“They aren’t finished by a long shot,” Valis said.
The Mjolnir and Tctie’s mobile suit flew to the Maidens.
“Captain, he says he has something for you,” Meldi reported.
“I was hoping he’d find a bit of information,” Valis said. “Lieutenant Tctie, what did you get?”
The drone quickly translated the battle plan he read in the others into a data file and sent it to Valis.
“It’s incomplete,” Tctie said. “But hopefully it’ll help us in the near future.”
Valis looked it over and smiled. “Thank you Tctie.”
* * *
Brian and Gaelic watched the battle as it flowed around the two. After it ended Brian sighed with relief.
“It isn’t easy watching them fight, is it?” Gaelic asked.
“No it’s not,” Brian said. “By the way, are we finished in here?”
Gaelic laughed. “We just finished your time on Earth. There are many more things to sort through before we move on.” The images changed to show when Brian was first abducted. “Now this is what interests me.”
“Why does it?” Brian asked.
“Without any nanomachines you were able to break free from their grasp,” Gaelic said. “I wonder why.”
“It was rage,” Brian said. “A rage built over years of being used by them.”
“I see,” Gaelic said. “That’s something you must forgive yourself for.”
“I killed them with glee,” Brian admitted. “I’ve never felt right talking about it.”
“But ever since then you’ve felt the opposite,” Gaelic said.
“Yes,” Brian said.
“That’s good,” Gaelic said. “One should never enjoy the act of taking another’s life. The moment you do is the moment you stop being a warrior and become a murderer.” He looked at Brian. “In your heart you hate war.”
“Even though I can say that my actions fly in the opposite direction,” Brian said. “Even now, I’m using war to obtain peace.”
“Not all wars are evil,” Gaelic said. “As long as you enter battle to save others do so with a song on your lips and love in your heart.”
“I’ll try remembering that,” Brian said.
* * *
The Artemis and Siren landed in their launching bay with Jesela waiting. Seles and Mira left their mobile suits looking quite tired.
“Stress is killing your sleep,” Jesela said.
“That’s right,” Seles said. “I could use a bath as well.”
“I feel the same,” Mira said.
“If you two are willing to wait a few minutes I’ll join you,” Jesela said.
“I’ll wait,” Seles said.
“Me too,” Mira said. Her com flashed as Tctie appeared on the screen. “What can I do for you lieutenant?”
“I’d like a detailed physical as soon as possible,” Tctie said.
“I have some time tomorrow, so stop by the med lab,” Mira said.
“I will commander,” Tctie said before ending transmission.
“Now there’s a topic full of questions,” Jesela said.
“None of which I have an answer for right now,” Mira said.
“Let’s worry about that tomorrow,” Seles said. “For now let’s relax.”
“Agreed,” Mira and Jesela said in unison.
Chapter 17 - Sorting Things Out
Seles and Mira were in Brian’s quarters. Seles shook her head while Mira looked over the scans again.
“I hope he doesn’t end up turning into an energy ball,” Seles said.
“It might be interesting,” Mira said.
Seles laughed. “Somehow I’d think an energy based life form would be above such things.”
“It’s possible it’d be the opposite,” Mira said.
“I don’t know,” Seles said. “My bias is for a body like ours. Maybe I’m old fashioned.”
Mira laughed. “I don’t think your old fashioned, I think it’s biological. The good news is his DNA isn’t changing radically.”
Seles came over to look at the data.
“What am I looking at?” Seles asked.
“Let me put it this way,” Mira started. “If he was changing radically we’d see a lot of genetic differences between the old Brian and the one he’s turning into. Other than a few anomalies we’re not seeing that. In other words, he should look the same. His left eye might glow forever, but that’s nothing a contact can’t cover up.”
“I’m happy to hear it,” Seles said. “So what’s changing inside him?”
“Both Celi and I are looking this over constantly, but it doesn’t make sense yet,” Mira said. “From what we’ve seen all genetic defects inside him will be gone and his lifespan will increase significantly.”
“How much is significantly?” Seles asked.
“Without nanomachine enhancement both Celi and I estimated four to five hundred standard years,” Mira answered. “With nanomachine enhancement you can triple that.”
“This explains why Myden is still moving around at his age,” Seles said. Her com beeped. “Sorry, but I have to get to the meeting.”
“Don’t worry, he’ll still be here when you’re finished,” Mira said.
“See you later,” Seles said before leaving.
* * *
Veda, Reban, Valis, Seles, Esra, Kivi, El Kar, Grigon, Dreka, and Myden met the in command center and went to their usual spots. After a few minutes General Yardek joined them. The fleet of rebel ships outside had swelled to three hundred before a number of light flashes revealed another two hundred as they gravity jumped in.
“Representative Ulad will be joining us shortly,” Yardek explained.
“We’re glad to have both of you,” Veda said.
A moment later another Viken ship landed and off of it walked Representative Ulad and her contingent of guards. Viken females looked the same as the males in every way save for a lighter skin coloration. She wore green and black robes that served as the standard uniform for a government official but wore a gold star over her heart to show her standing within the rebel army. As she entered the command center she waived her guards off and stood next to Yardek. She saluted the leaders standing before her.
