Heaven Saga 3: Sojourn Into Despair (22 page)

Zae
opened her eyes and woke up from a long nap in the captain’s chair. Looking down
with her still sleepy eyes, she noticed a blanket had been placed over her. She
sat up slowly and looked around to find Baed hard at work. She yawned and sat
forward before placing the blanket on the chair next to hers.

“You
didn’t have to do that,” Zae said as she stood up and stretched.

“You’ve
been sleeping on the bridge so frequently lately it couldn’t be helped,” Baed
said. “You’re pushing yourself.”

“I
know,” she said. “With Brian in the condition he’s in it’s between Celi and me.
And because she’s trying find a cure for him it isn’t feasible for her to be up
here at the moment.”

“I’m
worried about him.”

“I
know you are,” Zae said. “Go and see him sometime soon. Brian would welcome
your company right now.”

“Why
do you keep saying that?” Baed asked.

“Because
you smell like her,” Zae answered. “His sight’s gone, along with most of his
other senses. But the one sense his species excels at is smell. At least, when
compared to our sense of smell.” Zae paused to sniff herself. “Speaking of
which, I need take a long bath and change into a different uniform.”

“The
order of half ration is still under effect,” Baed said. “Thankfully it doesn’t
apply to cleaning yourself.”

“True,”
Zae said with a laugh.

“So
is the thing about smell true?” Baed asked.

“Yes
it is,” Zae said.

“Where
did you hear about this?”

“From
Celi,” Zae answered. “When we first took Brian onboard I spoke with her
extensively on the subject. I wanted to know everything about him. There are
many small differences beyond that but I tend to forget them. It seems like a
long time ago when I perceived him as alien, different, and a threat. Now he’s
a valued member of the crew.”

“Funny
how time has a way of doing that,” Baed said. Jesela walked onto the bridge and
saw the two staring at the monitor. Baed looked down. “Something’s appeared on
the radar.”

Zae
moved to her console before looking back to see Jesela. “It’s two carriers
along with almost a hundred smaller ships,” she said. “They’re headed straight
for us.”

“But
aren’t the stealth cloaks up?” Baed asked.

“They’ve
found a way to spot us even when they’re on,” Jesela said. “I figured this
would happen sooner or later and unfortunately for us, it’s the sooner.”

“Baed,
search for any nearby moons or planetoids we could use for cover,” Zae ordered.

“I’m
on it,” Baed said.

“Jesela,
how long will it be until we can gravity jump again?” Zae asked.

“Ten
hours at minimum,” Jesela answered.

“Alright,
we’ll have to hold out until then,” she said. Zae pressed the com and saw
Grigon on the monitor.

“I
know the situation,” Grigon said. “Our present force consists of the Avoni and
her thirty remaining mobile suits, my ship and the remaining thirty Talons, and
the Meche. They have shielding and weapons systems comparable to our own.”

“I’d
rather not involve them in this battle if we can help it,” Zae said. “Since
they know our location now the question is whether we should go on the
offensive or hold out on the defensive.”

“Normally
I’d recommend we push forward and go on the offensive,” Grigon said. “But now
that our enemy has figured us out we need to gauge their strategy. Deploy our
ships between theirs and the Meche for maximum defense until they close. Then
gauge their strength and strike them down. They may have numbers, but that’s
all they have. We have the technological edge until proven otherwise.”

“True,”
Zae said before turning on the ship’s com. “This is Lieutenant Commander Zae
speaking. We’re presently being pursued by two Grey carriers. It appears our
stealth cloaks no longer work against them. All gunnery officers to their
stations, all pilots scramble immediately and take formation E-3. Our goal for
now is to gauge our enemy’s strengths, weaknesses, and strategy. That is all
for now. May the goddess watch over us and her blessings grant us victory.”

* * *

The
thirty pilots all ran quickly to their Phase Raknas before activating all their
systems with experienced ease. Before launching, Meldi stared at the Mjolnir.
She then turned to ensign Lia, one of the pilots without a working mobile suit.
Meldi looked at the Mjolnir again.
I think Brian would understand. We need
every mobile suit we can get.
She returned her systems to default mode and
left her suit. When she reached the ground she tapped Lia on the arm.

