U.S.C. MARINE FILE: GOTHIC

Part 1- "The Briefing"

.o.o.o.

Foster led Artorus into the complex and motioned for him to follow. The two of them made their way over to an elevator and stepped into it. The other man swiped a security card through a reader and punched in the floor number.

"You still haven't explained what this is about." Artorus remarked, looking over at him with a serious expression.

Foster glanced over at him. "Oh my friend, by now you must know that such things like this require a certain amount of secrecy." He explained. "But don't worry, you'll understand things much better when he arrive at he mission briefing."

.o.o.o.

Commander Carrington reviewed the roster that had been handed to him. "I can understand why most of these people were picked, but explain to me again why a Bowman's wolf was brought in?"

"Commander, the Tribunal feels that that Sergeant McNealand shows the potential as a first class soldier." The officer explained. "He has the kind of skills and training needed for the operation."

There was a beeping and Carrington took out his communicator. "Yes, what is it?"

"Everyone is here sir, including Foster and McNealand." The voice informed him through the speaker.

"Carry on then, bring them in."

"Yes sir."

.o.o.o.

Foster and Artorus were seated in the briefing room; Jericho was next to Artorus, sitting quietly. There were also five other marines in the room- four men and a female marine.

Carrington spoke up. "Thank you all for coming, and I feel that before we begin, you all need to be introduced to one another." He began.

The only other persona in the room with them, appeared to be medical officer, a woman. The red-cross symbol on her arm was a dead give away.

General Carrington turned to face the group of assembled Marines before him. "Alright soldiers, it's time for you all to find out why you're here." He began. "Here are the facts- as best as can be gatherer:

"A small recon shuttle carrying a group of scientists has gone missing in the fringes of the uncharted zone near it's boundary to the colonized zones. The shuttle was carrying a scientist named Gerald Watkins, along with the ship's two pilots and the four other members of Watkins's team."

Carrington paused. "I will need to stress the importance of this- Watkins had recently discovered a new potential energy source on one of the planets and was on his way to report his finding at a summit that was occurring the same day that he went missing."

"The last transmission stated the energy source was renewable and easily replicated in lab settings. It seems to be perfect- so beyond the potential economic benefits of this; there is also the need to bring Watkins back as well."

He paused again. "We have calculated the exact planet that Watkins is on based on the shuttle's last known position and trajectory. However, electro-magnetic storms surround the planet and impede actual scans of the planet for life-forms."

"Sir?"

Carrington turned to one of the marines. "Yes, Sergeant McNealand?"

Artorus stood up. "General Carrington, Sir. If the planet is shrouded in electro-magnetic interference, then how will we be able to enter into planet fall?"

Carrington smiled at this. "Good question soldier." He replied, removing a small device from one of the pockets in his freshly pressed dark blue jack (that matched the rest of his uniform.)

He pressed a button on it and an image came onto the wall behind him as he stepped back. "This image is of a new drop ship- lightly arms to reduce weigh with special alloy plaiting and--" He paused.

"By a special dampening field generator around to protect it from surges outside the ship's hull." He informed the marines.

"And now that we have that out of the way, I want to make sure that everyone is familiar with their teammates." Carrington explained. "Captain Benet and his men will be comprising the bulk of this unit."

He gestured to the group. "However, do to the nature of this mission, it has been determined that certain special measures are needed as well. Everyone in this room is combat trained, however- Sergeant Jericho and Sergeant McNealand will be joining this operation incase the situation become hostile."

Carrington paused. "And Medical Officer Brooks will be joining the unit as well, as is likely that the survivors may have sustained injuries requiring onsite treatment." Carrington finished.

"Oh yes, I almost forgot, this gentleman right over there," He pointed at Frost. "He's your pilot."

The man simply looked around and smiled at the others in the room.

.o.o.o.

Carrington red over the manifest again:

Capt. Robert Benet...(Senior Officer for Special Rescue Squad)
Cpl. Delia Banning...(SRS Operative)
Pvt. Colin Dunn...(SRS Operative)
Pvt. Neil Barr...(SRS Operative)
Pvt. Ian Gould...(SRS Operative)
Sgt. A McNealand...(Special Ops Agent- "S-Class")
Sgt. M. Jericho...(Special Ops Agent- "S-Class")
Pvt. Amanda Brooks...(Medical Officer)
Sgt. J. Frost...(Piloting Officer)

He turned to the crew prepping the special drop ship. The urgency of the mission was hanging over him more and more. The true importance of the entire operation could change everything. Yet, he was good soldier at his core, and he wasn't about to break protocol based on his own personal beliefs.

Somewhere, out there, the futures of a lot of lives were at stake…

(- End of Part 1 -)

.o.o.o.

This is a pretty standard chapter, setting up the story for the main plot to come into play, and introducing the cast of characters in it. I learned a lot from the last story, so this one is more self-contained. I really think that this one will stand better on its own. I'm expecting to have some major developments in the next chapter, so tune in and see what happens.

-Bojack727