The Halo RPG: RPG Thread (Story Arc 2, Sector 02)

[caster]

Corporal Leon Carson - ODST - Echo Squad

Sector 2 - Alpha Base, Operations Staging Area

Carson heard the Lieutenant on the Pelican; Jaxxen fire back. "Are you seriously trying to call rank on me, asshole? Then let me tell you something. Even a fucking corporal wouldn't have pulled that dumb-shit maneuver."

Renters had stopped and turned around too. The hulking heavy gunner grinned lightly. "You better check your mouth before I come over there and shove my foot in your ass, you fuckin' pansy."

Dennison and Renault were standing over by the new guy watching. Samson was just bringing his gear over when he heard the commotion. He stood half-way in between the Lieutenant on the Pelican and the two ODST's. Samson looked at the Lieutenant. "I'll take care of it, sir."

Samson turned to Renters and Carson. "Shut your goddamned mouths. You'd think you have enough to worry about in this whole situation rather than starting more shit with humans who are on your side."

Carson replied. "I'm fine with that, as long as my side isn't gonna get my ass killed before my boots even touch the ground."

Samson pushed Renters and Carson on their arms towards the rest of the group. "Same shit could happen in a drop pod, Corporal."

As they got further away form the Lieutenant, and out of earshot Samson finally said. "Don't think I don't agree with you guys, alright. The fact is though, this is a FUBAR situation. A giant shit-sandwich and we are all going to have to take a bite. So, put on your nice hats and quit starting shit with people. You fuckin' get me?"

Renters and Carson nodded. "Alright.....Get your fucking gear and get on board. We're gonna be dropped near the North-East sector of this area. We'll drive it from then on out, till extraction."

The team didn't acknowledge anything, they just put their helmets on and started near the Pelican. Carson patted the new guys shoulder. "So, a rifleman, eh? Ooh-rah!" Carson patted the rifle that was draped across his chest on the three point sling. The new guy seemed to be alright, as far as Carson was concerned. Sure, he was new, but he couldn't be completely incompetent if he was an ODST. Not to mention, in their questioning they found out he had been on the Forlorn Hope mission - and survived. Carson, for one, was willing to give the guy the benefit of the doubt, given his service record. If things turned out good, he might be one of the better things that happened to Echo squad since this whole mission started going south. Carson hopped into the back of the Pelican and took a seat near the door. He'd be the first one off, this time. He had drawn the short straw....Carson thought about suggesting a recount on the fact that the new guy was suddenly with them....That probably wasn't good karma though.

[shadowscarab]

//REFERENCE LOG//ENTRY NUMBER=66//SUBJECT=DUTCH, KANE-DELTA 003/
//LOG START/

Maybe it was a human that knocked me out during the crimson morning operation but it sure as hell gave me a headache. "Friggin people these days can't take a joke." I grunted as I opened up the air vents in my helmet to let the cool air brush against my sweaty face and a sigh of relief sprang from my dry and dusty mouth.

Thinking of home, family, friends: the bitter taste of long awaited tears tickled my tongue and I frustratingly shook my head to fight my ever unstable emotions. After blinking away any future tears, my vision cleared and the large span of a bridge played out ahead of our racing warthog: God knows why it reminded me of Lord of the Rings with Gandalf's `You shall not pass!` quote. Looking around i saw a litter of weapons in the back of the vehicle that all surrounded the turret. I picked up a battle rifle and 5 magazines plus the one I slammed into the empty port with a satisfying snapping sound that was followed by a beautiful mechanical and menacing click as I pulled the catch and let it slide home. Jason looked at me nervously even though i hadn't touched the safety, "Don't wet your underpants just yet Delta 002." I laughed as I hefted the rifle over my shoulder but my breathing stopped dead as I saw 5 airborne shadows moving in the distance- covenant air support; 3 banshee fliers and 2 menacing phantoms. I swallowed hard and glanced back over to Jason and told him with all hint of my usual humour gone, "I take that back- piss all you want." I instantly knew that we could be in a `bit of a pickle`and nerves began to build. God damn war.

[maxii1]

*Cpt. Paul Nikon*

*Sector 2: Medical Tent*

The Doctor knew that any officer who wanted to get back to the fight would do more damage to themselfs than good.
Leave getting better to the profesionals, the Doctor mused as he looked at his 'case'.
The legs where in a fixable condition, resetting was a quick procedure, made a lot easier by Nikon's comatose state.

Poor Guy, a handful of Pelicans, the only known fighter craft destroyed and his craft at each others throats. Sounds like he needed to be hospitalised for that alone. The Doctor smiled and set to work.

(OOC: Expect Nikon awake and up+at them in the next post)

[conner553]

Jaxen didn't do much, but turned, fixing Carson with an icy stare.

"Advice from a veteran lad, if you lip off to senior officers, you will be in a very bad position. Don't do it, by all rights I should do something to you that is very negative, but no time for it in warzone." He turned around, and sat down in the pilots seat.

Conner grinned, but didn't say anything as Carson greeted him. He just checked his BR-55, and hopped into the pelican, and belted himself in. There was hum as the pelicans engines warmed up, and that pilots voice came in over speakers in the ceiling.

"This is your pilot speaking, Is everyone on board?"

