Freedom Saga 2: Freedom's Bell (23 page)

The
battle began with long range attacks from the Artemis and Gemini. They softened
up the enemy fleet as their allies followed. The six ships and their mobile
weapons opened fire when they came within range. As they did so three hundred
ships surrounded the base. On the other side of the planet the Silver navy was
engaged in a massive firefight with eleven hundred ships of the Gold navy.

“Seles,
Kivi switch to spread mode,” Valis said. “Our enemies are clustered together so
let’s take advantage of it.”

“Good
idea,” Seles said.

“Sounds
like a plan,” Kivi said.

The
two switched their cannons to spread mode and fired. The enemy fleet moved to
surround the five before the Siren activated its song system. While Mira
chanted an old Kalaidian war song the Malcovin ships and Talons were rendered
useless. The Artemis and Gemini made quick work of the disabled enemy vessels
as they headed for the first orbital base. Mira continued the song system as
they passed over the base and flew for another. After five minutes Mira ended
her berserk.

“That’s
all I’ve got for now,” she said.

“You
did perfect,” Valis said. “All enemy bases in our plan have been destroyed or
disabled.” She looked at the ships attacking the Columbia base. “Our next
objective is to drive the enemy away from our allies.”

* * *

Zaris
stood uncomfortably while his forces in space took a beating. The others in the
room exuded a special kind of stupidity as their world fell apart around them.
Admiral Shakar remained calm on the small monitor.

“We
haven’t lost yet my lord,” the admiral said.

“I
know, things don’t look good right now,” Zaris said.

“Our
forces on the far end of the planet are holding their own,” Shakar reported.

“My
lord, the enemy has penetrated the palace grounds!” a guard shouted over the
com before being killed in an explosion.

Zaris
cursed under his breath. “This is all because of that damned Terran,” he
watched his forces outside as they were driven back, “and of that damn woman.”

* * *

Grigon
led a hundred and ten Talons on an attack against the palace. The female pilots
proved to be superb as they defeated their foes. The remaining enemy Talons
moved inside the palace perimeter for cover when Seka appeared on the monitor.

“You’re
looking spry for a grey feather,” Seka said.

“I
was as good as Dreka in my youth,” Grigon said.

“Is
it for Rikai?” Seka asked.

“For
her,” Grigon said. “And all the others forced to live under the claws of tyrant
kings.”

“I’m
glad you came back,” Seka said.

“It’s
good to be home,” Grigon said.

“By
the way, what’s the enemy doing?” Seka asked.

“They’re
moving into last stand position,” Grigon said. “They know they’re outmatched
but have been ordered to fight to the death.”

“Send
me word when the palace falls,” Seka said.

“It
won’t be long,” Grigon said.

* * *

Vikrit
and Daekon watched their forces and the Gold fleet trade attacks and retreats.
The admiral looked at the monitor to see what their allies on the other side of
the planet were doing.

“Looks
like the five made their mark,” Daekon said.

“I’d
give all my money for one of those mobile suits,” Vikrit said.

“I
don’t know the details but I know they cost a fortune,” Daekon said.

The
base shook as the enemy surrounded them. The weapons on the base and its mobile
suits returned fire.

“I
should be glad to have this place,” Vikrit said.

“Sir,
the third fleet is being pounded pretty badly,” Daekon reported.

“Have
them join with the fifth fleet,” the admiral ordered. “Our job is to keep the
main force of the Gold navy occupied until our friends take down Zaris.”

* * *

The
ships attacking the Columbia base turned their focus once the battle commenced.
From their formation it was obvious their true target was the Freedom itself.
Brian watched with annoyance from the bridge as his ship shook from their
attacks.

“Kyli,
Tctie, move into formation D-22,” Brian ordered.

“Yes
sir,” Kyli said.

“Yes
captain,” Tctie said.

The
mobile suits clustered together around the ship. A moment later the Avoni and
Daevoni did likewise as they moved next to the Freedom.

“Thanks
you two,” Brian said.

“We
won’t let you get ganged up on you that easily,” Zae said.

“Anything
for our
Maigar
captain,” Esra said.

A
moment later the Mjolnir switched its cannon to spread mode and fired a number
of volleys into the enemy. At the same time the Maidens returned to the base.

“That’ll
take the heat off us,” Jesela said.

“They
do make things easier,” Brian said.

* * *

The
Maidens carved a hole through the enemy force until they reached the Columbia
base. When the saw the Freedom taking the majority of the attacks they flew in
the way and let the Aegis’s shield take the hits.

