RP: NSS Acadia [Mission 1, Briefing] The Dust Devil Cometh

Autumn nodded as she followed after Rico. Her thoughts were spinning as she tried to figure out what equipment that might be on hand. There is most likely some light body armor and some rifles... I can't see there being anything much heavier than some flak jackets on a transport boat. I don't mind playing this by ear... it might work out better if we have a plan though.

"This should be fun, playin' it by ear always is," the Geshrin armorer said brightly.

Amelia didn't care for that look either.

Regardless, she was certain that the foolishness would be kept down to a minimum when the fighting started. Amelia spun her mechanical hand around a couple times to make sure it was still functioning alright. Last thing she needed was to have it seize up in the middle of a firefight. Of course, the obvious solution would be to just get a newer model of cybernetics. But she wouldn't for some reason.

She brushed past Autumn on her way out of the room in time to hear her comment. "Playing it by ear? Like how intel made us do that last mission? I'm sure we all know how well that works." There was a bitter tone in her voice that really wasn't being directed at anyone. Even so, it still wasn't a very considerate statement. Especially when one realized who she was responding to. Tact was not her strong point, apparently.

"I was just down at the armory. Didn't see anything down there that none of us hasn't seen." Ran shrugged, smoking another cancer stick. The Chief walked past Amelia, nudging her left arm a bit. "Sure would be nice if the CO would let us know in briefing whether or not we have any specialized weapons. It's only na-"

In the midst of raising a cigarette to his mouth, the Chief's head had a meeting with another low-hanging piece of metal, causing him to spit the cigarette out and swear up and down the hallway. "BUT THEN AGAIN I GUESS THEY CANT FIT ANY-FUCKING-THING ON THIS TINY LITTLE FUCKING BOAT." Ran rubbed the new bruise on his forehead, leaving the cigarette to just burn out.

Kinda wished I could go with the Master Chief. I wanna see how he's changed from a Soldier Class, from way back when. "Sergeant, where the fuck have you been, anyway? Did we forget to fucking pick you up for our last little mission?"

Harrison scratched his chin.

"Well, I only flew a DD once, when I was in training on the NSS Kestrel, and I normally only use a FIRE1... So a WATER will have to do."

The unease in Harrison's voice, despite the layers of false confidence, obviously displayed Harrison's distrust in piloting a new armor, much less one he'd never trained in before.

"The control scheme of the M2 shouldn't be too different from the M3." Fian Vel Steyr entered the cargo bay, after hearing the conversation from down the corridoor. "Doesn't have the Area of Effect or indirect fire, but the weapons are just as one shot lethal. The point is though, I want you to survive alone and unsupported for an extended period of time, something the FIRE1 or DD cannot do." Here he briefly eyed Kingston. ...Or greenhorns. "You'll find the M2's superior protection and mobility a welcome respite from the M3 in this regard."

The Master Cheif cleared his throat and opened up a projector. "Here is the plan." With his finger he pointed out the docked Red Hill on one side, and the surface area surrounding the armory on the other. In between the two are scaffolding, small trenches, deactivated station point defense turrets and ominous red dots signifying known enemies scattered around the map. "Important locations and mission area."

"The first phase is to thin out the some of the enemy forces around the armory and the immediate area by attracting enemy attention to the Dust Devil. Unlike the rest of the station, the point defense twin plasma turrets of the Red Hill are operational and are more than enough to ward off Power Armor attacks for the time being."

"Marines in WATER2s, that would be you S1C Harrison, S1C Trey and S2C Morris." He pointed to each one of them in turn. "Will fan out from the Dust Devil to engage in some long range marksmanship with your LBRs. Pick off lone targets first, and when those are not available, move on to pairs and groups. Fall back and hold your positions near the Dust Devil together if the situation gets too hot. "Penton, you have sniping cred and one of the highest ranks. You are in charge of this subgroup, code name Alpha."

"The second phase is to manually re-activate the point defense turrets around the armory, they will be put on standby first until we move into the area in force later in phase three." Fian motioned at Viktor. "S3C Viktor and I will infiltrate the area in DDs to get as many turrets as we can online, or if that is done, settle into position for phase three. I will personally look out for hidden threats while I'm there. We will be subgroup Beta."

The black haired Nepleslian took a deep breath. "3rd phase, last phase. To be triggered when the OTHER infiltration team lead by Chief Rico Sanroma nears the armory. Alpha will attempt to break out of the Red Hill towards the armory while Beta will assist Alpha by breaking out towards the transport. Once we rendezvous, the entire group backed by turrets will move into the armory area to cause as much chaos as possible. This will draw Power Armors under the surface to come out and engage us, hopefully clearing the way to the armory."

Fian sighed, he hoped it wasn't too little butter on too much bread. "Any questions?"