[toderfoot]

Tyler felt uneasy, standing in the almost empty medical tent. He walked over to where the Captain was lying. Ty looked down at him before looking around and pulling a chair up to the bed. He saw a cup nearby, and picked it up, intending to drink before he caught a wiff. 'Jesus, they drugged him...' Ty thought, recognizing the common sedative used in the UNSC.

After placing the cup on the bedside table, actually more like a tray, Fote plopped down into the chair. He glanced at the name strip on his uniform; Nikon. Ty leaned back in the chair, sighing. "Not often they have to drug a soldier to prevent injuries," Tyler said, looking at his own clasped hands "You must be pretty eager to fight, even after an injury" he started to finish, before adding, just in case Nikon actually heard him ",sir."

[maxii1]

The Captain opened his eyes. How much time had pasted?
Nikon wasn't sure, he looked around and saw a soldier beside him.
"Too Bloody Right I'm eager" Paul spoke as he checked on his legs, they where fine.
He smiled that Doctor knew his stuff, nice bloke except being a semi-poisoner.

Nikon turned to the soldier "Before I get back into the fight I need a cuppa'" he gestured to the small kettle and tea bags on the tray-like bedside table.
"Pour one out for yourself and tell me about yourself and what you want?"
Nikon smiled and added "Unless you where just here delievering flowers Fote?"

[toderfoot]

Ty chuckled and stood, pouring hot water into two new cups, placing the drugged one off to the side. He jiggled the teabags up and down in the water, using both of his hands to get both cups at once. Tyler picked up one cup and handed it to Nikon before picking up his own cup and sitting back into the chair, leaning forward with the cup clasped in his hands. "No, sadly I didn't bring you any flowers sir," Fote started, taking a sip from his tea "Well, before I was a Sergeant, I was a Corpsman. I let my squad have some time to themselves, and I deceided to stop by the medical tent to see if I could be of any help." Ty took another sip from the cup, enjoying the sweetly bitter taste of the tea.

Tyler observed the ranking officer. His fatiques seemed to be older than the ones Ty himself was wearing, nearly ancient. He could also tell that the man was fairly older than himself, maybe ten years older. Ty felt himself, glance down and observe Nikon's leg, the doctor in Fote feeling a need to check it out. He could tell that both legs were injured, but the left one seemed to be worse than the other, which indicated either prior injury, or he had obsored whatever impact with that leg. Tyler pulled himself away from Nikon's legs, taking a sip from the tea once again before looking back at Nikon's face, awaiting a responce.

[maxii1]

"Corpsman, I'm indepted too your kind" Nikon smiled and raised the mug of tea. "I tell you what though, good thing you did drop by, wonderful tea making skills" Nikon laughed.
He saw Tyler looking at his left leg.
"It's the legendry left foot from Mad Squadron" he spoke.
"Heard of it?" Paul asked the soldier.
The Soldier, like all whom Paul asked said "No".
Then Nikon would kick in with tales about his left leg getting injured in many ways.

But the fact was that Nikon had prioritys, the first of which was to discharge himself from the medical proffesionals and to have 'words' with Jaxen.
All of his Squadron needed to be breifed and what was the word, re-calibrated so they could work together.
Nikon would offer Jaxen the pilot-cy of Pelican F-753, as long as he promised not to do anything stupid. If Jaxen couldn't promise that then Gibson would pilot the birdie whilst Jaxen called shotgun.
Paul also wanted to see how Westbrooke would perform with her C.O onboard her gunship, he expected she'd shine.

Anyway first things, first.
"Fote, ever seen The Great Escape?"

[wtiger]

Mark watched the large group of marines that where drinking tea, he preferred coffee himself but,

"Tony, your a tea person yourself?"

The look on his face was more than adiquate as Tony looked at the kettle, "Yes sir."

Mark flicked his cigarette, "You've done well, go grab a cup. I'll stay here and grab some shut eye. "

Tony walked over and soon had a cup and talking to everyone else. Mark smiled, leaning against a pile of equipment he closed his eyes.

[toderfoot]

Tyler chuckled about his brewing abilities and deceided to answer both questions at once. "No sir, I haven't heard about your leg, and I haven't seen Great Escape."

Ty now knew that Cpt. Nikon had indeed been injured in the past. 'No stranger to battle then...' Ty thought to himself, awaiting Nikon's responce.

[elando]

SSgt. Andrew Hallam

Sector 2: Alpha Base

"Alright, assholes and elbows ladies!" I shouted, hauling the backpack up over one shoulder. As I trudged over to the shadow I could see Wilson's squad loading it up already. As I approached they briefly looked up from their work, nodding to me and Fireteam Alpha as we approached. "I want everyone inside the bus, we'll have no gunner, the sillouette will give it away." I said. "But sir, not that I'm complaining or anything but won't they get a bit suspicious of a bright purple bus with no radio signiture and no gunner?" One of Wilson's squad members said.

"Well if you'd rather ride around in a shiny open-top warthog, be my guest. Atleast we'll have some element of suprise and once the shit does hit the fan, this bus here has some pritty thick armour. We'll be fine Corporal." I replied. "Now, whos driving?" "I will, Sir." Said Private Cutting. "Shotgun!" Shouted Pvt. Court. "You muppet, there is no shotgun on one of these hunk's of crap." Replied Corporal Styles, giving him a light smack round the head. "Well, was worth a try." Said Court as he loaded his stuff into what was now know as "The Bus."

