“That’s how it works,” Brian said. “I’m glad,” he raised his glass, “I wish the two of you a long and bountiful life.”
“And the same for you and your women,” Shiken said.
Chapter 21 - Finding the Nest
The Gemini led a number of Phase Raknas from the Raulno on a scouting mission. All of their crafts had their phase cloaks up as they approached. Inside the moon they were interested in was a massive military installation controlled by the Admiral Regelik. The moon orbited the largest of the three gas giants of the Odairan solar system. After getting as close as they could to scan the base over the Gemini and Raknas flew away. They passed through an asteroid field on their return to the Raulno and Reinkar. Kivi opened an encoded line to the two ships. Dreka appeared on the screen from the Raulno and El Kar from the Reinkar.
“It seems you’ve found our quarry,” El Kar said.
“Well done captain,” Dreka cawed. “Were you spotted?”
“Not that we could tell,” Kivi said. “Let’s return to base and report in our findings.”
“Good idea,” El Kar said.
“We’re ready anytime,” Dreka said.
After the monitor went black something appeared on the screen to catch Kivi’s eye.
You seem a little on edge these days. Gemini Alpha displayed in text.
“You’re right about that,” Kivi said. “I could use a night on the town on Dega Jul right now.”
You’ll be going with him? Gemini Beta asked.
“You sound jealous,” Kivi said.
What about me? Gemini Alpha asked.
“The two of you need to accept the fact I like both of you equally,” Kivi said.
Whatever you say, Gemini Alpha displayed.
As you wish Kivi, Gemini Beta displayed.
* * *
The Raulno and Reinkar returned to the Columbia base. Valis was on the bridge of the Avoni working on her next battle plan.
“Captain, Kivi would like to speak with you,” Baed said.
“Put her through,” Valis said.
“Yes captain,” Baed said.
Kivi appeared from the bridge of the Raulno with Dreka standing next her.
“We’ve got what you were looking for,” Kivi said.
“You found their base?” Valis asked.
“Oh yeah, and a lot more,” Kivi said. “Kaela, send over the data.”
Baed’s console show incoming information.
“We’ve received it,” she said.
“We were able to get everything you requested,” Kivi said.
“Thanks Kivi,” Valis said.
“Anytime,” Kivi said before ending transmission.
Valis called up the data from her chair computer. After reviewing it for a minute she sat back and relaxed.
“It’s strange to see this kind of thing comfort you,” Zae said.
“Certainty is better than uncertainty,” Valis said. “Our foe is making predictable moves given his situation. With our success in the last battle he’s decided to go on the defensive and hope for the best.”
“That doesn’t seem efficient or original,” Baed said.
“No, but he doesn’t have a choice,” Zae said.
“Their defenses are almost perfect,” Valis said. “It’s going to take a few miracles to pull this off.”
“Isn’t that what the special models were created for?” Vae asked.
Valis smiled. “You could say that.”
* * *
“I said fight to the last man!” King Zaris shouted to end the message.
Regelik and his subordinates each cursed under their breath at their arrogant king’s decree. All of them and the remaining ships of the Iron navy were inside the moon base. The monitors switched to show the exterior in case of enemy attack.
“A fool to the very end, that I am,” Regelik said.
“What should we do?” the nearest captain asked.
“We’ll hold our ground,” the admiral answered.
“But Heaven’s Light…,” another captain said.
“We’ll hold our ground,” Regelik repeated. “If we retreat our heads will be on pikes in less than a day.” He looked at his security officer. “How are our defenses?”
“We can stand up to any punishment they can deal,” the security officer said.
“What about the special mobile suits they’re using?” Regelik asked.
“Those we’ll have problems with,” his security officer said. “Especially the one Commander Seles is flying.”
“Her attacks are impossible to defend against,” Regelik said.
“We could use some of our nuclear warheads,” another captain suggested. “I know they’re for mining purposes but this is an emergency.”
“That’s a foolish idea if ever I heard one,” Regelik laughed, “using such weapons will draw in the Confederation. That means Mylor battleships.” He looked at the others. “And no, don’t suggest detonating gravity drives. That’s been illegal since the last war between the Shandi and Kalaidians.”
“What can we do?” another captain asked.
“Their base is impregnable,” Regelik said. “Their ships are nearly as such, and those special models ruin every plan I come up with. Their standard models are better than ours by a generation, and they have the support of the Odairan people.” He screeched. “We’ll do as we’ve been ordered. Fight to the last man. That’s what we’re left with.”
“We’ll do our best,” the first captain said.
The others nodded in agreement.
* * *
Valis stepped into her exoskeleton in her quarters before flipping her hair back and looking into the mirror. This thing makes me look taller. She thought to herself. She flexed her hand while looking at it. Why did you plan this Brian? Even though the Minerva tells me much of what could happen it doesn’t reach that far into the future. Why are the five of us doing this? She turned around when Myden step out of the shadows.
