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Closing with the Enemy Chapter 1 Unexpected Arrival
Posted By: monitor101<wasup1989@hotmail.com>
Date: 11 November 2003, 1:03 AM
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(Firebase Echo HQ, planet Jericho II, grid fifteen by twenty five, sector four, three miles north of firebase Delta, 1100 hours, 2552)
"What have you got for me?" Colonel Paul Hood asked.
"This weather front will be gone by tomorrow, so no more rain, but a heavy fog is moving our way," Corporal Harold said as he typed away at his computer station.
"Any hope for sunshine?"
"None, as soon as this rain ceases we'll still have heavy clouds and a low fog, so visibility will be zero once the fog kicks in," Harold said as he looked at a weather report.
"So much for the sniper training," Hood said as he walked over to the main window of the Control tower. The tower overlooked the long grass field that stood in front of the base. Beyond the field was the forest which stretched on for miles in all directions. Hood loved his base but hated its location.
Echo HQ was a massive base, one of the largest on any planet in the outer colonies. The base consisted of a bunch of long rectangular buildings that made up the barracks for the six hundred soldiers. The rest of the buildings were a medical center, armory, the landing pads and maintenance hangers for its fleet of Pelicans and Longsword fighters, three massive hangers that housed its armada of Warthog's and other vehicles. It also sported four guard towers at each of the perimeter's four corners, and then there was the control tower, which loomed over the other structures. It was surrounded by forest except for the front where the field was. The field was about half a mile long and two hundred yards wide. The grass was short and the Marines had dug in trenches and foxholes in the front of the base. They had also placed a spider web of Lotus mines in the front of the base as well as barrels of napalm that had been covered in dirt. The front of the base also had a bunch of steel obstacles and barriers to keep heavy artillery out of the picture if a battle was to arise; the obstacles had a bunch of bricks of Semtex and C-12 plastique that were connected to motion sensors. The base itself was surrounded by two twelve foot high twin fences that were topped with razor wire. The left side of the base had a big barrier of giant boulders and rocks with steel obstacles that protected it from Covenant who might try and bring heavy artillery into the base via an old dirt road, through the left flank. The outermost fence was electric that would kill anything that touched it, instantly. The outer perimeter had an array of motion and thermal sensor, and a bunch of thermal and night vision cameras. The right side of the base was where its main gate was. A gravel road ran three miles south to Delta. The gravel road offered no protection for a convoy of vehicles. The main road had a turn off to another gravel road that went ten miles to the main city of Pacific West. The main road also connected to another road that led to the back entrance of Echo, the entrance was rarely used and most men hated to have to pull rear security. The main road also had several dirt roads that led everywhere around the field and the base.
"Sir I'm getting something the motion tracker, it looks like it could be another Elephant that strayed from its herd," Corporal Harold said.
Hood walked over to Harold's station to see for himself. "No it's too small to be an Elephant...wait...what sector is that in?"
"Four grid fifteen," Harold said.
"Get me a picture of it from camera sixteen," Hood said.
After Harold punched in the commands a picture popped up onto the screen. It was a Ghost with a blue Elite sitting in the back. The Ghost was slowly making its way into the clearing. It disappeared out of the camera's lenses.
"What would a Ghost be doing here; there weren't any signs of Covie dropships by the last air patrol?" Harold asked.
"Hell if I know it must have slipped past our sensors. It must be a recon for a larger troop," Hood replied as he went over to the main window and pressed a pair of powerful binoculars to his eyes. He scanned the grass field for a second. "Okay this could get bad, Sam get Major Lance to send a three 'Hog patrol the kill this Covie and to do a little sweep of the area, and have the Marines on alert," Hood commanded.
Major John Lance was sitting in his bunk reading when the intercom sounded and tech Corporal Harold's voice boomed into the barracks. "Major Lance a Ghost has been sighted in grid fifteen by eighteen, Colonel Hood says to send out a three vehicle squad to neutralize the threat and to do a sweep of that area, ASAP."
"Roger that," Lance said as he pressed the transmit button on the wall, next to his bunk. He shrugged, set his book down and got up. "Jack go get Johnson and tell him to take three 'Hogs and take out that Ghost," Lance said as he collapsed into his bunk.
"Sir yes sir," Lieutenant Jack Peterson said. He got up from his bunk and walked out of the warm barracks and into the rain. Peterson half walked half ran down to Johnson's barracks, only to find out that he was in the mess hall. He acknowledged and entered the freezing rain again. He ran to the other side of the base and entered the massive mess hall. He walked down to a group of five Marine regulars, who were chowing down on some lunch.
"What is it?" a man wearing a sergeant insignia asked, looking up from his meal.
"Sergeant Johnson, a Ghost has been spotted, Major Lance says to take a three 'Hog convoy out to take it out and do a thorough sweep of that area," Peterson said, staring down at the short sergeant.
