Freedom Saga 2: Freedom's Bell (11 page)

The
Columbia base appeared over the home world of the Odairan people. Absent from
orbit and from all near space were any Malcovin ships. Veda, Valis, Esra, El
Kar, Kivi, Seles, Myden, Grigon, and Dreka gathered in the command center. Veda
checked the scans over again.

“They’ve
pulled all their land troops from the surface,” Veda said.

“That’s
another thing I didn’t expect,” Valis said as she glanced over the information.

“At
least we don’t have to deal with a land war,” Esra said. “Those are never fun.”

“They’re
messy,” Kivi added.

“I
wonder why they took their troops with them,” El Kar said.

“Perhaps
they know our strategy,” Seles offered.

“That’s
what I’m thinking,” Valis said. “Admiral Regelik knows we need to capture him
alive and is using that to his advantage.”

Reban
walked in. “The Odairan Council would like to speak with our leader.”

“Put
them through,” Veda said.

“Of
course,” Reban said.

On
the monitor appeared a circle of Odairans serving as the governing body for the
homeworld. A grey haired male stepped to the front.

“I’m
Yurtis Heckel, the current sitting minister of Odair Prime,” the rat man said.
“On behalf of the people of this planet I welcome you.”

“I’m
Veda Kein, the leader of this organization,” she said. “I’m glad you’re
welcoming us.”

“Normally
we abhor those who commit acts of violence,” Yurtis said. “But your people
stand for an end to conflict.”

“Have
the Malcovin mistreated you?” Veda asked.

“Gravely,”
Yurtis answered. “They left us with nothing.”

“We
have access to food and resource aid, as well as engineers,” Veda said.

“If
that’s so then we request aid as soon as possible,” Yurtis said. “We’ll send
you the details in a few hours.”

“We
accept your request and await your orders,” Veda said. “I pray Kali watches
over you.”

“Thank
you,” Yurtis said before ending transmission.

“That
was unexpectedly pleasant,” Esra said. “In the past they would’ve asked us to
leave.”

“True,
but times change,” El Kar said. “Desperation has shifted their attitude.”

“It’s
not desperation,” Seles said. “I saw something else in their eyes.”

“What
would that be?” Kivi asked.

“Hope,”
Seles said.

* * *

Seles,
Mira and Jesela were in the HDC of the Freedom while everyone onboard took the
day to relax. The room was currently in the visage of an auditorium like the
Avoni‘s. Seles and Mira were dressed in standard Kalaidian uniforms rather than
their exoskeletons. Both wore a pair of special white gloves that allowed them
to control music for performances. Seles shook her head as she looked at them.

“I
still think I should use a pair of
raknas
instead,” she said.

Mira
smiled. “That’s the warrior in you saying that. It’s not as difficult as you
think to use them.”

Jesela
sat back in a chair and watched the two practice a number dances and songs.
Seles seemed to be matching Mira physically but her singing was a bit off her
dance moves. After a while the two sat down and took a break.

“So
Seles, why are you doing this?” Jesela asked. “Now that Kalaidia is the way it
is you don’t need to master the songs of our people.”

“I’m
thinking of what I’ll do after our mission’s done,” Seles said.

“We
could be fighting until the end of time,” Jesela said.

“We
know that,” Mira said. “But what are we going to do if peace comes? It’s hard
to make a living as a soldier if there are no wars to be fought.”

“Remember
Jesela, you have a profession that doesn’t require war,” Seles said. “Other
than fighting I’m not good at anything. I figured music would give me some
options should the best happen.”

“You’re
right,” Jesela said. “Research on engineering isn’t going away anytime soon. I
was just curious as to why you’re doing this.”

“As
much as I hated the idea of taking over for my mother I don’t mind the music,”
Seles said. “Kalaidians are Kalaidian because of our culture. Without that we
have no identity. Seeing the way Brian misses his home made me look at my own
in a different way.”

“Alright,
that’s enough talk,” Mira said. “Let’s get back to working on your singing.”

“Sure,”
Seles said.

