Fan Fiction /Labor Day 2010/Ground Battle

Introduction

The original plan calling for ground forces to beam down to the surface immediately after the Naval battle began. This wqas not to be, only three minutes before the launch command was to be issued, Brigadier General Rigel McBain, commander of the ground forces for Operation Masakari made a terrible discovery.

“All commands, this is McBain. Pull your men and equipment from the transporters. Do not, repeat do not transport troops and equipment until further notice. Use shuttles and runabouts to ferry them down. McBain out.”

A net of transport inhibitors had been discovered scattered throughout the central continent of Havaris. Had this fact gone unnoticed, hundreds of troops could have been killed by the scrambling effect of the inhibitors.

Stardate: 59284.52, Sat Sep 05 2381 05:05:00 (Central Daylight Time)(Terran Reckoning

Drop pods and shuttle craft poured from the assault carriers and other combat vessels of the Maquis fleet.

Troops and equipment shuffled from transporter pads to shuttlebays took mere moments. Only time would tell whether or not the element of surprise had been lost.

73rd Marine Rifle Battalion

As the 73rd Marine Rifle Bn. approached the Barracks, Col Quirk gives his final pep talk.
"some of you may come back,some of you may not lets take this strategic position and hold it for as long as possible. Where you are standing is both rendezvous point and fall back as well, should we get overwhelmed, which I know we will not. this is the place to be." "Is this understood? good ;now ladies lets get this done!"

The troops took out the Breen as though they were hot knives to butter.
A call to assemble at the main barracks was heard. The 73rd was upon the building with no losses. Breen lay on the ground, and there were no prisoners.
Commander 73rd Marine rifle Bn reporting objective complete. No losses to enemy contact. Awaiting further orders.

After the battle, Col. Quirk tells his Marines they've done a great job.
"Heart breakers and life takers you have done well but lets not get sloppy, there may be reinforcements on the way to retake this area keep on your toes , eyes and ears open again some of you will survive and some of you may not . keeping this in mind I want a fully rested team on watch at all times . we are awaiting further orders from Maquis Command until then get some rest . Squad alpha is on watch for the first 4 hours . Dismissed".

7th Armored Cavalry Regiment

The 7th Armored Cavalry made quick work of their objectives using speed and the element of surprise.
The 7th Armored Cavalry Regiment was deployed on the planet Havaris to attack Motor Pools #4, #5, and #6. Each of the enemy positions were guarded by 200 to 300 troops with anywhere from 30 to 50 tanks and APCs. The Regiment deployed in squadron combat teams and planned to attack the enemies positions at the same time in order to not allow the enemy to call for reinforcements to come from one of the other enemy positions. The attack was first started with help of the Regiments' 4th Squadron that used it's aircraft to surprise the enemy's troops while the each of the squadron's artillery batteries opened fire on the positions and laid down both high explosive and anti-personal rounds as well as smoke rounds to cover the assault of the rest of the squadron's troops. The causalities on both sides were light. The 7th captured 400 prisoners and 40 tanks and APCs in the attack on all three Motor Pools. With the loss of only 4 tanks, 8 CVRs and 2 aircraft, these loses were not destroyed equipment but damaged to be repaired before becoming fully operational statues. We only lost 10 troopers to combat action.

Signed
Charles L. Shananquet II
Commanding Officer, 7th Armored Cavalry Regiment
Commanding Officer, Mechanized and Armored Warfare Command
Maquis Forces Marine Corps,

511th Marine Assault Group

The 511th Marine Assault Group was responsible for securing the number two and three barraks compounds. Using a rapid envelopment with combined arms forces the 511th was able to capture their targets with little combat losses.

97th Military Police Bn.

Assigned the mission of securing the #5 Barracks, the 97th MP took the highest casualties of the offensive.
It was a type of torment, being trapped in the transports as they barreled to the planet. The pilots trying desperately to avoid incoming anti-air fire, the sluggish transports slow to respond as hits glanced off the hulls, shaking them. The lights flickered in a few of the transports as hits got too close to their power sources. Men and women in armor sweated and tried to keep their breathing even as they barreled to the planet. General Trentin's eyes were fixed on the plot map in front of her as her ears were filled with the sounds of reports from Tac Net, the Tactical Head Set they were all wearing. The HUD display giving her the information she asked for and keeping a running tally of her troop strength.

“We're coming in hot!” Yelled the co-pilot of Trentins command transport, even as her own HUD confirmed the red dots coming in fast to their chosen landing site. It was a small group, no doubt shifted at the last minute as the transports were detected despite their electromagnetic signal scattering technologies. Even as Trentin gave the orders through Tac Net on the next steps, another group of dots came on site. Even smaller then the first group, this time blue. The Bajoran General grinned and adjusted orders accordingly.

