Grey War Saga 1: Twilight of Innocence

by Marcus Johnson

  “Of course Valis,” Veda said. “I know I didn’t show the love and care I should have when you were younger. I’m sorry Valis, and I love you.”

  “Now stop that grandmother,” Valis said. “This isn’t the time to say our goodbyes.”

  “I know, but I can’t help myself,” Veda said. She turned to the monitor. “It looks like our enemy is here.”

  Valis looked at her scanner. “Yes they are.”

  At three separate points around Dega Jul a planet killer with five thousand carriers appeared. The eight bases of Heaven’s Light and its allies headed for the closest planet killer. The Third Mylor fleet and the Confederation forces headed for the second planet killer. The Vomada flew off on its own with Grigon as the lone living officer onboard. From the surface of Dega Jul a number of transport ships met the old Malcovin ship. Their bay doors opened to reveal a thousand Phase Talons set for autopilot. A number of older ships retrofitted with the best pulse weapons they could find launched from the surface as well. The fleet of derelicts joined the Vomada as it went to hold off the third planet killer.

  Valis touched the com. “Brian, it’s time you do your thing.”

  “I’m ready,” Brian said.

  * * *

  The Artemis and Siren joined the Minerva, Gemini, and Aegis as they approached the enemy. Seles used the reflector plates with her rifle and fired at the enemy before they could close in. As the Greys approached their smaller attack ships emanated energy to assume a look like a mobile suit. The Artemis’s shots each took out two or three enemy ships before the fleet began exchanging fire. Once the battle commenced Brian appeared on everyone’s monitor.

  “Today is the day we strike back my friends,” he said. “Behind us is Dega Jul. We will not abandon it nor will we let it come to the same fate as the other worlds the Greys have destroyed.” He drew his sword and pointed it at the planet killer. “If there is nowhere to run then we will charge forward and give everything for victory.” His eye began glowing as the Hades system activated on the Freedom. “Let us stand together as brothers and sisters in sorrow. The dead shall be avenged. This I promise. Now sing my friends! Sing with all your heart and show the Greys what hope is!”

  Veda began the chant again to unite the Kalaidians. As each of the ladies of Kali joined the chorus their allies began songs and poetics of their own. All of the bases of Heaven’s Light glowed when they activated their Hades systems. The four ships near the Freedom did the same. One by one the Maidens eyes began glowing as they turned their special systems on and led the charge. From each of the eight bases a thousand Keinien androids turned on and gravity jumped into the nearest planet killer. Once inside they disrupted everything they could inside the massive ship. Its main cannon turned off after the security systems were forced to cope with the android invaders. Seles smiled when she looked at Brian one more time. Thanks you big fool. She thought as the Maidens charged in first.

  * * *

  Grigon sat in the captain’s chair of the Vomada with a number of the ragtag ship captains on the screen. After giving them their orders they vanished from the monitors. In place of the officers were droids that resembled Malcovin soldiers. After programming in the first attack pattern Grigon sat back and relaxed.

  “You seem confident,” Dreka said as he walked in.

  “I thought you were with the Raulno,” Grigon said.

  “Kaela can take care of things there,” Dreka said. “Captain Kivi gave me the go ahead on a field test.”

  “This isn’t like you Dreka,” Grigon cawed. “You were the type to always go slow and cautious.”

  “All the years of working with you and Jesela are wearing me down,” Dreka said.

  The first line of automated Talons charged into the third planet killer’s fleet. The mobile suits moved much faster than they could with a living pilot. The planet killer stopped dead in its tracks. Inside of it another eight thousand Keinien androids from the bases were running amok.

  “Looks like Veda’s army has them pinned down inside the beast,” Grigon cawed.

  “She’s as good at artificial intelligence programming as you are,” Dreka said.

  “You’ll catch up with time,” Grigon said. “By the way, what are you testing in a battle like this?”

