Recon Mission
Orr, Michael J
To: Staff Sgt. Emma Pope, USMC
Subject: Recon Mission, Cargo Request
I would request that the following additional items be taken on the mission:
64 - 12 hour Air Tanks
10 - Air Masks
2 - sets of Passage Tubes
2 - Pressure Tents
The Air Tanks and Air Masks are for providing life support for the mission. I am allowing for 5 days of life support for the entire crew; allowing for transit to and from, time on site, and a reasonable safety margin. Note: we may need more meal packs for this length of mission. If this is so, add those in as well.
The Passage Tubes are for providing airlock to airlock contact with the transmission source; we don't know what shape the airlocks in the target vessel will have, so we need the flexible Passage Tubes.
The Pressure Tents are to put together a decontamination chamber; I will be assembling a list of other items that will be needed for this and pass them on to you at a later time.
On the other items, I will be supervising the loading of the Condor. Carter will be performing the maintenance and inspection checks as well as assessing how to allow the Condor to tow another vessel, if needed.
One final item, upon reviewing the MFR Package 4 loadouts that you have for the squad, I would like to request that these loadouts, minus the weapons, be made available for Carter and myself as well.
Ernst Jorgensen
Space Construction Worker, Bellerophon
Robert Bogdon
To: Staff Sergeant Pope, Ernst Jorgensen
Subject: Additional Cargo Requirements
I've completed the pre-flight inspection on one of the Condor vehicles and it is ready to begin loading cargo. After looking through the materials available, I've compiled a list of items necessary to tow just about anything we could conceivably tow with a Condor.
(10) Canisters of Blast Foam, 30lbs each
(4) 25ft Rolls of Gecko Tape w/ Activator, 1.5lbs each
(2) Lift Bag Kits, 75lbs each
(4) 100 Yard Spools of 3/4" Rope, 40lbs each
(20) 10ft sections of box truss, originally intended as spares for the Bellerophon, 75lbs each
(2) Rocket Piton Launcher, 2lbs each (one standard, one magnetic preloaded)
(5) Standard Rocket Piton Projectiles, .5lbs each
(5) Magnetic Rocket Piton Projectiles, .5lbs each
An assortment of metal loops, hooks, rods, etc to construct some sort of towing rig, 20lbs.
Total weight for towing gear, 2145 lbs
I have begun extracting these items from their various locations in cargo so that they can be loaded on to the Condor. After reviewing the rest of the mission cargo, I would also like to recommend two thruster packs for emergency use, as well as a hand thruster for every member of the crew with one additional fuel canister each. I noticed additional food on the cargo list, however I did not see water included. I would recommend we take two 55 gallon drums of water, which should be enough for 10 days.
(2) Thruster Packs, 40lbs each
(4) Thruster Pack Fuel Canisters, 10lbs each
(8) Hand Thrusters, 4lbs each
(8) Hand Thruster Fuel Canisters, 1lb each
(2) 55 Gallon Water Drum, 440lbs each
Total weight for additonal items, 1020 lbs
---
Robert Bogdon
Sr. Systems Engineer, DivX
http://www.blah.net
JC Demers
To: Chief Engineer Carter, Ernst Jorgensen
Subject: Final Cargo List & Mission Preparation
I'm glad to see my choice of civilian personnel for this mission hasn't been wrong.
Attached to this message, you will find the complete cargo manifest and gear loadout for this mission
If you notice anything missing, say so right now. I don't want us to fly out there to find out we've only got a single toothbrush to share amongst the eight of us.
I've been informed by Dr. Canada that his team has started bringing out the members of Charlie Squad out of cryogenic sleep. Once they pass their physicals, I will brief them myself concerning our current situation, after which you'll be introduced to them.
Tomorrow morning, before the start of your usual day shift, you'll report to Sergeant Collett. He'll be tasked in instructing you in firearm safety concerning our standard issue sidearm, the 10mm Heavy Pistol. Once aboard the Condor, you'll each have a personal sidearm stored in the cockpit. These weapons will remained secured unless there is an emergency. If I catch any of you fiddling with them without my express orders, I will personally ensure that your life becomes miserable from here on end.
Total Mission Time is expected to run between 84 hours (3.5 days) to 108 hours (4.5 days).
Once the Condor has been checked, and the cargo loaded, we'll launch as soon as the Bellerophon is in optimal range, which should be in approximately 72 hours.
Get it done.
JC Demers
To: Chief Engineer Carter, Ernst Jorgensen
In case of a combat emergency, you'll find yourself paired with one of my Marines. If we find ourselves in some form of combat, their priorities will to be keep you alive: this means that their words become law. Anything and everything they'll order you to do, I expect you to do.
Chief Carter will be paired with Sgt Wade, and Jorgensen with LCpl Vogler.
