DAY 9 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

The momentum of victory's and clearing sectors for the mobile infantry slowed to a crawl due to the hopper flyers all of yesterday SICON had been making sure all the sectors they had already taken where secure before they decided to advance and gain more sectors.

Today the Roughnecks where in sector ninety-eight quad six along with Charlie and Tango squads while ten other platoons where clearing other quads to the west of them.

Nicky, Rico and Dizzy used a small dip in the ground like a trench they was soon joined by the other Roughnecks just after they entered the trench the ground started to shake the ground then gave way under Nicky, Rico and Dizzy they all hit the floor as they quickly got up Nicky saw Doc and Gossard kill a warrior bug before it could get any ideas about attacking them, Rico then looked ahead of them to the left with Dizzy looking right only to hear a warrior scream coming from Rico making Nicky turn and help Rico open fire and kill the bug.

Razak and the other Roughnecks soon dropped down and joined them soon more bugs tried to attack but was quickly killed as the last one fell over dead Dizzy make a buzzer noise and said "The buzzer go's humans fifty-eight bugs zero!" then she high-fived Brutto they then soon left the cave they had dropped into and saw Tango and Charlie squads pass them to continue the mission only for the radio to go off and Razak and everyone to hear *"Alpha team this is Blue Leader come in."* Razak held up his hand stopping the squad and replied *"Go ahead Blue Leader this is Razak Alpha team."*

They then heard the operator on the other end say *"Alpha team you have been ordered back to base for resupply and reassignment."* upon hearing this the others were shocked as that was not a normal thing to do while a squad was already on a mission Nicky knew of only a few reasons why this would happen and none of them was for anything good

Rico was the first to speak what was on everyone's mind "What? Were breaking contact."

Only for Dizzy to say "Orr man they can't do that this party was just getting good."

Brutto then said to Razak "Sir Charlie and Tango can't do anything without back up."

But Higgins replied "Yar but orders are orders right LT." for his comment Brutto gave him an angry look with Dizzy and Rico not looking happy about it only for Razak to say "If Blue Leader told us to brake contact, We brake contact so we move out." he then got on his radio and replied *"Understood Blue Leader will head to last ammo supply post and take a troop transport back to base Delta."* He got an instant reply from the operator saying *"Understood over and out."*

As the squad headed back to the supply post to be taken back to base Nicky then said to Carl how was next to her "Whatever this mission is that we have been given can't be good."

Gossard how was just in front of them replied "What do you mean?"

Nicky looked at him and said "either we're needed to help another squad somewhere, we have done something wrong and were going to be arrested when we arrive back and the worst one I can think of is Intel or Special ops need a squad for a mission behind enemy lines or to capture a bug for them."

Carl then asked "Which would you want it to be?"

Nicky looked at him and said "None of them and we're just being called back to guard the base or a new one they are trying to build as we have not done anything that would see any of us being arrested, there is probably over forces in the area that could help however is in trouble closer than us and I have a problem with the last one as I hate them and for good reason." She raised her robotic arm after she finished speaking as to make a point about her hate of the last option

Two and a half hours later

After getting back to the supply drop and hopping aboard a Gecko armoured personnel carrier they arrived back at Delta base and they was just disembarking when Nicky said as she exited first "I hope this is for some R&R or nothing to boring."

Gossard chuckled and replied "Well if that resupply and reassignment is code for that it maybe something I could get behind." Doc nodded in agreement only for Dizzy to pout and say "And miss out on kicking more bugs behinds I hope not they could of just waited till we were done." Rico and Carl chuckled at that

The squad then began to head to the main building to see the commander to find out what was going on when a lieutenant in a clean power suit walked up to them and asked "Are you the Roughnecks?" the squad stopped and Razak stepped forward and said "I'm lieutenant Razak of the Roughnecks." Nicky looked at the person how had walked you to them and her danger sense was starting to go off and she thought to herself *Dam it, it's an Intel mission.*

The Lieutenant nodded and said "Good follow me to operation room so I can brief you on our mission." As the squad followed the Intel officer to the main operation building to head to a briefing room Nicky was not happy about what the mission is going to be but she was also a bit worried about her sisters Hannah, Erika and Zoe as they were also out on mission's today but she didn't know where but she knew they would be fine and just focused on what hers and the Roughnecks mission might be

After entering the building and then finding the main room free they entered the room that had a console and projector they formed a circle around it and waited as the Intel officer entered a code into the console which soon brought up a map of Pluto which had white dots on it to representing base's, blue lines to show the boarders of where the mobile infantry have taken from the bugs and red lines to show where the bugs still held and yellow areas that would flick between red and blue on the planet and then highlighted an area in a red area quite a long way from any of the blue zones

Once it was all up and ready the Intel officer turn and faced the Roughnecks and spoke "gather round I'm Lieutenant Earl Walker Intel our mission is to go behind enemy lines and to capture a baby plasma bug so we can better understand there destructive ability's."

