Heaven Saga 3: Sojourn Into Despair (20 page)

Silence
filled the Avoni in the moments following the destruction of the Braiden
homeworld. Each member of the Avoni, along with Grigon, quietly went about
their duties. But in their eyes a dark emptiness was visible. The tears of
sadness were hidden behind a veil of denial. Each mobile suit landed in the launching
bay mechanically. Every pilot checked the systems again before disembarking.
Brian landed the Mjolnir with glazed over eyes.

I’m
sorry Brian, but I don’t know what to say in this situation.
The Mjolnir
wrote on the monitor.

“Nothing
will set my heart at ease right now friend,” Brian said in response. He tapped
the mobile suit before leaving. His elevator cord seemed to slow down as he
descended and saw the dispirited look in the other pilots’ eyes. All thirty of
them gathered before him. Meldi stepped forward. She was shaking.

“I’m
sorry…I failed you,” she said as her voice trembled like her body. “I failed
them.” Meldi fell to her knees and started crying.

A
number of the other pilots came forward and tried comforting her. Brian took
Meldi by the hand and helped her stand.

“Lieutenant,
you didn’t fail me,” he said. “And you didn’t fail them. Each of you fought
your best and did everything within your power to save them. We faced an
unknown enemy with strength beyond anything would could’ve anticipated. The
fact we survived is a miracle. If anyone is to blame for this failure, it
should be I.” Brian paused. “As the commander of this operation I should’ve
planned better, but I wasn’t up to the task.”

“That’s
not true,” Myli said.

“No
commander, what Myli says is true,” Seli said. A number of the others echoed
the sentiment.

“You’re
probably right,” Brian said. “But that’s the way I feel. I know the Braiden wouldn’t
want me to believe it but I can’t help but do so.” He paused and thought for a
moment. “I have something to tell you, something I’ve hidden from everyone
except for the command staff onboard.” As he was about to continue Meldi took
his hand in hers.

“We
know,” she said. “You’ve been putting on a strong face for months and we
haven’t said a thing. None of us wanted to believe it. Everyone onboard knows
you’re dying.” Meldi and the others had tears in their eyes. “How much longer
are you going to be with us?”

“I’m
glad you know about this, really, I am,” he said. “The plague that killed the
males of your world is now ravaging me. I’m so numbed from the medications I’m
on I can barely feel your touch. My vision’s blurry and all my other senses are
dulled. At this pace I should be dead within another month or two.” He let the
silence stay for a moment. “Now you know the truth. Remember this as my final
command when the time comes: survive. Make it back to the Confederation alive
and deliver the information we’ve gathered on this journey.”

“We’ll
do our best to see it through,” Meldi said. Each of the other pilots nodded in
agreement.

“Good,”
Brian said. “I need to speak with the command staff on what to do next. You
have permission to stand down. I think that’s what all of need right now.”
Brian saluted before leaving the pilots and engineers in the launching bay to
themselves. After the door closed behind him the emotion of sorrow overcame
them.

The
walk to the bridge felt silent and slow to Brian. As the elevator opened he saw
Zae and Baed sitting at their consoles. Jesela stood at the console in the back
of the bridge. Celi came out of the side room while wiping away some tears.

“How’s
the Avoni?” Brian asked before going to the captain’s chair.

“We’ve
activated the stealth cloak,” Jesela said. No major damage to report.”

“I’ve
flown the ship to the dark side of the Braiden moon as ordered,” Baed said.

“How
are all of you doing?” he asked.

“My
nerves are shot,” Jesela said.

“Numb,”
Zae said. “The totality of what just happened hasn’t hit me yet.”

“It’s
the same with me,” Baed answered.

Celi
looked down at the floor. “I can’t believe what happened did,” she said.

“When
we saw what happened to the Mardok I had a feeling could happen,” Brian said.
“I’m sure all of you knew as well. The rational thing to do would’ve been for
us to not involve ourselves. Maybe it would have spared us this moment in time.
But the right thing to do was to try helping them.”

“Brian,
what should we do next?” Zae asked.

“Rest
and mourn them,” he answered. “I’ll think of something tomorrow Zae. I need
some rest.”

