DAY 7 OF OPERATION ON PLUTO

Bold font and *""* – radio talk, Italic font and ** – thoughts, underline font and "" – TV or news reports, "" – normal speck, '' – whispering, and I own nothing in this story it's just an idea I had years ago

Nicky was looking ahead watching as Fleet fighter's where bombing the forward positions of the infantry hitting the arachnid positions she looked slightly to her left and saw Nest Hunters, Cliff Jumper and Light Horse Platoon's with three tanks and two apc's holding position then in front of herself watching as the Bug Reaper and Buzzsaw platoon's with two tanks and one apc advancing to take the positions just bombed while to her right and saw the Roughnecks along with the Bug Stomper platoon holding the line

Nicky then looked more to her right as she watched Higgins with his tripod holding his camera taping as he making a report for his fednet bosses on a hill just behind the Roughnecks on the past three day battle to bump up moral for new recruits and veterans, after joining the regiments at sector five quad thirty they have been able to advance and take ten full sectors from the bug forces and they were now pushing into sector ten quad one.

Nicky then heard a roar and saw another Fleet squadron of three bombers fly over heard and bomb the right position she then heard over the radio Razak say *"Roughnecks right flank assault now!"*and Nicky saw the Roughnecks advancing while the Bug Stompers where holding their most right position Nicky then turned to Higgins and said "come on paperboy we gotta keep up with the others the Saxons and Danes regiments are doing mop up" Higgins nodded at her as he started to while she kept an eye out for trouble only then to heard Higgins yell out in shock making her turn and see him side stepping a warrior attacking Nicky turned and opened fire killing the bug only then to get clouted in the side of the head by something

Higgins turned and saw Nicky being blindsided by another warrior and it also destroyed his rifle as he watched Nicky roll down the hill they was on only to roll into a damaged apc that was on its side that was behind their forces, Higgins paled and said to himself "I'm in trouble" only just to hear another screech and turned behind him and saw a third warrior and then said "Defiantly in trouble" he then jumped down the hill and slid to the apc to Nicky's side and avoiding the bugs making them charge and hitting each other stunning themselves giving Higgins the time to get Nicky slightly up and into the troop compartment before the warriors where able to get them

Just after he had dragged Nicky and himself to the very back of it only to dough a claw coming in from the side that was the roof and then the other tried to force itself into the apc Higgins how was holding his tripod and camera and tried to hit the warrior with it while saying as he did it "Don't make me use this." Only to hear a groan next to him as Nicky started to come round "Oh my head what the hell hit me ow." she said as she went to get up only to stumble, Higgins knelt next to her and said "You ok Nicky." to which Nicky replied "Yar I'm fine do you have your morita with you."

Only to hear Higgins reply "no the bug that blindsided you destroyed it." Nicky then started to look around looking for her weapon only for Higgins to say "Yours is just outside I didn't have the time to ..." Nicky just calmly said "it's ok paperboy" she then patted herself down only to see just at the opening of the troop compartment to see her pistol laying there and then she asked Higgins "Do you have your pistol on you?" only to watch him shake his head she nodded at that then said "I'll radio LT of our trouble, LT I and Higgins are trapped in a downed apc we need back up just behind where you was last sir." But when she didn't get a reply she then turned to Higgins and asked "Can you check my radio I don't know if it went throw."

Higgins nodded and checked her helmet and noticed the dent in it and that there was a cut going along the radio meaning it was destroyed and then he said "Your radio is damaged I'll do it" he then put his hand to his radio and said *"Lieutenant Razak!"*

Few minutes later

Nicky was trying to get close to the apc troop bay entrance to get her hand gun but the warrior's kept on taking swipes at her every time she tried while Higgins kept waiting on a radio reply from the rest of the squad but was worried about not getting a reply back but soon they heard bullets bouncing off the side of the apc and soon a death scream of one of the bugs but then hear a yell "Gossard!" which Nicky knew sounded like Rico then another small stint of gun fire and then more bug screams only to be followed in explosions, both Higgins and Nicky neared the opening they saw all of the Roughnecks arriving and Gossard laying on the floor in the jaws of a dead warrior bug but he was still moving so Nicky knew he was okish but hurt and then just as she and Higgins where about to leave the apc Nicky picked up her handgun and replaced it in its holder on her hip

