First here's some responses to some reviews that I've had for my one-shot A Simple Wish, if you haven't read it yet, please go and read it here's the
Crimson Ashes: Lol, I'm glad you liked the second ending. It was pretty hard to write because I didn't want it just to be suddenly Link gets the girl, I still wanted there to be some tension.
Blondie91: Thank you, and I'm glad you liked it.
Terachi Kaishaku: Yeah I thought about having actual hara-kiri but then I thought that no one would really help Link kill himself so yeah… Perhaps in another story if I can work it in. Yeah, a big reason I put in two endings is because I love having the choice between two things and being able to see what would happen in two totally different sequences of events.
PinkyTheSnowman: Yeah, you're right there, they were a bit OOC. I'm grateful that you were able to like it despite that mistake I made.
Now responses to reviews for this story
Jackel: Ummm, I'm not sure how to interpret your review. Are you actually angry and serious about not reading this again? Just so, you know, Navi isn't really trying to verbally destroy and demoralize him. It's just a bit of friendly teasing between good friends. You know when you're with your friends and you make fun of each other it isn't usually because you don't like each other. However, I'm sorry I didn't make that clear, and I do hope that you do continue to read this.
Hero o Donuts: Lol, that's ok I still like the name. I'll get over to read and review your story as soon as I can.
Terachi Kaishaku: Nooo, that's terrible news!! That means you won't be able to post up the next chapter of Paper Dragon. Glad you liked the Ganondorf parts. Kurushio was the name of an Imperial Japanese Navy warship in World War II that I liked and decided to use. In fact, a lot of the ship names are ones I took from the Japanese because I really like how they sounded. Lol, its how I always pictured Navi to be, funny, witty, and teasing. Thanks for the info about italics and thought.
Also the database has been updated, new character profiles and stuff.
IFCNS Ganon's Fury low orbit over Hyrule.
Lord Ganondorf's flagship had arrived over Hyrule and had entered low orbit so that Ganondorf would be able to visit the recently conquered capital city as he had desired. From the cavernous hangar bay of the ship Lord Ganondorf's personal shuttle again descended through the atmosphere surrounded by a heavy escort. Within minutes, his shuttle was nearing the airspace over Hylia City where it was directed to land at an airfield that had been captured near the center of the city during the siege. Thousands of soldiers stood, awaiting their Lord to disembark. When Ganondorf stepped out of the shuttle the mass of soldiery saluted as one to their leader while Ganondorf walked towards a podium that was set up in the reins of the central square, with his Elite Guardsmen flanking him on either side.
Reaching the podium, he adjusted the microphone and began to speak.
"Soldiers of the IFC, we have retaken what is rightfully ours! The peoples of the republic are fleeing before us and now all we must do is stretch forth our hands for victory. We must show our enemy no mercy for he deserves none. When you march, let nothing living be left behind you. No quarter shall be given to enemy soldiers that surrender!" Ganondorf shouted into the microphone. His speech was greeted with a cacophony of cheers from the assembled mass in front of him.
He prepared to step down from the podium to conduct a tour of some of his forces in the area when suddenly a loud crack was heard and the head of the Guardsmen to Ganondorf's left disappeared in a mist of blood and gore. Evidently, a Hylian sniper remained hidden in the ruins somewhere and was now making his presence felt. The sound of a rifle reverberated through the air several more times as several IFC soldiers were hit by sniper's bullets. Shouted orders filled the air as IFC soldiers scrambled to find this unseen menace. A soldier with binoculars was able to spot the glint of the lone sniper's telescopic scope and the IFC soldiers responded with a volley of automatic fire silencing this last Hylian resister.
Meanwhile Ganondorf, accompanied by the rest of his guards strode angrily towards the headquarters that was being set up. As he set foot inside the aides who were busy at work stopped to salute. Finally, Ganondorf found who he was looking for, the commander of the IFC forces in the Hylian system.
