Sergeant Samuel David "Sam" Westbrook - First Squad, Third Platoon, D/ Delta Company, Second Battalion, 324th Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, XVIII Airborne Corps, United States Army
Fort Duqua Dar - Quadrant G-19, Coruscant, Coruscant System, Core Worlds, Republic Space, "The Galaxy"
11:16: 15 ATC / November 16th, 1968 - 06:47/6:47 AM
"Well, the big day is here." Sam sighed as he buttoned up the four brass buttons of his United States Army green service uniform jacket with khaki undershirt and black tie. "Hopefully we don't screw this up."
Jake, on the other hand, was lacing up his freshly polished dress shoes for his Service Alphas consisting of a forest green coat, forest green trousers with khaki web belt, a khaki long-sleeve button-up blouse, and a khaki tie with a tie clasp. The Marine also has his ribbons, Expert Qualified (with Expert Requalification clasp) , Distinguished Marksman, Division Rifle Competition (Gold), and Rifle Team Match (Wharton Trophy) badges on the left chest of his coat. "Yeah, I wouldn't want to be placed in a cell next to some guy I arrested years ago." The former Marine Corps 5811 chuckled nervously. "But I'm confident that they'll not dismiss our evidence out of hand. We'll just have to pretend that it was already written in 'High Galactic Standard' when we found it."
"Ah, not a bad idea. High Galactic Standard is literally just plain English and Latin letters." Sam chuckled. "Even the known coincidences in this galaxy are just giving us the strategic advantage."
"No need to say that twice." Jake grinned. "Though to be fair, the exotic burgers at times look more appetizing than the C-Rats."
"Touchè."
Specialist Regid Zira - Twenty-First Infantry Regiment, Republic Army and covertly a member of the Order of Revan
Fort Duqua Dar - Quadrant G-19, Coruscant, Coruscant System, Core Worlds, Republic Space, "The Galaxy"
11:16: 15 ATC / November 16th, 1968 - 07:00/7:00 AM
'Looks like they're leaving now.' Zira thought as he watched the two targets peering out of the room, comically acting as if they were watching out for any assassins appearing out of the blue but the Revanite knew that because of the sudden wariness, his job was going to be harder than anticipated. The cultist was about to draw his blaster pistol to take the targets down when by luck the gunman noticed an arriving detachment of American Army Military Policemen now blocking his view.
"A close protection detail?"
"By order of the committee. With two witnesses testifying against corruption of an espionage organization, it's wise to take precautions." The lead MP reasoned.
'So much for a clear shot.' Regid lamented as the opportunity was taken away from him due to unforeseen prior arrangements. Usually, the Republic relied on Jedi and specialized protection teams for such tasks but the man began cursing himself for not thinking of contingencies.
And then immediately after they left, Zira's holocommunicator pinged. The devout Revanite was dreading the unexpected call as his day so far was one of bad luck yet despite his misgivings, he knew that the call couldn't be delayed and begrudgingly answered.
Regid's eyes widened in shock as the call was by nonother than the esteemed Revan himself!
"Did you take them out of the picture?"
"Regrettably, they were under heavy guard, My Lord." Zira confessed, hoping that the failure through circumstances would be forgiven. "I didn't have a clear shot."
"Blast...Well, we're gonna have to go with Plan B and take them out in the room before they could spew anything." Revan relented as if he sensed his follower's unease. "Also, make sure you have Meyer pay for his conceited obscenity. He doesn't know what I have been through."
The devout follower of Revan was irritated at the revelation of the insult. No one, absolutely no one insulted Revan, the man who saved the Republic in her darkest hour and now on a crusade to save the entire galaxy from the one who wants to eat everything away out of self-worship. "As you wish, My Lord."
Committee to Investigate Manaan - Fort Duqua Dar, Quadrant G-19, Coruscant, Coruscant System, Core Worlds, Republic Space, "The Galaxy"
11:16: 15 ATC / November 16th, 1968 - 08:00/8:25 AM
"Sergeant? Private? You know why you were brought before us today?"
