Jarheads: Chapter 2

hns194 · Post by **hns194** » Tue, 6. Apr 10, 06:36

The actually story will be coming soon, maybe Wednesday. Moving on I will be introducing some XSP ships. The following may be downloaded from here: http://forum.egosoft.com/viewtopic.php?t=274276

The ships:

USS Hannibal M7
USS Hannibal 2 TL
USS Patton M1
USS Patton 2 M2
USS Grant M6
USS McAllister M6
Hawkbs's Celestra from BSG TL

These ships are going to represent a new line of assault ships to be used by the Marines and will be named with a 3 character faction identifaction code.

Ex.

AMC = Argon Marine Corp
ATC = Argon Transport Command
AFC = Argon Fighter Command
ACG = Argon Coast Gaurd

Also will be doing a ship commander's perspective so I need crews to man ships.Get those character submissions going!

WEIRDANIMATOR · Post by **WEIRDANIMATOR** » Fri, 9. Apr 10, 02:27

Been very impressed thus far, i dont have a clue ware your going with this plot. Just the way i like it

keep it up.

I'm a bit out of ideas when it comes to characters at the moment but i'll share one of my favourite quotes. Said by Greek writer Euripides, "Question everything"

When writing my favourite question is "what if?"
Wont be much help with characters but i hope its as much help to you as it is to me with plotlines.
Dont forget that some of your marines could be women. I know its hard for us guys to write from a woman's perspective but it can add a great deal of depth to a storyline.

hns194 · Post by **hns194** » Fri, 9. Apr 10, 06:15

Log #1, Sergeant Derek Gardan, 22 February 769

Exactly one year ago the men of the 5th Federal Marine Division, and myself, performed a combat landing on the Split planet Chi'tch in the Thuruk's Beard system. We underestimated the enemy forces and as a result, suffered heavy casualties. As a result of our incorrect intelligence the Argon Navy had withdraw due to a large Split Carrier Group. But it was not a defeat, the Split put one of only five carrier groups in orbit; Therefore, the Navy was able to punch through to the Split's core sectors.

This left the 5th FMD stranded on-planet. We suffered intense casualties. Not just from enemy patrols, but from disease and starvation. Almost two months later the Argon Colossus “Saratoga” was able to perform a P2P jump into low orbit, and evacuate us. Due to my actions planet-side I was awarded the Navy Cross. The second highest award possible to receive.

Due to the heavy casualties the 5th FMD was disbanded and remaining men transferred to other units. The Navy has been pushed out of the core Split sectors, but skirmishes still happen daily. My new unit the 1st Federal Marine Division has been recalled to Omicron Lyrae. Scuttlebutt is that we're preparing for a joint op with the Terrans, our so called “Brothers.”

hns194 · Post by **hns194** » Fri, 9. Apr 10, 20:55

Log #2, Sergeant Derek Gardan, 25 February 769

We arrived at the Shipyard here in Lyrae two days ago. Since then we've been given schematics and rudimentary sim training on two new ground assault vehicles. The Leopard class hover-tank, it actually handles more like a dazed argnu than whatever a Leopard is. And the Tiger class assault walker. Its new equipment to us, decades old equipment to the Terrans. That rumored joint-op was actually just a tech exchange. Besides the two new ground craft, we were also granted the schematics of six new (to us) spacecraft. The 1st FMD has been assigned to the newly christened AMC-Prime's Fist, a Hannibal II class transporter. We're due to leave for our first patrol within four days.

eldyranx3 · Post by **eldyranx3** » Fri, 9. Apr 10, 21:29

Ive been using Terran Date for so long Ive lost track where this story takes place against the canonical X-Universe. Quite an impressive back story so far.

hns194 · Post by **hns194** » Fri, 9. Apr 10, 23:25

[ external image ]

The Fist needs a crew who's gonna step up and join?

