Operation III: Landslide

[Dr. Jessica Saturina]

After sitting very still for awhile, listening to all the responses to everyones questions, I watched as the General, and all the Captains left the briefing room as we all stood at attention.

Looking briefly around the room at everyone still standing there, not feeling the least bit tired, in fact feeling excited and nervous, I decided to go over to the mess hall for something to eat and a much needed drink, before going to my quarters

Well guys, I don't know about all of you but I need a drink. It was a good briefing and now to start that 12 hours of R&R Laughing softly, knowing that everyone in the room probably just felt like getting started, but also knowing the Captains knew we needed this time.

See you all again in 12 hours. I then walked toward the nearest door and left the briefing room on my way to the mess hall.

[Captain Adam "Gunman" Wolf]

Standing up I filed out behind the COs present and merely nodded an acknowledgement to Captain Leatherneck's statement, my mind rather occupied with other thoughts at the moment. I continued to walk silently down the hall not really paying much attention when suddenly I felt a sharp jab in my ribs, looking over I realized that Maxwell just gave me a quick little shot with his elbow to wake me up from my zombie like state. Chuckling slightly at my expression he said, "Earth to Gunman, you alive?"

My mind snapping back to attention, I chuckled a little myself and replied, "Yeah I'm alive, why did I go somewhere?"

Captain Maxwell just shook his head and we engaged in some rather meaningless small talk as we made our way towards the mess hall, pondering what to do for the next 12 hours.

"12 hours huh? .... what in the world am I gonna do with 12 hours of R & R?"

"Well I dont know about you but I'm gonna start with some food myself,"[/color Maxwell said.

"Good idea, ... oh hey, I know what I'll do, after I get some food I think I'll head over to one of their simulators and if I can I'm gonna run through a breif training program so I can get accustomed to wearing my combat armour again. It's been quite a while since I've worn the full suit on an OP. If you or anyone you come across feels like joinging me, your more than welcome too." I said in response, as we neared the mess hall, throwing open the doors the sweet aroma of food wafted past my nose and I smiled.

"Now to get this R & R started on the right foot."

[Captain Benjamin Maxwell]

11 Hours Later...

---

The obnoxious buzzing of the bedside alarm jolted me from my slumber. I couldn't believe I had slept for eight hours, but after a well-rounded meal and a taxing game of racquetball with Yeoman Hobson, I guessed it was to be expected.

As I pulled my boots on, I gazed out of the porthole at the darkened surface of New Wessex. The Samurai's Destiny had arrived as night descended across our drop zone, which lay far south of the sparkling lights of the northern continents. From this distance, it was hard to imagine that this jewel of a planet had ever seen the ravages of war, and even more difficult to comprehend that it might again.

I strapped my holstered plasma pistol to my hip, and slipped my secondary weapon, an antique, fifty-caliber Desert Eagle (modified to accept depleted uranium slugs), into a shin holster. My body armor in place beneath my urban camouflage, I slipped a second, heavier vest of armor over my uniform, securing it tightly.

Four grenades - two EMP, one frag, and one high explosive, went into the bandolier that formed an "X" across my chest. Six magazines for my fully automatic combat shotgun joined the four energy cell mags for my plasma pistol, and an assortment of infiltration toys joined an arsenal of goodness in the backpack I now strapped tightly to my body.

My personal loadout complete, I donned the eyepiece which would give me our mission briefing, tactical maps, and a plethora of objective-related data while in the field. As it booted up, I pulled on a pair of skin-tight, jet-black gloves, strapping them securely to my wrists, and running through a last-minute visual inspection of my heavy rappelling gear. The advantage to inserting with so much gear was that you wouldn't be coming back with most of it - so you actually became lighter and more mobile as the mission progressed.

A subtle laser projected into my eye as the monocle verified my identity. Confirming that I was who I claimed to be, the device displayed the mission overview, and highlighted the objectives screen automatically. I chuckled as it flashed the first task at me urgently.

- REPORT TO LAUNCH BAY -

"Yes sir..." I mused, and stepped through the hatch of my temporary quarters, sealing the doorway behind me with a resounding thunk.

[Star Captain Killian Bekker]

I stood before the formation of the standby Gokusotsu formation with our katanas drawn. We were performing a drill that executed various sword postions as a means of training unity and discipline. We were midway through the drill when the first groups of people began to arrive for launch. As we completed the drill and I dismissed them to their mechs, I noticed that everyone had arrived and was intently watching the our display.

