The Troops - Getting to the Bomb

||Betazed
||Bomb Location
||TBA


Leonard and the marines got ready to get into the building they'd found in the forest, setting up a perimeter and watching the armed men outside. It looked like there were about a dozen out there and there was no telling how many more were inside--at least not by just watching. Leonard could tell there were still quite a few inside and he wanted to get through this with as little casualties as possible.

"What do you think we should do?" Leonard asked the Colonel.

Colonel Grelik looked at Leonard and then at the marines. "Flank them from both sides--they deserve no honor. Find a way inside."


Taggles: The Troops

||Betazed
||Bomb Location
||TBA


Leonard and the marines got ready to get into the building they'd found in the forest, setting up a perimeter and watching the armed men outside. It looked like there were about a dozen out there and there was no telling how many more were inside--at least not by just watching. Leonard could tell there were still quite a few inside and he wanted to get through this with as little casualties as possible.

"What do you think we should do?" Leonard asked the Colonel.

Colonel Grelik looked at Leonard and then at the marines. "Flank them from both sides--they deserve no honor. Find a way inside."

With hand signals and series of whispered orders Taylor got his marines into a line since the other marines were watching the flanks. Instantly he could see why the marines and Betazed Security Forces had decided to set up shop outside the building. All in the middle of nowhere there were armed men outside a building with a possible biological device which was a clear indication that they were up to no good. Related? Probably.

Though he didn't recognise that the Klingoon officer was indeed a colonel through a glance Taylor's helmet HUD did display all that information for him. "Colonel." he said after creeping up beside him, his armour had long taken a woodland camouflage but movement would still catch the eye.

"Lieutenant Colonel Lucas of the Fenris, what have we got here?"

Tag: Grelik

||Betazed
||Bomb Location
||TBA


Leonard and the marines got ready to get into the building they'd found in the forest, setting up a perimeter and watching the armed men outside. It looked like there were about a dozen out there and there was no telling how many more were inside--at least not by just watching. Leonard could tell there were still quite a few inside and he wanted to get through this with as little casualties as possible.

"What do you think we should do?" Leonard asked the Colonel.

Colonel Grelik looked at Leonard and then at the marines. "Flank them from both sides--they deserve no honor. Find a way inside."

With hand signals and series of whispered orders Taylor got his marines into a line since the other marines were watching the flanks. Instantly he could see why the marines and Betazed Security Forces had decided to set up shop outside the building. All in the middle of nowhere there were armed men outside a building with a possible biological device which was a clear indication that they were up to no good. Related? Probably.

Though he didn't recognize that the Klingon officer was indeed a colonel through a glance Taylor's helmet HUD did display all that information for him. "Colonel." he said after creeping up beside him, his armour had long taken a woodland camouflage but movement would still catch the eye.

"Lieutenant Colonel Lucas of the Fenris, what have we got here?"

"Our readings have led us here. This is a research facility under normal circumstances but not it harbors a bomb." He explained to Taylor, shaking his head. "There are a dozen armed personnel outside and inside we were still calculating, but there are at least a dozen if not more inside of the building guarding this weapon of destruction. Your aide is welcome."

The Colonel had nothing much more to say on the matter as he wanted in and he wanted in as soon as possible to make this threat no longer a threat. There was a bomb of a biological nature threatening an entire species and there was no honor in cowardice. It needed to be stopped.

"Move in," he told his men over their comm link, assessing that they were all in their designated areas. "Leave no survivors, they do not deserve our mercy."

||Betazed
||Bomb Location
||TBA


Leonard and the marines got ready to get into the building they'd found in the forest, setting up a perimeter and watching the armed men outside. It looked like there were about a dozen out there and there was no telling how many more were inside--at least not by just watching. Leonard could tell there were still quite a few inside and he wanted to get through this with as little casualties as possible.

"What do you think we should do?" Leonard asked the Colonel.

Colonel Grelik looked at Leonard and then at the marines. "Flank them from both sides--they deserve no honor. Find a way inside."

With hand signals and series of whispered orders Taylor got his marines into a line since the other marines were watching the flanks. Instantly he could see why the marines and Betazed Security Forces had decided to set up shop outside the building. All in the middle of nowhere there were armed men outside a building with a possible biological device which was a clear indication that they were up to no good. Related? Probably.

Though he didn't recognize that the Klingon officer was indeed a colonel through a glance Taylor's helmet HUD did display all that information for him. "Colonel." he said after creeping up beside him, his armour had long taken a woodland camouflage but movement would still catch the eye.

"Lieutenant Colonel Lucas of the Fenris, what have we got here?"

"Our readings have led us here. This is a research facility under normal circumstances but not it harbors a bomb." He explained to Taylor, shaking his head. "There are a dozen armed personnel outside and inside we were still calculating, but there are at least a dozen if not more inside of the building guarding this weapon of destruction. Your aide is welcome."

The Colonel had nothing much more to say on the matter as he wanted in and he wanted in as soon as possible to make this threat no longer a threat. There was a bomb of a biological nature threatening an entire species and there was no honor in cowardice. It needed to be stopped.

"Move in," he told his men over their comm link, assessing that they were all in their designated areas. "Leave no survivors, they do not deserve our mercy."

"You heard that, we're flanking, so give them whatever assistance it is that they need," Marissa informed her men. "Leave no survivors."

She didn't know how she felt about that but her men were ready for anything and she also had an ulterior motive: protect Gabe with her life. Of course he knew how to fight on his own but she had feelings for him and they all needed him to diffuse this device and his safety was top priority.

"Keep an eye on Sharpe at all times and lets show these cowards what Starfleet is made of." Marissa said.

||Betazed
||Bomb Location
||TBA


Leonard and the marines got ready to get into the building they'd found in the forest, setting up a perimeter and watching the armed men outside. It looked like there were about a dozen out there and there was no telling how many more were inside--at least not by just watching. Leonard could tell there were still quite a few inside and he wanted to get through this with as little casualties as possible.

"What do you think we should do?" Leonard asked the Colonel.

Colonel Grelik looked at Leonard and then at the marines. "Flank them from both sides--they deserve no honor. Find a way inside."

With hand signals and series of whispered orders Taylor got his marines into a line since the other marines were watching the flanks. Instantly he could see why the marines and Betazed Security Forces had decided to set up shop outside the building. All in the middle of nowhere there were armed men outside a building with a possible biological device which was a clear indication that they were up to no good. Related? Probably.

Though he didn't recognize that the Klingon officer was indeed a colonel through a glance Taylor's helmet HUD did display all that information for him. "Colonel." he said after creeping up beside him, his armour had long taken a woodland camouflage but movement would still catch the eye.

"Lieutenant Colonel Lucas of the Fenris, what have we got here?"

"Our readings have led us here. This is a research facility under normal circumstances but not it harbors a bomb." He explained to Taylor, shaking his head. "There are a dozen armed personnel outside and inside we were still calculating, but there are at least a dozen if not more inside of the building guarding this weapon of destruction. Your aide is welcome."

The Colonel had nothing much more to say on the matter as he wanted in and he wanted in as soon as possible to make this threat no longer a threat. There was a bomb of a biological nature threatening an entire species and there was no honor in cowardice. It needed to be stopped.

"Move in," he told his men over their comm link, assessing that they were all in their designated areas. "Leave no survivors, they do not deserve our mercy."

"You heard that, we're flanking, so give them whatever assistance it is that they need," Marissa informed her men. "Leave no survivors."

She didn't know how she felt about that but her men were ready for anything and she also had an ulterior motive: protect Gabe with her life. Of course he knew how to fight on his own but she had feelings for him and they all needed him to diffuse this device and his safety was top priority.

"Keep an eye on Sharpe at all times and lets show these cowards what Starfleet is made of." Marissa said.

"Belay those orders." hissed Taylor into his comm unit. The Klingon's marines were now caught between two sets of orders but they held their ground. Even Taylor's own marines were confused about what the man was thinking. "We have no intel on this building or the forces occupying it and you just simply want to charge?" said Taylor with a low voice. "This isn't the Dominion War Colonel, we need to think several steps ahead. If these guys get too easy spooked they could set off the bomb we need to be quick, fast and lethal but above all we need to be smart. Put your muzzle back on Garren before I weld it on."

Shaking his head Taylor used his visors zoom to scout the location to get a good indication of the enemy strength. Like Grelik had said there were about a dozen lifesigns in and out of the building. All Betazoid and all armed. However upon closer inspection there were a pair of heavy phaser repeaters all set up in dug-out positions. That did little to cure his ill mood about the situation.

"Enemy has heavy suppressive weapons but no marksmen. Looks like they were expecting some form a fight. Colonel I suggest a simultaneous flanking attack. Lieutenant Garren and her security team along with the Betazed Sec-For flank the right, you and your marines flank left. Lieutenant Commander Sharpe and I will each take half of our marine unit and move up the middle. Tri-angle attack will keep them locked down. Upon breaching Sharpe will take his marine squad and flank around the back while I hit the front door. You and Garren will set up a perimeter around the building. How does that sound?"

||Betazed
||Bomb Location
||TBA


Leonard and the marines got ready to get into the building they'd found in the forest, setting up a perimeter and watching the armed men outside. It looked like there were about a dozen out there and there was no telling how many more were inside--at least not by just watching. Leonard could tell there were still quite a few inside and he wanted to get through this with as little casualties as possible.

"What do you think we should do?" Leonard asked the Colonel.

Colonel Grelik looked at Leonard and then at the marines. "Flank them from both sides--they deserve no honor. Find a way inside."

With hand signals and series of whispered orders Taylor got his marines into a line since the other marines were watching the flanks. Instantly he could see why the marines and Betazed Security Forces had decided to set up shop outside the building. All in the middle of nowhere there were armed men outside a building with a possible biological device which was a clear indication that they were up to no good. Related? Probably.

Though he didn't recognize that the Klingon officer was indeed a colonel through a glance Taylor's helmet HUD did display all that information for him. "Colonel." he said after creeping up beside him, his armour had long taken a woodland camouflage but movement would still catch the eye.

"Lieutenant Colonel Lucas of the Fenris, what have we got here?"

"Our readings have led us here. This is a research facility under normal circumstances but not it harbors a bomb." He explained to Taylor, shaking his head. "There are a dozen armed personnel outside and inside we were still calculating, but there are at least a dozen if not more inside of the building guarding this weapon of destruction. Your aide is welcome."

The Colonel had nothing much more to say on the matter as he wanted in and he wanted in as soon as possible to make this threat no longer a threat. There was a bomb of a biological nature threatening an entire species and there was no honor in cowardice. It needed to be stopped.

"Move in," he told his men over their comm link, assessing that they were all in their designated areas. "Leave no survivors, they do not deserve our mercy."

"You heard that, we're flanking, so give them whatever assistance it is that they need," Marissa informed her men. "Leave no survivors."

She didn't know how she felt about that but her men were ready for anything and she also had an ulterior motive: protect Gabe with her life. Of course he knew how to fight on his own but she had feelings for him and they all needed him to diffuse this device and his safety was top priority.

"Keep an eye on Sharpe at all times and lets show these cowards what Starfleet is made of." Marissa said.

"Belay those orders." hissed Taylor into his comm unit. The Klingon's marines were now caught between two sets of orders but they held their ground. Even Taylor's own marines were confused about what the man was thinking. "We have no intel on this building or the forces occupying it and you just simply want to charge?" said Taylor with a low voice. "This isn't the Dominion War Colonel, we need to think several steps ahead. If these guys get too easy spooked they could set off the bomb we need to be quick, fast and lethal but above all we need to be smart. Put your muzzle back on Garren before I weld it on."

The words were barely out of Taylor's mouth before Gabe turned and shot him a look that clearly said. Watch it Though he didn't actually say anything this wasn't the time to have words with the Colonel but he had to make his point clear.

Shaking his head Taylor used his visors zoom to scout the location to get a good indication of the enemy strength. Like Grelik had said there were about a dozen lifesigns in and out of the building. All Betazoid and all armed. However upon closer inspection there were a pair of heavy phaser repeaters all set up in dug-out positions. That did little to cure his ill mood about the situation.

"Enemy has heavy suppressive weapons but no marksmen. Looks like they were expecting some form a fight. Colonel I suggest a simultaneous flanking attack. Lieutenant Garren and her security team along with the Betazed Sec-For flank the right, you and your marines flank left. Lieutenant Commander Sharpe and I will each take half of our marine unit and move up the middle. Tri-angle attack will keep them locked down. Upon breaching Sharpe will take his marine squad and flank around the back while I hit the front door. You and Garren will set up a perimeter around the building. How does that sound?"

Gabe said nothing as he dropped to one knee. Like Taylor he zoomed in on the scene before as he pulled his cobmay knife from it's sheath. Unlike Taylor he was looking deeper he took the scene in, "2 repeaters in positions west of the door. 2 teams of 2 patroling at semi regular intervels in a rough circle 50 metres from the building. 1 path to the building coming from the south." He told the group as he etched it into the soil near his knee with his knife.

"Tripwires set up 100 metres from the building, no doubt connected to an alarm system. Deeper brush to the north and west. They knew we were coming, this is more then some random terrorist attack. This little scene was set us up for us."

||Betazed
||Bomb Location
||TBA


Leonard and the marines got ready to get into the building they'd found in the forest, setting up a perimeter and watching the armed men outside. It looked like there were about a dozen out there and there was no telling how many more were inside--at least not by just watching. Leonard could tell there were still quite a few inside and he wanted to get through this with as little casualties as possible.

"What do you think we should do?" Leonard asked the Colonel.

Colonel Grelik looked at Leonard and then at the marines. "Flank them from both sides--they deserve no honor. Find a way inside."

With hand signals and series of whispered orders Taylor got his marines into a line since the other marines were watching the flanks. Instantly he could see why the marines and Betazed Security Forces had decided to set up shop outside the building. All in the middle of nowhere there were armed men outside a building with a possible biological device which was a clear indication that they were up to no good. Related? Probably.

Though he didn't recognize that the Klingon officer was indeed a colonel through a glance Taylor's helmet HUD did display all that information for him. "Colonel." he said after creeping up beside him, his armour had long taken a woodland camouflage but movement would still catch the eye.

"Lieutenant Colonel Lucas of the Fenris, what have we got here?"

"Our readings have led us here. This is a research facility under normal circumstances but not it harbors a bomb." He explained to Taylor, shaking his head. "There are a dozen armed personnel outside and inside we were still calculating, but there are at least a dozen if not more inside of the building guarding this weapon of destruction. Your aide is welcome."

The Colonel had nothing much more to say on the matter as he wanted in and he wanted in as soon as possible to make this threat no longer a threat. There was a bomb of a biological nature threatening an entire species and there was no honor in cowardice. It needed to be stopped.

"Move in," he told his men over their comm link, assessing that they were all in their designated areas. "Leave no survivors, they do not deserve our mercy."

"You heard that, we're flanking, so give them whatever assistance it is that they need," Marissa informed her men. "Leave no survivors."

She didn't know how she felt about that but her men were ready for anything and she also had an ulterior motive: protect Gabe with her life. Of course he knew how to fight on his own but she had feelings for him and they all needed him to diffuse this device and his safety was top priority.

"Keep an eye on Sharpe at all times and lets show these cowards what Starfleet is made of." Marissa said.

"Belay those orders." hissed Taylor into his comm unit. The Klingon's marines were now caught between two sets of orders but they held their ground. Even Taylor's own marines were confused about what the man was thinking. "We have no intel on this building or the forces occupying it and you just simply want to charge?" said Taylor with a low voice. "This isn't the Dominion War Colonel, we need to think several steps ahead. If these guys get too easy spooked they could set off the bomb we need to be quick, fast and lethal but above all we need to be smart. Put your muzzle back on Garren before I weld it on."

The words were barely out of Taylor's mouth before Gabe turned and shot him a look that clearly said. Watch it Though he didn't actually say anything this wasn't the time to have words with the Colonel but he had to make his point clear.

Shaking his head Taylor used his visors zoom to scout the location to get a good indication of the enemy strength. Like Grelik had said there were about a dozen lifesigns in and out of the building. All Betazoid and all armed. However upon closer inspection there were a pair of heavy phaser repeaters all set up in dug-out positions. That did little to cure his ill mood about the situation.

"Enemy has heavy suppressive weapons but no marksmen. Looks like they were expecting some form a fight. Colonel I suggest a simultaneous flanking attack. Lieutenant Garren and her security team along with the Betazed Sec-For flank the right, you and your marines flank left. Lieutenant Commander Sharpe and I will each take half of our marine unit and move up the middle. Tri-angle attack will keep them locked down. Upon breaching Sharpe will take his marine squad and flank around the back while I hit the front door. You and Garren will set up a perimeter around the building. How does that sound?"

Gabe said nothing as he dropped to one knee. Like Taylor he zoomed in on the scene before as he pulled his cobmat knife from it's sheath. Unlike Taylor he was looking deeper he took the scene in, "Two repeaters in positions west of the door. Two teams of two patrolling at semi regular intervels in a rough circle 50 metres from the building. One path to the building coming from the south." He told the group as he etched it into the soil near his knee with his knife.

"Tripwires set up 100 metres from the building, no doubt connected to an alarm system. Deeper brush to the north and west. They knew we were coming, this is more than some random terrorist attack. This little scene was set us up for us."

"Good eye for the tripwires." mused the marine officer who nodded since he was impressed that Gabe had picked up what he had missed. "But they are irrelevant. It's a strike, not an infiltration. As for their alert status the guards and defences are standard procedure. They didn't know we were coming, just that someone was. Don't look at something too deep lieutenant commander. Keep it simple."

Seeing the crude drawing in the soil and took out his own obsidian-coloured knife. He carved four arrows into the dirt. "Still the same plan; the colonel here on the left, Garren on the right and we're up the middle. Two snipers take out those gunners and keep the repeaters free from enemy control. Those trip wires could be connected to an alarm or an explosive device. Best to avoid it rather than defeat it."

||Betazed
||Bomb Location
||TBA


Leonard and the marines got ready to get into the building they'd found in the forest, setting up a perimeter and watching the armed men outside. It looked like there were about a dozen out there and there was no telling how many more were inside--at least not by just watching. Leonard could tell there were still quite a few inside and he wanted to get through this with as little casualties as possible.

"What do you think we should do?" Leonard asked the Colonel.

Colonel Grelik looked at Leonard and then at the marines. "Flank them from both sides--they deserve no honor. Find a way inside."

With hand signals and series of whispered orders Taylor got his marines into a line since the other marines were watching the flanks. Instantly he could see why the marines and Betazed Security Forces had decided to set up shop outside the building. All in the middle of nowhere there were armed men outside a building with a possible biological device which was a clear indication that they were up to no good. Related? Probably.

Though he didn't recognize that the Klingon officer was indeed a colonel through a glance Taylor's helmet HUD did display all that information for him. "Colonel." he said after creeping up beside him, his armour had long taken a woodland camouflage but movement would still catch the eye.

"Lieutenant Colonel Lucas of the Fenris, what have we got here?"

"Our readings have led us here. This is a research facility under normal circumstances but not it harbors a bomb." He explained to Taylor, shaking his head. "There are a dozen armed personnel outside and inside we were still calculating, but there are at least a dozen if not more inside of the building guarding this weapon of destruction. Your aide is welcome."

The Colonel had nothing much more to say on the matter as he wanted in and he wanted in as soon as possible to make this threat no longer a threat. There was a bomb of a biological nature threatening an entire species and there was no honor in cowardice. It needed to be stopped.

"Move in," he told his men over their comm link, assessing that they were all in their designated areas. "Leave no survivors, they do not deserve our mercy."

"You heard that, we're flanking, so give them whatever assistance it is that they need," Marissa informed her men. "Leave no survivors."

She didn't know how she felt about that but her men were ready for anything and she also had an ulterior motive: protect Gabe with her life. Of course he knew how to fight on his own but she had feelings for him and they all needed him to diffuse this device and his safety was top priority.

"Keep an eye on Sharpe at all times and lets show these cowards what Starfleet is made of." Marissa said.

"Belay those orders." hissed Taylor into his comm unit. The Klingon's marines were now caught between two sets of orders but they held their ground. Even Taylor's own marines were confused about what the man was thinking. "We have no intel on this building or the forces occupying it and you just simply want to charge?" said Taylor with a low voice. "This isn't the Dominion War Colonel, we need to think several steps ahead. If these guys get too easy spooked they could set off the bomb we need to be quick, fast and lethal but above all we need to be smart. Put your muzzle back on Garren before I weld it on."

The words were barely out of Taylor's mouth before Gabe turned and shot him a look that clearly said. Watch it Though he didn't actually say anything this wasn't the time to have words with the Colonel but he had to make his point clear.

Shaking his head Taylor used his visors zoom to scout the location to get a good indication of the enemy strength. Like Grelik had said there were about a dozen lifesigns in and out of the building. All Betazoid and all armed. However upon closer inspection there were a pair of heavy phaser repeaters all set up in dug-out positions. That did little to cure his ill mood about the situation.

"Enemy has heavy suppressive weapons but no marksmen. Looks like they were expecting some form a fight. Colonel I suggest a simultaneous flanking attack. Lieutenant Garren and her security team along with the Betazed Sec-For flank the right, you and your marines flank left. Lieutenant Commander Sharpe and I will each take half of our marine unit and move up the middle. Tri-angle attack will keep them locked down. Upon breaching Sharpe will take his marine squad and flank around the back while I hit the front door. You and Garren will set up a perimeter around the building. How does that sound?"

