Heaven Saga 3: Sojourn Into Despair

by Marcus Johnson

  “Of course,” Celi said as she gathered up her equipment and headed to the Mjolnir with Brian. He held a hand to his head as they started into the Mjolnir.

  “What is it?” she asked.

  “When we were inside that creature was reading our thoughts,” he answered. “I saw their formation nearby.”

  “How is that possible?”

  “I’m not sure myself,” he answered. “I’m not telepathic, but if one of them starts reading my thoughts I can do the same thing back. I remember when Delne did the same thing with me.” He turned on the com in the Mjolnir. “Zae, have the Raknas take formation D-13 around the Avoni; Jesela, ready the presents for our guests.”

  “Yes commander,” both Zae and Jesela answered.

  “So you didn’t haul them with us as a tribute?” Celi asked.

  “Since we can operate them remotely it’s time the Mardok have their vengeance. If my guess is correct the Greys won’t strike for several hours. There’s something big they want to use against us.”

  “Big?”

  “It’s not the planet killer if what I saw was correct,” he said. “More like a massive ship that serves as a carrier.”

  “I’ve only seen one of those ships in my life,” she said. “It was a Mylor battleship. I couldn’t believe something that massive could move though space as easily as it did.”

  “Brian, we’ve received the images you asked us to take,” Zae reported over the com. “Your theory proved right.”

  The images appeared on the main monitor in the Mjolnir. It depicted a large metal form in distant orbit of the planet.

  “It appears the Mardok were on the verge of finishing their space colonies,” Zae said. “According to Jesela, it would have taken another five to ten years to complete and get them fully functioning.”

  “Every new fact makes me sicker,” Brian said.

  “It’s making all of us feel that way,” Celi added. “The Mardok would have had viable space colonies in a few years. It’s tragic to see a race this close to achieving what the Confederation has only to have those dreams destroyed in an instant.”

  “This could be what Earth looks like in twenty years,” Brian said while looking at the image of Mardok Prime. “These people were just ahead of mine in terms of technology.”

  “It’s like looking into a mirror, isn’t it?” she asked.

  “Yes,” Brian said as he flew the Mjolnir to the underside of the Avoni. The Kalaidian ship was on course to the south pole of Mardok Prime. Surrounding the Avoni, the mobile suits created a defensive formation. “Meldi, Myli, is everyone in place?”

  “Yes commander,” Meldi said.

  “Just a second more,” Myli said.

  “Brian, we’re picking something up on the scanners,” Zae reported. “It looks like it’s the same shape as the other Grey ships except for the size.” She sent over the images.

  Celi stared at the pictures in shock. “That thing’s nearly twenty ketres across!” she exclaimed.

  Brian smiled. “That’s why we brought gifts for them. I had a feeling as we approached the inner solar system we may see something like this. The Greys wouldn’t wipe out a planet for no reason. There’s something in this solar system they need.”

  “It appears the unknown ship is launching twenty or so smaller vessels,” Zae said before sending over more images.

  “They’re so confident they won’t even bother hiding,” Brian said.

  The south pole of the planet appeared above them. Brian looked only to see what he’d expected. All of the Kalaidians looking had the same look of horror on their face. The southern pole of the planet was covered with a massive, black charred crater, easily more than two hundred ketres wide. Back on the bridge of the Avoni Zae and Baed sat at their usual stations with Jesela in the back.

  “Jesela, how much energy would it take to do that?” Zae asked.

  “More than any drive I could imagine,” Jesela answered. She called up some more images of the planet’s surface. “Look at these.” The images were of cities, now barren and dead with no air around them. “I’m picking up dozens of these places on the planet.”

  “This confirms what we thought earlier,” Baed said.

  “The amount of energy needed would be on par with that of a thousand heavy class gravity drives,” Jesela calculated.

  “How is that possible? Even if the Kalaidian space forces fired everything they had they couldn’t blow the atmosphere off of a planet,” Zae asked.

  “This kind of weapon is on par with a singularity weapon,” Jesela said. “That’s going as far as theory can go through. Of course, the Greys are older than the Original Five races. And their technology is baffling to say the least.”

  A moment later a large energy blast emerged from the massive Grey ship. Baed had instinctively started to move the Avoni closer to the planet to use it for cover.

  “When will we be in firing range?” Brian asked over the com.

  “Another ten minutes,” Zae answered. “The range of that monster is five times ours.”

  “Baed, continue using the planet for cover as they advance,” Brian commanded. “We need to draw them in close enough to use our surprise.”

  “Everything is ready on our end,” Jesela said.

  “Good,” he turned to Celi, “Do you think it will be alright if I berserk?”

  “I’d rather you not in the condition you’re in,” she answered. “But I don’t think it can be helped.”

  “All mobile suits, take formation D-1,” Brian ordered. All of the mobile suits shifted to the front of the ship and put their shields at full power. The Grey carrier continued firing while the Avoni ducked away from a direct hit. “Squadron 1, take formation O-6 and follow my lead.”

  “Yes commander,” each of the pilots answered. Ten of the Raknas moved forward into line like formation behind the Mjolnir as it flew towards the Greys. “Squadron 2 is to deliver the presents.”

