“Tctie, what are you doing here?” Seles asked.
“Myden told me to help you,” Tctie answered. “If you can’t see them then you’ll have to use my eyes.”
The drone’s eyes began glowing as he reached out with his mind and connected with the Maidens. Without intruding too deeply he sent them the images of the enemy crafts he saw. Valis quickly programmed the data into the Minerva and sent the plan to the others.
“What is this?” Kivi asked.
“I can see them so clearly,” Celi said.
“So this is your power,” Seles said.
“And what a power it is,” Valis said.
“What are all of you talking about?” Mira asked.
Tctie narrowed his channel to a private one.
“I’m sorry Mira,” Tctie said. “My power is unable to touch a mind like yours. Myden told me he has the same issue.”
“I see,” Mira said. “Did he tell you anything else?”
“No,” Tctie said. “But Valis should be able to show you the way.”
The plan popped up on their screens.
“Seles, you’ll charge formation one and fire an arrow,” Valis said. “Mira and Kivi will attack formation two with the song system going. Tctie, Celi, and I will strike the third formation. Once we’ve cleared the area we’ll return to our allies and help mop up the battle on the other side.”
“Yes Valis,” the others said.
The Artemis charged its cannon for an arrow shot. As it made its way into the enemy formation Seles fired. The massive beam of energy destroyed a dozen ships and over a hundred mobile armors. After Seles made a pass through the area she turned and fired a second arrow, destroying the rest of the enemy formation. Mira then turned on her song system with a simple chant and followed Kivi as she blasted the enemy vessels one by one. After a few minutes all the enemies in the area were disable or destroyed. The other three charged through the enemy and blasted them apart. After a fierce but brief battle the six mobile suits clumped back together. When they went to join their allies the disabled and damaged enemy crafts self-destructed.
* * *
Myden, Grigon, and Jesela worked at their stations on the bridge while the four droids did their part. The four ships and their mobile suits were holding their own against the enemy as the Maidens and Tctie pounded their foes.
“He really knows how to make an engineer feel obsolete,” Grigon cawed.
“Of course he does,” Jesela said.
“That young drone knows what he’s doing,” Myden said. “Anyways, your ability isn’t useless. Look at what we’re doing now.”
“True enough,” Grigon said.
“Look at them,” Jesela said.
Outside, the Maidens and Tctie slashed through the remaining enemy forces and quieted the battle. The few enemies left either self-destructed or gravity jumped away.
“Looks like we won,” Jesela said.
“Without even incurring a scratch,” Grigon said.
“Is it just me or do you want tougher battles?” Myden asked.
“We’re just talking,” Grigon said.
“Better this than death I suppose,” Jesela added.
Veda appeared on their monitor.
“That system of yours will be ready for everyone in a few minutes,” Veda said.
“I’m glad,” Jesela said. “Let’s install it as soon as possible.”
“Agreed,” Veda said.
* * *
Brian opened his eyes and saw Kyli staring at him.
“Where were you?” she asked.
“I felt something calling out,” Brian said. “I think Tctie is beginning to understand a few things.”
“In other words, I’d better use the simulator some more,” Kyli said.
Brian laughed. “You could say that.”
“I’ll do my best,” she said. After a long pause she looked him in the eyes. “You’re not going to die, are you?”
“Everyone asks me that these days,” he said. “To answer simply, I don’t plan on it.”
“Then why did the five of them come in here a few hours ago?” she asked.
“While I don’t plan on dying being prepared is what I must do,” he said. “You’re a soldier Kyli, so you know that.”
“I do,” she said. “But it’s bad luck to say such things.”
“Bad luck,” he laughed, “I’d say I’ve had spectacular luck up until now. Don’t worry; I don’t plan on dying any time soon.”
* * *
Seles and Mira landed their crafts on the Freedom. As both left their mobile suits Jesela ran in for another round of scans. Seles could tell something was bothering Mira by the look in her eyes. Mira turned away and looked up at the Siren for a long while as the other two watched her.
“This isn’t like you Mira,” Seles said as she put her hand on Mira’s shoulder. “What’s wrong?”
“You know we’re your friends,” Jesela said.
Mira bit her lip as she held back some tears. “I guess you’ll know soon enough anyway. If Tctie can sense it there’s no hiding it any longer.”
“Does this have something to do with that secret of yours?” Seles asked.
“It has everything to do with it,” Mira answered.
“Why don’t you just tell her about this?” Jesela asked as she tugged on Mira’s earring.
Mira instinctively pushed Jesela away.
“Wait…did you know?” Mira asked.
“Of course silly,” Jesela said. “Let me tell you a secret. You talk in your sleep, and Brian does as well.”
“When did you and Brian?” Seles asked.
“During the sojourn,” Jesela answered. “If he had died I would’ve been the last lucky lady to grace him.” She looked at Mira. “I’ve known for the last six years and I’ve had a tough time not asking. You know I have a big mouth.”
Mira laughed. “You also have a big heart.”
