DAY 11 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 laid on her bunk holding her head with her left hand thinking about the last two days after returning to the base Walker told high command that it was his idea dropping the baby plasma that saved the troops from the TFCT San Francisco and Valley Forge he received a medal for it with the Roughnecks only getting a small bit of gratitude however the troopers from both Bravo and Charlie knew who to thank

Nicky looked down at her missing arm and then glanced at her just as missing leg sometimes wishing she had her flesh and bone parts back as she could never sleep with the prosthetics on and why she was in the Roughneck bunk room on her own and not with the rest of the squad.

Yesterday they had been doing a sweep and clear mission only for her to be injured when a hopper was killed in the air and it decided to crash into her the power suit took most of the damage but she still also got a broken rib out of it she was ordered by Razak back to base to be treated while they carried on the mission, she was soon patched up and given the day off to heal along with today once the Roughnecks returned from the mission they got earlier that she missed she was allowed to rejoin the squad

Just then the bunkroom door slid open and in walked a miffed Dizzy and Nicky could hear Rico say "Come on Dizzy there was nothing we could of done, we did what we could and I'm sure you killed the most bugs out there today" Dizzy just grunted and then slammed her helmet on to the ground

Nicky then saw the rest of the Roughnecks enter with Higgins taping everything then he said "For the third time in two days a simple skirmish proved over welling."

Razak then entered and said "Everyone sit down SICON has just got use a new mission so re-prep your gear we move out in ten including you Nicky."

Rico then asked "Sir could we have a little sleep first?"

Nicky turned to Carl and asked "I guessed you have been in a few parties without me."

Carl replied "Only a little." Razak then said "Sorry Rico but you're going to have to wait for your beauty sleep, everyone re-gear up and meet in the mission briefing room two in five." To which everyone replied "Sir Yes sir."

As everyone started to sort out their gear Nicky reached to the floor next to her bunk and picked up her arm and attached it to her shoulder after a it was on she was reaching for her leg when she heard "Why do you take them off when you sleep?"

Nicky looked and saw it was Dizzy who had asked it with Rico, Carl and Higgins also looking curious about it, Nicky replied as she finished attaching her leg "They are to cold and it annoys me when I'm sleeping so I've just always taken them off when I do." She then got her power suit on, her rifle and then joined the Roughnecks for the new mission

Three hours later

Nicky looked up the cliff she had just got down as the other Roughnecks where just getting to the ground SICON had decided to try and find bug city the main base of operations for the bugs and blowing it to hell the only problem was they didn't know where it was so the plan was to send out eleven squads to the eleven areas where the bugs where in the highest of numbers

Once it was found the lucky squad had to call in the fleet and get out of the area before they was caught in the bombing run if it was on the surface or deep strike from a battleship bombardment if it was underground, the Roughnecks was given sector fifty quad ten Nicky also knew her sisters Hannah, Erika and Zoe where also taking part in this mission with there squad but in a different sector

As the Roughnecks continued on foot walking to another mountain with Doc on point after getting down from the cliff and heading south Doc held up his hand stopping the squad Nicky how was closet quickly joined him and in a valley just to the left of the mountain they was heading too where eight warrior bugs patrolling a opening into the ground Doc then said to himself "Looks like this is our nest?" only then to see another eight worker bugs walking you to the warrior bugs and them leaving into the hole to which Doc said to himself "Hold the phone looks like we're in time for a changing of the guard."

Both then headed to Razak and the others to say what they had seen after telling Razak he then came up with a plan Nicky how was next to Gossard and Dizzy heard Gossard say to Dizzy "Bet you he picks me." Only for them to hear Razak say "Gossard." He winked at Dizzy making both her and Nicky chuckle

Then Razak continued "Distract them any that take the bait myself, Flores and Doc will deal with, Brutto take Rico and Jenkins take out the ones that stay Higgins." Nicky turned to face Higgins as he got a hopeful look on his face only for his rifle ammo magazine to drop from his rifle to the floor she saw this and heard Razak say "Stay here with Nicky and take out any reinforcements that may turn up."

