Free Freedom Saga 2: Freedom's Bell by Marcus Johnson

said.
    “I’m
glad to help,” the birdman said before leaving.
    Veda
put the information on the data crystal on the monitor. It displayed the
numbers and positions of the Iron navy. She then played the message sent out by
Admiral Regelik. Afterwards she sighed and shook her head.
    “Classic
invade and blame the other party,” Veda said.
    “It
might be old but it works,” Reban said.
    “True,”
Veda said. “And given the legal status of their troops the Confederation can do
nothing to them. Even our best agents are having a hard time finding the money
trail back to the Malcovin government.”
    “The
next best thing would be to capture their leaders and prove their guilt,” Reban
offered.
    “That’s
the only option available for now,” Veda said. “He must be confident since he
spread his troops so thin.”
    Reban
scrolled the positions around on the monitor. “If they found us and attacked
with a thousand ships we wouldn’t survive.”
    “We
would,” Veda said. “But we’d have to call in our reinforcements earlier than we
want to.”
    “What
reinforcements are you talking about?” Reban asked.
    “The
Sicily base is waiting on the border of Malcovin space in case we need them,”
Veda explained.
    “Should
we call for a meeting?” Reban asked.
    “I
think one is needed,” Veda said. “Send this to the other commanders so they can
review the details.”
     
    * * *
     
    Seles
and Mira joined the bridge crew on the Freedom after Veda sent the information
over. After watching, Seles turned it off and looked at the others. She noticed
Grigon was holding back his anger.
    “That’s
the current situation,” Seles said. “Veda’s called for a meeting in a few
minutes.”
    “Are
you alright?” Jesela asked.
    Grigon
cawed to let out his frustration. “Sorry, I don’t mean to lose it, I really
don’t. But seeing my people act like this is infuriating.”
    “Not
many enjoy the truth when it’s so ugly,” Myden said.
    “If
this makes you uncomfortable I won’t force you to participate,” Seles said.
    “I
will,” Grigon said. “Dreka and I are fighting to free our people from this
madness.”
    “Alright,”
Seles said. “Mira, Jesela, hold down the ship while we’re gone.”
    “We’ll
be waiting,” Mira said.
     
    * * *
     
    Veda,
Valis, Esra, El Kar, Kivi, Seles, Myden, Grigon, and Dreka met in the command
center a few minutes later. Veda put the Malcovin fleet formations on the
holographic display table so everyone could view them.
    “I’m
sure all of you had a chance to review our enemy’s decision,” Veda said.
    “Not
one of us liked it,” Kivi said.
    “Fools
do foolish things,” Esra said.
    “And
they are fools,” Dreka said before cawing.
    “They
may be fools, but they have a lot of ships,” El Kar said.
    Valis
called up her attack plan. It showed the forces of the Columbia base separate
into three units. The first consisted of the Freedom and Vomada in the front
attack position. On one side the Avoni and Raulno attacked a different base. On
the other side the Reinkar and Daevoni attacked a third location with the
Columbia base as support.
    “That’s
a bold plan,” Veda said.
    “Everything
about it screams Valis,” Esra added.
    Valis
smiled. “I had a feeling you’d like this.” She sent the details to their ships.
“You’ll find in this plan each of our attacks should take less than ten
minutes. Because our enemy has a numerical advantage we need to strike quickly
and precisely.”
    “Should
we use our special systems?” Seles asked.
    Valis
nodded. “It’ll be critical for our victory Seles. You should use the arrow
system to take them out as quickly as possible.” She looked at Kivi. “Hold back
on using yours.”
    “I’ll
do my best,” Kivi said.
    “Are
we to show mercy?” Esra asked.
    “Only
if they surrender,” Valis said. “That includes disarming themselves.”
    “We
don’t want them trying anything funny,” Veda said. “And the plan