Mission 2: Crew Expendable (Ground Ops)

[dusty]

(well never isn't true, and they're all sitting down but ill ignore that part)
Tom looked at Dusty, while several members of the squad started laughing. dusty shrugged at him, before Tom spoke. "Hey baby listen. Im 100% pure farmer boy. And i don't know if you've ever known a Farmer Boy, but we're made of muscles. And we got endurance." Before Tom said his next line he started to Hump the air, getting a single pelivic thrust behind each word "To-Go-All-Night-Long!"
He laughed and slapped Dusty who chuckled a bit. "And whats wrong with being in the Ape cage baby? Animals know how to have a good time! and feel free to do me another little turn around before you walk on outta here!" As he finished he made a few wolf whistles.

[caster]

Cpl. Leon Carson, 1MSOB27

System: Gilese 876

UNSC Midnight Silence, Briefing Room

Hallam answered the question and Carson nodded. He had already known the answer, he just wanted it reiterated to the Marine Regs (regulars) who had never done a quiet operation before.

Carson looked over to Flores, they guy was practically sexually assaulting his sniper rifle. "S-s-sir...sorry, but, a well...I think I need to change my primary weapon...sir..Ah...ah...sir?"

Carson looked over to Sergeant Koopman who was sitting about four chairs down near Samson just as everyone started getting up. "Koopman, gonna drop by the armory for a swap out!"

Koopman, looked to Carson and shook his head, indicating he couldn't hear. The loud bustle of troopers moving and the voices was drowning him out. Carson stood up tapping Flores' shoulder as if to get him to follow.

"Going....To...Armory!" Carson shouted towards Koopman who gave him a thumbs up in return.

Carson nodded towards Flores and started moving his way through the crowd. In the narrow corridors Carson spoke. "Look, Rookie. Koopman told me what's up, I get this is your first op...." Carson was holding his helmet under his left arm as he walked. He looked over to the helmeted trooper. "But, you need to calm down. You've been well trained right? Boot Camp, infantry school, special forces training...." Carson looked ahead as they rounded a corner following an orange line painted on the deck that lead to the armory. "You're ready for this, oo-rah? You rely on your training and your instinct and it will get you back. Remember your combat breathing techniques, that will keep your body running longer. Keep your calm." Carson rounded the next corner, and suddenly there was a sharp slap on the shoulder blades to Carson and Flores....Renters had caught up to them. The heavy gunner stood nearly a head taller than both of them, and his hulking frame had no trouble carrying the larger light machine gun. Renters fell in step behind the two troopers as Carson continued talking.

"Just remember, we are a team. And we will not break, not through force. You rely on us and we will see you through...." Carson looked to Renters for a moment, who put his helmet on but left the visor transparent. "But, we have to be sure you're there for us too. We will rely on you, so if you can't calm down and be effective....For your team.....Then you have a duty to tell us....Because we can't let you....Or anyone else jeopardize our safety....Not in the field." Carson looked over to Flores, if they needed to Samson would keep Flores on the ship.


Before, Flores could mutter his response, Renters broke the quick silence. "Or you could just hide behind me."

Carson cackled a bit as they finally entered the armory, "If you have a wall, hide behind it." The Gunnery Sergeant was standing in the middle of the bay as other troops grabbed their gear. But, Carson strode past the line leading to the requisitions officer and approached the Gunnery Sergeant. "Gunny," Carson greeted with a smirk and a nod. "Gonna swap out a Sniper for something a little more effective." Carson nodded towards Flores.


Carson spoke again. "Your a sniper, I get it. I would recommend BR-55 silenced with the telescopic reflex sight at 2.5 zoom. Give you distance coverage with the BR but not be useless up close either...." Carson looked to the Gunny who reached to a weapons rack and produced the stated rifle. "As an added bonus, the Gunny here has loaded this specific rifle with the high-density shredder rounds. You might loose a bit of range, but the damage it causes to a body is ridiculous." It was quiet obvious Carson and the Gunny weren't first time acquaintances. "It's your choice though." Carson finally stated. Flores could choose what he wanted.


Carson turned around to Renters and started up a conversation about accuracy over volume while Renters just laughed and said accuracy through volume was the only way. After Flores had made his decision, Carson nodded and him and Renters started walking. Presumably towards the pelican bay. Once at the pelican bay, the three men would approach the rest of Echo. Samson was going over everything with the rest of the squad.

If Flores was paying attention he would note neither Lawrence or Renault - Echo squads two snipers were carrying sniper rifles either. Both seemed to be carrying the MA5B.

Samson was already talking when Carson came into ear shot. "So, remove threats by order of rank. It's most likely, that the contact point will be the officer in any group. We've seen that before. So, focus fire on that target until neutralized. Then soak up the others, no stragglers. No alerts."

The team nodded casually. Carson along with the rest of the team headed towards the pelican and stepped inside. Carson fitted his helmet and polarized the visor.

Samson approached Flores just out of ear shot of the rest of the squad. "Everything okay, Flores. Ya feelin' up to this?"

Lt. Allison Westbrooke - Super Six One

System: Gilese 876

UNSC Midnight Silence, Briefing Room

Allison and her crew immediately started towards Super - Six - One. As they walked along the bay of Pelicans, and passed Six-Four. Allison nodded to the crew and gave them a thumbs up. When they arrived Allison recognized the head of Samson. She had worked with them a while ago on Arcadia, remembered them in passing. She nodded to Samson who was speaking to a helmeted trooper. The rest of the squad was already loaded in the bay. Craig immediately hopped into the back of the bay and exchanged short "Hi" and "Hello" quips with the troopers on board. Craig started the preliminary flight check list in the cock pit. Meanwhile Allison and Kelly started a check of the coupling systems. Everything on the outside appeared good.

