General Lewis Burwell "Chesty" Puller- 24th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps
Korriban - Horuset System, Sith Worlds, Imperial Space, Outer Rim Territories, "The Galaxy"
06:30:16 ATC/ Monday, June 30th, 1969 - 14:30/2:30 PM
The surviving Imperials and Sith from the first initial assault retreated to a canyon two miles away from their former fortress as well as the surrounding terrain that forces of the international coalition captured hours prior, but unbeknownst to them, it was all part of the plan as the next phase of Operation: Mars began, led personally by none other than a certain Marine Corps legend who recently returned from retirement, became officially confirmed as the next Commandant of the Marine Corps by Congress, and he also happened to be a third cousin of the late United States Army General George Smith Patton, Junior.
But to United States Marines he was simply just the one and only ever to be revered Chesty Puller and of course as a native son of Virginia fighting in what was essentially the 'Third American Revolution' with the War of 1812 being the second, he had to remind his men that Thomas Jefferson stood for liberty while at the same while serving psychological warfare to the enemy.
The gloomy night before us flies,
The reign of terror now is o'er;
Its gags, inquisitors, and spies,
Its herds of harpies are no more!
Rejoice, Columbia's sons, rejoice!
To tyrants never bend your knee,
But join with heart, and soul, and voice,
For Jefferson and Liberty!
"What the Kriff? Music?" A random rookie conscript questioned as the remaining Space Fascists watched in horror as the infamous starfighters and unfamiliar, but still reckoned as malignant gunships arrived at the rally point. Panic began to set in through the ranks yet again as the foreigners started their latest assault against the Empire. The tactics used by the primitives were exceptional to anything the galaxy has ever observed and their slugthrowers pierce the Imperial armor like it was a thin sheet of paper.
"This is Bulldog to all aerial assets." Puller grinned."You are authorized to send any Imps straight back to Hell at extreme prejudice."
"Copy Bulldog...We're engaging."
Rejoice, Columbia's sons, rejoice!
To tyrants never bend your knee,
But join with heart, and soul, and voice,
For Jefferson and Liberty!
The attack Hueys and escorting jets unleashed their gifts from Earth. Even riflemen from the transports got involved as rockets, twenty-millimeter chainguns, M134s, Mk-19s, M60s, and even pop shots from M14 Rifles spread destruction and chaos towards the helpless ranks.
No lordling here, with gorging jaws
Shall wring from industry the food;
Nor fiery bigot's holy laws
Lay waste our fields and streets in blood!
Rejoice, Columbia's sons, rejoice!
To tyrants never bend your knee,
But join with heart, and soul, and voice,
For Jefferson and Liberty!
"Fall back! Fall back!" An Imperial Major ordered. Morale was already at a low point and now the bulk of the Imperial soldiery began to run for their lives despite what their superiors dictated. No threat was harsh enough to stop the flight.
"No retreat! Stay and fight cowards! Stay and fight!" A Sith next to the Major decreed as he gave the officer a blast of Force lightning, but it was no use. The remaining few loyalists amongst them were more afraid of their Sith overlords than the Earthlings, but they would die regretting their recent judgment.
"Move! Move! Let's go get the bastards!" A Sergeant of the 173rd Air Assault Brigade shouted as he and his men lept off their transport.
Here strangers from a thousand shores
Compelled by tyranny to roam,
Shall find amidst abundant stores,
A nobler and happier home.
Rejoice, Columbia's sons, rejoice!
To tyrants never bend your knee,
But join with heart, and soul, and voice,
For Jefferson and Liberty!
Here Art shall lift her laurelled head,
Wealth, Industry, and Peace, divine;
And where dark, pathless forests spread,
Rich fields and lofty cities shine.
Rejoice, Columbia's sons, rejoice!
To tyrants never bend your knee,
But join with heart, and soul, and voice,
For Jefferson and Liberty!
"This is Puller." The Marine smiled as his helicopter passed over the Imperial lines. The Leatherneck saw a group of Sith and granted them the bird as the Huey flew over their heads. "Pursue and destroy those who remain. The others can leave intact to spread the word."
From Europe's wants and woes remote,
A friendly waste of waves between,
Here plenty cheers the humblest cot,
And smiles on every village green.
Rejoice, Columbia's sons, rejoice!
To tyrants never bend your knee,
But join with heart, and soul, and voice,
For Jefferson and Liberty!
Here free as air, expanded space,
To every soul and sect shall be
That sacred privilege of our race
The worship of the Deity.
Let foes to freedom dread the name;
But should they touch the sacred tree,
Twice fifty thousands swords would flame
For Jefferson and liberty.
Rejoice, Columbia's sons, rejoice!
To tyrants never bend your knee,
But join with heart, and soul, and voice,
For Jefferson and Liberty!
From Georgia to Lake Champlain,
From seas to Mississippi's shore,
Ye sons of freedom loud proclaim
"The reign of terror is no more."
Rejoice, Columbia's sons, rejoice!
To tyrants never bend your knee,
But join with heart, and soul, and voice,
For Jefferson and Liberty!
