RP: NSS Alliance [Marine VR Sim] Planet X Marks the Spot

Benji noticed Istavan dropping and pointed to the nearest man. [npc] "Fire!" He barked and the man opened fire on Istivan. "You two get ready to flank them" he said with a smile, pointing at some other fool[nother npc?] "Gran stick to sniping... I'll take Adrian and we'll circle around behind them. When I say, open fire..." And then he motioned for Adrian to follow him.

He crawled out og the cave and started off along the ground, he stuck to tromping along under his own power, saving the higer capabilities for later.

Rico glanced quickly down towards the surface of the planet...however, it was too far for scanners to pick up anything other than garbled and faint signals. Perhaps Istvan had seen them through normal vision. Rico heard the clamoring of Istvan a few seconds too late, and as he plummeted down planetside, two other marines took the sudden action as a signal to attack, and quickly followed suit. They all passed Rico before he had a chance to stop them.

"Hey, whoa, slow the fuck down! It's fine, we're too far outta range-" Rico started to explain with a slight smirk. However, as another marine began thrusting past Rico to join the others, Rico decided three marines lost to overreacting was enough...four would just be plain silly.

Almost instantly after the marine passed him, Rico lifted his AIR's FMD, quickly loaded a white tungsten charge, and fired in the marine's direction without hesitation. However, as the shell left the barrel of his weapon, Rico attempted to pull back the front end of it with his AIR's tractor fields. As a result the charge reduced it's velocity, as well as sent itself into a violent spin. To Rico's mild and amused surprise the shell did exactly what he wanted it to do; the spinning charge struck the flying marine squarley in the center of his shield, the reduced yet still potent force of the shot knocking him forward. The white shell itself bounced off harmlessly, continuing to spin violently as it fell down towards the surface. The shaken marine quickly canceled his boosting and turned around towards Rico, giving a shout of surprise.

"CHILL THE FUCK OUT!!" Rico yelled at the top of his lungs at the marine.

As the marine sauntered back to the ground, Rico shot a long glance at the other marines, trying to decide whether to attempt to 'get thier attention' as well...however, they were already too far away to attempt another harmless shot. It also appeared they were being engaged by a few opposing Alpha Team marines. Rico shrugged it off, and quickly turned back to the other marines still floating above him, leaning his FMD casually across his shoulder as if he had NOT just shot a potentially lethal round at a teammate to simply get his attention.

"Well Fian, if you got a plan, let's hear it. Time's a wastin' baby."

Kokuten, finally getting a little calibration going on his suit, noticed the current fray and friendly fire session below. The Medic would've gone down to follow Istavan if it wasn't for the fact that he had recieved a direct order. He figured himself that kind of person, a 'point-and-off-we-go' type of man. Istavan, however, reminded him of those soldiers on that movie he had seen with his brother. He wasn't sure what it was, 'War of 40,000' or 'The 40,000th War' something like that, he just remembered it had a lot of soldiers and a lot of death.

Death...

The word hung in his mind for some reason, then he looked down at the marines currently engaging combat with Alpha team. A thought just struck his head like a pebble thrown by a thrashball player.

[Marines + Enemy fire)VR Sim] + Medic = x

Solve for x...

"Er, sir, since this a VR Mission, is there any need for to tend to Marines if they do get hit in simulation?" Kokuten asked not only to Fian, but anyone willing to answer for him.

As Istvan plumets he jigs and dodges. This pays off when the shot fired at him misses, but only just. Istvan notes the position it came from, and returns fire with his LBR. "Reciving fire" he says into the com, sending the position that the shot had come from. He hits the ground. with a jarring impact, going a bit on the fast side. "scan the perimiter" he says "Eyes open. If you see anything tell me. I'm point, you're left, your right." he says pointing to the marines that went down. "Keep your eyes open. We're doing this slow, and careful."

"We are still out of range!" Fian shouted as he saw Istvan dropping past him. "The tunnels and the area immediately above them is their home ground, it would be suicidal to barge right in!" The Vel Steyr quickly grouped up the names on the roster.

