“If the plan has changed then what’s different?” Kivi asked.
“Aren’t we fulfilling the roles we were supposed to?” Valis asked.
Brian shook his head. “No, the plan calls for the Goddess to come after the Warrior.” He looked at Seles. “I thought because of your skill as a pilot as well as your ability to berserk you’d be the one. The problem is you have to live long enough to achieve such power. So instead of putting all our eggs in one person I asked Grigon to make five special models. That way each of you could possibly become the Goddess should I die.”
Seles smiled. “Thanks for not putting all the pressure on me.”
“You’re still our best pilot,” Mira said.
“All of us are pretty good though,” Kivi said.
“Let’s not wander off topic,” Celi said.
“What else changed?” Valis asked.
“The Teacher couldn’t anticipate the one thing that gives us a chance in the upcoming war,” Brian said. “And that would be the mobile suit itself.”
“What makes them so special?” Valis asked.
“What I am going to say is true with all gravity drive powered mobile weapons,” Brian started. “But more so with the special models because of your inclination to berserk. Berserking is the precursor to something else; I believe Myden calls it awakening. What he means by that is evolving forward. You see it manifested in the older races by their strange, almost magical powers. One day in the future all of us will be able to do something like that, but for now, it’s limited to a small number of us. The mobile suit serves as a mix of particle exposure with our nanomachines. Add berserking a number of times and you create a vessel capable of far more than simple destroying enemies.” He pointed to himself. “Inside the Mjolnir I was being changed for a decade. This was something the Teacher couldn’t anticipate. Now the five of you are changing. Into what I can’t say, but Celi did for a brief moment to save my life.”
The others looked at her.
“It’s hard to explain,” Celi said. “It was like I reached out and energy flowed through me like water. I haven’t been able to do it again since. Are you saying I awakened?”
“Exactly,” Brian said. “Each race has a different power. I suspect with Kalaidians it has something to do with energy.” He flexed his free hand and pushed it through the nearby wall like it wasn’t there before pulling it back. “With humans it has something to do with dimensions and perception.”
“That explains your weird power,” Seles said.
“It does,” Brian said. “Each of you was chosen as a Maiden long before you were born. I changed things by making it possible for there to be more than one Goddess. If we’re to survive the coming storm we’ll need that power. If I die I need all of you to be ready to lead the others.” He looked at Seles, “you are the sword,” he looked at Celi, “you are the shield,” he looked at Mira, “you are the heart,” he looked at Valis, “you are the mind,” he looked at Kivi, “and you are the will. The five of you can achieve much more than I can alone. Remember that and never doubt each other. The people of Alden need someone to protect them. I appoint the five of you as this galaxy’s guardians.”
* * *
Tctie returned to Myden’s quarters at the appointed time. The old Grey did the same as before and touched Tctie’s head to help them contact each other telepathically.
“You’re getting better and silencing the ambient noise,” Myden said telepathically.
“You said something yesterday about my hive mind power being better than yours,” Tctie said. “How is that possible?”
“Our difference in species is the likely factor,” Myden answered. “As an insectoid a hive mind isn’t strange, as a matter of fact, it would be extremely advantageous. The other difference I sense is depth of reading others. With concentration and proximity I can draw out memories in others. I’m not sure you can do the same.”
“What advantage do you see with my power?” Tctie asked.
“You have the power to contact many minds at once,” Myden explained. “The benefit is in battle you can relay messages instantly to your allies. Part of the benefit of your power is the distance of use if much further than one of my race is.”
“What about the machine god?” Tctie asked. “Isn’t it possible my people would be as susceptible to it as yours?”
“It’s possible,” Myden said. “But the more likely scenario is it would have a more difficult time controlling your kind. Remember, if it can’t implant itself deep into your consciousness it can’t control you. When I try probing deeper into your memories you can block me. That’s a good sign.”
“What about the captain and his power?” Tctie asked.
“Those who are able to awaken can use a minor form of telepathy, but nothing like ours,” Myden said. “With Brian it comes down to the ability to fight back. He can’t contact our minds, but once we’re in his, he can fight back as much as he wants. The others have the ability to resist when berserking, but can’t do what he does. I suspect that’s how he freed himself from my people when he first came to space.”
“I have one more question,” Tctie said. “What is it that makes Mira different?”
Myden smiled. “I had a feeling you’d notice that. What makes her different doesn’t matter. It’s the person she is that does.”
“I understand,” Tctie said.
Chapter 10 - Meeting of the Minds
In one of the empty docking bays on the Columbia base the Ick-Tckt mobile armor sat. Grigon and Dreka were scanning the exterior and weapons while Jesela and Daes donned a pair of sealed suits to go inside the object. Veda stood back and directed the four. Jesela and Daes pealed back the front hatch of the craft and looked at each other. Both noticed the inside of the craft was covered with the splattered remains of an Ick-Tckt pilot.
“You go in first,” Daes said.
