Return to Moira: Dorsal Killing Fields

"Dammit Jackson !" Gunnery Sergeant Richard Sharpe yelled at another Private who was practising throwing proton grenades on the explosives range. Of course it wasn't a real grenade, it was simulated, but the effort to make sure things were done right was still there. "What in the hell do you call that?"

"Sir !" Private Jackson yelled back. "It was an overhead throw sir !"

"It was a damned fastball pitch if you ask me Private !" Sharpe reached down into a small crate, and pulled another one out. He flipped out the pin with his thumb, and did an overhead arc with his toss that propelled the grenade into the air landing about 20 to 30 meters from their current position. It then exploded with tremendous force sending a dust cloud to their position.

"That's how you throw a grenade Private."

"Yes sir ! Thank you sir !" Jackson then went back to his practice. Sharpe walked out of the small depression in the ground that each private was in, and stepped back to observe the long line.

"Sergeant." Major Jon Phanan said walking over.

"Sir !" Sharpe said, saluting.

Phanan returned the salute. "Training going well I assume."

"Yes sir. Private Fredericks made 4-6-4-6 on his proficiency report for weapons firing."

"Very good." Jon said, looking around at the group. "Second Platoon was in here early this morning. They're on their four mile 'fun run' right now. After these boys are done, I want them to grab some grub and then here for forested combat training. Any questions, report to Truman. I've got him in command of this platoon. J'Lan is in command of the second one. Be sure that Lieutenant Truman gets some complaints. I'm tired of him chasing women and not working on his reports." Phanan grinned.

"Yes sir. That can be arranged." Sharpe grinned wryly. Suddenly, the holodeck programmed ceased, and the Red Alert klaxon sounded. Second Lieutenant Truman fell in along with the First Platoon.

"Report to the armoury and gear up, then report to your sentry stations. Move out !"

"Yes sir !" The Marines yelled back at Jon as everyone jogged out of the holodeck, and headed towards their quarters and the armoury. Sharpe, too, made his way out of the holodeck to take lead of his squad. Jon was about to tap his commbadge, when it chirped. He then tapped it. "Major Phanan here."

[Major.] It was Captain Devore. [Please make your way to the Bridge immediately.]

"Aye Captain, on my way." Still dressed in his fatigues, Jon adjusted his cap, and made his way out of the holodeck, his black and neatly shined boots clanking on the floor as he exited.

Bridge

The turbolift doors opened, and Jon stepped on to the bridge. As normal, it was a hive of activity as different officers swarmed to other panels. The simple black, gray, and either red, blue, or yellow of the Starfleet uniforms clashed with that of the camouflage fatigues that Jon wore, and he stuck out like a sore thumb in the group. Jon made his way forward, and down the small set of steps to the Captain's chair where Captain Devore sat.

"You wanted to see me sir ?"

"I did." Devore replied. "Please accompany me to my ready room." The two left towards the starboard side of the Bridge, and into the Captain's ready room. "Major, we have a problem. Your mission to rescue Williams has been scrapped. The Brood are sending three Overlords in this direction, along with some M'lisks as escorts." Jon stayed there quietly, standing at ease.

"We've identified one human life sign among the Brood lifesigns. From what I understand from Rashad, I don't think Williams is among us anymore."

Jon stood there quietly. "How much time do we have till intercept sir ?"

"Approximately half an hour until we are within standard transporter range."

"Very well." Jon paused for a moment attempting to contemplate the magnitude of the battle that will be happening within the hour. "We'll be ready for them sir. My group and I are going to boot these bastards to the other side of the galaxy."

Devore smiled slightly amidst the conflict ahead. "Dismissed Major."

"Yes sir." Jon came to attention and saluted. He then turned, and left the Ready Room. As he exited, hearing the doors close behind him, he looked at the viewscreen, showing the starfield ahead of them as they moved forward at one half impulse. The Brood were in visual range and on their way. The interesting thing was that this insectoid race has proven to be one of the most lethal enemies he had ever encountered.

"Nice sight, isn't it Major ?" An Ensign from behind the science station asked.

"Hmph..." Jon replied as he continued towards the turbolift.

"I'm sorry Major. Did I say anything wrong ?" Not being sarcastic, the Ensign just felt sorry.

"No, you didn't. As a matter of fact, I like all of you Starfleet people. Whenever we have to go fight somewhere, you always give us a ride." Jon stepped onto the turbolift, and headed back towards the rear of the saucer where he and his Marines had set up shop.

Aft Sections of Saucer

"ATTENTION !" Second Lieutenant Erindor J'Lan yelled out as Jon Phanan entered from one of the Cargo Bay like doors. Both platoons were made up of three squads. Each squad had a total of eight Marines. In all, there were forty-eight enlisted Marines, with three officers being Major Phanan, Lieutenant Truman and Lieutenant J'Lan. Immediately, all of them except Jon snapped to attention. The Marines were arranged by squad, and all of them were accounted for.

"At ease," Jon coolly said. They all shifted positions, spreading their legs slightly, and placing their hands behind their backs. "We have problems men." Jon looked over the group, and noticed two females present.

