Mission 3: A Long Road Ahead

[Daenerys Targaryen]

Lance Corporal Victoria Landcaster
Outside of the Hilton Grand
Waiting for Captain Lloyd

The two had been waiting for a few minutes now for troop transports, their warthog was near the parking complex of the hotel and they had a perfect view of the lobby front... Had she already left with some of the marines that were obviously pelling out of the area and down the road. Well hell... if they were forced to fight in the jungle it would be interesting.. mud... water everywhere.. blackness.. She was glad her sniper rifle had some sort of night vision to allow her to see in the dark, she was unsure how chase was taking all of this and she intended to ask but was cuaght off guard by the appearance of two familier faces.

Nikolai and India were making their way towards their troop transport hog. Nikolai himself hopped in the back with the two, speaking in an extremly thick hard to understand russian accent, "Hope you don't mind us tagging along with you fine examples of marine quality, eh, Landcaster?" He half asked half joked as India packed up the rest of her things.

"Sure why not", Victoria answerd with a falsley smug voice. "I suppose you will be asking for an autograph too....?" She asked with simple disapointment in her voice. Chase's chuckling could be heard from across the back as India sat next to him.

"Hmmm supose the captain would sit with us?" Chase asked the other three, wondering if she even noticed her sniper pairs were ready to go.

[hollowsaber]

Time: 0126
Planet Albert: Beneath Bracknell Command Center


General Tullings cursed as he and his advisor made their way down the corridor that had previously been sealed to them. Who knew ONI had based themselves right under his nose? He thought they were somewhere outside his reach… He never thought to come this way… The door to the place was even next to the janitor’s office. His advisor noticed the slightest of things, and every day he walked past this office, not once did he say anything… Now suddenly ONI pops out and has a whole damn central base behind the door.

“It’s not much further General. My apologies.” The ONI Agent that had came to get the General guided them down to a doorway which was guarded by two heavily armed men. They nodded to each other and the three walked inside.

The room was full of computers, giving the air a blue hue about it. Monitors flickered as Agents reviewed data and looked over intelligence they were being sent from all three cities. There was only a small group of Agents, yet they monitored three cities and all of their outposts? How…?

“Yea, your apologies my ass. The hell are you guys doing down here?” The General spat, standing in the middle of the room as he looked around.

“Obviously making sure this system is secure and remains that way. But, at the moment, it seems that isn’t possible with the Covenant. Although, that isn‘t why you‘re here. Not one bit. The Covenant are just a meaningless roadblock we now need to side-step. Thankfully we‘ve already got a team doing so.” The Agent with the finally visible tag labeled “Furrow”, walked to what looked to be the main computer screen and looked down.
“Bifrons, link it.”

“Of course Officer.” A deep digital voice caught the General off guard, and suddenly the room lit up as all of the computers started to run at a higher-capacity. In the front of the room, a screen appeared…


…Ten minutes later…


“Now do you understand, General? Now do you understand the importance of why we were placed under your nose?” Furrow stepped down to the screen and looked up at it.

“If I had known this…”

“If you had known this, you would’ve given the position of it away and the Covenant would be all over it. We wouldn’t have anyway to stop them, nor would we have anyway to secure it without costing many more casualties then necessary.” Furrow sighed and turned to face the General.

“We will be relieving you of command of SPARTAN Team Gold, Reaper, and Baker Squad. They no longer are under your jurisdiction. Sorry, General, but-”

“Are you kidding me?! So are we sending those men and women out there to fight just so you can look at some stupid--”

“No, we aren’t sending them to die. This planet is a necessary staging point for future battles. We need this planet, so no, what TF77 and company are doing is not in vein. Once we find out what we are actually looking for, we will secure it, extract it, and all forces will be put towards fighting the Covenant. As I said before, we just need to make sure we get there first…” Furrow turned to look at the screen and stared at it for a moment, losing himself in thought.
“Thank you, General. You are dismissed.”

The General stared at the man for a moment, but said nothing and simply stormed out with his assistant in tow; cursing all the way down the hall and out the door.

“Bifrons. Contact all ONI Personnel, the SPARTANs, and Baker. Get them all to head back here. Immediately. Priority One.”

“Understood sir…”

Furrow continued to stare at the screen, not looking at what most thought he was.

“God speed…” He whispered, hitting a button to shut off the screen, returning the room back to it’s blue hue.


(Covenant SPEC-Ops will receive a mission update in a few. I’m going to explain what ‘it’ is in a way everyone can understand so I don’t have to say the same thing twice Yes, you guys will still get an awesome-sort of briefing so no whining!)

[kartoffelfogel]

Major Domo Legra 'Dreneree


So the Covenant marches to war.

Legra held his head high, setting an example to his compatriots.

Behind him, he heard Seroth's armor clink as he followed him, matching Legra's stride perfectly.

Breek and Crilin paced side by side, one praying for strength, one praying for food.

If he strained, he could just barely hear Essa's footsteps bringing the rear.

The recent Hunt had risen all of their spirits, and Legra was happy.

On both his hips rode two curveblades, on given to him by his friend Sorsa, the other carved of ba'knwa bone.

It was a good day for war.


Minor Phran 'Amasee


OOC NOTE: Phran is a special character. He is being used to field test the Type-18 DEW (aka. Plasma Burster) which is pretty much a plasma shotgun. This means that when I RP him as using a weapon nobody else has it is NOT godmodding; it is him "field testing" ( ;D) his rifle.

