“The brain scans show he isn’t having any,” Celi said.
“It looks less and less like a dream state and more like a N.D.E. type,” Mira added. “The good news is his vital signs are getting better.”
“Are all of us going to have to go through something like this?” Seles asked.
“That’s what I was wondering,” Kivi said.
Myden nodded. “It may take a few seconds or several decades to change, but it should happen to you.”
“Brian told us that he altered the plan,” Valis said. “Can you tell us anymore?”
“The Warrior, Five Maidens, the Teacher, the Goddess, and the Three Wisemen were all planned out by the first, the Teacher,” Myden said. “Brian serves as the Warrior, the five of you his Maidens. From one of you emerges the Goddess.”
“But he didn’t die, so what changed?” Seles asked.
“More than our end of the plan,” Myden said. “Brian wants the five of you awakened for the coming war with my people. That’s what I know.”
The color coming from the exoskeleton shifted from white light to dark blue. The brain activity inside Brian moved off the charts.
“What’s happening?” Seles asked.
“I don’t know,” Celi said.
“I’m the same as Celi,” Mira said.
All of them looked to Myden.
“What he sees will be different from anything we ever will,” Myden said. “That’s the only way I can explain it.” He looked at Brian again. “I’m going to try one more time.”
* * *
Brian found himself standing on a platform made of the same stuff as everything else he’d seen in this strange realm. After the black doors closed silence filled the air. He started looking around and found there was no way out.
“Is anyone here?”
After nothing answered him he sat down and rested against the wall. After some time passed he stood up and began looking for a way out again. Suddenly, the air around him shifted into a thick mist as the ground turned to dirt and mud. He found himself standing on the beach of a vast land with nothing on it.
“Now where is this place?” he asked.
Dim sunlit shined through the mist. He found the air was extremely difficult to breath and started coughing. He quickly locked the helmet of his exoskeleton on and turned the air filter on. As he scanned the ocean and land around him his sensors weren’t picking up any life signs. He knelt down and looked carefully into the water as something came up to show life. As time passed the numbers grew and the water in the area seemed to be changing color. He turned when he noticed someone standing next to him in a black exoskeleton.
“So this is where you were,” Myden said.
“Is that you old man?” Brian asked.
“Of course,” Myden said. “I threw you into this mess, so I need to help you out.”
“Thanks,” Brian said. “Where the hell is this?”
“Check your atmospheric scans,” Myden instructed.
“What am I looking for?” Brian asked.
“Most worlds that develop life start out as something quite different,” Myden said. “According to the gravity and atmospheric content I’d say it’s primitive Earth.”
Brian laughed. “I’m confused.”
“What we’re witnessing is the birth and proliferation of life on your homeworld,” Myden said. “When I went through this my grandfather told me the same thing.”
“Why?” Brian asked.
“I suppose it’s the memories of life,” Myden said. “Each of us was born of a different fire, but all of us have reached sentience.”
The mists gave way to different weather. Before the two men the primitive Earth changed faster and faster as life grew from nothing and covered the lands and filled the oceans. In the sky the sun rose and sank while the moon moved further and further away.
“I’ll be leaving now,” Myden said as he started fading away. “You must take care of the rest.”
“I’ll try,” Brian said.
He gazed as the history of the Earth whirled around him. Years lasted seconds as the land and sea shifted. Brian continued watching as the ages passed before him.
Chapter 19 - Noble Intentions
Queen Kchlt stood at the top of her pyramid shaped palace and looked over the jungles of her world. The homeworld of the Ick-Tckt was more massive than the Earth by one third and had a single rocky moon orbiting it. Surrounding the planet from east to west was a solar power generation ring held up by seven towers spread evenly across the planet’s equator. The planet had a single continent dominating the center of the world, surrounded on all sides by the ocean. The landscape was dominated by the mountains and jungles covering the continent. Billions of the ant people lived each day in the fields or in the numerous cities. Ships of every kind came and left, as well as transporting goods and services across the land. At the center of each of the cities was a palace like the queen’s where the female leaders kept law and order. A number of decorated black and gold transports landed on a platform just outside of the queen’s palace. The female nobles and their warriors left the crafts and headed inside. Kchlt and her fellow females stood twice the height of a human, while their warriors stood around three vetres in height. The numerous drones all stood slightly shorter than the average human. All of the Ick-Tckt resembled ants but stood on their back four legs with the front two acting as arms because of their hands. The star their homeworld circled was slightly dimmer than the Earth’s, giving the world a darker appearance. Kchlt clicked her mandibles to sing an old praise to the setting sun. Behind her a tall warrior wearing an amulet made of gold came. He watched the sun set as she sang. When she was finished she turned to her Chka Knight.
“They have gathered my queen,” the warrior said.
“They have acted rashly,” Kchlt said. “Khcha, we must be careful.”
“I know my queen,” he said. “The Auguar Stars have been used against Heaven’s Light. From the data collected in the last battle their forces have found a way to detect them.”
