Freedom Saga 1: Heaven's Light by Marcus Johnson Read Free Book Online Page B

Brian
Peterson and Heaven’s Light are the Shandi and Kalaidians, two races who until
eight years ago were at constant war. I now give the floor to Shiken Ka of the
Shandi and Jabril Hopart, Prime Minister of the Republic of Kalaidia.”
    Shiken nodded to
defer to Jabril. She inserted a data crystal into the computer before speaking.
    “Ten years ago
Kalaidia was on the verge of civil war,” she began. “I served under the grace
of Queen Celestia as the leader of her royal guard. But even with that level of
loyalty, I knew change must occur. The people were oppressed and denied their
rights. Our economy was teetering on the edge of destruction and our military
was cut by a third. But worst of all our population was in an exponential
decline.” She closed her eyes for a moment before opening them once more. “Our
hopes were gone and future as well. That was before he came to us. Brian
Peterson appeared as the Herald and freed us from the past. He gave us the hope
we’d lost. Now, almost a decade later, his dream for Kalaidia has come true.”
She activated the data file and displayed the numbers and charts on the screens
for all the representatives in the chamber. “As you can see, the health of the
Kalaidian people has vastly improved. Our economy is booming, our military
strength has returned thrice fold, and our population has seen growth unknown
to any generation before. But most of all it’s the heart of the people of Kali
that’s changed for the better. Instead of fearing the whip of the tyrannical
noble we stand together. Our fate was destruction and we resisted. The people
of Kali have a future. Even if it means mixing with the blood of others it will
be ours. For it is not the blood in the veins or the dirt on the planet that
make a people, but the people themselves. You accuse Brian Peterson of
conspiracy, of piracy, and of violations of your precious exclusivity. I attest
these charges as false based on not the character of the man, but his actions.
That is my statement,” she said.
    The murmurs in
the hall began roiling when Shiken Ka slammed his fist on the podium.
    “For a hundred
years we warred,” Shiken said. “And it seemed there was no end to the bloodshed.
Even I had lost all hope of a peace with the people of Kalaidia. My mind was
made; if peace couldn’t be attained then power was the only alternative. That’s
what I believed. Everything changed the day I met Brian Peterson in the deserts
of Kalmar. He was alone, utterly exhausted and hopelessly outnumbered. He
fought with the strength of a thousand that day. When I battled him, he was
weak and tired with no aid from his armor. And though his blade was slow and
cumbersome he matched me in every way. His loss that day was not due to my
skill but to the honor in his heart. Victory was less important than his friend
and fellow soldier, Captain Kivi of the Raulno. It was then my mind began
changing. His values, his thoughts rippled across mine and all the Shandi
serving under me. In less than a week our lives were changed forever. Although
he appeared Kalaidian he was not. His heart is Terran. He showed us that we
could work together instead of fighting. He found the similar where others
found difference. The heart of a Shandi and Kalaidian are close. We all feel
fear, hate, sadness, joy, and pride. And though our beliefs are different and
bodies radically so, our hearts are the same. Brian brought us a peace no one
ever thought possible. Even the Confederation failed to seal a pact between our
peoples. And though there are disagreements between us, war will never again
separate us. You cling to the belief that Terrans are dangerous. You claim what
he seeks is evil. But I question your knowledge of the man. Brian is not simply
a Terran, nor is he simply the commander on a Kalaidian starship. He’s much
more than what you see. To know Brian you must see past the body and find his
heart, because that is what gives him strength. His dream is