Earth Date - April 27, 1916
Tatooine
Operation Thunder Strike - Day 55
"To the end of the war!" Phil said raising a cup of Albesh Al.
"To the end of the war!" the rest of them yelled before drinking their drinks. The Great War had ended days ago, but they were on a mission. Now they get to enjoy the end of one war and reinforcements for another. They landed on a planet called Tatooine of all places and found the least populated settlement then the bar or Cantina as the locals call it. Robert watched as the bartender looked at the small group probably thinking they're crazy. The Cantina was empty except for them so they can talk and yell as much as they want.
"Can't believe that the war is over." Snow said.
"Yeah, and the U.S hasn't been in the war for a year. We can kick some butt." Jefferson replied before nudging Robert in the arm. "Can we talk? Outside?"
"Sure," Robert answered and the two walked outside.
"You know now that the war is over, we're going to get targets. Shipyards, factories, to forts. We won't operate like we've been doing since this crazy mission started." Jefferson said.
"Yep. Probably form rebel groups and send to Earth." Robert remarked.
"Just what we need. Stinky aliens on Earth. The papers are going to have a grand time." Jefferson replied as an insane idea formed in Robert's head.
"Jefferson, you're a genius."
"I am?" he asked confused.
"Get the crew to the ship. I need to send a message to Earth." Robert ordered before he started to run. He almost tripped himself from the alcohol, but he kept running.
Earth Date - April 27, 1916
Lothal
Operation Thunder Strike - Day 55
When the doors opened Nuzlu walked in. He raised one of his blasters and fired it at the ceiling. The crowd looked in his direction. "Now that I have your attention!" Nuzlu yelled. "Can anyone here tell me where I can find a Jedi?"
"The Jedi are dead boy. Go dig up a grave if you want one." a four-armed Besalisk replied as he stood up.
"I'll dig one for you and everyone here till I find a Jedi," Nuzlu said and the Besalisk laughed.
"Their all gone Mando. Jedi hunting isn't possible anymore." a Rodian commented.
"The Empire couldn't kill every Jedi now could they."
"Then good luck trying to kill a Jedi." the Rodian said.
"Unless you aren't looking for a Jedi." the Besalisk remarked folding his two sets of arms.
"The brute has some intelligence after all," Nuzlu commented.
"Which makes me think you're a Jedi." the brute said smiling.
"And you just lost all of that intelligence," Nuzlu replied as the brute threw a punch towards the Mando. Before the punch landed a blow against Nuzlu, he grabbed the arm and twisted it till he heard a snap and screams. The Besalisk attempted another punch with the same result. "Want me to break all of your arms?"
"No." the defeated brute answered.
"Now can someone here tell me where a Jedi is?" Nuzlu yelled.
"You're coming with us." a Buckethead ordered behind the Mandolorian.
"Great just what I need," Nuzlu replied as he turned around and fired at two stormtroopers before they could do anything. He quickly ran from the Cantina and headed straight for his ship.
Earth Date - April 27, 1916
Pentagon, Washington D.C
Operation Thunder Strike - Day 55
"The Battle of Fleets showed us several weak points in our Stellar fleet," Reed reported to Nancy, Taussig, and Pershing. "The first was the Mars Shield. The Imps learned how to counter the weapon and now we had several hundred tons of useless metal floating out in space. I suggest we have the Shield be taken apart and reused to build new fighters and ships."
"Agreed. Next?" Nancy asked.
"Our pilots were too overwhelmed commanding drones and avoid death at the same time. We need a better way to forms squadrons."
"We have two choices then," Pershing replied. "Outfit our squadrons as human fighters only or add more independent programming to the drones." The very sound of that plan sent chills down Nancy's back. After the First Earth War the place restrictions against A.I craft.
"Based on the outcome of the conflict with the Confederacy, I think human fighters would be better. But I'm not the best choice for this kind of tactics." Taussig said.
"Agreed. Those fighters were difficult to fight but they lacked a fighting spirit." Nancy said remembering those terrible battles.
"Next on the flaw list is the fighters themselves. We counted too much on the Shield and a small fleet of Capital ships that we made them long-range fighters instead of dogfighters." Reed said. "I've already got engineers working around this problem and expanded on it."
"What do you mean Admiral?" Taussig asked.
"I mean that we're working on giving them hyperdrives to attack Imperial targets without the need of a Carrier."
"Genius. How long till we have enough to do so?"
"We should have the finished design done by tomorrow and built at least forty within a month."
"Is that all?" Nancy asked.
"No, the fighters should enter and exit planet atmosphere like the Confederacy and the Imperial fighters can. Which means the airforce could use them ass well. That is all."
