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RP: NSS Altomir [Mission 1.1] Gathering the Bearings

Alex chuckled and shook her head. Des seemed like good person and good marine. At least for now, hopefully she will be also good at combat. "Okay as we cross the the distance to the building activate your snakeskin. Otherwise no active scanning and such. We will trust our eyes and our suits audio-receptors." Alex said as she climbed the stairs.

She activated her snakeskin and quickly checked the surrounding area with her eyes. Not seeing anything she moved fast, crossing the road and running in the building. She then moved up to the two soldier here to relief them.

"Hey mates," she said as she walked in on them. "Go back to the station and have some rest, we will handle it here. Anything interesting we should worry about? Noticed something while up here?" She asked as she looked around the room two marines chose as their guard-nest.
 
Devlin gasped. “You wouldn’t,” he said in a mock hurt tone as he watched the embers fall into his lap. The redhead brushed them off and secured his arms around the jet fuel, cradling it like an infant. “Don’t listen to the mean lady,” he cooed to it, “She’s just mad that she doesn’t have a precious gem like you, instead of her stinky oil.” Devlin let out a laugh, more at himself than anything else, before putting the jerry can away.

He turned his attention back to the private and looked her in the eyes with a casual smile. "So," he paused to sift through his memory for a name, "Miss Towa, where are you from?"
 
The cigar was shorter now, about half way spent as Yuriko considered Devlin's question. The Geshrin woman let out a bellow of smoke through her nose before answering.

"A little place called Doshington. It's a college town on Nepleslia. Nice five mile stretch of gun stores, and shooting ranges."
 
Violetta turned to Bernhard as he spoke to her, his suggestion of rest warranting a single, simple shake of her head in response. "I am fine, soldier. I doubt I could get much rest anyway; we will be moving very soon."

---

As Desiree and Alexandra approached the two previous guards, their armored exteriors rose up to meet them. One of the Hostiles shook its head as Alex asked of any possible problems. "Nah. Been quiet since we got up here. Some wreckage will occasionally hit around the city; stuff from the battle is still in orbit, though its harder to see now that the sun's coming back up. Good luck," the two Hostiles began to make their way to the stairwell, shouldering their weapons and conversing between one another.

No sooner had they reached the door, however, then all of their HUDs flashed a shade of red and began emitting short cautionary beeps of warning. Each Hostile's sensor suites would detect incoming objects a kilometer or so to the north. Each powered armorsuits' red monoeyes turned in that direction, gathering information from an array of emissions; although they could detect incoming objects, at that distance it was impossible to discern just what those objects were. What they did know was that, judging from the direction and orientation, they were traveling by the main street from the north, and they were approaching at a good 70 miles per hour or so.

The peer-to-peer communication between the squads armorsuits also gave the same information and warnings to each of the other marines. Those still in their suits could see the cautionary warnings clearly, while those outside of the suits would no doubt notice the alarms from the opened Hostiles positioned around the subway station. Violetta herself took notice to them, turning her head immediately towards one of the opened, unpowered armor with a look of concern and determination.

The noise also roused Flint Vanderhuge, the Grand Admiral's eyes opening immediately to the sounds, but otherwise not moving from his seated resting position.

---

The two Hostiles near the door immediately turned around in the direction of where their suits sensors were warning them of, before turning their heads back to Alex and Des, looking to them for their reactions to the alarming news.
 
Alexandra did not like what she saw. Not to mention there were not much time and other had to be warned. There were two possibilities. Either all four soldiers will go downstairs and regroup or some will stay up, hid and watch what was coming. It was had choice really, still her orders were set. Stay up on the watch.

"Bugger," she sweared and looked at other marines. "You guys, go down quickly and get everyone on their feet and suited up. We do not know if is friendly or unfriendly unit coming. I will stay in the building and keep watch. If it will be enemy I can at least get attention of some of them and get them in the crossfire between the station and the building. Now go!" She ordered other marines and quickly moved in the building to find nice nest. She hoped a little Des will move back in the station, because if lookout did not have very big chance of survival if the contact was enemy.

