Freedom Saga 3: The Dawn of Liberty

by Marcus Johnson

  “I’m on it,” Mira said.

  The Siren lit up as she sang and disabled all surviving enemy vessels. Afterwards the Gemini and Artemis destroyed the rest of them. As they turned about they noticed the two ships and their forces were under siege by a mass of enemy vessels.

  “I think we should help them,” Mira said.

  “Agreed,” Seles said.

  “We’ll continue with S-4 then,” Kivi said.

  “You’re not one for planning, are you?” Mira asked.

  “Only when I have to,” Kivi said.

  “That’s your style,” Seles said.

  * * *

  When the Malcovin forces charged the Freedom and Raulno moved closer together. Their mobile suits continued acting as shields.

  “Looks like the three ladies are done with their end of the mission,” Dreka said over the monitor.

  “Yeah, and we still have a mess on our hands,” Brian said. “All mobile suits are to assume formation D-2.”

  As the Malcovin vessels flew closer the sensors detected a number of them readying to detonate their gravity drives.

  “Jesela, get our trump card ready,” Brian said.

  “Hades system activated,” Jesela reported.

  “I don’t think you’ll have to do that,” Kivi said as she and the other two moved next to their ships. “Take a look at the scanners.”

  The monitor showed the Confederation ships moving in from behind. Now caught between the two forces the Malcovin ships veered off and gravity jumped away before they were destroyed. Those left behind continued forward but were cut down by the Artemis and Gemini’s cannons. After the battle was over the Confederation ships flew next the two ships with their Lances in attack formation.

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

  “Put them through,” Brian said.

  “Yes sir,” the droid said.

  Baeron and Siata appeared on the screen with a buzz of activity around them.

  “I thought patrolling mining colonies was our duty,” Baeron said. “What brings Heaven’s Light out here?”

  “We were requested to look into the recent attacks,” Brian answered.

  “No doubt without a word to us,” Baeron said.

  “The request was anonymous,” Brian said.

  “Very well,” Baeron said. “You may continue as you are. Just make sure you don’t cross cannons with any of our forces or the civilians.”

  “We won’t Commander Baeron,” Brian said.

  After the transmission ended Brian looked at his forces. “Everyone return to base.”

  “Yes captain,” the pilots said.

  The Confederation ships collected their mobile suits and returned to the colonies.

  “I didn’t expect them to help us,” Brian said.

  “It shows their respect for our organization,” Myden said.

  “I hope it does,” Grigon cawed.

  “I’m done here,” Jesela said.

  After she left Brian looked at Grigon.

  “Aren’t you following her?” he asked.

  “Jesela can handle it now,” Grigon answered. “I have enough to get my claws into.”

  * * *

  After the Artemis and Siren landed Jesela started her usual round of scans. Both Seles and Mira departed their mobile suits.

  “You two look miserable,” Jesela said. “Is something going on?”

  “Yeah,” Mira said.

  “It has to do with Brian, doesn’t it?” Jesela asked.

  “That’s the situation,” Seles said.

  “Let me guess, it has to do with his berserking, or awakening, or whatever it’s called?” Jesela asked.

  “That’s it,” Seles said.

  “Is he going to die?” Jesela asked.

  “I’m not sure,” Mira answered.

  “Then stop worrying about it!” Jesela shouted.

  The other two were shook from their doldrums.

  Jesela sighed. “The two of you know better than anyone if he’s facing life or death Brian comes out on top. Worrying about it is pointless anyway. Look at what we’re doing here. Any or all of us could die in a moment’s notice.” She shook her head. “Now go and shake it out of him, tell him you love him, and get over it. I don’t want you piloting until you’ve done so.”

  Seles sheepishly looked up. “You know, for a supposed airhead, you know a lot.”

  Mira smiled. “She’s right you know.”

  “I only act the way I do because I was born with too much energy,” Jesela said. “If Kali wanted me to sleep I’d be doing more of that and less of this. So let me get to work.”