“Take
my Rakna Lia,” Meldi suggested.

“But
what are you going to use?” Lia asked.

Meldi
pointed at the Mjolnir. “If Brian can’t fly, then I’m going to take the
Mjolnir.”

“Are
you sure?” Lia asked.

“Yes.
Let’s get going.”

Lia
nodded before taking the elevator cord. Meldi turned and ran over to the
Mjolnir and its elevator cord up. She noticed as she entered all the systems
changed to Kalaidian language.

Brian
must be in bad condition if you’re flying me Lieutenant Meldi.

“So
it’s true you have a mind,” Meldi said while setting all the Mjolnir’s systems
to her preference. “He’s still alive. I don’t know all the details, but I do
know Celi’s doing everything she can to save him.”

It’s
good to hear that. I’ll set communications systems as you prefer them
Lieutenant Meldi.

“Thank
you.”

* * *

Grigon
deployed the Talons around his ship.

“Every
time I look out there the number seems to be shrinking,” Droid A commented.

“Yes,
this journey with the Avoni has cost us a lot of firepower,” Droid B added.

“All
mobile suits from the Avoni have launched,” Droid C reported. “Lieutenant Meldi
is piloting the Mjolnir.”

“Good,”
Grigon said. “The Mjolnir’s superior to all the other mobile suits and vital to
our survival. Even if Brian dies the Mjolnir is critical to our future.”

“Why
is a mobile suit more important than the person who pilots it?” Droid A asked.

“No
matter how extraordinary Brian seems he’s but one Terran of billions,” Grigon
said. “But the accumulated battle data onboard the Mjolnir makes it now more
important than even him. I know it sounds cold but that’s the reality of the
situation. Myden explained it to me this way: The Warrior isn’t a specific
person for a reason. It’s also not specified that the Warrior is male or
female, just that they would lead the younger races into a new era.”

“Grey
ships are closing rapidly,” Droid C reported.

“Stay
in formation for now,” Grigon ordered.

* * *

“Myli,
we’re going to split into two squadrons for this battle,” Meldi said. “I’ll
take all the mobile suits stationed at the front; you take the rest in the back.”

“Alright,”
Myli responded.

The
two Grey carriers flew at straight for the Avoni. All one hundred of their
smaller ships concentrated their fire in the same direction. The Mjolnir and
the Raknas fired a barrage into the Grey formation. Grigon repositioned the
Vomada closer to the Avoni with the Talons doing likewise. The Grey attack
vessels came closer and closer and though the attacks by the mobiles suits were
thinning their numbers it was obvious they were charging as kamikazes. The
Avoni fired its pulse cannons and HV missiles to knock out a number of Grey
ships. The remaining fifty started their attack on the mobile suits and charged
into them with deadly intent. Meldi and the Raknas at the front of the Avoni
drew their blades and defended themselves in melee. When the Grey ships charged
into them they started manifesting a psychic shape similar to a mobile suit and
attacked the Raknas and Talons with similar weaponry.

“This
is madness,” Meldi said as the Grey forces surrounded them.

* * *

“This
doesn’t look good,” Zae said once she saw the Greys adapting to their mobile
suits.

“The
speed in which their ships are able to assume a form like our Raknas is simply
amazing,” Jesela said.

“More
like frightening,” Baed said.

“This
happened a long time ago on Kalaidia Prime when Brian first went there,” Zae
said. “They tried assassinating the queen. Brian fought them in the Mjolnir.
During the battle the ship assumed a mobile suit like shape.”

After
Zae finished speaking one of the smaller Greys ships charged into the Avoni’s
shields. It broke through and slammed into the bottom of the ship. Explosions
shook the Avoni. The HV launcher was completely blown out. The two carriers
were bearing down on them.

“We
need to retreat,” Zae said. “All remaining mobile suits prepare for an
immediate withdrawal.”

“Yes
commander,” Meldi and Myli said.

“Baed,
have you found a suitable location yet?” Zae asked.

