NationStates Jolt Archive

18km South of Olympus, Aequatius Prime, 120km Northeast of San Allimos

Staff Sergeant Michael Lees wrapped his headscarf over his face as the Western Desert wind kicked up sand around him and his squad as they stretched their legs after the long journey cramped in the rear compartment of the M4 Spartan armoured vehicle. It may have been designed to survive, but certainly not comfort, thought the sergeant as he watched the rest of his platoon assembed around their four vehicles perform the same ritual of stretching. Corporal Jean Paquette, one of his squad's automatic riflemen, sat next to the wind-scarred armour plating of the Spartan as she took a drag off her cigarette. Lees walked through the sand and took a seat next to the corporal, "I can't believe those assholes think they stand a chance against an entire brigade."

Paquette flicked some of the ash off the end of her cigarette, "They're fanatics, Mike, they think that God will help them fight us."

The sergeant shook his head, An entire brigade mobilized with division support elements, just to knock out some troublemakers, Thought Lees, All because they think its time that Allah ruled the Republic.

His train of though was interupted by the young corporal, "Any idea what they have over there?"

"Intel says it's nothing we can't handle, assorted small arms, mortars, heavy Gustavs and some 105s," Replied Lees as he shifted his goggles down from the brim of his helmet over his eyes as the wind grew stronger, "Then again, with the air support we have, it's all useless."

"True, but it's nice to know who's standing against us," Said the corporal as the squad was ordered back into the Spartan by the vehicle commander, Paquette looked at the staff sergeant and joked, "On the road again, huh?"

Within twenty minutes, 1st Brigade, 14th Armoured Division was on the move as a wall of armoured vehicles such as the monsterous M5 Gladiator II main battle tanks still coated with their fresh desert tan scheme while older vehicles, such as the company of M133 Turtle heavy microwave tanks and Crusader reconnaissance vehicles, moved over the sand, well-weathered by the climate. Soon enough they would have contact.

(OOC: Hey man, need someone to RP your OPFOR?)

OOC: Mind If I send a coresspondant form my national news network FINN?

((Mind if I drop in to help out? A nice desert conflict against some radicals and fundamentalists makes me feel warm and fuzzy on the inside. I know it doesn't make sense for a nation my size to help you out... But I need a fix, man.

Oh, btw, congrats. You've been nominated for the governing council over at GASN. In case you didn't know.))

Olympus, Aequatius Prime

Yousef Al-Zabar sat in the living room of his home, worrying about the fate of his son, Hakim, who had rushed off at the call of the city's Imam to pick up weapons to fight the Aequatian troops that were, at that moment, on their way to the town. He had never worried, mostly ignoring the religious leaders of the town when they called for separation from the Republic, Yousef was thankful to the government for the fact that no one starved or really wanted for anything and the town was provided with everything they required. He watched helplessly though as his son, who had returned from Arrio University for the summer, was taken in by the speeches and rallies given by the leaders about how the infidels and their false God had kept Allah's Chosen under their thumbs for centuries and now was the time to create their own nation and live as per his will. Their numbers nor their weapons were great, but they had spirit and were fully committed to their cause and the destruction of the infidel army as it approached. Yousef leaned forward and placed his face in his hands as he began to cry, knowing that his son was out there, an RPG launcher or AKM rifle in his hands, ready to give up his life so that others could merely gain more power.

OOC:

Wanderjar: I'll be taking that dubious honour, thanks to the above post. However, I'm sure the Allah's Chosen Separatist Movement could use a good arms dealer, using obsolete weapons by Vietnam-era standards.

Findan: Sure, I can embed the reporter with the brigade so that he/she can report live as the conflict ensues.

Cravan: I've got no problem with you joining, perhaps a special operations unit or a regular unit that was conducting joint exercises with another Aequatian unit nearby?

And I was not aware that I had been nominated for anything, thanks.

7km Outside Olympus, Aequatius Prime

The area had been a vast hub for the oil industry up until many of the oil fields around began to run dry, so an abandoned refinery and its airfield became the perfect forward operations base for the brigade as it set up shop. Staff Sergeant Lees and his company were to head out on reconnaissance with a tank company and some of the recce boys and mark off potential targets for when the close air support aircraft arrived, including the new BA-74 Viper light bomber. The staff sergeant walked with his squad as they moved to their assembly area in the centre grounds of the complex, it was then that the moment was interupted as 122mm rockets rained down on the base. Haphazardly they landed outside the perimeter fences, blowing out sand into the air while others hit the tarmac and exploded, as did those that struck old buildings and flattened them.

Almost immediately, adding to the concussions in the air, the Sabre 155mm guns responded thanks to direction from the counter-battery radar operators. The shells fired contained submunitions, as they had become a favourite of the Aequatian Army and Marine Corps from their campaigns in Red Tide, they would explode over the enemy positions and rain down grenade-sized bomblets. As the bombardment continued, soldiers ran and dove for cover, seeking to avoid wounds from the rocket artillery. One of the rockets had struck a Cyclone air defence vehicle and its rounds cooked off as the vehicle exploded and 25mm HE-tipped shells sprayed out over the area, striking many of the other light UNISUV vehicles and infantry. However, it would not last long as the Sabres halted the enemy rockets by destroying the launch positions as a number of platoons rushed out through the main gates mounted on Wolf HMMWVs to hunt down the enemy spotters.

As the humvees left the base, the other soldiers began to clean up, moving bodies to the side and covering them with blankets until the air ambulances arrived. Sergeant Lees helped Corporal Paquette carry a tank crewmember who had been struck by cooked-off 25mm rounds from the Cyclone, not only had the round that hit his head fused part of the kevlar helmet to his flesh, but another had punched a grapefruit-sized hole in his gut, allowing his entrails to spill onto the sandy ground, staining it with crimson. A young private had been hit in the face lay on his back, facing up into the sky with his remaining eyeball, his brain matter and blood spilled across the tarmac and the side of the Spartan infantry carrier he was taking cover beside, chillingly, two crewmembers moved the body as the vehicle commander splashed the armour plating with the water from his canteen, vainly attempting to clear off the gore.

Outside Olympus, Aequatius Prime

Hakim held his AKM rifle tightly as he waited with a group of his comrades in the ruined housing area that sat on the outskirts of the city, they once belonged to the employees of the oil company, but after leaving the area, they felt it was more economical to leave the houses rather than deconstruct them. They watched through field glasses as a pair of Wolf HMMWs approached the group of buildings, Muhari Khalid, grinned and laughed as he took aim through the sight of his RPG-7D launcher and fired the rocket, deafening the rest of the fighters in the room with the backfire of the weapon. The rocket streaked towards the vehicle, who's crew and passengers were more concerned with revenge than personal safety, and smashed into the engine block, tearing it to pieces and blowing metal shrapnel through the windshield into the front seats. The soldier manning the vehicle's M2C1 12.7mm machinegun fell as his knees gave out after being hit by the wall of steel fragments from the explosion. At once, Hakim and the other fighters opened fire with their rifles and machineguns, spraying the vehicles with 7.62mm rounds. Those that were not wounded by the initial attack immediately dismounted from the wounded vehicles and fired back, their G6A2 carbines and MG55A2 automatic rifles spitting back 6.35mm rounds. Hakim jumped as one of his comrades was struck in the head and stumbled back against the wall, leaving behind a long streak of blood before he settled on the floor, where a pool began to collect. As the firefight wore on, the fighters began to withdraw one at a time before Hakim was the last to go, his heart was racing as they hopped up onto the back of an old Toyota pickup truck and raced off back to the town.

((Regular unit nearby conducting exercises sounds great to me. I guess I'll just jump on in. I hope this is okay with you, since I dunno how you want to do this sort of thing.))

*************

121st Airborne; Company B; First Platoon
Olympus, Aequatius Prime
Joint Military Maneuvers, Day 4

"Fuck it's hot out here..."
"Well suck it up. We're half way to the staging point. Once we're there, we'll have a nice, comfy Hummer ride back to the CP."
"That's what you say every time, but noooooo... Company B always turns down the ride and walks back to base."
"Well then you shoulda stayed with your Mechanized Infantry buddies, then, eh?"
"Fuck you, Kozloski."

First Platoon, Company B of the 121st Imperial Airborne division continued to drag their feet through the Aequatian desert, having spent the last four days of their lives in this desolate place with nothing better to do than take scenic walks through the dunes. Each man wore his uniform with both pride and dirt, having been without a shower in the field for several days. With nonstop exercises and maneuvers, there was little time for such commodities. The men of the one-twenty-one were tired to the bone, but they were dilligent as always.

"Ah, fuck! I'm out of water! And I've got sand in my barrel!"
"Suck it up, princess. Just a little further."
"Besides, Jimmy, what the hell do you need your gun out here for? It's not like we're going into combat. You can just go back to the CP and clean it, since it won't be a while until our next live fire exercise."
"It's not that I need it, it's the principal of the matter. I can't be running around this sandbox with a clogged M2, can I?!"

By this time, the platoon leader had had enough. He had spent the last four days with these men... And he was about to go insane.

"Sergeant!", he bellowed without even turning to face the man. Instantly, the young NCO snapped to attention.
"Yes, sir!"
"Would you mind shutting the fuck up?"
"Yes, sir! I will immediately, sir!"
"Good! Now let's keep moving, troopers!"

After a few miniutes of relative silence, save for the occasional whine or stumbling through the sand, the lieutenant's radio screeched to life in his ear, his communication system coming to life as the local command post attempted to contact him.

"First Platoon, this is Charlie Point. Do you copy, over?"

Lieutenant Wilkinson held out a hand to stop his men, and assumed a resting position.

"Charlie Point, this is First Platoon, we copy, over."
"First Platoon, we're recieving word of an ongoing Aequatian military operation in the direct vicinity of your current position. We don't wish to compromise their operations, so we've dispatched two Blackhawks for immediate evac back to Charlie Point. Sorry, boys, but we're gonna have to cut your playtime in that big ol' sandbox short."

A quiet celebration could be heard from the members of the platoon, which filled Wilkinson with a multitude of emotions. Amusement was not one of them.

"Roger wilco, Charlie Point. We'll be back ASAP."
"Copy that, First Platoon. Charlie Point over and out."

Within miniutes, the beating of rotors was audible for the men of First Platoon as two UH-60 Blackhawks descended on their position, ferrying them back to the command post in the area.

***********

Charlie Point
Olympus, Aequatius Prime

News spread quickly among Imperial troops that there was an ongoing campaign in the area involving Aequatian troops, and many began to ask their superiors about the situation. Their superiors responded with the usual "I don't have that info, and if I did I wouldn't be able to tell you." Unlike most circumstances, they were right this time. Many Cravanian officers would attempt to casually bring up the topic in their conversations with Aequatian officers, but nothing hard was gathered until Major Carl Lewskon, the commander of Company B, personally knocked on the door of the resident Aequatian liason officer at Charlie Point with a simple question.

Do you guys need any help out there?

((Sorry about that part... Couldn't think of a better way to really ask if you guys wanted help ICly.))

Charlie Point, Near Olympus, Aequatius Prime

Lieutenant-Colonel David Koleg hated performing liason duties as he considered it expensive babysitting which took away from valuable time he could be using to network as part of flag officer command staffs and attempt to earn that star. He looked up from his work as the Cravanian major entered and spoke, "I don't think we do, but I have received a message from command requesting some assistance, damned tankers cannot do anything right. Your company will be moving out with three of our parachute companies plus headquarters to form the Joint Airmobile Unit, mostly we will be performing the usual reconnaissance for the Air Force strike missions, but we'll also be acting as forward observers for the brigade's artillery. Get your shit packed, we move out in thirty minutes."

Outside, the Aequatian paratroopers made their way to the waiting MH-20 Shadowcat and CH-47F Super Chinook helicopters. First Sergeant Jamie Stills, a veteran airborne soldier, directed his company as they boarded their Chinook. He had seen action in a number of wars, including the 2nd Automagfreek Civil War and Operation Hellfire, now he was preparing to fight against his own citizens who had turned away from the Republic. Traitors of the lot, he pondered as he helped a crewchief secure lifting cables for an anti-tank Wolf humvee, They live here and consume resources, then want out when they have stolen enough away.

----------

1st Brigade Forward Operations Post, Near Olympus, Aequatius Prime

The clean-up had been terrible, almost a dozen killed and three times as many wounded, and almost half a dozen vehicles destroyed. However, the arrival of the Air Force aircraft was enough to garner cheers from the soldiers along with the announcement that the airborne would be coming to provide recce support, so ground forces could focus on the fighting. Lees and Paquette sat in the shade provided by the cargo compartment of the M4 Spartan, the rest of the squad sat either in or on top of the vehicle as they waited for the order to move. The rocket attack had shaken a lot of people up, many had never seen combat before, except for Lees, who had fought with the 33rd Infantry Division in Operation Noble Lion. Soon enough, soon enough, he thought as the breeze subsided.

(OOC: Ok then, tell me what you need me to do as an Arms Dealer, and I shall deal out M1 Garands and such)

(OOC: Ok then, tell me what you need me to do as an Arms Dealer, and I shall deal out M1 Garands and such)

OOC: Garands? They're not that far behind. Perhaps play as a local arms dealer working with the militia who is also witnessing the looming conflict? I'd like to get as many pairs of eyes on this, kind of see how it turns out with different perspectives.

Charlie Point
Near Olympus, Aequatius Prime

The one-twenty-first finally had something worthwhile to do, and what better way than to go into a live combat zone? Within twenty miniutes Company B was ready and able to move out with the Aequatian airborne troops, their own Blackhawks and Chinooks loaded down with supplies and equipment for their first combat operation since their covert incursion into Inmanistan. Lieutenant Wilkinson was the first to meet with the Aequatian troops.

"First Lieutenant Wilkinson, First Platoon, Company B, one-twenty-one airborne. We're ready to head out when you are.", he said matter-of-factly. His M2 carbine was held at rest, the butt of the rifle touching his chest as his squad loaded up the Blackhawk further behind him.

OOC: Garands? They're not that far behind. Perhaps play as a local arms dealer working with the militia who is also witnessing the looming conflict? I'd like to get as many pairs of eyes on this, kind of see how it turns out with different perspectives.

OOC: I just assumed thats what you meant by "Old by Vietnam War Standards". M-14s then? Or AR-15s?

OOC: When I think Islamic insurgents, I think AKM's/SKS's, and other various older Soviet equipment. The Garand's a good rifle, but it just doesn't scream insurgent like the Kalashnikov does.

Olympus, Aequatio Prime

" This is William Marks of the Findanian Imperial News Netwrok reporting live from the frontlines in Aequatio's battle agianst Islamic insugents in thier nation. Today Aequatian and Cravenaian exchanged fire with insurgents outside of an old oil city. So far no ground hasd been gained by either side and Aequatian and Cravanian causulties have been light. Insurgent causties are unknown but are estimated to be high. Mpre airstrikes are expected to continue thoughout the night. It appears that the Islamists are only armed with out dated weapons from the pre-terrorism days in our nation when Mathiew III was still Emperor. Allied commanders, that is the Aequatians and Cravanians, are optimisitic. Back to you Ted."

Granton, Findan

"Thank you William," said Ted Kozlowski, FINN's nightly news anchor, "In Parliament today Centrist Memeber James Hanrahan,from Crossin introduced legislation to enter the conflict on the side of our GASn allies Cravan and Aequatio. That is the news for tonight. May the Goddess Bless."

OOC: Sorry for the scattered posts, I'm at work and I have to leave the desk sometimes.

IC:

Charlie Point, Near Olympus, Aequatius Prime

First Sergeant Stills saluted as the Cravanian officer greeted him, "That's good to hear, lieutenant, my boys are ready to go and I suggest you get on your bird, we're all going to get properly briefed once we get to the forward post!" He shouted over the whine of the rotors as the helicopters prepared to lift off. A trade of salutes and both men moved onto their respective aircraft and were in the air as the armada of black helicopters flew gracefully over the rolling sand dunes and bermes below. Stills sat at the open door with his legs over the side and his G4A1 rifle at the ready as the ground passed by, as he always did on combat missions. Although it was frowned upon, music blared from the MH-20 Shadowcat of Captain Spike "Driver" Wheeler, Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Fortunate Son" played over the sound of the Shadowcat's turbines. Stills switched channels to the aircraft's intercom, "Hey, Driver, why do we have to listen to this shit for anyway?"

Wheeler's laugh bellowed through the sergeant's headset, "'Cuz I'm in charge, that's why!"

OOC: For weapons, I think that Soviet/Warsaw Pact weapons would be best, as it is expected due to their economical cost.

OOC: Since both of our nations are in GASN could I join in the war. Like say seding an Armour Div. plus a n Airborne div. and mabye a Marine Expeditinary force plus logistics units (i.e MASH) and a Naval task force?

OOC: Two division-sized elements and another brigade's worth of troops is abit much, considering I've only deployed an armoured brigade and a battalion-sized task force of Aequatian and Cravanian paratroopers. And I'm not sure how useful aircraft carriers and destroyers are going to be almost 200km inland of a desert.

OOC: Two division-sized elements and another brigade's worth of troops is abit much, considering I've only deployed an armoured brigade and a battalion-sized task force of Aequatian and Cravanian paratroopers. And I'm not sure how useful aircraft carriers and destroyers are going to be almost 200km inland of a desert.
OOC: Tomahwaks? They have 1100 KM in range. How about a Marine Paratroop redgement then plus a small naval for to luach cruse missiles and carry out airstrikes?

"Hold on to your rifles, boys. You're gonna need 'em from what I've heard.", the pilot's voice said over the radio, slightly garbled by the rotors' constant noise.
"No shit, chief. Now can you take us in safely or am I gonna have to jump?"
"Hey, that was one time only! I've been a good pilot since then!"
"We haven't been under hostile fire since then."

Snickers could be heard from the veterans of the squad as rookies looked to each other in confusion, wondering what the inside joke was. Their fears of first combat weren't helped any by this new revelation, though.

"Okay, boys, we're approaching the LZ. Hold on tight and tuck in your junk, it might get a little bumpy."

Near Olympus, Aequatius Prime

After an hour's time and another rocket attack, the brigade commander decided not to wait for the arrival of the airborne troops and deploy his own forces to root out the enemy militia that he was now sure was stalking the base. Staff Sergeant Lees and his squad took their seats in the rear of the M4 Spartan as the force moved out from the base in search of the enemy forces. Above in the air flew RQ-9A Predator C drones as they searched the area below, waiting for targets of opportunity to arise. Earlier, one drone managed to destroy a pair of armed pickup trucks with a mounted M101 23mm automatic cannon. RQ-8A Fire Scouts moved in low ahead of the armoured vehicles and tanks, they were mounted with MG76A1 8.5mm machineguns and monitored the area for enemy fighters.

The force moved in line formation, with the Gladiator II tanks moving in the center and the infantry in their Spartan armoured carriers on the flanks. Lees sat behind the vehicle commander as he watched a ruined residential complex open fire on the formation. At once the line halted and the tanks took aim with their 125mm guns as they were loaded with HEAT rounds and fired at the building as the Spartans dismounted their infantry, who took up their own positions in the line. The infantry vehicles opened fire with their 35mm autocannons as the soldiers took aim with their support weapons like the M9A2 100mm "Super SMAW" and FGM-148 Javelin missiles. Within minutes the firefight had stopped as the infantry advanced under cover of their Spartan vehicles, the Gladiator tanks scanning the surviving ruins of the complex.