“They
really don’t like our ship,” Mira said.

“No,
it’s an eye sore to them,” Seles said.

“I
think it’s because Zaris hates Brian,” Kivi suggested.

“Not
a bad theory,” Celi said.

“That’s
exactly what he’s after,” Valis said. “Now focus on the battle. Seles, be ready
to go when it’s time.”

“Alright,”
Seles said.

* * *

Admiral
Shakar sat on the bridge of his flagship with trepidation in his eyes. While
his forces on the far side of the planet were holding their own, the forces
closest to him were being cut apart. When he looked at the monitor he saw the
same from those inside the palace.

“My
lord, have you secured an escape route?” the admiral asked.

“Of
course I did,” Zaris said. “I might have to use it. Those damned rebels have
our wings to the wall and it’s starting to look hopeless.”

“Get
out of there if you must,” Shakar said. He turned to his men. “No letting up!
We fight till the last ship is stardust! We are the last hope for Malcov!”

* * *

Dreka
waited in his Talon when Seka appeared on the monitor.

“Our
troops have secured the orbital tower,” she said. “It’s time you joined your
grandfather.”

“I’ll
do that,” Dreka said.

He
flew the Talon back down the center shaft until reaching ground level. Once he
was outside a number of enemy Talons moved to surround him. He quickly tore
them apart with his mobile suit’s claws. When he reached the palace he found
the others had pinned the last remaining guard Talons inside the compound.

“It’s
good to see you’re finally here,” Grigon said over the com.

“I’m
glad to help old man,” Dreka said. “What is it you wanted me to do?”

“Attack
anything trying to leave the palace grounds, especially any ships or Talons,”
Grigon said.

“You
think he’ll try running?” Dreka asked.

“Of
course he will,” Grigon said. “Zaris fears death more than anything.”

“Alright
then, I’ll take care of it,” Dreka said.

“Good,”
Grigon said. “We’ll sack the palace in the next few minutes. Watch for a ship
then.”

“Got
it,” Dreka said.

From
the far side of the moon two hundred Malcovin ships flew in to help the Gold
navy. Veda, Shiken Ka, and Reban watched with a bit of unease.

“Valis
didn’t plan for this,” Veda said.

“One
can’t anticipate their opponents’ every move,” Shiken said.

“Our
ships are tangled up and the Maidens are still on their attack route,” Reban
reported.

“So
we’re on our own,” Veda said. “All units are to take formation E-17.”

Five
hundred mobile weapons spread across the asteroid’s surface. The two incoming
fleets headed straight for them.

“How
are our shields?” Veda asked.

“Holding
at seventy one percent,” Reban said.

“They’re
draining at a rate of one percent every thirty seconds,” Shiken said.

“Maybe
that’s the reason why Valis wanted us to end this battle so quickly,” Veda
said.

“Incoming!”
Reban shouted.

Outside,
one of the damaged Malcovin ships flew into the Columbia base’s shields and
exploded. Once the smoke cleared the shield array had fallen to fifty two
percent and had a large hole in it. The Malcovin ships aimed at the weak spot
and pounded the base with pulse blasts and HV missiles. When a hole in the
defense array began opening to the interior the Freedom flew in the way.

* * *

The
Freedom shook from the enemy attacks falling on it. After another wave the
shaking threw Jesela to the ground. Brian ran to her and held her up. She shook
her head and smiled.

“It’s
just a bump on the head,” she said.

“Don’t
worry me like that,” Brian said.

He
helped her back up and to her console before returning to his station.

“Myden,
concentrate on their forward attack ships,” Brian said. “Kyli, Tctie, pay no
heed to the damage we take.”

“Yes
captain,” Kyli and Tctie said.

“You
sound like you’re getting into this,” Myden said.

Brian
looked at Jesela. “It’s time to show them our trump card.”

“Are
you sure?” she asked.

“Let
them see true strength of the Freedom,” Brian said.

“Activating
the Hades system,” Jesela said.

The
Freedom’s gravity drives all spun in unison as their particles accelerated. The
ship was awash with light as it pointed its bow at the enemy fleet. The front
of the ship opened to reveal a massive cannon barrel. As it charged the
particles around the ship began flying into the barrel.

* * *

Admiral
Shakar watched as the Freedom lit up as aimed at his fleet.

“Sir,
the energy output from that ship exceeds any known power source!” his science
officer shouted.

