Synopsis: Message of the attack at IP 457 reaches the RoH government. Meanwhile the Freedom's Cry reaches the remains of the base, while the IFC plans their next moves.
Terachi Kaishaku: wow, thanks for all your reviews, it really makes me feel good. I know there was a very martial atmosphere in the last chapter, but this one will be more political. Catapults I dunno, I just kinda like the concept, with aircraft carriers today, and the ships from the Gundam series. Navi is about normal size. Fairies I said in the description are taller now but still shorter than the rest, say about five feet and a couple of inches are the average fairy height now.
HailfireSano: Yay, another reviewer. Lol I'm usually not that much of an organized person so it's a bit of a surprise to hear someone say that I am, but I am thankful. Link will have a lot to do with the story, but there the other characters will play important roles as well.
Monkey Of Doom: Don't worry I'll keep writing this story. I'm really glad that you like it
Glossary of terms:
R.H.N: Republic of Hyrule Navy
R.H.N Fleet Headquarters, Capital world of Hyrule
The main chamber of the Fleet Headquarters on Hyrule was an enormous room. Rows of consoles lined the room and large tactical maps adorned the walls, displaying locations of Hylian ships and projected positions of those of its potential enemies.
"Incoming message sir, it's from IP 457. They've come under attack from what they report are those IFC rebels that we've been hearing about lately. The commander says that everything will be destroyed in a matter of minutes."
"What?! Get me a video feed from one of the satellites."
The communications officer punched in several commands on his computer and brought up a live video feed from one of the satellites stationed at the base. The main screen in the room flickered as the video streamed in. The admiral in charge for this shift stared in shock as he viewed the sight before him. IFC fighters streaked throughout the Hylian base strafing and launching missiles at everything they could see. A phalanx of capital ships were slowly withdrawing from the base, firing their weapons at every target within reach. After several minutes of watching the admiral saw the fighters return to their carrier ships which then began to leave the base. The admiral struggled to regain control of himself and began to issue orders.
"Send a message to all the senators. Have them call an emergency meeting now. Captain Rogriss you will go to the Senate and brief them in on the situation. Then, next we have to send ships in to see if there are any survivors left. What assets do we have near the area?"
"All we've got is the Freedom's Cry sir; it was on its way to rendezvous with the fleet. Everything else is scattered across the solar system."
"Have it continue there and initiate Search and Rescue ops."
"One more thing sir, Senator Harkinian's daughter was onboard the Reigart which was en route to the base, but we're picking up the automated destruction beacon , there might be some escape pods or something out there but from what we just saw I wouldn't be too hopeful."
"Shit, instruct the Freedom's Cry to sift through every piece of debris they can for survivors. We'll inform the Senator then that his daughter is missing and is possibly dead."
"Intel also reports that rebel ships are appearing over some of the border colonies and worlds."
"Have the Freedom's Cry check that out after she completes her SAR mission."
Harkinian Estate
The senator was sitting in the den reading the day's paper when he heard the chiming tone on his computer that announced that he had a new message. He pulled it up and quickly scanned through it. It was an emergency summons to convene the Senate in light of the attack on IP 457 that very morning. As he finished reading the message he realized that Zelda was due to arrive there for her inspection tour this morning also. As if someone had read his mind the doorbell chimed, and went to the door and when he opened it saw a pair of naval officers standing there.
"Good afternoon Senator, may we come inside?"
"Yes...." The senator trailed off as the endless possibilities fired through his brain simultaneously.
"It is with great regret that we must inform you sir, that your daughter has been reported missing. Transmission was lost with her ship several hours ago, but we are not sure if there are any survivors. We are currently dispatching a ship to search for survivors right away."
The officer who spoke hated these moments. He hated having to visit families and telling them that their loved ones might not, or was not coming home ever again. The senator collapsed into a chair not able to speak for a moment. The two officers expressed their sincere apologies once more and left. Senator Harkinian sat silently as his world seemed to be spinning out of control. Ever since his wife had died years ago, Zelda was the only family he had left, and he cared for her more than anything else in the world. Zelda's death left him with a feeling of powerlessness. After several minutes of sitting and brooding his anger and sadness combined; he would go to the senate and urge the punishment of those who had done this to his daughter, not only for the sake of revenge, but so that this would never happen to other families again.
Bridge Freedom's Cry
Saria was on duty at the communications station on the bridge, when a message came in. She pulled up the message and saw that it was classed Most Urgent. She printed out the message as fast as she could and brought it up to the Captain. Nabooru read through the message quickly, feeling her stomach sink lower and lower as she read each word.
Hylian Central Naval Command
Designation: Most Urgent
IFC Rebels have attacked the fleet and base at IP 457. All forces stationed there, taken by surprise. Preliminary video feeds indicate heavy damage to the fleet. You are to proceed at best speed possible to remains and conduct search and rescue operations immediately. Upon completion of this task you are to travel to the border world Raytheon 2 to check out reports of rebel activities there.
Nabooru looked at the message and felt the rage and sadness consume her: rage at the gall of the rebels to launch a sneak attack, and sadness for the heavy losses that the Hylians had suffered.
"Lieutenant Impa, call a meeting right now in the mess hall. I want all officers and pilots there. Helm, how long until we arrive?"
"About twenty minutes ma'am."
"Lieutenant, I want everyone who's not at the meeting to be at their battle stations right now."
