Hey everybird! What's up!?

So the story trailer for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare came out and let me just say that it might just become the best single player campaign for Call of Duty from the looks of it! Boy was it awesome!

Now today I'm not going to do the usual round of the Q and A, because I think I need to remind you all of a few rules for it, the reason being, and I will not name the person, but you know who you are, has forgotten them…

So the rules are:

1. All questions must be asked in your reviews and not in PMs, that way everything is in one place and easier for me to organize, I don't have to go digging through several messages for them. The only exception being that if it's a really private question that you don't want the public eye to see.

2. Only ONE question per person per review! This way everyone is paid an equal amount of attention.

3. No questions that are political, involve hatred for others, mature questions, that kind of stuff.

And I think those were the only rules I have… So it's really not that much to remember at all and I think it's pretty fair and easy to follow. And well if you don't agree with the rules, than you're just going to have to deal with it, because I'm not changing it!

So, moving on from this slightly unpleasant topic…

Chapter 28: Taking a Big Step

(Arthur's POV)

It was a few days after Tyler and I were sent on a mission to Ilum, barely having escaped the First Order and the first clues that the First Order was more powerful than both the New Republic and the Resistance thought before. With the evidence that the First Order was capable of building large ships, presented to the New Republic, the First Order was starting to be seen as a legitimate threat and taken more seriously. Only they debated much more, endlessly in the Senate building on Hosnian Prime, rather than readying the fleet, as Grandpa Blu told us, "Politicians are not soldiers, they don't understand the reality of the situation and while soldiers know to rush into action as soon as possible, politicians love to argue back and forth."

Anyway, Grandpa Blu gave Tyler and I some rest, giving some missions for our other pilots as we both spent a lot of time in the rec room or just maintaining our fighters, but we always made sure to make time to call mom and dad, let them know we both were well and reassure them we would return home one day when this was all over.

"So how's your shoulder son?" Dad asked me as he was looking at my shoulder as Alex was projecting his image and mom's as well.

"Much better dad, boy did it hurt to get shot…" I commented as I moved my shoulder a little, to show mom and dad I could move it without the pain hurting me too much.

"It was worse that we got sent to a frozen wasteland…" Tyler commented as he always been saying that ever since we got back, not letting anyone forget it.

"Try spending at least a year on Hoth son." Mom rolled her eyes. "You would get used to the cold by than and even be thankful for it."

"You sure mom…" Tyler replied. "I still don't know how you and dad did it…"

"Neither do I son, but we did." Dad chuckled, but then got serious. "Anyway, before you ask, the Senate is still debating endlessly on an open declaration of war, I'm sorry to say that your mother and I will not be joining the fight anytime soon."

"It's okay mom and dad, you two already did so much, why do you think we're here?" I smiled.

"That's what I like to hear from my boys." Mom smiled. "I'm proud that you two came into this galaxy, although sometimes I still wish things could be different, however I'm glad you two inherited your father and I's traits."

"Thanks mom." Tyler and I said at the same time.

"Well, your mother and I better get back to our jobs, can't keep our cadets waiting." Dad said. "We love you boys, stay safe."

"And that goes for you too Alex, love you buddy." Mom finished as she turned around in her holographic image to look at her droid given to me.

As Alex shut off the projector from his droid eye, Tyler and I decided to head off to the rec room, to play some Dejarik, in which Tyler has been losing constantly, never getting a hang of the game no matter how hard he tried, even Tally has been winning most of the games with Tyler, which really embarrassed my brother.

"So, ready to lose again brother?" I joked to Tyler.

"Yeah right, I'm going to win most of the games this time, I can feel it." Tyler staying confident in his gaming skills while I rolled my eyes.

So with the game board in between us, Tyler and I sat down and started playing, moving around the holographic projections of different creatures, striking blows and well as usual Tyler ended up losing three games in a row as the third game ended with my rancor smashing his last creature to bits.

"I swear you're cheating…" Tyler complained as he was very sour.

"Man, you're such a cocky pilot and yet bad at a simple broad game, how is that even possible?" I laughed as Alex and Ashley also laughed as well.

"Don't make me replace you Ashley, you're supposed to be on my side." Tyler spoke sternly to the droid.

"Don't blame the droid Tyler, blame yourself." I replied as a new voice joined in.

"So Tyler still on the losing streak?" The voice asked as Tyler and I turned to see Poe, in his flight suit, with his helmet tucked under his arm.

"Hey Poe, I see you're back from your mission to Byss, how was it?" I asked.

"Not too exciting, we only encountered light enemy force and achieve our objectives." Poe answered as he took a seat. "Still wondering when we're going to tackle something bigger, or at least have a bigger battle than what we have been doing so far."

"One day we will, I'm sure." I replied as I reset the game board.

"Yeah and when that day comes, we'll be ready and make the First Order run with their tails behind their backs." Tyler expressed his eagerness.

Little did I know that soon enough we would get that wish, although it would not go as Tyler thought it will…

A Few Weeks Later…

As the New Republic Senate debated on and on, we did get a little more support in the form of a handful of small ships, several corvettes and frigates to help provide proper organization and leadership for bigger missions that involve more than just a few pilots and that time came as Tyler, Poe, and I were called to attend a briefing for a new mission as there were several other officers present, of course including Grandpa Blu.

"Alright everyone, this mission is of vital importance." General Organa started as everyone of high rank that would take part in the mission was present. "We have received a distress call from the mining colony on Hays Minor in the Otomok system, the First Order has been forcing the people there to mine the resources for their war machine, but for the past few days now they have been gone and only the people down there remain, we're going to help them move to another, more safer world, Colonel Blu." General Organa letting Grandpa Blu take over the briefing.

