Hot Drop
I wrote a bit of a story on this forum previously, but longer stories really aren't my thing, and as such, it didn't make it past the first chapter.
That said, I rather like short stories - so I decided to create my own and post it hear for you guys (and gals) to read.
Hope you enjoy!
The air transports engines thrummed steadily beneath the private's combat boots. Private Luke Bailey, attached to the 3rd Regiment, striking back at the PAC forces occupying some city who's name he'd forgotten. He moved his shoulders nervously - outside of the training camp, he had never seen action.
Beside him was The Captain, his squad's leader. He put his hand reassuringly on the private's shoudler but said nothing.
Ahead the pilot began speaking into his radio.
"This is Eagle Two to ground forces, we are approaching our LZ."
"Roger that Eagle Two. Be advised the area is hot."
"Copy that. Eagle Two over and out."
The private closed his eyes taking them off of his comrades and turning them inside. He didn't think that he's ready for what was to come; not by a long shot.
That's when he heard something new. Something high pitched.
The radio filled with panicked yells "This is Eagle Three! Gunships! I see gunships!"
"Talon Leader here, we're engaging. All transports proceed to the LZ."
At the front of the transport alarms sounded.
The pilot yelled back to them. "Missiles incoming! Activating shields!"
The private looked out of the transport's hold, in time to see the green orb of protection burst into existence around the VTOL. He heard the missiles impact, dull thuds. Then another sound. Holes being punched in the transport's armor.
"We're taking fire!" Yelled the pilot.
The private's eyes locked onto the attacker - a gunship diving at the transport. Then the transport dropped.
"Going evasive!" The pilot bellowed belatedly.
"Hold on!" Yelled The Captain.
The private heard an explosion behind him and began to pray silently.
"Engine two is out! We're losing altitude!"
The private looked down - a mistake. The ground was approaching fast and he could see the LZ. They weren't going to make it. Not by a long shot.
There was another explosion.
"There goes steering! Sit tight!"
The private gripped his rifle tight as buildings lept up around the transport.
"Twenty meters!" The pilot screamed.
There was a split second of silence and then a massive explosion as something obliterated the front of the VTOL. Flames licked into the rear, envelopping a soldier, who began howling and beating at his suit as the transport began plumetting.
The Captain swore loudly and grabbed his harness. Everyone did.
"BRACE!" The Captain bellowed.
Then the transport struck the ground. The impact jarred everyone. Then the transport was airborne again for an instant before it struck the ground again and began skidding. The sound was horrible as armor was stripped from the craft's underbelly by the pavement bellow. There was a finally jarring impact, accompanied by the sound of metal being crushed and the transport stopped moving.
"Everyone out! Go go go!" The Captain yelled, tearing off his harness.
The private was dazed and fumbled unsucessfully for his harness. It took two tries before he managed to undo it. Then he climbed to his feet and staggered out of the burning transport. Beside him another soldier exited and was promptly cut down by machine-gun fire.
The private gapped. He couldn't believe it - Roland, a man he'd trained with since he'd joined, had just died before firing a single shot. He was unaware of the fact that he was standing in the middle of the street, where the transport had collided with the remains of a tank. He heard gunfire start again, the bullets coming for him - he was going to die here, just like Ro -
Then he was slammed to the ground as The Captain tackled him down.
"Take cover!" He yelled into the private's face.
Around the two of them the remains of the squad began taking cover behind pieces of wreckage and returned fire.
The Captain lept to his feet and pulled the private with him. "Stay low soldier." He commanded before pushing him towards the remains of the transport. Luke nodded dumbly.
Down the street there was a crash of thunder followed by an explosion and a rain of asphalt.
"Carver! Nail that tank NOW!" Screamed The Captain.
Nearby, the soldier in question began aiming his rocket launcher.
"No good sir!" He yelled. "Shields are up!"
The Captain took that in as he began screaming into his radio.
"This is Delta Squad! We're pinned down down by armor and need support!"
The private vaguely heard a reply.
"Bailey!" The Captain grabbed his shoulder. "I need you to establish LOS with that tank so that our gunship can shove a missle where the sun don't shine. Got that?"
"Ye-yes sir." The private responded shakily. He felt better with The Captain there, but the whole situation was proving to be too much for him.
