“That was anticlimactic,” she said.
“Our mobile suits took a little damage,” Reban said. “But not much more than a scratch in the paint job.”
“Your forces make ours look a hundred years out of date,” General Yardek said. “We’re going to have to create some of our own mobile weapons.”
“It won’t be cheap,” Ulad said. “And when the war is over we’ll need to spend most of the money on repairing the damage our people have suffered.”
“If you need our help with technological development we’re more than happy to do so,” Veda said.
“We’ll look into it after the war is won,” Yardek said.
“Agreed,” Ulad said.
The two Viken leaders disappeared from the monitor before the captains did likewise. The ships from the Columbia base returned to their docks at the same time the Viken rebels surrounded the base in a defensive formation. Before leaving the Minerva Valis appeared on the screen.
“How’s everything there?” she asked.
“Perfect as usual,” Veda said. “Are you getting any sleep?”
“Not much,” Valis said. “But that’ll change in a few hours. I’m almost done with the final plan.”
“Then get some rest after that,” Veda said. “I worry about you Valis.”
“I know, thanks,” Valis said before ending transmission.
“She looks exhausted,” Reban said.
“We’ve been working her day and night,” Veda said. “I think it’s about time we delegate some of the work to the other commanders.”
“That means more for us,” Reban said.
“True, but we can handle it,” Veda said.
* * *
Brian walked up the stairs until he finally came to another platform. Gaelic was there waiting.
“So what’d you see?” Gaelic asked.
“Some crazy things,” Brian answered. “It was like watching the story of Earth in a few hours.”
“Well, now that you’ve seen your past and present, what else do want to see?” Gaelic asked.
“Do I get a choice?” Brian asked.
“Yes you do,” Gaelic said. “The greatest myth thrown upon us mortals is that our fate has already been determined. Through the teachings of Raulno I learned as much.”
“I understand,” Brian said. “Then show me the Grey’s machine god.”
“Are you sure?” Gaelic asked.
“I’ve already been touched by it,” Brian said. “At least I’ll know what it looks like.”
“Very well,” Gaelic said.
The starlit walls and stairs melted away as the two descended using a massive metallic elevator. They were inside a sphere the size of a planet while the elevator made its way to the center of the structure. Inside the colossal complex Brian saw innumerable Greys walking about mindlessly. Once the elevator hit the bottom he looked up and saw just as many saucer shaped vessels making their way about. Before the two men stood a massive door larger than any starship either had seen before. It was covered with glowing purple hieroglyphics. Brian cringed as he felt the malevolent presence of the machine god in his mind. He noticed Gaelic wasn’t showing any signs of discomfort.
“What is this place?” Brian asked.
“This is Heaven’s Door,” Gaelic said. “I can’t venture beyond this point Brian. I pray that you survive.”
As the door opened a light brighter than anything he’d seen before engulfed Brian. When he walked through the door he felt something trying to take him over.
* * *
Seles made her way to Brian’s quarters after the battle. When she got there Mira arrived at the same time.
“You had the same idea I see,” Mira said.
“Of course,” Seles said.
When the two entered the saw Brian standing with his sword defensively before him. Seles ran over while Mira checked the medical scanners.
“Brian!” Seles shouted. “What’s wrong with him?”
“He’s stabilizing,” Mira answered.
“Why is he standing like this?” Seles asked.
“He must have done it unconsciously,” Mira answered.
“So he’s sleep walking?” Seles asked.
“I guess you could say that,” Mira answered.
The glow coming from inside his exoskeleton changed from white to red. Seles cringed as her head began aching.
“I feel something,” she said.
“Cast out from her mind!” Brian’s voice shouted out.
Seles noticed the pain subside as the glow turned back to white.
“What’s wrong?” Mira asked.
“I felt something,” Seles said. “It wasn’t Brian, but something filled with malice beyond reason.” She looked at Brian. “He’s fighting it right now.”
“He’ll win,” Mira said. She took Seles’s hand. “Let’s leave him to finish up.”
“Alright,” Seles said as they left.
Chapter 21 - Swirling Clouds
Valis lounged in her bed. She yawned as she turned over to go to sleep when the door buzzer sounded.
“Go away,” she mumbled.
The door buzzed again. Valis rolled off of her bed and slowly made her way to the door. As it opened she saw her grandmother holding a bottle of red wine and two glasses.
“I’m sorry if I woke you,” Veda said.
“It’s alright,” Valis said.
She led Veda to her table and both sat down. Veda placed the two glasses on the table and poured some wine in them. Valis sipped before shaking her head.
“Is something wrong?” Veda asked.
“No, it’s been awhile,” Valis said.
“This brew is non-alcoholic,” Veda said. “Zae told me you stopped drinking the hard stuff.”
“We all have our weaknesses,” Valis said. “Mine was this.” She held up the glass. “But now all I want is a few days off.”
“The time for that will come soon,” Veda said. “How’s he doing?”
“Better from what Seles and Mira told me earlier,” Valis said.
