Terachi Kaishaku: That's a good idea, thanks for telling me, I never would a have thought of it. It'll probably make things easier to understand. Thanks a lot for reading my other story too. By the way when is the next chapter of Paper Dragon coming out, I have been waiting eagerly for quite a while now.
Hero o Donuts: Two things. Thanks a lot for the praise, I'm really not that good yet as I'm just starting out. Second is that I love your penname, I wish I had something as creative
Fallen Angel: Not to worry, I have not abandoned this fic. I never thought I would see the day when people actually said they would miss my writing tear. I'm glad you like it and you will continue to read, especially as I will update more often
As i have promised, here's the next chapter of Freedom's Cry. Thanks to all the people who read my story and took the time to review, it means a lot to me, sentimental fool that I am. Anybody who hasnt read my other fic Legend of Zelda 1776 yet please go and read that one too.
IFC Naval Platform 34 Delta, above IFC Asteroid Colony 56C, capital Independent Federation of Colonies
The large naval installation above the IFC capital was ablaze with activity. Along one side was one of the newest ships constructed for the IFC Navy. The Avarice class battleship Ganon's Fury was being prepared as quickly as possible for departure. Onlookers were awed by the sheer size of the ship. All that was necessary was the arrival of Ganondorf himself, and the ship would set off.
A small IFC shuttle surrounded by a heavy fighter escort worked its way through the shipyard traffic, heading for the main docking bay in the belly of the massive ship. The engine glow of this small group was barely visible against the dark hull of the massive battleship. The shuttle ascended through the opening in the ship and taxied off to a landing circle. A ramp lowered itself from the bottom of the shuttle and a line of six Elite Guardsmen strode out, lining themselves on either side. The hangar bay itself was filled from wall to wall with IFC troops and crewmembers all in neat lines. After several more seconds had passed Ganondorf himself stepped out, and walked down the line formed by the troops to head for the exit of the hangar bay. As he passed, the troops snapped to attention and raised their hands in salute.
Ganondorf was striding through the halls heading for the bridge. He was eager to take command of the ship and go into battle so that he could personally oversee the destruction of the Hylians. Reaching the bridge, he was pleased with what he saw. It was a large spacious room with many consoles for the bridge crew. As per his requests, his command chair in the center had been elevated so that all would know that he was the one in charge.
Several minutes later, the docking collars of the ship disengaged, and the maneuvering thrusters lit off, propelling the behemoth away from the platform and out towards space. On its way out it was joined by several battleships and other smaller ships bearing the colors of the Elite Guard.
Freedom's Cry Bridge
Three days had passed since the Cry and its accompanying ships and now Nabooru who was in command of the group and Impa were conferring using a map on one of the smaller display screen.
"This is our position now." Impa said pointing out the small clump of blue that was they and their taskforce.
"Unfortunately with all the damage we have suffered we're moving at only about ½ speed in order to stay together. That means it will take us at least four days to get back to Hyrule."
"Very well, Impa. Have the engineers working around the clock though to see if they can squeeze some extra speed out of the engines."
The two were interrupted by the interim communications officer.
"Captain! An EF-14 off the Kurushio has detected an IFC taskforce in pursuit of us ma'am. Estimates group to be of large size but is not gaining on us."
"Order it to close and get us more substantial information." Nabooru ordered looking at Impa with apprehension.
Several minutes passed before the communications officer reported again. "He has positive ID's on four Restitution battleships, six Flanker Cruisers, and twelve Cossack frigates. Wait, another update, one Hammerhead fleet carrier in the rear."
"Well captain, what do we do? We do outnumber them and if we fight it is likely that we shall win." Impa informed Nabooru.
"Yes, that may be true, but if we stand and fight that will take time and if they can hold us here, they can bring more reinforcements until we are the ones outgunned and outnumbered." Nabooru mused.
The communications officer spoke up again, evidently having received new information.
"The EF-14 says the IFC has located us. They're sending their fast ships our way, three cruisers, and eight frigates now accelerating to flank speed."
"Damn, they'll be able to catch us. We have to fight now." Impa growled.
