Chapter 3: Hard Landing
Cutscene
Catra: We're all numbed by Mara's death. We just never saw it coming. I STILL can't believe it. She's the most solid, dependable, and courageous Marine we've ever known. Blink of an eye, gone... Now it's down to me, and me alone, to lead these soldiers, my brothers, and my sisters, safely through this campaign. The Triple-A fire from Oasis airfield is knocking out our planes and immobilized paratrooper reinforcements right outta the sky. Securing the airfield is our only priority. Whatever the cost.
'Hard Landing'
May 15, 2022 – 0830Hrs
Oasis Airfield, Iran
Pvt. Adora
1st MarDiv w/ 75th Ranger Army Regiment
Catra: The arrangements are being made to take her body back to the States.
Glimmer: Oh man, I thought Mara would make it for sure. She deserves great honor for us...
The POV of Private Adora appeared in a jungle located in Oasis, Iran. Adora pulls out an M249 SAW LMG w/ACOG Scope.
Catra: We let our guard down, Glimmer. We can't let it happen again. ANYMORE.
Glimmer: OK. So, what now?
Catra: Al-Asad's got a tight hold on pretty much everything to the west. The direct route runs right into Russian guns. We take the flank. It might get us to sweat, but it's not going to get us killed. We'll link up with the 75th when we're through this jungle. Stay sharp. And watch out for the wild animals – they're could be anywhere.
US Marine (PFC. Fletcher): Got visual from the crash site of Black Hawk. 20 meters ahead.
The team comes across Marines inspecting two dead pilots and six Ranger soldiers in a crashed UH-60 Black Hawk.
Glimmer: The Hunter 7 team must have been shot down this morning early.
Catra: Fuselage is still smoking and check for the survivors.
US Marine (SGT. Moore): Something's not right on this downed bird. Lemme check it out...
The bleep of an IED is heard.
US Marine (PVT. Stacy): SHIT! IED!
The IEDs under the crashed chopper explode and Bayonet Chargers ambush the Marines.
Bayonet Chargers: DIE!
Catra: WATCH OUT! BOOBY TRAP!
Glimmer: IT'S SET UP!
Catra: AMBUSH! Keep 'em back!
Glimmer: Do not let them close at us!
The team clears the area and moves up.
Glimmer: Can't believe they'd booby trap our dead...
Catra: Yeah… That was a close one. So stay frosty guys.
Glimmer: Roger that.
Bayonet Chargers pop out of the ferns and on the river banks.
Glimmer: It's another damned ambush! They're all around!
Catra: Keep it tight, people!
The team clears the area and moves forward.
Glimmer: I think we're kinda late. Sounds like the 75th's kicking ass.
Ranger: This is it Rangers, let's get them and lead the way!
Catra: MG's in the bunkers up ahead. KN artillery sittin' right in front of it. Private! Get a grenade up there!
Ranger: On me!
Marine: Frag out!
The Marine and Ranger throw a grenade over a small wall, taking out the AQ troops on the first KN artillery piece above.
Catra: Everyone! Move! GO! GO!
The team moves up a hill.
US Marine: Take that position!
Ranger: Keep hit 'em up with two-forty-nine! Let the Marines immobilized the enemy from both flanks!
The Marines make their way to a bunker while the Rangers provides fire suppression.
Catra: I want men down both flanks! Carve a path through.
Adora must clear the bunker and get to the other side. A Marine with a flamethrower goes up a hill.
Glimmer: Flamethrowers moving up.
Catra: Glimmer! Give 'em covering fire! Stay on them!
The flamethrower burns through a bunker and reaches an MG nest.
Catra: Everyone! On me!
The MG nest fires at the Marines.
Catra: I want suppressing fire on those MG's! The flamethrowers need to reach the bunkers.
The Marines cover the flamethrower and he attempts to burn them, but he is killed by the MG's.
Catra: Adora, get the flamethrower and finish the job!
Adora takes the flamethrower.
Catra: Burn those MG's! Don't let up!
Adora burns the MG nest. Then it begins exploding.
Catra: It's gonna blow! Get outta there!
Glimmer: Hell yeah! Burn, ya little suckers!
The MG nest explodes and a hole is formed in the side of it. AQ troops still inside can be heard screaming as they are incinerated.
Catra: Okay. Move up!
The Marines and the Rangers exit through the back of the MG nest.
Catra: Keep it together. The airfield's about half a mile north.
The Marines and Rangers are moving when a flaming C-130 flies down and presumably crashes on the other side of the hill, clipping a couple of tall palm trees with its wing as it descends.
Glimmer: Awww... They're just taking down another one.
Catra: All the more reason to keep pushin'. Every plane we lose makes our job harder. So pick up the pace to knock out those AA guns!
Banzai Chargers stand up from the grass and charge towards the Marines.
Glimmer: Ambush, they're in the grass!
Catra: Over there, OVER THERE!