Mess Hall Freedom's Cry
The assembled mass of crew, pilots and officers milled about waiting for the briefing to start. Link stood next to Navi, both of them confused as to what was happening. The captain strode in and took her place at the podium and began to speak.
"Several minutes ago we received a message from Central Naval Command back on Hyrule. Nearly an hour ago, IFC rebels attacked and destroyed much of the fleet and naval facilities at IP 457."
Nabooru stopped as the crowd before her began talking amongst themselves, and waited for them to quite down before she resumed speaking.
"Command says satellite footage shows that the rebels have withdrawn and that we are to move in to conduct search and rescue operations, and then after those are complete, to proceed to the border world of Raytheon 2 to check out suspected IFC rebel activity there. As per their orders I have formulated an operation plan to implement. Upon arrival at the base we will launch every fighter, Dropship, and early warning bird to comb the area for debris. Crewmen on the ship will stand to their battle stations during this whole exercise. Medical staff will remain on standby to deal with possible survivors. After this is complete we will proceed to Raytheon 2 and await orders. That is all."
The crowd began to file out of the mess hall.
As the crowd pressed to get out, Navi noticed that Link wasn't moving at all.
"Hey, I know that's disturbing stuff we just heard, but we can't afford to dawdle here, our duty is to get out there and look for survivors."
"I know, its just that Raytheon 2 is where my parents moved after I graduated from the Naval Academy." Link said quietly, before following Navi out to grab his gear.
Senate Building, Hyrule
The main chamber of the senate building was a heat of debate among the senators.
"We can't just sit here on our hands and do nothing. If we do that then the blood of everyone of those who died out at IP 457 is on our hands."
"No! The IFC has assured us that they will track down these rebels and execute them."
"You would trust the word of a nation that has sworn to destroy ours!?"
Senator Harkinian was one of those who supported a reaction to this disaster. Moments later, the chairman announced the arrival of the IFC Ambassador Baldemar who was to deliver a speech to the Congress regarding the matter.
"My dear colleagues, a terrible thing has happened today. Rebels from amongst our ranks have attacked your forces unexpectedly. My government has no intention to cooperate or offer amnesty to these barbarians. As a realization that part of today's events blame belongs to us, we propose that our military hunt down these rebels in order to destroy them and to further the aims of peace."
Many of the senators began murmuring to their neighbors, believing that this was the best way to solve the situation at hand. However, Senator Harkinian was distrustful of the Ambassador's word and the effectiveness of the solution that he proposed. Surely there were members of the IFC government who sympathized with the rebels that would be able to protect them. No, Hyrule could not leave its safety to others alone, and he stood up to speak.
"May, I propose that ships from our fleet join yours in order to work together to destroy this threat?"
The senator proposed this for two reasons, the first being that the Hylian people would demand that their own government react, and that he just didn't trust the IFC. The Senator was quite surprised when the Ambassador readily agreed.
IFC Asteroid Colony 56C, capital of the Independent Federation of Colonies
Admiral Twinrova stood before Lord Ganondorf once more, discussing with the supreme ruler the progress of the plans.
"My lord, Ambassador Baldemar reports that the Hylians have fallen into the trap we have set for them. Their government believes that it was the so called rebels who attacked them and not us. They have accepted our offer of aid near the border worlds and have insisted on sending some of their ships along also as you have predicted."
"Excellent. When their ships arrive along with ours at the border worlds and colonies their navy will be even more stretched out and easy to kill. However, let us not attack right away as to lull them into a false sense of security. We will wait until the moment is right before we strike. Instruct Baldemar to prepare for the final phase but to await my order before launching it."
Bridge Freedom's Cry
The ship had finally arrived at the base, or what remained of it. Debris was everywhere and Mido who was manning the helm couldn't get in very close because of the density of the debris field.
"Launch the small craft now," the captain ordered. Ruto acknowledged and began issuing orders through her headset to the flight deck.
Flight Deck Freedom's Cry
"Control to Rescue Two, you are clear to launch," Ruto's voice came through to both Link and Navi. The catapult officer gave the go signal and the catapult hurled the HF-29 forward into space. Link hit the afterburner, bringing his fighter well clear of the mouth of the hangar entrance.
"Navi, set the sensors to discriminate for life."
"Alright....done."
The sleek interceptor fighter cruised through the debris field, with Link piloting the fighter, and Navi keeping an eye on the sensors, watching for anything unusual. Half an hour later they were still cruising through the debris field having not found a single thing yet. The rest of the fighters and dropships had not found a single thing yet either.
"Hold on Link, I think I've got something here. Come around on bearing two-three-zero."
Link banked the fighter into a turn and settled on the new course that Navi had indicated.
"Alright, looks like an escape pod beacon. Sensors are showing one life-sign aboard, nothing else."
"Raise Eagle One on the radio and get one of the dropships out here to pick up the pod."
In a few minutes one of the three dropships came around near the pod. It fired a cable and hook at the escape pod, which it used to bring the pod into the dropship. Once the task was complete the dropship opened up its throttle and raced back to the Freedom's Cry with Link following close behind. Eight minutes later, Link had landed his fighter in the hangar bay and was watching several crewmen opening the hatch to the escape pod, and drag out the unconscious occupant of the pod. All he saw of the inhabitant of the pod was several long golden tresses of hair before the crewmen strapped her on a stretcher and wheeled her off to sick-bay
What do you guys think, longer chapters, shorter ones? Tell me what you guys would like the most.