[zim565]

Flores followed Carson, he looked around as they got closer to the armory, he listened every single word he said, after Renters would catch with them, he felt relaxed and even he started laughing. Finally they reached the armory. He looked at the BR-55, he grabbed it, slowly he look each piece and felt the weight, he looked at "Gunny", he thanked him with a movement of his head and followed Carson and Renters back to the Pelicans, but now something had changed, he walked faster and he looked more confident. Carson was right, he was afraid of dying or getting hurt, but he knew that there was one thing: if someone got killed or hurt because of him, he would not be able live with that.

As they reached the Pelican Sgt. Samson talked to him. Flores removed his helmet, his hair was wet because of the sweat, he took a long breath of cold air, his eyes were different, he was nervous of course , but something had change.

"No problem at all sir, I can do this"

Flores entered the Pelican and sat next to Carson and Renault, his helmet on his lap, his magnum on his waits and his BR on his hands. His right leg started moving again, but now it was less violent than before. He could do this.

[inhert]

Shelby chuckled as she spun back to face the cheeky ODST. "Well I hope that you are as good at kill Covie as your are spewing crony pickup lines. Oh and I would cut you act out cause I happen to 'know' the guy flying this thing, so If you want to make it planet side safely I'd cut it."

Shelby spun herself on her heel and took her seat at the front of the Pelican.

"I hope the lady's not causing to much trouble. She tends to get that way when she knows she has to do more then lay on her back." Courtney said for all to hear over the internal comm of the Pelican. Upon hearing that Shelby shot up from her seat and reached into the cock to give Rocco a slap on the back of his helmet.

"Ow, what was that for?" Rocco responded as his head recoiled from the strike.

"How could you let him say something like that about me. ME!" Shelby yelled at him in a half serious tone.

"I didn't know that he was going to say it. Its not like he leaned over and say hey Rocco I'm gonna totally rail on your girl, how do you two go at it?" Rocco pleaded

Shelby glanced at Courtney as she pulled her head out of the cockpit, causing him to jump with an fake amount of fear. "And I'm not alway on my back" She muttered taking her seat again.

[Killer Frog]

//SPARTAN EVAN-247
//GAMMA ONE


A loud rustle came from the armoury, not the rustling or some grunts going to get their guns, but the sound of a SPARTAN stuffing shotgun shells in every pouch, strap, exposed plate of armour and on a small shell holding on the side of his M90 shotgun. On his side rests his M6 sidearm with "G1" engraved on the stock. The clips he brought with him, about 3 or 4 of them, where engraved with various obscenities, slurs and other curse words, although they where engraved using his combat knife, which he wore on his side like a sword. After loading several more shells into his shotgun he said softly to him self

"Bringing a loud weapon like this on a stealth mission?" he cocked the weapon.

"Groovy" He then cocked his weapon and left the armoury.

"This is Gamma One. Sorry I was late, I had a date with ammo storage" His feet clamped loudly on the ground, a rustling could be heard from his armour, the sound of shells rattling together, mixed with the sounds of awe struck Marines it was quite distressing, in a "God damn it I have to put up with this all the time" kind of way. God damn grunts, it's like they've never seen an 8 foot tall person with power armour that hasn't tried to kill them before... Who cares, as long as I get to see the looks on those squid faced bastards as I blow out chunks of Elite on the ground. Come to think of it, I haven't had Calamari in a while...

[caster]

Cpl. Leon Carson, 1MSOB27

System: Gilese 876

UNSC Midnight Silence, Pelican Super Six One

Carson looked to a group of Marine regulars, they nodded inside the pelican. One of the marines had a look of despair while another laughed. The group continued walking by. Carson looked over past Renault at Flores, his leg was moving again.

Carson opened up a private link to Flores. "Stop moving your leg. You're spooking the regs. If you have to move something, move something they can't see." Carson made a slight motion towards his boots. At the very tip, you could see the shine at the tip move back and forth. Was Carson wiggling his toes? "Everyone has something, even Samson. Try to make it something not so easy to see." Carson gave Flores a thumbs up.

Carson swapped back to the squad-comm. Dennison was in the middle of some briefing. ".....Open suit, seal it with bio-foam. Even if you can't get to the wound. If we're too far out, we'll Casevac you. If we're at the lift, then I can get to you once we are inside." Samson looked towards Carson, then Flores and just nodded. The Old Breed had seen quiet a bit, he knew what was going on.

Lt. Allison Westbrooke - Super Six One

System: Gilese 876

UNSC Midnight Silence, Pelican Super Six One

Allison and Kelly had done a check on the heavier gunship. Everything appeared fine, both women met at the rear loading ramp. Allison hopped into the ramp first, as she walked by she nodded to Samson and Koopman. They nodded back, Allison continued on to the cockpit. Craig was halfway complete with the pre-phase check. Allison sat in her seat and placed on her helmet. Craig started droning on. "Engines running cooler but within parameters. Weapon systems online. Seals checked and clear. Turbines active and normal. Flight joints operational." Allison answered each system with a "check" as Craig spoke. Eventually everything was accounted for and the engines roared to life before settling in idle.

Meanwhile in the crew area, Kelly charged the rear gun [Halo 2 rear gun type]. She moved the barrel up towards the mag-locks so it wouldn't fan others in the area. Kelly turned and looked to the group and gave an A-OK to the team. Everything was ready.

Up front Allison contacted the Naval Comptroller. "Super Six One, prepped for covert insertion."


"Roger, Super Six One. You are NOT clear for go, I repeat, you are red light. Stand by for green when other transports are ready."

"Roger, Control."

[zim565]

Flores put his helmet, without the cover, suddenly he listened to Carson on the private link, he looked ah his boot, he realized everyone, even the vets were nervous or scared about the combat.
He grabbed is BR and hit his foot with it leaving the weapon over it. Yes it hurt him, but his leg stop moving. He look around and saw the rest of his companions and the other marines. He look back at Caron

"oo-rah" Flores said to Carson out loud, the he started whistling an old song he had learned on the special forces training as the silver cover appeared, he finished hearing Dennison´s briefing. He opened a link to Renault

"If you get hit by a plasma weapon and get a chance to survive...how much does it hurts?"

