Grey War Saga 1: Twilight of Innocence

by Marcus Johnson

  “Thanks,” Kivi said. “Well, I’d better get ready for the meeting. Take care of things down here Dreka.”

  “I will,” he said.

  Kivi boarded the Gemini and headed for the Columbia base in orbit. Dreka watched as the larger than normal mobile suit made its way to space.

  “With her recklessness I’ll definitely have to check in from time to time,” he said to himself.

  * * *

  Seles was finished cleaning her exoskeleton armor off in her quarters when a strange feeling hit her. She calmly grabbed her rakna blade and looked around. She glanced into a mirror and looked at her reflection. Her purple eyes and long silver blue hair looked normal, but her posture was a bit slouch due to exhaustion.

  “I must be seeing things,” Seles said to herself.

  She went to change into her sleeping clothes when the sound of distant laughter touched her ears. She shot around and gripped the rakna blade again.

  “Is someone there?” she asked. “Myden, are you messing with me?”

  “Myden can’t hear me unless I want him to,” the voice said.

  “Who are you?” Seles asked. “And why are you in my head?”

  “Once I find a place to nest in the mind of others I never leave,” the voice said. “I’ll always be with you Seles Daevon. My will is eternal and my patience as well. Brian’s lasted nearly a decade with me haunting his thoughts. Even so, it’s only a matter of time before he yields.”

  “He will never submit to something like you,” Seles said. “I won’t give in either.”

  She concentrated and let the berserk come over her. While her eyes glowed blue she sang. The sound of the music echoed through her being as the malignant voice was forced out. After it was gone she stopped the berserk but continued singing. After a few minutes she finished and took a deep breath.

  “I’ve been working on that song for weeks now and I finally have it,” Seles said. She touched her reflection in the mirror. “Is this what you’ve endured Brian? Being taunted by something beyond you all this time can’t be easy.” She paused for a moment. “I hope I can set your heart at ease.”

  * * *

  In the border region between the Confederation territories and Grey controlled space a massive fleet of ships gathered. Six planet killers and over thirty thousand carriers were in formation on the edge of a barren solar system. While ships returned from their scouting missions a flash of light revealed a seventh planet killer. This one was twice the diameter of the other six at a thousand ketres. Its outer hull was tinted red to show it was the carrier base for the Red Star General. In the center chamber stood an interface of the machine god. Thousands of Greys worked tirelessly throughout the moon sized ship. At the main control console in the center stood General Sunadin Malkas, the leader of the Red Star Knights. He was a Grey like Myden, clad in a grey cloak over a crimson exoskeleton. While he had the eyes and skin color of the other Greys, Sunadin had flowing white hair and his face was clean shaven. The general paced around the center chamber with his telepathic staff in hand. He turned about when he felt the presence of another nearby. An image of General Regen Alondes appeared next to him a moment later.

  “How are things proceeding for you General Sunadin?” Regen asked telepathically.

  “We have the estimated forces to complete the task before us,” Sunadin answered. “How fares the effort on the other front?”

  Regen smiled. “The Daemos were weak and have fallen before our forces. The Mylor resist well, while the other two are being pushed back. In addition, the twelve seeds have been put to rest.”

  “Then the only seed left are the Terrans,” Sunadin said.

  “Our lord has chosen to spare them, for what reason I can’t understand,” Regen said. “I suspect our lord wishes to torture Captain Peterson.”

  “The order to capture him has not changed,” Sunadin said. “But back to the task at hand. From here our forces will divide and attack Dega Jul first. The next system to fall will be the Kalaidians.”

  “Once Dega Jul and the Kalaidians are gone there’s nothing to stop us from eliminating the rest of the Confederation,” Regen said. “Keep at it General Sunadin.”

  “I will,” Sunadin said before Regen disappeared.

  He turned his gaze to the fleet around his ship. If this is what god commands we are powerless to resist. Our fates have been cast and where the die lands only the lord knows. He thought to himself before returning to the battle plan he was working on.

