NationStates Jolt Archive

Lieutenant-Colonol Sandra Hotten looked up at the Major in front of her, one Stephane Venau. Laying on her desk was a copy of today's paper from the the nearby port city of Gerba, and yesterday's was beside it. The headlines where increasingly frightening.

"It seems that this civil unrest in Gerba is getting out of hand. The local authorities seem to be losing the city, and it looks like it could be spreading. I need you to recon the situation and attempt to contain it. Send a SitRep as soon as you can, we need to keep things from getting out of hand."

The Major nodded. "Hotel Company will be prepped and move out by noon."

Hotten stood, and Venau followed. "Oh, and Major," Hotten said. "Please keep your men in line; we can't afford a scandal over this."

Venau nodded and saluted. Hotten returned it, then sat back down at her desk, giving Venau the signal to leave. He did, turning on his heel and marching out.


****

Hotel Company was the Initial Response Company for 1st Battalion, His Majesty's Rifles Regiment. So, naturally, they were the first out whenever something remotely interesting (read: boring) took place anywhere in the province. Orders were passed along and as promised, by noon 1 Platoon was happily on its way to Gerba.

The men were loaded into the convoy and made its way down the main highway. Strangely enough, there seemed to be far more people leaving the city than entering. Corporal Hannah Gunthry, leaning out the rear gunner hatch of the LAV III watched the cars go by, wondering about the amount of traffic heading the opposite way. For the middle of the day in the middle of the week, it certainly was odd.

As the lead vehicle came to the city entrance it slowed, causing the three behind it to follow suit. There seemed to be a traffic hold up, and the convoy stopped. Someone tapped Gunthry on the leg, and she ducked back down.

"What's going on up there?" Private Roy Baker asked.

Gunthry shrugged. "I dunno, looks like a roadblock or something." she slid back up and took her spot at the C9. Slowly, they started moving again, and as they inched forward she could see it was indeed a roadblock, staffed by local police. They were checking the cars leaving, and seemed to be pulling wounded out of vehicles. Very, very odd.

15 kilometres off the coast of Gerba, IgnescentMellivora

The prow of the RNS Forge moved through the water as the Adams-class amphibious assault ship set its course for the port city of Gerba. The ship had been at sea with the embarked 41 Marine Commando, detached from the 4 Commando Brigade for an expeditionary patrol, for six weeks since their last port visit and the arrival in IgnescentMellivora would mark the start of two weeks of free liberty from the ship and a chance to blow a good portion of their pay saved up from their time at sea. Lance Corporal Donald Jenkins, a member of one of 41 Commando's rifle companies, sat with the rest of his section as they overlooked the water from the ship's welldeck, sitting atop one of the "Gators" or amphibious assault vehicles, donned in their issue combat utilities, "Steak, rare," The marine said almost out of the blue.

"What?" Asked Marine Karl Fisher, his G9A2 rifle slung over his back sans its magazine, "What are you on about?"

"First thing I'm spending my cash on when I get it from the pay section," Replied Jenkins, "Then a nice girl who's easily impressed by our dress blues," He said with a grin as the comment brought up a chorus of cheers as the conversation continued.

Elsewhere aboard the ship, Jeffery Wolfe, the Commando's commanding officer, overlooked the unit's vehicles as they were secured in the cargo hold, the lieutenant-colonel turned to the battalion's top enlisted man, "Frank, I trust our people are squared away for the coming liberty?"

"Aye, colonel," Replied Sergeant-Major Kendle, "Nothing to worry about, all hands accounted for and everything secured. I've run up a list of details, security, maintenance and PT for the two weeks to keep everyone sharp enough, at least until we're back out at sea."

"Excellent, I trust you'll be calling Shelly and Max once we're ashore?" Asked the officer, "I know you boy probably feels sad missing the chance to see you today of all days."

"I will," Said Kendle, fixing his cap as it covered his regulation-cut hair, "I expect a nice package from home as well in due time," He said with a smile.

"Good, good," Said Wolfe as he cleared his throat, "Carry on."

The LAV convoy slowly made its way along the freeway into the heart of Gerba, then pulled off at an exit just outside the downtown core. As they made their way down the ramp, they came to another roadblock, this time staffed by SWAT, with many wearing full riot gear.

Lieutenant Jonathan Davis climbed out of the lead vehicle and made his way to the roadblock. He was immediately approached by the person who appeared to be in charge. "Hello Sir," the police officer said. "We're supposed to prevent access to this area of the city. Mind if I ask why you're here?"

The Lieutenant smiled at the civilian formalities. "We were ordered to investigate the disturbance and provide aid."

The officer looked at the four LAVs, then chuckled. "Well, we're glad to have you, but I suspect you'll need a lot more than that."

Suddenly the sound of a woman screaming echoed in from a nearby street. Followed by several more screams, of varying intensity. The officer spun and cursed, and the Lieutenant looked confused. "Sorry Sir, but we've got to deal with this. If you're really here to help, get your men in there and see what's going on!"

Davis spun and ran back to the LAV. Climbing in, he gave the order to dismount, which the signaler quickly relayed. He remained head and chest out of the vehicle, watching as a crowd of civilians came out from the block in front of them and dispersed in all directions. Screams were still echoing as Davis relayed commands to his section commanders to recon the area and see what was going on.

