Freedom Saga 3: The Dawn of Liberty (11 page)

The
rebel fleets and the Columbia base appeared on the edge of the Viken home system.
As they approached an orange and red colored gas giant each of the ships
deployed their forces. The bases on the moons of the planet scrambled when they
detected the incoming ships. Seles was on the bridge of the Freedom and looked
over the plan one last time before turning to Myden.

“I’m
glad you can handle this,” she said. “With Brian the way he is and me needing
to be out there it’s good to know we have a capable commander.”

“Thank
you Seles,” Myden said.

“I
could fill in as well,” Grigon cawed.

Jesela
laughed. “I think Myden’s got seniority.”

“Take
care of things everyone,” Seles said as she went to leave. “This shouldn’t take
too long.”

“We
will,” Myden said.

After
the Artemis and Siren flew outside they joined the other three Maidens. Myden
finished programming the weapons and went to the console near the captain’s
chair.

“What
are we doing old man?” Jesela asked.

“We’re
to lead the first fleet in an attack on the nearest moon base,” Myden answered.
“The rest of our friends will be doing the same to the loyalist’s other bases.”

“What
about the Maidens?” Grigon asked.

Myden
put the plan on the monitor. It showed the five attacking the orbital base. The
Grey hit the com.

“Kyli,
Tctie, deploy our mobile suits in formation A-3,” Myden ordered.

“Yes
commander,” Kyli said.

“Acknowledged,”
Tctie said.

The
mobile suits from the Freedom flew outside and moved into clusters of three.
The Viken ships behind them deployed their fighters and moved into similar
formations.

“Looks
like Valis has everyone dancing to her tune,” Jesela said.

“I
like the way you put that,” Grigon said.

Myden
returned to his console. “It’s time to win another battle.”

* * *

Veda
and Reban worked as they usually did to direct everyone’s movements. On the
monitors were all the captain’s and commanders of the Columbia base’s ships.
General Yardek and Representative Ulad joined them on screen.

“The
enemy response seems to be less than what we predicted,” Reban reported.

“I’m
glad Captain Valis prepared for such contingencies,” Ulad added.

“Is
everyone ready?” Veda asked.

“We’re
on our way,” Esra said as the Daevoni led the second rebel fleet.

“Moving
into position now,” El Kar said as the Reinkar led the third fleet.

“We’re
almost at our destination,” Myden said as the Freedom led the first fleet.

“Looks
like no fun for us,” Dreka said from the Raulno.

“Agreed,”
Zae said from the Avoni.

“Your
job is to play the reserves this time,” Veda said.

“We’re
used to charging in, that’s all,” Zae said.

“Same
here,” Dreka said.

Those
two ships and the Vomada stayed with the Columbia base as well as the fourth
and fifth rebel fleets. The defending Viken ships deployed their fighters and
charged the three ships and their fleets. Veda watched as light filled the area
when both sides exchanged fire.

“Let
the liberation of the Viken people commence,” Veda said.

* * *

The
Maidens approached the orbital base in their standard formation. After the
enemy ships launched and deployed their fighters Valis appeared on their
screens.

“This
battle will be a little different than usual,” Valis said. “Our goal is to
destroy their vessels but not the base.”

“In
other words, precision, not brute force,” Kivi said.

“You
and Seles are to refrain from berserking or using spread mode,” Valis said.
“The Viken don’t have mobile weapons, so we shouldn’t need to use them anyway.”

“I’m
ready to fire,” Seles said.

“Same
here,” Mira said.

“Setting
shield to medium levels,” Celi said.

As
the Viken forces approached the Artemis and Gemini kept their cannons on
standard mode while firing. The enemy crafts were going down easily but slowly.
When they came within firing range their weapons bounced off the Aegis’s
shields harmlessly. The Minerva and Siren joined the shooting gallery while the
Viken fighters and ships went down quicker by the moment. The base itself
opened fired and launched all of its reserves. After the majority of the
enemies were destroyed the Artemis aimed carefully to only take out the cannon
batteries on the base. After they were finished they saw the other enemy bases
fall easily to their allies.

