Freedom Saga 2: Freedom's Bell (21 page)

The
command center shook as the Malcovin forces focused their attacks on the base.

“Number
four shield station has overloaded,” Reban reported. “It’s the same with
stations five and ten.”

“Send
units to cover our gaps,” Veda said.

“Of
course,” Reban said.

The
shaking subsided when the Maidens flew in and helped with the shielding.

“Grigon
should install the Aegis’s system on everything,” Shiken said. “It out does any
shield my people have come up with.”

“He
won’t because there’s a massive drawback,” Veda said. “Did you ever notice the
Aegis doesn’t have any weapons?”

“Hmm…I
always did wonder about that,” Shiken said. “I guess I thought it was more
because it matched the pilot’s personality. Celi doesn’t strike me as a
hunter.”

“She
isn’t,” Veda said.

“The
others are heading back,” Reban said.

“It’s
about time,” Veda said.

The
monitor flashed and showed Vikrit and Daekon.

“Do
you need any help?” the admiral asked.

Veda
smiled. “I think we can handle it.”

Vikrit
cawed. “I have a ton of men itching for battle.”

“I
take it their blood is boiling,” Shiken said.

“Of
course it is,” Vikrit said. “If you need anything, just ask and we’ll be
waiting.”

* * *

Kivi
led the Maidens as they blazed through the Malcovin fleet. When the four
reached the tip of the six ships in formation they moved next to the Mjolnir.
Brian appeared on their monitors.

“It
took you long enough,” he said.

“We
thought we’d give you guys something to do,” Kivi said. “So what’s our next
move?”

“We’ll
keep moving until we reach the base and attack anyone opposing us,” Brian said.
“They should be calling off their attack any second now.”

The
small fleet barreled its way through the enemy until it met with the Columbia
base. The ships switched back into a triangle formation with the Freedom at the
front. The enemy ships collected their Talons before gravity jumping away. The
damaged ships and Talons still moving sent out surrender signals.

“It
looks like they decided to leave earlier than we thought,” Seles said.

“This
was just a scouting fleet,” Kivi said.

Veda
appeared on their screens. “All forces are to return to base.”

“This’ll
be the last time we get a chance to rest,” Kivi said. “Make sure you make the
best of it.”

* * *

In
a nearby solar system Admiral Shakar and his guard fleet of six hundred ships
waited. As he paced about the bridge his subordinates nervously worked at their
stations. After an hour the survivors of the fleet he sent to attack the
Columbia base appeared. Their numbers were cut by more than a half, leaving
less than a hundred and sixty ships from the original four hundred.

“Sir,
the fleet is sending over the data you wanted,” the science officer reported.

“We’re
going to need it,” Shakar said. “Send my thanks to the surviving captains. Once
their drives are recharged we’ll return to the home world. We should get there
a day or two before the enemy.”

“Yes
sir,” his subordinates responded.

The
admiral went to his chair and pulled up the small monitor attached to it. He
watched the battle footage closely while grinding his beak. What caught his eye
the most was the fact that the Columbia base’s forces repelled his ships
without help from the other base or the Silver navy.

“Is
something wrong sir?” the commander asked.

“The
king…he isn’t going to like my assessment,” Shakar said.

“It’s
that bad, isn’t it?” the commander asked.

“Yes,
that bad,” Shakar said. He looked at his men. “I trust all of you to fight with
everything you have. The future of our world is in our hands. Whether or not
the rebels back home succeed it’s our duty to fulfill the will of the king.”

All
the officers saluted.

“We’re
with you sir,” the commander said.

* * *

Valis,
Seka, Dreka, and Grigon were in the planning room watching the acts of
subterfuge the resistance performed across the Malcovin territories. When the
video was done Valis looked at the others.

“I
wasn’t expecting as much cooperation from the citizens as this,” she said.

“None
of us did,” Seka said. “I thought a good portion of the female population would
jump in, but the numbers Teaika and Kili send me are staggering. The fourth and
eighth colony systems have fallen. Admiral Shakar has recalled all garrisons in
our people’s territory to defend the home world.”

“That
I figured on,” Valis said. “He’s seen the superiority our forces have right
now. Shakar didn’t become the Gold one being an idiot.” She looked at Dreka and
Grigon. “Are they ready?”

“The
pilots are as ready as they’ll ever be,” Dreka said.

“The
engineers are the same,” Grigon answered.

“Good,”
Valis said. “We have a few more things to take care of before our friends
arrive.”

