Grey War Saga 1: Twilight of Innocence

by Marcus Johnson

“We will do the same,” Ulad said. “As of now the remaining warriors of this world swear loyalty to you and Heaven’s Light.”

  He reached out and shook her hand. “When victory comes I hope to stand here again with you prime minister.”

  “And to you as well Captain Peterson,” Ulad said.

  * * *

  The launching bay of the Avoni was in a panicked state as the engineers added a refitted Novaguard to each of the Phase Raknas. For the Mjolnir, Aegis, and Minerva a pair of Novaguards was attached to their hulls. Meldi sat inside the Mjolnir adjusting the systems when Daes popped her head in.

  “Is everything faring well?” she asked.

  “Looks green to me,” Meldi said.

  “Good,” Daes said. “With these improvements you’ll have more attack and shield power.”

  “I always hoped we’d be able to use them,” Meldi said. “I like you well enough Mjolnir, but I miss my Nova at times.”

  “I understand,” Mjolnir said. “I’ve learned the sentimentality of things over the years.”

  “Do you miss having him as your pilot?” Meldi asked.

  “Not as much as I used to,” Mjolnir said. “You’re a lot prettier anyway.”

  Both Daes and Meldi laughed.

  “Well, I’d better get going,” Daes said. “I have a thousand adjustments to make and only two hands.”

  “If you need any help I’m right here,” Meldi said.

  “Thanks for the offer,” Daes said before leaving.

  Meldi sighed before running her hand through her long dark blue hair. She stood up to stretch before sitting in the seat to work some more.

  “Tell me, why did you grow your hair long?” Mjolnir asked.

  “You’re a mobile suit, so you don’t understand things like that, do you?” she asked.

  “No,” Mjolnir said.

  Meldi looked at her reflection in the metal of the arm rest. “I grew it because I felt I needed a change in my life.” She looked at the monitor. “Sometimes, beings of my nature like to move things around in their lives.”

  “Interesting,” Mjolnir said.

  Someone tapped on the leg of the mobile suit.

  “Meldi, you’ve got a guest,” Myli said.

  Meldi looked out and saw Commander Baeron. After using the elevator cord to get to the ground she noticed his towering height.

  “I’ll leave the two of you alone now,” Myli said before running back to her Phase Rakna.

  “It’s been awhile,” Meldi said.

  “You’ve gotten a lot taller,” the bearman said.

  She smiled. “I was only ten when you saved me.”

  “No, you saved me,” Baeron said. He took a wrapped object from his back and handed it to her. “It sat in the evidence room for over twenty years.”

  She removed the cloth around the object and found it was an old but still sharp zenti axe.

  “Is this?” she asked.

  “Yes,” Baeron said. “These times are the darkest of them all Meldi. That axe saved you once before. I hope it saves you again.”

  She slung the axe over her back using the shoulder strap. “I don’t know what to say at times like this,” she said.

  “You should say thanks,” Baeron said.

  She took his hands. “Then thank you Baeron. Next time we’re free we should get together and catch up on things.”

  “I look forward to it,” the Minan said before leaving her.

  Meldi took the axe and stared at it with tears in her blue eyes. Myli came back and saw her friend looking the way she was.

  “Meldi,” Myli said.

  “I’m alright,” Meldi said. “For her sake I need to keep moving.”

  Myli hugged her friend tightly. “Always remember you have friends.”

  “I know,” she said.

  “Have you told him?” Myli asked.

  “I will when the time’s right,” Meldi said.

  * * *

  Regen Alondes stood in the command center of the Black Star, the flagship of the Naerendi Empire. Around him and throughout the thousand ketre diameter planet killer thousands of lesser Greys milled about at work. The general pulled out his telepathic staff and swirled it around himself in a practice flurry before the intelligence reports came in. He smiled in admiration at the defense the Confederation forces, along with Heaven’s Light, were putting up. He stared with his large black eyes at the Freedom as it fought, glowing with bright green light. I waited for such a warrior for a very long time. I can see his wings are ready to spread and fly across the battlefield. A glorious victory awaits us. But even so, I want a fight. I thank you Brian Peterson for giving us one. My lord has called for destruction. And so we shall deal it. As long as the other five are occupied with three of our armies we only need to apply the right amount of pressure and the Confederation will fall. The general smiled to himself and chuckled. That old man is still mucking about. I wonder what he’s doing these days.

