Freedom Saga 3: The Dawn of Liberty

by Marcus Johnson

  * * *

  Mira and Seles leaned against the wall outside Brian’s quarters. Both had the same look of concern on their face.

  “He doesn’t sound like himself lately,” Mira said.

  “No, he doesn’t,” Seles said.

  They went quiet when they heard him practicing.

  “I can understand though,” Seles said. “When I think about what I’m best at, it involves killing others. That’s why I had to find other things to do with my life.”

  “I feel the same,” Mira said. “But Brian doesn’t know what his place is anymore. I think there’s a part of him that wishes he had died.”

  “Don’t say that,” Seles said. “He has a purpose and it’s with us.”

  “I hope you’re right,” Mira said. “Let’s leave him alone for now.”

  Seles laughed. “He probably can see us through the door anyway.”

  “He can do that?” Mira asked as they walked away.

  “Yes,” Seles said. “I hope it doesn’t mean he can see through everyone’s clothes.”

  Mira laughed. “That would be bad.”

  * * *

  Queen Kchlt watched the movement of the various noble factions on the monitors in her main hall. Her three warriors stood by her side while numerous drones milled about. All across the surface of the Ick-Tckt homeworld cities were in chaos as the lesser nobles schemed and decided which side to put their loyalties with. In orbit, the queen’s main fleet of nearly a thousand ships guarded her. Beyond the homeworld power seeking duchesses positioned their troops as they readied to move in. Kchlt looked at two of her warriors.

  “I want the two of you to direct our forces in space and on the surface,” the queen said.

  “We will my queen,” the first warrior said.

  “Our lives are yours,” the second said.

  The pair left to attend to their duties. The queen watched while rubbing her mandibles in frustration.

  “You’re on edge more than usual,” Khcha commented.

  “I know,” the queen said. “I haven’t had to worry about war lately.”

  “Neither of us is as young or fiery as we were when we took power,” Khcha said.

  “We were barely hatchlings,” Kchlt said. “Who do you think are the main planners of this insurrection?”

  “Based on their troop movements then there are three possibilities,” Khcha said. “The most likely is the second most powerful behind you, the Duchess Mlka. The other two would be the Duchess Vkhl and the Duchess Klchta.”

  “That makes sense,” the queen said. “What about our potential allies?”

  “Heaven’s Light is moving all of their bases to our border,” Khcha said. “But a large scale attack isn’t in their character. I have a feeling Captain Peterson has something in the works.”

  “They can’t risk invasion or be legally held responsible,” Kchlt said. “It would also expose all of their forces to attack by our rebellious brethren. I don’t know what they’re planning but I’ll do my part to help them.”

  “The other mystery we have is the drone with them,” Khcha said.

  “Tctie’s hive was destroyed during the last civil conflict we had,” the queen said. “And his name shows he isn’t an average drone. No noble would name him such unless he was exceptional.”

  “His ability as a pilot is superior to my own,” Khcha admitted.

  “That and his telepathic power are strange indeed,” the queen said.

  “What does it mean?” Khcha asked.

  “It means that a great change is about to sweep us,” the queen said. “If he has such powers than he is more worthy to mate with then our best warriors.”

  “Are you showing me the door?” Khcha asked.

  “I’d never do that,” Kchlt said. She rubbed his antennae with her own. “We’ve been together too long for me to do that.”

  “I’m glad to hear it my queen,” he said.

  * * *

  Brian stopped practicing a few minutes after the two women left. He grabbed a towel to dry himself off and turned the temperature down a few degrees. After stretching he turned on the computer and looked at the plan he’d been working on for the last few days.

  “They’ll think you’re an idiot for such a plan,” Myden said telepathically as he stepped out of a shadow.

  “And you still haven’t told me about that power of yours,” Brian countered.

  “True enough,” Myden said. “But I came here for a different reason. It doesn’t take a mind reader to know you’re not yourself.” The Grey looked at the door. “Those two are keen to your ailment.”

  “I know they are,” Brian said. “But there are times when I need to be alone.”

  “Solitude is good in the right quantities,” Myden said.

  “Sometimes I have to question myself,” Brian said. “I stop and wonder if fighting and killing is all I’ll ever do.”

  “Until we find peace and understanding it will be,” Myden said. “My advice is to take a look around and see how the others cope with it.”

  “I saw it in Seles’s eyes after battles many times,” Brian said. “Now she’s searching for something else in her life. I’m glad to see it. With Mira, she’s always had music to take her away.”

  “What you need to find is a purpose to keep you going,” Myden said.

  “What keeps you going after all these years?” Brian asked.

  “Vengeance plays a small part,” Myden admitted. “But if it was only that I’d have killed myself with the one I hated long ago. What I want to do is teach others. If I can spend my remaining days as an instructor I’ll be fulfilled.” He went to Brian and looked him in the eye. “You’ve been this way since you left the Mjolnir. Was that the best course of action?”

  “I’ve questioned the decision many times and the answer is yes,” Brian said. “It only came in flashes, but I saw Meldi piloting it in the future. And if I am to choose a successor, she’s more than capable.”