  “The Talon I’ve been working on for the last few years,” Dreka said. “I’ve equipped it with a heavy class drive like the special models.”

  “That can’t be it,” Grigon said.

  “No, you’ll just have to watch as I fight,” Dreka said.

  “Then go and give the Greys a bill,” Grigon said. “They owe us one life for each they’ve taken from us.”

  “Thanks,” Dreka said.

  A minute later Dreka’s specially modified Talon took off to join the automated ones in battle. Grigon noticed the Talon in question carried an oversized keiker pike in both hands, while one of the hands had larger than standard claws.

  “Interesting choice,” Grigon cawed.

  * * *

  Brian stood on the bridge of the Freedom with Myden and Jesela working away. Behind them the four droids did their part as well. All of the forces of Heaven’s Light followed the Maidens while they charged straight into the enemy formation. With their cannons clearing a path they moved forward while the planet killer wasn’t moving. Over the com all of their allies kept their songs going, which had the same effect of slowing the Greys movements due to confusion. Brian adjusted the aim of the cannon and fired the massive beam into a swarm of ships and carriers trying to surround the Maidens. All of the mobile suits stuck to their ships or stayed in tight formations.

  “How are you feeling?” Jesela asked.

  “I’m fine,” Brian said. “But thanks for asking.” He felt a wave in his mind when a number of the Kalaidian pilots began berserking. “It’s working.”

  “I feel a lot of minds now,” Myden said.

  “I know what this is,” Jesela said. “Is this what Valis was planning on?”

  “Hoped for, but not planned,” Myden said.

  The berserking Kalaidian pilots were moving noticeably faster than the others and were quite a menace for the Grey ships. Brian narrowed his eyes when he looked at the motionless planet killer.

  “I can see the androids inside,” he said. “They’re proving to be well worth the investment.”

  “You can see them?” Jesela asked.

  “Perceive would be a better term,” Brian admitted. “From the way the two closest planet killers are acting I’d say both are having issues. And the greatest weakness for the Greys is their inability to adapt to changing situations quickly.”

  “Was it always like this?” Jesela asked.

  “No, not for all of us anyway,” Myden answered.

  Brian fired the cannon at another mass of enemies trying to swarm around the Maidens. He felt pressure in his head when a wave of mental energy flew out from the planet killers. The flow seemed to unite the Greys and allowed them to move faster again.

  “I was hoping they wouldn’t be able to do that,” Brian said.

  “It’s only a temporary measure,” Myden said. “We should keep the songs going.”

  “I’m sure they would even if we told them to stop,” Brian said.

  * * *

  Far away from the battle around Dega Jul, General Sunadin meditated in his quarters in the Red Star. Using his power he was able to project himself near the battle as it occurred. Seeing the disruptive force from the enemy ships and their music, he used his power to focus his soldiers on the battle rather than the mental noise. When he turned to do the same with the other planet killers an image of Myden appeared in front of him.

  “You will not win this Sunadin,” Myden said telepathically. “The Warrior has come, so have the Five Maidens and the Wisemen. The twenty seven stars have gathered behind his flag.”

  “Our lord has ordered us to do this,” Sunadin said. “We can’t escape the wrath of god.”

  “You will never find salv
ation bowing to a false deity Sunadin,” Myden said. “He can save you and all the others from this fate.”

  “Our fates were determined a long time ago Myden,” Sunadin said. “I’ve accepted mine and so must you.”

  “You’re wrong,” Myden said. “But you always were a stubborn one. Now leave this battlefield at once. This is our victory to claim.”

  Sunadin felt a surge of mental energy from Myden and found himself lying on the ground in the Red Star. His mind was reeling and for the first time in sixteen hundred years he didn’t hear the machine god in his mind. But as he felt relief the pounding of its presence filled him again. In frustration the general drew his staff out and began practicing with it. My fate was sealed on that day Myden. Words alone can’t change that, only actions. Sunadin thought as he sparred with the air.

