Freedom Saga 1: Heaven's Light

by Marcus Johnson

  “In simulations yes, but in reality I’m an idiot,” he said. “Alright friend, what’s your status?”

  “Weapons are still functioning at full power,” the Mjolnir reported. “Shields are down to sixty two percent and the dragon wings have been destroyed. Our reflector plate capability has been reduced to forty five percent. All of our HV missiles and mines have been expended. The good news is the gravity drive is undamaged and the navigation systems are functioning normally.”

  “Looks like we’ll only have enough for one more fight,” Brian said. “Mjolnir, prepare to return to the Columbia base without me.”

  “Are you sure? I’d rather stay with you.”

  Brian patted the monitor. “I know friend. You’re loyal to a fault. But the technology you have within you is important to the cause.”

  “I understand,” the Mjolnir said. “Fortunately the parts lost were not recoverable.”

  “That’s true,” Brian said. He looked at the exterior damage. “Man, you look like hell.”

  “Most of the damage is superficial surface wear, nothing a good paint job and shine won’t take care of,” the mobile suit said.

  “As long as you’re not as messed up as I am you’ll be alright,” Brian said.

  “I’ll try not to be.”

  Chapter 34 - 46 Light-years Away

  The Mjolnir gravity jumped into another solar system. Nearby was a gas giant with an extensive ring system. Brian quietly piloted the damaged mobile suit in the planet’s direction as the Confederation forces followed them.

  “This looks like as good a place as any,” Brian said.

  The mobile suit flew into the maze of ice and rocks surrounding the dark colored gas giant. The reflector plates detached and moved around the Mjolnir as the pulse rifle charged up. Brian turned the mobile suit and watched as Lances pursued.

  “I’m ready to send the last message,” Brian said.

  “Ready.”

  “This will be the last message I send, but for you it’ll be the first. By my calculations this should be detected by Earth sometime in the year 2066. I have much to say in the messages you’ll receive later, but for now I send a warning,” Brian paused to take drink of water, “They will come. Be it in a few years or centuries, the Greys will come to destroy Earth. They’ll start at the edge of our solar system and quickly move inward. One by one your bases will be destroyed and your colonies will follow suit. As hopelessness and despair reach their peak one of their planet killers will appear in orbit of Earth. There will be no warning and no surrender. There will only be destruction. You see my fellow Terrans, that’s what the Greys are about. In their eyes our existence is equivalent to that of a disease. They don’t see our annihilation as genocide or evil. We’re the disease threatening their order and their planet killers are the immunization shot,” he paused to take another drink of water and catch his breath, “I say this not to stir fear, no, I say it to tell you the truth. If I don’t reach Earth my advice is know you’re on your own. The other races fear us as much as the Greys and couldn’t care less for our existence. Like the Braiden, we’ll probably have to flee from our home to save our species.” He paused for a moment to gather his thoughts. “My name is Brian Peterson, a citizen of the United States. I was taken from Duluth Minnesota on sixteenth of December in the year 2010. I’ve served for ten years on the Kalaidian starship named Avoni under the captainship of Valis Kein. Please, if anyone receives this I beg you to seek out any of my surviving family members and tell them I’m still alive. Tell them I’ve missed them and wish I could see them so very much.” Brian held back his tears. “This is Brian Peterson signing off.” He pressed the button and listened to his message one more time before looking at the monitor. “Send it out old friend.”

  “It’s done.”

  The Lances nearby opened fired as the Mjolnir blocked with its shield. The Mjolnir flew behind an asteroid and fired at the reflector plates. The pulse shot spread out and damaged a pair of Lances while destroying three more. The ships in the distance fired a barrage of pulse cannon shots and HV missiles. The asteroids around the Mjolnir took most of the damage, but the lone mobile suit’s shields couldn’t keep up. Brian flew it further away and into the twisted labyrinth of ice and stone.

  * * *

  “That’s enough,” Baeron said to the fleet behind his line of Lances.

  The bombardment ceased as he scanned the area. In the distance he saw the Mjolnir flying away. The Minan commander licked his lips as he led his men after Brian.

  “To all pilots, switch to melee combat mode,” he ordered. “In this situation we’d be doing more damage to ourselves then the enemy.”

