Isolated IC

[MrKill]

Colonel Johnathon B'Sheau Killinger
Marine Forward Operating Base 'Alpha'
Command Tent

"The Corvette came in and destroyed the rest of the satellites in orbit. We've lost SATCOM," A Sergeant across the holotable said. Killinger had just returned from recovering from the minor cases of multiple delays associated with hypothermia - a consequence of being shot and using a shirt to dress the wound... But now he was operating well enough to continue duties. He had taken command from Captain Cooper, who had returned from the operation within the city and taken command from Second Lieutenant Mkvenner. Command was going around like musical chairs. "We've been in the dark since then." The Sergeant finished.

Captain Cooper and Second Lieutenants Mkvenner and McCauley were huddled around the holotable. Killinger had a hot cup of coffee in his hands, the steam from the cup swirling around in the light breeze that entered the command building. The tent flaps were open in order to 'cool down' the command building. It generated quite a bit of heat when the holotable was activated, and Killinger had it activated at the moment.

Tactical unmanned ground sensors, or TUGS, were littered around the area and wired directly to the holotable now - a bonus to having available fuel to expend. A few animals had entered the perimeter but nothing else had been reported. If anything not human entered the circle the TUGS had created the holotable would snap on and each officer would be informed via a message to their neural lace. In fact, that's why they were all there. A wolf or something had crossed the line.

But that was the limit of their abilities with the holotable. Killinger had sent a pelican on a high altitude thermal imaging reconnaissance run, but he wasn't sure if the pelican had even moved yet. He knew the crew of the bird would have to equip one of the seven sensor disrupting electronic countermeasures to remain undetected. ECM (Electronic Counter-Measure) packages were enabled once the Corvette had entered the planets atmosphere.

The ECM's would ensure the Marines and other personnel at FOB Alpha they'd remain undetected for at least the next week. The only way the Covenant were going to find out where FOB Alpha was located was by searching through the abandoned forward operating base 'Viper'. That was the reason every officer and a few of the NCO's were gathered at the table. The NCO's were likely platoon Sergeants and Company Sergeants... Killinger's Regimental Sergeant as well.

"Okay, Marines. FOB Viper has a map of FOB Alpha's location. Intel suggest that the Covenant know about it and were mobilizing before the Covenant Corvette disabled our eyes in orbit." Killinger said. The holotable loaded an image of 'Sat 3/NTHREG's' last live feed data. Covenant soldiers appeared to be forming an organized unit. "As you can see... it clearly looks like they are gathering forces to move towards the abandoned base. We've still got to manage for another two days down here."

The Colonel cleared his throat and sighed. He didn't like, not one bit, about anything he was going to say.

"Mkvenner, McCauley - I'm deploying you. I've got to stay back this time, Lieutenants. I'm still recovering from hypothermia and would be a liability during combat. Your objectives are to secure any data that may contain maps. Computers, tablets, tactical pads, data-pads and even paper. The command center would probably be the best bet for the majority of that information," Killinger said. A map of the FOB appeared on the holotable. A blossoming explosion rocketed from the FOB. "Once that data is purged you need to set the self destruct and pull back. You'll be deployed on the two Albatrosses we have so your platoons may deploy in their fullest. We're launching the two Longswords we have parked to cover your asses." Killinger finished.

"Any questions?"

[BetaWülf]

Garatus watched from a rooftop as the city below burned, any humans would either be killed by the blaze or forced out into the open, his pack had set the city ablaze and he was reveling in it. His pack had taken minor damage when the Humans raided the Walmart for supplies, they retreated to another building but not before Garatus managed to lop a Humans head off, though Garatus did lose a Minor during the retreat, much to his ire.

Cad was with him on the rooftop since they had arrived, the blaze lighting Garatus's eyes with an uncharacteristic malice, the flames casting shadows and making everything and everyone seem black and red.

