Trip putting on his Helmet arrived at Hanger bay meeting up with his team members. Curtwerz , Conner , Ariel , Jefferson and Martin.
Seeing Trip join up as well Conner said
"Jeff give them one last debrief"(Conner)
Trip latched himself to the landing pod between Ariel and Martin, with rest of his squad.
"As you wish my Primord"(Jeff)
With things still in turmoil Trip couldn't help but sigh.
"Ears Open Cadets. Today at 8:00 am of 27th july 2756 this might be some of you lads first recon deployment at this sector." (Jeff)
Conner knew that it was first enemy territory recon ops around these lands for Trip and Ariel, since they transferred recently.
Jeff with his carefree mood continued,
"We are here at Grand canyon to scout certain areas around lair of Screeps for a vault and pinpoint locations out of range of Screeps for deployments. You are advised to not engage anything without contact and forbidden to instigate The Queen." (Jeff )
Jeff sent further information to Visors of his squad mates.
"Open your landing chute when you are close to the ground and remember to keep your armour dispensers on and Sound absorbers safe from harm."(Jeff)
Though Trip went over the info countless times, he still gone on the details front of his eyes.
A Grand canyon's extra terrestrial species, code named Screep. It has long limbs and grills around lower body to intake air. Screeps walk on all four but bipedal movements in unique situations are also observed. Screeps don't possess observatory organs. They instead collect chemical particles through grills but be advised they can create ultrasonic waves and utilise them to flush out hiding preys or predators alike. Recent studies have shown them to have mind of Feline.
"Contact at launch altitude in 25 minutes." (Pilot)
Trip pondered over the line 'Mind of a Feline". He thought that it's a very vague term for 'Death is the last thing you will have in store'.....
Trip thought that alot of dangerous things lurked without public knowledge while only limited to that sector but then again the bizarre things at Mt. Saint Elias were not a common knowledge , not even to some members of Citadel.
While thinking this Trip got a private line request.
"Forgive me Hacket. I didn't wanted to be the only one making this decision......this choice. A choice which will result in sacrifices."(Martin)
Answered with Silence Martin didn't tried to pursue anymore and closed the private line.
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Still cant able find the rules of engagement after going over the ReconOps at screep lair Ariel asked
"What if we come in contact ?"(Ariel)
Martin feeling down with having lost hope on getting this young woman ever to talk, saw a chance and quickly answered even if it was meant for Jeff.
"Put some distance and don't move, don't make sounds. Running is your best and most advised option."(Martin)
"Do keep the sound absorbers on and safe."(Conner)
Content seeing the new introvert of the squad is getting level headed Martin felt capable to hold conversation again until Conner chimed in and set the progress back to zero.
"and maybe pray that it will just leave you alone , HAHAHAha....ha....h " (Curtz)
Given a cold Silence as feedback and him trying to get the situation little better isn't working Curtz went quiet.
"And when firing back is the only option?" (Trip)
Hearing Trip ask a question as well Martin thought, Maybe its just him realising late that he is just a little twat. But Martin didn't knew he will regret not answering the question.
" Required altitude for launch will be archived in 15 minutes"(Pilot)
"Then you put it down and get yer nuts cracking on some sweet soft sides." (Jeff)
Jeff managed to break Conners seriousness and Curtz silence leaving Trip regret to have ever spoken in his whole life.
With the whole team comms bursting in frantic laughing noises with even Martin trying to hide his audible muffling followed by everyone getting kicked out of team comms.
Trip entered the comms back hoping things have been settled down and to his surprise found himself alone in there.
Until he got called out by Ariel.
"Trip have you been told ?"(Ariel)
Trip replied.
"I am certainly not in dark."(Trip)
"That so ? I can't imagine this being alright with your mother being there, so are you sure ?."(Ariel)
"If even Citadel is getting involved then even my Mother would want me to follow the orders. Besides Mom was excited after finding the vault that she even told me about it while I was in McCarthy sector. She really wished to find this weapon vault."(Trip)
Taking a brief pause Trip took a deep breath and continued.
"Really did that's why I can't back down. Not here."(Trip)
and then left the comms.
Ariel felt emotional. She never heard Trip talk with a caring tone before. Thinking about the burdens he is carrying while being deployed wouldn't let herself keep together anymore.
She left the team comms as well removing the barricade.
"Be advised launch altitudes archived. Standby. The launch pods will be deployed in 1 minute."(co-pilot)
"Captain thermal scan is useless due to the white forest. Steer the pods with caution."(Pilot)
Trip felt ever so nostalgic or is it Deja vu he wondered. Preparing his mind Trip steeled himself for delivering the vault location even if it was his dead body sending it.
"Launch in 10...9...8.."(co-pilot)
Counting down in voice like countdown to death sentences Co-pilot felt nauseous.
"1....0.... Blast off. Br....k em u.... B......"(Co-pilot)
"Go.... Hu.....ng. w... b...r... ga...."
Trip closed his eyes. With the ominous static and launching into an hostile lair of army that even left everyone dead silent.
Trip felt tremors yet he was in hundered kms high in sky opening his eyes he saw stones bigger than trees flying past his eyes hitting one of the pods like seemingly a bird getting shot in midflight and.....
He saw the ever so faint reflecting from the distant with the MK-70 going down slowly in distance while the mountains covered themselves with blanket of slow but ever approaching snow.
He looked around with his eyes whichever so reflected doom and rocks. he heard the comms scrambling..... Full of static noises and shouting.....
While all this happened one landing pod from the group decreased in speed steadily going horizontally overhead valleys of emerging white mass. The ground bloated everywhere underneath it and the trees rooted out of it by the emerging white limbs out of the black soil.
With static and red lights buzzing all around the pod Trip closed his eyes and muttered,
"At end of the day it's just being the last one standing."