The Certification of 2nd Battalion

Posted on Sat Nov 21st, 2015 @ 7:52pm by Major General Thomas Jackson & Master Warrant Officer Gaius Aquila
Edited on on Sun Nov 22nd, 2015 @ 10:57pm

11,521 words; about a 58 minute read

Mission: Episode 90 - The Great Relink
Location: Kaleb III Training Facility
Timeline: MD Minus 1, 0800hrs

That Friday; with the addition of the 700 new Marines, who had gone through the 90 day motivational training were now standing tall and proud. Added to the depleted 2nd Battalion, the Battalion was now brought up to full strength of 1,052 Mariens. Gone were the problem children, the whiners, the ones who seemed to know everything about the Marines but never about their own skills; had been weeded out by the Drill Instructors within the first 14 days. Now Hondo along with Lt. Robert Simms and his command staff after going over the 90 days of motivational training, certified the entire Battalion ready for full training.

Hondo placed 2nd Battalion on training status to prepare for the upcoming three months of heavy training that would be required before General Jackson would put the Battalion on alert status.

With 1st and 3rd Battalion now rotating every 60 days, it would now be imperative for the Marines of 2nd Battalion to being training that coming Monday morning, and with the Battalion now on stand down mode, Hondo, Lt. Friday, TOP, all met with 2nd Battalion Staff.

In conference for almost the entire day, they had finally wrapped up the training schedule for the 2nd. Everything from small unit training, to company and training would be stressed. Also the Training instructors would be teaching the entire Battalion on the new tactics for CQB, and the use of improvised weapons. With a heavy schedule of weapons qualification with or without sensors, optics, Hondo wanted her Marines to be able to engage targets at a minimum effective range of 400 meters, and out to a maximum effective range of 700 meters. There were refresher class on using the Bayonet, and how to use it to kill an enemy.

Taking a page out of the old Marine Corp Basic rifle qualifications of the 18th to the 20th century, all of the Marines would nave have to successfully use their TR-116 without optics. Even though optics were standard issues on the TR-116's, Hondo would have none of that; during her career, and as the former commander of the 47th SFMEU, she had seen the too often use of Optics only to compensate for the lack of marksmanship skills, and she would have none of that. “In her opinion, any Marines who can’t hit a target the size of a human head, between 400-700 meters doesn’t belong in her rifle companies”. Next she banned the Marines from using their TR-116 assault rifles to spray the field like a fire hose. It was shown to be ineffective, if the optics went down, would her Marines be able to take out targets between 600-800 meters?

Plus when the Marines put the 116 into full auto, leaving it there to spray the field, it produced enough heat to warp the outer barrel. It was better to use the weapon on semi- or a "3-round bursts".

There would be other changes, and after seeing a lot of simulations, the Marine Corp had become complacent in their training that even death was simulated. Her idea was old “Train as you fight, and fight as you trained” which meant days out of the training domes, and actually doing things that may kill her Marines. Everything from rappelling with a rope, how to cross rope bridges at night, and without any type of NVG or scanners, to basic small unit tactics. There were classes on guerrilla tactics that took the lessons of Vietnam and the experiences of the Viet Cong when battling a much bigger military force.

Everyone learned how to escape from a building if the Marines were trapped on the top, they would have to use their rifles as ladders to get down, Everything in the current Marine Force was calculated not to increase the number of training deaths and injuries, and Hondo would not have that. She wanted her Marines trained to be that tip of the Spear, and she didn’t care whether 14th or the 2nd regiments trained in the training domes and were good, because no matter how many safeguards there were, there was that X-factor, the unknown, and in battle, battle plans no matter how well they were put together, would always go wrong; something that she attributed to 'Murphy's Law", that stated; "Anything that can go wrong will go wrong"... If things went wrong then they'd have to adapt, and quickly.


H-HOUR

0600 hrs came, and with the entire Battalion now out in formation, Hondo led the entire Battalion to training, having one of here NCO's yelling cadences, and singing those old Marine "Jody" songs. For the next three months the Battalion would now train extensively, using the new CQB techniques. Every now and then Hondo would visit the Battalion going through training, and sometimes she’d send the XO to keep track of the training 2nd Battalion was doing during its training.

For her Company Commanders, their platoon leaders and platoon sergeants all they trained their individual companies. Each block of training was meant to be a ladder to the next block training, and it was harder as they continued to train. For Lt. Simms and his Headquarters Company, Hondo had set up training scenarios, on how to interact with Regimental Headquarters. For days LT Simms and his headquarters company worked day and night sometimes using 22nd Regiment or even 4th Regiments Communication section to relay messages back and forth

Even security of the Battalions physical layout was tested by Gunny Gibbs and his Drill Instructors would help Lt. Simms understand that they needed to protect their command at all cost from anyone. There were more night exercises as both the Headquarters section and the line companies all worked to accomplish missions thought of by Hondo.

With the 2nd Battalions training now complete, Hondo had Lt Simms take his Battalion to one of the training domes, where once they entered, every Marine heard that familiar phrase "Marines dig in"! From there the final 360 hour FTX lasting 15 days would start. Now in a defensive position with his entire Battalion now spread out, the safeguards were turned on, and now waiting for whatever was going to be thrown at them.

Jackson was happy that the Kaleb III Facility was now opened for business. The battered units made good use of it as soon as it opened to recert themselves as ready. He would not send a unit anywhere until their status upgrade.

2/327 Marines was doing well with both their replacement Marines, and their replacement equipment. So far, these Marines have proven themselves motivated and capable. But he had to be sure. The other two regiments had a battalion each in the same situation, along with one company of Armor. However, 2/327 was the test bed, the first to use this training facility.

Then there was 327's Commanding Officer. Captain Magbangan has proven to be a motivating force in this previously demoralized unit. The Battle Of Death Valley would have drained the fight out of any unit. The Borg were a very formidable enemy to survive against, let alone beat. She has picked them up off their feet, and now has them charging into action. However, she still needed some flexibility when it came to certain things, for Jackson feared that his best officer might burn herself out. More importantly, he had trust in her to do the right things when the time comes.

Giaus stood next to his friend. His Raiders still mourned the loss of a couple of their Operators, but they knew their two replacements from both past missions, and MARSOC School. Then he looked at the Marines in training through the observation port, and made a comment to Jackson. "Jem'Hadar Founder's Guard? You think you could have found something bigger?"

Jackson looked at his friend. "I sure as hell am not throwing Borg at them, not yet. But they stiil needed a challenge." Jackson looked on to the Marines, and their Commander to see how they handled this challenge.

As the General was talking to Giaus, Hondo had gone out to the field for the last time, and there she held officers call for his Battalion commander, and his subordinate captains and Lieutenants.

