Freedom Saga 3: The Dawn of Liberty

by Marcus Johnson

  The Dawn of Liberty

  By Marcus Johnson

  Text Copyright © 2013 Marcus Johnson

  All Rights Reserved

  This one is for the fans. Thanks for all your support!

  Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter 1 - Zarite Raiders

  Chapter 2 - Suicide Drive

  Chapter 3 - Scouting Mission

  Chapter 4 - A Day Off on Dega Jul

  Chapter 5 - Knives in the Night

  Chapter 6 - Seeing Lights

  Chapter 7 - Mira’s Voice

  Chapter 8 - Isolation

  Chapter 9 - Countermeasures

  Chapter 10 - Meeting of the Minds

  Chapter 11 - Tctie’s Eyes

  Chapter 12 - Quiet Moments

  Chapter 13 - Investigation

  Chapter 14 - Answering the Call

  Chapter 15 - Civil War

  Chapter 16 - Annoying Bugs

  Chapter 17 - Sorting Things Out

  Chapter 18 - Medical Questions

  Chapter 19 - Noble Intentions

  Chapter 20 - On the Approach

  Chapter 21 - Swirling Clouds

  Chapter 22 - The Battle of Viken Prime

  Chapter 23 - Gemini’s Blades

  Chapter 24 - Savage Victory

  Chapter 25 - A Day to Rebuild

  Chapter 26 - The Emissary

  Chapter 27 - A Stop on Dega Jul

  Chapter 28 - Signs of Disaster

  Chapter 29 - A Confounding Battle

  Chapter 31 - Protecting the Queen

  Chapter 32 - Preparing for the Run

  Chapter 33 - Into the Black

  Chapter 34 - A Battle of Vetres

  Chapter 35 - Learning Trust

  Chapter 36 - The Freedom’s True Power

  Chapter 37 - The First Duchess

  Chapter 38 - A Strange Welcome

  Chapter 39 - Bases and Palaces

  Chapter 40 - Battle in the Giant’s Rings

  Chapter 41 - The Second Duchess

  Chapter 42 - Gathering Allies

  Chapter 43 - The Battle of Ick-Tckt Prime

  Chapter 44 - Trading Blows

  Chapter 45 - Echoes of the Mind

  Chapter 46 - The Third Duchess

  Chapter 47 - Communion

  Chapter 48 - Departure

  Epilogue

  Prologue

  Kivi sat back from her computer after a long bout of typing. Her exoskeleton stood empty near the door while she wore a red shirt that hung down to her knees. After running her hand through her short black hair she turned off the monitor and stood up to stretch.

  “That’s enough for today,” she said.

  Her quarters on the Raulno were large and sparse. In the main room was a bed and table with a pair of rakna blades hanging on the wall. She went to her side room and knelt before an open box. Inside the wooden doors was the statuette of a Kalaidian man clad in the armor of a Maigar from centuries ago. Kivi closed her eyes and began meditating. After a while she sensed the presence of someone and turned around. Standing in the shadows with his hood down was Myden.

  “I had a feeling it was you,” Kivi said.

  Myden stared at the figure in the box. “I didn’t know any of those survived.”

  Kivi looked at the box before closing the doors. “My grandmother hid it her whole life.”

  “Raulno and his teachings mean a lot to you, don’t they?” the Grey asked.

  “His tale inspires me,” she answered. “Tell me, did you meet him when he was alive?”

  Myden smiled. “Raulno was a man much like Brian. Cast from the world he knew he was forced to change his ways.”

  “Did you actually know him?” she asked.

  “It was shortly after the machine god was activated,” Myden said. “Kalaidia looked to be a peaceful and beautiful world. My heart was broken and I was searching for a reason to live. As I looked into the desert I saw a lone man from the north clad in all his glory. For ten days and nights we spoke about everything. It was then he had his epiphany. After that history took its course.”

  Kivi looked away. “I fear history will tell a much shorter tale for Brian.”

