Hey, everybody. Back with another chapter.
So, this one will cover the continuing reaction of the US and the Terran Alliance, as well as the reaction of the Jedi. It will end right before the passenger revolt.
Let's get to it.
Chapter 5- A Plan
(The Pentagon, 9:42 AM Eastern Time)
"What's our status?" High General Kvashnin asks. When the American Airlines flight hit the west wing of the Pentagon, the International Command Center was immediately put on full lockdown to ensure the safety of the Joint Command.
"Reports are still coming in from the surface. We have damage reported at least 300 feet into the building, possibly further. All floors in the impact zone have suffered some degree of damage. No word yet on numbers of casualties, but so far have reports of at least 50 dead here in the building, in addition to all those on the airliner," Fleet Admiral Boyce says.
"Any word on fighter response?" Kvashnin asks.
"Yes, General. We have confirmation that at least half of the 352nd is now in US airspace, and we have confirmation that there are fighters over Los Angeles, Chicago, Seattle, Boston, and San Francisco. We have confirmation from ATC at Reagan that one of the squadron commanders, Lieutenant Colonel Rodriguez, as well as his wingman are currently over DC, and Rodriguez was able to get within 150 yards of laser cannon range of the airliner before it crashed," General Ryan says.
"Any word on how the FAA is responding?" Kvashnin asks.
"Yes. We just received word that Ben Sliney, FAA National Operations Manager, has not only ordered a National Ground Stop, but has also just ordered that no international flights are to be allowed into US airspace, and that all currently airborne flights in US airspace are to land at the nearest airport regardless of destination," General Ryan says.
"Well, that should at least clear the airspace, and give us a better idea of the possibility of more hijacked flights," Kvashnin says. He pauses for a moment, then says, "I want to establish direct communication with President Bush right now. Even now, I want to confirm with him that our pilots, as well as US Air Force fighter pilots, have the authority to engage any hijacked flights."
"Understood," General Ryan says.
"Alright. I want a list of the cities most likely to be targeted by any airliners. Any cities that have major attractions or locations that would be likely targets, based on what we've already seen happen. I want to know where we need to send our fighters," Kvashnin orders. He then looks at Boyce and says, "Contact the Repulse. I want the rest of her fighters armed and launched as soon as possible. We need to get more fighters down here if we want to be able to defend the US."
(San Francisco, 6:44 AM Pacific Time)
Adams stares in horror at the images being displayed on his holo display from CNN, showing images of smoke rising over the Pentagon. Now he's certain of it. The United States is under attack.
As he watches the screen, he suddenly remembers Rommel, remembering that he's on a flight from the East Coast that would have taken off around the same time these flights would have. Feeling a slight unease, and feeling that he should at least pass a warning on to Rommel so he could warn the pilots of his flight.
"Daniel, contact the Jedi Council. Make sure they're aware of what's going on. I'm going to contact Dennis, make sure he warns the pilots of his flight," Adams says.
Mofaz nods and activates his commlink, trying to contact the Jedi Temple while Adams tries to contact Rommel.
(Terran Jedi Temple, West Virginia, 9:45 AM Eastern Time)
In the Council Chamber at the Terran Jedi Temple, all the members of the Council, except for Ahsoka, watch as a hologram of Mofaz is generated in the middle of the chamber.
"Masters, I don't know if you are aware, but the United States is under attack. Terrorists have been hijacking aircraft and flying them into buildings. So far, they have hit both towers of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon," Mofaz says.
The Council looks around in shock, having heard nothing yet of these attacks. Finally, Mace Windu looks back at Mofaz and asks, "Are you serious, General?"
"Yes, Master Windu," Mofaz responds.
"Are there any more hijacked airplanes?" Plo Koon asks.
"The FAA apparently has several flights that they believe have been hijacked. They believe Washington is still a target, and possibly Chicago as well. They're not sure about anywhere else. But they seem to believe the threat is far from over," Mofaz says.
"Thank you for bringing this to our attention, General Mofaz. The Council will react as appropriately as we can," Mace says. Mofaz nods, and the transmission is cut off.
The Council looks around at each other before Mace says, "We need to contact the Pentagon and President Bush, as well as the FAA. We need to know what's going on. In the meantime. I want every Knight and every Padawan over the age of 14 to be ready to mobilize at a moment's notice."
(United 93, 9:45 AM Eastern Time)
Rommel looks around at all of the other passengers. A number of passengers have been calling their families, trying to relay information about the hijacking. Rommel hasn't been paying attention too much. He's been laser focused on Haznawi, not taking his eyes off the man, making sure that any movement the young man makes doesn't escape his notice.