“It’s
time to return to base,” Valis said.

“That
wasn’t much of a challenge,” Seles said.

“I
agree,” Kivi said.

“All
we had to do was lead the charge,” Mira said.

“At
least the Ick-Tckt didn’t show up,” Celi said.

Valis
smiled. “I agree with that.”

* * *

Veda
looked up from the damage report.

“That
was anticlimactic,” she said.

“Our
mobile suits took a little damage,” Reban said. “But not much more than a
scratch in the paint job.”

“Your
forces make ours look a hundred years out of date,” General Yardek said. “We’re
going to have to create some of our own mobile weapons.”

“It
won’t be cheap,” Ulad said. “And when the war is over we’ll need to spend most
of the money on repairing the damage our people have suffered.”

“If
you need our help with technological development we’re more than happy to do
so,” Veda said.

“We’ll
look into it after the war is won,” Yardek said.

“Agreed,”
Ulad said.

The
two Viken leaders disappeared from the monitor before the captains did
likewise. The ships from the Columbia base returned to their docks at the same
time the Viken rebels surrounded the base in a defensive formation. Before
leaving the Minerva Valis appeared on the screen.

“How’s
everything there?” she asked.

“Perfect
as usual,” Veda said. “Are you getting any sleep?”

“Not
much,” Valis said. “But that’ll change in a few hours. I’m almost done with the
final plan.”

“Then
get some rest after that,” Veda said. “I worry about you Valis.”

“I
know, thanks,” Valis said before ending transmission.

“She
looks exhausted,” Reban said.

“We’ve
been working her day and night,” Veda said. “I think it’s about time we
delegate some of the work to the other commanders.”

“That
means more for us,” Reban said.

“True,
but we can handle it,” Veda said.

* * *

Brian
walked up the stairs until he finally came to another platform. Gaelic was
there waiting.

“So
what’d you see?” Gaelic asked.

“Some
crazy things,” Brian answered. “It was like watching the story of Earth in a
few hours.”

“Well,
now that you’ve seen your past and present, what else do want to see?” Gaelic
asked.

“Do
I get a choice?” Brian asked.

“Yes
you do,” Gaelic said. “The greatest myth thrown upon us mortals is that our
fate has already been determined. Through the teachings of Raulno I learned as
much.”

“I
understand,” Brian said. “Then show me the Grey’s machine god.”

“Are
you sure?” Gaelic asked.

“I’ve
already been touched by it,” Brian said. “At least I’ll know what it looks
like.”

“Very
well,” Gaelic said.

The
starlit walls and stairs melted away as the two descended using a massive
metallic elevator. They were inside a sphere the size of a planet while the
elevator made its way to the center of the structure. Inside the colossal
complex Brian saw innumerable Greys walking about mindlessly. Once the elevator
hit the bottom he looked up and saw just as many saucer shaped vessels making
their way about. Before the two men stood a massive door larger than any
starship either had seen before. It was covered with glowing purple
hieroglyphics. Brian cringed as he felt the malevolent presence of the machine
god in his mind. He noticed Gaelic wasn’t showing any signs of discomfort.

“What
is this place?” Brian asked.

“This
is Heaven’s Door,” Gaelic said. “I can’t venture beyond this point Brian. I
pray that you survive.”

As
the door opened a light brighter than anything he’d seen before engulfed Brian.
When he walked through the door he felt something trying to take him over.

* * *

Seles
made her way to Brian’s quarters after the battle. When she got there Mira arrived
at the same time.

“You
had the same idea I see,” Mira said.

“Of
course,” Seles said.

When
the two entered the saw Brian standing with his sword defensively before him.
Seles ran over while Mira checked the medical scanners.

“Brian!”
Seles shouted. “What’s wrong with him?”

“He’s
stabilizing,” Mira answered.

“Why
is he standing like this?” Seles asked.

“He
must have done it unconsciously,” Mira answered.

“So
he’s sleep walking?” Seles asked.

“I
guess you could say that,” Mira answered.

The
glow coming from inside his exoskeleton changed from white to red. Seles
cringed as her head began aching.