"All right listen up! All those NDI Armors: Phalanxes and Golems. Land in the area surrounding the tunnels. Form a perimeter and tighten it, don't bunch up, I don't want whole groups to be ambushed at the same time. If you see any tunnels entrances, seal it with explosives. You are now designated as Gamma Squad. P3C Istvan, you are leading."

"Those in the WATER2s: Lay an electromagnetic smokescreen between our current location and the tunnels. This will provide some cover to those falling. When you are done, you are to cover Gamma's advance as well. Your designation is Charlie. P2C Scott Lewis, you are to lead."

"Those in AIR2s, half of you are to follow Gamma down. You are to patrol the perimeter to serve as a quick response squad should the enemy attempt to breakout or flank Gamma Squad. You are now designated as Squad Epsilon One with P3C Rico leading."

"The other half will remain here as a reserve with the designation Epslion Two with me." Fian closed the holographic roster window that was taking up his whole screen. "I expect regular status reports from all squad leaders. This whole mission hinges on how quickly we can react to their tactics. Godspeed, soldiers!"

Gran decided to take a little control and make a bit of organization. He pointed at a marine near him that was also carrying a FMD. "You, you're on sniping with me." He waved the marine over to the outcropping where he was. "Load EMP shells." He commanded as loaded the black slugs into his own FMD. The marine beside him grunted, slightly displeased, but he loaded his gun. Gran scanned the area where Omega was supposed to land and detected two marines that seemed to have charged a little early for their own good. "There are two coming in from 1 o'clock, fire at the one on the right first then immediately the left." Gran drew a bead on the attacker on the right and waited for his companion to fire.

As the marine beside him shot, Gran followed with his own round a split second later. The EMP round hit and vaporized the marine's shield, and Gran's smashed through the armor dead center before the victim even realized his shield was gone. The other marine saw his teammate downed and quickly turned, but the marine beside Gran had already aimed and fired his second round, smashing into the off-balance marine. Gran was slightly slower with his second shot, this one smashed into the attacker's shoulder and back, tearing through the armor and flattening him against the ground. "Damn." Gran cursed. Split seconds count. he reminded himself, not sure if the last round was lethal. "Alright we are changing positions, follow me and reload you weapon." Gran quickly moved from the cropping, heading for a tunnel near their position, trying to stay behind cover, and the other marine followed him.

(O.C.C.- Is this too much and did I screw anything up? I am willing to change anything.)

I like him already. Most of the marines were as Soreta suspected all along; untrained, unskilled, with little potential or grace. They all floundered about, their armor simple hunks of metal propelling them; where they should have been extentions of their body.

Some of them, however, were different. Fian, for example, showed the kind of natural talent that the best of soldiers all shared. Some of the others, too, showed talent, or at least potential; still others simply had the kind of resolve that kept even the least skilled soldiers alive. It was interesting to see.

Joining the Epsilon Two squad in congregating around their leader, Soreta shifted to Fian's left flank. "This is PC1 'Valkyrie', respectfully requesting to assist Epsilon Squad Two, sir. You look like you could use someone on your wing; mind if I join the party? And if I may say so, we could use a better callsign."

Rico laughed a bit as Kokuten asked his question. "Nope! Heh, you lucked out baby, no savin' lives today. Just-" Before he could finish, however, Fian started giving his orders.

As Fian assigned him to lead the Epsilon squad, Rico immediately had a strong urge to reject the position. He had not planned on being serious with this simulation; he would've much rather spent his time pulling stupid worthless stunts like his earlier shot, or perhaps sneaking up behind an unaware marine and sawing his head off with the vibro-chain knife. 'It's a fuckin' simulation. Jeez...' However, as Fian asserted himself, Rico slowly decided to drop those thoughts for now...mostly because he was a bit off-put by how Fian was showing him up, even though he probably did so unknowingly.

