Heaven Saga 3: Sojourn Into Despair

by Marcus Johnson

  “Meldi, Myli, treat the unknowns as allies,” Brian ordered. “Resume defensive posture.”

  “Yes commander,” the pair said before moving the remaining twenty five Raknas into defense mode.

  * * *

  “The Grey formation is falling apart sir,” Droid A reported.

  The old Malcovin cawed. “Hopefully our newfound friends managed to survive. How are the Talons performing?”

  “Not one has been destroyed yet sir,” Droid B answered. “The enemy hasn’t figured out their attack pattern.”

  “We should be finished here in the next few minutes,” Droid C said.

  The old Malcovin’s ship flew to the side of the asteroid the Avoni was clinging to.

  “It’s time we said hello,” the old Malcovin said.

  * * *

  On the Avoni’s bridge Zae put the image of the Malcovin vessel on the monitor. “It looks like a Deague class ship.”

  “It’s an older model then,” Brian said.

  “The Deagues were retired about twenty years ago when Geld class ships appeared,” Zae explained. “But my scans are producing some interesting results.”

  “What kind of results?” Baed asked.

  “It’s definitely of Malcovin make, as well as the Talons,” Zae said. “But the shielding system is ten times the Avoni’s output.”

  “Interesting,” Brian said.

  “We’re being hailed by the other ship,” Zae said. “Should I put it through?”

  “Of course,” he said. “It’d be rude not speak with the one who saved your life.”

  “Alright,” she said.

  Zae pressed the button to let the message through. On the monitor appeared the image of a grey Malcovin with a number of Droids at the positions normally reserved for officers. The old birdman looked familiar to all three on the bridge of the Avoni. But none of them could place where they saw him.

  “Greetings and thanks for your aid Sir,” Brian said while saluting. “I’m Lieutenant Commander Peterson of the Independent Kalaidian vessel Avoni.”

  “You’re definitely not Kalaidian young man,” the old Malcovin said before laughing.

  “That’s true, I’m Terran,” Brian said.

  “You say you’re Terran? I didn’t expect you to look so much like the pretty little ladies from the lands of Kali.” The old Malcovin stood up and bowed as a Malcovin officer would. “I am Grigon, owner of this vessel, the Vomada. I have waited long to meet you Brian Peterson, yes I have.”

  “Are you Grigon the Thunder?” Zae asked.

  “Of course little girl,” the old Malcovin answered. “I don’t use the nickname because I’m not a braggart. But I am him if that’s what you’re asking.”

  “You’ll have to forgive our surprise Grigon,” Brian said. “According to the records of your world you died in an accident twenty years ago.”

  “There are a lot of people who die in accidents Brian, but I wasn’t one of them,” Grigon said. “I was banished from my world because I spoke out against the policies of the Patriarchy, not to mention my technological research was considered foolish and unrealistic. But you’ve proven them right, haven’t you? I’ve seen your mobile suits in action and they’re quite impressive.” Grigon turned to his side. “All of the Greys in this area have been destroyed. I hope your ship can still fly.”

  “We should be able to gravity jump in five minutes,” Baed said.

  “It’s obvious from the display out there that you’ve built and expanded on the Phase Talon quite a bit,” Brian said.

  “I’ve had ten years to perfect them,” Grigon said. “It took me that long to build one on my own. How long ago did you start on this path?”

  “Five years ago was when I was given the plans to the Talon,” Brian answered.

  “Damn, I was hoping you’d received them earlier.” Grigon sighed. “I guess it can’t be helped. As soon as we leave this place I’ll be bringing over a few gifts your ship will appreciate. I have a spare heavy class drive full charged and ready to install.”

  “Jesela will be happy to hear the news,” Brian said.

  “By the way, how’s that grandson of mine doing?” Grigon asked.

  “Dreka followed in your foot steps and constructed Talon,” Brian answered. “He and the other ships we were with should have returned to Confederation space by now.”

  “Then how did you get so far out here?” Grigon asked.

