Author Note: This chapter takes place during the same time as The Battle of Alamo 1 and Battle of London. The next two chapters will follow Georgia Company a specialized group of UNSC Special Forces which consist of Orbital Drop Shock Troopers, and Army Special Forces as they protect Louisiana, Georgia, and South Carolina from the Covenant.
I like to think my beta-reader thearizona for his help and also for allowing me to use some of his characters from his story Brother in Arms. If you haven't read it you should check it out it's a great story. It will tell you more about Carnage Squad and about their first contact with the Spartans notably Zeus Squad. I hope you enjoy the chapter. Please remember to review, favorite, and follow. Thank you for your support.
Georgia Company: (171 Men and Woman)
Senior Commanders:
Commanding Officer: Lieutenant Colonel William Thompson (Former Spartan-III which survived Reach). (Arcadia) UNSC Army: MA5D Assault Rifle, M392 DMR, M6D Magnum
Executive Officer: Major Rebekah-099 (Reach) Spartan: SBK-100D-35AP Sniper Rifle, M489 Assault Rifle M6D Magnum
2nd Executive Officer: Captain Lauren Whitfield (Reach) Spartan (formally from the ODST a graduate from the third class of Spartan-IVs): M489, Shattergun (Double-barrel-shotgun), M6 Magnum
Supply Officer: Captain Roy Peebles (American) Army: M489, M6D Magnum
Carnage Platoon: (41 soldiers which includes 4 Phoenix Pilots)
First Lieutenant Mark Meyer (German) Army, Platoon XO: M392 DMR, M6D Magnum Pistol
Phoenix Pilots: (4)
Warrant Officer "Wild Bill" Handcock (American) Army (Phoenix Pilot): M7 SMG, M6C Magnum Pistol
Warrant Officer Doubles (Draco 111) ODST (Phoenix Pilot): M7 SMG, M90 CAWS
Warrant Officer Christopher Dabney (American) ODST (Phoenix Pilot): M7 SMG, M6G Magnum Pistol
Warrant Officer Emily Collins (American) Army (Phoenix Pilot): 2 M6G Magnum Pistols, M90 CAWS.
Alpha Squad: (Codename Copperhead) (9)
Sergeant Major Jack "Gunny" Price (British) ODST: BR55 HB SR, M7 SMG; squad XO;
Master Sergeant Dmitri "Staff" Vasilyev (Russian) ODST: M247H, M90 CAWS; heavy weapons,
Gunnery Sergeant George "Wolf" Anders (American) ODST: SRS99D-S2 AM, MA5C; Sniper;
Staff Sergeant Milton (Draco III) Army: MA37, DMR, and M6S Magnum
PVT Brian Kersey (American) ODST Medic: BR55 Battle Rifle, M6S Magnum
PVT Tripp Meyers (German) Army Demolition Expert cross train with heavy weapons: M489, M6 Magnum, M29 Rocket Launcher
PVT Becky Lafarge (French) ODST Heavy Weapon Specialist: M739 Light Machine-Gun, Asymmetric Recoilless Carbine-920, M363 Remote Projectile Detonator, M6 Magnum
PVT Georgina Nanu (Mexican) ODST: BR85 Battle Rifle, AA-13 Shotgun, M6S Magnum
PVT Steve McFall (American) ODST Heavy Weapon Specialist. M247H, Rocket Launcher
Bravo Squad: (8) Codename Black Moomba
Sergeant Vonya Campbell (Africa) ODST: MA5B Assault Rifle, DMR, and M6 Magnum
Corporal Thad Bullcock (British) Army medic: MA5K, Shattergun
Corporal Devin Bullcock (British) Army: DMR, M90 Shotgun
Corporal William Boykin (American) ODST: M739 LMG, M29 Rocket Launcher.
Corporal Kevin Campbell (African) ODST: M739 LMG, Spartan Laser
Corporal Jacolbey Carlos (African) ODST: MA5D, M6s Magnum, two M7S SMGs
PFC Reggie Dean (American) Army: M489, M29 Rocket Launcher
PFC Accie Collins (British) Army: MA37 AR, DMR,
Charlie Squad: (8) Codename Viper
Sergeant Kat O'Donaild (American) ODST: MA5D AR, BR55 BR.