These gifts, great Liberty, are thine,
Then thousand more we owe to thee,
Immortal may their mem'ries shine,
Who fought and died for Liberty.
The Imperials were demoralized as the Americans secured territory with the remaining Raiders and Paratroopers of the 'All-American' 82nd linking up with the 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions as well as the rest of the XVIII Airborne Corps: 3rd Infantry Division, 10th Mountain Division, 101st Airborne Division reinforced by the 173rd Air Assault Brigade and the 1st Air Cav to hold the recently captured territory.
If all went to plan, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization task force would nail Rakton as the Yanks were intentionally acting as tempting bait and if the prior history of his actions proved itself the Empire's best strategist would unwittingly cause his own demise.
Gunnery Sergeant Carlos Norman Hathcock II - United States Marine Corps - Leader of "Sureshot 2-1", Coalesced Forces from Earth
Korriban - Horuset System, Sith Worlds, Imperial Space, Outer Rim Territories, "The Galaxy"
06:30:16 ATC/ Monday, June 30th, 1969 - 14:30/2:30 PM
"Sureshot 2-1, this is Bulldog...You are authorized to target any high-level threats, over?"
Just like how the Galactic Republic had their 'Deadeyes', Sureshot 2-1 was a secret even if somewhat controversial Earth had against the Empire, controversial as it was deplored as an 'Internationalist Murder Incorporated' by those who were vehemently opposed to a 'New World Order' since this specially selected and experimental multinational unit was entirely composed of the world's deadliest snipers as well as of some of the primer Olympic rifle shooters and included among the roster were Carlos Norman Hathcock II, Adelbert Francis 'Bert' Waldron III, Charles Benjamin 'Chuck' Mawhinney, Eric Roy England, Ed Eaton, Gary Lee Anderson, Thomas Gayle 'Tommy' Pool, Vasily Zaytsev, and even the infamous White Death himself.
"Bulldog, this is 2-1 actual, copy." The man who became dreaded in Hanoi due to his trademark white feather he wore in his boonie as a taunt then turned to his subordinates. "Eaton. Mawhinney. Häyhä. Zaytsev. We are ago."
"The Russian better not drink all the vodka." Simo smirked at Vasily.
"Nyet! " The Commie complained.
"But remember who killed your brethren during the Winter War, comrade."
"That's enough!" Eaton scolded the Finn and Russian, denying that he had to be a mediator between a Commie no less and a Finn. "We're in this together for our homes and the past is irrelevant because what matters right now is what's before us."
"Edward's right." Chuck butted in as he zeroed his M40. "If we fight amongst ourselves now, the Imps will overrun us."
"Let's just get going." Hathcock sighed and the others nodded before going down and began to crawl. The deadliest snipers in history will add some additional fuel to the panic in the Imperial ranks but today was just not the Empire's day.
Gunnery Sergeant Carlos Norman Hathcock II - United States Marine Corps - Leader of "Sureshot 2-1", Coalesced Forces from Earth
Korriban - Horuset System, Sith Worlds, Imperial Space, Outer Rim Territories, "The Galaxy"
06:30:16 ATC/ Monday, June 30th, 1969 - 14:50/2:50 PM
"What do you think?" Carlos asked his subordinates as the snipers made an unexpected, yet welcomed discovery.
"I believe we found an Imperial command center, Gunny." Ed grinned as he zoomed in. "Think we should call in an artillery barrage?"
"Nah..." White Feather himself shrugged. "Where's the fun in that? Everyone, select a target please."
The sharpshooters picked their respective targets and lined up their sights, their chosen victims were within either their duplex or German #1 reticles, and in the next few seconds the officers' lives would be cut short as the reapers fired their 'slugs'.
Korriban - Horuset System, Sith Worlds, Imperial Space, Outer Rim Territories, "The Galaxy"
06:30:16 ATC/ Monday, June 30th, 1969 - 14:50/2:50 PM
"So what in the kriffing hell is going wrong!?"
"I don't know how these primitives managed to defeat the Empire's finest troops and rout them in disorder, but Rakton himself will be arriving shortly."
"The Rakton?"
"Oh please, we don't need him!"
"You're sure about that?"
Those were the last words of the war committee as 7.62 caliber slugs from M40s, an M21, an M28/76, and a Draganov struck them in the head, scattering brain matter across the walls and the bodyguards watched in horror as their protectees were killed by the marksmen and they quickly took cover under one of the desks nearby.
"I don't know about you, but I believe Korriban just became even more Hellish than it already is, Sithspawn and K'lor Slugs be damned!"
"You don't say."
General Arkos Rakton- Commander of the Korriban Garrison
Korriban - Horuset System, Sith Worlds, Imperial Space, Outer Rim Territories, "The Galaxy"
06:30:16 ATC/ Monday, June 30th, 1969 - 14:50/2:50 PM
"Pathetic! Absolutely pathetic!" Rakton roared as he encountered a few of the survivors from the onslaught. The Republic was one matter, but primitives!
"But sir, the outsiders have better tactics and we can't counteract them!"
