Freedom Saga 2: Freedom's Bell (3 page)

Valis
stood on the bridge of the Avoni in deep thought. Zae, Baed, and Vae all
attended to their duties while the ship headed outside the Columbia base.

“You
can move out any time captain,” Daes reported from the launching bay.

Valis
grabbed the helmet of her exoskeleton off the captain’s chair and turned to the
others.

“I’m
glad I have a crew as competent as all of you are,” Valis said. “Now that my
place on the battlefield has changed I’m delegating a lot more to each of you.”

“It’s
alright Valis,” Zae said. “We learned from the best so we’re good at our jobs.”

“We’ll
take care of her,” Baed said.

“Thanks
everyone,” Valis said before leaving.

“Is
it just me or is the captain different?” Vae asked.

“Maybe
she’s berserking too much,” Baed said.

“I
don’t think it’s that,” Zae said. “She’s got a lot on her mind these days.”

* * *

Valis
entered the launching bay and headed for the Minerva. Celi ran in moment later
and stopped to chat with Daes before joining her. Celi stepped into her blue
exoskeleton at the foot of the Aegis while looking at Valis.

“You’re
starting to look like him,” she said.

Valis
shook it off. “Every time I berserk my mind sees more.”

“Do
you want me to check you over after we‘re done?” Celi asked.

Valis
nodded. “I don’t think anything’s wrong but my mind is out of focus.”

“Does
the Minerva’s system show you the future?”

“In
a way,” Valis answered. “It shows me the probabilities in a mix of numerical
and visual ways,” she stared at the mobile suit, “and as a result, I’m having a
hard time telling if I’m dreaming or awake.”

“What
future does it show you now?”

“Victory,”
Valis said.

“That’s
all I needed to hear,” Celi said.

The
two of them grabbed the elevator cords on their mobile suits and headed inside.
After the Avoni exited the base the other five ships followed. The Minerva and
Aegis launched while Valis checked her battle plans. From the Freedom the
Artemis and Siren emerged, while the Gemini came from the Raulno.

* * *

Brian
was on the bridge of the Freedom when Kiel Redar appeared on the screen. He
waved his tentacles around in a flurry of panic. Brian watched carefully before
turning to the others.

“Prepare
for battle,” Brian said.

“Everything’s
ready to go,” Jesela reported.

“Weapons
systems activated,” Myden added.

“All
mobile suits are in optimal condition,” Grigon said.

Brian
hit the com at the captain’s chair. “Kyli, Tctie, take formation D-7.”

“Yes
captain,” Kyli said.

“As
you wish,” Tctie responded.

The
mobile suits launched from the Freedom and took defensive positions around the
ship. The Avoni, Daevoni, Raulno, Reinkar, and Vomada all did likewise as they
launched their smaller crafts. While the forces of the Columbia base spread out
in front of the colonies the space nearby flashed with light as scores of Reiki
ships emerged from gravity jump. They quickly moved into formation and launched
their fighters.

“This
is your captain speaking,” Brian said. “Behind us are millions of Reiki who’ve
been forsaken by their government. If we fail they’ll be slaughtered for their
defiance. We can’t allow that. It’s time we show their government we mean
business by striking a blow to this act of tyranny. This is our first
liberation. Let’s make it one to remember.”

* * *

“He’s
getting better,” Mira said.

She
and Seles flew their mobile suits to join the other three. The Reiki fleet
began moving in their direction.

“Yes
he is,” Seles said as she glanced at her monitor. “What are they doing?”

Valis
appeared on their screens. “They’ve identified our crafts as the main threat to
their cause.” She sent her plan to all of them. “Seles, Kivi, the two of you will
attack at long range to thin them out. Mira, keep the song system ready in case
they swarm us. Celi, your job is to maintain the middle of our formation. I’ll
act as support if any of you need help.”

“Readying
the system now,” Mira said.

“The
shields are working perfectly,” Celi said.

“I’ve
got it,” Seles said.

“Moving
into position now,” Kivi said.

The
Artemis and Gemini moved to the front and charged their pulse cannons. When the
Reiki fleet came close enough the two fired.

* * *

Veda
and Shiken Ka kept order from the base’s command center while all of the
commanders in charge of the ships were on the monitors.

“Do
you think we should call them in?” Shiken asked.

