ENTER THE STALKERS: A Star Wars alternate universe story
By The Merry Prankster
Death Waits In The Dark / Night Stalkers: {Motto of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment}
Note to Reader: I was talking to a friend who had been an Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) and missile technician in the US Army and later became a naval aviator when we started looking at Star Wars from a military perspective. Let's face it, Star Wars showed some amazing screw-ups that would have spelled disaster in a real wartime situation. In many cases the rebels were saved only by worse decisions on part of the bad guys. Examples include the rebel use of three ship formations; a British RAF formation that had been quickly replaced by the now common finger four flight formation, and bad coordination between the X-Wings and Y-Wings in ANH. Then there is the Imperial use of white armored storm troopers in a woodland setting. Can you say target? This got me thinking about what would happen if some elite American troops were to somehow get trapped in the Star Wars universe. This is not a Mary Sue. Instead, it is a look at what could change if American military personnel were to become involved. The first part of the story concerns a emergency evacuation set in Africa sometime within the near future and later moves into the Star Wars universe. So, sit back and enjoy the ride.
Cast of Characters:
Anthony "Saint" Christopher: pilot of "Super 6-4" Raymond "Wins" Winslett: co-pilot of "Super 6-4" Daniel McGyver: Crew-chief of "Super 6-4" Earl Shepherd: Delta sniper Jack McCoy: Delta operator/sniper Admiral Jefferson: Commander in charge of rescue mission
Terms: Sikorsky MH-60L Blackhawk: Special operations version of the standard US Army assault helicopter Super 6-4: Radio call sign used by the MH-60L Blackhawk flown by "Saint" Christopher. Super 6-1, Super 6-2, Super 6-3: Other Blackhawks used in the evacuation operation. Skinnies: soldier's nickname for native people of Mauritania RPG: Rocket Propelled Grenade Ready Room: Room onboard a aircraft-carrying ship where pilots receive the mission briefing Feet Wet/Feet Dry: refers to an aircraft crossing over a major water feature (lake, Ocean) and land. Chock: a small group of soldiers carried by one aircraft. The number often varies according to craft. Delta Operator: Member of the US Army's Delta Force, an elite special forces unit. Chock: A group of around twelve soldiers. One chock is assigned to each Blackhawk
Chapter 1: Into the Storm
Ready Room on board the USS Essex Six miles off the Northwest coast of Africa August 1, 2006 1400 hrs
The tension was thick in the ready room of the Essex, one of the Navy's newest amphibious assault ships, and the assembled men waited for the briefing to begin. Admiral Jefferson walked in as a sergeant called the room to attention.
"You may be seated", stated Jefferson as he pulled out his papers and stared the briefing. "Gentlemen, for the last few weeks the situation between the Arab masters, rulers, and underclass and slaves of African descent has been tense, to say the least. The State Department has issued a warning for all American citizens to leave the country immediately. Yesterday, riots broke out in the capital of Nouakchott and the situation has gone downhill since then. The ambassador has ordered an immediate evacuation of remaining American citizens from the country. Our mission is to protect the evacuation from armed bands currently running around the city. At 1300 hours today full-scale civil war broke out between the African underclass and the Arab overlords. The American government has supported the Arab leaders and this has generated resentment among the oppressed. Our mission is to provide protection for the evacuation. A detachment of four MH-60L Blackhawks from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (160th SOAR) will deliver the security force. Alpha Company of 1/75th Rangers will rappel from the Blackhawks and deploy to form a defensive perimeter around the embassy. Assisting the rangers will be a detachment of Delta Operators. After delivering the Rangers, the Blackhawks will orbit the area and provide sniper cover for the rescue mission. Close air support will be provided by two AH-6 Little Birds that armed with rockets and miniguns. Once the evacuation has been completed, the Rangers will collapse the perimeter and retire to the embassy helicopter pad for extraction. Total time of operation will be three to five hours. Go Code for the operation is Brandy. God speed and remember, leave no man behind!
