FourtyTwo

Task Force Hephaestus

Technically, Antos is meeting them in Ifestonia- then to be taken to Faros. Sorry if that's a bit laid out badly in how Antos said about it.

Task Force Hephaestus

(Time changes are made clear- Bronco will jump between their fight near Maxwell to what happens in Girna, to them coming to Camp Tempest.)
(Maps are here, just to remind you.)
Altis
Stratis

2230 Hours

Somewhere NW of Camp Maxwell, Stratis

The Marshall stuck in position, as Bronco Team laid down fire down range, Thunder-2 still laying down HMG fire from the co-axial gun.
"Fuckers are running! Good work out there Bronco, we're holding our position. Maxwell, what's the situation up there? We've repelled the AAF attack, seems like they've routed. Further orders?" Ian asked, as he watched through his FLIR camera in his commander's position the madness of the action.
"Understood, Thunder-2. We need you and Bronco moved out ASAP to Girna, we have a situation developing in the village- we need you to regroup with forces from Camp Tempest, and it seems like we're under Captain Birgirson's command now. If he's good to go on, then we're going to need to figure out how to unfuck ourselves here, Corporal- so if we get some sort of contact, we can establish a plan of action. Your contact reference is Delta, roughly a fireteam of soldiers- they won't wait long, so I recommend you move fast. Sound good?" The commander at Maxwell said, as Ian adjusted his thick crew helmet, and his position in his chair.
"Copy that, Maxwell. We're moving to Girna, ETA five minutes. Bronco ,you heard the man- rear door is open, get the fuck in my IFV!" Ian said in his typical Welsh way, as the rear door opened up again, Ian moving his chair as he popped back into the passenger area, already looking over as Bronco moved back, and were headed for the vehicle.
"Lieutenant Barnes, you fuckers have got it. Check ammo and your NVGs, and resupply what you need from this box here- five mikes to Girna, and if it comes up, we'll make some more noise for you. Sound good?" Ian said, as he saw the CO of the team come in, tapping a ammunition crate on one of the seats as he waited for the response, before moving back up into his commander's position, clambering back into the elevated chair, already secure as he knew that while it was claustrophobic, the hatch above him meant he could look out on everything around, if the camera attached didn't do the job. As the squad filled the rear of the Marshall up, Mitchell already had the vehicle into reverse, and they completed a rapid three point turn, as Lewis kept the gun pointed backwards, looking through the IRNV for enemies that were left, or moving back. Flooring it down the road, the eight wheeled IFV now hauling ass, Ian had a chance to get some air, as he put the hatch up, and popped his head out, looking on the night and the more audible noise of gunfire in the distance.
"It's be a fucking great night for stargazing if it wasn't for those clouds." Ian said to himself quietly, the IFV commander aware that whilst the situation was completely buggered, the little things were still there. Nobody wanted to say it, how that they were really all going to die if the AAF carried on at this rate, but nobody wanted to keep optimism. It felt like that in the IFV in general- just staying awake, staying concentrated and

Somewhere North of Girna, Stratis

Athena looked over towards the rest of the team- it was a fireteam really, comprised of herself, Irish and Hotwheels- not much, but a reconaissance and special operations team.
"Copy that Irish. We'll follow you up, hold position." She said, moving slowly and surely with her Mk18 ABR, Hotwheels armed with a MSBS A2, in a bullpup carbine variant, with a PCML on her back as an AT. They were both silenced, for obvious reasons. Moving down, crouched and using the night to their advantage as they went almost silently from bush to bush, cover to cover, they set themselves up, in their own observation point.
"We're about 50m above you, in the treeline. Huscarl, we've got contacts in Girna- roughly a pair of fireteams, permission to engage?"
"Granted, displace them quick, and keep an observation set up. We're to make contact with other NATO forces, as well as maybe snatch ourselves some more support for Tempest. Remember what we're here for, Delta." Huscarl replied quickly, as Athena checked her Mk18, the NVS atop the weapon, already looking from the North-East treeline into the village.Irish was located far close, and from her tactical glasses, she was just able to pick him out in his location, due to the IFF tag, but the enemies were found by the regular method, as she looked for them down her scope.
"Four tangos, moving up to the chapel on the northern side. Irish, snatch the one furthest away. We'll have the rest- we'll continue to clear the village after that, just wait for our shot." She said, as she adjusted the Mk18, aiming down the optic of the NVS sight, the night vision scope working exactly as intended. The trigger pull was simple, and the AAF man went down, followed by Hotwheels opening fire and taking out one and injuring another, with Athena doubling up and taking the wounded man out with a simple 7.62 round.
"Clear. Irish, set up in a building, cover us and we'll move down. If it moves ,shoot it." Athena said, as suddenly, another voice burbled on the radio.
"This is Thunder-2 to Delta, we're carrying Bronco Squad in our AMV-Marshall IFV, we're approximately three minutes to Girna. How copy, over?"
"Affirmative, Thunder-2, Girna is currently swept up with AAF. We're beginning to clear the village from the northern ridge, close to the village Chapel- feel free to join us."
"Copy that, Delta. Okay Bronco, you heard the word. Mitchell, stop us off at the village entrance- we'll go direct, the AAF patrols won't have AT, but I sure as shit don't want to drive into it. Bronco, you guys better be up for some more fighting- watch the north for our Delta guys." Ian said, as the IFV pulled off from the road for Girna, peeling off a road that headed for a different bay.
"Irish, keep up the fire from your point, Hotwheels, flank by the Chapel. I'll find an elevated position and shoot from there."

