The Second Terran Sector War Clone Wars

by CPT Reynolds

They say death is the end, but what if it was only the beginning. For these titans of WWII, they awaken in a sector similar to Earth in 1943. Now, they must once again fight a war that will define them while trying avoiding the mistakes of the past. However, none can account for all possible outcomes, and they cannot forget about the galaxy-wide conflict known as the Clone Wars.

63. Chapter 61: Progress and a New Direction

Ok, it has been a while, but I have a new update for everyone to enjoy. It took me a bit, but I was also surprised at how fast I finished this. Reviews are welcome and I appreciate everyone who comments on my story.

...

Guest: Otto Wells died at the beginning of the war, a few years before my story started. As for SoPaDe, they suffered the same fate they did as on Earth.

tbarse92: Ok, first of all, I am glad that you are enjoying my story, and I will try to answer as many of your questions that I can without giving spoilers for future updates.

For how far I plan to take this, I intend to cover until the end of the Clone Wars at the very least, with maybe the possibility of covering the post-Clone Wars Era. You are also assuming that the information age will reach the heights that it did on Earth. Here, there are countless outside influences that can change how tech develops, so all of those networked systems may not materialize.

The droid fighters that Katania are using works because they are desperate. The Confederacy don't need to bother with it because they have an endless stream of them, while the Republic don't use them. Post war, I believe most battledroid facilities were dismantled and destroyer, with most of the galaxy traumatized by the thought of droid armies. Unfortunately, full networking is seen as a terrible idea, as slave circuiting various ships can result in disasters. Just look at what happened to the Katana Fleet when they had full networked systems.

If I do make sequels, the Terran Sector and the Empire (if it forms) would come to blows, but the whole sector won't be unified. It contains 200 occupied systems who would be swarmed by the Empire's fleet. There will nations that would side with Palpatine, and there would be American, UK, and other politicians who would gladly work with the Empire to further their own careers. Some could even become unwilling supporters without even realizing it.

Characters will die, but I am unsure if I will allow for more to arrive from Earth. It is something that I will have to consider as I get closer to an ending. Palpatine doesn't want to be worshipped. He's not that much of a megalomaniac. He wants power, and to rule the galaxy for as long as he can. As to the cloning, I don't think he could nationalize the centers because the Kaminoans would likely find some way to sabotage them, since they operate all of the equipment, not to mention that clones are expensive to create, train, and grow. Recruiting is cheaper when the Empire is low on money.

Will Padme live? Well, it depends on how things go for the Republic, Clone Wars, and other factors, and there is no real difference between Terran medical teams and the rest of the galaxy, other than how reliable and efficient their tech is, and I do not follow the "life drain theory" of Palpatine draining the life from Padme to save Anakin. While Palpatine is powerful, and probably could have done it, I am just not a fan of it and won't be using it. Military doctrines in the beginning were "backwards" but that was mainly due to the fact that there hadn't been a real war in the galaxy in over a thousand years. by the end of the Clone Wars though, the tactics were far more "modern" As for the politics of the Republic, it had the checks and balances of a Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branch. The problem was that Palpatine managed to gain control by having the Senate grant him emergency powers and the Supreme Court couldn't reach verdicts on important issues due to have an even number of justices.

...

Year 14, Month 9, Day 29

Galactic Senate Building

Coruscant, Galactic Republic

"What has happened in Getov is not just a military coup, but a legitimate overthrow of an unpopular government! One only needs to look at those who have organized our actions to see the truth before you! It is not just members of the military, but politicians and others who have served Getov for years before Hitler took control. Many are junkers, as we call ourselves, or members of the old nobility of the Getov Empire. We all felt a duty to serve our nation, but there comes a time that duty comes into conflict with leadership. That is why my fellow junkers have overthrown that madman named Hitler and his supporters, and I why stand before you.

"Many of you know who I am. I am Franz von Papen. I was the Senatorial Representative of Getov to the Galactic Republic, and served with distinction." He paused for a few seconds before he continued. "Regretfully, I was also responsible in helping bring Hitler to power, believing that he would make Getov a great power again." As he spoke, his voice showed hints of sorrow and he paused for a moment. "To give us back our pride after being defeated a generation ago. Little did we know that the man would bring even more destruction and death to us."

Senator Franklin Roosevelt watched and listened as former Senator von Papen gave his speech to the Senate. He had to give the man credit. He was playing the game exceptionally well, placing blame on the Hitler and Nazis, but also taking some of the responsibility. It made them seem more sympathetic to some of the more hardliners while others would see them as victims.

The day had started off as any other in the Galactic Senate. The Clone Wars continued, with defeats and victories for both sides, and the running of a galactic government was never ending. He had been surprised when a man identifying himself as the former Senator Franz von Papen had appeared in the Senate building, occupying the former Getov senator platform. How the man had managed to enter the Senate Building with all the security measures they had in place was a mystery, and many in the Senate had called for his arrest as a Separatist spy. It wasn't until Argentino's (Argentina) senator had called for everyone to at least hear the man out that Chancellor Palpatioe allowed it. That had resulted in a speech that had been going for the last several minutes.

"What do you think will happen, Senator?" one of his aides quietly asked.

The former president chewed on the edge of his cigarette holder for a few seconds. Even though he wasn't allowed to smoke, it allowed him to concentrate for a few moments to come up with a response. "If I had to guess, he is about to ask for Getov to be readmitted into the Republic. They might not get full membership, but perhaps they become a non-voting member. At least until after the war."

"Do you think they'll get it?" his aide asked.

"It all depends on what they plan to offer and how they present it to the Republic," Roosevelt replied and turned his attention back to von Papen.

"We know we are not innocent of the destruction that we have caused in the Terran Sector, which is why we offer reparations for damages that we have caused. An amount that can be negotiated at a later date. What I have also been allowed to offer is the turning over of Hitler and his Nazi supporters to the Allies and Republic for crimes against sentience, and of course the return of Teutonic Knights to the Jedi Order for appropriate punishment."

Von Papen's address to the Senate lasted for several more minutes before finishing. When it did, Chancellor Palpatine gave a response, stating that he would give the request much consideration before making a decision. He also promised that the Republic would ensure the safety of von Papen and his staff until a decision was made, as a gesture of good faith.

When the session ended, Roosevelt left his platform, and began walking the hallways. He was joined by many others as the Senate chamber emptied, and he made a series of turns before he entered one of the many conference rooms that the building housed. Within were many senators that he had formed close working relationships with. Not only those of the Terran Sector, but also Mon Mothma of Chandrilla.

"Good afternoon, Senator Mothma," Roosevelt said, walking up to one of the closest non-Terran allies he had.

"Good afternoon, Sentator Roosevelt," she answered, a small smile on her face. "Getov's representative asking for readmittance into the Republic sounds like good news for your sector. I am curious as to how they managed to enter the Senate building."

While Senator Mon Mothma was dedicated to finding a peaceful solution to the war, Roosevelt knew that she was not a person who missed anything. "I honestly have no idea," he answered with a shrug. "If I had to guess, I would think that the Senator from Argentino assisted them. Both nations have had close relations in the past."

"But do you think it will work?" another accented voice asked.

Both Mon Mothma and Roosevelt turned to see a man who appeared to be middle aged. He had dark hair, but was showing signs of grey. He had a well-kept moustache, and wore a brown jacket with ornamental shoulder pauldrons. There was also a medal signifying the planet Corellia. Roosevelt watched as Senator Garm bel Iblis joined the two of them. While the man no longer partook in the operations of the Senate in an official capacity, preferring to maintain that Corellia was taking a neutral stance, that did not stop him from "unofficially" involving himself.

"While I think that Getov leaving the Separatists and being allowed to rejoin the Republic is a good way to show that we are not the corrupt government that they claim we are, the manner that it is done needs to be considered," Roosevelt explained. "For example, the actions of the leadership of Getov. Many have performed crimes against the galaxy on those they considered undesirables." He looked at both Garm and Mothma before he continued. "Do we allow them to stay in control, place them on trial for their crimes, or only select a few? What about those who took part in their overthrow of the Nazi regime? Are they to be treated the same or do they receive a different consideration?"

"It's times like this I wish that Senator Organa and Amidala were here and not out in the galaxy assisting with the humanitarian crisis. We certainly could use their point of view on this subject," bel Iblis said regretfully.

"Yes, but we need to show the rest of the galaxy that the Republic is here to help those affected by the fighting," Mon Mothma said firmly. "If we don't that just proves that the Separatists are correct about ut." She turned to Roosevelt. "What was the Allied leadership's original plan for Getov after the war?" Mon Mothma asked.

"Well, before the overthrow of the Nazi government, I was told that the idea for post-war Getov was military occupation of the systems by all major powers of the Allies, with a de-nazification program for the population. It would be a long-term solution. At the same time, we would rebuild their infrastructure, assist in the creation of a provisional government, and begin the process of bringing them back into the galactic community."

"I take it that with this coup of theirs that succeeded, your original plan is no longer viable," bel Iblis said, gently pulling on his moustache.

Roosevelt thought for a moment before he answered. "We would have to modify our original plan if we wanted to implement it. It would be on a far more limited scale, but it might be possible to force them to concede to more demands. It is something that I will have to ask my government about when I have the chance. However, it is non-negotiable that those responsible for their extermination programs be handed over to the Allies."

"Well, if even half of what I have read about those people are true, every one of them deserves to be lined against the wall and shot," bel Iblis said firmly. "Just because those humans were different is no reason for those facilities to even exist. I am just glad that the Jedi managed to liberate the largest ones in Polanie."

"Agreed," Mon Mothma added. "While I seek a diplomatic end to this war, I do believe that justice needs to be served to those who have performed horrible acts against the beings who live in this galaxy." She paused for a moment, a look of pain in her eyes. "There have been actions on both sides that have resulted in the deaths of countless lives."

Garm nodded. "I saw a few days ago that Jabiim has been fully evacuated," he said shaking his head in frustration. "Our actions there will cause the people of that system to hate us for years to come, and the fighting at Parcellus Minor has resulted in the deaths of thousands and the destruction of the planet's ecology. That doesn't include Aargonar being another defeat for the Republic."

"It's all terrible," Mon Mothma said. She looked at both men, a renewed strength showing in her posture and voice. "It is why the Council of Neutral Systems is attempting to broker peacetalks between ourselves and the Separatists."

