Grey War Saga 1: Twilight of Innocence

by Marcus Johnson

  The two returned to the sublevel under Mya’s shop and left a number of Minan soldiers to take their place.

  “Are we leaving tonight?” Baeron asked.

  “Given the situation I’d say yes,” Brian said.

  “I’ll prepare my troops then,” Baeron said.

  “Take care,” Brian said as the Minan left.

  Brian looked to the sky as thousands of relief ships from the numerous races of the Confederation landed. Mya walked out and stood with him. Brian took his helmet off and breathed in the air. She noticed he had wrapped the suit in his green cape to prevent it from getting dirty.

  “It feels like the storm is turning away from here,” Mya said.

  “It is,” Brian said. “From what I’ve seen war is like the ocean. The tides turn and swirl all the time. Now the waves are with us.”

  “I will pray for your safe return,” Mya said.

  “I appreciate it,” Brian said.

  * * *

  The launching bay of the Avoni was abuzz with activity while everyone prepared to leave. Engineers and pilots alike tirelessly worked on their Phase Raknas. Meldi and Daes were inside the Mjolnir doing the same. The systems turned off for a moment when Daes rebooted the computer. A minute later everything went back on.

  “I feel much better now,” Mjolnir said.

  “Things were kind of buggy in the last battle,” Meldi said.

  “It’s the drive system,” Daes said before sighing. “Sometimes it needs to run full blast outside of a battle to clean things out.”

  “But he’s got a heavy class drive installed,” Meldi pointed out.

  “When you berserk my drive spins faster and produces more energy,” Mjolnir said.

  “The new system I installed should alleviate the problem,” Daes said.

  “Thanks mother,” Mjolnir said.

  “You’re welcome,” Daes said.

  “What did you do?” Meldi asked.

  “Jesela and Dreka suggested I try this,” Daes answered. “Now that it works I’ll tell them in a few minutes.”

  “Did you see his Talon in the last battle?” Meldi asked.

  “Dreka the Lighting was blessed twice at birth,” Daes said. “Not only is he my equal as an engineer, but he’s Brian’s as a pilot.”

  “When am I going to get an upgrade?” Mjolnir asked.

  “I’m with him,” Meldi said with a smile.

  “I’ve got a new rifle to try out, along with an energy storage pack,” Daes said. “Mjolnir, you’ll be able to fire five to six arrows like the Artemis’s with it.”

  “I’d rather use those then nuclear weapons anyway,” Mjolnir said.

  “Why can it only manage five or six shots?” Meldi asked.

  “You’re not jealous, are you?” Daes asked.

  “No, I’m just curious,” Meldi said.

  “Mjolnir is designed as the versatile model of the special ones,” Daes said. “He’s supposed to be able to fill in for any of the others should the need arise.”

  “I’m a generalist and not a specialist, is that what you’re saying?” Mjolnir asked.

  “Exactly,” Daes said. Her wrist computer beeped. “It looks like we’ll have to talk later. The captain is calling me.”

  “I can take it from here Daes,” Meldi said.

  “Thanks,” Daes said before heading outside.

  Meldi got up from the pilot’s seat to check the panels when a knock came from outside. When she turned Brian stepped in without his exoskeleton on.

  “Pretty casual this visit, aren’t you?” Mjolnir asked.

  “It was covered in blood and smelled pretty bad,” Brian said. “How are you doing big guy?”

  “Daes fixed me up again,” Mjolnir said.

  “What about you?” Brian asked while looking at Meldi.

  “I’m alright,” Meldi said. “Just a little tired because of all the work. So what brings you to us?”

  “I wanted to check on Mjolnir first,” Brian said. “It looks like he’s alright.” He looked at her again. “Can we talk in private?”

  “Sure,” Meldi said. “Mjolnir, could you shut off the systems in the back room?”

  “Done,” Mjolnir said.

  Meldi went in first with Brian behind her. After the door closed on the tiny living area he could tell she was nervous about something.

