“The Kalaidian chant is unifying their thoughts,” Siata said. “We never thought such a simple thing could disrupt their communications.”
“What should we do then?” Uta asked.
Siata hit the com to contact all the Mylor ships. “To all forces of the Mylor Republic, focus your minds and resonate together.”
“Yes captain,” the others responded.
The Mylor ships began glowing as all the beings inside used their powers to resonate on the same frequency. The nearby Grey ships slowed down but still fought.
“It’s working,” Siata said. “This is Captain Siata to the Shandi, Viken, and Reiki forces. We have discovered an unusual weakness amongst the Greys. Find a chant, a song, or a thought each and every one of your people can hold. We have to hold them off until our allies on the other side join us.”
Instead of hearing an acknowledgement of her order Siata heard the sound of cheers from the Reiki, and old war call from the Viken, and the epic prose of the struggle of the Shandi. The Grey ships near those projecting the sounds slowed down and were easier to fight against.
“That should buy us some time,” Siata said.
* * *
Seles was in the Artemis while the chant continued. When the fleet of Heaven’s Light came around to the other side of the planet they heard the sound of all the other races singing or cheering. Seles watched the Mylor ships pushing into the Grey carrier line.
“It’s strange that it works,” Mira said.
“There must be a reason behind it,” Celi said.
“No matter what the reason is singing disrupts them,” Kivi said.
“It’s because singing or chanting unifies our thoughts,” Seles said. “But more importantly it ignites our spirit.”
“As the people of Kali it makes sense,” Valis said.
“That’s true,” Mira said.
“So what’s our next move?” Celi asked. “It looks like the Mylor can make it to the planet killer without our help.”
“True, but they won’t have anything left when they get there,” Kivi said.
“Then we’ll help them,” Valis said. “To all Confederation forces with our fleet, fall back and join your fellows in the main battle zone.”
“We’re on our way,” Baeron responded.
“To the forces of Heaven’s Light, we’re making a charge straight for the remaining planet killer,” Valis said. “Use formation A-11.”
“Yes Valis,” the others responded.
“And Brian, I think it’s time you use your special move,” Valis said.
“I’ll be ready in a minute,” he responded.
Chapter 24 - Arrows from the Inside
Brian grabbed the helmet for his exoskeleton and locked it into place.
“Are you taking a step outside again?” Jesela asked.
“Hopefully nothing goes wrong,” Grigon cawed.
“Thanks you two,” Brian said. “Myden, please take care of things while I’m gone.”
“I will,” Myden said.
Brian nodded before activating the gravity drive inside his exoskeleton. His body flashed and appeared outside near the Artemis. Seles quickly pulled him in using the mobile suit’s hand. She put her helmet on before letting him inside. After she returned the cockpit’s atmosphere to normal he waved his hand.
“Keep your helmet on,” Brian said. “Last time I was able to control it without throwing you outside, but I don’t know if I can do that every time.”
“Your power is really annoying, you know that?” she asked.
“Of course my love,” he said.
“You sound like you’re in the mood,” Seles pointed out.
“Always when I’m around you,” Brian said. “Alright, we should focus on the mission.”
“Billions of lives are on the line,” Seles said.
“When this war is over I’m filing a request for ten years of peace,” Brian said.
“I’ll sign the petition when it happens,” Seles said. “So what do I need to do?”
“Save your arrows for when we’re inside,” Brian instructed. He narrowed his eyes and found what he was looking for. “I can see it Seles.”
“You know we’ve never berserked together like this,” Seles said.
“If it’s good we’ll try in my room one of these nights,” Brian said.
“You really are in the mood,” she said with a laugh.
She heard the other four laughing in their mobile suits.
“You two are still just the way you were when you met,” Celi said.
“Foolish and impulsive at least,” Kivi added.
“You two do know everyone with an open com channel can hear you?” Mira asked.
Valis laughed. “I think they’re enjoying the levity of the conversation.”
“Thanks,” Seles said.
“Remember to keep our enemies on their toes while Seles and I are busy,” Brian said.
“I will,” Valis said.
The fleet of Heaven’s Light joined the coalition fleet in the main battle over Dega Jul. The six ships and the Siberia base pushed forward. Brian closed his eyes before letting the berserk come over him. His left eye emitted green colored energy while his body was covered in a similar aura. He put his hand on the Artemis’s interior wall and spread the aura until it covered the mobile suit and Seles. She let the berserk come over her and the Artemis’s drive spun faster. The white and silver mobile suit was glowing brightly with green particles surrounding it. The enemy pulse fire coming in flew through the Artemis like it was incorporeal. The others began berserking and took care of the enemy ships trying to shoot the Artemis down. Both Brian and Seles felt each other’s mind.
“Don’t let the blue world take you,” Brian said.
“This is strange,” Seles said.
“Fly according to my lead,” he said.
“I will,” she said.