“So what’s this secret then?” Seles asked. “And why did she point to your earring?”
“This,” Mira touched her earring, “is the source of my existence. When Mira Kein died my father was broken up and spent the last years of his life working on it. Before he finished the activation process the plague hit and I was lost in the depths of space.”
“Wait…so the real Mira died?” Seles asked. “If you’re not the original, then are you a clone or something?”
Jesela laughed. “She’s actually a hologram.”
Seles shook her head. “How is that possible?”
“I’m more than a hologram,” Mira said. “When I had some trouble with my matrix Brian helped me. I know how to maintain it now so I don’t need others to help me.”
“We’re going to have to discuss this further, in private of course,” Seles said.
“Where should we do that?” Jesela asked.
“I have a bath in my quarters,” Seles suggested.
“We’ll finish this discussion in there then,” Mira said.
“After we’re all done here of course,” Seles said.
* * *
After Tctie landed his mobile suit he headed for his quarters. Once he stepped inside he felt a presence in his mind.
“You did well today,” Myden said.
“It’s thanks to you,” Tctie responded.
“You still have much to learn,” Myden said. “But for someone so fresh your potential is great. You helped the others so well our engineers are jealous.”
“Now that’s a compliment,” Tctie said. “Are we still going to meet for practice?”
“Until the day comes when I feel you’ve maxed out your potential, the answer is yes,” Myden answered. “Now rest, the others will need you for a while longer.”
“I will,” Tctie said.
After Myden ended the telepathic link Tctie crawled onto his bed to rest. Although his eyes were unable to close the antman fell fast asleep, exhausted from the events of the day.
Chapter 12 - Quiet Moments
>
Veda quietly went about her work as the others repaired the base, ships, and mobile weapons. Reban did likewise as she directed traffic. On both the surface and in orbit of Dega Jul the Confederation forces were on high alert. Veda was thinking about Brian when Myden stepped into the room. He stood next to her as she programmed the detection system for use in mobile weapons.
“You’ve grown quite fond of him, haven’t you?” Myden asked.
Veda nodded. “I resisted for a long time, I really did.”
“What caused you to falter?” he asked.
She smiled. “The honest and kind heart he bears. Brian’s a fighter, that much is proven. But under all that he cares about others. So much so it makes you rethink your beliefs.”
“I can see that,” Myden said. “The stern lady of the house of Kein is not the lady standing next to me today.”
“Is it that obvious?” she asked.
“It is,” Myden said.
“Am I different Reban?” she asked.
“When I first came under your employ you were much sterner, colder, and calculating,” Reban said. “As the years passed you’ve become softer. And to be honest, it makes you look younger.” She pointed to Veda’s hair. “The grey that was beginning to show is gone.”
Veda laughed. “I used a little coloring to help with that. I am a lady after all.”
“I thought you looked at Brian as a grandson,” Myden said.
“We’re not related by blood or species,” Veda said. “As such, I can snag him if I want.”
“He’ll live,” Reban said.
“He may struggle, but I believe the same,” Myden said.
“I’ll be praying he pulls through,” Veda said.
* * *
Seles and Mira helped Brian to his quarters. Before the door closed Valis, Kivi, and Celi entered. Brian sat in his chair and offered each of them a place at the table. He removed his helmet and revealed his left eye was starting to flicker between blue and red.
“Have the five of you had a chance to discuss what I told you?” Brian asked.
“We have,” Valis said.
“We’re prepared for the worst,” Kivi said. “But we’re not letting you off the hook.”
“You’re not dead yet,” Celi added.
“As long as we can we won’t let you,” Mira said.
“Even if we have to drag you back from the abyss of that weird blue world you’re staying,” Seles said. “That’s final.”
“Alright, I get it,” Brian said. “I’m sorry if I sounded like a doomsayer. So why did you want to see me?”
“Both Celi and I have found you’re stabilizing,” Mira said. “But once we turn them back on you may not like it.”
“The pain will be unbearable,” Celi said.
“I’m ready,” Brian said. “I’d rather get it over with than keep waiting.”
“We’ll begin preparations then,” Mira said.
Mira and Celi left to get a few things.
“Before undergoing this I wanted you to look over a few things,” Valis said. “The plans are on your computer.”
“I will Valis,” Brian said.
“When this is over I want to spar with you,” Kivi said.
“I’m looking forward to it,” he said.
Kivi and Valis left. After the door closed Seles came up from behind and hugged him.
“Is there anything you want before you do this?” Seles asked.
Brian smiled. “I’d love to do that, but my body’s killing me.”
“I know,” Seles said. “It’s also this.” She dinged the exoskeleton.
“I think we can call it a chastity suit,” Brian said.
Seles laughed. “That’s true.” After gazing into each other’s eyes for a while she pulled him down for a kiss. “I don’t want you to leave me.”
“I won’t,” Brian said. “I’ve got an idea.”
“Now what would that be?”
“A pizza,” he said. “My stomach has been empty for far too long.”
“I’d be happy to make one,” Seles said before kissing him again.
