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Prologue

Sgt 1st Class Coleman Spencer

United Colonial Military 105th Battalion

October 7, 2213 14:45 Military Calendar

Planet LV-101, Zone 1A, Zeta Region

"Sarge!! Sarge get up!" screamed a frantic soldier.

"What-what's going on?" Sergeant Spencer replied confused.

Explosions and debris peppered the ground around them.

"Your bird was shot down, the medical team that drug you out of the wreckage got gunned down by an aerial strafing unit. I was lucky to get to you in time before they made another pass."

Bullets hissed around the two soldiers.

"Look Sarge we need to get to the objective before we lose this region." said the soldier

"Okay, I need a weapon of some sort, I'm not going to battle giving the enemy the bird." Spencer said partially in request for a weapon.

"Here, take my side arm. Be careful sir, it has quite a kick."

The side arm was a 12.7 millimeter personal defense weapon. The 12.7 was equivalent to a fifty caliber, in which can result in quite a kick and massive amounts of recoil. "You'll have to manage the recoil on your own. The stock got shot off during a breach-and-clear. Luckily I still have my shoulder."

"Alright enough chatter we need to move out! How far to the objective?" the sergeant inquired.

"About half a click south from here. Just across the checkpoint Z-1A bridge. We lose that bridge we lose our supply line-"

"-In turn we lose the region got it. Move out!" Spencer barked cutting off the soldier. Spencer picked up his CH-U7 combat helmet. The visor was a little scratch but nothing a requisition order can't fix. The heads up display flashed to life.

CH-U7 SFC Spencer-90125-122-501-CS

HUD-95% functionality

Loading vitals......

SFC Coleman Spencer Vitals-85%

Updating objective...

Objective-Hold Checkpoint Z-1A and wait for Armor Support

Previous squad-KIA

Current squad-Pvt Devon Tanner-97%

Heading...south

Ammunition counter for 12.7mm active

Motion Tracker online

Comm System-Two-way offline, One-way operable

Radio Frequency-N/A

Spencer turned on his one way speaker. "Private! My helmet can only transmit one way. Move cover to cover. Radio silence until then and hand signals till we reach the objective. Understood? The private saluted. Spencer raised his left arm, pulled in a downward movement and pointed ahead of the private. Signaling for them to move out.

Moving in a zigzag formation from cover to cover, also known as serpentine, the two soldiers hustled it to their objective. Dodging enemy fire and maneuvering away from artillery. They reached a downed APC about a few hundred meters to the objective. Spencer lowered his arm with his palm flat about waist level. The signal for crouch down. They inched to the right side of the vehicle. Spencer broke radio silence. "Disconnect your helmet cam and give it to me. I need to see around this corner without attracting possible attention." Private Tanner did so without question and handed to him. Spencer to the camera and remotely connected to his head up display. To the left he saw enemy foot mobiles and a vehicle pressing soldiers on the bridge. Spencer held up his hand. Open palmed close to his wrist, meaning enemies. Held up four fingers. Closed his fist moved it left and right for a technical IE. a vehicle and flicked up one finger. The sergeant gave Tanner back his helmet camera. "Take the sniper two meters from me. Take out the tires and gunner. I'll move up and take out the foot mobiles. We are almost to the objective just stay calm and time your shots. I'll move up first. Ready?"

"Sir! Yes sir!" replied Tanner.

Tanner followed sergeant Spencer. Waiting for the signal to open fire on the vehicle. He picked of the rifle, deployed the bi-pod, pulled the charging handle back checking for a round in the chamber and released the bolt. His HUD linked to the weapon. SR-52A, 7.62 millimeter, ten rounds including the one already in the chamber. More than enough for his current task. He aims the rifle, setting the cross hairs on the gunner's head. The HUD quickly calculated for wind-age, height, distance and bullet drop. He adjusted for the distance and flipped the safety off with his thumb. Spencer was in position and raised up his arm about level to the ground and pulls it back and forth as if he was charging a light machine gun. This was the signal for assault. To open fire. Tanner fired the first shot. Planted the bullet straight through the gunners skull. He quickly adjusted to fire at the vehicle's tires. Spencer quickly and gracefully fired upon the enemy soldiers. He set his sights on one, fired, and moved to the next one. In that order. Each one fell with ease. All taking critical shots to the heart. Tanner popped the tires on the right side. Quick shots. The kid was needless to say accurate and nimble with a rifle. The driver of the vehicle kicked the door open, flew out and drew his sidearm on sergeant Spencer. Spencer attempted to fire but his weapon clicked dry. The driver fired. Spencer took the round to the chest and hit the ground. The driver walked towards Spencer's body to check if he took him down. Little did he know or little did he realize, Tanner was still in the field. And without notice the driver's unprotected head popped like a balloon. Spattering everything around him with thick blood and fragments of bone.

