“Have any of your race berserked before?” she asked.
“Not to my knowledge,” Tctie answered.
“It was probably a side effect of entering that state,” Seles said.
“How’s Lieutenant Kyli?” he asked.
“Her leg is broken, but fortunately that’s all,” Seles said.
“I’m glad,” Tctie said.
“Until she’s better you’re in charge of the mobile suit teams,” Seles said.
“I’ll do my best,” Tctie said.
He turned as his eyes flashed blue for a moment. Seles watched intently.
“What is it?” she asked.
“I can hear the captain,” Tctie said. “Commander, you should go to him.”
“I will,” Seles said before leaving.
Tctie’s antennae twitched as he looked around the launching bay. I can hear them. It’s faint but there. The drone felt something else in his head. Is this the captain?
* * *
Kivi used the scanning system in her exoskeleton to help Baeron and his soldiers collect wreckage. As she looked around she noticed the amount of damage the battle had caused to the surrounding areas. She took the helmet off before leaning against a building. Baeron ordered a few more of his troops to keep searching before joining her.
“I can see him when I look in your eyes,” Baeron said.
Kivi smiled. “He’s a better politician.”
“Perhaps,” he said.
“For the record, we didn’t know this would happen,” Kivi said. “And also, we would never start a battle over a planet like this.”
“From your organization’s track record I believe as much,” Baeron said.
A Minan soldier ran over and handed his commander a piece of wreckage.
“Continue as you were,” Baeron ordered.
“Of course sir,” the soldier said before leaving.
After examining it Baeron looked at Kivi.
“Did your people make enemies with the Ick-Tckt?” he asked.
“No,” she answered. “Nor have they declared war.”
“They won’t,” Baeron said. “As long as they pose their forces as independent they don’t need to.”
“Sounds familiar,” Kivi said.
“True,” Baeron said. “But they’ll be smarter than the Malcovin were.”
“I know,” Kivi said. “Is there anything else you need me for? I think it’s time I head back to my ship.”
“You can go,” Baeron said.
“Thank you,” Kivi said as she left.
He watched her walk away. She has the eyes of fire itself. I’d hate to be her enemy. He thought as he returned to his investigation.
* * *
What is this place? Brian thought as darkness surrounded him. After a few minutes the dark gave way to light as he felt himself traveling through a space without definition. As he gained his bearings Brian noticed he was in a hot and humid chamber, surrounded by large eggs. Through the light fog he made out an Ick-Tckt female guarded by three warriors and dozens of drones. He felt his body moving forward on instinct. He glanced down at his hand and noticed it was insectoid. What the hell is happening? What am I seeing? As he wandered closer to the female the slime covering his body dripped off. As it did so he felt like he could finally breathe. He stepped onto a solid floor and walked up to the female. While doing so he felt the compulsion to bow his head.
“He’s a healthy one,” one of the warriors said in the Ick-Tckt language.
“That he is,” the duchess said.
“What should we name him?” the second warrior asked.
“Something powerful,” the third warrior recommended.
“I name you Tctie,” the duchess said. “You will serve me for life young one.”
Brian felt himself separate from the body he was in. He saw Tctie standing where he was. A moment later the scene dissolved until he saw he was with Tctie in the launching bay of the Freedom.
“Is that you captain?” Tctie asked telepathically.
“It is,” Brian answered. “What was that?”
“A memory,” Tctie answered. “It was my birth and naming.”
“How are you able to speak with me like this?” Brian asked.
“For the first time I berserked,” Tctie answered. “Now I can hear their thoughts like they were speaking. It’s quite disturbing.”
“I see,” Brian said. “If you want to understand your power, speak with Myden. He will show you the way.”
“Captain, are you alright?” Tctie asked.
“No,” Brian answered. “If I never regain consciousness tell everyone I said goodbye.”
“I will,” Tctie said.
Chapter 8 - Isolation
Brian laid unconscious in his exoskeleton with Mira and Seles standing over him. Mira removed his helmet to give him an injection. After she was finished she locked it back into place.
“I know he warned us this would happen, but still…” Seles trailed off.
Mira turned to the scans. “I can keep him stable for a while, but things will get worse as time goes on.”
“How long does he have?” Seles asked.
“A week or two,” Mira said.
“What’s happening to him?” Seles asked.
“I can’t say right now,” Mira answered. “When we have the time I’m getting Celi in here to help.”
Brian took Seles hand.
“Brian,” Seles said. “Can you hear us?”
“Yes,” he answered faintly.
Mira turned his exoskeleton’s sound system on.
“How are you feeling?” Mira asked.
“I can’t see anything right now,” he answered. “It feels like my body is on fire. Is everyone alright?”
“Yes,” Seles answered.
“I’m glad,” he said before coughing. “Seles, Mira, I’d like to talk with you two and the other three. I’ll speak with Myden and Grigon afterwards.”
“Alright,” Seles said. “I’ll call them in a little while.”
“You need to rest,” Mira said.
“I’m not going anywhere, that’s for sure,” he said with a chuckle.