  The other two laughed.

  “Thanks Jesela,” Mira said.

  “You know what to say and when to say it,” Seles said. “Thanks.”

  “Anytime,” Jesela said as they left. She started checking the two mobile suits before sighing again. “They’re so rough on these nowadays.”

  * * *

  Kivi landed the Gemini in its designated launching bay.

  “Take care of yourselves while I’m gone,” she said.

  We will. Gemini Alpha responded.

  Take care of yourself Kivi. Gemini Beta wrote.

  “Thanks,” Kivi said before departing the mobile suit.

  With her helmet in hand she made her way to the bridge of the Raulno. Other than having several more launching bays the ship resembled any other Avoni class Kalaidian ship. Her crew of three hundred and fifty was mostly Kalaidian, with a number of Malcovin and Shandi mixed in. When she entered the bridge she took the captain’s seat from Dreka. At the two consoles in the front of the bridge sat the navigator, a young Shandi man named Shol Dema, and the second officer, a Kalaidian named Kaela. Shol wore a falchion on his back and a sash signifying his rank as a lieutenant while Kaela wore the circlet with a single leaf to show she was a lieutenant commander. Dreka made his way back to the console at the top of the bridge to run a diagnostic.

  “How’s he holding up?” Kivi asked.

  “All navigation is functioning normally,” Shol reported.

  “The same with weapons and shields,” Kaela said.

  “Everything’s green captain,” Dreka said.

  “Excellent,” Kivi said. “I’m sorry I run out on all of you so often.”

  “We understand captain,” Kaela said. “All of us were pilots before taking our positions on your ship.”

  Shol shook his head. “I do miss my old Spit.”

  “We’re alright captain,” Dreka said. “If we weren’t you’d have heard some grumblings by now.”

  Kivi smiled. “Thanks everyone.”

  * * *

  Brian scratched his head while working on the next mission plan on his computer. As frustration set in he stood up and paced around the room. He stopped to stare at his exoskeleton and rakna blade before turning back to the computer. That’s it! He thought as he added a few numbers to the plan. The door buzzed.

  “Brian, it’s me,” Seles said.

  “Come in,” he said as he started working away again.

  Seles stepped inside wearing her regular Kalaidian uniform.

  “We need to talk,” she said.

  “Just give me a minute,” Brian said.

  Seles sighed before walking over and turning the monitor off. Brian sat back with a stupid smile on his face.

  “I did something wrong, didn’t I?” he asked. He noticed the look in her eyes. “Mira told you, didn’t she?”

  “You guessed it,” Seles said. She took his hand and pulled him out of the chair. “And now you’re going to tell me everything.”

  “I guess it’s time I come clean,” he said.

  She smiled. “If you want anything from me you’re going to have to.”

  “I suppose Mira’s under the same orders,” he said.

  “Right again,” Seles said.

  Brian pulled Seles close and closed his eyes. “Someday soon, probably sooner than either of us wants, the
red eyed glare may consume me. The nanomachines can only be held off for a little longer.”

  “How long?” she asked.

  “A few years at best, a few weeks at worst,” he answered.

  “Is there a chance you’ll survive?” she asked.

  “Perhaps,” Brian said after a long pause. “But the Teacher was killed by it so I don’t know what my chances are.”

  “You’re going to live,” Seles said. “I don’t care if you’re nothing more than a glowing ball of light, you’re going to live.”

  “I hear you,” he said. “Can I finish what I was doing now?”

  Seles stepped aside and turned the monitor back on before saving the plan. She closed it afterwards and turned off the computer.

  “You can finish it after we’re done,” Seles said. “If you only have a short time before changing into a ball of light or dying I want something to remember you by.”

  Brian smiled, “As you wish my lady.”

  * * *

  Mira and Jesela stood outside Brian’s quarters and listened to the conversation inside. After a while the two walked away.

