“It’s not reckless,” Brian said. “I say so because we need to be prepared for something far worse.”
“You want to be ready for the Greys?” Kivi asked.
“Yes,” Brian said. “The Greys aren’t like any of the foes we’ve faced in the Confederation. They won’t let us live, negotiate, or beg. They’ll keep coming until the last of us is blasted into stardust.”
“It still seems like an idiotic idea,” Kivi said.
“I feel the same,” Valis said. “But the Minerva says their chance of survival is high.”
“I’ll be honest is saying I hesitated to submit the plan,” Brian said. “The captain’s job is to protect the crew while succeeding at the mission. I feel like I’m flying them into a deathtrap and all my instincts tell me it’s wrong.”
“I’ll defer to you for now,” Kivi said.
“Promise us you won’t get killed,” Valis said.
“It’s a promise,” Brian said.
* * *
Seles, Mira, Jesela, and Kyli were enjoying the short time off they had relaxing in the Kalaidian communal bath. From the number of others in the room it seemed their choice was popular.
“This is what I need after a long day,” Jesela said.
“You look exhausted,” Mira said.
“I am,” Jesela said.
“You should trust the other engineers more,” Kyli said.
“You are pretty hands on,” Seles said.
“It’s because I’m an obsessive workaholic,” Jesela said. “I put up the act to distract people.”
“It’s not an act,” Mira said. “You’re just crazy.”
“I am,” Jesela said.
Seles closed her eyes and leaned back in the warm water. “This is great. We should change the subject.”
“I have a question,” Kyli said.
“What is it?” Jesela asked.
“Who is it?” Mira asked.
“It has to do with Tctie, doesn’t it?” Seles asked.
“You guys are no fun,” Kyli said. “And yes, it has to do with him. A few weeks ago he acted just like he always did. Now he stares off into space a lot and mumbles things to himself. What happened?”
The other three laughed.
“Now I’m worried,” Kyli said.
“We could say he hit his stride,” Seles said. “But that’s not the truth.”
“His ability to berserk gave him telepathic powers,” Mira said. “You already know that much.”
“It was strange hearing his voice in my head,” Kyli said.
“He can read the thoughts of his enemies now,” Mira said. “If you could do the same you’d be fighting like he is.”
“So I need to berserk to get better?” Kyli asked.
“That should do the trick,” Seles said. “You won’t be able to read your enemies’ thoughts, but your reaction time will get better. Have you done it before?”
“Once,” Kyli said. “When Brian and I were running through the tunnels under Dega Jul he helped me berserk.”
“If you want we can try some one on one time for you to practice,” Seles said.
“I’d be glad to,” Kyli said.
“Then we’ll find some time to set aside each day,” Seles said.
“You two sound like workaholics too,” Mira said.
“All of us are,” Jesela said. “I think we’re emulating our captain.”
“That’s for sure,” Seles said.
“Agreed,” Mira said.
* * *
Brian was on the bridge of the Freedom working when Myden and Grigon walked in and went to their stations. The four droids quietly went about their business when Brian looked up.
“I figured the two of you would show up and tell me I’m an idiot,” he said.
“You’re an idiot,” Grigon said.
“We’re all idiots,” Myden said.
“So where are we heading first?” Grigon asked.
“The eighth resource system,” Brian answered. “The best way to start the trip would be with a slow walk. Then we run after entering the tenth colony system.”
“Which duchess are we taking out first?” Grigon asked.
“None in particular,” Brian said. “The best option is to let them come to us. I do my best planning on the fly after seeing what my opponent is going to do.”
“You and Valis differ in that way,” Myden said.
“She plans too much for my taste,” Brian said. “I’d rather sleep.”
“She’ll be resting this one out,” Myden said. “Tell me, what’s the plan if we succeed?”
“I haven’t thought that far ahead,” Brian admitted.
“This sounds a lot like what we did during the sojourn,” Grigon said.
“That’s the idea old man,” Brian said. “We fight to live another day.”
Tctie entered the bridge.
“I’m here captain,” the drone said.
“I’m glad you could join us,” Brian said.
“Does this have something to do with our upcoming mission?” Tctie asked.
“That’s it,” Brian said. “First, I want you to maintain the telepathic restriction Myden gave you.”
“So I should only use it with you and him?” Tctie asked.
“Yes,” Brian said. “Using it in battle with the others could distract them. But I called you to ask your opinion on the route we’re going to take.”
Brian put the route on the monitor. Tctie looked at it closely before turning to his captain.
“We should change entry point to the seventh resource system,” Tctie said. “And near the home system we should switch from the third to the second resource system.”
“Why?” Brian asked.
“You assume the resource systems are sparsely populated,” Tctie said. “It’s the opposite. If our goal is to reach the home system with as little interference as possible the route I’m suggesting will do so.”
“I like your line of thinking,” Brian said. “It might take us an extra few days to reach our target but I see why you want us to avoid those systems.”
“What’s in them?” Grigon asked.
