Heaven Saga 1: The Lost Hero

by Marcus Johnson

  She went to the table and grabbed sealed cup. “This will flash freeze the sample,” Celi said as she handed it to him.

  Brian placed the container in a side pocket on his belt. “I’ll bring it to you in a few days.”

  “Thank you,” Celi said as he left.

  “He looked really embarrassed,” Mira remarked.

  “I felt the same asking, but we really do need it,” Celi said.

  * * *

  Brian opened the door to the HDC and walked into the illusion of a bright sunny day in a desert. He saw a sand storm off in the distance and an oasis nearby. There, he found Kivi, wearing her circlet with two leaves as she meditated in the open sun.

  “It’s been awhile,” he said.

  She opened her eyes and stood up. “I bear gifts from Daes.”

  “What else could I need?” he asked.

  “The rakna blades you’re carrying are good for music, but not for battle. Daes made a few items to suit your tastes.”

  She went to a bush nearby and brought out a pair of large objects wrapped in cloth. She placed them at his feet. He knelt down to see what they were. He began with the object shaped like a sword. Unlike the rakna blades he had been using, the sword was the size of a European bastard sword, straight blade and extended hilt. The scabbard matched his armor. He picked up the blade and found the balance was perfect.

  “This is perfect,” he said.

  “I knew you’d like it,” Kivi said. “Before going into battle you’ll have to master the sword’s a special feature.”

  “What kind of special feature?” he asked.

  She waved her hand in a spinning motion. “If you spin the sword while at full power, you can gather energy. You release the energy by slashing in an arc, or by thrusting forward or back. Which way you attack will determine the shape and power of the energy beam released.”

  “I don’t suppose I could try it out here?” he asked.

  She shook her head. “Sorry, but firing a beam like that would damage the ship.”

  He removed the cloth from the second it. It looked like a massive dragon scale.

  “Is this a shield?” he asked.

  “Yes, and it locks into place here.” Kivi pointed to a spot on his left arm.

  He placed the shield into the spot she pointed to and found it fit perfectly. He flexed his arm and watched the large shield fold into his armor. “That’s handy. I don’t have to carry it on my back.” He flexed his arm again and caused the shield to grow to full size. He pressed a button on the shield. A second later a force field surrounded him. He turned off the force shield and let the shield fold into his left arm. “I really appreciate this.” Looking behind Kivi, he saw something else in the bushes. “What’s that?”

  She smiled. “That’s for me.” She revealed a set armor with the motif of a sea serpent. “I saw your armor and decided I should have a set made for me,” she said as she stepped into the armor. She wore a pair of rakna blades on her belt. “Would you mind sparring with me?”

  He smiled. “That’s just the thing I need.”

  * * *

  The two sat in the shade while enjoying the holographic weather.

  Kivi turned to him. “So what’s the special project Daes is busy with?”

  Brian stood up and motioned for her to join him. “Come and see for yourself.”

  They left the HDC and headed for the cargo bay.

  “It’s going to take a few more weeks to finish the computer systems, but Daes told me its nearing completion,” he said as they came to the bay door.

  The cargo bay looked more like a weapons development lab. A number of engineers were in the room while Daes was at the main console working. As Brian and Kivi walked in, Daes looked up and went over to them.

  “I wondered when you’d come to see what we’re building,” Daes said. She led them to the corner of the cargo bay. “It can take the form a light class cruiser or giant bipedal robot.” Daes flipped a switch on her belt.

  Light above shined on the mobile suit. The metallic giant stood over twenty vetres in height. It was equipped with a massive sword and shield. Propulsion systems were attached to the back and feet.

  “I never thought you could make this real,” he said as he touched the leg of the robot. “Daes, you’re really a great engineer.”

  “True,” Daes said. She stared proudly at the Mjolnir. “But the original designs were crafted by genius far greater than mine.”

