Earth Date - May 23, 1916

Lenard Hideaway, Location Classified

Operation Thunder Strike - Day 81


Ian watched as Nuzlu's ship lowered to the ground. To his left was Jaw, Admiral Reed, and General Khisai Nuzlu, to his right was his mother and sister. After so long he was finally going to have someone train him as a Jedi. When the ship landed and the ramp was lowered, Ian only saw Nuzlu on the ship and his hope was starting to dwindle. When he reached the young boy he kneeled. "I found a Jedi to teach you."

"Where are they?" Ian asked.

"Pude is on Felucia defending a village she called home for years. She is willing to teach you, but you must go to Felucia for training." Nuzlu answered.

"No. Training sounded terrible, but leave the Earth that is worst." Jenna said.

"If he is to survive the coming war, he must be trained or die. His father, my men, American soldiers, and countless lives have died to Vader and the Emperor. I don't want Ian to be a casualty when I can prevent it." Nuzlu replied and the group was silent. "It's the only way. Pude may be his last hope."

"Fine, but I want to see him."

"I'll do the best I can." Nuzlu said and Ian gave his goodbyes before going on the ship to a new world.


Earth Date - May 23, 1916

Wright Air Force Base, Washington D.C

Operation Thunder Strike - Day 81


Nancy watched as fighters took off into the air. She missed the feeling. The feeling of the air against your fighter, the feeling of being weightless, and the feeling of peace. It's been years since she sat in a fighter cockpit, the last time was during the Battle of the Artic. Then she heard a door open. "Been awhile General."

"Indeed Captain. How's your squadron?"

"The Warhawks are a bit grumpy that we aren't in another battle again."

"I got good news then. Your squadron is among the few who are going to fly a new experimental fighter."

"Sounds like fun."

"You're get the official report later today. I just came by to see a good friend."

"Thank you General and its good to see you too." Barr said and the two soldiers smiled knowing that war was on the horizon.


Earth Date - May 23, 1916

U.S IPOW Camp 24, Idaho

Operation Thunder Strike - Day 81


Drers sat on her bunk in a cabin with dozens of officers and troopers. Since the Battle of Fleets, she became the enemy's prisoner. She was at the mercy of her enemy and she hated it. She counted the days till the Empire comes and destroys the fools, as the days went on doubt seeped into her heart. The Empire she loved and served fell to a primitive enemy, and her anger increased.


Earth Date - May 25, 1916

Coruscant

Operation Thunder Strike - Day 83


Robert sat on one of the cushioned seats of The Smugglers Price. He waited for the pilot he "paying" to finish checking the ship. As five minutes went by he headed for the cockpit. When he got there, Robert saw a platoon of stormtroopers marching towards the ship. He ran for the ramp and raised it while he readied his blaster. When the ramp was up he headed for the engine room and took his tracker off sending a message back to his team that something was wrong, but still active. He put the small tracking antenna off and put it in his mouth, down his throat as the ramp was forced opened. Within moments enemy troopers aimed their rifles at him. "Don't move terrorists! Drop the blaster!" they ordered and he dropped the weapon. "Raise your hands!"

"I'm innocent." Robert said.

"Sure. Binders." a trooper ordered and another soldier put binders on him.

"This is for the troopers you killed." the trooper who cuffed him said as he punched his back.


"We have captured one of the Earth soldiers from the Skirmish." Vader reported to his master.

"Good. I want him interrogated about the Earth, his team, everything." the Emperor ordered. "Then execute him."


Earth Date - May 26, 1916

Humanity's Will

Operation Thunder Strike - Day 84


"Yesterday our brave soldiers captured a member of the cult that is responsible for dozens of deaths both here on coruscant and near the Unknown Regions. Our officers will question him and he will be put to trial, and a just punishment will follow. This I promise." The Emperor said on the holonet as the soldiers from Earth watched in disgust. Jefferson knew that they either are lying or did capture Robert.

"We have to do something." Fox said first. "They have Robert."

"The Empire knows our ship. I doubt we'll be able to sneak in again." Jefferson replied. "It's suicide."

"So is everything we ever have done for this whole operation." Mandal remarked.

"His tracker shows he's in the Imperial Palace." Snow reported.

"Two reasons why it's impossible. One, the Empire is watching for this ship. Two, the palace under more security than anywhere in the galaxy. We aren't doing it." Jefferson ordered.

"Third, Robert's a negro right?" Millson said. "We all know you hate him for his skin."

"Think it this way. The Earth is about to declare an official war on the Empire. We kill the Emperor in his Palace and the Empire crumbles. We'll win. Getting Robert is a bonus for you. Just think about the fame you could get. Maybe you'll get promoted to a higher rank." Fox said and Jefferson thought about it for a moment.

"Hendersons. Make the jump to hyperspace." he ordered and the brothers nodded and floated toward the bridge. "Battle positions. everyone.


