Freedom Saga 1: Heaven's Light (15 page)

Seles opened her
eyes and glanced around the room she slept in. Her belongings remained in a set
of carrying cases and bags in the corner of the room. She shook off the lethargy
and slipped on a robe before standing up to stretch. A light flashed below the
monitor in her room. Curious, she went over and touched it. A young Kalaidian
ensign with short red hair and blue eyes appeared on the screen.

“Commander, a
message has been received from the Avoni,” she reported.

“Thank you
ensign,” Seles said. “Put it through.”

“Yes commander,”
the ensign said.

Valis appeared
from her quarters on the Avoni.

“I’m sorry
Seles,” she said.

“We already
know,” Seles said. “Brian left a message behind.”

“I don’t blame
him,” Valis said. “I tried stopping him, but he was determined.”

“That’s what I
expected,” Seles said. “Do you want to get together?”

“I’d appreciate
that,” Valis said.

“How about
meeting in the mess hall in the base?” Seles asked.

“I’ll be there
in an hour.”

“An hour it is,”
Seles said.

The monitor
flipped back to the ensign.

“If anyone else
needs to contact me I’ll have my com active, alright?”

“I got it
commander,” the ensign said before ending transmission.

Seles went to
her bags and pulled out an old
rakna
blade she’d been holding onto.

“I never thought
I’d be the big sister,” she said to herself.

* *
*

Mira continued
fighting a number of small Grey attack vessels in the simulator. Her virtual
mobile suit took a number of hits but came through with the victory. She closed
her eyes and took a deep breath when the simulation ended. The hatch opened to
allow her to step outside, Jesela handed her a bottle of water.

“Thanks,” she
said before taking a huge gulp.

“You’re getting
pretty good,” Jesela said.

“Am I as good as
her?” Mira asked.

“I’d have to say
no for now,” Jesela said. “But to be honest only two pilots can match or
surpass her. That’d be Brian or Dreka.”

“I guessed as
much,” Mira said.

She sat down on
the step in front of the machine.

“Let’s try it
again,” Jesela said. “But this time I’m put in the specs of the Siren.”

“Are you sure I
can handle it?”

“You can,”
Jesela said.

“Alright,” Mira
said as she stepped back inside the simulator.

Jesela went to
the main computer and programmed in the settings. Inside, Mira noticed the
controls change a little bit.

“Wow, this is
different,” Mira said.

“Just wait until
combat starts,” Jesela said. “That’s when everything changes.”

* *
*

Seles waited in
the mess hall of the Columbia base while wearing her exoskeleton. After a few
minutes Valis entered and joined her.

“That looks
strange on you,” Valis said when the two of them sat down.

“You’re not
wearing yours,” Seles observed.

“True,” Valis
said. “But mine isn’t quite finished.”

“So what did you
want to talk about?”

“Right to the
point,” Valis said. “That’s not like you.”

Seles smiled.
“I’ve had to get used to it because I’m barking orders all the time.”

“Command is
different from subordinate,” Valis said. She paused to gather her thoughts. “I
want to talk about Brian.”

“He left us the
message,” Seles said. “I hoped he’d come back with you but didn’t expect it.
That’s just like him.”

“I thought he’d
changed,” Valis said. “But I was wrong. Even in the condition he’s in his
instinct is to charge in alone.”

“I’m afraid
that’s how he’ll always be till the end of his days,” Seles said. “So how’s the
crew taking it?”

“They expected
as much,” Valis said. She looked aside. “I took for granted everything he
brought to us. Now I can see it. When he came to the Avoni he changed us
forever.”

“He changed you
the most,” Seles said.

“What do you
mean by that?” Valis asked.

“You’re acting
like a confused adolescent,” Seles said.

Valis laughed.
“You got that right,” she said. “How can you stand it?”

“Not being with
him?”

“Yeah,” Valis
said.

Seles sighed.
“It’s not like it was a choice. Since his left eye started glowing he’s been
vacant on our nights together. Sometimes I felt he was looking through me and
not at me. After a while I got used to it.” She smiled. “I’m sure it’s the same
with Mira. In a way we got used to it because he left us sooner.”

“That’s
horrible,” Valis said.

“Yeah, but he’ll
come to his senses sooner or later,” Seles said. “As far as he’s gone I have a
feeling Brian won’t leave us. I’m praying he doesn’t come back as some strange
life form.”

“I can guess
why,” Valis said.

“He wouldn’t be
much fun in the bedroom like that,” Seles said. “Is there anything else?”

“Before we move
forward I’d like to meet with Myden,” Valis said. “Both El Kar and myself need
to speak with him about a number of things.”

“I’m sorry to
say this but he’s not here right now,” Seles said. “I wanted to talk to him
yesterday and found he’s gone.”

“Did he leave a
message about when he’d be coming back?”

“Myden never
leaves messages,” Seles said. “But as soon as he comes back I’ll arrange it.”

“Thank you,”
Valis said. “How’s the Freedom coming along?”

“Why don’t I
show you?” Seles offered as she stood up.

