Freedom Saga 1: Heaven's Light (25 page)

While the battle
outside Confederation headquarters raged on, the forces of Heaven’s Light began
pulling back. Near the bottom of the station two lights flashed as the Artemis
and Siren flew towards the Freedom. The two mobile suits went to standby mode
as their fleet receded. The Lances moved back to the massive station and formed
a number of defensive lines.

“So what’s
next?” Brian asked while clinging to a pole inside the Siren.

“We wait,” Mira
said. “Valis’s plan was for us to free you and see what the High Council
decides.”

“Interesting,”
he said.

“It’s good to
see you again,” Kivi said as she appeared on the monitor.

“How are you
feeling Brian?” Celi asked as she did the same.

“Better,” he
said.

“I’m glad you’re
alright,” Valis said.

“He’s back to
himself,” Seles explained.

“The part that’s
a fool at least,” Mira added.

Brian smiled.
“It’s good to see all of you again.”

Behind the
Columbia base a massive number of ships gravity jumped in. On one side three
hundred Kalaidian battleships appeared and deployed their Phase Raknas. On the
other side a fleet the same size from the Shandi appeared and deployed their
mobile armors.

“Things just got
interesting,” Mira said.

“More than
interesting,” Seles said.

* *
*

The High Council
was in panic mode upon the appearance of the two fleets. Both Queen Celestia
and the Premier Trai Gor were at the head. While chaos filled the chamber
Rechel made her way to the Mylor delegation. The exoskeleton covered cat people
looked down at the old rat woman as she shuffled into their area.

“The Odairan
delegation would like to call for another vote,” she explained.

“As you wish,”
Lord Kris said. He banged the gavel until order was finally found. “The Odarian
delegation has called for another vote on the issue at hand. We will honor this
action and do so.”

Each member race
voted again. The vote tally came to thirteen in favor and thirteen against. The
Odairan vote was delayed while Rechel returned to her people.

“Before voting
on these issues I’d like to address the High Council,” Rechel said. The room
went silent as the old rat woman stood before them. “As all of you know, the
Odairan people are devoted to peace above all things. Harmony is the greatest
thing we value. Living with others inevitability leads to conflict, but
violence can be avoided. After speaking extensively with Veda Kein I’m certain
of their mission. And given the evidence presented, we also believe Brian
Peterson has been wrongly convicted by those who don’t share his values. The
question of Heaven’s Light and Brian Peterson was never one of law. Both are
legal under our current structure. The question is actually one of values. I
ask you, what do you value? We of Odair value peace, prosperity, and a shared
future. Those who’ve been crusading against Brian have done so out of fear.
They fear the values he brings. They fear the future Heaven’s Light is trying
to create. If we must choose between our values and those you hold, then we
choose ours. The people of Odair won’t be oppressed by those who favor war and
power.” She pressed the vote button. It showed a fourteen in favor and thirteen
opposed. “We do not share a common past. But we do share a common future. If
the Confederation is to survive we must reach out and build an understanding
together.”

The chamber was
filled with cheers of the supporting races. Those who still opposed were
shockingly quite. Lord Kris stepped forward.

“As the vote has
changed the previous decision by the Mylor Republic is withdrawn,” he said.
“Military aid will be restored later today.”

* *
*

Brian stepped
out the Siren and looked around. Both Seles and Mira took their helmets off.

“These things
are a little restrictive,” Mira said.

“I’ll have
Jesela look them over and fix that,” Seles said.

“I should’ve
grabbed my exoskeleton before leaving,” Brian said. He tossed the Minan helmet
into the corner.

“It couldn’t be
helped,” Seles said. “The security around the area where it was being kept was
incredible.”

“Let’s go to the
bridge and see what’s happening,” Mira suggested.

“What does our
captain think of that?” Seles asked.

Brian scratched
his head. “I knew I’d regret coming back.”

He led the three
of the through the ship as the mobile suits returned to their launching bays.
They entered the bridge with Myden, Grigon, and Jesela at their stations.

“I like the new
look,” Jesela said with a grin.

Brian looked at
the suit he was wearing. “It’s pretty revealing,” he said.

“You’re looking
well,” Grigon said.

“Did you speak
to him?” Myden asked.

“Yes,” Brian
said.

“Are you talking
about the Teacher?” Seles asked.

“What did he say
to you?” Mira asked.

“Many things,”
Brian said. “I know the reason why we must do this now.” He looked at Seles.
“But to keep on living I had to sacrifice much of what I was.”

“The
nanomachines inside you are dormant then,” Jesela said. She joined the others
near him. “Is the eye functioning?”

“Yes,” he
answered. “I can understand each of you only because it’s able to translate now.”

“Does this mean
your days as a warrior are over?” Seles asked.

“For the time
being, yes,” Brian said. “I’m relying on you and the others to help me from now
on.”

“What about the
Mjolnir?” Mira asked.

“His pilot is
Meldi,” he said. “The Avoni is his home and I don’t want to change that.”

