| From: | Avenger <Avenger@*******.DEMON.CO.UK> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | RS. Over & Out |
| Date: | Fri, 14 Nov 1997 14:58:05 +0000 |
>>>>>[We got the lab, but suffered 40% losses. We need to make a few
decisions regarding the future of the group. Avenger's dead, KIA. Red
Shift regrouping in Guyana. Hold fire on the last request from DA while
we asses the situation and negotiate with the rep here.
+++++Include: Casualties.dat
+++++Include: KIA.dat
Send out the usual condolences to relatives. >>usual amount<< should
cover it.]<<<<<
-- Col. S. McDierning <15:31:22/11-14-58>
Kalahari Romeos
*****PRIVATE: Stonewall
>>>>>[The following should be included in the Red Shift archive.
Further advisement and information to follow.
+++++Include: RS12A-7B/24.vid
+++++08:03:07/11:14:58
A campfire burns, with a steel can hanging from a makeshift tripod,
water slowly boiling. About 20 people wander around apparently
aimlessly, collecting firewood, tending to weapons, smoking or playing
cards in small groups, faintly through the foliage, camouflaged tents
show their angled sides.
A makeshift table, constructed from two rotten logs and fern leaves,
supports a tattered map.
"We've been stomping around in this area for 4 days, and not a bloody
thing. Either the information is shite, or the bastards have flown the
coop." Pharaoh stabs his finger onto the map. "Milint insisted there
were constructions in this area, now either the pilot who took the recon
can't read his location from a GPS, or the idiots in MI are a clueless
bunch of twats. This is getting pointless DA, I can't find a trail that
even resembles anything that could be used to transport this kind of
stuff into this area, and why the hell anyone would want to set up in a
fraggin' swamp is beyond me anyway. Fucking stupid place to stick a
lab." Unshaven and filthy, Pharoah's manner mirrors his appearance.
"I agree with Pharaoh, I find nothing too. There are no people in this
area, just alligators, snakes and bugs." Shado looks as bad as she
sounds, filthy, hair matted, fatigues soaked in days old sweat.
"One more sweep people. The recon photogs suggest that something is in
this area, and that there is a regular trail leading to it. Maybe
you've just been too busy looking for the obvious, and missed the
subtle. Tracked and wheeled vehicles aren't the only things that
operate in swamps you know."
"DA, don't teach your granny to suck eggs. We've had teams out every
day, all day, searching for a fraggin mirage. The men are tired,
they're fed up and we ain't gonna find nothin'!"
"Nemesis will be arriving today with the Huey. We'll stay two more
days, one patrol on foot, the rest of the patrols will be airborne.
Something's here, I can feel it."
"Oh bullshit! If there's something here, it's fucking Tracy Island. Oh
wait, I can here a section of the goddamn swamp running back on it's
hydraulics. Maybe Thunderbird fucking one will show itself, and we can
ask Scott to recon for us. For Christ's sake DA, there's nothing
fucking here!"
A long pause passes, while Pharaoh fidgits nervously. "I'll deal with
you later. The lab is here Pharoah, now go and find it." The voice is
steady, cold as ice, and hides several threats inside it. With a sigh,
Pharoah grabs his gear and signals his squad.
"Hjendez, Vajeiro! Pick it up, your moving out, sweep East to sector
sixteen, and track back north to twelve." Two squads reluctantly pick
up their gear and move out of the camp.
"Clint..."
"Stow it Shado. There's work to be done. Gates! Can you get a signal
out?"
"Nope, this place has fragged everything. I couldn't get white noise
out of here, let alone something resembling sense."
"Fuckit. Charlie! Get that buggy out, I've got a job for you. Shado,
get a detail sorted to clear the landing field, I want some of that
garbage cleared away for Nemesis. Bloody swamp grows back faster than
we can cut it."
+++++12:22:18/11:14:58
"DA! DA! Where the fuck are you? Greg, where's the boss?"
A tall, unblievably huge african stands up, dwarfing the autocannon he'd
been cleaning, and points into the swamp. "He went that way, Gates,
maybe ten ticks."
The camera jerks around a bit as gates runs towards an ATV bug. The
motor roars as he skids around and, torturing the clutch, hurtles into
the swamp.
