“It’s not as much of a stretch as you’d think,” she said. “A serf born farm girl grows up and learns how to swing a blade.” She laughed.
“Your story hasn’t ended,” he said. “You have all the makings of a Maigar.”
She blushed. “Celi warned me you were a sweet talker.”
“I’m not as sweet as I used to be,” he tapped his head, “Things are messing around in here at the moment.”
“She warned me about that as well. Is it true you can speak with spirits?”
“I hear voices from those who’ve died,” he said. “They tell me things I don’t want to know, but for some reason, they keep coming around.”
“Is it because you’ve berserked too many times?” she asked.
“I can’t say for sure,” he said with a shrug. “But it’s been getting worse since two years ago.”
The lights flickered as the estate grounds shook from the fighting outside. A number of Lances were positioned near the palace while a number of Phase Raknas held their positions around the main building. The elevator door opened into a strategy room filled with officers under the employ of Veda Kein. She was dressed in her battle uniform with a raiga whip on her belt. The table display in the center of the room showed the positions of the Confederation forces around the palace and their units in space. Kyli took Brian’s hand.
“I have to prep for launch,” she said. “I’ll see you in a few.” She ran outside in haste.
Veda nodded to her commanders before turning to Brian.
“The stress is already getting to you,” he remarked as she came over.
“I haven’t worked this hard in years,” she said. She looked out the window at the posturing outside. “The High Council made the hasty decision.”
“We thought they would,” Brian said.
“Are you sure about this?” Veda asked. “By all rights you should lead us.”
“No, I can’t,” Brian said. “It’s not because I’m afraid of failure but the political consequences. Many view my part in the organization’s formation as a move towards human domination.”
“You could’ve had that when you freed the people of Kalaidia,” Veda said.
“That’s what I think,” he said. “If I wanted power so badly I would’ve grabbed for it then. But the main factor for choosing you as the leader has to do with your knowledge of the politics. Compared to you I’m quite in the dark about what’s going on outside of fighting.”
“You’ve passed a burden to me,” Veda said. “I accept young man, if that’s what you wish.” A number of Phase Raknas moved into position just outside. “Can you really see them?”
“You must be talking about the ghosts,” Brian said.
“Have you seen him?” Veda asked.
Brian touched his cheek under his right eye and moved it around the mouth. “He had a scar like that.”
“So it’s true,” Veda said. “Perhaps the burden I carry isn’t so great.”
“No Veda, it is,” Brian said. “Someday I’ll take over…if I live long enough.”
“Don’t talk like that,” Veda said. “Assuming death as the outcome ensures it.”
“As usual, you’re right,” he said. The cockpits of all the Phase Raknas outside opened up before dropping their elevator cords. “That’s my queue.”
“I pray Kali watches over you,” she said.
He smiled. “Thanks Veda.”
He placed the helmet on his head and activated the holographic system in his exoskeleton to turn invisible. He ran outside and took the elevator cord of Kyli’s mobile suit. All the other Phase Raknas moved exactly the same before closing their hatches and taking off. Veda watched as he flew away.
“If that’s your wish Brian then I won’t back down,” she said.
* * *
Seles and the other pilots kept their mobile suits close to their main ships.
“I’d really like to cut loose,” Meldi said as she appeared on Seles’s monitor again. Myli did likewise.
“I know how you feel,” Seles said. “Let’s just stick to the plan until told otherwise.”
“You’re not as impatient as you used to be,” Myli said.
“She’s right Seles,” Meldi added. “In the old days you’d be charging in.”
Seles laughed. “I’m not sure I was that impulsive. But I won’t deny I feel differently about things today.”
The Confederation fleet encircled the Avoni and Raulno while bombarding their shields. The two ships held their position for the moment. The Reinkar appeared on their flank and launched twenty mobile armors into the horde of Lances. The strange looking crafts were shaped like a Shandi with the tail acting as the main canon. The Reinkar itself was of typical Shandi construction. It flew through space like two four sided pyramids attached together at the base.
“Those must the new Fang models Daes was talking about,” Meldi said. “She said their output is twice that of a mobile suit.”
“But the energy burn is greater as well,” Myli said.
Seles watched the Fangs as they tore into the line of Lances.
“Their raw power is greater, but maneuverability is an issue as well,” she said.
Valis appeared on their monitors. “The final phase of the mission is about to commence. Seles, it’s time to cut loose and do what you do best.”
“As you command Valis,” Seles said. “You heard her ladies, time to earn some stars!” She blinked her eyes. As they glowed blue Seles charged the Confederation fleet. The other pilots followed close behind.
* * *
Kyli and three dozen other pilots flew their Phase Raknas skyward to the battle above them in space. Brian turned off his armor’s camouflage and stood at the back of the mobile suit’s cockpit when Kyli turned on her com.
“To all units, blast a path to the Avoni and Raulno,” she ordered. “The Reinkar will keep the main force of the enemy occupied.”
“Yes lieutenant,” her subordinates responded.