And so it was that the co-pilot/gunner's on the transports opened fire on the Breen soldiers who were trying to make a stand against an enemy no one could visually see. They landed and highly trained marines pounded out to take up a defensive position around the landing site. The transports lifting off as soon as they were off-loaded, giving covering fire as best they could before flying off to get more.

The site they had chosen was the best they could manage and still be anywhere near their target. It was a small clearing in the woods but had a cave system nearby and plenty of cover. Trentin lead one group to hold the center as the others checked in.

“Unit 1 in position and holding, Unit 2 in position and holding...” and on it went as the advance guard secured the LZ for the rest of their shipmates. The sun beat down on them as the summer breeze flowed through, a strangely idealistic scene as the remains of the Breen patrol fired from their own cover. Cursing from behind a builder Trentin started to stand, “General! Shall I paint the target on your forehead myself!?” Trentin annoyed looked down to find her Sgt. Major. Barely 5 feet tall, the human woman was absolutely vicious and an explosive expert. Stories like about the damage this woman could wreak with plastique and a scented candle meant no one messed her. She was also one of the General's oldest friends. Sighing just to let the Sgt. Major know she was annoyed about not getting to have fun anymore came out on Tac Net.

Tac Net: This is Bear, Boomer take a platoon to the right, Mousse to left. Lets move people we've a barracks to flatten...

Marine Captain Xiannah aka Boomer and 1Lieutenant De'Zart aka Mousse immediately peeled off with their teams as more of their people arrived to strengthen the center. She caught sight of her CMO running about dividing up his available medical personnel into each team as she fired her phaser rifle from behind the boulder. They got the last of that patrol and prepared to move forward as the rest of their command arrived.

A tall Bajoran man who looked like he'd been living in a tree for a week came up to them. His grey uniform battered and torn with one arm in a sling. He was followed by 4 others. He looked at the dead Breen at her feet, “Sorry we missed the fun here, were were harassing their rear flank.”. Trentin shook his hand, “And nicely done too, shall we?” She asked her guide and the tired but determined looking Militia man nodded.

The General took point or as close to point as her people would let her get. Trentin did not fail to notice that her best people somehow found a reason to jog near her as they pressed on being guided by the Militia Lieutenant . Let's face it no one wanted to break in a new General. They continued to follow the Militia Lieutenant . and his people through the trees, dodging this way and that. Trying to keep within the shadows of the rock formations nearby as there was something in the stone that made it hard to track life signs in this area. It explained why the planet's resistance like to used this area for a base, unfortunately it meant frequent patrols. Fortunately the current assault seemed to be throwing their usual patrol patterns out of wack. She began to notice the effects on her own systems as things became a little fuzzy and she could no longer track her people as well by the HUD.

Tac Net: This Bear all forces maintain low tech radio link...

She ordered hoping their old tech comm system would be tougher then the high tech equipment the enemy was using. They purposely set this system up knowing this would happen thanks to Lieutenant . Rann Tallon of the Militia who was currently guiding them through. He had a short range comm unit an managed to make contact with the Maquis Forces to set this up before the Breen homed in on his signal and they had to pack up and move deeper into the caves. But the damage was done, contact made and there was nothing the Breen could do about it. Trentin glanced at the young man with the too old eyes respect her her own before shifting to her people as they moved forward.

“Oh you've got to be kidding me...” She muttered as they halted at the last safe point before the barracks. She halted them as she looked at the cleared area around the barracks. It was their rapid troop deployment barracks for this area. In short, these were the reinforcements. Unfortunately they were paranoid and there was a 1/3 mile of clear land all around and the barracks was on high alert. Their barracks had been bombed to hell and gone but by the Prophets they seemed determined to defend the rubble.

Tac Net: Mousse take a recon team and see what we're dealing with. Oracle phase one of Klingon Opera.

Again acknowledgments as De'Zart, the half Klingon/Batazoid Marine eagerly went. Lieutenant M'Rao, the Catian Ops Chief headed out to an out of the way place nearby the field with a small team and Lieutenant . Sarlil zh'Theliv, their R and D chief. Their mission was to get a certain machine working that would help level the playing field a bit. Unfortunately as high technologies were being blocked all around it would take time to get the cobbled weapon up and running.

