Heaven Saga 3: Sojourn Into Despair (9 page)

Baed
and Zae entered the bridge to find Brian hard at work. He looked up as they
took their seats.

“How
are you feeling today?” Zae asked.

“Better,”
he said. “A good rest always clears the mind.”

 “What
are you working on?” Baed asked.

Brian
sat back before looking over the plans on the computer. “Something Jesela mentioned
yesterday. We were going to overhaul the Avoni when we docked on Dega Jul. But
now that we’re not going to back there for a while we discussed starting now.”

“Our
power consumption is the main problem,” Zae said. “If we could get a hold of
more particles and a good heavy class drive we could give it a shot.”

“So
you were keeping up on that,” Brian said.

“Both
of us did,” Baed said. “If Valis has new systems installed we need to know how
they work.”

“The
question is whether we should take the second heavy drive and use it as the
ship’s main system or to continue using the Mjolnir’s drive to power the ship,”
Zae said. “Although the price we pay is the mobile suits will take longer to
recharge.”

“I
say we do it,” Brian said. “Without the Avoni the mobile suits won’t have a
home to return to.”

“We
should gain more distance from the Greys before doing this,” Baed added.
“Otherwise, we’d be caught with our defenses down.”

“We’ll
start in two weeks,” Brian said after calling up their map home on the monitor.
“Seven or eight jumps and we’ll be much deeper within the galaxy. I doubt the
Greys will come after us once we’re in there.”

“Then
it’s agreed upon,” Zae said. As she turned to sit down the Avoni’s alert system
came on. Zae checked immediately and detected a number of blips. “Brian, I’m
picking up fifty small blips on the radar.”

“Fifty?”
Baed asked. “I don’t know how I can fly us out of this.”

“That’s
not what they want Baed,” Brian said as he looked at their formation. “They’re
not playing around this time. This force has come to finish us off. Zae, are
the long range scanners detecting any of the larger vessels?”

“I’m
picking up two of them,” she answered. “One from each direction the enemy units
are coming from.”

“How
long do we have Zae?” he asked.

“Less
than five minutes until the smaller attack vessels reach our position,” Zae
reported. “The larger ships will take another hour to reach us.”

Brian
turned on the com system. “This Lieutenant Commander Peterson speaking, our
ship is currently detecting fifty enemy units that will reach us within five
minutes. All pilots are to scramble and all gunnery personnel report to your
stations. Baed, launch the anchors and begin to turn the asteroid so we’re
facing only one of the enemy formations.”

“Yes
commander,” she said before launching four of the Avoni’s anchors. They secured
the ship to the asteroid’s body. She programmed the thrusters to move the
asteroid as ordered.

“That
cuts out enemies forces in half for the first wave,” Zae said. “What’s the
plan?”

“We
have to hold out until the ship’s drive is recharged for another gravity jump,”
Brian said. “It’ll take another half an hour to do so. In the meantime our
mobile suits will form a protective shell.”

“Playing
it safe, huh?” Zae asked.

“We’ve
lost enough pilots as it is,” he said. “At this rate we won’t make it a quarter
of the way home.”

“Will
you be launching as well?” Baed asked.

“Not
right now,” he answered. “The Mjolnir is our reserve force for the moment. I
trust Meldi and Myli to hold them off until we can escape.”

The
thirty five remaining Phase Raknas flew from their launching bays and took
defensive positions in the space above the Avoni as well as on the ground of
the asteroid.

“Meldi,
Myli, use formation V-6,” Brian ordered.

“Yes
commander,” both of the squad leaders answered.

The
mobile suits created a stacked pyramid formation with the squad leaders at the
top. Each put their shields to maximum.

“When
the enemy gets close enough to fire upon I want you to counterattack with staggered
pulse fire,” Brian ordered.

“Acknowledged,”
Meldi said. She sent the plan to the other pilots.

The
blips moved closer and started coming into view. The saucer shaped ships pelted
the Avoni and its defenders with a barrage of pulse blasts. The Raknas outside
and the Avoni returned fire using the staggered system. Though the mobile suits
were holding out, one Rakna after another had its shields drain. Some of them
started taking damage.

“All
damaged mobile suits retreat for repairs,” Brian ordered.

A
pair of Grey ships fell towards them in a suicidal trajectory. The mobile suits
outside tried shooting them down, but they fell into the midst of the mobile
suits. A number were knocked aside by the blast. They recovered a moment later
and flew back to their positions.

“At
this rate,” Zae said as another saucer fell towards them. The Raknas outside
blasted it before it reached the Avoni. Zae checked her console.

“Where
are the other twenty five?” Brian asked.