She kept her snakeskin one and her sensors on passive to not be seen right away. Alex wished she had a probe to send ahead, but she had to use her own eyes for now. She readied her HPAR and waited, looking into the street to see what was coming.
 
Des frowned. "But we can't just leave you here! That's..."

She paused, thinking of protecting the rest of the troops and the importance of the two admirals still in the station. Des sighed, but stood tall.

"All right. I forgot that there are so few of us here that... well anyway... good luck, Alex." She patted the medic on the shoulder before hurrying along with the other two Marines.
 
Bernhard jumped to his feet, alert and wary.

With his HPAR in hand, he strode over to the Admiral. Without hearing the details from the guys posted outside, it was premature for him to act. So he just waited patiently beside the VIPs.
 
"Just a second," Alex said, before Des hurried of. Shee took the armored box containing of all the cerebral chips of marines she could not save today. She at least saved their chips. "Give these to Greer. And don't worry about me, I don't plan on dying just yet!" She said to cheer the other woman up. She smiled as they started hurrying off.

Nice meeting you Des, Alex though as she hurried to her lookout room.
 
At the sound of the alarm, Devlin tilted his head up toward his exposed Hostile. He wanted to get to know Yuriko better, but the call of duty and an unhealthy dose of curiosity propelled the marine into his suit. The plates slid into place, the HUD dropping down to relay what the topside group had already learned. The inbounds were not much to go on, but it was just what Devlin needed to escape the passive anxiety.

Giddy with joy, Devlin cleaned up his eating space, happy that he had a purpose to work towards. The food and company had been nice, but the monotony that came with the idleness was too much to bear for the Nepleslian when he was itching for action. Snapping his ration into place, he turned to Yuriko. “Come, Miss Towa of Doshington,” he said while offering a hand, “It’s time to fight the good fight, and defend the common folk.”
 
Des stowed away the container of chips Alex handed her.

Never forget.

Exiting the building seemed to take much longer than Des expected. She and the other two Marines hit the street outside, crossed to the station and joined the others who were hastily suiting up. She found Bernhard and held the chips out to him.

"Alex wanted you to have these," said Des.
 
Bernhard overheard the greenhorn, Devlin, start hitting on Private Towa. She was his de facto squad leader and the newbie sounded a lot like another womanizer that Bernhard had become familiar with. Time to take a couple pages out of Laura's book and get some payback.

He strode over the lower ranked Marine and smack the back of his helmet. "Respect the rank, P3C. And get serious. 'Cos you know nothing about fighting the 'good fight' or 'defending the common folk.'" Bernhard spoke with very obvious disdain and no small amount of condescension.

But before he could launch his tirade any further, Desiree approached him with the cerebral chips. He looked from them to the new P3C as a lump in his throat formed. "What the hell is she doing?" Bernhard as he took the chips from Des and strode towards the stairwell. "What the HELL is she doing? Greer to Mayhew, come in!"
 
Saveli pushed himself off the ground at the notice, gripping his HPAR rather tightly. The most recent notice of enemy contact drove him to tie up with the others, carefully checking the other entrances. He found safety in numbers, especially as Desiree returned to their numbers. The fact that Alex wasn't with her, though, was a might disturbing.

"You know, Greer." spoke the Iromakuanhe with his odd accent, "You could do with a little more idealism. You seem to lack it where most have it, at least, as I have observed."
 
Yuriko could only spare Devlin a smirk as she patted out the cherry red end of the cigar stub. Brushing it off lightly with a finger, Yuriko pocketed it as she got to her feet with a grunt and jangling of dogtags. She didn't take the man's hand, instead giving him a little shove toward his own suit.

"Get into your suit, Marine. And try not to get shot." Her voice, tired even the yawn that came with her words sounded lackluster and without energy. Climbing into her Hostile, Yuriko left the helmet off for the time being even as the rest closed in around her. She seemed to be waiting, waiting to get her suit going at just the right moment.
 
