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 Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2009 7:49 pm
> Staff Sergeant Morre, Legix
>> UNSC Iron Sunrise
>>> Location: Unknown: Pod Crash Site
Legix slowly pulled himself off from the Prowler, moving carefully and slowly, in a slow walk to the Pod. Once inside, he took a seat, running his hand across his face, brushing sweat from it. Yates entered seconds later, blinking a moment before he returned his gaze, looking for a source they could set up to call in any evacuation groups.
The Sergeant leaned back in the chair, tapping the busted radar, thinking for a moment. Slowly, he sat up, looking over the many busted devices in the pod. He was looking for the last known co-ordinates. If they could find those, maybe, with a little luck, the Pelicans could locate them from the air. But, before he found anything, he had to figure out if he could possibly repair the pod's internal electricity.
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Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2009 8:13 pm
SSgt Richard Anderson
>UNSC Iron Sunrise
>>Location: Unknown, Pod Crash Site
He kept himself busy directing the marines. The only thing they could do now was hunker down at the crash site and wait for a pick-up. He knew they could survive a bit longer now with the Prowlers, which he had set up behind the lines of the their perimeter as defensive turrets.
The wait for a response was agonizing. Who was Fire Team Echo? Marines? ODST? Whoever they were, if they had a Pelican then they'd all be able to head back to the Iron Sunrise, along with the dead.
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Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2009 8:33 pm
Gunnery Sergeant Compton, Nathaniel
> >>ERR.UEG_1707.TIMESTAMP ANOMALY<<
>> UNSC Iron Sunrise
>> Unknown Stellar Coordinates
The group of troopers that stuffed the cargo space of the Pelican were all smiling beneath their helmets, it looked like more people survived that drop mix up than any of them had anticipated, and for that they were thankful. Many of them depolarized their helmets showing their at least somewhat happy countenances. Compton refrained from such, no need to drop that gray shield of secrecy, he would only have to chin it back up when the time came to get moving once more so there was no need for him the waste time and turn it off. Mitchell was the last soldier to depolarize his visor, his stern face had a clear look of determination and deep thought plastered on it, " We’re enroute to the Iron Sunrise. The Commander and some of the bridge crew survived the landing. We’re gonna dig ‘em out. Zulu Two-Fourteen’s in contact with scattered groups of Marines and Pelicans all over this construct. The plan is to have these groups scout potential locations for a base of operations. Once we’ve extracted the surviving bridge crew we’ll rendezvous with the Marines at the rally. In the event that no such location has been determined, we’ll lay low until such time as a rally point has been established. "
Everything seemed simple enough, gather as many troops as they could and then formulate some way to take back the Sunrise, if only just to get Poole out and keep his intel out of the Covenant hands. One variable that still concerned him however was Aquinas, he had no idea where their AI was, or what she was up to. Certainly she was going insane from...
Compton shook himself to rid his mind of the thought of the AI going insane. That was the absolute last thing they needed at this point. In fact that was number one on his list of things that he did not want to have to worry about. There were so many things that could go wrong, but if that was one of them, they were all truly screwed.
Compton looked over to Mitchell and was going to query him about the location of the Sunrise's AI when he was cut off by Mitchell's own words. " I heard how you spoke to Zulu Two-Fourteen. Keep in mind that he’s got his IFF transponder disabled at the moment. We don’t know if the Covenant can track them yet. But for future reference, he’s a Chief Warrant Officer and your superior. You mouth off like that again to anyone, and I’ll have you demoted. You get me Gunnery Sergeant? "
It took a moment to process, was his pilot really a superior officer and was his former equivalent really questioning his ability to remain competent? It certainly seemed as much, but there was no time to mentally debate, he had been addressed with a question, " Sir, yes sir. " There was no need to further complicate things with questions and defenses, Mitchell hadn't seen him in combat yet so it was understandable that he was skeptical of the giant soldier. Maybe in time he would learn to trust his reckless teammate, for now he would simply have to sit back and keep his mouth shut.
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Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2009 8:53 pm
SSgt Richard Anderson
>UNSC Iron Sunrise
>>Location: Unknown, Pod Crash Site
He listened intently to the message coming over the radio. Sounded like standard protocol, if he could call it that, but he would about their ability to do that. His men were stretched thin as it was just providing a defensive perimeter, and with wounded it was only that much harder.