“We’re the same rank now you know,” Jesela countered.
“Let’s try that game Brian taught us,” Daes suggested.
Jesela nodded as both held up one of their hands and counted to three. Daes had a fist showing rock while Jesela had two fingers showing scissors.
“Damn,” Jesela said as she went inside.
After scraping away a good amount of the gore she signaled for Daes to come inside. The center of the craft had a seat capable of spinning in all directions while monitors covered every inch of the interior. Veda came over to the hatch while holding her nose.
“What’s the assessment you two?” she asked.
“It’s a highly advanced mobile armor,” Daes answered.
“Looks to be about on par with our stuff,” Jesela said while playing with the controls. “Ah, here it is.”
The craft flashed and turned invisible. Both Dreka and Grigon collected the data. Jesela turned it off and checked a few other things. Daes found the weapons and shielding systems. After that she found the mobile armor’s drive system. Veda stepped away and reviewed the data on the wall console.
“It’s going to take us awhile but our scanners should be able to pick these up with the adjustments Jesela proposed,” Veda said. “I’m going to order some refreshments; we’re going to have to pull an all-nighter.”
* * *
Myden stepped inside the med lab and found Brian alone. The human had put the helmet back over his face to conceal his glowing eye. As Myden came over Brian stood up with a little bit of a wobble.
“You’re looking better than I was told,” Myden said.
Brian laughed. “Your sympathy is amazing.” He flexed his hands. “At least I can move now.”
“Will you be joining us on the bridge anytime soon?” Myden asked.
“I’d rather be there than here,” Brian answered. “But that’s not why you’re here.”
“True,” Myden said. “Have you told them what they need to know?”
“Yes,” Brian said. “I know the plan is moving away from cannon but it can’t be helped.”
“Even the best laid plans require modification,” Myden said. “But you’ve done a little more than spot weld it.”
“I blow torched it,” Brian said. “By the way, where’s Grigon?”
“He and the other engineers are working on a system to locate our new foes,” Myden said.
“Sounds like fun,” Brian said. He wobbled a little bit before sitting back down. “I guess I’m not ready to be on the bridge yet.”
“Your body is fighting a battle to change itself, that’s all,” Myden said.
“Was it like this for you?” Brian asked.
“When I was fourteen years old my power began manifesting,” Myden explained. “It took me a year of work and pain before I stabilized. Whether or not it takes that long for you I can’t say.”
Brian laughed. “What changed for you?”
Myden brushed his grey skin with his hand. “All of the genetic imperfections on my body went away.”
“So, you were cured of acne?” Brian asked.
“You could say that,” Myden answered. “What happens to you I can’t say. The Naerendi change wasn’t enough to warrant wearing an exoskeleton all the time. For the other older races it was necessary.”
“Why is that?” Brian asked.
Myden pointed to his black eyes. “Our eye structure is much thicker than most races. The result is although we’re awakened they don’t glow blue unless we’re excited to a certain level.”
“Interesting,” Brian said. “So it’s luck you’re not stuck in a can like I am.”
“I guess,” Myden said.
“What are my chances?” Brian asked.
“You’ve passed the point where the Teacher died,” Myden said. “So you may live.”
“May live?” Brian laughed. “There’s nothing as comforting as a firm maybe.”
“I’m not a prophet bearing false hope,” Myden said. “That’s why you’ll only hear the truth from me. If you live, you live. I know my part in the plan and will execute it to the best of my ability.”
* * *
The Maidens stayed together as they made their way into a private meeting room on the Columbia base. After the door closed silence filled the plain room.
“What should we do?” Celi asked.
“I’m not sure,” Valis said as she looked at the others. “It’s not my place to order any of you around, but I can question things as I see fit. Right now, I have my doubts with both the Teacher’s plan and Brian’s modifications.”
“What sort of doubts?” Kivi asked.
“I doubt either can truly anticipate the future that well,” Valis said. “Even with the data the sojourners brought back we don’t know enough about our enemy to make a move.”
“We never went close to their central territories,” Celi added.
“Meaning we have no clue on their actual numbers,” Seles said.
“I have too many doubts right now,” Valis said.
“We should focus on the present then,” Mira suggested. “If we can’t see the future then lets deal with the now. We’ll worry about a war with the Greys when it actually happens.”
Kivi laughed. “You sound like you’ve been around Seles too long.”
“I agree,” Celi said.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Seles asked.
“It means you two have been around each other for a long time,” Valis said. “But Mira’s right, we need to think about the now. If the Ick-Tckt attack and we’re not ready we’ll be destroyed before we can worry about the Greys.” She touched the wall console and displayed their five mobile suits. “We need to come up with a plan to defend ourselves.”
“Spread attacks worked with the Mjolnir,” Celi said. “Maybe the Artemis and Gemini working together would do it better.”
“Then that’s where we’ll start,” Valis said.
* * *
“Those two got lucky,” Jesela said while sifting through the gore to get to the pilot controls.
