“Never have I been embarrassed like this before,” she said. “Have all of our remaining forces hold them off for the time being. We’ll join with our fleet engaged with the queen’s forces for now.”
“How is it doing that?” the third warrior asked.
The monitor showed the Artemis making its way towards the power center of the base. At the same time all the remaining ships and escape shuttles were launching.
“Should we send out the self-destruct signal?” the second warrior asked.
“Go ahead,” the duchess said.
“The command has been sent,” the first warrior said.
The ship flew outside and turned about quickly to join its allies at the north pole. The Freedom and all its allies were tied up for the time being.
“The path is clear,” she said.
“Heading out now,” the first warrior said.
“We’re receiving another message from the Terran captain,” the second warrior reported
“Ignore him,” the duchess said. “We still have a chance at victory.”
“No you don’t,” Tctie said.
The four armed mobile suit sped out of some wreckage and flew in front of the ship. The mobile suit then spun like a blender as its blades cut through the ship’s shields and hull. Before the duchess could scream the ship exploded.
* * *
The Artemis stood in the main engine room of the asteroid base. The alert system for self-destruct had already been activated. Brian stopped what he was doing and sighed with relief.
“You seem rather relaxed given the situation,” Seles said. “What are we going to do?”
“I originally planned on destroying this place,” Brian said. “But the cost to build one from scratch is enormous.”
“We’re in the engine room,” Seles said.
“We have three minutes until it explodes,” Brian said. “I’ll have a look outside and see if I can stop it from doing that.”
“Be back in two minutes,” Seles said.
“I will,” Brian said.
The front hatch of the Artemis opened up and let Brian out. He quickly looked around the room. Lining the walls were twenty heavy class gravity drives. He ran to the main control console and searched through the system. After a minute of panicked work Brian deactivated the self-destruct device and shut down the gravity drives. The entire complex went dark before the system rebooted. He then programmed the base to move to a stationary orbit around Ick-Tckt Prime. Brian checked one more time before running back to the Artemis.
“Was it a success?” Seles asked as he stepped back inside.
“More than that,” Brian said. “I’ll get us out of here.”
He touched the wall of the cockpit and concentrated. After everything was glowing Seles flew the Artemis back outside. Both he and Seles removed their helmets once the mobile suit went back to normal. He noticed she was staring again.
“Is my eye leaking again?” he asked.
“You could say that,” Seles said.
Before his eye faded back to normal Brian’s body was emitting the green light he used to cover the Artemis. The aura went away as soon as he turned back to normal.
“That was odd,” he said.
“I think Mira should check you when we have some time off,” Seles said.
“Agreed,” he said.
* * *
The forces of the newly dead duchess were in complete disarray. Queen Kchlt watched her soldiers trampling over the remaining enemies on the surface. In orbit, the Freedom and its allies charged into the battle at the north pole to pincer the enemy fleet. The flashes of pulse fire quickly ended when the surrender signal was sent out. Khcha appeared on the screen.
“The enemy on the ground is all but destroyed,” he reported.
“They’ve surrendered in space,” the queen said.
“Fortune smiles upon us again,” Khcha said.
“The question now is how we go forward,” the queen said. “The future of our people is bright if that young drone wasn’t tricking us.”
“I felt his words in my mind,” Khcha said. “I pray it’s not a lie my queen, that I do.”
“Finish your work and return to me,” Kchlt said. “We must be prepared to greet Captain Peterson.”
“I’ll head back as soon as I can,” Khcha said.
After he ended transmission the queen watched the monitors and saw the duchess’s allies surrendering all across the homeworld.
“I hope peace can finally be had,” the queen said to herself.
* * *
Brian walked onto the bridge of the Freedom. Jesela quickly took her leave to repair the Artemis and Siren. Myden and Grigon quietly went about their work while the droids did likewise.
“Have they surrendered?” Brian asked.
“All of the enemies in space have,” Myden said. “There are a few pockets of resistance on the surface to take care of.”
“The queen can handle them without our help,” Brian said. “How’s she holding up?”
“All HV missiles have been launched and the pulse cannons are functioning at thirty three percent,” Myden said.
“The shields are down to eighteen percent,” Grigon said. “But everything else is working as it should.”
“All other systems are functioning normally,” Droid A reported.
“This was a hard fought victory,” Brian said.
“Did you save the base?” Grigon asked.
“Of course I did,” Brian answered.
“You’re going to give it back to the queen as a gesture of faith, aren’t you?” Myden asked.
“That’s the idea,” Brian said. “I don’t know the details on how much their bases cost but I doubt they want lose an investment like that.”
“Captain, the last resistors on the surface have surrendered,” Droid A said.
“Then I guess it’s time,” Brian said.
He put his hand on the console near the captain’s chair to activate the intercom system. After he pressed the button the sound of the bell tolling rang out across every communications device in the vicinity. The sound continued moving outward in all directions.
“You’re not following it up with a speech,” Myden said.
