Heaven Saga 2: Sands of Aquarius (22 page)

Dreka
and his fellow Talon pilots flew towards the smaller Shandi ship with great
haste. After a few moments the ship opened fire on his squadron as they closed
in.

“The
rest of you take care of the ship,” Dreka commanded over the com.

“Yes
lieutenant,” his subordinates responded. As they closed in to take on the Spits
guarding the ship a flashing beam of energy appeared from above their position.
One Talon was destroyed, while two others were damaged badly.

That’s
him.
Dreka thought as he extended his mobile suits’ claws and flew towards the
Mjolnir.

Brian
noticed a fast object closing in from below at the same time the other Talons
headed for the ship.
Looks like a Talon, but it’s fast.
He thought as he
readied for the initial attack. The Talon drew its rifle and fired five times.
Quickly, Brian dodged and fired the pulse cannon. The black mobile suit dodged
with ease.
It’s equipped with a Q-Drive. There’s only one Malcovin alive
that could’ve completed it without the blueprints.
The Talon closed in and
raked with its claws. Using the sword and shield, Brian managed to block both
strikes as the Talon rounded about to make another pass. He sent the data to
the Avoni when as he noticed the com was flashing from this opponent.

“You’re
looking well Dreka,” Brian said as the two clashed once more, “I’m glad your Talon’s
a real one now.”

“Why
would you say that?” Dreka asked as they turned and charged each other once more,
this time sparing for a moment before separating again.

“Because
if I’m going to fight you, I’d rather do it against a worthy opponent,” Brian
said while the two mobile suits circled each other.

Dreka
cawed. “I’m out for the blood of the thief that stole my grandfather’s greatest
accomplishment.”

“Then
you’re looking in the wrong place,” Brian said. He intercepted another charge
and turned the Talon away from the Mjolnir.

“I
can tell that mobile weapon was manufactured using the Talon’s blueprints. The
way it moves, the way it attacks, all of it’s the same,” Dreka said as he
struck once more. The Mjolnir blocked, and Brian quickly brought about the
shield for a bash. The Talon flew out of the way before it connected.

“What
if I told you that I was given the blueprints by a dying Malcovin?” Brian asked.

“You’re
a liar, that’s what I would say. There’s no one else who had a set of
blueprints other than my grandfather,” Dreka said while spinning the Talon. He
fired a blast of energy from the claws. Brian put up the shield and retorted
with a sword spinning attack, causing no damage to either craft.

* * *

Valis
watched close on the monitor for the enemy positions, carefully counting every
unit on the field of play. “I see,” she said.

“What
is it you’re seeing?” Baed asked.

“Yes,
I think all of us would like to know,” Zae added.

“Our
enemy must be smarter than I gave them credit for,” Valis said. She went to her
chair and plugging another battle plan. “Zae, please send this to all the
ships.”

“I’ve
never seen you look so smug against odds like this,” Kivi said.

“Just
look at the new plan and you’ll understand,” Valis said. She displayed the plan
on the main monitor. “The triangle of defense shifts into a semi-circle that
quickly strikes the forward position of the enemy, breaking their line.”

“I
see,” Kivi said. “By taking this posture their rear ships become irrelevant
unless they pursue, in which case we’d be in position to split their line a
second time.”

“What
do we have here?” Valis asked. She was receiving data from Brian. She quickly scanned
over the data. “It looks like the arms race we predicted is on.”

“Why
do you say that?” Kivi asked as Valis sent her the data. “This is…”

“A
Phase Talon, the real kind that we’ve been waiting for,” Valis said. “And with
Dreka as the pilot it’s an even match for Mjolnir.” She closed her eyes and
took a deep breath. “Continue as planned. I’m going to trust him to hold off
the new weapon our enemies have crafted.”

“Looks
like our formation is working captain,” Zae said. “The front three ships have
broken through their line of attack and the rest are falling into place.”

Valis
watched as enemies behind them fell further behind. “Call back the Novas and
Seles, as well as Brian. If the enemy wants to fight some more we’re in
position to beat them. Hopefully they have a competent commander.”

* * *

Riga
appeared on Dreka’s monitor. “I’m sorry to ask you to do this Dreka but we must
retreat.”

“What
do you mean?” Dreka asked while blocking an attack from the Mjolnir.

“Their
front ships have busted through the line and now our forces are out of
formation. If we pursue they have the advantage.”

Dreka
slammed his fist on a panel to the side. Flashing a burst of light, he turned
the Talon and flew back towards his ship.

“Next
time we meet Terran I will take your head as a tribute,” Dreka said with anger.

Brian
watched as the Talon flew away. “I hope that day never comes Dreka.”

Valis
sat alone in her study while poring over numerous documents on the financial
power of her family. After a few minutes she sighed and stood up to stretch. Her
door buzzer went off.

“I’m
sorry I’m late, but I got hung up on the way back to the ship,” Brian said
through the door com.

She
opened the door. “Come in, we have a lot to discuss.”

He
took a seat at her table in the center of the room. He noticed she had a
strange look on her face he’d never seen before.

“Is
something bothering you?” he asked.

She
grabbed a pair of glasses and poured wine into each. She handed one to him
before sitting down. After taking a sip she sighed once more.

“It
feels like something really big is about to happen, but I don’t know what.”

“What
about Veda? Hasn’t she said anything?”

Valis
traced her finger around the top of the glass, staring into the red liquid.
“No, and that’s what’s frustrating me.” She looked up. “I feel like we’re being
strung along. I don’t like it, not one bit.”

