Mission 8: Frontier [Titanium Mines]

[Guardian Cat of Yappa's]

Captain Kelvin Duncan
120th MEU, 53rd Combat Engineer Attachment, A Co.
Time to get Rolling
Frontier, Dirtside

"Move it marines, we need to be ready to roll any second now!" Duncan had rallied his company up as quickly as possible. It took a few minutes to unload all the vehicles, but now they were all dirtside and ready to roll."I want to be ready to hit that mine any minute now." The 53rd's armor complement consisted of one M808C bridge layer and multiple tracked vehicles to clean up the outside of the mine after the battle. The purpose of the bridge layer was to act as a pack mule for supplies that they would need one they started getting to work. Also if things got a bit hectic, it could act as mobile cover, using the bridge span as a sort of shield against plasma fire. 

"1st Platoon, you're our spear head for this assault, I want you up front with the Aardvark putting pressure on the enemy when it starts." 

"2nd Platoon you're acting as the rear vanguard, hang back with the track vehicles behind us."

3rd platoon was huddled around the captain's position, a small foxhole style bunker that two engineers had dug out for him. As he slid out of it, he raised his voice to third platoon. "Third Platoon, on me, we're taking up the middle of the pack, we're gonna act as that second push behind 1st platoon." 

He heard a series of oorahs come from his marines, hopefully they were ready for hell. Especially after the comm message that came across from Guardian Actual. 

"All vectors this net, this is Guardian Actual, begin the second phase. I repeat, all vectors this net begin second phase, out."

"Alright Reaper, there's the call, move it double time!" Duncan called out, pulling his battle rifle around from his side. His eyes fell upon the small column that his company was forming, when another message from Guardian Actual came across.

"Reaper Actual, Guardian Actual. Stand by for new orders, break.

"Captain, if you brought any of those automated seventy mike mike defense guns we'll need them set up at soon as you can in an outbound direction. They'll detect any incoming troops without a neural implant, they should be your first priority in securing the immediate perimeter. Covenant reinforcements will be on top of us moments after we arrive at the mines, how copy, over."

"Copy that Guardian, We'll make sure those Seventy mike mikes are up and ready, Reaper Actual out."

Duncan switched comm channels, as the company moved closer to the mines, over to the command channel for the company "X-Ray, Actual, after we secure the mine, take second platoon and set up those Seventy Mike Mikes we brought down with this, how copy?"

Sergeant Maxmilian Drake Fields
120th MEU, Echo Company, 1st Platoon, 2nd Squad
Well I guess it's time to hit hard, and nice to be acknowledged.
Frontier, Echo Command Bunker.

Drake had simply nodded at the Captain's initial words, Alpha company had been almost completely wiped out, with only about 4 survivors now living out of second squad, since the 5th had been killed aboard The Dead Man's Hand. It had been bugging Drake, he had spent his free time aboard the ship training in the gym, like he used to in when he was upset in highschool.

It seemed as though the captain was rambling a bit though, though he returned to talking to him after a few moments."It's you I should be thanking Captain, if it weren't for all those defensive lines you had set up, I'd probably would've gone done with the others that did that day. I'll make sure to keep hydrated as well."

Drake took a position by the door as the corporal came in and started talking to the Captain, offering a nod when he motioned towards Drake, "Pull another stunt like the one on that freighter and I'll have a few choice nicknames for ya." If the corporal didn't understand the message he had sent earlier he would now. "You got outside door job by the way Corporal, I want you in earshot."

"All vectors this net, this is Guardian Actual, begin the second phase. I repeat, all vectors this net begin second phase, out."

"First team, hold position until the Captain gives the order, Mendez, get those hogs ready. Mitchell bring your team in here." He stated, giving the corporal the orders he asked for, and responded to the Captain himself, "Agreed sir, don't need to risk anyone's hide for an ignorant assault, I'll send a message out to all the spotters right now." Drake stepped to the side well the colonel spoke with the captain, who walked in just as Drake moved, switching to the net that all the sniper's spotters were on, "Echo 1-2 to all units on this net, inform your shooters to take a look at the mountain side, if you see covvie forces, you are clear to engage, Echo 1-2 out."