"General, you have failed me, and in doing so nearly cost me my life." Lord Ganondorf said in an even tone to the general in charge of the forces occupying the city.
"I'm sorry sir. It won't happen again." The General replied cowering in fear.
By now the aides had returned to their work not wanting to draw the angry attentions of their leader upon themselves.
"Yes, it won't. You know the price of failure don't you General?" Ganondorf queried with a little smile.
"No my lord! Please I have served you faithfully for years! Forgive me!" the officer pleaded.
"Unfortunately General you must pay the consequences for your incompetence." Ganondorf replied shaking his foot to loosen the grip of the officer who had fallen to his knees and had began to grovel. The IFC leader motioned for two of his guards who hauled the still pleading officer and hauled him outside from where a single shot was heard and when the guardsmen returned it was less one person than before.
Ganondorf now turned to late General's senior aide.
"Congratulations Colonel, you have been promoted. I trust that you will find ways to avoid the fate that your predecessor has merited."
"Yes, sir. My life be forfeit shall I fail to complete my duties to you my Lord!" the newly promoted officer proclaimed.
"So it shall." Ganondorf replied.
From a corner an officer shouted out information from a report that he had just received.
"Sirs, outer picket ships are reporting a Hylian taskforce entering the system. Our communications indicate that they were a part of the garrison at the naval outpost at L-32 and that they had escaped when the post fell several days ago."
"Well then General, it seems you will prove your merits now rather than later." Ganondorf said with a feral grin.
Goron's Redoubt, Hylian Military Installation in Death Mountain
Large parts of the base hidden inside of the mountains were construction ways and berthing areas for warships. On the side of the mountain a large steel door covered by rock for camouflage opened up and from within came the Mediator Class Battleship Pride of Hyrule, carrying on board the leader of the Republic, Senator Harkinian. From several other concealed caverns came smaller ships to form an escort around the Senator's ship.
Bridge Pride of Hyrule
The senator stood near the rear of the bridge with a fleet admiral at his side, supervising the crew performing their assigned tasks quite efficiently.
"How long until they arrive Admiral?" the Senator inquired with anxiousness, his paternal instincts coming alive once more at the thought of being able to see his daughter.
"Shouldn't be too long sir. Nayru Control says they dispatched an escort to show the Freedom's Cry and its escorts the safe passage in. We'll go out and meet them halfway sir." The admiral said, able to detect what the Senator was feeling, himself having two sons serving in the military.
"Honshu, Kensei, Yokohama, Aurora, Centurion, Sumners, Hatakaze, and Trafalgar hare reporting in position and ready exit atmosphere." The ship's sensors officer notified the Admiral and the Senator.
"Very well, take us out, one half speed." The Admiral ordered with a slight nod.
The warships angled themselves upwards, clawing their way towards space and in fifteen minutes had escaped the planet's atmosphere. Nearby the blue sphere of the Nayru moon loomed, the lights of the shipyards in orbit of the moon twinkling in the distance. A large number of ships could be seen orbiting the moon in order to hold the moon, its vital shipyard facilities, and to protect the communications between the other planets, colonies, and the capital world.
"Thank you Ensign, bring us about on the approach heading for the system, flank speed ahead."
The thrum of the engines increased as the ships opened up their throttles and moved forwards.
Bridge Freedom's Cry
The bridge shift was not fully manned as many of the crew were being permitted to rest after their long, tiring travel through enemy lines.
"We've arrived at the outskirts of the system ma'am." Mido said looking back from his controls at the helm.
"Escort hailing us ma'am." Saria informed Nabooru as two Hylian frigates and a cruiser appeared off the starboard bow.
"Very well, transmit our identification codes." The captain ordered, glad having been able to reach friendly territory.
"They've confirmed the codes and want us to follow them along to a rendezvous with the Pride of Hyrule." Saria reported to her captain once more.
"Do as they say Ensign." Nabooru replied with a wave at Mido.
