Chapter 5 : The Liberation of Lothal
Lothal
3 km away from Lothal Capital
An overlord drop ship emerged from camo mode as the ship touch down in an open field of rock formations mixed in the plains. Out came the dropship was fire team shadow and Alec himself.
Dozens of Helghast troopers and commandos everywhere doing operations, moving supplies and watching the monitors on tables. Sentries making their patrol rounds around the canyon and the open field. Three Helghast APCs were hidden in the shadows of the cave along with a Helghast hover tank. Vehicles covered with camouflage nest standing on the sides
A team of engineers making final prepares on a squadron of ATACs on the landing pads. A repulsor truck (A German ww2 half-track with repulser engine thruster panels) with a mounted turret on the front and back speed past a group of walking soldiers.
A trio of officers realizing updates from sniper nest and sentries along with contracts from the capital of Lothal. For two weeks, Helghast troops massing in the plain ready to take the capital by force with more troops and supplies being smuggled in every night.
Alec and the rest of the team along with a platoon of light soldiers and regular infantrymen along with divisions of special forces commandos gathering at the staging area inside the cave used as a command centre.
Maps, radios and holo terminals around the cave outline details of troop movement, radio comms and strengths along with a staff of Helghast operatives and officers manning their stations. One of the consoles showcases a full map of the city of Lothal.
"We realize word that the fleet is on it way to Lothal, we will have to weaken the imperial defences for our surface force to land. The invasion force will arrive in 3 hours." Said the officer pointing at the capital of Lothal.
"The Imperials will have checkpoints to patrols so be on guard at all times. We have divisions at all corners ready to attack."
"Fireteam Shadow and a squadron will take on the imperial high command on Lothal. On his signal, all our platoons will go on the offensive as one" Added another officer. "Helghan is depending on us to take Lothal."
The officer turned to the rest of the troops. "Forget all the vile actions of the imperials, they started this war but in the name of Helghan I promise you that we will finish it."
"We will yank all the imperials down on their knees as they go round eyes of the first Helghast ship land on their doorstep." Boomed the officer. "Glory to Helghan to first and only! When you see the imperials! KILL THEM ALL! MOVE OUT!"
Alec and his team active their helmets with visors and eyepiece growling red.
Imperial Airfield
An airfield filled with a dozen tie fighters and a gunship, a pilot barracks and a control tower along with a squadron of patrolling stormtroopers.
Pairs of troopers patrolled around the fighters during the nighttime, troopers patrolled in the same route keeping their eyes open for any signs of trouble while a AT-PT walking around the perimeter.
An imperial officer holding a cup of caf walking down the stairs connect to the control tower enjoying the drink as he walked towards two troopers standing next to a Tie fighter. The imperials glanced around at the plains for a moment than looking at the stars.
"Heard there were dozen meteor showers last week." Said the trooper to his partner.
"Yeah, I was there." Added the second trooper."Then hear there were dozen rebel actives in the other sector."
The officer standing there took another slip, heard a thump beside him was a body of an officer and then a shot came from nowhere; struck the cup and the officer at the same time as the officer jerk backwards from an unknown force.
Then two troopers next to the officer went down immediately like rag dolls. Their bodies oozing with blood as the imperials draw the weapons to scan for the enemy rushing to the scene. Four troopers were cut down by gunfire.
The trooper raised his blaster then his eye exploded in a show of blood and bits. Two figures in helghast armour with hoods covered their helmets appeared out of nowhere fired on the Imperials. Alec and Akeel rained fire with their assault rifles. The two exchange rolls and slides to cover as they took out stormtrooper after stormtrooper.
A trooper rushing out of the barracks but quickly slash into the throat by a blade as a figure in red and black armour decloak beside a squad of troopers who were caught off guard. Drawing her blades, Ketra twist, kick and stabbed her way through a rushing line of troopers with extreme precision and speed. With her energy shields flicking, Ketra leap and threw two blades into the skulls of two stormtroopers. Using the force to pick up two blaster rifles on the ground, firing duel wield blasters into a pair of troopers trying to open fire on her teammates.