Lance Corporal Jamie Creed (American) ODST medic: BR55, M6 magnum
Lance Corporal Ivan (Russian) ODST: MA5B AR, BR5
Lance Corporal Iran Chekov (Russian) Army: MA37, DMR
Delta Squad: (8)
Sergeant Albas VON Wolfsbane (German) Army: M489, 2 M7 SMGs
PFC Linnell Davis (African-American) Army: M489, M6 Magnum
PFC James Davis (African-American) Army: MA37 AR, DMR, M6 Magnum
Echo Squad: (4)
Sergeant Joe Armstrong (American) Army: MA37, DMR, and M6 Magnum
Lance Corporal Charles Davenport (American) Army medic: DMR and M6 Magnum
Georgia Company Mission 1
Ambush at a Coms Relay
March 7-April 10, 2568
Location: URNA (United Republic of North America)
0900 hours EST (Eastern Standard Time)
New Augusta is located in a valley in the Great Smokey Mountains. The Covenant haven't risked sending ships into the United Republic of North America so far. Fort Atlanta is located 19 miles from New Augusta. Fort Atlanta is a UNSC/URNA base; its outside is similar to NORAD which the UNSC still uses to help defend the URNA from attack. After the First Human-Covenant War the UNSC allowed countries on Earth to maintain its own Armed Forces which would assist the UNSC with Earth Defense. The base defenses include four Scythes Anti-Aircraft Guns and a SAM Launcher. The interior of the base comprised of twenty-one levels and each could be sealed by heavy blast doors. The base also has a MAC gun for dealing with any Covenant ships that threaten New Augusta or Fort Atlanta. The MAC is located inside of the mountain and has an auto-loader for the rounds.
In the Fort Atlanta Special Forces barracks and Carnage Platoon of Georgia Company is gearing up for a mission. Georgia Company is a combination of ODST's and Army Special Forces and they are commanded by Lieutenant Colonel William Thompson who used to be a Spartan-III but retired after the Human-Covenant War and then rejoined the UNSC Army afterwards. Two Spartans are also apart of Georgia Company, Rebekah-099 and Spartan Whitfield. Two other platoons make up Georgia Company; they are Bloodshed, and Massacre Platoon's. Lieutenant Colonel Thompson recruited soldiers who weren't scared to get their hands dirty in a fight and would do whatever it took to complete their objective. Georgia Company earned a reputation during the Post-War years fighting the Covenant Remnant on several worlds, one of which was Harvest. There are no FNG's in Georgia Company as selection is very strict. Massacre and Bloodshed Platoons are in Charleston. Lieutenant Colonel Thomson, Captain Whitfield and their supply officer Captain Peebles are also in the town for a meeting with the UNSC East Coast Command. Captain Rebekah-099 is the highest ranking officer still at Fort Atlanta. Georgia Company's home base is in Fort Old Hickory, Louisiana, which is not too far away from New Orleans. It isn't the New Orleans most people know, it's more of a Ghost Town as most of the civilians that used to live their moved to other cities. Each platoon has their own Phoenix Utility Helicopter for transport. The Phoenix is an updated version of the Falcon that can carry eight passengers, plus two door gunners a single pilot. The Phoenix can be used as a transport, attack, or support.
Carnage Platoon had been enjoying a few days of R&R, courtesy of Lieutenant Colonel Thomson after they stopped a Covenant Raiding Party in Key West Florida. They lost both their LT and one of their Phoenix pilots during the mission, both were being replaced. UNSC News had been reported that the UNSC had won a major victory at Alamo 1. However, the Covenant forces were still attacking London, England. No more Covenant had been spotted in North America but fighting was still going on in South America. Sergeant Major Jack Price, Master Sergeant Dmitri Vasilyev, and Gunnery Sergeant George Anders, all veterans of the first Human-Covenant War, were on their way to the locker rooms to brief their men on the mission that command had just sent them since their new LT hasn't showed up yet, which of course was pissing off all the NCO's. Along the way Jack and Dmitri were talking.
"It's good to be working with Rebekah again, what's her number again?" Jack asked his best friend.
"Her phone number or her service number?" Dmitri jokingly replied.
"You know what number I'm talking about." Jack said dryly.
"Her number is 099," he replied. "Though I wonder what happen to the rest of Zeus Squad."
"Heath-118 is now a colonel and is the leader of the Spartans, other them him I don't know." Jack replied. They soon arrived at the barracks locker room for the briefing.
"Ok you apes, command have sent us a mission so I hope you all enjoyed your R&R because it's probably going to be the last one you get in a long time. As you know the Covenant have arrived back on Earth, taking over several cities in Africa and South America. We will not let that happen to the URNA. Six hours ago one of our communication relays went dark from an unknown reason, our orders are to investigate."