“Alright,”
Zae said. Brian went to the elevator and left the four women on the bridge together.
When they were sure he was gone Zae turned to the other three. “I’m not the
only one who can see what’s happening.”

“No,”
Celi said. “There was something in his eyes that said more than his words ever
could.”

“What
can we do to help him?” Baed asked. “He’s putting all of the blame for this on
himself.”

“That’s
his way,” Jesela said. “Brian’s a loner by nature.”

“The
disease is draining him both mentally and physically,” Celi said. “I don’t
think he can berserk like he used to.”

The
monitor flickered as Grigon appeared. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I wanted
to speak my piece on this matter,” the old birdman said.

“Go
ahead,” Zae said.

“I
don’t have much to say, just a little of advice really,” Grigon said. “He needs
someone to comfort him, now. The one he cares for the most is further away than
imaginable. He has no one to turn to. His Terran heritage forces a certain
image on your people. But like the rest you he’s all too mortal.”

“You’re
right,” Celi said. She looked at the other three. “What?”

“You’d
do nicely,” Zae said.

“She’s
definitely the best candidate,” Baed added.

Jesela
patted Celi on the shoulder. “Even though I’ve spend a night with him I think
you’d be a better fit for this situation,” she said.

“Alright,”
Celi said. “I’ll go and see to him right now.” She left the bridge.

Baed
turned to Jesela. “When did this happen?” she asked.

“Near
the start of our journey home,” Jesela answered.

Zae
clapped her hands. “Enough, let’s get back to work.”

* * *

Brian
walked silently to his room. After opening the door he walked in and stepped
out of the exoskeleton. He stared at his face in the mirror.

“I
killed them, didn’t I?” he asked. “I gave them hope knowing it was all for
nothing. My desire to save others has brought pain upon those I care about the
most. And now they have to live with it.” He punched the mirror and shattered
it. He pulled back his bleeding fist before smashing the table into the far
wall with a kick. He threw the three chairs around the room before falling to
his knees. He punched the floor repeatedly.

“Why!?”
he shouted. “This isn’t how it was supposed to end! They prayed with all their
might and their gods abandoned them! That’s how it always works, doesn’t it
God!?” He stood up and shouted at the ceiling. “The people put their faith in
you and all they ever receive is despair. Not once do you save the weak. Once
again the innocent pay for the sins of the guilty.” He sobbed before falling to
the ground once more. “Seven billion are dead. Not because they were guilty,
not because they’d done anything wrong. The only sin they committed was living,
wasn’t it? Did their lives mean nothing to you!?” He punched the floor again.
“Dammit all!” he angrily cried.

* * *

Celi
was about to open the door when she heard Brian’s tirade. She listened to each
word and felt every punch. She fell to the ground while clutching herself and
crying.
I’m sorry I can’t do more for you.
She thought to herself before
wiping away the tears. She stood and walked into the room. She noticed Brian
wasn’t moving and ran over to him. A little bit of blood was coming out of his
mouth. She quickly checked his pulse and found he was alive still. She wiped
the blood away with a cloth in her belt. Celi moved him onto the bed before
removing his shirt. She went to her med kit and took out a cold pack. She
placed it on his feverish head. Brian took her hand.

“Thank
you,” he said.

“You’re
carrying the burden all on yourself,” she said. “Let us carry it with you.”

“I
know,” he said. “But I feel like I was the one who killed them.”

“It
wasn’t you,” she said. “The Greys destroyed them. I’m not going to write it off
as fate or anything like it. I’m not a believer in god.”

“Then
what do you believe it?” he asked.

“I
believe in you, in myself, and those around me,” she answered. “I believe in
real things, not something that may or may not exist.”

He
tightened his grip on her hand. “Stay with me,” he said. “I’m afraid if I go to
sleep right now I won’t wake up ever again.”

“I’ll
make sure you see tomorrow.”

Brian
opened his eyes and saw Celi next to him. He winced as he rolled over to get
off the bed. Celi stirred a moment later and yawned as she sat up. She watched
Brian change his clothes into an identical outfit.

“You
need to get some fashion into your life Brian,” Celi said.

Brian
turned while smiling. “I know,” he said. “Brown pants and a white shirt every
day is a bit on the monotonous side. I’m sorry about last night.”