* * *

Veda
and Myden watched relief ships head down to the surface of Odair Prime. She
noticed a little smile on his face.

“You
look happy,” Veda said.

“I’ve
been this way since the plan went into action,” Myden said. “I waited two
thousand years for this to come to fruition.”

“That’s
a long time to carry the torch,” Veda said.

“Gaelic
would be happy to see things going as they are,” Myden said.

“I’m
sure he would,” Veda said. “What I’m wondering is why Brian chose me to lead.
I’m not as tactically sound as Valis or as charismatic as he is.”

“You
get the job done,” Myden said.

“Is
that the only reason?” she asked.

“No,
but the most important one,” Myden answered. “You have experience in both the
business and military world, not to mention politics. The only other people he
could have trusted with the task are Shiken Ka or Celestia.” He started walking
around the room. “The problem with them is they’re too attached to their home worlds
to do what you can. Dega Jul is your home now and that’s key to our cause.”

“We
have to maintain a neutral stance in regards to race,” Veda said. “I still
think he would’ve been a better leader.”

“You
underestimate your own ability,” Myden said. “Brian can’t lead for the same
reason as the other two. Anyways, would you prefer being the one leading
negotiations?”

“No,
not at all,” Veda answered.

* * *

Valis
stepped onto the bridge of the Avoni in her normal uniform. Zae, Baed, and Vae
were busy working as usual when she walked in. Each looked up from their
console.

“It’s
been awhile,” Zae said.

“We
were starting to worry you’d pull a Brian on us,” Baed said.

“How
are you doing captain?” Vae asked.

“I’m
feeling better,” Valis said as she took her seat. “I need a day in this room,
that’s all.”

“Is
the Minerva taking that much out of you?” Zae asked.

“Yes,”
Valis said. “How are the three of you holding up?”

“Tired,”
Vae said.

“We’re
glad to have the day off,” Baed said.

“If
that’s true then why are you still here?” Valis asked.

“We
didn’t want to leave you with no one to talk to,” Zae said.

“That
I can believe,” Valis said. She scratched her head. “I just realized all of you
have similar names.”

“We
noticed that as well,” Baed said.

“The
rest of the crew is joking that’s how I got the promotion,” Vae said.

“Didn’t
you ever notice that Valis?” Zae asked.

“I’ve
had so many things on my mind lately it slipped through,” Valis said.

“By
the way captain, Brian sent you a message,” Baed said. “Do you want me to play
it?”

“Later,”
Valis said.

* * *

Shiken
Ka buzzed the door of Brian’s quarters the Hong Kong base. The tired human
rolled out of bed and instinctively into his exoskeleton before opening the
door. He noticed the snakeman had a pair of glasses and a bottle of black tea.

“You
look like hell,” Shiken said.

“Eight
hours of silence is not heaven,” Brian said.

Shiken
raised the bottle. “I brought you a drink made for winning battles.”

“Thanks,”
Brian said.

The
two sat down at the table before Shiken poured both of them a glass of tea.
Brian quickly downed the tea as Shiken savored it.

“You
won’t enjoy it like that,” Shiken said.

Brian
laughed. “I know; the first one was to get me going.” He poured a second glass
and sipped it slowly. “This is great Shiken, thanks.”

“You
looked like you needed after last night,” Shiken said. “You’re not used to this
yet, are you?”

Brian
shook his head. “I knew this would be more than simply blasting bad guys with
mobile suits. I knew what I was getting into, but it’s exhausting.”

“How
much longer should it take?” Shiken asked.

“A
few more days,” Brian said. “I’ll leave Miv here to oversee the government for
a while until we know it’s functioning properly.”

“And
if they don’t?”

“Then
we’ll come back and do it again,” Brian answered. “Until the Freedom’s bell
rings eternal our mission won’t end.”

“Such
idealism, I don’t know where you get it,” Shiken said.

“I
get it from being a fool my friend,” Brian said. “By the way, what’s going on?
You’ve been smiling more than normal for you.”

Shiken
raised his glass. “I’ve taken a mate.”

“I
wasn’t expecting to hear that,” Brian laughed. “So who’s the lucky lady?”