"Because you are using by-the-book tactics you moron!" Rakton berated the Colonel who was recently promoted to General were all fools and now Rakton would have to sort out the mess - no, not mess - a complete fiasco!
"At least tell me you gather up the survivors so I can talk to them, General Xaton."
"They're ready and waiting for you.
"You did something right for a change." Arkos muttered.
"Sir?"
"Nothing." Rakton told him as he walked up to a boulder and stepped on top of it.
"You see that. Do you see that! Are you all as insulted as I am? This is what they sent against us?" The men and women before him look at the General as if he was insane. "They sent this rabble to sack our sacred planet? We are the mightiest Empire the galaxy has ever seen, crushed the Republic and brought the cowards to their knees, yet mere primitives drove us back!? We have the best weapons, we are more advanced than them, and yet these savages drove the best of the Imperial Army back!?"
But the leader wasn't insane. It was their own foolishness. It was their cowardness that prevented them from defending Korriban effectively and they were ashamed that the interlopers managed to make fools out of them.
Yet if there was any way to turn this disaster around, Rakton was the man and the subordinates knew it.
"Brothers and sisters of the Sith Empire, a legion of primitives armed with slugthrowers wheezes its way across the sand, forgive me when the moment comes as we whine as the unstoppable horde comes. Forgive me when I order you to waste ammunition upon their worthless bodies. I have heard many souls speak my name in whispers since I've come to Korriban. I ask you now, do you know me? DO YOU KNOW ME!?"
"Yes sir!" They cried at the top of their lungs.
"I am General Arkos Rakton of the Imperial Army. Never again in your life will such action carry many consequences. Never again will you serve as you serve now. No duty will matter as much and no glory will taste as true. We are the defenders of Korriban. As of this day, we carve our legend onto the flesh of everyone, of every alien slave. Will you serve with me?"
"Yes sir!" Morale begins to edge back up since this wasn't just any General. It was Rakton.
"Sons and daughters of the transcendent Sith Empire, our plot is a blood of heroes. The outsiders dare defile our planet and trample upon the sacred soil of our homeworld. We will throw their bodies on these walls when the final day dawns. This is our planet. This is our world. Let them try to capture it in all of their fury."
The men and women of the Imperial Army stationed on Korriban desire vengeance and vengeance against the unknown trespassers especially.
"Run you primitive scum! Come to me! Come to us all! Come and die! For the Imperial Army! For the Sith! For the Empire! FOR KORRIBAN!"
"FOR KORRIBAN!"
Colonel Harold Gregory " Hal" Moore, Junior -1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), XVIII Airborne Corps, United States Army
Korriban - Horuset System, Sith Worlds, Imperial Space, Outer Rim Territories, "The Galaxy"
06:30:16 ATC/ Monday, June 30th, 1969 - 16:00/4:00 PM
Colonel Moore continued to fire his M1911A1 as the Imperials began their counterattack against them. It even felt like Ia Drang all over again for Hal and his men, but if the Battalion had managed to hold off three North Vietnamese Army divisions, the Space Brits could unleash the apocalypse itself and the Americans would still not withdraw.
"Broken arrow! I repeat! Broken Arrow!"
Planes off on patrol from A1D Skyraiders and A-37 Dragonflies to Navy's F-4Hs of the Navy and Marine Corps as well as F-110A Spectres and B-52s to AC-47 Spookies heard the call for assistance and responded, even TSR-2s of the United States Army arrived with a payload of cluster munitions and Moore watched the awesome sight as the planes unleashed hell and destruction on the approaching enemy. The Empire has lost air dominance and so far, not even a single Extinction-class bomber has been spotted.
"This is Wolfpack, we're engaging the enemy."
"Hawk 3-4 is targeting at coordinates confirmed."
"Wolverine squadron is running and gunning."
The Imperial assault was being crushed by the continuous artillery bombardment and aerial attacks. Even the lowly claymore mines and American riflemen were holding back their progress.
Now it was Moore's turn as Imperial infantry crept up to his position and the Colonel decided to take a page out of U.S history in order to conserve ammunition, specifically a certain directive ordered to the New England militia on Breed's Hill, which would erroneously become cemented in the history books and public consciousness as the 'Battle of the Bunker Hill' despite the glaring mistake due to misreading a map.
"Don't fire until you see the white of their eyes!"
The men nodded as this was simply their Breed's Hill, but unlike the American Revolutionary War, the 'Colonialists' were well equipped to deal with the 'Empire'.
"Glory for the Empire!" A space fascist colonel shouted as he led his battalion straight onto the defensive positions. There were even a few droids and what's left of the Sith-many of them acolytes- being sent against the meddlers yet instead of guaranteed victory all they would receive was carnage.
"OPEN FIRE!"
Moore hated to order his men to shoot at children, but the Americans knew by now that these kids were being specifically brainwashed on this dustbowl and groomed to be part of the selective cult only because they happened to be capable of utilizing voodoo. They were also currently a threat and the GIs would be sure to ignore the adults when they took prisoners.
