Turn 7: Strike Back

[Cartwright]

"Charlie Oscar Mike to Shadow, negative on relieval of duty. Readouts report the Hell Hounds have another medic. Private Tomala. They will suffice. Now that you have linked up with Mr. Death, proceed to the Logistics train and destroy it," The deep voice of a man blared over the communications, "then download Strogg classified data. Then await further orders. Over."

[Matt]

"Keep pressing Marines!" Meyen yelled.

He overheard Marines in the platoon saying they're almost out of ammunition. ' What the fuck? Are they putting a whole clip in a Strogg soldier.' Meyen thought. He still had several clips left and he was killing a lot of Strogg. Meyen then decided to spare his ammo to his fellow Marines. He sprinted over to Tomala and Carrick.

"Here are 2 clips for each of you, why are you so low?" Meyen grunted.

[Cartwright]

An explosion rocked the environment around them. Meyen, Tomala, and Carrick hit the deck as dirt rained down upon them, shrapnel hidden within the dirt. More explosions could be heard the sound of artillery. The Strogg were mortaring them.

"INCOMING!" The lieutenant shouted.

The lieutenant dropped to the floor as an explosion occured nearby him. Remnants of dirt landed ontop of his persons. Luckily, no injuries were sustained. Hoot was hit by a large piece of shrapnel in the leg from a nearby explosion. Krause jumped for cover and a mortar landed in the position he had been in seconds ago. The force of the explosion propelled him in the air for several feet more before he landed on the ground, tiny pieces of shrapnel in his arm. None had pierced it, though.

"Charlie Oscar Mike, we are under sustained mortar fire from Strogg artillery. Requesting air support! Over!" The lieutenant yelled into his communications', over the sound of the explosions.

Meyen and Tomala made it into cover. Their ears were ringing and tiny pieces of shrapnel had assaulted their armor, though none penetrated. They noticed Carrick was not with them. Tomala glanced around the corner and saw him laying on the ground, unconscience. Meyen saw this too. They could not move because of the mortar fire, but if they did not, one lucky mortar might land on top of Carrick's body.

"Charlie Oscar Mike to El-Tee. Air support dispatched and engaging enemy artillery. Be advised, you should take cover inside a structure. The entrance to underground is sixty meters north of your location, think you can make it? Over."

"Affirmative. Thanks, Charlie Oscar Mike. El-Tee, out."

The explosions rocked the environment even harder, as they became more frequent. The sound of bombs dropping on the horizon could be heard. Soon, all mortar fire had ceased.

"Marines, get to the Underground Access, NOW!"

The Marines ran for the underground accessway and Tomala dragged Carrick and Hoot with him. As they sprinted for safety, the sound of Flier engines could be heard.

"Hell Hounds, be advised. You have Strogg Fliers converging on your location for a straffing run. Attempting to intercept, over." Eagle Leader announced.

"Affirmative, Eagle Leader. We are hauling ass as it is. Take those twats out!" The lieutenant yelled, moving as fast as he could.

They were ten meters from the access doorway when the first Flier appeared. It dived and its machine guns fired. Dirt kicked up into the air as the fifty caliber rounds punched into the surface of the planet. The rounds just narrowly missed the lieutenant.

"INSIDE, NOW!" The lieutenant shouted.

Everyone scrambled inside the underground access and the doorway closed, bringing the shroud of darkness upon them.

Meanwhile...

Shadow planted an explosion charge under the Logistics train and hopped up onto the catwalk, where Mr. Death covered him and gave the 'OK' signal. The two ran to the other side and towards a doorway reading, "Logistics Center." Obviously, that must have been where the intel was located. Shadow pressed the detonator for the explosives and the area rocked from the explosion. Secondaries could be heard resonating throughout the chamber. The two Marines smirked.

<Actions>

[Matt]

"Tomala work on the two wounded, that was close" Meyen said.

He put a cigarette in his mouth and lit it, giving light to the dark surroundings.

