Terachi Kaishaku: I'm glad you like it, and I'm glad that you're still reading and reviewing this story which makes me feel good since reviews have kind of dropped off lately. There'll be lots more action before this story ends which I hope you will like.
Disclaimer: For those of you who haven't studied history in great detail much of Senator Harkinian's address is either directly quoted from or based on the statements of Winston Churchill made during the darkest days of Britain during World War II. Those words I have chosen to borrow because in life they gave Britain the resolve to win the war which is similar to the situation I wish to portray here.
In the void of space the fleets that were detailed to invade the capital world of Hyrule slowly plodded along towards their objective. Hundreds of warships ranging from battleships to tiny one man fighters moved forth silently, behind them the massive troop transports that carried the troops that were slated to land on the planet. Already the Hylian military was spread thin, and political leadership was in pieces. Beachheads at various parts of the planet had already been secured by commando groups that had snuck onto the surface of the planet weeks ago.
Admiral Twinrova stood on the bridge of the invasion fleet the Vengeance having been transported via high speed shuttle just a few hours earlier from her flagship which was now being refueled by tenders at Raytheon 2.
"Status report."
"All divisions report maximum readiness ma'am."
"Good, sensors, what do the Hylians have to defend themselves?"
"There are the three lunar bases, four orbital battlestations, four battleships, and several other smaller vessels."
"What are the orbital positions of the moons and the battlestations?"
"The moons are the farthest out, Din and Farore are on this side of the planet, and Nayru is on the other side. The battlestations are in closer orbits to the planet and are not in weapons range of the lunar bases.
The admiral scoffed to herself. This pitiful array of Hylian assets was puny compared to her fleet and would be easily crushed. The plan that she had crafted in advance would prove adequate for this situation. Squadrons of fighters and several frigates would engage the lunar bases whereupon ground troops would be landed in order to take control of the moons. Subsequently the main fleet would move forward to engage the Hylian ships and battlestations that were to defend the planet. In the meantime the transports would remain the rear under guard until organized resistance in space was ended and then troops would go down in shuttles to the spaceports that were already secured by the advance teams of IFC commandos.
"Send the advance divisions ahead to attack and take all three moons, and then have the main fleet move forward at half speed."
From the vanguard of the fleet dozens of fighter squadrons along with a few handfuls of frigates sped forward to engage the Hylian advance positions on the lunar bases.
Hylian Central Naval Command
The on duty sensors officer was fatigued from being on constant watch now that the war warnings had been issued. He was going through each sector that was covered by the sensors and scanners when on one of them something appeared.
"Sir, IFC warships approaching, identified as IF-3 fighters, and Cossack class frigates. Trajectories are consistent of those heading for the three moon bases. Their course to the Din and Farore bases are straight forward sir as they are on that side of the planet, but their course for Nayru base brings them around the planet as Nayru is still on the other side right now."
Senator Harkinian was standing next to the duty flag rank officer who began to issue orders.
"Scramble the defense fleet now, bring all battlestations online and alert the lunar bases."
The senator began to talk with the admiral quietly on the side.
"Admiral what does the situation look like here?"
"Not very good senator, they have us far outclasses in terms of warships and fighters. The orbital battlestations are powerful in their own right but they will be easy prey we don't have many ships to support them so they fall prone to the technique of isolation. It seems that they're also heading for the lunar bases first probably because they don't want to be attacked from the rear."
"What would be our most prudent course of action here?"
"Unfortunately it seeming is to fight to the death as this is an enemy who has clearly stated that he will not accept surrender, but only our annihilation. Our best choice is to try and inflict as many casualties as they can in space and then when they land on the ground, to hold them off until we can rebuild our strength. Hopefully after their initial conquest they will reassign much of the invasion fleet elsewhere, which is very likely."
"What about the outlying bases?"
"If we are trying to hold the enemy for as long as possible it would be prudent to order our outlying outposts to hold as long as they can in order to tie down enemy ships and to inflict as many casualties as they can."
"Alright then. I must also address the people in order to let them know of the situation and what we're trying to do, and what they must do in the days ahead."
"Very good sir, I'll have a communications officer set that up for you in a minute."
Freedom's Cry
The battleship slowly approached the outskirts of the Hylian military base centered around the colony L-32.
"Ensign Saria, open a channel with the base and tell them that we're coming in."
"L-32 control, this is Freedom's Cry class Hylian battleship Freedom's Cry coming in on sector 4 requesting permission to enter the base."
"Freedom's Cry permission is granted. Power down all weapons and wait for escort before coming in."