Nicky replied "No problem sir we'll keep an eye out." Carl putted Higgins on his shoulder as he went with Brutto and Rico, while Nicky picked up the ammo mag and replaced it into Higgins rifle and made sure it was in right as she then said "Don't worry Higgins you're getting better just things happen." And she handed it back and then they all took their places

Once in place Nicky watched as Gossard left there hiding spot and ran towards the bugs picking up a rock as he did so once he neared the bugs he stopped and throw the rock hitting a worker on the head then yelled "COME AND GET IT!"

Half the bugs including the one hit by the rock charged after Gossard as he ran to the right of where he had come from to where Razak's group was waiting just after they had gone Brutto's group left there cover heading for the ones that had stayed Nicky saw Brutto's group kill the left over's only for her to see another three worker bug head towards Razak's group "LT heads up reinforcements heading to your group." She then turned to Higgins and said "Come on we have to help." Both got up and ran to assist, Gossard who was stood next to Dizzy heard the message they turned and opened fire killing one right away only for the second to knock Dizzy into a rock and then knock Gossard's weapon out of his hands and then knocked him down to the floor

He quickly rolled to his right then to his left under the third worker bug then got up and ran, as he ran Dizzy got rid of the daze she was under picked up Gossard's rifle and went to help both Nicky and Higgins arrived just as Gossard got trapped between a cliff face and the bugs before they could help Dizzy jumped off a ledge near where Gossard was landing on one and shooting the other once it was dead she then cocking her grenade launcher of her rifle and fired it into the one she had landed on she just had time to jump away before it exploded killing the bug

Once they was dead they all heard clapping looking to the right they saw the other Roughnecks clapping to them Dizzy did a curtsey and then handed Gossard his weapon back Nicky then said to Dizzy "You sure do love doing dangerous things."

Dizzy just replied with a smile "Maybe a little." Razak then said "Ok Roughnecks where on the clock let's get moving."

Getting to the hole and then using the lizard line attachment then soon where deep underground once they reached the bottom they used flares to give themselves some light then Razak turned to Carl and said "Ok Jenkins you got the road map which way."

Carl lowered his head and concentrated a second later he raised his head and said "This way." Pointing to the right passage of the three they could go to, they all started to move out Gossard walked to Carl and asked with a chuckle "Ever thought to hire yourself out for party's?"

Carl just replied with a sarcastic "Ha Ha."

Just as they got started Nicky who was next to Razak said to him "I am already not liking this." Razak turned to her but she quickly added "It won't affect me sir." And they continued deeper underground however unknown to the squad Dizzy was starting to have a problem as she had claustrophobia not even Rico and Carl knew this so the longer they was in the bug tunnels and the deeper they went was just making it worst and worst for her

Just then she heard something coming up from behind the squad turning she saw three warriors running towards them she turned and started to fire but missed and then slipped on a loose rock falling over and dropping the rifle however before the bugs could even get her Razak, Doc and Nicky opened fire killing the bugs

After they were dead Razak helped Dizzy up as she said "Sorry sir I ... er slipped." Razak nodded and then said and asked "It happens trooper any injuries?"

Dizzy replied "No sir" then Razak added "Ok let's move it Roughnecks them roaches are going to smell this blood and come running." They then double timed it a while later as they was coming up to a opening in the tunnel they was in Dizzy again started to have problems and now started to feel light headed when she groaned from it Higgins who was next to her turned and asked "You ok?"

Dizzy trying to hide her problem replied "Yar I'm just not at one hundred percent today but I'll be fine." Brutto who was in front of them turned and said "High alert greenies ... so cut the chit chat."

Rico who was behind Dizzy with Carl next to him said "What's wrong with him?"

