Freedom Saga 1: Heaven's Light (7 page)

While the
bombardment continued, Seles and Mira waited in the docking bay of the base.
Numerous crew members from all the ships ran to their stations onboard them.
Outside, a shield array surrounded the asteroid and bounced the attacks away
harmlessly. The door opened from the interior as Valis and Brian made their way
to the Avoni. They stopped when they reached the pair.

“It was an honor
serving under you Valis,” Seles said with a salute.

“As it was for
me,” Mira said, doing likewise.

Valis saluted
the two before handing each of them a command circlet. “I would’ve rather given
these to you when we had more time,” she said. “But the current situation
prevents such.” She smiled while looking at them. “For over a decade you served
the Avoni and I. You served with honor and dignity far beyond my expectations.
Someday I hope to give you a proper parting ceremony. Thanks for all you’ve
done, and may Kali watch over each of you.”

“Thanks,” Seles
said.

“Thank you,”
Mira said.

Valis looked at
Brian. “I’ll go on ahead. Prep the Mjolnir when you’re ready.”

She ran into the
Avoni. The base shook from another fierce assault. A dumb look on Brian’s face
broke through the veil he usually wore these days.

“I really don’t
know what to say,” he said.

“You’re supposed
to say goodbye,” Mira said while pulling him down for a kiss. She stepped away
and nodded to Seles.

“And promise us
you’ll return,” Seles said as she kissed him.

“I will,” he
said. Before stepping on the stairs he turned and saluted them. “Commander
Daevon and lieutenant commander Kein, take care of the Freedom. I entrust
everything to you.” He smiled before running inside. As the ship fired up Seles
and Mira headed for the Freedom.

“I don’t know
about the name change,” Mira said.

“You mean how he
called us by our surnames?” Seles asked.

“It feels
weird,” Mira said.

“I know, but
wearing an exoskeleton will be weirder,” Seles said. “At least we’re allowed to
wear these.”

She placed the
circlet with two leaves on her forehead. Mira did the same with her single
leafed circlet. The Avoni pulled out of its dock and floated towards the gate
as they watched the ship they called home leave.

“Do you think
they’ll be alright?” Mira asked.

“They survived
the sojourn,” Seles said. “If they could live through that nothing the
Confederation throws at them will compare.”

“I guess you’re
right,” Mira said.

Seles turned to
the Freedom. “Let’s go Mira; we have a lot to do before he returns to us.”

* *
*

Valis entered
the bridge and went to her chair. Baed and Vae sat at their consoles while Zae
was in the commander’s chair. Daes stood by at the top of the bridge.

“All weapons and
shields are prepared,” Zae said as she looked up.

“All mobile suit
pilots have reported to their crafts and will be ready momentarily,” Baed
reported.

“The Avoni’s
ready for launch,” Daes said.

“Alright,” Valis
said. She turned on her com. “Brian, have you boarded?”

“I’m heading for
the launching bay as we speak,” he responded.

“Good,” Valis
turned the com to Meldi and Myli, “Launch as soon as we exit the base and take
formation D-3.”

“Yes captain,”
the two squadron leaders responded.

“Vae, take us
out,” Valis ordered.

“Yes captain,”
Vae said.

When the Avoni
reached the gate the doors opened to the outside. The heavy class vessel flared
up as it moved outside and into the thick of the bombardment. The shields
glowed as pulse blasts slammed into them.

“It appears the
upgrades work,” Daes said with relief in her voice.

“True,” Valis
said. “As it stands we possess the technological edge.”

“But they’re
only a few years behind us,” Zae said.

“I know,” Valis
said. “We have to take advantage as much as we can until they catch up.”

* *
*

Brian stood in the
launching bay in front the Mjolnir.

“It’s been
awhile old friend,” he said as he stepped on the elevator cord.

The eyes on the
mobile suit lit up as the systems inside turned on.

“I was worried
you’d abandoned me,” the mobile suit said. “I was ready to deploy on my own if
you didn’t show up.”

Brian smiled as
he took his seat in the cockpit. “Without the upgrades things are going to be
rough,” he said as he turned everything over to manual control.

“We’ll survive,”
the mobile suit said.

“I’m sure we will,”
Brian said before turning on his com. “Everything’s ready on my end Valis.”

“Go ahead and
launch,” she ordered.

“Formation D-3,
right?” he asked.

“You know my
tactics far too well,” Valis said.

“I’ll be heading
out now,” Brian said.

The Mjolnir’s
engines fired up as the hatch above opened to let it outside. It joined the
other mobile suits on the hull of the Avoni and added to its shielding.

“How are you
feeling?” Meldi asked as her image came up with Myli’s on his monitor.

He tapped his
temple. “I’m be alright today Meldi.”

“The ghosts
aren’t following you?” Myli asked.

“No, not for the
moment,” he said. Brian closed his eyes and concentrated on the task at hand.
“The ocean tides are shifting and washing over the world.”

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

“It means a
great change is occurring,” Meldi said.

Brian opened his
eyes. “The waves are getting stronger as we speak.”

