Operation: Echo Chapter 1 - Recon
"My name is Staff Sergeant Amy Regina Beckenbauer, and I, readers, have been through hell. Okay it wasn't all that bad. But from what me and my squad have done I personally feel it should be heard. The people of my home planet Elios or our government rather Decided it was high time we started colonizing the galaxy. We had our eyes set on one heavenly little rock; Mobius. It had a few set backs lower gravity, less precipitation than were used to. But heck what planet is perfect right? "NuSource" a big corporate science lab was in charge of our first recolonization process. They could've used some big money PMC's to pull security for their operations. No, they chose us The Elios Marines Corps.
To be exact the 35th MFR . Marine Recon Force for all the non-military types.
They said it was cheaper to use the military as guard dogs. Well we'll see when we get there, I guess."
Amy woke slowly from her 8 month hyper sleep to a rather annoying buzz. Not loud just annoying. Along with a buzz was a red light in her hyper sleep box. Which to her seemed more like a cadaver from a morgue. The Elionite stretched as much as the box would allow. Hissing in slight pain she patted an IV tube on her arm, set where her elbow fold. There was a rattling heard out side of her box along with muffled voices. She jumped a bit from the shaking of the sleep box she covered her eyes from quickly from the bright lights on the ship NSE Clandestine. Slowly Amy lowered her hand letting her eyes adjust to the great lambency of the Ships sleep hall. "Morning, Marine." A female Elionite called floating over her. With out a word Amy looked around at other waking Elionites. Most of them were Marines, some scientists, and the last few business executives with other Elionites hovering over them. "How ya' feelin'" The female said to her in a comforting voice as she attached some tubes and Intravenous bags. "Like hammered shit." Amy replied groggily Not minding the apparent nurse as she did her work. "Don't worry, it'll pass." The nurse smiled. "You been asleep for 8 and a half months. You'll be tired and weak for a bit."
She finished. "What're you doing?" Amy asked "This is a nutrient saline filled with electrolytes, carbs and proteins. A Dose of this and a good breakfast will get back on your feet." The nurse replied happily.
"This soldier giving you trouble?" as strong voice called from behind her. The nurse moved out of the way revealing a muscular male wearing nothing but tight boxers and a smile . "Greg?" Amy said again with that groggy voice. "Rest up, Beck meet in the mess hall when your better." The male left her with a pat on the shoulder.
In the mess hall there, Many Marines sat at cold metal table arguing, eating, and eagerly awaiting to get there hooves on Mobius ground. Like all the other Marines Amy skulked through the mess hall with a plate of what seemed like eggs and bacon and a protein waffle. She smiled weakly being flagged by her squad mates. Finally to her seat with her group. She said with sigh" It's one thing to make us walk around in our under wear its another to make us sit in the cold ass seats." She poked at her food with her fork. "And another to make us eat this crap" a male Marine named Private Derel Stonehardt said half disgusted as he toyed with his food letting it run off his spoon. "Well think of it like this tis a healthy slop" Another female; Corporal Ann-Marie Machete replied. Amy just sat poking at her 'food' still looking drowsy. "You should eat while you can Amy. Get your strength back." The male from the Sleep hall: Captain Greg Schmischer patted her on the back again. Amy said nothing just stomaching down her food product. Derel dropped his spoon on the table. "Radik's gonna have us dropped first." He looked around his group. "How do you figure?" Amy said feeling slightly better. " Uh do I need to remind you guys? Nyasaan, Chelm? Need I go on?" He listed in a sort of annoyed manner. Ann-Marie spoke up. " Just because there's consistency in our drops don't we be drop first on this run." She shoveled more imitation egg. "Its 'cause were the best he's got." Greg smiled "I agree with Ann, we might get a break this go round." Amy said back. An intercom resounds through out the mess hall. " ATTENTION: THE FOLLOWING FIRE TEAMS ARE TO REPORT TO DROPSHIP BAY CHARLIE 12 IN TEN MINUTES!" The marine filled mess hall went quiet. "Here we go ,watch'" Derel warned "ALPHA, CHARLIE, HOTEL AND ZULU." The intercom finished. "That's us" Greg stood up (They were Fire team Zulu) The rest of the group followed the Captain.
