“I welcome your company,” he said. “But if you’re looking for more than a kiss I can’t deliver on it.”
“I know,” she said before laughing again. “I can live with this.” She sat closer to him on the bed.
“This isn’t a bad way to go,” Brian said.
“I kind of figured that,” she said after another quite moment.
“In a different world we would’ve been lovers,” he said. “You have a different way than Seles. But, are you sure about this? Shouldn’t you be comforting Zae?”
“She can handle herself,” Baed said.
“That’s good,” he said. “I can’t believe I’ve only been here for six years.”
“I completely forgot we passed the anniversary of your arrival,” Baed said. “Sorry I didn’t bring something to celebrate.”
“That’s alright. Your being here is enough.”
“I’m glad,” she said.
They embraced as a tear showed through his attempt at staying strong. “Baed, I need to tell you a few things before my end comes. I know you may not want to hear this but I have to tell someone.”
“Whatever it is I’ll listen,” she said.
“When I’m dead I want you to read my journal. I’ve left behind some plans for the future. I trust it you and Seles.”
“What plan are you speaking of?” she asked.
“When the time comes you’ll understand,” he said. “Soon, Heaven’s Light will shine upon the races of the Alden, led by the toning of the Freedom’s Bell.”
Chapter 45 - The Avoni’s Last Stand
Baed returned to the bridge the next morning and found Zae and Jesela there. She quietly went to her console and checked the navigation systems. The three ships were in deep orbit of a gas giant.
“How is he?” Zae asked.
“Not so good,” Baed answered after a moment of silence. “He was sleeping soundly when I left. But from what I saw last night he doesn’t have much time left.”
“We have about one week until we return to the part of space where all this started,” Jesela said. “I know it doesn’t matter right now, but…”
“It’s alright Jesela,” Baed interrupted. “You’re not the type to dwell on the negative and prefer dancing with optimism.”
“That’s true,” Jesela said. She looked up from her scans. “I’m sorry Zae, but I’m not detecting any signals in this system.”
“I didn’t expect any,” Zae said. “I figured once we reached the border region we’d have a chance to find them.”
“Are you talking about the Raulno?” Baed asked.
“Yes,” Zae said. “It should’ve been completed a few months ago. If they were going to search for us they’d start where we were last seen. If our timing is right we should find our friends soon enough.”
On the radar a number of blips appeared in the space around the three ships. Zae quickly turned the shield and weapons systems on as the Grey ships fired pulse blasts onto Avoni. The entire ship shook. More Grey ships appeared on the radar. Around them the Greys positioned their ships a pincer formation. There were ten carriers with an additional five hundred smaller ships. Zae bit her lip. This isn’t good. The odds aren’t in our favor and we can’t run in this part of the planet’s orbit. Zae pressed the com to contact Lumiar on the Meche.
“What is it?” Lumiar asked.
“No doubt your radar has picked up the enemies engaging us right now,” Zae said. “I want you to take the Meche away from the battle immediately and hide until you can gravity jump out of this system.”
“What about your people?” Lumiar asked.
“I know you’ll worry even if I tell you not do so,” Zae said. “But we’re prepared to give our lives to save what’s left of your people. A hundred Kalaidians can be replaced but the last of the Braiden can’t. I pray Kali shows the way to the Confederation.”
Lumiar made a prayer sign. “I pray the gods watch over you and the Avoni,” she said. “We’ll never forget the courage your people displayed in our favor Zae.”
“Should you meet a ship named the Raulno tell them what happened,” Zae said.
“I’ll make sure of it,” Lumiar said. “I pray we meet again.”
“As do I,” Zae said.
* * *
Grigon opened the com line to the bridge of his ship. “Alright guys, it’s time to prepare for the worst,” the old birdman said.
“We’re ready,” Droid A said.
“We’ve been prepared for this from the beginning,” Droid B said.
“As much as I don’t want my existence terminated I’ll do what must be done,” Droid C said.