“We’re praying he makes it,” Veda said. “Brian is a unique treasure we must protect.”
“I agree,” Valis said. “I know I’m losing sleep, but he’s losing twice as much.”
“Gaelic was the same way,” Veda said. “He told me he’d get all the sleep he wanted when he was dead. I hope Brian doesn’t feel the same.”
“He wants to live,” Valis said.
“I’m glad,” Veda said. “By the way, the Ick-Tckt are having internal disputes.”
Valis smiled. “I knew you’d find that out.”
“Our intelligence officers are reporting there’s a rift between the nobles and the queen,” Veda said.
“Which side ordered the attack?” Valis asked.
“It seems to be leaning away from the queen,” Veda said. After finishing her drink she stood up to leave. “There are twelve hours between now and the battle. You’d better be in that bed for eight of them.”
Valis laughed. “I’m not ten anymore.”
“I know,” Veda said. “I’ll tell the others to leave you alone until then.”
“Thanks,” Valis said.
* * *
After the light cleared Brian stood before a pulsing machine as large as a moon. Around it on all sides were Greys of the same type as Myden. They took no notice of him as he approached the colossal being.
“You can’t escape me Brian,” the machine god said. “No matter the distance or time I will be inside you. Until you see the light and join me once and for all.”
Brian smiled as the pain stopped.
“You are arrogant for a god,” he said.
“Not nearly as much as a mortal like you,” it responded. “You are as a speck of dust is to a star when compared to my power.”
“Then let this speck of dust ask a question,” Brian said.
“Go ahead,” the machine god said.
“If you are truly god then why do y
ou require obedience?” Brian asked. “Surely you could crush the heretics with your will alone.” He felt a flood of negative energy come from the being. “I see, so you’re a tin god, like all the rest.” Brian drew his rakna blade and pointed it at the being. “God does not need power, nor would it require obedience. A god that requires those things is not a god at all, but a system created by mortals to serve their needs. I will never bow my head nor bend my knee to such a being.”
The structure rumbled as the machine pulsed with hate filled energy. It was so powerful Brian was forced back and could barely stand.
“You would dare to challenge me?!” the machine god shouted.
“I do,” Brian said. “No matter how many forms I have to take I will destroy you. I’ll keep coming back again and again until your gears are shattered and your being is extinguished. Our fates are intertwined and even if it takes me eternity I will defeat you.”
As the room shook from the machine god’s anger Brian turned about and left on the elevator. Gaelic clapped his hands.
“Well done my boy,” the Kalaidian man said.
“Where are we going?” Brian asked.
“I have to take my leave as of now,” Gaelic said. “The top of this elevator will lead you back to your body. Take care of yourself and look after that daughter of mine. Tell her I said goodbye.”
Gaelic smiled as he faded away. The elevator reached the top and opened once more. Brian saw the silhouette of his form ahead and slowly approached.
* * *
Jesela stood next to the motionless Brian with her scanners in hand.
“Really Brian, what would you do without me?” she asked as she tuned his exoskeleton. She looked up as the light emanating from the armor subsided. “Brian?”
When the light faded away he sheathed the rakna and looked at Jesela. In the background the medical scanners showed his body was returning to normal.
“Are you awake now?” Jesela asked.
“Yes,” Brian said. He threw the helmet off and looked her in the eyes. “It’s me.”
She looked at him and noticed his body had an odd perfection to it. The only reminder of his previous battles was the scar above and below his right eye. But what caught Jesela’s attention the most was his left eye. It wasn’t glowing, but behind its hue was blackness darker than space with a strange swirling light inside it. She moved her hand back and forth to see if he saw normally.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
“There’s something different about you,” Jesela said. “I kind of like it.”
He sniffed himself. “How long have I been out?”
“Ten days,” she answered.
“Before anything else I’m going to take a bath,” he said. “I also feel like I could eat for a week.”
“Do you want me to alert the others?” she asked.
“After I’m in the shower,” he said.
“Then before that,” Jesela pulled him down for a kiss. She stepped back and smiled. “You’re the same old Brian, that’s for sure.”
“And you’re the same old Jesela,” he said as they laughed together.
* * *
Grigon was checking things over with the Artemis and Siren when the two women emerged from their mobile suits.
“What’s the problem?” he asked.
“Jesela just called us on the com and said he’s moving,” Mira said.
“We’d better go and see him,” Seles said.
The two ran out of the room in haste while the old birdman continued working.
“Youth, it’s such a funny thing,” Grigon said with a chuckle.
“I think both of us can breathe a sigh of relief,” Myden said as he walked in.
“Aren’t you going to see him?” Grigon asked.
“Not now, he has the five of them to contend with,” Myden said.
“So what does he look like?” the old birdman asked.
“Like he always did, just a little better,” Myden explained.
“Damn, I was hoping he’d change into something completely different,” Grigon said. “Now that would be interesting.”
“Indeed,” Myden said.