The soldiers stood at attention as the admiral left the room and got ready for the mission
============================================================================
MH-60L Blackhawk "Super 6-4" Sitting on the flight deck of the USS Essex 1500hrs
Five words cut through the radios onboard the helicopters. "Brandy, I say again Brandy"
A loud whine filled the air as the pilots of the Blackhawk went through their pre-flight checklist and started the engines. Soldiers began to race out of the ship and board the sitting helicopters. The pilot of "Super 6-4" began addressing the boarding troops.
" Good afternoon gentlemen. My name is Anthony "Saint" Christopher and I will be your pilot for this flight. Federal regulations have designated this aircraft as a No-smoking Blackhawk helicopter. For those on our Nouakchott frequent flier program, you will be earning double mileage points for this operation. And as always the air sickness bags are located on the back of the seat in front of you."
Multiple hands increased the power to the helicopters and began take-off procedures. Switches were thrown, systems checked, and power applied to the throttles. The Blackhawks lifted off the deck and formed up with the gunships, rose to 200 feet, and proceeded to fly inland.
"Super 6-1 feet dry" "Super 6-2 feet dry" " Super 6-3 feet dry" "Super 6-4 feet dry"
Within minutes of crossing the coastline, "Saint" turns to the soldiers behind him and yells out "Two minutes". One soldier put away his copy of "The Last Command" and others checked their weapons one last time. The helicopter banked onto final approach to the target zone.
"One minute!!!"
A sudden rise to the nose and dip of the helicopter's tail signaled that they had reached their destination and the Ranger leader motioned for his men to begin their descent from the aircraft.
"ROPES, GO, GO, GO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Two ropes unrolled from the aircraft and the Ranger chock quickly slid down to take up defensive positions on the four corners of the embassy. The pilots of the Blackhawks signaled the Command and Control bird on the completion of their part of the mission.
"Super 6-1 troops deployed" "Super 6-2 chocks on the ground" "Super 6-3 rangers deployed" "Super 6-4 chocks on the ground and moving into holding pattern"
The rangers secured the perimeter and settled down to await any threats to the operation. Within minutes, shots rang out as members of one of the local militias began to rush the soldiers. One Mauretanian ran into the middle of the street and emptied his rifle at the rangers, only to be thrown back by the impact of several bullets. As on a signal from that militia member, all hell broke loose. A massive firefight broke out between the Americans on the ground and the Mauretanians. Chock 4, in the process of assembling after being deployed from Super 6-4, became pinned down by automatic weapon fire. One of the soldiers cried out in pain and shock as a bullet knocks his M-16 out of his hand along with some of his flesh. A Toyota pickup with a Russian heavy machine gun mounted on the back pulled out from a side street and opened up on the Rangers. The Command and Control (CinC) bird radioed the orbiting helicopters and immediately ordered "Super 6-4" to move to a holding pattern over the embattled Rangers and provide sniper cover. "Saint" flew to the hottest part of the fight and his crew chief let loose with his mini-gun. The loud growl of the weapon filled the air, causing many on the ground to look up. Firing over 100 bullets per second, the miniguns put the truck out of action within seconds. The Blackhawk rotated to give the gunners a shot at an approaching mob. The locals now turned their attention to the biggest threat, Super 6-4. All of a sudden, one of the locals popped up with a rocket launcher. Sgt McCoy, one of the Delta operators, spotted some movement on the ground and shouted the warning to the pilot:
"Saint, Skinny with RPG coming up on your side WATCH OUT!!!!!"
Before he could begin evasive maneuvers, the rocket sailed out and slammed into the tail of the helicopter. "Saint" and "Wins" began to check their instruments as the aircraft began vibrating. It felt as if the helicopter was shaking itself to pieces. A call went over the airwaves letting everyone else know that the Blackhawk had been hit by enemy fire.
