Freedom Saga 2: Freedom's Bell (13 page)

“We’re
at their last barricade,” Seles reported.

She
and Mira were down the passageway around the corner of a T style split. Smoke
and burnt bodies surrounded them.

“That
room is their command center,” Valis responded. “When you bust in make sure you
use a stun grenade.”

“Got
it,” Seles said.

She
readied a stun grenade; Mira did the same as they went to the barricaded door.

“How
do you want to do this?” Mira asked.

“Slash
it open with your whip,” Seles said. “Then we’ll each toss a grenade in there.”

The
two turned when they heard the sound of footsteps moving in their direction.

“Valis,
are our troops already inside the base?” Seles asked.

“They
just landed a pair of drop ships a minute ago,” Valis said. “You won’t be able
to haul many prisoners on your own.”

“That’s
true,” Mira said. “Let’s get to it then.”

Mira
ignited her
raiga
whip and slashed the barricaded door a number of
times. As holes appeared pulse fire came through. Seles knelt in front with her
shield emitting a protective field as Mira continued clearing the way. When a
large enough breach was made Seles quickly pressed the detonator and threw a
stun grenade into the room. After the first pulse knocked most of the Malcovin
out Mira threw a second in to finish the job. After the two hacked away the
rest of the barrier they saw stunned Malcovin soldiers everywhere. Seles looked
around until she saw the admiral on the ground with a pike still in hand. He
looked at her and tried moving, but was unable to. A resigned look came to his
eyes.

“Are
you here to kill us?” Regelik asked.

Seles
took her helmet off to look him in the eye while pointing the tip of her
rakna
at his throat. “No, we’ve come to free you.”

* * *

“We’ve
successfully captured the admiral and his command staff,” Reban reported.

Veda
smiled. “Good. Hopefully he’ll be willing to help us resolve a few things.”

The
mobile suits outside continued escorting prisoners onto the Columbia base after
disarming them.

“Looks
like we’ll need to unload again,” Veda said.

“Given
this victory we should be able to take some time to sort things out,” Reban
said.

“Valis
differs on that issue,” Veda said. “Their king will act rashly.”

Reban
shrugged. “Why am I not surprised?”

* * *

Valis
and Celi landed their mobile suits on the Avoni. As they descended to the
ground Celi looked at Valis closely.

“You
look better,” Celi said.

“Talking
helps,” Valis said.

The
pair glanced up at the Minerva and Aegis. They watched as the Mjolnir and
Raknas landed.

“You
didn’t berserk this time,” Celi said.

“Using
the Minerva’s system will end up being a liability someday,” Valis said. “I’d
like to avoid that by sticking to my own plans.”

“Good
idea,” Celi said. She looked at some of the pilots as they departed their Raknas
and noticed some were wounded. “I’d better get to sickbay and help.”

“Go
ahead,” Valis said.

Celi
ran over as medical officers came in and directed the wounded to sickbay. Daes
and the engineering crew were hard at work repairing the damage. Valis walked
over as Meldi took the elevator cord of the Mjolnir to the ground. Myli joined
her halfway.

“I
suppose you want a special model as well,” Valis said.

Myli
shook her head. “I know the budget’s tight, that’s why I’m not complaining
anymore.”

“You
weren’t complaining that much,” Valis said. “How’s he holding up?”

Meldi
looked at the Mjolnir. “He misses Brian, but we’re managing.”

“I’m
glad to have such a pretty lady as his replacement,” Mjolnir said.

“Now
stop that,” Meldi said while blushing. “He really does have Brian’s
personality.”

“He
programmed me to be this way,” the mobile suit responded.

“That
he did,” Valis said. She looked at Meldi and Myli. “I’m glad the two of you
work together so well.”

“It
makes it much easier on both of us,” Meldi said.

“It
makes me wonder why what we’re doing hasn’t been done before,” Myli said.

“It
was,” Valis said. “During the days the
Maigars
walked amongst us they
led in pairs. It was in case one was killed in battle.”

“I
hope that doesn’t happen to us,” Myli said.

“Me
neither,” Meldi said.

* * *

Grigon
and Jesela were waiting for the Artemis and Siren to land. Both Seles and Mira
departed looking a little tired. Jesela ran over with her tablet to scan
everything over.

“Is
there a reason you do that every time we go out?” Mira asked.

“Of
course,” Jesela answered. “We have to keep an eye on these.”

“Each
of them cost a small fortune to make,” Grigon cawed.

“I’m
glad the two of you are so dogmatic about this,” Seles said. “Our best needs
the best attention.”

“That’s
right,” Jesela said.

“We’ll
take care of everything,” Grigon said.

“Thanks,”
Seles said.

“See
you later,” Mira said.

The
two continued with their work after Seles and Mira left.

“Do
you think they’re catching onto us?” Jesela asked.

