Freedom Saga 3: The Dawn of Liberty

by Marcus Johnson

  “I think everyone’s been keeping secrets again,” Seles said.

  The enemy backed away once they found their attacks were ineffective. The Artemis kept its cannon in sniper mode and continued firing into the mass of enemies. The Freedom turned about and headed into the thickest concentration of enemy forces. The other mobile suits and the Siren joined the fight once more as the ship tore through the enemy formation. The shaking from incoming fire was intensifying until the Freedom lit up and powered the shield even more. The enemy shots started bouncing back at them as they were cut down in droves. After a moment the shield returned to normal. Seeing the shift as weakness the Ick-Tckt ships closed in to attack again.

  “I hope he’s got a plan,” Seles said.

  “I’m sure he does,” Mira said.

  * * *

  Duchess Vkhl stood on the bridge of her flagship and watched the Freedom holding off her forces. As she grinded her mandibles angrily her three warriors were working away on the bridge.

  “Why can’t we damage their ship at all?” the duchess asked.

  “The Freedom’s shield is more powerful than any weapon we have,” the first warrior responded.

  “They haven’t used the special systems of the Artemis and Siren yet,” the second warrior said.

  “What should we do?” the third asked.

  “Call in everything we have,” the duchess said.

  “That’s quite a gamble,” the first warrior said.

  “Then we’ll hold off until we see a little more,” the duchess said. “If we want to make sure our people live as they always have we must sink that ship. The rest of Heaven’s Light means nothing to us.”

  The Freedom quickly switched from the shield system back to the cannon and fired into another fleet of a hundred ships. After the explosions cleared the remaining ships started launching drone fighters.

  “This is going to take a long time,” the duchess said.

  * * *

  Brian calmly watched the enemy movements. As he went to send out a new order he felt Tctie in his head again.

  “Captain, the enemy leader is Duchess Vkhl,” Tctie reported. “Her flagship is currently in the furthest fleet from our current position.”

  “Have you deciphered her plan?” Brian asked.

  “Her warriors are doing everything they can to destroy us,” Tctie said. “I sense she’s going to call in her reserves any moment now.”

  “Send me everything you’ve got,” Brian ordered.

  “Yes sir,” Tctie said.

  Brian felt the thoughts from the enemy leader as they entered his mind. He quickly changed the plan he was about the send out. Jesela ran in and took her station.

  “Sorry to be late,” she said.

  “What kept you?” Brian asked.

  “I had to check on the engines,” Jesela said. “We’ve never pushed them like we are now.”

  “You still don’t trust me, do you?” Grigon asked.

  “I trust many things about you Grigon,” Jesela said. “But using the engines like this without testing is something even I’m wary of.”

  “You weren’t like that on the sojourn,” Brian said.

  “I was young and reckless,” Jesela said.

  “What’s changed about that?” Brian asked.

  “I’m not as young,” she answered. “By the way, all systems are functioning as they should.”

  “Good,” Brian said. “I’ve made a few changes to our plan. Grigon, be ready to shift the system to Siren mode when I say to. It’s about time we let our pilots do their thing.”

  * * *

  Seles and Mira continued firing into the enemy forces. The space immediately around the Freedom was quickly filling up with debris from enemy crafts. Seles switched the Artemis to spread mode and fired into the field of destroyed enemies to clear the area out.

  “That should help,” Mira said.

  “There’s so many of them,” Seles said. “Part of me thinks Brian is crazy.”

  “This wouldn’t be the first time he did something like this,” Mira said.

  “What should we do commander?” Kyli asked.

  “Stand our ground,” Seles said. “Until further orders that’s what we’re going to do.”

  “Alright,” Kyli said.

  Brian appeared on their monitors.

  “I’ve worked out a way to finish this,” he said. “Seles, Mira, you’ll lead the mobile suit units on this route.” The two women looked over the plan he sent over carefully. “Kyli, Tctie, follow them because your lives depend on it.”

  “Yes captain,” Kyli said.

  “Acknowledged,” Tctie said.

  “What are you going to do?” Seles asked.

  “Just watch and see,” Brian said. “Also, Mira, use your song system. The goal at this point is to disable as many of them as we can.”

  “I will,” Mira said.

  The Artemis and Siren lit up as they flew into the thick of the enemy. Right behind them were the mobile suits of the Freedom. Mira started up a song and began disabling enemy crafts in mass. Kyli and Tctie kept the other pilots inside the Siren’s field as they went forward. Seles kept the Artemis in spread mode while she destroyed lifeless enemy crafts. When another fleet went to surround the Freedom the ship’s field changed again. This time a number of plates shifted on the hull. A moment later the shield effect switched to a massive hum. Like the Siren, all the ships near the Freedom lost control and floated dead in space.

  Seles smiled as she watched. “I knew you were keeping a few things from us.”

  * * *

  Duchess Vkhl watched the Freedom as it tore through her forces and headed straight for her ship. The three warriors on the bridge were in a panic because they could do nothing to stop the charging ship.

  “Order all forward units to ram them,” Vkhl ordered.

  “That’s our only option at this point,” the second warrior said.