Gabe said nothing as he dropped to one knee. Like Taylor he zoomed in on the scene before as he pulled his cobmat knife from it's sheath. Unlike Taylor he was looking deeper he took the scene in, "Two repeaters in positions west of the door. Two teams of two patrolling at semi regular intervels in a rough circle 50 metres from the building. One path to the building coming from the south." He told the group as he etched it into the soil near his knee with his knife.

"Tripwires set up 100 metres from the building, no doubt connected to an alarm system. Deeper brush to the north and west. They knew we were coming, this is more than some random terrorist attack. This little scene was set up for us."

"Good eye for the tripwires." mused the marine officer who nodded since he was impressed that Gabe had picked up what he had missed. "But they are irrelevant. It's a strike, not an infiltration. As for their alert status the guards and defences are standard procedure. They didn't know we were coming, just that someone was. Don't look at something too deep lieutenant commander. Keep it simple."

Seeing the crude drawing in the soil and took out his own obsidian-coloured knife. He carved four arrows into the dirt. "Still the same plan; the colonel here on the left, Garren on the right and we're up the middle. Two snipers take out those gunners and keep the repeaters free from enemy control. Those trip wires could be connected to an alarm or an explosive device. Best to avoid it rather than defeat it."

"Almost missed the tripwires myself, It was more luck then anything i saw the light reflecting off 'em." Gabe said, "The plan was sound before, just making sure we had all the intel we could get, from a source i'm willing to trust."

||Betazed
||Bomb Location
||TBA


Leonard and the marines got ready to get into the building they'd found in the forest, setting up a perimeter and watching the armed men outside. It looked like there were about a dozen out there and there was no telling how many more were inside--at least not by just watching. Leonard could tell there were still quite a few inside and he wanted to get through this with as little casualties as possible.

"What do you think we should do?" Leonard asked the Colonel.

Colonel Grelik looked at Leonard and then at the marines. "Flank them from both sides--they deserve no honor. Find a way inside."

With hand signals and series of whispered orders Taylor got his marines into a line since the other marines were watching the flanks. Instantly he could see why the marines and Betazed Security Forces had decided to set up shop outside the building. All in the middle of nowhere there were armed men outside a building with a possible biological device which was a clear indication that they were up to no good. Related? Probably.

Though he didn't recognize that the Klingon officer was indeed a colonel through a glance Taylor's helmet HUD did display all that information for him. "Colonel." he said after creeping up beside him, his armour had long taken a woodland camouflage but movement would still catch the eye.

"Lieutenant Colonel Lucas of the Fenris, what have we got here?"

"Our readings have led us here. This is a research facility under normal circumstances but not it harbors a bomb." He explained to Taylor, shaking his head. "There are a dozen armed personnel outside and inside we were still calculating, but there are at least a dozen if not more inside of the building guarding this weapon of destruction. Your aide is welcome."

The Colonel had nothing much more to say on the matter as he wanted in and he wanted in as soon as possible to make this threat no longer a threat. There was a bomb of a biological nature threatening an entire species and there was no honor in cowardice. It needed to be stopped.

"Move in," he told his men over their comm link, assessing that they were all in their designated areas. "Leave no survivors, they do not deserve our mercy."

"You heard that, we're flanking, so give them whatever assistance it is that they need," Marissa informed her men. "Leave no survivors."

She didn't know how she felt about that but her men were ready for anything and she also had an ulterior motive: protect Gabe with her life. Of course he knew how to fight on his own but she had feelings for him and they all needed him to diffuse this device and his safety was top priority.

"Keep an eye on Sharpe at all times and lets show these cowards what Starfleet is made of." Marissa said.

"Belay those orders." hissed Taylor into his comm unit. The Klingon's marines were now caught between two sets of orders but they held their ground. Even Taylor's own marines were confused about what the man was thinking. "We have no intel on this building or the forces occupying it and you just simply want to charge?" said Taylor with a low voice. "This isn't the Dominion War Colonel, we need to think several steps ahead. If these guys get too easy spooked they could set off the bomb we need to be quick, fast and lethal but above all we need to be smart. Put your muzzle back on Garren before I weld it on."

The words were barely out of Taylor's mouth before Gabe turned and shot him a look that clearly said. Watch it Though he didn't actually say anything this wasn't the time to have words with the Colonel but he had to make his point clear.

Shaking his head Taylor used his visors zoom to scout the location to get a good indication of the enemy strength. Like Grelik had said there were about a dozen life signs in and out of the building. All Betazoid and all armed. However upon closer inspection there were a pair of heavy phaser repeaters all set up in dug-out positions. That did little to cure his ill mood about the situation.

"Enemy has heavy suppressive weapons but no marksmen. Looks like they were expecting some form a fight. Colonel I suggest a simultaneous flanking attack. Lieutenant Garren and her security team along with the Betazed Sec-For flank the right, you and your marines flank left. Lieutenant Commander Sharpe and I will each take half of our marine unit and move up the middle. Tri-angle attack will keep them locked down. Upon breaching Sharpe will take his marine squad and flank around the back while I hit the front door. You and Garren will set up a perimeter around the building. How does that sound?"

Gabe said nothing as he dropped to one knee. Like Taylor he zoomed in on the scene before as he pulled his combat knife from it's sheath. Unlike Taylor he was looking deeper he took the scene in, "Two repeaters in positions west of the door. Two teams of two patrolling at semi regular intervals in a rough circle 50 metres from the building. One path to the building coming from the south." He told the group as he etched it into the soil near his knee with his knife.

"Tripwires set up 100 metres from the building, no doubt connected to an alarm system. Deeper brush to the north and west. They knew we were coming, this is more than some random terrorist attack. This little scene was set up for us."

"Good eye for the tripwires." mused the marine officer who nodded since he was impressed that Gabe had picked up what he had missed. "But they are irrelevant. It's a strike, not an infiltration. As for their alert status the guards and defenses are standard procedure. They didn't know we were coming, just that someone was. Don't look at something too deep lieutenant commander. Keep it simple."

Seeing the crude drawing in the soil and took out his own obsidian-coloured knife. He carved four arrows into the dirt. "Still the same plan; the colonel here on the left, Garren on the right and we're up the middle. Two snipers take out those gunners and keep the repeaters free from enemy control. Those trip wires could be connected to an alarm or an explosive device. Best to avoid it rather than defeat it."

"Almost missed the tripwires myself, It was more luck then anything I saw the light reflecting off 'em." Gabe said, "The plan was sound before, just making sure we had all the Intel we could get, from a source I'm willing to trust."

"Not once did I say I did not understand the situation," Grelik told Taylor, Gabe, Marissa and the others. "I know what is at stake here and in case you are deaf, Lucas, I said flank from both sides. I am a Colonel. I have seen more battle than you and handled harder foe so do not act as though you are the only one here that can command these troops. You follow my orders. Tri-angle attack it is but next time do not try and weasel over what I say or you'll found yourself rank-less before you can blink. Our foe have readied themselves for battle and a battle is what they are going to get. We marines have been here longer than you assessing such things and you have to believe me when I say I know what to do. We attack and we attack hard and we don't leave anyone to go and tell the boss. You were sent to us for back-up so back us up the best way you see fit without crossing me. Clear?"

||Betazed
||Bomb Location
||TBA


Leonard and the marines got ready to get into the building they'd found in the forest, setting up a perimeter and watching the armed men outside. It looked like there were about a dozen out there and there was no telling how many more were inside--at least not by just watching. Leonard could tell there were still quite a few inside and he wanted to get through this with as little casualties as possible.

"What do you think we should do?" Leonard asked the Colonel.

Colonel Grelik looked at Leonard and then at the marines. "Flank them from both sides--they deserve no honor. Find a way inside."

With hand signals and series of whispered orders Taylor got his marines into a line since the other marines were watching the flanks. Instantly he could see why the marines and Betazed Security Forces had decided to set up shop outside the building. All in the middle of nowhere there were armed men outside a building with a possible biological device which was a clear indication that they were up to no good. Related? Probably.

Though he didn't recognize that the Klingon officer was indeed a colonel through a glance Taylor's helmet HUD did display all that information for him. "Colonel." he said after creeping up beside him, his armour had long taken a woodland camouflage but movement would still catch the eye.

"Lieutenant Colonel Lucas of the Fenris, what have we got here?"

"Our readings have led us here. This is a research facility under normal circumstances but not it harbors a bomb." He explained to Taylor, shaking his head. "There are a dozen armed personnel outside and inside we were still calculating, but there are at least a dozen if not more inside of the building guarding this weapon of destruction. Your aide is welcome."

The Colonel had nothing much more to say on the matter as he wanted in and he wanted in as soon as possible to make this threat no longer a threat. There was a bomb of a biological nature threatening an entire species and there was no honor in cowardice. It needed to be stopped.

"Move in," he told his men over their comm link, assessing that they were all in their designated areas. "Leave no survivors, they do not deserve our mercy."

"You heard that, we're flanking, so give them whatever assistance it is that they need," Marissa informed her men. "Leave no survivors."

She didn't know how she felt about that but her men were ready for anything and she also had an ulterior motive: protect Gabe with her life. Of course he knew how to fight on his own but she had feelings for him and they all needed him to diffuse this device and his safety was top priority.

"Keep an eye on Sharpe at all times and lets show these cowards what Starfleet is made of." Marissa said.

"Belay those orders." hissed Taylor into his comm unit. The Klingon's marines were now caught between two sets of orders but they held their ground. Even Taylor's own marines were confused about what the man was thinking. "We have no intel on this building or the forces occupying it and you just simply want to charge?" said Taylor with a low voice. "This isn't the Dominion War Colonel, we need to think several steps ahead. If these guys get too easy spooked they could set off the bomb we need to be quick, fast and lethal but above all we need to be smart. Put your muzzle back on Garren before I weld it on."

The words were barely out of Taylor's mouth before Gabe turned and shot him a look that clearly said. Watch it Though he didn't actually say anything this wasn't the time to have words with the Colonel but he had to make his point clear.

Shaking his head Taylor used his visors zoom to scout the location to get a good indication of the enemy strength. Like Grelik had said there were about a dozen lifesigns in and out of the building. All Betazoid and all armed. However upon closer inspection there were a pair of heavy phaser repeaters all set up in dug-out positions. That did little to cure his ill mood about the situation.

"Enemy has heavy suppressive weapons but no marksmen. Looks like they were expecting some form a fight. Colonel I suggest a simultaneous flanking attack. Lieutenant Garren and her security team along with the Betazed Sec-For flank the right, you and your marines flank left. Lieutenant Commander Sharpe and I will each take half of our marine unit and move up the middle. Tri-angle attack will keep them locked down. Upon breaching Sharpe will take his marine squad and flank around the back while I hit the front door. You and Garren will set up a perimeter around the building. How does that sound?"

"Show some respect, Lieutenant Colonel," Marissa told him with anger in her voice. "I am not a dog and you will treat me with respect. We were sent her to assist and I was informing my men to assist--that happens to be my job."

Gabe said nothing as he dropped to one knee. Like Taylor he zoomed in on the scene before as he pulled his combat knife from it's sheath. Unlike Taylor he was looking deeper he took the scene in, "Two repeaters in positions west of the door. Two teams of two patrolling at semi regular intervals in a rough circle 50 metres from the building. One path to the building coming from the south." He told the group as he etched it into the soil near his knee with his knife.

"Tripwires set up 100 metres from the building, no doubt connected to an alarm system. Deeper brush to the north and west. They knew we were coming, this is more than some random terrorist attack. This little scene was set up for us."

"Good eye for the tripwires." mused the marine officer who nodded since he was impressed that Gabe had picked up what he had missed. "But they are irrelevant. It's a strike, not an infiltration. As for their alert status the guards and defenses are standard procedure. They didn't know we were coming, just that someone was. Don't look at something too deep lieutenant commander. Keep it simple."

Seeing the crude drawing in the soil and took out his own obsidian-coloured knife. He carved four arrows into the dirt. "Still the same plan; the colonel here on the left, Garren on the right and we're up the middle. Two snipers take out those gunners and keep the repeaters free from enemy control. Those trip wires could be connected to an alarm or an explosive device. Best to avoid it rather than defeat it."

"Almost missed the tripwires myself, It was more luck then anything I saw the light reflecting off 'em." Gabe said, "The plan was sound before, just making sure we had all the Intel we could get, from a source I'm willing to trust."

"Not once did I say I did not understand the situation," Grelik told Taylor, Gabe, Marissa and the others. "I know what is at stake here and in case you are deaf, Lucas, I said flank from both sides. I am a Colonel. I have seen more battle than you and handled harder foe so do not act as though you are the only one here that can command these troops. You follow my orders. Tri-angle attack it is but next time do not try and weasel over what I say or you'll found yourself rank-less before you can blink. Our foe have readied themselves for battle and a battle is what they are going to get. We marines have been here longer than you assessing such things and you have to believe me when I say I know what to do. We attack and we attack hard and we don't leave anyone to go and tell the boss. You were sent to us for back-up so back us up the best way you see fit without crossing me. Clear?"

Marissa had a feeling that she really needed to just find an order and stick to it and not make anymore tension than there was. Pissing off a Klingon. Real smart.

"I don't see why we can't do that." Marissa told them. "Do we have an actual plan to adhere to now?"

||Betazed
||Bomb Location
||TBA


Leonard and the marines got ready to get into the building they'd found in the forest, setting up a perimeter and watching the armed men outside. It looked like there were about a dozen out there and there was no telling how many more were inside--at least not by just watching. Leonard could tell there were still quite a few inside and he wanted to get through this with as little casualties as possible.

"What do you think we should do?" Leonard asked the Colonel.

Colonel Grelik looked at Leonard and then at the marines. "Flank them from both sides--they deserve no honor. Find a way inside."

With hand signals and series of whispered orders Taylor got his marines into a line since the other marines were watching the flanks. Instantly he could see why the marines and Betazed Security Forces had decided to set up shop outside the building. All in the middle of nowhere there were armed men outside a building with a possible biological device which was a clear indication that they were up to no good. Related? Probably.

Though he didn't recognize that the Klingon officer was indeed a colonel through a glance Taylor's helmet HUD did display all that information for him. "Colonel." he said after creeping up beside him, his armour had long taken a woodland camouflage but movement would still catch the eye.

"Lieutenant Colonel Lucas of the Fenris, what have we got here?"

"Our readings have led us here. This is a research facility under normal circumstances but not it harbors a bomb." He explained to Taylor, shaking his head. "There are a dozen armed personnel outside and inside we were still calculating, but there are at least a dozen if not more inside of the building guarding this weapon of destruction. Your aide is welcome."

The Colonel had nothing much more to say on the matter as he wanted in and he wanted in as soon as possible to make this threat no longer a threat. There was a bomb of a biological nature threatening an entire species and there was no honor in cowardice. It needed to be stopped.

"Move in," he told his men over their comm link, assessing that they were all in their designated areas. "Leave no survivors, they do not deserve our mercy."

"You heard that, we're flanking, so give them whatever assistance it is that they need," Marissa informed her men. "Leave no survivors."

She didn't know how she felt about that but her men were ready for anything and she also had an ulterior motive: protect Gabe with her life. Of course he knew how to fight on his own but she had feelings for him and they all needed him to diffuse this device and his safety was top priority.

"Keep an eye on Sharpe at all times and lets show these cowards what Starfleet is made of." Marissa said.

"Belay those orders." hissed Taylor into his comm unit. The Klingon's marines were now caught between two sets of orders but they held their ground. Even Taylor's own marines were confused about what the man was thinking. "We have no intel on this building or the forces occupying it and you just simply want to charge?" said Taylor with a low voice. "This isn't the Dominion War Colonel, we need to think several steps ahead. If these guys get too easy spooked they could set off the bomb we need to be quick, fast and lethal but above all we need to be smart. Put your muzzle back on Garren before I weld it on."

The words were barely out of Taylor's mouth before Gabe turned and shot him a look that clearly said. Watch it Though he didn't actually say anything this wasn't the time to have words with the Colonel but he had to make his point clear.

Shaking his head Taylor used his visors zoom to scout the location to get a good indication of the enemy strength. Like Grelik had said there were about a dozen lifesigns in and out of the building. All Betazoid and all armed. However upon closer inspection there were a pair of heavy phaser repeaters all set up in dug-out positions. That did little to cure his ill mood about the situation.

"Enemy has heavy suppressive weapons but no marksmen. Looks like they were expecting some form a fight. Colonel I suggest a simultaneous flanking attack. Lieutenant Garren and her security team along with the Betazed Sec-For flank the right, you and your marines flank left. Lieutenant Commander Sharpe and I will each take half of our marine unit and move up the middle. Tri-angle attack will keep them locked down. Upon breaching Sharpe will take his marine squad and flank around the back while I hit the front door. You and Garren will set up a perimeter around the building. How does that sound?"

"Show some respect, Lieutenant Colonel," Marissa told him with anger in her voice. "I am not a dog and you will treat me with respect. We were sent her to assist and I was informing my men to assist--that happens to be my job."

Gabe said nothing as he dropped to one knee. Like Taylor he zoomed in on the scene before as he pulled his combat knife from it's sheath. Unlike Taylor he was looking deeper he took the scene in, "Two repeaters in positions west of the door. Two teams of two patrolling at semi regular intervals in a rough circle 50 metres from the building. One path to the building coming from the south." He told the group as he etched it into the soil near his knee with his knife.

"Tripwires set up 100 metres from the building, no doubt connected to an alarm system. Deeper brush to the north and west. They knew we were coming, this is more than some random terrorist attack. This little scene was set up for us."

"Good eye for the tripwires." mused the marine officer who nodded since he was impressed that Gabe had picked up what he had missed. "But they are irrelevant. It's a strike, not an infiltration. As for their alert status the guards and defenses are standard procedure. They didn't know we were coming, just that someone was. Don't look at something too deep lieutenant commander. Keep it simple."

Seeing the crude drawing in the soil and took out his own obsidian-coloured knife. He carved four arrows into the dirt. "Still the same plan; the colonel here on the left, Garren on the right and we're up the middle. Two snipers take out those gunners and keep the repeaters free from enemy control. Those trip wires could be connected to an alarm or an explosive device. Best to avoid it rather than defeat it."

"Almost missed the tripwires myself, It was more luck then anything I saw the light reflecting off 'em." Gabe said, "The plan was sound before, just making sure we had all the Intel we could get, from a source I'm willing to trust."

"Not once did I say I did not understand the situation," Grelik told Taylor, Gabe, Marissa and the others. "I know what is at stake here and in case you are deaf, Lucas, I said flank from both sides. I am a Colonel. I have seen more battle than you and handled harder foe so do not act as though you are the only one here that can command these troops. You follow my orders. Tri-angle attack it is but next time do not try and weasel over what I say or you'll found yourself rank-less before you can blink. Our foe have readied themselves for battle and a battle is what they are going to get. We marines have been here longer than you assessing such things and you have to believe me when I say I know what to do. We attack and we attack hard and we don't leave anyone to go and tell the boss. You were sent to us for back-up so back us up the best way you see fit without crossing me. Clear?"

Marissa had a feeling that she really needed to just find an order and stick to it and not make anymore tension than there was. Pissing off a Klingon. Real smart.

"I don't see why we can't do that." Marissa told them. "Do we have an actual plan to adhere to now?"

With a sniff of indifference inside his helmet Taylor just sighed and shook his head. The guy was a colonel and Taylor expected some form of tactical common sense from him but obviously the marines suffered from poor officers just as the fleet did. "You did say flank from both sides, yes but that's a bi-sector attack, not a tri-sector. Less fields of fire, less free forces to manoeuvre. It's infantry tactics one-oh-one and I will not have you rush ahead and have my marines killed simply because you want to satisfy your need for a fight. Marines fight smart, start applying that logic into your plan making process. You say you've been here longer yet you failed to mention the presence of heavy phaser repeaters or a trip wire that my esteemed colleague here has pointed out. If you want to get cut down by heavy weapons then go ahead because our armour shields? Yeah, stand up and walk slowly and I guarantee you you'll be dropped quick."

Still shaking his head he called up Arcadian 3. "Bring up the sharp shooters." he ordered simply. Two of Taylor's marines carrying phaser snipers set up on their bellies beside the group of officers. All they needed now was targets and orders.

"Heavy weapon operators, two of them. Shout out when on target."

"On scope." said one of the snipers.

"He's in my crosshairs colonel." piped up the other.

"Good." replied Taylor with a nod. "Colonel, set up your men along the left flank. We attack simultanously on my 'Zulu'. Garren...I respect you as both a woman and an officer of Starfleet but I hate to tell you we're all someone's dog and right now your my dog. Set up along the right and wait to hear 'Zulu'. Go on."

||Betazed
||Bomb Location
||TBA


Leonard and the marines got ready to get into the building they'd found in the forest, setting up a perimeter and watching the armed men outside. It looked like there were about a dozen out there and there was no telling how many more were inside--at least not by just watching. Leonard could tell there were still quite a few inside and he wanted to get through this with as little casualties as possible.

"What do you think we should do?" Leonard asked the Colonel.

