Heaven Saga 2: Sands of Aquarius

by Marcus Johnson

  Examining the image closely, Kivi signaled to speak. “So let me guess your plan.” Kivi pointed to the ships in orbit. “You’ll have the Mjolnir and Novas launch a surprise attack to push the Gants out of position. Then our main ships come into the fray and finish off their battleships. Meanwhile, the Mjolnir and the Novas take out the orbital defense system.”

  Valis smiled. “That’s exactly what I had in mind.”

  * * *

  Jesela and Daes looked from the monitor in the cargo bay towards the Mjolnir, and then towards an object looking quite similar to the giant robot, only built up to the midsection.

  “It’s coming along faster than we anticipated,” Jesela said.

  Daes checked the schematics for the incomplete Phase Rakna. “When this mobile suit and is finished we’ll be the leading race technologically.” Daes smiled, looking then at the Mjolnir before turning to Jesela. “Do you know how we came across this technology?”

  “I don’t know the specifics, but it has something to do with the Talon.”

  “I designed the Mjolnir based on the blueprints of the Talon. What I find strange is that a field commander of the Malcovin handed the data crystal with the schematics on the Talon to Brian as he died.” Daes walked back to the monitor.

  “Why would he do such a thing?” Jesela asked as Brian and Seles walked into the room.

  “If you’re curious Jesela I can tell you what he said as he died,” Brian said.

  Daes, Jesela, and Seles all looked at him. “Tell us,” the three said nearly in unison.

  He scratched his beard and glanced at the Mjolnir. “He said this to me: I was entrusted with this for you Terran. As the Thunder predicted the Warrior has come. Those were his last words. I’ve yet to understand them.

  Daes stared at the Mjolnir. Is it possible that Grigon knew about Brian? She thought.

  “Daes, you look really out of it,” Brian said.

  “Sorry about that.”

  Seles looked to the far side of the Mjolnir and noticed the frame of the Phase Rakna. “Is that what you were talking about a few days ago Jesela?”

  “Oh yes. Now that we’ve figured out the drive system and basic systems of the craft it’s only a matter of time before we finish this,” Jesela answered. The Avoni went to full battle alert.

  “It appears talking time is over,” Brian said.

  * * *

  Seles ran into the launching bay and saw all forty three of her subordinates standing by.

  “As each of you read in the mission plan we’re going to launch a coordinated attack using our Novas alongside the other ships’ squadrons,” Seles said before jumping into her Nova’s cockpit.

  “Yes lieutenant,” each pilot answered before doing likewise.

  Seles turned on the systems as she readied to move out. When the bay doors opened the sight of Kalmar came into view. The planet was of similar size and mass of Kalaidia, but devoid of water. Other than the brown and tan of the desert the main features of Kalmar were formations of rock algae. Under the surface of the desert were vast water deposits. Seles took a deep breath before flying her craft into space. Behind her each Nova did the same before moving into a trident formation with her at the head. The Mjolnir came into view from above and took point. Behind the Avoni were three heavy class Kalaidian ships. Each launched their Novaguards. Brian’s image appeared on every one of their screens.

  “This is Maigar Brian Peterson calling all Novaguards. Take formation D-2, with your squadron leaders in the front.” The Mjolnir drew its pulse cannon. “Our goal is the break through the center of the enemy formation while destroying as many as possible. The signal to go in will be my pulse cannon firing.”

  Brian flew the invisible Mjolnir as close as he could to check the Shandi formation. Three Gant class ships were positioned around a small orbital station with a hundred and twenty Spits in formation. It’s time to show them what I can really do in this thing. He flipped the switch above his seat and shifted the gravity drive to full power. He aimed the pulse cannon and fired an energy blast into the center of the Shandi formation, destroying the orbital base. As Mjolnir speed forward the squads of Novas followed, blasting away with their pulse cannons. Drawing the rakna from its back, the Mjolnir landed on one of the Gant class ships. Using the blade, the mobile suit carved a hole in the hull. Flying away at full speed it took aim and fired a blast straight through the Shandi ship. Brian saw the light of the explosion to his back.

