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

In
the Columbia base’s command center Veda Kein acted as the leader of the base. Standing
next to her was Shiken Ka. While she kept the place in order Shiken observed
the enemy fleet. Veda banged her fist on the console.

“They’re
really going to do it,” she said.

“There’s
no doubt from the formation their fleet is moving into,” he said. “I take it
they won’t listen to reason?”

“They
won’t even acknowledge our hails,” Veda said. “The only message we’ve received
comes from their central command.” She put the message on one of the monitors.

To
all citizens of Colony System Seven: You are under orders to leave the solar
system immediately and submit yourselves to the Central Government. Those who
do not follow this order will be listed as enemy combatants and treated
accordingly. Any outside force interfering with this command will be dealt with
by deadly force.

“They
were never good at negotiations,” Shiken said. “I know in the past we fought,
but even then we listened to each other. Because of that we were able to find
peace. But because of their government’s inflexible stance the Reiki are a
people under siege.”

“They
seem more like a people possessed,” Veda said. “Not even the nobles could
control the commoners like this.”

“That’s
because your people believe in god,” Shiken said. “For those without a god they
must make one themselves. For the Reiki it’s the law of utility.”

“And
what god have your people created?” she asked with a bemused smile.

Shiken
pointed to his head. “Reality begins in the mind of those who perceive it.
Thoughts are born of perceptions and lead to actions. Actions change physical
reality. Thus the universe changes with each thought born inside us,” he
grinned, “the god we seek is inside all of us Veda.”

“If
only they would listen,” Veda said.

* * *

Half
an hour passed before the forces of the Columbia base destroyed the remaining
ships of the Reiki fleet. Seles leaned back in her seat sighed with relief.

“What
a worthless battle,” she said.

Valis
appeared on her monitor. “Everyone’s to return to base.”

When
the Artemis and Siren headed back to base Mira appeared on Seles’s monitor.

“You
look exhausted,” Seles said.

“I
am, but you look the same,” Mira responded. “Is it just me or did Valis look
depressed?”

“It
wasn’t your mind playing tricks,” Seles said. “She hates battles like this.”

“I
sensed negative energy in the air this time,” Mira said.

“Hopefully
we won’t feel that in every battle,” Seles said. “How about getting together
after we’re finished with our duties?”

“That’s
a great idea,” Mira said. “Let’s make sure to grab Jesela from her work.”

Seles
smiled. “She could use a few hours away from it.”

* * *

Brian
paced around the bridge before looking at Droid A.

“Send
a hail to the colonies,” he ordered.

“Of
course sir,” the robotic birdman said. “Is there anyone in particular you’d
like to contact?”

“Kiel
Redar,” Brian said.

Droid
sent the hail before looking up. “It appears he’s busy for the moment. But he
will be able to speak with us in a few minutes.”

“Thanks,”
Brian said as he stared at the wreckage outside before turning to the others. “How’s
she holding up?”

“Other
than some shield drainage she’s fine,” Jesela responded.

“A
number of our mobile suits took damage, but none of it was major,” Grigon
reported.

Myden
stared at his console. “I really need to freshen up on my English.”

“You
can turn it to whatever language you prefer,” Brian said.

“I’m
sure you don’t have my native language in the computer,” Myden said before
switching the language settings to Kalaidian.

Veda
appeared on the monitor with Shiken Ka next to her.

“I’m
sorry to say this Brian, but nothing’s getting through,” she said.

“Destroying
a hundred of their ships doesn’t bother them a bit,” Shiken added.

Brian
let out a sigh of frustration. “One would assume a people devoted to science
would be more open to change.”

“Captain,
Kiel Redar is returning out hail,” Droid A reported.

“Very
well,” Brian said. “Veda, pipe our conversation to the other ships.”

“The
system’s ready,” she said.

The
leader of the colonies appeared on the screen from his meeting room. Everyone
noticed the dark bags under Kiel’s eyes.

“Greetings
Brian Peterson,” Kiel signed with his tentacles. “I’m sorry we needed your
assistance again.”

Brian
activated the holographic systems on his exoskeleton and created a number of
tentacles from his arms. He used his fingers to manipulate the illusory limbs
to emulate Reiki sign language.

“It’s
alright Kiel,” Brian signed. “I expected to come back and solve the problem.”