Colonel Grelik looked at Leonard and then at the marines. "Flank them from both sides--they deserve no honor. Find a way inside."

With hand signals and series of whispered orders Taylor got his marines into a line since the other marines were watching the flanks. Instantly he could see why the marines and Betazed Security Forces had decided to set up shop outside the building. All in the middle of nowhere there were armed men outside a building with a possible biological device which was a clear indication that they were up to no good. Related? Probably.

Though he didn't recognize that the Klingon officer was indeed a colonel through a glance Taylor's helmet HUD did display all that information for him. "Colonel." he said after creeping up beside him, his armour had long taken a woodland camouflage but movement would still catch the eye.

"Lieutenant Colonel Lucas of the Fenris, what have we got here?"

"Our readings have led us here. This is a research facility under normal circumstances but not it harbors a bomb." He explained to Taylor, shaking his head. "There are a dozen armed personnel outside and inside we were still calculating, but there are at least a dozen if not more inside of the building guarding this weapon of destruction. Your aide is welcome."

The Colonel had nothing much more to say on the matter as he wanted in and he wanted in as soon as possible to make this threat no longer a threat. There was a bomb of a biological nature threatening an entire species and there was no honor in cowardice. It needed to be stopped.

"Move in," he told his men over their comm link, assessing that they were all in their designated areas. "Leave no survivors, they do not deserve our mercy."

"You heard that, we're flanking, so give them whatever assistance it is that they need," Marissa informed her men. "Leave no survivors."

She didn't know how she felt about that but her men were ready for anything and she also had an ulterior motive: protect Gabe with her life. Of course he knew how to fight on his own but she had feelings for him and they all needed him to diffuse this device and his safety was top priority.

"Keep an eye on Sharpe at all times and lets show these cowards what Starfleet is made of." Marissa said.

"Belay those orders." hissed Taylor into his comm unit. The Klingon's marines were now caught between two sets of orders but they held their ground. Even Taylor's own marines were confused about what the man was thinking. "We have no intel on this building or the forces occupying it and you just simply want to charge?" said Taylor with a low voice. "This isn't the Dominion War Colonel, we need to think several steps ahead. If these guys get too easy spooked they could set off the bomb we need to be quick, fast and lethal but above all we need to be smart. Put your muzzle back on Garren before I weld it on."

The words were barely out of Taylor's mouth before Gabe turned and shot him a look that clearly said. Watch it Though he didn't actually say anything this wasn't the time to have words with the Colonel but he had to make his point clear.

Shaking his head Taylor used his visors zoom to scout the location to get a good indication of the enemy strength. Like Grelik had said there were about a dozen lifesigns in and out of the building. All Betazoid and all armed. However upon closer inspection there were a pair of heavy phaser repeaters all set up in dug-out positions. That did little to cure his ill mood about the situation.

"Enemy has heavy suppressive weapons but no marksmen. Looks like they were expecting some form a fight. Colonel I suggest a simultaneous flanking attack. Lieutenant Garren and her security team along with the Betazed Sec-For flank the right, you and your marines flank left. Lieutenant Commander Sharpe and I will each take half of our marine unit and move up the middle. Tri-angle attack will keep them locked down. Upon breaching Sharpe will take his marine squad and flank around the back while I hit the front door. You and Garren will set up a perimeter around the building. How does that sound?"

"Show some respect, Lieutenant Colonel," Marissa told him with anger in her voice. "I am not a dog and you will treat me with respect. We were sent her to assist and I was informing my men to assist--that happens to be my job."

Gabe said nothing as he dropped to one knee. Like Taylor he zoomed in on the scene before as he pulled his combat knife from it's sheath. Unlike Taylor he was looking deeper he took the scene in, "Two repeaters in positions west of the door. Two teams of two patrolling at semi regular intervals in a rough circle 50 metres from the building. One path to the building coming from the south." He told the group as he etched it into the soil near his knee with his knife.

"Tripwires set up 100 metres from the building, no doubt connected to an alarm system. Deeper brush to the north and west. They knew we were coming, this is more than some random terrorist attack. This little scene was set up for us."

"Good eye for the tripwires." mused the marine officer who nodded since he was impressed that Gabe had picked up what he had missed. "But they are irrelevant. It's a strike, not an infiltration. As for their alert status the guards and defenses are standard procedure. They didn't know we were coming, just that someone was. Don't look at something too deep lieutenant commander. Keep it simple."

Seeing the crude drawing in the soil and took out his own obsidian-coloured knife. He carved four arrows into the dirt. "Still the same plan; the colonel here on the left, Garren on the right and we're up the middle. Two snipers take out those gunners and keep the repeaters free from enemy control. Those trip wires could be connected to an alarm or an explosive device. Best to avoid it rather than defeat it."

"Almost missed the tripwires myself, It was more luck then anything I saw the light reflecting off 'em." Gabe said, "The plan was sound before, just making sure we had all the Intel we could get, from a source I'm willing to trust."

"Not once did I say I did not understand the situation," Grelik told Taylor, Gabe, Marissa and the others. "I know what is at stake here and in case you are deaf, Lucas, I said flank from both sides. I am a Colonel. I have seen more battle than you and handled harder foe so do not act as though you are the only one here that can command these troops. You follow my orders. Tri-angle attack it is but next time do not try and weasel over what I say or you'll found yourself rank-less before you can blink. Our foe have readied themselves for battle and a battle is what they are going to get. We marines have been here longer than you assessing such things and you have to believe me when I say I know what to do. We attack and we attack hard and we don't leave anyone to go and tell the boss. You were sent to us for back-up so back us up the best way you see fit without crossing me. Clear?"

Marissa had a feeling that she really needed to just find an order and stick to it and not make anymore tension than there was. Pissing off a Klingon. Real smart.

"I don't see why we can't do that." Marissa told them. "Do we have an actual plan to adhere to now?"

With a sniff of indifference inside his helmet Taylor just sighed and shook his head. The guy was a colonel and Taylor expected some form of tactical common sense from him but obviously the marines suffered from poor officers just as the fleet did. "You did say flank from both sides, yes but that's a bi-sector attack, not a tri-sector. Less fields of fire, less free forces to manoeuvre. It's infantry tactics one-oh-one and I will not have you rush ahead and have my marines killed simply because you want to satisfy your need for a fight. Marines fight smart, start applying that logic into your plan making process. You say you've been here longer yet you failed to mention the presence of heavy phaser repeaters or a trip wire that my esteemed colleague here has pointed out. If you want to get cut down by heavy weapons then go ahead because our armour shields? Yeah, stand up and walk slowly and I guarantee you you'll be dropped quick."

Still shaking his head he called up Arcadian 3. "Bring up the sharp shooters." he ordered simply. Two of Taylor's marines carrying phaser snipers set up on their bellies beside the group of officers. All they needed now was targets and orders.

"Heavy weapon operators, two of them. Shout out when on target."

"On scope." said one of the snipers.

"He's in my crosshairs colonel." piped up the other.

"Good." replied Taylor with a nod. "Colonel, set up your men along the left flank. We attack simultanously on my 'Zulu'. Garren...I respect you as both a woman and an officer of Starfleet but I hate to tell you we're all someone's dog and right now your my dog. Set up along the right and wait to hear 'Zulu'. Go on."

Gabe nodded as he pulled his phaser from it's holster and motioned from his fireteam to follow. He slowly made his way through the forest, keeping low to avoid detection. His visor switched to black as he pushed through the bushes, sure his marines were behind him. He took position near the tripwire and followed it to a nearby tree but he couldn't see what it was connected to. He hated not knowing but Taylor was right, it was better to avoid then cut right at the minute. He watched the patrol as they made another circuit of the building and quickly made some calculations.

"Takes 'em roughly 90 seconds to make a circle of the building, we have around 50 seconds til they come round again."

||Betazed
||Bomb Location
||TBA


Leonard and the marines got ready to get into the building they'd found in the forest, setting up a perimeter and watching the armed men outside. It looked like there were about a dozen out there and there was no telling how many more were inside--at least not by just watching. Leonard could tell there were still quite a few inside and he wanted to get through this with as little casualties as possible.

"What do you think we should do?" Leonard asked the Colonel.

Colonel Grelik looked at Leonard and then at the marines. "Flank them from both sides--they deserve no honor. Find a way inside."

With hand signals and series of whispered orders Taylor got his marines into a line since the other marines were watching the flanks. Instantly he could see why the marines and Betazed Security Forces had decided to set up shop outside the building. All in the middle of nowhere there were armed men outside a building with a possible biological device which was a clear indication that they were up to no good. Related? Probably.

Though he didn't recognize that the Klingon officer was indeed a colonel through a glance Taylor's helmet HUD did display all that information for him. "Colonel." he said after creeping up beside him, his armour had long taken a woodland camouflage but movement would still catch the eye.

"Lieutenant Colonel Lucas of the Fenris, what have we got here?"

"Our readings have led us here. This is a research facility under normal circumstances but not it harbors a bomb." He explained to Taylor, shaking his head. "There are a dozen armed personnel outside and inside we were still calculating, but there are at least a dozen if not more inside of the building guarding this weapon of destruction. Your aide is welcome."

The Colonel had nothing much more to say on the matter as he wanted in and he wanted in as soon as possible to make this threat no longer a threat. There was a bomb of a biological nature threatening an entire species and there was no honor in cowardice. It needed to be stopped.

"Move in," he told his men over their comm link, assessing that they were all in their designated areas. "Leave no survivors, they do not deserve our mercy."

"You heard that, we're flanking, so give them whatever assistance it is that they need," Marissa informed her men. "Leave no survivors."

She didn't know how she felt about that but her men were ready for anything and she also had an ulterior motive: protect Gabe with her life. Of course he knew how to fight on his own but she had feelings for him and they all needed him to diffuse this device and his safety was top priority.

"Keep an eye on Sharpe at all times and lets show these cowards what Starfleet is made of." Marissa said.

"Belay those orders." hissed Taylor into his comm unit. The Klingon's marines were now caught between two sets of orders but they held their ground. Even Taylor's own marines were confused about what the man was thinking. "We have no intel on this building or the forces occupying it and you just simply want to charge?" said Taylor with a low voice. "This isn't the Dominion War Colonel, we need to think several steps ahead. If these guys get too easy spooked they could set off the bomb we need to be quick, fast and lethal but above all we need to be smart. Put your muzzle back on Garren before I weld it on."

The words were barely out of Taylor's mouth before Gabe turned and shot him a look that clearly said. Watch it Though he didn't actually say anything this wasn't the time to have words with the Colonel but he had to make his point clear.

Shaking his head Taylor used his visors zoom to scout the location to get a good indication of the enemy strength. Like Grelik had said there were about a dozen lifesigns in and out of the building. All Betazoid and all armed. However upon closer inspection there were a pair of heavy phaser repeaters all set up in dug-out positions. That did little to cure his ill mood about the situation.

"Enemy has heavy suppressive weapons but no marksmen. Looks like they were expecting some form a fight. Colonel I suggest a simultaneous flanking attack. Lieutenant Garren and her security team along with the Betazed Sec-For flank the right, you and your marines flank left. Lieutenant Commander Sharpe and I will each take half of our marine unit and move up the middle. Tri-angle attack will keep them locked down. Upon breaching Sharpe will take his marine squad and flank around the back while I hit the front door. You and Garren will set up a perimeter around the building. How does that sound?"

"Show some respect, Lieutenant Colonel," Marissa told him with anger in her voice. "I am not a dog and you will treat me with respect. We were sent her to assist and I was informing my men to assist--that happens to be my job."

Gabe said nothing as he dropped to one knee. Like Taylor he zoomed in on the scene before as he pulled his combat knife from it's sheath. Unlike Taylor he was looking deeper he took the scene in, "Two repeaters in positions west of the door. Two teams of two patrolling at semi regular intervals in a rough circle 50 metres from the building. One path to the building coming from the south." He told the group as he etched it into the soil near his knee with his knife.

"Tripwires set up 100 metres from the building, no doubt connected to an alarm system. Deeper brush to the north and west. They knew we were coming, this is more than some random terrorist attack. This little scene was set up for us."

"Good eye for the tripwires." mused the marine officer who nodded since he was impressed that Gabe had picked up what he had missed. "But they are irrelevant. It's a strike, not an infiltration. As for their alert status the guards and defenses are standard procedure. They didn't know we were coming, just that someone was. Don't look at something too deep lieutenant commander. Keep it simple."

Seeing the crude drawing in the soil and took out his own obsidian-coloured knife. He carved four arrows into the dirt. "Still the same plan; the colonel here on the left, Garren on the right and we're up the middle. Two snipers take out those gunners and keep the repeaters free from enemy control. Those trip wires could be connected to an alarm or an explosive device. Best to avoid it rather than defeat it."

"Almost missed the tripwires myself, It was more luck then anything I saw the light reflecting off 'em." Gabe said, "The plan was sound before, just making sure we had all the Intel we could get, from a source I'm willing to trust."

"Not once did I say I did not understand the situation," Grelik told Taylor, Gabe, Marissa and the others. "I know what is at stake here and in case you are deaf, Lucas, I said flank from both sides. I am a Colonel. I have seen more battle than you and handled harder foe so do not act as though you are the only one here that can command these troops. You follow my orders. Tri-angle attack it is but next time do not try and weasel over what I say or you'll found yourself rank-less before you can blink. Our foe have readied themselves for battle and a battle is what they are going to get. We marines have been here longer than you assessing such things and you have to believe me when I say I know what to do. We attack and we attack hard and we don't leave anyone to go and tell the boss. You were sent to us for back-up so back us up the best way you see fit without crossing me. Clear?"

Marissa had a feeling that she really needed to just find an order and stick to it and not make anymore tension than there was. Pissing off a Klingon. Real smart.

"I don't see why we can't do that." Marissa told them. "Do we have an actual plan to adhere to now?"

With a sniff of indifference inside his helmet Taylor just sighed and shook his head. The guy was a colonel and Taylor expected some form of tactical common sense from him but obviously the marines suffered from poor officers just as the fleet did. "You did say flank from both sides, yes but that's a bi-sector attack, not a tri-sector. Less fields of fire, less free forces to manoeuvre. It's infantry tactics one-oh-one and I will not have you rush ahead and have my marines killed simply because you want to satisfy your need for a fight. Marines fight smart, start applying that logic into your plan making process. You say you've been here longer yet you failed to mention the presence of heavy phaser repeaters or a trip wire that my esteemed colleague here has pointed out. If you want to get cut down by heavy weapons then go ahead because our armour shields? Yeah, stand up and walk slowly and I guarantee you you'll be dropped quick."

Still shaking his head he called up Arcadian 3. "Bring up the sharp shooters." he ordered simply. Two of Taylor's marines carrying phaser snipers set up on their bellies beside the group of officers. All they needed now was targets and orders.

"Heavy weapon operators, two of them. Shout out when on target."

"On scope." said one of the snipers.

"He's in my crosshairs colonel." piped up the other.

"Good." replied Taylor with a nod. "Colonel, set up your men along the left flank. We attack simultanously on my 'Zulu'. Garren...I respect you as both a woman and an officer of Starfleet but I hate to tell you we're all someone's dog and right now you're my dog. Set up along the right and wait to hear 'Zulu'. Go on."

Gabe nodded as he pulled his phaser from its holster and motioned from his fireteam to follow. He slowly made his way through the forest, keeping low to avoid detection. His visor switched to black as he pushed through the bushes, sure his marines were behind him. He took position near the tripwire and followed it to a nearby tree but he couldn't see what it was connected to. He hated not knowing but Taylor was right, it was better to avoid then cut right at the minute. He watched the patrol as they made another circuit of the building and quickly made some calculations.

"Takes 'em roughly 90 seconds to make a circle of the building, we have around 50 seconds til they come round again."

"I suggest we take action as soon as the moment warrants it," Grelik told them all signaling to a few of his men. "In and out--then your man here diffuses the bomb and we tell Starfleet the threat is neutralized and make it back to the ambassadors. I assume we can all agree on that at least?"

The question was mostly aimed at Taylor but Grelik didn't care one way or another who answered it at this point. Taylor was underestimating the troops and being cautious when the Klingon was sure they could simply strike, but he just wanted this done. The longer they wasted, the closer the deadline to detonation neared and they needed to get a move on.

||Betazed
||Bomb Location
||TBA


Leonard and the marines got ready to get into the building they'd found in the forest, setting up a perimeter and watching the armed men outside. It looked like there were about a dozen out there and there was no telling how many more were inside--at least not by just watching. Leonard could tell there were still quite a few inside and he wanted to get through this with as little casualties as possible.

"What do you think we should do?" Leonard asked the Colonel.

Colonel Grelik looked at Leonard and then at the marines. "Flank them from both sides--they deserve no honor. Find a way inside."

With hand signals and series of whispered orders Taylor got his marines into a line since the other marines were watching the flanks. Instantly he could see why the marines and Betazed Security Forces had decided to set up shop outside the building. All in the middle of nowhere there were armed men outside a building with a possible biological device which was a clear indication that they were up to no good. Related? Probably.

Though he didn't recognize that the Klingon officer was indeed a colonel through a glance Taylor's helmet HUD did display all that information for him. "Colonel." he said after creeping up beside him, his armour had long taken a woodland camouflage but movement would still catch the eye.

"Lieutenant Colonel Lucas of the Fenris, what have we got here?"

"Our readings have led us here. This is a research facility under normal circumstances but not it harbors a bomb." He explained to Taylor, shaking his head. "There are a dozen armed personnel outside and inside we were still calculating, but there are at least a dozen if not more inside of the building guarding this weapon of destruction. Your aide is welcome."

The Colonel had nothing much more to say on the matter as he wanted in and he wanted in as soon as possible to make this threat no longer a threat. There was a bomb of a biological nature threatening an entire species and there was no honor in cowardice. It needed to be stopped.

"Move in," he told his men over their comm link, assessing that they were all in their designated areas. "Leave no survivors, they do not deserve our mercy."

"You heard that, we're flanking, so give them whatever assistance it is that they need," Marissa informed her men. "Leave no survivors."

She didn't know how she felt about that but her men were ready for anything and she also had an ulterior motive: protect Gabe with her life. Of course he knew how to fight on his own but she had feelings for him and they all needed him to diffuse this device and his safety was top priority.

"Keep an eye on Sharpe at all times and lets show these cowards what Starfleet is made of." Marissa said.

"Belay those orders." hissed Taylor into his comm unit. The Klingon's marines were now caught between two sets of orders but they held their ground. Even Taylor's own marines were confused about what the man was thinking. "We have no intel on this building or the forces occupying it and you just simply want to charge?" said Taylor with a low voice. "This isn't the Dominion War Colonel, we need to think several steps ahead. If these guys get too easy spooked they could set off the bomb we need to be quick, fast and lethal but above all we need to be smart. Put your muzzle back on Garren before I weld it on."

The words were barely out of Taylor's mouth before Gabe turned and shot him a look that clearly said. Watch it Though he didn't actually say anything this wasn't the time to have words with the Colonel but he had to make his point clear.

Shaking his head Taylor used his visors zoom to scout the location to get a good indication of the enemy strength. Like Grelik had said there were about a dozen lifesigns in and out of the building. All Betazoid and all armed. However upon closer inspection there were a pair of heavy phaser repeaters all set up in dug-out positions. That did little to cure his ill mood about the situation.

"Enemy has heavy suppressive weapons but no marksmen. Looks like they were expecting some form a fight. Colonel I suggest a simultaneous flanking attack. Lieutenant Garren and her security team along with the Betazed Sec-For flank the right, you and your marines flank left. Lieutenant Commander Sharpe and I will each take half of our marine unit and move up the middle. Tri-angle attack will keep them locked down. Upon breaching Sharpe will take his marine squad and flank around the back while I hit the front door. You and Garren will set up a perimeter around the building. How does that sound?"

"Show some respect, Lieutenant Colonel," Marissa told him with anger in her voice. "I am not a dog and you will treat me with respect. We were sent her to assist and I was informing my men to assist--that happens to be my job."

Gabe said nothing as he dropped to one knee. Like Taylor he zoomed in on the scene before as he pulled his combat knife from it's sheath. Unlike Taylor he was looking deeper he took the scene in, "Two repeaters in positions west of the door. Two teams of two patrolling at semi regular intervals in a rough circle 50 metres from the building. One path to the building coming from the south." He told the group as he etched it into the soil near his knee with his knife.

"Tripwires set up 100 metres from the building, no doubt connected to an alarm system. Deeper brush to the north and west. They knew we were coming, this is more than some random terrorist attack. This little scene was set up for us."

"Good eye for the tripwires." mused the marine officer who nodded since he was impressed that Gabe had picked up what he had missed. "But they are irrelevant. It's a strike, not an infiltration. As for their alert status the guards and defenses are standard procedure. They didn't know we were coming, just that someone was. Don't look at something too deep lieutenant commander. Keep it simple."

Seeing the crude drawing in the soil and took out his own obsidian-coloured knife. He carved four arrows into the dirt. "Still the same plan; the colonel here on the left, Garren on the right and we're up the middle. Two snipers take out those gunners and keep the repeaters free from enemy control. Those trip wires could be connected to an alarm or an explosive device. Best to avoid it rather than defeat it."

"Almost missed the tripwires myself, It was more luck then anything I saw the light reflecting off 'em." Gabe said, "The plan was sound before, just making sure we had all the Intel we could get, from a source I'm willing to trust."

