First Lieutenant George Ambrose waited in the briefing room until all of the First Platoon marines were present and accounted for. They'd been standing at attention for a few moments now, and Ambrose thought he got his point across. "You may be seated," he said firmly, walking back to the podium. After waiting for them to quiet down, he began his presentation.
"Before I begin, I'd like to introduce Mister Willums. He's a consultant with a background in behavior analysis that has joined our company and will be accompanying us on this mission." Ambrose nodded at Willums, and then looked out at his troops.
"Alright, here's the situation, marines. Communication with a mining colony on Cygnis Minor has been disrupted. The company sent a reconnasaince transport to determine the cause, but it too has gone quiet, unable to be reached. We were contacted nearly 24 hours ago about making a drop at this facility to investigate the cause of the communications problem, since Cygnis Minor is close to our current flight path."
A visual layout of the mining colony appeared on the monitor behind Ambrose. It showed a large mountain range to the northeast of the main colony. Leading from the mountain was an unpaved roadway that connected with five different buildings - labelled A through E on the image - the largest of which (A) was the main processing plant. A set of interconnecting elevated bridges connected all buildings, save one lone western complex (E). Almost as if acting as a moat around the colony was a river which ran north/south on the western side. The processing plant sat due north of most of the other buildings, some of which were no doubt also used to collect and package the mined materials but other for personal use of the miners themselves.
"We've reached a standard orbit around the planet, and this map represents the latest image we've been able to capture from the surface. As you can see, there is significant damage to one of the land bridges and little visual activity, so we're going to be cautious about this." Ambrose paused, looking at the map for a moment before continuing. "First Platoon will land at the southwestern outskirts of the colony - a dropship image has been superimposed on the satellite photo to show the location of our landing zone - on the opposite side of the river, named C13F5. Assuming no significant damage has occurred to the river's bridge, we'll use it to cross into the main colony in the APC."
Ambrose cleared his throat. "The first priority is to investigate and secure the colony buildings. Once we're across the bridge, First Platoon will unload at the unpaved road directly south of Building C. At this point, you'll break off into sections to sweep the area. Section Alpha, led by Sergeant Schiefer, will make its way west and sweep Buildings B and F. Once completed, Section Alpha is to hold ground at F and await Section Bravo, which will be led by Sergeant Graves, and whose responsibility after disembarking the APC is to head due east and sweep Building D and then work their way back through Building C. Once both buildings have been cleared, Bravo will rendezvous with Alpha at their position in Building F, and then proceed as a platoon to the main processing plant, Building A. Once it's secured, PFC Karasu, Richtor, Mister Willums, and I will bring the APC to your location and join you."
"If the miners are there and accounted for, great. Mission over. If the place is vacant, the second objective is to locate the facility's workforce. We're told the operation is manned by over two dozen miners and personnel, plus an additional eight reserve workers. We've no evidence of any hostile activities, but as always, if any hostile threat exists, we're cleared to handle it as we deem necessary. Though we've been told emphatically that preservation of the main complex should be one of our main concerns."
The digital map faded, and Ambrose paced for a moment, then continued. "Here are your squad assignments," he said, punching a few commands on the podium to bring up the active roster.
The lights returned to normal, causing Ambrose to squint slightly. He eyed the marines as they reviewed the list, knowing who would be directly in charge of their individual squads and larger sections.
"Now listen up," he said, clearly meaning business. He walked away from the podium. "It sickens me to think of the shit you've given your fellow officers thus far, and I pray to God there isn't any opposition on this planet, because I honestly can't say whether or not you'd be able to survive it. But I'm telling you all right now that you'd better pull your head out of your ass and screw it back onto your neck, because the only way you people are going to survive this shit is to stay frosty and follow orders. I don't want any hero bullshit down there - you stay in formation, listen to your section leaders, and watch each others' back. Maybe, just maybe, if you can pull that off, you'll make it back to the Omaha."
The room was silent after Ambrose finished, and he clasped his hands behind his back. "Now, if there aren't any questions, I suggest you get ready. I want full equipment check in one hour, 0900. Karasu and Richtor, get the dropship and APC prepped and ready to roll. Regroup in the hanger to prepare for departure once you've equipped yourself. Weapons and equipment only, people. We're not going to need the overnight gear or any of that other shit. That clear, soldiers?"
((OOC: Thanks to Schiefer for the great map of the colony!))
"Before I begin, I'd like to introduce Mister Willums. He's a consultant with a background in behavior analysis that has joined our company and will be accompanying us on this mission." Ambrose nodded at Willums, and then looked out at his troops.