With her officers now in 2nd Battalions TOC, Hondo said "Gentlemen this is the last time you'll see me till after the FTX. During the FTX, I will not be able to contact the Battalion, until afterwards, so while i'm still here, one more piece of advice from your mother... "Suddenly everyone began to laugh, and suddenly the tent became quiet, as Hondo had laid out a small spread for the officers and began, as an appreciation for all the hard work they did for the last three to four months.

After eating real fresh foods instead of the Battle paste, and water, Hondo saw that each officer, and senior NCO were very appreciative for the small token of appreciation. Now finished with their meal Hondo had one of the Marine administrative enlisted personnel pour the officers coffee. Now with the enlisted Marine now finished with his duty,Hondo said"

"Okay I know that you guys can now fight as a team, and you've done well considering that only three months ago you Asswipes were nothing more than a bunch of undesciplined Marines who continued to call yourselves Marines of 1st MARDIV. Now look at you, you'v done well, and now the final aspect of your tests. I will be leaving the field, and your Battalion Commander will be directing this doneybrook of a fight.

So I'll begin this execise.... ATTENTION TO ORDERS: Suddenly every one inside the tent was now scrambling to get their PADDS and begin to write down what Hondo began to say, as she stood in front of her Battalion.


"As of 0300 hrs this morning, the Division TOC on SB400 received the following information which was verified by Marine Intelligence.
An unknown reconnaissance in force has landed somewhere on the planet. 2nd Battalion because of its proximity to any possible military force has been dispatched from Training Dome 56-A (TD-56A). Currently Military Intelligence thinks that this unit is somehow connected to the Borg Hub which was damaged but not destroyed. AT 0315 DIVISION Surveillance Drones were sent out to find the location of the enemy force. Out of the 20 Drones sent out to recon the area, only one was still operational since the other 19 were damaged or blown out of the sky. From the records of the Surveillance/Scout drones it is highly assumed that this light unit numbering around 4000 is only here to probe for weaknesses of Dome TE-56A, and its capability to fight and destroy any large force. The enemy is generally carrying lightweight Phaasers/Disruptors, and does not have any organic weapons such as Heavy Mortars, Artillery, Armor, since this is a reconnaissance in force.

"On my mark"... replied Hondo ..." MARK!". Ladies and Gentlemen, it is now 0355 hrs, Thursday Morning, and you now have now, no less than12-72 hours to get ready. I highly suggests the Battallion gets off its ass and prepare for whatever the General is going to send you folks.

Now finished speaking on the possible action, Hondo said for now "ALL Unit First Sergeants, Platoon sergeants, and Squad leaders will make sure all of you people have their phasers set to setting one for now; But if things suddenly change, such as sending in Borgs to fight us; then I want this entire Battalion to go on the offensive and neutralize the threat even if it means vaporizing the Borge soldiers.

Lt. Simms called Captain Frank Diaz of Alpha Company to his TOC, as the entire TOC began to transform to full combat operations; Lt. Simm said; "Frank I want you to take your company out into the woods. There; I want you to begin a 360 degree perimeter sweep of the area out to distance of 10 cllicks. For now you forks are going to be the eyes and ears of 2nd Battalion. When the fighting starts I want your people to be far away, but still close to get into the fight. What we're going to do is have a ready line company ready to act when I call...


Even though we have Drones, I don't want whoever it is to know where they came from, and also I don't want those drones captured, and have their memory cores downloaded for them to see.

Your folks will also be our reserve company, and I want you on the move. Stay for a few hours,and move, never stop moving, because if I were the General who wants to see how 2nd Battalion has done, he's going to cheat by creating some type of "no-win army". When I call you, I want you running "Balls to the Wall". Your call sign Frank; is "Black Widow", the TOC is "Homeplate"

As soon as your company is out from the wire, I want you to contact the BN TOC every 30 minutes. Also draw additional supplies from the quartermaster, double up on additional phaser battery magazines, along with food paste, water along with extra trauma packs for your medic. Make sure your Company is loaded for bear. And Frank "Make sure your boys carry wahtever bladed weapons they they want. Knowing his job was going to be hard, but imortantly he said, "Skipper you know that the training dome is Holographed equipped, and the General can insert any type of opponent he wishes us to fight.

"I know, Frank; and that is what's worrying me"... Anyway good luck. Saluting his superior Frank said "Top; load them up, and march them out", and in his best Southern drawl Frank said "BOYS, we got some enemy booty to kickass at".....


REGIMENT COMMANDERS OFFICE

Looking at the wall chronometer, the day was now 1600 hrs, Thursday, and the FTX would start on Saturday, and there was no time set, having been promoted to Major several hours ago; not too many had known of her promotion. Busy she hadn't put on her Major oak leaves on her collar deciding that she'd do this later after the end of the FTX, when she would formally have a change of command ceremony with Lt. Friday, who would invariably be promoted to Captain, and the new Commander of the Regiment.

Hondo based her selection on many things, though she considered Joe to be very competent, and a caring officer which would be important when handing a regiment; she also based her finding that he was a top notch NCO, Drill Instructor who knew how to motivate his people, would make sure they got the best training. But there was that one quality that she saw that no Marine Manual, Academy Course could teach, or his rank of authority. She based it on the fact that he had the common sense to know what was required, which many Marine Commanders faileld to grasp, and found defeat.

Having grabbed only four hours of sleep from the 0330 hr meeting she had this morning with Lt. Simms and his 2nd Battalion, The 15 day, 360 hour FTX, would tax the ingenuity of the Marines, and their officers. “In a twist of fate, one of the General’s recertification team members who had been talking to Hondo, and had finished reading her reports of the progress of 2nd Battalion said ‘Captain; hope your 2nd Battalion is as good as you say they are”.

Puzzled by that remark Hondo said “Why”… Because General Jackson has cooked up a plan. It's to make sure 2nd Bn shows the General what they have, he’s given them a worthy opponent…an unknown number of hologram “Jem’Hadar Founders Guards” to screw with; now chuckling to himself, the inspector left her office…..

With the inspector now gone from her office, Hondo got up from her chair, and blew up. Picking up an ancient paper stapler she got from an antique vendor, she threw it with such force it stuck in the wall, and in a fit she began to scream a torrent of Filipino and English curse words out of her mouth....

PISTING GANG ka na general Jackson!.... “XO” bellowed Hondo, in my office ASAP”….. Now cooled down, after hearing the message about the Jem'Hadar Founders Guards, Hondo said; “Joe” do you know what the 2nd Battalion is going to face for the next 260 hours….Jem’Hadar Founders Guards!.

A bit surprised at the opponents; Joe who always had a calming effect said, Skipper look at it this way; the General could have sent in both a Romulan Legion a Klingon hunting party, or even both of them working together. But the Jem'Hadar Founders Guards were a bit too much. Keeping that to himself, he watched Hondo slowly calm down.