Orr, Michael J
To: Staff Sgt. Emma Pope, Chief Engineer Carter
Subject: Final Revision to Cargo List
Request replacement of the two Pressure Tents with the following:
(1) Decontamination Shower
(8) Decontamination Sprayer
(1) Quarantine Tent
(4) Casualty Bag
(2) NBC Suit
Robert Bogdon
With the waiting finally over and the Condor loaded, the eight members of the team walk up the cargo ramp into the Condor. Carter waits for the last person to clear the ramp before he begins sealing the ship. Once the cargo ramp is safely stored and the airlocks are sealed, Carter activates the decompression sequence for the hangar bay. Too large to fit in the airlock, the Condor requires that the entire bay be depressurized and the outer wall opened. A harsh siren and flashing orange light warn anyone left in the hangar bay that depressurization is about to begin. The light changes to red and the noise from the siren begins to diminish as the air is pumped out of the hangar bay. A few seconds after the siren drops out completely, a tremor runs through the Condor as the massive bolts holding the outer wall in place are retracted and it begins to roll upward, exposing the hangar to space.
Carter waits for the outer wall to retract completely before using a few quick blasts from the thrusters to lift the Condor off the deck and start moving out of the hangar bay. "Bellerophon, this is the... Condor. We're clear of the hangar bay, proceeding on to the signal now." Carter says something to himself about giving the ship a name. The outer wall begins rolling back into place a few seconds later. Pointing the Condor in the direction the Bellerophon is traveling, BFR can just barely be seen through the observation dome that runs through the cockpit and passenger cabin. "Hold on folks... it's going to be a bit bumpy for the next four or five minutes while we get up to speed, then we're coasting the rest of the way. I suggest strapping yourself in now, unless you want to spend some time on the rear bulkhead." With that, Carter activates the main engines on the Condor, pushing everyone towards the rear of the ship at 1.5G. Just over four and a half minutes later, the engines cut out, leaving everyone in free fall again. "We're now 350 miles from the Bellerophon and traveling at two and a half miles per second... the flight crew will be passing through the cabin shortly to take your drink orders." Carter puts on his airmask and begins verifying the expected position of the Condor against the actual position to determine if a course correction is needed. "Hmmm... maybe the Minnow..."
Orr, Michael J
Once the Condor stops accelerating, Jorgensen puts on his own air mask and turns to Carter, saying “Are you ready for me to make the cargo check yet?”
[ooc]
This is to make sure that all of the cargo is still strapped down.
Robert Bogdon
Carter nods, "aye... once you're done with that why don't you take the controls for a while, get a feel for this bird...". To himself, "hmm... Albatross..."
Orr, Michael J
“Okay, good idea.” Jorgensen replies. After this, he unbuckles from his co-pilot seat and drifts back to the door to the passenger area. Opening the door, he floats into the passenger cabin, drawing attention from some of the Marines still buckled into their seats.
“No problem, just checking the cargo.” Jorgensen drifts to the back of the cabin, grabbing onto the top of each seat along the way to ensure stability.
Reaching the back door, Jorgensen checks the indicator lights next to it to make sure that the Cargo Area is still pressurized.
[ooc]
If the door looks clear to open, Jorgensen will do so, checking carefully to make sure that nothing is flying towards it, and then enter the room.
From: tdcg...@googlegroups.com
[mailto:tdcg...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Robert Bogdon
Sent: Wednesday, May 05, 2010 3:59 PM
To: tdcg...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: Recon Mission
Carter nods, "aye... once you're done with that why don't you take the
controls for a while, get a feel for this bird...". To himself,
"hmm... Albatross..."
On 05/05/2010 11:52 AM, Orr, Michael J wrote:
Robert Bogdon
[ic] The cargo door opens without a problem. A quick inspection shows everything in it's place.
Orr, Michael J
From: tdcg...@googlegroups.com [tdcg...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Robert Bogdon [robert...@gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, May 05, 2010 5:18 PM
Robert Bogdon
I'm just disappointed that the cargo coming loose didn't occur to me. I'm not necessarily trying to kill everyone, but I do at least like coming up with all the ways it might happen.
[ic]
Carter gets started on some of the basics of the Condor and it's handling, especially how it differs in space vs. in an atmosphere. It is a highly informative and entertaining conversation, full of colorful metaphors. Interrupted only by one of the Marines knocking on the cockpit door and passing through full canteens and meal packs, the conversation continues until Carter notices something on the sensors. "Ten hours goes by like nothing when you're talking shop I suppose..." Carter zooms in the sensor view on the screen, revealing the clear outline of another Condor. "I think maybe it's time to have a chat with our friends in back." Carter sends the sensor data to the in-flight entertainment screen in the passenger cabin before leaving the cockpit. He sticks his head back in the cockpit, "She'll be fine on her own for a bit, you'll probably want to join us for this."