2nd Lt. Darrick "Pyrex" Cariker
Aviation Combat Element
9th Marine Attack Squadron
Inbound

Pyrex wouldn't lie, he missed his conversations with Deacon, but Deacon was hospitalized after that crash, and well, he wasn't the same now. So now he was stuck with a quiet flight from a wingman who he honestly didn't like. Why couldn't he have been paired with Joker. "Pyrex, Joker, ETA to A.O. is 2 minutes, get those weapons fired up, apparently they're starting the assault."

"Copy that Joker, Pyrex out."

Pyrex decided that it was a good idea to report in, the Lt. Col. had informed him after the briefing that unlike other marine units, this one actually had it's command assets in the field beside it's normal troops. "Guardian Actual, Sidewinder 2-1, ETA to A.O. is 2 mikes, how copy?" Hopefully they would have something for him to shoot.

Private First Class Joseph Sherman
120th MEU, Twelfth Reconnaissance Company, Sniper
Snap out of it.

Joseph thought he had felt the kick of the sniper rifle, when in reality, it was Savannah punching him in the arm. "Snap out of it already Sherman!" her voice breaking the illusion that had dominated his mind. Dammit, he'd been day dreaming again, why couldn't he do that in real life. "Alright, alright, no need to hit me."

"We got orders, to scan the mountain side and confirm any covvie presence, if there is any, we're cleared to engage."

"Copy that." the groan that followed warranted a look from his spotter, but she shook it off figuring it was a side effect from his constant daydreaming. Hopeful that there was something to shoot so he could try to get the guts up to warrant that bet, Sherman started to scan the mountain.

[BasedGoody]

Pvt. Samson Schwarz
On the Ground
"Shit Gets Real"

"Ah, love the feel of the grass." Eden mused. The fire-team plodded along the planet, right next to the other members of their platoon. Samson squinted his eyes at the statement, as if to attempt to see what he meant. After pursing his lips, he spoke.

"The fuck?" Samson questioned, "You're wearing boots. Whatchu' mean 'feel of the grass'?"

Eden didn't respond, rather looking down to his footwear. After a moment he opened his mouth yet immediately closed it. Solomon smiled, snorting before chuckling. 

"Shut up, I meant like metaphorical or somethin'." Eden muttered.

"'I meant metaphorical or something'." Cain mockingly repeated. The victim of the verbal abuse just shook his head. A few minutes later, the Private First Class spoke.

"Yo C-Dog..." Solomon started.

"Don't call me C-Dog." Cain commanded.

"Yo C-Cat..." Solomon restarted, drawing a sigh from their corporal, "Are we gonna be lookin' at some action in this biz" The response was Cain putting a finger to his lips, and his other hand to the comm unit in his ear.

"We're startin' phase two." He finished after a few seconds.

"Oh, cool. What's phase two again?" Samson questioned.

"You know, we're moving in. Getting shit real." Eden interjected.

"Is that true? We're 'Getting shit real'?" Solomon cocked his head to the side.

"Uh, sure. We're getting shit real." The corporal smirked, checking his weapon. Samson nodded his head slowly, also looking at his rifle. Gettin' shit real... He grinned.

[Huka]

Field Marshal Til ‘Muramai
Covenant Army Forward Operations

The Field Marshal was starting to pace around the war-table in growing anxiety, his mask automatically filtering the necessary gases in response to his heart-rate and biological excitement. His nostrils inhaled the huragok concoctions used for mainly his new lungs’ painful adaptions. The years of constant warfare, the recent defeats eating at his super-ego terribly and his knowledge to the ramification, and most importantly, the Spirits at his side was starting to get to him. More than usual.

His eyes stared at the marching frontlines of his advance force, starting to see the holographic representation of the enemy growing more and more by the step. Finally he halted opposite of Kubar with a hand on the table’s smooth edge. “This will not do…” He spoke out loud, brushing his claws over the humans’ positioning.

Then Garatus’ voice filtered into the private commander exclusive channel of his communications; "Most Holy Field Marshal Til 'Muramai, we have secured the base as per your orders! I shall begin preparing for the arrival of the other Soldier, and will be waiting further instructions."

The Sangheili commander etched his brow some in great thought, sliding his fingers over the map to observe the newly-capable position and quickly weaved a tactic. “Very good, Chieftain. The ‘First Conquest’ will be the target’s new designation. Prepare to move out again, an armored force will be joining you soon.” He replied with his stress cracking past his powerful voice somewhat before cutting the line on his end before widening the holographic battlefield with the only limitation being the developing information not yet sent by the Covenant Eye probes, focusing on commandeering his field by high command directives.