Tanner quickly rolled to his feet, slung the rifle on his back, and rushed to Spencer's side. He looked at the chest wound. No blood? The Colonial Military provides every soldier with full body combat armor but little to no soldiers live through a point blank shot like that. Tanner pried the bullet off his armor.

"C'mon c'mon Sarge, wake up!" Tanner yelled as he tried to wake Spencer. He tried everything he could think of. Except one thing. Tanner quickly pulled off Spencer's helmet. "Christ I hope this works." said the frantic private. Tanner whipped his hand backed and forcibly backhands the right side of Spencer's face. In excitement Spencer rose up.

"What in the fuck!" yelled the disoriented sergeant. He looked around confused then saw Tanner. "Son, please tell me I'm not dead."

"Alive and well sir!"replied Tanner.

"Hot damn! I picked a hell of a day to not die!" said Spencer being serious and funny in one.

"No shit sir but we need to move across that bridge now."

"Gotcha, go ahead of me. I'll catch up."

Tanner saluted and hustled across the bridge. Spencer picked himself up. Put his helmet back on and ran across the bridge with haste. He didn't give a thought to grabbing a weapon. He just wanted to get across, raise the bridge, call of reinforcements, and defend at all costs.

"Okay if I could make it past today without another near death experience..." he paused "...well I'll live a content man."

Spencer met up with Tanner talking to the current commanding officer of the position.

"Thanks for the assist. If you hadn't come when you did this position would have been overrun like flies on shit!" spoke the commanding officer. "I'm Staff Sergeant Alec Bartus. 96th Battalion SecForce." Bartus notices the sergeant first class stripes on Spencer's armor and immediately snaps to attention. "Sir!" he says with a sharp salute.

"At ease soldier!" Spencer replies. "Give me the specifics on why we are defending this region." Spencer ordered.

"I don't know for sure but I heard something on the radio about 'package received. En route for delivery' not much else after sir."

"Copy that. Sergeant, grab those weapons from across the bridge and hustle back, and raise the bridge. Best defense is keeping the enemy from reaching our position. Once you have the weapons, split the ammunition, take a rifle and go to the middle platform of that tower. Post up for suppressive fire." Spencer says ordering Bartus. "Tanner, take your new toy, grab some ammunition, and set up on the high platform and work your magic. I'm going grab a radio and let command that we've reached the objective and we are holding it down."

"Sir, yes sir!" Private Tanner replied.

"I'm going to set up in that AVAP and fend off enemy technicals and aerials." Spencer said informing the soldiers. The AVAP was the Anti-Vehicular/Aerial Platform. The dome was equipped with four 12.7 millimeter cannons for anti air, weapons raised from ninety degrees up to one hundred eighty, and rotated three hundred sixty degrees on its x-axis. The lower platform swiveled in a complete three hundred sixty degrees on its x-axis as well but was equipped with twin forty millimeter rocket pods.

Spencer's heads up display pulled up a few soldiers still alive that were trained with the AVAP. Two of them came up in particular: Private First Class David Greenly and Specialist Strauss Madsen.

"Greenly! Madsen!" barked Spencer somewhat in a hurry.

"Sir!" they both said standing at attention.

"Greenly you take the anti-vehicular platform of the AVAP, lock it at ninety degrees center. Move thirty degrees left and right, move freely if target is not in the line of sight. Madsen you are on ammunition detail. Monitor the counters, cycle and load the gear when we come close to running dry." Spencer ordered, explaining them of their current duty.

"Sir, yes sir!" said the two.