"The Humans burn in this most glorious fire, I feel that much closer to Godhood Cad, and it is beautiful!" Garatus said with Zeal in his voice as he stood there and watched as the blaze roared up.

Garatus watched the snow melt, cars char, bodies burn and plants wilt, when he became a God he would be a Chaos God without doubt, his soul blazed as well. A fire of hate and tormenting glee that he had forcefully never indulged before, it now filled him with an energy of... of... of destruction, an energy to destroy, yes, that is what it was.

[Soulstep]

Second Lieutenant Geoff Alexander Blake Mkvenner
Planet 'Balls Freezer'
At the Marine FOB, recieving deployment orders.

"Mkvenner, McCauley - I'm deploying you. I've got to stay back this time, Lieutenants. I'm still recovering from hypothermia and would be a liability during combat. Your objectives are to secure any data that may contain maps. Computers, tablets, tactical pads, data-pads and even paper. The command center would probably be the best bet for the majority of that information."

"Yes sir," Geoff simply replied, almost glad he wasn't the one staying at base this time. Go to FOB Viper, raze it to the ground, get out. Sounded simple enough. He doubted it would be anything but. When asked if there were any questions, he shook his head, his unloaded BR-55 hanging loose in his hands.

His platoon's uninjured Marines were resting in the barracks for now. During guard duty, 8 of his men had needed to be pulled out due to hypothermia, and were currently beeing seen to in triage. That left Geoff with 28 Marines, including his 3 Sergeants. Hopefully that would be enough to secure the data before the covies reached them.

The thought of that made him pause, and he spoke up. "Sir, will the dropships be pulling back to Alpha once we're on the ground, or will they be staying at the DZ? If the Covenant find us, they'd surely frag the Albatrosses first."

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


Petty Officer 2nd Class Selina McGreggor
Venom-5 Pilot
Planet 'Balls Freezer'
At FOB Alpha, taking off.

"Venom-5 approaching FOB Viper, ETA 1 minute, thermals clear for now," Selina reported, clicking off the mic and keeping the Pelican stable in the increasingly shit weather. Briggs had no reason to be in the hold, so their crew chief stood behind the co-pilot's chair, alternating between glaring at the window, thermals, and Crewman Alvarez.

It was a dull job, but at least it was easy. Fly over FOB Viper, look for alien bastards, report back to command and get the fuck out. Selina's biggest issue right now was keeping warm in near-blizzard conditions. Pelicans weren't exactly designed for comfort, with the cabin temperature slowly dropping as the hull froze up in the snow.

[Deleted]

Second Lieutenant Robert McCauley,
Commanding Officer, Second Platoon, Alpha Co.
FOB Alpha

After getting to FOB Alpha, Robert had quickly made sure his men were fed and were getting warm before he entered the command tent for the briefing. He listened to the colonel talking about the upcoming mission. After talking about the insertion by albatross and after the man asked whether there were questions, Robert spoke up. Looking at the colonel, he said "Sir, we are getting inserted by those big, bulky craft so that our platoons may be deployed as a whole. However, I am down one squad, and three men from my remaining two squads. Therefore, I think it would be better to just deploy me and what remains of my platoon by pelican, have it stay closeby while we destroy intelligence, and then get us out quick. Sir"

[Guardian Cat of Yappa's]

    Walking into the main command hub where the CO's where having their mission briefing, Drake was here to deliver the idea of the NCO's. Send a squad of marines out to target designate the corvette for an orbital mac strike. He was planning to volunteer his squad for the op if necessary. He didn't like the idea but they had to do something about that corvette. 

    "Any questions?"