Nicky then took her arm from around Higgins shoulder then rested against the apc only just to slide down it as her head started to spin she saw feet walking towards her making her look up to see Razak as he looked down at her as he then knelt next to her to check her and to get a report "So private what happened?" Nicky looked at him and then said "We where taping the mission then just as you advanced we started to pack up I kept an eye out for trouble while Higgins got his camera and stuff sorted out only to yell out as a warrior got the jump on him I don't know where it had come for I turned and opened fire killing it but then something blindsided me and then I don't remember much after that only Higgins waking me up a few minutes ago and I couldn't help us myself because I lost my rifle and my handgun landed near the opening and the bugs kept me away from getting it."

Razak then asked "And Higgins rifle?" Nicky turned her head slightly and pointed to her left making Razak turn to see a morita rifle cut in two "He said the warrior that blindsided me cut it in two." Razak saw Nicky start to lower her head making him turn and say "Jenkins help Revell up Rico help Gossard we are returning to base." "Sir yes sir." Everyone replied and the last thing Nicky heard was Higgins trying to say sorry for the trouble but everyone said it was ok

Back at base an unknown about of time later

Nicky started to come to groaning as she did and raising her robotic hand to her head the cool metal eased the headache she could feel she had, she turned to look around and saw to her left was Doc at a control panel and Gossard laying on a bed as his head was being scanned by a machine in the room only to watch as the machine finish and Gossard sat up, looking to her right she saw a window and another room where she could see all of the other Roughnecks with the exception of Razak looking in she then heard Brutto say "Gossard's thick skull actually came in handy for once." Nicky started to chuckle along with the other Roughnecks but then she said in pain "Come on guys don't make me laugh it hurts." Nicky went to sit up only then to hear Doc say "Easy there Nicky you got a slight concussion from the blow you took." Nicky just replied "I'm fine Doc it's just a headache and this is probably my one hundredth concussion I'll be fine if it gets worst I'll head back to medic bay." Doc shook his head as she then left the room and joins the other Roughnecks just as Razak entered the room he then turned to Doc and asked "How are they Doc?"

"They're both fine they just have to take it easy for a few days to recover" making him nod Razak then said "Higgins." Higgins turned to Razak and then Razak continued "Son it's nothing personnel but your inability to protect yourself is compromising the safety of my squad I'm asking command to have you shipped earth side." Higgins looked shocked as did Nicky but she knew Razak was only looking out for the safety of the squad but still it was dishearten to hear Higgins being told that because he was fun to talk to and have a laugh with Higgins then said "LT come on give me a chance ... I studied to be a reporter not a fighter but I'm willing to learn."

Razak shook his head and said "I'm sorry." He turned to leave but just before Nicky could say anything Rico then said "It don't seem your being fair LT." Dizzy quickly said "Rico." But he continued "Higgins didn't want to be a trooper but he's willing to learn that got to count for something."

Razak looked at Rico then said "Ok you want him you got him." Rico looked perplexed at Razak and said "Sir?" Razak then said "As of this moment Higgins is your primary response ability fail is not an option ... do you get me." Rico nodded as he said "I get you sir."

And then Razak left just after he had left Higgins went to Rico and said "Thanks man." And Rico replied "No problem."

Higgins then said "I won't let you down." Rico smirked and said "It'll be a piece of cake." And then the both of them left Nicky shook her head and turned to Dizzy and said "I think Rico's going to need a lot of help to get Higgins combat able." Dizzy nodded and chuckled as she said "I better go keep an eye on him." Nicky turned to Doc and said "well I'm off to the bunk area to get some sleep come get me if something happens ok." To which Doc nodded and Nicky left to go get some sleep.

