Valis’s voice came over the com, “Lieutenant Mira, I’d like to speak with you in my quarters right away.”
Mira looked a little confused as she emerged from the Mjolnir. Seles looked up as Mira took the elevator cord to the ground.
“Did you do something wrong?” Seles asked.
“Not that I know of,” Mira answered. She dusted off the sand on her clothes. “I guess I’ll see you two later.” Mira took her leave. She smiled and waved at Brian as the door closed behind her.
“Strange,” Brian said before wincing. “That fall isn’t agreeing with me at all.”
“Then let’s get you to Celi,” Seles said as she led Brian by the hand.
* * *
Mira hit the buzzer on Valis’s door.
“Come in,” Valis said as she opened the door. The large room was dark, lit only by the monitor on the computer.
“What can I do for you Valis?” Mira asked curiously.
“Explain this,” Valis said before changing the monitor to a picture of Mira Kein a hundred and fifty seven years earlier.
Mira shook her head. “I was hoping you’d never find out about that.”
“It’s not difficult to figure out once you’ve mentioned it to a few people,” Valis said, walking up close to Mira. “How is possible you didn’t age?”
“When the accident happened my father sealed me away in a secure location to heal in cold sleep. Unfortunately, he died without telling anyone where I was. So I slept Valis, I slept for a hundred and fifty years. I don’t know exactly how I was discovered but I found myself in the captivity of some Reiki scientists. I spent maybe a year under their care as they studied me. I escaped to find I was on Dega Jul. I was alone, confused, out of time. I was taken in by Jesela and trained at the Kein academy to be a medic.”
Valis stepped closer and ran her hand behind Mira’s ear to check for the mark. She grabbed the captain’s hand.
“Don’t touch me!”
Valis backed away. “I’m sorry,” she said. “Tell me, what’s the secret you’re keeping with Brian? He knows something and won’t say anything about it.”
“That’s between him and me,” Mira stared Valis down, “I won’t say anymore. If I must I’ll leave.”
Valis backed off after seeing the battle was lost. “On another subject, you do know you have rightful claim to our family’s title and wealth. Veda would have to recognize your position within the family.”
“Long ago I gave up my name. I live only for my friends now,” Mira said. “Anyways, Veda was always better at running the house.”
“I take it that you don’t care for the intrigue?”
Mira nodded. “That’s the nice way of putting it. I was nearly killed the first time because of family intrigue; I want nothing more to do with it.”
“Thank you,” Valis said. “I promise to not say anything to Veda or the others about you Mira, but in time they will find out about you.
“I know,” Mira said. “Someday soon I’ll have to face reality, but for now, I’ll hide in the shadows.”
“Alright, you can go now, but please send me that report quickly.”
“Of course,” Mira said as she left the room.
Valis sat in thought of a long while. She felt the Avoni gravity jump as she did so. Taking another sip of wine, she stared at the pictures of her youth and gazed into Queen Celestia’s image. What should I do? As she stood up to look at the picture up close her eyes were drawn to a new picture on the far end of the shelf, one with the image of Brian before the High Council. Her fingers stretched over his image, with a smile coming over her. As she was did so a message came over the com.
“All officers report to battle stations,” Kivi commanded.
Chapter 29 - The Hawk and the Hammer
“Captain, it looks like we’re surrounded,” Zae reported.
Next to the Avoni were three Kalaidian vessels, as well as Shiken Ka’s pair of ships, the Gigos, and a smaller, light class ship. Zae rolled the picture of the monitor and showed a number of ships positioned around their small fleet.
“I’m counting six Jckta class vessels and three Geld class ships. All enemy ships are launching their smaller attack vessels,” Kivi reported.
Valis sat in thought for a moment, calculating what to do. She drew up a quick formation and sent it to the main monitor. The formation looked like a triangle pointing down, with the three Kalaidian ships at the front, the Gigos in the center and the Avoni at the rear. She moved the screen to show where they were supposed to go.
“I take we’re in the rear because of the Mjolnir?” Kivi asked.
Valis smiled, “Yes. We also have another ace up our sleeve.”
“The Zero’s complete?” Kivi asked.
“Yes. We’ll deploy the Mjolnir to support the smaller Shandi ship. Seles and the Novas will remain behind to guard the Avoni.” Valis stood up and put her hand on Zae’s shoulder. “Send the battle plan to the other ships.”
“I’m on it captain,” Zae answered before delivering the battle formation to the rest of the ships. It only took a few seconds for the other ships to move into formation, following Valis’s lead perfectly.
* * *
Seles noticed the alert and headed to the fighter bay when her wrist communicator went off.
“Seles, please head to the Zero and deploy immediately,” Valis commanded over the communicator.
“It hasn’t been tested yet,” Seles said as she headed to the cargo bay.
“Daes has assured me everything’s ready,” Valis said. “If we’re going to test it, it’s better to try it in a real battle. You’ll lead the defensive position with the Novas.”
“Yes captain,” Seles said as she went into the cargo bay. A number of engineers were scrambled about to making last minute adjustments to the Mjolnir and Zero. Daes ran over to Seles and handed her a flight suit.
“Valis always does things like this at the last minute,” Daes said.
“But that’s part of the fun of serving under her,” Jesela said as she joined them.
“Was Brian already here?” Seles asked. She finished zipping up her pilot suit.
Daes nodded. “I gave him a replacement set of armor. You’ll find the Zero’s systems are complete and the Q-Drive is fully charged.”
Seles placed her foot on the elevator cord. As she was taken to the cockpit she noticed a number the engineers hard at work making four more Phase Raknas. How many new engineers did Valis hire for this? She thought as she entered the cockpit. It looked identical to the Mjolnir’s, save that it was sized for a Kalaidian. She activated the mobile suit’s systems and quickly checked all functions. She noticed a gauge showing the operating time remaining. She closed the hatch and opened a com channel outside.
“Everything’s good to go Daes.”
Daes and the others backed away to let Seles walk the suit to the exit port. The Mjolnir launched first and headed for the smaller Shandi ship. Seles moved the Zero into position and launched into space. She flew to the head of the Novaguard squadrons and turned on her com.
“This is Seles calling all squad leaders.”
“We’re here,” Myli said.
“I’m a little jealous of that new craft you have their lieutenant,” Kaela said with a wink.
“I think all of us are really,” added Meldi.
Seles smiled. “I wish each of you had one as your craft, but it’ll take some time and a lot of money.”
“Anything special planned?” Myli asked.
“No, take standard defensive positions around the Avoni. Anything major becomes my target.”
“Yes lieutenant,” all of them answered.
* * *
“It appears they’re using the battle plan I predicted,” Riga said over the com. Dreka sat in the cockpit of his completed Talon.
“That means their weak point will be the smallest ship,” Dreka said.
“That’s the most likely spot for your quarry,” Riga said.
Dreka cawed. “Good, I look forward to fighting him on even terms this time.”
“Even isn’t good enough,” Riga said. “You must defeat him or we’ll lose this battle.”
“In the name of my grandfather I’ll have my vengeance,” Dreka said.
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.”
Chapter 30 - Politics as Unusual
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 s
tatus 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.”
Heaven Saga 2: Sands of Aquarius Page 15
