Xu sat down in his command chair and started the final checks. All gunboats were in position, all crew accounted for and all stations secure. As Xu was checking through his list, he was interrupted by the Comm Officer.
[color=#33CCFF]"Sir, there's a problem with the Metanov. It's cruise engines won't engage, Command has sent us the Social Credit as a replacement." "So the oldest Storm in the fleet is making an appearance? Great, just great."
The sarcasm dripped from his voice, he was clearly upset. Holding his head up with his left hand, he muttered to himself. In his mind, they had already failed this mission.
"Comm, Captain's check-in. Ready us for departure."
The officer obliged and the Gunboat Captains chirped in. The Captain of the SoCred seemed young, and the two electronic responses from the TALOS units was unnerving. However, Xu was satisfied that the fleet was ready to disembark.
"Helm, take us out. Comm, instruct the two TALOS boats to hold 5 clicks in front and the SoCred 5 clicks back. Xi'an and Stormfall on our port and starboard respectively. We'll hold that formation until we reach Omicron Alpha."
He sat back in his seat as the Dongfeng spooled its Cruise Engines and took off out of the system. It would take a few hours to reach Omicron Alpha, where the first of several challenges were awaiting. After an uneventful flight, they approached the Omicrons.
"Give me fleet-wide.
Soldiers, there is no turning back now. There are no reinforcements, there are no escape or rescue plans. We are all that there is and will be. Shortly we will jump to Alpha, then to O-82. Prepare for combat.
The whole ship darkened and red lights came on to symbolise action stations. The Dongfeng's weapons ports opened and charged as did each of the gunboats. The jumphole to Alpha rapidly approached and the two TALOS boats, which were now designated T-800 and T-1000 on the HUD, split to the left and right of the jumphole.
"We're go for incursion. All ships jump on our mark once we give the command."
The Dongfeng jumped into Alpha. There were a few patrols of Sabres about, however nothing that the Typhoon couldn't handle.
"Coast is clear, all units jump through. Charge Cruise Engines, take us to the Omicron-82 jump hole."
It was a nervy few minutes as the strike force reassembled and the next jumphole came into view.
"Jump as soon as we are able!"
The vortex of hyperspace whirled around the ship, shaking her and they arched from one system to another. The vortex was replaced with darkness and radiation alarms. Mere seconds later, the darkness was spoiled by plasma fire. The jumphole defences had kicked in and the Dongfeng came under sustained attack.
"Shields down to 75% sir, it's working!" "Move us away from here, target the weapon platforms and tell the fleet to jump through. We have the enemy's attention and we can take a lot more fire than they can."
"Not much inventory on such a mission Jacob, I don't expect to have a picnic in 82. Be glad I took you some things."
She removed her red power-armor from the top of her beg and AK style rifle followed.
She noticed his look "Don't even think about this one."
Lachina spent many hours from of free time sitting above this weapon or gathering parts for it. The core was a usual AK-74 now heavily modified with scope, red dot and even whole barrel exchanged. "If someone wants this gun he will have to kill me first - or rather try." She nodded back to the beg. "You should find some armor there too, apart from the guns, hope it will fit you, I haven't had a chance to measure you yet." She chuckled a little.
"Soldiers, there is no turning back now. There are no reinforcements, there are no escape or rescue plans. We are all that there is and will be. Shortly we will jump to Alpha, then to O-82. Prepare for combat."
She looked back to Jacob "I am going to get ready, where can I drop my things?"
In the cargo bay of the Stormfall, Kasheyev was conducting his own checks. The trio of concussive rounds on his webbing were digging into his left hip, in spite of the armour he'd donned. A worn Light Warfare Vest the nametag of its former owner, a man named Frederickson, still etched on the left breastplate. The armoured Vest's, commonly used by the Coalition's marines were derisively referred to as cheddar amongst the men; such was their tendency to gain holes. The KS48 combat shotgun strung across his shoulder was known more for its ability to create them.
Kasheyev had opted out of a sidearm, you either had time to shoot the enemy or you didn't. By the time you pulled a pistol free you'd have more holes then the LPI's pastry plate. The extra space had allowed him to carry a handful of specialised cartridges, as well as the standard six magazines. It wasn't likely that he'd have to shoot at anything more than a few paces away, but assumptions got people killed. Or at least, punched.
Viller's blow to Mendoza had taken the recruit by surprise. Not that he objected to it, Mendoza hadn't stopped whining since he stepped on the boat. Kasheyev hadn't expected such a show of aggression from the bruised woman, assuming her to be beaten, broken. He had to admire the strength of her convictions. He held no such reservations regarding Murray or Forge, the pair had proved their competence in Dublin. Not that Nikolai kidded himself that his opinion mattered an ounce. He was there to provide boots on the ground, and if need be, corpses.