Brian watched as they moved to attack. The Avoni and Raulno remained close together and shared their shields while the Fangs and Raknas tore through the Confederation fleet. As the Lances fell, he noticed a Rakna ahead of the rest, flying faster then he’d ever seen. Kyli took a moment away from firing to watch.
“That must be lieutenant Seles,” she said.
“She dances much better then when I last saw,” Brian said.
“She’s considered the best pilot amongst our people today,” Kyli said. “But the sojourners are almost as good as her.”
“When death is the only other option the best comes out in people,” Brian said.
The Rakna spun and fired a series of pulse blasts into an attack vessel. The Confederation fleet began withdrawing as all of the Raknas and Fangs met at the center of the battle area. Brian pressed the com on his helmet.
“Seles, you can calm down now,” he said.
“Stop that,” she responded. “I know the trick to not lose control.”
“Alright then love, I’ll stop bothering you,” he said.
He ended transmission as Kyli landed on the Avoni.
* * *
Seles blinked her eyes a few times before they faded back to their normal purple color. She sighed in relief as she headed back to the Avoni. The Fangs and Raknas all returned to their home vessels. As she landed she felt the ship ripple and gravity jump. Seles let the zip loose on her pilot suit as she stood up and opened the front hatch before looking around the Phase Zero. Her eyes lingered for a while as she smiled and tapped the main console.
“Goodbye girl,” she said.
She stepped onto the elevator cord and landed on the floor a moment later. She saw the engineers scramble to check each of the mobile suits over. Daes seemed preoccupied at the back of the launching bay. Meldi and Myli stopped when they came to Seles.
“Seles, we’d really like you to join us and the rest of the pilots tomorrow night,” Meldi said.
“We can’t say goo
dbye without the main guest there,” Myli said. A number of the pilots in the room watched.
Seles touched the Phase Zero on the leg. “It’s been almost twelve years since I came to the Avoni,” she said sentimentally. “Don’t worry everyone, I’ll be there.”
“Thanks,” Meldi said.
“See you Seles,” Myli said as they left her alone.
Seles walked over to the darkened part of the launching bay and looked at the silhouette of the Mjolnir. Brian and Kyli headed over to her.
“Having a hard time saying goodbye?” Brian asked.
Seles nodded. “In a way,” she looked at Kyli, “If it wasn’t for your hair I’d mistake you for Celi.”
“Thank you lieutenant,” Kyli said with a salute. “It’s an honor to be under your tutelage from here on.”
“You rate me far too high,” Seles said. “It’s good to meet you Kyli.” Seles returned the salute with one of her own.
The Avoni’s com system turned on. “All senior officers are to report to the command center on the main base in twelve standard hours,” Baed reported. “That is all.”
Kyli looked at the other two. “I’m going to visit with Celi for a while,” she said. “It was good meeting both of you.”
She saluted one more time before heading for sickbay.
Brian yawned. “I think I’m going to get some sleep.” He looked to Seles. “Is that alright with you?”
“Of course,” Seles said. “You look terrible anyway.”
“I’ll see you later then,” he said before leaving.
Seles stood in the launching bay. Although others scrambled about, she felt like she was alone. She looked to the Mjolnir and then her Zero one last time. I thought it was going to last forever. But as time marches forward the song goes with it.
“Farewell.”
Seles wiped the tears away as she walked away.
Chapter 6 - The Plan
The Avoni, Raulno, and Reinkar moved near an asteroid in orbit of the Dega Seven, a blue and green striped gas giant. As each of the ships came close they sent an encoded message to the base hidden inside. Valis was on the bridge with Baed, Vae, and Zae. A moment later an encoded line returned the hail. Grigon appeared on the monitor from the command center on the base.
“It’s good to see you again,” the old birdman said.
“And to you as well Grigon,” Valis said. “How’s everything coming along?”
Grigon cawed. “We’ll need another three months at most.”
“Has there been any activity in the area?” she asked.
Grigon chuckled. “Those idiots wouldn’t know a secret base even if we parked it on top of them. They’re more interested in our decoy bases throughout the system. Even if we were detected we’d just move to another system and hide there.”
“Has there been word from Shiken Ka?” El Kar asked from the bridge of the Reinkar.
“I’m sorry, but no,” Grigon said. The old Malcovin pressed a few buttons. “You’re welcome to land at any time,” he said before ending the transmission.
The ship’s navigation went to autopilot as it was drawn into a dock on the interior of the asteroid. The Raulno and Reinkar set down at separate docks in the base’s harbor. On the other side of the docking area the Vomada and another ship under construction rested. The newer ship was twice the size of the Avoni with four extended rear engines.
“Is that the Freedom?” Baed asked. “I didn’t think it’d be so big.”
“It’s the first vessel outside an Original Five to be equipped with four heavy class gravity drives,” Zae said
“It’s the first Terran ship to grace the Confederation,” Valis said.
Brian entered via the elevator and stood at the top of the bridge. “She’s beautiful,” he said.
“She?” Vae asked.
Brian nodded. “Like your people mine refer to their ships in the feminine.”
“Are you sure about this Brian?” Valis asked. “We could lay low until the Freedom’s ready and then make our move.”
