Freedom Saga 3: The Dawn of Liberty (18 page)

After
the Ick-Tckt fleet was cut in half, the remaining ships and mobile armors moved
to regroup. The Freedom returned to normal and slowly advanced on the enemy
ships. The Artemis and Siren circled back to attack the enemy’s flank.

“I
don’t think they were expecting that,” Mira said.

“You’d
think they learn,” Seles said.

“I
wonder if the Freedom can do more than that,” Mira said.

“Who
knows,” Seles said.

The
enemy fleet finished shifting around and headed for the two mobile suits.

“Looks
like we’re popular today,” Mira said.

“You
want to put on a performance?” Seles asked.

“Of
course,” Mira said. “But as I said earlier, I’ll follow your lead.”

“Then
let’s do this,” Seles said.

The
Artemis and Siren both lit up as their pilots berserked. Both mobile suits flew
faster than the enemy could keep up with as they charge into the fray. The
Artemis aimed and fired the first arrow, destroying twenty five ships and over
a hundred Auguar Stars. The Siren split off and started disabling enemy crafts
by the dozen. The Artemis fired a second arrow and wiped out thirty ships and
two hundred mobile armors. The Artemis and Siren then went back to back as they
cut down the enemies all around them.

* * *

Brian
watched the Artemis and Siren fighting the enemy and cracked a smile.

“Their
teamwork gets better each day,” he said.

“That’s
true,” Grigon said.

“I’m
worried they’re going to get swallowed up by so many enemies,” Jesela said.

“It’s
not like you to worry,” Brian said.

“I
know, but they don’t have the Aegis protecting them,” Jesela said.

While
the two mobile suits occupied the enemy fleet’s attention the Freedom and its
mobile suits opened fired. The lone ship stayed at the perimeter of the enemy
fleet while the Artemis and Siren slowly made their way back to them.

“Captain,
the enemy is changing their plans,”
Tctie reported telepathically.

“What
are they thinking about doing?”
Brian asked.

“They’re
going to use the abandoned colonies as weapons
,” Tctie said.

“Relay
everything you can to me,”
Brian said.

“Alright,”
Tctie said
before concentrating.

Brian
closed his eyes to take in the new information. He looked at Myden after it was
all ordered in his head.

“I’ve
got it,” Myden said.

“What’s
our enemy trying to do?” Grigon asked.

“They’re
drawing us closer to the orbiting colonies,” Brian explained. “Once we’re close
enough they’ll program the colonies to move in our direction at top speed.”

“We
could run if we need to,” Jesela said.

“I’d
rather crush them right now,” Brian said. “Seles, Mira, move your mobile suits between
the enemy and the colonies.”

“Alright,”
Mira said.

“We’re
on it,” Seles said.

The
Artemis and Siren quickly made their way to the point Brian sent to them. As
they did so the first two colonies began moving. When the colonies got within
range of the Siren they stopped moving as directed and instead headed for the
enemy fleet.

“I
wasn’t expecting that,” Brian said.

“Physics
say otherwise,” Jesela said.

The
Ick-Tckt fleet scrambled as the two massive structures crashed into their front
line of ships and exploded. The Artemis and Siren took advantage of the chaos
and peppered the closest enemies with pulse fire. The Freedom and its forces
charged in and did likewise. After the explosions cleared the few remaining
enemies turned around and fled.

“Should
we chase?” Seles asked.

“There’s
no need to,” Brian said.

“Alright,”
Seles said.

The
Artemis and Siren returned to normal and moved within the Freedom’s shields.

“We’ll
remain on alert for the next hour,” Brian said. “After that, everyone is to get
back onboard and ready for gravity jump.”

* * *

After
the alert was over Seles and Mira quietly landed their crafts in the launching
bay. When they departed they found Jesela outside running her usual round of
scans.

“You
two did great,” Jesela said.

“I
think I’m finally beginning to understand her,” Mira said.

“You
wanted me to lead the way,” Seles said.

“That’s
because in a mobile suit or Novaguard you’re the best I’ve ever seen,” Mira
said.