“There are a number of countesses on the side of the rebel duchesses in those systems,” Tctie explained.
“Avoid the small fries and take out the big ones,” Brian said.
“What are small fries?” Tctie asked.
“It’s a figure of speech,” Brian said. “You can go back to your duties now.”
“I hope I was able to help captain,” Tctie said.
“You were, thanks,” Brian said.
After the drone left Brian looked to Grigon.
“I hope your system works,” Brian said.
“It will,” the old birdman said.
“I’ve found it’s bad to assume something works just because it does in the computer,” Brian said.
Chapter 33 - Into the Black
The Freedom gravity jumped into Ick-Tckt territory. The ship appeared at the edge of a resource system containing nothing but gas giants and uninhabitable smaller planets. Brian, Myden, Grigon, and the four droids were on the bridge as they headed to the nearest planet. The scanners showed there were a number of colonies surrounding the moons of the gas giant. From the readings all the ships docked to them were launching at a frantic pace.
“Whose territory is this?” Grigon asked.
“The colonies around this planet are under the jurisdiction of the Countess Rhkti,” Brian answered. “While they have little military power their wealth from mining operations is great.”
“Captain, we’re receiving a hail from the main colony,” Droid A reported.
“Put them through,” Brian ordered.
“Yes sir,” the droid said.
On the main monitor appeared a female noble with her three warriors behind her.
“I am the Countess Rhkti,” she said.
“I’m Captain Peterson,” Brian said.
“Why have you entered my terr
itory?” the countess asked.
“We’re on route to the homeworld to speak with your queen,” Brian answered. “We have no intention of attacking and ask that you allow us safe passage.”
“I see,” she said.
“It appears your people are fleeing,” Brian said.
“We have no desire to enter this conflict,” the countess said. “Our colonies are lightly populated, so we can fit everyone on the ships.”
“Do you need assistance?” Brian asked.
“Not right now,” the countess said. “But thank you for the offer.”
“Where do you plan to go?” Brian asked.
“If possible we’ll go outside our peoples’ territory,” the countess answered. “The blockade will no doubt stop us, but we have to go.”
“I’ll give you the coordinates for my organization’s bases,” Brian said. “You’ll have a much easier time being processed there.”
The countess turned to her warriors and spoke in their native tongue. After a moment of discussion she turned back to the screen.
“We accept your offer,” she said.
Brian looked at Droid A. “Send it over.”
“Yes sir,” the droid said.
“Thank you for your help Captain Peterson,” the countess said.
“Thank you for allowing us to pass,” he said.
Once the screen went black Brian let out a sigh of relief.
“That went better than expected,” Myden said.
“They don’t want to fight,” Brian said.
“They sound weary of the situation,” Grigon said.
“They’re tired,” Brian said. “There’s only so much war one can fight through before getting sick of it.”
“Should we stick around?” Myden asked.
“For now,” Brian said. “Let’s make sure the countess and her people get a chance to leave before we do so ourselves.”
* * *
Seles, Mira, and Jesela were taking a break from maintenance on with the Artemis and Siren. The Siren’s arms had been replaced and now they were working on the Artemis’s cannon. Jesela came out of the side room and tossed each of them a bottle of water.
“The Siren’s happy,” Mira said.
“I’m sure she is,” Seles said. “The Artemis was the same when you replaced her arm.”
“Is it just me or are our mobile suits taking more damage?” Mira asked.
“It’s not a wild guess,” Jesela said. “It means the others are catching up to us technologically.”
“All they needed was a kick in the ass to get going,” Seles said while emulating Brian’s voice. “That’s what he’s said for years.”
“What was that word that didn’t translate right?” Mira asked.
Seles laughed and pointed to her posterior. “It’s a reference to this.”
“You know, in all the time he’s been with us you’d think his way of talking would’ve infected us more,” Jesela said.
“Brian says he doesn’t like to use curse words,” Seles said.
“He doesn’t use them very often,” Mira said. “But to get back to the original subject, what do you think we should do about it Jesela?”
Jesela looked at the two mobile suits.
“I think we’ll need to overhaul them, and soon,” Jesela said. “The problem with being active is we don’t have a chance to switch things around to enhance them.”
“Do you have anything in mind?” Seles asked.
“Of course,” Jesela said before spinning around with a quick dance.
“Then do tell,” Mira said.
“I don’t know about the other special models,” Jesela said. “But these two have some simple fixes.” She pointed at the Artemis. “The major issue with this one is it can only fire two arrows before needing to recharge. I’ve designed a special energy storage pack to attach and allow for more shots.”
“How many could it fire?” Seles asked.
“Up to eight from the storage pack,” Jesela said. “That means ten shots before needing to recharge.”
“What about the Siren?” Mira asked.
“I’m working on an amplification system,” Jesela answered. “Doing that will not only extend the time you have to sing your song but the range will be tripled.”
“Sounds like fun,” Mira said.
