DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
---------------------------------------------------------
Intergalactic Federacy on Facebook (Nations)
HTML https://intergalacticfederacy.createaforum.com
---------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************
DIR Return to: Trekylon Civil War
*****************************************************
#Post#: 39--------------------------------------------------
Re: New Columbia
By: MichaelH23 Date: February 14, 2015, 5:28 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Rebel lines, surface of New Columbia
Ignatius was scurrying toward the front lines, as explosions
blasted the ground around and behind him. He charged toward the
last set of redoubts, where non-clone combat veterans waited to
meet the enemy. He glanced to his right and was horrified by the
sight of Archer gun blasting his left flank into oblivion and at
the same time taking out the guns used in bombarding the city.
He glanced left and saw phaser fire pinning down his troops
there. He was met by Private Hugh Nession, who already looked
caked in dust and smoke despite being halfway between the first
and last redoubts.
Nession - "Sir, the enemy have droids advancing. We won't be
able to hold them down for long."
Ignatius - "We won't have to. You see those EM stakes there?
They'll neutralize the droids and allow your men to pick them
off easily. Then we'll only have the flesh-and-blood troops to
contend with."
Nession - "Yes sir. Nonetheless, with their artillery pounding
our reserve tanks, is it wise to advance the front-line armored
units?"
Ignatius - "Yes it is, and if you question me again, I'll kill
you. Now get back to the trenches!"
Nession wanted to argue the matter further, but wisely thought
better of it as Ignatius pushed past him and into the
trenchworks immediately close to the command center. Resigned,
Nession turned and followed Ignatius back to the trenches.
Several of the men moved aside as Ignatius moved among them,
while others were forcefully pushed aside. Ignatius made it to
the end of the embankment when he caught sight of Drake I on
horseback.
Ignatius - "I want all guns on the emperor immediately!"
Soldier - "He's too far away. We couldn't get a lock on even if
we had the right equipment."
Ignatius - "I DON'T WANT EXCUSES, I WANT ACTION!"
The force and volume of his order caused every head to whirl in
his direction and he was soon faced with several dozen pairs of
eyes on him at once. Ignatius pored fire from his own eyes,
staring at each with such intensity that the expression 'if
looks could kill' would've taken on a new meaning. He turned
again to fix his hateful glare on Drake I when he noticed the
emperor gesturing toward the EM stakes. He couldn't understand
why the emperor thought he could use his chrome toasters to take
down the very things that rendered them useless to him, and with
the fire becoming more intense, it was unlikely that he could
have the living troops disable the stakes.
But that was until the first of a series of phaser beams struck
the ground and tore apart the first of the stakes...
[hr]
Drake I rode as close as he could to the front of the lines,
while his troops-both droid and living-concentrated fire on the
rebels in the forwardmost trenches. He briefly scanned the rebel
entrenchments and caught sight of his opponent, General
Ignatius, moving to the farthest of the trenches. Shaking his
attention off the enemy general, Drake I brought his wristcomm
to his face.
Drake I - "Smiths Station, this is Drake. Lock on to my location
and begin phaser sweep."
Toran - "Majesty, we'll be firing on your position."
Drake I - "That's correct. Lock on to my position and fire when
ready. I'll withdraw to a safe distance."
Toran - "Yes, Majesty"
Drake I brought his cresthorse around, and for a split moment,
caught Ignatius' attention again. The two men glared at each
other across the wide field, then Drake I gently kicked his
horse and rode back to the safety of the lines. Seconds later, a
crimson beam struck the ground with such force that dust was
kicked up, forming a cloud. The impact of the beam knocked some
of the enemy troops off their feet, and caused the rest to move
back in confusion. The beam began its work, neutralizing the EM
stakes and as it swept past, the once-glowing stakes now looked
inert. From his new location, still on cresthorseback, Drake I
could see the EM stakes rendered inoperative one by one as the
phaser beam moved across the field. Then, just as quickly as it
appeared, the beam ceased.
Drake I - "Phase Three begin"
[hr]
Ignatius was still bewildered as to why his enemy was gesturing
toward the field of EM stakes, when the phaser beam struck the
ground. Ignatius only then realized what the emperor had done,
and an intense rage built to the boiling point as he watched the
phaser beam make quick work of the EM stakes.
Ignatius - "Have our tanks move into position to cover the
Clones!"
His order was passed down the line without hesitation just as
the phaser beam ceased as quickly as it had appeared. All that
remained of the EM stakes were smoking sticks in the ground that
would prove as effective as an ancient barricade. Ignatius saw
the 'droids approach the crest of the first ravine, carrying
large and vicious-looking energy rifles in their arms.
Ignatius - "First group, hold the line! Do not let those chrome
toasters advance!"
The soldiers in the first trench made their way to the edge of
the ravine, where a series of buildups had been created. Taking
position, the Clones brought their weapons to bear and suddenly
the space above the ravine was thick with directed-energy fire.
Ignatius could almost imagine walking across the ravine on thos
beams and blasts. Explosions ripped chunks of ground on either
side as both tank groups positioned themselves and let loose
their own fire to add to the chaos. Ignatius kept behind the
second redoubt, growling and cursing to himself as he watched
the battle unfold.
At the ravine, the Clones and the 'Droids continued to exchange
fire, and even as the droids were faltering under the fire,
several Clones had their buildups blasted into pebbles, exposing
them to the droids' rifle fire and the fire from the Keshiks
behind them. Slowly, the droids advanced into the ravine, never
showing any consideration for the terrain.
Ignatius - "Bring up the Chaos tanks!"