The exhausted Conscript shook his head roughly, as if it would rid him of the thought. He would survive. He owed the Coalition that much. It was never the battle that truly terrified, it was the waiting. His weapon had been cleared a dozen times over, his webbing had received the same treatment. There were only so many times a person could sift through an MRE before they tried to suffocate themselves with the bag. His fingers drummed impatiently on the KS48's stock, beating a hollow rhythm of metal on flesh. How much longer would this take? He was still, at heart, an infantryman. Being cooped up in a cargo pod should have been second nature by now. Somehow though; you never got used to the atmosphere. Too confined.
His hand was halfway to his pocket, and the cigarette, before Lieutenant Murray's voice drifted down the decks. Nikolai swore under his breath, remembering her orders last time he'd smoked. He'd never understood quitting himself, what was the point when the next day could leave you scattered across the countryside?
He scowled, pacing up and down the bay like a caged tiger. He was almost glad when the Major's words drifted over the intercom. It was time.
"For the Coalition!" The call was multiplied tenfold by the other Recruits. With a grin that would have had Lieutenant Murray well and truly ready to inflict pain, Kasheyev returned to his seat, hurriedly pulling on his helmet.
Alexandra was sitting in her command chair, preparing herself for the upcoming tasks, while Volkov was busy flying the Xi'an. She had the pleasure to use a modified AK-74, a smaller type with a faster refire and she was known for using a lot of explosives, so a lot of grenades were hanging in her belt. She grinned once she was done and talked to Volkov.
'You know how to fly this baby, make sure to bring us there in one piece.'
'A piece of cake for me.'
Alexandra went to the cargo bay to join the recruits that she had selected for her strike team. Some of them seemed scared, some seemed to be filled with courage. However, all of them were already prepared for combat.
'Good. I hope you are worthy to fight for the Coalition, weaklings will not be tolerated. I trust all of you to be capable to use an assault rifle or a shotgun. Follow my orders and you will be fine, trust me I have no respect for persons who disregard orders. In other words, I will place a bullet between your eyes should you disobey my orders. I hope that's clear enough.'
She looked into their faces, they nodded silently and it seemed her message came through.
Jacob took out the armor. It was a size too big, but no matter. Would give him that much more room to move his limbs.
"When we get back, you can measure me for a better fit."
He motioned down a hallway.
"Down there to the left is my small quarters. Its open for your use."
Jacob grinned, then checked a feed to the hold. He hit the comm.
"Vitalievich, what type of peashooter is that? Get Sasha you dolt, like a Real soldier of the Coalition." He grinned and looked back at Lachina. "I had Roux pack some heavy firepower for you. Its in the Armory. And as for dinner, I'll buy once we get back to 52."
He grabbed his Vindicator and fed it a clip.
"Help out Villers as best you can. If you see me on that ship, then get ready to book your ass to the Xi'an or Social Credit."
General Aloysius Rhade was sitting behind his desk back on Zvezdny. He clearly looked distraught as he looked over the schematics of the Sickle and what had been completed.
Rhade eyed a particular section of the Sickle that had been completed not very long before the explosion.
The Assembly Section for his little pet project had been completed ahead of schedule it seemed.
"Well, lets hope the Muppets get my ship back. General Rhade-Rhade wants his toys."
Benjamin stood in the cargo hold of the CWP-Xi'an with his issued concussion rifle, a few grenades and a modified variant of a Detroit Shredder the last remaining family heirloom he had. His insides churned with anticipation and fear slowly began to creep into his mind. After all he had heard rumours from one of the so called patriots at the Coronado Interstellar Tavern where he had previously worked before seeing the truth and hearing it. Even the filth of Sirus was afraid of the evil that reputedly lay in omicron 82.
However the was one thing niggling at the back of his head 'Why send fresh recruits to something so valuable?' He had thought maybe lack of man power, upon the arrival of Captain Lebedewa, the niggling doubt in the back Benjamin's head subsided significantly. After Captain Lebedwa's brief talk about following orders and the generic deserters will be shot deal, the thought of any acts of cowardice completely dissipated. All that was left was the anticipation of what was coming. Upon receiving word from Captain Lebedewa he moved to a more aggressive stance after putting on a helmet and he stood waiting for the word to proceed into the target vessel.
Lachina nodded and headed to his quarters, where she swiftly dropped her T-shirt and jeans and took the armor corresponding with her hair and emphasizing her body. When she checked all the systems, she headed back to the bridge while preparing the helmet.
Villers? Heard of her but haven't had the chance to meet her yet, I will cover her ass and the meats of her.
She then took her knife, mags and a small pistol from the bag and put it on her belt. She hesitated for a few moments and then packed a three grenades too.
"I will check in the armory if I can find something fancy I could use."
Lachina put the helmet on and tapped the comm to check if it works.