Grey War Saga 1: Twilight of Innocence (7 page)

In the border
region between Grey controlled space and the Confederation territories was the
Siberia base of Heaven’s Light. The asteroid base controlled twenty five Avoni
class Kalaidian ships and twenty five Gant class Shandi ships. The entire force
was outside with nearly two thousand mobile suits and mobile armors alongside
them. In the command center Shiken Ka acted as the leader, with a Kalaidian
commander named Serin as his first officer. He wore a specially made set of black
and gold exoskeleton armor over his body with a falchion on his back. Serin
wore the typical uniform of a Kalaidian officer with a circlet and two leaves
showing her rank. She kept her silvery white hair shoulder length and had blue
eyes. Surrounding the now calm base was the wreckage of a Grey fleet.

“Looks like the
Seaki have been busy in this area,” Shiken said.

“This is the
sixth one in three days,” Serin said. “Admiral, should we head back?”

“After doing as
much as we have, yes,” Shiken said.

“We have yet to
take any casualties as well,” Serin said.

“That’s only
because we loaded the border region bases with nuclear missiles,” Shiken said.
“We have none left and I’m out of traps to set on the Greys.”

“You must have
learned a lot working with Captain Valis all these years,” Serin said.

“More from
defeat than victory,” Shiken said. “When the last of our scouts have returned
use the rapid response system and head for Dega Jul.”

“Of course sir,”
Serin said.

A few hours
passed before the all of their scouting ships were back. When they readied to
depart something appeared on the scanners. Both Shiken and Serin carefully
watched as something came out of gravity jump. There were four planet killers
with twenty thousand carriers in formation.

“Where are they headed?”
Shiken asked.

“From their
movement pattern I’d say Dega Jul,” Serin said.

“I feel the
same,” Shiken said. “Let’s go.”

“We’re on our
way,” Serin said.

The Siberia base
collected all its ships and mobile suits before gravity jumping ten times in a row
on route for the Degan system.

* *
*

The command
center of the Columbia base filled up after Brian, Valis, Kivi, El Kar, Esra,
Grigon, Baeron, and Myden joined Veda and Reban. Brian looked at Kivi.

“Where’s Dreka?”
he asked.

“He says he’d
rather do maintenance work then attend these,” Kivi said.

A number of the
others smiled at the comment.

“Well, the rest
of us don’t have that luxury,” El Kar said.

“So what are we
talking about?” Esra asked.

“The business at
hand I suppose,” Baeron added in.

Veda and Reban
finished putting in all their available data on the Grey’s movements. The
holographic table displayed the regions already ravaged by the war.

“As all of you
can see with the destruction of the Reiki and Viken, the Greys have three clear
paths to take next,” Valis said. She moved the pieces around to show the Grey
fleets moving from the Viken territories to the three next largest areas. “The
closest area to attack is Shandi territory. The second closest are the neutral
areas around the Degan system. And finally, Kalaidian controlled space. From
what we’ve seen the Greys are most likely to attack either the Shandi or Degan
areas.”

“They seem to
saving our people for last,” Esra said.

“It looks that
way,” Kivi added.

“Why are they
avoiding Kalaidia?” Veda asked.

“It’s because of
the events set into motion when Brian first went there,” Valis said. “Kalaidia
was targeted for annihilation before the war even started.”

“If it wasn’t
for the last blessing of Gaelic Kein your people would be dead by now,” Brian
said.

“We were also
the second race to obtain mobile suit technology,” Valis said. “They likely
view Kalaidia as a tough spot and plan to surround it before destroying it.”

“What about the
Malcovin and Ick-Tckt?” Baeron asked. “Surely they won’t abandon the rest of
us.”

“That’s not the
issue with them,” Valis said. “Only Heaven’s Light has bases capable of moving
tremendous distances in a short time. It will probably take their militaries
another three weeks to organize and move out. Many of the other races have
militaries as well, but none of them are as well equipped.”

“If Shandi and
Dega are the likely targets where should we head?” Brian asked.

“I’d say Dega
Jul for now,” Valis said. “Shandi Prime is close enough that our bases can
reach it using the rapid response system. No matter which way the Greys choose
we’ll know and act accordingly.”

* *
*

Trai Gor, the
premier of the Shandi people, stood alone in an ancient pyramid outside the
capital city of his people. When he entered the chamber with Brian’s and the
Maidens’ statues he gazed at the visage of the human warrior. A moment later
Myden’s projected image emerged from the shadows. The old Shandi grinned upon
the sight of his friend.

