Freedom Saga 3: The Dawn of Liberty (17 page)

After
the meeting Brian headed back to the Freedom. On the way Valis and Kivi stopped
him. He motioned for them to follow him into one of the many smaller rooms
inside the base. After the door closed he turned to face the two women.

“What
is it?” he asked.

“Level
with us,” Kivi said.

“We
want to know why you’re doing this,” Valis said.

“You
know the official reason,” Brian said. He noticed they weren’t convinced. “I
guess I can’t keep it from you.”

“What
is it you’re trying to do?” Kivi asked.

He
looked at Valis. “She knows.”

“Alright,
then fill me in,” Kivi said.

“As
you wish,” Valis said. “The Freedom has used the Hades system only a few times
so far. But it’s capable of much more than that. Brian wants to test all of its
abilities so we know if it’s a viable weapon in the future.”

“What
happens if you’re destroyed?” Kivi asked.

“Valis
has planned for that,” Brian answered. “The four bases will converge on the
Ick-Tckt homeworld using the Freedom’s destruction as the reason.”

“I
don’t like this,” Kivi said. “It’s reckless even for you.”

“It’s
not reckless,” Brian said. “I say so because we need to be prepared for
something far worse.”

“You
want to be ready for the Greys?” Kivi asked.

“Yes,”
Brian said. “The Greys aren’t like any of the foes we’ve faced in the
Confederation. They won’t let us live, negotiate, or beg. They’ll keep coming
until the last of us is blasted into stardust.”

“It
still seems like an idiotic idea,” Kivi said.

“I
feel the same,” Valis said. “But the Minerva says their chance of survival is
high.”

“I’ll
be honest is saying I hesitated to submit the plan,” Brian said. “The captain’s
job is to protect the crew while succeeding at the mission. I feel like I’m
flying them into a deathtrap and all my instincts tell me it’s wrong.”

“I’ll
defer to you for now,” Kivi said.

“Promise
us you won’t get killed,” Valis said.

“It’s
a promise,” Brian said.

* * *

Seles,
Mira, Jesela, and Kyli were enjoying the short time off they had relaxing in
the Kalaidian communal bath. From the number of others in the room it seemed their
choice was popular.

“This
is what I need after a long day,” Jesela said.

“You
look exhausted,” Mira said.

“I
am,” Jesela said.

“You
should trust the other engineers more,” Kyli said.

“You
are pretty hands on,” Seles said.

“It’s
because I’m an obsessive workaholic,” Jesela said. “I put up the act to
distract people.”

“It’s
not an act,” Mira said. “You’re just crazy.”

“I
am,” Jesela said.

Seles
closed her eyes and leaned back in the warm water. “This is great. We should
change the subject.”

“I
have a question,” Kyli said.

“What
is it?” Jesela asked.

“Who
is it?” Mira asked.

“It
has to do with Tctie, doesn’t it?” Seles asked.

“You
guys are no fun,” Kyli said. “And yes, it has to do with him. A few weeks ago
he acted just like he always did. Now he stares off into space a lot and mumbles
things to himself. What happened?”

The
other three laughed.

“Now
I’m worried,” Kyli said.

“We
could say he hit his stride,” Seles said. “But that’s not the truth.”

“His
ability to berserk gave him telepathic powers,” Mira said. “You already know
that much.”

“It
was strange hearing his voice in my head,” Kyli said.

“He
can read the thoughts of his enemies now,” Mira said. “If you could do the same
you’d be fighting like he is.”

“So
I need to berserk to get better?” Kyli asked.

“That
should do the trick,” Seles said. “You won’t be able to read your enemies’
thoughts, but your reaction time will get better. Have you done it before?”

“Once,”
Kyli said. “When Brian and I were running through the tunnels under Dega Jul he
helped me berserk.”

“If
you want we can try some one on one time for you to practice,” Seles said.

“I’d
be glad to,” Kyli said.

“Then
we’ll find some time to set aside each day,” Seles said.

“You
two sound like workaholics too,” Mira said.

“All
of us are,” Jesela said. “I think we’re emulating our captain.”

“That’s
for sure,” Seles said.

“Agreed,”
Mira said.

* * *

Brian
was on the bridge of the Freedom working when Myden and Grigon walked in and
went to their stations. The four droids quietly went about their business when
Brian looked up.

“I
figured the two of you would show up and tell me I’m an idiot,” he said.

“You’re
an idiot,” Grigon said.

“We’re
all idiots,” Myden said.

“So
where are we heading first?” Grigon asked.

“The
eighth resource system,” Brian answered. “The best way to start the trip would
be with a slow walk. Then we run after entering the tenth colony system.”

“Which
duchess are we taking out first?” Grigon asked.

“None
in particular,” Brian said. “The best option is to let them come to us. I do my
best planning on the fly after seeing what my opponent is going to do.”

“You
and Valis differ in that way,” Myden said.

“She
plans too much for my taste,” Brian said. “I’d rather sleep.”

“She’ll
be resting this one out,” Myden said. “Tell me, what’s the plan if we succeed?”

