General Lewis Burwell "Chesty" Puller- 24th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps
Korriban - Horuset System, Sith Worlds, Imperial Space, Outer Rim Territories, "The Galaxy"
10:25:15 ATC/ October 25th, 1968 - 14:30/2:30 PM
The surviving Imperials and Sith from the first initial assault retreated to a canyon two miles away from the former fortress and surrounding terrain that forces of the Coalition captured hours prior, but unbeknownst to them, it was all part of the Earthlings plan as the next phase of Operation: Mars began.
Some folks are born to wave the flag,
Ooh, they're red, white and blue.
And when the band plays 'Hail to the Chief',
Ooh, they point the cannon at you, Lord,
"What the Kriff? Music?" A random rookie conscript questioned as the remaining Space Fascists watched in horror as the infamous starfighters and unfamiliar, but still reckoned as malignant gunships arrived at the rally point. Panic began to set in through the ranks yet again as the foreigners started their latest assault against the Empire. The tactics used by the primitives were exceptional to anything the galaxy has ever observed and their slugthrowers pierce the Imperial armor like it was a thin sheet of paper.
"This is Bulldog to all aerial assets." Puller grinned."You are authorized to send any Imps straight back to Hell."
"Copy Bulldog...We're engaging."
It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no senator's son, son.
It ain't me, it ain't me; I ain't no fortunate one, no,
Yeah!
The attack Hueys and escorting jets unleashed their gifts from Earth. Even riflemen from the transports got involved as rockets, 20mm Chainguns, M134s, Mk-19s, M60s, and M14s spread destruction and chaos towards the helpless ranks.
Some folks are born silver spoon in hand,
Lord, don't they help themselves, oh.
But when the taxman comes to the door,
Lord, the house looks like a rummage sale, yes,
"Fall back! Fall back!" An Imperial Major ordered. Morale was already at a low point and now the bulk of the Imperial soldiery began to run for their lives despite what their superiors dictated. No threat was harsh enough to stop the flight.
"No retreat! Stay and fight cowards! Stay and fight!" A Sith next to the Major decreed as he gave the officer a blast of Force lightning, but it was no use. The remaining few loyalists amongst them were more afraid of their Sith overlords than the Earthlings, but they would die regretting their recent judgment.
It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no millionaire's son, no.
It ain't me, it ain't me; I ain't no fortunate one, no.
"Move! Move! Let's go get the bastards!" A Sergeant of the 173rd Air Assault Brigade shouted as he and his men lept off their transport.
Some folks inherit star spangled eyes,
Ooh, they send you down to war, Lord,
And when you ask them, "How much should we give?"
Ooh, they only answer More! More! More! Yoh,
"This is Puller." The Marine smiled as his helicopter passed over the Imperial lines. The Leatherneck saw a group of Sith and granted them the bird as the Huey flew over their heads. "Pursue and destroy those who remain...The others can leave intact to spread the word."
It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no military son, son.
It ain't me, it ain't me; I ain't no fortunate one, one.
It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no fortunate one, no no no,
It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no fortunate son, no no no,
The Imperials were demoralized as the Americans secured territory with the remaining Raiders and Paratroopers of the 82nd linking up with the 1st Marine Division, 173rd Air Assault Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, and the 1st Air Cav to hold the recently captured territory.
If it goes to plan, Rommel would nail Rakton as the Yanks were intentionally acting as tempting bait and if prior history of his actions proved itself the Empire's best strategist would unwittingly cause his demise.
Gunnery Sergeant Carlos Norman Hathcock II -United States Marine Corps- Leader of "Sureshot 2-1"
Korriban - Horuset System, Sith Worlds, Imperial Space, Outer Rim Territories, "The Galaxy"
10:25:15 ATC/ October 25th, 1968 - 14:30/2:30 PM
"Sureshot 2-1, this is Bulldog...You are authorized to target any high-level threats, over?"
Sureshot 2-1 was a secret weapon Earth has against the Empire. This specially selected and experiment unit was entirely comprised of the world's deadliest snipers including Carlos Hathcock, Chuck Mawhinney, Ed Eaton, Vasily Zaytsev, and even the infamous White Death himself.
"Bulldog, this is 2-1 actual. Copy." The man who became dreaded in Hanoi due to his teademark white feather he wore in his boonie as a taunt then turned to his subordinates. "Eaton. Mawhinney. Häyhä. Zaytsev. We are ago."