  “An accident threw us out here,” Zae said.

  “We’re ready to jump anytime now,” Baed reported.

  “Call back all mobile suits,” Brian commanded.

  Grigon turned to Droid A. “Call back all the Talons and prepare to jump with them.”

  “Yes sir,” Droid A answered.

  “See you on the other side,” Brian said.

  “Likewise young Terran,” Grigon said.

  Chapter 16 - Meeting of the Minds

  “Everything’s ready,” Droid D said before giving Grigon a report through the Talon’s computer. He checked all the settings to make sure the auto pilot system was turned off.

  “There’s no way at my age I could fly at this speed,” the old Malcovin joked to himself. “Take care of the ship while I’m gone.”

  “Of course sir,” Droid A said.

  “It’s time to say hello to my new friends,” Grigon said.

  He launched in a Phase Talon and flew to the Avoni. The Avoni and Vomada were in orbit of a large planetoid made up of ice and rock with a diameter of almost a thousand ketres. Grigon flew the Talon masterfully into the Avoni’s main launching bay. Jesela watched as the mobile suit flew in while noting the differences from the Dreka’s. Brian and Celi stood at ready. Grigon turned off the mobile suit before leaving via the elevator cord. He stood a head shorter than Brian with grey feathers showing his age. Grigon peered around the room.

  “It’s been such a long time since I saw people I forgot my manners. I’m Grigon,” he said before saluting.

  “It’s good to meet you,” Brian said as he extended his hand. Grigon shook hands with him.

  Celi had a hand scanner ready and checked Grigon. The old Malcovin gave her a strange look.

  “I’m sorry but Brian wanted to confirm your identity,” she said. Celi found Grigon’s DNA proved he was related to Dreka. “He is who he says he is.”

  “Of course it’s me, I should know young lady,” the old birdman cawed. “By the way, where’s your captain?”

  Brian motioned for them to head to the bridge. “Captain Valis and commander Kivi were hurt in our first encounter with the Greys,” he explained. “They had to leave this ship for another. The Avoni is now under my command for the time being. Lieutenant commander Celi here is the chief medical officer.”

  “It’s worse than I thought,” Grigon said. The three entered the elevator to the bridge. “So how did you get out here?”

  “A Grey ship collided with us during our attempt to gravity jump away,” Brian explained. “It overloaded the drive and threw us all the way out here.”

  “Better than being stuck in the middle of deep space,” Grigon said.

  The door opened to the bridge. Baed and Zae were waiting. All of them went into the meeting room.

  “Thank you for your assistance,” Zae said. “Without your help our voyage may have ended.”

  “It was luck I guess,” Grigon said. He started checking all the devices. “I was surprised to find anything alive out here.”

  “Did you know about the Mardok?” Brian asked.

  “Of course,” the old birdman answered. “It was the second time I’d been through the system. Sad story, I know the details young man. But what occurred there was tame compared to some of the things I’ve seen while flying these parts of the galaxy.”

  “How long have you been out here?” Zae asked. “And how have you evaded detection?”

  “Questions questions, of course they’d ask questions,” Grigon muttered. “Truth be told all I’ve done is applied th
e Talon’s phase ability to my ship. Despite its age the Vomada could blast yours out of the vacuum faster than you can yell no! With the phase cloak up the Greys can’t detect your ship, no, not at all. They’re predictable when it comes to tactics and strategies. They don’t innovate very well. It’s probably because of their lack of individuality they’re so bland and listless.” Grigon paused and noticed those around him looked a bit lost. “Anyway, the phase cloak works on the heavy class ship level. All one has to do is modify the ship to allow for it.”

  “Why are you helping us?” Zae asked.

  “Well miss, because it’s my fate,” Grigon answered. “A long time ago the four of you found yourselves in a strange place, an ocean of thoughts and dreams. You remember don’t you? I was there as well, watching from a distance. I couldn’t believe it! What the old man Myden said had finally come to pass!” He patted Brian on the back. “I never thought I’d ever meet you after all these years Brian. I was worried about dying of old age long before you came to us, but now I’m here to help you.”