She led Valis to
the docking bay. They stood before the massive ship.

“I’m curious to
know why he wanted it made so big,” Valis said.

“I’m not sure
about that,” Seles said. “I do know its capacity for mobile suits is twice the
Avoni’s and its power systems are second to none. From what Jesela keeps
telling me it’s a match for an Original Five vessel.”

Kivi and Dreka
stepped out of the Raulno and joined them.

“The Freedom
would easily be a match for a Mylor battleship,” Dreka said.

“Interesting,”
Valis said. “How do our ships compare?”

“If the Avoni,
Daevoni, and Raulno combined their resources they might be able to sink it,”
Dreka said. “But I wouldn’t count on it.”

“Sounds like
we’re going to need another upgrade,” Kivi said. “Dreka, when could you get on
that?”

“I’ll start
preparations as soon as the Gemini is finished,” the birdman answered.

“What’s taking
you so long?” Seles said.

Dreka cawed. “I
had a moment of absolute genius. Yes, I did. After a few nights without sleep I
completed the system needed for the Gemini program. Kivi will be unbeatable
with it.”

“I wonder why he
insisted each of us had a special mobile suit built,” Valis said. “I can
understand Seles and Kivi, you two are warriors after all, but for Mira, Celi,
and me it’s different.”

“It’s because
you bear the mark of the Maidens,”
Myden said telepathically. The four
turned to see him step out of the Freedom.
“Where one falls five will stand;
that’s the principle behind the Teacher’s plan.”

“I’d like you to
explain a few things,” Valis said. “We’re tired of being in the dark Myden.”

“I understand,”
the old Grey said with his raspy voice. “It was necessary to keep most of you
in the dark. Until now my only confidant has been Grigon. I will call for a
meeting soon to explain everything. For now I’ll only say this much: The plan
requires the five Maidens have chariots. The chosen design happens to be mobile
suits, but anything allowing you to focus your energies would do.”

“Where does
Brian fit into this plan?” Valis asked.

“The Warrior
acts as the catalyst for the Maidens,” he said. “He begins the process of awakening
in each of you.”

“If I remember
my chemistry right a catalyst is consumed in the process,” Kivi said. “What
happens to him?”

“If he survives
the process he will remain as a powerful ally,” Myden said.

“What if he
doesn’t?” Seles asked.

“Then the Maidens
better get their act together,” Myden said. “Otherwise Alden will be consumed
in madness.”

Celestia stood
in the throne room of the royal palace surrounded by officers of numerous
ranks, mixed in with them were a few Braiden officers. The room had monitors in
every convenient spot to observe the goings on inside the Confederation. The
doors opened resoundingly as Jabril entered with a quartet of officers. She met
Celestia at the top of the steps.

“What’s the latest?”
Celestia asked.

“According to
our intelligence reports the Mjolnir headed out on its own,” Jabril said. “But
what’s got High Council sweating is this.”

She pointed to
the monitors as they displayed the battle between the Mjolnir and the Reiki
suppressors. Celestia and everyone in the room stopped what they were doing to
watch the recording. After a few minutes of silence the door opened again.
Ambassador Jita of the Mylor Republic came through. The others started up their
conversations as he made his way to Celestia and Jabril.

“Lord Jita, what
brings you to our meeting?” Celestia asked.

The Mylor
floated silently while the replay appeared on the screen. “I came regarding
your world’s current stance on Heaven’s Light,” he said with his robotic voice.
“If you continue funding their organization the High Council will sanction
you.”

“Threatening us
will do nothing about our decision,” Jabril said. “This was not decided by the
Parliament or nobility. This was decided by the vote of the people of Kali.
We’re simply following their will.”

“Is this the
truth?” he asked after turning to Celestia.

“Yes,” she said.
“If they wish to push for sanctions then do so. Kalaidia was brought back from
the dead by Brian. We’ll stand by him no matter the feelings of the High
Council.”

“Then I’ll
convey your decision,” Jita said. He watched the video as it played.

“Does the video
bother you?” Celestia asked.

“No,” Jita said.
“But it bothers many others. An awakened Terran is unacceptable at this
juncture, especially if his destination is correct.”

“Have your
people figured out where he’s headed?” Jabril asked.

“If the pattern
of sightings hold true he’ll reach Terra Prime in a few months,” the Mylor
ambassador said. “We must prevent him from reaching his homeworld at all costs.
Otherwise there will be another Geluke Don.”

* *
*

Seles watched
Valis and Celi practice in the simulators. After a prolonged virtual battle
ending with their victory the two emerged from the pods looking exhausted. After
both took a drink of water they went to Seles.

“So, how did we
do?” Celi asked.

Seles shook her
head. “I see why he was yelling at you.”

“We’re that
bad?” Valis asked.

“You’re not as
bad as I feared,” Seles said. “We can count our blessings Brian’s distracting
them for the moment.”

“So what are we
doing wrong?” Valis asked.

“Don’t make fun
of us, show us,” Celi said.

“Alright,” Seles
said. “You know the basic idea behind our special mobile suits.”