  “His fate is his own,” Myden said. “The plan has specific goals, but nothing says it can’t be changed. That’s the free spirit Raulno discovered. We have the ability to change the outcome if we can see it in time.” He noticed concern in her eyes. “Raulno’s destiny was to die alone in that desert. But instead he chose to live. He unified the north and south of Kalaidia. In doing so he became the first king of your people.”

  “And lived to the age of eighty three,” Kivi said before smiling. “You have a way of saying the right thing at the right time, you know that?”

  Myden laughed. “That’s one of the reasons I’m still alive.” He started fading away. “Stay strong Kivi, the time will come when he’ll need you.”

  “I will,” Kivi said.

  * * *

  Brian sat in the Freedom’s medical lab as Mira scanned him. She shook her head as she put down the instrument.

  “It’s not looking good,” she said.

  Brian shrugged. “I’m not surprised. So how long do I have?”

  “If we don’t activate them at all I’d say a few years,” Mira said.

  He sighed. “Sometimes I feel like I’m a lab experiment for some annoying higher power.”

  Mira took his hand and placed something in it. “It’s not as compact as something my father could make, but this will ensure you won’t leave us.”

  He opened his hand and saw silver locket. When he opened it he saw a picture of himself with Seles and Mira. After a moment the picture changed to another of him and Mira standing on a stage.

  “Is this?”

  “Keep it near you at all times,” she said. “I won’t let you die, even if I have to cheat to do so.”

  He smiled before putting it around his neck. “I understand. When the time comes I’ll try pulling through without cheating.”

  “Do you want me to tell the others?” Mira asked.

  “I’ll meet with them soon,” he said. “For now, let’s not worry about it.”

  “Alright,” she said before hugging him tightly with tears in her eyes. “I don’t want you to leave me.”

  “I won’t,” Brian said.

  “Thanks,” Mira said.

  Chapter 1 - Zarite Raiders

  The Freedom and Raulno stealthily shadowed a contingent of Minan transport ships as they collected minerals from a Kalaidian mining colony. The complex was in the asteroid belt between Dega Five and Six. In the distance there were a number of other mining colonies of Shandi, Odairan, and Minan ownership. Brian stood on the bridge with Myden, Grigon, Jesela, and the four droids while watching the monitors closely. Kivi appeared on the screen from the bridge of the Raulno.

  “It doesn’t look like anything’s going to happen this time,” she said.

  “I wouldn’t count on it,” Brian said.

  “I think we’ve got something,” Jesela said.

  She put the image on the monitor for Brian and Kivi to review. It showed the presence of ten medium class Malcovin ships and two hundred Talons with their phase cloaks on.

  “Thanks,” Brian said.

  “They’re pretty organized for pirates,” Kivi said. “Do you think?”

  “Yes,” Brian said before hitting the com. “All mobile suits need to prepare for battle. The details will be coming in a moment.”

  “Should I launch?” Kivi asked.

  “I think Seles and Mira can take care of it,” Brian said. “Are you itching to get out there?”

  “Of course,” Kivi said. “But I�
��ll refrain. Dreka and Kaela think I run off the bridge too quickly.”

  Brian laughed. “I wish I had that problem,” he looked at Droid A, “send a warning to the nearby colonies.”

  “Of course sir,” Droid A said.

  * * *

  The Artemis and Siren launched from their bay as the other mobile suits of the Freedom did the same. All had their phase cloaks up as they moved into position. Seles noticed something in Mira’s eyes before turning her com to a private channel.

  “Is something wrong?” Seles asked.

  Mira nodded before shaking the feeling off.

  “It has something to do with Brian, doesn’t it?”

  “I can’t hide it from you,” Mira said.

  “You can give me the details after the battle,” Seles said. “Thanks for being honest with me.”

  “He said he’d speak with everyone about it soon,” Mira said.

  “That sounds like Brian,” Seles said. “I’ll ring it out of him tonight.”