“It’s
because you’re a terrible liar,” Grigon said.

* * *

Seles
and Mira headed to the bridge and found the four droids hard at work while
Myden was looking things over near the captain’s chair.

“What’s
got you so interested?” Seles asked as they joined him.

Myden
put the image of Regelik in his cell on the screen. “This one will be a wealth
of answers.”

“You’re
planning something sneaky again, aren’t you?” Mira asked.

Myden
laughed. “Of course I am. My abilities are best for gathering information.” He
pointed to his head. “While the body can lie the mind cannot. Veda and Grigon
will ask the questions. I’ll be the one to know the answers.”

“You
plan on sharing, don’t you?” Seles asked.

“Of
course,” Myden answered.

“We’re
glad to hear it,” Mira said. She looked at Seles. “By the way, are you?”

“Of
course,” Seles said.

She
pressed the main intercom button and rang the Freedom’s bell. The sound
traveled from place to place as it made its way across the Confederation.

“You’re
not going to pair it with a speech?” Mira asked.

Seles
smiled. “No, we don’t want to sound repetitious. That and Brian’s better at it
than I am.”

* * *

Brian
and Shiken Ka entered the command center of the Nevada base and joined the leader,
Lena Obril. As soon as all their personnel were onboard the base headed for
Odairan space. The intercom system went on as the Freedom’s bell rung.

“It
looks like our allies were successful,” Lena said.

“Only
for part one,” Brian said. “The Malcovin won’t give up so easily.”

“Zaris
is a fool, and a predictable one at that,” Shiken said. “Power goes to one’s
head and wins against reason.”

“By
the way, are the other two bases joining us on this mission?” Lena asked.

“No,”
Brian answered. “In the coming battle only this and the Columbia base will be
present. We need to keep one over Reiki Prime until their government has had a
chance to act.”

“The
Sicily base is laying low on the Malcovin border,” Shiken said.

Lena
sighed. “Forgive me for being doubtful on this. Two bases against an entire
navy aren’t the best of odds.”

“Valis
has something in mind,” Brian said.

“She
always has something in mind,” Lena said. “It’s one of the reasons working with
her is a hassle.”

Veda
and Grigon were outside the holding cell Regelik was being held in when Myden
stepped out of the shadows.

“I’ll
keep an ear to his thoughts,” Myden said.

“We’re
counting on you,” Veda said.

“That’s
if he isn’t cooperative,” Grigon cawed.

Myden
rested himself next to the door as the other two went inside. The admiral stood
up from his meditative pose.

“I
was wondering when someone would come to speak with me,” Regelik said. “I never
thought it would be you old man.”

“It’s
been twenty seven years Regelik,” Grigon said. “You were only a captain in
those days.”

“Times
change and so do ranks,” the admiral said. “You must be Veda Kein.”

“I
am,” Veda said. “We’d like to ask you a few questions Admiral Regelik. I assure
you there won’t be any torture.”

Regelik
cawed. “It wouldn’t matter because I know you have a Grey up your sleeve. No
doubt he’s reading my thoughts right now.”

“Only
the important ones,” Grigon said.

Regelik
laughed. “Well then you win.”

“He’s
rather open for a high ranking officer,”
Myden said to Veda and Grigon telepathically.

“How
were things on the home world when you were there last?” Grigon asked.

“Chaos,”
Regelik answered. “The female rebels have been acting up recently. Zaris
suspects your organization has something to do with it but he has no proof.”

“What
kind of problems are the rebels causing?” Veda asked.

“Military
bases are being attacked and there have been a number of precision strikes on
top government officials,” Regelik explained. “But before answering any more
questions I’d like to ask something of you.”

“What
would that be?” Veda asked.

“Asylum,”
Regelik said. “If my men or I are let go Zaris has a standing order to execute
us. I’m a proud soldier, but not a fool. Dying now won’t help my bottom line.”

Veda
looked to Grigon as he nodded.

“Granted,”
she said. “Now that we have that cleared up I’d like to ask how many ships the
other admirals control.”

“The
admirals of the Bronze and Silver navies, Takar and Vikrit, we were each given
a thousand ships,” Regelik said. “Shakar, the admiral of the Gold navy, controls
two thousand ships.”

“Are
the rebels attacking the home world exclusively, or do they have other
targets?” Grigon asked.

“They
have their claws in everything,” Regelik said. “But their power is concentrated
on the home world.”

“What
about King Zaris?” Veda asked. “Is he of sound mind?”

“No,”
Regelik answered. “He’s been extra paranoid ever since the sojourners returned
with Grigon.” He looked at old birdman. “He was only arrogant before, but now
he’s worse.”

* * *

Seles,
Mira, and Jesela helped the cooks in the mess hall while the crew of the
Freedom celebrated. On Odair Prime and throughout their colonies the rat people
celebrated their newfound freedom. After the buffet style feast was finished
cooking everyone onboard stopped by to grab their favorite food. The three
girls each grabbed some pizza and a side salad before taking a seat in the back
of the hall.