"We will be taking two of the corvettes, some transports, as well as Black and Blue squadrons to provide escort." Grandpa Blu started. "I will be leading the operation from the Valiant, one of the corvettes. Black Squadron, you will be escorting the transports down to the surface to extract any survivors while Blue Squadron stays up with the corvettes in case any trouble shows up, any questions?"

"You're actually going on this mission sir?" I asked.

"Indeed I am Commnder Arthur, you expected me to stay here all the time?" Grandpa Blu winking at me quickly. "Anymore questions?" Grandpa Blu asked, of there was none.

"Get to your ships than and be ready within two hours." General Organa finishing up. "May the Force be with you all."

So as everyone left to get ready, Tyler and I got our pilots up and told them the mission as they prepared for the operation, refueling their fighters and making sure all systems were in working condition. As it was time to commence the operation, Tyler and I climbed into our cockpits, turning on our engines as I got on comms to the whole squadron.

"Alright Blue Squadron, play your part and this mission will go smoothly and you'll be back in no time." I spoke.

"Copy that sir." Tyler replied as I got replies back from the rest of the squadron as I got the go ahead from the ground crews, turning up the engines to full power as I lifted off and climbed through the atmosphere, followed by the rest of the squadron, with Poe and Black Squadron flying alongside us.

As we got into space, we could see the two corvettes, CR 90s, old ships from the past war, ready with the transports docked underneath them as the two fighter squadrons took up formation around the two larger ships. As everyone was set and ready to go, Grandpa Blu's voice entered through comms.

"To all ships, ready to go into hyperspace in three, two…" Grandpa Blu's voice said as I saw the two corvettes start to make the jump as I myself pressed the button as we all entered hyperspace.

Coming out of hyperspace after a trip of a few hours, of which I took a nap to rest up and be refreshed for the operation, we arrived nearby Hays Minor… The planet didn't look good, it was an icy world like Ilum, only this world seemed more populated and broken as there were visible dark spots on the surface, evidence of stripmining. Luckily it wasn't the job of Blue Squadron to join in on the evacuation , I didn't wish to know what the survivors, if there were any, have been going through. There wasn't much time to think about that as Grandpa Blu's voice cut in again.

"Okay Black Squadron, begin the operation, escort the transports down there and see if you can find anyone and bring them back." Grandpa Blu ordered as I heard Poe reply, "Copy that" through comms as I saw his squadron break off and join the transports undocking from the corvettes. "Blue Squadron, take up a defensive formation around the corvettes and keep your scanners active for any approaching contacts."

"Yes sir." I acknowledged as I relayed the order back to Blue Squadron as the squadron broke off into pairs, circling around the CR 90s, keeping watch in case the First Order decided to show up.

And well so far there was nothing as Poe sent back updates on the progress of the evacuation, but there were more survivors than expected and so it would take several trips back and forth to bring all of them. Which meant more time spent here and a greater chance that we would still be here if the First Order showed up.

"I don't like this…" I told Tyler as he was flying alongside me as we made what felt like our tenth complete circle around the perimeter. "This feels too easy."

"Oh come on brother, you should enjoy it while it lasts, we're lucky the First Order hasn't shown up yet, at this pace we'll be out of here pretty soon." Tyler explained as he felt relieved, not that I blamed him, I mean Tyler and I did have a chance encounter with the First Order on Ilum.

"Okay, seems like we have the last survivors onboard the transports and finished sweeping the colony for any signs that we missed any." Poe's voice entered through comms. "Coming back up."

"Copy that Black Leader, well done." Grandpa Blu's voice replied as I rolled my eyes as I now I wished it was blue Squadron's job to go down there so Grandpa Blu could say that to me.

As I saw Black Squadron, in a defensive formation around the group of transports, exit Hays Minor's atmosphere and back into space, things went very wrong right away…

"What the hell!?" I shouted as a barrage of green laser fire lit up my cockpit view as a massive hull of a warship came from above as I quickly moved, twisting and turning as I made myself a difficult target.

Refocusing and keeping my nerves intact, I saw the rest of Blue Squadron take evasive action as I saw one of the corvettes being targeted as turbolasers impacted the much smaller ship's shields, breaking through as fires shot out and huge holes opened up into space, the corvette's crew being ejected out into space as they die quickly, their lifeless bodies floating off into space as the corvette itself exploded. I really hoped in the Force it wasn't where Grandpa Blu was and luckily it wasn't as I saw the other corvette being dragged against its will towards the ambushing star destroyer.

"To all remaining forces, retreat!" Grandpa Blu's voice shouted out. "We are being pulled by a tractor beam here and have no means of escape, take the transports and get out of here!"

"Sir, we can't just leave you…" I started as Grandpa Blu's voice came back strong and trying very hard to not sound emotional…

"That's an order Blue Leader!" Grandpa Blu shouted. "Run!"

I had to make a quick decision, but there was no other option for me, Grandpa Blu is like family to Tyler and I, for him to be captured by the First Order…

"Poe, come in…" I turned on comms.

"Yes Arthur?" Poe asked.

"Get the transports out of here and back to base, I'm staying with Blue Squadron to free Colonel Blu and his ship." I resigned myself to facing a court martial or even possibly death to save Grandpa Blu…

So part of this chapter might sound familiar…

Well if you remember from The Last Jedi, Rose explained what happened to Finn while the two were in Canto Bight, telling Finn how much she hated the First Order because of what they did to her world. And I decided to explain how that went down in my own version and how Rose, even thought I wouldn't really introduce her, at least not yet, came into the Resistance.

And with that said…

See everybird later!