M60s, M14s, M79s, and Remington Model 11-48s tore through the ranks alongside the occasional 60mm and 81mm mortars. Since the Imps decided to charge and attempted to retake this worthless desert, the Americans would show them the price as Uncle Sam's firepower rang down on the attackers.
And it wasn't even the first wave.
The Imperials attempted to outflank the Yanks earlier, but elements of the First Marine Division and 173rd Air Assault Brigade drove them was, as Chesty mentioned, a repeat of Chosin, except this time the Americans were not retreating.
Instead, they were intentionally being bait for part two of phase three: The Empire would soon encounter men led by a former reservist who had participated in the Battle of France and Operation: Barbarossa but he was not just some 'Weekend Warrior' with a dental practice, this individual became one of the highly decorated tank aces in history and it was full-circle ironic.
General Lewis Burwell "Chesty" Puller- 24th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps
Korriban - Horuset System, Sith Worlds, Imperial Space, Outer Rim Territories, "The Galaxy"
06:30:16 ATC/ Monday, June 30th, 1969 - 16:15/4:15 PM
"Tell Moore to hold the line at all costs! We are sending Third Battalion, Fourth Marines to reinforce him."
"Yes, sir!" The orderly saluted before the holoprojector nearby in the captured Imperial command center beeped and the Marine saw a familiar, yet infamous figure out of intelligence debriefings.
"Greetings. I am General Arkos Rakton of the Imperial Army-"
But Chesty interrupted the Imp. "I know who you are, Ratface. I am Chesty Puller of the United States Marine Corps and I am telling you to back off while you still can."
"Are you done? Because I believe that surren-"
"If you are offering surrender terms, then I suggest you fuck off and go kiss your ugly whore of a piglet mother goodbye."
"Very well 'Chesty'." Arkos sneered. "You'll regret making an enemy out of the Empire."
"Just like you will of the United States of America, you pompous, fascist son of a bitch."
Field Marshal Franz Bäke - Commander of NATO Taskforce Invictus
Korriban - Horuset System, Sith Worlds, Imperial Space, Outer Rim Territories, "The Galaxy"
06:30:16 ATC/ Monday, June 30th, 1969 - 17:00/5:00 PM
"Fox! I don't know how long I can hold on here! The Imps are pushing against my forces harder than the Chinese at Chosin!"
"I completely understand, Bulldog." The tank ace himself decided that the time to strike was now since Rakton was on the offensive and Gotthard Fedor August Heinrici permitted Bäke at his discretion to utilize his best judgment on exactly when to strike. While Heinrici was masterfully adept at the defense, Bäke was aggressive and he volunteered to fight on the front alongside his men, and Heinrici could not even stop Bäke if he tried, his superior had to respect Bäke's commitment and Bäke had the privilege of spearheading this attack but ironically until being thrust into this position due to the circumstances, Franz was a dentist by trade and yet this dentist was prepared to create cavities and break some teeth once more. "We're moving out now."
The Marine shook his head at the Kraut. "Of course you are. I can always count on German punctuality." Puller joked just before he ended the holotransmission.
"This is Tankmörder 1-0? Are all units ready?"
"Yes sir!" A Yank shouted. "My boys are locked and loaded."
"Desert Rat 2-4 is ready for a repeat of North Africa, general."
"Excellent! Let's show Rakton what we're made of."The German grinned anxiously at the challenge, especially since his anticipated opponent was reportedly comparable to Johannes Erwin Eugen Rommel, better known as the Desert Fox and of course Bäke was given the callsign Fox in honor of the late masterful tactician. "Kanonier! Laden Sie eine Shell! Panzerbrechend!"
"Jawohl! Rüstungs-Piercing ist geladen!" Franz smiled at the efficiency of his crew, not to mention that the Leopard 1 is one of the best tanks from Earth. The NATO taskforce has Pattons, M103 heavy tanks, Chieftains, Leopards, and more.
"We got incoming! Imperial walkers! Right flank!"
"Gunner! Target the closest walker at fifteen degrees elevation! Shift gun right and fire!"
"Firing!" The gunner pulled the trigger and unleashed a 105mm shell from the Leopard. The AP shell pierced the head of the walker easily since it was designed for blasters, not to mention knocking out two walkers beside it. Franz also witnessed tanks ramming into the legs of the walkers and knocking them over before the armored vehicles ran over the 'head' and crushed the tin cans.
'Good thinking. Better save the munitions for Rakton.'
The task force was surprised that this 'Space Fox' hadn't countered their movements as of yet since Rakton had his flank exposed, but the Earthlings would soon discover that the tactician was a match to the Desert Fox himself, and furthermore it was evolving into a bloody game of cat and mouse.
General Arkos Rakton - Commander of the Korriban Garrison
Korriban - Horuset System, Sith Worlds, Imperial Space, Outer Rim Territories, "The Galaxy"
06:30:16 ATC/ Monday, June 30th, 1969 - 17:15/5:15 PM
"Sir! We're being outflanked by more of the primitives!"
Rakton's day went from barely tolerable to something unforeseeable and arguably despairing to many generals but not him as he believed that the situation was still salvageable, the fact was Rakton could not believe that he did not recognize it sooner.
