[Backpost] Pegasus Flight, Operation Libertas Pugnator

Posted on 31 Mar 2014 @ 3:07pm by Commander Luke Wyatt

1,698 words; about a 8 minute read

[ON]

Location: 45,000 feet above Lazon II
Timeline: Mission Day 32, Operation Libartus Pugnator

"Today Pegasus flight the powers that may be have decided that we are going to once again jump into the jaws of death and cut a hole through his ass" The sound of chuckling was infectious and even he couldn't hide his grin behind his hand as he stroke his chin. "Intel has recently discovered that there is a labour camp on Lazon II with more than enough P.O.W's to make it justifiable for us to go in and get them out. Now because of an unusual energy dispersal grid using the transporters are out of the questions and a ground incursion would be near on impossible which means we're deploying at 45,000 feet something we've done before and something that will catch the cardassians with their pants down."

He moved to the screen behind him "Study this map, by 2100 tomorrow night I want you all to know this better than you know you these halls I want you to be able to loose both eyes, ears and nose and still be able to find your way around. Once we're in we need to be quick because as soon as they know we're there they will be on us like a klingon on tribbles." Luke looked around and waited to hear any questions.

With none presented he turned his attention to the next bullet point inked into his palm "We're graced today with another new arrival fresh from boot camp, Private get up here" He said nodding at Roberts.

Roberts rolled his eyes as he stood from his seat and his new section, Pegasus flight started cheering, clapping and wolf whistling. He had always known that this is how the new guy was treated but he hoped to show them he was as good as any of them.

Luke sat down in the now vacant seat "Tell us who you are private" He said crossing his arms.

"Well, I'm Private Roberts born and raised in Texas. Mum and Dad both in starfleet and I have two younger sisters" Roberts paused before continuing "...Been around the galaxy twice, talked to everyone once, I've seen green men, blue men, even ones with pointy eats, been to two Orion slave parties, been to three world fairs, I even know a klingon in LA with pet tribbles.

Seen a goat rope, two worms arm wrestle, and watched the water burn on the Persian Gulf. I'm a hard-bodied, hairy-chested, rootin, tootin, shooting, parachuting, demolition double cap crimping Green machine. There ain't nothing I can't do. No sky too high, no sea too rough, no space too tough.

Learned a lot of lessons in my life. Never shoot a large calibre man with a small calibre bullet. I've Flown a lot of ships even those big motherfuckers that travel faster than light and go Pew Pew when you fire the phasers. Anything in life worth doing is worth overdoing. Moderation is for cowards. I'm a lover, I'm a fighter, I'm a mean lean federation marine.

I'll wine, dine, intertwine and then sneak out the airlock when the refueling is done. If you're feeling lucky then you better jump because this space marine has been there, done that and is going back for more"

The silence was one of appreciation he could remember when he turned up to his first unit being given the same amount of juice as he was, he had done well. "Thank you Roberts" He said standing allowing the private to retake his seat. "I'll see you at twenty-one-hundred hours later boys, dismissed" He watched as his section trickled out.

[2100 - Shuttle Bay 2]

Luke strapped his helmet on, adjusting it quickly so it had some give. Reaching down he checked his boot laces, he didn't want anything flapping around on the way down. "Right Marines in five minutes we'll be heading to the planets surface the shuttle will open its rear hatch and stand steady at roughly 45,000 feet do not hesitate when we get there and when our boots touch the ground I want an all round defensive set up, ground forces will move in once we have secured the west wing the four other Pegasus flight squad will take North south east and the communications tower I do not have to explain to you how important it is we do this as quickly and as quietly as possible I don't want to have to explain why you have died on this planet away from home"

Pacing along the ling of men he patted each one on the back making sure there chute was ready to go, as he passed each member they ran up the ramp and took their seat in number order. Getting to the last jumper, Roberts he gave him a nod "Ever jumped like this before?" He asked.

