A soldier and a tag-along.

[Darkjak87]

It was a quiet day in the Wastelands outside Haven City. The particular section in mind was approximately ten miles southeast of the city, and most wouldn't pay it a second glance. However, Krimzon Guard Recon had determined the existence of a large Metal Head encampment. Most of the KG leaders believe that the Metal Head camp is an outpost, there to be the eyes of any potential Metal Head assault. Haven City was already weakening by the day, what with the shortage of eco and increasing Metal Head attacks on mining operations. An outpost of this nature could not be allowed to exist. It was a fairly large camp, with an estimated 150 Metal Head troops in the camp and the area around it. Small enough for an attack by a KG company, at least. However, with eco so short in supply, such an assault would be completely impractical. Any successful assault would require air support, and maybe even Triks. Both were in short supply, with fuel difficult to come by. So what was the solution to such a predicament? A Special Operations strike team of course.

Zrion sat quietly in the transport, gazing out the window at the desert sweeping by below them. It was an unusually cool day in the Wasteland, only 101 degrees. Not exactly cold, but compared to the usual temperatures it was a chilly day. If they died today, it wouldn't be because of the weather. So, another mission for the Special Operations Zrion thought. Ever since that failed assault on the next, the KG has been too weak to do much else than patrol the city. They've left us to do their dirty work elsewhere, mostly. Zrion felt the typical nervousness, excitement, and let's not forget adrenaline as he thought of the upcoming battle. With 16 special operations soldiers en route to that camp, KG Command wasn't taking any chances in this fight. Other than the attack on the nest itself, this was the single largest operation that Special Operations had taken part in. Although 16 men did not sound like much, anyone who had seen them fight would understand the difference.

So here he sat, in the black transport craft flying at over 400 KPH towards their destination. About 50 meters to their right, a second transport ship flew, carrying an identical complement of soldiers. Zrion was one of the eight soldiers that made up First Squad. The squad leader, to be exact. He had little doubt that they would crush the Metal Head encampment, but he was worried about who would come back, and who would not. Every one of those men with him was like a brother to him, and he would regret the loss of a single soldier.

His train of thought was broken abruptly, as the pilot spoke. "Alright, LZ looks clear! I'm bringing us down!" Zrion nodded slightly, and pulled the bolt back on his AK-47 rifle. He felt the typical lightness of his stomach, as the craft began to rapidly descend. When it stopped, the rear door slid down, paving the way to the battle. "Go go go!" Zrion said. The eight men in the transport thundered down the ramp, and out into the desert. Despite the Pilot's assurances of a safe landing zone, the soldiers all swept the area with their rifles, making sure there were no enemies in sight. After verifying that there were none, they relaxed slightly. In the corner of his eye, Zrion saw Second Squad performing similar actions. Zrion didn't even look back, as the engines on the two transport ships roared, and they shot into the air and back towards Haven. The two squads moved until they stood close by. "Alright men, you know why we're here!" Zrion said in a firm voice. "Metal Head outpost, 150 enemy contacts. We're going to hit them from two sides; First squad will take the south end of the camp, while Second will take the west. Knowing Metal Heads, they'll go for whoever is closest, and they aren't smart enough to try a flanking maneuver. They'll throw everything they have at us until they're dead. There might be an armored beast or two, but that's what we've got the RPGs for." Zrion exchanged a glance with each one of the four soldiers that carried an RPG. "Alright, move out! Column formation!" With adrenaline pumping through his veins, Zrion took point for first squad, and the both of them began to get in position.

[chetafox]

Eli stepped out of the transport craft just behind the last of the soldiers. He bit his lip, feeling just a little twitchy. It was the Boss's idea to have him come with them. Said it would help him get a feel of what might come as he got older.
Chances were, Eli wouldn't be a runner forever. He'd have to be useful in other ways, too. Combat. Infiltration.
The boy swallowed nervously, keeping his mouth shut. Best not to speak out of place. Too many times had he been disciplined for speaking out of turn.
He would just stand at attention and wait for his orders to be given. He fell into line behind the others getting into formation, trying to keep himself low and unnoticed, out of the way.
Adrenaline coursed through his veins, but for a different reason than all of these soldiers. Fear. He was terrified. Never before had he been sent out into the field like this. It was always just small odd-jobs. Run errands. Relay messages. Nothing like this.[/size]

[Darkjak87]

Zrion was leading first squad directly ahead of the landing zone. They were double timing it quickly, to the tall sand dune that shielded them from view, but allowed a good view of the camp below them. Second squad had branched off and headed left, to get to their own destination. The two squads, when ready, would be approximately 200 meters apart, but in a perfect position to assault the camp. Zrion and his men arrived, and they quickly dropped down to their stomachs. They wiggled their way forward until they were just below the top of the sand dune, and they stopped moving. Zrion brought his arm up, and pressed the button on the side of his helmet. "Second squad, are you in position, over?"

"Nearly First Squad. We're at the base and moving up slowly. We've encountered no enemies so far, and we still have the advantage of surprise, over." The radio went silent for two more minutes, before Second Squad spoke again. "Alright we're in position and getting our machine gunner in position as we speak. You should do the same if you haven't already, sir, over.

Zrion cut the connection, and turned to the squad. One squad, on each of the two sides, had a single machine gunner. He carried an M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, chambered for 5.56x45mm armor-piercing ammunition. The high rate of fire, long effective range, low recoil, and armor piercing rounds would ensure maximum effectiveness for the men as they assaulted the camp. If the position of a machine gunner was compromised, his weapon was light enough to allow him to use it in normal combat. It was all planned out.

Zrion returned his attention to the machine gunner, who was setting up his machine gun. He watched as the man extended the bi-pod, and positioned the weapon at the top of the dune, allowing the gunner an excellent view of the camp. Once the machine-gunners had started firing, the two squads would charge over the dune, and commence the assault. The bulk of the infantry would be shooting, but the RPG men would each fire a single rocket at the camp, before switching back to their firearms to conserve rockets. After that, it was kill or be killed.

The machine gun was set up, and the gunner was in position. The man gave a slight nod to Zrion, showing he was ready. He activated his radio. "Zrion to all units, we're ready to begin the assault. All soldiers, through a stun grenade and charge over the hill." Zrion reached down to his belt, and pulled off a Stun Grenade. He unpinned it, and threw it as hard as he could over the hill. All the other soldiers had done likewise. It took a moment, but eventually a deafening noise filled the area, as the Metal Heads beneath were surprised and disoriented by a blinding flash of light and extremely loud noise. Zrion clutched his rifle, and with a deafening noise that was a mixture of battle cries, boot steps, machine gun fire, and the deafening noise of 16 stun grenades going off at once, the men charged over the hill, firing their weapons into the purplish black ocean of Metal Heads.

Many of the beasts had already fallen, under the hail of deadly gunfire. But their casualty rate had shot up even more, as four rockets shot forward from various areas, and hit their mass at various places. Accordingly, four holes were blasted into their army, with over 50 Metal Heads dying at once. However, after that, it was back to shooting them. Although the Special Operations men had gained a massive advantage initially, it was slipping away beneath them as the Stun Grenades' effect wore off, and the Metal Heads were beginning to recover from the blatant surprise of the attack. Now, they were rushing in groups at the men in increasingly greater numbers. The two squads were now holding their position about 10 meters in front of the dune. Now they were shooting down Metal Head charges by the minute. Although seeming to be winning, it was actually a stalemate, as Zrion could see more of them coming out of his Peripheral vision. This was going to take a while...