  Chapter 24 – Dega Jul

  Brian was alone in his room. After equipping the shield and placing his rakna blade on his back, he placed the helmet on his head to lock it into place. Before leaving, he looked at his image in the mirror. He head to the rear of the ship until he came to a stairway leading outside, down to a landing pad. Though shielded by his helmet, Brian saw real sunlight for the first time in nearly a year. Looking down, he saw Seles, Mira, Jesela, and Celi. The four of them stood outside talking. As he approached, each of them gave him a funny look.

  “Is that you?” Seles asked.

  “Yes,” he answered with his robot voice. “Remember to call me Commander while we’re amongst others.”

  They gave him a funny look again. “What is it?” he asked.

  Mira came over to him. “Your voice sounds really weird.”

  “I agree,” added Jesela.

  “Such amazing detail,” Celi said as she paced around him. “You look like a Keinien Android.”

  He gazed at the metropolis around him, with skyscrapers reaching twice the height of those he saw on Earth. He saw city from horizon to horizon, with aerial vehicles flying everywhere. The group gathered around.

  “So where should we go friends?” Jesela asked.

  “I say shopping, and then make a stop at the Kritkar,” Mira suggested.

  “Yeah, there’re a lot of things I need to pick up for research,” Celi said.

  “Then let’s go!” Jesela exclaimed as she took the lead.

  Brian followed them quietly. Seles walked near the back and stayed with him.

  “What’s wrong?” Seles asked. “You don’t seem very talkative.”

  “It’s nothing,” he answered. “I’m just taking in the scenery. You have to remember I’ve been cooped up on the Avoni for almost a year now.”

  They walked behind the others as they entered the street level of the city. Brian saw numerous different races making business, legitimate or not.

  “So what is this Kritkar place?” he asked as they walked to the store front of a Kalaidian seamstress.

  “The Kritkar is a mixed race bar less than a ketre from here,” Seles explained. “It’s a good place to acclimate you to our world. The bartender is an old Malcovin named Grig. ”

  Mira and Jesela started ranting on how they had to get a certain dress. Celi looked totally disinterested, while Seles laughed at the situation. Brian noticed that even disguised, he was getting a lot of stares. They went into the Kalaidian shop and were greeted by the designer. She was an average sized lady with long purple hair and crimson eyes. She wore a bejeweled dress that accented her figure perfectly.

  “Who’s she?” he asked Seles.

  Seles stood next to him. “Her name’s Mya. She’s owned this shop for over forty years and is considered one of the top three clothing designers amongst Kalaidians.”

  “Welcome again ladies,” Mya said. “So what can I get for you today?” She walked to each of the girls to note their figure and size. Mya stopped when she got to Brian.

  “Don’t mind him Mya,” Mira said. “He’s a Keinien Android we reactivated a few months ago.”

  Mya paced around him. “It’s in excellent condition for something over a century old. She tapped his chest. “Can you speak?”

  “Of course,” he answered. “My designation is A-17598. But, I’m usually called Commander.”

  Mya nodded to the others. “Go ahead and look around girls.” She turned back to Brian while Mira and Jesela started looking around. Celi and Sel
es did the same while staying close to him.

  “My Commander, you’re impressively built,” Mya said as she looked at Brian’s armor and weaponry.

  “As you are Mya,” Brian said.

  Mya giggled. “It seems you have an advanced A.I. No normal android would have a sense of humor.”

  “That’s true Mya. I’ve been updated beyond the standard perimeters for an android of my class,” Brian said.

  Brian was peppered with questions from Mya for two hours before Mira and Jesela finally decided on what they were going to buy. Seles asked for something special, prompting a funny look from Mya. They left and headed for the Kritkar. Brian noticed the street opened up into a market. There were beings of every kind, from the snake people called the Shandi, to the humanoid rat people called Odarians. After a few minutes they came to a large building with the Malcovin Rune style sign showing “Kritkar”. Seles led the way in with Brian right behind her while Celi, Mira, and Jesela followed. The main bar was set around the center as one large square. There were a number of Malcovin, Kalaidians, Minans, Shandi, and a pair of heavily dressed creatures in the corner. The place was about half full at the moment. At the far end was a large stage. Manning the center was a grey feathered Malcovin dressed in a set of loose brown shirt and pants. Seles led them to the center bar. Brian noticed he was drawing the attention of a number of customers.

