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

Brian
woke with Mira next to him. As he ran his hand through her hair she opened her
eyes.

“You
really like looking at me, don’t you?” she asked.

“You’re
beautiful, so I can’t help it,” Brian said.

She
took the locket she gave him recently and placed it around his neck. As she did
so he touched her earring.

“Is
everything working right?” he asked.

“Since
you showed me how to maintain it properly it hasn’t been a problem,” she
answered. “You can take a look if you don’t trust me.”

“I
do,” Brian said. “I just worry about you.”

“I
feel the same,” Mira said. “Remember to keep it with you at all times.”

“I
will,” Brian said.

She
got out of the bed and slipped her clothes back on before heading over to the
mirror to brush her hair. Brian lounged for a while before doing the same.

“What
do plan on doing today?” Mira asked.

Brian
yawned and put his hair into a tail. “I’d like to relax and see the city.”

“Mya
says she has something for you,” Mira said.

Brian
laughed. “Could you pick it for me? She never lets me go once I’m in her shop.”

“I’ll
do it but you’re on your own next time,” Mira said.

“I
agree to the terms,” Brian said.

“Will
you be at the Kritkar later?” she asked.

“Of
course,” he answered. “Grig makes the best food whatever species one happens to
be.”

“Everyone
agrees on that,” she said before setting the brush down. “Well, I’ll see you
later Brian.” She danced over to the door. “Remember to not drink too much
tonight.”

“I
won’t,” he said.

“See
you later then,” she said before leaving.

He
smiled as he checked himself in the mirror before a headache came over him. As
Brian cringed his left eye started glowing red before flashing back to normal.

“I
don’t think I’ll drink much at all then,” he said.

* * *

Seles
and Jesela waited at the exit stairs of the Freedom. The city planet of Dega
Jul was warm and sunny as usual while ships of every make flew about.

“Did
you get a chance to look at it?” Seles asked.

“Yes,”
Jesela answered. “And I have to say it’s going to take a number of brains to
figure out how to detect them properly.”

“For
some reason this worries me,” Seles said.

“I
feel the same,” Jesela said. “But we should forget it for now.”

“Agreed,”
Seles said.

Mira
ran out a moment later and joined them.

“It
took you long enough,” Seles said.

“Did
you have to claw your way out of bed this morning?” Jesela asked.

“No,
we talked about some things,” Mira answered. “So where are we going first?”

“Mya’s
shop,” Seles said. She held up a bag with her uniform in it. “This thing’s
starting to fall apart.”

“Let’s
go then,” Mira said.

After
the three left the dock they wandered through the Kalaidian district of the
city. As they neared the line where the races mixed they came to Mya’s shop.
The Kalaidian clothing maker was busy sizing up another woman when the three
walked in. After she was done helping her customer make a decision Mya headed
over them.

“It’s
been awhile,” Mya said. “What can I help you with today?”

Seles
held up her uniform. “Could you take a crack at this?”

“Of
course Seles,” Mya said as she took the uniform. “I hope that’s not all you’re
here for.”

“I’m
here for two things,” Mira said. “Do you have the dress I ordered last time?”

Mya
nodded. “It’s in the back.”

“I
also need the suit you made for Brian,” Mira said.

“Oh…he
never comes anymore,” Mya said.

Mira
grinned. “He will next time, I promise.”

“I’ll
hold you to that,” Mya said. “Do you want me to have them delivered to your
ship?”

“That’d
be great,” Mira said.

“What
about you Jesela?” Mya asked.

Jesela
looked around and pointed at a dress hanging on the wall. It was green like
Jesela’s hair with golden stars.

“I
couldn’t help but notice it,” she said.

“I
didn’t mean to match it to you specifically,” Mya said.

“I’ll
take it,” Jesela said.

Mya
turned her wrist scanner on and moved it around Jesela.

“I’ve
got your measurements,” Mya said. “I’ll have it ready by tomorrow.”

“Thanks,”
Jesela said.

* * *

Brian
sat back and relaxed after finishing a meal in the Kritkar. He, Kivi, and Dreka
had taken a table in a quiet back corner of the mixed race bar.

“It’s
still disgusting seeing you eat that after all these years,” Kivi said.

“It’s
not disgusting if you’re a carnivore,” Dreka said before cawing.

