NationStates Jolt Archive

They were trying, god only knows they were trying. The enemy positions were proving to be much more dangerous than was orginally realised. They were making progress, to be sure, but it was costing. War was costly... but the lists in the morning would reflect that.

One of the sections had succeeded in getting close to an enemy bunker which had the rest of their platoon pinned down. The Corporal put a burst of fire into the bunker, silencing the gun for a moment, before the other fireteam of the section moved forward. They stood, two to each side of the door, before throwing a frag grenade inside. It tore through the people inside as they burst in, covering different firing lanes as they moved forward. The bunker was secure, and the Lance Corporal got on the radio,"Hello Zero, this is Delta-Seven, Position Tango is secure, over"

"Zero, roger that Delta Seven, out"

The barbarian leading the group was hit, by several rounds of energy. His amulet was not enough to protect him, and it was overloaded. Two of the dwarves returned fire, while the third quickly dug into the ice, to provide a bit of cover for the four of them. The barbarian was groaing, a hole burnth through his bullet-proof armour, and into his abdomen.

Alhuma saw that, and his eyes glinted. He lay down, and looked through his scope at the soldiers who had pinned down his small group. He took aim at one with goggles on, and aimed right for the lenses. He pulled th trigger, and without waiting to see what had happened, was rolling sideways looking for a new target.

The round had struck the 'lense', even though no such thing really existed on Snake Eater weaponry, and then richocheted into the man's cheek. The snowstorm was so fierce now, whipped up by the landing of ships and the heavy concentration of firepower, it was an extremely lucky shot. This battle could not be fought at range. But, the Snake troops all had an advantage, thanks to the wide array of built in sensors within their armour.

The men of The Zombies knew they were t a disadvantage. It would take time to fit their thermal scopes onto their weapons, but they knew they had to.

Alhuma quickly radioed to Spodor.

"This is Alh-ma *crackle* strafe enemy posi-ns. Over"

"OK.Out"

Spodor doubted he would be able to see in the snowstorm. He raced down, but had to pull up, he couldn't tell which troops were who. The infantry would have to fight alone for now.

OOC: Night

~snip"This is Gamma-Zero to Delta-Seven and team...good work, all."

He went to help in breaking through another location, spouting off a few more orders and suggestions to other troops while he was working.

"We have no layout, since the war began things have changed. The cities are under the icesheet, so bombarding them is pointless. Like I said, provide close air support to the landing troops, targetting frontline military installations and troops. Be aware, they are more than capable of putting a round through your armour. The gear is already being loaded onto your craft, and holoemitters have been rigged to provide you with some form of camoflague."

"Thank you, this equipment will be put to good use and hopefully returned. I would like to get down there and help cover the drop, unless that conflicts with your strategy."

"This is Gamma-Zero to Delta-Seven and team...good work, all."

He went to help in breaking through another location, spouting off a few more orders and suggestions to other troops while he was working.

"Roger that, Gamma-Zero," was the universal response. They were struggling, but they would keep fighting until the bitter end.

Who knew they'd fight so hard over a ball of ice?
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Tari was watching the battle. There weren't any good places for her to enter, but she didn't like this.

"It's not going well out there."

I want to do something...

Kelly walked down towards the hangar. The conversation with the admiral had been quite informative despite the lack of a detailed layout of the enemy positions.
Maybe we can use sonic charges to collapse some of their underground lairs.

As she rounded the final corner and strode out to the hangar, a welcome sight greeted her eyes. They had already completly outfitted the entire squadron for snow conditions with skids and everything. A piebald grey and white camo pattern had taken shape over the craft, and one appeared to be warming up its cloaking device. A damaged landing strut from one of the ships was in a pile on the floor, its replacement already in place.

"Joey, what's our status!" she called out towards the pile of ship parts. The pile appeared to move, and an extremely thin man squirmed his way out, his entire body covered in grease.

"Pretty good. This strut is still in decent condition it appears. Some of the fluid is leaking as you can tell, but all the componets fit together like they should."

Shaking her head, the flight leader threw up her arms. "I mean with us getting out there and doing something! What am I going to do with you?"

"Uhh... I would say something but I'd probably get pounded" he retorted, winking suggestively at her. Turning back to the pile of parts he continued on, ignoring her indignation. "I'll have this thing stowed in fifteen. Give me fourty five and I'll have it re-assembled in workable condition and stowed correctly, butfrom the looks of it, you want off this deck."

"You might could say that. Grab a few others and get this thing re-assembled. I want it in there correctly in fifteen. We're going to be running last minute checks and warming everything up while you guys work. We'll check everything out and radio up to the higher-ups and see if they want us to go in yet."

All of the personell went to their gunships and began warming them up, checking and rechecking everything. Almost twenty minutes after Kelly had asked, the crew had finally stowed the strut and were preparing everything to be shut back down. They wouldn't start until Kelly had checked though.

"This is Gunships Lima official callsign Zero-Zero-Three. Request launch clearance and clearance to engage enemy forces on Yuktobania."

Who knew they'd fight so hard over a ball of ice?
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Tari was watching the battle. There weren't any good places for her to enter, but she didn't like this.

"It's not going well out there."

I want to do something...

The battle was hard fought. The Colonial Marines were advancing slowly, and taking causalties as they did so. It was inevitable, but still... it was a tought fight. Much tougher than they had expected.
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Raven nodded, and put his hand on her shoulder,"I know you want to help... but at the moment, that is pitched battle. We cannot move in."

~snip~

"Zero-Zero-Three, this is Fleet Command. Takeoff clearance approved. Proceed to Yuktobania with all haste, and engage enemy ground forces."

The battle was hard fought. The Colonial Marines were advancing slowly, and taking causalties as they did so. It was inevitable, but still... it was a tought fight. Much tougher than they had expected.
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Raven nodded, and put his hand on her shoulder,"I know you want to help... but at the moment, that is pitched battle. We cannot move in."
After doing what he could from the sky, Iliyakim settled in to fight on the ground, alongside his men. Inthuul protected his master's head and torso as best he could.
He also kept track of radio chatter, and the velxunii that were watching the battle from the sky. This allowed Iliyakim to continue directing his men.
But it wasn't going well.
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"I've been in combat before. Now it's just a matter of who would really get hit if I were to cast."

After doing what he could from the sky, Iliyakim settled in to fight on the ground, alongside his men. Inthuul protected his master's head and torso as best he could.
He also kept track of radio chatter, and the velxunii that were watching the battle from the sky. This allowed Iliyakim to continue directing his men.
But it wasn't going well.
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"I've been in combat before. Now it's just a matter of who would really get hit if I were to cast."

"It's a complete melee. Too dangerous to move now."
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The ships in orbit had now commenced their orbital bombardment of the enemy positions, attempting to quell the fire being directed at the rebel forces. At the head of the combat formation was a group of three Warriors, their treads moving them over the compact snow at speed, their 30mm cannons tracking and firing at enemy positions. One of them, a HE shell, piereced a hardened bunker, silencing the .50 machine guns inside.

"Come on, lads!" roared the Sergeant in charge of the platoon pinned down by fire. They stormed the bunker, and were the first into the enemy trenches. They moved with brutal efficency, the combat shotguns slung under their weapons being used to great effect in the subsequent trench-clearing. It was dirty, dangerous work, but someone had to do it.

"FIRE IN THE HOLE!"

The explosive charged threw snow into the air, adding to the blizzard even more. James Cougar looked up, snapping off a few more shots, before ducking back down. His face was covered in snow, his lips white from the ice that had formed earlier. Now, his breath came in great gulps, but his hands were steady, and he could still shoot. The charge had blown a hole in the line, and allowed the team to move behind the enemy lines. Instead of dealing with the infantry, they moved onto the tanks, whose main guns could deal serious damage to the dropships, some of whom were laying down closer ranger fire support,"This is Alpha Zero to all callsigns, breach of enemy line confirmed at 344915."

"So you've said."
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"Roger, Alpha Zero.
This is Gamma Zero to all, divide between Location Tango and 344915."

Maybe, just maybe, we can do this. Still not going to be easy...but it's just gotten better.

"Anyway, looks as if the tide is turning, if only slightly"
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All callsigns sent the same message,"Roger that"

Short. Sweet. It spoke volumes. Within moments, they had flooded the trench system, and were killing anyone who stood in their way. A Black Guard Captain made a last stand in the middle bunker, but was cut down by heavy sustained pulse fire. As the section moved out, a Corporal moved forward, and pushed the barrel of his weapon into the man's open mouth. He squeezed the trigger twice, the pulse blasts tearing through,"That's for Eddie, you murdering bastards"

He left, and then tossed a thermo-grenade into the bunker. A wall of flame billowed out five seconds later, incinerating the entire bunker in a wave of fire and brimstone.

The enemy forces were beaten, the line of pillboxes taken and held. Now, the landing area could be established. They had won, but it was a costly one. All around the field, the bodies of Colonial Marines lay scattered around. Some had died instantly... others, had died more slowly. Some were still alive, if only barely. The once pure white snowfield was now stained with human blood.

"I'm going. I might not be able to do much for battle, but I can help the injured."

She grabbed a bag she had come with, and teleported out.
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"Dragon's Crusade, this is Gamma Zero. Landing zone has been established."

He watched her go, and sighed,"Always on the move."
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"Roger that, Gamma Zero. Gold is is confirmed secure. We are deploying heavier equipment and more men now."

Tari found the ones she could help...unfortunately, she wasn't skilled enough to help the ones that needed it the most. But those she could help, she did. She was a little black figure, kneeling briefly next to a man before moving to the next.
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"Understood. We expect them. Out."

Many of the men would later claim a dark angel came and healed their wounds. It was a miracle of Leviathan, the more religious ones claimed. Others merely thought that the spirits of their deceased comrades were still helping them through battle.
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The heavier Phantom dropships brought in light artillery, battle tanks and more Warrior vehicles. Overhead flew Cobra's, providing air cover whilst they could. They had a tenous hold on the planet, a foothold that could be taken away all too easily. So, they had to fend off constant attacks from the enemy forces, who came at random times and places, never attacking the same place twice.

Tari didn't know this. She was just going through, trying to prevent as many losses as possible...putting a little warmth into some, patching up others...always on the move. And always wary. If they were attacked while she was working, she would have to attack.

And attacks came in high-energy, highly destructive spells.
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This was why Iliyakim used the velxunii. But he also kept his troops on the alert.

He, like Cougar, was white from the snow and ice. He'd also stopped feeling his face. He thought it might hurt later, but for now, it was inconsequential.

She was lucky. No one attacked the area where the wounded where being kept. For now, at least.
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The soliders who had taken part in the initial landings were relieved by the fresh ones just off the transports, who took the fight to the enemy with more vigour than before.

Cougar and his team had taken refuge in one of the bunkers that had been cleared, and had since been joined by a section of Marines. The SHADOW team cleaned their weapons, and made sure everything was secure and ready to move at a moment's notice.

So she was able to work quickly. Angel, miracle, dead spirits, little Drow mage. Whatever.
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Iliyakim went in, too. He cleared the snow off his face, and let Inthuul rest. He cleaned his weapons, like the rest of Gamma team. Fortunately, they hadn't lost anyone. A minor miracle, really.

Cougar looked up as Iliyakim entered,"Looks like both teams made it then?"

"Unbelievable as it may be."

"That was easily the hardest battle so far of the entire war," said Cougar, removing his helmet and drawing a finger across his brow.

"The only one to compare was the one we fought the day after we first got to Mamba."

James released the magazine on his M4, and checked it. Two rounds. He took them both out, and reached into his belt to retrieve some more to fill the entire magazine,"I wasn't there, so I can't compare. All I will say is that if I see anymore snow, I might just go insane"

"There I may just agree with you."

He sat down, checking his weapons. He had more ammo left...he'd spent time in Inthuul, after all.

"Another several more Thalacks and riders would be most useful."

"Don't expect anything to appear over the horizon anytime soon."

"I know that much, Cougar."

James finished loading the magazine, and slipped it back it, cocking the weapon in one smooth movement,"No rest for the wicked, though."