Nicky's gut feeling went more down the drain but she then heard Higgins whisper to Rico 'What do's he mean by we.' Rico replied 'When it's an Intel mission.' to which Carl finished 'They take command.' And Nicky added 'There missions mean we troopers are expendable all they care about is there mission objective.'

The briefing was soon finished as Walker also added that a old base deep behind enemy lines would have a Mac hauler and troop transport which was to be used for the mission and they should be in full working order but they was going to have to travel light and on foot to try and get the element of surprise but even Nicky knew it wouldn't be that simple

Five and a half hours later

Nicky and the other Roughnecks along with LT Walker arrived at the old base after getting a troop transport as close to the front lines as they could and then hiking the rest of the way avoiding any combat as much as the Roughnecks didn't wish to they entered through the main gate to see three damaged buildings and a large damaged garage with the two transports in it and a perimeter wall that was also damaged and destroyed in areas the Roughnecks guessed it was going to look like this but from the look Nicky could see on Walkers face he was not happy he then said "Troopers spread out and get me inventory and working states now."

Razak turned and nodded to them and they split up with Gossard and Doc heading to the garage while Brutto, Dizzy, Carl, Rico and Nicky headed to check the buildings for anything that was of any use and Higgins stayed with Razak and Walker

After an hour Brutto was called to help with repairing the transports and the others continued to search the buildings and they finished with the last building only finding a few ammo crates along with the tranquiliser rifles that they was going to be using they collected the ammo crates and rifles and headed back to the garage they placed the gear on the troop carrier just as Nicky was leaving the troop hold she saw Walker walk up to Razak how was overseeing the repairs and say "Lieutenant Razak we are five minutes behind schedule."

To which Razak replied "Both transports needed extensive repairs departure in five." To which Walker nodded and said "Very well Lieutenant are we clear?" which Razak replied "Crystal sir."

Nicky was curious and turned to Brutto who was walking toward her "What happened?" to which Brutto just chuckled and continued to head to Razak to make a report they was soon leaving and heading toward the location where they was meant to make the grab

After they arrived and leaving the transports hidden and safe they walked to an out cropping and using his visor Razak made a tactical assessment along with Walker they then headed Walker say "There's one incubation cave still being guarded by six warriors we need a destruction team and a capture team."

Razak turned to the squad and said "Doc and Gossard left side you two go first then Dizzy and Nicky right side and lure the bugs while we do this Brutto, you and Rico with Walker head in and capture our target we shall enter and assist once guards are down."

They quickly and quietly got into their groups and got ready Nicky and Dizzy waited for both Doc and Gossard moved Dizzy turned to Nicky and said "Can we have a talk about something when we return to base after this mission?"

Nicky turned to her and asked "Sure Dizzy is it serious?"

Dizzy shook her head and said "No just about our past and stuff so we can get to know each other more I'm going to get Rico and Carl in on this too" Nicky nodded and went to speck when they both heard Doc yell "HEY MUTANT BREATH!" and Gossard continue it with a yell "COME AND GET IT!"

Both Nicky and Dizzy turn and saw half of the warriors ran to get them they waited a few more seconds before Nicky said "Ok now." And they both jumped out of there hiding places and Dizzy yelled "WO HO, WHERES EVERYBODYS GOING!" then she did a sexy stance with both her hands on her hips pushing out her chest and continued "THE PARTY'S OVER HERE!" and Nicky made a come get me motion with her hands and yelled "HEY ARE YOU AFRID OF A PAIR OF UNARMED GIRLS YOU PUSSYS!"

The left over warriors roared at them and charged them making them both turn and run to the kill zone that was made near the out cropping they used as a look out they had just got there and saw the other bugs where already dead and Doc and Gossard throw them both their rifles they turned and formed up with Razak, Higgins, Carl, Doc and Gossard and just as the bugs all turned the corner they opened fire instantly killing them

Razak once making sure the bugs where dead turned and said "Let's help Walker."

As they started to head to the entrance that Brutto and co had entered Nicky saw another pathway and pointed to it saying "LT second tunnel may be another way to the nest." They soon entered the second pathway after a few minutes they came to a ledge and Nicky accidently kicked a small group of stones over the edge and as they looked over it they saw Brutto, Rico and Walker aiming up at them and a empty egg that was hanging from the roof not that far from them it was then before anyone could speck the ground started to shake and then it began to crack behind Rico to which Dizzy yelled "LOOK OUT BEHIND YOU!"