"Excellent job Admiral." Taussig congratulated. "Anything else?" The room was silent. "Good then, General Walters I suggest you hurry to your jet to the Iowan debate."
"Thank you, admiral." Nancy said as the meeting was dismissed.
Earth Date - April 27, 1916
German-French Boarder
Operation Thunder Strike - Day 55
Liam sat next to a fire listening to his men congratulating each other at the end of this hellish war and smoking their cigarettes. Many are planning to stay in the army for the next war, The Second Earth War. The mear thought, gives the veteran nightmares and memories of his dying friends. Friends he only met mear hours before they died a gruesome death to the droids. "No more war." he promised himself.
Earth Date - April 27, 1916
Tatooine
Operation Thunder Strike - Day 55
"You can't be serious?" Fox said after hearing Robert's suicidal plan.
"I'm with her. It's insane." Steve agreed.
"How much liquor did you drank to come up with this?" Jefferson asked.
"You gave me the idea." Robert remarked.
"Exactly." Jefferson remarked back.
"It'll work."
"Your plan involves equipment we don't have, codes we don't have, and the impact may be limited to a few Imperial strong worlds." Snow noted.
"Don't forget the millions of enemy troopers, fighters, ships, and Vader himself." Phil said. "Completly suicidal."
"And think of the impact. Not everyone in the Empire is loyal. The people will spread the word about us and the Earth will be a beacon of hope and light." Robert said.
"It's impossible. The chances are against us." Fox replied.
"So was fighting the strongest empire in the world, freeing the slaves of the south, fighting an army of soulless war machines, and every fight we've been in was deemed impossible. But each of those wars was won and the impossible became possible." Robert said and his soldiers were moved. "So, let's do another impossible mission and win it."
After a long pause of silence, Jefferson was the first to speak, "Okay fearless negro. Let's do it."
"Can't live forever." the Henderson Bros replied in unison and each member of this team agreed to this crazy plan.
"Good." Robert said turning to the pilots. "Set course for Coruscant. We've got a message to deliver."
Earth Date - April 28, 1916
Coruscant
Operation Thunder Strike - Day 56
"Dropping out of hyperspace in two minutes." Steve yelled to the fastened crew. Robert waited for the ship to exit out of hyperspace knowing that the planet space will be surrounded by a fleet larger than he ever has seen. When the ship dropped out of hyperspace he saw a Star Destroyer several miles ahead of them. Phil dived the ship down under the enemy ship to avoid detection and quick death.
"That was close." Phil joked.
"Let's not do that again." Jefferson remarked as they pasted the large fleet unnoticed.
"Thank God for this ship." Snow said. Within minutes they were in the atmosphere.
"I can still but now. I'm sure the stupid effects of those drinks left your brain with common sense now." Phil said.
"Keep going. Find a place to land. Deep in the planet." Robert ordered and Phil did as he was ordered. They flow into a pit filled with other ships. For several minutes they flow towards the bottom, till they reach a platform with little security. The team exited the ship to see some hovercraft in the distance. Robert turned to his team. "Fox, Mandal. Scout the target. Find weak points and fortifications. Milson, Snow scout this level in civ clothes. Spot any potential threats. Hendersons make sure the ship is ready to get the hell out of here. Jefferson, guard the ship."
"What about you sir?" Fox asked.
"We received contact info from a rebel group that recently helped us. I'm going to track down a few for additional info. Be ready to scrap the mission, we don't want to get trapped here. Move out." Robert ordered as he went to find one man in a planet city.
As Robert raced through the city he listened to the contact info. "The contact is a Human female spy embedded into the Imperial Navy. Name is Elte Lorm. Common meeting spot is Stig Cantina on Level 243 at 8:23 pm Earth time." the computer reported to him as he looked at his watch. It was currently 8:12 pm. "Contact code, Tatooine Podracer."
"A strange code." Robert said to himself as he flu the speeder around Level 243. He past a bar that looked like the place, but to make sure he went a ways and asked a Rodian where the Cantina was.
"You just passed it. Go back a few blocks and you find it." the alien said.
"Thanks." Robert said as he drove the speeder back. He heard the cheers and drunken laughs from inside. When he walked inside he saw dozens of aliens and few humans dancing around with drinks in their hands.
"Bar seat four from door." the computer reported back to him. He looked at his watch and saw it was 8:24. He looked at the fourth seat to find a black woman in civ clothes waiting for him. Robert walked to a seat next to her.
"Tatooine Podracer." he whispered.
"So Nuzlu gave you the codes. Rebel?" Elte asked.
"No. Just a soldier fighting for his world far from here."
"Imperial then."