"That's all well and good, but we have wounded here and only enough men to form a basic defensive perimeter. We've manage to hijack a few Prowlers, but we don't have the manpower to spare for scouting and defend our wounded at the same time."
He brought the receiver down again, calling into the pod at Yates.
"Yates, try to see if you can't locate any of these other squads while you're at it. We need to get linked up if we're to have any chance of surviving out here."
He brought the receiver back up to his mouth.
"Fire Team Echo, is there anyway you can swing by and at least pick up our wounded? We don't have any medics in our squad, and I'm worried that without any medical attention their conditions will only get worse with infections."
((Moore, I know they're your squad, but since you're injured the only logical thing to do is assume temporary command until you can get medical attention. I have no intention of assuming permanent command, not that any of your boys would listen to me anyway ^^))
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Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2009 9:01 pm
Corporal Brown, John
// UNSC Iron Sunrise
// Unknown - Forested Terrain
In the seam of the two green circular dots upon his sidearm John could only discern the brown bark of pine; An interesting anomaly but it was now very much insignificant. Brown skimmed left cross the brushy forest floor around the tall tree he used as cover, gradually and cautious, afraid to stick out to far. His glove flexed to a fixed tight around his drawn knife. Above that he hung his gun arm, and his fingers regripped his sidearm.
John squinted one eye and closed the other, moving closer to his sights. Satisfied, he popped the safety, released aim and holstered his weapon. The Corporal took a knee behind the dark tree, he felt it now familiar and secure.
John drew up a horizontal swirling motion with his index finger to the nearly invisible silhouettes made of marine camouflage. With the use of his blackened knife he composed overt gestures. "One dirt road, half a klick. The way's wide open and full of s**t ground. But we've got three to four olive drabs at what seems to be a secure position. Our pussyfooting should be over". John glanced over to Faust. "I'll wait for your decision to signal".
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Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2009 9:33 pm
Corporal Romwell, Sebastian
>ERR.UEG_1707.TIMESTAMP ANOMALY
>> UNSC Iron Sunrise
>> Alien Construct. :: Pod crash site
The trip back to the temporary checkpoint was hell on the Corporals foot. The prowlers tractor like motion and idling was not what the doctor ordered. The vibrations would have put a normal set of feet to sleep. But of course, recently Sebastian's pair were far from normal at the moment. One being holed completely through near the toes. Surprisingly, all his toes had feeling, and he could move each of them within the boot. Must not be enough damage to deface his right foot.
"Damn it!" He limped to a tree and slid down under it, his MA5B resting on his thigh, his eyes keeping watch on the grasses before him. Ever vigilant for a friendly bird in the sky, or a familiar face in the field. Someone whom he could tell of his mishap, and recent injury. Or even better, a ******** medic.
"I should tend to this wound myself...but." He thought as he closed his eyes and let the back of his helmet press against the bark of the tree he was leaned against as he layed on the ground.
For the time he has been back, he has kept his mouth shut. Just listening..
Wind..grass..the crackle of crap on the radio.
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Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2009 10:16 pm
SSgt Richard Anderson
>UNSC Iron Sunrise
>>Location: Unknown, Pod Crash Site
He stepped into the pod quietly, taking a seat near the door. Their defenses we're set up the best they could be, all he could do was hope they could hold out long enough until help arrived.
He removed his helmet, setting it on his lap as he ran his fingers through his hair. He brushed down his mustache, which he always like to keep shaved into a handlebar style. Why, he didn't know.
"You've got a good squad out there Morre. It's a shame you had to lose some of them."
He sighed quietly, staring out the hatch at the work outside.
"I've got the Prowlers set up as defensive turrets, that should help keep any Covanent attackers at bay for the time being. Let's just hope they don't bring any armor against us."
He looked over at the two, Morre and Yates, working diligently at the control's to try and figure out what they did and didn't have at their disposal.
"How's your leg?"
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Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2009 10:53 pm
> Staff Sergeant Morre, Legix
>> UNSC Iron Sunrise
>>> Location: Unknown: Pod Crash Site
Legix said nothing, Yates turning to Richard, speaking quietly, "Don't bother him, sir, he's thinking...out of our group, he was the only one who knew how to work this stuff."
