Turn 1: The Boarding

[Cartwright]

The drop-ship entered the small hangar and touched down. The Marines piled out to be awarded by the site of Nordstrom and two other scientists. They were guarded by three Marine Corps Security Guards in UAC issued security armor. Nordstrom approached the group.

"Ah, hello, sergeant. And... lieutenant. Good to see the Hell Hounds are here. I was getting worried." Nordstrom said.

The drop-ship lifted off and flew out of the hangar, headed back for the Normandy, which would remain on station until the request for extraction was sent. They now had begun their mission. They were going to protect the frigate.

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[Matt]

Meyen looked in disgust at the scientist. He was the one that was stupid enough to hold Strogg and experiment with them, so Hayek says. The Corporal looked around and saw the faces of all the others, their faces were the same as his. Grim.

[Shadow]

"Nordstrom, I'd just like to say a couple things. If you're cargo is dangerous to my marines you wont be worrying about it so much as me and two... I'm pissed off and really needed that R&R we were going to get. Now where do you need us?"

[Cartwright]

"Well, post one squad in the cargo bay. Post another squad in C2. Finally, you and the lieutenant can post up in the bridge." Nordstrom said.

[Dire Wolf]

Hoot was pissed, sure, those damn REMFs at least gave him advanced warning, enough time for him to stuff every possible pocket and pouch with magazines, candy bars, cigarettes, a lighter, hell... he even brought a few sharp sticks.

"I got a bad feelin' about this... Hoot said to no-one in particular. "Somethin' just doesnt add up, they have to be transportin' something to do with the Strogg. Of course you know that eggheads are universe renowned for there honesty..."

((OOC: REMF:: Rear Echelon Mother Fucker (the top brass)))

[Cartwright]

"Don't think about it, private. It's above your paygrade. Your job is to follow orders, not to think about what these eggheads are doing or tranporting. Now, link up with your squad leader. Staff Sergeant, give the men their postings and then meet me in the bridge with Doctor Nordstrom... A.S.A.P." The lieutenant said.

He left the room and headed for the bridge. The ship only had two decks, as it was a frigate. The smallest type of vessel in any fleet.

[Shadow]

"Squad 1 in Cargo Bay 1 Squad 2 Cargo Bay 2, take defensive measures as you see fit but do not touch the cargo. Move out." He murmured and went to the bridge. "Oh and keep contact incase something goes wrong..."

[Cartwright]

The Marines moved to their assigned positions. First Squad perched up in Cargo Bay One, setting up cover positions behind crates and watching the single entrance. Second Squad was in Cargo Bay Two, a rather larger cargo hold with two entrances being covered. Staff Sergeant Hayek and Lieutenant Johnson were in the bridge. Johnson pulled out a laptop and started it up, accessing feeds of all his Marines. The staff sergeant was using the communications to issue any orders given.

Nordstrom walked in, his face showing a face of distaste. He did not like informing grunts about corporate secrets. But if it had to be done, it had to be done.

"Lieutenant, staff sergeant, I have something I have been ordered to tell you. It is about our precious cargo. You see, it is tele-" The scientist was cut off by the beeping of an alarm, "God no..."

The staff sergeant rushed towards the source of the beeping to find a senor readout console. A rather large blimp appeared on the radar.

"... a Strogg Destroyer... its inboard on our location."

"So, we've been spotted?" The lieutenant inquired.

"Yes." Was all that Shadow said in response.

The ship went to full alert. Sirens blared loudly. Combat was to come soon. The Hell Hounds were in for a fight.

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[Dire Wolf]

"How the hell did I know that Meyen?" Hoot said as he went prone, taking partial cover from a box. He peered through the scope and began to turn a part of the scope that affected the magnification. 'Ahh, fuckin' awesome, 2x magnification is always good'. As he laid there, he spoke to no-one in particular in second squad "Hey, anyone want a few candy bars?" He asked while digging into a couple pouches and pulling out a few chocolate bars "Got Milky Way.... Snikers....Crunch....Almond Joy....name your poison."

