“I expected it to,” Grigon said.
The ship shook as another round of powerful blasts weakened the Freedom’s shields.
“We’d better get back to the business at hand,” Brian said.
* * *
The Alaska base fired every weapon it had at the closest planet killer but found the massive vessel’s shields were too powerful. Both planet killers emanated purple and red particles while they moved into position. A number of smaller attack vessels and carriers moved in the way and charged into the asteroid base’s shields. When the system was pushed to its limit Javrin was knocked unconscious as her berserk ended violently. Loc quickly made her way to the Kalaidian woman as she stirred from the knock out.
“Captain,” Loc said.
“I’m alright,” Javrin said.
The monitors showed a number of the Reiki ships launching nuclear missiles at the planet killers before charging with their ships and inverting their gravity drives. The space around their homeworld lit up as their forces sacrificed everything to stop the Greys.
“Can we do anything to help them?” Javrin asked.
“That attack on the base shut down the Hades system,” Loc said.
“Then let’s attack the one the Reiki are giving their lives to destroy,” Javrin said.
“Of course captain,” Loc said.
The Alaska base turned about and attacked the other planet killer. None of their pulse weapons or HV missiles could get through. But as one Reiki ship after another blew up their gravity drives the massive vessel’s shields were being drained. Another barrage of nuclear missiles from both the Alaska base and the Reiki orbital defense satellites caused the interior of object to start exploding. After the first planet killer went dead the second continued advancing. As the Reiki and Alaska base desperately tried to get into position a flash of light came from the planet killer and knocked everything back. While the crews righted their ships a surge of energy spiked on their scanners as a massive beam of light headed for Reiki Prime. Those on the surface watched as the beam slammed into their orbital ring and then into the planet. Mere moments passed as the entire surface of the octopi people’s world was burned away while all the water was turned into scalding steam. Those ships below the stratosphere were vaporized after their shields were drained. The damaged orbital ring surrounding the planet then twisted before collapsing into the scalding mist. The Grey ships all returned to the functioning planet killer before it gravity jumped away. A moment of silence filled the battlefield as the survivors stared in shock. Javrin held back her tears as she hit the com.
“All forces are to recover as many survivors as possible,” she ordered. “We’re heading for Dega Jul afterwards.”
“Yes captain,” she heard back from the others.
“Javrin…,” Loc said.
“Get the Hades system back online,” Javrin said. “I want to see that thing,” she pointed at the unmoving planet killer, “I want to see it pulverized to dust. We will not leave even one of those murderers alive.”
* * *
Valis shuddered when she felt something horrible happen in her mind. A tear fell before she quickly wiped it away. Kivi appeared on the monitor from the Gemini.
“Valis, did you feel that?” Kivi asked.
“Yes, I did,” Valis said. “It was the same as when the Braiden were destroyed.”
“Who was it?” Kivi asked.
“The Minerva’s system says it’s a ninety nine percent chance it was the Reiki,” Valis said. “I can’t see everything yet but I’m getting an idea of the Grey’s overall strategy.” She looked at Freedom on her scanners. “All we can do is focus on the here and now.”
“I know,” Kivi said.
Valis turned the com back to Veda.
“Are we moving in?” Veda asked.
“Yes,” Valis said. “The Columbia base will advance with its ships and mobile weapons in formation A-3. The remaining bases will act as the rear guard in case a planet killer appears.” She glanced at the numbers around the Freedom. “How many Lances does Commander Baeron have?”
“About ten thousand,” Veda answered.
“That’s what I thought,” Valis said. “Have Baeron, Siata’s first fleet, and a thousand Lances move in to take some heat off the Freedom.”
“What about you and your friends?” Veda asked.
“We’ll meet up near the Freedom and make our way back to you,” Valis answered.
* * *
Brian and Myden both cringed when they felt something horrible happen. The Freedom continued shaking from the furious assault on it. Brian aimed the main cannon and fired a beam through another pair of Grey carriers. His expression changed from defiant to vengeful sadness.
“What’s wrong?” Jesela asked.
“The Reiki have lost their home,” Brian said. He looked at Jesela. “Just keep us together or we’ll join the dead ourselves.”
“Of course,” Jesela said.
* * *
Seles and Mira continued their charge through the Grey forces. They focused their attacks on the smaller vessels while the Freedom focused on the carriers. The pair went back to back after the Artemis deployed its reflector plates to enhance their pulse shots.
“This is endless,” Mira said.
“This is only the beginning,” Seles said.
Both of them noticed the Freedom’s shields were being drained quickly.
“I think it’s about time we step in,” Mira said.
“I couldn’t agree more,” Seles said.
The Minerva, the Aegis, and the Gemini joined them.
“It’s good to see you haven’t run off yet,” Valis said.
“We were just about to,” Seles said.
“We’re going to use formation G-1,” Valis said.
“That means I’m with you,” Kivi said to Seles.
“And the rest of us are with Mira,” Celi stated.
“We’ll carve a path for the Freedom to move forward,” Valis said.
