The Byakko-class strike carrier, Amadeus, launched thirty-two XF-14Es from their forward launch bays towards the planet below. These thirty-two shadowdrones alone had flown over 1,200 sorties in the past twenty hours alone. Now, they were tasked with maintaining aerospace superiority over the battlezone that the 901st Mechanized Infantry Battallion was now entering in.
The terrain was dramatically different from the unrestrained jungles that the NDI Marines had been battling in for the past day and was much more suited to the fast-paced GEV formations of the 901st, which was part of the reason they were selected for this mission. The area was largely flat, with a few hills and shrubs that could be used for cover, which suggested that the area had been terraformed. However, the flat area was incredibly narrow; no more than 350 meters across, which meant that it gave the defending Jaaq'tah forces a bottleneck where they could focus their fire. From space, tactical command could see that the Jaaq'tah had already dug out fortified positions that were hard to bombard from space without damaging the Draconian technological complex.
The XF-14Es flew over the treetops at hypersonic velocities, just mere feet above the jungle canopy. Six other XF-14Es with electronic warfare packs had flown ahead of the attack wing firing anti-radiation missiles and dropping jamming pods, which eliminated any Jaaq'tah surface-to-air defenses before they could get a shot off. The Jaaq'tah were smartly keeping their dwindling fighter force inside their protective defense envelope along that narrow plain, hoping to mass their fire to bring down the Confederate aerospace forces. "Amadeus attack wing is approaching the target area, sir," said Lieutenant Gretchen Mills, sitting inside the mobile command center that was coordinating the operation of the 901st battallion. "Commencing artillery bombardment on your command, Major," said the fair-haired support officer. "Operation: Iron Wolf is a go. I repeat, Iron Wolf is a go," said Major Todd Colton. "Fire at will."
Four of the twelve M9 artillery platforms had been assigned to this mission and enormous energy spikes filled the sensors of Confederate forces as the massive 175mm cannons opened up, firing a round every second. Less than five seconds later, the first 175mm rounds were hitting home, starting with aerial burst cluster munitions followed by standard high-explosive munitions. The firing sequence was handled by the M9's sophisticated combat computer which was tied in directly to the RAILS apparatus, which sequenced the rounds fired according to the targeting data provided by the tactical network. The final series of rounds fired were high-explosive stabilized liquid explosive munitions that fogged the battle area with SLEX before their electrical pulse timers set off an explosion. As the artillery bombardment wound down, the XF-14 attack wing swept down from the skies and were immediately met by another Jaaq'tah air force. Formations quickly broke apart as the fighters entered into a dangerous melee over the battle zone. Jaaq'tah air defense batteries went active, but as soon as they activated their targeting systems, artillery strikes were called in upon them automatically by Lieutenant Mills. As the air battle raged, the 901st launched their armored screen. Foxhound and Diamondback GEVs raced across the terrain at hundreds of miles per hour. Enemy resistance was little but that would soon change. The initial artillery barrage wasn't as effective as it had seemed from space. The Jaaq'tah had the ability to burrow deep underneath the ground to avoid the Confederate's superior support firepower. They prized the close-in battle.
By the time the 901st was a quarter-way across the plain, Arquiel suits began to spring up from the ground, plasma mortar blasts taking their toll. The Foxhound LGEV-PCs unloaded their infantry units and began to sweep across the terrain offering fire support while the Diamondback tanks unleashed a tidal wave of plasma from their dual rotary turrets. "We've lost six tanks and four personnel carriers," said Lieutenant Mills, watching as the IFF indicators went black. "Most of the enemy armor assets have been wiped out, but they have a clear advantage in terms of infantry. We're talking about at least two full battalions worth that survived the artillery strike."
"Tell SOCOM that they are clear to launch their mission," said Major Colton.
