“Are you telling me to submit our family to the masses?” Veda asked.
“Yes,” he answered.
“Are you mad?” Veda asked. “The Kein family’s been as powerful this long because of the wealth we’ve maintained and power we’ve grown on Dega Jul. I won’t let all that go to waste to appease the foolish masses.”
Valis was about to say something when Brian put his hand up. “Wasn’t it your family that broke from the rest of Kalaidia over the concept of freedom? Or is your definition of freedom that which only affects me is tyranny? Because that’s not freedom at all, but the worst kind of selfishness,” he said.
“Is freedom not the right to be selfish?” Veda asked. “Is not excepting one’s fate the ultimate form of selfishness?”
“Veda, freedom is not the right to do everything you wish,” Brian said. “Absolute freedom like that breeds anarchy and leads to nothing in the end. The freedom I speak of is freedom from ignorance, prejudice, and social standing. Freedom is equality, and that’s what conceding your power to the masses will demonstrate to them. Show them you’re willing to call them your equal. Otherwise you’ll suffer the doom all arrogant wealthy people find in their selfishness and greed.”
“What fate is that?” Veda asked.
“Death at the hands of those you believe are less than what you are,” Brian answered. “Bow before their power or have your head chopped off by them later. That’s the fate the nobles on Kalaidia had before Celestia conceded their power. Now this world has the same problem, but with a different issue. Dega Jul is made up of many different species, all of whom have very different viewpoints on how to run a government. That’s why I proposed you offer them a different way. Like the people of Kalaidia the people of this world are on the edge of destruction. They sense change is in the air.” He clenched his fist. “If you have the will of the people behind your cause you’ll emerge victorious. Let go of your preconceived notions and embrace that which is to pass.”
Veda looked surprised. She let silence fill the air for a moment before speaking. “There was a man long ago who spoke like you do today Brian. That man was my brother, Gaelic Kein. He believed that tomorrow will be better than today and the next day will be even better.”
“It’s not just a dream,” Valis said.
Veda sighed before closing her eyes for a moment. “Long ago, I believed in such ideals.”
“The path is always there to walk Veda,” Brian said. “All you have to do is believe.”
“You’ve convinced me,” Veda said. “Though the rest will think I’m mad I’ll begin preparations for what you’ve suggested.”
* * *
After the Avoni landed on Dega Jul once more Brian was greeted by a shuttle with Shiken Ka onboard.
“Has Lady Veda heard of the news?” Shiken asked Brian as they flew towards his headquarters. The sun shone that it was late afternoon with a smoggy haze filling the sky. The massive skyscrapers reached far into the sky and blocked the view.
Brian noticed intensity in Shiken’s eyes. “Yes. By the way, what’s with the game face?”
“What’s a game face?”
Brian laughed. “Game face is a saying from my world Shiken. It means you have a look of total focus and concentration on the task ahead.”
“That’s true,” Shiken said as he admired the view out the shuttle’s front window. “Today is the day a number of things die. The time for fighting amongst the people of Kali and mine have come to an end.”
The shuttled landed outside a massive pyramid shaped metal building, built similar in motif of Shandi vessels. The look on the guards faces as the pair entered was of shock as they saw their leader walking side by side with a member of a Kalaidian crew. Through the massive hypostyle halls they walked until Shiken and Brian entered a meeting chamber. After a moment to allow for silence Shiken Ka took the podium.
“My fellow Ka, and to all those blood is of Shandi, hear my words. For nearly a century the people of Kali and ours have fought. The wars have been bloody and filled with sorrow. It may be said there’s no forgiveness between our peoples. But I believe that’s a falsehood of the greatest kind. And now is the time to prove it!” Shiken held up his hand, showing the scar of the Blood Pact. “I have sworn my blood and honor to this man,” he motioned for Brian to show his hand, baring the same mark, “Brian has the strength of a thousand within him. He’s shone honor I never thought possible and courage above anyone I’ve ever met.”
“What is the point of this spectacle!” one of the doubters shouted.
“Yes, get on with it!” another shouted.
Shiken nodded to Brian. With a flash faster than could be seen Brian drew his rakna blade and spun it. He slashed and sent a shock wave towards each of the hecklers. The stone before them shattered.
“You wish to know the facts?!” Shiken raised his clenched fist to the sky. “Then I’ll tell you everything. The Duchess has betrayed our trust and stolen the lives of our brave warriors. But this man, a servant to Lady Star, came to my aid. Without even a second thought he bled for my men. And to reward that trust I hereby renounce all allegiances with the Duchess. From this day forward the family of Ka will seek peace with the people of Kali.”
Murmurs amongst the crowd were fierce with many in doubt of what their leader had just said.
“And now I’ll go to the homeworld to secure our interests there,” Shiken said, bowing before leaving.
“You will come with me?” Shiken asked before Brian got on the shuttle to leave.
He reached out and took Shiken’s hand vigorously. “I will.”
Chapter 31 - Uncertain Departure
Brian headed back to his apartment when he noticed Kivi and Valis waiting on the balcony of Kivi’s apartment. He waved; they saw him when he made his way up the stairs.
