Chapter 37 - Silver Light
The Silver navy moved towards the Columbia base in attack formation.
“Should we scramble the pilots?” Reban asked.
“There’s no need to,” Shiken said.
“No need to?” Reban pointed at the approaching fleet. “Did I miss a meeting or something?”
Veda laughed. “You did miss that meeting.”
A moment later an asteroid appeared in the front of the Malcovin fleet before sending a transmission. On the screen appeared the command center of the Sicily base. At center was the decorated admiral of the Silver navy.
“To the forces of the Columbia base,” Vikrit started. “I send my regards and wish to meet with your leaders.” He waved to show the ships flying with the base. “I pledge to Heaven’s Light the might of the Silver navy. A thousand and ten ships are now at your disposal.”
“Such a grand gesture,” Veda said. “Do we have any assurances this isn’t a display for betrayal?”
The Silver admiral chuckled. “Indeed, betrayal.”
He played the clip of Seka transmitting through the Malcovin territories.
“As the admiral of the Silver navy I swore to defend the home world from all enemies,” Vikrit said. “That includes domestic enemies. And so I entrust our future to your organization. Malcov will be strong, but not under the claw of an idiot.”
“We’re glad to have you join us,” Shiken said.
Vikrit cawed. “I join you for my people, but most of all, for the future of Alden.”
* * *
A few hours later Brian, Esra, Kivi, Zae, El Kar, and Myden joined the others in the command center. The Silver navy had turned about and moved into formation around the two bases.
“So, I have a question,” Esra said. “How did we get the Admiral Vikrit to join us?”
“He and Grigon were friends years ago, so getting him to talk was easy,” Brian explained. “Grigon was surprised how little it took to turn him to our side.”
“Can we trust him?” El Kar asked.
“Yes,” Brian said. “He’s led the Sicily base for the last few years.”
“I’ve also given him a thorough check,” Myden said. “His mind is true.”
“Was this part of Valis’s plan?” Zae asked.
“She had a contingency in case he betrayed us,” Veda said. “But yes, this was in her plans. Only a few of us knew about this to maintain secrecy.”
“This means only the Gold navy remains to defend them,” Kivi said. “I can’t think of a more opportune time to strike.”
“My other question is we justified in taking action?” Esra asked. “I’m just being cautious when I ask this.”
“Seka’s declaration would normally be enough,” Shiken said. “But the people of Malcov are rising up, especially the females.”
“The riots across their worlds and colonies tell the tale,” Veda said. “They were ready to revolt the moment they knew somebody would help them.”
The door opened to reveal Admiral Vikrit. He waved for his guards to wait outside before tossing a data crystal to Veda.
“All the evidence you’ll ever need is on that,” Vikrit said.
She placed the crystal into the computer and it showed the uprisings across the Malcovin territories.
“I thought they were thoroughly brainwashed,” Vikrit said. “But I was wrong. As soon as you lit the match the fire spread. The only problem I see is consolidating the mess after Zaris is gone.”
“We’re here to help with that,” Brian said.
The Malcovin leader slapped Brian on the back. “Of course you will. I know what you did for the Reiki and expect nothing less.”
“I’ll do my best,” Brian said.
“Tell me, when did your subordinates know about this?” Esra asked.
“Two years ago,” Vikrit said. “When Grigon approached me I couldn’t pass it up. I didn’t get to my position without having a little business sense.”
“How do you feel about the females gaining equal status?” Zae asked.
“I’m old fashioned,” Vikrit said. “But I know the times are changing. I love tradition, but if it keeps the Malcovin people from destroying each other then I must swallow my pride and go with it. I owe it to Grigon.”
“That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement,” Veda said.
“I know, but you want me to be honest,” the admiral said. “I’m sure the nobles of your world felt the same when they lost power.”
Veda switched the data on the crystal over to the military bases spread across the Malcovin territories.
“Did you bring everything?” she asked.
“Everything I could,” Vikrit said. “They’ll change things around once they know I’ve betrayed them, but we have all the data we need.”
“Are your troops ready to move out?” Veda asked.
“Anytime,” Vikrit said.
* * *
Seles watched the pilots as they practiced in the simulators. After they finished she addressed them.
“All of you have exceeded my expectations these last few months,” she said. “Make sure to keep sharp and never grow complacent. That’s what’ll get you killed. Take the rest of the day off and enjoy.”
“Yes commander,” the pilots said before milling about.
Kyli went over to Seles. A moment later Tctie joined them.
“You two have done a great job,” Seles said.
“I’m honored by your praise,” Tctie said.
“Thanks commander,” Kyli said.
“Keep it up you two,” Seles said before leaving.
She made her way to the launching bay where the Artemis and Siren were kept. Once she was inside, Seles noticed Jesela hard at work on the two mobile suits. When she came closer she noticed Mira was inside the Siren.
“Everything’s finished!” Mira shouted from the cockpit.
“Alright then,” Jesela said. “You can come out now.”
“Of course,” Mira said before jumping down.