* * *
Tctie walked up to the door to Myden’s room. The halls around him were strangely empty of others as he stood there. He hit the buzzer.
“Myden, I’d like to see you,” Tctie said.
“Come in,” Myden responded.
Tctie entered the half lit room and found Myden sitting in the center in a meditative pose. The Grey stood up as he approached.
“You know why I’m here,” Tctie said.
“Of course,” Myden said. “It’s been sixteen hundred years since I met a fresh telepath. It’s time we quiet your mind.” Myden walked up to Tctie and placed his three fingered hands on the drone’s head. “Focus everything on me young one.”
Tctie focused as well as he could. In the background he still heard the thoughts of others.
“I see, your power is a little different from mine,” Myden said telepathically. “It’s because of your insectoid nature.”
“What do you mean?” Tctie asked.
“Telepathy is a tricky power to control, and yours will take some training to use properly,” Myden said. “Your hive mind is more developed than mine, but deep scans are out of the question for you.”
“Why am I different?” Tctie asked.
“Because you’re a superior breed of drone,” Myden answered. “You’ve felt the awakening and unlike the others your body is able to accept the change.”
“I don’t look different,” Tctie said.
“In time your body will shift to its new form,” Myden explained. “Hopefully you won’t be the only one.”
“Are you talking about the captain?” Tctie asked.
“You felt him,” Myden said. “If he can survive he’ll change as well.”
“Why is it different for him?” Tctie asked.
“He’s a mammal, you’re an insect,”
Myden answered. “Evolution works faster for one of your kind than his.”
“What should I do?” Tctie asked.
“I’ll have your quarters moved near mine to quiet your mind,” Myden said.
“Thank you for helping me,” Tctie said.
* * *
Seles entered the bridge and found Grigon and Jesela working while the four droids manned their stations. She quietly went to the console near the captain’s chair and started watching the footage of the previous battle.
“How’s he holding up?” Jesela asked.
“Brian’s…not well,” Seles said.
“He’ll live,” Grigon said. “I’m sure he’ll be pacing around the bridge in no time.”
“I’m glad someone has faith,” Seles said.
“Anytime young lady,” Grigon cawed.
“Do we have launch clearance?” Seles asked.
“We can go anytime commander,” Droid B reported.
“Let’s return to space,” Seles said. “I have a feeling our friends are going to need us.”
“Our vacation has been rudely interrupted,” Jesela said.
“I thought you liked working all the time,” Seles said.
“Normally I am, but being forced to work makes me crazy,” Jesela explained.
“I won’t comment on that,” Grigon said.
Seles smiled. “Alright, let’s head out.”
The Freedom fired up its engines before flying into space. After a few minutes they found the Columbia base and headed inside. Right behind them the Raulno followed. Once the two ships were in their docks the monitor flashed and showed Valis in her quarters on the Avoni.
“How’s Brian doing?” she asked.
“Not so good Valis,” Seles answered. “He wants to meet with the five of us and discuss something.”
“Celi and I will head over in a little while then,” Valis said. “I want you to send Grigon and Jesela to the command center. I’m sure the two of them have some ideas on how to locate the new stealth crafts we fought.”
Seles turned and saw both of them nod. “They’ll be there once they’ve finished their work here.”
“Thanks Seles,” Valis said before ending transmission.
Seles took a deep breath before turning to the other two. “I hope you can come up with something. If berserking is our only option we’re in trouble.”
“I know I have a few ideas,” Grigon said.
“Same here,” Jesela said. “Don’t worry Seles, between us, Dreka, and Daes we’ll find a way.”
* * *
Myden stepped away from Tctie and opened his eyes.
“You’ve learned quite a bit in such a short time,” he said telepathically. “But it’ll be a while before you can master it completely.”
“I understand,” Tctie said. “For now I’ll stick to speaking like this to others.”
“It’s less unnerving to those who can’t speak with their thoughts,” Myden said. “Also, I want you to come and see my at this time every day.”
“I’ll be here,” Tctie said before bowing his head. “I’ll see you later Myden.”
“To you as well,” the Grey said as Tctie left.
The antman made his way to sickbay. When he glanced in the window he saw Kyli sleeping peacefully in a bed. He walked in and went to her. She opened her eyes and smiled.
“I didn’t expect you to come and see me,” she said.
He clicked his mandibles excitedly. “I’m sorry to let harm come to you.”
“It’s not your fault,” Kyli said. “Make sure to take care of everyone while I’m in here.”
“I will,” Tctie said. “And I’m sorry for being a bother at times.”
“That’s also not your fault,” Kyli said. “It’s difficult fighting your instincts.”
“True,” Tctie said. “Take care.”
“You to,” she said.
Tctie made his way to the medical lab and watched Mira working on Brian. He felt a flood of mental activity come from Brian but felt nothing coming from Mira. The antman shook his head and left. Something is different with her. I can’t hear her thoughts at all, but her voice sooths my mind. He thought as he returned to his quarters.