“Send our Armored Creches down to the First Conquest for augmentation, fortification lances as well. I want that station up and running by the unit’s end.” Til demanded to the overhead ship’s commanding officer, his mind shifting immediately to the advance general. “Hold outside of human horde’s firing range. Their numbers are becoming more bothersome than I care to try yet…”

With an extended rumble clicking in his throat, unheard with his mandible-clicked mouthpiece. Nav-points being made for the Unggoy-predominant assault forces with Kig-yar shieldmen to bolster defense capabilities to join the advance crèche led by a senior Crèche Commander in a formation of seven arrowheads in a splayed position of three columns, three Wraiths in between and a Wvyern in the flank.

Nearly two thousand soldiers on the forward field now, Til was uncomfortable with this numerical disadvantage but this is hardly his first time. He would prefer his rough six thousand elite soldiers to seven thousand Unggoy cannon fodder and few elite soldiers any day (even if it would be a fine advantage right now), but he was no Ripa. He refused to be Him.

“Air strike lances, prepare to line fuel rod fire on my command. Vampire lances, keep any human air superiority’s involvement at minimum.” He continued before scrolling along to the humans’ other habitants. As much as he hated to attack on these nests of theirs, there was no honour what so ever in it and it was fundamentally against Sangheili beliefs – no matter the enemy in his opinion, especially in the way his fellow Zealots have handled it – but right now, he had little choice.


“Majestic Recite, you are commanded to assault the settlement to the east of the nearby spaceport. A mixed choir of banshees and a few vampires will assist you.” He finalized with a personally heavy heart. There was a moment of silence, even the War Priest understood Til’s personal disagreements but his overall allegiance was to Faith and he spoke with his typical reverence, “As thou command in your ever-growing –and demanding – wisdom and demand, Noble One.”

‘Muramai felt a distant bile in his stomach to the association and took it simply as typical protocol, than some ironic praise. “Do so as we would in the Rebellion…” He said before cutting transmission, bowing his head in silent prayer for a brief moment and started at the battlefield.


War…


War was the concept of the noble and the evil.


War was the plane of warriors and oppressor.


War is nature escalated.


War is nature preserve.


War.


War was the cry of the righteous and the selfless.


War is the demand of the passionate and the scared.


War is war.


Sangheili are one of war’s many children.


Are we noble?


Or are we scared?


Til mentally recited the poem of an ancient hero-deemed-near heretic’s musing. Clanless this particular hero was and he fought for many clans, even his own – they who denounced him for this way of thing. Yet he continued to fight a noble fight because it was the right thing to do, even he detested the wars bleeding to the next generation – or even cutting it off completely in some situations. A time when the Sangheili touched their seventh world, virgin and innocence to their war.

No matter those who tried to end it, wars continued on. War was inevitable for all things but the most base of creatures. What one may perceive as war was sport. What one may perceive sport was a horrific sin made material.

The philosophy of life was intriguing as well as terrifying, perhaps it was why Til tried to shut it away nowadays. It distracted him but it also kept his morals clear. May the Spirits of the Heretics find their Heaven Rings in the fire of the Covenant’s Punishment. "Kael, report." He finally came after a moment of recollection.

[OOC: Will post same command to FOB in a few, leaving from library. This message will be erased upon my return.]

[SPARTAN-A120]

Corporal Fredrick Mitchell
120th MEU, ECo./2/15, 1PLT-2nd Squad
Echo Company’s Staging Area, Planet XVB 2476 - Frontier
"Guard Duty"
(Tags: Cabel, Guardian Cat of Yappa's, & MrKill)


The Captain's response was certainly motivational. Especially the part when Sorelson had stated that Mitchell would make a fine officer. Mitchell smirked slightly, but was weary of smiling too much even though his coyote tan balaclava hid his face well.

Then, Sorelson continued on with the nicknames mentioned beforehand. He explained a few interesting biographical facts about himself that intrigued Mitchell again. Yet, Mitchell didn't dare to call Captain Sorelson by his nickname. That was for off duty encounters. Additionally, he didn't feel like he had earned enough respect from Sorelson to be calling his Commanding Officer by a nickname. "Yes, sir. My actions will define me. But the nickname can wait. With all due respect, sir, this is my first large scale mission within the 120th MEU and I'm still learning the ropes," Mitchell said to the well-aged Captain.