Phran hefted his rifle, reassured by its bulk.

He stood amongst the varied troops of the Covenant assigned to the Glorious Retribution, of which he was only a small part. He was new to that creche--he had previously been assigned to Templar's Rest. He had best introduce himself to his superiors.

Carrying his Plasma Burster, he walked over to a red-armored Major and tapped him on the shoulder.

"Forgive the rude interruption, Major, but I am Phran 'Amasee, and I was told to join the security cohort of the Glorious Retribution".

[z]

Lucy moved downstairs quickly, shotgun in hand as she flipped over the handrail at the last ten steps and jogged on until she cam outside, looking around fro anyone from REAPER or Isin's group, and seeing none made her sigh slightly as she moved to the left of the door.

Rakath

Rakath took a few steps away, and then turned his head upon the Major's approach to Nhar and himself.
The noise had died down tremendously, and Rakath was satisfied. Walking over to a crate laying flat on its back a few feet away and let out a slight growl. Some might have taken the noise as impatience for battle, some would have thought it was anger for being forced to wait for battle.


It was anger... But towards life he lived now.

[Spartan 999]

First Lieutenant Isin Herald

With a screech of tires on pavement, a troop transport 'hog came to a halt in front of Lucy. From the back seat, Isin gave a casual two-finger salute.

"Sorry I'm late." He said, his helmet unpolarizing to show him smirking crookedly. "Took longer than I expected to get a Hog. Join us, won't ya?"

After Lucy and her squad got situated, Isin nudged Reinmar. The sniper nodded, stamping on the gas.

"You ready, Gunny?"

Petty Officer Jethro-097

[/b]

Jethro stared at the helmet, his final piece of armor. He slid it on with a hiss of atmosphere pressurization, his HUD lighting up. He picked up an M90, and slid the gun onto his back, before magnetizing two M6D's to his thigh armor. He cracked his neck, breathing in deeply, before grabbing an MA5B, equipped with his favorite bayonet and masterkey.

Fully loaded, Jethro set off to rendevue with the rest of Gold.

Major Domo Khaz Qalurai

Khaz turned when the Minor tapped his shoulder.

"Forgive the rude interruption, Major, but I am Phran 'Amasee, and I was told to join the security cohort of the Glorious Retribution."

"Ah, yes, the field tester for the 'Plasma Burster' I believe." Khaz replied, glancing at the new and strange weapon in the Minor's hands. "I look forward to a demonstration of it's power. But forgive me, I am Major Domo Khaz 'Qalurai, head of security aboard the Glorious Retribution." He bowed his head with practiced grace and ease. "And what may your name be, Minor Domo?"

[hollowsaber]

Above the Area between Greenland and Glasgow 8492nd Apocalypse Squadron

“Check six, War, Check Six. He’s right on you!” Death called as he circled to the right, firing a 2 second burst out of his machine gun at the purple silhouette of a Covenant Banshee.

“I just shook this guy!” The Banshee tilted up and fired a quick burst in the general direction of the Peregrine, but the craft twisted and pulled sideways as Xavier yanked on the stick. The g-forces of the move hit the pilot like a wall, and slammed him into his seat. His flight suit expanded and compressed the pilot as it kept the man from getting hurt. A heavy exhalation escaped the Captain’s lips as he saw the Banshee’s stream of plasma barely miss his right wing. He looked up and twisted back to his right, twirling back behind the Banshee as it tried to move off.

Xavier pulled the throttle down, and with a high-pitched beep, a lock-on was confirmed.

“Lock, Fox-one, Fox-one.” Xavier flicked up a switch on his stick and pushed the button. The stars seemed to be flashed out as the missile dropped from his wing, fired, and shot forward. From the view of the other pilots, the missile was more like a shooting star, until it connected.

The missile crooked, and turned upwards as the Banshee rolled right in an attempt to escape. Yet it was already over. The missile slammed into the main compartment of the flier, and dug itself into the cockpit before exploding into a brilliant flash. The Craft flared into a mix of purple and orange in the sky, illuminating the night around it.

“WOOO-HOO! Kill confirmed baby! Banshee down!” Xavier spiraled to the left, rolling out of the way of the debris as he picked up with another Banshee.

“What is that? 4 dead? Out of 15?” Famine called as he pulled upwards, rolling back and over an enemy Banshee on his own tail.

Suddenly, a drone shot out of the darkness from just above the trees. A single flash from the belly of the craft caught Alexander’s attention. A few seconds later, the Banshee that was following him exploded and spiraled into the tree line, crashing into the dirt before flaring up.

“5” Conquest called over, his drone floating over to confirm the kill.

“Ain’t that where the phase-line is or whatever?” Alex asked, looking at where the Banshee crashed.

“Looks like the Marines go themselves some free cover.” Xavier chimed in, making Alex laugh a little.

“Ey! Focus up!” Lawrence yelled.
“We’ve still got to clear the skies! Famine, two coming in hot!”

“Wait wha-WHOA!” Two Banshee fliers shot out of their bellies a pair of Fuel Rod bombs. Alex cursed at letting himself be caught off guard and he twisted upwards.

The green balls of curdling plasma curved upwards with his plane as he climbed and climbed. He slammed the throttle to the floor and fell back against his chair. He stared at the stars above, growling as he cut through the clouds. He could feel the heat from his engines, flaring like a pair of suns as they pushed him towards the stars. Sweat that had gathered on his cheeks from the hot temperature in his cockpit streamed back over his ears and into the back of his helmet.

