Title:Way
of the Force
Author name:Icy Manipulator
Author
Category: Romance
Keywords:Harry Jedi Muggles
Rating:PG-13
Summary:The light side starts to strike back.
DISCLAIMER:
This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling and/or George Lucas, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, Lucas Books, Del Rey and Randomhouse, Lucas Arts and Lucasfilm Ltd., and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Success is not final, Failure is not fatal:
It is the Courage to continue that counts.
- Winston Churchill.
Chapter 16 – October Compromises III (Invasion and a bit of Fluff)
04 October 1996 – Sunset, Hogwarts Quidditch Grounds
"They're arriving, Albus," Professor McGonagall informed the aging, yet powerful wizard. She then leaned slightly on the walking stick she was using.
Albus Dumbledore turned towards her with a twinkle in his eye. "You know Poppy will most likely throw a fit if she saw you out here. It's getting dreadfully cold…" he said, as he cast a furtive gaze towards the stern professor's leg which was injured last year.
"No need to worry about me…" she trailed off as a beating sound caught her attention. "What in the world…?" she then exclaimed.
"It's nothing of concern…just a helicopter, a muggle transport…" Arthur Weasley suddenly said from behind them.
"I know what a helicopter is, Arthur," She said aggregately. Giving him a look that made him feel fifteen again.
Arthur's reply was cut off as the rhythmic beating suddenly became louder and accompanied by heavy gusts of wind. The aurors, a few which remained from the ministry attack, who were assigned as honor guards to the arriving guests gave a gasp off surprise…
Three huge and loud MH-47 Chinnook Special Operations Aircraft transport helicopters suddenly came into view. Their twin-tandem blades effortlessly cutting through the air, making a very unmistakable 'thud-thud' sound. A derivative of the CH-47, The military SOA variant, hence the 'M' designation, of the Chinook is well suited for these types of operations wherein a FARP (Forward Area Rearming/Refueling Point) is required. In short, if you want to make a base and fast, the Chinook has the versatility to do it… Ground Support, Refueling, Cargo and Troop Transport all rolled into one Big, Noisy Helicopter.
As the three adjusted their attitudes for landing, two sleek and armed to the teeth Commanche's flew a low pass to check the castles perimeter. Their nose mounted 20mm guns swiveling left and right, mimicking exactly where the pilot was looking at.
If the awesome sight weren't enough, four NATO AV-8B Harrier II's suddenly dropped from the cloud strewn sky. Nozzles pointing downwards as their Rolls-Royce Pegasus Engines fought with gravity.
With what would seem to be a coordinated and complicated dance, the Comanche's having done their sweeps, landed off towards the northern goalposts, just as the Harriers positioned themselves near the southern ones with the Chinooks in between.
While the Harriers and Comanche's where preparing to land, the Chinooks were unloading…
The first Chinook's that landed immediately opened its cargo doors, and men dressed in dark blue coveralls jumped forth, dividing and positioning themselves in equal numbers to the ends of the pitch while lugging with them trolleys which contained various equipments from what Remus could see, clearly to receive their escort aircrafts.
The second Chinook offloaded a group of men carrying what, to those familiar to the muggle world, computers, satellite dishes and the like (this lit up Arthus eyes further – it was already buldging out, but now its on fire.) Following the technicians, were five men and a woman, two of the men and the woman were dressed in the respective military units of their countries, while the other two were wearing plain black and non-descript suits. While the last-man was wearing a plain Royal Navy jumpsuit bearing a Commander insignia pin. The group approached the awaiting and surprised reception party.
The last Chinook in the meantime was unloading a group of thirty black clad and clearly dangerous men and women. The CSOG - Combined Special Operation Group, The Elite of the Elite, chosen specifically for their unique abilities both in their personalities and ofcourse, combat. Coming from the British SAS, US Navy SEALs and the US Army's Delta-Force, they clearly give the impression of 'Don't mess with us or we'll mess you up' a whole new meaning.
The Hogwarts reception detail which included Albus, Minerva, Arthur, Remus and of course the Honor Guards stood in awe. They asked for help and they were receiving it… whoever thought muggles can't bring on a fight, needs to have their heads re-examined. And, Dumbledore knew, this was just the beginning of Unity.