Meanwhile, another three Helghast spiriting for the gunship, as the guards were distracted by the intruders. A hulking commando with the LMG mowing down troopers as shell casings flying. Laughing out loud. "Come and get some you fascist imperial pigs!" Shouted out Eli turning his LMG as he blazes down an officer who tried to raised his pistol. The Officer jerk backward as he smashes into the Wing of the fighter, his uniform stain with blood and Swiss chest holes smoking with his eyes widen with horror.
Aiden and Dirk both rushed towards the patrol transport as the pilot attempted to get into the transport. His drone blast down the pilot allowing the two Helghasts to open the transport hatch slide doors. Dirk stay on guard while Aiden has begun to hack the transport controls. Dirk firing his carbine at an E web gunner shooting him in the head. Then an officer right into the shoulder.
The officer yep with pain as the bullet entered his shoulder as he dropped behind the container then the officer's mouth chock out foam as the toxics wrecking havoc in his body then collapsed on his back and twist with agony.
Tekla on her stomach firing round after round from her sniper rifle providing covering fire for the two from a hill. In her scope is a stormtrooper commander before having his brains blow out.
Stormtroopers returned fire as the other Helghast took cover. An AT DP came marching to intercept Alec and Akeel with its cannon charged at ready.
Alec and Akeel rolled to cover as the laser cannon blasted a parked TIE fighter before the AT DP turned its gun on the Helghast pair. The legs exploded in a fireball sending the walker to the ground leaving it incapacitated.
Topaz hollowed with glee at the sight of her handiwork before looking for more targets to blow up. Flying her jetpack, She leaped on top a troop transport speeding toward the helghasts, she primed an incendiary grenade and opened the hatch on the roof at the same time dropping the grenade before closing the hatch
Panic shouts from the transport then the transport inside catches in a heap of flames. Screams heard inside being burned alive. A flaming trooper crawled from the transport hatch before collapsing in a coat of flames as the transport burned from the inside.
The last trooper was killed with a saber in his chest. More Helghast infantry and vehicles came rushing from the plains to take control of the tower and airfield. Repulsor trucks speeding with reinforcements with their repulser panel engines followed by tanks and mechs.
The patrol transport power came on and the patrol ship was active, Aiden cheered as the cockpit came to life. "Hey Dirk, it works!" Called out Aiden from the cockpit of the transport. Dirk let out a whoop. "Oh boss! We got a ride to the capital. Try not to crash the ship please."
"All we need to know but the fight is not over yet," said Alec to a commanding officer. "Team fall in and commander you are in charge."
"Sir yes sir, we were going to a different position at the capital now."
"This fire-team shadow, airfield secured." Report the Helghast leader in his tac/coms in his helmet. "We highjack a transport and preparing to infiltrate imperial high command. We are going to cut the head off the snake."
The rest of the team ran into the transport along with a few commandos , as the patrol transport lifted from thairfieldld in the hands of the Helghast and flew across the lethal fields toward the city.
"This is our moment, for my father and the fatherland of Helghan. We are the spark that will light the fire will burn the empire to the ground."
Meanwhile, the Helghasts were scattered around the capital laying low as they were ready to storm the capital. Helghast soldiers moving across the sewers and taking positions at the storm drains and sewer pits ready to emerge from underground. Eyepieces growling red with rage.
A squad of helghast marines had their eyes on an AT DP standing infront of a check point in the street. A helghast support trooper lower his rocket launcher at the walker as the rest of the troops hid beside the street alley.
A dozen helghast light tanks, repulsor trucks and hover tanks gathering infront of the highway from the tall grass ready to unleash their wraith on the empire. An artillery APC locked down it's position as its missile launcher tit up for firing solutions.
ATACs were active and await for the green light to attack. Meanwhi,le the Hellblade was in the sky ready to declock and it's artillery guns level at imperial positions.
A team of soldiers finished clearing out an anti air station before deactivating the turbo laser towers.
The Imperials would known't the helghast were bring the hammer on Lothal. They will have the taste of helghast blitzkrieg.