Regardless, he poked his head around the wreckage and looked at the tank. Just staring at it. He felt like an idiot. All around him there were people shooting and there he was, staring at the tank so a gunship that might NEVER come could take a shot it might mi-
The private never saw the rocket, but he bore witness to it's after effects. The tank's main gun split from it's body and flew forwards as an explsion envelopped the top of the vehicle and threw it down on the pavement, crushing it's hoverpads.
The private wipped his head back around in time to see The Captain flash him a thumbs-up. More gunfire bit into the still-burning transport.
"Thank you Talon Three! Alright guys, we need to get out of the street. Our objective is to make it to the LZ from here." The Captain waited for them to acknowledge his comment before continuing. "We're going to cross the street and enter that building -" he pointed to it "- while some of us provide cover fire. Ok?"
They told him that it was.
"Alright. Covering fire!" He yelled, spinning out from behind the ruins of the vehicles and firing his rifle. The private dashed for the building. Bullets skipped off of the pavement around him, angry hornets waiting to sting. He dove into the building, then picked himself up and ran to a window. He began spraying wildly into the street as the rest of the squad - now just six others - joined him.
There was a click as the weapon ran dry and the private reloaded quickly, rembering his training.
"Alright. Good work people. According to command, there should be a friendly vehicle column nearby that could bring us to the LZ. We just need to make it to them before they pass. Got that?" Nods. "Then let's move!"
The Captain led the way out of the building, through a door into an alley filled with debris.
"Carver! Check the corner!"
The soldier advanced carefully then poked his head around the corner.
"All clear!" He yelled.
"Go go go!" The Captain yelled.
The squad began sprinting across the street. They never had a chance.
A battle walker, a T-39 Bogatyr, rounded a corner down the street, all guns blazing. Instantly three soldiers were torn apart. Luke dove for cover, landing in a hole beside Carver, who was bleeding heavily.
"Oh man, oh man..." he moaned. Luke stared at him, not knowing what to do.
Carver's leg had been removed at the knee.
"Luke? That you?"
"Yeah Carver, it's me."
"My launcher is in the hole right?" He asked weakly.
"Yeah but I don't think-"
"Shut up. The trigger fires it, I've got extra ammunition in my pack. You just slap it in the side..." He pointed to the weapon in question, indicating the area. "You can guide the missiles with the launcher's LOS. Got that?"
"Yeah, yeah, but Carver I don't think -"
"This is the squad's only launcher. Use it. You're a decent shot Bailey. You can make it. Aim for the knees..." Carver's breathing began coming in ragged gasps.
"Just hang on!" Into the radio he yelled "I need a medic!"
The Captain responded instantly. "Bailey? That you?"
"Yes sir."
"Anyone with you?"
"Carver sir, but he's wounded badly."
"Alright. I can see William from my position, but he's unconscious."
"What do we do?"
"Give me a second..."
There was the sound of appraoching footsteps. Heavy, armored footsteps.
"Sir?!"
"Stay calm private."
Closer. Thump. Thump. Thump.
"SIR?!"
The battlewalker appeared. But it was facing the wrong way and -
The L5 Riesig began firing.
The private grabbed the missile launcher and clambered to the edge of the hole.
The newly arrived walker's missiles slammed into the PAC machine's shields, detonating harmlessly. The Bogatyr returned fire, but it's missiles slammed into shields as well.
Both sets of defense faded and havoc broke loose. The EU Walker's missiles slammed into the Bogatyr's upper body, blasting holes in it's torso.
A set of PAC missiles blasted into the Riesig, blowing apart one of the machine's chain guns, raining debris on the street below.
The private took aim, settling the crosshairs over the PAC Walker's right knee. The machine took a step backwards and he adjusted his aim. Taking a deep breath, he fired.
The set of missiles flew away with astounding speed and slammed into the walker's knee, blowing it apart. The machine stood for a moment before toppling to the side.
The Riesig pointed it's remaining chaingun at the private, who gasped in fear. However, the pilot had nothing but good intentions as he waggled the gun back in forth in a gesture of thanks before sending the machine marching forwards, footsteps shaking the ground.
__________________________________________________ _______________
Anyways, that's all for now... I promise I'll finish it (if people want me too).