“Almost there.. Come on baby. Come on. COME ON!” Alex huffed as suddenly he saw green illuminate his peripheral vision.

“BOOM!” With a click and switch. Alex yanked the yolk, pulled the throttle, and closed his eyes. The Aircraft jutted backwards and preformed a tight drop.

Alex stared almost helplessly as the two green Fuel Blasts scorched directly at him. His eyes gapped and he instinctively pushed the stick up. The nose of the plane jerked and the tail end of the plane fell as air shoved it towards the two balls. The first fuel rod skimmed it right engine, the radiation cutting power to it. Though, the second completely shattered into his left rear. It splattered and torched internal components while burning a massive chunk of his craft off.

“Shit…” Alex spat as the control of his craft was lost and began to spiral out of control.
“Mayday, Mayday. Apoc-4 is hit, repeat. Apoc-4 hit. I’m going down. A little north of November. Repeat, going down a just a little past November.” Alex pulled on the stick, groaning in pain and agony as he pulled the plane upwards some so he wasn’t upside-down anymore. Though, the plane fought him and continuously tried to spiral over.

“Famine, eject! Get out of there!” Julius yelled as he glanced over to see the spiraling craft start to light up like a fireball.

“S-shit! Just lost my electrics. HUD’s down. I don’t know if it’ll fire Colonel!” Alex looked to the lever but kept fighting with the stick.

“JUST PULL THE EJECT! DO IT NOW!!”

In reaction to the order, Alex shot his left hand over and grabbed the red level. With a hollar, he yanked it up and suddenly the cockpit glass blew out. His eyes opened wide as the clear, unblocked sky filled his view… it was beautiful… The trees below were so close… but then suddenly got far away as the short-life rockets shot the disconnected chair upwards into the sky. Almost immediately, an electronic distress beacon started up as the parachute extended upwards.

The helpless pilot gripped onto the handles of the parachute and looked down to see his precious aircraft slam into the ground and explode into a dance of flames. She was dust and he was nothing without her.. Well, he could shoot at planes from the ground with his pistol but that wouldn’t do anything.

Training over took the Lieutenant as he began to orientate himself. He was in the middle of nowhere, and the cities were off in the distance in one direction, with the outpost almost the same distance the opposite direction. What a perfect place to land.

Somewhere between Greenland and Glasgow 8492nd Apocalypse Squadron First Lieutenant Alexander "Famine" Farence (Apoc-2)

Thud…

“Ow…” Alex muttered as he was jolted from the rough landing. He unstrapped himself, pulled the M6 from the side of the seat and moved to the back. A small tab stuck out of the top, which he yanked, pulling the seat open. He pulled on a small combat vest that protected his upper-torso, then strapped on a small wrist gauntlet that would power a small gps system for only a few minutes. He’d have to use it sparingly incase he got lost. He slid his arms through a small provision pack and hefted it onto his back. It held enough food for three days. Not like he would need it all, but just in case. Places like this always seemed to confuse him.

Two extra magnum clips were stuck at the bottom of the seat, and Alex tucked them away into his flight suit pockets. He found the transmitter that allowed friendlies to find him and detached it from the side of the seat, stuffing it into his provisions sack. Before he left, he took one last look towards the burning wreckage of his beloved Peregrine. He had been with her for only about a year or so, but the feeling in his stomach felt almost as if he had lost his wife, even though he never had one.

“Thanks… Saved my life…” He whispered and gave a swift salute before hitting a red button on the back of the seat. Alex turned away and took off in a full sprint in the direction back to the cities. Behind him, the seat exploded, followed by the rest of his aircraft as the two self-destruct buttons linked and fired simultaneously. If he got back in time, maybe he could get another plane…

Above the Area between Greenland and Glasgow 8492nd Apocalypse Squadron

“We’ve got a bird down, Charline. His drones are returning to the base so be ready for them. The rest of us are staying in the fight. We’ve taking out about a third of enemy craft.” Julius called over the radio, swallowing a massive ball in his throat as he looked to the explosion of Alex’s Peregrine in the trees.

“Roger that, Conquest. We’ll see if we can’t send a rescue squad out to get him.” The Operator returned. Xavier cursed.

Xavier hit his thrusters and burned tight over the treetops above the crash site, turned upwards and spiraled high before diving towards the cities. Their usual sign to safety. Hopefully Alex got the message… if he was alive. They never saw him eject because of the darkness, nor could they tell if the explosion was due to their self-destruction protocol or the craft’s own timer.

“Keep up the fight, Apocalypse. Covenant forces are thinning. There’s less then we thought. Friendly aircraft are also preparing to lift off and join the fight. Just hang in there a little longer, Apoc.” The Operator tried to reassure the pilots, but they were more pissed off then scared… And their flying styles reflected as two more banshees suddenly exploded into flames.

“The skies are our domain… and we’ll burn anyone who tries to deny it!” Julius roared, firing a missile into the core of a flier as it tried to pull upwards.

[Bippwatt]

"I suppose you will be asking for an autograph too....?"

"нет, товарищ. I would think it would be you that would be asking for the autograph."

Nikolai laughed and then turned to Chase as he spoke.

"Well, perhaps we ought to let her know, then!", he said with a chuckle.