With everyone gathered in the passener cabin standing around the screen, Carter points to the screen, "It's clearly another Condor, but we can't tell much more from this distance. Even this image is merely a composite of radar, infrared, etc. I've personally looked at all four of the Condors on the Bellerophon over the past four months, so this can't be one of ours unless it was carried outside of the ship somewhere. If it's not one of ours... I'm pretty sure it can't possibly be here... so... have at it folks." Carter sits down in one of the passenger seats and stares at the screen.
Orr, Michael J
[ooc]
You could have had me make a Freight Handling roll, in fact I was expecting one. J
[ic]
When Carter makes his comment about how the ship can’t be here, Jorgensen turns toward him with a mildly surprised look on his face and responds, “You say it can’t be here? I’m afraid that I differ with you on that issue.”
Drifting next to the screen, Jorgensen grabs onto the edge of it and, turning towards the others, continues, “Consider, it hasn’t been stated much, but more than eleven hundred years have passed on Earth since our launch. We know nothing of what has happened there, except that the sun stopped brightening, for almost all of that time. To me, it is not that difficult to imagine the possibility of more technological advancement that could have made possible the creation of another colony ship that, although launched later, could have beaten us here.”
JC Demers
JC Demers
Mess Hall
Emma would have never admitted it, but she was damn glad to finally be around people she actually knew. Sure, in the past 4 months, she had lived amongst the skeleton crew of the Bellerophon. She had trained and mentored some of them. She had sat in the messhall, eating with them and listening to some of their stories. Emma had even gone as far as become somewhat friendly with Lou Donovan, Ernst Jorgensen and Keri Ratcliff. The young woman would’ve never gone as far and state out they were her friends, because they weren’t. They probably would never see who she really was. How could they? They were… civilians. They weren’t from the same world, from the same breed.
Now that her marines were finally out of cold storage, Emma felt at home. Comfortable. At ease. She had trained with Charlie Squad from her very first day as part of Operation Diaspora. They had all rode on the bus together, crossing the huge barbed wired fences just outside the Johnson Space Center. At that very moment, Emma didn’t really know her squad, but it didn’t matter much; they were all Marines. They were all 1st Recon. Their hometown didn’t matter. Their background and upbringing didn’t matter. They were all Marines, and that meant they had everything in common they would ever need.
With time, they had all banded tightly, creating not only a highly efficient combat squad, but also a somewhat dysfunctional family.
As soon as the Doc had cleared them for duty, Emma had met them in the mess hall. It had taken a few minutes for everyone to fall back into their respective places, but before she knew it, Emma had forgotten about the Bellerophon. She had forgotten about Earth; about everyone and everything they had left behind. It was just her and her squad, wolfing down Hanson’s food like there was no tomorrow, and telling the usual jarhead banter.
Like herself, all five marines had been selected from the USMC 1st Reconnaissance Battalion. Seasoned special ops operative in the very prime of their life; both physically and mentally.
Emma’s eyes went around the table; appraising the member of her team.
After Emma, the team’s senior member, both in terms of years and service was Sergeant Anthony Collett. He’d gone through Basic roughly the same time as Emma, and had actually joined Force Recon ahead of her. A top graduate of the Marine Corp’s Scout-Sniper program, Collett was not only Charlie Squad’s second in command, but also one of its weapons expert and designated marksman. Emma had never seen a better shot than Collett. Something a closest idealist, Collett was a true military man: never letting his stoic façade of self control and utter calm down. Whereas every member of the squad was prone to light hearted joking and carousing, Collett never joined them. The man was a beacon of restraint and self control.
Seated next to him was Lance Corporal Daniel Vogler, the team’s Communication and Electronics Specialist. The opposite of Collett, Vogler was the team’s junior. With barely enough service and trigger time not to be called green anymore, Operation Diaspora was Vogler very first assignment, having joined 1st R Battalion mere weeks before being drafted. Nevertheless, he made up his lack of field experience by displaying an impressive array of high tech skills. Having originally joined the corps to pay for college, had it not been for the sun deciding to kill everyone, Vogler would have probably ended up at MIT. Always eager to learn, Vogler was most definitely one the smartest man Emma had ever known… Not that she was about to tell him, ever.
Next to Vogler was Sergeant Charles Rivera, the team’s medic. Rivera, the oldest one amongst Charlie Squad, had been an EMT prior to joining the Corp. Volger’s usual parter in any banter, he usually took whatever position was opposed to Volger’s view… just for the sake of mental exercise. Rivera was definitely the most patient and thought out Marine of the squad. Whereas Volger was bright and impulsive, Rivera was bright and observant. He not only had great patience for his fellow squad members, he was also the only one who showed any sort of respect to the civies. With a certain gift for speaking, and doing so well, Rivera genuinely loved working with people.
