Spartans Return to Earth by Tommy Miller
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Spartans Return to Earth (Entering the City)
Date: 1 February 2004, 6:38 PM
Thomas looked to his right and left at the Scorpion Tanks that were keeping pace with him. Everyone was driven by a Spartan and had four Spartans riding on the studs. "Red Team, Delta formation." Thirty blue lights blinked and the tanks came into formation on a wedge shape. Their objective was the city of Mos Emoranda. Being a part of the East European Protecterate, it had been one of the first places to be hit, and it had been hit hard. It had fallen after only twenty hours of fighting. The division that had protected it was now only one brigade in strentgh.
The city was a vital cross point for supplies and ammo for the main continent of Europe. They had to take it, and keep it. He looked at his visual scanner and saw the city come into view as they went over a hill. There was almost nothing left, but the railyard was intact, and that was what they needed. He signaled his right three tanks to hit the town from the East, and the rest would come from the West. They split off and went into their attack pattern. It took them ten minutes to get into position and begin the assault. "All tanks, get your two rear men to use Jackhammer rocket launchers and watch for Banshees. Forward men use assault and snipers to take out all ground forces. Tank drivers use cannons and take out all heavy weapon positions." Twenty-nine blue lights winked on. He nodded and gave the command to start the attack.
He began his approach and it wasn't long before he heard the hiss of a Jackhammer fire. He heard the twin explosions of two Banshees. Then, all hell broke loose, gun emplacements opened up and began to hit short of the tanks and walk up to the tanks. "All tanks fire at will, destroy all gun emplacements." He found one and took it out with a single shot. Ground troops began to pour from the buildings and he opened with his heavy machine gun. Grunts and Jackals fell by the dozens and then he stopped firing and destroyed another heavy weapons emplacement. The fire began to slacken somewhat as the rest of the tanks began to bring their collective firepower to bear. "Red-06, infantry suppresion." A blue light winked and a tank began to fire its heavy machine gun at anything moving. "Red-01, this is Red-16, we have entered the city and are approaching your position, we have encountered light resistance." He acknowledged this and continued to advance in the city. The resistance got lighter as they went on. Evidently the covenant weren't expecting Spartans, or as strong an attack.
He was suprised that they hadn't put up a stronger resistance. "Task force 213, Task force 213, this is Spartan Red team, we have broken through their lines and we are awaiting your dropoff." Thomas told his men to stop and wait for the other Spartan tanks. He also had to await the arrival of the marine division that would accompany them in taking the city. It took about twenty minutes of light fighting for the other tanks to arrive. He saw that to his dismay, Red-23 and Red-29 hadn't made it. He said a silent prayer for them and put them as MIA. There were now twenty-eight Spartans, including him. They went into a half moon shaped and waited for the marines. "Spartan Red Team, this is task force 213 on approach, we are on approach now. Prepare to accept marines." Thomas gave them the okay and he saw the ships start heading in. There were over a hundred Pelican dropships approaching the city towards their position. Behind them were the Heavy transports that would drop the heavy equipment that the Pelicans could not. And lastly behind them flew over a hundred more Pelicans that carried the rest of the division. It would take hours to unload all the equipment. He looked around at the sound of an explosion. It appeared the Covenant didn't want to give this city up without a fight. "Task force 213, you have a hot LZ, repeat a hot LZ." The pilot in charge relayed it to all the other ships. "Spartans, we must protect those ships, hold at all costs" Blue lights winked on and the fight for the city of Mos Emoranda began. Thomas got out of the tank to welcome the arrival of the marines. The general for the division was the first off, and Thomas respected him for that.
Thomas snapped a crisp salute, and received one in return. "Sir, it's nice of you to join us, we have alot of work to do before this city is ours. My men will cover you until you unload your equipment and men. Sir, i suggest that you do that in a hurry, we can't hold them back forever." Thomas turned and walked back to the tank, and the fight was on.
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