"Sergeant Major, do you think it could be the Covenant?" Private Georgina Nanu asked.
"We don't know but I want all of you to treat it as if it is the Covenant. We don't have time to run a sim as command wants us there ASAP as this communication relay is important to Eastern Command," he told them. "Dimitri, take over."
"Alpha Squad you're in the first helo, Bravo Squad second Helo, Charlie Squad is in the third helo, Delta squad will get the fourth helo. Echo squad will remain here; you'll be our reserves if we run into any serious trouble. We leave in twenty minutes."
"Sir Yes sir," they all reply. Twenty minutes later they were heading towards the hanger to board their helicopters. Lieutenant Meyer was already on board and didn't say anything. Sergeant Major Jack Price and Master Sergeant Dmitri Vasilyev had their men jump a few times to make sure their gear was going to stay in place. One soldier who jumped had ammo fill out and of course Dmitri was on him faster than a speeding bullet. The soldier made sure that his pack was sealed after that encounter. Once each man passed the inspection they were allowed to board the choppers. Sergeant Major Price gave the thumbs up and Dmitri return the gesture. Once onboard the pilots lifted off and they headed towards the communication relay. Two hours into their flight they finally spotted the Comm Relay Station. They saw no sign of any enemy contact but Sergeant Major Price wasn't taking any chances.
"I want you to circle around the coms relay," Sergeant Major Jack Price told the pilots. He looked over at the LT, but he was busy watching the ground. The pilot raised his thumb up and the other pilots replied. They circled the comm relay twice, seeing if they would take any fire from whoever had sabotaged it. "Helo 2 land; Bravo Squad, I want you to secure the entrance." He received acknowledge lights. Helo 2 landed a few feet from the entrance and Bravo Squad got out. They secured the entrance and there were no hostile contacts. The rest of the Phoenix's land and the rest of the squads joined them at the entrance. The Phoenix's headed back to base. As soon as the transport choppers were away they heard something before a Phantom appeared over the trees and opened fire. Lucky for them the Phantoms Plasma weapons were out of range, but the UNSC Rocket Launchers were also out of range. However the Phantom headed back the way they came. "What are the Covenant doing here?" Staff Sergeant Milton asked.
"They're probably got something planed for Fort Atlanta but other than that I have no clue; you guess is as good as mine," he answered. "However it's strange that a lone Phantom would appear and not deploy any vehicles or infantry." Lieutenant Mark Meyer hadn't said anything so a medic walked up to him.
"LT, are you okay?" The medic asked him. He still didn't answer so he repeated the question. Sergeant Major Price looked from the lieutenant to his men. "Let's get in the comm relay station before the Phantom returns with any additional support." All of sudden the forest near them came alive as Plasma bolts and Needlers begin hitting all around them, but they all miss. Sergeant Major Price gave the order to return fire, and they did. Gunnery Sergeant George Anders looked down the scope of his SRS99 sniper rifle and began nailing any Sangheili and Jackal Marksmen. The other soldiers with Battle Rifles, DMRs, M489's, and sniper rifles started to follow his example. One soldier fired his M89 Grenade Launcher in airburst mode, showering a squad of Grunts with deadly shrapnel, killing or seriously wounding the entire squad. A few soldiers had been hit by Needler Shards, but nothing to cause a super combine explosion. A plasma bolt from a Plasma Repeater hit an ODST in the arm; Corporal Thad Bullcock went over to him and sprayed some liquid on the wound, which bring immediate relief, then he bandaged the wound up. A rocket hits a tree and sprayed the Covenant with shrapnel, killing a few of the Covenant troops. An Elite was impaled by a piece of tree bark and howled in rage before he was put down. Carnage Platoon are cutting down a lot of Covenant infantry, though they are mostly Grunts and Jackals. The platoon aimed for gaps in the Jackals shields to get headshot on them, but when they clustered together they used a M89 Multiple Grenade Launcher or a M29 Rocket Launchers to scatter them. An Elite Major took the full blast of a rocket, but he wasn't the only one killed in the blast as a dozen Grunts and Jackals went up with him. Two Hunters exited from the tree line and opened fire, but they missed. Finally the lieutenant snapped out of whatever he was in and open fire at a couple of Grunts and Jackals.