“It appears the
High Council would like to meet with you again,” Grigon reported.

“Tell them I’ll
speak with them in a few hours,” Brian said. “I need a chance to eat something
and wash up.”

* *
*

Wearing his
returned exoskeleton armor without the helmet, Brian stood before the High
Council once more. The mood in the room was tempered by the massive defeat
earlier in the day. Lord Kris stepped forward to speak.

“On behalf of
the High Council I’d like to apologize for the transgressions we committed
against you,” he said.

“I accept,”
Brian said. “What would you like to speak with me about?”

“What will you
do next?” the Mylor leader asked. “Your future actions may dictate what happens
here next time.”

“Heaven’s Light
does not act for its own sake,” Brian said. “We respond only to those who are
oppressed and ask for our aid. Our goal is not to interfere or dominate, but to
liberate.”

“What happens if
this organization becomes corrupted by its might?” the Mylor leader asked.

“Then we’ll be
destroyed by those who hold our true ideals in their hearts,” Brian said.
“Ideals are the movers of the world. You can’t change people by force. But you
change people by changing what’s inside their hearts.” He looked to each of the
races who still opposed Heaven’s Light. “I know each of your governments doubts
our motives. Idealism of the sort we’re dealing with is a haughty thing to
most. I understand that. But as I stated in my testimony freedom is not
anarchy. We can still have rule of law and be free.” He pointed to his head.
“Even though my body was shackled my mind was free. I’ve let go of my
preconceived nature. Little more than a decade ago I knew only of my people.
But since I came to space I’ve seen so much. But there‘s so much more for me to
learn. I look forward to learning more about each of your peoples.”

“Can you tell us
the end goals for your organization?” Lord Kris asked.

“We have several
immediate goals,” Brian said. “But the end game is unification. When all of us
reach an understanding and truly come together we’ll move the galaxy.”

* *
*

Seles and Mira
watched the discussion Brian was having from the bridge of the Freedom while the
other three quietly attended to their duties.

“He’s a regular
politician,” Seles said.

“At least he
won’t be fighting in a mobile suit anymore,” Mira said.

Myden stopped
what he was doing and stood with them. “He will fly again someday,” the old
Grey said. “A warrior is one until the day they die.”

“That’s kind of
depressing,” Jesela said.

Grigon cawed.
“But true, even for me.”

“So what are we
doing next?” Jesela asked.

“Veda and the
other captains want to celebrate our debut,” Seles said.

“It seems odd
but why not?” Mira asked.

The Columbia
base was in orbit of Dega Jul. The Freedom, Reinkar, Raulno, Avoni, and Daevoni
landed on the surface while the Vomada remained in the base. Baeron watched the
celebration in the streets below with amazement in his eyes. As Brian and the
other leaders headed for the Kein estate the celebration grew larger. He turned
as the door opened and saw Siata float in.

“He has the hearts
of the people,” she said as she joined him.

Baeron smiled
while looking down on them. “We often stand up here and look upon them like
they’re children. But those below are not such; they’re our equals.”

“You sound like
you’ve been reading up on the current political events,” she said. “Tell me,
are you considering battle in the political arena?”

“Not for now,”
Baeron said before a laugh. “It’ll be many years before my fur turns grey.
Until then I’ll stay on as a soldier.” He looked at Siata. “Do you think our
organization and theirs will merge one day?”

“Perhaps,” she
said. “You might just be grey by then.”

* *
*

The Kein estate
was abuzz as all the members of Heaven’s Light converged on it and celebrated.
Myden stood alone with staff in hand and hood down. As the bright sun was set
he had the sign of relief on his face.

“Is the sun
getting to you?” Brian asked.

“A little,” the
Grey said. “But not as much as it once did.”

“Tell me; is
your homeworld orbiting a red dwarf?”

“Yes,” Myden
said. “My people need these for that very reason,” he pointed to his black eyes,
“But you didn’t come to talk with me about that.”

“A few days ago
you asked me if I saw him,” Brian said. “I did, and I remember vividly what he
said.”

“Then I’ll start
with saying I’m sorry,” Myden said. “For years I lived in the shadows, plotting
and scheming to make the plan come to fruition,” the Grey paused for a moment,
“now that it has I feel so much regret.”

“I forgive you,”
Brian said. “If anyone can understand your situation it would be me.” He looked
at the sun as it set. “I was almost there Myden. On a few more gravity jumps
and I would’ve been on Earth.”

“Much has
changed since I last saw your world,” Myden said.

“When was this?”

“It was shortly
after Gaelic passed away,” Myden said. “I was filled with despair at the time.
Everything was lined up and ready to move forward. But my people were one step
ahead. I left Kalaidia for a while and went on a journey. I saw the Earth
during your homeland’s civil war. After watching that conflict for a while I
came to understand what the Teacher was talking about. He said people have an
easy time killing each other over small differences and in doing so they miss
the big similarities. It was then I decided to wait. I knew my people would
take an interest in your world and begin abduction within a few decades.”