Viktor listened intently, and was slowly beginning to understand why he'd been given a Demon to pilot instead of a WATER, and he entirely agreed with that decision. The Master Chief needed soldiers he knew were reliable marksmen and could keep a clear head while engaged in the combat that was inevitable for them. Meanwhile, he still had to fill the Dark Demons. Viktor guessed that Fian was knowledgeable of the Dark Demons pros and cons, so he figured it would be good to ask a few preliminary questions just to understand the machine better. "I do happen to have one, sir: is there anything you think I should be aware of before piloting the Dark Demon? I'm aware of its standard armaments and specs, but I also that each Armor has its perks and quirks, sir." He imagined it sounded a very green question, but he wanted to make sure he was the utmost prepared for this engagement.

Trey was mumbling to himself as he inspected the armor, going over every thing that he could see. Satisfied with his choice, the Yamataian-bodied Nepleslian mounted the machine, sitting inside while it was still open, then listened to the Master Chief's explanation. When asked if he had any questions, all he had was "When do we suit up?" naturally, if the answer was 'Now', Trey would be done in a manner of seconds, having only to put on the upper half of his WATER armor.

Henry looked at his superior, Trey Penton. In charge of Henry and Harrison's side of the mission.
"Now - would be, preferable."

He began to move over, almost ethereally towards a WATER2, opened up and in prime condition. A metal shell of wires, circuits, electricity and weaponry. He stripped down to his white boxers, leaving his uniform and his glasses folded up in a nearby locker. He stepped in and got a feel for the interior. Spartan at best, but hey - it does what it needs to do.

Before he sealed the suit, he requested to have the following swapouts,
the secondary LBR attachment to be a Continuous Stream and some Anti-PA Grenades to be at the ready. He always preferred it, found it good against crowds, and that Crooked Demon he once faced alongside Ran Rui.

"I feel alive." He spoke normally for once, to himself.

"I do happen to have one, sir: is there anything you think I should be aware of before piloting the Dark Demon?"

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"Yes..." Fian said. He looked at the three Demon suits down the bay, sighed, and then looked back at Viktor. "Our ELEMENT-types are superior in every regard. Try not to get hit."

"When do we suit up?"

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The Master Chief noticed Trey was already half-in the suit. "Yesterday." He then jogged down the bay to put on the SDD suit piece by piece. Leg components first, followed by chest, arms, head and then finally sealing all the joints together. The armor was stiff, stank and had seen better days, but at least its simplistic systems were running green. He flexed his fingers, and tested the directional fins on the Fast Booster.

"I'll have the cargo bay doors open once everyone is suited." His voice was muffled by the SDD's terrible pickup. "Are you going to need help with that, Viktor?"

Viktor couldn't help himself; he laughed. "Wilco, sir." He was standing beside the Dark Demon when his commanding officer offered aid in suiting up. He'd seen the Master Chief do it, and he knew that the Super was almost identical to the DD itself. "No sir." And to prove it, he managed to get all the pieces except the head on right the first time he tried. Sealing was a little different as he wasn't accustomed to the procedure, but he figured it out, and they all checked out airtight. He flexed the joints systematically, testing the suit. It felt... unnatural. It's reaction speed was normal, but the movements were stiffer than he had expected. Oh well, it was just something he'd have to deal with. "Ready and waiting, sir." He hefted the Dark Demon's main weapon, gripping it in both metallic hands.

At the word Yesterday, Trey wasted no time in finishing putting the suit on. It felt a little bit different from his usual AIR PA, more substantial, but the interface was almost the same, to the point that anything he didn't know was figured out in seconds. Flexing the arms, he found the movements to his liking, and the systems all checked out green, so he seemed to be fine. Hefting the LBR in the PA's hand he announced to Fian "Ready sir. When do we start?"

"Affirmative, sir." Harrison, already in the lower leg portion of the armor, quickly strapped on the remaining components and plugged the helmet in. He quickly leafed through the displays at his disposal on his HUD before experimentally moving a hand around.

"Hmm. A lot less... Bulky than the FIRE armor..." Harrison said, punching out horizontally a few times for a reflex test. "Lighter... Armor's not quite as thick. I already don't like it, but I'm pretty sure I'll get over it provided the weapons are any good."

Koenig808 said:

"Sergeant, where the fuck have you been, anyway? Did we forget to fucking pick you up for our last little mission?"

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"Hah, as if baby," Rico replied to Ran as he turned around and began taking steps backwards. He flashed a grin at the small group trailing behind him as he kept pace with them in his reversed position.

"Nah, I got reassigned to another ship, baby. NSS Bridge a' Sighs, settin' up in the Colonial Expanse. Shit was pretty hot there, yannow? Pirates an' Reds every fuckin' day, musta' killed at least a thousan' of 'em! Buncha bigass battles, shootin' the fuckers in the shit for hours an' hours," Rico bragged between his toothy grin. "Got promoted like five times, baby, and was livin' it up real nice...'till I got in a little, uh, trouble with the Cap'n's daughter, if ya know what I mean. Yeeeah...that was reeeaaal shitty. Got demoted and reassigned, and...well, here I am, Sergeant Rico Sanroma in the flesh, baby."

Rico was always a pretty good fibber. Some of what he said might have actually been true.

