Chapter 8: Operation: Silent Panther:
Over the next few days every crew member of all the ships of the Earth Federation got better and were soon heading back to their ships, but this was not to be, for almost half of the numbers of crewmen who lost their ships (750,000) Those men were all asked by the president himself to go on a campaign to serve in the war that was coming up as soldiers along with 500,000 others who volunteered before them. The crewmen accepted, since they had no ship to go back to, this also was what all the crewmembers of the U.S.S Shooting Star did. They trained for 2 months and then finally they were now on their way to Yeronzo and many of them were very nervous. Sora and his ships crew were all along with thousands of others were on the carrier Moscow as it flew with the small squads and 3 carriers, 4 heavy cruisers, and 2 frigates of Earth Federation ships heading for what they call, "Operation: Silent Panther".
The doors to the science bay on board the U.S.S Moscow quickly opened as Sora walked in. He saw Tidus sitting at a table working on something and Sora begins to approach Tidus.
"What are you doing there?" Sora asked.
"I'm just doing last checks to this portable energy shield that I have constructed," Tidus answered.
"You're what?" Sora asked bewildered.
"My portable energy shield," Tidus answered finally looking up at Sora.
"What is a portable energy shield?" Sora asked with a curious look.
"It is a weapon that I have constructed," Tidus answered and then asked, "Do you know what a shield does right?"
"Yeah it protects you from enemy fire," Sora answered.
"Well imagine an energy shield that can withstand laser fire and can protect u against most things, also well for ramming too, that is the portable energy shield that I have constructed," Tidus told Sora.
"Whoa, that would be a good weapon on the mission that were going on," Sora remarked.
"That's why I built 3 one for you, me, and Riku for use on the battle field when are ammo or weapons are gone," Tidus said.
"That's really thoughtful of you, but that wasn't why I am here," Sora said to Tidus.
"It isn't then why are you here?" Tidus asked.
"I came to ask how the date with Houng go." Sora answered.
"Well it didn't start yet, we plan to wait till this one mission is over," Tidus answered.
"Hmm, well then I'll go, but remember tell me about it okay?" Sora asked Tidus.
"Got it and Sora out of the colors of; Blue, Red, and Green, which do you prefer?" Tidus asked Sora.
"I would choose the color Blue, why do you ask?" Sora asked, but as he turned around Tidus threw a small watch like object into Sora's hands. Sora look at it for a minute before he pressed a button and out appeared a huge round shield made of light blue and it almost was the size he was. He then pressed the same button and the shield disappeared just as fast as it appeared.
"I asked because that is going to be the color of your light saber," Tidus answered.
"Wow, thanks I'll keep it well and bring it on this mission," Sora told Tidus.
"No problem," Tidus said back.
"Well see you in hanger bay one at 10:00am," Sora said to Tidus as he left.
"Yeah, see you there," Tidus yelled back, and then Tidus slowly got up and also headed toward the door to go give Riku his light saber.
10:00am struck the very next day, as everyone got up from their beds on the 3 separate carriers got dressed and ready for the bombardment on Yeronzo. They first all gathered at one of the hanger bays for instructions and intelligence.
"Alright, we have arrived at Yeronzo, this is a planet far from the Confederations space, but it is still inhabited by them at this base on this island," the Leader of their carriers assault team who was commander Tucker of the U.S.S Nova said as he pointed to a holographic picture of a large enemy base.
"Are drop ships are going to land among these and many other points where they will dispatch you to take the enemy on your own," Tucker began.
"You will first have to reach this point from your drop ships," Tucker explained as he pointed to a large clearing of land up ahead.
"Intelligence has reported that the enemy has built trenches around the base, are first priority is to take those trenches and use them to assault the base," Tucker told the thousands of soldiers standing on the hanger.
"Next several bomb squads will run up to the gate here and set up bomb at it, then they will retreat to this point here where they will detonate the bomb, blasting a big enough for both infantry and vehicles to get in," Tucker explained as he pointed to 2 points on the map of the base.
"Everyone will then go in and do everything you can to take that base, but your first priority once you get in should be to take out the large laser cannon on the roof, for it is most likely it is used to take down any air ships including are drop ships," Tucker stopped to take a breath, "For if you don't then we can not give you any reinforcements to take the base," Tucker then finishes.
"Once you take the base use the bases communications system to hail us to confirm the capture," Tucker told everyone.
"You will have reinforcements down there with you, and also ground and air assault vehicles, but do not think that the enemy is that easy to take down, for there are something's that we were not able to pick up with are sensors," Tucker warned the soldiers.
"So, now you have your orders, go suit up and prepare for combat," Tucker told everyone, "Remember to bring lots of ammo and grenades, cause were going to need them, dismiss," Then Tucker saluted them and everyone began to head to the cargo room sized armory. As Tucker headed to the armory himself he thought to himself, "May God watch over us all".
While in the armory, everyone had last minute chats with each other before they headed to their drop ships.
"So, do you think you will live to see another day?" someone asked another.
"Well, who knows maybe I will live to be 80," another person answered.
"This mission sounds like a suicide mission," another person said.
"Well, if is or not I joined to kick some ass, not sit on my hands as the enemy just walk all over me," someone answered.
"Yeah your right!" some people agreed.
"So, how are you guys feeling?" Tidus asked Sora and Riku as they got some clips and ammo for their guns.
"I'm good," Riku answered.
"I'm just hoping I don't get shot again out there," Sora said with a nervous voice.
"No need to worry, so as long as you keep your head down you won't get shot," Riku said to Sora.
"Well thanks for telling me," Sora said to Riku.
"Yeah, what are friends for, oh yeah Long thanks for light saber it will come in handy today," Riku said.
"Yeah like you said what friends for are," Long said to Riku.
The 3 of them then laughed and continued to pack their equipment. Then through the intercom they all heard "PREPARE FOR DROP SHIP LAUNCH, ALL SOLDIERS REPORT TO YOUR DROP SHIPS" Everyone began to rush to the hanger bays and their drops ships. Sora was separated from all his friends since he was on a different drop ship with no one he knew. He then saw Tidus with Houng talking as he walked to his drop ship. Houng then gave Tidus a hug and walked away from the drop ships. Sora could see everyone rushing left and right trying to get to their drop ships, and then Sora could see the drop ships being launched toward the planet. So, slowly he got into his drop ship sat down next to an ensign and strapped himself in for the ride of his life.
"Everyone strapped in?" the pilot asked everyone.
"Were strapped in and ready for combat," a soldier said.
"Then let's rock and roll!" the pilot yelled through the intercom.