  “What’s our status?” Brian asked over the com.

  “Looks like everything is going as planned,” Seles said.

  Brian checked his radar. Two Heavy ships and about a hundred Spits remain. He turned to the orbital defenses. I’d better destroy them before they begin attacking us.

  “Move into formation S-4,” Brian ordered. When the Novas flew through the enemy formation they surrounded another Gant class vessel. They combined their attacks to drain its shields. The Mjolnir turned and fired a pair of shots into the Spit formations, destroying a few dozen of the smaller ships. Flying towards the Gant ship under attack the Mjolnir aimed and fired. The ship tried to evade, but the sheer amount of firepower hitting the shields couldn’t prevent the vessel from being blasted. The ship exploded while the Novas took formation around the Mjolnir.

  * * *

  From far behind Valis watched the battle unfold. Her eyes widened as she watched the second Gant ship explode. I predicted one destroyed. How is this possible?

  Kivi smiled as she watched the battle. “He’s amazing.”

  “Yes, he definitely is,” Valis said. The third and final ship exploded from the third wave of attacks. Captain Esra appeared on the monitor.

  “Valis, do you think your Maigar could let us have some fun?”

  “I don’t pay him to only do half the job.”

  “It must be easier for you to plan strategy with him around,” Esra said.

  “No Esra, it’s harder.” Valis stared as the Novas while they finished off the Spits. “My plans anticipated one main ship destroyed and a fourth of the Spits. I’ve never seen such display superiority as this.”

  * * *

  From the ground Shiken Ka watched the battle in space.

  Commander El Kar stood next to his lord. “It seems that Terran’s craft is destroying our forces with ease. I’d hate to say it, but with him on her side, Captain Valis is invincible.”

  Shiken took up a glass of red wine. “No El Kar, this was in my plans. My contacts told me this was the power of the Mjolnir.” He raised his glass to the sky. “Now I’ve got you right where I want you Lady Star.”

  Chapter 14 - The Desert Snake

  Valis paced on the bridge in front of the main monitor. Baed and Zae relaxed while waiting for further orders. Kivi finished the work at her station and headed the exit elevator.

  “Be careful Kivi,” Valis said.

  “Don’t worry; I’ll capture the base on Kalmar.” Kivi said.

  “I hope so.” Valis looked at the monitor again. This is too easy. Shiken Ka must have something planned. She sat down and began working out a plan on her chair computer. “Zae, relay an order to the other ships that we will begin an orbital bombardment on the Ka palace. I’m sure they have shields to protect them, but at least we can give our ground forces a chance to set up.”

  “Yes captain.”

  Captain Esra’s imaged appeared on the main monitor. “Looks like you’ve been handed another victory old friend,” Esra remarked while the Daevoni flew closer to the Avoni. The Callmai and Xardain positioned themselves close to the southern pole.

  “Perhaps,” Valis said.

  * * *

  Looks like they’re all cleared. Brian thought as the last defense satellite was destroyed by the Mjolnir’s pulse cannon. Turning the giant around, he flew back towards the main group of Novaguards.

  “Are you already done?” Seles asked over the com.

  “Yeah, it looks like I’m finished,” he said before checking his radar
. There were no enemies remaining.

  Valis appeared on their monitors. “The two of you are going to escort the ground forces down to the surface. Seles, take twenty Novas down with you. Make sure to change their ventilation systems for surface conditions.”

  “Yes captain,” Seles said.

  * * *

  Shiken stood on the balcony of his massive pyramid shaped palace, surrounded by a number of smaller pyramids acting as storage and shelter for his troops. Looking through his enhanced binoculars he watched the Kalaidian troops landing ten ketres south of his position.

  “Looks like a lot,” El Kar remarked.

