Well as has made it officially against the rules to now respond to reviews I cannot do so any longer . But even though I cannot respond in chapters doesn't mean I don't appreciate your reviews, so please keep them coming. I will respond to views using the new feature, so look out for those if you review me.
This chapter will focus more on some of the other characters in the story, so Link won't be in it as much as he usually is. Additionally there is a new character in this story but you'll have to read on to find out.
For those of you who care that I haven't written for this story in a long time, please feel free to shoot me. : )
On that note, there are lots of little tributes to things in this chapter, history, famous people, and anime series where I got some inspiration.
IFC Naval Base AA-26
The naval base that was the staging area for the assault on the Hylian outpost of M-354 was teeming with activity. Most of the ships detailed to the operation were present at the countless spacedocks that comprised the base, while on a planet nearby, army troops assigned to invade the base were on maneuvers. Near the center of the base at one of the larger spacedocks was Admiral Twinrova's Hammerhead class flagship. Aboard the ship for a briefing by the Admiral were the flag officers who were involved in the operation.
"Twelve day from now, the main striking force consisting of 18 Hammerhead carriers, 32 Restitution Battleships, 40 Flanker Cruisers, and 75 Cossack frigates will leave this base on a direct heading for the enemy base. Two days later, the Invasion Force of, 4 Restitution Battleships, 12 Flanker Cruisers, 18 Cossack Frigates, 25 Marl Cargo Transports, and 45 Behemoth Troop Transports will follow. The Main Striking Force will take three days to arrive and will use its carriers to launch strikes on enemy forces in the region and to wear down the base defenses. Once this task is complete, its ships will redeploy to defend the spacelane that leads to the post and the Hylians must take. The Invasion Force will close on the planet and land its troops, overwhelming the garrison there. While this happens, a Scouting Force of 55 Cossack Frigates will deploy well forwards of the fleet with orders to warn of the Hylian attack that is sure to follow once they hear of our invasion," Twinrova informed the gathering of officers in the briefing room.
"Excuse me Admiral," the Gerudo admiral in charge of the Invasion Force interjected. "Doesn't our plan seem a bit too inflexible. It assumes that the Hylians will react exactly as we planned and that we can engage them at our choosing but provides no contingencies if they for some reason show up early."
"A valid concern, however, what you speak of is impossible. Intelligence has informed me that the tiny garrison fleet above M-354 remains the same and that no major elements of the Hylian fleet are preparing to reinforce it. There would be no reason for them to reinforce the post this early as they have no idea of our plans. The only news of our attack that they will receive is the distress call from the base once we have commenced our attack by which time it is too late for them," the senior admiral assured.
"You are most reassuring admiral but perhaps we should take some precautions. Our intelligence networks while I place full confidence in them do not always tell us what we need to know. I recommend we form several small task forces centered around carriers that will utilize their fighters for flybys of major Hylian naval installations to make sure that they are not preparing any major movements," the Sheikah general in charge of the invasion force suggested.
"Very well, the necessary assets will be mobilized to do so immediately. Are there any other concerns?" Twinrova queried, and then hearing none, she dismissed the officers.
Moments later, the communications center of the base was beaming out the orders to various carriers and screen ships to form the task forces that the Sheikah general had spoken of.
Not too far away, in a small Hylian listening post, communications specialists intercepted the transmission, copied down the gibberish of encoded transmission and resent them on a clandestine frequency to the Hylian Central Command at the Nayru Lunar Base.
H.N.S Freedom's Cry
Link and Navi were walking through the now devastated hallways of the ship when they encountered Nabooru who was taking an inspection tour through the ship.
"How bad is the damage?" Navi asked the Captain.
"Generally the ship is in pretty good condition. Kitana's marines and the rest of the crew found the bombs so the only ones that detonated were the ones in the hangar bay," the captain informed the fairy RIO.
"They hit the hangar?" Link interjected.
"Yes, that's what the initial explosions were. Evidently they triggered the explosives on accident. The propellant tanks there are gone as are many of the munitions. The main problem is that both catapults have been destroyed as well as the opening mechanism for the hangar bay doors, so we can't launch fighters."
"So what are we supposed to do for this battle then?" Link asked.
"We still don't have enough infantry and every person who can carry a rifle helps," the Gerudo replied.
"Great, just what I wanted to avoid, a foxhole, mud, and a rifle," Link grumbled.
"Well I have to return to the bridge now, perhaps I'll see you later," the captain informed her two friends before heading back down the hallway.
Having nothing else to do, the two decided to make their way towards the medical bay where Mido was being treated for a broken ankle and a crease in his hip where a bullet had grazed him.
The interior of the infirmary was pure chaos. Those who had more serious wounds were lying on the beds while scores of other crewmembers leaned against walls or just sat on the floor. Doctors and nurses rushed about, taking readings, making notes, administering painkillers, preparing for emergency operations and the like. Looking around, the pair found their friend in a corner sitting on a bench where a nurse was busy applying a field dressing to the bullet crease. Saria was hovering about worriedly near her boyfriend fretting over his injuries while Ruto remained in an effort to calm the Kokiri female..
"How you doing there buddy?" Link joked.
"Just fine, except for the fact that my damn ankle's broken and my hip is on fire. I'll be back in action in no time though and those bastards won't know what hit 'em" Mido replied with a tight grin.
"Oh really, what are you going to do, whack them with a crutch?" Navi joined in indicating the crutches that Mido would have to use for the next couple of weeks.
Link just listened in to his friend's verbal sparring, laughing here and there until they were interrupted by the arrival of another nurse.
"Excuse me but can I get a blood sample from each of you?" she addressed the group of friends.
"Why, is there something wrong with us?" Ruto worriedly asked.