  “Yes sir,” his subordinates said.

  “It’s time this comes to an end,” Baeron said as his mobile suit switched its lance like rifle to melee mode.

  * * *

  The Mjolnir flew behind a large chunk of ice deep in the gas giant’s rings. The rifle was damaged beyond use and the shield was battered. The entire hull of the mobile suit was covered in blacken soot while the shields flickered between on and off.

  “I don’t feel very good,” the Mjolnir said.

  “I know,” Brian said. He glanced at the Lances as they closed in. “Let’s go one more time before calling it quits.”

  “Sure,” the mobile suit said.

  The Mjolnir switched the ruined rifle to self-detonate tossed it as the approaching Lances. The explosion destroyed another three and damaged five more. The mobile suit drew its sword before charging the Confederation line. Brian focused everything on attacking with the blade while the Mjolnir adeptly blocked with the shield, all while dodging the Lances’ charges. After slashing through three more only a few Lances remained. When Brian turned to face them another squadron appeared from above and charged. He met them blade and shield and passed through their line. When the smoke and fire cleared the only Lances remaining were Baeron’s and three others. They watched the Mjolnir float lifelessly in space.

  “Are you still alive?” Brian asked as he locked his helmet into place.

  “Yes,” the Mjolnir answered. “Other than navigation and the gravity drive only the blade still works.”

  “You fought well friend,” he said. “This will be goodbye for now.”

  “Take care of yourself Brian.”

  “And you as well Mjolnir.”

  Brian opened the front hatch and walked outside. He gazed at the wreckage around them before looking to the planet below. He drew his rakna blade and waited for the Lances to come closer before placing it on the hull below him.

  “May I speak with Commander Baeron?”

  “This is him speaking,” Baeron said. “We have you surrounded and outnumbered Commander Peterson.”

  “I surrender,” Brian said. “But the Mjolnir will not be captured.”

  “You’re not in the position to negotiate terms,” Baeron warned.

  “But I am,” Brian said. “If you approach the Mjolnir with the intent to capture, it’s programmed to self-detonate. I’ve drained my exoskeleton to ten percent power.”

  “What are you planning?” Baeron asked. His Lance moved within a hundred vetres of the Mjolnir.

  “The Mjolnir is programmed to return back to base,” Brian said.

  “Very well,” Baeron said. “Leave your rakna and head over to my craft.”

  Brian took his rakna and placed it inside the Mjolnir. He deactivated the magnetic holders on the feet of the exoskeleton and pushed off the mobile suit. A few seconds later Baeron’s Lance opened its hand and grabbed him tightly. Before the mobile suit turned, Brian looked at a single star shining in the distance.

  “Goodbye.”

  * * *

  Myden meditated in his room onboard the Freedom when a buzz came from his door.

  “Myden, it’s me,” Seles said.

  “Come in,” he said.

  As he stood he noticed Seles and Mira together. They entered his dark room.

  “You wa
nted to see us?” Mira asked.

  “Yes,” Myden said with his raspy voice. “I know you may not believe me but Brian’s been caught.”

  Both Kalaidian women looked at each other with concern in their eyes before turning back to Myden.

  “How long will it be until we hear from the High Council?” Seles asked.

  “They’ll make the announcement within few days,” Myden explained. “He’ll be taken to the headquarters in the Kailion system soon after. We must prepare to move out in two weeks.”

  “But how could they take so long to chase him down and be able to bring him back so quickly?” Mira asked.

  “The Mylor will aid in that,” Seles said. “I’m sure they can do something like that.”

  “Their movement and communication systems are better than the younger races at the moment,” Myden said.

  “What should we do?” Seles asked.

  The old Grey looked each of them in the eye. “Heaven’s Light was formed for the greater good of Alden. We’ll continue the mission plan as is for the moment. But I must warn both of you to be prepared for the worst.”

  “Brian’s charges carry the death penalty,” Mira said. “I don’t want to see him die.”

  Seles stared at Myden. “You know we won’t let that happen.”

  “I know,” he said. “The time for the meeting is soon. There, everything will be made clear.”

