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All Roads Lead To Sol...But Unfortunately Not Away: Chapter
Posted By: S7N<n.j.r.jones@brighton.ac.uk>
Date: 21 March 2004, 10:51 PM
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Section 4: But Unfortunately Not Away
Chapter 20
0030 Hours, July 18 2552 (Military Calendar)/
UNSC Carrier Fair Weather, military area in orbit around
Sigma Octanus IV
Although it was technically midnight where the Fair Weather was situated, the sun could still be seen from the Port side. The ship hung in orbit around Sigma Octanus, making ready for the battle that was to commence. Throughout the vessel, soldiers were readying their gear, technicians were making sure the ship was running at maximum capacity, and the bridge crew were searching for any sign of life other than the few dozen UNSC ships surrounding them. They were also abuzz with the news that Commander Keyes had fought against four Covenant ships and won. A win like this had them all in high spirits, a feeling that many of them hadn't felt in a long time.
In docking bay one, Lieutenant McCasky made ready to descend on the planet, where he would meet up with his platoon at Firebase Bravo. The marines had been on the planet for a little over one hour, setting up camp and surveying the area. When the Fair Weather had jumped in system, he had received a transmission from FleetCom telling him to double-time it down to the planet. Operations wouldn't begin for another four hours, but the Admiralty obviously wanted them ready for anything; the Covenant had never done anything like this.
"Are the 'hogs all prepped and ready?" he turned to Rogers. The grim-faced Staff Sergeant nodded at him, then turned his attention back to his data-pad. "Good." McCasky muttered to himself. He turned to survey the Pelicans lined up in front of him. The five dropships would be taking the last of the equipment down to Sigma Octanus, where it would be needed at the camp, and although none of the craft carried marines, they were full of spare ammunition, GPS systems, navigational equipment and plenty of supplies that would allow his platoon to last a full three weeks on the planet should they be stranded on it. And tucked away at the back on each Pelican was a Warthog. The vast majority of the LRVs were already down at Firebase Bravo, and these last five would make up the numbers so every member of his platoon would be in one if they needed to be.
He nodded to himself, satisfied that everything was in order. Adjusting his flat cap, he made his way to the back of one of the Pelicans and pulled himself aboard, followed by Rogers and the handful of marines that had stayed behind to get the last of the equipment on board. He strode to the front of the Pelican and tapped Flight Lieutenant Illman on the shoulder.
"Ready when you are, son." He said
"Roger that, sir." The pilot replied and radioed in for clearance to leave the frigate. McCasky wondered back through the hatch and took a seat next to one of the marines. The private stared straight ahead, at the other side of the dropship, his face expressionless.
"You nervous son?" he buckled in and turned his head to look at him.
"Always, sir." The marine replied, his voice betraying any signs of fear he might have felt. His sandy hair was flattened to his head from wearing his helmet, which now sat in his lap.
"Me too, son, me too." The private gave him a surprised look, making McCasky smile. "What's you name private?"
"Manors, sir. John Manors, Private First Class." The name rang a bell.
"Manors, eh? You're one of Raynes' lads aren't you? I've heard a lot of good things about you."
"Thank you sir." He replied with a hint of pride in his voice. "I do my best sir." They locked eyes for a moment before turning to away. Without knowing it, Manors had gained McCasky's respect and trust in that split second. This man would be a valuable soldier, and would go on to do great things. That was if they survived this op.
The Pelican lurched forwards, and the Lieutenant felt his stomach drop, then settle as the ship left the Fair Weather, descending on Sigma Octanus. The flight down was a bumpy one, but other than that, it went off without a hitch. As the ship lurched into the atmosphere, .
"Rogers," McCasky shouted, the Sergeant turning at his masters call. "I want my squad leaders to meet with me in five minutes in the command tent. That's where I'll be until then if you need me." He turned sharply and walked over the thick grass of the hillside towards the large tent situated in the middle of the camp. Two marines stood guard there, leaning against the wall, the rifles slung down by their waists. One had a cigarette in his hand and blew smoke rings into the night air. On seeing their commanding officer walk towards them, they both snapped to, bringing their weapons up to ready positions.
As McCasky came within a few feet of them, they snapped sharp and crisp salutes, which were returned by the Lieutenant as he walked through into the dark room. Computers were set up around the room, with three large tables spaced throughout the room. Technicians ran diagnostic checks, RADAR scans and anything else that would determine where the Covenant may be. He walked over to on of them and asked what he was doing.
"Well, sir, I'm running a programme to get the feedback from our satellites above the planet." He turned back to the screen and tapped in a few commands, bringing up what looked like an overhead map of the area in which they currently resided. A few dozen tents, as well as the fleet of Warthogs they had filled up the screen. "Hopefully we can home in on where those Covie bastards are and get the jump on them."