"We do, sir." Samuel answered as he was the senior ranking of the pair.
"Very well. So, Sergeant, were you aware that Agent Shan was using you to rob medical technology from an alien scientist named Gorima?"
"Respectfully, sir, it wasn't a robbery." Westbrook replied. "Agent Shan of the Strategic Information Service was investigating what occurred on Tython and noticed that there was an odd linkage between Korriban as well. We also have some evidence, though unfortunately minor, to prove that this is a conspiracy between Colonel Darock and Darth Arkous to participate in a well-orchestrated coup against both the Galactic Republic and the Sith Empire."
"Well, it isn't the first time such craziness transpired here." Another board member sighed. "Apparently some Malgus pulled off a stunt on Illum that unbelievably caused the Republic and Empire to cooperate but that might be an overreaction."
Jake out of the corner of his eyes saw one of the Republic troopers off to the side raising his rifle and a Jedi standing at another corner reaching down for his lethal flashlight, both gazing predictably at the pair's location to make their intentions clear.
"TAKE COVER!" Meyer warned the assembled military officials and witnesses, forcing the assembly to seek shelter behind the desks or instinctively drop to the floor.
Two of the United States Army MPs fired their M14s from the doorway and other American Military Policemen drew and fired their M1911A1 pistols at the threat and riddled the two assassins with lead before they would be able to carry out a mobster-style massacre.
"What the-"
"Sir, respectfully, this is much bigger than some robberies of ancient artifacts and Manaan is minor of the three occurrences." Jake explained. "We got dragged into investigating something that is more ambitious than the coups in Ancient Rome."
"And loons believe that Oswald was apart of a grand conspiracy when he unsuccessfully tried to kill the President but this is different." The Colonel nodded, still understandably shaken up the quick gunfight inside the hearing room. "We'll investigate your claims of a conspiracy as best as we can but this, unfortunately, will require assistance with the Republic."
Captain Talia Mayveri - Senate Guard and secret Revanite
Supreme Chancellor office - Senate Building, Senate District, Galactic City, Coruscant, Coruscant System, Core Worlds, Republic Space, "The Galaxy"
11:16: 15 ATC / November 16th, 1968 - 14:15/2:15 PM
"What do you mean that this didn't occur! I saw it before my eyes!" The Colonel snapped before his eyes widened with realization."You're apart of this, aren't you!?"
"Guards! Escort the Colonel outside." The Captain in charge of the Chancellor's security detail ordered. "We don't need a paranoid lunatic around Your Excellency and warning her about some unfounded plot!"
"Yes, sir."
Mayveri supervised the forced eviction of the meddlesome Earthling then immediately contacted Revan with an update.
"My Lord, we failed. Judging by our 'friend' my men are dealing with currently, both Americans have somehow successfully convinced the Investigating Committee of their findings and surely Patton knows about it by now. All we can do is delay them bureaucratically."
"Not a bad idea."
"My lord?"
"The Earth Coalition can work against us but if the Republic government or military is unable to assist them in countering us, then they can't do anything."
"What about the Colonel? We can't kill him as that would cause more suspicion, nevermind keeping him against his will."
"Try to wipe his memories, use cocktails if you need to."
Six Star General George Smith Patton, Junior- Commander of the Unified Earth Coalition
Aboard the RNS Perseverance- Valor-class Cruiser
11:16: 15 ATC / November 16th, 1968 - 15:25/3:25 PM
"It seems like we can't do anything." Heinrich muttered as Patton read the documents from his desk. "Colonel Holland tried to get an appointment with the Chancellor afterwards but he came back bruised and didn't remember anything during and after his visit. In fact, he thought he completely missed the committee he was supposed to conduct."
