“Listen to those stomachs moan,” Jesela added.
“Alright,” Seles said. She looked at Mira and Jesela. “But the two of you are going to help me out. We’ve got a hungry crew waiting for us.”
“Thanks commander!” one of the crew shouted.
“Thanks!” another added.
Seles turned and worked on a number of pizzas while Mira baked them. Jesela cut and served them until everyone onboard was satisfied.
Chapter 19 - To the Hinterlands
Valis was on the bridge with Zae, Baed, Vae, and Daes. Brian entered and took his place next to her. Celi entered the bridge a moment later and stood next to Daes at the top of the bridge. Meldi came in right behind her.
“Alright, let’s get started,” Valis said.
Baed hit the console and the monitor showed Esra and El Kar on their respective bridges.
“Our current mission will take us away from the Confederation’s center,” Valis said. “I’d like for us to move towards the galactic interior as well.”
“Sounds dangerous,” Esra said. “But danger isn’t what I’m worried about.”
“Agreed,” El Kar said. “The sojourners did the same thing, didn’t they?”
“Yes,” Brian said. “Baed planned a route that took us away from their main territory so we could travel unimpeded.”
“How long are we supposed to act as decoys?” Esra asked.
“At least two months, preferable three,” Valis said. “I’ve chosen this path and my crew agrees. Remember, we’re not forcing you to come with us.”
“We’ll stay with you,” El Kar said.
“My crew would mutiny if I did otherwise,” Esra said.
“Alright,” Valis said. “If we’re in agreement then we can move on the next subject.”
Baed sent over the route to the other two ships.
“As you can see, the Confederation has a number of strongholds in the area,” Valis said. “This route should take us away from their main force and give our friends a chance to finish preparations.”
“Let’s head out then,” Esra said.
“As soon as possible,” El Kar added.
* * *
“I’m feeling much better now,” the Mjolnir said. Daes was finishing a number of hardware replacements.
“I’m glad,” she said. “How are your motor functions coming along?”
The Mjolnir flexed its hands before moving its arms around. “Everything is functioning properly.”
Meldi knocked on the hatch as she came in. “What’s going on in here?”
“I’m replacing some parts,” Daes explained. “The upgrades are almost finished.”
“The stuff outside looks intimidating,” Meldi said.
“That’s just because the cannon’s bigger,” Daes said.
“The pulse blasts are calculated to be at least fifty five percent larger,” the Mjolnir said. “By the way, what brings you here lieutenant?”
“Yeah, what gives?” Daes asked. “It’s not like you to be crawling in the parts like this.”
“Has Brian talked to either of you?” Meldi asked.
“Yeah,” Daes said. “I added a little something in the drive system because of it.”
“What about you Mjolnir?” she asked.
“I’m alright with it lieutenant,” the mobile suit said. “But when I’m under your care can I call you Meldi?”
“That would fine,” she said. “The question I have is why?”
Daes finished installing a large apparatus and closed the metal panel. “It’s because of his physical condition,” she said. “From what Celi has told me his days as a pilot are numbered.”
“Is it because he’s berserked too many times?” Meldi asked.
“Precisely,” Daes said. “The Mjolnir’s drive system saved his life. But now his body can’t take it anymore. The only option left might be to deactivate the nanomachines inside him.”
“But if he does that then he’ll be vulnerable again,” Meldi said.
“At least he’ll live,” the Mjolnir said. “I don’t want him to die.”
“I agree,” Meldi said.
“Do you think you can handle him?” Daes asked.
Meldi patted the mobile suit on the monitor. “If he’s alright with me then there shouldn’t be a problem.”
“I’m okay with it,” the mobile suit said.
“Then I’ll make sure the adjustments for your flight preferences are put into the system,” Daes said.
* * *
“If the two of you can’t beat them in a simulation there’s no way you’ll do it in real life,” Brian said.
Valis and Celi both stepped out of the simulators to take a break. They noticed he was incensed.
“What are we doing wrong?” Valis asked.
“Do you want me to be blunt or kind?” he asked.
“Blunt,” Valis said.
“Celi’s doing her part perfectly,” he explained. “But a shield is only effective if the sword is in sync.”
“He’s right you know,” Celi said.
“I know you’re not used to being criticized but I have to insist on this,” Brian said.
“I’m trying my best to figure it out,” Valis said. “But piloting isn’t my strength.”
“That’s the problem,” he said. “You said you wanted blunt so that’s what I’m going to give you.”
“Hit me with everything you got then,” Valis said.
“Let’s start with your attitude,” Brian said. “You need to view your mobile suit not as a tool or device but as part of your body. When you’re in battle you can’t be separated. Don’t just fly the mobile suit, become it. The reason why Mjolnir and I fight so well is because we act as one mind and one body. Otherwise all you’re doing is lazily flying the thing through space.”
“Is that all?” she asked.
Brian shook his head. “No, the reason why you’re sluggish is because you’ve spent too many years in the captain’s chair and not training. If you’re going to fly the Minerva you have to see the whole battlefield, not just the commander’s perspective.” His com beeped.
