Darkness Returns

Ch5 Into the Abyss

Bastion Orbital Defense Platforn 19.6 ABY two weeks later.

Hundreds of newly accuried Victory cruisers lay in dry dock waiting for deployment. Admrial DeGuale traveled half way across the galaxy to inspect the newly accuried fleet personally. For days the fleet was carefully check over for hull integrity and for possible sabotage. Standing in the stations comand center Pellaeon and DeGuale pear out at the docked warships.

"Well Xavier I can honestly say these ships are in very good condition."

"I agree Gilad the Corperate Sector took execptional care of the ships. I think several of them are ready for combat."

"I beleive so as well my old friend, How many are you going to need for your attack?" Pellaeon asked.

"Well, with the taskforce I brought, twenty extra should be sufficent, I'm going to hold off on Lylat for a couple of months yet, I'm only going to hit Earth for the time."

Gilad was surprised to here the Admrials new plan of action.

"Why may I ask."

"For the past few months I've had several reconnisance teams closley monitor Earth and Lylat. Although Lylat has a larger defence force, I see Earth as a greater threat."

"How so Xavier?"

"The humans of Earth are operating Clone War and post Clone War military hardware, which must mean theyhave ventured across the galaxy, Lylat however, from our studies, have to our standards highly outdated hyperdrive units, rated at about a class ten. A standard Conerian civilian vessel would take months to get across the galaxy. Earth however, if any of their ships escape our blockade they could reach the core in a matter of hours or days and expose us."

"Well thought Xavier, but when do plan on invading Lylat?"

"After we started our campaign agianst the Republic, with the Rpublic busy even if a straggler from Lylat manages to alert the Republic they won't have resourses to commit to them."

"Brillant Xavier, purely Brillant."

"We must not waist anymore time, rally twenty combat capable Victories and have them ready for Deployment by morning. I will ready my taskforce, I'm going to lead the attack myself, Jadex is still ocuppied on Hypori, so Gilad your in charge during my absence." After giving Pellaeon his orders DeGuale leaves the Command center and proceeds to the main hanger.

While still in the command center Pellaeon watches DeGuale's shuttle sore out the docking bay towards his taskforce.

Earth Luna Outpost Breifing Room 10:30 AM the next morning

With in the in the outpost all the officers in the battalion have been ordered to the Breifing room unexpectedly. Many of them are not thrilled thinking thats most likely a drill or some random class, especally for the officers who were off duty for the day. Tim and Even sat down next each other not knowning what to expect.

"Hey Tim you know what the hell is all about?"

"I don't know don't a damn thing Evan, so don't ask me."

Seconds after the Battalion CO walks in and everyone snaps to attention. The Colonel steps up to the podium.

"Morning everyone, please sit down and relax, I know you all are wondering why your so I'll get strait to the point , at 23:36 hrs last night, one of our patrol ships near Mars located and engaged an Imperial Tartan class patrol ship. Unfortunately the hostile vessel retreated before reinforcements could arrive. High Command has ordered the armada to regroup and maintain defencive positions between here and Earth. Squadron Commanders prep all your pilots for departure, you are being assigned to renforce the fleet, their going to need additional fighters. Platoon leaders we need you here to protect the base. Waste no time people, we may have a crisis on our hands move out"

All the officers spring from their seats and hall ass. Tim and Evan quickley run to their lockers and put on their flight suits. Once the sqdn commanders got their head counts and their assigned carrier, they board their craft and leave the base.

Earth Defense Force Flageship Providence class Carrier "The Majestic" main hanger 8 hrs later.

All of the carriers pilots have been orderd to be standbye for the next twenty-four hours. Many of them have just been sitting the hanger relaxing and waiting.

Evan who was just laying ontop of the wing of fighter watched as Tim paced and smoked his usual cigar.

"Man this sucks we've just been sitting here for the past eight hour with our tumbs up our asses"

Tim stopped paceing for the first time in three hours and walks up to Evan.

"Funny I thought I remember you saying a few weeks back that you were bored and wanted something to happen."

"Irony is a bitch I know." Evan comments

"Ya I just hope that were not in over our heads" Tim angerly replys

Two more hours pass..

Many of the pilots still in the hanger have dozed off from bordom, nothing seems to be happening.

The sound of sirens fill the cruiser and the infra red lights turn on.

Tim snaped out of his gaze" What the hell."

After the lights went on a voice came on the PA.

"General Quarters, This is not a drill, All hands battle stations, Scramble all Fighters, This is not a Drill."

"Evan lets move" Tim shouted

The pilots quickly board their craft and screech out of the hanger. Once every fighter exited the hanger not a word was said when they got a visual of the enemy. Twenty Victory class, four Venators three Acclamtors and One Imperial class Stardestoyer.

"Were in alot trouble." Tim thought to himself.

Meanwhile.

Corneria City 1:35 AM

Fox promised Krystal a nice vacation so he gave her one, but Fox isn't enjoying himself as much as he'd hoped. Having troubles sleeping as usual Fox leaves his bed and quietly walks out on the balcony trying not wake Krystal.
After staring up at the stars for abit he decides to light up a cigarette, this is the first time he's smoked since he was in the academy.

As the cold breeze went through the room Krystal coun't help but toss and turn until she finally woke up. She turns her head towards the balcony and sees Fox. She knows something is wroung and walks towards him. He didn't even know she was there.

"Fox."

Fox jumped and quickly dropped the cigarette hoping she didn't see him.

"Um-Yeah hey sorry did I wake you or something?" Fox studdered

Krystal had a very concerned look on her face.

"What has gotten in to you Fox, we were supposed to be having a nice time, but you've hardly sleep, your constantly drifiting off, You've had nightmares that you won't talk about for the past three days, and whats that smell?"

Fox tries to make up an excuse knowing she had smelled the smoke.

"Um, city pollution?"

Krystal gave him a confused look.

"Whatever Fox, the point is you need to tell me what is wroung."

Fox lets out a long sigh.

"I just keep getting the same bad dream, of some unstoppable force destroying everything, I can't really explain it, mabey its just Post Tramatic Stress along with all the extra work were trying get done. I wouldn't worry babe, you shoulg go back to sleep I'll be in a moment ok."

"Alright Fox If you say so."Krystal walks back to the the bed with a tear running down her eye. She did't like seeing Fox troubled like this.

Fox stood outside for about minutes before he walks back inside. As he sat his head on his pillow he thought to himself."Something going to happen I feel it." No sooner did he finally fall asleep.

Authors notes: Now things are starting to pick up. There still will be some dry spots though here and there so just bare with me. Thanks for reading.