Freedom Saga 2: Freedom's Bell (4 page)

Veda,
Shiken Ka, Valis, Kivi, Esra, Brian, El Kar, Myden, Grigon, and Dreka gathered
in the command center. The surviving ships of the Reiki fleet were positioned
around the colonies. A moment later two asteroids the same size as the Columbia
base appeared on their scanners.

“Looks
like our friends are here,” Esra said.

“More
is better,” Kivi said.

“It
gives us more room for error,” Valis said.

“We
all know you enjoy the challenge,” Brian said.

“True,”
Valis said.

The
monitor flashed as the leaders of the two bases appeared split screen style. On
one side was the leader of the Nevada base, a Kalaidian captain named Lena
Obril. She was a Southlander with dark tan skin, red eyes, and long black hair.
She wore a silver and red exoskeleton. On the other side of the screen was Miv
Daek, a Shandi noble. She wore a green and black uniform with a large curved
blade on her back. Both command centers were identical to the Columbia base,
including the flurry of activity going on behind the scenes.

“It’s
been awhile Lady Veda,” Lena said.

“Everyone
looks glad to see us,” Miv Daek remarked.

“That’s
because we know how good you are,” Brian said.

“Thanks
Captain Peterson,” Lena said.

“You
sound as optimistic as usual,” Miv added.

Valis
pressed a button on the holographic table. The image showed all the solar
systems near Reiki Prime. She displayed all the bases and ships of Heaven’s
Light a moment later.

“Our
attack begins with a feint using the Freedom and Vomada,” Valis said. The
display showed the Freedom and Vomada gravity jumping through a number of
systems before reaching the Reiki home system. The two ships then attacked a
military base on the edge of the solar system. “The Freedom and Vomada will
launch a surprise attack on the Reiki base here.” Valis shifted the image back
to the rest of their forces. “At the same time the Columbia and Hong Kong bases
follow with their stealth systems in place.” The two asteroid bases followed
the movements of the two ships. “The Nevada base and all allied Reiki vessels
will make their way to the home world.” She shifted the last asteroid base and
the fleet of ships to a position in orbit of Reiki Prime. “While the Freedom
and Vomada draw their military’s attention we’ll move the other bases over
their home world.” Valis showed the three asteroid bases attacking Reiki Prime.
“If possible, the Freedom and Vomada will join us, but otherwise, we should be
able to crush their defenses in a matter of a few hours.” She looked at Brian.
“You don’t mind being our distraction?”

“Not
at all,” Brian said.

“Good,”
Valis said. “I’ll send the complete plan to all of you as events unfold. I may
shift things around if they try something unexpected.”

“Are
we leaving the colonies undefended?” Lena asked. “Isn’t that a bit risky?”

“Yes
it is,” Valis answered. “But I’m confident we’re their main target now. The way
the Reiki government thinks is one thing at a time. Until the threat of our
forces is gone they won’t bother the colonists.”

“That’s
a dangerous assumption,” Miv Daek said.

“I
have to agree,” Shiken said.

“We
have to assume some risk,” El Kar countered. “Remember, our force is small and
our enemy has an entire military. One false move and we lose.”

“Perhaps
we should leave the Reiki defectors behind to defend the colonies,” Brian
suggested.

“I
like that idea,” Esra said.

“Could
we ask the Sicily base for help?” Kivi asked.

Valis
shook her head. “No, they’re on standby for the moment. But I’ll change the
plan so the defectors can stay here and look after everything. The price we pay
is risk to ourselves.”

“Better
us then them,” Miv Daek said.

“Agreed,”
Lena said.

* * *

Jesela
and Grigon were busy performing diagnostics on the Artemis and Siren. While the
computers calculated the data Jesela rubbed her hand against the Artemis’s leg.

“She’s
being rough on her,” she said.

Grigon
cawed. “They’re fighting real battles now.”

“I
know,” Jesela sighed, “I wish they’d fly through water more often.”

“Why
are you so concerned about their cleanliness?” the old birdman asked.

