Operation Toe Dip: 4th MSOT CallSign Fawcett - In the Camp

Posted on 21 Aug 2019 @ 1:18pm by Major Terrance West & Lieutenant Junior Grade Eira Cortez & Captain Edward Bolingbroke (Dec-Jan 2389 - TRNSFR After Gorn War) & First Lieutenant Gregor Goss (Dec-Jan 2389 - TRNSFR After Gorn War) & Ensign Spencer Griffith-Bailey
Edited on on 21 Mar 2020 @ 11:17pm

Mission: Hahai i na pilikua nui - Hunting Monsters
Location: Partisan Camp
Timeline: T+2 1830 Hrs Zulu

[ON]

[Partisan camp]

The Team had spent the daylight hours hunkered down in the partisan camp. There had been considerable Gorn activity in the area, starting with helicopter flights in the early morning and several passes by patrol boats on the main river but none had come close to the camp and they had remained secure.

Now as dusk came in the camp became more active.

West awoke from his nap. A majority of the team had been put to rest with a hybrid perimeter schedule created with the coordination of Goss and Brooks, the retired Master Chief who had become the de facto leader of the partisans.

Gregor was moving around earlier than many, he traveled between all the members of his force, conversing briefly and taking notes.

Cortez hadn't had a chance to get some rest so she was sitting at the base of one of the trees close by, tapping away at the padd she carried everywhere and rubbing under her eyes. Looking up, she nodded to Goss as he walked by.

Having just woke up from her sleep, Isabella took time to stretch her legs and stood up from the bunk and walked over towards where the rest of the team were, she said,” Evening Sir,” as she neared West, she continued,” Are we ready to get going on the recon of the base?” as she wanted to get on with this mission.

"I think so, Senior," West replied. "Let's get formed up for the ruck up. Have you seen the Master Chief?" West asked.

"No sir I haven't," replied Isabella as she looked back at West, She continued," I have just woke up myself, but I could do with some food before we start if that's Ok with you?" as she knew a full stomach would give her some energy for the night ahead.

West paused as he looked at the Senior Chief. "Of course, Senior Chief. You don't need to ask me permission to eat," West allowed before finally spotting the Master Chief.

Walking over, West motioned for Goss and Griffith-Bailey to join.

"How's it going, Master Chief?" West asked.

Brooks nodded to West “Good evening Major”

The more I think about this plan, the more I feel like we need to utilize the Hilo. It would be senseless not to take advantage of its sensors to call out any targets, especially once the fighting starts. The only question is the terrain. We know the Scythe cannot see below 100 ft as exhibited by our river run. Do you think you can keep her below that on the way up?" West asked Griffith-Bailey.

The pilot nodded "Yes sir, I can do that. If we keep the warp core at minimum power, go easy on the engines and power output. We can be reasonably stealthy. Main concern would be visual detection if somebody sees or hears us."

He turned to the old Chief. 'Whats the terrain like that way Chief?"

“It’s fairly level North of here for a couple hundred klicks, although we would have to swing out west a little rather than take a direct route as there are some hills closer to Sophiaville” Brooks added “The Bulgarian River flows North from the other side of those, it runs around the town’s agricultural zone and that’s low ground we could use to get closer to the array. “

The old Chief grabbed a stick and drew a rough map on the ground, marking out the area around Sophiaville, the array, river, fields, woodland, road and rail.

“We’d have to be real careful there, south of the river its thick forest and when we tried before they have heavy weapons emplacements and guards out in the woods. There’s a road and the monorail line cut through it, but the rest is pretty dense. It’s good to hide in but tough to navigate, we nearly blundered right into one of those emplacements.”

West nodded. "Sounds easier said than done. What sort of vehicles do you have available? Not everyone will fit in the Hilo," the Major noted.

"Well there is twenty eight of us now" Brooks replied " A dozen of us can come with you. The rest will need our two airboats to move to the next camp."

The Major nodded. "Sounds good, we have room for twenty eight of us. Goss, let's have your thoughts on preliminary approach."

"Thank you," Gregor began, inclining his head to Brooks. "We will have to be very careful indeed, but I feel approaching through the forest still offers us the best chance of success. The stealthiness of our vehicles will determine how far upriver we disembark, but once there, we can split into two teams, each will take out the emplacements on one side of the rail line. If we're fortunate, that may even draw defenders out of the installations itself, easing our infiltration later. That's at least a start for phase 1."

West nodded, looking to the other officers there for input.

Cortez looked between both Brooks and Goss, "The forest will give us enough cover so that we maintain the element of surprise, so to speak. If we disembarked at a safe distance, further rather than closer, it will give us more time to execute the plan.I want them taken down, I want to fight."

The Master Chief nodded, "I'd like to help with that sir."

"I would be honored to fight alongside you," Gregor told him, "And equally glad to have as many capable operatives as possible for this mission." Clearing his thoughts, he continued laying out his idea. "Once the emplacements are taken care of, both units will join back together to assault the main facility. The key here will be moving quickly, as Gorn reinforcements will likely be dispatched as soon as they know they are under attack. Moving quickly, and delaying that realization for as long as possible are going to be vital. Once inside the installation, I propose making our way to the computer core, and wiping it clean. We can then make our way back to safety, perhaps carrying a few key computer components as well. This spares the array from destruction, so it can return to civilian duties one day, and I believe that the Gorn would have serious difficulties replacing some of the Federation code and components that allow it to operate."

West nodded, "It sounds feasible. We'll recon once we're there to make sure we don't bite off more than we can chew. It's a solid plan though. Let's get locked and loaded!

To Be Continued...