  “Yes commander,” the next ten answered over the com.

  “Meldi, Myli, you’re to stay with the ship in your present formation. If we stick to the plan we’ll come out of this battle alive.” When the Mjolnir and the ten Raknas with it approached the enemy another energy blast flew past them. This time it clipped the Avoni. There was severe damage to the ship’s shields.

  “We’re alright,” Zae said. “Continue on with the plan.”

  “Alright,” Brian answered.

  Zae turned to Jesela. “Are they ready?”

  “Launching now,” Jesela said. Four Mardok orbital stations powered and disengaged the cloaking shields attached to them. They flew at high speed towards the Grey ships. “All reactors are now set to meltdown. As long as the second squadron stays on course the plan will go off.”

  Baed laughed. “I can’t believe he thought to use them as weapons.”

  “Valis told me a long time ago that what makes Terrans unique is their innovative thinking,” Zae explained. “Whereas we saw four dead orbital stations he saw weapons to be used.”

  “Orbital stations are approaching the enemy fleet,” Jesela reported.

  Brian and the other mobile suits began firing into the smaller ships. They destroyed a number of them to clear a path. The second squadron took hold of each of the orbital stations and flew towards the Grey carrier. Brian and the first group continued forward as escorts before finally reaching the massive vessel. Brian blinked his eyes and they started glowing blue. Time slowed down for him. Aiming the pulse rifle, the Mjolnir moved faster than anyone had seen before. It flew around the carrier while blasting one small Grey vessel one after another. The squad behind him concentrated all of their fire on the carrier before flying at it with swords drawn. A moment later the Grey mothership fired back and destroyed two Raknas with powerful energy blasts. The eight remaining continued their desperate assault. Another blast damaged three of the remaining Raknas severely. The three damaged retreated quickly to allow the second squad with the orbital stations to close i
n. After finishing his frenzy, Brian drew the Mjolnir’s sword and flew into the carrier’s shields. With the aid of the other five Raknas they opened a hole in the carrier’s shielding systems.

  “Do it now!” Brian shouted.

  The second squadron tossed each of the orbital stations through the hole in the shields. One by one they barraged the orbital stations as they started exploding.

  “All units retreat!” Brian commanded.

  The Mjolnir and two of the other remaining Raknas each grabbed a damaged mobile suit and flew away from the Grey carrier. While all of the Kalaidian forces with Brian fled the four orbital stations exploded like nuclear weapons. The carrier began exploding before crashing in a fiery death into the planet below. The smaller Grey ships faded away quickly. Brian blinked his eyes and ended the berserk. A moment later he began coughing with wracking pains.

  “Brian,” Celi said. His hand and mouth had blood on it.

  “I’ll be alright,” he said before passing out from the pain.

  Chapter 13 - The Mad Malcovin

  In deep orbit of the dead Mardok prime silently moved a cloaked vessel. All around the strangely modified Malcovin ship moved varying types of robots and droids, some of which actually looked like Malcovin. On the main bridge sat a single living birdman covered in gray from age. Surrounding him were dozens of screens showing the status of the ship, along with numerous instruments scanning outside. A blip began flickering in front of him. He opened his eyes and noticed a strange reading. Bored, he mechanically sat forward and pressed a button to zoom in. His long range camera showed the images a battle.

  “Strange, I thought this system was dead,” he said to himself. “Who might be fighting whom out there?”

  He clicked the button a few more times to focus in closer. Panning the video up and down, he saw the Avoni with its mobile suits fighting Grey ships. What caught his eye were the mobile suits. He inspected them as closely as possible. He jumped up with excitement, a feeling he had thought he’d lost long ago.

  “He’s come! He’s come! Oh yes, he’s definitely made to space at long last!” the old Malcovin shouted to himself. “Those weapons are clearly based on the Talon, there’s no doubt about that! I’ve been waiting for all these years for him to finally appear, and now here’s the proof!” He gazed upon the battle as the Avoni emerged the victor. “But the question is how and why they’re so far out here?” He zoomed in and clearly saw the Mjolnir’s difference from the Raknas. “Thank the gods, now I can return in peace. I thought I saw him in that dream world, but now I know it’s real. He’s here! He’s here! Oh how I have waited for him to finally come.”

  The old Malcovin activated all of his ships systems and began scanning the Avoni thoroughly. A number of the robots and droids came to the bridge before moving into the positions a crew would normally take.

  “All systems are operating normally,” Droid A said.

  “Good,” the old Malcovin said. “Maintain stealth mode and follow that ship. We must ascertain everything we can before making a decision on what to do next. I’m so excited! At last I’ll be able to have a conversation with a living and breathing being.”

  “Are we not good enough for you master?” Droid B asked.

  “I thought we were your precious crew?” Droid C asked.

  “Of course you are! I love all of you just as well!” the old Malcovin shouted. “It’s not that your company isn’t appreciated, it’s just I’ve longed to speak with someone else for a long time. Someone I didn’t build that is.”

  “It appears they’ve succeeded in their battle against the Greys,” Droid A reported.

