Heaven Saga 3: Sojourn Into Despair (13 page)

Brian
shook his head as another headache set in. His vision blurred again, this time
it felt worse. He was close his quarters in the dark hall and felt something
strange happening. Looking down at his right arm, he noticed it was moving on
its own. Focusing all his mental strength he forced the arm to act under his
command once more.
It’s getting worse.
He thought before opening the
door to his quarters. Stumbling inside, he shed the exoskeleton armor and
flopped onto the bed utterly exhausted. He checked his right arm again. A
moment later the door opened and Celi walked in.

“I’m
glad my shift is over with,” Celi said before sitting on her bed. “Brian?”

“I’m
alive,” he said after a moment of silence.

“What’s
wrong?” she asked. She changed out of her uniform into something more
comfortable.

“My
arm’s acting up.”

Celi
went over and pressed the button to open the panel on his artificial limb.

“It
appears the Grey disease has spread inside this part faster than the rest of
your body,” she looked at his eye. “How’s your vision?”

“It’s
really blurry.”

“I
see,” she said before closing the panel on his arm. Celi embraced him tightly.
“I’m sorry I can’t save you.”

“You’re
doing the best you can,” he said. “That’s all I can ask for.”

“You
seem so calm about this,” Celi said. “I don’t know how you can go on like
this.”

“Because
I have to,” he said with a laugh. “That’s what I’d like to believe. But the
truth is I’ve been living on borrowed time since the day I came to space. I’ve
seen more in these five years than I could’ve ever dreamed of on Earth. That’s
why Celi. I know my end will come one day, be it tomorrow or years from now.”

“You’re
much stronger than I am when it comes to this,” Celi said. “That strength is
keeping me from going insane.”

“Is
it what you found on the colony?”

Celi
looked into his eyes. Darkness filled her gaze like an image of horror filled
her mind. “There are things that don’t exist, and things that shouldn’t exist,”
she said. “What I have found there is something that shouldn’t exist.”

“I
know,” he said. “I think all of us have seen too much.” Brian paused. “What I’m
left wondering is can it get any worse? Has what we’ve seen been the tip of the
iceberg in this part of the galaxy? Or is there worse than this?”

Celi
shook off the bad feeling. “What we’ve seen must be shown to those in power
back home.”

“You’re
right.”

She
cuddled up close to him. “I know it seems strange to ask this, but I’d really
like to do that with you again.”

“I
wish I could fulfill the request,” he said with a laugh. “Sadly, I’m not able
to at the moment.”

Celi
looked angry. “Dammit!” she shouted. “It figures those ugly little creatures
would take away the only fun we have left on the ship.”

“Well,
I’d argue Zae did a pretty good job.”

“Not
the kind of entertainment I had in mind really,” she said. “Zae’s improved a
lot since the last time her and Mira competed.”

“I
don’t have a reference point on this matter,” he said.

“It
was the year before we found you,” Celi explained. “It’s tradition to have the
ship’s
Reinere
decided in a competitive concert every five or six years.
Back then, you could tell Zae was good, but Mira was clearly the one. After
what we saw today I’d say Mira has her work cut out for her this time around.”

“Their
styles are completely different,” Brian said. “I always had a feeling of light
and pop with Mira. With Zae, I saw something dark and seductive.”

“Suits
their personalities don’t it?” Celi asked.

“Yes,
it definitely does.” Brian paused for a moment to think. “I don’t mean to
change the subject back to the awful, but I have to know your thoughts on the
Grey’s colony.”

“My
mission is complete as far as gathering samples and data. It’s obvious the Greys
have quite advanced technology when in terms of splicing genes with other
species. It’s also evident they’re doing so for a purpose a lot worse than we
thought.”

“What
may that be?”

“If
they’re able to create a hybrid that looks and acts just like the second
species, but are controlled through telepathy like the common Grey itself the
consequences are quite dire. If they wish to they can introduce the hybrids to
each race separately. Using this method they wouldn’t have to conquer using
military force. All they would have to do is wait a certain amount of years. At
least until the hybrid Greys take control of all the planets and militaries
within the Confederation.”

“That’s
a dire outcome,” he said. “Delne Raekar was implanted with their telepathic
powers. We may have to smoke out the potential spies.”

“Indeed.
All it takes is a quick genetic test if you know what to look for.” She hugged
him tightly. “Let’s stop talking about this.”

“Sorry
for bringing it back up, just had to finish being the captain for the day.”

“It’s
alright, I understand,” she said.

* * *

Baed
sat on the bridge by herself and checked the Avoni’s systems over. They were
still near the abandoned Grey colony and were preparing for departure. A few
minutes passed until the elevator door opened and Zae entered.

“Is
everything in order?” she asked while taking her station next to Baed.

“Everything’s
normal,” Baed answered. “It’s been too calm lately.”