Veda
shook her head. “Not this time, we should be able to handle a fleet this size
on our own.”

“Six
ships and a base versus two hundred,” Shiken said. “Normally I wouldn’t stay in
the face of such odds.”

“You
trust Valis that much, don’t you?” Esra asked from the bridge of the Daevoni.

“Personal
experience has taught me such,” Shiken said.

“I
have to agree,” Brian said.

“Has
everyone reviewed their part in this?” Veda asked.

“We’re
ready to charge when the time comes,” Brian said.

“So
are we,” El Kar said.

“I’d
rather be out there fighting myself,” Dreka said from the bridge of the Raulno.
“But yes, we’re ready.”

“We’re
ready anytime,” Esra said.

“Meldi’s
ready to charge with the Mjolnir,” Zae said.

The
only response from the Vomada was a beep and text saying ready.

“I
think Grigon needs to give the droids over there a bit more personality,” Esra
said.

“No,
he’s already corrupted four of them by doing that,” Dreka said.

Brian
smiled. “You’ve got that right.”

* * *

Valis
calmly observed the battle from the Minerva’s cockpit. She resisted berserking
while flashes from pulse fire came from the Reiki forces. Their ships and
fighters were taking losses, but the mass of two hundred ships had too much
momentum to be stopped. As they reached the area of effect the Siren emitted
its song system. Dozens of ships and hundreds of fighters were caught in the
wake and rendered useless. The Artemis and Gemini focused their attacks on any
incoming crafts and destroyed them before they could get close. As the
explosions cleared the Maidens found the Reiki fleet was holding position just
outside the Siren’s area of effect.

“Celi,
prepare to use your shields at maximum output,” Valis ordered.

“They’ve
never been pushed that far,” Celi said. “Is there a reason you’re asking?”

“I
have a feeling their plan is to test us,” Valis said. “If everything goes right
we’ll bring the offensive to the enemy, but for now we need to hold out. Seles,
change the Artemis over to spread mode.”

“Yes
Valis,” Seles said.

The
Artemis’s reflector plates popped off the frame and circled around the end of
the barrel. After lengthening the barrel a number of the plates shifted and
allowed multiple barrels to appear. As the mobile suit fired its pulse shot was
first amplified and then separated into dozens of deadly projectiles. The front
of the Reiki line was devastated when the pulse shots crashed into their
shields and drained them. The survivors were treated to a volley from the
Gemini’s heavy cannon. While the fleet engaged the Maidens the Columbia base
and its ships moved forward to join the battle.

Celi
focused her mind as pulse blasts hit in uncountable numbers. When her mobile
suit’s shields began waning the other four were pushed closer to her. Celi
closed her eyes and felt the berserk come over her. As she did so the Aegis’s
gravity drive began spinning and emitted an incredible amount of energy. A
moment later a wave of particles flew in all directions from the Aegis and
covered everything nearby with an impassable energy shield. As the Reiki fired
upon the newly created shield their pulse shots and HV missiles reflected back on
their ships and caused considerable damage. The Artemis and Gemini took a
moment to recover before firing again. The Siren turned off the song system and
moved to support them.

“It’s
time Seles,” Valis said over the com.

“Alright,”
Seles said.

The
Artemis started glowing as Seles activated the arrow system. She aimed the
cannon and fired the massive beam through the enemy fleet. As dozens of ships
and hundreds of fighters exploded she shifted her aim and fire a second shot.
After the smoke cleared over half the Reiki fleet had been destroyed, while
many more of their ships and fighters were severely damaged. The Artemis
returned to normal and continued firing alongside the Gemini. Celi maintained
the shield as the battle continued.

* * *

Brian
watched the battle from the bridge of the Freedom with a smile on his face.

“You’re
looking pretty smug captain,” Jesela said. “Is there something you know we
don’t?”

“No,
I’m just enjoying the show,” he said. “Kyli, Tctie, change formation to E-14.
It’s our turn to pound them mercilessly.”

“We’re
on it captain,” Kyli responded.

“On
our way,” Tctie said.

While
the Reiki fleet continued its assault on the Maidens the forces of the Columbia
base moved in to attack. All of them had their mobile weapons clumped into
groups of eleven as they charged into the fray. As the battle intensified the
Reiki fleet turned its attention away from the Maidens and focused on the
incoming ships.