"Or for anyone, really."

"Zero-Zero-Three, this is Fleet Command. Takeoff clearance approved. Proceed to Yuktobania with all haste, and engage enemy ground forces."
"Gladly. See you on the other side!"
The twelve craft pulled lightly out of the hangar and screamed towards the jump zone.

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

As the craft jumped into the system, they immediatly sent the fleet a tightbeam containing their mission profile and identity. They dove strait for the planet's surface, dropping like rocks. Large, rocket propelled rocks.

Some fire was encountered apon entering the atmosphere, but it was mostly clear over the landing zone. The craft split up into trios over the site and began a patrol pattern, constantly looking for enemy troops. They strafed enemy attacks, trying as hard as they could to keep the men on the ground fighting and the dropships coming.

"Lima leader to Lima two, we have enemy strike group approaching. I'm pulling in tight and letin her rip."

"Roger Lima leader. This is Lima two to all craft Lima, we have enemy strike, looks like a vector of..." as the pilot looked down to his scanner for a heading, he missed a very large explosion. "WHAT IN THE HECK WAS THAT! Anybody hit?"

An almost incomprehendable bout of static shot over the communications channel. A few words were understandable here and there, but it didn't sound good. "...ima lead...eavy d..age...set her dow...eed cover...eading for friendl..."

"You heard her! Three, give me a hand covering her back to friendly lines. I'm assuming the lead until further notice. Trio two, come here and take over this area."
---------------------
The damaged gunship heeled about, barely keeping stable in the buffeting winds and intensifying enemy fire. Just had to go for that darn tripple-a Kelly thought fuefully. Well, this is a great mess you've gotten yourself into, now what? The ship was smoking black fumes, and one of the crew was impaled on a spar.

Just as the ship started to completly restabilize and the internal fire extinguishers took effect, the craft was hit once more, sending it into a spin. The ship started to loose altitude rapidly, flames spouting from several gaping holes in the wings and hull.

"Oh no you don't!" she snarled as the ship tried to land right-side up. "I'm not letting those turrets be disabled! I WILL keep fighting if it means using those damn things on the ground!" It finally heaved over onto its back and slammed hard into the ground, skidding along the ice and coming to rest in a large shell hole.

The flight leader relaxed in her seat, loosened the straps, and proceeded to pass out on the cieling, now the floor in the craft's current state. You...stupid...bit... Had she been conscious, she would have heard two gunships roar over the wreck and call in for some localized reinforcements.

If no one moved quickly, Gunship Lima One would be the first No Endorse casualty in the war.

"Depends on your views really."
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OOC: Wow, NE, you somehow managed to cross a vast interplantery distance in less than five minutes. Astonishing. Sarcasm aside, and no offence, but you were in orbit over Osea. Yuktobania is at least a two hour journey at maximum warp. But w/e, I'll roll with it.

IC: "Sir, a ship just went down on the planets surface"

"Any IFF response?"

"It wasn't tuned to our frequency, but it wasn't to theirs either. Combine that with the fact it was attacking them..."

"...and it might just be one of us. Alright, despatch a rescue squad."

"Already done, sir. A platoon of Coldstream are en route as we speak"

*Ten minutes after Lima One crashes, crash site*
"Corporal, take 1 Section, and check that craft for survivours. 2 and 3 sections, fan out and cover the area. The dropship will cover us from above. A squadron of Cobra's is also enroute"

"Yes, sir!"

Corporal Davis Smith led his men towards the wreck of the No Endorse gunship, now a twisted hunk of metal on the glossy white snowfield. In the distance, artillery shells could be heard soaring overhead to impact deep behind enemy lines. His pulse rifle was slung over his chest, and he reached out to touch the hull of the craft. It was searing from the impact, but he didn't notice thanks to the suit,"Theres got to be a door somewhere in here..."

The twenty men from The Zombies were down to nineteen effective men. The barbarian injured man was now being transported onto a life support system on board the Eagle.

Alhuma ordered his men to put their thermic scopes on, so that they would not be at as much of a disadvantage. He had been hit by a pulse blast, but his protective amulat had soaked up most of the blast, leaving him with a slightly scorched wrist.

The men were anxious to get to grips with their enemy, they were used to close combat fighting, and they were itching to get there. As it was, they had been able to take on the enemy to the best of their ability.

Alhuma went towards Cougar and the drow. He was going to talk to them.

"On rest?"

The Drow shed his jacket, thanks to the warmer interior conditions of the bunker.

"We'll see what rest is when death comes to claim us. Until then, we can only guess."

"I've already died once. It's not that big a deal. You don't remember a thing."

"I cannot claim to have experienced death. But Hell I am all too familiar with."

~snip~
~snip~
"Oh, done that as well."

His tone seemed casual, as if it was nothing. His eyes told the real story... there was no warmth left in those eyes. None that could be seen at least. He flicked a fireball into the pile of twigs and sticks that had been collected from inside the bunker, and set a fire going,"Makes it much more cosy"

He looked up as Alhuma arrived,"And you are? You're not Snake, nor are you Drow."

Iliyakim looked at the creature likewise.

"I'm Alhuma, leader of the Allied States of The Zombies. I don't really know what you would call me, but I would call myself a barbarian, that is, a tall variant of my nation. I take it you are Colonel James Cougar, and you, I see you are drow, but I do not know of you.

We came to help you, and I have lost one of my men so far, but where do you want my men to go next? We are all ready and willing to fight for you."

"For the leader of a nation to come is daring move... perhaps too daring. However, I am Colonel Cougar, and this is my friend, Captain Iliyakim. As for you and your men, now is time to rest. A triage area has been set up on the other side of our makeshift base, I would suggest you take your man there, and then report to Commander Tarquin. He is the overall ground commander for this sector."

"Yes...Tarquin will be able to tell you where best you are needed."

"OK thankyou, but I got where I am not just by being diplomatic, but also by being one of the best fighters in my nation."

He left the bnker, heading for the triage area. He motioned for his men to follow him, and they fell in, crouching and moving as they went, just in case the next attack was about to break out.

"Odd sort of creature...still, twenty men is twenty more for our side."

"Very true... very true indeed."

"I wonder if the Valsharess would grant us any men, were we to ask."

OOC: Wow, NE, you somehow managed to cross a vast interplantery distance in less than five minutes. Astonishing. Sarcasm aside, and no offence, but you were in orbit over Osea. Yuktobania is at least a two hour journey at maximum warp. But w/e, I'll roll with it.
-snip the rest-
ooc: well, you were attacking Yuktobania with an orbital fleet. I didn't know which was which, so I've modified the above post accordingly. Sorry about that!

IC:A hatch was located on the underside of the craft. It had been blown open under the intense stresses of landing, but the sudden stop of the shell hole had thrown it shut again. It wouldn't be too hard to open due to the damage it had sustained. Condensation was forming all around the hatch as the warm and moist air of the ship met the cold air and then the hot surface of the craft.

The gunship's darkened interior was filled with smoke. A single red light flashed in the gloom, providing pathetic illumination.

"You're thinking of Faris and your old comrades, correct?"

"Them specifically, yes."

ooc: well, you were attacking Yuktobania with an orbital fleet. I didn't know which was which, so I've modified the above post accordingly. Sorry about that!

IC:A hatch was located on the underside of the craft. It had been blown open under the intense stresses of landing, but the sudden stop of the shell hole had thrown it shut again. It wouldn't be too hard to open due to the damage it had sustained. Condensation was forming all around the hatch as the warm and moist air of the ship met the cold air and then the hot surface of the craft.

They opened it cautiously, before shining the lights attached to their weapons inside,"Any one alive in here?"

~snip~
"I thought you might be... it is worth asking. But not right now."

"No...now, we wait for our time to fight again, and then after that we see how many of us survived it."

James looked outside,"It's beginning to get dark. Best seal that door. The tents and triage areas are thermally protected, but these bunkers need extra warmth. No one operates at night... not even the Ice Guard are capable of it."

Alhuma reached the triage area, and left his men on the ground agin, the single mage among them going round each and infusing him with a warmth spell. He also cast an electricity and flmae resistant spell on each, in case they could help against the energy weapons.

He found the man giving out the orders, and he walked up to him.

"Commander Tarquin I presume?"

OOC: SN, please respond to council.

James looked outside,"It's beginning to get dark. Best seal that door. The tents and triage areas are thermally protected, but these bunkers need extra warmth. No one operates at night... not even the Ice Guard are capable of it."
"It's cold enough during the day."

He stood, pulling his jacket back on, and went back to door, calling in any that lingered outside, before shutting and sealing it.

Alhuma reached the triage area, and left his men on the ground agin, the single mage among them going round each and infusing him with a warmth spell. He also cast an electricity and flmae resistant spell on each, in case they could help against the energy weapons.

He found the man giving out the orders, and he walked up to him.

"Commander Tarquin I presume?"

OOC: SN, please respond to council.

"Yep, thats me. You Alhuma?"

~snip~
A few more people came in. It was quite crowded, but it would be worth it in the long run, the extra body heat helping to warm and protect them against the bitterly freezing night.

Iliyakim slept...little else to do, for the first two hours. He then spent two more hours looking for anything he might be able to use to plan...but there was really very little, so he went back to sleep for the remaining four hours of a normal night.

Cougar didn't sleep. He merely sat there, wide awake, as if he couldn't sleep, which was in fact the case. The old nightmares had returned to plague him once more... the horrors of war amplifying them to new heights.

"yeh, hows the fighting going so far? And where do you want my men, I guess we will wait until the morning though"

They opened it cautiously, before shining the lights attached to their weapons inside,"Any one alive in here?"

There was a faint sound inside, like someone rolling over. A shape moved towards the hatch, crawling through the rubble.

In a weak voice, the huddled shape called out. "Looks like I'm the only one consious in here. I know one is dead, no idea about the other four. Wait a sec... Friend or foe?"

Cougar didn't sleep. He merely sat there, wide awake, as if he couldn't sleep, which was in fact the case. The old nightmares had returned to plague him once more... the horrors of war amplifying them to new heights.
"Colonel, if you don't sleep I can't let you fight. Surely you know dream supressing techniques?"

"yeh, hows the fighting going so far? And where do you want my men, I guess we will wait until the morning though"

"You have no choice, we're locked down until morning. Once the sun rises, deploy your men to the south ridge."

~snip~
"Friendlies. WE can't find anyone else... looks like you're the only one."

~snip~
"Of course I do. I just can't concentrate clearly enough to use them... and those dream suppresent drugs can only be used every so often."

"Of course I do. I just can't concentrate clearly enough to use them... and those dream suppresent drugs can only be used every so often."
"Snake Eaters dream supressants must be used cautiously, yes. And if you cannot focus, I really cannot send you out to fight. I will not have your wife and children have your head on my hands."
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When Tari was done for the night, she teleported back to the little hidey location she and Raven had been staying at for the last little bit.

"There's a difference between concentration at rest and concentration in battle. The latter is honed by what goes on around you. You allow your mind to wander, and you're dead before you can blink. I am fine, Iliyakim. I've been in worse states, far worse."
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"Welcome back to our humble abode"

"That will be for Captain Grey to decide in the morning."
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"Thank you."

She sat down. It really wasn't a large area, but it would do.

"So, how's your day been?"

He nodded, and returned to his staring out. As he moved to the slit, Wolf moved as well, a stun pistol in her hand. She fired a single round into his shoulder, and he went down almost instantly. She pulled a blanket over him, and sighed,"Poor guy... this war is worse for him than others would think."
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Raven smiled,"I've been spotting for artillery since they landed. Being what I am makes it a great job."

He nodded. "He no longer seems human...more machine, than anything. ...Almost like he doesn't know why he's doing this...and exactly like he thinks that he is the sole reason for this war. Good shot, by the way."
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"Ah. Glad you had fun, then. Some of the soldiers that were still semi-concious gave me the weirdest looks."

"He knows exactly why he is doing this... but he can't believe it has come to this. To a civil war. He blames himself... the war would have started anyway, but think about it. It was he who ordered the first blow. And that shot wasn't anything special. I'm married to a sniper, what did you expect?"
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"People get that way sometime... the glazed look in their eyes."