The command and control bird radioed in, checking on 6-4's status. " Super 6-4, are you okay? It looked like you got clipped pretty good"
"Negative, we're good, all controls are functional" ,replied Saint.
"Well, go back to the Essex and get it checked out"
"Roger, Super 6-4 out."
The Blackhawk began a left turn while plotting a course returning to the ship. Five minutes into the return flight the crew began to notice some difficulties. "Saint" began to be worried over how the pedals were responding to his commands.
"Wins check the instruments, I'm getting some bad vibrations in the pedals"
The tail rotor, which had been oscillating since the rocket strike began to got even worse. Suddenly, the tail rotor broke off with a shower of sparks and the aircraft began to spin rapidly. Smoke began to pour out of the damaged tail section. Meanwhile, the cockpit became a scene of intense stress with red warning lights flashing on the control column and emergency signals began a loud, constant beeping. The two pilots quickly fell back on their training. The collective was reduced. There was no time to be afraid. That would come after the aircraft had landed and if they were still alive. One of the Delta snipers began sliding out the door but was caught by the crew chief. The people in back of the helicopter grabbed onto anything nailed down and held on for their very lives. Saint, concentrating on his instruments shouted, back to the Delta snipers and the crew chief "Stay with it!!!"
"Wins, you want to pull the VCLs off line or what?", said the pilot.
Both pilots were pressed against the armored side of their seats by the spin. The men in the back made a few prayers and held on desperately against the gravity that threatened to tear them from the helicopter. "Saint" sent out a distress message over the airwaves.
"Super 6-4, going down" . . . . . "Super 6-4, going down hard" . . . . "6-4, going.................................
Meanwhile a bright blue light filled the air in front of the cockpit. A tunnel of air, blue with white electrical discharges crackling along its wall appeared and swallowed the spinning helicopter.
Chapter 2: We're Here!!! Uhhhh, wherever that is.
A Galaxy Far Far Away Planet Naboo A forest near Theed.
A bright flash of blue fills the sky.
By The Merry Prankster
Death Waits In The Dark / Night Stalkers: {Motto of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment}
Note to Reader: I was talking to a friend who had been an Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) and missile technician in the US Army and later became a naval aviator when we started looking at Star Wars from a military perspective. Let's face it, Star Wars showed some amazing screw-ups that would have spelled disaster in a real wartime situation. In many cases the rebels were saved only by worse decisions on part of the bad guys. Examples include the rebel use of three ship formations; a British RAF formation that had been quickly replaced by the now common finger four flight formation, and bad coordination between the X-Wings and Y-Wings in ANH. Then there is the Imperial use of white armored storm troopers in a woodland setting. Can you say target? This got me thinking about what would happen if some elite American troops were to somehow get trapped in the Star Wars universe. This is not a Mary Sue. Instead, it is a look at what could change if American military personnel were to become involved. The first part of the story concerns a emergency evacuation set in Africa sometime within the near future and later moves into the Star Wars universe. So, sit back and enjoy the ride.
Cast of Characters:
Anthony "Saint" Christopher: pilot of "Super 6-4" Raymond "Wins" Winslett: co-pilot of "Super 6-4" Daniel McGyver: Crew-chief of "Super 6-4" Earl Shepherd: Delta sniper Jack McCoy: Delta operator/sniper Admiral Jefferson: Commander in charge of rescue mission
Terms: Sikorsky MH-60L Blackhawk: Special operations version of the standard US Army assault helicopter Super 6-4: Radio call sign used by the MH-60L Blackhawk flown by "Saint" Christopher. Super 6-1, Super 6-2, Super 6-3: Other Blackhawks used in the evacuation operation. Skinnies: soldier's nickname for native people of Mauritania RPG: Rocket Propelled Grenade Ready Room: Room onboard a aircraft-carrying ship where pilots receive the mission briefing Feet Wet/Feet Dry: refers to an aircraft crossing over a major water feature (lake, Ocean) and land. Chock: a small group of soldiers carried by one aircraft. The number often varies according to craft. Delta Operator: Member of the US Army's Delta Force, an elite special forces unit. Chock: A group of around twelve soldiers. One chock is assigned to each Blackhawk
Chapter 1: Into the Storm
Ready Room on board the USS Essex Six miles off the Northwest coast of Africa August 1, 2006 1400 hrs
The tension was thick in the ready room of the Essex, one of the Navy's newest amphibious assault ships, and the assembled men waited for the briefing to begin. Admiral Jefferson walked in as a sergeant called the room to attention.