The Huey is battered, standard for a Nemesis acquisition, but
servicable, and appears sound at least, the minigun mounts and FFR pods
menacing on the short stubby wings. DA is talking to Nemesis, near the
cockpit, several squaddies on watch around the area. They all turn as
Gates explodes into the clearing, barely stopping the ATV before
slamming into the chopper. "They've found it! Fuck me they've found
it. Vajeiro turned up something over in S14. He says the bastards had
a road laid under the godamn swamp, crafty swine. The labs there, but
it's well hidden. From what they've found so far, it appears that the
photogs were taken during construction, the buggers have stuffed the
whole bloody thing underground. It's buried DA, that's why we couldn't
find, they've stuck it under the swamp! If it wasn't for one of
Vajeiro's squad falling over the damn netting, they'd never have found
it."
Nemesis, already in the cockpit, primes the engines, patiently waiting
for the auxiliaries to kick in, before engaging the rotor, grins out of
the cockpit like a lunatic. "OK, get back to the camp, tell the other
squads where it is, move 'em out. Get the comms kit up here, I want to
talk to Vajeiro before I let Nemesis loose on this thing. And contact
McDierning, get his detachment over here ASAP. Stop grinning at me man,
MOVE OUT!"
The whine of the auxiliaries climbs in pitch, as DA signals to his
squad. "Nemesis wind it down, you ain't goin' anywhere yet!" A hurt
and disappointed Nemesis, hits the switches, and the whine cuts.
Mouthing obscenities, he climbs out of the 'pit and proceeds to
apologise to the guns.
"Oh cut it out, you arsehole. Now, listen up. I want you take Emma
back to base camp, she's got some gear to pick up, bring back the
grounders as well, I want that place mapped out, and any exits found and
covered. We've got several hours to survey the place before McDierning
gets here. We hit it in 24. If you need some special toys to crack
that place open for us, tell Emma, she'll arrange the pick up, but don't
get anything too exotic. I want two M-74D flame units, two dozen boxes
of T-7 grenades. Pick up whatever ammo is left at base camp and bring
that back as well. Oh yeah, and as much C12 as you can carry. Yeah, you
heard right... So? What are you waiting for? Haul ass!"
DA turns to the squad, waiting expectantly. "Party's on." Evil grins
pass between the squad as they square packs, seemingly standing taller,
a grim determination in their eyes.
+++++18:12:32/11:14:58
"McDierning's detachment has arrived, that gives us 250 men total."
Camo paint breaks up Pharaohs' face in a disconcerting manner.
"The labs big, and Christ knows how far down the gophers have dug it."
"It's a swamp, DA, how far can they go?"
"With the funding these fuckers have, a long way. There's at least 100
gunmen in there, and maybe fifty scientists, probably twice that in
labourers. Labour shouldn't be a problem, they'll be naked, and I don't
foresee that they're going to fight to defend this place. The rest of
the contingent, though, are going to create merry hell. Expect to get
hurt on this one Pharaoh. Most of the place is a maze, with assmebly
plant, factories, barrracks and dorms, stores and Christ alone what
else."
"Shit, we've gotten a bloody nose before. Won't be the first, nor the
last time. How you gonna call it?"
"We'll hit from four sides. Nemesis is going to try and crack the roof
for us. We figure the building is about 20 feet underground, so he's
got a couple of "moles" to crack it. If we can break the casing, the
swamp will do most of the work for us. Once he's run his attack Emma
is going in through the northern entrance, You've got East, Mac is
taking west, and I'll lead the fourth group in the south entrance. The
Flamers will be with Emma and Mac's group. Plant the explosives as you
enter the building, don't wait for the outward journey, If things go
bad, I want to be able to blow that place quickly. If things go with
us, we'll burn it on the way out. The charges are set with radio and
timed detonators. You've got five minutes on the timer. The deadman's
switch on the detonator sets them, if you need to do that, call the shot
and get out. Otherwise we blow the whole place once we're clear."
"Do we have blueprints, or is it a bug hunt?" Square jawed and a
scarred face, Mac gives the appearance of being able to eat his way
through granite. One can almost pity the people who oppose this man.
"Sorry Mac, it's a bug hunt. MI figures it's a maze in there, with the
labs broken between sections. What defences they've got I can't say,
they've had over a year to prepare for this, but it's also possible that
they're too confident and haven't bothered at all. I don't consider
that an option. We've fought these people before in Guyana, and they're
well prepared."