"Dammit!"Arkos cursed after coming to realize exactly why this 'Chesty' hadn't launched a counterattack yet.
"Sir?"
"I fell for a kriffing trap!?" He cried in rage before facing the recently demoted General. "You better not let this Chesty get through Colonel Xanton..." Arkos warned. "I'll deal with the flankers personally."
Field Marshal Franz Bäke - Commander of NATO Taskforce Invictus
Korriban - Horuset System, Sith Worlds, Imperial Space, Outer Rim Territories, "The Galaxy"
06:30:16 ATC/ Monday, June 30th, 1969 - 17:45/5:45 PM
Franz wondered why the walkers were retreating from him despite the limited skirmish, almost as if they were weary and knew who they were fighting against but it still didn't make any logical sense.
'If I was Rommel...' It instantly clicked for Franz. "All units! Be advised that we're about to be outflanked!"
Sure enough additional walkers appeared on the immediate left of the NATO forces line.
'Let's see here.' Franz thought back to a book he read before departing planet Earth, The Rommel Papers, and memories of the pages that gave insight into the cunning Desert Fox were actually proving useful in this engagement. 'If I wanted to counteract flankers, the terrain is a possibility.' And he knows what needs to be done. "Bravo company! Proceed to engage the Hühner! Everyone else, push forward to the canyon forty meters in front of us...We'll regroup on the other side!"
It was risky, yet Bäke felt that Rakton himself wouldn't expect such a move.
General Arkos Rakton - Commander of the Korriban Garrison
Korriban - Horuset System, Sith Worlds, Imperial Space, Outer Rim Territories, "The Galaxy"
06:30:16 ATC/ Monday, June 30th, 1969 - 18:00/6:00 PM
'Hmm...I didn't expect that this leader would take his men through that canyon.' Rakton thought. He was learning, albeit slowly, that this leader was unique. It was almost as if Arkos had a twin brother.
The Imperial listened to the reports from his walkers about what this primitive was planning.
"This is Rakton. Send in a few crawlers. We'll see how bold this aggressor really is."
"Sir?"
"Do what I command. We are dealing with a threat."
"But sir, wouldn't it be wise to have an ambush waiting for them?"
"That's not a bad idea actually." Normally Rakton would remind the lower ranks of what place in the pecking order they are at, but today was something else and the General wouldn't turn down any suggestions. Even if he was only a Sergeant. "What do you have in mind?"
"Well, sir I figured that if the primitives went through the canyon, they'll have to come out eventually. We could have some walkers flush them out if you will."
"Yes, but wouldn't they be smarter and expect to see the crawlers blocking their path?"
"What if the crawlers weren't just waiting for them?"
Rakton was dumbfounded for a moment before grinning.
Field Marshal Franz Bäke - Commander of NATO Taskforce Invictus
Korriban - Horuset System, Sith Worlds, Imperial Space, Outer Rim Territories, "The Galaxy"
06:30:16 ATC/ Monday, June 30th, 1969 - 18:19/6:19 PM
'Something's wrong.' Bäke thought as he and his subordinates exited the canyon. They were being followed by Walkers constantly the entire route and Franz thought that he was going to be blocked at the exit...But Bäke had a feeling that Rakton was going to pull off something similar to what the esteemed Rommel would have done and the German noticed a dust storm approaching his forces from the north, east, and west. There were Walkers of course, but also Crawlers.
Franz knew that he at least had an advantage in range.
"All gunners! Target the Crawlers! Second Marine Battalion, proceed to engage the enemy at their sides!"
The United States Marine Corps fielded a special surprise for these Crawlers as unlike the average Main Battle Tanks armed with 90mm main guns, the M103s were Heavy Tanks with a 105mm rifled cannon. And add to the fact that armor vehicles were typically weaker at the sides and rear, the results would be devastating with the Armor Piercing Incendiaries.
Bäke could hear the Americans' tank crews barking orders and firing the 105s. The results were just as intelligence predicted. The Crawlers can withstand the standard 90mm, but not the One Oh Fives or even the 120mm of the Chieftains and the Leopards 105.
'Make that at least a one hundred fifty-five millimeter and I'll be happy.'
The Right Honourable Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill KG, OM, CH, TD, DL, FRS, RA - Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
The Honourable the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Parliament Assembled - Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Palace of Westminster, City of Westminster, London, England, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Europe, Earth, Sol System, Milky Way Galaxy
06:30:16 ATC/ Monday, June 30th, 1969 - 18:30/6:30 PM
Soldier. Writer. Member of Parliament. President of the Board of Trade. Home Secretary. First Lord of the Admiralty. Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. Minister of Munitions. Secretary of State for War. Secretary of State for Air. Secretary of State for the Colonies. Chancellor of the Exchequer. Minister of Defence. Leader of the Conservative Party. Leader of the Opposition, Father of the House of Commons.
But to many across the globe, this dogged man with a palate for cigars and fine brandy was best known solely as the British Bulldog, the very Prime Minister who had nearly three decades prior rallied the British Empire against the encroaching Third Reich even during the Darkest Hour where only Britannia stood alone in defying Hitler.
