Episode Seven: Reign (Part 1)

[Frank Kepler]

Previously, on Stargate Delta...

The Delta Site's new BC-304 battle cruiser Iliad arrived, bringing with her two surprises - the return of General Connolly, thought to have been killed during the expedition's first day in the Delian Galaxy, and General Jefferson, a no-nonsense talking Marine Lieutenant General who has come to the Delta Site with orders for an all-out assault on the nearby occupied planet of Bactra.

And now, the conclusion....


0819
Delta Site
Stargate Operations

For his first briefing of the day, Frank had gathered together select member of his base personnel and asked them to meet him at Stargate Operations. He had meetings such as this planned for the next hour, and was looking forward to getting them all out of the way ASAP. It would just be a quick meeting to relay the plans for the assault on Bactra, and inform everyone as to what was going on.

Once everyone was assembled, he commenced the briefing. "Alright everyone, as you should all know, fresh orders have come in from the Department of Homeworld, ordering us to attack the nearby enemy-occupied outpost of Bactra. Now while the fighters and ground teams are dealing with enemy forces, you'll be stationed aboard the Iliad to assist with damage and fire control. Not many of you would have taken part in work like this before, but you'll quickly catch on. Captain Ben Cunningham of the 303rd Space Operations Squadron will be co-ordinating your efforts."

Fire and damage control wasn't by any means the most glamorous job, and few of these people were trained, but it was going to be all hands on deck for this one. If a fire broke out of control or the battle cruiser started leaking out into space, the mission would be over very, very quickly. "Once a foothold has been established on the surface, you'll be beamed down along with a Marine Rifle Platoon and a Marine Weapons Squad as part of an armored vehicles column. Once on the surface, your objective will be to fight your way into the city and secure the planet's Stargate."

"Any questions?"

< Tag Base Personnel >

[Matthew Keller]

0819
Delta Site
Stargate Operations

Keller listened to the words of Major General Kepler, he was willing to put his life on the line to take out however many Olympians he needed to, "Sir, how many teams will the personnel and Marines be splitup into?", Matthew asks, knowing what a stupid question it was, This is just about the largest conflict I've been part of since, well ever, Keller says to himself.

< Tag Kepler >

[Ben "Token" Cunningham]

0819
Delta Site
Stargate Operations

While the General filled everyone in, Ben had been standing by to answer any specific questions that arose during the briefing. A young Australian Lieutenant had a question regarding the mission. "Sir, how many teams will the personnel and Marines be split up into?" That was Ben's queue.

He stepped forward. "Do you mind General?" Frank smiled, shook his head and stepped back. "For those of you who don't know me, I'm Captain Cunningham and I'll be co-ordinating the fire and damage control teams for the mission." Only a few months ago, Ben had been a proud fly boy, but was an engine malfunction in a routine training flight had left him was no power to his bird, and resulting in a nasty crash landing. He'd done a number on his left ankle, and hadn't been back in the cockpit yet. Colonel Harrison had recommended him to take over the base's fighter maintenance squadron, and he hadn't looked back since.

"Now to answer the Lieutenants questions, you'll be stationed aboard Iliad along with the reserve Marine force. The Marines will be on standby in the hanger, ready to be beamed down once the main force has open a route into the city, while you will be assisting me with keeping the Iliad in one piece. We'll all start off on the Iliad, but some may be beamed to other ships during the battle, depending on what sort of shape the fleet is in."

< Tag Base Personnel >

[Matthew Keller]

0820
Delta Site
Stargate Operations

"Understood Sir, another thing, most of us won't actually get down onto the planet and kick some ass, am I correct?", Keller had asked another ridiculous question, knowing that staying on the Iliad would be a rather boring task, he also realised that the enemy may try and board the ship, but then again, Matt did want to kick some butt.

< Tag Anyone >

[Vanessa Collins]

((I hope I'm doing this right ;D))

0820

Delta Site
Stargate Operation

Vanessa closed her file and leaned back on her chair, sighed. Listening to various voices throwing their own views, she said nothing. Each of them made sense, in their own way, digesting this information would take a bit more time, then she liked.

Cocking her head towards Frank, she tapped a finger to her lips as her elbow rested on the arm rest of her seat, "I haven't done this before, so if my question comes out lame, for that I apologize," she began steadily, "what is the length and the period of time are we looking at?"

<<Tag Kepler>>

((Forgot tags, so not used to them ;D))

[Ben "Token" Cunningham]

0820
Delta Site
Stargate Operations

So far so good; the motley crew the General has assembled for Ben seemed to all be catching on with what would prove to be a challenging mission for most. Lt Keller continued to probe Ben for mission specifics. "Understood Sir, another thing, most of us won't actually get down onto the planet and kick some ass, am I correct?"

Ben shook his head. "By all means Lieutenant; members of this work crew will no doubt be called upon to take part in group operations, it's just that they won't be part of the first wave. If something goes wrong and a backup or rescue operation needs to me mounted, we'll be there." The teams would also serve as the ships first and only line of defense against enemy boarding parties, a possibilities Ben wasn't looking forward to.

The next to speak was a Doctor Collins, a resident base psychologist. Even though her medical training far from qualified her for this work, it was sadly all hands on deck for this one; there was people less qualified than her that would be called upon to help out. "I haven't done this before, so if my question comes out lame, for that I apologize, what is the length and the period of time are we looking at?"

"We're aiming for control of the city within two, maybe three hours, of planet fall. The 'city' isn't too large in size, and once under our control, the small outposts scattered around the planet will be of little concern. By the end of the day, Bacta will be ours."

< Tag Anyone >

[Vanessa Collins]

0820
Delta Site
Stargate Operations

Vanessa nodded as Ben explained the whole plan, "Sounds like this whole idea is planned out in detail, Captain," she chuckled, "and adding to the length of time doesn't jiggle my nerves, just the flow of the whole mission." It was her first time and she was just going to do her best.

"As long as I can use the gun you lot call Zat, I should be fine," she joked with a light grin. The most easiest weapon she could use without killing anyone and that suited her just fine.

<<Tag Cunningham; Anyone>>

[Ben "Token" Cunningham]

0821
Delta Site
Stargate Operations

Ben looked up at the clock. The briefing had been short and sweet, just how he'd like them. Everyone knew what they were doing, and he'd also have some time once aboard the ship to give them a few pointers. The work wouldn't be that hard, just welding patches on bulkheads and putting out small spot fires, relatively simple work, but if it wasn't taken care of in the timely fashion, the ship could be put in serious danger.

"Well, if there are no further question, I suggest everyone grabs their equipment and a bite to eat, and I'll see you all up on the Iliad before we ship out at 1300 hours. Good luck." With that, Ben and the General excused themselves and went about making final preparations for the mission.

< Continued aboard Iliad >