Shattered Lylat: The Fragmentation War
Disclaimer 7: Husky and Bulldog Squadron belong to Nintendo. However, the characters of the pilots belong to me. William "Bishop" Black belongs to me, as does Sergeant Tom Janson.
Chapter 8
"Do ya see something out there?" –Sarge, Red vs. Blue
"It's quiet…too quiet" –Peppy, Starfox 64
***
Katina, Sept. 24, 2550, 1335 hoursThe Black Knight and the Great Fox dropped out of hyperspace within seconds of one another. Ed looked out from the bridge of the Black Knight. He saw Katina directly ahead of them, as well as numerous Cornerian warships in various stages of repair. Ed noticed grimly that few ships had survived the Battle for Corneria unscathed.
Well, at least most of us are still alive. Ed thought. Suddenly, the vidcom opened, and Lt. General Magnusson's face appeared.
"Good to see you arrived in one piece, Captains." Magnusson said "I'd like to see you both ASAP at my office on board the Thunderbird."
"I'll be there in 5 minutes." Ed said
"Same here." Fox replied from the bridge of the Great Fox.
The comms closed, and Ed headed for the hangar bay. He saw Mark was tuning up his Arwing, which had sustained a few minor hits during the fighting.
"Mark, I have to meet with Lt. General Magnusson. You're in command until I get back. There shouldn't be too much for you to do, ROB-2 is just putting us into standard orbit around the planet." Ed said
"Got it." Mark replied.
Ed jumped into his Arwing and flew towards the Leviathan-class battleship Thunderbird, serving as a de-facto command ship for the fleet that was going to Zoness.
*** Office of Lt. General Ron Magnusson, CDS Thunderbird, 5 minutes laterEd entered the Lt. General's office, Fox following close behind. The falcon seated behind the desk looked up and greeted them.
"Ed, Fox. Good to see you"
Ed and Fox saluted "It's good to see you too, sir." Fox said.
"Knock of that 'sir' crap." Magnusson said "If your father heard that…"
"Wait…you two know each other?" Ed asked even as Fox flinched slightly at the mention of his father.
"Yes. Fox and I go back a ways." Magnusson said
"Yeah. Magnusson was the 4th member of the original Starfox team. After Pigma's…betrayal, he went after Pigma, alone."
"Things didn't go so well. The whole Star Wolf team showed up, and I was nearly killed." Magnusson said continuing the story. "Instead of staying with the all but destroyed Starfox team, I returned to the CDF, and quickly rose up in the ranks to where I am now."
"Is this why Acting-Admiral Gestahl has a hatred towards mercs?" Ed asked
"Probably. He took twice as long to reach the equivalent naval rank as me. But enough aside, I didn't call you two in here for a history lesson." Magnusson said as he hit a button and a monitor behind him displayed casualty reports from the battle.
"As you can see, casualties were heavy, especially on the ground. The worst off were the Training Cadre. Their Second Regiment is all but a memory, the first is at 75% effectiveness…and Lt. General Frank Kent is dead."
"Wait, I thought he was only a Lieutenant?" Ed asked
"That's what it formally said on his papers, but in reality, and especially during wartime, he held a Lieutenant General ranking."
"How did he die?" Ed asked, curious as to how the Academy Headmaster had met his end.
"He was running towards his Arwing when the Academy was attacked by bombers. Despite the bombings damaging the hangar where his Arwing was, he somehow managed to get his fighter into the air, and he took out 10 enemy fighters before being cut apart by a Gladiator. His fighter was blown to bits, and he didn't punch out." Magnusson said
"At least he went out fighting, just as he taught us to." Ed said.
"Horrible way to lead by example." Fox said, then he quickly tried to refocus the conversation. "What are the total loss estimates for ground and aerospace forces?"
"The CDF suffered over 60% ground force losses, and around 40% aerospace force losses. The DSF suffered about 40% ground loss and 45% aerospace loss, but they still have all of the MODLs."
"Navy losses?" Ed asked
"The DSF escaped without any further warship losses, which is good, since we didn't do as well." Magnusson said. "In addition to the Guardian and the Hood, we lost over 40% of our warships. Of those still remaining, 25% are heavily damaged, and some of those may be only good for scrap. As for dropships, we didn't lose any, fortunately"
"I'm guessing we didn't inflict as many losses on the Imperials." Ed said
"Close. We inflicted heavy losses to them, but they have reserves. And we don't. All in all, they suffered 40% ground force loss, 60% aerospace loss, and 40% of their warships. But as I said, they have reserves. The only place we decimated them was in dropships. Over half the dropships they used in the invasion were destroyed, those MODLs really made a difference."