"If shit does go down." I said, climbing into the passenger seat closest to the driver. "We've got a SPNKr with 6 rounds and the plasma turret up top as well as somewhere to stand to fire back. We've got enough firepower to hold out for a while." Everyone else climbed aboard. As Private Cutting climbed in the cockpit the craft rose slightly off the ground. "Should be easy enough to drive this thing." He said, looking over the controls. "Hey, I don't care what state this piece of shit is in as long as we get there in one piece." I said. "Got it, sir." Cutting replied.

The shadow rose and began to drift off down the tunnel and out onto the bridge which seperated the ice caves from the main base.

This was such a stupid idea if ever there was one...

[monkeyjoe14]

The air was chilling as was the bare ground I layed on. I was heading a small portion of my squad to find a couple of my men that were MIA. Most of the covenant were still occupied with chasing our men into the caves while we were several miles away thanks to two warthogs. We were close to their last known spot when a squadron of banshees swooped down on us.

"Ahhh Crap!" One of my men said, "evasive action Dash get on the turret Fahte you to." The banshees came around for a second attack when I grapped rocket luancher from the back of the warthog. The banshees fired their mortars that glowed errie green and everyone either ducked or ran. The blast impacted on the warthogs and they were engulfed in green light.

Everyone then opened fire on the banshees and three were shot down. I blasted the rocket luancher at two of the remaining Banshees and both shots connected. Only one banshee was left and it was heading for one of my men when their was a white streak through the air and a flash of light and the banshee was detroyed. I looked for the source of the projectile when I saw a warthog approaching.

Desmond one of the men from my squad that was missing shouted from the guass turret.
"Hey sarge what you doing out here"
"I could ask you the same damn thing"
"We were hit by the banshees same as you, we hid inside a cave we found"
"Where's Tylor at, wasn't he with you two"
"He got hit with a plasma bolt, went right through him"
"Well lets get out of here we got plenty of trouble coming our way"

The Warthogs were destroyed and Fahte and Dash were both gone. Thier ashes were probably scattered around the area along with broken parts. We managed to get three of the banshees that were sill working and we only needed two seeing how one of us could ride in the passenger seat of the hog. We decided to take the extra banshee and let Tylor's corpes ride for a burial tribute. We started our trek back to the cave for a burial and some well deserved rest.

[caster]

Corporal Leon Carson - ODST - Echo Squad

Sector 2 - Alpha Base, Jaxxens Pelican

Carson turned his head to Lieutenant Jaxxen. "We're all in." Carson left out the sir. The fly boy would have to earn that back. Renters sat next to Carson and checked his LMG, then spoke. "So, you realize you have to aim now, right?"

"I don't know why you're talking....."

"I don't have to aim, accuracy by volume."

Carson tapped the magazine into the bottom of the rifle to ensure it was seated properly. He charged the weapon and was good to go. Carson looked to the new guy and gave him a thumbs up.

Lieutenant Allison Westbrooke - "Super-Six-One"

Sector 2 - Alpha Base, Operations Staging Area, Pelican Super-Six-One

The crew of Super-six-one had finished necessary repairs and maintenance on the pelican. Craig was sprawled out of the seats on the left side asleep. Kelly had went with Layton to go over what supplies benefited the air wing. They were so far the only ones, outside of a few Navy techs that had the no how to put the spare parts and accessories to any use. Allison had been working on calibrating the weapons and targeting system, they were operating well within parameters but Craig was sure they could get even more out of it. They were sleeping in shifts, or supposed to be. Allison was working on the craft for the next hour....Except that she was slumped over the console asleep. She had probably been in that condition for ten minutes.

Ultra Zuka'Zanzamee - Sector 2 Operations Commander

Sector 2 - Aboard Phantom flying over Covenant Mortar Wraith Battalion

Zuka monitored battle-net traffic as they continued patrols throughout the south-west tundra. Units were coordinated and in position. Reports were coming in of scattered human activity. First, a group of humans in warthogs on the bridge (ShadowScarab), with a Covenant Shadow moving in the opposite direction out into the tundra (Hallam). The Jackal spotter noted there appeared to be no one on the shadow, the Sangheili Major in charge of the Wraiths had noted that the shadow wasn't responding to hails. Zuka would take no chances, he knew the humans lurked within that cave....Perhaps they had taken the shadow specifically for this. "Major.....Destroy all on the bridge."

"Yes, Field Master." The Major replied. Zuka looked out of the Phantom to the south. He saw a massive barrage of plasma arc into the air, and fall onto the bridge. He knew the bridge was sighted in with equal coverage from the interior of the cave and out into the tundra on the other side. There was little chance anything could be avoided. Zuka watched as another lob of plasma from the entire mortar battalion fired. His only issue was that, because of the ridge the tanks were on, he couldn't actually see the damage himself. The humans should be taken by surprise...The tanks were out of view, behind the cliff edge.....