  Chapter 35 - In Chains

  Brian stepped out of his exoskeleton and allowed the Minan guards to cuff his hands. He wore only the white shirt and brown pants he’d grown used to over the years. Baeron exited his mobile suit. The bear like people stood a head taller than Brian and wore battle axes on their backs. The launching bay of the Minan ship was smaller than a Kalaidian ship but carried the same flurry of activity. Baeron stood before Brian and looked the Terran in the eye.

  “In all my years never did I hunt prey as dangerous as you,” Baeron said. “The price was high in lives and material. I hope it was worth it.”

  The two guards nudged Brian to get him moving. The four of them left the launching bay and headed for the brig. After the guards pushed him into a cell, Brian turned around as the barrier shield went up. The guards left the room and stood outside while Baeron remained. Brian sat on the uncomfortable bed and leaned his head against the wall.

  “You seem different,” the Minan commander said. “I don’t sense the aggression I once did.”

  “That’s because I regained my sanity,” Brian said. He glanced around. “Brigs on starships don’t differ much, do they? This reminds me of when I was found by the Avoni,” he looked at Baeron, “Though the outcome will be different.”

  “The charges brought against you come with the penalty of death,” Baeron said. “If you plead your guilt mercy may be on your side.”

  Brian laughed. “Spending the next seventy years in a cell isn’t what I’d called mercy.”

  “Seventy?” Baeron asked. “I thought your kind lived longer than Kalaidians.”

  Brian pointed to a small mark on his neck. “We are. But to keep on living I had to deactivate the nanomachines.”

  “If that’s true then how can you understand me?”

  Brian pointed to his right eye. “This translates the vibrations into text, kind of like subtitles. In a way my fake eye acts as an ear.” He shrugged. “I didn’t have a clue until I tried it myself. The only languages I know are Kalaidian and Reiki sign. I do know a smattering of Shandi and Malcovin.”

  “So you can’t berserk,” Baeron said.

  “Nope,” he smiled, “I’m about as useless as when the Kalaidians first found me.”

  The door opened before Siata silently floated in.

  “She can prove it,” Brian said.

  Siata’s eyes flared up as she concentrated. They stopped after a moment.

  “His mind is closed,” the female Mylor said.

  “What does that mean?” Baeron asked.

  “It means he’s telling the truth,” she answered. “Tell me Brian, why did you let us capture you?”

  “I didn’t have much of a choice,” he said. “Several years ago I was told by Lord Jita that a Mylor fleet was always stationed near Terra Prime. Even if I slipped past you I doubt they’d let me make to Earth.”

  “My question is why you let us catch you?” she asked.

  “So you want the truth?” he asked. “To be honest, I fear being taken by your people almost as much as being taken by the Greys. I know the Mylor are civilized and orderly, but as the second oldest race in Alden the mystique surrounding you remains.” He looked at Baeron. “Even he feels it at times.”

  “That answers one question,” Siata said. “But I have a number of others.”

  “Go ahead,” Brian said.

  “What did the Teacher tell you?”

  “Everything,” Brian said. “I now know the plan all the way through.”

  “What did he tell you to do?”

  “He told me to live,” Brian said. Even though he couldn’t see her face through the exoskeleton he sensed puzzlement. “That’s why I deactivated the nanomachines. If I hadn’t I’d be just like him by now.”

  “You’d be dead?” Baeron asked.

  “In a way,” Brian said.

  “Explain,” Siata said.

  Brian nodded. “The Teacher is dead in the physical sense. But his mind, his soul, whatever you want to call it is very much alive.”

  “Very well,” Siata said. “Then tell us what the Teacher’s plan is.”

  “I’d rather not go through the ten stages like he did, but explain the outcome,” Brian said. “His plan is to unify the people of Alden.”

  “Unification?” Baeron asked. “Is that even possible?”

  “Through Heaven’s Light,” Siata said. “You plan on unification through military force?”

  “No,” Brian said. “Heaven’s Light has a greater purpose then conquest. Its goal is to free the people of Alden. Not just physical freedom, but freeing their minds. The only thing stopping unification is the preconceived idea that such a thing is impossible. If you believe something’s impossible you’ll never see it come true.”