The next day

Nicky woke up in the bunk area that was assigned for the Roughnecks and saw that she was the last one up the others must of left and the Roughnecks must of had some R&R or the others would of woke her up she turned to her left and lent over the side of her bunk and picked up her robotic arm and reattached it to her shoulder then she looked at her legs and then remembered to leaving it on instead of normally taking it off like she normally did she then got up and got her change of close and headed to the shower area and went to get clean before heading to the VR training room

An hour later Nicky was entering the VR training room after getting washed and changed into her new clothes she checked the rankings for the Roughnecks she looked at the ranks and was a bit unhappy but didn't really mind it went Gossard, Dizzy then herself, followed by Brutto, Doc, Rico, Carl and then last was Higgins. Nicky knew that Razak and all other squad leaders didn't take part in the VR training room squad competitions as she prepped the system to be used so she could try and beat Gossard's and Dizzy's latest scoring but just as she was about to get started the door opened behind her and someone said "Well I'll be a monkeys auntie hey sis." Nicky turned to have a look how it was and saw it was her sister Zoe that was behind her

Nicky smiled at seeing her sister and said "What are you doing here thought you was still onboard the Valley Forge with the others." As she walked up to her sister and gave her a hug which Zoe returned and then said "Me, Erika and Hannah have been put into a squad in Bravo company in the Razorback squad and I know Yasmin is still onboard the Valley Forge transporting troops and gear between the ship and this base, I think Raven is posted somewhere here but I don't know for sure."

Nicky chuckled at that and said jokingly "So our reporter sister is not so miss know it all." Zoe put her hands on her hips and smirked as she replied saying "Shut up sis I hate it when you remind me about me always reporting stuff to people." Nicky shook her head and replied "anyway what did you want an interview with your more experienced sister or do you just want to hang out ocean eyes."

Zoe pouted as she said "I hate that nickname robo eyes." Nicky chuckled at that then Zoe said "I wondered if you fancied eating lunch with your sister" Nicky nodded "Sure sis last time we eat together was a few days I woke up in hospital after you and Erika had found our battle site." Nicky followed Zoe out of the VR room and headed to the cafeteria; while they walked Nicky asked Zoe "So how has carrot eyes and mismatch eyes been?" to which she replied "They're been ok just shocked that we was placed on the same squad although by the bandage on your head you have been in heavy combat with the bug's."

Nicky then said "I'll tell you what happened after we get with the others that way I'm not repeating it over and over again." Zoe nodded at her sister as they entered the cafeteria she saw some troopers she's never met before sat on some tables and eating and talking to other squad mates she then saw at one table Rico, Carl and Higgins sat at a table eating and talking while at another one sat Hannah and Erika she turned to Zoe and said "You get our food while I check in with my squad and then I'll join you." she nodded and went to collect some food while Nicky walked up to Rico and the others and said "Hey guy's I take it we have some R&R?"

Rico nodded and said "Not sure yet but we have not been given any missions yet today so you joining us?" to which Nicky replied "I'm just catching up with my sisters." Rico nodded at her as Nicky then walked up to where her sisters where sat and joined them and then they started to talk about how cool it was that Hannah and Erika where posted to the same unit again and that Zoe was joining them as there fednet reporter and the fact that the Razerbacks had only been doing garrison and evacing missions although since the start of the big planet wide offensive they had been given some combat missions and a few sweep up missions

Finally Zoe couldn't take it and said "so sis what's with the bandage around your head?"

Nicky subconsciously rubbed it and replied "nothing much sis just got blindsided by a warrior bug while protecting our reporter, bug thought to see which was harder it's jaw or my helmet... to be honest I think it was a draw it stunned me and I was in a daze after that don't remember much."

Erika chuckled at that and said "you have always had a hard head sis that's nothing knew so that's what your hundredth concussion?"

Zoe chuckled along with Hannah and went to say something when they all heard and argument behind them turning they saw it was coming from the table Nicky had gone to before sitting down with them they saw it was between a girl and the guy Nicky had spoke to

Zoe turned back around and said "hey sis how's that girl arguing with the guy you spoke to?"

Nicky shook her head as she replied "the girl's name is Dizzy and the guy is Rico them two and two others joined from them same collage and they are close friends, the only problem is that Dizzy has romantic interests in Rico but the pea brain has the hot's for a fleet officer that joined and don't see it."

Just then the screen on the table they was on came to life and after a few minutes it went off again making them all stand and leave there food, Nicky saw this and said "Carl what's up?"

