Freedom Saga 1: Heaven's Light

by Marcus Johnson

  “You’re looking as lovely as ever Daes,” the mobile suit said with a voice identical to Brian’s.

  She smiled. “You say that every time I visit.”

  “Only because saying it makes you smile,” the mobile suit said.

  She closed her eyes and breathed in the air while stretching and relaxing once more. “Sometimes Mjolnir, a smile is the only thing one needs.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  She leaned forward and patted the console. “Someday you will. By the way, your sisters are nearing completion.”

  “At first I was terribly lonely,” the Mjolnir said. “But now I don’t feel that way. Even so, I look forward to meeting them someday.”

  “It’s going to take them several years to catch up to you in terms of sentience.” Daes explained.

  “I can wait,” the mobile suit said. “One of the personality traits I inherited from Brian is patience.”

  “I’m glad.”

  Chapter 2 - Political Games

  Orbiting a massive gas giant and surrounded by innumerable moons, a station of colossal size floated. Surrounding the center sphere were a series of orbital rings. Ships of every advanced race in Alden flew in and out of the headquarters of the Galactic Confederation. Inside were a like amount of chambers and halls. All were patrolled by Minan soldiers in uniform. At the heart of the station was the Great Hall, the assembly of all Confederation representatives. The hall itself was a gigantic cylinder reaching hundreds of vetres from top to bottom. Starting from the bottom a number of balconies reached outward towards the middle.

  On the first level were the Original Five, the five oldest races of the Confederation. The first delegation was the Mylor, the oldest member race. A dozen cat-like exoskeletons stood together with one wearing black and gold as their leader. Lord Kris acted as the holder of order within the grand chamber. To the right of the Mylor in the circle were the Daemos, the second oldest race. Though their bodies were also covered in black and grey exoskeletons, their frames appeared as eight foot tall humanoids with large, dragon like wings. To the right of the Daemos was the Rendi delegation. A dozen metal covered beings with the vague appearance of cacti floated. To the Rendi’s right in the bottom circle stood the Saeki. Their white and silver exoskeletons appeared much like Malcovin save for their size being a vetre taller. The last of the Original Five was the Avar delegation. Together the dozen beings appeared to be tall humanoids seven feet in height with no other distinguishing features. Though their exoskeletons varied all of the Avar had a metallic color component.

  Above the first level was the next coalition of races. The first race on the second level was the Ick-Tckt. The ant like people’s delegation was dominated by six duchesses. The females were twice the size of a human and their six warrior mates, two thirds that size. On the balcony next to theirs was the Xaua delegation. The spider people had twelve females as their representatives. They appeared much as a huge spider with brown fur and black stripes. Their leg diameter was two vetres, twice that of their males. Next to them was the delegation for the Boran, an insectoid race much like the Ick-Tckt, but silicate in origination. Their group was dominated by twelve females the size of a human. The next two races of the second level were independents. The first was from the Echtan, a plant based people able to shift their shape. Currently, most of the Echtan appeared as Kalaidians with bark skin and leafy hair. The final race on the second level was Minan delegation. The tall bear like people stood near eight feet in height and had fur color varying between red and black. Their group was evenly divided in terms of male and female.

  On the third level were five more races. The most powerful delegation on the third level was the Shandi. The snake people had a group of six males and six females. Their height was seven feet or more with a massive tail in place of their legs. Their upper body was more humanlike with a head and two arms. To the right of them was the Vikan delegation. They looked like lizard people the same size as humans. Their faces were vaguely crocodile like and they sported long tails. To the right of their group was the Trictis delegation. They appeared as pterodactyls with round heads and stood about four feet in height. Next to them was the Droni race. They resembled raptors the same size as humans. The last race on the third level was the powerful Malcovin delegation comprised of twelve males of varying feather color from red to black.

  Above was the fourth level, home to the aquatic races of the Confederation. The four aquatics floated inside sealed chambers filled with water. Their rooms linked to water filled hallways serving as their route through the Confederation headquarters. The most influential of this group were the Maelokan, a black and white race descended from dolphins. Their shape was like a mix of a Terran and dolphin with a size similar to humans. Next to their chamber was the Findau, a species looking similar to the Maelokan save for their exaggerated fin projections and shark like jaws. To their right floated the Leki delegation. The frog people had a mass similar to the Kalaidian people but couldn’t be more different in every other way. Next to their chamber was the last of the true aquatics, the shape shifting Maukai. Their favorite form was that of a Maelokan or Findau with no sensory organs and being completely black in color. The last race on the fourth level was the Reiki. The octopi people were half the size of a human with long tentacles in place of other limbs. Given their nature, the Reiki were amphibious and able to move about in either water or air.

  On the fifth level the largest coalition of beings were positioned. The most powerful of the mammal races was the Cealora, a cat people slightly smaller than the average human. Their people appeared as leopards or tigers depending on whether they had spots or stripes. Positioned next to them were the diminutive rat people called Odairans. They stood half the height of an adult human with brown or black fur covering their bodies. To their delegation’s right were the Kchto. They stood four feet in height and appeared as human like bats with delicate hands and large heads. To their right was the Rhonar delegation. Their people appeared as a cross between a short and powerfully built human with the face of a rhinoceros. The seven males in the group had short horns protruding from their noses. Next to them was the delegation from Keneksis. Their people were fox like humanoids with red or black fur and tails, standing about the same size and weight as a Kalaidian.