"No. Hate the Imp military and politics."
"If you aren't a rebel or Imperial, then you're a pirate or some other criminal."
"Never broke the law once."
"Then who are you?" she asked getting impatient.
"I told you. I'm a soldier fighting for his world."
"Which world?"
"Earth."
"Never heard of it."
"I suspect you didn't. It's in the Unknown Regions."
"Impossible. Travel to that region is suicide."
"Tell that to the Confederacy and the Empire."
Elte chuckled. "That explains why quite a bit of resource and men disappeared without a trace."
"Yep. We had a big battle against them a week back. Lots of destroyers and a new ship."
"How aren't your people under Imperial rule?"
"We're stubborn."
"You need more than stubbornness to fight the Empire.
"I'm here on a mission."
"I figured that one out. What do you need?" she asked.
"Codes to the Imperial Holonet."
"Why the Holonet?"
"I want to deliver a message to the people that the Earth is strong and free from the Empire and is ready to bring hell to Palpatine."
"Good luck. Anything else?"
"Nothing I can get the rest my self."
"Give me a week and speaking from experience. Don't get captured. Death will seem like a better choice than an interrogation." Elte said as Robert left the Cantina.
"The target is protected with dozens of Stormtroopers around the perimeter, two AT-DP's standing guard, and three anti-ship turrets. The closest building to it out of reach from our jetpacks." Fox reported their findings.
"Sounds like a suicide run." Jefferson noted.
"Could be worst." Snow said.
"It gets worst." Mandal replied. "The target is a radio tower with only one way in and the comm area is an easy target for enemy fighters."
"Difficult. But not impossible." Robert said. "Hows security on this level?"
"Not many Imp troops, mostly local law enforcement." Milson reported.
"Good. Tomorrow, Fox you're with me to find armor and transport to the tower. Everyone else guards the ship." Robert ordered.
Earth Date - April 29, 1916
Coruscant
Operation Thunder Strike - Day 57
Robert and Fox waited on Level 135 for a squad of Stormtroopers to patrol on a pathway. A clever ambush if they pull it off. The plan was to wait for the enemy to enter a small tunnel and the two soldiers throw stolen EMP grenades to disable their comms and weapons, then cut the enemy down and wait for transport to come to them. The two wore their armor gaining the attention of some locals. A Balosar walked towards them in curiosity.
"Are you two Mandalorians?" the man asked.
"No, get moving. We're waiting for someone." Robert said.
"Bounty hunters. Got it." the man replied hurrying off.
"Criminal with a bounty I guess." Fox said.
"Probably." Robert replied.
"When will the Bucketheads arrive?" she asked.
"Don't know. Just wait."
"We both know war about erupt between the Earth and the Empire."
"Sadly yes."
"What will happen to us and the operation?"
"Don't know. Join the war effort I guess."
"What about us? Me and you."
"What about us?"
"Don't you dare tell me that you don't have the same feelings as I do after that kiss we had?" Fox asked. It's been little under a month since the two kissed.
"We soldiers. If we have feelings for each other, it'll jeopardize our mission. Besides, you're white, I'm black. It can't work out."
"It might not on Earth, but it could work in the Galaxy. The humans here treat each other as equals." Fox said as the marching sound of Stormtroopers came closer.
"Focus. Troops coming in." Robert ordered as a ten-man squad walk past and into the tunnel. Fox threw the EMP into the tunnel and a burst of electricity covered them disabling their equipment. Before they could react the two soldiers cut them down. Within minutes a Gunship came into view a few blocks away. Robert and Fox shot the incoming reinforcements as they exited the ship. The two jumped in the enemy ship and shot the pilots and brought the dead men onto the ship before racing towards their ship. "Transport secured." he said as he threw the enemy tracker out.
Earth Date - May 5, 1916
Coruscant
Operation Thunder Strike - Day 63
Elte was right where she said she would be. Hopefully, with the codes, Robert needs. "Got the codes we need Elte?" he asked as he sat next to her. She slid a data chip towards him.
"These codes will expire in two Standard days. Use them anytime past that and you're dead." she said.
"Thanks for the tip. I hope this is the last time I see you while the Empire rules."
"Same here." she replied as Robert left the Cantina.
Elte arrived at the Garrison thirty minutes later to report to Captain Gerson. As she walked to his office she noticed that many of the officers and soldiers were on edged. Something big was happening. When she entered the office she knew how big. Instead of the captain sitting in his chair, it was Vader. "Lord Vader. I was post to report to Captain Gerson. I-ack!" she said before an invisible force grabbed her neck.
