“It’s like they copied us,” Jesela said.
“Almost isn’t right,” Myden said. “They did.”
“In less than a year to boot,” Brian said. “I don’t think our special systems are going to work against it.”
“If our cannon can’t crack their shields then what can we do?” Jesela asked.
“We’ll follow his plan,” Grigon said.
“I’d rather not,” Brian said. “But it’ll have to do. But before we charge in I want one last chance to speak to them.”
He touched the console and activated the intercom system. It automatically connected to all ships in communications distance.
“To all forces of the Duchess Klchta, this is Captain Peterson of the Freedom speaking,” he said. “I have no desire to engage your forces in battle. We were sent for by the queen of your people as an envoy for peace. We will defend ourselves if attacked, but it’s not our wish to fight. Please see reason and call off this attack.”
Silence filled the air before the first ship from the Duchess’s forces opened fire on another Ick-Tckt vessel. Once the first shot went the area was lit up by pulse fire and explosions. After banging his fist in frustration Brian looked at the monitor and saw Seles and Mira standing by.
“It’s time to head out,” he ordered.
“Let’s go,” Seles said.
Mira nodded as the two flew outside and landed on the hull. A moment later Tctie and Kyli led the rest outside to do the same.
* * *
The allies of the Freedom charged from all angles to surround the enemy fleet. The asteroid base shook from incoming attacks but was otherwise unaffected. The duchess sat back and quietly watched her warriors directing the defense.
“A fool to the end, that he is,” she said.
“Are you talking about Captain Peterson?” her second warrior asked.
“Of course,” the duchess answered. “To believe that war can lead to peace is the ultimate folly of his organization. As long as the desire for power exists war will always reign.” She noticed her third warrior was in a panic. “What’s wrong?”
“I can’t find the Artemis or Siren,” he answered. “The Freedom and its mobile suit forces are currently headed straight for us.”
“Those two could pose a problem,” the duchess said. “What do our spy satellites say?”
“We’re picking up nothing,” the second warrior said.
“Strange,” she said. “Keep an eye out for them.”
* * *
The Artemis and Siren flew away from the battle and took a position within the planet’s ring system. The pair landed on a large ice chunk a couple hundred vetres across. The Siren turned on its song system for a moment to disable all satellites in the area.
“That wasn’t much of a song,” Seles said.
“Sometimes a short tune is the best,” Mira said.
“You’ve got that right,” Seles said.
“Did you manage to leave them all in the right spots?” Mira asked.
Seles checked her scanners. “They’re all in place.”
Littered around the battle above them were a number of the Artemis’s reflector plates. Seles had her mobile suit pop a few more off to vary the origin point of their shots.
“Shall we get some target practice?” Mira asked.
“Of course,” Seles said.
The two mobile suits started firing into the plates around them. As they did so the pulse shots amplified and bounced until they reached the ships closest to the enemy base. One after another was destroyed without knowing where the incoming fire was coming from.
“I don’t know what good this will do given that thing’s shields,” Mira said.
“We’re here to soften things up and keep them on their toes,” Seles said. “And save Brian when he yells for help.”
Mira sighed. “I guess we should. He is our captain after all.”
“I think he’s a little more than that to both of us,” Seles said.
The monitor flashed when another enemy fleet emerged from a gravity jump. They were uncomfortably close to the two mobile suits.
“Are they friend or foe?” Mira asked.
“Foe,” Seles said.
The fleet went to attack them.
“Looks like you guessed right,” Mira said.
“I’ll take them out with an arrow,” Seles said.
* * *
Queen Kchlt and Khcha watched the battle as the intelligence reports came in.
“We have more allies than we thought,” Khcha said.
“I’m glad,” the queen said.
“Should we change our plans?” Khcha asked.
“No,” she said. “Let’s assume the same as before. We can’t be sure the Freedom will destroy their base.”
The palace shook when attacks came from outside the city and pounded the complex’s shields. The forces protecting the capital were successfully driving their enemies away on the ground. In space, Duchess Mlka made her appearance from the safety of her asteroid base. The queen’s forces backed away and focused on the enemy ships and mobile armors.
“They’re getting more aggressive,” Khcha said.
“Yes,” the queen said. “I’m sure that’s part of their plan. What surprises me is they’re attacking us personally.”
“Neither of these duchess’s are like you,” Khcha said. “That’s why they lost the last time we did this.”
“If she’s come to visit then it’s only proper we send her a greeting,” the queen said. “Let’s have the third orbital tower fire a warning shot.”
“Are you sure we should reveal that weapon?” Khcha asked.
“They’ve shown us theirs,” the queen said. “It’s only common courtesy we do the same.”
“Yes my queen,” Khcha said.
The warrior tapped the wall and a number of consoles slid out. He pressed the one for the main cannon on the third orbital tower. From the top of the structure a cannon as powerful as the Freedom’s emerged and fired a single blast. The enemy fleet closest to it was vaporized. The Duchess’s asteroid base backed away.