"Opposition?" Emma, looks suited to the harsh paint and severe cut of
her fatigues. Armed for bear, there is no apparent discomfort at her
condition from days in the swamp. "Pro's or cowboys?"
"Cowboys in the main. Well equipped, motivated, but they should crumble
in the face of disciplined assault. Unless Mateas has learned his
lesson, he won't employ pro's, he considers them too much of a risk -
too intelligent - pro's think, thugs don't. At least a third of the
enemy are going to be jazzed on something, either product, or factory.
You all know the routine, but essentially, make sure that your
detachments know that if they take someone down, fill the fucker with
lead. They might get up again. And make sure everyone is wearing
armour, I don't want any heroics from anyone." Pharaoh meets DA's glare
with a cold expression.
"Don't give me that innocent look, you old fart," Pharoah growls. "Put
the damn armour on."
"I am not an _old_ fart, and the armour IS on!"
Shado sniggers, "He tell truth Pharaoh, I make him wear it. Point to
holes from Chi-town and make him squirm. Kare ga iimishita e..."
"Shado! Shut it. Ok, all squads get double their normal ammo,
hopefully that's enough, I'd rather not turn this into a long drawn out
firefight. They, after all, have the advantage. If it moves, kill it,
if it doesn't, burn it, or blow it. Nobody walks out of there that
doesn't belong to us. Shado, your squad is to kill anyone that gets
out, that isn't part of this task force. Don't get too happy and kill
friendlies. Once Nemesis has finished his run, he'll be on standby to
evac wounded to base camp. Two more choppers are on call, if we need
them."
"If it goes bad, DA, we don't have enough to get the unit out. You
can't ship 200 plus squaddies in a fraggin' Huey."
"If it goes bad Mac, we won't need to." The finality in DA's tone
speaks volumes. McDierning grunts. "OK, we're at T-minus 18, The
grounders will be working the perimiter looking for vents, exits,
tunnels and other stuff we need to know about. Cover them. I want ECM
placed at all strategic locations, and WN gen's where you think best.
Get your men stowed in the foliage and make sure they're well hidden.
C-rations only, no fires. Ok, let's move it people."
DA turns to Shado, touches a piece of paper to his heart and forehead,
and hands it to her.
"Love note, Shado?" McDierning looks amused as DA walks away.
She opens the folded paper, and looks at Mac. "No. Hyaku.
Kasasagi no
Wataseru hashi ni
Oku shimo no
Shiroki o mireba
Yo zo fuke ni keru"
"Huh? What the heck does that mean?"
"It is poem, in the style of book I gave him once. It says...
If I see that bridge
That is spanned by flights of magpies
Across the arc of heaven
Made white with a deep-laid frost,
Then the night is almost past.
He is saying goodbye, in case he doesn't get another chance. Manuke na
otoko." Shado refolds the paper, and shoves it in a pocket of her
fatigues. Slinging her weapon, she stalks off towards her squad.
+++++00:59:58/11:15:58
"MOVE OUT!"
*****Remote cam, Drone 1 (Delta)
The Huey screams in almost at tree top level, four immense flares
stretching from the wing-stubs thumping into the swamp near red smoke, a
short pause, and a fountain of water, foliage, mud and flame erupts in a
geyser closely resembling a volcanic eruption, followed by a deep
rolling explosion. Debris falls over a wide area, as swamp water rushes
in to fill the crater caused by the missiles. As the geyser subsides,
dark figures flit through the heavy foliage of the swamp moving fast
towards the explosion. Fireflies lick out from heavy weapons, the
popping of small arms fire punctuating the night. Turrets near the
entrances return fire, tracer creating angry streaks of red and orange
light across the darkened swamp.
*****Remote cam, Drone 4 (Alpha)
The entrance to the lab, is heavily concealed behind thick foliage, the
camouflaged top easily large enough to accommodate a large truck. Two
turrets spray death across the swamp. Two coughs, smoke trails and one
turret erupts in a spray of concrete the second falls silent, the
explosion from the Dragon sufficient to upset or kill the gun crew.
