Lachenburg
22-01-2005, 21:04
Midshipman Hans Belkaper gazed out over the side of his landing craft that was now quickly gliding throught the pale blue water. The early morning sunrise had now cast its gaze across the eastern horizon, creating a picturesque scene of yellows and oranges.
Nestled against the northern horizon was something the 1st Expeditionary force had just recently discovered: a new piece of land. Stretching in either direction for several miles were large roughly chisled cliffs with various shrubs here and there. Located on the far side of these cliffs was a small lagoon, draped in white sand made from the croal fragments and bones that had forever drifted in the ocean.
Oddly enough, this abandoned beach-head was the objective was for this morning. High Command had recently deemed the area suitable for habitation and now the 1st LKME was dispatched to secure it. Han still couldn’t imagine why anyone would want this place. Besides the few emerald grasses and shrubs, the place was rather barren. But he was only a Midshipman, so it wasn’t his job to complain.
By now, the 30 landing craft of the first wave were now approaching the shallow waters that bordered their landing site. Arraying themselves in a broad arrowhead formation, the landing craft awaited the coral beaches of this exotic place, lumbering in the deep water at 2 knots.
Within the small compartment of the Landing Craft, each man now stood with his rifle ready preparing for the eminent landing. Standing at the helm of Han’s platoon was Leutinant Klaus Kelber. Always an aggressive man, the 5’ 10” Kelber had a knack for leadership and had earned the respect of his fellow seamen. Now he braced himself against the hull of the landing craft, as he delivered his usual post-landing speech.
“Alright men, I want you out of this tin can as soon as possible. Make sure to keep low and advance as quickly as possible. If you slow down, you’re only going to be a sitting duck out there.”
“But sir, is their even going to be resistance when we land. I mean, the Captian said this place was uninhabited.” replied one of the lowly privates nestled in the back of the Landing Craft.
“Well….um…er…it could be Private. You always must be prepared for anything. Otherwise, you’ll come home in a body bag.”
“Yes sir.”
THUMP
The steel door facing the shore flew open and the men of 2nd Platoon rushed out into the knee deep water, along with their comrades. To their surprise, nothing awaited them on the beach besides a few seagulls and a turtle.
“Hell, looks like we won’t be doin to much fightin today.” A solider called out, breaking the perpetual silence of the shore.
“Guess so.”
By midday, several dozen more ships and landing craft arrived, carrying engineers and workers instead of soldiers. Even raw materials, like timber and steel soon came ashore, as workers began to assemble the first buildings of the newly established colony. Meanwhile, the soliders of Lachenburg traveled further inland to secure their newly gained claims.
Days Later
Hundreds of thousands of new posters now decked the walls of Lachenburg's buildings. Each one said 'Stake Your Claim!' or some other adventureous slogan, attracting the more daring crowds of Lachenburg. Soon, thousands of citizens were boarding ships bound for this new, exotic land. It seemed as if Lachenburgs first colony was going to prosper.
My Claim (http://img23.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img23&image=pushka25oy.png)
Nestled against the northern horizon was something the 1st Expeditionary force had just recently discovered: a new piece of land. Stretching in either direction for several miles were large roughly chisled cliffs with various shrubs here and there. Located on the far side of these cliffs was a small lagoon, draped in white sand made from the croal fragments and bones that had forever drifted in the ocean.
Oddly enough, this abandoned beach-head was the objective was for this morning. High Command had recently deemed the area suitable for habitation and now the 1st LKME was dispatched to secure it. Han still couldn’t imagine why anyone would want this place. Besides the few emerald grasses and shrubs, the place was rather barren. But he was only a Midshipman, so it wasn’t his job to complain.
By now, the 30 landing craft of the first wave were now approaching the shallow waters that bordered their landing site. Arraying themselves in a broad arrowhead formation, the landing craft awaited the coral beaches of this exotic place, lumbering in the deep water at 2 knots.
Within the small compartment of the Landing Craft, each man now stood with his rifle ready preparing for the eminent landing. Standing at the helm of Han’s platoon was Leutinant Klaus Kelber. Always an aggressive man, the 5’ 10” Kelber had a knack for leadership and had earned the respect of his fellow seamen. Now he braced himself against the hull of the landing craft, as he delivered his usual post-landing speech.
“Alright men, I want you out of this tin can as soon as possible. Make sure to keep low and advance as quickly as possible. If you slow down, you’re only going to be a sitting duck out there.”
“But sir, is their even going to be resistance when we land. I mean, the Captian said this place was uninhabited.” replied one of the lowly privates nestled in the back of the Landing Craft.
“Well….um…er…it could be Private. You always must be prepared for anything. Otherwise, you’ll come home in a body bag.”
“Yes sir.”
THUMP
The steel door facing the shore flew open and the men of 2nd Platoon rushed out into the knee deep water, along with their comrades. To their surprise, nothing awaited them on the beach besides a few seagulls and a turtle.
“Hell, looks like we won’t be doin to much fightin today.” A solider called out, breaking the perpetual silence of the shore.
“Guess so.”
By midday, several dozen more ships and landing craft arrived, carrying engineers and workers instead of soldiers. Even raw materials, like timber and steel soon came ashore, as workers began to assemble the first buildings of the newly established colony. Meanwhile, the soliders of Lachenburg traveled further inland to secure their newly gained claims.
Days Later
Hundreds of thousands of new posters now decked the walls of Lachenburg's buildings. Each one said 'Stake Your Claim!' or some other adventureous slogan, attracting the more daring crowds of Lachenburg. Soon, thousands of citizens were boarding ships bound for this new, exotic land. It seemed as if Lachenburgs first colony was going to prosper.
My Claim (http://img23.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img23&image=pushka25oy.png)