"The Russian better not drink all the Volka." Simo smirked at Vasily.
"Nyet! " The Commie complained.
"But remember who killed your brethren during the Winter War, comrade."
"That's enough!" Eaton scolded the Finn and Russian. "We're in this together for Earth. The past is irrelevant. What matters right now is the future."
"Edward's right." Chuck butted in as he zeroed his M40. "If we fight amongst ourselves now, the Imps will overrun us."
"Let's just get going." Hathcock sighed and the others nodded before going down and begin to crawl. The deadliest snipers in history will add some additional fuel to the panic in the Imperial ranks...
Today was just not the Empire's day.
10:25:15 ATC/ October 25th, 1968 - 14:50/2:50 PM
"What do you think?" Carlos asked his subordinates as the snipers made an unexpected, yet welcomed discovery.
"I believe we found an Imperial command center, Gunny." Ed grinned as he zoomed in. "Think we should call in a artillery barrage?"
"Nah..." White Feather himself shrugged. "Where's the fun in that? Everyone, select a target please."
The sharpshooters picked their respective targets and lined up their sights...
In the next few seconds, the officer's lives will be cut short as the reapers fired their 'slugs'.
10:25:15 ATC/ October 25th, 1968 - 14:50/2:50 PM
"So what in the kriffing hell is going wrong!?"
"I don't know how these primitives managed to defeat the Empire's finest troops and rout them in disorder, but Rakton himself will be arriving shortly."
"The Rakton?"
"Oh please, we don't need him!"
"You're sure about that?"
Those were the last words of the war committee as 7.62 caliber slugs from M40s, an M21, an M28/76 and a Draganov hit them in the head.
The bodyguards watched in horror as their protectees were killed by the marksmen and they quickly took cover under one of the desks nearby.
"I don't know about you, but I believe Korriban just became even more Hellish than it already is...Sithspawn and K'lor Slugs be damned!"
"You don't say."
General Arkos Rakton- Commander of the Korriban Garrison
10:25:15 ATC/ October 25th, 1968 - 14:50/2:50 PM
"Pathetic! Absolutely pathetic!" Rakton roared as he encounters a few of the survivors from the onslaught. The Republic was one matter, but primitives!
"But sir, the outsiders have better tactics and we can't counteract them!"
"Because you are using by the book tactics you moron!" Rakton berated the Colonel who was recently promoted to General by were all fools and now Rakton would have to sort out the mes-no, not mess but a complete fiasco!
"At least tell me you gather up the survivors so I can talk to them General Xaton."
"They're ready and waiting for you.
"You did something right for a change." Arkos muttered.
"Sir?"
"Nothing." Rakton told him as he walked up to a boulder and stepped on top of it.
"You see that. Do you see that! Are you all insulted as I am? This is what they sent against us?" The men and women before him look at the General as if he was insane. "They sent this rabble to sack our sacred planet? We are the mightiest Empire the galaxy has ever seen, crushed the Republic and brought the cowards to their knees, yet meer primitives drove us back!? We have the best weapons, we are more advanced than them and yet these savages drove the best of the Imperial Army back!?"
But the leader wasn't insane. It was their own foolishness. It was their cowardness that prevented them from defending Korriban effectively and they were ashamed that the interlopers managed to make fools out of them.
Yet if there was any way to turn this disaster around, Rakton was the man and the subordinates knew it.
"Brothers and sisters of the Sith Empire, a legion of primitives armed with slugthrowers wheezes its way across the sand forgive me when the moment comes as we whine as the unstoppable horde comes. Forgive me when I order you to waste ammunition upon their worthless bodies. I have heard many souls speak my name in whispers since I've came to Korriban. I ask you now do you know me? Do you know me?"
"Yes sir!" They cried at the top of their lungs.
"I am General Arkos Rakton of the Imperial Army. Never again in your life will such action carry much consequences. Never again will you serve as you serve now. No duty will matter as much and no glory will taste as true. We are the defenders of Korriban. As of this day, we carve our legend to the flesh of every of every alien slave. Will you serve with me?"
"Yes sir!" Morale begins to edge back up since this wasn't just any General. It was Rakton.