Brian
laughed. “Let’s not debate this, alright?”

“Sure,”
Kivi said.

“By
the way, how goes the egg laying?” Brian asked.

“That’s
Seka’s job, not mine,” Dreka said. “The two she laid are viable and should
hatch in a few months.”

Brian
raised his glass. “Congratulations friend.”

Kivi
did the same. “Good fortune to you Dreka.”

Dreka
laughed. “I don’t need it. Seka’s the one who’ll be raising them.”

“Have
you decided what to name them?” Kivi asked.

“The
only request I made was to name one of them Taraka if either is male,” Dreka
said.

“Is
there a reason for that name?” Brian asked.

Dreka
slammed a drink. “My father carried the name before Zaris had him killed. He
was a good man and raised me well.”

“What
about your mother?” Kivi asked.

“She
died shortly after I hatched,” Dreka said.

“I’m
sorry,” Kivi said.

“Don’t
worry about it,” Dreka said. His com flashed. “Well, it’s time I go back for
more work.”

“Leaving
already?” Brian asked.

“I’ve
got too many things to do as is,” Dreka said. “Take care you two.”

“You
as well,” Kivi said.

“See
you Dreka,” Brian said.

The
birdman left. As night approached the bar started filling up. A Malcovin waiter
came over to Brian and Kivi and took their plates while trading their drinks
for fresh glasses. Brian noticed something in Kivi.

“What’s
bothering you?” he asked.

“Myden
has been visiting me a lot lately,” Kivi said. “I don’t know why but that
worries me.”

Brian
smiled. “I know the feeling all too well. It’s because of this.” He pointed at
his left eye. “Any day now I could burst into a ball of light. At least, that’s
what Seles keeps saying.”

“So
he’s preparing me for the worst?” she asked.

“Yep,”
Brian said. “Myden always thinks ten steps ahead of the rest of us. Even Valis
would have a hard time unraveling his schemes.”

“It’s
creepy,” she said.

“Creepy,
but necessary,” Brian said. “Although I don’t like being counted out just yet.”

* * *

Myden
and Grigon watched the footage Seles, Tctie, and Kyli had brought back with
them on the bridge of the Freedom. After checking the undetectable object a
number of times Grigon got a rough outline of the craft. It appeared to be a
sphere thirty
vetres
in diameter with six pointed tips around it, making
it look like a star.

“This
isn’t good,” Grigon said. “Other than using spread attacks or guessing our
systems can’t detect these things.”

“Lieutenant
Tctie said something about sensing them himself,” Myden said.

“We
can’t rely on a single Ick-Tckt pilot,” Grigon said. “Should he be killed we’re
blind.”

“Not
exactly,” Myden said. “The Maidens could find them when berserking.”

“My
question is, are they dangerous?” Grigon asked.

“Yes,”
Myden said. “Many of the Ick-Tckt nobles hate Brian with a passion and Heaven’s
Light just as much. Do you have any ideas on this matter?”

“I’ve
got a few,” Grigon said. “But I’ll need Jesela, Dreka, and probably Daes. It
wouldn’t hurt if Veda helped out as well.”

“Have
you sent them the data?” Myden asked.

“Just
before I brought it to you,” Grigon answered.

“Good,”
Myden said. “Prepare the ship for battle. I have a feeling they’ll attack us
while we’re in port.”

“As
you wish,” Grigon said.

Myden
went to console and readied the combat systems before hitting the com, “Kyli,
Tctie, please come to the bridge.”

* * *

Seles,
Mira, and Jesela walked the streets as darkness fell across the city.

“I
can’t believe you bought a dress like that,” Mira said.

“It’s
out of character,” Seles said.

“I
need something to wear for official matters,” Jesela said.

The
three stepped inside the Kritkar. After spotting Brian and Kivi they made their
way over to the table.

“It’s
good to see you two up to the same thing as usual,” Seles said as they sat
down.

“Routine
is a good thing,” Kivi said.

“It
provides stability,” Brian added.

“It
can be boring,” Jesela said.

“I
think relaxing is a better term,” Mira said.

A
moment after they sat down the Malcovin waiter ran over to take their orders.
As each gave the birdman their order a group of Ick-Tckt drone soldiers, led by
a warrior officer, took a table near them. Both Brian and Kivi noted their
presence without drawing attention. Brian’s com beeped.