“I agree,” Daes said. “Well, it looks like we’ve got it.”
“All we need is for Veda to finish everything off,” Jesela said.
The two got out of the craft. They noticed Dreka and Grigon had moved as far away as they could while Veda held her nose.
“You two should go clean up,” Veda suggested.
“Agreed,” Grigon said.
Jesela looked at the two birdmen. “Next time you two get to climb in bug guts.”
Her and Daes quickly headed into a decontamination chamber adjacent to the dock. After a few minutes they emerged without the sealed suits and rejoined the other three.
“We should have a prototype of the system in a few hours,” Veda said. “Excellent job everyone.”
“You shouldn’t praise us until it actually works,” Dreka said.
“Of course,” Veda said. “But for now the base can at least detect their presence. As a matter of fact, I just sent the system to Reban.”
“That’s good,” Daes said. “Hopefully we won’t have to…”
Daes was cut off by Reban appearing on the monitor.
“Lady Veda, the new detection system has picked up enemies on fast approach,” Reban reported.
“How close are they?” Veda asked.
“Too close,” Reban said as the base started shaking.
“Scramble the pilots in formation D-1,” Veda ordered. “The rest of us will get to our stations as soon as possible.”
* * *
The Maidens all looked at each other after the base started shaking.
“It looks like we’d better get out there,” Kivi said.
“It’s quite rude of them to attack when I’m only halfway through the new attack plan,” Valis said.
“I think we get most of it,” Seles said.
“I know where she was going,” Celi added.
“I don’t have a clue,” Mira said.
“You’ll have to figure out along the way,” Valis said. “Let’s go.”
“Yes Valis,” the others said.
* * *
Brian woke up when the attack began. When he tried standing he found the pain was too much. Frustrated, he sat back and closed his eyes. I can’t stand this. He thought to himself. This is like the plague but worse. At least then I could function for a while. I feel like dead weight holding everyone back. After a sigh he opened his eyes and noticed Kyli standing next to his bed with a pair of crutches. He removed his helmet to get a better look at her.
“Your eye’s glowing,” she said.
“I know,” Brian said. “Your leg’s broken.”
“I know,” she said with a laugh. “I don’t know the details but I can tell you’re not feeling well.”
“No Kyli, I’m not,” he admitted.
“Being stuck in here is what’s really bothering you,” Kyli said. “I should know, because I’m in the same condition.”
The ship shook from another round of attacks.
“Have faith in them captain,” Kyli said.
“I do,” Brian said.
Kyli took his hand. “I have faith in you.”
He laughed. “You do know I lied when I first landed on Kalaidia.”
“Of course I know,” Kyli said. “It doesn’t change the genuine smile you showed me when you said you were there to change things. Now that I’m older I know why you had to lie. If you came with the truth they would’ve cut you down.”
“Thanks,” Brian said.
“I should be the one thanking you,” Kyli said. “My life was destined to be a serf farm girl. You gave me the chance to be a pilot.” She held his hand tightly. “So thank you.”
The ship shook again from another volley.
“They really know how to spoil the moment, don’t they?” Brian asked.
“Yes they do,” Kyli said.
Chapter 11 - Tctie’s Eyes
The Freedom, Vomada, Raulno, and Avoni headed outside. After they were clear the four ships deployed their mobile suits in a defensive format
ion. The Maidens separated from their ships and flew straight for the enemy. Veda ran into the command center while Reban relayed their orders.
“How are our shields?” Veda asked.
“They’re not at a hundred percent but they should hold,” Reban answered.
El Kar and Esra appeared from the bridges of their ships.
“What should we do?” El Kar asked.
“Our mobile weapons are ready to go,” Esra said.
“Then send them out and have them join with the base’s squadrons,” Veda said. She quickly finished her work and sent the data to the four ships outside. “That should help.”
The systems in the base on the ships rebooted and displayed the location of the enemy crafts.
“At least now we’re not blind,” Reban said.
“All ships should use the new data to help their mobile weapons,” Veda ordered.
“It’s more than enough to make it work,” Myden said from the Freedom.
Both Zae and Dreka from the other two ships nodded in agreement.
“This will do for now,” Veda said.
* * *
The Artemis and Gemini fired their cannons in spread mode to reveal the enemy positions. Although their method was working, the number of enemy casualties was not high. The Minerva and Siren fired at any enemy craft revealed while the Aegis kept its shield going.
“Should I charge in with a song?” Mira asked.
“Not yet,” Valis said. “They appear to be moving apart.”
On the other side of the base the four ships fired in the direction of the enemy but found their targeting systems were still off. As the Ick-Tckt forces regrouped their attack intensified and forced the Maidens back towards the base. After a few minutes Tctie’s mobile suit flew past them. From the accuracy of his shots it was obvious he had no trouble finding the enemy. Valis watched him carefully before he moved back towards them.
Freedom Saga 3: The Dawn of Liberty Page 6