Earth Date - May 26, 1916

Coruscant

Operation Thunder Strike - Day 84


Robert was strapped to a bed-like thing that was raised vertically in a small cold room with a staircase next to a wall. A small black ball-like droid with several claws and pointing things on it, floating near him. Robert himself was shirtless and was wearing uncomfortable fiber-like pants. When he heard the door hiss open, Robert saw a black officer in a white uniform, not armor. As the officer walked down the stairs Robert said, "Guess you're the welcoming committee. If so you guys are making me feel at home."

"Silence. When I ask a question you answer me with the truth. No lies, no half-truths, and no propaganda." The officer replied.

"You guys are better at all that than me." Robert said and the officer slapped him.

"Did I ask a question?" the imp asked and Robert said nothing. The officer slapped him again and asked again, and again, and again, till they wasted twenty minutes. "You will be hard to crack, but I will get my answers from you."

"Good luck with that." Robert replied and the officer slapped him once more.

"First question. What is your name?" the imperial asked and Robert knew what will follow. Torture, then question and repeat over and over till he replies truthfully. Robert stayed silent and the officer motioned the droid over. "I will get my answers. No matter what."


When the Imperial capital came into view, Jefferson thought of a million ways this could end badly. As the ship slipped past dozens of destroyers, he knew the imps still didn't know how to find their ship, which makes this assault easier. "Who too sir?" Phil asked Jefferson as they enter the atmosphere.

"Not too deep and not too high." Jefferson said and the two brothers head for a vertical tunnel.

"What are the chances someone notices us?" Snow asked.

"They already did." Jefferson answered making the team uneasy. A few minutes later they landed on an isolated platform. Jefferson noticed a Rodian walking towards them.

"Trouble?" Millson asked.

"Maybe. Stay here, I'll take care of it." Jefferson ordered as he got out of his seat and headed for the lowering ramp. As he exited the ship the alien waved his hand.

"Hello gentleman. Good to see you. I assume you have paid for this platform?" the alien said.

"No and I don't care." Jefferson answered. "Are you an Imperial?"

"Every citizen is an Imperial, but you aren't citizen are you?" the Rodian said and Jefferson's hand was near his blaster. "I think you have paid but I lost the file. It might take a few days to find them. Till then you may use this platform."

"Thanks."

"Don't thank me. Thank that Earth mess." the alien said smiling as he walked away. Jefferson head back inside the ship.

"We'll good?" Fox asked.

"We'll good. Bros keep the ship ready for evac, Snow, Millson guard the ship, Mandal, Fox you're with me to the temple. Civ cloths. Our armor will attract the wrong attention." Jefferson order and everyone went to get ready.


Jefferson looked at his watch to see it's 18:34. That makes it seven hours since they been on this roof overlooking the Palace. Security was tight will platoons of stormtroopers at every entrance and TIE patrols every hour from their hangers. Not to mention that it's the only building on that island with hundreds or more troopers and Vader. "Any ideas?" he asked the two soldiers with him.

"Frontdoor, suicide. Air, suicide. Backdoor, suicide. Did I missed anything?" Mandal responded.

"No, I think you got all of it." Jefferson answered. "This is truly a fortress."

"I have an idea." Fox said.

"Which is?"

"We go up from down." she said and the two soldiers with her were stunned.

"You want us to dig?"

"Yep."

"Okay, you found a good spot to dig while we scout some more up here."

"Got it." she replied as she got up and walked away.

"This is suicide."

"You said that already about a million times now." Mandal noted.

"Thanks. I'm going to go to another building to get a better angle." Jefferson said as he got up and walked to a stolen speeder bike. He turned it on and zoomed away to a far off roof. Once he was there, Jefferson took his binoculars and looked around the Palace. After ten minutes of seeing nothing but a concrete wall, he saw a shield wall covering a ventilation system. He smiled as a plan started to form in his head.


After hours of torture, the officer left and the droid stopped. Robert breathed heavily knowing that the Empire would go to extreme lengths to break prisoners. The door opened and a pair of troopers came in and stood upright near the bottom of the stairs. "I don't suppose I could get any dinner?" he asked the troopers.

"Shut up terrorist." a female trooper ordered.

"Guess not."

"Shut up or I blast you!" she ordered as she raised her rifle and Robert heard the click of an armed rifle.

"Once the Earth wins this war, we'll charge a whole lot of you guys with war crimes." he said and a blaster bolt went past his head.

"Shut up or I'll shoot that face of yours." the trooper ordered and Robert only smiled.


"Jackson will prove to be a difficult prisoner to interrogate. He was able to withstand a torture droid." Agent Worbin Alek reported to Vader. He was assigned to take over the interrogation of the Earth soldier and because of it, he must report to Vader.

