Mission Nine - Space Thread

[охотник]

Commander Caitlynn Evanna Woods
Diligence Class Fast Destroyer: UNSCS Doberman
Near planet: Esperanza II
Current assignment: Escorting UNSCS Unto the Abyss
Secondary assignment: Drop remainder of GOLD team into combat zone.

Tags: Bippwatt , Llau , Wax™

Woods stared out into space after the communication from Rear Admiral Michael, her eyes scanning their destination as she drummed her fingers against the side of her chair. Initially she was going to blow out about having SPARTAN assets on a Destroyer and not allowing them to drop them but when she heard the rest it gave her options. Her head wondered as the ship moved into position as instructed. But then there was a noise from Grant, which caused Woods to look around.

"Comms?"

"A-aye Ma'am, from Lieutenant Commander Moretti... Asking if I'm a parrot?"

Woods immediately raised an eyebrow then rolled her eyes, signalling with her hands to replay the message which she promptly did. And the action caused the bridge to silence and look in the direction of the console.

"Oh boy..." Woods then got up, and walked over to the console slowly. The entire crew glancing at what their doing but watching her mainly.

"Allow me to reply." Grant then silently flipped the switch before the CMDR spoke.

"Commander Woods to Lieutenant Commander Moretti. I'm not sure how they handle communications at ONI but if we can keep communications professional, that'll be nice. Please refrain from insulting my bridge staff when their doing their jobs. Break."

The commander then sighed, rubbing her eyes slowly before signalling with her hands again, which Grant watched and responded to. "Please be advised, SPARTAN assets unable to be dropped due to heavy Covenant activity in vicinity, pelican drop will be commenced instead. Meaning an E.T.A of forty five to fifty five minutes. Over."

She then moved back over to her chair, speaking without changing the channel over or shutting off the one happening so Moretti would hear it. "Switch to Rear Admiral Micheal."

The Comms officer then nodded and switched the channel as quickly as she could. Still slightly shocked at what she had just been called.
"Woods to Rear Admiral Micheal... We've not left the fleet but will assume positioning as instructed. Will drop pelican as advised. Requesting fighter cover be available for drop. Over." She then waved her hand yet again to signal the cut off in comms. Sitting back in her chair as she stared back forward at the other ships. Before lazily stating. "Alert the SPARTANs to change of plan. And have a pelican assigned and ready for them."

The respective officers then confirmed and got to work. Then Woods looked back at the Console. She had a bad feeling about today.

SPARTAN-II: Courtney-021
Gold III
Approaching Esperanza-II Orbit, Panis Eterni System
Onboard Diligence Class Fast Destroyer UNSCS Doberman

The SPARTAN remained silent throughout the entire wait, having checked her weapons and attached them to the appropriate areas on her armour. Her eyes fixing on one point as she pretty much blanked Siobhan whilst she waited for something to happen. This was one of the benefits of being who she was, just waiting didn't bother her, restlessness wasn't a thing. Still, she knew if Roy were here she'd probably be talking with him. Hand signals, maybe, but still, conversing.

She didn't really get much time to think though, well at least in her opinion as two things happened in quick succession. First the speakers went off within the ship. Alerting the SPARTANs to move to the tiny hanger of the Destroyer in order to board a pelican, which was... Strange. Weren't they meant to be HEV'd? And that LCMDR Moretti had already been informed. Eh, orders were orders. Then the second thing happened. And Moretti's voice came over the comms. Prompting the SPARTAN to narrow their eyes behind their visor.

“Thanks for actually having a voice and knowing how to respond to an Officer's question, Gold Four... Dinna tell me not to bloody worry too much about this. I'm going to worry until we can make a successful capture on my HVT – and that means alive, Gold Three and Four.”

The female SPARTAN was in the process of getting up from her seated position when it came over. And part of her seemed to react to what was said. Initially suppressing it, as she was better at doing. The SPARTAN then responded, which was out of character in and of itself, but the way she responded was even further into the realms of not normal for her.

"I apologise, Lieutenant Commander, but not all of us have a thing for our own voices and hide behind our talent with words to mask our insecurities." She then broke her speech, shifting a little as she went to walk but was showing that she was clearly not enjoying talking.