"No, nothing of the sort. It's just one of our patient's needs blood and marrow or else she'll die and our stocks have run out so we're seeing if any of the crew has a matching type," the nurse stated while producing a set of syringes from a nearby cart.
The five friends all consented and one by one, they had their blood withdrawn and taken away by the nurse for testing. After the withdrawals, the friends resumed talking and forgot about the matter until the same nurse returned with a sheet of paper in her hands that evidently held the test results.
"You, come here with me," the nurse ordered to Link and beginning to walk off.
After looking at his friends with a look of puzzlement on his face he set off to follow the nurse. Catching up with her easily, he began to assuage his curiosity.
"Um, who is this that needs the blood and marrow?" Link inquired a bit leery at the thought of the medical procedure that might be taking place soon.
Before the nurse could reply, she stopped walking having arrived at one of the hospital beds, causing Link to stop also. Instead of asking another question, he noticed the patient on the bed. The long golden hair ringing the head of the patient triggered Link's mind which within seconds recognized the comatose form of Zelda.
The nurse who had brought Link over had just joined a small knot of doctors and nurses gathered at the foot of the bed deep in discussion. It continued on for several minutes before the knot of medical personnel broke up and the original nurse came back to Link.
"It seems we won't be needing you," the nurse stated, with a tinge of remorse.
"What do you mean, I thought you needed blood and marrow to keep her alive," Link replied curious at this sudden turnabout.
"We did, but we ran tests on the entire crew, no-one else besides you has the same blood type as her," the nurse pointed out.
"What does that mean," Link asked, not being familiar with the medical field.
"Well, she's lost a large part of her blood, which in itself is a serious issue and right now she's hovering at the edge of lapsing into shock. However, what adds to the problem is a lot of her marrow was damaged which severely limits her capacity to replace the blood that she has just lost. Now normally a ship will carry various types of blood in storage but the recent damage we've taken has damaged the preservation system that keeps the blood cells alive which means that most of the cells have died and are now useless. Usually even this isn't a problem because there are many individuals who will have the same blood type so a donation is always an option. However in Ensign Harkinian's case, she has a blood type that is extremely rare and she needs a large transfusion of blood as well as marrow which we don't have at the moment. Testing has shown us that you have a matching type," she lectured Link.
"Well the, what's the problem?" Link interrupted.
"The thing is that you're the only one who has the matching type and her requirements are out of the safety limits for a single individual," the nurse commented, miffed at being interrupted.
"So what does that mean?" Link asked still a bit puzzled.
"Standard medical procedure dictates several maximum volumes of blood for the different races. Hylians can donate at most 700 milliliters of blood, which is roughly one fourth of the blood supply and the most they can donate without going into shock themselves. The ensign unfortunately requires at least 900 milliliters. In terms of marrow, Hylians can donate at most ten percent of their total marrow but again Harkinian needs more than that, at least fifteen," the nurse replied like a teacher talking to a particularly slow student.
"So that means you're going to let her die then?" Link commented incredulously having finally caught on to what the nurse had just been saying.
"Yes, unfortunately that is what I am saying. There's nothing that we can do. You alone cannot donate the amount of blood and marrow that she needs because if you do, you stand a good chance of dying. As medical personnel we cannot in good conscience ask you to do something that would endanger your own life in such a way. There's no use anymore Flight Officer, it's over, I'm sorry," the nurse spoke again in a softer voice.
Regardless of his personal feelings towards the young ensign, Link felt a twinge in his heart that told him that if he walked away now, that the death of Zelda Harkinian would always be on his hands. Making up his mind, he caught the nurse before she walked away to take care of another patient.
"I know you said you couldn't ask me to donate the blood and marrow but what if I willingly volunteered myself to do so," he spoke softly to the nurse.
"No one can stop you, but I highly recommend against it," the nurse replied stunned at Link's course of action.
"Well then, it's settled. I will willingly chose to donate the blood and marrow," he told the nurse resolutely.
Looking at Link, the nurse nodded with understanding before summoning a doctor to inform him of Link's decision.
At this point, Navi and the rest of Link's friends came over, curious as to why their friend was taking so long.
"What's going on?" Mido questioned.
"You know that blood test they took from all of us?" Link asked his friends who nodded in response. "Well as you know Zelda got shot in the skirmish and she's lost a lot of blood and marrow and if she doesn't get more soon, she'll die. It turns out that I'm the only one who has a matching blood type. Problem is I'm the only one and her needs they say exceed the safety limit of one person. But I've made my own decision to do so anyways." Link told his friends.
"Are you insane, you could die yourself," Ruto exclaimed.
"I know that. I know it seems weird too, because on a personal level I do hate her. But somehow my heart is telling me that I can't in good conscience walk away without doing anything."
"I swear, you've got the biggest hero complex I've ever seen," Navi remarked wanly although with a hint of pride for her friend.
Before any more could be said, the nurse returned to take Link away to begin the procedure. His friends said their good-byes and bid him good luck. Soon after, the nurse led Link to an empty bed where he was hooked up to life support monitors. The doctor in charge, informed Link that first they, would withdraw the blood, wait a couple of hours so that Link's body could replace some of the blood lost and then withdraw marrow from various bones in his legs and arms.
Link swallowed nervously, as a nurse used an alcohol swab to quickly sterilize a section of skin on his forearm before inserting a needle into his left arm. The needle was popped off of the syringe and then a tube was attached which led to a container for the blood. Into the other arm, the nurse inserted a different needle and tube for an IV that would keep fluid flowing into Link's body to hopefully help him replenish the blood that he was going to lose. Eventually, the blood began to flow into the receptacle. After a few seconds of watching the blood move through the tube, Link forced himself to look the other way, lest he vomit over the floor of the infirmary. As the procedure drew on, Link grew increasingly tired as the amount of blood in his system fell, reducing the flow of oxygen to various parts of his body.