“Everyone
should return to the ships as soon as possible,” Myden said quietly.

Brian
looked at the others as they nodded. “We’ll leave after a drink so we don’t
look conspicuous.”

“It’s
your call,” Myden said.

“What’s
wrong?” Brian asked.

“Jesela
knows,” Myden said before ending transmission.

Jesela
shook her head. “All I wanted was one night off.”

“You
know what’s got him flustered, don’t you?” Mira asked.

“I
know as well,” Seles said. “Let’s hurry back to the ship.”

The
Columbia base orbited Dega Jul with a quiet activity level around the asteroid.
Veda, Reban, and Valis worked in the command center. The Avoni, Daevoni,
Reinkar, and Vomada remained in their docks as maintenance crews worked on them
and the base. Valis looked up from what she was studying.

“It
looks like we can finally unravel the mess of the Viken civil war,” Valis said.

“Are
you sure?” Veda asked. “The last time we received word the rebels requesting
our aid were wiped out.”

“And
the time before that they were actually the government acting as the rebels to
get us involved,” Reban added.

“Your
cynicism is well founded,” Valis said. “This time it’s for real.”

Veda
shrugged. “I was getting fond of the quiet life.”

“When
are we moving in?” Reban asked.

“In
a week or so,” Valis said. “Our agents on the scene need to collect a little
more before we intervene.”

“A
lack of knowledge is a commander’s worst nightmare,” Veda said.

Reban
looked at her monitor and blinked her eyes a few times. She quickly activated
the defense system as a barrage of pulse fire from all directions slammed into
the base. The structure shook from the sudden attack.

“What
in Kali’s name is happening?” Veda asked.

“We’re
under attack by an unknown foe,” Reban said. “I can’t locate them using our
sensors.”

Veda
looked to Valis.

“They’re
using a stealth system that’s better than ours,” Valis said. “Scramble all
mobile weapons and ships and have them take formation D-2.”

“Alright,”
Veda said. “What are you going to do?”

Valis
checked her exoskeleton and grabbed her helmet. “The Minerva should be able to
spot something. Hold out until I can come up with a plan.”

“We’ll
do that,” Veda said.

* * *

Myden
and Grigon manned the bridge of the Freedom when Kyli and Tctie ran in.

“Are
we the only ones here?” Kyli asked.

“Yes,”
Myden said.

Tctie’s
antennae twitched.

“You
sense something, don’t you?” the Grey asked.

“Yes,”
Tctie answered.

“You’ll
take point then,” Myden said. “Everyone prepare for battle.”

“Yes
sir,” Kyli said before running out.

Tctie
nodded and followed her. A moment later the ship started shaking from pulse
blasts. Kyli and Tctie’s mobile suits flew out and were joined by forty five
others. Dreka appeared on the screen from the bridge of the Raulno.

“What’s
going on?” he asked.

“We’re
under attack,” Myden said. “Deploy your mobile suits in a defensive formation.”

Grigon
growled. “Those bugs are craftier than I gave them credit for.”

* * *

Seles,
Mira, and Jesela made their way back to the Freedom. From the ground they
watched the attack. As they got closer they saw mobile suits fly out to defend
the ship.

“We
need to hurry,” Seles said.

The
three ran to the elevator leading to the dock above. As the complex shook they
heard explosions all around them. Jesela quickly looked at her wrist computer.

“Do
you see something?” Mira asked.

“It
looks a little like a star,” Jesela answered. “But it’s not enough to target
yet.”

“We’ll
have to use other methods,” Seles said.

“I
can’t use the song system here,” Mira said.

“Doesn’t
matter,” Seles said. “Your rifle will be enough for now.”

“Alright,”
Mira said.

The
elevator reached the main docking area as pulse fire rained around them. A
Rakna and Talon from the Freedom were targeted by the unknown attackers and
destroyed. The shields of the Freedom were holding, but their power was being
drained. When the three women stepped on the stairway leading into the ships
Seles turned around. She watched as Tctie’s mobile suit aimed and fired,
hitting something.

“He
may be the only thing that can save us,” she said before running inside.

* * *

Brian
and Kivi both locked their helmets into place after leaving the Kritkar. As
they made their way to the port a light flashed above as something fired a pulse
shot at them. Brian activated his shield to absorb most of the blast, but the
two were knocked prone. The crowded street around them erupted in panic as
pulse fire fell on them.