"Sons and daughters of the transcendent Sith Empire our plot is a blood of heroes. The outsiders dare defile our planet and trample upon on the sacred soil of our homeworld. We will throw their bodies on these walls when the final day dawns. This is our planet. This is our world. Let them try to capture it in all of their fury."
The men and women of the Imperial Army stationed on Korriban desire vengeance and vengeance against the unknown trespassers especially.
"Run you primitive scum! Come to me! Come to us all! Come and die! For the Imperial Army! For the Sith! For the Empire! FOR KORRIBAN!"
"FOR KORRIBAN!"
Colonel Harold Gregory "Hal" Moore, Junior -1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), United States Army
Korriban - Horuset System, Sith Worlds, Imperial Space, Outer Rim Territories, "The Galaxy"
10:25:15 ATC/ October 25th, 1968 - 16:00/4:00 PM
Colonel Moore continued to fire his M1911A1 as the Imperials began their counterattack against. It even felt like Ia Drang all over again for Hal and his men, but if the Battalion had managed to hold off three North Vietnamese Army divisions, the Space Brits could unleash the apocalypse itself and the Americans would still not withdraw.
"Broken arrow! I repeat! Broken Arrow!"
Planes off on patrol from A1D Skyraiders to F-4 Phantoms and B-52s to AC-47 Spookies heard the call for assistance and responded.
Moore watched the awesome sight as the planes unleashed hell and destruction on the approaching enemy. The Empire has lost air dominance and so far, not even a single Extinction-class bomber has been spotted.
"This is Wolfpack, we're engaging the enemy."
"Hawk 3-4 is targeting at coordinates confirmed."
"Wolverine squadron is running and gunning."
The Imperial assault was being crushed by the continuous artillery bombardment and aerial attacks. Even the lowly claymore mines and American riflemen were holding back their progress.
Now it was Moore's turn as Imperial infantry crept up to his position and the Colonel decided to take a page out of U.S history in order to conserve ammunition.
"Don't fire until you see the white of their eyes!"
The men nodded as this was simply their Bunker Hill, but unlike the Revolutionary war, the Colonialists were well equipped to deal with the Empire.
"Glory for the Empire!" A space fascist colonel shouted as he led his battalion straight on to the defensive positions...There were even a few droids and what's left of the Sith-many of them acolytes-against the meddlers.
"OPEN FIRE!"
Moore hated to order his men to shoot at children, but the American knew by now that these kids were being specifically brainwashed on this dustbowl and groomed to be part of the selective cult only because they happen to be capable of utilizing voodoo. They were also currently a threat and the army officer will be sure to ignore the adults when they take prisoners.
M60s, M14s, M79s, and Remington 870s tore through the ranks alongside the occasional 60mm and 81mm mortars. Since the Imps wanted to charge and retake this worthless desert, the Americans will show them the price as Uncle Sam's firepower rang down on the attackers.
And it wasn't even the first wave.
The Imperials attempted to outflank the Yanks earlier, but elements of the First Marine Division and 173rd Air Assault Brigade drove them was, as Chesty mentioned, a repeat of Chosin, except for this time the Americans were not retreating.
Instead they were intentionally being bait for part two of phase three: The Empire would soon see the might of the cunning Desert Fox himself.
General Lewis Burwell "Chesty" Puller- 24th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps
Korriban - Horuset System, Sith Worlds, Imperial Space, Outer Rim Territories, "The Galaxy"
10:25:15 ATC/ October 25th, 1968 - 16:15/4:15 PM
"Tell Moore to hold the line at all costs! We are sending a company of Raiders from the First Battalion to reinforce to reinforce him."
"Yes, sir!" The orderly saluted, before the holoprojector nearby in the captured Imperial command center beeped and the Marine saw a familiar, yet infamous figure out of intelligence debriefings.
"Greetings. I am General Arkos Rakton of the Imperial Army-"
But Chesty interrupted the Imp. "I know who you are Ratface. I am Chesty Puller of the United States Marine Corps and I am telling you to back off while you still can."
"Are you done? Because I believe that surren-"
"If you are offering surrender terms, then I suggest you fuck off and go kiss your ugly whore of a piglet mother goodbye."
"Very well 'Chesty'." Arkos sneered. "You'll regret making an enemy out of the Empire."
"Just like you will of the United States of America, and Planet Earth, you pompous, fascist son of a bitch."
