Freedom Saga 3: The Dawn of Liberty (6 page)

In
one of the empty docking bays on the Columbia base the Ick-Tckt mobile armor
sat. Grigon and Dreka were scanning the exterior and weapons while Jesela and
Daes donned a pair of sealed suits to go inside the object. Veda stood back and
directed the four. Jesela and Daes pealed back the front hatch of the craft and
looked at each other. Both noticed the inside of the craft was covered with the
splattered remains of an Ick-Tckt pilot.

“You
go in first,” Daes said.

“We’re
the same rank now you know,” Jesela countered.

“Let’s
try that game Brian taught us,” Daes suggested.

Jesela
nodded as both held up one of their hands and counted to three. Daes had a fist
showing rock while Jesela had two fingers showing scissors.

“Damn,”
Jesela said as she went inside.

After
scraping away a good amount of the gore she signaled for Daes to come inside.
The center of the craft had a seat capable of spinning in all directions while
monitors covered every inch of the interior. Veda came over to the hatch while
holding her nose.

“What’s
the assessment you two?” she asked.

“It’s
a highly advanced mobile armor,” Daes answered.

“Looks
to be about on par with our stuff,” Jesela said while playing with the controls.
“Ah, here it is.”

The
craft flashed and turned invisible. Both Dreka and Grigon collected the data.
Jesela turned it off and checked a few other things. Daes found the weapons and
shielding systems. After that she found the mobile armor’s drive system. Veda
stepped away and reviewed the data on the wall console.

“It’s
going to take us awhile but our scanners should be able to pick these up with
the adjustments Jesela proposed,” Veda said. “I’m going to order some
refreshments; we’re going to have to pull an all-nighter.”

* * *

Myden
stepped inside the med lab and found Brian alone. The human had put the helmet
back over his face to conceal his glowing eye. As Myden came over Brian stood
up with a little bit of a wobble.

“You’re
looking better than I was told,” Myden said.

Brian
laughed. “Your sympathy is amazing.” He flexed his hands. “At least I can move
now.”

“Will
you be joining us on the bridge anytime soon?” Myden asked.

“I’d
rather be there than here,” Brian answered. “But that’s not why you’re here.”

“True,”
Myden said. “Have you told them what they need to know?”

“Yes,”
Brian said. “I know the plan is moving away from cannon but it can’t be
helped.”

“Even
the best laid plans require modification,” Myden said. “But you’ve done a little
more than spot weld it.”

“I
blow torched it,” Brian said. “By the way, where’s Grigon?”

“He
and the other engineers are working on a system to locate our new foes,” Myden
said.

“Sounds
like fun,” Brian said. He wobbled a little bit before sitting back down. “I
guess I’m not ready to be on the bridge yet.”

“Your
body is fighting a battle to change itself, that’s all,” Myden said.

“Was
it like this for you?” Brian asked.

“When
I was fourteen years old my power began manifesting,” Myden explained. “It took
me a year of work and pain before I stabilized. Whether or not it takes that
long for you I can’t say.”

Brian
laughed. “What changed for you?”

Myden
brushed his grey skin with his hand. “All of the genetic imperfections on my
body went away.”

“So,
you were cured of acne?” Brian asked.

“You
could say that,” Myden answered. “What happens to you I can’t say. The Naerendi
change wasn’t enough to warrant wearing an exoskeleton all the time. For the
other older races it was necessary.”

“Why
is that?” Brian asked.

Myden
pointed to his black eyes. “Our eye structure is much thicker than most races.
The result is although we’re awakened they don’t glow blue unless we’re excited
to a certain level.”

“Interesting,”
Brian said. “So it’s luck you’re not stuck in a can like I am.”

“I
guess,” Myden said.

“What
are my chances?” Brian asked.

“You’ve
passed the point where the Teacher died,” Myden said. “So you may live.”

“May
live?” Brian laughed. “There’s nothing as comforting as a firm maybe.”

“I’m
not a prophet bearing false hope,” Myden said. “That’s why you’ll only hear the
truth from me. If you live, you live. I know my part in the plan and will
execute it to the best of my ability.”

* * *

The
Maidens stayed together as they made their way into a private meeting room on
the Columbia base. After the door closed silence filled the plain room.

“What
should we do?” Celi asked.

“I’m
not sure,” Valis said as she looked at the others. “It’s not my place to order
any of you around, but I can question things as I see fit. Right now, I have my
doubts with both the Teacher’s plan and Brian’s modifications.”