[bullet]

'' Ok sarge I will help em out'' Tomala began applying first aid on the wounded they werent critical but they were hurt. Tomala joked, Okay boys going to be ok we will be havin margeritas soon.'' He remembered all his trainning the medical corps he was finally about to put it to use to help a fellow marine out. He felt a since of duty in his job. Tomala said, ''Sarge Im going to give them stim packs when they are conscience so we can continue towards the mission objective.''

[Cartwright]

"Fuck... communications' are blocked by these thick walls. Everyone, flashlights on. I want good illumination. Tomala, you and Carrick need to conserve your ammunition. You have forty rounds in a clip. DO NOT waste it on one Strogg, ya twats." Johnson said, then moved forward, activating his assault rifle flashlight.

He walked down the tunnel, checking every nook and cranny for Strogg. Something told him they would have a hell of a time reaching The Big Gun. Luckily, the noise of it firing was muffled. The sound of battle could be heard from outside. He sighed. A lot of men and women had died today.

[Matt]

The Sergeant put his cigarette out and was on the move with the platoon. The whole platoon switched their flashlights on, but the it seemed the darkness overtook the light. Meyen definately didn't like it underground, espically when its pitch black and you have to use your lights. Meyen scanned his sectors and and so did the platoon. His sector was clear of anything unusuall.

[Cartwright]

Private Tomala was able to wake up Carrick and give him a stim pack of adrenaline to keep him awake. He then moved over to Hoot and took the shrapnel out of his leg and gave him some morphine and adrenaline. Hoot walked over and repaired the Marines armor. They would need full armor and health.

The platoon moved slowly down the passageway and reached a stairway. They traveled down the stairs and eventually reached a large tunnel. Two GEVs were found there. No Marines driving. The men investigated the GEVs and found a unconscious Marine private. Female. The friend/foe identifier had identified her as Private Jessica Jones, rifleman.

Privates Tomala and Carrick recognized her from Boot Camp. They grimaced. They had a Devil spawn with them, in their minds. Tomala relunctantly awoke her, then backed away.

"Private, mind telling me what you're doing here?" The lieutenant inquired.

"Huh? I was with a convoy moving underground to The Big Gun. We got ambushed and I got knocked out. Fuckers must have taken my platoon and thought I was dead, leaving me." Private Jones said.

The lieutenant nodded. At least they had found another Marine who had survived.

"Alright, you'll roll with us. Can you drive this GEV?"

"Sure, sir." The private said, hopping into the drivers' seat.

Corporal Meyen got in the passenger seat and second squad hopped into the flat bed of the GEV. First Squad and the lieutenant took the second GEV, which was located in the back. Private Carrick was driving the second GEV, the lieutenant in the passenger seat. The lieutenant activated his communicator and selected the platoon private channel and spoke into his microphone.

"Alright, let's get this convoy moving. I want clear communication, Marines. No BS over the radio. Leave the unrelated chatter off the communications."

The high beam lights of the GEV illuminated the paths in front of them and the convoy began moving. The shrieks of Strogg could be heard. The Strogg were in the tunnels ahead.

<Actions>

[Matt]

"Driver, worry about driving and not shooting, understand?" Meyen said.

[ToxicJones]

"Sir, yes sir" Jones replied to Meyen. She concentrated on the road, and it was hard to ignore the rifle lying nest to her in the GEV. Her eyes narrowed as the shrieks of the strogg grew louder.

[bullet]

Tomala said, ''Lets rock roll take this shit down and get back home im tired of this bullshit as is.'' Tomala was cautionous he had his rifle up ready to fire.

[ToxicJones]

Jones let a quick grin escape, then set her mouth in a hard line. It was hard not to say anything, but she managed.

[bullet]

Tomala said, eh Jones I would think you would never be in combat amazing that you are right now haha.''

[Kyle (an evil budgie)]

He finally checked to see what the commotion was about. "Oh. It's Jen. Well that's interesting." he said not sounding the least bit interested.

[Matt]

"Lock it up Marines. Focus and stop being retards." Meyen yelled.