"That is a fact. I wonder how your son will turn out. And I remember him saying to get his children out of the country. We rescued him, and then Constantine started a witch hunt. If we spilt the first blood, then it was only because our opponent's first blow was one that could have potentially crippled us before we began."
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"Well...some of them started with different sorts of prayers...it was easier when they weren't concious."

"War hardens the soul. Every generation has expierenced some immense hardship... this is just his. And don't worry about James... he's more than capable. If it weren't for him, I think the war would be lost."
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"Lot's of different religions in Snake Eaters... can't say I'm surprised."

"Probably. For now, though, you should get some sleep, as well. Tomorrow is not looking to be an easy battle."
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"Didn't think you would be. I don't think I've ever seen you surprised."

She conjured two bowls of something hot to eat, handing one to him.

"I know that all too well."

She closed her eyes, and was asleep again within moments.
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"I don't think you ever have, no."

Iliyakim returned to a demi-sleep. It would deepen over the next two hours, and then return him to a wakeful state two hours later.
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"Well, there was that one guy we were both after. The expression on your face when he didn't die was priceless."

They were left undisturbed until morning, when the sun rose and the temperature began to creep up towards something resembling it's height the previous day. The storm had cleared overnight, but the vehicles on the ground were covered in fresh snow. The sunlight streamed through the pillbox slit to shine on Cougar's face, and he stirred back to the world of the waking.
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"Alright, one time."

Iliyakim was already awake and moving - quietly, to not disturb anyone, but he was more than ready for the day.
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"Finish eating, and then we need to sleep. Maybe we can go out and actually do something tomorrow."

"What time is is?"
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"Stranger things have happened."

"Nearing six in the morning, local time."
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"Such has been said before, though."

"Fair enough... I might have to sleep some more. Or not, as the case may be."
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"That is also true... I'm going to sleep. See you in the morning."

"It would depend on how rested you feel."
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"Good night."

Tari finished her food (she didn't eat as fast as the human), and then went to sleep herself, wrapped in a blanket against the cold.

"Resonable. Stiff, but that was to be expected from sleeping in cramped quaters."
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Raven was quite warm, for a human. He had also made sure they had heaters as well.

"Better slightly cramped than incredibly cold."
_____________________________________________________________________
Tari had actually managed to catch up on sleep the past few days, since there was little else to do. She slept near Raven, as the little place they were staying in barely measured two meters by four. It was a very good thing they got along so well.

"Very true indeed."

He stood up, and stretched his aching muscles, feeling them warm up quickly as his circulation was restored.
________________________________________________________________________

When Raven woke up, he found Tari lying against his back. He couldn't help but smile.

Iliyakim was sitting on Inthuul, who was floating several feet above the ground. He was looking over the velxunii reports from overnight...the little things were suffering from the cold, but they'd be fine in the long run. There hadn't been any movement, yet.
______________________________________________________________________
"Good morning."

James looked out at the fresh snowfield, and sighed,"The snow covers it all... the bodies, the blood... everything. No one will move yet. Except us. I am taking my team to the northern ridge... enemies in the area have been shelling us.

_______________________________________________________________________
"Sleep well?"

"Good luck to you, then. I'd have my team moving...but we're part of the main attack group."
_____________________________________________________________________
"Pretty well. What about you?"

"Well, good luck to you as well. I hope to be back before nightfall."
________________________________________________________________________
"Well, I can say I've had worse."

"Make sure you are. If reports are right, you don't want to stay the night out there."
____________________________________________________________________
"Is it late enough that if we get up and see if there's anything to do, we won't freeze before we even know what's happening?"

"Trust me, they are. Take care of yourself out there... and be careful. The situation is not all that it seems, I fear."
______________________________________________________________________
"It's fine outside. About seven in the morning."

This feels... odd

He nods. "I have the same feelings. I do not like this."
_____________________________________________________________________
"Good." She sat up, pulling her hair back.

"There are things afoot that do not bode well. I'll be back tonight... until then, hold the fort."
_______________________________________________________________________
"I was thinking, we could go up to the north ridge. Artillery is a prime target up there"

"I'll make sure to."
_____________________________________________________________________
"That works."

She picked up her coat (a good thick one, enhanced with spells against the cold), and pulled up the hood. It was almost as white as her hair, and made a nice contrast.
She also pulled something over her face to keep it warm. "I'm glad I don't wear glasses," she quipped.

With that, Cougar left. The men in the tenches parted before him... even though many knew of the White Devil, all knew of this almost legendary solider. His exploits were spoken of in hushed whispers.

One or two of them remembered serving with him once. He and his unit had taught them little tricks like wrapping tape round the pins of the their grenades to make sure none accidentally snagged and pulled on a piece of equipment. Nothing was done by the book for it's own sake; they were guided by expierence. They knew their weapons and tactics and buisness better than anyone, and as such had been afforded massive personal freedom. Some of the normal troops regarded Alpha Team as some sort of mutant strain. Even the rest of SHADOW held them in awe. They were all said to be absolutley fearless.

They left, and tabbed north, coming up on the ridge just before midday. Using his macrobinoculars to scope the area, James lay atop a mound of snow, perfectly concealed against enemy view,"Looks like it's fairly heavy security... but a prime target nevertheless"
______________________________________________________________________________
He had already dressed in white covering for his sneaking suit, which insulated him as best as could be found in the entire nation,"Let's go."

Meanwhile, Iliyakim began prepping his forces for combat. It would likely be as bad that day as it had been the previous.
_____________________________________________________________________
"Okay. I can get us there pretty quick on Keris."

"Captain Iliyakim, take your men at the front of the formation. You'll be in UH-60's for the transport to the newly established front line. We need a breakthrough, and fast. We barely held the sectors we captured, and we need to force them back before they regroup and assualt... we cannot hold against a determined and vastly superior force."
______________________________________________________________________
"Let's go then," he said, crawling out of the space they had been occupying in the face of a cliff, and looking out over the plain. They were some way up from the main base camp, who had no idea of their prescense at all. Across the plain, six figures could be seen moving at speed to the north.

"Understood." That was it. A terse response, but the mind was already at work.
______________________________________________________________________
"That looks like Cougar. In any event..."

She flicked Keris down, and the glider came to a rest about a foot out and down of the ledge. She jumped down to it, and waited for Raven.

"Good man"
______________________________________________________________________
"If it was anyone else, I wouldn't dare do this"

Nevertheless, he jumped down to join her.

Within minutes, he and his team were in the transport, heading to the front lines...the most dangerous place. He was gathering information and planning as best he could.
_____________________________________________________________________
As soon as his feet hit the metal, it latched onto him, almost like a magnetic grip.

"Hang on, this feels weird the first time."

The glider shot off, heading at breakneck speed for the northern ridge.

The UH-60 Blackhawk swooped low over the battlefield. There were five of them, flying in formation, preceded by swarms of dropships. Armed with miniguns in the doors, they were capable of tearing into infantry and light armour with equal ease. It was part of the reason the antiquated (by Snake standards) design was maintained. It was rugged, and sometimes ugly, but it sure as hell did the job it was supposed to do.

Up ahead, smoke could be seen rising from a shattered husk of a tank, a Viper. It had been shorn in two by a phaser strike from orbit. The destructive power of those weapons was terrifying close up. The hydrogen had been ignited, and the resultant expansion had caused the armour to buckle and explode under the extreme pressure. They passed over the acrid smoke, and it was twisted into odd shapes by the backdraft of the rotor blades. One of the crew chiefs signalled 'one minute'

Thirty seconds later, they were over the battle area. It was too dangerous to land and disgorge troops, so they had come equipped with fast ropes. The men nearest the door kicked the ropes out, and slid down them first, fully extended on the rope. As soon as they hit the ground, and even slightly before, they started firing at the enemy. One of the helicopters was struck by a pulse blast, the resulting shock knocking it off it's axis. The pilot fought to regain control, but the helicopter bore into the ground, the fuel tanks detonating and blowing the silently gaping skull of WO Gary Jordan high into the sky... war was hell.

"CAPTAIN! GO! GO! GO!"
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Some time before*
"Did anyone else see that?" asked George, looking up for a moment, resting the squad machine gun in his hands.

"See what?"

"That flash"

"Just your imagination. Now, shut up, and keep moving." said Watt, just behind him in the line.

*North Ridge*
"We goin' for it?" asked Matt, staring down his weapons scope.

"In a while... we have to wait, figure out their routine."

*Keris*
"This is really, and I mean really, weird"

Iliyakim was out as soon as he could be, on the ground and rallying troops into more effective patterns.

He just hoped no one on the enemy side could figure out his pattern...and how to best defeat it.

He worked well in the chaos, able to keep a clear and logical mind.
______________________________________________________________________
"I told you so."

Within minutes, they were setting down at the ridge.

"Right. Now what?"

Drow eyes scanned the landscape, and a spell already lit up the tips of her fingers -- she wouldn't cast with gloves, making her effectiveness limited, if she forgot she needed to warm her hands between spells.

He was lucky, for now. No one figured out his strategies yet...

"That pattern... I've seen that before. What happened before... oh yes."

Someone on the enemy side redeployed their troops to combat Iliyakim's strategy. It was something the rebels had never seen before.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Well... let's see... twelve artillery pieces, which four people manning each... plus guards and command... could be up to one hundred people."

So, they're finally playing along.

He moved his troops into a different pattern...one very effective (historically) against the current enemy move.
______________________________________________________________________
"How about I just disintegrate all organic matter?"

The counter moves were very basic Alyken moves... but someone had added his own flair to it. Although they would be a mere novice to the game, they had taken the time to study it.

The thing that made it even more ironic was that a Black Guard Major was directing the loyalist forces. He had been on Mamba, and had left just before the planet had fallen to the rebels.
_______________________________________________________________________
"I don't think that's such a good idea... look at this."

He held up his wrist, and a holomap emerged. It had picked up another unit in the area, another rebel unit,"Use a spell like that, you kill them as well."

"Talented...yes, very talented. But also clumsy. I'd credit you with maybe a year of study."

A deft countermove -- not by the book, but one born of experience in a different war -- came out to counter the Black Guardsman.

"I do believe others will hear of this."
______________________________________________________________________
"That's no good, then. Sooooooo....random explosions work?"

"How do I do this.... wait, what if I try..."

The loyalist forces attempted to fight the rebel forces on their own terms, but it wasn't working.
______________________________________________________________________
"Not too many... mayhem is better than out and out destruction."

Iliyakim kept with his play. This he could beat.
____________________________________________________________________
"Okay."

She only had enough time for three before she had to put her hands in her gloves...so she used them strategically.

"Sir, they seem to be advancing even more"

"Fall back, and form a new defensive line. Maximum firepower to suppress them whilst we move back."

"Yessir!"

The loyalist forces suddenly lay down a torrent of firepower that pinned the rebel forces to the deck. Two more UH-60's were torn apart by the sheer volume of pulse fire.
_______________________________________________________________________
As a number of artillery pieces detonated for no apparant reason, Cougar saw his chance,"Let's go."

The team stood up, and advanced, laying down a hail of hot lead towards the enemy. They advanced in two teams of three, one laying down covering fire for the other,"Go for the other pieces!"

Now, that is a good play.

"Maintain positions. Let them wear themselves down."
____________________________________________________________________
"I was right."

The loyalist forces fell back bit by bit, forming into a line that was deep and long, something Iliyakim's forces could not do. It would be a hard line to break through... if Iliyakim tried to do that.
_______________________________________________________________________
"Shouldn't we help them out?"

*Alpha Team*
"Toss me another charge!"

George tossed one of the explosive charges he was carrying to Wolf, who slapped it to the side of an AS-90 artillery piece, and jammed the detonator into the soft, putty-like material,"This one is ready"

"Come on, we've got to keep moving."

No...that is an inadvisable tactic. Unfortunately, tanks don't tend to work well in this environment...I really wish there was a Dosst class available.

He looked around, trying to assess his situation.

Not good. In terrain like this, the Wall is one of the best tactics there is. I might be able to break it, though...