"I know Lorm. I know you are a traitor and been feeding rebel and terrorist information. I want you to tell me about the recent rebel thefts. What are they planning?" Vader said letting her drop to the ground to breathe. She ran towards the door to find it locked. "What are they planning?"
"I won't tell you anything." she said as she raised her blaster to Vader but the weapon was thrown to the evil man's hands. Vader raised his arm and the spy felt the same invisible force grabbing and squeezing her heart.
"Tell me, traitor." Vader said as Elte fell to the ground in pain.
The armor felt strang to Robert. It felt snug on him. The armor movability was different than their armor. Snow, Jefferson, Milson, Fox, and Mandal looked like they felt the same. Milson already got rocket loaded on the ship and Mandal's sniper rifle. "Okay, people this is going to be dicy. Watch yourselves and watch each other. Henderson bros. Be ready for a quick extraction."
"Yes sir. Me and Steve got your back. Also, may I saw that you all look like idiots." Phil said.
"If we look like idiots Phil then what does that make you?" Snow shot back.
"Ha. Good one."
"Focus. Snow, Milson. You're piloting the ship. Everyone else is going to meet some angry neighbors. Once the fighting starts, remove your helmets. I don't want friendly fire. Move out!" Robert ordered. They exited the ship to find a pair of law enforcement standing next to the Gunship.
"I didn't know Stormtroopers were down here." one officer remarked.
"And you aren't post to. We have the situation under control." Robert said hoping the armor would trick them.
"I don't care Private. What about you Sergeant? What's going on down here?" the officer asked motioning to Jefferson.
"You heard my Private. We have the situation under control." Jefferson answered with some enjoyment.
"Sorry sir. We'll leave you be." the officer said before they turned and walked away.
"I'm guessing you're not to get me the Seargeant armor are you?" Robert said.
"Nope. I get to outrank you for once." Jefferson replied mostly likely smiling.
"Just get on the transport."
"I'm the Sergeant remember." Jefferson said as he got onto the Gunship.
"This is going to be a long mission." Robert said as the rest of his assault team got onto the ship, followed by Robert.
Robert handed Snow a data chip. "These are the codes. They're good."
"Roger that." Snow replied.
"Enemy tower twenty miles ahead." Milson reported.
"Okay people! This is going to be a hell fight! Remember to remove helmets so you don't get shot from behind and don't drop your trackers!" Robert order as they heard a voice coming from the cockpit.
"Attention Gunship. YOu are entering restricted airspace. Respond." a female voice ordered.
"This is Imperial Patrol Transport L-432 responding to a security threat." Snow replied.
"We have no security threat. Turn back now or prepare to be shot down."
"Presenting codes." Snow said ignoring the officer. The next few seconds were stressful. If the codes fail their mission is over.
"Your codes are cleared. I'll have a squad of troopers waiting for you."
"They bought it." Milson noted.
"We aren't clear yet." Robert said. as the transport landed. The doors opened to reveal a squad of troopers blasters raised.
"Hands in the air rebels!" one trooper yelled.
"Crap." Robert whispered as they took off their helmets. "Well, you caught us. Good job." Robert said as the Gunship blaster cannons opened fire on the walker's leg before quickly turning towards the enemy soldier followed by more canons fire.
"JUMP!" Snow yelled and the assault team jumped off the transport and opened fire at more troopers and disabling an Anti-air turret while the ship destroyed the last turrets. Robert ran towards the tower doors. They were locked and no doubt reinforcements on their way.
"Get on the transport! We'll go up!" Robert ordered and they followed orders. The transport went up and two Stormtroopers were waiting for them. Fox shot the two before they could do anything. Fox, Jefferson, and Robert marched into the small radio room. Four uniformed officers bolted up in alarm. "Thunder Two, Thunder Three take these officers outside. Thunder Six get in here and help start the transmission!" he ordered and they did as they were told.
"Thunder Four and Thunder Five are getting the rockets on the tower." Snow said attempting to get the tower's connection to the holonet active. Minutes later he heard the transport explode as Milson came in.
"Ship fell to the ground. We've got the Tower secured." he reported.
"Good now help Mandal with deflecting enemy forces." Robert ordered as they heard three blaster shots from Mandal's rifle.
"Three Eyeballs down!" Mandal report proudly as Milson ran back out.
"We're connected. The transmission reaches to the Colonies. We're been in 5...4...3...2...1...now." Snow said.