“I didn’t because this wasn’t a planned liberation,” Brian said. “Our presence here is only for diplomatic purposes.”
“For being diplomats we caused a lot of noise,” Grigon said.
“Circumstances forced us to do so,” Brian said. “And we did give the enemy every chance to avoid conflict.”
“Captain, Queen Kchlt is sending a direct communication to us,” Droid A said.
“Put her through,” Brian said.
“Yes sir,” the droid said.
The queen appeared on the monitor.
“Greetings Captain Peterson,” she said. “I am Queen Kchlt, sovereign of the Ick-Tckt.”
“I’m honored to hear from you so soon,” Brian said.
“I want to thank you for your help in this war,” the queen said. “I also want to apologize for the attacks on your ship while in my territories.”
“I accept them gladly,” Brian said.
“I’d also like to meet with you in person after everything has calmed down,” she said. “My Chka Knight will contact you in a few days to begin negotiations.”
“We’ll be waiting,” Brian said.
* * *
The four bases of Heaven’s Light were lessening in activity because fewer refugees were moving through. Veda and Reban were in the command center when Shiken Ka entered. He saw the fatigue on the two women’s faces as he took his station.
“That was a hell of a break you took,” Reban said.
“I didn’t know Shandi needed six months to sleep,” Veda added.
“You two are as sarcastic as usual,” Shiken said. “It’s good to be back.”
“So which is it, a boy or a girl?” Veda asked.
Shiken grinned. “Both.”
&nbs
p; “What?” Reban and Veda asked in unison.
“When she went to lay the egg two came out,” Shiken said. “They won’t hatch for another two months, but the scans say I have a son and a daughter.”
“Congratulations,” Veda said.
“You’re a lucky man,” Reban said.
“I feel as good as the words you praise me with,” Shiken said. “Now back to business. Where’s the Freedom?”
“I see no one filled you in,” Veda said.
“Not one bit,” Shiken said.
“The Freedom headed for Ick-Tckt Prime on its own,” Veda explained.
“There’s no doubt he’s a fool,” Shiken said.
“Perhaps, but he’s survived to this point being that way,” Veda said.
A Phase Talon came out of gravity jump outside the base. An encoded message was shown on the screen.
“It appears he’s succeeded,” Reban said.
“Is that all?” Veda asked.
“No,” Reban said. “It says all of us are invited to some kind of celebration as well as one of the Confederation fleets.”
“Get Siata and Baeron on the com,” Veda said. “It’s time we go and say hello to the queen.”
Chapter 47 - Communion
A few days passed until the request for an audience was sent to Brian. The Columbia base appeared in orbit a short while afterwards. Brian went with Tctie to his mobile suit in the launching bay.
“A shuttle would be a smoother ride,” Tctie said.
“You’re forgetting I flew one of these for ten years,” Brian said.
“As you wish captain,” Tctie said.
The drone went in first to start up the systems when Myden stepped out of the shadows.
“Are you coming along old man?” Brian asked.
“Yes,” Myden said. “It’s about time I show my face to the world in general.”
“Everything’s ready to go!” Tctie shouted from the cockpit.
“Let’s not keep them waiting,” Brian said.
He and Myden both took the elevator cord to the cockpit and joined Tctie. Brian found himself looking everything over with the eye of a pilot.
“Is something wrong captain?” Tctie asked.
“No, I’m admiring the modifications they did so you could fly this thing,” Brian said.
“I’m glad they did,” Tctie said before taking off.
The four armed mobile suit descended into the atmosphere of Ick-Tckt Prime. After they hit the airspace above the capital an escort squad of ten Auguar Stars circled around them. Brian marveled at the ant people’s architecture and oneness with the environment. The only things marring the view were the destroyed parts of the cities now under repair. Tctie quietly flew his mobile suit until they reached the palace. After they landed an honor guard of a hundred warriors forged a path inside. The three left the mobile suit to the eerie cheer of the warriors. The dim sun shined in the sky and cast shadows every which way. Brian led the way while the other two followed. The warriors continued chanting something only Tctie could understand as they walked into the palace. At each side hall and door a warrior or drone stood at ready. Only one path was allowed before the three found themselves inside the queen’s hall. She stood with Khcha at her side. As she stepped forward Brian, Myden, and Tctie all crossed their arms across their chests to salute in the traditional Ick-Tckt manner.
“I thank all of you for your assistance in our civil dispute,” the queen said. “But I called you here for a different reason.”
“We’d like to know how to form the government structure the queen has in mind,” Khcha said.
“I’ll draw out the basics for you,” Brian said. “But it’ll take me a week or two to do it.”
“We’ll wait,” the queen said. She looked at Tctie. “You must be the one.”
“I am Tctie of the deceased Countess Lkchi,” the drone said.
“We would like for you to demonstrate your power for us,” Khcha said.
“Very well,” Tctie said. “Can year hear me?”
“It’s uncanny how clear it is,” the queen said. “How is this possible?”
