Darkness Returns
CH30 Shock and Awe
Sargasso Naval Center 19.9 ABY 09:45 the next day.
In the early morning hours with in the asteroid outpost, coalition officers converse and plan for the their upcoming operations, unbeknownst to them of the terrible tragedy that occurred during their slumber.
"I don't like this at all. The Empire is being far too quiet. Their up to something, I just know it." Tim says as he paces back and forth.
"Do you think it's possible that the imperials didn't report the attack?" Krystal asks.
"Wishful thinking Krys, but we all know that the Empire is far to organized and well trained to simply dismiss such important information." Fox replies.
"If the Empire hasn't struck yet then we need to strike them and fast. So what are our target options?" Tim asks as he stops pacing and looks down at the starchart.
"We could always make another strike on Macbeth, our troops desperately need the support." Krystal says.
"True, but after our attack my ground forces have reported that the Empire has increased it orbital security. Another raid is out of the question." Katt replies.
"Which pretty much brings us back to square one again." Tim comments.
"Well our recent intell reports say..." Before Fox could finish a young Cornerian Marine Lance Corporal sprints inside the briefing room and catches everyone by surprise. However rather than following proper military protocol, the marine just cuts to the chase.
"Sorry to interrupt but you need to get to the rec-room and see this and quick." The marine says and everyone seemed slightly dumbstruck for a moment and then sprinted out of the room as fast as they could down the hallways.
"Make way people." Fox said trying to get around various personnel. As the group made it inside the rec-room, they could see a large crowd of troops gathered around the viewscreen. They knew something was wrong.
"Turn that up." Tim ordered and a near by private turn the volume up for everyone to hear.
"This Connie Broker of Lylat News Network with a special news bulletin. We have just received reports of a massive attack on Kew and Papetoon from the recent invaders. Live on the scene is reporter Stacy Yuma. Stacy can you tell us whats going on."
"Are we transmitting?" Stacy asks.
"Its a bit broken but were still receiving." Connie replies.
"We are live on the outskirts of what remains of Kew City. As you can see the entire city is up in a blazing inferno along with over three quarters of the planet itself." Stacy reports.
"Oh my god what happened?" Connie says utterly shocked.
"Were not one hundred percent sure but a few surviving eye-witnesses claim that the invaders bombarded the planet from orbit shortly after their withdrawal, but we have far too little information to say exactly. Nevertheless the amount of destruction here is unimaginable. As you can see some of the ground has literally turned into glass. The current global temperature is at an unbearable 65.5 degrees Celsius, and the sky and air is filled with ash and debris. The cruelty and brutality of attack is incomprehensible. The situation here is horrific at best." Stacy replies.
"...I'm almost afraid to ask what the estimated...casualty count is." Connie asks barely able to keep her composure.
"Out of the etire planet 200,000 citizens, it's estimated that at least 70,000 have perished, these numbers are expected to rise greatly. Remnants of the Kew resistance forces and handfuls of able body civilians are currently attempting to rescue any possible survivors, however they don't expect to find many. This is undoubtedly the worst single attack on Federation and Colonial territory in our known history." Stacy says.
"How did your team manage to survive?" Connie asks.
"Just prior to the attack we were near the eastern mountains investigating the enemy withdrawal when we started to feel what felt like earthquakes, so we hunkered down until the quakes subsided, only to find out the amount of destruction that has happened. It's a miracle that we lived to tell the story." Stacy replies and begins to cough and wipes a large amount of sweat off her face.
"Are you OK Stacy?" Connie asks.
"Oh don't worry about me I'm fine, what you and the rest of the people should be worried about is what the invaders next victim. Should I dare ask whats next? What's worse is that this attack shows how unprepared the Federation military is to counter this threat. There's even rumors that the StarFox team has also failed to subdue this enemy. It appears that Lylat has finally meet its match. This Stacy Yuma signing.." Before she could finish her report, the young reporter falls to the ground unconscious most likely due to heatstroke, and the transmission from Kew was instantly lost. For a few moments after Connie didn't know what to think or say.
"Um Stacy are there? Are your guys OK? Um ladies and gentlemen, it appears that we have lost our video feed please stand-bye for further information." Connie says as she ends the report.
The entire room was quiet as dozens of Cornerian military personnel just stared at the holo-net in awe. Krystal dropped to her knees and began trembling out of shock.