The patrol ship flew overhead of the city towards the dome like structure in the heart of the capital.
"You ready to do this?" Said Ketra "Let do it and cut that bitch governor's head off."
"They took our birth right in the name of the force and it is time to take back what is ours Alec." Said Akeel to his brother in arm.
Alec smiled at his team before he tap on his console pad on his wrist and he gave the order to attack. Hell broke loose.
Iothal Capital
Imperial command centre
Imperial Headquarter Dome
Governor Pynce wasn't in a happy mood when a panicking officer woke her in the night with disturbing reports of sights of red eye monsters across Lothal. In her imperial dress uniform as she marched down to the command centre. "What is going on?" She hollowed with outrage. Marching down the stairs.
"We are under attack by rebels." Protest the officer next to her. "With weapons , vehicles we never seen. This time in huge numbers and coordination we never seen."
"Get our troops in the air and engage hostiles then you idiot." Growled Pryce. "All of them those rebels are going to regret in this chaos."
A squadron Tie fighters exiting the hangers to join the battle.
Two stormtroopers behind her as the governor stood infant of the blast doors. Imperial officers and other control staff running operations. A trio of officers stood infant of a holo terminal with the digital outline of the city. Red dots indicate enemy troops of unknown assault imperial positions across location. Too much red.
She heard chatter in the imperial channels; channels filled with panic, gunfire, explosion and screams for help. But the governor had no idea, that imperials stationed across the city were fighting for very their lives. Officers glanced at her with grim and depressed looks on their faces.
"This is checkpoint KO2-3, we are under attack!"
"Oh my god they got-aaaah!"
"We need reinforcements now! Where is air support?"
"My legs ! I can't feel my legs ! NO!"
"They got amor! They have tanks! "
"This is TK090, they kill the commanding officer- bang!"
"When did they use slug throwers!"
"This is walker 109, requesting reinforcements we are under attack!"
Annoyed , the governor fired her blaster pistol into the communication terminal as she marched to the viewport. "Get the ships from orbit to rain bombardment on the rebels." She order as she glanced at the city bellow. She could see explosions, tracers and gunfire echoing across the streets. The road filled with soldiers in mysterious combat gear, weapons and disturbing glowing red eyes as mask.
"We lost contract with all of our ships in orbit!" Protest the nervous officer. "They are gone!"
Pyrnce frowned and roared "What do you mean they are gone? Is the shield up?"
"Then get our turbo lasers in firing range!"
Down at the shield control room, a helghast spec-op insurgent in hoodie and army gear ( Black Hand Operative from Killzone shadow fall) fired an energy pistol into head of a imperial technician. He turned to his squad standing in the control room as they shut off the power to the shields with bodies of imperials.
"The shield is down and communications have been block. Send the fleet." Reported the Insurgent from his tac/coms. His red eye piece shinned.
Meanwhile in the streets of Lothal as the battle rage on. People inside their home neither flee or hid down in the basement as the fighting continues.
Helghast infantrymen support by amor and artillery moving up across the streets . ATACs and Overlord drops provided suppressive fire while Talon strike fighters and Tie fighters emerged in various dogfights in the skies.
AA artillery firing 60mm of lead in the skies cutting down Tie fighter after Tie fighter as they support the helghast starfighters on the dropping off wave after wave of soldiers on the ground.
Drop pods were unleashed from the bellies the Helghast troop transport carriers. Drop pods crushed into open alleys, streets and on top of troopers. A drop pod smash into the ground as the hatch open stepping out 6 helghast assault soldiers.
Stormtrooper TK-89 cursed as he fired a burst of blaster laser from his cover of a durasteel barricade. He found himself and the other troopers fighting for their lives against an unknown foe. They thought they were fighting rebels and normally rebels lack the firepower to fight against the might of the Empire but when did the rebels start using slug throwers now. He saw his entire squad cut down like flies and even Trooper TK-87 had his head blow off in a gore of blood and meat. His commanding officer laid dead in his pool of blood.