Finally, Rico gave in and heaved a quick sigh before pulling his trademark confidence back on. "Alright, you heard the guy!" Rico looked around the group; there were six other AIR 2 units, not including his own, floating among the group. Rico pointed a free hand at each of them quickly in succession as he singled them out, waving his hand towards himself to signify that they were coming with him. "You, you, you, you..." Rico's hand pointed lastly at Soreta, "...and you! Let's get to work." However, as soon as Rico finished, Soreta's armor rose next to Fian and it's pilot asked to remain on the reserve squad.

Rico glanced back down planet-side just soon enough to witness one of the Omega Team marines get torn apart by shots from a hidden assailant. Rico didn't really want to argue and waste time debating that he could use all the AIR's, however, and quickly activated his thrusters towards the surface, his squad following pursuit closely.

"Alright boys, you're followin' Rico now! Keep it tight, use the Mass Meshers. You and you, EMP shells, you and you, Tungsten; I'll follow up with some Explosives. Keep up the movement, don't EVER slow down! Use each other as tractor and repulsion anchors if ya have to." Rico skillfully barked orders as they neared the surface, each one of his squadmates returning a solid 'Yes sir!'. It reminded him about how he used to order his little gang around back when he was still a little punk, thinking he owned the Funky City streets. Rico smiled venomously as he spotted a small group of enemies upon hitting the surface, and quickly changed course to intercept them.

"Let's get busy!"

Istvan scowled as the men to his right and left fell, throwing himself flat to make as little as a target as possible. He wondered how they had missed him in the cover. The one to the left was still listed as active. He wondered how they had missed him, but did not particularly care. He hears Fian's orders and nods to himself. This man knew what he was doing. Istvan uses triangulation of the shots to figure out where they came from "Snipers," he sends to fian and the others "at this location". He begins to slowly crawl forwards, keeping as much under-cover as he can, his weapons ready.

Fian Vel Steyr was pleased that Omega took to his plan without objections. Rico especially, he may not have been friends with him for long but the both of them must have broken a treshold in friendship where mutual understanding appears. With this degree of trust Fian has determined that Rico would be best suited for the fast reacting Epsilon One.

Fian turned his AIR2 to look at 'Valkyrie'. Usually the pilot's real name and callsign would appear on his HUD, but in this case it simply said P1C Valkyrie. Fian shortly contemplated on if this was a software glitch or if the pilot didnt key in his particulars properly but whatever it was, it doesnt really matter anyway because it is painfully obvious that Valkyrie wasnt going to hurt him or something because he was on his team. Fian could not recodnise Valkyrie's voice, maybe he was a new arrival.

There were three AIR2 units not counting his at Fian's disposal, four was the bare minimum for Mass Meshing. Noting that Rico's group has a total of six units, the Vel Steyr figured that he could accept Valkyrie without provoking Rico's ire, after all, he said each group should only compose of half the total number of AIR2s.

"Permission granted, welcome to Epsilon Two!" Fian signaled an 'OK' to Valkyrie. "I thank you for your support earlier." he bowed slighly as he said this (The AIR2 cannot nod). He may had have enough of them newcomers, but he always has attention to the nicer ones. "I'll be consolidating Epsilon One and Two later if the plan goes properly so I need not assign them different names, besides, we'll be serving the same purpose as Epsilon One once we touch the ground."

The first reports had begun to stream in. Istvan has reported numerous enemy positions. Fian had entrusted him with Gamma because he seemed to have a strong will to survive. From his initial jiggling and reporting, he figured that Istvan can be depended upon to hold the line, besides, Istvan is already down there to begin with. Fian relayed this data to Rico and Scott. Rico can try for a surprise attack while Scott can fire as he decended.

Turning back to the members of his squad, Fian announced: "All right, we dont want them to know we are here. Our objective is to make the enemy give more than he should, and he wont do so if he knows we still have something in reserve. Activate your Mass Meshers, kill your monoeyes and have your Probes dive in and out of Charlie's smokescreen. Now."