Violetta turned and watched Desiree return with the other two marines, her eyebrows furrowing as she began to draw closer while Des and Bernhard made their short exchange. "Marine, I assigned you and another to hold position outside, what are you doing away from your post?"

---

Back above ground, the objects drawing closer came into detectable range, Alexandra's triplet of monoeyes fixated in their direction and working frantically on several spectrum. The sensor suite was roughly 87% certain on the composition of the incoming units, displaying them to Alexandra on a small bulleted list, which was then directly relayed to the rest of the Hostiles in the area.

Leading the group was a vehicle of large make, most likely a moving truck or large utility vehicle. The multitude of monoeyes could detect life forms amongst the vehicle in question, body composition and shape suggesting three Nepleslians, two Geshrintal and one Delsaurian. They appeared to carry no weapons and were not dressed for combat; one of the Geshrintals also appeared to be an infant, small in stature and build, and being held by the other Geshrin. Driving the vehicle, however, was a registered NAM Hostile powered armorsuit, identification signals clearly distinguishing it amongst the others.

Behind the vehicle were four more alarming signals, becoming clearer and closer as each second passed. One NMX Render, with a compliment of three NMX Ripper units. The quartet were in hot pursuit of the vehicle, utilizing their personal thruster systems to make leaping bounds to keep up with the speeding vehicle. On occasion, the Render would fire a few rounds from its lower-mounted gatling gun, pelting the sides and rear of the truck with minigun fire.

---

All of the information that the Hostiles were receiving about the fast-approaching figures was also being delivered to Violetta, her headset projecting a one-way volumetric screen across her right eye to visually relay the important information. The news caused her distress to grow further, the female officer biting her lower lip as she verified the information for a third time. Turning away from Desiree, Violetta began walking towards the center of the group, standing a few feet away from Flint's reclining body. "Nevermind that marine. Soldiers, we have incoming signals... it appears to be another stray marine escorting a group of civilians. They are being pursued by what appears to be four NMX armored troops."

A flash of dangerous determination streaked across Violetta's face as she adjusted her glasses carefully with a couple extended, lithe fingers. "We'll need to move quickly; if we set half of our marine compliment outside while the rest make use of the stairwell as cover, we can create a crossfire zone with which to catch the enemy in after the truck has passed," Violetta finished, turning her head towards a couple of the soldiers lining the walls, pointing towards them. "You, you, and-"

"Hold on, now," Flint Vanderhuge interrupted Violetta's orders in a gruff tone, attempting to hoist himself up using the edge of the fountain. Once his imposing figure had returned to standing, the Grand Admiral went about adjusting his body armor as he looked over at the marines. Although his voice was quiet and somewhat lax, his expression appeared to be one of professionalism. "I don't have one of those fancy earpieces. Someone tell me what the squiddies are doing."
 
Hot slugs pegged holes in the side of the truck as it sped down the street. Rubber burned from the tires, leaving scorched marks on the pavement with every odd slide the vehicle made.

Like a gazelle trying to shake off the fangs of predatory lions, the truck shimmied and twisted as its driver red-lined the engine and took a turn, fishtailing the vehicle around a corner.

Not enough.

No matter what he tried, the predators would not be shaken. They smelled blood and the anticipation of a fresh kill. The air was laced with panicked screams as the NMX closed in on the truck.

Inch by inch, they would close in, and then feast on the slaughter.

The Hostile piloting the truck would prove little more than a nagging distraction under the combined force of the NMX attackers, but the blasted pest wasn't making it any easier.

Automated distress signals pinged from the hostile, trying to make contact with any friendlies nearby. Other than that, there was little time for the driver to think, little thought other than that which was focused on the struggle for survival.

And what the next turn would be.
 
Alexandra was not happy what she saw. Her monoeyes zoomed in and gave her good idea what was going on. Medic gritted her teeth and prepared her HPAR. Only half a magazine, not nearly enough. Not to mention there was a Render and more then anything three bloody Rippers. It was first time Alexandra saw a Render, but she heard about penis-minigun mecha before. Render was mainly AA unit, but it was more than capable of handling ground combat too. Luckily it was slow. Ripper was not though.