“That worked better than we thought,” Khcha said.
“We’ve shown you our cannon,” the queen said. “Now let’s see what you decide to do.”
* * *
The Freedom led the charge with the Ick-Tckt firing at each other all around it. Brian glanced at the monitor. He noticed the Artemis destroy an incoming fleet. Thanks Seles. He thought as the battle raged.
“Everyone, make sure your friend and foe signals are functioning,” Brian said. “With the way this is going chaos could set in.”
“The only thing we know to shoot at is the base,” Grigon said.
“And it’s the only thing we can’t hurt,” Jesela said.
“We won’t know until we try,” Brian said.
“We’ll be in position shortly,” Myden said.
Brian sent a warning out to his Ick-Tckt allies. They quickly moved out of the way to give the Freedom a clear shot. The ship’s engines spun as it lit up and prepared to fire. The ships near the front of the asteroid base moved away before the massive beam of light flashed through space. Although it was pushed back a few ketres, the base looked untouched. It started moving straight for them after it recovered.
“According to our scans it did absorb the attack,” Grigon said. “But their shield was drained about ten percent.”
“I’ve found what you’re looking for captain,” Tctie said telepathically. “If we destroy their control room the shields will go down.”
“Can you send me the image of where to go?” Brian asked.
“Of course,” Tctie said.
Brian felt the images enter his mind. He vividly saw the duchess and her two warriors ordering their forces around. He felt a deep antipathy coming through from the duchess towards him.
“Did you get it?” Tctie asked.
“Yes,” Brian answered. “Take care of things out there Tctie, I have something to do.”
“He must be telling you things again,” Grigon said.
“What did Tctie say this time?” Jesela asked.
Brian grabbed the helmet off his chair. After locking it into place and checking to make sure his rakna blade was ready he looked at Jesela.
“Now I’m worried,” she said.
“Don’t,” Brian said. “I’m going to take a step outside again. This time I hope the duchess listens to what I have to say.”
He touched the chest of his armor before disappearing with a flash. Myden went down to the console near the captain’s chair and touched it with his hands. Though your efforts may fail, the intent is there. The Grey looked at the battle as it got worse by the second. We must find a way to end this.
Chapter 41 - The Second Duchess
Brian appeared outside the asteroid base in space. He concentrated until he saw the holes he needed to enter. As soon as he stepped inside and landed on solid ground the alert system went up. He drew his sword and calmly headed for the command center.
“Rakna bel de cou,” he said to activate the blade’s power.
When a number of drone soldiers ran to meet him he spun the blade above his head to gather energy. As they ran around a corner and opened fire he slashed the blade and fired a powerful beam into the Ick-Tckt soldiers. Those who weren’t vaporized backed away as they continued firing. Brian activated the shield on his left arm and used it to block incoming pulse fire. He charged the blade by spinning it again. As he made his way around he saw the number of enemies was growing quickly and fired a pair of blasts from his rakna blade. The hallway was clear after the surviving enemies backed off to find a defensive position. He turned to his side and saw a hole and stepped through it. After skipping through several levels and avoiding most of the base’s defenses Brian found himself standing outside the command center.
“Time to take care of things here,” Brian said as he charged the sword up again.
* * *
Duchess Klchta rubbed her mandibles nervously while she watched Brian make his way to her. Her two warriors were busy with the battle when the Terran made his way to the door. The metal door groaned and creaked as its shields were drained and destroyed. Brian slowly walked in through the smoke to stand before the three in the room. The second warrior jumped at Brian with an arm blade in full swing. The human calmly dodge to the side and jumped up. With the spin of his sword Brian sliced the warrior’s head off. When he landed he looked at the third warrior. The duchess cackled as she pressed a button.
“I gave you the chance to end this peacefully,” Brian said. “I’ll give you one more. We have no desire to continue this battle.”
“It doesn’t matter what you say,” the duchess said. “We’ve already made our decision.”
The third warrior charged Brian and was cut down quickly by the human. The duchess drew a pair of blades and moved towards him.
“So you choose death over a future,” Brian said.
“Everything dies,” the duchess said. “At least I know you’ll be coming with me.”
She moved in and slashed with both her blades. Brian stepped back before running and sliding under her belly. The female Ick-Tckt screeched in pain as his rakna blade sliced through her gut. She fell over and writhed in pain as she died. Brian looked at her one more time before checking the controls near her seat.
“I had a feeling something like this was going to happen,” he said before switching on his com. “Myden, have everyone clear out. The duchess has the self-destruct system on and I think it’s going to be big.”
“What are you going to do?” Myden asked.
“I’m getting the hell out of here,” Brian said.
* * *
Seles and Mira continued trading shots into the reflector plates to take out enemy ships in the distance. Both noticed a huge spike in power coming from the base on their scanners. Myden appeared on their monitors.
“Seles, Mira, the enemy base is about to explode,” he said. “Would you be kind enough to pick up our captain?”