“It’s
not a big deal,” Celi said. She hugged him. “When all this is done I want a
couple of nights together on Dega Jul.”

“Sure,”
he said.

“Have
you had a chance to think about what we should do next?” she asked.

“It
sounds close to revenge but I really believe we need some kind of justice in
this situation.” Brian narrowed his eyes. “I have a plan I’d like to run by the
command staff as well as the crew.”

“Alright,”
she said. “You’re healthy enough for one more battle, that’s the truth. I’m
doing everything I can to help you, but it’s difficult.”

“I’m
glad you’re trying,” he said. He stepped into his exoskeleton armor. “It’s
ironic I’m supposed to be the strongest and yet wear this when the rest of you
don’t.”

“The
armor is symbolic of your rank as a
Maigar
,” Celi said.

“I
haven’t been able to carry a blade dance in months because my senses and
balance are off,” Brian said.

Celi
changed into a different uniform. She blushed when she noticed Brian’s eyes
were lingering on her.

“You’re
really pretty,” he said. “If we get through this I’m taking you up on your
offer.”

Celi
shook her head and sighed. “Let’s go talk to the others about the plan.”

* * *

Zae,
Baed, Celi, Jesela and Meldi watched as Brian finished his briefing on their
possible mission. Each had shock on their face. Grigon snickered in the
background.

“Well
planned young man,” Grigon said. “A bold strategy if I ever saw one.”

“When
did you come up with this?” Zae asked.

“When
I woke up this morning I thought it through in my head,” Brian answered.

“Given
the amount of enemy forces stationed at the fourth planet this plan is filled
with disaster,” Meldi said.

“I
know it’s risky,” Brian said. “Any venture worth gaining is filled with risk.”
He paused to look over the others. “Revenge is petty and that’s not what I’m
seeking with this plan. We could leave, maybe we should. But I can’t let this
go unheeded. The Greys overstepped a boundary that isn’t forgivable. Justice
must be served. But, if any of you object we’ll withdraw leave this system.”

“I
don’t object,” Grigon said.

“I
agree with you Brian,” Zae said.

“Let’s
crash their party!” Jesela exclaimed.

“No
objection from me,” Baed said.

“This
is the right thing to do,” Meldi said.

“Justice
needs to be served,” Celi said.

“Then
it’s decided,” Brian said. “But before going through with this I’d like to give
the crew a chance to voice their opinion by voting on whether we should do this
or not.”

“Good
idea,” Zae said. “I’ll send the message to everyone onboard immediately.”

She
went to the side console and sent the battle plan to everyone on the Avoni. The
senior officers waited patiently for a few minutes while the results were calculated.

“It’s
unanimous,” Zae reported. “Every crew member agrees to the plan.”

“Alright,”
Brian said. “We’ll commence the operation tomorrow. I want to give everyone
ample time to memorize their part of the mission.”

* * *

The
next day the cloaked Avoni and Vomada entered deep orbit of the fourth planet
in the Braiden system. Brian stood on the bridge with Zae and Baed. Celi was at
his side. On the monitor was a picture of Grigon on his bridge with Jesela and
a number of Kalaidian engineers in the background.

“This
is where we go our separate ways,” Brian said. “The Avoni will secure the mass
driver the Greys have in orbit for moving resource asteroids.”

“We’ll
blow those orbital pillars in no time,” Grigon said.

“Commence
operation,” Brian ordered. The Avoni and Vomada flew in different directions.
Brian turned to Zae. “I’m going to lead the mobile suits.”

“Of
course,” Zae said before taking the captain’s chair.

“I’ll
head to sickbay just in case,” Celi said. She handed him a med kit. “Inside are
a number of shots you’re going to need for this battle.” She headed to sickbay.

“She
knows me well,” Brian said before leaving a moment later.

“We
all know you pretty well,” Baed said. Zae smiled.

“That’s
our
Maigar
for us,” Zae said. “Everything’s in place.”

* * *

In
front of the Avoni was a large ring shaped structure. There were a few smaller
Grey ships on guard. Brian ran into the launching bay to find all of the pilots
were ready to launch. He jumped onto the Mjolnir and activated its systems.

Is
it time for justice?
The Mjolnir asked in text.

“That’s
exactly it my friend,” Brian answered. “Though our forces are small we’re going
to cause some hell.”