“It’s been a few
years since we spoke,” Trai Gor said.

“Too long my
friend,” Myden said. “Has everything been prepared?”

“This entire
place will be ripped from the ground and brought to Kalmar,” Trai Gor said.

“You know why,
don’t you?” Myden asked.

The old Shandi
nodded. “The Greys will come here in force. Even with our best warriors this
planet can’t stand against them alone.” He looked at Brian’s statue. “Heaven’s
Light will be forced to protect Dega Jul. I can see as much from my years as a
warrior.” He narrowed his eyes. “Even so, we will fight to the last man, woman,
and child if need be. This is the soil that gave us life. As its children we
are obligated to defend it.”

“We will try our
best to help,” Myden said.

“The long night
has come upon us so quickly,” Trai Gor said. He looked at the statue of Brian
again. “At least we have a light to lead us through it.” He sighed before
turning to Myden. “Tell me, why do you need this place?”

“It acts as the
nexus of the Warrior and the Maidens,” Myden said. “That was its original
intent. But as time moves things change.”

“Are you talking
about Brian?” Trai Gor asked.

“Yes,” Myden
said. “Before this started he came to me in the dead of night and said
something.”

“What was it?”
Trai Gor asked.

“When the
brother and sister are at war five knights will stand to save them both,” Myden
said. “The Knights will be the Dragon, the Whitehawk, the Hammer, and the Twin
Serpents.”

“It’s as cryptic
as what the Teacher said,” Trai Gor observed.

“I know who the
Whitehawk and the Hammer are, but not the last two,” Myden admitted. “When I
pressed him on what he meant he told me to focus on the coming storm.”

“So even an old
man like you can’t figure it out, can you?” Trai Gor asked.

“Not all of it,
at least, not yet,” Myden said. “But I know the Warrior will not be alone in
this place someday. So we need to preserve it for that time.”

“It will be
done,” Trai Gor said.

Before leaving
Myden turned to face the old Shandi again, “Are you going to fight?”

“As I said, every
man, woman, and child will give to the cause of saving this planet,” Trai Gor
answered.

“Then farewell
if we don’t see each other again,” Myden said.

“Farewell to you
old man,” Trai Gor said.

After Myden
disappeared the room lit up. When Trai Gor lifted his hand to block the light
he saw the figure of a Kalaidian woman wearing armor with the motif of a hawk
with an axe in her hands; when the light faded her hair and eyes shown as blue
as the ocean. The old Shandi stared, transfixed by the image. A moment later it
disappeared as well. He smiled as he left.

“Perhaps Kali is
real, or maybe I’m not getting enough sleep,” the old Shandi chuckled to
himself.

* *
*

The Columbia
base appeared in orbit of Dega Jul. Guarding the planet in various positions
were the other seven asteroid bases of Heaven’s Light. A com channel opened to
Veda and Reban in the command center. Shiken Ka and Commander Serin were on the
other side in their command center.

“We were wondering
what happened to you,” Veda said.

“We’ve fought
our share of foes on the way home,” Shiken said. “We also bring bad news.”

The screen split
to show the footage of the four planet killers and twenty thousand carriers.

“This is bad
news,” Veda said.

“We’ve reviewed
the situation here as well,” Shiken said. “I’m sorry for the Reiki and Viken.”

“You were doing
as ordered,” Veda said. “From here on the eight bases act as one.”

“As one we shall
be,” Shiken said. “By the way, tell that Terran to answer his com more often. I
need to talk with him.”

“Brian gets that
way at times,” Veda said. “I’ll pass on the message.”

“That’s all I
ask,” Shiken said.

* *
*

In Brian’s
quarters on the Freedom he and Mira were getting warmed up when the com rang.
Seeing as it wasn’t an emergency he casually ignored it while the two kissed.
She pulled away and gazed into his eyes.

“That might be
Shiken Ka,” Mira said.

“He’ll
understand,” Brian said with a smile.

“I’m alright
with it then,” she said as she smiled back. “I have a request, no talking to
the mirror tonight, okay?”

He ran his hand
through her long pink hair. “As long as you’re close to me I won’t wander
away.”

* *
*

Seles and Jesela
were outside Brian’s quarters before leaving.

“She’ll be
okay,” Jesela said.

“Having to share
is the hardest part,” Seles said. “But then again, he has more than enough
heart for it.”

“I think he just
likes the change between you,” Jesela said.

“You’d snag him
in a moment if we weren’t looking, wouldn’t you?” Seles asked.

Jesela laughed.
“That’s why I put a bed in the launching bay.”