* * *
Brian felt himself floating again. This time he was in the sea of blue. As the sound of others came closer he tried speaking, but found he couldn’t. Suddenly, he found himself watching Myden and the Teacher speaking on a craft of Grey make. The Teacher’s eyes glowed fiercely red as he writhed in pain. Myden reached out and touched the human’s head and tried calming his mind, but found he couldn’t. The Teacher shoved him away and stood one last time.
“Myden, you know what to do,” the Teacher said. “I have laid the seeds across the span of Alden. When someone worthy of being the Warrior comes, take care of them.”
“I will friend,” Myden said.
The Teacher nodded and smiled one last time as the fire in his eyes covered his whole body. With a flash of light there was nothing but a pile of dust left on the floor. Myden knelt and silently made a prayer. As Brian watched the ghostly image of the Teacher appeared next to him.
“Is this how you died?” Brian asked.
“Yes,” the Teacher answered. “I died in agony, but I was at peace.”
“Will that be my fate?” Brian asked.
“Perhaps,” the Teacher answered with a funny smile. “But you’ve lived longer than I did, so maybe you can survive it.”
“From what I can tell I’m in bad shape,” Brian said.
“But your eye glows blue, not red,” the Teacher said. “Brian, not all of us will survive changing into what we should be. You have the unique opportunity to become something greater than a man. What that is I cannot say because I wasn’t able to. It was the same with the older races. They found only some of them could move forward, but with proper modification, all of them were eventually able to. The Mylor have the power of gravity, the Naerendi the power of the mind. Each race has the potential for a special power. For humans it is our dimensional blade. You must survive this transformation and master that power. The darkness looms greater now than ever and they need someone to lead them. Now return to your body and live.”
Chapter 9 - Countermeasures
Grigon, Dreka, Jesela, and Daes joined Veda and Reban in the command center the next morning. Veda and Reban had collected all the data from the previous battle for them to review.
“I don’t have to emphasize how important it is we find a way to detect these new enemy crafts,” Veda said.
“They’re a generation ahead of us,” Dreka said.
“Their weapons are slightly behind ours,” Jesela said.
“But their accuracy is nothing to laugh at,” Daes said.
“True,” Jesela said.
“Have any of you worked on something like this?” Veda asked.
“We’ve been too busy with the special models,” Daes said.
“She’s right,” Dreka said.
“I think Jesela may have some ideas,” Grigon offered.
Jesela looked up. “What?”
“Do you have something in mind then?” Veda asked.
“I can start the program for detection,” Jesela said. “But implementing the system requires we have one of their mobile armors to work with.”
“What about this?” Reban asked as she relayed the image of a nearly intact enemy craft.
“That’s exactly what we need,” Jesela said. “By the way, where did you find that?”
“Valis brought it back using the Minerva,” Veda explained.
“Alright,” Jesela said. “But first we need to pull that thing apart.”
* * *
Brian felt helpless in the med lab. His body was still burning hot, but much less than the day before. Mira unlocked the helmet to check him and saw he was conscious. Celi stood next to her.
“You’re not looking good,” Celi said.
“I feel like hell,” he responded. “Is ever
yone here?”
“Valis and Kivi are taking their sweet time,” Seles said.
Mira gave him an injection. After a moment his vision started returning. Mira held her hand over his eyes and flashed two fingers then four.
“Can you see them?” she asked.
“Two, four, two, four, that’s the sequence,” Brian answered.
She smiled. “I’m glad you’re with us again.”
“Can you sit up?” Celi asked.
He grimaced as he did so. Mira and Celi adjusted the bed to accommodate his new position.
“That’s better,” he groaned. “I don’t like being stuck like that.”
Valis and Kivi walked in and joined those in the med lab. Brian took a moment to look at each of the women before smiling.
“Sorry we’re late,” Kivi said.
“I didn’t get much sleep last night,” Valis said.
“I can tell,” Brian said.
“So what did you call us in for?” Celi asked.
“I know you don’t want me talking like a fatalist,” Brian said. “But if I do die I need to say a few things before going. If I don’t I’ll feel like I left the five of you in the dark.”
Seles took his hand. “We’re listening.”
The others nodded.
“Alright,” Brian said. “During the sojourn I came to doubt the Teacher’s original plan. A Warrior, Five Maidens, and Three Wisemen were all that he planned for. Of course, we have backups with Dreka, Baed, Zae, and Kyli. But that isn’t what made me doubt the plan. As we wandered through the Grey’s territory and saw the totality of it, I understood our enemy better. The Teacher’s intent was to unify the people of Alden, regardless of race or creed. Through Heaven’s Light we’ve forged a path towards that goal. If it weren’t for the Greys our objective would be achievable. The plan as it was is ineffective against the enemy standing before us. With the machine god there’s no negotiation, no quarter, and no future. As a countermeasure I had Grigon design the special models each of you pilots today. By doing so I changed the plan.” He looked at Celi. “I was supposed to perish along the way, but the Aegis was built in time to save me. By doing so the plan was altered.”
Freedom Saga 3: The Dawn of Liberty Page 5