Link was barely aware when his mind registered a nurse informed him that the withdrawal of blood was now complete. Readings were taken of Link's vital signs and were noted, the medical personnel watching for a sharp drop that would indicate a massive failure from the massive loss of blood and marrow. Most of the two hours spent recuperating were a blur until eventually until in preparation for the withdrawal of marrow, Link was administered a powerful anesthetic as the withdrawal of bone marrow was often painful for the person donating it.
With the anesthetic in full effect, the surgeon in charge, took a large syringe with a sharp metal tip that could bore through the bone. Inserting it carefully into Link's left leg, the needle slid easily through the flesh until it hit the bone. Applying more pressure, the sharp tip, bored through. Feeling the needle enter the spongy material of the marrow, the surgeon began pulling up the plunger on the syringe which began slowly filling with the dark, red-brown marrow. A strange sensation filled his arm, numbed by the anesthetic as the marrow was methodically removed. Time became distorted as the doctor decided enough was taken from that particular arm bone and removing the syringe. Setting the filled one aside, the doctor procured a new syringe and bored through the bone in the other arm. At the same time the doctors increased the anesthetic dosage so that Link was fully knocked out as to lower his body activity and tax his system less.
Two hours, later with enough marrow obtained from Link, the medical team worked on closing the punctures produced by the large syringe needle. Taking the filled syringes aside, the doctors began preparing to insert the marrow into Zelda's comatose form. Already, the blood withdrawn from Link had been transfused into Zelda's veins, prolonging her life. On a table, the doctors worked on transferring the marrow from the old syringes to a new fresh set for the insertion of the marrow. While that was being done, the same powerful anesthetic Link was subjected to was given to Zelda even though she was not conscious, her sensitivity to pain was still active. Once it had taken its affect, the doctors began the procedure carried out on Link but in reverse, slowly injecting the life giving matter into the ensign's bones. Nurses monitored Zelda's blood signs watching for clots that would signify that Zelda's body was rejecting the transfusions. Luckily the readings remained normal and the procedure was completed without any complications.
New Clocktown Naval Base
The modified HC-10 dropship shuttle sped its way through the heavily defended perimeter of the Hylian base towards the cluster of spacedocks in the center of the facility. Inside of the dropship, with a squad of his personal guard General Lowell sat mulling over his situation and opening the envelope that held his official orders tightly in his hand.
OpOrd 394
FOR YOUR EYES ONLY
General Lowell, proceed to New Clocktown Naval Base and take command of Taskforce 49, which is being formed. You will under no circumstances inform anyone in your command of the destination of your deployment. Secrecy is of the utmost importance as we know IFC spies are active among our ranks and they must not find out we know of their impending assault. In 10 days, you will set off for the pre-set ambush point arrive in two days and await the arrival of the main IFC strike force. Do not utilize your forces against the enemy's Invasion Force until you have destroyed or incapacitated the main offensive force. Additionally do not engage the enemy in a gun battle as intelligence indicates battleships in numbers exceeding our own. Utilize carrier fighters to weaken the enemy before moving in with your main force. Should the situation become untenable, then you will withdraw your forces.
Taskforce 49 – 58 ships
Battleship Division 35 – Status: En Route to New Clocktown Naval Base
H.N.S Chrysalis MB-94 - Flagship
H.N.S Bismarck MB-34
H.N.S Mediator MB-1
Battleship Division 21 – Status: En Route to New Clocktown Naval Base
H.N.S Titan MB-54 - Flagship
H.N.S Stalwart MB-103
H.N.S Redoubt FCB-3
Battleship Division - 15 Status: Racknall IV Naval Base undergoing refit
H.N.S Freedom's Cry FCB-1 (pending current situation in assigned theater) - Flagship
H.N.S Warspite FCB-8
H.N.S Ramillies FCB-2
Cruiser Division 38 - Status: Patrolling Sector 25 supply lines
H.N.S Fredericksburg SC-99 - Flagship
H.N.S Brandenburg SC-25
H.N.S Tannenburg SC-153
Cruiser Division 73 - Status: Garrisoned at Colony Cluster C-034
H.N.S Hamburg SC-67 - Flagship
H.N.S Kiev SC-21
H.N.S Peer Gynt SC-78
H.N.S Pendleton SC-185
Cruiser Division 14 – Status: New Kakariko Naval Base taking on new personnel
H.N.S Albion SC-84 - Flagship
H.N.S Ananke SC-13
H.N.S Pegasus SC-85
H.N.S Argama SC-54
Carrier Division 4 - Status: Docked at New Clocktown Naval Base for refit/resupply
H.N.S Shokaku CC-34 - Flagship
H.N.S Zuikaku CC-89
H.N.S Ryujo CC-25
Carrier Division 11- Status: Docked at New Clocktown Naval Base for refit/resupply
H.N.S Enterprise CC-15 - Flagship
H.N.S Hornet CC-26
H.N.S Yorktown CC-34
Destroyer Squadron 16 - Status: Returning from supply line raid
H.N.S Danube TD-3 - Flagship
H.N.S Medina TD-143
H.N.S Zaku TD-25
H.N.S Nazca TD-24
H.N.S Laurasia TD-15
Destroyer Squadron 54 - Status: Docked at New Clocktown Naval Base
H.N.S Gondwana TD-68 - Flagship
H.N.S Moldavia TD-36
H.N.S Truxton TD-16
Frigate Squadron 26 - Status: Preparing for departure from Nayru Lunar Base
H.N.S Sandstorm TF-25 - Flagship
H.N.S Polaris TF-85
H.N.S Rhine TF-185
H.N.S Marseilles TF-96
H.N.S Corsican TF-265
H.N.S Devonshire TF-83
Frigate Squadron 83 – Status: Reserve component to 5th Fleet fighting in the Mauritius System
H.N.S Aegis TF-28 - Flagship
H.N.S Burke TF-16
H.N.S Manford TF-7
H.N.S Princeton TF-97
H.N.S Concord TF-88
H.N.S Andes TF-92
Frigate Squadron 25 – Status: Patrolling approaches to Zanzibar system
H.N.S Cassino TF-253 - Flagship
H.N.S Anzio TF-66
H.N.S Bonn TF-12
H.N.S Hereford TF-19
H.N.S Response TF-87
H.N.S Puller TF-95
Frigate Squadron 25 – Status: Frontline duty in sector 15 (availability based on frontline situation)
H.N.S Toulon TF-242 - Flagship
H.N.S Brest TF-165
H.N.S Kiel TF-111
H.N.S Norfolk TF-94
H.N.S Groton TF-63
The general had scanned through the list that Fleet Command had attached to the message and his mind immediately began processing the data. If this was what Command was assigning him, then he had nowhere near the number of ships that he felt that he needed to accomplish his job. Additionally over half of his command was scattered across the galaxy and would take several days to arrive. He had seen the recent intelligence estimates of IFC naval strength gathering for this assault that put the Hylians at a 4 to 1 disadvantage in all categories of ships and he reluctantly thought that with this paltry grouping of Hylian strength that the IFC was wasting its time and resources that could have been used to conquer other territories. All he could hope that was that he could accomplish his assigned objective within the limits defined by his orders.