Lieutenant Natsumi Rakuseki looked out towards the battle area just a few clicks away and shook her head. Sergeant Kurosawa lifted his DIWS and slung it over his shoulders. The NDI was finally making their final push towards taking the complex proper, but the Jaaq'tah were putting up one hell of a fight. "Montoya, Uso, let's move out." Kurosawa lowered his DIWS and began in a moderate paced run along the edge of the jungle. Rakuseki huffed and activated her distortion field, leaping from branch to branch much like a primate, outpacing the slower Golem-suited troops.
the N.S.S. Star Knight's DEIMOS avatar, Starla, began to speak to the unit as a whole as they approached their next waypoint. "Given the extraordinary amounts of firepower being released on the battlefield, it should be relatively easy for you to slip past the Jaaq'tah forces, however, breaching the compound will not be as easy. We have units making reports of exceptionally powerful automated defense systems guarding the perimeter, so approach with caution."
Uso fell in line behind Kurosawa, trailing him from a distance of several yards.
Montoya did the same behind Uso, keeping in line and letting his drones keep him updated on what was going on ahead of them.
Kurosawa began to leap with the assistance of his jump jets, covering nearly fifty meters at a time with each 'hop.' This put out a bit more radiation, but his orders were to get their ASAP and he was going to do that. "Montoya, deploy the Draws4 drone 150 meters from your present location. Uso, hit this target," said Kurosawa, highlighting a sentry post half a click away with his TAG laser.
"Done, sir," responded Montoya.
"Affirmitive," Uso said as she took aim with her SSWS and unleashed a hail of 3.5cm anti-armor rounds into the target. She made sure to saturate the target with ammunition. She then continued to follow her CO with jumps timed just after his.
the Draws4 drone fully deployed as a large, egg-shaped unit with an eight-shot TAC missile launcher. As the unit raced away from their former position, the drone began to launch missiles at other sensor and sentry posts. As expected, Jaaq'tah retaliation was focused upon the Draws4 drone, which exploded in a hailfire of plasma bolts. "
Natsumi had been with this party only a short while, and she was already irritated at having them within her proximity. Kurosawa she just wanted to suffocate, or perhaps squish him with the battle armor she was wearing. Her lips began to form into a smug smile, unbeknownst to the rest, but the actual that processing through her head was dellusionally hilarious. It occupied her mind when some other unpleasantries would otherwise be disturbing her. Her armor was meticulously useful, and it had such fun things to use.
Kurosawa illuminated another target using his DIWS' TAG laser, a trio of patrolling Arquiel armored suits. Normally, he would've put a few 10mm rounds through their heads, but they needed to do this covertly. "Rakuseki, do me a favor and put those three down."
natsumi_rakuseki glanced from her current positioning within the folliage toward the voice. She peered through her helmet at Kurosawa, debating weather to take him too, but she thought better. Xato would have a fit, and would probably prolong her time within the battle. Sumi continued you stare for a long silent moment. Her molars grinding together in sheer frustration. "Why don't you do me a favour Kurosawa, and stop breathing. We'll call it even, huh?" Prepared herself as she spoke, her voice was held low, but she knew that he had heard. Natsumi felt the rush of power as the tritanium blades slid from her arms, her armor already readying it's self for her upcoming 'waltz' with the Jaaq'tah.
Kurosawa ignored her comment. Those three-stars were just a little too cocky and arrogant for their own good...
A grin crossed Uso's face underneath the protection of her golem suit. She was starting to like this new girl.
Uso deployed her own drones, sendint two out ahead of the group to try and get a good look at what was comming up. She eased off on her jump jets slightly. Instead of large jumps like Kurosawa was making she made a series of short hops, more sliding along the ground than jumping over it.
the three Jaaq'tah suits were carrying the standard plasma carbines, which suggested that they were rear echelon personnel. They were far from elite soldiers and probably were green-level troops by NDI nomenclature. The unit could see Jaaq'tah base camp, which was moving forces up towards the front and fortifying defenses. A team of Jaaq'tah engineers were moving in to repair the sensor stations that had just been destroyed, but by the time they were fixed, the unit would've been long gone.
Seven thousand meters due east of the battlefield, six Acolyte gunships sat in an otherwise quiet clearing. They were fully loaded and ready to pull. All they were waiting for now was the order. Sever sat in the cockpit of the Jupiter, his finger hovering motionless over the starter button.
"Montoya, you've got point," Kurosawa said, crouching low and taking aim with his DIWS, zooming in to get a better look at the area ahead. "There's just too many of them to try to slip by. Overlapping sensor coverage basically assures only Lieutenant Rakuseki could get through. We need to set off a diversion."