"Yates, it's fine...and Richard, I'm fine...I'm more concerned on-" Legix stopped speaking, moving his hands carefully as he removed and replaced a wire with a spare for emergencies. With a still hand, he connected the ends once more, the dashboard of the escape pod coming to life, the many gauges lighting up, though unable to read due to broken screens. Softly, he grumbled, "Well...that should throw out a signal for them to come to...but, at the same time, it exposes our signal to any bit of Covenant that gets smart..."
Turning, he motioned to Richard, "Why don't you go and patch up some holes in the marines with that bio-foam you took off your old guys? Some of them probably need it soon..."
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Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 1:37 pm
SSgt Richard Anderson
>UNSC Iron Sunrise
>>Location: Unknown, Pod Crash Site
Old guys...
That thought struck a chord within the old Sergeants heart. Old guys? Until an hour ago he had been in command of a squad of living, breathing beings, all with their own thoughts and dreams. And in a single moment he had lost them all. It led him back to thoughts of his own actions in just the last half-hour alone, and suddenly he felt like even more of a jack-a**.
"Yes...sir."
He placed his helmet back on his head, checking his COM and his HUD like always to ensure they were in working condition before making his way from the pod.
Why had he felt compelled to lead another squad after their CO had been injured? What would make him break regs like that? These thoughts swirled through his mind as he went from marine to marine, checking for any wounds that might be serious or life-threatening. So far most only had scratches and bruises, nothing serious.
He realized that he had made SSgt Morre feel the same as he did when he lost his squad. Unfit to command. He swore at himself. How could he do something like that? Did the loss of his own squad really hit him that hard? He was a ten year veteran, he had lost many men under his command, and he always maintained control regardless. Perhaps this time was just the final straw.
He shook away these feelings as he made his way over to Corporal Romwell. After a slight inspection, he began to work on Romwell's injured foot. The spike had driven clean through the appendage to the other side, and without serious medical attention the Corporal might die from blood loss or infection. He took the bio-foam and carefully applied it as best he could before applying some bandages to the Corporal's foot to stem the blood flow and hopefully prevent infection from setting in for now.
"There, Corporal. Should keep you golden for the time being. Don't worry, SSgt Morre has got the beacon up and running, should only be a matter of time before another squad swings by, hopefully with a medic."
He gave the Corporal a friendly pat on the shoulder before standing. Before he left, he gave one of Romwell's squad an extra can of bio-foam and some bandages in case they needed to be changed later.
He gave another look around before returning to the pod. On a clear field near the pod was where they decided to hold the bodies of the men that had fallen until they could be picked up and given proper funeral rites. This was his destination.
He needed to visit his boys.
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Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 4:35 pm
1stSgt Mitchell, Scott P.
> >>ERR.UEG_1707.TIMESTAMP ANOMALY<<
>> UNSC Iron Sunrise
>> Unknown Stellar Coordinates
”Copy your last Victor One-Three. We have not established a rally point at this time. Hold position and await further orders.”
And just like that Mitchell had command of the operation. He was by no means the highest ranking Marine on the construct, but he was the only marine with a plan of action. That suited him fine.
”Staff Sergeant Anderson, your squad is now Fire Team Gamma. Hold position and signal for evac on one of the other Pelicans. Rendezvous with First Sergeant Freeman at Victor One-Three and locate a suitable rally point. We are unable to render assistance at this time. Our mission takes priority. Fire Team Echo out.”
Mitchell closed the COM channel he didn’t want to discuss this. Orders were orders, and Anderson was below him in rank. Freeman was a First Shirt, but they couldn’t divert their mission to pick him up. The Commander would need all the help he could get. The Trooper moved aft, back into the troop bay and sat in his seat, holding his helmet in his lap. The copilot opened the door to the cockpit and held up three fingers. Three minutes. Mitchell nodded and put his helmet back on.
