“We won,” she said to herself.
The Confederation forces signaled moved away from the area as quickly as possible. Valis hit the com.
“All ships maintain position,” she ordered. “We’ll wait until all of their forces have left before moving to stand by position. That will be all.”
She sat back and rested against the pilot’s seat with exhaustion in her eyes. The monitor flashed on with Seles on the other side.
“Are you feeling alright?” she asked.
“I’m not used to battles from the front, that’s all,” Valis said.
“You’re going to have to get used to it,” Kivi piped in as she appeared on the screen.
“I had it easy,” Celi said as she joined in. “All I have to do is maintain the middle.”
“Rear guard duty is much the same,” Mira added. “Only Valis got to use her special system.”
“I’d rather save our special abilities until they’re needed,” Valis said. “Also, I only needed a small portion of the Minerva’s power to help with this battle.”
“That’s good to know,” Kivi said. “I’d hate to think you had to use a lot at this stage.”
“Things will be different when we have to split up,” Seles said.
“I’ll still give each of you mission plans when I get the chance,” Valis said. “It’s time we return to base.”
“We’ll be going now,” Seles said as she and Mira headed for the Freedom.
“Take care Valis,” Kivi said as she headed back to the Raulno.
“Shall we go home?” Celi asked.
“Yes, let’s go home,” Valis said as she and Celi headed back to the Avoni.
* * *
Seles and Mira landed their mobile suits and headed for the bridge. As they walked Kyli ran to join them.
“The two of you looked great out there,” she said excitedly.
“You weren’t too bad yourself,” Seles said.
“Only because of the drilling you gave us,” Kyli said.
“You can say that again,” Mira added.
“What?” Seles asked sarcastically. “Am I that stern?”
“No, it’s because you’re good we’re thankful,” Mira said. “I’m surprised we didn’t have to do anything other than charge this time around.”
“That will change,” Seles said. She glanced at Kyli. “Be ready for some offensive action lieutenant. Next time things will be different.”
“Of course commander,” Kyli said.
The three entered the bridge and went to the center. Myden, Jesela, and Grigon all looked up from their consoles before continuing their work.
“What’s our status?” Seles asked.
“She’s purring like a happy Mylor,” Jesela said.
The others stopped and looked at her.
“Can they even do that?” Mira asked.
Myden cracked a smile on his normally expressionless face. “Yes, they can.”
Seles waved it off, “Save the jokes for later please.”
“Don’t be a song killer,” Mira said.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Seles said. “So she’s doing alright?”
“Systems are working better than expected,” Grigon said. “And I must say those mobile suits look great.”
“I’m kind of jealous,” Kyli said.
“The Phase Rakna you’re flying is twice the craft I piloted ten years ago you know,” Seles said. “But Grigon and Jesela will probably be looking for mass production soon enough.”
“Already working on it,” Jesela said.
* * *
Seles entered her quarters and stepped out of the silver and blue exoskeleton before letting out a big sigh. Exhaustion showed on her face as she looked in the mirror. Despite the years since she and Brian met her face showed no age. She carefully checked her eyes and ran her hand through her hair before looking at a small metal disk on the counter. She pressed the button and up popped a small holographic image of Brian in his armor while smiling. She knelt down with her head on her hands while staring at the image.
“I still feel lost,” she said. “For years I knew my place in the world and now everything’s different. With every step forward I feel more uncertain about what I’m doing.” She closed her eyes. “But I’ll get through this. You suffered far greater hardships during the sojourn.” She opened her eyes again. “I pray that when we meet again you’re the man I met on that frozen moon and not the one I saw leave.”
A buzz came from the door. “It’s me,” Mira said through the com. “Can we talk?”
Seles stood up and turned the hologram off. “Sure.”
When Mira opened the door Seles noticed she wasn’t wearing her exoskeleton. Mira came in and looked around.
“You’ve got some nice quarters,” Mira said.
“We should have the same kind,” Seles countered.
“True, but it seems bigger, that’s all,” Mira said.
Seles took a seat at the table in the middle of the room. “So what did you want to talk about?”
Mira sat down with her. “You’re feeling uncertain about things, aren’t you?”
Seles nodded. “A little,” she paused, “I’m not used to giving orders.”
“Neither am I,” Mira said. “It seems you’ve figured out the role.”
“Am I faking it?”
“Not in that way,” Mira said. “All of us have to put on a mask when we’re in front of others. It seems to me you’ve mastered the use of it quicker than you think.”
“So you’re saying we all wear masks?”
“In a manner,” Mira said. “Both of us have had to put on the mask of being unconcerned when it comes to a certain Terran we care deeply about. But the worst offender is Valis.”
Seles shook her head. “She can out strategize anyone in Alden but couldn’t figure out her emotions if it killed her. But on the subject of Brian I have to agree. The uncertainty is what’s getting at me.”
“I feel the same,” Mira said.
“By the way, how are you getting along with your second?”