Field Marshal Johannes Eugen "Erwin" Rommel- Commander of NATO Taskforce Invictus
Korriban - Horuset System, Sith Worlds, Imperial Space, Outer Rim Territories, "The Galaxy"
10:25:15 ATC/ October 25th, 1968 - 17:00/5:00 PM
"Fox! I don't know how long I can hold on here! The Imps are pushing against my forces harder than the Chinese at Chosin!"
"I completely understand Bulldog." The Desert Fox himself decided that the time to strike was now since Rakton was on the offensive. "We're moving out now."
The Marine shook his head at his fellow legend. "Of course you are. I can always count on German punctuality." Puller joked just before he ended the holotransmission.
"This is Fox? Are all units ready?"
"Yes sir!" A Yank shouted. "My boys are locked and loaded."
"Desert Rat 2-4 is ready for a repeat of North Africa, general."
"This is Tankmörder 1-0. " The German tank ace Michael Wittman declared. "My shells are prepared to destroy the enemy armor."
"Excellent! Let's show Rakton what we're made of."The German grinned anxiously for the challenge. "Kanonier! Laden Sie eine Shell! Panzerbrechend!"
"Jawohl! Rüstungs-Piercing ist geladen!"
Rommel smiled at the efficiency of his crew, not to mention that the Leopard 1 is one of the best tanks from Earth. The NATO taskforce has Pattons, M103 heavy tanks, Chieftans, Leopards, and more.
"We got incoming! Imperial walkers! Right flank!"
"Gunner! Target the closest walker at fifteen degrees elevation! Shift gun right and fire!"
"Firing!" The gunner pulled the trigger and unleashed a 105mm shell from the Leopard. The AP shell pierced the head of the walker easily since it was designed for blasters, not to mention knocking out two walkers beside it. Erwin also saw a few of tanks ram into the legs of the walkers and knocked them over before the armored vehicles ran over the 'head' and crush the tin cans.
'Good thinking. Better save the munitions for Rakton.'
The task force was surprised that this 'Space Fox' hadn't counter their movements as of yet since Rakton has his flank exposed, but the earthlings will soon discover that the tactician was a match to the Desert Fox himself.
It's becoming a bloody game of cat and mouse.
General Arkos Rakton - Commander of the Korriban Garrison
Korriban - Horuset System, Sith Worlds, Imperial Space, Outer Rim Territories, "The Galaxy"
"Sir! We're being outflanked by more of the primitives!"
Rakton's day went from barely tolerable to something
"Dammit!"Arkos just realized why this 'Chesty' hadn't launched a counterattack yet.
"Sir?"
"I fell for a kriffing trap!?" He cried in rage before facing the recently demoted General. "You better not let this Chesty get through Colonel Xanton..." Arkos warned. "I'll deal with the flankers personally."
Field Marshal Johannes Eugen "Erwin" Rommel- Commander of NATO Taskforce Invictus
Korriban - Horuset System, Sith Worlds, Imperial Space, Outer Rim Territories, "The Galaxy"
Rommel wondered why the walkers were retreating from him despite the limited skirmish, almost as if they were weary and knew who they were fighting against but it still didn't make any logical sense.
'If I was...' It instantly clicked for the Desert Fox. "All units! Be advised that we're about to be outflanked!"
Sure enough additional walkers appeared on the immediate left of the NATO forces line.
'Let see here.' Rommel thought back to his time as an instructor in Austria. 'If I wanted to counteract flankers, terrain is a possibility.' Erwin knows what needs to be done. "Bravo company! Proceed to engage the Hühner! Everyone else, push forward to the canyon forty meters in front of us...We'll regroup on the other side!"
It was risky, yet the Desert Fox knows that Rakton himself wouldn't expect such a move.
General Arkos Rakton - Commander of the Korriban Garrison
Korriban - Horuset System, Sith Worlds, Imperial Space, Outer Rim Territories, "The Galaxy"
'Hmm...I didn't expect that this leader would take his men through that canyon.' Rakton thought. He was learning, albeit slowly that this leader was unique. It was almost as if Arkos had a twin brother...
The Imperial listened to the reports from his walkers about what this primitive was planning.
"This is Rakton. Send in a few crawlers. We'll see how bold this aggressor really is."
"Sir?"
"Do what I command. We are dealing with a threat."
