Mission 3: A Long Road Ahead

[Wax™]

Sergeant Jason Bowers
Delta, 1st Platoon, Sierras Company, Task Force 77

"Confirmed Covenant, Sergeant. I've got one of our sniper teams deployed a few klicks ahead, but they're pulling back in now. That's who fired those shots. I'm waiting for their full report on enemy strength and positions when they get in..." There was a slight pause but was quickly filled up again. "I could really use Delta to reinforce the lines, Bowers, but what's the status on that pilot? Also, be advised you've got to get through the Helljumpers' line now just ahead of us when you get back. Be sure to inform the other Captain Lloyd that you'll be passing by."

Jason pinched the top of his brow before speaking into the COM's.

"Captain... Uhh... The Pilot ran off, we have no idea where he is, but we have a ODST Team here with us who is setting out on a Search and Rescue, be advised they have the entire tree-line in the neutral zone rigged to blow... Ma'am... It is your call wether we stay or go..." Bowers stopped and took a breath in as he waited for a responce though as he did he turned to Sergeant Redsont, just in time as he spoke.

"Alright, then we head out. We'll search the area east of here. You guys can tag along but I recommend you guys not stay around here too long. This place is gonna filled with hostiles and when it does it will also become an inferno. So what are you gonna do?"

Bowers replied quickly and without hesitation.

"It seems we may be needed on the front lines Sergeant, and we arent exactly a reconissance team, just tell me, do you think you can get in there and back out with the pilot, if so go on, keep COM's open with us and stay in touch, if you need help we will try and get to your location as soon as possible"

Bowers topped to initiate COM's with his team.

"DELTA... Hold position, and wait out for re-tasking, it's all on what the Captain says now"

Pelican Pilot; Michelle Rodriguez

Michelle had only gotten airborn just a few minutes ago, traffic in Glasgow was unbeleivable she had to just get out and leg it to the landing pad, now that she was back in her bird with Michael she felt that everything was ok, she did not like to be too far away from her bird, she looked down from the window at the Marines and ODST below just outside Glasgow's gates and smiled.

"Michael, Patch me in with Braknell Command" Michelle said, obviously too busy to do it her self, Michael nodded before clicking and flicking a few of the controles on his console.

"Alright" Michael said letting Michelle know she could speak.

"Command... This is Captain Rodriguez, I have only just gotten in the air and am awaiting re-tasking to a new objective, standing-by?" Michelle stopped talking but kept the channel open but muted her side of the call so as to speak with Michael.

"Fuck... Two minutes in the air and I already need a god damn cigarette" Michelle said to Michael before banking right so as to move in the direction of Braknell.

[Deleted]

"This is Navy Lieutenant Jack O'Reilly to Sergeant Redsont. Be advised, I am on-station to provide air support to the SAR op as needed. I have the crash site in sight--it's about a klick east of you--but do not see the pilot. Have you made contact? Over."


Redsont heard the man through his com. He smirked at how the first place they were gonna look was actually where he needed to go. Dumb luck as usual he supposed.

"Yeah we made contact, then the dumbass shot at me before he even heard me.", Redsont explained, "Heading there now to search the area."

Then Redsont turned to the man in front of him.

"It seems we may be needed on the front lines Sergeant, and we arent exactly a reconissance team, just tell me, do you think you can get in there and back out with the pilot, if so go on, keep COM's open with us and stay in touch, if you need help we will try and get to your location as soon as possible"

Redsont smirked. The man might as well be asking if they had a chance of getting a cat out of a tree.

"We have an overhead watching us, said the crash site is 1 click east. We go in, find our guy, and pull out, and then we blow this whole forest to hell. If you come with we'll be faster and more secure.", Redsont explained before leading his men off letting the man decide if he wanted to help or not.

[Spartan 999]

Petty Officer Jethro-097

"Hey! You two! Forty-seven and Ninty-seven! Priority transmission for you in the COM room! Grab One-twenty-six and report there ASAP! Go go go!"

Jethro gave a curt nod to the technician before taking off for the COM room. He activated TEAMCOM, trying to contact Victor.

"Oi Pyro, we're needed in the COM room ASAP."

[Wax™]

Sergeant Jason Bowers
Delta, 1st Platoon, Sierras Company, Task Force 77

"We have an overhead watching us, said the crash site is 1 click east. We go in, find our guy, and pull out, and then we blow this whole forest to hell. If you come with we'll be faster and more secure."

Is all Bowers heard before Redsont began to walk away with his team, Bowers frowned slightly and looked to his team, they all started walking back and now his thirteen man team were all standing there waiting for his order, Bowers sighed and turned to his best friend Corporal Jake Winters.

"Winters? What do you think we should do?"

Bowers stood there for a moment while Winters gathered up the courage to speak.

"Marines Don't Quit!"

Bowers smiled before thinking to himself 'Marines Don't Quit' that was his Drill Instructors slogon, and Bowers addopted it for the Delta Destroyers he smiled before nodding to his men.

"Alright First Squad form in behind me, followed by second, followed by third... Marines Don't Quit... Ooh-Rah!"

Bowers nodded before jogging after Redsont and his team he fell in directly behind his team and connected to him directly with TEAMCOM.

"Redsont! We'll go with you mate!"

[hollowsaber]

First Lieutenant Alex 'Famine' Farence
Apocalypse-4 Crashsite

Alex stumbled forward and slipped, a short yell fell out of his lips as he face-planeted into the mud. He skidded down and slammed head-first onto a tree root. Mud splattered upwards and his helmet cracked against the thick root. The impact caused his head to shutter and he rolled onto his back; flopping over in pain. His vision blurred as he coughed the disgusting taste from his mouth. He didn’t sign up to run around in a freaking forest! He signed up to fly freaking Aircraft!

The distant sound of fighting brought chills down his spine, he needed to keep moving. The sound of the jet’s fighting was closer then ever. Which meant he was also near Greenland. Hopefully there wouldn’t be anymore problems. If there were; he’d probably shoot himself.