Staff Sergeant Lees led his squad into the ground floor of the building, only to discover the splattered remains of the separatist militia. The old marble floors of the former lobby were stained red as body parts littered the room, rifles and machineguns lay in sticky, putrid piles of spent casings and the torn flesh and twisted corpses of the gunmen. Corporal Paquette, her MG55A2 SAW at her shoulder, approached one body and kicked it over with her booted foot, only to reveal the massive open wound that replaced his frontal ribcage and poured the last of his blood onto the floor. The squad continued to search the lobby as the rest of the platoon, and later company, entered to examine the carnage. They did not remain for long though, as the tank's HEAT rounds had set fire to the building which was already unsound. It was a matter of minutes before they returned to their vehicles and continued their sweep of the area.

OOC:Would the redgiment and task for be ok?

OOC: Tomahwaks? They have 1100 KM in range. How about a Marine Paratroop redgement then plus a small naval for to luach cruse missiles and carry out airstrikes?

OOC: I don't want to get too many people all involved at once, it is a Stomp-RP, but I'd like to enjoy it a little more before I decide to really let it get big.

OOC2: Be back in a little bit, just waiting on my pizza to arrive.

I don't want to get too many people all involved at once, it is a Stomp-RP, but I'd like to enjoy it a little more before I decide to really let it get big.
OOC:k

Airborne Landing Zone Alfa, Southside Olympus, Aequatius Prime

Captain Wheeler brought the MH-20 helicopter in fast before flaring and bringing it to the ground just long enough for the paratroopers to hop out the sides and hit the sand for cover as the port-side crewchief poured fire into a row of houses with the mounted M2C1 12.7mm machinegun in the same fashion as the other helicopters disgorging airborne soldiers. Stills flashed the pilot a thumbs up as he returned fire on a two-storey house with his G4A1, he looked over to the area where the Cravanians should be landing, We need them on that flank to bring in the Chinooks, where are those Black Hawks? He thought to himself as he, without thought, reloaded his rifle and directed the company's fire against the rebel positions.

Airborne Landing Zone Alfa, Southside Olympus, Aequatius Prime

"Have fun, boys! Kill some fer me!"
"You got it, Chief."

The Blackhawks and Chinooks dropped down, offloading the men in a standard combat dropoff. Rifles loaded and at the ready, they took positions in the sand to flank the Aequatians, keeping their heads low as they scanned the surrounding area for hostiles.

"Okay, boys. Don't get yourselves killed.", came the pilot's voice over the radio.
"Copy that, Chief. We'll try.", Wilkinson responded as he dove into the sand for cover from possible rebel firing positions.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c381/crave22/Cravan/dxdshot1155445248ed.png

"Tango, two o'clock, upper window.", Wilkinson heard over the platoon communications system.
"I see the fucker."

He lined up his pins over the young man's head, and gently squeezed the trigger, his M2 Carbine kicking back slightly as it discharged a 6.35x45mm round with a distinct crack, his empty shell casing still smoking as it landed gently in the sand next to him. Soon enough, one of his squadmates arrived at the ridge, M249 in hand as he began to lay suppressing fire over the building, other men taking more precise shots at targets of oppurtunity. The constant rattle of small arms fire dominated Wilkinson's hearing as he continued to pick off rebels who showed their face.

Airborne Landing Zone Alfa, Southside Olympus, Aequatius Prime

The combined fire from the Aequatian and Cravanian paratroopers was too much and overwhelmed many of the rebel fighters as they began to flee through rear entrances of their fighting positions. MH-20 Shadowcats continued to arrive with the lead elements of the Aequatian companies, along with three sections of the new AH-72 Viper helicopter gunship. They streaked in low as they pounded the enemy positions with 70mm rockets and 35mm cannon fire. A lone PG-7 weapon was fired from within the ruins and an AH-72 dodged it, only to have it hit the tail rotor of a landing MH-20, the utility helicopter began to spin as it dropped to the ground and tipped over, its main rotor striking the sand and kicking it up as the composite materials snapped and threw its fragments into the air. First Sergeant Stills ordered two of his squads from his company's first platoon to remain behind and care for the wounded as he called for the remaining two to advance after the enemy fighters.

The enemy fire had died down enough that they could move from the landing zone, which was in reality one of the city's recreational parks, and onto the row of buildings that the Separatist fighters had garrisoned. Stills readied his G4A1 rifle as one of the privates kicked open the ground floor entrance to a building which had initially been laying down a withering hail of fire on the landing mission. Scattered on the hardwood floor was the same image of dead bodies, discarded weapons, blood and shell casings. One gunman who was propped up against the wall, who was bleeding from his legs and lower torso onto the floor, attempted to raise an old Browning HP handgun at the breacher and was quickly dispatched by Stills, the 6.35mm rounds splattered his brainmatter across the wall and onto the floor as the body slumped over. The sergeant returned to the door and called to the Cravanian soldiers, "All clear! They've bugged out!"

The Aequatian paratroopers maintained their small defensive perimeter as their Chinooks began to arrive, disgorging the remaining elements of the Aequatian parachute companies and a small number of Wolf HMMWVs with mounted machineguns and missile launchers. The sergeant and his two squads walked back to the landing zone and approached Wilkinson, noticing his rank insignia, "Lieutenant, nice to have you and your boys here for the party, you arrived just in time," He paused as a group of four humvees pulled up and the crew exited, "Looks like we get a ride, now how about we hunt some of those bastards down?" Other hunter untis were being assembled as the landing zone was secured, MH-20 helicopters would be providing air support along with an RQ-9A drone that circled above.

Outside Olympus, Aequatius Prime

Lees watched the desert roll by as the M4 Spartan's engine chugged along, keeping up with the larger M5 Gladiator II tanks. He had heard over the radio channels that paratroopers had landed in the city and had been met with stiff fighting and could not help but feel somewhat jealous since he was forced to sweep the outside areas of the city with the other armoured troops. The staff sergeant vehicle commander tapped Lees on the shoulder and motioned to the rear door, "Go! We've got contacts!"

Lees and his squad were on their feet as their boots pounded down the ramp and onto the soft sand before dropping to a prone position. The concussion of the 35mm cannon firing in fully automatic bursts was deafening as the rounds tore into the enemy technical and caused the 105mm recoilless ammunition aboard to explode. Cheers went up as the armoured soldiers prepared to embark on their transports again when a round flew through the air and struck the side of a Spartan vehicle, blowing its armoured skirts and a section of its tracks off. The soldiers dropped to the ground again and opened fire, Private Jack Demonte, loaded his M7A1 LAW with one of the 75mm rockets and took aim. The rocket flew through the air and exploded part of the wall as a second rocket, one of the 100mm rounds from the M9A1, streaked in after it and exploded with a roar thanks to its thermobaric warhead. The room collapsed along with part of the building as the fighters attempted to escape the ruins, many only being partially trapped by fallng debris and caught in the open. The squad cautiously approached the ruins and the trapped militiamen, Paquette kept her weapon trained on them, ready to sweep them with 6.35mm rounds, as they still attempted to reach for their weapons. The corporal kicked away one of the AKM rifles and pressed the barrel of her SAW against the cheek of a fighter just as an open-topped Wolf humvee pulled up and an officer in a plain set of desert BDUs, a load-bearing harness, a P9A1 pistol and a smile exited and walked over, "Corporal, we need that man alive, dead men don't tell tales, remember?"

Paquette cursed under her breath, Fucking spooks, as the officer and a number of Special Operations soldiers subdued the living rebels with rifle butts and kicks and pulled them from the rubble while others who could not be saved were merely shot. The officer, still smiling, shooed the armoured troopers away and sent them back to their M4 Spartan. The other damaged vehicle was being examined by field technicians as they talked and argued as to what to do before attaching the wounded vehicle to the Hercules recovery vehicle and dragging it off into the distance. An armed M35 truck arrived shortly after and retrieved the soldiers who were originally mounted on the vehicle.

"Sounds like a plan to me, Sergeant. I could always be up for some rebel hunting. My boys have only had a taste of this fight. I think we want the whole thing now.", he said with a sly smile. "We'll follow your lead. Say the word."

He loaded a fresh magazine into his M2, and lowered it to his waist as he walked along with his fireteam.

Stills pointed to the two rear humvees, "Those are yours, one has a mounted M2C1 12.7mm machinegun and the other one has an M101 23mm autocannon, have fun and try to keep up," He said as he led his squad onto the two lead vehicles and drove for the North exit of the park into the city streets. Above, the RQ-9A watched the city as it slept, waiting for it to awake in the chaos of battle.

OOC:An insurgency breaks out and no-one, turns to me, the person who supplied arms to the Griffencrest Corporation, looted Kraven and helped cause the destruction of The Aeson, blah blah blah. I'm hurt.

If you had an airport nearby or let me RP a well stocked arms depot in Mafia hands I could supply them with 'copters, light tanks, APCs, somethign that will make them look like the GLA.

OOC:An insurgency breaks out and no-one, turns to me, the person who supplied arms to the Griffencrest Corporation, looted Kraven and helped cause the destruction of The Aeson, blah blah blah. I'm hurt.

If you had an airport nearby or let me RP a well stocked arms depot in Mafia hands I could supply them with 'copters, light tanks, APCs, somethign that will make them look like the GLA.

OOC: You're a big enough boy, you found it all on your own. The closest airport would be the airfield now under control of 1st Bde., 14th AD. Although the Western Desert is big and there's a lot of open space. *hint* *hint*

Although if you are going to get in contact with them, I'd prefer it would be a method a little more original than simply shooting them an e-mail, as my intelligence services will be monitoring communications along with the military. Perhaps sending a contact or something of the like.

Olympus, Aequatius Prime

Hakim sat in the cramped seat as the former school bus drove through the city streets, which were now empty after news had spread of the arrival of the helicopter troops. "They are nothing!" Cried someone from their seat. "They cannot survive against Allah's Chosen!" Yelled another. Hakim pulled the sickle magazine out of his AKM and examined the number that was left inside after the last assault on the armoured troops, he placed it back in and readied himself as the bus came to a stop and the militiamen began to file out onto the street. They had taken up a position inside one of the city's larger market squares which acted as a hub for all major traffic throughout Olympus. In a small yard isloated from the road was a group of his comrades, armed with 60mm mortars as they fired on what was believed to be one of the zones controlled by the paratroopers. A group took up a position in an old retail space and kept a close eye out for any of the government soldiers, two of the militiamen manned a DShK 12.7mm machinegun mounted on a tripod while others readied themselves with AKM rifles and RPG-7D launchers for the arrival of the Aequatian and Cravanian paratroops.

"Mount up, boys. Kozloski, on the gun. Hemingway, take the driver's seat."
"Ten-four, chief."

The Cravanian paratroopers mounted up in the HMMWV's, falling into a convoy with the Aequatian vehicles. As the men took their seats, they began to look through the various features of their "new toys" as they saw them.

(here's assuming there's a radio in these ones :p )

"Hey, what's this!?"

One of the troopers reached for the radio dial, his hand promptly smacked away by the driver.

"What was that for?"
"This is my fuckin' car now, and I choose what goes on the radio. And that means nothing!"

A series of moans came from the back seats as the men felt deprived of music.

"Hey, don't blame me for not wanting to get shot with an RPG! For God's sake, blasting the bass in one of these things is just asking for an IED to remove your head!"
"Lighten up, Hemingway-"
"Hell no! I'm not dying out in this hellhole! I'd love to be back home, or even in a more scenic part of Aequatio. Preferably temperate. But no! Command decides we would get so much more out of training in this sandbox."
"Well look at the bright side of all this... You don't need a stove to cook your food."
"Shut up, Freddy."

Finally, Wilkinson spoke up from the passenger seat.

"Okay, shut the hell up the lot of you and let the poor man drive. Have you ever driven in a war zone before? No, you haven't."
"No, but I've driven during rush hour in Cravna. That's pretty damn close.", Kozloski said from the M2C1 turret.
"Damn... How'd you get out alive-"
"Okay, just shut up already!"
"Christ, fine... I wa-"
"Shut your mouth for fuck's sake!"

After a few miniutes of an awkward silence, Wilkinson spoke up again.

"We ready?"
"Yeah.", came the unified response.
"Okay. Hemingway, get the Aequatians on the horn and tell 'em we're ready to roll. And tell them we're sorry for the delay."

The humvee rolled through the streets as Stills kept a close eye on each alley that passed from his front passenger-side seat. We should be on foot, thought the veteran sergeant as they turned a corner onto one of the main roads. Just as they picked up speed on th road, a group of armoured trucks drove out of a parking garage and blocked the street as militia units took up positions and hastily set up heavy weapons, "Shit, DeMarco, turn us around, now!" Shouted Stills as the humvee jerked in its 180-degree turn, the following vehicle followed suit. The M2C1 gunner opened fire on the roadblock, hoping to prevent the enemy from firing their own heavy weapons as the paratroopers attempted to escape. It was then as they drove that the sergeant saw the Cravanian humvees pull onto the main road and start in the opposite direction, Stills quickly switched the radio channels to contact him, "Lieutenant, we have a roadblack back there, they put it up as we approached, I suggest you turn around and keep tight on us!" As he finished speaking, he watched in horror as a second roadblock formed in front of them with technicals and even more militia soldiers.

"What the...? Shit, Hemingway, you heard the man!"

The two Cravanian Humvees pulled in tight with the Aequatian driven Humvees, but as they did Wilkinson saw the second roadblock form.

"Shit! Get your rifles loaded and be ready to hop out and duck for cover at any moment... We're sitting ducks in these things."

Eastside Olympus, Aequatius Prime

The M4 Spartan came to a stop as they reached the first of the city's paved roads and the infantry dismounted and advanced alongside their vehicles as they moved along the street. The Spartans led the way as the M5 Gladiator IIs followed behind, prepared to fire when needed. Lees walked ahead with one of his fireteams as Paquette, on the other side of their M4, led the other fireteam. All along the eastern edge of the city, the 1st Brigade began to push inside towards the city's core. The task force that Lees' company was part of was to be the first Aequatian unit to link up with the airborne forces that had landed in the South. A shot rang out as a round struck Paquette's armoured vest and she stumbled back against the side of the vehicle, the squad moved to their respective sides of the street, a young private taking hold of the dazed corporal and pulling her to the safety of an allyway. Lees peeked around a corner as the turret of the Spartan scanned the main street, "Did you see where that came from, Staff Sergeant?"

The vehicle commander's reply was disappointing, "No Sir, negative contact on my scopes, over."

Lees switched to his squad intercom, "Paquette, did you see where that shot came from?"

"No Sir, but it failed to penetrate my vest, so he's down low with a low velocity," Replied the corporal, "If I knew exactly, I'd have killed that motherfucker."

Lees took another look around the corner before turning back to his fireteam, "Knight, I want you to run over to the Sparty, see if we can get this asshole to reveal his position."

The rifleman nodded as he slung his rifle over his back and sprinted across the street to the armoured vehicle while the sergeant watched down the street with a small trench mirror as another shot rang out and he spotted the muzzle flash. Lees looked over to the Spartan as the radio chatter picked up, "I got him, second floor, third window to left on that apartment building, Sir!" The turret traversed slightly and the gun elevated as the M125A2 cannon began firing, streaking red-orange tracers alongside the high-explosive rounds. The vehicle stopped firing as the commander scanned the area of the building that had been torn apart by the barrage, "He's down, we're clear!" Was heard over the radio as Private Knight rose to his feet and rushed back ovr to rejoin his fireteam.

----------

Southside Olympus, Aequatius Prime

Stills kicked the passenger-side door open as the driver quickly stopped the humvee onto the sidewalk, half pulled into an alleyway. The sergeant helped to pull the soldiers from the vehicle and assemble them to start moving on foot. The second humvee came to a stop just behind the first and the soldiers quickly piled out and moved over to the first group. The sergeant waved his hand, trying to get the attention of the Cravanian paratroopers as the rebels opened fire with various small arms, showering the Aequatians with plaster as the rounds struck the building walls above them. He grabbed the handset off the Commlink Unit on his radioman's back and switched to general channel, "Sierra Two-One, Sierra Two-One, this is Bravo Three-Two come in Driver, we're trapped by enemy militia and require air support, over."

"Go!"

The paratroopers hopped from the Humvees mere moments before the rebels opened fire, barely making it to cover before the lead began to rain down. They were scattered, however, with Wilkinson's fireteam having made their way to link up with the Aequatians while a second team was stranded on the other side of the street. Wilkinson spoke into his squad communications headset, checking in with Fireteam Bravo.

"Sergeant Mendez, this is Wilkinson, what is your status?"
"Lieutenant! Where the hell are you, sir?"
"We were seperated. I'm looking at you right now, you're on the opposite side of the street."
"Fuck... We're pinned down pretty bad over here, Wilkie. I'm not gonna be able to make it over there to link up."
"Just stay put for now, Mendez. We'll figure something out. Just hold on tight, and keep that position as if it were worth a million craves."
"Roger wilco, Wilkie. I'm plantin' my ass in the dirt right here."

Wilkinson turned to the Aequatians assembled in the alleyway.

"All of you here and okay?", he asked as the rounds continued to cascade in the street.

Southside Olympus, Aequatius Prime

Private First Class Jose DeMarco nodded to the Cravanian lieutenant's question, "Yes, Sir, we're good. First Sergeant Stills is trying to get us some Shadowcats in here to clear out at least one of the roadblocks!"

The sergeant shouted into the radio as the enemy fire intensified as the heavy chatter of a DShK 12.7mm machinegun opened up, punching large holes into the Wolf HMMWVs and the walls, "Say again, Sierra Two-One, Sierra Two-One, this is Bravo Three-Two, God damn it, Driver... over."

There was a short pause before the reply from Captain Wheeler came, "Roger that, Bravo three-two, Sierra two-one here, what's your current twenty, over?"

"Driver, we are currently pinned on Hollanda Avenue, near Irving Street, three Wolves down with another Cravanian down across the street, we'll hold position until we can regroup, over," Replied Stills as a round passed by his head and slammed into the wall behind him, "Run on them hard on the West roadblock and drop smoke so we can gather the others."

"Roger that, Bravo Two-Three," Said Wheeler through the Commlink handset, "Greenlight, Sierra Two-One rolling in hot, out!"

Stills motioned for the paratroopers to get as best cover as they could as the helicopter rotors could be heard over the enemy fire. A pair of MH-20 Shadowcat helicopters came in low over the buildings and fired the weapons mounted on the short wings attached to the fuselage just below the side doors. The first streaked in firing GAU-17A 7.62mm Miniguns and 70mm rockets and kicked up particles from the street as the rounds straffed the ground and into the militia positions. The second fired larger AGM-114M Hellfire IIs that punched into the vehicles and destroyed them, clearing a hole in the roadblock.

"Bravo two-three, this is Sierra two-one, we're dry and heading to rearm... Seirra two-four is inbound, please mark target with smoke, over!"