Well for the billionth time in a row Derel was right. I really gotta stop betting him at these things.
In the Dropship bay Fire team Zulu stood stood by what looked like an Apache attack helicopter with the exception that the rotors were replaced by twin turbine engines, and had room for cargo and soldiers. Two other Marines: A Warrant Officer a Sergeant and another scientist. The Warrant Officer saluted Greg as he returned his. "Fire Team Zulu?" He asked. "That's us....who's this?" Greg pointed to the Scientist. "You guys got escort duty" The Warrant Officer replied "Great baby sitting" Derel said to amy sarcastically. Amy giggled shushing him. Greg gave a firm hand shake to the Scientist. "Dr Carrtier" the scientist introduces him self "Im Captain Schmischer, This is Staff Sergeant Beckenbauer, Corporal Machete amd Private Stonehardt." Greg introduced back "I'll try not to be too much of a bother" Dr Cartier said nervously. "Well were ready to drop anytime you guys are." The Warrant officer said. Greg nodded to him as the Warrant Officer and the Sergeant walked to the cock pit. "Alright, mount up! Dr Cartier you're by me." The group of five walked into the Cargo area of the drop ship where there weapons awaited. The squad took their seats as loading their weapons. Amy and Ann with standard issue Assault rifles with thirty millimeter grenade launchers and pistols. Derel: a six barreled minigun. Greg a fifty caliber sniper rifle which he hefted with no problem and a .45 caliber sub machine gun. And for the Dr. Cartier pistol. The engines on the dropship fired up making it rather loud in the cargo bay. "So, how many drops have you done?!" Ann-Marie yelled over the engine roar to Dr Cartier. "Twenty-Seven!" the scientists started. "Er...Simulated" he finished "Did you have anything to drink yet!?" Amy yelled out to him. "No." Cartier replied sure yet puzzled at such a question. "Good move." Derel snickered. After feeling the drop ship on its taxi the group put on what looked like large ear phones with a microphone winding over their mouths. From the top of the headphones formed a clear hat that extended around their antennae and over their head. This was like a helmet for them. The headphones were multi-way communication units. The Drop ship stopped abruptly. Jerking the crew a bit. A creaking noise could be heard on the out side of the ship. "Man, I live for this" Derel exclaimed over the engine. Over the comms of the group the pilot (The Warrant Officer) Could be heard. "Alright Zulu brace for Drop in Five, Four, Three, Two..." The group felt as if there organs had shifted upward as the drop ship was forced down by the Clandestine. The scientist closed his eye tightly holding on to his safety strap. The Downward force seemed to last for every as the four Marines hollered in enjoyment. Finally the fall slowed to a gentle cruise and the engines didn't seem so loud now. "Zulu" The pilot called over their comms. "Colonel Radik is giving us ten hours after you dismount for the scientist to do his thing." He said. "During that time I'll stay in close contact with you guys to provide air support if you need it" The Pilot finished. "Got it" Greg replied back. "Dr. Cartier will brief you on the planet itself. Doctor?" he finished. "Yes. Mobius is in a way similar to our planet. Breathable oxygen, vegetation, and water bodies. Which is why were so lightly dressed." The scientist said pointing out they were wearing regular combat armor. "What make you so sure the planets hospitable?" Amy asked half-way doubting Dr. Cartier. "Before you all woke up we did a planet wide scan, sent in sampler drones the works!" He's started "The planet's 100 percent Elionite friendly"
The doctor reassured them. The Marines nodded as the ship worked its way to Mobius ground. "What if we run into not so hospitable natives? "Ann-Marie asked. "If this planets so lively there's bound to be someone here, Right?" Gregg continued after her. "Yes. But Most the life forms detected by the Planet Scan were shown as non-Sentient." Dr Cartier smiled. "and If they are hostile. I'm sure you guys would be glad to show them a thing or two." Cartier joked. As the Drop ship landed The crew looked out its back cargo doors taking in a Mobian forest fresh morning air."I guess it not to bad" Derel said. "Dismount!" Greg barked quickly one by one the five exited the drop ship, weapon held at high ready. "Amazing." Dr. Cartier said admiring the forest lushness. As the Dropship dusted away. The pilot called out to the crew on their comms "Alright Zulu, My callsign is Zulu Overlord, yours is Zulu Spear, The Doctor's is Zulu Beaker." The pilot called. "Good copy Zulu Overlord. We'll send for you when we need you." Gregg called back. "Zulu Beaker?" the Cartier asked. "You're a scientist right?" Amy called out "It fits you" Cartier shook his head as he pointed to a gathering of trees. "Lets start over here" he lead the group. "What are you looking for exactly?" Ann-Marie asked. "Any thing really. Leaves, dirt, tree bark. Anything with life." He said taking out a large needle with a vial attached to it. Sticking it in one of the trees, instantly filling with its sap. "This is gonna be a long ten hours." Derel mumbled.