“I know,” Kchlt said. “And because they acted foolishly the Terran and his allies have the upper hand. Who was the one to order the attacks?”
“We’re still investigating,” Khcha answered. “If all goes as planned we’ll know in a week or so.”
“Good,” the queen said. “We have to find the one at fault for this. The High Council will slam us with sanctions if we’re found culpable.”
“But you did not send the order,” her warrior said.
“It won’t matter to them,” Kchlt said. “They love blaming the one in charge and not the one at fault.”
“You sound like you’ve changed your mind about Heaven’s Light,” Khcha said.
“I have,” the queen said. “I opposed them in the beginning because I saw them as threat to our power.” She gazed at the moon as it rose in the nighttime sky. “But the Terran Maigar has shown the opposite of what we feared. He and his allies will change things, not destroy them. If the nobles keep this up we may need to call for their aid.”
“It has been the policy of our people to solve internal disputes on our own,” the warrior said. “But the way the others speak of things I see war once again.”
“It was a mere five years before his appearance when we found peace,” Kchlt said.
“We should go,” Khcha said.
“Of course,” she said.
* * *
After a long time the montage around Brian subsided as modern day Earth swirled to a pause. As he gazed around the images disappeared and left him alone in the dark place. Across the room another door appeared and opened, revealing a stairway leading up. Before he reached the door Myden appeared next to him.
“What did you see?” Myden asked.
“I saw…I saw everything,” Brian answered. “Did you see the same thing?”
“I saw the birth and life of my homeworld,” Myden said. “You know better than anyone what it was.”
&
nbsp; “When others asked I told them it was the heartbeat of the universe,” Brian said. “Words can’t give it justice.”
“I understand,” Myden said. “Brian, always keep what you see in this place in your heart. It will prevent you from ever taking things for granted again.”
“I will,” Brian said. He stood at the door and looked up the stairs. “How much further do is there?”
“For each being the journey is different,” Myden answered. “For me it ended shortly after this.”
“So it may be awhile,” Brian said. “Tell everyone I’m alright.”
“I will,” Myden said.
* * *
Myden opened his eyes and saw the Maidens staring at him.
“Well?” Seles asked.
“He’s currently on the road,” Myden said.
“What do you mean by that?” Mira asked.
Myden shrugged. “His journey will take a little longer.” Myden looked at Brian. “I think we should leave him alone.”
When he went to leave Valis stopped him.
“Can’t you tell us anymore?” she asked.
“In a word, no,” Myden said. “I was only able to interject myself for a few brief moments. I’m sorry, but I can’t say anything else.” Before he stepped outside he turned to them. “Pray to Kali. That’s all you can do for him right now.”
After the door closed the five women were silent for a few moments.
“He’s right you know,” Kivi said. “All we’re doing is wasting time.”
“We need to keep going,” Celi said.
“I’ve been putting off my battle plan,” Valis said.
“You can finish it up then,” Seles said. “Mira and I will watch over him.”
Each of them left and returned to their work. Seles lingered back for a moment and went over to Brian. She put her hands on the helmet and closed her eyes.
“Come back to me you fool,” she said.
She smiled and headed for the door.
“I heard that,” Brian’s voice said as it echoed in her mind.
“I know you did,” she said before leaving.
* * *
After hours of debate the female nobles left their queen without a resolution. The grand hall was empty except for the queen and her Chka Knight. The sound of their ships taking off filled the area as Kchlt made her way back to the top of the pyramid. Khcha joined her a few minutes later after briefing her other two warriors.
“We’ve seen better days,” the queen said.
He nodded. “I sensed discontent amongst them.”
“Will we find peace?” she asked.
“As long as sentient beings live war will be amongst them,” Khcha said. “Even lingering in the distance it beckons to them like moths to the flame.”
“This time I fear we’re outnumbered,” Kchlt said. “The other nobles seem determined to destroy the Terran.”
“They fear the peace he offers,” Khcha said.
“And there’s no profit in peace,” the queen said.
“As you say my queen,” her warrior said.
* * *
Dreka was running maintenance on the Gemini when Kivi walked in. She went over and touched the leg of the mobile suit.
“I wonder why he wanted me to pilot this one,” Kivi said.
“Brian said something about you being the melee specialist,” Dreka said. “That cannon you use gives the enemy the opposite impression.”
“I think it’s about time I used it,” Kivi said.
“I’d like to see it work at least once for testing,” Dreka said. “But Valis keeps delaying it.”
“She won’t be able to for much longer,” Kivi said. “I know I’m not as good at planning as her, but I can see how the battle coming up will go. While the Viken fight it out the Ick-Tckt will attack us full force.”
“Haven’t they been doing that already?” Dreka asked.
“No,” Kivi said. “They’ve been testing us. And now they know we can detect them. They’ll come at us like the Bronze navy, but this time we won’t have anywhere to run.”