“We’re glad to have you on our side Heaven’s Light,” Ulad said.
“We’re glad to be of service,” Veda said.
“How goes the effort at the front?” Yardek asked.
“When word came of Heaven’s Light they all returned to the homeworld,” Ulad answered.
“That’s what we expected,” Valis said. “Now that we’re all here let’s get to the business at hand.”
Ulad went to Valis and handed her a data crystal.
“This is our latest intelligence on the loyalist positions,” Ulad said. “Also, the defense grid guarding our homeworld is down.”
“Thank you,” Valis said before putting the data crystal in. After looking it over for a minute Valis shifted a few things around and displayed her plan on the holographic table. It showed all of the loyalist forces guarding the homeworld in a spread formation. “Our plan is quite simple.” Valis looked at the others. “Yardek and Ulad will keep all of their fleets in one formation and appear near the north pole. Our forces will appear near the south pole.” Valis changed the image to show their forces appearance. “Our goal is to meet at the equator.” She showed their fleets move on the image. “Unless the loyalists clump together they will fall within an hour.” Valis showed the enemy force cut in half. “It’s about this time our new problem will appear.” She looked at Yardek and Ulad. “Are you alright with this?”
“Yes,” Ulad said.
“All we wanted was a push,” Yardek said. “When the Ick-Tckt make their appearance you can take care of them.”
“Excellent,” Valis said. “The plan is to finish the Ick-Tckt off and help our allies out on the surface.”
“The government will fall within moments,” Veda said.
“Their infras
tructure is in shambles,” Ulad said. “We should be able to take it from there.”
“Everyone will get a detailed plan for their part in the next few days,” Valis said. “Until then we’re to head for Viken Prime and prepare.”
* * *
Tctie was checking a few things over with his mobile suit when he noticed Kyli walk into the launching bay. The engineers and pilots were busy with maintenance when she walked over with a slight limp in her step.
“Thanks for covering for me,” Kyli said.
“Everything went well,” Tctie said. “Are you in condition for fighting?”
“It’s just a little pain, nothing major,” she answered. “So what’s this I hear about you being telepathic?”
The antman looked at her.
“It’s not a rumor, but a fact,” he answered telepathically.
“I heard you gained this power recently,” Kyli said.
“When you were injured something inside me snapped,” Tctie said. “Ever since then I can hear the thoughts of others. Right now it’s a dull background noise, but that’s only because Myden has shown me how to control it a little.”
“I’m sorry I worried you,” Kyli said. “I’m also glad to be returning to duty. Idleness doesn’t suit me.” She turned to go to her Rakna before turning back. “By the way, no messing around in our heads, alright?”
“My ability covers surface thoughts and communication only,” Tctie said. “If I did have such power I wouldn’t invade the privacy of others. That’s something I have learned quite a bit about from your people.”
“I’m glad to hear you say so,” Kyli said.
* * *
Seles stepped onto the bridge of the Freedom feeling much better. Grigon and Jesela worked while the four droids did likewise. After checking the console near the captain’s chair she turned to the two engineers.
“We need to talk about the Hades system,” Seles said.
“Don’t ask me, ask him,” Jesela said while pointing at the old birdman.
Grigon cawed. “Years and years of work, that’s what that system is. All theories and dreams until it’s finished.”
“That doesn’t answer my question at all,” Seles said.
“Of course,” Grigon said. “The Freedom is the first heavy class ship equipped with four gravity drives. That means we can move four times as a fast as a heavy class ship ten years ago. But all of those in our organization are using three now, so the difference isn’t as great. What having four drives also means is our power output is extremely high. I designed the Artemis’s arrow system for a mobile suit, but the same principle can be applied to a ship.”
“It seems like overkill,” Seles said.
“It may seem that way, but compared to a Grey planet killer it’s nothing,” Grigon said.
“According to our best estimate a planet killer has the output of a thousand gravity drives,” Jesela said.
“That’s an insane amount of power,” Seles said. “You’ve answered my first question. Now tell me, are there any special conditions to activate the system?”
“If unlocked no,” Grigon said. “But Brian wanted a failsafe in case the ship was taken over. It requires a berserk creature to fire. And to limit it further, the only ones able to activate it right now are Brian, Myden, Jesela, me, and you Seles.”
“This is good to know,” Seles said. “I have a feeling in future battles we’re going to need it.”
* * *
After watching and discussing various memories for a long time, Brian and Gaelic found themselves surrounded by black again. One side of the platform shifted back into a stairway that led further upwards.
“It looks like our time here is finished,” Gaelic said. “Follow me.”
“Alright,” Brian said.
The two men started climbing the stairs. As they did so images from outside flowed by like a montage.
“Looks like they’re getting ready for a big battle,” Gaelic said.
“Last time I heard we were on our way to liberating the Viken,” Brian said.
“And liberate them you will,” Gaelic said. “I almost forgot, thank you for delivering my speech.”
