“How long will it be until they can pin us in here?” Zae asked.
“Twenty hours minimum,” Baed answered. “All we need to do is find a clearing long enough for us to make a gravity jump outside.”
“That’s a lot easier said than done,” Zae said. She called up Grigon’s monitor. “We’re going to need to discuss our next move.”
“Understood,” the old birdman said. “I’ll be heading over there shortly. With Jesela as busy as she is someone has to finish our little project over there.”
“I’m looking forward to it,” Zae said. The message ended. “I didn’t know this was going to be the end of me.”
“No one did,” Baed said as she took Zae’s hand. “We have to be strong and make it through. That’s what he’d say.”
“All too true,” Zae said before smiling. She turned on the com. “All senior officers are to report to the meeting room in four hours. Until then, continue dealing with the crisis on the Avoni as you were. That is all.”
“Why the four hour delay?” Baed asked.
“I’m going to help with repairs,” Zae answered. “Before I joined the Avoni I trained as an engineer.”
“Make sure you take a quick bath before returning,” Baed said. “I know we have more serious matters to take care of, but if you don’t wind yourself down you won’t be able to function properly when the battle comes.”
“Thanks Baed,” Zae said. “Take care of the bridge while I’m gone.” She left on the elevator.
“I will Zae, I will,” Baed said before turning back to her console.
* * *
“He doesn’t look good,” Grigon said as Brian woke up. In his room were the old Malcovin, Celi, and Zae. Celi sat down next to him with her hand scanner.
“I don’t feel good either,” Brian said. “So what brings all of you here?”
“We’re going to have an officer meeting in one hour,” Zae explained. “I wanted to run through the plan by you first.”
Brian laughed. “Why bother with an invalid like me anymore?”
“Physically you might be out of it, but mentally you’re still with us,” Celi said.
“Not really,” he said sarcastically. “My mind’s floating around the ship at times. But I guess you still want to speak with me.”
“Yes,” Zae said. “And I’m not leaving until you contribute.”
“Aggression won’t get you anywhere,” Brian said. “Even Delne figured that out.”
“I’m not skilled in the Kai thankfully,” Zae said.
“Well, if you ever want to know more I have some Kai needles in the drawer over there,” he said with a chuckle. “I kept them as a reminder of just how painful life can be.” He shook his head. “Alright, I’m ready to be serious now. Let’s get down to business.”
“The Greys have an unknown number of ships stationed in the orbit of the moon we’re hiding inside of,” Zae explained. “They’ve been pelting the surface in an effort to force us out. We haven’t reached that point yet. But given the shape we’re in I think a gravity jump out is our surest bet.”
“I agree,” Brian said. “The best thing to do is go on the offensive. Grigon, how many Talons do you have left?”
“Twenty three,” the old birdman answered.
“Damn, I was hoping we had more to use,” Brian said. “And if we blow the drives too close to the entrance our ships will be filled with gamma radiation. Hmm…I think I have an idea. The price will be high but that can’t be helped at this point.”
“Whatever it takes, Zae said. “One more thing, the Greys can see through our stealth cloaks.”
“That’s not good,” Brian said. “Which vessel took the most damage in the last battle?”
“The Avoni,” Grigon said. “The Vomada wasn’t scratched one bit.”
“Alright, then the Vomada and remaining Talons will leave the moon first in maximum defensive formation,” Brian instructed. “The Avoni will follow with the Meche as the last ship. The goal is for the Vomada and Avoni to draw the Greys to them while the Braiden escape. Once the battle has commenced the Avoni and Vomada should get as close together as possible and combine their shields. We’ll use the mobile suits outside in a similar manner.”
“Can we do that?” Celi asked.
“It is,” Grigon said. “Shields on older vessels are incapable of combining their strength. But the Avoni and Vomada can.”
“If their numbers are small we’ll stay until they’re defeated,” Brian said. “If not, then flee once we’ve inflicted as much damage as possible. Grigon, don’t hesitate to sacrifice as many Talons as needed. We’re at the point where our options are running out.”
“I’ve already prepared for that eventuality,” Grigon cawed. “To the last Talon everyone has been programmed for the special attack.”
Brian coughed up a little blood. “Hopefully I was able to help you Zae,” he said.
“You’re plan is more than sufficient Brian,” Zae said.
The three watched as he fell asleep.
“Even in this state he’s still able to see so much,” Celi said.
“A strong lad he is,” Grigon said.
Zae took his hand in hers. “Thank you,” she said. “I won’t let this plan go to waste.”
* * *
“Alright, we’ll do as you say,” Lumiar said to the senior officers and Grigon over the monitor.
“Our goal is to give your ship a chance to escape,” Zae said. “We’re hoping the battle doesn’t go so badly as to not join you Lumiar.”
“So what’s the plan?” Meldi asked.
“The first ship to leave will be the Vomada with the Talons,” Zae explained. “The Avoni will stagger behind with all the Raknas. The Meche will follow behind us. Our goal is to draw the Greys away from the moon and allow the Braiden to escape. If the enemy forces are manageable we’ll continue fighting until they’re destroyed. If their numbers exceed our estimate we’ll flee after we’ve done as much damage as possible.”
