[Naked Crook]

============================================================= New Harmony – Planet Surface – Ruins of The City of Monastir – 1525 Hours - October 9th 2555 ============================================================= Xyrho was in cover, his plasma rifles in his hand, biding his time, as a torrential flood of bullets whizzed over his head. Xyrho looked to his left and saw Nova Team in cover, doing the same thing; biding their time until there was a break in the enemy fire. Xyrho then looked to his right, and saw Cameron, Corvo, and Director Vernette all crouched behind cover. JUst further to the right of Vernette, Barrabus stood behind a large wall, both of his Spikers in hand. It was very clear to Xyrho that everyone had the same line of thinking; wait for a break in the enemy fire. As Xyrho waited, he heard Rah'Jesh speak through the comm line. Rah'jesh: Xyrho, me and my operatives have cleared out the Western Exit and are holed up. How 's the situation at your location? Xyrho made a quick response, as he began to hear the gun fire die down a bit. Xyrho: Stand by, Rah'jesh... As the weapons fire began to die down, Xyrho took the chance, and emerged from cover, as he laid down a full spread of plasma fire, opting to go fully automatic, in an attempt to push the advancing hostile force back. Corvo: The Elite has the right idea! Nova Team...open fire! Corvo looked at Vernette. Corvo: Director...stay in cover. As Corvo said this, he and Nova Team wasted no time in joining Xyrho, as they laid down fire of their own. Cameron followed suit, as he also emerged from cover and began to fire. Vernette, however, stayed in cover, as he looked up at Barrabus. Vernette: I lost track of your honor guards? Where are they? Barrabus: I sent them around, on a stealth flank. Any moment now, they should be engaging from the side, to give us a good crossfire. Vernette: Good call. Vernette watched as Barrabus leaned around the wall he was behind, as he began to fire one of his Spikers. Barrabus: As long as we keep those clones looking this way, a flank should allow us to put a serious hole in their line. Vernette: Let's hope so. What these clones lack in imagination, they more than make up for it in being total bullet sponges, and not caring about their own lives. We could be very easily overrun. Barrabus growled. Barrabus: I pity anything that dares to get close to me. Vernette: I have never known you to pity anything. Barrabus: As you would say...figure of speech. Vernette sighed, as he let out a slight grin. Vernette: In any case, I am going to radio for backup. Keep those bastards at bay. Don't let them get close. Barrabus nodded, and let out a snarl. Vernette, on the other hand, lowered his shotgun to his side, as he placed two fingers on his earpiece, and began to speak. Vernette: This is Director Vernette. Venture Capitalist...do you copy? Vernette waited a moment, before he got a response. Nighthawk: Venture Capitalist here. Go ahead, Preston. We read you.... Vernette paused for a moment, as he crouched a bit more to avoid a stray bullet. Vernette: The Trust has deployed shock troops, and we have a Strident Class Frigate in ELO. We need thast Frigate gone. Nighthawk: We figured as much. We have a visual on The Bismarck. It is sitting right over the norther pole of the planet, and it seems to be holding position. However, it seems The Brutes, ELites, and ONI seem to be setting aside their differences up here, and they appear to be prepping a counter attack. Vernette: Copy that. I will get up to speed on the fleet later. For now, I need The Venture Capitalist to make a run at that Strident-Class Frigate, and I need it shot down! Use the MAC gun on the Venture Capitalist! There was a moment of silence, before Nighthawk responded. Nighthawk: Acknowledged. We are beginning our descent now.. We should be in good firing range in less than a minute. Vernette: Just be cvareful. The Stealth Systems will not work in this atmosphere. New Harmony's atmosphere, post gl;assing, containts a very high about of positively charged ions. They will be attracted to the metals in the hull, and you will show up on enemy sensors. It won't be clear, but, it will be enough for the enemy to get a weapons lock on you. Nighthawk Noted... Nighthawk paused. Nighthawk: Sit tight, Preston. ============================================================= New Harmony – The Cloak and Dagger – 1500 Km From the Planet of New Harmony – Main Bridge – 1525 Hours - October 9th 2555 ============================================================= Captain Frost and The Consultant listened to the comm chatter, as all of the ships began to form up on The Bismarck. Officer: I can have several cloaked phantoms down there by a couple of minutes, undetected. We'll also assist in any counter attack against the hostiles. Give us the word and we'll join in on the effort. The Consultant looked at Captain Frost, and spoke up. The Consultant: Captain Frost...I advise caution with Cloaked Phantoms. New Harmony's atmosphere contains an immense number of positively charged ions that will latch themselves to any metal that they may come into contact with. It is possible that these ions may reveal the locations of The Phantoms, even through cloak; enough for an enemy ship to get a target lock. I am not 100% sure how this would work with cloaking tech. I may be wrong, but, it is a serious risk. Jennifer nodded, as she responded to The Elite who proposed the plan. Jennifer: Copy that. Be advised, if any plan to deploy cloaked phantoms is pursued, there is a distinct possibility that the number of positively charged ions in the atmosphere MAY reveal your locations. This would enable enemy ships to get a lock on your position. Jennifer paused. Jennifer: Proceed with this plan, with extreme caution! As Jennifer finished speaking, the sensor Officer spoke up. Sensor Officer: Ma'am...all ships are in attack position. We are ready to counter attack The Bismarck. Jennifer: Acknowledged. Before Jennifer had the chance to signal the combined fleet to attack, she heard a familiar voice chime in over the comm line. Kolya: Captain Frost...how good to see you again. I was very curious as to why The Cloak and Dagger was absent from the task force that was sent to fight The Trust. I see now you finally joined the fight. Jennifer frowned, as she looked at The Consultant. Jennifer: How the hell did Kolya get on this frequency? The Consultant: The Bismarck is a very advanced ship. I would surmise The Trust has managed to put the abundance of Forerunner tech to very good use. I am not surprised they managed to break the cipher protecting our comm channels. Jennifer scoffed, as she ignored Kolya. Kolya: Ohhh...Madalyne White...The Consultant...I was hoping to get my hands on you. It seems ONI is VERY desperate if they decide to pull YOU out of your little hole. The Consultant frowned. Kolya: Don't tell me you are still mad about what we did to you? Does it still hurt? Did that wound never heal? Kolya began to laugh. Kolya: I am going to enjoy killing the lot of you. So many of you have had this coming for a long time. Jennifer scoffed, as she finally spoke up to Kolya. Jennifer: Kolya...the only person here who is going to be killed, is you. I have very little to say to you, and I have no desire to speak to you. However, I do wish to give you something, for all that you have done. Kolya: And, what do you wish to give me? Jennifer: Nothing less, than a full barrage. Jennifer looked at the tactical officer, and nodded. She then spoke up. Jennifer: All ships...target the Bismarck, and fire at will.