Freedom Saga 2: Freedom's Bell (8 page)

The
Columbia base gravity jumped into a system on the outer reaches of Odairan
space and headed for a blue colored gas giant. The three bases set as their
targets included a pair of asteroids as well as an orbital military complex.
When the base moved within a few thousand
ketres
of their first target
the six ships left with their phase cloaks on. The Freedom and Vomada headed
for the orbital base while the others split and went for the asteroid bases.
Seles calmly meditated in the cockpit of the Artemis as they approached. When
she opened her eyes some text was on the monitor.

Are
you feeling alright Seles?

“It
took you a little longer than your brother but you’re speaking,” Seles said
with a laugh. “And yes, I’m alright.”

Mira
appeared on her screen. “Who are you talking to?”

“The
Artemis is communicating in text,” Seles said.

“The
Siren’s been doing that since the last battle,” Mira said. “Jesela told me
it’ll take a few more years for them to talk like Mjolnir does.”

Myden
appeared on their monitors. “We’re in position.”

“Alright,”
Seles said. “Kyli, Tctie, you’re to follow Myden’s orders.”

“We
hear you loud and clear commander,” Kyli responded.

The
Artemis and Siren launched with their stealth cloaks activated. As they moved
into position Seles glanced at the scanners.

“There
are a lot of them,” Mira said.

“Yes
there are,” Seles said.

After
the two flew into an asteroid field the Artemis turned off its phase cloak and
moved its reflector plates into scramble mode. The orbital base detected
something and launched its Phase Talons. As they did so the Freedom, the
Vomada, and all of their mobile suits attacked the base head on. When the forces
of the Malcovin went to meet their attackers the Artemis and Siren fired into
the reflector plates. Shot after shot destroyed numerous Talons and ships
before they could form their lines. As the chaotic scene continued the
Artemis’s reflector plates returned and moved into power position. The two
mobile suits flew closer to the battle until they were in range.

“It’s
time Mira,” Seles said.

Her
eyes began glowing while the drive sped up. The Siren moved behind and held the
Artemis as it aimed its cannon at the orbital base. The first arrow blasted
through dozens of ships and hundreds of Talons, draining their shields and
destroying them. Seles paused before firing the second shot into the base. As
its shields were drained explosions filled the area. Hundreds of escape
shuttles fled the base as the explosions multiplied. After a few minutes the
orbital structure was reduced to scrap metal surrounded by wreckage. The
remaining Malcovin ships collected their Talons and gravity jumped away. Seles
closed her eyes and ended the berserk.

“Good
shooting,” Mira said.

“Thanks,”
Seles said. “Hopefully the others will have as much success.”

“I’m
sure they will,” Mira said.

“Seles,
we’re receiving surrender calls from the Malcovin,” Myden reported.

“Take
them in as we can,” Seles said.

“As
you wish my lady,” Myden said.

The
mobile suits around the Freedom slowly collected the escape shuttles and
brought them onboard. Hundreds of Malcovin troops dropped their weapons and
were led to the brigs.

* * *

After
the orbital base exploded the Avoni and Raulno made their appearance over the nearest
moon base. Both ships deployed their mobile suits into sphere shaped formations
of eleven. The Minerva, Aegis, and Gemini made their way to the base as the
Malcovin sent ships and Talons into space. The Gemini flew to the front and
used its cannon to carve a line to the base. The Aegis’s shields held up
against any incoming attacks while the Minerva flew behind. Kivi fired the
Gemini’s cannon a number of times and blasted six ships and three dozen Talons
before the Malcovin could put up a semblance of a defensive line. The three
mobile suits shook from incoming fire as a mass of Talons surrounded them. Celi
amplified the shields a little to compensate.

“I
have to say this is different,” Kivi said while blasting away.

Valis
aimed the pulse cannon and fired. “We knew this would be much tougher.”

“The
shields are holding,” Celi reported. “Why are we letting them surround us like
this?”

“There’s
a method to the madness Celi, remember that,” Valis said.

“There’s
a method to your madness you mean,” Kivi added.

“I
hope your plan isn’t going to take much longer then,” Celi said as the incoming
fire intensified.

