Chapter 46: Chapter 45: Operation Creeping Vine (1st Platoon)
Lincoln
The silence in the Shuttle was unnerving. It had been hours since we'd docked at the Station, and the tension was building.
According to Cpt. Ronova's plan, once the Venator gave the signal, the breaching charges set against the hull of the Station would blow inwards. Once the way was clear, the 1st Platoon would hot jump into the opening to provide a beachhead for the 2nd Platoon. Once all the Marines were inside, the Shuttle would detach from its perch on the hull and run CAS (Close Air Support) missions on the weapon emplacements that dotted the Stations rings.
I pulled up the image of the Station, running through Operation Creeping Vine in my head. It was a simple plan with only a few ROEs (Rules of Engagement) and simple objectives and targets. My Platoon, the 1st, was tasked with taking the Command center. The 2nd Platoon would be split in two, the Alpha team assaulting the Reactor room, and Beta in charge of securing the Main Research Facility. The goal was to take control of these key areas, ensuring that some nutcase didn't try to sabotage us or the station before we secured the necessary intelligence and equipment.
I rotated the station in my mind, planning the routes and analyzing the obstacles that would impede my progress. The station was shaped like a top, with three rings in descending diameters surrounding the rod-like body of the station. The largest one, designated Prime, was wrapped around the very top of the station's narrow body. It had the most direct connection to the main body, allowing easy transition between the rings. The command center was at the station's peak and would be my target. The second ring held the Research facilities and would be the Beta team's target. Alpha would have to travel to the station base, which held most of the systems that regulated the Reactor.
As I mused about the plan, a flashing red light cut through my thoughts. An announcement rang out, the Captain's voice echoing through the Shuttle's belly.
"Attention! The Venator will be dropping its stealth in 5 minutes. Sergeants, secure your squads. Lieutenants, prepare for boarding." As soon as the announcement ended, the sergeants shouted at their Marines to tighten up, secure their harnesses', and check their weapons. I reflexively checked my Khopesh, ensuring I had a D.A.R.T. round chambered and the safety off. Once I ran through the checklist of Hot-Breach Boarding Actions, I opened a link to my sergeants.
"Sgt. Burr, are your boys ready?"
"Ready and waiting, bossman!"
"Gutierrez?"
"Locked and Loaded, LT."
"Rotterdam?"
"Systems at 100%."
"Sgt. Marcus?"
"We're good, Lieutenant."
As the words of affirmation rolled in, an alarm sounded. A loud, whining vibration seemed to shake my optical sensor like a pair of dice. An automated voice rose above the din of Marines.
"Hot-Breach Charges detonating in 5..."
Silence fell as the countdown started.
"...4..."
The sound of ENTT shifting in their harnesses was deafening in the quiet.
"...3..."
I did one last check of my kit.
"...2..."
"...1."
Somewhere beyond the Heron's hull, four carefully placed shape charges detonated. The blast shook the Shuttle, and I could see various unsecured equipment shuddering after the explosion. As the shaking ended, the doors on the port side of the Heron drifted open, revealing a massive hole in the side of the Prime ring. Alarms sounded, and the sealed space between the shuttle and the opening seemed to vibrate with the noise. I could see a thin, transparent green field extend over the opening. The station's automatic life-support threat protocol was designed to cover any breach with a field of atmosphere, sealing the vulnerable interior from the vacuum of space.
"Jump, Jump, Jump!" My voice traveled over the Platoon net, driving my squads to leap across the opening. As I followed my men through the breach, the silence of space was torn away by gunfire. As I landed, I took stock of the situation. The platoon was spread out in what looked like a courtyard or common area. Frightened civilians fled the area, running through doors that dotted the perimeter. The area was clean, with the plasteel walls and floor painted a rich white. Various forms of flora broke up the space, and solid walls of ceramacrete held back carefully trimmed bushes and fountain pools.
Alarms were already sounding, and I came to a decision.
"Marcus, figure which of these doors takes us to the center. Gutierrez, post your people at the southern and northern entrances. Rotterdam, put your boys to work fortifying this position. Burr, you and your people will hold this position against any opposition."
My sergeants quickly went about following my orders. It was only a matter of time before whatever security the station had arrived. As my platoon spread over the area, I heard more boots connecting with the floor, heralding the 2nd Platoon.
"Lincoln, report." The firm voice of Captain Ronova echoed through the chamber, drawing my attention away from my people. I saluted to her, laying out the situation in brief sentences. Once I'd finished, she nodded to me before shouting orders.
"Lt. Jackson, get your people on overwatch. Take off the head of anybody that pokes their head through those doors. I want your Sgt. Tennent to put his shields here and here." She pointed to areas that fell between the fountains and bush retaining walls.
