229 Operation Freedom (1/2)
Draco Air Base, Training Hanger Three
Private Slow held on to a yellow strap that was hooked to a cable overhead as he stood in a queue behind several of his platoon mates. ”30 SECONDS!” The Platoon Sergeant yelled and everyone echoed after him. ”Standby!”
An overhead red light switched to green followed by a buzzer and the Platoon Sergeant yelled, ”GO GO GO!”
The first man walked out of the wooden frame door and hopped off the platform, before moving out of the way for the next person behind him. Slow shuffled up as his platoon mates in front of him hoped off the platform one by one.
When his turn came, the Sergeant gathered the yellow static line and Slow hopped off and landed on the ground before he gathered next to the rest of his platoon.
The weeks long exercises had started off with lectures and videos on parachuting off an aircraft before moving on practical motions like what Slow and his platoon was doing. They had been practicing hopping off a fake aircraft hatch to doing jumps off a tall platform similar to a fly fox zip line to how to do a landing by rolling on the wet ground as the snow melts.
Slow heard from the Sergeants that once the weather clears up, they will move on to doing real jumps off an airplane! Slow had nearly panicked when he stood on the top of the several stories high platform and the hooman Corporals screamed and yelled in his ear to jump.
He had closed his eyes and leaped off the platform, and felt his heart at his throat before the sudden jerk of his harness against the zip line nearly made him bite his tongue. The first jump was scary but the following other jumps, he actually found it quite fun and thrilling zipping down the line!
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Master Sergeant Pike stood at the side with Major Frank observing the men training for the parachute wings. ”What do you think?” Frank asked.
”Looks good so far, but it's only practical,” Pike replied. ”But I say they should be ready to do their first jump next week.”
Frank nodded, ”Once 2nd Battalion finishes their training, start on 1st Battalion. 3rd Battalion we will leave it to the last.”
”So it's confirmed? You are using the 2nd to hit Orwell's Point?” Pike asked.
”Yes, 2nd will take point on the attack, 1st Battalion will be on standby, while 3rd will hold the fort back home,” Frank confirmed.
”Damn, we need more troops,” Pike shook his head. ”Two thirds of our troops committed to an attack, and with spring here soon in a couple of weeks, those damn feral goblins will be raging all over the place.”
Frank smiled, ”We are way better than before now that all workers at the outposts are required to be trained and part of the LDF or Local Defense Force.”
”They can hold off the goblins easily behind fixed defenses and mortar support, till the Airforce comes in with air support,” Frank said. ”The 3rd will act as the hammer while the LDF acts as the anvil.”
”You saw their performance,” Frank pointed out. ”They can do it.”
Pike nodded grudgingly, ”Those LDF troops might not be crack troops on the field but yeah, they should be able to hold their own till support comes.”
”We won't have to worry so much about the homefront,” Frank continued. ”I only worry about the 2nd not able to take over Orwell's Point before the rivers are open for the Empire boats to be used.”
The rivers leading to the inland sea from the Empire would normally be frozen or the water levels drop below safe depths for their river barges and ships to travel. Once winter ended and spring comes, the melting ice in the mountains and surroundings will raise the water levels of the rivers and open the channels for ships to travel.
The plan was for the 2nd Battalion to air drop in 20 km away from Orwell's Point at the open plains and once the whole 2nd Battalion has landed, they will move in to capture Orwell's Point before the river recovers.
This will ensure that no ships from the Empire will arrive till the 2nd Battalion was well established and dug in in the city and also no news of the attack could travel by ship back to the Empire. The attack will be in complete surprise to the enemy and any ships coming down to Orwell's Point will have both the ship, crew, and cargo seized and impounded by the 2nd.
The next phase would be 1st Battalion reinforcing the city if needed via the float planes which will land on the docks with supplies too and the planes will return with slaves who are willing to work under the UNM.
The Air force will also be sending Blue Thunder and Rastraz along but they will travel at a slower pace as they will be carrying extra equipment along for the Marines. The dragons will take the role of observers and reconnaissance duties for the Marines on the ground.
The logistic of this operation normally would be easy to handle back on Earth. But with limited air capacity and lack of proper roads, it became a challenge for Quartermaster Chen who was ensuring his team has calculated the weight of every equipment to bullets to fit onboard the aircraft!
”Three combat companies and one support company,” Frank said. ”Think they can handle anything that comes their way?”
”Sir, I personally trained these men,” Pike proudly declared. ”I can ensure they will take Orwell's Point without any trouble!”
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The cold air of winter slowly gotten replaced by the warmer air currents that swept in from the east. The dull grey cloud skies were no longer seen as the clouds dispersed and the striking clear blue skies revealed themselves once more.
The heavy droning roar of engines resonated deep into the very bones of Slow as he sat on the edge of the seat. His bulky fieldpack hang at his knees and on his chest sat a reserve chute while the main parachute sat on his back.
The men's M1 Magelock were secured snugly against their belly just below the reserve chute. The buttstock of the weapons was removed and kept in one of their pouches. While for Slow, his MG-1 was stored with his ASAG, Asagi, and he only had a revolver strapped to his thigh. On his sides, sat other men of his section, shorter by more than a head to him as some of them dozed away or exchanged nervous jokes.
Slow tried to sleep but the constant drone of the engines made him hard to fall asleep so indeed he sat there and listened to the batter between his section mates. Suddenly a buzzer buzzed and the interior of the modified FB - 1 Mariner glowed red.
”MAKE READY!” The Platoon Sergeant roared over the drones of the engines. ”10 MINUTES!” He held up ten fingers.
The men roused themselves up, and those asleep were jolt awake. ”STAND UP!”
The troops lumbered to their feet as they were heavily burdened down by equipment and gear. ”HOOK UP!” The Sergeant made a hooking gesture with his finger.
Slow reach over and snapped his static line to the overhead cable.
”EQUIPMENT CHECK!” He patted his harness as he yelled.
The men including Slow double checked their gear and harnesses, making sure their buckles and straps were properly locked and in place before checking the backs of their buddies before them.
”SOUND OFF FOR EQUIPMENT CHECK!”