"Will you be able to break him?" Vader asked followed by more breathing. Alek was terrified of Vader because of his appearance, the breathing made it a hundred times worse.

"I will sir. He is strong, but not stronger than the Empire."

"I hope not. I will not accept failure." Vader said motioning him to leave which the officer did for his sanity.


"This plan of yours is risky." Snow noted after Jefferson reported.

"But it's fast and efficient. No troopers will be in the vents, and no one can spot us." Jefferson said.

"That's assuming we get past the scanners and possible probe droids." Millson remarked.

"What do you suppose we do then?" Jefferson asked and the sniper. Silence filled the ship. "Okay, so any more questions?" More silence. "Good we'll move out in the morning."


Earth Date - May 27, 1916

Coruscant

Operation Thunder Strike - Day 85


Despite the cold temperature, the cold metal against his back, the uncomfortable clothes, and the uncomfortable position he was in, Robert managed to get some sleep. He woke up to electrical bolts striking him. He screamed at the torture. He remembered the lighting storms he seen back home. Strike and disappear. That's how it worked. The Empire changed those rules. The lightning struck over and over again. When it did disappear, Robert breathed more heavily than he did the day before. "Are you ready to talk today Jackson?" the imp from before asked.

"Go to hell." Robert said and the lighting struck again. When it ceased the officer smiled.

"What is your name?"

"You already know my name imp." Robert said and the screams began as the lighting struck.


Fox set up the grappling gun while everyone else checked their weapons. When a squadron of TIEs soared by, Fox aimed the weapon above the vent and fired. When the line was secured, Snow went first to take down the shield. When she gave the signal, the remaining soldier soared down to the Palace. When they walked into the vent, Snow turned the shields back on while Fox remotely released the line from the gun. "Ship Formation." Jefferson order and the team spread out a few feet from each other before they marched through the tunnels.


"What is your name?" the imp asked for the millionth time while Robert took deep and heavy breaths.

"WHat's your name imp?" Robert remarked, followed by the lighting and screams.

"It's Agent Worbin Alek if you must know, now what is your name?" the agent said as the lighting ceased and Robert smiled.

"I got more information from you than you will from me." the Earthling replied and the lighting struck again, but more powerful than before.

"I will break you and get all of your secrets. If I fail then I will die and Vader will take over. And he is less merciful."


It was noon by the time Jefferson and his team found the vent that led to Robert's cell. The tracker work liked a charm. As they got crawled closer and closer, they heard screams of pain. "They're torturing him." Mandal said dread in his voice.

"I'm going to kill the Imp." Fox remark in a stern voice.

"Easy." Jefferson whispered as he saw what's under them. A squad of red-robed soldiers with some kind of spear. "Ten red robes. Guards, I guess."

"Armed?" Snow asked.

"Spears. Must have some kind of secret weapon on them?"

"Terrific." Millson remarked as a creaking noise echoed across the vent and hall.

"Did you hear that?" one of the red imperials asked below them, right before the vent burst open and the team fell onto of four guards. The rest readied their weapons for a fight. Fox opened fire and took out the remaining as a door open. Jefferson shot the two stormtroopers who exited the room. Everyone bolted up and Fox led them into the room.


"What is your name?" Alek asked once again. Before Robert could say another witty remark a loud noise echoed from outside gaining everyone's attention. Followed by blaster fire. "Troopers defend this cell!"

"Yes sir!" the female trooper said as they raced up the stairs. When they opened the door blaster fire greeted them and the two fell backward. Alek raised his blaster pistol as a person with Earth armor appeared. Before the imp could pull the trigger, the Earthling fired one shot and killed the torturer.

"What part of get off Coruscant did you all not get?" Robert asked slowly as the first soldier unlocked his chains.

"The part where you're stubborn as a mule." Fox said as she and Millson life the tired leader up.

"Besides we got another mission." Jefferson said. "We're killing the Emperor."

"So, another suicidal mission. Nothing has changed I see."

"Yeah well, we need a new plan. The vent breaking was not part of it." Snow noted as they walked into the hall and Robert notices bodies and debris.

"The hanger will have a ride." Fox said.

"Bucketheads!" Mandal yelled as stormtroopers charged at them. He sniper was exchanging fire with the enemy.

"Okay everyone, get to the Hanger. I'll meet you there." Jefferson ordered.

"No Jefferson! Everyone goes together!" Robert yelled.

"Sorry negro. But if we can end the war before it starts, I'll have to do it." Jefferson said before he saluted Robert. Not out of command, but out of respect. Jefferson ran the other way while the strike force headed for the Imperial hanger.


Vader marched through the halls to Robert's cell where the Earthlings were last seen. Alek failed the Empire and paid for it with his life. As the dark lord marched an armored soldier stopped several yards away. Vader knew this is one of the Earthlings. Anger burn threw him, knowing that these humans have done something no sane person has ever done. An assault from within the Palace. The soldier raised his rifle at the Sith. "Surrender or die imp!" the human said.