"I certainly wish her the best of luck," Roosevelt said. Duchess Satine of Mandalore was the leader of the largest group of neutral systems in the galaxy, and was seen as a reliable party when it came to negotiations for prisoners and other aspects of the war that neither side trusted the other on. He had met her once, and found her to be a very beautiful and strong-willed individual, who stood by her principles of neutrality and peace. "Even with both sides blaming each other for the problems of the war, and the hatreds that both leaderships spout over the Holonet, the fact that they are willing to come together for this is a sign that perhaps the war can find a peaceful end."

"A peaceful end to the war would certainly help in the limiting of Chancellor Palpatine's emergency powers," bel Iblis added. "It will also help with the the reduction of clone purchases, something that Senator Burtoni has attempted to push through the Senate again."

Roosevelt shook his head at the thought of that female Kaminoan. She was attempting to increase her people's influence in the Senate, and while another large purchase of clones would certainly result in that, she wasn't thinking of the long-term conswquences. What would happen when the Republic was unable to purchase more, and was instead spending all of its money on repaying loans from the Banking Clans? "That's why I have kept pushing for local systems and planets to dedicate equipment, materiel and personnel into a true Republic Military, and not one based solely on clones."

"Speaking of militaries, I have heard that your Allied Expeditionary Force is close to departing the Terran Sector. I would be very interested in seeing it in action," bel Iblis said, a slight twinkle in his eye. "I've heard that you will be sending some of your greatest commanders as part of it. I know of several Corellians who would like to meet them."

"I am assuming that these Corellians are the ones who are part of that volunteer fleet which was formed months after the start of the Clone Wars?" Roosevelt asked, a small smile on his face. When he heard that a fleet of Corellian ships was participating in the fighting against the Separatists despite the system's neutrality, Roosevelt saw it as a stroke of genius. It reminded him of the American Volunteer Group that fought in China on Earth.

Bel Iblis smiled. "While Corellia is neutral in this war, we cannot stop private citizens from taking part in it. Especially if they are able to afford taking a few star cruisers and support ships with them," he explained innocently.

Roosevelt merely nodded. "Well, I can think of a few commanders in the AEF who would be interesting in meeting them as well," he answered.

"I would like to meet some also," Mon Mothma added. "I have read many of their exploits, especially of the Albion commando who fought some of Getov's Teutonic Knights. He sounds like a very interesting individual."

Roosevelt nodded. They don't call him "Mad Jack" for nothing, he thought to himself. "I am sure they would be more than happy to meet everyone, but they have their duty to the Republic first. They will serve as an example to the rest of the galaxy, and to the first formations that have volunteered to fight for the Republic as a true army. The first groups will be finishing training in the next month if I remember correctly. If the AEF can succeed in their first few assignments, I feel that it can inspire the others to do the same. We can show that we can stand together, united against the forces that would pull apart this great republic that has stood for over a thousand years."

Roosevelt was about to say more when the intercom system came on and a familiar voice was heard. "I apologize for interrupting, but in case you do not know who I am, I former Senator Franz von Papen, and I have just received important news from my government. They have told me that as part of their effort to reconcile with the rest of the Europa Region, they would consider the returning of territory taken by the Nazi government."

That announcement caught everyone's attention. As the former senator continued on his announcement on how this had come to pass, Roosevelt simply shook his head in amazement. This was nothing like how Germany had acted on Earth, and he realized that he and the others couldn't rely on their past experiences to predict what will happen next. Even though it was against the rules, and probably would earn him dirty looks from everyone in the room, Roosevelt lit a cigarette and took a small drag and thought for a moment. He wondered just what had caused the government in Getov to even consider presenting this proposal in the first place.

---

Year 14, Month 9, Day 29

Getov Presidential Palace

Berlin, Getov Prime System

Greater Getov Reich

"How dare he!" the President of the Getov Reich shouted as he and key members of his Cabinet watched Franz von Papen give his second address to the Galactic Senate. "He has no authority to do that!"

President Ludwig Beck was far from the only man in the Presidential Office who was in a foul mood. When the cause had managed to bring the former Republic Senator to their side, it had been a boon politically. The man's experience and influence gave them a legitimacy that allowed them to deal with the Republic directly in the event the Allies proved too slow in accepting a ceasefire. When they had received a message that the man had made it to Coruscant, it had been seen as a success.

The man's first address to the Senate had been a pre-approved message that most everyone had agreed on. It was seen as reasonable, but would have allowed for Getov to keep the territory that was historically theirs. It was to be an olive branch to show they would negotiate. However, the second address that he had given to the Senate had been completely unexpected, and not been seen as acceptable to many, if not all, in the room.

"He shouldn't have," acting Foreign Minister Ulrich von Hassell said, sitting in a chair and watching the monitor with a frown on his face. "Unfortunately, he has done it before the entire Republic. If this had been just the Allies, we could have done more negotiating, or even recalled his proposal, but this…" he waved at the screen, "is impossible to change, unless we want to look weak before not only the Republic, but the Confederacy. There is still the possibility that they decide to send the fleet they promised to Hitler."

"So what can we do?" President Beck demanded. "Our esteemed Senator's statement to give away territory has backed us into a corner. Those systems belong to us!"

"Then we find a way to keep them while still playing by the rules we have been given," Stauffenburg said finally, and giving everyone a hard look. "Everyone here knows that I am as much a Getov patriot as anyone else, and I agree that those systems are ours by right!" He paused, letting out a small huff before he continued. "But we have no choice but to follow through with Papen's proposal."

The room soon filled with shouting, many shocked at what Stauffenberg had said, given that he had been one of the most vocal for keeping their conquests. Some of the insults were close to calling the colonel a traitor. Others, were in favor of what the man had said, and soon began arguing with those who opposed. The quarreling continued for several more minutes before Colonel Stauffenberg shouted to get their attention.

"Enough!" Everyone in the room immediately stopped to look at the man. "If we still had Polanie and the rest of our conquests I would agree with all of you, but we only hold a fraction of what we once had. We don't even hold all of Getov!"

The room was quiet for several moments before someone spoke. "The Colonel is correct," said Paul Löbe, the President of the Reichstag. "How can we claim all that we have taken when our home systems aren't even ours?" Löbe looked at every man in the room before he continued "We need to prioritize on what is important."

"Then we need to move soon," Field Marshal Erwin von Witzleben added as he leaned forward in his seat. "Field Marshal Guderian's preparations to retake the Hesse System have been delayed twice due to sabotage from the SS' Werewolves. We're just fortunate that none of the Teutonic Knights have attacked us yet."

Beck turned to look at Admiral Canaris, giving the man a hard stare. "You said there would be no more security leaks, yet Herr Guderian's timetables always seem to be derailed by sabotage."

"If you would like for there to be no more leaks, then I would need to remove everyone in the beauracracy," the admiral countered, returning the stare. "But if I did that, then Getov would fall a part. Perhaps if you had given me the resources I had requested, we would not be in this situation!"

"Don't blame me for your incompetence. I can have you removed from your position and sent to the Rarus Front!" he countered, almost shouting at the man.

"At least I know whom my enemy would be on the front!"

"Please, enough. Both of you!" Goerdeler ordered, standing up from his seat and walking toward both men who appeared to be coming close to blows. "We are acting like children when we are supposed to be the leaders of Getov. If we continue like this, then all Goering and the others have to do is wait for everything to fall apart."

The room was silent for several seconds before Field Marshal Witzleben spoke. "Chancellor Goerdeler is correct," he said, his voice tired. "We cannot fight amongst ourselves while we face enemies all around us." He grabbed his datapad and tapped a few keys before speaking again. "Herr Guderian's timetable has his forces deploying in five days, and that is accounting for future acts of sabotage. He wants to reclaim as much lost territory before the Rarus Federation takes more from our allies." He then snorted slightly and shook his head. "We could almost consider it good fortune that the Republic decided to liberate Polanie when they did. Otherwise we would be in an even worse position."

While everyone was upset at the uprising of Warsaw and the Republic fleet that arrived to assist them, it had been a blessing in some ways. It had isolated Waffen-SS formations between the Republic and Rarus, and the Jedi general was working with the recently returned Polanie government to not allow any Rarus forces to pass through their territory.

"I believe I have an idea on how we can keep at least some of our rightful territory," Goerdeler said carefully, looking at the others in the room. "We hold some kind of plebiscite to allow the people to decide on if they stay as part of Getov or become independent."

"And what do we do when they vote to leave, Chancellor?" asked General Freidrich Olbricht, his voice hinting annoyance at the man.

The Goerdeler looked at the general, a look of uncertainty on his face before Stauffenberg spoke. "To borrow an American term: We stack the deck in our favor," he replied. "We find ways to shift the vote to where it favors us," he explained. "We don't make it obvious, but perhapse we can keep places that are ours by right. Maybe try to have the Republic to support it also."

"That would give the Allies little reason to contest results," Löbe added, giving it considerable thought. "The Republic could be seen as an unbiased third-party by those in Europa, and the Allies. Maybe even help in creating a peace treaty afterward."

"That sill leaves the Rarus Federation," Witzleben countered. "They aren't going to be easy to placate, and unless the Katanians decide to be ambitious and attack, we will be facing their full might."

"Let the Bolsheviks fight against Goering and his supporters," Beck said, anger in his voice. He was still upset over the man's escape from imprisonment. "As much as I dislike saying it, losing Polanie likely is to be a blessing. The Rarus will be forced to divert into the Balkans and focus on the SS. That will allow us to focus on reclaiming our systems and beyond."

There were nods of agreement from everyone in the room. While many did not want to see rightful conquests lost, none of them were going to lose sleep on the SS having to face the Rarus alone. While there was still anger in the room, it was far more civil, as everyone tried to find a solution to the latest problem they faced. After three hours, they had worked out a rough idea on what was to be done.

"Herr Hassell, I want you to contact Herr Papen and tell him that we are working on a solution to his second address to the Senate. He will receive more information in the next few days," President Beck said calmly as he tried to control the anger he felt for the man who placed them in this position. "Also, make sure to he knows that if he ever oversteps his authority, there will be severe consequences."