The pilot bounced onto his feet, slapped some of the thick mud off, then turned into the trees. He hurdled over the root he had twisted some and darted into the brush. The bushes slapped together behind him, and as he ran, much of the mud was rubbed off behind him. It would lead a small trail, but if he could beat anything tracking him to Greenland, he didn’t care. Alex just had to keep running. So that was exactly what he was going to do... Then he tripped again.

“The fuck man?” He growled in the mud as he sat up, looking up directly at a decal he recognized on a piece of metal.
“MY BABY!” He yelled to himself lunging out and grabbing the piece of metal.
“Holy crap... I thought I was gonna die...” Alex sighed and sat up, looking to the destroyed hunk of metal he once called a plane. At least it was still recognizable...

The area was slightly open due to the crash and following explosion, but enough cover around it was all he needed. Alex tucked the metallic piece into his chest pocket and slipped away, sliding in the mud and rolling in it some to disguise his thermal reading before backing under a group of bushes. If a rescue team was to come, they would probably come to the crashsite... And if it wasn’t the rescue team, it would be Covenant...

“Great..” Alex muttered to himself, pulling his M6 up as he readied to defend himself just in case. Now all he had to do was wait.

[Dutch]

Corporal Fisher

Fisher gave a quick salute to the Second Lieutenant, and motioned for his new team to fall in behind the other troopers.

"You heard the officer guys, and girls, we're on rear. Keep your eyes open, fingers on triggers, brains on, and all that good shit. Move out!" As the other Helljumpers advanced out the gate and towards the objective, Fisher and his team fell back to the rear and spread out a bit, looking for any bastard trying to get them in the ass.

Fisher felt the usual pre-battle jitters. They never went away, never would. But they became easier to control, easier to ignore. The pounding of the heart, the rushing of the blood, the awful feeling in the back of the throat, it all become routine. And so, they moved on.

Petty Officer Victor-126

Victor was making rounds around the base, the areas he was allowed in of course, when his COM squawked to life.

"Oi Pyro, we're needed in the COM room ASAP."

Victor hit his radio and replied quickly.

"Roger, on my way." He flicked the COM off, spun around on his heels and took off down the hall towards the COM room. It wasn't far away and he darted in just seconds after getting the call. "Who's on the line?" He asked.

[theforgotten]

Zuk looks up hearing the sounds of a Kig-Yar, its voice muffled a bit from distance and amount of trees and leaves in the way. He moves through the branches a bit and ends up twenty-five meters away from Kel's position, the noise he heard approximately a hundred or more meters away.

"Kel do you hear him?" He says to her as he looks back towards the opening then back in her direction. His avian head twitches at a high sound he hears, most likely the high frequency of radios in use. He starts to calm down and perches on the branch checking his energy pistol and belt of energy cutlass.

[Martial Virtue]

Captain Sierra Lloyd

Sierra wasn't sure whether to be happy or not that the snipers were coming back in soon, but hopefully she'd get a better idea of what was waiting for Alpha Company beyond the line thanks to their premature return. And at least one of the sharpshooter teams was still out there. She'd have to ask for a sitrep from their side of the woods, too, but she decided to give them a moment longer to get their bearings. In the meantime, Captain Lloyd received a hail from Sergeant Bowers.

"Captain... Uhh... The Pilot ran off, we have no idea where he is, but we have a ODST Team here with us who is setting out on a Search and Rescue, be advised they have the entire tree-line in the neutral zone rigged to blow... Ma'am... It is your call wether we stay or go..."

"Acknowledged, Sergeant. Go ahead and stay your course then. You be sure to bring that pilot back, but don't get your squad caught in the blast in the meantime. I'll let the rest of Alpha and the Helljumpers ahead of us know of the explosives."

Much to her surprise, Sierra got another hail almost as soon as she'd cut the connection with Bowers. This time it was Sergeant Mira Gray.

"What might you need us to do, ma'am?" the Marine questioned.

Lloyd replied, "One of my platoons is currently minus a squad, Gray - Sergeant Bowers went further into the forest to look for a downed pilot, one of ours. So if you want to take his place on the lines for now with first platoon, we'd appreciate the extra guns."

Though it was difficult given the number of transmissions coming in and out of her position, Sierra made sure to keep both her main attention and her weapon trained ahead. She wasn't going to get caught unawares by the Covenant.

"Lieutenant Koppre?" Lloyed hailed second platoon's leader.

"Yes, ma'am?"

"Send the following message to our esteemed ODST colleagues up ahead. It appears some of their fellow Helljumpers have much of the forest rigged. Please let Dylan know so he can position his platoon accordingly."

"On it, Captain."

Okay, Sierra thought to herself then. Just one more thing to check up on. It was time to hail the other sniper team still left in the forest.

"Landcaster, give me a sitrep on what's going on in your sector. The other sniper team had to pull back, so be advised that you're on your own now."

The only missing element now was third platoon, with the company's heavy weapons. That ETA of three minutes seemed to be a very idealistic estimation at this point. It had easily been over five minutes now since the rest of the company had positioned itself past the gates on the November line. James, Captain Lloyd thought, I'm giving you one more minute before I start to wonder what the hell happened to you.

Corporal Cassie Thompson

Life in the Corps, the corporal thought to herself. Hurry up and find the pilot. Then hurry up and get back to the lines. No, hold steady. Now hurry up and go after the pilot again.

Thompson released a discreet sigh and had her team maneuver back to Sergeant Bowers' position. It seemed they'd be on the move again after all - alone except for the ODST squad they'd just encountered in the forest.

No wonder my brothers thought I'd never make it out of here alive...

Captain Dylan Lloyd

Dylan had just gotten his Helljumpers situated ahead of Sierra's company, much to his smug delight. She may have managed to get her Marines assembled and out on the lines faster, but he'd found a way to tip the balance back in his ODSTs' favor. Helljumpers were never made to be the back-up force of the regulars. It was always the other way around. Dylan made sure of that.

Satisfied with his new position, Captain Lloyd found a place near the head of the line to crouch down and await the Covenant's approach. He held his MA37 loose but ready in his hands, itching now to get the fighting started. That was when he received a hail from a sniper pair.

