ACTIUM, EREM SYSTEM
EPIRUS CITY LIMITS
MAY 15, 1344 UNSC MILITARY TIME
"Headhunter this is Warrior 1-1, Type One control in effect. Report when ready to copy," Hopkins briefly glanced at his notebook, trying to read his data while maintaining visual on the enemy wraith.
Hopkins's radio crackled with the staticky voice of a close air support unit ready to take a fire mission, "Warrior 1-1, Headhunter 1-1. Type One, ready to copy."
He smiled and read the numbers off the paper sheet once more.
"Headhunter, line is as follows; IP: Adder. Heading three-three-zero, break.
"Distance is three zero kilometers. Target elevation at zero-point-niner kilometers, break.
"Target is three enemy tanks and accompanying infantry platoon in the open. Target location is north, four-two-three, decimal two-four-one, easting four-one-one-nine, decimal five-one-three, break.
"Target is marked by laser, code four-two-oh. Friendlies south from target 450 meters, position marked with red smoke. Egress northwest, over."
Hopkins shifted his weight, anxious about the strike. A little more time and the Covenant armor might get a visual on Baker company. His radio squawked as he received a read back from the aircraft, whom he thought was most likely a broadsword. Satisfied with the result, he keyed the mic.
"Headhunter, read back is correct. Report when ready for remarks and further information."
Headhunter wasted no time in responding back.
"Ready for remarks." The pilot answered.
"Headhunter, use GBU-24, attack direction zero-two-zero, to zero-five-zero, laser line zero-five-zero."
"Use GBU-24, zero-two-zero to zero-five-zero."
Hopkins grinned and responded back to the aircraft, "Headhunter, report when IP inbound."
A minute passed and Hopkins was almost worried that Headhunter had been shot down or recalled to its ship, but as soon as the thought crossed his mind, the pilot answered.
"IP inbound. Estimated time-on-target is one mike."
"Headhunter, target is marked with laser." Next to Hopkins, Jessup trained the target designator in the middle of the Covenant armor cluster, right where the two man team wanted the bombs to be dropped.
"Headhunter, you are cleared hot."
"Copy," the roar of jet engines grew closer and closer, and would have been deafening if it weren't for the auto sound-dampening feature of the JTAC's helmet. "Payload dropped."
For a brief moment the broadsword was visible, its weapon bays visibly open. Then the bombs went off.
Two massive explosions went off in the middle of the Covenant position, scattering bits of metal and flesh around the countryside. A shockwave rippled from the epicenter, passing through Hopkins.
"That never gets old, eh buddy?" Sergeant Jessup smiled, looking at the damage through the scope of his BR-55.
"Gotta love the rain." Hopkins replied. He too looked at what used to be a platoon's worth of Covenant infantry and tanks, then keyed his mic to report the damage to the pilot.
"Headhunter, Warrior 1-1. Good effect on target! We appreciate the assist. You are cleared off station."
The broadsword pilot made no hesitation to respond, "Copy all, Warrior. Cleared off station."
Hopkins packed away his notebook into the admin pouch of his armor, then picked up his rifle. The Rangers were starting their way up the road and into the suburbs, and he could already hear shots popping off.
"Back to the fight, eh buddy?" Sergeant Jessup, who Hopkins knew had the widest smile spread across his face, racked the charging handle on his rifle, chambering a round.
"Hooah, sarn't. Let's hope the boys save some for us!"