“Your thoughts reveal much,” Myden said. “Are you having doubts Valis?”
“Not really,” she answered. “But questions abound.”
“Then let me answer your quandary,” Myden said. “Brian chose this route out of the many possible because it ensures victory. You know better than anyone the value of having back up plan. Reality tends to be random and harsh.”
“That’s true,” Valis said.
“His backup plan is should he fall five will stand in his place,” Myden said. “That was the basic idea the Teacher worked out a long time ago. But Brian intends for an even more ambitious goal.”
“And what would that be?” she asked.
“I can’t say,” Myden said. “I know much Valis, but not everything. Unlike you he can hide his thoughts from me.”
“Interesting,” Valis said. “But you didn’t come just to tell me that.”
“No, I came to fetch you for the meeting,” Myden said. “The others get worried when you’re late.”
“I spent most of the night working on this,” she held up a data crystal, “my guess is Admiral Regelik underestimates the difficulty in reaching him inside their base.”
“Then let’s go,” Myden said.
The two quickly made their way from her quarters to the command center. When they walked in they found Veda, Esra, El Kar, Seles, Kivi, Grigon, Dreka, and Reban waiting. Valis went to the center table and put the data crystal into it.
“Sorry for being late,” she said.
“You stayed up all night again, didn’t you?” Esra asked.
“Can’t get that past you,” Valis said.
The moon base was displayed as a hologram on the table. A number of smaller blips showed the locations of the pulse cannon turrets and shield array outlets. She pressed a button to cut away and show the interior of the base. After that she showed where the Columbia base would appear and their future formation. Veda took a closer look.
“So we’re using the reserves on this attack?” she as
ked.
“Now that the enemy knows about them we can use them as much as we need,” Valis said. “The base and ships will make a frontal assault after the special mobile suits do their work.”
“So what’s our role?” Seles asked.
“The Artemis and Gemini are capable of making attacks powerful enough to destroy their defenses,” Valis said. “But only the Artemis has the capability of doing it at a long enough distance to confuse them.”
“Do you want me to use it in sniper mode?” Seles asked.
“Of course,” Valis said. “Once enough of the enemy’s cannons are destroyed our main force will advance. When this happens the Malcovin will move their ships out to meet us.” She moved the fleets around on the hologram. “Just when they’re about to engage our forces the Minerva, Aegis, and Siren will fly straight through their fleet. The key is for the Siren to use its song system and disable the majority of their vessels. Once this is accomplished the Artemis and Gemini will close their escape route.” She looked at Seles. “I trust you and Mira with the task of capturing their admiral.”
Seles looked over the plan and nodded. “We’ll do our best.”
“Once the admiral is captured we’ll ask for the surrender of their remaining forces,” Valis said.
Chapter 22 - Pirate Base
The Columbia base appeared outside the firing range of the Malcovin forces. As the Artemis and Gemini made their way into position Valis appeared on their monitors.
“Remember to stick to the plan,” Valis said.
“Like glue,” Seles said.
“We wouldn’t think of doing any different,” Kivi said.
The two found a hiding spot in the nearby asteroid field. The Artemis deployed its reflector plates in such a pattern as to carry pulse shots a much further distance than normal. Once in place her and Kivi checked their targets and began trading shots. One by one pulses of energy slammed into cannon turrets indicated on their monitors. At the same time the Columbia base and deployed all its forces.
“How far is the range on that thing?” Kivi asked.
Seles fired again. “If I deploy them at maximum distance I can fire at targets fifty thousand ketres away.”
“So you could hit people on the other side of a smaller planet?” Kivi asked.
“If needed,” Seles said. “Jesela said something about needing it for assaulting planet bound targets from orbit.”
“It’s good to know you can do that,” Kivi said. “It looks like we’re fifty percent done with our end of phase one.”
“We’ll be in phase two in no time,” Seles said.
* * *
Regelik stood in his command center surrounded by officers. The monitors showed pulse fire coming from a number of directions while the Malcovin in the room ran around panicked.
“Sir, we’re receiving long distance fire from six directions,” the science officer said. “We’re currently unable to locate the source of the attacks.”
“Shield towers twenty six and thirty are gone,” another officer reported.
“Cannon turrets on this hemisphere have been reduced to one third,” his security officer said.
“Things don’t look good,” Regelik said. “But we can withstand this. Redirect all dead power stations to the interior base. They can pound us all they want. Until they penetrate the gates it means nothing.”
“Sir, our long range scanners have detected their fleet,” the science officer reported.
“Have you located the special models?” Regelik asked.
“Three of them have been detected at the head of the fleet,” the security officer said.
Regelik put the video on the monitor in front of him and carefully looked at the situation.
“Well done Valis,” he said quietly. “All ships and mobile suits are to ready for combat outside the moon. We have to destroy them before they get inside.”
“All ships are ready admiral,” the communications officer said.
“Very well,” Regelik said. “All ships are to attack using pattern M-7.”