The battleship powered down its weapons as the escort appeared outside to make sure that it wasn't a ruse. Once they were satisfied the escort ships formed up around the Hylian battleship to escort it into the base itself. Inside the base were several other warships with damage ranging from moderate to extreme, evidently having fallen under surprise attack much as the Freedom's Cry had. The escort ships guided the ship to an unoccupied dock along the peripheral edge of the colony that served as the command center for the base and then turned away to resume their duties elsewhere. Nabooru along with Impa disembarked from the ship in order to find out from the base commander what was going on. The two entered the office of the base commander who's rank was Colonel and saluted.
"Welcome captain."
"We were wondering if there were any outstanding orders for us sir."
"Yes, there are. IFC forces are attacking us all over and have just now begun to launch their attack on Hyrule. At the same time another IFC fleet is heading for us right now and should be here in several hours. Central Command has issued the orders that all bases hold as long as they can in order to delay the enemy as long as possible. As a result you and your ship are to stay here and assist in the defense of this post as long as possible."
"We also need supplies sir, both for the ship itself and the fighters."
"Unfortunately we don't have much to spare here, we've sent a message requesting a re-supply but we don't think that's likely to arrive before the IFC forces do. We'll have to make do with what we have."
"Those are somewhat bleak and desperate orders Colonel."
"Unfortunately these are bleak and desperate times, dismissed."
The two officers saluted once more, spun on their heels and marched out.
"How long until we can repair all the damage Impa?"
"Not sure ma'am. Some of the weapons systems that were disabled as well as several other things will require a full blown shipyard and more time than we have here to completely repair. After all is said and done I think we'll have about 85 percent combat effectiveness by the time repairs are complete."
"Hopefully that will hold then."
Back on the ship Link was getting some much needed rest after the last battle, and some time to himself. He was sitting in one of the observation rooms alone, staring out at the buzzing activity surrounding several of the other Hylian warships in the distance. In his right hand was one of his most treasured possessions, a small 3 x 5 portrait of him and his parents when he was still a small child. Looking at it now brought out feelings of sadness and despair. After a few more minutes he got up from where he was sitting and left to return to his duties. The door out of the room whooshed open just as he walked through and a figure rounded the corner at the same time, nearly hitting him.
"Hey, watch where you're going!" a sharp feminine voice rebuked him.
Link looked to see the haughty eyes of Zelda glaring at him. Instead of replying he spun on his heel rapidly and nearly ran out of the room but in his haste to leave he dropped something. Zelda was cursing at the clumsiness of certain members of the crew when she saw the fallen item and picked it up. It was a picture of a laughing little boy with two adults who were evidently his parents. The moment that was captured deeply touched Zelda, and after a moment's thought realized who the boy was, the pilot who had nearly run into her earlier again. For some unknown reason she felt the responsibility to return this item as it was evidently a highly treasured one. She strode out of the corridor and saw the retreating back of the pilot who was just about to round the corner and ran to catch up with him.
"Hey, wait up."
"What do you want?" Link said angrily spinning on his heels finding his anger building even more when he found himself looking at Zelda again.
"You dropped something back there, and I was trying to return it to you." She said as she held out the picture in her hand.
"Oh, umm thanks." Link said taken aback by this sudden change of character on Zelda's part. He quickly plucked the picture from her grasp and then strode off without so much as another word to Zelda. Moments later he heard yelling behind where he had been moments earlier where a young midshipman had the misfortune to trip and knock over Zelda, and his previous opinion that the attractive young lady was an arrogant haughty spoiled brat returned, superceding the memory of her one moment of kindness towards him.
Din Hylian Naval Base
Around the base alarm sirens wailed as personnel rushed to their duty stations. The lunar base on the moon of Din was a fairly large installation, complete with a moderate size shipyard, docking facilities, training areas for ground forces, and other buildings. Now, the base's defense towers were online, the scanners apprehensively watching the sky for the approaching targets. Already the moon's three fighter squadrons had scrambled and had formed up to repulse the initial assault. Within moments the initial wave of IFC fighters was detected on a maximum speed course towards the base.