Up until now, the 2nd Battalion had fought Klingon, Romulans, Gorns, and other Holographic Soldiers, but this took the cake. The Jem"hadar were notoriously known as killers ones without any concern for human life, they killed, and killed. Taking innocent lives without so much as a tear. During the Dominion War, the Jem'Hadar had blackened the eyes of even the Marines, and the entire Allied fleet.

These reptilians who walked on two legs were ruthless killers, born and bred from birth to kill, they were only good as soldiers, and ships cr
crewmen. No sense of morality, or fairness; they killed for the fun of it, and now her 2nd Battalion were now facing the worse of the lot, the Jem’Hadar Border Guards.

Right now; she hoped that Lt. Simms would begin to figure out who was their opponents, and it would take a recon team to do it. To kill the Jem’Hadar you have to kill the head, then the body dies, and also if they can destroy any cache of “Ketracel-White” the one drug they all used, then the Battalion would have a better chance to survive, and if worked if he worked it out, he could get the majority of the Jem'Hadar Founder Guards to kill themselves, then his Marines could finish off the rest of them; But that was a long shot..

Going down to her Regiments TOC, she tried to get hold of Lt. Simms, and after a few minutes of she began to hear the sounds of the communication equipment now being jammed…”SHIT” Thought Hondo, its started, and it wasn’t ready to kick off for another 8-10 hours… kicking an empty box, Hondo thought, well Lt; let’s see how much information your Marines remembered, and now with all of her communications equipment now jammed, all Hondo could do was go back to her office and monitor the traffic from the Inspectors.

Hondo remembered a phrase she had picked up from her readings of the history of the Roman Gladiators, when they were in the ring they all said in unison….“We how are about to die… Salute you”…. And to Hondo the men and women 2nd Bn, would be those same Gladiators.

FRIDAY EVENING - LESS THAN 12-24 LEFT

For Hondo, she was having a hard time concentrating on regular regimental reeports with Headquarters asking for more statistics, names of all Marines assigned to the 2nd Battalion for possible promotion, if they made it through the FTX, and even her budgetary requirements, all of this was now begining to give her a big headache.

Now hungry, and tired of the food replicators down the hallway in the units break room. Even Hondo was now getting tired of the greasy Lumpia, so making up her mind, she said "Joe" how about accompanying me to "BENNY"S", a new all night restaurant that served plain old American (old earth) comfort food. Spaghetti, Creamed beef of toast (SOS), a large double decker hamburger w/ Garlic Fries, and regular french fries, and many other delicacies. There were milkshakes, malts, Coke Floats, and Root beer Floats. Joe who was sitting at his desk, doing work detailed to him said "Skipper", I'm going to be busy, and with the 2nd Battaliion now with less than 12-24 hours before Kickoff, I know you have a lot on your mind, and I don't think you'd want to talk.... "So I'll just take a rain check and not come with you on this one evening"...

Laughing Hondo said, "Joe I guess you're right, plus I'd be a very inattentive dinner partner"....

Just about to leave the office, Hondo said "Joe if anything comes down from Headquarters on 2nd Battalion just combadge me, I'll be at Benny's having dinner", then she left. Joe just smiled as he knew that in 15 minutes he'd get a call, and there it was ....the small pre-beep, and then the loud beep..."NO Skipper, nothing yet; go enjoy your dinner".... A half an hour later, the same calll... "Skipper.... "no", .... "yes" I'll let you know. "Now go and have your desert, and relax we'll know soon enough and its now less than 12 hours now"....

INSIDE TRAINING DOME 67-B:

It was now 0100 hrs, Saturday, and in the corner of the TOC lay Lt. Simms who had been tossing and turning on his rack. Unable to sleep he had this recurring dream of all of the opponents the Marines had fought since he'd been a Marine.

Suddenly jumping up from his rack that consisted of used metal crates whose inside contained a soft padding, and for a pillow he had taken his uniform top off, and used it as a pillow. Now up and running to where both First Sergeant Ermey and his XO 2nd Lt. Wanda Alexander. Lt. Simms was now saying get the hell up, get the command staff in here ASAP, "I know who we're fighting.... Alert all CO's, and have them bring their officers and senior enlisted to my tent ASAP; we got some work to do against the "Jem'Hadar"

With his officers now in the tent, Lt. Simms said ladies and gentlemen our opponent compliments of General Jackson will be the ..."Jem'Hadar". Suddenly all was silent as the officers were now shocked at the news. Lt. Simms said folks "This is something that we should have known would be coming; we've during our three months here have taken on Antarians, ancient Vulcans, Romulans, Klingons, and a whole slew of other warriors and have done very well, so why shouldn't General Jackson's present to us be "Jem'Hadars?"

Okay folks I'm downloading tactical Files on the Jem's onto his commanders PADD, and you all better pay attention; it read...

The Jem'Hadar are cloned rather than breeding naturally. They are mature within three days of leaving the birthing chamber, allowing for very rapid replacement of casualties. All Jem'Hadar have an inbuilt ability to 'shroud' themselves, a form of camouflage which effectively hides them from both sensors and the naked eye. In addition, they are almost completely unaffected by many forms of anti-personnel forcefield. Jem'Hadar do not need to sleep, eat, or drink - the only substance they require is Ketracel White, an isogenic enzyme deliberately omitted from their physiology by the Founders.

That’s great skipper said 2nd Lt. Marc Johnson; "but how do we kill them, since Starfleet had problems using their phasers against them!"

Lt. Simms then downloaded into their PADDS another set of files, and said;

"Thought the Jem’s were designed to have excellent vision and strength, and have the ability to shroud themselves with their own cloaking device that effectively hides them and their weapons from scanners and the naked eye. They do have two weaknesses which we are going to exploit to its fullest potential.

First; the Jems on the attack have to drop their cloaking ability, "that means you folks will have to do some fancy work on using trip wires, footfalls, tanglefeet, booby traps, and I'd say a clear death strip about 50 meters away from your first line of defense;

"Secondly,when the Jems lose the ability to shroud when they are suffering from the withdrawals from the “White”, so what we need is a company to go out and either spike their supply of White, or destroy it, along with their ability to bring in more soldiers with the reproduction chambers".

Now the reason Starfleet Security had problems killing them is that "they were using phasers which has no effect on the Jems", unless you use the strongest settings, and that is where the Marines use of their TR-116 with its 40 rd magazine containing the new .50 caliber round comes in. And that is why the old lady was such a stickler for Marine Marksmenship. "You folks should be good at blowing off their heads!, plus you all have a one more thing, the Marine "K-Bar". I'd like to see some Jem stand up to that...Soon everyone began to laugh at the statement.

Okay People, you now know as much as I know, and I'm expecting all of you commanders and your officers, NCO's and marines to come up with novel ways to kill a Jem... Who knows the battle for TD-67B may be the one training exercise the Corps uses in all further wars against the Jems....