He still had two Black Hawks...so he called the pilots and instructed them to focus on the troops. He and Inthuul would attack anything anti-aircraft.

He instructed his troops to wait for thirty minutes, and be ready to move on command.
_______________________________________________________________________
"How? I lack anything remotely resembling a gun, and I have to wait until my fingers unfreeze before I can cast again."

The Black Hawk's moved forward, opening fire on the reformed enemy line, the 7.62mm miniguns blaring down. The dropships moved in as well, raking the lines with pulse cannon fire and in some cases, missiles.

It would take sometime to break the line... it could be done. Maybe.
_______________________________________________________________________
Raven cursed,"Give me your hands."

He pulled a hand warmer out of his pocket, and placed it between her palms,"GIve it ten seconds, and you'll be ready."

Iliyakim, meanwhile, was in this Thalack, moving fast and hitting hard...and strategically.
______________________________________________________________________
She took it, and waited for it to work.

"Friendlies. WE can't find anyone else... looks like you're the only one."

The injured man limped his way slowly out of the ship, coughing "Then you haven't made it to the cockpit up there. The other five are up there, and I think there might be at least one or two survivors. She's a good pilot, anyone else would have smeared us along the ice, just too reckless."

A gash on his right leg turned the snow crimson as he flopped down.

"If you can... open that yellow panel and mess... with the mechanism in there, three turns right, two left, one right... it should... open an emergency hatch to your left... HOO it's cold out here... twenty-seven, fourty-five, nineteen is the combination... if that don't work, just shoot the lock a few times and try again on the other side... less you've got a cutter on ya that can slice right through... Stand back though, it uses explosive hatch openers..."

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

High above, five of the gunships spread out over the enemy lines. They had been fighting non-stop since the beginning, and were already out of all their standard ordinance. Only their lasers held out, and they would have to return shortly for more power, something they were loathe to do. They knew that two of their craft were down, one more or less controled and the other a giant fireball. Hopefully they would have some friends who made it out, but war hated the players.

They went about their devilish work, strafing and diving, ducking and weaving. But there were several areas they couldn't help in, places where either enemies were too close to friendlies or the anti-air was too intense.

One by one they peeled away, having too much damage to keep fighting or just plain running out of evergy and ordinance. They started towards the orbiting fleet above, doing their best to avoid incoming enemy fire.

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

Already the other five gunships had pulled out of the atmosphere. They moved towards a large friendly craft in passive formation, hoping it had a large hangar bay, and praying that the five on the planet could hold out long enough. They didn't know about the second gunship downing yet, or that their comrades were close on their heels, and it was just as well.

"Five gunships Lima Squadron, requesting landing clearance, resupply, and repairs. Also some stim-packs if you've got 'em, we've been behind the stick for at least twelve standard."

ooc: Edited for clarity (hopefully)

The enemy line refused to waver, despite the incoming fire. Death stalked the lines on both sides, and Iliyakim was becoming more and more of a target. For once, the enemy forces were staging a resistance that seemed more likely to die in the attempt to stop the rebels than to give up. A number of dropships were shot from the sky, AA missiles streaking skywards to impact them. One of them spiralled on landing, and crashed into the ice of the glacier to the west. A plume of black smoke began to rise as it burned itself out on the slowly-moving ice flow.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just as Raven predicted, it took ten seconds for the warmer to take effect on her systems, adjust to her physiology, and warm them right back up.

"So Colonel, how far is this ridge, and what sort opf opposition is expected?" Asked Alhum as he and his men were prepping for leaving the bunker.

Iliyakim was keeping his battle awareness as sharp as he could...still, he would have to withdraw soon.

A few more minutes...we can make them crumble.
____________________________________________________________________
"Wow...that's a cool little gadget."

She handed it back. "So...let's go. I'll figure something out."

"So Colonel, how far is this ridge, and what sort opf opposition is expected?" Asked Alhum as he and his men were prepping for leaving the bunker.
OOC:...

IC: Tarquin looked at him,"My rank is Commander. I suggest you use it. The ridge is some way north, approxomitely ten kilometres, but offers views as far as one hundred in good conditions. Expect heavy opposition... the Eyes of the Snake is a key sensor point on the grid."

~snip~
"Captain, their line is immovable. No matter what we do, they repulse our attacks. We have to fall back!"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Thought you'd like it. Right, come on"

He led her into the fray, pulling a knife and a pistol from his belt, and tkaing the fight to the enemy.

Cougar and his team had almost finished placing the charges on each of the artillery pieces, and were now laying down heavy fire into the command bunker, trying to overcome the enemy within. The problem with using bullets was the limited ammunition they had to work with, but they were just as capable of using pulse weapons if they needed to.

"..."

Iliyakim thought. They had inflicted much damage, and the line was holding. This was not a sane gambit...this was a fanatic's gambit. Any longer, and they risked their luck would run out.

"Then fall back. They can only come so far."
_____________________________________________________________________
Tari, meanwhile, used spells that went for massive damage while not requiring her to remove her gloves. There were more options, closer up.

OOC: Sorry

IC: "Oh sorry commander, OK thankyou, we'll get going now"

He and his men set out, they used small sleds that carried two men in each. The were hover sleds, and had been brought just in case. It seemed they were needed.

About 2 Km from the ridge, Alhuma and his men got off their sleds. They started to observe the ridge.

"Roger that, sir. All units, fall back and regroup, prepare for counter attack."

As the rebel forces retreated, the Major in charge of the enemy forces smiled. His studies had paid off... it seemed that it had worked. The Wall had been successful.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The damage was useful, but it was still dangerous to use such powerful spells. It also distracted Cougar... no one could wield magick that powerful except a few he knew, and a distraction now could be fatal.

OOC: Sorry

IC: "Oh sorry commander, OK thankyou, we'll get going now"

He and his men set out, they used small sleds that carried two men in each. The were hover sleds, and had been brought just in case. It seemed they were needed.

About 2 Km from the ridge, Alhuma and his men got off their sleds. They started to observe the ridge.
Just as Tarquin had said, it was heavily defended. At some points, the distinctive barrels of SE-12 Viper MBT's could be seen, along with men who patrolled the outermost defences. Rising up the sheer cliff was a vast tower, in which the Eyes of the Snake were located. An ancient sensor net that had been found upon colonisation of the planet, the technology was barely understood, but was far in advance of what Snake Eaters currently understood by sensors.

Is it you, then, that would challenge me, Dalhar? Well...we will see, later, when I have worn your troops to a fraction of what they were...we will see how good you are.

Meanwhile, Iliyakim was providing direction and cover for his troops.
_____________________________________________________________________
But her way was fast. As a Velkyn, you got in, you did your job, and you got out.

Besides, it wasn't like Cougar didn't know she was active somewhere.

"Oh Joy, find out if we're alone on this one"

Alhuma and his men began to creep closer to the enemy sensor station. Even though they were in camouflage, they darted from snowdrift to snowdrift, getting nearer, and watching for enemies with their thermal scopes.

The man knew he was being looked at, and extended a finger to point at Iliyakim, as if to say,I know what you are... and what you think you can do. You are gravely mistaken.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cougar wasn't expecting what had happened though. He knew she was active, but not to use spells like that this close to her own troops. It defied belief... how she was still alive was beyond him. However, he pushed it to the back of his mind, and continued to do his job. As they fell back, George pulled the detonator from his pocket,"Ready to go"

"Give it a moment."

"Oh Joy, find out if we're alone on this one"

Alhuma and his men began to creep closer to the enemy sensor station. Even though they were in camouflage, they darted from snowdrift to snowdrift, getting nearer, and watching for enemies with their thermal scopes.

If they had any sense, they would have realised that to wait was the best option. Rebel forces were dotted around, ready for an out and out attack. They had moved into position the previous night, and stuck it out by using the most extreme of survival techniques. With ALhuma and his men moving around, they were edgy. These fools would get them killed.

The man knew he was being looked at, and extended a finger to point at Iliyakim, as if to say,I know what you are... and what you think you can do. You are gravely mistaken.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cougar wasn't expecting what had happened though. He knew she was active, but not to use spells like that this close to her own troops. It defied belief... how she was still alive was beyond him. However, he pushed it to the back of his mind, and continued to do his job. As they fell back, George pulled the detonator from his pocket,"Ready to go"

"Give it a moment."
Iliyakim felt the challenge, and he turned, divebombing the Black Guardsman before pulling up abruptly...an acceptance and counterchallenge.

"Let's go, Inthuul."
______________________________________________________________________
Tari tapped Raven's arm.

"It's time for us to go."

The Major smiled,A fight it is then
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Good idea"

As they turned to leave, a hail of pulse fire followed them, narrowly missing Raven.

"This is Gamma Zero to Commander Tarquin. We're pulling back."
_____________________________________________________________________
Tari was not so lucky, and a blast hit her full on.

They stopped behind a snowdrift about 1.5 Km from the station.

"Send another radio message, find out if we are alone on this one!!"

*This is Whiskey Charlie One to zero, are we alone on this attack, or are there some troops we should liase with. Over*

"Roger that, Gamma Zero. UNderstood."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The blast hit her in the lower back, not fatal, but it would hurt like hell for a while. Raven spun, seeing her fall to the ground. He didn't say anything, but turned and ran back to get her, a potentially suicidal tactic. The pulse fire crackled over his head, but he somehow managed to pull her to safety,"You alright?"

"Gamma Zero out."

Damn
_____________________________________________________________________
"Mildly..."

The rebels held the line, but a transport was sent for Iliyakim,"Commander Tarquin asks that you return to base, Captain."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I doubt you can walk. I'll carry you back to base."

He nodded, and Inthuul returned to his shoulder as he stepped in.
_____________________________________________________________________
She hurt too much to argue, or even to think.

"Okay."

The journey didn't take long, and Tarquin was waiting in his tent. When Iliyakim arrived, he looked up,"Drink?"
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
He picked her up gingerly, and carried her away from the explosions that were going on behind them.

"No, thank you, Sir."

Here it came...the questions "why did you fail?" and the reprimands for that failure.
____________________________________________________________________
She didn't weigh much at all, especially to someone as tall and strong as Raven.
She laid there, curled limply against his chest, to make it easier to carry her. Her eyes closed, and she started focusing on the area that had been shot...assessing damage and starting to fix it. It was tedious work, and she passed out on the way, partially due to pain, and partially to cold. Enchantments only worked so well.

Tarquin sighed,"You did a very brave thing. To assualt an enemy position like that would have been suicide. Instead, you pulled back, against your better judgement I suspect. I would have done the same thing."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Don't you die on me... not yet."

"There is no honor in unnecessary deaths. On either side, in this instance."
______________________________________________________________________
She had no intention of dying just yet...it would probably be easier than the alternative, but easy wasn't something incredibly normal in her line of work.

"I bet you're expecting me to have a go, aren't you?"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
He carried her back to the base. It took time, but he refused to give up. Eventually, after nearly an hour, he staggered into the medical centre. A medic came over,"Sir, you're going to have to let her go"

He let her go, and watched as her wounds were treated. After another hour of waiting, a nurse came to speak to him,"She'll be fine. The blast damaged a few organs, nothing major. She's resting at the moment, but you can see her."

"Thanks. Thanks a lot."

The nurse smiled at him,"No problem."

"Yes, actually. My job was to penetrate the enemy lines. I didn't."
_____________________________________________________________________
Keris was standing by her master's head. She'd have been more than willing to get them back, if Raven had only asked.

"Let me tell you something, Captain. You cannot always succeed. You must realise this."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raven hadn't known if Keris would obey his commands, and thus had been forced to assume that she couldn't. He pulled up a chair, and set next to the cot. The area was full of mildly injured people recovering from their injuries.

"In Kaymiril, this is known, but not widely accepted. Over the next several days, we may be able to wear the enemy down. But the price will be high. Ultimately, we may have to leave this planet."
____________________________________________________________________
Tari's hand twitched, and a nearby towel flew over and started bumping into Raven. Face, back of the head, ear...