Mira leaned back. “Suv Gar is a handful, that’s for sure. I’m so used to the warrior types my mind has a hard time dealing with Shandi who break the mold. She’s compassionate, dedicated, and one heck of a medical officer. The only drawback is her ability to push others around.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s not that she bullies anyone or anything like that,” Mira explained. “But she has a way of talking you into things. Other than that she’s great to work with.” Mira paused for a moment before leaning forward. “Now it’s your turn Seles. How’s working with Kyli and the other pilots?”
“It’s a lot to deal with,” Seles said. “Kyli’s a firecracker to keep an eye on. I don’t just mean in the pilot sense. That girl has a crush on Brian bigger than a gas giant.”
Both laughed for a moment.
“You’re serious?” Mira asked. “But she’s a little girl.”
“That’s what I thought,” Seles said. “Until I saw her in the community bath,” Seles shook her head, “her figure puts Celi’s to shame.”
“I’ll keep an eye out then,” Mira said. “At least I don’t have to worry about my second on that issue.”
“It would be strange if a Shandi woman went for him,” Seles said. “But Kyli…well…she’s definitely the type to force the issue.”
“You don’t seem too worried,” Mira said.
“I’m not,” Seles said. “Brian has enough on his agenda right now. When he returns I’m sure he’ll pick one of us over her anytime.”
“From his past actions I tend to agree,” Mira said.
Chapter 39 – Headquarters
Brian laid alone in his cell for a long time while the Zakar made its way back to the massive station in the Kailion system. He opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling when he heard the door open. He sat up while Siata floated in with Baeron at her side.
“It’s time,” she said as a pair o
f guards came in and turned off the force field.
Brian stepped outside with the prodding of one of the Minan guards and looked at the Mylor and Baeron. “If this is the last time we see each other I’d like to say goodbye. Take care Siata and you as well Commander Baeron. The Confederation’s survival depends on people like you.”
“Thank you,” Siata said.
“I will pray for your fate Commander Peterson,” Baeron said.
“Thanks,” he said as he was escorted out.
Another pair of Minan guards waited outside the door and surrounded him as they made their way to a shuttle. Once they boarded the rectangular craft the door closed and the shuttle flew outside. Brian looked upon the massive space station as it spun its way around the planet below. The shuttle landed in the center ring of the station where most of the docks were. The four guards prodded him once again as he was escorted through the station until they reached the lower levels of the complex. There, he was brought into a series of small hallways filled with cells and guards. After reaching the lowest level he was thrown into a cell with the door locking shut behind him. The electronic cuffs on his wrists beeped and blinked before falling to the ground. As Brian rubbed his wrists he looked around the cell. It was a small room less than five vetres in all dimensions. There was a bed hanging from the wall with no mattress and only a small pillow. On the other side was a small sink and toilet.
“Not very homey, is it?” he asked himself. He sat on the bed and looked at the ceiling. “You can see me, right?” He pointed his finger and feigned shooting a gun. “Come on, you can tell me.”
A light came on from the ceiling and flashed red. “Brian Peterson of Terra Prime, you have been charged by the High Council with conspiracy, piracy, and numerous violations of the Law of Exclusivity. In addition, you’ve been charged with violating the Edict of Geluke Don. How do you plead to these charges?”
Brian laughed. “I refuse to answer any questions or submit a plea without a proper defense. Also, it’s rude to charge someone with a capital crime through a camera and microphone. I know my rights as a citizen of the Degan Republic. Unless you’re making up the law as you go you must grant me certain privileges. Until then I’ll just take a long rest in this cell.”
The light turned off and silence ensued. A few hours of tedious boredom were killed by Brian when he rolled over on the bed and fell asleep. As he woke up, the door opened and Jabril Hopart walked through the door.
“You look like hell,” she said as she stepped inside. The door closed behind her.
“I feel like it too,” Brian said. “So what’s going on?”
“They were testing to see if you knew the law or not,” she explained. “Unfortunately for them you passed the test.”
He stood up. “I’d offer you a seat and a drink but under the circumstances that won’t be possible.”
“I’d take you up on that Brian, I would,” she said. She started pacing around the small room. “But we have business to discuss.”
He pointed to the ceiling. “Are we being watched?”
“No, I asked them to turn the monitoring systems off,” she said. She glanced at the ceiling. “And if they didn’t they’ll be in trouble soon enough.”
“Why are you here?”
“To represent you of course,” she said.
“Why you?” he asked. “I’m sure there were others just as qualified.”
“To answer your question it was my choice,” she said. “I know others could’ve done the job just as well, but the people of Kalaidia wanted their representative defending you. You also have Lord Ka on your side, as well an excellent witness.”
“What about Heaven’s Light?”
Jabril smiled. “In all legal instances it’s nothing more than a private security force. If they try outlawing it using the current definition then they’d put every Malcovin and half the Minan people out of business. No, the legal ground the High Council is standing on is tenuous at best.”
“Can they pass something to outlaw it?”
Jabril shook her head. “They could try, but in order to do such a thing they’d need a two thirds majority, something they don’t have. You’re the one to worry about.”
“I sense that,” he said. “So what do you need to know?”
