Canterra - Operation: Cold Comfort: Nemo's Lode - Down among the dead men

Posted on 26 Aug 2019 @ 2:23pm by Captain Edward Bolingbroke (Dec-Jan 2389 - TRNSFR After Gorn War) & Lieutenant Commander Iria Taltos & First Lieutenant Chea Accusay (Jan 2389 - TRNSFR After Gorn War) & Gunnery Sergeant Kyle Walken & Lieutenant Junior Grade Anyi Nila
Edited on on 27 Aug 2019 @ 1:30am

Mission: Hahai i na pilikua nui - Hunting Monsters
Location: The Xore Strike Mine

[ON]

[Level Eight – Elevator Room]

Bolingbroke turned and briefed Taltos and Nila. “We’re going to go down the elevator shaft and get the drop on the Gorn. Once we start the attack, the elevator will be brought up, then you two will come down with Sarnt Kadesh and the others. Follow his instructions, try to stay clear if there is still a fire fight going on, we need you two to fix the pumps! Alright, any questions?”

"Yes, wasn't there a pump on this level that needs restarting or do you want us to wait until after both levels are clear to start the repairs?" Iria said quickly. Still standing tense because she wasn't keen to get in the way if they had other plans. After a moment she frowned thinking over the plans for the mine, there hadn't been a pump station marked only the elevator on this level. She shook her head slightly as she figured she'd misunderstood when the expert had been talking. Shrugging it off she waited for whatever they needed her to help with.

"No questions just got to keep our heads down and keep moving should that fight not be over," Nila remarked.

Once everyone was ready they gathered around the open elevator shaft doors. “Okay, drop all your excess kit, we’re just taking phaser rifles and night-vision headsets. Don’t need the extra weight on this op.” Bolingbroke instructed, removing his extra gear and placing it to the side.

Bolingbroke spoke “A couple of thousand years ago on Earth, a Greek army assaulted a Persian fortress by scaling tall cliffs in the middle of the night. To retain the element of surprise the soldiers bravely gagged themselves, so if they fell their screams would not alert the Persian sentries. Some did fall to their deaths, not one cried out…”

Bolingbroke looked around “This descent is going to be just as hard as scaling a cliff. Over five hundred feet down on a narrow ladder. We’re not going to be gagging ourselves, so just make sure nobody bloody well falls off!”

“And if you do, make sure you land on a big fat Gorn!” Hudson added.

Kyle smirked, "No plans on falling Cap, but should it happen I'll make sure to cause a big distraction for the rest of ya."

"Ooh rah" Chea said

Bolingbroke grinned. “We’ll go down the sides of the ladder, that way we can decend two at a time and keep the group closer together. Keep the noise down, avoid any chatter and we’ll need to be especially careful once we’re get into the open, which is the last hundred and twenty plus feet.

Hopefully any Gorn around the base of the shaft will be drawn into the tunnel by the diversionary attack. Code signal for that to begin will be Spartan. Ok, lets go to it”

Kyle slowly stepped on to the close ladder, slowly making his way down his mouth silent and careful placement of his hands on feet to keep the noise down.

Hudson followed on taking the opposite side of the ladder from Walken, then Bolingbroke and the rest of the selected Team members, with Accusay and the Infantry Marines following on.

"Ok. Stevens, th'Zarath. I'm sure I don't have to say anything, but I will. Safety..period. A dead marine is a useless marine." Chea said

Iria stood back waiting for the word on directions towards checking and repairing the pump systems on this level.

While they figured out how to liberate the level ten area from the Gorn and their prisoners. With luck a few simple repairs awaited then this was a done deal.

[Elevator Shaft]

The group of Marines climbed down into the darkness of the shaft, steadily descending hands and feet moving down from rung to rung. The ladder was sturdy but within a few minutes hands began to ache from gripping the hard metal rungs.

There was a strong rush of air up the shaft from the level below, it roared in the ears and made their eyes water but there was little to do but ignore it and carry on down the ladder.