“Will the Mjolnir be ready in time?” Meldi asked while looking at Jesela.
“I’m not going to have the time to do so,” Jesela answered. “It’s out for this fight.”
“We’re to use the mobile suits and their shields for additional protection as we have been,” Zae explained. “Before deploying each of you will attach a Novaguard to your mobile suit.”
“That should give us some additional firepower,” Meldi said.
“More than that,” Grigon said. “I’ve finished installing the auto piloting system into them. Once we’re outside they’ll detach from your mobile suit and attack independently. Although their shields and weapons are nothing compared to your Raknas, it adds more targets for the Greys to destroy.”
“The burden of the sacrifice will be on the Talons though,” Zae said. “Our tactic of self-detonation works but the sacrifice is immense when one looks at it financially.”
“Losing money is less important than losing lives,” Grigon said. “I think there’s enough Aldenite in the galaxy to make up for the damages I’ve suffered.”
“We’ll commence with the mission in one hour,” Zae said. “Make sure everything’s ready by then.”
Chapter 43 - Running the Gauntlet
An hour after the meeting the three ships shifted their formation with the Vomada in front, the Avoni just behind it and the Meche in the rear. Grigon remained onboard the Avoni and controlled the Talons remotely from the bridge. The Talons were deployed around the Vomada while the Raknas were around the Avoni. When the ships moved to the exit they found it was partially blocked. The Vomada and Talons in front fired and unveiled the space outside. When the three ships emerged their radars picked up six carriers and nearly three hundred attack ships.
Zae bit her lip. “That’s more than we predicted,” she said.
“Don’t worry,” Grigon said. “I’m clearing a path.” Three of the Talons activated their shields and scattered. Each flew in a different direction an
d detonated their gravity drive. Each exploding Talon took a number of smaller attack ships with it as well as two carriers. A third carrier was severely damaged. The remaining twenty Talons formed a defensive shell around the Vomada as the smaller Grey ships opened fire. Each shifted their form to match the Malcovin mobile suits before charging with suicidal intent. The carrier flew at the Avoni and fired its pulse cannons. The ship rocked as Baed steered away from most of the damage.
“Our shields are still at seventy percent,” Jesela reported.
“The Meche is prepared to jump out of the battle space,” Baed reported.
The Meche wavered and flickered before disappearing.
“Alright,” Zae said before turning to Grigon. “Now that they’re out of here it’s time to let loose.”
“I like your attitude,” Grigon cawed.
His cube shaped ship flew close to the Avoni to combine their shields. Using six more Talons, Grigon had the first three make a path to the remaining carriers. The three trailing Talons each targeted a carrier. Two of the three succeeded and blasted into a carrier. The third damaged the sixth carrier. All that remained of the Grey forces were two damaged carriers and a little over a hundred smaller attack vessels.
“Brace for their counterattack,” Zae said. “We may have destroyed most of their battle power but they’re still in this fight.”
* * *
The Avoni and Vomada were under constant assault as the Greys desperately tried to break through their defenses. The Talons and Raknas remained close to their respective ships and attacked with their pulse rifles. They only attacked in melee when the Grey ships flew too close.
“This attack is brutal,” Meldi said. “But now that we know their plan we can counter it.”
“Have you figured out their plan?” Myli asked.
“Their goal’s to wear us down and crash into us,” Meldi said. She pointed to the damaged carriers as they moved towards the battle. “I think they’re about to use the same trick we’ve been using.
“The Greys are the strangest enemy we’ve ever fought,” Myli said. “It’s like they don’t have any regard for their lives.”
“That stems from their hive mind mentality,” Meldi said.
“I don’t like it,” Myli said as her Rakna slashed though a Grey ship. “Even an Ick-Tckt has more individuality than that.”
“And we think they’re strange,” Meldi said as she narrowed her eyes. “But we know what these beings are all about now. They don’t care about morality or individuality. We’re just an object in the way of their mission. Our lives don’t matter to them. All they want is for us to be destroyed.” Meldi slashed through a pair of Grey ships. Her eyes flickered between normal and blue glows. “That’s why we can’t give up. Brian wouldn’t forgive us for it.”
“I feel the same,” Myli said.
* * *
Zae watched as the battle progressed. The two carriers started flying towards them.
“How long until they reach us?” she asked.
“Less than two minutes,” Baed answered.
“We’ve only got a few left,” Grigon said.
He programmed two of the damaged Talons to fly straight for the carriers. Once the carriers moved close enough the two mobile suits detonated their gravity drives and blew them up. The remaining Raknas, Talons, and the two ships held their ground until every Grey ship was destroyed.
“All enemies have been silenced,” Baed reported.
“Good, let’s get out of here,” Zae said. “All pilots return to base. Grigon, call back you’re Talons.”
“Already done,” Grigon said.
After all the mobile suits were loaded onboard the two ships gravity jumped to the next solar system.
“Are the Braiden here?” Zae asked once the light cleared and the scanners reactivated.
“I’m detecting their signal nearby,” Jesela said.