I.F.C Agonizer, Onogoro Sea, 20 km off of shoreline
A large gathering of black and red warships and transports were hovering over the water, slowly cruising towards their destination. On several of the large transport craft, the hatches were open and one could see the masses of IH-24 hover landing craft waiting to be deployed.
Aboard the flagship for the invasion, the officers in charge mulled over the final plan for the invasion of the Hylian island.
"In approximately 35 minutes, the battleships of the fleet will open up with a full scale barrage firing their main cannon turrets and then launching a barrage of missiles. The smaller warships, the cruisers and frigates will move in close to shore and use their weapons in a close support role, keeping in constant contact with artillery observers going in on the first wave," the commanding Admiral remarked using the plotting board to illustrate the movement of IFC forces. "In 5 minutes, the transports will begin loading and forming up for their runs to the beaches. Our carriers will launch their fighters and bombers which will head in at low level to avoid being hit by our supporting fire."
"Sir, I don't like the way the close in support ships are positioned, the way we have them now, they're subject to flanking fire from the peninsulas to their left and right. I propose that we have them line up in this formation," the senior captain commanding the close range bombardment force remarked hitting a few keys on the pad in front of him and the electronic plotting table in the midst of them changed to represent the new proposed deployment.
"Captain, your concerns are well founded, but what is more paramount is the principle of concentration. If we deploy our forces as you suggest, we will not be able to concentrate firepower and will allow the enemy to strike at our fire support ships in way that they cannot support each other. My men will need all the fire support that they can get and spreading our ships like that will mean that the support is diluted," the Zora general in command of the ground force shot back.
"There is no room for bickering here. We will proceed with the plan as it is and there will be no further discussions on the subject, am I clear," the Admiral in charge interjected sternly.
"Now, once the beachhead has been established, we will launch three separate thrusts towards the enemy's main base. The enemy at this point will be at his most disorganized and we shall thus put our lighter more mobile forces in front for the pursuit. The mobile troops will not assault the base but encircle the installation so that none can evacuate and hold the perimeter until heavier forces arrive to take the base," the admiral concluded.
Command Center, R.O.H Onogoro Island Military Installation
The dark subterranean room was now manned by the officers and enlisted personnel of the morning watch, many with cups of stimulant laden drinks to get their bodies working early in the morning. At his own console, the duty officer, a Goron Major, barely had a chance to settle down before he was interrupted by a call over his headset.
"Sir, we've got contacts approaching the Onogoro Island Restricted Zone in Sector 5," the voice said, referring to the 20 km line that stretched out from the shores of the island.
Grumbling at having to move, the middle aged officer made his way over towards where the young enlisted man was stationed at a bank of consoles that was studded with display windows for the various sensor arrays around the islands.
"What is it?" the officer inquired looking over the shoulder of the enlisted man.
"I have a whole range of contacts sir. They're pretty faint, hanging at the edge of our detection range. I haven't had any positive IFF readings yet but we have no major fleets in the area so I would assume this is the IFC invasion force we've been waiting for," the young fairy informed the Goron.
Upon receiving this bit of information, the Goron decided to sound the alert and to launch a flight of fighters to investigate and see if this was really the attack they had been waiting for. Seeing as none of the flag rank officers on the base were present, he took it upon himself to assign dispositions to the troops. In a coded radio message sent to all defense stations, all defensive personnel except a handful of pickets were to pull back from their current dug in positions into the wooded areas behind the beaches to shelter them from the bombardment that would surely accompany any invasion. Once the pickets sighted the enemy landing force, the defensive troops would rush back to their positions and lay down a heavy fire and pin down the enemy. Meanwhile EF-14 aircraft would operate in a spotting role for the warship's main guns either correcting the long range shots or finding a new target.
H.N.S Freedom's Cry, Beach Delta 4
Soldiers were again at work fortifying their positions when their radios crackled to life. As per orders, the soldiers trudged back into the forest to await developments.