Of course, the sun which for nearly four centuries once never set on the Empire had in recent times faded but sometimes whether by fate or by ignorance history could very well repeat and as the ninety-five year old former head of state who had survived strokes until treatment promenade up to the podium to address this special session of Parliament with only the assistance of a walking stick, the room quietened and Churchill as a masterful orator knew that the power of words spoke volumes but in this instance what philippic against the Sith Empire would not be broadcasted across the globe alone, it was to be transmitted to the enemy's own native galaxy as well.
Before he spoke, Winston stared directly at not only the assembly of politicians, staff, the press, and diplomats but into the cameras and as he did many times before the rise of television he articulated his lambasting of the opposition regardless if it was debating policy or readying the British public for war.
"Good evening, at this very hour, our fighting men in lockstep with our allies from here and those abroad have commenced an operation against our unprecedented common enemy…"
Private Timothy Jones - Anti-Tank Section One, Anti-Tank Platoon, Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 22nd (Cheshire) Regiment of Foot, Prince of Wales's Division, British Army
Korriban - Horuset System, Sith Worlds, Imperial Space, Outer Rim Territories, "The Galaxy"
06:30:16 ATC/ Monday, June 30th, 1969 - 18:30/6:30 PM
After deploying from the back of the FV342 and deploying the L6 Wombat on a carriage, Timothy's hands shook as he loaded the 120mm High Explosive Squash Head 'HESH' shell into the recoilless rifle and closed the breach before aiming down the optical sights into the valley below.
"Hold your fire, lads. and wait for my command." The Lieutenant directed as he gazed through his binoculars and observed the absurd contraptions marching like the legged vehicles they were. "If only we had a tripwire, Sergeant."
"I'll say, sir."
Jones snorted as maybe it was not bad after all as here they were, exposed and out in the open, unaware of the fact that they were about to be blindsided en masse with anti-tank weapons.
General Arkos Rakton- Commander of the Korriban Garrison
Korriban - Horuset System, Sith Worlds, Imperial Space, Outer Rim Territories, "The Galaxy"
06:30:16 ATC/ Monday, June 30th, 1969 - 18:35/6:35 PM
'This leader is more creative than I thought... Interesting.'
Arkos watched as for some reason the unknown, yet primitive vehicles began to withdraw from the field...It appeared that his tactics were working against the interlopers who chose the wrong planet to attack.
"This is Rakton to all assets...Push forward and crush the opposition. Glory to the Empire!"
"Glory to the Empire!"
The Imperial Crawlers led the spearhead this time and Rakton had used his walkers to flush the Earthlings out.. The tactic seemed to work perfectly the last time and it could work again yet a surprise struck Arkos and his men as the Earthlings had unloaded their Mechanized Infantry units on top of nearby canyons overlooking the battleground and they were utilizing rocket launchers such as M72 LAAWs, M20A1 Super Bazooka, M40, M67, and Ordnance, RCL, 3.45 in Recoilless Rifles, even PzF 44 Panzerfausts, striking the Imperial armor from above as if they were Tatooine moisture farmers picking off womp rats from a distance.
"Ambush!" One of the Imperial walker crewmembers cried out but it was too late to do anything about it as the General saw these armored beasts running around his walkers and crawlers.
But Rakton wasn't going down without a fight. The man led his personal walker forward against the enemy and went amok, destroying a few tanks from Earth with the laser cannons.
'Sometimes when you want to do things right. You got to do it yourself.' Arkos deemed as simply his subordinates weren't up to the task.
The Right Honourable Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill KG, OM, CH, TD, DL, FRS, RA - Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
The Honourable the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Parliament Assembled - Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Palace of Westminster, City of Westminster, London, England, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Europe, Earth, Sol System, Milky Way Galaxy
06:30:16 ATC/ Monday, June 30th, 1969 - 18:35/6:35 PM
Churchill knew that his introduction gained attention and continued on with his eloquent address with assailing the mockery coming in time.
"Although little is still known of the extent of their galaxy, the mores of the Galactic Republic, and of those independent worlds, we are still embroiled in a grand confrontation against not an alien adversary but rather a familiar enemy, one who dares burlesque us and had evolved into an amalgamation of our society with those of old Hitler's." Churchill sighed and paused dramatically before he announced his point of defiance. "It is truly most unfortunate how this peculiarity has transpired, why this travesty has arisen in a land of uncouth barbarians yet despite this enigma it is not a quandary as our response is and ought to remain the same: Never surrender. We must never surrender!"
In a scene reminiscent of 1940, the former Prime Minister who had returned to 10 Downing Street for a third time only by circumstance was being lauded for his rallying cry and he was not even finished.
"Nevermore, I say, nevermore!" Churchill proclaimed to additional thunderous applause. "We must oppose this Nazistic yoke and aid in the liberation of tyrannized civilizations! The men who had perished on the shores of Dunkirk and Normandy must know that their sacrifices were not in vain and under the phenomenal leadership of General Eisenhower, a man who had administered our forces to victory against the Third Reich I express confidence that we shall perpetuate our resolve and that this Sith Empire, these Dark Lords shall tremble before us whilst we shine the light as 'Britons never will be slaves'!"