McDierning waves his arm forward, and his men surge towards the
entrance. Placing explosives around the top, they cover, and a loud
crack followed by debris announces the destruction of the covering
shell. Howling like banshees, the mercs charge through the entrance,
guns blazing. Manic chattering and flashes to the left of the camera
indicate the Drone's weapon has engaged, spraying the tunnel. Cycling
red and yellow lights on the roof break the combat into a stop-go dance
of death. Dull thumps announce the employment of grenades in the bitter
room to room battle.
*****Remote cam, Drone 1 (Delta)
Bubbles and rushing water seem to suggest that the missiles from the
huey have cracked the superstructure of the underground lab, the swamp
slowly pouring through the damaged sections, drowning whatever is below
in filthy rancid water.
*****Remote cam, Drone 3 (Gamma)
Smoke from burning cloth and furniture fills the corridors with choking
fumes. DA appears wearing an ML-7A respirator, nose and mouth obscured
by the small unit. Several soldiers follow him as others scatter
further down the corridor. The remains of ceiling mounted defences
throw sparks into the smoke of the corridor. Several dim shapes at the
end of the corridor, firing desperately towards the attacking forces.
The invaders scatter to the sides and cover, as a bright flash clears
the end of the corridor.
"Alpha in and clear." MacDierning's voice is calm, totally without
emotion.
"Delta in and clear." Emma, efficient, an eager edge to her voice. She
seems to be having fun.
"Gamma in and clear." DA's gravelly drone cuts across the gunfire in
his section.
"Bravo in, heavy resistance." Pharoah. Calm and calculating as ever,
but the sounds of heavy fire can be heard clearly over his mike.
*****Remote cam, Drone 2 (Bravo)
The covered entrance is a ruin, fire pouring from one turret, the second
utterly destroyed, inside is smoke, thick, grey, tracer licking through
erratically. Bright amber flashers obscure the camera for a second as
the drone negiotiates down the tunnel, using the roof as a guide.
Thermal flares indicate fires in several rooms, bodies litter the
tunnel.
Several armour clad figures exchange fire with barricaded defenders,
signs of heavy fire evident in the walls and makeshift defences. A man
dashes forward to the barricade, a tubular object in one hand, a flare,
and the defences at the end of the corridor disintegrate on impact, the
LAW doing what it does best, busting bunkers. The attackers swarm
forwards into the T-junction, several dropping, peppered by crossfire.
the drone skids round the corner, shudddering twice, micro missiles
impact on the minigun mount, destroying the drive and brackets. Useless
the weapon hangs from the ceiling mount, pointing sickly towards the
floor. Concrete chips fly as fire is directed towards the drone. It
spins again, targetting the second defence mount. Again, two missiles
streak towards teh mount, ripping the gun from the ceiling. Several
grenades shake the drone, causing more smoke and confusion, again the
attackers swarm round into the junction, a hail of bullets shredding the
defenders.
*****Remote cam, Drone 1 (Delta)
Clear areas, signs of rapid evacuation evident in spilled drinks, tables
knocked over and scattered equipment. Several armoured figures move
cautiously through the area. Behind them, others place charges at
structural points, or next to flammable materials. The group slowly move
through the complex, grenades leading the way, followed by rapid fire
into the rooms, figures rushing through the smoke, assault rifles
scanning for targets.
Rapid hand signals pass between the stalking figures, advance scouts
indicating something ahead. LAW's are unslung and three rockets streak
froward, destroying the reinforced door and part of the wall. The drone
weapons engange, splinters of concrete adding to the chaos caused by the
hail of bullets. Bodies tossed around like rag dolls, shredding under
the concentrated fire. Assault rifles chatter, adding the lead wall,
decimating the compact groups of defenders in the room behind the door.
Glass shatters, white powder erupts in geysers and clouds, sensitive
electronic equipment disintegrates, peppered by 5.56 bullets. Heavier
burps from the gimpy's destroy furniture, adding tracer to the exploding
furnishings. Mercs, faces obscured by respirators charge into the room,
muzzle flares playing havoc with the drone's cam. A single figure
marches upright through the chaos, head turning, marking, scanning,
watching.