Meanwhile, the naval personnel who were now armed as infantry and the marines buttoned up on the Freedom's Cry which was now heavily camouflaged to blend in with the wood. To the far off observer, the battleship virtually disappeared in the background of the forest, while it was impossible to tell if the defensive positions on the beach were still manned or not.
I.F.C Agnonizer, Onogoro Sea, 20 km from shoreline
Now, the hatches upon the large transport ships began opening and out poured the IH-24 hovercraft. Inside most were packed a full infantry platoon and two 88 mm mortars. Others carried IT-72 Main Battle Tanks or ITC-10 fighting vehicles as well as supplies for the troops once they hit the shore.
The masses of landing craft milled about while controllers aboard the larger ships sorted them into their proper waves and sectors so that the landing would proceed in an orderly fashion. Then, at a pre-arranged signal, the landing craft started to rush towards the beach which they would hit after the bombardment had hopefully neutralized most of the defenders.
Helmsman aboard the battleships had already swung their ships around broadside to face the enemy beach as carriers turned as one to begin launching their strike aircraft into the morning sky. Meanwhile, gunnery crews aboard the battleships trained their turrets out on the proper bearing and re-calculated the trajectories of their beams, while missile technicians were double checking the target coordinates implanted in the embedded chips. The smaller escort ships had lit off their engines again and were escorting the landing craft until they too reached their assigned firing positions.
R.O.H Air Force Flight Beta 2
The two fighters comprising the reconnaissance element of the Hylian forces banked over the beach and headed out to sea where the sensors officer in the command center had picked up the faint blips.
"Keep a sharp eye on the scopes," the lead pilot ordered both his and the other RIOs.
"I've got 'em sir, three groups bearing two-five-zero at high speed. Splitting into three groups now sir," one of the RIOs exclaimed.
"Where are they going?" the pilot snapped back.
"Center group is heading for Beach Delta 4, right going for beach Theta 6, and left heading towards Gamma 8," the RIO informed after successfully plotting out their predicted trajectories.
"Alright we'll make one pass over the center groups and then split up to check out those flankers," the flight leader ordered.
The two fighters banked towards the appropriate heading and punched their afterburners, speeding towards the enemy.
"Sir, I've got a visual! They're definitely enemy, IH-24 hover landing craft, hundreds of 'em!" the younger inexperience RIO on the fighter shouted.
"Easy there, let's go in and take a closer look," the flight leader calmly ordered.
The two arrowed in straight at the enemy formation sweeping through at nearly wave-top level. Aboard the enemy landing craft many of the IFC soldiers looked up in surprise and fear as these two unexpected Hylian birds of war roared through their formation. The two machine guns on each landing craft opened up with a stream of tracer, incendiary, and armor piercing bullets that were more for show than effect as the Hylian fighters delicately wove through the bullet bursts.
"Let's give them one more pass, get a final count and split up to the other two groups," the flight leader commanded as he put his fighter into a shallow climb.
It was at that moment that the timer for the commencement of the bombardment ticked down to zero and the gunnery officers on the IFC battleships ranged farther out at sea closed the firing keys and as one, their massive turrets spoke, hurling massive columns of energy towards the shore. The two fighters were caught in the ballistic path of the massive salvo and they were instantly vaporized before they even had a chance to go evasive.
H.N.S Freedom's Cry Beach Delta 4
The observers still on the shoreline saw the red pinpricks of light in the distance and wisely leapt for cover as the first shots came in and impacted on the peach. One massive burst hit a mortar pit, sending it and its complement of mortar rounds up in a massive explosion. Others obliterated massive sections of barbed wire and slit trenches that the defenders had dug. The 15 in. beam cannon bursts of the IFC battleships continued to rain down on the beach raining havoc on the now unoccupied defensive positions. Seconds later, the first wave of missiles arrived. Some of them were set to burst hundreds of feet in the air, releasing a dozen smaller missiles that rained down at random, setting off massive chains of tiny explosions. Other more conventional missiles screamed down, and threw up geysers of sand. A small number of the missiles found the tough hide of the Freedom's Cry and detonated but the armor protection of the ship remained sufficient to prevent serious damage from either the missiles or the near misses being scored by the enemy. Now, the ordnance of the battleships was joined by those of the escorting IFC warships as they now reached their assigned positions and added their fire to the cacophony of explosions taking place on the Hylian occupied beach.
On the bridge, the Captain and her bridge crew were anxiously sitting through the assault bearing the worst that the IFC could throw at them.
"Have you alerted the base yet?" the Captain queried her Kokiri communications officer.
"Yes, ma'am, they're scrambling air-support now and they have an armored cavalry squadron heading to reinforce us now," Saria returned.
"Impa, damage report?" the female Gerudo now turned to her executive officer.
"Nothing major ma'am. Some minor damage to auxiliary circuitry on deck 4 but no sections reporting major damage or casualties. The camouflage is making quite a difference ma'am," Impa contributed.
"Yes, but it won't help us once we start firing and they start pinpointing our location," Nabooru stated pensively.
"That is a trade-off we must make ma'am. I suggest that we hold our fire and wait until the enemy closes so that we can open up with all weaponry to maximum effect and to maintain secrecy," the Sheikah suggested.
"Very well make it so," the captain mused again.
Hylian Shore Defense Battery 3, Peninsula 343
In the wooded peninsula to the left flank of the IFC fleet was exactly as the Captain of the bombardment force had feared. Behind an artificial curtain of bushes and other foliage lay six 6-inch shore defense beam cannon scattered along various points of the peninsula, the crews already dialing in the range and adjusting the azimuth of their weapons to concentrate.
In the mini-command center located to the rear of the battery the battery commander was sitting at a computer console where the sensors take from the EF-14 reconnaissance craft and assigning targets to his guns.