[dusty]

Tom laughed at this, and several other members of the squad did as well. "Listen lady, I can kill as many covie bastards as you can spend --" Tom never finished whatever he was going to Say, becasue he had woken 8 up from his nap. "Tom shut the fuck up. Im trying to fucking sleep" The angry man had a large effect on the ODST squad, and they all silenced. "Yes sir"
several minutes later, 8 had fallen back asleep, but the squads mood was obviously defeated. Oreo unstrapped himself from his seat, and got shelby's attention. He led her out of the pelicans bay and to the side where he could talk to her in private.
He pulled off his helmet and spoke "Hey, I'm sorry for Tom's behavior. But hes nervous, and its how he copes. Just before a mission he gets really cocky and basically just talks and talks so no one will notice. When we're on the ground hes a good as any other soldier, and i'd have no other man watch my back. But please just cut him some slack" Oreo smiled and pulled his helmet back on, and let her say something, before returning to his seat and strapping himself back in. Tom was telling a story to Dusty, but he was obviously not the same. "And uhh... She said...hmmm.. ok... You know what? forget it. ill tell it some other time" Tom moved himself to a more comfortable position and tried to fall asleep.

[inhert]

Lieutenant Samuel “Murph” Murphy

Surface of Lethe

In a position over ooking the Grav Lift below Pious Charity

Lying on the ground of Lethe Lieutenant Samuel ‘Murph’ Murphy could feel the heat from the surface penetrated into his armor. Next to Murph laid on of his teammate, Matt ‘Axe’ Axelson, the two men were part of a six man special operation group which had infiltrated the crater around the Covenant’s Grav Lift to scout the defenses. The team had broken up into three pairs so that the team could watch more angles of the Grav Lift. The last time the pairs had communicated was when they were disembarking from the Pelican that dropped them off five miles away from the crater. For Murph and Axe it was safe to guess that the other pairs had made it to their observation points without getting detected by the Covenant patrols.

“Brutes.” Axe’s slow grunting exhale broke the silence between Murph and Axe. Four Brutes lumbered only seventeen feet in front of Murph and Axe. If it were not for the toxic atmosphere and the fact that the Brutes had to wear breathing units Murph and Axe would have been detected and the mission would be over for them. But the two Brutes did not smell anything but the crisp recycled air from within their masks and stood looking out over the Grav Lift.

“More.” Axe grunted again as four more Brutes walked up to join the others this time from the direction of the Grav Lift. The eight Brutes stood seventeen feet away from the two men and carried on a brief conversation. After what felt like an entirety for Axe and Murph the Brutes split up into their Groups and four and went their separate ways, one group heading closer to the Grav Lift the second move toward the crater’s rim.

This was the second time this mission that they had come close to a Covenant patrol. The first time came when they were crawling up to the crater lip and Murph locked eyes with a Jackal sniper positioned on the rim. For the Jackal he was just looking at the nondescript rock surface of Lethe. But unknown to the Jackal the patch of the surface he looked at was an illusion created by the nano-fiber Ghille suit that like camouflaged its wearer like an octopus.

Once inside the crater the members of Special Operations Group Alpha had to set up three C-12 charges, one for group to be detonated when the main Assault began. For Axe and Murph the placement of their C-12 charge went smooth with out any encounter with a Covenant patrol, they could only hope the others were able to set their charges also. The eight Brutes where the first close encounter that the two teammates had with Covenant forces since they entered the crater.

After the Brutes had passes from Axe and Murph’s hide Axe produced a two foot metal spike from his back pack and push the sharper end into the ground. Running his finger over one end caused a dish to blossom from the exposed end of the spike. The radar dish was one of three that the pairs would set up at their hides. These radar dishes would be activated when the assault team would breach the Crater rim, affording real time positioning of ground forces in the crater and enhance the UNSC radio network to be less affected by interference form the planet.

Using the built-in binoculars in his helmet Murph survey’s the Covenant’s defenses using the image capture feature to take pictures of them to be up loaded to the Recon 5-7 ship hidden in the space above the planet. Murph made sure to get as best as he could the layout of the plasma shield barriers the Covenant get up, something that the assault should know prior to running up to the Grav lift. Once he covered the plasma shields he look toward the shades and Jackals that had been setup close to the lift taking a picture of each, with each picture he typed a quick description of the defense’s location into his PDA to also be send to the Recon 5-7. With updated pictures taken Murph focused on his PDA and described how the Covenant patrols are meeting at certain points in their patrol patterns.

With the data transmitted to the Recon 5-7 all Murph and the other member of the SOG-A, in their locations in the crater, could do is keep surveying at the grav lift and hope a Brute does not step on them.

[Soulstep]

Corporal Andrew Deiran Indigo Squad UNSC Midnight Silence Pelican Bay (Super-Six-Four)

Andrew and the rest of Indigo had gotten absolutely sick of the ODST telling shitty stories, but they had begun to miss them once the Pelican went into near silence. Andrew leaned his head back against the Pelican's hull after glancing at his team. Sarah seemed the most relieved the stories had finished, and slept contentedly beside him. Tom was polishing his bullets to give himself something to do, while Adam and Ben were alternating between arguing over their weapon choices and arguing over whether ODSTs or ONI were worse.

Andrew closed his eyes and tried to do the same as several others in the Pelican and sleep. 'Rest can be more deadly a weapon than a gun', that was what the instructors said back in Basic. Not that they let you have much, obviously. As he slipped off to sleep, he noticed Sarah's head rest on his shoulder, and smiled.

[elando]

Captain Andrew Hallam

UNSC Midnight Silence

Pelican Bay

Hallam walked into the Pelican bay as the ship rocked and lurched as it made its final disent. "All Pelican Bay personell." Came a voice through the intercom. "Equipt your designated filtration helmets or evacuate the bay as we prep for atmosphere insertion." Hallam jogged over to a stack of boxes and shoved on his helmet as he went, locking it in place and hearing the low hiss of the suit sealing him in, protecting him from the outside elements.