“One acts as the
attacker while the second is support,” Valis said. “It works the same way with
you and Mira on the Freedom.”

“That’s the
basic premise,” Seles said. “But the two of you aren’t acting in sync. Battle
is like a dance. If you and your partner act as one victory will be the result.
Let’s try this again with me as your opponent.”

“Sure,” Celi
said.

“The best way to
learn is by demonstration,” Valis said.

Seles stepped
out of her exoskeleton before joining them in the simulators. She programmed
the battle scenario to take place in a gas giant’s ice and rock filled ring
system. Her choice of vessel was a Phase Rakna. When the other two loaded up
the virtual versions of the Minerva and Aegis appeared nearby. Seles activated
the com.

“Now I’m going
to appear from a random location,” she explained. “The two of you are going to
try shooting me down.”

“As you wish,”
Valis said.

The Aegis
activated its shield and held next to the Minerva. Valis turned her scanners on
and charged the pulse cannon.

“She chose the
worst situation,” Celi said.

“No,” Valis
said. “The middle of a massive battle would’ve been worse.”

“You’re right
now that you mention it,” Celi said.

A Phase Rakna
flew from behind a nearby icy chunk and fired a series of pulse cannon shots at
them. The Aegis’s shield held strong and deflected all of the attacks. The
mobile suit ducked behind a series of asteroids. A few minutes later the Rakna
did a pass from a different angle and was deflected like the first time.

“I think one of
us needs to move,” Celi said. “She’s moving closer with each volley.”

“Agreed,” Valis
said.

The Minerva flew
away from the Aegis. As it did so Valis activated the demo version of her
mobile suit’s combat data system. She turned her mobile suit around and aimed
the rifle for the asteroid behind the Aegis. As she fired the pulse cannon the
Phase Rakna moved away and returned fire. The Aegis flew in between and
absorbed the attack. The Minerva flew in and drew its sword. Before the Rakna
could fly away the Minerva slashed and cut off one of its legs. Seles retreated
behind some asteroids. A warning sign came up on the Minerva. Valis pulled back
as a nearby ice chunk exploded because of a mine. She checked the system again
and fired the cannon at another asteroid, this time damaging the Phase Rakna
severely. Seles put up the call sign. The simulation ended and all three
stepped outside.

“It seems the
Minerva’s systems are better than I thought,” Seles said. She smiled at the
other two. “You finally displayed the team work I mentioned.”

“I’m the sword,”
Valis said.

“And I’m the
shield,” Celi added.

“Together the two
of you make a complete warrior,” Seles said. “But from what I can see it’s
important that the five of us get together and do battle simulations.”

“Agreed,” Valis
said. “The Minerva’s systems are best used in conjunction with a unit.”

“Do we have the
other suit’s specs in the system?” Celi asked.

“Yes,” Seles
said. “Jesela can add the Artemis and Siren. I’m sure when he’s ready Dreka
will add the Gemini.”

“I think I’m
getting the hang of this,” Valis said.

“Remember one
thing,” Seles said. “Fight in your mobile suits without using the special
systems as much as possible. Otherwise they’ll be a crutch when their use is
limited.”

“Good idea,”
Celi said.

“I can think of
a few situations when the Minerva’s systems won’t be of much help,” Valis said.
She glanced at the simulators. “How about getting together once a day for an
hour until our debut?”

“I can handle
that,” Celi said.

“No problem,”
Seles said. “I’m sure the others can make it.”

“It’s not like
we have much to do right now,” Valis said.

* *
*

Trai Gor and
Shiken Ka stood at the top of the main orbital tower above Shandi Prime. The
entire structure was filled with fanfare in celebration of the orbital ring’s
completion. Outside, the docks were building numerous warships and mobile
armors.

“The Mylor ambassador
keeps saying ominous things to me,” Trai Gor said. “It seems the High Council
wants to sanction us.”

“They won’t,”
Shiken Ka said. “Both Kalaidia and Shandi are too important to the overall
economy of the Confederation. The last thing they want is to shoot their
providence in the tail.”

Trai Gor laughed.
“All too true,” he paused as another heavy class vessel launched from the dock,
“The only economy more important than ours is the Malcovin.”

“That’s only
because of their greedy king,” Shiken said. “I’ve heard some nasty rumors of
late that his soldiers are posing as mercenaries and exploiting a number of
Odairan colonies.”

“Not surprising
considering their vow of pacifism,” Trai Gor said. “But who am I to judge?
After all, by throwing in with Heaven’s Light our goal is peace.”

“We must be
strong to ensure it happens,” Shiken said. “Well, it’s time for me to leave
again.”

“Stay strong
Shiken,” Trai Gor said.

“And to you as
well my lord,” he said before leaving the room.

Trai Gor checked
to make sure he was alone. “You can come out now.”

“I waited for
him to leave for a while,”
Myden said telepathically.
“So Lord Gor, is
everything in place?”

“Yes,” the
Shandi lord said. “When the time is right the High Council will fall to its
knees.”