M2T3

The 9th campaign
User avatar
maxvale76
Chief Warrant Officer 3
Posts: 773
Joined: Mon Jun 22, 2009 9:56 pm

M2T3

Post by maxvale76 » Wed Sep 15, 2010 7:30 pm

May 22nd, 2180; 0445 HRs; Hangar Bay 2 on the USS Chicago Near Orbit of Colony World Forge; Alexandria Sector

After 6 days of cryo-sleep; the Marines of Strike Team "Easy Eights" were awakened by the ship's computer and they slowly rose out of bed and began thier wake-up rituals consisting of exercise and/or showers before grabbing a big breakfeast.

After a hearty meal; the team set about doing final weapon and equipment checks and then suiting up for the mission. By noon; Captain Ramirez and SSGT Simovic had the Strike Team loaded up in Dropship 4's cargo bay. The nature of the mission made the inclusion of an APC pointless; so the marines were taking seats in the cavernous cargo bay and straped themselves in to await the bumpy ride.

The mood among the marines was somber and some ill-will between some of the Team Member's lingered on as Hanson and Alante began the countdown to the Drop Window as the Marines could hear and feel the opening of the Chicago's Bomb-Bay hatches. "...Two....One....Mark"; Alante's accented-voice came over the comm as the Dropship abruptly detached from its mother-ship and rocketed down through the atmosphere.

One of the Marines howled in delight as another turned green and did everything he could not to lose his breakfeast. Each Marine handled the pressure of a new Mission starting in his or her own way; but all had thier minds centered around the same thought...A new Mission was underway...

User avatar
Apachetear
Second Lieutenant
Posts: 1059
Joined: Mon Apr 10, 2006 11:04 am
Location: Worcester

Re: M2T3

Post by Apachetear » Wed Sep 15, 2010 11:57 pm

Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, Jacob opened them again and tok a look round.

So, this was it - potentially his last combat drop - depending on how they fared on the ground.

He nodded at the people at the dropship, he'd checked his gun god knows how many times up on the ship...but he still felt the need to check it one last time! You never could be too careful.

He thought through his other engagements...the chip on his breastplate and the scored line down his helmet...momentos of his first mission! And the odd gap where his finger used to be. It sparked memories, the faces of now long dead comrades...the triumphs and glory alongside the bed-wetting terror of live combat.

He glanced down at his armour...seeing the smily faces of all sizes adorning his armour. Some had flaked off, others had lost parts of themselves in the wet and a few were almost unshakeably etched onto his armour.

Each face was an enemy, or a comrade, and Jacob wondered how many new additions his armour would get today...

User avatar
Quinn
First Lieutenant
Posts: 1263
Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2007 6:31 am
Location: Look up.
Contact:

Re: M2T3

Post by Quinn » Thu Sep 16, 2010 12:48 am

Sixtus tilted his head back so it was firmly against the headrest. His eyes were closed, but he wasn't asleep. His face was like stone, his breathing deep and relaxed. His heart rate was slightly elevated, but that was to be expected on a hot combat drop. And this time, the Marines wouldn't have the benefit of air or armored support to call upon since they would be in a mine.

It was said that all growth was slowed a great deal, almost looking like it was suspended, while in cryo sleep. Quinn's facial hair seemed to do everything to defy that, as it was a sandpapery stubble once again. He'd had to get an exemption from Sergeant Dugan to explain to the Captain why Sixtus seemed to be on the outer edge of the Corps' facial hygiene standards. Pictures were required and all the other Marines had heard about it. In fact, it was a joke that if Quinn's stubble ceased to exist, the platoon was doomed.

<tag Marines>

User avatar
Obi
Warrant Officer 1
Warrant Officer 1
Posts: 588
Joined: Tue Jan 13, 2009 12:05 am
Location: Australia

Re: M2T3

Post by Obi » Thu Sep 16, 2010 1:37 pm

G-Forces slammed Obi down into his jump seat as the UD4 detached from the drop bays of the USS CHICAGO. The inital pressure slowly eased off and the turbulance increased as the dropship penetrated the atmosphere. The red light interior of the dropship cast an eerie glow as one of the marines let out a war cry. Obi paid it no heed, ignoring the chatter around him, his eyes focused, unblinking, at a point on the deck between his boots, his mind serene. He knew what he had to do. His right hand, toying with the safety catch of his unloaded M-41, On, off, on, off, on, off......
CPL Mike "Obi" O'Brien
Communications Operator

User avatar
Morse
Captain
Posts: 1578
Joined: Tue Feb 26, 2008 2:50 pm
Location: Somewhere
Contact:

