Freedom Saga 2: Freedom's Bell (17 page)

Why
I am doing this?
Valis thought as she checked herself in the mirror. She was in her quarters and
had a bag stuffed with clothes placed near the door.
Is it for him? Or is it
for myself?
The door buzzed.

“It’s
me,” Zae said.

“Come
in,” Valis responded.

The
door opened to let Zae enter.

“You
look restless,” Zae said. “Is something bothering you Valis?”

“I’m
not sure,” Valis said.

“I
was wondering why you’d take this on,” Zae said. “You could’ve sent me or
Baed.”

“And
no doubt either choice would’ve been a good one,” Valis said. “No Zae, I’m
going because I need to sort a few things out. I’ve been avoiding it since he
left us.”

“Brian
didn’t go very far,” Zae said.

“I
don’t mean that,” Valis said. “I meant when he left us and headed for Earth.
It’s been bothering me as to why he had to go alone.”

“I
know Myden talks about the plan as if it was a dogmatic code,” Zae said. “But I
get the feeling Brian doesn’t like it at all. Destiny and fate are things
people are bound to dislike. I can understand because I have my doubts about
the Teacher’s plan.”

“What
makes you doubt it?” Valis asked.

“There’s
no magic to it if there are backups,” Zae said. “Both Baed and I bear the marks
just like the five of you, Kyli as well. As to the Warrior aspect, Brian’s but
one of many who could’ve taken the title. Dreka is just as good a pilot and a
much better engineer.”

“I
don’t see him is as a leader though,” Valis said.

“But
he is,” Zae said. “Dreka defers because he’s not being pushed into it. Brian’s
felt the pressure since the day we took him from that Grey ship. The only time
I saw him as he wants to be was during the sojourn. And if it wasn’t for Celi
he’d be dead right now. His part in all this would’ve ended five years ago.”

“I
feel responsible for pushing him like I did,” Valis said.

“It’s
not all on you,” Zae said. “All of us share in the blame, especially Myden. No
one wants their life to be determined ahead of time. Calling it destiny doesn’t
make it any better. Everyone wants to believe they have a choice in their life,
even if it’s only a small one. That’s the freedom Brian believes in.”

“Is
that the freedom you believe in?” Valis asked.

“I
do,” Zae said. “My life isn’t bound by some fate I have no control over. But if
something happens to Mira I will take her place and fly the Siren. I won’t do
it because of destiny, but because it’s the right thing to do and I want to do
it.”

“So
do the right thing, but because it’s the right thing and because you freely
wish to do it?”

“That’s
what I’m getting at,” Zae said. “Think it over on your trip.”

“I
will,” Valis said.

* * *

Daes
was running maintenance on the Minerva when Valis stepped inside with her
exoskeleton on. She tossed her helmet and bag into the back room.

“I’d
ask you to be careful,” Daes said. “But I doubt I’ll need to do that.”

“Did
you leave the schematics for me?” Valis asked.

“Of
course,” Daes said. “You can’t do repairs without them.”

Daes
finished what she was working on and headed for the front hatch. Valis quietly
set the system up before looking up.

“I
don’t know if the phase cloak will work for this,” Daes said. “But if it’s two
mobile suits you should be able to slip through.”

“Zaris’s
declaration isn’t helping the matter,” Valis said. “I’ll have to revise a few
things.”

“You’ll
make it,” Daes said. “We’ll meet again in a week or two.”

“It’ll
be two,” Valis said. “The battle plans I sent everyone has them taking their
time before the final blow is dealt.”

“Two
weeks then,” Daes said. “Take care of yourself.”

“You
as well,” Valis said.

Once
Daes stepped off it the cord slid back up to the cockpit and the front hatch
closed. Dreka appeared on the monitor from the cockpit of his special Talon.
Behind him Grigon stood impatiently.

“We’re
ready to go anytime,” the birdman said.

“Let’s
get on with it!” Grigon shouted.

“I
take he doesn’t like being confined in small spaces,” Valis said.

“No,”
Dreka said. “He doesn’t like it one bit. We’ll wait at the departure point.”

“I’ll
be there in a few minutes,” Valis said.

As
his image disappeared Veda’s came on the screen.

“Look
out for danger Valis,” Veda said. “The Malcovin world is one run by fear and
intrigue.”

“I’ll
keep an eye out,” Valis said.

“Alright,”
Veda said. “Take care and see you soon.”

“You
too,” Valis said.

When
the screen went dark she sighed.