“I’m
not picking them up,” Zae paused, “Wait…I’m picking up fifty unknowns.”

“They’re
not Greys?” Baed asked.

“Not,
their shape matches a mobile suit,” Zae reported. She put the image on the
monitor. Above them a mass of Phase Talons tore through the remaining Grey
ships with impunity. “They’re moving twice as fast as a standard Talon.”

“Their
pilots can’t be mortal,” Baed said. “The G forces exerted on the body would
kill a living pilot.”

“What
if they were automated?” Brian suggested.

“That
would work,” Zae said. “But the complexity of programming a vessel to fight
like that is immense. Whoever it is they have my thanks. Despite all the damage
to the ship and Raknas we didn’t suffer any casualties this time.”

“Meldi,
Myli, treat the unknowns as allies,” Brian ordered. “Resume defensive posture.”

“Yes
commander,” the pair said before moving the remaining twenty five Raknas into
defense mode.

* * *

“The
Grey formation is falling apart sir,” Droid A reported.

The
old Malcovin cawed. “Hopefully our newfound friends managed to survive. How are
the Talons performing?”

“Not
one has been destroyed yet sir,” Droid B answered. “The enemy hasn’t figured out
their attack pattern.”

“We
should be finished here in the next few minutes,” Droid C said.

The
old Malcovin’s ship flew to the side of the asteroid the Avoni was clinging to.

“It’s
time we said hello,” the old Malcovin said.

* * *

On
the Avoni’s bridge Zae put the image of the Malcovin vessel on the monitor. “It
looks like a Deague class ship.”

“It’s
an older model then,” Brian said.

“The
Deagues were retired about twenty years ago when Geld class ships appeared,”
Zae explained. “But my scans are producing some interesting results.”

“What
kind of results?” Baed asked.

“It’s
definitely of Malcovin make, as well as the Talons,” Zae said. “But the
shielding system is ten times the Avoni’s output.”

“Interesting,”
Brian said.

“We’re
being hailed by the other ship,” Zae said. “Should I put it through?”

“Of
course,” he said. “It’d be rude not speak with the one who saved your life.”

“Alright,”
she said.

Zae
pressed the button to let the message through. On the monitor appeared the
image of a grey Malcovin with a number of Droids at the positions normally
reserved for officers. The old birdman looked familiar to all three on the
bridge of the Avoni. But none of them could place where they saw him.

“Greetings
and thanks for your aid Sir,” Brian said while saluting. “I’m Lieutenant
Commander Peterson of the Independent Kalaidian vessel Avoni.”

“You’re
definitely not Kalaidian young man,” the old Malcovin said before laughing.

“That’s
true, I’m Terran,” Brian said.

“You
say you’re Terran? I didn’t expect you to look so much like the pretty little
ladies from the lands of Kali.” The old Malcovin stood up and bowed as a
Malcovin officer would. “I am Grigon, owner of this vessel, the Vomada. I have
waited long to meet you Brian Peterson, yes I have.”

“Are
you Grigon the Thunder?” Zae asked.

“Of
course little girl,” the old Malcovin answered. “I don’t use the nickname
because I’m not a braggart. But I am him if that’s what you’re asking.”

“You’ll
have to forgive our surprise Grigon,” Brian said. “According to the records of
your world you died in an accident twenty years ago.”

“There
are a lot of people who die in accidents Brian, but I wasn’t one of them,”
Grigon said. “I was banished from my world because I spoke out against the
policies of the Patriarchy, not to mention my technological research was
considered foolish and unrealistic. But you’ve proven them right, haven’t you?
I’ve seen your mobile suits in action and they’re quite impressive.” Grigon turned
to his side. “All of the Greys in this area have been destroyed. I hope your
ship can still fly.”

“We
should be able to gravity jump in five minutes,” Baed said.

“It’s
obvious from the display out there that you’ve built and expanded on the Phase
Talon quite a bit,” Brian said.

“I’ve
had ten years to perfect them,” Grigon said. “It took me that long to build one
on my own. How long ago did you start on this path?”

“Five
years ago was when I was given the plans to the Talon,” Brian answered.

“Damn,
I was hoping you’d received them earlier.” Grigon sighed. “I guess it can’t be
helped. As soon as we leave this place I’ll be bringing over a few gifts your
ship will appreciate. I have a spare heavy class drive full charged and ready
to install.”

“Jesela
will be happy to hear the news,” Brian said.

“By
the way, how’s that grandson of mine doing?” Grigon asked.

“Dreka
followed in your foot steps and constructed Talon,” Brian answered. “He and the
other ships we were with should have returned to Confederation space by now.”