The Maidens grouped together while readying their special systems. The Artemis lit up and prepared to fire a number of arrows. The Gemini split into two separate mobile suits with massive swords in their hands. The Siren’s hull shifted as a number of amplifiers poked out. The Aegis’s shield grew in size and power, causing the enemy attacks to reflect back upon them. The Minerva lit up as Valis’s consciousness extended outwards. After they were finished preparing the Gemini charged into the Grey forces first with the Artemis following. The other three stuck together and followed the Siren’s lead as Mira disrupted the Grey ships, leaving them helpless. When they moved closer to the Freedom the Artemis used a pair of arrows to take out the closest carriers. Behind them a fleet of fifty heavy class ships and a thousand Lances joined the fray to help the Freedom. Right behind that force was the Columbia base and the five main ships with all of their mobile forces deployed. At the same time the main force of the attacking Greys was approaching the rear defense line. Flashes of light filled the space above Dega Jul as the two sides met in a blinding battle.
* * *
After firing a number of blasts from the Alaska base’s Hades system the dead planet killer shattered into pieces. Javrin’s eyes returned to normal as she stumbled and held herself up on the console.
“We should get going,” Loc said solemnly.
“Agreed,” Javrin said. “Have you determined their next target?”
“According to our simulations the planet killer will head for Dega Jul,” Loc answered. “If they have the power we estimate their ability to jump should get them there shortly.”
“Last time I heard the four bases within the Confederation territory were stationed there for repairs and resupply,” Javrin said.
“Should we wait for the Siberia base, or head for Dega Jul?” Loc asked.
“Because we haven’t heard anything from them we have to assume they’ve been destroyed,” Javrin said. “I pray they’re not, but let’s move on.” She looked at the
now dead Reiki homeworld. “For those who’ve died and all those who will we must survive. The Greys can’t be allowed to get away with this.”
Chapter 3 - Struggle to Survive
Veda and Reban kept the com lines open on all channels as the battle entered its second phase. The four bases of Heaven’s Light, their one hundred ships, and their five thousand mobile weapons fought on all fronts. Battling the Grey forces with them was a fleet of five hundred Confederation ships and ten thousand Lances.
“This is the largest battle I’ve ever seen,” Veda commented.
“That’s saying a lot given your history in the Kalaidian military,” Reban said.
“They’re only going to get worse from here on,” Veda said.
“What makes you say that?” Reban asked.
“This is only the first wave,” Veda said. “Until we’ve seen a planet killer to two we can’t rest.”
A pair of Grey carriers exploded when they crashed into the base’s shields, causing the structure to shake.
“What’s our status?” Veda asked.
“Our shields are still at seventy five percent,” Reban reported. “But our pulse cannons on section eight have been completely destroyed.”
“Do you need some help?” Dreka asked from the bridge of the Raulno.
“I think that would be wise,” Veda said.
“Then all of us will do what needs to be done,” Esra said from the bridge of the Daevoni.
“Agreed,” El Kar said from the bridge of the Reinkar.
“As you wish Admiral Veda,” Zae said from the bridge of the Avoni.
The five ships and their mobile weapons moved over the weakened area of the base’s shields.
“That should do for now,” Veda said.
“Do you want me to prepare the Hades system?” Reban asked.
“Tell everyone to do so,” Veda said. “I’m not as keen as Valis is to the enemy’s strategy, but it looks like they’re buying time.”
“I don’t like the sound of that,” Reban said.
“No, you shouldn’t,” Veda said.
* * *
The Freedom’s special shields went down after a pair of Grey carriers crashed into it. The ship tilted a bit before the backup power systems came on.
“I think our choice of being the first distraction could cost us our lives,” Brian admitted as he ended his berserk.
“Not this time young man,” Commander Baeron said when his forces moved in to support the Freedom.
“It’s good to see you could join us,” Brian said.
“And you’re acting as reckless as ever,” Baeron said.
“That’s my way,” Brian said. “We’ll fight our way out this mess and circle around to join the others.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Baeron said before speeding away in his Lance to join the fray.
“From the lack of Mylor or other Original Five ships we can assume the Greys have those worlds under siege as well,” Brian said. “I hope the other bases follow protocol and make it here in time.”
“With the rapid response system they should be able to,” Grigon said. “By the way, our engines are back online.”
“But the Hades system will be down for a while,” Jesela said.
“As long as the other ships and the bases have it working we have a chance for victory,” Brian said before hitting the com. “Kyli, have the mobile suits assume formation D-3 until further notice.”
“Of course captain,” Kyli responded.
* * *
Seles fired the third arrow from the Artemis.
It looks like the power battery Jesela made is working. The Artemis wrote on the screen.
“Let’s be glad it does,” Seles said.
The Gemini continued its charge forward as it slashed through one enemy ship apart after another. After noticing the Greys were moving away, both halves of the Gemini drew an extra heavy pulse cannon and joined with the Artemis.
“Looks like Dreka got that working,” Seles said.
