Freedom Saga 1: Heaven's Light

by Marcus Johnson

  * * *

  Valis walked through the halls of the Avoni with a strange glaze over her eyes. She moved mechanically and acknowledged the crew members passing her. After a while she found herself standing in front of the room Brian used for the last ten years. She went to press the button to ask to come in and realized she didn’t need to. The door opened a moment later to reveal the pitch black interior. She stepped inside as the lights came on. The room looked the same as it always did. At the back a huge bed with black covers sat clean and unused. She went to the closet and found the shirt and jeans he wore when he first came to the Avoni. She closed her eyes as she touched them. After a few minutes she closed the closet door and paced around the room. She stopped at the table when she noticed something at the center of the table. She picked up the small metal tube and pressed the button. A beam shot out of the other end and projected a life size holographic image of Brian in his exoskeleton armor.

  “Valis, this is the message I left behind for you,” the hologram said. “I hope you can forgive me for leaving the way I did.” He paused for a moment. “When you first took me in you demanded ten years of service. At first I hated the idea, but after seeing you and the crew work I grew to understand why you asked for so much. I was unlearned, untrained, and most of all, ignorant of how things work in this world. You have to remember I came from an isolated planet without space travel outside its own solar system. When I was young I dreamed of being an explorer in space. With you and the others my dream came true. In a sense I’m a pioneer for humanity. Whether I came by choice or not isn’t what matters, it’s what I do when it happens. I chose to fight, to live, to dream. I chose the Avoni, and I chose you Valis. I see in you a dreamer with foresight. You saw what I could become. But what you lack is the ability to see what you can become. You’re more than just a beautiful Kalaidian woman who bears the mark of the Maiden. You’re more than a captain. I see in your heart the desire to know more. Inside the military mind is the curious soul of the explorer. To conquer the unknown is your truest desire. I should know because that’s how I am. That’s what this solitary journey of mine is about. I want to see the universe as a traveler. Not as a warrior, not as an officer, not as the leader of anything. I want to see how beautiful it is because I haven’t had a chance to look at it. I’m the first of my people to see so much and I can’t share it with them. Perhaps I can’t change humanity, but at least I can show them where I’ve been and what I’ve seen. I ask you do the same for your people Valis. There’s so much worth saving we can’t let it be destroyed. The time for action is now. You’ll be the director of this play. Show them there’s a better way than war.” The holographic copy of Brian smiled before saluting. “Also, you need to stop drinking so much wine. I’m worried you’ll end up an alcoholic.” The hologram flickered. “See you later.”

  The image disappeared and left her alone. She stood in thought for a moment when she heard something tap against the door. The sound of muffled voices came from behind it. She opened the door and found Baed, Zae, and Celi standing outside.

  “You were listening, weren’t you?” she asked.

  “Guilty as charged,” Zae said. “We were worried about you.”

  “You looked like you were carrying the burden of the world when you left the bridge,” Baed said.

  “I just wanted to look over his room one more time,” Celi said.

  The other three stared at her.

  “What?” Celi asked. “I was making sure he took the medicine I gave him, that’s all.”

  “Are you sure?” Valis asked.

  “Hey, I’m not the one with a drinking problem,” Celi said.

  Valis laughed. “He’s right you know. I’ve been drinking like a fish lately.” She looked at Baed and Zae. “Sometimes I’m envious of the two of you.”

  They looked at each other. “Why?” they asked together.

  “Because you have each other for support,” Valis said. “I hate admitting it, but Brian’s been my crutch for years.” She smiled with tears in her eyes. “Now that he’s gone I know how much I miss him.”

  “I bet he feels the same,” Celi said. “There’s something a lot of us forget Valis.”

  “What might that be?”

  “He mortal,” Celi said. “Behind everything else Brian’s a man.” She pointed down the hall. “Now to reduce your stress levels I’m prescribing several hours in the mobile suit simulator. Kali knows we both need it.”

  “You’re right,” Valis said. She looked at Baed and Zae. “Would the two of you care to join us?”

  “Sure, why not?” Baed asked.

  “Let’s give them a fight then,” Zae said.

  Chapter 26 - Colony System Seven

  Brian stood outside the Mjolnir in his exoskeleton and gazed at the gas giant below.

  “Kind of looks like Jupiter,” he said. “It has a big red spot and everything.”

  “I have no pictures of that planet in my database,” the Mjolnir said.

  “That’s because they don’t have any,” he said. “You have all the data on the celestial bodies inside the Terran system, don’t you?”

  “Yes,” the mobile suit said. “Brian, I’m receiving a distress signal.”

  “Hold on a sec,” he said.

  He opened the hatch and went back inside. After the door closed air was returned to the cockpit. Brian removed his helmet and sat in the chair.

  “Alright, what is it?”

  The Mjolnir displayed the message on the monitor written in Reiki.

  “It appears colony system seven is currently under siege and seeking aid,” the mobile suit said.

  “Are they giving any reasons?”

  “It appears they disagree on how the law of utility is to be interpreted,” the mobile suit answered.

  “Not a surprise,” Brian said. “Display the current situation.”

  “One moment,” the Mjolnir said.