"Alright, here's the situation, marines. Communication with a mining colony on Cygnis Minor has been disrupted. The company sent a reconnasaince transport to determine the cause, but it too has gone quiet, unable to be reached. We were contacted nearly 24 hours ago about making a drop at this facility to investigate the cause of the communications problem, since Cygnis Minor is close to our current flight path."
A visual layout of the mining colony appeared on the monitor behind Ambrose. It showed a large mountain range to the northeast of the main colony. Leading from the mountain was an unpaved roadway that connected with five different buildings - labelled A through E on the image - the largest of which (A) was the main processing plant. A set of interconnecting elevated bridges connected all buildings, save one lone western complex (E). Almost as if acting as a moat around the colony was a river which ran north/south on the western side. The processing plant sat due north of most of the other buildings, some of which were no doubt also used to collect and package the mined materials but other for personal use of the miners themselves.
"We've reached a standard orbit around the planet, and this map represents the latest image we've been able to capture from the surface. As you can see, there is significant damage to one of the land bridges and little visual activity, so we're going to be cautious about this." Ambrose paused, looking at the map for a moment before continuing. "First Platoon will land at the southwestern outskirts of the colony - a dropship image has been superimposed on the satellite photo to show the location of our landing zone - on the opposite side of the river, named C13F5. Assuming no significant damage has occurred to the river's bridge, we'll use it to cross into the main colony in the APC."
Ambrose cleared his throat. "The first priority is to investigate and secure the colony buildings. Once we're across the bridge, First Platoon will unload at the unpaved road directly south of Building C. At this point, you'll break off into sections to sweep the area. Section Alpha, led by Sergeant Schiefer, will make its way west and sweep Buildings B and F. Once completed, Section Alpha is to hold ground at F and await Section Bravo, which will be led by Sergeant Graves, and whose responsibility after disembarking the APC is to head due east and sweep Building D and then work their way back through Building C. Once both buildings have been cleared, Bravo will rendezvous with Alpha at their position in Building F, and then proceed as a platoon to the main processing plant, Building A. Once it's secured, PFC Karasu, Richtor, Mister Willums, and I will bring the APC to your location and join you."
"If the miners are there and accounted for, great. Mission over. If the place is vacant, the second objective is to locate the facility's workforce. We're told the operation is manned by over two dozen miners and personnel, plus an additional eight reserve workers. We've no evidence of any hostile activities, but as always, if any hostile threat exists, we're cleared to handle it as we deem necessary. Though we've been told emphatically that preservation of the main complex should be one of our main concerns."
The digital map faded, and Ambrose paced for a moment, then continued. "Here are your squad assignments," he said, punching a few commands on the podium to bring up the active roster.
SECTION ALPHA Section Leader: Sergeant Schiefer (CommTech) First Squad Squad Leader: Corporal Pliskin Infantry: PFC Summers Smart Gunner: PFC Stafford Medic: Private Stokes Second Squad Squad Leader: Corporal Jackson Sniper/Scout: PFC England Medic: Private Gazes Smart Gunner: Private CrawfordSECTION BRAVO Section Leader: Sergeant Graves (Sniper/Scout) Third Squad Squad Leader: Corporal Stokely Smart Gunner: PFC Bradley CommTech: Private Sharp Medic: Lance Corporal Steele Fourth Squad Squad Leader: Lance Corporal Ivanov (Demo) Smart Gunner: Private Hawkins Infantry: Private GethingsDROPSHIP/APC First Platoon Leader: First Lieutenant Ambrose Pilot/Driver: PFC Karasu Synthetic: "Richtor" Consultant: Bert Willums (behavioral analysist)
The lights returned to normal, causing Ambrose to squint slightly. He eyed the marines as they reviewed the list, knowing who would be directly in charge of their individual squads and larger sections.
"Now listen up," he said, clearly meaning business. He walked away from the podium. "It sickens me to think of the shit you've given your fellow officers thus far, and I pray to God there isn't any opposition on this planet, because I honestly can't say whether or not you'd be able to survive it. But I'm telling you all right now that you'd better pull your head out of your ass and screw it back onto your neck, because the only way you people are going to survive this shit is to stay frosty and follow orders. I don't want any hero bullshit down there - you stay in formation, listen to your section leaders, and watch each others' back. Maybe, just maybe, if you can pull that off, you'll make it back to the Omaha."
The room was silent after Ambrose finished, and he clasped his hands behind his back. "Now, if there aren't any questions, I suggest you get ready. I want full equipment check in one hour, 0900. Karasu and Richtor, get the dropship and APC prepped and ready to roll. Regroup in the hanger to prepare for departure once you've equipped yourself. Weapons and equipment only, people. We're not going to need the overnight gear or any of that other shit. That clear, soldiers?"
((OOC: Thanks to Schiefer for the great map of the colony!))