  “I didn’t come here for that Meldi, so you can relax,” Brian said.

  “I wasn’t…expecting anything like that,” Meldi said.

  He handed her a small black box. “If you ever find yourself separated from the others, open this up.”

  “What is it?” she asked.

  “It’s a beacon of light for when things are darkest,” Brian said. He smiled as he looked around the room. On the back wall a zenti axe was displayed. “I can’t believe I spent so many months in a tiny room like this.”

  “It’s bigger for a Kalaidian,” she said.

  “I suppose so,” he said.

  “Why did you choose me to pilot Mjolnir?” she asked.

  “I chose you because I trust you,” he answered.

  “What about the others?” she asked. “Wouldn’t it be better for one of them to pilot him?”

  “Do you believe in Kali?” he asked.

  “Yes,” Meldi answered.

  “All of us have roles to play in this life,” Brian said. “You doubt yourself and your ability but it doesn’t change what you must do.”

  “This sounds like a riddle,” Meldi said.

  “I can’t be specific because I’m not sure myself,” Brian said. “Trust in my trust in you.”

  “I will,” Meldi said.

  He went to leave when she took his hand.

  “Brian…I…,” she stopped.

  “I know,” he said with a smile.

  Chapter 40 - Evacuation before the Invasion

  Lumiar paced around the command center of the Meche, the main colony ship of the Braiden people. Around it were nine other ships of the same size, ten ketres in length and a third as wide. The spinning cylinders gave the interiors of the ships a sense of gravity and allowed the people inside to live like they did on their now dead homeworld. A number of Kalaidian warships and their Phase Raknas surrounded the colony ships when their scanners showed something. The communications officer in the command center put the image on the monitor. Three normal sized planet killers and one twice their size moved forward with over fifteen thousand carriers. Admiral Nia appeared on the screen. She was an average sized Kalaidian with long silver hair and green eyes.

  “Are your people ready to go?” Nia asked.

  Lumiar looked to her officers as they nodded yes. “We can leave at any time,” she said.

  “Excellent,” Nia said.

  “Has everyone left the other systems?” Lumiar asked.

  “Moving billions of people isn’t easy, but we’ve had enough time to get them out,” Nia said. “Even if Kalaidia falls the majority its people will not die. Also, we’ve left a few gifts for the Greys behind to soften their force.”

  “Let’s go then,” Lumiar said.

  “Of course,” Nia said.

  The colony and escort ships gravity jumped away. The solar system was now abandoned of all sentient life except for the Greys. When the massive fleet moved into orbit of the nearby gas giant an automated defense system turned on. Hundreds of nuclear missiles activated and flew into the Grey fleet. Thousands of ships blew up or were severely damaged as the missiles exploded.

  * * *

  General Sunadin redirected his forces to absorb the nuclear attacks. The ladies of Kali planned well. He thought as another round of attacks destroyed a number of carriers and attack ships. Nothing came close to the four planet killers or their escort fleets. Hundreds of normal Greys ran around as they attended to their programmed duties. Sunadin sent out a thought order before heading into his private chambers near the command center. He drew his staff and practiced after the door closed until his mind quieted. As he
used his telepathic staff’s powers a smile came to his face. For a long time my heart was vacant. Now I can feel it beating again. The thrill of battle is unlike anything else.

  “Is it because you could die?” Myden asked when his image appeared.

  “You know the feeling Myden,” Sunadin said. “For too many years our people have simply exterminated those lesser than ourselves. Now we face a force capable of defeating us. I know god desires victory but if there’s no challenge then there’s no gain.”

  “You know you’re wrong,” Myden said.

  “I will perform my duties as one of the generals of the Naerendi Empire,” Sunadin said. “The will of god is too much for mortals like us to stand against.”

  “You’re stubborn,” Myden said before laughing. “But you were always like that.”

  “I’m only as stubborn as the one who taught me,” Sunadin said. “Next time we meet will be on the battlefield. I will show you no mercy.”