"We're at the fifty yard line folks." Spencer was referencing an old Earth sport that was popular in the 21st century. "Lets hold the line and push the enemy back. All drinks are on me once we live through this!" Spencer was trying his best to rally the troops on the spot. "Everyone else return to your original posts. C'mon move like we've got a purpose!" Barked Spencer. Everyone moved out. Tanner reached the top of the platform, Bartus already on the other side of the bridge, and Madsen was loading the AVAP while Greenly was in setting up the anti-vehicular platform. Sergeant Spencer radioed command.

"Sierra-105 to Command, we have made it to the objective. Currently holding position and are preparing to repel enemy forces. When is the ETA for the reinforcements?"

"This is command. Connecting you to Lieutenant General Petrovsky. Stand by." the radio operator said while connecting him to one of the members of high command.

"This is Lieutenant General Petrovsky, give me a sit-rep son."

"Sir we are holding position at checkpoint Z1A. The bridge is raised and we are preparing to repel enemy forces. Requesting an ETA on reinforcements sir."

"Son let me give you the load out of the current situation. Soldiers acquired a package for the Colonial R&D division. It is imperative that you hold that position so we can guarantee a safe passage back to base. Are we clear Sergeant?" the general asked.

"Sir, we are clear sir!" Spencer replied anxiously.

"Good to hear. I'm sending you the information on the carrier and the escorts. Plug in the friend or foe identification and give the enemies hell! Estimated time for arrival...ten minutes."

"Roger that General." Spencer said whilst setting up the IFF transponders.

"Command out."

"Alright men! We've got ten minutes till reinforcements arrive," the information Spencer received from the General seemed like sensitive information so he kept the Colonial arrivals as 'reinforcements'. "Hold the line till they arrive. Check your targets and give 'em hell!" Spencer was nervous about the 'package', most projects for Colonial R&D usually wind up in catastrophe.

Tanner zooms his rifle scope to eight times magnification. He sees a near massive enemy movement.

"Sarge I've got movement." Tanners says nervously.

"Let me hear it son."

"Four M12-APCs, two dozen four-man squads, 3 Gauss tanks, and ..." Tanner paused.

"Spit it out Private!"

"...What looks to be a modified B-83 Colonial bridge loader. They must have found out about raising the bridge sir!" Tanner replied with a worried tone.

"Roger that Private. Madsen! Tell the mortar crews to set up, arm with M67 Anti-Tank shells, and target the bridge loader and Gauss tanks."

"Yes sir." Madsen replied.

"Tanks first! Those Gauss cannons will rip us to shreds." Madsen understood. "Tanner, hold fire till about four hundred meters. Once they come in range, work your magic. Greenly, take out the APCs. Its very likely that they are carrying about a dozen or so soldiers each."

"Understood, spinning up and locking on now." Greenly replied in confidence.

"Sarge! Two more bogies. VTOL-47 Anansi class aircraft. Heavy weaponry." Tanner blurted out.

"Roger that Private!" replied Spencer.

This was it. The calm before the eye of the storm. Of course the orders and positions seemed like this was going to be executed easily. But anything can change, enemy numbers, mechanical failure, and death. As long as everyone kept their cool and did their job...they would all come out alive.

One of the VTOLs increased its speed while the other stayed behind protecting the bridge loader. The approaching VTOL was preparing for a strafe. Spencer targeted the incoming aircraft. Fired upon the aircraft. Using short controlled bursts. Rounds peppered and sprang off the aircraft's hull until he fired at the tail stabilizer and the port turbine. The craft dived, hitting the ground hard, and sliding to a stop about forty meters from the edge of the ravine. That could pose as a problem. While the VTOL was destroyed, it could pose as a threat, and that threat was cover for infantry.