*****

Mitchell had assumed that Captain Sorelson had also heard the go-ahead that the Colonel gave over the comms. Mitchell observed the Captain's reaction which consisted of putting away his traditional notepad and pencil, prepping his rifle by chambering a round, and holstering a chrome-plated Officer's variant of the rare M6B. Mitchell admired the Captain's choice of sidearm since it was pretty much a classic and somewhat stylish in a sense. It kind of reminded Mitchell of a 20th Century stainless steel Model 1911 which was popular in the First and Second World Wars and other wars involving the former nation of the United States.

"Sir," Mitchell said to the Captain to conclude so that he could go about his duties before he conducted an about face to step out the makeshift command center with respect and discipline.

Mitchell made eye contact with Sergeant Fields when he was leaving Sorelson's camp and when he was close enough, the Sergeant said to him, "Pull another stunt like the one on that freighter and I'll have a few choice nicknames for ya."

Mitchell stopped in his tracks to digest what the Sergeant just said. His blood started to boil, but Mitchell held his temper. "You got outside door job by the way Corporal, I want you in earshot," Fields continued.

Mitchell knew what he did during the op in the Insurrectionist freighter was out of line and understood it might have taken his own life for running through a hallway full of mines, but it was the death of a fellow Marine under his leadership that triggered the emotional outburst. Hell, Mitchell's heightened angered mixed with his focus during intense firefights made him a force to be reckoned with, but the Covenant were different. Mitchell finally replied to Fields, "Yes, Sergeant. Won't happen again."

Sergeant Fields then also received the Colonel's orders when Mitchell witnessed him tilting his head slightly to the side. After that, Fields ordered, "First team, hold position until the Captain gives the order, Mendez, get those hogs ready. Mitchell bring your team in here."

"Yes, Sergeant," Mitchell replied and then keyed his comms to contact his fireteam. "Team, regroup on my twenty. Double time."

A series of "Copy" or "Roger that" replies came soon after from his teammates. Suddenly, the sounds of vehicles and aircraft filled Mitchell's ears.

He turned around to face the sounds, but was surprised to see a tall man with a familiar face approaching the foxhole. Mitchell's HUD IFF tags confirmed the man bearing the rank of Colonel as Killinger and it almost made Mitchell snap into a salute until he remembered that they were on a battlefield. He kept his right hand tight around the pistol grip of his BR55 and pivoted and took a step back to clear the way for the Colonel to pass. Mitchell quietly whispered into his comms towards his fireteam and said, "Officer on deck."

"You just saw the same thing I just did, Captain," Killinger said to Sorelson as he walked into the foxhole.

His fireteam then snapped into a line formation on the right side of the foxhole's exit. When Colonel Killinger got within talking distance, Mitchell and his fireteam greeted in unison, "Sir."

Mitchell wondered why the Colonel was doing so close to the frontlines. Yes, it did demonstrate boldness and morale boosting presence as a superior officer, but it was risky since their location could be attacked any minute. The last time Mitchell had seen Killinger was in the rough planet of Protector which required oxygen masks to compensate for the planet's thin atmosphere. That mission was a disaster since the planet fell under the sheer numbers of the Covenant, but this time it was different. It was the the UNSC who were now hunting the hunters that were currently caught in a mouse trap in the shape of a mine.

Mitchell hoped that the odds would fall in the UNSC's favor in this forsaken war against the Covenant.

---

Gunnery Sergeant Michael J. Kim
120th MEU, 12th Recon Co., Sniper Team Dagger 1
North-West of Titanium Mines, Planet XVB 2476 - Frontier
"Speak Softly and Carry a Big Stick"

"Echo 1-2 to all units on this net, inform your shooters to take a look at the mountain side, if you see Covvie forces, you are clear to engage, Echo 1-2 out," came a voice through Gunnery Sergeant Michael Kim's headset.

He saw his spotter, Corporal Adrian Campbell, turn towards his direction through his peripheral vision.

"I heard it, too, Corporal," Kim whispered to Campbell.