“I
feel something,” she said.

“Cast
out from her mind!”
Brian’s voice shouted out.

Seles
noticed the pain subside as the glow turned back to white.

“What’s
wrong?” Mira asked.

“I
felt something,” Seles said. “It wasn’t Brian, but something filled with malice
beyond reason.” She looked at Brian. “He’s fighting it right now.”

“He’ll
win,” Mira said. She took Seles’s hand. “Let’s leave him to finish up.”

“Alright,”
Seles said as they left.

Valis
lounged in her bed. She yawned as she turned over to go to sleep when the door
buzzer sounded.

“Go
away,” she mumbled.

The
door buzzed again. Valis rolled off of her bed and slowly made her way to the
door. As it opened she saw her grandmother holding a bottle of red wine and two
glasses.

“I’m
sorry if I woke you,” Veda said.

“It’s
alright,” Valis said.

She
led Veda to her table and both sat down. Veda placed the two glasses on the
table and poured some wine in them. Valis sipped before shaking her head.

“Is
something wrong?” Veda asked.

“No,
it’s been awhile,” Valis said.

“This
brew is non-alcoholic,” Veda said. “Zae told me you stopped drinking the hard
stuff.”

“We
all have our weaknesses,” Valis said. “Mine was this.” She held up the glass.
“But now all I want is a few days off.”

“The
time for that will come soon,” Veda said. “How’s he doing?”

“Better
from what Seles and Mira told me earlier,” Valis said.

“We’re
praying he makes it,” Veda said. “Brian is a unique treasure we must protect.”

“I
agree,” Valis said. “I know I’m losing sleep, but he’s losing twice as much.”

“Gaelic
was the same way,” Veda said. “He told me he’d get all the sleep he wanted when
he was dead. I hope Brian doesn’t feel the same.”

“He
wants to live,” Valis said.

“I’m
glad,” Veda said. “By the way, the Ick-Tckt are having internal disputes.”

Valis
smiled. “I knew you’d find that out.”

“Our
intelligence officers are reporting there’s a rift between the nobles and the
queen,” Veda said.

“Which
side ordered the attack?” Valis asked.

“It
seems to be leaning away from the queen,” Veda said. After finishing her drink
she stood up to leave. “There are twelve hours between now and the battle.
You’d better be in that bed for eight of them.”

Valis
laughed. “I’m not ten anymore.”

“I
know,” Veda said. “I’ll tell the others to leave you alone until then.”

“Thanks,”
Valis said.

* * *

After
the light cleared Brian stood before a pulsing machine as large as a moon.
Around it on all sides were Greys of the same type as Myden. They took no
notice of him as he approached the colossal being.

“You
can’t escape me Brian,”
the machine god said.
“No matter the distance or
time I will be inside you. Until you see the light and join me once and for
all.”

Brian
smiled as the pain stopped.

“You
are arrogant for a god,” he said.

“Not
nearly as much as a mortal like you,”
it responded.
“You are as a speck of
dust is to a star when compared to my power.”

“Then
let this speck of dust ask a question,” Brian said.

“Go
ahead,”
the machine god said.

“If
you are truly god then why do you require obedience?” Brian asked. “Surely you
could crush the heretics with your will alone.” He felt a flood of negative
energy come from the being. “I see, so you’re a tin god, like all the rest.”
Brian drew his
rakna
blade and pointed it at the being. “God does not
need power, nor would it require obedience. A god that requires those things is
not a god at all, but a system created by mortals to serve their needs. I will
never bow my head nor bend my knee to such a being.”

The
structure rumbled as the machine pulsed with hate filled energy. It was so
powerful Brian was forced back and could barely stand.

“You
would dare to challenge me?!”
the machine god shouted.

“I
do,” Brian said. “No matter how many forms I have to take I will destroy you.
I’ll keep coming back again and again until your gears are shattered and your
being is extinguished. Our fates are intertwined and even if it takes me
eternity I will defeat you.”

As
the room shook from the machine god’s anger Brian turned about and left on the
elevator. Gaelic clapped his hands.