I’m
all for it.
The mobile suit wrote.

“Thanks,”
Brian said before turning on the com. “We’re going to divide into three
squadrons like last time. Meldi, your squad and mine will attack the mass
driver. Myli, keep your unit as a guard for the Avoni.”

“Yes
commander,” the two answered.

The
Mjolnir and all thirty of the Raknas launched with their stealth cloaks up.
Brian and the ten Raknas under his command flew straight for the mass driver.
Meldi and the nine she commanded followed. The two squadrons of mobile suits
created a spiral formation as they flew towards the Grey space station. As they
closed in each deactivated their stealth cloak and opened fire on the ships guarding
the mass driver. The Grey ships tried countering, but it was too late. The
smaller ships were targeted one by one with concentrated pulse blasts from the
mobile suits. Once the mobile suit formation reached the ring a number of Grey
ships took off from the station. The Mjolnir drew its sword before flying at
the base.

“I’ll
handle these Meldi,” Brian said. He blinked his eyes and went berserk. “Give me
the time I need.”

“We’ll
hold them off as long as we can,” Meldi responded.

She
and the other mobile suits blasted the ships flying past the Mjolnir. Brian’s
mobile suit slashed through one ship after another. After he was through their
defense line Brian landed the Mjolnir in the Grey’s launching bay. He shot a
number of Greys with the pulse cannon. He grabbed his
rakna
blade and
put it on his back before making sure the shield was working. Before leaving
Brian put his helmet on.

“Take
care yourself while I’m gone,” Brian said to the mobile suit.

I
can act on my own for several hours if need be now.
The Mjolnir
responded.

“I
won’t need that long, but it’s good to know,” Brian said as he opened the hatch
and entered the station.

* * *

“All
targets set,” Droid A reported. “We’re ready to launch the Talons anytime now.”

“Good,”
Grigon said. He looked over to Jesela. While doing her job she seemed
fascinated with the droids.

“You’ve
done a great job with these,” Jesela said. “How advanced are they?”

“We’re
self-aware,” Droid B said. “So please don’t talk over us to the master. We can
answer for ourselves.”

“Sorry,
I didn’t mean to offend you,” Jesela said. “I’m not used to interacting with an
A.I. as advanced as you are.”

“To
answer your question Jesela, they’re as capable as a Malcovin crew could be if
not better,” Grigon explained. “They don’t need sleep nor require food or
water, so it makes things easier on me.”

Ensign
Trina walked in from the engineering section. “All the Talons are loaded with
the things you requested lieutenant.”

“Thanks
Trina,” Jesela said. “I’m going to join the others.”

“Take
care down there,” Grigon said as they left.

“We
will,” Jesela said.

“Funny
girl,” Grigon cawed.

“She
is for sure,” Droid C said. “But she’s also an excellent engineer.”

“Yes,”
Grigon said as his ship approached the planet. Before them was a planet smaller
than Braiden Prime by a third with a swirling atmosphere of storms and lightning.
Around the planet’s equator was an orbital ring for collecting solar energy.
Stationed on the rings were thousands upon thousands of Grey ships.

“This
planet looks much like one of their core planets near the homeworld,” Droid A
said. “This one’s far from that area of space though.”

“Is
it a supply base?” Droid B asked.

“That’s
probably it,” Droid C answered.

“No,
this is a front line base,” Grigon said. “We’re one standard month from
Confederation territory using standard gravity jumps. Given how quickly the
atmosphere is taking form I’d say they’re readying for a war in the next twenty
to fifty years.”

“Is
that why Lieutenant Commander Peterson is intent on destroying it?” Droid B
asked.

“That
and a few other reasons,” Grigon answered. “How’s the position of our
presents?”

“Talons
one and two have reached their target tower and are standing by,” Droid C
reported. “Talons three and four have the furthest to go and will take another
ten minutes. Talons five and six just arrived at their target tower.”

“Brian
was smart to use the automated Talons,” the old Malcovin said. “Without a
sentient creature onboard the Greys can’t detect them until it’s too late.”
Grigon tapped his finger. “This will be the first time I’ve seen an orbital
ring destroyed,” he cawed, “Justice for the weak is what you deserve!”