Freedom Saga 3: The Dawn of Liberty Read Free Page A

the two consoles in the front of the bridge
sat the navigator, a young Shandi man named Shol Dema, and the second officer,
a Kalaidian named Kaela. Shol wore a falchion on his back and a sash signifying
his rank as a lieutenant while Kaela wore the circlet with a single leaf to
show she was a lieutenant commander. Dreka made his way back to the console at
the top of the bridge to run a diagnostic.
    “How’s
he holding up?” Kivi asked.
    “All
navigation is functioning normally,” Shol reported.
    “The
same with weapons and shields,” Kaela said.
    “Everything’s
green captain,” Dreka said.
    “Excellent,”
Kivi said. “I’m sorry I run out on all of you so often.”
    “We
understand captain,” Kaela said. “All of us were pilots before taking our
positions on your ship.”
    Shol
shook his head. “I do miss my old Spit.”
    “We’re
alright captain,” Dreka said. “If we weren’t you’d have heard some grumblings
by now.”
    Kivi
smiled. “Thanks everyone.”
     
    * * *
     
    Brian
scratched his head while working on the next mission plan on his computer. As
frustration set in he stood up and paced around the room. He stopped to stare
at his exoskeleton and rakna blade before turning back to the computer. That’s
it! He thought as he added a few numbers to the plan. The door buzzed.
    “Brian,
it’s me,” Seles said.
    “Come
in,” he said as he started working away again.
    Seles
stepped inside wearing her regular Kalaidian uniform.
    “We
need to talk,” she said.
    “Just
give me a minute,” Brian said.
    Seles
sighed before walking over and turning the monitor off. Brian sat back with a
stupid smile on his face.
    “I
did something wrong, didn’t I?” he asked. He noticed the look in her eyes.
“Mira told you, didn’t she?”
    “You
guessed it,” Seles said. She took his hand and pulled him out of the chair.
“And now you’re going to tell me everything.”
    “I
guess it’s time I come clean,” he said.
    She
smiled. “If you want anything from me you’re going to have to.”
    “I
suppose Mira’s under the same orders,” he said.
    “Right
again,” Seles said.
    Brian
pulled Seles close and closed his eyes. “Someday soon, probably sooner than
either of us wants, the red eyed glare may consume me. The nanomachines can
only be held off for a little longer.”
    “How
long?” she asked.
    “A
few years at best, a few weeks at worst,” he answered.
    “Is
there a chance you’ll survive?” she asked.
    “Perhaps,”
Brian said after a long pause. “But the Teacher was killed by it so I don’t
know what my chances are.”
    “You’re
going to live,” Seles said. “I don’t care if you’re nothing more than a glowing
ball of light, you’re going to live.”
    “I
hear you,” he said. “Can I finish what I was doing now?”
    Seles
stepped aside and turned the monitor back on before saving the plan. She closed
it afterwards and turned off the computer.
    “You
can finish it after we’re done,” Seles said. “If you only have a short time
before changing into a ball of light or dying I want something to remember you
by.”
    Brian
smiled, “As you wish my lady.”
     
    * * *
     
    Mira
and Jesela stood outside Brian’s quarters and listened to the conversation
inside. After a while the two walked away.
    “She
didn’t have to force it out of him,” Jesela said.
    “I’m
surprised she didn’t,” Mira added. “Brian’s dense about these things most of
the time.”
    “He
can change the world but not figure out what’s in a woman’s heart,” Jesela
said. “Are you going to do the same routine tomorrow night?”
    “Seles
and I do things differently,” Mira said. “I’m glad she resolved it so I don’t
have to do it.”
    “That’s
pragmatic of you,” Jesela said.
    “Are
you up for a bath?” Mira asked.
    “I
was thinking the same thing,” Jesela said.
     

Chapter 3 - Scouting Mission
     
    The
Artemis, Tctie’s modified Rakna, and Kyli’s Rakna flew