"Not once did I say I did not understand the situation," Grelik told Taylor, Gabe, Marissa and the others. "I know what is at stake here and in case you are deaf, Lucas, I said flank from both sides. I am a Colonel. I have seen more battle than you and handled harder foe so do not act as though you are the only one here that can command these troops. You follow my orders. Tri-angle attack it is but next time do not try and weasel over what I say or you'll found yourself rank-less before you can blink. Our foe have readied themselves for battle and a battle is what they are going to get. We marines have been here longer than you assessing such things and you have to believe me when I say I know what to do. We attack and we attack hard and we don't leave anyone to go and tell the boss. You were sent to us for back-up so back us up the best way you see fit without crossing me. Clear?"

Marissa had a feeling that she really needed to just find an order and stick to it and not make anymore tension than there was. Pissing off a Klingon. Real smart.

"I don't see why we can't do that." Marissa told them. "Do we have an actual plan to adhere to now?"

With a sniff of indifference inside his helmet Taylor just sighed and shook his head. The guy was a colonel and Taylor expected some form of tactical common sense from him but obviously the marines suffered from poor officers just as the fleet did. "You did say flank from both sides, yes but that's a bi-sector attack, not a tri-sector. Less fields of fire, less free forces to manoeuvre. It's infantry tactics one-oh-one and I will not have you rush ahead and have my marines killed simply because you want to satisfy your need for a fight. Marines fight smart, start applying that logic into your plan making process. You say you've been here longer yet you failed to mention the presence of heavy phaser repeaters or a trip wire that my esteemed colleague here has pointed out. If you want to get cut down by heavy weapons then go ahead because our armour shields? Yeah, stand up and walk slowly and I guarantee you you'll be dropped quick."

Still shaking his head he called up Arcadian 3. "Bring up the sharp shooters." he ordered simply. Two of Taylor's marines carrying phaser snipers set up on their bellies beside the group of officers. All they needed now was targets and orders.

"Heavy weapon operators, two of them. Shout out when on target."

"On scope." said one of the snipers.

"He's in my crosshairs colonel." piped up the other.

"Good." replied Taylor with a nod. "Colonel, set up your men along the left flank. We attack simultanously on my 'Zulu'. Garren...I respect you as both a woman and an officer of Starfleet but I hate to tell you we're all someone's dog and right now you're my dog. Set up along the right and wait to hear 'Zulu'. Go on."

Gabe nodded as he pulled his phaser from its holster and motioned from his fireteam to follow. He slowly made his way through the forest, keeping low to avoid detection. His visor switched to black as he pushed through the bushes, sure his marines were behind him. He took position near the tripwire and followed it to a nearby tree but he couldn't see what it was connected to. He hated not knowing but Taylor was right, it was better to avoid then cut right at the minute. He watched the patrol as they made another circuit of the building and quickly made some calculations.

"Takes 'em roughly 90 seconds to make a circle of the building, we have around 50 seconds til they come round again."

"I suggest we take action as soon as the moment warrants it," Grelik told them all signaling to a few of his men. "In and out--then your man here diffuses the bomb and we tell Starfleet the threat is neutralized and make it back to the ambassadors. I assume we can all agree on that at least?"

The question was mostly aimed at Taylor but Grelik didn't care one way or another who answered it at this point. Taylor was underestimating the troops and being cautious when the Klingon was sure they could simply strike, but he just wanted this done. The longer they wasted, the closer the deadline to detonation neared and they needed to get a move on.

"Just get to your position and await my signal. We don't need to stay here overnight so I want this taken care of ASAP. The difference is the planning. You plan to be fast but you plan slow. Let the details sink in. After this you can tell Starfleet whatever the hell you want. Get a medal if that tickles your fancy. All I care about is getting rid of that bomb and not getting ourselves killed in the process. Go. Now. Left flank."

||Betazed
||Bomb Location
||TBA


Leonard and the marines got ready to get into the building they'd found in the forest, setting up a perimeter and watching the armed men outside. It looked like there were about a dozen out there and there was no telling how many more were inside--at least not by just watching. Leonard could tell there were still quite a few inside and he wanted to get through this with as little casualties as possible.

"What do you think we should do?" Leonard asked the Colonel.

Colonel Grelik looked at Leonard and then at the marines. "Flank them from both sides--they deserve no honor. Find a way inside."

With hand signals and series of whispered orders Taylor got his marines into a line since the other marines were watching the flanks. Instantly he could see why the marines and Betazed Security Forces had decided to set up shop outside the building. All in the middle of nowhere there were armed men outside a building with a possible biological device which was a clear indication that they were up to no good. Related? Probably.

Though he didn't recognize that the Klingon officer was indeed a colonel through a glance Taylor's helmet HUD did display all that information for him. "Colonel." he said after creeping up beside him, his armour had long taken a woodland camouflage but movement would still catch the eye.

"Lieutenant Colonel Lucas of the Fenris, what have we got here?"

"Our readings have led us here. This is a research facility under normal circumstances but not it harbors a bomb." He explained to Taylor, shaking his head. "There are a dozen armed personnel outside and inside we were still calculating, but there are at least a dozen if not more inside of the building guarding this weapon of destruction. Your aide is welcome."

The Colonel had nothing much more to say on the matter as he wanted in and he wanted in as soon as possible to make this threat no longer a threat. There was a bomb of a biological nature threatening an entire species and there was no honor in cowardice. It needed to be stopped.

"Move in," he told his men over their comm link, assessing that they were all in their designated areas. "Leave no survivors, they do not deserve our mercy."

"You heard that, we're flanking, so give them whatever assistance it is that they need," Marissa informed her men. "Leave no survivors."

She didn't know how she felt about that but her men were ready for anything and she also had an ulterior motive: protect Gabe with her life. Of course he knew how to fight on his own but she had feelings for him and they all needed him to diffuse this device and his safety was top priority.

"Keep an eye on Sharpe at all times and lets show these cowards what Starfleet is made of." Marissa said.

"Belay those orders." hissed Taylor into his comm unit. The Klingon's marines were now caught between two sets of orders but they held their ground. Even Taylor's own marines were confused about what the man was thinking. "We have no intel on this building or the forces occupying it and you just simply want to charge?" said Taylor with a low voice. "This isn't the Dominion War Colonel, we need to think several steps ahead. If these guys get too easy spooked they could set off the bomb we need to be quick, fast and lethal but above all we need to be smart. Put your muzzle back on Garren before I weld it on."

The words were barely out of Taylor's mouth before Gabe turned and shot him a look that clearly said. Watch it Though he didn't actually say anything this wasn't the time to have words with the Colonel but he had to make his point clear.

Shaking his head Taylor used his visors zoom to scout the location to get a good indication of the enemy strength. Like Grelik had said there were about a dozen lifesigns in and out of the building. All Betazoid and all armed. However upon closer inspection there were a pair of heavy phaser repeaters all set up in dug-out positions. That did little to cure his ill mood about the situation.

"Enemy has heavy suppressive weapons but no marksmen. Looks like they were expecting some form a fight. Colonel I suggest a simultaneous flanking attack. Lieutenant Garren and her security team along with the Betazed Sec-For flank the right, you and your marines flank left. Lieutenant Commander Sharpe and I will each take half of our marine unit and move up the middle. Tri-angle attack will keep them locked down. Upon breaching Sharpe will take his marine squad and flank around the back while I hit the front door. You and Garren will set up a perimeter around the building. How does that sound?"

"Show some respect, Lieutenant Colonel," Marissa told him with anger in her voice. "I am not a dog and you will treat me with respect. We were sent her to assist and I was informing my men to assist--that happens to be my job."

Gabe said nothing as he dropped to one knee. Like Taylor he zoomed in on the scene before as he pulled his combat knife from it's sheath. Unlike Taylor he was looking deeper he took the scene in, "Two repeaters in positions west of the door. Two teams of two patrolling at semi regular intervals in a rough circle 50 metres from the building. One path to the building coming from the south." He told the group as he etched it into the soil near his knee with his knife.

"Tripwires set up 100 metres from the building, no doubt connected to an alarm system. Deeper brush to the north and west. They knew we were coming, this is more than some random terrorist attack. This little scene was set up for us."

"Good eye for the tripwires." mused the marine officer who nodded since he was impressed that Gabe had picked up what he had missed. "But they are irrelevant. It's a strike, not an infiltration. As for their alert status the guards and defenses are standard procedure. They didn't know we were coming, just that someone was. Don't look at something too deep lieutenant commander. Keep it simple."

Seeing the crude drawing in the soil and took out his own obsidian-coloured knife. He carved four arrows into the dirt. "Still the same plan; the colonel here on the left, Garren on the right and we're up the middle. Two snipers take out those gunners and keep the repeaters free from enemy control. Those trip wires could be connected to an alarm or an explosive device. Best to avoid it rather than defeat it."

"Almost missed the tripwires myself, It was more luck then anything I saw the light reflecting off 'em." Gabe said, "The plan was sound before, just making sure we had all the Intel we could get, from a source I'm willing to trust."

"Not once did I say I did not understand the situation," Grelik told Taylor, Gabe, Marissa and the others. "I know what is at stake here and in case you are deaf, Lucas, I said flank from both sides. I am a Colonel. I have seen more battle than you and handled harder foe so do not act as though you are the only one here that can command these troops. You follow my orders. Tri-angle attack it is but next time do not try and weasel over what I say or you'll found yourself rank-less before you can blink. Our foe have readied themselves for battle and a battle is what they are going to get. We marines have been here longer than you assessing such things and you have to believe me when I say I know what to do. We attack and we attack hard and we don't leave anyone to go and tell the boss. You were sent to us for back-up so back us up the best way you see fit without crossing me. Clear?"

Marissa had a feeling that she really needed to just find an order and stick to it and not make anymore tension than there was. Pissing off a Klingon. Real smart.

"I don't see why we can't do that." Marissa told them. "Do we have an actual plan to adhere to now?"

With a sniff of indifference inside his helmet Taylor just sighed and shook his head. The guy was a colonel and Taylor expected some form of tactical common sense from him but obviously the marines suffered from poor officers just as the fleet did. "You did say flank from both sides, yes but that's a bi-sector attack, not a tri-sector. Less fields of fire, less free forces to manoeuvre. It's infantry tactics one-oh-one and I will not have you rush ahead and have my marines killed simply because you want to satisfy your need for a fight. Marines fight smart, start applying that logic into your plan making process. You say you've been here longer yet you failed to mention the presence of heavy phaser repeaters or a trip wire that my esteemed colleague here has pointed out. If you want to get cut down by heavy weapons then go ahead because our armour shields? Yeah, stand up and walk slowly and I guarantee you you'll be dropped quick."

Still shaking his head he called up Arcadian 3. "Bring up the sharp shooters." he ordered simply. Two of Taylor's marines carrying phaser snipers set up on their bellies beside the group of officers. All they needed now was targets and orders.

"Heavy weapon operators, two of them. Shout out when on target."

"On scope." said one of the snipers.

"He's in my crosshairs colonel." piped up the other.

"Good." replied Taylor with a nod. "Colonel, set up your men along the left flank. We attack simultanously on my 'Zulu'. Garren...I respect you as both a woman and an officer of Starfleet but I hate to tell you we're all someone's dog and right now you're my dog. Set up along the right and wait to hear 'Zulu'. Go on."

Gabe nodded as he pulled his phaser from its holster and motioned from his fireteam to follow. He slowly made his way through the forest, keeping low to avoid detection. His visor switched to black as he pushed through the bushes, sure his marines were behind him. He took position near the tripwire and followed it to a nearby tree but he couldn't see what it was connected to. He hated not knowing but Taylor was right, it was better to avoid then cut right at the minute. He watched the patrol as they made another circuit of the building and quickly made some calculations.

"Takes 'em roughly 90 seconds to make a circle of the building, we have around 50 seconds til they come round again."

"I suggest we take action as soon as the moment warrants it," Grelik told them all signaling to a few of his men. "In and out--then your man here diffuses the bomb and we tell Starfleet the threat is neutralized and make it back to the ambassadors. I assume we can all agree on that at least?"

The question was mostly aimed at Taylor but Grelik didn't care one way or another who answered it at this point. Taylor was underestimating the troops and being cautious when the Klingon was sure they could simply strike, but he just wanted this done. The longer they wasted, the closer the deadline to detonation neared and they needed to get a move on.

"Just get to your position and await my signal. We don't need to stay here overnight so I want this taken care of ASAP. The difference is the planning. You plan to be fast but you plan slow. Let the details sink in. After this you can tell Starfleet whatever the hell you want. Get a medal if that tickles your fancy. All I care about is getting rid of that bomb and not getting ourselves killed in the process. Go. Now. Left flank."

Narrowing his eyes at the man, Grelik waved for his men to take position, waiting for Taylor's signal in their appropriate location. He had been heading towards the position in the first place but Taylor wanted it all to be perfect and Grelik was going to let this slide for now. What mattered was the bomb, not their rivalry on the subjects at hand.

||Betazed
||Bomb Location
||TBA


Leonard and the marines got ready to get into the building they'd found in the forest, setting up a perimeter and watching the armed men outside. It looked like there were about a dozen out there and there was no telling how many more were inside--at least not by just watching. Leonard could tell there were still quite a few inside and he wanted to get through this with as little casualties as possible.

"What do you think we should do?" Leonard asked the Colonel.

Colonel Grelik looked at Leonard and then at the marines. "Flank them from both sides--they deserve no honor. Find a way inside."

With hand signals and series of whispered orders Taylor got his marines into a line since the other marines were watching the flanks. Instantly he could see why the marines and Betazed Security Forces had decided to set up shop outside the building. All in the middle of nowhere there were armed men outside a building with a possible biological device which was a clear indication that they were up to no good. Related? Probably.

Though he didn't recognize that the Klingon officer was indeed a colonel through a glance Taylor's helmet HUD did display all that information for him. "Colonel." he said after creeping up beside him, his armour had long taken a woodland camouflage but movement would still catch the eye.

"Lieutenant Colonel Lucas of the Fenris, what have we got here?"

"Our readings have led us here. This is a research facility under normal circumstances but not it harbors a bomb." He explained to Taylor, shaking his head. "There are a dozen armed personnel outside and inside we were still calculating, but there are at least a dozen if not more inside of the building guarding this weapon of destruction. Your aide is welcome."

The Colonel had nothing much more to say on the matter as he wanted in and he wanted in as soon as possible to make this threat no longer a threat. There was a bomb of a biological nature threatening an entire species and there was no honor in cowardice. It needed to be stopped.

"Move in," he told his men over their comm link, assessing that they were all in their designated areas. "Leave no survivors, they do not deserve our mercy."

"You heard that, we're flanking, so give them whatever assistance it is that they need," Marissa informed her men. "Leave no survivors."

She didn't know how she felt about that but her men were ready for anything and she also had an ulterior motive: protect Gabe with her life. Of course he knew how to fight on his own but she had feelings for him and they all needed him to diffuse this device and his safety was top priority.

"Keep an eye on Sharpe at all times and lets show these cowards what Starfleet is made of." Marissa said.

"Belay those orders." hissed Taylor into his comm unit. The Klingon's marines were now caught between two sets of orders but they held their ground. Even Taylor's own marines were confused about what the man was thinking. "We have no intel on this building or the forces occupying it and you just simply want to charge?" said Taylor with a low voice. "This isn't the Dominion War Colonel, we need to think several steps ahead. If these guys get too easy spooked they could set off the bomb we need to be quick, fast and lethal but above all we need to be smart. Put your muzzle back on Garren before I weld it on."

The words were barely out of Taylor's mouth before Gabe turned and shot him a look that clearly said. Watch it Though he didn't actually say anything this wasn't the time to have words with the Colonel but he had to make his point clear.

Shaking his head Taylor used his visors zoom to scout the location to get a good indication of the enemy strength. Like Grelik had said there were about a dozen lifesigns in and out of the building. All Betazoid and all armed. However upon closer inspection there were a pair of heavy phaser repeaters all set up in dug-out positions. That did little to cure his ill mood about the situation.

"Enemy has heavy suppressive weapons but no marksmen. Looks like they were expecting some form a fight. Colonel I suggest a simultaneous flanking attack. Lieutenant Garren and her security team along with the Betazed Sec-For flank the right, you and your marines flank left. Lieutenant Commander Sharpe and I will each take half of our marine unit and move up the middle. Tri-angle attack will keep them locked down. Upon breaching Sharpe will take his marine squad and flank around the back while I hit the front door. You and Garren will set up a perimeter around the building. How does that sound?"

"Show some respect, Lieutenant Colonel," Marissa told him with anger in her voice. "I am not a dog and you will treat me with respect. We were sent her to assist and I was informing my men to assist--that happens to be my job."

Gabe said nothing as he dropped to one knee. Like Taylor he zoomed in on the scene before as he pulled his combat knife from it's sheath. Unlike Taylor he was looking deeper he took the scene in, "Two repeaters in positions west of the door. Two teams of two patrolling at semi regular intervals in a rough circle 50 metres from the building. One path to the building coming from the south." He told the group as he etched it into the soil near his knee with his knife.

"Tripwires set up 100 metres from the building, no doubt connected to an alarm system. Deeper brush to the north and west. They knew we were coming, this is more than some random terrorist attack. This little scene was set up for us."

"Good eye for the tripwires." mused the marine officer who nodded since he was impressed that Gabe had picked up what he had missed. "But they are irrelevant. It's a strike, not an infiltration. As for their alert status the guards and defenses are standard procedure. They didn't know we were coming, just that someone was. Don't look at something too deep lieutenant commander. Keep it simple."

Seeing the crude drawing in the soil and took out his own obsidian-coloured knife. He carved four arrows into the dirt. "Still the same plan; the colonel here on the left, Garren on the right and we're up the middle. Two snipers take out those gunners and keep the repeaters free from enemy control. Those trip wires could be connected to an alarm or an explosive device. Best to avoid it rather than defeat it."

"Almost missed the tripwires myself, It was more luck then anything I saw the light reflecting off 'em." Gabe said, "The plan was sound before, just making sure we had all the Intel we could get, from a source I'm willing to trust."

"Not once did I say I did not understand the situation," Grelik told Taylor, Gabe, Marissa and the others. "I know what is at stake here and in case you are deaf, Lucas, I said flank from both sides. I am a Colonel. I have seen more battle than you and handled harder foe so do not act as though you are the only one here that can command these troops. You follow my orders. Tri-angle attack it is but next time do not try and weasel over what I say or you'll found yourself rank-less before you can blink. Our foe have readied themselves for battle and a battle is what they are going to get. We marines have been here longer than you assessing such things and you have to believe me when I say I know what to do. We attack and we attack hard and we don't leave anyone to go and tell the boss. You were sent to us for back-up so back us up the best way you see fit without crossing me. Clear?"

Marissa had a feeling that she really needed to just find an order and stick to it and not make anymore tension than there was. Pissing off a Klingon. Real smart.

"I don't see why we can't do that." Marissa told them. "Do we have an actual plan to adhere to now?"

With a sniff of indifference inside his helmet Taylor just sighed and shook his head. The guy was a colonel and Taylor expected some form of tactical common sense from him but obviously the marines suffered from poor officers just as the fleet did. "You did say flank from both sides, yes but that's a bi-sector attack, not a tri-sector. Less fields of fire, less free forces to manoeuvre. It's infantry tactics one-oh-one and I will not have you rush ahead and have my marines killed simply because you want to satisfy your need for a fight. Marines fight smart, start applying that logic into your plan making process. You say you've been here longer yet you failed to mention the presence of heavy phaser repeaters or a trip wire that my esteemed colleague here has pointed out. If you want to get cut down by heavy weapons then go ahead because our armour shields? Yeah, stand up and walk slowly and I guarantee you you'll be dropped quick."

Still shaking his head he called up Arcadian 3. "Bring up the sharp shooters." he ordered simply. Two of Taylor's marines carrying phaser snipers set up on their bellies beside the group of officers. All they needed now was targets and orders.

"Heavy weapon operators, two of them. Shout out when on target."

"On scope." said one of the snipers.

"He's in my crosshairs colonel." piped up the other.

"Good." replied Taylor with a nod. "Colonel, set up your men along the left flank. We attack simultanously on my 'Zulu'. Garren...I respect you as both a woman and an officer of Starfleet but I hate to tell you we're all someone's dog and right now you're my dog. Set up along the right and wait to hear 'Zulu'. Go on."

Gabe nodded as he pulled his phaser from its holster and motioned from his fireteam to follow. He slowly made his way through the forest, keeping low to avoid detection. His visor switched to black as he pushed through the bushes, sure his marines were behind him. He took position near the tripwire and followed it to a nearby tree but he couldn't see what it was connected to. He hated not knowing but Taylor was right, it was better to avoid then cut right at the minute. He watched the patrol as they made another circuit of the building and quickly made some calculations.

"Takes 'em roughly 90 seconds to make a circle of the building, we have around 50 seconds til they come round again."

"I suggest we take action as soon as the moment warrants it," Grelik told them all signaling to a few of his men. "In and out--then your man here diffuses the bomb and we tell Starfleet the threat is neutralized and make it back to the ambassadors. I assume we can all agree on that at least?"