“Meldi
will do her part just fine,” Valis said.

* * *

Meldi
sat in the cockpit of the Mjolnir while the three mobile suits were surrounded.
Myli was on the monitor.

“Looks
like trouble is all around them,” Myli said.

“Valis
said to wait until this happened,” Meldi said. “Take care of the Avoni,
alright?”

“I’ll
watch over her,” Myli said.

The
Mjolnir moved away from the other mobile suits.

“Mjolnir,
move the reflector plates to spread mode,” Meldi ordered.

“Moving
into spread mode,” the mobile suit said.

The
plates on the outside of the craft flew in front of the main cannon and
lengthened the barrel before creating a number of smaller barrels. The pulse
cannon charged and fired a series of blasts into the Malcovin fleet. Meldi then
shifted the focus to the area around the three mobile suits. From inside the
field of fire she noticed the Gemini’s cannon was doing the same as hers.

“I
didn’t know the Gemini had spread mode,” Meldi said.

“You
should pay more attention,” the Mjolnir said.

“Normally
I do but I’ve been focusing on your abilities,” she said.

* * *

Valis
closed her eyes and focused on the battle around her.
I can hear their
thoughts and voices screaming all around me. I can see so much I’ve never seen
before. It’s as if I’m standing in a thunderstorm and hearing all the rain
drops fall one by one.
She opened her eyes as the flickered between glowing
and not.

“It’s
time I give it a try,” she said as her eyes glowed brightly.

The
Minerva’s drive sped up and filled the area with light as Valis flew out of the
Aegis’s shields and fired at one enemy craft after another. Each time an enemy
moved close Valis countered and destroyed them. Each shot or missile fired at
the Minerva was dodged as she saw the attack coming before it was fired.

“I
didn’t think we’d see that anytime soon,” Celi remarked.

“She’s
fighting like Seles does,” Kivi said.

“You
want to join in, don’t you?” Celi asked.

“I’ll
hold back for now,” Kivi said. “The Gemini’s special system is an ace in the
hole we shouldn’t use right now.” She watched the Minerva flying though the
enemy and destroying them with ease. “But you’re right Celi.”

After
a few more minutes the battle was winding down. The Avoni and Raulno approached
the base having taken minimal damage while a few of their mobile suits looked
the same. The base on the moon had its shield array activated as a number of
the ships fled. Valis calmed herself and returned to the other two.

“I
didn’t know you had it in you,” Kivi said.

“I
didn’t know myself,” Valis said.

The
Mjolnir joined them.

“That
was amazing captain,” Meldi said.

“Thanks,”
Valis said. ‘But our mission isn’t over.” Valis pointed the Minerva’s pulse
cannon at the base below. “Our enemy has yet to surrender.”

“I
doubt they will,” Kivi said.

“How
many ships have fled the battle so far?” Celi asked.

“Seventy
five ships and two hundred or so Talons,” Valis said.

The
Columbia base, Reinkar, and Daevoni closed on the second asteroid base. The two
ships and their mobile weapons tore into the enemy line while the Columbia base
used its cannons and HV missiles to aid in the attack. A mass of ships and
Talons were currently putting the Columbia base’s shield array to the test. When
she looked at the numbers Reban shook her head.

“Normally
I’d ask if we could use our reserves,” she said. “But given our advantage I
know I don’t have to.”

“I
know the feeling all too well,” Veda said.

The
two ships and base slowly were advancing when a number of enemy ships pulled
away with their mobile suits and gravity jumped out.

“Looks
like the enemy is running away,” Reban observed.

“They’re
not putting up enough of a fight,” Veda said. “Our foe chose to test us and
form his plan afterwards.”

“Admiral
Regelik?” Reban asked.

“Until
we can prove it’s him we can’t say for sure,” Veda said. “But this matches his
style.”

“I
didn’t know you fought him before,” Reban said.

“I
haven’t,” Veda said. “It’s because Valis sends over a lot of details in her plans.
I have to admit I feel jealous at times.”

“Captain
Valis is a genius,” Reban said. “Everyone in the Kalaidian military missed her
when she left.”

“I
never meant to force it on her,” Veda said. “But our people had little choice
at the time.”