  Chapter 29 - Reorganizing the Fleet

  The command center of the Columbia base filled quickly when the captains, Myden, Grigon, Baeron, and Siata joined Veda and Reban. On the monitor were the leaders of the other seven bases. Valis quickly used the holographic table to display their current forces, along with the surviving fleets from the Reiki, Viken, and Shandi militaries. She added the Confederation forces a moment later. She touched a com to connect her with all the ships in the fleet.

  “Our meeting today deals with the chain of command,” Valis said. “Three homeworlds have fallen and their surviving military forces have agreed to join Heaven’s Light until the war is over. As such it’s prudent we set up our fleets.” She put the Siberia and Hong Kong bases to the side on the hologram. She positioned the surviving Shandi fleet with them. “Because two of our base commanders are Shandi, I feel the Shandi fleet be more comfortable taking orders from them. Shiken Ka and Miv Daek will lead this fleet. From here on we will simply refer to it as the Second fleet.”

  “Is our chain of command the same in all other regards?” Miv Daek asked.

  “Yes,” Valis answered. She then separated the Nevada and Death Valley bases and added the Viken fleet to their numbers. “Captain Lena and Captain Melana will take the Viken in as their own. You will be referred to as the Third fleet.”

  “Thanks for the reinforcements,” Lena said.

  “Agreed,” Melana added.

  Valis then separated the Sicily and Sahara bases and added the Reiki forces to their numbers. “Admiral Vikrit and Captain Sheris will take the Reiki in as their forces. You will now be referred to as the Fourth fleet.”

  “It’s long overdue we do something like this,” Vikrit cawed.

  “Agreed,” Sheris said.

  “And finally, the Columbia and Alaska bases will align with the Confederation forces,” Valis said. She positioned a pair of fleets around the two asteroid bases. “We will be referred to as the First fleet. By doing this I’m simplifying our battle plans for the future.” She looked at Siata and Baeron. “The two of you will stay in command of the remaining Confederation forces and ships of the Third Mylor fleet.”

  “As you wish,” Siata said.

  “I have a question,” Esra said as she looked over Valis’s plan.

  “Go ahead,” Valis said.

  “What do we know of the other races’ movements?” Esra asked. “And what about the Confederation forces spread throughout our territories?”

  “Communications have been disrupted heavily because of the Greys,” Valis answered. “We’ve seen their main fleets, but hundreds of smaller forces are spread out like a net. The Confederation forces are trying to establish contact with all the homeworlds right now, but it’s difficult.”

  “Then the pieces on the board are all we have to play, right?” Veda asked.

  “That sums it up,” Valis said. “Given that we don’t know where the enemy is right now I want two of our fleets to scout while the rest remain here for defense.” She looked at Shiken Ka and Miv Daek. “The second fleet will scout the areas destroyed by the Greys. The first fleet will scout the areas near Kalaidian space.”

  “How long do we have to organize our fleets?” Shiken asked.

  “A day at the most,” Valis answered.

  “We’ll be ready in twelve hours then,” Shiken said.

  * * *

  Seles and Kyli were in the simulator room on the Columbia base. They and dozens of other pilots were taking some time to
work on their piloting. The two stepped inside a pair of simulators next to each other and accessed the virtual battlefields. Both appeared to be piloting a standard Phase Rakna with Grey ships in mobile suit form surrounding them.

  “It’s getting trickier as they get smarter,” Kyli said.

  “That’s why we have to train like this,” Seles said. “Now, how’s your berserking coming along?”

  “I’m still hesitant to use it in battle,” Kyli admitted. “But the singing thing works.”

  “In our upcoming battles we’re going to need to upgrade our abilities,” Seles said.

  “Then why don’t you use the Artemis in here?” Kyli asked. “I’ve been asking to access the simulated version for months now.”

