Into the darkness we descend!

[MrKill]

(( This is a mission for Llau and myself, and no you can not join. It is being posted in the sandbox because Llau and I have profiles still waiting to be approved (And mine won't be approved for a while) so Dave's given us permission to RP in here. ))



Blue = SEALED Door.
Red E's = Elevator to surface.
White ladder = Objective.

Current UNSC Objectives

1) Re-purpose camera drones (Civilian truck on the surface) to alert UNSC Forces of approaching hostiles. - Not Completed.
2) Enable ONI/MARINE security over-rides at the control center (Top right of the map) - Not Completed.
3) Re-program the automated defense turrets, be advised: THEY ARE HOSTILE. - Not Completed.
4) Secure the AI 'Rusty'; a SMART-AI who's been reprogrammed, and return it to UNSC Techs. - Not Completed.
5) *Additional objective: Kill all the insurrectionists. - Not Completed.
6) **Secondary objective: Search for the HAVOC Tactical Nuke. - Not Completed.

Current UNSC Military Strength

Vessels:
- 1 UNSCN Cruiser
- 1 ONI Prowler

Ground Forces:
- 1 Marine Officer
- 1 ONI Officer
- 12 ODST's

Current Insurrectionist Military Strength

Vessels/Aircraft:
- 6 Pelican Dropships
- 1 Longsword Bomber
- 1 Sporrow-Hawk

Ground Forces:
- 1 Platoon of insurrectionists (40 men)
- 2 Insurrectionist leaders

Special:
- 1 HAVOC Tactical Nuke


Briefing; text only

>>ADM.KLIX: Killinger, Moretti - this isn't a joke. Insurrectionists have seized control of an old nuclear research facility on this planet. We responded to the distress signal that originated from this base - which has since been shut down. From our sources the insurrectionists have acquired a lot of hacking equipment; so this is where you come in Moretti.

// BREAK //

>>ADM.KLIX: We don't know the severity of the hacks, but we tried to break it from orbit to no luck - it's a hard wire connection, there's nothing we can do. You need to terminate the hacks from their source, which is the control room. We've provided a map. There are two surface elevators - you need to take the smaller one to access the control area. By out intel it is heavily guarded.

// BREAK //

>>ADM.KLIX: Killinger - we're deploying you because you have experience and special operations training and you're probably better than most of the ODST's we have at our disposal; but we're sending you a squad of them anyways for you to work with. This is a stealth mission. I do not have to repeat this, the approach must be undetected and you must infiltrate quietly without raising alarms. If alarms are raised out last piece of info is startling... A Havoc Tactical Nuke will detonate.

// BREAK //

>>ADM.KLIX: The Insurrection has also acquired a SMART-AI and reprogrammed it to serve them - I cannot tell you the breach that AI provides. However, as it serves it is collecting data. Moretti; either reprogram it or deactivate it for Hasley to look at later, it's your choice. Good luck, soldiers. Klix out.

[Llau]

UNSC Sratoga
Pelican Bay 1
ONI Field Agent, Lieutenant Michelangelo “Mike” Moretti

After the briefing he received once he left the UNSC Prowler Sanguine of the Night from Admiral Klix via text, Moretti waited in the hangar for the ODSTs and the Colonel, who were to accompany him on this sensitive mission. He stood silently, leaning against a heavy stack of crates, while he waited for the rest to finish gearing up and arrive to leave. They needed a stealth approach, so he suggested that all of them could be dropped off via Pelican two clicks away from their objective, instead of via HEV. He checked his TAC-PAD for the fourth time to read through his objectives and studied the map of the facility while he waited.

‘Wait...this is the sixth time within five minutes checking my TAC-PAD,’ he thought, ‘Beginning to think I’m an impatient person...’

He sighed, letting his arm fall to his side, and looked up to see the twelve ODSTs start to arrive. He couldn’t see their faces since they had their helmets on already, but he could probably take a wild guess that they weren’t too thrilled working with a ‘Spook’. A lot of people in the UNSC highly disliked ONI personnel, for obvious reasons, of course. He was a nice guy, easy to get along with, and wasn’t a complete asshat working with people. As long as he wasn’t a team leader, he was okay. Once he saw the Colonel, he stood away from the crates and approached him, and stopped to give the man a salute. 

