Freedom Saga 3: The Dawn of Liberty (25 page)

The
Columbia base was filled with activity as many prepared to go down to the
surface of Ick-Tckt Prime to celebrate their alliance with the ant people.
Veda, Reban, and Shiken Ka were in the command center with the monitors on. The
video showed the queen was pulling out all the stops for the celebration across
her world.

“One
last day of noble decadence before the future comes,” Veda said.

“It
was the same on Kalaidia when Queen Celestia freed the serfs,” Reban said.

Brian
entered the room with a rushed look about him.

“It’s
good to see you finally,” Shiken said.

“I’m
sorry, but I have ten things to do and only one body,” Brian said. “How’s the
lucky lady?”

“She’s
well and happy,” Shiken said. “I’ve got twins on the way.”

“Congratulations,”
Brian said.

“Now
it’s your turn,” Shiken said.

Brian
laughed. “Genetics say otherwise.”

“What
brings you to us Brian?” Veda asked.

“The
queen wants all of us to go to a feast,” he answered. “She is allowing us to
prepare food to our liking of course.”

“I’m
glad to hear it,” Reban said. “Have you ever seen what they eat?”

Brian
shook his head. “I’m not a fan of roasted beetles.”

“At
least they’re meatier than most insects we see,” Shiken said.

“I’m
not joining this conversation,” Veda said. “But yes, we’ll be there. Kali knows
I could use some time in real sunlight.”

* * *

Mira
and Seles put on another concert before everyone went to the surface. The crew of
the Freedom made sure to bring Tctie there. As the guest of honor he sat in the
front with Kyli next to him.

“This
is a little odd,” Tctie said.

“You’re
leaving us,” Kyli said. “So we want you to have a good send off.”

All
of the other pilots thanked him one by one. After the mess hall cleared out
Seles and Mira came out from the back area.

“I’m
going to miss your music,” Tctie said.

Seles
tossed him a data crystal.

“What’s
this?” he asked.

“We
recorded all of our songs on that,” Mira explained. “That way you won’t miss us
as much.”

He
held the crystal tightly. “Thank you.”

“Do
you want to do anything else before you go?” Mira asked.

Tctie
nodded. “I’d like to look at my Rakna one last time.”

* * *

Queen
Kchlt and Khcha stood in the hall and watched the others preparing for the
celebration. All of the cities across her world were rebuilding while in space
the refugees were returning to their colonies. The asteroid base was being
repaired as gift from Heaven’s Light to her world.

“It
feels like it’s been a long time since the beginning of all of this,” Khcha
said.

“The
war only lasted a month,” the queen said. “But time moves differently during
moments of conflict.”

“Why
didn’t you tell me about your telepathic power?” Khcha asked.

“I
didn’t want to frighten you,” the queen said. “The females in my family have
displayed some portion of the ability for two centuries. But because we were
the only ones to have it we felt we had to hide it.”

“But
now a drone is showing signs of it,” Khcha said. “What does this mean for the
future of our people?”

“It
means a new era is upon us,” the queen said. “Tctie will lead the way for the
commoners while I do the same for the nobles.”

“No
matter what the future holds I will stay by your side,” Khcha said.

* * *

Tctie
found himself standing in the launching bay in front of the mobile suit he’d
flown during his time on the Freedom. Seles, Mira, and Kyli stood with him.

“We’ve
lived through a lot, haven’t we?” Tctie asked when he touched the leg of the
mobile suit. “I’m going to miss flying you.”

“Then
why don’t you take it with you?” Brian asked as he left the cockpit.

“I
couldn’t possibly afford to pay for it,” Tctie said.

“Did
I say anything about paying for it?” Brian asked. “No Tctie, it’s our gift to
you.”

Jesela
popped out a moment later. “It’s all done.”

“What
did she do?” Tctie asked.

“I
had Jesela put a light class drive in there,” Brian said. “That way you don’t
have to recharge it.”

“I
don’t know what to say,” Tctie said. “Thank you.”

“You’re
welcome,” Brian said. He took Tctie’s hand and shook it. “Good luck and
farewell.”

“Take
care,” Mira said.

“Make
sure you never lose that spirit,” Seles said.

“Take
care Tctie,” Kyli said.

“Farewell
to all of you,” Tctie said.

The
drone took the elevator cord into the cockpit. After firing up all the systems
he flew it out of the Freedom. Those in the launching bay waved as he left.
After he was gone they headed for the exit.

“Do
you think we should’ve told him we’d see him a few hours?” Brian asked.

“No,”
Seles said. “It would’ve spoiled the moment.”

“Agreed,”
Mira said.

* * *

The
Confederation High Council met in the Grand Hall of the Kailion station. After
all the delegations entered and quieted Lord Kris opened the floor for
discussion.

