Rogue Link: Well, I don't know about Link getting into a court-martial, but Marth will play a large role in the story.
Hero o Donuts: Lol, that a pretty gruesome end you've devised for Marth. Who knows, that might be his fate or it might not be, only time will tell. This isn't really one of the biggest battles in the story in terms of military importance but it is more symbolic, showing that the Republic is not powerless.
HUGE FAN: If I understand correctly, you are suggesting that I make the chapters longer. I guess I could but personally I like longer chapters, but if more people start asking for shorter chapters I will.
Shadow taker of souls: Well I'm glad there are new people reading this story. No need to apologize, I like long reviews, they make me feel good :D.
Terachi Kaishaku: In his own way, Marth is an awesome character. He keeps everything realistic and gives Link a rival on his own side.
Janus Kamaren: Lol, that's alright, the more reviews, the better.
Big Niz: Malon will be coming in soon, but I'll leave that to you to read eventually.
Just wondering do any of you guys read the technical and character database? Along that lines I'm kinda planning on making that chapter just a large glossary, with place names, famous battles and such. Tell me what you think.
I think I said it already but I'll say it again, I do not own any of the following: the Legend of Zelda name, character names.
However there are things that are mine: the plotline, ships, and so forth. Feel free to use these in your own stories if you wish but please make note of their origin, thank you.
Also, I would really appreciate more reviews.
As for my other fics, expect work on those to progress. The next chapter for Legend of Zelda 1776 is 30 done and the first chapter of Legend of Zelda Passing of Time is almost ready.
S-32 Hylian Naval Outpost, Deep Space
The Hylian outpost at S-32 was one of the few space bases that the Hylian military still controlled. From here, ships of the Hylian Navy mounted hit and run raids on IFC supply lines. S-32 was an abandoned mining station in an asteroid cluster and the Hylian ships based there took great care not to be traced back to their base, with the end result being that the IFC had not found not attacked the base.
At that moment, three Hylian Tyrol class Destroyers were making their approach to the base. The base detected the trio via sensors embedded in old abandoned mining satellites and had the ships verify the entry code. Once that had occurred, the three destroyers slowly made their way through the asteroid cluster. As they traveled along the gaps between asteroids, several defense turrets mounted on the larger asteroids swiveled to track the incoming ships should anything unexpected happen. On the largest asteroid, a large set of metal doors with a rock covering opened up to admit the destroyers. Inside the docking area of the base there was a lack of proper docking cradles, so the three destroyers were forced to deploy their hardstand landing gear and set down in the appropriate areas.
As soon as the destroyers docked and docking ramps had been moved up to the ships a single officer accompanied by a pairs of marines carrying a sealed metal box rushed off the lead ship and demanded to be admitted to speak with the base commander.
"What is so urgent Lieutenant?" the base commander inquired upon meeting the hurried officer.
"Well sir, I think you'll find this quite important. On our way back to the base we encountered a supply convoy. We managed to disable one of the escorting frigates, and we decided to send over a dropship and see what we could salvage. Most of the stuff inside was destroyed either by us during the engagement or by them so that we couldn't get to it. But they didn't manage to get everything sir. In the rubble of the communications room we found a complete set of code books for their military codes." The Lieutenant recounted.
The base commander was in awe. A complete set of the codes was a breakthrough for the Hylian war effort. With them, the Hylians could decipher IFC messages and discern intentions.
"Those will need to be sent back to Hyrule immediately. Lieutenant, bring it back to your ship. I will have orders for your group to head for Hyrule as soon as possible." The commander stated.
"Yes, sir." The Lieutenant replied with a crisp salute before leaving the office.
I.F.C.N.S Hammerhead, Flagship Admiral Twinrova
The Admiral was in the Operations room with her aides at the moment discussing future operations.
"Admiral, most of the Republic's space bases are gone, in fact the Artemis Base fell today. The rest are highly defended as they are vital shipyards."
"Yes, while they are few, taking them could be quite an endeavor. However, I believe that there is a territory that the Hylians will value above the rest." The Admiral mused.
"What are you speaking of?" the aide inquired.
"Here." She informed the man, indicating with her finger. "The Silesian Cluster. Here, the Republic has vast metal and mineral resources. Their shipbuilding program there is extremely large and efficient. In fact, this region has allowed the Republic to stay in the war far longer than it should have, providing it with resources and ships. Yet, the region itself is vulnerable. It is located far from the planet of Hyrule and the sole link in the communications and transportation corridor is the outpost of M-354."
"So you propose that we attack the outpost and cut off the corridor ma'am?" an aide inquired.