"Colonel Jonathon Killinger," Moretti said, "Heard a lot about you...honored to be working with you." 

[MrKill]

Colonel Johnathon B'Sheau Killinger
UNSCS Sratoga
Pelican Bay One

The ONI Agent gave the Colonel a salute.

John stood straight and gave a crisp salute in return, before nodded and lowering his hand. This wasn't a parade, briefing or something of the sort so the command 'at ease' wasn't necessary. Truth be told; the Colonel had never meet this man before and had no clue how he knew things about him, but if he was honored to be working with him then he was pleased. John cleared his throat. He knew the ODST's weren't exactly pleased that they were working with a spook and, on top of that, a Marine Regular instead of an ODST CO.

"Well, I'll be honest. I don't know much about you," Killinger said, producing a tacpad. He loaded the briefing up, but didn't look at the words. "I know you're a computer specialist - which is why you were assigned to this unit..." He trailed of for a moment. He loaded up the roster.

Instead of being organized in a CO, XO type fashion, it was organized by numbers since the unit was smaller. If the fifth man on the team would go down during combat the team would, instead of saying the soldiers name, go 'Five is down!"

It worked good to; people didn't learn the name of the man who'd been hit.

// MISSION DEPLOYMENT ROSTER //

1) (0-6) Colonel Killinger, J.
2) (0-3) Full Lieutenant (Captain) Moretti, M.
3) (E-6) Staff Sergeant Dennis, P.
4) (E-4) Corporal Travis, T.
5) (E-4) Corporal Makuti, E.
6) (E-3) Lance Corporal Harris, V.
7) (E-3) Lance Corporal Gurrovo, B.
8) (E-2) Private First Class Tymol, Y.
9) (E-2) Private First Class Gregory, H.
10) (E-1) Private Cantoom, W.
11) (E-1) Private Winhelm, A.
12) (E-1) Private Xavier, I.
13) (E-1) Private Finston, K.

// END ROSTER //

John handed the ONI agent his TacPad with the roster loaded up. One could click the names and load a personal file, but the ONI agent probably wasn't interested in that. Killinger wanted the man to know the names of the Orbital Drop Shock Troopers he was working with, so if they did start to call him out the Navy Full Lieutenant could reply back in tone. Technically, the Full Lieutenant had the authority of a Marine Captain.

"In case," Killinger said, pointing over conspicuously with his thumb, "they get a little out of hand."

Killinger could easily handle them, easily, but he also wanted to make sure the ONI Agent had the information about the men too. Not only could the man write them up for insubordination, but he could also end their careers in a snap of his finger if he really wanted too.

"By the way, Lieutenant, what do you know about me?" The Colonel asked, grabbing magazines from the pre-positioned crates of weapons, ammo and supplies. He didn't see any weapons on the ONI Agent, but the Colonel was sure the man could handle himself.

"Silencers! Don't forget them!" The Colonel said loudly for a second, knowing the ODST's wanted action anyways. One of them groaned and picked up a MA5K and spun a -14 MM silencer onto the barrel. Killinger himself was equipped with a MA5K and a Case-less M7/SOCOM variant, one with a silencer already attached to the weapon - but only issued to ODST's and other special operators - like the MA5K.

"Not a bad rifle," Killinger said, looking back at the Lieutenant as he slapped a magazine into the MA5K's bullpup designed MAG well. "You got any gear yet?" He added, not noticing any weapons on the Lieutenant's person.

[Llau]

ONI Field Agent, Lieutenant Michelangelo “Mike” Moretti




"Well, I'll be honest. I don't know much about you," Moretti heard him say. "I know you're a computer specialist - which is why you were assigned to this unit..."

Nodding back, he lowered his hand after the Colonel, and replied, “That I am.” He glanced down at what the Colonel was giving him, and took the TAC-PAD with the roster from Killinger when he was offered to see who all the ODST’s were.

"By the way, Lieutenant, what do you know about me?"

