something like this?” Veda asked.
“We’ve
been too busy with the special models,” Daes said.
“She’s
right,” Dreka said.
“I
think Jesela may have some ideas,” Grigon offered.
Jesela
looked up. “What?”
“Do
you have something in mind then?” Veda asked.
“I
can start the program for detection,” Jesela said. “But implementing the system
requires we have one of their mobile armors to work with.”
“What
about this?” Reban asked as she relayed the image of a nearly intact enemy
craft.
“That’s
exactly what we need,” Jesela said. “By the way, where did you find that?”
“Valis
brought it back using the Minerva,” Veda explained.
“Alright,”
Jesela said. “But first we need to pull that thing apart.”
* * *
Brian
felt helpless in the med lab. His body was still burning hot, but much less
than the day before. Mira unlocked the helmet to check him and saw he was
conscious. Celi stood next to her.
“You’re
not looking good,” Celi said.
“I
feel like hell,” he responded. “Is everyone here?”
“Valis
and Kivi are taking their sweet time,” Seles said.
Mira
gave him an injection. After a moment his vision started returning. Mira held
her hand over his eyes and flashed two fingers then four.
“Can
you see them?” she asked.
“Two,
four, two, four, that’s the sequence,” Brian answered.
She
smiled. “I’m glad you’re with us again.”
“Can
you sit up?” Celi asked.
He
grimaced as he did so. Mira and Celi adjusted the bed to accommodate his new
position.
“That’s
better,” he groaned. “I don’t like being stuck like that.”
Valis
and Kivi walked in and joined those in the med lab. Brian took a moment to look
at each of the women before smiling.
“Sorry
we’re late,” Kivi said.
“I
didn’t get much sleep last night,” Valis said.
“I
can tell,” Brian said.
“So
what did you call us in for?” Celi asked.
“I
know you don’t want me talking like a fatalist,” Brian said. “But if I do die I
need to say a few things before going. If I don’t I’ll feel like I left the
five of you in the dark.”
Seles
took his hand. “We’re listening.”
The
others nodded.
“Alright,”
Brian said. “During the sojourn I came to doubt the Teacher’s original plan. A
Warrior, Five Maidens, and Three Wisemen were all that he planned for. Of
course, we have backups with Dreka, Baed, Zae, and Kyli. But that isn’t what
made me doubt the plan. As we wandered through the Grey’s territory and saw the
totality of it, I understood our enemy better. The Teacher’s intent was to
unify the people of Alden, regardless of race or creed. Through Heaven’s Light
we’ve forged a path towards that goal. If it weren’t for the Greys our objective
would be achievable. The plan as it was is ineffective against the enemy
standing before us. With the machine god there’s no negotiation, no quarter,
and no future. As a countermeasure I had Grigon design the special models each
of you pilots today. By doing so I changed the plan.” He looked at Celi. “I was
supposed to perish along the way, but the Aegis was built in time to save me.
By doing so the plan was altered.”
“If
the plan has changed then what’s different?” Kivi asked.
“Aren’t
we fulfilling the roles we were supposed to?” Valis asked.
Brian
shook his head. “No, the plan calls for the Goddess to come after the Warrior.”
He looked at Seles. “I thought because of your skill as a pilot as well as your
ability to berserk you’d be the one. The problem is you have to live long
enough to achieve such power. So instead of putting all our eggs in one person
I asked Grigon to make five special models. That way each of you could possibly
become the Goddess should I die.”
Seles
smiled. “Thanks for not putting all the pressure on me.”
“You’re
still our best pilot,” Mira said.
“All
of us are pretty good though,” Kivi said.
“Let’s
not wander
“We’ve
been too busy with the special models,” Daes said.
“She’s
right,” Dreka said.
“I
think Jesela may have some ideas,” Grigon offered.
Jesela
looked up. “What?”
“Do
you have something in mind then?” Veda asked.
“I
can start the program for detection,” Jesela said. “But implementing the system
requires we have one of their mobile armors to work with.”
“What
about this?” Reban asked as she relayed the image of a nearly intact enemy
craft.
“That’s
exactly what we need,” Jesela said. “By the way, where did you find that?”
“Valis
brought it back using the Minerva,” Veda explained.
“Alright,”
Jesela said. “But first we need to pull that thing apart.”
* * *
Brian
felt helpless in the med lab. His body was still burning hot, but much less
than the day before. Mira unlocked the helmet to check him and saw he was
conscious. Celi stood next to her.
“You’re
not looking good,” Celi said.
“I
feel like hell,” he responded. “Is everyone here?”
“Valis
and Kivi are taking their sweet time,” Seles said.
Mira
gave him an injection. After a moment his vision started returning. Mira held
her hand over his eyes and flashed two fingers then four.
“Can
you see them?” she asked.
“Two,
four, two, four, that’s the sequence,” Brian answered.
She
smiled. “I’m glad you’re with us again.”
“Can
you sit up?” Celi asked.
He
grimaced as he did so. Mira and Celi adjusted the bed to accommodate his new
position.
“That’s
better,” he groaned. “I don’t like being stuck like that.”
Valis
and Kivi walked in and joined those in the med lab. Brian took a moment to look
at each of the women before smiling.
“Sorry
we’re late,” Kivi said.
“I
didn’t get much sleep last night,” Valis said.
“I
can tell,” Brian said.
“So
what did you call us in for?” Celi asked.
“I
know you don’t want me talking like a fatalist,” Brian said. “But if I do die I
need to say a few things before going. If I don’t I’ll feel like I left the
five of you in the dark.”
Seles
took his hand. “We’re listening.”
The
others nodded.
“Alright,”
Brian said. “During the sojourn I came to doubt the Teacher’s original plan. A
Warrior, Five Maidens, and Three Wisemen were all that he planned for. Of
course, we have backups with Dreka, Baed, Zae, and Kyli. But that isn’t what
made me doubt the plan. As we wandered through the Grey’s territory and saw the
totality of it, I understood our enemy better. The Teacher’s intent was to
unify the people of Alden, regardless of race or creed. Through Heaven’s Light
we’ve forged a path towards that goal. If it weren’t for the Greys our objective
would be achievable. The plan as it was is ineffective against the enemy
standing before us. With the machine god there’s no negotiation, no quarter,
and no future. As a countermeasure I had Grigon design the special models each
of you pilots today. By doing so I changed the plan.” He looked at Celi. “I was
supposed to perish along the way, but the Aegis was built in time to save me.
By doing so the plan was altered.”
“If
the plan has changed then what’s different?” Kivi asked.
“Aren’t
we fulfilling the roles we were supposed to?” Valis asked.
Brian
shook his head. “No, the plan calls for the Goddess to come after the Warrior.”
He looked at Seles. “I thought because of your skill as a pilot as well as your
ability to berserk you’d be the one. The problem is you have to live long
enough to achieve such power. So instead of putting all our eggs in one person
I asked Grigon to make five special models. That way each of you could possibly
become the Goddess should I die.”
Seles
smiled. “Thanks for not putting all the pressure on me.”
“You’re
still our best pilot,” Mira said.
“All
of us are pretty good though,” Kivi said.
“Let’s
not wander
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