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Discovery of an Enemy, Chapter Two: Part II
Posted By: russ687<russ687@hotmail.com>
Date: 24 May 2004, 6:35 PM
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___________________________________________________________
1010 Hours, July 19, 2552 (Military Calendar)
Aboard ONI Stealth Frigate Valiant Knight, en route to:
System Designation Classified, Planet Codename Milestone
Two Days Earlier
"...The infrared emissions from the planet are numerous, but there are three strong ones here," the major pointed to the projector board, the projector showing a rather broad view of the topographic layout of the terrain. "...here, and here. Now these installations are far apart, maybe six or seven hundred miles, so we'll have to search them one at a time. They are all located on the planet's central continent, the smallest, which is about 90% jungle, with the rest being mountainous. The continent, as you may see, is about 1400 miles long by about 1000 miles high, not that large considering the planets' size. The continent is completely cut off from the others, so don't expect any transcontinental travel...not on foot, at least.
"Now in reality, the structures are not too terribly large, so we suspect that the majority of the facilities are underground, deep enough where we cannot detect them via IR sensors."
"If they're underground," Lieutenant Damon Meyers, Kren's XO, interjected. "Then why such a large IR emission from those locations?"
The major zoomed in on one of the structure locations. "Simply stated, the Covenant have set up a garrison around each of them. Comprising of maybe one hundred to one thousand troops."
The major watched as the expressions of the ODST's, and even the ships Captain, went from intrigue to surprise.
"You want thirty-six Marines to stage an assault on a base potentially harboring thousands of Covenant?" Kren asked in half anger, half exclamation. Normally, Lt. Kren did not back down from a mission or challenge, but he was not a radical, and he also knew that he was to watch out for his men. Besides, suicide runs did not fall into the category of success.
"Remember what I said earlier?" The major shot back. "Half the mission is to get intelligence, i.e. reconnoiter." He sighed. "Besides, this information is weeks old, the tactical and strategic situation on the ground has probably changed."
"If we're lucky," one of Kren fire team leaders said quietly.
"Let me say this now," the major announced. "I, as do my comrades here, nor the staff on this ship, plan to take any ground warfare authority upon ourselves. When you get on the ground, until the time you get picked up, you will have the say in what goes, as long as you can complete your objectives."
Kren grunted in approval. "Then the mission, let's hear it."
"Operation Gallant Strife, phase one mission objectives are as follows," the major announced.
"Insert covertly to the planet surface within twenty-miles of the first structure location. Captain, this is primarily your responsibility, and that of your flight crew. The Marines need to land close enough to the structure so they can traverse the distance in less then 18 hours. And also, like I said, this must be done covertly for two reasons; one, the drop ship won't make it out alive, and two, the ground operation will fail miserably."
The captain nodded.
"They will not be inserting via HEV's, but rather through the modified stealth drop ships that were loaded back at Reach. Your flight crew is trained to handle this new craft."
"Why won't we be using our HEV's?" Fire Team Alpha Leader Sergeant Spencer asked, annoyance in his voice for hearing this for the first time. ODST's were not fond of Pelican drop ships, or anything else that was slow and easy to hit.
"We can't risk the Covent detecting the HEV's with infrared sensors. The stealth ship emits no IR." The Major replied, trying to sound confident about a new stealth drop ship that was still in its testing phase.
"Second Objective, you Marines must make your way, again covertly, to the structure location, and reconnoiter the area. We still do not know how many Covenant will be there, so do not engage unless it is crucial to your survival or the success of the mission. You are to take image photography, infrared readings, and visual account of what is there for data purposes. This is extremely important that you find out what is there, at least on the surface.
"Third, and lastly for now, you are to attempt to gain entrance to the facility and recon the underground areas. All while retrieving any foreign or unknown technology when possible. This last objective is dependant on whether or not you can eliminate the guarding forces or bypass them somehow."
Kren, as well as the rest, absorbed the information without much glee. This was completely unorganized, unknown and not put together correctly. He took comfort in the fact that he and his team leaders would have tactical control, but that meant only so much when pitted against such odds.
To many questions remained.
"What exactly is Operation Gallant Strife?" Kren asked.
The major looked at him with an emotionless expression. "Classified."
Kren shook his heads in disgust. "Who are we going to tell? The Covenant?"
The major didn't even blink. "All in due time, Lieutenant, all in due time."
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