The dull hum of power reverberating throughout the Dust Devil echoed delicately from within the escape pod, and its metallic interior. The air was mechanically scrubbed clean, cycled, and recycled; tickling the small girl's nose, causing it to tweak.

There was a small lump on her head, a little off to the side of the forehead, but not quite to the temple. And oh how it ached. Her eyes twitched, the pain waking her up, the cold metal bench in which she was laid upon goosebumping her skin, and sending shivers up and down her spine. She groaned a little, a small hand coming up, touching the knot on her head, a wince escaping as her eyes fluttered open to slits.

The lighting was bright and white as well as fuzzy to her vision. She'd been unconscious for awhile with a concussion, but of course she did not know what that was, or ment. All she knew...an adult had yelled at her, and then pain, and darkness. Her limbs felt rubbery, but she managed to sit up, swooning slightly from the daze she felt. Her head throbbed with pain, and tears trickled down her cheeks from it on reflex. Carina pawed at her eyes, wiping away the dampness. It was at this time she felt something pressing into her, rigid, inflexible.

The little girl felt for it, and pulled out what seemed to be a card... Card? She hadn't been carrying one before...why was she now? And just what in the world was it for? She shook it and examined it in the light, holding it up, wondering what it was before she felt a pang of pain behind her eyes, the light hurt...

At first the card did not respond, but the repeated (undesired) shaking cumulated in it speaking in a feminine metallic voice. "This is Fian Vel Steyr's personal SAVTECH, Elsae." A small beep was heard as she searched and linked itself with any available and open systems nearby to argument her very limited capabilities in card-form. She could not find a video feed of her current situation but Carina's voice easily indicated that it was not her owner holding her at the moment. "Do you require assistance?"

Carina gave a startled little yelp of surprise at the sudden voice. She looked about, not seeing the owner of said voice, then looked to the card. And sure enough, the word 'SAVTECH' was ingrained on the card. A card...SPOKE?! this was a child after all, and such things as Savtechs, and a lot of other things adults take for granted were wondrous indeed... But a talking card? To her? Topped them all right now!

It had asked if Carina needed help, and from looking about, the lump on her head, and the ache she felt, the girl thought she needed it.

"Where am I... How do I get out of here...and where is my Pap-- where is Rico?" She asked in rapid succession before sniffling a little, feeling somewhat scared. The pod was small, cramped, silent save for the hum of power coursing throughout the ship...and it was of little comfort.

The light on the Savtech blinked for a moment as she started and ended Carina's query. "Starboard escape pod of the NSS Dust Devil, Chief Rico Sanroma's current position is at the portside dock exit..." The light blinked again. "Door controls accessed, would you like me to open the door?"

Elsae was just as lost as the little girl that was holding her. It had been a while since Fian Vel Steyr activated her systems, while her atomic clock showed that she had been inactive for three months, it most certainly felt like three years. A quick self-initiated query with the friendly Red Hill OS showed that the Master Chief had already left the Dust Devil. What did this mean? Did he 'misplace' her again?

Escape Pod? The girl was terribly confused... a card was talking to her, she bumped her head because of a scary man, and now her father was gone...

She sniffled at the question, considering the pod rather scary, if not cramped. "Yes...please..." She squeaked, nervous and rather wary of the voice coming from no where, yet everywhere, the originator being a simple card in her hand.

The door noisily slid opened, letting in (relatively) fresh air and light from the corridor outside. The passages seemed empty as every available personnel were already at their battle stations.

Accessing a security camera just outside the pod, Elsae noticed the bump and sticky looking red substance on top of Carina's head, a medical emergency! Going into overclock mode, she could not find an available medical practitioner in the vicinity but a .doc file on common wounds on the InterNEP, a medical cabinet in the lounge area and a bartender automation near the bar proved to be a viable solution to her query.

Her voice, while previously metallic and impersonal, changed to that of concern. "You are hurt, please retrieve a bandage from the white box in the lounge area and pass it to the mechanical arm on the bar."

The sound of the door opening, and the rush of fresher air was sweet to the little girl. The light however hurt her eyes, and made her already aching head hurt more. She winced as the voice told her where to go, the headache amplifying due to the added noise. However, she vaguely knew what a lounge was...her mother once spoke of such a place...

So, the little girl stumbled out of the pod, careful not to trip. Once out, her eyes darted to, and fro. Signs along the bulkheads indicated where everything was on the Dust Devil thankfully, and she knew how to read which was doubly handy. After walking down the deck, careful to avoid the grownups running about, she found a sign with an arrow pointing towards the lounge area.

Carina deftly touched the lump on her head, and yelped in pain, her eyes watering, and a small sniffle escaping. It hurt! and this only served to prod her forward, and into the lounge. The lounge was something she found to be an enigma, bottles everywhere, tables, chairs and a robot arm... after some investigation, she indeed found a white box, and bandages after tossing aside several packets. Stimulants, burn creams, antiseptic pads, pain killers. Following the instructions of that voice, she warily held the bandage out to the robot arm, a little nervous of it.