Theron Shan - Agent of the Strategic Information Service
Korriban - Horuset System, Sith Worlds, Imperial Space, Outer Rim Territories, "The Galaxy"
06:30:16 ATC/ Monday, June 30th, 1969 - 18:35/6:35 PM
"It seems like our allies are doing a surprisingly better job than we are." Darock pointed out the updated tactical holomap which showed the current positions of the Earthlings and the Imperials attempting to counteract them. "This Bäkeespecially is making Rakton himself run for his credits."
"Bäke?" Shan questioned. His curiosity was triggered when he heard that Rakton was being outwitted by a primitive. The thought humored him.
"Franz Bäke. He's a famous 'tanker' who has earned his reputation in history and interestingly was also a dentist but now he's clearly giving those Imps toothaches. I'll send you a file with the details but enough about history and let's focus on the present. These Earthlings managed to accomplish more in two days than what our forces would have accomplished in a week."
The Colonel shows Theron footage of the American's assault on the fortress. "They managed to capture this fortress in less than six hours. Absolutely amazing."
The intelligence agent was stunned but he didn't show it. "Their tactics are some wonder."
"You can say that again." Darock crossed his arms. "In a way, these Earthlings are definitely more advanced militarily, just shy of space warfare, and I believe the Dark Council will get the news."
"Indeed, I think Earth is sending the Imps a clear message." Shan grinned.
Field Marshal Franz Bäke - Commander of NATO Taskforce Invictus
Korriban - Horuset System, Sith Worlds, Imperial Space, Outer Rim Territories, "The Galaxy"
06:30:16 ATC/ Monday, June 30th, 1969 - 18:50/6:50 PM
"Sir?" The gunner spoke to him in the hatch as the lone enemy vehicle wrecked havoc against a squad of M48 Pattons.
"Go ahead, Bauer." Franz replied, aware of the Oberstleutnant's experience during the Zweiter Weltkrieg.
"I believe we can take down that rogue Walker, sir."
"I believe we can as well." Bäke affirmed, he was and still is regarded as one of the most lethal tankers in history after all. "Fröhliches Jagen! Für Deutschland!"
"Jawohl. Für Deutschland!" The driver smiled and began his engine on the Leopard I tank, loading a 105mm armor-piercing incendiary shell, and proceeded to chase down the Imp.
General Arkos Rakton - Commander of the Korriban Garrison
Korriban - Horuset System, Sith Worlds, Imperial Space, Outer Rim Territories, "The Galaxy"
06:30:16 ATC/ Monday, June 30th, 1969 - 19:00/7:00 PM
Rakton didn't see this coming. He has never thought in his life that he'll be outsmarted by a foe that was as great as him. Even that damn commander of Havoc Squad was nothing compared to this great leader. Arkos escaped his burning walker that was destroyed by that reckless vehicle and pulled out his blaster pistol. He was going to go down fighting even if the mechanical monsters were driving off his forces.
'No! It can't end like this! It can't! The Empire was made a mockery by savages and I'll not allow this to happen again!'
But it has...
Rakton saw a vehicle approach him and a crewer sticking his head out of the hatch and he was an excellent target. The opportunity was too good to pass up and attempted to take him, but the tactician saw the smoke out of his opponent's pistol
"So...This is how it ends." Arkos laughed. "A pathetic slugt..."
Field Marshal Franz Bäke - Commander of NATO Taskforce Invictus
Korriban - Horuset System, Sith Worlds, Imperial Space, Outer Rim Territories, "The Galaxy"
06:30:16 ATC/ Monday, June 30th, 1969 - 19:05/7:05 PM
'Dieses wertlose, erbärmliche Schwein!' Franz thought as the man out of desperation attempted to assassinate him but the tank ace was faster as he was forced to utilize his old Luger against the Space Brit.
'Wait a minute... Is that Rakton?' The German ordered his tanks to halt and some men to confirm identification.
"General?" An Australian-accented voice spoke up. "You got the bloke! It's Rakton!"
Field Marshal Franz Bäke - Commander of NATO Taskforce Invictus
Korriban - Horuset System, Sith Worlds, Imperial Space, Outer Rim Territories, "The Galaxy"
06:30:16 ATC/ Monday, June 30th, 1969 - 19:10/7:10 PM
Rakton... he couldn't believe it. Franz couldn't. Out of a million men looking to kill him, it had been his opposite number. The feared General Arkos Rakton of the Sith Empire. He wasn't quite sure what to feel at that moment. A moment of cold and pity, perhaps?
Rakton did not deserve this. He was a general. He shouldn't have died like this.
'But wouldn't I have done the same?' Bäke thought very morbidly to himself as the daylight gradually faded away with dark clouds overhead and then thought of the Eastern Front and all of the chaos with a horde of screaming Soviets coming at him at times, he compared this defeated foe to Erwin Rommel, the Desert Fox, and Bäke wondered what instead if it was Rommel was standing here, if he was forced to shoot Rakton's parallel.
