Freedom Saga 2: Freedom's Bell
Read Freedom Saga 2: Freedom's Bell Online
Authors: Marcus Johnson
Freedom’s
Bell
By
Marcus Johnson
Text
Copyright © 2013 Marcus Johnson
All
Rights Reserved
For
those fighting to end to poverty
Chapter 9 - Precision Demolition
Chapter 11 - Rebellious Dissent
Chapter 13 - Oppressed Odairans
Chapter 14 - Piercing the Line
Chapter 15 - Three Pronged Victory
Chapter 23 - Strike While the Iron’s
Hot
Chapter 25 - Interrogation and
Celebration
Chapter 28 - Engulf and Destroy
Chapter 31 - Revolutionary Thoughts
Chapter 35 - Sneaking Past the
Blockade
Chapter 36 - Senseless Measures
Chapter 38 - The Tightening Noose
Chapter 42 - Final Preparations
Chapter 43 - The Heart of Greed
Chapter 44 - The Battle of Malcov
Prime
Chapter 45 - Flames of Liberty
Chapter 46 - When the Gate Crashes
Storms
raged across the surface of Malcov Prime, the home world of the bird people.
Surrounding the Earth sized planet was a solar power generation system in the
form of an orbital ring supported by five towers equally spaced around the
equator. Below the clouds thousands of cities spanned the four continents of
the world. The two larger landmasses were near the equator while the other two
were covered in ice on the north and south poles. Across the planet and above
the sky innumerable ships of all kinds came and left. As the day wore on four
fleets greater than a thousand ships appeared in orbit. Each fleet sent down a
single drop ship. They landed on the tallest tower in the capital city of
Jerikai. From each of the four ships emerged a heavily plumed Malcovin officer.
From their metallic tones each was marked as an admiral of the Malcovin
military. They walked through the cold mountain air and into the tower before
them. After going through a series of opulent halls the four admirals came to a
pair of golden doors twenty
vetres
high and half as wide. One of the
guards in front of the door let out a loud caw to signal their entrance. As
they walked in the four saw the red feathered Creko kneeling before King Zaris,
the leader of the Malcovin people. Though Zaris’s feathers were grey from age
his red eyes were filled with youthful rage. He wore gems and gold from beak to
clawed foot, as well as an elaborate crown to mark his status. On his belt he
wore a pulse pistol and in his clawed hands he held a glowing Keiker pike. Zaris
glanced at the admirals and waved for them to wait. He held his pike under
Creko’s beak and cawed.
“I
was a fool to believe you’d get the job done,” Zaris said.
“There
was nothing I could do!” Creko shouted nervously. “The Odairans are the ones to
blame!”
“They
will pay for their insolence,” Zaris said. “But you must pay for failing me!”
Creko
tried backing away but it was too late. As he screamed the glowing pike was
already through his heart. Zaris cawed before tossing the dead birdman aside.
After the pike cooled he wiped the blood from the tip and sat down on his
golden throne and looked to his attendants.
“Please
clean up the mess,” Zaris said.
“Yes
my lord,” a black feathered servant said before dragging the body away.
The
four admirals came forward. The one wearing gold knelt before his king first.
The others followed suit.
“My
lord, the four navies have gathered,” Shakar, the admiral of the Gold navy said.
“For what reason have we been called forth?”
King
Zaris cawed with anger. “Heaven’s Light has been allowed to survive. I called
you to ready for battle with them.”
“Shall
we go on the offense?” Takar, the admiral of the Bronze navy, asked.
“Or
should we fight them another way?” Vikrit, the admiral of the Silver navy,
asked.
Zaris
stepped off his throne and stood before them. “The Iron navy will deploy to
Odairan space immediately.”
Regelik,
the admiral of the Iron navy nodded. “Yes my lord.”
Zaris
raised his Keiker pike to the sky. “No matter the price we must crush Heaven’s
Light. No one will ever conquer the great people of Malcov!”
* * *
Grigon
was performing a diagnostic on the Artemis and Siren when Seles and Mira
emerged from their mobile suits.
“Everything
looks good on the inside,” Mira said.
