“That’s true,” Grigon said.
“I’m worried they’re going to get swallowed up by so many enemies,” Jesela said.
“It’s not like you to worry,” Brian said.
“I know, but they don’t have the Aegis protecting them,” Jesela said.
While the two mobile suits occupied the enemy fleet’s attention the Freedom and its mobile suits opened fired. The lone ship stayed at the perimeter of the enemy fleet while the Artemis and Siren slowly made their way back to them.
“Captain, the enemy is changing their plans,” Tctie reported telepathically.
“What are they thinking about doing?” Brian asked.
“They’re going to use the abandoned colonies as weapons,” Tctie said.
“Relay everything you can to me,” Brian said.
“Alright,” Tctie said before concentrating.
Brian closed his eyes to take in the new information. He looked at Myden after it was all ordered in his head.
“I’ve got it,” Myden said.
“What’s our enemy trying to do?” Grigon asked.
“They’re drawing us closer to the orbiting colonies,” Brian explained. “Once we’re close enough they’ll program the colonies to move in our direction at top speed.”
“We could run if we need to,” Jesela said.
“I’d rather crush them right now,” Brian said. “Seles, Mira, move your mobile suits between the enemy and the colonies.”
“Alright,” Mira said.
“We’re on it,” Seles said.
The Artemis and Siren quickly made their way to the point Brian sent to them. As they did so the first two colonies began moving. When the colonies got within range of the Siren they stopped moving as directed and instead headed for the enemy fleet.
“I wasn’t expecting that,” Brian said.
“Physics say otherwise,” Jesela said.
The Ick-Tckt fleet scrambled as the two massive structures crashed into their front line of ships and exploded. The Artemis and Siren took advantage of the chaos and peppered the closest enemies with pulse fire. The Freedom and its forces charged in and did likewise. After the explosions cleared the few remaining enemies turned around and fled.
“Should we chase?” Seles asked.
“There’s no need to,” Brian said.
“Alright,” Seles said.
The Artemis and Siren returned to normal and moved within the Freedom’s shields.
“We’ll remain on alert for the next hour,” Brian said. “After that, everyone is to get back onboard and ready for gravity jump.”
* * *
After the alert was over Seles and Mira quietly landed their crafts in the launching bay. When they departed they found Jesela outside running her usual round of scans.
“You two did great,” Jesela said.
“I think I’m finally beginning to understand her,” Mira said.
“You wanted me to lead the way,” Seles said.
“That’s because in a mobile suit or Novaguard you’re the best I’ve ever seen,” Mira said.
“Thanks,” Seles said. “By the way, how’s everything else holding up?”
“The ship took no damage to speak of,” Jesela answered. “Keeping our forces on defense did the trick.”
“Of course it did,” Brian said as he entered the room. “The Freedom isn’t a rickety old piece of junk.”
“How did you read their moves so well?” Seles asked.
“It was Tctie,” Brian said. “He’s able to see their plans through telepathy. As soon as danger lurks he sends me a warning.”
“His ability has a greater range than Myden’s,” Seles said. “Otherwise the old man would’ve done the same a long time ago.”
“That’s what Myden says,” Brian said. “But first, I came to thank you two for your effort.”
“It was nothing,” Mira said.
“We were just doing our job,” Seles said.
“That may be true, but you deserve some praise,” Brian said. “Also, are you still on tomorrow?”
“If you’ll allow us, then yes,” Mira said.
“Go ahead,” Brian said. “Our enemies won’t attack again until we reach the sixth colony system. Let’s take this opportunity to enjoy ourselves.”
* * *
Tctie found himself standing at the door Myden’s quarters when he felt something in his mind.
“You’re improving at a rapid place,” Myden said telepathically. “Come in.”
Tctie opened the door and found Myden standing with his black staff in hand. After the door closed Myden tossed the staff to Tctie and drew another one from beneath his cloak.
“What are we doing today?” Tctie asked.
“I’m curious to see if your kind can use a telepathic staff like my people,” Myden said. “Because none of the others are telepaths I’ve had to wait for one to come around.”
Tctie gazed at the staff closely and found it was etched with hieroglyphics. Once his eyes were fixed on them he was mesmerized by their intricacy and detail.
“What can it do?” Tctie asked.
“That staff is in training mode,” Myden explained. “Otherwise the energy you put out might destroy the ship.”
“Why would you trust me with such a device?” Tctie asked.
“The answer is your ability,” Myden said. “If others of your kind have powers similar to your own the machine god can’t touch them. To put it simply Tctie, your people are the weapon needed to defeat that thing. All it takes is your willingness to learn.”
“I am,” Tctie said.
“Now hold the staff forth and concentrate your energy on it,” Myden said. “Like this.”
Myden held his staff forth and focused his mind. A moment later the staff he held started emitting a dim red light. As his thoughts shifted the color ran through the spectrum. In the end the room was filled with swirling light of every color. Tctie watched everything carefully until Myden concluded the light show.
“Now you try,” Myden said.
