She floated passively for a moment. “He’s changing faster than normally would be allowed.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ll tell you a secret commander,” the female Mylor said. “It takes one of my people over a century of practice to master their powers. There’s a reason it takes that long.”
“Go ahead,” he said.
“If an awakened being manifests their powers too quickly the body will decay,” she explained.
“He’s awakening, right?”
“Yes,” she said. “There’s no other way to explain how he passed through your soldiers like they were air.”
“Then he’s dying,” Baeron said.
“We can’t afford to lose him yet,” Siata said. “If he dies we won’t be able to obtain another sample until Terrans can travel between stars.”
“They’re treating him like an experiment, not a sentient being,” Baeron said.
“It’s not my will on this,” she said. “I’m just following orders.”
“As you say,” he said.
“Commander,” the science officer said. “We’ve found them.”
“Good,” Baeron said. “Put it on the screen.”
“Yes commander,” the officer said.
“This is too easy,” Siata said. “Valis wouldn’t pick this place unless they have a plan.”
“It’s possible they’re flying blind,” Baeron suggested.
“I don’t believe in such things,” the Mylor said. “We’re being strung along.” She turned to the image on the screen. “Bombard them. I want to see how desperate they are.”
“As you command,” Baeron said. “All ships begin bombardment on the asteroid the two ships have taken refuge in.”
“Yes commander,” the other captains responded.
The ships opened fire with their pulse cannons and deployed their Lances to do likewise.
“I hate this,” Baeron said. “When his mobile suit turned red I felt something.”
“It was his mind, or will, or soul if you wish,” Siata explained. “For a brief moment his consciousness reached out and touched ours.”
“What I felt was the desire for peace above everything else,” Baeron said.
“That’s because he’s a good man,” she said.
“Are we on the wrong side?”
“Only time will tell if that’s true,” Siata said.
* * *
Valis and Brian joined the others on the bridge when the bombardment began. The ship rocked as the asteroid around them started turning. El Kar appeared on the screen.
“I don’t like this,” he said. “Doing something is better than waiting forever.”
“I agreed,” Valis said. “Zae, ready the Avoni for the second phase.”
“Yes captain,” she said as she input the data.
“Vae, ready to take us out the second exit,” Valis ordered.
“Yes captain,” Vae said.
The Avoni moved slowly to another opening to the asteroid’s exterior.
Valis turned to Brian. “Do you think you can handle one more performance like the last?”
He placed the contact back in his glowing eye. “Yes,” he said.
“I’ll leave the attack in your hands then Brian,” Valis said.
He nodded and left the bridge.
“We’ll deploy our Fangs then,” El Kar said. “Are you sure about this?”
“A frontal assault is the last thing they’re expecting,” Valis said. “After the last display Brian showed they’re going to be on the defensive and attack him from a distance. But by focusing their entire force on one mobile suit they’re leaving themselves open in other locations.”
“So misdirection is our game?” El Kar asked.
“Of course,” Valis responded. “The key to victory are the small details that so many tacticians believe aren’t important.”
“What small detail is going to cost them?” the Shandi captain asked.
“I’m sure they know this asteroid has a second exit and have deployed a force to guard it,” she said. “What they’re not expecting is our reinforcements are ready to strike.”
“Who’s waiting for us?” El Kar asked.
Valis smiled. “The Daevoni’s overhaul is long finished and Esra can’t wait to try it out.”
* * *
Brian ran into the launching bay and waved for all the pilots.
“Everyone deploy immediately!” he shouted.
Everyone did so as he stepped onto the Mjolnir’s elevator cord. When he sat down in the pilot’s chair Meldi and Myli appeared on the monitor.
“What formation?” Meldi asked.
“K-1,” Brian ordered.
Myli laughed. “No difficultly knowing what to do now.”
“I’ll spearhead the attack,” Brian said. “Every Rakna and Fang will follow the wake.”
“Got it,” Myli said.
“Alright,” Meldi said.
“Let’s go old friend,” Brian said as the Mjolnir took off and flew outside.
The Phase Raknas flew outside a moment later. All of the Raknas from the Avoni followed the Mjolnir when twelve of the Fangs joined them. The image of a Shandi pilot appeared on his monitor.
“I’m Lieutenant Rak Nal of the Reinkar,” he said. “What are your orders Commander Peterson?”
“Kalaidian formation K-1,” he said.
The Shandi pilot called up the plan and grinned. “Direct and to the point,” he said. “Thank you.”
The Mjolnir flew to the head of all the mobile suits and mobile armors with cannon in hand. The Raknas formed V formations with a Fang at the tip of each group of five. The last mobile armor flew behind the Mjolnir and turned its shields to full power. The smaller crafts came to the entrance they first entered. Brian closed his eyes and concentrated.
“Focus the mind and keep moving forward,” he said. He glanced to the side before looking forward. “I know.” His eye began glowing red as the Mjolnir was covered in red particles. “Let’s dance my friend. Just follow my lead.”