Tarquin's fist hit the desk,"This is not Kaymiril! This is Snake Eaters! Retreat and live to fight again is a better policy than fighting to the death in a pointless attempt to win an unwinnable battle! Do not assume that Snake troops will do the same as Kaymirilian forces under the same circumstances, because you will be vastly mistaken."

He seemed to calm down,"I know that this fight will be difficult... I think that we must be cautious in our attempts. The sun is still high... the assualt on the Eyes of the Snake begins soon."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"That's not funny you know."

Iliyakim's eyes, which had been a brighter green of late, narrowed slightly.

"If this were Kaymiril, Commander, we would have been able to take them. I have not lived among your people almost nine years and learned nothing of it."

Assault on the Eyes of the Snake wasn't a location that concerned him...not under his jurisdiction. His fingers itched to be back at the battlesite, trying to find a good way to manuver around the Wall. He needed more troops, but surely there must be something.
_____________________________________________________________________
"But I have nothing better to do and if it gets you to lighten up, I'll call it a success. Even if you still don't think it's funny."

Tarquin ignored his tone and stood up,"Listen to me. Very carefully. I don't care that if you were in Kaymiril, you could have finished that battle. You would have had immeasurably more resources at your hands, like your Thalacks. Newsflash, captain; we don't have those. We don't have magick, we can't teleport, we can't each have individual gun platforms that can transform to suit the situation at hand. We are doing the best we can given our situation. If it's not good enough for you, then get the hell off this planet, and go back to Kaymiril... but you won't. Not because you can't, but because you don't want to. Therefore, you are going to learn to deal with fewer men than the enemy, you are going to learn to deal with less equipment and ammunition... and you are going to go back to the frontline and study that wall until you break it! I'll redivert men as much as I can... but I can't promise anything."

It was obvious that the strain was getting to Tarquin. He knew what had to be done, but he also recognised that Iliyakim was used to a different form of warfare. However, he did not like the inadvertant slur on Snake troops.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"How are you feeling?"

This petty argument isn't worth anything.

"Then I request permission to get back to my men, sir."
_____________________________________________________________________
"I can't feel much of anything." She laughed. Snake Eater painkillers were a good thing. Especially since they were designed for humans...so even a smll does would be enough for a sensitive Drow system.

"You are dismissed, Captain... oh, and Iliyakim? Good luck out there... I know how tough it is."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Luckily, the medics had long ago learnt this lesson, and had not given her more than she needed,"You're high on painkillers, aren't you?"

"Thank you, Commander."

He teleported out...quickest that way.

Upon returning, he sent out his velxunii to get a look at the enemy positions.

Faris was master at beating the wall...but I have seen a human tactic that might be more effective....Yes.

He divided his forces into thirds. One of these divisions would sneak around to the mountain passes in the south-west.

The other two would attack the enemy in a pincer movement. It would seem wisest for the Black Guardsman to move the game to the mountains, where he could route the enemy more easily. It wasn't unusual for troops to be relocated from the Rebel forces...especially from him, with his record. The northward departure of some of his men wouldn't be odd.

These troops would go the long way around...they'd probably get to their destination at around three.

This would be a massacre...either of the Loyalist forces or of the Rebel forces.

There, in the mountains, they would stand a better chance.

Unfortunately, this plan could be more easily by a human...but his opponent would be expecting Aklyen moves...which the pincer attack would seem.
______________________________________________________________________
"Not quite. Almost. But not quite."

*Loyalist Lines*
"So, my Drow friend... advance in a pincer... but what's this? A third of your men are leaving us? What a shame... a trap perhaps... distinctly possible... but they are few, and not much threat for now."

The Loyalists did exactly what Iliyakim had suspected, but for one small difference. They retreated towards the moutains, but did not enter them. Instead, they regrouped by a cliff-face. Now, the remaining forces had to come head on, whilst the chances of another enemy force attacking from behind became so small it was essentially ignorable.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"You should rest."

Not bad...but my troops are less than a kilometer's march away.

"This is Gamma Zero to Mountain Unit...There's a cliff face about nine hundred meters to the west. We have the enemy there...see how many you can't get from above. Out."

"This is Gamma Zero to Plains Units...hold the lines."
_____________________________________________________________________
"Maybe."

The mountain forces had been moving slowly. Although they had little heavy armour, they were numerous, and carried a wide array of heavy weapons, such as isomagnetic disintergrators. These could penetrate the thinner top armour of the vehicles from above without much difficulty. They moved more slowly than before, so much so that it took sometime to cross the nine hundred metres. Eventually though, some of them had managed to get into firing position,"Gamma Zero, this is Moutain One. We are ready to commence fire for effect, over"

The units on the plains had halted. Consisting of more vehicles than men, they proceeded to lay down a barrage to quell the enemy fire. It wasn't to deal much damage, but merely to distract them from what was going on.

Their aim cannot be this poor... we could be in a trap.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"No arguements, Tari. You've been shot."

"This is Gamma Zero to Mountain One. Fire at will. And make it count."

A Drow might know more tricks than Aklyen, dalhar. Now you learn this.
_____________________________________________________________________
"All right, all right. If you're going to be like that about it, I'll go to sleep."

She turned over, pulling the blanket over her head.

"Roger that, Gamma Zero. Out. Mountain One to all units, fire at will"

There was a pause, and then it started, the thunder of heavy weapons raining down onto the enemy forces. The Major looked up, and swore,"That damn Drow... we must escape!"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Don't be like that."

"Make every shot count, but don't block their escape route. It will take time for them to be out of range."
_____________________________________________________________________
"You told me to rest."

The loyalist forces began to move away, hindered by the fire coming from the plains and from above. Tanks and dropships made prime targets, and many were destroyed in the intial barrage. But, they still had the superior numbers on their side.

"Move into that pass. Once in there, dash for the other side of the mountains, and return to the frontline. Split up, force them to do the same."

"Yes, sir"
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
He pulled the blanket down slightly, so that her head could be seen.

"Gamma Zero to all units. Fire at them until it's no longer practical, then get back to the front. We've gotten past them, and we'll give 'em hell if they think to retake what they've lost this day."
____________________________________________________________________
She turned her head to look at him.

And fire they did. Some of them ran dry, they fired that much ammunition. By the time the loyalist forces had scattered, Cobra's had come overhead to bombard the area. Using what vehicles they had, the rebel forces moved back to the frontline, trudging back to the lines through snow that reached to their waist in places. Some of them sank into it, but they were all elated. Tired, but elated. They had won a victory... though some would say it was not a victory at all. UNtil this war was over, nothing could really be considered a victory.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
He smiled, and touched her cheek,"I'm staying in camp tonight. You'll be fine in the morning. Sleep well, Tari. You're going to need it."

"This is Gamma Zero to Commander Tarquin. The position has been taken, at least for now. Over."
______________________________________________________________________
"Good night, Raven."

"Roger that. Hold your position until nightfall, and you will be relieved in the morning."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
He stood to leave,"Good night Tari."

"Understood. Gamma Zero out." He shut off the communications device and prepared his men for the inevitable retaliatory strike...only now they had the advantage of position.
_____________________________________________________________________
Her eyes closed. How much she'd actually sleep was anyone's guess, but she'd try, anyway.

But the attack never came. The temperature had already started to drop, and as soon as that happened, the war on Yuktobania ground to a halt. Tarquin had made sure that enough shelters had been erected for the troops. These shelters had no lights, but were thermally insulated to the highest standards. They could easily survive the night.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raven left, and went for a meal in the basecamps mess tent. It was there that he bumped into Cougar, who filled him in on the latest part of the war, and asked after Tari,"How is she?"

"She's fine... did those pieces..?"

"All destroyed. Should take time to replace them."

"Perfect."

Good job, everyone.

Human or Drow...this wasn't an easy war...and his unit had done very well with what he'd thrown them into that day.
_____________________________________________________________________
Shan teleported in, not far from Keris. He knew where he was...but what had happened...well...he'd have to find out. But for now, he'd stay with his friend.

No-one knew what he was thinking, and they kept going about their own buisness. Some wrote letters to family on captured planets, others played Risk or Stratego or Scrabble, thanks to the guys who had managed to find a board and pieces. Some sat on their cots and read or drew. Some slept, whilst others played on handheld games.

The average Snake solider carried all his equipment, including sleeping bag and cot, on his person. Nominally, if they knew the chances were they would be advancing that day, they would take their bergens. Most, however, left their gear as it was... each had his own cot to call his own. Their armoured suits did not contain pockets, so they wore load-bearing harnesses over the top, in contrast to SHADOW, who wore normal clothing, preferring the additional freedom it gave them in terms of movement as a tradeoff to the decreased protection.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The medical staff didn't notice him come in, but they left him alone.

He sat, cleaning his weapons. There wasn't really anything better for him to do. He had no one to write to...no family, and his friends all had their own work to focus on. He had no talent for sketching, and nothing to read...and at the moment, he didn't wish to look at the Aklyen board.
______________________________________________________________________
He didn't cause trouble. She'd likely have his neck if he did, so he kept quiet. Better that way. Safer...besides, eventually he could ask.

He was left to his own devices, the others respecting his privacy. Iliyakim had the air of a man who liked his own company, and they understood this.

Many of them continued what they were doing until at least midnight, cleaning weapons as well. A pulse rifle was easier to clean than an older rifle like Cougar used, but it still needed some maintencence in the field.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One of the nurses looked in on him about one in the morning, local time,"Do you want anything to eat? Drink?"

Iliyakim slept. Not much else to do...he knew they'd likely be leaving in the morning, but he didn't know what he'd be doing the next day...so there was little planning he could do. He'd already laid out the plans for defense.
_____________________________________________________________________
"Uh...me? Nah, I'm good. I just want to know what happened to my friend, here."

"She was shot in the lower back by a pulse weapon from the loyalists," said the nurse,"She'll be fine. Suffered from shock, slight burns and other things."

"Ah...so, she'll be up in the morning."

"After a quick check from the doctor, she'll be back out there. Do you need anywhere to sleep tonight?"

"I'm good here. It'll be a surprise for her...she thinks I'm still back at home."

The nurse smiled,"That'll do her the world of good."

*The next morning*
It was only six in the morning, yet most of the troops were moving around in some way, shape, or form. It was warm enough outside to move around in safety. The snow had not fallen heavily during the night, and much of the morning activity was based around getting ready for the action of the day ahead.

Vehicles were thawed out if they had frozen, and started to warm the engines before they moved out. A cold engine had a much higher chance of failing at some crucial moment, given Sod's Law.

Tari woke up that morning to see Shan there.

"Vel'bol ph' dos xunin ghil?"

Shan grinned. "Zet. Naut bauth ulu sevir dos ulu el pholor dosst ehmtu. Mzilt mzild jivvin ulu el xuil natha abbil."

Tari scowled. "Morbid wael."

"Zuch." This was accompanied by a shrug.
____________________________________________________________________
Iliyakim merely waited for his orders. He helped prepare...but he needed to know what he was doing.

OOC: Translations:
T -- What are you doing here?
S -- Left. I'm not gonna let you die alone. Much more fun to die with a friend.
T -- Morbid fool.
S -- Always.

The orders for Iliyakim came through at 0830:

Proceed to Northern Ridge. Prepare for ground assault on enemy position. Mission launch codeword - Irene. Operation to commence at 1145 hours. Objective: Capture lower tier of the defences. Secondary Objectives: 1) Liberate supplies from nearby warehouses under ice. 2) Capture airfield, located at N'23, E'34, 984762.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A military doctor came to check Tari was alright before he let he go back into the fight, and saw that Raven be informed of this turn of events,"Well, everything seems alright. You're free to go, but watch yourself out there."

*Canteen*
Raven looked up as the medic approached him with the message, nodded as he heard it, and looked down at his oatmeal,"Well... that sucks"

He took the appropriate actions to get underway.

He still didn't like this. At all.
_____________________________________________________________________
T -- "Well, come on, wael. We'd better find Raven. He'll be wanting to be gone."

By 0900, all the units were ready to go. They had decided to go in by ground, the air defences around the Eyes of the Snake were too powerful to even risk an air assualt.