The capture group turned as the ground was pushed up behind them and out emerged a small plasma bug and it roar at them and very slowly charged them making the capture team turn and run to the wall just below the ledge and quickly they climbed up the wall as the baby head butted the wall it dazed itself giving the capture team time to get to the ledge and join the others

After it came too it looked around for a second then it jumped onto a small ledge big enough for it but still too far from the Roughnecks it looked at them then turned around and aimed its rear at the Roughnecks Brutto seeing this yelled out "INBOUND!" everyone turned and raised up their main rifles and Razak said "Prepare to fire."

Walker saw this and turned to Razak and said "Don't you dare kill that bug Lieutenant you don't have the authority to kill it." Everyone got ready to shoot to kill when Walker added to what he had said to Razak "You give that order I'll make it my personal mission to end your military career."

With a grunt Razak turned to Walker and said "Defensive angle 45 digress." The Roughnecks nodded slightly and adjusted their aim and fired hitting the point where the ledge the bug was stood on joined the wall itself after the quick burst of fire the ledge gave way under the weight of the bug and collapsed making the bug fall and dazed it as it hit the ground Razak then turned to Doc and Gossard and said "Doc, Gossard round of tranq's throw the back door now!" both of them shouldered their rifles and aimed with the tranquiliser rifles and fired most bounced off what armour the bug had but four somehow got to the skin and hit the soft flesh and injected the drug into the system of the bug and within seconds it became dazed and then collapsed asleep

The Roughnecks cheered as Walker turned to Razak and said quietly "Well done Lieutenant." Razak didn't say anything to Walker as he walked away but then to the others he said "Secure the prisoner."

A few minutes later

Nicky who was stood next to Higgins as he recorded Gossard and Rico pulling out the sleeping baby plasma with the help of the Mac Hauler crane drag the bug onto its flat bed, once it was on it the flat-bed lifted itself up and then locked back onto the hauler but as it did so it did it with a bang making Walker how was stood next to him yell "WOW be careful sergeant."

Brutto looked at him and said "Sir?" Walker then said while pointing at the baby plasma "Do you feel like blowing us up as before this bug was put to sleep it was preparing to fire at us which has now got a very highly unstable reaction inside of it, so any sudden knock may make it go off so I want this handled with care and ready to leave in five minutes." And then he walked away

Nicky's already low opinion of Intel was going even lower when Rico who was near Brutto said "So which of the brilliant orders should we listen to first hurry up or handle with care?" Nicky chuckled at that only for Gossard to come around the hauler and say "He forgot to say which end it up." As he pointed to the rear of the baby plasma making Nicky laugh more

Higgins how had stopped recording before Walker had spoken walked to Gossard and said "So it's not going to wake up until its back on the Valley Forge?"

Gossard replied "We hit it with four darts and Intel says an hour for each dart ... give or take."

To which Higgins sighed in relief "So yar."

Nicky then said "But we are talking Intel Higgins we had to fix these before we could even get started."

While they was talking Dizzy how was finishing placing their gear back on the troop transport when she heard a loud thud noise from a long distance away she turned and flicked down her visor and saw two adult plasma bugs walking towards them she turned and yelled "LT! COMPANYS COMING!"

Razak turned seeing the bugs he then turned to Doc and said "Shadow Walker in the flat-bed and get our guest out of here." He nodded and quickly joined Walker in the cab of the hauler and they drove away while the other Roughnecks quickly got aboard the troop transport and also left as they drove to head to the pickup point at the destroyed base that they had started from to be retrieved by a fleet ship that would return them to base Delta avoiding plasma shots along the way

As they headed back avoiding fire as it came Brutto looked out the back of the transport and said "I don't get it all this for some stupid bug."

To which they all heard over the radio Walker reply *"This bug is wealth more than you do at the minute sergeant."*

Razak then replied *"The sergeant is just reacting to the stress of the mission."* And then Walker answered *"This squad has a reputation for being cool under pressure are you telling me that is all but a myth."*

Nicky then angrily answered *"We are cool under pressure when we are fighting alongside other MI forces not miles behind enemy lines on some crappy time limit just because Intel want a new bug to dissect and find out how it works, they should ask us MI grunts and fleet pilot's that take part in missions you paper pushing coward."* To which Razak added *"I think what the private means is the Roughnecks have taken you this far that alone should speck for itself."*

He then opened the small hatch from the cab to the troop bay and looked at Nicky and said "Do you feel better after that trooper?"

Nicky nodded slightly and said "Sorry LT I just don't trust Intel after what there last mistake cost me."