Good evening everyone. Looks as if everyone is here and prepared for our mission. The supply ship is completing it's final approach as we speak so as soon as the dock is complete, we will board the ship and be on our way.

A hiss from a nearby docking bay door signaled that the supply craft had docked and was ready to take on passengers.

The door opened and a pair of Kuritan pilots greeted me at the door.

Sir! It will be a pleasure to assist you on your mission. Please board quickly so that we maintain our tight schedule.

Of course, we wouldn't like to keep the researchers away from some fresh foods and any mail athey might be receiving.

As each member boarded the ship I did an informal role call to make sure we weren't leaving anyone behind. After the last person had boarded, I entered last and secured the hatch. I sat in the makeshift bench next to the General and clenched my katana's hilt and closed my eyes.

Let's show these honorless fools what happens when you awake an angry spirit...

[General John "Aegis" Murlance]

I felt a jolt as the shuttle disengaged from the body of the JumpShip, and a slight shift as the thrust adjusted to maintain the sense of "up" and "down" in the ship's small confines. Commander Black Mamba sat beside me, and over the roar of the ship's engines, my voice was drowned out to all but those directly beside me.

"Commander," I murmered, "I can be assured you will adhere to the mission parameters laid out in our discussion, correct?"

The Commander paused, looking directly at me. "Of course, General," she replied, a note of hesitation in her voice.

"I'm not going to force you into this. But it will be much more difficult with only one person. This has to be your decision."

"You know where my loyalties stand."

"Excellent. Then there is nothing further to discuss."

The Commander and I spent the rest of the trip in silence.

[Lieutenant Kei-teh Kintaru]

Eight hours of R and R had passed. So far, non of it was spent relaxing at all. I had spent most of the time doing light training in the virtual simulator. The simulator was a simple dojo arena, with multiple spawning enemies. This was melee and melee weapons training, something I excelled at. After the light session I spent a couple hours trying to get some sleep. Instead I mulled my thoughts over. I thought about Ren and the WOB… their possible connections and of course I tried piecing the shattered fragments of my memories back together from that awful past. It sounded pathetic, the idea I could forget something as tragic as that. It wasn’t the big things I was forgetting, like watching my two brothers and father being slain like animals for the butcher. No, it was the small things. Did those armed men really have WOB symbols on their shoulders? Did General Ren? He did wear the MRBC uniform… that I was sure of. I was beginning to become restless and decided to take a walk.

I was already wearing my equipment from training earlier. The light armour vest, while it made me vulnerable to gun fire, it was extremely light. It allowed for me to be more flexible. This was fine, I didn’t plan on getting shot anyway. My “Ryu” blade, was secured tightly to my back, the strap was fastened across my chest. This would allow me to reach over my shoulder to draw the blade, something that was a little different. Usually I would have “Ryu” close ay my side, strapped to my waist. However, the mission called for stealth, and the usual position would have made unnecessary noise while we were undercover. My standard issue plasma pistol was strapped to my waist. I had never used this weapon in combat before, but I wasn’t too bad of a shot from a medium distance. As long as I knew how the weapon operated, I knew I would be fine. I still preferred close quarters combat. It was my lust for a battle of strength that made me choose my preference and if it came to it, I would rather face those Blakist bastards in a melee battle then a gun battle. As well as “Ryu”, my light armour and my plasma pistol, I also carried my custom made bandolier. It mainly contained a few home made explosives and herbal remedies for light wounds, but it also carried a few surprises that would help me out of a tight jam.

As I wondered around the various decks of the ship, I unwittingly stumbled across Captain Maxwell, who was already kitted out for the mission. I stood to attention.



“Evening Sir”<br>
“At ease Corporal” Ben replied. I relaxed and began to speak to the captain more naturally.

“By the way, thank you for the promotion sir” I said just remembering my new status. Ben just gave a quick wave of his hand. I nodded in appreciation.

“If you don’t mind me asking… why are you in full combat suit sir?” I asked carefully.

