Grey War Saga 1: Twilight of Innocence

by Marcus Johnson

  “This is Captain Peterson speaking to all allied forces,” he said. “You are to retreat for the time being. I will deal with their leader.”

  Valis appeared on the monitor. “We’re moving away now. Good luck.”

  “Thanks,” Brian said.

  He used his power for a moment to step through the floor of the Freedom until he landed on the surface below. He walked across the colossal chamber until he saw the red armor clad Sunadin waiting for him. Once he was ten paces away the Grey showed his staff and took a battle pose.

  “I am General Sunadin Malkas of the Naerendi Empire,” the Grey said.

  Brian took a pose with his sword and shield in place. “I am Captain Brian Peterson of the Freedom.”

  The two warriors stared at each other for a long time while the scanner on the Freedom showed the battle to everyone outside.

  “You look happy,” Brian commented when the two started circling each other.

  “Before the machine was turned on the Naerendi were warriors,” Sunadin said. “I have waited for a long time for my blood to boil again.”

  “I’m glad to oblige you,” Brian said.

  The two charged each another. Brian began the dual with a long arching slash with his sword. Sunadin quickly deflected it and went in with a jab with his staff. Brian blocked with his shield and turned about with a whirling slash. Sunadin danced backwards before rolling to his feet again. With the spin of his staff he fired an energy blast at Brian. The human blocked with his shield before spinning his rakna blade to return the favor. Sunadin used his staff to block the blast before charging in again. He caught Brian off balanced and jabbed with his staff. Though Brian was able to back away he found his shield was damaged. Sunadin circled with a smile on his face while Brian tossed the shield away and grasped his rakna blade with both hands.

  “You’re fast,” Brian said.

  “And you’re strong,” Sunadin said.

  The two circled each other before moving in again. Brian attacked with a series of quick two handed slashes. The Grey general deflected each perfectly with his staff before taking a quick jab. The leg on Brian’s armor cracked under the strain. Brian choked up on his sword and renewed his attack. Sunadin jumped away as the armor on his right arm cracked and broke away. Brian shifted his hands back to normal before charging the Grey with a series of spinning slashes. When he was able to he used the momentum to fire an energy blast. Each time Sunadin either deflected the attack or dodged out of the way. The pair paused to catch their breath.

  “You’re enjoying this,” Brian said.

  “I haven’t enjoyed anything for centuries,” Sunadin said.

  The two warriors laughed before taking another battle pose. Sunadin spun his staff to gather some energy while Brian did the same with his sword. The pair fired at the same time, causing an explosion in the room. Once the smoke cleared Brian found Sunadin right under his blade. The human tried stepping back but tripped. The Grey jabbed with his staff and smacked Brian in the face. Using his sword, Brian knocked the Grey away while grasping the area where his right eye once was.

  “You’ve seen many battles in your short life,” Sunadin said. “That eye was artificial, wasn’t it?”

  Brian smiled. “I kept the scar to remind me to not do stupid things.”

  He pulled his hand away to reveal the empty socket. Afterwards, he tossed the remains of the eye onto the floor. After wrapping a patch around the area Brian took his battle stance again.

  “Good,” Sunadin said. “I don’t want to win this cheaply.”

  “Neither would I,” Brian said.

  The two stared one another down again, searching for a weakness in the other. Sunadin smiled again as he charged. Brian tried following but found without his right eye his depth perception and field of vision were terrible. The Grey general went on the offensive with swipes and jabs. Brian did all he could to keep on his feet while dodging and deflecting what he could. The smaller but faster Grey used his staff to break Brian’s sword in half before whirling around and shattering the human’s right arm. Brian screamed in agony as he fell to the floor. He quickly recovered himself and jumped to his feet with half a sword in his left hand. He noticed Sunadin salute him.

  “You are a worthy opponent human,” the Grey said.