Bolingbroke had his eyes slitted to keep out the dust, he had to shake out his hands every so often as the fingers began to cramp from holding tightly on to the rungs. Every so often there were markings on the side of the shaft, they had got down to two hundred and sixty feet so far, just more than half way. He set his mind to focus on the task in hand and keep doggedly climbing down.

Walken keeps focus on himself as he descended down the dark shaft, at one point to stop for a second just to wipe the sweat and dust from his forehead. It was hard to tell him how far down they had made it. Despite not being able to see much he looked down expecting to see anything but only silent darkness was below the marine.

"One at a time, one at a time." Chea kept repeating to himself, while fighting the sensory overload coming from the shaft. Fighting the urge the cough he checked up on his men and saw the Andorian faltering. " Shras, you ok. It's just a little climb. Don't embarrass me in front of the Gorn." He laughed

[Level Eight – Elevator Room]

Kadesh checked over the rest of the team, making sure they were ready for the upcoming action. He was concerned the elevator would be an easy target once it got to the open stretch of the cavern below and he discussed prying open the doors so they could at least return fire if needed.

He approached Taltos and Nila. “Once the elevator comes up and we’re aboard, could you get the doors to stay open for us?” He asked, explaining why.

Iria nodded her head, "We can do that no problem." She wasn't going to add anything else she had a feeling it would be seen as smartassery.

Nila nods, "Just make sure I don't get shot when we are down there."

The Klingon gave them a wide grin " No promises!"

[Elevator Shaft]

The team passed the one hundred and seventy five foot marker and Bolingbroke called a halt. He hooked his feet and arms into the ladder to stay secure. The rush of air was stronger here and he had to speak loudly to be heard over it. “About another fifty feet and we will be out of the shaft into the cavern below.

Once we get close, Sarnt Walken will descend alone and recon the cavern. We’ll call in Spartan get the diversionary attack started. Then we need to move fast and quiet down to the cavern floor. We secure the area, neutralize any remaining Gorn and get the elevator moving up to collect the rest of the team. We’ll take a four minute break, then we go! Check your weapons and get your night vision headsets on. Any questions?”

"Night vision, check." Accusay said, noding to his own men. "No questions, sir."

Bolingbroke slipped on his night vision headset. The visit turned the dark shadowy elevator shaft to a faded greeny-gray but everything was much clearer. He spoke with Walken “Drop down just enough to be able to check out the cavern, them come on back and report.”

Walken nodded as he flicked his NVG on, slowly he made his way down the ladder away from the other marines. He came to the opening of the shaft, below him the shaft opened up leaving just the supports of the elevator and the ladders.

Below him, the Gorn had set up various makeshift defensive barriers. It looked like most of the Gorn who had refused to surrender were clustered around the entrance tunnel that led to the main shaft.

On the other side of the cavern was another building with several large pipes running to and from it. That must be the pump house.

Only a few Gorn seemed to have been left around the elevator and the

Kyle quietly began the climb back up, "We have three Gorn maybe four, that was my count, could be more in the pump station.

There are makeshift defensives to cover their front but nothing from above or below. I don't think they are expecting us up here, also they seem to be huddled together by the tunnel entrance."


[Level Ten – Entrance tunnel]

Battle Master Fsh’Csazz was furious, he literally shook with rage. After the unscheduled prisoners had been delivered and then the sudden Federation attack he had tried to organize a defense of the mine. However the Federation had somehow managed to cut off the power to the entire complex. He had received messages that a Gorn Phalanx had turned traitor and sized the power control room, but he was sure that was a lie. But despite sending several Phalanx units through the underground transfer tunnel they had still failed to restore power.

Once the power went off he had gathered his personal Phalanx, several other Gorn and two of the science technicians, then got to the mine elevators just ahead of the Federation troops. Even with the power off the elevator could be made to descend on the automatic braking system and he had taken a car down to one of the deepest levels. If they could not hold the mine he would at least ensure the Federation would not have it either.

Then that fat fool Talon Zrk’Szchul had ordered all Hegemony Forces to surrender! How dare he do such a thing! Even more infuriating was that the majority of the Gorn had then blindly obeyed him and laid down their weapons. He was ashamed of their weakness!