“After
the first few weeks of desperately trying to survive that’s to be expected.”
After Zae started a quick diagnostic she turned to Baed. “Is everything alright
with you?”

“I’m
tired, like most of the crew,” she said. “But yes, I’m alright. By the way, you
looked great earlier today. When we get back home Mira’s going to have to work
to keep her job.”

“Even
though I have worked hard at being a better musician, I’m not sure if I’m ready
to topple her quite yet,” Zae said. “I’ll accept defeat if that’s what happens,
but it’s made me improve over the last few years.”

“How
are you feeling?” Baed asked.

“Stressed,
tired, you know the rest,” she answered. “I’m worried about Brian.”

“Is
it getting worse?”

“Every
day the mix of pain and numbness gets worse in his eyes. I don’t know how much
longer he’s going to be able to run the ship.”

“Celi’s
been a great help though,” Baed said. “I didn’t expect her to be able to work
on the bridge as effectively as she has.”

“Senior
officers all need to know those things. You’re being trained in for that right
now.”

“Heck
yeah, and it’s a ton of work.” She looked over to Zae. “He told me to get
things right with you.”

“The
same for me,” Zae said. They stood up and held hands.

“You
want to try that, here?” Baed asked.

“We
could be dead tomorrow,” Zae said. The two embraced with awkwardness in the
air. Both blushed as they gazed into each other’s eyes. They kissed. After a
moment each stepped back.

“That
felt weird,” Baed said.

“But
it was good, right?” Zae asked.

“Of
course,” Baed said before laughing. She noticed Zae was annoyed by something.
“What is it?”

“Our
enemies really know how to spoil a moment, don’t’ they?” Zae asked before
sitting down at her console. “I’m detecting three carriers, as well as over a
hundred smaller ships.” She flipped the button to put the Avoni on high alert.
“Attention everyone, we’re detecting three Grey carriers. We have one hour
until they reach our position. All crew to battle stations. Grigon, please
ready the Vomada and Talons for battle.”

“They
really do know how to ruin a moment,” Baed said. She took control of the Avoni
and started searching for a hiding place. “We’ll have to finish this later.”

“That’s
a promise,” Zae said while readying all of the Avoni’s systems for battle.”

* * *

Brian
groaned and rolled off the bed. “Just when I was going to sleep,” he said. “Dammit.”

“I
hear you,” Celi said. She rushed to put her uniform back on. “Do you have a
plan?”

“We
were planning on destroying the colony before leaving. So why not use it to our
advantage?” he asked as he put the exoskeleton back on.

“I
like it,” she said. Celi walked over and gave him a shot in the neck. “That
should keep you upright until this is over with.”

Brian
leaned down and kissed her. “Thanks. Once you find a cure for this ailment I
promise a night alone with you.”

“Then
I’d better figure out a way to fix you up,” she said.

Brian,
Baed, Zae, Celi, Meldi and Jesela all gathered in the meeting room of the
Avoni.

“So
the plan’s to run?” Meldi asked. “I have a feeling it’s not going to be that
easy.”

“No,”
Brian said. “That’s why I’m ordering all of you to be on standby in the
launching bays. I’ve already set up battle plans for in case things go awry.”

Zae
called up a holographic image on the main table. It displayed the Grey
formation. From one side a single carrier and thirty smaller ships approached.
From the other side and bottom a second and third carrier with the same number
of ships steadily advanced on their position.

“How
were they able to find us?” Jesela asked. “I thought the stealth cloak
prevented that.”

Grigon
appeared on the monitor from the bridge of his ship. “There’s the possibility
the colony we’ve been looking at has a detection system still in place. The
thing is pretty big and we only have two ships.”

“That’s
the most likely reason,” Brian said while looking at the enemy formation. “They
aren’t sure of our numbers either.”

“They
seem to have their ships deployed in a standard defensive advance,” Zae added.

“Is
everything in place Grigon?” Brian asked.

“I’ve
set up a Q-Drive in the colony to provide maximum damage,” Grigon answered.
“All we have to do is draw them in as close as possible.”

“What
are you planning?” Celi asked.

“If
we invert the drive while it’s inside the colony it’ll cause a gamma ray
burst,” Brian explained. “Valis used the tactic once before against Shiken Ka.
It was overkill then. But now it’ll be what saves us. There’s no way we can
take on three carriers on our own.”

“I’m
going to prepare the pilots ready for battle,” Meldi said before leaving.

“I’ll
make sure everything’s ready on my end,” Jesela said before taking her leave.

“I’ll
prepare for the wounded as well,” Celi said before heading to sickbay.

Brian
left the room with Baed and Zae. They took their positions on the bridge. He
stood and watched as the Grey fleets approached. Once the enemy ships reached a
specific point he activated the com system to speak with the whole ship.