The planet killer looked like it was ready to fire a third shot from its main cannon at any moment. The Artemis flew through the vessel’s shields as Brian guided Seles until they were inside the massive ship. Thousands of Greys worked in every location while they descended further into the core. When they reached the center Brian materialized the Artemis inside the core chamber. A smaller version of the machine god stood in the center like a menacing behemoth.
“Fire,” Brian said.
“Of course,” Seles said while taking aim.
The Artemis fired an arrow shot straight into the core. Seeing it wasn’t more than scratched Seles let loose and fired the remaining nine shots from her mobile suit. Massive beam after beam slammed into the core. On the tenth and final shot the center was damaged and the structure began collapsing. Brian used his power to turn the Artemis immaterial again and quickly guided Seles back outside. The moon sized ship went silent while the Grey ships in the area gravity jumped away. Seles turned the Artemis about once Brian stopped using his power. The pair ended their berserks and took a deep breath. All around Dega Jul the battle was ended after the Greys fled.
“Other than the core the planet killer is intact,” Seles said.
“I sense the Mylor want to capture one to study,” Brian said. “I think they’ll let our engineers take a peak as well.”
“What about the Greys onboard?” Seles asked.
“That’s why we’re going to let the Mylor take this one,” Brian said. “And thanks.”
“Save it for later,” Seles said. “I’m heading back now.”
* * *
Jesela looked up from her work and watched the Artemis return to the ship.
“You’re wondering why he doesn’t do that every time,” Myden inquired.
“I think he should,” Grigon cawed.
“There’s something holding him back from doing so,” Jesela said.
“All awakened beings suffer when they discover their power,” Myden said. “In Brian’s case I see a fate worse than many others.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Grigon asked.
“Scan his body next time he uses his power and you’ll understand,” Myden said.
“Now I’m worried,” Jesela said.
“Then don’t,” Myden suggested. “It’s not like you to be that way anyway.”
“I’ll try following your advice old man,” Jesela said as she went to leave. “But I’d better get those two ready for combat again.”
Myden, Grigon, and the droids silently went back to work at their consoles.
“What did you mean by all that?” Grigon asked.
“His power deals with dimensional boundaries,” Myden said. “All powers prior to his dealt with the material world we perceive, but his goes beyond it. I can sense the change only because I’m telepathic.”
“You still haven’t answered my question,” Grigon said before cawing.
“Of course,” Myden said. “Now and then we he’s asleep his mind disappears to me. I watched him one night and found the reason why.”
“You don’t need to say anymore,” Grigon said. “I think I understand now.”
“Then remember to be prepared,” Myden said. “We never know when he may fade from this plane of existence forever.”
* * *
Siata and a contingent of Mylor troops entered the now dead planet killer. What they found inside were the bodies of thousands of Greys. All of them had been exposed to the vacuum of space due to the entire vessel losing air and pressure. The exoskeleton covered cat people floated through the ship in search of anything useful.
“The construction of a ship like this is still only in the design stage for us,” Siata said.
“True,” Commander Uta said. “What should we do with this one?”
Siata noticed a dim flashing light in the hallways. After checking the purple hieroglyphics she turned to her troops.
“We need to leave here immediately,” she said. “This vessel is programmed to self-destruct and we need to get it out of the Degan system.”
“How do we do that?” Uta asked while they rushed back to their ship.
“We’ll abandon ten of our ships and use them to gravity jump this titan between star systems,” Siata ordered.
* * *
The Artemis and Siren landed on the Freedom. Seles, Mira, and Brian all went down to the ground while Jesela began her work.
“I’d better get to the bridge,” Brian said before rushing off.
“I’d better get to sickbay,” Mira said before doing the same.
Seles looked at Jesela. “Can I help with the maintenance work?”
“It’s better to have company then work alone,” Jesela said.
“Thanks,” Seles said. She noticed some armor plating on the legs of the Artemis was damaged. “I’ll start with that then.”
“You’re pushing these things to their limits,” Jesela said before sighing.
“I know,” Seles said. “But what I want to know is what magic spell you cast on Brian.”
“I can’t use magic,” Jesela said.
“His smile is back,” Seles said. “Both Mira and I have been looking for it for a while now.”
“You should know I’ve spent only two nights with him,” Jesela said. “Both have been when he was at his worst. But this last time I felt the same as him.” She put pictures of the damage to Dega Jul from the battle on a monitor in the room. “These are only the first round of images. One of the great rings of destruction hit the area near the Kalaidian district we frequent. I have to be honest and admit I’m shaken.”
“I may not be showing it but I am too,” Seles said. “So many have died and we haven’t had the time to mourn them.”
“I know,” Jesela said. “As to the answer you seek I can’t give you one. Perhaps he feels he can’t say certain things around you or Mira because he doesn’t want to worry you. He’s a loner Seles, always has been.”
“He is, and it’s annoying at times,” Seles said. “He shouldn’t hide himself from those he loves.”
“All of us have a character flaw, that’s his,” Jesela said.
“If you know so much then what’s my flaw?” Seles asked.