* * *

After
the Artemis and Siren landed Jesela ran in to do her usual round of scans. When
Seles and Mira left their mobile suits they checked on what Jesela was doing.
She looked up when she noticed they were staring at her.

“Grigon
told me to keep a close eye things, so that’s what I’m doing,” she said.

“Is
that all?” Seles asked.

“You
aren’t keeping secrets on us, are you?” Mira asked.

Jesela
shook her head. “The problem with secrets is we have to know them to keep them.
Neither of us have a clue on what using these systems will lead to. So to
ensure things are running smoothly we’ll check after every battle to see if
something’s going on. If we spot something we’ll tell you.”

“I
guess we have to believe her,” Mira said.

“I’d
hate to do that,” Seles said. “Believing there’s a conspiracy is more
interesting.”

“Myden’s
the expert on conspiracies,” Jesela said. “I’m just a pawn in the game, nothing
more.”

“Aren’t
we all?” Seles asked.

* * *

Myden
left his console to join Brian at the bottom of the bridge. He looked at the
plan Brian was so engrossed in.

“This
will be the greatest victory so far,” Myden said.

“It’ll
show the Confederation we mean business,” Brian said. He noticed the Grey was
looking at him. “What?”

“Your
mind is closed to me,” Myden said.

“It’s
become a reflex to block it out,” Brian said. “I think when that thing was
messing with me it became a habit.”

“Of
course,” Myden said. “Brian, are you happy with how things have turned out for
you? I won’t be offended if you say no.”

“Yes
and no,” he answered. “If I had stayed on Earth I could’ve done something to
make the world a better place, but I can’t say for sure. As to the reality that
came true, there are things I like and don’t.” He looked around the bridge.
“I’m proud I’ve made it this far. But I regret the life I lead because it’s
counter to what I’m looking for.”

“I
understand,” Myden said. “That’s why I lived all those years alone. I wanted to
see the world at peace. And not the false peace my people chose, but a real
one.”

“I’m
also bothered by the predestined stuff,” Brian said. “It seems contrived and
meaningless.”

“People
cling to myth and legend because it makes them feel better,” Myden said. “I’m
sorry it works that way.”

“I
won’t put all the blame on you,” Brian said. “I embraced it. I could’ve just
gone into the engineering department on the Avoni and lived a boring life that
way.”

“Something
tells me even if you had this is the direction you would’ve headed,” Myden
said. “Never fear fate Brian, because you control it.”

Zaris
walked around his throne room with the monitors showing his troops quashing
some rebellious spots as others were forced to flee. While his advisors ran
around in a state of constant panic Admiral Shakar calmly made his way to the
king.

“I
have returned my lord,” Shakar said.

“I’m
glad they didn’t catch you,” Zaris said. “You’re the only one I can trust these
days.”

“My
loyalty is not a question,” the admiral said. “I obtained the data we sought.”

“Let’s
see it,” Zaris said.

Shakar
put the data crystal in a console near the throne. The main monitor showed the
recent battle between the forces of Heaven’s Light and the Gold navy. Both
watched carefully as the four Maidens carved through their troops. Once it was
done concern came to Zaris’s eyes.

“There
were only four,” Zaris said. “It was the same in the battle prior to them
entering our territory.”

“This
means the Minerva is somewhere else,” Shakar said. “I believe that’s the mobile
suit piloted by Captain Valis Kein.”

“I
hate things like this,” Zaris said. “I can see the others, especially the
Artemis, being used for some type of special mission.”

“We
know the special capabilities three of them possess,” Shakar said. He switched
the screen to highlight the Artemis first. “This mobile suit’s weapons are
better than anything short of an Original Five vessel. Its limitation is it can
only be used two times before the suit needs time to recharge.” He highlighted
the Siren. “This one is able to disable large numbers of enemy vessels. Through
what process we’re not sure, but it’s extremely effective. It’s also limited to
about five minutes of use.” He highlighted the Aegis. “This mobile suit
possesses no weapons but has a shield system our engineers can’t explain. It
has the ability to increase this protective field, but is limited to around
fifteen minutes before it has to return to normal.” He highlighted the Gemini.
“This suit has a cannon on par with the Artemis, but as of yet we’ve not seen
any special capabilities.” He switched to an earlier shot of the Minerva. “We have
seen this suit perform at an extremely high level. My suspicion is it’s capable
of predicting its enemy’s battle tactics at a high percentage.” He switched the
screen back to the combat footage. “Our ability to defend the home world
depends on us being able to isolate and destroy these special models. In the
battles so far we’ve been unable to do so. It’ll be two days before they reach
the home world. As such I’ve recalled all colonial ships and mobile suits to
help the cause.”