[hr]
Centurion droids marched slowly into the ravine, taking fire
from their opponents on the other side. Some lost their legs,
some lost their arms, a few even lost their heads in explosive
sparks and tumbled to the dusty ground. But for each droid that
was felled by enemy fire, two more droids filled the gap and
continued forward. Behind the rows of droids came the heavies
with their shoulder-mounted photon cannons, polaron bazookas,
and rocket launchers. As the droids moved into the ravine, the
heavies took position and fired their myriad weapons across the
ravine to scatter Clones and disable or destroy any tanks that
came into range. Galloping into the fray on his cresthorse,
lightsaber drawn and activated, Drake I parted the rows of
troops and charged into the ravine, deflecting the enemy fire
with his plasma blade. He rode up the embankment and drove into
the enemy lines, hacking and slashing through the enemy troops.
He came perilously close to being knocked off his cresthorse,
but fought back hard. Drake I directed the heavies to fire on
the enemy tanks before the droids made their way up the
embankment.
Meanwhile, Rees continued to direct the Archer guns' blistering
fire on the rebel entrenchment just twenty feet from him. Here,
the panic had taken hold and many of the clones were falling
back, causing their lines to bunch up. Rees saw his opening and
directed several militiamen to rush into the trench. The few
clones that held fast to the defenses were easily overwhelmed by
the militias, who promptly raised their banner.
Rees - "Now that we've seized the left-flank trenches, we can
apply pressure to their center and force them to spread out in
an attempt to drive us out."
He brought his wristcomm toward his face and spoke into it,
directing the ships overhead to begin transporting Knights into
the city. At the same time, he ordered the Archer guns to be
redirected toward the center of the rebel lines in order to keep
them confused.
Just hope General Van Doorn can get his boys into their other
entrenchments, otherwise there will be a gap for the rebels to
slip through, he thought.
General Van Doorn had to admit to being impressed with Rees
after seeing how effective his militiamen had seized the far
entrenchments. Once he saw their banner appear above the
redoubts, he knew it was now his turn to seal the gap. Without
hesitation, he slung his phaser rifle forward, gripped it tight,
and let out a battle cry before charging at the rebels lining
the redoubts. Behind him, the Imperial Marines and their
Cherokee auxiliaries followed close behind, the Cherokee
screaming their own war-cry. Van Doorn killed three clones, then
used his weapon as a club, swinging and striking at the
onrushing clones with ferocity. Screams could soon be heard as
Cherokee tomahawks met rebel skulls. The surviving rebel clones
fled for the safety of the center lines, where they reformed and
held their ground. Soon after, the Cherokee war banner was
raised above the right-flank redoubts. Van Doorn surveyed the
results of the skirmish with a grim smile on his face.
#Post#: 46--------------------------------------------------
Re: New Columbia
By: MichaelH23 Date: March 4, 2015, 3:38 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Battle of Freedomtown, Hour 3
Just outside the city of Freedomtown, the battle raged on. Rebel
forces were steadily being driven from their entrenchments and
redoubts by the Imperial Army and the artilleries of the Archer
regiment. With half their tanks neutralized, the rebels had
nothing to fall back on, in the face of advancing Imperial
Centurion droids which were performing above and beyond what
anyone had expected. Drake I continued to charge into small
rebel pockets and slash at the clones, heedless of the danger
his exposure to enemy fire could bring to him. Meanwhile, inside
the city, the Loyalist partisans were coming out of their sewer
hideouts and massing for a major strike on the communications
network linking Freedomtown to the other cities on the continent
of Atalia. They were now joined by strike-teams comprised
separately of twenty-five Imperial Knights and fifteen Cherokee
Braves who were anxious to get into the fighting. While the
communications was the primary objective, all knew that the Fist
hideout in Adamsville was the real target. Break their backs
there, and they would be neutralized on the continent, which
would make easier the overall task of liberating it and
fortifying in preparation for the breakout.
In the skies above New Columbia's surface, a group of
curved-wing craft left hyperspace with a series of flashes,
thirty in all, and spread out into groups of three. They had
come to change the course of the Battle for New Columbia, and
deliver a surprise to both the Imperial liberation forces and
the rebels. It would also serve as a message to His Imperial
Majesty Drake I that the Mongols of the United Tribes of
Mongolistan were entering the fight.
Outside Freedomtown. Main Combat Theater
Drake I rode hard, dodging blasts from rebel clone guns as he
charged up a small hill toward his primary target, the rebels'
Command Center. Behind him, line upon line of Centurions shot
down any rebel soldier that tried to get a shot at the emperor,
while further back, flesh-and-blood soldiers were fighting
close-quarter and sometimes hand-to-hand battles with clones
trying to hold their ground. He discovered all too quickly that
he was fast becoming inured to fighting despite this being his
first actual combat experience. He reached the top of the hill
and could see the enemy Command Center, bristling with guns and
base-shields in a series of rings expanding out to some five
feet from the building. As he watched, three of the guns facing
him locked on to the hill he was located on. Sensing the danger,
Drake I dug his spurs into the side of the cresthorse and turned
him around. Drake I managed to escape by a whisker as the guns
opened up on the hill he had just been on. Dust was kicked up by
the blasts, which rained down small pebbles on both cresthorse
and rider. Drake I brought the animal to a stop as the last of
the dust cloud began to dissipate, and saw that the rebel flanks
were breaking down. As they dropped back closer to the defensive
ring around their base, he saw Van Doorn raise up from behind a
barricade, saber in hand.
Van Doorn - "They're falling back to regroup! Let's get them
before they reorganize! CHARGE!"