"But sir, wouldn't it be wise to have an ambush waiting for them?"
"That's not a bad idea actually." Normally Rakton would remind the lower ranks of what place in the pecking order they are at, but today was something else and the General wouldn't turn down any suggestions. Even if he was only a Sergeant. "What do you have in mind?"
"Well, sir I figured that if the primitives went through the canyon, they'll have to come out eventually. We could have some walkers flush them out if you will."
"Yes, but wouldn't they be smarter and expect to see the crawlers blocking their path?"
"What if the crawlers weren't just waiting for them?"
Rakton was dumbfounded for a moment before grinning.
Field Marshal Johannes Eugen "Erwin" Rommel - Commander of NATO Taskforce Invictus
Korriban - Horuset System, Sith Worlds, Imperial Space, Outer Rim Territories, "The Galaxy"
'Something's wrong.' Rommel thought as he and his subordinates exited the canyon. They were being followed by Walkers constantly the entire route and the Desert Fox thought that he was going to be blocked at the exited...But Rommel has a feeling that Rakton was going to pull off something similar to what he would have done.
In fact, the German noticed a dust storm approaching his Taskforce from the north, east, and west. There are Walkers of course, but also Crawlers.
Erwin knows that he at least has an advantage in range.
"All gunners! Target the Crawlers! 2nd Marine Battalion, proceed to engage the enemy at their sides!"
The United States Marine Corps has a special surprise for these Crawlers...Unlike the average Main Battle Tanks armed with 90mm main guns, the M103s are Heavy tanks with a 105mm rifled cannon. And add to the fact that armor vehicles are typically weaker at the sides and rear, the results will be devastating with the Armor Piercing Incendiaries.
Rommel can hear the Americans tank crews barking orders and firing the 105s. The results were just as intelligence predicted. The Crawlers can withstand the standard 90mm, but not the One oh Fives or even the 120mm of the Chieftains and the Leopards 105.
'Make that a 155mm and I'll be happy.'
General Arkos Rakton- Commander of the Korriban Garrison
Korriban - Horuset System, Sith Worlds, Imperial Space, Outer Rim Territories, "The Galaxy"
'This leader is more creative than I thought... Interesting.'
Arkos watched as for some reason the unknown, yet primitive vehicles begin to withdraw from the field...It appeared that his tactics were working against the interlopers who chose the wrong planet to attack.
"This is Rakton to all assets...Push forward and crush the opposition. Glory to the Empire!"
"Glory to the Empire!"
The Imperial Crawlers led the spearhead this time and Rakton had use his walkers to flush the earthlings out...The tactic seems to work perfectly the last time and it'll work again.
But then a surprise struck Arkos and his men. The Earthlings had unloaded their Mechanized Infantry units on top of nearby canyons overlooking the battleground and they were using rocket launchers such as M72 LAAWs, M20A1 Superbazookas, M40, M67, and Ordnance, RCL, 3.45 in Recoilless Rifles, and PzF 44 Panzerfausts.
"Ambush!" One of the Imperial walker crewmembers cried out but it was too late to do anything about as the General saw these armored beasts ran around his walkers and crawlers.
But Rakton wasn't going down without a fight. The man led his personal walker forward against the enemy and went amok, destroying a few tanks from Earth with the laser cannons.
'Sometimes when you want to do things right. You got to do it yourself.' Arkos deemed as simply his subordinates weren't up to the task.
Agent Theron Shan - Strategic Information Service
Korriban - Horuset System, Sith Worlds, Imperial Space, Outer Rim Territories, "The Galaxy"
"It seems like our allies are doing a surprisingly better job than we are." Darock pointed out as an updated tactical holomap shows the current positions of the earthlings and the Imperials attempting to counteract them. "This Rommel especially is making Rakton himself run for his credits."
"Rommel?" Shan questioned. His curiosity was triggered when he heard that Rakton is being outwitted by a primitive. The thought humored him.
"Erwin Rommel. He's a famous Earth general who has earned his reputation in history. I'll send you a file with the details but enough about history and let's focus on the present. These Earthlings managed to accomplish more in two days than what our forces would have accomplished in a week."
The Colonel shows Theron footage of the American's assault on the fortress. "They managed to capture this fortress in less than six hours. Absolutely amazing."
The intelligence agent was stunned but he didn't show it. "Their tactics are some wonder."