Kim and Campbell made up Sniper Team Dagger One in the 12th Reconnaissance Company that were part of the 120th MEU. It was also their first major operation in the newly formed Marine Expeditionary Unit, but neither one of them were green. Both sharpshooters had enough experience under their belt to tell stories for years, but they kept it to themselves most of the time. This included their egos. Being one of the battlefield's deadliest shooters meant that cockiness should be in check because ammunition is limited and the last thing humanity needed were more dead members of the UNSC due to a missed shot.

Dagger One were positioned on a hill North West from the Titanium Mines and were 1257 meters away which meant that their very capable SRS99C-S2 AM Sniper Rifles had a high percentage of hitting their mark. It was up to them to dish them out like the main entrée during a dinner rush. Additionally, their concealment was barren, but their desert-tan Ghillie Suits gave them extra coverage from being spotted by Covenant unless they were using thermal optics. They had also allowed the winds to slightly cover their Ghillies with sand to add to the natural look to help improve their concealment. They would've chosen a nice shady area under a tree or cactus, but other sniper teams had taken good locations before their arrival so they had to make due with what they had.

"Scanning the hills for targets," Campbell whispered.

Kim also scanned the hills for the targets the Echo One-Two had informed them about. He kept an eye out for anything out of the ordinary. It was around five minutes before Kim had spotted movement on a hill. He continued observing the general location where the movement was last spotted and made out a rough group of oddly shaped bushes on the ridge of a few hills south of mine's entrance. Kim slowly lowered his rifle in its standing position on its bipod and transitioned to his high-powered spotting scope. He reacquired the location he was observing while increasing the zoom of his scope to its maximum magnification. He was only able to make out outlines of the suspicious objects and thought his eyes were playing tricks on him because of the light winds that would make grass or other vegetation sway, but it was until he noticed an odd number of bushes that were located on each hill.

"Multiple unknowns. Heading One-Four-Two. Range Two-Seven-Two-Nine meters. Possibly Covenant scouts, possibly snipers," Kim reported to Campbell.

"Okay... what am I seeing here?" Campbell asked.

"Notice how it looks like there are at least two bushes per hill?"

"Copy."

"It seems like a bit of a coincidence that there would be a group of bushes growing in pairs at the crest of each hill, correct? But the hill we're on barely has a blade of grass on it. The same applies to the surrounding hills of heading One-Four-Two."

"What the... you're right," Campbell exclaimed in a quiet tone.

"Okay let's wrap this up. Our rifles don't have enough range to cover two point seven klicks," Kim ordered.

The sniper team, as slowly as possible, folded their bipods, packed any loose gear, and crawled backwards down the hill. As soon as they reached the bottom of the hill, Kim led Campbell South West and traversed through the desert terrain by using the dunes as their cover in the pace of a light jog. Following the virtual compass on his HUD, Kim turned to head directly South which was the direction of Echo Company and Foxtrot Company's current position.

They ran for three more minutes before they came to a halt behind a good hill with two trees that looked like they shared the same trunk, but grew in separate directions in the shape of a "V".

"Finally. A tree of our own," Campbell said.

Kim kept quiet and started to walk up the hill. When he almost reached the crest, he went prone and started inching forward slowly towards the trees. Kim was disappointed when he arrived at the base of the trees. The position of the sun didn't cast a shadow so the sniper team were still exposed to the direct rays of the sun.

Campbell arrived a few seconds later and complained about the lack of shade by stating, " You fucking kidding me?"

"Shhhh," Kim hushed Campbell as he peered through his spotting scope. They were now closer to the mines and the suspicious bushes and probably 1.5 kilometers away from Echo and Foxtrot.

"Range to the mines... Nine-Eight-Five meters. Range to unknowns... Two-Four-Zero-Two. Still out of our range of confidence," Campbell reported.

"Copy," Kim replied.

Kim had focused his spotting scope on the suspicious bushes and his eyes widened at what he saw. The bushes were not bushes, but bird like creatures with weapons that looked like Beam Rifles. As he continued his surveillance, he saw one shift the bush that it was hiding under.

"Heading One-Two-Two. Range Two-Three-Nine-Seven. Multiple hostiles," Kim reported immediately.

"I see 'em," Campbell replied.

Kim conducted a headcount on the visible Jackals and racked up a total of sixteen. Kim was worried that there were more under the hill which was a concern. He looked towards Campbell's direction and nodded. They both got comfortable and pivoted their sniper rifles' bipods and placed a few magazines to the side for quick reloading. The two trees provided partial cover, but it was better than none.

