Freedom Saga 1: Heaven's Light

by Marcus Johnson

  * * *

  “It looks like our competition is fiercer than expected,” Mira said.

  She and Seles stood together while Jesela dragged Brian around. Celi and Kyli then made their way to him to talk for a while.

  “Patience will pay off in the end,” Seles said. “We’ve been waiting for two years.”

  “I’m really glad the goofy Brian is back,” Mira said. “When his eye was glowing all the time it felt like I was talking to someone else.”

  “I know the feeling,” Seles said. “Something happened to him during his journey towards Earth. Something he can’t tell us about.”

  “I think it’s because he can’t put it into words,” Mira said. “Like music, not everything is clear. Sometimes you have to dig into the lyrics and notes to find the meaning.”

  “That’s deep,” Seles said.

  “Are you being sarcastic again?” Mira asked.

  Seles smiled. “When am I not?”

  “That’s you though,” Mira said.

  “As long as you don’t call me the same as Jesela I won’t mind it,” Seles said.

  Mira laughed. “There’s no in this universe quite like her.”

  * * *

  Myden found himself standing with Veda as she fought off investors one after another.

  “Will this ever end?” she asked.

  “No my lady, it won’t,” Myden answered flatly.

  Veda shook her head. “It’s not like you to be so honest. What happened to you?”

  “The sun rose in my heart Lady Veda,” the Grey said.

  She sighed. “Part of me wishes it would rise for real. Then this party would be over.”

  “I know you say that,” he said. “But your thoughts give you away.”

  “You’re no fun, you know that Myden?”

  “Fun is for those with some youth left in them,” he remarked.

  * * *

  Brian walked from the center of the party until he found a quite balcony off to the side. As he approached he noticed Valis was standing in the moonlight with a beautiful blue dress on. She turned to meet him as he walked over.

  “So what are your plans Captain Peterson?” she asked with a smug smile while holding a glass of wine.

  He gazed at the night sky of Dega Jul before staring at the flickering city scape. “I know what the Teacher said I should do, but I know what I feel inside.”

  “And what do you feel?”

  “A beautiful future awaits us,” he said. “The day will come when there are no wars, no killing, no stealing, and no hatred. I’ll live every moment of my life for that ideal.”

  “It sounds wonderful.” Valis said. “But how will you achieve such paradise?”

  He raised his drink to the starry sky above them. “To create something beautiful one must struggle. To do what I want is the greatest struggle of them all. Peace and happiness will be born in fire. As the Warrior I’ll shoulder the burden. I probably won’t see that future, but at least I know someday it’ll come true.”

  “Even if the entire galaxy hates you for it?” she asked.

  “For Seles, for you, for all the beings in space, I’d do anything. Even if it costs me my life and name, I won’t stop until Eden is born.”

  Valis sipped her wine. “You need to stop thinking like a martyr,” she said.

  “You need to stop drinking so much,” Brian countered.

  She looked at her wine glass and sighed. “You’re right about that.”

  The two of them looked at each other and laughed as the moon shined brightly on the city planet.

  Epilogue

  Brian glanced as the rank circlet he wore as an officer on the Avoni before taking the captain bars in his hand. He stared at the simple metal bars before pressing them against the chest plate on his exoskeleton in the area above his heart. Seles put on her exoskeleton and walked over.

  “You look different,” she said.

  “I am,” he responded. “I’m normal once more.”

  She embraced him. “What was it like?”

  “The world was fuzzy and out of focus,” he said. “I couldn’t tell the difference between dreams and reality. All I felt were waves of thoughts coming from others.”

  “Will I suffer the same in a few years?”

  “Not likely,” Brian said. “If you’re eyes start glowing red I’ll say something.”

  “Thanks,” she said with a laugh.

  A buzz came from the door.

  “It’s me,” Mira said.

  Brian and Seles separated before the door opened. Mira poked her head in. “I guessed you two would be here.”

  Seles passed Mira with a grin. “You would’ve done the same.”

  Mira smiled back. “He still looks like he’s got some energy.” She glanced at Brian, “Later tonight, right?”

  “Sure, I’m game,” Brian said.

  Seles shook her head. “This relationship is still really weird.”

  The three walked the halls of the Freedom until they came to the bridge. Once inside, they saw Myden, Grigon, Jesela, and Kyli waiting for them. He went to the center and looked at everyone. As he did so he raised his hand in salute. They returned the gesture.

  “Today is the day everything begins my friends,” Brian said. “The Freedom is the symbol of the future to come. This ship has neither race nor creed. It fights not for money, not for glory, not for god, not for country, and not for fame. As we begin this journey I warn it’ll be long. The fight for liberty is endless in our time. Perhaps someday we’ll see the end. But for now let us be content on the start. I’ll be counting on everyone in the days to come. My days in a mobile suit have come to an end, but that doesn’t mean I won’t fight. I’ll be at your side at all times. And if need be I’ll lead from the front.” Brian drew his new rakna blade and raised it to the sky. “Until the Freedom’s bell rings eternal our mission will never end. Even if we can’t live in that world, even if we fall along the way, it’s our duty as rational beings to try making it real. I give my life for this dream and I ask you do the same.” He sat in the captain’s chair while everyone else took their positions on the bridge. “Jesela, please open a com link to our friends.”

  “Yes sir,” she said as she hit the button.

  “To the forces of Heaven’s Light this is Captain Peterson speaking. First, I want to thank everyone for the support they showed on my behalf through the recent ordeal. Second, prepare to move out. Our first mission begins today. I’ll be contacting your captains later for further instructions.”

  “Where are we going first?” Valis asked as she appeared on his monitor.

  “Yes, please tell us,” Kivi added.

  “I suppose it would be good to know,” El Kar said.

  “Our Maigar in captain’s bars wouldn’t keep us in suspense,” Esra added.

  “Then I won’t Esra,” Brian said with smile. He pointed to the star map. “Our first liberation will be the Reiki’s seventh colony system. We have some unfinished business there.”