hns194 · Post by **hns194** » Sat, 10. Apr 10, 03:01

Log #3, Sergeant Derek Gardan, 29 February 769 Argon/ 2939 Terran

We're currently in low orbit of planet Dener. I've been examining the specs of the Fist, and I am quite impressed. Our engineers developed what they call a Universal Mount & Launcher system for the Fist. Because of it we can mount almost any weapon known to the Commonwealth and the Terrans. We can use any missile too. Even better is that us Marines have been put in charge of manning the turrets. I don't think I'll ever want to use my little rifle again after I used those PPC's on a Split Elephant.

hedge0035 · Post by **hedge0035** » Sat, 10. Apr 10, 04:09

Ill join, i was an Infantry men in the US army i was trained in Heavy weapons so ill mount a turret

Name Jack "Blackjack" Walker

Got my nick name for taking a casino for all it had at blackjack....
promptly lost it all on Craps, lol.

hns194 · Post by **hns194** » Sat, 10. Apr 10, 05:04

Might send you planet-side too.

WEIRDANIMATOR · Post by **WEIRDANIMATOR** » Sat, 10. Apr 10, 18:40

Okay you can have me.
David "Weirdo" McCartney
Nearly joined the RAF once lol
None of the nicknames my friend's have gave me over the years are repeatable but i use Weird_do and weirdanimator a lot

hns194 · Post by **hns194** » Tue, 13. Apr 10, 03:59

Log #4, Sergeant Derek Gardan, 1 March 769 Argon/2939 Terran

The Fist arrived in Aladna Hill today to pick up replacements. Twenty-three replacements came to the Fist, and 23 coffins left for a Cemetery, the kind reserved for heroes. They all died boarding a Split destroyer. The original intent was to capture it, but things never go as plan. They stayed behind and disabled the destroyer's engines, while the Fist escaped. Then they set the reactor to go critical. Now a plaque commemorating them is mounted in the mess hall.

I'm in sickbay right now. Got a nasty concussion during a raid in Thynn's Abyss. All I remember is some Split screaming bloody murder, blackness, the lieutenant making pickup on me, blackness, and then being loaded onto our retrieval boat, a Grant-class corvette. The Lieutenant has this weird habit of knowing exactly what you're doing at anytime when we're on the field. He always seems to be there when we need him, lost in the jungle? he finds you. Forget your rations before the drop? He has some extra. Get hit on the way to the boat? He'll grab you and carry you back to the boat. Hell, I think the lieutenant has made pickup on all of us atleast once. Even our platoon sergeant, Jack Walker, we just call him BlackJack. If there ever was a perfect candidate for the Commandant of the Marine Corps, the lieutenant would be it. And the perfect candidate for Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, it would definetly be BlackJack. They make one hell of a team.

And then we have David “Weirdo” McCartney. Craziest pilot I ever did meet. Scuttlebutt is that he was a Captain once. Commanded a Colossus, 'till he dove it into the upper atmosphere of a planet to make retrieval on a dropship that missed the rendezvous in orbit. Somehow he managed to get the Colossus back into orbit. The Brass got word and got their panties in a bunch. From what I hear, our Commandant made a personal appearance at his court-martial, protesting against the death sentence. Now he's just a pilot flying us Jarheads in and out of the thick. One time he did a 90 degree turn vertically, right on top of a Split squad that had us pinned down. Afterwards he said he loved the smell of deep-fried Split, and that's how he got his callsign.

*If any of you have ever read Starship Troopers, you'll recognize the references and terms I use. And by Starship Troopers I mean the book, movie don't count no matter how awesome-f**king-tastic it was.*

*Sorry for the long wait*

eldyranx3 · Post by **eldyranx3** » Tue, 13. Apr 10, 04:22

hns194 wrote:If any of you have ever read Starship Troopers, you'll recognize the references and terms I use. And by Starship Troopers I mean the book, movie don't count no matter how awesome-f**king-tastic it was.

In that case I'm surprised Weirdo wasn't a female pilot with a shaved head. Better suited for those hard G's.

