Earth: A Rendezvous with Destiny Chapter 17: Gitarzan, a star wars fanfic

Private First Class Jake Gregory Meyer - Fireteam Alpha, Second Squad, First Platoon, C/Charlie Company, Second Raider Battalion "Carlson's Raiders", Second Raider Regiment, Second Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, United States Marine Corps

Rakata Prime - Lehon System, Tempered Wastes, Unknown Regions, "The Galaxy"

07:19:16 ATC/Saturday, July 19th, 1969 -10:20 / 10:20 AM

"You know, I'm still denying that somehow you're not even slightly jealous." Jake muttered in front of his betrothed as he leaned casually against one of the native palm trees, still denying the entanglement.

"Why should I be?" Sara shrugged, dismissing the matter as if it wasn't unusual. "If it was anyone else, you would have already been made aware that you made a crucial error in judgment, loverboy."

Shaking his head in bemusement, Meyer then sighed as he got straight to the point. "It's certainly going to take some getting used to though. Most guys dream of this but I never imagined that it would be reality."

"To be honest neither did I but I presume circumstances led to it." The redhead smirked. "You're not bad on the eyes after all."

"You're something else." Jake scoffed, but with a smile yet before the couple were able to carry on with their conversation, they were interrupted by a cough from behind.

"If you two lovebirds are done…"

"Who knew Red Jacket is such a killjoy?" Meyer grumbled.

Agent Theron Shan-Republic Strategic Information Service

Rakata Prime - Lehon System, Tempered Wastes, Unknown Regions, "The Galaxy"

07:19:16 ATC/Saturday, July 19th, 1969 - 10:25 / 10:25 AM

"I've done a bit of scouting. The Revanites are camped in the Temple of the Ancients, an old ruin nearby." Shan reported at the designated meeting place. "We've gotten this far without being undetected. It's time for you to go and make some noise."

"You know, there might be another way instead of just trying to run and gun our way to the temple." Meyer proposed. "Because I have a feeling that's what you're suggesting."

"Alright, Mister Marine." Theron snarked. "Tell us what you have in mind since you think you know better."

"It's called using the terrain to our advantage." The Leatherneck grinned, pointing out the obvious. "You snuck around yourself, Red Jacket, and mentioned how we haven't been discovered but now you're saying we need to waste ammunition by shooting guards and potentially tip our two targets off that we're coming after them when we can just continue sneaking around right under their nose and take the two ringleaders by surprise?"

"They do have a point, Theron." Lana interceded. "If you managed to scout the perimeter without getting caught, then it's worth the risk, not to mention the added benefit of catching Arkous and Darok off-guard until we're ready to nab them."

"Look, the Rakatans and Revanites both have the temple heavily guarded-"

"I know that it can be done." Jake interrupted. "Ever heard of White Feather?"

"You mean the legendary sniper, presumably a Leatherneck of the United States, that the Empire just only recently placed a bounty on?" Lana inquired. "Two and a half million credits and counting due to this 'Sureshot 2-1', Earth's direct equivalent of the Republic's Deadeyes, he's leading?"

"I knew him for a short time back in 'Nam - Hell, I was even trained by him - And I heard that he crawled three days across an open field and killed some NVA General with one shot to the heart from seven hundred yards away under similar circumstances so respectfully Secret Squirrel it can be done as it's my job to sneak in and take a precise shot or even two if required, not yours you James Bond wannabe. You said it yourself that these Rakatis are not using technology and are downgraded so what do we need to worry about?"

"Again, the temple and the outside perimeter are heavily guarded so there's no way you're sneaking past them." An exasperated Theron sighed. "It's impossible."

Shan noticed that the United States Marine was getting irritated at being doubted or considered the field operative as being hypocritical. Either way, the even-tempered patience was slowly and gradually coming to an end.

"Look, with all due respect, clearly we think of snipers from two different perspectives. Back home, it's firing one shot from a concealed position with no fancy red barrier then moving to not get caught or not firing at all and observe what the enemy is doing before reporting it to command or even calling in artillery while here, it's just basically infantry taught how to use a specialized rifle and fire it anywhere they so choose but not wear camouflage or make any attempt to prevent someone from spotting them after the first shot, which in my opinion is better defined as sharpshooters or skirmishers due to the lackluster marksmanship training your typical grunts receive compared to even the United States Air Force. A true sniper on the other hand uses knowledge of fieldcraft as part of his duties in addition to being handed an accurized rifle and using fieldcraft is how snipers stay alive." Jake explained to the spy as calmly as possible but his usual patience lately has been tested from trying to comprehend why what seemed to be common sense was a low priority within the Republic Military and the Space Monks, nevermind the Republic's SIS. "But sometimes I wonder if you need to look at a dictionary about warfare or, I can't believe I'm phrasing it like this, attend West Point and learn some commonsense as it seems like newly commissioned West Pointers have more common sense than you when it comes to military tactics."