"I'm reporting this," Kim said to Campbell. Kim then opened up a secure channel to all commanders near the mines and said, "All units on this channel, this is Dagger One-One of 12th Recon. Be advised, we spotted more than a dozen Covenant scouts and snipers on the Southern hills of the Titanium Mines. Appear to  be the chicken variety. There might be more hiding behind those hills. They will have range on our forces if we move within 300 meters of the Mines. They're not within our effective range, but we can relocate and engage these bastards. Better yet, we could use some eyes-in-the-sky at that location. How copy? Over."

[Tristar]

Lance Corporal James 'Ollie' Estermont.
120th MEU, 153rd ODST Company, 2nd Platoon, 3rd Squad. 
Late Mornings.
Inbound.

"Come on people, hustle it!" encouraged James as they dashed to their pods, carrying as much of the gear as they each could individually. He noticed Babe's pod opposite his and had to suppress a grin- this was going to be the rookie's first combat mission with the squad if he had the truth of it. He wondered how well the newbie would perform; it couldn't be that bad of an experience. Slapping an MA5K into the weapons holster of his pod, the lance corporal took a step back and looked around nervously- nobody seemed to be paying him much attention. Taking the opportunity at hand, he pulled out a picture of a blonde woman from one of his tactical pouches and gave it a kiss before tucking it back safely. It was a tradition, something he took up when he met her. Remember me when you drop, hell-boy, she once said. He took up to her word and made sure every beginning started with a kiss, and ended with one. 

Corporal Aleksei walked past him, grunting as he shouldered a MA5 rifle, the squad leader's choice weapon in any situation. "In your pods, 30 seconds!" he yelled as he slipped out of sight and into his own coffin. James patted the pouch that held the picture and entered his pod- the rush of adrenaline was strong in him and his gripped both handles tight even as the brace went over him and the door shut close with a hiss. Across from him, Gregor dashed into his pod at the last second and secured himself- tapping his glass, James tapped his head twice with his index and middle finger before flashing a thumbs up: You're doing fine. He normally wasn't in the business for pep talks, but if there ever was a need for it there was always the simple pat on the shoulders. "Hey Ollie." drawled Jung, his voice popping out from the pod's internal radio. 

Thumbing the intercom button, James replied lazily. "What's up Birdy?" 

"You know what's up. Do your things, say it man." said Jung, his voice on the edge. Somewhere, the rookie joined in the conversation. "What's his thing Jung?" The squad's marksman laughed for a good second as the timer counted down. 

10, 9, 8...

"It's comin' soon buddy boy. Ollie?" asked Jung, expecting something. Sighing, the lancecorporal took a deep breath, much to Greg's confusion- his inexperience and relative position in the squad as the new guy was showing clearly. 


..2....1....Right on cue, just as their pods were released, James yelled out: "Buckle up! We drop and we burn!", before laughing incessantly as they plummeted into the planet's atmosphere at break-neck speeds. Babe was entirely unhinged by James, as was meant to be and Jung even chimed in with his laughter. Aleksei as ever silently fell to the planet in his SOEIV. Things were looking good for having missed the first drop, but like Aleksei once said, you could never have enough of the best. 

[MrKill]

Colonel Johnathon B'Sheau Killinger
120th Marine Expeditionary Unit
Frontier

John had left the command area, obviously after returning the courtesy of addressing the Marines that had given him the respect for the rank he had earned, and hopped onto one of the various passing Warthogs and down towards the front-lines. He grouped up with Alpha Company, who had started their advance, but stayed back towards the rear of the unit. Things were going good, John saw no need for corrective measures just yet. Fortunately, they had air support in route and more ODSTs deploying from orbit.

On top of that various snipers had the mines in their sights, but John didn't know their exact positions or locations; but that hardly mattered. They were already cleared to open fire on selected targets if, as far as John was aware, but so far not a single one had shot. Perhaps the range was, indeed, too great for the snipers to feel comfortable shooting into advancing UNSC Forces. Either way, John was optimistic the Covenant would be pushed back far enough before their reinforcements arrived.

Since John was advancing alongside Alpha Company, he witnessed the first exchange of gunfire between Marines and Covenant Forces sticking their head up. But, due to the distance and cover involved with both forces, there were no casualties. Most of the Covenant were underground, anyways, and the Marines would have to fight close quarters to eradicate the Covenant from the dozens upon dozens of mine shaft within the mine itself.