"Take those Hunters out!" Lieutenant Mark Meyer ordered, and as it's the first time he's given an order he is probably scared shitless. The soldiers with rocket launchers fired and the two Hunters were eliminated but the Covenant still forced them inside the comm relay station; they lost four in the firefight with the Covenant and their bodies were still lying outside. The lieutenant turned towards Sergeant Major Price. "Sergeant Major, I want Alpha Squad to follow me, we're going to get this communication relay online. The rest of you hold this position." Lieutenant Meyer led the way, followed by Alpha Squad. They had no idea that they're walking into a trap in the form of five Sangheili Zealots and some Grunts and Jackals. Back at the entrance, the Covenant blew open the front door and they sent in the Grunts first. They're easily dealt with, and next came a mixture of Grunts, Jackals and a dozen Elites. Three men were lost in the second attack, but a few grenades finished off the last of the second wave off. Sergeant Vonya Campbell gave the order to fallback and fined better cover. However, before Delta Squad could pull out the Covenant attacked for a third time. The Elites fired their Plasma Rifles, Plasma Repeaters, Carbines, and Concussion Rifles and a few threw some Plasma Grenades, wiping out Delta squad. Sergeant Campbell watched as a few men were stabbed with Energy Swords. She threw a fragmentation grenade and when it exploded it stripped the shields off several of the Elites away which she then nailed with her DMR. She then fell back after throwing another frag grenade.
Sergeant Kat O'Donaild aimed her DMR at an Elite Ultra's head and pulled the trigger, but nothing happened. Two Elites started advancing towards her; she ejected the spent magazine and inserted a new one. One of the Elites is on her before she could fire, and she managed dodged his energy sword swipe. She opened fire and managed to deplete the Elite's shield and then dispatched him with a headshot. She got to her feet, but an Elite attempted to grab her and she countered with some wrestling moves and ended up with her feet around the Elite's chest with the Elite in an arm bar. She then removed her SOCOM M919 pistol and opened fire into the Elite's head, dropping the shields and then finishing him off. Her legs, chest, and feet were then covered in his blood. She attempted to stand back up, but was knocked unconscious. Two Sangheili Minors then picked her up by the legs and dragged her unconscious body out of the station to an awaiting Phantom. They throw her onboard and then they returned to the fight.
"Launchers, now!" Sergeant Campbell ordered. They fire their launchers, stopping the advance and forcing the Elites, Grunts, and Jackals to retreat back outside. Phantoms, Sprits and a Litch were enroute to pick them up. Several men from Charlie squad exit from the station and fired on the retreating enemy forces until one of them is sniped, forcing the others back inside. Two of the platoons' snipers go to work eliminating the Jackal Snipers before they begin targeting the Covenant troops in the open field waiting for pickup. The Phantoms, Sprits, and Litch arrived. The Phantoms begin firing on the entrance to keep the humans heads down. One soldier is seriously wounded and the medic goes and helps him. Once the Covenant troops are onboard they leave the comm relay in the hands of the humans.
Lieutenant Meyer went around a corner and was impaled by one of the Zealots. Sergeant Major Jack Price, Master Sergeant Dimitri Vasilyev, Gunnery Sergeant George Anders and the rest open fire at three Sangheili Minors that were with him. The Elite Minors are killed but the Zealot disappeared, leaving the LTs body behind. Jack and the others chase after the Elite Zealot, dealing with Grunts, Jackals, a few Elite Minors, and a crimson Elite along the way. However the Zealots manage to slip away, except for one which they manage to capture. Four Alpha Squad members were wounded, but nothing seriously, they'll be back in the field after the doctors back at Fort Atlanta clear them. Master Sergeant Dmitri walked up to Jack. "Hey Gunny, I got a scratch from a Grunts claws."
"I'm not a Gunnery Sergeant anymore, and what do you mean a Grunt scratched you? How the hell did a Grunt manage to scratch you?"
"I know you're no longer a Gunnery Sergeant, but old habits die hard Jack. The Grunt jumped on me and if it wasn't for Wolf's marksman skill I believe the Grunt would have done me in."
"You getting done in by a Grunt's claws, that'll be the day." Jack finished before they manage to get the communication relay back online.
"This is Copperhead, the Covenant were responsible for taking the comm relay offline." Sergeant Major Price said.
"Roger that Copperhead, what the status of the Covenant?" a person said on the other end.
"They retreated but we have no idea where they went."
"Copy that Copperhead; we'll dispatch UAVs to look for them; return to base. How many men did you lose?"
"We lost seventeen and one was captured, sir," Sergeant Major Price reports.
"What do you mean captured?"
"The Covenant knocked Sergeant Kat O'Donaild out and they carried her to an awaiting Phantom." There wasn't a response.
