Spending months in space, being told again and again that the assignment you were about to go into would shake the thin balance of peace in several galaxies, did not do much to calm the nerves. Clifford was fully aware that this mission was one he could not afford to fail, and he was willing to do everything in his power to make sure of that, even if he had to pay with his own life. [i]"Still... I shouldn't be stupid and let myself die if I can still be useful."[/i] he said to himself, knowing there was a difference between devotion, and fanaticism. With those final thoughts, he entered the hangar of the UEN Subtle Glory to prepare for the drop to the surface.

His father once brought him aboard the Glaring Zeal when it was docked on Mareega when he was much younger. Clifford noticed the differences between a warship like the Zeal, and a stealth frigate like the Subtle Glory. For one, the hangar and other structures were much smaller, and had only the bare essentials. He saw the Coalition VTOL that was going to be used for their insertion. A holographic square formed around it, scanning the vehicle and immediately began displaying information on it in a smaller square which appeared on the right corner of his vision:

[VTOL: COALITION MODEL: OUTMODED]
[10 PASSENGERS]
[30mm CHAIN GUN]
[2 DUMB ROCKET PODS]

Adjusting the duffel bag in his hands containing all his gear, while making sure his Goliath Corp. Kevlar suit jacket looked neat in case they had to pass any inspectors, he made his way into the rear entrance of the VTOL where the rest of the strike team was already waiting. Clifford nodded at them without a word as his eyes began scanning his team. He already knew who they were, as well as their backgrounds, but a final reminder of who he was working with couldn't hurt. The first person he laid his eyes on was their team leader, Matthew Sykes.

[SYKES, MATTHEW]
[CALLSIGN: APEX]
[101st SPEC. FORCES LEGION]
[7TH COMPANY]
[ROLE: TEAM LEADER]
[SPECIALIZATION: TACTICIAN, COVERT OPS]

Clifford turned to him and gave a quick salute before he took a seat on the opposite side of the dropship. He then looked at the strongly-built woman seated nearby.

[CAMPBELL, ASHE]
[CALLSIGN: BOOMSTICK]
[101st SPEC. FORCES LEGION]
[3RD COMPANY]
[ROLE: POINT MAN]
[SPECIALIZATION: CLOSE QUARTER COMBAT]

After completely scanning her, looked at the younger fellow inside the dropship, who seemed to be almost happy.

[CLINT, LUCAS]
[CALLSIGN: GHOSTY]
[101st SPEC. FORCES LEGION]
[ROLE: SCOUT, TRACKER]
[SPECIALIZATION: STEALTH]

Clifford did not have time to scan the other member of the team before he felt the rumble of the dropship as it prepared for take-off. Clifford took a deep breath to calm himself, and held tight as the ship began penetrating Liria's atmosphere.

-----------------------

The first obstacle in their way would be the inspecting patrol ships. However, as long as thir uniforms and duffel bags did their job, the inspectors would pass them by without a hitch, and they did. Once the team was approaching the target building, everyone tore open their duffel bags and prepared their weapons. Though their armor would have to wait until they had a safehouse. Opening his own bag, Clifford pulled out his ACS and began setting it to Carbine mode with a suppressor Once the attachments clicked into place, he slid it inside the front of his suit where he could easily reach it. He then prepared his GX Tactical and ensured that the silencers and laser sights were working, before holstering them on his waist. He also took out his Biogel pack, and one Electron Grenade in case things got hairy. Once his equipment was fully prepared, he took out his ACS to be prepared for any hostiles who may be on the roof landing.

"Ready?" Matthew asked them as they were about to land. Clifford nodded in response. "Sir, yes sir" He said. In a matter of moments, the doors opened and the skyline of Liria was revealed. A lone PSF guard came to intercept them, but Matthew made quick work of the man. The team then neatly filed out of the VTOL.

Ashe immediately went to hide the body of the guard, while Clifford himself started scanning the rooftop for additional enemies, Carbine at the ready. "Roof is clear!" He announced as he regrouped with the rest of them before they breached the building. Ashe as the first person inside as the team's point man and CQC specialist. Clifford followed up the rear, keeping an eye behind the team, while also prepared to give mid-ranged support in case they got into a firefight. Immediately, the elevators door nearby opened and revealed a small squad of guards. But before any of them could even react, Ashe immediately peppered them all with bullets, leaving a bloody mess inside of the elevator.

There was one guard who was still alive, and Ashe finished him off with a powerful curb stomp that smashed his head in. "A bullet would've been quicker and less messy..." Clifford said to her quietly as the bodies were pulled out of the elevator, and the team began their descent into the building. Clifford never did like close combat, mainly because long ranged rifles gave him more confidence than his bare fists. Unfortunately, it seemed for the most part of this mission, they would be battling their way through close quarters. Wondering what may come next, Clifford stood in silence as the bloody elevator kept going.