    "Sir, we are getting inserted by those big, bulky craft so that our platoons may be deployed as a whole. However, I am down one squad, and three men from my remaining two squads. Therefore, I think it would be better to just deploy me and what remains of my platoon by pelican, have it stay closeby while we destroy intelligence, and then get us out quick. Sir"



    Their gonna destroy FOB Viper, a smarter move and maybe a part of that force can splinter off and get info on the corvette. 
    "Colonel, Lieutenant " Saluting as he addressed them both "Your platoon is done a squad sir, my men can replace them. Since we were wondering what to do about the corvette, I was gonna volunteer to take my squad out to get targeting info and thermal scans of the corvette. So the Iowa can hit it with a Mac strike from orbit. After destruction of Viper is complete, my team can reroute and set up to watch the corvette." Whether or not the Colonel approved, Drake hoped he send them in to fill up that company, because he wanted to watch that ice hole burn to the ground.        



                            

[MrKill]

Colonel Johnathon B'Sheau Killinger
Marine Forward Operating Base 'Alpha'
Command Tent

Three questions in a matter of seconds. John listened and repeated the questions in his head so he could respond to the questions the best way possible. He took a moment to gather a response to the two Lieutenants and Sergeant that had asked questions. John clenched and un-clenched his jaw muscles as he thought.

"Firstly, you don't have to worry about the Albatrosses getting destroyed. I'm deploying the two longsword interceptors to cover your guys asses out there. They'll protect the albatrosses with their lives if they have too," John said. "Don't underestimate those pilots skill. In atmosphere our Longswords are better than banshees, seraphs and any dropship the Covenant can send. You'll be safe."

"Secondly, I'm deployed the Albatrosses so the Platoons have some armor support. One of the Albatrosses will be carrying a M850 Grizzly Main Battle Tank while the other will be carrying two M12 Warthogs. They need to stay close to the FOB so you guys can load the support units the way they were deployed." John said, smiling. Oh he wished he could be there, especially with a M850 Grizzly Main Battle Tank being present. They, technically, had two here at the forward operating base but John wasn't willing to risk the perimeter by sending more than one tank. They only have four - sending one was risky enough. It would be a significant reduction in defensive abilities if it were to be destroyed.

"Thirdly," John said. "An in atmosphere MAC round from an SSAK-79, the MAC systems on board the Iowa, would crack the crust of this planet. Anyone within proximity to the Corvette would be completely annihilated by it. It ain't no mini-mac those things carry. The only ships rated for in atmosphere MAC discharges is a Frigate, even then the charge is at less than a percent." John said. While the idea would absolutely destroy the Covenant, this was still a UNSC colony and one with a titanium nine none-the-less.

"Any more questions, gentlemen?" The Colonel finished. "This is a briefing, don't be afraid to ask. Information can save your life but I need to know what is on your mind so you can find out that information."

[Faclan]

(So many humans against BetaW and myself o: . )

Cad, Kig-Yar Major.
Resupplied and out for revenge.

"Yes Brother, the Heathen Humans will be purged in this Holy Fire!"

Cad indeed stood beside the massive hulk of Garatus, a small testament to the benefit of each race of the Covenant working together, both had helped the other to survive the past several weeks, and both were still alive to see the human city burn under the Holy Fire of destruction. The human firearms Cad had looted from the Walmart left behind when they were told a Covenant ship was coming to offer support, the weapons serving their purpose but being untrained in the firings of them made them good for suppression at best. The Spiker he had been given had worked only a little better, but it kept the Humans away from their fortified store, if only that Black Armored coward had been there, Cad had a new crystal dagger just begging to be embedded deep within that Humans throat.

His newly requisitioned Needler and shield were strapped back to himself as well, and the ship had also brought food, the force of Covenant that were amassing to move toward the smaller human base both refitted and fed, and without empty bellies they could focus on the flames, and the righteous fury that would drive them onward toward victory!

Cad glanced back at the gathering troops, a few Ghosts and a Wraith tank would accompany them, the former for scouting and close support and the latter for the commander and long range fire. They all knew the humans were likely to be there, likely dug in and awaiting them to arrive, but they would be driven from their metal barricades and sandbags into the fire. Perhaps they should try to capture one, torture it to find their other bases on this frozen hell? He grinned evilly at that, looking over the fire as he waited for the command to move, he would explain that plan to Garatus when they got under way - the Kig-Yar still in his jacket as he patted his scarf and said a quick prayer as they all prepared.