“Because
appearance is everything to a lady, didn’t you know that?” Jesela asked with a
smug smile.

“I
didn’t know that,” Grigon said.

“What
is it like for the women on your world?” Jesela asked.

“They
aren’t allowed much,” Grigon said. “It’s against the law to teach them anything
other than basic math and writing.”

“Sounds
terrible,” Jesela said.

“It’s
worse than how your people treated men when they walked amongst you,” Grigon
said. “At least they could achieve military rank and become
Maigars
.”

“Do
they look any different from you?” Jesela asked.

“Not
really,” Grigon said. He tapped his beak. “Their beaks are shorter and lighter
in color, that’s all.”

“Then
why are they treated so differently?” she asked.

Grigon
cawed, “Because the king says so.”

The
calculations were finished. As Grigon looked over the data he cawed with
excitement.

“It’s
that good, huh?” She looked over the data. “Wow! They’re only using a third of
the theoretical output and doing this.”

“Rikai
would be proud,” Grigon said.

“Of
course she would old man,” Jesela said.

* * *

Seles
watched the pilots practice in the simulators. Kyli led all of them except
Tctie through a battle against Phase Talons. The Ick-Tckt stood with Seles and
observed the battle.

“What
trouble will you make for them?” Tctie asked.

“An
extra fleet will appear in a moment,” Seles answered.

“You’re
twisted,” Tctie said.

When
the battle shifted the pilots were forced to fight much longer than expected.
The sign of wear appeared on their faces as the simulation went on.

“Are
you happy here?” she asked.

Tctie
shifted nervously. “Yes.”

“You
know, I can’t tell if you’re lying by your body language,” Seles said.

“I’m
sorry,” the ant man said. “I’m not used to being addressed to by females so
directly.”

“Is
that why you’re following Kyli around so much?” Seles asked.

Tctie
paused before nodding his head. “I don’t mean to make her uncomfortable,” he
clicked his mandibles, “but acclimating is difficult.”

Seles
smiled. “You’re doing just fine lieutenant.”

“Thanks
commander,” Tctie said before clicking his mandibles excitedly.

* * *

Brian
returned to the Freedom after the meeting was finished. He paced the hallways
of the vessel before finding himself on the bridge. The only ones there were
the four droids.

“Is
something wrong captain?” Droid B asked.

“I
have a lot on my mind these days,” Brian answered.

“Is
it because you’re a mammal?” Droid D asked.

Brian
laughed while the other three looked at D.

“That’s
part of it,” Brian said. “Tell me, how well versed are the four of you in
morality?”

“Commander
Grigon has programmed each of us with the full extent he could,” Droid B
responded. “We understand the nuances of the current situation.”

“Is
there a reason you’re asking captain?” Droid A asked.

“I’m
wondering if we’re doing the right thing,” Brian said. “I don’t mean the overall
scheme, I mean the immediate.”

“That
we cannot answer,” Droid B said. “According to our programming we’re doing the
right thing.”

“Interesting,”
Brian said.

The
door to the bridge opened as Grigon entered. He took his station before looking
at Brian.

“Talking
philosophy with these four, are you?” the old birdman asked.

“I’d
rather not lay it on Seles or Mira,” Brian said.

“I
can see why,” Grigon said.

“We
were trying to help the captain,” Droid A said.

“I’m
glad,” Grigon said. “When I was alone you were my only companions.”

“Is
that why they seem just like any other sentient life form?” Brian asked.

“Precisely,”
Grigon said. “Work can only hold your sanity for so long, that’s why I needed
someone to talk to.”

“Why
haven’t you mass produced them?” Brian asked. “You’d be rich beyond anything I
can imagine.”

Grigon
cawed. “Wealth can only buy so much young Terran. Remember, the second richest
person within our organization is me.”

“I
would’ve thought those who tried killing had taken everything you owned,” Brian
said.

“They
couldn’t,” Grigon said. “I put all my assets into banks on Dega Jul. Dumb I am
at times, but not foolish. Anyways, I wouldn’t trust Zaris to keep the economy
booming.”