“You worry too much about what others think of you,” Jesela said. “I attribute it to your princess complex.”
Seles laughed. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome,” Jesela said. “Now let’s get to work and finish this before our shift is over. I’d like to get some sleep for a change.”
“Sure,” Seles said.
* * *
Brian walked onto the bridge and found Myden and Grigon oddly quiet. After checking the console near the captain’s chair he turned to the two.
“Were you talking about me again?” Brian asked.
“Your ability to discern such things is beginning to disturb me,” Myden said.
“He’s learned well from you old man,” Grigon cawed.
Brian laughed. “I know what you’re worried about. Pondering about it doesn’t do you any good.”
“Pondering things is what I did for centuries,” Myden said. “Doing so made me feel older.”
“I’m still young because I do things rather than think about them too much,” Grigon said. He glanced at his console. “It looks like the Mylor are doing something.”
“Put in on the screen,” Brian said.
Grigon nodded before showing what was happening. Ten Mylor ships were evacuated and moved to specific positions around the dead planet killer. After taking a moment to resonate their gravity drives the Mylor ships covered the planet killer with an aura of energy and gravity jumped it away.
“Why do you think they just did that?” Brian asked.
“There was likely a self-destruct device inside,” Myden said.
“Damn,” Grigon cawed. “I wanted to take a look around it.”
“Captain, we’re receiving a signal from Commander Baeron,” Droid A reported.
“Put him through,” Brian said.
“Yes sir,” the droid said.
Baeron was still in the cockpit of his Lance.
“Captain Peterson, we request your ship land on the surface,” Baeron said. “The power grids across the planet are unstable and we need help treating the wounded.”
“All of the ships of Heaven’s Light will do what they can for those in need,” Brian said.
Chapter 25 - The Scorched City
The Freedom and many other ships landed on Dega Jul at the docks, in the streets, or on top of the larger buildings. When the officers from the vessels ran outside to begin the task of treating the wound and search for survivors the destruction to the planet was evident. The air was filled with ash and dust, dimming the daytime sky with a hue of red. Cutting through the area next to the Kalaidian district was a massive swath of destruction. Workers of every race fought the numerous blazes across the city planet while Minan soldiers patrolled the streets to keep a semblance of order. The citizens who had evacuated to the underground shelters were now emerging to either help the cause or salvage what they could from their homes. Brian and Seles went outside to assess the damage.
“What is this?” Seles asked with a bit of shock behind her voice.
“This is war,” Brian said.
“Why?” Seles asked. “Why are they so merciless? What’s the point of doing this?”
“Their goal is the same as Heaven’s Light, just the opposite path,” Brian answered. “We can unify the galaxy under the banner of solidarity or purification. Seles, focus on the task at hand. None of us can understand this right now.”
“Alright,” she said before shaking it off. “Where am I supposed to go?”
Brian checked his wrist computer. “The area near Mya’s shop is badly torn up. Take the Artemis and ten Raknas with you.”
“Do you think she’s alright?” Seles asked.
“That’s why I chose you for that area,” Brian said. “I owe her a payment for the suit she made for me.”
“I’ll take care of it,” Seles said before turning to
leave.
Brian grabbed her arm. “Keep an eye out for anything strange. I have a bad feeling I can’t shake.”
“My eyes will be open,” she said before going to the launching bay.
Brian watched as the fires blazed. He heard the screams of the wounded and those trapped in the rubble.
“This is hell,” he said before heading to back to the others.
* * *
On the edge of the Kalaidian district Kivi and Dreka were leading the recovery operation. Behind them on the barren street the Raulno sat quietly. Numerous individuals and mobile suits worked together to clear the rubble. Standing half destroyed on the very tip of the ring of destruction was the mixed race bar called the Kritkar. After searching through the place for a while Dreka met with Kivi.
“There’s nothing left but the broken remains of an old man’s dream,” she said.
“He was still in there when it hit,” Dreka said.
“How do you know?” Kivi asked.
“I found some blood and grey feathers that match his DNA,” Dreka said. “Old Grig was a good man to the very end. He tossed everyone out before it was hit.”
Kivi looked across the scar on the planet with the sky still colored red. “Madness has come upon us, hasn’t it?”
“Of course,” Dreka said. “And even though a part of me wants to give in, I can’t.”
“What’s holding you back?” Kivi asked.
“A little over twelve years ago a foolish Terran took a hit for me,” Dreka said. “My life should’ve ended that day. But I live on because of Brian. He was willing to give his life so I could change. I can’t die, not yet.” Dreka cawed. “Also, I have a pair of little ones back on the homeworld.”
“Have you heard from them lately?” Kivi asked.
“No, the Greys have smaller fleets lurking everywhere,” Dreka said. “Communication was the first thing to go because of it. What about you Kivi? Is there someone you fear will die?”
“My grandmother back home,” Kivi said. “She raised me well and is the only family I have left. Although she’d tell I’m an idiot and that she’s lived a long and good life.”
Grey War Saga 1: Twilight of Innocence Page 14