The Cry and its escorts moved forwards following the three Hylian ships along the appointed travel route.
IFC Command Center Hylia City
"General, another group of Hylian ships has left the planet and is now in space. Sensors indicate they are on a heading to rendezvous with the group that just came in." an aide reported.
"What shall be your plan of action General?" Ganondorf inquired lightly.
"I want to wait until they meet so they present a bigger target, and we can contain them more. We'll flood all the communications channels with noise so that their comrades on the moon won't be able to warn them and our ships will close and pounce." The General replied pointing out the things he mentioned on a map pinned to the wall.
"A well conceived plan General." Ganondorf praised. "Let us see if you can perform as well as you theorize." The supreme commander noted, fixing his gaze on the groups of blue blips representing the Hylians moving towards each other and the red of IFC forces shifting into position.
Freedom's Cry Mess Hall
Much of the crew was packed into the mess hall and was eagerly awaiting arrival at the planet.
Zelda stepped into the room with Marth at her elbow. She had done herself up quite elaborately for the occasion of meeting her father, considering she was still wearing her military uniform. Her hair was pulled up and had several ribbons braided into it. Around her neck was a necklace of fine diamonds, which Marth had given to her as a present, much to her delight. Many of the male members of the crew swooned as she walked by.
Link however was not one of them. "Who the hell does she think she is? Anybody looking at her would think we were running some kind of cruise line here instead of a fighting warship."
"Yeah, well at least you don't have to share a restroom with her." Ruto groused. "She was in there for a whole two hours this morning going on and on about how she must look good for her father. Well I'd like to see what her father would think after some reconstructive surgery I'd perform with a wrench and a hammer if I ever had the chance."
Navi laughed at her friends complaints. "Well if nothing else you'll get a lot of press when they court-martial you."
"I think a court-martial would be a fair exchange." Ruto replied with a snicker.
"Hey we could stick her in the hangar bay and 'accidentally' vent the atmosphere when no one's looking." Link said with a face of a child who felt like he had been told that he could have all the candy he could eat. "Oh, I know! We could put her in a box and use the catapult to launch her out, and then we can use her as a gunnery target!" Link nearly shouted with excitement.
"I think someone's getting a little too excited here." Navi laughed patting Link's hand like a mother calming down her overly energetic child.
"Well I have to get back to the bridge now, so I'll see you when we dock hopefully." Ruto said, setting down her cup and getting up to leave.
Bridge Freedom's Cry
The two groups of Hylian ships united and were now stopped in the middle of space.
"Incoming live video transmission from the Pride ma'am." Saria reported.
"Put it through on the main screen." Nabooru ordered at once, rising from her chair and standing stiffly with Impa at her side.
With a few deft taps on her keyboard the main video screen on the ship lit up with the image of Senator Harkinian set against the background of the bridge of the Pride.
"Greetings Senator." Nabooru said clearly, raising her hand in salute, which the senator returned.
"The same to you captain. I would like to congratulate you and your crew on being able to return to safety against all odds." The Senator praised.
"We were just doing our duty sir." Nabooru replied modestly.
"Nevertheless you have shown great courage and ability, and so as commander in chief of the Hylian armed forces, I promote you to the rank of Captain, effective immediately. Congratulations Captain."
(alright let's take a quick second to explain things because it's getting confusing I can tell. A naval officer does not necessarily have to be the rank of captain to command a ship, but it is tradition for the commanding officer to possess that title while aboard ship, regardless of official rank. Here Nabooru is being officially promoted to captain and would be addressed as such everywhere.)
"Thank your sir."
"You deserve it Captain."
"How are things progressing sir, if you don't mind me asking." Nabooru inquired as she had not heard much news in the last few days.