“So how goes the front on Shiken Ka’s end?” Kivi asked.
“He’s requested I go with him to his homeworld,” Brian answered.
“As much as I don’t like the idea of dividing our forces I’ll approve it,” Valis said. “Now that Seles has the Zero I’m confident in the Avoni’s defenses.”
“I think we should send Mira with him again,” Kivi suggested.
“I’d be glad to bring her along.”
“I know you would,” Valis said. “You can go to Shandi Prime as long as you take Mira with as backup. You’re also to not reveal anything about the technology you’re using.”
“I’ll make sure of it Valis,” he answered.
* * *
“Are you sure you don’t want to stay onboard my ship?” Shiken Ka asked as he spoke to Brian and Mira over the monitor.
“We’ll be just fine on our own,” Brian answered.
“Very well, if anything happens I’ll contact you,” Shiken said. “Please make sure that you stay within the ring of my ships when we enter Shandi territory.” His image disappeared and the pair were left alone.
Mira spun around and took his hand.
“Mira, what’re you doing?” he asked has was dragged into the tiny bedroom.
She tapped his armor with her finger. “You really are an idiot, aren’t you?”
“What?”
She pointed to the bed. “I’m going to take advantage of every moment we’re alone.” Mira hugged him again, this time with a different look in her eye. “You need a lot of rehabilitation.”
“Alright Mira, you win.”
* * *
Seles and Valis sat together in Valis’s quarters with a heating tray at the center of the table. Valis grabbed a bottle of wine and offered Seles a glass.
“We haven’t had a chance to do this for a while,” Seles said as she took the glass.
“We’ve both been so busy,” Valis sipped some wine, “Is he alright now?”
“I think he’s getting better,” Seles answered. “He told me to protect the Avoni while he’s gone.”
“I’m confident in that,” Valis said. She looked over at a photo of the
pair on the nearby desk. “Not just because Brian says so but because I’m sure of your ability.”
Seles sighed. “I have to admit leading the Novas is tough.”
“But you’ve adjusted, just like I thought you would,” Valis said. “If you we’re in the regular military you’d already be in Zae’s position.”
Seles laughed. “Then I’m definitely glad I’m not in the regular military. That sounds like too much responsibility for me.”
“That’s why I’m not an admiral,” Valis said. “The pay is not worth all the work and planning.”
Seles waved her hand. “I’ll understand what you’re talking about in a few years, right?”
“Yes,” Valis said before taking a sip of wine. “Unfortunately, my avoidance of admiralship will be coming to an end.”
“The current events here have led to it,” Seles said.
“I know, and because it’s outside the jurisdiction of the Kalaidian military, we can’t rely on their aid.”
“What about the Confederation?” Seles asked.
Valis sighed with annoyance. “They wouldn’t step in even if it was called for.” A moment of silence pervaded the room as the light switched on the heat tray. Valis lifted the lid and revealed a cheese pizza.
“Even you started eating these?” Seles asked.
Valis took in the aroma. “I’m not sure what it is about this food Brian’s people eat that makes me like it so much.”
“I’m not sure either,” Seles said. “All I know is I’m looking forward to more foods from his world.”
“He comes from a meat eating society, doesn’t he?” Valis asked.
“Yeah, and I heard he ate a Malcovin dish that had meat in it recently.”
“It was probably the night he and Kivi fought with the Ick-Tckt.” Valis took a bite of pizza, savoring its flavor. “She told me watching him eat the dish nearly made her throw up.”
Seles laughed. “It is rather disgusting.” Seles took a bite of pizza herself. “But, our people in the past ate meat.”
“And it led to the extinction of several hundred species of mammals and fish.”
“That’s the downside,” Seles said. “On a completely different note though, where are you getting the money to pay for the Phase Rakna’s?”
“My grandmother is supplying us with the needed funding. I’ve also received a number of requests from the Kalaidian military on the matter.”
“Of course they’d be interested,” Seles said.
“What I fear is the inevitable arms race to come. If too many have the technology like the Mjolnir the wars will only get worse.”
“Brian mentioned that he longed for a better world,” Seles said. “I’m beginning to wish for that kind of life.”
“It’s the same for me,” Valis said. “Did I ever tell you what I planned on doing when I retired from this job?”
“You said something about running a vineyard back on the homeworld,” Seles took another slice of pizza, “Sounds kind of sleepy to me.”
Valis laughed. “Yes, but that’s the life I long for in the future. The world you speak of, the world without war is a sleepy world where everyone lives in peace. Take away intrigue and wealth and war will end.”
“I hope it’s really that simple Valis, I really do.”
Chapter 32 - The Knight of Aquarius
Several days passed as Brian and Mira traveled alongside Shiken Ka’s fleet to the Shandi homeworld. As the group performed its last gravity jump to enter the Shandi home system, Shiken Ka called the Mjolnir.
“Please stay within the center of our formation,” he instructed.
“Of course,” Brian said as he moved the Mjolnir to the specified area. Mira stood next to him in the cockpit.