“What’s going on?” Seles asked.
“Nothing much,” Jesela said. “The Siren’s song system was acting up a little.”
“I’m sure we took care of it,” Mira said.
“What’s the Siren saying about it?” Jesela asked.
“She said she was alright,” Mira answered.
“Good,” Jesela said. “As to the preparation Seles, I’ve got my crew on it.”
“I’m glad,” Seles said. “We have a critical battle coming and need to be ready.”
“Are you worried about Valis?” Mira asked.
“A little,” Seles said. “She can take care of herself, but it’s the fact she’s surrounded that bothers me.”
“Was fighting any different with her gone?” Jesela asked.
“Kivi’s more direct in combat,” Mira said. “Moving with Valis is like weaving a complex tapestry, whereas moving with Kivi is like drawing a line.”
“That’s the difference between the two,” Seles said. “That and the Gemini doesn’t have the same system the Minerva has.”
“What system does the Gemini have?” Mira asked. “From what I know Kivi’s never used it.”
“I don’t know,” Seles said before looking at Jesela.
“I’m not at liberty to say anything,” Jesela said. “Not until its needed will her system be used.”
“It’s that powerful, huh?” Mira asked.
“It is,” Jesela said. “Can we change the subject?”
“Sure,” Mira said.
“Mira, have you found anything strange on our medical checkups?” Seles asked.
“Nope,” Mira said. “No matter how many ways I go at it we’re the same as we always were. After as many berserks as we’ve gone through I would’ve expected a few things to change, but so far, nothing.”
“Has there been any advancement on the helping Brian front?” Jesela asked.
“Another dead end,” Mira said. “Both Celi and I h
ave lost sleep over it and so far nothing solves the problem. The moment we reactivate the nanomachines he’ll go critical. Neither of us can think of anything outside that to fix the problem.”
“So you’re stumped?” Seles asked.
“Like a chopped tree,” Mira answered. “But we can help him in other ways. Gene therapy is promising, but the only thing that’ll do is keep him young.”
“Better that then dead,” Jesela said.
“I’m for it,” Seles said. “I’ve already said I don’t want to see him grow old.”
“We’ll keep on it Seles,” Mira said. “All of us feel the same.”
Chapter 38 - The Tightening Noose
Zaris paced about his throne room while maddeningly flapping his claws about. All of his advisors stood silently as the news of the Silver navy reached the home world.
“This is all because of that damn Terran!” the king shouted. “If the Confederation had only done its job we wouldn’t be facing this!” He grabbed a pike from one of the guards and tossed it into the main monitor. “I’m surrounded with incompetents and traitors!” He sat on the throne. “I should’ve done what my heart told me. Vikrit was an ally and friend of Grigon. I should’ve put him to death.”
The others remained silent when the last of the four admirals entered the room. The admiral of the Gold navy knelt before his king.
“I have confirmed it my lord,” Shakar said. “The Silver navy has joined Heaven’s Light.”
The room filled with gasps and whispers before Zaris slammed his pike into the floor to silence them. He put his weapon under Shakar’s beak.
“Are you going to betray me as well?” Zaris asked.
Shakar looked up and met his king’s eyes, “Never. I will defend the home world to the last breath I take.”
“I pray you’re telling the truth,” Zaris said.
A moment passed with silence before the palace was rocked by a series of powerful explosions. As smoke rose outside the advisors in the room looked panicked. A minute passed before a guard ran into the room.
“The rebels have reached the palace gates!” he shouted.
Zaris looked to the others. “Strike down the rabble with everything we have. No mercy, you hear me?”
“Yes my lord,” the guards said before leaving.
“Damn that bitch to hell,” Zaris said.
* * *
Valis watched the live feed from the rebel command room. The females in the room cheered as Zaris’s troops scrambled about without a clue on what was happening. She turned away and leaned against the back wall of the room.
“Units two and four will now attack the fifth and twentieth orbital bases,” Valis said.
“Yes captain,” she heard over the com.
The camera switched to a split screen mode and showed two orbital bases explode. More cheers ensued.
“You make this look too easy,” Seka said as she stood next to Valis.
“When our friends are in orbit they’ll thank us for softening the target,” Valis said.
“I’m sure they will,” Seka said.
“Units three and five will now attack the ground base in the city of Talika,” Valis said.
The camera switched to another location and showed a military base on the surface. A series of explosions went off as the female pilots flew in with ten Talons and destroyed everything they could. The mobile suits then fled into the night time sky.
“Their forces are responding slower than usual,” Seka said.
“That’s because they’re exhausted,” Valis said. “Fear and paranoia leaves them sleeping less and worrying more. All we’re doing is pressing enough to keep them off balance.” Valis pointed to the second monitor that showed their targets over the last few days. “Don’t give them a chance to regroup and crush them when the time comes.”
“I’m learning a lot from you,” Seka said.
“We’re helping each other out, that’s all,” Valis said. “All units are to pull back for now.”
“Yes captain,” the female soldiers in the field said.
“Let’s check on Dreka and Grigon,” Valis said.