“What
is that light?” Zaris asked over the monitor.

“I
don’t know my lord,” Shakar said. “A minute ago their base and flagship were on
the verge of destruction. But now…”

From
the tip of the Freedom fired a beam three hundred
ketres
long. Two
hundred ships and almost a thousand mobile suits were vaporized in an instance.
The surviving Malcovin forces flew away from the glowing ship at full speed.
The light stopped as the Freedom returned to normal. Shakar regained his senses
and stared at the devastation to his forces.

“All
ships are to change to formation X-11,” the admiral said. “Our only hope is if
the others can beat the Silver navy quickly.”

* * *

Jesela
knelt over Brian and pulled the injector back from his neck.

“It’s
my turn to ask if you’re alright,” Jesela said.

“Thanks,”
he said as he stood up.

“No
problem,” she said.

“Let’s
get back to the battle,” Brian said.

“We
don’t want you pushing yourself,” Myden said.

“I
can handle it for short periods of time,” Brian said.

“You
looked quite strange,” Jesela said.

“You’d
look that way too if you awakened,” Brian said. “By the way Myden, what’s our
status?”

“The
enemy has been driven back,” Myden said.

“That’s
what I was hoping for,” Brian said.

“The
cannon worked better than I thought it would,” Jesela said.

“Let’s
be glad it did,” Brian said. “Our enemy was about to deliver the knockout
blow.”

He
closed his eyes and shook his head.

“Are
you sure you’re alright?” Jesela asked.

“It’s
just a headache,” Brian said. “I’ll have Mira take a look after the battle.”

* * *

Veda
smiled when the blast from the Freedom knocked their enemies away from the
base.

“He
didn’t tell us about that,” Shiken said.

“There’s
probably a reason,” Veda said.

“The
enemy is trying to regroup,” Reban reported. “The Maidens are moving to prevent
them from doing so.”

“Good,”
Veda said. “All units are to stay in formation. We’ll let the Maidens take care
of the enemy for now. Let’s concentrate on fixing the shields.” She glanced at
the monitor showing the bridge of the Freedom. “Brian, are you alright?”

“Just
fine,” he said. “We’ll continue as we were.”

“With
that attack our chances of victory soared,” Shiken said.

“The
Silver navy reports they’re holding their own,” Reban said.

“That’s
a relief,” Veda said. “I get the impression we can’t use that thing multiple
times.”

“Probably
not,” Shiken said.

* * *

The
Maidens were far away from the others when the Freedom fired. After the enemy
moved to regroup they turned about to stop them.

“Could
someone tell me what that was?” Celi asked.

“I
have no idea,” Kivi said.

“Brian
didn’t tell either of us the ship had that thing,” Mira said.

“There’s
probably a reason why he didn’t say anything,” Seles said.

“Of
course there is,” Valis said. “Alright, it’s time we end this. The enemy is on
their heels and it’s time to crush them.”

“Yes
Valis,” the other four said.

The
five flew into the enemy and concentrated their fire in the area immediately
around them. When they made a pass near the Columbia base the enemy moved into
formation far away from the Freedom.

“Seles,
I’m going to have you use the arrow system once,” Valis said. “Our enemy needs
to be scattered and a simple charge won’t do the trick.”

“I’m
ready when you need me,” Seles said.

“Let
me work out a quick plan and we’ll be on our way,” Valis said.

* * *

The
Freedom’s attack was so bright it could be seen in the daytime in the sky.
Dreka shook his head.

“I
didn’t think they could do it,” he said.

Seka
appeared on the monitor. “What was that?”

“Just
a little side project the old man’s been working on,” he answered. “I didn’t
think it’d be ready for years.”

“Sir,
the last of the mobile suit guards has been destroyed,” a female pilot
reported.

“Good,”
Dreka said. “Destroy anything trying to leave the palace.”

“Of
course sir,” the pilots responded.

Behind
them the silent city became loud as thousands of dissident citizens, male and
female made their way to the palace. The angry bird people shouted and cawed
nasty things about their king and his government as they did so.

“I
don’t think he’ll be able to run with that crowd,” Seka said.

“He’ll
try,” Dreka said.

He
glanced at the other unit being led by Grigon and noticed the old birdman’s
cockpit was opened.

“I
wonder where he went,” Dreka said.

He
aimed his pulse cannon and fired at the front gate, blasting it off its hinges.
Once the smoke cleared the Talons flew inside with an angry crowd right behind.