"Captain Lloyd, this is Sniper Team Alpha. Captain Lloyd has requested us to inform you and your men that we will be falling back through your line. Something about mistaking us for enemies, I believe, sir."

A corner of Dylan's lips curled upward in a small smirk despite himself. "Got it, Alpha. We'll make sure we're ready for ya."

Shortly after Lloyd alerted the rest of his Helljumper platoon about incoming friendlies, the sharpshooters came on the radio again.

"ODST's, friendlies approaching from the west north west."

"Go ahead, regulars," Dylan replied. "You're clear to pass through. Just don't dilly dally."

While he waited for the sniper team to roll in, a second channel opened up, flooding his helmet's COM.

"Sir, First Lieutenant Koppre here from the other Captain Lloyd's company. She wanted me to inform you that there's an ODST squad in the forest who's about to light the place up soon, so...the captain just wanted to make sure your platoon was outside the blast radius."

That definitely ticked Dylan off. If I run into the sergeant who rigged this... He took a deep breath and answered, "Understood. I'll let the platoon know. We should be fine based on the data you just sent over. Tell the other Lloyd thanks for the heads up, Lieutenant."

"Will do, sir."

"Lloyd out."

The ODST captain let out a sigh. This mission is just full of surprises so far, he thought, and it hasn't even really started yet. He looked back out at the vegetation ahead, aiming down his assault weapon's barrel. Come on, Covies. Let's go. We're ready and waiting for you.

Second Lieutenant Laura Howard

After receiving a salute from Corporal Fisher, Lieutenant Howard set off ahead of first squad through the woods. The way had already been fortified with Marines on all sides, and up ahead, by the rest of Dylan's Helljumper platoon. Laura felt better now about the oncoming fight. They were in good company.

Generally she wasn't nearly as jumpy as most in the face of combat. There was some measure of fear present always, but she was a little more stoic about warfare than most. She'd do everything she could to protect herself and her fellow ODSTs - hell, she'd even do all she could to help out the regulars, too, inferior though they were. But if crap went down that didn't go her way, then that was that. Nothing she could do but accept it. When it's your time to go, it's your time to go, she thought. But with friendlies surrounding the edges of the forest, the ODST lieutenant thought maybe she didn't need to be so okay with the possibility that she might not survive this next engagement. They'd be all right.

Howard smiled beneath her helmet's tinted visor as she moved into place just behind her CO and the Helljumpers surrounding him.

Thanks, Dom, she thought, taking a moment to touch the rabbit's foot charm in her pocket again before bringing her MA5C to bear once more. Even though you're not here with me anymore, I know you're always looking out for my sorry butt.

[z]

-Lucy

Lucy stepped from the Warthog, along with her team moving behind her. Moving down the line of soldiers she swore she recognized a few of them, but she guessed she was just paranoid at the thought of her cousin being here... Still... She planned to show off a bit in case Mira WAS watching.

Lucy set up, M45 over her shoulder now, and her MA5C aimed forward like most of the others.

Looking at Jackson and Cox she scanned for a good vantage point for them. There was a slight hill only a few meters away. It wasn't the best, but Lucy had faith her men knew what they were doing. She motioned to Jackson and Cox and then pointed to the hill. Jackson gave a nod and tapped Cox's shoulder to bring him with him.

Before they walked off Lucy raised her voice. "Jackson!"

The Sniper turned to face Lucy.

"You keep yourself and the new meat safe, got it?" She ordered, nodding.
Jackson returned a nod and then took off in a jog to the hill to set up.

The Twins, each with a DMR aimed down the range and prepped for fire when they came, and lastly, Lucy who crouched with them and aimed down the sights of her MA5C. She would admit it, she was worried about Jackson and Coxy... the Covenant were not easy to fight off...


-Mira

More soldiers were joining the line, that was good. Meanwhile Mira had her squad fallow as she found a place to set up with the Captains men.
Mira hefted up her Launcher and loaded it, spare rockets were in the Warthog behind them, which Cole had already grabbed and set down next to Mira in a neat pile.

Cole had his MA5C and underbarrel shotgun ready, as she looked over to Ben, the Medic who looked pale as a ghost aiming his SMG towards the Covenant, Mira spoke.

"Tell ya' what, Ben... Survive this i'll reward ya'" She said with a smile, Ben suddenly perked up and gripped his SMG tightly.

Joseph and Abby had DMRs ready.... She did not look over to Jonas, bu she was ready to take on the Covenant... God this was not going to be fun...

[kartoffelfogel]

Major Domo Legra 'Adantee

Raising his head up from his conference with Nyla, Legra swung his head around to all the gathered Covenant in their little copse.

"Everyone, the decision is made! I shall take command for the time being. Our first objective is to take this little forest from the hands of the humans!"

He both of his curveblades, of bone and steel, and flourished them above his head. He lifted one of his blades, and gestured at Nyla and his own lance.

"Nyla, this is my second-in-command, Minor Domo Seroth 'Vrotalee. He is young and impetuous, but he is a good warrior. He will help you lead my lance. I wish you to take command of my warriors, as I take command of us all."

Seroth took a look at the mysterious Special Operations Assassin. "As you command."

"Now, Til, take your protege and all the assembled Kig-Yar and Skirmishers. You are in charge of them, and of the whole warband if I fall."

Legra sheathed his blades now, and unholstered his Focus Rifle.

"Nyla, lead first into the woods--five strong Sangheili will be a terror to any who bar our way."

"Til, follow Nyla's lance--keep yourself at the rear, and slice down any treacherous humans."

"Now, to battle! Tooth and talon! Fang and claw!"


OOC: Duffle, find Legra's profile and memorize the NPCs. For the time being, they're yours to command.

The rest of you, to war!

[Bippwatt]

As soon as Captain Lloyd responded to their call of friendlies approaching, they broke through the tree cover and walked confidently toward their line of troops.

Nikolai stopped and gave one of the ODST's a thump on the back. "Thanks for minding the store for us, man. Would have sucked to not have anywhere to retreat to."