  “And call in our allies,” Vkhl said. “It’s time we put an end to this.”

  “They’ll be here shortly,” the first warrior reported.

  The front line of Ick-Tckt ships and mobile armors flew straight at the Freedom. Even without control their momentum kept them going. The Freedom was forced to slow down and destroy them one at a time. The duchess’s rear guard pulled back to wait. She watched as the Freedom carefully navigated around the debris and damaged ships and kept moving closer to her.

  “It’s like they can read our every move,” the third warrior said.

  “They are,” Vkhl said. “They have a Grey under their control. No doubt he’s been feeding them every thought we make.”

  * * *

  The mobile suits made their way around the enemy fleet and turned to meet with their ship. When reinforcements started coming in Seles charged up and fired a pair of arrows right into them. Over two hundred ships and three times that in mobile armors exploded before they could attack. The Siren and the Freedom both left massive trails of disabled enemy crafts as they made their way towards the duchess’s fleet. Mira ended her song and returned the Siren to normal. Brian appeared on the monitor as the Freedom shifted back to shield mode.

  “All forces are to return to formation D-1,” he ordered.

  “Yes sir,” the pilots said.

  All the mobile suits returned to the ship. The enemy pulled back and gathered together for protection.

  “They look desperate,” Mira said.

  “A single ship did all this,” Seles said. “I never thought I’d see such a thing.”

  “We still have one more thing to do,” Brian said.

  “Destroy them?” Seles asked.

  “We’ll ask for their surrender,” he answered. “I’d like to avoid more bloodshed if we can.”

  “We’re ready in case you need us,” Seles said.

  Chapter 37 - The First Duchess

  Duchess Vkhl twitched nervously as her forces were being cut down. Her warriors shouted orders across the fleets. When the F
reedom reached the edge of her guard fleet it stopped and only fired on vessels getting too close to it.

  “What’s he thinking?” the duchess asked.

  “We’re receiving a hail from the Freedom,” the first warrior reported.

  “So he wants to talk,” she said.

  “Should I put him through?” the first warrior asked.

  “There’s no need to,” the duchess said. “Nothing he has to say interests me. Destroy them.”

  “Of course,” the first warrior said.

  All the remaining ships kept their distance while they surrounded the Freedom and pounded it mercilessly. The duchess cackled as she watched the shield around the ship slowly being drained.

  “You were a fool to the very end Terran,” she said. “Thinking you could negotiate your way out of this was the mistake that’ll cost you your life.”

  Suddenly, a powerful pulse shot bounced off a number of unnoticed reflector plates and slammed into the flagship. The queen and her crew screamed as the ship exploded.

  * * *

  Brian shook his head after the flagship was destroyed. The remaining enemies kept attacking as they closed in.

  “I gave her the chance to end this,” he said.

  He switched the Freedom’s system back to cannon mode. The ship turned slowly turned in a circle. As the energy beam shot out it carved a much larger swath of enemies then it would normally hit if it remained stationary. After the smoke cleared the few remaining enemy vessels fled.

  “All units will remain on standby for the next hour,” Brian ordered.

  “Yes sir,” the pilots said.

  Brian started pacing around the bottom of the bridge.

  “Even after winning you don’t look happy at all,” Jesela said.

  “I’m not,” Brian said. “This was a senseless battle with no meaning behind it. I gave the duchess every opportunity to surrender, parley, or flee. We were forced into destroying her because of her foolishness.”

  “I think arrogance is the term I’d use,” Grigon said.

  “Sounds about right,” Brian said. “So how’s she holding up?”

  “Weapons and shields are functioning at forty percent,” Myden reported.

  “The engines are working at sixty three percent,” Jesela said.

  “Our mobile suit forces report no deaths and only minor damage to their crafts,” Grigon said. “All other systems are working fine.”

  “How long will our little performance keep us from gravity jumping out of here?” Brian asked.

  “The amount of time the drives need to recharge should be about twelve hours,” Grigon said.

  “Do you want me to look them over again?” Jesela asked.

  “No, I’ll do that myself,” Grigon said. “I want you to look over the two special models.”

  “Alright,” Jesela said.

  * * *

  Queen Kchlt watched her soldiers set up a defense perimeter around the capital city. In the sky and orbital space directly above them similar formations were moving into place.

  “The Freedom is making its way to us,” she said.

  “The latest intelligence reports say it single handedly destroyed Duchess Vhkl’s forces,” Khcha said.

  “It’s on par with a Mylor battleship,” the queen said. “The other races are probably panicking as we speak.”

  “I would assume they are,” Khcha said.

  “I can see the gears of fate turning,” the queen said. “Two thousand years ago a being like Brian walked amongst us. It was said of all the races the Teacher visited ours was the most like his.”

  “He came to us?” Khcha asked.

  “Yes,” she answered. “He predicted a group like Heaven’s Light would take power and change things. Now we know he was telling the truth.”

  “It’s odd to see an organization devoted to unity and peace using violence to accomplish its goals,” Khcha said.

  “War is the least efficient way to do it,” the queen said. “But in the world we live in it is necessary.”

  “What makes you say that?” he asked.