As one, an entire battalion of Imperial Knights, Imperial
Marines, New Columbian militiamen, and even a group of
well-armed farmers rose up behind him and brought their various
weapons to bear, charging and screaming war-cries in emulation
of their leader. Some of the rebel clones put up a desperate
defense while others kept pushing farther back, closer to the
defensive ring. Drake I saw the danger right away as the group
of armed farmers, not seeing the threat ahead of them, charged
recklessly past the professional troops, shouting and shooting
at the retreating rebels. The moment they came into ranger,
every gun battery in the defensive ring came alive with fire,
mowing the farmers down by the hundreds. Van Doorn shouted a
warning to them, but by then it was too late. The best he could
now do was to clear a way to within range of the guns (while
keeping himself and the rest of his men out of range of them)
using photon grenades. Explosions chewed the ground up between
Van Doorn's group and the defensive ring and several enemy
bodies could be seen flying through the air. Before Drake I
could give the order to the Centurions to support Van Doorn, he
heard a low buzzing sound building in intensity. He whirled the
cresthorse about in time to see six of the surviving rebel
tanks, all of them Chaos tanks aiming their main guns at him. At
that moment, the emperor realized that he had lost track of his
immediate area, so caught up in the drama of Van Doorn's
advance, and now faced the real danger of being eliminated from
the battle and the throne. As he contemplated his own inevitable
death, a new sound grabbed his attention. And this new sound was
coming from above....
Drake I couldn't believe his eyes, at the moment when they would
soon no longer see anything, as three curved-wing fighters
swooped down past him in a great rush of wind which blasted in
their wake. The three attack fighters hugged the surface as they
flew on toward the six rebel tanks bearing down on the emperor.
Without warning, several dozen missiles were streaking from
beneath the fighters' wings toward the tanks. Seconds later,
Drake I was nearly thrown from his cresthorse as concussive
booms and brilliant explosions ripped apart the enemy tanks,
sending shrapnel raining down. A blast of dirt expanded from the
detonation points and soon blocked the emperor's view of the
fighters or the battlefield in general.
UTM fighter Tengri-3
The cockpit space was cramped even by the standards of the
technology. Nonetheless, the pilot kept his course as he flew
above the emperor of Trekylon, having taken out the six enemy
tanks closing on him. He was Torgui, a 28-year-old Kerait who
had grown up four years after the Purges, when the nobility
among the Keraits were executed by the Mongols. He had been
raised with the new Mongol identity and embraced it well. Rising
through the ranks, he was finally able to achieve that coveted
status of fighter pilot of the Tengri Squadron, considered to be
the cream of the crop in the UTM military. As he held on to the
consoles and guided the fighter, his scanning computer picked up
heat signatures on the rooftops of the ten-story buildings.
Togrui - "Tengri-3 to Tengri-1...I'm picking up heat signatures
on the rooftops up ahead. Looks like the Resistance is about to
be attacked from all sides."
Tengri-1 - "Could it be those Infiltrators I've been getting
intel about?"
Togrui - "Affirmative. It looks like they intend to get the jump
on the Resistance. I know what those Infiltrators will do. I
recommend we lend the Resistance a hand."
Tengri-2 - "I concur."
Tengri-1 - "Very well. Standard attack formation. Ready
pulse-blasters and missiles. Fire when you achieve lockon."
Togrui checked the status of his weapons and found them to his
satisfaction. Then he waited to hear from the others on their
own statuses. He didn't have to wait long.
Tengri-2 - "Weapons hot."
Togrui - "Weapons read hot and ready."
Tengri-1 - "Weapons hot and ready. Commence strafing attack."
Togrui drove his fighter toward the closest collection of small
buildings, where the enemy Infiltrators were moving stealthily
keeping pace with the Loyalists and Imperial Knights. The moment
they were in range, Torgui let loose the missiles. Twelve
missiles, which spread out to seek their targets streaked from
his fighter joined by six more missiles from his group leader
and wingman. Minutes later, the roofs exploded, sending the
Infiltrators into the air and hitting the walls of nearby
buildings, or the ground. Torgui smiled in satisfaction, then
heard the voice of his fellow pilot.
Tengri-2 - "I think we might've given new hope to the
Resistance."
Torgui - "Good. Now we can go back to the main theater and help
the emperor."
Tengri-1 - "I agree. Hard right, come about. Let's not be late
for the hunt."
cont'd>
#Post#: 47--------------------------------------------------
Re: New Columbia
By: MichaelH23 Date: March 13, 2015, 1:49 am
---------------------------------------------------------
< cont'd
Drake I could not believe what he was witnessing. Several sleek
craft, resembling flying wings, flashed into existence, breaking
formation as soon as they solidified and moving to engage
targets on the ground. He noted that all the targets were rebel
targets, and he saw an opportunity. Raising his saber into the
air, he called attention to all the infantry troops, both
biological and technological. Without saying a word, he thrust
the blade forward, in the direction of the trapped rebel forces.
As one, every soldier charged from the redoubts and trenches
they had just captured, firing their weapons and, at least the
living soldiers, uttering war-cries. He spurred his charger and
rode into the melee, slashing, hacking, and slicing through the
enemy troops as many tried to escape. The rest held their
ground, determined to fight to the death in hopes of taking as
many of the Imperial forces with them.
As many of the rebels began to rout, Van Doorn saw his chance to
seal them in. Charging forward, he called on his men to drive
into the enemy flanks. They drove straight into the fleeing
enemy, firing as they advanced, until they were now positioned
to cut off their escape, in concert with Rees' own militia
forces. Van Doorn caught sight of the young major-general, his
arms bruised and his face wet with sweat, as he fired on some
rebel troops trying to slip past him. At the same time as the
infantry advance, the Keshiks drove past the killing ground, and
moved closer toward the city, firing anti-personnel guns at the
few rebels that managed to slip through hoping to escape into
the city.