  “That’s proof they finally have the weapons capable of killing those ugly things,” the old Malcovin let out a mighty caw, “We must follow, yes we must. To follow is to dream, and to dream is to live, and to live is to…um…um…to live is to die!”

  “That’s depressing,” Droid B said.

  “Yes yes, you’re right. To live is to drink lots and lots of wine!” the old Malcovin said before taking out a bottle and drinking some wine himself. “This will be fun.” He chucked to himself.

  * * *

  Brian laid in the medical lab once more, unconscious while Celi stood over him. Outside, in the main room the other medical officers treated the injured pilots and crew. Celi scanned Brian thoroughly only to find the infection was getting worse quicker than she’d anticipated. He opened his eyes and sat up, staring at the others in the other room.

  “Are they alright?” he asked weakly.

  “They’re in better shape than you,” Celi said. “How do you feel?”

  “Like hell.” Brian shook his head. “The headache won’t go away at all. It feels like my body is on fire.”

  She grabbed a device containing a mixture of liquid and injected him with it.

  “This should help with the symptoms for now,” she said.

  “I’m sorry Celi; I just didn’t want everyone to…” he trailed off.

  She took his hand warmly. “All you wanted was to save them, wasn’t it? Thanks to what you did we survived.”

  “Tell that to the two who didn’t make it.”

  “It’s not your fault,” she said. “In this line of work death is common. And in the situation we’re in it’s probably the most likely ending.”

  “I know Celi, but still.” He looked away with frustration in his eyes. “Now that I know my decisions may cost them their lives I don’t’ know what to do.”

  “Just lead as best as you can,” Celi said. She grasped his hand tighter. “It’s all you can do; it’s all they want you to do.”

  “Have we jumped yet?” he asked.

  “Not yet,” she answered. “Zae wanted to check something out before leaving the system. Our long range camera picked up something quite large on the other side of the planet.”

  Brian sat in thought. “I wonder.”

  “You’d better get back to the bridge so Zae and the others don’t get suspicious.”

  “I’m going to have to tell them soon enough,” he said before stepping back into the exoskeleton. “I might not live very long at this pace.”

  “I’m doing everything I can just to keep you standing upright,” Celi had a look of sadness in her eyes, “What we need is a few days of rest.”

  “Agreed,” he said before leaving.

  * * *

  “I’m starting to agree with Brian on this,” Baed said. She flew the Avoni near the unusual structures in space. “The more I see the more disturbing it gets.”

  “Those structures are partially completed space colonies,” Zae said before standing up to take a closer look. “In a few more years they would’ve been completed.”

  “The smaller two look like they would have held around a hundred thousand apiece,” Baed said. “The larger structure would likely have been able to hold twice that.” She put the size of the structure on the monitor.

  “I hope they can understand our needs,” Zae said. She turned on the com system. “Jesela, send some engineers and take what we need. Their technology may be outdated, but the Avoni’s hull needs repair.”

  “I got it Zae,” Jesela answered. “It’ll take us a few hours to obtain what we need.”

  Brian entered bridge and joined the other two in front of the monitor

  “I’ve ordered Jesela to take what we need to repair the ship,” Zae said.

  “Good, we might as well,” Brian said. “It’s not like we can port for repairs anytime soon.”

  “Have you given any thought on how we should proceed home?” Zae asked. “I know you’ve been working a lot lately.”

  “You’re in the same boat Zae; I can see it in your eyes,” Brian said. “All of us need a few days of rest. I think I have an idea to help us with that.” He went to the captain’s chair and put a star map of the galaxy on the monitor. “Our course should follow this route.” He put another image over the top of the first. It showed the Avoni move towards the center of the galaxy and c
ircle towards Confederation territories.

  “That’s a tough route,” Baed said.

  “Yes, but the one the Greys won’t follow us by,” Zae said.

  “The Greys are a play it safe kind of military,” Brian said. “They only fight battles they believe they can win. The only reason we won the last one was because of a surprise, which I don’t anticipate working anymore.”

  “We’ll have to come out for a little to avoid those dangers,” Baed warned. “The gravitational effects of the black holes can pose a problem.”

  “I know, but at least we’ll minimize the amount of time spent in the direct path of the Greys,” Brian said. “Once they catch on to us they’ll pursue until we’re either captured or destroyed.”

  “That does fit their profile,” Zae said. “I agree with the plan. I can’t see us surviving many more battles in this region of space. It’s only a matter of time before they overpower us with numbers.”

  “Alright, I’ll set the course into the navigation systems,” Baed said. She went to her console and began working out the specifics.

  “You’re looking ragged,” Zae said.

  “The two of you look the same,” Brian countered. “The constant threat of death is wearing at us. That’s another reason I chose this route. We need rest, badly.”

  “Agreed,” Zae said.

  Baed noticed another blip on her console. What is that? She thought to herself. “Brian, Zae, I’ve been picking something up on the long range scanners for a while now.”

  “What is it?” Zae asked.

  “I’m not sure, but I think it’s a cloaked ship,” Baed answered. “It’s maintaining a constant distance from us.”

  “Keep an eye on it Baed,” Brian commanded. “Sometimes it’s just best to let it be.”

  Chapter 14 - Restful Moments