"So. You're saying that things could've been worse." Fox said
"Much worse. However, There's another reason why I called you here. I want to know where the Phantron is, as well as the Davidsons and General Pepper."
"Well, Captain Kage came up with the idea of having the Phantron hide out in the asteroids for about 24 hours, and then jump in to Katina with the Davidsons and General Pepper. It will throw the Imperials off guard and keep the Royal Family safe." Ed said. "I had my doubts about the plan, but it seemed like a safe bet. It's almost certain the Imperials are keeping tabs on fleet movements at Katina."
"You're right about the Imperials spying on us. Our patrols have had skirmishes with enemy recon vessels near the jump points." Magnusson replied. "While I also have my doubts about Captain Kage's plan, it's too late to do anything now. Let's just hope the plan works."
"It will." Ed said, "At least, that's what I think."
"Well, the last plan we had worked. The Ikaruga made it here safely, right?" Fox asked.
"Yes indeed." Magnusson says. "Captain Forrest says the ship and its 75,000 civilian passengers are safe, thanks to your efforts. The ship is currently landed outside Katina City, to take on 75,000 more passengers."
"I guess we're preparing for worst case scenario?" Ed asked
"Which is?" Magnusson asked
"If the Imperials get pissed that we keep escaping them they're going to get genocidal and kill every Katinan and Cornerian they can find." Ed said.
"Unfortunately, yes, that is the worst case scenario." Magnusson said
"They won't do it." Fox said "They can't. It would suck the fun out of ruling over us."
"Good point." Ed said. "Besides, they have no clue where the underground cities on Corneria are, and they'll have a hard time looking if Ackerson does his job."
"Pretty much. Anyway," Magnusson continued, "I have an assignment for you two. I want you to bring the Black Knight and the Great Fox down to the planet, and land near the Ikaruga. Basically, I want your command ships to guard the Ikaruga for the time being. Also, I want your squadrons running patrols with Bulldog and Husky Squadron. I don't expect an immediate attack, but it's best to be on the safe side."
"Got it." Ed said
"Whatever you want." Fox said
"Good. You two are dismissed." Magnusson said.
Ed and Fox saluted and left the room.
***
Black Knight, 5 minutes laterEd walked onto the bridge. "Magnusson has ordered us to land the Black Knight near the Ikaruga and guard it. Make it so, ROB-2"
"Affirmative" ROB-2 began entering the necessary commands for planetary landing.
"And what are we supposed to do in the meantime?" Mark asked
"We are running patrols with Starfox, Husky, and Bulldog Squadrons." Ed said
"Hmm…Billy will be happy to know he gets to go back to his squadron." Mark said in reply.
"For now." Ed said somberly. "The Imperials are coming for us…and they ain't happy. It's just a question of when. That's why we have to patrol the planet for the time being."
"I know that." Mark said "I'm just trying to remain optimistic."
"Well, whatever works. Let's just get out there and patrol the area. I don't feel like getting surprised like we did on Corneria. I'm not going to have any Apocalypse missiles raining down on the planet on my watch."
Ed and Mark sprinted to the hangar bay, where Billy, Karl, and Damien were preparing their own Arwings for patrol.
"All right, you know the drill. Normal CAP. Report any anomalous readings. By the way Billy, you're being reattached to Husky Squadron, effective immediately."
"Got it." Billy said with a grin.
The 5 Arwings rocketed out into space, and towards Katina as the Black Knight slowly followed them.
Katina, 2 hours later9 Arwings and 16 Wolfhound fighters flew amongst the CDF and DSF warships on patrol. 4 Arwings belonged to BlackWolf, 4 belonged to Starfox, and 1 temporarily belonged to Husky Squadron, as Will didn't have another Wolfhound yet. Will was flying in formation with the 16 wolfhounds belonging to Husky Squadron
"BlackWolf-1 here, This grid is clear, moving to the next one." Ed reported
"Husky-1 copies" said Captain Bill Grey. "We're moving to investigate grid 4"
"Affirmative," Ed said "We're proceeding to gird 12 as planned."
"Starfox-1 reporting," said Fox McCloud "grid 7 is clean. Proceeding to grid 8."