'Looks like I got to have a nice private chat with that ignorant know-it-all Nerfherder from a rudimentary backwater.'

"Take it easy, Jake." Westbrook interceded. "We don't need a scuffle drawing attention to us here and we're losing precious daylight by arguing over doctrinal differences."

"He's right you know." The droid added. "My Master-"

"Shut up droid unless you want to become a sundial!"

Lana groaned and decided to intervene before the precious time was lost. "I'm confident in your abilities so may the Force serve you well."

Agent Theron Shan-Republic Strategic Information Service

Rakata Prime - Lehon System, Tempered Wastes, Unknown Regions, "The Galaxy"

07:19:16 ATC/Saturday, July 19th, 1969 - 10:45 / 10:45 AM

"Okay, smartass, you want to bring it o-" The SIS Agent stopped as he was astonished by the sight of Meyer sewing vegetation onto the back of a jacket, wondering if the Marine snapped and has gone insane."What in the name of the Force is that?"

"It's a ghillie suit."Jake shrugged as if it was obvious. "But apparently I'm some nonsensical idiot because I know the meaning of camouflage instead of wearing some shiny color like yellow, can kill Space Wizards from over a thousand yards away with a well-aimed bullet instead of using an obviously superior laser rifle that is effective at less than half the distance and can be blocked by their laser swords as we need to be courteous to them, or using commonsense instead of playing cops and robbers at some Jedi's, Republic Officer's, or even SIS Agent's say so. I guess I now need to stand out by painting a bullseye on my uniform since someone from a technologically advanced society believes us primitives need to ditch and burn the olive drab and resurrect the blue and tan last used during the Boxer Rebellion in China. Now, what were you saying? Something about a brawl to settle something?"

"You know what. Since you're suicidal and ignoring my advice as you think you know better, go get yourself killed, primitive." Theron snarled. "Here's a good spot if you can make it there without getting mauled from the wildlife."

Rakata Prime - Lehon System, Tempered Wastes, Unknown Regions, "The Galaxy"

07:19:16 ATC/Saturday, July 19th, 1969 - 11:06 / 11:06 AM

"You look so ridiculous." Sara snorted as she noticed the talking shrub. "In fact, you appear to be almost like Jakarro."

"Oh, come on I'm not like Sasquatch."Jake quipped as he adjusted his ghillie suit. "Look, the plan is for us to provide covering fire while Sam and Jakarro confront these two deranged cultists."

"How far?" The Sergeant inquired.

"I was thinking about eleven hundred meters away." The PFC answered as he screwed on the Sionics suppressor to his XM21 Sniper Weapons System. "A reasonable distance based on the FFP Mister Red Jacket selected for us after some debate over doctrinal differences and fucking logic, not to mention how you decided to give the other XM21 a try." The Leatherneck got down and began to crawl. "Hope you don't mind getting dirty, beautiful."

"Nerfherder." Kelrein grumbled before following his lead.

Agent Theron Shan - Strategic Information Service

Rakata Prime - Lehon System, Tempered Wastes, Unknown Regions, "The Galaxy"

07:19:16 ATC/Saturday, July 19th, 1969 - 11:54 / 11:54 AM

"Excellent work sneaking to the temple." Lana congratulated the main strike team. "Theron is slicing into the facility's structural plans now."

"It's not looking great." The Agent informed the trio frankly. "Your only option is to pass through the conscription center dead ahead."

"Anything vital we need to know?"

"The Cyborgs ahead are in some kind of standby mode. They'll activate as soon as you'll enter the room so be ready for a fight."

Shan decided to make an excuse to have Beniko leave the room and advise the paratrooper that on a wise course of action."Blasted sensors." Theron profaned. "Lana? Can you please do a quick perimeter check? I can't tell if these contacts are real or not."

The blonde raised an eyebrow in suspicion at the Republic field operative but like any good Imperial, Theron witnessed her acknowledging the excuse without question.

"Right away."

Theron did a slight victory smirk at the haste of departure before composing himself to the task at hand. "Alright, we don't have a lot of time, but we cannot risk the tech in the conscription center falling into Imperial hands."

"Well, we could blow it up." The American Paratrooper suggested. "I do have some Willie Pete and Thermite on me."

"I'll consider that to be a backup plan but I'm sure that I could slice my way in and sabotage the power converters. You just need to take care of the guards inside first so no one would raise the alarm for the sabotage."

"They're pork chop one hundred percent guaranteed."