REGIMENTS TOC 2355 hrs

Dinner at Benny's was great, Hondo had Benny's famous Dry Rub BBQ Pork ribs, a helping of cole slaw, a roll, and iced coffee. With her meal consumed, and enjoying watching other Marine Officers come in, from the 4th and 22nd Regiments; they were now starting to rub it in, "Hondo, we heard from the grapevine that you guys are going to face the Jems" too bad you're going to be taking a fall. " This one is going to be a doozy, and its the generals favorite.... Take care Hondo, and don't say we didn't warn you"

Now laughing they all left Hondo who was now starting to feel a sudden flush to her cheeks. But the ribbing was all in good fun. Everyone was now waiting to see how 2nd Bn would fare against the Jem's. For many of the officers there, since everyone returned back; half of the officers were also brand new, and from the talk buzzing around her, there were a few betting against her, but many were also rooting for her Battalion to win.

But Hondo knew one thing, she had trained her Battalion to the best of her ability, and used some of her old training skills when she was the 47th SFMEU Commanding officer at Galahad Marine Corp Base. Getting up, Hondo went up to a group of officers who were laughing the most and said, "gentlemen; I see you're betting against my battalion", well I'll see your bet and wager you double, and that would make it around "25,000 Federations Credits that says my Battalion wins"

Looking around Hondo saw a small group of officers, betting that she'd loose; and walking up she said "Gentlemen i'll take your bet, and wager that my Battalion wins, and i'll double the wager to 5,000 Federation Credits. Suddenly smiling Hondo, oh "I'll take my winnings in front of General Jackson, if you please,", leaving the stunned officers wondering if she had an ace up her sleeve. Hondo paid her bill and left.

Giaus Aquila quietly remained seated, and continued to eat his dinner. The conversation between those officers was amusing to him. It was amusing to him because he was in the 327th Marines when they earned their name "Chin'Toka Reapers". If 327 was capable of fighting off Jem'hadar during the War, it will be capable of fighting them off now.


Finally arriving at the TOC Hondo checked with the TOC's duty officer; captain Riley Marsfhield who was sitting in her chair monitoring the radio traffic from 2nd Bn. "Riley, well what do we have so far"... "Nothing skipper", for now the entire Battalion is now on communication silence, plus we've had this jamming.

"Jamming, what jamming?" asked Hondo. "Ma'am; its nothing to be worrried, and its comming from the Divisions Communication Section, and only affecting 2nd Bn, and it just started the moment you entered the TOC reported Captain Marshfield. Relaxing a bit, Hondo said well with that, I'll be in my room trying to get some sleep, then Hondo left the room.

Passing by First Sergant Ermey's office which was still lighted, Hondo saw him working on a lot of paperwork, went inside and sat down. Sitting down quietly, First Sergeant Ermey watched for a few minutes as Hondo just sat there looking straight at him, putting down Ermey said okay Skipper "spill the beans".

Hondo said, TOP do you think 2nd Bn is now well prepared to go out with the General when the balloon goes up?


TAG Ermey

DAY 1 UNKNOWN HOUR AND LOCATION: THE BATTLE FOR TD-67D

The sun now over 88 degrees in the shade and climbing; with high humidity of over 83% seemed to sap the strength out of everyone. For the small fire team of three men and women, plus a sergeant they had drawn point that morning and were now hidden on a high bluff watching a very large semi-swampy area.

As they watched all day long, the heat continued continued to rise higher and higher into sky, one of the privates saw Sgt. Marshfild, and raised his finger up into the air, making a fast circle. Sgt Marc Marshfield saw the sign, and quickly low crawled to the area. Reaching PVT Gloria Amsterdam, she put her fingers to her lips, and pointed to the large clearing.
What used to be flat muddy ground was now being trampled by something unseen, and as they watched more and more footsteps arriving, he figured there were approximately over 3500 soldiers in the large group.

Now he could break communication silence, and said “Black Widow, Black Widow, this is Spider 4, come in Black Widow”… Repeating it once more, he said “black Widow we have contact”. “We have approximately three, five, zero, zero unknowns at our position; grid point niner, eight, five, five four one.

Then after broadcasting the information he said… Pull back, and let’s see where the Jems are headed for. Moving back a few hundred yards, to another set of defenses, the entire squad just buried themselves in the dirt, vines, and rotting plant material. Now thoroughly buried with now heat signals being emitted, the entire team just waited.
Soon they watched thousands of foot prints being made by the cloaked Jem’Hadars. The Jems not in a military formation, but in a large group bypassed them as they hid from sight. Thinking that all of the Jems had now left to attack the Battalion, the team was surprised by four Jems who fell in late, and were now trying to catch up.

Suddenly the four Marines were surprised to see the four Jems suddenly appear, and without being prodded, the Marines went toe to toe with the Jems, Surprisng the Jems who thought the four Marines would turn and run, the Jems suddenly found themselves fighting enraged Marines who pulled out weapons, and within seconds the Marines had slaughtered the Jems.

Making sure the Jems stayed dead, the Marines cut off their heads and dismembered their bodies. Suddenly the bodies of the Jems began to glow, then they disappeared.
As soon as the Battalion TOC received the message about the Jems, the entire Battalion went into action. the Marines watched, and suddenly the four Jems disappeared from view.
It didn’t take long before LT. Simms began to give further orders. Speaking during the briefing. The Jems are probably going to do their famous Banzai Human wave attacks, so we’ll accommodate them. I want every Marines her to remove their helmets, place them over where fighting positions and foxhole are at, and I want the Marines to find a piece of pipe to give someone the idea that we’re still here.

Next I’ll want four Photon mortar rounds bundled together and set to explode on a dead man’s switch. The person who stays behind will make sure the photon mortar rounds go off, and I’m going to need one squad to also remain behind to fire their weapons, so the Jems will think our dug in positions are full of Marines.

Next we’re going to move out to another location, that is better fortified, than this piece of flat land. But right now I want this done now… Suddenly leaving the TOC all of the Company Commanders and their platoon leaders were now giving orders.

Soon the Marines were taking off their helmets, and placing them over where their heads would have been. With pipes, round pieces of wood, and tree branches all looking like actual weapons; from a short distance it looked like the Battalion was holding their positions in force.

After the demolition teams had wired the Photon mortar round to explode at the same time, they had the wires lead to a “dead-mans switch”. Which would automatically trigger the explosives if the person holding it died. With a squad of 12 Mariens, now deciding to volunteer, Lt. Simms said Sergeant Murphy, you know the deal.

Whatever you do I want you to make a fight of it, and suck in the Jems. You can expect them to do the usual Banzai Human Wave assault., now make them pay. As Lt. Simms was talking to the thirteen Marines, each of his platoons began to move out into the bush, and head for their second fortified position.

With everyone now gone except for a small security team Lt. Simms saw that everything was ready, and now saying okay, we’re now set. Then he too disappeared into the bush.
Without any scanners, and the Jem’s ability to cloak themselves, they had always beaten the best scanners used by Starfleet, and the Marines causing massive damages, which led to the defeat of several large Starfleet Security and Marine units.