The Mjolnir sped out of the asteroid at twice its normal speed and fired a number of pulse cannon shots into the Confederation fleet. A pair of Lances and a medium class ship exploded before the fleet turned its attention to the glowing mobile suit. A moment passed before the formations of Fangs and Raknas followed the Mjolnir’s wake. As their forces took casualties, the Confederation fleet backed away and separated into two main units. Most of the ships and Lances focused on the Mjolnir as it danced between their ships and slashed through them one by one.
* * *
The Reinkar and its remaining Fangs took position in the front as it and the Avoni neared the second entrance. When they flew outside a number of Lances pounded their shields from all sides. Valis sat on the bridge of the Avoni with a relaxed look on her face. Seeing the apparent weakness, the Confederation mobile suits took to space and charged the Avoni. A moment later the flash of dozens of pulse shots destroyed or damaged a number of Lances. Coming out of a phase cloak were forty four Phase Raknas and the Daevoni, a ship identical to the Avoni save for its darker coloration. Captain Esra appeared on the Avoni’s main monitor. She was the same size as Valis but had silver white hair and blue eyes.
“Looks like we made it just in time,” she said.
“I was worried you’d keep us hanging,” Valis said.
The Lances outside retreated. The Raknas only pursued them a short distance before returning to guard the three ships.
“All that’s left is a little clean up duty,” Esra said.
“That’s what my first officer is for,” Valis said. “Baed, send him the signal.”
“Yes captain,” Baed said.
* * *
“Order all ships to retreat,” Siata said.
“Of course,” Baeron said. He pressed the com to reach the other ships and mobile suits. “All units are to return to base.” He turned to Siata. “Now we know what her plan was.”
Siata laughed with her strangely robotic voice. “Having an extra ship standing by is an old trick if I say so myself. Very well, we’ll continue pursuit until our forces can pin them down.”
“So the plan is to overwhelm them with sheer numbers?” Baeron asked.
“If we don’t have any other means then yes,” the Mylor said.
* * *
“Brian, the order to return has been received,” the Mjolnir said.
Brian’s eye continued glowing red as he slumped motionless in his chair.
“Brian! Brian!” the mobile suit shouted. It opened a com link to lieutenant Meldi’s Rakna. “Lieutenant, this is the Mjolnir speaking. Something’s wrong, please come immediately.”
“I’ll be there in a moment,” Meldi said. “Myli, look after things while I take care of this.”
“Sure,” Myli said.
She led the Raknas and Fangs back to the Avoni and Reinkar. Meldi’s Rakna approached the glowing Mjolnir as it floated motionless in space. Using the arm of her craft she made sure it wasn’t between dimensions. She locked her helmet into place before grabbing a med kit and linking the two mobile suits’ hatches. She opened the hatch and floated over to the Mjolnir. Its hatch opened automatically to let her inside.
“I don’t know what’s wrong with him,” the Mjolnir said. “He’s not responding to anything.”
“It’s alright,” Meldi said. “I’m here Brian.” She tilted his head and stared at his red glowing eye. She felt his consciousness reach into hers before slapping his face. “Brian!” She slapped him again. “Wake up!”
His eye stopped glowing as his gaze met hers.
“What happened?” he asked.
“You went weird on us,” Meldi said. “It’s time to go home.”
“Can you fly me home?”
“Sure,” she answered.
Chapter 18 - Finding a Path
Celestia waited in the throne room. The palace around her was busier than usual with officers of many different ranks preparing. The door opened to reveal Prime Minister Jabril Hopart, flanked by a pair of guards. She smiled when she saw Celestia.
“It’s been a long time,” Jabril said.
Celestia hugged the former leader of her royal guard. “You look well Jabril,” she said. She pulled away and led her up the stairs to the throne. “How was your trip?”
“Uneventful and fruitless,” Jabril said. “The High Council is worse than the nobles before Brian came to us.”
Celestia shook her head. “I didn’t think they’d change their minds easily.”
“Neither of us did,” Jabril said. “But one of us had to go.”
“And you drew the short straw,” Celestia said.
Jabril shrugged. “I agreed to it. On another note, how many nobles showed up to the last meeting?”
“The heads of each of the families,” Celestia said.
“The pride is gone,” Jabril said. “Now that the people are educated, employed, and a lot better off the nobles know just how useless they are.”
“You do remember you’re one of us,” Celestia pointed out.
“True by blood, but not in my heart,” Jabril said. “I always felt populism was more important than elitism.”
“I won’t argue that anymore,” Celestia said. “In less than a year the House of Commons takes over all sovereign power.”
“Despite that you’re keeping busy,” Jabril said.
“That’s due to a foolish Terran who wooed my daughter,” Celestia said.
“He’s got everyone involved,” Jabril said with the hint of sarcasm in her voice.
The two paused when they heard the sound of cloven feet walking towards the door.
“It looks like she’s here,” Celestia said.
“The Braiden are easy to spot by ear,” Jabril added.
The door opened and through it came the High Priestess of the Braiden, Lumiar Wavecrest. She stood the same height as a Kalaidian with a human face and upper body. On her arms and goat like legs was short red fur that matched her long red hair. She wore a loose fitting red dress and carried a pulse pistol on her belt. Escorting her was a unit of Braiden soldiers armed with pulse rifles. They waited outside as the door closed.
