Chapter 10: That's What We Were Told
Outskirts of the ex-UNSC powerhouse
Planet Reach
April 19, 2528
09:26 hrs
Estimated 900 meters until visual contact with the powerhouse
The Pelican ride had been a long one, but now Indigo was finally disembarking their ride. They were on the outskirts of the powerhouse, a mixed bag of jagged rock faces, rocks and trees littered their surroundings. About 300 meters in front of them two rock faces came together to create a makeshift cave.
"We'll radio for pick-up when we're finished." Clementine called to the pilot as she exited the co-pilots seat. With a thumbs up from the pilot, Clementine made her way out of the cockpit, down the Pelican and hopped off the back.
Indigo set off at a steady pace in direction of the powerhouse, the whirring of the Pelican gaining altitude behind them. Violet and Mitch were on point. Violet with her M392 DMR and a M6G Magnum as her side arm, and Mitch on her left, holding an MA37 ICWS (Individual Combat Weapon System) Assault Rifle with an M41 SPNKR Rocket Launcher on his back and M6G Magnum attached to his leg holster. Mitch had a selection of grenades and explosives attached to a harness that went diagonally across his chest armour.
Behind them was Clementine, who also carried a DMR and Magnum like Violet. Ruby was on Clementines right, she carried an BR55 Service Rifle, commonly known as the Battle Rifle, and M6G Magnum.
Louis and Marlon were at the back of the group. Marlon had a System 99 Anti-Matériel Sniper Rifle on his back and also had a BR55 Service Rifle, in hand with a Magnum on his leg holster too.
Louis was on Marlons right and was carrying a spare Sniper for him on his back with a DMR and Magnum as his own weapons.
Mitch checked his RADAR out of habit for his teams location. Upon seeing they were all together, he then looked to the faint blue line highlighting their quickest route to the objective. He shrugged, his SPNKR shuffling as he did so. It was still early in the day, they had around ten hours of daylight left at least. Unfortunately for them, it wouldn't take that long to get there, which meant that once they got to the objective, there was the possibility of being spotted.
"You good?" Violet asked, noticing Mitch's shrug.
He looked to her then back in front. "I'm good Vi." He assured her.
Violet nodded in response, glancing at her own HUD quickly then putting her eyes back on track.
They'd been walking for a while before someone spoke again.
"Hey," Louis called on the teams COMM, six helmets turned to him. "Cave up ahead." He said, indicating for them to look up front with his finger.
They all readjusted their sights to the cave Louis mentioned.
"Well we've been moving fast." Marlon stated.
"Nah," Mitch said. "We're just eager to get this done."
"Either way, that leaves us with at least 600 meters until the powerhouse is in sight." Clementine said to them.
"Yeah, but we still need a good place for us to set up." Marlon said, indicating to Louis and himself with a finger.
"Knowing Violets aim, she'll need all the support she can get." Louis teased.
"Fuck you Louis." Violet said, flipping him the middle finger.
Louis let out a hearty chuckle. He had to admit, he certainly enjoyed the banter he and Violet shared together.
Once they reached the married rock face, they activated their night vision to help navigate safely through the surprisingly dark makeshift cave. Halfway through, they heard the sound of small rocks hitting the floor around them followed closely by the sound of five or six UH-144 Falcons passing over the top of them. Looking at each other, they made a run for the exit, emerging just in time to see them land down around the powerhouse.
Clementine looked to Louis who nodded and checked the distance between the powerhouse and them.
"Looks like we're closer than we thought Boss," He said, turning to her. "It's only about 210 meters away, tops. We stick out like sore thumbs to the snipers, we're lucky they haven't made us yet."
"That settles it then. Louis, Marlon, you'll stay here, you've got enough height to cover us easily. Mitch, Ruby and Vi, you're with me." Clementine ordered, taking point and advancing towards their objective.
Green lights flashed in acknowledgement as everyone did as they were ordered. Upon hearing Mitch, Ruby and Violet behind her, Clementine sped up to a jog. Going through the cave had given them the height advantage, but also dropped them in a bit too close. They needed to get there as quickly as possible to regain control of that powerhouse. There wasn't a direct path down so it took the four of them about 3 minutes at their pace to follow their new route there.
The sound of three more Falcons caused the group of four to find cover as they passed overhead.
From their vantage point, Louis and Marlon watched as more troops began to disembark the newly arrived Falcons. Marlon averted his eyes from his snipers scope and turned his head to look at his best friend.
"You saw too?" Louis asked, feeling his friends eyes on him. Slight worry coated his words.
"Yeah." Marlon whispered.
"Hey, Clem?"
"Go ahead Louis."
"We... well we've got a slight problem." he said hesitantly.
Clementine was dreading what could come out of his mouth next. "How so?" She asked.
"This is no small group, Clem. Looks like they've already transformed it into a fucking stronghold."
Clementine said nothing for a minute which worried Louis.
"We we're told there was only small opposition." Clementine said, confused at to how the Rebels had moved so quick.
"Yeah, that's what we were told then Clem. But this is now." Replied Louis.
Clementine sighed, already frustrated with the sudden development. "Numbers?" She asked.
"Can't confirm."
"We could wait it out," Suggested Violet. "Wait until it's dark out."
"Which would give more the opportunity to arrive." Countered Mitch. "It's too risky, I say we go in guns blazing, get it over and done with so we can get back quicker."
"It's your call." Ruby reminded her.
Both were sound ideas, but Mitch was right. The sooner the better. Clementine looked to Mitch.
"I hope you have enough explosives."
Mitch smirked behind his helmet and his light winked green.