He hopped up onto a crate so he could be seen. At that moment, the blast doors on the side of the ship openned up and the blast of heat washed over the bay in seconds. A cloud of dust and ash rushed in, covering most things closest to the blast door in an instant. "Alright! Listen up!." Hallam shouted. "The DZ is three hours away, so I suggest you get some rest on the ride in for anyone who isn't already fit and ready. Once on the ground, you will rally round me for further orders! Hooah?!" A hearty cry of 'Hooah!' went up among the troops as they made their way to their designated ships.

"Not much of a speech..." Sergant Pink said as Hallam jumped down from the crate. "Better than nothing." Hallam replied. "These meat heads don't need any fancy speeches to gear them up for a fight. Most of them are already trigger happy. I wouldn't be suprised if we loose any element of stealth from the get go." Hallam said, climbing aboard the nearest Pelican and helping Pink up. "Heh, well, we'll just have to keep them in line then. Set a good example and all that. At least we've got Spartans just incase things get a little hairy down there..."

"Pfft. They're as bad as the rest of them..." Hallam said, sitting down and placing his weapons into the storage compartments. "As long as they're the ones that go playing hero on this mission, I'm fine with that..." With that, the Pelican lifted off and out through the open blast door and onto the hellish world of Lethe...

[caster]

Executive Officer Shri T'ova

System: Gilese 876, Planet: Lethe

AC Pious Charity, Bridge

Shri T'ova continued to sit at the command chair. Fleet Liaison, Khaorse Sal had been muttering off the various reports. But this, there was difference in his voice. And that could be good or bad depending on the news.

"Sub-Master, slight interference with communications pinged approximately two units ago."

"Volcanic?"

"Possibly, but Seraph patrols have not detected abnormal fluxes in the readings on their last or this patrol."

"Hmmm, continue to monitor for anomalies. Isolate them if possible."

"At once, Excellency."

Shri stood from the command chair and started towards the gravity lift bay. Each time interference was detected, it was generally when there were massive thermal spikes underground, or if storms were passing over the area. Radio interference was not new to the Pious Charity since they had arrived, but these circumstances were. If only they had the ability to run a spectrum check along all battle-net frequencies. That however would cause communications to go down for the time it took to cycle the entire spectrum. It would be foolish to order such a thing on a hunch.

Shri exited the bridge area and passed by the two Hunters which groaned loudly as Shri passed. After navigating the purple halls, he made it to the lift area. Shri walked down the corral that had been created and to the purple beam before floating down. As he started to head down he placed the sealed helmet over his head and cleared it. It was cramped and tight, but in his long years of service Shri had used them before.

When he touched down, several of the Brutes turned to look at him. Shri stood in place until Catharsis pushed through them. "What now, Sangheili? More grunt work?"

"Again, Catharsis, this is not grunt work. This holds great honor. You will be first to meet battle with an attack."

"You said that days ago, Shri T'ova. My pack grows weary of these circles."

"Then your pack requires discipline." Shri was aware that the conversation was already getting off course. "That's not why I am here though. We've received.....Anomalous readings, that briefly interrupted communications. Has anything changed, any minor detail?"

"No. Our patrols have found nothing out of the ordinary."

"Yes, well....Remain vigilant. Start to randomize the patrols. Keep them on the same fifteen [minute] schedule but deviate their paths to better cover the approaches."

Catharsis nodded the slightest perceptible nod before turning his back on Shri and walking to the small group that had conglomerated.

Shri looked out over the crater, his vision was drawn to one specific spot. Where he would be if perhaps he were sniping.....Watching. He stared at the spot for a long time, even after Catharsis had walked away from the area. Shri knew he would look different to them. The markings on his armor, the carbine and dual swords.

Having watched that area, he could not shake the feeling something was out of place. Perhaps he was nervous. The repairs were taking far longer than he ever wanted them to. Then he began to float up towards the belly of the ship.


Once inside, Shri found himself on the end of several battle ready elites. They were still ready for combat, still following his original orders. When they had seen Shri their weapons lowered, but the blue glow at the tips of their weapons didn't turn off. Shri exited the created death-trap and headed towards engineering. He passed the Hunters there and approached a Major.

"How are the repairs coming?"

"Sub-Master. We have just finished all necessary testing of the plasma drive lines. We're preparing to test them now."

Moments after that was said, Shri looked to the plasma conduits were exposed, the purple panels ripped away from the wall. Instead of using actual drive plasma, they filled the chamber with gas and then checked to see that the seal would hold by presenting electricity through it. Shri watched the electricity arc through the drive line, and meet the areas that were patched.

An engineer monitored the repair job, and when the electricity stopped the creatures howled and squealed. A nearby grunt yelped quickly.

"Gasbag say it hold."

Shri nodded looking back to the Major, a flight officer that had been placed on the repair crew.

"We will place the panels back in place and start the main work on the plasma generators."

Shri nodded before turning and heading back to the bridge. When he had arrived, Khaorse Sal spoke. "No new anomalies to report. All flight elements report nothing on sensors."

Shri returned to the command chair and sat down looking to the various screens.

[[He was looking at Inhert]]

Cpl. Leon Carson, 1MSOB27

System: Gilese 876, Planet: Lethe

UNSC Midnight Silence, Pelican Bay

Carson looked out of the hatch, leaning forward and resting his forearms on his knees. Him and Renters shared a few quick movements, roe-sham-bo maybe?

Renault answered Flores, his accent apparent. "Well, you don't actually feel where it hits you. All your nerves get burned away. It's everything around it. Ever touch something that's so hot, it feels cold....But you can still feel the pain? It's like that....Around the entire wound, and then like any other burn....It just pulses with pain. I would recommend not getting hit." Renault had turned his head to the new trooper as he spoke.

