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

looks
excellent as usual.”
    “Thanks,”
Valis said.
     

Chapter 14 - Piercing the Line
     
    The
Columbia base gravity jumped into a system on the outer reaches of Odairan
space and headed for a blue colored gas giant. The three bases set as their
targets included a pair of asteroids as well as an orbital military complex.
When the base moved within a few thousand ketres of their first target
the six ships left with their phase cloaks on. The Freedom and Vomada headed
for the orbital base while the others split and went for the asteroid bases.
Seles calmly meditated in the cockpit of the Artemis as they approached. When
she opened her eyes some text was on the monitor.
    Are
you feeling alright Seles?
    “It
took you a little longer than your brother but you’re speaking,” Seles said
with a laugh. “And yes, I’m alright.”
    Mira
appeared on her screen. “Who are you talking to?”
    “The
Artemis is communicating in text,” Seles said.
    “The
Siren’s been doing that since the last battle,” Mira said. “Jesela told me
it’ll take a few more years for them to talk like Mjolnir does.”
    Myden
appeared on their monitors. “We’re in position.”
    “Alright,”
Seles said. “Kyli, Tctie, you’re to follow Myden’s orders.”
    “We
hear you loud and clear commander,” Kyli responded.
    The
Artemis and Siren launched with their stealth cloaks activated. As they moved
into position Seles glanced at the scanners.
    “There
are a lot of them,” Mira said.
    “Yes
there are,” Seles said.
    After
the two flew into an asteroid field the Artemis turned off its phase cloak and
moved its reflector plates into scramble mode. The orbital base detected
something and launched its Phase Talons. As they did so the Freedom, the
Vomada, and all of their mobile suits attacked the base head on. When the forces
of the Malcovin went to meet their attackers the Artemis and Siren fired into
the reflector plates. Shot after shot destroyed numerous Talons and ships
before they could form their lines. As the chaotic scene continued the
Artemis’s reflector plates returned and moved into power position. The two
mobile suits flew closer to the battle until they were in range.
    “It’s
time Mira,” Seles said.
    Her
eyes began glowing while the drive sped up. The Siren moved behind and held the
Artemis as it aimed its cannon at the orbital base. The first arrow blasted
through dozens of ships and hundreds of Talons, draining their shields and
destroying them. Seles paused before firing the second shot into the base. As
its shields were drained explosions filled the area. Hundreds of escape
shuttles fled the base as the explosions multiplied. After a few minutes the
orbital structure was reduced to scrap metal surrounded by wreckage. The
remaining Malcovin ships collected their Talons and gravity jumped away. Seles
closed her eyes and ended the berserk.
    “Good
shooting,” Mira said.
    “Thanks,”
Seles said. “Hopefully the others will have as much success.”
    “I’m
sure they will,” Mira said.
    “Seles,
we’re receiving surrender calls from the Malcovin,” Myden reported.
    “Take
them in as we can,” Seles said.
    “As
you wish my lady,” Myden said.
    The
mobile suits around the Freedom slowly collected the escape shuttles and
brought them onboard. Hundreds of Malcovin troops dropped their weapons and
were led to the brigs.
     
    * * *
     
    After
the orbital base exploded the Avoni and Raulno made their appearance over the nearest
moon base. Both ships deployed their mobile suits into sphere shaped formations
of eleven. The Minerva, Aegis, and Gemini made their way to the base as the
Malcovin sent ships and Talons into space. The Gemini flew to the front and
used its cannon to carve a line to the base. The Aegis’s shields held up
against any incoming attacks while the Minerva flew behind. Kivi fired the
Gemini’s cannon a number of times and blasted six ships and three dozen Talons
before the Malcovin could put