A small smile appeared on the old professors face as the twinkle in his eyes went on to rival the fast appearing stars of dusk, he felt more confident now as he answered Harry's question the day before in his mind. 'Yes, Harry, we do have a fighting chance.'
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08 October 1996 0800H local - 80 Miles Northwest off Beuxbatton Castle / 300 Miles SouthEast of Paris.
"Hector… wake-up child or you'll be late," he heard the soothing voice as though from a distance. "Mum…?" He asked drunkenly. Slowly Hector Williams opened his sticky eyes and saw… '...Trees?" His voice was hoarse and though he had just slept, his aching back and limbs told otherwise… He felt gritty and hungry and… "Owwww!" he groaned as he rolled over from his back and himself up into a semi crouching, semi-kneeling position as he groped for his wire-rim glasses from the numerous pockets of the vest he wore.
'A cakewalk… Fuck you, Milton!' he thought furiously back to his Manager sans Broker sans Friend.
A freelance photo-journalist and amateur astronomer/physicist, Hector Williams was definitely moving up in the field he chose to make a living in. He got to go to different places and meet many interesting personalities in his exploits to capture the world on film. He'd been able, thanks to his school friend Joseph Milton, to publish a few of his works and recently he got a stint with Time's magazine to do a cover of the continuing hostilities in Bosnia.
After that successful work for a well reputed magazine, as well as the pay and the reputation he earned, he was well set to do a little excursion into the French country side for a photo-article required by Modern Botany. He had arrived five days prior and enjoyed a stay in a small hotel in a quaint French town. He was enjoying his after dinner wine then, when the electricity failed all of sudden. From the outside he heard and then saw, as he gazed out the window, what he thought of as tanks and fifteen foot tall robot-like things leveling the town, burning everything in their path. But, that wasn't what scared him… the scene was surreal, like that of an old horror flick… creatures… sucking , eating the townsfolk… sucking blood… and all around a sort of greenish misty glow filled the air…
…A few years later as he looked back, he would laugh at the stupidity and the large amount of luck that was on his side that day. As the monster descended upon him, he responded with instinct and his instinct told him to take a picture… Thank God for the brand spanking new ultra high powered flash bulb required by his new camera…
If that had been bad, the sky behind him suddenly brightened like a flare had gone off. He turned around slowly, and saw something he only saw on film… the mushroom cloud of a thermonuclear detonation…
Hector wretched as he thought of that night, eight and a lifetime ago… he should have been scared, Hell – He should have been dead… but, oh no, not him… He knew a story when he saw one and this… that… was something you don't need to get knocked on the head to get a move on…
So, as any good journalist with no sense of self preservation would do, he went the other way and followed the yet unknown invaders, at a distance of course. The going was slow and he was sure their miles ahead of him by now. Although he did hear a few explosions from the direction he thought the invaders were a few nights ago…
Hector presently realized that he must have been traveling around thirty miles a day. 'That would mean I'm about two hundred and forty miles from where I started and God knows, how many more to where their going… well at least I have great pictures of the… things,' He mused as he packed up his gear to make good before it became to hot to walk.
Still hungry, still gritty and…
He heard the sound of a twig breaking from behind him…
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04 October 1996 – 2300H Local
"This doesn't look good, Bode," Croacker whispered against his partners ear. Although they've taken to four hour shifts in which one would be watching while the other rest, there are times such as this one when both of them observed the quick pace in which the former school is again being fortified.
"Yeah, I wonder what's taking the strike team so long," Bode replied, and as if in answer, their comms suddenly came to life after a four day hiatus of forced silence.
"It should be important if their breaking comms silence," Croaker then said as he placed the device into his ear. He then felt Bode tap him on the shoulder. Looking at his partners pointed look he immediately saw the flashing red light, indicating the message was burst traffic – one way.
"Recon-Team Alpha, Frontline. Strike minus 90 Hours. Update: Armageddon: Yellow, Unity is in effect. Expect friendly company in or about 24 Hours," the simple message said.
Both of their eyes widen to the size of grapefruits at the message, but the reality of the situation set in. Being on the field and in the line of fire tended to put a person into matters at hand.
"Four days…" Croacker whispered out.
Bode immediately figured out that this was the date of the counter-offensive But, "who's the 'friendly company'?"