  “You know about Myden?” Brian asked.

  “Yes yes, he’s a bit on the cold side, and his telepathy is off putting at first. But overall, he’s a decent fellow. He’s quite unlike his cursed brethren for whom I could care less about. He wears a grey cloak and carries a strange black staff the length he is tall, and usually has his hair cut neat with a beard and mustache. It was odd the first time I saw a natural Grey. A shock more when he spoke inside my head, that was really strange at first.”

  “Where do you fit in all this?” Brian asked.

  “I’m the second of the three Wisemen, although I’m not sure if we’re all supposed to be male, so I’d rather say Wise Ones,” Grigon answered. “If Myden’s the one of the past, then I’m to the one of the present. I gave to you the mobile suit, a technological innovation key to defeating the Greys one day. For now I’ll help with anything I can.”

  * * *

  Jesela studied over the Phase Talon with extreme interest. Grigon entered the chamber and saw she was alone in her work.

  “You must be the chief engineer, Jesela,” Grigon said as he approached her.

  “For now at least,” she said. “Daes is the one who’s supposed to be in charge.”

  “Is there something interesting you?” he asked while patting the Talon on the leg.

  “You’ve applied the next stage of the drive system, haven’t you?” Jesela asked. “I can tell by how they were flying outside their power output increased by another fifty percent or so.”

  “It’s forty seven percent to be exact,” the old birdman said. “It took me a few years to perfect the system.”

  “You’re the opposite of Dreka,” she said. “He likes to play it safe.”

  “He was always like that,” Grigon said. “Even when he was a hatchling he made a fuss about things. I’m not surprised he turned out that way.”

  “I also noticed the gifts on the back there,” Jesela said. She pointed at the cargo hatch. “We’ll install the drive as soon as possible.”

  “Whatever you say,” Grigon said before pulling out a hand computer to unlock the hatch. “Because you’re young and full of energy, I’ll leave the work to you. I’d like to have a chance to look over your ship’s system in the meantime.”

  “Whatever you wish old man,” Jesela said teasingly. “At least now it’ll only take us six months to get home.”

  * * *

  Brian, Zae, and Celi watched Grigon chat with Jesela over the monitor in the meeting room.

  “Do you think we can trust him?” Zae asked.

  “His DNA matches,” Celi said. “At least we know who he is.”

  “We have little choice in the matter,” Brian said. “I think we can trust him. Actions speak louder than words.”

  “True,” Zae said. “What do you think he was doing out here all these years? And why did he never tell anyone that he was still alive?”

  “Enemies,” Celi said. “If you look back at history, Grigon was hated by most modern scientists because his theory on gravity drive systems was so far ahead of theirs. I’m not an expert on how his systems work, but I do know they’ll be the basis for the next generation of ships.”

  “That’s what he said about the Avoni,” Zae said. “He mentioned our systems need to be upgraded.”

  “Let him,” Brian said. “I’m going to go over to his ship once repairs begin.”

  “Good idea,” Zae said.

  “There’s something else I should tell you Zae, something very important,” Brian said.

  “Are you sure Brian?” Celi asked.

  “I think it’s time to tell her,” he said. “She’s my first officer right now.”

  “What’s this about?” Zae asked.

  “Celi’s found that I contracted the plague responsible for killing the males of your world,” he answered.

  Zae stood speechless for a moment. “How is that possible?” she asked.

  “I’m still working on it,” Celi answered. “I’m doing my best to find a cure but at this rate his condition is deteriorating rapidly. At the current rate the infection is spreading it’ll be terminal within six months.”

  Zae stood for a moment in silence while thinking over the situation. “How long until your performance is affected?” she asked.

  “It’s already here,” Brian answered. “It started with headaches a few weeks ago and now it’s affecting my balance. If Celi doesn’t inject me with a specific cocktail of drugs each day I’d already be on the ground.”