Well there you have it. Wasting ten whole hours baby sitting a scientist while he collects dirt. Let's go to a meanwhile scene shall we.
Unbeknownst to Zulu team. A blue hedgehog sat in a nearby brush watching as they just seem to stand there. As the scientist picked around at leaves and moss. "Sal, the hedghog whispered on a radio. "I think Tails was telling the truth. They don't seem like anything of Robotnik's though.? " he said. "Im seeing the same thing too." The a girl called back to him. "Im gonna take a closer look." The hedgehog said with a smile "Sonic, no!" the radio commanded. "Why not?!" He question impatiently "A: They might be Robotnik's drones and B: These guys don't look like they're in the mood for games." The radio explained. "U h what's that Sally? You're breaking up! I cant---" Derel looked around his antenna wiggle in the air. "You guys feel that?" He asked tensely spooling up his minigun. Cartie looked around "Its probably just a native animal or something "Yea I feel it to-" WHOOSH * Amy flinched being interrupted by a gust of wind brought by a blue blur. "You see that?!" She exclaimed pointing her weapon where the blur was headed. "Guys relax. It was probably a native creature!" Cartier called out trying to calm the Marines. \ **WHOOSH* * This time the blur passed Greg. Making him jump back and point his weapon towards where the blur originally came from. "I saw it too...Zulu stay alert!" he called out "Guys don't do this. We don't even know if its attacking us!" Cartier tried again . "Sir!" Ann-Marie called out point her weapon. "I got something!" A camera like orb approached them as if to study them. "Is that one of your Sampler Drones?" Greg asked. Carter shook his head with a simple "No" The camera orbited them. "But this tells me that there is some sentient life here!" the doctor seemed excited. "Recording unidentified organic life forms" a voice said from the camera. "Yes! I know there is! That explain the low level of sentient life-" Cartier was cut off by the camera "Priority hedgehog DNA detected. Swtiching to Alert status red! * the camera exclaimed, deploying two laser weapon from its sides. In a split second Derel unloaded some minigun rounds into the hull of the camera. Cartier ducked his head as he came up he looked at the pile of scrap made it into. "Well I guess this would be good to bring back he stood over it picking up what he could salvage. "Zulu Overlord this is Zulu Spear actual, Over." Greg called on his comms. "This is Zulu Overlord, send it Zulu Spear" the Dropship replied. "Yea check you're HUD to see if any unknown movement in our area, over." Greg called up. Waiting a few seconds the Dropship replied back. "Zulu Spear we can only detect movement coming form your team....Wait'. Were picking up something moving fast just south of your postion. Over" The Dropship corrected. The team turned point there weapons behind them. "Zulu Overlord stand by for danger close air support, Zulu Spear out." Greg Disengageed conversation. With their drop ship. Mean while Sonic stopped behing a tree not to far from Zulu team. In the sky Zulu Overlord waited with baited breath for the call for fire. "Sir? You getting this?" The Sergeant co-pilot tapped on his radar. "Probably just some static." The pilot suggest. "No signals clean sir I just-" alod crack resounded through the craft. "What the fuck was that!?" the Pilot exclaimed looking around. "Shit we lost power to engine two!!" the co-pilot replied. The craft shook violently as alarms in the cockpit sounded. "Zulu Spear actual we have lost power to one of our...huh?" the pilots stop noting a rather large like wasp clung to his window, along with more joining it. "Zulu Spear Actual we are under attack by native life forms we can't get a bead on them!" the pilot yelled over the radio. "Sir they're eating through the engines!" The co-pilot yelled out as the craft spun out of control. On the ground Greg not only got alerts from his craft but form the other squads: "This is Alpha spear calling out to other force recon squads! We are under attack from unknown enemy forces. Under heavy fi---Aahh!!
