It had been almost a day and a half since Captain Sharpe had informed Chief Matthews that he would lead a ground assault on a fort where Wallace was being held. It had been over twenty-some years since Matthews led any type of combat mission; it was however not his first. To be exact, it was his thirty-second combat mission in fifty-four years of service.
Pat sat in Engineering going over a few details with Ensign Parker -- details that would keep the ship in one piece in the absence of Chief Matthews. "Make sure you keep the phase coil inverters at 43%. Any higher and we will have conduits going out all throughout the ship," Chief Matthews said, handing over the PADD to the young twenty-five-year-old human male.
Patrick walked over to the exit door and headed to the turbolift. Time to get ready for the big moment, Patrick thought to himself as he entered the turbolift and headed to cargo bay 2.
The Cargo bay was mainly filled with young officers and middle-aged NCOs. Patrick looked around and gave a chuckle and walked over to Lieutenant Alron. Lieutenant Alron was young Bajoran officer in Security. Commander Chee made sure his best deputy was on the mission.
"Lieutenant, the men and ladies about ready to shove off?" Matthews said putting his gear on and seeing the uneasiness in about half the crew in the cargo bay.
"Yes, Chief. I think they're ready to storm the castle single-handed," Alron said with a bit of excitement in his voice.
"Well, I hope it doesn't come down to that. Let's do an equipment check." Matthews saw some of the crew trying to check and see if they had the gear they needed. "Forget it. You have boots, phaser rifles, power packs." Pat saw most nod their heads. "You can then walk into combat."
Matthews turned to Alron. "I want fire teams on each flank. Keep those heavy weapons busy. Secure the wounded and keep those scared kids busy. Get their minds off the situation. If they keep busy, less time that they can think about the battle and chaos going on around them," Matthews said, adjusting his field pack straps.
[All hands red alert!] the shipwide comm channel cracked open.
Pat slung his rifle over his right shoulder and motioned to the others to get ready. "Captain Sharpe, Chief Matthews here, reporting Team 1 ready for transport."
[Sharpe here, stand by. You should beam down in thirteen minutes, Team 1.]
"All right, listen up! Thirteen minutes to arrival. Keep your heads down and shoot straight, don't try and be a hero. All of you do your job and you'll all be to tell your kids and grandkids about this." Deep down Chief Matthews was very nervous himself. His heart raced and he began to remember the ground combat during the Border Conflict. It was very quiet in the cargo bay except the hum of the plasma conduits.
Four walls and artificial light gave way to real light and a blue sky. Patrick looked around and saw various explosions and realized he was in battle once more.