"You can say that again." Darock crossed his arms. "These Earthlings are definitely more advanced military wise and I believe the Dark Council will get the news..."
"Indeed. I think Earth will send the Imps a clear message." Shan grinned.
Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant Colonel) Michael Wittmann - Panzerbataillon 203, Panzerbrigade 21, 3. Panzerdivision, I Corps, Deutsches Heer, Bundeswehr
Korriban - Horuset System, Sith Worlds, Imperial Space, Outer Rim Territories, "The Galaxy"
"Fox...This is Wittmann." The highly lethal 'tank ace' spoked into his radio as the lone enemy vehicle wrecked havoc against a squad of M48 Pattons.
"Go ahead, Wittmann." The Desert Fox instantly replied, aware of the Oberstleutnant accomplishments during the Zweiter Weltkrieg.
"I believe I can take down that rogue Walker, sir."
"Permission granted. Fröhliches Jagen! Für Deutschland!"
"Jawohl. Für Deutschland!" The tanker smiled and begin his engine on the Leopard I tank, loading a 105mm armor piercing incendiary shell and proceeded to chase down the Imp.
General Arkos Rakton - Commander of the Korriban Garrison
Korriban - Horuset System, Sith Worlds, Imperial Space, Outer Rim Territories, "The Galaxy"
Rakton didn't see this coming. He has never thought in his life that he'll be outsmarted by a foe that was as great as him. Even that damn commander of Havoc Squad was nothing compared to this great leader. Arkos escaped his burning walker that was destroyed by that reckless vehicle and pulled out his blaster pistol...He was going to go down fighting even if the mechanical monsters were driving off his forces.
'No! It can't end like this! It can't! The Empire was made a mockery by savages and I'll not allow this to happen again!'
But it has...
Rakton saw a vehicle approach him and a crewer sticking his head out of the hatch and he was a excellent target. The opportunity was too good to pass up and attempted to take him, but the tactician saw the smoke out of his opponent's pistol
"So...This is how it ends." Arkos laughed. "A pathetic slugt..."
Field Marshal Johannes Eugen "Erwin" Rommel - Commander of NATO Taskforce Invictus
Korriban - Horuset System, Sith Worlds, Imperial Space, Outer Rim Territories, "The Galaxy"
'Dieses wertlose, erbärmliche Schwein!' Rommel thought as that man in desperation attempted to assassinate him, but the Desert Fox was faster and utilized his old Luger against the Space Brit.
'Wait a minute... Is that Rakton?' The German ordered his tanks to halt and some men to confirm identification.
"General?" An Austrailian accented voice spoke up. "You got the bloke! It's Rakton!"
Korriban - Horuset System, Sith Worlds, Imperial Space, Outer Rim Territories, "The Galaxy"
Rakton... he couldn't believe it. He couldn't. Out of a million men looking to kill him, it had been his opposite number. The feared General Rakton. He wasn't quite sure what to feel in that moment. A moment of cold and pity, perhaps?
Rakton did not deserve this. He was a general. He shouldn't have died like this...
'But wouldn't have I have done the same?' Erwin Rommel, the Desert Fox, the man who had defied Hitler and lived, thought very morbidly to himself. 'Didn't I try to do the same? I should have died in Africa with the Korps, but... I live. I lived despite the Spitfire, despite Valkyrie... despite it all. And yet he is not. He died with his men. That should be enough.'
He was about to holster the Luger he had carried since the Mount Cosna when Rakton stirred.
"Shiester!" a grenadier cursed as he raised his G3, "The man is still alive! General, I-"
"Stop!" Rommel ordered with a bellow.
"General, he is-"
"I said... stop." he ordered again, his voice growing softer with every word. Raxton stirred again, his hand clutching the entry wound around his stomach. He didn't have long, and Rommel knew this. But he couldn't bring himself to do what should've been natural. Natural? Was it natural to be an executioner? To be like Adolf, like Heinrich? To kill a man like this? No, he couldn't do it.
Rakton rose very painfully to his feet. When Rommel saw he still had his sidearm, he shifted his stance. Sideways, one foot forward, his Luger ready to rise if needed. But Rakton didn't draw. Not yet. He just looked at him.
"So you are the fellow who drove away my men?"
"That's correct."