“Alright,” Tctie said.
The drone focused his energy on the staff. As it lit up the room matched its emission. After struggling for much longer than it took Myden, Tctie was able to shift the colors until it was close to the light show Myden had put on. After ending it Tctie appeared quite tired.
“That was excellent for a first try,” Myden said. “And my suspicions have been confirmed.”
“What is this thing doing?” Tctie asked.
“The telepathic staff is a medium my people created two thousand years ago,” Myden said. “It takes the will of the telepath and turns it into reality. If you need light, it makes light. If you need protection, it provides you with a shield as powerful as a mobile suit’s. If you need a weapon, it’s capable of firing a pulse as powerful as a heavy class cannon’s. There are many more things it can do, but I’d like you to master the first three things.”
“Why are you teaching me this?” Tctie asked.
Myden smiled. “You have a power to change your people much like Brian changed the others. Before that happens I want you to be ready. I was never able to give Brian the time he needed to accept his destiny. I don’t want to make that mistake again.”
Tctie looked at the staff again with a puzzled look in his insectoid eyes.
“Your people are on the threshold of a great change,” Myden said. “They need someone to guide them forward.”
“But I’m only a drone,” Tctie said.
“It doesn’t matter what you were born as,” Myden said. “It’s what you do in your life afterwards that does. Right now, the queen eagerly anticipates your arrival. She knows what the power you’ve gained represents. That’s why she made the decision to split the power with the males of your species.”
“Will I have to leave?” Tctie asked.
“Your fate is yours to decide,” Myden said. “But first we need to train you properly.”
Chapter 35 - Learning Tr
ust
The mess hall of the Freedom was packed when Mira and Seles put on a concert. Mira was dressed in a modified version of her usual white dress while Seles wore a silver dress and matching gloves. Brian sat in the back and relaxed as he watched them. She’s gotten a lot better. He thought as Seles sang. He noticed the crew’s morale was high. When the two women on stage started using the holographic system the colors shifted in the room to create a three dimensional feel. After a long duet between the pair the time for a break came. The lights switched back to normal while they went behind the stage to rest for a few minutes. When Brian stood up to stretch Tctie entered the room and joined him.
“Is it already over?” Tctie asked.
“No,” Brian said. “They’re on break.”
“I’m glad,” Tctie said. “The Kalaidians have a style of music that’s much more active then my people.”
“Do you prefer Mira or Zae?” Brian asked.
“Both have excellent singing ability,” Tctie said. “I lean towards our Reinere, but I won’t deny Zae her talent.”
“What about Seles?” Brian asked.
“She seems to be a fusion of the two,” Tctie said. “I have a feeling in the future she’ll be looked at just as well by the populace.” He looked at Brian. “But I didn’t come here to discuss music.”
“I know,” Brian said.
“Myden keeps telling me things,” Tctie said. “Things about my future I simply don’t understand.”
“He has a habit of going on like that,” Brian said. “Whatever chance throws at you do what you can with it. That’s my advice. If you feel you need to leave to help your people I won’t stop you.”
“And if I chose to stay?” Tctie asked.
“I won’t hold it against you,” Brian said. “Everyone has the right to determine their fate. That’s what freedom is after all.”
“I don’t know what I should do,” Tctie said.
“You have plenty of time to think things over,” Brian said.
The lights shifted as Seles and Mira came back out.
“Looks like it’s time for the second half,” Brian said.
* * *
Myden and Grigon worked on the bridge while the four droids silently went about their business. Most of the monitors were focused on the outside, but one showed the concert with the audio turned on low. Myden went down to the console near the captain’s chair when something appeared on their scanners.
“Is it another attack force?” Grigon asked.
“No, it’s too small,” Myden said.
The scanners showed ten ships shadowing their movements from two different directions.
“Should we stop the concert?” Grigon asked.
Myden smiled. “Let them enjoy themselves. These appear to be scouts given their movements.”
“Part of me regrets not taking the Vomada with us,” Grigon said.
“That old ship is part of you,” Myden said.
“I’m a fan of having insurance,” Grigon said.
“I feel the same most of the time,” Myden said. “But now I want to take some risks. The plan is in its final phase after all.”
“What will we do if we succeed?” Grigon asked.
“Brian has added a few things for us to do in the future,” Myden said. “But even I can’t say for sure.”
“Meaning he hasn’t told you everything?” Grigon asked.
“Exactly,” Myden said.
The scanners showed the number of ships shadowing them was increasing. After a few minutes it jumped from ten to almost a hundred.
“What a bother,” Myden said.
“They seem to like us,” Grigon said.
“We should ready the ship for battle,” Myden said.
“I’m on it,” Grigon said.
* * *
After the concert was finished and the audience gave its applause, Seles and Mira went into the back room. After switching back to their normal clothes each stood in front of a mirror and brushed their hair.
“You sounded great out there,” Mira said.
“I was nervous,” Seles said. “I think doing this kind of thing with a friend lessens that.”