“He’s
missing out on this,” Seles said before taking a bite of pizza.

“You
should forget singing and do this after the war,” Jesela said.

“I
think she wants it all,” Mira said.

“You’re
two to talk,” Seles said. “It’s nice to sit back and relax for a while.”

“Agreed,”
the other two said.

The
three enjoyed their meals without talking for a few minutes. Once they finished
each sat back and relaxed in their chair.

“I’d
rather do this than fight any day,” Mira said.

“I
feel the same,” Seles said.

“The
more battles we win the less we’ll have to fight,” Jesela said.

“I
doubt it’ll be like that for a while,” Seles said. “My guess is a lot more
fighting before peace.”

“I
need a drink,” Jesela said.

“I
wouldn’t mind one either,” Seles said.

“But
we’re not allowed to,” Mira said. “Regulations say that unless we have shore
leave no wine for us.”

“I
hate when you’re right,” Jesela said.

“She
often is,” Seles said.

The
room went dark as the crew started calling Mira’s name.

“I
think they want a song or two,” Seles said.

“By
the looks of it they won’t take no as an answer,” Jesela said.

Mira
nodded to the two before standing up to address everyone. “I need a minute to
get ready!”

She
ran into the room behind the stage.

“I’ve
been looking forward to this,” Seles said.

“You’re
almost as good from what I see,” Jesela said.

“Only
after ten years of practice,” Seles said. “Mira’s a natural.”

“You
got that right,” Jesela said.

The
crowd cheered when Mira emerged from behind the stage in her favorite white
dress. The lights shifted and changed colors as she moved the fingers of her
gloves to tune the system.

“Thanks
everyone,” Mira said. “I’ve got some new songs I’ve been working on. Hopefully
you enjoy them as much as my older material.”

* * *

“That’s
all I can tell you for now,” Regelik said.

Veda
looked to Grigon, “Do you have any more questions?”

“No,”
the old birdman said. “We’re done for now.” He looked at the admiral. “We’ll
take good care of you and your men until we’re finished.”

“Thanks,”
Regelik said as they left.

Myden
stood outside the cell while spinning his black staff.

“Was
he telling the truth?” Veda asked after the door closed.

“Every
bit of it,” Myden said. “I’m surprised how little loyalty he has to the king.”

“Zaris
doesn’t inspire his troops,” Grigon said.

“One
who leads using fear goes nowhere,” Veda said.

“Fear
is a powerful agent,” Myden said. “It was used by my people to justify the
creation of the machine god.”

 “His
fear is worthless and he knows it,” Grigon said before cawing.

“If
that’s true then we can expect as much,” Veda said. “He’ll cheat his way to
victory.”

“We’ll
beat him at his own game then,” Valis said as she stepped into the hallway.

“Were
you listening the whole time?” Veda asked.

“Not
the whole,” Valis said, “Just for the last few minutes.”

“You
have a thought on what Zaris will do, don’t you?” Grigon asked.

“He’ll
send the Bronze navy at us,” Valis said. “The battle will be fierce because he’ll
strike with all of his ships. At the same time our connections with the rebels
on the Malcovin home world will supply them with more plans. Zaris will grow
more and more paranoid until he slips up.”

“Put
the pressure on and any leader will feel it,” Veda said.

“I’ll
have more details in our meeting in a few days,” Valis said. “Until then rest
easy and know I’m working on it.”

* * *

Brian
stood alone in the HDC of the Nevada base. He was wearing his exoskeleton and
practiced with his
rakna
blade in the midday sun of a false Kalaidia
Prime. After sparring long enough to exhaust himself he put the blade on the
ground and stared at the sky. Shiken Ka slithered in and tossed him a bottle of
water.

“You
look relieved,” the snakeman said.

Brian
took a gulp of water before taking a deep breath. “All the table talk gave me
little exercise.”

“What’s
it like to have no nanomachines working for you?” Shiken asked.

“I
feel slower,” he said as he flexed his arms, “and I can’t understand you as
easily my friend.”

Shiken
grinned as he looked at the scenery. “You’re thinking about her, aren’t you?”

“I’d
like to spend about ten nights with her in a row,” Brian said. “But I’d better
break it up or Mira would be jealous.”

“That
smile is the first honest one I’ve seen in weeks,” Shiken said.

“Politics
isn’t my strong suit,” Brian said. “My instinct is to go sword first.”

“That’s
the way warriors think,” Shiken said. “By the way, what are you going to do if
peace is obtained?”

Brian
looked across the jungle. “I’m going on a music tour.”

“I’d
like to see that,” Shiken said.

Brian
sheathed his
rakna
blade, “If you do make sure to bring your better half.”

Shiken
grinned. “That’s a promise.”