"Tanner, take out as much infantry as possible, Greenly open fire on the APCs, and Madsen tell the motor teams that they have the green light to drop the pain on those tanks." No response was needed. The enemy was moving up, fast. Infantry began to drop like flies. Their sniper held the best position but was vulnerable being that he was and open shot. The motor teams slid the shells in the pipes and made a thud like noise as they shot out of the tubes. All three shells exploded midair. That was a problem. Madsen sighted the issue and it was their second Anansi. Spencer caught on, linked the cannons to fire simultaneously, and opened fire on the aircraft. The pilot didn't have time to react as a few of the rounds penetrated the cockpit windshield and killed the pilot almost instantly. The craft then immediately took a nose dive onto one of the enemy APCs. Both generated a large explosion. Spraying the field with shrapnel and killing a few of their own. Spencer chalked that one up for one of his many great take downs. "Alright motor teams! Let 'em have it!" The motor teams let off their shells once more. Each one hit their targets. Two if the tanks were destroyed. One was still operable. It couldn't move my the looks of it but the turret was still fully functioning. Spencer called the teams "Three confirmed hits. Two destroyed. One with a functioning turret. Lazing the target. Re-arm two tubes with high explosive MIRV shells and wait for my go." Spencer's next move was dangerous. He was waiting for the tank to charge is cannon. Hoping he the shells could cause more collateral damage to the enemy. He saw a faint blue shimmer in the tanks cannon barrel. "Fire!" cried Spencer. The shells shot out their tubes. The enemy infantry tried to out run the impending blast. Needless to say They did not succeed.

Now more than half the enemy opposition was depleted. Leaving about a dozen foot soldiers left including those in cover and three APCs. Tanner made quick work of the open infantry. Two of the three APCs held position and attempted to high tail it to their base. Greenly was dry and Madsen couldn't load due in part to a jam. This wasn't good but they need to stay focused. The bridge loader was still approaching and they still had encamped soldiers as well as hot rolling APC.

"Disregard the washouts men, focus at the task at hand!" Spencer screamed trying to keep the soldiers in check. "Morton teams, dial in on the bridge loader. Bartus, take a Javelin and target the last APC. And Tanner, laze a few meters behind the downed Anansi and signal one of the motor crews to take them out. We need them out of there pronto. I'm climbing out to assist with the AVAP repairs and suppressive fire." Everyone adjusted to their new orders.

The mortar teams hammered the bridge loader with shells. It wasn't doing much. Spencer and Madsen were doing everything they could to fix the AVAP jam. Bartus used the Javelin to make short work of the remaining APC. It went up like napalm in a jungle. He noticed that the mortars weren't doing much to damage the bridge loader. He re-armed the Javelin. He told the mortar teams to use low yield shells and focus on the enemies behind the downed aircraft. Madsen and Spencer cleared the jam in the AVAP. Madsen loaded up and gave Greenly the green light to engage the bridge loader. Everything came together like pieces of a puzzle after that. Combined bombardment by Greenly and Bartus left the loader in smoke. The mortar crews' low yield shells flushed the encamped enemies out giving Tanner the ability to shoot a couple stragglers. Everyone cheered. They survived hell. Spencer walked to the radio operators tent.

"Contact an air unit and tell them to target and eliminate two enemy M-12 Armored Personnel Carriers."

"Yes sir." replied the radio operator.

"And contact command. Tell them-" Spencer heard a roar of engine turbines and saw the dust kick up just outside the tent. "Strike my last just contact the nearest air unit." Spencer corrected himself. The operator nodded. Spencer stepped out of the tent. Two helos were hovered about fifty meters above him, protecting the DS-48 Drop Carrier. A platoon of ally soldiers marched out. Their commanding officer walked to Sergeant Spencer. He snapped to attention.

"Are you Sergeant First Class Coleman Spencer?" the officer inquired.

"Sir, yes sir!"

"Get aboard, take your men. You're going back to base. Your men will go rest, get some chow, whatever. Lieutenant General Petrovsky asked for you personally." the officer explained "Report there immediately. Got it? Good. Dismissed."

"Sir, yes sir!" Spencer was relieved. Avoided death twice and commanded a fine team and everything went without him losing more soldiers. Spencer clicked on his radio and spoke to his newly acquainted troops. "Tanner, Bartus, Madsen, Greenly...load up. We're heading back to base." Spencer did not want to remove everyone from the post. Just a select group of soldiers he could trust. Everyone loaded up. The drop ship lifted off and booked it to base. A long day was over. Won the fight. But Spencer knew deep down. That this was just the beginning.