”Three minutes Troopers! Our Vee Eye Pee is located on the bridge. Our primary objective is to extract Commander Poole. Our secondary objective is to ensure that the Cole Protocol has been enacted properly. If not, we’ll destroy the NAV database and upload the viral scavengers. We’ll probably have less than twenty minutes before the Covenant are swarming all over the crash site. Our El Zee is Hanger One-Alpha. We’ll proceed on foot to the bridge, secure the Vee Eye Pee and ensure that the Cole Protocol was properly enacted before extracting. Zulu-Two-Fourteen will remain aboard the Sunrise to avoid drawing unwanted attention. There may be an unknown number of Covenant infantry aboard the Sunrise. Ar Oh Ee, if it isn’t human, shoot it.”
Mitchell waited for the orders to sink in. They’d be at the Sunrise soon enough. The Trooper placed a hand thoughtfully on the M7S attached to the armor on his thigh. He had four additional magazines for his M7S, and three additional clips for his M6C/SOCOM. There was little doubt that they’d need to secure the armory for ground operations. The munitions carried by the Sunrise would give the humans a fighting chance against the Covenant. The trick would be collecting and transporting said equipment. First things first, they’d need to rendezvous with the other Marines scattered about the structure at the as yet to be determined rally point. Once they had a place to bunker down, they could worry about reinforcing it.
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Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 5:35 pm
Lance Corporal Desmund Cain
ERR.UEG_1707.TIMESTAMP ANOMALY
En Route to UNSC Iron Sunrise Crash Site
The lamps in the corners bathed the cargo bay of the pelican with red light. Desmund pulled the bolt on his BR55HB SR Battle Rifle and let the bolt go, loading a round into the chamber with a snap. He hung it by it's shoulder strap over his right shoulder, and pulled his M41 SSR MAV/AW Rocket Launcher from his back. He opened the launcher, and checked the rockets individually. Both were primed and ready for launch. He replaced the launcher to it's magnetic clamp on his back, and pulled his M6C-Pistol from it's holster. He did the same for it as he did for his BR, loading a round into the chamber with a snap.
The ODSTs and Marines, all sitting in two rows, shifted uneasily as the craft bumped back and forth in the turbulence. Desmund's HUD flickered momentarily as they hit a bump, and quickly returned to him.
Sergeant Compton sat across from him, while 1st Sargent Mitchell sat to his right.
"How large would you figure the opposing forces to be in numbers, sir?" Desmund asked to 1st Sargent Mitchell.
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Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 6:26 pm
Chief Petty Officer Caden-072
» ERR.UEG_1707.TIMESTAMP ANOMALY
»» UNSC Iron Sunrise
»»» Bridge Corridor
All he needed to know was one thing, "Can’t you open the door?" Aquinas responded with a distinct ear lashing. "No, Chief," she said sternly, "I can't. The internal pistons and gears are linked to the main power supply, and from what I can tell the connection there is severed." The Spartan took a look around, taking in the destruction of the corridor that linked the bridge to the ship. The red alarms that hadn't been broken during the landing were rotating, casting an eerie red glow all around. Several panels had been blown away, flames creeping steadily from them and making the scene even more horrible. It didn't faze the Spartan, but it did awe the Gunny. "God damn, all this from a crash landing?" asked Callahan to no one in particular. Aquinas responded with a nonchalant, "Could have been worse." Callahan grunted and hefted his assault rifle, mumbling under his breath how he couldn't imagine much worse. Caden had indeed seen worse many years ago during the insurrection when his Fireteam had boarded an insurrectionist vessel with orders to eliminate the threat. After his team was done all the insurrectionists were dead, save for two pregnant mothers, both widows who would be shipped off to one of the Jovian moons. He remembered standing outside the bridge after executing the Captain, looking around at the bodies strewn about and the blood pooling on the floor. The Spartan focused his mind on the task at hand, already having decided on the best course of action to open the door. They needed a way off the Sunrise. Their pilot, a warrant officer, had dropped them off in hangar bay C at Callahan’s request before flying off to meet at the designated rally point. The Gunnery Sergeant had insisted that they try to recover the Commander.