  Shiken turned and laughed. “Not enough. Even with the Terran’s giant they can’t penetrate our base’s shield.” He handed the binoculars to El Kar. “Have our allies deploy their forces. If we’re lucky we’ll catch both Captain Valis and the Terran from two sides.”

  “Yes sir,” El Kar said before leaving.

  Shiken narrowed his eyes and stared into the bright sandy dunes before his base. I‘ve waited for a long time to get my revenge on you Lady Star. Nearly a decade has passed since I fell into your trap. Shiken Ka drew his massive scimitar like sword and pointed it at the sky. “Let it be known Shiken Ka was the one to hand the Lady Star defeat!”

  * * *

  When the Mjolnir landed it planted a massive spear-like pole into the ground to generate a field of holographic illusions to cover the Kalaidian forces. Kivi left a shuttle with a number of ground troops and waited as they furiously set up the base camp. Seles landed with twenty Novas behind her as well as numerous shuttles filled with supplies and soldiers. Brian emerged from the Mjolnir and held his helmet as he descended to the surface. Seles did likewise from her Nova while her subordinates basked in the midday sun.

  “That doesn‘t look very comfortable to wear in this climate,” Seles said as she pointed at his exoskeleton.

  “You’d think so,” he said. “But truth be told, the temperature control system works in the reverse also.”

  “It cools you down?”

  “Of course,” he answered.

  Kivi stood outside a large shuttle flanked by a number of Kalaidian troops. She glanced up at the sky before taking in a deep breath.

  “You seem to be enjoying this,” Brian said as he and Seles joined her.

  “It’s been over ten years since I last visited home,” Kivi said. “The plan is simple. The Mjolnir will charge the base while the Novas follow. Behind them our shuttles will be on standby and ready to take the base once the shields are down.”

  “What exactly will this accomplish?” Seles asked.

  “That’s right; Valis rarely fills anyone in except for me,” Kivi said. “This base, no, this planet is held by Shiken Ka, the Kein family’s main rival on Dega Jul. Normally, Valis couldn’t care less about the movement of money and arms, but lately, rumors have abounded that Shiken Ka has enough arms to equip twenty or thirty heavy class ships.”

  “That’s a lot,” Brian said.

  “Yes, like I said, Valis normally wouldn’t be concerned, but the buyer of this equipment is the Duchess Chka.”

  “The Chka that tried to recruit me?” he asked.

  “Yes,” Kivi said. “That kind of military power is on par with a space fleet division, not something to be trifled with.”

  “So where will you be during this battle?” Brian asked.

  “I’ll be riding alongside you in the Mjolnir,” Kivi said.

  “It must be easier to command from the front,” Seles said.

  “I trust both of you to take care of me. But know that I’ll do my best to keep that from becoming an issue.”

  * * *

  Valis paced nervously back and forth on the bridge while watching intently what the situation was on the surface. Even if something goes wrong, I can trust Brian and Kivi to protect the ground forces. She looked at the planet’s image closely. What trick does he have up his sleeve this time around?

  “Captain,” Zae looked wide eyed at her scanners, “I’m detecting five Jckta Class ships heading towards our position. In addition, there are at least two hundred Drones.”

  “Zae, contact our ground forces and call for an immediate withdraw,” Valis ordered.

  Zae tried to send the order but found the signal was being jammed. “Captain, the message isn’t getting through.” Zae looked at the scanner and noticed an energy spike coming from the surface. “I’m also detecting an energy surge.”

  Valis watched as a massive pulse of energy fired across the surface, not into space.

  * * *

  “Everything looks to be on schedule,” Brian said to Kivi as she stood to the side and watched the monitors closely.

  “Are the communication systems working?” Kivi asked.

  He checked twice. “Something’s jamming our signal.” He turned the com towards Seles and the Novas. “Seles, can you hear me?”

  “I’m picking you up loud and clear,” Seles answered.

  “Are you able to contact the ships in orbit?” Kivi asked.

  Seles looked perplexed. “No.” She relayed the message to all the surface units. “None of us are getting a signal out to the fleet in space.”