“It’s time for your shift,” Zae said.
“I’ll be there in a minute,” Brian said. He looked at them. “I’m sorry if I’m being a jerk but you asked me to be blunt.”
“Like a hammer,” Celi said.
“I’ll be back to check on you two later,” Brian said as he left.
Valis stared at the ground while clenching her fist. “He’s right,” she said. “I’ve been looking at things from a distance so long I’ve lost perspective.”
“Don’t we all?” Celi asked. “I spent years cloistered away in sickbay without a second thought. Sometimes we forget what got us to where we are today.”
“I’ve forgotten what hard work is,” Valis said. “When victory comes too easy this is the result.” She stared at the simulator. “He fought through the worst odds imaginable while the rest of us simply watched.”
“It wasn’t all him Valis,” Celi explained. “It was everyone banding together to survive. When the time comes you’ll live up to the moment.”
“I hope you’re right,” Valis said. “What I’m wondering is if his condition has allowed him to figure out the Teacher’s plan.”
“Perhaps,” Celi said.
“It’s bothered me for years that he’s never explained things in detail,” Valis said. “Myden is the same. I have a feeling there’s more going on than what they’re telling us.”
“There’s more going on,” Celi said. “At the end of the sojourn Brian was about to die. If I hadn’t awakened he would have. From the strange looks I get from Grigon and Myden I get the impression that wasn’t supposed to happen.”
“Are you saying he was supposed to die?” Valis asked.
“That’s exactly what I’m saying,” Celi said.
“He said something similar a few days ago.” Valis thought for a moment. “Being in the dark isn’t someth
ing I enjoy.”
“If he knew the Teacher’s plan then he would’ve told us,” Celi said. “Brian’s not the type to keep it too himself.”
“But he is,” Valis countered. “I hope he doesn’t take it all on himself again.”
“He will, doesn’t he always?” Celi asked.
Valis nodded. “If he doesn’t know then the one who does is Myden.”
“When we see him ask for some answers,” Celi suggested. “If he’s to have our trust then he has to be honest with us.”
“I’ll do just,” Valis said. She looked at the simulators. “I guess we should give it another round.”
“My thoughts exactly,” Celi said.
Chapter 20 - Operation Prism
Siata watched the message from a console next the captain’s chair before turning to Baeron.
“Our mission is to capture Brian Peterson by any means necessary,” she said. “The operation’s codename is Prism.”
“How many ships do we have to hunt with?” the Minan commander asked.
“As many as we request,” she said. “The High Council is willing to pull all patrols to aid in this mission.”
Baeron watched outside as dozens of ships and hundreds of Lances gravity jumped in near their tattered fleet. As the minutes passed the space around them was filled with over a hundred ships and a thousand mobile suits.
“With this many it shouldn’t be a challenged,” Baeron said. “We’ll overwhelm them and force surrender.”
* * *
A message played throughout the territories of the Confederation as fast as could be spread. In the Kalmar system, Veda, Grigon, Kivi, and Seles were in the command center of the Columbia base. Seles had changed from her standard uniform to a silver and white exoskeleton made for her. On her belt she wore a rakna blade. Shiken Ka came in a moment right before the message was to be played.
“Only once every hundred years is this done,” Veda said. “I’m sure all of you suspect what’s in this message, but I thought it’d be prudent for us to watch it together.”
She turned the receiver on and allowed the message to play. On the screen appeared the chamber in which the High Council met. The recording panned the room before settling on the Mylor representatives. Lord Kris stepped to the front.
“To the peoples of Alden, we of the High Council have made our decision regarding the independent military organization known as Heaven’s Light. This organization, headed by Brian Peterson, is nothing more than a cover for his attempt to grab for power and dismantle the Confederation as we know it. He is charged with conspiracy to overthrow our governing body, piracy, and most of all the spread of lies to create unfounded fear amongst the people of Alden. He is to be captured at all costs and tried before the High Council under those charges. We have dispatched our special task forces in an effort to ensure his incarceration. As a charged outlaw, anyone found aiding him will be held as criminals under the same charges. The organization calling itself Heaven’s Light is to disarm itself and surrender its leaders to the High Council. That will be all.”
The message ended with silence in the room as everyone tried to understand what was said.
Grigon cawed in defiance. “A few pretty words from the High Council won’t change a thing. Their threats are nothing compared to our momentum.”
Shiken Ka grinned, “As outlaws fighting for the same cause I must agree.”
“Did anyone notice the Kalaidian and Shandi representatives were absent?” Seles asked.
“They probably left in protest,” Kivi offered. “I’d expect Jabril to order such a thing.”
“Trai Gor would as well,” Shiken added. “But what I find pathetic is their charges. They offer words but none of the evidence. If anyone’s guilty of spreading false information it’s the High Council itself.”
“Their goal is to spread doubt amongst the people,” Veda said. “Our nobility did the same thing for years.”
“But it won’t work,” Seles said. “Even if Brian hadn’t appeared the Kalaidian people would’ve destroyed the nobility.”