"That would seem so but as I said earlier if we do, we invite greater consequences. We will detach a small group of our own to turn back these attackers. We shall send our faster ships so that when they destroy the IFC vanguard they will be able to outrun the heavier ships and rejoin us."
"Leaving them behind like that is a risky plan Captain."
"I know Impa, but it's the only way. Order the McMahon, Oslo, Fencer, Kurushio, Saratoga, Davis, Boxer, and Minsk to detach and hold them off. The rest of us will continue at maximum possible speed to Hyrule."
Outside, the assigned ships fell out of the formation and turned about to face the oncoming wave of attackers. The rest of the group plodded forwards and behind them a sharp skirmish ensued, the bright pinpricks of explosions and weapons fire crisscrossing the space behind them.
Goron's Redoubt, Hylian Stronghold deep inside Death Mountain
This military installation was one of the largest that was maintained on the planet. It was entirely recessed within the mountain and underground. Vast caverns housed shipways where engineers and workers were scrambling to build ships, while thousands of troops dwelled and trained in other areas of the base.
The senator was in his makeshift office when two officers came in bearing news.
"News from the Southeast Continent sir. The fortress at Granik has fallen."
"How?!" the Senator asked incredulously. Granik was a well-fortified base and had the supplies to last several years.
"The IFC forces managed to insert a team of covert operatives within the city who demolished a large part of the base's defenses during a lull in the fighting. Reports by our reconnaissance pilots who have flown over the base report no fighting, and the last transmission we received was that the enemy was upon the doorstep of the headquarters."
"Damn." The senator swore to himself. Ever since the war had started, the news had generally been bad. He also saw that the other officer evidently had something to say.
"Three days ago sir we received a transmission from a group of ships that had escaped from the outpost at L-32. This seemed incredible as we believed that the IFC had surrounded the outpost and had annihilated the garrison but they transmitted the proper codes. The flagship of the group is the battleship Freedom's Cry. At their last transmission, they reported that they were heading back for Hyrule at maximum speed and need repairs. Their transmission also mentions that your daughter is in good condition sir."
The Senator was heartened by this news for two reasons. First, he had been worrying about his daughter ever since Naval Command had lost track of the Freedom's Cry. He was also gladdened at this news of a partial victory. This was what the people of the Republic needed, something to motivate them in these dark times. Senator Harkinian also decided that it was his duty as interim leader of the Republic to meet the heroes who had fought so hard to return to their home.
"Major." Harkinian stated addressing the senior of the two officers present before him. "Get my flagship ready. I want to meet them personally when they arrive in system."
"Are you sure that it wise sir?" the Major inquired with no small degree of concern.
"Yes, the people need to know their leader is not one who will sit and hide while others fight. They need to see that we are part of the struggle as much as they are." The Senator replied.
"Very well sir, it will be as you wish. The ships will arrive tomorrow." The officers saluted and strode out.
Bridge Freedom's Cry
The taskforce had weathered its way through three days of traveling and would soon arrive at Hyrule. During those three days of travel, the taskforce had fended off countless IFC probes. The ranks of ships were far smaller now and those existing were even more damaged than before.
"Well ma'am we're almost home." Impa said with a tinge of relief.
"Yes, but the losses we have taken to get this far have been quite terrible." Nabooru replied to her Weapons and Executive Officer.
Off the original taskforce that had escaped three Mediators remained, and only the Kurushio, Faithful, Saratoga, Excelsior, Nagato, and Mohican were left of the accompanying escortsBehind them lay the wreckage of the cruisers, frigates, destroyers, and battleship along with their crew that had given their lives so that their comrades might escape.
Mess Hall
The mess hall was a hive of activity as crewmen gathered during the brief respite for a repast and to relax with their comrades. Link was sitting with Navi and Mido when they heard a voice calling to them.
"Hey guys!" a voice came drifting over the din of the crowd.
The three turned too see Saria standing there looking quite better now except for a couple of bruises. She rushed up to Mido hugged him, and gave brief kiss on his lips. Mido blushed profusely and stammered out, "that was unexpected."
