Phaser fire and photon grenades along with photon motors had been going off for almost 52 minutes non-stop. Chief Matthews' team had been taken heavy fire reaching the trench suffering around 14-19 casualties. They had held the trench for a few minutes when Ensign Okul, the leader of the main assault force had informed the Chief that he and his team where ready to enter the fort.
Now it was up to Chief Matthews to get his unit to the inside of the fort which had the upper walls lined with Mulluran soldiers or freedom fighters as they called themselves. Take a deep breath Pat this will be over soon enough.
"Lieutent Alcol get the men ready to move ahead we're going to help Ensign Okul's team and breach this side of the fort." Chief Matthews said patting the Bajoran Lieutenant on the shoulder. Patrick changed his power pack in his phaser rifle and then leaned against the far side of the trench and aimed at a Mulluran soldier. He carefully squeezed the trigger. The Mulluran fell backwards, this was followed by three more shots.
"Lieutenant how many photon grenade launchers do we have?" Pat asked turning around as an explosion went off 12 meters from his position unpacking him.
"Lewis and Backal have the only ones." The Lieutenant was getting very uneasy seeing that the fire was letting up from the fort giving Chief Matthews the knowledge that the Mullurans figured out that his attack was a diversion.
"Alright we got to act fast before Okul's unit is wiped out by a counter attack. Lewis, Backal fire four grenades into the walls and four into that gate. Chief Adams I want 7 men with me when I move up. Lieutenant follow me when I give single." Chief Matthews knew he had to act fast.
Lewis, and Backal fired their rounds causing huge and loud explosions. Killing some 13 Mulluran's on the walls. Matthews hoped the explosion would draw the enemy back away from Okul's team.
Pat and Chief Adams unit made a mad dash to the now broken gate. The 8 men each took position along side the wall. Chief Matthews was the one closest to the opening. He stuck his head around and saw a open court yard and three two story buildings separate from each other. He could see and hear explosions to the rear where Okul's team was. Ok on the count of three I'll rush inside.Pat told himself.
"Alright Adams follow me in 12 second intervals."Pat said as he ran inside the court yard that was littered with around 23 Mulluran bodies. Pat took cover behind a cargo carrier and scanned the walls and saw a few Mullurans walking towards the rear of the fort. Matthews threw a grenade exploding between the men.
Chief Adams followed with his unit taken different positions along the court yard. Most took positions near a group of cargo carriers. Matthews tapped his comm badge. "Okul come in."
[Yeah this him.]
"I'm trying to take the pressure off you."
[Good cause we have about 123 enemy infront of us. Right now.] The young Cardassain sounded rather excited and scared. At that moment Lieutenant Alcol came in with the remaining unit now only 24 strong including Adams squad.
"Lieuteant, we need to move down that street towards the rear." Chief Matthews said standing up now not taking any cover this time around sense their was no reason to take cover. Matthews pulled out his tricorder and saw that the narrow street went for about half a kilometer and the split into a T going to left and right. The unit would move down the narrow street using the buildings as cover on both sides, Matthews took point.
It was quiet walking down the street no movement in their sector most of the fighting was or seemed to be where Okul's unit was. However the team moved fast and yet cautiously towards their objective. As the unit reached the end of the street Matthews ran a quick scan and saw no danger he then ordered his men to take positions along the buildings of the intersecting rode. Matthews men were tired and needed to rest a few minutes he knew that and stopped them for just a few minutes.
[Chief Matthews come in Ensign Okul here.]
"Matthews here what's up." Pat said tapping his comm badge.
[What ever you did seem to be working.] Then it hit Matthews to scan the road. The tricorder gave an ere beep. "Here they come." Matthews yield dropping his tricorder and seeing 34 Mullurans coming down the right side of the rode.
They all open fire into the oncoming enemy with devastating affect. Then snipers from the buildings began to pop out. Lieutenant Alcol took a shot to the chest hitting his lung, causing him drop near Matthews. Matthews then threw a grenade into the building where three snipers were.
"Listen up pull back to the court yard. Once there reform and take up defensive positions." Patrick stood up and saw most of his unit start to run down the rode some ran way to fast and were only thinking about themselves. Then something inside Matthews snapped.
Patrick stood up and looked at the unit and saw the look of uncertainty if they were going to live. He knew he had to inspire his men. "Come on at least hit one or two before we have to pull back." Upon hearing that the team started to hit the enemy more often. Chief Matthews waited till the last crew man had pulled himself up and started to make his way down the rode before making his way back to the court yard. Before making his run to the court yard Matthews threw all his remaining grenades into the buildings and oncoming crowd.
Upon seeing the court yard in view he breathed a sigh of relief then he looked down to see Ensign Hall trying to crawl to safety. Hall had been shot in the leg nearly severing it. Matthews slung his rifle and picked him up and threw him on his right should.
"Come on don't give up Ensign we're almost there son." Matthews said starting to double time it. Then as the chief neared the cargo bins a sniper fired hitting the chief in the right chest from behind he fell to his knows and then tried to get up. He struggled for a few minutes to get to his feet but he made it.
Upon reaching the cargo bins the chief dropped to his stomach, and asked for help. The medic quickly went to Matthews first rolling him over and placing a field dressing on his chest.
"No damn it! Hall first his leg is more serious." Matthews said sitting up trying to catch his breath. The medic was a young Petty Officer 2nd class.
"Sorry sir he's dead." Matthews looked over to see the phaser blast hit the young ensign in the back and went through and hit him. Chief Matthews quickly looked around and saw most of his men were wounded one way or another.
"Ensign Okul come in."
["Yes."]
"CHief Matthews here. My men are all wounded one way or another. We have to pull out to the front line trench. Can you hold?"
[I believe so. The fighting is limited to where Captain Lataro is. I've been unable to reach him or the Hornet.]
"Matthews out."