=/-\= Norris VIII =/-\=
Location: Low Orbit, Norris VIII-A
Time: 0330 Hours, Federation Standard Time
The terminator between night and day was barely visible in the distance as Dick Winters fell through the atmosphere of the tundra-covered moon of Norris VIII. Below him, past the growing flame of reentry beginning surround the small plasma shield protecting him from the vacuum, Dick could see the cold, barren surface of the moon, characterized by jagged mountain ranges and long, empty plains. No where below could he see any sign of flowing water. The planet itself, a large Class-J orb just within the systems zone of habitation, was behind the moon and completely eclipsed by the moon itself.
The terminator between night and day was barely visible in the distance as Dick Winters fell through the atmosphere of the tundra-covered moon of Norris VIII. Below him, past the growing flame of reentry beginning surround the small plasma shield protecting him from the vacuum, Dick could see the cold, barren surface of the moon, characterized by jagged mountain ranges and long, empty plains. No where below could he see any sign of flowing water. The planet itself, a large Class-J orb just within the systems zone of habitation, was behind the moon and completely eclipsed by the moon itself.
Around him, spread across a relatively small area, were the soldiers of Easy Company's First Platoon. His sergeant was to his left, with the squads spread out around and behind in a roughly diamond-like pattern. All of them looked like small meteors falling through the atmosphere. All of them were silent as the surface continued to grow before them, swallowing up the stars as the fell.
At fifty klicks Dick noticed a change as the flare of his plasma shield, operated by the microprocessor embedded in his jumpsuit, began to dissipate as it began to reconfigure itself to slow him down before he entered troposphere. Below him the planet's surface had begun falling into darkness as the platoon soared through the twilight of the terminator. At thirty klicks the plasma field changed again, this time into something resembling a large, flattened mushroom, causing a great amount of drag and slowing Dick to a much safer rate of descent. Finally, at two klicks from the surface Dick reached up and pulled the ripcord to his tripolymer chute and began to drift towards their target landing zone.
As soon as the plasma field dropped, the bitter cold began to bite at Dick's extremities. If not for the insulated bodywear the Marines were wearing for their hike through the snow, the Lieutenant was certain they would have frozen to death in a matter of minutes.
"Listen up!" shouted Captain Spier's voice through a small speaker in the weather-resistant headpiece Dick was wearing. "We've got to get ten klicks through these hills. There will be no more cover than rocks and small shrubs, so we're gonna keep chatter to a minimum. Platoon Leaders, I want you to keep an active comm with me. Have your soldiers reconfigure their comms for short-range only. Anything they find you can report back to me."
=/-\= Four Hours Later =/-\=
On an average day, Dick could probably have made the then-kilometer march in no more than two and a half hours, given a good surface and no hurry. But when laden down with cold-weather gear, weapons and ammunition, and personal rations, the Company took just over four hours to reach their destination. As they huddled behind a high ridge overlooking the installation, which was tucked into a small valley at the foot of a mountain rage, Captain Spiers and his platoon leaders laid at the top, observing the Romulan center, a vast installation consisting of several low-built, snow-covered buildings; it was assumed most of the establishment existed underground. The only one that stood taller than two or three stories was a building that appeared to be about seven stories tall, and had a large, domed top: the communications array.
Apparently the Romulans thought the need for a wall around their compand was moot, given it's location.
Fortunately for Starfleet, the Romulans had not expecting the men of Easy Company to be the ones knocking on their door.
"Alright, guys, here's how this is going to work," Captain Spiers said, his voice once again coming from the headset. The strong, howling winds through the hills and mountains had made actual verbal communications an impossiblity. At least until they entered the compound. "I want Second and Third Platoons to move around to the west; if you can get into one of the buildings and force your way into the lower levels, we can gain access to the power generators and shut this place down. With the defenses down we can call in an airstrike."
The Captain turned and looked at Dick, "I want First Platoon to move on the comm array. You're gonna have to fight your way into, and up the interior to get to the array's control room. Secure it by whatever means necessary. If Second and Third are unsucessful, I want you to destroy that building. If we can't capture it, I'd rather not leave it in Rommie hands. And Fourth Platoon will split by squads. I want heavy gunner crews with each of the other platoons."
Glancing back at the other two platoon leaders the Company Commander asked, "Any questions?"
T'Laissa, the Vulcan leader of Second Platoon spoke, "Which group will you be accompanying?"
Spiers looked back at her and replied, "I'll be going with you, Lieutenant. Cutting power to this place is prioriety. If we can shut down the turrets we can get reinforcements. And I trust First can secure that building without me looking over their shoulders." He turned to Dick, "You think you can handle this?"
For a moment the young Lieutenant's anxiety threatened to peak, but after reassuring gazes from his compatriots he gave a single nod and replied, "It's as good as done, sir..."
--
Second Lieutenant Richard Winters
Platoon Leader, First Platoon, E "Easy" Company
2nd Battalion, 1st Regiment, 1st MEF