“Then
how did you get so far out here?” Grigon asked.

“An
accident threw us out here,” Zae said.

“We’re
ready to jump anytime now,” Baed reported.

“Call
back all mobile suits,” Brian commanded.

Grigon
turned to Droid A. “Call back all the Talons and prepare to jump with them.”

“Yes
sir,” Droid A answered.

“See
you on the other side,” Brian said.

“Likewise
young Terran,” Grigon said.

“Everything’s
ready,” Droid D said before giving Grigon a report through the Talon’s
computer. He checked all the settings to make sure the auto pilot system was
turned off.

“There’s
no way at my age I could fly at this speed,” the old Malcovin joked to himself.
“Take care of the ship while I’m gone.”

“Of
course sir,” Droid A said.

“It’s
time to say hello to my new friends,” Grigon said.

He
launched in a Phase Talon and flew to the Avoni. The Avoni and Vomada were in
orbit of a large planetoid made up of ice and rock with a diameter of almost a
thousand
ketres
. Grigon flew the Talon masterfully into the Avoni’s main
launching bay. Jesela watched as the mobile suit flew in while noting the
differences from the Dreka’s. Brian and Celi stood at ready. Grigon turned off
the mobile suit before leaving via the elevator cord. He stood a head shorter
than Brian with grey feathers showing his age. Grigon peered around the room.

“It’s
been such a long time since I saw people I forgot my manners. I’m Grigon,” he
said before saluting.

“It’s
good to meet you,” Brian said as he extended his hand. Grigon shook hands with
him.

Celi
had a hand scanner ready and checked Grigon. The old Malcovin gave her a
strange look.

“I’m
sorry but Brian wanted to confirm your identity,” she said. Celi found Grigon’s
DNA proved he was related to Dreka. “He is who he says he is.”

“Of
course it’s me, I should know young lady,” the old birdman cawed. “By the way,
where’s your captain?”

Brian
motioned for them to head to the bridge. “Captain Valis and commander Kivi were
hurt in our first encounter with the Greys,” he explained. “They had to leave
this ship for another. The Avoni is now under my command for the time being.
Lieutenant commander Celi here is the chief medical officer.”

“It’s
worse than I thought,” Grigon said. The three entered the elevator to the
bridge. “So how did you get out here?”

“A
Grey ship collided with us during our attempt to gravity jump away,” Brian
explained. “It overloaded the drive and threw us all the way out here.”

“Better
than being stuck in the middle of deep space,” Grigon said.

The
door opened to the bridge. Baed and Zae were waiting. All of them went into the
meeting room.

“Thank
you for your assistance,” Zae said. “Without your help our voyage may have
ended.”

“It
was luck I guess,” Grigon said. He started checking all the devices. “I was
surprised to find anything alive out here.”

“Did
you know about the Mardok?” Brian asked.

“Of
course,” the old birdman answered. “It was the second time I’d been through the
system. Sad story, I know the details young man. But what occurred there was
tame compared to some of the things I’ve seen while flying these parts of the
galaxy.”

“How
long have you been out here?” Zae asked. “And how have you evaded detection?”

“Questions
questions, of course they’d ask questions,” Grigon muttered. “Truth be told all
I’ve done is applied the Talon’s phase ability to my ship. Despite its age the
Vomada could blast yours out of the vacuum faster than you can yell no! With
the phase cloak up the Greys can’t detect your ship, no, not at all. They’re predictable
when it comes to tactics and strategies. They don’t innovate very well. It’s
probably because of their lack of individuality they’re so bland and listless.”
Grigon paused and noticed those around him looked a bit lost. “Anyway, the phase
cloak works on the heavy class ship level. All one has to do is modify the ship
to allow for it.”

“Why
are you helping us?” Zae asked.

“Well
miss, because it’s my fate,” Grigon answered. “A long time ago the four of you
found yourselves in a strange place, an ocean of thoughts and dreams. You
remember don’t you? I was there as well, watching from a distance. I couldn’t
believe it! What the old man Myden said had finally come to pass!” He patted
Brian on the back. “I never thought I’d ever meet you after all these years
Brian. I was worried about dying of old age long before you came to us, but now
I’m here to help you.”

“You
know about Myden?” Brian asked.

“Yes
yes, he’s a bit on the cold side, and his telepathy is off putting at first.
But overall, he’s a decent fellow. He’s quite unlike his cursed brethren for
whom I could care less about. He wears a grey cloak and carries a strange black
staff the length he is tall, and usually has his hair cut neat with a beard and
mustache. It was odd the first time I saw a natural Grey. A shock more when he
spoke inside my head, that was really strange at first.”