McCasky nodded his approval. "As you were Sergeant," he said, moving over to the middle table. Set up on the metallic surface were data arrays and maps of the planet and its various places. The Covenant had taken over C'te d' Azur, leaving many dead, but FleetCom hadn't ordered anyone into the area yet. He wondered what they were waiting for, and thought about asking his superiors, but realised he wouldn't have gotten a straight answer from any of them.
"Lieutenant." One of the techs called to him. He turned to where the communications desk had been set up and saw a techie with ear-phones on, waving a communicator at him. "FleetCom is on the horn sir, they wish to speak with you."
McCasky quickly walked over to the panel and grabbed the black microphone and thumbed the activator.
"McCasky here."
"Are, Lieutenant, this is Commander Willis. We have a mission for you and your men."
"Yes sir, what can I do for you?" he had met Willis numerous times, and didn't like him one bit. The man used his rank to get what he wanted, and misuse of power was something that both scared and angered the Eltee.
"We need you to set up motion sensors out in the jungle, standard milk-run. Scanners show no activity and it should be an easy op. In and out within two hours."
"Yes sir, I understand completely sir." H paused for a moment, waiting for a reply. "Are you going to tell me where sir?" he finally said, trying to keep the condescension out of his voice.
"Oh right...yes of course, Lieutenant." He heard a rustle of papers and the tapping of keys. Idiot. "You are to take three squads out to grid thirteen by twenty-four, at oh-four hundred hours. It's about five twenty klicks from your current position, so it may take a while to get where you need to be."
"Roger that sir, grid thirteen by twenty-four. Don't worry sir, I'll get it done."
"Thank you Lieutenant. Report back when you return. Willis, out." There was a pop of static on the other end and then silence. He looked down at the tech sitting next to him. He had a bemused look on his face; obviously it wasn't only McCasky that disliked Willis. He turned to see that his squad leaders had entered the room and were arranging themselves around the table.
He walked over to them and stood at the head of the table.
"Gentlemen," he smiled "We have work to do."
"Alright ladies," Raynes bellowed as he entered his squads quarters. "Get up and ready, the Eltee's got a milk-run for us. Sensor placement at grid thirteen by twenty-four. We're dusting out at o-four-hundred, that's in twenty minutes. We're goin' out in the 'hogs. I want standard deployment and weapons, people." He looked at the dozen people in front of him in silence for a split second. "MOVE!"
The room became a sudden flurry of movement as the leathernecks went to their bunks and started loading their gear up. Armour was snapped into place, helmets were checked and fastened, weapons were locked and loaded. Raynes didn't need to do any of this as he was already in his gear, his rifle slung over his shoulder. Harland came up to him, placing his helmet on his head and bringing the HUD screen down over his right eye.
"Who else is out, sir?" he said quizzically.
"Bravo and Echo are going with us."
"Three squads? Overkill don't you think?"
"I just do what they tell me to do, Corporal." He hesitated for a moment, taking in the man's words. "And remember that the nearby city is crawling with Covenant troops. Command just want to be on the safe side, that's all. We wouldn't want another Yazule now, would we?" Harland nodded in agreement, then went back to his bunk to collect the rest of his equipment.
Fifteen minutes later his men were geared up and ready, standing in two lines next to each other.
"Alright, lets move people!" he shouted, kicking open the door. The marines filed out quickly into the morning air, the sun just visible over the nearest rise. The air was damp and cold, but the soldier's thermal equipment would shield them from it all. To his right and left, Echo and Bravo squads were also marching out of their tents, jogging quickly towards the Warthogs.
Lieutenant McCasky stood at the front of one of the dozen Warthogs, his hands resting on his shotgun. The three squads came to a halt a few metres away, six lines of battle-hardened troops al ready for some action. Of which on this mission they wouldn't get any.
"Alright, people," McCasky began "As I'm sure your squad leaders have told you, we are to set up sensors at grid thirteen by twenty-four. Don't ask me why there, the brass obviously think it's a hot zone. It's a simple snoop job, we go in, set up and bug out. Questions?" there were none. "Right people, I've got point. Let's move out!"
Raynes was first to his 'hog, diving into the drivers seat. Manny came up next to him, and he saw the massive bulk of Harris taking hold of the LAGG. Three more Warthogs made up his squad and when he saw that the last person was aboard, he gunned the engine and floored the accelerator, taking up position behind the lead vehicle, which was driven by McCasky.
The LRVs bounced along the mud tracks over the hills, towards the jungle area. It looked like a death trap, and Raynes got a funny feeling in the pit of his stomach as he steered towards the gaping opening, funnelling into a narrow streambed. It wasn't long before it became too narrow and too deep for them to carry on. The Lieutenant brought his vehicle out of the trench and up onto the ridge and came to a stop. The other Warthogs came to stop behind him. Raynes heard McCasky come over the radio.
"Okay people, this is as far as we can get the 'hogs, time to go in ninja style. Let's double time it people."
Raynes turned to Manny who had a grin on his face.
"Look's like we're walking!"
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