* *
*

Veda and her
command staff occupied the nerve center of the base while Grigon worked away at
a different console.

“There!” the old
Malcovin shouted. “It’s ready to activate now.”

“Activate what?”
Veda asked. “What exactly are you babbling about?”

Grigon cawed
with indignity. “The system that’ll save our backsides,” he pointed to the
gravity drive system, “It’ll take us a few jumps to reach the Kalmar system.”

Veda checked the
systems. “He’s right,” she said. “We can jump an entire base?”

“Of course,” he
said. “Did you think we’d just sit here and let them pound our shields
forever?”

“No, but I
wasn’t expecting this,” she looked over a few more systems, “It doesn’t look
like we have any offensive weapons.”

“Not yet,”
Grigon said. “But soon we will.”

“So what’s the
plan Valis is so keen on?” Veda asked.

“She wants to
draw them away using the Avoni and Terran,” Grigon said. “El Kar will be joining
her shortly with the Reinkar as back up.”

“And what are we
to do?”

“Wait for a few
minutes before running away with our lives,” the old birdman said.

* *
*

Valis and those
on the bridge of the Avoni sat quietly as the battle continued. The
Confederation ships aimed at them while the Lances moved to intercept.

“Hold your
positions,” Valis said. “I know it looks bad, but our shields will hold out
against this attack.”

El Kar’s image
appeared on the main monitor from his bridge. “Do you need our help yet?” he
asked.

“Not quite,”
Valis said. The Avoni shook from an attack from outside. “Maybe speed things up
a little bit.”

“As you wish,”
El Kar said.

The Reinkar
headed for the gate to join the Avoni.

“Captain, we’re
detecting another fleet coming out of gravity jump,” Baed reported. “It appears
to be the fleet in charge of Dega Jul.”

Valis tapped her
finger in annoyance. “I wasn’t expecting them to be this desperate.”

“What should we
do?” Baed asked.

“Continue as
planned,” Valis ordered. She turned on the com to the Mjolnir. “Brian, it’s
about time for your announcement.”

“Alright,” he
responded. Brian opened his com to all channels and frequencies. “To the
Confederation forces, this is Commander Peterson speaking. The charges against
me are false and violate my rights as a citizen of Dega Jul. I won’t surrender
because I’m not guilty of any crime. If you choose to withdraw we will allow
you to do so.”

The new fleet of
attack ships surrounding the base opened fire.

“It doesn’t look
like they’re going to listen to reason,” Brian said over the com.

“No, I didn’t
think they would,” Valis said.

Baeron stood on
the bridge of the Zakar as the battle around the base intensified. The Zakar
looked the same other attack ships save for its greater mass. The ship matched
Avoni class ships in size and armaments. The bridge was a large circular room
with the captain in the center and their subordinates stationed around them.
Currently, there were six officers on the bridge. Floating next to Baeron was
the captain of the ship, the Mylor named Siata.

“Sir, we’re
detecting an energy surge from inside the asteroid,” the science officer
reported. “It appears to be a gravity drive system.”

“We’re also
detecting another vessel emerging to join the Avoni,” the security officer
said.

“That’s the
Reinkar,” Baeron said as he looked at the screen. “What should we do captain?”

“The base will
disappear in a moment,” Siata said. “Have all the ships concentrate their fire
on the Avoni.”

“Of course,”
Baeron said as he pressed the com. “All ships change your primary target to the
Avoni.”

“Yes sir,” the
other captains responded.

* *
*

Valis sat
watched the enemy ships target the Avoni.

“Holding out is
looking more remote by the moment,” she said.

“They don’t like
us very much,” Zae said.

“Captain, Veda
wants to say something,” Baed reported.

“Put her
though,” Valis ordered.

“Yes captain,”
Baed said before turning the com on.

Veda appeared on
the screen. “Take care of yourself Valis,” she said, “As well as the rest of
you.”

“I take it
you’re leaving?” Valis asked.

“Grigon insists
on it,” Veda said. “With the current situation I have to agree.”

“How long will
it be until you to depart?” Valis asked.

“A few minutes,”
Grigon cawed from off screen.

“See you soon
Valis,” Veda said.

“Thanks
grandmother,” Valis said before the screen went dark. She pressed the com,
“Brian, go for it.”

“Of course,” he
responded. “Meldi, Myli, stick close to the ship. Things are about to get
interesting.”

“Yes commander,”
both said.

Brian focused
his mind as he looked at the Confederation forces around them. The sound of
their thoughts filled his mind as the Mjolnir flew from the safety of the
Avoni’s shields and into the thick of their formation. Their mobile suit’s
movements seemed sluggish to Brian as the slashed into a group of Lances.

“You’re reaction
time has surpassed my current specs,” the Mjolnir said as they fought.

“I’m trying my
best to keep from going all the way,” Brian said. “Celi told me something bad
could happen if we activate the black box again.”

“There’s no need
to,” the Mjolnir said.

“Have you
determined their tactical plan?” Brian asked.