But knowing that the gems were impervious to any type of scanner, Lt. Simms had his battalion construct a series of very low tech alarm systems. He had his battalion rummage through their packs for a metal container, and dig through the discarded garbage for any type of metal container.

Putting a small pebble inside the metal containers; the Marines had constructed a line early warning system that stretched for more than 1500 meters away from their front lines, and another set that was now more than 500 meters away from their front lines..

It did not matter if the Jems had their cloaking devices on, the telltale sound of a cloaked person brushing up against hundreds or thousands of small metal containers with a rock was enough to bring on a fire fight.

It must have seemed like hours, but after the Lieutenant had left, the first sounds of the metal containers began to make a rattling sound, and with the second line of canisters now being disturbed, the remaing Marines knew that the Jems were now beginning the Banzai human wave attack.

It didn’t take long, and soon the remaining Marines began to fire into the crowd of Jems. Suddenly staggered by the massive Marine fire, the Jems now dropping cloak began to appear, soon there were a few then a few hundred, and hundreds more as the Jems seemed to run over the first line of Marines in their fighting positions.

Not getting a response from the forward line, the Jems now numbering over 1500 were now taking light to medium casualties as the Marines took their time shooting at the Jems, but in a controlled manner. Under heavy fire, the Jems took losses, but kept on advancing, until they reached a Marine who stood in front of them. Smiling, the Marine pushed a button, and before anyone could kill him, there was a bright light as bright as the sun, a loud roar, and darkness.

The 1500 Jems who entered the former positions of the 2nd BN, had been vaporized, leaving a massive crater over 200 feet deep, and more than 3500 feet in diameter.
So this was what death felt like, thought Sgt Albert Brown as he now lay half naked in the grass. Most of his team had their clothing and equipment blown off of their bodies, and the Marine who pushed the detonator, he was up in a tree, wondering what hit him.

Laying there Sgt. Brown in the cool grassy and muddy field, he began to feel his body, and finding that he was still in one piece, but now weak from the massive blast he looked up into the sky and saw a flight of Firefly Ambulances coming down and landing.

Soon a Feet Surgical Team (FST) came up and began to triage him. Placing him on a stretcher, the young 2nd Lieutenant who was on his first assignment began his assessment, and said “sergeant if this were real, right now I’d be collecting your DNA. There would not be enough of your body to identify .

Luckily for you the Training Domes Safety systems allowed you to have massive blunt force trauma, a few scratches, now looking at the near naked Sergeant, the Medical Officer also said… and a “pair of clean underwear”…

Soon the Sergeant and the thirteen Marines were now flying back to the Division’s aid tent where more medical officers, nurses, and hospital corpsmen were now working on the injured. With a clean bill of health, they would be given new uniforms, and have to spend the rest of the FTX in a makeshift hospital ward, relaxing as they waited for news from the evaluators.

DAY 4

For days the Battalion had been fighting a large force of Jems that had now swelled up to over 5,000 warriors. Everytime the Jems thought they had the Marines, they pulled out more tricks, cutting down the Jems. But in the mind of Lt. Simms his idea was more sinister, if the Jems would cooperate, he would lead them on a wild goose chase, back to their birthing chambers and the large stash of “white”.

As the Marines were moving, the entire landscape changed, and they were now in Western Europe during the later days of WWII, and with the entire Battalion now in the old City of Stalingrad, the Germans were now the Jems, and the Russians were the 2nd Battalion. Now it was beginning to look like a defensive operation would take place.

Seeing the change, with his Marines now dressed in warm clothing for the cold Russian winter, Lt. Simms pulled his Battalion to a large town, where he would set up a defensive perimeter. Sending out his sniper teams that were using the TR-116A. the ten Marines that were in two five man teams were broken up. Now working singly, they would go out among the ruins; their mission was to kill any of the Jem’s command staff.

Knowing that the Jems died at an early age, the Jems did not have the professional leadership of their NCO’s and Officrs. With the Jems they all rose up the ladder by assuming command if one above you died in battle. Not a good way to lead a squad, platoon, or whatever the Jems called it. The Jems attacked in massive human waves sending in wave after wave of warriors.

With 2nd Battalion now in a defensive perimeter, Lt. Simms had his mortars set up, along with his crew served weapons. Noticing that the main thrust of the Jems would be through a series of large cement blocks the size of a house, and were laying strewn about, Lt. Simms had an idea.

He knew that to get to his positions the Jems would have to squeeze by several massive cement blocks that had been placed more than 60 meters apart. Some were closer at the front and wider at the base. Looking at his front lines, had his Battalion dig in, had interconnecting zones of fire, and made sure his battalion was covered.

In his plan Lt. Simms recalled Alpha Company and inserted them into the main body. Next he had Bravo Company on the left flank, and Charlie Company on his right flank. Taking the weapons platoons, he placed them in to one large platoon, and their mission was to fire from all tubes three rounds, then move; fire another set of rounds, move again and fire. Hopefully the Jem’Hadar would not know where the rounds were coming from.

Next with his weapons leaders Lt. Sims had a large kill zone planned out. The 80mm mortars would begin to drop their rounds from a distance of 700 out to an accurate range of 2,000 meters, and a minimum range of 3,000 meters. While his 40mm mortars would take in the shorter distances from the beginnings of where the TOC was out to 2,000 meters. Dropping rounds directly on top of the Marines was only used at times when the TOC or their positions were being overrun.

Still using the early warning systems, the Marines strung up more and more metal cans, all filled with one or two pebbles in and around their positions. Now increasing the number of guards, the Battalion settled down, and waited.

By now the entire Battalion was now loading their weapons, making sure they were clean before they ate. Eating, drinking, and making sure the medics saw the battalion to make sure they were not developing any diseases that would not incapacitate the battalion.

One patrol of three Marines were out inspecting the barriers, and suddenly they heard the telltale sounds of cans being moved. Though they couldn’t see the Jems they knew that they would be making their Banzai charge. Running back to the TOC they reported the noise, and suddenly massive gunfire from the Marines hit the barricades. As the Jems began to take in massive casualties, the Mortars began to pump in high explosive rounds set to explode three feet above the ground.

Now with them being discovered, the Jems who wanted to get in closer were now being shot down, and soon a massive frontal assault began. With the Marines now shooting at semi or 3 round bursts, the Marines were now going for the upper chest, neck and head.