Sergeant Samuel David "Sam" Westbrook - First Squad, Third Platoon, D/ Delta Company, Second Battalion, 324th Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, XVIII Airborne Corps, United States Army

Infinite Army Conscription Center - Rakata Prime, Lehon System, Tempered Wastes, Unknown Regions, "The Galaxy"

07:19:16 ATC/Saturday, July 19th, 1969 -12:00 / 12:00 PM

"Well..." Samuel sighed as the debonair and member of The General Society of Mayflower Descendants witnessed some of the goons being led to their assigned tubes. "They're dedicated to their cause alright."

"They are cultists after all." The paratrooper's companion growled."But waiting is making me angrier!"

"I still cannot comprehend you, you lout."

Jakarro snorted and aimed his 'laser crossbow' as the last of the cultists entered their assigned tubes

"You should be more patient!" Sam shouted as he fired his M60 at three of the inbound guards before immediately seeking the prone position. "You just released the nest of hornets, Sasquatch."

"What are you doing lying on the ground, Samuel?" The irritable, incessantly talkative robot questioned. "You're missing out on all the fun!"

"Fight astutely, not injudiciously!" The Sergeant retorted as he fired another burst from his belt-fed support weapon directed at more of the zealous followers. "Or Adapt and Overcome, that's how you win a war, gentlemen!"

Westbrook spotted one of the cultists aiming from and began firing a short, five-round, burst of M61 Armor-Piercing projectiles at one of the few fighters using commonsense.

'What's the matter with this universe?' The old money scion thought. 'Well, honestly it would make for an excellent franchise if it wasn't real!'

Rakata Prime - Lehon System, Tempered Wastes, Unknown Regions, "The Galaxy"

07:19:16 ATC/Saturday, July 19th, 1969 - 12:32 / 12:32 PM

"You know, I can't believe we crawled three hundred meters through kriffing muck and vegetation."

"All in the trade." Jake smiled as he retrieved the 3-9X Redfield Auto Ranging Telescope aka the 'ARTEL' from its protective case and screwed the securing nut of the mount onto the side of the rifle.

"Jake?"

"Yes, angel?"

"I noticed you have a carbine on your back."

"Oh, the Paratrooper model?" The Jarhead mused, the M1A1 Carbine, while not necessarily a choice when it came to either stopping power or piercing plastoid armor was meant to provide him some protection as Meyer only brought one 7-round magazine for the XM21. "It's only in case trouble finds us."The Commando was about to remove her helmet when the Marine spoke up.

"I wouldn't remove it if I was you."

"Why not?" The redhead wondered. "The helmet gets in the way of my sight picture at times."

"To clarify, you would show the outline of your gorgeous face to enemy marksmen, which is why I'm wearing camouflage face-paint on my ugly mug."

"Makes sense." Sara relented. "I do admit that the galaxy mainly sees foliage camouflage as being an outdated concept except for scouts."

"Why scouts and not snipers such as yourself?" Meyer wondered with bemusement.

"Because the role is to harass the enemy and take out High-Value Targets." Kelrein informed. "However from time to time I've utilized personal cloaking devices."

"Ah, so you Space Brits just disregard any notion of taking real advantages against the enemy and just goosestep in perfect marching order clad in all black or gray outfits while the Republic responds in kind, huh? Honestly, I'm unsure as of now if this universe is supposed to be a large-scale resurrection of 18th Century European military courtesy to the opposing faction with the mass prisoner exchanges to boot or the Wild West with the excessive running and gunning."

"Why I'm not British." The Imperial's green eyes twinkled with mischief. "It's pure Dromund Kaas."

The American of German descent rolled his eyes before fixing his gaze into the scope, searching for any signs of either their compatriots or foes. "It's still kinda ironic that one of my ancestors, Thomas Schweir, was among the riflemen picking off Redcoats at Fort Sackville during George Rogers Clark's famed Illinois Campaign, and here I am, slightly less than two hundred years later fighting against basically a copy of the soon-to-be-extinct British Empire."

Sara sighed as she felt an incoming headache over the complication but before she could say anything, Jake spotted their counterparts just outside the door standing between them and the HVTs.

"Get ready, Sam and Sasquatch are making their move."

Sergeant Samuel David "Sam" Westbrook - First Squad, Third Platoon, D/ Delta Company, Second Battalion, 324th Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, XVIII Airborne Corps, United States Army

"The Temple of the Ancients" - Rakata Prime, Lehon System, Tempered Wastes, Unknown Regions, "The Galaxy"

07:19:16 ATC/Saturday, July 19th, 1969 - 12:40 / 12:40 PM

"Alright, you brute, I'll lead the way but please remember that we need to capture them unharmed if possible."

"Then I shall wait until the interrogations are done! Vengeance will be mine!"