"What I propose is much more than that. The Hylians know the Silesian Cluster is vital to their war efforts and that M-354 is their only link to it now that we have taken the other bases controlling the other spacelanes there. Thus the Hylians will commit a large portion of their fleet to defend the corridor in order to their communications line. However, our plan is not so simple. We will first send a force to attack and occupy the outpost. Accordingly the Hylian fleet will sortie and another group of our ships will pounce and destroy their fleet thus crippling their Navy even further. Then we can commence to take the planets and colonies of the Silesian Cluster at our leisure." The Admiral proposed.
"How will we know that the Hylian ships will not sortie soon enough to stop our occupation?" an aide inquired.
"We will dispatch frigates to form a cordon line on all spacelanes leading to the outpost. If the Hylians are coming then we will be notified." The Admiral swiftly responded.
The aides all acknowledged the plan as sound and the pathway towards final victory. Soon enough, the IFC communications network across the territory under their control was lit up with coded messages ordering various fleet units to begin preparations for the assault.
Friesian Sea nearby Northeast Continent
The Cry and her consorts were floating above the sea surface while the various small craft buzzed about. The two EF-14s from the Cry moved out to their station offshore of the IFC base accompanied by twenty four HF-29s while a smaller group of eight HF-29s in two diamonds of four each made a beeline for the IFC base.
Bridge, H.C.N.S Freedom's Cry
"All strike craft launched ma'am." Ruto reported from her station.
"Estimated time till detection?" Nabooru asked, tension evident in her voice.
"Decoy group should be reaching detection range in one minute." Ruto calculated.
Nabooru acknowledged this silently and sat waiting for the strike to begin
Flight 1, Flight Officer Link Commanding
"All fighters arm weapons." Link called over the comm channel. Behind him Navi flicked the switches that brought the weapons to standby and he was rewarded with acknowledgements as the RIOs on the other aircraft did the same.
Navi kept a close eye on the threat detection gear. Soon enough it began to light up as it detected the IFC air-search radar surveying the area.
"We're approaching air-search radar range now Link." Navi informed.
"Alright." Link acknowledged.
A few brief moments later Navi began speaking again. "Alright, radar returns are approaching detection values. They've got us. Tracking and fire-control radars are coming up now." She added.
Prentice Base, IFC Marshalling area for assault on Onogoro Island
In the command bunker of the base, the radar console was lighting up as blips began appearing at the edge of the scope.
"Incoming raid, eight aircraft, bearing zero one zero at high speed." The radar operator exclaimed.
"Sound the air-raid warning. Launch fighters immediately!" the duty officer ordered.
Outside, pilots rushed out of their ready rooms and towards their aircraft which were being warmed up by crews of technicians. Gunners hurried towards their anti-aircraft guns and missile sites while other personnel scrambled for shelter.
Eagles 1 and 2
The powerful airborne radar aboard the Hylian craft detected the take-off of the IFC fighters almost immediately. Controllers aboard the two early warning and control craft began issuing orders to Link's group.
"Flights one and two, IFC base is launching fighters. Prepare to fire once in range and then turn immediately." One controller ordered.
Flight 1
Link heard the communication crackle over his headset and moved his finger towards the firing button on the stick. Navi called out the shrinking distance from the rangefinder as the two groups of fighters hurtled towards each other
"Enemy is in range!" Navi shouted.
Link felt his finger tighten and saw the bright fiery trail as a single air-air missile leapt off the launch rail and lance towards the enemy fighters.
"All craft break off." Link said over the radio, reefing the HF-29 into a tight 180 degree turn. On command, the other three fighters of Link's flight performed their turns and were now speeding back towards the main body of Hylian craft accompanied by the second flight.
"They're following right behind us." Navi cried out looking back over her shoulder and seeing the pinpricks of pursuing IF-3s.
Eagles 1 and 2
"IF-3s are closing rapidly. Keep all fire-control radars off, repeat all fire-control radars off. Weapons are tight, fire on command only." The controllers ordered the escorting Hylian fighters.
The eight fighters of the decoy group poured on all the power they could giving IFC pilots the impression that they were pursuing a retreating force. The main body of the Hylian craft was outside air-search radar range, however the IFC threat receivers on the IF-3s and sensors at the base detected the radar emissions associated with the Hylian EF-14 early warning craft. However the IF-3s bored in unaware because of the total blackout on the Hylian fighters that they were blundering into an ambush.
The two flights of Hylian fighters broke once they were in sight of their comrades, Link's flight to the right and the other to the left in order to loop around and to re-engage.