Arriving at Level eight they had transitioned to the secondary elevator and taken that down to Level Ten. He left six Gorn behind to delay any pursuit with instructions to blow the tunnel charges when the Federation arrived. They had heard the rumble of those explosions but the Phalanx troopers no longer responded to communications..

Once on Level Ten he left three sentries to watch the elevator, he would have plenty of warning if it was called back up to the next level. He shut down the fusion generator, stopping the massive pumps that prevented water from the underground lake flooding into the mine.

Then that fat fool Talon Zrk’Szchul had ordered all Hegemony Forces to surrender! How dare he do such a thing! Even more infuriating was that the majority of the Gorn had then blindly obeyed him and laid down their weapons. He was ashamed of their weakness!

Rounding up the despised Humanoid workers he had set up a barricade in the Level Ten entrance tunnel and waited. With thirty minutes, a group of Federation Troops had arrived and walked straight into his ambush. He had killed several of them before they withdrew. Then he ordered the slaves to be chained in front of the barricade to prevent any further attacks.

The Battle Master stalked up and down behind the barricade, grinding his teeth, talons clicking and twitching in his anger. Thankfully for his Phalanx the darkness hid most of his agitation, the only illumination was from the headlights of a vehicle when two Gorn where hunched over in the beams.

After a moment he turned to the two technicians, they were working on a Phalanx Command transceiver. “Well? Is it ready yet?” He snapped.

“Nearly Battle Master, we have the frequency set, we are just uploading the implant codes, it will be a while longer until we have all of them” One replied.

“You are sure this will work?” Fsh’Csazz demanded, his tone indicating he would not accept failure.

“Oh yes Battle Master, we set up the program some time ago and it was built into all of the implants. It is just taking a little longer to access because we are not using the programming transmitter in the laboratory” The technician explained. “But once the files are fully uploaded this system will work perfectly well.”

Fsh’Csazz grunted a reply, glanced at a group of twenty implanted slaves who stood passively in the tunnel, then continued his pacing, his fury lessening somewhat at the thought of what was about to befall the Federation troops who had dared to attack a facility under his control.

[Elevator Shaft]

Bolingbroke gripped the ladder tightly, looking down. Some five feet below Walken was perched out in the open. He showed up as a ghostly green-gray figure in the night vision headset.

Based on what Walken had told him Bolingbroke was going to call in Spartan and start the diversionary attack. He gave the Staff Sergeant a thumbs up

Then he looked up and called to Accussay. "I'm calling in the attack, be ready!"

"Right, Skipper." Chea said, readiying his rifle. "Bluey, on my right, Stevens left."

Bolingbroke called the code into his communicator, shouting over the roaring updraft =/\=Raider Black Six to Lion Nine Spartan! Spartan! Spartan!”

=/\= Lion Nine Copies! Sparten We’re hitting them now! =/\=

Although nothing much could be heard above the roaring wind a few moments later, far below, off to one side there were flashes of light from the tunnel entrance in the side of the cavern.

“Go! Go! Go!” Bolingbroke ordered. The team began to rapidly descend the ladder, dropping out into the huge open darkness of the cavern.


[Level Ten – Entrance tunnel]

There was a disturbance from the beyond the barricade and suddenly phaser bolts began flying over the piled rocks.

“They are attacking!” A Phalanx Trooper called out

Fsh’Csazz moved forward, peering around the end of the barricade. The Federation troops were firing their weapons rapidly, several had moved up. But within a few moments he realized they were not pressing the attack and their shots were aimed high, well above the slaves he had chained between them. Those cowered and wailed like cattle as weapon beams flashed above their heads.

He grinned, baring his teeth. The Humanoids were so weak! They dared not fire directly at his position for fear of hitting their own.

“Return fire!” he ordered and his Phalanx troopers began to engage the enemy, focusing on those that were in the least cover. Their shots ripped between the wailing slaves, several fell but he cared nothing for the lives of cattle.