  Sunadin twirled the staff before moving in for the kill. Brian threw the broken rakna blade at the Grey. When Sunadin deflected it Brian drew a smaller, curved rakna blade from his back and leapt forward. Sunadin stood motionless as the blade entered his chest. Inside the general’s mind the memory of his days training under Myden filled his thoughts. “Remember Sunadin, always carry a second weapon. You never know when your opponent will destroy your first.” He stared at the blade while coughing up some clear blood. Sunadin reached out and took Brian’s hand.

  “Thank you…for…setting me free,” the Grey uttered.

  Brian smiled. “I didn’t hit your heart.”

  The human pulled the sword out and sheathed it on his back again. Before Sunadin could fall to the ground Brian grabbed him with his remaining arm. The Grey noticed the remains of Brian’s right arm were mechanical.

  “You…fooled me,” Sunadin said.

  “A crafty warrior will lead their opponent on,” Brian said. As he carried the general back to the Freedom the machine god started screaming. Brian looked at the main frame. “Go fuck yourself.”

  Sunadin used his mental energy to stop the machine. When he did the place started rumbling.

  “We have…five minutes before it gravity jumps away,” the Grey said.

  “Five minutes is more than enough time,” Brian said as he ran to the Freedom with the general.

  “Why are you saving me?” Sunadin asked.

  “You’re a lot like the guy who cost me my first eye and arm,” Brian said. “You’re stubborn and think you know everything. But deep inside you’re searching for something to believe in.”

  “The crimes I have committed are too many to count,” Sunadin said.

  “Then spend the rest of your days saving as many as you can,” Brian said. “You can’t change the past, but you can change the future.” Brian used his power one more time to fly them inside the Freedom and onto the bridge. “All soldiers are killers Sunadin. It’s only a matter of who we’re killing. And though the blood on our hands will never wash away it doesn’t mean we can’t do better.”

  “You don’t think of yourself as their savior, do you?” Sunadin asked as Brian placed him in the captain’s chair.

  “No, I’m just a warrior now,” Brian said. “Killing is what I do best and living is what I do worst.”

  “You don’t give yourself much credit,” Sunadin said.

  “History will be the judge of my actions,” Brian said.

  Sunadin laughed. “Indeed.”

  Brian started flying the Freedom out of the Red Star. An explosion half way caused a mass of wreckage to block their path. The cannons proved ineffective when Brian tried blasting them out.

  “I don’t suppose you have anything left?” Sunadin asked.

  “I’m all spent,” Brian admitted. “Where exactly will this thing end up?”

  “Halfway between Alden and Kelden,” Sunadin answered.

  “I hope you like blackjack because I suck at poker,” Brian said as he shrugged his shoulders.

  The structure shook as it charged up for a massive gravity jump. The blockage in front of the Freedom suddenly started moving. Pulse blasts were making their way through when the Artemis, Gemini, and Mjolnir punched through.

  “You don’t plan on leaving without us, do you?” Seles asked over the monitor.

  “Thanks,” Brian said.

  The Freedom quickly made its way out of the Red Star with the three mobile suits at its head. As they flew away the massive ship flashed before disappearing. The sound of cheering filled the com lines, along with the chanting of Brian’s name. He touched the intercom system and rang the bell before speaking.

&nb
sp; “We are Heaven’s Light, the light that shines liberty upon the world. Wherever tyranny appears we will strike. Until the Freedom’s bell rings eternal our mission will never end.”

  Feeling exhausted, Brian fell to the ground unconscious. Sunadin weakly leaned forward and touched the human’s head with his hand.

  “Defeat at the hands of a warrior like you, that’s something I can accept,” Sunadin said. “The victory is yours Brian Peterson, revel in it.”

  Chapter 48 - On this Day…

  Brian woke up and saw Mira standing over him with a scanner in her hand. By the lack of feeling in his right arm and lack of vision from his right eye he knew they were really gone.

  “I did something stupid again, didn’t I?” he asked.

  “Yes, but they can be replaced,” Mira said. “Because Celi made your first set I’ve called her over to help.”

  “Thanks,” Brian said. “How long have I been out?”