“It’s good to know you consider me such,” Mira said.
“We didn’t like each other at first,” Seles said. “I thought you and Jesela were nothing but pretty faces with empty heads.”
“I thought you were an elitist prude like my aunt Veda,” Mira said.
“Did I really act that way?” Seles asked.
“I think you were just aloof at the time,” Mira said.
“I was,” Seles said. “And after a few years of being around you I learned you have more talents than just singing.”
“We should drag him into one of these,” Mira said.
“For some reason I think Brian’s done being the Maigar,” Seles said. “I don’t know what’s wrong, but it seems like he’s lost focus in his life.”
“He does look lost these days,” Mira said. “By the way, you’re not still freaked out by me, are you?”
Seles looked at Mira. “No. You’re a person just like us. It’s not the body that makes a person, but the mind.”
“Has Daes told you about her secret project?” Mira asked.
“No,” Seles said. “Where did you hear it from?”
“Jesela,” Mira answered. “She told me Daes was making something special for Mjolnir when he turns sixteen.”
“I’m interested in hearing more,” Seles said.
“She’s constructing a body for him to move his consciousness into,” Mira said. “I don’t know the details, but apparently she’s making it so Mjolnir will look like a mix of Brian and herself.”
“So he’ll look like a Terran and Kalaidian half breed?” Seles asked. “I’d like to see that.”
“I think everyone would,” Mira said.
The alert system came on as they were finishing up.
“All officers and pilots are to report to their stations,” Myden said over the com. “A fleet of two hundred ships will reach firing range in fifteen minutes.”
“More work for us,” Mira said.
Seles sighed. “Let’s get this over with. I want to grab something to eat.”
* * *
Brian ran onto the bridge and took his place as Myden went to his. After looking at the enemy formation he shook his head.
“What’s wrong?” Grigon asked.
“They’re going to encircle us,” Brian answered before pressing the com. “All pilots are to assume formation D-1. Our enemy is going to attack us in waves from all sides. We need to hold out for our chance to strike back.”
“Yes captain,” the pilots responded.
The mobile suits onboard flew outside and landed on the hull of the ship. Each turned their shields to max and readied their weapons.
“Seles, Mira, I want you to stay close to the ship,” Brian said. “The enemy has only two hundred ships but it’s going to grow quickly.”
“Yes Brian,” Seles said.
“We’ll stay close,” Mira said.
The two special models joined their fellow pilots on the hull of the Freedom. The Artemis deployed its reflector plates into power formation and fired at the enemy fleet. While the Artemis took down one ship after another the enemy deployed their Auguar Stars.
“Maybe we should run,” Grigon said.
“The odds are not in our favor,” Myden added.
Brian smiled. “You two are always in doubt, you know that?” He looked at the enemies as they approached. “We haven’t even begun to show them what this ship can really do.”
“That’s true,” Grigon said.
“Should we use the Hades system?” Myden asked.
“It’s best to use the cannon when they’re bunched up,” Brian said. “Let’s hold out until then.”
“And if that doesn’t work?” Myden asked.
“The Hades system can do a lot more than fire a big beam,” Brian said. “Isn’t th
at right Grigon?”
“Of course,” the old birdman answered.
“Captain,” Tctie said telepathically. “Our enemy has it in their mind to try what the Bronze admiral tried.”
“Just as I expected,” Brian said. “Feed me all the details.”
“Here they are,” Tctie said.
Brian concentrated for a moment to order everything in his head again.
“Thanks,” Brian said. He looked at Grigon. “I don’t want to sit around and wait as long as Valis, so ready the Hades system for Aegis and Siren modes.”
“It’s going to be that rough?” Grigon asked while preparing the ship.
“Yeah, that rough,” Brian said. “We’ll start by firing the cannon and take out as many of them as we can. Then we’ll change to Aegis mode and hold out until they decide to close in again. Then we use the Siren mode to finish them off.”
“What about Seles and Mira?” Myden asked.
“I’ll have them move far enough away when the time comes so they can berserk,” Brian said.
“This seems too simple,” Grigon said.
“Very simple,” Myden added.
“Simple is better,” Brian said. “I don’t like over thinking things.”
Chapter 36 - The Freedom’s True Power
The Artemis fired its cannon as many times as it could before the enemy came within their range to attack. The Freedom and the other mobile suits joined the volley firing outward while the enemy forces pounded the ship. As the Ick-Tckt clumped together the Freedom shifted its bow and charged for a shot from the main cannon. A beam three times as long and wide as an arrow from the Artemis blasted almost two hundred enemy ships and five hundred mobile armors. Afterwards the enemy forces backed away. The bow of the Freedom shifted and focused the particles from the gravity drives around the ship. The ship was then enveloped in a powerful energy field much like the Aegis’s. The enemy suddenly found they were unable to affect the ship or the mobile suits defending it.
“I didn’t know it could do that,” Seles said.
“We really need to get the story out of Brian,” Mira said.
Freedom Saga 3: The Dawn of Liberty Page 19
