Pool took off his Combat Helmet, saluted and kept quiet, looked over Sarge's shoulder. He listened to Gamma squad and was so distracted by an actual uniformed squad, Delta was always ragtag with members using the weapons and armour they were given, usually it was damaged or broken gear that'd be fixed. It was only after a few more moments of looking quietly that Pool finally caught up to Sarge's words allowing the members of Delta to introduce themselves. "Marcus Pool, Delta Squad, Private. The Enclave endures, as it must. Wave upon traitorous wave will crash against the Enclave walls, let them come." Pool had spent too much time listening to President Eden's speeches. "I'm just glad that Congress isn't sat on their arses anymore cowering underground."
Jace took off his glasses and gave a crisp salute. This was his first real interaction with a true, experienced squad of the Enclave! And they were talking to them! Wait... What were they saying? Jace was taken aback when he heard their doubt, and even trepidation. Damn, never would've thought to hear that from Gamma, or any other squad really. "Ma'm, we learnt from our mistakes. Congress won't make the same one again. Sides, the enemy is coming to our home turf! So I say we go out there, and show them the kind of hurt they get when you mess with America! Stick together, follow your instincts. They won't stand a chance. Especially with Delta causing our usual mayhem!" He said with his usual grin, confident in his words. Although he meant every word of it, he was partially distracted by Lieutenant Hunt. Damn, if he wasn't a sucker for red hair...
@Valonox Kimberly turned to see the masked Delta Squad member and Cyberhound. By comparison, Gamma Squad was pretty consistent with each members uniform. Only slight variations per role of each member. Besides that, they had no Cyberized or other robotic members. The lieutenant responded. "Easy enough for an experienced outrider, living beyond the Tower and roughing it with the wastelanders. Most don't have that, never staying away for more than a year. You must have been part of the Mississippi expedition... The casualty rate for that mission was also high. You've my condolences." @GobMaw_HellSmasha Turning to Bark she knelt down and patted his sides. "I requested a Cyberhound for Gamma, but It was detecided that Gamma was more maneuverable without it. Most Cyberdogs are used by the Peacekeepers and Alpha squad. They have the nickname 'Hell Hounds' becuase of it. Hellfire armor will sure inflate some egoes. Not you, eh Boy? Who's a good Cyberdog?" Kimberly says in a warm voice to Bark. "You're a lucky group to have such a felxible squad and such a cutie for a teammate." @dx144 After a few more playful scratches and pats with Bark, Kimberly returned to standing and took in what Private Pool had said. "That's definitely one way of looking at it. You must have been in basic when the expedition deployed for the Capital. Did you ever once question why no one ever saw President Eden? Or spoke to him besides that Prof. Autumn? I don't trust what I can't see. At least The Congress has kept us alive this long, can't say the same for those who left." The lieutenant finishes with a sorrowful note in her voice. Having lost family to the capital expedition was very common for current Reserve Forces. Many having enlisted in memory of their lost loved ones. @Keidivh At Jace Southwind's words, Kimberly couldn't help but laugh. "You've sure got that reputation. From what the other squads have said, you'd think Delta was a one Squad natural disaster. In the days ahead, that might be just what we need to get through this." She says with a dazzeling smile, the first she's worn since they met. The hints of her worry, all but gone now. "I hope you're right about Congress. We can't get stuck in Traditionalist and Isolationist views. Learning from the miskaes of the past are the only way we're going to avoid repeating them." --------------- When the conversation between Delta and Gamma ended, Lieutenant Hunt and Sergeant Jenkins discussed last minute details. Deployment strategies and even made some room for Delta Squad on Vertibird 2. (Achieved: Reputation with Gamma Squad +1) Technician Sawcheck, or pilot Grant, informed both Squads that they were ready for launch and should make for their seats. Kimberly, "It was good getting your takes on the situation. Thought we can't talk about mission details, I wish you luck on your mission. May the spirits of Warbucks be with you, and God bless the Enclave." She says with a salute. The rest of Gamma Squad locked in step with her in perfect sync with their CO. Jenkins saluted back professional. Whether the rest of Delta did it as perfectly as Gamma was anyone's guess.