[Level Ten – Cavern]

Dropping rapidly down the ladder Bolingbroke searched for the targets Walken had spotted. Out of the corner of his eye he caught some movement. Zeroing in on it his saw a shadowy green figure hunkering down behind a boulder. It was large and Gorn-shaped.

Nearing the end of the ladder, with the elevator right below, he loosened his grip, fixed his feet each side of the ladder frame and fee-fell the last twenty feet, bounding off and rolling as he reached the ground. Coming up on one knee he brought his rifle to the aim and scanned an arc of fire. His hands and legs ached from the descent but he was ready for action

Kyle and Blue element had followed suit, as they quickened their pace each one had let go and free-fell the last fifteen feet. Each one had tucked and rolled making a clear landing except Corporal Norman, missing his roll he landed straight on his right foot as his ankle made a snapping noise.

"Shit, Lee move Norman to cover. Van Pier provide cover for them, Jackson you're with me." Walken order.

Lee was quick as she gripped the back collar of Norman, not giving him a chance to get up as she drags him back and away from the fight. Van Pier had his phaser rifle out and was moving with them as Walken and Jackson focused on the closest Gorn and each fired at him.

Chea fired at the nearest Gorn to him. And watched as his men joined in. He smiled with pride. "Let's pop some Gorn." He muttered to himself

Bolingbroke looked for the sentries, spotted an armoured one by a stack of ore containers, took aim, fired…. And missed!

The phaser bolt slammed into the metal side of a container, barely three inches from the creatures head, sparks flew and the metal glowed read but the Gorn was unharmed. It loosed off three disrupter shots in return and ducked behind the containers. No doubt it was raising the alarm and calling its comrades in the tunnel.

“Send the elevator!” Bolingbroke called out. They would need Kadesh and the rest of the team soon enough. A Marine hustled to the panel and in moments the elevator powered up and began to rise.

=/\= Bolingbroke to Kadesh Elevator’s on the way! Come loaded for bear! =/\=

=/\= Acknowledged! We will be there as soon as possible =/\= The Klingon replied

A disrupter beam tore into the ground near Bolingbroke and he threw himself to the side as rocks and gravel showered down.

Walken and Jackson both dove the opposite way, Walken took cover behind a large pile of rocks. Jackson, on the other hand, landed behind one of the pillars that supported the elevator.

With Lee and Van Pier already in cover after Norman's injury the duo began to lay down suppressing fire for Bolingbroke, Accusay, and his infantry marines.

Chea and his two ncos formed up on each other and took cover near a collection of rocks. Chea raised his rifle. "Status?" He asked.

"All good, ell tee" his men said in unison.

"Good. Fire!"


[Level Ten – Entrance tunnel]

A Phalanx Trooper rushed up to Battle Master Fsh’Csazz “Battle Master, there are humanoid soldiers behind us!”

Fsh’Csazz whirled around, down the tunnel where it opened into the cavern he could see weapons fire. The cursed Federation must have found a way down the elevator. “They must not be allowed to turn the pumps back on! You must hold them off, at all costs! All costs!”

The trooper nodded, the Battle master was not interested in lives of his Phalanx, only results. “My life for the Hedgemony” He intoned dutifully, turned and ran back to the fight.

Fsh’Csazz went over to the two technicians. “I need this working, now!” He demanded.

The pair looked up. “We are nearly finished Battle Master” One said. They made a few more adjustments and turned to the group of twenty implanted Humanoids. One tapped in commands and the figures all turned to their left, raising their arms out before them and clenching their hands into fists. The movements were jerky and somewhat clumsy, but they all did the same thing. There were cries of surprise and confusion from the colonists, they could not move their heads but their eyes looked around, wide and afraid as their bodies acted outside of their control.

The Technicians nodded to Fsh’Csazz. “They are ready Battle Master”

“Very well, send them at the Federation troops!” Fsh’Csazz pointed down the tunnel to the cavern.

After a few moments the Implanted Colonists lurched off, stumbling forward down the tunnel towards the Raider team at the elevator.

To Be Continued…