With the Titanium 7.62 mm ammunition, the heavy rounds were ripping through the Jems, cutting them down further were the “iso-mags”, and along with the mortars, firing HE shells, the first Banzai assault was now grounding to a halt. Trying to find cover, the Jems were now being grounded up by the 40mm & 80mm Mortars, now firing air burst rounds. The Marine Gunners fed the mortar round hoppers, and an arm automatically picked up the round, and dropped it into the maw of the tubes, and the mortars automatically fired. All the senior did was make sure the firing computer was fed the correct coorinates. The firing computer also armed the rounds as it sat in the bottom of the tube, and the type of effect was controlled there. Now with the Air burst the Jem's who continued to stand up were just cut down by the hundreds, and for the ones that tried to drop to th ground, the other rounds fell, and as it hit the ground; they exploded sending dirt, and shrapnel over a 120 meter area.

Continuing forward, the Jems actuall mananged to reach the first of the Marines defensive lines, now with the Jems to close, the Marines brought out their bladed weapons, and now the Marines and Jems were now in a big melee fight. Wielding short double bladed axes, swords, spikes, and even steel pipes, the Jems were now going down in droves. For the ones who saw the fight, they tried to climb out of the Marines positions, but were suddenly grabbed by the Marines who were now cutting and chopping at their limbs. Now lying on the ground it made it easier for the wounded Marines to drive metal spikes into their head, or to continue chopping away at the Jems. For some of the Jems they were beheaded,and their heads thrown at their comrades.

Continuing to kill; the Marines who all managed to pull out their TR-119 shotguns, the rapid sound of shotgun rounds being fired in close combat was now going off everywhere. With solid shot, and contact fragmentation rounds, the Jems were taking more and more casualties. A few of the Jems who thought a Marine was down, sometimes made the mistake of gloating, and that was when the Marine shoved his TR-119 into the mouth and face, then pulled the trigger sending a double round of solid shot and contact explosive into the face of the jem.

DAY 9

Now the Marines were taking the upper hand as they began to hunt down the Jems. Not content to being guinea pigs in this FTX. With the Marines losses now at an acceptable leve, with many of the marines having suffered minor injuires, they were seen and treated, then sent back to the lines. With enough marines to manage their defenses, one squad out of each platoon was given the orders to go out and hunt down the Jem's, one by one. Each squad of twelve was further divided into a three man hunter/killer team. Now scouring the battlefield, and going further into the bush, they began to find Jems, and hunt them down. To make sure the Jem's knew the Marines had been there, the teams were allowed to remove a length of their horns; which were thick tufts of hair.

Now going out, they struck back at the Jems. Knowing that the Jems would drop their shroud when they were now going through withdrawls, the Marines struck out of the blue like a vengeful harpie. Surprising the Jems who were partially visible, they killed them. Slaughtering them as they were crawling on the ground, trying to take their White. With the Jems now dead, their bodies appeared, and each Marine removed a tuft of hair, and tied the tufts to the but of their weapons, or to one of their bladed weapons.

DAY 10

It wasn't long before the Ukrainian location was now replaced by the hot dry sands of a desert environment. Combing the vast deserts, the 2nd Battalion was now authorized to use the Marine Fireflies. The Fireflies were large transport ships that could carry an entire platoon of 60 Marines, and their equipment. Meant to fly between a parked Transport Starship to the ground, the fireflies had the ability to move through the heavy atmosphere, and land in any type of ground conditions.

With the ground war now holding, the 2nd Battalion was now able to get replacements who were the ones that had died, but because of the training domes Fail Safe systems, all of the dead, were now fully healed and fit for duty, began to arrive in force; and were welcomed back to their old units. For a few minutes the commanders let the dead talk about the afterlife in a Starfleet…. Hospital bed, where the Nurses were all beautiful.

Now brought back to reality, the 2nd Batttalion began a massive search and destroy mission. After pulling back their hunter/killer teams, and reforming the platoons back to their original configuration, the Battalion was now heading to a large abandoned city. Before approaching, the battalion sent in a reconnaissance platoon, whose job was to make sure there were no uninvited guests. With the rest of the battalion now in a dug in defensive position , and the Fireflies being used for cover, Lt. Simms waited for word from his platoon. Suddenly out of the blue, Charley Company, 3rd platoon reported a large company sized unit Jems were now approaching from the west. The Marines now struck back, ambushing on the road before they had a chance to reach the city. Within minutes more than 50 Jems now laid dead in the hot desert sun, as usual; after the Jems were dead, they would glow, then disappear.

With the city of what once had over 150,000 people, Lt. Simms after looking at what he had for protection began to place the Battalion into a defensive position, and as they worked; Corporal Agnes Jonas, the 24 year old female sniper assigned to watch over the Bn TOC, was somewhere close.

As a sniper, she was assigned the TR-116A. Jones loved her TR-116A. it was big, and she always liked big thing. With a maximum effective range of over 2500 m (1.5 miles), she could take out the eye of a mosquito. Having the highest scores in hr Sniper School, she had managed to pull off some impressive marksmanship skills, and now doing overwatch for the Battalion Commander, making sure that when he was up along the lines, no one would dare try to shoot him.

Stripped down to her Marine DESPATS, and wearing a floppy boonie hat. She wore a simple “H” harness, consisting of a small butt pack. Inside the butt pack she carried a few personal items, a few field rations good for three days. Also in her butt pack she carried a snipers computer that gave her information on weather temperature, wind velocity, rotational spin of the planet, humidity factors, length to a particular object in meters, weight of the munition she carried in her weapon, angles of deflection, and others. The sniper computer made it easy for her to take out further ranged objects, but she also remembered the math involved and carried a book on all of the formulas she needed, and with her skills in math, she could take all of this into account and pick off anything she decided to kill at long distances. When quizzed by her classmates in Sniper School why she sometimes never used the sniper computer she would tell them "If your computer goes down, can you still take the shot?"

Carrying 20 ten round magazines of 7.62 antipersonnel Flechettes. In addition she also carried two magazines of high explosive rounds, and one magazine of High Explosive Armor Piercing rounds. Reporting to Lt. Simms, he told her what he wanted, and after a few more questions, she left.

Working with Bravo Company, once they entered the large town, she checked her communication system, and then she disappeared into the darkened depths of the thousands of abandoned and damaged buildings. The only time anyone heard from her was when she requested a food and ammunition drop. Giving the Company her coordinates, they would leave a small satchel that contained her requests, and in no time the satchel was gone.

As Bravo Company checked the empty buildings, they received a call. Agnes reported that a large force of Jems were now entering through the back of their lines, and were now moving through the streets. For Agnes, she already had her own basic security system. Lightly dusting the entrances to the floors she was in with a fine bed of sand, booby trapped the entrances. Now in position she just waited. Using the optics on her rifle, she had both thermal and regular optical sights, adjusting her rifle to a range of over 2500 meters.

She wasn’t looking for the Jems out in the open, but the ones that decided to find a way to cross over the deserted and bombed out buildings and hoping to sneak up on the Marines. It was while she was waiting that she saw something move, the target were two Jems that had dropped their shroud, and were now approaching her location. With the both of them looking out for the Marines, one of them entered a doorway, and as he entered a Massive arm swung up that had four large spikes, caught him in the face and upper chest killing him instantly.