Athena moved up as Irish got himself into closer cover, the other AAF team aware that there was a fireteam down, but unaware of the direction, or the number. Was it just one sniper with a 7.62mm silenced, or ten? Silencers helped out in that respect, and the lack of muzzle flash, as well as the fact that these AAF forces didn't have NVGs, unlike most, put them distinctly at a disadvantage. She adjusted the Mk18's stock, as she aimed down the RDS atop the NVS optic, looking for the AAF fireteam. They moved back through the town, and sent supressive fire onto the northern hill, though they had no idea entirely exactly where Delta was. Moving into a building herself, Athena moved upstairs and by a window overlooking a balcony, resting the Mk18 on a window, as Hotwheels kept on the ground level, taking cover by the Chapel. Athena saw one of the men, out of six, move up, giving orders. It wasn't a second thought that passed in her mind, as she clipped the squad leader in the head, the 7.62mm round penetrating the man's skull with ease, quickly kicking him back as fire from a Mk200 opened up suddenly, the lack of a muzzle flash just creating more confusion, but the clear noise to the north clear enough. The AAF troops moved quick, but perhaps, weren't open to realizing what was coming on the other end of the village.

At the entrance of Girna, almost right by the sign, the IFV had come to a halt, and the crew, as well as Bronco, were active.
"Move out!" Ian yelled into the passenger area, the Marshall's back door open for Bronco to move out.
"Delta, we're at the village entrance, we're hearing suppression shots to the north, non-silenced. You okay out there?"
"Absolutely fine- we see you, AAF don't. Thanks for the heads up." Athena replied to Ian, as she adjusted her position, already moving from her building to another, to avoid detection, and to at least keep the aspect of her being found out to a minimum. Hotwheels fired a few rounds from her position, already taking down one as predominantly cover for Irish, to move without being clipped. The village was tiny really- and apart from a dirt road that went into it, and a small wooden pier that had a few fishing boats on it, it was empty since Stratis had become a military isle. The buildings had little to no furniture, and apart from the single Zamak Transport truck that the AAF team here had, there was little else. As Thunder-2 stopped and provided cover for Bronco to advance, the AAF squad were only now aware of the IFV's presence, and were beginning to move, quickly. It was right into the jaws of Delta however, and the firefight lasted less than thirty seconds, as a combination of HMG rounds, along with Bronco and Delta teams' fire had made a mess of the AAF contingent. 10 men against three SF operators, a IFV and a team of infantry, wasn't going to stand much of a chance- especially when they were basically blind and deaf to the SF.

