"All right 58th, let's soften those defenses so the grunts don't get slaughtered," Thomas yelled over his comm channel to his squadron. The Marines were about 34 minutes from landing time. Boyle quickly switched over to the open subspace channel to Colonel Tarik's transport.
"Colonel, we will begin pre-bombardment in 12 minutes."
[Very well, Major,] Tarik said in reply over the comm channel.
The Hammerheads entered the orbit of the planet going at 2/3 impulse power in a V pattern. The surface of the planet came into view. Mainly green fields. Lieutenant West looked on his sensors and saw the planet was a rather comfortable 68 degrees. Major Boyle wasn't in the mood to admire the view and made it clear.
"We're close to 200 kilometers from the communications beacon. We'll use our laser guided torpedoes. Bicardi and Tigre launch too. Vansen, West, lock phasers on the air defense cannons near the beacon. I'll take out ground support." Boyle flipped his eye piece for his chin turret over his left eye. The eye piece is able to fire at what Boyle looked at.
The fighters raced towards their target. The squadron could see the civilians and Army soldiers running for cover. "Fire!" Boyle yelled over his comm speaker. The weapons found their target. The explosion was not as terrific as those before it. However it took the beacon out. Boyle was able to shoot several Mulluran army soldiers. The Air defense was also taken out nearly half a second later. The fighters were flying only 24 meters above the ground.
The 58th broke off and headed for the head quarters of the Mulluran Army on the planet. On route they encountered heavy ground fire. The ground fire made no difference the headquarters was taken out as were 15 enemy soldiers. Thomas as did the others pulled up and climbed to 200 meters to await the Marines' landing.
"Colonel, they have no way of calling for help. Their HQ is dust as are at least 15 of their soldiers. We are awaiting your orders."
[Roger that six. Prepare to make a pass over the east side of the city and check their defenses. We are entering orbit now.]
"All right lets drop to 65 meters and make a pass at 034 degrees," Boyle said as he saw a bunch of enemy soldiers running to the city more then what was told to be there. His heart sank. He knew something needed to be done. "Vansen, Bicardi, do what the Colonel said. I see some bad guys more then expected. West and Tigre follow me."
Tom looked in disbelief as his scans and on site target finder. "Colonel, I pick up over 45 enemy reinforcements heading towards the city. Looks like someone was tipped off."