“Thanks,”
Seles said. “By the way, how’s everything else holding up?”

“The
ship took no damage to speak of,” Jesela answered. “Keeping our forces on
defense did the trick.”

“Of
course it did,” Brian said as he entered the room. “The Freedom isn’t a rickety
old piece of junk.”

“How
did you read their moves so well?” Seles asked.

“It
was Tctie,” Brian said. “He’s able to see their plans through telepathy. As
soon as danger lurks he sends me a warning.”

“His
ability has a greater range than Myden’s,” Seles said. “Otherwise the old man
would’ve done the same a long time ago.”

“That’s
what Myden says,” Brian said. “But first, I came to thank you two for your
effort.”

“It
was nothing,” Mira said.

“We
were just doing our job,” Seles said.

“That
may be true, but you deserve some praise,” Brian said. “Also, are you still on
tomorrow?”

“If
you’ll allow us, then yes,” Mira said.

“Go
ahead,” Brian said. “Our enemies won’t attack again until we reach the sixth
colony system. Let’s take this opportunity to enjoy ourselves.”

* * *

Tctie
found himself standing at the door Myden’s quarters when he felt something in
his mind.

“You’re
improving at a rapid place,”
Myden said telepathically.
“Come
in.”

Tctie
opened the door and found Myden standing with his black staff in hand. After
the door closed Myden tossed the staff to Tctie and drew another one from
beneath his cloak.

“What
are we doing today?” Tctie asked.

“I’m
curious to see if your kind can use a telepathic staff like my people,” Myden
said. “Because none of the others are telepaths I’ve had to wait for one to
come around.”

Tctie
gazed at the staff closely and found it was etched with hieroglyphics. Once his
eyes were fixed on them he was mesmerized by their intricacy and detail.

“What
can it do?” Tctie asked.

“That
staff is in training mode,” Myden explained. “Otherwise the energy you put out
might destroy the ship.”

“Why
would you trust me with such a device?” Tctie asked.

“The
answer is your ability,” Myden said. “If others of your kind have powers
similar to your own the machine god can’t touch them. To put it simply Tctie,
your people are the weapon needed to defeat that thing. All it takes is your
willingness to learn.”

“I
am,” Tctie said.

“Now
hold the staff forth and concentrate your energy on it,” Myden said. “Like
this.”

Myden
held his staff forth and focused his mind. A moment later the staff he held
started emitting a dim red light. As his thoughts shifted the color ran through
the spectrum. In the end the room was filled with swirling light of every
color. Tctie watched everything carefully until Myden concluded the light show.

“Now
you try,” Myden said.

“Alright,”
Tctie said.

The
drone focused his energy on the staff. As it lit up the room matched its
emission. After struggling for much longer than it took Myden, Tctie was able
to shift the colors until it was close to the light show Myden had put on.
After ending it Tctie appeared quite tired.

“That
was excellent for a first try,” Myden said. “And my suspicions have been
confirmed.”

“What
is this thing doing?” Tctie asked.

“The
telepathic staff is a medium my people created two thousand years ago,” Myden
said. “It takes the will of the telepath and turns it into reality. If you need
light, it makes light. If you need protection, it provides you with a shield as
powerful as a mobile suit’s. If you need a weapon, it’s capable of firing a
pulse as powerful as a heavy class cannon’s. There are many more things it can
do, but I’d like you to master the first three things.”

“Why
are you teaching me this?” Tctie asked.

Myden
smiled. “You have a power to change your people much like Brian changed the
others. Before that happens I want you to be ready. I was never able to give
Brian the time he needed to accept his destiny. I don’t want to make that
mistake again.”

Tctie
looked at the staff again with a puzzled look in his insectoid eyes.

“Your
people are on the threshold of a great change,” Myden said. “They need someone
to guide them forward.”

“But
I’m only a drone,” Tctie said.

“It
doesn’t matter what you were born as,” Myden said. “It’s what you do in your
life afterwards that does. Right now, the queen eagerly anticipates your
arrival. She knows what the power you’ve gained represents. That’s why she made
the decision to split the power with the males of your species.”

