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Fall of Rye: Chapter 5: Beginning of a Suicide Mission
Posted By: teemus<teemusligg@hotmail.com>
Date: 6 April 2004, 3:23 AM
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July 2nd, Rye system
Jason started to scream for Russlle to turn back, but when he opened his mouth not a sound came out. There was a sudden rumbling noise and then without warning, a white streak made its way towards the Shadow. When the streak hit, the Covenant craft was engulfed in a giant fireball. Jason looked to the sky and saw as a squad of Longsword Bombers fly over the battlefield firing at random Covenant targets.
"The cavalry has arrived!" whooped a marine over the COM system.
Russlle dove behind Jason with a grin on his face, "What the hell are you grinning about? You almost died!" shouted Jason to Russlle.
"I know, but it was kind of fun," replied the ODST.
Jason grunted and returned his attention to the battlefield; the Shadows lay in flames alongside the 'Hogs and Troop Transports. Jason could see Grunts screaming as they ran away and Elites shouting orders trying to stop the mad panic that had upraised in the Covenant forces. The Bombers came in for one last run and took out most of the remaining Covenant forces, the Helljumpers ran up the hill singing the ODST anthem and cheering. Once the battle was over, the ODST's set up their tents and began the process of cleaning up, there was no time for celebration; they still had a job to do.
Later that night the Major and his company showed up and set up camp along side them. The tents were set up in long rows and were camouflaged to help give some cover. At the corners of the square formation, small guard towers were erected as lookout points. Jason did not know how long they intended to stay here, but by the looks of the 'easy-to-make' tents and the collapsible guard tower, it didn't seem like long.
The Helljumper sat on top of the hill looking down on the field where the battle had taken place, the field was charred and not a single blade of grass could be seen. The destroyed vehicles had been moved into a pile in one corner of the field while the still able ones were moved to another. Jason grunted and lifted himself up, and turned to head back to his tent; there was still a job to do.
July 3rd, Rye System
Jason woke the next morning to find Russlle standing over him. Jason lifted himself up and grabbed a glass of water before he spoke, "What is it?"
"The Major is having us all put into squads, this is yours," said Russlle while holding out a slip of paper.
Jason grabbed the slip of paper and unfolded it, written in bold writing in the canter of the strip were the words; Foxtrot and Corporal Higgins. Jason looked up to Russlle, "What's yours say?"
"Uh, Foxtrot and Corporal Higgins, you?
"Same, why are they doing this anyways?"
"I don't know, I think Garcia came up with some sort of plan."
"Well, it better be good," replied Jason as he stood up and walked towards his armour. He stuffed his chin guards on and then tied up the black UNSC boots. He then grabbed the arm padding and placed that on. Jason called Russlle over to help him with his chest plates. Once that was done Jason grabbed his confiscated shotgun and some rounds and left the tent. Outside the sun was bright and birds were chirping while Marines played poker. To them it was like nothing had happened at all, but the sight of seeing Bubba and Vince die were still fresh in his memory.
There was a sudden screeching noise as one of the guards on the towers turned on his loudspeaker. He put it to his mouth and spoke, "All personnel, move down to the command tent for briefing immediately." With that there was more feedback as the loudspeaker was turned off. Jason nodded to Russlle and they both made off towards the command tent in silence. As they walked Jason could see that many of the troops had taken their tents down and were still in the process of placing on their armour. After a minute or two they reached the area that the Covenant had occupied just yesterday. This area had no tents on it due to the fact that purple blood stained the field. Every once in a while you would come across a blackened body of a Grunt or Elite.
Jason stepped over a body of a dead Elite and watched the command tent loom up on them. The command ten seemed small and was put up just on the crest of the hill. The top of the tent was green so it was harder to detect from the air while the sides were sloped and coloured brown to make it look like a big pile of dirt. Jason lifted up the flap and waited for his eyes to adjust to the extreme darkness of the tent. Once they did he could see that the tent was much bigger on the inside then it was on the outside. There was a pedestal in the centre of the room while temporary bleachers came up on either side.
Jason and Russlle took a seat in near the top and watched as the surviving men and women of the 2nd ODST battalion walked into the room. Jason could tell that the force had been greatly down-sized. Usually Helljumpers operated in squads or platoons, but the 2nd Battalion was an exception. They were sort of the reserve troops. Only called on when something had to be done fast and with great force.
Garcia walked up to the makeshift podium and turned on the microphone. He then glanced around and finally spoke, "Alright ladies, if you're wondering why you were suddenly placed into squads, you will soon find out." He then looked around the room again before speaking, "This is a map of the power plant," said Garcia as a map came up on the holo display. It was a birds-eye view of the plant. The power plant was a rectangular building with smaller buildings surrounding it. The Major looked up and spoke, "The Covenant have guards posted here, here, here, and here," he said while he highlighted four spots on the map, "The only ways in are the spots where the guards are and a door on the roof. We have also found out that there is a changing of guards every two hours. This gives us a window of opportunity for 30 seconds at the most."
A trooper raised his hand and the Major pointed at him, "Sir, if we do get in during that time period, how do we make it all the way into the building without getting detected?"
"Yes, I'm getting there. Now, we have also captured a Covenant Phantom and uploaded the AI Morris onto it. Morris will fly the ship and squad Foxtrot onto the building during the 30 seconds. Once Foxtrot touches down, they will bail out and attack the Covenant stationed on the rooftop, hopefully this will distract the guards and allow the other four squads to make a dash to the side doors." He said as he highlighted two doors on either side of the building, "Once Foxtrot has destroyed the troops on the roof, they will make there way into the building using roof access. From there, each squad has a different objective; Charlie is to activate power to the outskirts of the city while Foxtrot is to retake the boiler room. Alpha is too reactivate the main power conductor while Beta and Zulu will meet up with Foxtrot and assist with the boiler room. Now, get up and meet with your squad leaders for further instructions."
With that the Helljumpers got up from there seats and made there way back to the blackened battle field. "It kinda seems like suicide, doesn't it?" said Russlle as they made there way over to where Corporal Higgins was standing. They waited for the rest of the squad to show up before the Corporal started there second briefing. Higgins just pulled up a map of the power plant and highlighted their course. He then had them all upload it to there neural laces.
The loudspeaker then opened up and the same Marine spoke, "All personnel are to take down tents and be ready to go in ten minutes."
Jason said his good-byes to his friends from other squads before making his way to his tent. Once inside he grabbed extra ammo and loaded up his pack with food rations. He then took his tent down and made off towards the sight of the battle. As he came over the crest of the hill he saw a Covenant Phantom hovering in the air with its ramp lowered. The ODST picked up his pace and ran down the hill, he reached the Phantom panting and was confronted by Higgins, "Thought you fell asleep Jason, wouldn't want to leave you behind, your one of my best men." said the Corporal with a grin on his face.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world," replied Jason still panting. The Private walked up the ramp and into the dark interior of the dropship. A dim purple lamp was flickering near the centre of the ship, Jason didn't get why the Covenant liked purple so much. He took a seat in the hard lumpy seats and felt the ship rise along with his stomach, for once he felt like just going home.
To be continued...
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