The sergeant smiled as he pressed the transmit button on the handset, "Affirm that, Sierra two-one, will pop smoke for two-four, out," Stills turned to Wilkinson, "How are your people, L.T.?" He asked as Private DeMarco pulled a smoke grenade off his tactical vest and tossed it out towards the other roadblock.

"Sir, tell the flyboys to hit the area East of the yellow smoke!" Shouted the private as he made his way back to the humvees.

"Peachy.", Wilkinson said with a smile as he hugged his carbine. "We're having the time of our lives."

He looked back across the street to Fireteam Bravo, speaking into his headset to get an update on their situation.

"Mendez, can I have a SitRep on what's goin' on over there?"
"Same shit, same alleyway, new bullets flying past my head every two or three milliseconds. It's like a party over here, sir. A party where your head is two inches away from a speeding piece of lead that can kill you."
"Sounds fun. We should be over anytime soon as soon as this air support clears out the other roadblock and gives us some cover. Just hang tight a little longer, guys."
"Wilkie... Tight is an understatement."

Wilkinson chuckled for a moment, then continued speaking.

"Just keep your head down and stay under cover. Wilkinson out."

His earpiece bleeped as he cut the link. He turned to Sergeant Stills, a grin on his face.

"Is it always this fun in this part of the country, sergeant?"

"There isn't a single space in the entire Western Desert that's fun, all there is is sand and time," Stills replied laughing before turning back to the radio, "Sierra two-four, this is Bravo three-two, East of yellow smoke is yours, hop to it!"

"Affirmative, Bravo three-two, we're coming in!" Came the reply as the pair of MH-20 helicopters repeated the same performance as before, effectively clearing the roadblock of the living and dropping white smoke canisters in the middle of the street to allow the soldiers on the ground to regroup.

The sergeant nodded to Wilkinson, "Go get your boys, I'll find out how we're getting out of here!"

"Move, move, move!"

The paratroopers rushed across the street, hitting the sidewalk hard as they dove into the alley on the other side.

"You guys ready to go?"
"Wilkie, I've been ready for the past God knows how long."
"Good to hear, let's go!"

They rushed back across, one man being grazed by a stray bullet in the leg, his kevlar armor taking the hit well as he stumbled.

"Come on, let's move! You okay, soldier?!"
"I'm fine, Wilkie. These uniforms may be ugly as fuck, but damn can they take a hit."

They arrived on the other side of the street, all present and accounted for.

First Sergeant Stills set the handset back on the Commlink pack as he turned to Lieutenant Wilkinson as he returned with his team, "All right, lieutenant, here's what we got: The 14th Armoured's pushing into the city from the East while we're pushing up from the South, the Separatist Forces are trying to reinforce their position in the East to combat the heavier forces. It's become the airborne's job to protect the Southern flank while the light recce forces protect the North. We're not getting out of here just yet, but we're going to be heading back to this intersection," He said as he produced a map from a pocket in his tactical vest and directed the officer's attention to several points, "We'll meet up with an anti-tank section and proceed to this market square here, it's a main hub, so they'll be using it to try and attack the tankers."

PFC DeMarco and a fireteam fired as they spotted a group of militia attempt to advance past their shattered barricades. The private took aim and fired a grenade from his M206 launcher while the other riflemen and gunners sprayed the rest of the ruins, "Sarne, I think we should get moving quick, I think they're going to realize that the birds aren't coming to pick us up!"

Stills nodded to DeMarco before turning back to Wilkinson, "Okay, we'll go along the walls, keep off the street and we'll shoot and scoot, two of yours then two of mine." The other paratroopers prepared to move as the squad's medic, Corporal-Specialist John Plaka finished examining the Cravanian who had been hit crossing the street.

Wilkinson nodded in agreement as he grouped his men together to move.

"You okay, soldier?"
"Yeah, the Aequatian doc checked me over... Barely scratched the camo pattern."
"Good to hear. I want you to move with Mendez when we begin the crossing. Now, you heard the man. Keep low, and to the wall, and don't stop to take a precise shot."
"Got it, sir."

Wilkinson turned back to Stills, giving him the thumbs up.

The sergeant and PFC DeMarco led the way as the airborne troops made their way along the street, the air was thick with black smoke from burning vehicles. Stills stuck to the wall against a corner of a building, he peeked around the edge before waving ahead a pair of his own soldiers as they sprinted across to the other side. Two Cravanians followed before the entire group was across. They came to a large intersection as Stills and DeMarco took cover behind a burned out hulk of a small car, they spotted a number of militia fighters and a technical that stood in the way of the path. The sergeant waved over Wilkinson, "We could take them or we can try to find a way around them, what do you think?"

"Eh, I dunno... A nice grenade would level 'em pretty good, but we don't want any more attention than we need."

He hugged his carbine to his shoulder, leveling the sights at the forehead of the technical's gunner.

"Say the word, though... And we can take 'em down quickly. Only question is how many others are around."

Stills took a moment to examine the situation before turning back to the lieutenant, "All right, let's sweep 'em," He said as he pointed across the street and immediately, DeMarco and a SAW gunner rushed across and took up a firing position behind an old hand cart. "Okay, lieutenant, PFC DeMarco's going to hit the technical with a grenade and once he does, hit them hard, make sure your men pick their targets."

----------

Eastside Olympus, Aequatius Prime

A large park sat in the middle of the city's business sector as Lees and his squad walked through one of the main entrances with the M4 Spartan in tow. The other infantry and their vehicles moved into the park from other openings in the wrought iron fence that surrounded it as the pair of M5 tanks moved around the perimeter with a low trundle, their turrets sweeping the area. It was then that the sergeant saw a mass of people approaching the park from the West, he took out his binoculars and examined the crowd and gasped.

Knight and Paquette walked up beside the sergeant as they strained to see the crowd, the SAW gunner prodded Lees in the side, "What is it, sarne?"

He handed her the binoculars, "It's a mob of people, but all the people in front are women and children... the gunmen are all behind them..." He said as the corporal saw for herself. The three rushed over to the Spartan and Lees hopped up ontp the hull and knocked on the turret's hatch. He was greeted by the vehicle's commander, "Sergeant, have the others form a line, we're going to have to hold our position... tell the tankers to load canister rounds, we're going to need them."

The commander nodded as he moved back inside the turret and the staff sergeant jumped down. The other soldiers took up a fightinf position as the militiamen opened fire from behind their human cover. Knight loaded a grenade into his M206 launcher mounted on his rifle and fired it towards the group. The grenade exploded and the area around it scattered or fell to the ground, the flashbang round performing as it should. Once the civilians fell to the ground, the others opened fire on the Separatist gunmen. As the firefight began, the mob surged forward towards the Armoured troopers' lines and they returned fire in an attempt to stem the tide, Spartans sweeped the crowd with their 35mm autocannons and coaxial M2C1 12.7mm machineguns as the M5 Gladiator II tanks fired their canister rounds, spraying the mob with tungsten pellets and dropping many to the ground. Lees grabbed the handset off his radioman's pack and started calling for support as he fired his G6A1 carbine with one hand at the crowd.

"You heard the man... Pick a target, any target, and light his ass up when the moment comes."
"Right-o, Wilkie."

They took their positions under cover, propping themselves up against whatever they used and taking careful aim at each of their chosen targets. Wilkinson propped himself up against the car, placing the crosshairs between the eyes of one of the Seperatists, gently squeezing the trigger. He awaited the sound of the Aequatians opening fire to completely squeeze the trigger back, which would discharge the round into the boy's forehead.

Southside Olympus, Aequatius Prime

Stills nodded to PFC DeMarco as he took aim with his rifle and fired the 40mm grenade at the technical, causing it to explode and cook off the ammunition, sending streaks of fire into the air as the other paratroopers opened fire. The chatter of rifle and machiengun fire filled the air as the rebels returned fire.

(OOC: Cravan, you can finish them off in your post.)

Crack

Wilkinson discharged a round, sending it straight into the rebel's upper temple, bathing the man's comrades in his brain tissue as a shower of red gore filled the space around him. He promptly moved to the next target, firing off another shot with similiar results.

"Supressing fire!"

One of the Cravanian troopers set up his M249 on the hood of the car, and began spraying back and forth over the general area of the rebels' positions. One rebel was unfortunate enough to be caught in the center of the man's line of fire, cutting him to pieces in mere moments as his internal organs became external organs, the rounds ripping his body apart and literally liquifying his vital organs.

Bullets cascaded around the concrete of the area, a distinct ping heard whenever a round hit the car Wilkinson was covered behind. He put his head down for a moment as a barrage of bullets hit the car, promptly returning to a firing position when the threat had passed.

"Frag out!"

Wilkinson tossed a frag grenade into the center of the rebel position, the ensuing detonation sending shrapnel into each of them. Moans of pain could be heard from the rebel position as the Cravanian paratroops slowly rose from their positions, weapons at the ready.

As the dust settled, the paratroopers lay victorious. Some rebels remained alive, their will to fight unhindered by their possibly fatal wounds. Those which attempted to resist promptly recieved a 9mm round to the temple. Others who lacked the energy to fight were rounded up. While looking those rebels that survived over, Wilkinson turned to Stills.

"What should we do with them? We can't exactly take them along with us. The only humane thing to do in this case is to probably just kill 'em. But then they're just martyrs."

He paused for a moment.

"Did I ever mention how much I really hate moral dilemmas like these?"

Stills and DeMarco looked at each other as they stood alongside the Cravanian soldiers, opposite their defeated foes. The private was the first to speak, "I say we grease them here."

One of the fighters began to speak in broken English, "We are your prisoners, you are required by the Geneva Convention…"

DeMarco stepped forward and backhanded the man across the face, knocking him to the ground, "You, you fuck, shut your filthy goddamned mouth!" Two other soldiers took hold of the private and pulled him away from the prisoners.

Stills took Wilkinson aside, his G6A1 carbine slung over his shoulder, "Frankly, I think it's our only option. We let them go, we'll only be shooting at them again and they'll only try to give away our position or attack if we cart them around with us. Our MPs aren't here and no one would bother to investigate, what do you think?"

"It just... It doesn't feel right while they're unarmed and injured..."

One of the Cravanian paratroopers overheard Wilkinson, and approached the two men.

"Well will this make you feel better?"

He turned so the Seperatists couldn't see what he was doing, and removed his sidearm from his leg holster. He removed the magazine, and ejected the bullet in the chamber. He turned to the rebels, and threw it to their feet.

"Pick it up."

DeMarco grinned as he pulled the charging handle back on his rifle and watched the Separatist closest to the handgun, "Come on, asshole, pick it up!"

The sergeant, now obviously furious, walked over and picked up the sidearm and shoved it into the hands of the Cravanian trooper, "You better stow that shit, right now!" He shouted, only inches away from the soldier's face. He then turned to Wilkinson, "I know it doesn't feel right, lieutenant, but they can't stay with us, they are a terrible liability."

"I agree... I don't really want a part in it."

He paused as he turned towards the private who had thrown his sidearm to the rebels.

"You're lucky you're not a member of my platoon, son. I don't take kindly to bullshit like that."

He then turned back to Stills, a fatigue evident on his face.

"Do what you have to... I don't want to be the one to pull the trigger on these guys, though."

The sergeant nodded to Wilkinson as he directed DeMarco to take the prisoners with whomever wanted to take part to an alleyway, "Make it quick, we need to start moving."

The paratroopers roughly manhandled the Separatists behind a burned out truck and charged their weapons as Stills walked over to the lieutenant, "This entire situation has made ugly men of us all," He said as he produced a cigar from a pocket on his tactical vest and lit up with a wooden match. There was a pause as a number of single rifle shots was heard and a number of cheers before the soldiers returned from the alleyway, "All right, let's get going, we're running low on ammo and need to catch up with those anti-tank guys."

This is a great read. Thanks.

It's fun to RP as well. I'm glad I got in on this when I did. Thanks for the comment.


"Let's move out, then. Bobby, Tommy, bring up the rear and watch out for any that might've doubled back. Hemingway, off your ass."

Wilkinson took his rifle from over his shoulder, and slammed in a fresh magazine as he began to walk along with Stills.

Stills walked ahead with DeMarco on his left and Wilkinson to his right, he checked his watch and turned to the lieutenant, "We'll be meeting with the humvees soon, just around this corner," The sergeant pointed to a corner and the Aequatian SAW gunner ran over and peeked, spotting the pair of Wolf HMMWV with mounted Mace missile launchers, he gave the rest of the group a thumbs up as they approached the vehicles, "Greetings, staff sergeant, we're here for the ride."

The section commander smiled as he saluted, "Thank you, first sergeant, and, uh, lieutenant, as well. Shall we get moving then?"

Eastside Olympus, Aequatius Prime

Private Knight fell back clutching at his throat as blood spurted down on his body armour and face. Lees rushed to his side at the same time as the platoon's medic who began working on the wounded soldier. Lees rejoined the line beside Paquette as she reloaded her weapon with a fresh box of ammunition. and returned the MG55A3 to her shoulder, picking her targets and firing in bursts. Lees looked up from his rifle as the sound of turbine engines could be heard approaching, "Get down! GET... DOWN!" He shouted as the infantry went prone and took cover as the BA-74 Arrow light bombers streaked in, their wings fully swept back. Their passing was followed immediately by the staccato of explosions was heard as the cluster submunitions splashed down on the park and tore the mob to shreads. The squad looked up from their cover and saw the devastation as the survivors fled the field which was littered with burnt and mangled corpses.

There were a few shots as the troopers took shots at the retreating Separatist fighters. Lees waved his hand forward and the infantry and their M4 Spartan vehicles moved forward into the field, stepping over the blackened bodies. The sergeant was almost hypnotized by the carnage as he looked over the bodies, he was so distracted that he tripped and fell to the ground, Corporal Paquette rushed over to help him up and he saw what had tripped up his feet, the half-carbonized body of a young girl, her entire left side burnt by an explosion and her clothes bonded with her flesh. A few of the soldiers vomitted as they advanced, the cracking of the bones was heard as the Spartan vehicles' tracks drove over them, unable to avoid the large numbers.

----------

Southside Olympus, Aequatius Prime

The paratroopers sat in the rear compartments of the Wolf HMMWVs as they drove through the deserted streets of the city. Stills still smoked his cigar as they approached the market square they were to garrison until relieved.

----------

Hakim was half asleep when one of his comrades shook him awake and handed him his AKM rifle, "Hakim! The paratroopers are coming, we can get them!" His mind refreshed with excitement and adrenaline, he rose to a crawl and moved with the others to the window as they watched as the humvees approach. The movement of machine parts was heard as the charging bolt was pulled back on the DShK 12.7mm machinegun.

Fluid time time!

"Well... Let's just hope this ride ends more comfortably, shall we?", Wilkinson said with a smirk. "Mount up, boys."

The ride to the market square was surprisingly uneventful as they moved through the city streets. Wilkinson sat silently, trying to tune out his men's constant bickering. He found it quite humourous, actually, although officially he had to remain neutral. He knew the bickering was a good sign, though, since the men treated each other like brothers. He'd seen how most of them reacted in a combat situation, and he was proud of them.

And he knew what would happen if they lost one of their own...

OOC: Sorry for late reply.

IC:

The humvees had barely entered the square when the lead vehicle was raked with fire from the DShK machinegun, immediately the paratroopers jumped off and moved to whatever cover they could grab as the vehicle crewmembers scrambled to save their striken humvees and sped off to circle around and bring their weapons to bear. This, however, left the soldiers on the ground exposed with little cover for protection. Stills fired into one of the buildings with his rifle as DeMarco and the SAW gunner opened fire at the same spot.

"STAY DOWN!", Wilkinson shouted over the gunfire as one of his men went to stand to take a shot. He pulled the man back, sending him onto the ground. Seconds later, a bullet passed where the man's head would have been.
"Thank you, sir!"
"Don't mention it!"

Wilkinson looked at his SAW gunner.

"Line up a bead on the house and rip 'em apart!"
"Yes, sir!"

The auto-rifleman began to set up his M249, laying down suppressing fire on the building from which the gunfire came. Wilkinson looked over at his grenadier, and motioned for his attention.

"M203, front!"
"Target?"
"Can you see the MG?"

The grenadier surveyed the building from under cover, and looked for the window from which the muzzle flash came.

"I think I can... If not, we'll at least kill somethin'."
"Can you hit it?"
"I should be able to..."

He took aim carefully, popping his UGL sight up and lining up the window, adjusting his range as he moved his left hand forward and groped for the grenade launcher's trigger.

"Here goes nothing..."

He squeezed the trigger, the underslung grenade launcher kicking back slightly with a gentle phwump as the 40mm M1060 thermobaric grenade cruised towards the window.

(((TAG for future reading))))

The grenade was hurled through the air as it flew inside the building where the machinegun crew was firing at the paratroopers, there was chaotic screaming in Arabic as it detonated with a massive concussion and blew dust and debris out of the openings into the street out front. The firefight had been brought to a halt on both sides, as grey figures emerged from the building, only to erupt from the airborne soldiers as they mowed down the rebels. DeMarco and the SAW gunner approached the ruined ground floor with the others following, "Clear!"

----------

Hakim ran holding his shoulder, which had taken shrapnel through about the room in the explosion, as he headed towards the rendezvous point should their position fall to the government forces. Periodically he looked back, making sure he was not being tracked, as he was now minus his AKM rifle. He silently prayed to Allah as he ran, hoping that he would be saved from death.

Eastside Olympus, Aequatius Prime

The armoured troopers continued to move westward through the city streets as they swept over any resistance they met now that Air Force units had arrived to provide close air support. The most devastating so far was the BA-74 Arrow light bomber, which could deliver more ordinance per unit than any other two-seater aircraft. For the most part, rocket-propelled grenade attacks had called off most of the rotary-asset support units, as their slower speed made them more inviting targets, but many had remained on station to evacuate wounded or provide light support with small rockets and machineguns.

Staff Sergeant Lees and Corporal Paquette walked ahead of their M4 Spartan, their eyes locked on the streets ahead as Knight's wounding in the park battle lingered in their minds. He had been withdrawn from the city by a Wolf humvee and they had not heard anything more than that we would be returning to the base at the airport. The mind of the entire platoon was focussed still on the scenes from the park battle, the mangled corpses and the smell of burning flesh haunted their memories as they continued forward, hoping to link up with the paratroopers soon. It was then that the corporal spotted something ahead on the road, "Sarne, what is that?"

The staff sergeant strained his eyes as he looked forward and noticed a wounded man laying in the street, the troopers moved forward to examine the man, "Careful, he could have a bomb on him!" Said Lees as the squad collectively hesitated in their approach. The sergeant turned back to the Spartan and jumped up onto the turret and yelled down into the vehicle, "Have the captain send up the EOD people, we could have something here!"

The vehicle commander nodded as he spoke with the company's commanding officer, there was a brief discussion before he emerged from the turret hatch, "Cap'n says they'll be down in twenty minutes, said they're busy with a roadside IED, a couple of 155 mils strapped together with a cell phone detonator."

Lees nodded as he turned back to the squad, "Keep your eyes open, we'll hold position then. If he tries anything, make sure he stays down!"

