she pulled it out of her pocket.

“Why do you have
that?” Mira asked.

“Brian said this
was a copy,” Jesela answered. “I think he gave the original to someone else,
but I don’t know who. So what is it?”

“That’s my
backup,” Mira answered.

Jesela looked at
it. “Interesting…” She spun around with a little dance before putting it away.
“I’ll take good care of it then.”

“Thanks Jesela,”
Mira said.

Prime Minister
Ulad stood outside the parliament building in the capital city of the Viken
people. Thousands of ships from various races came and went as the population
of the homeworld was shuttled elsewhere within the Confederation. On a nearby
dock the Freedom was gathering as many as it could. Brian took a break from the
refugee work to walk over to Ulad as she stared at the burned sky. At the same
time a fleet of Mylor battleships used their power to return the scorched moon
to a stable orbit. Brian stopped when he was next to her and looked at the same
sky.

“There are no
words for such sorrow,” Ulad said. “How do we move on?”

“It isn’t easy,”
Brian said. “This is the fourth world I’ve seen this done to. But like the
Braiden and Reiki you have a chance to move on.”

“You sound wise
for a man only in his thirties,” Ulad said.

“I’ve grown old
quickly during my years in space,” Brian said.

“It’s because
these are extraordinary times,” Ulad said.

“Perhaps,” Brian
said.

“Did he die
well?” Ulad asked.

“As a good
soldier should,” Brian answered. “Because of his sacrifice your world was
spared destruction.”

“In a few
centuries the atmosphere and ecosystem should return to relative normality,”
Ulad said. “Are the reports true about the undeveloped worlds?”

“They’re coming
in now,” Brian said and he looked to the ground. “So far six are confirmed
dead.”

“What about your
world?” she asked.

“I hope they’re
alright,” Brian said. “That’s about all I can do.” He drew his
rakna
blade and pointed at the dead planet killer visible in the sky. “As long as I
live Earth will live on through me. Even if I am the last Terran to exist I
choose to fight forever.”

“We will do the
same,” Ulad said. “As of now the remaining warriors of this world swear loyalty
to you and Heaven’s Light.”

He reached out
and shook her hand. “When victory comes I hope to stand here again with you
prime minister.”

“And to you as
well Captain Peterson,” Ulad said.

* *
*

The launching
bay of the Avoni was in a panicked state as the engineers added a refitted
Novaguard to each of the Phase Raknas. For the Mjolnir, Aegis, and Minerva a
pair of Novaguards was attached to their hulls. Meldi sat inside the Mjolnir
adjusting the systems when Daes popped her head in.

“Is everything faring
well?” she asked.

“Looks green to
me,” Meldi said.

“Good,” Daes said.
“With these improvements you’ll have more attack and shield power.”

“I always hoped
we’d be able to use them,” Meldi said. “I like you well enough Mjolnir, but I
miss my Nova at times.”

“I understand,”
Mjolnir said. “I’ve learned the sentimentality of things over the years.”

“Do you miss
having him as your pilot?” Meldi asked.

“Not as much as
I used to,” Mjolnir said. “You’re a lot prettier anyway.”

Both Daes and
Meldi laughed.

“Well, I’d
better get going,” Daes said. “I have a thousand adjustments to make and only
two hands.”

“If you need any
help I’m right here,” Meldi said.

“Thanks for the
offer,” Daes said before leaving.

Meldi sighed
before running her hand through her long dark blue hair. She stood up to
stretch before sitting in the seat to work some more.

“Tell me, why
did you grow your hair long?” Mjolnir asked.

“You’re a mobile
suit, so you don’t understand things like that, do you?” she asked.

“No,” Mjolnir
said.

Meldi looked at
her reflection in the metal of the arm rest. “I grew it because I felt I needed
a change in my life.” She looked at the monitor. “Sometimes, beings of my
nature like to move things around in their lives.”

“Interesting,”
Mjolnir said.

Someone tapped
on the leg of the mobile suit.

“Meldi, you’ve
got a guest,” Myli said.

Meldi looked out
and saw Commander Baeron. After using the elevator cord to get to the ground
she noticed his towering height.

“I’ll leave the
two of you alone now,” Myli said before running back to her Phase Rakna.

“It’s been
awhile,” Meldi said.

“You’ve gotten a
lot taller,” the bearman said.

She smiled. “I
was only ten when you saved me.”

“No, you saved
me,” Baeron said. He took a wrapped object from his back and handed it to her. “It
sat in the evidence room for over twenty years.”

She removed the
cloth around the object and found it was an old but still sharp
zenti
axe.

“Is this?” she
asked.