“Good to hear,” Grigon said. “We’re going to combine our shields like last time to hold as long as we can. We may not survive this battle but we won’t go down without a fight.”
“Yes sir,” the three Droids said. Grigon looked at the Aegis. “Just a few more minutes, that’s all I need.”
Meldi and the other twenty six pilots ran to the launching bays and boarded their mobile suits. But before going to hers Meldi went to the Mjolnir. She put her hand on the switch to start up but the suit didn’t respond. She tried a few more times before Grigon came over.
“The Mjolnir’s locked us out,” Grigon explained.
After he spoke the Mjolnir’s eyes lit up strangely as a ghostly echo came from the suit.
“It sounds like its crying,” Meldi said.
“It probably senses his life nearing its end,” Grigon said. “You’d better get going.”
“I will,” Meldi said as she ran to her Rakna.
As she started the mobile suit up Meldi felt another wave of attacks hit the Avoni. Her and the other pilots launched outside the ship and powered their shields to max to give the Avoni and Vomada some shielding.
“Myli, we’ll split into the two squad system we used last time, alright?”
“I got it,” Myli said.
The fourteen remaining Talons flew from the Vomada and added more to the defensive barrier.
“How long can we hold out for?” Meldi asked as she watched a wave of Grey ships swooping in for an attack.
* * *
“The Meche has pulled away from the battle zone,” Baed reported. “It doesn’t look like the Greys are going after them.”
“No surprise there,” Zae said. She pressed the com to speak with the entire ship.
“This is Lieutenant Commander Zae speaking. I don’t think at this point any of you are worried about putting your lives on the line to save others. In this case, it’s the Braiden onboard the Meche. The reason I’m speaking to you right now is I must be honest in saying we won’t likely survive this battle. Our enemy consists of ten carriers and five hundred smaller ships. With our present force we can hold them off for a short period of time. We’ll stake our lives on saving the Braiden again. That is all.” Zae ended her communication before switching over to speak with only the pilots outside and Grigon. “We’re going to assume formation C-11.”
“We’re going to do a fighting retreat?” Meldi asked. “Where are we fleeing to?”
Zae pointed at the gas giant. “We’ll put our backs to the planet and hope the Greys don’t have the ability to pop in and out of the planet’s atmosphere or gravity,” she said. “I know there’s a good chance they’ll drive us into the planet but we need some kind of cover.”
“Understood,” Meldi said.
She and the pilots outside barraged incoming attack ships and destroyed a number as they closed in for another pass. The Avoni and Vomada started flying to the nearby planet. The carriers moved into a half sphere formation to block any escape for the two ships. The smaller ships continued battering the Avoni and Vomada with their pulse cannons. Each time a small amount of energy was drained from the shields and each time the mobile suits fired back to destroy a few enemies at a time with each pass.
“How long do we have until the carriers are close enough to fire on us?” Zae asked.
“A half an hour at the most,” Jesela answered.
“That gives us a little time to consider additional methods of escape,” Zae said as she paced around the bridge. “Wait, could we fly the Avoni into the planet’s atmosphere at the right angle to bounce off to somewhere else?”
“That’s pretty risky,” Baed said. “But I’m sure if we did it right we could make an escape.”
“I’m already on it,” Jesela said as she frantically worked the calculations.
“We must be willing to try everything to survive this,” Zae said.
* * *
Lumiar watched on the monitor as the Meche made its way away from the battle. Is this all I can do? Fran, I wish you were with me. I need your guidance at a time like this. She stood up and looked outside at the spinning interior of the colony ship before closing her eyes in prayer. They’re willing to give their lives so we can live. Is it selfish to leave them to die? Or is it more selfish to die with them? I don’t know the answers to these questions.
