Chapter 7 - Moving the Pieces
The Freedom and Vomada were phase cloaked as they moved towards a gas giant in another Reiki controlled star system. Brian paced while the rest of the bridge crew worked at their stations.
“It doesn’t look like we’ve been spotted,” Jesela reported.
“They haven’t had a chance to develop a detection system yet,” Brian said. “But we should assume others can. When I headed for Earth the Confederation forces tracked me.”
“How exact were they in doing so?” Myden asked.
“I don’t think they could pinpoint where I was but it was close enough,” Brian explained.
“They’re still twenty years behind the rest of us in terms of technology,” Grigon said.
“I’d laugh,” Brian said. “But my people are at least two hundred years off the currently technology.” He looked at the others. “By the way, have any of you had a chance to review the data the Mjolnir brought back with it?”
“Whenever I have the spare time I look over a few things,” Jesela said. “I’m amazed at how varied human culture is when compared to the rest of us.”
“I’m more interested in how quickly your technology develops,” Grigon said. “It seems to me humans are willing to risk everything in the name of progress.”
“The danger lies in doing something like what my people did,” Myden said.
“I’m glad humanity is at least being seen by more than the older races,” Brian said.
“There’s a fleet of over a hundred ships leaving the nearby moon base,” Jesela said.
“Where are they headed?” Grigon asked.
The fleet flew above the rocky moon flickered before gravity jumping away. A few minutes later another fleet the same size did the same thing.
“Captain, we’re receiving an encoded message,” Droid A reported. “It’s text only.”
“Put it on the screen,” Brian ordered.
“Of course sir,” Droid A said before displaying the message.
To the forces of Heaven’s Light: We of the Fourth fleet have decided to take action against the injustices our government is currently engaged in. As such, we seek no hostile encounters with your organization. It is in our opinion that the law of utility has been grossly perverted for the use of the few holding power in the Central Government. The people of colony system four have requested we take this course of action. We, like others of our race believe in the merits of utility. But we also believe the rule method, a method using codified laws, is a more appropriate avenue to reaching that ultimate goal. Because we can’t locate you using standard methods we’ve chosen to broadcast these messages in all nearby solar systems. Again, we do not seek hostilities against your forces.
“This explains why their ships were leaving,” Brian said.
“Where do you think they’re going?” Grigon asked.
“Probably their home system,” Myden said.
“Possibly,” Brian said. “But I think they’ll head straight for our bases and join us.”
“It makes our job easier when the time comes,” Jesela said. She finished what she was working on. “Well, I’ll see rest of you later. Seles and Mira need me for some simulations.”
“If anything comes up we’ll call for you,” Brian said.
“I’ll be ready,” she said before leaving.
* * *
Jesela entered the launching bay where the Artemis and Siren were stored. Seles and Mira were waiting at the foot of their mobile suits with their newly modified exoskeletons on.
“How do they feel?” Jesela asked.
Mira flexed the hand on her exoskeleton. “It’s much better than before.”
Seles did a cartwheel and a back flip. “I don’t know what you did but they’re much better now.”
“Daes and I wondered what was wrong because everyone said something,” Jesela said. “It turns out adding a little flexibility to the joints was all that was needed.”
“Seems like an easy mistake to make,” Seles said.
“I wouldn’t think you’d make that mistake, let alone Daes,” Mira added.
Jesela shrugged. “We’ve had so much to do lately it slipped our mind. But now we know better than to let something like this slide.”
“We’re happy to hear it,” Seles said. “So what do the reports say?”
Jesela grabbed a tablet from a nearby console and put the data on the screen. “Both of you are only using thirty six percent of the theoretical power output when activating your special systems.”
“What does that mean?” Mira asked.
“Yeah, you’ll have to translate,” Seles said.
“Very well,” Jesela said with feigned annoyance. “What it means is you’re not close to the readings Brian put out when he berserked. As a result your black boxes remain quite dark.”
“It feels like I’m powering up quite a bit when I berserk,” Mira said.
“It’s the same for me,” Seles said. “Is there a reason why we’re lower on the scale?”
Jesela nodded. “I suspect one of the reasons is because Terrans can berserk easier than we can.”
“So they’re better at berserking than the rest of us?” Seles asked.
“I can’t say for sure,” Jesela admitted. “Until more humans are around we can’t test the theory. The downside is it means many humans will die trying to berserk because of nanopsychosis. That’s if they can’t control it of course.” She looked at the other two. “I’ve heard it takes a Mylor hundred years or more to master their telekinetic powers. Myden says it takes one of his kind at least a decade to learn to control their power. Brian was changing when he left us for Earth. What I’m curious to know is what he was changing into.”
“We may never know,” Mira said. “Nothing comes up on the med scanners as unusual.”
“He told me he saw the Teacher and learned about the future,” Seles said. “What he also said is he wouldn’t have survived the awakening if he let it continue any further.” She glanced at the Artemis. “I hope it’s different for us.”
“From the energy levels I believe it will be,” Jesela said. “When Brian and Grigon suggested this I was hesitant to believe. But now I do.”