  “A day,” Mira said.

  “What happened after the battle?”

  “The Mylor used their ships to transport the two dead planet killers away,” Mira answered. “They said they’d mess with the gravity around Kalaidia if they didn’t.”

  “Makes sense, those things are the size of moons,” Brian said.

  The door opened and Celi walked in with a metal case. She opened it and revealed a perfect of copy of Brian’s original artificial arm.

  “I kept this just in case,” Celi said. “You have a bad habit of getting hurt.”

  “I know,” Brian said before laughing.

  Celi removed the remaining part of the damaged arm from Brian’s shoulder and began the process of attaching the new one. After a few minutes she turned it on.

  “Give it a try,” she instructed.

  Brian moved the new arm around a bit clumsily but was able to do everything he could with a normal arm.

  “Looks like it’ll work faster than the original,” Celi said.

  “His nerves in the shoulder socket are probably keyed into it by now,” Mira said.

  “Thanks,” Brian said. “I don’t suppose you have an extra eye sitting around?”

  Celi smiled. “No, that was a delicate piece of technology. We’ll have it ready in a week or so.”

  “We’ll just have to get used to the patch,” Mira said.

  Brian touched the patch over his right eye. “I’ll manage. What happened to General Sunadin?”

  “I treated his injuries under Myden’s supervision,” Mira said. “He’s currently being kept in our brig with Myden watching over him.”

  “Then I’m not worried,” Brian said. He went to stand up but found he couldn’t. “I’d like to speak with the others.”

  “The sedatives should wear off in a few hours, so be patient,” Mira said.

  “You need to concentrate on getting better,” Celi said. “Rushing things will only lead to further complications.”

  He leaned back on the bed. “Alright, you two win.”

  * * *

  Myden stood outside the cell in the Freedom’s brig. Sunadin opened his eyes and sat up with an alarmed look on his face.

  “I can’t hear anything,” Sunadin said.

  “I used the drug to suppress your telepathic powers,” Myden said.

  Sunadin laughed. “It’s really odd to hear nothing.” He stood up and turned to Myden. “I lost.”

  “You didn’t lose to me,” Myden said.

  “In a way I did,” Sunadin said. “What’s going to happen to me?”

  “The High Council will treat you as a prisoner of war and grant you all the rights of such,” Myden said. “Your life will be spared, though they would like you to answer some questions.”

  “I’ll answer as many of them as I can,” Sunadin said. “My life is no longer my own. Tell me, why did Brian save me? I don’t understand why.”

  “He’s a kind man at heart,” Myden said. “He fights in spite of his dislike for fighting. But what he’s best at is sensing another’s character. He could tell you were worth saving by the dual with you. I believe he was right.”

  “I was the spearhead on this side of Alden,” Sunadin said. “With this defeat the machine god’s plans are set back greatly.”

  “How long of a respite do we have?” Myden asked.

  “I’d guess several months,” Sunadin answered. “The war on all the other fronts has stalled. I suspect General Regen will move in to plug the hole.”

  “Then we’ll meet him before he enters this area,” Myden said. “A few months is time enough to plan for Heaven’s Light.”

  “I hope you’re right,” Sunadin said.

  * * *

  Seles landed the Artemis inside the palace grounds. When she got out she saw the Apollo kneeling in the nearby garden. Celestia walked outside before going to her daughter for a hug. After a long embrace Celestia stepped back to look Seles in the eyes.

  “You look well,” Celestia said.

  “The same as always,” Seles said.

  “How’s the Maigar doing?”

  Seles smiled. “He’s recovering nicely.” She looked around. “We almost lost this.”

  “Yes,” Celestia said. “Everyone’s demanding a celebration in light of our victory.”

  “I think we need it,” Seles said. “All we’ve seen for the last few months is darkness. It’s time to enjoy the light, even if it’s only for a little while.”

  “Will I get a chance to hear you sing?”

  Seles nodded. “The others say I’m ready to go on my own.”

  “I’m glad you took to it,” Celestia said. “You should know I was an off note for years.”