[hr]
Rebels
General Ignatius tried desperately to hold his men against the
Imperial forces advancing, but many of the clone troopers were
losing confidence and dropping their rifles and blasters at an
alarming rate. He saw the same craft his enemy saw, streaking
just above him. For an insane moment, Ignatius thought it was
reinforcing fighters come to relief the siege. But as several
dozen of his troops suddenly dropped dead from pulse-blasts from
the fighters, he came to the horrifying realization that he was
lost. Nevertheless, he remained determined to hold his ground,
and he directed curses and encouragements at the few men who
remained with him.
Ignatius - "Hold that line!"
As he directed commands, a Clone Communications Trooper
approached him with headset in hand. The look on the soldier's
face was enough to confirm to Ignatius that the enemy was
attacking on all fronts. The Trooper handed him the headset,
which Ignatius angrily snatched away. Not bothering to put the
headset on fully, he placed the audio receiver on his right ear
and brought the mic to his lips.
Voice - "General, we have a Loyalist uprising happening within
the city. We've also seen fighter craft taking out our snipers
and Fist Infiltrators, unknown origin."
Ignatius - "Why can't you rally the troops garrisoning the
city?"
Voice - "Those fighters use hit-and-run tactics to keep us
guessing. At the same time we've managed despite them to track
the Loyalists. They've gotten material assistance and we suspect
there may be Imperial Marines aiding them."
Ignatius - "Then stand by to activate the bombs. If we can't
hold the city, then we'll level every remaining building, every
scaffold, and every pile of rubble!"
Voice - "What about our surviving men!?"
Ignatius - "Damn them! They should've done a better job of
suppressing those frakking Loyalists. Maybe now, they'll --"
He stopped speaking as a loud boom erupted from within the ruins
of the city.
#Post#: 48--------------------------------------------------
Re: New Columbia
By: MichaelH23 Date: March 13, 2015, 2:04 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Freedomtown, ten minutes earlier
As the partisans emerged from their sewer hideouts, overhead,
the first of the rooftop explosions began. Barachi could barely
make out their silhouettes in the darkness, but as the battle
raged farther outside the city, the flashes finally revealed
their wing-like shapes. They reminded Barachi of bats as they
swooped down on the taller buildings, firing missiles. Each new
explosion revealed a body launched into the air by the force of
the explosion, and the ground in the alleys was now becoming
littered with bodies and parts of bodies. He motioned for Dettie
and Longsworth to join him, as he looked down the main boulevard
toward their objective: the Communications Building. Beneath the
building was the Hub, which linked all the rebel-occupied
cities.
Barachi - "That's our target. Beneath that building."
Dettinger - "What are those things that are flying above us?"
Barachi - "Seems the empire has gained a new ally in this fight.
They've actually cleared a path for us to the target. We just
have to be wary of any ground ambushes from FIST Infiltrators
and any rebel garrison troops."
Longsworth - "Easy as pie. I got the satchel strapped to me. The
bombs are ready to arm."
Dettinger - "Eddy, be careful when you say things like that. We
haven't entered the building yet, and the rebels could have
hundreds of troops waiting for us."
Barachi - "That's why Alex is leading a large group of
guerrillas on a diversionary strike against the armory. Draw off
enough enemy opposition to make our move easier. Though now that
we have new allies, this might be a nonissue."
Dettinger was about to reply when a musical sound filled the
air. She looked down the main boulevard, where three groups of
six forms began to materialize. She pointed at the sight,
forcing the men to turn their heads to see. The forms
materialized into a welcome sight: Imperial Knights.
Barachi - "Bit early for the cavalry to arrive, but welcome all
the same."
Dettinger ran toward the closest group of Knights. Their initial
reaction was alarmed surprise as she ran toward them, drawing
their weapons. But as she waved her arms at them, they lowered
their weapons and nodded in acknowledgement of her allied
status. Barachi and Longsworth ran to join Dettinger, and one of
the Knights removed his helmet and walked toward them. He was
30-years-old, with a pleasant face and a calm demeanor that was
odd for someone thrust into the middle of a battle situation.
Knight - "My name is Harold Gessin. I'm group leader for Group
2-Alpha and overall Knight-Commander. We've been sent to help
you liberate the city."
Barachi - "I'm Paul Barachi, my girlfriend Dettinger and my
best friend Longsworth. We're all too happy to see you. Can you
clear a mystery for us?"
Gessin - "I will do my best, Mr Barachi."
Barachi - "Those strange looking fighters that took out the FIST
boys on the rooftops...are they Imperial?"
Gessin - "A new ally has joined our fight. They are from the
United Tribes of Mongolistan."
Longsworth - "Never heard of them. Still, I'm glad we have
allies in this fight."
Dettinger - "Do you know our target?"
Gessin - "Indeed. The Hub is the vital target. The continental
communications network meets here. This was what made it easy
for the rebels to seize control of the continent and from here,
the rest of the planet."
Barachi - "That was how they did it. I'm coming up with a new
idea now."
Longsworth - "Paul, our orders were to destroy the Hub. We can
do nothing else."
Barachi - "But if the rebels used the Hub to force a
continent-wide surrender, why can't we use it to rally all
Loyalist forces in the other cities, then destroy the Hub?"