Both watched as the image of Shandi Prime appeared on the monitor. Before them was a planet of similar size and climate to Earth and Kalaidia, save for the massive amount of desert on the two continents sitting on the equator. At the outer edges and in a few spots within the massive wastes was green plant life. Below and to the north of the two central continents were two smaller landmasses; both had much more plant life.
“There’s a lot more water than one would assume,” Brian said.
“If their homeworld was nothing but desert, nothing would’ve ever evolved there,” Mira said. “Because of the ocean surrounding the continental landmasses this is the only planet occupied by a sentient race that has hypercanes.”
“I’d love to see one someday,” Brian said as the fleet entered orbit. There was a long pause before Shiken Ka received clearance for atmospheric entry. His image appeared on the Mjolnir’s monitor again.
“Although the High Council isn’t happy to see you and your mobile suit they’ve given clearance for landing.”
“Are we landing in the capital?” Brian asked.
“Yes. I welcome you and Mira to the city of our ancestors, Strevsdak,” Shiken said with reverence.
“We thank you for giving us this chance,” Mira said.
“You’re welcome,” Shiken said before his image disappeared. Brian shifted the mobile suit into humanoid form and positioned the shield in front.
“Wouldn’t it be easier on the Mjolnir if we entered in ship form?” Mira asked.
“Yes, but I want those on the surface to see the mobile suit like this first. Ship form is great for speed but the humanlike shape is needed to leave an impression.”
“Like what you did on Kalaidia?”
“Exactly the same,” he answered as the mobile suit started down into the planet’s atmosphere. “The only difference is I won’t keep the lights on.”
“And not get captured,” she said sarcastically.
“Yes, it would be great if it didn’t happen again.”
The Mjolnir stayed at the center of the formation as space changed to sky over the great city of Strevsdak. Below them spanned a metropolis unlike anything Brian had ever seen. In place of metal and glass towers were massive pyramid shaped structures, with the city itself culminating into a monolithic pyramid shaped complex. Flying crafts filled the air, and all around the city were lush, green farmlands, teeming with life itself. He landed the Mjolnir before taking a deep breath.
“Let’s go,” he said as he took his helmet and checked his rakna. Mira carried her medic bag on her back and wore a raiga whip on her belt.
“You really know how to use one of those?” he asked as he opened the front hatch.
“Long ago it was the standard weapon of noble women,” she said. “I never learned how to fight with a blade myself.”
“Whatever makes you feel safe,” he said as he and Mira took the elevator cord down. Once on the ground they were met by a contingent of soldiers led by a female who carried herself like Shiken Ka. She moved over to Brian and looked him over.
“I know it’s strange to say this about a mammal, but you’re impressively built,” she said.
“As are you Lady…” he trailed off intentionally.
“Miv Daek is my name Terran,” she turned to Mira. “You’re stronger than you look little girl.”
Shiken Ka made his way over to the gathering and noticed Miv Daek had beaten him there. She turned and saluted her fellow noble.
“I had a feeling you’d be here waiting Miv,” he said before saluting her.
“I’ve heard you’ve taken a blood oath with this Terran,” she said. “If the reports of his exploits in battle are correct then I’m not surprised.”
“I can assure you all of the reports are accurate,” Shiken answered. “On another subject, why are you and your soldiers here?”
Miv pointed to the grand tower at the center of the city. “Trai Gor wishes to meet with you and Brian.”
“What about the meeting of the High Council?” Shiken asked.
“The other five noble families refuse to meet with the Terran here,” Miv explained. “But if my family and Gor’s decide to go with your decision the other five have little choice in the matter.”
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“Very well,” Shiken said. His soldiers and Miv Daek’s surrounded Brian and Mira. Shiken Ka waved his hand. “Follow us.”
Brian nodded, with Mira doing likewise as the force of ground troops marched towards the palace of the Gor family.
“It’s amazing to see this in person,” Mira said. “The palaces on Kalaidia have nothing on these.”
“I agree,” Brian said.
The troupe stopped at the base of the tower at the center of the city, the palace of Trai Gor, and ruler of Shandi Prime. The guards all confirmed the identities of those entering before opening the stone doors to the interior. It was only a few moments into the palace when they entered the throne room, a large hypostyle chamber with a single seat at the far end. There stood a powerfully built male Shandi, clad in armor with a falchion sheathed on his back. As they approached, Brian and Mira noticed the leader was elderly, but still quite vital. He turned to acknowledge the group as all the Shandi saluted their leader. Brian and Mira stood fast, not sure how to act. Trai Gor moved down from his pedestal and went straight to Brian, looking the Terran eye to eye.
“For many months now I’ve wished to see you in person Brian Peterson. The rumors of your strength have nothing compared to what I see today,” Trai Gor said before looking over to Shiken Ka and Miv Daek. Brian stepped forward with his hand out.
“On behalf of my people, I thank you for this audience Trai Gor,” he said. Trai Gor took his hand and shook it vigorously.
Heaven Saga 2: Sands of Aquarius Page 16