“Kintaru… look at the time” Ben replied looking at me as if I had asked a stupid question. And indeed I had. 11 hours had past without me realising it. Ben let out a hearty laugh as my chin hit my chest after looking at my watch. I shook my head and grinned.
Time flies when your having “fun”

[Holms Net]

The ship was coming closer the to the surface. I didn't have much to say, I couldn't really make conversation with the whistling of noise about, and, even if I could have talked and been heard, everyone was too nervous to say much. Or, at least I was. I suppose some people were braver than me, I wasn't exactly the best of the best, but I kept myself focused. As the decent continued, I began to run through a status check on my helmet. It was run by an internal power unit, so there was no way that it would give away enough of an electronic signature out here to cause any trouble, especially with all the interference I would probably get from such a base as was down here, anyway.

I wasn't horribly well supplied, a single pistol I had scrounged up from the ship, and a few grenades that a kind tech lent me. I wasn't really into this whole infantry stuff, but I had to admit, it would be pretty fun to be going around on foot for once, getting ourselves into enemy territorry.

"Just wish I could of had a brief run-through on the simulator." I hadn't realized I had said it out loud, and one of the soldiers next to me gave me some sort of suspicious look, but turned away when I glanced up to him.

Everyone must be tense... I had remembered to keep from talking out loud, that time around.

[Dr. Jessica Saturina]

After leaving the mess hall, I went to my room. I took a shower, then laid down and tried to sleep. Unfortunately sleep was illusive this night, too many thoughts running through my mind.

The conversation I had with the General was troubling me, but I am a fiercely loyal person, and my loyalties were with the General for sure. Although in battle, those you fight beside deserve your loyalty as well. After all, they count on you watching their back. I will do that to the best of my abilities and still do as the General asked. The task that lay ahead of me was going to be a difficult one to say the least

My alarm went off, piercing the silence. Without meaning to I had laid on my bed not sleeping, but just turning the thoughts over in my mind. Surprisingly I was not tired at all. I was excited about the mission, a little nervous, and still troubled.

I jumped out of bed, got dressed and put on my body armour, putting into place the weapons that I would carry with me. Traveling as light as possible for speed and agility, but carrying enough to handle any situation I might run into. I went out the door, walking briskly down the corridors to the Launch bay. Walking in seeing Captain Dillenger training with some others with their Katanas. Everyone else seem to be present, we were all watching, then Captain Dillenger said.

"Good evening everyone. Looks as if everyone is here and prepared for our mission. The supply ship is completing it's final approach as we speak so as soon as the dock is complete, we will board the ship and be on our way."

The ship docked, the doors opened, Captain Dillenger exchanged some words with the pilots, then we all boarded. I took my place next to General Murlance. The ship pulled away from the docks rumbling and shaking as it did

General Murlance spoke to me"Commander, he murmered, "I can be assured you will adhere to the mission parameters laid out in our discussion, correct?"

I looked up at him with only a slight hesitation. Ofcourse General"I'm not going to force you into this. But it will be much more difficult with only one person. This has to be your decision."

You can count on me General, you know where my loyalties stand.

"Excellent. Then there is nothing further to discuss."

We both went silent, and stayed that way the rest of the trip, both of us deep in our own thoughts

[Commander Garrett Garland]

As the dropship’s thrusters engaged I was pressed into my seat, my weight tripling. My GyroSlug rifle weighed three kilos instead of its normal one and my Blazer laser pistol also tripled in weight; their increased weight assured me that I was well armed. Unlike most of the soldiers on board, I did not carry a Katana, Wazakashi, or Tanto, only a vibro-dagger which would burn right through ceramic armor when activated. I didn’t expect to be doing much melee fighting, but if I did it certainly would be frantic. In all honesty, Bushido was an excellent code to adhere to in normal life— it promoted morality and strengthened character, but carrying a sword into battle, over a millennium after they were rendered ineffective by accurate firearms, was a bit of an anachronism.

As we continued to make the burn, my thoughts drifted. The grey powder snowing over Tau Ceti IV came to mind-- the powder which I inhaled, the powder which killed most. I had survived the blast by pure luck, and I survived the radiation only through my training. The potassium iodide solution which I concocted amidst the destruction prevented my thyroid glands from becoming filled with radioactive iodine, and I was able to trace most of the other cancerous tissue with a sucrose-fluoride solution. The local hospitals radiology lab had ironically been the only part of the building left standing, probably due to its thick lead and concrete walls used to contain an emergency radiation leak in much of the equipment there. But even after being rescued, I still felt a dark cloud above my head.