[Guardian Cat of Yappa's]

   Sergeant Maximilian "Drake" Fields
Frozen Hell Ball
FOB Alpha, Trying to figure out their next move

      Listening as the Colonel addressed each member's question, Drake was satisfied with the response he got from the Colonel.

    "Alrightly then, so an orbital strike is out of the question. So sir do you have a plan for that corvette? " Curiosity sat in Drake's eyes as he looked to the Colonel. Before he could respone, Drake would ask one more this one directed towards both McCauley and Killinger. Since without the approval of each of them he couldn't proceed with the action. "Sir you didn't answer my other question, Permission to deploy with McCauley's platoon, if you don't mind Lieutenant, but since I was there at viper with you freezing my tail off. I would like to watch the dam place burn as well." 

    He noticed the other CO and wondered who it was. Probably that officer I received those orders from to go into town with.
Drake's mind started thinking about combat situations in case they did run into covvie forces. He didn't like to waste lives but sending a platoon in at half strength was as bad as wasting a full platoon.

(Sorry bout crap post will edit when I get to a computer later today.)

(Edit: Alright got around to it, sorry it took so long.)

[Soulstep]

Second Lieutenant Geoff Alexander Blake Mkvenner
Planet 'Balls Freezer'
At the Marine FOB, in a Q&A session with his boss.

Geoff nodded, satisfied with the answers. Knowing they had armour with them on this assignment was a big relief, as his platoon only had a couple of M41s for anti-vehicle duties. Even better, the armour was a damn Grizzly. Those things could take out entire platoons of Covenant soldiers alone, something he couldn't wait to see firsthand.

Not having anything more to contribute, he settled for checking the inside of his rifle hadn't frozen over and jammed. That was typically a pretty useful thing to do while before going into what was very likely a combat zone. A working gun supposedly improved your chances of killing aliens, or so he had heard. Although, thinking that, he did wonder what had happened to that Jackal, 'Spike' as they'd ended up calling him. He was almost certainly dead by now, but he still wondered.

Satisfied his BR-55 would indeed fire when he loaded it (and of course pulled the trigger), he returned to simply listening and observing the other officers, and that random NCO who had walked in on them, Geoff recognising the man only through his voice, which he'd last heard coming from a static-filled radio transmission.

[Deleted]

Second Lieutenant Robert McCauley,
Commanding Officer, Second Platoon, Alpha Co.,
FOB Alpha

Robert frowned as the colonel said that they were going in with the albatrosses, but he started to grin when the man said that the reason for that was that they were going in with the support of a grizzly and two warthogs. Then the same sergeant he had seen when his platoon was picked up from Viper spoke up, asking to be part of Robert's platoon. Robert looked at the man and said:" Well, sergeant, if you're so intent on freezing yer balls off instead of remaining here, nice and cozy, I am allowing you to join up on a temporary basis, as Tornado two-one. Provided the colonel approves.".

Then the young lieutenant turned back to the holotable, and looked at the holographic image of the Forward Operating Base. Then he said:" Allright, gentlemen. As you know, my platoon has spent nine days in that place, before we were picked up, including the time we spent guarding the evacuations from there. Now, as far as I know, our best bet would be to bring enough fuel to overload the electric systems and then to torch the place. The buidlings aren't your usual pre-fabs. Most of them are largely made of wood, so provided we throw some fuel around, it will give us a nice campfire before we bug out."

[MrKill]

Colonel Johnathon Killinger
Marine Forward Operating Base 'Alpha'
Command Tent

"It's fine with me, Sergeant." Killinger said. He could honestly care less where the Sergeant was. Marines were needed for the defense of FOB Alpha and also out there, in the cold, attacking Viper. If the Sergeant was at least doing something then it wasn't a problem - he needed to keep himself warm or he'd join the sick and dead that have died of hypothermia. "And FOB Viper was built with a self destruct system under the command building, so extra fuel won't be necessary." Killinger added. He mocked an explosion with his hands, slowly spreading them apart. A rather large explosive was under the dirt at Viper, a explosive large enough it would put the FOB in a crater. It wasn't a nuke, but it could have been classified as a small one.