He tapped his radio open and broadcasted to Captain Lloyd. "Captain Sierra Lloyd, Sniper Team Alpha and Sniper Team Bravo are standing by, awaiting your orders."

[Daenerys Targaryen]

Lance Corporal Victoria Landcaster
Outside of the Hilton Grand
Waiting for Captain Lloyd

"I wonder who Bravo is.." Victoria said, rolling her eyes and smiling. She decided not to respond to Nikolai's previouse statement for she was not one with foriegn languages.

"Well, perhaps we ought to let her know, then!" Nikolai responded to chase with a small laugh. This caused Chase to laugh too.. untill he realized he was seriouse.

Nikolai tapped at his radio and broadcasted to the Captain herself, "Captain Sierra Lloyd, Sniper Team Alpha and Sniper Team Bravo are standing by, awaiting your orders." He reported.

"Well, I sure as hell hope we arn't shooting at Innies.. it seems like enough humans are dying already." Chase mumbled more to himself then the others, watching the city light above. He was still a bit upset the two only had enough time to spend a coule of hours with Victoria.

[Wax™]

Private Dean 'Coxy' Cox, ODST Spec-Ops
Alpha Squad, Reaper Platoon

Private Cox was the last person to leave the room that Gunnery Sergeant Z's team was resting in, Cox only had enough time to resup four more sniper clips, he slid them into his bag along with the rest he already had, he had trouble four FRAG grenades and four Flash Bang's jammed in there.

Cox ran down the hall and down the stairs with Gunnery Sergeant Z and the rest of the team, he almost fell down five times down the steps due to the speed the team was racing at to get down to street level, on the last few steps Z and the team jumped the last steps and rails, Cox was too busy watching them and stumbled down the last few steps, he fell down four steps and landed with a loud thump on the concrete, it took him a good ten seconds to pick himself up again and stand up straight he then heard outside the emergency exit door the screech of tires and a voice on the other side of the door, the door the team ran through.

"Sorry I'm late took longer than I expected to get a Hog. Join us, won't ya?" That's all Cox heard before he sprinted out the door and looked about he spotted the Hog about a few meters away the driver had just slammed on the gas, he ran after the Hog waving one arm up and about while he held his Sniper Rifle System 99 Anti-Matériel with the other hand/arm.

"HEY WAIT UP!" He practically screamed towards the Warthog that was now speeding away, hoping that it would stop, if it did he would run up and climb in the back, slamming himself beside Gunnery Sergeant Z.

"Sorry Sarge!"

[z]

"Its fine, get us to the area to kill something." Lucy smirked as she and her team piled into the car, the Privates screw-up made the Twins burst out lauging.

"Lets kick ass, Isin." She said, triple checking her shotgun and then her MA5 before preparing to kick some ass. She just wished she knew if it were Covenant, or it it were Rebels.
"I want to end somethings life today..."

Rakath

Rakath overheard an addition had been made to the Scarabs roster and stood, the muscular ultra walked like he had been broken somehow, but it would be hard to notice unless someone was studying him closely.
He came closer to the Minor who would be with the team on this mission and nodded.

"I, am Rakath V'keelaii, XO of the Glorious retribution. I will be fighting along side the security Lance, and you I am guessing. I look forward to a demonstration if the humans board our ride, which should not happen when we have one of the best Scarab pilots I know at the controls." Rakath motioned to Nhar.
Nhar was the only Zealot Rakath respected and saw as a friend so far.

The XO turned his head for a moment and rolled his unlit energy sword around i his hand before returning it to its place on his lower leg, under his duel plasma rifles.

He then acknowledged the Major. "It is good to see such eagerness, Major... Let us hope you can live up to those words..." Rakath was putting on his facade that he had not had his faith shaken, like nothing was wrong.

"Nhar, when do we move on, I would like to see this new... Weapon... at work... I have heard it resembles one of the human weaponry we have encountered in the field."

[Huka]

MAJOR DOMO TIL 'MURAMEE

Major Domo Til 'Muramee and his lance marched with the Covenant Legions, his hearts beating like drums in excitement. It have been too long since he have killed a human.

As one of the younger Major Domo and his fame for the slaying of the Moon Beast Queen well-known to his fellow Sangheili, Til wore his red-and-orange harness with obvious pride, his twin plasma rifles on either side of his hips, and his new telescopic spear hanging on his back, over his curveblade.

Behind him was his enlarged lance, including his new aide, Skor 'Husnee, seven Unggoy of various skill, and his attached mercenary Sufang.

Inhaling, he let a loud, heart-felt speech,

"We march for the Covenant, my brothers!"

"We march for our Clans!"

"We march for Honor!"

"We march for Glory!"

His warriors roared in agreement, along with some other nearby lances.

[Wax™]

Sergeant Jason Bowers
Delta Destroyers, Seirra Loyd's Company
Hilton Grand

Sergeant Bowers was lying in bed half naked, the only thing he had on was his cargo pants and military socks, next to him was a naked blond woman, Bowers poped an eye open and moaned as he heard his Company Commanders voice echo from his helmet COM, his helmet was on the bedside table, Bowers sliped out from the bed and under the sheets that he was sleeping in with the girl and went to gather his gear, he put on his DPCU (Desruptive Pattern Camoflage Uniform) and then his armor, it took him a good few minutes, and by this time the beautiful naked woman he was sleeping with was now awake and sitting on the bed in a sexy posture, Once Jason had all his gear on and squared away he grabbed his helmet from the bedside table and jammed it on before moving over the girl.

