ONI Black Ops Part Nine
Posted By: Havok<Tactical_Havok@hotmail.com>
Date: 28 May 2003, 9:00 PM
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The drop ship plunged toward the ground at a startling rate. The atmosphere buffeted the ship, knocking the scientists around and knocking loose some of the equipment that had been securely fastened only moments before. One crate shook loose and landed in the lap of one of the scientists, crushing his pelvis. He cried out in pain as he quickly slipped into shock.
The ship slowed slightly, leveled out and the shaking stopped. Several scientists got out of their seats and muscled the crate off of the victim. One woman administered a sedative and pain suppressant. The wounded scientist was laid out on the floor.
No sooner had the man's cries of pain stopped then the drop ship took a heavy plasma round through the left engine. The turbine coughed and died, sending the ship into a flat spin that drove the crew and passengers alike into unconsciousness.
Vladimir awoke with a dull throbbing pain in his head. He froze and waved his hands in front of him as he realized that he could not see. No. Wait a minute. He struggled to open his eyes and looked around. A marine corpsman was peering into Vladimir's face with concern.
"All you all right sir?" the worried medic asked.
"Mmph. Yes...yes I'm fine." Vladimir mumbled. His mouth hurt. He struggled to sit up and looked around. Around him in a large depression was the mangled debris of his ride down to the surface. Other scientists were being helped to their feet or carried away on stretchers.
Vladimir stumbled over to Dietrich, who was sitting on a rock with a towel draped over his shoulders. "Are you all right Dietrich?" he asked, unsure. The man had a far off dazed look in his eyes.
The old man looked up eyes unfocused. "Is that you Vladimir?" his eyes finally focused on Vladimir's face, and his sharp features softened into something resembling a smile. "Yes. It is you."
A medic came over and helped Dietrich onto a stretcher. He was carried away to the infirmary.
Vladimir turned to the corpsman standing behind him. "What happened?' he asked
The man's face became grim. "Sir, your drop ship took a fuel rod shot through the left wing. The pilots were knocked unconscious and you crashed. Four scientists were killed. The crew was killed also. I'm sorry sir."
Vladimir stared out at the wreckage. How? Why? Of the all drop ships in the entire galaxy, why this one, carrying some of the brightest minds humanity had? Vladimir was not a religious man, but seeing this made him angry, and he cursed whatever being was watching over them.
The able bodied scientists were escorted to a prefab barracks, where they fell fast asleep, completely drained from the day's events. The five scientists requiring surgery were shuttled back up to the Archangel, where they got much needed medical attention.
* * * *
Vladimir woke from a very troubled sleep. In his dreams, he had relived the crash a thousand times. He felt depleted, mentally drained. He shuffled to the bathrooms. He got into a prefabricated shower stall and vigorously rubbed the sleep out of his body. He dried himself off and dressed. Feeling somewhat better, he walked to the command center.
Dietrich was already there, staring at the multitude of screens. He looked considerably better than yesterday. Vladimir said a round of hellos to the men in the room, the approached Dietrich's side and turned his attention to the screens as well.
A dozen firefights were in progress. Marine casualties were light, Vladimir took some pleasure in noting. The third armored battalion was moving to take the covenant population center thirty miles away.
"Today we are going to begin the first operational test of MJOLNIR II." Dietrich had turned to face Vladimir.
"So soon after the crash?" Vladimir blurted, knowing that it would have been his decision also.
"Yes. We must get our minds off of the events of yesterday and focus on the operation today." Dietrich said, though Vladimir could see in his eyes that he mourned for those lost, probably more than he did.
As if on cue, the Master Chief entered the room, where he promptly stood to attention and saluted. "Master Chief 117 reporting as ordered, sir." He barked to the general up on the platform in the center of the room.
General McPherson returned the soldier's solute. "At ease, master chief. If you will follow Mr. Dietrich, he will get you suited up and ready for today's test."
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