All he got in return was a small shrug and the two unspeakables went back to observing and cataloguing the defenses and offensive capability of the target, as well as, offering a small prayer for those who are still trapped within.
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05 October 1996 - 1500H Local
The main screen in the ready room came to life just as Captain Bill Nichols entered and went to the podium, silencing the occupants of the room which once served as a spare Quidditch locker room.
"I know where going way too fast for anyone's liking but, as discussed earlier this morning, we do not have the liberty of dilly-dallying," Captain Nichols gruffly said, the Master-Sergeant's demeanor still showing through.
"We are doing this just like any 'normal' Darkstar operation…" He then said. The word 'normal' causing Captain Sheffler and a few others to choke back a laugh, notably Moody who was listening in from Frontline HQ.
Captain Nichols softened up a bit as he caught the irony of his own words. He too, had some experience with Darkstar operations.
"OK. As 'normal' as Darkstar operations go…" earning him a laugh from the people in the know. Surprisingly, Even Dumbldore gave a hearty laugh…
"Back to business people…" he then said seriously. He sensed that the tension level had gone down and now… now they could talk shop….
"This is a standard recon and insertion mission…" he paused a moment for the screen to change to a topographical map of France. Outlined on the map were lines showing insertion route, waypoints, primary and secondary targets, egress/extraction points and escape routes and FARP layouts.
Captain Nichols gave the brief explanation of the legends as well as informing them that two FARPs have been prepared for them to leap-frog from, while Tonks and Moody, seen through separate PIP (Picture-in-Picture) overlays on the main screen, gave the insertion team the low-down on current and known defenses and opposition to be expected.
After briefing the Comanche pilots, attention was now turned to James O'Neill. Moody took over for this briefing.
"Commander O'Neil, We have provided you with some specialized, meaning magical, equipment in addition to the standard MI6 fare. I expect you've done a quick study on the briefs we sent to your room last night?" The old Auror said gruffly.
"Yes. And please call me James, I'm only a commander on board Her Majesty's ships…" James replied smoothly.
"So you know the mission, and to summarize… get in, meet our two operatives, get a closer look and get out as quick as you can… no time for heroics. And remember, CONSTANT VIGILANCE!" Moody shouted the last, effectively jerking everyone out of their seats.
Two Hours Later…
"Comfy Back there?" David asked his passenger.
"Well, it is a bit cramped… Can't you Yanks have put some padding in these seats?" James asked as he heard the whine of the twin-turbine rotors of the Comanche spool up.
"Well, the 'Smarts' said that this is a weapon of war, not a commercial airline…" he answered via the inside joke most military pilots know, but seriously added. "But, believe me you'll need that stiffness when you're trying to pull away from a double-A missile, besides you get used to it after a while…" David trailed off as he raised one finger to indicate rotor spool, then quickly turning it to a thumbs-up sign for the ground crew to see. In the meantime, James grew silent as he reviewed his mission parameters and leaving David to do his job.
"Griffin Squad, FrontLine, Comm Check One-Two-Three…" Tonks voice came over both Comanche's comm system.
"Two Here, Five by Five," David heard his wingman, Lt. Don Ellis, call from the other Comanche to his right.
"One Here, Likewise… It's seems the Tech integration works…" David then called out as he scanned his preflight checklist and weapons load out, noticing an odd addition.
"Yes, we've been trying to dampen the interference between Technology and Magic… let's just hope it holds for the more complicated one's…" a voice he pinned to be Arthur Weasley sounded through, about to say more but Tonks quickly cut in.
"Frontline has Tactical and Control, Griffin Squad, Mission has the green light. Winds 10, gusting to 40 at 360, cloud cover enroute is broken at three thousand... good luck."
"Hold on to your hat, spy-guy… we're heading out…" David said and with that he pulled tightly on the cyclic control.
A few moments later the two Comanche's were at their max clean (meaning without wing pylons attached) cruising speed of 165 Kts (305 Kph), skimming 20 feet over the turbulent waters of the English Channel.
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04 October 1996, 1100H Local – Godric's Hollow
"You did that on purpose didn't you?" Ginny asked after putting down her glass of cool spring water.