“Most of my questions were answered when Veda Kein sent over the data,” Jabril explained. She noticed a look of helplessness in his eyes. “Brian, all of the things you’re charged with are impossible to prove or impossible to enforce. The Law of Exclusivity is impossible to enforce. The charges of piracy are trumped at best and the conspiracy charge is the biggest lie of them all. Saying all that, the last charge is impossible to enforce as well.”
“You sound confident,” he said.
“I have to be,” Jabril said. “The High Council’s greatest weakness is that it isn’t a unified government. The best they can do is put you in prison for life.”
“That doesn’t sound good,” Brian said.
“No, I imagine it wouldn’t be,” Jabril said. “But it’s better than death.”
“They wouldn’t kill me even if they could,” he said.
“Your death would spark far more strife than your capture,” she said. “The High Council can’t risk alienating Dega Jul any further than they already have.”
“How long do we have to prepare?”
“Two days at most,” she said.
* * *
The Mjolnir landed in its spot in the launching bay of the Avoni. Daes shook her head as the mobile suit knelt on its good leg and rested itself. Other than the blade and upper body, the mobile suit was covered in black and damaged more than she’d ever seen before. She signaled for the engineers to get to work on it. As she drew closer the hatch opened and the elevator cord descended to her. The Kalaidian pilots stopped as they landed and looked at the Mjolnir. Meldi got out of her Phase Rakna and ran over as Daes was grabbing the elevator cord.
“Can I join you?” she asked.
Daes nodded. “Go ahead.”
The two took the elevator cord to the cockpit of the mobile suit and found the interior was undamaged.
“Oh Mjolnir, whatever am I going to do with you?” Daes asked as she ran a diagnostic.
“At least the interior looks alright,” Meldi said.
“I don’t feel very good Daes,” the mobile suit said. “Meldi, watch out for the mess back there.”
“What are you talking about?” Meldi asked as she opened the door the back room. She noticed the bed was mess up while ration wrappers covered the floor. “What happened?”
“Brian is what happened,” Daes said. “Whenever he’s out on his own the back room ends up a mess.”
Meldi grabbed her nose. “It smells like body odor too.” She noticed the dirty clothes piled in the corner. “He needs to get his act together.”
“Agreed,” the Mjolnir said. “By the way, Brian had me record signals from Earth up to the Terran year of 1974. All of the data files are organized by language, medium, and genre.”
Daes checked the database. “This is amazing.”
“Other than what he’s told us we know next to nothing about his people,” Meldi said. She looked at the music files. “What should we do?”
“We can browse through it later,” Daes said. “But I’ll leave the decision to Valis.”
“Alright,” Meldi said. “So, how was the journey?”
“Brian wanted me to see the universe through the traveler’s eyes,” the mobile suit said. “I don’t understand what he meant by that. We watched comets as they moved through space. We floated in the rings of gas giants and gazed at the stars in the distance. Brian told me his dream when he was a child was to be an astronaut. I think for the first time I ever saw contentment in his eyes.”
“Do you have a picture of Terra Prime?” Daes asked.
A detailed image of Earth appeared on the screen.
“It looks just like Kalaidia,” Meldi said.
“There
are seven or eight billion of his kind living there,” Daes said. “I hope I can see it with my own eyes someday.”
“As do I,” the Mjolnir said.
Chapter 40 - Columbia Besieged
Veda, Valis, Myden, Grigon, El Kar, Esra, Kivi, and Seles stood in the command center of the Columbia base. The forces of Heaven’s Light had moved through two star systems since the last battle. Now their monitors were filled with a fleet twice the size of the last. The base was currently at the edge of a star system where ice and rock mixed together as comets made their way in and out of the main system. Valis put the plan on the monitor.
“This isn’t going to be easy,” she said. “But if we do this right the battle will go our way.” She zoomed in on some large chunks of ice and rock close to their base. “Seles, take Mira along with you on support for this mission.”
“Alright,” Seles said. “What is it I’m doing so far away from the others?”
“It’s time to test out the Artemis’s arrow system,” Valis said. “By using the reflector plates you should be able to fire at targets well before they reach us.” She looked at Kivi. “You’ll be doing the same from this position with Celi as your back up.” She highlighted a different chunk of ice.
“I think the Gemini can handle it,” Kivi said. “What about you?”
“I’ll stay behind with the Avoni as support,” Valis said. “Our goal is to destroy as many of their ships before they can close in on us.”
“What about the rest of us?” Esra asked. “Are we going to sit back and watch?”
Valis smiled. “No, phase one is to snipe their numbers down as much as possible. Phase two involves the rest of us.” She highlighted a number of positions around their base. “Each of our main ships will take these positions. Our mobile suit formations will be defensive at first to absorb their attacks. When they reach the target point, half of our mobile suits will shift into this formation.” She highlighted the mobile suit and ship formations and had them slide into a V shape with the Confederation’s head moving straight into it.
“So we’re going to draw them in and attack from all sides,” El Kar said. “What are the special mobile suits going to do in the meantime?”
Freedom Saga 1: Heaven's Light Page 20
