Agent California
UNSC Mother of Invention, in orbit of New Kiev
April 2553
"Pacific Unit! Fall in!"
Our little band of freelancers groups up around a trio of Pelicans, Alaska, Oregon, and the Director standing near the middle one.
"Mission is to discover source of rumors surrounding Kievan insurrection. At the moment, a planet wide civil war is raging below. Half the unit will go to each major faction. I leave the two senior officers to divvy that up."
The director leads as Alaska steps up.
"Alright, major factions consist of the Neo-Bolshevik "Union of Workers", and the "Federal New Kiev" loyalists. I'll be working with the Reds and Takaeda's gonna be going with the Whites."
The Japanese freelancer nods.
"You want first pick?"
"You go."
"Right then. Montana."
A black and gold freelancer sprints over to the group.
"Wash?"
"Montana's in sickbay. Scuffle between him, Kansas, and DC earlier. I'm taking over his place with you till he recovers."
"On whose orders?"
"Counselor's, sir."
"Fine, you're with me then."
The selection process goes on for a few minutes, the final groups being Alaska, Washington, Idaho and myself headed to the Reds, while Oregon, Utah, and the two Russians, going to the Whites.
"Strap in, you'll be HALO jumping to the respective RV point, try and stick together on the entry."
The four lock into our EVA packs as the pelican starts maneuvering to face the hangar doors.
"What about weapons?"
"We're getting equipment from our specific factions. Standby."
The pelican exits the ship and starts heading into the atmosphere.
"So you wanna run by what we're doing here sir?"
Alaska checks the seals on his rebreathers and passes a datachip to Wash.
"That's our briefing from our contact at the surface. We're gonna do a HALO jump to avoid Triple A patrols and RV with our contact at the location specified in briefing."
"Ah."
"Switch to secure radio."
I toggle over my radio as the altimeter in my helmet goes from blue to yellow.
"Final prep!"
We all stand as our jumpmaster goes through and tightens any loose straps on our kit.
"Washington and Cali, stick close on your jumps."
I take a second to load and ready my M45 MEUSOC, Wash peering out one of the rectangular viewports.
"On second thought, I might not want to actually do this sir."
Alaska chimes in, loading a magazine into his P226.
"Relax, it's just diving from a board… 35,000 feet in the air."
I look out, then instantly pull back.
"No sir, that did not help."
Alaska and Idaho chuckle.
The altimeter goes from yellow to red.
"Hook up!"
Everyone links their parachutes on the left, the back bay door depressurizing.
"Standby."
The altimeter flicks over to green as the bay door opens.
"GO GO GO!"
I start shuffling forward, going out after Wash, who disappears into the high clouds and the fogged visor.
A/N: Oh "I'm gonna be writing more!", "I'll finally stick to a schedule!".Me and my stupid mouth.