He saw soldiers in black combat gear with assault rifles wearing these disturbing gas mask charging into battle with guns blazing. Fighting with savage , the imperials never seen. Slugthrowers and unknown firepower providing to be devastating, what he and the troopers had were completely shitty plastiod amor and crappy blasters. He and the survivors were force to flee for their lives.
He look at the skies as he ran as hammer head like ships appearing from the skies with size and design he never seen.
A orange tracers, energy streams to missiles blazing across streets cutting down imperial walkers and troopers across the city. The helghasts had snipers and heavy weapon troopers thinning out the infantry and light vehicles. At the same time, Helghast transport ships and cruisers appearing from skies raining missiles and dropships.
Hundreds of fresh Helghast troops charging across the streets with savage war cries towards the imperial dome followed by tanks, APCs and walkers. Heavy Hover tanks to Hammer head tanks blasting AT-STs to combat assault tanks head on. Tanks fired shells and missiles in a volley.
ATACs wrecking havoc on the imperial defences as they rapidly buzzed with speed and agile. ATACs fired a wave of plasma missiles into the legs of the AT ATs blasting helghast troops and amor on the ground.
A Helghast cruiser fired a volley of rockets into an advancing AT AT , destroying the walker for good. A helghast cruiser landed outside the city and unloading it's troops to support the assault on Lothal. Command warned the infantry not to harm civilians or ravage the entire city and there will be execution will take place if those orders are not followed.
"Governor, we must we still change , the world is lost." Plead a officer. "We need to warn the emperor about this new enemy."
"I will not be defeated !" Roared the Governor grabbing the collar of the officer "In the name of the Empire. We will fight to last to the -then her sentence was cut off as the glass window shattered above her. The Officers were take out quickly as mysterious figures of 7 came landing on their feet with weapons blazing. A mask humanoid of a female threw two knifes into the necks of the stormtroopers standing on good.
The lead figure in greyish body armour with a combat helmet and facemark with red glowing eyes plus shoulder plate amor with a wolf and saber symbol with the dark saver slashed Pynce's hand off as she tried to aim at him. Hack the hand off.
Pynce screamed in pain as the female humanoid tackled her to the ground with a blaster placed on her head. Another gas mask humanoid with a medic insignia smashed a needle pen into her neck and next then then the governor eyes close into darkness.
Alec deactivated his saber as his team finished securing the control room."All clear." He called to his team as the imperials were on the ground defeated for good.
"I so want to cut the bitch's head off." Said Ketra as her eyes were on the governor. Dirk chuckled and punch her shoulder gently. "Helghan command need her and the more easier this war gets when we punch the information out of her."
He , Eli and Akeel walked up to the console to see the completion of the taking of Lothal as Aiden hack the controls of the garrison allow the doors to open. Tekla and Topaz along with Ketra followed Alec's group along with Aiden.
Doors to the garrison opened as an Sta hammerhead tank rumbled through in followed by hordes of Helghast soldiers as they enter the garrison. He and his team step outside the platform to see Helghast ships emerged from the night and landing across Lothal.
The battle of Lothal was over and the Imperials defeated , prisoners taken and the garrison under control of the helgahst.
"With Lothal in our hands, our reign will spread across the galaxy and the Empire will burn to the ground." Said Alec as he deactivated his mask. "Darth Vader, The Emperor and the Rebellion can't not forestall the march of the Helghast."
Now Lothal was in the hands of the Helghast.
4 Hours after take of Lothal
Helghast soldiers of the 233th mobile infantry division along with 156th regiment and 34th armour battalion stood attention infront of the garrison door steps. Thousands of people of Lothal were standing outside to witness their unexpected liberation of those mysterious gas masked soldiers. They had no idea that these soldiers brought an end to imperial rule over lothal. All of them just came out of their homes after hiding in the basements.
They all watch the rally with grim looks on their faces as they wonder their fate would be of their world and the aftermath of their liberation
Alec and the rest of the team stood infront of the troops on a platform, Alec raised his arm in the air straight as a massive Helghast banner unfurl with the iconic triad in black.
"Hail Victory !" Alec and his team roared.
"Hail Helghan!" Roared the helghast as they salute the flag.