“I
haven’t thought that far ahead,” Brian admitted.

“This
sounds a lot like what we did during the sojourn,” Grigon said.

“That’s
the idea old man,” Brian said. “We fight to live another day.”

Tctie
entered the bridge.

“I’m
here captain,” the drone said.

“I’m
glad you could join us,” Brian said.

“Does
this have something to do with our upcoming mission?” Tctie asked.

“That’s
it,” Brian said. “First, I want you to maintain the telepathic restriction
Myden gave you.”

“So
I should only use it with you and him?” Tctie asked.

“Yes,”
Brian said. “Using it in battle with the others could distract them. But I
called you to ask your opinion on the route we’re going to take.”

Brian
put the route on the monitor. Tctie looked at it closely before turning to his
captain.

“We
should change entry point to the seventh resource system,” Tctie said. “And
near the home system we should switch from the third to the second resource
system.”

“Why?”
Brian asked.

“You
assume the resource systems are sparsely populated,” Tctie said. “It’s the
opposite. If our goal is to reach the home system with as little interference
as possible the route I’m suggesting will do so.”

“I
like your line of thinking,” Brian said. “It might take us an extra few days to
reach our target but I see why you want us to avoid those systems.”

“What’s
in them?” Grigon asked.

“There
are a number of countesses on the side of the rebel duchesses in those
systems,” Tctie explained.

“Avoid
the small fries and take out the big ones,” Brian said.

“What
are small fries?” Tctie asked.

“It’s
a figure of speech,” Brian said. “You can go back to your duties now.”

“I
hope I was able to help captain,” Tctie said.

“You
were, thanks,” Brian said.

After
the drone left Brian looked to Grigon.

“I
hope your system works,” Brian said.

“It
will,” the old birdman said.

“I’ve
found it’s bad to assume something works just because it does in the computer,”
Brian said.

The
Freedom gravity jumped into Ick-Tckt territory. The ship appeared at the edge
of a resource system containing nothing but gas giants and uninhabitable
smaller planets. Brian, Myden, Grigon, and the four droids were on the bridge
as they headed to the nearest planet. The scanners showed there were a number
of colonies surrounding the moons of the gas giant. From the readings all the
ships docked to them were launching at a frantic pace.

“Whose
territory is this?” Grigon asked.

“The
colonies around this planet are under the jurisdiction of the Countess Rhkti,”
Brian answered. “While they have little military power their wealth from mining
operations is great.”

“Captain,
we’re receiving a hail from the main colony,” Droid A reported.

“Put
them through,” Brian ordered.

“Yes
sir,” the droid said.

On
the main monitor appeared a female noble with her three warriors behind her.

“I
am the Countess Rhkti,” she said.

“I’m
Captain Peterson,” Brian said.

“Why
have you entered my territory?” the countess asked.

“We’re
on route to the homeworld to speak with your queen,” Brian answered. “We have
no intention of attacking and ask that you allow us safe passage.”

“I
see,” she said.

“It
appears your people are fleeing,” Brian said.

“We
have no desire to enter this conflict,” the countess said. “Our colonies are
lightly populated, so we can fit everyone on the ships.”

“Do
you need assistance?” Brian asked.

“Not
right now,” the countess said. “But thank you for the offer.”

“Where
do you plan to go?” Brian asked.

“If
possible we’ll go outside our peoples’ territory,” the countess answered. “The
blockade will no doubt stop us, but we have to go.”

“I’ll
give you the coordinates for my organization’s bases,” Brian said. “You’ll have
a much easier time being processed there.”

The
countess turned to her warriors and spoke in their native tongue. After a
moment of discussion she turned back to the screen.

“We
accept your offer,” she said.

Brian
looked at Droid A. “Send it over.”

“Yes
sir,” the droid said.

“Thank
you for your help Captain Peterson,” the countess said.

“Thank
you for allowing us to pass,” he said.

Once
the screen went black Brian let out a sigh of relief.

“That
went better than expected,” Myden said.

“They
don’t want to fight,” Brian said.

“They
sound weary of the situation,” Grigon said.

“They’re
tired,” Brian said. “There’s only so much war one can fight through before
getting sick of it.”

“Should
we stick around?” Myden asked.

“For
now,” Brian said. “Let’s make sure the countess and her people get a chance to
leave before we do so ourselves.”

* * *

Seles,
Mira, and Jesela were taking a break from maintenance on with the Artemis and
Siren. The Siren’s arms had been replaced and now they were working on the
Artemis’s cannon. Jesela came out of the side room and tossed each of them a
bottle of water.

“The
Siren’s happy,” Mira said.

“I’m
sure she is,” Seles said. “The Artemis was the same when you replaced her arm.”

“Is
it just me or are our mobile suits taking more damage?” Mira asked.

“It’s
not a wild guess,” Jesela said. “It means the others are catching up to us
technologically.”

“All
they needed was a kick in the ass to get going,” Seles said while emulating
Brian’s voice. “That’s what he’s said for years.”

“What
was that word that didn’t translate right?” Mira asked.