While he read each personnel file, he answered him and simply stated, “Well enough to know that you will get the job done no matter what.” He returned his attention to the Colonel as he handed the TAC-PAD back when the man asked him another question.

"You got any gear yet?"

“Yeah, I have some gear,” He pointed over at the Pelican. “It’s on the Pelican. M7S Submachine Gun and the M6C; both with suppressors. My usual weapons of choice.” He paused, checking pouches that were strapped to his belt and thigh where he kept his tech tools and extra cartilages one more time before heading over to the awaiting Pelican.

“Ready to do this?”

[MrKill]

Colonel Johnathon B'Sheau Killinger
UNSCS Sratoga
Pelican Bay One

“Yeah, I have some gear," The ONI agent said, “It’s on the Pelican. M7S Submachine Gun and the M6C; both with suppressors. My usual weapons of choice.” The man added.

“Ready to do this?”

Killinger inhaled sharply and acquired a few more mags for his M7/Socom and nodded. "Are we truly ever ready for anything that puts our life at risk?" The Colonel asked politely as he moved towards the pelican, brushing the MARINES stenciling on the landing gear with his fingers. "For a soldier the instinct comes naturally." Killinger added, ducking under the landing skid, appearing on the other side. "But I can't seem to ever be truly ready fighting the Covenant."

"Unless you're an ODST," He said louder, getting the attention of a few men. "Then you're just bat shit crazy and don't care if you live or die." He added, grinning. An ODST, the Staff Sergeant, playfully flipped him a half of a bird, not even a full one.

"You know I'm a Colonel, right?" John replied to the Staff Sergeants playful gesture. He returned the Colonel's comment with flipping him a full bird. "That's better," Killinger playfully said, examining the pelican. It had been painted black.

"Okay, Marines!" Killinger shouted, standing up on the lip of the troop bays ramp for the pelican. "Local time it's 2300 hours and most of the insurrectionists are probably sucking their bottles and napping like the pussies they are. They had to program auto-defense turrets and an AI just to feel safe. Not you, however. The only safety you have is the Marine next to you and the ammo in your pouch, and on this mission, you ability to shut the fuck up and stay that way." Killinger said.

"Hand signals only when we are on the perimeter of the base. Since the insurrectionists have a SMART AI it's likely our communications channels will be insecure. If you have to say something over the comms make it quick and normal toned but remember to not include mission specific details. Once we secure and neutralize the control center, and depending on the situation, comms talk may be restored."

"Moretti, I know you can handle yourself, but this man is a must survive asset and is critical to the operations success, unless any of you knew how to hack ONI at the age of eleven? No? Didn't think so. You all need to know there is a nuclear device primed and ready to detonate the moment an alarm is set off, and the AI is a top priority recover."

"We've also recently learned that there may, or may not be two high value targets within the subterranean base, however that is a Tertiary Objective and was not listed on your briefing notes since it is not as important as recovering the AI and disarming the nuclear device. The only way the Tertiary Objective is activated is if Moretti can re-program the AI with the tools he has."

"Understood!?" Killinger said a tad louder.

"Yes, sir!" The ODST's replied.

"Get on the pelican!" Killinger snapped with authority as he jumped down, moving towards Moretti.

[Llau]

ONI Field Agent, Lieutenant Michelangelo “Mike” Moretti




"Are we truly ever ready for anything that puts our life at risk?"

“No,” Moretti responded, standing near the end of the Pelican’s ramp. “But that’s why we have guns and ammo. And tactical smart...I hope.”

He watched the little interaction between Killinger and the Staff Sergeant who went by the name of Dennis P., and chuckled a little in amusement before walking over toward the back to sit by his backpack he brought with him to take out his SMG and handgun. He secured the handgun in the holster around his right thigh, and then he held his SMG in his hand.

He sat down and waited for everyone else to sit so the Pelican can take off. He looked over to the Colonel as the man moved toward him.

