Hey everyone. Thank you thank everyone that read and reviewed the story. I'm glad you guys are enjoying this. There's one last set up chapter. I promise that in the next one, things will go boom. However this one should be interesting all the same. So please read and review.
So without further ado, I give you chapter 3.
The response was rapid. Countries quickly began building up their infrastructure overnight. Weapons and medical R and D firms (private and government) suddenly got a flood of money and resources for new technology. Most international disputes were basically settled or put to the side overnight. Borders were quickly opened as governments worked to make the most of resources and military options. It soon wasn't uncommon to see a Russian supply convoy driving into Poland, German AA guns inside French territory, or joint work crews building bunkers, factories or other necessities. Even North Korea was willing to put things aside for the sake of the fight. While underlying tensions were still visible, world leaders were willing to put them aside for the sake of mutual survival. The only entities that continuously dragged their heels were the Taliban, and ISIS.
(Fort Meade: two weeks later)
Anakin stood at attention in the empty room. Or at least it was almost empty. On the back wall was a massive screen. With help from the Resolute, Anakin was talking to the Jedi council.
"What is the situation on the planet's surface?" Master Mundi asked.
"Tense, Master. The good news is that Earth's leaders are taking the threat seriously. Many of the countries have put aside their differences, at least long enough to form an effective defense. However, there are a few… groups, so to speak, that are still creating problems," Anakin answered.
"How close are they to dealing with them?" asked Master Windu.
"I believe it will be soon. I am meeting with President Damian in two hours to finalize a solution." Anakin answered.
Despite his level tone, all of the masters could see Anakin shift uncomfortably, as a brief rush of dread rippled through the force.
"What of training and mobilization?" quizzed Master Koth.
"Many countries have instituted a draft requiring any man who can fight, to enlist. All militaries are being mobilized," Anakin Reported.
"Good. And the deployment of the clones?" asked Master Yoda.
"They are being deployed as we speak. Obi Wan and his men have deployed to the Eastern Hemisphere, while Me and my men are in the Western Hemisphere," Anakin answered.
"Very good. You and Obi Wan must move with haste. Unfortunately, intelligence has picked up credible intel that Grievous is due to attack within the month," Master Mundi stated.
"Blast it. I thought we had five weeks not three. I thought he still licking his wounds from Kentara," Anakin grumbled.
At this point he didn't even bother hiding his frustration.
"Yes, this we thought too. However, change anything, this does not," Yoda stated.
"Very well. Is there any chance of us seeing reinforcements? I understand that we've held our own in the past, but this isn't most situations," Anakin pressed.
"We are seeing what we can do to free up resources, but in the meantime you must do with what you have," Master Windu answered.
"Very well then. Is there anything else masters?" asked Anakin.
"No. Now go, and may the force be with you," Master Windu concluded.
(Washington DC: six hours later)
Anakin sat outside at the table staring at his cup of half drunk cup of coffee. In truth, after getting over how strong it was, he had fallen in love with the drink (mainly due to the caffeine kick it gave him), but he really didn't have an appetite for anything at the moment. It didn't help that the fear inside the city was nearly enough to suffocate a force sensitive, despite the brave face everyone put on. He knew he needed to sleep, but his emotions and million questions wouldn't grant him sleep. Lights twinkled up and down the dark street. It was empty besides the occasional crowd of people trying to enjoy what was left of their normal lives.
His thoughts were interrupted by the opening of a car door beside him. Turning, he found himself looking at the VP, Hayley Coleman. At first glance, one wouldn't be able to tell that this was her fifth sixteen hour day in a row. However, a closer look told a different story. After giving him a silent nod, she wordlessly disappeared inside the coffee shop. A couple minutes later she reappeared, taking a seat across from him. In her hand was a large cup of what looked like plain, black coffee. The thought of drinking it made Anakin wince. He had tried black coffee once and nearly choked, before drowning it in sugar and creamer. Of course it probably didn't help that he had been at a Navy base, and apparently they were known for excessively strong coffee.
"I thought you had called it a night," Anakin observed.
"Nope. I left and began moving my family out of the city," she answered with a sigh, "I don't want them anywhere near here when things hit the fan."
"Ok. Just as long as you didn't move them to a different major city," Anakin replied.
"Oh God, no. Their on their way to middle-of-nowhere Nevada at my Brother's ranch," Haley answered emphatically.
"Ok, good."
"Where's Ahsoka? I haven't seen her in a while," Hayley asked.
"She's with Rex in route to California to help set up West Coast defenses," Anakin stated, "I'm headed to down south through Central America soon."
"Ok. Well, I think, that for better or worse, we have things down here," she stated.
"I understand. However, I still think the president is making a large mistake," Anakin said with obvious annoyance.
"I do too. Right now, I'm not sure if I'm angry at him or feel sorry for him," she stated, "He isn't taking this lightly, I know that. He's kicked out the speech writers and has spent every possible moment drafting his speech himself. However, at the same time, I still feel that there were other options like letting them get the natural consequence of getting run over by Grievous."
"Well, there's nothing we can do now," Anakin replied as he took a sip of his coffee.
The VPs only response was a silent nod as she drank her coffee. Upon finishing, the two went their own ways with their own jobs to do.
