Freedom Saga 2: Freedom's Bell

by Marcus Johnson

The Minerva, Aegis, and Siren were at the front of the battle. When the gate opened to allow more ships to join the Malcovin fleet Valis looked to Mira on her monitor.

  “It’s time,” she said.

  “Alright,” Mira said.

  She closed her eyes and began singing a song. As the music flowed from her the Siren was covered in a bright blue glow. She led the other two through the enemy fleet and disabled dozens of ships as they made their way to the gate. Once they reached the massive door it was beginning to close, but the disruption from the Siren stopped it from finishing. The three mobile suits flew inside the passage and continued disabling ship and Talon alike as they headed deeper inside. When they entered a hollowed out chamber the lights blinked off quickly. All the remaining ships were disabled and floated defenselessly in their docks. When Mira ended her song and returned the Siren back to normal the Artemis and Gemini flew in from the other side. The five mobile suits clustered together while the lights in the base flickered between on and off. Seles and Mira quickly locked the helmet of their exoskeletons on and grabbed their weapons.

  “Be careful,” Valis said.

  “We will Valis,” Seles said.

  “We’re not as reckless as he is,” Mira said.

  “Of course,” Valis said.

  Seles and Mira departed from their mobile suits and headed for the entrance to the base. When the two jetted to the entrance a pair of pulse cannons emerged from the wall and aimed at them. Behind them the Minerva shot the two cannons precisely. The Gemini took aim and fired at the smaller gate, destroying it with ease.

  “We’ve got your back,” Kivi said.

  “Phase three begins,” Valis said.

  “Thanks,” Seles said.

  Seles drew her rakna blade and extended her shield while Mira readied her raiga whip. When they headed inside Malcovin troops opened fire on them.

  * * *

  Regelik grabbed his Keiker pike as he stood up. The power inside the base fluctuated wildly once the Siren drew near. He raised his pike to get the others attention.

  “To all personnel remaining,” the admiral started. “Grab your rifle or pike and fight to the last man.”

  The other officers in the command center readied their weapons before barricading the door. On the monitor they saw Seles and Mira making their way deeper inside the base.

  “What about our forces outside?” the security officer asked.

  “We pray they survive,” Regelik said.

  An explosion shook the base.

  “Our defense grid has fallen,” the science officer reported. “All stations report serious damage or aren’t reporting in.”

  “We’ve reestablished contact with the fleet sir,” the communications officer reported. “They’re asking for instructions.”

  The image of the battle situation outside showed that while the forces of Heaven’s Light had taken damage the Malcovin forces were close to being destroyed.

  “All captains are to act according to their own discretion,” Regelik said.

  “Yes sir,” a number of the captains outside said before the com cut out.

  * * *

  The Columbia base advanced until the Malcovin forces were pinned against the moon’s surface. Veda and Reban continued directing traffic as the battle’s conclusion drew closer. Suddenly, a number of the Malcovin ships gathered their Talons and gravity jumped away. Those whose ships were stuck or damaged pulled back before sending out surrender signals.

  “Our enemy has wised up,” Veda said.

  “There are over seventy captains trying to contact us,” Reban reported.

  “Are there any hold outs?” Veda asked.

  “None we can see,” Reban said. “What should we do?”

  “Tell them I’ll speak with each of them in order of surrender,” Veda instructed.

  “Yes my lady,” Reban said before relaying the message.

  As the fighting subsided the mobile suits made their way back to their ships or launching bays on the base.

  “We may have the edge but they can still hurt us,” Veda said while looking over the list of the wounded.

  “I’m surprised we haven’t lost a single pilot yet,” Reban said.

  “That will change,” Veda said. “Pilots are the foot soldiers of the modern age.”

  * * *

  Valis, Celi, and Kivi acted as guards for the other two mobile suits. A number of the Malcovin on foot in the area signaled their surrender by dropping their pulse rifles.

  “Just out of curiosity, what’s going to happen to this base after we’re finished?” Kivi asked.

  “We’ll refit it for our own needs,” Valis answered.

  “Moon bases like this are rare, aren’t they?” Celi asked.

  “Rare and expensive,” Kivi said. “It’s easy to slap a base on the surface, but underneath is the best defense.”

  “Everything depends of the Odairan government,” Valis said. “If they agree we’ll take this as our base to protect them.”

  The ships and Talons going active in the dock quickly signaled their surrender.

  “What are we going to do with this many?” Kivi asked.

  “It becomes the property of the Odairan people because this is their territory,” Valis said. “And because they don’t believe in war we’ll end up buying it on the cheap.”

  “Is this a liberation or material grab?” Celi asked.

  “A little of both,” Valis said. “Idealism is great, but in order for it to come true we need resources.”

  “We’re still fighting for that, huh?” Kivi asked.

  “Yes,” Valis said. “But the end result of our battles will be peace.”

  “By the way, how are the other two doing?” Celi asked.

  “They’re inside the perimeter,” Valis said while looking at her monitor. “The closer they get to the admiral the more fire they come under.”

  “Do you need me to join them?” Kivi asked.

  “Not yet,” Valis said.

  Chapter 24 - Lead Feet

  “We’re at their last barricade,” Seles reported.