Wilkinson and his fireteam ran to join the Aequatians, taking cover where possible and keeping a low profile. Meanwhile, Fireteam Bravo remained further behind to offer cover to Fireteam Alpha. As Alpha reached cover, Bravo moved to join them, taking up positions along the building.

"There were a couple that ran off, I think.", Wilkinson said as he looked warily with his rifle to his shoulder. "We may want to do a sweep of the area after we set up shop."

Southside Olympus, Aequatius Prime

First Sergeant Stills nodded to Wilkinson's suggestion and pointed around the building, "DeMarco, Bernard, sweep North and West sectors, lieutenant, think you can take South and East?"

The grenadier and SAW gunner took off in a light jog outside as they began to examine the area. It was at that moment that the two anti-tank humvees returned from their sprint around the block to avoid additional damage to the light vehicles.

He nodded, and turned to his fireteam. "Fireteam Alpha, on me. Bravo, stick here with the Sergeant and do as he says."
"Got it, boss.", First Sergeant Klatch said with a smile. He hoisted his M2 over his shoulder as he stretched, keeping an eye open for anything out of the ordinary.

Wilkinson and his three men of Fireteam Alpha sprinted towards their objective points, sweeping the area around the southern and eastern areas of the square.

Stills directed the placement of the anti-tank vehicles as he examined the building and smiled as he turned to the Cravanian sergeant, "We'll take our position on the roof, with four fireteams, we can leave one each to maintain security on the Wolf humvees while the remaining two take up positions on the rooftops and monitor the area."

DeMarco and Bernard then checked in through the squad intercom, "Sir, area's clear, we're coming back, out."

"Sounds like a plan to me. I'll check in with Wilkie to see if anything's out there.", Klatch said as he directed his squad to follow along. He flipped his headset so it was open on the squad frequency, and watched the surrounding area as he checked in with Fireteam Alpha.

"Wilkie, anything out there?"
"Nothing that we can see... We haven't gone all that deep, but I think the bastards might've gotten away. We'll be heading back about now."
"Alrighty. Stay safe, boss. You never know what you might run into out there."
"Thanks. You guys keep your heads low, too. I don't want my boys goin' home in body bags from a 'routine exercise,' so stay sharp."
"Will do, Wilkie. Klatch out."

He turned to his fireteam members, motioning for them to follow him closely.

"Let's keep an eye on these Hummers from a nice vantage point, sound good?"
"Anything to get me out of the line of fire so I can sit down and enjoy a nice cig."
"Say, you got a light? I've been lookin' to light one up since we got here."
"Well you can on the roof. For now, stay sharp for movement. These bastards like to sneak up on you real quiet like, and kill ya when you don't expect it."

The sergeant examined the entire market square as the paratroopers assembled back at the building that had been cleared. He had placed the vehicles in protected positions so that at least one of their flanks was blocked by a structure while they could at the same time maintain security on the streets leading into the square. Detonations across the city rang out as the Air Force continued its bombardment of the city, eliminating many of the bridges that crossed over the canals which cut the city into sectors. With the destruction of the bridges, hubs like the market place became valuable real estate. Stills returned to the group and pointed to buildings as he spoke, "I want my fireteams to stay on the rooftops over the humvees and keeping an eye on the square with Wilkinson's men on the otherside, watching the incoming streets on the line of sights that the humvees can't monitor, all right?"

Wilkinson and his fireteam walked slowly into the square, weapons at the ready. He approached Klatch and the rest of Fireteam Bravo, only to be turned around as Klatch pointed to a building on the other side of the square.

"We're taking up positions on the roof to watch for any oncoming hostiles, m'kay?"
"Uh... Alright. Let's get up there, then."

They ascended to the roof, taking up positions and watching their assigned directions. Wilkinson sat with his rifle up, looking through his scope at the possible routes of entrance/escape from hostile combatants.

Smoke rose on the horizon as the Aequatian Air Force was heard pounding key positions around the city. Wilkinson watched as bombs fell on key bridges and choke points in the city streets, wondering how the pilots above could live with the fact they were bombing their own people. Then again... These people had, for the most part, revoked their place in Aequatio, denouncing their government and rising up against them. It was still quite amazing, though.

DeMarco and Bernard sat in their position on the roof of an abandoned low apartment building as they watched the smoke rise from the wounded city, "Fuckers are fucked now that the flyboys have 'em zeroed in. We'll have all this shit squared away soon," Said the gunner as he fixed the front bipod on his MG55A3.

"Don't be so sure, man, these guys are some tough hombres!" Replied the grenadier as he propped his rifle against the parapet and lit up a cigarette, "It's going to take more than those fags to shake these assholes up."

They both laughed as the squad watched the square, keeping an eye out to protect the humvees below. Stills set the handset back on the Commlink pack on his radioman and switched to the channel to speak with Wilkinson, "Lieutenant, I just got word in from battalion command, the tankers are pushing through the city quicker than expected, we can expect to get linked up with them before sundown."

Eastside Olympus, Aequatius Prime

The EOD Warrant Officer shook his head and laughed to himself as he returned from the wounded man on the road to Lees and the waiting squad, "You grunts are too easily scared, staff sergeant, the guy's just been fucked up by a thermobaric grenade, he's not wired at all. Call it in for the medics, they'll take care of him."

The order to continue was passed down from company command as the troopers walked by the wounded man along with their M4 Spartan in tow, the EOD team and the medical personnel loaded the man onto a litter and loaded him into the rear compartment of a field ambulance.

Lees checked his watch before turning to Corporal Paquette, "We link up with the paras in two hours, as long as things go as planned," He said, Yeah, right, like things ever go as planned! He thought to himself as the walked, weapons still at the ready. The marching had become a monotonous pounding of booted feet against the pavement as fatigue started to set in, the troopers had been on the move and awake for nearly twenty four hours since they left their staging area outside of San Allimos. As they turned a corner and started down a main street, the squad was joined by an M5 tank as its tracks crushed any of the debris that fell under them.

"Sounds good to me, sarge.", Wilkinson said through his headset. "We're quite comfortable here. Ain't that right boys?"

A chorus of muffled "Fuck yeahs!" could be heard through the radio.

"I just wish we better than these mystery meals that they serve us... Shit's awful. How the hell can you fuck up a cookie or something so bad?", he asked rhetorically as he watched his men pick through their MRE's, occasionally tossing something which looked (and probably tasted) horrible off the side of the building.

Southside Olympus, Aequatius Prime

The sounds of battle seemed to die down as they faded away to the North, most of the fighting had been relocated there as the Separatists vainly attempted to concentrate their forces against the armoured brigade's 1st Battalion as it swept the city. The remaining elements of the brigade were either located at the airport outside the city or were positioned along the outskirts, maintaining a strict perimeter and ensuring that none escaped capture or elimination.

Stills chomped down on his cigar and fixed his helmet as he sat back, resting for a moment as the odd chatter of a machinegun or the popping of rocket-propelled grenade rounds went off in the distance. He reached into his pack and produced one of the MRE packs and a plastic fork, "My favourite, Spaghetti Marinara," He said as he began mixing the package's contents with the utensil. The sergeant switched to the general radio channel on his headset as he ate and listened to the chatter as the tankers moved about the city, creeping closer to the airborne's positions.

OOC: Look who was bored at work! (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Aequatian_Separatist_Conflict)

OOC: Nice one! Btw, sorry for a late response.

*************************

"Hey Wilkie... Is this anything like Inmanistan was? The borderlands?"
"Nah... Nothing like it.", he said as the sun began to set. "Inmanistan was wet and cold... And there was a fanatic in every other bush. But here? Well, fighting's been more intense since Inmanistan was a little incursion to root out a terrorist leader in the borderlands. This is an all out war. Main difference though is I haven't lost a man. I remember my first taste of being commander was when the captain took a sniper bullet to the neck. He died in that forest. Alot of men did. I stepped up, and this was when I was a sergeant, and took command since our squad's lieutenant was busy wimpering. Damn Retarded Over-Trained Children... Poor kid had no idea what combat was like."

He paused as he took a bite of a cookie, instantly regretting it as he spit the half-chewed chunk off the side of the building.

"Thank God the Inmanistanis never really found out... Else we woulda been in deep shit. I would've lost a lot more men had they discovered we were operating in the area."

After a few moments of silence, another private spoke up.

"Sir... What did you mean when you asked Chief if you'd have to jump this time around while we were landing?"

The veterans of the squad began to chuckle as Wilkinson smirked.

"Don't ask, kid... Else you'll refuse to fly with Chief for the rest of your career. Ignorance is bliss."

Wilkinson reached for his headset, opening a channel with the Aequatians.

"Any idea when that armor is comin' in, sarge? Starting to get dark, and we all know how cold the desert is at night."

Stills sat up as Wilkinson's voice came in through his headset, he perssed the button on the headphone covering his right ear and spoke, "Should be soon, I've got no word from command that they're being held up, but I'll ask." He reached over and tapped his radioman's shoulder as he grabbed the handset and switched to the company command channel, "Bravo six, this is bravo three-two, any word on the armoured's position? The temperature's going to start dropping soon."

One of the staff lieutenants answered, "Just got word in, bravo three-two, they're about four blocks away, give them twenty minutes or so, over."

"Roger that, bravo six, appreciate it, bravo three-two out," Said the first sergeant as he replaced the handset on the radio and changed back to the squad intercom, "Lieutenant, they're about twenty minutes out. Soon as they get here, we should be heading out to the airport for some rest."

"Alrighty, sergeant. Sounds good."

He turned to his men, a smirk on his face.

"Twenty miniutes or so. Start packing up your shit so we can get going when they arrive."

OOC: Cravan, just a little advert for your attention: http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=496633

IC:

Stills looked over the side of the rooftop as he heard the approaching sound of the M4 Spartan's quasiturbine engine and noticed the Desert BDU-clad soldiers of the troopers. He smiled as he turned to DeMarco and the others with him, "Hello 14th Armoured!"

There was a call from the handset on the radioman's pack, "Bravo three-two, this is alfa oscar one-one, come in, over."

The sergeant reached over and pressed the button on the handset, "Welcome to the neighbourhood, alfa oscar one-one, it's about time you trackheads got here."

"Yeah, yeah, just get your asses down here," Came the reply.

"Rog that," Stills said as he switched channels, "Lieutenant, our ride's here, I'll meet you down there," The sergeant placed the handset back on the pack as the paratroopers rose to their feet and started on their way down to the ground below. The anti-tank gunners were already talking with the armoured troopers.

OOC: Yeah, I saw that. As usual, excellent work. I envy your skills with paint. I'm quite happy with the M2 for now, but I may adopt this for civilian law enforcement use or some such thing. Haven't decided, though.
******************

"The armor's here, boys, grab your shit and come on down."
"Sure thing, boss."

The paratroopers rose from their positions, lazily walking down to the ground level and meeting up with the Aequatian troopers.

"Well, Stills... I must say, so far it's been fun.", he said with a smirk. "It's been a while since I've been in real combat. Good to know I haven't been bogged down with rust."

The first sergeant laughed, "I know what you mean, we can still show these kids a thing or two," They walked towards the waiting M35A1 truck that had arrived behind the M4 Spartan armoured carrier. The soldier manning the M2C1 HMG had a 1st Airborne Division patch and the sergeant smiled, "It's nice to see we're getting a ride from our own," He eyed the armoured troopers and raised his voice, "Because we all know tankers can't drive!"

Staff Sergeant Lees and Corporal Paquette walked over, "Well, we're not stupid enough to jump out of a perfectly good aircraft," The sergeant grinned, "Staff Sergeant Michael Lees, Alfa company, 1st infantry, 14th Armoured."

Stills shook his hand, "First Sergeant Jamie Stills, Bravo company, 1st parachute battalion, 1st Airborne. Glad you guys are finally here."

"I'm sure you are, you get to head to the rear for now, we have to continue on into the city," said Lees, "Anyway, thanks for watching out for us."

The paratroopers began loading up onto the rear seats of the truck as Stills turned to the staff sergeant, "No problem, good luck and watch your backs, this isn't a friendly city."

Aequatian Forward Command Base, 7km outside Olympus, Aequatius Prime

Hakim awoke as he felt the jolt of being roughly pulled from the rear compartment of a field ambulance and set down on the tarmac. He was strapped to th litter and his head felt as though it was spinning as he attempted to look around and examine his surroudings, I must have passed out after escaping and I have been captured! Allah will never forgive such cowardice! He thought as two men clad in desert uniforms picked up the stretcher and carried him into the field hospital, it was then that he passed out.

Out on the tarmac, Captain Wheeler sat at the side door to his MH-20 helicopter with his crew as they ate one of the meals prepared by the temporary mess unit that had been set up. They eat had a paper plate with macaroni in a watery cheese sauce and paper cups with orange drink. One of the door gunners, Sergeant Miles Allen, finished off his drink, "My god, the helicopter costs about ten million markes, and they can't afford to give us something good to drink?"

The captain and his co-pilot laughed, they had been in so long that they loved the taste of the Army Cook's food, "Don't worry, son, in a couple of years, you'll get used to it."

"I don't think so, I'm not staying in that long," Replied the sergeant.

The other crewchief laughed and nudged his arm, "Are you sure? Did you make sure to read the fine print when you signed that contract?"

Another grin fell across Wheeler's face as he shovelled another mouthful of the noddles into his mouth.

----------

Olympus, Aequatius Prime

Lees watched as the paratroopers prepared themselves to leave aboard the M35A1 truck, Lucky bastards, He thought as he assmbled with his squad at the rear door of the Spartan. They were calling for the entire company to reassemble for an assault on a fortified area of the city, and with that, the troopers climbed into the cramped vehicle as it lurched forward, passing by the airborne anti-tank humvees as they moved over to the truck.

"Mount up, ladies.", Wilkinson said cheerfully to his men as they passed the Aequatian armored soldiers and the airborne humvees. "It's been quite a day, but if y'all don't mind I'd like to be able to put my feet up at the end of the day."
"Yeah, we're comin'.", Sergeant Klatch replied.

As they walked towards the trucks, Wilkinson turned to one of the armored soldiers.

"Good luck, guys. And stay safe. As I'm sure you all noticed on your ride here, this city isn't all that friendly. And it will definitely be that much more dangerous at night."

The M35A1 trucks moved through the quiet city, the area they were travelling in had already been cleared of the enemy by the 14th Armoured soldiers. Stills took a drink of water from his canteen as they rode in the back, passing by storefronts and apartments, riddled with bullet holes, scorch marks and the odd corpse, half covered with whatever fabric was laying about. The roar of jet engines was heard above as a pair of F-1C Banshee strike fighters streaked in on a building garrisoned by rebel fighters, four resounding explosions were heard as the aircraft left the area, followed by a plume of black smoke towering into the sky. DeMarco and the others looked back and cheered as a BA-74 Arrow came in low and dropped a slew of 225kg parachute bombs before pulling away into the sky.

"Well... At least we get a peaceful ride back."
"Aye to that.", one of his men said.
"What the fuck are you, a squid?"
"No... I just like to say aye.", the private said with a smirk.

Some of the men lit up a cigarette, while others watched out the back of the truck at the road passing under them, seeing the destruction in the Aequatian city.

"Brings a new meaning to warzone when you're fighting in your own ally's streets alongside said ally."

OOC: Post coming tonight, but not now. Just got into work an hour and a half late and I'm exhausted.

The Spartan came to an abrupt stop and the soldiers of Lees' squad lurched frward, the sergeant himself falling back against the vehicle's turret ring. The pinging of rounds striking the outside armourcould be heard as the engine reved, "Hold on!" Shouted the vehicle commander as the armoured carrier entered into reverse and plowed through the front of a small store, providing cover for the squad as the rear ramp slowly opened with a while of hydralics.

Lees looked back at the commander as the infantry exited the M4, "Thanks," He said as the vehicle moved forward out of the wrecked building front and the ramp closed. Immediately the enemy fire was back on the vehicle as it returned fire with its 35mm cannon, spraying buildings and vehicles with rounds while its BGM-88B launcher fired a missile and it streaked into one of the buildings, setting it on fire as the fighting continued.

The troopers moved forward and took up covered positions and fired their own weapons at the Separatist locations. One of the soldiers set his rifle down as he loaded a 75mm round into his M7A1 launcher and took aim at an apartment complex where a heavy machinegun was placed. The soldier was struck in the shoulder with a 7.62mm round from an AKM rifle and he fell back onto the street, letting loose the rocket in a ballistic arch into the air as its engine whined and streaked off into an abandoned delivery truck, exploding it into thousands of pieces. Lees moved over to the soldier along with a medic as he examined the wound, the specialist looked at the sergeant, "It just missed the vest and it's deep, looks like it tore the muscle up pretty bad," He said as he pressed a field dressing over the wound as it became soaked in crimson blood. He pointed to the building and the staff sergeant nodded as they picked up the soldier and carried him to the floor inside, "You go, the squad needs you, I'll be fine here!" Shouted the medic over the firefight outside.

"All right," Replied Lees, "But I'm calling in a medivac for him, because we can't have you tied up in here!" He continued as the door at the back of the room was kicked open and the sergeant raised his G6A1 carbine to his shoulder and took aim only to see more soldiers from Alfa company, "Jesus, you scared the shit out of me!"

The lieutenant smiled as he lowered his own G6A1, "Sorry about that, staff sergeant, we thought this building was empty," Behind the officer were soldiers carrying in more wounded personnel, "I think it might be a good idea to make this the company triage centre, collect the platoon medics and withdraw wounded here, then take them out when the Caregivers arrive."

The sergeant nodded, "Sounds good, I'll tell my CO then!" He shouted before returning to his squad's position outside. An M5 tank had rolled up the street and fired its main gun, creating a large concussion that deafened the soldiers nearby momentarily. It was going to be a long day.

----------

Aequatian Forward Command Base, 7km outside Olympus, Aequatius Prime

The M35A1 truck passed through the front gate of the base after checking in with the sentry guards, consisting of a Wolf humvee with a mounted M101 23mm automatic cannon and a squad of MPs. Stills saluted the MP lieutenant as they passed by as the vehicle pulled up to the motor pool area and the paratroopers disembarked onto the tarmac, it took them a moment to realize that they were the only airborne elements present other than the battalion's helicopters sitting on the runway. The first sergeant turned to Wilkinson as the lieutenant jumped down from the M35A1, "Lieutenant, have you seen any one else from the unit since we left the LZ this morning?"

"No, I haven't. Just my two fireteams.", he said, a puzzled look on his face. "I wonder where they are. You wanna see if you can get your guys over the horn, and I'll try mine?", he asked as he began to switch stations on his headset.

Meanwhile, his men had gathered around already, concerned as to what was going on, their cigarettes flaring in the evening sky as they stood at rest.

Stills walked over to one of the armoured soldiers and conversed with him momentarily before moving onto one of the command tents that sat on the sand next to the tarmac. After twenty tense minutes, the first sergeant returned to the group of paratroopers, many having gone to get food from the mess area and returned, Stills approached Wilkinson, "Apparently, we were the first unit the armoured boys made contact with, the rest of the companies are still in their positions in the Southern sectors of the city."