There was an acknowledgment as Lieutenant . M'Rao sat down with Lieutenant Sarlil zh'Theliv at an energy hardened field computer, “Their Kung-Fu is not strong..” Muttered Sarlil using a human phrase she picked up.

They grinned as they commenced to prepping the device.

Lieutenant . De'Zart moved carefully with her small team, placing small devices that would further confuse the enemy sensors, the ones that still functioned by telling them they were miles in the opposite direction. M'Rao hissed a curse as a spark from Sarlil welding two wires hit her fur. There as a muttered, “Sorry..” as the Andorian bent again to her work.

First Lieutenant . De'Zart was using binocs as she observed the beehive like activity, watching the bombed out ruins. She reported back giving locations, strength, equipment visible, everything she could.

M'Rao reported they were ready for phase 2 as did De'Zart. Trentin turned to Lieutenant . Tallon, “You understand the plan?”. The battered Bajoran nodded and put in the ear plugs, the rest of his team did the same.

Tac Net: This is Bear, Phase 2 in two minutes.

That sent everyone scrambled for their special ear plugs, Sarlil and a small team met First Lieutenant . De'Zart's team carrying a covered device they quickly uncovered it and began prepping the device that looked all the world for some odd communications device, a bit boxy with an old style dish on the top that they aimed carefully. It was about 3 feet by 3 feet, portable but just...

Sarlil flipped switches and powered up the device.

Tac Net: This is Q (said Sarlil), device ready.

Tact Net: This is Oracle (M'Rao), ready for phase two, recon reports they did store explosives here more fools they....

General Trentin looked over the field, the enemy was beginning to notice them even without their equipment working properly. She grinned, her forces were divided into right, left and center. A classic trident formation, an oldie but goodie. She made sure everyone had their ear pieces between those and the Tac Net headsets they were safe from what would happen next.

Tac Net: This is Bear, Now.

At those words several things happened at once. The room the enemy was storing their weapons exploded, it had somehow avoided getting taken out in the bombing runs only to be exploded as First Lieutenant . De'Zart let out a War Whoop and dropped the old Anti-Armor shoulder mounted rocket launcher with a look on her face of happy awe.

At that moment, at the opposite side of De'zart with M'Rao and a small team to protect them, Sarlil hit a few buttons on the machine that on the side of the Device said 'Broomhilda'. and aimed the directional cone at the facility. Trentin and her team heard nothing but a sonic shockwave ate up the ground in from of the device, hitting the center of the enemy's hurried set up lines. Some of the troops grabbed their helmets ripping them off as blood poured out of their ears. Broomhilda was an old idea made new by Sarlil and And M'Rao, definitely not people to annoy thats for sure. As the enemy was reeling from that Trentin and the other two groups fired the distance explosives to soften them up then as the cries of the wounded began to fill the air they charged from the left, right and center.

First Lieutenant . De'Zart and her team, their job done hot footed it over to M'Rao and their team, dodging phaser fire and explosions. Then helped Lieutenant . Jg. Sarlil move the device to keep it hammering its cone of death at the best areas as Lieutenant . M'Rao continued to wreak havoc with what remained of their communications systems, her job to wreck whatever remained of their electronic defenses and communications.

“The odds are nearly 3 to 1!” Shouted Sgt. Major Scott as she watched the enemy move to meet them. “Never tell me the odds!” Trentin shouted as the Militia Lieutenant . running near her pulled out a pistol with one hand and his face a mask of rage who looked like he couldn't care of the odds were 10 to 1. Between the explosions and the sonic device they had cut down on a lot but this wouldn't be easy by any means.

Trentin and her troopers nearly flew, she wished for more air coverage but she knew her XO was focused on keeping the Liberty in one piece and keeping the shuttles moving for other troopers to get the ground. He couldn't afford to be worrying about here, he had his own mission to complete. They ran fast because no solider wanted open ground between them and the enemy. They jumped over pot holes and dead bodies. Moans of the wounded and yells of 'Medic!' filled the air every bit as the explosions and weapons fire. Doctor Cire hurried with his people from wounded person to person, the man was a bit mad scientist like but that didn't mean he didn't care so he rushed about trying to do what he could. General Trentin tripped over the dead body of a Maquis Trooper she didn't know but before she could even mourn she was forced to use it for cover as she returned concentrated fire as the Breen noticed who she was. The squad around her gave covering fire as her Sgt. Major yelled into his comm.

Tac Net: Phoenix-Center- Gernades!”