Re: M2T3

Post by Morse » Thu Sep 16, 2010 3:18 pm

Morse reached down at his side when the dropship began to fall from orbit. It shook and rocked and quaked and ripped and tore through the air. He had learned the best way to cope with it was to just and deal with it. He grabbed his cantine and brought it up to his mouth. He'd started to augment the noticeable content by masking it with other things, so it just smelled like dirt water. Of course it always smelled like dirt water before, but now it didn't burn the nose as much when you smelled it. That didn't mean if you hadn't had any before it wasn't going to burn like hell on the way down, but it was likely to keep him from getting in trouble during. He was already re filled on his canteens, so he was set for the mission.

He took a small sip off the top of it and sealed it off again. He noticed something on the side of his weapon that was unusual. He quickly pulled the front of the barrel off and looked it over. There was a scratch on it, where there hadn't been one when he left. Oh well He thought, snapping back on. He made sure his "red-eye" eye piece was up and locked, he wouldn't use it even if they had to. That was about all he could think to do, so he reached into his pocket and grabbed his book. The small text, entitled "The Theory of Universalism". He started near the middle and didn't look up from it.

User avatar
Dirk Pitt
First Lieutenant
Posts: 1294
Joined: Mon Jun 04, 2007 7:04 pm
Location: USS Costaguana/ Houston Texas
Contact:

Re: M2T3

Post by Dirk Pitt » Fri Sep 17, 2010 12:25 am

Dirk sat in the dropship, strapped in his seat. He never got too excited during a drop. The feeling of falling interrupted by the thrust of the ship was like the feeling he got when he dropped into a big wave on one of the breaks he surfed whenever he was away from the Corps. Half listening to the countdown he readied himself as the count reached one.

The drop...

As the Dropship hurtled towards the planet Dirk looked over his briefing notes once more. He knew that his squad would do their duty as Marines, but he kept going over Dunn's words again. If a man thought he was going to buy it, then he would. "I've lost too many good men. My squad is going home alive" He said silently

User avatar
Casey
Lance Corporal
Lance Corporal
Posts: 58
Joined: Wed Feb 17, 2010 4:13 pm
Contact:

Re: M2T3

Post by Casey » Sat Sep 18, 2010 9:46 pm

The shake and stir of the dropship’s endowed rumble and the dull roar of the vibrations that came with it prevented the Corporal from saying anything witty or sarcastic about their current situation. In fact, she remained rather focused in trying to still herself within the harness of her seat. Though secure where it counted, the safeguard was all very much uniform and remained rather loose upon her shoulders and the space to either side of her head, allowing her luckily helmet laden noggin to butt and bang to either side throughout the bedlam of their drop. ‘Every drop a chance for whiplash’ she mused internally whilst gripping at each over-shoulder stabilizer.

And then there was that pressure within her abdominal cavity that had her recalling if she’d visited the ladies room before the trip. The memory was there, sure enough, as it should be, for everyone should stop to potty before taking long trips. Especially when those trips are into metaphorical hell, ‘who wants to stop to pop a squat back behind old scratch’s throne after all. Wouldn’t it be funny to see him step in it in socks though..?’ She shook her head more-so than the dropship’s G’s already were. “Cold.” She mumbled. “Even for ole’ Scratch.”

It wasn’t the bathroom though that beckoned the feeling she felt but something else entirely. Something that everyone coped differently, something she’d get around to worrying about as soon as she stopped grinning wickedly at the horned man prancing and cussing whilst simultaneously pulling at the elastic of his sock.

User avatar
Darkblade Bug
Master Gunnery Sergeant
Master Gunnery Sergeant
Posts: 389
Joined: Sat Aug 04, 2007 9:30 am
Location: Aus-farkin-tralia, mate.

Re: M2T3

Post by Darkblade Bug » Sun Sep 19, 2010 1:50 pm

Sam Dunn must have been the only one who didn't hear the countdown, and therefore wasn't braced for the drop. He preferred it that way. With his music player blaring nice and loud in his ears, he was lost in a world of drum and bass - the perfect way to get himself nice and calm for a mission. He had no idea why a pre-drop rave in his ears had the completely opposite effect that it had on normal people, but there was no way he was going to complain anytime soon.

As the ship bucked and heaved, he nodded his head in time with the music - this was a feat in itself. He blocked out all thoughts, all worries and fears, and for a short while, nothing existed but the music. It'd let him start the mission with a clean slate and an empty mind that'd soon be filled with tactics and the lessons learned from Acid Reign, as well as his training. Easier that way - especially since as he was going to be on point, everyone was counting on him to get it right.