Dettinger - "Paulie has a point, Eddy. We can still destroy the
Hub, but why not do to the rebels what they did to us?"
cont'd >
#Post#: 49--------------------------------------------------
Re: New Columbia
By: MichaelH23 Date: March 13, 2015, 6:29 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
<cont'd
Longsworth - "Maybe, but we'd be going against our orders."
Gessin - "If that was how the rebels defeated the militia
efforts, then we should consider putting that plan into action.
Mr Barachi, would you be willing to serve as the rallyman?"
Barachi - "Yes, as long as Eddy and Dettie will stand with me."
Dettinger - "My love you don't have to ask. I will stand with
you. Eddy?"
Longsworth - "I haven't left your side yet. I don't intend to
start today."
Gessin - "Then our first objective should be to secure the
Communications Building."
He walked to the group of other Knights to confer. On occasion,
he gestured toward the three partisans as other glanced briefly
before returning their focus to him. After just a few minutes,
Gessin returned to the trio.
Gessin - "Everyone agrees that the Hub now has a strategic
value. Your cell leader will come to realize that your actions
were justified and correct once you are a free people again."
Barachi - "So do we have a plan?"
Gessin *putting his helmet back on* - "We will clear the
building and underground of rebels and FIST groups. Once the
building is deemed secure, we'll bring you inside. Our other
groups should be launching their diversionary strikes in the
next four minutes, so we need to be in position."
Barachi - "Then let's not waste time. The fate of your men, my
fellow partisans, and the planet is at stake."
Gessin led his group of Knights toward the Building, with
Dettinger, Barachi, and Longsworth enclosed in the armored
living wall of Knights. They jogged for about two minutes,
before finally reaching the entryway. Here, Dettinger, Barachi,
and Longsworth were forced to take cover when a group of rebels
burst from inside the building and engaged the Knights. Barachi
grabbed his phase-pistol, which he normally used for home
defense, and shot at the rebel troops, distracting them long
enough for the Knights to disarm and shackle them. Dettinger was
grabbed by a rebel clone, but planted her knee in his groin,
causing him to double over, releasing her. She finished him off
by grabbing a stone and crashing it down on his skull. Gessin,
seeing Dettinger's actions, nodded in approval before handing
her a small sword.
Gessin - "This could be more benefit than a stone."
Dettinger - "Thanks."
She hefted the small blade in her hand, feeling the weight and
assessing its potential before nodding. She sheathed the blade
beneath her shirt. Barachi tried to stop her, but by then it was
too late.
Longsworth - "How long until the diversionary attack?"
Gessin - "Should happen right about --"
An explosion, followed by battle cries reached their ears.
Gessin smiled tightly.
Gessin - "We need to take cover until the rebels depart the
building. Once that's done, we can slip inside."
cont'd>
#Post#: 50--------------------------------------------------
Re: New Columbia
By: MichaelH23 Date: March 14, 2015, 6:09 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
cont'd>
The Knights and the partisans dove for cover among the shrubbery
just outside the building. Minutes later, rebels emerged from
within, shouting and brandishing weapons as they charged in the
direction of the armory. Gessin watched them go, making certain
the rebels were far enough away to not return to the building,
then gestured for his fellow Knights and the partisans to come
out of hiding. Barachi. Longsworth, and Dettinger emerged from
the bushes looking only slightly bedraggled due to the small
branches. Gessin and two other Knights ran up the three steps to
the entryway, which was slowly closing. While both Knights stood
on either side of the entryway, Gessin pushed the door open
again, then bolted inside. After a few minutes which felt like a
few years, Gessin called for the other Knights to enter. Barachi
and his friends followed the Knights inside, where they found
the main room empty.
Gessin - "Spread out and secure all rooms. Mr Barachi, you and
your companies remain with me until all the rooms are cleared."
Barachi and his friends said nothing, only staying close to the
Knight-Commander while the rest of the Knights began their
room-by-room sweep. Barachi became increasingly nervous as time
passed, listening to the distant sounds of battle outside the
city, and the closer sounds of combat within. Dettinger
maintained a calm which made Barachi jealous. Longsworth was a
combination of reserved and anxious as Knights kicked open
doors. Finally, they reached a door marked AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL
ONLY at the end of the corridor.
Knight - "Sir, we found the door that leads to the subterranean
level and the Hub."
Gessin - "Secure that door and await further instruction. Are
all other rooms secure?"
Knight - "Affirmative, sir."
Gessin - "Mr Barachi, its time for the Voice of Free New
Columbia to debut. This way."
Gessin led Barachi and Dettinger down the corridor, and into a
room just two doors down from the main lobby. Inside, various
transmission equipment, cameras, microphones and idle cam-disks
awaited an operator. Barachi went to the control board and began
turning on all stationary cams and audio receivers and
transmitters. Dettinger double-checked the cam-disks, while
Gessin stood in the entryway, a sentinel. After a few minutes,
all the equipment was operational, and as Dettinger took control
of a main stationary camera, Barachi took his seat on a stool
facing the camera.
Barachi - "To Imperial citizens of New Columbia....I am Paul
Barachi from the capital city of Atalatia, Freedomtown. The day
you have longed for, since last month's rebel invasion of our
planet, is now at hand. Even as I speak, Imperial and foreign
forces are fighting both in orbit and on the ground just outside
the city..to liberate us from the rebel menace which has cost us
many loved ones. To those who have been in hiding, wondering if
and when the liberation would come...it has come. To those who
want only a sign to rise up and overthrow your rebel oppressors,
this is your sign. I urge you to rise up and fight with us. To
those rebels who tire of fighting and want simply to live in
peace with your fellow citizens of the empire...surrender. You
will be treated leniently and fairly. Long live the Empire!"