The question was mostly aimed at Taylor but Grelik didn't care one way or another who answered it at this point. Taylor was underestimating the troops and being cautious when the Klingon was sure they could simply strike, but he just wanted this done. The longer they wasted, the closer the deadline to detonation neared and they needed to get a move on.

"Just get to your position and await my signal. We don't need to stay here overnight so I want this taken care of ASAP. The difference is the planning. You plan to be fast but you plan slow. Let the details sink in. After this you can tell Starfleet whatever the hell you want. Get a medal if that tickles your fancy. All I care about is getting rid of that bomb and not getting ourselves killed in the process. Go. Now. Left flank."

Narrowing his eyes at the man, Grelik waved for his men to take position, waiting for Taylor's signal in their appropriate location. He had been heading towards the position in the first place but Taylor wanted it all to be perfect and Grelik was going to let this slide for now. What mattered was the bomb, not their rivalry on the subjects at hand.

"Garren shift yourself to the right and wait for my Zulu command." ordered Taylor as he slid his bayonet underneath his carbine, fixing it into position. If he and Gabe were going to lead marines into close quarters battle Taylor wanted every edge at his disposal. This was not going to be an operation either he or one of his marines was going to end up in a body back. In, out, disarm. Simple. Though simple plans often had underlying complications amongst them.

tag: Mar

||Betazed
||Bomb Location
||TBA


Leonard and the marines got ready to get into the building they'd found in the forest, setting up a perimeter and watching the armed men outside. It looked like there were about a dozen out there and there was no telling how many more were inside--at least not by just watching. Leonard could tell there were still quite a few inside and he wanted to get through this with as little casualties as possible.

"What do you think we should do?" Leonard asked the Colonel.

Colonel Grelik looked at Leonard and then at the marines. "Flank them from both sides--they deserve no honor. Find a way inside."

With hand signals and series of whispered orders Taylor got his marines into a line since the other marines were watching the flanks. Instantly he could see why the marines and Betazed Security Forces had decided to set up shop outside the building. All in the middle of nowhere there were armed men outside a building with a possible biological device which was a clear indication that they were up to no good. Related? Probably.

Though he didn't recognize that the Klingon officer was indeed a colonel through a glance Taylor's helmet HUD did display all that information for him. "Colonel." he said after creeping up beside him, his armour had long taken a woodland camouflage but movement would still catch the eye.

"Lieutenant Colonel Lucas of the Fenris, what have we got here?"

"Our readings have led us here. This is a research facility under normal circumstances but not it harbors a bomb." He explained to Taylor, shaking his head. "There are a dozen armed personnel outside and inside we were still calculating, but there are at least a dozen if not more inside of the building guarding this weapon of destruction. Your aide is welcome."

The Colonel had nothing much more to say on the matter as he wanted in and he wanted in as soon as possible to make this threat no longer a threat. There was a bomb of a biological nature threatening an entire species and there was no honor in cowardice. It needed to be stopped.

"Move in," he told his men over their comm link, assessing that they were all in their designated areas. "Leave no survivors, they do not deserve our mercy."

"You heard that, we're flanking, so give them whatever assistance it is that they need," Marissa informed her men. "Leave no survivors."

She didn't know how she felt about that but her men were ready for anything and she also had an ulterior motive: protect Gabe with her life. Of course he knew how to fight on his own but she had feelings for him and they all needed him to diffuse this device and his safety was top priority.

"Keep an eye on Sharpe at all times and lets show these cowards what Starfleet is made of." Marissa said.

"Belay those orders." hissed Taylor into his comm unit. The Klingon's marines were now caught between two sets of orders but they held their ground. Even Taylor's own marines were confused about what the man was thinking. "We have no intel on this building or the forces occupying it and you just simply want to charge?" said Taylor with a low voice. "This isn't the Dominion War Colonel, we need to think several steps ahead. If these guys get too easy spooked they could set off the bomb we need to be quick, fast and lethal but above all we need to be smart. Put your muzzle back on Garren before I weld it on."

The words were barely out of Taylor's mouth before Gabe turned and shot him a look that clearly said. Watch it Though he didn't actually say anything this wasn't the time to have words with the Colonel but he had to make his point clear.

Shaking his head Taylor used his visors zoom to scout the location to get a good indication of the enemy strength. Like Grelik had said there were about a dozen lifesigns in and out of the building. All Betazoid and all armed. However upon closer inspection there were a pair of heavy phaser repeaters all set up in dug-out positions. That did little to cure his ill mood about the situation.

"Enemy has heavy suppressive weapons but no marksmen. Looks like they were expecting some form a fight. Colonel I suggest a simultaneous flanking attack. Lieutenant Garren and her security team along with the Betazed Sec-For flank the right, you and your marines flank left. Lieutenant Commander Sharpe and I will each take half of our marine unit and move up the middle. Tri-angle attack will keep them locked down. Upon breaching Sharpe will take his marine squad and flank around the back while I hit the front door. You and Garren will set up a perimeter around the building. How does that sound?"

"Show some respect, Lieutenant Colonel," Marissa told him with anger in her voice. "I am not a dog and you will treat me with respect. We were sent her to assist and I was informing my men to assist--that happens to be my job."

Gabe said nothing as he dropped to one knee. Like Taylor he zoomed in on the scene before as he pulled his combat knife from it's sheath. Unlike Taylor he was looking deeper he took the scene in, "Two repeaters in positions west of the door. Two teams of two patrolling at semi regular intervals in a rough circle 50 metres from the building. One path to the building coming from the south." He told the group as he etched it into the soil near his knee with his knife.

"Tripwires set up 100 metres from the building, no doubt connected to an alarm system. Deeper brush to the north and west. They knew we were coming, this is more than some random terrorist attack. This little scene was set up for us."

"Good eye for the tripwires." mused the marine officer who nodded since he was impressed that Gabe had picked up what he had missed. "But they are irrelevant. It's a strike, not an infiltration. As for their alert status the guards and defenses are standard procedure. They didn't know we were coming, just that someone was. Don't look at something too deep lieutenant commander. Keep it simple."

Seeing the crude drawing in the soil and took out his own obsidian-coloured knife. He carved four arrows into the dirt. "Still the same plan; the colonel here on the left, Garren on the right and we're up the middle. Two snipers take out those gunners and keep the repeaters free from enemy control. Those trip wires could be connected to an alarm or an explosive device. Best to avoid it rather than defeat it."

"Almost missed the tripwires myself, It was more luck then anything I saw the light reflecting off 'em." Gabe said, "The plan was sound before, just making sure we had all the Intel we could get, from a source I'm willing to trust."

"Not once did I say I did not understand the situation," Grelik told Taylor, Gabe, Marissa and the others. "I know what is at stake here and in case you are deaf, Lucas, I said flank from both sides. I am a Colonel. I have seen more battle than you and handled harder foe so do not act as though you are the only one here that can command these troops. You follow my orders. Tri-angle attack it is but next time do not try and weasel over what I say or you'll found yourself rank-less before you can blink. Our foe have readied themselves for battle and a battle is what they are going to get. We marines have been here longer than you assessing such things and you have to believe me when I say I know what to do. We attack and we attack hard and we don't leave anyone to go and tell the boss. You were sent to us for back-up so back us up the best way you see fit without crossing me. Clear?"

Marissa had a feeling that she really needed to just find an order and stick to it and not make anymore tension than there was. Pissing off a Klingon. Real smart.

"I don't see why we can't do that." Marissa told them. "Do we have an actual plan to adhere to now?"

With a sniff of indifference inside his helmet Taylor just sighed and shook his head. The guy was a colonel and Taylor expected some form of tactical common sense from him but obviously the marines suffered from poor officers just as the fleet did. "You did say flank from both sides, yes but that's a bi-sector attack, not a tri-sector. Less fields of fire, less free forces to manoeuvre. It's infantry tactics one-oh-one and I will not have you rush ahead and have my marines killed simply because you want to satisfy your need for a fight. Marines fight smart, start applying that logic into your plan making process. You say you've been here longer yet you failed to mention the presence of heavy phaser repeaters or a trip wire that my esteemed colleague here has pointed out. If you want to get cut down by heavy weapons then go ahead because our armour shields? Yeah, stand up and walk slowly and I guarantee you you'll be dropped quick."

Still shaking his head he called up Arcadian 3. "Bring up the sharp shooters." he ordered simply. Two of Taylor's marines carrying phaser snipers set up on their bellies beside the group of officers. All they needed now was targets and orders.

"Heavy weapon operators, two of them. Shout out when on target."

"On scope." said one of the snipers.

"He's in my crosshairs colonel." piped up the other.

"Good." replied Taylor with a nod. "Colonel, set up your men along the left flank. We attack simultanously on my 'Zulu'. Garren...I respect you as both a woman and an officer of Starfleet but I hate to tell you we're all someone's dog and right now you're my dog. Set up along the right and wait to hear 'Zulu'. Go on."

Gabe nodded as he pulled his phaser from its holster and motioned from his fireteam to follow. He slowly made his way through the forest, keeping low to avoid detection. His visor switched to black as he pushed through the bushes, sure his marines were behind him. He took position near the tripwire and followed it to a nearby tree but he couldn't see what it was connected to. He hated not knowing but Taylor was right, it was better to avoid then cut right at the minute. He watched the patrol as they made another circuit of the building and quickly made some calculations.

"Takes 'em roughly 90 seconds to make a circle of the building, we have around 50 seconds til they come round again."

"I suggest we take action as soon as the moment warrants it," Grelik told them all signaling to a few of his men. "In and out--then your man here diffuses the bomb and we tell Starfleet the threat is neutralized and make it back to the ambassadors. I assume we can all agree on that at least?"

The question was mostly aimed at Taylor but Grelik didn't care one way or another who answered it at this point. Taylor was underestimating the troops and being cautious when the Klingon was sure they could simply strike, but he just wanted this done. The longer they wasted, the closer the deadline to detonation neared and they needed to get a move on.

"Just get to your position and await my signal. We don't need to stay here overnight so I want this taken care of ASAP. The difference is the planning. You plan to be fast but you plan slow. Let the details sink in. After this you can tell Starfleet whatever the hell you want. Get a medal if that tickles your fancy. All I care about is getting rid of that bomb and not getting ourselves killed in the process. Go. Now. Left flank."

Narrowing his eyes at the man, Grelik waved for his men to take position, waiting for Taylor's signal in their appropriate location. He had been heading towards the position in the first place but Taylor wanted it all to be perfect and Grelik was going to let this slide for now. What mattered was the bomb, not their rivalry on the subjects at hand.

"Garren shift yourself to the right and wait for my Zulu command." ordered Taylor as he slid his bayonet underneath his carbine, fixing it into position. If he and Gabe were going to lead marines into close quarters battle Taylor wanted every edge at his disposal. This was not going to be an operation either he or one of his marines was going to end up in a body back. In, out, disarm. Simple. Though simple plans often had underlying complications amongst them.

Marissa nodded at the order and then moved her men to flank from the right as Taylor had instructed her to do. While she still wanted to keep an eye on Gabe at all times, she knew she also had men to look after and Taylor would be near him.

"In position," Marissa informed Taylor over the comms.

tag: Taylor

||Betazed
||Bomb Location
||TBA


Leonard and the marines got ready to get into the building they'd found in the forest, setting up a perimeter and watching the armed men outside. It looked like there were about a dozen out there and there was no telling how many more were inside--at least not by just watching. Leonard could tell there were still quite a few inside and he wanted to get through this with as little casualties as possible.

"What do you think we should do?" Leonard asked the Colonel.

Colonel Grelik looked at Leonard and then at the marines. "Flank them from both sides--they deserve no honor. Find a way inside."

With hand signals and series of whispered orders Taylor got his marines into a line since the other marines were watching the flanks. Instantly he could see why the marines and Betazed Security Forces had decided to set up shop outside the building. All in the middle of nowhere there were armed men outside a building with a possible biological device which was a clear indication that they were up to no good. Related? Probably.

Though he didn't recognize that the Klingon officer was indeed a colonel through a glance Taylor's helmet HUD did display all that information for him. "Colonel." he said after creeping up beside him, his armour had long taken a woodland camouflage but movement would still catch the eye.

"Lieutenant Colonel Lucas of the Fenris, what have we got here?"

"Our readings have led us here. This is a research facility under normal circumstances but not it harbors a bomb." He explained to Taylor, shaking his head. "There are a dozen armed personnel outside and inside we were still calculating, but there are at least a dozen if not more inside of the building guarding this weapon of destruction. Your aide is welcome."

The Colonel had nothing much more to say on the matter as he wanted in and he wanted in as soon as possible to make this threat no longer a threat. There was a bomb of a biological nature threatening an entire species and there was no honor in cowardice. It needed to be stopped.

"Move in," he told his men over their comm link, assessing that they were all in their designated areas. "Leave no survivors, they do not deserve our mercy."

"You heard that, we're flanking, so give them whatever assistance it is that they need," Marissa informed her men. "Leave no survivors."

She didn't know how she felt about that but her men were ready for anything and she also had an ulterior motive: protect Gabe with her life. Of course he knew how to fight on his own but she had feelings for him and they all needed him to diffuse this device and his safety was top priority.

"Keep an eye on Sharpe at all times and lets show these cowards what Starfleet is made of." Marissa said.

"Belay those orders." hissed Taylor into his comm unit. The Klingon's marines were now caught between two sets of orders but they held their ground. Even Taylor's own marines were confused about what the man was thinking. "We have no intel on this building or the forces occupying it and you just simply want to charge?" said Taylor with a low voice. "This isn't the Dominion War Colonel, we need to think several steps ahead. If these guys get too easy spooked they could set off the bomb we need to be quick, fast and lethal but above all we need to be smart. Put your muzzle back on Garren before I weld it on."

The words were barely out of Taylor's mouth before Gabe turned and shot him a look that clearly said. Watch it Though he didn't actually say anything this wasn't the time to have words with the Colonel but he had to make his point clear.

Shaking his head Taylor used his visors zoom to scout the location to get a good indication of the enemy strength. Like Grelik had said there were about a dozen lifesigns in and out of the building. All Betazoid and all armed. However upon closer inspection there were a pair of heavy phaser repeaters all set up in dug-out positions. That did little to cure his ill mood about the situation.

"Enemy has heavy suppressive weapons but no marksmen. Looks like they were expecting some form a fight. Colonel I suggest a simultaneous flanking attack. Lieutenant Garren and her security team along with the Betazed Sec-For flank the right, you and your marines flank left. Lieutenant Commander Sharpe and I will each take half of our marine unit and move up the middle. Tri-angle attack will keep them locked down. Upon breaching Sharpe will take his marine squad and flank around the back while I hit the front door. You and Garren will set up a perimeter around the building. How does that sound?"

"Show some respect, Lieutenant Colonel," Marissa told him with anger in her voice. "I am not a dog and you will treat me with respect. We were sent her to assist and I was informing my men to assist--that happens to be my job."

Gabe said nothing as he dropped to one knee. Like Taylor he zoomed in on the scene before as he pulled his combat knife from it's sheath. Unlike Taylor he was looking deeper he took the scene in, "Two repeaters in positions west of the door. Two teams of two patrolling at semi regular intervals in a rough circle 50 metres from the building. One path to the building coming from the south." He told the group as he etched it into the soil near his knee with his knife.

"Tripwires set up 100 metres from the building, no doubt connected to an alarm system. Deeper brush to the north and west. They knew we were coming, this is more than some random terrorist attack. This little scene was set up for us."

"Good eye for the tripwires." mused the marine officer who nodded since he was impressed that Gabe had picked up what he had missed. "But they are irrelevant. It's a strike, not an infiltration. As for their alert status the guards and defenses are standard procedure. They didn't know we were coming, just that someone was. Don't look at something too deep lieutenant commander. Keep it simple."

Seeing the crude drawing in the soil and took out his own obsidian-coloured knife. He carved four arrows into the dirt. "Still the same plan; the colonel here on the left, Garren on the right and we're up the middle. Two snipers take out those gunners and keep the repeaters free from enemy control. Those trip wires could be connected to an alarm or an explosive device. Best to avoid it rather than defeat it."

"Almost missed the tripwires myself, It was more luck then anything I saw the light reflecting off 'em." Gabe said, "The plan was sound before, just making sure we had all the Intel we could get, from a source I'm willing to trust."

"Not once did I say I did not understand the situation," Grelik told Taylor, Gabe, Marissa and the others. "I know what is at stake here and in case you are deaf, Lucas, I said flank from both sides. I am a Colonel. I have seen more battle than you and handled harder foe so do not act as though you are the only one here that can command these troops. You follow my orders. Tri-angle attack it is but next time do not try and weasel over what I say or you'll found yourself rank-less before you can blink. Our foe have readied themselves for battle and a battle is what they are going to get. We marines have been here longer than you assessing such things and you have to believe me when I say I know what to do. We attack and we attack hard and we don't leave anyone to go and tell the boss. You were sent to us for back-up so back us up the best way you see fit without crossing me. Clear?"

Marissa had a feeling that she really needed to just find an order and stick to it and not make anymore tension than there was. Pissing off a Klingon. Real smart.

"I don't see why we can't do that." Marissa told them. "Do we have an actual plan to adhere to now?"

With a sniff of indifference inside his helmet Taylor just sighed and shook his head. The guy was a colonel and Taylor expected some form of tactical common sense from him but obviously the marines suffered from poor officers just as the fleet did. "You did say flank from both sides, yes but that's a bi-sector attack, not a tri-sector. Less fields of fire, less free forces to manoeuvre. It's infantry tactics one-oh-one and I will not have you rush ahead and have my marines killed simply because you want to satisfy your need for a fight. Marines fight smart, start applying that logic into your plan making process. You say you've been here longer yet you failed to mention the presence of heavy phaser repeaters or a trip wire that my esteemed colleague here has pointed out. If you want to get cut down by heavy weapons then go ahead because our armour shields? Yeah, stand up and walk slowly and I guarantee you you'll be dropped quick."

Still shaking his head he called up Arcadian 3. "Bring up the sharp shooters." he ordered simply. Two of Taylor's marines carrying phaser snipers set up on their bellies beside the group of officers. All they needed now was targets and orders.

"Heavy weapon operators, two of them. Shout out when on target."

"On scope." said one of the snipers.

"He's in my crosshairs colonel." piped up the other.

"Good." replied Taylor with a nod. "Colonel, set up your men along the left flank. We attack simultanously on my 'Zulu'. Garren...I respect you as both a woman and an officer of Starfleet but I hate to tell you we're all someone's dog and right now you're my dog. Set up along the right and wait to hear 'Zulu'. Go on."

Gabe nodded as he pulled his phaser from its holster and motioned from his fireteam to follow. He slowly made his way through the forest, keeping low to avoid detection. His visor switched to black as he pushed through the bushes, sure his marines were behind him. He took position near the tripwire and followed it to a nearby tree but he couldn't see what it was connected to. He hated not knowing but Taylor was right, it was better to avoid then cut right at the minute. He watched the patrol as they made another circuit of the building and quickly made some calculations.

"Takes 'em roughly 90 seconds to make a circle of the building, we have around 50 seconds til they come round again."

"I suggest we take action as soon as the moment warrants it," Grelik told them all signaling to a few of his men. "In and out--then your man here diffuses the bomb and we tell Starfleet the threat is neutralized and make it back to the ambassadors. I assume we can all agree on that at least?"

The question was mostly aimed at Taylor but Grelik didn't care one way or another who answered it at this point. Taylor was underestimating the troops and being cautious when the Klingon was sure they could simply strike, but he just wanted this done. The longer they wasted, the closer the deadline to detonation neared and they needed to get a move on.

"Just get to your position and await my signal. We don't need to stay here overnight so I want this taken care of ASAP. The difference is the planning. You plan to be fast but you plan slow. Let the details sink in. After this you can tell Starfleet whatever the hell you want. Get a medal if that tickles your fancy. All I care about is getting rid of that bomb and not getting ourselves killed in the process. Go. Now. Left flank."

Narrowing his eyes at the man, Grelik waved for his men to take position, waiting for Taylor's signal in their appropriate location. He had been heading towards the position in the first place but Taylor wanted it all to be perfect and Grelik was going to let this slide for now. What mattered was the bomb, not their rivalry on the subjects at hand.

"Garren shift yourself to the right and wait for my Zulu command." ordered Taylor as he slid his bayonet underneath his carbine, fixing it into position. If he and Gabe were going to lead marines into close quarters battle Taylor wanted every edge at his disposal. This was not going to be an operation either he or one of his marines was going to end up in a body bag. In, out, disarm. Simple. Though simple plans often had underlying complications amongst them.

Marissa nodded at the order and then moved her men to flank from the right as Taylor had instructed her to do. While she still wanted to keep an eye on Gabe at all times, she knew she also had men to look after and Taylor would be near him.

"In position," Marissa informed Taylor over the comms.

So this was it; the big push. Taylor's forces were now in position and set up for his very word to unleash hell. The feeling was surreal yet familair as was the calm before battle. Judging by the lack of fire no one had seen the marines or security officers move to the flanks of the building which was just as well. "Sharpe your fireteam stays on my three o'clock. We bound and fire till we reach the building then we hit both entrances." he said by way of a reminder. Taylor knew Gabe was probably aware of the plan anyway but he felt better for saying it.

"Marksman, fire."