Carson watched the orange glow cast over the compartment as the ship opened its hanger. The heat was ridiculous. This was going to be a very, very long mission. Carson checked his weapon then looked around to the team. Looked like a few of them were sleeping, Renters sure was.

Lt. Allison Westbrooke - Super Six One

System: Gilese 876, Planet: Lethe

UNSC Midnight Silence, Pelican Bay

Allison watched as her visor compensated for the hot orange glow outside of the Midnight Silence. After a moment she could clearly see the huge craters and volcanic mountains way down on the surface.

"Temperature gauges on the rise." Craig noted calmly. This was to be expected.

"Roger."

The first Pelican was out Super-Five-Four, carrying Hallam's lance. The Naval Comptroller, then cleared Allison, then Rocco for go. Allison eased the thruster forward and followed out the lead pelican. In order to mask any further readings the Pelicans would fly in at single file. Allison came in directly behind Super-Five-Four far enough back to keep the jet wash from throwing her off course.

Craig spoke after a moment. "Look at the thermal readings!"

"Why?" Came a response over the squad-comm.

"Because, I want you to get blinded just like I was when I tried it."

There was no response. Allison shook her head lightly, as though a hot planet wouldn't be completely white on thermal imaging, or she noted completely black depending on the settings.

In the rear compartment Kelly stood at the gun, sweeping back and forth with it. It was habit, she was scanning, but fleet had already stated that all forces were committed around the area of the Charity. After a thoughtful pause, Kelly left the gun, nodding to Koopman who stood up and manned it. Kelly walked to the rear panel and started a diagnostics check of the craft. As the flight engineer she had the no how to say whether they were going to fall out of the sky or not. She manually checked the readings, everything was so far reading normal. However, larger than anticipated amounts of ash were robbing some of the power from the turbines. Extended stays in this could cause the turbines to fail completely. Kelly decided to close the whether dampeners. It would cause the engines to run a bit hotter than anticipated but the turbines would remain cleaner during flight.

Kelly tapped in the same message to the rest of super squadron. They would have to choose whether they wanted to run cooler, and risk the turbines failing. Or if they wanted to keep the turbines up and risk melting the couplings.

[[Afterburner with the dampeners closed would cause a meltdown. Afterburner with dampeners open would run fine, but ash might cause the turbines to fail. --Don't afterburn = easy fix--]]

[dusty]

Dusty listed to Hallam's quick speech. if it could be called that. When it was over Tom highfived him. The ODST squad awnsered (almost) in unison "OO-RAH!"
Tom started a slow beat, slapping his hand on his leg. the squad picked it up, and it slowly sped up. As it sped up they all looked at 8 and all stopped at the same time. "FOXTROT! SOUND OFF!"
The whole squad stomped at once, and howled like wolves. When they had finished the whole squad was visibly fired up. 8 spoke to his Soldiers and wasn't using the squad Comm "Allright Troopers, Watch my back, and i'll consider watching Yours. this is the worst mission ive ever been assigned to. Good luck Foxtrot. Oo-fucking-rah" The ODST Troopers listened intently. After a moment Tom started to sing a song, which the team picked up quickly.
"Ohh-Dee-Ess-Tee"
"No other group I’d rather be"
"When I drop like comet"
"I hope I won't Vomit!"
"Ohh-Dee-Ess-Tee!"
"I really do hope you'll drop with me!"
"We light up the skies with our fires!"
"and we light up the earth with their corpse Pyres!"

[nex]

Crash could have coped easily with the awkward silences. He could just managed to cope with the droning exaggerated and most likely, untrue, tales of sexual conquest from the soldier. But the singing was going to far.

"Oi! Clear the Comms trooper. Covenant forces could hone in on any transmission. Even tonedeaf singing"

[dusty]

Tom looked at him for a minute and shrugged once they had finished the song for a third time. Besides they had all stopped singing it by now. "so that story I was telling earlier. I walked in the bar, this is on Midha... IV. Yeah that sounds right. It could be III though. Anyways I walked in the bar and i got a drink and started talking to this girl. Trisha she says. So i talk to her for a while, and i go with this lady to her house. And then I grab her skirt and pull it off, and i nearly died! She was not a woman. So i got out of there as fast as I could!" Tom couldn’t continue his story at this point as Dusty cut him off, by laughing too much. When Dusty stopped Tom continued. "Sos I figure, my luck cant get worse! so i go back to the Bar and i find this other girl. and she was drunk so I asked her 'Hey you got a little something extra under your skirt?' and she says ‘nahhh but I ain’t got nothing for you to see' and I was like 'well shoot. Ain’t nothing bad though you aint mucha looka either!' and I went up to this third smoking hot babe" At this point Tom used his hands to illustrate various parts of the woman’s body "and I made up this bullshit story I don't remember cause I was so drunk, and she bought it. It was a great night! But in the morning I told her the Truth!" Tom started laughing at this while Dusty looked at him.
"Bullshit"
Tom stopped laughing and looked at him. "No way dude! straight truth so help me god!" Dusty looked at him. "Prove it" Tom laughed and reached into his breast pocket. He removed a picture of, although not as attractive as Tom made her out to be, but still good looking woman with lipstick on it. on the back in pen was "Come back to me in one piece Tommy, Love, Sammy." Under it were a city, address, and phone number so that Tom could contact her later if he wanted to.
Dusty took the picture and looked at it for a second, then tom, then the picture again.
"Bullshit" Tom laughed and took the picture and put it back where it came from "No lie dude, i can prove it, but I’d rather not" Dusty thought about this "What do you mean?" Tom gestured to his private parts "Lets just say, if she died, and they needed to identify the body, I could provide Dental records" Then Tom laughed some more, while Dusty held his face in his hand. (FACEPALM! )

[nex]

Crash was relieved that he'd put an end to the singing. It probably hadn't made him very popular amongst the ODSTs, but he didn't exactly value their opinion of him.

The trooper had continued to tell stories from his past, this time backing them up with a worn picture when someone started to call his bluff.