“Colonel,” he explained, “I can find a way to get those auto-defense turrets to not fire on our asses. It won’t be easy and it’ll take some time because of ‘Rusty’. Hacking and battling an AI is very difficult, but not impossible when you have the right tools to do it. He’ll be fighting back against my attacks on the turrets system, and try to keep control of them. Once I can gain control, I’ll have the Prowler’s AI keep Rusty from regaining control. It won’t be smooth sailing from there though. We’ll still have to deal with any of the guards roaming around outside.” He checked his TAC-PAD, and studied the outer and inner perimeter of the base. “You and the ODSTs can do some recon while I’m doing my thing. It’ll take a while - probably 20 minutes, give or take.”

He then added as he returned to look at him, “I’ll also re-purpose those camera drones, but after the turrets are taken care of. Those turrets are my first priority. Once we’re inside...well, it’s a whole other ball game, as you know. Until then, I suggest that you can everyone else sit tight once we're close enough to the location.”

[MrKill]

Colonel Johnathon B'Sheau Killinger
UNSCS Sratoga
Pelican Bay One

Killinger scratched his head slightly, half confused - half impressed. He actually had an idea what the ONI Agent was talking about. He produced his datapad this time, which had a recap of his notes on the briefing. He studied it for a moment as he took a seat across from the Moretti. The watched as the ramp to the troop bay closed, hissed slightly as the room pressurized, and what was great was that it was silent.

"According to my notes," Killinger said, twisting the datapad over, "the connections are all hardwired, meaning we have to get into the control room and take it over from there - which is a good thing because that means they'd need to use that same hardwire connection we used to override the counter hacks... So they'd need the control point to counter hack our counter hack, if that makes any sense." Killinger said, half surprised again.

"Can you engage the camera drones on the ground from up here? Use the Sratoga's sensors if you have too, we've got the clearance, to boost your signal. We could use the drones as a first recon before we even hit the atmosphere of the planet." Killinger suggested.

"As for the AI, is it wise? If the AI wins it'll probably trigger the alarm..." Killinger paused, musing over the assumed result. "Actually, it wouldn't be half that bad. Two insurrectionist leaders killed on a planet that is prone to insurrectionist movement - but it would be a insurrectionist victory any way you look at it. I have the utmost faith in your abilities, but you need to know for sure." Killinger continued.

The Pelican's engines started to warm up.

[Llau]

ONI Field Agent, Lieutenant Michelangelo “Mike” Moretti



“I’m sure, Colonel,” he answered, “I know it may sound incredibly stupid and crazy, but I don’t want any of these guys or you getting killed because of those turrets. Unless you have body armour that can withstand those turrets, we don't exactly have any other option here to get passed them. We won’t be able to get inside the base as long as those turrets are active anyway. So trust me and my abilities, sir.”

He sighed a little, resting his elbows on his knees when he leaned over some. “That’s what the UNSC admiral’s notes say, Colonel,” He glanced down at his TAC-PAD, and peered at his own briefing from ONI. “It’s possible to hack and gain control of the turrets from the outside, but uh...truthfully...It’ll be a brief control on our side. That’s the good news...”

There was a long pause. He looked away from the Colonel for a moment, and then returned his gaze. “Here’s the bad news,” Taking a deep breath, he explained, “The hacking will override the turret’s systems, rendering them useless, but only for...less than three minutes until Rusty can flush the viruses and trojans that he’ll have to deal with within the system, and then he’ll reboot the system and regain control.”

He shook his head. “The less than three minutes is all I can do from out there, even with the Prowler’s AI helping me out with it,” He shrugged helplessly. “It’s going to be a mad dash to the entrance. I hope you like running from cover-to-cover without being detected. At least it’s night time...as long as we stay out of well-lit areas, we should be fine - somewhat.”

"Can you engage the camera drones on the ground from up here? Use the Sratoga's sensors if you have too, we've got the clearance, to boost your signal. We could use the drones as a first recon before we even hit the atmosphere of the planet."

“Buddy, nice!” He complimented, nodding at his suggestion. “I sure can use the Statoga’s sensors in order to hack those drones and use them to see how many guards are located outside and everything else we need to know. I’ll tap their cameras into our TAC-PAD’s. Give me a few...moments...”

He quickly started typing on his TAC-PAD on his arm, punching up a screen to start hacking into the camera drone’s signal once he brought up the UNSC’s ship’s sensors. Code after code scrolled down his screen as he typed them up to repurpose the drones.