Montoya stayed silent, watching everyone else move into position as he did the same. His DIWS rifle was held at the ready as he followed Rakuseki's becon. When the order to take point came, he nodded and did so, quickly reviewing the drone scans to devise said diversion.
natsumi_rakuseki seemed to glide and slither through the amazon like jungle. Her armor's sheild in place, protecting her to a fault, but not really as much as she would like. She felt the adrenaline rushing through her veins as she approached the Arquiel armored troops. This was for the torment of being away from her love, for Xato being the ever piece of hologramized ass that he was. She monitored the trio for brief seconds, picturing faces of Kurosawa, Xato, and Nate's blonde secretary.
"Uso, load up a NARC beacon and fire it here," said Kurosawa, pointing towards a tree off in the distance. The NARC beacon was just that, a beacon that transmitted ambient signals to friendly forces. It was mounted on a standard TAC missile chassis but was a non-deadly munition.
Uso brought her TAC missile launcher to bear and fired off the NARC round. It implanted itself firmly in the tree and then started broadcasting.
the SCRIBOL-powered CPU unit began to broadcast signals to the air cavalry unit that was on standby. Seconds later, Major Colton's face appeared on Sever's screen. "Our team is in position. If you take the path I've highlighted for you, you'll hit the enemy behind their own defensive lines and get there uninterdicted. This is a raiding mission, so get in, do your damage, and get out."
"Montoya, Uso, get ready to move," said Kurosawa, looking at the tactical screen showing the friendly units in the distance. "When they hit, we're gonna need to move fast. I'm sure the Lieutenant can take care of herself."
Without any delay, Severs finger came down immediately upon the Jupiter's starter. Simultaneously, all six Acolytes started up at the same time, the anti-grav coils pushing them six meters above the land. Slowly, they all increased their lift to sixty five meters, and began pushing forward. They took their time accelerating, but it was a mere ten seconds before they reached the engagement envelope.
"Not a move until they start firing......" said Kurosawa.
jaded wanderer: Montoya readied himself for the sprint, staying stock still until the signal.
Uso was prepared as well, bringing her body into a almost a sprinters crouching position/
"Piece of cake..."She murmured to herself...Finally, she made her move, pouncing cat-like out from the bushes. Sumi had the silence of her armor on your benefit, plus the pro of being undetected by the enemy. She leaped forward, sword attempting to plunge through the chest of the Arquiel armed soldier. Much like a vampire hunter with his prey.
the Arquiel trooper never knew what hit him as the Xintium-coated blade sliced through armor and tore through his insides. The other two troopers jumped back in surprise as one of their own fell down. They raised their carbines, searching for a target.
To start, Mongoose and Hunter took their ships through the center of the base, pushing hard while they laid down anti-personnel fire with their rotary turrets. By the time they got to the other side of the base, the Jaaq'tah had become aware of the presence of enemy units behind lines.
While Mongoose and Hunter spread out and circled around for a second pass, Hollywood and Panzer pushed their Acolytes through in a cross pattern, laying down heavy missile fire while their transporting units fired extra TAC missiles they had brought along for this specific purpose. Hollywood and Panser, as well, split up and circled around.
"Go!" said Kurosawa, leaping with the assistance of his jets. He didn't care about concealing himself -- the Jaaq'tah had bigger fish to fry. He leapt over entire trees, touching off and launching again, covering a kilometer in a matter of seconds. They were almost to the point of no return. Just a little closer. "Hurry up, Rakuseki. We don't have time for you to bake them cookies."
Uso chose a slightly lower profile approach, bending forward and gunning her jump jets for maximum speed while using a series of hops to stay off the ground. She moved quickly and only inches off the ground as she followed Kurosawa.
the Jaaq'tah defenses erupted but the initial shock put them in a state of disarray. Arquiel suited troopers began to run out from their barracks firing plasma rifles up towards the gunships while trying to weather the storm of AP fire. Some fired plasma mortars towards the gunships, but the weapons were naturally slow and inaccurate and would be relatively easy to evade.