  Across the distance of space Myden meditated in his quarters alone. He concentrated his mental energy to appear before the Black Star General in his usual grey robe.

  “I’m still quite alive Regen,” Myden said.

  “It’s been sixteen hundred years since we last spoke,” Regen said.

  “You’re still a slave to a machine,” Myden said.

  “And you’re still a fool to oppose god,” Regen said.

  “The machine is not a god, both of us know who it really is,” Myden said.

  “Either way he is a god when compared to the rest of us,” Regen said. “Those who are superior should rule after all.”

  Myden chuckled. “You don’t understand anything, not even after all this time. Know that we will not give in easily. This war will drag on for eternity if it must, but you will lose.”

  “Is it because you have him at your side you feel so confident?” Regen asked.

  Myden grinned. “No, it’s because I have them at my side. Brian is but one, should he fall, many will rise. You can’t stop the tide of history Regen. This world will change, be it by his hand or another’s.”

  “We shall see,” Regen said while Myden faded away.

  Myden opened his eyes after moving back into his physical body. He stood up and stretched as he looked out his window to the city outside.

  “I was wrong,” he said to himself. “The sojourn wasn’t his time.” He pulled out his telepathic staff and swirled it around himself. “Forget it; the future is what matters, not the past. His fate is his own and so is mine.”

  * * *

  Seles was in her quarters working on some music when a buzz came at door.

  “It’s me,” Mira said.

  “Come in,” Seles said while she adjusted a few notes.

  Mira came in and took a look before nodding her head.

  “You’ve gotten really good at composing music,” she said.

  “I’m better at this then singing,” Seles admitted.

  “You give yourself too little credit,” Mira said. “By the way, Kivi told me about your swordplay. We’ll fix you up when we have some time off.”

  “It might be awhile,” Seles said. “I don’t see this war ending anytime soon.” She stood up to shake off the fatigue. “So what did you want to talk about?”

  “Oh…that,” Mira said. “It’s getting worse again.”

  “I know,” Seles said. “Last night he stared into the mirror for over an hour.”

  Mira sighed. “Physically there’s nothing wrong with him. But I can see a dark shadow haunts his soul.”

  “When you’re with him keep him grounded,” Seles said. “Tell him to listen to you and only you. He needs to remember he’s still alive.”

  “I hate talking about the heavy stuff,” Mira admitted. “It’s not my favorite thing.”

  “I doubt anybody really likes it,” Seles said. “Just give him an honest smile and he’ll melt in your hands.”

  “You know this from experience?” Mira asked.

 
Seles laughed. “No, it’s because you’re prettier than I am.”

  “You’re selling yourself short again,” Mira said.

  The two laughed for a bit.

  “Thanks Mira,” Seles said. “Are you hungry? I haven’t had breakfast yet.”

  “I was just heading there,” Mira said.

  Chapter 12 - Siberia Returns

  In the border region between Grey controlled space and the Confederation territories was the Siberia base of Heaven’s Light. The asteroid base controlled twenty five Avoni class Kalaidian ships and twenty five Gant class Shandi ships. The entire force was outside with nearly two thousand mobile suits and mobile armors alongside them. In the command center Shiken Ka acted as the leader, with a Kalaidian commander named Serin as his first officer. He wore a specially made set of black and gold exoskeleton armor over his body with a falchion on his back. Serin wore the typical uniform of a Kalaidian officer with a circlet and two leaves showing her rank. She kept her silvery white hair shoulder length and had blue eyes. Surrounding the now calm base was the wreckage of a Grey fleet.