(Kabul, Afghanistan)
Cody stood pouring over a map of the region. When Obi Wan had said they were going into a complicated mess, he hadn't expected anything like this. Cody had made a point of sending scouts and even himself out with various mountain patrols, and had seen for himself that the terrain was perfect for a defensive line. Steep cliffs, harsh weather, few good roads, and jagged, soaring mountain tops would help negate the droids numbers and make it a nightmare to attack.
However, that would only work if they could get everyone to play ball, and get decent enough weapons. Years of guerrilla warfare in the region left Cody with no doubt about their ability to rig up nasty traps and explosives. In fact he had seen it first hand, when the patrol he was apart of got jumped. However, their small arms, as with the rest of the planet, left a lot to be desired, and getting everyone to work together and get over years and years of hard feelings was proving hard.
Cody shook his head, he knew that forming a rigid line would be suicidal. They simply weren't equipped for that, and Cody's men were too spread out across the hemisphere to act as anything other than auxiliary units.
Now he had to explain this to the overly prideful general staring back at him from across the table. Obi Wan had tried to tactfully do it, but it hadn't worked. So now he got to do it.
Summoning up all of authority he could into his attitude, Cody began, "Here's the deal. If you make a solid line, you will die. Period. Sure you may hold off the first wave, maybe even the second. However, they will trap you up there. They will starve you of supplies, and then when you are out of ammo and starving, they will kill you,swiftly and decisively-"
The general went to protest.
"No, I get to finish… If you fade through their lines, you can do what your people did to the Russians and Americans… what the Taliban is doing to you. You hold them until you start to break. Then you fade through and attack their supply lines, communication centers, ammunition dumps, everything. From there you can trade out weapons and begin to get bolder. Frankly that is your only option."
The bluntness started to get through to the man.
"What about your men? Surely we can see some support from them?" pressed the man.
"We will do what we can, but we're spread thin," Cody answered.
"Fine, but we will not just stand by and let them take our homes," stated the man as he brought his hand down, firmly on the table.
"We're not asking that. We're just asking that you be logical," Cody affirmed.
"Good, then let us finish preparation."
(White House: Four hours later)
President Damian sighed as he slumped down at his desk. With everyone gone for the night, he wasn't worried about looks. He was just relieved that he finally got the speech done. Explaining what he was about to do was no easy task, especially now, and especially considering that he, himself, didn't like the idea. However, he saw no other choice. Everyone in the region, including Israel, had managed to sign into a collision (fear makes people do crazy things), except ISIS, which was holding land that the collision needed. This made war the only option. However, Damian was going to make sure that this was another Six Days War, not some drawn out affair.
At that moment, a general entered the room.
"Sir, the last of the evacuees just cleared Syrian airspace three hours ago," he reported.
"Good and the Rangers?" the President asked.
"The last ones are over the Western Mediterranean," the man answered.
"Good, I'll be down in a minute. I want the briefcase there when I arrive," the President ordered.
"Yes sir."
As the man left, Damian let out a sigh as he paced stared out the window.
God help us all, he thought as a knot formed in his stomach.
(Somewhere over the western Mediterranean)
Lieutenant Pierce shifted in his seat, as he listened to the drone of the engines. Despite multiple attempts to, he had long since given up on sleep. The rest of his platoon had been granted sleep, but it seemed that he was being denied. Sure to the outside observer, it might seem obvious what was keeping him up. C-130s aren't known for comfortable seats, nor were their engines quiet. Tack on the fact that they were bouncing through the edge of a storm and it seemed like no wonder he couldn't sleep. However, it wasn't that. He had dealt with those many times over. The last time had been in route to Syria. The US, still not completely sure how to clean up their mess, had decided to send in Army Rangers with the official duty of keeping the peace as the countries pushed back ISIS. However, their unofficial duty had been to help weed out insurgents. However right now that no longer mattered. At the moment he still couldn't believe that he was going home, only to prepare for an alien invasion. Ironically, it was about the only thing no one talked about on the plane.
"Hey, Lieutenant," called the person next to him.
"Ya?"
"Do you think they'll actually do it?" the Sergeant asked.
"What. Us or the invasion?" Pierce quizzed.
"Us. I mean, if they do, what was the point of us taking a such a hard line with Iran? Heck what was the point of half of our foreign policy since the Cold War?" he answered.
There was a pause as Pierce contemplated the Sergeant's question.
"Unfortunately, it looks like we will. Not like ISIS didn't have it coming. In terms of the morality of the situation, Two Face put it best, 'You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain.' Beyond that, I don't know," he stated solemnly.
"Ok," the Sergeant responded with a slow shake of his head.
It was evident that he didn't like the idea at all. Then again, it wasn't like Pierce was thrilled by the idea either. The rest of the ride was spent in relative silence. Pierce was able to finally get some sleep as the weather cleared. There were two mid air fuelings that turned it into a nonstop flight from Syria to California.
As he landed at the base, he was greeted from a Lieutenant from Raptor Company.
"Hey did you hear the news?" he asked as Pierce went for his barrack.
"What news?"
Wide eyed, the man replied, "They did it. They actually nuked ISIS."