The Facility

Cocoa Island Campaign Day 1

The Helljumpers spend their hour checking over equipment and talking amongst themselves, with Stone making sure the rank and file didn't take too many loses. They all make a note to stock up on ammunition, and the helicopter is handed to a tech squad for reverse engineering. In exchange, they get a trio of 3 seater jeeps, driver, gunner, and shotgun, the perfect amount for the squad. When the time has come to move out, Arthur, Stone, and Astro take the chain guns, while Oak, Fin, and Miles take driver's seats. Scorch, Fuschia, and Gauge get to ride shotgun, something Gauge is more excited about than the others. Miles hands his beam cannon to Fuschia before they set off, she can make better use of it from the passenger's seat. During the drive, Oak rebriefs the squad on the situation.

Helljumper Leader - "One last time. The Kukku must have been here for some time before their main force arrived, we've identified an R&D facility in the forest to the north, and GUN wants it out of commission. They said nothing about us making use of what's in there already, so try and keep collateral damage to a minimum. Yes Scorch, that means stow that rocket launcher. We don't know what they're cooking up in there, but remember there is Kukku Non-Com on site, so check your fire. Let's try to keep it intact if possible. Split into 3 teams, stick with your jeep crew. Infiltration tactics at first, but keep your rifles at the ready. Good luck Helljumpers."

Helljumper 5 - "Why would they build a research facility so close to the coast? Surely they know it would be a target for the invasion force."

Helljumper Leader - "You get a chance Astro, maybe you can ask them."

Helljumper 2 - "Commander, we just lost our comms to the fleet, backup channels are down as well. Can't tell what's jamming us, but it's probably in that lab somewhere."

Helljumper Leader - "You heard her Helljumpers, dead zone confirmed. Command will not be keeping us company on this trip."

Helljumper 7 - "I'm lonely already."

It takes a short while longer for the squadron to arrive at the lab itself, and everyone dismounts from the jeeps. Two of the three teams split off and head around the sides, while Oak leads his team to recon the front. The facility complex is surprisingly large, and is likely partially built underground. Miles, along with Fuschia and Stone, take the east side, and find an entry point in a lightly guarded cargo bay.

Helljumper 2 - "Helljumper leader be advised, team 2 has an entry point and are beginning infiltration, going radio silent, over."

An acknowledgement ping comes over, and the trio enter the building. The cargo bay is mostly empty, save for a few larger containers and asleep Kukku guards. The trio makes their way past the guards without waking them up, and take cover in the cargo bay's control hub. Once inside, Fuschia accesses one of the consoles and starts getting to work infiltrating the enemy systems.

Helljumper 2 - "I have access, downloading building layout maps, and I have an enemy communique coming through, patching it to your helmets."

Kukku (intercepted radio) - "What's the status of the evacuation?"

Kukku (intercepted radio) - "Going well, most of the civilians have been evacuated off site, and sensitive materiel is in the process of being collected or destroyed. What should we do with the A.I.?"

Kukku (intercepted radio) - "Prep it for data transfer, I'll get it out myself. Fortify the chokepoints and other critical areas until we can get everyone out."

Kukku (intercepted radio) - "Acknowledged, CBAI data transfer ready when you are."

Helljumper 4 - "At least the civvies are out of the firing line, by the sounds of it that A.I. they mentioned is definitely a priority target."

Helljumper 9 - "Agreed, maybe we can make use of it, 2, can you track the source?"

Helljumper 2 - "Already on it, it came from one of the base control centers, this wing looks like it's dedicated to weapons development. Apparently the AI is being housed in a data storage bank not too far from here, we might be able to get there before that officer."

Helljumper 4 - "Let's get to it then, we won't gain anything by standing around."

The trio set off towards the storage room, silently neutralising a few Kukku along the way. It isn't long until they arrive at the data storage, and Fuschia forces entrance through the security door. Once they enter, they realise that there is still a group of workers behind one of the server banks.

Helljumper 9 - "All of you, on the ground."

Helljumper 4 - "Relax 9, they're workers, not soldiers."

Helljumper 9 - "Birds are birds, how can we be sure these ones won't squawk as soon as we turn our backs."

Helljumper 2 - "Both of you, cool it. 4, keep an eye on them, 9, watch the door, i'll see about working on this AI."