Seles
laughed and pointed to her posterior. “It’s a reference to this.”

“You
know, in all the time he’s been with us you’d think his way of talking would’ve
infected us more,” Jesela said.

“Brian
says he doesn’t like to use curse words,” Seles said.

“He
doesn’t use them very often,” Mira said. “But to get back to the original
subject, what do you think we should do about it Jesela?”

Jesela
looked at the two mobile suits.

“I
think we’ll need to overhaul them, and soon,” Jesela said. “The problem with
being active is we don’t have a chance to switch things around to enhance
them.”

“Do
you have anything in mind?” Seles asked.

“Of
course,” Jesela said before spinning around with a quick dance.

“Then
do tell,” Mira said.

“I
don’t know about the other special models,” Jesela said. “But these two have
some simple fixes.” She pointed at the Artemis. “The major issue with this one
is it can only fire two arrows before needing to recharge. I’ve designed a
special energy storage pack to attach and allow for more shots.”

“How
many could it fire?” Seles asked.

“Up
to eight from the storage pack,” Jesela said. “That means ten shots before
needing to recharge.”

“What
about the Siren?” Mira asked.

“I’m
working on an amplification system,” Jesela answered. “Doing that will not only
extend the time you have to sing your song but the range will be tripled.”

“Sounds
like fun,” Mira said.

“I
agree,” Seles said. “Our enemies won’t like it as well.”

“No
they won’t,” Jesela said. “The problem is designing the new parts is easy,
actually constructing them is another.”

“Is
it money or time?” Seles asked.

“Both,”
Jesela said. “Even if someone coughed up the twenty million credits today it’d
take me a year to make them.”

“Are
you sure it’ll cost twenty million?” Seles asked.

“I’d
put it closer to twenty five million because of ancillary costs,” Jesela said.

Mira
laughed. “I’ve saved quite a bit, but it’s nowhere close to that.”

“If
no one else can then I’ll pay,” Seles said.

“What?”
the other two asked.

“It’s
true my salary working for Valis and Heaven’s Light comes nowhere close to
that,” Seles explained. “But when the falling out with my mother ended she
reestablished my private account on Kalaidia.”

“How
much does our princess have?” Mira asked.

“Last
time I checked it was a little over a hundred million credits,” Seles said.

“So
you’ve been holding out on us?” Mira asked.

Seles
shook her head. “No, I don’t like relying on the money given to me by title.
But if it’s to help our organization I’ll use it.”

“I’ll
write you out an invoice for the parts in the next few days,” Jesela said.

The
alert system went on after the ship started shaking.

“Looks
like our friends are back for a visit,” Seles said.

“They
couldn’t wait until after lunch,” Mira said.

“Get
going you two,” Jesela said as she ran for the door. “I’ll be on the bridge.”

The
pair looked at each other.

“Shall
we go?” Seles asked.

“I’ll
follow your lead,” Mira said.

* * *

After
the last of the mining colony ships was gone the space around the Freedom went
quiet. Brian and the others on the bridge were preparing to leave when a fleet
of Ick-Tckt ships appeared and launched their Auguar Stars. The ship was
surrounded on all sides and attacked.

“Looks
like our welcoming party came,” Brian said. “All mobile suits are to move out.
Kyli, Tctie, use formation D-5 for now.”

“Yes
captain,” Kyli responded.

“Understood,”
Tctie said.

The
mobile suits launched and clustered themselves around the ship in groups of
four or five. As the enemy closed in they exchanged fire.

“Seles,
Mira, I’m letting you two to do what you need to,” Brian said.

“We’ll
wait and see what they have,” Seles said.

“I’m
with her on this,” Mira said.

The
Artemis and Siren flew outside before charging the enemy forces.

“They’re
as reckless as ever,” Myden said.

“We’re
going to have to repair them again,” Grigon said.

“You
two sound like you’ve already conceded the battle,” Brian said. “I trust those
two to take care of things.”

“You
sound like a lax battle planner,” Grigon cawed.

Brian
laughed. “I think it’s more like I don’t need to.”

“Captain,
I’ve discerned their plan,”
Tctie reported telepathically.

Brian
closed his eyes.
“Go on.”

“They’re
planning to isolate the two special models and destroy them,”
Tctie said. “
They’re
numbers are going to triple any moment now.”

“Do
you know where?”
Brian asked.

“Concentrate
and you’ll know,”
Tctie said.

“Got
it,”
Brian said. “Seles, Mira, the enemy is targeting the both of you. Hold off on
berserking or using your special systems for the time being.”

“We’ll
do as asked,” Seles said.

“Alright,”
Mira said.

“Myden,
activate the Hades system,” Brian ordered.

“It’s
already charging up,” Myden said.

A
moment later the first fleet turned all of its forces on the Artemis and Siren.
As the Freedom lit up to fire another three hundred ships appeared. The two
mobile suits quickly made their way away from the entrapment before the Freedom
fired the main cannon. The enemy forces pulled away in a disorganized mess
after the shot wiped out half their forces. The Freedom returned to normal.

“The
rest is in your hands,” Brian said.