Carl quickly said "Mission." making Nicky nod she then turned to her sister's and say "So much for being able to stay and with you guys but gotta go." Zoe quickly said as Nicky got up to leave "Well just make sure you're staying out of trouble sis and come back in one piece ok." Nicky nodded then quickly followed the others to get there gear and head out.

Two and a half hours later

The Roughnecks had been marching north of base Delta towards a canyon ten miles from the base to help a demo squad that was in battle in the area but they all could tell where it was happening due to flashes of red and white lights a few minutes ahead of them Nicky saw Rico and stood and talking to Gossard about why he didn't come get his own food earlier if he was able to be on this mission to which he replied with a smile that he maybe liked room service just then she saw Razak raise his hand to his radio and called the squad they was coming to help *"Vector squad this is alpha team we are a few minutes away from your position what's your ammo and casualty count?"* to which he got an instant reply

*"This is corporal Spike Lee it's good to hear you alpha team my LT is injured along with two others but there wounds are non-fatal but our ammo is running low the only thing stopping us from being overrun is a auto mini gun we have that's ripping them up at the mouth of our bottle neck but it's nearing the twenty percent mark of left over ammo."* and from the sounds they could hear through the radio the troopers were also firing into the bugs as well Razak then replied *"Will drop lizard lines after bombardment to hold the bugs back over and out."*

Just as they arrived at the top of the cliff that Vector squad was in they could see the trouble the squad was in but also how many they had killed along with more that they could see that were coming Razak turned to the roughnecks and said "Dizzy, Carl, Doc and Gossard scatter bomb's to hold them back while Rico, Higgins, Brutto and Nicky use lizard lines to get down there and cover Vector while they head up." Everyone nodded and said "Sir Yes Sir."

As Dizzy's group started to fire there scatter bomb grenades high and deep into the bug forces to not only slow them down but kill a few making them slow down more and hopefully hold them back while the others got Vector squad out of there position or drive the bugs off while that was happening the other roughnecks kept an eye out for any other signs of trouble as Nicky glanced south back the way the roughnecks had come she caught sight of something that shocked her

In the air heading towards them where flying bug forces that she remembered fighting before the first time she instantly turned and said "LT! Bug hoppers incoming!"

All the rough necks turned and opened fire at the new arrivals but the others except Razak and Nicky where shocked as most of the bullets just seemed to bounce off the flying bugs with only a grenade's killing them in one shot, they soon had to move and split up as a few headed for them Nicky saw one chasing Dizzy as she tried to use a stone pillar to keep between herself and the bug only for it to get a grenade to its head killing it by Gossard and then Rico arrived a second or two after.

Razak grunted as he then put his hand to his radio and called the Valley Forge *"Blue Leader this is alpha team we are in need of immediate air support at our location to suppress enemy air forces."* after a few minutes a squadron of ten thunderbolt tac fighters came in to help but that only helped for a while but Nicky could hardly tell as she looked around she saw another larger swarm coming up from the south-east she turned and said "LT!"

Making Razak turn to her after killing another hopper bug from hitting it with a grenade she pointed the direction she had been looking and after seeing what was coming he got on the radio and said *"Vector heads up airborne forces heading to you."* Soon after that gun fire and laser shots where coming out of the bowl Vector where positioned, Razak then turned and said "Brutto check ammo reserves." Brutto nodded and began to check with the others while Nicky knelt next to Higgins and asked while firing at a few of the hopper bugs "So Higgins how's the training coming?"

He faltered as he went to fire but then said "Not very well for every bug kill I did on the training I killed an ally." Nicky shock her head and said "At least you've not done it here and I know you won't." she then saw Brutto yell to Razak from his place not too far from them "Ten laser mags, twenty plasma rockets and ten anti-matter grenades." only for a hopper to go for him only to be blown to bits by Doc and the fedcom 'triple grenade launcher' he had.

He then said while raising the launcher "We keep dishing it out and these over grown roaches keep coming back for more." Rico then added "The rifles hardly affect them and the laser shots just draw more in sir."

Razak paused for a moment then said while looking at everyone "Ideas anyone?" as he wished to test them on working under pressure while in combat, a few moments went by while everyone thought and continued to fire at the odd hopper that tried to attack them Nicky then said "Lt maybe we could draw them all into a area and then take them all out in one go?"