  The monitor displayed a number of ships blockading the fourth planet of the system. Ringed around the planet were a number of space colonies twenty ketres in length and a third as much in width.

  “Do the dissenting colonies have any weapons?”

  The monitor displayed a number of pulse cannon batteries attached to the outer hull of each of the colonies. “I’m detecting only transport and science vessels in their docking bays.”

  “Let’s head over there for a closer look,” Brian ordered. “I have feeling we might be able to help them.”

  The Mjolnir turned away from the gas giant and headed to the fourth planet.

  * * *

  Above the swirling clouds of the rocky planet were dozens of space colonies. The Reiki military was five thousand ketres away and detained any ships trying to enter or leave the orbit of the planet. The Mjolnir silently moved in with its phase cloak up. As the mobile suit moved to the front of the fleet it shifted into humanoid form and drew its sword. Brian sent an encoded hail to the colonies. A moment later his hail was acknowledged. On the monitor appeared the leader of the main colony. The small octopus like creature moved its tentacles in a precise way to communicate. Brian turned the holographic system in his exoskeleton on to allow his arms to act as their tentacles. He waved them back and forth.

  “Can I be of service?” Brian asked through their sign language.

  “We thank you for answering our call,” the leader signed. “We’ve been under siege for over a month now.”

  “Hasn’t the Confederation done anything?” Brian signed.

  “No,” the leader answered. “Because this is a dispute within the main government’s jurisdiction they have no legal right to aid us.”

  “How unfortunate,” Brian signed. “What exactly is causing the problem?”

  “The main government on the homeworld believes atmospheric adjustment of the planet below is not in the interests of our people,” the leader signed. “Those living here disagree. To disagree with the law of utility is the greatest sin. But this is our home; we won’t
leave it and be forced elsewhere.”

  “I understand the law of utility well,” Brian signed. “I also know there are a number of ways of interpreting it.”

  “The current government’s interpretation is hardline active at the moment,” the leader signed. “We believe a rule method is much more reasonable.”

  “I agree,” Brian signed. “I’ll do what I can to aid you. By the way, what is your name?”

  “Kiel Redar,” the leader signed.

  “Thank you Kiel,” Brian signed. “I can’t promise a permanent solution for now, but soon someone will prevent this from happening again. For now I’ll do my best to drive them away.”

  “Thank you Brian Peterson,” Kiel signed. “We are in your debt.”

  Brian closed his eyes as he activated the Mjolnir’s communication system. The Mjolnir’s phase cloak deactivated as the mobile suit was engulfed in a fierce red glow.

  “We are Heaven’s Light,” Brian said. “We are the light that shines liberty on the world. Where darkness and tyranny live we will strike. Where the oppressed can’t fight we will do so in their place. Not for god, not for country, not for money, not for glory. Until the Freedom’s bell rings eternal our mission will never end.”

  He opened his glowing red eye and aimed the Mjolnir’s sword at the Reiki fleet.

  “To the Reiki admiral I give but one command,” Brian said. “Leave this system. These people don’t want to be taken from their homes. To force them to leave without just cause is an act of tyranny I can’t overlook. No one has the right to force others at gun point from their homes. If you choose to not accept these terms I’ll be forced to destroy you.”

  A moment of silence ensued. The particles outside formed into the shape of dragon wings behind the mobile suit. The ships near the Mjolnir opened fire with their pulse cannons. A moment later they deployed their starfish shaped fighters.

  “So this is the answer you give me,” Brian said. “Let’s show them what we’re truly capable of.”

  “Yes,” the Mjolnir said.

  The glowing Mjolnir charged for the lead ship while flashing in and out of existence. The enemy shots flew past or through the mobile suit as it made its way to the fleet. The fighters swirled around and opened fire. The Mjolnir flew sword first through the lead ship, causing it to explode. The Mjolnir turned and drew its pulse cannon. It fired shot after shot, destroying two scores of fighters before switching back to the sword and charging another ship.

  * * *

  The Confederation fleet watched the battle from afar. Siata and Baeron gazed upon the sight of a single mobile suit winning against a fleet of battleships.

  Baeron laughed. “What are we supposed to do against that?” He pointed at the now fleeing Reiki fleet. “Our numbers are fewer than theirs and look at the result.”

  “I know,” Siata said.

  “What happens if he survives awakening?” Baeron asked.

  “We pray he doesn’t,” Siata said. “But I fear our prayers won’t be heard.”

  “I agree,” Baeron said. He paused as the last heavy class Reiki vessel gravity jumped out. Surrounding the glowing Mjolnir was the wreckage of hundreds of fighters and over a dozen ships. “Was the Teacher the same?”

  “I wouldn’t know,” Siata said. “I’m only a few centuries old, not thousands. But it’s said the Teacher was much the same. For him it ended in death, for Brian we don’t know.”

  “Should we attack?” Baeron asked.

  “No,” Siata said. “Continue following as we are. Now that he’s alone Brian will slip up. Only then can we make our move.”

  “Otherwise we’ll end up just like them,” Baeron said.

  The two watched as the Mjolnir stopped glowing and turned to the Reiki colonies. The mobile suit made the move of a salute before gravity jumping away.