“We
can always take back the colonies,” Zaris said. “Rabble troops mean nothing to
our forces.”

“I
agree,” Shakar said. “As to the whereabouts of the fifth mobile suit, I suspect
it may be hiding under our beaks.” He switched the footage to the targets the underground
have been striking. “Valis is helping the rebels. In the last week we’ve seen
an increase of attacks and in their precision. This correlates with the
disappearance of the Minerva.”

“What
are our chances of coming out of this?” Zaris asked.

“I
put our chances firmly at fifty percent,” the admiral said. “Because of those
special models I can’t make our odds any better.”

“It’s
better than zero,” the king said.

An
advisor ran into the room with panic in his eyes.

“They’re
attacking our bases again my lord!” he shouted.

“Of
course they are,” Zaris said. “Calm yourselves and drive them away. We can’t
afford any more mess ups.”

* * *

Valis
and Seka watched the live video feed from the latest round of attacks. The one
they focused on was an attack on a Talon production facility in a nearby city.
The females and their helpers managed to capture fifty more Talons and were
shipping them underground as quickly as possible.

“I’m
surprised the king’s soldiers have never found this base,” Valis said. “I
haven’t asked, but is there a reason for that?”

Seka
cawed. “The underground tunnels were built during the industrial age five
hundred years ago. By the time we developed the first gravity drive these
tunnels were long abandoned and have little records in the city above. Zaris
has sent spies down here before, but none of them have been able to locate the
base long enough to do anything. Every time they try a large scale attack we
know about it long enough in advance to move to a different location.” She
looked at Valis. “I take it Kalaidians didn’t build structures like this
underground.”

“The
nobility saw it as a threat,” Valis said. “So instead of moving underground we
moved vertical.”

“With
the last capture mission we now have three hundred and thirteen Talons,” Seka
said. “What are you planning to use them for?”

“When
the final battle comes you’ll know,” Valis said. “Also, I’ll have to leave the
mission to you.”

“I
can handle it,” Seka said.

“I’m
also leaving Dreka and Grigon with you,” Valis said.

“I’m
glad to hear it,” Seka said. “But first I have to thank you for all the help.
Your organization has shown more gumption than the High Council ever has.”

“Don’t
thank me until the war is won,” Valis said.

“I
knew you’d say that,” Seka said.

As
the two laughed a messenger came in.

“We’ve
received reports the forces of Heaven’s Light are two days away,” the messenger
said. “Admiral Shakar has called all his forces to defend the king.”

“We
planned for this,” Valis said.

“I
hope you‘re right,” Seka said.

Dreka
and Grigon entered the room a moment later.

“Are
you sure about leaving this to us?” Dreka asked.

“I
trust you two,” Valis said. “The people back on the base need me to guide
them.”

“Do
you need another distraction to get you home?” Seka asked.

“Just
give me a small opening and that’ll be fine,” Valis said.

* * *

The
palace was rocked by another strike from rioters outside. Zaris banged his pike
against the floor.

“All
ground forces will put down the rebellion within the city!” he shouted.

“Yes
my lord,” his guards responded.

“This
is getting old quickly,” Zaris said.

“We
can’t do anything about it right now,” Shakar said. “Given the situation it’s
all we can do to defend ourselves.”

“I
can’t believe the High Council would approve of this,” Zaris said. “What are they
doing? Can’t they see we’re being invaded by an upstart Terran bent on handing
us over to his people on a platter?”

“Liberation
is their justification,” Shakar said.

“Liberation!”
the king cawed. “It’s just a cover for taking our money from us! Nothing more!
He’s nothing but a petty dictator bent on using freedom as an excuse for
conquest. And what makes it worse is no one’s stopping him.”

“That’s
our duty my lord,” Shakar said.

“I
want his head on a pike!” Zaris bellowed.

“I
haven’t seen such fire from you in years,” Shakar said. “Not since the day you
took power.”

“This
is an affirmation of that day,” Zaris said. “I’ll show them I’m the one to rule
them. Fools are those who believe people can rule themselves! Democracy! Humph!
Nothing more than the rabble ruling the rabble! Such a government has no
convictions and lacks any honor. It’s nothing more than a popularity contest
won by the wealthiest anyway. Why bother with the expense and just let us rule
them? No, we’ll win against this idiocy of the masses and put them back in
their place. People don’t want the uncertainty of freedom, they want to be
controlled. History has shown this and is correct in its judgment. This is our
revolution, not theirs. We’ll show them the error of their ways.”