[X] - Stick with their platoon for a while. Assuming they'll be going into combat soon, they could use a bit of armored assistance to bulldoze through the Covie forces. Besides, you like them a lot. Especially cause they've got boose. You wonder if they perhaps 'requisitioned' the stuff from a nearby warehouse. - 4 Votes
1.04
Hmm… "Gimme a sec, my dude," you say back to the man before shutting the hatch and diving into your HUD.
Contrary to popular opinion, the interior of Scorpions are rather spacious. Three screens take up the majority of the space, giving you all of the necessary information you need. Ammunition levels, hull integrity, cameras, and even your Troop status. Hell, you can even set one of them to show behind you. It's entirely possible to drive a Scorpion backwards… though you wouldn't recommend it. Ever. They had a course for it back in BT and it was awful.
From there it's simple to call the Eltee and inform him that you'll be linking up with these marines. He grumbles a bit before letting you go, understanding of your soft spot. Then you bring up the TACMAP and swipe the 323nd into your group. Military hardware is convenient sometimes. "Right," you say, opening up the hatch and looking up to the DMR-toting marine again. "Permission received to link up with you guys. Feel free to use me as cover." You give a thumbs up.
The marine's grin is visible through his small visor as he gives a thumbs up back. "Good to know we'll have some support. I'll inform the LT and we'll start moving out soon." You pause, wondering about something.
"Your wounded," you call out before he leaves. "Is there anyone to take evac them? Anybody sending a few troop hogs?" The soldier winces, waving his hand. "We'll be fine for now. They'll send someone soon, I hope. But for now we need to focus on arming up and giving the Covies a bloody nose in return." You nod before ducking back into the hatch and turn the Scorpion around to face the front. Several minutes pass and you take the well deserved break by pulling off your full-helmet. Sure, you love the thing but it gets a bit humid after a while.
At least the bourbon tastes good, as lukewarm as it is. You cherish a few swigs before stashing it away into your 'secret' compartment.
Eventually it seems the marines are ready to roll out, diminished as they have been. You oblige them by letting the engine of Rites roar its displeasure. Some of them perk up at that, grateful to have a tank on their side. Contact is light as you and the troops push forwards through the streets of Aggregate. Too light. Have the Covies retreated? Normally most urban combat is a slog to push the entrenched Covenant out, but this is too easy.
"Ksshhrrrt…" A static calls over your radio. "This is-" it cuts out again. "Admiral Sinatra, broadcasting to any receiving this message. An enemy frigate has made its way past the blockade. Expect it to make planet side ASAP." You instantly grimace. Space battle has never been a winning side for the UNSC, and whatever mess that is fucking with your communications is making it worse. Normally the ground troops would have time to prepare for an incoming ship, but now?
High over the skies of Aggregate it appears. Shark-like and bulbous, the purple mass glides through the air unimpeded. Several missiles streak towards it, but only a few manage to make it past the point defense lasers and explode harmlessly on its shield. Plasma torpedoes streak from the enemy frigate, striking strategic UNSC positions. You hope they died quickly. But the enemy isn't done, as a hatch opens beneath the ship and… your worst fear drops from within'.
Normally, Scorpions and Wraiths have roughly equal footing when it comes to battling one another. But, like always, the Covies managed to pull another bullshit weapon free from their cantankerous rear ends. A Scarab is a heavily armored, heavily armed four legged troop carrier. Basically a giant fuck-off mech that crushes anything in its way. You've had experience with these bastards before, and it's never been pretty.
The Scarab lands with a shockwave, destroying any of the little remaining glass. Good thing you have a helmet and are in a cockpit.
Instantly it begins moving, strange legs navigating over the hazardous terrain that constitutes the half-broken freeway that runs through the city. You watch as the enemy frigate above flees, being chased by a friendly pair of destroyers. Too late. Panicked voices rise over the communal channel before you switch them off. "Eltee, you got any ideas?" You ask your superior, already taking cover behind a building as the Scarab charges its main weapon. A cannon much bigger than your cannon.
"We've got Scorpions in position around it. Luckily that thing can only aim at a few things at a time, so we should be able to flank it easy. Stick to cover and try to get a good shot. I shouldn't have to explain more. I've got enough on my hands with the rookies panicking." You nod wisely, before cutting the channel.
Contacting your platoon of infantry, you speak up to them. "William, do you have any heavy ordinance? Missile pods? I'll take standard rockets if you've got them. Oh, and inform your troops that if they do fire, aim for the joints. Those are the weakest parts of its armor." Several moments pass as the radioman takes in the information. "Roger that, Bronco." He cuts off again, thinking things over. "We've can set up one pod. Other than that we've got three rocketmen with available ammunition."
"Stick to the shadows and don't let that thing get a bead on your men." You say, before driving Last Rites into full gear. "I've got a plan."
What is your plan?
[] - Get its attention and run like hell. Scarabs are notably slow turners, and you should be able to run laps around it in your Scorpion. It may be a tank, but the thing has a surprisingly fast engine. You just hope you won't get shot in the meantime. Big risk, big reward. Oh and you might get spotted by infantry or enemy Wraiths. Hope that doesn't happen. Should give enough time for the platoon and your troop to get ready.
[] - This is a stealth mission, Bronco. Thankfully it's landed in the industrial area. There are plenty of buildings that can offer sufficient cover to hide your sixty-six ton stealth machine. Sure, without a target to focus on the Scarab will be all that much likelier to target your comrades, but that's what they'll have to deal with. If you can get a clear shot you'll be able to take down a joint by yourself. Good thing you brought AP.
[] - CHEEKI BREEKI. Some say the Crazy Ivan maneuver is impossible to do in a tank. Those people aren't you. Scarabs are bad at close range, so you should be able to charge the fucker and start hosing the enemies on board the Scarab. Sure, you'll be highly exposed, and sure, the legs could crush you. But you trust in your machine and your reflexes. You just wish you had some vodka.
[] - Write in.
Turns out Naron was right on the mark. You get a donk-point. (Note: donk-points are not recognized as legal tender at any location in the world.)