  “Valis doesn’t want the pilots of the normal mobile suits using them yet,” Seles said. “But I have heard a rumor that back on the homeworld the Kalaidian military is working to mass produce mobile suits similar to the Aegis and Artemis.”

  “I’m surprised we haven’t done that yet,” Kyli said.

  “It’s always money when it comes to things like this,” Seles said. “Veda would outfit the whole organization if she could. But to get back to our simulation, I’ll switch over to the Artemis.”

  A ring came over their simulators com. Meldi and Myli appeared from machines next to theirs.

  “Would you like to spar?” Meldi asked.

  “She’s determined to take you on Seles,” Myli said.

  “What are our parameters?” Seles asked.

  “I’ll fight in a simulated Mjolnir, you can use the Artemis, and our friends their Phase Raknas,” Meldi said. “How does that sound to you?”

  “It’s a deal,” Seles said. “Our battlefield will be a shattered moon. By the way Meldi, why are you spoiling for a fight?”

  “It’s practical Seles,” Meldi said. “If the Greys can copy our standard mobile suits there’s a chance they’ll be able to do the same with our special models. In that event it’s important we know how to fight them effectively.”

  “She’s ahead of the game,” Kyli said.

  “I keep telling her that but she doesn’t listen,” Myli said.

  “I listen well enough,” Meldi said. “Let’s begin the battle in five minutes. That should give each side a chance to come up with a plan.”

  “Five minutes is more than enough,” Seles said.

  * * *

  Confederation headquarters was still in orbit of Dega Jul. The numbers of ships coming and going were increasing by the hour as they took in refugees. From his private chambers Lord Kris watched the unfolding events. After watching the video of the Reiki, Viken, and Shandi homeworlds he turned the monitor off. A moment later Myden stepped out of the shadows.

  “It’s been a long time General Myden,” Kris said.

  “Two thousand and thirty one years ago last month to be exact,” Myden said.

  Kris laughed. “We should know because we signed the peace treaty.”

  “It was a good run between wars,” Myden said. “Unfortunately this time I have little influence negotiating a peace.”

  “Your intentions are enigmatic anyways,” Kris said. “Tell me, do we have a chance?”

  “There’s always a chance,” Myden answered. “Without even knowing it Veda Kein discovered the path to victory. The final step is their awakening in mass.”

  “That’s a dangerous gamble,” Kris said. “But we have little choice but to try it at this juncture.”

  “Things must be bad on the other side of the galaxy if you’re talking like this,” Myden said.

  “My people pride themselves on their prowess in battle,” Kris said. “But the line is being pushed back on all fronts by the day. We have to find a way to put the pressure back on the Naerendi forces. Are you sure you can’t contact any of your people who’re free?”

  “The last contact I had with anyone of my own species was over fifteen hundred years ago,” Myden said. “That colony ship used the last of its energy to make the leap to Kelden.”

  “The Avar were forced from Kelden because of your people shortly before that,” Kris said. “Will Alden’s fate the same? Will we be clinging to our lives as we flee the onslaught?”

  “The Teacher’s plan is still going,” Myden said.

  “That human was a foolish idealist,” Kris said. “Much like Captain Peterson is. The difference is one survived the change and the other didn’t.”

  “Better he be a foolish idealist than a jaded realist,” Myden said. “I know because I’ve lived too long.”

  “True,” Kris said. “Our fate is in that young Terran’s hands. But enough of this, I want to catch up while we have the chance.”

  “It has been a long time,” Myden said.

  * * *

  Hours had passed since the four pilots began their simulated battle in the remains of a shattered moon. Both Kyli and Myli were long finished and sitting outside the simulators. The other pilots were curious about what was going on when Myli put the battle on the monitors. Both the simulated Mjolnir and Artemis had suffered a great amount of damage while Meldi and Seles traded pulse fire with their rifles.

  Kyli shook her head. “I’ve never seen anyone give Seles this kind of run.”

  “I take pride in my skill as a pilot but those two are a cut above me,” Myli said. “And I’m not going use the excuse that their mobile suits are better. You’ve got to fight with what you have after all.”