---

Year 14, Month 9, Day 32

Aukštojas Hills

Rarus-occupied Letuva (Lithuania)

General Konev didn't flinch when the artillery blast went off a few dozen meters to the left of his speeder. If he was being honest, it was something that he was used to after experiencing it during the Great War, the Great Patriotic War, and after finding himself in this galaxy. Instead, he focused his attention on the datapad he was reading on the progress of the liberation of the planet. The advance had been slow, and while the system was officially liberated, in reality it was far from secure. It was why he was on the planet's surface, inspecting the operations to remove the Getov forces that had fortified the Medininkai Highlands. Stalin and STAVKA were demanding that he continue the advance, to punish the Hitlerites for all the suffering they had inflicted on the Rodina. He would do that, but only after he ensured that there would have no more problems after his forces left the system.

The ride lasted for a few more minutes until they reached the forward operating base, located a few miles from the fighting in the highlands. It was the closest that he was allowed to go without severely risking his life. When the speeder finally stopped, Konev placed the datapad on his seat and looked out the window to see soldiers moving around the base. All were armed, despite what their assignment was, a testament to the dangers that the fascists posed to everyone.

When the door of his speeder opened, Konev checked his blaster one last time before stepping out. As he looked around, he watched as a platoon of soldiers entered a small transport before it took off toward the highlands. Another sound grabbed his attention, and he looked up to see several dozen rockets flying overhead, the familiar sound of katyushas roaring through the air on approach to some target in the distance.

"Comrade General," came a calm, but curt voice to his right. Looking in the direction it came from, he saw a Red Army officer standing almost at attention who gave him a quick salute. "Comrade Colonel Pushkin reporting."

Returning it, Konev answered, "Comrade Colonel."

"General, I am here to escort you to the forward observation bunker," Pushkin said calmly. "However, I must tell you that the fascists have been hitting our forward positions with high accuracy. You will listen to me when I say we need to move, and I do not care if you are a general. Here on the front, you will follow me lead." He then gave Konev a look that showed that he would not change his mind.

The General admired the the colonel's courage. Not many would talk to a general like that, much less one who commanded the entire front. Giving the colonel a nod, Konev replied, "I will concede to your judgement, comrade. Please, lead the way." He motioned to the officer, which the colonel promptly did, with Konev following.

Making their way through the trenchlines, Konev made sure to keep his head down and follow the instructions of the Colonel. He had flashbacks of his experiences in the Great War as explosions went off around the lines, with the smells of death and combat all around him. Several explosions went off close to him, and he wondered if the Getov soldiers were targeting him directly. He quickly tossed the thought aside, knowing that it was unlikely that they knew he was there. Many of the soldiers in the trenches ignored the general that was moving through their area, focusing more on survival and taking the fight to the Getov forces that were occupying the highlands.

After fifteen minutes of careful movement, they finally reached the observation bunker. Stepping inside, Konev saw several soldiers who who were at comm stations or observing the advance of the soldiers into the highlands. "Comrade General!" one of the soldiers said, loud enough for everyone to hear. He saw they were about to stand at attention, but quickly motioned for them to continue their tasks. Konev began to walk toward the forward section of the bunker, making his way passed the soldiers at their stations as they went back to their work. Reaching the observation platform, he was handed a pair of macrobinoculars, which he took, and looked in the direction of what was to be the final push in retaking the area.

In the distance he could see Medininkai Castle, the linchpin for Getov defense in the area. It was essentially a ruin, but it was still strong enough to serve its purpose as the bastion of Getov operations in the region. Taking it would ensure that the Getov forces would have no central location from which to coordinate their operations on the planet.

...

Senior Sergeant Viktor Reznov ducked as the Getov repeating blaster fired in his direction. The ruins of the castle's outer wall was serving as the perfect protection, but beyond it was a vast open courtyard that was a literal killing field. There had been multiple attempts to try and storm it, but each time had resulted in the deaths of countless men. The fighting for the highlands had been almost as brutal as that in Stalingrad and Leningrad. His unit was even under the command of same General that had left him and countless others to die back in Stalingrad.

"All of this is very familiar, eh comrade?" a voice beside him said.

Reznov looked to his left to see his closest friend, giving him slightly humorous look. "What else can you expect from our favorite butcher general," he replied, giving Corporal Dimitri Petrenko a humorless smile.

He was far from the only man in the square who had a low opinion of their commanding general. There were a couple dozen men scattered along the length of rubble that he was using, no doubt sharing his opinion. Unfortunately, you did not openly criticize a general, especially one who had a reputation for holding grudges for long periods of time and finding 'creative' ways of settling them.

Reznov waited for the firing to calm before carefully looking over the remains of the wall. After a few seconds, he quickly ducked behind the rubble. A second later, a blaster bolt slammed into the wall just a few inches from where his head had been. Muttering a curse, he looked back at the other soldiers who were with him.

"What did you see?" Dimitri asked.

"A killing field, my friend," Reznov answered. "It's too open without proper cover."

"Didn't our commander say we were supposed to receive some armor support?" one of the other soldiers asked. "Where is it?"

"Don't worry, comrade," Reznov said, trying to be reassuring. "They will get here. We just need to hold out until they arrive."

The sounds of blaster fire suddenly began to increase, and a Rarus voice soon shouted. "Counter-attack!"

Reznov cursed again. "Ready yourselves, comrades!" he shouted. "We cannot let them retake our position!" He and the other soldiers rose from behind cover and unleashed a flurry of blaster bolts. Reznov raised his blaster rifle and quickly fire off a burst at a group of Getov soldiers who were running toward their location. He saw one of them fall, while the others quickly dove for the ground. He ducked behind the cover he was using and quickly motioned for the others to follow him, moving further down the line of rubble.

A Getov rocket impacted not far from where he had been hiding, the explosion throwing up a cloud of dust and debris before it falling back down to the ground. Reznov shook his head and allowed himself to smile. He knew what was going to happen next.

"Dimitri, get ready," Reznov ordered. "They should be moving soon!"

Close to a dozen Getov soldiers came out from cover and began advancing. Reacting quickly, Reznov and the others fired their blasters. He thought that at least half of them were hit, but he wasn't completely sure. It was that moment when a Getov heavy repeating blaster unleashed a stream of fire at their location. They all ducked behind the rubble, waiting for several seconds before the blaster fire stopped.

One of the soldiers made a quick look over the edge of the rubble, and no sooner had he done this that a blaster bolt impacted the stone close to where he was standing. The man was soon on his back, screaming and his face bloody. Reznov quickly crawled to the man, looking over his face to see how badly he was injured. Taking out a rag, Reznov wiped away the blood and gave the man a quick look over. It appeared the the damage was from pieces of the wall that had been thrown into the man's face. Luckily, nothing appeared to have been thrown into the man's eyes. "Don't worry, Vasily," Reznov said, trying to reassure the man. "It's not too bad. Maybe with these scars you will finally get yourself a woman, eh?"

"What did you see, Vasily?" Dimitri asked.

The man coughed, and held back some sobs before he was able to answer. "I saw one of their armored transports and an armed speeder," Vasily answered as he tried to talk through the pain he was feeling. "They must have had them hidden. There was maybe a platoon of soldiers supporting them."

Dimitri and Reznov shared a look. "What do you think our chances are?" Dimitri asked.

"The same as always, my friend, but not to worry," Reznov said assuringly. "We survived Stalingrad and Leningrad. We will survive this too." The sounds of blaster fire began to increase, and Reznov looked to see the surviving soldiers along the wall were firing their weapons at the advancing Getov soldiers. The armored transport turned its heavy blaster cannon and fired, sending debris and bodies into the air.

"We have to fall back!" one of the soldiers with them shouted over the sounds of combat.

"We can't," Dimitri answered. "It's open ground between us and the breach, and the Getov swine will mow us down if we try to make a run for it."

"He is right," Reznov added. "We have to stay here." He paused to look at the other soldiers. "If any of you have grenades or detonators, save them for when the speeder and transport are close. If we can take those out, we stand a better chance of surviving!" The five of them readied their weapons, waiting for the enemy to come closer. Between all of them, there were four grenades. It wouldn't be enough to destroy the transport, but perhaps they could disable it to allow for others to escape.

The enemy was approaching, and Reznov carefully looked over the top of the rubble. He could see that they were maybe a dozen yards away. Gripping the grenade, he readied himself to throw it when he heard the sounds of repulsorlifts from behind him. He muttered a curse to himself as he thought about the likelihood of it being Getov vehicles coming from the rear.

It wasn't until he saw the familiar silhouette of a Rarus T-34 that he realized that their armored support had finally arrived. Accompanying it were three other tanks and infantry. The Rarus tank fired its main cannon, the bolt of energy impacting the armored transport and resulting in a brilliant explosion. The Getov soldiers, who had been on the verge of sealing the breach, was routed as the Rarus reenforcements came through.

Reznov saw a Getov soldier raise a rocket launcher and he quickly fired his blaster rifle, hitting the man and saving the tank it was likely targeting. The remaining soldiers began to pull back into the heart of the castle, followed by Rarus soldiers who were committed to retaking the castle from the enemy that had done so much harm to the Rodina.

"It looks like we survive again, comrade," Dimitri said, reloading his blaster with a fresh powerpack.

"It does indeed, my friend," Reznov answered, "but we still need to secure the castle. Only then can we say that we survived." He looked over the top of the rubble to see the Getov fire was beginning to lessen as more of the castle is hit by tanks' cannon fire. "Come. We still have our duty, and a responsibility to make the fascists pay for what they have done. Follow me, comrades!"

...

General Konev watched through his macrobinoculars as the last Nazi stronghold on the highlands fell. It had taken longer than necessary, but it was good to see the Red Army again as an unstoppable force. It made him feel nostalgic in a way, but he couldn't allow for that to shift his focus. He and Zhukov had many plans, and they were going to do their damnest to ensure that the Rarus Federation remained one of the Sector's premier great powers, and eventually spread its influence into the wider galaxy.

Lowering his macorbinoculars, he allowed himself to smile slightly at the thoughts of the future that he and Zhukov had together. He quickly removed such thoughts from his mind though, a habit that had served him well when living under Stalin on Earth and here in the Terran Sector.

"Comrade General," a voice to his right said, and upon turning, Konev saw Colonel Pushkin standing beside him. "A message just came from HQ. The say that the conference room is ready and they are waiting for you to arrive."

"Thank you, Comrade Major," he answered. Taking one last look at the victory before him, he turned and began the journey back to the main compound.