"Now, with all due respect, sir. We were briefed, we know what we have to do, and if I don't say anything, it's cause I have nothing to say for and against. GOLD IV said all that was needed." She then shifted again and glanced at Siobhan. Walking two steps then stopping and waiting for the other to take the lead. Watching her through her darkened visor. Which, despite covered showed she wasn't happy. Silence was her friend, companion and ally. Breaking it was not something she did lightly.

[Bippwatt]

Petty Officer Second Class Siobhan-007
Gold Four
Approaching Esperanza-II Orbit, Panis Eterni System
Onboard Diligence Class Fast Destroyer UNSCS Doberman
"Jesus H Roosevelt Christ"
(Tags: Llau , охотник , Spartan 999 , SuperCommando , SPARTAN-A120 )

Siobhan blinked in surprise when she heard the update on their drop. Goddamn it. More delays? I'm sure the El-tee-cee will be delighted to hear about that.

As if her thought summoned him, Moretti's voice came over comms again.

“Thanks for actually having a voice and knowing how to respond to an Officer's question, Gold Four." His voice changed and Siobhan's eyes narrowed at the tone. "Dinna tell me not to bloody worry too much about this. I'm going to worry until we can make a successful capture on my HVT – and that means alive, Gold Three and Four.”

Okay, now that pissed her off. First, he makes a clear jab at Courtney, then he decides to go after her own accent and speech patterns? While also basically telling them how to suck eggs.

She opened her mouth with the intention of telling Moretti off in a professional, respectful and pleasant manner, as befitted a subordinate speaking to her superior officer. (Though that probably wouldn't have lasted...her temper had a habit of getting the best of her.) But her partner beat her to the punch.

"I apologise, Lieutenant Commander, but not all of us have a thing for our own voices and hide behind our talent with words to mask our insecurities."

Siobhan gaped at Courtney. Only the fact that her helmet was on prevented her from looking like a total dumbass. "Holy shit...", she muttered, comms off.

But she didn't stop there...

"Now, with all due respect, sir. We were briefed, we know what we have to do, and if I don't say anything, it's cause I have nothing to say for and against. GOLD IV said all that was needed."

Well, damn. She did that better than I ever could have. And probably with fewer cuss words too. She snorted at her thoughts. Probably? She didn't swear once. You damn well know you would have done so more than ten times...if you restrained yourself, Siobhan., she thought at herself.

As Courtney moved to leave, then stopped, Siobhan took a quick double step to get in front of the other Spartan, lest she wind up behind her. That wouldn't end well.

Siobhan's shock at Courtney's words didn't fade for a good while. It wasn't that she'd never heard the other woman speak before. She spoke plenty. Just only to Siobhan and/or other Spartans. But even among family, she was quiet and often listened far more than she spoke. There were times when Siobhan wished she was more like Courtney. She couldn't even begin to guess how many times her big mouth had gotten her into trouble. And yet...

And yet, it seemed like, in a twist of irony, Courtney's mouth was actually bigger. And had a tongue that could slice through Titanium-A with effortless ease.

And, of course, Moretti responded, confirming her suspicion that he always had to have the last word. "Insecurities? I'm very confident in what I do or say, Gold Three. Sure, I like the sounds of my voice. I love communicating. I also love insulting people. It's funny, fun, and keeps people on their toes. Even more fun when you know someone, because what are friends for?" The sound of him chuckling came over comms "Though, I do congratulate you on having a backbone and responding to me. Now then. I'll see you and Four soon. Cheers."

Jesus, this guy was a dick. If she managed to get him alone, she'd be tempted to knock his skull around. He might be several dozen pay grades higher than her, but his attiude screamed some wet-behind-the-ears swabbie who needed a practical lesson that none of this was a joke.

"Sorry you had to do that, Courtney. I'd have tried, but I'd probably have gotten myself courts marshaled. Not that that would have stopped me. You were just faster than me on the draw...", she said over their private team comms, her self-deprecating humor evident in her voice.

As they stepped into the Pelican bay, Siobhan checked her gear one last time. Again. But this time it really was the last time. Shotgun, the M45E, on her back, pistol on her hip, wakizashi on the other hip and tanto style KA-BAR knife on her chestplate. Her ammo pouches full, grenades onboard. Good. She hoped she didn't need anything else.

"Another day. Another battle. Let's kick some alien ass.", she said, to no one in particular.