“Her
name is Quile Saro,” Shiken said. “I met her last time I was on the home world.
I couldn’t help myself when I looked upon her.”

“That’s
how it works,” Brian said. “I’m glad,” he raised his glass, “I wish the two of
you a long and bountiful life.”

“And
the same for you and your women,” Shiken said.

The
Gemini led a number of Phase Raknas from the Raulno on a scouting mission. All
of their crafts had their phase cloaks up as they approached. Inside the moon
they were interested in was a massive military installation controlled by the
Admiral Regelik. The moon orbited the largest of the three gas giants of the
Odairan solar system. After getting as close as they could to scan the base
over the Gemini and Raknas flew away. They passed through an asteroid field on
their return to the Raulno and Reinkar. Kivi opened an encoded line to the two
ships. Dreka appeared on the screen from the Raulno and El Kar from the
Reinkar.

“It
seems you’ve found our quarry,” El Kar said.

“Well
done captain,” Dreka cawed. “Were you spotted?”

“Not
that we could tell,” Kivi said. “Let’s return to base and report in our
findings.”

“Good
idea,” El Kar said.

“We’re
ready anytime,” Dreka said.

After
the monitor went black something appeared on the screen to catch Kivi’s eye.

You
seem a little on edge these days.
Gemini Alpha displayed in text.

“You’re
right about that,” Kivi said. “I could use a night on the town on Dega Jul
right now.”

You’ll
be going with him?
Gemini Beta asked.

“You
sound jealous,” Kivi said.

What
about me?
Gemini Alpha asked.

“The
two of you need to accept the fact I like both of you equally,” Kivi said.

Whatever
you say
,
Gemini Alpha displayed.

As
you wish Kivi
,
Gemini Beta displayed.

* * *

The
Raulno and Reinkar returned to the Columbia base. Valis was on the bridge of
the Avoni working on her next battle plan.

“Captain,
Kivi would like to speak with you,” Baed said.

“Put
her through,” Valis said.

“Yes
captain,” Baed said.

Kivi
appeared from the bridge of the Raulno with Dreka standing next her.

“We’ve
got what you were looking for,” Kivi said.

“You
found their base?” Valis asked.

“Oh
yeah, and a lot more,” Kivi said. “Kaela, send over the data.”

Baed’s
console show incoming information.

“We’ve
received it,” she said.

“We
were able to get everything you requested,” Kivi said.

“Thanks
Kivi,” Valis said.

“Anytime,”
Kivi said before ending transmission.

Valis
called up the data from her chair computer. After reviewing it for a minute she
sat back and relaxed.

“It’s
strange to see this kind of thing comfort you,” Zae said.

“Certainty
is better than uncertainty,” Valis said. “Our foe is making predictable moves
given his situation. With our success in the last battle he’s decided to go on
the defensive and hope for the best.”

“That
doesn’t seem efficient or original,” Baed said.

“No,
but he doesn’t have a choice,” Zae said.

“Their
defenses are almost perfect,” Valis said. “It’s going to take a few miracles to
pull this off.”

“Isn’t
that what the special models were created for?” Vae asked.

Valis
smiled. “You could say that.”

* * *

“I
said fight to the last man!” King Zaris shouted to end the message.

Regelik
and his subordinates each cursed under their breath at their arrogant king’s
decree. All of them and the remaining ships of the Iron navy were inside the
moon base. The monitors switched to show the exterior in case of enemy attack.

“A
fool to the very end, that I am,” Regelik said.

“What
should we do?” the nearest captain asked.

“We’ll
hold our ground,” the admiral answered.

“But
Heaven’s Light…,” another captain said.

“We’ll
hold our ground,” Regelik repeated. “If we retreat our heads will be on pikes
in less than a day.” He looked at his security officer. “How are our defenses?”

“We
can stand up to any punishment they can deal,” the security officer said.

“What
about the special mobile suits they’re using?” Regelik asked.

“Those
we’ll have problems with,” his security officer said. “Especially the one Commander
Seles is flying.”

“Her
attacks are impossible to defend against,” Regelik said.