“Well
done my boy,” the Kalaidian man said.

“Where
are we going?” Brian asked.

“I
have to take my leave as of now,” Gaelic said. “The top of this elevator will
lead you back to your body. Take care of yourself and look after that daughter
of mine. Tell her I said goodbye.”

Gaelic
smiled as he faded away. The elevator reached the top and opened once more.
Brian saw the silhouette of his form ahead and slowly approached.

* * *

Jesela
stood next to the motionless Brian with her scanners in hand.

“Really
Brian, what would you do without me?” she asked as she tuned his exoskeleton.
She looked up as the light emanating from the armor subsided. “Brian?”

When
the light faded away he sheathed the
rakna
and looked at Jesela. In the
background the medical scanners showed his body was returning to normal.

“Are
you awake now?” Jesela asked.

“Yes,”
Brian said. He threw the helmet off and looked her in the eyes. “It’s me.”

She
looked at him and noticed his body had an odd perfection to it. The only reminder
of his previous battles was the scar above and below his right eye. But what
caught Jesela’s attention the most was his left eye. It wasn’t glowing, but
behind its hue was blackness darker than space with a strange swirling light
inside it. She moved her hand back and forth to see if he saw normally.

“What
are you doing?” he asked.

“There’s
something different about you,” Jesela said. “I kind of like it.”

He
sniffed himself. “How long have I been out?”

“Ten
days,” she answered.

“Before
anything else I’m going to take a bath,” he said. “I also feel like I could eat
for a week.”

“Do
you want me to alert the others?” she asked.

“After
I’m in the shower,” he said.

“Then
before that,” Jesela pulled him down for a kiss. She stepped back and smiled.
“You’re the same old Brian, that’s for sure.”

“And
you’re the same old Jesela,” he said as they laughed together.

* * *

Grigon
was checking things over with the Artemis and Siren when the two women emerged
from their mobile suits.

“What’s
the problem?” he asked.

“Jesela
just called us on the com and said he’s moving,” Mira said.

“We’d
better go and see him,” Seles said.

The
two ran out of the room in haste while the old birdman continued working.

“Youth,
it’s such a funny thing,” Grigon said with a chuckle.

“I
think both of us can breathe a sigh of relief,” Myden said as he walked in.

“Aren’t
you going to see him?” Grigon asked.

“Not
now, he has the five of them to contend with,” Myden said.

“So
what does he look like?” the old birdman asked.

“Like
he always did, just a little better,” Myden explained.

“Damn,
I was hoping he’d change into something completely different,” Grigon said.
“Now that would be interesting.”

“Indeed,”
Myden said.

* * *

Brian
toweled himself off and put some clothes on before looking in the mirror. He
was in his bathroom and heard the six women in the other room. After looking
for a moment he noticed the oddness in his left eye. Shaking it off he headed
back to his main room where Seles was the first to hug him.

“I’m
glad you’re back,” she said.

“I’m
glad to be back,” Brian said.

“Since
Myden was being so evasive on the subject, could you tell us what happened?”
Valis asked.

“Words
can’t describe what I saw,” Brian said. “But I’ll say this. I had an excellent
guide.” He looked at Mira. “He showed me a few things about myself I didn’t
know about. He also guided me to the enemy we must all be wary of.”

“Are
you talking about the machine god?” Celi asked.

“Yes,”
Brian said. “No matter what we believe, we can’t allow a false god to rule over
us.” He smiled. “Given the anger I felt coming from it I think we’re on the
right track.”

“What
does god look like?” Kivi asked.

“It’s
a massive computer system larger than a moon,” Brian said. “At least, that’s
what it looked like to me.”

“I’d
hope god would be more interesting than that,” Kivi said.

“I’ll
tell all of you what I can, but for now we should focus on the present,” Brian
said. “Jesela filled me in the current situation.”

“We
have two hours before the battle begins,” Valis said. “Is that enough time for
you?”

“It’s
more than enough,” Brian said. “But first things first, I need something to
eat.”

“Breakfast
is being dished out as we speak,” Seles said.

“Good,
I could eat ten helpings right now,” Brian said.