The IFV juddered forwards, as Delta, including Athena and Hotwheels, moved down into the village square, by the beach and the pier, walking in as the IFV stopped a few meters away. Ian popped the lid on the Marshall, clambering out as he jumped off the IFV, Mitchell stopping the engine and killing the mechanical beast's noise. Athena smirked, looking at Bronco, who now followed up, and were also joining Thunder-2.
"So you're Delta then? Thunder-2, or Corporal Ian Stanley. Lance Corporal Mitchell and Private Lewis are on the driver's seat and gun respectively, fairly nice fellas."
"Warrant Officer Olivia Cheng, callsign Athena. There's no direct road to Tempest without passing Mike-26, so how the hell you'll get to...actually, never mind. I know exactly what you can do. Okay, Bronco is it? You come with us- we need to head back to Tempest on foot and figure out what next. The Captain needs every man he can get- we're planning something to do with Mike-26, to try and get ourselves off this rock. And since you're entrenched at Maxwell, it seems like the only way."
"Where's that leaving us then?" Mitchell asked, peeping out the driver's hatch, sitting on the front hull, as Athena pointed to the sea simply, before she spoke.
"You've got amphibious capability? The sea ain't that rough today, and we can make sure there ain't any AT threats on the way. Can't be that bad." Athena said, Mitchell laughing a little, as he looked over.
"Always a first time." He replied,
"Bronco, Delta, let's move. Get some air in your lungs, but stay frosty." She said, the American CTRG member keeping the squad together despite the fact she was technically outranked by Lieutenant Barnes not a real factor right now, as she knew that her experience and the fact that she knew the shit that lay ahead of them was something she'd be more accustomed to lead the team through, than Barnes. Still, she didn't care what he did with his team, so long as they didn't fuck up- and he could keep control over them to a degree. Mitchell kept his hatch open as he got back on the driver's seat, Ian back in the commander's open hatch, as the engine roared back into life.
"Alright then. Let's go fucking swimming." Ian simply said, the crew laughing as they accelerated past the fishing boats, and hit the water quickly, the V-shaped hull floating in the water as the rear propellers kicked in, side by side with the wheels that also created momentum in the water. They were only moving at 25kph, but the IFV was moving at a pace, and it avoided the rocky climbs and dips in the forested valleys surrounding Girna, Ian's hatch still open as he watched waves occasionally clear the hull, the driver's hatch thankfully shut, the darkness filling as the time passed.

Somewhere near Kalochori, Altis

The car rumbled through, as Antos looked in the back, at the old Yamaha 125cc motorcycle, as well as Damien and Andreas, who had tactically hidden their rifles in a hidden compartment of the pickup truck. The roads were empty, and deserted, but very, very loud gunfire and bombing could be heard from afar. It was from Feres way, down south.
"Shit....you reckon they'll win? At Feres? I mean, if this Huscarl man is right, then things are a lot worse. CSAT, they're fucking bad news." Damien said, Andreas laughing ,as he looked out the bark, the dark road not currently illuminated.
"Course they will! If Aramis is as brutal as he is with the AAF, not a doubt. CSAT would never work with the AAF, surely?" Andreas said, chuckling as Antos shook his head in disagreement.
"They're going to get fucking slaughtered, lads. There's at least a company worth of AAF there, including helicopter gunships and A-143 Buzzards. You know, fucking CAS jets. CSAT aren't fucking around, they've funded this fucking island for at least five years now, and if those desert bastards are going to walk onto the island and take away my fucking land, then I don't care what it takes to kill them. Anyway, pipe the fuck down, I've got a call to make." Antos said, pulling the car on the road headed for Rodopoli, the well-tarmacked highway going cross-island. Checkpoints a plenty, but Antos had money, or wile on his side. And even if the AAF had a fireteam at a small rudimentary checkpoint, 500 Euros usually did the trick. If it didn't, Antos would talk, until they decided it wasn't worth the bother. The AAF were trained well, but they were corrupt, and sometimes, Antos even knew FIA sympathizers in their ranks- who would let the FIA do their activities. It wasn't universally accepted that the FIA were terrorists- and even some in the AAF, surprisingly, agreed. But from the top to bottom, there was generally a consensus that carrying out a combination of COIN, as well as frequent patrols and restriction of movement, would work to rid the FIA influence. The corrupt and ill-thought out process gave Antos all the reason to understand that wasn't the case.

Checking his phone, he dialed the number, hoping this was the man that Stavrou earlier had given him the contact for. The phone dialed, Antos just waiting and waiting till it connected, with the other end eventually picking up. Despite the fact that the AAF could tap into mobile networks, the mere fact that that many of the mobile phones the FIA used were loaded with some sort of basic encryption meant tracking locations wasn't worthwhile, nor was trying to break this network- it was changed too regularly to get a fix on the network, and whilst the use of a serious security agency could probably crack the system, the Altis government simply didn't invest into intelligence infrastructure, or spying on it's own people. There really wasn't much to see.
"Hello is this Evan? It's Seagull, I phoned your cell leader earlier. Plan's off on Chalkeia- no go zone my friend, we need a new meeting location. There's a small village called Ifeastona, close to Athira- abandoned from the civil war, but we can meet there- wait till you see a white and black technical. My team's in the back, and from what I hear from my contact, things have gone down the plughole on Stratis. Believe me, you don't want to head down to the South-West- Aramis has lost his shit, it's a fucking massacre. You know the route to the camp, at Faros- we're going to need to be fast about this, my friend." Antos said, accelrating hard as the night came into full fruition, the headlights illuminating the road ahead at full beam, past some wrecks on the side as Antos took the big clock to 70, knowing that they had to hustle for the meet with Evan.