"How could they do such a thing? Do they have souls?" Krystal quietly says. Fox then puts his hand over her shoulder.
"No they don't." Fox says out of anger. Krystal didn't reply. Fox then looks over towards Tim who had a malicious look on his face and was gripping his fist so tight that it was slightly bleeding. Fox could tell he was having a flashback of the devastation of his home world. Tim snapped back to reality as soon as Fox walked up to him. Neither of them had to say anything, for they new what they had to do next.
"All command staff report the command center immediately. Lets move." Tim orders.
"Everyone else return to your stations...there's nothing more to see here." Fox says and then realizes that Katt was gone.
"Where the hell did Katt go?" Fox asks. Tim just shrugged his shoulders not realizing that Katt left the room during the middle of the broadcast. The officers quickly exit the rec-room. As then begin proceed down the hallway they see Katt just sitting quietly on bench. The officers stop to see if she is alright.
"Katt are you OK?" Fox asks.
"There all dead. An entire generation of people exterminated with in moments." Katt says as tears rolled down her eyes.
"I'm sorry, I know that you had a lot friends out there." Fox says as he extends his hand towards her.
"Come on were heading to the command center now." Fox says.
"I know I heard back in rec-room no offense but lets just fucking go already." Katt snapped and stood up on her own and went ahead of the group. Fox didn't let her anger faze him, he knew she wasn't mad at him. He then motioned the rest of the officers and the continued towards the command-center. As the team finally made it to command-center they could see Katt quietly standing in front of the holo-net. Tim walks up and types in the frequency for NRDF Command.
"Republic Command this is Captain Welch Transmitting from Sargasso. We have a Victor-Niner priority alert. Do you copy over." Tims says, with haste General Rieekan appears.
"We read you captain. What happened?" Rieekan asks.
"We have confirmed reports of two Base Delta Zero attacks on the worlds of Kew and Papetoon." Tim replies.
"My god, how bad?" the general asks.
"At least 70,000. It to early to tell. I'm formally requesting an earlier deployment of the relief force. Were running out of time sir." Tim says.
"I agree we have to act soon, the good news is that we've rallied almost enough ships to successfully push out the Imperials, however were still looking at about three days yet. Some of these ships are going through last minute repairs and resupply. Help is on its way. Stay sharp and good luck." Rieekan replies and cuts the transmission.
"Three days." Bill says.
"I hope we can last until then." Krystal comments.
"It's better than another week now we just have to..." Before Tim could finish the Command Center's RTO speaks up.
"We have an incoming transmission from Macbeth. shall I patch it through sir." the RTO asks.
"On screen." Fox replies. The officers then bring their attention to the distorted transmission with what sounds like multiple explosions in the background.
"Does anyone copy the is Colonel Madison over." Says as he tries to extinguish a fire within the FOB. Katt immediately speaks up.
"Colonel whats going on? Is everything alright?" Katt says in a worried tone.
"Commander good to hear your voice. We've been having trouble getting a transmission out. As of six hours ago the Imperials have begun a full fledged fire bombing campaign on all known territories here. Their bombing every damn thing they see. We can't stop them. OH Shit, Hold on...TAKE COVER." Madison yells out and leaps to the floor just before a proton bomb strikes just outside blowing a eight foot hole in the wall and killing two soldiers. After the blast Madison get back up and yells out for a medic and walks back to the slightly damaged holo- net.
"Were on our last thread out here. We can't hold them off any longer." Madison says as he dusts himself off.
"Colonel begin evacuating as many civilians as you can and start pulling your troops out of the city. There isn't any more you can do their. Once the EVAC is complete have all personnel at the HQ proceed to the underground bomb shelters and remain their until further notice. Is that understood?" Katt orders.
"Yes ma'am." Madison replies.
"Stay alive Colonel, that's an order." Katt says
"Will do ma'am, Madison out." He replies and ends the transmission. Katt just closes her eyes and crosses arms.
"It just one of those shit days isn't it?" Fox says.
"Worse I think. Well lets get to work. Standing around sulking isn't going to win this war." Tim replies.
Imperial Expeditionary Fleet 1st Battle Group in high orbit above Venom four hours later.
After the ruthless orbital bombing the notorious General Fett and his personnel battle group gather behind the acidic world of Venom and await their next assignment. Within his flagship Jadex conducts his usual report to his his twisted superior.
