Freedom Saga 1: Heaven's Light (13 page)

The moon below
rumbled with exploding lava and steam. Ship after ship exploded as its shields
were quickly drained; the Lances fell even quicker. The rest of the
Confederation ships remained at a distance as their allies were annihilated.

“This is
madness,” Baeron said while watching. “Are you sure about not moving in?”

“We will wait,”
Siata said. “Their ships are capable of jumping once per day, twice if we’re
unlucky. They haven’t used that capability yet and our fleets in the
surrounding systems are prepared.” She watched as the last few ships were
destroyed. “Still, the amount of soldiers and materials spent are greater than
we could’ve imagined.”

“That’s an
understatement,” Baeron said. “What do you think they’re next move is?”

“I don’t know,”
Siata said. “Valis knows the number game is too great. No tactical genius can
overcome our sheer numerical superiority. Even if they run they can’t do so for
long. Our security net is simply too great for a heavy class vessel like theirs
to gravity jump without issuing a disturbance.”

“Then follow at
a distance as we’re already doing?” the Minan commander asked.

“Yes,” Siata
said.

* *
*

Brian struggled
to focus his mind. Hundreds of screams assaulted him as those caught in the
eruption died. When the last ship was destroyed the pain inside him subsided.

“You don’t look
good,” the Mjolnir said.

“I don’t feel my
best,” Brian said.

“All mobile
suits return to base,” Valis ordered.

Each of the
Raknas and Fangs quickly made their way back onboard their ships. Brian
hesitated and turned the Mjolnir to face the distant Confederation forces.

“Let’s go home,”
he said.

“Of course,” the
mobile suit said.

The Mjolnir
headed back to the Avoni as it and the other two ships flew away. After the
mobile suit landed Brian stood up to leave.

“This is the
last time I may be here old friend,” he said.

“What about me?”
the Mjolnir asked.

Brian patted the
monitor. “Meldi’s looking forward to piloting you. When the time comes I’ll
send you home.”

“What about
you?”

Brian smiled as
he checked the contact in his left eye. “We’ll worry about that when the time
comes.”

He opened the
front hatch and took the elevator cord down. At the bottom Daes waited.

“Give him a good
look over,” Brian said.

“I will,” she
said before taking the elevator cord back up.

He watched while
the engineers and pilots ran around the launching bay. Despite the state of his
mind he felt their feelings. Their minds and souls reached out as he left the
room.

* *
*

Esra and El Kar
appeared on the main monitor of the Avoni again while the three ships quickly
made their way to an asteroid field nearby. Valis looked at the size of the
enemy fleet shadowing them.

“I’ll bet this
is what it looks like no matter where we go,” Esra said.

“Their
determination is only matched by their idiocy,” El Kar added.

“So what are we going
to do now Valis?” Esra asked.

“I’m working on
that right now,” Valis said while working on her computer. “But the numbers are
messing with any scenario I come up with.”

“Even the best
need time for these things,” El Kar said. “The enemy is keeping their distance
for now so we can consider our options. I’ll be in touch with both of you when
everything’s figured out.”

El Kar
disappeared from the screen.

“Things look
bad,” Esra said. “If we can’t hold out longer than this our allies won’t have
time to prepare.”

“No,” Valis
said. “The Confederation is giving us a chance to surrender. El Kar’s right, we
have some time Esra. Let’s take our time and think.”

“Alright,” Esra
said. “Contact me as soon as you have something.”

“I will,” Valis
said. The two captains saluted before the monitor went black. She pressed the com.
“All senior officers are to report to the bridge.” She stood up and paced
around the bridge. A moment passed before Brian entered. Valis looked to Zae.
“Keep everyone here until we’re done.”

“Of course,” Zae
said.

Valis waved for
Brian to follow her into the strategy room. Silence ensued until the door
closed behind him. She stood at the other end of the room and tried to hide her
face.

“You know this
is the only option left to us,” he said.

“I can see
that,” Valis said. “Perhaps my brilliance is overrated.”

“No strategy, no
tactics, nothing can stand against an enemy that’s superior in every way,”
Brian said. “Even if we commit ourselves to guerilla style tactics it won’t
last for long.”

He removed the
contact from his left eye and showed it wasn’t glowing. Valis turned with tears
in her eyes.

“Are you?” she
asked.

“No,” Brian
said. “I’m only suppressing it for a few minutes.” He smiled. “I wanted to look
at you one more time with my real eye.”

She held him
tightly. “I don’t want you to leave me, not now.”

“I know,” he
said. “Part of me wishes I could stay forever. My time serving under you has
been the best part of my life…I wouldn’t change a thing.” He brushed the tears
from her face. “I don’t want to leave you looking like this. Show me your smile
Valis; I know it’s in there somewhere.”

She composed
herself before wiping away the tears. She smiled with a brightness he’d never
seen in her before. “I love you,” she said.