The tension in the Warrior APC's was felt by all. They maintained radio silence as the vehicles moved across the desolate wasteland that was the plains of Yuktobania, the camoflague serving them well. Nobody liked this any more than Iliyakim, especially those who were going in first.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raven had already gone, working on the philosphy of two is company, threes a crowd.

He knew there was tension...he just hoped they could do it.
____________________________________________________________________
"Keris, contact Garth. Raven's stuck with me until his partner's back on his feet."

They arrived at 1030 hours, and disembarked to join the men already dug in, waiting for the assualt to begin. A Captain in the Coldstream Guards approached the Command Vehicle, asking after Iliyakim.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Garth bleeped on Raven's wrist,It's Tari

"Open it up, but we keep moving"

Garth expanded to show Tari's face,"Hello Tari, what's up"

He stepped out, still obviously Drow under all the cold-weather gear.

"Greetings, Captain."
_______________________________________________________________________
"Where do you think you're going? Just because this idiot thinks he can leave home as he pleases doesn't change the fact that you're stuck with me until this is over. Or until Mantis is back, anyway."

"I trust you recieved the same message we did?"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"You've got a partner... besides, I've worked alone before."

"Capture the second tier, grab the supplies, and secure the airfield."
_____________________________________________________________________
"Yeah, but it's still not smart."

She teleported herself and Shan to where he was. "I know this guy's annoying, but I've lived with him for forty years now. He can be dealt with. Don't try getting rid of me, I can always find you."

"Essentially the same mission then."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"It may not be smart... but it's better than cramping your style."

"Yes. What situation are we looking at?"
_____________________________________________________________________
"There's not really that much in our line to do on this planet. So we might as well stick with you."

"They are well dug in, with light mortars and heavy armour. The first line of defence will prove the most difficult to overcome."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
He seemed to shrug nonchantly,"Oh well, come on then."

"Is it the same all around the perimeter?"
______________________________________________________________________
The two mages fell into step, keeping the silence until and unless necessary.

"Yes. The Eyes of the Snake are set into the moutains themselves, so the perimeter is semi-circular in shape. It's about 1.5 klicks in diameter."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Bored of staying at home, Shan?"

Iliyakim frowned.

"It would be like throwing rodents to hungry carnivores, to attack."
_____________________________________________________________________
"Pretty much. That, and I didn't know if she was working solo or with a unit or individual. I figure it's more fun to die with a friend than to die alone."

"There is no other way. This location can provide them with a huge amount of sensor data, not just on the planet, but of our fleets in orbit. I agree though, an all-out assualt is a mistake. We need a small team to go in first."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I'd have said it was more fun to live."

"My team and I can handle that. After we're in, I'll trust you to take this."

Iliyakim guestured to Gamma to start preparing.
_____________________________________________________________________
"Live if possible...but I'd hate to die alone. Especially in enemy territory."

"Only six of you? How are you going to get in?"
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Very true, I suppose."

"Some way or other. We specialize in the improbable."
______________________________________________________________________
"So, anyway, what are we up to?"

"Yeah, we heard that about you. Well, good luck to you"

*Aside*"You're gonna need it"
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"There's an assualt going to happen on the northern ridge... I'm going there."

Alhuma and his men had retired to the sleds after they had receivedn the message to wait.

Their sleds also adapted into temporary shelter, and thats what they had done.

They were now with the rest of the troops.

Alhuma went up to where the drow Ilyakim and a Coldstreamers Captain were talking.

Alhuma and his men had retired to the sleds after they had receivedn the message to wait.

Their sleds also adapted into temporary shelter, and thats what they had done.

They were now with the rest of the troops.

Alhuma went up to where the drow Ilyakim and a Coldstreamers Captain were talking.
The Captain looked at Alhuma with an odd look in his eye,"Can I help you at all?"*To Iliyakim*"You'd best be going. We'll be ready. Operation will commence as detailed."

Iliyakim flicked his fingers, throwing out a velxun'yrr. They'd recieved more...they had almost a thousand, all told.

This one only had a few more flights left in it...a decade of hard work wore these things down to nothing...but it would work.

He needed a potential way in.
_____________________________________________________________________
*To Raven's northern ridge statement.*

S -- "All right. Sounds good enough."

The tiny little bird swooped away to find an entrance for Iliyakim. What it found was disturbing. The only way in was some way to the west, by using an old water intake valve. It was large to supply something of this size, but hadn't been used in years. It should still be passable, and the blueprints showed that it led straight into the middle of the defences.
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"Yeah... it's better than freezing out here."

Iliyakim was with Gamma Team, looking at the readings from a projection Inthuul provided.

"That looks like a trap...but I don't see any other way."
_____________________________________________________________________
"Then what are we waiting for?"

Tari snapped her fingers, and they were at the Northern Ridge.

"Let's go."

"I don't think it's a trap, Iliyakim... but it does seem suspicious. Still, like you said, it's the only way"

As it was, they crept into the tunnel, all of them wearing NVG's (nightvision goggles) in order to see in the dark. Iliyakim wouldn't need them though, given his natural vision. The darkness was deep, bottomless even. They crept forward inch by inch, making sure to make as little noise as possible, and scanning the area ahead for things such as booby traps and landmines. They found none, and soon enough were inside the defences.
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"Let's"

Raven led them forward, as far forward as he dared.

How the hell do they miss something like this?

He started looking for a good spot to strike first. This would be difficult, and dangerous.

At this point, for him, they were all dead...because there was the very real possibility that they'd signed their death contracts by stepping into that tunnel.

But they would cause havoc...yes...they would cause havoc. Hopefully enough to win the day.
_____________________________________________________________________
The two white-clad Drow mages followed along. They didn't have problems with sinking in the snow.

They missed it because the tunnel had been sealed decades before, but subsequent ice shifts had caused it to be reopened, albeit slightly narrower.

They were absolutley silent, like ghosts. They flitted where they could, making maximum use of cover. To be discovered now would be a disaster. Elliot led them under a building that was on stilts, and lay there in the snow,"We should detonate explosives on those fuel tanks just before the attack"
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"See anything you can use?"

Iliyakim nodded. The more chaos they could create before they were seen, the better.
______________________________________________________________________
"Not really...but once something happens, no problem."

" Yes, I am looking for the Ground Commander, I want to know what myself and my men should do to help."

Why that look....

"COme on then, let's go"

Elliot pulled a C4 charge from his backpack, and set the detonantor,"Right, I'll go. Cover me"

He slithered out from under the building, and crawled, slowly but surely, over the ground. He felt terribly exposed like this, with only a sub-machine gun for protection (he'd left his light machingun with the rest of the unit for safekeeping), and he moved slowly so as to not attract much attention. After about fifteen minutes, he was at the fuel tanks he had pointed out. Still crouching low, he looked nervously around, and then placed the charge, firmly pressing it to the tanks. He made sure the detonator was firmly secured, and then took another fifteen minutes, taking maximum advantage of cover, to return to the unit,"Charge is set, just give me the word, and I'll blow it sky high"
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"Fair enough. We play the waiting game," he said, removing his gloves for a moment and fishing around in his belt for a bar of chocolate. He broke it up, and gave them both a piece,"Take it, it'll boost your energy levels and warm you up."

"Work in pairs...we want to take as many as possible down as fast as we possibly can. If your partner goes down, get the hell out of here. Understood?
Then do it, Elliot."
____________________________________________________________________
They thanked him, putting the human confection in their mouths. Chocolate was a rare thing in Kaymiril...only imported in small quantities from human nations.

And they waited. They could wait...and then...at the right moment...they could strike.

They all nodded, keeping quiet as they moved off. All of them carried silenced weapons, except Elliot, but his sub-machine gun was silenced anyway. They crept into position, and waited for the signal to begin. Elliot looked at Iliyakim, and then without waiting, pressed the clacker down.

The blast sent shrapnel soaring into the air, cutting through anyone who wasn't armoured. The fuel tank lit up like a Christmas tree, and soared into the air.

*Outside the walls*
"That's it. All units, Irene. I say again, Irene"

The codeword spoken, the rebel forces began to advance. Inside and outside, battle raged. Captain Horatio knew he had to break through quickly. Six men could not hold out against an overwhelming foe for too long. Even these men.

"Right then, I guess that means us too"

The Tribe of the Bear mounted up on their snow sleds again, and raced after them APCs, they drew level, and used their manouverability to protect themselves.

"Spodor, I want you to make a strafing run on the following targets, try to take out some of the mortars, and anything else that looks juicy. If the AA fire is too intense, back off again. Over"


*In Space*

"Received Alhuma. Out"

Spodor took the Eagle through space, and when he was directl above the Eyes, he piloted it through the atmosphere. Emerging right above the station, he set off towards the first of the targets he had been given, and hoped that he wasn't about to be targeted with AA fire.

They all nodded, keeping quiet as they moved off. All of them carried silenced weapons, except Elliot, but his sub-machine gun was silenced anyway. They crept into position, and waited for the signal to begin. Elliot looked at Iliyakim, and then without waiting, pressed the clacker down.

The blast sent shrapnel soaring into the air, cutting through anyone who wasn't armoured. The fuel tank lit up like a Christmas tree, and soared into the air.

*Outside the walls*
"That's it. All units, Irene. I say again, Irene"

The codeword spoken, the rebel forces began to advance. Inside and outside, battle raged. Captain Horatio knew he had to break through quickly. Six men could not hold out against an overwhelming foe for too long. Even these men.
Iliyakim took his partner and started moving. Everything within him went silent, but each little sound outside of him had significance, from the sound of shrapnel singing past nearby or the distant sound of a sniper drawing a breath.
His primary targets were the enemy first line of defense. It would take work to get in there, though. Cover was a blessing, as was his small size and the gray-and-white color scheme of his clothing.
Any unfriendly in his sights had become fair game, as he and his partner were fair game to them.
Still, this was dangerous, and the odds weren't good. Inthuul was out on his own, spitting fire at the mortars and armor facing the rebels, while Gamma team attempted to survive each moment as it came.

~snip~

As the Eagle emerged, the entire AA defence system turned on it. Flak guns, laser guided SAM's, and the rest. The reason for this was simple. The rebel forces had decided that an air assualt would be too dangerous due to the heavy volume of fire that would come their way. Also, they were far too close for an orbital bombardment, given that it's power was offset by it's inherrent inaccuracy, despite the advanced targeting computers onboard the starships.

~snip~
Second Lieutenant Justin Hawkin was the point man for Gamma Team, and one of the people who had lived on Snake Eater Prime before the first Assembly had arrived. They had evolved there, and whilst they were largely similar to humans in many aspects, their internal physiology was slightly different, as they sported heat-sensing pits beneath their eyes, which enhanced their fuzzy normal vision. Not only that, but they could also smell using their tongues, allowing them to smell out things that the average human nose could not. He was Iliyakim's partner for this mission, and was a top marksmen. His Galil (http://kalashnikov.guns.ru/foreign/galil/gal-tac.jpg) rifle was ready to be used at a moments notice. He snapped off a few rounds, and then darted behind some crates to avoid the return pulse fire. When he spoke, it was with a slight hiss to his voice, a by-product of his vocal chords being more suited to Snakkesse than Basic,"Thiss doessn't look good, Iliyakim. They are many more than uss."

The enemy forces didn't know what to do. Attacked from within, attacked from outside, they seemed trapped. They didn't know how many were inside, the damage and volume of fire being far in excess of six people. This was thanks to their training of laying down heavy fire to give the impression that there were more. Not only that, but even though the armour of the enemy allowed them to see in various areas of the electromagnetic spectrum, the blizzard had closed in, making visibility fall. Captain Horatio swore as the storm began to close in, and opened a comm channel tied into Iliyakim's Codec frequency,"Gamma Zero, this is Echo Seven. We are breaking through the frontline. Request you concentrate on the enemy armour... it is weaker at the rear. Over."

The Eagle rocked from several hits, and Spodor managed to drop a single bomb, before his shields failed.

Just as he was spiralling up again, trying to get out of range and out of the punishing hits, the blizzard closed in and saved him the trouble.