The coordinators inside one of the command bunkers in the base ordered the fighters in to disrupt the inbound IFC attack wave. Each side closed in on the other, fingers tightening on the triggers. The HF-29s fired their missiles first and then bored in hard on the tails of their missiles in an effort to close on the IF-3s. However, the IF-3s mass return fire took a heavy toll on the approaching Hylian fighters. As the situation deteriorated into a giant mass of dogfights the Hylian fighters were being overwhelmed by the numerical superiority of the IFC fighters who swarmed everywhere. While the lead fighters engaged the Hylian screen the following wave carrying cruise missiles bored in at the base. The large defense towers dotting the base now came into play as they turned to bear on the incoming IFC fighters. They opened fire, sending a hail of energy, and flak at the oncoming fighters but for every weapons emplacement there were at least six different targets which made it difficult for the defenders. One by one the fighters released their deadly payload and in quick succession several of the defense towers were offline as well as several other base facilities. Now, the frigates close in toe pound the base with their 6 in. beam cannon which added to the carnage already taking place. However even after this terrible punishment the morale of the defenders was still quite high. The army unit that was charged with defending the base stood at their posts eager to come to grips with the enemy troops they knew to be approaching. Soon after the remaining Hylian fighters were gone as well as most of the defense towers the troop dropships began to land on the surface, disgorging their teams of men who fanned out to attack the base. Within moments screams and the echoes of gunfire and explosions rocked the hallways of the base as IFC marines and RoH army troops battled for control of the base. With the support of their fighters the IFC marines gradually pushed the RoH back into the command bunker where the remaining hundred or so RoH troops made their last stand. They fought to the last round and when they ran out of grenades, used their rifles as clubs, doing everything they could in an effort to save the lives of the rest of Hyrule's citizens.
On the moon of Farore, the situation was much the same, with the defenders being overwhelmed by the superior IFC numbers but not before inflicting heavy casualties. The events on Nayru however were different. The route of the attacking IFC fighters, dropships, and frigates took them around a large part of the planet. Fighters based on Nayru and several planet based squadrons were able to cut off this attacking force and the army unit stationed in the base which had been significantly just been reinforced managed to kill or capture those IFC troops who did manage to land. So the first phase of the Battle of Hyrule ended with the IFC in control of Din and Farore, but the Hylians still managing to hold on to Nayru.
IFC Flagship Vengeance
"Admiral reports from our lunar assault forces. Din and Farore are in our hands. Casualties have been higher than expected. Unfortunately we were not able to storm the base on Nayru."
"Those two moons will be sufficient for now. Send in the engineer units to Din and Farore to begin repair the bases and to prepare them for the use of forward bases in support of the invasion here. Now, order the main fleet to move in at full speed."
Hylian Military Central Command Center
The Senator stood in a broadcast room, ready to deliver a message to the Hylian people during this desperate time.
"Citizens of Hyrule, I speak to you now in this dark hour as Senator Harkinian interim leader of the Republic of Hyrule. As you already have most likely found out, our country is now at war with the Independent Federation of Colonies. The reality is that this war has caught us unprepared and as a result the enemy is now on our doorstep. It would be easy now to take the easy route and to sue for peace, but that is not the case. We are facing a determined enemy who's stated goal is to eradicate our people and way of life from this galaxy. To this I say that our goals in this conflict can be summed up in one word, victory. That is victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terrors, victory however long and hard the road may be, because without victory there will be no survival. I have the full confidence that if all should do their duty we shall prove ourselves able to defend our homes against the tyranny that is perpetrated against us. I say that we shall fight! We shall fight whatever the cost may be and wherever the enemy is found, on the beaches, on the landing grounds, in the cities, the streets, the hills, we shall never surrender! And if the Republic of Hyrule and its people last one thousand years more let them look back on this day and say with certainty that this was their finest hour."
The senator concluded his speech out of breath due to the emotional output of his speech. Outside he could see the raucous applause of those military personnel who had listened to his nation wide broadcast.
All across the Republic, on the planet of Hyrule itself, and the outlying colonies this address was heard and taken to heart. Those who had begun to despair felt hope once more. The people were now infused with the belief that even though they might not be winning the war at first, that their perseverance, bravery, and sacrifice would one day reclaim their freedom. They were now willing to fight whatever the cost because this was no longer a war over some petty matter, this was a war of survival and there would be no alternative to victory which would obtained no matter the cost.
Authors Notes: As I said in the disclaimer a lot of the address was based on Sir Winston Churchill's address to the House of Commons in 1940. I recommend the reading of this speech as it is one of the greatest in the history of man. Please read and review!
Next time on Legend of Zelda Freedom's Cry:
With two of three of the lunar bases in their hands the IFC fleet commences their assault on Hyrule proper. At L-32 the IFC have begun to close the noose as the Hylian forces prepare to bear the unbearable as the Siege of L-32 commences.