He pulled out about 2 magazines and put them next to "Hannah" so he wouldnt have to dig around for mags when he went dry, and he still had plenty of magazines on him if he decided to move.

[Cartwright]

As the Marines prepared for the assault, Staff Sergeant Hayek was approached by a Marine whom compared to the other Marines, was rather short. He wore the armor of a technician. He could not see his face due to the helmet he wore, but that did not matter to him. Since Hayek had decided to put a helmet on himself, his friend/foe identifier went off and the man's name popped up.

Private Krause
Technician

The man halted before him and stood at attention. He saluted the lieutenant and staff sergeant before introducing himself.

"Sir, Private Anton Krause of the 212. When you boarded this frigate, I was given transfer orders to join the Hell Hounds. I requested to be regular infantry instead of a Marine Security Guard." The private said, his stance easing up a bit.

"Ah... good. Private, you will be with First Squad. They are down in Cargo Bay one. Link up with them. Go." The lieutenant said.

The private nodded and turned around, then walked off and headed for the cargo bay. Upon reaching it, the door opened to his presence. Every weapon in the room aimed at him, fingers on the trigger.

"Holy shit! You almost got your head ventilated, Marine!" Sergeant Dunn exclaimed, but allowed the man to come in.

"Scheisse..." Krause whispered under his breath.

He approached the sergeant and nodded to him, then introduced himself.

"I am Private Anton Krause, formerly with the 212. I have been transfered to the Hell Hounds and El-Tee said I'd be in your squad."

The sergeant nodded and gave the private a position to set up at to defend. Krause loaded a magazine into the assault rifle and aimed down range towards the doorway. This would be an interesting fight.

"Perez, that means you'll be with second. Double time it over to second squad's position. They'll need a technician."

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[Cartwright]

"Staff Sergeant, I think we should split up. You link up with First Squad and assist them in the defense of CB1 and I'll go to CB2 and stick with Second. That sound good?" The lieutenant inquired.

The situation was looking grim. To make matters worse, one of the scientists in the bridge had just informed them that the Strogg Destroyer had launched landing craft to attach to the ship and breach it. They needed to move quickly. This fight was going to be hectic.

"Nordstrom, when I get back, I want to know what in the bloody hell is in those crates! Got it?" The lieutenant demanded.

[Cartwright]

"Hey, Krause is your name, right mate? Do you know what in the hell we are protecting? Or are you under gag orders? 'Cuz I'd like to know why we are sittin' here gettin' ready to frag Squibs over a bunch of UAC egghead experiments. Why is this shit so important." Sergeant Dunn inquired, staring at the man.

He did not care if the information was technically classified. They were about to fight a large amount of Strogg and he wanted to know what was so important inside those crates to warrant the risking of lives. What was it the Strogg wanted because? He wanted answers and there seemed to be few.

[catfiend]

Anton shook his head, indicating a "no", "Nein, I was kept out of the know from most of what went on. I was never much more than a lackey, serving small puposes I'm afraid.", he stated aiming his weapon. He was trembling slighty, due to the fact he had never seen any real action. Perspiration was already making its way down his face, and the enemy wasn't even here yet! What was he? A wimp? From what he'd shown so far, he apprently was. 'I have to work on my nerves. . .' he thought to himself.

[Cartwright]

"Calm down, private." Sergeant Dunn said, shaking his head.

'Fucking New Guy...' Dunn thought.

The man did not know how to control his nerves. He needed to calm down or he would get someone killed. Which, he really did not want to see happen. The only thing that should be killed were Strogg and not fellow Marines, hell, not even the scientists. It was annoying, to say the least.

[catfiend]

Anton's nerves were apparently getting the better of him. He laid down his weapon slowly not to make a ruckus and pulled off his helmet. He pulled out a small canister of water and splashed some on his face, his bald head was now shiny and looked radiant, which was actually kind of strange. . . His slid the helmet back on and picked up his rifle. He seemed to be a bit more calm, the cold rush might have even caught him off guard, keeping him now more alert. His eyes were like a dog's nose following a piece of meat, analyzing cover spots and tactical positions. He was probably coming up with strategies, if anything.