  “Such idealism,” Baeron said. “Is this because of the beliefs of your homeworld?”

  “No Commander Baeron,” Brian said. “It stems from the will of the people of Alden. Look at Kalaidia, Shandi, and even Dega Jul. Three worlds changed when I appeared. It wasn’t because of my beliefs but because they were ready for change. I simply supplied the dose needed for it to come to pass.” He looked at Siata. “We’re doing what must be done. If the Confederation doesn’t change the Greys will overrun them. Even the Original Five won’t be able to stop their rampage.”

  “Is what he’s saying accurate?” Baeron asked.

  “It is,” Siata said. “How much do you know?”

  “For years their machine god taunted me,” Brian said. “By doing so I also saw many things. I know the truth behind the Avar.”

  She hissed. “Say nothing more of it.”

  “I won’t,” Brian promised. “Tell me Siata, why are humans treated as they are? Are we special in some way that places fear in your hearts?”

  “The main reason is simply because your people are isolated from the others,” she explained. “Most of the peoples’ of Alden are on the other side of the galaxy. We can’t keep a lid on the younger races nearer to the Confederation, that’s all. The Original Five put strict guidelines in place after the incident at Geluke Don. Undeveloped races are not to be interfered with.”

  “Are you sure that’s all?” he asked.

  “There is one thing I will say,” Siata started. “Terrans have strange traits all of us must be wary of. Your people are better and faster than any other in adapting to new environments. From what we’ve observed this includes space. Humans will colonize their system at an alarming rate. It took many of our races thousands of years between colonization within our home systems and interstellar capability. Yours will l
ikely break the mold by many centuries and colonize the areas around Terra Prime in only a short period of time.”

  “How quickly are we talking about?” Baeron asked.

  “It took humanity about seventy years to move from powered flight to reaching the moon around our world,” Brian said.

  “In any event that’s all I’ll say for now,” she said. “If you have any suspicions you can keep them to yourself.” She turned to leave and stopped at the door. “By the way, we’ll be using a Mylor ship to transfer you back to headquarters. Prepare yourself Brian, the trial for your life is at stake.”

  As she left Baeron followed. Brian sat on the bed and stared at the wall. “My life is at stake?” He chuckled to himself. “It seems like the only thing I do lately is put my life at stake. How will this be any different?” He held his cuffed hands in the air. “Well my lady, its time you saved me.”

  * * *

  The Mjolnir drifted lifelessly in the rings of the gas giant for a long time. It waited for the Confederation fleet to leave. After they gravity jumped away the mobile suit started moving. It looked around itself and gazed at the parent star far away. The mobile suit grabbed the massive rakna blade and broken shield and put them back on its hull.

  “Someday,” the machine said to itself as its voice echoes through the empty interior. “Someday I’ll see the blue Earth he spoke of. But for now I want to go home. Mother and the others are waiting for me. That’s where I belong.”

  The Mjolnir flashed as it gravity jumped away.

  Chapter 36 - Myden’s Lecture

  Myden stood alone in his dark room with his eyes closed and telepathic staff in hand. Two thousand years is a long time to finally see it come true. How I’ve waited! Well old friend, I’m here and ready to carry out the plan. Soon the world will change. The place you sought will be real. This was your dream, but now it’s our dream. The dawn breaks for the people of Alden. And so, let the sun shine on. I leave the darkness forever and walk in the light. He opened his eyes and threw down his hood. His large black eyes glanced around the room as he ran his three fingered hand through his long blond hair. He looked at a mirror and laughed. I still look good for a man my age. He spun his staff and left the room with an extra hop in his step. The light outside caused him to squint his eyes as they adjusted to the bright light. As he walked the crew stopped and stared at the Grey walking amongst them. All of them knew who he was, but none had seen his face before. Myden quickly made his way off the Freedom and onto the base. Those outside were surprised to see the shadowed Grey walking so openly. A small smile appeared on his face as he entered the command center. When the door opened he saw Seles, Valis, Mira, Kivi, and Celi in their exoskeleton armor. Next to them were Veda and El Kar. Esra leaned against the wall with interest in her eyes. Grigon rushed into the room with Dreka a moment later.