Razak nodded to her as he had thought of one that may work turning he said "Dizzy load your morita with the laser mags Gossard make a toad charge to take all the bugs out in one blast." Brutto then asked "How are we going to make the bugs converge into the area we want them to Lt?"

Higgins then said nervously "We could amplify the beam into the air to help draw them in." Brutto turned to him and said "How?" Higgins then reached behind himself and took his camera of his back then took the lens off it and held it out to Razak how smiled slightly and then said "Move it squad." to which everyone said "HO!"

It took the Roughnecks less than five minutes to get everything ready while taking the odd pot shot at a hopper that got to close while everyone got hidden Razak turned to Gossard and Dizzy how where next to him and asked "We ready?" to which they nodded he then said over the radio "Blue leader call back fighter's from the sector and have them return to base or help other squads we have this covered." within moments the air force left he then turned to Doc and said quickly "As soon as we get started you taken Rico, Jenkins and Revell go help Vector." as he nodded they all headed a rumble and then a explosion Nicky turned and ran to the edge for the cliff and saw a new bug hole being opened and out climbed a tanker but the worst thing was where it had come up from it had taken out the minigun auto turret that was holding back the bugs from swarming Vector she turned back around and yelled "LT! A tanker's just taken out the auto turret we have to go now!"

Razak instantly said "Dizzy, Doc now." and with a nod Dizzy flicked down her visor and then with its help fired the laser beam from her rifle into the lens from Higgins camera which then hit another mirror making it go straight up into the sky and as that was going on Doc's group using all of the lizard lines they had shot them into the edge of the cliff and then abseiled down to help Vector squad they was about half way down when a massive explosion rocked them from the top of the cliff soon followed by Doc firing his grenade launcher again decapitating the tanker and then saying just as Nicky passed him "Great back to fighting bugs that crawl." Nicky chuckled as she landed and ran to a makeshift barricade and opened fire upon the warriors and worker bugs after a few minutes someone fired a plasma wall barrier holding any more attacks by the warriors.

Doc turned to Nicky and said "Head back up top and tell LT were clear." nodding she turned and using one of the lizard lines headed back to the top just after she got to the top a few feet away she saw Razak stood about to call in the area was clear and for a pick up when a badly injured hopper stood up behind him and roared he turned in shock getting knocked backwards but just as it was about to attack him a missile hit the hopper in the chest killing it just as the dust and bits settled both Nicky and Razak were shocked at how had taken the shot as the person lowered the rocket launcher it turned out to be Higgins but what he said next made Nicky laugh he smiled and said happily "That was so cool! I think I'm beginning to get this soldier stuff."

Two hours later

Two retrieval ships had landed one to carry the troopers back to base or the Valley Forge while the other was loaded with all the equipment and a few dead hoppers to compare them to the original ones from operation pest control Nicky was sat on a rock cleaning her rifle with Higgins sat next to her when Razak walked up to them and said to Higgins "Well done son." Nicky smiled for Higgins as he had now turned into a soldier/reporter like her sister but she knew he still had a way to go but it's a start

Razak then held up the nearly destroyed lens for Higgins camera and said "we'll need to recursion you a new one when we get back." Higgins excepted the lens back and placed it in he's pocket as Razak walked away and began to talk to the injured Vector commander Higgins had gone to thank Rico for his help leaving Nicky on her own while she finished cleaning her rifle as much as she could while they was waiting for the last few things to be stored on the ship.

Nicky looked north back towards where the battle had taken place when she noticed a large mist she quickly flicked her visor down and have it zoom in to the mist only to be shocked when she saw it was billions and billions of hopper flyers she quickly said while pointing "LT! We got trouble!" she turned to face Razak just as he flicked down his visor and then he yelled "All personal board the ships pilots prep for dust off." Everyone quickly ran to the retrieval ships and boarded only to then have them take off and clime only for Nicky to look on the screen that showed one of the camera's around the ship the billions of hoppers taking the area they had just fought and won for as she then thought *well this has just made taking Pluto back quickly with minimal casualties less likely now I hope my sisters are careful.*