Seles laughed
with her. “So what did you need me for?”

“The Artemis’s
special system needs some work,” Jesela said. “It’ll take a few hours.”

“With things the
way they are we should get it done,” Seles said.

“Thanks Seles,”
Jesela said.

Trai Gor stood
in the main command center of the orbital ring surrounding the Shandi homeworld.
Thousands of ships were gravity jumping in or flying from the surface into
orbit. When the image of two planet killers surrounded by nearly fifteen
thousand carriers appeared on the monitor he looked at Admiral Vik Jir.

“What should we
do?” Vik Jir asked.

“Ready my Fang
for battle,” Trai Gor said.

“But sir…”

“There are no
buts about this!” Trai Gor shouted. “We need every available pilot for this
battle. I will address our soldiers once I’m outside.”

“Of course my
lord,” the admiral said.

Trai Gor noticed
fear behind his warriors’ eyes.
I can’t blame them for feeling afraid.
Against such a foe we should be.
All of them looked to their leader.

“The darkness
has come upon us my friends,” he said. “The skies will be filled with fire and
there will be death in numbers never seen before. Therefore we must stand
strong and fight. Man your stations and don’t give up. If we all do our duty
the lives of our people should be spared.” He checked to make sure his falchion
was on his back. “Take care of things here while I’m gone.”

“We will sir,”
Vik Jir said.

All of them
saluted their leader as he left for battle.

* *
*

Valis sat alone
in the Minerva with the system working around her. While her eyes glowed she
saw the possibilities before her. After a few minutes of frantically moving
variables around she sighed and ended the system.

It’s not working
out, is it?
The Minerva asked in text.

“No, it’s not,”
Valis said. “The worst is I can see there will be many more deaths before
things get any better.”

Then focus on
the next task only.
The Minerva wrote.
Otherwise you’ll find nothing but despair.

Valis smiled.
“You know me well Minerva, thanks.”

I’ll always be
here for you Valis.
The Minerva wrote.

“I know,” Valis
said. “I’ll be busy for a while, so take care until then.”

Valis stepped
out of the mobile suit and went down to the floor of the launching bay using
the elevator cord. The engineers were busy working on every mobile suit at the
moment. She watched Daes work with Meldi and Myli on something when Celi tapped
her on the shoulder.

“What’s wrong?”
she asked. “You look terrible.”

“I feel that
way,” Valis said. “Sometimes seeing the future is a burden I don’t care to
carry.”

“Their deaths
are not your fault,” Celi said.

“I know what
you’re saying is true,” Valis said. “But I can’t help but wonder if I could’ve
done better.”

“You’re only one
woman Valis,” Celi said. “No matter what happens we have to keep our spirits
about us. The moment we lose hope is the moment they win.”

“Hope is a hard
thing to keep going,” Valis said.

“But it’s also
hard to extinguish,” Celi said. “And remember, all of us feel it. Words can’t
describe the anger and fear filling the souls of everyone still alive. The
events of the last month will never be forgotten. Remember that the living will
carry the memory of the dead wherever they go.”

“I didn’t know
you were a philosopher,” Valis said.

“I had to become
one after seeing what I’ve seen,” Celi said. “Do you feel a little better?”

“Yes,” Valis
said. “It’s time I stop hesitating and tell everyone the truth. We won’t win
this war without some terrible sacrifices.”

“When did anyone
win a war without terrible sacrifices?” Celi asked.

“That’s sadly
true,” Valis said.

* *
*

Mira gave Brian
a kiss before leaving him to get ready in his quarters. As he ran a comb
through his long brown hair he noticed Myden step out of the shadows.

“I see,” Brian
said.

“You see what?”
Myden asked.

“I can see how
you do that now,” Brian said.

“Your power has
developed that far?” the Grey asked.

“You could say
that,” Brian said. He noticed a smile on the old Grey’s face. “What are you
grinning about?”

“You’ve gotten
used to your surroundings,” Myden said.

“At first I
looked at them as aliens,” Brian said. “But they don’t look that way now.” He
chuckled. “You know, if I was carrying on like this on Earth I’d be called a
sinner.”

“The religious
fools of all worlds fall to the tide of time my friend,” Myden said. “In my
life I’ve seen all of them die off. One can deny evolution, but that same
person will fall to it.”

“You sound like
you know from experience,” Brian said.

“Like your people
the Naerendi had numerous faiths,” Myden said. “And many of them had foolish
notions. But I didn’t come here to talk about such things. I came to tell you
it has been done.”

“I’m glad,”
Brian said. “As long as Daes takes care of the rest I’ll be relieved.”