  The only individual race on the sixth level was the Kalaidians. Given their present state only females were present, all appearing much like short human women with wildly colored hair and eyes with pointed ears. The other delegation was from the melting pot of Dega Jul. Given the racial make-up of the Degan Republic, their delegation consisted of two Kalaidians, two Malcovin, two Shandi, one Reiki, one Minan, two Odairans, one Cealora, and one rogue Ick-Tckt Warrior. The chamber echoed from the voices of all those inside. Their frantic speech was interrupted when Lord Kris banged a gavel.

  “Order to the hall,” he said with his robotic voice. “We will now take the vote on the fate of Brian Peterson.”

  Each delegation voted on the charges against Brian. When the vote tallied it showed a fourteen in favor of the charges while thirteen were against.

  “As the vote has been cast the laws of our Confederation will be upheld,” Lord Kris said. “Our special task forces will be dispatched to capture Brian Peterson.”

  * * *

  Mira sat inside a mobile suit simulator on the Avoni. After a few minutes of battle against Grey ships she closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

  “End simulation,” she said.

  The lights went out and the front hatch opened up. She ran her hand through her long pink hair and rubbed her blue eyes before heading outside. Lieutenant Meldi waited outside and offered her a hand. Over the last few years Meldi let her dark blue hair grow long. She had deep blue eyes to match. Both she and Mira stood the same height at about an inch taller than Seles.

  “You’re getting good,” Meldi said.

  Mira took her hand with a smile. “Not as good as you. There’s also the fact I�
�ve never fought in a real battle.”

  “Still, I can see your potential,” Meldi said as she offered Mira a drink. “What I’m still wondering is why you and Valis come down here.”

  Mira smiled. “As soon as the Freedom launches the new models will come with it. Brian and Grigon, along with Jesela planned it that way four years ago.”

  “I guess the rest of us were too busy worrying about survival to take notice,” Meldi said. “The only thing I remember was Celi flying the Aegis to save him.”

  “The Aegis was the first,” Mira glanced at the simulator, “It’s almost time to begin our real mission.”

  “True.” Meldi looked at Mira. “When we go to war we’ll need to be of the same mind. Otherwise we’ll never survive.”

  Mira took a drink of water and watched the others enter the simulators to fight their virtual battles. “Sometimes, I wish I had been there,” she said.

  “Be glad you weren’t,” Meldi said.

  “No one who survived ever says much about the journey,” Mira said. “Even Brian won’t talk.”

  The door opened. Celi walked in while adjusting her pilot’s suit. She still had her dark blue hair grown long and had emerald green eyes. She stood a little shorter than Mira and Meldi. When she saw the two of them she walked over. Meldi saluted Celi before turning to Mira.

  “Well, I’ll leave you two to enjoy yourselves,” Meldi said as she left.

  “Take care,” Mira said as she left.

  Celi stood next to Mira and eyed her over. “You look rougher around the edges these days.”

  “It’s the same for you,” Mira said. “So how’s his condition?”

  Celi closed her eyes and shook her head. “I have no clue,” she said. “The plague was easy to track once I spotted it, but the issue he’s having now doesn’t follow any logical path. I gave him the special lens to wear over his eye to prevent others from seeing it, but I don’t know how long that’ll work.”

  “It explains why he’s been so distant from everyone,” Mira said.

  Celi looked away. “I hope I can save him again.”

  Mira took her hand and met Celi’s eyes. “You will, because we’re here to help you this time.”

  “Thanks,” Celi said with a faint smile.

  * * *

  Brian and Seles walked through the streets of Dega Jul as the day wore on. He turned when they passed by a restaurant in the Kalaidian district and watched those inside.

  “What’s wrong?” Seles asked as she took him by the arm.

  “I never thought I’d see the day when that was the norm,” Brian said.

  Inside the restaurant Kalaidians were enjoying pizzas. “You changed our culture more than expected,” she said. “That’s what you’re trying to say, right?”

  “Perhaps when I’m gone that’s what I’ll be remembered for,” he said as he turned to leave.

  “Don’t say it like that,” Seles said. “You promised me you’d live.”

  He nodded. “I’ll try, that’s all I can do.”

  The pair came to the apartment complex where Brian and the other commanders lived. No one else was around as they walked up the stairs and headed into his apartment. Seles could tell he was in pain and trying to fend it off as the door closed behind them.

  “Is it bothering you again?” she asked.

  He sat down on the couch and held his hand over his left eye.

  “I’m not sure why though,” he said as he cringed in pain. Seles ran into the kitchen and filled a cup with water and brought it to him. He took the cup and drank as much as he could. Then he sighed with relief. “It’s going away.”

  Seles put her hand on his forehead. “You’re burning up.”

  “Celi told me it was because of the berserk,” he said. “I’ve done it too many times and now it’s come back to haunt me.”