  “We did last a few hours,” Kyli said. “It was the reflector plates that did me in.”

  “The arrow system got me,” Myli said.

  The simulated battle on the screen was near its end. The Mjolnir had nothing left to do but circle around and charge one last time with its blade drawn. The Artemis turned and readied to fire an arrow shot. At the distance the Mjolnir was at it wouldn’t be able to dodge in time. The arrow fired straight into the Mjolnir. As the green and white mobile suit was destroyed it threw its sword into the Artemis’s chest. Both mobile suits were finished when the simulated battle ended. Both Seles and Meldi emerged a moment later looking quite tired and surprised at the crowd cheering.

  “You got me,” Meldi said.

  “I didn’t escape either,” Seles said.

  “You two looked great in there,” Kyli said.

  “It was an interesting match,” Myli added.

  “So why did you charge me anyway?” Seles asked. “You could’ve continued using the rifle.”

  “One of your arrows damaged the power systems,” Meldi said. “At half power there was no way I could trade pulse fire with the Artemis. My best option at that point was to get into melee.” She smiled at Seles. “Next time have your sword ready.”

  “I’ll remember that,” Seles said. “Now I’m going to find one of the cafeterias here on the base.”

  “We’ll join you,” Myli said.

  “I’m starving,” Kyli said.

  Kyli and Myli headed out first while the crowd in the simulator room dispersed. Meldi noticed something about how Seles looked that alerted her.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked.

  “I talked to Baeron a few days ago,” Seles said.

  “I understand,” Meldi said. “The future is something to look forward and the present is all we have. Baeron saved me Seles, in more ways than one. But now that you know my secret you have to tell me one of yours.”

  Seles smiled. “I’ll get back to you on that. By the way, you’re one hell of a pilot.”

  “Thank you,” Meldi said. “I’m just trying to fill in for Brian as best I can.” The two headed for the cafeteria behind Myli and Kyli. “Did he ever tell you why he chose me to pilot the Mjolnir?”

  “No,” Seles said. “He did say something about dreaming about it and that you were the pilot.”

  “That’s all?” she asked.

  “That’s all,” Seles answered.

  “I guess I’ll have to leave it at that,” Meldi said.

  Chapter 30 - The Second
Wave

  The Siberia and Hong Kong bases gravity jumped into the Reiki home system with over a thousand Shandi ships around them. Shiken Ka and Commander Serin were hard at work when the image appeared on the monitor. Hovering over the now dead homeworld of the octopi people were three planet killers and over ten thousand carriers. Swarms of smaller attack ships went in and out of the scorched atmosphere of the planet. When Serin zoomed in the image they saw flashes of light below the atmosphere.

  “What do you think they’re doing?” Serin asked.

  “If I was to guess they’re finishing off the Reiki on the surface,” Shiken said.

  “Such savagery,” Serin said.

  “Yes, and they won’t stop here,” Shiken said. “They’ll move on to the next homeworld to do the same soon enough.”

  The scanners went crazy when another object appeared near the other three planet killers. It was a sphere like them but twice the diameter with a red hue on its hull. Miv Daek appeared on the screen from the other base.

  “We should scan that thing as much as possible,” she suggested.

  “Agreed,” Shiken said.

  “I’m on it,” Serin said.

  “Are they ignoring us?” Miv asked.

  “Our current force is not a threat,” Shiken said.

  “Admiral, I’m getting some very odd readings from the red planet killer,” Serin said. “Its power output is eight times more when compared the others.”

  “Did you say eight times?” Miv scoffed. “How are we supposed to fight it?”

  The red planet killer gravity jumped away a moment later.

  “Seems we won’t have right now,” Shiken said. “If it’s a command base then they won’t send it into battle until it’s necessary. For now we should plan for the force right in front of us.”

  The Grey ships turned and headed for the bases and fleet.

  “Looks like we’ve been spotted,” Miv said.