"Guns one and two take the nearest cruiser, three and four engage the frigate 150 meters in front and guns five and six engage the frigate 150 meters astern," the Lieutenant ordered over his command circuit.
Gunners pushed aside the foliage screens used to hide their guns and others prepared to hit the firing button.
I.N.S Adjucator, Bombardment station 24
The Flanker class cruiser was currently showering its assigned section of beach with beam salvos and then turning over the sand again with its missile barrages. On the bridge, the captain stood with his gunnery officer, monitoring the performance of his crew. It was almost too easy the captain told himself. The beach defenses were surely taking a pummeling and any survivors would be easily wiped out by the IFC landing force. His complacency was shattered when a report came in from his sensors officer.
"Captain, energy discharge 2000 meters astern originating from that peninsula, discharge is consistent with beam weaponry, sir!" the IFC ensign reported.
The Captain turned in great surprise to look out the viewport to see two parallel lances of blue light stab out from a distant point on the peninsula and in a blink impacted on the rear of the ship, punching through the armor plate, and detonating several compartments of the ship. Before he could issue an order, two more pairs of identical light reached out and hit his two escorting frigates, destroying a main gun turret on one, and tearing out a large chunk of the bridge superstructure in the other. As he watched on in horror, another salvo rocked his ship bringing him back to reality.
"Sir, they've hit the main regulator on the main power line, we have to withdraw and fix it before the reactor overloads," the executive officer informed his captain.
"Very well, inform the Agonizer we are being forced to withdraw. Helm, bring us about all available power," the captain ordered in a pained voice.
What this particular captain could not see was that something similar was happening on the other side where another powerful concealed Hylian shore defense battery had dug in and was ravaging the IFC right flank
The Hylian gunners joyous at having driven off their first target re-targeted their guns on the long line of IFC warships that stretched away from them, taking advantage of the fact that only the rear weaponry of the IFC ships could fire back. Soon landing craft as well as warships were being hit and the results were rapidly becoming fearful as the Hylian gunners were evidently expert ones and were wreaking havoc on the IFC left flank. After consulting with his staff, the IFC Admiral in charge decided to compress his center force as to put its flanks out of the danger of the Hylian shore batteries which had the effect of concentrating his landing force making it easier to defend against but focusing more of its strength on a single point of an already thin Hylian line.
H.N.S Freedom's Cry, Beach Delta 4
The mass of incoming landing craft were now visible specks on the horizon, their number all the more compacted after their re-ordering of forces due to the attack on their flanks. All in the meanwhile, the IFC bombardment continued to rage, pummeling the already hit beach defense positions over and over again.
"Range to landing craft?" Nabooru asked her executive officer.
"3000 kilometers ma'am," Impa replied after looking over the shoulder of one of her gunnery chiefs and taking note of the rangefinder displays.
"Alright, we open up at 800 meters. Have the marines exit the ship and take up their positions on the berm and give the rest of the troops cover fire. Hopefully the fighting will be so close that their ships can't fire for fear of hitting their own men but we can still hit their landing craft and fire-support ships at will," the captain ordered her crew.
In one of the marine deployment bays, Kitana, her marines, and those volunteers aboard the ship, whose functions were quite useless in this situation were clutching their gear, waiting for the metal ramp at the end of the room to lower so that they could rush to their stations.
"Link sure is missing out isn't he?" the dark haired Gerudo Lieutenant asked the bright blue haired fairy standing next to her.
"Well I wouldn't exactly want to be in his position either," Navi shuddered, thinking of her friend who was now in the infirmary hooked into several life support machines after the transfusion operation.
"The doctors said that he would make it out fine," Mido replied hopefully, here with the rest of the marines and volunteers because the ship did not need a helmsman in her current role of static defense
"Yeah, I heard about it. Pretty nice thing to do, especially considering who the recipient of the operation was," Kitana commented, leaning on her rifle.
"Link's just one of those guys who even if he don't like you personally if you're on his side, he'll do anything, he reminds me of one of those heroes of legends," Navi chuckled dryly trying to ease the tension.
"Kinda like the legends of old eh?" Kitana returned in good humor.
"What do you mean?" Navi and Mido asked curiously of the taller woman.
"You've seen the old storybooks legends right? You ever notice how Link and Zelda look exactly like the ones in the Ocarina of Time Legend? It seems almost as if history is repeating itself. Ganondorf is threatening Hyrule and here suddenly, here are two people of totally opposite backgrounds who don't know the other who are thrown together and they do have to cooperate to defeat Ganondorf. And if you noticed we have crewmembers that are all named after the ancient sages. Maybe Zelda and Link even fall in love and get married, just like the fairy tale goes," Kitana theorized semi-jokingly and with a somewhat dreamy eyed look..
"It's a good theory except there are thousands of Links and Zeldas and everyone else's out there. Just because these two are here right now doesn't mean they're incarnations of the heroes of old or something. That and we both know the last part you just said won't ever happen," Navi laughed.
"You never know, sometimes from hate grows the strongest romances," Kitana commented.
"I never knew you were such a romantic, Kitana. I always thought you were just another knuckle dragging marine who loves a good fight either on the battlefield or in the base bar." Navi quipped while Mido clutched his sides in laughter.
"Ha ha, just remember who can snap who in half," the Gerudo glared down mock angrily at the fairy and Kokiri who came up only to little above her elbows.
"Play off our insecurities why don't you," the fairy pouted along with Mido while Kitana just laughed.
"That's what friends are for," mussing with the fairy's hair much like one does with a younger sibling.
Onogoro Island, Beach Delta 4
By now, the carrier borne strike craft were roaring overhead as they joined the bombardment. The explosions and sprays of dirt, and dust from the earlier missile and beam barrages did not allow the pilots a clean view of the beach and while they could use their targeting systems to place their bombs quite close to their targets, they had no means of knowing that there was no one in them at all.