“Same
for the Artemis,” Seles said.
Both
of them noticed Grigon was distracted by something.
“Grigon,
what’s wrong?” Seles asked.
The
old birdman shook his head. “Too many memories,” he answered.
“What
kind of memories?” Mira asked.
“The
kind that poisons your soul,” Grigon said. “Many years ago, before either of
you were born, I lived a life of luxury. Other than the king I was the most
powerful of my people. But time changes and people die.”
“Are
you talking about your wife?” Seles asked.
“We
know the official story, but what really happened?” Mira asked.
“He
killed her,” Grigon said. “Rikai was the best engineer I ever knew. But because
she was female teaching her was against the laws of my people,” he cawed, “Remember
my young friends, laws aren’t always just or right. Often they only justify the
will of the ones in power.”
A
fleet of over a hundred ships stood between the colonies of the seventh Reiki
system and the outside world. Any ships approaching the colonies were
immediately destroyed. When the suppression fleet approached the Freedom
appeared. The ship’s shields blocked any incoming attacks while firing back
with its pulse cannons and HV missiles. On the bridge of the Freedom Captain
Brian Peterson, Myden, Grigon, and Jesela worked at their stations. Filling out
the rest of the bridge crew were four droids that resembled Malcovin officers.
“Seles,
Mira, follow the plan Valis sent us earlier,” Brian ordered.
“Of
course,” Mira said as the pair appeared on the bridge’s monitor from their
mobile suits.
“We’re
on it,” Seles added.
The
Artemis and Siren launched and headed for the Reiki fleet.
“Kyli,
Tctie, deploy in formation A-3,” Brian ordered.
The
Kalaidian and Ick-Tckt lieutenants appeared on the monitor from their mobile
suits.
“A-3
it is captain,” Kyli said. “Tctie, you can take point this time.”
“I’m
on it,” the ant man responded.
The
launching bays of the Freedom opened wide as ninety nine mobile suits flew into
formation. Most of them were Phase Raknas while the last dozen or so were Phase
Talons. Lieutenant Tctie’s Phase Rakna was painted dark and had four arms
instead of the usual two. The mobile suits separated into nine squads of eleven
before moving to engage the Reiki fleet. The Reiki ships deployed their
starfish shaped fighters and headed straight for the mass of mobile suits.
“Valis
was right,” Brian said.
“Are
you talking about the predictability of their battle tactics?” Jesela asked.
“It’s
scary to behold,” Brian said. “Myden, keep them on their toes.”
The
old Grey cracked a grin. “Don’t worry, firing weapons is easy.”
“I’m
glad to hear it old man,” Brian said.
* * *
Phase
cloaked behind the suppression fleet was the Columbia base. The asteroid complex
was a flurry of activity as the remaining five ships moved out. In front of
them the Reiki fleet was busy with the Freedom and its mobile suits. Valis sat
in the cockpit of the Minerva and closed her eyes. She was wearing her purple
and black exoskeleton with her helmet next to her seat. After the Avoni moved
outside Meldi and Celi appeared on her monitor from the Mjolnir and Aegis
respectively.
“Is
everything alright?” Celi asked.
“You
look a little stressed out captain,” Meldi said.
She
opened her eyes and smiled. “Thanks for asking. I think Brian was spot on with
the drinking issue.”
“You
can still have some from time to time,” Celi said.
“Just
don’t drink before battles, that’s all I ask,” Meldi added.
Valis
laughed. “I’ll be alright.”
Ahead
of them the Freedom flew into the thick of the enemy fleet while the Artemis
and Siren engaged a number of ships on their own. Valis closed her eyes and
took a deep breath before turning on the com. As she did so her eyes were
glowing blue.
“This
is Captain Valis speaking to all forces of the Columbia base,” she started.
“The Avoni and Daevoni will advance forward and join the Freedom. We’ll deploy
our mobile suits in formation A-3.”
“We’re
on it captain,” Zae reported from the bridge.
“Moving
into position as we speak,” Esra said from her bridge.
“What
about the rest of us?” Kivi asked from the cockpit of the Gemini.
“I’d
like to know as well,” El Kar said from the bridge of the Reinkar.