“The
Central Government won’t answer any of our messages,” Kiel signed. “If you hadn’t
shown up when you did we’d probably be dead.”

“That’s
what Heaven’s Light was created to prevent,” Brian signed. “Other than
protection is there anything else we can do for you and your people?”

“If
possible we’d like some food aid,” Kiel signed. “We have plenty of water, but
because of the blockade we haven’t been able to get adequate amounts food.”

“I’ll
relay the request to Veda,” Brian signed.

“If
that’s all I’d like to rest now,” Kiel signed. “As you can see I haven’t slept
much lately.”

“You’re
welcome to rest,” Brian signed.

“Thank
you,” the Reiki leader signed before ending transmission.

Brian
deactivated the holographic system.

“I’m
surprised you took to their language so easily,” Grigon said. “Even with
holographic systems most find it difficult to learn their language.”

“It’s
just something I picked up,” Brian said. “Let’s honor their request for aid and
send some supplies down to them.”

* * *

Seles
and Mira landed their mobile suits in the launching bay. After all their
systems were turned off the two disembarked and took a moment to look at the
giant robots.

“Why
did Grigon create these?” Mira asked.

“From
what I know it’s part of the Teacher’s plan,” Seles said. “But I get the
feeling it’s for another reason.”

“Perhaps
it’s for revenge?” Mira asked.

“He
said her name was Rikai,” Seles said. “I wonder what she was like.”

“She
must’ve been great to inspire such feelings in him,” Mira said.

“True,”
Seles said.

“On
another topic, how’s it coming along?” Mira asked.

“Let
me take this off first,” Seles said before stepping out of her exoskeleton.

She
took a dance pose and moved her feet. After a minute of dancing she began
singing an old Kalaidian hymn. After a few minutes she took her closing pose
and ended the song. Mira smiled as she clapped.

“All
that training is paying off,” Mira said.

Seles
nodded. “I know I’m a slow learner, but once I get the drift there’s no
stopping me.” She stepped back inside her exoskeleton and allowed it to close
around her. “That and I have to inspire a certain Terran male.”

“Both
of us are his muses,” Mira said. “But seriously, you’ve gotten a lot better. In
a few years you’ll be as good as me or Zae.”

“Thanks
for the compliment,” Seles said as they went to leave. “By the way, your
piloting is improving as fast as my singing.”

“It’s
that bad, huh?” Mira asked.

“Yeah,
that bad,” Seles said.

The
command center of the Columbia base was abuzz with activity while Veda and
Shiken waited for the captains to arrive.

“This
is really bothering you, isn’t it?” Shiken asked.

Veda
balled her fists. “Even the most thick headed of nobles would at least act like
they were listening. They threw away their ships like they were nothing!” She
growled. “It’s enough to drive one mad.”

“I’d
say it already has,” Shiken said.

Commander
Reban entered the room.

“Lady
Veda, Lord Ka, I’ve finally gotten through to the Central Government,” she
reported.

“Are
they saying anything different?” Veda asked.

“No,”
Reban said. “I’ve tried everything, including contacting the High Council on
the matter. They say this is an internal dispute outside their jurisdiction.”

“Their
ineptitude strikes again,” Shiken said. “Have you contacted the other bases?”

“The
Nevada and Hong Kong bases are moving into position as we speak,” Reban
answered as she went to her console.

“Thanks
for the update,” Veda said.

“By
the way,” Shiken said. “Who’s in charge of those two bases?”

“The
Hong Kong base is headed by your friend Miv Daek,” Veda answered. “Nevada is
being led by Captain Lena Obril of the Heimus.”

“I
thought she was part of the regular Kalaidian military,” Shiken said.

“She
was until two years ago,” Veda explained. “When her term of service was up she
asked the House of Commons for permission to join our organization. They
approved of it of course.”

Brian,
Valis, Esra, El Kar, Kivi, Grigon, Myden, and Dreka entered the room. Each
circled around the center table into their usual spots while Esra leaned
against the wall.

“Now
that everyone’s here I’d like to discuss our next move,” Veda said. “Reban has
tried everything to get the Reiki government to listen. As of now it’s been a
fruitless venture.”

“I
was hoping a crushing defeat would change their mind,” Valis said.

“Even
if they send a fleet double or triple in size it won’t make a difference,” Kivi
said.