"Huh. Well, let's hope they can hold their ground long enough for the armored to meet up with them."

Wilkinson switched over to a general company channel on his headset, listening in to the chatter of the airborne troops still in the southern areas of the city.

"Hey, Wilkie! You wanna come and get a bite to eat with us?", one of his men shouted from a few yards away.
"Nah, not right now. Think you guys can pick me up a sammich or somethin'?"
"Sure thing! We'll bring it back in a little bit!"

Wilkinson reached down and pulled his canteen off of its hook on his belt, taking a few sips before replacing it. He continued to listen in on the airborne troops' chatter in the city, wondering where they were and what they were facing at that moment.

"I just hope they all make it out of there before the rebels take full advantage of the night. It may get nasty after that happens."

Stills nodded and lit up a cigar when a young armoured corporal hurried over and saluted the sergeant, "Sir, we have a situation," He said, panting as he caught his breath, "An arrow has gone down in the city, intel thinks it was a Stinger as it moved low to drop ordinance. The Pilot and Wizzo ejected, but they were taken by the rebels, the colonel says he wants you guys to help out some SF guys to get them back."

Stills grinned with the cigar in the side of his teeth as he turned to Wilkinson, "Well, they're not paying us by the hour, now are they?"

Wilkinson smirked as he reached for his headset and switched it to the squad frequency.

"Boys, drop the food and get your asses out here. So much for a nice night of relaxation, there's work to be done!"

The men of Wilkinson's squad emerged from the mess hall, a series of groans audible as they gathered around. Some of them brought their food with them, knowing it was the last decent meal they'd enjoy for some of that week. One of the men turned to Wilkinson, an extra sandwich with several bites missing from it in his hand.

"Here you go, sir.", he said with his mouth full, extending his hand with the partially eaten sandwich to Wilkinson.
"Thank you... Hemingway...", Wilkinson replied as he took the sandwich and examined it with a close eye. He tossed the sandwich aside after deciding he wasn't hungry after all.

The armoured trooper turned to address the group, "You'll have about twenty minutes to change out to your night gear, there are night cammy jackets and NOG waiting for you with the supply depot, just talk to the sergeant there," The trooper turned to leave before spinning on his heel, "Oh, there is also a Kenneth Gregor to join you, he'll be waiting for you at the Shadowcat."

"Then let's get moving. Boys, follow me. We'll get some night camo and be on our way."

He reached into his BDU, pulling out his CN-NV89 goggles and mounting them on his helmet, the rest of the squad following his lead. He turned to Stills, motioning for his men to move to the supply depot.

"I think we've got some darker gear in our choppers, but we'll need some jackets from your supply depot since we're not equipped for a black ops mission like this."

"All right," Agreed Stills, "We'll be taking our birds in apparantly, so we'll meet you at Wheeler's Shadowcat." He led the Aequatian paratroopers to the supply depot where they collected their night vision equipment and the large over jackets with a checked dark olive drab pattern, meant to break up the figure of the body at night and disrupt natural night vision. The squad collected their equipment and walked towards the waiting helicopters, Captain Wheeler smiled as the sergeant approached, "James, didn't think I'd see you back so soon!" Inside the helicopter prepared a group of men in combat gear and customized weapons, "ARAF-PJ Corps" was printed on the patches sewn into their body armour and desert BDUs.

The sergeant took a drag off his cigar and slung his G6A1 over his shoulder, "They want us to pick up some flyboys that got dropped in the city."

"Shouldn't be too long though, they know where the guys are being held," Said the captain as they were interupted by the arrival of a man in khaki slacks and tactical vest, black t-shirt and field cap, a new G65 combat rifle was in his hands as he approached the soldiers.

"You must be the paratroopers that will support the mission," Said the man, "I'm Kenneth Gregor, Aria sent me."

There was a collective groan from the squad and an expression of scorn on the first sergeant's face as they heard the name "Aria" mentioned.

The Cravanian paratroopers returned, ready to ship out. They had exchanged their gear, and donned the Aequatian night camo that would break up their outline better in the darkness. The men began to crowd around the helicopter, Wilkinson joining Stills. As they arrived, they overheard a collective groan from the men in the Aequatian paratrooper squad.

"What did we miss?", he asked. He noticed the man sitting in the helicopter, and instantly a word dreaded in all militaries of the world popped into his head.

This guy looks like a spook to me...

Private DeMarco joked, "Aria, how's that bitch doing?"

Gregor shook his head and sighed to himself, "I hate these joint ops, let's just go."

The paratroopers climbed aboard the helicopter as the captain started the engine. Stills helped Wilkinson and they sat with their legs hanging over the side as Gregor took his seat in the co-pilot's position up front. The sergeant nodded to Gregor, "Fucking spooks, something doesn't feel right about this mission anymore."

"No, it doesn't. If spooks in Aequatio are anything like spooks back home, I'm not looking forward to this one.", Wilkinson said over the noise of the rotors. He looked back into the helicopter, his own men coversing among themselves. They were obviously not happy there was a spook with them, either.

One of the armoured troopers looked off towards Olympus as he signalled for the helicopter to lift off and walked off as it lifted into the air.

http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/albums/fallujah_offensive/aeh.jpg

The helicopter lifted off the tarmac and started off towards the city, which was burning at several points throughout its sectors. The concussion of the rotors covered most of the sounds of battle as explosions ripped through the city as Air Force bombers pounded the city's. Stills tossed his cigar off the side as the helicopter travelled over the desert between the airport and the outskrits of the city. Green and orange tracers criss-crossed through the streets as firefights raged below, "Well, let's hope we don't have to see much of this asshole then!"

"Agreed.", Wilkinson said, enjoying the light show below. The display of firepower was as beautiful as it was deadly, green and orange flying through the city streets.

"I would say it was pretty... But I know that every time I see a green streak there's a probability a friendly would get hit. But it is just an amazing sight...", he said. He removed a small personal video recorder from his BDU which he had brought with him, and began recording the flight over the city for his own personal memoirs.

Wheeler looked back as he raised his right hand up, "Five minutes!" He called out over the helicopter's intercom, "I'm going to bring you in about three blocks North of the target building in a parking lot, Kenny boy here will guide you in on the ground."

The sergeant nodded as he switched his carbine to full automatic and gestured to the others, "Get ready, boys, we're going in hard!"

The Shadowcat flared violently as it turned to make the landing, it touched down and the airborne soldiers along with Gregor and the PJ stepped off the helicopter and onto the pavement. Stills gave Wheeler a thumbs up and the pilot waved as he lifted off into the sky, startign his circuit above the area until they needed extraction. Gregor unslung his weapon and pointed to the North, "Let's go, ladies, time's wasting!" As he walked forward, field goggles covering his eyes from the rotorwash.

Wilkinson hopped off the chopper, gun in hand. He directed his men with pinpoint precision, motioning them along with Cravanian airborne handsignals and whispers through the squad headset system. He removed his military-issue GPS from his front pocket, taking note of known obstacles in their way and their exact distance from the target structure.

"Sergeant Klatch, take front."
"Ten-four.", Klatch responded by whispering into his headset. He took Bravo team ahead, scouting out for hostiles. His CN NV-89 night vision goggles offered a clear view of the surrounding area, as if it were daytime out.

Stills moved ahead with DeMarco as they took cover behind a burnt out car, the sergeant held his forefingers against his headset, "Lieutenant, it looks clear going up the road, we'll take point if you want to cover us."

"Copy that. We got your backs. Bravo, take positions behind that car. Alpha, with me."

They lined up their sights on various directions of possible enemy attack, prepared to offer covering fire to the advancing Aequatian troopers.

Stills tapped DeMarco's shoulder and the private led the squad forward with the sergeant in close tow, they stopped as they reached a corner and the grenadier took a look around down the street, "Clear!" He shouted as the first Aequatian fireteam rushed across the street. The second followed as they approached the door to the target building. Gregor gestured to the door and DeMarco moved to kick the door in, with Stills and the SAW gunner poised with their weapons aimed from the shoulder. The wooden door cracked as the private's boot broke through the door and it opened, immediately, the three paratroopers pushed it open and breached the room only to find it empty. Gregor followed as the squad maintained security outside on the sidewalk, the four men walked through the main floor, still finding it empty as they gathered in the front foyer, "Well, first sergeant, you and your gunner here take the upstairs and I'll take the grenadier and head down to the basement."

Stills gave a slight nod to DeMarco and the group split up, Stills moved up the stairs with his G6A1 sighted as the MG55A3 gunner moved slowly behind. The intelligence officer and DeMarco moved to the only door leading to the basement. The private tried to kick the door open only to fall back with the force, "Fuck, man, what the fuck?"

Gregor stepped forward and pulled the damaged wood back to reveal a reinforced steel door, "There you go, private, go get your sergeant and we'll meet outside."

DeMarco, suspicious of the spook's motives reluctantly climbed to his feet and made his way upstairs to the main floor, "Sarne! Sppok wants us outside, I think he's going to demo the building!" The heavy booted feet of the sergeant and gunner was heard as they walked out to the street outside. Gregor followed moments later while an explosion shook the ground.

"What the fuck was that?", Wilkinson asked as he perked up to look at the building. He and his men rose from the positions, moving to join the Aequatians.

"I thought we were here to rescue some pilots, not blow down the block. How bad were they barricaded in that you needed to blow it?"

DeMarco looked at Wilkinson, "I don't know, there was a steel door down there and spook wanted to demo it."

Gregor pointed to Stills and one of the other riflemen as he led them back inside the building and down to the basement door, which now had a hole peirced through it, thanks to the shaped-charge that he had placed on it. He placed another charge and they returned to the main floor as he detonated it with a remote, shaking the area once again. The returned to the door and entered with weapons ready, the sergeant fired three rounds into the upper chest of a gunman with an AKM rifle aimed at the door as they entered. A number of other bodies lay strewn across the floor, all in local garments, "Where's the flyboys?" Asked Stills as he suspiciously eyed the intelligence operator.

Gregor ignored him as he kicked through the piles of paper laying on the floor and searched desks and tables with maps and charts. There was a second door in the room and he opened it, handgun drawn as it revealed a young man with a long cut across his face, he reached forward and embraced Gregor, "Praise Allah for you!" He said as the operator pushed him back against the wall, the other paratroopers with their weapons aimed.

The sergeant looked at the man and turned to Gregor, "We were never here for a pilot and his wizzo, were we?"

He turned to respond, "It was something you didn't need to know, sergeant," He said coldly as he turned the man around and placed flexcuffs on him before directing him with his hand to the stairs, "Let's go, we're finished here."

Son of a bitch used us, Stills thought as he and the rifleman followed Gregor and the prisoner up the stairs and outside to the others. He grabbed the handset off his radioman's pack and switched to Wheeler's channel, "Alfa Sierra One, this is Alfa Golf One, we're done here and ready for exfil."

"Affirmative, alfa golf one, return to Lima Zulu point and wait twenty mikes, over."

"Roger that, en route now," He replied as Gregor handled the prisoner forward with the squad.

"That cocksucker.", Wilkinson said in a low tone as he walked with Stills. He could tell his men were not amused as well, talking amongst themselves and giving the Aequatian spook several dirty looks. "I knew it was an impossible thing to trust a spook."

Wilkinson studied the prisoner walking along with Gregor, looking for anything odd.

"Say... Did you notice how that prisoner was actually excited to see this Gregor guy? I find that somewhat peculiar."

The first sergeant shook his head, "He's not, he prattled on about being a hostage or something about how his friends in there turned on him, he was trying to convince us that he was innocent, but it's all bullshit."

The prisoner tripped forward and Gregor lost his grip as he fell against the pavement of the street. The operator and one of the Aequatians leaned over to pick him up when he grabbed hold of the soldier and attempted to wrestle his G4A1 rifle from his hands. Gregor smashed the buttstock of his G65 carbine into the prisoner's nose and blood sprayed out as he fell back against the ground and the paratrooper rose to his feet, giving the prisoner a swift kick to the ribs as he continued on with his fireteam. DeMarco spat on the prisoner as he walked by him as Gregor helped him to his feet and shoved him forward.

They entered the parking lot and took up their positions as they waited for the helicopter to arrive.

"Well that confirms that statement.", Wilkinson said with a smirk. "I was real tempted to shoot him when he got free, though... And accidently have a little blue-on-blue incident. Spooks don't officially have a record, right?", he said jokingly while he chuckled.

The spook continued to recieve looks from the Cravanians, some of them going far enough to give him offensive hand gestures both behind his back and in front of his eyes. Spooks were never terribly popular in the squad, but this was the first time they had been used by one.

"Well looks like my men are having fun... I'm surprised none of them haven't shot him yet."

"They're well-disciplined soldiers, professionals," Said Stills as he scanned the street, he flipeed down the night vision goggles from his helmet as the light began to diminish with the sun having gone down. Many of the others had done the same as the helicopter moved in over a low building. The rotorwash blew dirt and dust through the air as the soldiers shielded their eyes and approached the landed helicopter, Gregor and the prisoner were the first to board as the airborne troopers climbed aboard with the Cravanians.

The Cravanians took their seats, waiting for the Aequatians to join them so they could make their evac. Many of them moved to avoid the prisoner, fearing he may go berserk and try to kill them with his teeth. As Stills boarded the helicopter, Wilkinson took his seat next to him, legs hanging out the door.

"He may be a professional, but he ain't airborne. I know everyone can't be perfect, but...", Wilkinson said over the sound of the rotors with a wide smirk visible on his face.

Stills laughed, "I was talking about your guys, I could never say anything nice about spooks," He said as the helicopter lifted off the pavement and started back to the airport. The green hue of the night vision made the city look eerie, streaks of light could be seen in the odd firefight as the armoured soldiers continued on through the city.

Flashes of light could be seen from the airport as the field artillery battalion attached to the brigade fired in salvos into the city, shelling separatist positions with a combination of conventional high-capacity high-explosive and cluster munitions. They rained down on the city and caused havoc as buildings collapsed and fire erupted, lighting up the horizon with an orange glow.

----------

Sergeant Lees and the other armoured troopers continued their fight through the streets. Reports came in that suicide bombers had attacked many of the units already in the city and the soldiers became even more jumpy as they walked down the streets with their M4 Spartan, Corporal Paquette and her fireteam had already sprayed down a group of cars, fearing they were packed with explosives. The sergeant and corporal approached the lead car as it sat at the side of the road, its engine compartment smoking from the cracked engine block, and they noticed the people still sitting in the rear of the car. Those sitting up front had received the worst of the rounds, their flesh torn to pieces and the interior soaked with blood, but those in the rear had taken stray rounds that did not embed themselves in the car's frame. One of the passengers was a small girl, just barely six-years old, one of the 6.35mm rounds had striken her in the skull and presented the soldiers with a view within, exposing her brainmatter and blood as the body slumped over in the seat onto the lap of what could only eb guessed at as her mother.

Paquette dropped her MG55A3 and fell to her knees, her face in her hands as she sobbed quietly before Lees directed her towards the waiting M4 and she took a seat in the rear compartment. The squad took a moment to rest, the fatigue really began to take its toll on the soldiers. They were frustrated with the fact that each airborne unit they relieved was sent back to the airport while they were ordered to continue into the city. The armoured troopers appreciated the arrival of the Air Force planes, but it was not enough, they needed proper rest. Other members of the squad walked over to the car to inspect the carnage, many turned away immediately, one young private threw up in his hand as he attempted to cover his mouth and nose from the stench. Lees looked over from his comforting of Paquette and shook his head, This isn't why I enlisted, not to murder my own countrymen, He thought as he turned back to the sobbing corporal.

Wilkinson took his camera out of his BDU, focusing on the firefights below. He watched the city through his NV Goggles, the fires flaring in the night. For some strange reason, it eerily reminded him of Cravna. He sat with Stills, legs hanging over the side of the chopper as they cruised out of the city.

"It just looks so beautiful at night.", Wilkinson observed to noone in particular. "Although it's a warzone... It looks so peaceful at times."

He removed his NVGs, and looked around at the city in the black of the night. Tracers flew in the streets as the fighting continued, but the night itself was calm, as most nights in the desert are. Wilkinson felt overall relaxed, even with a warzone passing just under his feet.

The trip back to the airport was uneventful as the MH-20 touched down onto the tarmac, guided by one of the armoured troopers waving the chopper down. Gregor and the prisoner were the first to step off as a tan painted Wolf humvee pulled up and they both got in before it pulled away again. DeMarco shook his head ashe watched them drive off, "Not even a fucking 'thank you' from him, what an asshole."

Stills stood beside the helicopter as Wheeler exited, stretching his arms intot eh air, "It's all right, we made it back okay, that's all that matters," He said as he turned to Wilkinson, "I suppose this means we can rest a while and get something real to eat."

"Well thank God for that. I could use some real food for once."

He looked around the airfield, watching as his men handed back the night camo to the Aequatian quartermaster and walked to the Mess Hall.

"I think I'll go ahead and grab a quick bite. Then I figure I'll check in with battalion and see how things are going there."

He stripped his Aequatian field jacket off with his BDU, and returned it to the supply depot. He casually walked into the Mess hall, tossing his helmet down at a table with the other paratroopers and walking up to the serving line. He returned with a tray full of food that hadn't come in a package. Wilkinson didn't really care what it was, just as long as it wasn't a "Mr. E" as the MRE's had beennot-so affectionately nicknamed.

ooc: could I maybe join in? Maybe send a small spec ops unit, as this is clearly "low intensity" conflight..(if I'm mistaken, then please say so)

ooc: could I maybe join in? Maybe send a small spec ops unit, as this is clearly "low intensity" conflight..(if I'm mistaken, then please say so)

It's low intensity at the moment, but I don't think that foreign SOF troops will be needed. Although it may pick up and become a broader conflict later on.

ok..Will keep a eye on it then, and the offer will remain open, in case you develop it into more. Sound good?

ok..Will keep a eye on it then, and the offer will remain open, in case you develop it into more. Sound good?

Well, it will develop, but there's a storm brewing that requires my focus as well.

The recent addition of Eelwallet to the nationstates world dictates the fact that there might be a need for weapons.
I as the representative of Eelwallet's military and judicial force do hereby ask if you could open up shops in my nation.
In addition the grand committee of militaristic forces proposes a decree. This decree will permit you to test and when deemed acceptible all new weapons lethal and non-lethal within my military.

In Eelwallet there are only a few laws to protect the national public
1. A compulsatory background check will be required to purchase all handguns and automatic weapons.
2. Rifles and shotguns will be available to only those with a valid licence
3. An i.d. will be printed and sold with each firearm



Thank you i look foreward to your reply i hope we can keep a friendly relationship.
Raquuin The representative on behalf of Eelwallet

OOC: I believe you have the wrong thread... I do know which thread you're looking for.

http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=497062

Stills followed suit with his Cravanian comrades, all around the mess hall, noisily chatting and eating, were the other members of the airborne unit. He moved to the line of soldiers getting themselves food and was happy to see the large trays with french fries and he grinned as he shovelled a large helping for himself. The sergeant and his squadmates walked over and took a seat along with Wilkinson and the others as they began to eat.