Seated next to Emma were Sergeant Tony Wade, combat engineer, and Corporal Tracy Morales, the team’s second Weapon expert. Amongst all the entire team, those who had clearly bonded the most were Wade and Morales… although for the casual observer, it might have been thought otherwise. The pair not only bitch out each other over everything and anything, they had actually gotten in a few fights, which Emma didn’t mind all that much. Any sort of relationship between squad mates was strictly forbidden, and so, if fist fighting and bickering kept the tension down between those two, it suited Emma fine. Wade was the team’s clown and eternal optimist. He not only always saw the bright side of things, but also about had some sort of far fetch story about a guy who knew a guy who’d done something that was ridiculously unbelievable. Wade usually spent his time getting hit by Morales, and chewing loudly whenever he ate. Like, right now. But he also knew when to can his antics. Emma had doubted the man’s combat abilities until their first zero-g war game. He’d taken orders like a marine, and downed his target with surgical precision.
Morales, the only other woman in the squad, reminded Emma bit too much of herself… At least, before she’d become squad leader. Overly and openly aggressive in anything she did, Tracy had obviously worked very hard, her entire life, to prove to everyone she could do any man’s job. And she could. Collett might have been the team’s best shot, but Morales was definitely the team’s toughest warrior. Emma had seen her lug around the squad’s Light Support Weapon like it was made out of rubber, and, truth be told, she was the only Marine in Charlie Squad whom Emma didn’think she could take on in a bare knuckle fight. At first, Emma had found herself constantly at odds with Morales. The young Corporal was bold, brash and insubordinate, challenging her command decisions at every single turn. But with time, she fallen back into line. Still, she was usually the only Marine to openly question leadership… and not just Emma’s. Two seconds after learning Major Foss was in command, she’d cursed out quite graphically.
“Man, I feel like I haven’t eaten anything in months!” said Tony Wade, chewing loudly.
Tracy Morales, seated next to him, elbowed him painfully in the ribs.
“We’ve been in cryo for thousands of fuckin’ years, you idiot.”
From across the table, Charles Rivera chuckled.
“Actually Tracy, our bodies were in suspended animation. That means that technically, not time, on a biological basis, has passed for us.”
“Who’s the idiot now, toots” added Wade, rubbing his side painfully.
It only got him another firm punch on the arm. Vogler and Rivera both laughed at their antics. Collett, the only one with an already clean plate, was buried in the mission briefing notes Emma had given them earlier.
“Tell me,” he lifted his head “Staff Sergeant, do we have an exact launch hour?”
Amongst the squad, Collett was the only one to always use full ranks, and never nicknames.
“Excited to get in the thick of things Collett?” said Wade still chewing. Apparently, the combat engineer had never been thought table manners.
“Just wondering.” Stated Collett, flatly.
“Chief Carter and Jorgensen are working on getting the all the gear aboard the Condor. We should launch in about 48 hours.” Said Emma.
“How come they got that crusty Foss in charge mam’?” asked Tracy, still raining blows on Wade.
“Beats me, Corporal. Maybe you should go to the bridge and ask him.”
“Wanna make that an order, mam?” added Tracy with a smirk. “It’d sure as hell make my day.”
Rivera shook his head, disapprovingly. “Two hours out of the pod, and you already want to pick a fight.”
“Hey! I dunno about you Riv, but I’m a Marine. I was born to fight!”
Emma cracked a bit of a smile.
Indeed, everything was falling back into place.
-----
OOC: Just wanted to introduce everyone to the squad a bit
Here is the team's roster, for reference:
-Sergeant Anthony Collett: Second in Command, Weapons Expert, Designated Marksman
-Sergeant Charles K. Rivera: Medical
-Sergeant Tony J. Wade: Demolition / Combat Engineer
-Corporal Tracy Morales: Weapons Expert, Heavy Weapons and Support Specialist
-LCpl Daniel Vogler: Communications / Electronics
I'll write some more later tonight or tomorrow.
JC Demers
All eyes turned toward Ernst. Emma gave a sidelong glance to Collett who simply shrugged back.
“That does indeed make a lot of sense.” said Vogler
It was now Volger’s turn to be the center of attention.
“What?”
“I was going to say Little Green Men did it.” said Wade.
“You are such a moron Wade…”
Morales rolled her eyes and sighed.
“Well, maybe you…” started Wade.
“Marines!”
Emma unbuckled herself from her seat, pushing herself up. As she did so, Wade immediately closed his mouth back. Standing at attention wasn’t an easy thing to do in zero gravity, but somehow, it seemed that Charlie Squad’s Marines could. Every soldier stood tall, looking straight ahead.
“Sergeant Wade, Corporal Morales, do I have your attention?”
“Yes Staff Sergeant!” answered both Marines.
“You will both shut your mouth right now, am I clear?”
“Yes Staff Sergeant!”
Both Marines stood as straight as they could, looking ahead at what seemed like a fixed point in space. Emma looked at each of their faces, he brow furrowed.