There wasn't a trail or pulse. Just two cracks as the pair of phaser sniper rifles snuffed the life out of the heavy gunners in an instant. That alerted their comrades to take up arms and a fresh duo stepped up to the guns to be dropped. After that they seemed to get the hint. As soon as the first two shots had fired Taylor was up and running towards the building, his marines in tow. He dived onto his stomach which each of the armoured figures followed and began to pour orange coloured pulses towards the defenders. The idea was to cover Gabe's fire team as they bounded forward, after some distance they'd stop and do the same for Taylor.

"Gabe! Your bound!" he called into his comm unit within his helmet. "Zulu, zulu, zulu!"

||Betazed
||Bomb Location
||TBA


Leonard and the marines got ready to get into the building they'd found in the forest, setting up a perimeter and watching the armed men outside. It looked like there were about a dozen out there and there was no telling how many more were inside--at least not by just watching. Leonard could tell there were still quite a few inside and he wanted to get through this with as little casualties as possible.

"What do you think we should do?" Leonard asked the Colonel.

Colonel Grelik looked at Leonard and then at the marines. "Flank them from both sides--they deserve no honor. Find a way inside."

With hand signals and series of whispered orders Taylor got his marines into a line since the other marines were watching the flanks. Instantly he could see why the marines and Betazed Security Forces had decided to set up shop outside the building. All in the middle of nowhere there were armed men outside a building with a possible biological device which was a clear indication that they were up to no good. Related? Probably.

Though he didn't recognize that the Klingon officer was indeed a colonel through a glance Taylor's helmet HUD did display all that information for him. "Colonel." he said after creeping up beside him, his armour had long taken a woodland camouflage but movement would still catch the eye.

"Lieutenant Colonel Lucas of the Fenris, what have we got here?"

"Our readings have led us here. This is a research facility under normal circumstances but not it harbors a bomb." He explained to Taylor, shaking his head. "There are a dozen armed personnel outside and inside we were still calculating, but there are at least a dozen if not more inside of the building guarding this weapon of destruction. Your aide is welcome."

The Colonel had nothing much more to say on the matter as he wanted in and he wanted in as soon as possible to make this threat no longer a threat. There was a bomb of a biological nature threatening an entire species and there was no honor in cowardice. It needed to be stopped.

"Move in," he told his men over their comm link, assessing that they were all in their designated areas. "Leave no survivors, they do not deserve our mercy."

"You heard that, we're flanking, so give them whatever assistance it is that they need," Marissa informed her men. "Leave no survivors."

She didn't know how she felt about that but her men were ready for anything and she also had an ulterior motive: protect Gabe with her life. Of course he knew how to fight on his own but she had feelings for him and they all needed him to diffuse this device and his safety was top priority.

"Keep an eye on Sharpe at all times and lets show these cowards what Starfleet is made of." Marissa said.

"Belay those orders." hissed Taylor into his comm unit. The Klingon's marines were now caught between two sets of orders but they held their ground. Even Taylor's own marines were confused about what the man was thinking. "We have no intel on this building or the forces occupying it and you just simply want to charge?" said Taylor with a low voice. "This isn't the Dominion War Colonel, we need to think several steps ahead. If these guys get too easy spooked they could set off the bomb we need to be quick, fast and lethal but above all we need to be smart. Put your muzzle back on Garren before I weld it on."

The words were barely out of Taylor's mouth before Gabe turned and shot him a look that clearly said. Watch it Though he didn't actually say anything this wasn't the time to have words with the Colonel but he had to make his point clear.

Shaking his head Taylor used his visors zoom to scout the location to get a good indication of the enemy strength. Like Grelik had said there were about a dozen lifesigns in and out of the building. All Betazoid and all armed. However upon closer inspection there were a pair of heavy phaser repeaters all set up in dug-out positions. That did little to cure his ill mood about the situation.

"Enemy has heavy suppressive weapons but no marksmen. Looks like they were expecting some form a fight. Colonel I suggest a simultaneous flanking attack. Lieutenant Garren and her security team along with the Betazed Sec-For flank the right, you and your marines flank left. Lieutenant Commander Sharpe and I will each take half of our marine unit and move up the middle. Tri-angle attack will keep them locked down. Upon breaching Sharpe will take his marine squad and flank around the back while I hit the front door. You and Garren will set up a perimeter around the building. How does that sound?"

"Show some respect, Lieutenant Colonel," Marissa told him with anger in her voice. "I am not a dog and you will treat me with respect. We were sent her to assist and I was informing my men to assist--that happens to be my job."

Gabe said nothing as he dropped to one knee. Like Taylor he zoomed in on the scene before as he pulled his combat knife from it's sheath. Unlike Taylor he was looking deeper he took the scene in, "Two repeaters in positions west of the door. Two teams of two patrolling at semi regular intervals in a rough circle 50 metres from the building. One path to the building coming from the south." He told the group as he etched it into the soil near his knee with his knife.

"Tripwires set up 100 metres from the building, no doubt connected to an alarm system. Deeper brush to the north and west. They knew we were coming, this is more than some random terrorist attack. This little scene was set up for us."

"Good eye for the tripwires." mused the marine officer who nodded since he was impressed that Gabe had picked up what he had missed. "But they are irrelevant. It's a strike, not an infiltration. As for their alert status the guards and defenses are standard procedure. They didn't know we were coming, just that someone was. Don't look at something too deep lieutenant commander. Keep it simple."

Seeing the crude drawing in the soil and took out his own obsidian-coloured knife. He carved four arrows into the dirt. "Still the same plan; the colonel here on the left, Garren on the right and we're up the middle. Two snipers take out those gunners and keep the repeaters free from enemy control. Those trip wires could be connected to an alarm or an explosive device. Best to avoid it rather than defeat it."

"Almost missed the tripwires myself, It was more luck then anything I saw the light reflecting off 'em." Gabe said, "The plan was sound before, just making sure we had all the Intel we could get, from a source I'm willing to trust."

"Not once did I say I did not understand the situation," Grelik told Taylor, Gabe, Marissa and the others. "I know what is at stake here and in case you are deaf, Lucas, I said flank from both sides. I am a Colonel. I have seen more battle than you and handled harder foe so do not act as though you are the only one here that can command these troops. You follow my orders. Tri-angle attack it is but next time do not try and weasel over what I say or you'll found yourself rank-less before you can blink. Our foe have readied themselves for battle and a battle is what they are going to get. We marines have been here longer than you assessing such things and you have to believe me when I say I know what to do. We attack and we attack hard and we don't leave anyone to go and tell the boss. You were sent to us for back-up so back us up the best way you see fit without crossing me. Clear?"

Marissa had a feeling that she really needed to just find an order and stick to it and not make anymore tension than there was. Pissing off a Klingon. Real smart.

"I don't see why we can't do that." Marissa told them. "Do we have an actual plan to adhere to now?"

With a sniff of indifference inside his helmet Taylor just sighed and shook his head. The guy was a colonel and Taylor expected some form of tactical common sense from him but obviously the marines suffered from poor officers just as the fleet did. "You did say flank from both sides, yes but that's a bi-sector attack, not a tri-sector. Less fields of fire, less free forces to manoeuvre. It's infantry tactics one-oh-one and I will not have you rush ahead and have my marines killed simply because you want to satisfy your need for a fight. Marines fight smart, start applying that logic into your plan making process. You say you've been here longer yet you failed to mention the presence of heavy phaser repeaters or a trip wire that my esteemed colleague here has pointed out. If you want to get cut down by heavy weapons then go ahead because our armour shields? Yeah, stand up and walk slowly and I guarantee you you'll be dropped quick."

Still shaking his head he called up Arcadian 3. "Bring up the sharp shooters." he ordered simply. Two of Taylor's marines carrying phaser snipers set up on their bellies beside the group of officers. All they needed now was targets and orders.

"Heavy weapon operators, two of them. Shout out when on target."

"On scope." said one of the snipers.

"He's in my crosshairs colonel." piped up the other.

"Good." replied Taylor with a nod. "Colonel, set up your men along the left flank. We attack simultanously on my 'Zulu'. Garren...I respect you as both a woman and an officer of Starfleet but I hate to tell you we're all someone's dog and right now you're my dog. Set up along the right and wait to hear 'Zulu'. Go on."

Gabe nodded as he pulled his phaser from its holster and motioned from his fireteam to follow. He slowly made his way through the forest, keeping low to avoid detection. His visor switched to black as he pushed through the bushes, sure his marines were behind him. He took position near the tripwire and followed it to a nearby tree but he couldn't see what it was connected to. He hated not knowing but Taylor was right, it was better to avoid then cut right at the minute. He watched the patrol as they made another circuit of the building and quickly made some calculations.

"Takes 'em roughly 90 seconds to make a circle of the building, we have around 50 seconds til they come round again."

"I suggest we take action as soon as the moment warrants it," Grelik told them all signaling to a few of his men. "In and out--then your man here diffuses the bomb and we tell Starfleet the threat is neutralized and make it back to the ambassadors. I assume we can all agree on that at least?"

The question was mostly aimed at Taylor but Grelik didn't care one way or another who answered it at this point. Taylor was underestimating the troops and being cautious when the Klingon was sure they could simply strike, but he just wanted this done. The longer they wasted, the closer the deadline to detonation neared and they needed to get a move on.

"Just get to your position and await my signal. We don't need to stay here overnight so I want this taken care of ASAP. The difference is the planning. You plan to be fast but you plan slow. Let the details sink in. After this you can tell Starfleet whatever the hell you want. Get a medal if that tickles your fancy. All I care about is getting rid of that bomb and not getting ourselves killed in the process. Go. Now. Left flank."

Narrowing his eyes at the man, Grelik waved for his men to take position, waiting for Taylor's signal in their appropriate location. He had been heading towards the position in the first place but Taylor wanted it all to be perfect and Grelik was going to let this slide for now. What mattered was the bomb, not their rivalry on the subjects at hand.

"Garren shift yourself to the right and wait for my Zulu command." ordered Taylor as he slid his bayonet underneath his carbine, fixing it into position. If he and Gabe were going to lead marines into close quarters battle Taylor wanted every edge at his disposal. This was not going to be an operation either he or one of his marines was going to end up in a body bag. In, out, disarm. Simple. Though simple plans often had underlying complications amongst them.

Marissa nodded at the order and then moved her men to flank from the right as Taylor had instructed her to do. While she still wanted to keep an eye on Gabe at all times, she knew she also had men to look after and Taylor would be near him.

"In position," Marissa informed Taylor over the comms.

So this was it; the big push. Taylor's forces were now in position and set up for his very word to unleash hell. The feeling was surreal yet familair as was the calm before battle. Judging by the lack of fire no one had seen the marines or security officers move to the flanks of the building which was just as well. "Sharpe your fireteam stays on my three o'clock. We bound and fire till we reach the building then we hit both entrances." he said by way of a reminder. Taylor knew Gabe was probably aware of the plan anyway but he felt better for saying it.

"Marksman, fire."

There wasn't a trail or pulse. Just two cracks as the pair of phaser sniper rifles snuffed the life out of the heavy gunners in an instant. That alerted their comrades to take up arms and a fresh duo stepped up to the guns to be dropped. After that they seemed to get the hint. As soon as the first two shots had fired Taylor was up and running towards the building, his marines in tow. He dived onto his stomach which each of the armoured figures followed and began to pour orange coloured pulses towards the defenders. The idea was to cover Gabe's fire team as they bounded forward, after some distance they'd stop and do the same for Taylor.

"Gabe! Your bound!" he called into his comm unit within his helmet. "Zulu, zulu, zulu!"

On command Gabe surged forwards, his pistol pouring fire into the defenders as he ran. He watched his first few shots as they went wide before he 'got his shit together'. He chuckled as he rememebered Marissa's words before they'd left Fenris. Okay, maybe i AM rusty. He thought as adjusted his aim.

He came to a halt as he slid through the dirt and took cover behind a tree. "In Position, covering for next bound." He said as he started to fire again.

||Betazed
||Bomb Location
||TBA


Leonard and the marines got ready to get into the building they'd found in the forest, setting up a perimeter and watching the armed men outside. It looked like there were about a dozen out there and there was no telling how many more were inside--at least not by just watching. Leonard could tell there were still quite a few inside and he wanted to get through this with as little casualties as possible.

"What do you think we should do?" Leonard asked the Colonel.

Colonel Grelik looked at Leonard and then at the marines. "Flank them from both sides--they deserve no honor. Find a way inside."

With hand signals and series of whispered orders Taylor got his marines into a line since the other marines were watching the flanks. Instantly he could see why the marines and Betazed Security Forces had decided to set up shop outside the building. All in the middle of nowhere there were armed men outside a building with a possible biological device which was a clear indication that they were up to no good. Related? Probably.

Though he didn't recognize that the Klingon officer was indeed a colonel through a glance Taylor's helmet HUD did display all that information for him. "Colonel." he said after creeping up beside him, his armour had long taken a woodland camouflage but movement would still catch the eye.

"Lieutenant Colonel Lucas of the Fenris, what have we got here?"

"Our readings have led us here. This is a research facility under normal circumstances but not it harbors a bomb." He explained to Taylor, shaking his head. "There are a dozen armed personnel outside and inside we were still calculating, but there are at least a dozen if not more inside of the building guarding this weapon of destruction. Your aide is welcome."

The Colonel had nothing much more to say on the matter as he wanted in and he wanted in as soon as possible to make this threat no longer a threat. There was a bomb of a biological nature threatening an entire species and there was no honor in cowardice. It needed to be stopped.

"Move in," he told his men over their comm link, assessing that they were all in their designated areas. "Leave no survivors, they do not deserve our mercy."

"You heard that, we're flanking, so give them whatever assistance it is that they need," Marissa informed her men. "Leave no survivors."

She didn't know how she felt about that but her men were ready for anything and she also had an ulterior motive: protect Gabe with her life. Of course he knew how to fight on his own but she had feelings for him and they all needed him to diffuse this device and his safety was top priority.

"Keep an eye on Sharpe at all times and lets show these cowards what Starfleet is made of." Marissa said.

"Belay those orders." hissed Taylor into his comm unit. The Klingon's marines were now caught between two sets of orders but they held their ground. Even Taylor's own marines were confused about what the man was thinking. "We have no intel on this building or the forces occupying it and you just simply want to charge?" said Taylor with a low voice. "This isn't the Dominion War Colonel, we need to think several steps ahead. If these guys get too easy spooked they could set off the bomb we need to be quick, fast and lethal but above all we need to be smart. Put your muzzle back on Garren before I weld it on."

The words were barely out of Taylor's mouth before Gabe turned and shot him a look that clearly said. Watch it Though he didn't actually say anything this wasn't the time to have words with the Colonel but he had to make his point clear.

Shaking his head Taylor used his visors zoom to scout the location to get a good indication of the enemy strength. Like Grelik had said there were about a dozen lifesigns in and out of the building. All Betazoid and all armed. However upon closer inspection there were a pair of heavy phaser repeaters all set up in dug-out positions. That did little to cure his ill mood about the situation.

"Enemy has heavy suppressive weapons but no marksmen. Looks like they were expecting some form a fight. Colonel I suggest a simultaneous flanking attack. Lieutenant Garren and her security team along with the Betazed Sec-For flank the right, you and your marines flank left. Lieutenant Commander Sharpe and I will each take half of our marine unit and move up the middle. Tri-angle attack will keep them locked down. Upon breaching Sharpe will take his marine squad and flank around the back while I hit the front door. You and Garren will set up a perimeter around the building. How does that sound?"

"Show some respect, Lieutenant Colonel," Marissa told him with anger in her voice. "I am not a dog and you will treat me with respect. We were sent her to assist and I was informing my men to assist--that happens to be my job."

Gabe said nothing as he dropped to one knee. Like Taylor he zoomed in on the scene before as he pulled his combat knife from it's sheath. Unlike Taylor he was looking deeper he took the scene in, "Two repeaters in positions west of the door. Two teams of two patrolling at semi regular intervals in a rough circle 50 metres from the building. One path to the building coming from the south." He told the group as he etched it into the soil near his knee with his knife.

"Tripwires set up 100 metres from the building, no doubt connected to an alarm system. Deeper brush to the north and west. They knew we were coming, this is more than some random terrorist attack. This little scene was set up for us."

"Good eye for the tripwires." mused the marine officer who nodded since he was impressed that Gabe had picked up what he had missed. "But they are irrelevant. It's a strike, not an infiltration. As for their alert status the guards and defenses are standard procedure. They didn't know we were coming, just that someone was. Don't look at something too deep lieutenant commander. Keep it simple."

Seeing the crude drawing in the soil and took out his own obsidian-coloured knife. He carved four arrows into the dirt. "Still the same plan; the colonel here on the left, Garren on the right and we're up the middle. Two snipers take out those gunners and keep the repeaters free from enemy control. Those trip wires could be connected to an alarm or an explosive device. Best to avoid it rather than defeat it."

"Almost missed the tripwires myself, It was more luck then anything I saw the light reflecting off 'em." Gabe said, "The plan was sound before, just making sure we had all the Intel we could get, from a source I'm willing to trust."

"Not once did I say I did not understand the situation," Grelik told Taylor, Gabe, Marissa and the others. "I know what is at stake here and in case you are deaf, Lucas, I said flank from both sides. I am a Colonel. I have seen more battle than you and handled harder foe so do not act as though you are the only one here that can command these troops. You follow my orders. Tri-angle attack it is but next time do not try and weasel over what I say or you'll found yourself rank-less before you can blink. Our foe have readied themselves for battle and a battle is what they are going to get. We marines have been here longer than you assessing such things and you have to believe me when I say I know what to do. We attack and we attack hard and we don't leave anyone to go and tell the boss. You were sent to us for back-up so back us up the best way you see fit without crossing me. Clear?"

Marissa had a feeling that she really needed to just find an order and stick to it and not make anymore tension than there was. Pissing off a Klingon. Real smart.

"I don't see why we can't do that." Marissa told them. "Do we have an actual plan to adhere to now?"

With a sniff of indifference inside his helmet Taylor just sighed and shook his head. The guy was a colonel and Taylor expected some form of tactical common sense from him but obviously the marines suffered from poor officers just as the fleet did. "You did say flank from both sides, yes but that's a bi-sector attack, not a tri-sector. Less fields of fire, less free forces to manoeuvre. It's infantry tactics one-oh-one and I will not have you rush ahead and have my marines killed simply because you want to satisfy your need for a fight. Marines fight smart, start applying that logic into your plan making process. You say you've been here longer yet you failed to mention the presence of heavy phaser repeaters or a trip wire that my esteemed colleague here has pointed out. If you want to get cut down by heavy weapons then go ahead because our armour shields? Yeah, stand up and walk slowly and I guarantee you you'll be dropped quick."

Still shaking his head he called up Arcadian 3. "Bring up the sharp shooters." he ordered simply. Two of Taylor's marines carrying phaser snipers set up on their bellies beside the group of officers. All they needed now was targets and orders.

"Heavy weapon operators, two of them. Shout out when on target."

"On scope." said one of the snipers.

"He's in my crosshairs colonel." piped up the other.

"Good." replied Taylor with a nod. "Colonel, set up your men along the left flank. We attack simultanously on my 'Zulu'. Garren...I respect you as both a woman and an officer of Starfleet but I hate to tell you we're all someone's dog and right now you're my dog. Set up along the right and wait to hear 'Zulu'. Go on."

Gabe nodded as he pulled his phaser from its holster and motioned from his fireteam to follow. He slowly made his way through the forest, keeping low to avoid detection. His visor switched to black as he pushed through the bushes, sure his marines were behind him. He took position near the tripwire and followed it to a nearby tree but he couldn't see what it was connected to. He hated not knowing but Taylor was right, it was better to avoid then cut right at the minute. He watched the patrol as they made another circuit of the building and quickly made some calculations.

"Takes 'em roughly 90 seconds to make a circle of the building, we have around 50 seconds til they come round again."

"I suggest we take action as soon as the moment warrants it," Grelik told them all signaling to a few of his men. "In and out--then your man here diffuses the bomb and we tell Starfleet the threat is neutralized and make it back to the ambassadors. I assume we can all agree on that at least?"

The question was mostly aimed at Taylor but Grelik didn't care one way or another who answered it at this point. Taylor was underestimating the troops and being cautious when the Klingon was sure they could simply strike, but he just wanted this done. The longer they wasted, the closer the deadline to detonation neared and they needed to get a move on.

"Just get to your position and await my signal. We don't need to stay here overnight so I want this taken care of ASAP. The difference is the planning. You plan to be fast but you plan slow. Let the details sink in. After this you can tell Starfleet whatever the hell you want. Get a medal if that tickles your fancy. All I care about is getting rid of that bomb and not getting ourselves killed in the process. Go. Now. Left flank."

Narrowing his eyes at the man, Grelik waved for his men to take position, waiting for Taylor's signal in their appropriate location. He had been heading towards the position in the first place but Taylor wanted it all to be perfect and Grelik was going to let this slide for now. What mattered was the bomb, not their rivalry on the subjects at hand.

"Garren shift yourself to the right and wait for my Zulu command." ordered Taylor as he slid his bayonet underneath his carbine, fixing it into position. If he and Gabe were going to lead marines into close quarters battle Taylor wanted every edge at his disposal. This was not going to be an operation either he or one of his marines was going to end up in a body bag. In, out, disarm. Simple. Though simple plans often had underlying complications amongst them.