"Sorry sexy... I gotta go... Duty calls" He smiled at the woman and gave her a kiss, before picking up his M392 Designated Marksman Rifle before he ran out the room and down the hall, he reached the elevator and saw that his team was already there, Speirs was pressing the elevator button repeativlley and Winters was yelling at him to stop and be patient, Corporal Claire Hunt turned to Jason and spoke.

"Have a nice sleep Sergeant"

"Shut up... And it was brilliant... Common... Well take the stairs" Jason turned to the emergency stair exit and slammed the door open before running down, they stopped for a moment to see how far they were up before sprinting down the stairs, Corporal Winters than spoke as best he could as they ran.

"You got some lipstick on your face Jason... Just a little smooch" He laughed for a moment before Claire punched him in the kidney, causing him to stop and regain his strength before falling in to the back of the pack, Jason reached the bottom floor and kicked the emergency push bar sending the door open and banging on the wall on the other side, he ran out and looked around to see a convoy of Warthogs just outside the hotel, his fireteam piling into one of the most forward Warthogs.

[kartoffelfogel]

OOC: TimeLord999, Phran already said his name, and he isn't a Minor Domo, as he is no command of other troops.

Minor Phran 'Amasee

He bowed deeply to both the Ultra and the Major.

"I would be honored to show you the power of this device, at your convenience. I was instructed to show my commanders its power so they might decide how it is do be implemented."

Phran hefted his rifle up so that hit lay across his chest, one edge along the crook of his elbow, the other edge resting on his shoulder.

"At your convenience."

[redgrim]

Sniper Kig-Yar Nid

Nid and Jak were in the same general area as the marching Covenant army, but were not within the crowd in fact they were roughly 10 meters away from them. They were parallel to the crowd and were trying to get ahead of them to find a good vantage point to snipe from before the fight began and everything became too hectic. They were running, but Nid wasn’t exactly the fasted Kig-Yar, Jak tried to slow himself down so that he could stay at the same pace as Nid. This was not an act of kindness, Jak was just too cowardly to go ahead on his own.

“Oooh, it’s been too long since I’ve tasted human flesh, this will be fun” Jak spoke excitedly. Whether the comment was directed to himself or to Nid he really wasn’t sure himself.

Nid looked over at him and retorted “you sound as ignorant as those Sangheilis over there” adding a bit of a cackle at the end. Jak joined him in the cackle as he himself didn’t have much respect for them either.

Nid and Jak were now slowly catching up to the front of the crowd, as well they started to gradually move away vertically from the crowd and deeper into the forest.

[z]

Mira

Mira was sitting in the drivers seat of her squads Warthog, pressing down on the gas as fast as she could. The Eclipse Platoon leader had vanished a few hours ago, and now everyone was moving about crazy. Abby, Joe, and Brenden sat in the back of the transport hog, while Cole sat in the passenger seat.

Mira pulled over and rubbed her eyes. "We need to link up with someone Marines, check the COMMs for any of the names listed..." She said, begining to mess with the channels in the side of our helmet.

"This is Eclipse Platoon's Whiskey Squad, looking to link up with anyone out there if you'll have us."

[nex]

He watched as she took the seat opposite him. He politely started to pour her a drink, as she pulled off her own helmet, letting her curly black hair spill out. She smiled and introduced herself.
"Jessica, Lieutenant Jessica Mae Collins." She drummed her fingers on the table lightly.

"Lieutenant Steve Colsten. But my friends call me 'Crash'." He said, raising his own cup to drink. The warmth eminating from the liquidand shrouded the aroma, betraying only the slightest hint of burnt chestnuts. He drank deeply, letting the warmth run through his body. The sweet flavours of the drink mingled in his mouth, before the bitter aftertaste of the alcohol followed sharply after.

"As I said, we're not really needed just yet. Probably just a false alarm or training exercise," he said, returning the cup to the table, and signalled the waiter for some food.

"When we're needed, they'll let us know." He was interuppted by the synchronised beeping coming from both of their wrists. He checked his TAC-Pad, to see the words 'Priority One' flashing.

"Looks like we're needed."

He made sure that his food order was to go, before grabbing his gear, and motioning to the door.

"Ladies first."

[Martial Virtue]

Captain Sierra Lloyd

Sierra was standing outside the hotel lobby with datapad in hand while her troops hopped into nearby Warthogs. Because of her orders earlier in the night, at most there were a handful of buzzed Marines gearing up - she'd already told her lieutenants to make sure none of them got behind the wheel of a vehicle. As for the three Marines who'd disobeyed orders and were too hammered now to take off, they were to be left behind here at the hotel, with a new marker on their CSV for pending insubordination charges. They'd be placed on a no-go list until she could get their files formally processed.

Presently, she checked off the roster of the company on her list, based on reports coming from her three platoon leaders. "What's it look like, James?" she asked her XO.

"Company's about sixty percent ready to go, Captain. We've got a few more 'Hogs to load up and then we're done."

The captain let out a frustrated sigh. "Let's get this moving faster, Lieutenant. We can't show up with our force at the gates once the Covies are already inside the city."

"Yes, ma'am!"

"I'm getting in a 'Hog myself for now. I'll take who's ready, and I expect you to bring up the rear with everyone else - in an extremely timely fashion, Lieutenant. Clear?"