“It was the least I could do for you,” Brian said. “The Kalaidian people are much happier these days.”
“They deserve it after all the centuries of tyrants and fools in power,” Gaelic said. He stopped as the pair came to a black door. The stairway twisted around the door and continued upwards. “This is where we part ways for a while.”
“I take it I’m supposed to go inside,” Brian said.
“That’s exactly it,” Gaelic said. “What’s in there is for you and you alone. If you see Kali give her a kiss for me, alright?”
Brian laughed. “I’ll do that,” he said as he opened the door.
Chapter 18 - Medical Questions
The sickbay on the Freedom was quiet while Mira worked in the lab. Suv Gar knocked on the door before slithering inside.
“You haven’t been sleeping as much as you should,” Suv said.
“I know,” Mira said. “But I have a thousand things to figure out and I can’t explain most of them.”
“You’re talking about our glowing captain, aren’t you?” Suv asked.
“So that’s leaked already, huh?” Mira asked.
“It’s no longer a leak since you confirmed it,” Suv said.
Mira sighed. “This is insane.”
Suv looked over the data. “This is insane. Now I know why you’re not sleeping.”
“This isn’t the only issue I have to deal with,” Mira said. “Lieutenant Tctie is due for a physical in a few minutes and has telepathic powers.”
“Yet another rumor confirmed,” Suv said. “You really need to fill me in on things like this more often.”
“I’m sorry I haven’t,” Mira said. “I’ve been here, fighting, or in Brian’s quarters for the last week. I need to take a break and practice a song or two.” She looked at Suv. “I’m sorry I leave everything to you.”
“You’ve done your part,” Suv said. “Have I complained?”
“No you haven’t,” Mira said. “But I feel like I’m dumping more work on you than needed.”
“I’ll tell you when I feel overworked,” Suv said as she went to the door. “So stop beating yourself up over it.”
“I’ll try,” Mira said.
After the door closed Suv went back to working with the others while Mira continued looking over the scans. After a few minutes Tctie stepped inside. Mira switched the scanners from Brian’s data to Tctie’s.
“This may take a few minutes,” she said as she scanned Tctie closely.
“Your mind is closed to me,” Tctie said. “And no commander, you don’t have to tell me why. I only say so because it’s comforting hearing nothing for a few minutes.”
“Someday I’ll tell you,” Mira said. “But I don’t want the world at large knowing. I’m not in the mood to answer questions about it.” She moved the scanner to focus on his head. “I can tell you have an increased amount of brain activity.”
“Why is this happening?” Tctie asked.
“A short time ago none of this would’ve happened,” Mira started. “Then along came a Terran who could berserk. Ever since then the people around him have learned to do the same. As a result, he’s changing into something we can’t explain.” She looked Tctie in the eye. “My guess is the same is happening to you.”
“Myden said it might be because insects are simpler life forms than mammals, birds, or reptiles,” Tctie said.
Mira laughed. “Simpler? I wouldn’t exactly say that. The insects your people evolved from were simple, but Ick-Tckt have brains, nervous systems, circulatory systems, and internal lungs. You look radically different from us but have all the same functions.”
“We lack a sense of taste,” Tctie said.
“True, but your ability to smell makes up for it,” Mira said. After finishing the scan she put the data on the screen. “
Other than some increased brain activity I’m not seeing anything out of the ordinary. You’re as fit as you ever were.”
Tctie wiggled his mandibles excitedly. “I’m glad. Ever since this started I’ve felt really strange.”
“You said you’ve talk to Myden,” Mira said. “Has he been helping you?”
“Every day we meet for at least an hour for training,” Tctie answered.
“That’s good,” Mira said. “My prescription is to keep doing it. If anything strange occurs contact me immediately.”
“I will,” Tctie said. “I’ll be leaving then. We have a lot of preparations for the upcoming battle.”
“I’ll be doing the same,” Mira said.
Tctie left quickly. After he was gone Mira looked over the scan she just did. I don’t know what to think anymore. She thought to herself.
* * *
Celi, Valis, Kivi, and Seles were in Brian’s quarters. Celi checked the next round of scans while the other three stood next to him.
“He’s been sitting in the same position for a week,” Seles said. “That can’t be healthy.”
“His muscles are going to atrophy,” Kivi said.
“Hopefully his mind will be sharp,” Valis said. “Celi, are any of the things we’re worrying about going to matter?”
“From what I’m seeing trying to move him will do more harm than good,” Celi answered.
Mira ran in and joined Celi.
“Mira, have you found anything?” Seles asked.
“His genetics are changing in a minor way,” Mira answered. “That’s all I can find.”
“It’s the same with me,” Celi said.
“I don’t like not knowing,” Valis said.
“Then let me try something,” Myden said as he stepped into the room. He walked over to Brian and put his hands on the exoskeleton’s helmet and closed his eyes. After a moment of straining he pulled back and looked at the others. “Well, that didn’t work.”
“What did you do?” Kivi asked.
“I tried a deep scan,” Myden said. “I can’t even penetrate his surface thoughts.”
Freedom Saga 3: The Dawn of Liberty Page 10