2330 Hours

Camp Tempest, Stratis

The situation had developed since Girna, as the IFV arrived first from out of the dark, black Mediterranean water, and was parked outside Tempest, followed by the arrival of Bronco and Delta roughly two minutes later. After talking over the situation with Huscarl, both Ian and Lieutenant Barnes had a better understanding of the situation, and the camp, illuminated by a few Halogen lamps, that lighted up the Hunter that had been recovered and put back together, or at least the main frame of it, as well as the Hunter HMG that sat under the camouflage netting. The partly destroyed HQ structure still had it's camoflage net over it, as well as the armory that was right by it's side. Huscarl sat on the table, looking over as he saw Bronco rearm. The UGV sat by Huscarl's destroyed billet, and Corporal Davis sat by it's side, with a wire clipper in one hand and a voltmeter in the other, as she worked on the internal electrics. Delta, Bronco, Thunder and a few men from Charlie were around, just wanting to generally hear what Huscarl had to say to the men in base.
"So as you see, things aren't great at the moment. But it's what we got- take what you need, rather than everything you can bear. The way I see it at the moment, we're all tired and out of energy, and the AAF too. Due to comms with Maxwell and LZ Connor, we've been able to establish some line of communication, and I've got some sort of defensive running, so we can stall the AAF before they push us into the water. I give us twelve hours to act, or things go south. Patterson, over here!" Arran said, as he saw SSgt Patterson run over, from fixing the Hunter up.
"How's Charlie Squad doing? You up for some work tonight?" Huscarl simply said, looking over at the Staff Sergeant's filthy face.

"Whatever men got some sleep are good to fight, Captain. Puts us at about six men, in my team. Includes Davis there too."
"Good, good- you can take her, Hotwheels can work on the drone. Alright, we need to get you guys on patrol at 0000, with Charlie and Bronco respectively replacing Alpha and Bravo elements in the field as reconnaissance, till 0300 hours. We need to survive the night before we make any rash moves- and dawn is our best chance. We need to launch an assault on Air Station Mike-26, and the only way we can do that, is by creating a situation where we are capable of striking back and completely blunting the AAF wrist at Mike-26. They'll try and push Maxwell's forces out, and as I say, twelve hours is all they'll last at this rate. Add another two platoons, half that. Bronco, you'll move on foot to keep our vehicle footprints off the map for now, and head down the valley to the junction that splits the road going to us and to Nisi Bay, and lock it down- any AAF forces see Tempest is online, we'll be bombed within the hour, so set up a position and cut off isolated patrols headed for the south in the forests. Report enemy positions, track where they're going- you don't always have to engage, but if they pose a threat to our camp's security, you know what to do. Charlie, you'll deal with the north, and go to LZ Baldy- your lads have almost completely packed the place away so the AAF wouldn't bother with it, but we're in need of food and water, if we're going to have more men held here. I can trust you know exactly what you're doing in regards to that, you know exactly what equipment went where."
"That place was 90 percent packed, you're right. A long way, but we're up to it. Essentials weren't out, we can grab that sure- but it won't be enough."
"Then figure something out, Staff Sergeant. Use your imagination. There's always a way to get shit, even if it ain't so obvious. While you're at it, report enemy positions on the way- anything to Mike-26, so that by 0400 hours, we can start a offensive, and claw something back." Huscarl simply said, aware he was picking a bone with how the Staff Sergeant was a little bit questioning, and just didn't click with Arran.
"Got it. Give us five and we'll be moving." He replied simply, grabbing his MX 3GL, as a few of the men from Charlie followed, as well as a few guards from the military tower post, and some scattered around the camp, as Huscarl looked to Thunder-2.
"What about you lads? You all alright? It's been long for all of us to be fair, and that IFV is going to be a Godsend." Huscarl said, chuckling a little, as Ian nodded.
"Could do with some sleep really. Mitchell here is fucked, we all are to be fair mate. If you don't need us, I'm requesting you leave us for it."
"Go ahead. You know how to point and shoot, but even with our situation, you're the only people we have that I vaguely know will be able to operate a beast like that." Huscarl said, as Ian sleepily nodded.
"Thanks, Sir." He simply said, as he walked out of the temporary barracks, him and the two crew finding a trio of sleeping mats that would temporarily do as somewhere to lay their heads for a few hours, till they were needed.