“You must live Lumiar. That’s our only desire. The Braiden and their story must not be erased from the universe. The message you carry is vital to the future of all intelligent races. I wish you the best of luck in the coming days and happiness to your people.” Lumiar heard what sounded like Brian’s voice in her mind. She turned around and saw a ghostly image of him standing behind her.
“He must be nearing his time,” she said. She looked down with sadness in her eyes before looking to her people in the colony. “If it’s your final wish than I’ll do as you ask Brian. We’ll live on for time immemorial. And we’ll never forget the kindness and courage you showed us. I’m glad we met.”
Chapter 46 - Dead Man Walking
Is this how my life is going to end? Brian opened his eyes and saw nothing but darkness. He tried flexing his hand and nothing could be felt. His body was numb and unfeeling without any sense extending beyond his mind. He tried shouting and no sound came from his mouth. Straining and breathing heavily he laid alone in the dark room without a soul in sight. A tear began falling from his unseeing eyes and streamed slowly to the pillow below.
No. This can’t be how it ends. I don’t want to die, not like this. This is worse than the Kai. I’m beginning to understand what it was like near the end Gaelic. I understand why you hid yourself from everyone. Who wants to see this breathing corpse in its last moments? Even so, I can’t blame them for not being here with me. They have the right to live, don’t they? Should I accept my death? Is it time to give in to the darkness? He was unable to move. Above the door the alert system started blinking bright red as the sound of the alarm followed. He tried focusing his blind eyes and turned his head slightly to hear the faint sound of the alert. Brian thought he heard Zae’s voice over the com but wasn’t sure it was her. The alarm echoed through the Avoni and echoed through him. He felt the ship shake violently as if it was under attack.
No. Not like this. I won’t die here alone in the dark. I’ll save them. It’s all I can do to save what’s left of the crew. He thought of the women of the Avoni and savored each one of them slowly in his mind. Those who died came into his mind one by one and then those still alive flashed through. I owe them that. Summoning all of his remaining strength he blinked his eyes and felt the berserk come over him. It didn’t give him much feeling, but enough to roll off the bed and onto the floor. He dragged himself to the desk and slowly opened the bottom drawer before feeling around with his barely coherent hand. He pulled out a small wooden case and opened it to reveal a number of Kai needles. He smiled strangely as he took them in his numbed hands. Thank you Delne, this should jolt my nerves long enough to do what I need to. I owe it to the crew of this ship, to Grigon, and especially to the Braiden. Brian took each needle and drove them into his body at the joints. Each needle caused him to scream out in agony. Though racked with pain the numbness melted away. Bleeding and stumbling, he walked to the door and took his rakna to use as a crutch. Feeling around the frame of the door he pressed the switch. As the door opened he stumbled into the dark hallway.
This is the right way. At least I won’t be a burden to them any longer.
* * *
The Mjolnir’s haunting cries flowed throughout the Avoni.
“I can hear you old friend,” Brian uttered as he staggered to launching bay. “I know you’re afraid. I am to.” As he made his way through the halls of the Avoni he felt the crew all around him. Out of an elevator three engineers ran and stopped to see the Brian before them.
“I can see you’re afraid as well,” Brian said while glancing with his blind eyes at the engineers. “You weren’t expecting me to look like this either.” He tilted his head back before laughing.
“Brian,” one of the engineers said as she went to give him a hand. Using his blood covered hand he gently pushed her away.