“What was it you
saw?” Myden asked.

Brian stepped
into his exoskeleton armor and drew his
rakna
blade. After checking its
balance he sheathed it and turned to Myden.

“My time in this
world could end at any moment,” Brian said. “But in a world like this, hope
must live on. The Warrior can come of any world.”

“Interesting,”
Myden said. “You’re starting to sound like him.”

“I hope not, I’m
not him,” Brian said. “And as much preparation as I’m making I don’t plan on
dying.”

“Of all the
things you’ve said that’s what I wanted to hear the most,” Myden said.

“Have you gone
to see the others?” Brian asked as they headed for the command center.

“I will speak to
them when I can,” Myden said. “I have a question. Why don’t you tell her?”

“If I do the
burden will only grow on her,” Brian said. “If the future I saw was true then
the path before her is a long, dark, and terrible one.”

Myden chuckled
again. “And I thought I was the expert on secret machinations.”

“I’ve learned
the value of having several back up plans just in case,” Brian said.

The two found
themselves in the command center a moment later. All of the captains of the
five ships, along with Grigon, Myden, and Baeron were there. On the monitor the
leaders of the other seven bases were waiting. This included Captain Lena Obril
of the Nevada base, Admiral Vikrit of the Sicily base, Shiken Ka of the Siberia
base, Captain Javrin of the Alaska base, Admiral Miv Daek of the Hong Kong
base, Captain Sheris of the Sahara base, and Captain Melana of the Death Valley
base. All of their holographic tables displayed the current positions of their
forces and the Greys. The fleet detected by the Siberia base had split into two
forces. A pair of planet killers headed for Shandi Prime while the other two
remained behind in Viken controlled space. The others looked to Valis as they
usually did. After she showed them the basic movements of her plan everyone smiled.
The eight bases were to go together to Shandi Prime and attack the flank of the
Grey fleet.

“Looks like
we’re going on the offensive,” Kivi said.

“We have to,”
Valis said. “If we don’t bring the fight to the Greys they’ll pick us off one
planet at a time.” She looked at everyone. “I’ve delegated the specifics to
each base commander. You and your captains can fight over what’s left. We’re
moving out now.”

When everyone
made their way back to their ships or stations Brian grabbed Valis’s arm.

“It’s good to
see you back being you,” he said.

“It took a good kick
in the backside from a friend,” Valis said.

“Let’s make it
through this Valis,” Brian said.

“We will,” she
said.

* *
*

Outside of lunar
orbit the two planet killers appeared with their fleet of carriers. The Shandi
forces had spread themselves into ten fleets of a thousand ships each.
Alongside them flew ten times that in Fangs. All other available pilots flew
refitted Desert Spits. After seeing what happened to the Viken people Trai Gor
had all of the people on the moon evacuated and left its defenses to
automation. The orbital defense system was layered in two areas, right near the
planet, and half way to lunar orbit. Before the Grey fleet came within pulse
fire range they launched their smaller attacks ships. Nearly a million of them
swarmed towards the Shandi fleets. Just as they came within firing range they
found themselves in the thick of a series of explosions as phase cloaked mines
went off. Trai Gor smiled as fire lit the area.

“If you thought
this would be easy it will not be,” the old Shandi said. He hit his com. “To
the people of Shandi, this is Trai Gor speaking. As of now the first wave of
Greys are being engaged by our mine field. But don’t take this as a victory
speech. This battle will be long and difficult, and as such, I call upon each
of you to fight. This planet gave birth to us and it’s our duty to defend it to
the last.” He paused for a moment when nuclear missiles launched from the moon
and started taking out Grey carriers. “The Greys represent a dead philosophy.
Rather than fight them they gave into their fears and created a false deity to
bow their will to. Such an abomination we can’t stand. Existence changes with
each thought made within it. These thoughts lead to actions, thus changing
reality. The cycle of change is born in each of our thoughts as we live. This
is because we are the living universe. Without beings like us the universe is a
dead and lifeless realm of physical interactions. The Greys have denied their
place as part of the universe, thus usurping the collective will. We must
correct this mistake. If it takes our lives then we accept it. Long live
Shandi! Long live the Confederation!”

“Long live
Shandi! Long live the Confederation!” his soldiers shouted.

Trai Gor
adjusted his Fang’s systems to his preferences. The Shandi looking mobile armor
drew its glowing sword in one hand and held a pulse cannon in the other. When
the first Grey ship found a way through the mine field Trai Gor aimed and
fired. Thousands joined him as they blasted the front line.