“Where
do you fit in all this?” Brian asked.

“I’m
the second of the three Wisemen, although I’m not sure if we’re all supposed to
be male, so I’d rather say Wise Ones,” Grigon answered. “If Myden’s the one of
the past, then I’m to the one of the present. I gave to you the mobile suit, a
technological innovation key to defeating the Greys one day. For now I’ll help
with anything I can.”

* * *

Jesela
studied over the Phase Talon with extreme interest. Grigon entered the chamber
and saw she was alone in her work.

“You
must be the chief engineer, Jesela,” Grigon said as he approached her.

“For
now at least,” she said. “Daes is the one who’s supposed to be in charge.”

“Is
there something interesting you?” he asked while patting the Talon on the leg.

“You’ve
applied the next stage of the drive system, haven’t you?” Jesela asked. “I can
tell by how they were flying outside their power output increased by another
fifty percent or so.”

“It’s
forty seven percent to be exact,” the old birdman said. “It took me a few years
to perfect the system.”

“You’re
the opposite of Dreka,” she said. “He likes to play it safe.”

“He
was always like that,” Grigon said. “Even when he was a hatchling he made a
fuss about things. I’m not surprised he turned out that way.”

“I
also noticed the gifts on the back there,” Jesela said. She pointed at the
cargo hatch. “We’ll install the drive as soon as possible.”

“Whatever
you say,” Grigon said before pulling out a hand computer to unlock the hatch.
“Because you’re young and full of energy, I’ll leave the work to you. I’d like
to have a chance to look over your ship’s system in the meantime.”

“Whatever
you wish old man,” Jesela said teasingly. “At least now it’ll only take us six
months to get home.”

* * *

Brian,
Zae, and Celi watched Grigon chat with Jesela over the monitor in the meeting
room.

“Do
you think we can trust him?” Zae asked.

“His
DNA matches,” Celi said. “At least we know who he is.”

“We
have little choice in the matter,” Brian said. “I think we can trust him.
Actions speak louder than words.”

“True,”
Zae said. “What do you think he was doing out here all these years? And why did
he never tell anyone that he was still alive?”

“Enemies,”
Celi said. “If you look back at history, Grigon was hated by most modern scientists
because his theory on gravity drive systems was so far ahead of theirs. I’m not
an expert on how his systems work, but I do know they’ll be the basis for the
next generation of ships.”

“That’s
what he said about the Avoni,” Zae said. “He mentioned our systems need to be
upgraded.”

“Let
him,” Brian said. “I’m going to go over to his ship once repairs begin.”

“Good
idea,” Zae said.

“There’s
something else I should tell you Zae, something very important,” Brian said.

“Are
you sure Brian?” Celi asked.

“I
think it’s time to tell her,” he said. “She’s my first officer right now.”

“What’s
this about?” Zae asked.

“Celi’s
found that I contracted the plague responsible for killing the males of your
world,” he answered.

Zae
stood speechless for a moment. “How is that possible?” she asked.

“I’m
still working on it,” Celi answered. “I’m doing my best to find a cure but at
this rate his condition is deteriorating rapidly. At the current rate the
infection is spreading it’ll be terminal within six months.”

Zae
stood for a moment in silence while thinking over the situation. “How long
until your performance is affected?” she asked.

“It’s
already here,” Brian answered. “It started with headaches a few weeks ago and
now it’s affecting my balance. If Celi doesn’t inject me with a specific
cocktail of drugs each day I’d already be on the ground.”

“I
can keep him moving for the next three months and then alive for perhaps three
more,” Celi explained.

“We
shouldn’t tell the crew this until it’s absolutely necessary,” Zae said.
“Brian, you’re more than their commander, you serve as their
Maigar
.”

“That’s
why I want you to take Mira’s place for now,” Brian said. “I know five years
ago you were the runner up for the position of
Reinere
, so I’d like you
to take the position for now.”

“Are
you sure?” Zae asked. “It seems like something not important at the moment.”

“No
Zae, it’s far more important than you think,” he said. “Music for your people
is sacred and they need a priestess to tell them things are going to be
alright.”

“It
would help get their minds off the current situation,” Celi added. “I believe
it’s a good idea to try.”

“Zae,
the crew needs you,” Brian said. “And should this disease prove to be my end
someone they trust and can look to needs to be in charge. You’re the only one I
can ask to do this.”

“I’ll
do it,” she said. “But I pray this won’t be the end for you Brian.” She turned
to Celi. “I’ll make sure to keep a strong power supply to your labs Celi. Do
your best to comfort him. And may the goddess bless your mind so you can find a
cure.”

“We’re
all hoping for that,” Celi said.