Huscarl looked over to Corporal Davis, who took her MX SW, and her helmet, as well as her other kit, moving up as Charlie walked out the camp, headed up for some recon work, as he watched Hotwheels get to work on the UGV.
"Alpha, Bravo, standby to be replaced- you're cleared to RTB when ready, Charlie and Bronco squads are replacing you respectively, you can get some sleep- we're planning a major offensive at 0300 hours." Arran said over the radio, looking out on the ridge, the noise of a distant 155mm artillery round signalling bad things to come- the AAF were shelling random areas of forest, to rout out NATO forces that could be hiding in ambush, though it was poorly co-ordinated, and was mainly for fear. Huscarl heard the footsteps on the metal floor, as Athena and Irish walked into the HQ itself.
"Things looking bad?" She said, as Huscarl shook his head, quiet at first.
"We won't last eight hours, let alone 12- things are bad. Get some sleep, Warrant Officer. I've got some caffeine in my system, your call if you want some coffee too. Somehow, the kettle is intact, even though a fucking 60mm round hit this thing direct." Huscarl said, laughing a little, a comic relief perhaps.
"I'll be fine." She said, as she looked back at him.
"Going to tell them in time?" She asked, as he checked his own SCAR-6.5, still in thought.
"In time, Athena. I need you to stick here, defend with Irish, resupply. You might come in handy in the night, if I get contact from Antos to meet him too. I know you're basically an escort service, but it's appreciated. We can get back to work as soon as this shit ends."
"Understood."

(I spent around three hours doing this, as it was the most overdue post ever. It is done now, and wraps everything into context- now, my posts can FINALLY get shorter.)
(It might get edited too.)

Task Force Lima (COMPLETED)

I'm about to work on something- I am busy as fuck lately, but I want to have Jan jump into the vehicle, as Scott pulls past with a badass "GET THE FUCK IN" sort of thing, so it's your call.

Task Force Hephaestus

Basically, yes. Irish is still around, Hellhound- I mean, keep with the RP as best as you can, you are welcome to get back in but you know.

Also, the AAF in the NW aren't doing much to be fair. I'll post up soon- I'm busy lately, but I do want to get something started in which Antos/Mihail meet Evan, and figure out what next. I'll PM you what I sent Advanced, on what you need to know on the FIA's key members and shit.

Juggernauts (BigPapaBelial and kingkonrad) IC

Andrew watched the shot, the Tac-50 ringing out as the rifle recoiled hard from what he saw, but Nolan was too focussed. The .50 cal took one man down, as Andrew watched on. He moved to his own rifle, and moved the barrel over the head of a soldier moving to a DSHKM platform. The entire ramparts were coming apart in fiery hail and bullets, but targets were around, to the rear of the ramparts. Andrew zeroed the weapon correctly, and fired away, the bullet quick and faster than any words. The runner fell quick, torn apart as most of his vitals were ripped out.
"One more,,next up." Andrew moved the rifle's scope position, taking a breath again, as he dumped the air out of his lungs, and fired again, on another target, quickly ventilating him, as Andrew quickly realized the situation, looking back through his spotter's device. The ramparts had bodies, mutilated, blown apart, filled with lead...and while Andrew knew Nolan's sniping ability was remarkable, and he had at least taken a significant number, it was the two on the ground.

"Seems like it, you two. We're moving to your position now." Ross said over the comms, moving up towards a upturned wooden barricade as he switched to his M32, shifting the MGL off his back and extending the stock. Shooting three rounds over cover, he quickly dispatched a small fireteam that moved around the corner, feeling bullets pelt the suit from occasion and then be taken down. Jenny kept moving down the flank and occasionally stopping to shoot. They were all taking a hell of a lot of fire- stuff that infantry wouldn't even dare move into, but their suits gave them some adaptability, not to run in headlessly into the fray, but to at least move through a hostile environment where fire was going to come your way. It wasn't like what the other two giants had at their disposal- total and utter dramatic firepower, backed up by almost impervious armor. It wasn't like that now, but none the less, it meant going headlong into fire was now an option, apparently. She adjusted her pack, as the heavily armored Royal Marine flanked the corner, kicking over a soldier before filling them with lead, and the men behind that were moving to flank Bear and Brute. Moving through, Ross keeping a field of supression up as the main two moved through the tight alleys, Jenny managed to keep any that were moving on Ross and Carl, the tight fighting and fact that she'd probably be the first to take a bullet around a corner meaning this armor was critically important, herself feeling the cold sweat run down her whole length, as she kept up the fire on each and every approach. Moving through, Jenny felt one man flank from behind, a set of AK rounds slamming into her back, as she felt the impacts hard.
"Damn!" She said, as she shifted, the man still firing as the bullets flew past her, and she only had to do one thing. The MG4's 5.56mm did the work, and while inaccurate in itself, the weapon was potent enough to put the man back in his place, as Jenny, or Saxon, headed back towards the rest.