'Didn't Rommel try to do the same? He should have died in Africa with the Korps, but... he lived. He lived despite the Spitfire... despite it all only to poison himself in a car upon Hitler's orders so retribution would not be inflicted upon his family. And yet by contrast Rakton died with his men.'
Bäke wondered what would have happened if Valkyrie had succeeded, if Rommel would have led his men against the Führer's successors or had a fate more befitting of an honorable man but as he was about to holster the Luger he had carried since the Freikorps, Rakton previously comatose corpse began to stir.
"Shiester!" A grenadier cursed as he raised his G3. "The man is still alive! General, I-"
"Stop!" Franz ordered with a bellow.
"General, he is-"
"I said... stop." Bäke ordered again, his voice growing softer with every word. Rakton stirred again, his hand clutching the entry wound around his stomach. He didn't have long, and Bäke knew this. But at the same time, Rakton had been a worthy and cunning foe and he should die with dignity instead of lying down clutching his mortal wound yet despite his anguish, Rakton rose very painfully to his feet. When Bäke saw he still had his sidearm, he shifted his stance. Sideways, one foot forward, his Luger ready to rise if needed. But Rakton didn't draw. Not yet. He just looked at him.
"So you are the fellow who drove away my men?"
"That's correct and crushed your walker, a peculiar contraption." Bäke did not wish to make light of his prowess even though after this encounter he was questioning the usefulness of walkers in warfare and their true worth on the battlefield remained to be seen.
Rakton didn't say anything else after that, and Bäke just stared at him. In those wearied, cold eyes, he saw himself on the Eastern front again. The cold boring down on him, the dehydration parching him... and yet the worst was the realization of what had happened.
In the attempt to relieve the 6th Army Franz had been so close to Stalingrad he could see the ruins. He had been so flushed with victory, from France and in the drive during Operation Barbarossa. And when he saw the enemy at Kursk, he hadn't thought much of it.
Even as the effort in the east and then the west collapsed, he still held a glimmer of hope as he had only seen the prize ahead, he believed that it could be salvaged. And for this... for this shortsightedness, the Allies had taught him the greatest lesson of his life. Everything he had - his commission, his command, his men, his tanks, his legend, all of it - could be taken in one single unfortunate moment. That moment had come. It had ruined him. The fact he was once part of a horrid regime shamed him. But he had the chance to walk away, to return to his pre-war dental practice, and to become the better man he was today.
Rakton was never going to get that chance.
"This isn't the end, you know?" he said suddenly, his hand moving to his stomach again, "This victory you've claimed? It won't be the end of it all."
"I know."Franz replied, "I know what comes next. I lived through it twice, both from the position that you stand now, sir. I... do not envy you."
Rakton looked at him with those mirror-expressionless eyes of his and nodded.
"It won't be the end of the Empire." he continued, taking a step forward and almost stumbling, but he caught himself. "The Empire will go on. The Republic... you Earthlings? It's just going to go on, and on. Nothing will change this. Nothing."
"I disagree, sir," Bäke replied rather distantly, "I, like many, were led to believe that the Reich was going to last a thousand years. It only lasted twelve... and because of the actions of my countrymen, my nation was split in two, and we were left to pick up the pieces. To be... better men."
"I suspect that The Galaxy is different from your world, Earthling." Rakton replied soberly. "This... this will be the staple of things to come."
"Yes... but it will end one day. All of it."
"Do you truly believe this?"
"I do. I know it."
"Are you willing to die for it?"
"I am."
With this, Rakton, the feared General of the Empire, nodded with a finality. And he started to raise his sidearm with a lethargic slowness.
"Stop!"Bäke held out his hand, but Rakton wasn't listening. The sidearm was halfway up, its point at his boot, "Stop!" The German cried again, but Rakton was now at his leg, "Für die Liebe Gottes, stop!"
Rakton was coming for his chest, but his movement was too slow. Bäke drew out of instinct, he didn't even feel the depression or recoil! It just... happened. Rakton was on the floor, and his Luger smelled of powder. He felt frozen, his eyes wide.
"Why didn't you stop?" The trained dentist and tanker asked with shock, feeling remorse at the kill. The wind blew past them, its chilling obliviousness to the personal tragedy something of a heartless hilarity. But all he could do was shake his head. He holstered his Luger and marched to the body.
He was dead. He was dead. His eyes looked up to the skies and beyond... and Bäke hoped there would be a place for him there.
"Why didn't you stop?" Franz repeated, his voice muted and deflated.
"Heerführer?" A soldat asked behind him.
"Get a stretcher." Bäke ordered rather quietly. "I'm not leaving him here."
"But sir... he's our enemy."
"He deserves better than that, Unteroffizier. He deserves the honor of a soldier. That much I will give him."
And with this, the order was carried out and Rommel watched as his body disappeared into the back of an APC. The feeling of cold washed over him again, and in that moment, Bäke understood.
"That could've been me." Franz muttered. "That could have been Rommel."
"Heerführer?"
"Nothing. Get me back to the front."