While the Nazis had lost their last base, the trek back was still dangerous, as holdouts continued to fire in a last-ditch attempt to kill more Rarus soldiers. By the time they reached the compound, Konev's clean uniform was stained with mud and soot, but it didn't bother the general as he entered the building and approached the conference room. Upon entering, he could see most of his commanders, either in physical or holographic form. All were sitting around a circular table, with a holographic projection of Europa and the territories that were held by the various powers and factions in the war.

"Comrades," he began, looking at everyone in the room. "It is good to see all of you, and we have much to discuss. We can now officially say that the Letuva System is now firmly in the hands of the Rarus Federation, as the last organized resistance in the Medininkai Highlands having been crushed."

Around the room, there were nods of approval, and even some smiles at the news. They had spent longer than expected in clearing the planet, especially with the damn Hitlerite Werewolves constantly hitting their supply lines. However, they were becoming less of a factor as the Getov military was now in a civil war.

"Now, we must now decide on how to proceed with the next phase of the war." Konev hit a few keys and the map changed to focus on their area of responsibility, showing the region that would cover the Baltic Region of Europa. "From our latest intelligence reports, most of Polanie is now under the control of their former government-in-exile. That leaves the Grodno System, where Field Marshal Model is in command of the Getov defense."

"Forgive me for speaking out of term, Comrade General, but when are we going to crush that fascist?" one of his subordinates, General Maslennikov asked, his voice filled his anger and resolve. "That pig needs to pay for what he has done to the Rodina!"

There was a murmur in the room, as everyone was familiar with the Getov commander's actions after he had taken the Leningrad System. What the man's subordinates had done was inhuman, and showed that no Getov deserved mercy. Even after they had been driven from the system, they had stripped away everything of value, destroyed what couldn't be taken, and left countless booby-traps that would haunt the people of the system for years to come.

"Comrade General Dragovich, what have our intelligence sections gathered on Model's actions and the surrounding systems?" Konev asked, turning toward one of his more ambitious and cunning general officers.

"He has not shown any moves to side with either faction of the Getov Civil War," he started, looking at everyone around the room. "It's possible that he did not want to take sides to prevent losing favor with whoever came out victorious, but it seems that it has alienated him." The general smiled. "He had not received much in the form of suppies or support from either faction, and with the Republic having taken the Warsaw and Krakow Systems, he is cut off from most routes of retreat." The map then highlighted a hyperspace route. "The only logical route left after Rumania joined with us, is the Slovac System."

"Do you think he will stay where he is or will he withdraw?" asked General Yeremenko.

"He is a diehard, and an egotistical bastard who prefers having control of everything" Dragovich answered. "If he doesn't withdraw, he will likely die, which I doubt anyone here will mind." Dragovich then smiled. It was the kind that made made you question the true meaning behind it.

"Either way, if he retreats or dies in a last stand, we will take the Grodno System, and reverse the losses of our war with Polanie from twenty-four years ago," Konev added firmly. There were nods all around. Many in the room had fought or had friends fight in that war where the Rarus Federation had lost to Polanie shortly after the creation of the Rarus Federation. "After we take the system, we have only one route to take, and that is through the Slovac System."

"Is there any possibility of us moving through Polanie?" General Belov asked.

Konev shook his head. "Unfortunately, their government is not allowing us through their territory. STAVKA attempted to talk with our Allied counterparts, but they have said that little could be done." He had heard rumors that Stalin had gone into a rage after the Polanie government had denied their request to enter their borders, claiming that the Allies were conspiring against him. The Republic fleet offering protection was also seen as a not so subtle threat. The General Secretary was supposedly on the verge of ordering an attack on the Republic fleet, but Senator Molotov had somehow managed to convince him not to. It was one of those things that Konev was curious about, but knew better than to ask if one wanted to continue living.

"With a Republic fleet supporting their military, liberating the camps and restoring order, we simply cannot march in," Konev continued. "Instead, after reclaiming our lost system and destroying Model's fleet, we will move into the Slovac System."

For the next few hours, the details of their advance were planned, with contingencies made in the event the Allies turned on them. He didn't find it likely, but with the civil war in Getov, it could make things more difficult in the sector post-war. It was one of the reasons why he and the other commanders were attempting to advance as quickly as possible, to ensure that enough of Europa would remained under the Federation's influence for the forseeable future. However, what had himself, Zhukov, and other Rarus commanders worried was Republic fleet in Polanie. It was a potential threat that needed to be taken seriously, and he made a mental note to talk with Zhukov about it at a later date.

When they had finished, everyone was dismissed and Konev was left alone in the room. It gave him the chance to look over the military advance that Rarus had made in Europa since his arrival to this galaxy and it filled him with pride. Rhumania, Bulgari were already in their hands, with Jugoslavia or Magyar (Hungary) being the next targets for Zhukov's advance, while he would focus on destroying Model, retaking the Grodno System, and moving into the heart of Europa.

Konev was deep in thought about the future and the plans that he and Zhukov were hoping to implement when he heard the sound of the door opening. He had an idea of who it was, but waited for them to speak before acknowledging them.

"Comrade General," the voice said.

Turing to face the man, Konev saw it was a colonel of the GRU, a datacard in his hand as he stood at attention. That was still a success that both he and Zhukov prided themselves on: the removal of Beria from power as the head of the NKVD. Now they could operate without that overzealous organization constantly breathing down their necks. "What is it, comrade colonel?"

Holding out the datacard, the colonel answered, "I have the information that you had requested. I would like to apologize for it being late, but it took longer than we originally expected. I felt that it would be better to give you a complete product late than a partial on time."

Konev gave the colonel a stare to see how he reacted. The man was willing to accept responsibility for being late instead of brushing it off on his subordinates, and the man's reasoning could be seen as admirable. However, such thinking was detrimental in a wartime situation. "I understand, but i would like a report on time, even if it is only partial. It lets me know that you are at least doing your job. Now, I don't want it happen again. Do you understand, comrade colonel?"

"Yes, Comrade," he answered quickly, showing no fear at the rebuke.

"Good. You are dismissed," Konev said, and the colonel turned to walk away. Taking the datacard and inserting it into his datapad, he began to read the information that it contained. Nodding his head as he read more, he could see that they were indeed going to secure the system for decades to come. On the datacard were the names of as many of the anti-communist citizens in the system that could be found. This would greatly reduce the number of partisans that would be operating in the vast forests and untamed regions of the planet, while those who came from influential families or positions would be liquidated. It would be easy to blame their deaths on the fascists. The others would be deported to Siberia, where they would be too far to cause problems.

Yes, it was good to be in command, and ensuring that the Rarus Federation remained strong no matter what.

---

Year 14, Month 9, Day 34

Šar Mountains

Makedones System

Getov-occupied Jugoslavia

Sergeant Hudson moved carefully and as quietly as possible, watching where he stepped. He, along with other American and Albian soldiers, moved through the forest, the blackness of night covering most of their movements. There wasn't even a moon out, which made it that much easier for them. Ahead, he saw the Albian soldier raise his fist in the air, signaling for everyone to stop. Hudson copied the signal for those under his command. Seeing the rest stop, he quietly moved up until he is right beside the SAS commando, who was looking through a pair of macrobinoculars. "You see it?" Hudson asked.

The commando grunted in response before handing the macrobinoculars to him. When he looked through the device, the commando explained what he saw. "There's a small prefab structure about fifteen yards past the treeline," he explained. "A few sentries in foxholes just inside the treeline. I counted three of them, and there will be two, perhaps three Jerries in each one."

"You're probably right, MacTavish," Hudson replied, as he tried to see any more details on the site. "You think the intel we got is good?"

"Well, the partisans said that something was happening here that had Jerry worked up," he answered. "Anything that has their interest is something Command will want to know. Though, I am still questioning why your Captain wanted you out here in the first place."

Hudson was glad that it was dark enough that MacTacish couldn't see the grimace that was on his face at the mention of his company commander.

Sergeant Isaac Hudson, had joined the American Army in Year 7, in an attempt to get out of his small rural town and try and get some financial stability during the Depression. During those seven years, he had worked with different types of officers. Some had been just as wet behind the ears as he was, and would become good commanders. Some were casual and friendlier with their subordinates, while others were more professional minded. He had a good working relationship with all of them, but none had been as difficult to work with as his current company commander.

Captain Cranston had said that he had experience in the field, having been stationed in Kunia and the Felepina Systems prior to the Katanian attack at Pearl Harbor Anchorage, a fact that he would constantly mention in every conversation he had. Hudson respected the man for his knowledge, but his attitude and personality rubbed the Sergeant the wrong way since since he first met the man. The Captain constantly expected things to be done his way, not taking into account that things in Europa were different. The officer's thinking had resulted in unnecessary casualties of men under Hudson's command, but the operations were always successful enough to where the officer would be praised for his initiative. The closest the Captain came close to screwing up was a year ago during the Noria Campaign, where his actions almost resulted in the loss of the entire company. It was only with the quick thinking of one of the other, more senior, sergeants that disaster had been averted. Unfortunately, it had only resulted in what was essentially a slap on the wrist.

Now Sergeant Hudson and those under his command were attached to an Albian SAS Commando unit in occupied-Jugoslavia, the latest in a stream of ideas and orders by a man that he couldn't stand being around. "When we get back, we'll have a drink and I'll explain why he probably did it, and more about the man in general."

MacTavish grunted in agreement and took back the macrobinoculars. "I want the sharpshooters up here. They'll cover our approach. The suppressed slugthrowers should do well enough."

"Let's just hope that the Krauts don't realize anything until it is too late," Hudson added. "We don't need to be caught out in the open."

The Albian commander turned to the American and gave him a wry look. "I have full confidence in my men, though I do wonder if you Yanks are up to par."

"Don't start this again," Hudson said with a snort. "The last thing I want to deal with is another competition between our men." He took one last look toward the treeline. "I'll get the marksmen, and you show them where to shoot."

The snipers took thirty minutes to get into position, with the primary and secondary routes of advance and retreat marked. When combined platoon began to carefully make their way toward the camp that had been set up, Hudson listened carefully for the next fifteen minutes for any signs that they had been discovered. Instead, when they reached the first foxhole, the smell of blood and shit was in the air, a sign that the snipers had done their job perfectly. The other two foxholes were also checked and had the same results, with a total of eight krauts killed. Moving past the few defenses, they came upon the prefab building. It looked like it could house twenty people.