“Do you want me to prep my Talon?” Dreka asked.
“Do you think Kaela can handle the bridge on her own?” Kivi asked.
“Yes,” he answered. “She’s more suited to it than I am.”
“Then prep it,” Kivi said. “I’ll talk with Kaela before the next battle.” She went to leave. “Take care Dreka.”
“To you as well captain,” Dreka said. After she left he looked up at the mobile suit. “You heard that you two?”
Of course we did. Gemini Alpha answered on the monitor next to Dreka.
We’re ready anytime. Gemini Beta said on the same monitor.
“Good,” Dreka said. “I’d like to see the twin blade system in action for once. I don’t want my masterpiece rusting away without being used.”
Chapter 20 - On the Approach
The rebel fleets and the Columbia base appeared on the edge of the Viken home system. As they approached an orange and red colored gas giant each of the ships deployed their forces. The bases on the moons of the planet scrambled when they detected the incoming ships. Seles was on the bridge of the Freedom and looked over the plan one last time before turning to Myden.
“I’m glad you can handle this,” she said. “With Brian the way he is and me needing to be out there it’s good to know we have a capable commander.”
“Thank you Seles,” Myden said.
“I could fill in as well,” Grigon cawed.
Jesela laughed. “I think Myden’s got seniority.”
“Take care of things everyone,” Seles said as she went to leave. “This shouldn’t take too long.”
“We will,” Myden said.
After the Artemis and Siren flew outside they joined the other three Maidens. Myden finished programming the weapons and went to the console near the captain’s chair.
“What are we doing old man?” Jesela asked.
“We’re to lead the first fleet in an attack on the nearest moon base,” Myden answered. “The rest of our friends will be doing the same to the loyalist’s other bases.”
“What about the Maidens?” Grigon asked.
Myden put the plan on the monitor. It showed the five attacking the orbital base. The Grey hit the com.
“Kyli, Tctie, deploy our mobile suits in formation A-3,” Myden ordered.
“Yes commander,” Kyli said.
“Acknowledged,” Tctie said.
The mobile suits from the Freedom flew outside and moved into clusters of three. The Viken ships behind them deployed their fighters and moved into similar formations.
“Looks like Valis has everyone dancing to her tune,” Jesela said.
“I like the way you put that,” Grigon said.
Myden returned to his console. “It’s time to win another battle.”
* * *
Veda and Reban worked as they usually did to direct everyone’s movements. On the monitors were all the captain’s and commanders of the Columbia base’s ships. General Yardek and Representative Ulad joined them on screen.
“The enemy response seems to be less than what we predicted,” Reban reported.
“I’m glad Captain Valis prepared for such contingencies,” Ulad added.
“Is everyone ready?” Veda asked.
“We’re on our way,” Esra said as the Daevoni led the second rebel fleet.
“Moving into position now,” El Kar said as the Reinkar led the third fleet.
“We’re almost at our destination,” Myden said as the Freedom led the first fleet.
“Looks like no fun for us,” Dreka said from the Raulno.
“Agreed,” Zae said from the Avoni.
“Your job is to play the reserves this time,” Veda said.
“We’re used to charging in, that’s all,” Zae said.
“Same here,” Dreka said.
Those two ships and the Vomada stayed with the Columbia base as well as the fourth and fifth
rebel fleets. The defending Viken ships deployed their fighters and charged the three ships and their fleets. Veda watched as light filled the area when both sides exchanged fire.
“Let the liberation of the Viken people commence,” Veda said.
* * *
The Maidens approached the orbital base in their standard formation. After the enemy ships launched and deployed their fighters Valis appeared on their screens.
“This battle will be a little different than usual,” Valis said. “Our goal is to destroy their vessels but not the base.”
“In other words, precision, not brute force,” Kivi said.
“You and Seles are to refrain from berserking or using spread mode,” Valis said. “The Viken don’t have mobile weapons, so we shouldn’t need to use them anyway.”
“I’m ready to fire,” Seles said.
“Same here,” Mira said.
“Setting shield to medium levels,” Celi said.
As the Viken forces approached the Artemis and Gemini kept their cannons on standard mode while firing. The enemy crafts were going down easily but slowly. When they came within firing range their weapons bounced off the Aegis’s shields harmlessly. The Minerva and Siren joined the shooting gallery while the Viken fighters and ships went down quicker by the moment. The base itself opened fired and launched all of its reserves. After the majority of the enemies were destroyed the Artemis aimed carefully to only take out the cannon batteries on the base. After they were finished they saw the other enemy bases fall easily to their allies.
“It’s time to return to base,” Valis said.
“That wasn’t much of a challenge,” Seles said.
“I agree,” Kivi said.
“All we had to do was lead the charge,” Mira said.
“At least the Ick-Tckt didn’t show up,” Celi said.
Valis smiled. “I agree with that.”
* * *
Veda looked up from the damage report.
Freedom Saga 3: The Dawn of Liberty Page 11