Back to his Mk48, Ross kept moving, aware Carl covered left and front too, as they pushed forwards, Jenny coming out of an alley to their side, as they finished off the last of the group, Ross feeling like he had taken rounds, but was still in more than just one piece.
"That looks like the last of them...Bear, Brute, hold position, we're thirty seconds out on foot. Watch for us on your rear." Ross said over the comms, as they moved over a barricade, the three armored soldiers simply little in comparison. The noise of a huge explosion echoed, Ross taking out another man that moved out of a collapsing building as he aimed down the Mk46's Holographic sight, the LMG powerful and heavy-recoiling though lightweight and basically an M249 in it's basic composition. Moving around a corner, it reminded Ross again to himself, what Natalie and Victor were. Themselves, they were bulkier and far better protected than most, but it didn't compare, as Ross saw what was there, Gaia and Prometheus, the Titans of a world that had lost all of them.

---

Seconds earlier, Natalie had been still buzzing away with the M134, casings flying as she swept up under the gravel a set of enemies, simply annialating the AK-armed soldiers, as they came down hard, and Victor threw the charges, running back as the Mohican gave little to no fucks that he was still taking enough rounds to down an Rhino. Natalie watched on, as the ramparts slash walls were cleaned out, and most of the area in itself, was almost emptied. Watching as Victor came back, detonator in hand, she smiled underneath, looking over at her fiancee's stance and the ferocity that just oozed even despite the faceplate.
"You're too kind, Victor." She said, taking the small device, insignificant in her gauntlets, the switch small but capable of doing so much. Flicking it, the reinforced wooden and steel gates exploded into almost a million pieces, tearing apart even a huge section of wall that a few of the men were hiding behind, blowing it inwards. She raised her M134, the barrel already spinning, as some men tried to run out, and found the noise of a shitcannon on the other side, Natalie standing tall as she did, and gunning them down quick and thin, before pausing the fire, and hearing footsteps behind, or at least the noise of a ping on the suit's sensor system. Turning around, she lowered the minigun, seeing the three Juggernauts again.
"Well....seems like you finally arrived. What kept you so long, huh?" Natalie said, looking over, standing tall over all of them, alongside Victor, as she cackled under her visor.
"You know what we know, so it can't be stressed more that we need this place under control. Now, despite the hits we took, we'll keep point- you three, keep sweeping out the inner rooms. We'll deal with the courtyard, and secure evidence. Sound good?" She added, putting her faceplate up, revealing her combat-bruised and worn yet beautiful face.
"It is good to see you, Knight. That Apache CAS will have to wait- I do not like this at all, I mean now we're here, all it takes is for them to mobilize a defense back on the ramparts, and we could be here all day. So I saw we do it the good old fashioned way. Is it Saxon, yes? Female one, it tells from the way you stand, I want you to stick close to me, on my back. You two will have to try and keep behind Victor, until you find better cover- we'll be a larger target, da, but it will be better than you getting shredded by excess fire." She said, as Ross and Jenny stayed speechless, Ross finally breaking the silence, as the three looked at the two giants.
"Understood, Bear. Remember what we're here for, we're not here to nuke this place."
"I really don't think you understand the gravity of what shit we saw up in the mountains. This is bigger than anything I've seen....I mean, you aren't going to go ahead and walk into there quietly. Follow our lead, and let us do what we do best- I don't see you coming up with any better ideas." Natalie said coldly, looking down at the three, as she exhaled hard, checking the M134.
"After, we can deal with niceties, maybe deal with things without lead flying our way. Now, come." Natalie said, putting her faceplate down, as she moved back out onto the main street, looking at Victor, then ahead, as Ross and Jenny were just partly scared and partly confused. They seemed angry, in some crazy way, like they were in full bloodlust mode. Not like last time, where they had done it- and Ross himself knew that after Natalie's cold response, getting in the way would be a bad idea. Keeping behind Victor, who's back seemed like it was like a giant bulletproof human shield, was probably the best idea for now, as Ross checked the Mk48's barrel, and the Holo sight atop it. Enemies came quick and thin, as they already pushed into the compound, and lead flew.

