“The nobility saw it as a threat,” Valis said. “So instead of moving underground we moved vertical.”
“With the last capture mission we now have three hundred and thirteen Talons,” Seka said. “What are you planning to use them for?”
“When the final battle comes you’ll know,” Valis said. “Also, I’ll have to leave the mission to you.”
“I can handle it,” Seka said.
“I’m also leaving Dreka and Grigon with you,” Valis said.
“I’m glad to hear it,” Seka said. “But first I have to thank you for all the help. Your organization has shown more gumption than the High Council ever has.”
“Don’t thank me until the war is won,” Valis said.
“I knew you’d say that,” Seka said.
As the two laughed a messenger came in.
“We’ve received reports the forces of Heaven’s Light are two days away,” the messenger said. “Admiral Shakar has called all his forces to defend the king.”
“We planned for this,” Valis said.
“I hope you‘re right,” Seka said.
Dreka and Grigon entered the room a moment later.
“Are you sure about leaving this to us?” Dreka asked.
“I trust you two,” Valis said. “The people back on the base need me to guide them.”
“Do you need another distraction to get you home?” Seka asked.
“Just give me a small opening and that’ll be fine,” Valis said.
* * *
The palace was rocked by another strike from rioters outside. Zaris banged his pike against the floor.
“All ground forces will put down the rebellion within the city!” he shouted.
“Yes my lord,” his guards responded.
“This is getting old quickly,” Zaris said.
“We can’t do anything about it right now,” Shakar said. “Given the situation it’s all we can do to defend ourselves.”
“I can’t believe the High Council would approve of this,” Zaris said. “What are they doing? Can’t they see we’re being invaded by an upstart Terran bent on handing us over to his people on a platter?”
“Liberation is their justification,” Shakar said.
“Liberation!” the king cawed. “It’s just a cover for taking our money from us! Nothing more! He’s nothing but a petty dictator bent on using freedom as an excuse for conquest. And what makes it worse is no one’s stopping him.”
“That’s our duty my lord,” Shakar said.
“I want his head on a pike!” Zaris bellowed.
“I haven’t seen such fire from you in years,” Shakar said. “Not since the day you took power.”
“This is an affirmation of that day,” Zaris said. “I’ll show them I’m the one to rule them. Fools are those who believe people can rule themselves! Democracy! Humph! Nothing more than the rabble ruling the rabble! Such a government has no convictions and lacks any honor. It’s nothing more than a popularity contest won by the wealthiest anyway. Why bother with the expense and just let us rule them? No, we’ll win against this idiocy of the masses and put them back in their place. People don’t want the uncertainty of freedom, they want to be controlled. History has shown this and is correct in its judgment. This is our revolution, not theirs. We’ll show them the error of their ways.”
Chapter 42 - Final Preparations
Brian, Esra, El Kar, Kivi, Myden, Veda, Zae, and Shiken Ka headed into the command center one by one. A few minutes passed before the Minerva appeared on one of the screens. Valis landed and quickly made her way to join the rest of the leaders. As she ran in the Admiral Vikrit appeared on the monitor.
“You’re looking well,” Veda said.
“Thanks,” Valis said. “The mission was successful. Given the nature of the next battle I wanted to scout ahead and get the data myself. Now that I have I’ll make a few changes to the original.”
“Are any major?” Esra asked.
“No old friend, just a few adjustments,” Valis said before looking at the monitor. “I’d like you to change your targets to the second, third and fourth orbital towers.”
“Is there a reason?” Vikrit asked.
“The rebels have enough to not only aid in the attack but take the first orbital tower,” Valis explained.
“Really?” he asked.
“With three hundred Talons and Dreka leading them they should have little trouble,” Valis said. “Other than that your mission is the same Admiral Vikrit.”
“I’ve noted the changes,” Vikrit said.
Valis looked at the others. “Our changes are minimal. The five special models will strike the enemy’s orbital bases near the first tower. The base and its ships will fight the Gold navy.”
“Is the attack still going to take less than an hour?” Kivi asked.
“The key to victory is ending things quickly,” Valis said. “While we attack those in orbit our friends on the ground will sack the king’s palace.”
“I like it,” Brian said.
“Aggressive and elegant,” Veda said. “I’d expect nothing less from you Valis.”
“Thank you,” Valis said, “Now onto the details.”
* * *
Zaris walked at a furious pace in his palace all night until he found himself back in the throne room. His advisors still ran about not knowing what to do about anything. Irritation filled his eyes as the guards did the same. Another series of attacks and uprisings filled the monitors around the room. After an hour of watching the terrible scene he sat down on the throne with his pike across his lap.
“To live in hell is my life,” he said under his breath. “The life of a king is solitary, both in power and reality.”
“Did you say something my lord?” one of his guards asked.
“No you fool,” Zaris said. “I was talking to the wind.”
“Sorry my lord,” the guard said.