  The bartender turned to Seles and her group as they came to the bar. “It’s good to see you again Lady Seles,” the old birdman said as he looked at Brian.

  Seles smiled. “Don’t mind him Grig; he’s a Keinien Android we found a few months ago on a job,” she patted Brian on the back, “He makes a great bodyguard.”

  Grig cocked his head and blinked. “It’s sure imposing.” He turned back to Seles and the rest of the group. “So, is it the usual?”

  “Yes,” all of them responded.

  Grig turned to Brian. “What about the android?”

  Mira leaned forward. “He doesn’t need food or drink Grig.”

  He looked at Mira and nodded his head. “I’ll have your drinks ready in a few minutes. Until then, take any place you want.”

  Grig began gathering ingredients for Kalaidian style drinks. Jesela and Celi picked out a table near the wall. Brian noticed that the pair of strangely dress figures eyed him very closely as he joined his companions and sat at the table.

  “So how is it Commander?” Celi asked.

  “I didn’t think the universe was so diverse.” He turned to Seles. “What race are those two in the corner. The way they’re looking at me gives me the creeps.”

  She glanced in their direction. “Those are Ick-Tckt. They’re insects, so they don’t need to blink. Their kind is unnerving to everyone.”

  Grig came over to the table with their drinks. “So, can I get you ladies anything to eat?”

  Each of them labeled off some kind of special Kalaidian dish. Grig took their orders and left. Out of the corner of his eye, Brian noticed a pair of Minans staring at him while their bear-like faces kept snorting. Each of them stood over seven feet. Their bodies were covered in thick brown fur with hands and feet like humans. One flexed his retractable claws in and out while looking at Brian. Their clothes were patched pieces of metal and cloth, and each wore a battle axe on their back. Both finished their drink before slamming the tankard on the table and walking over to Brian. The girls noticed the drunken bearmen towering over them.

  “What kind of creature is this thing?” one of them asked as it waved its fist.

  Seles turned to them. “The Commander here is a Keinien Android we recently reactivated.”

  “Keine…what?” the second asked.

  “It’s an android,” Celi said.

  “Well I don’t like it. Get it out of here!” the first one bellowed. The Minan moved to put a hand on Seles. Brian swiped it away and stood between them and the table.

  “If you have something to say, say it to me,” Brian said.

  “You can talk?” the second asked.

  “Yes, and I’m telling the both of you to leave.”

  “You leave robot!” the first one bellowed before punching Brian in the face. The helmet took most of the hit.

  He smiled under his mask. “Bad move.”

  He punched the Minan in front of him, knocking the bearman into the wall. The drunken creature stood up, totally confused. The bar went silent. The second Minan attempted a punch. Brian caught its hand. He squeezed until he heard bone break and then tossed the injured creature aside. He walked towards the other one and noticed he’d drawn his axe. The Minan cursed and swung. Brian drew his sword and shattered the axe with a single blow. After sheathing his blade, Brian grabbed the Minan and threw him out of the bar. The second Minan, holding his broken hand, cursed Brian as he ran out the door. He walked over to the Grig.

  “I’m sorry for the scene.” Brian pulled out some gold strips and handed them to the old Malcovin. “That should cover the fee for any damages.” He walked back to the table and sat down. They all stared at him.

  “What?” he asked.

  “How did beat them so easily?” Mira asked.

  “Did you go to full power?” Jesela asked.

  “No, only 50%,” he answered. “I didn’t think the people in this establishment would like guts adorning the walls.”

