The Bait

Posted on Sun Feb 14th, 2016 @ 4:13am by Captain Melody Windsor & Master Sergeant Daniel Browden & Lance Corporal Tyler Howard & Captain Julius Whitlam & Commander Elliot Drake & Lieutenant Commander Alexander Gunning & Staff Sergeant Sandrine White & Staff Sergeant Augustus Deakin & Corporal Valerie Parks & Ensign Gavin Alken

Mission: First Strike
Location: Planetside

ON:
The assault squadrons split perfectly, led by the marines and fallowed by the security officers who were just standing in for the missing marines. Melody was impressed as she watched them fall in with her men as though they'd been doing it for years. She had to give these fleeters credit, they were better than most.

"Deakin!" She called to the large man running nearby, "I'm going to fall in with Parks and get a better vantage point. I'll direct and provide sniper support from there, okay?" She asked.

"You got it, Skipper!" Deakin replied with a nod. He turned and starting running backwards as he issued orders to the rest of the team. "Right! The rest of you mugs on my six!"

Valerie had already pulled ahead of the landing troops, heading towards a piece of debris for cover. As the team's scout, she couldn't afford to waste any time. Using the scope on her marksman rifle and her tricorder, she checked the area around the landing zone. Parks sensed Windsor stepping in line with her, but spoke into the radio anyway. "The landing zone is clear. We do have some lifesigns about two clicks to the east, moving in fast."

"Guess someone finally noticed us," Melody replied over the channel as well. "Let's see if we can make that ridge up there," She said, falling into step beside Parks and pointing to a large hill in the distance. "We should have a vantage on the target from there as well," She said picking up the pace in that direction.

Parks hurried on ahead, not waiting on Melody. While her CO might have been a trained sniper, it was still up to Val to do recon, and make sure that the surrounding area was safe before the rest of the squad arrived. Fortunately her small size made her quick and harder to spot.

Melody let Parks do her job, but didn't let her get too far ahead. She let out a hiss and pointed toward a hill that appeared to abruptly end in a ridge near where they were standing. It would be a good vantage point for both of them to do their jobs. She started heading the way, not waiting for Parks to respond. She knew Parks was a good officer, she'd do her job even if it didn't involve her going up the hill with Melody.

But Parks recognized the advantage the ridge offered, and adjusted her heading. They needed to stay high, but still try to stay out of any line of site. Sensor jammers could only offer them so much cover. Valerie reached the top of the ridge and hit the dirt before pulling out her usual tools.

Melody dropped to the ground and readied her rifle with a practiced grace as she reached the cliff. She was already frowning as she looked through her scope, "Parks... does this place look oddly under-staffed for a heavily guarded installation to you?" She asked, already knowing the answer.

Without warning, Danny's voice crackled over the secure comm, "Melody, we've got the hot target over here," He said, urgently.

"I figured," She said, sounding annoyed. "We just got here and there's barely a skeleton crew. I'm setting up an air strike, and we're regrouping to flank your position. You guys focus on punching in and make this happen," She ordered, her tone calm and confident as always.

"Yes ma'am," Danny replied, and the comm-line closed.

"Parks, paint the target for our air support and then regroup with us at 34-44 up in the hills," Melody said, already rushing back down the hillside to get to the other team and flank that base before Parks could answer. "Company, form up on me. We're chewing on bait, our other team has the hot target. Repeat, the other team has engaged the hot target. Prepare for flanking maneuvers," She called to her local team only over the secured com. This would be the end of this bastard, she'd decided that today. They _would_ walk away victorious.