“Of course he did,” Kivi said. “The original design of the Gemini was for melee, but the bombardment capabilities were left to be expanded upon.”
The number of Grey ships in their area was quickly reduced to nothing. In the area next to theirs the Siren led the Minerva and Aegis on a rampage. After a few minutes the five mobile suits met.
“All of us will stand down our berserks for now,” Valis said.
“Yes Valis,” the other four said.
The five mobile suits returned to normal. When they headed back to the Freedom they moved inside the Aegis’s shield.
“Seles, how many do you have left in the quiver?” Valis asked.
“Seven,” Seles answered.
“Good,” Valis said.
“Have you figured out their plan?” Kivi asked.
“They’re buying time,” Valis said. “The Minerva predicts a planet killer will appear any moment now. From their movements I can predict where it will appear with ninety percent accuracy.”
“Hopefully not on the other side of the planet,” Celi said.
“No,” Valis said. “Because Dega Jul’s atmosphere is generated using artificial methods rather than natural the planet killer will have to target the equator on this side of the planet. Otherwise its beam will only destroy the area it hits.” She narrowed her eyes. “The Mylor were smart to construct it with only one weak point.”
“None would have been better,” Kivi said.
“True,” Valis said. “But even they have budget constraints.” She hit the com. “This is Captain Valis to all forces fighting the Greys in Degan space. Our enemy is planning to strike with a planet killer in a little while. The Nevada, Sicily, and Hong Kong bases are to maintain their position along with the Confederation forces. The Columbia base, its forces, and the remaining Confederation forces will move to the point designated.” She paused as the information was sent over. “In addition, arm all Hades systems immediately.”
* * *
The battle around the Freedom subsided as it grew worse around the bases of Heaven’s Light and the Confederation fleet. Brian watched the battlefield shifting. The system in the Minerva is amazing. Not even touching the Universal Database would give us such accuracy. He thought as he worked on the Freedom’s systems.
“All standard systems are back to normal now,” Jesela said.
“I’ll head to the launching bay to help repair the damaged mobile suits,” Grigon said. He looked at Jesela before leaving. “Take care of things here young lady.”
“I will,” Jesela said.
After the old birdman left the three people and the four droids quietly went about their business. Brian looked at Myden.
“Can you hear its voice?” he asked.
The Grey looked up. “It haunts me as we speak.”
“Will you be alright?” Brian asked.
“I’ll manage,” Myden said. “As long as we’re not near my homeworld I’m not concerned.” He looked at Brian and then Jesela. “If I turn kill me immediately. Better that then suffering an eternity as that thing’s slave.”
“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that,” Brian said.
The scanners went crazy when something big appeared in a flash of light. A planet killer emerged with around thirty thousand smaller attack ships.
“I hoped to never see one of those again in my life,” Brian said.
“Well, the scanners say it’s there,” Jesela said.
Brian smiled. “You have a way of saying the right thing Jesela.” He looked at the image on the monitor as his left eye flared green for a moment. “I see.”
“You’re doing that weird thing again, aren’t you?” Jesela asked.
“Yeah, that’s what I did,” Brian said. “I’d better tell Valis what to do.”
* * *
“I got it,” Valis said. Brian nodded before ending transmission.
“What was that about?” Kivi asked.
“Brian gave us our marching or
ders,” Valis said.
“Is it crazy?” Seles asked.
“The best kind of crazy,” Valis said.
The Maidens stayed together as they approached the planet killer at top speed. Behind them the Columbia and its forces followed with the Freedom the Baeron’s fleet alongside it. The smaller Grey vessels moved to surround them while the planet killer moved into position.
“That thing is big,” Seles said.
“Really big,” Mira added.
“This is our first encounter with one,” Valis said. “Even with the data brought back from the sojourn I hesitate to charge in.”
“It really is the stuff of nightmares,” Kivi said.
“Kali obviously didn’t hear my prayers,” Celi said.
“We all feel that way Celi,” Valis said. “All we can do is have faith and push on.”
“I’d rather push back,” Seles said. The Artemis shifted its reflector plates to the front of the rifle for power position.
“Then we shall oblige your request my friend,” Valis said.
* * *
Siata appeared on the bridge of a darkened Mylor battleship. When she extended her hand out the systems on the sphere shaped craft began turning on in order. Around her a number of other Mylor wearing different colored exoskeletons appeared like she did at the control consoles.
“It’s been a long time since we did this,” said Commander Uta, a male Mylor wearing a purple and black exoskeleton.
“Yes it has,” Siata said. “Where peace once existed it is now shattered.”
“Were you alive when the machine god was activated?” Uta asked.
“I’m not that old Uta,” Siata said. “But Lord Jita, our ambassador on Kalaidia, was alive at the time.” She looked at holographic display of the battle above Dega Jul. “I hope all of you have been practicing your powers.”
“We have,” Uta said.
“Good,” Siata said. “Prepare the gravitation systems. The special cannons the ships of Heaven’s Light use may be enough, but we’ll do our best to help them.”
Grey War Saga 1: Twilight of Innocence Page 2