  “I can keep him moving for the next three months and then alive for perhaps three more,” Celi explained.

  “We shouldn’t tell the crew this until it’s absolutely necessary,” Zae said. “Brian, you’re more than their commander, you serve as their Maigar.”

  “That’s why I want you to take Mira’s place for now,” Brian said. “I know five years ago you were the runner up for the position of Reinere, so I’d like you to take the position for now.”

  “Are you sure?” Zae asked. “It seems like something not important at the moment.”

  “No Zae, it’s far more important than you think,” he said. “Music for your people is sacred and they need a priestess to tell them things are going to be alright.”

  “It would help get their minds off the current situation,” Celi added. “I believe it’s a good idea to try.”

  “Zae, the crew needs you,” Brian said. “And should this disease prove to be my end someone they trust and can look to needs to be in charge. You’re the only one I can ask to do this.”

  “I’ll do it,” she said. “But I pray this won’t be the end for you Brian.” She turned to Celi. “I’ll make sure to keep a strong power supply to your labs Celi. Do your best to comfort him. And may the goddess bless your mind so you can find a cure.”

  “We’re all hoping for that,” Celi said.

  Chapter 17 - An Old Man’s Tale

  When the Mjolnir landed in the Vomada behind Grigon’s Talon, the old Malcovin jumped out quickly to get a good look at the mobile suit.

  “An impressive piece of technology, isn’t it?” Grigon asked as Brian left the cockpit. “By the way, does the black box system work?”

  “Are you talking about the A.I. system?” Brian asked. “Because if that’s what you’re thinking, then yes.”

  “Good, good. I’ll have to check it over and make sure it’s functioning properly.” Grigon pointed to the droid workers around his ship. “As you can see I expanded on the A.I. system so I could have a crew. The ones on the bridge are as capable as a sentient being is, though their company isn’t as interesting as yours.”

  “Are you the only living creature on the ship?” Brian asked as the old birdman showed him around.

  “Yes,” Grigon said. “I intended to take my family and a few others with me on this journey. Unfortunately, I had to flee Confederation space a lot sooner than anticipated.” He turned on an odd looking console. “Well, here
it is.”

  “What’s this?” Brian looked over the code. “This is the A.I. system.”

  “Yes, these codes are the basis for the prototype. From these lines of code I was able to craft for myself a working crew. I’ve also finished writing the systems for the Talons to fly on autopilot. Their reaction time is two to three times that of a living pilot.”

  “But a living pilot has more to offer.”

  “Of course,” Grigon said. “A living pilot can awaken to surpass the systems I’ve created. But these will serve as another line of defense in the coming battles. Something I noticed was the incorporation of the fighter class vessel docking systems into the Mjolnir and Phase Raknas.”

  “Yes, but since the Novaguard was retired they haven’t been used.”

  “Did you throw them away?” Grigon asked.

  “Of course not,” Brian answered. “They’re gathering dust in the old fighter bays.”

  “Why not program them using this system?” Grigon asked. “You can use them for additional firepower on the mobile suits.”

  “Good idea. I’ll bring it back to Jesela when I return later.”

  “I’ll make sure to give you a copy before then,” Grigon said. “Now, what is it you wish to speak about? I may have been away from civilization for a very long time but I remember when someone’s going to ask me something.”

  “How far have you traveled?” Brian asked. “And what do you know about the Teacher?”

  “As for the first question, I’ve traveled the length of the Grey’s territory in space. I’ve seen the other side, the divide between your world and the Mylor’s territory. Before answering your second question I will tell you a few things Brian.”

  “Go ahead.”

  “The incident with the Mardok is not isolated. The Greys have systematically eliminated all space faring races within their realm. Like the Mylor, the Greys have set up a line of ships and bases on the edge of Terran space. I’m sure the Mylor have kept a vigilant stance because Terrans have great potential. Also, I’m sure they don’t care for the Greys methods of dealing with races they don’t agree with.”