Zuka had another report filtering in of scattered activity. A flight of banshees, returning to sector 1 had encountered a group of humans....Communication was lost shortly afterward. The wraith air battalions were pinging three of the banshees from that flight, but no return communications had thus far been received (MonkeyJoe14). Zuka ordered the AA Wraiths to destroy the banshees. Friendly or not, failure to respond to hails had been tragic mistakes in the past. The Sangheili Ultra replied that the banshees would have to past right through their intersecting fields of fire, and that survival, at least in the air was no plausible. Zuka wanted infantry support with the AA ready to hunt and engage the banshee crews if they went to ground before being destroyed. If they were Covenant, they would be disciplined....If not....They would be dead.

“Zuka! This is Brute Captain Rictus reporting. I have secured the structure and reinforced the defenses here, no human will get this holy relic!” The Brute reported.

"Outstanding, Rictus. Hold fast....A minor Prophet should be along to catalog the holy site." Zuka replied. With that information he sent word for the minor prophet that the area was secure and he could begin his approach from sector 1.

[maxii1]

Nikon had hurried out of the medical tent, stopping breifly only to wave goodbye to the doctor and thank him again for his recovery.
"I'll buy you a drink" he joked wavving a tea mug at the Doc.
--------------------------
Nikon stormed into the Operations Staging Area almost bumping into Westbrooke.
"A bit sleepy there mate?" Nikon asked as he moved over to a coffee machine, pouring two mugs.
Handing one over to Allison he smiled and took a seat next to her.
"Thanks again Lieutenant for picking me up, you would have fitted right in at Mad Squadron" he paused to take a sip of the beverage, too strong. He added more brown sugar and smiled after retasting it.
"That brew okay for you Allison?" he asked.

[toderfoot]

Ty shrugged and stood, straightening his pants before looking around the medical tent. 'I guess there wasn't much of a story behind the two...'

Fote left the medical tent, heading back to his men. They'd had enough time without their Sergeant around. He walked over and sat beside Pvt. Martinez, who passed him a canteen. "There you go Sarge"

Tyler took the water and drank, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. He looked out past the turrets, his gut expecting to see the purple off a phantom in the distance or the silhouette of a Brute on the horizen, but he saw nothing. Regardless, Ty checked the magazine in his assualt rifle, and checked his M6 before settling down.

[Administrator]

Dave Kabruski - Special forces

//OOC: sorry ive been busy, just let me kinda pop me way back in lol\\

After being given the ok by the Doctor, I stood up and flexed my shoulder, wincing at the sharp pain it brought with the motion.

"Its gonna hurt for a while sir, you took a clean shot, just damned lucky that you had protection on." said the Doctor, noticing the wince.

"Yea, I guess so." I replied over my shoulder as I walked out of the medical bay.

Looking around, It was a bustle of activity in the base, Everyone had a bit of a lively step to them. Perhaps things were not as bad as I made them out to be.

Walking around for a bit, I finally made my way into what was the makeshift mess hall. Taking notice, I found exactly what every good soldier craves in the morning. Coffee.

Making my way over, several people glance at me, and then return to their meals, apparantly my appearance seems to disturb them. Some smile, some frown. "Whats their problem? I muse to myself as I grab a mug and pour what looks like really strong coffee, coming out thick and black.

Taking a sip, I savor the flavors, and make my way to a seat, and sat down.

[conner553]

Jaxen was making sure of his final check up, when he remebred! The other pilot for the warthog delivery! The 'hog was already loaded on a pelican, but he had no pilot. He knew the choice was his, so, he ran out of the pelican, and looked around the make-shift base. Searching, he found the pilot he was looking for. He yelled.

"Allison! We need a pilot to fly along with us and deliver a warthog. You've won the lucky place of delivery girl, so, I need you suited up and in that birds cockpit in five!" He said pointing to a pelican dropship with a warthog latched onto the bottom.

[caster]

Lieutenant Allison Westbrooke - "Super-Six-One"

Sector 2 - Alpha Base, Operations Staging Area, Pelican Super-Six-One

Allison pulled her head up when Paul started speak. She looked around groggily then looked to the open control panel. She looked at the cup of coffee puzzled for a moment before it finally clicked what was happening. She took it and took a long drink. "Only a little tired, Paul." Allison smile and pushed a few stray strands of hair behind her left ear. It had gotten a lot longer than she preferred, so it usually was held in a bun or in a pony tail, but, sleeping had a way of messing up your hair no matter what.

She looked at him with a smile. "I don't know about that Paul. Besides it was Craig and Kelly who did most of the work. They were on the ground. I just hovered around."

After another moment and another long drink of the strong coffee - just what she needed - she heard Jaxen's voice from across the way. "Allison! We need a pilot to fly along with us and deliver a warthog. You've won the lucky place of delivery girl, so, I need you suited up and in that birds cockpit in five!"

Allison looked over and shouted back. "Yes, sir!" She looked at Paul for a moment, sighed, then dropped her head. She wasn't even aware that she had been chosen for a sortie until just this minute. No Warthog had been loaded to her pelican yet. Allison stood up from the console terminating the actions in the console before shutting it down. She patted Paul on the shoulder. "Well, Boss, I've gotta go."

She started towards a few stray Navy Techs. "I need a hog loaded on my pelican, please." The Navy Techs looked around each other for a moment before running off. Allison began closing up various maintenance hatches on the pelican. After that was complete she hopped into the back and nudged Craig. "Come on, sleepy-head. We have a mission to go on."