“The
Gemini will join the three of us,” Valis said. “As for you El Kar, I apologize
for our enemies being weak. Maintain formation D-2 with the base.”
“As
you wish,” El Kar said.
The
two Kalaidian battleships deployed their Raknas. The Minerva and the Aegis
joined the Mjolnir outside as the Gemini flew over to them. The four mobile
suits moved forward with the Aegis in the middle.
* * *
Numerous
fighters and ships from the Reiki fleet broke away to engage the Artemis and
Siren. Seles closed her eyes and concentrated before allowing the berserk to
come over her. The Artemis started glowing blue as its drive sped up.
“Mira,
brace me,” Seles said.
“I’m
on it,” Mira responded.
The
Siren held the Artemis as its rifle fired a massive beam into the enemy fleet.
While the center of the Reiki fleet collapsed the Artemis fired another shot,
further stressing the enemy’s formation. Seles ended her berserk and returned
her mobile suit to normal.
“That
was pretty effective,” Mira said.
“The
arrow system is working perfectly,” Seles said.
The
Avoni, Daevoni, and their mobile suits appeared on their scanners.
“Looks
like our friends have arrived,” Mira said. “Shall we ramp up the party?”
Seles
nodded. “We have to leave them something to do. I know Kivi will be
disappointed if she doesn’t get a shot in before they surrender.”
Valis
appeared on their monitors.
“Seles,
Mira, join the four of us now,” Valis said.
“On
our way,” Seles said.
She
and Mira flew their crafts to the other four mobile suits and waited inside the
Aegis’s shields. Valis observed the data stream from the Minerva’s computer
system.
“This
is Valis speaking again,” she said. “Our enemy is currently focused on sinking
the Freedom. As it draws their attention our main force will engage in a pincer
attack. The Avoni and Daevoni will stay the Freedom while the rest of you
engage their flank. The heart of the enemy is gone. All that remains is to hand
them defeat.”
The
Freedom joined the Avoni and Daevoni as they turned about their forces. The
three ships and their mobile suits tore into the Reiki fleet. At the same time,
the three ships with the Columbia base deployed their forces and attacked the
rear of the Reiki formation. Valis narrowed her transmission to the five mobile
suits near her.
“We’ll
do what we did against the second Confederation fleet,” she said. “Meldi, take
the Mjolnir and return to the Avoni.”
“Yes
captain,” she said as she flew the Mjolnir away.
The
Gemini and Artemis moved to the front while the Siren and Minerva moved to the
rear. The five mobile suits swept through the enemy fleet and annihilated
anything in their path.
* * *
Brian
watched the battle unfolding from the bridge of the Freedom while the others
were busy at their stations. As the Maidens tore through the enemy fleet the
Reiki ships intensified their attack on the Freedom. Although the shields were
holding the shaking was getting worse.
“Tctie,
return with your forces and help defend the ship,” Brian said.
“We’re
turning about now captain,” the Ick-Tckt said.
“This
is a mess,” Myden commented.
“More
than a mess,” Grigon said before cawing.
“It’s
like fighting a stupider version of the Greys,” Jesela said before looking at
Myden. “I didn’t mean you of course.”
“Your
thoughts say as much,” Myden said.
“It’s
because of the law of utility,” Brian said. “Whatever creates the most
happiness is what they go with.”
“How’s
this creating happiness?” Jesela asked.
Brian
laughed. “That is the mystery, isn’t it?” A ship exploded near the Freedom and
caused it to shake violently. “You’d have to ask their leaders for the answer
Jesela. But using their current stance on utility it means that if killing a
million saved a billion, they’d do it in a heartbeat.”
“That’s
pretty cold,” Jesela said.
“As
cold as the mountains of Yerka,” Grigon said.
Tctie
and half of the mobile suits flew in and acted as a shield for the Freedom.
Brian watched as the Maidens continued their assault through the middle of the
Reiki fleet.
“How
many of our enemies remain?” Brian asked.
“They’re
numbers are half of what they were when we arrived,” Grigon reported.
“Let’s
end this as quickly as we can,” Brian said.