Terachi Kaishaku: Thanks a lot. I can't wait until you post the next chapter of your fic either.
In case anyone doesn't know TerachiKaishaku is the author of Paper Dragon which I highly recommend to everyone, its storyline and description are among the best I've seen so you had better go check it out.
The next stage of the Battle of Hyrule is going to be the siege of Hylia City, and the conflict there will resemble the movie Enemy at the Gates, which is in turn based on the historic Battle of Stalingrad in 1943 on the Eastern Front where the Red Army was able to turn the tide of war and begin the long march that would end at the gates of Berlin. Lol, sorry for those of you who aren't interested in that kind of stuff but I am, so hence it finds a way into my story. Some of the later battles may be influenced by other famous battles in history and if you would like a particular one to be included, then insert the name in a review or an e-mail so that I can accommodate your request.
Hylian Naval Installation L-32
The five ships of Nabooru's small taskforce proceeded back through the inner defense perimeter and headed towards their slips so that they could perform repairs. The Freedom's Cry had taken a considerable amount of damage and once she finished her docking maneuver, swarms of workers in vacuum suit swarmed over the ship seeing what was able to be fixed in a short amount of time. While this was happening the Commodore sent a message to the captain instating her as official captain in charge of the group that she had lead in the last skirmish. Meanwhile, Nabooru was reading the report on the numbers of fighters at her disposal. The Freedom's Cry had four now because the odd one from the eleven had been transferred over, the Legionnaire only had two and the other three had three each. After conferring with the base commander, Nabooru found that there were no replacements that he could assign her which meant that the next time she headed into battle; it would be without adequate fighter protection.
Hangar Bay Freedom's Cry
The hangar was a hive of activity as scores of mechanics under the direction of Darunia went over every inch of the fighters, repairing damage, and looking for things that needed to be replaced. Link and Navi were standing in the hangar bay watching the fourth fighter, which was one that was re-assigned make its landing into the hangar, then taxi out into a resting spot. The canopy came up and the pilot and navigator came out a few seconds later. When the pilot took off his helmet, it revealed a head of teal blue hair and a very handsome face. Link recognized the pilot as Marth, son of one of the richest men in Hyrule, and too much publicity had joined the Navy just a year ago. Marth, along with his RIO spotted Link and walked over to where he and Navi were standing.
"My name is Marth, what's yours?" the blue haired pilot greeted them haughtily.
"I'm Link, and this is my RIO, Navi."
"Watching and admiring my consummate skill eh?" the teal hair pilot said arrogantly.
"What?!" Link exclaimed.
"Yes, I do suppose it must be hard on you to be in the presence of someone as great as I."
"Let me ask you one question. I was wondering how you fit both yourself and your abnormally large ego into that cockpit." Navi replied.
Marth could only stand there his mouth agape as the diminutive fairy mocked him. Without so much as another word he stormed off in anger.
"That was classic Navi."
"I know, the witticism is standard issue for a fairy, especially one around fighter jocks who are proven to be the most conceited people in the world."
"I'm not conceited."
"But you're clumsy, and inept."
"Hey, I thought we were friends."
"We are, just think of it as constructive criticism."
The two walked towards the mess hall, Navi still teasing Link along the way.
Whittier Hamilton Spaceport, Hyrule
The tarmacs of the spaceports buzzed with activity as IFC dropships and vehicle transports descended from the giant transport ships in orbit high above, bringing troops and vehicles down to the planet. Already, six divisions of infantry, and four divisions of heavy armor had been landed and were moving out to expand the area of land under IFC control. On nearly all of the continents was a sizable IFC presence, and a handful of cities were already under their control. Now, more units were mustering for the thrust at Hylia City. The roar of fighters overhead announced the commencement of yet another bombing mission on the cities defenses as the ground forces marshaled for the push towards the capitol city.