“If
their government won’t see reason we’ll have to fight them until they do so,”
Brian said. “The law of utility is taken seriously by their government. The
only way to change their current stance is to make their interest to stop
fighting us.”

“How
do we go about that?” Esra asked. “Do we keep fighting until they give up?”

“That’s
what I’m thinking,” Brian said.

“They’ll
send a fleet twice the size of the last in the next day or two,” Valis said.
“Should we crush them a fleet twice that size will appear a few days later.”

El
Kar shook his head, “The line between conviction and madness is thin indeed.”

“In
any event, their government won’t listen to our pleas,” Veda said. “Valis, have
you prepared a mission plan?”

“I’ve
already finished the next three,” Valis answered. “The Reiki military has
little innovation when it comes to tactics. I’ll send the details to everyone
later today.”

* * *

Seles,
Mira, and Jesela were relaxing in the Kalaidian communal bath. The spacious
room was bright with a large pool of hot water in the center and a number of
smaller ones around it. After sitting back for a few minutes Seles stretched
and opened her eyes.

“I
thought you were going to sleep on us,” Jesela said.

“I’m
exhausted,” Seles said. “I’m sure all of us feel a little burned out.”

“I
know I am,” Mira said.

“You
two are acting like old ladies already,” Jesela said.

“You’re
naturally energetic, that’s all,” Mira said.

“You
got that right,” Seles added.

“By
the way, how’s he been lately?” Jesela asked.

“He’s
been busy,” Seles said.

“Too
busy,” Mira said.

“In
other words, he’s not available?” Jesela asked.

Both
Seles and Mira shook their heads.

“Nope,”
Mira said.

“Not
one night,” Seles said. “He keeps falling asleep before anything interesting
happens.”

“I’ve
had the same issue,” Mira said.

“Bummer,”
Jesela said. “Don’t worry, he’ll find the energy sooner or later.”

“I
hope so,” Seles said.

Kyli
and a number of other Kalaidians entered the bath. When she saw them Kyli headed
over.

“Do
you mind if I join you?” she asked.

“Sure,”
Jesela said.

The
other two nodded.

Kyli
stepped into the water and leaned back to relax. “I’ve been dreaming of this
all day.”

“He’s
running you ragged, isn’t he?” Seles asked.

Kyli
sat up. “He just won’t stop! Day and night he’s following me around. I need a
break.”

“Who’s
the suitor?” Mira asked.

“Is
it anyone we know?” Jesela asked.

Seles
started laughing while Kyli let out a big sigh.

“I
wish he’d pester you Seles,” Kyli said.

“Who
are you talking about?” Mira asked.

“It’s
Tctie,” Seles explained.

“Why
would an Ick-Tckt do that?” Jesela asked.

“It’s
because we’re female and he’s a drone,” Kyli said. “Since he lost his duchess
he views females as his superiors.”

“He
hasn’t done anything against the ship’s regulations, has he?” Seles asked.

“No,”
Kyli said. “I just wish he’d understand I’m his equal, not his duchess.”

“Their
species is programmed to think like that,” Jesela said.

“Maybe
he’s smitten with you?” Mira suggested. “I mean, I wouldn’t blame him.”

Kyli
turned red. “I’d rather fly through a black hole then accept the admiration of
an insect.”

* * *

Myden
mediated in his room with his hood down and lights on.
The thoughts of those
fighting are close to becoming one
. Grigon opened the door and stepped
inside.

“Your
thoughts are wild these days,” Myden said before standing up. “I thought fire
wasn’t in the blood of a Malcovin.”

“It
normally isn’t,” Grigon said.

“You
will have your vengeance old friend,” Myden said. “Our organization will
inevitably battle with the king of your people.”

“I
know,” the old Malcovin said. “What about you Myden, do you have anyone you’re
spoiling to fight?”

Myden
nodded. “Yes. There’s one Naerendi I look forward to driving my staff through.”

“Is
it for a woman?” Grigon asked.

“Perhaps,”
Myden said. “Like you, I want but one petty thing. Beyond that the plan is all
I live for.”

“It’s
good to know I’m not alone in having an ulterior motive,” Grigon said.

“None
of us are here solely because of ideals,” Myden said. “Everyone has another
motive. Ideals serve to keep us from tearing each other apart.”