Okay folks, this is it. We've been doing recon and working with the Russians to watch this base for months. This has been on my initiative; the Council wanted it assaulted the moment we found it and we've had the means for about two months, but I was not going to send you in until I felt you were sufficiently well-equipped to undertake this operation. I am now convinced you are.
We're hitting the base. Ralwood, you've cross-trained on the MEC-3 and the KSM. Sanderson has a cold; you're taking the Paladin in. Star, since Trashman is waging his one-man war on EXALT pretty effectively you're sniper-on-the-spot. E, Ryan, grab your scatter lasers. Polpolion, you're making sure I get live soldiers back. Irina, you're backing up the Paladin with a Heavy Plasma.
I have the utmost confidence in you all. You have bested the invaders in every engagement and made them bleed for every step they have taken upon the soil of Earth. What you do today will be legend. Make it a good one.
----------Sky, this is Phantom. We have alien craft lifting off from the base. Interceptors and PAK FAs engaging.
Dammit, the FAs are getting slaughtered here! Central, this is Scotty, tell the Russians to pull them out!
Target down, target down!
Good kill, good kill-Hobbie watch your six!
Interceptor Flight, this is Birch. The FAs are retreating.
Phantom, deep six, four klicks!
I see-whoever got that fighter, thank you very much.
You are welcome, Interceptor Flight. Friendlies entering the battle area.
****, are those Foxhounds?
The Interceptor design owes them a lot. Respect the Foxhound.
Central, Sky, we are on the ground. Strike is going for the breach.
Operation Glass Serpent, June 27th, 7:30pm (local) Siberia wilderness, Russia
Deployed: Admiral "Marauder" Ralwood" (MEC-3, Mission Commander), Starslayer "Tiradora" (sniper), Polpolion "Polly" (support), Irina "Casino" Ignatyeva (heavy), MP-Ryan "Spike" (assault), The "Psycho" E (assault)
"For Deathfun."
"No resistance Central. You receiving the cam feeds?
"Strike, this is the Commander. Confirm. God knows what they're doing to those folks. One more reason."
"Agreed, Commander. Strike is moving out."
"Mechtoid and friends."
"I got this."
"Sectoid down."
"The other ran for it.
"Hostiles! Mutons and a Berserker!"
"Winged him, he's still coming-"
"Firing. Hit. Miss! Damn it, here he-TARGET DOWN!"
"Hostile terminated."
"Other one also ran for it."
"It's like being a room full of sphincters..."
"Now you know why the armor's environmentally sealed."
"Breaching-target located. Target terminated."
"We got a lot of chatterboxes up ahead."
"Taking a look-Mechtoid and friends-Muton fireteam."
"Coming bac-woah!"
"Dammit, missed him."
"No hits!"
"Two rounds off, just dropped his shield."
"He's mad!"
"I got this one, take the Mechtoid."
"Firing! Oh, you're not happy now are you?"
"Engaging KS-woah! Get the **** off! And STAY down!"
"Damn, negative hit on the Mechtoid. Berserker screwed up the targeting module, rebooting!"
"Target is hit, but he's still moving-oh ****."
"Polly!"
"I'm all right."
"Armor is holding."
"Dammit, didn't crack his shield!"
"Star?"
"Just a scorch mark. Taking down the Muton."
"Flanking the other-damn, he's still up."
"KSM-oh come on! I'm going to stuff this right up your-
"Was that really necessary, Ralwood?"
"No, but it made me feel better."
"Fair call."
"Dropping the last Muton."
"Firing! Miss-hit! Sectoid down!"
"One of them ran for-oh my god."
"Not again..."
"We're blowing this place to hell. If I have to steal a Russian nuke myself."
"Pull close folks; popping Mist. Okay, everyone's patched up, let's keep moving."
"Targets ahead. I have infrared traces and noise."
"Aliens are never going to learn about their damn sound and light discipline."
"Drones!"
"That's it? Come on."
"Nope, got a Sectoid too! Target down!"
"Drone down."
"These little buggers are bouncing around a lot-Second drone down."
"I'm...feeling kinda woozy."
"It's that console, double or nothing. Block it out, man."
"Got noise, sounds like a Cyberdisc."
"Contact-red-colored Sectoid, Mutons."
"Cyberdisc and drones! His aim's not very good!"
"Damn, missed-woah! Got him that time."
"Drones are repairing him, dammit!"
"No hit!"
"Targeting the new Sectoid; I don't feel like finding out what makes him special. Target down!"
"Hit! Hit! Cyberdisc is down! Took one of the drones with him!"
"Dammit, missed!"
"Likewise! Irina!"
"Rocket-****! MP!"
"I'm all right-woah! ****! I got red lights all over and my arm's not working so good!"
"Stay calm. We got your back. Muton down."
"Drone negated."
"Stunning the Muton. He's sleeping."
"Commander, this is Strike Leader. Mission successful, repeat, mission successful. MP-Ryan is injured. Equipment damage to others. Request update on Sky."
Strike, this is the Commander. Sky was strafed but reports still operational. The Interceptors have cleared the skies. Cleanup crews and the VDV troops are deploying to your position. Remain in place until the VDV arrives and then return home.
Central, we have a couple of bent birds here, Phantom's going to be in the shop a bit. Please convey our thanks to the Russian tankers. Hobbie and I are remaining on-station to escort Sky home.
It was funny. When I was a child, I wanted nothing more than the blue beret the VDV wear. Instead I ended up here. Today, the Blue Berets looked like frightened children when they saw us in our Titan armor and Ralwood in the Paladin. An odd feeling to surpass one's dreams.
The operation went remarkably smoothly. The rocket going off-course was troublesome, but MP made it safely. I had one moment of horrible visions of Deathfun...but the Titan armor kept MP safe, at least for those few moments. He seemed philosophical about it, claiming he was setting a record for kills despite time in the infirmary.
Must check in on Micheal. He looked terrible this morning, the flu or something. Shame, I was hoping for a night on the town this evening.
---------You want to go public, Commander?
Not totally. However we have total coverage on the satellite constellation now, and total Interceptor coverage. Part of the problem has always been that people don't feel they are protected. We should let them know they are.
The plan has merit. We will be in touch, Commander.