Let me know what you think!
-Avenger_One
That said, I rather like short stories - so I decided to create my own and post it hear for you guys (and gals) to read.
Hope you enjoy!
The air transports engines thrummed steadily beneath the private's combat boots. Private Luke Bailey, attached to the 3rd Regiment, striking back at the PAC forces occupying some city who's name he'd forgotten. He moved his shoulders nervously - outside of the training camp, he had never seen action.
Beside him was The Captain, his squad's leader. He put his hand reassuringly on the private's shoudler but said nothing.
Ahead the pilot began speaking into his radio.
"This is Eagle Two to ground forces, we are approaching our LZ."
"Roger that Eagle Two. Be advised the area is hot."
"Copy that. Eagle Two over and out."
The private closed his eyes taking them off of his comrades and turning them inside. He didn't think that he's ready for what was to come; not by a long shot.
That's when he heard something new. Something high pitched.
The radio filled with panicked yells "This is Eagle Three! Gunships! I see gunships!"
"Talon Leader here, we're engaging. All transports proceed to the LZ."
At the front of the transport alarms sounded.
The pilot yelled back to them. "Missiles incoming! Activating shields!"
The private looked out of the transport's hold, in time to see the green orb of protection burst into existence around the VTOL. He heard the missiles impact, dull thuds. Then another sound. Holes being punched in the transport's armor.
"We're taking fire!" Yelled the pilot.
The private's eyes locked onto the attacker - a gunship diving at the transport. Then the transport dropped.
"Going evasive!" The pilot bellowed belatedly.
"Hold on!" Yelled The Captain.
The private heard an explosion behind him and began to pray silently.
"Engine two is out! We're losing altitude!"
The private looked down - a mistake. The ground was approaching fast and he could see the LZ. They weren't going to make it. Not by a long shot.
There was another explosion.
"There goes steering! Sit tight!"
The private gripped his rifle tight as buildings lept up around the transport.
"Twenty meters!" The pilot screamed.
There was a split second of silence and then a massive explosion as something obliterated the front of the VTOL. Flames licked into the rear, envelopping a soldier, who began howling and beating at his suit as the transport began plumetting.
The Captain swore loudly and grabbed his harness. Everyone did.
"BRACE!" The Captain bellowed.
Then the transport struck the ground. The impact jarred everyone. Then the transport was airborne again for an instant before it struck the ground again and began skidding. The sound was horrible as armor was stripped from the craft's underbelly by the pavement bellow. There was a finally jarring impact, accompanied by the sound of metal being crushed and the transport stopped moving.
"Everyone out! Go go go!" The Captain yelled, tearing off his harness.
The private was dazed and fumbled unsucessfully for his harness. It took two tries before he managed to undo it. Then he climbed to his feet and staggered out of the burning transport. Beside him another soldier exited and was promptly cut down by machine-gun fire.
The private gapped. He couldn't believe it - Roland, a man he'd trained with since he'd joined, had just died before firing a single shot. He was unaware of the fact that he was standing in the middle of the street, where the transport had collided with the remains of a tank. He heard gunfire start again, the bullets coming for him - he was going to die here, just like Ro -
Then he was slammed to the ground as The Captain tackled him down.
"Take cover!" He yelled into the private's face.
Around the two of them the remains of the squad began taking cover behind pieces of wreckage and returned fire.
The Captain lept to his feet and pulled the private with him. "Stay low soldier." He commanded before pushing him towards the remains of the transport. Luke nodded dumbly.
Down the street there was a crash of thunder followed by an explosion and a rain of asphalt.
"Carver! Nail that tank NOW!" Screamed The Captain.
Nearby, the soldier in question began aiming his rocket launcher.
"No good sir!" He yelled. "Shields are up!"
The Captain took that in as he began screaming into his radio.
"This is Delta Squad! We're pinned down down by armor and need support!"
The private vaguely heard a reply.
"Bailey!" The Captain grabbed his shoulder. "I need you to establish LOS with that tank so that our gunship can shove a missle where the sun don't shine. Got that?"
"Ye-yes sir." The private responded shakily. He felt better with The Captain there, but the whole situation was proving to be too much for him.
