by Russell Mcnay

Created on: December 24, 2011

Marine Staff Sergent James Vord glanced around the interior of the dropship. His troops were ready to fight and so was he. He smiled at that since he had trained them well. He was proud of them. He leaned back against his supports in the dropship and waited it to touch down. The loud sound of the dropship's forward guns roared through his ears. He felt someone tugging on his left arm. He turned and saw Corporal Vaceti looking worried. "Whats the matter, Corporal? Scared?" He asked. Vaceti frowned, her blonde hair slightly loose despite having been tucked into her helmet. "No sir. I am a marine sir." She said, doubtfully. James grinned at her. "Marine, we eat fear for breakfast. All of us feel fear, but we do our duty. Focus on the mission and you won't remember being afraid." He said. Corporal Vaceti looked more assured. James turned back to check his rifle and ammunition, making sure it was easy to access.

At 200 Meters from the ground, the dropship came in low and started slowing down. A buzz sounded. James leapt out of his restraints and moved to the drop lines. He tapped the officer there twice then pointed at the door. The officer pulled the door open and the rush of wind flying past the dropship came roaring in. "Secure your lines and jump!" James called back to his troops. Vacetti was first in line and attached the clip holding her line to the dropship's jump cable. Taking a deep breath, she throw herself out the open door and starting firing her rifle as she went down with her line feeding out behind her. James quickly motioned for the others to follow suit then jumped out last. He felt the line tugging at his back, slowing his descent until his feet touched ground. There, he jerked off the line pack and brought his rifle up, panning it around. He noted his troops positions then tapped his heads-up-display, selecting his map. He studied it then made his decision. "Squad, prepare to move out. Destination, RV Point Alpha. Sweeper formation. Deploy!" He ordered. His marines moved into a formation similar to a five-fingered hand that was held open with the fingers stretched out. The marines moved quickly forward, their rifles at the ready. James moved forward as well with Corporal Vaceti by his side.

As the marines moved through the underbrush, James periodically sent a pair of them ahead to scout. Soon, it was getting on towards night and so James called a halt. He had his marines set up defensive positions and then compared notes with his squad leaders.

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