Suddenly, his commlink begins to buzz. He looks down at it. He has a cell phone he uses for personal matters. His commlink is used specifically for military matters.
Rommel looks back at Haznawi. He waits for a moment, then he stands up and walks calmly to the lavatory.
As soon as he shuts the door of the lavatory, Rommel pulls out his commlink and answers the call. A hologram of Adams comes up.
"Sam. Just the person I wanted to talk to," Rommel says.
"Dennis. Listen carefully. The United States is under attack. Two commercial airliners flew into the World Trade Center, and a third airliner just flew into the Pentagon a few minutes ago. No word on if any of the Joint Command chiefs were caught in that impact. It's believed that people have been hijacking the planes and flying them into important buildings on purpose. No idea yet who is behind the attacks. I'm calling you to keep you informed and so you can warn your pilots just in case," Adams says.
"Well, your warning came a bit too late, Sam," Rommel says, a bit of despair coming into him as he realizes this is not the kind of hijacking he expected.
"What do you mean?" Adams asks.
"I mean that my plane has already been hijacked. Three, maybe four guys, all with knives, and one with something that he says is a bomb, and one claimed he has a gun, though I don't know about that. They're Middle Eastern for sure," Rommel responds.
Adams is silent for a moment, then says, "You don't think…"
"Yeah, I do," Rommel says. With the information that these are suicide attacks, plus the nationality of the hijackers on his flight, Rommel is getting increasingly suspicious that al-Qaeda or another Islamic extremist group might be behind it.
The two are silent for several moments before Adams says, "Dennis, your plane's target is likely the Capitol building or the White House. In any case, you cannot allow the plane to hit its target. Even though I'm sure you would do it anyway, I'm ordering you to do whatever it takes to take back control of that plane."
"Yes, sir," Rommel says.
"Godspeed, brother," Adams says before cutting off the transmission.
Rommel slowly returns his commlink to his pocket. He then looks in the mirror for a moment before he slowly turns and walks out of the lavatory.
Rommel makes his way back down the aisle, then stops in the midst of the other passengers, turning to face them all, so his back is to Haznawi, and kneels down.
"Alright, everyone. Here's the deal. I just got off the phone with a friend. He just confirmed to me that terrorists have hijacked three airplanes and flown them into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon," Rommel says. The rest of the passengers gasp in shock and horror, and several cry out loud.
"There's nothing else we can do. We have no choice. We have to attack the hijackers and take back control of the plane. If we don't, we die," Rommel says.
"It's too dangerous," one of the women nearby says.
"Not for me," Rommel says with a slight grin.
The passengers look at him in confusion. One of them, one of the men who had been in first class with him, Tom Burnett, asks, "Why do you say that?"
Rommel smiles a bit more. "Well, I guess you wouldn't recognize me right now. I haven't been on TV or had a photo published since I grew this beard and mustache or since I got my scar," he says. He pauses for a moment, looking around at everyone, and then says, "My name is Brigadier General Dennis Rommel."
Instantly, relief floods through every single passenger and flight attendant. Rommel is one of the most famous members of the ASAT team. Everyone on Earth knows his exploits during the Battle of Germany and various operations throughout the Clone Wars, including his defeat of Pong Krell, the fact that he was the one who finally killed General Grievous, and that he had dueled Darth Sidious himself and survived.
"Alright. Here's what we're going to do. First of all, I want all of you who can to contact your loved ones before we do anything, just in case this doesn't go right. Now, stewardesses, I want you to grab things we can use as a weapon. Anything heavy or hard that we can use as a weapon. Understood?" he says. The stewardesses all nod in response to his question.
"Now, we've only seen three, but I'm pretty sure there's a fourth we haven't seen. The one who is actually flying the plane. Now, when the moment is right, I'm gonna lead the way. I'm going to go up to the guy with the bomb and break his arm. Once I get the trigger out of his hand, I'll kill him. Then, we go up to the front and take out whoever may be guarding the door into the cockpit. I have my lightsabers with me. Once we get there, I'm gonna use them to cut open the door to the cockpit, and then I'll kill whoever is in the cockpit. Once I've killed them and we get the bodies out of the cockpit, I'll take the controls and fly us to the nearest airport," Rommel says.
"Lightsabers? I thought you only used one?" another passenger, Todd Beamer, asks.
"At first, yes. But, at the end of the Clone Wars, Jedi Master Yoda gave me his lightsaber to hold onto or give to another owner, and I've carried it with me ever since," Rommel says. Several people look at him in awe at that.
"We can do this. First, go call your loved ones. Then, we get ready," Rommel says.
And I'll end there.
So, next chapter will cover the passenger revolt. It'll be up soon. Until then, please leave a review, and stay tuned!