He flew backwards and forwards over the target, unloading the rest of the bombs, before taking off into space, and starting touse his tiny bit of magic to restore shields, fix the hull.

The bombs flew downwards towards the Eyes.

The Eagle rocked from several hits, and Spodor managed to drop a single bomb, before his shields failed.

Just as he was spiralling up again, trying to get out of range and out of the punishing hits, the blizzard closed in and saved him the trouble.

He flew backwards and forwards over the target, unloading the rest of the bombs, before taking off into space, and starting to use his tiny bit of magic to restore shields, fix the hull.

The bombs flew downwards towards the Eyes.
The bombs impacted onto the ground, scrapping a number of lighter vehicles and a single Viper. However, they didn't do the required damage as they weren't aimed well enough.

Second Lieutenant Justin Hawkin was the point man for Gamma Team, and one of the people who had lived on Snake Eater Prime before the first Assembly had arrived. They had evolved there, and whilst they were largely similar to humans in many aspects, their internal physiology was slightly different, as they sported heat-sensing pits beneath their eyes, which enhanced their fuzzy normal vision. Not only that, but they could also smell using their tongues, allowing them to smell out things that the average human nose could not. He was Iliyakim's partner for this mission, and was a top marksmen. His Galil (http://kalashnikov.guns.ru/foreign/galil/gal-tac.jpg) rifle was ready to be used at a moments notice. He snapped off a few rounds, and then darted behind some crates to avoid the return pulse fire. When he spoke, it was with a slight hiss to his voice, a by-product of his vocal chords being more suited to Snakkesse than Basic,"Thiss doessn't look good, Iliyakim. They are many more than uss."

The enemy forces didn't know what to do. Attacked from within, attacked from outside, they seemed trapped. They didn't know how many were inside, the damage and volume of fire being far in excess of six people. This was thanks to their training of laying down heavy fire to give the impression that there were more. Not only that, but even though the armour of the enemy allowed them to see in various areas of the electromagnetic spectrum, the blizzard had closed in, making visibility fall. Captain Horatio swore as the storm began to close in, and opened a comm channel tied into Iliyakim's Codec frequency,"Gamma Zero, this is Echo Seven. We are breaking through the frontline. Request you concentrate on the enemy armour... it is weaker at the rear. Over."
"Roger, Echo Seven. Gamma Zero out. This is Zero to Gamma Unit, concentrate on taking out that armor. Zero out."

Iliyakim grabbed a grenade from his belt, leading his Snake Eater partner through the snow. It would make them harder to hit. Pulling out the pin, he threw it as hard as he could toward the enemy armor, giving it a telekinetic push against the wind.

They didn't answer, he had closed the radio net after all.

The grenade sailed through the air, the fuse hissing away inside. AS it hit the rear armour, the thermo-grenade detonated, the intense heat building up on the rear. It piereced the armour, and then the fuel tanks. The tank was blown sky-high, and Hawkin whooped,"Good one, Iliyakim. Now, watch thiss!"

He slipped a 35mm grenade into the underslung launcher on his weapon, and used the sextant sight to target a nearby building. He fired, the recoil making his weapon rise up. You could basically watch the fat grenade spiral through the air and land on the building, the shrapnel tearing through the windows and exposing the men inside to the bitter cold.

"Good hit. Also looks like their AA might be screwed up. Let's not test that yet, though...no one wants to fly in this weather."

Inthuul returned to his master for instructions. Iliyakim hastily adjusted the spell settings, and sent his Thalack back out to do more.

"Say, Justin...let's see which of us can't blow more shit up."

He was already taking out another bomb.

"Ssomething tellss me you are right."

He snapped off a few more rounds into a man who had gone down, and then lobbed another grenade into the building. The billowing flame came roaring out of the now broken windows, incinerating anything within.

"How iss thiss fair? You have that Thalack as well?" he laughed, drilling a man who had just popped up to take a shot with his pulse carbine. The 7.62 rounds passed clean through the head of this man, who had taken his helmet off momentarily, a bad mistake.

*Outside the defences*
"Captain, we're advancing steadily on the east flank, but the western flank is still holding steady."

Horatio paused,"Sergeant, tell Lieutenant Hallings to break through that armour line no matter what. Once we breach them on the eastern flank, the lower tier of defences should crumble. We've got to get in there and support Captain Iliyakim"

"Yessir. What about the western flank? and the front gate?"

"Can we call in fire support from the Bravehearts?"

"Not in this weather, sir."

He thought again for a moment, before making a decision,"Withdraw units on the front gate, and move them to the west flank. Strike a hammer blow to the enemy there, and we can pincer them."

"Yessir."

On the command, the remaining troops at the front gate were on the verge of moving, before a freak shot destroyed the gun tower on the left hand side of the gate. As such, the area commander chose to push his advantage, almost two hours into the battle. After another ten minutes of fierce fighting, the front gate was taken, and it's heavy guns turned on the remaining enemy armour within the defences,"This is Echo-One-One, we have taken the front gate. I say again, the front gate is now under our control. Over."

"Echo Seven, roger that Echo-One-One. Hold your position and we will reinforce you soon. Out."

"What Inthuul does counts for himself. This contest is just you and me."

He'd sent several grenades off in succession, before switching to his gun and shooting off a few rounds.

"Come on...we need to get out of here before they pinpoint us."

Alhuma and his squad heard the call that the main gate was ttaken, and sped off towards it. They went in, and jumped off their sleds at the sight of the ennemy. They rolled into cover, before standing up and snapping off rounds left and right.

Wulf fired his grenade launcher at one group, while another one set up a tripod Minimi, and sprayed the enemy with fire.

"What Inthuul does counts for himself. This contest is just you and me."

He'd sent several grenades off in succession, before switching to his gun and shooting off a few rounds.

"Come on...we need to get out of here before they pinpoint us."

"A wisse move indeed. They will find us if we are not careful. Follow me... thiss way"

He sniffed the air, flicking his tongue in and out, and using the pits under his eyes to navigate them through safely, coming to a hanger like area,"Thiss lookss like an aircraft hanger."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raven looked up,"It's started, and they've breached the line. We can get in now."

~snip~
"You fucking idiot, stop shooting at us!"

The shout came over the howling wind, and a pulse blast hit the tripod of the Minimi (which has never been equipped with one anyway), knocking it away,"The next one will be your head. Now, hold your position, and fire only when you identify a target"

Fucking idiots!

"A wisse move indeed. They will find us if we are not careful. Follow me... thiss way"

He sniffed the air, flicking his tongue in and out, and using the pits under his eyes to navigate them through safely, coming to a hanger like area,"Thiss lookss like an aircraft hanger."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raven looked up,"It's started, and they've breached the line. We can get in now."
"Looks it...Let's get through here, to the other side. We blow this thing up behind us."

He set a charge on the wall, where it would be hard to see around a plane.
_____________________________________________________________________
The two Drow stood. They looked very similar, the only way to differentiate them from behind their masks was that Tari's hair was pulled up...which meant none, really.

T -- "Then let's go."

Hawkin smiled, and placed his own charge on the wheels of the aircraft,"Jusst in casse!"

As they exited the far side of the hanger, which had been deserted considering the fighting going on elsewhere, Hawkin spied an area where they could rest up briefly, reload, re-arm, and move on,"Thiss will do nicely."
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Raven looked at them both, shrugged, and then started off down the cliff into the fray. The position had given them a great overview, and Gamma Team had merely been the start of it,"Do what you want, I'll see you later"

Iliyakim prepared himself quickly...he didn't like to sit out much of a battle, once it was joined. He also took the opportunity to swallow some water.

"How much longer before they make it through, do you think?"
_____________________________________________________________________
They watched Raven go before activating their gliders.

S -- "I don't think he likes the fact that I've come back."

T -- "Well, you weren't supposed to."

S -- "I know...still...what are we doing?"

T -- "The usual. Destroying stuff."

They took off. Now they were unwittingly testing whether or not Hawkin had taken out the enemy anti-aircraft machinery with that building...meanwhile, they were aiming spells selectively at enemy targets.

OOC: Well my technology is a bit more advanced than the actual Brit Army, so there is one now.

IC: "Sorry!" Wulf shouted as he pressed a button to deactivate his grenade.

They went further forwarsds, and setnup again facing further in towards the Eyes.

OOC: Well my technology is a bit more advanced than the actual Brit Army, so there is one now.

IC: "Sorry!" Wulf shouted as he pressed a button to deactivate his grenade.

They went further forwarsds, and setnup again facing further in towards the Eyes.
"You were told to stay put. You're in our firing arcs, you idoit!"

A Sergeant of the Coldstream's grabbed Wulf and literally threw him backwards,"You were told to hold your position! You're no good to anyone if you're dead, especially in a blue-on-blue!"

~snip~
Hawkin looked at him,"You want to get back to the fighting, right bosss?"

He swigged some water, replaced his magazine, and grinned,"Let'ss kick ass"
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Raven didn't really care either way if Shan was back or not. In his mind, Tari no longer needed him... he'd worked alone before, and he'd known from the start that it had only happened because Shan hadn't been there.

They were lucky, as the AA systems had indeed been knocked out. Not just by Hawkin, but also by Elliot. He had blown up a few communication dishes, which had been exchanging information with the Eyes about the air, but that had since been disrupted. With no comms and no control, the AA system was dead.

OOC: Bit hard to throw him backwards, he's 7 foot and built like a blooming gorilla.

IC: Wulf backed away from the man, not wanting to create any rifts.

"We were only getting to a bit better cover, we're no use to you if we're dead from being shot by enemies becuse we couldn't get into proper cover"

~snip~
"Let's." Iliyakim picked his gun again, moving cautiously back out.
____________________________________________________________________
S -- "Hey, is there anything we can grab? You know...make ourselves useful?"

T -- "I think so. Underground."

S -- "Damn...right, so, from this vantage..." he stopped as he paused to cast another spell...one of the more destructive in his repetoire at a nearby building "...how do we get there?"

T -- "I don't know. I haven't seen the blueprints."

OOC: Bit hard to throw him backwards, he's 7 foot and built like a blooming gorilla.

IC: Wulf backed away from the man, not wanting to create any rifts.

"We were only getting to a bit better cover, we're no use to you if we're dead from being shot by enemies becuse we couldn't get into proper cover"
OOC: Big deal, you go with it.

IC: "But by doing so were in our firing arcs! You claim to be a solider, but thus far all I've seen you do it act the damn fool and try to get yourself killed. The cover here is fine, use it, and don't get in our way."

The Sergeant moved off to his platoon, and began to redirect them in coordination with his opposite number on the other side. In his armour (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a6/SnakeEaters/Colonial%20Marines/halo-1.jpg), he was easily six foot five, and easily strong enough to have yanked Wulf back. He held his pulse rifle (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a6/SnakeEaters/Colonial%20Marines/Pulserifle.jpg) in one hand, and directed the others with swift hand movements and closed-circuit radios. He was a professional, directing troops as if he'd been born to do it.

~snip~
Hawkin led him forward, pausing every so often to sniff the air,"Sshouldn't we desstroy that building now?"
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Raven kept to his own thing, a silent ghost, unseen by all thanks to his camoflague. His knifework was quick and deadly, his gun play stylish yet effective. He was a demon in the enemy lines, but it stunned him just how many enemy soliders there were. The rebels didn't have enough men to fight all of this, he thought.

"Yes, Hawkin. Take it down."

Iliyakim's attention was occupied with gunning down some of the enemy.
____________________________________________________________________
S -- "Well...there's a building. Let's see how far we can't go."

T -- "What are you? Stupid?"

S -- "Been told that before."

T -- "Let's get this done, and after that we can worry about taking stuff."

Another chain of enemy armor detonated as she released a spell at it.

T -- "We'll have to dodge their counter attacks soon."

The Tribe got down, started to dig into the snow as best they could.

They set up their weapons quickly and efficiently, it was confusing fighting against and with men from the same race, in the same armour, even the same equipment.

The one with the magical experience quickly went round and hardened the snow in front of each soldier, and turning it as stone like as possible.