Mira shook her head. “Enough, let’s get in there and go.”
“I’m with you on that,” Seles said.
The two went inside their respective mobile suits. Jesela looked at the data and smiled. You knew this would happen, didn’t you Brian? She thought to herself. She looked back at the mobile suits. How or why we cannot say, but you knew.
* * *
On the Columbia base the four remaining ships were docked as the asteroid made its way stealthily behind the Freedom and Vomada. Valis and Celi were busy training in the Minerva and Aegis while Daes checked everything over. After the battle was won the pair left their mobile suits and took a break in a room off to the side. Daes ran over with a tablet in her hand.
“I’ll send the data over to both of you later on,” she said before leaving.
Celi took a sip of water from a bottle before tossing one to Valis.
“Is something wrong?” Celi asked.
Valis shook her head. “I may need some time away from that machine.”
“Is the precognition system bothering you?”
“Not physically, but mentally,” Valis answered.
Celi turned the wrist computer on her exoskeleton on and scanned Valis thoroughly. “I’m not picking up anything out of the ordinary.”
“I’m sure you won’t,” Valis said.
“What’s bothering you?” Celi asked.
“I see all of the possibilities when I’m in there,” Valis said. “It’s like a mass of the best things in the world and the worst.”
“Is it like the things Brian described when his eye was glowing red?”
“In a way,” Valis said. “The difference is the ability to focus. He saw but one path, whereas I see many.”
“Try singing a song,” Celi suggested. “
Brian found that was the way to focus his berserk better. It works for Seles, Kivi, Mira, and me.”
“Would you mind helping me with that?” Valis asked.
“Not at all,” Celi said.
“Thanks,” Valis said as her com flashed. As she pressed it Veda appeared on her wrist computer. “What is it grandmother?”
Veda smiled. “Good news Valis, the fourth Reiki fleet has defected to our side. The bad news is you’ll have to revise our mission plan.”
“I’ll send the revision in a few minutes,” Valis said.
“Thanks,” Veda said. “I’m sorry to make you work so hard.”
“It’s alright,” Valis said.
“Well, I’ll speak with you later then,” Veda said before ending transmission.
“You predicted that would happen, didn‘t you?” Celi asked.
“It’s like your shield,” Valis said while pointing to her head. “But instead of being a physical field it’s all in the mind’s eye.”
“I’m going to have to keep an eye on you then,” Celi said.
“Thanks,” Valis said.
Chapter 8 - Forcing the Issue
The Freedom and Vomada were near the fifth planet of the Reiki home system. It was another gas giant with numerous satellites orbiting it. Brian hit the com as they approached the largest moon.
“Seles and Mira will launch a surprise attack from this point,” he said while sending the plan to everyone. “Once the enemies are drawn in the wrong direction the Artemis will change vantage points and snipe them to pieces. Mira, you’ll act as support for this phase.”
“I’ll watch her back,” Mira said.
“Taking off,” Seles said.
The Artemis and Siren activated their phase cloaks and flew outside.
“Kyli, you’ll take squads one through four and head for the abandoned mining complex on the northern hemisphere of the moon,” Brian said. “When the fourth phase of the battle begins you’ll launch a direct assault on their headquarters.”
“I’ve got it captain,” Kyli said.
Her Rakna and forty three others launched with the phase cloaks up and moved into position.
“Tctie, you and the remaining five squadrons will remain as our defense,” Brian said. “Move into position F-9.”
“As you wish captain,” Tctie responded.
The remaining mobiles suits launched and clustered into five groups of eleven with their phase cloaks on.
“Grigon, have the Vomada launch its Talons and assume the same formation,” Brian said.
“Doing so as we speak,” Grigon said.
The Vomada launched fifty five Talons and had them cluster into groups of eleven.
“Myden, deactivate the phase cloak and fire,” Brian ordered.
“I’d be glad to,” the Grey said.
The Freedom and Vomada appeared on the scanners of the Reiki base. A moment later the base was being attacked by pulse cannons and HV missiles. The mobile suits surrounding the two ships began firing as well. While the base’s shields were drained the Reiki scrambled their attack ships and fighters.
“Captain, another fleet of twenty ships has appeared behind us,” Droid B reported.
Brian glanced at the Artemis and Siren. “The two of them should be able to handle them.”
* * *
The Artemis and Siren flew into position. Seles had her mobile suit move the reflector plates into scramble mode. As the Reiki fleet approached the Freedom and Vomada Seles aimed and fired. After bouncing off a number of plates the shot made its way into the first ship and blasted it to pieces.
“Can I give it a try?” Mira asked.
Seles fired the second shot and severely damaged a pair of attack ships.
“Go ahead,” Seles said.
Mira aimed and fired. The shot bounced through the maze of mirrors before slamming into one of the damaged ships and destroying it.
“Interesting that it works,” Seles said before firing again.
“Well, I figured anyone could do it,” Mira said.