"Not in our favor. The IFC have solidified their gains in space and are beginning to construct a fortified line along the original border. Luckily, a large number of the outlying colonies and installations are intact which are now racing to provide us with new recruits and equipment. On Hyrule planet, the enemy controls over sixty percent of the landmass. Our first task now is to stabilize the situation on the planet and then after rebuilding our forces we will hopefully be able to take the initiative." The Senator gravely informed Nabooru.
While Nabooru was discouraged to hear such news, it was not wholly unexpected.
"Any other questions Captain?" Harkinian asked of the young commanding officer.
"None sir."
"Very well then. Perhaps you could do me the favor or fetching my daughter as I have not seen her in quite a time." The Senator said hopefully.
"Of course sir, she'll be just a minute." Nabooru answered and then turning to an aide to go and fetch Zelda.
Within a minute Zelda hurried through the door.
"Father!" she greeted with great happiness.
"Zelda! You look very well, daughter." He said with a smile for the first time in a long time, upon his weary face.
"You don't look so well." She replied with great concern.
"It is nothing, just the stress getting to me that's all." He dismissed with a wave of his hand.
Outside Space
It was now at this time that the IFC forces had moved into position. Activating their afterburners, they closed the distance rapidly between them and the Hylian ships. Sensors on the Nayru Base detected the ships and the Base attempted to contact any of the Hylian ships out at the rendezvous, however the blanket jamming by the IFC prevented any warning from reaching the unsuspecting ships. Immediately, the commander of the base detached a taskforce at full speed to aid the Hylians in the distance, however, it was evident that they would have to fight on their own.
Freedom's Cry
"Captain!" Impa shouted from a console.
"What is it?" Nabooru replied whipping her head around.
"Multiple engine signatures all round us. IFC warships coming off afterburner and closing fast."
"Order all hands to emergency combat status! Fighters to launch and into screen positions." Nabooru shouted as crew members scrambled about to their duty stations. The video feed between the Pride and Cry was cut as both ships hurried to prepare for the onslaught. Zelda stood where she was the shock freezing her.
"Ensign Harkinian, move to your duty station now!" Impa shouted out to the frozen ensign, jarring her.
In the mess hall the mass of crewmen rushed out as the alert filtered through the ship.
"C'mon Navi let's go!" Link said while grabbing his helmet. He and Navi ran through the corridors nearly running into other crewmembers who were rushing in every which way. The two finally reached the hangar where the whine of engines was overwhelming as the ground crews hastened to ready each fighter for launch. Sprinting up the ladder and into the cockpit Link started flipping the switches to the on position, and within seconds had the canopy lowered. The ground crew removed the chocks holding the Interceptor in place and Link taxied over to the catapult.
Link's comm crackled as Ruto's voice filtered in. "Launch as quickly as possible and enter screening formation."
"Affirmative." Link acknowledged.
With a jolt Link and another HF-29 were simultaneously launched into space.
"Freedom Two and Three, IF-3s coming in, bearing two-one-three, at high speed. Vector to intercept." Link heard as Ruto ordered him and his wingman to intercept the cloud of enemy fighters.
In the distance, a Hylian destroyer vanished in a fireball of flame and debris as it was struck by an avalanche of main gunfire, its crew never having been able to defend themselves. Already, IFC capital ships were moving in against the Hylians who were just now becoming ready.
Link wove his fighter through a stream of bullets, driving in head on at the opposing fighters. Ignoring the odds, Link ordered Navi to launch all the missiles they had, and pulled up as the IF-3s launched a return volley. Looking to his left to see if his wingman was still there which he was, Link nearly rammed a Hylian battleship that was passing overhead, its weapons spewing blue gouts of energy.
A squadron of IFC fighters raced along the hull of the Hylian battleship and let loose a volley of cruise missiles, which impacted along the ship's topside punching through the armor. Shrapnel pinged off the fuselage of Link's fighter as he banked into a turn to pursue these enemy fighters.
The Pride, its paint scheme different than the standard white and blue of Hylian warships drew attention from the IFC forces deducing that it was carrying an important person inside. Thus, the Hylian battle-formation consisted of a lopsided sphere of ships valiantly trying to defend the pride, often sacrificing their own lives to do so.