"You may be seated", stated Jefferson as he pulled out his papers and stared the briefing. "Gentlemen, for the last few weeks the situation between the Arab masters, rulers, and underclass and slaves of African descent has been tense, to say the least. The State Department has issued a warning for all American citizens to leave the country immediately. Yesterday, riots broke out in the capital of Nouakchott and the situation has gone downhill since then. The ambassador has ordered an immediate evacuation of remaining American citizens from the country. Our mission is to protect the evacuation from armed bands currently running around the city. At 1300 hours today full-scale civil war broke out between the African underclass and the Arab overlords. The American government has supported the Arab leaders and this has generated resentment among the oppressed. Our mission is to provide protection for the evacuation. A detachment of four MH-60L Blackhawks from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (160th SOAR) will deliver the security force. Alpha Company of 1/75th Rangers will rappel from the Blackhawks and deploy to form a defensive perimeter around the embassy. Assisting the rangers will be a detachment of Delta Operators. After delivering the Rangers, the Blackhawks will orbit the area and provide sniper cover for the rescue mission. Close air support will be provided by two AH-6 Little Birds that armed with rockets and miniguns. Once the evacuation has been completed, the Rangers will collapse the perimeter and retire to the embassy helicopter pad for extraction. Total time of operation will be three to five hours. Go Code for the operation is Brandy. God speed and remember, leave no man behind!
The soldiers stood at attention as the admiral left the room and got ready for the mission
============================================================================
MH-60L Blackhawk "Super 6-4" Sitting on the flight deck of the USS Essex 1500hrs
Five words cut through the radios onboard the helicopters. "Brandy, I say again Brandy"
A loud whine filled the air as the pilots of the Blackhawk went through their pre-flight checklist and started the engines. Soldiers began to race out of the ship and board the sitting helicopters. The pilot of "Super 6-4" began addressing the boarding troops.
" Good afternoon gentlemen. My name is Anthony "Saint" Christopher and I will be your pilot for this flight. Federal regulations have designated this aircraft as a No-smoking Blackhawk helicopter. For those on our Nouakchott frequent flier program, you will be earning double mileage points for this operation. And as always the air sickness bags are located on the back of the seat in front of you."
Multiple hands increased the power to the helicopters and began take-off procedures. Switches were thrown, systems checked, and power applied to the throttles. The Blackhawks lifted off the deck and formed up with the gunships, rose to 200 feet, and proceeded to fly inland.
"Super 6-1 feet dry" "Super 6-2 feet dry" " Super 6-3 feet dry" "Super 6-4 feet dry"
Within minutes of crossing the coastline, "Saint" turns to the soldiers behind him and yells out "Two minutes". One soldier put away his copy of "The Last Command" and others checked their weapons one last time. The helicopter banked onto final approach to the target zone.
"One minute!!!"
A sudden rise to the nose and dip of the helicopter's tail signaled that they had reached their destination and the Ranger leader motioned for his men to begin their descent from the aircraft.
"ROPES, GO, GO, GO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Two ropes unrolled from the aircraft and the Ranger chock quickly slid down to take up defensive positions on the four corners of the embassy. The pilots of the Blackhawks signaled the Command and Control bird on the completion of their part of the mission.