They threaded in through the ODST's and then broke into the regular's territory. They found where the Captain was with considerable ease.

Given their position on the tip of the spear, he forgo the customary salute and just settled for a succinct."Ma'am. Sniper Team Alpha, reporting as ordered."

Anticipating her questions, he began to relate the data he had observed in the field. "Hard numbers are sketchy at best, ma'am, but I know I saw at least four or five full lances moving forward. I slowed two down before we got flanked and had to pull back. No kills, though."

"Did hurt a Jackal, though. Had the range been a bit closer, I would have killed it with my three shotgun shells, ma'am." , Idina spoke up.

"Other than that, details are hard. In my professional and only barely educated opinon, we're looking at a full scale stealth invasion, ma'am. I know it sounds oxymoronic, but none of the ships in orbit picked a damn thing up and there is likely a full scale army on our door step. If that's not what it is, I'll eat my chevron, ma'am."

He stood, rifle braced, awaiting questions or further orders.

[hollowsaber]

((OOC: This is mostly for Dutch and Commando, but I'm updating you all with it as well, just as a quick 'what's going on now...' thing. Some of you are apart of this post, so I'd read it through.))

Time: 314
ONI Operation Room: Beneath Bracknell's CC

The two guards at the door on the long hallway laughed to themselves as the SPARTAN walked in before returning to their game of rock-paper-scissors. One guard was up 6-2, and the other was at the point of just taking a rock and knocking the other upside the head. Bastard seemed to always know what he was going to pick, but they kept at it. They left their poker cards in their rooms so those kinds of games were out of the question.

Inside the room, no body even turned to acknowledge the hurried soldier. All of the Agents were focused on their screens. The Agent Leasie stood beside Agent Bree as the two looked over where the Covenant were sighted. Agent David drank another big sip from his coffee, his eyes barely open as fatigue from staying up for several days began to kick at him. Furrow, their leader was standing in the middle of the room, looking over the entire fight, as well as the space operation.

"That's one risky OP..." furrow muttered, almost to himself.

"The SPARTAN believes he can do it, but the percentage of error is very high." An automated voice, Bifrons, spoke through the forward speakers as to not bother the other operatives.

"Well, even so... I think he can do it. I mean, if enough support is given..." Furrow rubbed the bridge of his nose and sighed.
"Can you give any assistance? I'm not well versed in the operation of higher-clearance AI." Furrow expanded the space mission to the entire screen and focused on where the Covenant battlegroup was.

"Of course. I will be able to provide the SPARTAN with direct support, and if he brings me in, I can access the Covenant system." Bifrons appeared on a holo-tube next to David. The Agent, startled, turned and stared at the small body which looked back at him. David simply stared.

"When did we..." He muttered then stopped, shaking his head before returning to his desk.

"Well, I can't say no as it isn't really my decision to make. Just make sure you and him get out." Furrow sighed again and tilted his head some to look at the SPARTAN.

"Come in, stand to the side and wait for your allies. Try to keep it down, we've got some annoying work to handle..." Furrow turned and walked to the women, standing between them.

"Where's the Covenant?"

"Closing in on Greenland... Our Agents we've sent have reinforced the Outpost and it's held off some small forward-groups so far fairly easily. Reaper is also securing the northern sector for our future OP. Other units are nearby Phase-line October, but the main force is still getting to November." Bree muttered, tapping the screen to show Furrow where Reaper was. He thought for a moment, then looked down to a list of who was in Reaper.

"Get a hold of Lieutenant Isin... Send him and his team to reinforce Reaper... Have him take only one fireteam... Use the message system, easier to encrypt." Furrow looked at his tablet as he read over Isin's roster.

"I think the most recent addition was that Sergeant Lisa or something..." Bree giggled at the thought as she typed up the message;

"F.LT ISIN; REINFORCE REAPER. COORDINATES; EIGHT-SIX BY THREE-THREE. MOVE ON FOOT. TERRAIN UNSUITABLE FOR VEHICLES. MOVE IMMEDIATELY. BRING ONLY SERGEANT GREY."

"Lucy..." Furrow muttered as he looked over the Squad-leaders.
"Send her with him... Just them... Foely already has enough to worry about." He clicked off the tablet then looked up to the screens.
"How about those planes..?" Furrow pointed to the middle area over the forest.

"Well, Apoc-4 went down... Idiot... He's got a rescue team on the way. As for the others; we've got air-superiority. The Covenant got their asses handed to them... Can't say it wasn't expected or anything." Leasie added, labeling the crash-site.

"I didn't think our job meant doing what the fools above were supposed to be doing..." David muttered from across the room.

"We need to stay updated, and we can't trust them. We need to know everything on the field so our Agents don't get into the mix." Furrow looked over to David who simply waved it off as he looked over the space operation.

"Covenant battle-group just appeared... If that SPARTAN is going to be hopping on a sword, he better be on his way." David interrupted tiredly as Furrow moved to the center of the room.

"Change of plans SPARTAN." Furrow looked to the super-soldier then to the screen.
"Bifrons, connect us." A green light appeared on the screen and Bifrons bowed at his tube, causing David to move away a little.

"SPARTAN-009, this is Agent Furrow. We've got one of your soldiers here, the others are on their way. Update him on whatever you need." Furrow stepped to the side and walked up to where David was, leaving the SPARTANs to their talking.

[Huka]

[yellow] "Now, Til, take your protege and all the assembled Kig-Yar and Skirmishers. You are in charge of them, and of the whole warband if I fall." [/yellow] Legra told Til after he finished checking Sufang if his dressing and treatment was proper.

[yellow]"As you wish, Legra." [/yellow] He said, dismissing the thought of Legra dying.

Looking to the Kig-yar leaders of their individual lances, he said with confidence, [yellow]"As Legra said, I will have overall command of your lances, but I appreciate your own skills into the fray. I just need your cooperation."[/yellow]

Then he heard his name called again by Legra, [yellow] "Til, follow Nyla's lance--keep yourself at the rear, and slice down any treacherous humans." [/yellow]

[yellow]"Now, to battle! Tooth and talon! Fang and claw!"[/yellow]


[yellow]"Tooth and talon! Fang and claw!" [/yellow]He roared cheerfully as he gripped Skor's left shoulder and rose his free fist into the air.