[охотник]

Commander Caitlynn Evanna Woods
Diligence Class Fast Destroyer: UNSCS Doberman
Near planet: Esperanza II
Current assignment: Escorting UNSCS Unto the Abyss
Secondary assignment: Drop remainder of GOLD team into combat zone.
Tags: Bippwatt , Llau , Wax™ , SuperCommando , Spartan 999

Woods stared at the console of her comms officer and put her head in her hands slowly. Whatever he called her was irrelevant right now but whatever he mumbled at the end had her back up. She wasn't going to rise to it, as she couldn't make sure what it was, but still. She had her hunch. Then, after a little bit, the comms blurred to life again, with something you expect from a Lieutenant Commander which gave Woods an odd feeling. Still, no time to dwell on that.

"Tell Moretti the pelican will stay, but there'll be ODSTs coming with the SPARTANs, for some reason I don't have trust in him to keep it secure." The Commander's tone remained flat until she spoke like she trying to point out something that wasn't obvious when it blatantly was. But that didn't matter when the Lieutenant got back onto the comms.

"Doberman to Moretti, Pelican will remain with UNSC forces on ground as requested. ODST Compliment will also be given out of the 30 the Doberman carries with the orders of keeping the pelican as safe as they can. Currently awaiting confirmation on fighter escort for pelican. Please stand ready for callsign and contact when Pelican is away. Out."

And with that the Commander cut the line on her end, she wouldn't pander him or drop to his level. She'd have to talk to his handler... And maybe someone else of higher rank... Maybe John.

SPARTAN-II: Courtney-021
Gold III
Approaching Esperanza-II Orbit, Panis Eterni System
Onboard Diligence Class Fast Destroyer UNSCS Doberman

Courtney walked quietly, letting the words of the LCMDR bounce around her head. Well he got defensive fast didn't he? Eh, she wasn't one to keep prying at something, and she was prepared to let it go until her fellow SPARTAN spoke. Apologising to her about having to do it and how she was going to do it first and probably get court marshalled for it. Eh. The female didn't respond, and simply shook it off. This was more like her. Letting things past that didn't matter.

Though for all letting go was, Courtney still decided to speak up again, her voice the same, monotoned, even and calm voice it was, quiet but loud in it's own way.

"Roger that. Lieutenant Commander Moretti. I hope your over-defensive nature won't carry. Out." And with that she sighed again, okay that was enough. It was annoying her. She then switched to her own team's channel, and spoke into that. As briefly as she could.

"Gold I and Gold II. III and IV are boarding pelican now. E.T.A approx 50 minutes. Over." After that, she glanced to Siobhan, who she kept in front of her as usual, her mouth opening to speak then it died when they entered the hanger. Eh, it probably wasn't important anyway. And the quiet allowed her to double check everything again. DMR, BR, knife and pack. Pretty much settled. Good, it meant she could continue walking to the pelican that a Marine was signalling to rather than having to go back.

[Caramel Raccoon]

Trierarch Rel'tor `Muramee
Aboard SDV-Class Heavy Corvette Radiant Proclamation
Exiting Slipspace Jump, Esperanza-II In View


Rel'tor stood in the command center of his vessel as it exited its jump through slipspace just moments before. He and his crew had waited on the edge of the star system with instructions to jump towards the planet of interest, Esperanza-II, a world which was apparently seeing quite a fair share of excitement as of late, once the warband under Shipmaster Aquiree's command had mobilized against the planet. Now that they had, Rel'tor would need further instructions on just how he would be put to use. 

He turned to his Master of Communications, Val, and spoke his command quickly, "Open up communications with Shipmaster Aquiree's vessel." The order was quickly completed with a, "Yes, Excellency," a respect he demanded from all members of his crew, and then Rel'tor stepped up to his station, speaking.  "This is Trierarch Rel'tor Muramee, Commander of Radiant Proclamation in system and ready for your word, Shipmaster."

He then had the line closed and clicked his mandibles together a few times in contemplation as he awaited a response and pondered his options. While his ship was more than capable of combat, the fact that it was smaller and faster shouldn't go unnoticed. His primary mandate was of course whatever the Shipmaster would order, but Rel'tor knew that he would be far more effective slipping in system and deploying his forces onto the world...or sending his unused dropships to retrieve allied forces, if it were so needed.

Whatever the case, he would need to be prepared for it. He turned to his command crew and barked his orders for them all to hear, "All stations, prepare for immediate contact with the vermin's vessels! I want reactors and weapon systems brought to full power! Ensure all deployable forces and all air bound craft are ready for deployment! It's time we make our entrance."


