Freedom Saga 1: Heaven's Light (9 page)

Brian stared at
the wall in the medical lab while Celi took another blood sample. She placed it
on a small plastic dish and put it into the scanner.

“Could you
remove the contact lens?” she asked.

Brian removed
the lens from his left eye to reveal it was glowing red. She took a close look at
it.

“Is your sight
being affected in any way?”

“Not that I
notice,” he said.

She shook her
head. “You’d think if your eye was glowing it would mess with your sight.” She
moved to his right eye. “Is this one giving you any trouble?”

“No.”

“What about your
left arm?”

“Not a problem.”

“Hmm…” Celi took
his left arm and checked it over. “The artificial arm helps you maintain
balance.”

“So my decision
to stay this way paid off?” he asked.

“It seems so,”
she said. “If you had gone through regenerative treatment you might be dead by
now.”

“Staying half
machine was the best decision I ever made,” he said as he put the contact lens
back in his left eye. “Have you had any luck coming up with a treatment?”

“I don’t have a
cure for your condition right now,” she admitted. “It’s going to be awhile
before I can figure it out. But I do have something just in case.” Celi went to
the drawer and pulled out a small bottle. She took out an injector and filled it.
“This could save your life.”

“What is it?”

“This will shut
down the nanomachines if things get really bad,” Celi explained. “But because
of all the things nanomachines do for you it’s going to be a problem. Your
perceptive skills will return to what they were when you first met us.
Languages will become much more difficult for you to understand. But most of
all your immune system will suffer, not to mention you’ll start aging at a
faster rate.”

“Not like I have
much choice in the matter,” he said.

Celi handed the
injector to him. “I want you to carry one of these on you at all times. If you
need to use it remember one thing: upon injection you must put forth a command
phrase. Doing so will activate the nanomachines again. The only problem is
you’ll have to get another injection afterwards.”

“Alright,” he
said. He put the injector into a compartment in his exoskeleton. “Do you know
what’s happening to me?”

“From the
strange energy fluctuations throughout your body I’m sure it’s not the plague
this time,” Celi said. “It’s closer to what happened when you awakened during
the last battle with the Greys.”

“Is it supposed
to be like this?”

“Perhaps
awakening too fast is a bad thing,” Celi suggested. “But from the readings it
appears you’re berserking all the time.”

“It’s hard to
focus right now,” he said. A beep came from his wrist computer. “It looks like
it’s time to see Daes.”

“Give me a
minute to put everything away first,” Celi said.

* *
*

Daes pulled out
a panel inside the Mjolnir’s cockpit and began replacing the hardware inside.

“Thanks Daes,”
the Mjolnir said.

“You’re
welcome,” she said as she closed the panel and moved to the next one. “It won’t
be much longer now.” She pulled out another panel and replaced the hardware
inside.

“What will the
upgrades do for me?” the mobile suit asked.

“You’re weapons
and shields will be fifty percent stronger,” she said. “And once we replace
your boosters your speed and maneuverability will increase by a hundred
percent.”

“I’m glad to
hear it,” the mobile suit said.

“Done,” she said
as she close the last panel. “I’m going to reboot your systems. It’ll take a
few minutes before you go back online.”

“I don’t mind
taking a nap,” the Mjolnir said.

“Sweet dreams
young one,” Daes said. She turned the Mjolnir’s computer systems off. They
flashed on a moment later and began updating. “You’ve grown so much over the
years.”

Tears welled in
her eyes as she looked around the mobile suit. She heard the door to the
launching bay open and wiped her face. Taking the elevator cord down, Daes was
met at the floor by Valis, Brian, and Celi.

“How’s he doing?”
Brian asked.

Daes tapped the
leg with her hand. “After a few minutes his systems will be updated.”

“How are the
other two coming along?” Valis asked.

“The Aegis is
ready to go anytime it’s needed,” Daes said. “Although it’s shield array has to
be completed at the base.”