“Take a seat.”
“Mam’ I..” started Morales.
Within a second, Emma was a hair’s breath away from her face. In the small Condor’s cabin, Emma’s voice sounded twice
“WHAT DID I JUST SAY CORPORAL!”
Tracy fell silent, staring ahead.
“I ASK YOU A QUESTION MARINE! ARE YOU DEAF OR JUST STUPID?”
Tracy’s jaw twitched as Emma started to chew her out in front of everyone. Her
eyes remained fixed ahead. I seemed like forever before the weapon expert spoke
again. When she did speak up, it was through a clenched jaw.
“Sorry Staff Sergeant. Won’t happen again.”
Emma didn’t say anything. She simply turned her back on both Marines.
“Good point Jorgensen. This is still a recon mission, so we go by the book for now.”
She turned to Carter.
“Chief; get us closer. We need detailed readings on this bird. I want an exact ETA. Lance Corporal Vogler; get in touch with TOC, update them on the situation. Short bursts, encrypted channel.”
“Yes mam’.”
“Collet; weapons’ check. Hollow points all around.”
Collet nodded and head aft.
“Mister Jorgensen, make sure all our vaccum suits are ready to go. Sergeant Rivera will assist you.”
“Wade, Morales; you sit your asses down and watch the stars go by.”
Robert Bogdon
JC Demers
Taking her seat again, Emma leaned forward, her gaze focused on the screen. She had been prepared for a situation like this one. As unbelievable as it sounded, the only logical explanation for the transponder signal was the presence of a ship... from Earth. And there it was. Yet, she couldn't quite believe it.
There was nothing she could do, no call she could make. Not yet. Not until they got more intel.
Orr, Michael J
From: tdcg...@googlegroups.com [tdcg...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of JC Demers [deme...@gmail.com]
Sent: Sunday, May 09, 2010 3:46 PM
Orr, Michael J
Moving toward where the Vacc Suits are stored, Rivera and Jorgensen grab the first suit they come to, which happens to be that of Staff Sgt. Pope. As the pair lay the suit out for inspection, Jorgensen notices Rivera’s eyes turning toward a spot near the hip of the space suit.
When Rivera notices Jorgensen looking into his own eyes, Rivera turns the suit so that Jorgensen can see the location that he has seen. The set of Rivera’s body and face almost screams “Just look, no further comment needed.”
And Jorgensen immediately sees it. He didn’t need to be a Vacc Suit expert to see this; even a neophyte could notice this one.
The suit had been shredded, in several places. A quick inspection revealed that the electronics of the suit had been damaged as well.
The culprit, a leaking power cell, was identified almost as quickly.
In answer to Rivera’s questioning glance, Jorgensen says, “Maybe we can salvage some components. Obviously not this power cell.”
Handling the offending cell carefully, as though it might cause more damage if dealt with improperly, Jorgensen places it into the disposal container in the cargo bay.
After this is done, Jorgensen makes sure that his hands are clean, then heads toward the passenger cabin, where the spare suits are stored.
Bringing the spares into the cargo bay, Rivera and Jorgensen proceed to inspect the other suits. Fortunately, no further problems are found.
Turning toward Sgt. Rivera, Jorgensen says, “Well, Sergeant, If Staff Sergeant Pope is awake, I suppose we had better tell her the bad news.”
Robert Bogdon
JC Demers
Emma realized she was awake before the dream even faded away. She was standing, her toes curled up in the sand, by the surf. She could feel every single individual grain of sand; warm and comforting against her bare feet. She felt a hand on her shoulder, gently touching the skin of her exposed shoulder. When she turned, Rivera and Jorgensen were both looking at her, floating in the Condor’s cabin.
For a moment, she could hear the waves breaking on the shore.
Rivera spoke first.
“Top, we got a problem with one of the suits. Yours, actually, mam’”
“What happened?”
“Apparently, a fuel cell leaked.” continued Jorgensen in his accented English. “It ate through part of the suit, and we can’t fix it here.”
“Prep one of the backup civilian suits.”
She blinked a few more times, stretching herself like a cat.
“Yes mam’” said Rivera.
Just as Jorgensen and Charlie Squad’s medic were about to head back aft, Carter poked his head out of the cockpit.
“We're just about 5 hours out, 45,000 miles. We're starting to get some really clear images of the other Condor now.”
Immediately, whatever veil of sleep had been lingering in Emma mind was swept away.
“Patch it through Chief” she said, leaning forward and bringing the screen next to her seat to life. Over her shoulder, she heard Rivera and Jorgensen power up the nearby displays to get a look.
After a few seconds of silence, Emma’s voice, even mumbled, was clearly heard in the cabin.
“Well fuck me… It’s here for sure...”
She snapped her head up.
“Chief; I need you to scan the hell out of that bird. I want us to know as much as we can when we get there. In 60 minutes, I want you to start trying to raise them on the comm.”