Alexandra had to commend the skill of the driver. It was mere truck, but those armoured units were not able to take it down yet. Also driving seventy in rubbled street needed skill. The question was, what to do now.

"Ma'am!" Alexandra opened line to squad, but addressing De Luca, not knowing that Flint was awake already. "Truck with civvies, driven by marine, they have Ripper and three Render unit in pursuit. I am in high position and have visual. Seeking permision to open fire and buy those guys time to get here!" She said and meanwhile aimed well at Ripper that was the closest one to truck and it was target that her HPAR should be able to handle well. Shorter bursts should be able to hit well and Alexandra was quite skilled markswoman. Accurate fire on longer distance was her kind of game. That and punching people, but in that would not help in this situation at all.
 
Saveli turned, somewhat distressed by the sudden escalation of the situation from common fire-fight to desperate struggle. The Rear Admiral began handing out orders with her determined face, while Marines shoved others into armor. There was a mild chaos ensuing, especially considering the situation. As Flint called for situation report, the dented Hostile housing the Iromakuanhe turned half-way to face the massive man, Impaler rifle at the ready.

"Civilians, sir. Mayhew has reported that a Marine is driving a truck with civilians. They are being tailed by three Ripper Power Armors and one Render Heavy-Gunner Frame. The armored NMX squadron seems extremely intent on destroying the vehicle, considering the reported fire and size of armament." reported Saveli to the out-of-the-loop Fleet Admiral.
 
Bernhard burned hot with anger for a minute then cooled himself down. I am not a coward! He remembered Lisa Simmons' accusation from the last mission. And that reminded him of what his father had said about proving oneself. He had no need to prove himself to these people. Bernhard had already been tested twice in combat; thrice if he counted today. And now was not the time to discuss philosophy.

From behind his skull-like Monoeye, he glared at Saveli for a minute and walked up to the top of the staircase to get a better view of what might be approaching.
 
Devlin fell into his suit with little grace, bummed that the pillars of camaraderie had collapsed around him. Where he went wrong, he was unsure. At first, he merely thought that Berhnard was jealous of Yuriko receiving all the attention, while he sat by his lonesome with only a shotgun, but then…Et tu Towa!

The armored layers slid into place and the HUD came to life in an onslaught of sensory data, allowing the marine to hang in dejection as he snapped the ration into one of the Hostile's appropriate spaces. Could they not see that he was only trying to be friendly? His father often dwelled on the importance of bonds, in his war stories. Powerful ties forged in blood and booze that would hold a squad together through the thick of things.

Devlin didn't know how to go about something like that, never getting the chance to ask his adoptive parent too many questions while on his death bed, but it did not matter. Private Greer was right; he had to get serious - NO, very serious. This was war, not a simple market run! He would worry about his social insecurities another time when he had a shoulder to cry on, or another bottle of hot sauce to douse his woes.

Private Devlin Marsh of the 1st Fleet Marines took a closed fist and slammed it against his open palm, making a silent vow to himself. He opened his mouth, ready to volunteer to head topside with Mayhew, but rightly closed it, biting his fat tongue in the process. Recalling the recent incident, he decided against it. Berhnard and Miss Towa already had a go at the redhead, the last thing he wanted was Saveli or Mort to slap him silly, or, creators forbid, Flint Vanderhuge.

He leaned back against the station wall, taking a breath, and simply waited for his orders.
 
Des now wished she was back with Alex. Yes, every Marine was useful on street level now, but Alex shouldn't be alone! And Des quit her post without the admiral's permission!

Good going, Des. Always one to rationalize bad ideas. Wait, maybe it was the right idea? Damn! You can't make your mind up for shit! No wonder you put up with Jared for over a decade!

"Very sorry, Ma'am, but Mayhew..." Des was cut short by the Admiral as new information was coming in about the approaching truck and the NMX in hot pursuit.

Well, however stupid Des felt for her actions, a whole new problem covered it up. For now. Des fell in line next to the other marines and waited for new orders.
 
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