HRP Second Story Chapter 1

I sigh, standing up.

"We need more medical equipment. I'm gonna go see if I can't get some."

My shields were recharged but my back pained me hugely. I had begun to wonder why they had not dropped us closer. No matter, my objective was made clear. I looked out of cover quickly to evaluate the situation, it seemed that the road was clear; however, a familiar presence was made apparent. I looked back to the lance of two who were stationed with me, and threw a hand gesture up towards them.

I walk into the tent, and see that everyone has gathered.
"So, we got a plan?"

We were just about to map something out.

I pull the maps closer to me in order to get a better look.

=I lean in to Two=

I talked with the lead doctor. He said the Sarge is okay, but is keeping her here.

=I shug=

Your move, Two.

I nod.

Well then. I'll take over Dusk until Sarge gets out.

I study the maps intensely.

Ah. Sierra. Both of you. You see that scaffolding there on that building? How high do you think it is?

=i take a look at it=
30 meters, I'd bet. Definitely within the 25-40 meter height.

So one less ODST is accompanying us, their Sargent no less. I don't know now if that's a good or bad-
"Probably 30, 35 meters. As he said."

See. If we got into that building on the west side here. Move out onto the scaffold and rope down here. We'd have to time it right to avoid searchlights, but it'd put us right into this blindspot on their guard towers.

I gesture to map as i speak, pointing it out to the two Spartans.

What do you think? It's the best route in.

"I think you are a bunch of bloody crazy Marines. Fortunately for the Corps, we Helljumpers are addicted to crazy."
Ellie was standing behind them, using a rocket launcher no less to keep herself up. She grinned, but she obviously was still in pain.
"I know I can't go in with you, but I probably can wrangell a few marines and a couple 'Hogs and be your ticket outa Dodge. Walking's a bitch; the doc never said I couldn't man the launcher on the Argent VII 'hog down in the motor pool." She chuckled. "So. Sounds like a plan for getting in. Now, what's your plan for escaping?"

I turn and look at Ellie.

You should be resting.

I grin nonetheless at her. It was good to see her.

I hadn't got that far. Figured we could improvise.

"Yeah, resting while my squad goes into hell? Sorry, gonna take a lot more then a sniper to the chest to take me out." She hobbled over.
"Improvising. Not bad." She sat down on a nearby crate. "But at least make a Plan A. Improv is Plan B."

=I place a couple of pounds of explosives on the table=

One cornerstone of plan A, Sarge. Enough explosives to blow a three meter hole in a Frigate.

=I smile broadly=

"Honestly. I think it would work."

I can provide an amazing distraction when given the chance. Just get me in close, and I'll give them plenty of hell to focus on while you get the people out.

=i look at the map and point at a building nearby the scaffolding=
I can hole up there until you need me to engage.

Actually. I was thinking we'd be the distraction. You Spartans would be faster than us.

I didn't enjoy admitting it. But they were better for the job in this case.

There's also more of you than us, you'll be able to cover more angles and directions than we can. And you are also a lot more stealthy than us. Quarter ton worth of armor isn't the quietest thing you can have.

I return to the tent with a canister of biofoam in my hand. Having heard the conversation, I decided to chip in.

"We have a demolitions expert with a rocket launcher. But we also have silenced weapons. We could do either."

I step forward to speak.
"Well if we're on civie escort, silenced weapons won't be of much use, unless we plan on thinning their numbers without them knowing. We could send two guys, explosive expert, and another to cover his back, and he could set up a nice distraction, while everyone else escorts the civilians."

"So, say. Sierra Dusk and Dusk 3 here go cause that distraction while the rest of us go save the civilians."

"I can arrange a distraction. I'll borrow a 'hog or two and hit the heavily defended side with missiles and harsh language. Then Sierra can hit a different side, leaving you guys to go in to evac the civilians." Ellie said. "Not foolproof, completely insane, and totally workable."

Our pilots had landed us pretty much near the encampment which was defended by our own. We made short work of the distance, using our senses and our camouflage to our advantage. It was like a ghost town here. We did not see anything, not life, nor death. Anywhere. It was silent which made our job much easier. The coordinates we were given from a distress signal said that the encampment was a few blocks away and then I was stopped by a sight in front of us. I looked up noticing a pair of Kig-Yar Marksmen. I disengaged my camouflage which got their attention, followed by the two behind me.
The Kig-Yar strolled over cautiously, with their snouts in the air sniffing danger. They made hissing noises and squawks quietly which I knew.

