Lord Kris banged the gavel. “The High Council will now discuss the verdict behind closed doors.”
All of the representatives left the room with murmuring filling the room. Jabril went to Brian.
“That was beautiful,” she said.
He stared into lights above. “Even if this costs me everything I have no regrets. I lived a short life, but a good one nonetheless. I can leave it content.”
“I hope it doesn’t come to that,” Jabril said.
“I know,” he said.
A long time passed before the High Council filed back into the chamber. The Mylor leader stood at the podium. “In the case of the charges against Brian Peterson, the High Council finds him guilty on all charges. But given his history of diplomacy and benevolence, we reduce the sentence of his charge from death to life imprisonment. As he is a special case he’ll be detained in the prison within this station.” The Mylor turned to Brian again. “If you wish to say one last thing before detention you may say it now.”
Brian looked to everyone in the room. “I tried reasoning with you and dying alone in a cell is my fate. I can accept that. Since the day I was taken by the Greys my life has been on borrowed time. But even though my voice will be silenced the fight I started will not. The people will learn the truth. No king, no tyrant, no despotic power will ever stop the song I’ve started. No matter what you try, the song of liberty will never end. Where I fall another will take my place, and even if it be a thousand years the people of Alden will be free.”
Cheers came from the supporting races as Brian was led out of the chamber. Four Minan guards checked his restraints before prodding for him to leave. He looked back at Jabril, Lumiar, and Shiken Ka.
“Thanks,” he said as he was forced away.
Brian walked calmly down to the cell he was in before and stepped inside. As the restraints fell to the ground the lead guard stopped the door from closing.
“If the will of Mina was not kept by the Confederation we would join you,” he said.
Brian saluted the bearman. “I know you would. I pray the four elements flow with each of you.”
“And the same for you,” the guard said before closing the door.
* * *
Shiken Ka, Jabril, and Lumiar headed to the meeting room between the Kalaidian and Shandi delegations. The fighting inside the grand hall was getting worse while the Odairans considered changing their vote.
“Their constant bickering is grating on my nerves,” Jabril said. “They sound just like the nobles when Brian told them the truth.”
“I long for the days when I debated with the circles,” Lumiar said. “At least it was between intelligent beings.”
Shiken laughed. “Never in my days did I think you’d say that.”
Lumiar looked up at the snakeman. “Patience is a great virtue amongst my people Lord Ka. But like any virtue it can only be tested for so long.” She stared at the High Council as if argued. “Has the lust for power blinded them so much?”
“Power is a seductive thing,” Shiken said. “Even I craved it at one time. But now I know there are things far more valuable.”
“Is there anything we can do to change their minds?” Jabril asked.
Shiken looked at the small rat people as they spoke amongst themselves on behalf of the Odairan people. “If any of them see reason it’ll be the pacifists we mock so often.”
Chapter 45 - The Mylor Protest
While the High Council continued arguing the image screens at their individual areas lit up. The Lord Kris banged the gavel as loud as he could and looked at the other delegations.
“The vote on Brian Peterson’s fate has been cast,” he started. “But this matter is not settled. We have just received word from our homeworld.” He looked down at the document on the monitor before reading it aloud. “It’s the will of the Mylor Republic that we formally withdraw all military aid to the Galactic Confederation.” Outside, all of the Mylor battleships gravity jumped away. “It’s our deepest regrets we see the High Council acting as it is now. The Galactic Confederation was established to prevent conflict, encourage trade, and bring an understanding to all member races. The original reason for its existence has been perverted over time by those wishing to maintain power. The members opposing Heaven’s Light and the Terran Brian Peterson are doing so not for the sake of the Confederation but for the sake of their own interests. With this being so, it’s the judgment of the people of Mylor to protest this gross transgression by removing our military from your defense.”
Anger seethed from the opponents of Heaven’s Light as the chamber erupted in violent arguments. Lord Kris closed his eyes.
“Everything is in place,” he said. He turned to the other Mylors. “The time for talking is over my friends. We’ve waited long for this day to come.”
* * *
Veda, El Kar, Grigon, Myden, Seles, Valis, Esra, and Kivi were planning for the next battle in the command center of the Columbia base. The asteroid base was currently phase cloaked and stationed near Confederation headquarters when the Mylor made their announcement. Each watched in shock as the massive, sphere shaped battleships gravity jumped away and left the station with few defenses. Valis programmed the changes into the Minerva’s systems remotely. A moment later the calculations were displayed in front of them.
“This changes everything,” Valis said. She looked at the others. “Scratch the plan I was going to use, we have to rethink this.”