[Martial Virtue]

Captain Sierra Lloyd

Things were looking up. The lines felt more secure now, at least on first platoon's side, since Sergeant Gray had arrived with her team - complete with some heavy weapons. Sierra turned back for a moment to notice her settling in just as the captain's sniper team arrived.

"Ma'am. Sniper Team Alpha, reporting as ordered," Jovanovich said.

Sierra nodded to him. "Go ahead, Lance Corporal. Let's hear it."

"Hard numbers are sketchy at best, ma'am, but I know I saw at least four or five full lances moving forward. I slowed two down before we got flanked and had to pull back. No kills, though."

"Did hurt a Jackal, though. Had the range been a bit closer, I would have killed it with my three shotgun shells, ma'am," the spotter of the pair added.

"Other than that, details are hard, Jovanovich continued. "In my professional and only barely educated opinion, we're looking at a full scale stealth invasion, ma'am. I know it sounds oxymoronic, but none of the ships in orbit picked a damn thing up and there is likely a full scale army on our door step. If that's not what it is, I'll eat my chevron, ma'am."

Lloyd snorted. "I'm sure you won't have to. I had a feeling that might be what's going on. We've got another squad backing us up now with some special goodies, and from what I gather, the ODSTs have something up their sleeve as well. Right now we're not in such bad shape." I'm just waiting for third platoon at this point, the Marine captain thought to herself. "Anyway, we'll still need your team, Jovanovich. See if you can find a good spot nearby to tag any incoming Covies. Don't stick too close to first platoon, but not too much further out, either. I need you to be mobile. That'll be your best shot at not getting detected again."

Before she could take in the sniper's reply, Sierra received a hail on the COM from her XO.

"Did somebody order a side of rockets and MGs with their breakfast?" First Lieutenant James said loudly over the connection.

Sierra couldn't help but grin. "Jesus Christ, Philippe. Where the hell have you been?"

"Sorry, ma'am. Had a little issue getting all disembarked from the 'Hogs with all the gear. But we made it. I sent first and second squads over to second platoon, so they'll be reinforcing the lines there. Second platoon got our additional heavy weapons detachment as well, as per your orders, Captain. I guess we've got third and fourth squads, and that extra squad you managed to get us. Team leader shows up on my HUD as Sergeant Gray."

"That's right," Captain Lloyd replied. "Are you making your way to our lines now?"

"Affirmative, ma'am. Right behind you."

It wasn't long before Sierra heard the heavy clunk of Marines jogging up through the forest with their heavy weapons. It was a sight to behold, and it was like a dream. The good kind. Lloyd turned and tapped the shoulder of a Marine beside her.

"Watch my six, Corporal. I'm going to get our squads from third platoon set up."

"Yes, ma'am."

Keeping low so as not to make herself a huge target to any enemy snipers out there, Sierra crept cautiously to her newly arrived heavy weapons elements.

"How do you want us deployed, Captain?" the team leader, a staff sergeant, asked.

The captain crouched in front of him, weapon in hand with the barrel pointed down as she spoke in a low voice. "Move into position amongst first platoon, Sergeant. I want two MGs in the center, and the other two on each flank. Set up the mortars behind our lines, and be sure to yell at the top of your goddamn lungs if you've got a short round incoming."

"Understood."

"Get all that set up for now, but do not fire until I give you the go-ahead. We've still got some friendlies in the woods as of now, and I'm sure they wouldn't appreciate mortars landing all over their position."

"Yes, ma'am. What about rockets?"

"We'll keep one team forward and one team to the rear as a back-up. Your choice on that one."

"Yes, ma'am."

Sierra switched channels as the staff sergeant began organizing the two heavy weapons squads. Captain Lloyd hailed second platoon in the meantime. "Lieutenant Koppre?"

"Captain?"

"I'm assuming Second Lieutenant Fortnight is with you?"

"Yes, ma'am. He arrived with first and second squads from his third platoon. We've finally got the big guns on our six to play with."

"Good. I want you to set them up across your lines the way I described to the sergeant here. I kept the line open for you. Did you hear all that?"

"I did, ma'am. I'll direct Fortnight and our extra heavy weapons detachment here to do the same."

"All right. I want a report when you're all set up. Lloyd out."

Sierra turned her attention to her XO then, crouched low behind cover several meters away. "James, you're going to have to move to the extreme flank. We can't both be bunched up together, because you'll be taking charge of the company if something happens to me."

The lieutenant acknowledged immediately. "Understood, Captain. I'll take one of my first platoon's squads and we'll change position."

Now, with all that taken care of, Sierra carefully made her way back to where she'd been crouched before and resumed her position. She kept her body as much behind cover as she could, while keeping her BR55 just above it, ready to fire at any aliens that might come into her line of sight.

But she knew that even now that they were all set up and fortified, she couldn't breathe a sigh of relief. One of her sniper teams had reported that this was likely a stealth assault the Covies were planning. Captain Lloyd and her company of Marines had to be ready for anything.

[redgrim]

Sniper Kig-Yar Nid

Nid leaped down from the tree and landed firmly on his feet. Jak was still there waiting for him to come back down “ok, let’s see if we can catch up with the group” Nid said.

“Well even if we can catch up with them, we’ll never be able to get ahead of them again” Jak complained.

Nid glared at him and did not comment on what he just said, sometimes he wonders why he puts up with him. He began running in attempt to make up for lost time, he knew what Jak said was true, but he didn’t want to admit it. Jak followed him shortly after.

Major Kig-Yar Skirmisher Tal

Tal listened to the Sangheili known as Legra who has taken charge of their group. He was not bothered by the fact he was to take orders, he had a great deal of respect for his superiors. His attention went back to Til after he was told that he would be under his command “you have my cooperation” he replied.