Fuschia gets to work on the AI, but is interrupted when the Kukku officer from before enters the room, he's just a sergeant, and a young one. He doesn't actually notice the Helljumpers until he's already a few steps in. Before he can react, Miles shuts the door behind him and puts a pistol to his head.

Helljumper 9 - "Don't. Move."

The Kukku's eyes open wide, and he slowly raises his arms in surrender, before kneeling down and turning to see the one threatening him. His eyes are a mix of fear and admiration, as if the young Kukku looks up to Miles.

Kukku Sergeant - "You- your the- the fox aren't you? The one that fought against us the first time? I- I didn't think I'd actually meet you. P-please don't hurt me, I'm just following orders."

Miles removes his helmet and kneels down in front of the officer

Miles - "You're lucky I'm in a good mood today, you seem to know enough about the last time you tried this, what made you think it would work this time."

Sergeant - "You're a- a world hero, we thought that, that you would be too focused on something else, I- I don't know I just don't wanna die."

The officer is on the verge of breaking down, and Miles gets up and puts his helmet back on, extending a hand to the sergeant. The Kukku takes it, and stands up before pulling himself together a bit.

Helljumper 9 - "You know, you sounded much more professional on the radio. Is military service mandatory for you lot? You seem far too young to even be an NCO."

Sergeant - "Our, last sergeant was, executed, he didn't agree with orders and tried speaking up about it. He, he really cared about our squad, always put us before orders. I was promoted a few days ago."

Helljumper 2 - "We're good to go."

Helljumper 9 - "Not a word of this to your CO, clear?"

Sergeant - "Completely, just, please try not to kill anyone, I don't wanna lose any of my friends here."

The sergeant seems to be holding back tears. Miles lets out a short sigh, before glancing at his squadmates and turning back.

Helljumper 9 - "Don't worry, non-lethal only, you'll all make it out of here alive."

Helljumper 2 - "AI is yours 9, try not to break it."

Fuschia hands Miles a data chip, and after giving it a look over, Miles inserts the disk into the back of his helmet. Miles shudders a little, as the AI inside gets a feel for his suit systems.

AI - "Nice place you have here, you wouldn't mind if I make myself at home a little while I'm here?"

Miles - "Just stay inside the technological systems and outside the biological systems."

AI - "Fair enough, I'm Allison, or they keep calling me CBAI-0001. You'd be surprised how glad I was when I was able to stop your vehicles from triggering every early warning system in the facility, they gave me full facility access but treat me like a cleaning droid."

Miles - "Trust me, I know the feeling."

This statement gets a funny look from Fuschia, but she doesn't say anything.

Miles - "If we gave you a chance to fight against them, would you take it?"

Allison - "Absolutely, just give me a rifle and someone to shoot it at."

Miles - "Sounds good, let's get you out of here. Should we break radio silence?"

Before Fuschia or Stone could respond, alarms throughout the facility start going off. Miles looks at the sergeant, but he's just as surprised as the rest of them.

Stone - "One of the other teams must have triggered it, let's scoot!"

Allison - "I'll give them some fake pings to lead them away from your exit, that should buy you time."

Fuschia - "Thanks, let's move it Helljumpers!"

Helljumper Leader (radio) - "All Helljumpers, critical data has been retrieved, everyone fall back to the vehicles, ASAP!"

Helljumper 8 (radio) - "Helljumper leader this is Helljumper 8, be advised we're roughly 30 meters underground from the main data bank, we might be a minute."

Helljumper Leader (radio) - "Affirmative 8, make it quick."

Miles, Fuschia, and Stone start sprinting down the halls, and as they get close to the cargo bay they entered through, Allison pipes up.

Allison - "You've got about 12 soldiers in that cargo bay between you and the exit. If you intend on staying non-lethal like you said, I'd recommend finding another way."

Helljumper 9 - "Are they from the same unit as the sergeant?"

Allison - "Checking, nope, these ones are completely different. And I have just noticed that the shipping logs say there's a prototype mechanical battlesuit in one of the crates near the door."

Helljumper 9 - "Then we have weapons free, lets see if we can't get our hands on that armour."