Rakton didn't say anything else after that, and Rommel just stared at him. In those wearied, cold eyes, he saw himself in Africa again. The heat boring down on him, the dehydration parching him... and yet the worst was the cold realization of what had happened. He had been so close to the Suez he could smell the ocean. He had been so flushed with victory, from Tobruk and on. And when he saw the enemy at El Alamein, he hadn't thought much of it.
He had only seen the prize ahead. And for this... for this, the British had taught him the greatest lesson of his life. Everything he had-his commission, his command, his men, his tanks, his legend, all of it-could be taken with one single unfortunate moment. That moment had come. It had ruined him. But he had the chance to walk away, and to be the better man he was today.
Rakton was never going to get that chance.
"This isn't the end, you know?" he said suddenly, his hand moving to his stomach again, "This victory you've claimed? It won't be the end of it all."
"I know," Rommel replied, "I know what comes next. I lived through it twice, both from the position that you stand now, sir. I... do not envy you."
Rakton looked at him with those mirror expressioned eyes of his, and nodded.
"It won't be the end of the Empire," he continued, taking a step forward and almost stumbling, but he caught himself, "the Empire will go on. The Republic... you Earthlings? It's just going to go on, and on. Nothing will change of this. Nothing."
"I disagree, sir," Rommel replied rather distantly, "I thought the Reich was going to last a thousand years. It only lasted twelve... and because of the actions of my countrymen, my nation was split in two, and we were left to pick up the pieces. To be... better men."
"The galaxy is different than your world, Earthling," Rakton replied soberly, "this... this will be the staple of things to come."
"Yes... but it will end one day. All of it."
"Do you truly believe this?"
"I do. I know it."
"Are you willing to die for it?"
"I am."
With this, Rakton, the feared General of the Empire, nodded with a finality. And he started to raise his sidearm with a lethargic slowness.
"Stop!" Rommel held out his hand, but Rakton wasn't listening. The sidearm was half way up, its point at his boot, "Stop!" he cried again, but Rakton was now at his leg, "Für die Liebe Gottes, stop!"
Rakton was coming for his chest, but his movement was too slow. Rommel draw out of instinct, he didn't even feel the depression or recoil! It just... happened. Rakton was on the floor, and his Luger smelled of powder. He felt frozen, his eyes wide.
"Why didn't you stop?" Rommel asked with the shock of the living. The wind blew past them, its chilling obliviousness to the personal tragedy something of a heartless hilarity. But all he could was shake his head. He holstered his Luger, and marched to the body.
He was dead. He was dead. His eyes looked up to the skies and beyond... and Rommel hoped there would be a place for him there.
"Why didn't you stop?" he repeated, his voice muted and deflated.
"Heerführer?" a trooper asked behind him.
"Get a stretcher," Rommel ordered rather quietly, "I'm not leaving him here."
"Sir... he's our enemy."
"He deserves better than that, Unteroffizier. He deserves the honor of a soldier. That much I will give him."
And with this, the order was carried out and Rommel watched as his body disappeared in the back of an APC. The feeling of cold washed over him again, and in that moment, Rommel understood.
"That could've been me."
"Heerführer?"
"Nothing. Get me back to the front."
Thank you again OfficerDonNZ, BraveSeeker3, Mandalore the Freedom, JSailer, and PaladinDelta for the assistance.
Sailer also gets credits for writing the 'Mexican standoff'- Desert Fox style.
Sorry Rakton, but you cannot replace Rommel as the greatest tactician...The Desert Fox himself has definately earned his reputation in the galaxy just like he did on Earth:P
And I bet you can make out the 'surprises' I left behind for the readers...The history buffs amongst us that is:)
And the next chapter is the one that you've been waiting for!
The Soviets versus the remaining defenders and the Mandalorians of Clan Fett!
Let see here...Dark Council wanted to invade Earth...Earth conducts a preemptive strike...Empire now just lost their greatest tactician on their sacred planet...And next, the VICIOUS HOUNDS will be unleashed...
Yep. I'll say that the Dark Council will regret making that decision of theirs. As in they'll recieve a clear message from the Earthlings regarding their prowess and why invading the Sol System was a bad idea.
FOR EARTH!
P.S As soon as the Revanite arc is done, you'll read about Earth's first defeat by Imperial forces. I still want to point it out that Earth will not win every engagement, but Korriban is going to be a victory.