Freedom Saga 2: Freedom's Bell by Marcus Johnson

military moved to tighten the noose around them the three bases
appeared. From the Columbia base the Avoni emerged with the Daevoni, Reinkar,
and Raulno. From the Nevada base emerged ten Avoni class Kalaidian battleships
led by the Heimus. From the Hong Kong base came ten newly crafted Gerden class
ships, led by the Xavan. All of them deployed their mobile weapons before
tearing into the Reiki forces. A moment later several fleets of rebel Reiki
ships appeared behind the bases with the Freedom and Vomada at their head.
    “Now
this war ends,” Valis said.
     
    * * *
     
    When
the Freedom came out of gravity jump Brian had the com ready.
    “All
units are to deploy in formation X-3,” he ordered. “Seles, Mira, do your
thing.”
    “Yes
Brian,” Seles said.
    The
Artemis and Siren darted outside to join the other three Maidens. Kyli and
Tctie led the other mobile suits and moved into X shaped formations. The rebel
fleets deployed their fighters as they joined the battle. Brian watched
intently before making sure it was being recorded. Jesela finished what she was
doing before walking down to him.
    “Are
you sure about this?” she asked.
    “Yes,”
he said as light flashed from the explosions outside. “We must show the people
of Alden we mean what we say.”
    “Alright,”
Jesela said.
    “You’re
not the only one to question me on this,” Brian said. “The other captains said
something about it.”
    “In
the end he’s right,” Grigon said. “I don’t like showing our technology to
others. But if they don’t see what we’re doing they’ll assume the worst.”
    Jesela
returned to her console. “If that’s what you wish then it’ll be done Brian.
You’ll let us edit it in case of people doing stupid things, right?”
    He
smiled. “In that case Jesela we’d better edit everything out. When are we not
doing something stupid?”
    “So
true,” she said with a smile.
     
    * * *
     
    As
the battle raged the Artemis and Siren made their way to the other three Maidens.
The Gemini cleared a path using its cannon. When they came closer the two
turned about and moved into position. The Gemini and Artemis were in the front
with the Aegis in the middle, with the Minerva and Siren in the rear.
    “It’s
getting crazy out there,” Kivi said.
    Seles
pressed a button on her console. “This should help you figure out which ones
are our enemy.”
    A
key displayed which Reiki ships were rebels and which were still with the
Central Government.
    “That
helps,” Celi said.
    “Seles,
Kivi, you’re the spearhead for our attack,” Valis said. “I want the two of you
firing at the same target when the time comes.”
    “We’re
ready,” Seles said.
    “Just
waiting for the rest of you,” Kivi said.
    “Mira,
you and I will act as support again,” Valis said.
    “Of
course,” Mira responded.
    “I’ll
hold the middle then,” Celi said.
    “Let’s
go,” Valis said.
    The
Maidens separated from the combat zone and began destroying the orbital defense
satellites one after another.
     
    * * *
     
    Flashes
from the battle continued escalating as the three bases edged forward and added
their weapons to the mix. Veda and Shiken Ka directed everything from the
command center of the Columbia base.
    “What
do you see this time?” Veda asked.
    Shiken
turned away from the battle. “They don‘t have a functioning command structure.”
    “It
doesn’t help when half their military has defected,” Veda said.
    “The
images on the surface tell a different story,” Shiken said.
    Veda
looked at a smaller monitor showing the unrest on the surface. “You’re right. They
don’t have a working command structure because of this.”
    “This
battle may take several hours to resolve,” Shiken said. “But in a matter of
minutes their government will fall.”
    “Hopefully
they have a leader ready to take care of things,” Veda said.
     
    * * *
     
    The
Maidens destroyed another orbital base before turning back to the main