"We've been out here two hours…something had better show up!" Falco complained over the open channel.
"I feel the same way, Falco, but bitching about it isn't going to make anything happen." Fox replied.
***
Grid 4, Katinan orbit fringe, 2 minutes laterThe 17 fighters belonging to Husky Squadron flew into grid 4. Grid 4 was a mostly nondescript area of space, save for the abandoned wreck of the CDS Delgado, a Justice-class frigate that had barely survived the jump in from Corneria. The crew had to evacuate it after it suffered hull breaches following jump-in, which compromised the structural integrity field and power core containment.
"Look sharp, there was an ambush here a few hours ago." Bill Grey said
The fighters flew amongst the debris, sensors at maximum, trying to weed out any Imperial recon vessels. As William "Bishop" Black flew near the wrecked frigate, he noticed a faint reading near the wreck of the Delgado.
"Husky-12 here," Billy said into his comm, "I'm picking up faint readings near the Delgado."
"Can you confirm the readings, Bishop?" Bill Grey asked Will
"I'll take a look." Billy said "Somebody back me up."
"Husky-11 reporting, I'll back up Bishop." Said Sergeant Tom Janson, a red fox. Janson's Wolfhound formed up alongside Will's Arwing on the port side.
Will and Tom cautiously approached the hulk of the Delgado.
"Reading's still faint, moving in closer." Will said
When he was only a few kilometers from the wreck. 10 Flankers and 15 Invader IVs suddenly flew out from the wreck, guns blazing
"SHIT!!!" Billy shouted as he jinked and boosted to barely avoid a barrage of lasers and gattling fire. "It's an ambush!"
Tom and Billy flew past the enemy units and turned around, lasers and missiles pecking away at the MACS. They began to fly back towards the rest of Husky and Bulldog Squadrons when the sensors lit up.
"Enemy capital ship emerging from hyperspace!!!" Bill Grey shouted.
An Armageddon-class Ballistic Missile Cruiser dropped out of hyperspace, and began burning towards Katina. 40 Invader IVs and 20 Gladiators flanked the ship.
"They're going to launch an Apocalypse strike on the planet!" Tom Janson shouted as he fried an Invader IV with his Wolfhound's lasers.
"Attention BlackWolf and Starfox!" Bill Grey shouted into his comm "We have an enemy missile cruiser in Grid 4! We are under heavy attack! Please assist!"
"BlackWolf-1 copies, on the way." Ed Wallace said
"Starfox-1 copies, inbound. ETA 30 seconds" reported Fox McCloud.
Bill closed the comm, and then quickly barrel rolled to deflect a barrage of bullets from and enemy Flanker. He flew behind the enemy MAC and blew it in half with an LRM barrage. Screw 30 seconds. This fight could be over in 3 if I'm not careful. Bill grimly thought.
***
"So, Fox, bitching about it doesn't make anything happen?"
"Shut up Falco, this isn't funny" Fox shot back
"I agree. It was all just one hell of a coincidence." Ed said
"Call it what you will, I still say I'm psychic" Falco laughed.
"That's enough, we have a bigger issue now than avian clairvoyance." Karl Riker said, "We have to stop the Missile Cruiser."
"He's right." Mark said, "What's your call, Ed?"
"We handle the cruiser while Starfox hits the fighters and MACS."
"Sounds like a plan, kid." Peppy said
"Don't call me 'kid', old-timer." Ed shot back lightheartedly.
"Noted"
The 8 Arwings flew into the whirling melee, lasers and LRMS felling MACS and fighters. Ed watched as a gattling barrage blew Bulldog-4 apart, and then Billy and Tom cut down the Flanker responsible.
"Nice shooting, Billy." Ed said
"Thanks. Need some help?"
"Maybe, I need to find a quick way to touch off the missile bays on the Armageddon." Ed said as he fragged 3 Invader IVs with a Flechette Maverick Torpedo.
"I have an idea," Damien said. "We fire all at once on the bays. It should drop the shields, and destroy any armor protection, and then…"
"…You're cooking with gas." Janson said completing the idea.
"I like it, a quick and dirty end to 14 nuclear missiles. Let's do it. All available ships, follow my lead." Ed said.