  “She didn’t have to force it out of him,” Jesela said.

  “I’m surprised she didn’t,” Mira added. “Brian’s dense about these things most of the time.”

  “He can change the world but not figure out what’s in a woman’s heart,” Jesela said. “Are you going to do the same routine tomorrow night?”

  “Seles and I do things differently,” Mira said. “I’m glad she resolved it so I don’t have to do it.”

  “That’s pragmatic of you,” Jesela said.

  “Are you up for a bath?” Mira asked.

  “I was thinking the same thing,” Jesela said.

  Chapter 3 - Scouting Mission

  The Artemis, Tctie’s modified Rakna, and Kyli’s Rakna flew deeper into the asteroid field with their phase cloaks up. Each of the pilots kept a close eye on their sensors as they searched.

  “So commander, what are we looking for?” Kyli asked over the com.

  “Kivi has a hunch the Malcovin have a hidden base in this area,” Seles explained. “I figured it’d be a good chance to teach you two how to do this.”

  “Learning by doing is the best method,” Tctie said.

  “I couldn’t agree more,” Kyli said. “It’s a good change of pace as well.”

  Seles noticed Tctie’s antennae were twitching.

  “Is something wrong?” she asked.

  “I don’t know. Something feels…strange,” he answered. “It’s going away now.”

  “Keep us informed if something changes,” Seles said.

  “Of course commander,” Tctie responded.

  The Artemis’s scanner found something. In the distance it detected a large asteroid with a strangely uniform opening. The other two mobile suits detected the same thing a moment later.

  “Looks like we found our quarry,” Seles said. “Approach with caution and be ready for anything.”

  “Alright,” Kyli said.

  “Ready,” Tctie said.

  The three mobile suits approached the asteroid. It had a diameter of ten ketres and was relatively sphere shaped. The opening in question was a large cylinder of smooth stone. None of their sensors detected any activity coming from the base.

  “That’s pretty bad camouflage,” Kyli commented.

  “The rough rock was probably knocked off a long time ago,” Seles said. “Kyli, Tctie, I want you to check the cylinder and see if you can pop it open. I’ll keep my cannon ready in case something attacks.”

  “We’re on it,” Kyli said.

  The two mobile suits flew to the cylinder and began prying at it. After several minutes they managed to push the gate open. Both drew their cannons and pulled back as the gate creaked open to reveal a shaft to the interior.

  “I’ll take point,” Seles said.

  “We’ll watch your back,” Kyli said.

  “That we will,” Tctie said.

  The three mobile suits descended into the base. As they moved deeper they noticed a large amount of old wreckage and parts from derelict Malcovin vessels. Once they reached the docking area they noticed a section that looked new.

  “They were here recently,” Seles said.

  Tctie’s antennae were twitching again. He turned his mobile suit around and shined a light.

  “I’m sensing something,” he said.

  Kyli shined her mobile suit’s light on the same area. “Our sensors aren’t seeing anything.”

  “I’m going to trust him on this one,” Seles said.

  She aimed the Artemis’s rifle and fired in the area Tctie was shining light on. The pulse was absorbed by a shield as something flew away from them. Seles followed its track and fired again.

  “Looks like it got away,” Seles said after her shot missed.

  “What was that?” Kyli asked.

  “It wasn’t Malcovin,” Tctie said. “What I sensed was the presence of my kind.”

  “That brings up a number of questions,” Seles said. “How is it we can’t detect it?”

  “Perhaps their phase cloaks are better than ours,” Kyli suggested.

  “The other thing I’m wondering about is why an Ick-Tckt craft is here,” Seles said.

  “I can’t answer that commander,” Tctie said. “But I can tell you whatever was flying it wasn’t a drone like me.”

  “What was it then?” Kyli asked.

  “It was a warrior type,” Tctie explained.

  * * *

  Brian stepped inside the Freedom’s sickbay and went to the side room. Mira came in a moment later.