  She and Mira were down the passageway around the corner of a T style split. Smoke and burnt bodies surrounded them.

  “That room is their command center,” Valis responded. “When you bust in make sure you use a stun grenade.”

  “Got it,” Seles said.

  She readied a stun grenade; Mira did the same as they went to the barricaded door.

  “How do you want to do this?” Mira asked.

  “Slash it open with your whip,” Seles said. “Then we’ll each toss a grenade in there.”

  The two turned when they heard the sound of footsteps moving in their direction.

  “Valis, are our troops already inside the base?” Seles asked.

  “They just landed a pair of drop ships a minute ago,” Valis said. “You won’t be able to haul many prisoners on your own.”

  “That’s true,” Mira said. “Let’s get to it then.”

  Mira ignited her raiga whip and slashed the barricaded door a number of times. As holes appeared pulse fire came through. Seles knelt in front with her shield emitting a protective field as Mira continued clearing the way. When a large enough breach was made Seles quickly pressed the detonator and threw a stun grenade into the room. After the first pulse knocked most of the Malcovin out Mira threw a second in to finish the job. After the two hacked away the rest of the barrier they saw stunned Malcovin soldiers everywhere. Seles looked around until she saw the admiral on the ground with a pike still in hand. He looked at her and tried moving, but was unable to. A resigned look came to his eyes.

  “Are you here to kill us?” Regelik asked.

  Seles took her helmet off to look him in the eye while pointing the tip of her rakna at his throat. “No, we’ve come to free you.”

  * * *

  “We’ve successfully captured the admiral and his command staff,” Reban reported.

  Veda smiled. “Good. Hopefull
y he’ll be willing to help us resolve a few things.”

  The mobile suits outside continued escorting prisoners onto the Columbia base after disarming them.

  “Looks like we’ll need to unload again,” Veda said.

  “Given this victory we should be able to take some time to sort things out,” Reban said.

  “Valis differs on that issue,” Veda said. “Their king will act rashly.”

  Reban shrugged. “Why am I not surprised?”

  * * *

  Valis and Celi landed their mobile suits on the Avoni. As they descended to the ground Celi looked at Valis closely.

  “You look better,” Celi said.

  “Talking helps,” Valis said.

  The pair glanced up at the Minerva and Aegis. They watched as the Mjolnir and Raknas landed.

  “You didn’t berserk this time,” Celi said.

  “Using the Minerva’s system will end up being a liability someday,” Valis said. “I’d like to avoid that by sticking to my own plans.”

  “Good idea,” Celi said. She looked at some of the pilots as they departed their Raknas and noticed some were wounded. “I’d better get to sickbay and help.”

  “Go ahead,” Valis said.

  Celi ran over as medical officers came in and directed the wounded to sickbay. Daes and the engineering crew were hard at work repairing the damage. Valis walked over as Meldi took the elevator cord of the Mjolnir to the ground. Myli joined her halfway.

  “I suppose you want a special model as well,” Valis said.

  Myli shook her head. “I know the budget’s tight, that’s why I’m not complaining anymore.”

  “You weren’t complaining that much,” Valis said. “How’s he holding up?”

  Meldi looked at the Mjolnir. “He misses Brian, but we’re managing.”

  “I’m glad to have such a pretty lady as his replacement,” Mjolnir said.

  “Now stop that,” Meldi said while blushing. “He really does have Brian’s personality.”

  “He programmed me to be this way,” the mobile suit responded.

  “That he did,” Valis said. She looked at Meldi and Myli. “I’m glad the two of you work together so well.”

  “It makes it much easier on both of us,” Meldi said.

  “It makes me wonder why what we’re doing hasn’t been done before,” Myli said.

  “It was,” Valis said. “During the days the Maigars walked amongst us they led in pairs. It was in case one was killed in battle.”

  “I hope that doesn’t happen to us,” Myli said.

  “Me neither,” Meldi said.

  * * *

  Grigon and Jesela were waiting for the Artemis and Siren to land. Both Seles and Mira departed looking a little tired. Jesela ran over with her tablet to scan everything over.

  “Is there a reason you do that every time we go out?” Mira asked.

  “Of course,” Jesela answered. “We have to keep an eye on these.”

  “Each of them cost a small fortune to make,” Grigon cawed.

  “I’m glad the two of you are so dogmatic about this,” Seles said. “Our best needs the best attention.”

  “That’s right,” Jesela said.

  “We’ll take care of everything,” Grigon said.

  “Thanks,” Seles said.

  “See you later,” Mira said.

  The two continued with their work after Seles and Mira left.

  “Do you think they’re catching onto us?” Jesela asked.

  “It’s because you’re a terrible liar,” Grigon said.

  * * *

  Seles and Mira headed to the bridge and found the four droids hard at work while Myden was looking things over near the captain’s chair.

  “What’s got you so interested?” Seles asked as they joined him.

  Myden put the image of Regelik in his cell on the screen. “This one will be a wealth of answers.”

  “You’re planning something sneaky again, aren’t you?” Mira asked.