Sam rolled his eyes, dreading the hostile body language as he placed two fingers on his opposite wrist. "Jake?" Westbrook spoke into his commlink. "Are you in position?"

"I am, and Sara complained about the mud."

"As city girls usually do." Sam chuckled.

"Very funny." Sara griped. "It'll take hours to get the muck off!"

"If you would like, I could help clean it."

"How sweet." Lana chimed in."But in all seriousness, remember to focus on the operation before you and do consider that you're dealing with an experienced Darth and a traitorous SpecForce trooper."

"Understood." The paratrooper acknowledged.

Rakata Prime - Lehon System, Tempered Wastes, Unknown Regions, "The Galaxy"

07:19:16 ATC/Saturday, July 19th, 1969 - 12:48 / 12:48 PM

Jake relaxed as he concentrated on his target, slowly exhaling as he waited patiently for the opportunity to get his kill. The experienced sureshot gazed squarely at the crosshair, bringing it in line with his target before checking with his partner to confirm the distance.

"Range?"

"About one thousand two hundred fifty standard meters give or take." Sara estimated from her range finder. "Definitely outside the range of any personal blaster but do you believe that these slugthrowers would get through his lightsaber? It's a little extreme distance-wise."

"Just enjoy the show." The crackshot smirked as he squeezed the trigger.

Crack!

At two thousand eight hundred feet per second, a single 175 grain projectile fired from Lake City produced M118 match loads that left the muzzle and spiraled toward the spot where the rifleman aimed the crosshairs, potentially knocking the target down to the dirt and even though this projectile would soon go subsonic around eleven hundred yards - not meters but yards - it was still lethal and packed nearly the same punch as a .357 Magnum revolver fired at one hundred yards.

Darth Arkous - Former Dark Councilmember and Order of Revan

"The Temple of the Ancients" - Rakata Prime, Lehon System, Tempered Wastes, Unknown Regions, "The Galaxy"

07:19:16 ATC/Saturday, July 19th, 1969 -12:51 / 12:51 PM

Arkous felt something slammed into his right bicep, the shock of the impact forcing the Sith Lord to drop his lightsaber. "Arghhh!"

"Snipers!" Darock warned, realizing that their attackers have support off in the distance.

"How very observant, Colonel." The Pureblood deadpanned as he realized that it was a slug that caused his arm to be damaged beyond repair.

Rakata Prime - Lehon System, Tempered Wastes, Unknown Regions, "The Galaxy"

07:19:16 ATC/Saturday, July 19th, 1969 -12:52 / 12:52 PM

"Elevation is good." The Sergeant confirmed from her rangefinder. "It's the wind I presume."

"Appears to be five clicks left." The Private First Class guessed as he dialed in the windage on the scope's adjustment turret to compensate for the miss while - although appearing as a blip even at full magnification in the 3-9x Redfield Adjustable Ranging Telescope - the red-skinned, demon-appearing creature attempted to strike Sam again in order to get out of sight and dodge the targeting. "Oh no you don't."

The next round by chance struck the Pureblood dead center of the forehead, causing him to topple over fatally.

"Kill confirmed." Kelrein smiled after confirming the traitor's demise. "Hope you don't mind if I attempt to take out the dear Colonel."

"Go ahead." Meyer shrugged innocently. "He was the brainchild of Korriban anyway."

"Well, in that case, I shall go for his groin first before gradually working my way up to his head."

'Ouch! I don't even want to know how being tortured with .308 caliber ammunition feels.'

Rakata Prime - Lehon System, Tempered Wastes, Unknown Regions, "The Galaxy"

07:19:16 ATC/Saturday, July 19th, 1969 - 13:28 / 1:28 PM

"Fine shooting. Saw it on the camcorder we sliced into." Theron complimented in a still somewhat irked tone from the hologram while the quartet plus one droid regrouped inside the temple. "Although it was a shame that Arkous and Darok couldn't be taken in alive."

"You know that camcorder came in good use, Theron." Lana mused.

"Yes, well, she wouldn't let me have access to the datapad."

"Like I was going to allow some SIS spy rummage through my data." Beniko snickered before pausing, feeling a sense of dread. "Wait, I sense something. We are in danger."

"Multiple sensor contacts! Capital ships dropping out of hyperspace, one of them coming in hot!"

"Arkous and Darok were valuable allies in my cause but their deaths will not delay what's coming."

Lana took a step forward in a mixture of disbelief and awe. "That voice."

"It's him." Theron recognized. "Revan."

"My Infinite Army could have achieved so much but I still have other weapons in my arsenal."

"Try us, bud." Samuel grinned confidently. "I'm sure we can adapt and make them all backfire."