"Charlie spear we have taken two casualties our bird is down we need assistance I say again! We need assistance!
Hotel Spear to any Recon units. We are low on ammo and taking heavy fire Request support! Repeat! Request Support!!
Zulu team stood awestruck with there doctor scared. "I thought you said there were no sentient life here!" Ann-Marie yelled angry at Cartier! "We did find any and---BOOM
The squad looked where the were pointing there weapons before at an explosion. " Zulu Spear actual this is Zulu overlord" the co-pilot coughed. "Were down and my pilot is dead. Could use some assistance." He finished. "Zulu overlord we see your smoke on our way out!" Greg called in the comm. "Let's move Zulu!"
Sonic looked back at the explosion. Then at the approaching Zulu team. Already on his way to ivestigate. With Time to spare sonic looked at the fire pile of twisted metal. His eyes widened at the trapped co-pilot struggling to escape. With a few dashes around the downed craft Sonic extinguished the flame. Hopping on top of the wreck he strained removing the cock-pit cage that trapped the co-pilot. "Alright Alright...Come on!" Sonic said hefting the co-pilot from his would be coffin. "What? Who...Who are you?" the co-pilot coughed as Sonic lay him on the ground. "Duh the guy savin' your sorry butt....I don; think your friend was so lucky though. He point to the burnt silouette that used to be his pilot. Sonic's ears flickered as her heard Zulu team on its way. "Its over here!" The co-pilot looked up seeing his savior gone. As The team approached the co-pilot praised "Thank god." He waved weakly to the crew. "Are you all right." Amy was the first by his side. "Yea...that guy saved me" he said weakly pointing off in some random direction. "What guy?" Amy asked looking around. "He was blue and he help me from the crash." The Co-pilot replied weakly. "Alright your obviously hurt were getting you a MEDIVAC okay?" She explained to him. "This Fire team Zulu to Clandestine control" Greg call as Amy refocused her attention to the co-pilot from the drop ship. "Sergeant....There's other people here." The co-pilot hissed weakly as Amy tried to fix him as well as she could. " Just calm down okay we-" Amy stopped, looking up as Derel yelled out "INCOMING!"
Amy force the co-pilot on the ground using her body as a shield as grenade went of shattering her eardrums as well as rocking her body. Looking up dizzily she saw the the rest of the team was being attacked by an hidden enemy. The shots and hollers were muffled as her blurred vision focused on Ann-Marie who was handing her, a weapon, being abruptly shot down by a bullet to the shoulder. Amy looked down at the downed rifle picking it up returning fire into the nearby brush. Derel yells a blood roar as he empties his minigun in to an onslaught of metal humanoids. Greg fires off his sub-machine gun as he dragged Ann-Marie away and directing the scientist away from the fight. Some of the metal beings stopped, looking behind the them as a blinding golden light. Amy closed her eye before another explosion broke out. Amy was then unconscious.
"Well then, I guess this is what starts my wonderful journey. A Firefight and a light show. Shh lets see what happens next."