-=/-\=- Planets Surface -=/-\=- The clearing came into view as the two men emerged from the woods. Huddled in a defensive position around a grouping of some large rocks were the rest of team. Pateli was the first to notice the two men emerging from the darkness, "Halt", he said loudly pointing his rifle in their direction. "Hold you're fire", Richard said towards the battle line as the rest of the team took notice. "Its Jem'Hadar alright", he continued as he walked over to Where Walsh was positioned. "Just one scout, we caught up to him, Lynch", he said glancing over at the Engineer. "Tell him what you found out". As Lynch began telling Walsh what he discovered, Richard took a step back and sat down on a large rock to catch his breath. From his side pocket he pulled out a handkerchief and began wiping the blood off of his face. He watched as Lynch contacted the Chimera and ordered the probes to be fired. A few meters away was the downed marine, being tended to by Michaels. He was just about ready to walk over to where they were at and see how the downed man was doing when Walsh spoke up. "Lieutenant, get everyone ready to move out, we're taking the compound". "Aye sir", Cortez barked back instinctively and then stood up. "Jones", he ordered, "Help Fabrini up. Lets move people, standard wedge formation, 3 meter intervals, be careful what you shoot, the Jem'Hadar have indeed been modded to look terran". Then taking a breath he stuffed his handkerchief back in his pocket and took his place in the formation. Walsh as usual took point, Richard couldn't help but wonder for his safety, but he knew there was nothing he could say to change his mind. Quickly, but cautiously the ODA team began moving towards the compound through the trees. It was the safest route, the road was out of the question now because it would most definitely be guarded and the last thing the team needed was another wounded marine. A wounded person not only took him out of the battle, but it slowed the entire team down as they now had to help their injured comrade along. It didn't take more than a few minutes more for the team to reach the edge of the trees, bringing them before the large compound. The buildings looked to be only one story in height, which meant that most likely there was an extensive underground facility. Everyone on the team took a knee at the edge of the clearing awaiting Walsh's orders. After a few seconds Richard moved over next to him. "Looks like shit", he muttered to the Major, alluding to the fact that there was absolutely no cover between the trees and the closest building, meaning that they would be extremely vulnerable to attack on there approach. "Aye", was the Major's response before turning back around. "Jones", he began, "Help Fabrini into one of these trees, make sure you have a clear view of the field, take the Silent Night with you", he finished, turning towards the two men. Richard watched as both Pateli and Jones boosted Fabrini into one of the larger trees and then tossed the sniper rifle up to him. After a few more seconds he was situated and had a clear view of the field and most of the compound, with the night vision scope switched on, he would be able to see anything well before anyone else on the ground took notice. The team needed no further instructions on what to do. They were all expert operators. They knew to keep themselves spaced out and to not bunch up and that if they did indeed come under fire, that dropping to the ground and looking for cover was the worst thing one could do. To survive they would have to keep moving and take the offensive. With a final clear signal coming from Lynch who was scanning the area with his Tricorder the team quickly began moving out across the field. They moved slowly at first, cautiously waiting to see if anything was going to happen. But there was nothing, only silence, not even the wildlife in the surrounding forest was making noise, it was if animals knew what was to come. "You think they ran away when they heard we were coming", Pateli joked as the team crossed the field. Of course Richard had learned from previous experiance, that things rarely, if ever, go according to plan. And sure enough, he was right. What could have been a relatively simple mission, was just about to turn a whole lot deadlier. The shit was definitly getting ready to hit the fan. It wasn't until they were a little over halfway to the first building when Lynch's tricorder starting beeping. "Shit, we've got company", he warned, "Seven...no scratch that ten bandits emerging from a building inside the compound, headed straight towards us". Then as if on cue an alarm started ringing out from somewhere inside the compound. "So much for the element of surprise", Cortez mumbled under his breath, the team needed no directions and everyone began sprinting for the nearest building. Through the microphone in his ear Cortez could hear Fabrini's voice, "Bandit on the roof", his voice cracked, "Bandit Down", he then heard him say a half second later as the team neared within a few meters of the first building. It was then that Richard first heard the high pitched whistle. It was a sound that every infantryman dreaded and respected both equally. The weapons were designed to be loud, designed to instill fear into the hearts of whomever were the poor SOB's to be caught in its grasp. "INCOMING!!!!", was all Richard was able to say before the first rounds hit. -=/-\=- End Log -=/-\=- Second Lieutenant Richard Cortez ODA Deputy Commander USS Chimera