Craig rolled over on the seat, facing in towards the wall. "No...."

"Get up, slag."

Craig grunted, growled then got up. She entered the cockpit and started going over the pre-flight checklist. Everything appeared to be working. Craig got on the PA system for the pelican, turned it up to maximum and then spoke. "Warrant Officer Kelly Mitchell, report to your duty station. Warrant Officer Kelly Mitchell, report to your duty station. That is all."

Allison nodded to Craig. "Clever."

"Yeah, I'm not gonna go looking for her."

Allison had her engines warm by the time Kelly got on board. The warthog had been placed on her pelican. Allison keyed the shipboard PA. "Everyone good?"

Kelly acknowledged. Craig took a moment before speaking. "Very tired, but I'll do it."

She double checked her systems, then slid the helmet over her head. She wondered what Paul would do while they were gone. She looked over to where he had last been, but didn't see him. Where had he gone to? Allison looked over to the other pelican, then forward, then back at the pelican again. It was Foxtrot 753, Pual's bird. She wondered if he was going, or if he was really letting Jaxen pilot the thing. Piloting a Longsword wasn't exactly the same as a Pelican.

Corporal Leon Carson - ODST - Echo Squad

Sector 2 - Alpha Base, Jaxens Pelican

Carson watched as the pilot, Jaxen ran out of the pelican. This guy really needed to get his shit together. Carson touched his head, chest, left shoulder, then right shoulder. "Lord, help us."

Renters chuckled. "Just remember, guys." Renters said looking around to Echo squad. "When this thing hits the ground, jump out, tuck and roll."

Renault nodded. "Yeah, just remember to roll out and away...That was you don't get crushed as you leave."

Dennison was next. "I don't think that works at flight speed."

Samson piped up. "Better to take a chance than just face the alternative..."

[monkeyjoe14]

Sergeant Redsont

We had not even reach the base when I had thought of how to use the Banshees we captured. I would take me and two of my men at the base Rico and take the banshees and give the covenant some hell with thier own weapons. I activated my com "hey if any one hearing me out there, This is Sergeant Redsont of the 41st division we are aproaching base in three captured banshees do not fire I repeat do not fire"

"Well thats one hell of a command for us to follow Sergeant, we got banshees all over here.", Someone replied.

"Dammit well then focus on the air and ground and we'll hit the vehicles, what is attacking you guys"

"Well there are a battalion of wraiths that are hitting us hard our men captured a shadow and reported their location to us before they lost communication"

"Got it we are heading for them now, enjoy the show" I turned the channel on the com.

"Lets roll marines aim for the wraiths and take em out"

I knew that three banshees could take the wraiths for a while if they could hold the element of surprise long enough. I lined up for the shot with my squad mates on either side of me and waited for my signal. I was just about to fire when we were suddenly fired on by a group of AA wraiths from the left. My man in the banshee was decimated as I dove out of fire and headed away from the enemy my remaining squadmate followed and was trailing smoke, so was I. I punched the com.

"Alright change of plans were going groundside to avoid incoming fire from AA wraiths"

"Roger that careful though we got alot of enemy contacts between you and the base"

That was the least of my problems with enemy fire directed at me and my banshee nearly destroyed. I punched the throttle to full and lowered my altitude to keep from getting hit by fire my squd mate recieved another hit and plummeted to the ground into a group of jackels. Thier was a bright flash and the banshee was gone. I rushed toward the ground into a platoon of grunts and I heard several thumps before the banshee hit the ground and flipped over and I was flung out.

I landed on my back and hopped back up just as the banshee exploded a meter away. Plasma flared up and I felt like I was in the desert. After the explosion I was lying on the ground, my right arm was severly burned and could not move. Just then my squadmates in the warthog plowed through incoming jackels and skidded to a halt near me. One of them grabbed me and put me in the passenger seat, I could hear the guass cannon firing at oncoming enemies, the gunner swearing as they knew it was futile to beat enemies from all sides with one warthog.

We accelerated when the driver was seated and I felt the thumps of several enemies crash into the hog. I smirked at the ability of my squadmates who handeled themselves well without me. I still thought we would be gone at any moment due to overwhelming numbers. Suddenly gunner said something and then I could here turret fire from chainguns knowing we were getting closer to the base. I was blacking out due to the burns on my arm and no matter what I what I did it was useless I faded into sleep.

I had not noticed that we were in the caves in moments or that I was carried out by my squadmates to a nearby medic who took attention of me. I woke to the dim lighting of lamps in the cave and the cold embrace of the ground I was bandaged and layed to recover from my crash. So I layed taking in the scene inside the cave.

[conner553]

Allison was ready to go, she was fast. Jaxen was back in his pilots seat, preparing for take off. He made a final check, and yep. all the systems were fine as frogs hair and ready to fly. He keyed the mike to Allisons head set.

"Super Six one, this is Super Tango six, I've got green across the border. Just stay close to me, and dop of the warthog for Samsons squad to these coordiantes. He sent a NAV marker on a map to Allisons bird. We are cleared for take-off, so lets go." He switched on his vertical take off system and the pelican rose off the ground. He keyed the main speakers for the carrying bay.