Once he had control of the drones, he could see what the enemy could see, and said, “I’ll start feeding them false video recordings of each zone to keep them from suspecting anything wrong with their feeds.” 

About two minutes later, he announced to the Colonel and the ODSTs. “We’re in. Each of the drones are in different areas around the base. You can look around with the camera, just don’t move the drone from their area the Insurrectionists put them at.”

[MrKill]

Colonel Johnathon B'Sheau Killinger
Space
Pelican

"Well that," Killinger said, looking at his screen. He rotated the camera drone and carefully examined the perimeter. On screen he saw the six Pelican's landed side-by-side with each other, and they looked position to respond quickly to a perimeter breach - almost like they wouldn't detonate the explosives without maximizing losses to the attacked. "Well that puts a snag in my plan." Killinger continued.

He almost had to wonder if the Insurrectionists were going to be hit by the Covenant and not the UNSC.

Then again... They were Insurrectionists.

"I can't see anyone walking alone the permiter with this drone," Killinger announced. "But all six pelican's are accounted for. Standard UNSC Pelicans in a woodland camo pattern." Killinger added. "Glad we didn't pretend to be one of the stolen pelicans."

[Llau]

"Improvise. Adapt. Overcome." Moretti thought aloud as he studied the Pelicans.

"What do you think of deception, Colonel?" He grinned a little. "Say...a little lie of Covenant scouting the planet...fed to the Insurrectionists via the Prowler?" He went on, "They might send one or two Pelicans out to investigate - leaving less problems to worry about, but it's your call. I'm just here for the high-tech stuff."

[MrKill]

Colonel Johnathon B'Sheau Killinger
Space
Pelican

The Colonel considered for a moment what the Moretti had to say. He liked the suggestion, but almost forgot that their pelican was black instead of woodland pattern. He, in the end, had to reject the offer. Too many risks and if the Covenant did show up they'd probably detonate the nuclear device anyways.

"I don't think we can risk it," Killinger said, scratching his nearly bald head. "We have a primary objective and we need to get it, however..." Killinger paused. "Once that is completed and we are off the base you can do that. It would buy us some time to egress to our extraction point, wouldn't you agree?"

Killinger continued to look at the tac-pad. A single guard had swept a flashlight across the pelicans. The hum of a red engine in the distance. The Colonel zoomed in the camera and tried to get a better picture, but the object was too far away.

Could it have been the Longsword they had captured? If it wasn't the Longsword could it have been the deadly Sparrow-Hawk that they had also captured? What ever it was - it was moving away at a rapid pace. It was gone by the time the Colonel could reach maximum zoom, so it was going fairly fast.

[Llau]

ONI Field Agent, Lieutenant Michelangelo “Mike” Moretti



"I don't think we can risk it," Killinger said, scratching his nearly bald head. "We have a primary objective and we need to get it, however..." Killinger paused. "Once that is completed and we are off the base you can do that. It would buy us some time to egress to our extraction point, wouldn't you agree?"

The ONI agent thought about it, and then nodded his head when he thought more about doing what he wanted to do after they’ve completed their objectives, instead of at the start. He had plenty of ideas, but it’s nice to discuss it with someone that wasn’t a part of ONI beforehand.

“Hmm, agreed,” Moretti then asked, “I take it that you are coming up with a plan, then?” While adding, “Because once we’re down there, you know we’ll be on our own with radio silence until we can take full control of the base and eliminate all hostiles." There was a long pause as he wondered what Killinger was looking at on the TAC-PAD as he looked around with the drone. 

"What's wrong? Did you see something?" He glanced down at his own TAC-PAD, but didn't really see anything, other than the turrets and the stolen Pelicans. 

[MrKill]

Colonel Johnathon B'Sheau Killinger
Space
Pelican

"I..." Killinger paused, "Yeah. I know I saw either the Longsword or Sparrow-Hawk they have moving outbound, towards our insertion point. We're going to have to run as silent as we can, they've got at least one of their primary offensive aircraft in the air." Killinger said.

