The Coalition Connection, Kushova

Coalition Marines


"Sergeant, these your kids?" The man questioned lightly, drawing a white finger across the small photograph. A beautiful wife, light blonde hair, and several children occupied the small frame. A tall, built man held onto his sons shoulder proudly, drabbed in Coalition BDU's flanked the three children on the right, while the attractive woman wrapped a spindly hand around her daughters neck. The three children smiled brightly, one already flashing the metallic hue of braces while the other two seemed far too young to be any older than ten. The oldest, in the middle, held his arms behind him and spread his feet, as if attempting to reenact a pose a soldier or officer would make when taking a picture at the Academy.
"Yes sir." The Sergeant returned, he had to almost yell over the growl of the Aruka's dual engines. The man looked around the bay, which was populated by the sleepy and rather bland eight man squad of Coalition Marines. He leaned backwards, and handed the picture back to the Sergeant that sat beside him; one hand raising to fidget with his SEV-TEK Ballistic Armor quietly before dropping to his side once again.
"How longsit' been since ya' seen 'em, Sergeant?" He questioned politely, a hand falling behind his neck to scratch an annoying twitch while the Sergeant packed away the photo of his family. The man stared blankly toward the Sergeant as he ran a finger through several days of growth across his chin, the loud wail of the Aruka's engines obviously distracting the Sergeant, who was awoken from his suspected 'Day of R&R', several hours ago.
"Gee, Kernel, I know I haven't seen up in at least two and a half years." He returned, a soft pang of sadness perspiring through his voice as he spoke. The Colonel furrowed his brow and looked toward his feet in pity, and leaned backwards against the metallic rigging of the Aruka's bay.
"That's a shame, Sergeant. Great looking family. Beautiful wife and kids." He complimented, trying his best as the Sergeant shook his head side to side. The Colonel ended his sentence abruptly as he did so, and looked forward. Several seconds of raw silence amongst the eight man team was shattered as the co-pilot activated a small speaker nestled into the ceiling of the Aruka.
"Kernel Vasek, we're preparing for our approach on the site. Touch down in ten, Marines." The Co-Pilot ended his words rapidly, the Aruka tilting downwards and the Colonel shifting in place as the Sergeant hefted his MR-17 from between his legs, putting the weapon sideways and bracing it against his chest.
"Alright Echo, secure the Kernel and get him to the contact." The Sergeant ordered, several grunts of recognition escaping some Marines in the bay as they stood to their feet, shouldering a variety of small and large firearms. Two of the Coalition Marines gripped M56 Lashkav CQCW's with MR-17's slung around their backs, while a Marine nearby hefted a modified CAR-49. The Sergeant stepped forward and offered the Colonel an M56 he had plucked from a sack in the Aruka, the Colonel looked down at the weapon and wrapped his fleshy hand around it, the small frame of the weapon easily fighting into his grip.


"You're dropping heavy, Marines." The speaker roared as the rear-tracks of the Aruka smacked against the ground with a loud clink, the first two Marines stepped forward with their weapons hefted across their shoulders. The Colonel followed suit quickly while the remaining Marines tagged behind, dust scattered across the large field the Aruka kicking up severed strains and smashing twigs through the air with it's engine wash. The Colonel pivoted his head as the Aruka began to ascend into the air, the sunlight eclipsing it before the Aruka pulled backwards and jetted back the direction it had arrived from. The Coalition Marines quickly fanned out, the eight men forming a botched circle around the Colonel as he took several steps forward. From the sky, the landing zone was situated next to a small winding creek that flooded into a larger river, clipping the knoll on the sides before rolling down a small face into the river. A boathouse could be seen situated against the banks, but it looked old and forgotten. Much of the places on Kushova had been forgotten, or had fallen to the misfortune of ill-care, and this area was no different. The Colonel ushered several of the Marines back, and they responded to the command.
"Alright ... Where is this guy." The Colonel grunted, his voice low and guttural as he spat onto the grassy ground beneath him, the Lashkav falling to his side as he scanned a small forest line some meters away.




In Orbit


The deep, glowing hue of the screen lit the small Operations Room with a single sliver of light. Blackness surrounded the men and women that worked endlessly in this environment, the darkness really did make things that much better. A proud Lieutenant held his arms behind his back, one hand grasping the wrist of the other and locking his appendages behind himself as he watched his subordinates work before him. Several soft sighs, or coughs, could cause the Lieutenant to crack his head to the direction from whence it originated, and give a quick scowl before returning to gaze at the screen. Information flooded across the large holographic curtain laid across the farthest wall.
"Lieutenant Sarko, we have confirmation on Colonel Vasek." A woman said, pulling herself away from her screen to look back to the Lieutenant; who smiled politely at the words.
"Understood, Junior Lieutenant, keep me updated on the Kernels position." He returned, before pulling himself away from the small pit where the officers operated and stepping up a parallel staircase, looking to another Lieutenant who was observing the operations.
"If the Captain of the Platform new of this, he wouldn't be pleased." Was all that was heard from the man as he gripped the railings with two hands.
"Counter Balance is in complete control of the operation, Lieutenant Savage. Those our all our men down there." He returned as he stood by his side.
"Good, Lieutenant."