“What
sort of doubts?” Kivi asked.

“I
doubt either can truly anticipate the future that well,” Valis said. “Even with
the data the sojourners brought back we don’t know enough about our enemy to
make a move.”

“We
never went close to their central territories,” Celi added.

“Meaning
we have no clue on their actual numbers,” Seles said.

“I
have too many doubts right now,” Valis said.

“We
should focus on the present then,” Mira suggested. “If we can’t see the future
then lets deal with the now. We’ll worry about a war with the Greys when it
actually happens.”

Kivi
laughed. “You sound like you’ve been around Seles too long.”

“I
agree,” Celi said.

“What’s
that supposed to mean?” Seles asked.

“It
means you two have been around each other for a long time,” Valis said. “But
Mira’s right, we need to think about the now. If the Ick-Tckt attack and we’re
not ready we’ll be destroyed before we can worry about the Greys.” She touched
the wall console and displayed their five mobile suits. “We need to come up
with a plan to defend ourselves.”

“Spread
attacks worked with the Mjolnir,” Celi said. “Maybe the Artemis and Gemini
working together would do it better.”

“Then
that’s where we’ll start,” Valis said.

* * *

“Those
two got lucky,” Jesela said while sifting through the gore to get to the pilot
controls.

“I
agree,” Daes said. “Well, it looks like we’ve got it.”

“All
we need is for Veda to finish everything off,” Jesela said.

The
two got out of the craft. They noticed Dreka and Grigon had moved as far away
as they could while Veda held her nose.

“You
two should go clean up,” Veda suggested.

“Agreed,”
Grigon said.

Jesela
looked at the two birdmen. “Next time you two get to climb in bug guts.”

Her
and Daes quickly headed into a decontamination chamber adjacent to the dock.
After a few minutes they emerged without the sealed suits and rejoined the
other three.

“We
should have a prototype of the system in a few hours,” Veda said. “Excellent
job everyone.”

“You
shouldn’t praise us until it actually works,” Dreka said.

“Of
course,” Veda said. “But for now the base can at least detect their presence.
As a matter of fact, I just sent the system to Reban.”

“That’s
good,” Daes said. “Hopefully we won’t have to…”

Daes
was cut off by Reban appearing on the monitor.

“Lady
Veda, the new detection system has picked up enemies on fast approach,” Reban
reported.

“How
close are they?” Veda asked.

“Too
close,” Reban said as the base started shaking.

“Scramble
the pilots in formation D-1,” Veda ordered. “The rest of us will get to our
stations as soon as possible.”

* * *

The
Maidens all looked at each other after the base started shaking.

“It
looks like we’d better get out there,” Kivi said.

“It’s
quite rude of them to attack when I’m only halfway through the new attack
plan,” Valis said.

“I
think we get most of it,” Seles said.

“I
know where she was going,” Celi added.

“I
don’t have a clue,” Mira said.

“You’ll
have to figure out along the way,” Valis said. “Let’s go.”

“Yes
Valis,” the others said.

* * *

Brian
woke up when the attack began. When he tried standing he found the pain was too
much. Frustrated, he sat back and closed his eyes.
I can’t stand this.
He thought to himself.
This is like the plague but worse. At least then I
could function for a while. I feel like dead weight holding everyone back.
After a sigh he opened his eyes and noticed Kyli standing next to his bed with
a pair of crutches. He removed his helmet to get a better look at her.

“Your
eye’s glowing,” she said.

“I
know,” Brian said. “Your leg’s broken.”

“I
know,” she said with a laugh. “I don’t know the details but I can tell you’re
not feeling well.”

“No
Kyli, I’m not,” he admitted.

“Being
stuck in here is what’s really bothering you,” Kyli said. “I should know,
because I’m in the same condition.”

The
ship shook from another round of attacks.

“Have
faith in them captain,” Kyli said.

“I
do,” Brian said.

Kyli
took his hand. “I have faith in you.”

He
laughed. “You do know I lied when I first landed on Kalaidia.”

“Of
course I know,” Kyli said. “It doesn’t change the genuine smile you showed me
when you said you were there to change things. Now that I’m older I know why
you had to lie. If you came with the truth they would’ve cut you down.”

“Thanks,”
Brian said.

“I
should be the one thanking you,” Kyli said. “My life was destined to be a serf
farm girl. You gave me the chance to be a pilot.” She held his hand tightly.
“So thank you.”