"...and women." He then began to pace through the different rows of Marines present in the bay. "Apparently the Brood feel as though they can mosey on over and attempt to attack our ship. Just who in the hell do they think they are ?" Jon looked around at the group. "As far as I know," Jon continued, "The Federation was the top dog in the universe, and now, it's time to show these boot lickers who's head around here. It sure as hell ain't those damned Fleet boys. It's the Starfleet Marine Corps!"

"HOO YAH !" All the Marines yelled out with scattered laughter.

"Gear up Marines ! You've got ten minutes before we kick these Broods in the ass ! FALL OUT !"

The Marines, in group, ran off in their squads to the Marine armouries onboard to get suited into armour, and to get their weapons. "Lieutenants, over here." J'Lan and Truman ran over. "Remember what I've told you, and tell it to your platoons. These things are dangerous. I want everyone operating in four man teams within their squads. Concentrate fire on one creature at a time where possible. Remember order of importance. Dogs, snakes, and scorpions. Octopus and Brains are fair game when the first three are gotten rid of. However, it's a judgement call. Attack when necessary. That, and listen for my orders. Questions ?"

"None chief." Truman replied.

"Nothing as well." Chimed in J'Lan.

"Good. Dismissed." The two saluted. Jon returned the salute, and the the two jogged out of the bay.

Time passed, and the Marines, squad by squad, were patrolling the corridors occasionally passing Dakul's security teams. Each of them was in full combat gear, along with repeating phaser rifles and flash grenades on their belts. Within moments, the Red Alert klaxons sounded, and the red tracing lights went off in the corridors. The Marines livened up their steps, and began to patrol in the corridor slightly faster.

Bridge

"The Brood will be in weapon's range in one minute." Grafton replied from Tactical.

"I'm picking up four M'lisks and three Overlord creatures breaking away from the main body," MacLeod added from Operations. "The M'lisks are increasing their speed, I presume to open an attack with us."

"And a good deduction at that." Commander Soliel rose from his seat. The viewscreen lit up with green blobs of gelatinous goo. It flew through space, slowly, and finally hit the invisible protection of the shielding systems. The gelatin dissipated. Soliel looked over at Devore, and Devore looked back with a confused look on his face. They then both looked back over at Lieutenant Grafton. Grafton looked at the two and shrugged.

"Almost too easy...." Devore said uneasily.

"They're firing again." Grafton looked to the viewscreen. Around eight to ten green blobs floated forward again. This time, the blobs hit the shields and once again seemed to dissipate. However, the invisible sphere of protection glowed a type of eerie green and "holes" appeared to be burned through. "Captain ! They've penetrated our shields !"

"Damn !" What happened ?" Devore looked to Grafton.

"I don't know exactly sir, but it appears that some kind of nearly ionised particle in the acid got "stuck" in the shield's energy field. It then began to eat away at it like a corrosive. At any rate, we have holes in our shielding."

"And they're coming through!" Soliel pointed in the viewscreen. The M'Lisks and Overlords flew through the damaged shield sphere and began to make their way towards the dorsal part of the saucer. Finally, the Overlords seemed to hover of the hole, and its grotesque fashion began spewing out on to the hull Zeirg and H'lisks. The came out firing and slashing trying to get through the ablative armour.

Devore tapped his combadge. "Major Phanan, get ready for EVA combat."

Rear of Saucer

"I never liked Extra Vehicular." Truman commented to Phanan as the two made their way slowly across the hull. First Platoon was going to attack head on while the Second Platoon under Lieutenant J'Lan attacked from the flank through the forward shuttle bay. Sharpe was in the front of his group walking slowly and almost awkwardly with the magnetic boots clamping onto the hull while the other released so he could move forward. Unlike normal EVA Starfleet Suits, the Marine EVA suits came in different shades of gray, green, and tan to blend in with the armour plating of ships from the Cardassians, to Romulans, Dominion, and even Ferengi. In this case, it would be "Standard Federation Metallic" to blend in Leviathan's hull. Also, their suits had an extra layer of armour protection to protect against phasers blasts while still hold the atmosphere within the suit. The protection was also fairly good against melee combat weapons as well.

[Tango spotted, 50 meters ahead,] Sharpe said, through the headset. The Marines activated the magnetic clamps that were on their knees and front of their bodies so they could go into a lying prone position. They were near the "horizon" of the saucer where the saucer section began to slope forward to reveal the dorsal front of the vessel. Sharpe brought up his phaser rifle, and adjusted the sight on it. He pushed a few buttons, and brought the Zeirg into view. He quickly checked the power setting, and looked into the viewport again.

The creature was busy scraping away at the hull. He pulled the trigger, and the bolt of energy raced forward, striking the creature in the head. The head exploded, sending a greenish/reddish liquid in multiple directions. The creature's body then began to drift into space. Immediately, all of the H'Lisks and Zeirg looked away from what they were doing, and looked in the direction of the Marines. They then began to move forward, as quickly as they could in the given position, towards them.

[Gonna need some help here. Open fire !]