  “Looks like the Seaki have been busy in this area,” Shiken said.

  “This is the sixth one in three days,” Serin said. “Admiral, should we head back?”

  “After doing as much as we have, yes,” Shiken said.

  “We have yet to take any casualties as well,” Serin said.

  “That’s only because we loaded the border region bases with nuclear missiles,” Shiken said. “We have none left and I’m out of traps to set on the Greys.”

  “You must have learned a lot working with Captain Valis all these years,” Serin said.

  “More from defeat than victory,” Shiken said. “When the last of our scouts have returned use the rapid response system and head for Dega Jul.”

  “Of course sir,” Serin said.

  A few hours passed before the all of their scouting ships were back. When they readied to depart something appeared on the scanners. Both Shiken and Serin carefully watched as something came out of gravity jump. There were four planet killers with twenty thousand carriers in formation.

  “Where are they headed?” Shiken asked.

  “From their movement pattern I’d say Dega Jul,” Serin said.

  “I feel the same,” Shiken said. “Let’s go.”

  “We’re on our way,” Serin said.

  The Siberia base collected all its ships and mobile suits before gravity jumping ten times in a row on route for the Degan system.

  * * *

  The command center of the Columbia base filled up after Brian, Valis, Kivi, El Kar, Esra, Grigon, Baeron, and Myden joined Veda and Reban. Brian looked at Kivi.

  “Where’s Dreka?” he asked.

  “He says he’d rather do maintenance work then attend these,” Kivi said.

  A number of the others smiled at the comment.

  “Well, the rest of us don’t have that luxury,” El Kar said.

  “So what are we talking about?” Esra asked.

  “The business at hand I suppose,” Baeron added in.

  Veda and Reban finished putting in all their available data on the Grey’s movements. The holographic table displayed the regions already ravaged by the war.

  “As all of you can see with the destruction of the Reiki and Viken, the Greys have three clear paths to take next,” Valis said. She moved the pieces around to show the Grey fleets moving from the Viken territories to the three next largest areas. “The closest area to attack is Shandi territory. The second closest are the neutral areas around the Degan system. And finally, Kalaidian controlled space. From what we’ve seen the Greys are most likely to attack either the Shandi or Degan areas.”

  “They seem to saving our people for last,” Esra said.

  “It looks that way,” Kivi added.

  “Why are they avoiding Kalaidia?” Veda asked.

  “It’s because of the events set into motion when Brian first went there,” Valis said. “Kalaidia was targeted for annihilation before the war even started.”

  “If it wasn’t for the last blessing of Gaelic Kein your people would be dead by now,” Brian said.

  “We were also the second race to obtain mobile suit technology,” Valis said. “They likely view Kalaidia as a tough spot and plan to surround it before destroying it.”

  “What about the Malcovin and Ick-Tckt?” Baeron asked. “Surely they won’t abandon the rest of us.”

  “That’s not the issue with them,” Valis said. “Only Heaven’s Light has bases capable of moving tremendous distances in a short time. It will probably take their militaries another three weeks to organize and move out. Many of the other races have militaries as well, but none of them are as well equipped.”

  “If Shandi and Dega are the likely targets where should we head?” Brian asked.

  “I’d say Dega Jul for now,” Valis said. “Shandi Prime is close enough that our bases can reach it using the rapid response system. No matter which way the Greys choose we’ll know and act accordingly.”

  * * *

  Trai Gor, the premier of the Shandi people, stood alone in an ancient pyramid outside the capital city of his people. When he entered the chamber with Brian’s and the Maidens’ statues he gazed at the visage of the human warrior. A moment later Myden’s projected image emerged from the shadows. The old Shandi grinned upon the sight of his friend.

  “It’s been a few years since we spoke,” Trai Gor said.

  “Too long my friend,” Myden said. “Has everything been prepared?”

  “This entire place will be ripped from the ground and brought to Kalmar,” Trai Gor said.