"Clear, Captain. We'll be one-hundred percent in two more minutes."

Sierra nodded. "Good. Keep me updated as I ride."

With that, Captain Lloyd turned to face the mostly loaded vehicles outside the Hilton Grand. Then her COM in her helmet buzzed.

"Captain Sierra Lloyd, Sniper Team Alpha and Sniper Team Bravo are standing by, awaiting your orders."

Using a marker on her HUD, Sierra turned to the 'Hog in question, where the snipers sat ready to leave. She quickly jogged over and tapped the driver on the shoulder.

"I'm hopping in the back, Corporal. Let's roll." Once seated, Sierra took a moment to bring her weapon down into her lap before opening the general company channel. "Marines, this is Captain Lloyd. We're taking off with everyone's who's ready at the present time. Third platoon and part of second are still getting assembled, but they'll be joining us at the gates shortly. They'll have our six and be our reserve for now. Orders are to reach the gates; once there, you'll receive assignments by platoon, and - " She turned to the snipers with her. " - by sharpshooter team. Standby."

[Daenerys Targaryen]

Lieutenant Jessica Mae Collins
ONI Section 1
Hilton Grand
"Priority one orders... eh? I wonder......"

"Lieutenant Steve Colsten. But my friends call me 'Crash'." The man said, offering his name in return.

"As I said, we're not really needed just yet. Probably just a false alarm or training exercise," He said again before she realy had time to say anything.. she now had a pretty good idea forming as to what was really up.. she just could not be sure yet.

"When we're needed, they'll let us know." He paused, inturpting by the beeping and bussing coming from both their wrists, it was her perfct chance to say something on the matter... but before she coould say anything he spoke again, gathered his gear and offered her the first step from the Grand.

"Yeah yeah." She said, pursing a finger to her lips as for him to keep something on the hush hush. "It's covies... I just have a feeling. You know the Ares? Were ONI was stationed... I ' happened to stumble' upon alerts into FleetCOM, both of the ships left slip space to aid Fort Greely.. which is reportedly emitting a distress call. Fort Greely is close.. too close for it to be anything else but a coordinated assualt... Just you wait.." She said, keeping her voice to a low whisper. She then stood, putting her helmet on solomly and taking her gear and weaponry. With a small huff she turned on her external coms. "What a gentleman." She mentioned with a small smile, invisible behind her blue visor..

With that she made her way from the Hilton, waiting outside for her new companion to come out.

[Wax™]

Sergeant Jason Bowers
DD, 1st Platoon, Seirra's Company
Hilton Grand - Marine Convoy

Bowers was in the Passenger seat while his three Corporals sat in the back with two of his Privates, he turned back and saw the company commander Seirra Lloyd board one of the Warthog's specificly the sniper team's hog, the Captain jumped in the back and then the Warthog commenced it's route to the gate, Bowers turned to the drivers side of his hog and saw it was empty, he looked around and shrugged before slipping over into the driver's seat and stamping down on the gass after hearing.

"Marines, this is Captain Lloyd. We're taking off with everyone's who's ready at the present time. Third platoon and part of second are still getting assembled, but they'll be joining us at the gates shortly. They'll have our six and be our reserve for now. Orders are to reach the gates; once there, you'll receive assignments by platoon, and - - by sharpshooter team. Standby."

Once out of the line Sergeant Bowers took a position directly behind Seirra and the sniper team's hog, he then activated TEAMCOM within his helmet, to establish communications between her and himself.

"Captain Lloyd ma'am! This is Sergeant Bowers from first platton, Delta Destroyers Fireteam... My team is falling in right behind you and the lead warthog to the gates... Over"

[Bippwatt]

Nikolai nodded at the Captain as she jumped into the 'hog.

"Pleasure to have you, ma'am!", he said with a grin.

"Marines, this is Captain Lloyd. We're taking off with everyone's who's ready at the present time. Third platoon and part of second are still getting assembled, but they'll be joining us at the gates shortly. They'll have our six and be our reserve for now. Orders are to reach the gates; once there, you'll receive assignments by platoon, and - - by sharpshooter team. Standby."

"Nice. We get to order marines around. Sort of.", Idina said with a chuckle. She checked the lenses on her Spotter's Scope and then collapsed it and slid it into her pack.

"Don't get cocky. Most of those aforementioned marines would kick your ass if they heard you say that."

"Heh. Then they get reamed out by their superiors!", she said with a smirk.

"Then they want to kill you in the night!", Nikolai shot back with a joke in his voice. Then he sobered up. "Alright. Idina, lock and load. We're going into a combat zone and I don't want to get snuck up on by any tangos, thank you!"

"Roger that. Locking and loading." She double checked her shotgun's load and her DMR's mag. She found the DMR's seating to be flawed, so she ejected it and slammed it back in with a harsh clack.

"Mean, green, and one hundred percent lean."

"If you must insist on poetry, try some Kipling.", Nikolai said with a grimace. "I suggest If and The Young British Soldier. One will make you get goosebumps, the other will make your sleep be...less than comfortable. I leave it to you to figure out which."

"Kipling, eh? Never figured you for the literary type! We've known each other for years, too! I would have thought you would have shared this with me."

"It never came up....", he said with a nervous glance. Then, he straightened. "When your wounded and left on Alberts plains....." He turned away and waited for them to move out.

[Spartan 999]

(OOC: Sorry Kart, missed that. Just pretend Khaz didn't say that, kay?)