“Yes sir,” the captains of the ships responded.
Over three hundred ships moved from their docks inside the moon to the main gate. When they flew outside they clumped together while deploying their Talons. The sniping from the Artemis and Gemini ended as the opposing fleets approached each other.
* * *
“All forces use attack pattern A-17,” Valis ordered over the com.
The Malcovin fleet stayed at the gate and prepared to intercept them.
“They switched up on us,” Celi pointed out.
“We’ll do exactly like we planned,” Valis said. “The admiral must’ve realized his only hope is to make a last stand. The only difference is we have to deal with the problem.”
“Seles and Kivi are getting off easy this time,” Mira said.
“That about sums it up,” Valis said. She closed her eyes and focused her thoughts. “Phase two begins.”
“Let’s move out then,” Celi said.
The Siren and Minerva moved in front of the Aegis and created a triangle as the three headed for the enemy fleet. The Minerva and Siren aimed their pulse cannons and fired. Two Talons exploded as they made their way into the enemy fleet.
* * *
The Artemis and Gemini flew away from the main battle to the other side of the moon. Once they reached their target the two mobile suits encountered nothing but a shield array surrounding a massive gate.
“Hmm…looks like our enemy decided the others were more of a bother,” Kivi said.
“It was foolish of them to do that,” Seles said.
“You’re right,” Kivi said. “It’s time to knock and see if anyone’s home.”
“Should I use an arrow?” Seles asked.
“Not yet,” Kivi said. “We might need that if they have a trap for us.”
“I doubt they do,” Seles said. “I’ll refrain for now.”
The two fired their pulse cannons. One by one the shield towers were drained and destroyed until all of them were gone. When the shield surrounding the gate failed another barrier engulfed the gate. The two fired one blast after another for several minutes until that barrier was drained and door blasted open. On the other side was a squadron of Talons ready to attack.
“Pretty thinly defended,” Kivi commented.
“This is too easy,” Seles said.
When the Talons moved to attack they spread as a massive beam of energy fired at the two mobile suits. They quickly dodged with only having their shields drained a bit. Seles closed her eyes and let the berserk come over her.
“Kivi, take care of the Talons,” Seles said. “I’ll take care of that thing.”
“Sure,” Kivi said.
The Gemini flew towards the Talons with its cannon in spread mode while the Artemis charged up for an attack. Seles fired the arrow straight into the gate. Explosions wracked the interior as the cannon blew apart. Kivi finished off the last Talons while Seles turned to the Artemis back to standard mode.
“You only had to fire once,” Kivi observed.
“I’d like to keep one in the quiver just in case,” Seles said.
“It’s time we pay the admiral a visit,” Kivi said.
“Agreed,” Seles said as the two flew inside.
* * *
Veda and Reban watched the battle from the commander center.
“I almost feel sorry for them,” Reban said. She noticed funny look from Veda. “I said almost.”
“Those who would tyrannize others don’t deserve our mercy,” Veda said. She noticed the Malcovin were focusing their attacks on one spot on their base again and hit the com. “All units are to defend the weak spot.”
“Yes commander,” the pilots responded.
The five hundred mobile weapons from the base moved to aid in shielding it from attack. The six ships advanced forward as the enemy fleet backed into the gate.
“We’re about to enter phase three,” Veda said.
“All units are ready to go,” Reban said.
* * *
Regelik watched as the rear gate was destroyed. His officers had a panicked look in their eyes while a number of Talons were sent to intercept the Artemis and Gemini.
“Severe damage to the rear gate,” the security officer said. “What are we going to do?”
“We will die like warriors!” Regelik shouted. “We fight till the end, got that? It doesn’t matter if our enemy has the upper hand. It doesn’t matter if we can’t destroy them. What matters is our pride as soldiers of Malcov. Now stop sniveling and do your duty!”
“Yes sir!” his subordinates shouted before resuming their work.
Chapter 23 - Strike While the Iron’s Hot
The Artemis and Gemini continued forward until they reached another gate. After pelting it with a number of pulse shots the two mobile suits blasted through.
“This is still too easy,” Seles said.
“I agree,” Kivi said.
A dozen Talons flew out from a cubby in the wall and attacked. After dodging their shots and the two mobile suits blasted the Talons until they were destroyed. A few seconds later another twelve Talons appeared and battered their shields. Both the Artemis and Gemini quickly switched to spread mode and fired, destroying the enemy mobile suits. A number of gun turrets emerged from the walls and fired at them. Their shields blocked the attacks as they fired back and destroyed the defense system.
“We’ll reach the target in a few minutes,” Kivi said. “Is it just me or our weapons that much superior?”
“It’s not just you,” Seles said. “It feels like our enemies are using technology a hundred years behind us.”
“I know I shouldn’t say this but I’d like more of a challenge,” Kivi said.
Seles smiled. “I feel the same way.”
* * *
Freedom Saga 2: Freedom's Bell Page 10