“There’s
a rocky moon around a nearby gas giant,” Baed said. “From the holes in the
surface it’s safe to assume there are some large caverns we could hide in for
now.”

“Good,
let’s go,” Zae said.

“I
sent the data to the Meche and Grigon,” Baed reported.

“Zae,
call back your pilots,” Grigon said. “I’m going to use that trick again.”

“Things
look that bad to you?” Zae asked.

“Desperate
times call for desperate needs,” Grigon said.

The
Talons engaged the Grey vessels and began trading blows with them one after
another. The Avoni started pulling away from the battle. The Raknas still
outside clung to the Avoni’s surface and continued firing. As the carriers
closed in to fire Grigon set a pair of Talons onto self-detonation. The
remaining Talons flew back to the Vomada as the pair exploded over the two
carriers and destroyed them. A while later the three ships entered orbit of a
rocky moon. After scanning from orbit for a few minutes they found a large
enough entrance to take cover in. As the moon entered the shadowed side of the
large blue and green gas giant everything was covered in darkness.

“Give
me a diagnostics report,” Zae requested.

“The
Avoni’s lower HV launcher and pulse cannons have been completely destroyed,” Jesela
reported. “Seven members of the crew were killed and another four were injured.
Three Phase Raknas were severely damaged and two pilots were killed as well.
Seven Talons were also lost. That sums up the situation.”  Jesela looked up
from the console. “I’d like to stay and help but we need every engineer on the
job.”

“Do
what you need to Jesela,” Zae said.

Jesela
nodded before leaving the bridge for the lower sections of the Avoni. The
ground around them began shaking.

“It
seems our enemies called for reinforcements,” Baed said. She sighed with
frustration. “Fortunately this moon will protect us for the time being.”

“How
long will it be until they can pin us in here?” Zae asked.

“Twenty
hours minimum,” Baed answered. “All we need to do is find a clearing long
enough for us to make a gravity jump outside.”

“That’s
a lot easier said than done,” Zae said. She called up Grigon’s monitor. “We’re
going to need to discuss our next move.”

“Understood,”
the old birdman said. “I’ll be heading over there shortly. With Jesela as busy
as she is someone has to finish our little project over there.”

“I’m
looking forward to it,” Zae said. The message ended. “I didn’t know this was
going to be the end of me.”

“No
one did,” Baed said as she took Zae’s hand. “We have to be strong and make it
through. That’s what he’d say.”

“All
too true,” Zae said before smiling. She turned on the com. “All senior officers
are to report to the meeting room in four hours. Until then, continue dealing
with the crisis on the Avoni as you were. That is all.”

“Why
the four hour delay?” Baed asked.

“I’m
going to help with repairs,” Zae answered. “Before I joined the Avoni I trained
as an engineer.”

“Make
sure you take a quick bath before returning,” Baed said. “I know we have more serious
matters to take care of, but if you don’t wind yourself down you won’t be able
to function properly when the battle comes.”

“Thanks
Baed,” Zae said. “Take care of the bridge while I’m gone.” She left on the
elevator.

“I
will Zae, I will,” Baed said before turning back to her console.

* * *

“He
doesn’t look good,” Grigon said as Brian woke up. In his room were the old
Malcovin, Celi, and Zae. Celi sat down next to him with her hand scanner.

“I
don’t feel good either,” Brian said. “So what brings all of you here?”

“We’re
going to have an officer meeting in one hour,” Zae explained. “I wanted to run
through the plan by you first.”

Brian
laughed. “Why bother with an invalid like me anymore?”

“Physically
you might be out of it, but mentally you’re still with us,” Celi said.

“Not
really,” he said sarcastically. “My mind’s floating around the ship at times.
But I guess you still want to speak with me.”

“Yes,”
Zae said. “And I’m not leaving until you contribute.”

“Aggression
won’t get you anywhere,” Brian said. “Even Delne figured that out.”

“I’m
not skilled in the
Kai
thankfully,” Zae said.

“Well,
if you ever want to know more I have some
Kai
needles in the drawer over
there,” he said with a chuckle. “I kept them as a reminder of just how painful
life can be.” He shook his head. “Alright, I’m ready to be serious now. Let’s
get down to business.”

