"INSERTION"
BY Fenris Wulf
Sergeant Major Damon Kane, a.k.a. Fenris Wulf, tapped his communications headset and began his radio check.
"Test
1, Test2. Copy?" He said over the heavy thumping of the Lamprey
Transport
VTOL's rotor blades.
Master Chief Peter Octavious, a.k.a. Bravo Attack, briefly pressed his receiver to his ear, and then gave thumbs up sign to show good communication. The veteran warrior and Damon, had seen a lot of action together, and he had no doubts about Bravo's abilities both in and out of the cockpit. Unofficially, despite rank, He was Fenris' second in command.
Sergeant Major Fenris checked and double-checked his equipment. He mentally went over his checklist and checked the items off. Everything passed his inspection. For this mission, speed, over strength, was essential. "On Ground" contacts had everything ready, and were standing by for the next phase of the mission.
He could see in the dim red light of the cargo bay that Bravo was doing the same equipment check. He looked to his left and took note that the other members of his Unit were also checking their equipment. He looked at each one, and made a mental note for each...
Tanistal: A younger pilot and soldier who had yet to see many battles, but had greatly impressed Fenris the few times he had seen him fight. He would have to remember to put in a transfer to get him into his command.
Aidan Pryde: Young and fierce as the clan blood flowing in his veins. Aidan could be counted upon in a tight situation to do what needed to be done to accomplish the mission.
Bear: The most outspoken pilot he had ever met. He was brash, rude and rarely thought about what he said, but Fenris knew he could trust him. His mouth never wrote a check is body couldn't cash.
He didn't know much about most of these men outside of what was contained within the unit dossiers. You really didn't want to know anyone in this business too well. Many times those around you met a sudden and violent end. In the life of a Mercenary, you didn't have time to mourn anyone. There's no profit in it. They only addressed one another by their "Call Signs" or "Rank," it was easier that way.
This
would be the Unit's first assignment out of the cockpit, and although
the
newer recruits were untested, he knew that their training would hold
them
together.
Or they would die.
He
turned to Bravo and extended his thumb giving the universal hand
signals
for "Go / No Go!" Bravo then passes the signal on until to
the last
man
finished his equipment check.
Three thumbs greeted him back with a "Go" sign. He checked his chronometer, and found that less than 1 minute to Drop-zone Alpha. He signaled 1 minute, and the light in the cargo hold turned from Red to Green.
"STAND UP!" Fenris Shouted over the thumping rotor.
As one, the Lance stood up as one. "HOOK UP!" Each member clipped their repelling D-ring to the static line on the left hand side of the cargo bay, as the light inside of the cargo bay went dark, and a small sliver of light shone into the cargo bay, as the rear hatch opened.
As the rear door swung into the deployment position, Fenris could see the tops of the alien trees sweep only a few feet below their Lamprey Transport VTOL. Then he felt as the transport began a short climb and his comm. Unit crackled to life in his ear. The Pilot of the transport called out over the intercom.
"SERGEANT MAJOR, ETA TO DROP ZONE, 35 TICS, HOTLINE NOW!"
Without
hesitation, Fenris stepped off of the jump point, and slid quietly
down
his repel line about 50 feet. In turn each member of the star did the
same,
until the all hung below the Lamprey Transport traveling at just
under 100 KPH.
In
the distance, Fenris could just make out the landing zone. A clearing
about
75 feet wide was Drop Zone Alpha. The Lamprey dipped toward the
clearing
and Fenris and crew hit the ground hard, each unclipping their
rappeling
line and rolling into a crouch. Three seconds passed and Damon
checked those around him, all gave the "clear" signal.
"CLEAR!" He shouted into his headset.
The Lamprey banked left and disappeared from view behind the jungle's canopy.
Fenris
listened as the thumping rotor blades faded into the distance. He
scanned
the jungle for anything that would signal him that their
position
was betrayed. Satisfied that their insertion had gone unnoticed,
he
motioned for the Lance to follow him and rose from his crouched
position. He sprinted into wood line, and the Mercs of The Armored
Cavalry Elite disappeared into the underbrush. As they moved quietly
though the flora, Fenris spoke into the receiver of his comm.
headset.
"ACE Command, this is Scorpion 3, Drop Zone Alpha Cleared, " He glanced at his chronometer, "0430 Hours, Operation Underway. Scorpion 3 out."