Gran paused for a moment before entering the cave, signaling his teammate in before him. He looked around, his sensors picking up a unit that he had missed noticing, Istvan. Dammit, he cursed to himself again. He and his fellow had kept their monoeyes off to avoid detection, bunt in the meantime missed another target. He ducked into the entrance of the cave, hiding himself and pulled out a single red explosive charge for his FMD but instead of loading it into his gun, her pulled out his chain blade and nicked a few spots on the shell, arming it. He hid it under some rocks, using it as a makeshift mine. He smirked to himself, And they said studying the insides was dumb. He proceeded down the tunnel, catching up to his teammate and opening his com-link. "Benji, you seem to be in charge, we better get some tactics going, these guys are going to get serious." He was hoping that the other team didn't have the maps of the tunnels that they did, these passages could be a great asset. "Also, a small explosive is set in the mouth of tunnel 4-B."

Adrian scrathed his head, trying to think of some strategem. He knew Gran had put some enemies down, but there were a lot more. Luckily, Adrian had an idea of how this would go down, provided they used similar tactics as they did at the real Planet X.

"Benji, get the fuck back in these caves. Those bloody communists will turn you to swiss cheese long before we're able to get good shots lined up." Adrian looked at a map of the tunnel system and clicked his tongue.
"Alright, if they pull this like they did in real life, they'll most likely start with an attempt to box us in. They'll probably be using heavier armors for a perimeter. I'm assuming the quicker buggers'll do some hit and run. My idea for this little deal is we use the NDI armors to dent up the AIR2s, and use our quicker armors, with yer pretty little cannons, to soften up the Golems and Phalanxes. After they're bloodied and broken, we pop en masse out of these here tunnels and fry what's left."

The marine nodded to himself and asked "Any questions? If not, split into groups, hopefully someone you work well with." Adrian switched his comm to a private channel directed to Benji. "Oi, I guess you're unofficial leader, so make any changes you need. But we seriously need to hurry. The boys up there won't wait to paste us."

"Monoeye deactive, cloak online, probes active. Let's get moving." Soreta looked to the two others with the Epsilon Two squad - they seemed competent enough, if not amazing. This would be fairly simple, assuming that the enemy wasn't prepared - and they didn't seem to be.

"It's more quiet than I thought it would be. Think they're planning anything?"

Kokuten was in a WATER2 for it's defensive and support preformance tech. He quickly looked through his weapons inventory through his helm, eventually coming on the Observation Probe.

This isn't it, but it will be useful.

He deployed the Violin Shaped probe and took a moment to try and set it to watch the battle. He then quickly circled through his inventory and found the Charged Paticle Dispenser. The Medic checked it's functionality and got his mind set to drop.

Okay, first time into a combat situation, try not to fuck it for everyone else.

His reverse thrusters let go and down he went, laying out smokescreen charges in a certain timing as he fell, it wasn't perfect, but good for a first try. He hit the thrusters with poor timing, causing him to loosely crash and roll over in the ground.

"Goddammit!" He grunted, a fellow Charlie grabbed his arm and picked him off the ground. The cyborg stopped for a moment and looked up and behind, he could notice Epsilon Two about to make their assault. The Marine crouched next to him could tell the apparent lack of Power Armor awareness, and tapped Kokuten's shoulder and pointed to his Rifles loose connector from his anti-matter storage.

This moment in time, his Kokuten's ally took a poor sniper shot in left forearm, luckily only bouncing on the shield. Kokuten ducked his head, and grabbed his buddy who had been taken back abit. He and Kokuten took low cover and advanced along to try and cover Gamma's advance.

Benji considered Adrian's words and changed directions, watching his map. With a five second burst from his boosters he shot across the ground and then flicked his boosters off. Using his PA's abilities to his advantage he took a few long seconds to get his CPD going and then his Mass Mesher. He sent out his probe and as soon as he was ready he took off again on foot and then was down into another entrance, maked on his map. "Gran buddy? Keep up yor sniping. Bring down as many individual targets as possible. Adrian See if you can distract pretty boy and his sub-squad eh?"