The
ship shook again from another volley.

“They
really know how to spoil the moment, don’t they?” Brian asked.

“Yes
they do,” Kyli said.

The
Freedom, Vomada, Raulno, and Avoni headed outside. After they were clear the
four ships deployed their mobile suits in a defensive formation. The Maidens
separated from their ships and flew straight for the enemy. Veda ran into the
command center while Reban relayed their orders.

“How
are our shields?” Veda asked.

“They’re
not at a hundred percent but they should hold,” Reban answered.

El
Kar and Esra appeared from the bridges of their ships.

“What
should we do?” El Kar asked.

“Our
mobile weapons are ready to go,” Esra said.

“Then
send them out and have them join with the base’s squadrons,” Veda said. She
quickly finished her work and sent the data to the four ships outside. “That
should help.”

The
systems in the base on the ships rebooted and displayed the location of the
enemy crafts.

“At
least now we’re not blind,” Reban said.

“All
ships should use the new data to help their mobile weapons,” Veda ordered.

“It’s
more than enough to make it work,” Myden said from the Freedom.

Both
Zae and Dreka from the other two ships nodded in agreement.

“This
will do for now,” Veda said.

* * *

The
Artemis and Gemini fired their cannons in spread mode to reveal the enemy
positions. Although their method was working, the number of enemy casualties
was not high. The Minerva and Siren fired at any enemy craft revealed while the
Aegis kept its shield going.

“Should
I charge in with a song?” Mira asked.

“Not
yet,” Valis said. “They appear to be moving apart.”

On
the other side of the base the four ships fired in the direction of the enemy
but found their targeting systems were still off. As the Ick-Tckt forces
regrouped their attack intensified and forced the Maidens back towards the
base. After a few minutes Tctie’s mobile suit flew past them. From the accuracy
of his shots it was obvious he had no trouble finding the enemy. Valis watched
him carefully before he moved back towards them.

“Tctie,
what are you doing here?” Seles asked.

“Myden
told me to help you,” Tctie answered. “If you can’t see them then you’ll have
to use my eyes.”

The
drone’s eyes began glowing as he reached out with his mind and connected with
the Maidens. Without intruding too deeply he sent them the images of the enemy
crafts he saw. Valis quickly programmed the data into the Minerva and sent the
plan to the others.

“What
is this?” Kivi asked.

“I
can see them so clearly,” Celi said.

“So
this is your power,” Seles said.

“And
what a power it is,” Valis said.

“What
are all of you talking about?” Mira asked.

Tctie
narrowed his channel to a private one.

“I’m
sorry Mira,” Tctie said. “My power is unable to touch a mind like yours. Myden
told me he has the same issue.”

“I
see,” Mira said. “Did he tell you anything else?”

“No,”
Tctie said. “But Valis should be able to show you the way.”

The
plan popped up on their screens.

“Seles,
you’ll charge formation one and fire an arrow,” Valis said. “Mira and Kivi will
attack formation two with the song system going. Tctie, Celi, and I will strike
the third formation. Once we’ve cleared the area we’ll return to our allies and
help mop up the battle on the other side.”

“Yes
Valis,” the others said.

The
Artemis charged its cannon for an arrow shot. As it made its way into the enemy
formation Seles fired. The massive beam of energy destroyed a dozen ships and
over a hundred mobile armors. After Seles made a pass through the area she
turned and fired a second arrow, destroying the rest of the enemy formation.
Mira then turned on her song system with a simple chant and followed Kivi as
she blasted the enemy vessels one by one. After a few minutes all the enemies in
the area were disable or destroyed. The other three charged through the enemy
and blasted them apart. After a fierce but brief battle the six mobile suits
clumped back together. When they went to join their allies the disabled and
damaged enemy crafts self-destructed.

* * *

Myden,
Grigon, and Jesela worked at their stations on the bridge while the four droids
did their part. The four ships and their mobile suits were holding their own
against the enemy as the Maidens and Tctie pounded their foes.

“He
really knows how to make an engineer feel obsolete,” Grigon cawed.

“Of
course he does,” Jesela said.

“That
young drone knows what he’s doing,” Myden said. “Anyways, your ability isn’t
useless. Look at what we’re doing now.”

“True
enough,” Grigon said.

“Look
at them,” Jesela said.

Outside,
the Maidens and Tctie slashed through the remaining enemy forces and quieted
the battle. The few enemies left either self-destructed or gravity jumped away.