She led the
three to the other end of the launching bay and turned on the lights. Standing
before them were two mobile suits. The Aegis looked the same as when it was first
crafted four years ago. The other mobile suit was a mix of silver and purple.
It was equipped with the same armaments as the Mjolnir.

“The Minerva
still needs a lot of work on its systems,” Daes explained. “But otherwise it
could launch as an extra mobile suit.”

“How much longer
will it be until it’s finished?” Valis asked.

“Another two or
three months,” Daes said. “The precognition system is experimental to say the
least. We’re inputting all battle data we can find throughout know history.”

Valis went to the
Minerva and touched its leg before turning to Brian. “Are you sure about this?”

“Yes,” he said.
“This will lead us to victory. Trust it Valis, as much as you trust me.”

“Alright,” she
said.

* *
*

Zae was on the
bridge with Baed and Vae. The Avoni and Reinkar were currently moving through
an asteroid belt in a resource system of Reiki controlled space.

“This feels all
too familiar,” Baed commented.

“We’ve been
hunted like this before,” Vae added.

“It’s the
constant tension that gets you,” Zae said. “But this time at least our enemies
have a sense of morality.”

“Why is the
Confederation so bent on destroying us?” Vae asked.

“It’s not the
Confederation as a whole,” Baed said, “But the ones financing everything. Money
rules worlds and our organization isn’t in it for the money.”

“We oppose the
order they welcome,” Zae said. “We choose the rights of people over the wealth
of the few. I’m sure if the people had their vote the High Council would
endorse our plan.”

“It just seems
like more useless fighting,” Vae said.

“That’s because
it is,” Baed said. A blip appeared on her console. “It looks like we’ve been
spotted.”

“How many ships
are we dealing with?” Zae asked.

Baed checked the
scans and put the image on the monitor. “It appears to be a scouting fleet of
eight.” The display showed they were being pursued by two heavy and six medium
class vessels. “They’re deploying their mobile suits.”

Zae hit the com.
“All crew are to report to battle stations.”

* *
*

Valis headed for
the door when the pilots flooded in. She turned back to Brian. “Controlled
Chaos, alright?”

“I’ll do my
best,” he said as he headed for the Mjolnir.

Celi ran for the
door to head back to sickbay while Daes ordered the engineers about. As Brian
entered the cockpit the Mjolnir’s systems went back online.

“How are you
feeling?” he asked as he took his seat.

“Strangely
better,” the Mjolnir said. “It’s like I can think faster.”

“That’s what an
upgrade will do,” Brian said. “Our mission plan is Controlled Chaos.”

“Loading,” the
mobile suit said. A moment passed before the plan appeared on the monitor. “I’m
linking the data to all mobile suits.”

Meldi and Myli
appeared on the monitor split screen.

“So Controlled
Chaos it is,” Meldi said. “It seems kind of soon to use this.”

“Their numbers
must be high,” Myli added.

Brian looked at
them. “Not at the moment. But if we’ve been spotted we can assume more are on the
way. They’re going to hit us in waves.”

“Which one of us
will be the package carrier?” Myli asked.

“You’ll be
heading it up Myli,” Brian said.

“Alright,” she
said.

Myli led the way
as half the Phase Raknas launched with their stealth cloaks activated. They
flew into the asteroids and searched for suitable rocks.

“Is something on
your mind?” Brian asked as he and Meldi led the other half outside.

“It’s nothing,”
Meldi said. She changed the com to private, “Are you in condition to do this?”

“I think I can
handle it Meldi,” he said. “If you’re worried I’ll leave the line open so you
can keep an eye on me.”

“I’ll do so then,”
she said.

The eight ships
surrounded the Avoni and Reinkar while their Lances launched. The Raknas formed
a barrier around the Avoni while the Fangs did likewise for the Reinkar. El Kar
appeared on the main monitor of the Avoni’s bridge.