"This is your pilot speaking, please stay in your seats until we have reached our cruising altitude." He turned on the main engines and moved off into the sky. He cruised out and above the base, and started on his way towards the south eastern sector and the drop off point.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have reached our cruising altitude. You are not free to move around the cabin, nor jump out for no reason."

[maxii1]

Paul was worried about his squadron, more than a few had been caught napping.
He was just as bad, the sorte was being led by Jaxen. Let him.
Nikon thought about if Jaxen really did have what it took to lead Pelicans, it was a lot different to Longsword flying, he should know, he once flew them.

He turned up the 'Super' Radio in Pelican Foxtrot 573, kicking back in the seat with the dregs of the coffee to drink.
He would listen and observe, see if Jaxen could be a leader of birds. After all Westbrooke was another good pilot, with many skills. Perhaps that would really annoy Jaxen, if a lesser ranked female had control over him.

As far as Nikon was concerned he needed pilots, pilots flying together not fighting. Anyway he was their Captain.
Jaxen was a fighter pilot without his Longsword, a capable friendly chap whose compasionate mistake had cost him his craft. He was now piloting Super Tango Six.

Just then Jaxen's voice came through the radio: "Ladies and gentlemen, we have reached our cruising altitude. You are not free to move around the cabin, nor jump out for no reason."
He laughed.
"Boss!" exclaimed Layton as he walked into the Pelican.
"Cheif" Nikon replyed smiling.
Layton was joined by Gibson "Paul! Want some more air hours?" she asked.
Nikon half nodded.
"Hey, do us a favour, find Fote for me, get him up here, I wanna' speak to him" Nikon addressed his Crew Cheif, remembering the Marine he had left in the medical tent.

[monkeyjoe14]

Sergeant Redsont

The cave was almost empty compared to how it was before I left earlier. The remaining people were hurrying to gather supplies and weapons and ammo for something big. Thats when I noticed that people were loading into aircrafts heading to next big fight. I attempted to get up and pain washed over my arm as I sat up.

"Hey sarge how ya feeling" I heard someone say I looked to my right and saw Desmond. He had a bandage over his head and left shoulder and his leg was also bandaged as well.

"Like I just went through a wall made of solid steel"

"Heh heh"

"Find that funny huh, how about you"

"When we got back medic saw me bleedin' from the head so he helped me out"

"How that happen"

"Well when we helped you into the hog I rushed into the seat and banged my head into the hog"

"Heh heh heh"

"At least I didn't crash a high tech piece of machinery"

"What you guys goin on about" Fred said bounding towards us.

"Nothin' much, why"

"Here Sarge" Fred handed me a cup and I gulped down the contents without asking what it was.

"Sorry all we got is coffee"

"Thats the good stuff"

"If you say so sarge"

"So Fred tell me whats been going on since we left"

"Well alot of guys took a Shadow not sure where they were headin' though"

"Alright now whats with the commotion"

"Not sure sir, also you were out for about an hour and a half"

I started to look around, everybody was moving even medics were running around. Either we were retreating into deeper cover or we were heading into a big fight. I had to be ready for any thing.

"Gather the squad, we got to plan for our next move" ,I told them

"Yes sir"

I tried to move my arm and it still hurt bad, Damn.

[toderfoot]

Tyler was laying across the crate, his arm across his face as he dozed. Waiting for the Covenant to attack was full of stressful anticipation for Fote, but after a while, he was simply bored. He didn't notice the Crew Chief walk off towards the medical tent.

Port was musing aloud "Man, when the hell these damn Covies gonna' attack? I wanna' paint this place purple!" Ty laughed and sat back up as a passing Marine yelled back "Man, you know your black ass gonna get painted right away!" Hotel squad laughed for a while.

When they stopped laughing, Tyler noticed the Crew Chief approaching them. Ty hopped off the crate and the chief approached him. "I'm looking for Fote."

"Yeah I'm Fote." Ty said, crossing his arms in front of him. No one usually singled out a non-com with anything but a court-martial.

"Captain Nikon is requesting your presence in pelican Foxtrot 573." The man said, pointing over his shoulder to the 'hanger'.

Fote nodded before speaking over his shoulder "I don't think this'll take long, you guys hang here."

The Crew Chief started off towards the pelican with Tyler in tow. As they walked, Ty mused to himself 'Guess I'll hear those stories now...'

[caster]

Corporal Leon Carson - ODST - Echo Squad

Sector 2 - Alpha Base, Jaxxens Pelican

Carson looked out the back of the pelican as well as he could with the warthog in the way. Carson ran his helmets video, just in case they needed reference material later for navigation.

Samson's voice came through the speakers, he was broadcasting only to Echo squad. "Alright, listen up!" Carson turned his head to look at Samson. "When we dust-off, I want us immediately on the hogs. We'll be traveling West from the drop point. Try to keep engine noise low, and try to stay low in the crevices. It will be New Guy, Renault and me in the lead warthog. Carson, Renters and Dennison in the other."

Carson hit his acknowledgment button, then turned back looking out of the pelican.

Lieutenant Allison Westbrooke - "Super-Six-One"

Sector 2 - Alpha Base, Operations Staging Area, Pelican Super-Six-One

Allison watched as Jaxen hovered up then slowly navigated out of the cave. She keyed her comm. "Super-six-one, confirming green for dustoff."