The Marines spread out, some taking up positions for overwatch, others hurrying to join my men in their positions. I noticed that a few of Lt. Jackson's people were carrying what looked like a bulky sniper rifle.
The M460 "LongBow" Sniper Rifle was also chambered in D.A.R.T. Rounds, but their caliber was three times larger than the Khopeshes. In training, I'd watched those rounds punch through ENTT Armor like a hot knife through butter. I knew that Imperial Boarding Armor was much weaker than our own, so I was glad to have those rifles on our side.
As the Marines settled into position, the main doors on each side of the room slid open. Through them came what seemed to be hundreds of men. They streamed into the courtyard, firing at the visible Marines with various small arms.
"Open fire; watch your friendlies!" The order rang out over the Company battle network, and suddenly every marine started laying into the enemy. My rifle coughed as I started punching holes in the enemy, sprays of blood splattering over the clean white floor. I heard the *buzz* sound of the ENTT's Tabar's whirring to life, followed by a hailstorm of bullets biting into the enemy. Sgt. Burr carefully walked his fire across the line of guards, D.A.R.T. rounds shredding his targets into barely recognizable piles of bone and flesh.
*CHUNK* *CHUNK*
The report of the Longbows carried throughout the room, their users picking off vulnerable targets with an almost rhythmic sound.
The guards who'd reached cover spread out in front of their respective entrances, peaking out of cover to send unaimed sprays of bullets in the direction of my men. The *Thwing-Crack* of bullets echoed around me, and I saw sparks flying as they impacted armor.
As the battle dragged out, I heard the low whine of repulsors from somewhere behind me. I ducked behind the wall I used as cover, searching for the source. Finally, I saw the shape of two Striker Drones circling the bulk of our forces. I watched with grim satisfaction as they flanked the enemy positions, ripping the entrenched enemy apart with their turrets. An idea struck me, and I opened the link with Gutierrez.
"Maya, I want you to use your Chameleon. Flank around to the right of the Northern Entrance and take out that group of targets." The group I was referring to had set up behind a portable barricade and was currently assembling what looked like a turret mount. I had great confidence in our armor, but I wasn't going to risk that gun being able to take out my Marines.
A quick "Got it" came back from Gutierrez, and I found her group regrouping behind one of the fountains. One of her people detached the drone body from their back, launching it above their head in a smooth motion. Once the drone settled, a brief light show covered the group before they ceased to exist on the visual spectrum.
I could track their progress, a grim smile on my face as they came within 5 meters of their target. Just as the turret team swung the barrel toward a group of moving Marines, the drone dropped its camo, and the 2nd Squad ripped their target apart.
With the flanks weakened, I called to send in the finishing blow.
"Burr. Maya and the Captain have given us a window. I want you and your team to advance down the middle. Break their lines, but watch out for surrendering men. Finish them off ASAP, Sergeant."
"About damn time you put me to use!" The excitement in the sergeant's voice was clear, and his distinctly southern accent poked through his Marine-speaking voice.
Once that was done, I peeked back over my cover, identifying Burr's 1st Squad approaching the open lane that split the room. He rounded the corner, Tabar whirring as the targeting system started highlighting targets. His whole squad spread out in a wedge formation, guns roaring as they dealt death and destruction in the middle of the enemy's northern position. Bodies dropped like flies, some getting blown apart entirely under the relentless advance of the 1st Squad. As Burr slowly walked forward, I heard the sounds of the LongBows go silent. I turned to see that the Southern position was surrendering.
I smiled, watching the same thing occur in the south. Men threw down their weapons and fell on their bellies, hands clasped over their heads. It took a moment for the whole group to fall apart, and sporadic bursts quickly dealt with those too stubborn to surrender. When the last man fell to the ground, blood spraying from his punctured throat, the following silence was punctuated by a roar of cheering men and women. I smiled to myself, although the gesture was purely imaginary within the confines of the ENTT armor.
Our job was beginning, but no doubt the Commander was having a rougher go of it.
I winced at the idea of fighting three warships that out massed the Venator, although my confidence in the Commander never wavered.
A ping from the captain told me to join her and Jackson at the rear of our position. I ordered my people to hunker down and fortify their positions, ensuring they kept their eyes open. As I approached the Captain, I saw the Watcher Drones heading to each entrance, undoubtedly serving as scouts for the Marines.
I walked up to the Captain, snapping into a salute.
"Sir, the northern entrance is secure. Should we push on to the Command Center?"
The Captain looked thoughtful for a second, her metal arms crossed over her chest.
"No, hold your position, Lieutenant. I want to review our advance before we begin the second phase."
I nodded to her, settling into parade rest. This victory had come easy, but that was no reason to rush. We started discussing our next moves, thoughts of our Commanders still prominent in our minds.
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