* * *
Mira and Celi looked over the data in the med lab of the Freedom. Both shook their heads in disbelief.
“I didn’t think it was possible for a life form to change its genetic code,” Mira said.
“All theories up till now pointed at such,” Celi said.
“What about you?” Mira asked. “He said you awakened once, so did your genetics change?”
“No,” Celi said. “I’ve done a number of checks since then and nothing is different.” She stared at the data. “Perhaps once isn’t enough. Remember, Brian has done that dimensional thing more than a few times now. The other factor would be time. He’s been berserking for over a decade now, and at a prolific pace. For us it may be years before anything manifests.”
“That’s what I think,” Mira said. “What about on the home front?”
“The scientists back home have isolated the chromosome that makes him male,” Celi said. “The goal has always been to mix as little as possible. The more factors put into mixing species the more likely we’ll have experiments like the Greys.”
“I saw enough of the footage you obtained to be sickened for a lifetime,” Mira said. “What about half-breeds?”
“Seles has said she’d like to have children with Brian someday,” Celi said. “But true half-breeds are a long way off. In spite of our similarities humans and Kalaidians are different species.”
“It’s easy to forget that,” Mira said. “Has Brian told you his half of the equation?”
“No he hasn’t,” Celi said. “Does he want sons or daughters?”
“He thinks of Mjolnir as his son now,” Mira said. “He told me he’d like a pair of daughters.”
“He really said that?” Celi asked.
“He said his household when he was a child was three sons, a mother and father,” Mira answered.
“If only our people had such a problem,” Celi said with a sigh.
“I agree,” Mira said.
* * *
Valis and Kivi stood together in the docking area of the Columbia base. All around them engineers ran to and fro fixing everything.
“There are moments in our lives when we are tested,” Kivi said.
“Is this one of those moments?” Valis asked.
“Yes,” Kivi answered. “For Brian it’s a test to survive, for us it’s a test of faith.”
“Is it our faith or Kali?” Valis asked.
“I’d say both,” Kivi answered.
“You look more confident than the rest of us,” Valis said. “I have to admit even I don’t know what to believe.”
Kivi looked her old friend in the eye. “Raulno was banished from the north because his queen was killed when he couldn’t protect her. His fate was death in the deserts of the south and yet, he endured. He fought his way across the wastes and united the Southlanders. In only a few years he conquered the southern continent and set out to invade the north. After a long and bloody struggle, he was crowned the first and only king of our people.”
“Our history books say no such thing,” Valis said.
Kivi laughed. “Our history books were written by the bitter females who undid what he made after his death. My point is Raulno refused the destiny he was given and forged a new one. Brian will not fall now, not to this. If he is to die it will be in the fire of battle. I say this because he’s proven fate wrong every time. When he was taken from his world he resisted. When he and Seles crashed he survived and fought off a contingent of Malcovin troops with no real training. When the Avoni was stranded in the Grey’s territory he led the crew through hell all while suffering a terrible illness. No matter the trial, he always lives. Even in moments when I know he’s seeking death, part of him will never accept it. Brian wants to write his own story, not live someone else’s.”
“He wants to write his own story,” Valis said. “Perhaps we should be doing t
he same.”
“I think that’s what he was trying to tell us,” Kivi said.
“How do we do that?” Valis asked.
“We must endure whatever is thrown at us,” Kivi answered. “Otherwise someone else will write the story of our lives. And I won’t have that.”
Valis smiled. “You’ve grown wiser over the years.”
“I’m not anywhere close to my grandmother,” Kivi said. “But I’m trying.”
* * *
After thoroughly enjoying a cheese pizza Brian sat back and belched. Seles looked at him funny as he did so.
“That’s disgusting,” she said.
“On some places on Earth a belch is a compliment to the chef,” he countered. “And I will compliment you.”
“The others say I should cook after the war,” Seles said.
“I agree,” Brian said. “I can see it now, a restaurant under your management. You’ll struggle with the finances and the more frustrating parts of being a business owner, but after a few years you’ll sell great. Kalaidians from every colony and planet will come to taste your cooking. After that you’ll be forced to open more restaurants across space. After a few centuries pass the first human you’ve seen in ages will walk in the door and order a cheese pizza. As you finish his order dozens more will stumble in and surprise all the Kalaidians in the shop. You’ll laugh as a number of the human men try hitting on the Kalaidian women, including the idiot trying it on you. As night falls they’ll leave and you’ll close up shop. Before going home for the night you’ll stop and have drinks with friends. And before bed, you’ll stare at the stars for a while.”
She smiled at him. “Sounds like a dream. But there’s one thing missing.”
“I gave you the hint Seles,” he said.
“So you’ll be the first one then?” she asked.
“That’s right,” Brian answered. He took her hands in his. “Time may pass, but the feelings I have won’t die. Even if I have to come back as a ghost I will. That I promise.”
“I accept,” she said.
The door buzzer went off.
Freedom Saga 3: The Dawn of Liberty Page 7