On the hovercraft, many of the IFC soldiers peeked out of their vehicles and looked at the rapidly nearing beach. From their point of view it was hard to believe that anything could survive the massive bombardment and that there would be any serious resistance at all. Many of the soldiers began joking about this landing merely being a mop-up operation.
H.N.S Freedom's Cry, Bridge
"Enemy is now at the 800 meter line ma'am," Impa duly noted to her captain.
"Very well, all main guns and topside secondary battery target the landing craft, ventral secondary battery stand by for cover fire, all missile launchers reserve for anti-missile role. Ensign Ruto, vector in our air-support at the greatest concentration of enemy vehicles at your discretion. Ensign Saria, order the soldiers in the woods to prepare to man their positions," Nabooru, ordered steeling herself for battle.
Turning to bear, the main battery turrets shed their camouflage covering while the gunners calculated their trajectories. Meanwhile the landing craft had been surging towards the beach this entire time and only now did the commanders of the front craft see the outline of the Hylian ship in front of them. They had no time to react as within seconds, there was a massive flash of light and six columns of sapphire blue destructive energy erupted from the muzzles of the enormous cannon and impacted among the concentration of landing craft. Entire craft erupted into flame, while the shockwave overturned many more of the craft, sending their cargo of soldiers and equipment into the sea. Many of the soldiers were boiled alive as the energy from the beams superheated the water instantaneously. Meanwhile, the smaller 3 and 5 in. cannons wreaked havoc as they targeted the craft that still dared to advanced through the carnage caused by the main guns. One of the craft, carrying a cargo of tanks, had its ramp open letting the three tanks carried inside to fall into the now sea, crewmen struggling to get out of their metallic coffins, and for the most part unsuccessful as the water covered the hatches and its pressure preventing the crew from opening them. Yet, there were far too many of the landing craft for the guns of the Cry to stop and the remainder maneuvered around the wreckage of other landing craft and past the corpses of IFC soldiers floating in the water.
Beach Delta 4
The guns of the Cry continued to roar as the surviving Hylian soldiers poured from the wood and into the remainders of their positions. Kitana led the marines and the volunteers from one of the deployment bays onto the precipice of the berm that was protecting the Cry.
The first of the IFC landing craft had now reached the beach and lowered its ramp with a splash. From within the bowels of the craft, IFC soldiers poured out with a mighty roar, their weapons at their hips and already firing. Yet many of them were cut down immediately as they ran into the fields of fire, that had been so intricately been erected by the Hylians, days before. Shells from mortars began to rain down on pre-registered points and caused devastation in the mass of landing craft now at the shoreline, disgorging their cargo. One tank that had just drove off the ramp of its carrier craft, was met immediately by three anti-tank rockets, forcing its crew to bail out. A heavy machine gun team was disrupted by the detonation of a grenade in their midst, blowing off the arm of the loader and twisting the gun into a tangled mass of metal.
The IFC soldiers continued to persist in their advance clawing forwards inch by inch. The survivors struggled to set up a base of fire, to keep the Hylians down while more IFC troops landed.
On the parapet of the earthen berm, Kitana, the marines, and the ships' volunteers kept up a steady fire.
Mido blazed away without abandon, his rifle set on full auto, his small frame struggling to control the recoil of the rifle. Navi in the meantime went with a more methodical approach, firing single shots that took out officers, or the members of heavy weapons squads. Most of the ship's volunteers had only received cursory training and their lack of firing control was evident as they were far more inaccurate than Kitana's marines but made up for it with their high morale and gusto.
The Freedom's Cry however had not escaped the enemy notice. After the first initial moments in the battle where she fired without being fired upon directly the IFC soldiers on the beach could clearly see what the observers on warships and sensors could not, the unmistakable form of a Hylian battleship devastating the landing force. Within moments, several of the heavy warships supporting the landing had retargeted their barrage.
"Captain, they're on to us now. We took a 15 in. hit in the bow, fires in the enlisted crewmen quarters there ma'am, damage control moving to contain now," Impa reported from her station.
"Retarget main weaponry at enemy warships and fire. Secondary battery continue supporting mission," Nabooru ordered as an errant anti-tank rocket hit the side of the bridge, causing a shower of sparks to erupt from one part of the ceiling. "Where is that armored cavalry squadron the base sent?"
"They're having some problems getting through the wood ma'am," Saria reported.
Nabooru could only swear and bang her fists on her command chair in frustration as the battle continued to unfold.
This action turned the tables more in favor of the IFC, as their transports were no longer suffering the punishment of the Cry's 13 in. beam cannon. More and more of the transports rushed passed the withering storm of fire from the 3 and 5 in. turrets as well as the machine guns.
Having, reloaded and refueled, the IFC fighters and bombers again made their appearance over the beaches, now guided in by the soldiers on the ground. The crump of bombs was heard as IFC pilots dropped their payloads onto foxholes and bunkers that were giving IFC soldiers problems and bottling up their advance.
The chatter of automatic weapons drowned out the noise of the oceans, as both sides blazed away at the other.
"Take out their missile crews!" Kitana ordered her troops as the IFC missile teams were taking a fearful toll on the Hylian emplacements.
As if to emphasize her point, another missile screamed past and detonated inside a bunker, throwing bits of its occupants into the air.
Grimly, Navi, adjusted her aim and took out the leader of the offending missile squad with a burst to the chest.
"Tanks!" one of the volunteers down the line shouted as several IT-72 IFC tanks began rolling towards the berm.
"Anti-tank launchers forward," Kitana shouted.