Despite what seemed like a good approach, John could only imagine what had just started in orbit. Would this all be for nothing if the UNSC Fleet was defeated? As far as the reports were concerned, the opening shots of the naval battle had just occurred. Truth be told... the veteran Marine officer had read, seen and heard enough about the Covenant's prowess in space. He was one of the few that had 'gotten lucky', or rather the fleets commanding officers, as they mounted a few pyrrhic victories in a row.

But John couldn't see the home team winning without the upper hand.

[MrKill]

[[ OOC: Battle for the Titanium Mines has begun!

Marines have started to engage the defenders on the surface of the mines.

Covenant defenders have either fled inside the mines or have chosen to fight against the Marines.

Good luck to both sides. ]]

[sierrajames]

Private Amelia Cole

120th Marine Expeditionary Unit

Frontier: Dude, where's my squad?

Once Amelia had landed on the planets surface along with hundreds upon hundreds of other marines, she somehow managed to find herself becoming separated from her squad and fire-team in the mad rush to become organised and orientated. Amelia looked from left to right at groups and files of passing marines running in every which way and direction. Choosing to just pucker up and follow one of the files, she had fallen in behind a platoon sized group of marines jogging off away from the descending and ascending Pelicans. Amelia's eye's were all over the place, there was so much action for her first deployment she wasn't exactly sure what do do or expect. "Check Weapons!" She head some random person scream out, who she assumed had authority over her. Stopping in her tracks she lowered her head to look down at her BR55, there wasn't even a magazine in it. Taking one off her webbing she slammed it into the feeder and cocked back on the chocking mechanism to insure a bullet was in the chamber. 

Looking back up she soon discovered that the file of marines she was following had continued to ran and disappeared from sight. Amelia took a single step before she found herself being honked and screamed at by a Warthog driver that had to slam on the breaks directly behind her, spinning around with lightning speed her eye's went wide and she paused like a deer in the head-lights. Literally.

"Are you deaf! I said get out of the way!" The driver yelled, but seconds later a man slammed his hand down on Amelia's shoulder and had dragged her to the back of the Warthog.

"Get on that weapon Private!" The man said before running off. Still dazed and confused, Amelia yelled. "Sir yes Sir!" To no one, as she mounted the back and took the hand controls of the M41 Light Anti-Aircraft Gun attached to the back.

Before she knew it the Warthog had begun to drive off and she was holding onto dear life via the turrets hand controls. But before she could even adapt the Warthog driver had already slammed the breaks to let an Officer into the passenger seat who she identified as the Colonel leading the Unit.

'Could it get any worse.' She thought to herself, as the Warthog raced off once more.

[rickrtickr]

ODST Staff Sergeant Malcom Reynolds
153rd ODST company
Frontier

(tags: @MrKill )

Reynolds's pod smashed into the hillside and he climbed out his M7 at the ready. All around him the rest of his squad was clearing and grabbing their gear, no one was left without a cover man. this was doubly important thanks to a report of spotted Covenant troops on the southern hills of the mines.

having emptied his HEV of all essential gear and munitions it was time to check in, "Colonel Killinger, this is delta squad. What would you like us to remove from your to-do list this good afternoon?"

"What is thy bidding my master?" corporal Cagney asked as Reynolds finished.

"Corporal you need to get out more."

The Corporal had just summed up most of the late 20th and early 21st centuries with a single quote that spanned many of the extremely rare video cult classics of that era.

"Oh come on sarge, You know those were great in their day."

"Yeah but they are hardly appropriate given the circumstances. That is usually a line spoken by the villain in a story; we are the good guys." Reynolds replied.

That was when Corporal Blake came in on the comm and announced the squads status, "Delta squad is topped of and roaring to go sir awaiting orders."

Alright then, "Fireteams indigo, delta-4, and diamond. it is time to make our presence known, move out."

"OOH-RAH!"