* * *
Brian toweled himself off and put some clothes on before looking in the mirror. He was in his bathroom and heard the six women in the other room. After looking for a moment he noticed the oddness in his left eye. Shaking it off he headed back to his main room where Seles was the first to hug him.
“I’m glad you’re back,” she said.
“I’m glad to be back,” Brian said.
“Since Myden was being so evasive on the subject, could you tell us what happened?” Valis asked.
“Words can’t describe what I saw,” Brian said. “But I’ll say this. I had an excellent guide.” He looked at Mira. “He showed me a few things about myself I didn’t know about. He also guided me to the enemy we must all be wary of.”
“Are you talking about the machine god?” Celi asked.
“Yes,” Brian said. “No matter what we believe, we can’t allow a false god to rule over us.” He smiled. “Given the anger I felt coming from it I think we’re on the right track.”
“What does god look like?” Kivi asked.
“It’s a massive computer system larger than a moon,” Brian said. “At least, that’s what it looked like to me.”
“I’d hope god would be more interesting than that,” Kivi said.
“I’ll tell all of you what I can, but for now we should focus on the present,” Brian said. “Jesela filled me in the current situation.”
“We have two hours before the battle begins,” Valis said. “Is that enough time for you?”
“It’s more than enough,” Brian said. “But first things first, I need something to eat.”
“Breakfast is being dished out as we speak,” Seles said.
“Good, I could eat ten helpings right now,” Brian said.
Chapter 22 - The Battle of Viken Prime
Viken Prime was slightly smaller than the Earth and had two large moons, one in a closer orbit, with the other much further away. The surface was pocked with a dozen continents and had a climate like Earth’s. Surrounding the planet from east to west was a solar power generation ring much like the other homeworlds. The massive structure was held up by four towers evenly spaced across the equator. A thousand loyalist ships were clumped together in ten fleets around the planet. On the surface, turmoil filled most of the cities as the government forces were trying to quash the rebellion. The same situation was playing out throughout the lizard people’s colonies in every star system. The Freedom appeared near the south pole and had all of its mobile suits deployed with the Artemis and Siren in the front. Brian stood on the bridge with Myden, Grigon, Jesela, and the four droids. Their allies were currently phase cloaked behind them.
“Are you sure about this?” Valis asked from the Minerva.
“We won’t know unless we try,” Brian said.
“Alright,” Valis said.
Brian opened a com link to all crafts in the area.
“To all government forces, I am Captain Brian Peterson of the Freedom,” he started. “We of Heaven’s Light have found your government in contempt of its people. Your populace has rejected you as their government and as such, we request you surrender immediately.”
The loyalist ships headed for the Freedom and opened fire.
“So that’s your answer,” Brian said.
The Columbia base appeared with the other five ships ready to go. The five Maidens quickly flew into formation while the rebel Viken fleets appeared near the north pole of the planet. The ship shook as the two forces exchanged fire.
“Kyli, Tctie, go for it,” Brian ordered
“Yes sir,” Kyli said.
“On my way out,” Tctie said.
* * *
On both sides of the planet the battle commenced. The fighting was fierce because the loyalists defended their government to the death. The Maidens charge
d with their weapons firing.
“Everyone save their special systems for when our other enemy arrives,” Valis said.
“You think they’ll attack?” Seles asked.
“They will,” Kivi said. “If I was them I’d attack during this mess.”
“Is there a reason the Ick-Tckt hate us so much?” Mira asked.
“It’s not like we entered their territory,” Celi added.
“They aren’t acting as one right now,” Valis said. “And our intelligence reports show the queen is not behind their attacks.”
“Which means it could one of any of the dozens of other nobles,” Kivi said.
The five finished destroying one of the loyalist fleets and continued forward as their allies followed behind them. The forces of Heaven’s Light and the rebel Viken fleets were steadily making their way towards the equator to link up. The loyalist fleets retreated where they could and joined with their allies. After a few minutes the battle calmed as the two sides regrouped their fleets.
“To all forces, we’re about to enter phase two of the plan,” Valis said. “Because the enemy retreated sooner than expected modify your attack formations from A-10 to A-8.” She switched the com back to the other Maidens only. “We need to be ready at any moment for the Ick-Tckt. Our objective from here on is to draw them away from the main battle and fight them on our own.”
“Yes Valis,” the other four said.
* * *
The Freedom flew at the head of the combined fleet. Brian looked up from the console and noticed something strange.
“What do you see?” Myden asked.
“I’m not sure,” Brian answered. “It’s not being picked up on the scanners, is it?”
“Nothing unusual is being detected,” Droid B reported.
“Is this something you recently acquired?” Jesela asked.
“Yes,” Brian said. He sent the coordinates of the disturbance to the Maidens. “If anything happens I want them to be ready.”
The two fleets charged. While the mass of ships tore into each other Brian kept an eye on the disturbance while everyone else worked away. The Maidens hung back in the distance while waiting for their enemy to arrive.
Freedom Saga 3: The Dawn of Liberty Page 12