The squad was eating as the room feel somewhat silent as an officer entered the hall, the small Eagle emblem on his field cap revealing his prestige, and walked over to the table where Wilkinson and Stills were sitting, the command sergeant-major stood next to the colonel and shouted, "Atten-HUT!" And at reflex speed, the Aequatian soldiers dropped their utensils onto the tabletop and stood up straight.

OOC: Hey hey! Jolt's stopped being a whiny bitch!

The Cravanian paratroopers snapped to attention as well, out of pure reflex and to show respect to the foreign officer. One man hadn't even put his food down, continuing to eat his french fries while standing rigid, albeit slowly. While the Aequatian officer wasn't looking, another man smacked him up the side of his head.

Wilkinson stood rigid with the others, arms at his sides and eyes straight ahead. His food was so close... And yet so far. It was painful to see it just sitting there, and not travelling to his stomach.

Why is it when I'm in the middle of something I actually want to do they interrupt?, he thought to himself.

The colonel approached Stills first, "First Sergeant James Stills, , you have both been recommended for commendation," He read off a sheet of paper, "First Sergeant James Stills, 1st Airborne Division, First Battalion, Bravo Company, Headquarters Detachment. Aequatian Republic Army, distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism while engaged in an action against an enemy of the Aequatian Republic, in the city of Olympus, Aequatius Prime, Aequatio, you are to be awarded the Distinguished Cross of the Republic for your actions in your most recent mission." The colonel pinned the medal, with a blue ribbon outlined with crimson and a large gold Maltese cross with "ARMY" engraved across its design, to the sergeant's BDU jacket before saluting. Stills returned the salute and the colonel turned to Wilkinson.

The colonel stepped over to Wilkinson, "Lieutenant Richard Wilkinson, you have both been recommended for commendation as well," The officer said as he took a piece of paper from the sergeant-major, "Lieutenant Richard A. Wilkinson, 121st Airborne Division, Second Battalion, Company B, First Platoon. Cravanian Imperial Army, for gallantry in action against an enemy of the Aequatian Republic, while serving with friendly foreign forces, in the city of Olympus, Aequatius Prime, Aequatio, you are to be awarded the Eagle's Cross, with a valour device, for your actions in your most recent mission." The colonel reached forward and pinned the medal, a Maltese cross with a bold eagle emblazed over it with bright crimson ribbon attached to a silver tag with the word "VALOUR" engraved across it, to Wilkinson's BDU jacket and saluted, "Congratulations, you have upheld the honour of your services and have displayed actions which will set an example for your fellow comrades."

"Thank you, sir!", Wilkinson said with enthusiasm as he returned the salute. The men of the squad were somewhat startled at this, realising their leader had just been awarded an incredible honor by the Aequatian colonel. Although still at attention, smirks could be seen on the lips of each of the men.

Well... I guess this is better than eating..., Wilkinson thought to himself as he stood at attention, still saluting the colonel.

The colonel returned the salute and laughed, "I'm not that far out of touch, I know all you boys wanted was grub, enjoy your downtime," He said as he left the mess hall with the sergeant-major in tow. Stills sat back down with the lieutenant as they continued to eat.

OOC: * Sits around checking over his gear....* *whistles*

As they continued to eat, Wilkinson watched as the door opened again to reveal an officer. This time, however, it was instead a Cravanian officer, his rank pins identifying him as a Major in the Army. Underneath his rank pins, though, were silver pins embedded with a blood-red ruby in the center, the symbol of an Imperial Guardsman. He approached Wilkinson, who immediately rose to attention.

"At ease, son. I'm just a messenger for today.", he said, handing Wilkinson an envelope. "Congratulations.", he said with a slight smile.

The officer promptly left the room, returning to a parked Humvee outside for the long ride back to Charlie Point.

"What is it, Wilkie?", Sergeant Klatch asked with a concerned look as Wilkinson fell back into his seat.
"Well let me open it for Christ's sake."

He opened the envelope, inside a plain piece of paper with the crest of the Imperial Army and a few signatures towards the bottom. He quickly read the letter over, his eyes skimming the words.

Lieutenant Richard A. Wilkinson is hereby nominated for a position in Imperial Guard Detatchment 2, Squad 1. It is with great pleasure that I bestow this honor upon Lieutenant Wilkinson for outstanding bravery and courage in the face of a foreign enemy while assisting our Aequatian allies. For his undying loyalty to his country and his men, I proudly announce his achievement, and eagerly await word of his acceptance for this honor.

Signed,
Miguel S. Hernandez
Colonel Miguel S. Hernandez
Cravanian Imperial Guard, 1st Detatchment, Administration

"So?"
"I've been nominated for the Imperial Guard."
"Wilkie?! A Guardsman? You're shittin' me. Lemme see that paper."
"Awh, man... It's fuckin' true!", one of his men proclaimed while gathered around the letter.

Wilkinson sat with a smile on his face, knowing he had been chosen as an elite member of a special operations team. Many of his friends had been accepted into the Guard, and now he would have that chance as well.

Arrio, Aequatius Prime

Omar Karzi sat in the driver's seat of his car as he watched the Illorians leaving their temple, Corrupt infidels, they will pay for ignoring the message of Allah! He thought as he reached over to the passenger seat and moved the blacket back, revealing a slightly rusted Walther MPL submachinegun and a number of spare magazines along with a half dozen M61 hand grenades. He placed the magazines into his jacket pockets as he hooked the grenades onto his belt before kissing the small Crescent moon emblem that hung from his necklace and exiting his car. He crossed the street as he pulled the charging bolt back and took aim, "Allahu akbar!"

----------

Lieutenant Daniel Foch looked over the scene as the sidewalk and temple's stairs, at least twenty had been killed by the gunman before a police officer had killed him. He was confused as to why the Staatspolizei had been called to investigate until he realized that most of the victims had been foreign nationals. One of the priests lay twisted on the ground, his body had covered a young boy who was now laying in the back of an ambulance, the 9mm rounds had failed to penetrate his own body. Jesus, this isn't going to bode well for relations, He thought as he made his way to the mobile operations centre.

Olympus, Aequatius Prime

The dark night sky had not bode well for the Separatist fighters as their lack of modern combat equipment was made evident as they fell in droves against the Aequatian armoured troopers in the continued fights through the city. Lees and his entire company were moving through the streets towards the large open square in the middle of the city which presented the governing municipal hall. The M4 vehicle jolted to the left as it crawled over the remains of a small coupe and the soldiers cursed the driver's name as they rubbed bruised and bumped elbows and knees. The vehicle moved onto an angle as it began to climb the front stairs of the marble palace-type building alongside the other armoured carriers, there was a crash as it plowed through the front doors and barricades and came to a halt in the main lobby of the building. The rear ramp opened with a whine of hydraulics as Lees led his squadmates out onto the steps and approached the building as the rest of the company secured the exterior perimeter. The platoon of soldiers entered teh building only to find it devoid of life as the evidence of the inhabitants that intelligence had reported to be there did not appear. In complete silence, except for the sound of the Spartan's turbine engine and the tap of booted feet against the rubble-strewn floor, the troopers ventured inside the interior of the city hall, Paquette and her fireteam investigated a section of offices before moving on to the second floor, Lees followed with the second fireteam. After an hour of searching, the building had been cleared, and the soldiers had nothing to show for their over-dramatic assault on Olympus City Hall other than an abandoned cache of small arms and bodies of fighters killed in a nearby air strike hours previous. Lees and Paquette sat on the stairs looking out to the square as the company assembled around the command tent and a detachment sent from the forward support battalion, the sounds of battle had died down considerably since the fight for the city began, reports had mentioned that the fight had been taken out of the enemy despite attacks being conducted throughout the province on other cities such as San Allimos, Arrio and Aurunca.

OOC: Look who was bored at work! (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Aequatian_Separatist_Conflict)
[OOC: And look at who was being a nice guy! (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Category:Aequatio)]

[OOC: And look at who was being a nice guy! (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Category:Aequatio)]

Thanks, I was trying to figure out how to create a category for my nation. Now I can get writing on more articles.

First Sergeant Stills set his medal down on his pack as it sat next to his cot in the section of tents set up for the airborne unit. He shook his head and laughed to himself as he rose to his feet and walked outside onto the tarmac, his G6A1 slung over his back as he placed his sunglasses over his eyes to the morning sun. The armoured troopers were all about, their vehicles assembled in motor pools while the airborne's helicopters sat lined up, their crews absent.

Reports had been coming in all night about the fighting dying down, although it was mainly attributed to the halt order given to the armoured forces as they took up positions in many buildings throughout the city. The only units that remained busy were the Air Force flights and their strike missions throughout Olympus, the silence was interupted by the odd flyover of F-1C fighters or BA-74 light bombers.

"WHAT!" Erika exclaimed as she heard the news of the bombings in Aequatio. "We're defanetly going in and getting some revenge, on what scale, I don't know"

"Well, Madam," her personal advisor said, slightly flustered, "It might be a good time to put those Fremen to work, you know Maxlent, he's always itching for something new to do."

"Sounds good, I'll write something to the Aequatians letting them know they've got some angry Illiorians who want revenge."

To: Aequatian MoD, CC Aeq. DoS.
From: Erika Kars/ Illiorian Armed Forces
Yeah, um... we want to get our revenge... so we're sending in a bunch of SF guys.

A lone C-130R flew alongside a pair of MV-22 transports as they flew low over the Western Desert and approached the airport being used as a forward base. The Hercules aircraft carried a number of customized vehicles while the tiltrotor MV-22s each held a detachment of Reconnaissance Action Troops, or RATs as they were called by other Army soldiers, prepared for operations in Olympus. After being vectored in by the air controllers and setting down into positions on the tarmac, the soldiers inside began to disembark as they helped the support personnel direct unloading operations. Major Matthew Decker stepped off the rear cargo ramp of the MV-22 he and his squad were on and onto the sand of the desert, his tan suede boots treaded softly as the wind blew about his light desert fatigues. Master Sergeant Xander "Zee" Watt followed behind the major as he helped direct the other soldiers of the squad, he turned to the officer, "So, cap, what do you think, fighting our own people?"

The major lit up a cigaratte and turned to his assistant, "I think it's bullshit, Zee, then again, we've done nothing but bullshit for this government. I can't salute that flag anymore, knowing how much blood is underneath its fabric and on my hands."

Major Decker sat in the co-pilot's seat as the pair of MH-10D Super Raven light helicopters lifted up off the tarmac carryign his squad of twelve soldiers. The composite rotors ripped through the air at blinding speed, and almost sounded as though they were tearing it, as the helicopters glided over the city, which was still bellowing towers of black smoke into the sky from battlezones the night before. The major looked out his window as the aircraft banked and turned in over Olympus, the pair of aircraft dropped to a lower altitude as they approached the landing zone. The special forces operators slid open the side doors as the landing skids touched down on the pavment of the parking lot and the soldiers hopped out, within seconds the aircraft were back in the air as they lifted off and disappeared into the distance.

Master Sergeant Watt moved forward to the entrance gate and booth of the parking lot with the six members of Bravo team while Major Decker moved with the remaining five members of Alfa team to cover along the shoft fence surrounding the perimeter. Decker signalled forward and Watt brought his team across the street to the wall of a building, the major looked over the skyline of the city and spotted their target, a multi-storey tower to be used by the squad to mark targets for artillery and mortar units. He nodded and his team sprinted across to join up with Sergeant Watt. After an uneventfu twenty minutes of moving through the streets, they reached the building to find many of its panes of glass shattered and the main lobby utterly destroyed. Sergeant Emily Lake, Alfa's lead scout, slung her M12 shotgun over her back and approached the elevator to find it still functioning for the squad to gain access to the higher floors. Sergeant First Class Eric Wheeler contacted headquarters through his Commlink before the squad made their way to the twenty first floor and at once began to set up their equipment, including a laser designator for directing Air Force strike aircraft weapons and a laptop with satellite uplink and digital maps for reference use.

Decker sat back on a tan leather couch and looked over the city as Sergeant Lake began setting up traps in the stairwells as Bravo team's scout, Sergeant Anthony "Eye" Switcher trapped the elevator common hallway in the same fashion with Claymore mines and laser tripwires. Sergeants Jack "Spider" Webb and Donald "Wasp" Hawkins, the two squad sharpshooters, took up teir own concealled positions on the floor overlooking the streets below, Webb armed with the 12.7mm Mark 95 Mod 0 rifle and Hawkins with the lighter 8.5mm Mark 14 Mod 9 semi-automatic rifle. The two medics, Staff Sergeant Scott "Doc" White and Brian Carpenter pooled their kits togther and collected other first aid material from lockboxes in the floor's bathrooms while they set up the small kitchen consisting of a small gas burner and a frying pan. Wheeler, Staff Sergeant George Earle and the two squad gunners, Sergeants Peter Grate and Marcus Cote prepared the targetting and communications equipment and settled in for the day as they started to receive calls for fire support from units throughout the city.

The pair of BA-74 aircraft flew high over the city as their 900kg guided bombs slammed into the city, lighting its evening skyline with a bright orange tower of fire. Major Decker sat back from the laser designator and opened a small package, revealing the cold paste that, unlike its label, tasted nothing like roast beef. He frowned as he tossed the package out the window and washed his mouth out with water from his canteen, "They have fucking satellites to do this job, why the hell are we out here?"

Master Sergeant Watt smiled as turned to his friend, "Economics, Dex, the flyboys need to use up the last of their laser-guided bombs, so they set us up on missions like this."

Just then, Sergeant Wheeler's voice could be heard over the radio channel, "Major, Sir, we have a problem down here."

Decker reached over and picked up the handeset, "What is it, sergeant?"

"It's a mob, sir, and I think they're mighty pissed we've been bombing their homes," Replied Wheeler, "I think we can take them though--" The sergeant was interuppted as the chatter of Sergeant Grate's MG55A3 light machinegun could be heard along with the heavier MG76A1 of Sergeant Cote, "Sir, they're rushing us, we're falling back to the stairwells!"

Decker dropped the handset on the floor as he rushed to Sergeant Lake and shook her awake, "Em, I need to to take the Claymores off the stairwell, they're coming back up and they're being followed."

"Yes Sir," She said as the scout rose to her feet, M12 shotgun in hand, and raced to the stairwell position and started to dismantle the trap as the sound of weapons fire echoed through the concrete walls inside. There was the trample of booted feet as the operators made their way towards the twenty first floor, the chatter of the small arms was less as they began to lead ahead of the mob advancing up the stairs.

A very tense ten minutes passed with the other members of the squad assembled at the stairwell as the wounded four operators reached the doorway, blood staining their light-coloured desert uniforms. Sergeant First Class Wheeler looked at Major Decker, "Sir, we need to get out of here, they stopped following us by the fourteenth floor, but we reckon they'll be back, they were pretty pissed and were shouting at us in Arabic."

Watt walked beck onto the floor from the stairwell, "This building's too tall to get a bird to pick us up, we would have to fight or way down onto the street."

The major nodded at the sergeant's comment as he paused to think, "All right, get everyone to pack up, we're going to move out in ten."

Southwest of Aequatius Prime
Five GS-421 Titans were slowly dragging their butts through the air. Four of the five transports were carrying solely gear, from IH-19 Medium lift helicopters, to IH-75 heavies, and even five or six IH-65s. Provisions and tents and cots and weapons were on one too, and on another were a dozenl Multi-operational vehicles, or the replacement of the HUMVEE, and two APCs. On the final plane was a detachment from the 15th Special Forces divison, known as the Raiders of the Ark, the fifth Company and support and intel staff, close to a total of one hundred and fifty men, not including aircrews and maitenance staff, when added on mad for a total of two hundred and fifty personell. The Aircraft were trucking along, following their preprogrammed route, soon to be entering Aequatian airspace, and off to their mission of helping quell the insurgency that caused the death of close to two dozen Illiorians.

In the Cockpit of the lead GS-421, a change of flight crews was occuring, as it was a 3500 mile flight. Upon checking his location, the replacement crew began to get ready to land at any area where they were needed. "Aequatian control, this is Illiorian transport flight Sierra Foxtrot Three-Seven, convoy Sierra Foxtrot one-eight, requesting guidance to the area of insurgency, and a suitable landing strip, as we've got some big birds, repeat," and he repeated the message.

Back in the transport section, multitudes of discussions were taking place, from who owuld get the most kills to who would get promoted soon, to politics and what the Aequatian Forces would be like. (I'll add on in the next post.)

300km Sothwest of Aequatius Prime

A flight of four Air Force F-1C Banshee fighters flew in a tight delta formation as they received a flash message from their Wing Commander aboard one of the orbiting E-10 Directions aircraft:

Illiorian transports inbound, move to intercept and escort until vectored in by Peters AFB ATC.

First Lieutenant Troy Harris, pilot of the lead fighter, directed his aircraft to change course and the fighters broke hard and movd towards the incoming transports. He pressed a button to obtain the channel to speak with the Illiorian pilots, "Sierra Foxtrot Three-Seven, this is Eagle Five-Seven Alfa, we are moving to escort you into airspace and Peters Air Force Base ATC will vector you in from there. Welcome to the Aequatian Republic, fellas!"

In the cockpit once again, the captain recieved and confirmed the message of the Aequatian fighter aircraft. "Roger that Eagle Five-seven Alfa, wilco, and thanks for the welcoming party, specially at this day in age. I've got some boys in the back that are itchin, so pass it on to hook 'em up with some of your grunts in the hottest areas, and we've got some intel boys, so set up a Liason officer, and a couple of Hangars too, for my boys to work out of, over." He said as he switched to the intercom, "Hey mudboys! we're down in under an hour, get ready to move!" he said.

Back in the Cargo area, the 250 personell began to get ready.

"Ah Fuck!" Corporal Makal said as he looked over his suit.

"What Mack?" a Seargent sitting nearby said,

"I forgot my damn MP3 player!" Makal responded

" You forgetful shit," a Lieutenant said as he assed by dropping the MP3 player in his lap, "you lent it to me."

"Thanks sir," Makal said as he popped the earbuds in, and began blasting some rock he loved, as he checked his ISR-15, his ISP-13, and his ISSM-16, to amke sure all were working in order.

On the other deck of the aircraft, two Company Seargents were arguing over the toughest enemy faced. "It had to be those damn rebels in the New Empirian incident," one said,

"Ah, you got me there Jack-o, but I wonder how these Aeqies'll be."

"What you mean? the fuckin wimps or the mudslurpers?" Jack-o replied

"Well, I guess the Mudslurpers will be the usual ground forces, you know, the 'we need our APCs!' type, and the Fuckoffs'll be the usual suckass insurgency, but I'm here for retribution," He finished with a tone that'd make most men shake in their boots.

"Yeah, sorry about your cousin, Mark," Jack-o Said, "But don't let that get to you, but yeah," He continued, getting all the while louder, "we're all here to kick some ass, right boys?" A chorus of "hell yeah!"s echoed the lower deck, as the planes continued on their flight.

Lieutenant Harris spoke into his facemask's microphone, "Don't worry about it, Sierra Foxtrot Three-Seven, everything will be taken care of once you get to Olympus. Just enjoy the ride in from here," He said as he switched his radio off, Fucking foreigners, think they can tell us what to do. The F-1C fighters took up positions around the transports as they came into view of the coastline and the Western Desert.