[Cabel]

[Year: 2548: Inner Colonies: Planet XVB 2476 “Frontier”: Surface: Reinforced Line near the Mine: Echo Company Sector: 120th MEU: Echo Company: Captain Mark “Spade” Seamus Sorelson]

“Acknowledged,” Mark replied having heard John’s order for Echo Company to advance. “Echo Actual to All Call Signs, Echo Company to advance on the mines. Keep with the armor. Approach with caution, keep your eyes and ears open. Keep your foxhole buddies in sight. Covenant activity has been confirmed on those sand mounds. Do not engage at this range. Hold your fire until you’re safely within range. Foxtrot Company will be to our right. Repeat, Foxtrot Company is on our right flank. Watch crossfire when possible. Remember, if you feel you're about to soil your BDU's those same cowering masses that breath methane and other crud have already soiled themselves in ways their ancestors would be ashamed. Remember that. If you have to pucker up before squeezing off a round, do so,” he said, opening a com-link to the rest of the Company. “Defoliant Projector details, assigned detail cover the Defoliant Projector Specialists. Do not let any stinking Covenant get close. Echo Actual, out,”

“With the Colonel’s permission, I’d like to join my boys in the advance. If they’re going to fight in those caves, I’d prefer to be with them scraping knuckles and kicking Covenant in their nest-eggs…or balls, or whatever the hell they have that makes them sing soprano,”

[SPARTAN-A120]

Corporal Fredrick Mitchell
120th MEU, ECo./2/15, 1PLT-2nd Squad
Echo Company’s Staging Area, Planet XVB 2476 - Frontier
"Eager for some Action"

Colonel Killinger had not audibly replied to Mitchell's fireteam's greetings, but he did acknowledge it with a nod. It wasn't one of those cocky nods that some senior officers gave. The nod that Col. Killinger gave was with respect. That was all Mitchell needed. He knew the Colonel recognized him. It was demonstrated through their extended exchange of glances as the tall senior officer passed by him to speak with Captain Sorelson.

The orders to advance had reached the Company level when Captain Sorelson gave a motivational pep talk to the entire Echo Company. Mitchell heard LCpl. Carter sneak in a chuckle when Sorelson mentioned that the ugly Grunts had soiled their armor before we even fired a single shot.

"Hell, those ugly mo-fos might just retreat with their arms waving in the air like they always do," Carter said.

"'I don't always retreat, but when I do, I shit my pants and pray to my Covenant god to send me more pampers in a purple eggshell,'" PFC. Gordon said mockingly.

"Oh, that's a good one," Mitchell added.

"I wonder if their farts smell like the gas they breath," PFC. McMillan said.

The three fireteam members gave McMillan an odd look.

McMillan's words stuck out like a Warthog in a Scorpion Tank Platoon. The PFC. adjusted his helmet in embarrassment. "I'm not kidding. If they fart methane gas, that means the Marines who will be taking point entering the Mines will get nausea from it," McMillan continued.

"He has a point," Mitchell said. "If those Grunts shit their pants when we breach and clear, it's not going to be pretty."

"Woooooow..." PFC. Gordon said in a quiet tone. Mitchell felt like Gordon's response was a 'I can't believe he just said that' wow. 

There was an awkward silence between the fireteam members before Mitchell overheard Captain Sorelson requesting Colonel Killinger's permission to advance to the the Mines for the assault.

The request caused Mitchell to smile under his balaclava. His new CO was definitely an honorable one. To serve alongside the Marines he commanded was remarkable as a leader, and it was what made Mitchell admire the man even more. Mitchell was now eager to fulfill the role of an officer, but first, he had to improve his own leadership skills.

Mitchell relayed what he heard to his fireteam, "Hear that, team? We might join the assault instead of conducting guard duty."

"Fuckin' A!" LCpl. Carter shouted in the most quiet shout he could muster so that no one else beyond the fireteam heard it.

"But... here's the deal breaker. The response," Mitchell said.

"Daaaaamn... Buzzkill Bob..." PFC. McMillan replied.

"Don't jinx it," PFC. Gordon stated.

[John]

==The mission has been cancelled, per the new user-created missions. As such, we will be making a timeskip to the end. We will keep this thread open for anyone that may wish to kill of one or more of their characters etc.==

After intense fighting, the Marines managed to capture the titanium mines. The process was costly, though. Over half of the Marines were either wounded or killed. Were it not for the timely evacuation of the Covenant forces, this percentage would have been even higher. The joy of capturing the mines was short-lived, though, as word came down that the UNSC fleet had been defeated in orbit. On orders of fleet commanders everyone was to be evacuated to Kilimanjaro, Tassafaronga or Lexington. Some casualties were left behind as the Covenant retook the planet.