Freedom Saga 1: Heaven's Light by Marcus Johnson Page B

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