“I won’t be needing your help ensign Kalas, but thank you for the concern,” he said as he turned on his com to reach all of those onboard. He resumed his slow march while the crew gazed in awe and fear as he passed them in this bleeding and disheveled form. “In one’s life, there are moments when we simply know things,” he began as he walked. Everyone onboard stopped and listened to his ragged speech. “In this moment I can hear all of your thoughts, all of your fears…and all of your worries. Even though I’m blind and deaf I can hear you…I can see each one of you separately. Perhaps this is the ranting of a mad and dying man…but I can’t but help think it’s not. I want you to burn this image of me into your minds...to know my final thoughts and words…and remember that I lived. And when I am gone, I have but one command. Live…live as long as you can. For as long as you exist your enemies will never succeed. Even if all you can do is act as a thorn in their side…it’s better than giving in to oblivion. Because that my friends…is what this battle is about. The Greys aren’t looking for conquest. They don’t seek to subdue us. No…they seek to destroy us. In their universe there’s no place for us. There’s no home for the vanquished…only death. I ask you to never give up the preciousness of your life. Fight…fight as long as you can. Never go in silence and if you must die…then go in fire. Better to shout one final insult at your enemy than die quietly. And now…that’s what I’ll do. If I am fated to die then I will do it for those I love. The Avoni is my home and all of you are my family. In my time here I have learned so much. I’ve seen a lifetime of joy and sorrow in the last few years. I’m glad we met. I’m glad we could share this time together. My only regret is our time together…didn’t last longer. But as we part ways I have something to ask each of you. To defeat the Greys…you must change what you are…and become what you should be. Words alone can’t show you…so I will. Watch as I fly for the last time…and in a short while you’ll see what I mean.”
Brian finally came to the door of the launching bay. He staggered inside with an uneven gate. Grigon watched him walk to the Mjolnir as its cry echoed.
“Grigon, I know there’s more to this mobile suit than what’s on the specs,” Brian said. “I’m going to try and activate the black box system.” His eyes began changing from glowing blue to glowing red. As he neared the Mjolnir the mobile suit began emitting a similar color.
“I’m glad we had a chance to meet Brian,” Grigon said as he saluted the Terran.
“As am I,” Brian said as he returned the salute with a smile. As he entered the Mjolnir the mobile suit stopped keening and activated all its systems automatically. “Send my journal entries to Baed Daevon’s computer.”
“Yes Brian,” the Mjolnir said using Brian’s voice.
“Your speech function has activated,” Brian said with a laugh. “I’m glad.”
“Are you sure this is the way?” the Mjolnir asked.
“Yes, this is the way,” Brian answered. “You’ll have to act as my eyes once we get out there.”
“Of course,” the mobile suit responded.
“Zae, continue with the mission plan as is,” Brian ordered. “I’m going to open a path f
or you in a moment. You’re to consider the Mjolnir and myself casualties. I don’t have much longer left to live anyway. And Baed, I’ve transferred all the things we discussed last night to your computer.” He could tell Zae was trying to contact him and ignored the call. No distractions. He thought as the Mjolnir powered up. He opened his eyes and looked up. I can see it. I can see the path. The Mjolnir’s drive system suddenly sped up and enveloped the mobile suit in a glowing aura of blue energy.
* * *
Zae banged her fist on the console. “Dammit!” she shouted with tears in her eyes. “He won’t respond to my call!” When Baed turned to comfort her a pulse of energy flowed throughout the ship.
“Even if this body expires I know I won’t die,” Brian said over the com to everyone. “I’ll live on in each of you. Farewell.”
Zae and the others watched the Mjolnir fly from the ship at a speed never seen before. They gazed in awe as the mobile suit flashed and appeared near the Grey ships and slashed through their shields as if they weren’t there. Their pulse fire passed through the glowing mobile suit like it was incorporeal.
“What’s happening?” Zae asked before wiping away the tears.
“He’s activated it,” Jesela said. “I didn’t think I’d ever witness it. But now I know it’s true.”
The Mjolnir tore through the enemy forces with no resistance.
“It’s like he’s ignoring the laws of physics,” Zae said.
Baed’s eyes began glowing. “No, that’s not it,” she said. “I see what’s happening.”
“Baed, your eyes,” Zae said.
“An awakened being has the ability to surpass their physical form and evolve to the next level of existence,” Baed explained. “In all cases it allows subtle telepathic contact between minds. But in each species a different expression of evolution is brought out. This is why Terrans are feared by the older races.”
Heaven Saga 3: Sojourn Into Despair Page 25