Freedom Saga 2: Freedom's Bell (5 page)

The
Freedom and Vomada were near the fifth planet of the Reiki home system. It was
another gas giant with numerous satellites orbiting it. Brian hit the com as
they approached the largest moon.

“Seles
and Mira will launch a surprise attack from this point,” he said while sending
the plan to everyone. “Once the enemies are drawn in the wrong direction the
Artemis will change vantage points and snipe them to pieces. Mira, you’ll act
as support for this phase.”

“I’ll
watch her back,” Mira said.

“Taking
off,” Seles said.

The
Artemis and Siren activated their phase cloaks and flew outside.

“Kyli,
you’ll take squads one through four and head for the abandoned mining complex
on the northern hemisphere of the moon,” Brian said. “When the fourth phase of
the battle begins you’ll launch a direct assault on their headquarters.”

“I’ve
got it captain,” Kyli said.

Her
Rakna and forty three others launched with the phase cloaks up and moved into
position.

“Tctie,
you and the remaining five squadrons will remain as our defense,” Brian said.
“Move into position F-9.”

“As
you wish captain,” Tctie responded.

The
remaining mobiles suits launched and clustered into five groups of eleven with
their phase cloaks on.

“Grigon,
have the Vomada launch its Talons and assume the same formation,” Brian said.

“Doing
so as we speak,” Grigon said.

The
Vomada launched fifty five Talons and had them cluster into groups of eleven.

“Myden,
deactivate the phase cloak and fire,” Brian ordered.

“I’d
be glad to,” the Grey said.

The
Freedom and Vomada appeared on the scanners of the Reiki base. A moment later
the base was being attacked by pulse cannons and HV missiles. The mobile suits
surrounding the two ships began firing as well. While the base’s shields were
drained the Reiki scrambled their attack ships and fighters.

“Captain,
another fleet of twenty ships has appeared behind us,” Droid B reported.

Brian
glanced at the Artemis and Siren. “The two of them should be able to handle
them.”

* * *

The
Artemis and Siren flew into position. Seles had her mobile suit move the
reflector plates into scramble mode. As the Reiki fleet approached the Freedom
and Vomada Seles aimed and fired. After bouncing off a number of plates the
shot made its way into the first ship and blasted it to pieces.

“Can
I give it a try?” Mira asked.

Seles
fired the second shot and severely damaged a pair of attack ships.

“Go
ahead,” Seles said.

Mira
aimed and fired. The shot bounced through the maze of mirrors before slamming
into one of the damaged ships and destroying it.

“Interesting
that it works,” Seles said before firing again.

“Well,
I figured anyone could do it,” Mira said.

The
two mobile suits traded shots and battered the Reiki fleet. After their force
had been reduced to eight ships and a handful of fighters they finally found
the two mobile suits and charged. The reflector plates returned to the Artemis
and extended the main cannon’s barrel.

“Are
we done sniping already?” Mira asked.

“There
was no need for it really,” Seles said.

The
Artemis fired a ball of energy at the incoming ships. Half of them exploded
before a second shot finished off the rest. The two headed for their next
position.

“Why
do you say it wasn’t needed?” Mira asked.

“We
could’ve blasted straight through them,” Seles said. “Valis wants us to try
some other tricks in case our special systems aren’t working.”

“It
makes sense,” Mira said. “It’s better to be trained than not.”

“I
agree,” Seles said.

* * *

Once
the smaller Reiki fleet was destroyed Brian looked at Tctie.

“It’s
time to attack,” Brian said.

“We’ll
do our best captain,” the Ick-Tckt said.

The
mobile suits near the Freedom launched an attack on the moon base below. Any
ships trying to take off were immediately destroyed. A moment later the Artemis
fired an energy beam into the base’s shields. Once they were drained Seles
fired another shot and opened a large hole in the base, exposing the fine
machinery below.

“Is
it time?” Mira asked.

“The
two you can finish the job,” Brian said.

“We’ll
do just that,” Seles said.

The
two flew into the hole and inside the moon. The forces occupying the base began
ejecting escape shuttles. After a few minutes a bright light emitted from the hole
in the base. As the Artemis and Siren flew back to their allies an explosion
destroyed the base and deactivated all of the defense systems on the moon.

“Kyli,
you can start the attack,” Brian said.

“Yes
captain,” she said.

Her
and her fellow pilots turned off their phase cloaks and attacked the defense
satellites and cannon fixtures on the opposite side of the moon. The base on
that side desperately launched their ships and fighters. Kyli and her squadrons
destroyed everything left on the ground. When the Reiki ships fled she held her
forces back.