  Myden laughed. “Of course I am. My abilities are best for gathering information.” He pointed to his head. “While the body can lie the mind cannot. Veda and Grigon will ask the questions. I’ll be the one to know the answers.”

  “You plan on sharing, don’t you?” Seles asked.

  “Of course,” Myden answered.

  “We’re glad to hear it,” Mira said. She looked at Seles. “By the way, are you?”

  “Of course,” Seles said.

  She pressed the main intercom button and rang the Freedom’s bell. The sound traveled from place to place as it made its way across the Confederation.

  “You’re not going to pair it with a speech?” Mira asked.

  Seles smiled. “No, we don’t want to sound repetitious. That and Brian’s better at it than I am.”

  * * *

  Brian and Shiken Ka entered the command center of the Nevada base and joined the leader, Lena Obril. As soon as all their personnel were onboard the base headed for Odairan space. The intercom system went on as the Freedom’s bell rung.

  “It looks like our allies were successful,” Lena said.

  “Only for part one,” Brian said. “The Malcovin won’t give up so easily.”

  “Zaris is a fool, and a predictable one at that,” Shiken said. “Power goes to one’s head and wins against reason.”

  “By the way, are the other two bases joining us on this mission?” Lena asked.

  “No,” Brian answered. “In the coming battle only this and the Columbia base will be present. We need to keep one over Reiki Prime until their government has had a chance to act.”

  “The Sicily base is laying low on the Malcovin border,” Shiken said.

  Lena sighed. “Forgive me for being doubtful on this. Two bases against an entire navy aren’t the best of odds.”

  “Valis has something in mind,” Brian said.

  “She always has something in mind,” Lena said. “It’s one of the reasons working with her is a hassle.”

  Chapter 25 - Interrogation and Celebration

  Veda and Grigon were outside the holding cell Regelik was being held in when Myden stepped out of the shadows.

  “I’ll keep an ear to his thoughts,” Myden said.

  “We’re counting on you,” Veda said.

  “That’s if he isn’t cooperative,” Grigon cawed.

  Myden rested himself next to the door as the other two went inside. The admiral stood up from his meditative pose.

  “I was wondering when someone would come to speak with me,” Regelik said. “I never thought it would be you old man.”

  “It’s been twenty seven years Regelik,” Grigon said. “You were only a captain in those days.”

  “Times change and so do ranks,” the admiral said. “You must be Veda Kein.”

  “I am,” Veda said. “We’d like to ask you a few questions Admiral Regelik. I assure you there won’t be any torture.”

  Regelik cawed. “It wouldn’t matter because I know you have a Grey up your sleeve. No doubt he’s reading my thoughts right now.”

  “Only the important ones,” Grigon said.

  Regelik laughed. “Well then you win.”

  “He’s rather open for a high ranking officer,” Myden said to Veda and Grigon telepathically.

  “How were things on the home world when you were there last?” Grigon asked.

  “Chaos,” Regelik answered. “The female rebels have been acting up recently. Zaris suspects your organization has something to do with it but he has no proof.”

  “What kind of problems are the rebels causing?” Veda asked.

  “Military bases are being attacked and there have been a number of precision strikes on top government officials,” Regelik explained. “But before answering any more questions I’d like to ask something of you.”

  “What would that be?” Veda asked.

  “Asylum,” Regelik said. “If my men or I are let go Zaris has a standing order to execute us. I’m a proud soldier, b
ut not a fool. Dying now won’t help my bottom line.”

  Veda looked to Grigon as he nodded.

  “Granted,” she said. “Now that we have that cleared up I’d like to ask how many ships the other admirals control.”

  “The admirals of the Bronze and Silver navies, Takar and Vikrit, we were each given a thousand ships,” Regelik said. “Shakar, the admiral of the Gold navy, controls two thousand ships.”

  “Are the rebels attacking the home world exclusively, or do they have other targets?” Grigon asked.

  “They have their claws in everything,” Regelik said. “But their power is concentrated on the home world.”

  “What about King Zaris?” Veda asked. “Is he of sound mind?”

  “No,” Regelik answered. “He’s been extra paranoid ever since the sojourners returned with Grigon.” He looked at old birdman. “He was only arrogant before, but now he’s worse.”

  * * *

  Seles, Mira, and Jesela helped the cooks in the mess hall while the crew of the Freedom celebrated. On Odair Prime and throughout their colonies the rat people celebrated their newfound freedom. After the buffet style feast was finished cooking everyone onboard stopped by to grab their favorite food. The three girls each grabbed some pizza and a side salad before taking a seat in the back of the hall.

  “He’s missing out on this,” Seles said before taking a bite of pizza.

  “You should forget singing and do this after the war,” Jesela said.

  “I think she wants it all,” Mira said.

  “You’re two to talk,” Seles said. “It’s nice to sit back and relax for a while.”

  “Agreed,” the other two said.

  The three enjoyed their meals without talking for a few minutes. Once they finished each sat back and relaxed in their chair.

  “I’d rather do this than fight any day,” Mira said.

  “I feel the same,” Seles said.

  “The more battles we win the less we’ll have to fight,” Jesela said.

  “I doubt it’ll be like that for a while,” Seles said. “My guess is a lot more fighting before peace.”