So much had happened in my absence; it seemed that political entities were forming within the Legionnaires, entities whose nature I was quite unsure of. What of the MRBC presence? I was concerned that my political neutrality would be played upon by the entities wishing to validate their claims by a non-partisan source. I kept a watchful eye over my fellow soldiers as we continued our journey.

[Captain Benjamin Maxwell]

OOC: Just as an aside - anyone joining this Op after missing Op II does not necessarily have to adhere to the "left on Tau Ceti IV" angle. Op II was an assignment specifically calling for a single lance, and so those who did not participate are free to craft whatever backstory they wish which explains how they survived (Holms Net was in the capital on leave, for example, and sought shelter in a bunker during the attack). If you have trouble coming up with a back story, PM me and I will be glad to assist.

[Captain Benjamin Maxwell]

As the shuttle tore through the upper reaches of the atmosphere, I pulled myself to my feet, and gripped on to a handrail set into the ceiling of the tiny vessel. Keying my headset open to the entire vessel, I began giving an overview of the Op ahead.

"Okay, folks, listen up. Intel was still cranking out the minute details of this insertion when we launched - our window of opportunity to slip in undetected on this one was very small - so it's my responsibility to now bring you all up to speed on what our objectives here are.

"This is a standard infiltration with the objective of sabotage. If you'll please direct your attention here - " I indicated with a laser pointer, as a small holographic projection of the Blakist installation flickered to life in the center of the cabin, "this is going to be fairly tricky. The Word of Blake has set up a series of perimeter defenses that will hinder our ability to perform an effective insertion. As you can see, " - the map zoomed in on the front of the base, pivoting to an angled shot of a series of nine turrets, circling each one in yellow highlight - "the front entrance is heavily guarded by a series of thresher cannons operated by an automated targeting system that fires on anything not registering as friendly. Additionally, intel reports that the area is heavily laden with spider mines and seismic sensors that will make life miserable for intruders."

The map zoomed out, displaying a line of tanks flanked by an Atlas and a Daishi.

"If the booby traps don't get you, the next firing line is supported by five Behemoth-class seige tanks, backed by a Daishi and an Atlas. They're sure to ruin your day."

There were a few grumbles of discontent.

"However, intel reports a weakness in the defense. The Blakists, thinking outside of the box, only planned to defend against a forward assault. Nearly all of their assets are commited to protecting the fore areas of the base. The rear and sides of the base are surrounded by this."

The map zoomed out, and repositioned itself to display a towering, horseshoe-shaped glacier which nearly encircled the base, save for the entrance. A nav point flashed to life a few kilometers northeast of the formation, in a natural depression.

"This is our drop zone. There are a series of caverns here, one of which begins at the research base at which we will drop, and which the Ghosts believe may serve as an underground connection point to the base's perimeter. Our analysts have indicated that a team of commandos would go undetected if dropped here, allowing an insertion into the base that would bypass nearly 95% of the facility's detection capabilities. However, the caveat is that we can only send one team in this way - as a line of nine people passing through will most certainly attract attention.

"Our task is going to be as follows: Once we make planetfall, we will split off into two elements. The majority of you will remain in Captain Dillenger's unit, and infiltrate the base via this access route, while Captain Gunman, Corporal Kintaru, Sergeant Holms Net, and I will snowmobile to a secondary point, rappelling down the side of the glacier into the rear of the Blakist base, and then moving here."

A glowing orange line was drawn across the map, starting at the insertion points and chasing down the side of the glacier, terminating at a large warehouse, which illuminated in red.

"The rear of this warehouse. We anticipate little, if any, resistance. Once we have made it to this nav point, we will then begin an insertion into the underground section of the base via this access point, located here."

The glowing line began moving again, tracing a route behind several more buildings, and ending at a steam shaft that billowed animated smoke into the illustrated environment.

"This steam shaft is not active. The smoke is simply for illustrative detail. This is our best route, given that it will be minimally guarded, and there is little, if any, security attached to it. Once both teams are in, our objectives will be as follows: Captain Dillenger's team will attempt to determine the purpose of this facility, and, through whatever means necessary, sabotage the base in such a way that it is rendered inoperable, if not utterly destroyed. While this is happening, my team will be responsible for acquiring whatever technology, equipment, and intelligence data we can before the base's destruction.