"Admiral my forces have conducted the orbital bombing as wished, with devastating results, and our bombers are conducting the bombing campaign as we speak. I have have word that one city has already been virtually leveled. The rest of the planet should be desolated by the time the Republic fleet arrives. My personal battle group is currently holding high orbit behind planet Venom awaiting further orders sir." Jadex stoically reports.
"Excellent General, this should give us some flexibility. I have know doubt the Cornerians are whimpering over their scorched border worlds. But we can't loosen our grip yet, time is still against us. But now we've created a window to make this setback worthwhile." DeGuale says with a twisted smile on his face.
"What are orders then sir?" Jadex apathetically asks.
"Do you remember me mentioning Sauria by chance?" DeGuale asks.
"Yes sir. You said you had research interests in it, if we have available resources." Jadex replies.
"Precisely, the Saurians and the Cerinians infrastructure were both based off of Krazoa instruction. After careful research, I've discovered the flaw in my super-laser design. The gemstones which power it require an object to absorb their excess energy. Which leads me to your next mission. I want you to take a detachment of your best troops to Sauria and assault the Ocean and Volcano Force Point Temples and acquire all for spell stones keeping the planet together. While your there send a company to the Krazoa Palace as well and acquire me any worthwhile artifacts for my collection. Anyways once you remove the stones the planet will begin to pull apart giving you about seventy-two hours before it starts to tear apart." DeGuale instructs.
"How long before the planet explodes?" Jadex asks.
"According to my teams research it would take about a week or so before it finally blows up. Your forces should be out of the sector by then. Once you have the stones in your possession, I want you and your battle group to immediately proceed to Cerinia and deliver them to directly to me." DeGuale orders.
"What about the rest of our forces here sir?" Jadex asks.
"I will personally coordinate their attack efforts during your absence. Now see to this operation personally General. We can not afford any more slip ups. Kill any and all Saurians in your path. We don't want any witnesses. Those four stones are worth more than half of all the wealth of our late Emperor. Is that clear General." DeGuale orders.
"It shall be done." Jadex replies.
"Good, Contact me immediately after you have the stones. DeGuale out." After DeGuale's image fades, Jadex turns over to Commander Dellis.
"Commander get your commandos and shock troopers ready combat. Were taking a little trip to Sauria. Contact the ISD Death Scythe and inform them that they are in charge of the formation until we return. Got that?" Jadex orders.
"Yes sir, right away." Dellis replies.
Meanwhile...
Sargasso Naval Institute moments later.
After hours planning the coalition officers finally devise a new series of hit and run operations to stall Imperial invasion force.
"So we know for sure that our intell is correct." Tim says.
"Yes the Empire has a small task-force of ships orbiting Titania. Four Acclamator class, and one Ventor class acting as the flagship. That we know of the battle hasn't deployed any of it's ground forces to the surface either." Fox replied.
"Why is that?" Tim asked.
"Because Titania is a worthless wasteland plagued with violent windstorms. Their probably just there to guard access routs to Macbeth." Bill replies.
"This is definitely a vital target of opportunity. With the additional CDF reinforcements that Gen Hare is providing us with we should have enough firepower to knock them out. Speaking of which, when will those battle cruisers be here?" Tim says.
"With in the hour." Katt replies.
"Good." Tim says.
"I don't know this seems even more risky than the Macbeth operation. We can't afford to loose any more people." Krystal protests.
"Acclamators only have a fraction of the firepower of a Star Destroyer. If focus our fire on the Venator and blow the damn thing up, those assault ships will be easy pickings, as long as we have battle cruisers to support us we shouldn't have a problem." Tim instructs.
"I like the sounds of this. If things do get sour for us Titania is even closer to Sargasso then Macbeth, so a retreat won't be as difficult either." Fox comments.
"Sounds like a perfect opportunity to get back at these Imp fuckers." Katt says still rather upset from before.
"Once we finish the job we'll report back here and prepare for the next operation. Are we clear?" Fox asks. Everyone nods their head.
"Alright then operations will conduct at 14:30 so that leaves us with one hour mission prep. Lets move out." Tim orders.
Authors notes: Sorry it took so long. As You may have noticed I've been working a another fic. Anyways things are looking bad for Lylat, sucks to be them right. Thanks reading and reviewing.