Natalie's M134 buzzed, as Jenny kept behind, opening up with the MG4 on the far rampart, Natalie taking out a set of enemies behind a vehicle pool, as the vehicles' metal did nothing for cover, the bullets flying at the soldiers in front. Even Juggernauts weren't going to pack enough armor for a job like this- but Jenny knew that if it wasn't for the big Russian lady in front of her, the volume of fire coming her way would be far scarier. For Natalie, this caliber of sustained fire was tolerable, just about at least, and she knew it wasn't exactly the best of situations, when both her own and Victor's suits had taken a beating from Phoenix, back at the command center. Yet it was the cover that they could give, and Natalie and Victor, as they moved through the destroyed gate and into the courtyard, had done mostly the job that was needed, as Ross put down a set of enemies with sustained fire, feeling a few ping off his side, as he barely managed to swing around and stop an enemy switching to the GP-34 under his AK-12, as Ross sent a volley of unaimed 7.62 his way.
"Holy shit! You weren't half lying! Carl, let's clear the inside, seems like some sort of hub of some sort. Terrorist Central, right this way. Bear, Brute, we're moving in- Saxon will stick with you, if you need some flanking done. If you see any ammunition caches or supplies out there, you good to take it out?"
"One step ahead, my friend! You might want to be careful in there, those corridors are thin, and I don't want you becoming processed meat, understand?" Natalie said in her typically cold Russian accent, perhaps a little more chilled than it would be to Victor, for certain reasons that had to be maintained.
"On it. Carl, keep point, let's try and find a way though all of this then get up on the walls. Or what's left of it." Ross said, as Jenny kept using Natalie's rear as cover from the main fire that was on the other side of the fort's interior, the noise of the minigun churning enemies, as suddenly, the noise of rumbling becoming louder as Natalie ceased fire, to give Jenny a chance to take down some enemies, as well as conserve the minigun's now almost glowing orange barrels. It wasn't natural, whatever it was, Jenny realized.
"Saxon, or whatever your name is, try and manuever to the left, to that vehicle pool! I'd move quick!" Natalie said, as she then changed back to the private communication channel with Victor.
"Shit...the backblast is going to be bad on this one, I've held it for far too long..." Natalie said, aware that Victor knew what was about to happen. The gas caught light, and Natalie's rear exausted them, the noise like card being ripped apart, as Jenny heard the noise, but didn't look. The sight of it was incomprehensible, but something that the enemies almost saw as fear in itself. The beast exhausted flames too, it almost appeared.
"The fuck was that?" She said to herself, unaware that Natalie's rear end had a mind of it's own, as she switched back to the regular channel, rather relieved as she pinged up a set of enemies on her HUD by some defenses, already firing on them as bullets pinged off her, aware shit had really gone to it's climax now.

Task Force Hephaestus

I'll work on something soon if anything- I do want to get your character into the fray, soon anyway.

Task Force Hephaestus

Going to get some IC shizzle up, after Skyth/Advanced does something- I've just come back from Cambridge, just need to get back into this.

Task Force Lima (COMPLETED)

Nice, nice. That leaves Queen, then I'm up for posting.

Task Force Lima (COMPLETED)

Jan moved through, watching Wendy take the shot as he knew that Wendy had done what he had seen in the corner of his eye, and capitalized on the chance, the round going through his hand and then his head, in a flawless and almost machine-perfect motion. The man dropped back, bloody as the 9mm rounds punched a pair of holes, and Jan darted forwards, already moving the detonator in such a way that it was away from the man, in any circumstance.
"Jan, we got permission to shoot?" Jan heard again, as he looked over at the body, the voice through his headset, which was attached to his Ops Core helmet, now beginning to become loud and clear.
"Hold it, aim for tyres only if they make a move. Kurwa, that was close." He said, looking over at the canisters and explosives, before realizing something.
"This isn't it. Not the same guy, not the same markings. Other one didn't have a beard..." Jan said, aware that the chemical warheads weren't active, but were remotely detonated, if he could infer the detonation process. As he opened up one of the secure metal canisters, he saw the inside, the protective metal casing and the only thing between Jan and a dose of chemicals that would turn his body into an unresponsive heap of meat now what was left. But there wasn't anything. It was only the outer metal casing, no inner that housed the chemical weapon itself.
"And these are empty...they wouldn't detonate anything like this here, no fucking effect...Wendy, Neil, avoid direct fire on the canister man, but suppress the vehicle up! Scott, run for the HMWWV and follow down the street to us- Zhenya, with me. I really don't like what we're about to do..." Jan said, as he pushed it back sealed, stepping over the dead man's body, as he switched back to his 416. Extending the stock back out and checking the M145's top sight, Jan pushed downstairs, moving two steps at a time, as he heard the noise of gunfire outside.