“Why
do you say that?” Brian asked.

“Because
he’s a lousy business man and a lying cheat,” Grigon said. “Not to mention a
coward.”

The
Freedom and Vomada were phase cloaked as they moved towards a gas giant in
another Reiki controlled star system. Brian paced while the rest of the bridge
crew worked at their stations.

“It
doesn’t look like we’ve been spotted,” Jesela reported.

“They
haven’t had a chance to develop a detection system yet,” Brian said. “But we
should assume others can. When I headed for Earth the Confederation forces
tracked me.”

“How
exact were they in doing so?” Myden asked.

“I
don’t think they could pinpoint where I was but it was close enough,” Brian
explained.

“They’re
still twenty years behind the rest of us in terms of technology,” Grigon said.

“I’d
laugh,” Brian said. “But my people are at least two hundred years off the
currently technology.” He looked at the others. “By the way, have any of you
had a chance to review the data the Mjolnir brought back with it?”

“Whenever
I have the spare time I look over a few things,” Jesela said. “I’m amazed at
how varied human culture is when compared to the rest of us.”

“I’m
more interested in how quickly your technology develops,” Grigon said. “It
seems to me humans are willing to risk everything in the name of progress.”

“The
danger lies in doing something like what my people did,” Myden said.

“I’m
glad humanity is at least being seen by more than the older races,” Brian said.

“There’s
a fleet of over a hundred ships leaving the nearby moon base,” Jesela said.

“Where
are they headed?” Grigon asked.

The
fleet flew above the rocky moon flickered before gravity jumping away. A few
minutes later another fleet the same size did the same thing.

“Captain,
we’re receiving an encoded message,” Droid A reported. “It’s text only.”

“Put
it on the screen,” Brian ordered.

“Of
course sir,” Droid A said before displaying the message.

To
the forces of Heaven’s Light: We of the Fourth fleet have decided to take
action against the injustices our government is currently engaged in. As such,
we seek no hostile encounters with your organization. It is in our opinion that
the law of utility has been grossly perverted for the use of the few holding
power in the Central Government. The people of colony system four have
requested we take this course of action. We, like others of our race believe in
the merits of utility. But we also believe the rule method, a method using
codified laws, is a more appropriate avenue to reaching that ultimate goal.
Because we can’t locate you using standard methods we’ve chosen to broadcast
these messages in all nearby solar systems. Again, we do not seek hostilities
against your forces.

“This
explains why their ships were leaving,” Brian said.

“Where
do you think they’re going?” Grigon asked.

“Probably
their home system,” Myden said.

“Possibly,”
Brian said. “But I think they’ll head straight for our bases and join us.”

“It
makes our job easier when the time comes,” Jesela said. She finished what she
was working on. “Well, I’ll see rest of you later. Seles and Mira need me for
some simulations.”

“If
anything comes up we’ll call for you,” Brian said.

“I’ll
be ready,” she said before leaving.

* * *

Jesela
entered the launching bay where the Artemis and Siren were stored. Seles and
Mira were waiting at the foot of their mobile suits with their newly modified exoskeletons
on.

“How
do they feel?” Jesela asked.

Mira
flexed the hand on her exoskeleton. “It’s much better than before.”

Seles
did a cartwheel and a back flip. “I don’t know what you did but they’re much
better now.”

“Daes
and I wondered what was wrong because everyone said something,” Jesela said.
“It turns out adding a little flexibility to the joints was all that was
needed.”

“Seems
like an easy mistake to make,” Seles said.

“I
wouldn’t think you’d make that mistake, let alone Daes,” Mira added.

Jesela
shrugged. “We’ve had so much to do lately it slipped our mind. But now we know
better than to let something like this slide.”

“We’re
happy to hear it,” Seles said. “So what do the reports say?”

Jesela
grabbed a tablet from a nearby console and put the data on the screen. “Both of
you are only using thirty six percent of the theoretical power output when
activating your special systems.”