  Grig went to their table with their meals. “Here’s your order,” he said as he looked at Brian again.

  “I’m not going to attack you,” Brian said. “I serve as a bodyguard for these ladies.”

  “That’s not what I’m wondering,” Grig said. He turned to the girls. “If you come across another one of these androids please send it my way. I could use a guard like it,” the old Malcovin said before going back to the bar.

  The girls started laughing.

  Chapter 25 – First Mission

  “It’s Seles,” she said through the door com. “We have a mission briefing an hour from now.”

  Brian groaned and tossed his blanket aside.

  “Are you awake?” she asked through the door.

  He yawned and opened the door to find Seles holding a tray of food. “You brought me breakfast?”

  She smiled. “I didn’t think you’d have time to stop at the mess hall.”

  She walked in and placed the food on the table. Brian wandered into his bathroom for a few minutes and emerged in uniform with tired eyes.

  “Thanks for bringing this,” he said as he sat down to eat.

  “It looks like you’ve acclimated to our food,” she said.

  He looked down at his half-finished plate. “I’d really give anything to have a pizza right now.”

  “What kind of food is that?” she asked as she handed him a canister of water.

  “Describing it won’t be any good,” he gulped down some water,” It’d be better if I make one for you.”

  “It doesn’t have any meat, does it?”

  He shrugged. “One can put meat on it. But, I’ll make a pizza that complies with your diet.”

  Seles looked down as if she was in deep thought. Finished with his meal, Brian finished the water.

  “What’s wrong Seles?” he asked.

  She looked him in the eye. “Are you happy here?”

  “Yes,” he answered. “I miss my home of course, and my old friends. But, I’m happy here.”

  “Is that all?” she asked.

  He nodded his head. “I’m not going crazy.” He donned his armor and stretched.

  “Okay,” she said. “But if something does come up, please tell me.”

  “If something’s bothering me, you’ll be the first to know.”

  * * *

  Valis, Kivi, and Zae stood over the strategy table. They were looking at holographic images of a large asteroid with an entrance on the outside.

  “Are you sure this information is legitimate?” Zae asked.

  “Yes. This information came from Captain Esra,” Valis said.

  “It’
s been a long time since we got the chance to meet with our sister ship,” Kivi said.

  “Yes, it has been a long time,” Valis said. “I recently met with Captain Esra to discuss a few things. She told me this base is a major smuggling operation run by Shandi and that it would require more than one vessel to take it.”

  “So this will be a joint operation?” Zae asked.

  Valis nodded. “Yes, we’re to meet the Daevoni near Dega Six and commence the operation from there. The base is well guarded, but we should be able to pull this off.”

  “And what are we plundering?” Brian asked as he entered the room with Seles behind him.

  Valis smiled. “My source tells me the Shandi have a rather large load of weapons and shielding systems for space vessels. That’s all she knows.”

  Brian walked up the table and studied the images carefully. He smiled as if he found something.

  “What is it?” Zae asked.

  “There’s obviously an advanced shielding system protecting the front,” he pointed at the front gate, “But they lack one here,” he pointed to the back of the asteroid.

  “You’ve caught onto my plan before I even explained it,” Valis said. “I was going to send you out on the Mjolnir to infiltrate the rear entrance.”

  “Is he ready for this?” Zae asked.

  Valis nodded. “He’d better be. That mobile suit of his cost me a fortune.”

  “I’d like to go with him,” Kivi said.

  “Bring a few soldiers with you,” Valis ordered. “I don’t want me first and second officers getting killed in their first mission together.”

  * * *

  Brian entered the cargo bay with Zae and Kivi and went straight to the Mjolnir. He looked up and saw the giant was nearly complete. Only the paint job remained.

  “You’ve done a great job Daes,” he said as she joined them.

  Daes smiled with excitement in her eyes. “This is the next generation of fighting weapons. I’m glad I had a chance to implement a few theories into this craft.”