The command tent, which served to keep track of all units via their radio traffic came back. "Roger that, Super-Six-One. You are cleared to begin your sortie. Out."

Allison throttled up and the pelican slowly left the deck. She stayed close to Jaxen's Pelican, but off to the right and a bit under his altitude, not by much though. It was enough to avoid his jet wash. They were only a few kilometers away from the drop point now...

Ultra Zuka'Zanzamee - Sector 2 Operations Commander

Sector 2 - Aboard Phantom flying over Covenant Mortar Wraith Battalion

Zuka was speaking with the AA wraith battalion commander. "We destroyed two of them, Field Master. The last went to ground, our forces converged but, one of their ground vehicles arrived. We didn't pick it up before they were able to take the pilot to safety."

Zuka was pleased with killing two more, but that one eluded him left a foul taste in his mouth. "Fine. Mortar Commander?"
"I shall be ready."

Zuka at least had one more chance to rectify the situation. The pilot yelled back into the phantom. "Field Master - Two dropships. High to the East!"

Zuka clicked his mandibles. "Track them. Notify the shadow patrols and dispatch them ahead of their movements when you are sure they will land." The pilot nodded and looked forward.

They were moving....A lot....What could they be up to?

[conner553]

Jaxen pused the throttle forward a bit. The pelican accelerated and hummed louder. He could see the LZ, and started moving down lower. He keyed his mike to the soldiers in the carrier compartment.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we will be landing shortly. Please make sure your weapons are loaded and ready to go, and though you have no choice, thank you for taking air pelican, the only way to fly." He lowered his bird down to the drop off point, and set it down a meter off the ground.

Conner heard the pilots remarks, and roleld his eyes. They had a pilot with a strange sense of humor. He heard him say to prepare his weapons, and get ready to leave. he made sure his guns were full, and then the pelican descended. It hovered a little over a meter above the ground, and Conner grabbed his BR-55 and jumped out, gun up and ready to shoot.

[monkeyjoe14]

Lieutenant Maxwell ordered us to head out with the guass hog and one other warthog and head out to the last known co-ordinates of alpha 62nd squad. I was still unable to use my arm but the rest of me was a hundred percent. I selected me, Fred, Frank in the gauss hog and had Mike, Joe and Tom in the other. I told Desmond to grab a weapon and defend the entrance with the hogs, keep our exit open for us. Everyone else was stuck scavenging for weaons in the cave and scoutuing deeper into the cave for a way out.

Fred took gunner while I sat in passenger, Frank drove the hog. We were followed by Mike in gunner, Joe drove and Tom in passenger. As we approached the mouth of the cave I saw Desmond weilding a battle rifle next to a hog. We rushed toward the covenant while Fred fired a path for us to use. I punched the com.

"Alright marines lets get out of the crowd, and get to those co-ordinates"

"Aww I was hoping for a little target practice Sarge"

"Heh, don't worry you'll get your chance"

We bursted through the enemy and headed away from the enemy while Fred and Mike fired at the crowd. We were heading out to the co-ordinates but we were handling the crowd to. We were halfway to the place when I punched the com.

"Hey, anybody from Alpha 62nd in the area, this is sergeant Redsont of 51st, we are here to help so speak up"

Static was on the com then suddenly.

"(------pha 62nd---he-----re--stance---hurry over----to)

"Sarge that seems to me like they are having trouble with something"

"Yeah it does"

We headed to the co-ordinates double time to help those guys with what ever the hell it was that was giving them problems.

[toderfoot]

Ty stepped inside the bay of Foxtrot 573, his boots making metallic clanking noises with his footsteps. He looked around the inside of the Pelican, not particularly interested in it, having been in pelicans plenty of times in his career as a marine, alot of them involving Tyler yanking spikes out of marines who had been on the wrong side of a brute spiker.

Fote listened briefly to the radio signals coming from the beefed-up radio on the pelican, tuned into the pelican that Ty suspected was on the rescue mission. Once again, he wondered whether he should have grabbed Hotel squad and went out with them, but he came to the same decision. They needed marines to defend the bridge. Plus, Ty didn't know how many medical personel were available, so he told himself that he could help the squad, and possibly the spartan, when they came back.

Ty realized that he should probably let Nikon know he was here, as he was sitting in front of the radio and Fote hadn't made his precense known, being too caught up in his own thoughts. He cleared his throat breifly and said "Cpt. Nikon, you wanted to see me?"

[Deleted]

Brute Captain Major Rictus

Sector 2, North-West area in unknown structure.

The Prophet had not taken long to reach the site, and Rictus would not bother the Prophet as he did his work. Rictus wanted the Prophet to finish as quickly as possible and leave Rictus to defending the site. But the Prophet took his sweet time, and Rictus impatience grew.

"Actimus! Is there any word from the scouts?" Rictus said finally breaking the silence.

"No sir, they haven't had any contact with the humans." Actimus answered.

Rictus clenched his fist as a gust of biting wind chilled him to the bone. Fighting the humans was better then standing here in the frigid cold.

"Do we have any anti-air weaponry?"

"Besides the shades and a Fuel Rod Gun, no, do you expect them to have air support?"

"Maybe they learned that they could arm their dropships with heavy weapons, and if that is so I don't want them ripping apart our defences-give me the Fuel Rod Gun, I will make sure it is used properly."