“True,” Veda said. “Revolution was inevitable.”
“Much like what we’re doing right now,” Grigon said. “Anyways, I don’t think we have to change our mission plan.”
“We’ll proceed with caution,” Shiken Ka said. “But with practical force. The three ships can only hold out for so long.”
* * *
Seles stood on the dock leading to the Freedom. Next to it were the Raulno and the Vomada. She watched the engineers work on the ships and base. Then she turned to the exit, deep in thought. Why do I feel so uneasy about this?
“Are you alright?” Kivi asked as she joined her.
Seles shook herself back to attention. “Sorry, I was just thinking about things.”
“Are you hesitating?”
“Perhaps,” Seles said. “Maybe a spar would clear those doubts.”
Kivi smiled. “I like that idea. I haven’t had a chance to use my blade lately.”
The pair walked into a side hallway with a number of rooms attached. Most of them were empty for the moment. They came to a room at the end with lights and plenty of open space. As the two entered Kivi drew her two blades and took a defensive posture. Seles drew her rakna blade and flexed her left hand to extend the shield from her silver and white exoskeleton.
“You’ve gotten taller,” Kivi said.
“It’s the armor more than anything,” Seles said. “I haven’t gotten used to wearing it yet.”
“It’ll grow on you,” Kivi said. “You fight with the same stance he does.”
Seles tapped her blade on her shield. “When our minds connected some of his preferences passed into me.” The two circled each other for a moment. “An example is this.” Seles thrust her sword forward and was blocked by Kivi’s. Kivi reacted by stepping to the side and pouncing forward with her second blade. Seles countered with a shield punch and forced Kivi to summersault backward.
“You really have been in his head,” Kivi said. “I should’ve grabbed my helmet.”
“I take you don’t enjoy using your head to parry?” Seles asked.
Kivi laughed. “That’s the exact thing I said to him the first time we sparred.”
* * *
The Confederation fleet massed together before Siata made her announcement.
“To all captains in this fleet, our mission is clear,” she said. “Capture the Terran Brian Peterson. We’ll send the specifics over later but the general plan is this: Each ship will be part of a fleet of twelve. Upon detecting our quarry the fleet is to withdraw to a safe distance and send word to the other fleets. Using this method we’ll encircle the three ships and force them into an unfavorable position. If we’re forced to we will destroy them, but our goal is the capture of Brian, keep that in mind. That will be all for now.”
The ships outside began coalescing into fleets of twelve. Baeron joined the Mylor female.
“Never before have so many ships gathered for a single warrior,” he said. “But given the past battles with the Terran I understand why.”
“We must capture him before he goes over the edge,” Siata said. “Otherwise we’ll lose the chance to save his life.”
“Why not go to the Terran homeworld and advance them forward?” Baeron asked. “If one Terran is so valuable millions we be greater.”
“Never again,” Siata hissed. “My people made that mistake at Geluke Don long ago. Our intentions got the better of us and the result was their extinction. The Terran people aren’t united as one and can’t endure such change right now. They would only use the technology to destroy each other. We enacted the Edict to prevent such tragedies.”
“I see,” Baeron said. “But what if the Greys get to them first?”
Siata stood silent for a moment. “If that were to occur, my people would intervene. But the truth is doing so may not save them in time. That’s why we need him. If Brian is the last of his people then they still exist th
rough him. The Kalaidians are currently researching a method to mix his blood with theirs to create males. It may take a few decades to do so, but I have no doubt they will. Through the new males the Terran people will live. It’s far better their blood lives on in others than become extinct from the universe.”
“If such a thing were to come true wouldn’t he be utterly alone?” Baeron asked.
“He already is,” Siata said. “With every awakening he moves further away from the human he was to the being he is. Brian’s more alone than anyone else right now. Even if he returned to his people he would be marked as different. He’s the beginning of the new Terran race.”
Chapter 21 - Dissonant Hearts
Brian stood alone in the holographic display chamber with his rakna in hand and shield extended.
“Day by day I hear their cries more,” he said. “This world is filled with tears. From those who’ve died and those who survive. And yet the question remains if one can really do anything about it.”
“We must be prepared for that moment,” a ghostly image of a young Delne said. She wore an emerald dress that matched her hair. Her crimson eyes shined in the false light. “You can save them Brian. You saved a wretch like me. My heart was lost until you found it.” She smiled gently. “Even the worst of us can change for the better. That’s because all of us seek happiness.”
“I know,” he said. “But at the moment all I can see are the hazy images of what may be. Like a kite unstrung I’m afraid I’ll be lost in the wind.”
“As long as you hold someone in your heart you’ll never come undone,” Delne said. “He kept me in his heart until the end. Even knowing I was the one who committed the sin, he forgave me. Remember that Brian. There’s someone waiting for you.”
“Seles,” he said.
“She seeks the same thing you do,” Delne said. “Her dream is to be at your side through anything. It’s because of her feelings you’ll find a way back to her.”
Freedom Saga 1: Heaven's Light Page 11