OOC: Craven, there's a plotline that I'd like to include Wilkinson in, is there anyway to get his new unit to be included in a coming mission into Olympus?

This is my last post for tonight, I should be back on by 0900 Eastern Standard Time tomorrow, if not that time, then I'll be back at 1500 EST.

IC:

First Sergeant Stills sat in the briefing for his company's next movement, Captain George Bryer, the company commander, looked over maps of the city as the other company commanders and the battalion executive offiver examined a sector of the city that was rumoured to have special forces operators working in, "I've been told be command that our people are in trouble, with much of the city's population turning on us thanks to the Air Force's recent deliveries," The executive officer, a major, said as the other officers looked at the map.

Captain Bryer frowned, "I guess they need our boys to go in and pull their asses out of the fire?"

The major nodded, "That's correct, captain, I want you to put together a squad since you'll be working together with the Cravanians again," He explained, "You'll be inserted by CH-47Z's here with Shadowcats running air support, all you need to do is move out and link up with the RAT squads and bring them home."

"Sounds easy enough, when do you want us to be ready?" Asked Bryer as he slung his G4A1 rifle over his shoulder and placed his helmet back on his head.

The executive officer spoke without looking up from the map, "Have your squad ready to go by launch area delta in thirty minutes, pack NOG and canteens, you'll be out there into the night."

"Yes Sir," The captain said as he motioned Stills out of the tent behind him to the tarmac outside, "I want you on this with me, DeMarco for grenadier, Elgin as gunner, Doc and take a few others. You heard the major for the gear to take, so inform everyone to do the same."

Stills nodded as he turned on his heel and walked off. The captain smiled as he made his way over to the Cravanian tents that sat on one side of the other airborne lodgings.

[OOC: Sure thing. I planned on bringing him in with his new SpecOps unit to start our plans of an international SpecOps unit. I can change it if you like, though.]

[OOC: Sure thing. I planned on bringing him in with his new SpecOps unit to start our plans of an international SpecOps unit. I can change it if you like, though.]

OOC: Well, if possible, I'd like to include the IG unit in this rescue mission I'm setting up.

[OOC: I've come up with an idea for this whole thing... I'll wait on reassigning him and keep Wilkie with his current unit, but he'll be reassigned to replace one of the operators in the IG unit who is KIA. I figure he can be reassigned after the crisis is more or less over when our joint SpecOps force is created. DEAT'ing post now. I'll save a copy as a .txt just in case, anyway.]

[OOC: I've come up with an idea for this whole thing... I'll wait on reassigning him and keep Wilkie with his current unit, but he'll be reassigned to replace one of the operators in the IG unit who is KIA. I figure he can be reassigned after the crisis is more or less over when our joint SpecOps force is created. DEAT'ing post now. I'll save a copy as a .txt just in case, anyway.]

OOC: Okay, all that I'd really like is to include the character in the coming plotline, as I'm planning for him to become a central figure in it.

Olympus, Aequatius Prime

Major Decker looked over his tactical map as the squad gathered their equipment and weapons and collected the unused Claymore mines placed throughout the floor. He presented the map to the other operators and began to explain his plan, "All right, I spoke to command and they say that they're flying in a platoon of airborne with support to exfil us back to the forward base outside the city."

Master Sergeant Watt looked at the map before looking up at the major, "That's all well and good, sir, but how exactly do we get down to the ground floor to get to the landing zone?"

Decker could see the sergeant's concern on the faces of the squadmembers, "We'll be using the service elevator, Sergeant Wheeler is working on it right now with Lake, they're going to prepare it for all of us to get to the ground level so we can exit through the loading dock out onto the street."

Satisfied with the plan, the operators loaded their weapons and stood ready at the elevator as Wheeler and Lake finally accessed the service controls, they took two trips down, each time carrying a single team of the squad and after an eternity, they assembled in the loading dock. Watt pointed to the motorized garage door as the entire squad readied their weapons for anyone standing outside. The door roared to life as the button was pressed and lifted off the concrete to reveal the twilight sky, Major Decker was the first to step out onto the street, his G6A1 at his shoulder, before waving the rest of the squad out. The dozen soldiers moved along the sidewalks as quietly as they could, keeping eyes open for members of the hostile population, when a militia gunman turned around a street corner and was met by the knife of Sergeant Lake. She lowered him to the street and dragged his body into a narrow alleyway before slinging his AKM rifle over her shoulder and examining the street ahead, seeing it was clear, she waved the first team across before following with the second. As they approached another intersection, they were greeted by the shouting of a group of militia fighters and the spray of rifle and machinegun fire.

In unison, the entire squad ducked for cover as they started to return fire with the exception of Staff Sergeant George Earle, who had been hit in the neck and was kneeling down behind the burnt out hulk of a small car, cletching his bleeding wound with his hand. Alfa team's medic, "Doc" White, rushed to him as he pulled the staff sergeant's hand away, only be sprayed in the face with blood as Earle's artery displayed its fatal puncture and caused the staff sergeant to collapse and pass out. The medic tried feverishly to revive the fallen operator, but it was all in vain as the wound continued to ooze blood onto the blackened ash in the street. Watt took aim with his M206A1 mounted on his rifle and fired a 40mm grenade, causing one of the militia's technicals to explode, throwing bodies and twisted metal through the air, he waved forward the other members of his team as Grate hosed down another group of fighters with his light machinegun, propped up by its bipod as he lay prone on the street.

White dove over beside Decker as the major was firing his carbine in short, semi-automatic bursts against positions taken up by the militia and shook his head, notifying the officer of the squad's loss. Decker nodded as he led Bravo team ahead under the covering fire provided by the two gunners, he looked back and noticed as another mob had materialized on their rearguard, effectively trapping them on the lethal stretch of street in the middle of the city. He waved his hand and called for the squad to consolidate their position and prepare to punch a hole in the human walls that had closed against them, Master Sergeant Watt loaded a 75mm fragmentation rocket into his M7A1 LAW launcher and fired it down against the mob, clearing only a small group before it was filled again with even more bodies.

Wilkinson looked up to see the captain, and turned to greet the man. He snapped to attention, saluting the Aequatian officer.

"Hello, sir. What can I do for you today?"

(Sorry for short post. I'll make a longer one later.)

Captain Bryer returned the salute and removed his field cap, "Lieutenant, I've been called on to form a small unit for a rescue mission to go into the city and pick up some special forces operators that are trapped. It will consist of a squad of both Aequatian and Cravanian airborne troopers and I felt you were the best candidate to lead the Cravanian squad. First Sergeant Stills, whom you have already met, will be leading the Aequatian paratroopers while I command the entire unit. Gather up your personal gear and your night vision goggles and get together about five of your best men. Meet us on the tarmac in thirty minutes."

Sergeant Webb lay face down in the street, having taken a number of rounds to his body attempting to cross over and take up a defensive position with the other team, as the surviving members of the squad continued to fight, focussing their combined firepower on the less-numerous militia fighters. Marcus Cote scrambled to load a fresh box of 8.5mm rounds into his MG76A1 machinegun while the second gunner, Sergeant Grate, continued to fire in controlled bursts at the rebel gunmen as they darted out onto the street from inside doorways and alleyways. Watt loaded a thermobaric rocket into his M7A1 launcher and took aim at one of the storefronts being used by the Separatists. The rocket screamed as it flew from the launcher's tube and towards the building before exploding violently, collapsing the front and having the bricks and mortar dust raining down onto the street. The master sergeant tossed the now-useless launcher onto the ground and continued to fire with his G6A2 carbine, dropping three fighters with a burst of four semi-automatic rounds.

Decker pressed the magazine release on his G6A1 rifle and the empty mag fell out of the weapon onto the ground and he reloaded as he tapped the shoulder of Sergeants Lake and Watt, "Frag!" He shouted as the three each took out a M71A5 fragmentation grenade and pulled out the satefy pin. They released the safety handles with a ping as they hit the concrete and each heaved the small bombs out towards the militia positions, "Frag out!" Decker called as the operators ducked down as the grenades exploded, "We got an open door, advance!" He yelled as the soldiers jumped up onto their feet and started towards the weary Separatist fighters, dropping the few that still offered resistance. On the rearguard, Sergeants Hawkins and Watt fired their Mk.14 Mod 9 sniper rifle and G6A2 carbines respectively alongside Sergeant Grate's MG55A3 SAW against the mass of people still following the squad.

Staff Sergeant Brian Carpenter, Bravo team's medic, helped his team's gunner, Sergeant Cote, along after the sergeant took a round from an AKM to the leg above the kevlar kneepad. Bravo team leader SFC Wheeler was now fighting with the gunner's MG76A1 as part of the makeshift rearguard, firing it from the shoulder thanks to the weapon's foregrip. There was a shout as Sergeant Lake kicked down a fence constructed with plywood boards, "This way!" She yelled over the sound of the firefight. Carpenter and Cote moved through the hole first as the others covered them at the alleyway entrance.

"Come on, let's go!" Shouted the squad's second scout, Sergeant Anthony "Eye" Switcher before his jaw exploded in blood as a 7.62mm round passed through his cheeks. He placed his hand on his lower jaw, holding it in place and keeping it from falling onto the ground before he was struck again on his body armour, knocking him against the wall and losing his grip on his jaw, letting it fall off with a slight tearing of flesh as it slopped onto the sandy ground as he collapsed. Staff Sergeant "Doc" White tried to help Switcher up to his feet before realizing that he had lost too much blood, most of it staining the sand.

Master Sergeant Watt, turning the corner from his position on the street, grabbed the medic's arm and shook his head, "He's gone, Doc, let's go." The medic nodded in reply as they continued through the hole in the fence. The rest of the squad moved inside a small kitchen of a restaurant and counted the survivors and sat on the PVC-tiled floor as they rested their feet.

"Kozloski, Hemingway, Klatch, Roberts, Nielson; with me.", Wilkinson said while donning his BDU and snapping his NVGs into place on his helmet. He lifted his M2 off of a chair and slammed a fresh magazine in, slinging it over his shoulder as his men loaded up.

"Hold on... Lemme grab somethin.'", Corporal Hemingway said as he rushed back to his tent while throwing his BDU on. He returned a few seconds later, stuffing chocolate bars into his pockets. "For the ride.", he said with a grin.
"Hemingway you are such a fatass..."
"Hey! My driving saved your lives earlier today!"
"Yeah, whateve-"
"Ladies.", Wilkinson said forcefully. "They wanted us on the tarmac within thirty miniutes, but it makes a good impression to be early. So shut the fuck up all of you and follow me in."
"Yes, sir."

The Cravanians arrived at the tarmac to join the Aequatians, having taken all the gear they'd need.

Moving Closer and Closer, the scene aboard the aircraft was as close to havoc as possible while still being efficient and organized. Mechanics were looking over their schematics, while loadmates began prepping the machinery and Cargo for landing. As the GS-421s approached within the one hundred kilometer marker outside the AFB, the cockpits went sterile, with only the captain speaking and crew responding when asked a question. "Peters Airforce base, this is Illiorian convoy Sierra Foxtrot one-eight, requesting landing vector for a heavy and her sisters, over."

OOC: If you want, You could make the landing close to bad timing, coming in right when the helos are taking off, making a close accident, to thicken the plot.

OOC:

Cravan: Sorry for the late reply, I got fucked at work last night and had to move to a different site with no computer access.

Illior: Peters AFB is not the same base that the deployed forces are operating out of, your forces will be landing there before heading out to the forward operating base outside Olympus, where the conflict is taking place.

IC:

The large CH-47Z aircraft sat on the ground with its rear compartment ramp open, like a gaping mouth, as the Aequatian paratroopers greeted the Cravanians as they approached. Stills looked over Wilkinson's choices, remembering many of their faces from the previous missions as he walked over to the lieutenant, "Lieutenant, looks like we have a real mission to go on now."

The other Aequatian paratroopers talked with their Cravanian counterparts as the unit climbed aboard the helicopter and strapped themselves into the hard plastic seating. Among Stills' squad was Private First Class Jose DeMarco, one of the company's best M206 gunners along with Private Mike Elgin, who was clutching his MG55A3 light machinegun. The sergeant had taken a number of other troopers to fill out the numbers, one being Private Jack "Jericho" Kaine, the company's sniper armed with a G4A2 rifle fitted to fire 20-round magazines of 8.5mm Heavy ARAM cartridges and winner of the Divisions's Gold Telescope Award three years in a row.

Captain Bryer took his seat up at the front of the compartment as the Loadmaster-Sergeant checked each soldier's harness before taking his own seat at the ramp as it lifted up, armed with a stabilized GAU-80 8.5mm minigun. The engines whined as the turbines came to life and the rotors began to spin, within ten minutes they were in the air and on their course over the outskirts of Olympus once again, armed MH-20 Shadowcat helicopters flying tight alongside the larger transport.

OOC: No prob, seeing as I am equally sorry for my late reply.

***********************

Wilkinson felt the beating of the massive rotors pulsate through the Chinook, his squad sitting alongside him anxiously as they awaited their next assignment into the city. He turned to Corporal Hemingway, leaning in close so as to speak over the constant noise.

"You excited, Hemmer?"
"Fuck yeah, Wilkie, I can't wait! It'll be just like the old times!"
"Good. Just be ready for anything. I'm counting on you like I did back in the old times. I know you won't let me down."
"I know I won't either.", he said with a smug smile drawn across his lips. He fumbled with his M2, playing with the M203 UGL and wiping sand from his scope. "Did I ever tell you how much I hate the desert, Wilkie?"
"Nah, you didn't. But you ain't alone."
"Heh, I know I'm not. This place gives me the fuckin' creeps. Why couldn't we just go and get deployed to say... Cayanace? Or even Colorsia? So what if the place is cold as fuck, it's better than being here."
"Eh, you can't really say that truthfully... I live for this stuff. I didn't join the service to lounge around all day."

Hemingway shrugged it aside, and continued examining his weapon. Wilkinson then turned to the nearest Aequatian within earshot.

"How long until we're in the city, do you think?"

Private Elgin shrugged his shoulders, "Don't know, sir, five minutes maybe?"

The helicopter jolted as it dropped in altitude just above the buildings of the city with the gunships in tow, the pilot's voice came on over the helicopter's speakers, "Plan's changed, guys, I'm going to drop you in and circle around to pick you up again. Landing zone's too hot right now to keep the bird on the ground."

DeMarco looked at the cockpit with scorn, "Fucking chopper jockey, care's more about his damned helicopter than he does us," He shouted over the rotors as the troopers unhooked from the harnesses and moved to the rear cargo ramp as the CH-47Z lowered itself closer to the ground.

First Sergeant Stills looked over to Wilkinson, "Ready, lieutenant?"

"When am I not?", Wilkinson replied with a smirk. He motioned his men to their feet, and they joined the Aequatians in their move towards the rear of the helicopter. Wilkinson tugged the bolt of his carbine back, sending a 6.35x45mm round into the chamber with a clack. He lowered his goggles over his eyes to prevent the storm of dust from obscuring his vision too badly.

"Let's go, people. Let's get those boys and girls outta there."

Enemy rounds pinged off the armoured hull of the CH-47Z as its landing gear softly touched down onto the ground of the parking lot. The ramp's hydralics sounded as it was lowered onto the ground and the loadmaster sergeant fired his minigun at a number of Separatist fighters attempting to take up a firing position on the helicopter's exit. Bryer waved his hand forward as the paratroopers hopped down from aircraft onto the concrete, firing their weapons as they moved to take cover behind abandoned civilian vehicles. Stills and DeMarco took up a firing position behind the front section of a small sedan as they fired in semi-automatic bursts, they covered their faces as the rotorwash kicked up sand and dust from the ground as the large aircraft lifted off the ground, the Cravanians having acted along the same lines as their Aequatian cohorts.

"Go, go, go!"

The Cravanians rushed out, diving for cover behind anything which would hold against the constant shower of lead. Bullets whizzed past their heads, striking walls or other objects behind them.

"Suppressing fire!", Wilkinson shouted over the constant crack of small arms. His autorifleman propped up against the hood of a car, squeezing the trigger as he lined his sights up on the rebel positions. The M249 sang as shell casings scattered around the car, a blanket of lead covering the rebels' cover.

Wilkinson took careful aim on his targets, using single shots to take them down as he watched his squad closely.

OOC: Sorry for the late reply, I'm currently in development of a new MBT.

IC:

The enemy fire poured in from a group of buildings lining the parking lot as they struck everything around the paratroopers, pinging off the metal of the automobiles, chipping into the ground and shattering glass of windshields and windows, one such round setting off a car alarm, adding to the cacophony og the firefight. Captain Bryer directed the above gunships through the Commlink handset as the more nimble MH-20 Shadowcats came screaming in over the parking lot and opened fire with their weapons. One after the other, the 70mm rockets poured from their pods and struck the buildings with small explosions, ceasing any enemy fire from the windows that were hit while the rounds from the 12.7mm M2C1 heavy machineguns mounted at the doors and the GAU-80 8.5mm miniguns mounted on the stubby wings were sprayed along the buildings, tearing the walls and exposed fighters to pieces as they peeled away into the distance, "Gunships dry, heading home to rearm, out!" Said a voice over the handset as the firefight died down and the Aequatians cautiously peeked out from their cover, making sure it was clear.

DeMarco loaded a fresh fragmentation grenade into his M206A1 launcher as he rose to a kneel while the other squad members looked around the parking lot. Bryer raced over to the Cravanian position and kneeled next to Wilkinson, "All right, lieutenant, we've cleared the LZ and now we need to find where the RATs are. We'll head out with Stills' unit on point and your guys on rearguard, we'll switch positions every few blocks, got it?"

OOC: Yeah... Sorry here as well... >_>
******************************

"Got it, sir.", Wilkinson replied. He waved his men behind him, and followed along taking the rear.

"Sir, did you ever get the feeling you're being watched sometimes?", Private Hemingway asked while clutching his carbine to his shoulder.
"No... Why do you think that?"
"I dunno... I just have this funny feeling that I'm being watched by some higher being..."
"Pfft... Stop thinking too much and instead concentrate on the task at hand. We need to get those operators out."
"Sure thing, Wilkie."

Hemingway raised his rifle as he scanned the streets behind him, his headset occasionally buzzing indicating other allied activity in the area. Little did he know he was being watched...

... As several stories above, Lieutenant Samantha Jenkins sat perched with her rifle, scanning the area with binoculars carefully and picking out individual Cravanian soldiers to examine them and estimate their capabilities while bored. She noticed Wilkinson, and handed her binoculars to Sergeant Kyle Richards.

"The lead one," she said while casually popping a chocolate into her mouth. "He's the fresh blood. People say he's good. Supposedly gonna get transferred in with us."
"So that's Wilkinson.", Richards replied without removing the binoculars from his eyes. "He don't look so tough."
"Looks can be misleading.", Captain Brian Livingston said while walking over to his subordinates. "He's quite the leader, and keeps a good level head when in combat. Obvious choice for the Guard."
"Just another wheel to drag along...", Jenkins said annoyed at her commander.
"He can roll along himself fine.", Livingston replied.
"Well we'll have to see about that. What's he over here for with those Aequatians for? We've been staking out those rebels down there for a while now, and they just pop in and sweep 'em."
"I've heard reports of a group of Aequatian Spec Ops pinned down in this area. I assume it has something to do with them."
"So why didn't they call us?"
"Because we have something to do here. Of course if they need more help they probably will call us in."