“We’re using
Controlled Chaos?” he asked.

“Yes,” Valis
said. “I was going to save it, but our foes are more persistent than planned.”

“They want the
Terran desperately,” El Kar said. He turned to his commander off screen. “Relay
the orders to our mobile armors. We will hold out.”

“Thank you El
Kar,” Valis said.

“No thanks are
needed until we’re victorious,” the snakeman said before ending transmission.

They watched as
the Mjolnir flew away from the Avoni on its own. As it approached the
Confederation mobile suits a strange waved pulsed throughout the ship. Zae and
Baed looked at each other.

“I’ve felt this
before,” Zae said while holding her hand next to her heart.

“Me too,” Baed
said.

“What is this?”
Valis asked. “I can feel his thoughts.”

* *
*

Brian sat in the
Mjolnir as his left eye glowed red. The particles within the drive moved
quickly in a matching the red hue. The glow enveloped the mobile suit as it
flew through the ranks of Lances and struck them one by one. Their attacks
seemed to fly through the Mjolnir as it cut them down. The Confederation fleet
turned all of its attacks on the mobile suit and fired with everything it had.
Brian concentrated as much as he could, but a few of their attacks hit the
shields and knocked the Mjolnir away.

“I see,” he
said. “So when fighting like this we can still be hit.”

“Only five
percent of their attacks are striking the shields,” the Mjolnir reported.

“It’s enough to
slow us down,” Brian said. He focused his eyes on the attack vessels behind the
Lances. “Let’s hit their ships.”

“Alright,” the
Mjolnir said.

“Focus on evasion
my friend,” Brian ordered. “I’ll stick with the weapons.”

The Mjolnir
danced through space as it dodged pulse blasts and HV missiles. It pointed its
blade at the nearest heavy class vessel and charged. The mobile suit flashed
through its shield a moment later and gutted the interior, causing the ship to
explode. The Mjolnir emerged unscathed and headed for the next enemy vessel.

* *
*

Valis shook her
head to focus her thoughts.

“It’s not the
same as before,” Baed said. “His thoughts are distant and the Mjolnir isn’t
fully immune to their attacks.”

“True, but to
see him fighting like this again is frightening,” Zae said.

“This is what
they fear,” Valis said. “Now I understand why they want him captured.”

“Their fleet is
pulling back to regroup,” Baed reported. “Our scanners show another fleet of
eight coming out of gravity jump.”

The Mjolnir
slashed through the third ship in its way. A message came through from Myli.

“Captain, the
package is one the way,” she said.

“Good,” Valis
said. “Meldi, you and the others have permission to help him.”

“Thanks
captain,” she said.

The Phase Raknas
broke away from the Avoni and flew in a sphere shaped formation towards the
Mjolnir. The Reinkar moved its Fangs and had them create a defensive barrier
around it and the Avoni. Away from the battle, the remaining Raknas with Myli
quietly pushed a number of asteroids towards the Confederation fleet.

“Captain, another
fleet of eight has appeared,” Baed reported.

“That’s enough
then,” she said. She pressed the com. “Brian, pull back to base for now.”

“On my way,” he
said.

“Meldi, secure
his escape and return to base as well,” Valis ordered.

“Yes captain,”
she said.

The mobile suits
carrying the asteroids pushed them towards the now crowded Confederation fleet
before pulling back to the Avoni.

“Detonate the
charges,” Valis ordered.

“Yes captain,”
Zae said as she set off the mines.

The asteroids
exploded and showered the Confederation fleet. As they pummeled the fleet the
Avoni and Reinkar slipped away. While they moved away the mobile suits and
mobile armors landed back on their respective ships. Once all the smaller
vessels were onboard the two ships activated their phase cloaks.

“Baed, are there
any good hiding spots?” Valis asked.

“I’ve found a
large asteroid that could be of use,” Baed said.