  “I thought Seles was the one,” Myden said.

  “She is, but in a different way,” Brian said. “During the sojourn my mind was connected with all the crew in our final battle. I saw their memories and ambitions. I saw everything that made them who they are. But one mind in particular stood out. I saw something in Meldi’s past that shocked my senses. When I looked at her afterwards I wondered how she could’ve gone on. The answer is the fire in her heart. Meldi’s a survivor who’ll fight even if she’s the last one left. She has a destiny like mine, one filled with solitude and difficulties. I can only hope she does a better job than I ever did.”

  “You see yourself in her, don’t you?” Myden asked.

  “Yes,” Brian said. “Seles comes from wealth and power. Meldi is the opposite. She came from nothing to be what she is today. There’s a reason she’s flying Mjolnir now. As for Seles, she’s got the Artemis. That mobile suit is a better fit for her.”

  “This is the first time in a while you’ve been honest with me about things,” Myden said.

  “The truth is sometimes painful,” Brian said. “I love Seles dearly and would give my life for her in a heartbeat. That’s why I question the decision constantly.”

  “What do you think Seles would say if I told her about this?” Myden asked.

  “She already knows,” Brian said. “When I said something she told me she didn’t care about that.”

  “Why?” Myden asked.

  “Because we trust each other,” Brian said.

  “Trust is a great thing to have,” Myden said. As he turned to leave he noticed the locket Brian was wearing. “What is that?”

  Brian held it up. “Mira gave it to me as a little gift. She told me to wear it at all times.”

  Myden chuckled. “It looks like I’m not the only one scheming anymore.”

  After he disappeared Brian looked at his plan again.

  “Even I think I’m an idiot because of this,” he said to himself.

  Chapter 31 - Protecting the
Queen

  Queen Kchlt appeared on the screens of her people across the home solar system. As the signal was transported it moved across her empire. She stood in front her throne with her Chka Knight at her side.

  “To all of the Ick-Tckt I appear to make an announcement,” the queen started. “For the last sixteen years peace has been the norm amongst us, but as of a few weeks ago it ended. A number of nobles have attacked the organization known as Heaven’s Light without my or the military command’s permission. Because of this, the Confederation High Council was forced to put sanctions upon us. And worse still, they’ve closed our borders with a military blockade. Before this action was taken I called for a meeting with the highest level nobles and found them unreceptive to my pleas for responsibility. Now they have taken this opportunity to upset the peace we’ve had in the attempt to grab power. With the current sanctions in place and probability of civil war, I fear our place in the Confederation will fade greatly in the coming years. I’ve searched my soul for the best solution and believe I found it. For millennia our race has been ruled exclusively by the females. This was a necessary step because of our reproductive nature. But with the advent of sentience the inequalities dividing us are disappearing. Because of this it’s my desire to see the warrior and drone classes given a place to voice their stake in the government. I declare the era of exclusive female rule over. From this day forward we rule together. As such, I’ve drawn up the plans for a parliamentary process whereby the males of our species will be given an equal voice to the female nobility. I know these changes are drastic and strange, but in order for us to survive as a people they’re necessary. I know those seeking power will do everything in their ability to stop this plan. I call upon every able bodied citizen to defend our homeworld. In addition, I ask Heaven’s Light to send a representative to aid us in our endeavor. We seek a guide to lead us on the right path forward. To my people, thank you, and I pray the gods watch over us in the coming days.”

  After the broadcast was over Kchlt looked to her favored warrior.

  “Do you think what I did was right?” she asked.

  “Yes my queen,” Khcha answered.

  * * *

  Brian watched the queen’s speech in his quarters and smiled. Now it’s my turn to answer your call. He stepped into his exoskeleton and put the rakna blade on his belt. When he stepped outside Seles and Mira were waiting.

  “So, we’re doing something crazy, right?” Seles asked.

  “That’s the plan,” Brian answered.

  “And it’ll probably get us killed?” Mira asked.

  “You guessed it,” he answered.

  “Then we have nothing to worry about,” Seles said.

  “We should get back to the launching bay and help Jesela out,” Mira said.

  “See you later Brian,” Seles said as they left. “And fill us in when we’re about to do something stupid.”

  “I will,” he said.

  Brian headed for the exit when Grigon and Myden intercepted him. They joined him on the way to the Columbia base’s command center.

  “They’re in good spirits,” Myden said.

  “I think they trust him,” Grigon said.

  “We’ll be doing something stupid,” Brian said.

  “We’re prepared for such things,” Myden said.

  “The Freedom’s in top shape,” Grigon added.

  “I’m glad to hear it,” Brian said.

  The three made their way into the command center. There they found Veda, Reban, Valis, Kivi, Esra, and El Kar waiting. On the monitors were the three leaders from the other bases, including Vikrit, Lena, and Miv Daek. Everyone went to their usual places while Valis put the situation into the holographic table. The image showed the roughly spherical territory of the Ick-Tckt and the positions of the Confederation forces as well as the four bases. The last things to appear were the fleets still loyal to the queen around the homeworld.

  “There quite a few gaps in our intelligence,” Veda remarked.

