Main Assault

Previously…..

"Marine Command……" Truman replied. "……Charlie one assuming battlefield command."

Now ……

Sierra Group - Heading for Tango One

The two Scorpion Battle tanks were slowly moving towards their target, the Jem'Hadar base. The sensors on the tanks were showing the base growing ever closer, but they were still not within weapons range. The orders were to reach weapons range and hit the ion cannons. But the sensors had picked up another problem. Shields protected the cannons, something that the Leviathan's sensors had not picked up. This meant that the tanks would need to be closer for the quantum burst launchers to be effective. But that also increased the risk of the tanks approach being detected.

"We'll be within weapons range in about a minute." John Stiller announced from the weapons station of Sierra-Alpha.

"What's our best course of action against the ion cannons ?" Private Jack Rider replied from the drivers' position.

"With their shields, we're looking at four to five shots before they're out of action." John stated. "Maybe more. We'd have a better chance of scoring a direct hit if we stopped before firing, but we'd run the risk of being detected or being hit."

Jack checked his console and suddenly though of an idea.

"Take a look at the placement of the cannons." He remarked. "If we alter our course slightly so we're approaching them at an angle, do you thing we could have more success if we both attacked the closest cannon first."

"We'd certainly cause more damage with both tanks firing at one target, but we'd be well within weapons range of the second cannon and they'd have time to react." John suggested. "It's a risk, but I can't see any other option."

"Co-ordinate with Sierra-Beta." Jack stated. "Let's get that first cannon down."

The two tanks altered their course and within a minute were within weapons range of the nearest cannon.

"Looks like our luck is in." John Stiller suggested. "I'm not picking-up any major power rises."

"Target and fire." Jack ordered.

The turret of the Scorpion tanks turned to aim at the ion cannon mounted on the wall of the base. They were still over two kilometres from the target, but even without the sensors, the two cannons were visible.

"Looks like they've picked up out targeting sensors." John stated. "I'm picking up the cannons charging."

"Fire when ready." Jack ordered.

The sound of the quantum burst generator powering up filled the tank and then the whole vehicle shook as the first burst was launched. Seconds later there was a second sound as Sierra-Beta fired it's first volley. As the second tank fired, the first burst hit the shields of the ion cannon.

"Direct hit, their shields are down ten percent." John announced. "Firing again."

The sound of the quantum burst firing again filled the tank, followed by the sound from outside of the second volley from Sierra-Beta.

"Direct hit. Four out of four, their shields are down." John stated. "Firing again."

The third volley from both tanks filled the air, hitting the ion cannon, which exploded in a shower of bent metal. Then the tank shook violently as they were hit by a blast from the ion cannon.

"The second cannon has locked on." John announced. "Jack, get us out of here."

Jack Rider was already pushing the tank's drive motors forward and the second shot missed them completely. Sierra-Beta was also moving and firing at the same time.

"John, I'm going to charge that second cannon head on." Jack told his colleague. "I'm going to push all our shields forward, but you'd better make every shot count."

Jack turned the tank towards the base and increased speed. Sierra-Beta continued to move across the line of the base, firing at the ion cannon. Sierra-Alpha continued on its collision course with the base and John got three good shots off. Then the firing stopped.

"What's going on ?" Jack asked.

"We're under their firing arc. "John explained.

"Let's take that cannon out now." Jack remarked.

"Already on it." John replied.

With one last blast from the quantum burst launcher, the second ion cannon was destroyed. Then the tank was rocked again.

"What the hell……! "Jack remarked.

"We're under attack." John announced. "Small shuttle, three hundred metres south east."

"Can we get it ?" Jack asked.

"It's outside our firing arcs." John answered. "I can't get a clear show with either the launcher or the phaser cannon."

"I'm getting us out of here." Jack remarked, turning the tank and headed away from the base once more at top speed.

They continued to be hit by fire from the shuttle, which was keeping out of the firing arc of the tank. Then suddenly the shuttle was hit from behind, exploding and raining hot metal onto the ground.

[Sierra-Beta to Sierra-Alpha.] The voice of Paul Brisco came over the comm system. [That's one less problem for you to deal with.]

The shuttle had concentrated on the tank attacking the base and had forgotten about its partner. Brisco had been able to move his tank behind a rocky outcrop and waited the chance to fire. Within moments, the shuttle had come within its sights and the five barrelled phaser cannon had made short work of it.

"Thanks Paul." Jack replied. "Now let's get that wall down."

Jack turned his tank around once more and the two tanks came to a halt. Seconds later they both fired their burst launchers at the walls of the base, which rocked from the onslaught. Four volleys later, the wall collapsed.

"Sierra group to Charlie." Jack announced over the comm. "The walls are down, we're going in."

[Confirmed.] The voice of Lieutenant Colonel Phanan replied. [We're on your back, ETA two minutes.]

Jack drove the tank straight for the hole in the wall and turned the tank to the left as they entered the courtyard of the base. The phaser cannon cries out as John picked off the smaller weapons emplacements set-up on the inner walls. Paul Brisco followed on the heels of his friend and colleague, turning to the right, picking off the emplacement on the other side. Two minutes later, the fleet of shuttles arrived and started to land in the courtyard, Marines and Jem'Hadar 'spilling out and engaging the Dominion troops.

"Target at ten o'clock." John suddenly announced. "Looks like a Jem'Hadar fighter attempting to lift-off."

"Take it out of the sky." Jack announced.

Paul and his weapons officer must have noticed the Dominion vessel rising from the rear of the base at the same time because both tanks fired their main weapon at the same moment, turning the vessel into debris which fell back onto the base.

Within fifteen minutes, the Marines and the Jem'Hadar loyal to Goran'Agar had secured what was left of the base.

"Charlie Command to Marine Command." Lieutenant Colonel Phanan announced over the comm. "Tango One is secure. We've taken fifty prisoners and killed approximately a hundred Tango's. No friendly casualties, but we've suffered damage to two shuttles and one of the Scorpions."

[Confirmed.] The voice of Lieutenant Commander J'Ross announced from the Leviathan. [Whisky group has confirmed they have achieved both their primary and secondary objectives with no casualties. Taken six Tango's prisoner, no friendly casualties or major damage to equipment.]

"Commander, I'd suggest bringing the Leviathan towards the base." Phanan stated. "I'll start making preparations for the clear-up and provide cover for the Saucer."

[Agreed.] J'Ross stated. [We'll be with you in fifteen minutes. Leviathan out.]

"OK people, let's get moving." Phanan ordered. "Let's clear the courtyard of debris and equipment."

The Marines and the loyal Jem'Hadar started to move debris and bodies from the courtyard whilst Brisco and Jack moved their tanks into the base. As Jack left his tank, he saw the large hole in the front of the tank where the ion cannon had caused major damage. As he stepped down from the side of the tank, he noticed the Lieutenant Colonel walking in his direct.

"Sorry Colonel." Jack apologised. "I'll make sure it's fixed ASAP."

"You'd better." Phanan replied a smile crossing his face.

"Is something funny ?" Jack asked, noticing the Colonel's unusual demeanour.

"No." Phanan replied. "Good work, that attack was very brave."

"I couldn't have done it without John and Sierra-Beta." Jack stated.

"Get five minutes rest, then prepare for recovery." Phanan ordered, walking away to speak to someone else.