Major Domo Khaz Qalurai

Khaz nodded, already thinking. He looked over at a sapling six centimeters wide, branches swaying in the slight breeze.

"Maybe you could show us the Plasma Burster's effectiveness on that," Khaz said, motioning with a claw to the sapling. "At your earliest convienence, Minor Amasee, as we are in no hurry...yet."

[kuran]

Corporal James Beaufort,
Fireteam Raptor,ODST
Phase-line November

Megan, perched just in front of the trench and surveying the landscape through her DMR, sighed audibly. "Sir," she called back to James,"Don't the forces out here seem a bit...thin?"

James took a look to their left....and right....

"I do believe you're right Private. Get on the comms, find out what's going on."

She was silent for a few moments, evidently having a conversation within the privacy of her helmet. "Apparently we were supposed to hold at the gates and move out with everyone else."

Lenov laughed and James sighed. "I guess we'll be the advance unit then won't we."

Lance Corporal Joseph Lenov
Eclipse Platoon
Main Gate

Joseph shouldered his DMR, looked around at the pandemonium taking place in front of the large city gates, and sighed heavily.

"Schisse....."

He could hardly remember last night, or how he had ended up mostly alone at the bar behind him. Keying in the comms on his helmet, he searched for his squad's frequency. "Uhh...Corporal Salonov? Sergeant Grey? Jonas here...requesting pickup. I'm by the gates...."

[kartoffelfogel]

OOC: Sure thing.

And I have been waiting for this for a long, long time...



-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Minor Phran 'Amasee

Phran bowed again.

"I shall comply immediately."

He lifted the rifle, its cool surface belying the great power it held. His right-right thumb flicked across the safety glyph to activate it. A hum spread through the rifle, creating a keening noise.

Tchah. That makes it no good as a stealth weapon. I'll have to add this to my report.

The rifle fit into his right shoulder like a Plasma Repeater, but the grip was different. He placed his left hand on its underside, with the elbow directly beneath it, to help brace the rifle.

The sampling stood eight meters away; nothing save the black of the forest was behind it. He inhaled, feeling cool air in his lungs.

He exhaled.

A crack; a sudden increase in the pitch of the keening--and a silence, the silence that occurs when a noise rises beyond the capacity of the ear to perceive, yet drowns all other noise. It was but an instant of this peculiar silence--which faded as quickly as it had begun.

The sapling lay on the ground, an entire section of it--the section he had shot--gone. Just gone. Not blown apart--vaporized by the plasma.

The rifle cooled again, alarmingly fast. A cartridge popped out, followed by a plume of glowing blue smoke from the perpetually opened vent.

Hmm. That smoke may be dangerous, or obvious from far away--must put that in my report.

[Spartan 999]

Major Domo Khaz Qalurai

[/center]

OOC: SCHWEET.


Khaz gave the Sangheili equivelant of a whistle, walking over to inspect the sapling. He turned to look in Phran's eyes.

"I can't say I'm not impressed." Khaz said, scraping the now seared plant with a finger. "It does look impressive. How long have you practiced with it on the firing grounds, if at all?"

[z]

Rakath

"By the gods...." Was all Rakath thought to say as the blast shot out and destroyed the plant as the Ultra took a step toward the small tree and crouched next to it to examine the amount of damage.
"If it can do that to a tree, imagine what it may do to a human..." Rakath faked a joyed tone with this as he stood and stretched his arms.

"Makes my sword look like a pistol..."

Rakath shook his head, laughing at the concept before looking back at his fellow Shanghelli.
"What did you think my brothers? A weapon worthy of the Great Covenant?"

Kag

At this point the small Kig-Yar was lost in the crowd, speeding all around it as he looked for Kel and his team, chittering out their names.

"I'm lost... again..."

Mira

"On our way Jonas." Mira said, pulling out with the warthog as they swirved around in a not-so-legal U-turn and headed to the gates.

--------

"How'd you end up here Jonas? Coulda sworn you were with us last night after leaving." Mira said as she and her team stepped from the Warthog, about ready to join the other UNSC at the gates.

[kuran]

Lance Corporal Joseph Lenov
Eclipse Platoon
Main Gate

"Uhh...."

He looked behind him, at the dingy looking bar, before back at his leader. "I have absoloutley no idea...sir. But hey, at least we're at the gates right on time, huh?"

[Martial Virtue]

Captain Sierra Lloyd

Not unexpectedly, Sierra had a lot on her mind from the moment she climbed aboard the Warthog alongside her company's sharpshooters. She'd been waiting on this to happen all evening long, knowing from experience and an inexplicable feeling in her gut that she'd learned to trust over the years that the night would not end without some kind of an attack. It was just that once she'd been up in the hotel room, alone with Dylan, many of those feelings had temporarily subsided. All she'd thought about in the moment was how grateful she was that she was getting to spend time with him. How quickly things changed.

And, of course, they're about to get worse just as soon as we reach those city gates, she thought. Who knows what we're going to find there.

"Pleasure to have you, ma'am!"

Sierra turned to one of the Marine snipers seated beside her in the jeep and managed a small smile, mostly to keep her anxieties about the op under wraps. "Thank you, Lance Corporal. Good to be in the field again. Be sure your team's ready. I may be giving you snipers first dibs on the action if the situation requires it."

Whatever the Marine may have replied was drowned out by another voice, coming in through her helmet's COM this time.