There is a sniper in the tree.
Glimmer: Up there, sniper, in the tree! There's more of 'em!
The Marines and Rangers clear out the remaining soldiers.
US Marine: They were just waiting for us...
Ranger: Yeah, what a helluva ambush!
There is a building ahead.
Catra: Enemy's holed up in that building.
The Marines move to a trench where another Marine squad is. Meanwhile, the Rangers provide cover fire to suppress enemy MGs on the building.
Catra: Good to see you, boys! What's the sitrep on the airfield?
US Marine 1: The 1st and 3rd Tank Battalions came early on the north of the airfield!
US Marine 2: They're trying to get their tanks onto the airfield, but it's a nightmare over there. But fortunately, they're-
A Marine's helmet is shot off by a bullet. He grabs it and puts it back on.
Catra: Yeah… but what about the others?
US Marine 1: We've got the M4s with attached M203s and scopes plus RPGs on the supply truck dead ahead. WE need you to suppress that second-floor building ASAP!
US Marine 2: So, what's the game plan, Sergeant?
Catra: Same as mission briefing… we'll suppress the MGs and kill the bad guys.
US Marine 2: Hah! I like it.
Catra: Adora, Glimmer, follow me!
The three go to a supply drop near the trenches.
Catra: Adora! Load up with those M203s and blow that damn bird off his perch.
Polonsky: Hell yeah!
Adora takes an M4A1 with an M203 and fires upon the building with grenade launchers. As soon as the building's defenses are weakened, she must enter.
Catra: Move! Into the building! Don't give 'em a chance to regroup! Clear 'em out!
The Marines and the Rangers clear the building.
Catra: We're nearly there. Keep it together! One last push and we take the airfield!
The Marines go upstairs and out the back to the airfield while the Rangers secure the building's perimeter.
Glimmer: Damn! This ain't gonna be easy.
Catra: It never is... But we can do this, okay?
The Marines fight their way through the airfield. M1A1 Abrams tanks arrive to support them and take out the AQ's T-72 tanks.
Catra: Move! Stay with our tanks! Help them move up!
Adora reaches a trench.
Glimmer: AQ's AA guns are zeroed on our planes!
Catra: We'll get to them!... We gotta deal with their tanks first! Scavenge supplies from the trenches! Stingers, M203s! Hit 'em with whatever you can!
Adora can use the M203 GLs they found earlier or using an FIM-92 Stinger that was found in the trench to destroy the tanks. There are three tanks in total. When the first tank is destroyed:
Catra: One down! Keep it up, Adora!
Glimmer: Awww... Yeah!
When the second and third tanks are destroyed.
Catra: Damn good work, sweetheart!
The Marines fight their way to some trenches. If any Abrams survived, they will continue to lay down supporting fire for the Marines.
Catra: Clear out the trenches!
The trenches are cleared and the Marines make their way to a building with Al-Qatala rebels and AA guns.
Catra: Move up and take out the AA Guns! We are taking this airfield today! Adora! Take out that first gun crew!
Adora takes out the crew at the four AA guns. When the first crew is taken out:
Glimmer: Taken out!
Catra: Three more!... Keep going!
When the second crew is taken out:
Glimmer: Second crew down!
Catra: Stay strong!... We're nearly there! Two more!... MOVE!
When the third crew is taken out:
Catra: Get the last one, before we lose any more birds!
When the fourth crew is taken out.
Glimmer: They're outta commission! Good night, jerks!
The Marines take out the remaining AQ rebels in the building. The victory music begins playing.
Catra: Nice work, Marines! Let's give Major Angella the good news.
Glimmer: Bastards nearly had us...
US Marine: Yes, ma'am. The airfield has been held... Repeat, the airfield has been held.
Catra: They'll do whatever it takes.
Glimmer: Awwww, no... Sarge, we got a problem.
Roebuck: Ma'am, AQ reinforcements coming in north of the airfield... Request immediate air support. Yes, Ma'am... Roger wilco.
Glimmer throws a flare.
Catra: Everyone takes a position. Eyes forward. Stay strong. We are holding this airfield!
Glimmer: More reinforcements!
Al-Qatala soldiers begin entering the area and firing on the building. Trucks begin driving in.
Catra: There's more infantry on their trucks!
Glimmer: Where the hell did all those reinforcements come from?!
Three tanks begin driving in.
Glimmer: They're bringing up tanks!
Catra: Adora! Get on that ZPU!
Glimmer: It's a whole damn convoy!
Catra: They're taking a position on that tower! Keep fire on them!
After an intense firefight, American VF-143 jet planes make a bombing run over the AQ soldiers, unleashing a rain of napalm that wipes out any surviving Japanese tanks and incinerating the infantry, wiping them all out. The victory music begins playing again.
Glimmer: What... the...
US Marine: Yes, ma'am. The airfield had been held... Repeat, the airfield has been held.
Mission ends.