  Mira smiled. “That’s the spirit.”

  The battle plan appeared on their monitors.

  “This is tiresome,” Seles said after looking it over.

  “What can we do?” Mira asked. “Those who cling to the name of a dead king will fight forever.”

  “My thoughts exactly,” Seles said. She pressed her com again. “Kyli, Tctie, your squadrons will cut off their escape routes. Mira and I will attack them directly.”

  “Yes commander,” Kyli said.

  “Acknowledged,” Tctie responded.

  The Artemis and Siren headed for the nearby colony as the Malcovin forces started their attack. The enemy mobile suits swarmed the Minan ships and fired. The Artemis and Siren went to intercept the enemy while Kyli and Tctie led the Freedom’s mobile suits against the enemy fleet. As soon as the enemy detected the mobile suits from the Freedom they turned about and began attacking with a savagery unknown. Seles and Mira piloted masterfully out of the way while evading a number of near misses.

  “There’s no doubt now,” Seles said.

  “These aren’t regular pirates,” Mira added.

  * * *

  Brian cursed under his breath when the Malcovin attacked his forces. The Raulno deployed its mobile suits to protect the two ships. The sensors showed a number of the mobile suits preparing to invert their gravity drives. The Artemis and Siren quickly destroyed the enemy before they could do so. The mobile suits from the Freedom did the same to the ten Medium class ships before they could turn about. When the Artemis and Siren headed back the other mobile suits followed.

  “I’m glad our plan worked,” Kivi said.

  “This is our fault,” Brian said.

  “We can’t anticipate everything Brian, you know that,” Kivi said. “All we can do is put an end to their violent ways.”

  Grigon cawed. “These fools were the puppets of Zaris, so it’s no surprise. Birds without a master fly every which way.”

  “How many ships do they have left?” Kivi asked.

  “According to our last estimate the Zarite faction still has over four hundred ships and five times that in mobile suits,” Brian said.

  “Oh…we have a problem,” Jesela said.

  The monitor showed a hundred Malcovin ships coming out of gravity jump around the two ships.

  “Kivi, I think you should deploy,” Brian said.

  “I have to agree,” she said before running off the bridge.

  “They were trying to sniff us out,” Myden said.

  “Now we’re going to have to put an effort into it,” Brian said.

  * * *

  The Gemini emerged from the Raulno and joined the Artemis and Siren. The mobile suits from the Freedom gathered the others to guard the two ships.

  “What’s the plan?” Seles asked.

  “Fire a pair of arrows into their center,” Kivi said.

  “As you wish,” Seles said.

  The Artemis lit up and landed on the Gemini before firing a massive beam into the enemy fleet. Twenty three ships exploded as well as two hundred Talons. Seles aimed and fired a second shot and destroyed another twenty ships and another two hundred Talons. As she returned to normal the Artemis flew off the Gemini. The enemy fleet spread out as fast as possible to strike them from a distance. Kivi carefully noted how the enemy was moving.

  “Should I get the song system ready?” Mira asked.

  “No,” Kivi said. “Our enemy is crafty.”

  “From their formation they could evade most of your system’s effects,” Seles said.

  “What should we do then?” Mira asked.

  “Let’s force them to come to us,” Kivi said. “Seles, deploy the Artemis’s reflector plates in sniping mode.”

  “Of course,” Seles said.

  The three returned to the Freedom and Raulno. The Artemis’s reflector plates popped off the frame and flew until they created a series of lines. Seles began the bombardment with a shot from the cannon. The Gemini and Siren followed suit. While the Malcovin forces took damage they continued spreading out before approaching with deadly speed.

  “It’s obvious they hate us,” Mira said.

  “Whatever rational thought they had died with their king,” Kivi said.

  “That’s if they had any in the first place,” Seles said.

  * * *

  Brian worked on a battle plan while the others defended the two ships. On the Raulno Dreka had taken Kivi’s position as the commanding officer.