"Remember, stun only unless there is no other choice," MacTavish reminded everyone quietly.

Hudson nodded as he readied his grenades and set his carbine to stun. As he and the rest of the platoon reached the structure. It was at that moment that he heard a fain sound. It almost sounded like cries, but mixed with shouts. It was faint, but he recognized it. Someone, or perhaps more than one, was having fun with an unwilling person. This caused him to grip his weapon tighter as he looked at the SAS commando who motioned for him to listen.

MacTavish tilted his head to the side, and his mouth twitched as he realized what was happening. Both men had zero tolerance for that type of behavior, and both would be sure to stop the man before he took whoever it was as a hostage.

Both stood by the door, stun grenades primed, and cracked the door open, quickly tossing in the grenades and closing the door just as fast. There was a series of muffled explosions as they quickly moved into the structure. Hudson and the rest of of the team stormed the building, using the stun setting on their blasters on anyone they saw who was in the open. When they approached a new room, a stun grenade was thrown in to ensure that no one would be able to fire at them. Any personnel who were in the rooms that were stunned had a couple of soldiers remain behind to guard them in case they woke up. Unfortunately, despite the speed they moved at, the Getov personnel began to organize themselves as they got closer to the opposite end of the prefab.

Reaching for a fresh powerpack and placing it in his carbine, Hudson switched his blaster setting and looked across the small hallway to a corporal an a private who were readying their rifles as Getov blaster bolts flew down the hallway. Looking back, he saw MacTavish and other Albian soldiers firing their blasters. Getting their attention, Hudson signaled for them to wait before moving ahead. "Corporal, Private: Covering fire!" The three Americans brought the weapons up and unleashed a storm of bolts down the hallway, giving the commandos the cover they needed to advance to the next pair of rooms. Shouts were heard as the commandos entered the rooms, with the sounds of blaster fire soon following. This tactic was repeated a few more times, and the firing was beginning to die down. Unfortunately, there were still several Getov soldiers who refused to surrender. By that time, everyone had run out of stun grenades, and normal combat began, making their mission both easier and more difficult.

Hudson looked to see MacTavish motioning for him and the others to get ready, which he nodded in acknowledgment before motioning for those who had followed him to wait. When the commandos began laying covering fire, he and the others moved quickly, their weapons at the ready as he and another two soldiers entered the room. One fell as soon as he entered the room, but it gave Hudson and the other the few seconds they needed to quickly respond with a shot at the Getov soldier who was standing behind an overturned table.

Hudson barely had a moment to process it before he heard a shout to his left and saw a Getov soldier charging him with a bayonetted blaster. He sidestepped, the blade grazing his side as the sergeant raised his blaster and smashed the stock the stock into the man's face. He saw blood begin to pour from what was probably a broken nose as the soldier recoiled from the blow. The private that had followed him quickly fired his blaster at the man, killing the kraut before he could respond.

Making a quick sweep of the room, both soldiers saw that it was clear, and was filled with what appeared to be scanning equipment. Outside the room, the sounds of combat were beginning to die down, but the operation wasn't over. Hudson stuck his head out to look down the hallway to see that it was mostly filled with friendlies, with the occasional Getov soldier who was either stunned or dead. At the end of the hallway, a single door stood with MacTavish and a couple other soldiers to either side.

Moving quickly, Hudson could hear sobbing from the other side of the door as he took position on the opposite end of the frame. Giving the SAS commando a quick nod, the door was opened and the four-man team moved quickly into the room. Standing in the middle of it was a half-dressed man holding a blaster to the head of a naked young woman.

"Drop it!" MacTavish ordered.

"Nein, I will not release this whore until you let me go," the man answered in accented English.

"Let her go," Hudson said firmly. He could see the woman was crying, with bruises all over her body. "Now!"

"What guarantee do I have that you won't kill me after I let her go," the man asked after looking at the other soldiers who were in the room.

"We need prisoners," MacTavish answered. "You will be no good to us dead."

The Getov soldier appeared to give the answer some thought and nodded. He lowered his blaster from the woman's head and tossed it to the side and he released his hostage. "Will you allow me to get dressed before we leave then? It's rather cold outside." He was given a nod by MacTavish.

Hudson walked toward the woman, looking for something to cover her nakedness. When he reached out to help her, she recoiled as if shicked. Realizing that she was probably traumatized, he tried to communicate with her. "American," he said, placing his hand on his chest. He then pointed at her "Sprich Englisch?"

She quickly nodded that was more of a jerk than anything else. "Yes."

"We need to get you dressed," he said, trying to be calm and reassuring. "Don't worry. We'll take you some place safe." He grabbed a blanket and placed it around her shoulder before carefully guiding her to some place where she could get some clothes.

The Allied soldiers spend fifteen minutes gathering what information they could, from datapads and datacards, to harddrives from the computers that were being used. The Getov soldiers who had been captured were restrained and were to be escorted to the extraction zone that was a few miles away. Luckily for the team, there were a few Getov speeders that would have enough room to carry everyone.

When they were about to leave, Hudson saw saw the woman who they had rescued with the team medic, Corporal Semmes. Both were carrying a young woman on a stretcher who bore a resemblance to the former hostage. He soon began walking up to the two of them. "Who is this, Semmes?"

"It's another girl that we found being used for their amusement," he answered, disgust in the man's voice. "I think it's her sister. She's been drugged up on something that has her in this catatonic state. From what I can tell, her vitals are erratic. If we can't get her to a medical station in time, I don't think she'll make it."

"How long she have?" Hudson asked, looking at both women with concern.

"I don't know, but the sooner we get back to command, the better," he answered.

Nodding, Hudson looked around at everyone. From what he could tell, they were about ready to leave. He then looked back at the medic. "You two are riding with me in light speeder. I want you to monitor her condition until we get back to command."

"Yes, sergeant," he answered, and the both of them carried her as Hudson went to find MacTavish to explain what he was doing. In five minutes, everyone was leaving and the outpost was destroyed in a fiery explosion.

The small convoy of vehicles was speeding toward the extraction site, a trip that would take them a half hour due to the terrain that they had to navigate. Hudson drove the speeder, while the young woman, who he had learned was named Sofia, sat in the passenger seat. Her sister was watched over by the medic. During the drive, he attempted to get her to talk, by trying to be as casual as possible. He wasn't able to get details on why the Getov soldiers were there, but he did learn a little about Sofia and her sister.

It turned out that Sofia was originally from Rumania, where she and her sister Cristina were raised by her mother. Her father had been a Getov national who left them about ten years ago before returning when Rumania was "allied" with them. Her mother had died during the occupation and both daughters left with their father after fleeing the Rarus advance.

Sofia explained they were both given to their father's brother, who regularly allowed the men under his command to enjoy their company. He, however, had taken a liking to Sofia and kept her for himself. That revalation caused Hudson's anger to rise, as he struggled to maintain control of his emotions and the speeder.

"Shit!" Corporal Semmes exclaimed.

"What is it?" Hudson demanded, not wanting to risk taking his attention off the terrain.

"She's convulsing!" he shouted, trying to improve her condition. "Stop the speeder and help me!"

Hudson quickly stopped and leaped out and tried to assist the medic as best he could. Sofia was also trying to do what she could, explaining that this had happened before in the past and what needed to be done. The convulsions stopped and Cristina's body went limp. Placing his hand on her neck for a pulse, Corporal Semmes' shoulders sagged and shook his head.

Hudson lowered his head, a feeling of uselessness coming over him. He looked up at Sofia, and saw the sorrow on her face, but there was nothing else. No tears shed and no sobs were heard as she held the hand of the last close member of her family. This young woman had lost everything to people who were truly evil, and she was now alone in the galaxy. His feelings of hopelessness were replaced with something else. It was one of resolve. Reaching to his belt, and switched on his comlink. "MacTavish, this is Hudson. I want you to bring the Getov site commander to me immediately," he said, his tone firm.

"I will be right there," he answered, probably realizing that the American sergeant was not in the mood to deal with any bullshit at the moment. After a couple of minutes, he and another SAS commando were escorting the site commander, who they had learned was a SS Major by the name Pracht, to the speeder where Cristina's body was now laying. Sofia was still holding her sister's hand, but the look on her face showed a mixture of fear, sadness, and anger. Each emotion trying to overcome the other in a storm that everyone seemed to sense.

Hudson and MacTavish walked a short distance away, where he told him everything that Sofia had revealed. The more he talked, the more MacTavish's face hardened. Soon Hudson walked to SS Major Pracht and motioned to the young woman's body. "She's dead," Hudson said curtly. "Her body couldn't handle the drugs you gave her." He looked for any sort of emotional reaction from the man, but there was nothing.

The man simply shrugged. "She needed something to relax her, and we provided it. Not our fault she didn't know how much to take. It's not like she was a true Aryan. She was an untermensch."

Hudson's hands formed into fists as the man's casual dismissal of the woman's life. "Her name was Cristina," he said through clinched teeth. "You just gave her to your men to do with as they please? And your own neice? The things you did to her!"

The Getov officer looked at him, a look of dismissal on his face. He then looked at both Sofia and Cristine and gave them a look of utter contempt, as if they were no better than the dirt off his boot. "It doesn't matter. I was given them to do with as I pleased," he said in a dismissive tone before turning to look at Hudson. "Besides you can't do anything to me. You need prisoners and the knowledge I have up here." He raised his bound hands and tapped the side of his head. "I'm too valuable." He then gave Hudson a smile that was filled with malice.

Before Hudson even realized it, he had pulled his blaster pistol out of its holster and fired a shot strait into the man's face, the man's body falling to the ground.

In the other speeders, the Getov prisoners began to shout in protest, but a quick series of shouts in Getov from MacTavish and the other Allied soldiers caused them to quickly become silent.

Hudson didn't even know what had happened until after the shouts had subsided, and he looked down at the body. He probably would get in trouble for what he had done, but he didn't give a damn what others thought. This was justice for something that was truly evil, and no information the man knew was worth letting him live. "Burn in hell you damn Kraut!" he muttered.

...

"Can you explain to me how this happened?" Captain Cranston asked, his tone not hiding his anger and disappointment.

"Everything is in my report, sir," Sergeant Hudson answered, silently wishing that his company commander would simply drop the matter. Unfortunately, the man had too much ambition and not enough sense.