The situation degraded quickly, and it soon became apparent that the troops were going to have difficulty moving with the civilian crowds as disorganized and frightened as they were. Davis flagged the police officer down who he'd spoken to previously. "Is there an evacuation order in effect?"

The cop shrugged. "There is, technically. But it's taking so long to clear people to leave the city that it's not helping."

"Clear? What do you mean, clear?" Davis looked confused, again.

"We have to keep the infection from spreading. If we don't clear the evacuees, who knows what'll happen."

Davis felt someone tap his leg. Ducking down into the vehicle, his signaler looked shaken. "Sir," she said, "The men have made contact. Except... they're confused."

"Confused about what? This is civil unrest - nonlethal force."

"That's the thing... nothing they're doing is having any effect on them. They won't stop."

"Tell them to escalate force only if necessary."

The signaler relayed the order, and a few moments later she looked back at Davis. "Sir," she said. "It's not working."

RNS Forge, Gerba harbour, IgnescentMellivora

As expected, there was no formal greeting for the ship and its crew, as most port visits around the world were performed. The sailors and marines handling the ship docked and anchored the vessel in the harbour while the Marine Commandos disembarked from walkways down onto the wharf dressed in either their Service Dress of brown service coat, khaki drab shirt and trousers, and khaki mohair tie, while many of the commandos wore their black leather, low-cut service boots, others kept their issue sage green suede combat boots. Others opted for plain "Highlands" Marine Pattern (http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z317/Aequatio/Camouflage/IMCU-woodland1.png) and the sage green beret with the shined bronze Marine Commando cap badge, as worn by all those on liberty as they left the ship. Lance Corporal Jenkins and the other member of his troop had decided on the battle dress utility uniforms, opting that they would be easier to clean after the two weeks visit, as they stepped off the ramp.

Behind the group of Marines walked Sergeant-Major Kendle in his service dress and leather holster for his issue P9A3 sidearm, he approached Jenkins from behind and grabbed his shoulder and spun him around in one quick motion, "Back here for oh-one-hundred hours tonight, make sure no one gets lost."

"Aye-aye, sergeant-major," Replied the corporal with a smile, "You can count on us to make the rendezvous, isn't that right, ye bastard leathernecks?" He shouted to the rifle platoon as he replied just as loudly in chorus with the rest of the commandos, "URRAH, SERGEANT-MAJOR!"

However, the celebration would be cut short as the shore party noticed what seemed to be a loose mob advancing at an uneasy slouch, with a few limping as well, before a loud moan was unleashed in unison as it chilled the elite naval infantry as they halted dead in their tracks, eyes locked on the mass of people, "What the fuck?" Asked Marine Fisher as the mob fell upon the first of the sailors and marines that left the ship. A dozen or so men were attacked by the mob as Kendle, Jenkins and Fisher ran forward to help their comrades. One of the civilians was seen biting into the neck of a sailor as blood stained his white uniform, his screams punctured through the continuous moans as those marines attacked responded just as they would with any other opponent. Thanks to much cross-training with Russkyans, it was greatly understood that split-second timing was critical in hand-to-hand combat, a wrong move or a moment's hesitation could very well mean the difference between winning the fight or dying. Casting off their attackers, the surviving Commandos, now retreating to the ship as the sergeant-major fired into the crowd with his pistol, stepping back as the mob approached as Kendle loaded his spare magazine before setting off in a sprint behind his marines back aboard the ship.

Sergeant Jonathan Hughes cursed as he and his men ducked back into an alleyway, avoiding being trampled by a mob of people running by. He turned to his section, eyes darting from one to the next. He could see fear in their eyes, and he didn't blame them one bit - they were trained that when they shoot, their target falls over. That just wasn't happening the way it should.

"All right, we need to regroup and get back to the LAVs," Hughes said. "Tactical retreat, and WATCH YOUR BACK! We don't need to lose any men."

Hughes motioned for a private, one Geoff Gordon, to lead, and he did, followed quickly by his comrades. They made their way back up the street slowly, avoiding the occasional civilian. Luckily for them, the streets had mostly cleared.

As they reached the corner, Hughs ducked against the wall and signaled for his men to follow suit. They stacked up behind him, crouching down, waiting for orders. Hughes scanned the intersection, then froze as he saw something move in the distance - the enemy. At least, he thought it was - it was getting hard to tell, although he noted they had been seeing a lot more enemy than friendly in the past few minutes.

Hand signals flying, Gordon took point once again and they section ducked down the next street, away from the sighting and towards the LAVs. As the road block came into view across a small park, a moan echoed down the street, followed by a chorus more. Hughes looked over his shoulder and cursed, watching as the enemy visibly reached for them, sliding down the road and an achingly slow speed.

Lieutenant Davis called out to Hughes as he and his men came across the park towards the road block. "What the hell is going on?"

Hughes slung his C7 over his shoulder and pulled off his helmet as he came to rest at the LAV. "No idea, sir, but they're coming this way."

"I can see that, where's 2 Section?" Davis scanned the horizon with a pair of binoculars.

"Haven't seen them since we dismounted." Hughes watched as his men stood around him, seeming confused as to whether they should get in the LAVs, stay put, or take up positions at the road block and relieve some of the SWAT guys.

"All right. You and your men, stay here and help man the roadblock. 1 Section will be doing rear defense, making sure none of those things get around us. It's obvious we can't handle this alone, I'm calling in reinforcements."