“Are
they all going to call me to say goodbye?”

It
just means they care about you.
The Minerva said in text.

“You’re
right,” Valis said.

She
finished preparations and flew the Minerva outside. After a few minutes she
found a single Phase Talon equipped with a light class gravity drive waiting
for her. Valis noted the claws on the Talon seemed more flexible and the rifle
was different. Dreka appeared on her screen.

“You’ve
been working on that thing, haven’t you?” she asked.

“Just
a few modifications,” Dreka said. “I spend most of my time on the Gemini these
days.”

“I’m
glad to have good company,” Valis said. “Let’s go.”

* * *

Brian
entered the command center and found Veda and Shiken Ka at work. He took his
time checking over the plans Valis sent earlier.

“Have
you spoken to their leaders?” Brian asked.

“A
few hours ago,” Veda said. “They’d like to meet with you planet side tomorrow.”

Brian
looked at the image of Odair Prime. The planet had an eerily similar appearance
to Earth. The difference was the positions of the continents were opposite
those of the Earth.

“I’d
love to,” Brian said.

“They
are a people of peace,” Shiken said. “The last time I was here I felt unwelcome
not because of their mannerisms but because of the blood on my hands. It’s
strange to see people living the way we idealize.”

“It’s
hard to be a pacifist,” Brian said. “When others trample over you with military
might it’s difficult to not respond with like behavior.”

“You’re
awfully philosophical for a pair of atheists,” Veda said.

“Just
because I don’t believe in god doesn’t mean I don’t believe in something,”
Brian said.

“Gods
serve the purpose of creating a morality where mortals can make them on their
own,” Shiken said.

“I
pray Kali watches over you two as you ponder needlessly about these things,”
Veda said.

Brian
laughed. “Thanks.”

“I
don’t think it’s needless,” Shiken said.

Brian
stepped inside the Artemis while Seles prepared for launch. He started checking
things out as she looked up.

“It’s
not much different from the Mjolnir,” Seles said.

“It
seems smaller,” he said. “I think it’s just me.”

“It
is,” she said. “Brian, why didn’t you have another mobile suit made for yourself?
I know you can’t berserk but you’re a damn good pilot.”

“The
Freedom’s my ship now.” He turned and noticed she was looking at him with a
smile. “What?”

“You’re
back to yourself, that’s all,” Seles said. “You seemed distant when you came
back.”

“I
was exhausted,” he laughed, “the last two nights helped.”

“Which
of us helped you more?” Seles asked.

Mira
appeared on the monitor. “Yes Brian, tell us.”

“Putting
me on the spot isn’t helping,” he said. “So I’ll use my usual tactic and change
the subject.”

“You’re
no fun,” Mira said.

“At
least when it comes to making decisions,” Seles said.

“I
thought the two of you were alright with it,” Brian said.

“We
are,” Mira said. “We’re just making fun of you.”

“It’s
so easy to,” Seles said.

Myden
appeared on their monitors. “I don’t mean to interrupt your conversation but
they’ve given us clearance. Their stipulation is that the only mobile suits
they will allow on the surface are the Artemis and Siren. All other vessels
will have to be transports or cargo ships.”

“That’s
fine,” Brian said. “Take care of her while we’re on the ground Myden.”

“I
will,” the Grey said before ending transmission.

“Let’s
go,” Brian said. “I’m sure the two of you will want to continue this at a later
time.”

“Of
course we will,” Mira said.

“I’m
with her, you still haven’t given us an answer,” Seles said.

“When
the day comes I’ll say something,” Brian said. “Until then I plead silence.”

The
two mobile suits flew outside the base. As they descended into the atmosphere
of the Odairan home world they were joined by a fleet of transport and cargo
ships filled with personnel and supplies. The two mobile suits shifted from
humanoid robots to light class ships before entering the atmosphere. When they
cleared the way from space to sky they moved towards the largest continent in
the southern hemisphere. Despite their technological advancements, Odairan
cities revealed little of themselves from the air. Most of their buildings fit
into the massive trees that made up the forested surface. A few spires of metal
rose above the treetops, as well as a number of landing docks for ships. Now
that the Malcovin were gone a number of Odairans from Dega Jul landed with the
relief ships. Brian gazed at their naturalistic architecture with a bit of awe.

“It
reminds me of the Braiden home world,” Brian said.

“The
Odairans value harmony above all things,” Seles said. “It’s beautiful to see it
in person again.”