"I read it, Sergeant," the captain replied, his face showing the disdain that he had for the man in front of him. He felt that this sergeant didn't have a good enough understanding on how leadership was supposed to be, and should listen to the experience that he had from being stationed in Kunia the Felipina Systems. "I still find it hard to believe that SS Major Pracht would try to escape after you had driven so far from his facility. One could say that it was almost convenient, especially with the two civilians who had been captured with them."

"I don't know why he did it, sir, but he did try to take my weapon when he attempteed to escape. I didn't have time to think. I simply reacted." Hudson answered.

"That's not what the Getov prisoners say," Cranston countered. "They tell me that you shot the man after you showed him the body of the woman who died. Do you know what sort of information we could have gained from questioning him?"

Hudson knew that the captain was trying to fish for information, but he wasn't going to fall for it. "That didn't happen, sir. You can ask Sergeant MacTavish and the others who were there. They'll back me on what happened."

Cranston gave Hudson a cool glare, but the sergeant simply took it and didn't react. "I did, and they all vouch for your description of the sequence of events." He knew that there was more, but he couldn't get any of them to talk about what happened. He hadn't had get to talk to the civilian they had taken with them yet, but the medical personnel said that she wasn't in any condition, mentally, to undergo a full debriefing yet. He would find out the truth though.

"You are dismissed then, Sergeant," Cranston said finally. "But I may have follow-up questions later."

I don't doubt it, sir, he thought to himself. "Yes sir."

Leaving the office, he saw Sergeant MacTavish leaning against the wall. Making his way to the commando, the Albian nodded his head and motioned for Hudson to follow. When they were far enough away he was the first to speak. "Another debriefing with you glorious commander?"

Hudson grimaced. "The man is a prick. A goddamned arrogant asshole who thinks he knows everything. I swear he's doing more harm to me than the damn Krauts, not to mention the transfers I have to deal with." He let out a sigh. "But for now, he doesn't know what happened."

"And he never will. Not from any of my men or yours," he replied. "What you did was the right thing. Any sane man who had learned what that man did to his nieces would have done the same thing. Hell, he deserved worse."

Hudson nodded. His anger was still there, but it would hopefully fade with time. "How is Sofia?"

MacTavish was quiet for a few seconds before he answered. "She had some bruises and sprains, but nothing too bad physically. It's mentally where the doctors are worried. They've placed her on suicide watch in case she does anything."

Hudson sighed, thinking about her. "I can't even imagine what she has gone through."

"Well, she did ask to see you when you were free," MacTavish added.

Looking at the commando, Hudson gave him a questioning look. "She say why?" he asked, and the commando shook his head. Hudson simply sighed. "I guess I had better see her then." He then took a deep breath. "If anything comes up, let me know."

MacTavish nodded and Hudson left for the medical facility. It was located in a prefab building that was similar to the Getov one they had destroyed earlier, but the functions was where the similarities ended. Walking into the building, Hudson saw several people who had suffered different wounds. A quick question to a doctor pointed him in the right direction. Walking through the ward, he found Sofia sitting on a cot, a small distance away from the others to protect her privacy, but close enough to where an emergency could be responded to quickly.

Hudson just stood there, unsure on what to do as Sofia sat with her hands in her lap, a blank look on her face. Taking in a deep breath and letting it out slowly, he carefully walked up to her and gently knocked on the metal frames that held up the drapes that separated the cots to get her attention. "Hi, Sofia. Have the doctors been treating you alright?"

She jumped slightly and Hudson saw a quick flash of fear on her face before she realized who it was. "Um, yes, I'm fine," she answered. "Thank you for asking."

Hudson tried to give her a reassuring smile, but he wasn't sure how good it was. "Do you mind if I sit?" When he saw her nod, he looked around and grabbed a small crate and set it at the foot of her cot, giving her some space and hopefully putting her more at ease. "MacTavish told me that you wanted to see me?"

"Yes…um…" Sofia started, but stopped as if trying to figure out what to say. "I just… I wanted to thank you for what you did." She paused, and gave Hudson a hurt look. "I just wish I could have done more to help her."

"It's not your fault. You did what you could. We all did," Hudson said, looking away and trying to convince both her and himself. "Don't blame yourself for what happened." He heard a few sobs and looked at her to see tears rolling down her cheeks. Probably the first real tears she had shed in a while. Reaching into a pocket, he pulled out a rag and handed it to her. Sofia wiped her tears as Hudson turned to give her some privacy.

After a few minutes, she handed the rag back. "Keep it," Hudson told her. "You need it more than me."

"Thank you."

"I'm sorry for what happened to your sister," Hudson said. "No one deserves to lose someone like that. I just… I want to say that I wish we could have done more." He looked at her, seeing the pain on her face.

"Thank you, Sergeant Hudson. It… means a lot for you to say that." For a moment, there might have been the ghost of a smile on Sofia's face.

"You can call me Isaac," he replied, giving her a small reassuring smile.

"I will," she said with a small nod, "and thank you for seeing me." /she paused for a moment before she continued. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course," he answered. "What is it?"

"How do you live with it?" she asked. "How can you bear the pain and siffering that you have seen and experienced? The nightmares? How can you keep going?"

That was a question that many people asked, and would no doubt continue to as time continued. Hudson himself struggled with it, and there were times it almost overcame him, but he wasn't sure if that was something Sofia needed to hear. "Truthfully?" He looked into her beautiful but sad brown eyes that looked far older than they should be. "One day at a time," he said finally. "Some days are easy, some are hard, but I think it will eventually fade with time. Just remember that you don't have to bear the weight of it alone. There are those who would help you if you ask." Hudson shrugged. "I don't know if that it what you were looking for, but I hope it helps."

Sofia was quiet for a while, as if processing his answer. "I think so," she replied. "Thank you, Isaac."

"You're welcome, Sofia," he replied. "Is there anything else that you needed?" When she shook her head, Hudson stood from his seat. "Alright. I have to go, but if there is anything that you need, talk to one of the doctors or try and get in touch with me or MacTavish." Hudson quickly looked around to see if anyone was close, and took a small step to lean in close to Sofia. "And remember: no one is to know what happened out there. This is a secret that we all have to keep. Understand?"

Sofia nodded. "I do, Isaac. It is a secret that I will take to my grave."

Hudson only hoped that that day would be far in the future.

---

Year 14, Month 9, Day 35

Admiral Hipper

Hesse System, Greater Getov Reich

The battleship Tirpitz uleashed a salvo of heavy turbolaser fire at one of the orbital defense stations. The station's shields help off the attack, sending its own volley of fire at the Getov battleship. However, it was not the only vessel approaching the planet Hesse the stations had to contend with. Throughout the space surrounding the planet, ships, fighters, and defensive structures exchanged fire as both sides attempted to stop the other.

The battle for the Hesse System had begin the day prior, with the forces loyal to Berlin arriving in the system and unleashing a barrage of fire to overwealm the designated invasion corridor. It was an opening move that had taken a lot of time, calculations, and effort for everything to be coordinated properly, but the results had been a resounding success. A hole had been blown in the planet's defenses, allowing for a small beachhead to be set up on the planet's surface. Now, the fleet was working to expand the breach to allow for more landing zones to be set up. For the first few hours since the invasion began, they had moved according to the timetable that had been drawn up. However, the forces under the command of the SS garrison were becoming more coordinated with each passing hour.

Standing in the war room of the cruiser Admiral Hipper, Generaloberst Heinz Guderian watched the progress of his forces. They were performing well. It was important that this attack succeed, otherwise there could be dangerous consequences. The attack on Hesse System was to be a test of the Getov military to see if they could handle fighting against their fellow countrymen, but that was not its only purpose. The government needed a victory. While those in Berlin had managed to take control of the capital and other important systems, it was still on unsteady ground. A victory would go a long way toward stabilizing the political situation, and showing that they were the rightful government of Getov.

And Guderian was be the man to help secure that victory, and who knew what opportunities that would bring for him.

"What is the status of our advance on Stuttgart?" he asked, turning to his chief-of-staff. Stuttgard was one of the largest provintial capitals on the planet and a powerful economic and industrial center.

"The advance has stalled," he answered. "A division of Waffen-SS armor stopped their advance and pushed them back several kilometers. General Brauner has requested air support and it is en route. Last status update he gave said he was attempting to stabilize his lines."

Guderian was quiet for several seconds, thinking on what should be done. "I want the Thirty-Fourth Panzergrenadier brigade to reinforce him," he commanded. "We must retake this system. I also want orbital support for his advance."

His orders were acknowledged and the Hipper suddenly shook from an impact. Guderian reached for his comlink and switched it on. "Captain, what happened?"

"A wing of -109s broke through the pickets and scored hits on our port side," the skipper of the cruiser answered. "I have damage control parties en route to assess the damage, Generaloberst. When I learn more, I will let you know." The line was subsequently switched off.

Bringing the display to show the area around the planet, Guderian could see the number of vessels belonging to the SS were smaller than his, with the largest being a light cruiser, but they did have some of the best equipment available. That made them very dangerous. As far as he could tell, the SS were being pushed back, but the defense stations were still a threat that his forces had to be warry of if they went too close.

For the next three hours, the fighting continued, with the most SS capital ships being pushed to the outer regions of the system. However, fighters, frigates, and a few destroyers of the SS still harassed Guderian's forces. On the surface, there was still heavy fighting, but it had started to stabilize, with both sides beginning to dig in. That was something Guderian couldn't allow to happen, and despite the continued dangers in space, it was time for him to begin the next step of the operation. "General Stamm," he said, as he turned to face the man," I am placing you in temporary command until I have made it to the surface."

His second in command showed a look of worry. "I once again must protest this. It is too early in the fighting for you to leave the safety of the fleet. I would recommend waiting at least another day or two until we can guarantee your wellbeing."

Guderian nodded. "Your protests are recognized and logged, but the men need to see me down there. This is too important." He paused for a few seconds before finally saying, "The men need to have faith in their commander, and that is what I intend to do!"

"Yes, General," Stamm answered curtly, standing with his back straight. "I look forward to your message after you land."

Guderian turned to leave the room, and pulled out his comlink. "This is Generaloberst Guderian. I want the chosen members of my staff to meet me at my assigned transport in fifteen minutes. We are heading to the surface."