“Shouldn’t
we pursue them?” a Malcovin ensign asked.

“No,”
Kyli said. “We won’t attack those who want to live.”

* * *

“These
battles are too easy,” Mira said.

“We
need to stay sharp,” Seles said. “You never know when the enemy will throw a
surprise at you.”

A
fleet of Reiki ships numbering a hundred appeared and launched their fighters.

“I
guess this is what you were talking about,” Mira said. “Should I use the song
system?”

“No,”
Brian said over the com. “Mira, we want to use that as little as possible for
now. We don’t want our enemies finding a way to negate it.”

“Alright,”
Mira said. “So what are we doing then?”

“I
don’t remember this in the plan,” Seles said. “Should we go for it?”

“No,
pull back for now,” Brian said. “I’ve got something in mind but we’ll need
Kyli’s unit.”

“Then
we’ll go with that,” Seles said.

The
Artemis and the Siren returned to the Freedom and joined Tctie’s squadrons. The
two ships and mass of mobile suits combined their shields while the Reiki fleet
attacked. The Artemis fired into the front of the enemy fleet, destroying
another ship and a dozen fighters at the same time.

“This
is a tough crowd to please,” Seles said as she blasted another ship away.

“Then
we’ll have to improvise,” Mira said.

* * *

Brian
watched the Reiki fleet closely.

“You
seem interested in something,” Myden said. “What is it?”

Brian
pointed at the enemy formation. Their fleet approached as a single block of
ships in the shape of a rectangle.

“It
doesn’t look like they care much for this fight,” Brian said. “If they did
they’d try something other than a frontal assault.”

“So
what you’re saying is their heart isn’t in this battle?” Jesela asked.

“That’s
exactly what he’s saying,” Grigon cawed. “What should we do?”

“Given
their stance I say fight them head on,” Brian said. “Seles, Mira, the two of
you will act as our spear head.”

“Alright,”
Mira said.

“Sounds
more interesting than this,” Seles added.

“Tctie,
follow the two of them in formation A-15,” Brian ordered.

“Yes
captain,” Tctie responded.

The
two ships turned about to meet the incoming fleet. The Artemis and Siren went
to the front while the other mobile suits moved into formation.

“Let’s
see how much resolve our foe has,” Brian said.

Seles
aimed at the center of the enemy fleet and fired. As the pulse shot slammed
into a ship it exploded and took out twenty fighters. The Siren followed
closely while the other mobile suits created a series of spheres in their wake.
They pierced through the Reiki fleet and destroyed everything in their way
while the Freedom and Vomada pelted the enemy from afar. Once the Artemis
reached the rear of the enemy fleet Seles changed the rifle to spread mode and
fired. The fleet of a hundred had been reduced by a third as the others joined
her attacks with their own. From the other side of the moon Kyli led more
pilots back to the battle. They stopped to unload a number of metal objects.
After doing that Kyli led her unit back to the Freedom.

“Is
everything ready?” Brian asked her over the com.

“On
your mark,” Kyli reported.

“Are
you planning something?” Seles asked.

“I
have a feeling their main force hasn’t arrived yet,” Brian said.

“What
do you mean by that?” Mira asked.

“You’ll
know in a few minutes,” Brian answered.

When
the enemy fleet had been reduced to a third of its original number a surrender
signal came through. All vessels on both sides ceased firing.

“This
doesn’t feel right,” Mira said.

“No,”
Seles said. “This isn’t over.”

* * *

“It
took them longer to surrender than we thought,” Grigon said.

“They’re
under orders not to, that’s the problem,” Brian said

“Captain,
we’re receiving a hail from their fleet,” Droid A reported.

Brian
turned on the holographic system to use the Reiki sign language. “Put them
through.”

On
the screen appeared a Reiki commander on the bridge of their flagship. He waved
his tentacles to speak.

“I
am Admiral Daro Mial of the sixth fleet,” he signed. “We surrender to your
forces.”

“Are
you looking to join the others?” Brian signed.

“Yes,”
Daro signed. “The Central Government has ordered all their fleets to fight to
the death. Though we are soldiers willing to die for the home world’s cause, we
don’t believe in throwing away our lives.”

“We’ll
send you the coordinates to meet with one of our bases shortly,” Brian signed.

“Thank
you Captain Peterson,” Daro signed before ending transmission.

Brian
turned to speak with the others when a series of explosions came from below the
Freedom and Vomada. Another Reiki fleet twice the size of the first flew into
the mine field Kyli’s pilots had set a few minutes prior.

“Valis
taught me well,” Brian said.