Crash began to wonder whether or not it was possible to mute his comms, so he wouldn't have to put up with it. Just for the ride down. The soldier was unfortunatly talking out loud, not through comms. But maybe he could turn his helmet's earpiece off in someway? Like generating a noise cancelling signal? That would likely be going to far.

[dusty]

Dusty sat in his seat for a minute and then fumbled with a breast pocket. He reached in and withdrew 3 cigars. He pulled his helmet off and smelled them. He sat quietly for several minutes holding them. Then he handed one to Tom, and passed one to Amy. Dusty reached into a pocket and withdrew matchs, and ignoring any flight policy on smoking, lit the cigar. Tom looked at him for a second and then the cigar. Without looking at Tom Dusty spoke. Amy could hear him too. "My dad... gave me these on my 18th birthday... He said best tobacco grown on Harvast... I've never smoked... and they've always been one of my last links to home...So since this is such a dangerous mission and all... I guess now would be the time... you know..." Dusty sat with it in his mouth. Not ashing or drawring on it very much. When it was a stub he returned it to his breast pocket, and pulled his helmet on. Tom and Amy both smoked thiers, and placed them in thier pockets as well. then they each pulled their helmets back on. "Besides the toxic gases might ruin them. give them a bad taste."

[inhert]

Rocco Evans

Super Six Four

En route to 1st Company DZ

Rocco had sealed the Pelican rear door for the flight to the LZ along the surface of Lethe. When the Landing bay doors opened Rocco started the Super-Six-Four's engines and waited for Allison to clear the bay before he followed Super Squad's lead Pelican into the harsh atmosphere of Lethe.

With the door down the trooper in the back could leave their helmets of and from the cigar smoke swirling around it seemed like they were taking advantage of it. Rocco put his Pelican in formation behind Allison's and followed at the safe distance to not be caught up in the jet wake. As Rocco maneuvered the Pelican Courtney read aloud a message that came from Allison advising to either open or close the weather dampeners.

"So what do you think El Capitan?" Courtney asked when he finished the message.

"I think we should put it to a vote, Dave? Shelby?" Rocco to his two crew members.

"What sorry I wasn't listen." David said without looking up from his PDA.

"Close 'em. We can replace the coupling no problem. Running them open would do more damage to the engine." Shelby offered. Courtney didn't have to hear Rocco's decision or voice his own, they would only be redundant. Courtney keyed his panel and on the outside of the ship weather dampeners slid into place around both of the Pelican's engines.

It wasn't long before the guitar riffs of Jimi Hendrix began to play over the chatter in the back of the Pelican. From his seat across the he nodded at Shelby from his seat across from her. "If any of you have request I'll consider em." David said address the troopers in the Pelican. It was going to be a long ride but at least those in Super-Six-Four had some music.

Lieutenant Samuel “Murph” Murphy

Surface of Lethe

In a position over looking the Grav Lift below Pious Charity

Murph watch through his binocular vision as an Elite floated down the Grav Lift. "Who do we have here." Rocco thought to himself. This was no regular Elite Murph could tell from how the Covenant troops on the group reacted to his presence, even the Brutes seems to have some respect for him something not often seen toward an Elite. It wasn't just the action of others around him that lead Murph to this conclusion but this Elite appeared to have two sword on his hips.

Murph took several pictures of this fancy Elite and prepared them for transmission to Recon 5-7. While he did he continued to keep his eyes on the Elite. Suddenly Murph was rocked with a cold sweat, something that under other circumstances would be refreshing on the surface of Lethe. Mruph didn't dare move as he stared at the Elite, even from this distance he felt like the Elite was looking at him and he was painted bright pink with an 'I AM HERE' arrow above him.

The Elite turned and was sucked up by the Grav Lift, once he was away Murph could help but think, "Oh Shit. That one is important."

[monkeyjoe14]

ODST Sergeant Jack Redsont

Redsont had sat inside the pelican with his team talking about the mission.

"Jeez, that was one helluva long briefing", Pat said.

"To much fresh blood in the ranks", Desmond explained.

Redsont's stomach sank, he was the reason that most of the new guys would die. Redsont just looked over his battle rifle to keep from talking. Desmond noticed Redsont's behavior and asked him a question.

"Still angry about the Op? Listen you had no way of knowing that they could gain access from underground", Desmond comforted him.

Redsont just grunted and focused on the weapon. He just wanted this op to be over. The pelican slowly filled with more marines and ODSTs.

[trekker]

Pvt. Justin Trekker
Omega Squad

He was strapped into his seat next to his other four squad mates listening to Raine go over his mental checklist for the Omega Squad. He had checked and rechecked the seal on his mask. The fact that it was nearly identical to that of his SCBA mask while he was firefighting astounded him.

Both his pistol and his submaching gun and been stripped down, cleaned, and oiled before boarding the Pelican. Both had full clips and he was loaded down with extra ammo. No one knew how long this was gonna be and no one was taking any chances.

His battle armor had been oiled and cleaned before hand as well and three grenades hung from his belt. He was scared, but he remembered his old Basic Training Seargent when he once asked him. 'How do you stop being so afraid?' He smiled for the only time and said, 'Don't. It keeps you alert.'

He sat backand talked a little with Leopard about different lives she had saved while Leo yelled at Gunny so that he could hear him. John Raine, on the other hand, had taken to a nap before the battle. He was the smart one. Justin was excited and afraid, but he knew that he'd be able to pull the trigger.

[caster]

Executive Officer Shri T'ova

System: Gilese 876, Planet: Lethe

AC Pious Charity, Bridge

Shri couldn't get that instinct out of his head, or his stomach. He spoke - "Have the jackals rotated positions."

"Sub-Master, they are not scheduled for rotation for another [hour]."

Shri shot the Fleet Liaison a look, and without another statement the order was passed down.