Hylia City Outskirts
Ever since the official broadcast proclaiming a state of war, soldiers and civilians in the capitol were bracing for the onslaught. Scores of men, women and children worked tirelessly to dig trenches, anti-tank ditches, and foxholes. Now, mines, wire, littered the landscape. Sentries stood watch in several tall watchtowers that were spaced in even intervals around the defense perimeter. Soldiers worked to emplace their heavy artillery and anti-aircraft weapons. Suddenly an air-raid siren wailed and those in the open leapt for trenches and bunkers as others raced to anti-aircraft gun position. A roar was heard and those who were working below looked up and cheered as several flights of blue-white HF-29 Interceptors from airfields within the city itself flew overhead to intercept an incoming IFC raid. From the clouds above the flaming wreckage of an IF-3 came fluttering towards the ground and those who were working hard to gird their city for the assault cheered and shouted as they saw the resoluteness of the defenders above. Tracers from the anti-aircraft guns and the smoky trails of surface-to air missiles reached up as fingers of death to pluck the offending flyers out of the sky. Twenty minutes later the wreckage of several IFC and Hylian fighters laid smoking on the ground, and the all clear was sounded. Those who had been sheltering clambered out once more to hastily resume their work for it would not be long until the IFC ground forces were in position to storm the city.
Hylian Military Central Command Center
"What's our situation here in the capitol?" the Senator inquired of a group of officers with whom he was consulting.
"The forces that are preparing to attack Hylia City are massing at the Whittier Hamilton, and Anton-Bivens spaceports. We have every able bodied person at work digging and preparing fortifications. Those who can't fight are in the underground shelters near the center of the city. Our supplies should last us for quite a while."
"How many troops do we have to defend the city?"
"On the ground, we have 4 divisions of infantry, two armored divisions, as well as several small Marine units. Our only fighter support is from the airfields that are within the city which amounts to eight squadrons.
"What does our enemy have at his disposal?"
"Our intelligence estimates give us numbers around ten infantry divisions, four armored, and six mechanized divisions on the ground right now, and that's just the first wave that's aimed at us. There are hundreds of thousands of troops elsewhere."
"Get me a worldwide update."
"The southern continent is almost entirely in their hands except for the fortress at Valencia. In the northeast the enemy only has control of half the continent, but that is the area where he has least concentrated his forces. On the rest of the continents IFC forces control at least half of the total land areas, but the key bases of Kirshuk, Granik, Kokiri Refuge, and Goron's Redoubt remain in our hands for the time being."
"What about our other forces around the galaxy?"
"Most of the outposts have either been destroyed or captured. Only a few remain in our hands, and the most notable seems to be L-32 where we have a sizable fleet and the IFC is concentrating a large flotilla to smash the base."
"Consolidate our hold on Nayru as those shipbuilding facilities will be vital. Then, fortify our major cities and move the civilians from those areas that are not yet surrounded to safer areas."
Freedom's Cry Mess Hall
Zelda was eating lunch alone in the mess hall when she turned her head and saw someone in a pilot's uniform that he hadn't seen before. After a few minutes she could tell that he was a male with teal hair and little else. She followed him as he received his food and then flushed in embarrassment when she saw him walking right towards her.
"Hello, I couldn't help but notice you looking at me from across the room. My name is Marth, what is yours, and tell me what such a beautiful young woman such as yourself is here during these bleak times."
Zelda flushed as she remembered the name as that of the son of one of the richest men on Hyrule and acknowledged as one of the most handsome men in the nation.
"I'm Zelda." She barely managed to say as he disarmed her with a charming smile.
"Ah, the rumors don't do you justice. You are far more fair than I have heard. It has been such a pleasure to meet you. Perhaps we can get together some other time."
Zelda's heart fluttered at his last sentence, one of the best-looking men in Hyrule was actually asking to spend time with her. His good looks and charm overwhelmed her, all she could do was nod, and then he left with another charming smile. She ate the rest of her food absentmindedly as she stared off dreamily.
Unbeknownst to her, there were others watching her converse with the teal haired pilot.
"That's disgusting Navi. How can anyone fall for a dolt like that?" Link exclaimed in a whisper.
"Well you have to admit he is good looking, even though he has a terrible personality. Besides, is that a note of jealousy I'm detecting in your voice?"
"No, of course not. It's not as if I'd be interested in that spoiled brat anyways. I just don't get what she sees in him."
"Uh huh, sure you do." Navi replied skeptically in a teasing manner, while all Link could do was flush.
Unfortunately for the two, the volume of their conversation had gradually been escalating, and was eventually heard by Zelda who with a flush of embarrassment and anger stood up and strode over to the table. Navi who saw the danger coming faster than Link did quickly gathered her things and scrambled off.
"Hey, where are you going?" Link said.