To which Carl replied "Maybe he's jealous that he can't walk and talk at the same time." Making Dizzy and Rico chuckle

As they got to the opening with Razak leading them they all saw it was like a giant bubble underground with many opens all over the place connected by pathways that where hollow as they had holes all over them Razak halted the squad and using his visor scanned the area

What he saw troubled him a patrol of six warriors was heading towards them but he noticed a hole on the pathway just in front of them that they could use he quickly motioned the squad to move to the hole, once arriving he stepped to one side of the hole and pointed at it not needing any command Doc hopped down he was soon joined by the others only for when it came to Dizzy's turn she stalled Razak who was going to enter last motioned for her to enter with Rico who was in it also motioning for her to join them she waited for a nano-second longer then hopped down quickly followed by Razak and not a moment too soon as the patrol walked over the top of where they was

Razak then passed Dizzy giving her a caution look as he headed back up to the front of the squad Dizzy then said as they went to set off again "Man it feels like a spa in here." Doc turned to her and said "Check your suit's temperate gauge you might have it turned up to high."

Dizzy checked it but it was set to normal she held up her thumb to signal it was ok to Doc and the squad moved on however moments later Dizzy groaned again Rico turned to her and asked "You ok Dizzy?"

Dizzy stopped and held her head then shook it and replied "Yar I'm just not feeling too hot for a second." As she went to step forward to continue her foot went throw a hole in the pathway they was in braking some of it off Doc who was behind her grabbed her stopping her from going any further and said "Watch it Dizzy."

Nicky who was at the front with Razak and Brutto just in front of her saw throw a gap next to her a large group of warriors heading towards them she said quickly "LT trouble's coming bug patrol heading towards us."

Razak turned to the squad and yelled "Prepare to engage!" a warrior came towards them and then tried to break its way into the walkway they was in only for Razak and Brutto to gun it down and then climb out of the tunnel follow by the others

The Roughnecks then opened fire killing fifteen warriors before they jumped onto another pathway that headed east to leave the hollow cavern as they went to leave Nicky turned and aiming at a higher pathway she fired her rifle under sling grenade launcher hitting it destroying it and then making it collapse onto other pathways cutting the bugs off from following them for now she then turned and quickly joined the others as they continued

An hour later

As they continued on Nicky who was next to Dizzy could see she was still having problems now having a sister as a medic along with her own trips to the hospital learn what to look out for as in regards to illness, phobias and injures and she knew whatever it is that is plaguing Dizzy was a phobia and having one herself she had no room to talk but she knew her sisters, brother and mother knew about it she just didn't know if Razak knew then she though on Rico and Carl of they knew if Dizzy had any fears as she went to ask them as they was just in front of her everything started to shake.

After it stopped everyone was on alert and Higgins asked Rico "What was that?" Rico replied "I don't know." Nicky then looked ahead and saw many bug warrior shadows heading there direction and yelled "BUGS!"

Razak upon seeing the shadow also shouted "Open fire!" and the Roughnecks opened up on the bugs within seconds they killed ten but Razak knew there was just too many coming looking around he saw a wall that had a gap only just large enough for the Roughnecks to fit in if the crouched he then yelled "Roughnecks fall back!" and lead them to the wall they all quickly crouched and entered

As they went deeper out of range of the warriors they was just about to rest when baby tanker bugs started to dig their way out of the wall, roof and floor, the Roughnecks started to fire and killed many of be baby tankers however Dizzy's phobia was making her not focus and fire into the roof Rico who was next to her said "What's up Dizzy your gun sight's out of alignment?"

Before he could get a reply Dizzy's eyes glazed over and she collapsed on to the floor no one saw right away until Rico said "A little help here Dizzy." Only to kick something behind himself he took a quick look then yelled "Trooper down!" Nicky quickly went to Dizzy and went to drag her to safety when the gap they was in which lead to a large open area which they was going to use to regroup the ground opened up to reveal a adult tanker

Now the Roughnecks where trapped between the baby tankers to their left and the adult to their right Rico knelt next to Dizzy trying to wake her up Doc, Brutto and Gossard shot at the adult tanker to keep it busy, while Nicky, Carl and Higgins fired at the baby's with Razak in the middle near Rico

It looked like the end when Gossard saw a crack behind near Nicky and said "LT stress point." and Razak yelled "Blast it!"