“We
could use some of our nuclear warheads,” another captain suggested. “I know
they’re for mining purposes but this is an emergency.”

“That’s
a foolish idea if ever I heard one,” Regelik laughed, “using such weapons will
draw in the Confederation. That means Mylor battleships.” He looked at the
others. “And no, don’t suggest detonating gravity drives. That’s been illegal
since the last war between the Shandi and Kalaidians.”

“What
can we do?” another captain asked.

“Their
base is impregnable,” Regelik said. “Their ships are nearly as such, and those
special models ruin every plan I come up with. Their standard models are better
than ours by a generation, and they have the support of the Odairan people.” He
screeched. “We’ll do as we’ve been ordered. Fight to the last man. That’s what
we’re left with.”

“We’ll
do our best,” the first captain said.

The
others nodded in agreement.

* * *

Valis
stepped into her exoskeleton in her quarters before flipping her hair back and
looking into the mirror.
This thing makes me look taller.
She thought to
herself. She flexed her hand while looking at it.
Why did you plan this
Brian? Even though the Minerva tells me much of what could happen it doesn’t
reach that far into the future. Why are the five of us doing this?
She
turned around when Myden step out of the shadows.

“Your
thoughts reveal much,” Myden said. “Are you having doubts Valis?”

“Not
really,” she answered. “But questions abound.”

“Then
let me answer your quandary,” Myden said. “Brian chose this route out of the
many possible because it ensures victory. You know better than anyone the value
of having back up plan. Reality tends to be random and harsh.”

“That’s
true,” Valis said.

“His
backup plan is should he fall five will stand in his place,” Myden said. “That
was the basic idea the Teacher worked out a long time ago. But Brian intends
for an even more ambitious goal.”

“And
what would that be?” she asked.

“I
can’t say,” Myden said. “I know much Valis, but not everything. Unlike you he
can hide his thoughts from me.”

“Interesting,”
Valis said. “But you didn’t come just to tell me that.”

“No,
I came to fetch you for the meeting,” Myden said. “The others get worried when
you’re late.”

“I
spent most of the night working on this,” she held up a data crystal, “my guess
is Admiral Regelik underestimates the difficulty in reaching him inside their
base.”

“Then
let’s go,” Myden said.

The
two quickly made their way from her quarters to the command center. When they
walked in they found Veda, Esra, El Kar, Seles, Kivi, Grigon, Dreka, and Reban
waiting. Valis went to the center table and put the data crystal into it.

“Sorry
for being late,” she said.

“You
stayed up all night again, didn’t you?” Esra asked.

“Can’t
get that past you,” Valis said.

The
moon base was displayed as a hologram on the table. A number of smaller blips
showed the locations of the pulse cannon turrets and shield array outlets. She
pressed a button to cut away and show the interior of the base. After that she
showed where the Columbia base would appear and their future formation. Veda
took a closer look.

“So
we’re using the reserves on this attack?” she asked.

“Now
that the enemy knows about them we can use them as much as we need,” Valis
said. “The base and ships will make a frontal assault after the special mobile
suits do their work.”

“So
what’s our role?” Seles asked.

“The
Artemis and Gemini are capable of making attacks powerful enough to destroy
their defenses,” Valis said. “But only the Artemis has the capability of doing
it at a long enough distance to confuse them.”

“Do
you want me to use it in sniper mode?” Seles asked.

“Of
course,” Valis said. “Once enough of the enemy’s cannons are destroyed our main
force will advance. When this happens the Malcovin will move their ships out to
meet us.” She moved the fleets around on the hologram. “Just when they’re about
to engage our forces the Minerva, Aegis, and Siren will fly straight through
their fleet. The key is for the Siren to use its song system and disable the
majority of their vessels. Once this is accomplished the Artemis and Gemini
will close their escape route.” She looked at Seles. “I trust you and Mira with
the task of capturing their admiral.”

Seles
looked over the plan and nodded. “We’ll do our best.”

“Once
the admiral is captured we’ll ask for the surrender of their remaining forces,”
Valis said.