  “The problem is we don’t know who’s against the queen,” Valis explained. She looked at Brian. “I had a chance to look over your plan and I have to say it’s bold.”

  “Is this the idea you mentioned after we talked to Khcha?” Esra asked.

  “Exactly the same,” Brian said.

  “Enough with the suspense, let’s see it,” Veda said.

  Brian went to the console attacked the holographic table and quickly added his plan. It showed the Freedom going alone into Ick-Tckt territory while the four bases remained behind.

  “You’re not serious, are you?” Kivi asked. “You’ll be blasted to pieces before getting to the first colony system.”

  Veda laughed. “I like it.”

  “As do I,” Lena said.

  “It’s crazy, but the best one we’ve got,” Vikrit said.

  “Something I’d expect from Brian,” Miv Daek said.

  “I understand it’s crazy,” Brian said. “But there are a few things we have to consider. The queen requested a representative, not our forces. That leads us to the second problem. If we launch everything we have it’ll be considered an invasion. While we would likely succeed militarily, we’d fail in the realm of public opinion. The Ick-Tckt are fiercely independent and won’t stand outsiders meddling in their affairs. The queen’s proposal is an excellent compromise given the situation. Also, the Freedom has a better chance of success than any of our other ships.”

  “The Minerva confirms it,” Valis said.

  “I’ll play along,” Kivi said. “So what’s our job?”

  “The bases and the Confederation forces are going to have waves of refugees to deal with,” Brian said. “If things are going as we suspect, then the three duchesses with the most power are moving against the queen. That means a number of the lesser nobles are going to run and wait it out.”

  “The Minerva told me it’d be best if you moved out by the end of the week,” Valis said.

  “We’ll head out in two days,” Brian said.

  * * *

  Jesela looked up from her tablet when Mira and Seles left the cockpits of the Artemis and Siren.

  “So how are they looking on the inside?” Jesela asked.

  “Nothing’s wrong,” Seles said.

  “The Siren says she wants new arms,” Mira said.

  “The spares are in storage,” Jesela said. “You can tell her they’ll be attached by this time tomorrow.”

  “Thanks,” Mira said.

  “It’s not a problem,” Jesela said. “Although I’m a little concerned with the fact our enemies are doing more damage to us.”

  “It can’t be helped since we’ve been fighting for almost a year now,” Seles said.

  “Yeah, they’ve had plenty of time to find our weak spots,” Mira said.

  “I didn’t think we had any,” Seles said.

  “New technology like this always has a few bugs,” Jesela said. “An example is the special systems. According to what Grigon and I have found there’s a lot of room for improvement.”

  “I didn’t think the arrow system could do more,” Seles said.

  “And the song system works great,” Mira added.

  Jesela nodded. “I know you feel that way, but our designs call for the systems to work at two or three times what they’re at.”

  Seles received a message on her exoskeleton’s wrist computer.

  “What’s going on?” Mira asked.

  “Brian’s told them the plan,” Seles answered.

  “Looks like more work for me,” Jesela said.

  * * *

  Queen Kchlt watched all the monitors in her main hall. The video showed a number of the noble factions attacking her forces in the colony and resource systems across the Ick-Tckt Empire. Her Chka Knight entered and watched the battles with her.

  “It’s begun,” Khcha said.

  “The peace we had is now broken,” the queen said. “It’s possible there will never be an era as prosperous as the last six
teen years.”

  “If we survive this it will,” Khcha said.

  “Do you think he’ll come?” the queen asked.

  “I saw enough of the man to know his intentions,” Khcha said. “Brian will come. The question is how to do so without incurring the wrath of our people.”

  “I gave him the hint in my message I sent out,” the queen said. “Now we have to pray he survives the journey.”

  The monitor next to the throne showed a fleet of ships appearing above the homeworld. The queen’s fleets deployed quickly to intercept them. In the room next to the hall the activity level increased as troops on the surface began exchanging fire.

  “We should secure an escape route,” Khcha suggested.

  “I’ll leave that to you,” the queen said. “I’m staying here as long as I can.”

  Chapter 32 - Preparing for the Run

  After the meeting Brian headed back to the Freedom. On the way Valis and Kivi stopped him. He motioned for them to follow him into one of the many smaller rooms inside the base. After the door closed he turned to face the two women.

  “What is it?” he asked.

  “Level with us,” Kivi said.

  “We want to know why you’re doing this,” Valis said.

  “You know the official reason,” Brian said. He noticed they weren’t convinced. “I guess I can’t keep it from you.”

  “What is it you’re trying to do?” Kivi asked.

  He looked at Valis. “She knows.”

  “Alright, then fill me in,” Kivi said.

  “As you wish,” Valis said. “The Freedom has used the Hades system only a few times so far. But it’s capable of much more than that. Brian wants to test all of its abilities so we know if it’s a viable weapon in the future.”

  “What happens if you’re destroyed?” Kivi asked.

  “Valis has planned for that,” Brian answered. “The four bases will converge on the Ick-Tckt homeworld using the Freedom’s destruction as the reason.”

  “I don’t like this,” Kivi said. “It’s reckless even for you.”