"That remains to be seen. My followers are legion, my ranks grow every hour as more and more people see the truth of the galaxy. In fact, Earth would be a valuable ally but your backwater mindset and governments just as corrupt as the Republic's delude-"

"Shut up, you senile asshole!" Jake interrupted. "You have the nerve to wear some mask because you couldn't be intimidating enough without it or are trying to compensate for the lack of something. Actually, I think you're trying to hide your cowardice which explains why you're not here in person."

Revan

In Orbit above "The Temple of the Ancients" - Rakata Prime, Lehon System, Tempered Wastes, Unknown Regions, "The Galaxy"

07:19:16 ATC/Saturday, July 19th, 1969 - 13:30 / 1:30 PM

'That insolence! If he knew what I have endured, he wouldn't have been so rude!'

One of the bridge officers approached the imminent savior of the galaxy scowling not at the only hope left but the trash on the ground. "Want me to give the order to answer the insult, My Lord?"

"Fire on my command." The Prodigal Knight ordered as he crossed his arms. 'We'll see who's smug now.'

"The Temple of the Ancients" - Rakata Prime, Lehon System, Tempered Wastes, Unknown Regions, "The Galaxy"

07:19:16 ATC/Saturday, July 19th, 1969 - 13:35 / 1:35 PM

"They're powering up weapons! Get out of there now!"

"You really did it this time, Jake!" Samuel shouted as he and the others sprinted out of the collapsing temple as hellfire rained down from the laser guns of the spaceships.

"He has gone senile!" Jake concluded out loud, dashing and dodging the falling debris. "Three hundred years clouded his judgment!"

"Of everything you could've done, mocking Revan wasn't the first thing in mind!" Sara deadpanned. "It's your kriffing fault that you made him angry!"

"I could've called the smug bastard worse!" The Jarhead defended as they reached the gap to safety outside the ruins.

Jake panted and decided to relent his opinion. "Okay...Maybe I was a little harsh."

"Still, that...was frighteningly close." Sara determined as she caught her breath. "Next time, leave the diplomatic chat with me."

"Waste of time unless you need a distraction, Imperial." Samuel shrugged.

"Of course." Sara murmured, sniveling at the abrupt mistrustful tone.

"Sam..."

"It's honestly going to take time to fully get reacquainted." The soldier promulgated, interrupting the Leatherneck. "Look, I know you're being wholehearted to Jake but you still deceived us and I known him since I was in diapers. You should've told us the truth as we would've understood."

"Yes, but would you even believe in the revelation that Empire isn't as morally unjust?" The Commando questioned rhetorically. "Krasul, despite his faults, managed to successfully exaggerate everything about the Empire and painted the Republic as caring for all beings. Was it surprising to discover the neglect about a certain occurrence on Korriban after the raid?"

"This discussion can wait as I don't want to stand here in case His Worship Mister Overkill is sending units to search for confirmation at our demise." Meyer interceded.

"You're right, pal." Westbrook relented before glaring at the redhead one last time. "Just make sure you know that your heart is in the right place."

"You know that it is." Sara sighed before placing her helmet back on.

Agent Theron Shan - Strategic Information Service

Rakata Prime - Lehon System, Tempered Wastes, Unknown Regions, "The Galaxy"

07:19:16 ATC/Saturday, July 19th, 1969 -14:30 / 2:30 PM

"You know, I believe I see the reason why there's a need to upgrade our sensors." Lana sighed. "Obviously they know what they're doing."

"I'm still going to give that cocky Earthling a piece of my mind." Theron growled in annoyance. "Smug piece of Bantha turd thinks he's justified because he and even his friend both got lucky in getting pass the defenses unnoticed. He was even brazen enough to call my ancestor a senile asshole. He's the asshole!"

"Let it go, Theron. Sergeant Westbrook and Private Meyer both are just approaching this as the situation dictates."

"Oh sure, like they know everything about Revan."

"It's not that and you know it!" The towhead snapped. "I hate to admit it but the tactical record has demonstrated that they have a completely different mindset when it comes to warfare." The head of Sith Intelligence reluctantly divulged. "The vast majority of our respective forces don't use camouflage yet to the Earthlings, it's a vital necessity after the appalling carnage inflicted during their First World War. They use slugthrowers instead of blasters and they are crippling our walkers. The last time their infantry have truly fought like us was around the last turn of their Century during the aforementioned First World War." Beniko sighed as she revealed her conclusion."They have evolved differently as a civilization due to being isolated until last year. That's why they're so hard to predict as we've been foolishly comparing them to what we're used to from our own history and believing that there's nothing else to learn, not looking at it as a case of perhaps they're advanced in some areas and are outsiders looking in or they just simply refuse to play by our rules, reject to abide by our standards."