“Looks
like we won,” Jesela said.

“Without
even incurring a scratch,” Grigon said.

“Is
it just me or do you want tougher battles?” Myden asked.

“We’re
just talking,” Grigon said.

“Better
this than death I suppose,” Jesela added.

Veda
appeared on their monitor.

“That
system of yours will be ready for everyone in a few minutes,” Veda said.

“I’m
glad,” Jesela said. “Let’s install it as soon as possible.”

“Agreed,”
Veda said.

* * *

Brian
opened his eyes and saw Kyli staring at him.

“Where
were you?” she asked.

“I
felt something calling out,” Brian said. “I think Tctie is beginning to
understand a few things.”

“In
other words, I’d better use the simulator some more,” Kyli said.

Brian
laughed. “You could say that.”

“I’ll
do my best,” she said. After a long pause she looked him in the eyes. “You’re
not going to die, are you?”

“Everyone
asks me that these days,” he said. “To answer simply, I don’t plan on it.”

“Then
why did the five of them come in here a few hours ago?” she asked.

“While
I don’t plan on dying being prepared is what I must do,” he said. “You’re a
soldier Kyli, so you know that.”

“I
do,” she said. “But it’s bad luck to say such things.”

“Bad
luck,” he laughed, “I’d say I’ve had spectacular luck up until now. Don’t
worry; I don’t plan on dying any time soon.”

* * *

Seles
and Mira landed their crafts on the Freedom. As both left their mobile suits
Jesela ran in for another round of scans. Seles could tell something was
bothering Mira by the look in her eyes. Mira turned away and looked up at the
Siren for a long while as the other two watched her.

“This
isn’t like you Mira,” Seles said as she put her hand on Mira’s shoulder.
“What’s wrong?”

“You
know we’re your friends,” Jesela said.

Mira
bit her lip as she held back some tears. “I guess you’ll know soon enough
anyway. If Tctie can sense it there’s no hiding it any longer.”

“Does
this have something to do with that secret of yours?” Seles asked.

“It
has everything to do with it,” Mira answered.

“Why
don’t you just tell her about this?” Jesela asked as she tugged on Mira’s
earring.

Mira
instinctively pushed Jesela away.

“Wait…did
you know?” Mira asked.

“Of
course silly,” Jesela said. “Let me tell you a secret. You talk in your sleep,
and Brian does as well.”

“When
did you and Brian?” Seles asked.

“During
the sojourn,” Jesela answered. “If he had died I would’ve been the last lucky
lady to grace him.” She looked at Mira. “I’ve known for the last six years and
I’ve had a tough time not asking. You know I have a big mouth.”

Mira
laughed. “You also have a big heart.”

“So
what’s this secret then?” Seles asked. “And why did she point to your earring?”

“This,”
Mira touched her earring, “is the source of my existence. When Mira Kein died
my father was broken up and spent the last years of his life working on it.
Before he finished the activation process the plague hit and I was lost in the
depths of space.”

“Wait…so
the real Mira died?” Seles asked. “If you’re not the original, then are you a
clone or something?”

Jesela
laughed. “She’s actually a hologram.”

Seles
shook her head. “How is that possible?”

“I’m
more than a hologram,” Mira said. “When I had some trouble with my matrix Brian
helped me. I know how to maintain it now so I don’t need others to help me.”

“We’re
going to have to discuss this further, in private of course,” Seles said.

“Where
should we do that?” Jesela asked.

“I
have a bath in my quarters,” Seles suggested.

“We’ll
finish this discussion in there then,” Mira said.

“After
we’re all done here of course,” Seles said.

* * *

After
Tctie landed his mobile suit he headed for his quarters. Once he stepped inside
he felt a presence in his mind.

“You
did well today,”
Myden said.

“It’s
thanks to you,”
Tctie responded.

“You
still have much to learn,”
Myden said.
“But for someone so fresh your
potential is great. You helped the others so well our engineers are jealous.”

“Now
that’s a compliment,”
Tctie said
. “Are we still going to meet for practice?”

“Until
the day comes when I feel you’ve maxed out your potential, the answer is yes,”
Myden answered.
“Now rest, the others will need you for a while longer.”

“I
will,”
Tctie said.

After
Myden ended the telepathic link Tctie crawled onto his bed to rest. Although
his eyes were unable to close the antman fell fast asleep, exhausted from the
events of the day.