She put the
image on the monitor. Near the two cloaked ships a spherical rocky body two
hundred
ketres
in diameter was located.

“That looks like
a small planetoid,” Zae said.

“It’ll do,”
Valis said. “Take us in Vae.”

“Yes captain,”
Vae said.

“There were more
than anticipated,” Zae said.

“Yes,” Valis
said. “But not enough to change the mission plan.” She noticed Zae staring at
her. “What is it?”

“You’re worried
about him, aren’t you?” she asked.

Valis waved her
hand. “Of course, he’s my most valuable warrior.”

“That’s not what
I mean Valis,” Zae said.

“I know,” she
said. “He’s fought every foe I’ve ordered him to and more. And now he’s
changing as a result of it.”

“He’ll be
alright,” Zae said.

* *
*

Brian sat in the
Mjolnir and focused his mind. After a few minutes in silence he opened his eyes.

“It’s getting
worse,” the Mjolnir said.

“I know old
friend, I know,” Brian said.

A tap came from
outside. “Are you alright?” Meldi asked.

He opened the
hatch and saw her at the feet of the mobile suit. “Yeah, I’m just fine.”

“When you didn’t
come out right away everyone started worrying,” Meldi said.

“I’m glad you
care,” he said as he took the elevator cord down.

Daes ran over
and grabbed the cord as he stepped off and headed up to the cockpit. “I need to
collect some data after that last battle,” she said.

“As you wish,”
Brian said. He turned to say something to Meldi when his com activated.

“Brian, please
report to the bridge,” Valis ordered.

“Yes captain,”
he said.

“No rest for the
weary,” Meldi said.

“I’m spreading
too many of those Terran quotes around these days,” Brian said. “Take care of
everything with Myli and Daes.”

She watched him
leave the room and smiled. “I will Brian.”

* *
*

Brian entered
the bridge and found everyone standing at the bottom in discussion. Valis
looked to Zae.

“Take care of
things for a few minutes,” Valis said.

“Sure,” Zae said.

Valis turned to
Brian. “Could I speak to you in the planning room?”

Brian followed
her inside. The door closed and left the two of them alone.

“You’re letting
your emotions get the better of you Valis,” he said.

“Is that you
assessment as my first officer or because you’re reading my mind?”

“A little of
both,” he said. “Despite being in the condition I’m I can’t read minds. But my
sense of emotion is heightened.” He noticed a melancholic expression in her
aquamarine eyes. “I apologize if I’m worrying you to death.”

“In a way you
are,” she said. “But it’s not your fault, it’s mine. When I took you in I
forced you to fight.”

“No Valis, I chose
to fight,” he said. “The day I killed the Greys was the day I made that
decision. I accept it. What I can’t accept is your guilt for giving me orders.
I agreed to your terms in sound mind and body. Never once did I regret that decision.
One thing I will say is your place in Heaven’s Light is more important that you
know.”

“What about
yours?” she asked.

“I know the fate
I’m to endure,” Brian said. “I wasn’t supposed to survive the sojourn.”

“Was that in the
Teacher’s plan?” Valis asked. “You’re alive now.”

He removed the
contact lens from his left eye to let it glow red. “Do you call this alive?” he
asked. “I can’t tell dreams from reality anymore Valis. It’s not helping that I
hear its voice day and night.”

She took his
hand. “I’m real and can tell you are as well. Isn’t that enough?”

“I supposed,” he
said.

“Has Celi had
any luck helping you?”

Brian held up an
injector. “I can use this to shut down the nanomachines.”

“But you’ll…”

“I’ll lose a lot
of what I’ve been given,” he said. “But at least I’ll live.”

Valis looked
into his eyes. “I fear watching you grow old before our eyes. I don’t want to
see it.”

“I wouldn’t,”
Brian said. “I’ll cherish everyday I’m alive.”

“Then live,” she
said. “And hopefully Kali will shine her grace upon you again.”