Freedom Saga 2: Freedom's Bell (15 page)

Meldi
was alone in the Mjolnir with darkness surrounding them. The scanner showed the
battle shifting into its second phase as she watched the Malcovin forces pound
the Maidens. Above the moon the other half of their fleet was holding its own
against the two bases.

“It
isn’t easy to watch your friends fighting like this,” the Mjolnir said.

“Not
at all,” Meldi said.

“You
want to make a move, don’t you?”

“Of
course,” Meldi said. “But we need to wait for Valis’s signal.”

The
scanner flashed.

“Have
we been spotted?” Meldi asked.

“No,
a dozen Talons flew over us,” the Mjolnir said. “They’re heading in to switch
with their allies.”

“I
think they should have back up pilots,” Meldi said. “It’s only been an hour but
it’s going to get much worse as time goes on.”

“They
don’t need extra pilots because of their AI systems,” the Mjolnir said.

“That’s
true,” Meldi said. “I’m going to take a quick nap Mjolnir. Wake me up when it’s
time.”

“I
will,” the mobile suit said.

* * *

A
volley of HV missiles arched over the lip of canyon and slammed into the
shields of the Artemis. As the mobile suit fell over Seles quickly moved it
back to its feet.

“Are
you alright?” Mira asked.

“I’m
okay,” Seles said as she shook her head.

“We
trained for battles like this,” Kivi said. “But training isn’t the same as the
real thing.”

Another
volley of HV missiles arched into their position and exploded over the Gemini.
When it was knocked down Kivi quickly stood it back on its feet.

“This
is hell,” Valis said.

She
closed her eyes and focused on not feeling tired. Afterwards Valis glanced at
her scanner.

“What
is it?” Kivi asked. “You see something, don’t you?”

“Our
target has been identified,” Valis said. “The problem is the ship isn’t close
enough right now.”

“In
other words, keep fighting?” Mira asked.

“We
fight until our opening comes,” Valis said. “Remember not to panic everyone. We
can’t afford to lose ourselves in this battle. Our enemy knows what we can do
and how long it lasts.”

Another
volley of HV missiles arched into them and exploded. The Aegis’s shields
deflected most of the blast as the others quickly made it back to their feet.
Seles glanced at one of her reflector plates and noticed a reflection of a
Talon in it. She saw it was setting some kind of explosive.

“They’ve
got mines!” she shouted as she fired into the plate.

The
Talon and the mine it carried exploded. The other Maidens fired into the plates
and caused another four Talons to explode before they could set their charges.

“Thanks
Seles,” Kivi said.

“We
must be falling asleep at the control stick,” Celi said.

“Even
I didn’t know they were that close,” Valis said. “Mira, would you sing us a
song?”

“I
thought I wasn’t supposed to use it,” Mira said.

“Not
that song,” Valis said. “Just sing something to keep us going.”

“Sure,”
Mira said.

* * *

Myden
closed his eyes and rubbed his face.

“I’m
getting old,” the Grey said.

“All
of us will join you if this goes on any longer,” Brian said. “Alight Tctie, you
and your unit come in and rest. Kyli, your turn is up.”

“On
our way out,” Kyli said as her half of the mobile suit team headed back
outside.

Tctie
nodded to Brian before leading his half back inside for maintenance. Jesela
headed for the door.

“I’ve
got to do something,” she said.

“Take
care of them,” Brian said.

“I
will,” Jesela said before leaving.

“Your
idea is helping Brian,” Veda said from the command center.

“I’m
not surprised,” Esra said. “Our enemy is fighting in shifts after all.”

“I
figured keeping out forces fresh would help,” Brian said.

“It
keeps our defenses at a constant level,” El Kar said.

“Veda,
what are our numbers at?” Brian asked.

“We’re
currently at ninety two percent,” she answered. “We’ve suffered a few
casualties but overall we’re holding our own.”

“What
I’m worried about are the Maidens,” Myden said.

“They
have no room for error,” El Kar said.

“Valis
will keep them together,” Esra said.

“Let’s
hope that’s enough,” Brian said.

* * *

Ten
hours had passed since the battle began. The Maidens maintained formation as
the bombardment went on relentlessly. The look of exhaustion was on their faces.
Seles flexed her hand a few times after firing series of pulse blasts.

“I’m
losing feeling in my hand,” she said.

“You’re
not the only one,” Kivi said.

Valis
gritted her teeth. “This is taking longer than I thought.”

A
volley of HV missiles flew into their zone and landed on the Siren’s shields.
When the mobile suit fell over they heard Mira scream. She appeared to be
unconscious on their monitors.

“Mira!”
Seles shouted.