"And the multitude of the Earthlings repudiate the concept of the Force as well due to their unique geosphere and religious beliefs." Theron sighed, relenting at the analysis. "Somehow the Milky Way was cut off and it makes me wonder what other extragalactic civilizations are not linked."

"Jake, I'll admit, does brush it off as well and it's something we clearly disagree on but also, I do believe that I've read a report on how a certain Jedi Grandmaster is besotted with some Holoseries called Star Trek. What's going on?"

"Don't remind me." The SIS Field Operative groaned. "My own mother is now a diehard Trekkie and to her disappointment failed to persuade the Council to have it be officially a part of the training due to its 'educational nature'." Although Theoron hoped it was a joke the fact that the Grandmaster of the Jedi Order even brought up the possibility was revealing.

"Oh, I can imagine." The blonde Sith smirked deviously as she casually revealed the latest potential blackmail. "Be quite a shame if the entirety of Republic space knew that the Grandmaster of the Jedi Order has an imposing, prized collection of Star Trek paraphernalia."

'My only regret is that I haven't destroyed her Star Trek memorabilia collection when I had the chance.'

Ahto City, Manaan, Pyrshak System, Inner Rim, "The Galaxy"

07:20:16 ATC/Sunday, July 20th, 1969 - 8:40 /8:40 AM

"You know, I didn't think we could've pulled it off without sniper surveillance and support." Sam chuckled lightheartedly as he and Jake approached the conference room. "Too much running and gunning like cowboys is both the Republic's and Imperial philosophy on warfare."

Jake shook his head in amusement at the assessment. If it wasn't Napoleonic style marching to square off against each other on the battlefield, it was detaching men from their assigned units to complete a completely different task while the unit proper was about to be committed to the front. "I don't get why their snipers are using easily spotted red barriers at times when concealment takes precedence but they know better and I'm not going to complain."

"Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit." Sam deadpanned. "But I enjoy the look on the mugs of those Republic officers who sneer at us because they were taught at some military academy that is twenty thousand years old only to be humbled when we take the objective they failed to take four or five times."

"Would it be amusing if the Republic for some reason decided to build walkers that are seventy-four feet high and use them on the battlefield?"

"Don't be ridiculous, that would be very unstable." Sam snorted. "But I wouldn't put it past them or the Imperials."

The two friends laughed as Jake pushed the button to activate the automatic doors and entered the rented conference room.

"What's funny?" Sara wondered as she gazed up from her holomagazine.

"Oh, just a humorous thought about walkers." Meyer confessed. "Sam and I were thinking that it would be a waste of money if either the Republic or Empire decides to manufacture a variant that's nearly seventy-four feet in height or twenty-two and a half meters tall."

Even Bigfoot himself began laughing at the pair's hypothetical. "The mighty Jakarro could probably trip them with cables!"

"I'll admit that the Moffs of the Empire have made some poor decisions from time to time but there's no way such an impractical design would be approved by either the Ministry of Logistics or the Sphere of Production and Logistics." Kelrein defended. "Our equipment runs on the philosophy of efficiency and practicality but I can see the Republic doing it."

"Well, maybe the walkers were fine before we became known to this galaxy but now it's a guaranteed duck gallery for our tanks, bazookas, and recoilless rifles." Jake shrugged. "How many heads are rolling on Dromund Kaas?"

"Classified." Sara declared immediately before glancing back down on her holomagazine. "Huh, this is interesting. Apparently there's some movie about Revan being produced on Earth."

"Wait, what?" Sam wondered. "A movie about the deranged guy who just tried to kill us by overkill?"

"Yes, a movie about him." The Imperial Commando articulated in her cut-glass. "Being produced by some George Lucas, whoever he is, and Gene Roddenberry is supporting the project financially."

"Damn, I'm not sure what to think about it quite yet, beautiful." Jake drolled. "That's a funny coincidence."

"Clearly." Sara rolled her eyes in disbelief. "There's also this new hit song by this Impostor band called Pink Floyd."

'It's just a coincidence! How were Limeys supposed to know that every regional and even the Posh voice their society speaks is also spoken by an extraterrestrial civilization?' Meyer thought. "Talking about Interstellar Overdrive? The one that has been out for two years back home?"

"Yes. Why?"

Jake grimaced as it seemed that Kowalski was addicted to the tune and while there was plenty to expect in war: carnage, the sleepless nights, but no one in the unit was quite prepared for the incessant use of 'Interstellar Overdrive'. "Kowalski was playing it nonstop for an entire week in the barracks so I switched the Pollack's record with Preußens Gloria to teach him a lesson before Gunnery Sergeant Harris murdered him." Jake sighed. "I didn't want him to be partitioned."