Ah well. He'd cross that bridge when he got to it. For now, the bass was all that mattered.

User avatar
Obi
Warrant Officer 1
Warrant Officer 1
Posts: 588
Joined: Tue Jan 13, 2009 12:05 am
Location: Australia

Re: M2T3

Post by Obi » Thu Sep 23, 2010 1:05 pm

No sooner had the UD4 levelled out from its dive, it banked hard to the left throwing the marines against their restraints'. Obi cast a glare up towards the cockpit, as no doubt the flight crew and had deliberately banked that hard to ensure that the marines were awake and alert. They are probably up their giving each other a high five, thinking how awesome they are. Fucking rotor heads. Obi thought wanely. Cast a glance around the dropship, Obi took in the platoon. Quinn, the medic, seemed to sit perfectly still, his eyes closed. Morse, was reading, while Dunn, with headphones in, was nodding his head to a beat that only he could hear. Both Honeysett and Pitt seemed to be lost to their own thoughts, while Valentine was looking around excitedly. Catching Obi's eye she gave him a thumbs up. Obi returned the gesture with a quick smile that never reached his eyes. His thought were interrupted as the dropship gave a shudder, and the sound of hydraulics in operation. Missile and weapon pod's deploying. Must be getting close.
CPL Mike "Obi" O'Brien
Communications Operator

User avatar
maxvale76
Chief Warrant Officer 3
Posts: 773
Joined: Mon Jun 22, 2009 9:56 pm

Re: M2T3

Post by maxvale76 » Fri Sep 24, 2010 1:20 am

May 22nd, 2180; 0511 HRs; Landing Platform at the entrance to the Vaxian Mine, Colony World of Forge; Alexandria Sector

In the soft light of pre-dawn, the UD 4 Dropship moved into a slow descent towards the terraced platform about halfway up the Vaxian Mountain that held the mines of the same name which was the objective of the 'Easy Eights' mission. As Hanson and Alante manuvered the craft for a landing, Captain Ramirez yelled out to the rest of the Strike Team.

"Allright Marines, per orders, I'm not allowed to go directly on this Op., so I'll be orbitting the mine and monitoring your progress from the Command Post onboard. That being said; Simovic; if you need another couple of bodies for any reason, Han and I are ready, orders or no orders. Good luck and get the job done!"

With that, the dropship touched down and the ten marines making up the 'field' members of the Strike Team moved out quickly and confidently. As they cleared the landing platform, the Dropship moved up into the sky and striaght back, hovering to bring its weapons to bear directly as the sealed entrance to the mine. The ten marines quickly found themselves on a flattened 'terrace' halfway up the mountain, the air rather thin at this altitude, causing even the very-fit Colonial Marines to breath heavily.

There was a small building which at one point must have served as an guard/observation post; but the dust build-up inside of it showed that it hadn't been used in sometime. The entrace door; a large metal blast-door was shut; but some quick usage of the bypass tool by Obi managed to get the door open and the darkended, wide entry-way tunnel was revealed; with no one waiting behind it. The marines powered up thier shoulder lamps and Simovic organized the Team to move into the tunnel...

User avatar
Quinn
First Lieutenant
Posts: 1263
Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2007 6:31 am
Location: Look up.
Contact:

Re: M2T3

Post by Quinn » Fri Sep 24, 2010 5:32 am

As his squad was the one on point, Sixtus was closest to the main entrance of the mine. Quinn stacked up on one side of the mine with one of his squad on the other side. Popping down his IR eyepiece, he scanned the tunnel of the mine and saw no immediate guards. They probably wanted to keep a low profile, but would probably have some sort of sensor or trap set up.

"Keep it slow and look for tripwires and laser units first squad, I don't want to send letters on this mission." he told the squad. he was once on a mission where the convoy got hit by IEDs. Half the unit made it out, a quarter had to be medically discharged from the Corps. And the cave would only amplify any explosive device. Even a frag grenade would cause significant damage with the concussive blast, let alone the shrapnel.

Once Dunn entered on point, Quinn went right after him with the flamer raised high to cover him in case anything popped up close by.

<tag squad>

User avatar
Obi
Warrant Officer 1
Warrant Officer 1
Posts: 588
Joined: Tue Jan 13, 2009 12:05 am
Location: Australia

Re: M2T3

Post by Obi » Fri Sep 24, 2010 6:11 am

Obi ran down the dropships' ramp quickly with the rest of the marines. No sooner had it touched down, it was suddenly airborne again, rocketing skyward, before turning around and coming to a hover, to provide overwatch cover. Obi gaze followed it briefly before turning to the task at hand. He moved over to where SSGT Simovic was giving orders to the rest of the platoon. Taking a knee, Obi spoke briefly into his headset. Satisfied, he looked up at the SSGT.

