Chapter 48 - Departure
The Columbia base was filled with activity as many prepared to go down to the surface of Ick-Tckt Prime to celebrate their alliance with the ant people. Veda, Reban, and Shiken Ka were in the command center with the monitors on. The video showed the queen was pulling out all the stops for the celebration across her world.
“One last day of noble decadence before the future comes,” Veda said.
“It was the same on Kalaidia when Queen Celestia freed the serfs,” Reban said.
Brian entered the room with a rushed look about him.
“It’s good to see you finally,” Shiken said.
“I’m sorry, but I have ten things to do and only one body,” Brian said. “How’s the lucky lady?”
“She’s well and happy,” Shiken said. “I’ve got twins on the way.”
“Congratulations,” Brian said.
“Now it’s your turn,” Shiken said.
Brian laughed. “Genetics say otherwise.”
“What brings you to us Brian?” Veda asked.
“The queen wants all of us to go to a feast,” he answered. “She is allowing us to prepare food to our liking of course.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” Reban said. “Have you ever seen what they eat?”
Brian shook his head. “I’m not a fan of roasted beetles.”
“At least they’re meatier than most insects we see,” Shiken said.
“I’m not joining this conversation,” Veda said. “But yes, we’ll be there. Kali knows I could use some time in real sunlight.”
* * *
Mira and Seles put on another concert before everyone went to the surface. The crew of the Freedom made sure to bring Tctie there. As the guest of honor he sat in the front with Kyli next to him.
“This is a little odd,” Tctie said.
“You’re leaving us,” Kyli said. “So we want you to have a good send off.”
All of the other pilots thanked him one by one. After the mess hall cleared out Seles and Mira came out from the back area.
“I’m going to miss your music,” Tctie said.
Seles tossed him a data crystal.
“What’s this?” he asked.
“We recorded all of our songs on that,” Mira explained. “That way you won’t miss us as much.”
He held the crystal tightly. “Thank you.”
“Do you want to do anything else before you go?” Mira asked.
Tctie nodded. “I’d like to look at my Rakna one last time.”
* * *
Queen Kchlt and Khcha stood in the hall and watched the others preparing for the celebration. All of the cities across her world were rebuilding while in space the refugees were returning to their colonies. The asteroid base was being repaired as gift from Heaven’s Light to her world.
“It feels like it’s been a long time since the beginning of all of this,” Khcha said.
“The war only lasted a month,” the queen said. “But time moves differently during moments of conflict.”
“Why didn’t you tell me about your telepathic power?” Khcha asked.
“I didn’t want to frighten you,” the queen said. “The females in my family have displayed some portion of the ability for two centuries. But because we were the only ones to have it we felt we had to hide it.”
“But now a drone is showing signs of it,” Khcha said. “What does this mean for the future of our people?”
“It means a new era is upon us,” the queen said. “Tctie will lead the way for the commoners while I do the same for the nobles.”
“No matter what the future holds I will stay by your side,” Khcha said.
* * *
Tctie found himself standing in the launching bay in front of the mobile suit he’d flown during his time on the Freedom. Seles, Mira, and Kyli stood with him.
“We’ve lived through a lot, haven’t we?” Tctie asked when he touched the leg of the mobile suit. “I’m going to miss flying you.”
“Then why don’t you take it with you?” Brian asked as he left the cockpit.
“I couldn’t possibly afford to pay for it,” Tctie said.
“Did I say anything about paying for it?” Brian asked. “No Tctie, it’s our gift to you.”
Jesela popped out a moment later. “It’s all done.”
“What did she do?” Tctie asked.
“I had Jesela put a light class drive in there,” Brian said. “That way you don’t have to recharge it.”
“I don’t know what to say,” Tctie said. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” Brian said. He took Tctie’s hand and shook it. “Good luck and farewell.”
“Take care,” Mira said.
“Make sure you never lose that spirit,” Seles said.
“Take care Tctie,” Kyli said.
“Farewell to all of you,” Tctie said.
The drone took the elevator cord into the cockpit. After firing up all the systems he flew it out of the Freedom. Those in the launching bay waved as he left. After he was gone they headed for the exit.
“Do you think we should’ve told him we’d see him a few hours?” Brian asked.
“No,” Seles said. “It would’ve spoiled the moment.”
“Agreed,” Mira said.
* * *
The Confederation High Council met in the Grand Hall of the Kailion station. After all the delegations entered and quieted Lord Kris opened the floor for discussion.
“A year has passed since Heaven’s Light went active in their liberations,” the Mylor said. “From the disputes they have settled and the wars they have ended, we see now the threat they posed to us is no more. As such, the Mylor Republic moves that we share our intelligence with theirs. We feel it’s in the best interests of the Confederation if we view Heaven’s Light not as adversaries, but as allies. Given their actions we believe it’s time to place some trust in them. Let us take a vote on this matter.”