“I know,” he said.
He leaned down and kissed her passionately. After pulling away he stared into
her eyes. “I’m glad we met and shared this time together. There are so many
things I need to thank you for but there’s not enough time to list them all.”
He winced and clutched his left eye. “Dammit!”

“Something always
spoils the moment,” she said.

He laughed as he
put the contact back into his red glowing eye. “When I come back I promise some
time with you. Hopefully my eye won’t be glowing when that happens.”

“It kills the
ambiance,” Valis said. She held his hand. “Don’t die, okay?”

“I don’t plan on
it,” he said.

“Where will you
go?”

Brian pointed to
the stars outside, “Earth.”

“So you’re
heading home,” she said.

“Not anymore,”
he said. “My home is with you and the others now.”

“What will you
do if reach Earth?

“Change it,” he
said. “Like what we’re trying to do now. If they want to survive the people of
Alden must change. That includes humanity.”

“What happens if
you’re captured beforehand?”

“Then I’ll warn
them any way I can,” Brian said.

* *
*

The senior
officers of the Avoni gathered on the bridge. Daes fiddled around at her
console while Meldi paced about nervously. Baed and Vae sat calmly at their
stations while Zae frantically worked away at her chair. Celi stood near the
door to the strategy room.

“They’ve been in
there a long time,” she said.

“You don’t
think,” Meldi said.

“Not right now,”
Zae said. “Whatever it is they’re doing in there it isn’t what you’re
thinking.”

Everyone in the
room laughed as the door opened. Both Valis and Brian let out a deep sigh upon
seeing the others cackling away.

“Alright
everyone,” Valis said. “I’d say at ease. But I don’t have to from your
laughter.”

“No, they’re
already there,” Brian added.

“So what is it
you wanted to talk to us about?” Daes asked.

Valis went to
her chair. “It doesn’t take a tactical genius to understand the situation. Our
numbers are few and our enemies great. Even if we gravity jump we’re limited to
two at the most. I suspect the Confederation has called all their fleets to pursue
us. Given the prospects our options are few if any.” She looked at Brian. “Are
you sure about this?”

“I am,” he said.

“Then we’ll act
according to your plan,” Valis said.

“What plan?”
Celi asked.

“They’re after
me,” Brian said. “If I leave their interest in the Avoni will wane quickly.”

“How are you
going to do that?” Zae asked.

“I’ll take the
Mjolnir and head out in a few hours,” he said.

“Captain, the
fleet is moving to encircle us,” Baed reported.

Brian looked at
the others. “I’d prefer to say a proper farewell but I need to get ready.”

Brian looked
around his room one more time before slinging a bag over his shoulder. He
walked without saying a word as he made his way to the launching bay. When he
got there he noticed Meldi leaning against the leg of the Mjolnir. She nodded
as he made his way to the mobile suit.

“I thought you
were going to give him to me,” she said with a smile.

Brian put his
hand on the Mjolnir. “I’m taking him on a little road trip first,” he looked at
her, “He’ll come back to you Meldi.”

The other pilots
and engineers gathered around him.

“Are you leaving
us for good?” Myli asked.

“Perhaps,” Brian
said before turning to address them. “Though our paths are different our hearts
are one. Heaven’s Light is not a dream but an eventuality. Our goal is not
conquest or glory. The world we want is so close it causes us pain. There’s a
chance we’ll never see each other again. I’ll do everything in my power to
return; make sure you do the same.” He looked at Meldi and Myli, along with the
others there. “For those who returned from the sojourn they know my heart and
desires. To those who weren’t, look to those who survived. They’ll guide you
through any darkness. This I promise.” He took the elevator cord up while
watching those below him.

“We promise
Brian,” Meldi said. The others agreed.

“I accept,” he
said.

He stepped
inside the cockpit and found Daes waiting in the pilot’s chair.

“Take care of
him,” she said.

“I will,” Brian
said. He turned to the monitor. “Have you said goodbye?”

“Goodbye
mother,” the Mjolnir said.

Tears welled in
Daes’s eyes. “I didn’t know my son would be so big.”

“He is a mobile
suit after all,” Brian said.

“Thank you,” she
said. Before leaving she looked to the monitor. “Take care Mjolnir.”

“I will mother,”
the mobile suit said.

Daes held back
the tears as she stepped outside the cockpit. “Goodbye.”

“Take care
Daes,” he said before the hatch closed.

Brian tossed his
bag into the back room and closed the door. He returned to the cockpit and
checked everything over before locking his helmet into place.

“Where are we
headed?” the Mjolnir asked.

“Earth,” Brian
said. “But we have a few things to do before leaving. Get your com systems
ready.”

“As you command,”
the mobile suit said.

* *
*

The Confederation
fleet continued tightening its encirclement around the Avoni, Daevoni, and
Reinkar as they flew into an asteroid field. Esra and El Kar were on the
monitor of the Avoni as they looked over the plan Valis sent to them earlier.