See you on the Bounce.

hns194 · Post by **hns194** » Tue, 13. Apr 10, 04:30

I was thinkin' of throwin' in a female version of Colonel Dubois, thoughts?

eldyranx3 · Post by **eldyranx3** » Tue, 13. Apr 10, 04:58

Well, Heinlein's political views were complex and controversial. I for one am still absorbing the anthill court-martial scene, forget the marxist rebuttal! Having a character in like that would be hard, because you just know you're going to have to have them speak at some point.

I personally liked the drill sergeant that got dusted off once every 10,000 miles.

hns194 · Post by **hns194** » Thu, 15. Apr 10, 08:55

Log #5, Sergeant Derek Gardan, 3 March 769 Argon/ 2939 Terran

Today we drop on Kon'tay in Thynn's Abyss. Another jungle planet. Should be a piece of a cake. I don't what man came up with this idea, but I sure would to meet him. The idea being that we setup a supply dock in orbit, and mount a modified missile launcher on it. The launcher can fire supply capsules down to the planet wherever we need them. Like I said before, whoever came up with this idea has the admiration of every combat Marine in the entire Corps.

I'll be leading my squad to the eastern coastline of the southern continent. I know what you're thinking. I have a Navy Cross and I'm still only commanding a squad? Yep, turned down that promotion. One of the Terrans I met told me they had a name for Marines like me. They called them Daly's and Basilone's, apparently way back in the Terrans history those two were heroes. They volunteered to return combat when they didn't have to. But more importantly they were Marines. Enough of the history lesson.

I'm in charge of three fire-teams overall. I lead Bravo Team. Corporal Perez leads Alpha Team. And Corporal Johnston is leading Charlie Team. Together we form 2nd squad of Ho's Hardasses. The best outfit in the fleet I'm told. I feel comfortable with my squad, especially with Perez covering me. He got the Navy Cross too, and also declined promotion. The first time I heard my new billet. I just about pissed myself laughing so hard. Ho's Hardasses, the enemy won't be forgetting us anytime soon.

hns194 · Post by **hns194** » Wed, 21. Apr 10, 04:19

Log #6, Sergeant Derek Gardan, 4 March 769 Argon/2939 Terran

Day number one of the battle for Kon'tay.
“Perez, Johnston, take your teams and spread out, standard search formation.” We landed in a clearing, jungle surrounds us. Our orders are to secure a five mile radius around the drop site. Once its secure, engineers will land and start clearing away the surrounding jungle with heavy flamers. Then they'll setup a cozy little fire-base for us.

“Bravo one, Bravo one, we have contact.” Perez's voice came through the radio.

“Got a visual for me?” I replied.

“Brush is too thick to see, motion sensor says its right in front of us.”

“30 meters, 20 meters, 10 meters, false alarm. Just a monkey.” Perez ended the transmission with a sigh.

“Roger that Alpha One, stay frosty.”

“Aye, Sergeant.”

Exactly why I hate jungles. Can never see what you're tracking 'till you're right on top of it.

“Johnston here, we got contact.”

“Positive enemy contacts?”

“Got a visual on 'em, these are definitely split.”

“Roger Johnston, we'll make some noise and lure 'em here. You follow and we'll catch them in a crossfire.”

“Can do, Sergeant.”

Time to unveil our new toy. A tripod mounted mass driver. This may seem a little overkill to use on a Split squad, but hey, who cares.

“Sharka, fire a couple rounds, and yell a bit.”

“Aye, Sergeant.”

Sharka made some noise, and a little bit later the patrol came into sight.

“Want the honors, Sergeant?” questioned Trepo.

“Don't mind if I do.” I said wrapping my fingers around the firing controls of the mass driver. I squeezed the trigger three times. And three Split literally exploded. Johnston got the last two with tranq darts. We interrogated them. Learned of a outpost hidden in the jungle nearby. Sent some coordinates up to the Fist. Sat back and watched the fireworks. This gonna be a good invasion.

hns194 · Post by **hns194** » Fri, 30. Apr 10, 02:02

Log #7, Sergeant Derek Gardan, 19 March 769 Argon/ 2939 Terran

The landscape of Kon'tay after almost two and half weeks of fighting, is quite bleak. Right now my unit was shipped to the west coast of the super-continent known as Pai'ta. The jungle we experienced in the south of the continent is non-existent here. The jungles and humidity have been replaced by fir trees and crisp, cool breeze. Fighting has whittled down into trench warfare.