"At times, I don't know if you're more Kraut or American, pal." Sam grinned as he slapped Jake on the back."But that's one hell of a way of telling a Polish-American to stop playing a song excessively."

"Admittedly he almost killed me afterwards but it was either that or listen to it incessantly before Harris or even the entire company partition his limbs."

"If he was an Imperial, a Sith would've…" The redhead paused as she thought back to Korriban. "Choked him on the spot."

'That's right. Shit, I can't believe that I've forgotten about it!'

"Jake? Is it alright Sara and I talk to you in private?"

The Marine glanced over to the redhead, her previous cheery mood appearing sorrowful and heartbroken as if she knew that the private discussion was planned beforehand. 'I'll admit that I didn't expect a poker face.'

"Actually, there's something I need to discuss with Sam and Jakarro anyways." Shan interceded. "We can go to another room and give you a moment alone."

Sam and Sasquatch looked at each other momentarily before shrugging.

Lana sighed after the others withdrew from the main rented conference room and Sara stood beside her friend, the two women gazing at their mutual lover fretfully.

"Look, Jake, I do realize that I haven't known you long, but I wish we had more time together." Lana began.

"You don't have to go anywhere. I'm sure I -"

"I believe we do." Sara corrected. "Lana and Agent Shan learned some troubling things after we escaped Rakata Prime. Then there's the fact that Jakarro received death head contracts, Theron is disavowed by the SIS, and-"

"The Dark Council placed a bounty on my head for the murder of Darth Arkous." Beniko finished. "The Revanites proved themselves to be everywhere and we don't know who to trust. While so far there have been no indications, as far as Theron and I are aware, of Revanites being recruited from United Nations Command, they probably would turn me over to the Republic."

Sara gazed at Jake's blue-gray eyes tearfully. "I do not know when I will be able to see you again. I'm leaving with Lana, Theron, Jakarro and that annoying droid to hopefully discover a safe location and work against the Revanites covertly."

'Dammit.' Jake thought as while they didn't openly say it, their tone indicated goodbye. "You know I'm going to miss you both."

The two lovebirds pulled their gallant in for an embrace, savoring the moment they had left with the man the two girlhood friends cherished.

"I love you, Jake." Sara mournfully murmured to her fiancé. "We'll see each other again one day."

Sergeant Samuel David "Sam" Westbrook -First Squad, Third Platoon, D/ Delta Company, Second Battalion, 324th Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division

Ahto City, Manaan, Pyrshak System, Inner Rim, "The Galaxy"

07:21:16 ATC/ Monday, July 21st, 1969 - 08:52 / 8:52 AM

"Well, I know we got off to a rough start, Sam, but we did pull through." Theron began. "However, there's...a new complication."

"What kind of complication, Red Jacket?"

"Maybe I should change outfits." The SIS operative muttered. "The Revanites placed bounties on everyone except for you and Jake and that's because the Earth Coalition hasn't been infiltrated by the Revanites nor is there any interest by Earth to work with the Bounty Hunter's Guild as of now."

"Ha! Imagine that. For a civilization who is debating the existence of this Force of yours, how can a cult of Force believers infiltrate and convert those to their cause?" Sam asked rhetorically.

"Plus Earth has been known to the entire galaxy only recently, the Quarantine Policy is meant to prevent espionage and sabotage as much as possible, and most of your religions, except for maybe Buddhism and Shintoism, don't correlate with the Force." Theron finished. "Which means Revan is hindered from successfully recruiting Earthlings to his cause plus there are officers from time to time threatening to shoot Republic officers and Jedi for stupidity that to me doesn't seem stupid."

"In short, Revan will be forced to take us on if his cause grows large enough. I dare him to try."

Shan rolled his eyes at the paratrooper and took a deep breath before getting to the point. "Lana, Sara, Jakarro, and I will be leaving soon and working against the Revanites covertly. But until we contact you, watch your backs." Theron handed Samuel two tickets for a ride back to Coruscant.

"Wait? Sara and Lana are going with you?"

"Well, I can't work against the cultists alone, and quoting one of your aphorisms: The enemy of my enemy is my friend." Shan reasoned. "Do me a favor, will you?"

"Another one already, Red Jacket?"

The operative rolled his eyes before uttering the request. "I suggest Jake take a vacation to Voss after the war and see the mystics. Perhaps they could enlighten him about the Force."

Samuel just smirked as he about-faced and progressed to the exit. "You might as well have him burn the United States Constitution or support the Communist Party of the United States of America, even accept internationalism or the dreaded 'New World Order' in addition to getting his stubborn head to start accepting the existence of the Force. While I'm honestly agnostic to it, I'll be sure to tell him that you're joking!"

Theron's eyes widened at the remarkable response. 'I wasn't being sarcastic!'