“So
it wasn’t her plan?” Myden asked.

“No,”
Brian said. “She’s busy with the battle to come, not small ones like this.” He
looked at the fleet as it was being thinned out. “She has to leave something
for the rest of us to do.”

After
the last mine exploded and the smoke cleared over half the enemy fleet was
destroyed. The remaining ships were headed on a suicidal trajectory straight
for the Freedom.

“This
isn’t good,” Brian said as he turned on the com. “Kyli, move all your units
into formation G-1.”

“Yes
captain,” Kyli said.

“Tctie,
take your forces and use formation A-4,” Brian ordered.

“On
my way,” the ant man said.

The
Freedom’s mobile suits headed for the incoming fleet.

“Seles,
Mira, use attack pattern A-5,” Brian ordered.

“We’re
on it,” Seles said.

* * *

The
Artemis and Siren moved together with their shields aiding one another.

“If
we’re using A-5 that means there’s something to blow up, right?” Mira asked as
they dove into the enemy fleet and exchanged fire.

“There’s
an unexploded mine set to go when one of us hits it,” Seles said.

The
fleet circled around the two mobile suits and hit them with everything it had.
While Seles and Mira endured the barrage Tctie’s force joined the fight. As the
enemy fleet turned its attention away the Artemis aimed at the hidden mine and
fired. After a massive explosion the enemy fleet was in shambles. The remaining
ships ejected their escape shuttles as they moved towards the forces of the
Freedom. Something appeared on the monitors of all the mobile suits near the
battle. Their scanners detected a surge of energy coming from the Reiki’s
gravity drives.

“All
mobile suits are to destroy their ships before their drives can overload,”
Brian ordered.

Seles
blinked her eyes and let the berserk come over her. Time slowed down as she
fired shot after shot precisely where it needed to be to destroy the remaining
ships. When the last ship was stardust she took a deep breath and ended the
berserk.

“All
units are to return to base,” Brian said. “Good job everyone.”

As
all the mobile suits returned to the Freedom and Vomada Mira appeared on Seles’s
screen.

“That
was crazy,” Mira said.

“The
fact they were willing to detonate their gravity drives is insane,” Seles said.

“That’s
not what I was talking about,” Mira said. “Your shooting was crazy.”

“All
I did was berserk,” Seles said. “I didn’t even use the arrow system this time.”

“You
didn’t have to,” Mira said.

* * *

Brian
moved a few figures around on the strategy table to display the change in
number of the Reiki forces. Myden finished his work and came down to look.

“Everything
is proceeding nicely,” the Grey said.

“As
it should,” Brian said.

“So
there’s a method to this?” Jesela asked.

“The
secret is there’s always a plan,” Grigon said.

Brian
changed the display to a hologram of the Reiki solar system and moved their
forces accordingly. The three looked at the figures while Jesela appeared
confused.

“Alright,
what’s the plan?” she asked.

“The
Reiki were targeted first because their military is behind the times,” Brian
said. “It doesn’t help that their government is corrupt and inflexible.”

Grigon
pointed to the Reiki fleets defecting to their side. “Almost half their
military has joined us and the other half is being wiped out.”

“Not
only that,” Myden added. “But the people themselves are beginning to act up.”
He pointed to their home world. “Our operatives are already seeing acts of
civil unrest.”

“If
what you’re saying is correct then who’s our next target for liberation?”
Jesela asked.

Brian
looked at Grigon. “The Odarian people are next. They’re being exploited by the
Malcovin government whose troops act as peace keepers. Once we expose their
lies for what they are I expect them to declare war on us.”

“And
we move in when they do so?” Jesela asked.

“That’s
exactly what we’ll do,” Brian said.

“Is
there anything after that?” Jesela asked.

“Not
for now,” Myden said.

“Even
using the Minerva’s special system we can’t tell that far into the future,”
Grigon said.

“And
because of the side effects I don’t want Valis using it too much,” Brian said.
“We don’t want to burn out our best strategist.”

Jesela
smiled. “I can see how that system would mess someone up.”

* * *

Seles
shook her head as she landed. Her mind was still racing from the battle as her
eyes blinked between glowing and not. Mira came over and saw the strange look
on her face.

“It’s
getting to you, isn’t it?” Mira asked.

Seles
shook her head again. “This is strange; I’ve never had issues before.”

“You’ve
never had the pressure on you as much as you do now,” Mira said.

“You’re
right,” Seles said before smiling. “But unlike Brian I listen to my body.”

“Do
you want to go to sickbay?”

“Let’s
go,” Seles said. “If something’s wrong I want it fixed as soon as possible.”