“But
because of that our people now do have a choice,” Reban said. “Be glad for
that.”

“I
am,” Veda said.

* * *

The
Gemini and Mjolnir battered the moon base’s shields for a few minutes before
the other ships and mobile suits joined them. As the seconds passed the energy
levels of the shields fluctuated until a signal was received by the Avoni. Zae
appeared on the Minerva’s screen.

“Captain,
their commander would like to surrender,” Zae said.

“Very
well,” Valis said. “All vessels are to cease fire.”

The
base’s shields gave way as they disarmed their weapons and prepared to
surrender. In the distance they noticed a flash of light as the second moon
base exploded and knocked the Columbia base back. The Daevoni and Reinkar
suffered some damage but were still moving.

“We
didn’t plan for that,” Kivi said.

“No,”
Valis said. “I planned for it to happen at both the asteroids. Everyone return
to base.”

* * *

Veda
shook her head after the explosion.

“Is
everyone alright?” she asked.

Both
Esra and El Kar appeared on the monitor.

“My
ship took a little damage,” Esra said. “But the mobile suits got out of the
way.”

“It’s
the same on my end,” El Kar reported. “No casualties to report.”

“Good,”
Veda said.

“I’m
glad we were ready for that,” Reban said.

“They
evacuated before self-detonating,” Veda said. “It explains why they didn’t put
up much of a fight.”

Both
of them watched as thousands of Malcovin troops were disarmed and escorted to
the detention areas of the base.

“Can
we handle that many?” Reban asked.

“We
can hold up to five thousand,” Veda said. “Our transports will come by tomorrow
to carry them to Dega Jul.”

* * *

Seles
and Mira returned to the bridge of the Freedom after the battle. The bridge
crew continued with their work while the four droids did likewise.

“It’s
good to see both of you fighting so well,” Myden said.

“Thanks,”
Mira said.

“I’m
glad to hear it Myden,” Seles said.

She
went down to the console near the captain’s chair and looked over Valis’s plan
again.

“What
are we preparing for next?” Mira asked while looking over Seles’s shoulder.

“Valis
thinks they’ll set an ambush,” Seles answered. “They’ll strike when we approach
the Odairan homeworld.”

“That’s
the same strategy the Confederation tried,” Mira said. “It didn’t work very
well for them.”

“True,”
Seles said. “But for some reason I’m expecting a lot more from the Malcovin.
Maybe it’s because their pilots have flown mobile suits for longer than the
Confederation forces.”

“Don’t
forget they may have tweaked some of them for the better,” Jesela said. “If
we’ve done that we can expect our enemies to do the same.”

“They
won’t,” Grigon said. “Zaris is a fool through and through. He’ll stick with
trying to overwhelm us. He’s always been that way.”

“You
don’t speak highly of the king of your people,” Seles said. “Isn’t there a chance
your emotions towards him are clouding your judgment?”

“No
young lady,” Grigon said. “My emotions are held in check, that’s why I’m good
at my job. Zaris is fool who’s leading the people of Malcov toward oblivion. If
it weren’t for the four admirals he’d have lost his position by now.”

“I’ll
take your word for it,” Seles said.

* * *

Celi
scanned Valis carefully in the medical lab of the Avoni.

“Nothing’s
changed,” Celi said as she checked the read outs.

“Are
you assuming they will?” Valis asked.

“Yes,”
Celi said. “It’s hard to believe there wouldn’t be a change given your
performance earlier today.”

“I’m
following Brian’s advice,” Valis said. “The Minerva and I will become one.”

“You’re
doing a good job then,” Celi said. “By the way, Zae and the others would like
you on the bridge for a while.”

“They
miss me that much?” Valis asked.

“Of
course,” Celi said. “You are the captain after all.”

Valis
sighed. “I suppose it wouldn’t hurt. I feel like I’m moving more distant from
everyone each day.”

“Now
stop that,” Celi said. “No going Brian on us. I don’t want a loner captain in
charge of my life.”

“That’s
why I brought you onboard Celi,” Valis said. “You always know what to say to
keep me in line.”

“That’s
what a friend is supposed to do,” Celi said.