Lightmass Offensive
Chapter 1
Bullets flew past Dean as the shriek of locust voices could be heard in the distance. He fell to the ground as a boomer shot an explosive charge against the concrete block that had provided him with valuable cover for the last few minutes.
Dean tasted dirt in his mouth but that was soon replaced with blood. He coughed red frothy blood that formed a small puddle in the ground below him. He had entered the prison with Dom to pick up Marcus, but he got separated from him and practically walked into locust central! He had only a few bullets left in his lancer and he emptied them into the approaching boomer! The weapon's chainsaw bayonet had stopped functioning due to damage taken earlier. Dean accidentally sawed through a gnasher shotgun and a drone and the metal from the shotgun had jammed his chainsaw.
The area was a mess. The buildings were falling apart from continuous locust attack and holes dotted the roof and walls. Dean crawled behind a wall and eyed a Hammerburst. He had always admired locust weaponry, the raw power they possessed and even their reliability, but he especially liked the Hammerburst. He had seen the weapon specs and even used one a few times in combat training. The weapon used a six bullet burst system with incendiary rounds that could easily punch through gear armour and even rend flesh! He picked up the gun and struggled to his feet. He slotted a new magazine into the chamber, happy he picked up ammunition. He was breathing heavily. He knew a few of his ribs were either cracked or broken. Blood covered his mouth. A locust leapt at him, claws extended in mid-air! Dean primed his new Hammerburst and with the six shot burst removed the locust's head. It's head exploded in a pink spray. Dean looked across the courtyard he stood in and fired another burst from his Hammerburst. The bullets penetrated the locust's torso, spraying the wall behind it with blood!
Dean fell to his knees. His vision began to blur as he saw a locust run towards him. With whatever strength he had left he raised his Hammerburst into the air and shot it between the legs! The locust fell and Dean blew it's head off, showering him with blood! Another locust ran around the corner. Dean thought that was it. Images of his brothers filled his mind and a smile came to his face. The drone lifted it's foot into the air but soon fell dead as Dom hurled his combat knife into it's right eye! Dom retrieved his knife. Dean felt strong arms lift him. He looked back as the ground began to open. Dom and Marcus barely made it to the King Raven as a Corpser emerged from the ground.
Dean's vision fixed on a man in white overalls. His face was covered with a surgical mask and blood stained his clothes "He's got three broken ribs! His COG tags state him as blood group A. Oh Christ he's only 18!" Dom hovered over him "He's in bad shape". Marcus tapped Dom on the shoulder "Who's the kid?" Dom sat beside him "A new recruit. Remember Jace Stratton? His cousin". Marcus shook his head and sighed "Ah shit".
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Dean awoke with a headache. He had a strange taste in his mouth which he couldn't for the life of him identify. His ribs were heavily bandaged. He looked around the room he was in. He lay in Jacinto Hospital. Colonel Hoffman approached him "What age are you son?" Dean replied "18 sir!" Hoffman laughed "Sure you're only a child! A sergeant will come by later to sort you into a squad". Dean tried to salute but his ribs erupted with pain. He simply replied pathetically "Yes sir!" Hoffman grunted as he left "These young lads nowadays". Dean looked to his bedside. There was a letter reading 'Get well soon you moron'. The letter brought a smile to Dean's face. There was no signature but he knew it was from Max, his childhood friend and fellow gear.
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Dean looked at the doorway to his room and noticed a soldier walk in. He was a large man with a gnasher shotgun strapped to his back and two revolvers, one on each leg. He wore a pair of glasses and sported a large scar down the right hand side of his face. "You Dean Stratton? Jace Stratton's cousin?" Dean nodded weakly and pathetically "Yeah" "I'm sergeant Neville Biggs. Welcome to Dawn Squad".
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Dean approached the King Raven that would take him and his other squad members to Embry Square. They were supposed to go in a clear the way for Delta so they could rendezvous with Alpha and secure the sonic device. Dean stepped into the chopper. His ribs were still giving him trouble but he ignored it for the most part. His friend Max was sitting cleaning the scope of his Longshot. Most considered him crazy, but a better sniper you'll never find. He never failed to kill something he aimed at. Sergeant Biggs was talking with the pilots. The fourth member of Dawn Squad was Gary Henderson. He stroked his chainsaw bayonet as though it was alive. He freaked everyone out, including sergeant Biggs! The final member was probably the youngest and most inexperienced member called Josh. He had an annoying habit of finishing off other peoples sentences, which pissed Dean off to no end. Dean sat on his seat near the open door and placed his hand on the handrail. He turned his head and noticed another person, a girl with long blonde hair sitting in the back. She was their contact in control. Her name was Rose.
He carried with him the Hammerburst he took back from Jacinto Maximum Security Prison and a Torque Bow given to him by his cousin Jace. He had a few arrows so he'd have to make them count.
Biggs turned to face his squad "Okay lads most of you haven't even been in a fight, with the exception of Dean and Max. Our job is to clear the way for Delta so they can receive the sonic device. Any questions?" The squad shook their heads. They knew what they needed to do. The King Raven lurched forward and then up as they flew off in the direction of Embry Square…