“Without the Mylor their defenses are weak,” El Kar said.
“But we don’t want to destroy them,” Esra added.
“We want to free Brian,” Seles said.
“Should we take him by force?” Kivi asked.
“No,” Valis said. “We’ll request the release of Brian first.”
“If that’s not enough we’ll knock it over their heads a few times,” Veda said.
Valis changed the battle plans and submitted them to the holographic table in front of them. She looked at Seles. “I hope you’re ready for this.”
“I’m ready,” Seles said.
“Then let’s shock the world like he did ten years ago,” Valis said.
* * *
Brian woke up with the light shining in his face. His long hair was messed up and his face was covered with scruffy hair. The clothes he wore were disheveled. He sniffed himself as he stood up and stretched.
“They could’ve at least given me some deodorant,” he said. He looked up at the camera. “Are you enjoying this?”
He started poking at the walls of the cell and found nothing of interest.
“So the plan is turn me into a raving lunatic by giving me nothing to do,” he said.
His stomach growled.
“Yeah, and I doubt any of you will feed me anyway,” he said. “Man, I’d kill for a pizza right now.”
* * *
While the High Council continued arguing on the subject Heaven’s Light their alert system went on. Outside, the Freedom appeared inside their defense perimeter. At the same time all of the hundred and one mobile suits appeared in formation. The Artemis and Siren led the way. A message came through on all frequencies. When they accepted it they saw the face of Seles inside the Artemis. She opened her eyes as they started glowing.
“To the High Council we ask only one thing,” Seles started. “Obey the laws you have set and release Commander Peterson. He’s being unlawfully kept in your station at this time. If you do not accept these terms we are prepared to free him by force.”
Seles closed her eyes and heard the screams in her mind as those inside railed one way or the other. As the cacophony grew worse she felt the pilots from both sides. She opened her glowing eyes and saw the Lances moving into defensive positions.
“It looks like they’ve chosen their path,” Mira said.
“Should we move out?” Kyli asked.
The Artemis aimed its heavy cannon at a spot on the Kailion station and fired. The intense energy beam smashed through
their shields, destroyed six Lances while cutting a hole the size of a heavy class ship into the station.
“All forces of the Freedom are to attack,” Seles ordered.
* * *
Brian fell over as the station shuddered. The lights flickered before he stood up. The door beeped and opened up. He took a look and saw one of the Minan guards was unconscious. He grabbed the pulse rifle the unconscious guard was carrying and aimed at the other guard as she shook her head.
“I’m getting out of here,” Brian said.
She stared the rifle barrel down before nodding and threw down her pulse rifle. Brian grabbed it and threw it over his back. As he turned to escape a pair of barricades slid down from the ceiling and cut him off. Brian banged his fist on the metal door and looked back at the female Minan.
“I’d bet these are pulse proof,” he said.
“They also reflect it,” she said.
Brian looked at the barricade with a strange smile on his face. “That’s just great.”
* * *
While the Freedom and its mobile suits attacked, the base of Heaven’s Light moved into position. The remaining five ships launched and deployed their mobile suits. When they appeared on the scanners the Confederation forces swarming around the Freedom seemed confused. A number of them moved to cut off the five ships but were cut down by the barrage of pulse fire. The Artemis lined up a second shot from the arrow system and blasted the headquarters once more. This time Seles aimed at the main shield generation system. After the target area exploded, the powerful barriers holding back the forces of Heaven’s Light went down. Kivi joined Valis and Celi with all three of them on their mobile suits. The Gemini took the front while the Aegis flew in the middle. Valis took to the rear as the three flew forward.
“That arrow system really packs a punch,” Kivi said as she fired the Gemini’s heavy cannon.
“It’s a battle changer,” Valis said.
“I wonder if it could pierce the Aegis’s shields,” Celi said.
“If she combined hers with mine we’d be able to,” Kivi said. “But that’s assuming none of us use our special systems.”
“There will be no need for that,” Valis said.
“So stick to the plan?” Kivi asked. “You’re no fun.”
Valis laughed. “Yes, but we will win.”
“And winning a battle is the only thing that matters for a soldier,” Celi said.
* * *
While lines of Lances were scattered by the sudden attack, the Artemis and Siren made their way into the first opening. Seles’s eyes returned to normal as she landed the mobile suit inside the fissure. The Siren landed right behind her.
“Are you ready?” Seles asked as she put the helmet of her exoskeleton on.
“It’s set to fire whenever an enemy comes to close,” Mira said.
“Let’s go then,” Seles said as she opened the front hatch.