Tal also joined in the cheer, but did so with more of a growl than real words. He called over his afterwards and commanded for Kug and Jup to get into the trees once again, in the case of an ambush or something along those lines. As for the rest of the lance he had them in a circle formation around him with his troops with needlers at the back and ones with plasma pistols in front. Mal and Nuk pulled out their pistols and began to charge them up again.

“We move on your command” Tal continued.

[Daenerys Targaryen]

Petty Officer Dani-047
On her way to Bracknell Command

"Hey! You two! Forty-seven and Ninty-seven! Priority transmission for you in the COM room! Grab One-twenty-six and report there ASAP! Go go go!" Came the rushed voice of an ONI technician, it always annoyed Dani as how they seemed to be so rushed when they were far away from enemy forces and well behind the human line.. or maybe it was a message from Silas?

Dani let out a small yawn before starting her chase after Victor, listening to him activate team-com and communicate with Pyro.. who eventualy answered, thank god she had managed to locate them.

Lance Corporal Victoria Landcaster
Recon
Alone

"Well well well..." whispered Victoria, finally spotting fast moving Covenant lances.. all heading to the human line. She quickly began to tap reports into her comms.

//Message to Lloyd, Sierra, Captain..//

Captain, my spotter and myself have noted several heavily armed Covenant lances heading toward your position.. conflict immanent... There seems to be several clues leading to what might become a vechical transportation route through the forest.. though I have no idea how big something would need to be t-.... I just recieved your message.. retaining comm silence.. heading back to the lines. This is too big to become just a skirmish ma'am.

//End Message//


"Landcaster, give me a sitrep on what's going on in your sector. The other sniper team had to pull back, so be advised that you're on your own now." Is what she had receieved that caused her too look up from her message.. the lances were getting extremely close now. She quickly gestured to Chase to fall back.. and they did so.. inching back to the human line in the black foliage of the jungle.

[Dufflepud]

With a nod, Nyla turned silently to face the forest, motioning for the other four sangheili warriors to follow him. He led them into the foliage a ways, until the smell, rank and salty, of a human patrol wafted by. The sun sone brightly, and the humans were perspiring. Good., he thought, Uncomfortable enemies are easier to kill.

Acitvating camouflage, he signaled his lance to wait. They could be seen, so he would trap the humans against them. He melted off into the forest, coming up right behind the patrol, stepping silently. At one point, he almost blundered into on eof the feeble creatures, but luckily, they did not notice him. Weak as they may be, in numbers, they were strong. Nyla waited until the human patrol walked right by the hidden lance, before giving the order,

"Fire!" he whispered fiercly into his communicator, and suddenly, the scene erupted with plasma fire. Two of the fire team went down instantly. A third, having opened fire, stumbled back into Nyla, only to gasp in suprise as a blade of pure energy slid right through her gut. Lifting the sagging body with a grunt, Nyla tossed it aside. The fourth human, having regained her senses, stepped back and fired at Nyla, lighting up his shields, which flickered blue, before popping.

The woman began to fire again, but Nyla lunged, grabbing her rifle, and tossing it aside. He shoved the human onto the ground, placong his foot on her chest, before applying pressure. The human, a proud look of defiance in her eyes, drew a long combat knife, stabbing it into Nyla's foot. His laugh became a roar of pain, and he stomped on the marine's chest, silencing her instantly.

[Bippwatt]

Nikolai nestled deeper into the small rise about 100 meters ahead of first platoon.

"This is gonna be ugly.", Idina said from his right side.

He snorted and wondered when the Covenant would be coming for them and then looked back down his scope at the tree line that would soon become a killing field.

The only question was...who's killing field would it be?

A few moments later, gun fire ripped across their ears and Nikolai began scanning with more speed, looking for the source.

"Minus 15 inclination, positive 56 angle.", Idina muttered into his ear.

He found the small clearing and the fire team. "Damn. I think I can..." He trailed off and fired two shots past the fire team. They each passed to one side of a plume of blueish exhaust plasma.

Then, he re-targeted, finding a plasma blade that had just been drawn. He fired his last two rounds into the space round the camouflaged Elite.

Reloading, he brought the rifle down. The shots were all really long range, but he wasn't a UNSCMC Sniper, and one of Task Force 77's best crack snipers to boot, for nothing!

His rifle came back down into firing position and he found the Elite, now uncamouflaged and one foot on the chest of the last marine. Before he could get the easy head shot, though, the marine pulled her knife and stabbed him in the foot.

The Elite's response was quite clear, as the scream of the marine carried to them, then died with abrupt suddenness.

He fired, his shot messed up by the Elite's movement. Then, he lined up again and fired again, trying to disable the thing before it could camo again.

[Spartan 999]

First Lieutenant Isin Herald

A beeping sound alerted Isin to an incoming message. He checked it, eyes scanning it rapidly.

"F.LT ISIN; REINFORCE REAPER. COORDINATES; EIGHT-SIX BY THREE-THREE. MOVE ON FOOT. TERRAIN UNSUITABLE FOR VEHICLES. MOVE IMMEDIATELY. BRING ONLY SERGEANT GREY."

"COPY." Isin responded. He turned to Lucy, depolarizing his visor. "The two of us are going to reinforce the rest of Reaper. On foot." He jerked his head at the NAV point. "Let's move."

Petty Officer Jethro-097

[/b]

Jethro passed Furrow on his way into the COM room. He entered it to find Victor already there. The Spartan instinctively went to the Victor's side, crossing his arms in front of his chest while he did so.

"What's our fearless leader up to?"

Special Operations Officer Sorsa Xirsasai

A plume of smoke appeared before Sorsa's head, making the Special Operator dive for cover, Intervention following suit. A few more shots flew through the air over his head, the smoke dissapating. Brow furrowed, he quickly deduced that the shots were not meant for him, but were instead an attempt to cut down the other Special Operator some thirty meters away. Sorsa only saw him a split second before line of sight was cut off by a cluster of trees.

Sorsa motioned to Marum, who brought his Beam Rifle to bear. Sorsa also brought up his Needle Rifle, equipped with a more powerful scope than standard ones.

