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

combat
zone. Seles and Kivi fired into a pair of enemy ships at the edge of the
battle. As they drove through the enemy fleet hundreds of Reiki ships appeared.
    “Are
they reinforcements?” Celi asked.
    “Ours,
not theirs,” Kivi answered.
    “That
makes all of the colony systems from their territories,” Seles said.
    “Remember
we still have a mission to complete,” Valis said. “There’s one more base on
this hemisphere left.”
    “Sorry
about that,” Kivi said.
    “It’s
easy to get distracted in this,” Seles said.
    The
five exited the other side of the battle and charged another base as it fired
at them. With a pair of precise shots from the Artemis and Gemini the last base
exploded. They turned about while the Reiki fleets met in a series of
explosions and suicidal ramming.
    “Why
are they doing that?” Celi asked.
    “They
were ordered to,” Valis said. “A free people will sacrifice out of love, a
chained people sacrifices out of fear.”
    The
Artemis lit up as its drive sped up. Seles’s eyes glowed blue as she flew
towards the fleet on her own.
    “Seles,”
Kivi said.
    “Let
her go,” Valis said. “Nothing can stop her now. The rest of us will follow her
wake.”
    The
Artemis danced through incoming fire as it blasted one perfect shot after
another through their ships. Seles narrowed her eyes as time slowed down. She
deployed the reflector plates into spread position and continued firing her way
through their forces.
     

Chapter 11 - Rebellious Dissent
     
    Veda
and Shiken Ka watched the battle and the events on the planet with equal
intent. On the surface, it was apparent all the government buildings were under
siege or taken over by rebels and civilians supporting the cause. As the chaos
continued a number of the loyalists broke away and began surrendering their
ships. As they did so, the fanatic loyalists targeted and destroyed them.
    “Such
barbarism,” Veda said. “I’m surprise they’re not murdering civilians at this
point.”
    “They
probably have,” Shiken said. “The Reiki have had a closed government for a long
time now. The Confederation’s media isn’t the most effective but some truth
still comes from it.”
    “I
shouldn’t be comparing too harshly though,” Veda said. “The nobles of my world
did the same thing years ago.”
    An
explosion blew the roof off the Central Government’s main building on the
surface. As water flooded in the complex sank. In orbit the loyalist forces
were close to annihilation as they were surrounded. The two watched the Artemis
fly in and finish them off.
    “She’s
amazing,” Veda said. “I never thought I’d see someone match him in battle.”
     
    * * *
     
    Brian
and the others remained on high alert when the last of the loyalist ships was
destroyed.
    “Captain,
we’re receiving a hail on an open channel from the Ministry of Defense,” Droid
A reported. “He says he’s the new representative for his people.”
    Brian
turned on the holographic system and readied to sign. “Put him through.”
    “Yes
captain,” Droid A said.
    On
the screen appeared a wounded Reiki admiral. Next to him were a number of
others looking to quite tired after a prolonged fight.
    “I
am Admiral Cova Breesh,” the leader signed. “Are you Captain Peterson?”
    “I
am,” Brian signed. “Are you the one in charge?”
    “Yes,”
Cova signed. “The rest of the Central Government fell with the capital city. I’m
the last of the old guard in power.” He fluttered his tentacles. “We surrender
and request aid.”
    “I
accept,” Brian signed. “Our organization will help your people in any way we
can.”
    “We’ll
do as you ask Captain Peterson,” Cova signed.
    Brian
nodded before ending transmission. He looked at the monitor, “Veda, you have a
lot to do.”
    “I
won’t be the only one,” Veda said. “They’re going to need you to form a new
government.”
    Brian
shrugged. “I thought I’d get out of this one, but if it’s my