  “They aren’t using conventional formations,” Dreka commented.

  “No, and that’s making it difficult to anticipate their next move,” Brian said.

  The shaking grew worse as the enemy ships and Talons closed in on all sides. The three Maidens and the nearly two hundred defending mobile suits did their best to eliminate anything getting too close.

  “They’re avoiding the Siren,” Brian observed.

  “They fear its power,” Dreka said. “Should we go on the offense?”

  “Not yet,” Brian said.

  He glanced at the nearby colony and noticed a number of Phase Raknas and Lance Phalanxes surrounding it. The ships collecting materials moved within the defensive perimeter.

  “At least we don’t have to worry about them anymore,” Myden said.

  “True,” Brian said.

  * * *

  The three continued firing into the reflector plates but found the enemy was dodging their attacks easier with each shot.

  “This isn’t working,” Kivi said.

  “We could try something else,” Mira said.

  “I agree,” Seles said.

  Kivi smiled as she hit the com. “Brian, Dreka, we’re going to try something.”

  “Tell me it’s not stupid,” Brian said.

  Kivi laughed. “If we live it won’t be.”

  “That’s the answer I expected,” Brian said. “We’re counting on you to take care of this mess.”

  “We’re on it,” Kivi said. “Alright, let’s try formation S-4.”

  “I don’t remember training for that one,” Mira said.

  “It’s because she’s making it up,” Seles explained. “S-4 means improvise.”

  “I like it,” Mira said.

  “Seles and I will stick to the front as we make our charge,” Kivi said. “Mira, be ready to use your song system if they swarm us.”

  “I’m ready anytime,” Mira said.

  “Let’s go,” Seles said.

  The three mobile suits flew in a triangle formation with the Siren in the back. At the same time the reflector plates returned to the Artemis. As they moved closer the enemy moved to surround them.

  * * *

  Near the battle a patrol group of six Confederation special task force ships moved next to the colony. On the bridge of the lead ship Siata and commander Baeron observed the fight between the Malcovin forces and the two ships.

  “They might be in trouble,” Baeron said. “Should we lend a hand?”

  “Not y
et,” Siata said. “Our mission is to protect the colonies.”

  “They attacked the transport ships,” Baeron pointed out.

  “That’s true,” Siata said. “If they need help we’ll move in.”

  “These attacks have been too numerous of late,” Baeron said.

  “It’s more frustrating when you consider the success the new government of their homeworld is having,” Siata said. “Eight months ago they were in chaos after Zaris’s regime fell and now they’re on track.”

  “That’s because of the Malcovin work ethic,” Baeron said. “Idleness is not prized amongst their race.”

  “I think leadership is a factor as well,” Siata said.

  “To change the subject back to the present,” Baeron said. “Should we deploy our Lances?”

  “Send them out,” Siata said.

  Chapter 2 - Suicide Drive

  The three Maidens flew into the enemy fleet and destroyed one vessel after another. The Gemini and Artemis switched to spread mode and continued blasting as many enemies as possible. Their foes attacks started focusing on the Siren.

  “I’m not used to such a difficult audience,” Mira said.

  “That’s an interesting way of putting it,” Seles said.

  “I think it’s time for our huntress to do her thing,” Kivi said. “We’ll back you up if it gets too hot.”

  “Alright,” Seles said.

  The Artemis lit up and charged the Malcovin forces. The Gemini and Siren followed her wake as the Artemis precisely attacked the enemy. After several minutes Seles ended the berserk and waited for the other two to join her. As they looked around all the Malcovin in their area were destroyed or damaged beyond fighting.

  “How should we clean this up?” Seles asked.

  “If they don’t surrender assume they aren’t going to,” Kivi said. “I’d rather not attack targets that can’t fight back, but these soldiers are different.”

  Their monitors flashed as a number of the nearby enemy crafts began inverting their gravity drives.

  “That’s your queue Mira,” Kivi said.