[Trek Sim] [Alpha IC] SD 241203.18 | Plot Log | LtGen. Richard Sharpe | The Battle for Carrie Eight
Peter Miller
With the wounded clear, all that remained was for the 92nd ACR to remove the Jem`Hadar threat from the base once and for all. This task fell to the man in command of Operation Clean Sweep; Sharpe.
Moving to a rear position, Sharpe now stood looking out on the marine base as a whole. Fires raged in the damaged command structure, but still determined defenders were firing from windows and gaps in the building. The Jem`Hadar had been guilty of being supremely confident in their position that the Federation would never attack them whilst they held the hostages – and had been caught napping when Sharpe had unleashed his barrage on the base. However, this had not been without consequence, and all the hostages with the exception of the away team, had been slain. This would weigh heavy on Sharpe’s conscience for many years to come, but right now, he needed to be in the here and now, and he knew that.
“Move E Company to the left flank.” Sharpe instructed. “We need to keep the pressure on them, without letting up.”
He stood looking out through a pair of binoculars, looking down the base from the secured airfield. No matter what happened now, the Jem`Hadar were not leaving this place. He’d already determined that he’d accept no surrender. He’d take prisoners, but he wanted them defeated, not walking out with some semblance of pride. They had to be broken – or they’d do this again. Sharpe was using this as a message – mess with us, and we’ll come down and ruin your year.
“Keep the men clear of the buildings, I’m ordering another barrage.” Sharpe instructed the Battalion CO’s.
Another salvo of bright blue rounds flew in a high arc over the attacking MACO’s and landed on the command buildings. The Jem`Hadar had foolishly, in Sharpe’s opinion, fallen back into the command complex, and therefore trapped themselves in the middle of the base, surrounded on all sides by very angry and very heavily armed MACO’s. Mortars pumped out shells into the area, as heavy machine guns and assault rifles attacked. The tanks had formed a ring around the buildings and were hammering home with their 105mm cobalt rounds.
Overhead a squadron of AH-64 Apache attack helicopters fired their impressive 113mm Sable Round Chainguns into the building as they straffed it, and deployed their Hydra rockets into it. Although all the helicopters looked like their 21st Century counterparts, they all used the most advanced technology. This was the ace in the MACO arsenal, that their vehicles were so basic, yet so effective. An enemy could be mistaken for thinking the MACO’s deployed pre-warp technology, but they couldn’t be more wrong, and many a foe had fallen for underestimating the MACO’s – as the Jem`Hadar were doing now.
“All units advance and clear the structure.” Sharpe instructed, not that there was much left of the buildings now. All that remained was to use the infantry to clear out any remaining stragglers either by capture or lethal force.
It had taken three hours, but at 1742 hours local time, the last Jem`Hadar was taken out, and all combat operations came to an end. All that remained now was for the 92nd to clear up the mess and assume occupation duties. Sharpe found himself walking through the debris with Colonel Walker, the CO of the 92nd.
“Your boys did a great job here, Colonel.” Sharpe said, as he stepped over a block. “I’ll be sure to issue a citation to that effect.”
“Kind of you, General.” Walker said, who had been somewhat irked originally to have his command subverted by Sharpe, but had realised that Sharpe had possibly handled it better than he himself would’ve had been left to his own devices.
“I’m leaving the 92nd here until I can find another regiment to move in to take over.” He said. “That won’t happen until General Towers is back in his office though, as really, that’s his call. I’ll send some engineers out, try and repair the place a bit for you.”
Walker nodded, but didn’t say anything. He didn’t really like Sharpe all that much, and didn’t want to get into trouble. Sharpe should’ve stayed well out of it, in Walker’s opinion, and he would be sure to note that the failure to secure the hostages was down to Sharpe’s decision to secure the Away Team first.
“I’m heading back to Zetari. Carry on Colonel.” Sharpe said, keenly aware that Walker wasn’t very fond of him.
=/= End Log =/=
Lt. General Richard Sharpe
Deputy Fleet Commander
Alpha Fleet