Dettinger glanced at Gessin, who smiled. Barachi went to the
transmitter controls and activated the broadcast, then set it to
a repeating cycle. This would continue even without the Hub
intact.
Barachi - "Now, let's cut the connection the rebels rely on."
He ran to the doorway, Dettinger behind him, and joined Gessin
as he ran to the door guarded by the two Knights.
[hr]
Rebel Forces
Ignatius was trapped with only 2,450 of his troops, no tanks,
and no chance of escape. All around him, the Imperial Military
was tightening the noose, and many rebel brigades were simply
throwing down their weapons and surrendering. He continued to
fight on with his cadre of some 900 men, still believing that
either they could achieve a breakout and escape into the city,
or that they could join up with reinforcements from the rest of
the planet and crush the Imperial/Foreign force once and for
all. But as time passed and more men were either killed,
rendered incapable of fighting, or surrendered, he could clearly
see that no help was forthcoming. This did not deter him from
persisting with his intention to fight to the last man, even if
that last man was himself. As he blasted the head off another
Imperial Redtrooper, he caught sight of Emperor Drake I again,
on his cresthorse. He took aim with his pistol, but before he
could fire, his weapon was shot out of his hand. Clutching his
hand in pain, he caught sight of a Centurion, his pistol aimed
at him. Damned chrome toaster, he thought angrily, to have kept
me from ending this battle on my terms
Drake I - "I believe you are the commander of this force. I urge
you to surrender now and avoid further bloodshed."
Ignatius - "Like Hell I will. You only liberated one continent.
We still hold the planet, and we will return in force to drive
your pathetic troops off for good. You will likely not live to
see this, as I intend to kill you."
Drake I - "How? You lost your weapon, not to mention all use of
that hand. Unless you're really ambidextrous then you have no
means to kill me, and your men won't help you either."
Sure enough, 500 of the 900 men gathered around Ignatius dropped
their weapons and raised their arms in surrender. The rest froze
in place, unable to fight and unwilling to surrender. Ignatius
knew that his time was up. But he remained hopeful that the
reinforcements would arrive. Until then, he decided he'd bide
his time.
Ignatius - "Name your terms."
cont'd>
#Post#: 51--------------------------------------------------
Re: New Columbia
By: MichaelH23 Date: March 14, 2015, 7:45 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
<cont'd
Stairway leading to the Hub
Gessin, his five Knights, and the three partisans made their way
down the stairway, in a dimly-lit stairwell which seemed to
stretch to infinity. Inside, Barachi noted that the sounds of
battle could no longer be heard, only the echoing sounds of
their footfalls as they descended. Dettinger took his hand, and
he felt as if time had stopped. Behind them, Longsworth carried
the satchel with the explosives close to him, while the Knights
remained on alert. It took fifteen minutes to make the descent
to the level where the Hub was located. As the trio and the
Knights stood catching their breath, they could see that the Hub
resembled a small tower with pulsing blue and white lights on
the main column and streams of red lights leading into it from
various points, which Barachi assumed corresponded with the
other cities. Longsworth grabbed the satchel, pulling it around
him so he could reach inside it easily. Gessin placed his hand
on Longsworth's.
Gessin - "Not yet. There could still be rebels within the
chamber."
The other five Knights spread out, searching every known
cubby-hole and cranny for hidden rebel skirmishers. Barachi
began to sense that something was amiss, but as the Knights made
their circuit of the chamber and returned, there was no sign of
rebels anywhere.
Barachi - "I feel as though we're being watched from someplace."
Gessin - "Mr Barachi, we've checked every possible hiding place
and found no one."
Dettinger - "I'm starting to get that feeling myself. This was
too easy, I tell you."
Gessin - "I don't understand how you both sense a presence and
we've not been able to locate anyone."
A noise got the attention of Longsworth, who looked about in a
panic. Barachi also began looking about, on alert just as the
Knights were. At that moment, a plasma blast struck Longsworth
in the chest, and he dropped to his knees in pain. Barachi
turned in time to see a group of rebels emerge from what was a
holographic camouflage, weapons firing. Gessin pushed Barachi
and Dettinger to the side just in time to avoid a plasma blast,
then he brought his own PPG to bear on the attacking rebel.
Other Knights quickly rose to the defense and a firefight
erupted. Barachi grabbed the plasma rifle from a fallen rebel
and charged toward his fallen friend, firing at rebels that
tried to cut him off. Dettinger used her sword and hacked at a
rebel advancing on her only to be knocked down by a pair of
Clones. Gessin tackled one of the men before he could attempt to
choke Dettinger, and the distraction provided by the other
turning to meet Gessin gave her the opportunity to use her legs
to snag his neck in a scissors hold, then jerk his head suddenly
to one side with a vicious snap. The Clone dropped dead to the
floor, as Dettinger rolled to the side to retrieve her sword.
Barachi reached his friend's side and was horrified by the hole
in his chest.
Barachi - "Eddy! You alright!?"
Longsworth - "I've had better days, Paulie. I'm sorry I got
shot."
Barachi - "Can you still carry out the mission?"
Longsworth - "No, but I will do it anyway. Since I'm now dead, I
have nothing more to lose. Get Dettie and get out of here."
Barachi's eyes watered as tears threatened to spill down his
cheeks. Longsworth had to turn away from the sight of his friend
weeping.
Longsworth - "Paulie! You haven't cried since you were
two...don't start crying on me now! Get out of here! I'll set
the explosives."
A hand fell on Barachi's shoulders and he turned to see Gessin
standing above him, blood splatters ruining his beautiful face,
chest heaving from combat, and a bloody dagger in his hand.