“I agree,” Seles said. “Our enemies won’t like it as well.”
“No they won’t,” Jesela said. “The problem is designing the new parts is easy, actually constructing them is another.”
“Is it money or time?” Seles asked.
“Both,” Jesela said. “Even if someone coughed up the twenty million credits today it’d take me a year to make them.”
“Are you sure it’ll cost twenty million?” Seles asked.
“I’d put it closer to twenty five million because of ancillary costs,” Jesela said.
Mira laughed. “I’ve saved quite a bit, but it’s nowhere close to that.”
“If no one else can then I’ll pay,” Seles said.
“What?” the other two asked.
“It’s true my salary working for Valis and Heaven’s Light comes nowhere close to that,” Seles explained. “But when the falling out with my mother ended she reestablished my private account on Kalaidia.”
“How much does our princess have?” Mira asked.
“Last time I checked it was a little over a hundred million credits,” Seles said.
“So you’ve been holding out on us?” Mira asked.
Seles shook her head. “No, I don’t like relying on the money given to me by title. But if it’s to help our organization I’ll use it.”
“I’ll write you out an invoice for the parts in the next few days,” Jesela said.
The alert system went on after the ship started shaking.
“Looks like our friends are back for a visit,” Seles said.
“They couldn’t wait until after lunch,” Mira said.
“Get going you two,” Jesela said as she ran for the door. “I’ll be on the bridge.”
The pair looked at each other.
“Shall we go?” Seles asked.
“I’ll follow your lead,” Mira said.
* * *
After the last of the mining colony ships was gone the space around the Freedom went quiet. Brian and the others on the bridge were preparing to leave when a fleet of Ick-Tckt ships appeared and launched their Auguar Stars. The ship was surrounded on all sides and attacked.
“Looks like our welcoming party came,” Brian said. “All mobile suits are to move out. Kyli, Tctie, use formation D-5 for now.”
“Yes captain,” Kyli responded.
“Understood,” Tctie said.
The mobile suits launched and clustered themselves around the ship in groups of four or five. As the enemy closed in they exchanged fire.
“Seles, Mira, I’m letting you two to do what you need to,” Brian said.
“We’ll wait and see what they have,” Seles said.
“I’m with her on this,” Mira said.
The Artemis and Siren flew outside before charging the enemy forces.
“They’re as reckless as ever,” Myden said.
“We’re going to have to repair them again,” Grigon said.
“You two sound like you’ve already conceded the battle,” Brian said. “I trust those two to take care of things.”
“You sound like a lax battle planner,” Grigon cawed.
Brian laughed. “I think it’s more like I don’t need to.”
“Captain, I’ve discerned their plan,” Tctie reported telepathically.
Brian closed his eyes. “Go on.”
“They’re planning to isolate the two special models and destroy them,” Tctie said. “They’re numbers are going to triple any moment now.”
“Do you know where?” Brian asked.
“Concentrate and you’ll know,” Tctie said.
“Got it,” Brian said. “Seles, Mira, the enemy is
targeting the both of you. Hold off on berserking or using your special systems for the time being.”
“We’ll do as asked,” Seles said.
“Alright,” Mira said.
“Myden, activate the Hades system,” Brian ordered.
“It’s already charging up,” Myden said.
A moment later the first fleet turned all of its forces on the Artemis and Siren. As the Freedom lit up to fire another three hundred ships appeared. The two mobile suits quickly made their way away from the entrapment before the Freedom fired the main cannon. The enemy forces pulled away in a disorganized mess after the shot wiped out half their forces. The Freedom returned to normal.
“The rest is in your hands,” Brian said.
Chapter 34 - A Battle of Vetres
After the Ick-Tckt fleet was cut in half, the remaining ships and mobile armors moved to regroup. The Freedom returned to normal and slowly advanced on the enemy ships. The Artemis and Siren circled back to attack the enemy’s flank.
“I don’t think they were expecting that,” Mira said.
“You’d think they learn,” Seles said.
“I wonder if the Freedom can do more than that,” Mira said.
“Who knows,” Seles said.
The enemy fleet finished shifting around and headed for the two mobile suits.
“Looks like we’re popular today,” Mira said.
“You want to put on a performance?” Seles asked.
“Of course,” Mira said. “But as I said earlier, I’ll follow your lead.”
“Then let’s do this,” Seles said.
The Artemis and Siren both lit up as their pilots berserked. Both mobile suits flew faster than the enemy could keep up with as they charge into the fray. The Artemis aimed and fired the first arrow, destroying twenty five ships and over a hundred Auguar Stars. The Siren split off and started disabling enemy crafts by the dozen. The Artemis fired a second arrow and wiped out thirty ships and two hundred mobile armors. The Artemis and Siren then went back to back as they cut down the enemies all around them.
* * *
Brian watched the Artemis and Siren fighting the enemy and cracked a smile.
“Their teamwork gets better each day,” he said.
Freedom Saga 3: The Dawn of Liberty Page 18