  “Send the footage of this back to headquarters,” Siata ordered.

  The communications officer looked up. “It’ll be ready in a minute.”

  “I sense in the wind the smell of change,” Baeron said.

  “All too true,” Siata said. “He has changed us irrevocably.”

  * * *

  Brian closed his eyes after the gravity jump and focused all his energy on maintaining control. The Mjolnir shifted into ship form and reactivated its phase cloak.

  “The price seems high for the future we’re fighting for,” the mobile suit said.

  “The cost will be many more lives,” Brian said.

  “I understand,” the Mjolnir said. “Are we still going to Earth?”

  “Yes, let’s continue,” he said. “How long will it take us from here?”

  “According to my calculations two and a half more months,” the mobile suit reported. “I’m thankful Daes upgraded my drive to a heavy class.”

  “I’m glad as well,” Brian said. “Our foes won’t expect us to move as fast as we can. Not to mention our improved weapons and shields.”

  “Not like those are needed very much,” the mobile suit said.

  “Not now,” Brian took out the injector Celi gave him before leaving. “But soon it will be. My body can’t take much more of this.”

  “Agreed,” the mobile suit said. “By the way, could you take a look at my left leg? I’m pretty sure there’s some damage there.”

  “I’ll do my best friend,” Brian said. He locked his helmet into place and grabbed a mainatence kit. “It’s time to bind your wounds.”

  Chapter 27 - Changing the World

  Seles opened her eyes and glanced around the room she slept in. Her belongings remained in a set of carrying cases and bags in the corner of the room. She shook off the lethargy and slipped on a robe before standing up to stretch. A light flashed below the monitor in her room. Curious, she went over and touched it. A young Kalaidian ensign with short red hair and blue eyes appeared on the screen.

  “Commander, a message has been received from the Avoni,” she reported.

  “Thank you ensign,” Seles said. “Put it through.”

  “Yes commander,” the ensign said.

  Valis appeared from her quarters on the Avoni.

  “I’m sorry Seles,” she said.

  “We already know,” Seles said. “Brian left a message behind.”

  “I don’t blame him,” Valis said. “I tried stopping him, but he was determined.”

  “That’s what I expected,” Seles said. “Do you want to get together?”

  “I’d appreciate that,” Valis said.

  “How about meeting in the mess hall in the base?” Seles asked.

  “I’ll be there in an hour.”

  “An hour it is,” Seles said.

  The monitor flipped back to the ensign.

  “If anyone else needs to contact me I’ll have my com active, alright?”

  “I got it commander,” the ensign said before ending transmission.

  Seles went to her bags and pulled out an old rakna blade she’d been holding onto.

  “I never thought I’d be the big sister,” she said to herself.

  * * *

  Mira continued fighting a number of small Grey attack vessels in the simulator. Her virtual mobile suit took a number of hits but came through with the victory. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath when the simulation ended. The hatch opened to allow her to step outside, Jesela handed her a bottle of water.

  “Thanks,” she said before taking a huge gulp.

  “You’re getting pretty good,” Jesela said.

  “Am I as good as her?” Mira asked.

  “I’d have to say no for now,” Jesela said. “But to be honest only two pilots can match or surpass her. That’d be Brian or Dreka.”

  “I guessed as much,” Mira said.

  She sat down on the step in front of the machine.

  “Let’s try it again,” Jesela said. “But this time I’m put in the specs of the Siren.”

  “Are you sure I can handle it?”

  “You can,” Jesela said.


  “Alright,” Mira said as she stepped back inside the simulator.

  Jesela went to the main computer and programmed in the settings. Inside, Mira noticed the controls change a little bit.

  “Wow, this is different,” Mira said.

  “Just wait until combat starts,” Jesela said. “That’s when everything changes.”

  * * *

  Seles waited in the mess hall of the Columbia base while wearing her exoskeleton. After a few minutes Valis entered and joined her.

  “That looks strange on you,” Valis said when the two of them sat down.

  “You’re not wearing yours,” Seles observed.

  “True,” Valis said. “But mine isn’t quite finished.”

  “So what did you want to talk about?”

  “Right to the point,” Valis said. “That’s not like you.”

  Seles smiled. “I’ve had to get used to it because I’m barking orders all the time.”

  “Command is different from subordinate,” Valis said. She paused to gather her thoughts. “I want to talk about Brian.”

  “He left us the message,” Seles said. “I hoped he’d come back with you but didn’t expect it. That’s just like him.”

  “I thought he’d changed,” Valis said. “But I was wrong. Even in the condition he’s in his instinct is to charge in alone.”

  “I’m afraid that’s how he’ll always be till the end of his days,” Seles said. “So how’s the crew taking it?”

  “They expected as much,” Valis said. She looked aside. “I took for granted everything he brought to us. Now I can see it. When he came to the Avoni he changed us forever.”

  “He changed you the most,” Seles said.

  “What do you mean by that?” Valis asked.

  “You’re acting like a confused adolescent,” Seles said.

  Valis laughed. “You got that right,” she said. “How can you stand it?”

  “Not being with him?”

  “Yeah,” Valis said.