Marissa nodded at the order and then moved her men to flank from the right as Taylor had instructed her to do. While she still wanted to keep an eye on Gabe at all times, she knew she also had men to look after and Taylor would be near him.

"In position," Marissa informed Taylor over the comms.

So this was it; the big push. Taylor's forces were now in position and set up for his very word to unleash hell. The feeling was surreal yet familair as was the calm before battle. Judging by the lack of fire no one had seen the marines or security officers move to the flanks of the building which was just as well. "Sharpe your fireteam stays on my three o'clock. We bound and fire till we reach the building then we hit both entrances." he said by way of a reminder. Taylor knew Gabe was probably aware of the plan anyway but he felt better for saying it.

"Marksman, fire."

There wasn't a trail or pulse. Just two cracks as the pair of phaser sniper rifles snuffed the life out of the heavy gunners in an instant. That alerted their comrades to take up arms and a fresh duo stepped up to the guns to be dropped. After that they seemed to get the hint. As soon as the first two shots had fired Taylor was up and running towards the building, his marines in tow. He dived onto his stomach which each of the armoured figures followed and began to pour orange coloured pulses towards the defenders. The idea was to cover Gabe's fire team as they bounded forward, after some distance they'd stop and do the same for Taylor.

"Gabe! Your bound!" he called into his comm unit within his helmet. "Zulu, zulu, zulu!"

On command Gabe surged forwards, his pistol pouring fire into the defenders as he ran. He watched his first few shots as they went wide before he 'got his shit together'. He chuckled as he rememebered Marissa's words before they'd left Fenris. Okay, maybe I AM rusty. He thought as adjusted his aim.

He came to a halt as he slid through the dirt and took cover behind a tree. "In Position, covering for next bound." He said as he started to fire again.

"Let's move!" called out the marine officer to his fire team as he jumped to his feet and stormed forwards. Taylor gave suppressive bursts from his carbine just to keep the enemy Betazoids' heads down. They had obviously got wise to the fact there were snipers out amongst the trees since they were taking cover. That meant they could deploy greater and more accurate firepower on the advancing marines. Several shots even hit Taylor's armour causing the shields to shimmer blue before he and his fireteam threw themselves into their cover position.

"In position, waiting for flanking forces." said Taylor as the dirt was kicked up around him. "Where the hell are my flanking forces?!"

Leonard and the marines got ready to get into the building they'd found in the forest, setting up a perimeter and watching the armed men outside. It looked like there were about a dozen out there and there was no telling how many more were inside--at least not by just watching. Leonard could tell there were still quite a few inside and he wanted to get through this with as little casualties as possible.

"What do you think we should do?" Leonard asked the Colonel.

Colonel Grelik looked at Leonard and then at the marines. "Flank them from both sides--they deserve no honor. Find a way inside."

With hand signals and series of whispered orders Taylor got his marines into a line since the other marines were watching the flanks. Instantly he could see why the marines and Betazed Security Forces had decided to set up shop outside the building. All in the middle of nowhere there were armed men outside a building with a possible biological device which was a clear indication that they were up to no good. Related? Probably.

Though he didn't recognize that the Klingon officer was indeed a colonel through a glance Taylor's helmet HUD did display all that information for him. "Colonel." he said after creeping up beside him, his armour had long taken a woodland camouflage but movement would still catch the eye.

"Lieutenant Colonel Lucas of the Fenris, what have we got here?"

"Our readings have led us here. This is a research facility under normal circumstances but not it harbors a bomb." He explained to Taylor, shaking his head. "There are a dozen armed personnel outside and inside we were still calculating, but there are at least a dozen if not more inside of the building guarding this weapon of destruction. Your aide is welcome."

The Colonel had nothing much more to say on the matter as he wanted in and he wanted in as soon as possible to make this threat no longer a threat. There was a bomb of a biological nature threatening an entire species and there was no honor in cowardice. It needed to be stopped.

"Move in," he told his men over their comm link, assessing that they were all in their designated areas. "Leave no survivors, they do not deserve our mercy."

"You heard that, we're flanking, so give them whatever assistance it is that they need," Marissa informed her men. "Leave no survivors."

She didn't know how she felt about that but her men were ready for anything and she also had an ulterior motive: protect Gabe with her life. Of course he knew how to fight on his own but she had feelings for him and they all needed him to diffuse this device and his safety was top priority.

"Keep an eye on Sharpe at all times and lets show these cowards what Starfleet is made of." Marissa said.

"Belay those orders." hissed Taylor into his comm unit. The Klingon's marines were now caught between two sets of orders but they held their ground. Even Taylor's own marines were confused about what the man was thinking. "We have no intel on this building or the forces occupying it and you just simply want to charge?" said Taylor with a low voice. "This isn't the Dominion War Colonel, we need to think several steps ahead. If these guys get too easy spooked they could set off the bomb we need to be quick, fast and lethal but above all we need to be smart. Put your muzzle back on Garren before I weld it on."

The words were barely out of Taylor's mouth before Gabe turned and shot him a look that clearly said. Watch it Though he didn't actually say anything this wasn't the time to have words with the Colonel but he had to make his point clear.

Shaking his head Taylor used his visors zoom to scout the location to get a good indication of the enemy strength. Like Grelik had said there were about a dozen lifesigns in and out of the building. All Betazoid and all armed. However upon closer inspection there were a pair of heavy phaser repeaters all set up in dug-out positions. That did little to cure his ill mood about the situation.

"Enemy has heavy suppressive weapons but no marksmen. Looks like they were expecting some form a fight. Colonel I suggest a simultaneous flanking attack. Lieutenant Garren and her security team along with the Betazed Sec-For flank the right, you and your marines flank left. Lieutenant Commander Sharpe and I will each take half of our marine unit and move up the middle. Tri-angle attack will keep them locked down. Upon breaching Sharpe will take his marine squad and flank around the back while I hit the front door. You and Garren will set up a perimeter around the building. How does that sound?"

"Show some respect, Lieutenant Colonel," Marissa told him with anger in her voice. "I am not a dog and you will treat me with respect. We were sent her to assist and I was informing my men to assist--that happens to be my job."

Gabe said nothing as he dropped to one knee. Like Taylor he zoomed in on the scene before as he pulled his combat knife from it's sheath. Unlike Taylor he was looking deeper he took the scene in, "Two repeaters in positions west of the door. Two teams of two patrolling at semi regular intervals in a rough circle 50 metres from the building. One path to the building coming from the south." He told the group as he etched it into the soil near his knee with his knife.

"Tripwires set up 100 metres from the building, no doubt connected to an alarm system. Deeper brush to the north and west. They knew we were coming, this is more than some random terrorist attack. This little scene was set up for us."

"Good eye for the tripwires." mused the marine officer who nodded since he was impressed that Gabe had picked up what he had missed. "But they are irrelevant. It's a strike, not an infiltration. As for their alert status the guards and defenses are standard procedure. They didn't know we were coming, just that someone was. Don't look at something too deep lieutenant commander. Keep it simple."

Seeing the crude drawing in the soil and took out his own obsidian-coloured knife. He carved four arrows into the dirt. "Still the same plan; the colonel here on the left, Garren on the right and we're up the middle. Two snipers take out those gunners and keep the repeaters free from enemy control. Those trip wires could be connected to an alarm or an explosive device. Best to avoid it rather than defeat it."

"Almost missed the tripwires myself, It was more luck then anything I saw the light reflecting off 'em." Gabe said, "The plan was sound before, just making sure we had all the Intel we could get, from a source I'm willing to trust."

"Not once did I say I did not understand the situation," Grelik told Taylor, Gabe, Marissa and the others. "I know what is at stake here and in case you are deaf, Lucas, I said flank from both sides. I am a Colonel. I have seen more battle than you and handled harder foe so do not act as though you are the only one here that can command these troops. You follow my orders. Tri-angle attack it is but next time do not try and weasel over what I say or you'll found yourself rank-less before you can blink. Our foe have readied themselves for battle and a battle is what they are going to get. We marines have been here longer than you assessing such things and you have to believe me when I say I know what to do. We attack and we attack hard and we don't leave anyone to go and tell the boss. You were sent to us for back-up so back us up the best way you see fit without crossing me. Clear?"

Marissa had a feeling that she really needed to just find an order and stick to it and not make anymore tension than there was. Pissing off a Klingon. Real smart.

"I don't see why we can't do that." Marissa told them. "Do we have an actual plan to adhere to now?"

With a sniff of indifference inside his helmet Taylor just sighed and shook his head. The guy was a colonel and Taylor expected some form of tactical common sense from him but obviously the marines suffered from poor officers just as the fleet did. "You did say flank from both sides, yes but that's a bi-sector attack, not a tri-sector. Less fields of fire, less free forces to manoeuvre. It's infantry tactics one-oh-one and I will not have you rush ahead and have my marines killed simply because you want to satisfy your need for a fight. Marines fight smart, start applying that logic into your plan making process. You say you've been here longer yet you failed to mention the presence of heavy phaser repeaters or a trip wire that my esteemed colleague here has pointed out. If you want to get cut down by heavy weapons then go ahead because our armour shields? Yeah, stand up and walk slowly and I guarantee you you'll be dropped quick."

Still shaking his head he called up Arcadian 3. "Bring up the sharp shooters." he ordered simply. Two of Taylor's marines carrying phaser snipers set up on their bellies beside the group of officers. All they needed now was targets and orders.

"Heavy weapon operators, two of them. Shout out when on target."

"On scope." said one of the snipers.

"He's in my crosshairs colonel." piped up the other.

"Good." replied Taylor with a nod. "Colonel, set up your men along the left flank. We attack simultanously on my 'Zulu'. Garren...I respect you as both a woman and an officer of Starfleet but I hate to tell you we're all someone's dog and right now you're my dog. Set up along the right and wait to hear 'Zulu'. Go on."

Gabe nodded as he pulled his phaser from its holster and motioned from his fireteam to follow. He slowly made his way through the forest, keeping low to avoid detection. His visor switched to black as he pushed through the bushes, sure his marines were behind him. He took position near the tripwire and followed it to a nearby tree but he couldn't see what it was connected to. He hated not knowing but Taylor was right, it was better to avoid then cut right at the minute. He watched the patrol as they made another circuit of the building and quickly made some calculations.

"Takes 'em roughly 90 seconds to make a circle of the building, we have around 50 seconds til they come round again."

"I suggest we take action as soon as the moment warrants it," Grelik told them all signaling to a few of his men. "In and out--then your man here diffuses the bomb and we tell Starfleet the threat is neutralized and make it back to the ambassadors. I assume we can all agree on that at least?"

The question was mostly aimed at Taylor but Grelik didn't care one way or another who answered it at this point. Taylor was underestimating the troops and being cautious when the Klingon was sure they could simply strike, but he just wanted this done. The longer they wasted, the closer the deadline to detonation neared and they needed to get a move on.

"Just get to your position and await my signal. We don't need to stay here overnight so I want this taken care of ASAP. The difference is the planning. You plan to be fast but you plan slow. Let the details sink in. After this you can tell Starfleet whatever the hell you want. Get a medal if that tickles your fancy. All I care about is getting rid of that bomb and not getting ourselves killed in the process. Go. Now. Left flank."

Narrowing his eyes at the man, Grelik waved for his men to take position, waiting for Taylor's signal in their appropriate location. He had been heading towards the position in the first place but Taylor wanted it all to be perfect and Grelik was going to let this slide for now. What mattered was the bomb, not their rivalry on the subjects at hand.

"Garren shift yourself to the right and wait for my Zulu command." ordered Taylor as he slid his bayonet underneath his carbine, fixing it into position. If he and Gabe were going to lead marines into close quarters battle Taylor wanted every edge at his disposal. This was not going to be an operation either he or one of his marines was going to end up in a body bag. In, out, disarm. Simple. Though simple plans often had underlying complications amongst them.

Marissa nodded at the order and then moved her men to flank from the right as Taylor had instructed her to do. While she still wanted to keep an eye on Gabe at all times, she knew she also had men to look after and Taylor would be near him.

"In position," Marissa informed Taylor over the comms.

So this was it; the big push. Taylor's forces were now in position and set up for his very word to unleash hell. The feeling was surreal yet familiar as was the calm before battle. Judging by the lack of fire no one had seen the marines or security officers move to the flanks of the building which was just as well. "Sharpe your fireteam stays on my three o'clock. We bound and fire till we reach the building then we hit both entrances." he said by way of a reminder. Taylor knew Gabe was probably aware of the plan anyway but he felt better for saying it.

"Marksman, fire."

There wasn't a trail or pulse. Just two cracks as the pair of phaser sniper rifles snuffed the life out of the heavy gunners in an instant. That alerted their comrades to take up arms and a fresh duo stepped up to the guns to be dropped. After that they seemed to get the hint. As soon as the first two shots had fired Taylor was up and running towards the building, his marines in tow. He dived onto his stomach which each of the armoured figures followed and began to pour orange coloured pulses towards the defenders. The idea was to cover Gabe's fire team as they bounded forward, after some distance they'd stop and do the same for Taylor.

"Gabe! Your bound!" he called into his comm unit within his helmet. "Zulu, zulu, zulu!"

On command Gabe surged forwards, his pistol pouring fire into the defenders as he ran. He watched his first few shots as they went wide before he 'got his shit together'. He chuckled as he remembered Marissa's words before they'd left Fenris. Okay, maybe I AM rusty. He thought as adjusted his aim.

He came to a halt as he slid through the dirt and took cover behind a tree. "In Position, covering for next bound." He said as he started to fire again.

"Let's move!" called out the marine officer to his fire team as he jumped to his feet and stormed forwards. Taylor gave suppressive bursts from his carbine just to keep the enemy Betazoids' heads down. They had obviously got wise to the fact there were snipers out amongst the trees since they were taking cover. That meant they could deploy greater and more accurate firepower on the advancing marines. Several shots even hit Taylor's armour causing the shields to shimmer blue before he and his fireteam threw themselves into their cover position.

"In position, waiting for flanking forces." said Taylor as the dirt was kicked up around him. "Where the hell are my flanking forces?!"

Kalen had gone with Taylor's squad of marines, but stayed near the rear. Not an actual member of the rearguard, he couldn't stick in the very back, but despite what he had learned in the last few weeks, he would leave the combat to people who were more experienced with it. He had heard all the orders and had decided to stick with Taylor through thick and thin. He had followed the marines into the combat zone, his own carbine out and dove when he had. They looked like people. Humans. He knew somewhere in his mind that they were the enemy, but he didn't know in his heart if he could fire back. These were thinking feeling living beings, what gave him the right to take their lives away? He hesitated for a moment and took shots as Taylor had to keep the heads of the enemy down, but unlike the man, Kalen never intended to actually hit anything. If it came to his life or theirs he would probably be able to. But as it was now, this was just a firefight where they outnumbered their enemy. He just didn't know if he could, at this moment, pull the trigger in an attempt to shoot to kill. As he reached the cover, he hoped that they would make it through this ordeal unscathed.

||Betazed
||Bomb Location
||TBA


Leonard and the marines got ready to get into the building they'd found in the forest, setting up a perimeter and watching the armed men outside. It looked like there were about a dozen out there and there was no telling how many more were inside--at least not by just watching. Leonard could tell there were still quite a few inside and he wanted to get through this with as little casualties as possible.

"What do you think we should do?" Leonard asked the Colonel.

Colonel Grelik looked at Leonard and then at the marines. "Flank them from both sides--they deserve no honor. Find a way inside."

With hand signals and series of whispered orders Taylor got his marines into a line since the other marines were watching the flanks. Instantly he could see why the marines and Betazed Security Forces had decided to set up shop outside the building. All in the middle of nowhere there were armed men outside a building with a possible biological device which was a clear indication that they were up to no good. Related? Probably.

Though he didn't recognize that the Klingon officer was indeed a colonel through a glance Taylor's helmet HUD did display all that information for him. "Colonel." he said after creeping up beside him, his armour had long taken a woodland camouflage but movement would still catch the eye.

"Lieutenant Colonel Lucas of the Fenris, what have we got here?"

"Our readings have led us here. This is a research facility under normal circumstances but not it harbors a bomb." He explained to Taylor, shaking his head. "There are a dozen armed personnel outside and inside we were still calculating, but there are at least a dozen if not more inside of the building guarding this weapon of destruction. Your aide is welcome."

The Colonel had nothing much more to say on the matter as he wanted in and he wanted in as soon as possible to make this threat no longer a threat. There was a bomb of a biological nature threatening an entire species and there was no honor in cowardice. It needed to be stopped.

"Move in," he told his men over their comm link, assessing that they were all in their designated areas. "Leave no survivors, they do not deserve our mercy."

"You heard that, we're flanking, so give them whatever assistance it is that they need," Marissa informed her men. "Leave no survivors."

She didn't know how she felt about that but her men were ready for anything and she also had an ulterior motive: protect Gabe with her life. Of course he knew how to fight on his own but she had feelings for him and they all needed him to diffuse this device and his safety was top priority.

"Keep an eye on Sharpe at all times and lets show these cowards what Starfleet is made of." Marissa said.

"Belay those orders." hissed Taylor into his comm unit. The Klingon's marines were now caught between two sets of orders but they held their ground. Even Taylor's own marines were confused about what the man was thinking. "We have no intel on this building or the forces occupying it and you just simply want to charge?" said Taylor with a low voice. "This isn't the Dominion War Colonel, we need to think several steps ahead. If these guys get too easy spooked they could set off the bomb we need to be quick, fast and lethal but above all we need to be smart. Put your muzzle back on Garren before I weld it on."

The words were barely out of Taylor's mouth before Gabe turned and shot him a look that clearly said. Watch it Though he didn't actually say anything this wasn't the time to have words with the Colonel but he had to make his point clear.

Shaking his head Taylor used his visors zoom to scout the location to get a good indication of the enemy strength. Like Grelik had said there were about a dozen lifesigns in and out of the building. All Betazoid and all armed. However upon closer inspection there were a pair of heavy phaser repeaters all set up in dug-out positions. That did little to cure his ill mood about the situation.

"Enemy has heavy suppressive weapons but no marksmen. Looks like they were expecting some form a fight. Colonel I suggest a simultaneous flanking attack. Lieutenant Garren and her security team along with the Betazed Sec-For flank the right, you and your marines flank left. Lieutenant Commander Sharpe and I will each take half of our marine unit and move up the middle. Tri-angle attack will keep them locked down. Upon breaching Sharpe will take his marine squad and flank around the back while I hit the front door. You and Garren will set up a perimeter around the building. How does that sound?"

"Show some respect, Lieutenant Colonel," Marissa told him with anger in her voice. "I am not a dog and you will treat me with respect. We were sent her to assist and I was informing my men to assist--that happens to be my job."

Gabe said nothing as he dropped to one knee. Like Taylor he zoomed in on the scene before as he pulled his combat knife from it's sheath. Unlike Taylor he was looking deeper he took the scene in, "Two repeaters in positions west of the door. Two teams of two patrolling at semi regular intervals in a rough circle 50 metres from the building. One path to the building coming from the south." He told the group as he etched it into the soil near his knee with his knife.

"Tripwires set up 100 metres from the building, no doubt connected to an alarm system. Deeper brush to the north and west. They knew we were coming, this is more than some random terrorist attack. This little scene was set up for us."

"Good eye for the tripwires." mused the marine officer who nodded since he was impressed that Gabe had picked up what he had missed. "But they are irrelevant. It's a strike, not an infiltration. As for their alert status the guards and defenses are standard procedure. They didn't know we were coming, just that someone was. Don't look at something too deep lieutenant commander. Keep it simple."

Seeing the crude drawing in the soil and took out his own obsidian-coloured knife. He carved four arrows into the dirt. "Still the same plan; the colonel here on the left, Garren on the right and we're up the middle. Two snipers take out those gunners and keep the repeaters free from enemy control. Those trip wires could be connected to an alarm or an explosive device. Best to avoid it rather than defeat it."

"Almost missed the tripwires myself, It was more luck then anything I saw the light reflecting off 'em." Gabe said, "The plan was sound before, just making sure we had all the Intel we could get, from a source I'm willing to trust."

"Not once did I say I did not understand the situation," Grelik told Taylor, Gabe, Marissa and the others. "I know what is at stake here and in case you are deaf, Lucas, I said flank from both sides. I am a Colonel. I have seen more battle than you and handled harder foe so do not act as though you are the only one here that can command these troops. You follow my orders. Tri-angle attack it is but next time do not try and weasel over what I say or you'll found yourself rank-less before you can blink. Our foe have readied themselves for battle and a battle is what they are going to get. We marines have been here longer than you assessing such things and you have to believe me when I say I know what to do. We attack and we attack hard and we don't leave anyone to go and tell the boss. You were sent to us for back-up so back us up the best way you see fit without crossing me. Clear?"

Marissa had a feeling that she really needed to just find an order and stick to it and not make anymore tension than there was. Pissing off a Klingon. Real smart.

"I don't see why we can't do that." Marissa told them. "Do we have an actual plan to adhere to now?"