“No,” he said. “The Freedom must be left to mature. Unless you order otherwise the plan stands as is.”
“Alright,” Valis said.
* * *
I haven’t felt this nervous since the night Baed and I made our escape. Seles thought as she sat in her quarters. All of her belongings were packed and ready for departure. A buzz came from the door.
“It’s me,” Mira said.
Seles opened the door and stepped outside.
“Are you feeling weird about this?” she asked as they headed for the main exit of the Avoni.
“It’s been over ten years,” Mira said. “But to answer your question, yes. This is home, so leaving isn’t easy.”
“I feel the same,” Seles said.
“Is Brian staying with the Avoni?” Mira asked.
“That’s the plan,” Seles said. “We’re to stay with Jesela and make sure the Freedom launches on time.”
“You look nervous,” Mira said.
“I feel just like I look,” Seles said.
“I know how it feels,” Mira said. “I’m not on the battlefield like you, but Celi’s been my teacher the whole time. I’m ready to take lead of a medical staff. That’s what she keeps telling me. But there’s a bit of doubt still inside me.”
“At least we’ll suffer together,” Seles said.
“True,” Mira said as they laughed.
They came to the exit stairs of the Avoni and headed outside. The base around them turned like a giant cylinder to simulate gravity. As they touched the platform outside the ship, both Seles and Mira watched hundreds of Kalaidians, Malcovin, and Shandi working on the interior of the base. Seles looked at the nearly finished Freedom.
“I think it needs a paint job,” she remarked.
“I think you’re right,” Mira added. “Right now it looks like a silver and black hulk.”
“It’s good to see you two!” Jesela exclaimed as she ran to Seles and Mira. She stopped to catch her breath before hugging both of them. “It’s been too long.”
“Over a year,” Mira said.
“You’re looking well,” Seles said.
Jesela smiled. “Thanks.” She looked around the dock area. “Where in Kali’s name is everyone?”
“They’re running late,” Mira explained. “How’s the old bird holding up?”
“He’s peppy as baby Jaedis,” Jesela said.
From the Avoni emerged Brian, Valis, Celi, and Zae. From the Raulno Kivi and Dreka made their way to the center of the dock. From the Reinkar came El Kar with a pair of body guards. When the group converged the old Malcovin made his appearance from the entrance to the center of the base. Grigon cawed with impatience while holding a strange looking metal rod.
“I’m sorry for being late,” Grigon said to the group as he met them. “Please, follow me.”
He pointed to the door he came in from and led the group to the interior of the base. Valis and Kivi took the front with Brian as they walked through halls filled with workers and monitors, the rest followed.
“Have you received word from the other bases?” Valis asked.
“A few days ago a number encoded messages came through the pipeline,” Grigon said. “The Alaska and Siberia bases are in position at the Confederation border. The Sahara and Death Valley bases have been stopped short by the Mylor but not detained. It seems the old cats are taking their time deciding what to do with them.”
“Those names sound strange,” Kivi said.
“Valis told me to choose them,” Brian said.
“Given the lack of knowledge about Terrans here in space the code names sound like nonsense to those who don’t know anything about his homeworld,” Valis said. “By the way, what’s the code came for this base?”
“Columbia,” Brian said.
“How many bases does Heaven’s Light have?” Seles asked as she moved next to Brian.
“Eight,” Grigon answered. “The four border ba
ses are strictly for observation of the Grey forces. The other four are spread throughout Confederation controlled space.”
“Have they sniffed any of them out?” Kivi asked.
Grigon cawed. “A year ago they uncovered the Nevada base, but it moved before they could close in on it. The Sicily and Hong Kong bases are hidden for the moment. All the supplies and intelligence have been put into place.”
“How’s the financial front?” Valis asked.
“The Kalaidian and Shandi governments have been quite generous in their donations,” Grigon said. “But independently wealthy individuals like me and Veda have contributed as well.”
The group entered a large room full of monitors and holographic planning tables. Grigon waved his hand and the three Malcovin workers took their leave. The old birdman took the metal rod he carried and placed it inside the center table to activate the base’s systems. One by one the monitors came on and displayed the position of various military forces in a hundred different star systems. The monitor showing the Kein estate on Dega Jul revealed the encirclement had been lifted.
“It seems the Degan government didn’t like the interference,” Kivi said.
“The riots in the streets displayed the will of the people,” Valis said. “I know you’ve briefed us Grigon, but is there anything else we need to know?”
The old Malcovin looked at Brian. “Are you sticking to the plan?”
“Yes,” Brian said.
“Very well,” Grigon said. He called up a number of real time positions of the Confederation fleets. “Currently, they’ve detained Shiken Ka and his fleet at the Confederation headquarters. We received word earlier today that Prime Minister Hopart has arrived there as well.”
“They’ll fight the best legal battle for the organization,” El Kar added. “But I doubt the High Council will listen to reason.”
“No, they’re convinced Heaven’s Light is my personal military,” Brian said. He looked at fleet positions within the Degan system. “It looks like we won’t have much time to rest.”
Freedom Saga 1: Heaven's Light Page 4