After they were able to get away from the ruddy hall, Harry proceeded to walk on with Ginny in tow. At first she thought they were headed out towards the lake, but as they approached it, the pendant he always wore flashed red and they were suddenly in a different place.
Harry had convinced her, after screeching into his ears not to do anything she wasn't prepared for, that he needed a time off if only for a few hours…
This puzzled her, why'd he taken only her…
"Umm, yeah. I thought everyone needed some cheering up… people are too wound up right now," Harry said. Admitting to having a hand in starting the food fight.
"That's true… with Hogwarts being in a military stance and all," she agreed, remembering that most of the times of the fifth to seventh years were spent on defense or healing. Only the first to fourth years have proper classes to deal with. Although rumor has it that once the war was over, remedial classes will be held for all.
Harry smiled grimly, but just as quickly his face brightened. "So, what do you want to do?" he asked.
"Well, what can we do around here?... but before that, I'm curious to know, not that I'm complaining or anything, but… why did you bring me here… I mean, why me and not Ron and Hermione… or Luna?" she asked looking down at the sandwich she was contemplating to take a bite off. The answer was surprising, to her at least.
"It's because I'd like to get to know you better. Because, I'd like to have a few quiet moments that I'm pretty sure I won't get with Ron and 'Mione around and because I've got to spend time with Neville in some training sessions… and I know Luna more than I do you… which in my opinion, is quite strange since you are my best friend's sister and a person I've know far longer than her. Besides, who wouldn't want to spend time alone with a good looking girl?"
"Y-You think I'm pretty?" she finally said after she got over gaping.
"Ginny Weasely…" Harry began. "You are beautiful. But more than that, from what little I know of you, you're smart, witty, brave, caring… should I go on?" Harry asked and paused as he looked on amused at the blush that kept getting brighter as he mentioned each trait. A mischievous smile tug at his lips and saw, like the good Junior Marauder that he is, a chance for a tease.
"Of course, there's your little faults like being stubborn, your quick temper and who could forget… being besotted with dark-haired, green-eyed heroes…"
He got a smack in the arm from Ginny. "You're never going to let me live that down, are you?"
"Mmmm, let me think… No, I don't think so," Harry said the last smirking after pretending to think deeply, of course.
Harry didn't have time to register what happened next for as quick as a tiger pouncing on her prey, Ginny was all over him…
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05 October 1996.
"Frontline, Illustrious… We've got the boys on the scope. 15 minutes to FARP Zero-One. Sky is clear."
With the threat of immenent attack on the British Isles from an enemy so close, the Royal Navy has dispatched its Aircraft Carriers to act as buffers as they await the arrival of the US 6th Fleet.
The Invincible class aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal and its Battle group were tasked of protecting the southern end of Britain.
In the meantime the Carrier HMS Invincible, from which the class-type carrier got its name and flagship of the RN, and its battlegroup, was steaming north to investigate a report from SOSUS, or SOund SUrveillance System which is a fixed component of the U.S. Navy's Integrated Undersea Surveillance Systems (IUSS) network used for deep ocean surveillance during the Cold War and used for anti-submarine warfare, of an unmistakable sub collision-implosion event as well as to protect the main island from northern attacks.
HMS Illustrious was given the task of protecting the middle.
Inside Frontline HQ
"Copy, Illustrious. We read the same," Tonks said as she swiveled her seat from the command console to look back at the men behind her. "Their fifteen minutes to the first refueling point. No sign of them having been detected yet."
"It is as we had hoped. They won't be expecting an infiltration so soon or by muggle means," Dumbledore observed.
Bill Nichols nodded "If this one works out, we'll have an easier time on the actual strike."
They fell silent again and continued to watch the blinking dots on the large screen in front of them.
One hour and a half later…
"Frontline, Griffin Squad going in N.O.E," David said as they went flying Nap of the Earth, flying low and following the curvature of the hills and trees at just 20 feet.
"Two, EMCON and drop the tanks," David ordered his wingman to go to Mission Control and to drop the spare fuel tanks they were carrying to increase the Commanche's combat range. Two clicks from his helmet speaker was all he needed to know that his wingman had complied.
"Hey James, you still alive back there. We're just 10 minutes from drop point," David then asked his passenger who had been silent during the entire flight from FARP 01.