“This feels wrong,”
El Kar said. “I’d rather stay by his side to the very end.”

“I agree,” Esra
said. “But feelings must be dispensed in situations like this.”

Valis walked
towards the screen. “I know how both of you feel. There’s nothing more painful
than watching him leave alone, but Brian made the decision. Once he’s gone our
escape will be ensured. We’ll return to the Columbia base as per the plan.”

The Mjolnir
launched outside and moved between the three ships. All around them the
Confederation fleet moved in. They began launching their Lances and readied
their weapons. A com opened to all three ships from the Mjolnir.

“Esra, El Kar,
take care of each other and Valis,” Brian said. “The future of Heaven’s Light
depends on captains who trust each other and have a common goal.” He switched
the channel to the Avoni only. “Baed, Zae, look after each other. The love you
share will keep you strong.” The two looked to each other and smiled. “Celi,
thanks for everything you’ve done for me. When I should’ve died you saved me. I
hope one day my blood can save your people for once and for all.” He paused
again. “Daes, you’re an amazing engineer. In only a decade the people of Alden
have advanced further than the prior two centuries. You may think it’s only
because of me, but it’s actually because of you. Keep working Daes, the world
is watching for what you’ll create next.” He looked to the other pilots. “To
Meldi and Myli, we fought through the worst thing imaginable. We survived
because we believed in each other. I ask you to believe once more. Fight, fight
until the world we dream of has come true. Even if we don’t see the light of
that world it’s our duty to see it through.” He paused one more time. “Valis, I
ask you to change the world. People can be so much more than they know. What we
want is a world where fear is on the run and hope rules. We want a world where
dreams are grown instead of crushed. That’s the world we all want. If I can’t
make it happen then you must. Save the people of Alden from the despair the
Greys bring. I beg you…save them.” There was a pause as the Mjolnir lit up and
flew towards the Confederation fleet. “I love you Valis. Carry those feelings
like a torch through the long night. I’ll do the same for you. We will meet
again. On my honor as a
Maigar
and as your commander I promise this.”

* *
*

Both Baeron and
Siata observed the Mjolnir as it flew away from the three ships.

“What do you
suppose their plan is?” Baeron asked.

“I’ve lost the
script,” Siata said. “If she’s trying something I can’t see it.”

“Sir, the
Mjolnir is hailing us,” the communications officer reported.

“Put him
through,” Baeron ordered.

“Yes sir,” the
officer said.

The image of
Brian in his exoskeleton appeared on the monitor of every Confederation ship
and mobile suit. Siata floated over to the monitor with Baeron at her side.

“Are you
surrendering yourself Commander Peterson?” the female Mylor asked.

“No,” he
answered. “The charges brought against me are false. No court you offer is
fair. To surrender is to die for what I’m charged with.”

“You will be
heard,” Siata said. “I wouldn’t let them take you so they can execute you.”

“I believe you
Siata,” Brian said. “But believing in the system is another matter. I will
fight until the end.”

“What are you
planning?” Baeron asked.

“Nothing spectacular
commander Baeron,” Brian said.

The three ships
turned on their phase cloaks. The space around them wavered for a moment as
their gravity drives teleported them far away. The Mjolnir began emitting the
red glow it often had of recent days.

“Catch me if you
can, kill me if you must,” Brian said. “But you won’t take away my freedom.”

The Mjolnir
flickered as it gravity jumped away.

“What will we
do?” Baeron asked.

Siata hissed.
“We’ll follow the Mjolnir. Our priority is to capture the Terran alive. The
other three ships have fallen off the list. Concentrate our scouting fleets on
that task.”

“Yes captain,”
the communications officer said as he relayed the orders throughout the fleet.

* *
*

The Mjolnir
appeared in a nearby star system a moment later. It stopped emitting particles
as it shifted into ship form and turned on its phase cloak. Brian popped his
helmet off and sighed with relief. As he opened his eyes his left one was
glowing red through the contact lens.

“No need for
this thing any longer,” he said as he tossed the lens off his eye. It shattered
when it hit the floor.

“Is our
destination Earth?” the Mjolnir asked.

“Yeah, that’s
where we’re going,” Brian said. “To the home I once knew and hope is still
there.”

“It’ll take us
three months to reach it,” the Mjolnir said.

“That’s
alright,” Brian said. “To be honest I’ve wanted to go on a road trip like
this.”

“A road trip?”
the Mjolnir asked. “What’s that?”

“It’s a chance
to travel and admire the scenery,” Brian explained. “In all my time in space
I’ve rarely had the chance to look at the beauty around me.”

“You’ll have to
tell me how that works,” the mobile suit said. “You know my concepts of beauty
are quite different from an organic being like yourself.”

“True,” Brian
said. “Set course for the sixth planet in this system.”

“Why that one?”
the Mjolnir asked.

“I’ve been told
the rings are beautiful this time of the year.”