The thought crossed his mind that he should leave before it was too late but to his bad luck Zelda arrived just before he could leave. Link cursed at his terrible luck while bracing himself.
"What do you think you're doing eavesdropping on my personal conversation?"
"Eavesdropping, me?"
"Don't play dumb with me. I heard you say slanderous things specifically about me!"
"Alright fine! I might have said something but at least I'm not the one falling head over heels every time a pretty face walks into a room."
Zelda's ice blue eyes flared as she raised one of her hands into a fist and Link shrunk back a bit in his seat in fear of what might happen next, and cursing himself for not thinking before he spoke. Luckily for him a gaggle of people had begun to be drawn towards the shouting match, Zelda who didn't want to demean herself before everyone walked off, her fists still clenched.
Link in the meantime sat still for a while, and waiting for his pulse to settle down before he left. On his way out of the cafeteria Navi, who was waiting at the bulkhead rejoined
him.
"I think we'll add verbal ineptitude, and lack of foresight to your list of faults shall we?" his friend said as she fell in step with him.
"Where the hell did you go?" Link nearly shouted.
"I decided to remove myself from a potentially threatening situation."
"I thought you had guardian fairy blood."
"Yeah, but if you read carefully the guardian fairy never does the fighting, he/she just waits until the fighting is over and then patches up their charge." Navi said with a lopsided grin.
"Well I hope you know first aid, because she almost let me have it for a minute there and who's to tell next time she doesn't?"
"Don't worry, even if she hits you, you have nothing of much value to lose anyways."
"Your sense of humor is refreshing Navi." Link said dryly.
The two were interrupted as the battle alert sounded and the corridor was filled with crewmen rushing out of the mess hall to their duty stations. Outside the viewport the ship detached from the docking collars once more and lit up her engines to meet the next onslaught.
L-32 Command Center
"What is it this time Lieutenant?" the commodore inquired.
"Incoming IFC ships, they look serious this time. Eight Restitution battleships, ten Flanker Cruisers, and fifteen Cossack frigates coming in on various vectors."
"Move out one group to meet each attack and hold the rest in reserve. I have the feeling that they're just trying to spread us out this time before they launch their main blow. Have the fighters from those ships remaining in reserve to launch and to await for a message in case something pops up."
Outside Space
Chaos reigned as ships scrambled every which way. On some of the Vergangian class defense platforms, turrets swung to bear on the projected tracks of the inbound IFC ships. The IFC attackers were split into four divisions each coming at an angle that was opposite to another. Within moments the Freedom's Cry and her accompanying ships left their slips and headed head on towards an incoming IFC division.
Bridge Freedom's Cry
"Sensors give me an idea of what's facing us out there."
"Looks like two Restitution class battleships, two Flanker Heavy Cruisers, and four Cossacks heading our way. They haven't launched fighters yet."
"They're hoping that since they're fresh and rested that they can destroy us first which means they can go in at full speed since they don't have to take the time to launch and recover fighters." It was all the better since she only had fifteen fighters at her disposal and each of the battleships opposing her carried sixteen fighters alone. "Very well, we shall make them pay for that mistake. Ruto order all ships to launch fighters for an all out strike."
Flashes dotted the sky as the engines of the HF-29 Interceptors coming off the flight deck were seen. Soon enough after one loop to dress up their formation they swooped towards the enemy like hawks after their prey.
Link and Navi were at the head of a diamond shaped flight composed of the Freedom's Cry's four fighters of which he was supposed to be the leader. Link maxed out his throttle sending the fighter at its maximum designed speed straight at the enemy, and when considering the enemy was heading straight towards him, the net closing speed was large indeed.
"Navi, pick us a target."
"Ok, how about that one on the left."
"Alright, leader to flight, target all rockets on the left hand battleship. Prepare to hit afterburners on my mark."
Before Link could even say another word he saw one of his flight jet forward his afterburners already blazing and saw the tail numbers of Marth's fighter flash by. Link swore at the stupidity of the teal haired pilot, but unfortunately was forced to hit his own afterburners prematurely as from a military standpoint to leave Marth without support was asking for disaster. Other fighters broke to make runs on the other ships and the first few rockets were launched when something unexpected happened. From the rear section of the battleships, hiding behind the drive glow of the engines, scores of IF-3s screamed out and around the contours of the two battleships and trying to envelop the Hylians.