“A
year has passed since Heaven’s Light went active in their liberations,” the
Mylor said. “From the disputes they have settled and the wars they have ended,
we see now the threat they posed to us is no more. As such, the Mylor Republic
moves that we share our intelligence with theirs. We feel it’s in the best
interests of the Confederation if we view Heaven’s Light not as adversaries,
but as allies. Given their actions we believe it’s time to place some trust in
them. Let us take a vote on this matter.”

After
several hours of debate amongst themselves the twenty seven delegations
finished voting. The results were unanimous in favor of Heaven’s Light.

“The
vote has been cast in their favor,” Lord Kris said. “Now, let’s move on to the
finances for our next fiscal year.”

* * *

Baeron
and Siata stood on the bridge of their ship while it orbited Ick-Tckt Prime.

“We
should get going soon,” Baeron said.

“I
know,” Siata said. “I’m simply enjoying the moment.”

“In
one year they’ve changed the face of the Confederation,” Baeron said. “And with
the changes to the Ick-Tckt government their greatest foe is gone. I wonder
what they’ll do now.”

“Now
that they’ve shown their power no planet will dare strike at them directly,”
Siata said.

“Do
you think their goal of eliminating war will succeed?” Baeron asked.

“War
will always exist,” Siata said. “As long as people are selfish and greedy the
threat of conflict is always there. But I see less of it on the large scale for
a long time.”

“I
feel the same,” Baeron said. “Deep down I hope what they’re fighting for comes
true.”

They
saw a number of ships leaving the Columbia base.

“I
think it’s time to go,” Siata said.

“Bring
our ship down the surface,” Baeron ordered.

“Yes
commander,” the navigation officer said.

After
a few weeks of helping the Ick-Tckt change their governmental structure the
Columbia base collected all its personnel. Veda, Reban, Shiken Ka, Valis, Kivi,
El Kar, Esra, Brian, Myden, Grigon, and Dreka all met in the command center.
Each took their usual spot before everyone looked to Brian.

“What?”
he asked.

“We
were wondering what to do next,” Valis said.

“Now
that our greatest enemy is gone what do have to do now?” Kivi asked.

“So
we figured we’d leave it to you,” Esra said.

“Thanks,”
Brian said with a sarcastic smile. “I think all our bases should head for Dega
Jul. Not only do we need to take some time off, but the issue of Zarites is
still alive.”

“Those
morons will never change,” Dreka said.

“You
said what I was thinking,” Grigon cawed.

“If
that’s our destination then let’s head out,” Veda said.

The
base gravity jumped into the next star system. Valis turned the holographic
system on to begin plotting the Zarite movements when Siata and Baeron entered.

“We
have the latest intelligence on the matter at hand,” Baeron said.

“I’d
like to see it,” Valis said.

The
Minan commander put a data crystal in to show the latest movements of the
Zarite raiders. Siata floated over to Myden.

“It’s
a new era,” Myden said.

“I
prefer working with you rather than against,” Siata said.

“I
think all of us do,” Myden said.

2
years later…

Far
away from the center of Confederation territory the Alaska base of Heaven’s
Light watched the border of Grey controlled space. The asteroid base was at the
edge of a star system with only gas giants. In the command center a Kalaidian
captain named Javrin kept order with a Shandi commander named Loc Shor. Javrin
had short red hair and blue eyes while Loc had red eyes and dark brown scales. The
base was quiet as scouts returned from their runs.

“Another
day of boredom and vigilance,” Javrin said.

“Which
are we doing today?” Loc asked.

“Vigilance
of course,” Javrin said.

The
monitor flashed when a number of scouting ships came out of gravity jump. The
scanners showed they had suffered severe damage and had lost more than half of
their mobile suits.

“This
doesn’t look good,” Loc said.

“I
need a report,” Javrin ordered after turning on the com.

“This
is Captain Helen of the Oris,” a Kalaidian with long blue hair and green eyes
said after appearing on the monitor. “Captain Javrin, we need to leave as soon
as possible.”

“What
happened?” Javrin asked.

“It’s
the Greys,” Helen answered. “We were caught by surprise by their scouts. But behind
them was a fleet of nightmarish size.”

“Get
everyone onboard,” Javrin ordered.

After
all the damaged ships and mobile suits were onboard they waited until the last
of their scouting ships returned. A few hours later the monitor flashed and
showed an approaching Grey fleet. Both Javrin and Loc stared in horror at its
size. There were four planet killers surrounded by ten thousand carriers in
formation. The scanners showed each of the carriers was loaded with fifty
smaller attack ships while the planet killers had too many to count.

“Get
us out of here,” Javrin said.

“Of
course captain,” Loc said.

The
Alaska base went to rapid response and gravity jumped ten times in a row. After
each gravity jump an alert signal was sent out in all directions.

“We’ll
reach the edge of Reiki territory by tomorrow at this pace,” Loc said.

“I
hope we can warn the others in time,” Javrin said.

10
^th
of Sei, 4565 G.S.Y.

Day
1 of the Grey War

Confirmed
Casualties: 241 Dead/M.I.A.