Jackal Sniper Yak

System: Gilese 876, Planet: Lethe

South-Western Crater Peak

Yak toted his beam rifle as he stalked across the top of the craters various peaks. The stupid Elites that ran the ship had again decided to make Yak's life harder by not only sticking him on this hellish planet, but seeing to his further misery by causing him to have to travel through it as well.

Yak slogged across the peak, he noticed a strange rock jutting from the ground. It was red and orange like the rest of the planet, but it was concave in shape. The stone must have been larger as well, as there was a slight raise on the gravel. It was about six feet long and four feet across. Yak looked to the other snipers positioned around the crater. He was in a good spot, he had moved enough anyway in this heat and gear. Yak crouched down and settled the beam rifle on the back of small raised portion of earth. He sucked from a small tube inside the mask, drinking cool refreshing liquid to keep him from passing out.

After the long drink, squeezing the bag a bit. Yak picked up the beam rifle. He began scanning the area, this was his perch now. Near this small obtuse raised platform. He would be here probably until the sun rose on this planets next day. Might as well be comfortable.

Executive Officer Shri T'ova

System: Gilese 876, Planet: Lethe

AC Pious Charity, Bridge

Fleet Liaison, Khaorse Sal spoke. "Hmmm."

Shri looked to Khaorse Sal his left side mandibles clicking together. "Reading some interference. One of the snipers. Signal is there, just....Weaker...Convoluted."

Shri tapped commands into the chairs armrest. "Yak, Shri T'ova."

"Yes, Great One...." The Kig-Yar replied. There was no alert to his voice, no sound of impending threat.

"Where you are....Do you see anything out of the ordinary?"

"No, excellency. Nothing but sand and dirt."

"I'm sending some grunts there with you. They will be checking the area."

Shri was sending grunts, because they could work the equipment he needed worked on. And there was no need to order an elite to suit up, or to break a brute off patrol.

The two grunts would make their way up the cliff within approximately thirty minutes with thermal gear, to see if what was causing these communication disruptions was some unforeseen volcanic activity or something else. Perhaps the Forerunner had been here and fate had too brought the Covenant.

[maxii1]

The pelican was empty save for the one occupant who awaited the arrival of his team.
“Copy all, Gamma One, mind gift wrapping me something from there for later?” Harry asked with a grin, he was currently looking at the battle plans for the insertion. He knew that he and the other two Spartans would be leading this, Captain Hallam by their side.

His weapons lay on the bench next to him in a clear order, he had checked his inventory and was happy with what he had. If the job of killing demanded any other weapon, he would simply grab it off the nearest marine, trade it for his current weapon.

“G1, G3 Haul Arse, We need to be leading this fight” he moaned from his position, he always seemed to be the only one on time. He chuckled at that.

[spiritoffire]

Cody Lance, Super-six-seventeen

After strapping himself in and flying away from the ship bay, he just mainly followed the other pelicans. The flight was 3 hours, and there wasn't going to be much action until they got to Lethe, and hopefully there won't be much action there either.

After an hour, Cody got tired and handed the controls to the Midnight Silences's ship AI before taking a nap.

((OOC: Sorry for being alittle early, i just don't know when im going to be on in the next week, so i saved myself some time ))

[zim565]

Flores looked at Renault he moved his head side to side.

"Great, sounds nice"

He said sarcastically to Renault, he looked around the Pelican as he adjust his seat belt, he look back at Renault as he waited to land on the planet

"So what can you tell me about the others, I did not have a lot of time to read everyone's bio, to be honest..."

[caster]

Cpl. Leon Carson - 1MSOB27

System: Gilese 876, Planet: Lethe

Super Six One, En Route to Rally Point Alpha

Carson was now cradling his Battle Rifle with his head tilted forward. Renault looked to the rookie, and nodded. He pointed at Samson first.

"Old Breed there is a career Marine I guess. Been in a long time. Apparently he was an Instructor at Marine Recruit Depot - Reach. When they mobilized Coles fleet he went active combat duty again. Ended with him in ODST's. Details get a bit fuzzy on whether he was part of a squad before this, or if they gave him his own."

Renault pointed at Sergeant Koopman. "Koopman was a Navy gunner before he joined the ODST's. Apparently, for a mission they needed a combat technician. Koopman was hand chosen by SOCOM to assist. He never left though, got the ground-pounder bug I guess."

Renault nodded at Renters who was now audibly snoring. "Renters has been here before the rest of us. Apparently he came off some back-water industrial colony. He was part of the planetary militia, and when the marines showed up to train the militia, Renters jumped planet and headed to Reach for sign ups. I think he was like some kind of steel worker or some crap before this."

Renault motioned to Long. "Long is Echo Two's heavy gunner. He was a banker on one of the inner colony planets. When it was evacuated he was displaced on earth as a refugee. He joined the Navy as a damages claims adjuster or something like that....I'm not really sure why he joined up or how he made it to the ODST's..."

Motioned to Carson. "Carson came in not too long ago. I guess he was a cop before he joined or something like that. I know he's a Marine Firearms instructor, and he does some worth with Marine Force Recon and ODST training. I guess both his parents were military grunts and he just grew up with it."

Motioned to Lyons. "Lyons there; she actually joined out of college. Apparently she was going for a doctorate in spacial surveying. She couldn't pay for her loans and ended up putting her education on hold. Marines offered to pay her debt for four years of service....Then pay the rest of her education for four more years. She has opted to do five years special forces instead."

Motioned to Dennison. "Dennison is a doctor or nurse practitioner or something. She lived on a civvie space station that got commandeered by the UNSC when they had heavy casualties. She helped a lot of people there. Decided she could be more useful if they didn't have to find their way to her. She became a Navy combat medic....I guess after some patriotic thing, she decided to go special forces. Because we get things that matter done..."

Motioned to Rochester. "Rochester was a Medical professor at Sigma Octanus IV the big university and museum there. I don't know why an academic type like him would want to join special forces but here he is......If nothing else he's capable of patching you up."

