Second Platoon, Dog Company, 2nd Battalion had two squads conducting presence patrols in Calagahn. The remaining two squads served as Rapid Reaction Force (RRF) on Camp Able. They were all mounted on Skimmers or A21 Jeeps and could haul ass at a moment's notice in either direction.

"Master Sergeant, Klinker," Lieutenant Vandervoort called to his Platoon Sergeant. "What is the personnel status of the platoon?"

The 38 year old professional soldier looked over his notes on the data pad attached to his left arm. "Authorized Strength, forty-six, on hand strength, forty-two sir," the older NCO responded with the strength of the platoon. "We had four men on sick call this morning. Private Shook, First squad is in the hospital recovering from a broken wrist. PFC Rotman, 2nd squad came down with a strain of influenza. Private Teuben, 3rd Squad is recovering from a right ankle sprain and PFC Groot, 4th Squad is suffering from a bad case of food poisoning."

"Any word on when they may be back?" 

"Well, sir. Shook is out for at least three months. The docs have Rotman on meds and could be back as soon as three days from now.Teuben may need another two weeks before he is good to go and Groot should receive a clean bill of health tomorrow."

"What about vehicles?"

"As it turns out, four of our Skimmers are in the motor pool having their battery packs replaced. We've cross loaded skimmers so that the four soldiers on sick call, who have working skimmers are now in the possession of those soldiers who have skimmers in maintenance." The platoon sergeant went over the vehicle maintenance problems in the platoon.

"Tell me about Operations, Master Sergeant," the Platoon Leader addressed the NCO.

"As you know, the 1st Squad is in the market district, 4th squad is only about a mile from Sergeant Kunst's squad. 2nd and 3rd squads are with us here on Camp Able waiting to see if anything happens. They are hanging out in the day room with strict orders to go nowhere.

"Good, thank you, Sergeant Klinker." Second Lieutenant Michel Vandervoort had been platoon Leader for one month and it was questionable whether or not he shaved daily. His peach fuzz appeared to be on the light and wispy side. The Lieutenant joined the Slammers almost four years ago and is eagerly awaiting his promotion to First Lieutenant. As it turned out, the platoon members were one hundred percent of Dutch descent. They spoke Dutch, but also spoke English. They even had platoon members who spoke the Turkish  and Arabic languages. These soldiers were of high value when they needed to communicate with the locals.

The Lieutenant listened to the radio as the Task Force Commander, Captain Torren's voice crackled over the radio. [i]All Tambre elements, Camp Able is reporting distress signals from a bulk freighter, it is attempting an emergency landing at the space port."[/i] The lieutenant looked up into the sky and saw nothing. He was not wearing his helmet. Master Sergeant Klinker on the other hand, put his helmet back on his head and flipped the switch to infra red. He could see the bulk freighter in distress, immediately overhead.

"Sir, I strongly recommend we relocate the RRF and ourselves away from where we are right now," the platoon sergeant spoke with stern even tones, attempting to communicate the dire emergency of the situation.

"I don't see anything Sergeant," the lieutenant responded. "The Captain doesn't know what he is talking about."

"Put your helmet, on Lieutenant!" The sergeant exclaimed to the young officer.

The butter bar understood, complied and saw the problem. He keyed his mic in his handset. "All Dagger elements, a bulk freighter is having problems over Camp Able and may impact with the planet. The RRF is relocating to Rally Point fife six. All squads respond, Over."

Sergeant Kunst heard the call on the radio, looked up in the direction of Able, spotting the distressed freighter. Using a hand and arm signal, he brought the column of seven skimmers and one jeep to a halt in one of the busiest areas of the market place. "Dagger Six, this is Dagger one, roger that, Calagahn Market sector, out."

Sergeant Rocks began yelling at his second squad members in the day room. The nine soldiers pulled their gear on while the Third squad members did the same. They all ran outside together. The squad leaders yelled at the platoon leader as they ran by him to get on their skimmers; notifying them they were complying.

This wasn't good enough for the Lieutenant. "Rocks and Tanis, respond over the radio in sequence!"

Both NCOs looked annoyed, but complied. "Dagger Six, this is Dagger Two, roger out."

"Dagger six, this is Dagger Three, roger out," sergeant Tanis spoke into his head set.

Naturally, their communications check allowed the Lieutenant to know their radios were working fine and it also let the fourth squad leader know it was his turn.

Sergeant Bishop, fourth squad leader keyed his mic and spoke, "Dagger six, this is Dagger four, Financial District, roger out."

As Lieutenant Vandervoort lead the two RRF squads out and away from Camp Able, Sergeant Kunst decided to continue his patrol. With the infrared turned on, in his head set, he noticed an explosion inside the city, not far from his current location.

"First Squad!" Auggie Kunst yelled out. "Did you guys see that?" his head fixed in the direction of the explosion.

"Yea boss," PFC Drakos responded. Other soldiers answered affirmative, but a couple held out as the clueless few.

"Mount up and follow me. Oonk, keep that jeep close behind me. Felton, don't fire unless I tell you to. Corporal Schroeder, you take up the rear. Let's roll!" The squad leader yelled as they headed to investigate the explosion.

As the Slammer's rifle squad raced toward third platoon, Ida Company, Sergeant Kunst called Lieutenant Vandervoort on the radio to inform him of his observations and intentions to investigate. The Lieutenant then ordered Sergeant Bishop to converge on First Squad and assist. He then began to move the RRF to within one kilometer of where First and fourth squads were headed.