"All craft, weapons are loose." The controllers aboard the EF-14s reported. The circling swarm of Hylian fighters had formed into a line and fired a volley of missiles.
The pursuing cloud of IF-3s was caught off guard by this sudden swarm of missiles that seemingly appeared out of nowhere on their radar scopes. Confusion reigned in their formation as pilots hurriedly performed evasive maneuvers, sometimes even colliding into each other in their attempts to evade the incoming Hylian missiles. With the formation integrity of the IFC fighters destroyed the controllers aboard the EF-14s ordered the HF-29s in to engage the remainder of the enemy fighters.
Link wheeled his fighter about and hurtled back towards the disoriented IF-3s who were beginning to react to the Hylian attack. He slashed his fighter through the formation, twin machine guns blazing. As he inverted to loop back Navi loosed another missile that connected with an IF-3 resulting in a fireball and spraying debris. Link side-slipped to break a missile lock that his own threat gear detected and called for help which came in the form of a volley of energy from a comrade that speared the pursuing IF-3 in the cockpit.
The Hylian fighters with expert direction from the controllers aboard the EF-14s were able to coordinate their attacks and call for help when needed, which gave them a crucial edge over their adversaries. Unfortunately for the IFC fighters, the combat took place at the extreme edge of their own ground based radar coverage which meant that they lacked the precision coordination the Hylians enjoyed.
Link swerved to narrowly avoid a giant piece of fuselage from a fellow Hylian who could not dodge the three missiles targeted at him. Banking to his left, he triggered a burst of bullets that narrowly missed an IF-3 which was weaving through some falling debris. Slowly, the ravaged squadrons of IFC fighters were recalled back to the base, harried on the way back by pursuing Hylian fighters.
Eagles 1 and 2
"Eagle one to Caravan One, all fighter resistance has ended. Head for enemy base at full speed." One of the controllers ordered the orbiting dropships.
"Eagle two, to fighters, prepare for assault. Decoy group, pull in and provide close escort for dropships. All others, form into flights and prepare for attack on IFC air-defense sites," another controller aboard the other EF-14 ordered.
Link checked the sky once more to find it free of the IFC fighters. Gathering up the two remaining aircraft from his flight he led them towards the approaching trio of dropships. The three fighters took position on the right side of the dropship flight while the remainders of the second decoy flight arrayed themselves on the left.
"Eagle two, to Caravan one, stay on current flight path and do not deviate." The controller ordered the dropships in a manner taking advantage of the gap in the IFC air-defense belt.
The three dropships along with their escorts swept in low over the sea in order to surprise the enemy. Ahead, lay the rapidly approaching shoreline. A minute later, the Hylian craft were at the edge of the enemy base near one of the tarmacs and were preparing for the insertion.
Meanwhile the other Hylian fighters were engaged in a duel with the base defenses. The anti-aircraft guns at the perimeter of the base sent up a storm of energy and bullets which not all of the attackers could dodge. However, by working in pairs to distract the attention of the gunners, the Hylian pilots managed to destroy many of the air-defense sites.
The base was also cluttered with troops and equipment for the coming assault on Onogoro Island. One part of the base contained rows upon rows of tanks and armored vehicles. Diving to the ground, Hylian fighters circled over the vehicle laager and shot up everything they saw until they had expended their last rounds.
The dropships carrying the marines descended towards the base slowing down and flaring before setting down and disgorging their complements of marines. Twenty marines clambered from each dropship and swarmed out towards the base. They ran towards parked aircraft and attached detonation charges while spraying bullets from their assault rifles to keep IFC infantry troops at bay.
"Link, tanks approaching from behind that hangar!" Navi exclaimed indicating the three armored vehicles lumbering out to meet the Hylian infantry.
"I see 'em." He acknowledged. "One flight form up on me." Link ordered as he dove towards the three tanks.
He made straight for the formation of tanks, allowing Navi to put the lead tank in the center of the targeting bracket and put a blue bolt of energy into it. The energy caught the tank as it was traversing its turret to fire the main gun and stopped it cold. Three crewmen scrambled out of their blazing vehicle and ran for the nearest shelter they could find. Pulling up, Link looked down in satisfaction to see the three smoking hulks of the IFC tanks.
Below, the marines were engaged in a fierce firefight with IFC infantry troops among the wreckage of the destroyed facilities and vehicles. The other attacking fighters were swarming over the base to attack other facilities. A giant fireball on the far side of the base indicated the ignition of the main fighter propellant tank after being hit by a volley of 2.75 inch rockets. Yet, the IFC defenders were not completely helpless. They fought back using shoulder fired surface to air missiles and mobile anti-aircraft guns taking their own toll.