“This
is acting Lieutenant Commander Peterson speaking. As you know by now, the
colony below us has been used by the Greys for experiments of an unspeakable
nature. For those unfortunates who lost their lives fighting against destiny,
what we do today is answer their call for justice. It’s time for our enemies to
know there are consequences to their actions. Let us say a prayer to Kali for
the fallen.” He closed his eyes for a moment and let the crew say a prayer
before drawing his
rakna
and driving it into the floor on the bridge. “Hear
that sword my friends? It’s the sound of righteousness on our side. And may the
goddess watch over us.” He ended transmission.

“Splendid
speech,” Baed said. “I’m feeling all fired up.”

“The
same here,” Zae said. “You truly are a
Maigar
.”

“Thanks
for saying so,” he said. “I always feel like I sound cheesy when making a
speech like that.”

“We
all do,” Zae said.

* * *

Well
said young man.
Grigon thought as he programmed the Q-Drive on the colony.

“If
I could feel emotions I’d say his speech inspired me,” Droid A said.

“That’s
not part of our programming though,” Droid B pointed out.

“But
I feel different now,” Droid C remarked.

“I’ve
programmed each of you to learn emotion over time,” Grigon explained. “It won’t
be the same as what a living being like myself feels, but it should simulate it
over time. Now, is our decoy ready?”

“Yes
sir,” Droid A reported. “I have the damaged Talon flying around the colony in a
steady orbit.

“Good,”
the old birdman said. “It looks like our foolish enemies are closing in as
predicted. It’s a good thing they don’t have many of the old commanders on
their ships any longer.”

“You
mean the original types?” Droid C asked.

“Yes,
that kind,” Grigon answered. “They’re like Myden, but not. He escaped the grasp
of their machine god’s might. But they didn’t. No, they allowed that thing to
control them. Oh yes, it gave them order and a false peace. But it stole away
everything that they were and made them into the obedient little organic robots
we see today.”

“Tell
me Grigon, what else can you tell me about the originals?” Brian asked over the
monitor.

“Oh,
you were listening in eh?” Grigon feigned surprise. “The originals were the
ones who activated the machine god in the first place. There are only a few of
them left now. You’ll know when one of them is in charge of a Grey ship because
it’ll change its tactics when needed. The originals still maintain a small part
of their individuality. This allows them to think on their own and consider a
battle in the moment rather than stick to the standard. Most of them are stationed
on the Terran side of Grey space though.”

“Thanks
for giving me the hint,” Brian said.

“Sorry
I didn’t bring it up sooner,” Grigon said. “I often forget there are things I
should be telling you about.”

“It’s
alright, now I know what to look for,” Brian said. The Grey fleets were closing
in. “It looks like we need to get to business.”

“Of
course,” the old Malcovin said.

* * *

The
Avoni and Vomada hovered above the colony in stealth mode. A single Talon flew
around outside. Meldi and the others stood by in their Phase Raknas. Meldi
checked her systems once more as Myli appeared on her monitor.

“How
are you holding up?” her friend asked.

“We’ve
been working nonstop for a while now,” Meldi answered. “I’m alright.”

“I’m
glad Brian and the others came up with this plan.”

“I
am to,” she said. “I know the chances of victory have increased but I don’t
like risking our lives if we don’t have to.”

* * *

“It
looks like they’re playing it safe,” Zae reported.

Two
of the three Grey carriers continued closing while the third stood by at a
distance.

“It
doesn’t matter,” Brian said. “Two will do nicely. Grigon, how long will it be
until we should jump?”

“Two
minutes,” Grigon answered. “We want them as close as possible before
detonation.”

“Two
minutes it is,” Brian said.

The
two carriers positioned themselves directly below the colony. A number of the
smaller crafts closed on the lone Talon outside. They fired at the damaged
mobile suit with a barrage of pulse blasts and completely destroyed it. The two
larger Grey vessels settled into orbit next to the station. The other Grey
ships started searching. It was obvious the stealth cloaks were working for the
Avoni and the Vomada. Grigon cawed as he activated the remote to invert the
Q-Drive inside the colony. As the particles within the drive began flying out
of control the Avoni and Vomada hastily gravity jumped out. The colony began
glowing green and blue as the drive expended all of its energy. The smaller
Grey ships started flying away, but the larger ships were caught in the massive
explosion. The two carriers, along with the majority of their attack vessels
were vaporized in an instant. The third ship waited for the chain of explosions
to end before closing in to allow the few surviving smaller ships to land on
its surface for repairs. The Avoni and Vomada appeared in a nearby solar system
in an asteroid field.

“It
looks like everything went as planned,” Brian said.

“Yes,”
Zae said.

“I
wouldn’t call it a victory yet,” Grigon said. “Check your long range scanners.”

“We’re
detecting another carrier class ship headed straight for us,” Baed reported.
“It just appeared on the radar.”

“Let’s
get ready for battle then,” Brian said. “No more tricks this time. We have to
fight to survive.”