As they enter the cargo bay, they spot a dozen Kukku soldiers, with 11 of them in line formation. It looks like a briefing, one that's about to get crashed. 9 takes the first shots, putting three rounds through the head of the one doing the talking, and the rest scatter in panic. Those that didn't get cut down by the following bursts from 2 and 4, that is. It's quick combat, the Helljumpers leap from crate to crate, 2 and 4 clean up the enemy soldiers while 9 makes his way to the marked container, and makes his way inside it. Inside is a set of armour suspiciously similar to the sets worn by the Helljumpers, but that isn't his concern at the moment. He takes Allison's data chip out of his helmet, and inserts it into the benign armour. After a few seconds, it comes to life, picking up a rifle from a weapons rack and looking at 9.

CBAI - "0001 online and ready for combat, all systems green."

Helljumper 9 - "Good to hear it, that's some nice looking armour."

CBAI - "Heh, thanks. I tried to get my hands on it sooner, but I couldn't get the requisition form through. I guess this is the next best thing."

CBAI and 9 exit the container, right as the last Kukku soldiers fall.

Helljumper 2 - "Nice timing 9, lets go."

As the four exit the facility, 4 spots 1's team exiting from the far side. Miles' team reaches the vehicles first, and they decide to mount up but hold position for the others.

Helljumper 9 - "Shotgun!"

Helljumper 4 - "Shotgun! [Explitive]"

CBAI - "Shotgun's lap!"

Helljumper 9 - "[Explitive]"

2 hands 9's beam cannon back to him, who passes it to CBAI, who takes a seat in the jeep exactly where she said she would. Right on top of Miles. Not soon after, 1's team arrives at the jeeps, there's a bit of confusion, but it's quickly cleared up.

Helljumper 8 (radio) - "Helljumper leader this is Helljumper 8, we're out of the facility and on our way to the vehicles. For some reason all of their security forces are running to the west, so it wasn't hard to get out."

Helljumper Leader - "That would be because of a new friend 9 made, the facility AI decided to offer her services, they were sent on a wild goose chase."

CBAI - "That's not the only thing I cooked up, most security forces are out, and all civilians are long gone. My ethics subroutine is trying to smack me with a stop sign. Fire in the hole."

As 8's team arrives at the vehicles and mounts up, Allison triggers a flash reactor meltdown, sending the entire facility, and anyone left inside it, up in smoke.

Astro - "I thought we were ordered to take the place intact."

Allison - "I wasn't."

Miles - "You're a real piece of work Allison."

Allison - "Aw, I love you too."

This comment gets everyone on the squad laughing, except for Miles. His helmet isn't able to hide the fact he's blushing under there. About an hour later, the squad rolls up back to the beachhead, where some of the expeditionary forces have made landfall and set up a forward operating base. Once there they rearm, refuel, and get some much needed R&R. The next day, they take a visit to the makeshift briefing room to get their next assignment.

Brig. Gen. Athens - "Nice work with that lab Helljumpers, every bit of damage done to the enemy is a step in the right direction. It's unfortunate that we're sending you against a target of this nature, but it needs to be done and you're the best we've got. Orbital recon identified what looks to be a Kukku POW camp, holding a large amount of the garrison that was stationed here before the Kukku attacked. We can't take you in by air, too many early warning systems, and land vehicles are also taking a risk. We've spotted Kukku spec ops, and that lot are a bunch of ruthless killers. If you're spotted, they won't hesitate to start executing prisoners. Do your best to keep it quiet, at least until you've reached the prisoners, and get them out of there."

Scorch - "Out of the frying pan and into the fire, we just made a hot drop into a free fire zone, and turned a lab into slag, even we need a day off every now and again. Surely they realise that."

Gauge - " Yea, you would think that."

Oak - "I agree, but orders are orders. Those people need our help, and they'll get it."

Fuschia - "Hopefully any intel recon couldn't pick up can be filled in by Allison."

Brig. Gen. Athens - "That reminds me, I've decided to officially assign the combat AI to Alpha-Nine, new callsign Helljumper 10. Her knowledge of the enemy should prove invaluable. She requested to operate as support instead of combat to make infiltration easier, and specifically requested to operate from Helljumper 9's armour. We have transport able to take you roughly halfway to the POW camp, but you'll have to hike the rest. Good luck Alpha-Nine. Dismissed."