"Alright, thanks Corporal, Jeff get three Warthogs prepped up and get half our squad ready," Sergeant Michael Johnson said as he rose from his table.
"Yes sir," Corporal Jeff Wolf responded as he got to his feet and ran out of the mess.
********************************************************************
Field Master Elite Orna 'Orsamee stood in a clearing, watching as two U shaped Dropships unloaded their cargo. A contingent of Grunts, Jackals, and lower ranking Elites, piled out and formed their ranks. The Dropships left and another swooped in and unloaded a special Hunter Killer unit. 'Orsamee watched as the Hunters lumbered towards two Wraith tanks. A fourth Dropship came in and unloaded a bunch of Ghosts.
"Field Master 'Orsamee, the main troop has been deployed, the second troop is moving in towards the second more weaker human base. As requested a scouting Ghost has been sent ahead and says that the humans are not aware of our presence," second-in-command Elite Fasa 'Fasamee said, running up to 'Osamee's side.
"Very good 'Fasamee, now send out a Wraith tank with a squad of soldiers. Tell the scout Ghost to continue his scouting until the squad comes, then tell him to fall back. The squad shall attack the human base front, and tell the soldiers to await orders. I want the Banshee's on strafing runs as well," 'Orsamee commanded.
"Yes Field Master, I have one more thing to ask...with your permission Field Master?" 'Fasamee asked with a hint of fear in his voice.
"Yes but make it quick 'Fasamee."
"Yes Field Master, the Hunter Killer squads asks with full respect, to stop waiting around and go into battle now, with the first squad?" the lower ranking Elite asked.
"Their request is denied, tell the Hunter commander that he and his blood thirsty Hunters will have to wait," 'Orsamee said.
"Yes sir," 'Fasamee bowed and went towards the waiting troops.
'Orsamee shook his head and walked over to his personal Ghost. He sat in it and relaxed as the first squad of fifty Grunts, thirty Jackals, twenty six Elites, and the Wraith tank, moved into the forest, heading towards Echo base. The Covenant had settled in a small clearing that was 2.5 units (miles) from both Delta and Echo.
Sergeant Johnson bounced up and down in his seat as the three Warthogs through one of the dirt roads that led to the middle of the field, where the Ghost was. He grabbed the dash for support as the three LRVs rounded a sharp corner and race onto a straight away. Ahead was where the road ended and the field was located. As the three 'Hog's pulled into the field the Ghost was fifty yards to the right. "Shoot him!" Johnson yelled at Corporal Wolf, who manned the 'Hog's M41 LAAG.
"With pleasure!" Wolf muttered as he depressed the Chain gun's fire buttons. The three barrels started to spin and ahead of him tracers cut into the Ghost and chewed up the ground around it.
The other two Warthogs pulled up alongside and opened up. The Ghost only had a few moments; it turned to face the three ORVs and managed to get off four bolts of plasma which splashed into the forest, when it erupted into a ball of flame.
"Good shooting Marines, now lets do a quick sweep of the area, their might be more," Johnson said as he leaned back and the 'Hog sped off.
"Ah sir I'm getting a hell of a lot of activity in grid fifteen," Harold said, staring at his screen.
"What do you mean, it's probably is the convoy we sent," Hood said annoyed as he walked over to Harold's station.
"No sir I mean I'm getting a hell of a lot more activity than just three LRVs," Harold wiped away beads of sweat that ran down his forehead.
"Okay get me cams sixteen through eighteen to prove wrong your little spine tingling feeling," Hood said sarcastically as he bent down at Harold's station to see the screen.
"Sir" Harold said as he typed in a few commands. Three pictures popped up onto the screen. The sight made both Harold's and Hood's eyes widen.
A Wraith tank moved from one camera picture to the next then disappeared, out of view. It was followed by a bunch of Grunts, Jackals, and Elites. They all walked towards the field through a path in the forest created by the Wraith.
"Holy shit!" Harold whispered.
"Get the Marines on full alert and ready for action, get vehicles prepped for action, I want the tanks out immediately. Call Delta and warn them of a possible attack," Hood calmly said as he leaned up and went over to the main window, which faced the field. He took the binoculars into his hands and brought them to his eyes.
Major Lance was leisurely reading in his bunk when intercom hissed with static. "Damn it what now?" he set his book down and sat up.
"Attention all base personnel a deployment of Covenant have been spotted in grid fifteen. All personnel to full alert, prepare for combat, perimeter guards are to do a full sweep of base perimeter and shoot anything that doesn't resemble a human, get ready," Harold's voice boomed over the loud speaker.
"Well this just got better," Lance said as he hopped out of his bunk and ordered the Marines to the armory.
"Harold contact whoever is in those three Warthogs and tell them to get the hell back to base," Hood said.
"Yes sir" Harold said as he switched to a com channel to radio the Warthog's.