  Chapter 33 - Blue-eyed Defenders

  Dreka was far away from the others while they berserked but still felt it in his mind. As the chorus of Kalaidians echoed inside him his eyes started glowing blue. The red feathered birdman felt time slow down as he cut through his enemies with ease in his tinkered with Talon. As he did so the drive began spinning faster while the Talon was enveloped in light. Knowing his special system had been activated he turned about and aimed at the center of a formation of Grey carriers. The large ships were resonating and blocked the automated Talons from moving forward. The oversized pike started glowing with particles surrounding it. Dreka threw the pike as if flared with energy and sound. It cut through several Grey attack ships and destroyed them before reaching the carrier line. After it slammed into the carriers it sent out several pulses of energy and keyed in on their systems. Like the Siren’s song system, the pike disrupted and then disabled the enemy ships. Once it was finished Dreka swooped in and grabbed the pike for another toss. While doing so a hole in the enemy line opened up. The automated Talons charged in. The first wave inverted their gravity drives and exploded, destroying thousands of smaller Grey ships and hundreds of carriers. Dreka then switched the pike to the off hand and activated the enlarged claw. As it lit up with energy the claws began spinning to gather energy from the drive. When it reached the point where the mobile suit was swirling with a diabolic amount of power he let it loose and fired by punching. A beam the a hundred ketres long and a third as wide smashed into the Grey ships and destroyed them. Dreka checked his drive system and saw he had another nine shots with the claw left before he would have to recharge. The birdman cawed as he let loose and fired the massive beams one after another. When the Greys retreated he tossed the pike and disabled their ships. Behind him the automated Talons, the Vomada, and the fleet of volunteer ships followed.

  * * *

  Grigon watched his grandson fighting with excellence and cawed with pride. The old Malcovin then programmed another set of Talons to self-detonate and clear the path to the planet killer. When the hole opened up the old bird let the berserk come over him and activated the Hades system on the Vomada. The cube shaped ship began glowing with energy before a cannon barrel emerged from the center of the forward section. Pushing the system to its limit Grigon fired massive beams into the planet killer’s shields. With the application of a few more Talons self-detonating the shield went down. After a barrage from Dreka’s Talon and the Vomada’s Hades cannon the massive ship was filled with explosions. Before they could deal the finishing blow the planet killer gravity jumped away. While the automated Talons and older ships cleaned up the remaining Grey ships and carriers the Vomada and Dreka’s Talon returned to normal. Grigon opened the com to their allies.

  “This is Commander Grigon speaking,” the old birdman said. “The auxiliary forces have defeated the first planet killer. We’re now performing clean up before rejoining the fleets of Heaven’s Light.”

  He sat back to relax when Dreka appeared on the screen.

  “Looks like both our tests were successful,” Dreka said.

  “Your Talon is a synthesis of the Artemis and Siren,” Grigon said. “It’s quite impressive.”

  “It’s not as impressive as updating a forty year old ship and making it near the equal of the Freedom,” Dreka said.

  “The Vomada is my home,” Grigon said. “It’s only fitting I change it to make it better once in a while.”

  “I feel the same with this Talon,” Dreka said.

  “Is it the one you fought Brian in?” Grigon asked.

  “Yes, and it’s the one that saved my life,” Dreka said. “What are supposed to do now?”

  “Our orders are to destroy any surviving Grey ships before joining our friends,” Grigon said. “I have a feeling we got the easy target because of our android disrupters.”

  “Were they still onboard when the planet killer fled?” Dreka asked.

  “They’re programmed to self-detonate their Q-Drives in the event of that,” Grigon cawed. “In other words, that ship is dead no matter where it went. But let’s get back to what we were doing and finish the job.”

  “Of course,” Dreka cawed. “I’ll lead the way.”

  * * *

  Seles’s vision started blurring as a buzzing sound filled her head. She tried shaking it off but found it was incredibly difficult. After a moment she felt something familiar block whatever it was that was distracting her.