"The Sparrow-Hawk is VTOL, right?" An ODST asked. Killinger huffed - some kind of ODST he was. He thought the ODST's also KNEW everything, too, but it was just proven wrong by the ODST's question.

"Yes, Corporal. The Sparrow-Hawk is a VTOL aircraft and is extremely dangerous. If it sees the pelican on descent it will tear us to threads and beyond." Killinger said honestly. He wasn't an officer that mocked up and hid the truth. If the Sparrow-Hawk did see the pelican it would tear into it like the dinosaur of ancient history tore into their prey.

"And Moretti," The Colonel said, lighting his tone. "Just until we can secure our radio channels." Killinger added, correcting the Lieutenant. He had said that the needed to eliminate all hostiles. Killinger, of course, could have misinterpreted.

[Llau]

ONI Field Agent, Lieutenant Michelangelo “Mike” Moretti

"The Sparrow-Hawk is VTOL, right?" An ODST asked.

Moretti slowly looked over in disbelief at the ODST corporal, and slowly shook his head in disapointed. He was about to respond to his question in a rather sarcastic manner about the Sparrow-Hawk being a giant insect the size of the Pelican they were riding in, but stopped and allowed Killinger to answer the ODST’s question.

"Yes, Corporal. The Sparrow-Hawk is a VTOL aircraft and is extremely dangerous. If it sees the pelican on descent it will tear us to threads and beyond." Killinger said honestly.

The ONI agent slowly shook his head again, wondering what exactly they were teaching to these new soldiers; unless, this one never paid attention when they were training. He returned his attention to the Colonel, and gave him a look that said, ‘Seriously? This is the people who I have to trust my life to on this operation?’

"And Moretti," The Colonel said, lighting his tone. "Just until we can secure our radio channels."

Moretti nodded at that, and then said, “That Sparrow-Hawk is going to make this mission a lot more complicated. It’ll quickly become FUBAR if we’re not careful...”

He sighed, wondering if she should do something about it or not, but Killinger didn’t seem like the type to risk things. Of course, he didn't blame him for not wanting to be risky. He didn't want to risk anything either to cause the enemy to activate that nuke, but with AI they re-programmed and the stolen Pelicans and possibly a Sparrow-Hawk, it's going to be hard to do this mission without something happening. Sometimes, you had to think outside the box and finish a mission via any means necessary - soldiers were expendi -. 

'Whoa, whoa, whoa...careful, Mike...' He stopped himself. That's ONI's thinking...not his.

[MrKill]

Colonel Johnathon B'Sheau Killinger
Space
Pelican

"The Sparrow-Hawk has a weapon inventory that could make this bird look like a piece of Swiss cheese in the most literal sense," Killinger commented. It was true. The Sparrow-Hawks Gauss Canon, or sometimes canons would tare through the armor of the Pelican - they were mini-MAC's after all in a war where the UNSC's Warship MACs could disable a much more larger and armored Covenant warship... But they were also much bigger, but the same principle was applied. "I'm not positive we'd be able to even say FUBAR if it got us in their targeting sight."

The Colonel sighed knowing that he'd have to take the risk of orbital decent, thus detection, to get to the planet. He nodded. "Proceed, flight lieutenant." The Colonel said into his boom microphone. He heard the engines throttle up within the passenger compartment.

"Here we go," Killinger said as the pelican started shaking. They had begun the orbital decent. "Keep your fingers crossed!"

[Llau]

ONI Field Agent, Lieutenant Michelangelo “Mike” Moretti


“It’s okay,” He replied, sitting back as the Pelican started to descend. “I’m pretty sure we can squeeze in the word, ‘Fuck!’ instead if it gets us into its targeting sight.” He smiled grimly at that.

The shaking continued, and he took several deep breaths as he waited for the rough trip down to the planet to finish. One thing he hated when riding in a Pelican. The shaking from the turbulence, but most of all, the feeling of the unknown; like whether or not they will make it to the LZ, or leaving an LZ.

“I think we’d need more than luck right now, sir,” He sighed.