"You heard him. All Marines open fire !" Jon yelled into the microphone. Immediately, red bolts of phaser energy rushed forward into the oncoming barrage of alien creatures. Individual creatures fell dead, but the horde kept coming. "Grenades !" Jon reached towards his side, and pulled out a photon grenade. He pulled the pin and tossed it to Truman. Truman caught the grenade and through a speed pitch into a group of Zeirg. The grenade exploded, sending a blast shockwave which blew apart many of them and sent the other ones flying away from the Leviathan to drift off into space.

"Truman, get on the horn and tell J'Lan to attack the flank while we have their attention."

[I'm on it.] Truman replied. He then began talking into his microphone.

Jon looked at the oncoming group which stopped. Some of the ones in the rear turned, and engaged Erindor J'Lan's Marines who had begun to fire more phaser blasts and toss grenades into the group. Zeirg and H'Lisks fell faster then drunken enlisted man on shore leave. [Major Phanan.] This time it was Captain Devore.

"Yes sir ?"

[Sensors have picked up an additional eight Overlords heading towards the ship. We are going to try and engage, however, they are nearly too close to the ship itself to use phasers with you still on the hull. I'm sending additional security forces to aid your group. You'll need it.]

"Yes sir. Phanan out."

*The hits just keep on comin'.*

Jon switched over to group channel. "Look alive Marines, those were just the appetisers. Here comes the main course."

Within minutes, Overlords were landing and dispatching their forces, despite the phaser fire and grenade explosions provided by the Marines. This time, however, the numbers were too many, and the Marines started to feel it. Four were dead, and a number were injured. The injured were being transported off to Sickbay, but the deceased were becoming more and more numerous.

[Calvary's here,] Lieutenant Dakul called through the headset. He, and a group of around fifty security personnel arrived to aid in the combat. [I believe that's what the term is, isn't it ?]

"Right on the money Lieutenant," Jon replied. He raised his phaser rifle and took a shot at an oncoming H'lisk. He somewhat quickly moved out of the way of an energy blast that came out of the mouth of the creature before he returned the favor by shooting a blast of his own right into the mouth of the creature. Its head blew off as the body bounced backwards, smacking off the hull and drifting into space. "Lieutenant, dispatch your your team towards squads three and four towards the starboard side of the saucer. They have taken the most casualties and need the help.

[On my way.] Dakul replied. He, along with his men, moved as quickly as possible towards the starboard saucer to engage in the fighting.

[I wonder why the scorpions aren't attacking.] Truman commented. He pulled a pin and through a grenade into another group of Zeirg that were enclosing on a group of Marines.

"Good question." Jon replied. "Sorry to say I don't have a good answer though."

Starboard Dorsal Saucer

"Keep firing !" Corporal Barnes shouted. "I wanna see each and every one of these bastards in hell!" He raised his rifle and shot into a another group of Zeirg and H'Lisks. Two Ensigns from the security force moved in along the Corporal.

[Ensigns Blair and Drax from security Corporal.] The two Starfleet officers stated.

"Who invited you guys ?" Barnes replied. "Mr. Patterson, give me some more fire on the left side of that group !"

[On it.] Private Robert Patterson replied. He tossed a proton grenade towards the group, and opened fire into the shockwave that soon followed.

[We've been assigned to your group Corporal by Lieutenant Dakul. We're under your command for now.]

Barnes paused for a moment while he fired his phaser again. "Alright, then stick with me, and don't fall behind." Barnes looked down the row of Marines. "Charge !"

He was greeted with yells, hoots, and hollers from his squad as they charged forward, phasers blazing. More Zeirg dropped to the ground with a few H'Lisks but the numbers were still to large. "Hold up !" the group of Marines dropped down in to the prone positions. The two Ensigns continued forward. "Dammit Drax, Blair. Get your butts down !"

[Corporal, we can still advance. There's nothing here but....] Drax started. At that moment, however, a Zeirg ran forward and pounced on him. With its claws, it put one through the torso of Drax, and another through the transparasteel face plate. Atmosphere quickly rushed out of the suit and the body instantly mummified. The Zeirg then began to eat.

[NOOOO !!!] Blair opened fire, putting shot after shot into the body of the Zeirg until it was dead on the saucer. However, he caused so much commotion that another Zeirg, along with an H'Lisk came and quickly dispensed the same fate upon him.

"Dammit !" Barnes pounded the saucer. "That's why we follow orders and don't advance stupidly !" He looked around at his Marines, and the battle that was going on all over the hull. "Never send Starfleet to do a Marine job...."

Port Dorsal near Briefing Room

Jon continued to put blast after blast into the fray, and still, the Zeirg and H'Lisks kept on coming. He, and his group were being pushed back, and pushed back. The Marines were being pushed towards the Bridge area, and were finally forced to climb on top of the Bridge complex, only to be surrounded by a sea of these creatures.

"Keep firing !" Jon yelled out. "Don't give up ! Never give up !" Jon fired a blast into the face of one of the H'Lisks that was attempting to worm its way up the side of the Briefing Room. "I'll see all these bastards in hell before I give up !"