So the Spartan put the MA5B on his back and put his right foot behind him, cocking back his fist before slamming it into the right half of the door. It dented inward, making a small space that he could fit his hands into. He reached in, one hand for each half and took a deep breath. His muscles tensed up and the suit reacted, enhancing his already incredible strength. The gears and pistons groaned in protest as the doors slowly began to open. Caden stopped and grabbed his assault rifle from his back once the doors were wide enough for him to fit through with some elbowroom. He raised his rifle and entered at the same time as the Gunny, who aimed to the right while the Spartan covered the left. They both proceeded slowly around the impeding wall of steel before them, taking different approaches toward the Commander’s chair. Caden-072 heard the cough before he saw the Commander, Poole’s arm held to his torso while he sat in his seat. He relaxed and lowered the rifle, Callahan doing the same. Callahan nodded to Caden and then spoke, “Commander?”
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Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 7:17 pm
::: 1stSgt Freeman, York
::: UNSC Iron Sunrise
::: Unknown location; open grassland
"Understood, Fire Team Echo. Holding position. Freeman out," the First Sergeant replied promptly after hearing the response.
Freeman limped out of the cockpit and into the sea of corpses. He decided to take the free time to treat his leg wound. Fortunately, Freeman was able to scavenge two cans of Biofoam from one of the lifeless Marines in the pod; a medic, York presumed. He seated himself in an open seat and examined the gash in his leg through the tear in his pants. The injury was undoubtedly a moderate one. Not serious but not trivial either. There was blood trickling down his leg and he decided that it would be prudent to use Biofoam on the wound to ensure that it did not become infected and did not continue to bleed.
Freeman sprayed the foaming substance directly on top of the wound. He clenched his teeth and held back a scream as the anti-bacterial polymer began acting on the wound. Despite the fact that Biofoam was a convenient and helpful medical device, it was extremely painful and uncomfortable. The First Sergeant remained still as the Biofoam did its duty and sealed the gash in his shin. Freeman placed the other can of Biofoam in his belt so that it could be used later if the effects of the first can wore off before he could reach a medic or surgeon.
After sitting for a few minutes, Freeman got to his feet and exited the Bumblebee for the first time since its crash landing. The Biofoam allowed him to walk more normally, but he was sure that he would not be able to run or sprint. The pain was too prominent.
Freeman returned to the pod moments later and seated himself in a chair opposite the large hole. Thus, he was able to see the outside of the Bumblebee and would most likely be able to see any allies or hostiles a few moments before they could attack him. He kept his M6G in his hand and his SRS99D-S2 AM slung over his shoulder.
And now it was time to wait...
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Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 7:54 pm
> Staff Sergeant Morre, Legix
>> UNSC Iron Sunrise
>>> Location: Unknown: En Route to Victor One-Three
Legix, with the radio presently within the pod, overheard the last bit, as Richard had already left. Quickly, he lifted the radio piece up, "This is Staff Sergeant Legix Morre with Fire Team Gamma. Victor One-Three, can you read me?" Yates had left to get five marines for the two Prowlers they would need to pick-up Freeman. Meanwhile, Legix would call until he got a response. Once he did, he could get accurate information on the area, hopefully, or co-ordinates of the last known location. Either one could help the pick-up go far smoother and far faster. He only hoped that Freeman would respond, since he had probably left the radio by now to hold-up.
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Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 8:22 pm
::: 1stSgt Freeman, York
::: UNSC Iron Sunrise
::: Unknown location; open grassland
First Sergeant Freeman eyed the fields before him silently. All was quiet. No movements, no sounds. It was peaceful, in a way. Despite the slight predicament that he was in and despite the pain he felt in his head and leg, the First Sergeant was very calm and satisfied. Freeman ran a hand through his short, thick, black hair and sighed. He snatched his helmet off of the ground and placed it on his head. If the damned thing hadn't fallen off during the crash, the First Sergeant would not have had the migraine that was troubling him at that time. Fortunately, the pain in his head was becoming less prominent by the minute. Still hurt like a b***h though.
York's vigil was interrupted by the Bumblebee's radio, through which a muffled message came. Freeman hurried into the cockpit, feeling a sharp pain in his leg due to the abrupt and violent movements he made during his brief journey. As he entered the cockpit, Freeman heard the end of the transmission. "... Morre with Fire Team Gamma. Victor One-Three, can you read me?"
"Copy that, Fire Team Gamma. This is Victor One-Three. I read you loud and clear," Freeman answered.
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