Best laid plans...or are they?

Posted on Mon Aug 7, 2017 @ 1:46pm by Lieutenant Colonel S'er'in'e & Major Kasia S'er'in'e & 2nd Lieutenant Gage Aravan

Mission: Strange Matter
Location: U.S.S. Victorious
Timeline: MD 27: 13:00hrs

S'er'in'e had gone over the brief twice more, he had scores of PADD's on his desk some of which held notes, others ideas. Even wall mounted consoles had ideas, half baked thoughts and notes he wanted to remember as possibly important.

The age old adage that a best laid plan seldom survives contact with the enemy was one that had a few times kept him alive. He knew he could plan as best he could, even after the briefing he gave the Major and Lieutenant he went back to see if he'd missed anything, anything he could do differently but the nagging feeling that until feet were on the ground, there were too many unknowns to set a clear and certain path.

The plan he'd already outlined was sound, for what they knew right now and the information they had. The ability to be flexible, adapt to a changing situation was key especially if they were to leave a zero presence footprint.

=^= Major Petrova, Lt Aravan, assemble the troops. It's time they found out what they were being thrown into. =^=

With facilities on board the vessel limited in vast comparison to the Triumphant a single room had to do, because there were no holographic systems available S'er'in'e decided issue PADDs, all linked to his own which he was detail his plan so far and they could observe in real time what he was thinking.

Gage went to issue orders to the fire team leaders to get their fire squad teams together and meet in Cargo Bay One since it was the largest room on the ship that could hold everyone, then tapped his combadge. =^=Everyone is assembling in Cargo Bay One, Colonel.=^=

S'er'in'e less than a minute later walked into the Cargo Bay, the first and most obvious noticeable difference was that instead of his snow white fur with black streaks was now a molted green. It was not the first time he had to camouflage what he was to blend in to a situation he found himself in. As long as it returned to its natural white at the end of things, he was fine with it.

"There are no doubt many with questions, I also know that it comes with the profession we are in that last minute deployments happen." S'er'in'e opened. "Our mission tasking is the rescue of two family members of a political figure, his Mate and Daughter." Using his PADD he sent both pictures to the PADDs of everyone else. Everyone needed to commit to memory what these two individuals looked like.

"They are being used as political leverage and our information indicates they are being held here." S'er'in'e shrunk the size of the photos towards the top corner, still visible but not taking up the whole screen which now displayed a topographical map of the region. "As you can see the AO has a variety of terrain varieties. We will use this to our advantage where possible."

He paused to let the information sink in, the images be observed and remembered. "Information on the compound is limited so we will conduct our own recon and observation for a period of 24 hours using visual, drone and passive sensors. We will mark patrol routes, guard rotations, weapons, defensive positions and assets. Be advised that we have been asked to capture if possible hostiles targets for justice purposes, but if doing so poses additional risk then eliminate instead."

"This mission is a zero footprint operation. We leave nothing behind to indicate our presence. Once hostages have been rescued we will destroy the compound and vacate the area by following this river for a few kilometers so expect to get wet feet. Should the hostages be injured then we will rotate carrying them between us. Are there any questions so far?"

Kasia, who already knew what their objective was, stood off to the side with her arms crossed. She looked at the faces of those present and contemplated what they were going in to. This had all the potential in the galaxy to be extremely dangerous, but none of them ever backed down. They'd faced a lot in the past, and would continue to do so as the future progressed. Fire fights, explosions, and everything in between, and some of them... like herself... had nearly died from injuries they'd sustained. Still, though, every last one of them knew what they signed up for the moment they joined the Marines.

"What formations do you want the fire teams in, Colonel?" Gage asked.

"In light of the spread out nature the teams will be in, I will leave that up to team leaders. We know where the target is, our location however will be the variable." S'er'in'e changed the view to the map full screen. "During the cover of night, Lt.Aravans team will position themselves in the treeline to the west. If possible I'd like the teams best marksman to scale part of the cliff face and provide TR116 overwatch and observation. Eyes open for a suitable concealed location." S'er'in'e looked at the Lieutenant knowing he could leave the finer details in the mans capable hands. "From there you should be able to see if there is a shuttle or sub orbital transport that we need to disable."

"Major Petrova's team will be positioned here. To the South East. This puts them within striking distance of the compound but also in a position to head off any retreat and/or secure possible water based escape vehicles that the enemy may use."

"My team will be positioned to the South West. With the cliffs to the West and North escape on foot by these readings is impossible without sub orbital craft leaving South and the river." S'er'in'e zoomed the map to around the compound. "We do not know what defences they have, if they have mined the area or otherwise. From the elevated position Lt. Aravan's overwatch will check for disturbed ground. We will use drones as well to check the immediate area as well as any potential back doors and alternative entry/exit points."

S'er'in'e paused for a moment. "We have a mission to do but the information we have is limited, I know we are all trained and capable to pull this off but I won't risk the lives of my marines because I didn't take the time to get intelligence. We observe the enemy, record them, report and then act. Orders may change later on so be prepared for that based on what we learn. Anything else?"

"One thing we do, Colonel, is prepare for anything as best we can," Kasia said. "There is nothing else from me except to speak with my team once we have concluded here. They know what I expect from them, just as I know what they expect out of me. We'll make this happen."

"No, Sir," Gage said.

"Very well then, prepare the teams, get something to eat and rest. This will be the last chance you will get a choice in how much of both before we deploy." S'er'in'e concluded. "Dismissed."