* * *

Seeing
the tide turning Celi ended her berserk and returned the Aegis’s protective
field back to normal.

“Celi,
take the Siren and fly through their center,” Valis ordered.

“Of
course,” Celi said.

She
flew the Aegis closer to the Siren as it turned its song system on. The two
mobile suits danced through the Reiki fleet while rendering their crafts
inoperable. Behind them the Gemini, Artemis, and Minerva followed and destroyed
anything near them. A surrender signal came from the Reiki flagship after their
forces stopped firing.

“Cease
fire,” Valis said to everyone over the com.

“Are
they planning something?” Kivi asked.

“No,”
Valis said. “They’re doing what we didn’t expect.”

“So
the surrender is real?” Mira asked.

“Perhaps,”
Valis said. “We’ll have to wait and see.”

* * *

Brian
stared at the mass of destroyed ships outside as the battle went quite. He
activated the holographic system on his exoskeleton. After a moment of silence
a female Reiki appeared on the monitor and waved her tentacles with resignation.

“I
am Admiral Shea Ghau of the Reiki second fleet,” she signed. “I recognize your
superiority and wish to surrender.”

“You
understand our terms are unconditional,” Brian signed back.

“We’re
prepared to leave our ships and destroy them if necessary,” Shea answered.

“There
will be no need for that,” Brian signed. “Your government won’t accept this
decision.”

“We’re
prepared for exile,” Shea signed. “The Central Government has lost its mind and
in doing so lost the will of the people.”

“So
active utility isn’t the will of the people?” Brian asked.

“No,”
Shea signed. “It’s the will of those in charge. Most of us see no need for
military action.”

“I
see,” Brian signed. “If you wish your fleet may head for Dega Jul and request
refugee status.”

“We’d
rather stay in this system and protect the colonies from further harassment.”

“As
you wish,” Brian signed. “Two more of our bases will be entering the area in a
few hours. You’ll link up with them for further orders.”

“Thank
you Captain Peterson,” Shea signed.

“Thank
you for surrendering,” Brian signed

The
screen went dark before changing back to showing the command center and bridges
of the other ships. Brian turned the holographic system off.

“So
what did she have to say?” Veda asked.

“Please,
tell us,” Esra added.

“They’re
surrendering to us,” Brian explained.

“I’m
surprised they did so,” El Kar said.

“Thankfully
we weren’t forced to annihilate another fleet,” Zae said.

* * *

Brian
waited until the Freedom was docked before turning to the others.

“Thanks
for the effort everyone,” he said. “Given the situation everyone should take a
break sometime today.”

“Are
saying this for our sakes or yours?” Grigon cawed.

“I
know how hard you work old man,” Brian said.

“He’s
in the summer of his youth compared to me,” Myden piped in.

“I’m
glad I’m still young,” Jesela said.

“As
am I,” Brian added. “Grigon, look after her for me.”

“Of
course,” the old birdman said.

Brian
nodded before leaving. When the pilots left their mobile suit’s the hallways
flooded with crew members heading to their quarters and the mess hall. Brian
took a deep breath before stepping inside the HDC and closing the door behind
him.

“Earth
image one,” he said.

The
blank room shifted to the forest of northern Minnesota as the sun set. The
temperature was warm with a clear sky. As he sat down and leaned against a tree
Brian couldn’t help but feel comfortable. After a few minutes the sun set and
stars shined above him. He gazed lazily for a few minutes before falling
asleep. An hour passed before Seles and Mira came in. The pair went over to the
sleeping Brian and shook their heads. Seles motioned for them to move away.
When they were sufficiently far away they gazed at the stars above.

“He’s
been sleeping in here a lot lately,” Mira said. “I get the feeling he misses
Earth more than we imagine.”

“I
don’t think he’s slept in his bed more than a few nights since returning to
us,” Seles said. “Last time I was supposed to spend the night with him he was
asleep at his desk.”

Mira
laughed. “The same thing happened to me.” She looked at Brian. “Now that he’s
in charge the work load increased. Adding to it, he’s not the type to ask
others for help when he should. I should know, because I’m just like that.”

“Will
you ever tell me your secret, the one you shared with him so long ago?” Seles
asked.

“Someday
I’ll tell you everything,” Mira said. “But for now, let’s take some of the work
away from him.”

“That‘s
a great idea,” Seles said.