"Follow Adrian's plan...." Benji sand and switched over so he was talking with only Adrian. "This wasn't intended... Well lets get our asses some what serious. I'll see if I can distract Rico and his buddies on the ground. see what you can do to defend the tunnels..." and then he turned to an open frequency and blasted "All for you Sophia" into it. He went to work, trying to think under pressure.

The first pair of armors Rico had spotted quickly retreated into the caves before Epsilon could reach them. Rico knew better than to follow. "Fuckin' weak!" Rico laughed in disappointment, and quickly pushed off his course, turning around to look around for more potential targets. He spotted two of the slower-to-react attempting to retreat into another cave entrance, and immediately gave the signal to attack before they could reach the safety of the enclosure.

As his squad converged on them, the six AIRs swerved and dove in intricate patterns around each other. With six sets of various charges being fired in rapid succession, the two stray marines didn't last very long. After an EMP shell detonated, the solid white charges tore into one marines limbs, violently jerking them into awkward angles before he slumped down and layed motionless. The second marine didn't get much farther, as Rico himself caught the fleeing marine with an antimatter charge to center of his back just as he dove into the hole.

This small victory, however, did not leave Rico as satisfied as he would've wished. Rico took a moment to glance at his surroundings. There were no more enemy marines above ground. Rico quickly double-checked before opening a communication channel.

"Hey Fian, it's Rico. We got a clear surface down here. They pulled back...looks like they're startin' to get their act together."

Istvan sent his observation probe to the last recorded location of the snipers, then got Gamma together. They crept from cover to cover, moving like a shadow in the night. He had found an entrance to a cave, near where the snipers had been. "Found an entrance" he reported. "I would advise we seal as many tunnels as we can. This will prevent them from surrounding us, or from performing strike-and-fades. Then we colapse the tunnel network around them." He paused, and got an arrow ready to fire "Request permission to seal this entrance?" he asked, not wanting to screw any over-stratigy that may exist.

"Well if they are not, we have won the battle already." Fian said, responding to Valkyrie's question. "But yes, it seems so. They are getting more and more organized by the minute."

Fian's trigger finger itched, shooting from the atmosphere downwards is an interesting prospect. The acceleration from the planet's gravity would greatly boost the force of incomming shells but Fian restrained himself. Doing so would blow their cover and element of surpise. Besides, the Vel Steyr knows he only has enough blood to only operate either his brain or gun. As the team leader it was obvious which one was more needed now.

"it is much too hard to plan when you know your enemy is holding something back in reserve. I'm just going to tigthen the noose untill they play their hand, and when they do that they'll know who has the more cards up his sleeve." Fian said trying to concentrate on strategy. He then noticed a pair of wicked looking Daisho blades hung on Valkyrie's AIR2. He dismissed them, there are enough things running through his head already. Besides, Val is on his team, right?

It seemed that the enemy was not paying attention to the monoeye drones floating above the battle at all. Fian took the initiative to have them remain full time in the cloud instead of weaving in and out. Tactical data begain to pour in which is then relayed to the entire Omega Squad. Anybody leaving the tunnels is not safe anymore.

"As previously ordered, Istvan." Fian responded to the planetside request. "But leave the tunnels closer to the center open, we would like them to know that they are still welcome to play with us outside."

Fian switched the commlink to Rico. "Be extra vigilant." He didn't know what else to say. The only thing left to do now is to wait...

OOC: mini-JP between me, Mola, and Davis

ON

"Understood, we'll pick off whoever we can get." Gran remarked into his comm as he pulled up a map of the tunnels in his visor. He turned to the marine beside him. "Alright, follow me, this one will take us to a covered spot, we should be able to get a good view. Make sure you have your Mesher on when we get to the mouth."