"Attention citizens of the Empire. I am Lieutenant Robert Jackson of the United States Space Force of the planet Earth in the Unknown Regions." Robert said to the oppressed citizens of the Empire. "I know many of you doubt what I am saying, but it is true. The Confederacy of Independent Systems explored the region and found us by accident. Back then we were had little technological war machines and they attacked us. Thousands of us were captured or killed. We declared war and force them out of our homes and defeated them. Now the Empire has found us and attempted to be peaceful." Robert continued as explosions and blaster fire echoed around the tower. "We found them as a corrupt tyrannical Empire and refused to join them They responded by attacking us. We've beaten them and launch Commando attacks against them. The Empire launched another attack against us with over a hundred of Star Destroyers and a new Super Star Destroyer. We are a free people. We have chosen to stand and fight to free us and free the oppressed of the Galaxy. The Empire is powerless against the will of the people! If we join together we can bring the Empire to its knees! We are sending the Hyperspace coordinates throughout this transmission! We will wait for your arrival. I know you are scared of Palpatine and Vader. But we've managed to bring Vader to his knees. I am telling you that the Empire is no match for the people of Earth. I hope the next time you see me, we will be rallied under the banner of freedom!"
"Good job sir. The coordinates are being sent out as we speak. Let's check on the team." Snow said as more explosion followed. The two exited the room to see The Humanity's Will taking out light cruisers and TIEs.
"Status report!" Robert yelled.
"Not good sir!" Fox said.
"Wheres the officers?"
"They jumped off the tower." Fox said and Robert let out a curse.
"Thunder One to Will! We need extraction!"
"Sorry sir. Can't do that and fight off the eyeballs. We're trapped." Steve replied.
"Dammit." Robert cursed.
"Robert before we die I want you to know something." Fox said behind him. "I love you."
"I know." he said giving her one last kiss as the shadows of three destroyers covered them.
"Reinforcements incoming!" Jefferson yelled and Robert turned to see freighters and speeders flying towards the desperate battle. "Your crazy plan worked!"
"Told you!" Robert said as a bus like ship slowed toward them and a ramp lowered down.
"How you're doing Earthlings?" a white human asked.
"Could use a ride." Robert answered with a smile.
"Then jump aboard." the stranger said. Mandal, Milson, Snow, and Jefferson got on the ship. While Robert was helping Fox onto the ship a TIE blasted the tower support and it began to fall. He pushed Fox onto the ship, but he fell with the tower. He thought this was his end. Then a speeder managed to catch him and fly away. He looked at the lifesaver and realized he ways a Rodian.
"This is Thunder One to Will and all Thunders. Get the hell out of here. I'll catch up later. Thunder Two you're in charge. Good luck." he said over the radio as the speeder lowered to a pathway.
"Get the hell out of here and long live the Earth." the Rodian said as Robert ran from the battle.
Jefferson couldn't believe it when Robert said that he's the new team leader. He treated the soldier like he was trash. But he won't reuse his commanding officer orders. "Whoever is piloting this, get us out of here!"
"We can't leave Robert." Fox cried.
"You heard him. He'll catch up. When has that crazy negro been wrong?"
Earth Date - May 6, 1916
Coruscant
Operation Thunder Strike - Day 64
Robert discarded the white armor to blend in with the population a little more and stole clothes here and there. He was walking next to a giant canyon when he heard the Emperor's voice above him, he looked up and saw the scared face of the tyrant. "Attention citizens of the Empire. The transmission that was sent on the Holonet is fake. A radical cult that believes in slaughter and death managed to hack into the holonet to trick the people into dying a gruesome death far from their home. I promise you that we will find these evil men and face Imperial justice."
"No." Robert said. After all, he did the Empire is trying to spin it in their favor, but he knows that the damage been done. The galaxy knows about the Earth.
"Find the Earth soldiers and eliminate them." Palpatine ordered his apprentice.
"I will my master." Vader promised.
"And eliminate those who will aid the Earth."
Captain Vema Boun is a Togruta explorer and surveyor. She's been hired by a Bail Organa to scout planets for potential bases, but after the Coruscant Skirmish, she knew this was different. When she entered his office the Viceroy was sitting at his desk waiting. "Good to see again Bail."
"As it is good to see you again Vema." the old man replied. "I assume you know why you're here."
"You want me to scout the Unknow Regions for this Earth?"
"Yes. Can you do it."
"Triple my usual price and I will."
"Double for now and I'll give you the rest after you find the world."
"Deal. Do you think it's out there?" Boun asked.
Bail looked at her and without a doubt said, "Yes."
Author's Notes
Hello again readers both new and loyal. I've going to work on this more than the story I was working on because I like this more. But I will work on another story request that is similar to this one. Just not as much still. I hope you all will continue to read this story. I've got more plans for the biggest battle yet. Bigger than Earth Seige and the Battle of the Artic. So may the Force be with you and may the Force be with the Earth.