"Not into combat sir just what you do at training" Roberts replied honestly as the Sergeant went over his equipment. "You sir?"

"Ofcourse and it scares the living shit out of me every time, just don't forget to pull your chute I don't want to be scrapping you off the floor" He tapped the freshman's back and watched as he to ran up the ramp. Turning to the control booth at the far end of the shuttle bay he nodded raising one hand and twisting his finger in a rotating motion in the air. "Prepare to move" He shouted jogging up the ramp and holding onto the top frame of the shuttle and watched as the ramp closed shut.

Luke looked up and down the two rows of Marines who sat in silence holding onto the flight buckles which fastened the chute to their back each one looking as nervous as the last. From behind he could hear the pilot shout '60 seconds' and turned the lights in the back of the shuttle off leaving a faint red glow. "Ready up" He shouted the rear doors slowly opening and the wind instantly slapping them in the face. "Buddy check" He shouted.

"ONE OK!" Johnson Tapped the man in front of him shoulder and raised his arms. Down the line each member was doing the same until the last "EIGHT OK!" Luke bit the inside of his cheek as he waited for the go ahead. "Today gentleman" He shouted over the noise of the wind. "Though the jem'hadr are genetically engineered be safe in the knowledge that we are the biggest badest sons of a bitch's in this damn quadrant, what say we!" He could hear over the wind his troops cheer "Okay Marines Go, go go" He ran and jumped from the shuttle the cold air hitting his body like a brick wall.

After settling into the free fall Luke began looking around, he could see the faint glare of eight green flares with trails of smoke coming from the left heel of each member in his section. Over his comms he could hear some of his men humming an old Paratrooper hymm and he joined along, soon it broke into singing"...Gory Gory What a Helluva Way to Die... He aint gonna jump no more. The days he lived and loved and laughed kept running through his mind. He thought about the girl back home, the one he left behind." It wasn't long before he could see the lights of the compound and the singing turned into heavy breathing and static as they passed into the invisible barrier of the energy dispersal grid.

Luke's hand hovered over his chute release switch as he passed the safety mark which turned green on his wrist, waiting a few seconds more he hit it hard and watched as the others do the same, all around him chutes committed and began openining up. Holding his breath he readied himself for the hard landing. He was the first man to hit the deck, his legs took the impact well enough allowing him to jog it off before cutting himself loose as he slowed into a walk.

All around him his section moved into a 360 defence, with over lapping arc's of fire waiting for his orders. Pulling over his second in command he spoke in a hushed tone "So far so good we're all alive, lets move onto Kanar" Kanar was the designated first checkpoint name. Moving of quickly he shouldered his rifle and took his position behind the point man. Moving round the compound was easy most of the guards were asleep and the two who were unfortunate enough to be taking a leak were taken care of quickly. Pegagsus moved through the each checkpoint Kanar, Blood wine, Poteen until they reached their final approach.

In front of them was a large concrete building where a quarter of the P.O.Ws were being held along with several guards, they would have to do this quick and easily. "Stack up" He whispered as his hand pointed towards the door in a chopping motion and then up the metal stairs leading to the roof where they had just dispatched an over look. Leaning up against the wall he tapped the person in front of him shoulder, with his right hand in a fist he pulled an imaginary pin and covered his eyes before watching as the message was passed along the line. In the same motion this time pulled on an invisible chain in the air signalling the breach.

The two metal doors crashed open as the second man threw in a stun grenade the sounds of jem'hdar scrambling to their feet was almost comical until the explosion invited them in. One after one his section filled the room firing at the last remaining men until they merged and hand to hand fighting was called upon. From over his shoulder his two sharpshooters carefully picked their shots and it was long until all the enemy was subdued. "Report" Luke shouted moving to the centre of the room. Looking around each of his squad tapped their helmet's and gave the thumbs up. "Good work men, let get these guys home."

[OFF]

Gunnery Sergeant Luke Wyatt
Pegasus Flight, SFMC Pices
9th Marine Division

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