Force 81 Part II: Formations in the Desert
Posted By: NobleWard
Date: 20 December 2002, 5:49 am
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THE CONVOY rumbled into Beta base and quickly unloaded. Engineers rushed from the hastily made airbase encampment nearby to help haul weaponry crates and ammunition, along with food rations, med supplies and general equip. Veer climbed off his Warthog and observed the unloading process. Beta base was quickly becoming home turf for this operation. He could see the 115th Armored Division Scorpions, just dispatched off their Pelican carriers, kicking up sand and falling into a parking formation. Warthog recon jeeps darted in and out of the encampment, rushing officers to briefings and various command positions. Gun emplacements were being set into defensive positions. Veer almost laughed out loud. It was highly unlikely the Covenant were going to direct strike Beta base. They would be content to glass Prime and be on their merry way rather than come down here and kick this hornet's nest. There was nothing here on Prime for them to capture. But if the gun emplacements gave the officers some false sense of security, then they would serve a purpose. Edgy COs were worse to tangle with than a Covie Hunter in Veer's mind. You can kill a Hunter, but the officer you just would have to deal with. Veer sighed and kicked a pebble out of his way as he headed towards Beta's main structure. He had an individual briefing of some sort that the Beta brass wanted to have with him. Probably not something he was going to like, but orders were orders. He slung his sniper rifle over his shoulder as he went off from his jeep, waving to his fellow driving buddies. No one he really knew well, but a friendly gesture was always welcomed, even in a circumstance like this. That and Veer never liked coming off as being arrogant. A stuck up marine was never looked upon well in a group like this, and Veer liked having a little bit of respect to work off of. His inside work was made so much easier by him being able to command a healthy dose of respect. Especially when lives were in danger.
"Company 2, fall in!" Sgt. Legusama belted out his voice as his company left their little inner discussion groups and fell quickly into formation. Greg cracked a smile. Training was never a problem with this bunch. Hope maybe, but not discipline. "Here's the low down ladies! Last reports coming in had Covenant on the move from Reach after the initial assault. Contact has been lost with Reach and all battle craft involved in the battle are reported as casualities." A general shrugging from the company came forth. They were too disciplined to break rank, but there was still a noticeable enough downtrodden spirit coming on them. Greg continued on without breaking tone, ready to deliver another blow to the troops. "No contact has been established with the Spartans, save three which were dispatched separately from Reach before the attack." The troops visibly went down again. "The Covenant forces were on the move, most likely targeting the last few colonies in their way before reaching Earth itself. Including Shunt." Now the troops looked positively brow beaten. "You are one of the last crack forces left between Earth and the attacking Covenant force. We are assembled here to receive marching orders and prepare for the assault. Lock down has begun on the orbital defense systems. Freesia's defense has been bolstered and UNSC has dispatched an attack fleet to beef us up even further. But for the most part, the brass thinks that we will be the main offensive force in the defensive arsenal. And rightly so. You are the best trained, most disciplined, and the most experienced marines between here and Earth." The Sarge let that thought sink into his troops minds for a moment. A little bit of encouragement was needed, considering the situation. It wasn't often Legusama deterred from "the maggot and push ups" approach. "Now come to an understanding of what we are doing here at Beta. Beta is to be the Corps defensive headquarters here on planetside. Altar base will be sure to take care of orbital command. Now fall out and get those supplies out and packed and make your way to the barracks. Dismissed!"
Meldon broke his troops out of formation shortly after Legusama. With intel still coming in, this fight looked down right grim, but Meldon wasn't going to clue his troops in on his concerns. To much on their mind's for that. Looking out to the sky's, Max could barely see the next Pelican formation coming in as the grounded Pelicans prepped for lift off. Probably heading for Altar base, Prime's small moon colony which was settled with the sole purpose of military command. No doubt the fight would come to the moon's surface, with the Altar being the hub of military command here in the system. The post has locked down, but no one knew exactly to what extent. Defensive positions were probably being taken quickly, with new ones being carved out just as rapidly. Meldon turned towards Beta's main structure in time to see the infamous Veer heading in through the secured entranced. Wonder what he's up to in all this mess? He'll try and catch him later maybe. Veer was privy to info some troopers would kill for right now. Thankfully, Meldon had a deeper relationship with the loner than anyone else could boast of. He might be able to get something out of him.
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