This told them who was asking roughly where they were in case the now spotty working HUD's didn't, and what she wanted. She never felt there was a reason to be wordy under fire, that was just asking for it. Those who could tossed grenades to her and Sgt. Major Scott hurriedly rigged them into a mass bomb then tossed it like the Earth Rugby player she'd been, over the heads of all. It hit with a loud explosion that seemed to shake the ground as blood and body parts seemed to rain down from the sky. Trentin realized why her Sgt. Major had been grinning about as she told her General, “I'm just gonna go tweak the explosives load, don't worry...” before they left on this mission and saw a severed hand still twitching. She turned from the sight as Sgt. Major Scott dodged a rolling severed head. They continued forward, the constantly moving sonic device keeping the enemy off balance as they finally gained the outer buildings.

General Trentin held up a hand as three teams began to merge, Tac Net: Hold. Cease Operation Klingon Opera, things are too tight in here for it.”

Tac Net: “Oracle acknowledges, we're heading the secondary recon point now.” she made a cutting motion to Sarlil, who looking disappointed cut the power to the device. A small group with a self destruct code stayed with the machine as the rest moved in to help their comrades.

If the battle was bad before this was tooth and nail now, Trentin kept her people on the move, knowing if she allowed it the enemy who still outnumbered them would firm up their defense making this cost all the more. So they moved from rubble pile to rubble pile trying to keep alive long enough for their deaths to matter. Some, despite their best efforts got pinned down and other out stripped their support, finding themselves surrounded. They did what they were trained to do they kept their heads down and mad every shot count.

1 FIrst Lieutenant . De'Zart charged in without a care in the world Bath'leth in one hand Klingon Disruptor in another, her speed and fierceness seemed to stun even the Breen as she rushed them leading a group of marines. Sgt. Major Scott continued to find new and interesting ways to blow them up, a slightly manic look in her eyes....

Cries of the wounded tore at heart strings as the medics tried desperately to triage swiftly enough to do some good.

Scenes all over were chaos as Trentin ordered encirclement of the facility. It would thin their lines but no one was to escape. Those were their orders and they came prepared all Maquis Troopers were carrying more then the usual complement of explosives. While they did have to be careful to a point, there was computer here that the Brass wanted info off of, they could pretty much hit anything else.

Tac Net: “This is Oracle we've found the area we think they have the information, Mousse is clearing a path to now, I only hope we can get there before they wipe it..”

Tac Net: This is Bear, you damn well better or a main point to not just bombing the crap out of this place goes out the window!

Tac Net: This is Oracle, Understood.

The battle continued the battle getting even fiercer as the enemy realized there was no way out and were every so slowly being pushed further into the barracks. The energy fire was constant now incoming and out going. They had explosives of their own as the Maquis Troopers trying to hold the line were. One group tried a concentrated push to get out of the encirclement and nearly succeeded but under-estimated the speed in which a group of 5 Havaris Militia Members who hated to the level these did could plant anti-personnel mines. The Lieutenant . who had been in charge of the Militia group, kicked the dying breen out of his way “Get off my Planet!” He yelled and the others cheered and charged to block the hole the enemy had made in the Maquis Lines.

It took some time but eventually things tapered off and stopped as the Maquis Troopers began to secure the area. They had lost 30% of their number, each one hard felt, theirs was a small unit to begin with and each one had been known well. Theirs was a small unit geared towards speed, surgurcial strike targets, that sort of thing. Where they had been over a 100 strong, the battle that had waged over multiple buildings and had been resisted by an enemy of over 300, left them 80. Some would call it a good exchange rate, Anara simply sighed as she gazed over part of the battle field. General Trentin was sitting, not because she was tired but because of the hole in her upper leg. Reports had to come into her left ear because her right wouldn't stop ringing, damage from an enemy explosive hitting just a little too close.

De'zart had somehow manage to find a cask of bloodwine for later as Sarlil and M'Rao poured over the information the enemy had tried unsuccessfully to wipe from their surviving systems. Sgt. Major Scott was asleep on near a pile of rubble, figuring someone would wake her up when needed. Other went about their duties, mopping up the last of the resistance as General Trentin's eyes skimmed the battle field while a medic worked on her leg. She said the dead, injured, and just plain shell shocked. The last being helped by comrades as they tried to help their buddies through their first real battle.

She was struck by the words of an old earth poem that Sgt. Major Scott was always quoting, called The Charge of the Light Brigade by someone called Lord Tennyson:

It began with

“Half a league, half a league,
Half a league onward,
All in the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
"Forward, the Light Brigade!
"Charge for the guns!" he said:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.”

“This is our valley of Death...” she muttered the medic glanced up, “Ma'am?” Trenin shook her head and the medic went back his work as the uncaring sun shone down.

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