The BlackWolf Arwings, Billy's Arwing, and Janson's Wolfhound flew in, lasers, missiles, and Maverick Torpedoes flew on target, blasting away at the Imperial Missile ship's shielding, then the armor of the missile bays protecting the Apocalypse missiles, and then the warhead of missile #8. The missile exploded, and then took every other missile with it. The blast ripped away the front of the Armageddon in a hellish blast, and then caused the back end to twist and contort as more explosions shook it. The lights dimmed, and the ship spun slowly as the decks violently decompressed.
"Nothing like fireworks to celebrate success, eh?" Janson asked
"You know it." Ed laughed.
"All enemy units are breaking off or have been destroyed. Good work everyone." Bill reported. "Return to normal patrol patterns."
***
Katina, 5 hours later- After 5 hours, nothing else out of the ordinary happened. Ed flew his Arwing in a reentry pattern to the Black Knight.
As he brought his fighter into the hangar bay of his command ship, Ed noted that the Prometheus was also part of the landing guard around the Ikaruga. He saw DSF and Training Cadre MACS standing guard around the massive ark as transport trucks began loading civilians onto the ship.
As soon as he parked his Arwing, a transmission came in from the bridge. "Admiral Smith would like to speak with you." ROB-2 said.
"I'm on my way to the bridge," Ed said.
"Actually, he wants to talk to you face to face."
"Okay, then, tell him I'll be right over."
***
Bridge of DSS Prometheus, Katina, 2 minutes later
The elevator doors to the bridge opened, and Ed Wallace stepped on to the bridge of the Prometheus, a Bayonet-class warship, found only in the DSF. The ship, as he had seen, had a wedge shaped bridge section, attached to a brick-shaped Engineering Section. The two sections were attached by a 45-foot long diagonal shaft, which housed the elevator Ed had taken up.
"Captain Ed Wallace reporting…Admiral" Ed said, as he slowly saluted. I'm not sure if I should adhere to hierarchy rules here…he's not CDF, but he's fighting alongside us.
"Welcome aboard, Captain." Admiral Kevin Smith said as he returned the salute. "Seeing as how you are the first non-Damocles Industries employed Lylatian to see the inside of a DSF vessel, what do you think?"
"It's a little too white." Ed said. That wasn't an understatement. The interior of the ship's corridors and even the bridge was white with blue trim as the corridor numbers and such. The only other color was grey, and that was the color of the doors.
"You get used to it after a while, although some of the newer naval personnel have to wear shades to deal with the glare," the Panda said half-jokingly in response to Ed's comment. "What I meant was, what do you think of the ship, technology and design wise?"
"I think it's great." Ed said "Despite the somewhat graceful appearance, Prometheus looks like it can do some damage, and from what I've heard, it has. But I'm guessing you didn't call me in here for an outside review of your cruiser…right?"
"Exactly. I'm calling you here because I'd like some input on how I should have my Air Squadrons running patrols tomorrow afternoon, when the Phantron is due in."
"You're running patrol duty?" Ed asked
"At that particular time of day, yes." Smith said "I'm having 7 squadrons of 20 Wolfhound's each out around the planet. I'm also having 40 MACS patrolling along with them. I was planning to use a crossing grid patrol system to cover the extent of the jump-in locations around the planet as quickly as possible. As for guarding the Phantron's LZ, I will have 50 MACS, 25 Landmaster Mk. II battletanks, and 4 MODLs. They will be arrayed around the LZ in a circular formation, with the MODLs in a box around the LZ. The remainng MODLs stay with the Ikaruga." Smith tapped a few buttons, and a computer console displayed all the information he had just spoken.
"Sounds like a good idea. I never thought a Navy officer would know so much about Air Force and Army deployment tactics," Ed said as he looked over the data
"Well, I wasn't always a Naval officer. The DSF has a system of rotational enlistment, to see where recruits fit in. I personally was in the Panzerbjorne, an elite tank battalion made up entirely of ursine soldiers. 6 months later, I flew a few Air Force sorties against Oberon forces. But, once I got into the Navy, I made a design idea for a cruiser that made sure I stayed there, and became the first Admiral of the DSF Navy."
"What design would that be?" Ed asked
"You'll find out soon enough." Smith said cripitcally "But now you should get some rest. Acting-Admiral Gestahl wants to leave within an hour of the Phantron's arrival, and he wants every available soldier ready to guard the fleets as they leave."
"Okay sir, see you tomorrow" Ed said as he saluted and walked off the bridge.
He's a good kid, Smith thought as the elevator doors shut. It would be a terrible shame if he got himself killed. Pilots like him and Fox McCloud are a dying breed.
END CHAPTER 8