“Then
let me ask you something,” Brian paused for a sip of the wine, “What are we
fighting for? And why are our enemies fighting us?”

“On
the micro level we’re fighting for money, payment, and security. But when I try
envisioning the larger scale I see very little. The merchant lords ruling Dega
Jul have fought continuously over the years, but not to the scale we’re seeing
now. And what disturbs me most is the complete lack of power the Confederation
is showing.”

Brian
shrugged. “The last event they stepped into was the war between your people and
the Shandi a few years ago.”

“That’s
because the battles were spilling over into other race’s territories,” Valis
took a sip of wine, “That and the amount of dead were piling up fast. Large
scale battles are rare these days, despite the military power that exists. No
one wants to put all the capital into something that pays off so little.”

“I
have an idea,” he said.

“Go
ahead.”

“What
our enemies have to offer is the status quo, is it not?”

“I
suppose.”

“Then
if the Kein family, your family wishes to win this war, they must offer an
alternative.”

“What
kind of alternative?”

“Give
the people of Dega Jul a choice on their destiny,” he said before taking
another sip. “Offer to them what was given to Kalaidia.”

“That
would be wonderful.” She shook her head. “But my grandmother would object.”

“Unfortunately
for her the status quo can’t last forever, nothing does. Dega Jul hasn’t had a
central government since the Confederation moved their base of operations to
the Kailion system five hundred years ago. The people of Dega Jul identify
themselves as different from other worlds, even the ones from which they
originated. It’s only right they finally learn to rule themselves fairly.”

Zae
appeared on the monitor. “Sorry to disturb you captain, but Lady Veda is
requesting an audience with you.”

Valis
went over to the monitor. “I’ll take it right now.”

“Yes
captain,” Zae said. Her image vanished as the face of Veda took its place.

“I
heard you ran into some trouble Valis,” Veda said. “I’m glad you’re still
alive.”

“You
as well grandmother,” Valis answered. Brian stood in the background, looking a
little uncomfortable. He turned and saluted.

“Good
evening Lady Veda,” Brian said.

“And
you as well
Maigar
,” Veda said. “After much discussion amongst the family
and merchants we’re affiliated it appears we’re headed for gridlock. The only
solution we can agree on is to use military power against the Duchess. Even so,
I don’t favor it. Our chance of victory with their alliances isn’t realistic.”

“Maybe
you’d be happy to know Lord Ka has decided to join us,” Valis said.

Veda
seemed surprised. “When did this happen?”

“I
met with him a short while ago,” Valis explained. “After a lot of discussion
he’s decided to join our side. I’ll be sending Brian to oversee the Shandi
during their meeting.”

“I’m
glad to hear this Valis, but still, I’m surprised. What I’ve also called to ask
is if you have any other ideas on solving this problem of ours.”

“Brian’s
just explained to me what we should do,” Valis answered.

“Has
he?” Veda asked haughtily. “Well
Maigar
, what grand scheme do you
propose?”

“The
only solution your family and allies have is to offer an alternative to what
your enemies are. The people of Dega Jul are caught between two sides in this
conflict, and till now have only been offered one choice. Offer them freedom
Veda. Give the people of Dega Jul hope for a real future. Give to them what
they so richly deserve, a working government that actually protects them and
their interests. Without appealing to the people of Dega Jul your side is
nothing more than a dictator in the long line of dictators they’ve experienced.
Set them free, because that’s the only way to end the fighting once and for
all.”

“Are
you telling me to submit our family to the masses?” Veda asked.

“Yes,”
he answered.

“Are
you mad?” Veda asked. “The Kein family’s been as powerful this long because of
the wealth we’ve maintained and power we’ve grown on Dega Jul. I won’t let all
that go to waste to appease the foolish masses.”

Valis
was about to say something when Brian put his hand up. “Wasn’t it your family
that broke from the rest of Kalaidia over the concept of freedom? Or is your
definition of freedom that which only affects me is tyranny? Because that’s not
freedom at all, but the worst kind of selfishness,” he said.

“Is
freedom not the right to be selfish?” Veda asked. “Is not excepting one’s fate
the ultimate form of selfishness?”

“Veda,
freedom is not the right to do everything you wish,” Brian said. “Absolute freedom
like that breeds anarchy and leads to nothing in the end. The freedom I speak
of is freedom from ignorance, prejudice, and social standing. Freedom is
equality, and that’s what conceding your power to the masses will demonstrate
to them. Show them you’re willing to call them your equal. Otherwise you’ll
suffer the doom all arrogant wealthy people find in their selfishness and
greed.”

“What
fate is that?” Veda asked.

“Death
at the hands of those you believe are less than what you are,” Brian answered.
“Bow before their power or have your head chopped off by them later. That’s the
fate the nobles on Kalaidia had before Celestia conceded their power. Now this
world has the same problem, but with a different issue. Dega Jul is made up of
many different species, all of whom have very different viewpoints on how to
run a government. That’s why I proposed you offer them a different way. Like
the people of Kalaidia the people of this world are on the edge of destruction.
They sense change is in the air.” He clenched his fist. “If you have the will
of the people behind your cause you’ll emerge victorious. Let go of your
preconceived notions and embrace that which is to pass.”

Veda
looked surprised. She let silence fill the air for a moment before speaking.
“There was a man long ago who spoke like you do today Brian. That man was my
brother, Gaelic Kein. He believed that tomorrow will be better than today and
the next day will be even better.”

“It’s
not just a dream,” Valis said.

Veda
sighed before closing her eyes for a moment. “Long ago, I believed in such
ideals.”