As Johnson's 'Hog made another sweep of the field, a burst of static filled his com link. "What the hell now?" Johnson muttered as he adjusted his lip mike with one hand and his hood to protect it from the constant downpour of the rain.
"Attention three vehicle convoy turn back now enemy's spotted at your location," the voice said.
"This is Sergeant Johnson who's this over?" he asked.
"Corporal Harold base control, turn your vehicle back now, enemies have been spotted at your location, over," Harold's voice said through the other line.
"What do you mean, where is the enemy at I don't see any, there's only one Ghost?" Johnson asked confused.
"Dammit turn...back...the...Covenant are//***//" Harold's voice was replaced with static.
"What the hell is going on?" he asked.
"Hell if I know-" Wolf was cut off by Johnson.
"Shut up do you here that?" Johnson poked an ear out of his hood. He had heard a faint, low humming sound from far off. The constant pattering of the rain played hell with his hearing but the humming was very distinct.
"Hear what I don't hear any..." Wolf's voice trailed off as he heard the humming sound.
The sound was more distinct and closer this time. It grew louder and louder until it filled their ears. It was close, too close for Johnson. Johnson looked around until he saw trees shaking then falling over to his left. The trees in the forest were falling with a loud crack and the hum was closer.
"Get us the hell out of here now," Johnson said to the driver as he watched the trees fall into the field.
The three Warthog's that had been pulled along side each other, began to move towards the base. When the area about two hundred yards away where the trees had been shaking and falling, the last few trees fell and a Wraith came out of the forest and into the field. It was closely followed by a troop of Covenant.
"Oh shit!" Wolf screamed and whirled the turret around. He opened up as well did the other gunners, onto the Wraith. He watched as the tracers pinged off the tank's thick armor. Suddenly a bright light illuminated from the middle of the tank and a bright blue ball of plasma shot out, racing for them. Wolf shielded his face with his arms as the giant plasma ball smacked into the ground, right behind the three 'Hogs. As the ball exploded the heat blast smacked into Wolf causing him to fall back onto Johnson and the driver.
"Shit!" Johnson screamed as the blast lifted the Warthog's back end up. He grabbed on to the dash as it slammed down. The driver lost control of the 'Hog and he swerved out. The Warthog flipped over onto its side and Johnson, Wolf, and the driver were thrown from it.
Johnson lay in the mud for a second, his vision was blurred and he slowly started to get to his feet. He felt a pair of strong hands lift him. "Shit," Johnson mumbled as he got to his feet and shook his head.
"You okay sarge?" Wolf asked as he released his grip on Johnson's shoulders.
"Yah fine, but how are we gonna get back to base with this?" Johnson asked, pointing to the Warthog which lay on its side.
"Hell if-" Wolf barely said, when suddenly the Wraith smashed into the flipped 'Hog and Johnson grabbed Wolf and both flung to the ground. The Wraith, with little effort, pushed the Warthog to the side and hovered over the two Marines.
Johnson didn't move a muscle as the massive alien tank lumbered over them. He tried to breath but the force of pressure was so intense that he couldn't move his chest. His sergeant cap flew off and his body was being pushed into the ground. Johnson managed to close his eyes and wish that the pain would end; the pressure kept pressing and pressing into him. Then it was over, the tank hovered on past as if nothing had happened.
"Jesus...can you believe that just happened?" Johnson screamed. He was dazed for a second, his mind wandering, when a plasma orb shot past, bringing him back to reality.
"Dammit Covies," Wolf said as he got to his feet. He got to his feet and drew his MA5B, which had been slung around his shoulder. He took a knee and opened up on a cluster of Jackals and Grunts, who were engaging the survivors from the other Warthog, who were fifty yards ahead.
"Where the hell's Fisher?" Johnson yelled over the gunfire, referring to the driver Fisher.
"Right here sir," PVT. Fisher yelled back. Apparently Fisher had ditched the Warthog as it flipped over. He had stayed in the exact spot where he had landed until the tank had passed.
Johnson nodded to him and he ran over to the flip 'Hog and opened the weapons locker. He pulled out an MA5B and threw it to Fisher. He grabbed another one and five clips of ammo and pocketed six grenades.
The three Marines all took knees and opened fire on the cluster of Covenant, whom now had directed their attention to them. As Johnson opened fire on a bunch of Grunts he saw one with a giant Fuel Rod gun in hand. The rounds confused the Grunts, as they tripped on the fallen ones and got chewed up with bullets. The spec ops Grunt who carried the Fuel Rod gun was hit the chest and managed to depress the firing mechanism.
Johnson saw the bright green ball of burning plasma race for him. He jumped to the side of his previously occupied location and the plasma lost its propulsion and landed next to Johnson, in a brilliant green flash. Wolf ducked and remembered seeing Johnson disappear in the flash.
To Be Continued...
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