[MrKill]

Colonel Johnathon B'Sheau Killinger
Space
Pelican

"If you can say the word 'fuck' then we can probably say 'mother' in front of it," Killinger said - grinning. Hopefully Moretti would get the joke. Killinger knew his humor wasn't the best but at least he cracked jokes, unlike other officers of his rank who were all older then him... The vast majority at least. The average officer who went to OCS, who retried at 65, was only a Lieutenant Colonel. "We're painted black and the pelican isn't shooting down through the atmosphere rather then gliding down towards the surface."

An ODST shuffled and took off her helmet. She wiped some sweat away and breathed heavily. It was getting hotter in the pelican and everyone knew it. The ODST's were probably cooking in their heavier uniforms. Normally they'd have a temperature control within the suit of armor that kept their chest cooler, but it didn't do a lot. It only made sure that their bodies stayed between the temperature it needs to stay in. If it went colder or warmer it was a bad thing.

"We'll be fine." Killinger said.

[Llau]

ONI Field Agent, Lieutenant Michelangelo “Mike” Moretti


"If you can say the word 'fuck' then we can probably say 'mother' in front of it,"

Moretti slowly cracked a smile at that, and let out a small chuckle.

“Famous last words...hopefully we won’t have to have any, Colonel,” He breathed, feeling like he was in an oven. “Although, ‘shit, shit, shit, shit’ would be mine, too be honest, but in Italian. So, it would be me repeatedly saying, ‘Merda!’”

He laughed quietly, shaking his head in amusement before wiping his sweaty forehead, and muttered, “Santa merda, è caldo qui dentro.” (Holy shit, it’s hot in here.”)

"We're painted black and the pelican isn't shooting down through the atmosphere rather than gliding down towards the surface."

“Who knew black would be a horrible choice for descending into an atmosphere,” He shook his head a little. “Of course, I think it’s the planet’s atmosphere fucking up the Pelican, or the Flight-Lieutenant isn’t a really good pilot.”

“Hey,” The pilot retorted into his headset. “I heard that.”

“Good…” Moretti then asked, “Which was I right about, Flight-Lieutenant?”

“Shut-up, spook,” The man responded in annoyance through grit teeth. “I’m doing as best as I can.”

“Well, do better because I, for one, didn’t bring any supplies to make smores back here.”

[MrKill]

Colonel Johnathon B'Sheau Killinger
Space
Pelican

Killinger has his right eye-brow raised through the entire time the Full Lieutenant Moretti and the Flight Lieutenant has their vocal exchange. A building anger, hot and ready to burst quicker then it should have built up. The pelican pilot had insulted the ONI officer. John had to admit he didn't like some of the ONI operatives he had met, but Moretti seemed alright and he most certainly could respect the ONI agent.

He coughed once and stood, balancing between the vibrating pelican and the turbulence. He approached the canopy, opened the door - and slid in tightly before closing it again. He would reprimand the Pelican pilot. He was technically under the same chain of command as the pilot was a Marine Pilot and not an airforce pilot so John was well within his authority to discipline the officer.

"Lieutenant?" The Colonel said.

"What!" The man snapped back, likely controlling more words. Killinger shut down his microphone before continuing. This was off the record - between him and the Lieutenant. He knew the mans radio was still working but Killinger was not going to tolerate disrespect.

"If you have something to say about the Office of Naval Intelligence and their organization," The Colonel begun. "Stow it and shove it up your ass until the man has left the pelican. You are talking to the equivalent of a Marine Captain so show some fucking respect." The Colonel said.

"Fuck the Off-"

"Excuse me, Lieutenant? I don't think you know how to listen. Don't make me shove my size fourteen boot up your fucking ass, Marine, because I will and I enjoy little bitches squealing like pigs when they learn I will," Killinger threatened. "If you speak out of line again I'll have you swabbing my personal shit with your god damned toothbrush... Do you understand?"

"Yes sir," The Lieutenant said. "I do."

"Good, now straighten this bird up!"

Killinger returned to the troop bay and took his seat again with an iron face. He did what he had too. They were all on the same side here facing an enemy that was extremely powerful and pushing the human race closer to extinction by the month. Arguments and disagreements about who some one serves under can wait.