Zaris pulled a coin from his belt pocket and looked at the two sides. Fifty percent isn’t much, but I’ve beaten worse odds. I have to come out on top; it’s my destiny to win. He carefully wrapped the coin in cloth and tied it on both sides before flipping it in the air. Heads, I win. He thought as the coin fell back into his hand. Without looking he pushed the coin back into his belt pouch. I gambled my way to the throne, and so I gamble on my life. I won’t let you have your way Grigon. You haven’t won yet.
* * *
Seles and Mira took a break from working with their mobile suits to eat a snack with Jesela. The food consisted of nuts and dried fruits from Odair Prime.
“Do you think we’ll get some time off after this?” Mira asked.
“I doubt it,” Jesela.
“You’re probably right,” Seles said.
“I’d really like some of old Grig’s cooking,” Mira said.
“He makes the best, no matter what species you are,” Jesela said.
The door opened and the three saw Kyli. She looked both ways before running inside and sitting with them.
“He’s giving you a hard time again, isn’t he?” Seles asked.
Kyli sighed after taking a drink of water. “It’s his way.”
“How’s it possible Tctie likes you?” Jesela asked. “I know I’ve asked that question before.”
“Insectoids have a powerful hive mentality,” Mira said. “It has its drawbacks, but it shows he’s loyal to us.”
“The others have a hard time dealing with him,” Kyli said. “When we’re in battle his way of talking works perfectly, it’s concise and to the point. But outside of combat it’s unnerving.”
“Tctie has a way of looking into you in ways even you can’t understand,” Seles said.
“I think the two of you are overreacting to this,” Mira said. “There’s nothing wrong with him. You just need to get to know him better.”
“Are you saying you’ve talked to him?” Jesela asked.
“Of course,” Mira said. “He approached me after one of my performances to prai
se Kalaidian style music. When I asked him about his people he hummed a strange hymn with those chitins of his. It was haunting and sad in a way I could never understand. When I asked him about it he told me it was to mourn his lost brethren. Ever since then I’ve looked at him differently. He doesn’t look like us when he expresses emotions, but they are there.” She paused to take a sip of water. “He also told me about his life before joining Heaven’s Light. It was a life of slavery filled with despair. Even though he was treated as such he felt nothing but affection for his hive.”
“I didn’t know that,” Kyli said.
“Not many do,” Mira said. “When we look at him all we see is the insect. We see nothing of the person inside. Tctie is a strong man who lived through hell just to be here. He never forgets those he meets along the way, especially those who wronged him.”
“When I interviewed him I wasn’t concerned with the past, I focused only on his skills,” Jesela said. “I feel bad I didn’t mine a little deeper.”
“It’s understandable Jesela,” Seles said. “It takes years to build trust in others. Only when you trust someone can you tell the truth about yourself.”
* * *
Brian sat alone in the Freedom’s HDC with a campfire blazing in front of him. The scenery was a forest from Earth he often used. Myden stepped out of the shadows and sat down across from him. Brian closed his eyes and opened his mind.
“I don’t need that,” Myden said. “I’ve grown fond of speaking with you.”
“Tell me Myden, what was the Teacher like?”
“You’ve met him so you should know,” Myden said.
“I don’t mean like that, I mean as the person who lived,” he said.
Myden stared into the fire for a while to gather his thoughts. The flickering light reflected off his black eyes. “He was a man filled with regret. In his life he sought peace but never found it. Even though he’d sworn off war it still infected his soul. One night on Earth he was torn so much my brethren felt his thoughts from orbit. They were scouting the Earth and the humans developing on it. When they felt his honest yearning they couldn’t help but land and see who he was. After that, his story was much like yours. He traveled the stars in search of his utopia.”
“It seems like all of us are searching for it,” Brian said. “The dream I have is happiness for as many as can be done. As long as I believe I can make a difference I’ll continue fighting.”
“It’s a good dream,” Myden said.
The door opened to reveal Seles, Mira, Jesela, and Kyli. Seles ran over to them while Mira followed with a walk.
“You two aren’t going to stay in here again, are you?” Seles asked.
“I do have a performance in less than an hour,” Mira said.
Brian smiled as he stood. “I’d love to come.”
Myden spun his staff as he stood. “Normally I opt out of things like this but I’ll join you.”
“I’m glad you two are coming,” Seles said.
Chapter 43 - The Heart of Greed
Zaris was surrounded by guards and advisors in his throne room. The monitors showed the space directly around the homeworld. In the distance their scanners detected the Columbia base approaching from one side of the planet while the Silver navy and Sicily base approached from the other. Admiral Shakar was on the throne’s small monitor. Outside the palace a number of Talons were positioned as guards. The capital city of the Malcovin people was silent at the moment when the king looked to his troops.
“All Talons on the surface are to guard the orbital towers,” Zaris said. “All remaining squads are to change their venue to the main palace. This battle will determine the fate of our people. Will we live as we always have? Or will the conqueror from Terra Prime have his way? Because the High Council didn’t have the strength to stop him it’s up to us to set things right. We will drive these tyrants from our lands and purify ourselves afterwards. Long live Malcov!”