“Will
I have to leave?” Tctie asked.

“Your
fate is yours to decide,” Myden said. “But first we need to train you
properly.”

The
mess hall of the Freedom was packed when Mira and Seles put on a concert. Mira
was dressed in a modified version of her usual white dress while Seles wore a
silver dress and matching gloves. Brian sat in the back and relaxed as he
watched them.
She’s gotten a lot better.
He thought as Seles sang. He
noticed the crew’s morale was high. When the two women on stage started using
the holographic system the colors shifted in the room to create a three
dimensional feel. After a long duet between the pair the time for a break came.
The lights switched back to normal while they went behind the stage to rest for
a few minutes. When Brian stood up to stretch Tctie entered the room and joined
him.

“Is
it already over?” Tctie asked.

“No,”
Brian said. “They’re on break.”

“I’m
glad,” Tctie said. “The Kalaidians have a style of music that’s much more
active then my people.”

“Do
you prefer Mira or Zae?” Brian asked.

“Both
have excellent singing ability,” Tctie said. “I lean towards our
Reinere
,
but I won’t deny Zae her talent.”

“What
about Seles?” Brian asked.

“She
seems to be a fusion of the two,” Tctie said. “I have a feeling in the future
she’ll be looked at just as well by the populace.” He looked at Brian. “But I
didn’t come here to discuss music.”

“I
know,” Brian said.

“Myden
keeps telling me things,” Tctie said. “Things about my future I simply don’t
understand.”

“He
has a habit of going on like that,” Brian said. “Whatever chance throws at you
do what you can with it. That’s my advice. If you feel you need to leave to
help your people I won’t stop you.”

“And
if I chose to stay?” Tctie asked.

“I
won’t hold it against you,” Brian said. “Everyone has the right to determine
their fate. That’s what freedom is after all.”

“I
don’t know what I should do,” Tctie said.

“You
have plenty of time to think things over,” Brian said.

The
lights shifted as Seles and Mira came back out.

“Looks
like it’s time for the second half,” Brian said.

* * *

Myden
and Grigon worked on the bridge while the four droids silently went about their
business. Most of the monitors were focused on the outside, but one showed the
concert with the audio turned on low. Myden went down to the console near the
captain’s chair when something appeared on their scanners.

“Is
it another attack force?” Grigon asked.

“No,
it’s too small,” Myden said.

The
scanners showed ten ships shadowing their movements from two different
directions.

“Should
we stop the concert?” Grigon asked.

Myden
smiled. “Let them enjoy themselves. These appear to be scouts given their
movements.”

“Part
of me regrets not taking the Vomada with us,” Grigon said.

“That
old ship is part of you,” Myden said.

“I’m
a fan of having insurance,” Grigon said.

“I
feel the same most of the time,” Myden said. “But now I want to take some
risks. The plan is in its final phase after all.”

“What
will we do if we succeed?” Grigon asked.

“Brian
has added a few things for us to do in the future,” Myden said. “But even I
can’t say for sure.”

“Meaning
he hasn’t told you everything?” Grigon asked.

“Exactly,”
Myden said.

The
scanners showed the number of ships shadowing them was increasing. After a few
minutes it jumped from ten to almost a hundred.

“What
a bother,” Myden said.

“They
seem to like us,” Grigon said.

“We
should ready the ship for battle,” Myden said.

“I’m
on it,” Grigon said.

* * *

After
the concert was finished and the audience gave its applause, Seles and Mira
went into the back room. After switching back to their normal clothes each
stood in front of a mirror and brushed their hair.

“You
sounded great out there,” Mira said.

“I
was nervous,” Seles said. “I think doing this kind of thing with a friend
lessens that.”

“It’s
good to know you consider me such,” Mira said.

“We
didn’t like each other at first,” Seles said. “I thought you and Jesela were
nothing but pretty faces with empty heads.”

“I
thought you were an elitist prude like my aunt Veda,” Mira said.

“Did
I really act that way?” Seles asked.

“I
think you were just aloof at the time,” Mira said.