Across the way Mira did the same. As the two floated towards a hallway Seles drew her rakna and extended her shield. Mira drew her raiga whip and prepped her med kit. Upon landing they were met by fierce pulse fire from a number of Minan guards. Each took to a side of a door and spun their superheated weapons.
“Which of us go first?” Mira asked.
“I think I should,” Seles said.
“What makes you so special? It’s not like you’re any faster than me.”
“True,” Seles said. “But I have a shield.”
“Good point,” Mira said.
Seles turned and swung the sword. An energy blast filled the hall as a number of guards were vaporized or forced to retreat. The two women moved quickly through the station as they made their way to the brig.
Chapter 46 - Kailion Besieged
Veda stood in the command center of the Columbia base and observed the battle outside. She turned to her commander, a Kalaidian with long, dark green hair and green eyes.
“Shall we Reban?” Veda asked.
“It’s ready whenever you wish to speak,” commander Reban reported.
Veda pressed the button and appeared on the screens of those inside the High Council chamber. “I am Veda Kein, the leader of this organization. We’re interested in pursuing a peaceful solution to the situation. But we need you to see reason.”
“At gunpoint!” the angry red bird named Creko shouted back. “This proves my point! Brian and this mercenary unit are seeking power!”
The others continued arguing amongst themselves. Veda examined each group carefully and noticed the Odairans were speaking amongst themselves quite reasonably. She narrowed her transmission to their monitor alone.
“Could I speak to the one in charge?” she asked.
The small rat people looked to one another before a short, grey haired female came forward.
“I am Rechel Melci,” she said. “What do you wish to speak with us about Lady Veda?”
“It seems to me your people are in a quandary,” Veda said. “You’d like to side with us but something’s holding you back.”
Rechel pointed to the Malcovin. “The bird king has us under his feathers. If we act against him more of our people will die.”
“To live in fear is to not live at all,” Veda said.
“We know that,” Rechel said. “But we are powerless to stop it.”
“Then we will aid you,” Veda said. “All we need is proof of their oppression.”
“But we couldn’t possibly afford the cost of hiring you,” Rechel said.
Veda smiled. “Our organization doesn’t fight for money. We exist to liberate those who can’t do so on their own. I know how much your people abhor war.”
“I’ll have to discuss the offer with the others,” Rechel said.
“Please hurry,” Veda said. “I’d like to end this madness soon.”
* * *
The forces of the Confederation tried putting up one defensive line after another. With each passing moment the forces of Heaven’s Light moved closer. The Minerva, Gemini, and Aegis flew together at the front and broke apart any line the Lances tried making. Behind them, the Freedom and its mobile suits slashed through any survivors. The five ships behind them did likewise. Valis checked her scanners and noticed there were a number of motionless Lances.
“It appears Mira’s set it to run on its own,” Valis said.
“Should we take them out?” Celi asked.
“No,” Valis said. “Our goal is their surrender, not massacre.”
“Anyways, it’s no fun shooting at those who can’t shoot back,” Kivi said.
The headquarters gun batteries targeted them and fired. Celi flew the Aegis forward and caused the beams to bounce away harmlessly.
“I think we should stay focused on the battle,” she said.
“We’re trying,” Kivi said.
“I guess we should try harder,” Valis said.
The Gemini aimed its cannon and fired a wide beam, destroying seven of the pulse cannons on the station. The Minerva turned and shot down a pair of Lances coming in from behind.
“How long are going to be doing this?” Celi asked.
“Once Brian is safe our mission is complete,” Valis said.
* * *
Brian tossed the pulse rifle back to the Minan female. She looked surprised at his action and picked it up. He leaned back and rested his head on the barricade when the place shook again, causing him to bang his head.
“That hurt,” he said with a funny grin. “Hey, what’s your name?”
“Shrela,” she said. “Why did you give my rifle back to me?”
“If I’m going to be stuck in here for a while I’d rather not be on edge,” he said. “By the way, is he alright?”
She checked the unconscious guard. “He seems to have a concussion, but nothing fatal.”
“That’s good,” he said.
* * *
Myden smiled as he fired the cannons. Grigon looked at the unusually animate Grey. Jesela continued dancing back and forth with a tu
ne only she knew in her head.
“I’ve never seen you like this,” Grigon said.
“I haven’t been in the middle of something like this in years,” Myden remarked.
“We’ve been in the middle of it too much,” Jesela said.
Grigon cawed. “Then why did you sign on for this? We’re going to be fighting for years.”
Jesela continued dancing. “I couldn’t help it old man. These mobile suit things are just too much fun for a manic engineer like me.”
Freedom Saga 1: Heaven's Light Page 23