As
she turned the Artemis to check the Minerva stopped her.

“You
and Kivi need to keep firing,” Valis said. “I’ll take care of her.”

“Of
course,” Seles said.

Valis
moved the Minerva and extended her front hatch to the Siren’s front. Valis left
her seat and headed over to the Siren. Once inside, she found Mira asleep with
a bruise on her head.

“Is
she alright?” Seles asked.

“I
think she has a concussion,” Valis said. She grabbed a medical scanner and
checked. “No, that’s not it.”

“It’s
just a bump on the head,” Celi said. “Use the regenerator in her med kit and
give her an injection.”

“I’m
on it,” Valis said.

She
grabbed the med kit and did as Celi said. A minute later Mira opened her eyes.

“What
happened?” Mira asked.

“You
were knocked out,” Valis said. “Can you fight?”

“Sure,”
Mira said.

“If
anything’s wrong tell us, okay?” Valis asked.

“I
will,” Mira said.

Valis
nodded and went back to the Minerva. After detaching their hatches the two
mobile suits stood up and began firing again.

“Stay
together everyone!” Valis shouted. “We have to hold out until the time is
right. One false move and we’re dead.”

* * *

Takar
watched the five closely on the monitor. The fleet fighting the bases was
locked in a stalemate. His forces on the moon were slowly moving into position.
He cackled when the Siren fell over.

“Sir,
our sappers have loaded the charges,” the science officer reported.

“Good,”
the admiral said. “Be ready to detonate them on my mark.”

“Ready
sir,” the officer said.

“To
all forces of the first fleet, keep the five pinned down,” Takar said. “Our
first objective is near. From their slowed reactions it appears the pilots are
reaching their limit. You’re to keep it up until I order otherwise.”

“Yes
sir,” his subordinates answered.

“Is
it necessary to keep this going?” his security officer asked. “We could move in
for the kill now.”

“No,”
Takar said. “Whatever trick Valis has ready I want it to be rendered
irrelevant. Even if we have to wait another day we’ll out last them.”

He
watched the Siren stand up and resume firing. A moment later the Minerva did
the same.

“Damn,”
Takar said. “I thought we got one of them.”

Seles
shook her head as her vision blurred for a moment.
My hand isn’t the only
thing that’s numb.
She thought as another round of HV missiles exploded on
top of them. The five mobile suits slowly recovered and went back to work.

“Just
a little longer everyone,” Valis said. “Our enemy has made his move and the
time’s about right.”

“I’ll
be glad when this is over,” Celi said.

Mira
started humming another tune.

“Are
you all out of material Mira?” Kivi asked.

“No,”
Mira answered with a bit a rasp in her voice. “I’m running out of vocal cords.”

The
five laughed together while the Malcovin forces held them in place. Seles
looked at one of the reflector plates and noticed a Talon creeping close.

“More
sappers on the way,” she warned.

They
aimed at the nearest reflector plate and fired. A moment later three Talons
exploded with their mine charges. Flashes of light continued flying over them
as their enemy moved closer.

* * *

Shiken
Ka and Veda worked away as the battle continued. Both forces were stalemated as
the hours passed.

“This
is brutal,” Veda said before glancing at the moon’s surface. “I can’t imagine
what it’s like for them.”

“They’re
probably reaching their limit about now,” Shiken said. “It’s strange Lady Star
hasn’t made her move yet.”

“She’s
a perfectionist,” Veda said. “That’s her greatest strength and weakness.”

An
explosion rocked the Columbia base when a damaged Malcovin ship slammed into
its shields and blew apart. The shield array in that area stopped functioning.
As the base shook the Freedom flew over the damaged area. The shaking ended as
the ship absorbed the enemy’s attacks.

“Is
everyone alright?” Brian asked.

“No
casualties to report,” Veda said. “Our second drive system has been damaged and
it’ll take several hours to repair.”

“I’m
glad everyone’s alright,” Brian said. “We’ll plug the hole until it’s fixed.
Hang in there Veda.”

“We
will,” she said.

* * *

Admiral
Takar watched the five closely as his subordinates continued working.

“What
are our numbers at?” the admiral asked.

“We’re
at seventy percent,” the security officer answered.

“Perhaps
I was wrong in assuming she had something planned,” Takar looked at his science
officer, “It’s time we end this.”

“Charges
are prepared,” the science officer said.

The
Talons on the moon launched a number of their HV missiles. As the canyon shook
around the Maidens the admiral clenched his fist.

“I’m
sorry you didn’t have anything better Valis Kein,” Takar said. “Destroy them.”

“Detonating
charges,” the science officer said.