“I
was,” Seles said. “And after a few years of being around you I learned you have
more talents than just singing.”

“We
should drag him into one of these,” Mira said.

“For
some reason I think Brian’s done being the
Maigar
,” Seles said. “I don’t
know what’s wrong, but it seems like he’s lost focus in his life.”

“He
does look lost these days,” Mira said. “By the way, you’re not still freaked
out by me, are you?”

Seles
looked at Mira. “No. You’re a person just like us. It’s not the body that makes
a person, but the mind.”

“Has
Daes told you about her secret project?” Mira asked.

“No,”
Seles said. “Where did you hear it from?”

“Jesela,”
Mira answered. “She told me Daes was making something special for Mjolnir when
he turns sixteen.”

“I’m
interested in hearing more,” Seles said.

“She’s
constructing a body for him to move his consciousness into,” Mira said. “I
don’t know the details, but apparently she’s making it so Mjolnir will look
like a mix of Brian and herself.”

“So
he’ll look like a Terran and Kalaidian half breed?” Seles asked. “I’d like to
see that.”

“I
think everyone would,” Mira said.

The
alert system came on as they were finishing up.

“All
officers and pilots are to report to their stations,” Myden said over the com.
“A fleet of two hundred ships will reach firing range in fifteen minutes.”

“More
work for us,” Mira said.

Seles
sighed. “Let’s get this over with. I want to grab something to eat.”

* * *

Brian
ran onto the bridge and took his place as Myden went to his. After looking at
the enemy formation he shook his head.

“What’s
wrong?” Grigon asked.

“They’re
going to encircle us,” Brian answered before pressing the com. “All pilots are
to assume formation D-1. Our enemy is going to attack us in waves from all
sides. We need to hold out for our chance to strike back.”

“Yes
captain,” the pilots responded.

The
mobile suits onboard flew outside and landed on the hull of the ship. Each
turned their shields to max and readied their weapons.

“Seles,
Mira, I want you to stay close to the ship,” Brian said. “The enemy has only
two hundred ships but it’s going to grow quickly.”

“Yes
Brian,” Seles said.

“We’ll
stay close,” Mira said.

The
two special models joined their fellow pilots on the hull of the Freedom. The
Artemis deployed its reflector plates into power formation and fired at the
enemy fleet. While the Artemis took down one ship after another the enemy
deployed their Auguar Stars.

“Maybe
we should run,” Grigon said.

“The
odds are not in our favor,” Myden added.

Brian
smiled. “You two are always in doubt, you know that?” He looked at the enemies
as they approached. “We haven’t even begun to show them what this ship can
really do.”

“That’s
true,” Grigon said.

“Should
we use the Hades system?” Myden asked.

“It’s
best to use the cannon when they’re bunched up,” Brian said. “Let’s hold out
until then.”

“And
if that doesn’t work?” Myden asked.

“The
Hades system can do a lot more than fire a big beam,” Brian said. “Isn’t that
right Grigon?”

“Of
course,” the old birdman answered.

“Captain,”
Tctie said
telepathically.
“Our enemy has it in their mind to try what the Bronze
admiral tried.”

“Just
as I expected,”
Brian said.
“Feed me all the details.”

“Here
they are,”
Tctie said.

Brian
concentrated for a moment to order everything in his head again.

“Thanks,”
Brian said. He
looked at Grigon. “I don’t want to sit around and wait as long as Valis, so
ready the Hades system for Aegis and Siren modes.”

“It’s
going to be that rough?” Grigon asked while preparing the ship.

“Yeah,
that rough,” Brian said. “We’ll start by firing the cannon and take out as many
of them as we can. Then we’ll change to Aegis mode and hold out until they
decide to close in again. Then we use the Siren mode to finish them off.”

“What
about Seles and Mira?” Myden asked.

“I’ll
have them move far enough away when the time comes so they can berserk,” Brian
said.

“This
seems too simple,” Grigon said.

“Very
simple,” Myden added.

“Simple
is better,” Brian said. “I don’t like over thinking things.”