Stuck In Hell

Posted on Wednesday 26 May 2021 @ 18:17 by Gunnery Sergeant Alexander Beck
Edited on on Wednesday 9 June 2021 @ 19:55

Mission: A Cry from the Darkness
Location: Sheol, Cardassian Military Colony.
Timeline: Year 2.5, Dominion War
1046 words - 2.1 OF Standard Post Measure

Beck lay in his hide, waiting. It had been a week since that first fatal ambush on his platoon. In that time they had lost three more Marines, including the Lieutenant, who had taken his own life rather than slow them down. Gramps was now permanently in command of the unit, at least until they were extracted. And that didn't look to be a possibility for a while.

Their mission had not been one of combating the enemy. Starfleet Intelligence had heard rumors of a new offensive by the Cardassian 15th Order, a joint fleet/ground forces operation that supposedly was being staged here on Sheol. Beck's platoon had been assigned to observe and report troop concentrations, movements, exercises, and report back to Starfleet.

Of course, the mission had gone to hell.

The first day they had been on the ground they'd been spotted by a Dominion patrol. Now the enemy knew they were here. And yes, the troops pursuing them were from the 15th Order. On several Cardassian bodies the Marines had spotted the unit's insignia. So now there was no doubt that the 15th was here. Now they were in it. They couldn't run. No ship in orbit to pull them out. They couldn't hide, because there were literally thousands of troops to search for them. And they couldn't even call for help. The emergency comms system had been destroyed in the first ambush.

"Reaper, Gramps. " he heard in his earpiece.

"Gramps, Reaper, go ahead. " he responded.

"Just checking in. How you doing up there? " asked Gunnery Sergeant Palmer, the platoon sergeant who was now in command.

"I'm just peachy, Gramps. It's nice and toasty up here. " Beck responded.

"Don't get too comfortable. You know they'll spot us again and we'll have to move. " said Gramps. Truthfully, they'd be moving before long anyway. It was a bad idea to stay in one spot, no matter how defensible, when there was a planet full of enemy ground troops out for your blood.

"What's the plan? " asked Beck.

"I've got Nutjob and Turk out looking for a new rally point. " Gramps responded. Beck nodded approvingly. Private Zach "Nutjob" Sanders and Corporal Kevin "Turk" Reed were the battalion's two best scouts. Even the Jem'Hadar had trouble finding them in the field. They'd proven that time and again over the last week.

It wouldn't matter in the long run. They were stuck here. Morale was pretty low, even for Marines. But Beck wouldn't say that. Gramps already knew. He was the most experienced Marine in the company, having fought in many engagements.

Suddenly Beck heard shots ring out, and screaming.

"Gramps, Post Two! We've got Jem'Hadar testing the perimeter! " someone yelled.

"Roger that, Post Two! Hang tight, we're sending help! " Gramps responded. Beck panned his rifle over to where Post Two was. He sighted in on a Jem'Hadar soldier and fired. THen he took another.

"Reaper, Post Two! We've got Jemmies in the wire! Keep it coming! " yelled the NCO at Post Two.

"Copy that, Post Two. Got your back. " said Beck, keeping his voice calm. A moment later he heard a loud WHOOSH! as someone fired a proton missile launcher. Designed as an anti-vehicle weapon, it wasn't normally used against ground troops, but desperate situations called for desperate measures. It was probably Mongo. PFC Heath "Mongo" Gaspard was a heavy weapons specialist, and was always wanting to fire the big toys.

"Dammit, Mongo! " Gramps yelled.

"Sorry Gunny! Only weapon I had close! " Mongo repsonded as Beck saw him drop the tube and grab a phaser rifle and start firing. Beck grinned. Sure it was, Mongo, he thought.

"They're inside! " he heard someone yell. Beck could see what he was talking about. Jem'Hadar and Cardassian ground troops were pouring into the perimeter the Marines had established.

"Gramps, Reaper. They're all over the place. Recommend you withdraw. I'll cover you from here. " he said.

"Not going to leave you out here hanging. " said Gramps.

"Don't worry about me, Gramps. I'll vanish once you're clear. You gotta get out of there now. There's too many of them. " said Beck. There was silence for a moment on the comms.

"Gramps to all hands! Fall back! Clear the area and rally on me when you're out! " Palmer said a moment later. Silently, Beck began doing his thing yet again, taking targets from long range.

SEVERAL HOURS LATER, RALLY POINT ZULU

Rally Point Zulu had been found by Turk. The wiry scout had remained there and activated his beacon, risky because while they were extremely difficult to track, the Jem'Hadar had shown a knack for locating them. The platoon had homed in on him. Nutjob hadn't been located. Repeated attempts to contact him had failed. They now assumed he'd been taken by enemy troops.

In addition to his loss, they'd lost another four Marines in the withdrawal. There were several fire teams out in the jungles looking for them. If they were found, they'd be returned. If they were dead, they'd be buried, the locations marked on the tactical map so they could be retrieved later. Beck looked around for a good vantage point. There wasn't much here. Plenty of cover on the ground but not much high ground, and that was wide open.

"Reaper. " he heard Gramps say behind him. Beck turned. The grizzled old Marine looked exhausted.

"You need to sleep, Gunny. " said Beck.

"I'll grab a few hours. You eat? " asked Gramps. Beck nodded.

"Good. Your skill set isn't much use here. For the night I want you to take over 2-3 for the night. Their fire team leader's missing. " said Gramps. Beck nodded. 2-3 was Second Squad, Third Fire Team.

"Just for the night? " asked Beck. Gramps nodded.

"If their team leader hasn't been found by morning I'll disperse them around the rest of the platoon. I don't want to give up hope on her yet. " said Gramps.

"You got it, Gunny. I'll handle it. Now get your old butt into your fart sack. We'll manage for a few hours. " said Beck.

Palmer nodded, clapped Beck on his shoulder, and walked off in search of his sleeping bag.

END LOG

((>>> Gunnery Sergeant Alexander Beck
Marine Sniper
USS Merlin