Gessin - "Your friend is right. Its time to go. He is willing to
sacrifice himself for the cause. There is no nobler way to die."
cont'd>
#Post#: 52--------------------------------------------------
Re: New Columbia
By: MichaelH23 Date: March 14, 2015, 8:37 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
<cont'd
Barachi looked ready to argue the issue, but one look in
Longsworth's eyes stops him. Barachi slowly rose to his feet,
keeping his eyes on his friend, who smiled up at him.
Longsworth *weakly* - "Thank you, Paulie."
Gessin - "We scattered the rebels but it won't be long before
they regroup. I'll have four Knights escort you and Dettinger
out of the Building. Myself and the rest will assist Mr
Longsworth in setting the explosives."
Barachi and Dettinger looked visibly upset. But with the
possibility of more rebels coming, they knew they had no choice.
Barachi took Gessin's arm in a spirit of camaraderie, to which
Gessin could only smile. Then both partisans, along with the
four Knights, made their way back to the stairway and began
their hurried ascent. Gessin saluted them, then helped
Longsworth to his feet to begin setting the explosives. As they
set the first set of explosives, a small group of rebel
skirmishers burst from yet another holographic camouflage and
advanced. Longsworth was shot in the leg and collapsed to one
knee as Gessin threw his dagger at the rebel, killing him.
Before Gessin could draw another dagger, six plasma blasts from
six different directions struck him in the abdomen, chest, and
leg. Gessin dropped with a groan as Longsworth began pulling
himself along the floor, placing the other explosives on the
column. As he places the last charge, a rebel fires and blasts a
hole in the side of Longsworth's head. His last words as his
world swirled into blackness was "Long live the empire".
[hr]
Barachi, Dettinger, and the four Knights ran back up the stairs
at a fast pace. Barachi ironically noted that it didn't take as
long climbing back up the stairs as it took to descend them, and
as they heard the shouting voices of rebels starting their own
ascent in pursuit, Barachi wondered if his friend and the other
Knights had been slaughtered before the charges were set. They
burst through the door, where Dettinger quickly placed a tall
potted plant to block the door. Barachi grabbed her as the angry
shouts of the pursuing rebels grew louder on the other side, and
both partisans joined the surviving Knights in pushing down
shelf towers, tables and even chairs behind them, to slow the
rebels down. They turned and ran out the main door just as the
rebels blasted the door to the stairwell open and charged forth
like a cloud of angry bees. Barachi, Dettinger, and the Knights
ran down the steps and into the main boulevard, pumping their
arms furiously. Seconds later, a concussive boom sent all four
slamming into the asphalt and plastiform causeway. This was
almost instantly followed by a blast of heat as the
Communications Building went up in a fiery cloud. Almost
swallowed by the explosion, the screams of the rebels as their
bodies burned away rapidly could be heard. Dettinger was first
to stir as the two Knights rose to their feet and went to help
her to a seated position. Barachi moaned lightly, then began to
lift his head from the ground, chin scuffed and bloody, to see
the mushroom cloud rising. At the same time, several FIST
Infiltrators, arms raised in surrender, began to emerge from the
various alleys, prodded by either Imperial Marines, Imperial
Knights, or UTM Footsoldiers. The fight for Freedomtown had
ended.
#Post#: 53--------------------------------------------------
Re: New Columbia
By: MichaelH23 Date: March 14, 2015, 9:57 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Outside the City, Imperial HQ
Emperor Drake I waited as Panther Legionnaires brought the
former Rebel general Ignatius to the Command Center. Drake I was
joined by UTM Ground Commander Huylek, who had landed troops on
the other side of the city and assisted the Marines and Knights
in rounding up the remaining FIST groups and rebel cadres. Drake
I had to admire the fighting skills of the Mongols for no other
reason than because they brought the results he sought. Yet he
was also painfully aware that the costs of liberating this one
city alone were very high..and there was still the rest of the
continent and planet to consider. His dark thoughts were pushed
away when the door opened and four Legionnaires entered, with
Ignatius in shackles. Two of the Legionnaires forced Ignatius
into a chair not very gently, then stepped back to stand
sentinel at the door while the other two walked back through the
door to also stand sentinel outside. Ignatius had been treated
leniently even despite the brutish manner in which he was
seated. He glanced up at Drake I with a look of pure hatred in
his eyes.
Drake I - "You asked me to name my terms for the surrender of
your forces. You prepared to hear them?"
Ignatius - "I have no other choice, do I?"
Drake I - "Not unless you want to be shot by firing squad.
Technically, your act of rebellion is considered by Imperial Law
to be treason and worthy of such a fate, but I'm prepared to be
lenient."
Ignatius - "Only because your foreign puppet-masters require you
to be. Otherwise your words would mean nothing because you would
still execute us for standing up for a return of the former
monarchy and our home in the Milky Way galaxy."
Drake I - "You know that will never happen, especially as we
have treaties to uphold."
Ignatius - "Signed at the end of a bayonet, no doubt."
Drake I - My terms......are as follows: All rebel forces in
Freedomtown are to lay down their arms and surrender. They will
be taken to a military penitentiary until the end of the war.
All rebel forces across the planet will also lay down their
arms, and recognize the rightful government of the colony.
Lastly, all surviving rebel ships will power down. What is your
answer?"
Ignatius spat at the ground in front of Drake I, with a contempt
that did not surprise the emperor, but it shocked Commander
Huylek, who was not accustomed to someone disrespecting a
sovereign like that. Huylek drew his sword from the scabbard,
but Drake I stopped him before he could go further.