Eagle 2
"Contacts bearing two-two-nine. Identify as large body of IFC fighters and dropships, classify as relief force. All Hylian craft prepare for recall. All marines return to dropships, fighters interdict until all marines are embarked."
Gradually the remaining marines pulled back, rifles still firing. The majority of the Hylian fighters streaked back towards the distant EF-14s while Link's flight and the other circled over the marines proving protection.
Explosions began tearing the ground as artillery shells from the relieving IFC force impacted against the ground. One of Link's wingmen was killed when a artillery shell on its ballistic arc impacted on the fighter's fuel tank.
Link swore and mentally urged the marines to hurry up. A knot of IFC soldiers surged forwards in a counter-attack trying to reap as many casualties as they could from the withdrawing Hylian marines. Tipping over, Link screamed down and fired his machine guns, bullets sending up sprays of concrete and dirt forcing the soldiers to hit the ground.
With all of the surviving marines embarked, the dropship pilots nervously increased the power to their throttles, each one rotating up and clawing for altitude in their effort to withdraw. Luckily, the three dropships made it into the sky without incident and headed back towards the safety of Cry. At that moment, the marine in charge of demolitions hit the switch and dozens of IFC fighters, transports, bombers, and other vehicles went up in black puffs of smoke and debris. Link and his compatriots followed closely behind watching their sensors and looking back apprehensively, expecting a horde of fighters following hard on his tail but was surprised to see the IFC fighters turn back after a short pursuit.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Link focused on the task of shepherding the three dropships back to the Cry. Link's fighters were the last to re-embark onto the ship, the other survivors having already landed. As he was climbing out of his fighter, he saw the three dropships unloading their complements of marines. Link, along with Navi decided to go over and see if their friend was alright.
They found Kitana amongst the other Gerudo, and Sheikah who composed of this marine unit.
"How'd things go?" Navi asked as Kitana gathered up her gear.
"It went better than I expected. Resistance when we hit the ground wasn't too bad. The rubble gave us some good cover. Most of the casualties we took were along the runways and the tarmac, running and setting up the demo charges." Kitana replied.
Link and Navi could tell that Kitana was sobered a bit by the death of her comrades. Somehow, no matter how many times it occurred, the death of a comrade was never and easy thing to deal with.
"Hey, why don't you come down to the mess and come get a drink or something?" Link offered.
"Maybe later, I have to get this gear stowed." She commented, lifting up her pack and rifle.
The three said good-bye, with Kitana heading back to the equipment room where the marine gear was stowed and Link and Navi heading back to the ready room where they stowed their helmets and flightsuits before heading to the mess.
Bridge, Freedom's Cry
"I have the final assessment of our strike ma'am." Impa reported.
"Well?" Nabooru inquired.
"Damage to the southeast quadrant of the base where we attacked was quite heavy. We took out a large portion of their transport capacity as well as one of their main fuel bunkers. Their communications facilities and radar facilities were hard hit. However we didn't reach the other quadrants of the base due to the rapid response." Impa informed her captain.
"Very well, quite successful given the situation. What about casualties?" Nabooru said asking the question she dreaded but knew she must ask.
"Relatively light ma'am. We lost eight fighters but the crews on three ejected and were recovered. Six marines are dead and twelve are wounded. We got lucky ma'am." Impa commented with a bit of relief having expected heavier casualties.
"Yes, but sometimes I can't help but feel guilty for sending those men and women off to their deaths like that." Nabooru lamented quietly to her executive officer.
"You're just mortal ma'am. It's normal for you to feel that way." Impa said comfortingly.
"I know, thank you Lieutenant."
"Yes ma'am. Where to now?" the executive officer inquired.
"Well we accomplished what command wanted us to do. I don't see any point in us staying here any longer. Helm, set course for Onogoro Island at flank speed. Ensign Ruto, I want a four craft combat air patrol aloft at all times. Ensign Saria, inform the base of our imminent arrival." Nabooru ordered, falling into her role as the captain once more.
The engines of the group lit off at once, emitting a bright glow, propelling the vessels over the water to the base they were to defend.
Next time on Legend of Zelda Freedom's Cry:
The messenger ships make it to Hyrule unscathed and it is the first major event in the favor of the republic. With IFC naval codes now in their hands the Hylians begin efforts to crack the messages, however not all can be cracked and only a fragmented picture appears which leaves many in the Hylian military baffled. Meanwhile, the IFC smarting over the damage done to its base near the Northeast Continent has vowed to crush the outpost on Onogoro Island.