Impaled with the spikes the other Jem made the mistake of coming out of the shadows. With a calm hand, she pulled the trigger, and within seconds the sound of something that sounded like a thud could be heard, suddenly the head of the Jem exploded into a thick mist of brain, amber colored blood, tissue and bone fragments. There was something she saw, the last Jem was now going through the early signs of a drug withdrawls, and had dropped his shroud.

Day 14

Armed with the knowledge of the Jems now going through withdrawls, Lt. Simms began to gather a lot more information from the individual squads, platoons, and companies that were fighting the Jems.

There were more and more days as the Battalion tangled with the Jems who were now running out of soldiers, but the computer programs continued to pump out more Jems from their incubators. Everyone in the Battalion was now calling the FTX by another name, “The Battle for TD-67B”, which made sense. Since they first began this FTX over 14 days ago, it was now apparent that they were protecting the Dome from the Jems, and so the name stuck.

Even Hondo who was always in the Regiments TOC, and reviewing the the progress of 2nd Battalion, had heard the name being banted around…She liked the name, and right now the Battalion was now doing what they had been trained to do, but with more ingenuity.

Even the inspectors were amazed at the way the Battalion was fighting. Using both conventional weapons, improvised weapons, With the information from the Inspectors who were also assigned to observe the entire 15 day FTX, the computer had programmed the Jems to not recognized the inspector, and concentrate on the members of the 2nd Battalion.


DAY 15 – LAST DAY.. THE FINAL BATTLE FOR TD-67B

Even though this day was the last day of the FTX, the Battalion had not really been tested, which was now Lt Simms big problem. Discussing the issue at hand with his officers, they all said that so far the Jems they had been fighting had been small battalion sized elements, not the massive Banzai Charges, and the birthing chambers was another issues, not to mention the white

For Seriga’kut the Jem commander, he had been thwarted at every turn. Not expecting the Marines to mount an effective defense, but to go out and begin to hunt down his warriors was too much for him to take. Every day he would continue to loose warriors, and within a few hours more warriors would come in to replace them, but these latest batch of warriors were so new that they had not had the time to receive the proper military training. Yes they were smart, and strong; but without any formal or basic military training all he did was order the warriors into the Marines sights to be killed.

Now after fighting the Marines for the past 14 days, Seriga’kut had a plan. He knew that from watching the warriors fight that the Marines seemed to always depend on their fortifications to protect them, but they never had to face the full effects of a massive Jem wave attack, or what the humans called a “Banzai Charge”.

For now he would continue to send probing elements to find if there were gaps in their defenses as he would now gather his 5,000 troops together, and with the last batch of warriors now in their birthing hatcheries, he would once they were fully grown in three days, he would now have a sizeable force of over 15,000 Warriors, and he would then release the warriors upon the Marines.

Suddenly the interior of TD-67B b began to change, and everyone saw that the battle was now a massive field over 1200 miles in length, and over 600 miles wide. On one flank was a grove of trees so thick that trying to mount a Banzai attack through the woods was next to impossible. On the other flank was a massive gorge that dropped more than 6500 feet to a rocky boulder strewn stream with swift running water.

There were a few large watering holes, and a large mountain pass that led anyone out of the valley. Not too concerned with the surroundings Seriga’kut was more interested in killing the Marines, and with his 9,500 warriors, with more than 1,000 warriors coming out of the gestation chambers every three days, he would just wait out the Marines as they expended all of their ammunition, and then he would begin the quick Banzai charge, and overrun their positions before they were ready.

REGIMENTAL HEADQUARATERS:
Hondo received a call from Division, and told to report to TD-67B ASAP. It seemed General Jackson wanted Hondo to see first-hand how well 2nd Battalion had progressed, and was informed that General Jackson may also come out to watch the final part of the FTX if he wished to.

From the reports in the field, Hondo pulled out from her office closet an armor system the Marines in the Middle East in 2015 wore. It was a light weight body armor system that covered her chest, back and sides. The armor plates were less than 1/8th thick, and after improvements gave the wear protection against phaser and disruptor fire. Slipping on her armor, Hondo pulled out a tactical belt that contained 8 magazine holders for the 30 rd magazines, two 30 round magazines for her Desert Eagle .50 caliber pistol, a place for her K-Bar, and the combat Ginunting the Filipino Bolo short sword, that was good for hacking, and chopping. Seeing that she was dressed, Hondo pulled out her helmet the older Marine Kevlar Mark III helmet, designed like the Marines Kevlar helmet of 2015. Though it didn't have all of the modern sensors, it did protect her head against shrapnel, high velocity weapons, phaser, and disruptor fire.

Once dressed, Hondo ran out of her office, and went directly to the Armory and said "Gunny do you have that large package I asked for?" "Yes ma'am, but I'm not too sure why you would want an old fashioned Fission Nuclear Round call and "ERW" can do; when we have the newer Photon rounds". Laughing, Hondo said "Gunny one does not question an older woman, plus what I have in mind is going to help the Battalion, so where do I sign for it?"

Mumbling yes ma'am, Gunny Childress went to the back of he Armory and brought out a large box, opening the box Hondo and the Gunny saw his work. there in the box was a large cylindrical object. Opening the side, there were four electircal ports. Then before Hondo left, Gunny Wiliams said, you know I've seen this type in the war museum, and from what I've read this can really screw up somone's day.... then Hondo replied, in the case of the Jems, I hope it does.

Quickly grabbing the box, and closing it Hondo ran out and as she left the Armory she said "Thanks Gunny"...


KALEB III, OUTSIDE TD-67D

Taking a few seconds to beam down to Kaleb III, while holding her box, Hondo was now standing out in front of TD-67D, where she saw a platoon size Marine element that had been killed a few days earlier, but after a 24 hour stint in sickbay, their wounds were healed, and now they were ready to return. Seeing Hondo they were happy to see her, and now as the door to TD-67D opened up, Suddenly Hondo and the 30 Mariens were now under fire from a group of 150 Jems who were trying to outflank 2nd Battalions right flank.

Almost by instinct the Marines and Hondo began to put up a massive amount of fire, and with the Jems going down, some were still trying to advance, and that was when Hondo drew out her Ginunting, along with the Marines who also pulled out their K-Bars, and whatever they carried and began to attack the wounded Jems. Hondo had already decapitated one Jem who was standing over a Marine. The others were now engagegd in close and bloody hand to hand combat, and within minutes the Jems all lay on the grassy field.