“Sure,” Seka said.
The Kalaidian and bird woman walked through the maze of hallways until they came to the area where the Talons were. Both Grigon and Dreka were busy advising the women on how to repair mobile suits properly. Valis and Seka waited until they were finished before going to them.
“How are things coming along?” Seka asked.
“Splendid,” Grigon said.
“I wish we had more time for this,” Dreka said.
“I trust you two,” Seka said.
“Thank you,” Grigon said.
“Thanks,” Dreka echoed.
“Our plans remain the same for now,” Valis said. “Let’s keep it up.”
* * *
The forces of the Columbia and Sicily bases gravity jumped into the third Malcovin colony system. Brian was on the bridge of the Freedom with Seles, Mira, Jesela, Myden, and the four droids. The fleet turned to a nearby gas giant with a number of moons used as military bases. He looked at Seles and Mira.
“Did you two get a chance to rest?” he asked.
“You seem overly concerned with our health,” Mira said.
“You’d think we were dying of exhaustion,” Seles said.
“If the two of you are pairing up with sarcasm then my question has been answered,” Brian said.
On the monitor a number of ships and Talons flew from their bases to intercept them. As they did so the Silver navy and Sicily base slowed down while the Columbia base pushed forward. The six ships inside the base made their way outside and deployed their mobile weapons. The Freedom moved to the front with the Reinkar and Raulno behind it while the other three flew behind them. The small fleet went to meet the enemy.
“Is there a reason why they’re hanging back like that?” Mira asked.
“Valis told us to do so,” Brian answered. “We’re supposed to save them for something special when we get to Malcov Prime.”
“We should get going then,” Seles said. “Our enemies are always quick to attack.”
“Let’s go,” Mira said.
“Good luck you two,” Brian said as they left.
The door closed as they headed for their launching bay.
“Kyli, Tctie, let’s get this over,” Brian said. “Use formation A-15.”
“Yes captain,” Kyli said.
“Understood,” Tctie said.
The mobile suits of the Freedom shifted into nine squads of eleven as they charged straight for the enemy Talons. The mobile weapons from the other ships moved into similar formations.
* * *
The Maidens flew in the Y formation again. As they approached the enemy the Artemis and Gemini fired. When the four got close enough the Malcovin forces surrounded and pounded their shields. One by one the Talons fell as the four quickly finished their first task and moved on to the closest fleet of ships.
“Seles, Mira, you can hold off on berserking,” Kivi said. “I don’t think we’ll need it for these guys.”
“It’s also good to save that for if things turn against us,” Celi said.
“We can take them out,” Mira said.
“Agreed,” Seles said.
As the four approached the closest fleet the Aegis’s shields held while they flew through the enemy and destroyed them ship by ship. Once the enemy fleet was laid waste the four continued forward until they reached the moon base. The Artemis and Gemini’s attacks quickly drained the base’s shields. As they readied to flatten the complex a surrender signal was received.
“Let’s move on,” Kivi ordered.
* * *
The Freedom and the other five ships quickly made their way to another enemy base in orbit. As the six ships and their smaller crafts drained its shields a number of Talons emerged, only to be blasted apart. When the last Talon was destroyed the shields went down. Myden looked up from his console and watched
the Maidens fighting at the other base.
“They’ve gotten good,” Myden said.
“Teamwork will do that,” Brian said. “Alright Kyli, it’s time to cut loose.”
“Yes captain,” Kyli said.
The mobile suits from the Freedom charged through the remaining enemy turrets and destroyed them one at a time. When the last exploded a signal for surrender was sent by the survivors in the station.
“Two down,” Brian said, “Two more to go.”
Chapter 39 - Marching Forward
The Maidens made their way to another moon base. As they closed in a small fleet of ships launched with their Talons firing. The Aegis’s shields deflected the attacks while the Gemini and Artemis fired their pulse cannons. Taking their time, the four managed to destroy the fleet and hovered over base. This base’s shield was much more powerful and even the Artemis and Gemini’s cannons couldn’t break through it.
“I think we need to use an arrow,” Kivi said. “That should be enough to take that thing out.”
“Alright,” Seles said.
The Artemis lit up and fired a massive beam into the base’s shield. After a moment of resistance the shield caved and overloaded. The beam slammed into the base and caused most of it to explode.
“Are you alright?” Celi asked.
“I’m fine,” Seles said as she and the Artemis returned to normal.
“Good,” Mira said.
The few remaining Talons and survivors on the moon sent out a surrender signal.
“Let’s return to base,” Kivi said.
She turned the Gemini and led them back to the Columbia base. Across the orbit of the planet they saw the six ships bearing down on the final moon base.
* * *
The six ships quickly cut through the enemy fleet that came to meet them. They hovered over the base and began a bombardment but found the shield was quite resilient. Brian looked at the other captains on the screen.
“Let’s keep it up for now,” Brian said.
“It’ll keep them on their claws at least,” Esra said.
Freedom Saga 2: Freedom's Bell Page 17