Pool wasn't aware that the Peacekeepers used some of the rarest armour on their cyberdogs. They were already armoured as it was but used the armour that many sent to DC didn't even had access to seemed... Insulting to Pool. The Lieutenant would have had a few of her points challenged but the notification for the Vertibird's immediate leaving stopped any chance Pool had. Although Pool help but correct the Lieutenant on Autumn's position. "Colonel Autumn, Ma'am. Best of luck in the field Gamma, the Enclave needs all it can get." Pool gave a salute, put his combat helmet on and moved out. A reunion with Gamma Squad would have to wait, who knows when that'd be as Gamma spent a long time out in the field at times.
Bark's tail wagged in appreciation of the nice ladies pats. It was rare for anybody in the Enclave to look at Bark with any sort of positive outlook, let alone a commanding officer. The significance of the moment was lost on Bark, but that didn't mean he couldn't enjoy a petting. "BARK" the translator squeaked as he woofed, the same goofy look on his face as he panted, "HAPPY" He looked around the area yet again. Completely oblivious to any sense of orderly conduct that may have been occurring. Rather then follow suit with any military formalities, Bark got distracted by his own tail's wagging, and chased it around in circles. It was nowhere near close to an appropriate action, but it was probably the best any could have hoped for.
Arthor was siting in the vertibird but also gave the salute to gamma out of respect. He had everything in order or atleast it was in his mind. His pack was infront of him seated on the ground and his gun was on his lap with the safety on for obvious reasons. The sergant's comment on his side projects did get him a little excited he really did want to continue his work in bionics that he was denied when he was moved to delta to simply fill in the position. He had always liked the idea of the enclave being able to use cyborgs in the military who weren't just dogs but intelegent humans. But it could also help civilians like being able to give amputees robotic replacements for what they lost and even bring wounded soldiers back into the fight. The possibilities were nearly endless but of course he would require support from congress to actually get anywhere which he probably wasn't going to get if he didn't show results. But enough about that he thought to himself we have a mission to do and I'm going to do my best as a part of delta squad. He agusted his goggles so they would be more centered on his forehead and waited for the rest to get ready.
@DaKaptin Jace beamed as he got the Kim to give a dazzling smile and laugh, happy he was able to improve her day a bit. He hurried onto the transport after Pool and Stone, and did a quick check on his beloved laser rifle, whistling a strange tune that was never played on any of the Enclave radio stations. He looked over to Kim, giving his usual charming smile, "Happy hunting miss, we'll see you on the other side. God bless the U.S.!" Jace then turned his attention back to his own squad. It had been a long time since he'd been around the naval yards. From what he remembered it was a fairly peaceful area. He hoped they wouldn't disturb it. "So Boss, we got any intel on the area we're deploying at?"