"Obviously they have more supporters than we can count as it sounds like they infiltrated even the Chancellor's office." Patton determined. "For all I know, the entire Republic naval crew aboard this ship are Imperial infiltrators who are supportive of the two rogues." Bandito doubted there was an underground cult worshipping a long lost man claimed by the two witnesses and instead was leaning more toward the Imperial infiltration theory per the official memorandum produced by the board he held in his hands yet Old Blood and Guts smirked as 'goose chase' came to mind. "We got to pretend it was a wild goose chase and there's no credible threat."
"Sir? How many people so far know about this datapad, other than us and the discoverers?"
"The Committee, the Guards of the Committee, one of the discoverer's fathers, and Rommel as I don't trust Zhukov. That's honestly it."
"Trust works both ways afterall." The aide nodded, understanding the wisdom of not giving the Commie everything. "Okay, so should I typed the report as inconclusive or…"
"Actually, have it as the datapad was damaged en route to the committee and therefore while we doubt the validity of said supposed elaborate conspiracy of a coup de'tat, we'll offer our open cooperation with the Republic and the neutral world of Manaan with the investigation."
"What about our actual response?"
"We need to find people we can trust without question, those who are not one of Saresh's yes men or a suspected undercover agent of whatever faction committed this and proceed from there. Also, I'm going to regret this but get Monty on the horn. I'm approving the proposal and his...specialist is now going to need to kill two birds with one stone."
Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery - 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein and Commander of Her Majesty's Commonwealth Forces of the 'True British Empire'
Aboard the RNS Perseverance- Valor-class Cruiser
11:16: 15 ATC / November 16th, 1968 - 16:19/4:19 PM
"Evening, sir." The requested individual in his sharp white collared undershirt with a bowtie and black tuxedo announced his presence at the doorway of Bernard's office.
"Agent Bond, please do have a seat." The Field Marshal greeted the exact man he had in mind for this critical assignment. "Would you like some tea? I'm aware that you are quite fond of martinis but we don't have any available I'm afraid."
"Please. It truly has been a long trip."
A British Second Lieutenant, who Bond assumed was an orderly, immediately exited the office to retrieve the desired refreshments, which also allowed the pair to conduct part of their meeting in private.
"I'm going to get straight to the point, 007, as I'm glad MI6 can spare you for this mission. The rest of the known universe is wackier than we have ever imagined so, I need you to kill two birds with one stone."
007 raised an eyebrow at the use of the expression. "Kill two birds with one stone, sir?"
"General Patton himself is wanting you to infiltrate the Supreme Chancellor's office to uncover any plans she has regarding both Earth and the Empire. We also need you to find any evidence of infiltration either by the Imposters or these so-called Revanites in the high office as if the Chancellor is not a threat, these Revanites potentially will."
"I understand the Imposters but Revan-?"
"Revanites or…" Monty glanced at the sheet laid on top of his desk to confirm the designation. "The Order of Revan. Romeo-Echo-Victor-Alpha-November-India-Tango-Echo-Sierra."
"Revanites. Understood." Bond nodded."Anything else I need to know?"
"We already have a detailed sketch of the Chancellor's office courtesy of the recollections from a few Military Policemen who escorted Patton recently. Study them well but prepare for the unexpected."
"I will not fail." Bond grinned. "I'm the best in the business after all."
Woah, the Revanites tried to kill two of the main characters off but failed big time.
Yet Revan thinks there's a way to adapt to the sudden bloodhounds tracking him by setting up fences.
And you know, if you've been paying close attention to every scene so far in regards to characters (i.e. Sullivan and Roebuck, Gaines Minoso and Conlin, Reznov and Dimitri, Oddball, a mention of Indiana Jones...) this is "PARTIALLY" a multi-crossover in addition to being an alternate history story and for those who thought 007 from both the timeline and a line uttered by The Spartan General back in chapter 18 about the exact man for the job, you are one hundred percent correct with your guess :)
Yes, Bond, James Bond himself (The Sean Connery version, FYI) has officially arrived in the galaxy!
Buckle up and enjoy the ride, this story will still have some significant twist and turns :D