The Mjolnir
remained silent for a moment. “It’s done. You can concentrate on attack while I
maneuver.”

“Alright old
friend,” he said.

The Mjolnir and
Brian acted as one as they tore through the enemy crafts. Sword and pulse cannon
traded attacks while coordinated with masterful evasion. Near the Avoni, the
Reinkar launched all of its Fangs. They took formation behind the Mjolnir and
cleaned up any enemy crafts remaining. Valis watched the spectacle with a
strange smile on her face.

“It’s like he
and it have become one,” Zae said.

“They have,” Daes
said. “The Mjolnir’s as smart as he is.”

“The danger is
it’s not a normal person,” Valis said. “The Mjolnir has awareness unlike
anything our people have seen since the Keinien androids.”

The Columbia
base began wavering as the gravity jump started. A moment later a flash of
light filled the space around them as the base disappeared. In the confusion
the Mjolnir and Fangs drove the Confederation fleet back.

Valis tapped the
com once more. “Brian, it’s time to go.”

“As you wish,”
he said before flying the Mjolnir back to the Avoni.

The Fangs with
him did likewise and headed for the Reinkar. Brian relaxed in his chair and
took out an injector. He placed it on his neck and pressed the button before
tossing it to the ground.

“It’s getting
worse,” the Mjolnir said.

“Of course it
is,” Brian said. “My fate is sealed.”

“Stop saying
such things,” the mobile suit said. “You still have a lot to live for.”

“Yeah, you’re
right,” he said.

* *
*

On the bridge of
the Zakar, Baeron watched as their forces were driven back. Siata observed with
great interest as the Mjolnir fought. After the base disappeared she turned on
the com.

“This is your
commanding officer speaking,” she said to all the ships within the
Confederation fleet. “All ships are to retreat.”

“Yes captain
Siata,” all the other captains said.

“Are you sure
about this?” Baeron asked.

“Yes,” she said.
“With our current strength our best bet is to simply give chase.”

“The Avoni has
been hunted by greater prey then us,” Baeron said.

“I know,” she
said.

The Avoni and
Reinkar disappeared in the light of a gravity jump. Siata turned on the com
once more.

“All scouting
fleets are to pursue the Avoni,” she ordered.

“And so begins
the Great Hunt,” Baeron said.

“Such a thing is
sacred to your people,” Siata said. “Hopefully our troops are as fired up as
the ones we’re giving chase to.”

“We will my
lady,” Baeron said. “That I promise.”

* *
*

The Avoni and
Reinkar appeared in a resource system devoid of any major colonies. They were
near the outer area of a small gas giant with a ring of asteroids orbiting it.
Vae flew the Avoni to a small, hollowed out asteroid and took the ship inside
while the Reinkar followed. Brian sat alone on the Mjolnir for a while before
opening the front hatch.

“Take care,” the
Mjolnir said.

“You too
friend,” he said before taking the elevator cord down.

Meldi and Myli
came over to him.

“Great job
Brian,” Meldi said.

“You were
amazing,” Myli added.

He pointed to
the Mjolnir, “He deserves the credit.”

“Well, I’m going
to the mess hall to enjoy a big meal. I didn’t get a chance to eat beforehand,”
Myli said before running off.

Meldi stayed
with Brian. “Are you alright?”

He nodded. “The
stuff Celi’s giving me is suppressing the worst from happening.”

“It’s like the
plague all over again,” she said with the resignation in her voice.

“Not quite as
bad,” he said. “The end result will be better.”

“What’s going to
happen to you if the suppressants fail?” she asked.

“I’ll suffer the
same fate as the one who came before,” Brian said. “The Teacher was the first human
to fully awaken. The price he paid for doing so was his life. All that remains
of him is an echoing memory within the sea of thoughts.”

“Seles told me
you were passed a message from him,” Meldi said. “What was it?”

“For some reason
even I don’t know,” Brian said. “It’s like something inside me is blocking the
message. What I do know is the path we’re on now is part of his plan.”

Meldi took his
hand. “No matter where destiny takes you I and those on the Avoni will follow.
Those who survived the sojourn will never live in ignorance again. If we’re to
survive the coming darkness the Confederation must change. If it doesn’t,
everything we love will be lost forever. We know the odds and the price we may
pay. But if the Greys are beaten, even if only for a little while, it’s worth
it.”

“I’m glad we’re
on the same page,” he said.

“We did briefly
touch minds,” Meldi said. “I’d expect no less.”

“That’s true,”
he said. “Are you up for a meal?”

“I don’t suppose
I get to spend the night with you?” Meldi asked playfully.

“Probably not,”
he said. “I’m not really in the condition for things like that.”

“You’re no fun,”
she said.

“I’m flattered you’d
think of me in such a way,” he said.

“By the way,
what are you going to do with the Mjolnir?” she asked.

“I’m not sure,”
Brian said. “I’d like to bring him to the Freedom, but part of me thinks I
should leave him here. If I do that I’ll ask you to be his pilot.”

She laughed.
“Having my machine talk to me is something I’ll have to get used to.”