In transit... @Keidivh As Delta took their seats, Jenkins signaled for all squad members to switch on comm radios as the Vertibird propellers became defending. "Listen up Delta, Lake Bluff was a small community in North Chicago. Reports say they've see traffic along the highway. Not enough defensible , but we believe there may be a trade outpost somewhere close by." Sounding the annoyingly loud Emergency ping, making sure everyone was listeing. @dx144 @Valonox @GobMaw_HellSmasha @Vulpas @TuskatheDaemonKilla @Jorimel "Remember Delta Squad. We have our orders. To gather the control codes from the Naval Base, Great Lakes. Everything else is secondary. Depending on our time table, we'll see about looking into what the Chief Justice's is up to. If anything, it may be useful to the Enclave and not just him. We carry the weight of our Enclave upon the backs of eight generations. Let's make them proud! Duty, Honor, Courage, Semper fi!" [Take off in 5...4...3...2...1... Launch!] The ceiling open, two massing metal bulkheads fold inwards as a large concrete slab slides to one side to reveal bright daylight. Operation Chicagoland is a go! ------------------------ Mid Air around the Tower ---------------------------- The Old Warbucks Tower had long since fallen. All that remained was the strong base from which the Enclave were building their forward surface base No. 1. From there, Delta could see the Enclave personnel setting up fortifications. Walls, Shield Generators, prefabs, and Towered check points. Sweep teams were clearing out debris and checking for squatters. Only after a section had been cleared by Alpha or Omega squads, did Peacekeeper Units take up position with the Engineering Corps and Science Teams. Before long, they'd have the blocks form Van Buren St to Monro St. ------------------------Outside of Lake Bluff, Shields Township------------- After less than twenty minutes of travel, Delat Squad unloads into the ruins of North Chicago. Gamma Squad gave a few more words of encouragement and left with the two Vertibirds in the Northwest direction. The Street they faced was N. McKinley Rd. alongside old Train Tracks. Their destination marked on their pip-boys, showing that it would take them straight to the Navy Base. Dominating the scenery in the distance to the left was the ruins of an old College Campus, collapsed buildings and former homes left in disrepair. While on the right, a brown treeline could be seen. The Shoreacres country club, indicated by your map. The Naval Base just beyond their immediate sight. "All right Delta Squad, spread out and secure the area. We move out in the five. Check your sites and eyes sharp. Report anything you find and keep in radio contact. Once we've made it to the mission site, we're to make an extraction site for the Vertibird to pick us up on the return trip. Sound Good?" A rock falls from a nearby ruin. Whether by wear or some other means, the source is out of site. Plenty of cover and places for raiders or other hostile creatures to hide. OOC: Sorry for the late post. Better late then ever right? Next post reveals the hidden party!
The Vertibird didn't crash this time. Which is good because Bark was sleeping the whole ride there. Even with the deafening sound of the Vertibirds propellers overhead. As the Sargent pinged everyone with that annoyingly loud screechy sound on the radios Bark's ears rose up. But not much else was stirred by the noise. It woke him up, but not nearly long enough for him to stay awake through the mission briefing. Not like it mattered whether Bark was awake for it or not. It wasn't like he'd understand what was being told anyways. He's a dog. And like most dogs he started barking as soon as he heard something. "HEY! HEY! HEY!...HI!" the translator squeaked, as he barked at the rocks moving. Bark's brilliant mind deducing that going up and sniffing the fallen rocks would be the best course of action. His ingenious follow up being putting the rock in his mouth and bringing it back toward the ruins. The ruins clearly wanted to play fetch. Why else would the rock have fallen? It was the most logical conclusion he could have came up with. Unfortunately for Bark, his follow up action was met with a dilemma he could not have foreseen. He was B4Rk, and he was awful at this part in fetch. So instead of following up on giving the ruin it's rock back, Bark just stood there. With a rock in his mouth, and his head looking around. Eventually his brain came to an astonishing realization. Rocks don't taste very good. So he put the rock back on the floor and sat there. His tail wagging happily as he looked back toward the people that went on the Vertbird with him.
The area they'd landed it was a ruin, it did make Pool wonder how people could actually live in lands like this. Though Humanity seemed to always survive some more than others. The Enclave survived through contingencies and forward thinking while the people above survived through adaptation, removing their Humanity intentionally or not with mutations. Checking his Assault Rifle was loaded and ready to fire just incase a mutie revealed itself. "Thanks for the lift Sawcheck, see you when we're done out here." Climbing out of the Vertibird Pool noticed some rocks falling but were given only a glance by Pool, it was obviously the Vertibirds' engines and propellers that'd send sound waves or something like that which disrupted some small rocks which B4rk had started to chew upon. It probably was something other than sound waves but Pool isn't a scientist he just shoots things that get in the way. Pool hadn't really left the Tower in all his years of service. He'd seen the Wasteland a few times but those were almost out of his mind since the last time he left the Tower. He saw the Wasteland from a glance in 2277 but since then Delta had almost never been let out of the Tower. The sunlight was like the lights in the tower except it gave off more heat than he'd ever expected and the brightness of them the Tower could never try to prepare for, thankfully after the Vertibird's journey the blindness of the sunlight in Pool's eyes seems to have adjusted.