Sergeant Sara Kelrein - Imperial Commando Unit 421 "Reaper Squad", Imperial Army

Ahto City Spaceport - Ahto City, Manaan, Pyrshak System, Inner Rim, "The Galaxy"

07:21:16 ATC/ Monday, July 21st, 1969 - 10:29 / 10:29 AM

"I can't believe I have to say goodbye to him again." Sara lamented.

"You're not the only one." Lana ached. "In the short time I got to know him, I can see why you are smitten with him. He isn't exactly bad on the eyes either."

Sara chuckled softly at her friend's affectionate blush. "If you were someone else, I would've already made you disappear but I'm not going to complain if it's you."

"I wouldn't desire to harm your attachment." The blonde reiterated to the redhead.

"I know." The engaged woman smiled. "But you're not and so far...the ménage a trois seemed...was seemed to be working out." Sara felt lightheaded and empty as she realized the departure. "Dammit. I miss him already."

"We'll see him again. I'm sure of it."

"It's a matter of not if but when." Kelrein sniffled. "I don't want him to wait hopelessly."

Ahto City Spaceport - Ahto City, Manaan, Pyrshak System, Inner Rim, "The Galaxy"

07:21:16 ATC/ Monday, July 21st, 1969 - 10:29 / 10:29 AM

"You know, I'm still denying the fact that not only you and Sara somehow rekindled by now, you also somehow got a bombshell blonde smitten with you, and Sara's cool with it." Sam brought up as the pair boarded the flight that was taking them to Coruscant. "Sounds like a dream come true."

"Look at it from my perspective, it was Sara's idea, not mine." Jake reminded him. "And I'm still getting used to it but as far as I know, she's not bothered with Lana in addition to her but if it was anyone else, as Sara stated, then it would be an issue, not that I would put that theory to the test."

"I know that you wouldn't be a guy to have an affair or dalliance but I guess Sara trusts her if she's not getting jealous over this."

"Lana is her friend from childhood so…"

"That explains it." Westbrook snorted. "You're still one lucky bastard."

"Maybe but that's debatable." Meyer grinned as he leaned back in his velvet-like seat. "Still, I think I'm going to enjoy it as it's working out surprisingly well between the three of us so far…Well, if I ever see them again."

"No shit, they're both undeniably enamored with you. It looks like you're hooked for life. " The paratrooper acknowledged. "And judging by the two run-ins, I wouldn't be surprised if there's a third."

"I'm sure someone is waiting for you around the corner, pal. It's just that the path to it hasn't been found yet."

"Can I get you two any refreshments?" A male Twi'lek steward asked the pair. "We just received Cherry Coca-Cola's from Earth."

"Two Cherry Cokes please." Sam smiled as he grabbed his wallet. "Hope you accept cash and change instead of credits."

I guess I'm also officially a heretic now with making the Grandmaster of the Jedi Order a Trekkie...

But before you grab the pitchforks, torches, shotguns, and rifles, please allow me to explain.

I'm not a Trekkie.

Yes, you read it right: I am NOT a Trekkie.

In fact, while I think this is complete and utter heresy, it was a decision of mine plotwise to have George Lucas and Gene Roddenberry work together, not to mention how funny it would be for Satele to be taken in by one of the most popular television shows in the 1960s and unfortunately, there was just one Science Fiction series that would meet the criteria *GROAN*

Don't worry though (except for actual Trekkies reading this), mark my words: Star Wars will get the last laugh but the when or how is classified for now (Muh-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! :D)

While it might seem a little harsh with Theron here, realistically there's going to be clashes of cultures anyway and I figured it might be interesting to show a contrast of opinion here.

Last but not least Interstellar Overdrive is an actual tune by the rock band Pink Floyd and if you decide to listen to it you can understand why repetitively listening to it would be annoying after a while. In fact the incessant playing of it might become one of the running jokes in this story in addition to quite a few others. For instance, whenever the Dutch appear in the story something interesting is bound to happen or even chaos ensues, chaos as in Mad Jack Churchill would wish that the Dutch remain out of the war against the Sith Empire just like his opinion on 'Mericans during the Second World War.

"If it wasn't for those damn Yanks, we could have kept the war going another ten years!"

~ John Malcolm Thorpe Fleming Churchill, DSO & Bar, MC & Bar

Yes, the Dutch as in the Netherlands and colloquially synonymous with Holland. I'm not kidding as the Dutch will be shown getting their piece of the action and it's only fair :)

P.S. Speaking of music, the title of this chapter is from an amusing song I stumbled upon called Gitarzan by Ray Stevens released in 1969 and it's fitting because of Jakarro. I was tempted to name it Run Through the Jungle but I was planning on using the Creedence Clearwater Revival song's name for a different chapter.