Montoya let Kurosawa pass him, keeping a rapid, hopping pace to stay close.
within that split second of their targeting, she had slid the blade from her opponent , and concealed herself back into the jungle. Praying the armor's ability to scramble any targeting system actually worked. Sumi slithered her way around to the left, hoping to catch another one off guard.. awaiting for the opportunity to strike once more, and take the other one right out after this.
the combination of explosions and comrades falling around him confused the two troopers, causing the second to fall prey to Natsumi's second strike
took out the second trooper with one swift move. A simple slice to the neck-like area of the armor. She decide to better of hopping back into the bushes, and fighting this one out right. The kill wasn't enough, she needed the battle. The use of all her limbs... mind and body.
All of the Thunderbirds were not just adept at surviving, but highly inclined to do so. Their various rigger-jacks provided them with a higher degree of control and stability than the normal neural interface allowed. Panzer and Hollywood crossed their paths as they flew through again, this time laying down fire on prioritized targets that had begun to respond to their first pass.
Simultaneously Mongoose and Hunter began picking off specified targets based on their immediate threat rating. Those with faster, more powerful guns would be first to receive a lovely, priority delivered collage of RAILS selected munitions. They evaded the mortars with ease, their hardened armor taking more than the brunt of lesser caliber shots.
The Warhawk units continued to assist the gunships, but they maintained a position of little revealance, meaning they would not be as likely to be hit by any stray blasts.
"C'mon, Rakuseki!" snapped Kurosawa, landing on the ground just outside of the complex's defense perimeter.
Natsumi Rakuseki growled , the sound reverberating through her helmet. Giving it a much more sound than was intended. She watched the trooper, not daring to blink. He seemed to have pissed his suit, and it malfunctioned. He was a chicken shit. "This one is probably Kurosawa...." Sumi thought. Busy giving orders, but not doing much else than urinating on a rock or two. Natsumi wasted no more time toying with the Arquiel. She disposed of him quickly, slicing him up to look like chopped up cucumber mess... Maimed, and butchered.
Kurosawa sent out two of his drones to survey the area ahead of him but no sooner did they cross the perimeter, the drones literally vaporized in a brilliant flash of light. "Jesus..." Kurosawa frowned. "....Just like a Lightning Field......."
Uso stopped just behind Kurosawa and turned around, making sure they weren't followed while they delt with the energy field.
made her way back to her party... hoping to dispose of Kurosawa too. She seemed to fantasize about it. It became a hobby...
the Thunderbirds continued to lay down light, targeted fire as they dodged the incoming fire from the amassing Jaaq'tah. When the majority of opposing units had revealed themselves, and the heat had been turned up a bit, the four Acolyte ships pulled back immediately, directing Jaaq'tah attention either towards their retreat, or at the incoming barrage of large-radius missiles that were fired from the Venus and the Jupiter, the two gunships that had not made their presence previously known.
Having selected their positions for maximum cross-fire, the Mars, Saturn, Pluto and Mercury lay down massive lines of fire from their cannons and turrets to keep Jaaq'tah forces stationed within their bases while the Jupiter and Venus continue to blow the hell out of it with their heavier missiles.
Kurosawa frowned, looking around for a weakpoint or something. "Ok......Uso........" he pointed towards a large bulbous node on the wall of the facility. He switched from the DIWS to his plasma enveloper and aimed. "Use your gun to activate the energy field. It's at its weakest when it's interacting with something. Then maybe I can blast a hole in it with this...."
Sever's unit was wreaking havoc as XF-14s swept across, strafing enemy troops as they tried to fight the group of gunships. Still, reinforcements of Cobra II attack flyers were visible on their radar screens. They were less than two minutes out. They might have to cut this little party short.
Uso turned around and did as she was told, firing into the field at a very slight angel just incase the field was solid enough to cause the rounds to bounce off. If they did, they wouldn't be coming back at her. "Just hurry it up," She said.
approached the trio..."Throw yourself in there, and I'll deactivate it." Smiled beneath her helmet.. her eyes and armor scanning the immediate area.