A self destruct. They were planted on nearly all bases to stop critical information from being leaked out. It was an unfortunate turn of events but even the Covenant needed intelligence every once and a while.

"If that's all you're dismissed." Killinger said and walked over to one of the paper maps sprawled across a table. The two FOB's were highlighted, the UNSC and estimated Covenant strengths were written down, yellow lines indicated plot points before the city had begun ablaze.

Two more days, John thought to himself. And I get to see my kids again.

[Guardian Cat of Yappa's]

Sergeant Maximilian "Drake" Fields
Frozen Hell Ball
Getting ready to deploy one more time.

Nodding as both gave the okay, Drake watched intently as the colonel explained how they were gonna detonate the base. Hehe time for a big bang. Before leaving he would give both Killinger and McCauley a salute and address the lt.

"Sir I'll see you at the albatross."

Turning on his heels, his comm switching to his squad's mic, orders being issued to his squad leaders. 

"Irish, Endgame, Fixer, get your squads up and moving, We're going back to Viper." 

Checking his MA5C carbine, Drake was happy with the results he had, as he rushed over to the makeshit landing zone for the albatrosses, preparing a brief briefing in his head for his squad.

[Soulstep]

Second Lieutenant Geoff Alexander Blake Mkvenner
Planet 'Balls Freezer'
At the Marine FOB, about to be deployed.

"If that's all, you're dismissed."

Geoff saluted and promptly left the command centre. Fairly simple job, get in, destroy all data, get out, watch the place go boom.

Now they just had to wait for everything to go wrong.

"Tornado-Four, report to the Albatrosses in five. We're off to FOB Viper," he ordered over COMs. He'd explain more once they were assembled. His Marines began drifting towards the pads, arriving alone or in small groups. Eventually, once all of the combat-ready members of the platoon had arrived, they bundled onto the first Albatross, the one with the Grizzly MBT inside. Its crew were checking the bulky tank had been secured for the flight, it wouldn't do to have it slide around, crushing the Marines it was supposed to be escorting. Geoff emphasised with that a lot, seeing as he WAS one of those Marines.

"Alright, here's the mission Marines," Geoff begun, raising his voice as the platoon began strapping themselves in. "FOB Viper is full of UNSC intel, including our current position and force composition. Our objective is to get in there, and destroy every scrap of intel in that base, every page, every file. When that's done, we activate the base's self-destruct, and get the hell out. Any questions?"

A Marine behind him spoke up, one of the rookies of the platoon. "Sir, what's the tank for?"

"We suspect the Covenant are after the intel as we speak, in unknown force. The tank is to make sure they don't get it."

A chorus of "OORAH!" from the Marines indicated they approved of the idea.


Petty Officer 2nd Class Selina McGreggor
Venom-5 Pilot
Planet 'Balls Freezer'
At FOB Viper, snooping around.

"Venom-5 to Command, beginning recon pass. Standby for report."

Selina kept the Pelican reasonably high, attempting to keep them hidden in the blizzard. As far as she was concerned, all anyone on the ground should be able to see was snow. Positioning the camera in the direction the proximity alarms at Viper had been triggered in, the 3-man crew of Venom-5 began their scan.

"Let's see what we're up against here, then..."

[MrKill]

Due to lack of activity and general interest, Isolated, a member created RP mission is being closed down. Thank you to everyone that participated. Keep in mind that this was a canon event, thus your characters actually experienced what has happened.

On the time-table this is the most recent mission, nothing is (At the current time) passed the date this took place, which was late 2547. M6, however, will likely be ahead of this mission.