  “I’ve set up a mental block for you,” Myden said telepathically.

  “Thanks,” she said in return. “How did you do it?”

  “A part of Brian lives inside you, I just drew it forward,” Myden answered. “I can’t explain the details for now; let’s wait until after we survive this.”

  “Alright,” Seles said.

  “What’s wrong?” Valis asked over the monitor. “You weren’t fighting like yourself for a moment there.”

  “I’ll tell you after the battle,” Seles said.

  “It probably would be better,” Valis said. She looked at the planet killer. “Everyone, this is Captain Valis. The enemy has managed to suppress enough of our androids to fire. The main cannon will attack at any moment.”

  The eight bases of Heaven’s Light clustered together and shifted their Hades systems to shield mode. All of the ships that could move went behind the defensive barrier. The Maidens and front line ships scattered while the planet killer charged up to fire. The beam slammed into the center of the formation of Heaven’s Light and heavily drained the shields of the bases. A number of the Confederation ships and mobile suits unable to make it behind the shields were either vaporized or severely damaged. The Maidens and the five ships moved back together and flew straight for the planet killer.

  * * *

  Brian looked at Myden as the battle went on and noticed something in the old Grey’s eyes.

  “What’s going on?” Brian asked.

  “I’ve been disrupting our enemy as I can,” Myden answered.

  “Are you doing it telepathically?” Jesela asked.

  “Yes,” Myden said. “By the way, you can sing pretty well.”

  “Whenever my mother brought me to the temple I’d chant along,” Jesela said. “But music doesn’t move me like figuring out how a pulse rifle or mobile suit works does.”

  Brian laughed. “We all have our hobbies.”

  “I meditate a lot,” Myden said. “But to explain, something was bothering Seles and some of the others, likely the machine god. The other thing was Sunadin when he made an appearance.”

  “But that Red Star thing isn’t anywhere on the scanners,” Jesela pointed out.

  “He projected himself,” Brian said. “Myden can do the same thing if he wants to.”

  “I used my power to knock him out of the battle for the time being,” Myden said. “We don’t want them having a chance to change their orders.”

  “What’s our status?” Brian asked.

  “Everything’s green,” Jesela said. “According to the readings we have ten minutes of Hades mode left.”

  “Our weapons are the same,” Myden said. “But we should finish this quickly before they can
recharge.”

  Brian watched the Maidens flying about in the front of the battle and destroying or disabling swarm after swarm of Grey ships. He turned to the other two after grabbing his helmet.

  “Are you going outside again?” Jesela asked.

  “Of course,” Brian said as he put the helmet on and locked it into place. “Take care of things while I’m gone.”

  “We will,” Myden said.

  * * *

  General Sunadin resumed his meditation but found every time he tried to return to the battle he was unable to. He stood up and paced frantically with the machine god echoing in his mind. Frustrated, he turned his monitor on and watched the footage from the previous battles. Each time he closely watched the five ships and the bases of Heaven’s Light and their special systems. He then focused on the Maidens’ crafts and the Mjolnir. After watching Brian use the Artemis to fly inside one of the planet killers to destroy it he sat down again.

  “My lord, what power did I see?” Sunadin asked.

  “It is the Terran’s dimensional blade,” the machine god answered. “With it he can surpass the three dimensions we call reality.”

  “If he can use that power is there any way we can defeat him?” Sunadin asked.

  “He’s young and knows little about controlling it,” the machine god answered. “In addition, he’s fearful of using it on others or anything larger than a mobile weapon. This is the key to his weakness Sunadin.”

  “I see,” Sunadin said. “If I isolate the Freedom and cut him off from his allies his power will be nullified.”

  “But beware of the traitor Myden,” the machine god said. “He has found a way to shield his allies from us. How I can’t say, but I am being blocked from speaking to the others. I have tried to sway the heart of the one closest to Brian, but she is proving difficult. I may have to move on to more forceful measures.”