"We have good secure communications with the dropship and the CHICAGO, both voice and data burst capability. Though I cannot promise how well the data capability will hold out for the deeper we get into the mine.

<tag SSGT>

Standing up, Obi gave the landing platform a quick 360 degree scan, the altitude was starting to get to him, as he was already starting to breathe heavy in the thin air. Obi brough his rifle up into his shoulder as Dunn took point and slowly entered the mine.

"Ah Staff, shouldn't we kill the shoulder lamps and just go with our IR lens? I mean they are going to give our position away in the mine pretty quick." Obi suggested as he noticed some of the marines had turned their shoulder lamps on.

<tag SSGT Simovic>
CPL Mike "Obi" O'Brien
Communications Operator

User avatar
Dirk Pitt
First Lieutenant
Posts: 1294
Joined: Mon Jun 04, 2007 7:04 pm
Location: USS Costaguana/ Houston Texas
Contact:

Re: M2T3

Post by Dirk Pitt » Fri Sep 24, 2010 8:53 pm

Dirk ran down the ramp as the Dropship touched down. HE wasn't happy that his squad wasn't on point, but then again he couldn't always be at the front of every assault. Waving his hand he gathered his squad around him.



"OK, you guys know the drill. We'll stay in the diamond formation until it tightens up in there. Got it? Dunn, take point and be ready. I'll stay on the left I want Quin on the right. Lonebear, you got tail end charlie. I want you all to be ready to move on a moment's notice." He said
<Tag Second squad>

User avatar
Morse
Captain
Posts: 1578
Joined: Tue Feb 26, 2008 2:50 pm
Location: Somewhere
Contact:

Re: M2T3

Post by Morse » Tue Sep 28, 2010 3:47 am

When the dropship landed, Morse got off near the end of the group. He was never the first person to go anywhere, especially on a combat mission. He was always rear guard or something similar. He'd been shot at enough to know what happens when you move around at the front of the group. So he stayed near the back. When the unit moved up, he back peddled with it, keeping his weapon ready. He left it up to the others to figure out where they were going. Because so long as he was there, he'd be wanting to leave.

He heard the suggestion about the Red Eye's from O'brien. He was very much tempted to bring up the arguement he'd set forth many times about the eye pieces not filtering out bright light and causing blindness. But he didn't want to bother with it. He knew he wasn't going to be using it.

"Wasn't exactly like we came in quiet. If they was gonna figure out we're here.... ems already know." Morse said towards the people who were behind him. He kept his weapon trained on the way they'd come from.

< Tag All


Morse's sense of realism and lack of risk was always a factor. If everything was done step by step, according to the plan, there generally weren't any issues. But of course it never went according to plan, but that wasn't his faul. Generally it wasn't his problem either, so he'd wait for further insturction.

User avatar
maxvale76
Chief Warrant Officer 3
Posts: 773
Joined: Mon Jun 22, 2009 9:56 pm

Re: M2T3

Post by maxvale76 » Fri Oct 01, 2010 10:11 pm

May 22nd, 2180; 0511 HRs; Entrance Tunnel of theVaxian Mine, Colony World of Forge; Alexandria Sector

The marines of Strike Team 'The Easy Eights' moved into the large, main entrance tunnel of the Vaxian Mine with PFC Dunn and his smartgun moving in first. The rest of his squad followed in diamond formation; with SSGT Simovic's Command Team and SGT Honeysett's squad following. Aside from the dust, the dark and the chilly temperature; nothing was there waiting for them.

After a few moments of ensuring they were the only ones there; Simovic ordered the marines to move deeper into the tunnel; slowly and carefully.
O'brien was able to maintain comms with CAPT Ramirez in the Dropship; but the signal was getting more static-filled the deeper they moved into the mountain. After a few minutes; the tunnel ended in a Y intersection. Dunn called back; "Which way?"...

At about the same moment; SGT Honeysett got a very quick; almost unnoticable blip on his Motion Tracker...coming from BEHIND them and then it vanished. CPL Morse; the last man in the formation had his head swivelling; looking this way and that; and out of the corner of his eye, he thought he saw a brief flash of motion on the tunnel floor about 4 or 5 meters behind him; but when he looked closer, he saw nothing...

Locked

Return to “USCM 2.1 - Invictus Campaign”