Regardless, he poked his head around the wreckage and looked at the tank. Just staring at it. He felt like an idiot. All around him there were people shooting and there he was, staring at the tank so a gunship that might NEVER come could take a shot it might mi-
The private never saw the rocket, but he bore witness to it's after effects. The tank's main gun split from it's body and flew forwards as an explsion envelopped the top of the vehicle and threw it down on the pavement, crushing it's hoverpads.
The private wipped his head back around in time to see The Captain flash him a thumbs-up. More gunfire bit into the still-burning transport.
"Thank you Talon Three! Alright guys, we need to get out of the street. Our objective is to make it to the LZ from here." The Captain waited for them to acknowledge his comment before continuing. "We're going to cross the street and enter that building -" he pointed to it "- while some of us provide cover fire. Ok?"
They told him that it was.
"Alright. Covering fire!" He yelled, spinning out from behind the ruins of the vehicles and firing his rifle. The private dashed for the building. Bullets skipped off of the pavement around him, angry hornets waiting to sting. He dove into the building, then picked himself up and ran to a window. He began spraying wildly into the street as the rest of the squad - now just six others - joined him.
There was a click as the weapon ran dry and the private reloaded quickly, rembering his training.
"Alright. Good work people. According to command, there should be a friendly vehicle column nearby that could bring us to the LZ. We just need to make it to them before they pass. Got that?" Nods. "Then let's move!"
The Captain led the way out of the building, through a door into an alley filled with debris.
"Carver! Check the corner!"
The soldier advanced carefully then poked his head around the corner.
"All clear!" He yelled.
"Go go go!" The Captain yelled.
The squad began sprinting across the street. They never had a chance.
A battle walker, a T-39 Bogatyr, rounded a corner down the street, all guns blazing. Instantly three soldiers were torn apart. Luke dove for cover, landing in a hole beside Carver, who was bleeding heavily.
"Oh man, oh man..." he moaned. Luke stared at him, not knowing what to do.
Carver's leg had been removed at the knee.
"Luke? That you?"
"Yeah Carver, it's me."
"My launcher is in the hole right?" He asked weakly.
"Yeah but I don't think-"
"Shut up. The trigger fires it, I've got extra ammunition in my pack. You just slap it in the side..." He pointed to the weapon in question, indicating the area. "You can guide the missiles with the launcher's LOS. Got that?"
"Yeah, yeah, but Carver I don't think -"
"This is the squad's only launcher. Use it. You're a decent shot Bailey. You can make it. Aim for the knees..." Carver's breathing began coming in ragged gasps.
"Just hang on!" Into the radio he yelled "I need a medic!"
The Captain responded instantly. "Bailey? That you?"
"Yes sir."
"Anyone with you?"
"Carver sir, but he's wounded badly."
"Alright. I can see William from my position, but he's unconscious."
"What do we do?"
"Give me a second..."
There was the sound of appraoching footsteps. Heavy, armored footsteps.
"Sir?!"
"Stay calm private."
Closer. Thump. Thump. Thump.
"SIR?!"
The battlewalker appeared. But it was facing the wrong way and -
The L5 Riesig began firing.
The private grabbed the missile launcher and clambered to the edge of the hole.
The newly arrived walker's missiles slammed into the PAC machine's shields, detonating harmlessly. The Bogatyr returned fire, but it's missiles slammed into shields as well.
Both sets of defense faded and havoc broke loose. The EU Walker's missiles slammed into the Bogatyr's upper body, blasting holes in it's torso.
A set of PAC missiles blasted into the Riesig, blowing apart one of the machine's chain guns, raining debris on the street below.
The private took aim, settling the crosshairs over the PAC Walker's right knee. The machine took a step backwards and he adjusted his aim. Taking a deep breath, he fired.
The set of missiles flew away with astounding speed and slammed into the walker's knee, blowing it apart. The machine stood for a moment before toppling to the side.
The Riesig pointed it's remaining chaingun at the private, who gasped in fear. However, the pilot had nothing but good intentions as he waggled the gun back in forth in a gesture of thanks before sending the machine marching forwards, footsteps shaking the ground.
__________________________________________________ _______________
Anyways, that's all for now... I promise I'll finish it (if people want me too).
Let me know what you think!
-Avenger_One
anyways good story, i'm gonna follow this till the end
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