"Shit, emergency evasive maneuvers! All pilots break off your runs and prepare to engage!" Link ordered.
Outside two HF-29s were blown out of space before the pilots had chance to even begin contemplate taking evasive action while the rest hurriedly pulled up, all except for one.
"Navi, who's that idiot who hasn't broken off yet?"
"Radar signature is consistent with that of Marth's fighter."
Link swore again as he debated what to do. He finally nudged his stick around in order to get Marth's attention and get him out of there before he got killed.
"Marth, break off your run now!"
"Just a few more seconds." Marth replied as he fired his weapons at the looming hull of the battleship below them.
Then, within seconds after running out of rockets, the IF-3s swarmed over him. Link banked his own fighter and headed straight for the cloud of enemies that was gathering around Marth, his own weapons blazing. Navi kept retargeting the weapons as each target was destroyed and finally after managing to kill three Marth had a hole big enough to escape through.
In the meantime the capital ships of both sides closed in on each other and ranging shots flickered through the vacuum of space as both sides jockeyed for position. As the range closed then each side opened up with their heavier weapons. With two battleships both mounting eight guns of 15 in. each versus one with eight 15 in, and one with six, 13 in., the IFC battleships heavily outgunned the Hylians. However the Hylian battleships were quicker and more nimble than their counterparts. The smaller ships engaged each other were eventually blasting away at distances as close as fifty yards.
Bridge Freedom's Cry
"Damn, that was tricky how they hid their fighters in the engine glows of their battleships until the last minute. That way they can safely keep our fighters busy while they close and slug it out with us." Nabooru said.
The ship rocked as another 15 in. salvo impacted on the flank of the battleship, boring even deeper through the armor and even the hull itself. Bulkheads automatically sealed off as the atmosphere inside leaked out into space. On both sides the exterior of the battleships were battered as salvo after salvo slammed into armor that had already been weakened.
"Sensors, get me an idea of what's going on."
"The Legionnaire is gone ma'am, and the Stalwart is limping pretty bad. We got one of their cruisers in return but we're down to ten fighters."
"Impa, what's our damage situation?"
"The hull is breached in several places, but damage control parties are sealing off those areas now. Number two main turret is damaged and will take time to repair. Status of port side battery is forty two percent and starboard battery is thirty six percent."
Nabooru thought about the situation for a minute. As it stood the situation was not favorable. From the start the two Hylian battleships had started out at a disadvantage and this was now affecting them in the long run.
"Get the Savior and Dreamer's Sky around to their rear and hopefully we can relieve some of the pressure on us."
Outside Space
Link twisted his fighter around to narrowly avoid a stream of red energy that was spewing forth from one of the smaller turrets on the battleship while in pursuit of an IF-3. Weaving through the streams of green and red, Navi finally got a clear shot and fired their own beam cannon, puncturing the fuel tank of the enemy fighter and sending it up in a spectacular ball of flame. Before they had a chance to celebrate the shriek of the missile warning alarm sounded as another IF-3 had taken the opportunity for a missile shot. Link frantically dove around the contour of the Badanov where luckily one of the gunners obliged him by detonating the missile with a stream of bullets from his twin machine gun turret. Several minutes later Link had their pursuer and took a quick look around and was not encourage by what he saw. The Freedom's Cry and Badanov were taking a frightful beating from the two Restitution class ships. One of the two Hylian frigates was gone and their one heavy cruiser moved about sluggishly, having had half her engines shot out from under her. It became clear that if help didn't come soon then the Hylian defenders in this sector would be overwhelmed, allowing the IFC ships to press farther onto the base itself.
Authors Note: Whew, that took a while to get out there. Marth I decided was a good way to add some tension to the L/Z romance later on and even some tension right now, so tell me what you think about it. I'm also working on a one-shot L/Z fic which I hope you will all read when I get it out there. Tell me what you think so far. Also check out the technical/character database as I've added Link and Navi to the characters section!
Next time on Legend of Zelda Freedom's Cry:
The IFC begins its push for Hylia City and several other key installations on the planet. All around the galaxy most of the Hylians outposts have been overrun but still the one called L-32 fights, but how long can its beleaguered defenders hold on until the inevitable comes to pass, and who will be able to escape to fight another day?