He nodded, and pressed the firing stud. The explosives ripped through the hanger, and Hawkin's work disabled every single aircraft in the hanger regardless if it collapsed or not.

"All done, chief. Come on, or we'll be pinned down"
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"What the hell keeps doing that!"

"I don't know, just keep shooting!"

He nodded, and pressed the firing stud. The explosives ripped through the hanger, and Hawkin's work disabled every single aircraft in the hanger regardless if it collapsed or not.

"All done, chief. Come on, or we'll be pinned down"
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"What the hell keeps doing that!"

"I don't know, just keep shooting!"
"Right...this way."

He ducked behind a building, and started heading toward the nearest front.

"This is Zero to Gamma Unit...how are you doing?"
_____________________________________________________________________
S -- *aiming similar spell at another chain* "They don't seem to see us."

~snip~
Better. Much better.
The injured man limped his way slowly out of the ship, coughing "Then you haven't made it to the cockpit up there. The other five are up there, and I think there might be at least one or two survivors. She's a good pilot, anyone else would have smeared us along the ice, just too reckless."

A gash on his right leg turned the snow crimson as he flopped down.

"If you can... open that yellow panel and mess... with the mechanism in there, three turns right, two left, one right... it should... open an emergency hatch to your left... HOO it's cold out here... twenty-seven, fourty-five, nineteen is the combination... if that don't work, just shoot the lock a few times and try again on the other side... less you've got a cutter on ya that can slice right through... Stand back though, it uses explosive hatch openers..."

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

High above, five of the gunships spread out over the enemy lines. They had been fighting non-stop since the beginning, and were already out of all their standard ordinance. Only their lasers held out, and they would have to return shortly for more power, something they were loathe to do. They knew that two of their craft were down, one more or less controled and the other a giant fireball. Hopefully they would have some friends who made it out, but war hated the players.

They went about their devilish work, strafing and diving, ducking and weaving. But there were several areas they couldn't help in, places where either enemies were too close to friendlies or the anti-air was too intense.

One by one they peeled away, having too much damage to keep fighting or just plain running out of evergy and ordinance. They started towards the orbiting fleet above, doing their best to avoid incoming enemy fire.

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

Already the other five gunships had pulled out of the atmosphere. They moved towards a large friendly craft in passive formation, hoping it had a large hangar bay, and praying that the five on the planet could hold out long enough. They didn't know about the second gunship downing yet, or that their comrades were close on their heels, and it was just as well.

"Five gunships Lima Squadron, requesting landing clearance, resupply, and repairs. Also some stim-packs if you've got 'em, we've been behind the stick for at least twelve standard."
"Medic, patch him up and call in a casevac. The rest of you, with me"

The unit looked, and found the panal, cranking it open and inputting the code to open the emergency hatch. Once they had it removed, two of them went in, white lights on the end of their torches,"Anyone alive in here?"
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"Lima Squadron, landing approved, hanger ten. Land immediately, medical personnel are en-route."

"Right...this way."

He ducked behind a building, and started heading toward the nearest front.

"This is Zero to Gamma Unit...how are you doing?"
_____________________________________________________________________
S -- *aiming similar spell at another chain* "They don't seem to see us."
Hawkin followed him, and ignored the transmission. He was a comedian, but that was just too foolish.

"Gamma Five (Elliot) here, we're both good on this end. Currently destroying mortar positions."

"Gamma Three, we're taking out enemy personnel near the main gate. Requesting support, over"
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Figure out what's doing that! NOW!"

"Roger, Gamma Three. We'll be there in about...fifteen minutes. Think you can hold on that long? Over."

He guestured to Hawkin to start heading toward the main gate.
_____________________________________________________________________
T -- "Look there. Looks like hell and worse...let's see if we can't help even the odds."

Spells started lashing out at troops near and around the main gate. Keris could recognise SHADOW Codec signals, so after pinpointing their locations, she made sure to avoid hitting them.

Hans sighted, made sure that the man he had in his sights was firing at the rebel Snake Eater positi ons, and pulled the trigger on his sniper rifle.

Further along, the soldier that had a bit of mage experience in him made a wind to blow up and clear away the blizzard for 3 seconds. A flurry of shots rang out as soon as the blizzard lifted and were silenced again when the wind dropped.

"Gamma Three, we can hold out. Out."

Hawkin led Iliyakim towards the gate, but suddenly paused,"Can't go thiss way"
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"SOmething very weird has been going on here."

"You're telling me. Just keep shooting."

Hans sighted, made sure that the man he had in his sights was firing at the rebel Snake Eater positi ons, and pulled the trigger on his sniper rifle.

Further along, the soldier that had a bit of mage experience in him made a wind to blow up and clear away the blizzard for 3 seconds. A flurry of shots rang out as soon as the blizzard lifted and were silenced again when the wind dropped.
The man dropped, but his buddy had been looking out, using his own sniper rifle, an MSG-90 A2 ((The Snake Eater version, still fires 7.62mm rounds but it's more accurate)) to sight the enemy. Given that the scope could go thermal, he did that, and scanned for an enemy.

By lifting the blizzard, they suffered a hail of fire in return.

"Gamma Three, we can hold out. Out."

Hawkin led Iliyakim towards the gate, but suddenly paused,"Can't go thiss way"
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"SOmething very weird has been going on here."

"You're telling me. Just keep shooting."
"Then let's go this way." Iliyakim indicated another direction...one he didn't hear anything from.
____________________________________________________________________
Shan and Tari continued raining down Fire and Brimstone (sometimes literally) on the Loyalist troops at the gate.

"Then let's go this way." Iliyakim indicated another direction...one he didn't hear anything from.
____________________________________________________________________
Shan and Tari continued raining down Fire and Brimstone (sometimes literally) on the Loyalist troops at the gate.

"There'ss a minefield back there," hissed Hawkin, leading Iliyakim down the passage,"That'ss why we couldn't use it. This place is thick with booby traps and mines... it'ss a ssodding death trap."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
They seemed to have figured that the enemy was firing from above, and responded in kind. The light machine gunners had taken to unleashing long streams of fire upwards in long sweeping arcs every so often, attempting to hit something they couldn't see.

Luckily the snow in front of each man had been hardened, and the shots either glanced off, or didn't get through the stuff.

Hans lay down even further below the barrier, putting some snow into his mouth to cool his breath.

He hoped that he hadnt attracted too much attention.

"There'ss a minefield back there," hissed Hawkin, leading Iliyakim down the passage,"That'ss why we couldn't use it. This place is thick with booby traps and mines... it'ss a ssodding death trap."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
They seemed to have figured that the enemy was firing from above, and responded in kind. The light machine gunners had taken to unleashing long streams of fire upwards in long sweeping arcs every so often, attempting to hit something they couldn't see.
"I've the feeling it was meant to be."
_____________________________________________________________________
The Drow could hear fire coming at them, though, so were able to dodge it. Velve (Shan's glider) took a hit once, but it bounced off and didn't do too much damage.

T -- "Idiot! Do your job and stop trying to show off. They can't see you, anyway, or you'd be freaking dead!"

S -- "Geez, calm down."

"I've the feeling it was meant to be."
_____________________________________________________________________
The Drow could hear fire coming at them, though, so were able to dodge it. Velve (Shan's glider) took a hit once, but it bounced off and didn't do too much damage.

T -- "Idiot! Do your job and stop trying to show off. They can't see you, anyway, or you'd be freaking dead!"

S -- "Geez, calm down."
"You could ssay that again."

He eventually led them back to the front gate, and then looked up,"It'ss sstarting to get dark... we will ceasse fighting ssoon."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Did you hear that?"

"Hear what?"

"Voices"

"I can barely hear anything other than the comm chatter and this storm. You sure you're not going insane?"

"Certain."

"COuld have fooled me."

"I don't want to be in here when the sun goes down. This is Gamma Zero to Gamma Three, where are you?"

He briefly silenced his end of the channel. He could still listen to Will.

"Do you smell something burning, Justin?"
_____________________________________________________________________
There was FIRE near the gate...because the two little mages above enjoyed making loyalist forces cringe, and burning fuel seemed the way to go at the time.

Justin sniffed,"I taste... smoke. And flames... and fuel as well."

"This is Gamma Three, we're on top of one of the captured gun towers. It's well armoured, and we've set up our shelters for the night. Over"

"We'll join you shortly."

Today has been easier than I thought it would...

"Come on, Hawkin. This way." He started leading the way to the guntowers, and Inthuul swooped down to join him.
_____________________________________________________________________
S -- "Shouldn't we go, too?"

T -- "Probably...but I don't know where."

Hawkin beat him there, and bounded up to the main control room,"They musst be on the roof. I'll bring them inside... this place has it's own heaterss and sstuff like that"

He brought them inside, and the other two joined them a few moments later,"Well, the gang is together again," said Elliot as he shut the door behind him.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"This is Echo Seven to all units. Cease engagement, and prepare for nightfall."

The rebel forces disengaged, and prepared for the harsh Yuktobanian night ahead. It would pass, and they would survive, but it was still harsh. Being out in the open at night was tantamount to a death sentence.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
"This is Raven calling my two little friends. Return to the main HQ of this attack, and meet me there. I've made arrangements for all of us."

"Looks like it. How'd the day go for the lot of you?"

Iliyakim sat down, settled in. It had been hell, and it would be worse tomorrow...but they would pass the night in relative comfort.
____________________________________________________________________
S -- "Or we could trust your human friend to know what's going on."

T -- "We'll be there in two minutes, Raven. Give or take Shan's stupidity factor."

S -- "I resent that. Probably resemble, too...but I still resent that."

The two gliders spun and headed back towards the current HQ.

The general consensus was that it could have been far worse, but it could also have been better. They all sported some form of injury, Elliot having recieved a nasty gash combined with a burn to his face.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Roger that, see you there."

When they arrived, he was stood by the mess tent door, looking at his watch,"Two minutes, twelve seconds."

The Tribe roared back into the GHQ on their sleds, preferring to use the semi-permanent shelter rather than run down their sled's temprorary survival shelters any more.

Iliyakim let Will, their medic, tend to anyone who needed it. He had a few cuts, maybe a bruise or two, but it'd be fine.

Meanwhile, he set up a little cooking unit and started to boil some water.

"If everyone has a different ration pack, we can probably manage a real meal."
_____________________________________________________________________
T -- "So, now we know Shan's stupidity factor. Twelve seconds. Probably better than Jovin's."

"A real meal, on rationss? God, you are lossing it," laughed Justin, his weapon across his legs.

The atmosphere was warm inside, and they could bed down easily enough.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I'd rather not know," he said, turning around and heading inside,"Best to get something to eat before we get our heads down tonight."

The Tribe roared back into the GHQ on their sleds, preferring to use the semi-permanent shelter rather than run down their sled's temprorary survival shelters any more.
"Welcome back," said Captain Horatio,"Accomadation has been readied for you. Don't leave it until we say it's safe. This planet is dangerous."

"A real meal, on rationss? God, you are lossing it," laughed Justin, his weapon across his legs.

The atmosphere was warm inside, and they could bed down easily enough.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I'd rather not know," he said, turning around and heading inside,"Best to get something to eat before we get our heads down tonight."
"Old trick. It's not like something your mother would have made you, but it's better than cardboard and paste."
_____________________________________________________________________
S -- "Probably a good idea."

"Thankyou, sorry for the accidental blue on blue at the gates today.

Where can we get some food?"

"Old trick. It's not like something your mother would have made you, but it's better than cardboard and paste."
_____________________________________________________________________
S -- "Probably a good idea."

"You've eaten cardboard and paste?"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I thought so, come on, they've got a wide range here."

Raven himself picked up a steak and some greens and other such things to go with it, along with the tartar sauce that he needed with steak,"Fit for a king."

"Better than nothing when it's all you've got...believe me. It was about...a century and a half before Thalacks were invented, though...so a good two hundred years."
_____________________________________________________________________
Neither Tari nor Shan were too familiar with human food, so they each grabbed something. Neither of them had eaten since the previous night. Or, to bring up a technicality, since the mouthful or two of chocolate Raven had given them.

S -- "So long as it's food, it'll work fine."