On the bridge, Nabooru felt a shudder reverberate through the ship as a volley of missiles detonated a forward magazine.
"Helm, set course one-five-eight, all possible speed ahead, Saria, signal the Fortitude, and Independence to follow us have the rest of our ships stay here and defend the Pride." Nabooru shouted over the din of battle.
"Captain, we'll be outgunned and exposed. It would be against standard naval doctrine to split our forces especially when outnumbered." Impa protested.
"True Impa, but sometimes you have to re-invent doctrine. We need to draw the pressure of the Pride and by punching out here we draw more of their attention towards us. Have our fighters punch ahead of us to give us some space to maneuver." Nabooru remarked.
"Very well, captain." Impa sighed. "Gunners, full dispersion pattern of missiles on that group of frigates." Impa shouted directing her subordinates to attack a group of frigates that was trying to sneak up on the rear of a pair of Hylian heavy cruisers that were already engaged in a fight.
Link received the new orders just as he managed to vaporize an IF-3 that had been harassing him for the past few minutes.
"Navi, weapons count!" Link called.
"Machine guns have got fifty percent of bullets left, and thirty five percent energy left for the beam cannon." She replied.
"That's going to have to do."
Hitting the rudder, and swerving around one more time, Link raced past the hull of the Cry and its two accompanying ships which were now aimed at the heart of the attacking enemy fleet. Racing ahead, the ravaged fighter squadrons closed the distance to the echelon of IFC capital ships. While the others engaged the fighter screen, Link dove for the surface of a Flanker class cruiser. Hugging the surface of the hull he fired his machine guns stippling the surface with holes while Navi selectively punched holes in weapons turrets and the like.
From above, a stream of bullets came and chewed off a chunk of one of the tails and Link was forced to swerve and ran into an antennae.
"Damn it Link, watch where you're going." Navi shouted.
"I'm trying, it's a bit hard with the bullets and all." He retorted throwing the fighter into a jarring series of turns and evasive maneuvers. The capital ships closed and left Link little space to maneuver. Going into a tight turn and trying a deflection shot at his attacker failed and instead two more enemy fighters came in and moved to box Link in.
With help not arriving in time Link took the only choice available. He angled his fighter fight between a Hylian battleship and an IFC cruiser, which were exchanging furious broadsides and wove through the maze of light and explosions, trying to shake off his pursuer. Looking back Navi saw a puff of debris signifying that one of their pursuers had been caught in the storm of fire although who hit it, it was impossible to tell.
On the bridge Nabooru saw with relief that her plan was working and that the main group of Hylian ships were now beginning to hold their own. To her dismay, the IFC ships reversed direction and headed back directly for the Pride, evidently having received new orders from above. Apparently the IFC commander valued destroying the Pride having realized it was the ship of an important person and the majority of ships that had been fighting the Cry and her two consorts peeled off to assault the ever-shrinking sphere formation of Hylians. After rapidly assessing the damage her ship had taken, Nabooru deduced that it would take her ship a while to rejoin the main fight.
"Ensign Ruto, send the fighters back to the main group. Order the Freedom, and Independence back at full speed to catch them from the rear." Nabooru ordered hoping it wasn't too late. As if in answer to her thoughts a Hylian battleship in the distance was split into four flaming parts. She could only hope she could help her comrades in time.
Link now wheeled about again having lost his pursuers when they suddenly changed vector towards the main Hylian group and was now hot on their tails in an effort to catch them before they dealt too much damage.
Done! Lots of action, and stuff. Tell me what you think about it i.e. too much action? Too little? Also, was this chapter too long?
Next time on Legend of Zelda Freedom's Cry: The fight continues to rage as help for the Hylians is still not yet within range. Link and his friends rapidly race back to the main fight to save what they can, but perhaps it will be too little too late.