Calling a head count Hondo looked at each Marine and said “Check”, and as each Marine looked at his weapon, making sure the weapons were fully loaded with a fresh magazine they said “Clear”. Some instead of saying clear, said “Dog Chow”… the Marines would pull out a fresh magazine, and throw it to the Marine who was low on ammunition

Now hearing “Check, and Dog has now been fed” Hondo said, “Who’s a corporal here among you motley zombies?” There was a lot of laughing, then raising his hand Corporal Grimby P. Mortimer, Hondo said “Grimby, you’re now on point. I figure we’re about 6 clicks away from the Battalion. Next Hondo said “We’re going to go disappear through the thick woods, in patrol formation, and try to link up with the Battalion. “Hopefully one of Lt. Simms snipers isn’t going to take us out”,” Platoon move out.

Putting a squad of the Marines on her left flank, and another squad on her right, the small platoon moved out, using the vast under brush, low hanging tree limbs, and thick woods to conceal their advance. For the next hour, the patrol moved out in what she termed an overlapping forward movement. Where the entire platoon would break down into four elements and continue to provide flanking protection.

As each element moved up more than 100 meters, they would hold, and a second element would run past them and set up a perimeter in defenses, until the last element passed the first one, then the first element, would also begin to move up, and for the next hour they continued to move up without any trouble.

Now coming to a vast clearing, Hondo with the rest of the Marines now proned out, and in a circular defensive position, crawled forwards to where Grimsby. Pointing; Hondo saw in front of them was was a vast field that was flat as a plate of glass, a small depression; but nothing more. With the Tree line protecting their right flank, Lt. Simms had his Battalion set up behind rows of Fireflies spaced at intervals, and between those intervals the Marines had built up a series of defensive breastworks.

Traveling for another mile, Hondo and the Marines came to a heavily defended outpost. Stepping out of the shadows, Hondo heard someone say “SEMPER”, responding with “FI”, and then the number 17, which she in turn said 75, the voice said “You may pass”. Now out in the open, the Marines saw her, and held her till they could get a senior NCO.

When Gunnery Sergeant Wilkins heard one of the outpost had the Captain, he called the TOC and said the Commander is now being held at OP1. Lt. Simms told Gunny to allow Hondo to enter, while he ran down to where OP1 was at. The reception was great, Hondo now had a chance to see 2nd Bn at work, and Lt. Simms could now show Hondo how he and the Battalion had managed to survive the first three days without heavy losses.

With the rest of the replacement Mariens now back in their own company, Hondo was in the TOC sitting down enjoying a cup of coffee. When the TOC receive a call that OP2 had General Jackson, along with Master Chief Gaius Aquila, who had suddenly arrived at their location. Suddenly Hondo stood up, along with Lt. Simms who said go ahead and show them into TOC.

A second voice came over the coms and said, “Sir, there was a small scuffle, and we had to knock out the Chief”… “Why did you have to knock out the chief” asked Hondo?" Ma'am we didn't want to shoot the chief and waste a bullet on a good officer, so the best thing we could do was knock him out, since he refused twice to give us the proper "sign and countersign". Swallowing hard, Hondo said, "What about the General?" Oh, the General is quite alright, he gave us the proper sign and countersign, but is now laughing at the Chief.

Hondo said, "I’ll be coming down to talk to the General, and Chief Gaius who probably has a headache is probably going to chew some Gunny for the way he was received. Laughing at the thought of the Chief being "cold-cocked" because he refused to give the proper challange and counter challange was funny...

Remembering that if in doubt “knock out”. In this case Chief Gaius should have known that if you don’t have the correct password, and a confirmation password is given, if you don’t know what they are, no one is going to let you enter their AO, not even if you have a star or six stars. And the Marines on duty should be commended, on their action. With one of the Marines leading her, Hondo finally arrived at OP2 to find General Jackson and Gaius ...

Giaus was only alittle embarrassed by the whole situation. It was fortunate for all involved that his mind was still occupied with the Battle Of Death Valley, because he was very much capable of killing those guards. Jackson was amused, but also thankful to have such dedication. displayed by his Marines. More important was that Jackson was more than confident that this battalion would get their combat rating.

Coming up upon the General and Giaus, who seemed relaxed, Hondo reported to General Jackson and said "Sir, Captain Magbangan; welcome to our place in Hell, I hope the General is pleased with the Marines actions, and as for the Chief, "Chief I"m sorry that you were taken down; I know you could have taken out the Marines here at the OP easily, but then I'd have to have these Marines replaced with new recruits who aren't well trained, but for now "I'm sorry about the incident". Now if the both of you would like to accompany me back to the TOC, you can observe Lt. Simms who is the Battalion Commander of 2/327.

I believe Lt. Simms has come a good plan on how to take care of the Jem Banzai Charge....

INSIDE BATTALION TOC

While Lt. Simms was talking to the General; Aquila and Hondo were at the back, drinking coffee watching the two talking. Suddenly Hondo said "Gaius, I hope you didn’t mind me not acknowledging you at the O’Club the other night". I wanted to see that jerk put his money where his mouth was. If I know my Battalion by now, I'd say that 25,000 wager I made and will collect should go well in hand to furnish the presents and food for the childrens Christmas Party next month.

"I understand, over the years, I have seen the games officers play. I was assigned to the 327th many years ago, just like the General. In fact, we served together. I know that they will come out smelling like a rose.

Now with both the General and Gaius in the TOC, Lt. Simms began his report, with Hondo standing In the back continuing to drink her coffee.

Beginning Lt. Simms said “ General Jackson; my officers, NCO’s and enlisted personnel are pleased to have you come see our final exam. I hope that from the reports that you’ve gotten from the field that we are fulfilling your wishes for a hard hitting Marine Battalion, capable of taking the fight to the enemy and winning…

"I am very impressed Lieutenant. The best defense has always been a good offense.", Jackson said.

“General Jackson the way to beat the Jems is to let Nature help us. As you can see the earth in this part of the Valley floor is very porous, and has poor drainage, which means that which means that when the rains come, it tends to flood this area for days, and as the water recedes you have a vast muddy field that will dry up in six months. The mud here is very viscous, and has a gripping power to slow down the advance of a fast running Banzai Charge. Even their fastest runner cannot move more than 50 feet before being slowed down by the thick mud.

Waiting for the General and Chief Giaus to say something, before he moved on; Lt. Simms just waited

Jackson gave him a nod.

Now with General Jackson, and Chief Aquila both seated, and facing a large 3-dimensional tactical map of 2nd Bns AO; Hondo continued to sit in the back calmly drinking her coffee, watching the Lt. Now going through his first briefing to a major briefing to a senior officers.

After one of the Marines in the TOC turned on the map, with its various colors, both General Jackson and Chief Aquila could now see 2nd Bn’s entire AO, and the large valley floor….

Now standing in front of the two senior officers, Hondo wondered how Lt. Simms would fare once the General had time to absorb the information from the briefing. Now Lt. Simms began his report, where he said..

Sir we are now in defensive posture “ORANGE”. For the past several hours, my sniper teams that have been sent out, report we now face an enemy force estimated to be around 4,600 warrio

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