After switching to thermal, Sorsa managed to make out the heat signature of a distant sniper. He tapped the log they were behind instead of using a hand signal, as spotting a wave in the dark with Active Camouflage on was near impossible. Marum exhaled, Sorsa doing the same. He clicked his mandibles, and they fired as one. He didn't expect to hit a sniper at that range, but at least it would distract him from firing upon the other operator. For the moment, at least.

[z]

-Lucy

As Isin spoke Lucy was broke from her blank minded focus.

"Alright Isin." Flicking to TEAMCOM quickly.

"Alright boys listen here, Momma has to go to work, Jackson your in charge, keep my men safe you got that?" She asked, getting up to follow Isin.

-Kag

Stopping in a tree and cackling out some of his team members names.

"Kel? Rak? Where did everyone go?"

[jack]

"Yeah we made contact, then the dumbass shot at me before he even heard me.", Redsont explained, "Heading there now to search the area."

"Copy."

Jack scanned the area again, sighting nothing. He continued moving slowly towards the crash site, keeping an eye out for anything that looked out of place. Suddenly, the radio that was monitoring the main frequency exploded with chatter as numerous units reported hearing gunshots fired in the treeline ahead of the force. Jack swore. That meant that the Covenant were quite likely engaging forward patrols. Jack spoke into the radio connected to the ODST sergeant.

"Numerous UNSC forces just reported hearing gunshots and plasma fire in the treeline ahead of the main force. The Covenant have made contact with forward patrols."

[Wax™]

Michelle Rodriguez, Pelican Pilot
En:Rooute to PL:November

Having not got any reply back from Bracknell Command Michelle went back to base armed up and then took back off and made her way to Phase Line November, she looked out window down below, she would not be able to see any of the Marines or ODST's if it were not for her HUD in her Flight Helmet, she could see all the companies and platoons, she looked around and noticed most of the UNSC Forces were converging in on November, some were past UNSC Lines and in the enemy zone, she raised a brow before shaking it off before looking back to Michael.

"Do you think Command would be pissed if I lit up a cigarette mid-flight?"

"I dont know... Not like I have done it before... Anyway... Let thoes boy's down below we are here for them"

Michelle nodded before patching into the COM's system for the ground team's, specificly the a Captain Sierra Lloyd's Company.

"Captain Lloyd... This is Captain Rodriguez from Scorpion Squadron, letting you know we are ready and armed with ANVIL-II ASM Pods for close air-support if needed, we are also on station to perform casevacs, we can also transport troops if neccessary... Over?"

[Huka]

Major Domo Til 'Marumee


Whilst the others moved at the sounds of the sniper fire, Til grabbed Nyla, and pulled him from the line of smoke and bullet. Seeing his fellow's foot wounded from his last victim's knife, he tried to be careful to keep from causing more injury.

He snarled as he motioned the Kig-yar to find the shooters. Just then more humans came from the thicket of the trees, [orange]"Exterminate the pests."[/orange] he ordered as he unholstered one of his plasma rifles and fired, hitting a approaching human square in the chest.

Skor growled in excitement of taking on his first human, shooting his plasma rifle with practiced aim. Igri and the Unggoy assisted in providing protection for Til and Nyla as they moved to put the assassin at a better cover.

Putting him against a protective tree, Til unholstered his other plasma rifle, and helped the others fight off the ambushers. "Unggoy, keep Nyla safe till this battle is over!" He ordered.

"Yes, Excellency." Igri replied as he waved his needle pistol at his fellows.

[kartoffelfogel]

Major Domo Legra 'Adantee

Nyla had dealt admirably with four of the humans, and with the benefit of his cloaking armor, exploited the surprise advantage. The humans were in disarray.

Legra pondered taking out his curveblades--but he was not that good at close-quarters. Instead, he drew his Focus Rifle and took aim.

Human fireteams were composed of eight (I think) and Nyla had dealt with four. The others were ranged about, firing upon Nyla and his lance.

The Focus Rifle gleamed, and a yellow-vermillion-white blast issued out. A human collapsed--dead before it hit the ground.

The Rifle bucked again--another human went down. The remaining two fell before Nyla's--and his--lance.

[Huka]

Major Domo Til 'Muramee

Snarling at the opposing humans behind the lances, Til kicked a close human square in the stomach, feeling organs rearrange to his boot. Blood and bits vomited out of the human's mouth as it flew back onto the ground.

"Heretical scum." He snarled before seeing two of the ambushers aim their weapons at him.

Quickly jumping back as their ballistic projectiles flew at him, Til fired two quick bursts, wounding them before he hit the ground with a quarter of his shields depleted.

Tumbling, he jumped back to his feet, and sprinted behind a tree.

Waiting for his shields to regenerate and rifles cool, Til heard a snap. Turning his head, he saw another human come around, and swing its rifle like a melee weapon.

Moving to the side, Til saw the rifle hit the tree with interesting force to his amusement.

The human bared its little teeth, looking like a Unggoy gone wild.

Til couldn't help but chuckle at the humor. "You wish to fight me, little human?" He asked with a cocked head. No doubt the human could understand his language as much as he couldn't understand it.

The human lunged at him again, desperate to strike him. Til jumped back and dodged the attacks like a game. Holstering his rifles, the Major Domo caught the makeshift club, and backhanded the human, sending it a few feet back.

Looking at the rifle, he didn't feel any disgrace holding a enemy's weapon like other Sangheili. It was just a weapon, like a animal's claw to him. Flicking his wrist, twin short blades of plasma flared on his wrist, and he simply dissected the rifle into two.

Letting the other half fall to the ground and, with the other half, he tossed it casually to the recovering human's feet as it wiped blood from its wounded lip.

Turning his energy dagger off, Til grunted before waiting for the human's reaction.

With Skor and the Kig-yar dealing with the humans, Til had a one-on-one duel with the little creature.

The human looked upset before unholstered a even-smaller weapon. Its own form of a pistol. Remembering what impact that little weapon had on his energy shields, Til moved a splitsecond before the human squeezed the trigger.

Leaping to the side, Til dodged the bullet, and leaped back to the human as it moved to aim again.