  “What’s the problem?” Mira asked.

  Brian pointed inside his mouth. “I was wondering how to take care of these.”

  She flashed a small light into his mouth and saw a pair of mouth sores. She shook her head and looked him in the eye.

  “You’ve been drinking too much tea again, haven’t you?” she asked.

  He nodded. “I haven’t had a canker sore since being taken from Earth. I forgot how annoying they were.”

  “It’s because your nanomachines are turned off,” Mira said. “They protect us from infecting each other with diseases but their primary function is to perform maintenance on the body.” She opened a draw and took out a sprayer. “This should numb them for now.”

  She sprayed the medicine on the mouth sores. Brian sighed with relief a moment later.

  “Thanks,” he said. “If they get too big I’ll start talking funny.”

  “They should be gone in a few hours,” Mira said. “Is there anything else you need me for?”

  “That’s it for now, thanks Mira,” Brian said.

  As he went to leave she grabbed his arm.

  “We need to talk,” she said.

  “I know,” he said. “We’ll talk tonight if that’s alright with you.”

  “Sure,” she said.

  * * *

  Seles and the other two scanned the interior of the base for a while longer before leaving behind a pair of alert beacons. After they flew outside they carefully closed the gate. Before heading back they left a few more alert beacons.

  “That should do the trick,” Seles said.

  “It looked like the Malcovin used that base recently,” Kyli said.

  “Let’s return to the Freedom and file our reports,” Seles said.

  The three mobile suits turned and headed home.

  “Tell me Tctie, how can you tell the pilot of that craft was a warrior?” Seles asked.

  “It’s done through a mix of scent and audio signals,” the Ick-Tckt explained. “Drones, warriors, and females all have different ways of sending signals. Although I can tell it’s the other types I can’t tell what they were saying.”

  “So you can tell if it’s a warrior or female, but can’t decipher exactly what they’re communicating to each other?” Kyli asked.

  “Exactly,” Tctie said. “Think of it as different languages. Drones l
ike me know one tongue, warriors two, and females all three.”

  “Can you learn their languages?” Seles asked.

  “If trained, yes,” Tctie said. “But it’s strictly forbidden for warriors and females to do such.”

  “It seems like an inefficient way of doing things,” Kyli said.

  “Most would,” Tctie said. “But my people aren’t known for their openness.” His antennae twitched again. “We’re being followed.”

  “Our sensors don’t show anything,” Kyli said.

  “I don’t like this,” Seles said. “Can you tell where they are?”

  “They’re far enough away that I can’t pinpoint them,” Tctie said. “If they come closer I’ll say something.”

  * * *

  Dreka was doing maintenance on the Gemini when Kivi entered the launching bay.

  “You really love this thing, don’t you?” she asked.

  Dreka cawed. “The Gemini is the masterpiece of my life to this point. Everything must be perfect.” He looked at Kivi. “How are Alpha and Beta doing?”

  “Talkative as usual,” Kivi said. “Is there a reason you put two personalities in there?”

  “Your special system requires it,” Dreka said. “I can’t wait to see if it works like it should.”

  “Valis keeps holding me back,” Kivi said. “I’d like to cut loose and see what it can do for once.”

  “Her caution stems from being a strategist,” Dreka said. “But I agree. We don’t even know if it works or not.”

  “I’m sure it does Dreka,” Kivi said. “You’ve never built a junker to my knowledge.”

  Dreka laughed. “My first attempt at a Talon would be that junker. But then again, I was going on the memories of my grandfather’s original blueprints.”

  “All of us mess up the first time,” Kivi said.

  “By the way, are the adjustments working?” he asked.

  Kivi moved about in her blue sea serpent motif exoskeleton as the birdman watched.

  “Adding flexibility helps a lot,” Kivi said.

  “The issue came from the fact we used Brian’s exoskeleton as the base design,” Dreka explained. “In the process we forgot Kalaidians are much more flexible than Terrans.”