“You
were here before?” he asked.

“When
I was twelve my mother visited to negotiate a trade treaty,” she said. “Even
though the Malcovin were here they weren’t as disruptive at the time.”

“I
never knew this before,” he said.

“We
visited a few home worlds,” Seles said. “But other than Kalaidia I never
thought any of them were as beautiful as this one.”

“It
shows what’s in their hearts,” Mira piped in.

“Yes
it does,” Brian said.

The
two mobile suits found the assigned dock and landed. The small rat people
quickly made their way to the incoming ships and secured them to the ground.
Brian, Mira, and Seles made sure they weren’t carrying any weapons before
opening their hatches. When the three stepped outside each took a deep breath
of fresh air. Once they were on the dock an Odairan man ran up to them.

“I
am Rekel Ten,” he said. “I’ll be your escort while you’re on the surface.”

“I’m
honored,” Brian said. “I’m Captain Peterson of the Freedom.”

Rekel
looked at the two Kalaidian women. “As long as you cause no violence you’re
welcome to move as you wish.” He turned to Brian. “Shall we be on our way?”

“Of
course,” Brian said. He turned to Seles and Mira before leaving. “I’ll see you
later.”

“See
you,” Seles said.

“And
give us an answer,” Mira said.

* * *

Seles
and Mira sat inside a small café with drinks in front of them. As each watched
the peaceful life the rat people lived their waitress returned.

“Can
I get you anything else?” the old Odairan woman asked.

“We’re
fine,” Mira said.

“Thanks
though,” Seles said.

“If
you need anything just call,” the old woman said before leaving again.

Seles
sipped her drink, a fruit mixture with a bit of carbonation added.

“How
is it?” Mira asked.

“It’s
great,” Seles said. “Our people never put carbonation in their drinks, so it’s
an interesting experience.”

Outside,
the streets began filling as the morning hours workers gave way to the
afternoon shift while their children headed home from school. A number of those
getting off work came into the café and sat down for a meal or drink. With them
came a number of the non Odairans, including many from Heaven’s Light. Each
took their seat or table according to size or body shape. The old waitress was
joined by a pair of younger males just getting out of school.

“You
look happy,” Mira said.

“This
is what we’re trying to create,” Seles said while smiling. “It may be boring
for some, but this kind of quiet life works.”

“Your
mother took to it,” Mira said.

“She’s
on active duty now,” Seles said. “But I know in her heart she’d rather spend
her time growing grapes and brewing wine.”

“We
should get back to work,” Mira said.

“I’d
normally be the one to push but you’re right,” Seles said.

Her
and Mira downed their drinks and paid the before leaving. As they walked the
streets they came to the area of the city where the Malcovin troops had been
stationed. In place of clean streets there was nothing but chemicals and metal.
The smell of the area was distinctly different, so much so both Seles and Mira
covered their noses. They noticed an old Odairan man standing next to them with
a cane in one hand.

“Tis’
a sight to behold,” the old man said. “Soldiers from a foreign world bring
nothing but waste and trouble.”

“Isn’t
that the way of conquest?” Seles asked.

“True,”
the old man said. “I’ve been alive for three centuries, and in those years
we’ve been conquered eleven times. Each said they were here to liberate us, and
each did nothing but lord over us. But the Malcovin king was the worst of
them.”

“What
did he do to your people?” Mira asked.

“He
didn’t kill us, no, that would cause the Confederation to move in,” the old man
said. “But he sent his thugs into the streets, baring arms and machines of
waste. He left us alive, but with nothing else. Our wealth and resources have been
taken, but our spirits not,” he chuckled, “but people can’t live on spirit
alone.”

“We
came here to help with that,” Seles said.

“I
pray that’s true, but history has taught us otherwise,” the old man said.

Seles
knelt down and took his hand, “What we’re searching for is a world like yours.
A world filled with peaceful days and happy people. A world where there is no
war, no crime, and no hate. The path we take made be different, but the outcome
will be the same. I promise to keep that in my heart until the day I die.”

The
old man smiled with a toothy grin. “You‘ve grown up,” he started walking away,
“take care Lady Daevon.”

The
old man disappeared into the maze of back alleys and left Seles looking
perplexed.

“He
seemed to know you,” Mira said.

“I
think that was the former prime minister,” Seles said.

“By
the way, good speech,” Mira said.

“I’m
working on it,” Seles said as she looked at the nasty area around them. “We
should call Jesela down here. This place is a mess.”