Motioned to Lawrence. "John there is Echo Twos sniper. He joined out of Marine Force Recon. As I have talked to him, he said he got tired of laying on roof tops and fields and wanted to get into more combat sniping. Little did he know there was just as much waiting if not more in special forces...."

Renault patted his chest. "I was requisitioned for an Op with Coles initial engagement. I've been here awhile. I was actually a rifleman like Carson and Lyons before I became a sniper. Because I shot expert when I went to range, they through me through some militia firearms snipers course and then set me loose. What about you?"

Renault looked at him listening.

[dusty]

After Tom had begun exghausting his jokes and story supply the pelican had begun to quiet down. 8 used it as a moment to speak to the Marine squad. Specifically thier leader, he was yelling over the whine of the engines and music.
"Allright When we touch down i want this to be instant. My ODST squad will form a protective ring around the Pelican, With overlapping fields of fire! just like they showed everyone how to do just like in basic. Mr. ONI brass here is important, so I don't want him off the ship, until my squad says the landing zone is clear, or safe enough for him to have a shot at surviving. To close down the blindspots, We'll leave the back of the Pelican to your team. You keep the VIP alive, and we'll keep the pelican safe if the shit starts flying. One of the crew chiefs can use the chaingun to provide some extra firepower to your squad. You understand?"

[zim565]

Flores listened every word about the team, he felt more relax, at least he was going to be in good hands, everyone had their past, their history, just like him

"What about me?" He said to Renault "Not much I must admit, Im just the typical army kid" he said moving his head, with put realizing the mic was open to the entire squadron.

"I was born at Urgard on Harvest, my mom was NAVY Ensign, my dad was ODST Captain, so we were moving all the time, I studied in every single UNSC military school and academy you can imagine, always being the guy with good grades, after graduating the only thing I wanted to do was to enter the ODST´s, my dad sent a couple letters and done they accepted me into the Special Forces and sent to earth. I trained on Base Segundo Terra, Chawla Base and Diego Garcia."

He stopped and look at his rifle for a moment.

"The day I finished my training and officially was named an ODST...that day I was about to call dad and let him know...that day the news got to earth, Harvest had been attack by the Conevant...and so here I am not sure I can do this with out getting kill first"

[Killer Frog]

Evan strolled casually through the hangar towards the Pelican, the air around him heavy with poisonous gasses and the burning heat of the rocky red hell hole that manages to pass off as a planet.

"Oh? Our own ride? You shouldn't have! Anyway, I'm not one for gifts, but these frags might do the trick, since you seem to have quite the collection sprawled out in front of you."

The armored figure tossed several grenades onto the seat next to G2, the small metallic orbs rang as they rolled around on the seat before settling down. The grenades, like everything else Evan had with him where also defaced, this time with a smiling face drawn on with permanent marker.

"G3, where the hell are you? We're leading an assault! We can't exactly show up late for this party."

[monkeyjoe14]

Joe bolted into the hangar, he knew his ass was gonna get chewed up if he was late. He ran towards the pelican that G1 and G2 sat in.

"Sorry I'm late", Joe apolized as he reached to make sure his BR and silenced SMGs were still attached to him,"Churchill isn't great with directions"

"Maybe you just suck at following instructions", Churchill snapped.

Joe climbed into the pelican and examined the equipment they had.

"This is one hell of an arsenal", Joe said as he grabbed frags and attached them to his belt clips.

"Let's go already", Churchill yelled impatiently.

[caster]

Cpl. Leon Carson - 1MSOB27

System: Gilese 876, Planet: Lethe

Super Six One, En Route to Rally Point Alpha

Carson had woken up when his comm crackled to life, as had Renters and Koopman. Each of the squad was looking at Flores. After he was done with his short biography, everyone stayed silent. Everyone in the squad had always fought because none of their family had been KIA'd yet. To have someone joined who didn't have anything really left to speak of....It obviously jolted the conscious of the Echo squad.

After a long moment Carson finally spoke. "You'll stay alive....We'll make sure of it.....Right Dennison?" Carson nodded towards Cheryl.

She nodded and gave a thumbs up.

"You at least have us your squad now." Lawrence said, it had been his first words since they had been on mission. Lawrence was quiet though.

Renters laughed. "Don't depress him more!"

The chatter stopped again, and another awkward silence filled the pelican bay. Even Kelly the rear gunner was standing at the rear hatch just looking over the red landscape beneath them.

"Gear check!" Samson hollered out in the comms. The Old Breed needed them to be ready, focused.

"That's right, Echo. Keep frosty." Koopman echoed aftered Samson.

"It's too fuckin' hot for that." Renters complained.

No one acknowledged Renters.

Carson checked his weapon, he had precision cleaned and serviced each weapon in the squads arsenal. That wasn't going to be a problem. Carson checked his frags, flashbangs, C12 and other equipment. Even running a quick diagnostic on his suit. When everything was done, Carson stuck his thumb out. When he looked up, he noted about half the squad was doing the same.

Lt. Allison Westbrooke - Super Six One

System: Gilese 876, Planet: Lethe

Super Six One, En Route to Rally Point Alpha

Allison was watching the gauges attentively. Even with the dampers closed, they were running fine. Allison then realized the SPARTAN's craft wasn't behind Hallam's. They were slated to be the second birds out.

"Control, Super Six One."

"Super Six One..."

"Confirming Sierra's are still en route?"

"Eh, stand by."

Allison looked down towards Craig, who shrugged a reply.

"Super Six One, affirm your last. Sierra's are leaving the hatch at this time."

"Roger that, Control. Patch to the C/O."

"Roger, patching to Hallam[/color]."

Allison spoke after a moment. "Foxtrot Alpha (Fireteam Alpha) Actual, Super Six One. Advising the Sierra's (Spartans) have not yet left. They were slated to be in right behind you. Are time frame is now jeopardized. Unless we slow down for them, they risk over loading the Pelicans engines or couplings. How copy, over."

Allison wanted to know how that would effect the flight team. She figured it would be rather obvious how it would affect the ground team.