“I
can’t last long doing this,” Brian said while holding his shield up.

Kivi
stumbled to sit up while holding her head.

“Is
something wrong?” he asked.

“I
think I’ve got a concussion,” Kivi said.

“That’s
not good,” Brian said.

Another
volley of pulse fire rained down on them and caused his shield to fluctuate.

“Can
you walk?” he asked.

“I
think I can manage,” Kivi said. “What are you going to do?”

“I’m
going to protect you,” he answered. He handed her the shield as his left eye
started glowing red. “It’s sooner than I wanted to, but it’s time I try.”

“Brian,”
Kivi said.

“If
something happens to me Kivi, remember me for what I looked like a few minutes
ago,” he said as he drew his
rakna
blade. He gazed in the air as a
strange aura emitted from his body. “It’s time to go.”

The
wings from his exoskeleton sprung out as he flew into the air with blade in
hand. As a pulse shot fired at him it flew straight through his body as he
flashed out of existence for a second. When he reappeared Brian spun the
rakna
blade and blasted into the invisible craft. As it exploded he flew away and
attacked another one.

* * *

Tctie
and the others either stood near or on the Freedom as the barrage continued.
Another Rakna was taken out as they tightened formation.

“Where
are they?” Kyli asked.

Tctie
quietly aimed and fired shot after shot and hit one of the targets. After a
moment of his precise shots the object exploded and fell onto the dock nearby.
The Raulno’s forces moved over to help them when a hail of pulse shots fell on
Kyli’s Rakna, damaging it severely.

“Kyli!”
the drone shouted.

A
moment of silence passed before he heard her moan.

“My
leg’s broken, that’s all,” she said. “You’ll have to take care of the rest.”

“All
mobile suit forces are to maintain formation,” Tctie ordered.

His
mobile suit held the rifle with two of its hands as it drew two curved blades.
The Ick-Tckt’s black eyes began flicking blue before he let out a primal
scream. His mobile suit flew into the enemy and cut the craft in half, causing
it to explode.

* * *

The
Minerva, Aegis, and Mjolnir flew together as they headed outside the Columbia
base. The invisible attackers had damaged a number of the shield outlets on the
base and were working their way inside.

“What’s
the plan captain?” Meldi asked.

“The
Mjolnir will switch to spread mode while the Aegis goes to full power,” Valis
ordered.

“Switching
over now,” Meldi said.

“Going
berserk,” Celi said.

The
Aegis began emitting particles and extended its powerful shields outwards like
a wave until it covered the entire base. The enemies’ weapons began reflecting
back at them and damaging their crafts. As their silhouettes appeared the
Mjolnir aimed in that area and fired.

“Looks
like it’s working,” Meldi said.

“For
now,” Valis said. She finished her plan and sent it to all her allies in the
area. “That should help.”

Veda
appeared on her monitor. “I think you should see this.”

Valis
watched a live feed showing the attack on the Freedom.

“Let’s
pray they can hold out on their own,” Valis said.

* * *

Myden
was firing the weapons when a sensation filled his mind. He looked up as Tctie
charged into the enemy.
I can hear his thoughts, like a scream from beyond.
The Grey looked at the city.
I can also hear his thoughts, but they’re calm
and collected.

“What’s
wrong Myden?” Grigon asked.

“He…he’s
changing,” Myden said. “I can hear Brian’s thoughts, but more importantly, I can
hear Tctie.”

“He’s
destroying one enemy after another,” Grigon said. “I’ve never seen him fight
like this before.”

“He
can read the thoughts of his kin,” Myden said. “I always suspected the Ick-Tckt
would have powers similar to my people.”

The
Artemis and Siren launched as Jesela ran into the room and took her station.

“They’ve
really made a mess for us, haven’t they?” she asked.

“That’s
for sure,” Grigon cawed.

Myden
hit the com. “Seles, Mira, Tctie is berserking and able to find the enemies.
But I don’t think he can control it.”

The
Artemis fired a spread attack and hit a few invisible crafts. The Siren
finished a pair off as they flew into the thick of things.

“What
can we do to help him?” Seles asked.

“Mira,”
Myden said. “When you get close enough sing a song to focus his mind.”

“I’m
ready,” Mira said.