Gossard turned and fired his grenade launcher blowing a hole large enough for the squad to get throw as the dust settled Razak then said "Nicky help Rico with Dizzy while Gossard help myself, Brutto and Doc keep the bugs busy."

Higgins and Carl went through the gap first followed by Rico and Nicky dragging the out of it Dizzy they was then quickly followed by Razak and co, just as they all entered the adult tanker fired a stream of fire down the tunnel they was killing all of the baby tankers that where trying to follow the force of the fire made a small explosion which caused the ground to shake under the Roughnecks then give way making them slide down to another tunnel and come to a stop near the edge of it over looking a larger tunnel and walkway

After they got there bearings Doc went over to where Rico, Nicky and the out of it Dizzy was and a plug in wire attached it to Dizzy's suit she he could use his to see what was wrong

After a few seconds he said "Nothing in the suit registers any injures or anything else that maybe wrong with her." Razak then asked "Is there anything you can do for her?" to the reply of "Tranqs but she would then have to be carried out of here."

Razak not liking it turned to Carl and asked "Jenkins see if you can find out what's wrong." He nodded and walked to prone Dizzy with Rico knelt next to her and placed his hands on her head a second later he grunted and then said "Ar I know now claustrophobia."

Brutto then angrily said "She's afraid of being in closed places do you think she could of told us before we was trapped in a bug infested hide out." Nicky who was stood checking the area turned and answered back "Back off sarge we all have our own secrets that we have not spoken of yet to the squad I should know as I too have a phobia."

Brutto and the others were shocked however Razak didn't but Nicky then turned to Carl and asked "Is there anything you can do for her to get her up and able?"

He replied with an unsure "I don't know."

Rico then said "Could you plant a hypo-surjection into her head?"

Carl replied "I've only done it with animals never a person."

Higgins then asked curiously "What's the difference?"

Turning to face him Carl replied "I could hurt her permanently."

Just then they all heard a load roar and a scream from different types of bugs and Razak said "There's no other choice if you don't it could hurt this squad permanently" Carl nodded and then he placed his hands onto Dizzy's head a few seconds later he let go and held his own as Dizzy then groaned and started to wake up and she looked around and saw the rest of the squad she asked "What's going on?"

Rico sighed in relief and said "Welcome back Dizzy."

It didn't take long for it to sink in and Dizzy said "Oh no." She then turned to Razak and said "LT I'm sorry."

Razak angrily said "Private by not reviling your phobia you have put this whole squad at risk." He then paused to let it sink into her then add "Move out." As everyone started to move out Nicky heard Dizzy say to Carl "So you was in my head?" he nodded then she asked "So the fear it's all gone like forever?"

Carl replied "Probably not you'll need a buster shot or something at some point." Dizzy stood up and then asked "So what was it like being inside my head?"

Carl chuckled as he replied with a smile "Scary." Dizzy also chuckled and punched him in the shoulder.

They crossed over the walkway and came to another hollowed cavern that had a large ball hanging from the roof with a large drop to the floor which had two large tunnel opening joining it Higgins then saw something in an opening to the ball and said "What's that?" the ball had bridges connecting to many holes and coming out of the one Higgins pointing at was a hopper Nicky opened fire killing it only for more hoppers to come out of other holes and the others soon opened fire killing a few while others were able to take flight

One was lucky enough to get though the incoming fire and hit Rico in the back knocking he close to the edge it was soon killed but Rico was able to see coming out of one of the ground tunnels a large group of warrior and worker bugs and a plasma bug Rico turned and said "LT we got trouble plasma and warriors from the ground."

Razak then ordered "Brake contact and advance!" everyone started to run across the bridge in front of them as they got half way the plasma bug fired destroying the pathway they had just crossed and throwing Gossard forward as he was bringing up the rear he landed on his face next to where Nicky was stood she turned to him and asked "You ok Gossard?" he stood up nodding and said "I'm ok."