"Captain Lloyd ma'am! This is Sergeant Bowers from first platoon, Delta Destroyers Fireteam... My team is falling in right behind you and the lead warthog to the gates... Over."

The captain pressed her free hand against the side of her helmet out of reflex as she replied. "Acknowledged, Sergeant. Just stay on our tail for now. We'll see what we've got when we get to the lines."

Sierra cut the connection then and brought her BR55 to bear, aiming it down and to the side for now so as to avoid any friendly fire incidents with the 'Hog in front of them. The rifle was loaded and ready. All Lloyd needed was a target. That would come soon enough.

"This is Eclipse Platoon's Whiskey Squad, looking to link up with anyone out there if you'll have us."

After quickly consulting her datapad's listing of the personnel roster for Eclipse Platoon, Sierra responded to the hail. "Whiskey, Captain Lloyd. Follow us in if you'd like, Sergeant. We're coming up on your six now."

Captain Dylan Lloyd

Though upset about the fact that his R&R - and subsequently, his night - with Sierra had been cut short, Dylan continued to gear up fast after she left, following her out the door a minute later. Minus his momentary lapse during the riot, he thought things had gone well the rest of the evening between the two of them - particularly once they'd finally gone up to their room. It was naturally his luck that crap would hit the fan after all not too much later.

Come on, D, focus, he told himself as he ran down the stairwell of the hotel to the outside. No time to pine for lost moments. Just lock and load.

Once his helmet was on, the ODST captain quickly opened a channel to his platoon. "Troopers, this is Captain Lloyd. Get in those 'Hogs fast and let's move it to the gates! Most of the regulars are already underway, and we're not going to be upstaged by them!"

Acknowledgment lights winked green across his HUD as Dylan jumped into the first waiting 'Hog he could find, taking a few of his enlisted subordinates with him. Only then did he hail his XO.

"Howard, Lloyd. What's the platoon roster looking like so far? Everyone on the move yet?"

It took her several seconds to answer. "Yes, sir. Helljumpers are underway. There's just one fireteam that's missing. Their location markers designate them as Fireteam Raptor...and they're currently outside the gates, sir."

Dylan tightened his grip on his MA37 assault rifle in anger. He tried his best to keep his frustration under control. "Who the hell ordered that?"

"No one, sir. They may have misunderstood what was happening."

"I'll get 'em through. Just make sure everyone else sticks to my six for now, and await further orders once we're at the gates. Captain Lloyd out."

After cutting the connection to his XO, Dylan sucked in a deep breath and let it out before attempting to hail the rogue fireteam. He'd be sure they'd catch hell for leaving without his express consent. "Fireteam Raptor, this is Captain Lloyd. I don't care why or how you thought forging ahead on your own was a good idea. You hoof your asses back to the gates now to rendezvous with the rest of the platoon, understood? Lloyd out."

[Wax™]

Sergeant Jason Bowers
DELTA DESTROYERS, 2 Platoon, Seirra's Company
Enroute to city gates

"Acknowledged, Sergeant. Just stay on our tail for now. We'll see what we've got when we get to the lines."

That's all Bowers really wanted to hear back from the Captain at this point in time, he slammed his boot furthur down on the gas and caught up with the Captains Warthog, his fireteam's Warthog was atleast two meters behind at this point, Bowers took one hand off the wheel and gave a casual two finger salute to thoes sitting in the back before gripping onto the wheel with both hands once more.

"Our fireteam is rather thin after the 77 selections dont you think Sergeant?" Corporal Claire Hunt spoke up.

"Your right Claire... But we can still do our job... I got an idea" Jason paused for a moment to poke his head out and look behind them, behind them were three marines in a warthog with an M12 Chaingun on the back, 'That will come in handy' Bowers thought to himself "Alright... Our three privates that made it through selections Private Prior, Welsh, and Blith each one will be put with one of you... Winters, you can go with Prior, Speirs with Welsh and Hunt with Blith... I will be apart of Hunt and Blith's team, all agreed?"

Bowers smiled to himself as he was acknowledged with a familiar 'Ooh-rah!'

[kartoffelfogel]

OOC: Yesh. Very schweet.

Minor Phran 'Amasee

Phran lowered the gun, and turned to his superiors, the rifle still venting blue smoke.

"I am sure that you exaggerate its power. While it may be devastating to a thin tree of mere wood, it is incapable of the speed or stamina that an Energy Sword provides."

"It is, however, possibly very effective. Provided it serves us well in this battle, it may be chosen for large-scale field testing and eventual mass production."

OOC: Hmm, maybe you guys should give the order to go to the Scarab?

[Bippwatt]

Nikolai cackled in satisfaction at the idea of getting to take a crack at these bastards first.

He was almost positive that this was Covenant. No Rebel in his right mind would come out of his comfy hidie-hole just to attack the damn strongest marine force to exist thus far in the war.

"Time to buckle down and pop some lead.", Idina quipped.

"Indeed." Nikolai then turned to the Captain. "Ma'am, I take it you'll want us on forward recon? If that's the case, might I suggest that the sniper teams go in on foot from this point. Warthogs might get us there faster, but anyone looking will see clear as day that the snipers have come forward. It's kinda hard to miss a bunch of almost two meter smoke-poles, after all, ma'am."

He hefted his sniper's rifle, making his point quite clear as the massive weapon was longer than he was tall.