Jenkins continued to eat pop bites of chocolate into her mouth, staring out at the cityscape blankly. Without looking back, she began to speak to her comrades.

"I don't care who they're going after, I'm not holding my trigger finger one more God damned time. I'm taking one of these fuckers down whether Command or the Aequatians wants me to or not."
"Sam, watch it."
"I'm fucking sick of watching it. I didn't slave away in sniper school to just sit up here, I slaved away to kill bastards who wanted to hurt my country and its allies."
"You'll get the chance... Just watch yourself."
"Yeah, yeah, I will."

[OOC: Hope you don't mind. I wanted to introduce them somehow.]

OOC: Nah, I don't mind, it's a good post.

IC:

Captain Bryer sprinted forward alongside the Cravanians before turning to rejoin the squad led by Stills, it was inbetween that a round ripped into the street in front of him and he tripped forward as he was startled by the ricochet. A scream peirced the air as aother round punched through the captain's shin, splattering the street with his blood and shards of bone. Two young riflemen privates raced out onto the street to the striken officer, as Stills, DeMarco, Elgin and Kaine provided covering fire against the enemy buildings, only to be silenced by a small PG-7 rocket as it curved through the air as it streaked in and exploded, throwing fragments through the air and leaving nothing but three twisted bodies laying in the street, now darkened from the explosion. Stills was the first to see them as his hearing returned after the concussion and waved his arm, trying to get Wilkinson's attention before turning to the Commlink pack on Kaine's back and picking up the handset, "Bryer's down, you're next in line, lieutenant."

Fuck!

Wilkinson charged to Stills, dragging his men along and shouting over the ringing in his ears and the constant crack of small arms to get their attention. He pulled his men behind cover, and looked around to take a headcount as they poured fire into enemy positions.

"Roberts, Nielson. Do you hear me?"

Nothing.

"Roberts. Nielson. Can you hear me?"

Wilkinson scanned the area briefly, noticing two large pools of blood and organs scattered about in their previous position, the ground scarred by a hail of bullets.

"Fuck...", he said under his breath before looking back to those still with them. Hemingway, Klatch, and Kozloski were still with him. He also took a headcount of Aequatians, and he hadn't lost any more allies since the first few went down. Without thinking he engaged his headset remotely and shouted into it.

"CentCom, this is Lieutenant Wilkinson of Alpha-One-Two-One-Bravo-Charlie-One Fireteam Alpha, part of the joint rescue mission sent to the central areas of the city. We are pinned down and under heavy fire and we've lost five men including Captain Bryers-"

He snapped his finger at Hemingway, mouthing the letters "GPS" at him. Hemingway pulled the device out and read off their coordinates in the city, which Wilkinson repeated.

"We are requesting immediate support, repeat we need immediate support. I don't know how much longer we can hold out this far in the city."

He was silenced for a moment as he ducked for cover while bullets whizzed over his head.

"Repeat, I dunno how much longer we can last out here. Do-

*************************

-you copy? Over."

"Well, sounds like they're in a bit of a situation over there.", Lieutenant Jenkins said matter of factly. "Perhaps we should help out a little?"
"They're requesting support, and we're probably the only unit within immediate walking distance. Screw the mission, we have some of our buddies to help bail out."

The four Guardsmen began packing up whatever gear they had deployed on the roof, and descended the staircase to the street below. They cautiously moved along, the sounds of the firefight resonating through the streets.

"Alpha-Charlie-One-Alpha, this is India-Golf-Two-One. We've recieved your call and we're on the way to assist. Hold tight, we're right around the corner."

Lieutenant Jenkins shouldered her rifle, slamming the front of it in a way to deploy the bipod to allow for more stable firing. She picked a point with a good view of the battle and good cover, and set the crosshairs over the building while searching for an insurgent. Meanwhile two members of her team continued ducking in and out of cover while one team member, Corporal Fred Garrison, stayed behind with her serving as a spotter. He brandished his shotgun with pride, propping himself up and searching for nearby threats.

**************************

"Okay, so we have support coming soon.", Wilkinson said while turning to Stills, occasionally turning and firing. "Do we know exactly what we're up against here?", he asked after hearing one of his men shout "GRENADE OUT!", his rifle kicking back slightly as a thermobaric charge left the underslung grenade launcher and soared through the air towards a window on the offending building.

The entire front of a building exploded as the thermobaric warhead detonated, blowing smoke and dust out onto the street as Stills shouted over the firefight, "By the looks of it, lieutenant, we've got at least a score of enemy riflemen lined in all of those buildings with a few RPGs mixed in with them."

Private Elgin ducked behind cover as he pulled off the empty plastic ammunition box and dropped it on the ground as he attached a fresh box to his MG55A3 weapon and pulled the charging bolt back and taking up his previous firing position. DeMarco cursed as he fired off a 75mm rocket towards the enemy buildings and set the M7A1 launcher down, "Fucking greenies, one of those idiots had the rest of the rockets for the LAW."

Stills turned to the grenadier, "Never mind about them now, Jose, just worry about yourself," He turned back to Wilkinson, "I just wish I could have the tactical map here with me instead of charred to ashes in the captain's sidepack. From what I remember though, we have a block of medium-density residences before we reach the edge of the business district, the rendezvous point for us and the RAT squad was a parking garage near a massive shopping mall. From there, we pop smoke and the Chinook is supposed to come back for us." There was a crack as the sergeant clutched at his face near his cheekbone, "Fucking hell," He muttered as he pulled his blood-stained hand away and brought it back again, feeling the small cut along his face, "Goddamn richochet. What kind of support did you call in for us?"

OOC:I have to apologize for my lack of posting, I've got shitloads of school related stuff going on, not to mention other things... I'll be lucky if I can get a post up sometime tommorow night, or saturday morning.

OOC:I have to apologize for my lack of posting, I've got shitloads of school related stuff going on, not to mention other things... I'll be lucky if I can get a post up sometime tommorow night, or saturday morning.

OOC: It's all right, RL is important. Post when you get the free time to do so.

OOC: Yeah, don't worry about it, Illior.

"An Imperial Guard team responded, said they'd be here soon. Other than that I requested any availiable units nearby that could be diverted. I'm hoping that includes an entire tank division, but I won't keep my hopes up.", he said with as much a smile he could muster considering the situation.

Wilkinson looked ahead at the destroyed half of the building, knowing there were injured (and subsequently pissed) insurgents still inside, along with those who continued to fire.

"We may not have a map, but do you remember if there is a way around that building without running into another fight? We can't stay here for long, and we certainly can't move through that way. I'm hoping we can keep low in an alley someplace so as to prevent another firefight and allow us to get to the RAT team more quickly."

As he finished his sentence, two men in Cravanian urban/desert camo dove for cover with Wilkinson and Stills, arriving at Wilkinson's feet. The lead man adjusted his cap, and adjusted his earpiece so it fit firmly in his ear.

"Hello, Lieutenant. I'm Captain Livingston. We heard your call, and decided to drop in. What's the situation?", he asked, panting for breath. "Nice distraction with the grenade, by the way. We'd never gotten over here if your boy didn't manage that."
"Hello, sir. Didn't expect you so soon. Where's the rest of your squad?", Wilkinson asked, noticing there were only two Guardsmen here when he knew that the Guard operated with squads of four.
"Back providing marksman support. They'll be up with us when the coast's clear."
"Good to hear... Any word on other friendly units in the area?"
"I have as much info as you do, lieutenant."

The Commlink pack crackled to life as Stills held the handset, "Alpha-One-Two-One-Bravo-Charlie-One Fireteam Alpha, this is Eagle Flight Bravo-One-One-Four-Zero, we hear your call and are ready to assist in anyway, over."

Stills grinned as he keyed the handset, "Eagle Flight, target building North of purple smoke, hit it with everything, flyboy! Over!" The sergeant said as he prodded DeMarco and pointed to the building. The grenadier nodded as he pulled the 40mm HE-Frag munition from his M206A1 launcher and loaded another 40mm grenade with a purple line around its casing, he took aim with his G6A1's red dot sight and fired the grenade with a low concussion before exploding on the building, allowing for a tower of purple smoke to rise into the air.

The handset came to life again, "Rog that, purple smoke spotted, this is Eagle Flight, we're rolling in hot, out!" He said as the sound of the four F-1C Banshee fighters was seen overhead as they dove in low over the city and streaked by the paratroopers' position. DeMarco smiled as he raised his index finger, telling everyone to wait a single moment as a number of laser-guided munitions pounded the buildings where the insurgents had garrisoned, leveling almost the entire block and throwing out a massive cloud of dust through the city streets which also fell over the paratroopers, leaving them covered in a dirty, sandy-gray film of dust.

The sergeant brushed himself off as he peered over the hood of the car and turning back to Wilkinson with a grin, "Now that's money well spent."

OOC: Last post for tonight, I'll be back tomorrow morning.

"That it is.", Wilkinson said as he brushed dust off of his goggles. He wiped the dust from his gear and rose carefully, waving two of his own men along as he kept low to the ground. Meanwhile, the other two members of the Imperial Guard squad dove behind the car with their comrades.

Wilkinson returned after a few moments, dust still settling around the area.

"Looks quiet... Then again I would think it is. I think we should keep moving."

((Just a little post to keep the thread moving.))

Master Sergeant Watt dove through the doorway followed by Major Decker who was catching his breath. The squad looked across the street, only twelve metres to go and they would reach the rendezvous, Decker sat against the wall of the store as Staff Sergeant White walked over and examined his arm, which was now bleeding from a round that just skimmed his skin, "Damn, I didn't even notice."

Watt kept his eye on the street, "We'll never get Cote across with his leg," He said as he turned to the wounded gunner and the medic Carpenter who was looking over the wound, "We need to call in some support to clear out those damned buildings over to the right," The major nodded to Watt as the sergeant walked over and grabbed the handset off the Commlink on Wheeler's back, "Sabre one-four-six, this is romeo-alfa-tango one-one, requesting fire mission, TRP charlie-sierra-echo one-four-five, fire for effect."

"Roger that, romeo-alfa-tango one-one, target is zeroed and guns are firing," Came the reply as they waited a few moments, "Romeo-alfa-tango one-one, this is sabre one-four-six, splash, out," He said as the 155mm high-explosive shells rained down and struck a number of buildings, collapsing a few of them as a large cloud of dust formed.

The major pointed to the parking garage, "All right, let's go, Carpenter, Zee, help Cote as we go, Lake and Grate, you're on point." The scout and SAW gunner rushed across to the garage entrance as the Master Sergeant and Medic carried the striken gunner across with the others in tow. Only Hawkins paused in the middle of the street to fire at a gunman emerging from the rubble, killing him with two shots to the torso before continuing on with the squad as they climbed up the ramp into the parking garage.

----------

Stills nodded as he pointed forward, "Go!" He called out to the team as the Aequatian soldiers raced down the street towards the shopping mall, "Let's earn our salary now," He said as the sergeant loaded a fresh magazine into his G4A1 rifle and raced after his troops.

((Damn, I'm really sorry. I had very little time if any to make a post. :( ))

Wilkinson moved along quickly, sprinting with his carbine held low on his shoulder. He dove behind cover every so often, surveying his surroundings and moving along the street again.

Wilkinson moved to join Stills as they neared the shopping mall. He put his back to the wall, and looked around the street corner. His rifle's butt came to his shoulder, his cheek kissing the warm stock in the desert heat. He gently leaned over, peeking around the corner...

((Damn, I'm really sorry. I had very little time if any to make a post. :( ))

OOC: It's all right, I've been busy with the TWSP conflict.

IC:

Stills took to a kneel as he peeked around the same corner as Wilkinson and turned to speak, "Well, it looks pretty clear, we just have a quick sprint about three hundred metres until we reach the first entrance to that parking garage," He said as he cleared some dust off his G4A1's red-dot sight.

DeMarco took aim and lobbed a grenade into a doorway as it exploded, throwing two shredded bodies out onto the sidewalk with broken AKM rifles, "I think we should go, sarne."

Stills nodded as he turned back to the lieutenant, "I'll take point and make sure it's clear," He said as he switched his rifle to fully automatic and rose from his kneel, "If things get too hairy, I'll come back and we'll call in fire support on those assholes." The sergeant sprinted off as DeMarco and Elgin kept watch to provide cover fire should the enemy poke out. He stopped at each burnt out car or van before reaching the parking garage entrance, he pressed the button on his squad intercom handset pinned to his tactical vest, "Lieutenant, it's clear, bring everyone else up."

The combined Aequatian-Cravanian squad made a sprint to the garage together, Wilkinson at the lead. He joined Stills at the entrance, coming to a halt next to the sergeant. Meanwhile the Imperial Guard team took positions just across the street, scanning the area for tangos.

"So where's our friends?", Wilkinson inquired as he dropped to one knee behind a smouldering car. He surveyed the scene, noticing a slight blood trail leading up the ramp of the garage. "Looks like someone's up there.", he said, motioning to the blood trail with his rifle. "I have a feeling one of them took a couple hits."

Stills noticed the trail of blood once the lieutenant pointed it out, "That's probably our people up there, I only see our issue boot prints leading up," He said as he waved the squad inside. The others followed as they reached the second level of the garage when they were greeted by a flurry of weapons aimed at them by the battered special operations squad, "Is Major Decker here, we're the paratroopers here to get you guys out of here."

The officer rose to his feet and held his G6A1 carbine down at his side as he walked over and shook the sergeant's hand, "I'm Decker, now how about we call that bird in, we've lost enough people already and I just want to get the rest of them home now."

Almost immediately, Private Kaine produced the handset from his Commlink pack and handed it to Stills, "Charlie Papa Six, this is Romeo Golf Five, we have linked up with Romeo Alfa Tango one-one at rendezvous, request immediate evac, we have a critical wounded, over."

"Affirmative, Romeo Golf Five, bird is inbound ETA is ten minutes, proceed to top level, Charlie Papa Six out."

The sergeant turned to both Decker and Wilkinson, "Ride's on its way, we just need to get up to the top."

The major nodded, "I'll get my people ready to go," He said as he turned and walked back to his squad.

Wilkinson turned to the Imperial Guard, holding his rifle at his waist.

"Y'all comin' with?", he asked.
"Naw... Got some things to attend to in the area. Catch up with you guys later."

They slowly walked down the ramp and out onto the street, continuing along in the area while carrying out their recon mission. Captain Livingston spun around to talk to his squadmates as they searched for a new building to carry out recon from.

"So what do you think of having that Wilkinson as a squad member?", he said while walking backwards.
"Well, he seems capable. And he definitely didn't cave. That was obviously a stressful situtation.", Jenkins said while hugging her rifle.
"Seems worthy of the guard.", Corporal Garrison said with a snort.
"Heh, yeah he does.", Livingston said as he spun to face forward. "Only question is, who would he end up replacing? Imperial Guard teams work in teams of four, and he's already been assigned to us. And I know I ain't going anyplace."
"Well, there's been talk of me getting my own unit.", Sergeant Richards said. "Of course, we can rest assured he won't replace one of us who's KIA since that'll never happen.", he said with a chuckle.

They continued on in silence until a few moments later, when Richards noticed a slight glint in one of the windows of a local building.

"What the fuck is that?", he said softly before the characteristic crack of a 7.62mm round from an SVD Dragunov resonated through the city streets. The bullet soared through the air, piercing Sergeant Kyle Richards's upper temple and spraying skull and brain fragments from the back of his head. Jenkins instinctively raised her rifle, picking off the rebel sniper with a quick and precise shot, then moved to assist her fallen comrade. However, she was too late.

"Let's get him out of here.", Livingston said. "We can mourn the kid later."

Garrison appeared mortified that he had just witnessed a best friend of his die in front of his eyes, not even noticing his BDU was covered with brain matter.

*********************

Wilkinson's headset began crackling wildly as radio chatter picked up.

"November 47-Alpha, this is India-Golf-Two-One requesting immediate emergency evac. Repeat, immediate emergency evac, over."
"Copy that, India-Golf-Two-One. What the hell do you boys need evac for, what's wrong?"
"Negative, 47-Alpha, just get over here ASAP if possible. Please and thank you."

Wilkinson stood waiting for the chopper to come in pondering what was wrong with the Guard team. Several miniutes later he watched as a Cravanian UH-60 swung by the garage at high speed, setting down quickly off in the distant rooftops. And Wilkinson could only wonder why this was so as it lifted off just as quickly and sped off into the distance.

((Just a small bump for Aequatio/Illior so the thread is not forgotten and buried.))

((Just a small bump for Aequatio/Illior so the thread is not forgotten and buried.))

OOC: Post coming, promise.

OOC: Take your time, dude, no rush.

First Sergeant Stills and his paratroopers led the rest of the unit up the ramps as theymade their way up to the top floor, one by one they passed by vehicles which had been abandoned by their owners after the fighting had broken out in Olympus, until DeMarco and Elgin rushed down from the ramp, "It's all clear, sarne, do they want us to pop smoke for the evac?" Asked the grenadier as he fingered through his grenade belt strapped over his chest for one of the fat cartridges marked with the usual coloured band adorning all of the smoke producing grenades.

Stills grabbed the handset off Kaine's Commlink and keyed the transmit button, "Charlie Papa Six, charlie pap six, this is Romeo Golf Five, we are primary evac point, requesting instructions, over."

The radio crackled to life, "Romeo Golf Five, mark position with 'Code-E' smoke, over."

"Affirmative, charlie papa six," Stills replied as he pulled a canister off his tactical vest marked with a red band before pulling the pin and tossing it up to one of the corners of the parking garage's top level. Moments later it burst and produced a tower of red smoke as it rose into the air, "Code-E smoke is up, over."

"Affirmative, romeo golf five, pilot has confirmed location and the Chinook is en route, charlie papa six out." Stills nodded to himself as he replaced the handset onto the Commlink pack and signalled for the group to move to the upper level.

Within minutes of taking up a position on the level, the massive CH-47Z helicopter's twin rotors could be heard as it approached the parking complex and slowly descended as its wheels touched the ground and the sergeant loadmaster disembarked, armed with a MP9 submachinegun, "Romeo Golf Five, I presume?" He asked as he saluted.

The sergeant returned the salute, "That's us, we've got a few wounded, so I want them on first and secured, we'll watch the roof until you're ready for us!" He shouted over the massive turbine engines.

The loadmaster nodded as he helped the operators bring their wounded aboard along with any of the wounded paratroopers.

Wilkinson also assisted in taking the wounded aboard, strapping them in and returning to take more wounded aboard. When the last was loaded on, he joined Stills.

"Today's been quite an eventful day. I have a few reports to write and a few letters to send back home to two men's families. I forgot what war was really like.", he said with a solemn look. "But luckily we got your people out. This mission could have gone much worse."

He set his carbine over his shoulder as he waved his men to board the Chinook and strap in.