"Kig-Yar, ikklop meloi refadst Covenant jiklagno ikl?"

Quote :

"Jackal, please tell me where the Covenant Encampment is?"

They made a collection of noises again before issuing me the gesture of "following". I happily obliged and followed them. They led me down a series of streets and then we came to an Outpost, with Covenant barriers, towers and turret placements; shades and plasma cannons. The Outpost seemed to be flooded with Covenant forces, of all kinds; Unggoy, Kig-Yar, Mgalekgolo, Huragok, Sangheili, Yanme'e and the Jiralhanae. Each with bulk and assigned specific roles from the look of the layout. High walls, some broken, formed a barrier around the encampment and the entrances sealed by outposts, guard towers and emplacements. There seemed to be multiple cages, huge cages, filled with heretics, the humans. The sight was delightful. Many vehicles patrolled the area, which included Ghosts. There were larger vehicles present but did not seem to be occupied. This was an excellent base of operations. There seemed to be one central building which is where I presumed the Ultra to be. I thanked and dismissed the Kig-Yar Marksmen and made my...our, way over to the compound.

"What about the buildings? Perfect location for sniper over watch, from both sides."

I think we should get our unit in there quietly first. Distraction only if necessary. No point in putting lives at risk for no reason.

I point down at the maps.

Ellie can bring three hogs and sit here behind this rubble, that'll give enough cover to not be seen but let her be close enough in case we need assistance. Sierra Dusk, you can set up overwatch in the building with the scaffolding, keep us covered. We'll see if we can silence a rifle for you. The other Sierra can come with us. We need 4 people in the extraction team.

I raise my hand.
"I can be one of that four."

You. Will be on the warthogs. Three ODST's and one Spartan are the infiltration team.

=I take a few explosive devices out of my backpack=

Well...looks like its time for my patented 'Bell Ringers'

=I place what look like oversized grenades on the table=

Silence is the key here, Three. Lets not make any noise unless we have no other choice.

=I look at Two, mock offended=

I know that, Two. These are for AFTER we bang out with the civvies.

=I pick up one of the devices=

My little going away present for the Covvies.

=I grin at my last statement=

I walked up the stairs that were in place en route to the actual compound.I walked inside and I was instantly greeted with the sound of screaming, human origin. I look behind to the two Special Operation Units who were standing behind me, I moved my head in a way which showed them that they must follow me.There were many doors leading to many corridors which led to other rooms. As a result of this, I went to the one where the screaming resonated.

"Ultra...(the sound of growling and struggling)..."

I saw a General alright, grappling with a human female. He had his hand around the female's neck and the female seemed to be suspended a few feet off of the ground. I didn't interrupt the General, I just shuffled to the side and watched with my fellow warriors.

"Ilya heklot hett ghingot?!"

Quote :

"Where are the others?"

The human did nothing but struggle and attempt to break free of the General's grasp.

"If I have to speak in this tongue any longer, I will rip you apart! Where are the rest of the civilians?"

"I'll tell you nothing...(the sounds of someone coughing something up and it being spat)...!

"Unacceptable!"

The General threw the female up some more, before catching her arm with his left hand, noticing the General had lowered his right hand, he brought up his hand with his blade ignited. He showed no mercy and forced the blade through her stomach. The colour of red was all over the place, on the floor, the ceiling. He let go of her arm and let her dangle on his sword which he was still holding with one hand. He deactivated his sword and the body of the human dropped to the floor, with the sound of bones cracking and the sight of more blood.

"Jagok trenyt allok iojek humano!"

Quote :

"Bring in the next human!"

I saw a Minor nod before exiting the room. I stood and waited to be acknowledged.

"Shouldn't Sierra Dusk go with the civilian extraction team? Since he's apart of Dusk Squad and would know how to work better with it."

I trust him more with making sure we move at the exact right times than I do you.

Again, my dislike for Spartans was showing. If I had the choice, neither would come. But on that matter, I was handcuffed.