“Mister Jorgensen; finish prepping one of the backup suit, and get to work on that makeshift decontamination chamber you cooked us up. I want it up in running by the time we get there. Sergeant Rivera will assist you in any way he can.”
She looked back down the cabin at the rest of her squad, who were all sleeping soundly.
“And Sergeant, be so kind as to wake up the Lance Corporal and send him to assist the Chief.”
Robert Bogdon
Orr, Michael J
Robert Bogdon
Orr, Michael J
Robert Bogdon
Orr, Michael J
JC Demers
When Jorgensen and Carter got into the passenger cabin, they found it rather… different. All the seats had been folded on themselves to make as much room as possible. Foam filled hard plastics cases, with magnetic strips along their bottom, had been set about, sticking to the floor, walls and ceiling. Instead of floating about like they had been earlier, the members of Charlie Squad were now moving about with all the ease they would have displayed in normal gravity, thanks to their suit’s magnetized boots. Although most of them carried over 90 pounds of gear, zero gravity made sure they didn’t even break a sweat.
With their dull dark grey reflex vac suits and reinforced helmets, they all somewhat look like mean space ants. Beside Emma and Collett, who didn’t have their helmets on yet, the only real way to differentiate between soldiers was to read the name tags on their suit. Each soldier was busy either checking their weapons, or strapping some piece of gear to themselves. The cabin echoed with the sounds of bullets being chambered, clips being clicked and Velcro tearing.
Emma looked up as both men approached them. Collett, on the other hand, kept pushing rounds into a small magazine.
“Staff Sergeant” began Jorgensen “the Condor seems to be coming from a ship called the Nautilus.”
“There’s no such ship in our database tho, so it doesn’t help us a whole lot…” added Carter.
“We should be able to dock with it, although I’m not really sure that would be a safe thing to do right now” continued Jorgensen.
Emma nodded.
“Glad to see we think alike Mr. Jorgensen. We’ll be ready to go walk about in about 5 minutes. We’re going to use one of the magnetic pitons to establish a cable line between both ships. As soon as we’re all on the other side, I want you to take some distance. If anything should go wrong, we need to make sure our boat doesn’t get dinked.
Collett took a pistol from one of the nearby cases, and rammed the magazine he had just loaded home. Flipping the sidearm over, he handed it, grip first, to Emma.
“Once you’ve got some distance, we’ll board through the main airlock, and secure the ship. We’ll radio when things are safe, and you’ll dock using the same airlock we used.”
It was Carter and Jorgensen’s turn to nod. Emma holstered her sidearm on her right thigh.
“I’ll get us in position.” Said Carter, turning back into the cockpit.
Emma looked up toward Jorgensen, cocking her head to the side as she observed him.
“Anything to add?”
Orr, Michael J
From: tdcg...@googlegroups.com [tdcg...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of JC Demers [deme...@gmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, May 15, 2010 9:20 PM
JC Demers
She rose to her feet.
"Marines; lock and load. EVA in 2 minutes."
Orr, Michael J
JC Demers
Sitting somewhat comfortably in the cockpit of the Condor, Carter and Jorgensen watched the display screens in front of them. Each soldier carried a small high definition camera, mounted on their helmet. With the direct radio feed piped into the ships comm relay, both men could follow everything in detail. They even had a small display screen with each of the marines’ vital signs.
From Emma’s headcam, they could see the entire squad, left for her, standing on the left side of the side port airlock. She made some sort of tapping gesture on the side of helmet, which the entire squad repeated. One by one, their voices echoed, slightly distorted by the radio comm.
POPE: Charlie One, Check
COLLETT: Charlie Two, Check.
RIVERA: Charlie Three, Check.
WADE: Charlie Four, Check.
MORALES: Charlie Five, Check.
VOGLER: Charlie Six, Check.
Collett gave a thumbs up to Emma.
POPE: Charlie Squad Loud and Clear!
Emma then tapped both hands across her chest, then her tights.
POPE: Secure Gear!
Each Marine began checking every single seal on their suits, as well as the attach points for all their gears. Once they were done, they each check that of the person in front of them, and then in the back. Emma went briefly at the back of line, to check Vogler’s suit. Once she was done, she gave him a firm slap on the shoulder.
VOGLER: Charlie Six Ready.
He in turn gave a firm slap on Morales shoulder, and so on down the line. Again, Collett gave Emma a thumbs up.
POPE: Charlie Squad Ready.
Bringing her arms above her head, Emma crossed them at the wrist, and then bent down to tap the side of her boots.
POPE: Hook lines! Check plates!
Each Marine hooked a safety line along a cable that ran along the “roof” of the passenger cabin. They each tugged on the carabineer twice, and then bent down to make sure their boots magnetized plates were working properly. Once done, each Marine tapped the shoulder of the one in front of him, sounding off as they went down the line.
