Force 81 Part IV: The Reaper's Works
Posted By: NobleWard
Date: 16 January 2003, 4:36 am
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(Note to Readers: During my numerous re-draftings of this series, I changed the name of the Orbital Defense Command Base from Freesia to Altar. Why you might ask? Freesia is a type of flower. Not very masculine or tough for a nuclear equipped, MAC gun controlling, general bad butt Orbital Command Station. That and the name Altar comes into play later on during an envisioned battle scene to come. Alas, while editing, I accidently sent out the unedited version to HBO, where the name Freesia is used rather than Altar. While there was no new content added to the original story while editting, I am sure that the Freesia/Altar thing would confuse somebody. While reading through the series, realize that Freesia and Altar are in reference to the same place, not two different orbital stations. Thanks.
~Noble)
VEER WAS RUNNING all the information of the meeting he had just had with Cmdr. Curtis through his head as he headed to the barracks. Ghost Force 81... Jim audibly laughed as he realized how much of burden had just been brought onto his back. Who had originally proposed for him to operate such a team? He had made clear that he had no intentions of pursuing any command position to all the right officers. He had severed all the right connections... how he hated commanding. Veer would rather risk his own neck over throwing some one else to the lion's den. Howard had said that they had chosen based off of who had the most experience and knowledge into what was needed for the job, which would have overridden anybody's personal opinion of Veer as commander material. Jim knew he was the best for the job on that end. Speaking of which... hadn't he said that Jim had all the jurisdiction over the Force? Well, at least he didn't have to worry about bothering with nervous COs after all. Jim laughed again. He had reached the barracks and had entered into his room, which surprisingly was unoccupied at the moment. Other troopers had thrown their scarce belongings into the room and had rushed off to finish work on the supply train running through Beta's encampment. At least he had some peace to think through all the specifics he would have to go through. Thankfully, there was a console in the room (each officers's barracks was equipped with one) so he slotted in the data disk he had been given to look over what he had to work with.
The usual UNSC insignia opened up on the screen, as well as a "For Your Eyes Only" warning. Looking through all the data files, Jim easily found what he was looking for. Weapon and equipment access. What he wanted to know first off. What was available and how rationed off it was for use. Jim was pleasantly surprised to see Howard had made due on his claim that Jim had full access to whatever he had needed. Ghost Force 81 had access to and usage of all available equipment stores, including several weapon and equipment models just recently gone through field testing. Jim grinned as he noticed that a new sniper rifle model had been developed, the S3-AM. It had basically been worked off of the old model, except for the addition of an enlarged ammo capacity, improved muzzle, and infrared sighting. The ammo had been upped to 6 shots instead of 4 and the improved muzzle not only silenced the shot completely but got rid of that bother some gas contrail left from firing the rifle off. Too many times that tell tale streak had led to the death of many a skilled sniper. Jim himself had had a few close calls of his own. The Ghost Forces' snipers would be completely concealed and hidden as long as they kept their noses clean. Jim liked that. Along with the sniper rifle model, a sub machine gun model had finally gone through complete testing. The suppressor add on would be very helpful indeed. Finally those trigger happy assault men won't have to be kept in check every time stealth was necessary. Along with the silencer for the submachine gun a pistol model silencer had been developed for combat use. That would very handy. Assault rifle upgrades had been tested, including an improved scoping reticule for the MA6B and a heavier assault model, the MA6BX, which had a 240 round barrel clip with chain loading action and a bi pod with EX, AP, and AP tracer rounds available for use.
The equipment listings also showed a few helmet improvements on the night vision and the addition of an infrared view for those who were heading out into dark territory and didn't want to just rely on the sniper's descriptions of hidden gun emplacements and covenant ambush markers. Also a motion scanner screen on the wrist guard had been added to the regulation body armor. About as close to radar as possible.
Jim ran the disk through for any more relevant material. Other than individual troop profiling for his entire battalion, nothing of major interest except the posting for the Force...
"During preliminary assaults on the planet, where most of the engagements are probable to occur more often in space rather than on the planet itself, The 81st company will be posted out of Altar Command Orbital as the main defensive force in case of direct invasion of the Command Center and in use of as a 'tactical space assault incursion team'."
What did that mean? Did they really expect them to be able to get on board one of those Covenant battle crafts right in the middle of a fleet engagement? Are they crazy? Wait... Vehicle listings... well there we go. ONI seems to have developed a stealth incursion craft and trained a view specialist pilots to fly them straight into Covenant shield openings during combat. Almost humorous to think it was even possible. Mostly just suicidal. Hopefully we're never stuck having to pull one of those missions...
"When planetary engagements become eminent threats, The 81st company has access to all military bases on Shunt III for use as a command post".
Well that's just a garnish compared to everything else..
Jim shut down the console after pulling out his disk. He would have to make squadron selections first thing in the morning. His head was throbbing from the desert drive and the mental overload he had just been thrust into. He would need a clear head to make decisions like what was needed by tomorrow at 22:00. Adrenaline wouldn't carry him that far into tomorrow on what he was running. Jim laid onto his bed and looked straight into the wall, checking the clock on the wall before letting his mind drift as his lids shut tight and sleep swept over him. 23:36. At least he could get a few hours of sleep before dawn.
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