"Super 6-1 troops deployed" "Super 6-2 chocks on the ground" "Super 6-3 rangers deployed" "Super 6-4 chocks on the ground and moving into holding pattern"
The rangers secured the perimeter and settled down to await any threats to the operation. Within minutes, shots rang out as members of one of the local militias began to rush the soldiers. One Mauretanian ran into the middle of the street and emptied his rifle at the rangers, only to be thrown back by the impact of several bullets. As on a signal from that militia member, all hell broke loose. A massive firefight broke out between the Americans on the ground and the Mauretanians. Chock 4, in the process of assembling after being deployed from Super 6-4, became pinned down by automatic weapon fire. One of the soldiers cried out in pain and shock as a bullet knocks his M-16 out of his hand along with some of his flesh. A Toyota pickup with a Russian heavy machine gun mounted on the back pulled out from a side street and opened up on the Rangers. The Command and Control (CinC) bird radioed the orbiting helicopters and immediately ordered "Super 6-4" to move to a holding pattern over the embattled Rangers and provide sniper cover. "Saint" flew to the hottest part of the fight and his crew chief let loose with his mini-gun. The loud growl of the weapon filled the air, causing many on the ground to look up. Firing over 100 bullets per second, the miniguns put the truck out of action within seconds. The Blackhawk rotated to give the gunners a shot at an approaching mob. The locals now turned their attention to the biggest threat, Super 6-4. All of a sudden, one of the locals popped up with a rocket launcher. Sgt McCoy, one of the Delta operators, spotted some movement on the ground and shouted the warning to the pilot:
"Saint, Skinny with RPG coming up on your side WATCH OUT!!!!!"
Before he could begin evasive maneuvers, the rocket sailed out and slammed into the tail of the helicopter. "Saint" and "Wins" began to check their instruments as the aircraft began vibrating. It felt as if the helicopter was shaking itself to pieces. A call went over the airwaves letting everyone else know that the Blackhawk had been hit by enemy fire.
The command and control bird radioed in, checking on 6-4's status. " Super 6-4, are you okay? It looked like you got clipped pretty good"
"Negative, we're good, all controls are functional" ,replied Saint.
"Well, go back to the Essex and get it checked out"
"Roger, Super 6-4 out."
The Blackhawk began a left turn while plotting a course returning to the ship. Five minutes into the return flight the crew began to notice some difficulties. "Saint" began to be worried over how the pedals were responding to his commands.
"Wins check the instruments, I'm getting some bad vibrations in the pedals"
The tail rotor, which had been oscillating since the rocket strike began to got even worse. Suddenly, the tail rotor broke off with a shower of sparks and the aircraft began to spin rapidly. Smoke began to pour out of the damaged tail section. Meanwhile, the cockpit became a scene of intense stress with red warning lights flashing on the control column and emergency signals began a loud, constant beeping. The two pilots quickly fell back on their training. The collective was reduced. There was no time to be afraid. That would come after the aircraft had landed and if they were still alive. One of the Delta snipers began sliding out the door but was caught by the crew chief. The people in back of the helicopter grabbed onto anything nailed down and held on for their very lives. Saint, concentrating on his instruments shouted, back to the Delta snipers and the crew chief "Stay with it!!!"
"Wins, you want to pull the VCLs off line or what?", said the pilot.
Both pilots were pressed against the armored side of their seats by the spin. The men in the back made a few prayers and held on desperately against the gravity that threatened to tear them from the helicopter. "Saint" sent out a distress message over the airwaves.
"Super 6-4, going down" . . . . . "Super 6-4, going down hard" . . . . "6-4, going.................................
Meanwhile a bright blue light filled the air in front of the cockpit. A tunnel of air, blue with white electrical discharges crackling along its wall appeared and swallowed the spinning helicopter.
Chapter 2: We're Here!!! Uhhhh, wherever that is.
A Galaxy Far Far Away Planet Naboo A forest near Theed.
A bright flash of blue fills the sky.