[USS Chimera] SD240909.24 | ALPHA | Joint Duty Log | 2LT C. Merau & 2LT R. Winters

[Location: Norris VIII-A]
[Time: 1320 hours, Federation Standard Time]

 

The fighters of the 501st had been holding station just outside of the Norris system, ready to jump in to support the guys on the ground at a moment's notice. So when the call came in from Padassa that the request had come in, Major Lennox was up and moving.

 

Now the squadron was angling in through the atmosphere of Norris Eight, heading straight for the Romulan compound. "Targets designated Alpha and Bravo being transmitted down. Keep lines of fire constrained. We've got friendlies down there."

Chloe moved her hands elegantly over the console, moving threw the atmosphere. "Entering the upper atmosphere." Chloe said over the comm.

 

She heard others confirm as the did the same around her. "Targets confirmed." Chloe Meru said as she entered far enough into the planet's atmosphere to be able to visually see the targets. "Permission to fire."

"Permission granted," Lennox called through the comm system. "Split by pairs and light'em up."

 

Chloe took off with the pilot with the call sign 'Puppy'. Together they started firing like mad. Chloe's aim was quick, but chosen carefully with thought. She didn't want to take out someone that was on their side. The pain she would feel from that would be beyond what she could handle knowing that she had done that.

They weren't getting much resistance, and she found that odd. 

 

Chloe then pulled sharply to the left, the up avoiding 'Puppy's' fighter.

 

Getting closer, she could see the source of the billowing smoke. A crater or so.... "what is that" she mumbled to herself, but still over the comm.

 

"Cut the chatter," ordered the Major's voice. There was random, discordant disruptor fire raising from the surface, but it was becoming more and more unorganized as the Romulan troops began looking for cover.

 

-I can cut something else- she thought to herself as she kept choosing her targets, harder now that they were disappearing. "Lennox, orders?" Chloe asked as she wasn't seeing any more desirable targets.

There was only a moment's delay before he replied, "Take your wing and escort hoppers one and two down to the roof of that building. I've signaled Easy's men to get ready to head out as soon as First Battalion's men unload."

 

 "Understood." Chloe was in the lead, -puppy- was there beside her. Several other pilots also landed as quickly and gracefully as possible.

 

--[Inside the Communications Facility]--

 

"Alright, guys! Grab your gear!"

 

The men of First Platoon had, of course, heard the exchange between Lieutenant Winters and Major Lennox, and had already begun grabbing their gear as some of them strained to see out through the viewports to watch for the incoming transports. There were far more men coming in from First Battalion, plent to replace the men of Easy in holding the installation while still beating back the Romulan resistance.

 

Within minutes the Marines were ready to depart, waiting for the final signal before moving up to the rooftop.

 

--[Back Outside]--

 

Getting out of her fighter, she opened the cockpit. The air being moved around from the hopper's landing pushed against her, but she kept her balance. "Lets get Easy out of here!" Chloe said to the others.

 

As dozens of men poured from the Marine transports onto the roof of the building, flooding downwards into its corridors, Lieutenant Winters emerged from the rooftop exit, followed quickly by Bull Randleman and another pair of his men. The rest had stayed back in the control room until the reinforcements relieved them.

 

Chloe hoped out of her figter, now on the ground. She had a phaser in her hand, hoping she wouldn't have to use it. Seeing the doorway where the marines would come out she waved to them to start coming as the hoppers opened their doors. "Lets go lets go!" She said loudly, knowing they could hear her threw the com system.

 

Motioning for the younger pair to enter the transports as the men of 1st Battalion finished emptying, Winters and Randleman moved in the woman's direction. A moment later the rest of First Platoon was moving from within the building to board the transports. Dick did his best to smile as he greeted her, "Nice to see you again, Lieutenant."

 

"Nice to see you too. Seems you needed a little help down here." Chloe said with a smile. "Lets get you all out of here. Unless there's something else?" Chloe asked, curious because they weren't getting on the hoppers.

 

"Better late than never," replied Randleman under his breath.

 

Winters shot him a reproachful look before shaking his head, "Once I'm sure that my men are on board those ship's I'll make sure to get on." There was a moment's pause and another look shared between the two Marines before the Lieutenant spoke up again, "Any word on Second and Third Platoons?"

 

Chloe gave a glare at Randleman, but then looked to Winters. "No, no word from them at the moment."

 

With a sign and a nod, Dick watched as the last of First Platoon boarded the hoppers. Turning to move towards the nearest one he motioned for Randleman to follow, "C'mon, Bull. We'll be able to contact the other transports from inside." Turning back to the Merau he called back, "Thanks again, Lieutenant. I owe you a drink when we get home!"

 

"I will hold you accountable for that." Chloe said as she climbed back into her fighter seeing the others do so as well. When no one was left on the top of the building, Chloe started up her engines again. She was one of the first to take up into the air. "Hoppers, your clear to ascend." She said threw the comm as she checked the air above them.

 

"Copy that, Aphrodite. Heading out."

 

--[Inside Marine Hopper 32-Sigma]--

 

With a heavy sigh Dick Winters leaned his head against the vibrating inside wall of the hopper. These craft were never meant for comfort, and at the moment there were a dozen men crammed into its hold for the trip out. Once the rough transistion through the atmosphere was completed the Lieutenant would head up to the cocpit to check on Captain Spiers and the rest of Easy, but for now all he could do was close his eyes and wait...

 

=/-\= To Be Continued... =/-\=

--
Major Duncan Lennox [NPC apb DK]

Squadron Commander

501st Air Group, 1st MEF

 

2nd Lieutenant Chloe Merau
Pilot
501st Air Group, 1st MEF

 

Second Lieutenant Richard Winters
Platoon Leader, First Platoon, E "Easy" Company
2nd Battalion, 1st Regiment, 1st MEF

Gunnery Sergeant Denver "Bull" Randleman [NPC apb DK]
Platoon Sergeant, First Platoon, E "Easy" Company
2nd Battalion, 1st Regiment, 1st MEF