"Okay. Do what you will."
I found my arms crossed at my chest almost involuntarily.

I would like to formally state I would be better used on the front, up in the face of the enemy. A sniper's job is not my strong suit, Two.

Objection noted Sierra. Alright people, let's get everything we need sorted now. Marine, go with Sarge and get us some Hog's and crew. Three, Four. See what you can about silencing my Sniper rifle for Sierra and find as much rope as you can get.

At this I lay my rifle down on the table for them.

I walk up to two.

"Ma'am, you're sure about putting the spartan on sniper? You'd be a more viable option. Plus, having both spartans on escort would give the civilians a better chance."

=i look at the rifle, just admiring it's aesthetics. In my mind, it was ugly. It looked like it would snap if i held it wrong, and that the barrel would be sagging down from the large muzzle brace. The handle seemed like a horrendous merging of stock and grip, with the two of them just blending together as if designed for some gelatinous mass as opposed to a person. The large scope seemed to just offset it's balance even more, making it top heavy. I would not be happy to have this monstrosity in my hands=

=I take a look at the sniper rifle, seeing as it was not equiped for stealth, and lay out the stealth equipment for the rifle I got from the supply area=

Let's see...flash and sound suppressing barrel, low light optic scope, and for good measure, an extended mag...

=I then look at the Spartan, who was looking at the rifle with a bit of disdain=

Hold on while I get some rope. Four, see if you can remember how to field strip and reassemble a sniper rifle

=I leave to go get some rope from the supply tent=

I'll be leading the extraction team. Strip that rifle and reassemble it with the stealth parts. Then go and get some rest. We've got about 7 hours before we start. Same to the rest of you.

I turn back to the maps, studying them with my head down.

"Ma'am." I nod and move to the sniper, not having held one since training. I set about disassembling it.

After a good 5 minutes of moving parts, I have it laid out in front of me.

I then start reassembly, panicking when I thought I'd lost the bolt and putting the stealth attachments into place.

Another 5 minutes later, I'm staring at a fully equip stealth sniper rifle.

"Why is it Army have a mid-long range rifle but we don't?"

Because how often do sailors get into ground combat? It's mostly ship to ship engagements or boarding parties. I would call down a ship's hallways long range, but would you?

Seven hours huh? I can do something other then sitting around. Maybe I can go get some other orders from the commander.
I turn from the table and leave through the tent flap. Uncertain where to go.

I flash the spartan a dirty look.

"Marines aren't sailors, we only ever fight inside the ships when we get boarded, the rest of the time we're here, on the ground. But maybe you spartans prefer to hide up in the frigates."

Voodoo wrote:

"Ma'am." I nod and move to the sniper, not having held one since training. I set about disassembling it.

After a good 5 minutes of moving parts, I have it laid out in front of me.

I then start reassembly, panicking when I thought I'd lost the bolt and putting the stealth attachments into place.

Another 5 minutes later, I'm staring at a fully equip stealth sniper rifle.

"Why is it Army have a mid-long range rifle but we don't?"

=I come back in with some rope for the operation, and hear Four bitching=

Well...he does have a good point

=I lay out the rope near the table, making sure there wasn't any unwanted knots, and hear the Spartan's statement=

The rookie's got a point, Spartan.

Another Dusk squad member passes by me, I turn around to tell him that the meeting is over, but over hear the conversation inside.

=i flash a great big Cheshire smile as I recognize the tone=
I hate space combat. Messes with the flow. I much prefer to get in the face of the enemy.

=i walk slowly up to Four, with that same great big smile on my face hiding all emotions=
Yanno, where you can really feel the combat. The warm splatter of blood, the grunts of the enemy, where it really is a contest of who's the best being in this universe. Tell me, how's firing a gun like? Is it as rewarding as snapping a skull?

I grit my teeth.

"I prefer a knife through the skull. Much, much more rewarding."

I grip my combat knife near my belt tightly.

"I don't care what they pumped you freaks full of, you can still die."

Ah, but a knife is not your hand. You don't get to feel the actual bones break. Or hear all the interesting sounds the body can make as life passes away.

=i put up my hands=
I'd wager feeling death is more rewarding than seeing death, as one hides behind a scope.