“It’s good to see the two of you again,” Lumiar said before making a sign of prayer. “The gods of air and fire have been moving a lot these days. Even those of us removed from the fuss sense something is going on.”
“The Confederation has given its verdict,” Jabril said. “Brian’s been charged with conspiracy to overthrow, piracy, and disseminating lies and inaccurate information.”
“A stupid charge if ever there was one,” Lumiar said. “Nothing the sojourners brought back was inaccurate. I noticed the High Council didn’t call any of my people to their meetings on this matter.”
“Despite its appearance the High Council is anything but a democratic body,” Celestia explained.
“If we are ever needed you can call upon us,” Lumiar said.
“Thank you,” Celestia said.
“Thanks,” Jabril said.
“On another matter,” Celestia started. “How are things going with your people?”
Lumiar handed each of them a data crystal. “We’ve begun construction on the fourth and fifth colonies. It was kind of you to take us in as refugees. For that you have our eternal thanks. The Braiden have spread over a number of your star systems in groups of about ten thousand. Once we have enough space onboard all the colonies most of them will return to aid in the atmospheric engineering of the planet we’re orbiting.”
“It may take you a thousand years,” Celestia said. “But someday your people will have a new planet to call home.”
Lumiar smiled. “The issue at hand these days is the number of children we’re raising.”
Jabril laughed. “We’ve been having the same problem for years. Normally an advanced race tries to keep their population stable. But for both our peoples’ it’s important to grow. Much more so with the Braiden though.”
“We share much,” Lumiar said. “That’s why he brought us together.”
* * *
The pilots trained tirelessly in the simulators while Seles and Kyli led their battles. After another virtual skirmish Seles called for everyone’s attention.
“For the last few days I’ve been running you ragged,” she said. “I know the training has been difficult but the battles before us are harsher. For now I’ll slacken the pace so you can get some rest. You earned it because your skills are improving faster than scheduled. You may return to your training now.” She turned to Kyli. “Keep them on their toes.”
“I’ll do that commander,” Kyli said.
Seles went to a bench and sat down to pat herself off with towel. She noticed Mira and Jesela as they came in the room and headed over. She took a drink of water before standing up.
“What brings the two of you down here?” she asked.
“Do we need an excuse to see our friend?” Jesela asked.
“Not really,” Seles said.
Mira pointed to the other pilots. “You’re keeping them busy.”
“They need it,” Seles said. “What I find strange is Brian’s insistence that our pilots be trainees. I’d think he’d want the best of the best from the other ships.”
“He probably didn’t want to drain the talent pool,” Jesela said.
“True,” Seles said. “I can see that.” She looked at Mira. “How goes your training?”
Mira sighed. “I’m still getting the hang of it,” she glanced at the simulators, “Because of the new medical staff I’m busy showing them how to do things, so I haven’t had a chance to get down here very often.”
“I see,” Seles said.
“Being in charge is draining away all of our time,” Jesela said.
The three of them laughed together.
“I’m on break now,” Seles said. “Do the two of you want to get something to eat?”
“I’m starving,” Jesela
said.
“I’m feel the same,” Mira said.
“Let’s go then,” Seles said.
She led them to the mess hall a few doors down. The room was large and had chairs and tables for numerous species. At the moment the room was dark and empty.
“Looks like our cooking staff hasn’t arrived,” Mira said.
“What’ll we do?” Jesela asked. “I’m not eating rations.”
Seles went into the storage room behind the serving counter. After digging for a few minutes she emerged with a multitude of ingredients. Mira and Jesela ran over when they saw her fire up the oven.
“What’s that?” Mira asked.
“I’m not a chef but I think I know what it is,” Jesela said.
Seles started mixing the ingredients in a bowl. “I’m a fair cook myself,” she said. “But if there’s one dish that’ll chase away the fatigue I know it by heart.”
“Is it pizza?” Mira asked.
“That’s right,” Seles said. “Brian says if he’s remembered for nothing else it’ll be the fact he brought this to us.”
“Even the Shandi and Malcovin have taken to it of late,” Jesela said. “Amongst Kalaidians it’s considered a gourmet dish.”
Seles rolled the dough out before spinning it above her head. After a few minutes she spread it into a circle. She then spread some red sauce on it and sprinkled some plant based cheese substitute on top. Checking it over one more time, she made sure the pizza was perfect before sliding it into the oven.
“I haven’t had a chance to try your cooking,” Mira said.
“That would be both of us,” Jesela added.
“It took me a few tries to get this thing right,” Seles said.
“The crust toss did it for me,” Mira said.
As the pizza cooked the aroma filled the room and started seeping down the hall. Kyli led the curious trainees and crew in the area to the cafeteria. A number of them stepped forward and looked to Seles.
“Would you make some for us commander?” one of them asked.
Seles looked over the numbers as they grew.
“You’ve got some fans,” Mira said. “I’m kind of jealous.”
Freedom Saga 1: Heaven's Light Page 10