Neil ran out, headed towards the front wall, already keeping down as AKM fire poured overhead from the vehicle. Peeking over, he laid down fire from the AUG, aiming for the vehicle in general, as they clambered in, and the engine, already running, rumbled louder, signalling the end of the rough and ready AKM fire across the housefront. Firing the rest of the mag of the AUG, Neil cursed, angry that he hadn't fired earlier with Scott, as the vehicle began to barely skid away, Jan, Wendy and Zhenya now rushing out the front.
"Move!" Jan yelled in general, as he kept the 416 high, civilians running back into cover behind benches and bus stops or whatever street furniture there was, as he ran down the sidewalk, occasionally popping off a stray of fire, as the Mercedes' occupants were clearly too focused on getting out, rather than laying down rear supressive fire.
"Rest of you, get in the jeep and move up the road! They're about to take a right, traffic is teeming but we can snatch them- just pull over at our position, Scott, and we'll continue the chase." Jan added, as he knew that in this gear, running was hard, but a necessity. Civilians kept out of the way, as the pair ran down the road, aware that things were going from bad to worse. Running across the road, almost getting hit by a speeding old Renault of some sort, Jan barged through some stall, aware he wasn't on good terms with the locals anyway, aware Zhenya was sticking close behind. Since the HMWWV with the M2 GPK atop it was about 300m down the road from the house they had just raided, running would keep up some element of vehicular tracking for now, or at least, would buy enough time to understand where the terrorists were going. They were going to have to deploy this in a market, or a square of some sort for maximum effect- not in a moving vehicle, since that wouldn't allow for the initial bloom of the chemicals to spread rapidly, and instead, would be far too ineffective. And for that, Jan knew that keeping up with where they were taking it was going to be crucial, as to stop this- even if it meant almost sprinting down across a busy roadway to at least keep an visual on where it was going to turn. Jan only begged in his mind that traffic would at least stop them from going any faster. These thoughts were rough and tumble, the heat biting hard as Jan's breath sagged in places, the Captain just trying to keep pace for however best he could.

Task Force Lima (COMPLETED)

(Two part post with Queen- post schedule is as normal after my next.)

Jan moved through, watching Scott get thrown back by the soldier, as he kept right as his back. He couldn't fire the 870, not a chance- it relied on sweeping Scott's flanks, not direct. So he did the only thing he knew he could, as he watched Scott lose his weapon, the Mk23 falling to the floor as the .45 ACP weapon was out of his reach, Scott now thrown back, and Jan able to move quickly. He had been unable to shoot as the shot was too compromised- but he had a split second, a moment, a chance to stop this, quickly and cleanly. The man stood over Scott after punching him in the back of the neck, the man preparing to do something worse, with the utensil of his in his right hand, as he darted forward. Jan responded, already words and action forming as his right hand clasped the grip and the trigger, already acting.
"Head down!" Jan yelled, as he flanked the man that had slashed Scott, moving in and aiming the weapon upwards. The man didn't have a helmet or a ballistic vest, but it wouldn't help. The 12G Buckshot emptied, the fairly tight spread decimating the man as Jan directed it high purposely, the shot pumped out as the man fell, the buck doing brutal work against the man, as Jan scanned up the stairs, and around the rest of the corridor, before looking down on Scott.
"You save my ass, I'll save yours. Come on." Jan said, looking down as he offered a hand to Scott to get up, Neil sweeping the rear as he followed in, AUG raised as he moved through, the room empty but covered in dust. The grenade had literally torn pieces of the mudbrick and plaster apart, with some of it still loose even now. Putting the 870 away after loading a new round, Jan switched over to his own HK45C, the weapon tight in his hands as he looked around.
"Neil, head outside round the front with Scott, I'll head up. Fire's died down outside, keep your ears open. Zhenya, Wendy, status?" Jan added, as Neil nodded, moving himself forwards as he knew that Scott and himself would cover each other. Jan headed up, sweeping with the HK, checking corners as the Puma-camoflaged soldier headed towards where Zhenya and Wendy were, and sweeping behind, then realized what was happening.

Headed towards the front door, Neil kicked the open structure, as he realized what was going on, with Scott in tow.
"Boss, the Iraqi team's dead...contact's moving across the street, PID a guy with a canister plus two more headed to an old Mercedes. This the real deal?" Neil said, as he raised his AUG rifle, watching them run towards the vehicle, keeping within the house, the response falling on an unresponsive ear as Jan followed suit into the room in which Wendy and Zhenya had come into, with a certain pace. He saw the man across the other end of the room, sat, the detonator raising and not a single other thought of what it was. Jan's own pistol was raised, but the dead man's trigger could be seen in the frame of his hand. Something that any SF operator would look for, without a single doubt of mind
"Drop it!" Jan yelled, as the man raised it higher, guessing only one way was going to work to stop this man from doing it. There was no chance of getting the gas mask on, and neither would exactly running now be an option. There wasn't time to talk, and listen to demands. They'd die, either by trying to stop this man, or letting him get the jump when their guard down. But it wasn't his shot to make. It was Wendy's, and she already was set.