  “This isn’t good,” Kivi said. “All forces tighten up your formation and use the Mjolnir as a shield.” She turned to Brian. “The jamming is likely coming from a massive energy spike.”

  “Are their shields that powerful?” Brian activated the Mjolnir’s defense systems.

  “No, that wouldn’t be the problem.” Kivi saw the scanners pick up the signature of the energy spike. “They’re going to fire at us!”

  He flew the Mjolnir forward towards the Shandi base, oblivious to the energy spike coming from ahead. Looking up, he saw the massive beam of light begin to form and shouted over his com. “Everyone, get behind me!”

  All the Novas and transports fell in line behind the Mjolnir as a massive beam of red energy smashed into the mobile suit’s shields.

  Chapter 15 - Cut Off

  After absorbing all of the blast the Mjolnir fell into the sand below with its shields down, emitting smoke. Inside, Kivi shook her head and stood up to find Brian unconscious.

  “Can you hear me Brian?!” Seles shouted in distress over the com.

  Kivi took the unconscious Brian and laid him onto the ground gently. She removed his helmet and saw a little blood, but no other injuries. She put her head close to his before taking the com and turning on the monitor.

  “How’s he doing?” Seles asked.

  “He’s right here lieutenant,” Kivi looked down, “He’s unconscious, but otherwise uninjured.”

  “I’m glad to hear you say that,” Seles said with relief in her voice.

  “How’re the rest of our forces?”

  Seles checked her scanners. “It appears the Mjolnir took the whole of the blast. I’m not finding any casualties on our side.” Her eyes widened and she looked up. “I’m detecting a large force from the north and another of a different kind from the southwest.”

  Kivi turned on the Mjolnir’s scanners. “I see.” She ran a diagnostic check. “Seles, I want you and Mira to take command and lead our ground forces back into space.”

  “What about you and Brian?”

  “Don’t worry about us.” Kivi grinned. “That blast knocked the Mjolnir to the ground, but it looks like this machine’s still operating at eighty percent.”

  “Take care of him.”

  “I will. Now get back into space.”

  “Yes commander,” Seles said before ending transmission.

  Kivi watched the Shandi and Ick-Tckt forces swarm towards them from both sides. Standing the Mjolnir back up, she reactivated the shield and drew the pulse cannon. Taking aim towards the north, she waited until she could target some Spits flying over the sand dunes and fired. The beam hit the enemy formation and destroyed six fighters while two others crashed into the ground. A dozen more flew towards Seles and her formation of Novaguards. Kivi chec
ked the engines and then looked at the radar again. She saw a number of Spits and Drones heading towards her position. Looking down at the unconscious Brian she sighed. “Looks like I’ll be the one to use us as a diversion.” Kivi fired up the engines on the Mjolnir again and flew the giant as fast as she could towards the east.

  * * *

  “You heard the commander, let’s get back into space,” Seles said over the com.

  “Is he alright?” Mira asked from one of the transport ships.

  “Kivi said he was.”

  “Thanks,” Mira said. “You take care of the Novas; I’ll get the ground troops and transports going.”

  “Sounds like a plan.” Seles turned her Nova towards the Spits flying at them. “Alright ladies, we have a few dogfights to get into,” Seles said to her fellow pilots. “Everyone’s to get at least three stars or I’ll be disappointed.”

  “Yes lieutenant,” her subordinates answered.

  * * *

  “I think we should retreat,” Captain Esra suggested over the monitor.

  “That‘s what we‘re going to have to do.” Valis turned to Zae. “Order our Novas into formation D-6.”

  “Yes captain,” Zae said as she relayed the orders.

  Valis turned to Daes. “Are the ground forces doing anything?”

  Daes checked her scans carefully. “It looks like the Mjolnir is drawing most of the enemy forces off the main group. Seles and her escort Novas are holding their own.” Daes looked up from her console. “It looks like our transports are about to reach orbit.”