Our Terran liaison officer has compared to a battle fought on ancient Earth. He said it was called the Battle of Belleau Wood. Many foot-slogger's names were made to shine in that battle. Such as that of Sergeant Major Dan Daly of the United States Marine Corps.

We have an advantage over our ancestors though. We have ships in orbit, assault walkers, and most importantly of all, 155mm Tri-Barrel Howitzers.

My patrol starts in an hour. I have the choice of eating , sleeping, or cleaning my weapons. As a Terran author said in one of his books, “An MI trooper takes all the sack-time he can get.” I have no clue what an MI trooper is, but I sure as hell believe this author made it applicable to any man of the Armed Forces.

hns194 · Post by **hns194** » Sat, 8. May 10, 08:22

Flashback #1

Delta Squadron, four busters and a centaur. They cruise through the void on their way home from a long patrol. Their tour is almost up and soon they'll be sent home to their spouses and children. Commander Devera, commanding the centaur, had served in the first Xenon Conflict over 30 years ago.

An unsung hero of the Argon Navy. If it weren't for the extreme secrecy of the operations he had been involved in, he would've been promoted long ago. These so-called “black ops” weren't spy missions or assassinations, but simple rescue missions. Give him a TP and some well trained Marines, and he could have an entire Split mine's slaves liberated within an hour. Rumor was the only time he ever left a man behind, was when the bastard alerted the guards to his presence. He shot the guy point-blank in the heart.

How does this relate to Delta Squadron? Well, the centaur's life-signs show an extra 37 heartbeats. This is Commander Devera's last combat assignment. He has opted to command a classroom. He won't be teaching tactics, or anything else like that. But rather he will be teaching Moral Philosophy, a required class at the Naval Academy. No requirement to pass it though.

Argonia Naval Academy

Commander Devera strutted back and forth across the room, explaining hypothetical situations and asking random cadets what they would do in the situation.

“Think of this class. If we somehow get involved in a war with a random enemy, and we take prisoners and they take prisoners. And when we end the war and give back the prisoners we'd taken, and they give back some of the prisoners they'd taken. Then claimed those were all the prisoners they had, but we knew they were lying, should we start the war again for say one million individuals? Cadet Naras what do you think we should do?”

“Well sir, I think we shouldn't start the war again. They're acceptable losses.”

“Acceptable losses hmmm? Would you feel the same if the prisoners were your family?”

“Well, no sir they're my family-” he was cut off midsentence by Devera.

“Shush. You have never stopped to consider what other people think. What if it was only one man that they held? Does the quantity of prisoners make a difference? This one is all yours Mr. Sigion.”

“Yes sir, the quantity does influence our decision. One man isn't worth the resources.” Before Devera was able to respond a young Sergeant walked through the door carrying a package for the Commander.

“Commander Devera? I have a package for you sir.”

“Ah, thank you Sergeant.”

“You're welcome, sir.”

“Sergeant, before you go, may I ask you a question?”
“Of course, sir.”

“Does the quantity of men left behind after a war, determine whether we should jump into the fray?”

“No Sir! It doesn't matter if its one man or a billion men. We have responsibility for them, Sir.”

“Do you hear that class?! Sergeant Gardan here would lay his life down for a fictional stranger! Some you wouldn't even lift a finger to help your own grandmothers! You all disgust me. Class dismissed!” After the class had scurried out of the room, the commander turned to the young Sergeant. “Thank you Sergeant.”

“Anytime Commander.” He responded.

End Flashback

hns194 · Post by **hns194** » Mon, 10. May 10, 04:29

So whatcha guys think of chapter 2 so far?