The transport ships arrived around 1800 hours, 6 hours after their departure. The transport ships were headed into the Zenith’s hangar. There, they would immediately be directed into their respective barracks and told to rest.
The departure was postponed for a few hours due to a shift in command. The Vice Admiral, Blake Ackerson, formerly assigned to the task, had resigned his position in the operation and had tasked a Major with the mission.
Admiral Charles Adan, commander of the Zenith, also asked for more vehicles due to the lack of them from the mission prior. This caused more stalling for the mission.
“Admiral, are we sure that dropping them at the same coordinates would be plausible?” Vice Admiral Ackerson asked. He and the Admiral were talking about further details on the plan. With them on a small holographic display was Admiral Charles Adan of the Zenith.
“He’s right, sir.” The hologram spoke. “We don’t know what might be down there. For all we know, they’re already dead because of the drop.”
“No, the pod can still survive after a drop in a canyon and they can float in water if there is.” Admiral Stern defended.
“We’re just guessing here, sir. Nothing is for certain.” Ackerson replied.
“The scout ship I sent into the planet earlier said that the storm was very thick and disruptive. The navs and mapping were unreliable.” Admiral Adan informed. “Mountains also plague that region.”
“Did the mapping indicate any flat surface? Anything resembling a plain surface?” Stern asked the hologram.
“Well, yes, but it’s unreliable, sir, since after that came a lot of static.”
“We have one shot at saving the 104th.”
“I fear that in trying to save them, we might end up losing more.” Ackerson replied.
“If we don’t take that risk, we’re losing an entire company.”
“And if we’re risking everything, we might lose them all.” Stern sighed. These two were against him sending in another company down there. Ackerson and Adan both knew the risks of sending in more troops to the planet. The unknown was terrifying.
But Stern was hellbent on trying to save the company. He did not waver at the odds.
“These damned storms…” Stern whispered. The storms have been a problem since day one. Hindering their communications with anyone below. That was why they had 3 squadrons of engineers coming along for the next drop.
“We’re going to continue with the descent. That is final.” Stern decided. Ackerson and Adan were frustrated with the decision. Stern could see that. “If you want to protest, then if this fails, I will resign from my position as Fleet Admiral of the Expedition.”
Both of them were surprised at his challenge. The odds were against the admiral. He knew that as well as they did. But this was his habit that led him to be a decorated Fleet Admiral.
“Just like your gambit during Redelon. Fucking hell.” Adan laughed. “You’re crazy!”
“Taking gambles is all.” Admiral Stern was notorious for his insane gambles during the Reunification era. He was responsible for the victory at Spreggler Field seventeen years ago.
“If this fails, Stern, you might be relieved of duty for life.” Adan said.
“Then let this be my last fucking gamble.” Adan smiled at his determination and unwavering will. He saluted before ending the call. Ackerson was astonished at it all.
He may have only been a vice admiral for three months, but being beside Stern, he learned so much about the position and things about the Fleet Admiral.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
“How did high command still let you work after all those insane plans?” He asked.
“They saw my work.” Stern replied before leaving the bridge.
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The 101st awoke around 0300 hours. Two hours before descent. The one hundred and fifty men rushed towards the armory in order to prepare their gear. Accompanying them were three squads of engineers that would join them on their descent towards the frozen hellhole.
They fitted into their V-10 alloy armor, a thin layer of armor capable of halting metal bullets. Then after that, they fitted into their Exosuit Winter Armor, or the ESW, a much thicker layer of armor that resembled an old astronaut’s suit. The suit gave them protection against the cold but also limited their movements and peripheral vision.
The walkers and snowmobiles were being transported from the Romulus to the Zenith to be made ready for pod drop.
The company stood in formation before the hangar shield. The storm filled planet of E-759-R was in view. There, the company would wait for further orders.
Ray was beside his squad and Zaya and hers. The company stood there upright for a couple of minutes, silent and stalwart.
Then, from one of the doors leading into the hangar bay, Major Ryker Atlins appeared. The soldiers instinctively saluted before the Major dismissed them.
“Men, your mission today is nothing new. A simple descent into E-759-R. After descent, you will have no communications with any ship in orbit. That is why you are to build a radio relay station so that communications could be established.” The Major paused. “Now the hard part. You are all tasked with finding the lost 104th Company. You are going to be dropped near their position. You are dropping in blind. Pray that you may not suffer before I do. I, along with the engineer squads will be accompanying you. I am now your commanding officer, I am Major Ryker Atlins.”
The Major saluted at them and the company did the same.
“All squadrons!” The Major shouted. “Into your designated pods! Now!”
And so, his orders were followed. The company all went into their designated drop pods.
The insides of the pod were big enough to fit fifteen people in ESWs. Ray and his squad fit into one of the drop pods. In it was a control pad with a built in radio at the center. Around the pod were seats with safety harnesses that looked like from an amusement park.
The vehicles had their own drop pods which were the last ones to be dropped/
Once all were in their drop pods, the doors were locked by personnel. Zaya and her squad were on top of the first batch of drop pods, being the second batch. Zaya quickly went to the control pad and hit the button for the built in radio, beating Marcell to it.
“This is Echo-4-9, ready and waiting.” Her voice reached the control center.
“Bravo-10-1, ready and waiting.”
“Charlie-Niner, ready and waiting.”
“Delta-5-5, ready and waiting.”
The alarm blared.
“Ready for descent in T-minus, one minute.” The announcer spoke. This prompted the crewmen on the hangar to quickly hurry the machinery.
“Ten, nine, eight, seven…”
“Zaya, you gotta stop doing everything.” Marcell said as the safety he put was locked, Zaya remained silent.
“Six, five, four…”
“Ready?” Ray asked Randy.
“Hell nah.” Randy smiled inside his suit, unnoticed as the helmet covered his entire face. “Fuck, I got an itch.”
“Three, two, one. Descent starting.
Inside the hangar, explosions and rumbling were heard. The intense shaking implying that the descent has started. From underneath the Zenith’s hull, the drop pods began to descend.
Inside the drop pod, the soldiers were having to hold on tight just to be safe. The descent into orbit was a violent one. Rigorous movement and pressure change from space to the atmosphere and heat. Luckily, they trained for this moment. But to every recruit, it felt like they did not train for this at all.
This wasn’t a mere simulation but very much real. Who knew what could be of them after descent. This feeling of uncertainty left them feeling queasy. Some puked outright before reaching down.
The suit did not have a puke bag.
“The fuck, Tim!” A soldier shouted as the noise of Tim puking was heard. “Oh fuck, don’t remove your helmet!”
The drop pods entered the storm clouds that gathered before. The apex of the turbulence occurred. From side to side, back and forth, up and down, they all felt the intense vibrations. There was no window that showed the environment outside out of fear of the glass being broken due to pressure.
After two minutes of the most intense turbulence, it finally died. The rest of the drop became smoother than before. Weak trembling took place, replacing the strong one before the drop was completed.
The pods finally reached the ground. Once it hit the ground, to their surprise, it was not that violent.
As Ray and his squad removed the safety, Randy came to the radio and communicated with anyone available.
“Hello? Hello? This is Liner-5, anyone there?” He radioed in. They heard a faint noise outside as they waited for anyone to respond.
Soon the static turned into a message.
“This is Charlie-Niner, we hear you loud and clear.” With Charlie-Niner with them, Ray decided to open the titanium door. “Liner-5, here. Going out.”
The door was heavy and thick, but thankfully they moved it with ease. What greeted them outside was a blizzard waiting for them. The blizzard blocked most of their view of the horizon. They couldn’t see anything but thick snow and fog.
“Fuck, we’re in a storm.” Ray said.