They then restarted to open fire killing more hoppers when Brutto then took a look down and saw the plasma bug about to take another shoot at them he then yelled "INBOUND!"

Razak then said "brake off and clime." Everyone shouldered their rifles and unhooked the lizard line guns and fired them into a far of wall and jumped as the plasma bug fired destroying the hopper hive and making the roof collapse showing open sky and a large bit of the roof landing and killing the plasma bug

As they all reached the wall Nicky turned looking at the kills then at the roof she then turned to Razak who was next to her and said "Do you think we will be given credit for any of this when we get back?" Brutto who landed on the opposite side of her replied "If we find bug city too maybe."

Razak then said "Ok Roughnecks lets go Nicky your on point." Nicky nodded and they all headed up and out of the hole they had made as they quickly moved away from it Gossard stopped turned taking a T.O.A.D charge out of his pack he set the time on it for three minutes and then throw it back into the hole they had just left they all quickly took cover as it soon exploded killing the bugs trying to climb out of it and many more under the ground

Nicky saw the big ball of fire going up into the air she turned to Gossard and said "You must really love being our demolition expert." Gossard just chuckled then Doc said "Er LT I think you should see this."

The Roughnecks joined him as he added "We found bug city." And for as far as the eye could see the ground was just covered in eggs everywhere Razak quickly checked their location and then called in the bombing run

Within moments the Roughnecks saw thundercat bombers come in and level the whole area where the eggs where Nicky jumped in the air with a yell "YES!" then continued "We win this bug's better luck next time." Everyone else was also cheering in victory only to stop when they heard a roar turning what they saw shocked them

Heading to where the eggs use to be was the biggest bug any of them had ever seen at least the same size as one of the fleet's spaceships it then came past them and landed Nicky seeing this thought *What the blue hell is that thing?* she turned and said "Anyone got a clue what this thing is?"

They then saw slits all along the creature's side open up and warrior and worker bugs walked out of it while from higher ones hoppers taking to the air some hoppers landed and placed new eggs onto the ground soon it's slits closed and then out of its back four giant wings two going straight up and two going to the sides and in on motion with the ones going straight up coming down it lifted itself up of the ground and then started to head higher and higher until they saw it heading to space

Dizzy turned to Razak and asked "What are we to do LT?"

Razak immediately got back on the radio to call this in *"Blue Leader this is Razak alpha team I need you to re-bomb this sector as a new bug has just dropped off new forces and we need immediate retrieval."*

Blue Leader gave an immediate response *"We saw it passed close to the TFF San Dargo command is in an up roar we are getting a small force together to give chase."*

Nicky heard what was said and asked Razak "LT is that wise?"

Razak nodded to her and said "I believe so that bug maybe heading back to the bugs home planet or to another planet to get more forces." Just then a retrieval ship arrived and picked them up just as they took off another bomber wing arrived and re-bombed the area killing the new forces that had been dropped off

Within three hours all troopers from the Valley Forge was back aboard getting ready to leave Pluto's space and chase after the code named 'transport bug' to where ever it is going

The Valley Forge and the Gettysburg where going to be the only troop carrying ships going along with a defence force of four frigates and four heavy transports

Nicky sat in the bunkroom for the Roughnecks as the ship got ready to go looking out of the window to where Pluto was getting smaller and smaller as they left she then though to herself *This is the second time I've had to leave this planet and not being able to finish cleaning it of the bugs although this time it's to see where that transport bug came from hopeful it's there home.*

She then reaches for her dog tags around her neck looking at the pair she wore while in the Screaming Eagles and her newer ones for being with the Roughnecks

Nicky laid down on her bunk and stared at the ceiling of the room and then said to herself "I hope we find out where that bug is going quickly so we can end this war with the bugs not killing any more people." She yarned and went to sleep as the ship left Pluto in pursuit of the transport bug.