"Where are your allies fool?" Vader asked.

"Last warning! Surrender or-ack!" the enemy replied as Vader used the force and squeezed his neck.

"Where are your allies?" the Sith asked as he let go of his enemy's neck.

"Go to hell!" the man said and Vader felt the enemy's heart and he squeezed it. The man gripped his chest knowing little of what was happening.

"Where are your allies?"

"Might as well crush it." the man replied. "I won't tell you anything."

"You will." Vader said and the man screamed from the pain. A minute later a trooper was yelling on the comms.

"Terrorist at Hanger arrg!" the trooper yelled. Vader put all his might to the task at hand and the enemy laid on the ground lifeless. The Sith marched to the hanger closest to Robert's cell, leaving the enemy's body behind.


After several minutes of intense fighting, they managed to get to the hanger's edge. Fox noticed Jefferson tracker was active, but his life signs weren't. "Thunder Three to Will over!"

"Ready for pickup Thunder Three?" Phil asked.

"Get here now! Use the trackers!"

"Understood. ETA seven minutes and fourteen seconds." Phil said as blaster fire went past her head.

"We don't have that long!" she yelled as she raised his pistol and fired. Troopers raced towards them. The team took covered behind several crates and traded fire with the Imperials.

"You shouldn't have come back for me." Robert said.

"Then don't get captured next time." Fox shot back.

"I ordered you all to get away from here, yet you came back here."

"Too bad! We'll here, now shut up!"

"I gave you all that order to protect you!"

"And we came back because we're a team! I came back because I love you!" Fox said and for the next several minutes the only sound that echoed in the hanger was blaster bolts and death.

"Will to Thunder Three. What happened to Thunder Two?" Phil asked as the ship came into view.

"Long story. Get us out of here."

"Yes ma'am." Phil said as the ship's ramp was lowed. The strike force was getting ready to provide cover fire for Robert when explosions rocked the ship.

"TIEs incoming!" Steve yelled as more explosions hit the ship.

"Get to cover Will." Fox ordered. "Strike force head to a shuttle!" Mandal and Snow opened fire at the retreating stormtroopers while Millson and Fox carried Robert to a shuttle. When the last two got to the ship, Fox started up the shuttle.

"Guess I'm your copilot." Snow said as she got into the seat. The shuttle flu out of the hanger and headed up for the stars.


"Thunder Three to Will. Where are you?" Fox asked.

"Don't worry Thunder Three we'll on our way." Phil lied. The damage taken by the fighters hit the engines. Any attempt to go against gravity will kill the ship.

"What's the plan Phil?" Steve asked.

"Crash, steal a ship, head for Earth."

"Robert's original plan got it." Steve said as he shot down another fighter from the front gunner station. Two minutes past when an enemy fighter hit the engines and the ship glided down to the ground in front of the palace. The ship hit the ground hard several times before it slides against the metal and concrete. Phil looked down at his brother and saw his brother looking at him. In a moment the ship bumped over something and the station, along with his brother was gone. His mind went blank. Steve was gone. His brother from their childhood. His best friend. The two joined the Space Force together so they could be brothers in blood and in arms. Now Steve is dead. When the ship came to a holt, Phil looked up and saw troopers charging at him. He entered the self-destruct sequence and as the first platoons arrived, Phil looked at them.

"I'll see you soon Steve." he said as an explosion engulfed him.


Steve and Phil were gone. Both their life signs and trackers were disabled hours ago. Fox watched the beauty of hyperspace past over the space. She wanted to cry. Three men have died. All knew the risk, but all were men she got to know. She attempted to make contact with the Earth. After several failed attempts she managed to an answer. "This is Admiral Reed. Who is this?" the admiral said before noticing it was Fox. "What happened?"

"We went to rescue Robert. Jefferson was KIA followed by Steve and Phil." Fox told the admiral as tears rolled down her cheeks. Sadness covered Reed's face as well.

"Report back to Earth. Congress has just declared war on the Empire." Reed said as the transmission ended.

"So that's it. We enter the Second Earth War." Robert said behind her.

"You should be resting."

"I will. Thanks fr rescuing me."

"Three lives for one."

"If I had broke, the Empire would have used the information I knew to kill thousands. Jefferson, Steve, and Phil knew the risk. We all do."

"I know." Fox said as she closed her eyes before feeling Robert kissing her.


Earth Date - May 28, 1916

Imperial Palace, Coruscant

The Second Earth War - Day 1


"Three of the Earthlings were killed in the assault. and their ship was destroyed." Vader reported to his master.

"Did we got any information from Jackson?" Palpatine asked.

"No. He escaped before we could extract any useful information."

"I am displeased. Prepare for war."