"Yeah, just reviewing my briefs and meditating, you know, getting myself mentally prepared for 'things I've never seen before,'" James said as he recalled the word of his mentor.
David gave a hearty laugh, but suddenly stopped…
"What's wrong…" James started to asked but unexpectedly he felt being pressed down and towards the right as the Comanche swerved tightly towards the left. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a bright green flash passing by narrowly missing the bullet-proof canopy.
As abrupt as the first, James felt the helicopter veer towards the right this time and again the green light flashed.
"Two, get that motherfucker…" David gasped as he put the Comanche into an almost vertical climb, something no sane person would do in a normal helicopter, and quickly tilting it on its tail, in a pirouette, making another green beam miss them.
"Got 'im, One… kind of tank of some sort," Don replied and as if to punctuate what he said a bright yellow and orange plume ignited. But it wasn't over yet, as the sky was suddenly filled with multicolored beams of light.
"Two, cover me… while I drop the package…" David hurriedly decided. "James, get ready, you need to jump off quickly… I can't stay on the ground more than 5 seconds or they'll be all over us."
James nodded grimly to himself and said resolutely "Well, at least we've got a 'warm' welcome."
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04 October 1996 Godrics Hollow
Harry couldn't breathe, he had no more strength to resist and all he could do was just whisper a pathetic whine as he drew a ragged breath…
"Ginny … please… stop… I can't take any more…" He pleaded, while Ginny just smiled evilly.
"Say 'uncle'…" she ordered him as she dug her finger further into Harry's side, prompting him to burst out another laugh that came out as a racking cough due to lack of air…
… Ginny had been tickling him for a quarter of an hour straight and boy could those fingers find his major tickle spot….
'I wonder what else those fingers are talented for' he mused, before bursting again into another laughing fit and shouted, as best he could. "Uncle, Uncle… I give up Gin, you win…" He said as she stopped tickling him.
He took the time to look at her and marveled, letting in for once the idea that maybe, having Ginny as his Destiny isn't so bad after all… But, then again, He is a Jedi and the code, though it allows some leeway, expressly prohibits the notion of reckless emotion… is that what love is? Just a reckless emotion…
Again he thought of the budding feelings he has for the young woman straddling him, as she still had him pinned on the grass with her legs. The effect was wonderful, as he looked further into her eyes, he was aware that they were breathing heavily from their innocent play… Ginny jumped him earlier, but he was quick enough to get away… but by some quirk of the force, she caught him and got 'to pay back her efforts in catching him'. The sun was slightly lower and was perfectly framed behind her, forming like a halo around her head, without thinking he reached out to touch her as he whispered reverently. "Her face it bloomed like a sweet flower and stole my heart away complete."
"What?..." Ginny asked, puzzled why Harry was quoting muggle poetry and it took a while for her to discern what was meant by what he said.
Both of them blushed profusely as still their eyes were locked on each other and slowly… their surroundings melted away until it was only them… the twittering of the birds and even that of the nearby stream faded into the background… until all that's left to hear are the beating of their own hearts and the rhythmic flow of air as they breathe…
The Force began to flow... strengthening the ties of life as it weaved in and out the fabric of each living thing… it gave strength to those that are weak and checked those that were overflowing until it had achieved balance…
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AN
Dear Reader,
Wow! 16th Chapter (18th if you count the prologue and the trailer) and you guys are still with me. Thank you for your reviews and to the silent readers – you're welcome to just say hi if you don't feel like reviewing.
I've got one request however, please DO NOT TELL me what happened in 'Half Blood Prince' or even SW Episode 3. I have not read/seen it yet. I've been… mmmm… away for a couple of months and only now am I able to access the net or a computer for that matter. This chap had been proofed by the wonderful E. Thesing a few months back (she might not even know me anymore…). And now I'm up to my gills (around 50 or so) with books I've got to catch up on reading. As well as a deluge of email.
I'M STILL ALIVE!
BTW, does anyone know about Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. I'm coming up with an addiction to it. I lay the blame on a friend of mine who happen to give me all 11 books of the series from prequel to Winter's Heart and as I understand it's not even complete.
At any rate, I hope to go slow and sure and close up all my open fics by october.
Oh, just in case anyone was wondering. The poem Harry was quoting a part of is from 'First Love' by John Claire.
For King and Country,
Icy Manipulator.