(Tags: Huka )

[Huka]

Task Force Commander Sanj ‘Aquiree
Flagship CCS-class battlecruiser Righteous Monsoon
Stratosphere of Esperanza-II

The vengeful battlecruiser sliced a cowardly corvette in twain with her front energy projector through the heart. The blue-hot plasma cut the precious metal like hot margarine, the ends barely holding together and the command center well and gone with her crew becoming nothing but tallies to the Commander’s score. It was a quick and merciful, more than these heathenous traitors deserved. Sanj sat on his command chair, watching the remnants pulling into the planet’s gravity. Her once beautiful hide burning in landfall. There will be no prayer for them.

“Commander,” The Operations officer calls, “Another ship have entered the system. Registering...one of ours; SDV-class Heavy Corvette. Radiant Proclamation under Trierarch Rel’tor ‘Muramee. He hails us now.”

“Muram? Interesting. Access.” Sanj answered, immediately catching the commanding shipmaster’s voice filtering through the command center’s audio receptors.

“This is Trierarch Rel’tor ‘Muramee, Shipmaster of Radiant Proclamation in system and ready for your word, Shipmaster.” The senior officer flicked his inner thumb a moment, taking a moment to survey his immediate location. Three corvettes destroyed and one hovering in caught battle with the Kig-yar privateer’s. Last report that the aged squawker was personally handling the boarding action. When he was done answered, “this Task Force Commander Sanj ‘Aquiree, welcome to the battle, Trierarch. Have the Fleet Master lost enough faith to send you as an observant?’ The tone was professional, yet a hint of self-appointed mockery that only one ship came to the scene.

Either way, he pleased of at least one more ship to their cause. The remainder of his task force were proclaiming dominance to parts of this world with handling troop deployment or the trading interference between the Heretics that they were hunting or the Humans who were trying their patience to no end. This will end soon enough.

[Caramel Raccoon]

Trierarch Rel'tor `Muramee
Aboard SDV-Class Heavy Corvette Radiant Proclamation
Approaching Esperanza-II's Upper Atmosphere

Rel'tor stood before the massive holographic projection of the planet and the fleet movements above its surface. The ships under the command of the Task Force Commander seemed to be holding the upper hand over the Heretics, and the planet seemed to be well under control, although a number of the vermin's vessels still seemed to be producing live signatures in orbit. So the humans were still holding their own then. They must have been taking advantage of the chaos, though he doubted they understood why Covenant vessels were firing upon each other. Still, things needed to be wrapped up quickly, and he cursed under his breath at his inability to take lead over ship movements.

His Communications Master alerted him of the incoming response from `Aquiree, and he turned to hear it played aloud. "This is Task Force Commander Sanj ‘Aquiree, welcome to the battle, Trierarch. Has the Fleet Master lost enough faith to send you as an observant?"

Rel'tor scoffed at the mock. He would prove his worth. He turned to Nato and Xos, Masters of Navigations and Operations. "Bring reactors to full power and set us about on course zero-four-zero by zero-zero-five. I want us in position in the planet's atmosphere within the hour. Feed me live data on Covenant operations on the surface, and prepare for course corrections to position ourselves directly above them."

He looked to the displays as they showed the holographic line charting their course towards the planet, a path that would bring them just over the battle raging on now. If the fight wasn't over by the time he'd passed by, he'd be able to provide firing support without plunging his own vessel into unnecessary danger. But he had a much different main objective in mind. He had a link reopened with the Commander, issuing his response, "Excellency, my main duty was to wait for the smoke to clear and to provide tactical and orbital support as needed. My troops are ready for any needed deployment, as are the transport craft ready for extraction if so needed. All weapons systems are hot and ready to be fired as you so desire. Radiant Proclamation is entering the fray."

He cut off the communique and began to pace around the command center as he took in the scenes being brought up. This whole battle seemed tangled, sloppy, and hazy. He genuinely wondered if anyone even had the full picture. Regardless, he would go about his mission as would be expected of him: With tact and righteous duty. This was where the fun began anyways, where he got to put his skills to the test. How many of the vermin thought as he did? Looked past the battle and the objectives, and searched for the bigger picture, for the challenge, for the opportunity to show their worth and for the things everyone else was missing? He surely didn't have the whole picture of the goals of all parties participating in this fight, and he wondered how many others were lacking it too....and how many, like him, wanted to find out.