  “I suspected as much, talents like Mira and Zae are rare,” Seles said.

  “I don’t suppose Brian will grace us with a song?” Celestia asked.

  “His injuries will prevent that for a while,” Seles said. “But he will deliver a speech.”

  “A speech will be good enough,” Celestia said. She pointed at the Apollo. “He’s glad his siblings are around.”

  “I’m sure he’s been lonely,” Seles said. “I’ll stay down here for a while so he and his sister can talk.”

  “Shouldn’t you be at his side?” Celestia asked.

  “Brian wouldn’t like it if I did that,” Seles said. “He’d tell me to visit you and tease me until I did so.”

  “If you’re going to be down here do you want me to put you to work?” her mother asked.

  “I’ll cook,” Seles said. “There are a few recipes from Earth I’ve wanted to try but the ship’s stores don’t have all the ingredients. If you want you can act as my taste tester.”

  “You’re the best chef I’ve ever known, so it’s an honor,” Celestia said.

  “Thanks for saying so,” Seles said.

  * * *

  The following evening all the cities of Kalaidia were lit up with celebration. Singers of every type took to the stage as the people of Kali praised their goddess and the warriors who fought in the terrible battle. All of the bases in space were the same after Heaven’s Light and the Confederation joined in. On the palace grounds Celestia led a grand ceremony with Mira, Zae, and Seles as the main singers. All of the leaders of Heaven’s Light were on the surface. After avoiding the others for a while Brian found himself standing with Shiken Ka at the edge of the event.

  “It’s moments like this that I’m thankful to be alive,” Shiken said.

  “I wish we could’ve done more,” Brian said. “Too many died before we could act.”

  “The Shandi will live on,” Shiken said, “as will the Viken and Reiki. Like the Braiden, we’ve become orphans of the universe.” The bright lights from the concert flashed through the whole palace grounds. “The Kalaidians have a beautiful culture. I’m sorry it took me so long to notice.”

  “Culture is what separates us from the Greys,” Brian said. “Their god has no place for things like this.”

  “Life is meant to be enjoyed,” Shiken said. “Without it
all do is exist.”

  “Are you and Miv able to handle the affairs of your people?” Brian asked.

  “Without the others it’s been difficult,” Shiken said. “But we’re managing.” He looked at Celestia and Jabril as they spoke with Veda. “The leaders of this world have granted us access to a number of resource systems. I’m thankful for it.”

  A group of musicians using old style Kalaidian instruments took to the stage. As they did so a number of the people in the crowd got into position to start dancing. Seles made her way to Brian wearing her usual stage dress.

  “Can I request a dance with this Maigar?” she asked.

  Brian took her hand, “Gladly.”

  When the two went to join the others Shiken stood quietly with a grin on his face. Enjoy this time my brother. He thought to himself as the music played.

  * * *

  After a few hours Brian was signaled to do his speech. He looked at everyone before heading to the stage. As he prepared the com system from the Freedom sent the signal to everyone in space near Kalaidia.

  “Today is a day for celebration, for tomorrow we will mourn the fallen,” Brian said. “The mission of Heaven’s Light is to destroy tyranny wherever it may appear. As of now the Greys are that tyranny. For centuries they’ve plotted this war and schemed in every way to win it. But in this last battle justice was finally heard. The line has been broken and now we have a chance to seize the victory! Together we are much stronger than the Greys ever believed. And together we will win this war. This I promise you.”

  The crowd cheered when he saluted. Brian then left the stage to rejoin the party. Through the crowd Daes and Jesela made their way to him while holding something together. When he saw the ladies he noticed their dresses matched their hair color.

  “You two look beautiful,” he said.

  “Thanks,” Jesela said.

  “We brought you a gift,” Daes said.

  The two offered him the object. When he removed the fabric wrap he found it was a new rakna blade. Whereas his old one was the size of a bastard sword the new one was sized like a claymore. Though it was much thicker and longer the sword still weighed very little.