While the Jupiter and Venus continued to volley heavy missiles at the base point, the other four Acolytes broke off their perimeter containment and began emplacing themselves to receive the incoming Cobras. They continued to bombard strategic targets, but were far more concerned with surviving than how accurately their missiles hit.
right on the heels of Uso's last shot was a full-power plasma enveloper blast, which punched through the weak spot in the field and immolated the bulbous node. Seconds later, they could see crackling electricity along the walls. Sending his last drone, Kurosawa smiled as the field went down temporarily but was alarmed when tentacle-like arms began to repair the node. "We need to hurry. C'mon, let's get in!" Kurosawa jumped over the wall, crouching low and sweeping across his field of vision with his plasma enveloper. "....."
Uso gunned her jets and flew through at high speeds.
natsumi_rakuseki followed suit...
...as did Montoya
inside the compound was something that rivaled the most elaborate of Human structures. It seemed as if the entire inside of the complex was made of emerald crystal and marble. "Starla......where do we go next?"
before them, the blue-haired female appeared, examining her new surroundings. She raised her right hand, a blue light illuminating a pathway that led underground. "There."
Major Colton came in over Sever's com-unit. "Our team is inside, withdraw your forces to the waypoint and remain on standby. MACE units will be there to repair any damage and re-arm you."
marveled at the insides... she wished had the opportunity to actually inspect it all. A revel in the actuality of being inside something of this magnitude. Sumi had always been a spectator of the arts. She definitely considered this building one of those arts. The realization struck her hard... She had shared her life... several years now, with Nate. She knew she could never share the beauty of this structure. If she didn't make it out of here... She had too... Where was Nathan, anyway? Hopefully he was safe in Nerima with their cherished daughter.
the units broke off their assault, continuing to launch missiles at the base as they pulled away until they were out of missiles or out of range. They quickly fell back to the waypoint, opening up to reload.
Uso continued into the structure with her weapon raised. The internals failed to impress her. ~Where are the bad guys?~ She thought to herself..
the Cobras moved in to intercept the Acoyltes but were met with an unwelcome surprise as a fresh wing of XF-14s covered the Acolyte's escape.
Kurosawa followed the path highlighted by Starla but remained wary. "I thought there were extensive automated offensives....."
Starla replied: "There are, but for whatever reason, they have not been activated."
"someone goofed..." Uso said.
natsumi_rakuseki followed Uso, her hand grasping her shoulder. Holding her steady. "Watch your move... You're being thoughtless and selfish on all our parts." She chastised Uso for not being more careful... especially not knowing what they were dealing with
They don't "goof"...
Careless, wench.
Montoya silently appraised the design of this construct, trying to keep his mind on the sensors for hostiles. He had been an architect before re-joining and buildings like these always held a certain fascination for him.
Kurosawa let the ladies have their words. "Montoya, you've got point. I'll cover you."
"Your telling me there isn't something big that your Intel missed?" Uso replied as she followed the two men at a distance.
"Yessir." Montoya raised his rifle and slowly made his way inside, looking everywhere he stepped not only with his sensors but as much with his physical eyes as possible.
natsumi_rakuseki moved along behind them all, her own sensors activated. Perhaps they were more up to date or better technology. Who know, but she trusted none of them. They hampered her objective of getting the hell out as quickly as possible.
the complex was very sterile, almost like a doctor's office. Runic symbols were on the wall and lit up as Montoya and Kurosawa walked by. Kurosawa examined the symbols, cautiously putting his hand up to one. ".....Montoya, come here and feel this......" The symbol was radiating heat.
Sever sat in the Jupiter as the MACE repaired the light damage he had taken. One of the troops aboard his ship had been strafed by a plasma bolt, as were a couple other troops. The MACE patched them up, and one of the standby lance of Warhawks jumped in to take their place
natsumi_rakuseki inspected them also...running a few tests, if possible.
"It's hot, sir," Montoya said, unsure what that meant..."Motion detectors?"
A voice, what sounded like the voice of a young human girl, leapt out at them. "Why are you here.......?"
Kurosawa raised his plasma enveloper looking up, down, and all around him. "...Where is that voice coming from?"
"Well, my agent told me this was a great vacation spot." Uso said inside of her helmet, careful not to let the sound get out.
natsumi_rakuseki didn't bother to glance about, devices in her armor recording the voice. Keeping it for further inspection, "Answer it, Kurosawa.â€