After several hours of debate amongst themselves the twenty seven delegations finished voting. The results were unanimous in favor of Heaven’s Light.
“The vote has been cast in their favor,” Lord Kris said. “Now, let’s move on to the finances for our next fiscal year.”
* * *
Baeron and Siata stood on the bridge of their ship while it orbited Ick-Tckt Prime.
“We should get going soon,” Baeron said.
“I know,” Siata said. “I’m simply enjoying the moment.”
“In one year they’ve changed the face of the Confederation,” Baeron said. “And with the changes to the Ick-Tckt government their greatest foe is gone. I wonder what they’ll do now.”
“Now that they’ve shown their power no planet will dare strike at them directly,” Siata said.
“Do you think their goal of eliminating war will succeed?” Baeron asked.
“War will always exist,” Siata said. “As long as people are selfish and greedy the threat of conflict is always there. But I see less of it on the large scale for a long time.”
“I feel the same,” Baeron said. “Deep down I hope what they’re fighting for comes true.”
They saw a number of ships leaving the Columbia base.
“I think it’s time to go,” Siata said.
“Bring our ship down the surface,” Baeron ordered.
“Yes commander,” the navigation officer said.
Epilogue
After a few weeks of helping the Ick-Tckt change their governmental structure the Columbia base collected all its personnel. Veda, Reban, Shiken Ka, Valis, Kivi, El Kar, Esra, Brian, Myden, Grigon, and Dreka all met in the command center. Each took their usual spot before everyone looked to Brian.
“What?” he asked.
“We were wondering what to do next,” Valis said.
“Now that our greatest enemy is gone what do have to do now?” Kivi asked.
“So we figured we’d leave it to you,” Esra said.
“Thanks,” Bria
n said with a sarcastic smile. “I think all our bases should head for Dega Jul. Not only do we need to take some time off, but the issue of Zarites is still alive.”
“Those morons will never change,” Dreka said.
“You said what I was thinking,” Grigon cawed.
“If that’s our destination then let’s head out,” Veda said.
The base gravity jumped into the next star system. Valis turned the holographic system on to begin plotting the Zarite movements when Siata and Baeron entered.
“We have the latest intelligence on the matter at hand,” Baeron said.
“I’d like to see it,” Valis said.
The Minan commander put a data crystal in to show the latest movements of the Zarite raiders. Siata floated over to Myden.
“It’s a new era,” Myden said.
“I prefer working with you rather than against,” Siata said.
“I think all of us do,” Myden said.
2 years later…
Far away from the center of Confederation territory the Alaska base of Heaven’s Light watched the border of Grey controlled space. The asteroid base was at the edge of a star system with only gas giants. In the command center a Kalaidian captain named Javrin kept order with a Shandi commander named Loc Shor. Javrin had short red hair and blue eyes while Loc had red eyes and dark brown scales. The base was quiet as scouts returned from their runs.
“Another day of boredom and vigilance,” Javrin said.
“Which are we doing today?” Loc asked.
“Vigilance of course,” Javrin said.
The monitor flashed when a number of scouting ships came out of gravity jump. The scanners showed they had suffered severe damage and had lost more than half of their mobile suits.
“This doesn’t look good,” Loc said.
“I need a report,” Javrin ordered after turning on the com.
“This is Captain Helen of the Oris,” a Kalaidian with long blue hair and green eyes said after appearing on the monitor. “Captain Javrin, we need to leave as soon as possible.”
“What happened?” Javrin asked.
“It’s the Greys,” Helen answered. “We were caught by surprise by their scouts. But behind them was a fleet of nightmarish size.”
“Get everyone onboard,” Javrin ordered.
After all the damaged ships and mobile suits were onboard they waited until the last of their scouting ships returned. A few hours later the monitor flashed and showed an approaching Grey fleet. Both Javrin and Loc stared in horror at its size. There were four planet killers surrounded by ten thousand carriers in formation. The scanners showed each of the carriers was loaded with fifty smaller attack ships while the planet killers had too many to count.
“Get us out of here,” Javrin said.
“Of course captain,” Loc said.
The Alaska base went to rapid response and gravity jumped ten times in a row. After each gravity jump an alert signal was sent out in all directions.
“We’ll reach the edge of Reiki territory by tomorrow at this pace,” Loc said.
“I hope we can warn the others in time,” Javrin said.
10th of Sei, 4565 G.S.Y.
Day 1 of the Grey War
Confirmed Casualties: 241 Dead/M.I.A.
Freedom Saga 3: The Dawn of Liberty Page 26