An hour later

The transports arrived back at the base they had started from only to see a fleet skyhook retrieval ship just coming in to land, after it had landed it lowered its loading bay and stood on it was Zander Barcalow he offered his hand to Walker as he said "Hello Lieutenants happy to see you made it back." Walker just walked past him onto the ramp to head aboard the ship while Razak smirked and then turned to the squad and said "Ok Roughnecks let's get our prize aboard."

It only took a few minutes to get the baby plasma aboard and then they took of heading back to base as they did so Brutto, Doc and Gossard was sat in the back keeping an eye on the bug while the others where stood behind the pilot's as Barcalow then began to speak to the lieutenants but the others could hear what was being said "As of 0800 this morning the bugs have attacked many sectors and have pushed back MI forces back from five full sectors with a few being contested as we speak, MI have suffered many casualties but from latest info no fatalities."

The Roughnecks felt down at the info with Nicky starting to really worry about her sisters and where they was at this point in time only for Walker to say arrogantly "The information this bug can give us on their destructive capability is vital so this mission cannot be stressed enough."

Nicky growled in anger and left into the cargo hold before she did or said something she might not regret.

Razak saw this and so did Dizzy she turned to face the LT when he made a motion to follow Nicky, Dizzy quickly left and saw Nicky leaning against a wall away from Brutto and co and the baby plasma looking at the floor trying to keep her emotions in check

Dizzy walked up to her and said "You ok Nicky, I know the info we got from Barcalow is dishearten but we'll take them back."

Nicky looked at her and said "It's not that three of my sisters are in the same company and I know they are on Pluto doing missions today somewhere, I wasn't able to find out before we left for this mission where they was being posted too and Barcalow didn't say what sectors have been lost or contested for."

Dizzy then said "They could be back at base or winning us a sector too you know?"

Nicky's worries lessened a bit from that as she replied "True Dizzy ... Thanks."

Just then they heard a groan and then a screech and an ouch as Gossard was knocked away from the baby plasma Nicky signed as she said "So much for Intel's hour per dart rule."

The door opened to show Razak and Walker walking through to see what was going on only for Walker to say "Prep tranquiliser rounds now." Brutto and Nicky got a shock stick each that was in the weapon rack and started to shock the baby plasma to keep it still while Doc and Gossard got the tranquiliser rifles ready only for Barcalow to speak over the ships speaker system *"Lieutenants we are entering sector fifteen quad two that is at the minute being contested between the bugs and MI companies on foot and with apc transports that are carrying wounded from the ship TFCT San Francisco along with another company on foot from the Valley Forge"*

Razak then asked *"Who is the company on foot forming protection."* Barcalow then said the name of the company on foot which made Nicky worry a lot *"Its Bravo company from the Valley Forge one of the squads the Razorbacks is calling for immediate aid it's a corporal by the name of Hannah Revell."*

Nicky paled as she then thought *oh no my sisters* Razak noticed this in the corner of his eye but his derisions didn't change from what he was going to do he saw Doc and Gossard getting ready to fire the tranqs at the baby plasma he then said "Eighty-six the tranqs were going to drop this over size tick right on top of his pals."

Walker turned to him and said "You don't have the authority Lieutenant."

Razak turned to Walker and said "My mission right now is to help them troopers that are this moment fighting to stay alive." He then said into the com next to him to Barcalow *"Major Barcalow how do you feel about making a bombing run."*

And Barcalow replied *"Absolutely. "*

As the ship turned to get over the bug army chasing Bravo company Gossard pressed the ramp release clamps button and as they neared the enemy Barcalow opened the hatch and then counted down till release *"Five ... Four ... Three ... Two ... One ... bombs away."* and Barcalow released the plat that had the baby plasma on it, it fell away from the ship as they flew over the bug army and it landed right in the middle making the baby plasma explode causing a chain reaction with other plasma bugs kill them and all of the other bugs in the area saving Bravo company and eliminating the bug forces chasing them the radio then went off with Hannah saying *"To whoever it is in the ship over head thanks for the assist."*

Nicky walked to Barcalow and asked "Can I reply?" he nodded and she then said to her sister *"Don't worry sis just returning the overdue dealt I owe you."*

Nicky could hear laughter on the other end of the radio and then Hannah answered *"Ha Ha a dealt I remember telling you didn't have to keep sis guess I'm happy you never listen talk to you again when were both back at base later."*

Nicky then said *"Later sis tell the others I said Hi and stay out of trouble."* as she put the radio down she felt a lot better and also heard Razak talk to Walker about him clamming credit for the bombing run once they returned to base she just walked to a seat in the back and just sat and relaxed as they returned to base.