“The
Greys have an unknown number of ships stationed in the orbit of the moon we’re
hiding inside of,” Zae explained. “They’ve been pelting the surface in an
effort to force us out. We haven’t reached that point yet. But given the shape
we’re in I think a gravity jump out is our surest bet.”

“I
agree,” Brian said. “The best thing to do is go on the offensive. Grigon, how
many Talons do you have left?”

“Twenty
three,” the old birdman answered.

“Damn,
I was hoping we had more to use,” Brian said. “And if we blow the drives too
close to the entrance our ships will be filled with gamma radiation. Hmm…I
think I have an idea. The price will be high but that can’t be helped at this
point.”

“Whatever
it takes, Zae said. “One more thing, the Greys can see through our stealth
cloaks.”

“That’s
not good,” Brian said. “Which vessel took the most damage in the last battle?”

“The
Avoni,” Grigon said. “The Vomada wasn’t scratched one bit.”

“Alright,
then the Vomada and remaining Talons will leave the moon first in maximum
defensive formation,” Brian instructed. “The Avoni will follow with the Meche
as the last ship. The goal is for the Vomada and Avoni to draw the Greys to
them while the Braiden escape. Once the battle has commenced the Avoni and
Vomada should get as close together as possible and combine their shields.
We’ll use the mobile suits outside in a similar manner.”

“Can
we do that?” Celi asked.

“It
is,” Grigon said. “Shields on older vessels are incapable of combining their
strength. But the Avoni and Vomada can.”

“If
their numbers are small we’ll stay until they’re defeated,” Brian said. “If not,
then flee once we’ve inflicted as much damage as possible. Grigon, don’t
hesitate to sacrifice as many Talons as needed. We’re at the point where our
options are running out.”

“I’ve
already prepared for that eventuality,” Grigon cawed. “To the last Talon everyone
has been programmed for the special attack.”

Brian
coughed up a little blood. “Hopefully I was able to help you Zae,” he said.

“You’re
plan is more than sufficient Brian,” Zae said.

The
three watched as he fell asleep.

“Even
in this state he’s still able to see so much,” Celi said.

“A
strong lad he is,” Grigon said.

Zae
took his hand in hers. “Thank you,” she said. “I won’t let this plan go to
waste.”

* * *

“Alright,
we’ll do as you say,” Lumiar said to the senior officers and Grigon over the
monitor.

“Our
goal is to give your ship a chance to escape,” Zae said. “We’re hoping the
battle doesn’t go so badly as to not join you Lumiar.”

“So
what’s the plan?” Meldi asked.

“The
first ship to leave will be the Vomada with the Talons,” Zae explained. “The
Avoni will stagger behind with all the Raknas. The Meche will follow behind us.
Our goal is to draw the Greys away from the moon and allow the Braiden to
escape. If the enemy forces are manageable we’ll continue fighting until
they’re destroyed. If their numbers exceed our estimate we’ll flee after we’ve
done as much damage as possible.”

“Will
the Mjolnir be ready in time?” Meldi asked while looking at Jesela.

“I’m
not going to have the time to do so,” Jesela answered. “It’s out for this fight.”

“We’re
to use the mobile suits and their shields for additional protection as we have
been,” Zae explained. “Before deploying each of you will attach a Novaguard to
your mobile suit.”

“That
should give us some additional firepower,” Meldi said.

“More
than that,” Grigon said. “I’ve finished installing the auto piloting system
into them. Once we’re outside they’ll detach from your mobile suit and attack
independently. Although their shields and weapons are nothing compared to your
Raknas, it adds more targets for the Greys to destroy.”

“The
burden of the sacrifice will be on the Talons though,” Zae said. “Our tactic of
self-detonation works but the sacrifice is immense when one looks at it
financially.”

“Losing
money is less important than losing lives,” Grigon said. “I think there’s
enough Aldenite in the galaxy to make up for the damages I’ve suffered.”

“We’ll
commence with the mission in one hour,” Zae said. “Make sure everything’s ready
by then.”