[center][color=silver][i]Hangar[/i][/color][/center]
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The mechanics and engineers vanished up the catwalk as the last of checks were finished and the pilots found themselves nearly ready to launch. The Black Hound took a deep breath as he listened to the chatter over the comms. [color=6A5ACD]"Jackson is Cardinal one, Cassandra is Cardinal two. Don't make me have to start assigning push ups. I used to be in charge of selection for the Royal Guard."[/color] He barked, making it clear that he wasn't making an idle threat. Making sure his comm was muted before continuing [color=6A5ACD]"Between those two and Edward I'm not sure whose greener."[/color] He muttered as he checked over the Cavalier's systems he might have had first pick but Vinland had to sign on each of them. Sending out the data packet to go over the mission briefing now that they were all in place, they had to keep the operation close to the chest after all. [color=6A5ACD]"As for the rest of your Callsigns, Black Hound for myself. Edward goes by Saint since he's the Vinnie's golden boy."[/color] Addressing the other rookie still not over his nap in the cockpit from earlier, he allowed the others to introduce themselves then continued.

[color=6A5ACD]"Right, listen up."[/color] He spoke as on screen a layout of the beach ahead was shown. Three built up bunkers jutted out from the rocky hills at the edge of the beach with a small base and forest beyond. Between was a gentle slope clearly meant for landing moving supplies up the beach, Ruziyane wasn't famous for its navy though it did have one, these guns looked like they came from their ships. [color=6A5ACD]"Homeguard reports state the area has a moderate Frame garrison. Mostly older models, the bunkers and their guns are the main threat here. A couple shots from those will halt the Crawler and send water flooding in. So... Here's the plan to prevent that." [/color]Their navigation screens would light up as he showed predicted paths of movement and upload data from scouting reports to each of them. As he lit a cigar, knowing the techs would complain about him clogging up the filters. 

As he spoke the paths and little green triangles with their call signs moved towards their expected AO. [color=6A5ACD]"Ingram, you and Ogre will be punching clean up the beach from the landing point. You are going right for the middle bunker. I'll follow you in, once it's down our goal is to break the line and hit what's behind those defenses. Cassandra, Jackson, you will take the bunker to our south, Homeguard forces left you some pre-sighted data, should be receiving it now. You've got firepower and surprise, but just in case Rimau, you and Ramshakle will be picking off targets that go after the twins while they focus on taking that bunker offline. Remember these things were built with navy grade firepower in mind so don't stop hitting till you are sure it's offline."[/color] The Commander then turned his attention to the remaining three pilots. [color=6A5ACD]"Klara.[/color]" He added with a clear disdain in his voice, not much of a fan of the captured enemy now turned ally. "[color=6A5ACD]Wraith and yourself will be moving up with Commando and Edward you've got the longest distance to cover. Arnfinn, you'll target the bunker while the other two focus on pushing up, hammering everything you've got. Homeguard has given you the same presighted data, with a gun like that you should have the firepower to bring it down." [/color]

He'd at least done his best to mix experienced pilots with their less combat tested counterparts. Ingram and himself were the odd men out but they had the closest target and more importantly the job of trying to draw fire from the others afterwards. When it came down to planning he knew he would have to take Klara or Ingram with him up the middle and he wouldn't trust that woman as far as he could throw her. At least Ingram had his daughter and a grudge over his wife’s death, Klara had been cooperative but he didn’t trust any high born. They knew what the Empire was and had still chosen to service in its name.

Rimau probably had more combat experience than himself, the woman was the right call to back the twins. They'd need someone who could steady them, they may have been three light frames but their firepower combined was well beyond any relic the hegemonic forces here could be fielding. He wished they had more time, practice runs and drills they could do a hundred times over... But Gyrland couldn't wait any longer, the royal family had to be found... The Homeguard couldn't do it alone any longer and their organization what was left of it would fall apart.

Edward, even if he was green, could be trusted to fight. They had an insurance policy against Klara, which didn't mean he would trust his life to her though. Arnfinn was combat tested and a proven warrior, he'd be perfect to depend on for bringing down the bunker as well as to handle anything the greenhorn couldn’t. [color=6A5ACD]"Speaking of which, Edward, time to show them all what Vinland sent you out here with." [/color]

Edward smiled as connected Aurelia into the battlenet, suddenly all of their screens lit up for a moment as each frame found itself humming a moment, a new voice spoke up. [color=B22222]"Greetings Phantoms, I am Aurelia, Vinland's first Battle and Support artificial intelligence. How can I be of service?"[/color] The screen, usually meant for face to face communications, lit up. Aurelia's chosen Avatar [url=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/second-chance-stellaris-lp/images/6/69/A.i._.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20190130231542]avatar[/url] displaying itself for the crew as she gave a wave at them all. [color=B22222]"Pleasure to make your acquittance I've read plenty about you all."[/color]

Commander Kaas grinned then spoke into the comm. [color=6A5ACD]"Well go on boy, tell them about your girlfriend."[/color] Edward gave a groan as he sighed and then spoke up unwilling or afraid of back talking a superior it seemed.

[color=696969]"Right, this is Aurelia. First of our completely autonomous learning AI initiative. She'll be able to link our systems and keep everyone running smoothly using Commando as her relay. She's not gonna be able to do the work for you but she can help update and manage systems, she'll also relay messages in real time probably faster than we can." [/color]Edward spoke up for the first time really, having up until now been nervous. 

[color=696969]"She's based here out of the crawler, so other than us living here, she’s another reason to keep it safe. She can do the work of an entire support platoon, coordinating fire and updating our HUD's as we move along. Though I'd be polite, she picked the researcher's humor back home when they had her in testing. Didn't help, the Commander has been trying to teach her sarcasm."[/color] Edward spoke clearly annoyed with Walter still over his insistence on trying to teach her non-mission related information.

Walter rolled his eyes. [color=6A5ACD]"If it's going to be human-like, it needs a sense of humor. You barely have one and I sometimes mistake you for a machine."[/color] The Commander spoke to Edward giving up with a sigh of defeat.

Aurelia then spoke up for herself. [color=B22222]“Commander, shouldn’t you be focusing on the mission briefing? After all I’m Edward’s responsibility not yours.”[/color] She was clearly opinionated. [color=B22222]“Besides, if someone is going to give him a hard time ought to be the person using his Frame as a glorified comm buoy.”[/color] Aurelia addressed them with a smile. [color=B22222]“Either way, we should focus on the operation first. I’ll answer questions afterwards or Edward will, I promise.”[/color] Aurelia added as the conversation was cut into by Captain Karsten. 

[color=00746b]“Hangar doors will drop in one minute. We will follow at quarter speed, good hunting Phantoms”[/color] He spoke as from the catwalks mechanics and engineers watched, even the security personnel gave them waves. The room shook a moment then suddenly it grew quiet, the massive hangar bay doors opened a meter of sea water flooding followed by rain at forty-five degree angle pelting hard enough to sound more like hail, think mists rolling off the water. If not for the optics and advanced equipment it would be like fighting blind.

Commander Kas and the Cavalier led them out, taking a few graceful long strides before his thrusters kicked on, as he took up position on the beach, letting the others follow him up out of the water. In the distance they could just make out jagged shadows through the spray and surf as they came ashore. [color=6A5ACD]“You know your teams. Break off and handle the guns. Once the guns are destroyed, push past the line, they’ll have a base nearby to send reinforcements in from. Once we hit them, they’ll know we're coming but we can see and they can’t.” [/color]