The walk and turbolift ride from the war room to the hangar took ten minutes, and upon entering the hangar, he saw his staff there waiting for him. Punctuality was a necessary trait in the military, especially when serving in Getov. When he came within a few meters, every one of them stood at attention and clicked their heels together. "It is good to see all of you," he said when close enough to be heard. "It is time for us to retake the Fatherland, and purge the madman's followers that brought destruction to our homes. Everyone on board."

His staff filed into the passenger compartment, and fastened themselves in. Within a few minutes, the transport was launched from the hangar and began its course toward the planet's surface. Outside one of the viewports, Guderian could see an escort fighter, likely one of the several that were attached to his transport for protection.

Suddenly, the transport lurched, executing a sharp turn to port and with every person in the compartment suffering whiplash. There were several more sharp turns and dives before the transport was again on a steady flight path.

"Sorry, Generaloberst, one of the defense stations just exploded!" one of the pilots reported. "I had to evade the debris, and several enemy fighters took the opportunity to try and hit us. Our escorts managed to chase them off, but we took some glancing hits."

"Are we still able to land safely?" Guderian asked.

"I can, Herr Generaloberst, but it will be a one-way trip," the pilot answered. "I think the surviving stations are trying to maneuver themselves to seal the invasion corridor."

"Do it," the Generaloberst commanded. "The Tirpitz and her battle group will handle the stations."

"Yes, General," the pilot replied, and the line went silent.

"Listen, we have a difficult task ahead of us, but we will not fail the Fatherland," he said firmly. "The fight for the system will be difficult, but we will retake it from the SS's followers. They will try to stop us, but we will succeed!"

His address to his staff would have continued, but the transport began a series of maneuvers to avoid what everyone assumed to be enemy fire. The banking and turning caused the men inside to grip their harnesses in an attempt to stop themselves from being thrown about.

"Landing zone in sight! ETA: 50 seconds!" the pilot repoted. "Hang on, we are almost there!" The seconds seemed to last forvever, until the vehicle shook after a hard landing on the planet's surface.

Guderian shook his head and unfastened his harness, with the rest of his staff doing the same. The flight crew began to walk toward the back of the transport, inspecting the spaces and equipment to see if anything was knocked loose from the landing. Soon, the rear hatch began to open, revealing the command post that would serve as his system-wide headquarters until the liberation was completed.

Straightening his uniform, he walked down the ramp leading outside, where several Getov soldiers were there to greet him. Standing there a few meters away from the transport was General Franz Rösler, the general officer who had been in charge of operations on Hesse. "Generaloberst," he said, standing at attention, giving a crisp salute, and clicking his heels together as Guderian approached, "the forces of the Hesse Front are yours to command."

"Good," he said with a nod, looking around. Everything was set up properly, with no soldiers standing around and doing nothing. Everyone had their assigned purpose. "My staff and I want a briefing of the situation in thirty minutes. We need to secure the planet and quickly as possible."

"Yes, Herr General," he answered quickly. "If you will follow me, I can give yourself and staff a quick tour of the base." He soon motioned for them to follow.

As they were given the tour, Guderian looked around as he observed how the base operated, and where his staff would begin to fill their roles in the coming days. Off in the distance, he could hear the sounds of combat, of panzer and Type 88 artillery cannons roaring. While it was only the beginning, it would be the stepping stone for his rise in power and influence.

The true battle for Hesse was about to begin.

---

Year 14, Festival of the Stars, Day 1

Senatorial office for Getov, Senate Building

Coruscant, the Galactic Republic

Senator Franz von Papen was in a good mood as he read the datapad in his office. He was glad to see that it had not been given to someone else or turned into a storage room as others had been. He had to remember to thank the Argentinian Senator for keeping the furniture that they had left behind in storage for the years the office had been unoccupied. However, there were other mementos that he had brought with him that were in the office. The Iron Cross, First Class that he had earned from his combat in the Somme Region, an Ostoman (Ottoman) sword that was a gift from his time serving in the region during the Great War, and his old service blaster which was uncharged (he kept a charged power pack hidden after a failed assassination attempt by the NKVD two years prior).

The report that he had received from Getov Prime on the invasion of the Hesse System was informative to say the least. The opening days of the fighting had cleared the system of most SS naval vessels, while the ground invasion had secured several of their objectives. However the defenders had managed to regroup and launched their own series of counter-attacks. The stiff resistance had resulted in Generaloberst Guderian landing on the planet's surface and personally taking charge of the invasion.

It was after those first few paragraphs that von Papen had to read between the lines on the progress that Guderian's forces had made. The lacking of more detailed information on what was happening in orbit gave him the conclusion that it was not as one-sided as the message made it out to be. If he had to guess, the naval forces were probably damaged more than expected. His contacts in the military said that the battleship Tirpitz was part of the task force, and from what he could read, it had suffered little damage. That was a good news. The loss of their last great battleship would be a blow to national pride that they probably could not recover from.

The fighting on the surface was different from what von Papen could tell. Guderian's push to crush a Waffen-SS armored division had probably cost the lives of a lot of Heer soldiers as they "held off countless attacks by the traitors to Getov," according to the report. It did add that a counterattack by the Heer had managed to destroy or capture an entire division of infantry, but there was no mention of the armored formation that had been their original target. That made Papen conclude that the SS forces had managed to escape while the infantry held the line.

In von Papen's opinion, Guderian's aggressive drive to take the planet was probably going to have a negative effect on the man's political ambitions. He wasn't blind to them. In fact, a man in his postion would be foolish not to attempt to take advantage of the chaos after coup. Guderian probably had the desire to become the head of the Getov military, or perhaps even higher if the man could successfully take Hesse. However, the general was also known for being impetuous, and if the fighting for the system became a slow grind, the losses that his forces had suffered would only be the beginning. It could possibly provide an opportunity for Goering and his supporters to retake other parts of Getov, though von Papen considered it unlikely with the Rarus Federation pushing on the territory they controlled.

Placing the datapad on his desk, he looked outside to watch the skyline and the countless speeders moving through the cityscape. Things were beginning to settle down for him. He was using his old contacts in the Senate to help improve the standing of Getov, with the senators of Argentino (Argentina), Hispalis (Spain), and other nations working hard to change the minds of other Terran nations. That was not including those who could be counted on in the wider galaxy in supporting Getov's return to the Republic. While many had joined the Separatists, others had remained in the Republic, or even better, were neutral. His earlier statement of the possibility of allowing for systems to be returned had infuriated the government on Getov Prime, but had given the results that he had hoped for.

Placed in a corner, it forced the government in Berlin to accept his proposal, otherwise they would look weak to the rest of the galaxy. The government had done everything that he had expected: the proposal of plebiscites for occupied systems on whether to remain part of Greater Getov or leave, and the invitation of the Republic to act as a third party observers to ensure "fairness" in said plebiscites. The most important aspect of this was to ensure that the observers be ones who have a favorable view of Getov, and guarantee that the votes would not be contested at a later date. That would be more difficult, but the Senate had more important things to worry about than a "backwater sector" on the edges of the Mid- and Outer Rim. It was probable that many in the Allies would not be satisfied with a negotiated settlement, but the Republic would likely find a way to leverage the Clone Wars as a way to justify it.

He also had to ensure that the right people were blamed for the war. The government on Getov Prime had managed to come up with a rather clever way of doing this, by placing the blame for the fighting on the SS and other similar organizations, the Teutonic Knights, and the members of Hitler's inner circle, by saying they had manipulated the Fuhrer into starting the war. It was easy to shift blame when dark Jedi were an active part of the Reich's government, and he was going to spread this message in the Senate chamber and across the Holonet, using everything at his disposal to show that Getov was a changed nation.

Senator von Papen stood and stretched, feeling his back pop. It felt good to be dealing with business that was sort of usual. He had a lot of things on his plate to look forward to. One was obtaining Republic funding for the rebuilding Getov. While it was a certainty that the Allies were going to demand reparations for damages, he was going to use what influence he could to secure low interest loans for reconstruction and ensure that there would be no mass disarmament of the military. Getov would remain a strong nation, and there would be no humiliation thrust upon them by the Allies like they had a generation ago.

Yes, it was good to be back.

---

Year 14, Festival of the Stars, Day 2

Portsmouth Naval Base/Spaceport

Albion, Albion System

United Kingdom of Albion

Walking through the corridors of the spaceport, General Erwin Rommel watched as soldiers of the Allied nations moved through the complex. Many were sitting on the small speeders that were used to ferry larger numbers of soldiers from one location to another in similar facilities. In the distance, he could hear the sounds of transports taking off. Stopping to look up, he watched as three rose into the air and maneuvered into position before beginning their flight toward the fleet in orbit.

Rommel watched until they disappeared into the distance. Despite being in this galaxy for over a year, he still was amazed at what was possible, especially spaceflight. It made him want to take a spacecraft and explore the larger galaxy and have his wife and son join him, but he knew that he had responsibilities and other duties elsewhere.

He didn't know how long he stood there, looking up at the sky and the departing transports, but he was brought back suddenly when he heard a boisterous voice shout his name. Looking in the direction it came from, he saw General Patton walking toward him.

"Erwin!" the American general said as he finally reached him. "It's good to see you." Patton extended his, which was reciprocated with Erwin taking it can giving a swift pump.

"It is good to see you too, George," he answered, giving his fellow general a curt nod. "It seems that we both have decided to take part in this expedition."

"Damn right I am," Patton replied enthusiastically. "With how the war is going in Europa, I don't think it will last longer, and fighting against Katania just doesn't have that much appeal to me. But the Clone Wars?" A smile came on his face. "I get to take part in the greatest conflict the galaxy has seen in a thousand years!"

Rommel smiled. The intelligence reports that Germany had on him would never have been able to accurately capture the man's personality. He heard the sounds of another group of transports taking off and turned to watched them fly. "Yes, it is a good change from the politics of the sector."

Patton's smile faded. He knew that the Getov general's standing in the Allied command structure was not in the best of light at the moment. "I'm sorry, Erwin," he said with regret. "I know what it's like to be on the wrong side of politics, but what happened in Floevis is not your fault. No one could have seen the Werewolves becoming an actual threat."

"Perhaps, but I feel that I bear at least some of the blame," he said softly. "If I hadn't been in command of the liberation forces, perhaps the Werewolves would not have the support that they had. Maybe Paris would have been nuked if an American or Albian commander had been in charge."