  “Nor will I old friend,” Myden said before saluting and disappearing.

  The ache of the machine god filled Sunadin’s mind again.

  “I know your will god and acknowledge you as my master,” he said out loud with a raspy voice.

  * * *

  Queen Celestia appeared on every monitor and communications device within reach of Kalaidia Prime. She wore a white and silver exoskeleton with a rakna blade on her belt. She stood before the parliament of the Kalaidian people with Jabril at the top level in the High Court.

  “To all of Kalaidia, this is your queen speaking,” Celestia started. “Although I gave up my power to the parliament and through them to you, I still serve as your high priestess and intermediary to Kali. Before continuing with my speech I’d like to ask the parliament for permission to take military action.

  “The vote is unanimous,” Jabril said. “With the passage of this emergency appointment we give Celestia Daevon the position of supreme commander of our military forces.”

  “Thank you prime minister, I will serve the position faithfully until I am discharged from the service,” Celestia said. She turned her attention back to the camera. “One hundred and sixty four years ago the last of our male population died. It was brought to our attention when Brian Peterson first came to our world that the guilty party of the plague was the Greys. Now, all these years later they’ve come to finish what they started. Before us is a battle grander than any we’ve ever seen. Four of their dreaded planet killers and a fleet of nearly twenty thousand carriers approach as I speak. We’ve successfully moved every colony we could away from the path of the Grey forces and evacuated the ones we couldn’t. Now I call on everyone of this world who can fight. We need every able pilot, soldier, medical practitioner, engineer, and support personnel amongst you. The fate of this world rests on our survival as a people. As such, I order all civilian colonies to flee to Dega Jul. Even if our planet falls the heart of Kalaidia will live on through those who survive. The rest of us will remain behind to fight. At this moment Heaven’s Light and its allies are heading here to join us. At their head is our Herald, Captain Peterson of the Freedom. Thirteen years ago he called for us to act as one. Today, his order stands. We will fight unto the last woman. Kali has called for us to step onto the stage and deliver a performance worth remembering.” Celestia drew her sword and held it to the sky. “If Kali wills it, then let us sing!”

  The members of parliament and everyone who saw or heard the broadcast stopped to repeat their queen’s words. “If Kali wills it, then let us sing!” they shouted.

  * * *

  The eight bases of Heaven’s Light, along with the Ick-Tckt asteroid base, its fleet, and the Gold Navy of Malcov moved away from Dega Jul. As they did so several thousand Confederation ships and the Third Mylor fleet joined them. Brian and the other senior officers on the Freedom stood on the bridge together. Their scanners showed dozens of Kalaidian colonies and thousands of nonmilitary crafts with them gravity jumping into orbit. As the minutes passed the numbers kept growing. Brian turned to his console and tapped the intercom system to connect him to all ships and communications devices on and near Dega Jul.

  “We are Heaven’s Light, the light that shines liberty on the world,” he started. “Wherever tyranny appears we will stop it. Until the Freedom’s bell rings eternal our mission will never end. To those of the Confederation, we are going to Kalaidia Prime to end the slaughter of innocent people. This war is unlike any other in the end goal. The Greys are unlike the conquerors all of us know through history. They don’t seek glory, wealth, or resources. They seek nothing of the like. What they desire is our destruction. Through death they plan to purify the galaxy and in doing so, end war. But in truth their peace is a false peace. Bowing to a god designed to control you is not peace, it’s slavery of the worst kind. This was the mistake the Greys made sixteen hundred years ago. Now all they desire is the death of everyone but themselves. This war is not over the trivial things we’ve fought over in the past. This war is about survival. If we lose we die. So we will fight until the day the Greys are left in the annals of history. Live, and keep on living. For as long as we’re alive victory is waiting for us.”

  The sound of others cheering filled the airwaves as the forces of Heaven’s Light moved together with their fleets and gravity jumped away. The bases then went into rapid response mode and quickly made their way towards the Kalaidian home system. Brian turned to the others on the bridge.