Saria merely smiled.
"Yes, what was that for?" Navi said with a knowing smile.
"Well when I was spending time in the Infirmary it gave me a lot of time to think." Saria replied trading knowing glances with Navi.
"Do you have any idea what they're talking about?" Link commented to Mido.
"Haven't the slightest idea really." He said equally as confused as his friend.
"You two are so inept, you don't notice anything. And of course you're the ones who are charged with piloting, it's a wonder we haven't collided with an asteroid yet." Navi teased sweetly.
The two still looked quite clueless, especially Mido.
"I think I shall have to spell it out for them won't I Saria?" Navi inquired of her friend with mock exasperation. Saria just laughed and motioned for Navi to continue her act.
"Well Mido this is more towards you, but Link it wouldn't do you that bad if you paid attention either. Now listen carefully you two, when a girl likes a guy she usually shows this to him with a variety of affectionate acts. One might be sending them a letter, another might be hugging them, and a third would be kissing them." Navi said leadingly.
Unfortunately whether it was a result of combat fatigue or other unknown reasons the two males still were a bit lost.
"I can see that I will have to simplify this. Mido, Saria likes you, a lot." Navi said with the manner of a schoolteacher showing a student the answer to a question that should have been quite obvious.
Mido blushed and found himself speechless.
"This is the part where you tell her you like her back." Navi said barely containing a laugh.
"I…I..I….I….like….you…..too." Mido stumbled through his words.
"Well not the best but acceptable, although I expect to see some improvement ahead." Saria said with a grin at Navi.
"Moving on then, how are you and the princess doing?" Navi said innocently at Link.
"Who?" Link replied, bewildered.
"You know, Zelda." Navi prompted.
"Oh right….ummmm….nothing….nothings happening. I mean I still hate her and stuff." Link stated.
"Link when will you learn that you can hide nothing from me?" Navi taunted in a playful manner twirling the end of her long blue hair in her fingers.
"We just talked once, it wasn't that bad actually. But then Marth came in and butted in as usual and now they're going out together." Link mumbled suddenly focused on the mug in front of him.
"Poor Link, maybe next time you'll get her."
"Who said I wanted her. She's just a shallow, callous stuck up girl. I could care less for her and who she associates with."
"But didn't I just hear you say it wasn't that bad talking to her." Navi said pointing out Link's inconsistency.
"Shut up Navi." He said in such a tone indicating that the subject was closed.
"You're not mad at me are you?" Navi said pretending to be hurt.
"No, but don't ever talk about me liking Zelda ever again."
Hylia City
The Hylians were now surrounded in the Military Central Command Center. The several hundred remaining defenders crouched from within, ready to lay down their lives for their country. A never-ending avalanche of shells and bullets pummeled the remains over and over. After it seemed that as if nothing could survive the bombardment, waves of IFC infantrymen move in, only to be met by the resolute defenders. Tanks were called up as was air support. Gradually, the Hylians were rooted out by the torrent of IFC power but not before exacting a terrible toll on their attackers. Then, in a show of remarkable bravado and courage the remaining defenders sallied forth from the rubble in a final counterattack. Two and half hours later, the Battle of Hylia City had ended. At the end, over 600,000 Hylian soldiers and civilians lay dead but in exchange, one million IFC soldiers perished. The victorious IFC soldiers strode up to the giant flagpole in the center of the city and cut down the flag of Hyrule that had fluttered proudly throughout the siege and raised the black and red banner of the IFC to wave over the conquered city.
Well what do you think. Lots of stuff here. Action, romance, comedy, a mix of everything. Review!!
Next time on Legend of Zelda Freedom's Cry: While the capital has been conquered the will of the Hylian people is not broken and they fight on steeled with the resolve to beat back the invader. The Freedom's Cry arrives with its escorts at the edge of the Hyrule system and is greeted by those who wish to ensure the crews safety and those who wish for the ship and its crew to be nothing more than another debris field in the infinite expanse of space. Zelda and Link will once more be brought together but what is the outcome of their next encounter? All this in the next chapter of Legend of Zelda Freedom's Cry.