With a sniff of indifference inside his helmet Taylor just sighed and shook his head. The guy was a colonel and Taylor expected some form of tactical common sense from him but obviously the marines suffered from poor officers just as the fleet did. "You did say flank from both sides, yes but that's a bi-sector attack, not a tri-sector. Less fields of fire, less free forces to manoeuvre. It's infantry tactics one-oh-one and I will not have you rush ahead and have my marines killed simply because you want to satisfy your need for a fight. Marines fight smart, start applying that logic into your plan making process. You say you've been here longer yet you failed to mention the presence of heavy phaser repeaters or a trip wire that my esteemed colleague here has pointed out. If you want to get cut down by heavy weapons then go ahead because our armour shields? Yeah, stand up and walk slowly and I guarantee you you'll be dropped quick."

Still shaking his head he called up Arcadian 3. "Bring up the sharp shooters." he ordered simply. Two of Taylor's marines carrying phaser snipers set up on their bellies beside the group of officers. All they needed now was targets and orders.

"Heavy weapon operators, two of them. Shout out when on target."

"On scope." said one of the snipers.

"He's in my crosshairs colonel." piped up the other.

"Good." replied Taylor with a nod. "Colonel, set up your men along the left flank. We attack simultanously on my 'Zulu'. Garren...I respect you as both a woman and an officer of Starfleet but I hate to tell you we're all someone's dog and right now you're my dog. Set up along the right and wait to hear 'Zulu'. Go on."

Gabe nodded as he pulled his phaser from its holster and motioned from his fireteam to follow. He slowly made his way through the forest, keeping low to avoid detection. His visor switched to black as he pushed through the bushes, sure his marines were behind him. He took position near the tripwire and followed it to a nearby tree but he couldn't see what it was connected to. He hated not knowing but Taylor was right, it was better to avoid then cut right at the minute. He watched the patrol as they made another circuit of the building and quickly made some calculations.

"Takes 'em roughly 90 seconds to make a circle of the building, we have around 50 seconds til they come round again."

"I suggest we take action as soon as the moment warrants it," Grelik told them all signaling to a few of his men. "In and out--then your man here diffuses the bomb and we tell Starfleet the threat is neutralized and make it back to the ambassadors. I assume we can all agree on that at least?"

The question was mostly aimed at Taylor but Grelik didn't care one way or another who answered it at this point. Taylor was underestimating the troops and being cautious when the Klingon was sure they could simply strike, but he just wanted this done. The longer they wasted, the closer the deadline to detonation neared and they needed to get a move on.

"Just get to your position and await my signal. We don't need to stay here overnight so I want this taken care of ASAP. The difference is the planning. You plan to be fast but you plan slow. Let the details sink in. After this you can tell Starfleet whatever the hell you want. Get a medal if that tickles your fancy. All I care about is getting rid of that bomb and not getting ourselves killed in the process. Go. Now. Left flank."

Narrowing his eyes at the man, Grelik waved for his men to take position, waiting for Taylor's signal in their appropriate location. He had been heading towards the position in the first place but Taylor wanted it all to be perfect and Grelik was going to let this slide for now. What mattered was the bomb, not their rivalry on the subjects at hand.

"Garren shift yourself to the right and wait for my Zulu command." ordered Taylor as he slid his bayonet underneath his carbine, fixing it into position. If he and Gabe were going to lead marines into close quarters battle Taylor wanted every edge at his disposal. This was not going to be an operation either he or one of his marines was going to end up in a body bag. In, out, disarm. Simple. Though simple plans often had underlying complications amongst them.

Marissa nodded at the order and then moved her men to flank from the right as Taylor had instructed her to do. While she still wanted to keep an eye on Gabe at all times, she knew she also had men to look after and Taylor would be near him.

"In position," Marissa informed Taylor over the comms.

So this was it; the big push. Taylor's forces were now in position and set up for his very word to unleash hell. The feeling was surreal yet familiar as was the calm before battle. Judging by the lack of fire no one had seen the marines or security officers move to the flanks of the building which was just as well. "Sharpe your fireteam stays on my three o'clock. We bound and fire till we reach the building then we hit both entrances." he said by way of a reminder. Taylor knew Gabe was probably aware of the plan anyway but he felt better for saying it.

"Marksman, fire."

There wasn't a trail or pulse. Just two cracks as the pair of phaser sniper rifles snuffed the life out of the heavy gunners in an instant. That alerted their comrades to take up arms and a fresh duo stepped up to the guns to be dropped. After that they seemed to get the hint. As soon as the first two shots had fired Taylor was up and running towards the building, his marines in tow. He dived onto his stomach which each of the armoured figures followed and began to pour orange coloured pulses towards the defenders. The idea was to cover Gabe's fire team as they bounded forward, after some distance they'd stop and do the same for Taylor.

"Gabe! Your bound!" he called into his comm unit within his helmet. "Zulu, zulu, zulu!"

On command Gabe surged forwards, his pistol pouring fire into the defenders as he ran. He watched his first few shots as they went wide before he 'got his shit together'. He chuckled as he remembered Marissa's words before they'd left Fenris. Okay, maybe I AM rusty. He thought as adjusted his aim.

He came to a halt as he slid through the dirt and took cover behind a tree. "In Position, covering for next bound." He said as he started to fire again.

"Let's move!" called out the marine officer to his fire team as he jumped to his feet and stormed forwards. Taylor gave suppressive bursts from his carbine just to keep the enemy Betazoids' heads down. They had obviously got wise to the fact there were snipers out amongst the trees since they were taking cover. That meant they could deploy greater and more accurate firepower on the advancing marines. Several shots even hit Taylor's armour causing the shields to shimmer blue before he and his fireteam threw themselves into their cover position.

"In position, waiting for flanking forces." said Taylor as the dirt was kicked up around him. "Where the hell are my flanking forces?!"

Kalen had gone with Taylor's squad of marines, but stayed near the rear. Not an actual member of the rearguard, he couldn't stick in the very back, but despite what he had learned in the last few weeks, he would leave the combat to people who were more experienced with it. He had heard all the orders and had decided to stick with Taylor through thick and thin. He had followed the marines into the combat zone, his own carbine out and dove when he had. They looked like people. Humans. He knew somewhere in his mind that they were the enemy, but he didn't know in his heart if he could fire back. These were thinking feeling living beings, what gave him the right to take their lives away? He hesitated for a moment and took shots as Taylor had to keep the heads of the enemy down, but unlike the man, Kalen never intended to actually hit anything. If it came to his life or theirs he would probably be able to. But as it was now, this was just a firefight where they outnumbered their enemy. He just didn't know if he could, at this moment, pull the trigger in an attempt to shoot to kill. As he reached the cover, he hoped that they would make it through this ordeal unscathed.

The side flanks weren't that far behind Taylor's little assault flank, taking out men as they went and making it into the main area where the bomb was supposed to be. Honestly, seeing the others that were very obviously guarding something just made Grelik smile a moment when he realized he really was fighting for a cause here and then he was completely focused on getting to the bomb. Taking cover a moment, he got his bearings straight before he began to advance, losing a man on his right to a direct shot to the face, but moving toward the six Betazoids guarding the large device they'd been searching for.

"For Betazed!" Grelik cried with a fierceness in his voice and while something was off when no one went for the device to detonate anything, Grelik continued his assaulting fire.

||Betazed
||Bomb Location
||TBA


Leonard and the marines got ready to get into the building they'd found in the forest, setting up a perimeter and watching the armed men outside. It looked like there were about a dozen out there and there was no telling how many more were inside--at least not by just watching. Leonard could tell there were still quite a few inside and he wanted to get through this with as little casualties as possible.

"What do you think we should do?" Leonard asked the Colonel.

Colonel Grelik looked at Leonard and then at the marines. "Flank them from both sides--they deserve no honor. Find a way inside."

With hand signals and series of whispered orders Taylor got his marines into a line since the other marines were watching the flanks. Instantly he could see why the marines and Betazed Security Forces had decided to set up shop outside the building. All in the middle of nowhere there were armed men outside a building with a possible biological device which was a clear indication that they were up to no good. Related? Probably.

Though he didn't recognize that the Klingon officer was indeed a colonel through a glance Taylor's helmet HUD did display all that information for him. "Colonel." he said after creeping up beside him, his armour had long taken a woodland camouflage but movement would still catch the eye.

"Lieutenant Colonel Lucas of the Fenris, what have we got here?"

"Our readings have led us here. This is a research facility under normal circumstances but not it harbors a bomb." He explained to Taylor, shaking his head. "There are a dozen armed personnel outside and inside we were still calculating, but there are at least a dozen if not more inside of the building guarding this weapon of destruction. Your aide is welcome."

The Colonel had nothing much more to say on the matter as he wanted in and he wanted in as soon as possible to make this threat no longer a threat. There was a bomb of a biological nature threatening an entire species and there was no honor in cowardice. It needed to be stopped.

"Move in," he told his men over their comm link, assessing that they were all in their designated areas. "Leave no survivors, they do not deserve our mercy."

"You heard that, we're flanking, so give them whatever assistance it is that they need," Marissa informed her men. "Leave no survivors."

She didn't know how she felt about that but her men were ready for anything and she also had an ulterior motive: protect Gabe with her life. Of course he knew how to fight on his own but she had feelings for him and they all needed him to diffuse this device and his safety was top priority.

"Keep an eye on Sharpe at all times and lets show these cowards what Starfleet is made of." Marissa said.

"Belay those orders." hissed Taylor into his comm unit. The Klingon's marines were now caught between two sets of orders but they held their ground. Even Taylor's own marines were confused about what the man was thinking. "We have no intel on this building or the forces occupying it and you just simply want to charge?" said Taylor with a low voice. "This isn't the Dominion War Colonel, we need to think several steps ahead. If these guys get too easy spooked they could set off the bomb we need to be quick, fast and lethal but above all we need to be smart. Put your muzzle back on Garren before I weld it on."

The words were barely out of Taylor's mouth before Gabe turned and shot him a look that clearly said. Watch it Though he didn't actually say anything this wasn't the time to have words with the Colonel but he had to make his point clear.

Shaking his head Taylor used his visors zoom to scout the location to get a good indication of the enemy strength. Like Grelik had said there were about a dozen lifesigns in and out of the building. All Betazoid and all armed. However upon closer inspection there were a pair of heavy phaser repeaters all set up in dug-out positions. That did little to cure his ill mood about the situation.

"Enemy has heavy suppressive weapons but no marksmen. Looks like they were expecting some form a fight. Colonel I suggest a simultaneous flanking attack. Lieutenant Garren and her security team along with the Betazed Sec-For flank the right, you and your marines flank left. Lieutenant Commander Sharpe and I will each take half of our marine unit and move up the middle. Tri-angle attack will keep them locked down. Upon breaching Sharpe will take his marine squad and flank around the back while I hit the front door. You and Garren will set up a perimeter around the building. How does that sound?"

"Show some respect, Lieutenant Colonel," Marissa told him with anger in her voice. "I am not a dog and you will treat me with respect. We were sent her to assist and I was informing my men to assist--that happens to be my job."

Gabe said nothing as he dropped to one knee. Like Taylor he zoomed in on the scene before as he pulled his combat knife from it's sheath. Unlike Taylor he was looking deeper he took the scene in, "Two repeaters in positions west of the door. Two teams of two patrolling at semi regular intervals in a rough circle 50 metres from the building. One path to the building coming from the south." He told the group as he etched it into the soil near his knee with his knife.

"Tripwires set up 100 metres from the building, no doubt connected to an alarm system. Deeper brush to the north and west. They knew we were coming, this is more than some random terrorist attack. This little scene was set up for us."

"Good eye for the tripwires." mused the marine officer who nodded since he was impressed that Gabe had picked up what he had missed. "But they are irrelevant. It's a strike, not an infiltration. As for their alert status the guards and defenses are standard procedure. They didn't know we were coming, just that someone was. Don't look at something too deep lieutenant commander. Keep it simple."

Seeing the crude drawing in the soil and took out his own obsidian-coloured knife. He carved four arrows into the dirt. "Still the same plan; the colonel here on the left, Garren on the right and we're up the middle. Two snipers take out those gunners and keep the repeaters free from enemy control. Those trip wires could be connected to an alarm or an explosive device. Best to avoid it rather than defeat it."

"Almost missed the tripwires myself, It was more luck then anything I saw the light reflecting off 'em." Gabe said, "The plan was sound before, just making sure we had all the Intel we could get, from a source I'm willing to trust."

"Not once did I say I did not understand the situation," Grelik told Taylor, Gabe, Marissa and the others. "I know what is at stake here and in case you are deaf, Lucas, I said flank from both sides. I am a Colonel. I have seen more battle than you and handled harder foe so do not act as though you are the only one here that can command these troops. You follow my orders. Tri-angle attack it is but next time do not try and weasel over what I say or you'll found yourself rank-less before you can blink. Our foe have readied themselves for battle and a battle is what they are going to get. We marines have been here longer than you assessing such things and you have to believe me when I say I know what to do. We attack and we attack hard and we don't leave anyone to go and tell the boss. You were sent to us for back-up so back us up the best way you see fit without crossing me. Clear?"

Marissa had a feeling that she really needed to just find an order and stick to it and not make anymore tension than there was. Pissing off a Klingon. Real smart.

"I don't see why we can't do that." Marissa told them. "Do we have an actual plan to adhere to now?"

With a sniff of indifference inside his helmet Taylor just sighed and shook his head. The guy was a colonel and Taylor expected some form of tactical common sense from him but obviously the marines suffered from poor officers just as the fleet did. "You did say flank from both sides, yes but that's a bi-sector attack, not a tri-sector. Less fields of fire, less free forces to manoeuvre. It's infantry tactics one-oh-one and I will not have you rush ahead and have my marines killed simply because you want to satisfy your need for a fight. Marines fight smart, start applying that logic into your plan making process. You say you've been here longer yet you failed to mention the presence of heavy phaser repeaters or a trip wire that my esteemed colleague here has pointed out. If you want to get cut down by heavy weapons then go ahead because our armour shields? Yeah, stand up and walk slowly and I guarantee you you'll be dropped quick."

Still shaking his head he called up Arcadian 3. "Bring up the sharp shooters." he ordered simply. Two of Taylor's marines carrying phaser snipers set up on their bellies beside the group of officers. All they needed now was targets and orders.

"Heavy weapon operators, two of them. Shout out when on target."

"On scope." said one of the snipers.

"He's in my crosshairs colonel." piped up the other.

"Good." replied Taylor with a nod. "Colonel, set up your men along the left flank. We attack simultanously on my 'Zulu'. Garren...I respect you as both a woman and an officer of Starfleet but I hate to tell you we're all someone's dog and right now you're my dog. Set up along the right and wait to hear 'Zulu'. Go on."

Gabe nodded as he pulled his phaser from its holster and motioned from his fireteam to follow. He slowly made his way through the forest, keeping low to avoid detection. His visor switched to black as he pushed through the bushes, sure his marines were behind him. He took position near the tripwire and followed it to a nearby tree but he couldn't see what it was connected to. He hated not knowing but Taylor was right, it was better to avoid then cut right at the minute. He watched the patrol as they made another circuit of the building and quickly made some calculations.

"Takes 'em roughly 90 seconds to make a circle of the building, we have around 50 seconds til they come round again."

"I suggest we take action as soon as the moment warrants it," Grelik told them all signaling to a few of his men. "In and out--then your man here diffuses the bomb and we tell Starfleet the threat is neutralized and make it back to the ambassadors. I assume we can all agree on that at least?"

The question was mostly aimed at Taylor but Grelik didn't care one way or another who answered it at this point. Taylor was underestimating the troops and being cautious when the Klingon was sure they could simply strike, but he just wanted this done. The longer they wasted, the closer the deadline to detonation neared and they needed to get a move on.

"Just get to your position and await my signal. We don't need to stay here overnight so I want this taken care of ASAP. The difference is the planning. You plan to be fast but you plan slow. Let the details sink in. After this you can tell Starfleet whatever the hell you want. Get a medal if that tickles your fancy. All I care about is getting rid of that bomb and not getting ourselves killed in the process. Go. Now. Left flank."

Narrowing his eyes at the man, Grelik waved for his men to take position, waiting for Taylor's signal in their appropriate location. He had been heading towards the position in the first place but Taylor wanted it all to be perfect and Grelik was going to let this slide for now. What mattered was the bomb, not their rivalry on the subjects at hand.

"Garren shift yourself to the right and wait for my Zulu command." ordered Taylor as he slid his bayonet underneath his carbine, fixing it into position. If he and Gabe were going to lead marines into close quarters battle Taylor wanted every edge at his disposal. This was not going to be an operation either he or one of his marines was going to end up in a body bag. In, out, disarm. Simple. Though simple plans often had underlying complications amongst them.

Marissa nodded at the order and then moved her men to flank from the right as Taylor had instructed her to do. While she still wanted to keep an eye on Gabe at all times, she knew she also had men to look after and Taylor would be near him.

"In position," Marissa informed Taylor over the comms.

So this was it; the big push. Taylor's forces were now in position and set up for his very word to unleash hell. The feeling was surreal yet familiar as was the calm before battle. Judging by the lack of fire no one had seen the marines or security officers move to the flanks of the building which was just as well. "Sharpe your fireteam stays on my three o'clock. We bound and fire till we reach the building then we hit both entrances." he said by way of a reminder. Taylor knew Gabe was probably aware of the plan anyway but he felt better for saying it.

"Marksman, fire."

There wasn't a trail or pulse. Just two cracks as the pair of phaser sniper rifles snuffed the life out of the heavy gunners in an instant. That alerted their comrades to take up arms and a fresh duo stepped up to the guns to be dropped. After that they seemed to get the hint. As soon as the first two shots had fired Taylor was up and running towards the building, his marines in tow. He dived onto his stomach which each of the armoured figures followed and began to pour orange coloured pulses towards the defenders. The idea was to cover Gabe's fire team as they bounded forward, after some distance they'd stop and do the same for Taylor.

"Gabe! Your bound!" he called into his comm unit within his helmet. "Zulu, zulu, zulu!"

On command Gabe surged forwards, his pistol pouring fire into the defenders as he ran. He watched his first few shots as they went wide before he 'got his shit together'. He chuckled as he remembered Marissa's words before they'd left Fenris. Okay, maybe I AM rusty. He thought as adjusted his aim.

He came to a halt as he slid through the dirt and took cover behind a tree. "In Position, covering for next bound." He said as he started to fire again.

"Let's move!" called out the marine officer to his fire team as he jumped to his feet and stormed forwards. Taylor gave suppressive bursts from his carbine just to keep the enemy Betazoids' heads down. They had obviously got wise to the fact there were snipers out amongst the trees since they were taking cover. That meant they could deploy greater and more accurate firepower on the advancing marines. Several shots even hit Taylor's armour causing the shields to shimmer blue before he and his fireteam threw themselves into their cover position.

"In position, waiting for flanking forces." said Taylor as the dirt was kicked up around him. "Where the hell are my flanking forces?!"

Kalen had gone with Taylor's squad of marines, but stayed near the rear. Not an actual member of the rearguard, he couldn't stick in the very back, but despite what he had learned in the last few weeks, he would leave the combat to people who were more experienced with it. He had heard all the orders and had decided to stick with Taylor through thick and thin. He had followed the marines into the combat zone, his own carbine out and dove when he had. They looked like people. Humans. He knew somewhere in his mind that they were the enemy, but he didn't know in his heart if he could fire back. These were thinking feeling living beings, what gave him the right to take their lives away? He hesitated for a moment and took shots as Taylor had to keep the heads of the enemy down, but unlike the man, Kalen never intended to actually hit anything. If it came to his life or theirs he would probably be able to. But as it was now, this was just a firefight where they outnumbered their enemy. He just didn't know if he could, at this moment, pull the trigger in an attempt to shoot to kill. As he reached the cover, he hoped that they would make it through this ordeal unscathed.

The side flanks weren't that far behind Taylor's little assault flank, taking out men as they went and making it into the main area where the bomb was supposed to be. Honestly, seeing the others that were very obviously guarding something just made Grelik smile a moment when he realized he really was fighting for a cause here and then he was completely focused on getting to the bomb. Taking cover a moment, he got his bearings straight before he began to advance, losing a man on his right to a direct shot to the face, but moving toward the six Betazoids guarding the large device they'd been searching for.

"For Betazed!" Grelik cried with a fierceness in his voice and while something was off when no one went for the device to detonate anything, Grelik continued his assaulting fire.

Taylor watched the flanking force led by the Klingon marine with a satisfied feeling inside. With the enemy's outer defences collapsing under the pressure Taylor saw his moment for the main force to move up. Raising himself so he was now kneeling Taylor gave a few suppressive bursts with his carbine before directing with his hands and shouting into his comm unit.

"Gabe circle round and stack up for breeching! My guys do the same! Grelik and Garren establish a blocking perimeter while we breech and do our thing! Flyboy you stick to my ass like glue, don't wander!"

With the orders given Taylor stormed ahead with his marines in tow. They fired as they ran, HUD crosshairs drifting onto the enemy Betazoids before their lives were snuffed away. Taylor vaulted over a barricade when one of the defenders attempted to club the marine with his rifle. Deflecting the blow with his carbine Taylor stuck his bayonet into the man's chest before giving a close-up burst of phaser fire. Withdrawing the blade from the man's smoking chest Taylor kicked him down without batting an eyelid. His marines stacked up around the door, waiting for the rest of the force to get into position.