POPE: Charlie Squad Ready for EVA. Chief; depressurize the passenger cabin.
After a few seconds of silence, the lights in the passenger cabin turned off, leaving only the red glow of the emergency lighting system. An alarm began to sound off, buzzing loudly as life support was cut from the passenger cabin, and air vented out. The air rushing out made it seemed like a sudden wind had decided to rise inside the Condor. Loose straps on the Marines tactical vests began to flap around, as their safety line banged on the ceiling. Then, as suddenly as it had begun, everything fell down, quietly.
Emma turned to the side, checking the door’s pressure seal gauge.
POPE: Passenger cabin depressurized. Opening hatch.
When the hatch was opened, she moved back, letting Collett step forward. Through his headcam, Carter and Jorgensen could clearly see the other Condor, drifting ominously next to them. Collett raised what looked like a giant flare gun, sighted down a brief moment and pull the trigger. All they could see was the camera swivel a bit to the side, as the man took in the launcher’s recoil. With a thick spool of cable trailing behind, the magnetic piton flew through space, connecting noiselessly with the other ship.
COLLETT: Boarding line established. Securing zip line.
Securing a second safety line to the zip line, Collett then unhooked himself from the hook line. Grabbing firmly each side of the open door, Collett crouched forward. Emma stepped behind him, hooking herself to the new line.
POPE: Charlie Squad, get ready to move out.
She waited a few seconds, as each Marine secured himself to the zip line.
POPE: Charlie Squad, on my mark….
Emma pushed herself as close as she could to Collett, with each other Marine squeezing in behind.
POPE: Execute!
As soon as Emma had given the command, Collett flung himself forward, the zip line keeping him on course as he flew through the empty space between both Condor. Emma was barely a second behind him. Every Marine stepped to the door, quickly grabbed the side and hurled himself forward in a practiced manner. Within seconds, Charlie Squad was standing on the other side of the void, boots firmly planted on the Condor.
POPE: Charlie Squad in position. Chief; seal the door and get some distance.
From the view screens, Carter and Jorgensen could see the marines move about on the Condor’s hull, heading for the airlock of what they too for granted as the passenger cabin. Reaching it, Vogler and Collett took position on each side of the airlock, with Collett drawing his sidearm. Vogler began operating the external control.
COLLETT: Charlie Two Covering.
VOGLER: Airlock unsealed. Ready for entry.
POPE: Squad; Stack up. Prepare for stealth entry on my go.
Standing up on the side of the ship, Charlie squad split itself in two, with three Marines on each side of the airlock. By the time they were set, each Marine had drawn their sidearm.
POPE: Chalk One, take long side. Chalk two, short side.
COLLETT: Chalk Two Copy.
POPE: Execute.
VOGLER: Opening Airlock.
As soon as the airlock was open, Collett bent at the waist, lowering himself head first into the passenger cabin. Vogler was immediately behind him. Just as rapidly as they had exited their own ship, the Marines of Charlie squad each plunged head first into the Condor.
For a moment, every single headcam showed only pure burning white.
COLLETT: No Joy! No Joy!
POPE: Red off! Red off!
Carter immediately looked at the sensor screen, his fingers flying about on the console. The displays screen for the headcams began to flicker as the Marines apparently switched their vision mode.
"Someone turned on the lights... we've got running lights on the other Condor now." Said Carter on the radio.
The headcams images slowly cam back to life, albeit somewhat fuzzy and grainy. Every now and then, the image would flash on and off, as the signal faded in and out.
COLLETT: Chalk Two, Holding Position.
POPE: Charlie Three, Report.
RIVERA: Air clean. High CO2. Rads elevated, within safe limit.
POPE: Roger Charlie Three.
MORALES: No Go on cockpit door.
POPE: Roger, Charlie Six. Cover the door. Squad, Move and Clear. Go.
Slowly, the rest of Charlie squad began to move forward through the passenger cabin. With their gaze never staying very long in one place, it was rather difficult for both men to figure out exactly what was in there. Apparently, the six passenger seats have been replaced with two hibernation pods, both of which appear to be unpowered. The observation dome in the roof is heavily pitted and cracked, though still intact. What look like half dozen air tanks, a pair of air masks, foil meal pack wrappers and other bits of trash are floating around the cabin.
COLLETT: Passenger cabin clear. Charlie Two Covering Door.
POPE: Charlie Four, Set Charges.
WADE: Roger, Charlie Four Setting Charges.
Wade’s headcam briefly tilted itself toward the floor, as the combat engineer apparently took something out of his drop leg pouch.
WADE: Charges Set.
POPE: Roger that. Squad; stack up.
COLLETT: Squad stacked up.
POPE: Execute.