Rictus dropped his Brute Shot and hoisted the Fuel Rod Gun onto his back, making sure it was secure. He picked his Brute Shot back up and wiped the snow off of it.

[Administrator]

Sitting with my coffee, I slowly sipped away on it, thinking about what happened back in the last battle, with the wraiths, and how I got to be here.

But before I could think anymore on the past, I heard someone at the table beside me talk about a mission that could possibly use some recon.

Upon hearing this information, I quickly gulp down my coffee and set off to find out how to pencil myself in. This was the kind of work I liked, none of this sitting down crap.

//OOC: just direct my character guys, ad lib a little bit if need me, im ready for that mission\\

[caster]

Lieutenant Allison Westbrooke - "Super-Six-One"

Sector 2 - Landing Zone, North-East of Sector 2

Allison watched as Jaxen's pelican came in low to deploy their troops. Maybe Jaxen had a lot of experience, or maybe he was completely hollow-headed. He could have went right into an ambush. Allison didn't say anything though, it wasn't important. She flew over Jaxen's pelican and then banked around to the right. She activated thermal view to ensure there was none of those invisible jerks in the area. Looked clear.

Allison watched as the marines poured out of the back of Jaxen's pelican. After Jaxen lifted out of the area, Allison keyed her comm. "Super-six-one, dropping my package."

She came in low next to the Marines and dropped the Gauss hog. She looked to the Sergeant and placed her hand against her helmet giving him a salute. She watched the Sergeant return it before turning to his squad. Allison throttled the vertical thrusters and rose out of the area. She continued to orbit the area until the Marines were loaded up and ready. She wouldn't leave them unprotected right when their boots hit the ground. She yawned under the helmet and blinked several times to clear her vision.

Corporal Leon Carson - ODST - Echo Squad

Sector 2 - North-East Landing Zone

Carson was the first one out, he shouldered his rifle, moved out from the back of the Pelican three meters took a knee and scanned his area of responsibility for contacts. After everyone was ready Jaxen lifted out of the area. A moment later Super-Six-One was dropping off the other hog.

Renters, Dennison, and Carson loaded up on the Gauss Hog. Renters started to climb into the turret, but Carson pulled him down. "No, asshole. You got the gun last time." Carson hoisted himself up, and charged the first round. Dennison got in the passenger seat, she knew if someone went down she would be the one helping them. Renters hopped in the drivers seat and revved the engine once. It wasn't so cold it wouldn't work. That was at least a good thing.

Lieutenant Allison Westbrooke - "Super-Six-One"

Sector 2 - Landing Zone, North-East of Sector 2

Craig's voice came over the comm. "Echo, be advised, I am tracking a shadow and two ghosts incoming from the North-West."

Allison banked towards the group. She still wasn't willing to use the precious missiles, but the high explosive seventy rounds should be enough.

Allison had Craig's targeting overlaid in her heads up display. "Tracking on one, Ghost."

"Roger that. Lining up the shot."

"You are clear to engage all enemy targets in the landing zone." Allison looked down to her scope to ensure air contacts weren't coming.

The seventy droned under the chin of the pelican. In the heads up display she tracked the shots pepper the first ghost, which dipped, bounced, exploded on the left side lifted into the air, spun over on its back and crashed into the snow. The driver had been ejected at some point during the fantastic ballet.

"Pinging secondary ghost, and one shadow."

"Roger, clear to engage all of those."

The seventy started droning again as the Pelican banked over the top of the enemy skirmisher. The shade turret on the top of the shadow began firing up at the Pelican. Although it was a grunt, it was aiming well. Allison decreased vertical thrust and fell fifty feet, causing the shots to fire far above the pelican. By the time Allison looked back, the second ghost was gone. The shadow continued to fire at the pelican. Allison didn't want to take the chance of loosing any more air power, and she lifted out of effective range of the shade. The only problem was that her one seventy was at its maximum effective range. Craig fired down on the shadow, and the rounds pelted the craft. The sturdier shadow continued to move on. "Echo, be advised one Shadow still continuing on course. Danger close. I am unable to engage. It's yours."

The Pelican started back towards base.

Corporal Leon Carson - ODST - Echo Squad

Sector 2 - North-East Landing Zone

Carson was ready, it was awesome to watch the tracers from the pelican fire down on the other side of the hill in front of them. After a moment several more options became visible in his HUD. Looks like STARS was finally aligned over Sector 2. The red outline of the Shadow could be seen on the other side of the hill. Carson began lining up the shot now. Herons, Samson, and Renault had the chaingun, they would be responsible for the infantry.

Ultra Zuka'Zanzamee - Sector 2 Operations Commander

Sector 2 - Aboard Phantom flying over Covenant Mortar Wraith Battalion

Zuka listened to the incoming traffic. "The human craft have destroyed a recon picket to the North-West and is departing the area." Zuka dispatched more of the Shadow patrols to reinforce the approach to the holy site.

"Captain Rictus, Field Master Zuka....A small human strike force may be coming towards the Holy Site. If they place one foot within that structure.....Be sure the Prophet of Ideation will see you and your ilk executed.....If you need further support, you need only ask."

Zuka would monitor this closely. The humans would fail, they were far too few of them to effectively do anything.