Both women laughed.
“He got himself in trouble this time,” Mira said.
“Where’s he at?” Seles asked.
“Here are his coordinates,” Myden said as he sent the data over.
Seles hit the button to have all the reflector plates return to her mobile suit. As they did so she started charging the cannon for an arrow shot.
“How are going to get in there?” Mira asked. “I know we’re fast, but I doubt we can go in there and get him unscathed.”
“Let’s berserk,” Seles said as the Artemis started glowing.
“Alright,” Mira said. “Now what do we do?”
“Hang onto me,” Seles said.
The Siren grabbed onto the back of the Artemis.
“Now turn your engines to go in the same direction of where I’m aiming,” Seles said.
“So you’re going to try that?” Mira asked.
The Artemis fired the arrow into the ring system of the planet. With their engines at full the two mobile suits were sent flying towards Brian’s location. The pair separated on the approach.
“We have to catch him on the move,” Seles said.
“We have two chances then,” Mira said.
The asteroid base started glowing red while Brian slowly plodded away from it in his exoskeleton. Both Seles and Mira had their mobile suits reach out as they neared him. The Artemis missed but the Siren managed to grab him tightly. As the two flew away the base pulsed for a moment and then exploded. After the explosion all of the remaining enemy vessels either fled or surrendered. The two mobile suits slowed themselves down by reversing their engines. After ending their berserks they made their way back to the Freedom.
“That was too close,” Brian said.
“You shouldn’t be running around without a mobile suit,” Seles said.
“I managed,” Brian said.
“Next time you’re going to take one of us as an escort,” Mira said.
“Given what happened I have to agree,” he said. “Let’s go home.”
* * *
Queen Kchlt and Khcha watched as Duchess Mlka’s forces backed away. The battle in space subsided when the attacking fleets went to regroup. On the surface the same thing was happening.
“Our cannon works,” Khcha said.
“We knew it would,” the queen said. “But this is only a temporary measure. They’ll test our range and accuracy until they find a blind spot.”
“It’s a pity we haven’t finished building more of them,” Khcha said.
The incoming data registered and showed the battle around the eighth planet was over.
“Our allies were successful as well,” the queen said.
“We need every advantage we can get,” Khcha said.
“I don’t know how that Terran did it but the base is completely destroyed,” the queen said.
“Let’s not question providence,” her warrior said.
* * *
The Artemis and Siren landed with Brian. Jesela was eagerly waiting to check the two mobile suits over. Brian, Seles, and Mira all made their way to the floor.
“I hope you three had fun,” Jesela remarked.
“We did,” Seles said.
“It’s always a pleasure to try new things out with her,” Mira said while pointing at Seles.
“I’m glad one of you grabbed me,” Brian said. His com flashed. “I’d better get back to the bridge.”
“See you in a little while then,” Seles said.
“Same here,” Mira added.
Brian nodded before leaving the three. He quickly made his way to the bridge and found Myden and Grigon working with the four droids.
“What is it?” Brian asked.
“Our allies would like to know our next destination,” Myden said as he took his spot back.
Captain Zkcha appeared on the monitor.
“It’s good to see you survived,” Brian said.
“
We’re more than capable of living through things like that,” Zkcha said. “Where are we going next?”
“As soon as everyone’s drive is recharged we’ll make our way to lunar orbit of your homeworld,” Brian said.
“We risk exposing our backs by doing so,” Zkcha said.
“I know, but we need to end this before it gets worse,” Brian said. “Anyways, the queen will see what we’re doing and order an attack. The enemy will be caught between our two forces.”
“Then it’s a risk worth taking,” the Ick-Tckt captain said. “We’ll be standing by when you’re ready to depart.”
“Thanks,” Brian said before the monitor went black.
“You’re more aggressive then Valis when it comes to battle,” Myden said.
“I’m not as good at details as she is though,” Brian admitted. “But I know how to get the job done. We need to take out the enemy leadership as quickly as possible to prevent this from dragging on.”
“You’re worried about my people, aren’t you?” Myden asked.
“I think we have seven or eight years to prepare for them,” Brian said. “That’s why we need to destroy as little military power as we can. The other factor playing into this is the fact our foes are much more capable as engineers than we thought.”
“They’re equal to us,” Grigon said.
“That’s why I want to end this,” Brian said. “How long will it be until we can jump?”
“Eleven hours,” Grigon said.
“Excellent,” Brian said. “I want everyone to finish preparing and then get some sleep. This next battle is going to be much tougher.”
Chapter 42 - Gathering Allies
Tctie and Myden were in the Grey’s quarters. Each held a telepathic staff in their hands. Tctie followed Myden’s lead as they went through every one of the basic abilities of the weapon. After a half an hour they stopped.
“Your progress is beyond any expectations I had,” Myden said.
“I’m glad to have a teacher like you to guide me,” Tctie said.
Freedom Saga 3: The Dawn of Liberty Page 22