"Good, turn your MM's on aswell. There's enough rock around here to keep them confused and messed up." Benji's eyes scanned his HUD and he chewed on his lip and then murmured "I shouldn't of eaten before this..." and then took a deep breath. They'd have to come up with a better plan. For the minute, he was busy looking over the maps of the tunnels. Finally he found a common junction and then a brilliant plan snapped to mind. "I think I have an idea..." He said, backing into the tunnel entrance, so he would avoid getting shot. "Too bad we don't have better stealth capabilities..."

Adrian flipped on his comm and spoke to his unofficial CO. "Benji, down a little ways here is a big aether beam generator. It can cut through all this rock and blast the hell out of enemy armor. I can bring some kids down and secure it, if you want it for something."

"Yeah, I have a plan Adrian. Secure it and keep it safe till I get there..." he said and took off through the tunnels. It took a bit for him to get to Adrian. He walked over and then pretended to crack his knuckles. "Gran? you listening buddy?" Benji asked "Listen in on the plan I have and add anything you think will be useful..." He turned back to Adrian.

"Acknowledged. Spritzer! Hoster! With me! Let's get down to that aether beam and figure out how to get it running. Benji, if you can get me some sort of targeting data for the enemy, we can probably cut a couple of them down." Adrian bounded down the tunnel with the other two marines flanking him.

Gran reached the mouth of the cave and quickly went prone, signaling his teammate to do the same. "Alright Benji, sounds like this could get frantic." The marine beside him sighed slightly. "You got a problem?" Gran asked, slightly angry, switching to a secure link between himself and the marine. "Yeah, you," The marine replied. Gran scowled at him, "Well you can just run out there like an idiot and be turned into next year's fishnet stockings if you want. Or you can sit here with me and actually get a few kills you can gloat over." "Fine." The marine replied and sighted his rifle out the entrance of the cave. "Hey Adrian, any chance we would get caught in the blast?"

"Kish, Zaka you're on suicide duty... get out there and get us some relative coordinates!" Benji leveled his long sword at the marines and then at the tunnel entrance and the two reluctantly got going, sending out their probes and trying to stay hidden while relaying information to Benji. Benji in turn relayed the info to Adrian and his team. "Not from where you are..." Benji anwsered the question for Adrian. "It'll take a while to get running anyway... just keep up your killing..."

"Understood." Was all Gran said as he focused on the outside. "Any chance we could get some more sniping pairs up here? Could get lonely." Gran wondered how this would go down. He knew Fian and Rico were on Omega, and he was pretty sure Alpha was screwed. "So what can I call you if I need you to drag my ass outta trouble?" He said to the marine beside him, not wanting there to be uneccessary tension between them. "Reme." He replied curtly, scanning the outside perimeter. Gran smiled. "Alright Reme, let's get us some kills."

Adrian shook his head, even though Gran couldn't actually see it. "We're going to broadcast the trajectory of the beam before we fire. So you'll know before-hand." Adrian came out of the relatively narrow tunnel and into the large cavern with the massive cannon. Adrian moved forward quickly and started examining the device. "Spritzer, give me a hand here. You know this shit a little better than me."

Benji studied the map "Yeah, Gran I can spare another pair of snipers. Karo, Terance, get your asses over to Gran and his partner." The two moved off. "Your backup snipers are on the way Gran" Benji said and then pointed at four of the AIR PA's that were hanging around. "You four go and run recon on our buddies up top, do what you have to do to distract and confuse them." The four marines headed off.

"Thanks buddy." Gran said to Benji, then continued: "You think we have a good chance of at least holding 'em off?" He double-checked that his weapon was fully loaded. "Also, do you think we should booby trap as many entrances as possible?" He asked, thinking over how many more explosive charges he had in his ammo storage.

OFF

Istvan smiled almost feraly, "Gamma" he said "Bring down the tunnel as deep inside as possible without entering it." He, and the other members of his group, fired a few blasts into the tunnel, sealing it with falling rubble. "Keep your eyes open, and move carefuly, spread out, but maintain visible distances between each other. Close any tunnel or bolt-hole you come across." Istvan ordered, sending his scour around looking for more holes and tunnels... Sealing any of the ones he found, by firing some shots into them. He and his men kept alert.