  “Brian and his fellows know they’re on a fool’s mission,” the queen said. “Their goal is unification and peace.”

  “I see,” Khcha said. “And what’s to come once unification is done?”

  “That I can’t say,” the queen said. “But it’s time we stop denying the truth. The Greys will come.” She looked at Khcha. “Heaven’s Light will exist as long as tyranny lives. The Greys suffer the worst tyranny imaginable.”

  “Then they are on a fool’s mission,” Khcha said.

  “Yes,” the queen said. “But let’s be glad they are. Someone must remain vigilant throughout the ages.”

  The sky above them was filled with flashing lights when the ships in orbit exchanged fire.

  “It’s begun,” Khcha said.

  “We must survive and see what future that Terran has in mind for us,” the queen said.

  * * *

  Jesela was checking over things with the Artemis and Siren when Seles and Mira returned with a tray of food. Jesela closed eyes and sniffed the air.

  “Pizza, a nut covered salad, and a variety of fruits from Odair,” she said. “How many did I get right this time?”

  Both Seles and Mira laughed.

  “I must’ve messed up,” Jesela said.

  She looked at the tray and saw everything except for the pizza.

  “Your stomach must be smelling things,” Seles said.

  “We’re sorry we didn’t bring what you wanted,” Mira said.

  “That’s alright,” Jesela said as she grabbed a fruit that resembled an apple. “I’ve been eating too much fatty food anyway.”

  “What’s the problem?” Seles asked. “You’ve been working nonstop since we landed.”

  Jesela sighed. “I’m getting some strange readings from the drive systems.”

  “Are we pushing them too far?” Mira asked.

  “That could be it,” Jesela said. “Maybe I’m just over thinking it.”

  “You should try getting sleep for once,” Seles said. “It works wonders.”

  “If I did that you two might get into trouble,” Jesela said.

  The sound of debris hitting the shields echoed around the ship.

  “Jesela, did you know anything about the Freedom’s special systems?” Seles asked.

  “Only bits and pieces,” she answered. “Grigon focused on that while I focused on these two. I’m surprised the system worked as well as it did.”

  “It was able to emulate our special abilities,” Mira said. “Can it do anything else?”

  “Not that I know of,” Jesela said. “The systems from the Gemini and Minerva aren’t applicable to a ship anyway. But a massive beam weapon, a super powered shield, and a disabling system can be. I’m sure our enemies earlier didn’t enjoy any of them.” She put her tablet down and looked at the food. “Enough of this, let’s eat.”

  * * *

  Brian and Myden were the only ones on the bridge except for the four droids. Both were working at their stations when Brian leaned back and yawned.

  “I can take over if you need me to,” Myden said.

  “You never sleep, do you?” Brian asked.

  “My species only needs four hours of rest every two standard days,” Myden said.

  “And I learn something new each day,” Brian said. “I’m alright. I hope the next system we go into isn’t another ambush.”

  “I do as well,” Myden said.

  The scanners showed a number of ships shadowing them again.

  “Looks like more friends are here,” Brian said. “At least these ones are keeping their distance.”

  “That’s good,” Myden said. “Have you had a chance to think things over?”

  Brian smiled. “If peace is ever obtained for a long enough period I’d like to take some time off and travel. After getting my fill of that I think I’d like to get a job at the Kein Academy.”

  �
��You’d like to make more Maigars, wouldn’t you?” the Grey asked.

  “As of now only Kivi has gone through the ritual,” Brian said. “The Kalaidian people deserve many more.”

  “Sounds like a quiet life,” Myden said.

  “I know,” Brian said. “And perhaps it’d be boring. But that’s why we fight.” He looked at the monitor and stared at the wreckage from the last battle. “We do what we have so those who can’t or won’t fight don’t have to. I’d like to think we get a chance to live the way we want to someday.”

  “What about a family?” Myden asked.

  Brian laughed. “Because of the differences between humans and Kalaidians I don’t see it happening anytime soon. I told Seles I’d like to have a couple of daughters. It’d be nice if we could raise them in a world without conflict. But even if we survive this another war awaits.”

  “Live in the moment,” Myden said. “Considering ifs and maybes won’t do you any good.”

  Brian laughed. “I couldn’t agree more old man.”

  Grigon walked into the room and went to his console. After hitting a few buttons the grey feathered birdman looked at Brian.

  “We can leave anytime,” he said.

  “Great, let’s get out of here,” Brian said.

  The Freedom flashed before gravity jumping away.

  Chapter 38 - A Strange Welcome

  The Freedom appeared in the fourth resource system of the Ick-Tckt Empire. The ship was near the fifth planet of the system, an ice giant with a number of moons. As it approached numerous mining colonies came into view. On the scanners was a fleet of fifty medium class ships and several hundred drone fighters.

  “They don’t appear to be hostile towards us,” Brian said.

  “Captain, we’re receiving a hail from the main colony on the third moon,” Droid A reported.

  “Put them through,” Brian ordered.

  “Of course sir,” the droid said.

  On the main monitor appeared a female Ick-Tckt with a single warrior at her side. The hall she occupied was in a flurry of activity.