Ignatius *to Huylek* - "Who are you? Another puppet-master for
the puppet emperor? You might as well put that pork-sticker
aside."
Ignatius then promptly ignored Huylek, turning his defiance
toward the emperor.
Ignatius - "And you. You must know that you have not yet
liberated this planet. My people are entrenching themselves as
we speak, and reinforcements are gathering. This battle may be a
victory for you, but only a temporary one. However, since you
seem to be under the impression that you will defeat my
reinforcements, then I will gladly concede to mostof your terms.
However, you will have to fight more battles and bleed young
people to free the rest of the continent..never mind the rest of
the planet."
Drake I *smiling coldly* - "You forget something, as well. Our
new allies have prevented a reinforcement rebel fleet from
coming to your rescue. The few ships that survive intact are now
in our custody, as are the crews..and the Mongols have deployed
fighters across the planet to begin airstrikes in preparation
for our ground offensives. You have no option left to you."
Ignatius - "For now. But you will soon see the error in your
thinking. But for the present, as you are indeed correct in that
I have no other option, I will agree to your terms."
Huylek - "There is one more term I wish to include, with your
permission, Majesty."
Drake I - "Of course."
Huylek - "I demand that all your looted treasures from the
various cargo ships you seized be restored intact to the UTM."
Ignatius - "Fine. Its not like you would do anything about it if
I didn't turn them over. It wouldn't be an honorable battle."
Huylek *angrily* - "How dare you!"
Drake I *stepping in* - "That's enough. Commander, you may
inform your forces of my gratitude for their help in this battle
and my wish for their continued help in liberating this world
for the empire."
Huylek bowed respectfully to Drake I, his temper cooled. He
walked out of the room, not even bothering to glance at
Ignatius, who glowered at Drake I. He snapped his fingers and
the two Legionnaires moved to seize Ignatius, pulling him up
from his chair and pushing him through the door.
#Post#: 54--------------------------------------------------
Re: New Columbia
By: MichaelH23 Date: March 15, 2015, 3:27 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Elsewhere across New Columbia
News of the Liberation of Freedomtown spread underground through
the sewer line and catacombs, as partisans took heart over the
actions of Eddy Longsworth and Knight-Commander Gessin, who
sacrificed themselves in destroying the Hub, at Paul Barachi and
his girlfriend, who led the attack on the Communications
Building, and of the Emperor Drake I, who led the Imperial and
multinational coalition forces in the grand battle which brought
the rebel occupation to an end. Already, partisans were
beginning to collect weapons secretly, and gather in huge
numbers to join with the Mongol soldiers of the allied United
Tribes of Mongolistan in freeing their own cities. The battles
would be bloody, drawn-out, and fierce, but they dared to push
forward the once-unheard of dream of liberation.
Imperial and Allied troops entered the ruined city of
Freedomtown, much to the jubilation of the former partisans, now
back to citizens. Women threw roses at the Redtroopers as they
marched in lock-step. Children flocked to see the Mongol troops
and Panther Legionnaires in their finest armor, and crowds
cheered as Drake I rode in procession, flanked all around by
Panther Guard and Panther Legionnaires. At the rear of the
parade, now being mocked and insulted, a rather calm former
general Ignatius sat and simply regarded the crowds with
disinterest. It had been the demand of the city residents, who
had been under siege for four months as the rebels took control
of the rest of the planet, to display the fallen former foe.
While Drake I was not a person to humiliate a fallen opponent,
the people's cries grew such that he finally yielded to their
calls. Already, as the war for the rest of New Columbia was
still raging, news had arrived that the Interstellar Mercantile
Republic of Mediterra announced that the first shipment of
medical and food supplies would be arriving within four days.
Drake I also promised to set aside a part of the Imperial
Budget, around I$ 5.5 million, into infrastructure restoration.
But even as the partisans were uniting to fight their rebel
oppressors with Mongol support, and Drake I and his men set
about rebuilding the defensive lines in case Ignatius' claims of
a rebel counterattack proved all-too real, there was still one
city on the continent of Atalatia that remained firmly in the
grip of the rebels, where communications were blacked out so
that the few partisans would not be encouraged by Freedomtown,
where The Fist was its strongest, and where anti-air and
anti-personnel batteries were rapidly being built on the walls.
That city was Adamsville.
[hr]
Adamsville Government Building, now serving as Rebel HQ for
Atalatia
Tarvis Dawn had learned of the victory at Freedomtown just an
hour ago. Publicly, he lauded the victory and vowed to defeat
the enemy, drive them back to Freedomtown, and finally destroy
what remained of the city, and everyone within. Privately, he
was celebrating the Imperial victory. He was one of the few
rebel sympathizers who had not been maimed in previous wars,
which made him a standout among the ex-veterans and former
senators who now made up the rebel hierarchy. He was
42-years-old, and while he agreed with Trom Vergusson that the
empire needed to increase rather than decrease the military
spending in light of their new situation in Galaxy 23-A, it was
the Nihal II terrorist bombing that steered him away from the
more radical element. He was present via secure holographic
transmission when Aldon Tate, Chief Military Leader of the rebel
movement declared the creation of the Union of Veterans for the
Revival of Trekylon or UVRT, whose stated goal was to return to
the Milky Way galaxy, reclaim the birth-world of Earth, restore
the former boundaries of the empire, and by military means
reclaim all the territories seized by the Laptev and Barlat
powers. He knew this to be a military union working in close
alliance with Vergusson's more political semi-government, the
Federal Republic and Imperium of Trekylon, whose anti-alien,
anti-foreign policies and plans for Trekylon disturbed him.
cont'd>
*****************************************************
DIR Next Page