*****Huey - Nemesis
"Rabbits in the field. Rabbits in the field. Engaging." Two long
flares punch forward from the wing stubs, the swamp below explodes in a
firestorm of bullets, chasing down figures running from an exposed
hatch. The bullets find their mark, and the runners vanish in a wild
spray. Tracer licks out from the foliage, stroking the people emerging
from the exit, throwing them into the water, and back down the small
hole. A flame streaks towards the exit, destroying it, sealing the fate
of any left in the tunnel.
A second exit reveals itself to the Huey's equipment as more escapees
flare the scanners. Again, fire punches from the wings, tracer and
explosive ammo churning the swamp into a maelstrom of death. Dark clad
figures rush forward, dropping pack charges into the opening. Sealing
it. A fast moving figure, silver arc scything through the dark, cuts
down the few remaining runners.
+++++Remote cam, Drone 3 (Gamma)
A large laboratory, almost destroyed pans under the drone as it races
forward towards a large steel door. Bodies, clad in civilian clothes
and the armour of the mercs, decorate the floor. Signs of heavy
fighting everywhere. A figure, just recognisable as DA, is kneeling to
the side of the steel door, while two mercs wire explosives to the
frame. The drone peels to port, MG stuttering, cutting down a man clad
in a white lab coat. A second door, slams shut MG bullets chewing the
frame and door. The explosion from an AGrL destroys the door, frame and
two men behind it, attackers stream into the room under the covering
fire of the Drone's mg, rifles chattering, killing defenders and
civilians alike with no concern. One defender, riddled with bullets,
stands screaming, firing wildly, killing two of the mercenaries and
wounding another before the Drone cuts him in half.
A shock wave shakes the drone, which spins, heading rapidly back to the
steel door. Men crowd around the shattered opening, looking into a deep
shaft. 30 feet away, another steel door disappears in flame and
shrapnel, making DA's group duck behind cover, hot metal bouncing off
the floor and shaft walls. A second drone visible across the shaft,
hovering next to Emma. Her face streaked with soot, sweat, and smudged
camo paint, splita by a lunatic grin.
A third explosion reveals McDierning. Water showers from a crack in the
roof.
++++Internal: RS commlink.
"Gamma, moderate losses, sector clear. Report."
"Alpha, moderate losses, sector clear. God that was fun, can we do it
again?"
"Delta. Minimal losses, enemy down, resistence in east sector, we're
dealing with it."
"Bravo, pinned down, vehicle bay, heavy losses, unable to sustain, area
flooded, pulling out and setting charges."
*****Remote cam, Drone 1, 3, 4
The drones hurtle down the shaft, one exploding shortly after it exits
into the broad expanse below, new construction work evident, in the open
area, frames for partition walls, and bare steel supports. Mg's from
the remaining two drones engage the defenders, scattering the soldiers
and civilians.
+++++Internal: RS commlink
"Alpha, with me. Bravo, stand to, backup en-route. Delta, assist
Bravo. Gamma, lock and load."
*****Remote cam, Headset (Gamma) - Sheldon
Several grenades sail down the shaft, joining the gunfire coming from
below. Four men secure ropes and throw them into the shaft, joining the
ropes from Alpha, men rapidly attaching themselves, and hurtling down
the ropes. Hitting the ground firing, they exit into the lower chamber.
Any wounded or dead on the bottom are dragged out of the way by
survivors, preventing the bodies from hampering those following.
DA attaches his clips, and abseils down to the floor below. Chaos
reigns in the chamber, Smoke and small fires litter the area,
defenders desperately firing wildly at the mercenaries. Concentrated
disciplined fire gradually wipes the defenders out. The mercs,
sustaining some losses, fan out from the broad elevator shaft, searching
for survivors, killing any who still live. A shout and intense activity
to one end. DA and McDierning run over to the area, finding a large bay
built further down, some 75 feet below, an underground river is revealed
in torch light, a small jetty projects from the rock walls, a fuel can
spilling it's contents onto the jetty. Mooring ropes float on the slowly
moving river.
"Fuck me. Who the hell would've guessed?" McDierning pulls his helmet
and respirator off, spitting down the shaft. "The crafty fuckers had an
escape route down here. So that's how they've been shipping stuff out,
must lead to the Ocean. Patrols have been searching for transports
through the damn swamp, and the slimy bastards have been shifting it
underground. Christ."
"Whoever was in charge here has gone, and at least now we know how."
