Boot Camp - The Crucible (Marcus, Rascal, Duncan)

[Rascal]

While he could not see the actual shooter as well as the others could, Rascal took no chances. Without hesitation, he was up, sending a quick burst towards the trees. He rolled into cover behind a small bush, slapping in a fresh mag. He looked back towards where he last saw the muzzle flash, then lifted his pulse rifle again. He chanced a glance towards the others, realizing that he was the only one at the moment that was combat ready. Oh, well. Least the only person ill let down is myself if i screw up. LET'S DO IT!

He shot up behind the bush, letting off another burst towards the sniper's position.

<Roll Combat>

[Quinn]

As Duncan checked his rifle, it was completely free of obstructions. There was a small dent in his rifle stock where the lip of the helmet had bashed down into it, but it was otherwise fully functional.

Marcus' spray fire thundered downrange and up the hill, most of the bullets actually hitting the tree!

As Rascal dashed forward, his burst fire tore the tree apart in a series of mini-detonations as the explosive-tipped rounds did their intended work. Along with the heavy thudding of the bullets hitting the tree, there were a few sharper sounds of the rounds hitting metal. A chunk of robotics fell from the tree to twitch on the ground.

[Marcus]

When the metal turret hit the ground Marcus exhaled a sigh of relief. He checked his pistol, he still had most of the clip left. Crouching low he face the rest of the squad and made the sign to <Form up> before pointing to Duncan, and moving, along what was left of the cover, toward the man.

Carefully watching the bunkerline , though any traps that were left would have been triggered by the firefight.

He stopped at Duncan, noting the man's expert use of grenades, slipped two grenades out of his own bandolier and handed them to the man. Marcus was better and shooting then gauging distances, plus with his arm still sore he wasn't likely to be using the rifle for a while.

[Rascal]

As the sight of the mangled turret processed in his mind, Rascal's shoulders finally released their tension, and he was able to relax, if only for a moment. A sly grin emerged on his face; Nailed the sucker.

He noticed Marcus and Duncan stepping out to meet, hesitated. He was not entirely sure if they were out of danger, but when nothing seemed to occur, he stood and made for them. He eyed Marcus' arm, nudging him slightly as if to ask if he were alright. He wanted to make sure they could finish the course without any hindrances, but from what it looked like, they were good to go.

<Tag Marcus>

[Duncan]

Duncan quietly took the grenades offered him and loaded them into his rifle. Once the others in the squad regrouped, Duncan presumed it was safe to take a look to see if anymore surprises were awaiting them. Joining his squad, Duncan signed *Suggest* *Our Squad* *Hustle*. Duncan did not want to remain in this area. They needed to move up the hill before something else started firing.

[Marcus]

Marcus flexed his 'wounded' arm. It was numb but slowly coming back to life. He'd survive. He looked to the group and nodded before making signs for <Move up> and <Watch> <footing>.

He held his pistol at the read. Willing to take a secondary position this time. He'd move in the middle of the group as they headed up the hill, towards their goal.

Sooner or later, things had to get tough, right?

<Tag DM>

[Quinn]

As the squad moved up the hill, they didn't encounter much resistance beyond the occasional target that popped out, probably to represent a Vietcong jumping out with a rifle. Marcus bagged a few himself with his sidearm even.

The unit came to a clearing where there was a flag, the colors of the United States Colonial Marine Corps snapping smartly in the warm breeze. The leaves of the trees also waved along with the high grass of the clearing, about a foot and a half tall.

[Duncan]

Duncan was relieved to see the USCM flag blowing in the wind. But he stifled his initial urge to run out and grab it. There could be more traps. Duncan checked for snipers, and as best he could in the tall grass, for landmines and tripwires.

<Roll Awareness, Scouting>

Once he was certain it was safe, Duncan signaled *Cover me* and moved towards the flag, trying to keep a low profile in the grass.

<Roll Infiltration>

[Marcus]

Marcus wanted to shout, It's a trap, in his goofiest voice. This had to be some kinda crap. He checked his watch to see how much time they had left, then back down the path they'd climbed. Going back they way they came should be easy going. But there was no telling what kind of traps would spring up on the way DOWN.

He took a low position as Duncan approached the flag, but held up the sign for " Myself" "Carry" and "Objective" He couldn't use his rifle, so it would be best for him to carry the flag. He still kept his eyes open for any activity.

<Roll Awareness>

[Quinn]

As Duncan crept forward, he spotted a number of Bouncing Betty type mines, easily disabling them by turning them over where he found them. He managed to clear a path in record time. Marcus was right on his heels, and his hands grasped the cool metal of the flag.

Rascal meanwhile maintained overwatch, keeping an eye out for hostiles. He saw some rustling in the brush, but it turned out to be wild animals and not enemies.

The small unit made their way down the hill with Duncan on point, leading them away from any possible traps or ambushes. He even found his helmet laying in a log. They got down to the bottom of the hill with two minutes to spare.

"Well holee shitballs." the instructor shouted. "You actually got the flag!"

He nodded at the group, pulled three insignia from a pocket and pinned one on each of them. It was the Eagle, Globe and Anchor. The instructor took the flag from Marcus.

"Well done Marines. Report back to base and get a Warrior's Breakfast." he said quietly.

[Rascal]

Rascal finally relaxed his shoulders, grinning sheepishly as the DI pinned on his emblem. "Bet you never thought we'd make it, huh, Sarge?"

<Tag Quinn>

He glanced at the others then flashed a thumbs up; he wanted to believe the worst was over, but hell, he had a reputation to uphold and a DI to irritate. But breakfast did sound excellent. "Brekkers is a-waiting fellas!"

[Marcus]

Marcus could start to feel his arm again by the time the reached the bottom of the hill. He handed over the flag and a stern smile broke over his face as the Sergeant placed the insignias on them. Marcus snapped to, and saluted before he told them to bugger off.

But he called them Marines when he did.

Marcus smiled and let a grin show. "Wonder what the first mission'll be... Hope it's good." He muttered.

Now, for 'sausage' and 'eggs', at least as the mess hall defined them.

[Duncan]

Duncan stood at attention while the DI pinned the insignia on him. He then a a crisp salute and said, "Thank you." He turned and headed to the mess hall. He thought about about what he was going to eat. Bagel. And a steak. Maybe two. Screw it, I'll just take two trays and load up on everything.