"Understood Copperhead; return to base, we'll debrief once you safely home." The Phoenixes arrived along with some Falcons and they headed back to base.
Sergeant Kat O'Donaild wakes aboard a Phantom and a Sangheili Ultra turns towards her. "Once we arrive you'll wish you were never captured, human." She still had no clue what the Covenant want with her. She had heard stories about things the Covenant did during the war, but mostly of what Brutes did to their prisoners.
"Where are we going?" She asked him. The Elite Ultra didn't reply.
"Open up the doors," The Elite Ultra said. The Phantom doors open. She looks out and saw two Covenant ships hovering above a city. She looks down and realized the city had been abandon for a long time. The Phantom landed aboard one of the Covenant Battlecruisers and three Elite Minors take her to the prison cells. She still had no idea what city she was above or what the Covenant was planning, though she hoped that she could at least learn what they're planning before they kill her.
The Phoenixes returned to Fort Atlanta and landed in the hanger after control cleared them to land. Sergeant Major Price was the first one off the Phoenix and he was surprised to see Major Rebekah-099 there to greet them. "Welcome back sergeant major, sorry about the men you lost," she said.
"Thank you ma'am, the Covenant set a trap for us and I must say we dealt them a more serious blow then they did us," he replied.
"Colonel Thompson is waiting to debrief you."
"Colonel Thompson returned?"
"No, he's still in Charleston but he's on video conference."
"Dmitri, have the wounded taken to the infirmary and have the others checked out as well; we were all expose to those Needler projectiles. Have the men clean their weapons once their done then they can get some chow.
"Yes major," he said with a laugh. Jack glared back at him. "I mean sergeant major." Dmitri turned to follow his orders and Jack followed Rebekah to the conference room.
"You know sergeant major; Colonel Thompson wants to promote you to lieutenant." Jack didn't say anything as the news had shocked him. He had turned down a few promotions to officer during the first war, but now the LT is dead he didn't feel like having another rookie LT lead his men in the fight against the Covenant. He entered and stood at attention.
"Nice job at the Coms Relay, and sorry about your men sergeant major. As Rebekah no doubt told you, I want to promote you to the rank of lieutenant. What are your thoughts on the subject sergeant major?" Lieutenant Colonel Thompson asked.
"I would like the time to think about the promotion sir," Jack replied.
"I understand, you have 24 hours to come to a decision. But back to business; our satellites and aerial drones have found a Covenant encampment, plus a Sangheili Zealot who we believe is in charge of all the Covenant forces in this sector. We need to stop the Covenant from getting a foothold. "An image appears on the screen. Sergeant Major Price recognized the Elite Zealot as the same one they encountered at the coms relay. "I take it you seen this Elite before."
"Yes sir," he replied. "What are my orders sir?"
"Kill him," the colonel replied. "I'm going to give you and your men 25 hours to rest then you will take a squad and eliminate this Zealot, hopefully with his death the remaining Covenant will run."
"Yes sir," he replied and the screen went black. Sergeant Major Price headed to the NCO barracks to get a shower and relax for a little while. Dimitri entered the showers at the same time.
"What's the word Jack?" He asked.
"Lieutenant Colonel Thompson wants to promote me to lieutenant, and Rebekah agrees with him. That and we have an assassination op in 25 hours" At hearing this Dimitri starts to laugh.
"They want to make you an LT! Even after all the BS you give about lieutenants, especially those who go through OCS. All fairness though, you would make a better lieutenant then any of the others coming out of OCS." Dmitri strips off his uniform and joined his friend Jack in the showers. "So did you accept the offer yet?"
"No, I have 24 hours to make my decision but I don't know if I want to. I'll be commanding the whole platoon."
"Jack, you're already commanding the whole platoon and you're the Platoon's Sergeant Major.
"Actually I'm the companies Sergeant Major," he answered.
"If I accept the promotion then you'll be responsible for our platoon." Jack finished and headed out of the shower before more of the soldiers arrived. He's sure Dmitri will tell everyone the news. He was still trying to figure out if he wanted to be a Platoon Leader when a medic came up to him.
"Sergeant Major, you need to report to the infirmary you still need to get checked out." He had forgot to go to the infirmary after being exposed to the Needler Shards. After the doctors checked him out and he returned to the NCO barracks.
Next on SHCW (Second Human-Covenant War) Copperhead Squad is assign to neutralize a Sangheilli Zealot General in charge of the Covenant troops near Fort Atlanta an easy mission but things go sour after they're cut off.