  “You know why, don’t you?” Myden asked.

  The old Shandi nodded. “The Greys will come here in force. Even with our best warriors this planet can’t stand against them alone.” He looked at Brian’s statue. “Heaven’s Light will be forced to protect Dega Jul. I can see as much from my years as a warrior.” He narrowed his eyes. “Even so, we will fight to the last man, woman, and child if need be. This is the soil that gave us life. As its children we are obligated to defend it.”

  “We will try our best to help,” Myden said.

  “The long night has come upon us so quickly,” Trai Gor said. He looked at the statue of Brian again. “At least we have a light to lead us through it.” He sighed before turning to Myden. “Tell me, why do you need this place?”

  “It acts as the nexus of the Warrior and the Maidens,” Myden said. “That was its original intent. But as time moves things change.”

  “Are you talking about Brian?” Trai Gor asked.

  “Yes,” Myden said. “Before this started he came to me in the dead of night and said something.”

  “What was it?” Trai Gor asked.

  “When the brother and sister are at war five knights will stand to save them both,” Myden said. “The Knights will be the Dragon, the Whitehawk, the Hammer, and the Twin Serpents.”

  “It’s as cryptic as what the Teacher said,” Trai Gor observed.

  “I know who the Whitehawk and the Hammer are, but not the last two,” Myden admitted. “When I pressed him on what he meant he told me to focus on the coming storm.”

  “So even an old man like you can’t figure it out, can you?” Trai Gor asked.

  “Not all of it, at least, not yet,” Myden said. “But I know the Warrior will not be alone in this place someday. So we need to preserve it for that time.”

  “It will be done,” Trai Gor said.

  Before leaving Myden turned to face the old Shandi again, “Are you going to fight?”

  “As I said, every man, woman, and child will give to the cause of saving this planet,” Trai Gor answered.

  “Then farewell if we don’t see each other again,” Myden said.

  “Farewell to you old man,” Trai Gor said.

  After Myden disappeared the room lit up. When Trai Gor lifted his hand to block the light he saw the figure of a Kalaidian woman wearing armor with th
e motif of a hawk with an axe in her hands; when the light faded her hair and eyes shown as blue as the ocean. The old Shandi stared, transfixed by the image. A moment later it disappeared as well. He smiled as he left.

  “Perhaps Kali is real, or maybe I’m not getting enough sleep,” the old Shandi chuckled to himself.

  * * *

  The Columbia base appeared in orbit of Dega Jul. Guarding the planet in various positions were the other seven asteroid bases of Heaven’s Light. A com channel opened to Veda and Reban in the command center. Shiken Ka and Commander Serin were on the other side in their command center.

  “We were wondering what happened to you,” Veda said.

  “We’ve fought our share of foes on the way home,” Shiken said. “We also bring bad news.”

  The screen split to show the footage of the four planet killers and twenty thousand carriers.

  “This is bad news,” Veda said.

  “We’ve reviewed the situation here as well,” Shiken said. “I’m sorry for the Reiki and Viken.”

  “You were doing as ordered,” Veda said. “From here on the eight bases act as one.”

  “As one we shall be,” Shiken said. “By the way, tell that Terran to answer his com more often. I need to talk with him.”

  “Brian gets that way at times,” Veda said. “I’ll pass on the message.”

  “That’s all I ask,” Shiken said.

  * * *

  In Brian’s quarters on the Freedom he and Mira were getting warmed up when the com rang. Seeing as it wasn’t an emergency he casually ignored it while the two kissed. She pulled away and gazed into his eyes.

  “That might be Shiken Ka,” Mira said.

  “He’ll understand,” Brian said with a smile.

  “I’m alright with it then,” she said as she smiled back. “I have a request, no talking to the mirror tonight, okay?”

  He ran his hand through her long pink hair. “As long as you’re close to me I won’t wander away.”

  * * *

  Seles and Jesela were outside Brian’s quarters before leaving.