“All beings develop a power when they awaken to a certain point,” Myden said. “My people are infamous for their telepathic ability. Tctie has a similar power.”
“How is it different?” the queen asked.
“Show them,” Myden instructed.
Tctie focused his mind and let the berserk come over him. As his black eyes turned blue the drone’s mental voice extended outwards for thousands of ketres. While doing this his body was covered in a bluish hue and glowing wings appeared on his back. After a minute or so Tctie shut the power down and returned to normal.
“He has the power of the hive mind,” Myden said. “He can communicate with everything around him in an extensive area.”
“How is it different from your power?” Khcha asked.
Myden focused his mind until he felt the awakening inside himself. As his eyes glowed blue he stared at Khcha and locked onto the warrior’s mind. Khcha resisted for a moment until he raised his arms and wiggled his clawed hands. Myden stopped and returned to normal.
“My people have the ability to manipulate others through mental force,” Myden said.
“What about you Captain Peterson?” the queen asked. “What power do you hold?”
“I’ll show you,” Brian said.
His left eye began glowing blue and switched to green as an aura of similar hue engulfed his body. He calmly walked to one of the walls and pushed his hand through it without damaging the wall or himself. After he returned to the others he ended the berserk.
“The Teacher called it a dimensional blade,” Brian said. “For brief moments I can perceived more dimensions than everyone else can.”
“That explains how you penetrated our bases,” Khcha said.
“We won’t use these powers to destroy if we don’t have to,” Brian said. “The truth is we didn’t come here to display our powers but to reach an understanding. Heaven’s Light was created to end war and unify the races of Alden. A threat greater anything we can imagine is on the horizon. We must come together for survival or everything will be lost. I ask you now Queen Kchlt, will you join us in this cause?”
“I do,” she answered. Her eyes began glowing. “For years I’ve toyed with this power, unsure if it was real or my own imagination. Now that Tctie has shown it I know it’s real.”
“My queen, I didn’t know anything about this,” Khcha said.
“I’ve hidden it for years,” she said telepathically. She stopped using her power and returned to normal. “If possible I’d like Myden to stay and teach us more about this ability.”
“I will stay as long as I can,” Myden said. “But you should know that everything I can teach you is with Tctie now.”
“Very well,” the queen said. “For now, let’s find the understanding you spoke of Captain Peterson. Let our minds touch so they may know more about each other.”
* * *
Seles, Mira, Jesela, and Kyli were relaxing in the Kalaidian communal bath again. The room was filled with the chatter of what everyone was going to do with their time off.
“It feels like a great weight has been lifted off of us,” Seles said.
“The Ick-Tckt were the most powerful government left opposing us,” Mira said.
“Do you think we should be talking like the rest of the crew?” Kyli asked.
“I think we’re entitled to some time off,” Jesela said. “After all, when this mess started we were interrupted.”
“I forgot about that,” Mira said.
“I could use a few weeks of sleep,” Seles said.
“I feel the same,” Kyli said. “So is it true Tctie’s going to leave us?”
“That’s what Brian told me,” Seles said.
“What about you Kyli?” Mira asked. “Your contract is coming up as well.”
“I’m staying,” Kyli answered. “In the year I’ve been on this
ship it’s become my home. I can’t imagine leaving it now.”
“I’m happy to hear I’ll have such a skilled leader for the mobile suit units,” Seles said. “By staying you also get a present. It’s in your quarters right now.” Seles smiled. “That’s if you stay lieutenant commander.”
Kyli blushed with embarrassment. “Thank you for having faith in me.”
“You’re in charge now,” Seles said. “So relax and enjoy yourself for the next few days because it’ll be more work than you’re used to.”
“I’m ready for anything,” Kyli said.
* * *
Grigon and Dreka flew a pair of upgraded Phase Talons to the damaged Ick-Tckt asteroid base. Once both were safely inside they made their way on foot to the main power room.
“They did a great job without us,” Dreka said.
“They’re resourceful bugs, I’ll give them that,” Grigon said before cawing.
The two entered the gravity drive chamber and marveled at its construction.
“I’m impressed,” Grigon said.
“The only thing they don’t have is a rapid response system,” Dreka said after looking the systems over.
“We can fix that if they want us to,” Grigon said.
“You want them to, don’t you?” Dreka asked.
“I admire good engineering,” Grigon said.
“I do to,” Dreka said.
“Well, let’s check their drive systems over,” Grigon said. “I have a feeling the rapid response system will be needed in the future.”
The two Malcovin engineers worked frantically on the systems of the asteroid base. From the shadows Myden emerged to take a look.
“Everything must be in place then,” Grigon said.
“I prefer this to celebrations,” Dreka said.
“I’m glad you two are so devoted to your work,” Myden said. “Do you want to see the ladies’ performance or not?”
Grigon pulled a tablet computer out of his equipment bag and turned on the video.
“I wouldn’t miss it for anything,” the old birdman said.
Freedom Saga 3: The Dawn of Liberty Page 25