“Long live Malcov!” his soldiers shouted. “Long live King Zaris!”
* * *
Dreka sat in the cockpit of his Talon with his hands on the controls. He and two hundred female pilots were already at the first orbital tower. With their phase cloaks up they waited for the signal to attack. His monitor flashed and showed Seka on the other side.
“It’s almost time Dreka,” she said.
“Everyone’s in position,” Dreka said.
“How about we make a chick or two after this?” Seka offered.
Dreka cawed before laughing. “I thought you didn’t like me anymore.”
“That’s because you travel too much,” she said.
“I’ll still be traveling a lot after this,” Dreka said. “But if you’re alright with that I’ll provide the necessary materials.”
“You make it sound so mechanical,” Seka said.
“We’re not mammals, so there’s no fun in it,” Dreka said. He noticed the cold stare she gave him. “Alright, the fun is in raising children.”
“Now you get it,” Seka said before cawing. “By the way, the attack will begin in a few seconds.”
“I’m on it,” Dreka said.
From inside the orbital tower a number of timed explosions opened up the main shaft leading to orbit. Before the smoke cleared Dreka led the mobile suits inside and destroyed any Talons in their way. Then they flew as fast as they could to the top of the tower.
* * *
The throne room was awash with fear as the rebels attacked the orbital tower. Zaris watched the incident closely.
“My lord, there’s nothing we can do to stop them!” one of his guard leaders shouted. “They’re going to seize the tower.”
“I can see that,” Zaris said. “No matter, when the battle’s over all we have to do is cut off the power.”
“I planned for this ahead of time,” Shakar said. “If we must we can destroy it.”
“Only if we have to,” Zaris said.
A moment later the palace shook as a hundred Talons launched an attack on it. The defending mobile suits moved out to meet them.
“Sir, what should we do?” the guard leader asked.
“Strike them down and bring their heads to me,” Zaris ordered. “Defend this place to your dying breath, you hear me!”
“Yes my lord,” his soldiers said.
* * *
Vikrit and Daekon were in the command center of the Sicily base as the Silver fleet approached Malcov Prime in attack formation. The ten ships in the base’s dock moved outside and created a defensive bubble. Afterwards, four hundred Talons and a hundred Lance Phalanxes launched from the base and joined the ships.
“Sir, we’re detecting a lot of activity around the first orbital tower,” Daekon reported.
Vikrit cawed. “Of course, Dreka’s laying down the law on them right now. In a few minutes we’ll begin our attack. We just need to wait for the signal.”
“What’s the signal?” Daekon asked.
“When the orbital defense network is disabled we’ll move in,” the admiral said.
* * *
The Columbia base approached the planet. As they came closer they saw a massive number of Malcovin ships in orbit. The six ships left the dock and deployed their mobile weapons while the reserves on the base did likewise. Five points of light streaked to the front as the Maidens flew together. Valis stared at the enemy formation before turning her com on to speak with the other four.
“We should be getting the signal any minute now,” Valis said. “Once their defense system is down our chances of coming out of this multiply by a factor of five. Our first target will be their orbital garrisons. Our friends will deal with the fleet.”
“They have a lot of ships,” Mira said.
“It’s a good thing Admiral Vikrit is on our side,” Celi said. “Otherwise I’d say this mission would be impossible.”
“Not impossible,” Kivi said, “But a hell of lot more difficult.”
“I can’t fire that many arrows,” Seles said.
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“That’s why we worked to get this far,” Valis said. “Our organization has a military force smaller than any planet’s. We have to make up our deficiencies by being ahead of the game.”
“These mobile suits really help,” Mira said. “Without them we’d have to fight the old fashioned way.”
“If we’re not careful they’ll catch up to us,” Valis said.
“It’s not like you to sound so cautious,” Kivi remarked.
“We all grow a little with time Kivi, that’s all,” Valis said. “Alright, let’s move into formation.
“Yes Valis,” the other four said.
The Aegis moved to the middle as the Artemis and Gemini moved to the front. The Minerva and Siren moved into the rear guard.
* * *
Brian, Myden, Jesela, and the four droids were on the bridge of the Freedom while the two sides postured against each other. Brian finished what he was doing and began pacing around the bridge.
“For a captain I never see you sit in that chair,” Jesela said.
“Your energy’s rubbing off on me,” Brian said.
“I think it’s the tea you’ve been drinking lately,” Myden said.
“That’ll do it as well,” Brian said. “One of the things I missed the most from Earth was having a cup of coffee in the morning. I’m glad I found an excellent substitute.”
“I can’t believe you drink that stuff right when you wake up,” Jesela said. “What’s more surprising is it doesn’t mess with you like it does to Kalaidians.” She looked at Myden. “I don’t even want to know what it does to you.”
Freedom Saga 2: Freedom's Bell Page 19