"Erwin, don't say stuff like that," Patton said firmly. "De Gaulle's attempt to blame you for what happened in Floevis was the man trying to aim his anger at someone. I know it wasn't your fault, Ike doesn't, and neither do any of the others who have joined us."

"And Getov?" Rommel asked, giving Patton a hard glare. "It may not be Germany, but it is still my home! It has the history, the locations, and the people. Call it pride, call it hubris, call it whatever you may, but my home is embroiled in a civil war that will likely doom it! And I played a part in it!" His voice trailed off as he became lost in thought.

Patton nodded, understanding the sentiment. He placed a hand on Rommel's shoulder, trying to comfort the man who no doubt was carrying a great weight, and would likely carry it for years to come.

"I feel that I will not be welcome anywhere in Europa after the war ends," Rommel said, his shoulders sagging. "I would be seen as a traitor to my countrymen, and a conqueror to the rest. Albion might be the only place I can see myself staying, but even there I would be seen as a reminder of the death I helped cause."

Patton was silent, seeing the man who he considered a close friend releasing emotions that he no doubt had been holding in for months. "Erwin, I don't know what to say about that, but if you would consider it, I think America would welcome you." He had the satisfaction of seeing the Getov commander look at him with a questioning look. "I mean it. You don't have as bad a reputation there as you would in Europa, and I think a change of location would do you some good. There are plenty of places there that you could settle. Maybe you can be a guest instructor? Show the junior officers how to really fight a war." He said the last sentence with an enthusiasm that brought a small smile to Rommel's face. "Besides, I think it would be good for your family to see a new land and meet new people," Patton added. He could tell that Rommel hadn't considered moving to America, and would probably at least consider it.

In one of the landing bays, both Rommel and Patton could see the work crews guided four Sherman tanks into transports. The vehicles were then secured and the hatches closed, and after a few minutes, the repulsors on the transports activated, with the vehicles beginning to rise off the ground before they flew off into the distance. When they faded away, Patton patted Rommel on the shoulder. "Come on, Erwin. We'd better get to our transport's bay, otherwise it might leave without us," he said with a slight smile.

Rommel gave him a nod and smiled back before the two of them made their way through the corridors and to their departure bay. Upon reaching their assigned destination, both generals could see that they were not the only ones who were waiting. Standing there, with a few other officers was their commander General Harold Alexander. Both approached and saluted. "Generals Patton and Rommel reporting, General," Patton said.

Looking up from his datapad, Alexander returned their salutes. "Welcome, gentlemen. It is good to see that you both have arrived," he said, placing his datapad under his arm. "Both of your staffs have already boarded their vessels and are making themselves comfortable in their assigned quarters."

"Good to hear," Patton said with enthusiasm as he looked around. "I expected to see Admiral Cunningham here as well. Is he on his ship?"

Alexander nodded. "He wanted to oversee the provisioning of vessels that will be part of this expedition." He then gave them a thoughtful look. "Though, it's possible that the man just wanted to be in space to watch everything."

Rommel nodded. He understood the appeal of wanting to stay in space for the majestic view. "I can see why he would want to stay in orbit. It's something that I enjoy, and would like to do more of."

Patton grunted at Rommel statement. "Flying is nice, but I'll take these glorious tanks that we have," he said with a smile. "I look forward to teaching those Separatist bastards what a real commander is capable of."

Alexander just shook his head at the American. "George, I would ask that you try and control your eagerness. We aren't only to fight a war, but we are representing the Allies in the Clone Wars. So, I want you on your best behavior."

Rommel saw Patton's face change, and he regained control of himself. "I understand, General. No striking soldiers, and I will make sure that the men under my command are treated fairly."

"Good," Alexander nodded, and look at Rommel. "Erwin, know that your volunteering for this assignment wasn't exactly your choice, but I do want to say that I am glad to have you under my command. I have faith in your abilities as a general, and a man of honor."

He felt his back straitening at the praise he was given. "Thank you, General. That…" Rommel paused for a moment. "That means a lot."

"I hope that we aren't interrupting anything," a familiar voice behind them said. As the three of them turned, they saw Prime Minister Churchill and General Eisenhower standing a few feet away from them.

"Prime Minister! General!" Alexander said, bringing himself to attention and saluting at roughly the same time as Rommel and Patton.

Churchill smiled as he pulled out the cigar in his mouth and saluted, with Eisenhower doing the same shortly afterward. "I am glad to see that I caught all of you before departing. I feel that I should be here to witness the farewell of the first Terran Expeditionary Force, and wish all of you the best of luck."

"Thank you, Prime Minister," Alexander said politely. "It means a lot to everyone here knowing that you care."

"We owe these men much," Churchill replied, looking around the busy spaceport. "They are the first modern combat force to set foot outside the Terran Sector in a long time, to help in a war that places the galaxy on a knife's edge." He takes a deep breath and slowly exhales. "They will be an example to the rest of the galaxy of what we can do when we come together."

"I couldn't agree more, Prime Minister," Eisenhower said with a nod, and looked at Patton and Rommel. "I too want to wish you the best of luck. Harold is a good commander, and good at managing people." He paused to look at the man and smiled slightly. "That is why I chose him to be the overall commander of this force. I trust his judgement, and I want you two to trust it as well."

Eisenhower then focused on Patton "George, you have changed greatly from when I knew you on Earth, but please try not to be too much of a prima donna," Eisenhower said, some humor slipping into his tone. "I know you have wanted to take part in this conflict since learning about it, but remember that your actions also reflect on all of us, and not just you."

Patton chuckled. "I will do my best, Ike," he answered with a smile. "Though if I get into a race on who can capture the most enemy territory, I can't make any promises. There is one Republic general that I would really like to meet. I think his name his Skywander?"

"Skywalker," Churchill corrected, as he took a few puffs from his cigar. "From what I have read on the Holonet, he is one of the Republic's best generals, despite his youth. General T'ra Saa had good things to say about him, and he's known for daring attacks and unorthodox methods."

"Seems like your type of person," Rommel said, with a hint of humor.

Patton placed a hand on his chest. "A man after my own heart," he said in a semi-dramatic tone, and everyone chuckled at the American's theatrics. "Who else of note will be joining us?"

Eisenhower pulled out a datapad and looked through it, bringing up the necessary information. "Most commanders and their staffs are veterans of the fighting, having served in either Noria or Floevis. We made sure to draw those who were mainly behind the lines for rest and resupply so as not to deplete any of our fronts of personnel. Of note, you will have elements of the 101st Airborne. You will also have the SAS No. 2 Commando under the command of Colonel Churchill, and a fighter squadron of Brasil starfighters and bombers."

"I have to remember to meet with Colonel Churchill to thank him for saving my life," Patton said, as he involuntarily rubbed the spot where the lightsaber had pierced him. "I might not be here if he hadn't arrived in time."

"We do have a Norian commander joining the expedition," Eisenhower added. "A General Giovanni Messe. He was the Chief-of-Staff of the Royal Norian military after they joined the Allies, and was in charge of its reorganization."

Rommel remembered the man from Earth. He was probably one of the best commanders that served in Italy's Army, and performed with distinction, fighting delaying actions against the Allied advance in North Africa. His performance in the Terran Sector was supposedly just as impressive."

"He personally requested to join the expedition," Eisenhower added. "I remember the message he sent me, saying that he wanted to restore the honor of Noria, and be an example to the rest of the galaxy."

"Will he be independent or will be under someone's command?" Patton asked.

"I had considered placing him under you command, Erwin," Eisenhower said, looking at the Getov general. "I felt that since you two had served together in the past, it would allow for a better working relationship." He paused for a second before he continued. "If there are potential problems, I would like to know."

Rommel thought about it. He couldn't think of any difficulties that the two of them would have if working together, but there was the possibility that he had overlooked something. He would have to talk with the man to know for sure. "I don't foresee any problems, but I would like him as part of my staff to help with coordination."

Eisenhower nodded. "I will make sure that he is informed of his assignment. However, after you leave the sector, Harold will be in command, and he has the authority to reassign units as necessary. We may have been reborn, but I will not allow for a jumping in the chain of command. Understood?" Both generals answered in the affirmative and he then smiled. "I know that I don't have to worry about that from you two, but sometimes you can never be sure. Things can change in ways that we don't expect, and we have to deal with those when they come."

The PA system sent out a message, with everyone stopping to listen. When it had finished, Alexander looked at Rommel and Patton. "That's your transport. It won't make a good impression if you miss your own departure, unlike a few I am still waiting for." He shook his head in frustration. "They had better have a proper explanation as to why they are tardy, otherwise there will be repercussions."

Rommel nodded and extended his hand to General Eisenhower. "Thank you, Herr Eisenhower," he said. "Thank you for this opportunity."

Eisenhower took the hand and gave it a pump. "It's my pleasure," he said as he smiled. "Good luck, and Godspeed gentlemen. Show the galaxy what we are truly capable of."

"You can count on it, sir," Patton said with enthusiasm, shaking Eisenhower hand.

Churchill cleared his throat. "As the good general said, I wish you the best, and I hope that you will listen to the joint address that myself and President Hull will be giving in a few hours before you depart. I promise that it will be a good one."

"We will, Prime Minister," Rommel replied, and gave a proper salute, followed quickly by Patton, to the two men who would do their best to ensure the Terran Sector would be free from tyranny.

When the two general's boarded the transport, they found their assigned seats and fastened their safety harnesses. Fifteen minutes later, their transport was in the air and flying off toward their assigned ship. Looking out through the viewport, Rommel could see dozens of vessels. Some were cargo transports, while a majority were warships, there to protect the fleet from attack. Below he could see the planet, a blue and green jewel in the blackness of space. It was a view that would continue to fill him with awe for the rest of his life.

"Here we are, Erwin, preparing to fight in a war of galactic proportions that will probably determine the fate of the galaxy," Patton said, leaning back in his seat. "You know, I have wondered which one of us was the better commander."

Rommel chuckled. "I'll admit, I have thought the same. I suppose this will be a perfect time for us to find out which of us it is."

"I'll tell you one thing," he said, lowering his voice, "back on Earth, between the two of us, those Commie bastards wouldn't have stood a goddamned chance!"

Rommel couldn't help but laugh at George's statement.