  Seles took his hand as she sat down next to him. “I’ll always be here to protect you.”

  “I’m happy to hear you say that Seles, I really am,” he said. “But I’m not changing Valis’s orders.”

  Seles turned her face from his. “I knew you’d say that.”

  She pulled away and danced before taking a pose. Brian gazed as she moved with fluidity and perfection.

  “You’re much better than before,” he said.

  She smiled. “I’m still not very good at singing. Mira’s an excellent teacher, but I have a lousy sense of rhythm.”

  He sat back and relaxed. “When you’re singing imagine you’re inside a mobile suit, or even a Novaguard. I’ve found that one needs inspiration to perform at their best.”

  “So what do you imagine when you’re performing?” she asked.

  He gazed at the setting sun. “I think of Earth, Kalaidia, then you and the others.”

  “Someday you’ll have to take me there,” she said.

  The two watched the sun set.

  “Someday, Seles,” he said.

  The pair stood quietly for a few minutes as night fell. She noticed he was staring off to the side with a strange smile on his face.

  “What?” she asked.

  He shook his head and sighed. “You can’t see her can you?”

  “See what?” Seles looked closer at the air he was looking at. “I don’t see anything at all.”

  He turned away as if what was there had disappeared. “Be glad that you can’t.”

  “Now I’m really worried.” Seles took his hand. “What did you see?”

  “Delne,” he said.

  “What?” Seles asked while looking at the empty space once more.

  “She’s been visiting me a lot these last few months.” He shook his head again. “I’m not sure why.” He noticed the look of concern on Seles’s face again. “She’s not the only one, just the most frequent.”

  Seles shook her head as she went to leave. “I don’t want to leave you seeing ghosts, but it’s time.”

  “To be left alone is my fate,” he said.

  “I’ll see you soon,” she said.

  “I love you,” Brian said.

  She smiled. “I love you too.”

  Seles walked into the darkness of night. Standing outside the door was Valis. Her violet hair glowed with the streetlights filling the shadows.

  “Are you ready?” Valis asked.

  “As ready as I’ll ever be,” Seles said.

  The headed for the dock the Avoni was on.

  “How’s he feeling?” Valis asked.

  “He’s seeing spirits,” Seles said. “Other than that he seems fine.” She noticed concern on Valis’s face. “What’s happened?”

  “We’re going to have to change the plan a little bit,” Valis said.

  “How much is a little?”

  “Be ready to launch the Raknas as soon as we’re on board.”

  “Of course,” she noticed Valis staring at her, “What?”

  “You said he was seeing spirits. Who did he see?”

  “He mentioned Delne,” Seles said. She noticed Valis thinking about something. “What is it now?”

  “I’ve heard reports from the crew that he’s been talking to people who aren’t there,” Valis said. “Celi says everything’s alright physically, but what about spiritually?”

  “He still says he’s an atheist,” Seles said.

  “Perhaps that’s changed.”

  “Is that because of the Avoni’s journey through Grey space?”

  “You’ve noticed it as well Seles.” Valis gazed at the night sky. “Everyone who survived the sojourn was changed. The only one who didn’t seem so when I interviewed her was Jesela.”

  Seles laughed. “Nothing could rattle her.”

  Valis smiled. “True.”

  Chapter 3 - Halting Blades

  After the sun set, a squadron of Minan soldiers surrounded Brian’s apartment complex. A hundred of them separated into twenty smaller squads of five. At the head of the mission was a tall and strong shouldered Minan with brown fur. The only signifier of his rank was
a gold and silver armband on his right arm. In addition to the ground forces, ten of the latest Confederation mobile suits, the Lance Phalanxes, patrolled the airspace directly over the residential sector. In the shadows next to the Minan leader was a Mylor wearing a crimson and golden exoskeleton.

  “Commander Baeron, are your troops in position?” the Mylor asked with a female voice.

  “Of course Lady Siata,” Baeron said. “We have the Terran surrounded on all fronts. Should he try to escape we’re more than ready.”

  A voice came over Baeron’s com, “Commander, the target is talking to himself.”

  Baeron looked at Siata. “He’s talking to himself.”

  “I see. He knows our objective.” Siata was silent for a moment. “Let’s speak to him directly.”

  “As you wish,” Baeron said.

  He signaled for the others to back off before checking his zenti axe. He took the lead as Siata floated to Brian’s apartment. With the wave of a key card the door opened. Inside, Brian faced the wall where Gaelic’s blades were displayed. Baeron noticed a strange glow in the room facing away from them as Brian moved his hand towards his head. He turned to face them and was dressed in his green dragon exoskeleton armor with the rakna blade on his belt.

  “Commander Peterson, by order of the High Council of the Galactic Confederation I place you under arrest,” Baeron said.

  “What crimes are you charging me with?” Brian asked.

  “Piracy, violation of the Law of Exclusivity, and conspiracy to overthrow the High Council,” Baeron said.

  “What evidence do you have?” Brian asked.

  “A number of key witnesses are willing to testify against you on these matters,” Baeron said.

  Brian turned to Siata. “I understand.”