The two mobile suits traded shots and battered the Reiki fleet. After their force had been reduced to eight ships and a handful of fighters they finally found the two mobile suits and charged. The reflector plates returned to the Artemis and extended the main cannon’s barrel.
“Are we done sniping already?” Mira asked.
“There was no need for it really,” Seles said.
The Artemis fired a ball of energy at the incoming ships. Half of them exploded before a second shot finished off the rest. The two headed for their next position.
“Why do you say it wasn’t needed?” Mira asked.
“We could’ve blasted straight through them,” Seles said. “Valis wants us to try some other tricks in case our special systems aren’t working.”
“It makes sense,” Mira said. “It’s better to be trained than not.”
“I agree,” Seles said.
* * *
Once the smaller Reiki fleet was destroyed Brian looked at Tctie.
“It’s time to attack,” Brian said.
“We’ll do our best captain,” the Ick-Tckt said.
The mobile suits near the Freedom launched an attack on the moon base below. Any ships trying to take off were immediately destroyed. A moment later the Artemis fired an energy beam into the base’s shields. Once they were drained Seles fired another shot and opened a large hole in the base, exposing the fine machinery below.
“Is it time?” Mira asked.
“The two you can finish the job,” Brian said.
“We’ll do just that,” Seles said.
The two flew into the hole and inside the moon. The forces occupying the base began ejecting escape shuttles. After a few minutes a bright light emitted from the hole in the base. As the Artemis and Siren flew back to their allies an explosion destroyed the base and deactivated all of the defense systems on the moon.
“Kyli, you can start the attack,” Brian said.
“Yes captain,” she said.
Her and her fellow pilots turned off their phase cloaks and attacked the defense satellites and cannon fixtures on the opposite side of the moon. The base on that side desperately launched their ships and fighters. Kyli and her squadrons destroyed everything left on the ground. When the Reiki ships fled she held her forces back.
“Shouldn’t we pursue them?” a Malcovin ensign asked.
“No,” Kyli said. “We won’t attack those who want to live.”
* * *
“These battles are too easy,” Mira said.
“We need to stay sharp,” Seles said. “You never know when the enemy will throw a surprise at you.”
A fleet of Reiki ships numbering a hundred appeared and launched their fighters.
“I guess this is what you were talking about,” Mira said. “Should I use the song system?”
“No,” Brian said over the com. “Mira, we want to use that as little as possible for now. We don’t want our enemies finding a way to negate it.”
“Alright,” Mira said. “So what are we doing then?”
“I don’t remember this in the plan,” Seles said. “Should we go for it?”
“No, pull back for now,” Brian said. “I’ve got something in mind but we’ll need Kyli’s unit.”
“Then we’ll go with that,” Seles said.
The Artemis and the Siren returned to the Freedom and joined Tctie’s squadrons. The two ships and mass of mobile suits combined their shields while the Reiki fleet attacked. The Artemis fired into the front of the enemy fleet, destroying another ship and a dozen fighters at the same time.
“This is a tough crowd to please,” Seles said as she blasted another ship away.
“Then we’ll have to improvise,” Mira said.
* * *
Brian watched the Reiki fleet closely.
“You seem interested in something,” Myden said. “What is it?”
Brian pointed at the enemy formation. Their fleet appr
oached as a single block of ships in the shape of a rectangle.
“It doesn’t look like they care much for this fight,” Brian said. “If they did they’d try something other than a frontal assault.”
“So what you’re saying is their heart isn’t in this battle?” Jesela asked.
“That’s exactly what he’s saying,” Grigon cawed. “What should we do?”
“Given their stance I say fight them head on,” Brian said. “Seles, Mira, the two of you will act as our spear head.”
“Alright,” Mira said.
“Sounds more interesting than this,” Seles added.
“Tctie, follow the two of them in formation A-15,” Brian ordered.
“Yes captain,” Tctie responded.
The two ships turned about to meet the incoming fleet. The Artemis and Siren went to the front while the other mobile suits moved into formation.
“Let’s see how much resolve our foe has,” Brian said.
Chapter 9 - Precision Demolition
Seles aimed at the center of the enemy fleet and fired. As the pulse shot slammed into a ship it exploded and took out twenty fighters. The Siren followed closely while the other mobile suits created a series of spheres in their wake. They pierced through the Reiki fleet and destroyed everything in their way while the Freedom and Vomada pelted the enemy from afar. Once the Artemis reached the rear of the enemy fleet Seles changed the rifle to spread mode and fired. The fleet of a hundred had been reduced by a third as the others joined her attacks with their own. From the other side of the moon Kyli led more pilots back to the battle. They stopped to unload a number of metal objects. After doing that Kyli led her unit back to the Freedom.
“Is everything ready?” Brian asked her over the com.
“On your mark,” Kyli reported.
“Are you planning something?” Seles asked.
“I have a feeling their main force hasn’t arrived yet,” Brian said.
“What do you mean by that?” Mira asked.
“You’ll know in a few minutes,” Brian answered.
Freedom Saga 2: Freedom's Bell Page 4