Anger filters thinly through DA's voice. "Pull 'em out Mac. They got
away this time. Blow the whole fucking place."
A shout from one of the mercs, attracts the attention of the two
leaders. They walk over to the area, a section of wall pulled aside
exposing a storage area. McDierning gives a low whistle.
"Oh man. Christmas has come early." He stands in the opening, staring
dumbfounded at the store of weapons and chemicals. Packaged drugs,
powdered, liquid, and hardform, ammunition, explosives, boxes of rifles.
A couple HMG's mounted on tripods stare menacingly across the crowded
store room. "It's a crying shame to leave all this here DA, a crying
shame."
"We can't shift it. It would take too long. I have to be back in
Guyana in 24. We haven't got enough time to bring in heavy transports
before Mateas retaliates. It's tempting, but... Organise the men, grab
what you can carry and get out. Set charges and blow the place once
you're clear. 3rd Squad, to me!"
McDierning arranges for some of the store to be carried out, as DA and
3rd squad climb down the steps cut into the bedrock, heading towards the
jetty below.
*****Remote cam, Drone 2 (Bravo)
Bullets rip into small vehicles, shattering glass and plastics.
Fountains spray water from bullet impacts, leading fire to the hidden
mercenaries. Pharaoh signals to two men, directing the fire of the
support weapon towards the heaviest concentration of fire. Dead lay
sprawled in the water where they fell, pools of blood spreading slowly
in the brackish water. A grenade explodes nearby, causing the gun team
to duck. Two heavy explosions followed by the lighter crack of grenades
and heavy gunfire, defenders desperately trying to turn their weapons to
the new threat. Pharoah signals for his team to cease fire, and moves
cautiously towards the defenders positions. Armour clad figures flood
over the defenders, deadly efficient in the close quarters, decimating
the surprised gunmen. A ragged cheer filters up from the remains of
Pharaoh's crew.
*****Internal: RS comlink
"What's the matter. Pharaoh, old age catching up on you?"
"If you weren't a lady, Emma, I'd rip your nuts off for that. But, you
are, so I'll just gracefully say thanks. How goes it with the rest?"
"Central shaft leading down to a second level. The drones engaged, Mac
and DA's teams were preparing to drop in for a party when we left for
you. Last I heard, they'd secured the area. DA's exploring further,
and Mac is bringing some toys out with him. Damn it's wet in here." She
looks down at the ground, already ankle deep in filthy water. Emma
staggers as the ground shakes, dust falling from the ceilng, equipment
rattles on the shelving. She looks at Pharaoh in surprise, and thumbs
the transceiver. "Mac? DA?"
"There's been an explosion down here. Booby trap I'd guess. It's in
the shaft. Investigating. Oh my god. Get a gopher and medic down
here, we've got a problem. The shaft blew, DA and 3rd squad are gone."
*****Remote cam, Drone 3 (Gamma)
The elevator starts it's upward journey, carrying troops and boxes, the
Drone hovers near the shaft leading down to the underground river.
McDierning overseas the removal of ammo boxes and choice pieces of
equipment. Flame, smoke and rock fragments blast out of the river shaft
knocking the drone off balance, men stumble and fall, the display veers
wildly as the rigger and onboard gyro attempt to bring the drone under
control. McDierning and several men race over to the shaft. The ground
races up to the camera...
*****Remote cam, headset, (Alpha) - Cherry.
Huge chunks of rock have been blasted out of the face, the stairs all
but vanished. Several bodies litter the jetty, only vaguely
recognisable as human. Blood slowly flows down river. Body parts hang
from the rough rock face and jetty.
"Jeeezus!"
McDierning spins from the shaft, racing towards the store, several men
follow him, grabbing ropes, securing them to supports and dive
recklessly into the shaft.
The bottom of the shaft is an abattoir. It's almost impossible to
identify any of third squad, the explosion appears to have caught them
full on, several members are missing, either vapourised or floating down
the river.
"Delta, belay that order, we don't need a medic. There's nothing left
worth saving. They're all gone." A merc hands Mac a helmet, DA's, a
vicious shard of blood soaked rock punched into the side. "They're all
dead Delta. We're pulling out."
+++++End include: RS12A-7B/24.vid
]<<<<<
-- Pharaoh <22:10:35/11-14-58>
Atg. C.O., Red Shift