Unfortunately, by now, many of the heavier weapons like the anti-tank rocket launchers had been destroyed and only a couple remained. One of them was loaded with a faulty rocket and as a result blew up, taking out its crew and the two marines that were nearby. The other got off a rocket successfully, before they were blown to bits by a grenade.
The tanks continued to roll forwards relentlessly burying several Hylian defenders in their forward foxholes as the metallic monsters roared ahead.
"Fall back to the ship!" Kitana screamed, waving to those under her command, planning to make a stand close to the ship where they could be supported by the guns. The soldiers leapt from the firing ledge and rushed back to the fallback positions prepared nearer to the ship and the several open doorways. Meanwhile, the tanks, using specialized plow attachments, went clear through the berm, IFC infantry troopers following close behind.
"Commence firing," Kitana ordered again, directing fire at the breakthrough points in the dirt wall. Several of the belly turrets added their firepower to the defensive effort, smashing several armored vehicles and breaking up concentrations of troops.
"Mido, look out," Navi shouted as an IFC soldier had moved to close to the Kokiri while he was looking and firing another way. Drawing her pistol in record time with her left, while still firing her rifle in her right, the fairy crossed her left over and drilled the soldier twice in the eye socket.
"Thanks," Mido panted.
"No problem," the fairy replied shooting down the commander of an IFC tank whose head was poking out the top of his turret.
Sheer weight was driving the Hylian defenders back to the ship and to the edge of the woods. The flow of men and armor onto the beach seemed endless and only through the profligate use of every weapon at hand could the Hylians slow the tide.
Here was the climax of the battle, if the Hylians couldn't stem the onslaught then the IFC forces would advance through the woods and onto the base itself unopposed while the Cry would most likely be destroyed before it could lift off.
Four HF-29s sent from the base screeched in at treetop level but only one managed to make his attack run before the swarming IF-3s pounced and destroyed the flight.
On the ground, the Hylian army troops were being pushed back into the wood while the marines and crew stood by their ship valiantly, but their flanks becoming more and more exposed as the army troops were forced back.
Just then, a beam salvo grazed the top of the bridge superstructure, vaporizing the long range communications array.
"Captain, we've lost long range comms, we're down to short range only," Saria reported the bad news.
"Can you raise the base?" Nabooru inquired as she desperately needed orders to deal with the developing situation.
"No, nothing beyond some of the army units outside as well as Kitana's troops," Saria answered.
"Captain, we must consider pulling out," Impa urged.
"No, that is not an option!" Nabooru exclaimed loudly.
"If we don't we risk annihilation, we're being enveloped and soon enough they'll be able to damage the ship so that we can't lift of," the executive officer pushed,
"But if we leave, we condemn the entire base. We're the bulwark of this sector and we're the only reason that the IFC is still in instead of already at the base. If we leave, the entire defense collapses and we doom more people. We have to hold at all costs," Nabooru told her XO firmly.
The Sheikah could only nod as she moved to comply with her Captain's orders.
"Shit! I'm almost out of ammo!" Mido shouted.
"Here, be more careful with this one," Kitana yelled over the din of explosions and weapons fire as she tossed clip over.
"I'm running out here Lieutenant," another marine called out.
"Me too, ma'am," yet another added.
"Shit, if we don't get reinforced soon, they'll just be able to walk over us since we have no ammo left and a bayonet charge against tanks wouldn't be wise," Navi indicated.
"Don't remind me," the Gerudo griped.
Suddenly, the rumble of engines came from the far left flank.
"This is it, they must have flanked us already with their armor," Kitana stated. "2nd, squad adjust to meet this new attack!" she ordered, a futile gesture she knew, there was no way a combat weary squad of marines low on ammo could hold back a tank attack.
Trees crashed as the marines apprehensively waited for the steel leviathans that surely were harbingers of doom. Yet when the tanks crashed through the clearing they weren't the domed IFC tanks that the marines expected. Instead were the flat-top tanks of the Hylian Army, their turrets training to and fro, loosing shots from their main cannon. In the lead was a brown tank, with a white stripe down the middle, with a white diamond in the front as well as two fierce eyes on the sides. On the top rode the commanding officer of the group, a young Hylian female with cherry red hair, using the pintle mounted machine gun to drive back those unfortunate IFC infantrymen who were in her way.
The beleaguered defenders were heartened by the appearance of these unexpected reinforcements and began a counter-push. Just then two squadrons of HF-29s roared overhead cutting a swath into IFC air cover and then bombing and strafing. In addition, a wave of HC-10 dropships now flew over the beach and landed a wave of infantry and armored vehicles which began to disrupt the IFC beachhead.
Inexplicably, the offshore bombardment began to peter out as many of the IFC troops were withdrawing to their transports and re-embarking under the heavy fire of the Hylians.
Nabooru stood on the bridge relieved as the lives of those under her command would liver to see another day after all.
"Ma'am, Major Lon, of the 11th ACR would like to meet with you ma'am," Saria reported.
"Tell her that she's welcome to come aboard, I'll meet her in the briefing room," the Captain informed her communications officer.
"What happened Captain," Impa asked surprised at the sudden outcome of events.
"I don't know Lieutenant, but I suspect this Major will be able to tell us," the Captain replied striding off the bridge.
A/N first chapter in a long time. What do you think? So now we have a new character in the picture and there will be more. If you want a particular character from any of the Zelda games please tell me in a review which one you want.
Next time on Legend of Zelda Freedom's Cry:
Major Lon arrives with relief for the crew of the Freedom's Cry but also with new orders. The Republic and the IFC are now set to collide in one of the largest battle's of the war, one that could decide the fate of all. Meanwhile Zelda awakens from her coma only to be told that she was saved by an anonymous savior, and she seeks to find out who helped bring her back to life.