“What
does that mean?” Mira asked.

“Yeah,
you’ll have to translate,” Seles said.

“Very
well,” Jesela said with feigned annoyance. “What it means is you’re not close
to the readings Brian put out when he berserked. As a result your black boxes
remain quite dark.”

“It
feels like I’m powering up quite a bit when I berserk,” Mira said.

“It’s
the same for me,” Seles said. “Is there a reason why we’re lower on the scale?”

Jesela
nodded. “I suspect one of the reasons is because Terrans can berserk easier than
we can.”

“So
they’re better at berserking than the rest of us?” Seles asked.

“I
can’t say for sure,” Jesela admitted. “Until more humans are around we can’t
test the theory. The downside is it means many humans will die trying to
berserk because of nanopsychosis. That’s if they can’t control it of course.”
She looked at the other two. “I’ve heard it takes a Mylor hundred years or more
to master their telekinetic powers. Myden says it takes one of his kind at
least a decade to learn to control their power. Brian was changing when he left
us for Earth. What I’m curious to know is what he was changing into.”

“We
may never know,” Mira said. “Nothing comes up on the med scanners as unusual.”

“He
told me he saw the Teacher and learned about the future,” Seles said. “What he
also said is he wouldn’t have survived the awakening if he let it continue any
further.” She glanced at the Artemis. “I hope it’s different for us.”

“From
the energy levels I believe it will be,” Jesela said. “When Brian and Grigon
suggested this I was hesitant to believe. But now I do.”

Mira
shook her head. “Enough, let’s get in there and go.”

“I’m
with you on that,” Seles said.

The
two went inside their respective mobile suits. Jesela looked at the data and
smiled.
You knew this would happen, didn’t you Brian?
She thought to
herself. She looked back at the mobile suits.
How or why we cannot say, but
you knew.

* * *

On
the Columbia base the four remaining ships were docked as the asteroid made its
way stealthily behind the Freedom and Vomada. Valis and Celi were busy training
in the Minerva and Aegis while Daes checked everything over. After the battle
was won the pair left their mobile suits and took a break in a room off to the
side. Daes ran over with a tablet in her hand.

“I’ll
send the data over to both of you later on,” she said before leaving.

Celi
took a sip of water from a bottle before tossing one to Valis.

“Is
something wrong?” Celi asked.

Valis
shook her head. “I may need some time away from that machine.”

“Is
the precognition system bothering you?”

“Not
physically, but mentally,” Valis answered.

Celi
turned the wrist computer on her exoskeleton on and scanned Valis thoroughly.
“I’m not picking up anything out of the ordinary.”

“I’m
sure you won’t,” Valis said.

“What’s
bothering you?” Celi asked.

“I
see all of the possibilities when I’m in there,” Valis said. “It’s like a mass
of the best things in the world and the worst.”

“Is
it like the things Brian described when his eye was glowing red?”

“In
a way,” Valis said. “The difference is the ability to focus. He saw but one
path, whereas I see many.”

“Try
singing a song,” Celi suggested. “Brian found that was the way to focus his
berserk better. It works for Seles, Kivi, Mira, and me.”

“Would
you mind helping me with that?” Valis asked.

“Not
at all,” Celi said.

“Thanks,”
Valis said as her com flashed. As she pressed it Veda appeared on her wrist
computer. “What is it grandmother?”

Veda
smiled. “Good news Valis, the fourth Reiki fleet has defected to our side. The
bad news is you’ll have to revise our mission plan.”

“I’ll
send the revision in a few minutes,” Valis said.

“Thanks,”
Veda said. “I’m sorry to make you work so hard.”

“It’s
alright,” Valis said.

“Well,
I’ll speak with you later then,” Veda said before ending transmission.

“You
predicted that would happen, didn‘t you?” Celi asked.

“It’s
like your shield,” Valis said while pointing to her head. “But instead of being
a physical field it’s all in the mind’s eye.”

“I’m
going to have to keep an eye on you then,” Celi said.

“Thanks,”
Valis said.