"Another caveat: We have no idea what the layout of this base is once we get beneath the surface. We have blueprints of a generic brian cache, graciously donated by ComStar, so at least a generalization can be made, but there's no telling what kind of modifications the Blakists may have made to the facility. Expect anything.

"One final note, MechWarriors: If either team fails to complete their mission, destruction of the base still remains a priority. All other objectives are secondary to this. We cannot allow the Blakists to acquire further resources, or to gain yet another foothold in the Inner Sphere.

"Are there any questions?"

[Holms Net]

"Yes, sir. I have a question."

I was talking abnormally quiet, probably from being either anxious or nervous for coming into such a base. It would actually probably be a good thing to talk quiet when we got to the ground.

"If I know these Word Of Blake murderers well enough, and I believe I do... well, could it be possible that this is a trap? I mean, they destroyed our home, and we somehow come across this base, making a perfect time to strike... there's just something happening here, I'm not sure what, but something is happening."

[General John "Aegis" Murlance]

I tapped open my comm unit.

"Sergeant, that possibility exists - as well as the possibility that the Blakists have discovered something very real, and very dangerous. I don't know about you, but I'd rather be lured into a trap than know that I stood idly by while Blakists unleashed yet another barrage of death and destruction against the Inner Sphere when I could have done something about it."

[Star Captain Killian Bekker]

The resupply craft rocked and jolted from turbulence cause by a slight snowstorm that was blowing. It was good that we would have cover coming in and that it would cover our tracks, but it also wasn't good due to the fact that the weather worked both ways.

The shuttle flew low to the ground and the loadmaster came to the back and signaled that we were over the "drop zone". Which meant we were going to jump from a moving shuttle with nothing more than the snow to break our fall. The shuttle slowed to a crawl and we lined up at the door.

This is as slow as we can risk without causeing suspicion. You need to jump now or else you're going to have to wait until we come back this way.

No, we're going now. Thank you. Your compensation for your helpfulness will be deposited within 24 hours courtesy of the Kuritan High Command.

Good luck sir.

I smiled and looked down the line of troops that I was leading into the breach. They looked stoic in the face of their mission. Both the anxiety and courage filled the air. It was time.

I jumped first and rolled as I hit the snow. Then came Captain Maxwell followed by the General. Gunman jumped and nearly missed a lone tree in the field. The rest of the Legionnaires followed suit without any incidents.

Last to fall was a few pieces of gear. Namely, the snowmobiles Capt. Maxwell had requested.

The shuttle sped up some and finished it's landing pattern at the nearby research facility. If anyone was watching the base, they would have easily missed us.

So far, so good.

Captain Maxwell quickly took the initiative and handed out orders.

Okay, split into your assigned groups. Once in your group, check your gear and radios. We are in a hostile area now folks so keep your weapons ready, but don't fire unless your spotted.

I checked my gear and oriented myself. I located the tunnel that we were going to travel in off about 500m.

Once everyone was formed up I signaled our march to the base.

Capt. Maxwell, I'll see you on the inside. I'll contact you once on we have entered the facility. My group, let's move out. Stay sharp, this tunnel is sure to have some surprises.

With that we began our trek.

[Lieutenant Kei-teh Kintaru]

I jumped off the craft and landed into the snow crouching. After a quick scope to see if any enemy was about I turned to Captain Maxwell who had just issued some orders. I checked to see if I could easily retract “Ryu” from it’s sheath, turned the safety off on my plasma pistol and double checked my radio.

“This is Bishop – 6 do you all copy Bishop lance?” I said awaiting a reply. I received an affirmative from each Bishop with slight static, obviously due to the weather conditions. Hopefully it wouldn’t crap out on me during the mission. The bitter coldness hadn’t affected me yet, but it was very noticeable. My body had been trained to deal with extreme weather conditions and although this wasn’t the worst I had been put through, it certainly wasn’t the easiest. The snowmobiles were holstered down quickly and affectively and as the final pieces of gear were unloaded whilst the craft moved at a snails pace, the loadmaster gave a reassuring thumbs up to our group. The Craft doors closed and took off, leaving us behind.

No turning back now I wasn’t nervous about this mission. I wasn’t excited. It was just another mission in my eyes, something that needed to be done. However, there was something niggling at me… but that could wait till after the mission.

I waited for my orders.