The Marines began filing into the room, the laser sights from their weapons gliding around steadily as they scanned around them. The front two thirds of the cargo bay contain what look like two large semi-portable nuclear reactors on the left. On the right is a massive bank of power cells. In the middle of the clear aisle down the center of the cargo bay is a bizarre looking device about the size of a washing machine. The outer shell is made of a clear material with an embedded metallic grid. Suspended inside the center of the device by a series of rods is a series of six torroids forming a cube. Thick cables run from each of the reactors to the banks of power cells and the walls of the cargo bay. Additional cables run from the banks of power cells to the device in the center of the bay. The rear of the cargo bay is loaded with crates of meal packs, large air tanks, drums of water and medical supplies, more than enough to keep a fully crewed Condor going for several weeks.
COLLETT: Cargo Bay Clear.
Although they couldn’t hear it, or even see the Marine’s faces, Carter and Jorgensen could easily notice every single heartbeat start to slowdown.
POPE: Passenger Cabin and Cargo Bay Clear. Charlie Five, report.
MORALES: Charlie Five here; Cockpit door still blocked.
POPE: Charlie Five; check the pressure gauge.
MORALES: Copy, Checking…… Pressure unequal.
POPE: Copy that Charlie Five, I’m on my way. Charlie Six, form on me. Charlie Two and Four, began prepping ship for docking. Charlie Three, check the pods.
Without a single word, every Marine got to its task. Collett and Wade began pulling lights sticks out of the vest, cracking and shaking them to life. They then stuck them where they could, providing light in case of emergency. Rivera made his way to the pods, holstering his weapon and bending down to take a look at the control panels. Emma and Vogler joined up with Morales back at the front of the ship. As their squad leader moved toward the door’s control panel, both Marines took a few steps back, raising their weapons.
Robert Bogdon
JC Demers
For a brief moment, the Marines broke out of their calmed discipline. As the hibernation pod hissed a cloud of ice crystals, Rivera dropped himself prone, nearly avoiding the flying corpse. He grunted in pain as he smacked himself against the floor. Vogler, Morales and Emma all turned around, weapon raised and ready. Catching a brief glimpse of the flying body, Morales rapid trigger finger took over. In the vacuum of space, the 10mm hollow points rounds didn’t make a sound. She had already put four rounds into the corpse’s center mass before Emma barked over the radio.
POPE: HOLD YOUR FIRE! HOLD YOUR FIRE!
Morales eased off the trigger as she realized she’d been firing at an already dead target. Slowly, Rivera picked himself off the floor.
RIVERA: Well, that was interesting…
CARTER: What’s going on?!
POPE: Calm down Chief, we’re ok. Looks like the hibernation pods didn’t hold up to decompression too well.
Rivera chuckled over the radio link.
RIVERA: I’m sure you don’t need my expert opinion, Top, but these people are really dead now…
POPE: Tell me something I don’t know. Charlie Five, try not to mangle these poor people more.
It was almost easy to hear Morales’ jaw twitch.
MORALES: …. Copy that Charlie One.
POPE: Charlie Five and Six, On Me. Stack up.
Orr, Michael J
Robert Bogdon
Orr, Michael J
From: tdcg...@googlegroups.com [tdcg...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Robert Bogdon [robert...@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, May 17, 2010 10:23 PM
Robert Bogdon
Orr, Michael J
Robert Bogdon
Orr, Michael J
JC Demers
Instinctively, Emma tilted her head as she listened to the tiny voice in her ear. Through all the radiation, the ship’s thick hull, and the vacuum of space, their short range radio comms weren’t working all that well. She just hoped this wasn’t a glimpse of things to come.
Apparently, while they were gone, Earth had factionalized itself back. So much for international cooperation. No one had said anything, and Emma hoped to God it was because none of them had thought about it… but the Bellerophon was a multination venture. What would happen when the crew got wind of this? What would happen if others showed up, demanding allegiance and the device? This… This was bad… real bad.
When they had finished clearing the ship, Emma had planned on congratulation her marines on a job well done. Objective taken. Mission accomplished. After all, it was, in theory, their very first live op. Sure, they all had plenty of missions under their belt in their respective units, and they had trained together, every single day since their enrolment in Operation Diaspora. But this had been their first real assignment. And now, a giant shit storm was heading their way.
Emma walked out of the cargo room, issuing orders over the comm in a dead serious voice, as fast as her lips could move.
“Charlie Six, copy everything, and I mean everything on a separate drive, then wipe these computers clear. If you can’t, then, destroy it.”
“Yes mam!”
“Charlie Four; change the charges. Put them on that thing. And put more.”
“Charlie Four copy; baking a big cake with tons of candles.”
“Charlie Three and Five; bag the bodies, clean up the mess. Charlie Two, with me, main airlock.”
By the time she had finished speaking, Emma was back by the airlock the team had come in.
“Chief, the bird is secured and ready for docking. Jorgensen, start getting the towing gear ready.”