Grabbing the human's wrist, he moved its weapon to the side, and squeezed its arm. The creature groaned and growled at the pressure before screaming as Til snapped its forearm a irregular angle.

Grimacing at the loud scream, Til lifted the human up by its wounded arm, and slammed its body like a rag doll against a tree.
The noticable sound of broken bones entered his ears and Til let the broken human drop to the ground.

Watching the human groan and whine at its pain, Til felt a ping of sorrow and regret for the little thing, and unholstered a plasma rifle.

It is not sporting letting a prey suffer for no purpose, all noble-blooded hunters respected that dignity to their prey.

"May the Gods forgive thee for thy sins. As well for your people..." Til prayed before firing. Looking the burning hole in the dead creature's head, Til looked at his weapon, before walking back into the battle.

[redgrim]

Major Kig-Yar Skirmisher Tal
Tal and his four other Skirmisher soldiers rushed forward toward the human enemies. The ones with the plasma pistols unleashed the charged plasma spheres while the Skirmishers within the trees started rapidly firing the crystals from their rifles at the bushes from whence the humans originated. Tal burned a hole straight through one marine’s amour with his focus rifle.

As of this moment they weren’t exactly at a tactical advantage, at all, Tal commanded for the group to split up and never stay at one spot for more than one second, in order to be harder to target. They all did so, Zeh was firing blindly into the area where the humans were, but with a weapon like the needler it’s probably not required to aim with it.

All of Tal’s soldiers, except for the ones in the trees, were scurrying around the battlefield and firing at the humans without taking aim since they were moving so erratically and fast. They were able to get a few, about 9 marines at best.

Tal ran forward to get a better shot with his rifle, but got shot in the shoulder in his attempt. He hissed in pain and blasted the marine that shot him, at close range. He retreated back and called for Zeh and Lop to give him cover fire as he inspected his wound. It was more than likely that it wasn’t anything that major, but he wanted to make sure.

[kel]

Kel listened closely, and risked a few more steps towards the edge of the forest. "Keep an eye out for its source. I need to scope out the terrain ahead. And stay quiet. I'd like not to be shot at before I press the trigger."

Kel ducked a branch as she cautiously moved onto the hill, and dropped to her stomach. Pulling herself forward a few feet, she tapped her helmet and zoomed in on the terrain, looking it over from right to left. The land stretched out before her position, and fell down a steep slope before rolling into the trees. This steep slope was empty, and decorated only with grass and the occasional rock. Only far to the left was there the evident signs of battle. Everything to the right was quiet.

[theforgotten]

"Keep an eye out for its source. I need to scope out the terrain ahead. And stay quiet. I'd like not to be shot at before I press the trigger."

Zuk nods moving through the tree tops silently, looking for any signs of a threat. He scratches the back of his head when he stops to look around a feather falling from the back of his head. He perches on the new branch looking over the opening trying to find anything out of the normal, keeping his eyes keen to all the hiding spots he would use himself, if sniping he has his hand above the trigger of his plasma pistol ready to use it when necessary.

OOC: @dalek my bad on that was in a rush that day.

[kartoffelfogel]

OOC: Umm... Forgotten, who is "he?" Please use your character's name...

[Huka]

Major Domo Til 'Muramee

Minor Domo Skor 'Husnee

The young Minor Domo moved to cover, he huffed and puffed in excitement. He didn't think the Parasite, as his fellow devout comrade called them, would fight so well.

Checking his plasma rifle, he found the charge nearly complete. Even though Til taught him how to use a plasma weapon, he was never one for far combat. He liked more honorable way of combat.
The wood to his side exploded, he couldn't stay long or he might be blasted in the back by the Heretics' Jiralhanae-like weapons.

With a couple breathes, Skor spun out of cover, and fired his plasma rifle with split-second aiming, missing a few shots, able to graze a couple foes, and actually hit one in the throat.

Laughing at his kill, he growled at them with juvenile excitement, "Your resolve is strong, but your bodies are weak!"

Then the remaining three looked at him with revengeful stares and opened fire.

Taking several shots to the chest, Skor felt his armor's advanced shielding fail him, and was lucky for a few more of the projectiles to be deflected by his armor.

Quickly moving to the side or be shot down before the Unggoy do, Skor grunted in satisfaction of his kill.

Pulling his curveblade from his belt, Skor ran with all speed to the last two humans with a fierce roar.

They saw him and backed up a bit at the sight of a bloodthirsty Sangheili with a plasma rifle in one hand and a curve-blade in the other.
Hardening their resolve, they rose their weapon, but the quick Minor Domo was already on them before offense was taken.

Spinning on one foot, Skor kicked a human in the jaw, breaking its jaw, and stomped on the second's foot. The creature let out a loud cry of pain but Skor silenced it with a brutal stab into its jaw with his curve-blade.
The last human narrowed escaped his plasma rifle and tried to run into the forest, Skor was about to chase it down like a animal, but a spear flew out of nowhere and pinned it into a nearby tree by its shoulder, making a close-mouthed scream as it was standing on its toes.

Skor was astonished by the sheer luck of the spear making its mark without fatality, then he saw his master stepping out of the shadows of the trees, with a neutral expression, clicking in his throat, looking at the human with his good eye, then at the battlefield, where humans layed dead, thankfully no casualties.
Skor just watched the Major Domo walk to the human, looking at it with a inquistive look before the human spat.

Skor was outraged by its insolence towards a more righteous species like the Sangheili. It should be honored. He gripped his curve-blade tighter but Til simply snarled and backhanded the thing hard, apparently knocking it unconscious.

Wiping the bloody spit off the side of his helmet, Til walked to Skor, and whispered, "Keep a eye on the human." He eyed Skor's hands before returning a firm look in his eyes, adding, "And keep it alive."

Then he walked off to most likely check on Nyla. Skor did as told, holding his plasma rifle tight.

Til walked to Nyla, paying no heed to the few human corspes that was killed by plasma and needle projectiles, as the Unggoy spoke to each other with gleeful tones at their success of living.

[yellow] "Are you alright, brother? [/yellow] He asked.