The
moon’s surface near the canyon was covered by a series of explosions. After the
dust settled the admiral cawed.

“There
are no signs of movement sir,” the security officer reported.

“Good,”
Takar said. “Turn the fleet and collect our Talons. It’s time we take out their
bases.”

* * *

The
Maidens moved to stand up again when the walls around them exploded. As the
canyon gave way the five were covered in rocks and dirt. The ground around them
shook more and more as the mines set earlier detonated. Once the dust cleared
they appeared to be stuck from all directions.

“Is
everyone alright?” Valis asked.

“Just
great,” Kivi said as she grabbed an injector and hit herself in the neck. “That
should keep me going for a while longer.”

“Too
much stimulant is bad for you,” Mira said.

“It’s
alright after what we’ve been through,” Celi said.

“Was
this the plan Valis?” Seles asked. “To make the admiral think we’re taking a
dirt nap?”

“This
is part of it,” Valis said. “Phase three begins in a few minutes.”

The
scanners in each of their mobile suits showed the admiral’s fleet turning to
join their allies fighting the asteroid bases.

“Once
they’re out of formation we’ll attack,” Valis said. “If any of you want to take
a moment to eat I won’t hold it against you.”

Valis
pulled an emergency ration out and began munching on it. She alternated sipping
water from a bottle and noticed the other four obliged her suggestion.
Afterwards, all five took a moment to stand up and stretch before returning to
their seats.

Valis
hit the com. “Meldi, it’s time.”

“I’m
on it captain,” Meldi responded.

From
a mound of dust on the moon the Mjolnir emerged and aimed its cannon at a
reflector plate. As the mobile suit’s drive sped up the cannon fired a powerful
shot. The beam bounced off one plate into another lazily floating in orbit. The
blast repeat this several times before slamming into the flagship of the
Malcovin fleet. As the flagship exploded a number of Talons turned to attack
the Mjolnir. It quickly switched to spread mode and fired. When they closed in
Meldi switched to the massive
rakna
blade and charged them in melee. The
Mjolnir danced through them and slashed the Talons to pieces before heading for
the enemy fleet. With its cannon in one hand and the sword in the other the
mobile suit tore through the Malcovin forces.

“Celi,
it’s time,” Valis said.

“Of
course,” Celi responded.

The
Aegis’s drive sped up as Celi entered a berserk and pushed the system to its
max. The shields from the Aegis extended outward and drove the debris covering
the five mobile suits away. The Maidens joined the Mjolnir as it confounded the
enemy forces.

“Seles,
as soon as we get close use the arrow system,” Valis instructed.

“It’s
ready any time,” Seles said.

“Mira,
you and Kivi will save your special systems unless needed,” Valis said.

“Yes
Valis,” Mira said.

“Alright,”
Kivi said.

The
five moved into their standard formation while the Aegis’s shield deflected
incoming attacks back upon their firer. The Malcovin fleet was in chaos as they
approached. The Artemis’s drive sped up as Seles landed on top of the Gemini
and fired a massive energy beam into the enemy fleet. While explosions wracked
through them she aimed a second shot and fired again. The Siren, Minerva, and Gemini
fired their cannons at anything moving as Seles returned the Artemis to normal.

“We
have three minutes left to cause as much damage as we can,” Valis said.
“Afterwards we’ll make a direct line to our allies.”

* * *

Veda
smiled. “I knew something was missing.”

“Because
Brian’s not piloting we forget the Mjolnir is still out there,” Shiken said.

He
put the enemy formation on the monitor.

“Their
chain of command has been destroyed,” Veda pointed out. “Without an admiral
they’re next to useless.”

“He
was an excellent commander,” Shiken said. “But he didn’t surround himself with
anything spectacular. Such a recipe spells disaster.”

They
watched the Mjolnir and Maidens tear through the enemy fleet. From their
attacks more than half the Malcovin forces had been destroyed. Veda looked to
the captains of the ships.

“It’s
about time we marched forward,” she said. “This is the last slog. Send everyone
out.”

* * *

“You
look awfully happy,” Myden said.

“I
am,” Brian said. “I was getting worried they didn’t have anything left,” he
glanced at the Mjolnir, “I think I chose right.”

“Behind
Seles no one else was as capable,” Jesela said. “I think our tweaking helped
out as well.”

“So
you finally got around to it,” Brian said. “I’m glad. Meldi and Mjolnir will
need each other in the future.”

“Are
you going to tell us why?” Jesela asked.

“No,”
Brian said. “Until I’m sure of what I saw I’m not saying anything. By the way,
how’s she holding up?”

“Our
systems are still functioning at sixty two percent,” Grigon said.

“Excellent,”
Brian said.