“Yes,” Baeron
said. “These times are the darkest of them all Meldi. That axe saved you once
before. I hope it saves you again.”

She slung the
axe over her back using the shoulder strap. “I don’t know what to say at times
like this,” she said.

“You should say
thanks,” Baeron said.

She took his
hands. “Then thank you Baeron. Next time we’re free we should get together and
catch up on things.”

“I look forward
to it,” the Minan said before leaving her.

Meldi took the
axe and stared at it with tears in her blue eyes. Myli came back and saw her
friend looking the way she was.

“Meldi,” Myli
said.

“I’m alright,”
Meldi said. “For her sake I need to keep moving.”

Myli hugged her
friend tightly. “Always remember you have friends.”

“I know,” she
said.

“Have you told
him?” Myli asked.

“I will when the
time’s right,” Meldi said.

* *
*

Regen Alondes
stood in the command center of the Black Star, the flagship of the Naerendi
Empire. Around him and throughout the thousand
ketre
diameter planet
killer thousands of lesser Greys milled about at work. The general pulled out
his telepathic staff and swirled it around himself in a practice flurry before
the intelligence reports came in. He smiled in admiration at the defense the
Confederation forces, along with Heaven’s Light, were putting up. He stared
with his large black eyes at the Freedom as it fought, glowing with bright
green light.
I waited for such a warrior for a very long time. I can see his
wings are ready to spread and fly across the battlefield. A glorious victory
awaits us. But even so, I want a fight. I thank you Brian Peterson for giving
us one. My lord has called for destruction. And so we shall deal it. As long as
the other five are occupied with three of our armies we only need to apply the
right amount of pressure and the Confederation will fall.
The general
smiled to himself and chuckled.
That old man is still mucking about. I
wonder what he’s doing these days.

Across the
distance of space Myden meditated in his quarters alone. He concentrated his
mental energy to appear before the Black Star General in his usual grey robe.

“I’m still quite
alive Regen,”
Myden said.

“It’s been
sixteen hundred years since we last spoke,”
Regen said.

“You’re still a
slave to a machine,”
Myden
said.

“And you’re
still a fool to oppose god,”
Regen said.

“The machine is
not a god, both of us know who it really is,”
Myden said.

“Either way he
is a god when compared to the rest of us,”
Regen said.
“Those who are
superior should rule after all.”

Myden chuckled.
“You
don’t understand anything, not even after all this time. Know that we will not
give in easily. This war will drag on for eternity if it must, but you will
lose.”

“Is it because
you have him at your side you feel so confident?”
Regen asked.

Myden grinned.
“No,
it’s because I have them at my side. Brian is but one, should he fall, many
will rise. You can’t stop the tide of history Regen. This world will change, be
it by his hand or another’s.”

“We shall see,”
Regen said
while Myden faded away.

Myden opened his
eyes after moving back into his physical body. He stood up and stretched as he
looked out his window to the city outside.

“I was wrong,”
he said to himself. “The sojourn wasn’t his time.” He pulled out his telepathic
staff and swirled it around himself. “Forget it; the future is what matters, not
the past. His fate is his own and so is mine.”

* *
*

Seles was in her
quarters working on some music when a buzz came at door.

“It’s me,” Mira
said.

“Come in,” Seles
said while she adjusted a few notes.

Mira came in and
took a look before nodding her head.

“You’ve gotten
really good at composing music,” she said.

“I’m better at
this then singing,” Seles admitted.

“You give
yourself too little credit,” Mira said. “By the way, Kivi told me about your
swordplay. We’ll fix you up when we have some time off.”

“It might be
awhile,” Seles said. “I don’t see this war ending anytime soon.” She stood up to
shake off the fatigue. “So what did you want to talk about?”

“Oh…that,” Mira
said. “It’s getting worse again.”

“I know,” Seles
said. “Last night he stared into the mirror for over an hour.”

Mira sighed.
“Physically there’s nothing wrong with him. But I can see a dark shadow haunts
his soul.”

“When you’re
with him keep him grounded,” Seles said. “Tell him to listen to you and only
you. He needs to remember he’s still alive.”

“I hate talking
about the heavy stuff,” Mira admitted. “It’s not my favorite thing.”

“I doubt anybody
really likes it,” Seles said. “Just give him an honest smile and he’ll melt in
your hands.”

“You know this
from experience?” Mira asked.

Seles laughed.
“No, it’s because you’re prettier than I am.”

“You’re selling
yourself short again,” Mira said.

The two laughed
for a bit.

“Thanks Mira,”
Seles said. “Are you hungry? I haven’t had breakfast yet.”

“I was just
heading there,” Mira said.