  “This battle and those that come after it will be fierce and terrible,” he said. “The cost may very well be all of our lives. But we swore ourselves to this duty because we have something or someone to protect. We fight not for country, not for money, not for glory, not for race, nor creed. We fight to save others. This war is the test of our resolve. Let us not fail it.”

  Brian drew his sword and put it at the center of everyone. One by one each drew their blade, pike, staff, and whip and touched together with his sword.

  “As long as we fight as one defeat will not come to us,” Brian said.

  “Kali blessed us with this power, let’s not deafen ourselves to her words,” Seles said.

  “Long ago I made a mistake, it’s time to fix things,” Myden said.

  “I have great grandchildren to protect, so let’s do this!” Grigon cawed.

  “For my father and all those who’ve died I promise justice for them,” Mira said.

  “For my family and friends I give my life to,” Kyli said.

  “For the dreams of those who’ve died, and those who live, I give mine as well,” Jesela said.

  On all the bases and ships within com reach each crew member took a moment to say something similar. After a few seconds they broke the circle to return to their duties. As they did so the fleet appeared in orbit of Kalaidia Prime.

  “Looks like we’re early,” Seles said.

  Brian turned to the three pilots. “Good luck to each of you. I hope Kali’s watching over you.”

  “We hope the same for you,” Seles said.

  “Of course we do,” Mira said.

  The two women each kissed Brian before leaving with Kyli.

  “Not a bad memory if this is my last day alive,” he said with a smile.

  Chapter 41 - The First Defense Line

  The skies of Kalaidia filled when thousands of Phase Raknas launched from the surface and into orbit. Ten thousand Avoni class ships were in formation around the homeworld. Almost half a million mobile suits joined them. In the distance, beyond the orbit of Kalaidia’s moon, the Grey fleet appeared. As it advanced it split into four different formations with a planet killer at the center of each. The automated defense systems on the moon turned on and began attacking the Greys. Celestia knelt before the statue of Kali in the main temple of the capital city, Vaelis. Under her breath she spoke a prayer before standing up.

  “Kali, I hope you can hear me,” Celestia said. “The time upon us is midnight. Please, give us the strength to survive.”

  Out of the shadows
Myden stepped. He stood next to Celestia with his hood down.

  “Your Herald is here,” Myden said. “With the Maidens and the Wisemen at his side the twenty seven stars will shine, as said by the Teacher, my queen.”

  “You didn’t say it like that before,” Celestia pointed out.

  Myden laughed. “True, but prophecy in the future and present are different things. The skies will be on fire today. The Warrior has called you to action.”

  “We will fulfill our duty as promised two thousand years ago,” Celestia said. She smiled when she noticed the bemused look on the Grey’s face. “I’ve never seen you like this before.”

  “For many years I was cloistered from others,” Myden said. “I lost my smile, my drive, and part of my soul. These last few years have been quite kind to me.”

  “I feel the same for the decade of peace and prosperity,” Celestia said. “Now I must go lead the others.”

  “Good luck to you my queen,” Myden said before disappearing.

  “And to you as well,” Celestia said. As she walked to the door Jabril and over a hundred pilots from the former royal guard had gathered in their pilot suits. “Is everyone ready?”

  “We are,” Jabril said.

  The others saluted before following their queen below the palace. There, she boarded the Apollo while the others took their places in Phase Raknas. The bay doors opened as the golden mobile suit flew into the sky and into orbit. Behind it a hundred Phase Raknas followed in formation.

  * * *

  The forces of Heaven’s Light moved into orbit of Kalaidia Prime. Valis smiled after sending out the final defense plan from the Minerva. She was already outside with the Aegis next to her when the Gemini, Artemis, and Siren joined her. A moment later the Mjolnir and Dreka’s Talon flew next to them. The monitors on all their mobile suits showed each other as they turned about and moved into formation. Valis hit her com to signal all the other ships. Before she spoke Brian was ready to speak to everyone in the area.