“Is there a
reason to wait that long?”

“The machine god
is only interested in developed species,” Myden explained.

“That explains a
lot,” Brian said. “But why did you wait, and what for?”

“The Teacher was
immune to our paralyzing technology two millennia ago,” Myden said. “I figured
it would be far more likely for a Terran like you to come around.”

“Interesting,”
Brian said.

“What are you two
talking about?” Jesela asked.

“Guy stuff,”
Brian said with a smile.

“I see,” Jesela
said.

“You have the
strangest thoughts,” Myden said. “I’ll never be bored around you Jesela.”

“You know that
only makes my thoughts weirder,” she said. “Come on you two! Join the party and
talk about the heavy stuff later!” She grabbed both of them by the hand and
dragged them back to the crowd.

* *
*

Dreka and Grigon
were on the bridge of the Vomada. Both of them were covered from claw foot to
feathered head with scanners and tools as they ran a diagnostic over the droids
populating the ship. Each of the robotic beings looked like a mechanical
version of a Malcovin soldier. Grigon closed the chest hatch of Droid A.

“Is everything
working properly?” Droid A asked.

“Yep,” Grigon
said. “I have to say I miss you guys.”

“You can always
program the E and lower ranks to do our jobs,” Droid B suggested.

“Then we can
join you on the Freedom,” Droid C added.

Dreka cawed.
“You guys talk too much.”

“It’s a deal,”
Grigon said. “I’ll leave the Vomada in the hands of E, F, G, and H. The four of
you would round out the bridge crew perfectly.”

“At least you
won’t be bored then,” Dreka said. “Captain Kivi has me as the bridge commander
while she runs out in the Gemini.”

“That mobile
suit is simply a masterpiece Dreka,” Grigon said.

“All of them
are,” Dreka said. “I’m done now.” He stepped away from Droid D.

“I’m glad that’s
over,” Droid D said. “Now I can voice my opinion.”

“Somehow that
doesn’t make the rest of us feel good,” Droid B said.

* *
*

“It looks like
our competition is fiercer than expected,” Mira said.

She and Seles
stood together while Jesela dragged Brian around. Celi and Kyli then made their
way to him to talk for a while.

“Patience will
pay off in the end,” Seles said. “We’ve been waiting for two years.”

“I’m really glad
the goofy Brian is back,” Mira said. “When his eye was glowing all the time it
felt like I was talking to someone else.”

“I know the
feeling,” Seles said. “Something happened to him during his journey towards
Earth. Something he can’t tell us about.”

“I think it’s
because he can’t put it into words,” Mira said. “Like music, not everything is
clear. Sometimes you have to dig into the lyrics and notes to find the
meaning.”

“That’s deep,”
Seles said.

“Are you being
sarcastic again?” Mira asked.

Seles smiled.
“When am I not?”

“That’s you
though,” Mira said.

“As long as you
don’t call me the same as Jesela I won’t mind it,” Seles said.

Mira laughed.
“There’s no in this universe quite like her.”

* *
*

Myden found himself
standing with Veda as she fought off investors one after another.

“Will this ever
end?” she asked.

“No my lady, it
won’t,” Myden answered flatly.

Veda shook her
head. “It’s not like you to be so honest. What happened to you?”

“The sun rose in
my heart Lady Veda,” the Grey said.

She sighed.
“Part of me wishes it would rise for real. Then this party would be over.”

“I know you say
that,” he said. “But your thoughts give you away.”

“You’re no fun,
you know that Myden?”

“Fun is for
those with some youth left in them,” he remarked.

* *
*

Brian walked
from the center of the party until he found a quite balcony off to the side. As
he approached he noticed Valis was standing in the moonlight with a beautiful
blue dress on. She turned to meet him as he walked over.

“So what are
your plans Captain Peterson?” she asked with a smug smile while holding a glass
of wine.

He gazed at the
night sky of Dega Jul before staring at the flickering city scape. “I know what
the Teacher said I should do, but I know what I feel inside.”

“And what do you
feel?”

“A beautiful
future awaits us,” he said. “The day will come when there are no wars, no
killing, no stealing, and no hatred. I’ll live every moment of my life for that
ideal.”

“It sounds
wonderful.” Valis said. “But how will you achieve such paradise?”

He raised his
drink to the starry sky above them. “To create something beautiful one must struggle.
To do what I want is the greatest struggle of them all. Peace and happiness
will be born in fire. As the Warrior I’ll shoulder the burden. I probably won’t
see that future, but at least I know someday it’ll come true.”

“Even if the
entire galaxy hates you for it?” she asked.

“For Seles, for
you, for all the beings in space, I’d do anything. Even if it costs me my life
and name, I won’t stop until Eden is born.”

Valis sipped her
wine. “You need to stop thinking like a martyr,” she said.

“You need to
stop drinking so much,” Brian countered.

She looked at
her wine glass and sighed. “You’re right about that.”

The two of them
looked at each other and laughed as the moon shined brightly on the city
planet.