Zae sighed. “Good,” she said. “Let’s get over there as quickly as possible and figure out what to do next.” She looked over the battle plan before smiling. “He really is something. We may have lost a number of the unmanned suits but no causalities.”
“I still have fourteen left,” Grigon said. “I don’t mind because if I can get the Aegis working it won’t matter how many ships the Greys throw at us. They won’t be able to penetrate its shields.”
“How does it work?” Zae asked. “I’ve looked over the specs for the Aegis and still don’t know how its shielding system is going to work.”
“The system is a lot like the black box system installed on the Mjolnir,” Jesela explained as she checked over the Avoni’s systems once more. “We won’t actually know how it works until its launched into battle.”
“Has the Mjolnir’s black box system ever been activated?” Baed asked.
“Not yet,” Grigon said. “Although it’s A.I. system is advanced at this stage. The machine can probably fight independent of a pilot soon enough. The real black box can only work if Brian or any other Terran can finally pass the muster to activate it.”
“What does that mean?” Zae asked.
“When the time comes, you’ll know Zae,” the old birdman cawed. “If he should master the Mjolnir’s systems you’ll see why the older races fear his kind so much.”
“The more you talk about it the more excited I get waiting for it,” Zae said. She turned back to her work at the captain’s chair computer.
Chapter 44 - Eve of Despair
Celi sat with her head in her hands in frustration. She was surrounded by screens of data. Her eyes were hollow with black bags under them while exhaustion showed on her face. I don’t get it, what am I missing? She thought to herself as she looked up at the data once more. If he could crack this puzzle, then why can’t I? She pressed the button on the computer and ran through another simulation. I’ve tried everything I know to beat this thing and nothing works. What is the critical element I’m missing right now? The simulation concluded with the same ending. Zae stood outside the lab and saw Celi’s condition. She buzzed the door before entering.
“Hey,” Celi said flatly as she tried another simulation.
“From your response and appearance I take it things aren’t going well,” Zae said as she sat down next to her.
“Sorry for making you work double shifts lately,” Celi said. She turned from the screens to face Zae. “Well, more like triple with Brian in the condition he‘s in right now.”
“It’s tiring carrying the burden for the two of you,” Zae said. “But not nearly the same as the burden you carry right now.”
“It’s that obvious huh?”
“Yes, it is Celi,” Zae said. “What’s the hold up?”
Celi put an image on the monitor in front of them. “The algorithm in the infected nanomachines always adapts to whatever it is I try to use to treat them,” she said. “I can’t destroy them now. The resulting shock to Brian’s system would kill him.”
“But if you destroy them he has a chance, right?” Zae asked.
“Perhaps,” Celi said. “There’s a high probability Brian will die if I attempt it. But at the rate he’s going it won’t be much longer.”
“How long does he have left?”
“A few days at most,” Celi answered. She had despair in her eyes.
“Even if there’s only a one percent chance of it working, you must have faith in his desire to live,” Zae said.
“Alright, I understand,” Celi said. “It’s going to take me another night without rest to finish the program. Hopefully it will work.”
“Have faith Celi, have faith,” Zae said.
* * *
Baed stood outside Brian’s room with uncertainty in her eyes. What should I do? What am I doing here? She stared at the door and went to open it. She stopped and pulled back. Why am I hesitating like this? He needs someone to comfort him. Everyone but me is needed at the moment. I feel so useless I have to do something. All I can do is make his last moments better. If that’s a
ll I can do than so be it. Better to be useful to one person than feel like you’re of no use to anyone. She opened the door and saw Brian lying quietly on his bed. He opened his eyes to see who it was.
“Who’s there?” he asked weakly.
Baed sat on the bed next to him. Without any hesitation she took his hand in hers.
“It’s me,” she said.
“Strange to think the last person to come see me would be you,” Brian laughed. “But then again I don’t even know if this is real.”
“I came because I had to do something,” Baed said.
“You’re selling yourself short,” Brian said before cringing in pain.
“No,” she said. “A navigator doesn’t do much these days.”
“You’re wrong,” he said. “If you hadn’t been the navigator our journey home would’ve taken longer than it has. You shaved a month of time off.”
“Anyone else could’ve done it,” Baed responded.
“True, but because you were the one who did it you deserve the credit.”
“Alright,” she said. “I’ll take your word for it.”
Brian sat up slowly and looked at her. “You’re not doing this because you’re Seles’s cousin, are you?”
“I thought the same thing before coming in,” Baed said.
“You’re not Seles,” Brian said before smiling.
“I know I’m not her, but still…” She sat in silence and blushed. After a moment of quiet he surprised her by leaning forward and delivering a long kiss. After they parted she sat back. “I’ve always loved you.”
“I know,” he said. “I’ve seen it in your eyes. And that’s the difference between you and Seles. She’s a doer and you’re a thinker. I should know because that’s how I am.”
She laughed. “You’re right about that,” she said. “I wanted to give you a small amount of comfort if these are your last days. It’s better than leaving you to brood alone in the dark.”
Heaven Saga 3: Sojourn Into Despair Page 24