Viper Actual
Ask me about my tourniquet fetish.
2523
Mindoro, Capital of Cascade
A shining example of economic growth, trade and ingenuity of Mankind, Cascade was often referred to as the 'Crown-jewel of the Outer Colonies'. While such a moniker might feel exaggerated or incorrect when referring to an Outer Colony, it was in fact truly an apt name;
Sprawling cities, tall skylines reaching for the skies above, vast industrial zones as well as numerous arcologies and floating cities made Cascade rich in both wealth and population- not to mention influence.
Just as the planet itself was a key stepping stone for various trade- and shipping-routes between the Outer and Inner Colonies the capital city of Mindoro was a hub of its own with government institutions, corporate headquarters and more residing within. Now, as the sun was setting far away on the horizon, the two moons Windfall and Ochre shined brightly high up in the maroon sky.
Black- a recently promoted agent within ONIs clandestine Sensitive Recovery Group- took in the sight in all its glory as the last sunlight of the day caused a bright and shining ripple-effect across the skyscrapers of Mindoro. From his current position most people on the streets below looked like ants whereas vehicles appeared as miniature toys. Without a set of binoculars or a spotting scope there'd be no way for Black make out any proper details.
Thankfully for him that's not what he was there to do. His train of thought was interrupted by a voice over TEAMCOM;
"Black, status?"
Raising his left arm, Black spoke into the concealed wrist-mic with a calm and professional tone. "Set, all-clear for now."
As he spoke his eyes wandered away from the streets and up towards the roof-terrace of a slightly shorter skyscraper next to the building he currently found himself in. Raising the spotter scope held in his right hand, Black zoomed in on the terrace. It was L-shaped with a pool running alongside the longer end of the terrace. The terrace itself was connected to an even larger L-shaped structure- a penthouse to be precise- which overlooked most of Mindoro through its many wall-sized window panels.
Granted, most of the windows inside the penthouse were tinted- as were the norm for bad guys such as the ones that owned the place, hoping to keep prying eyes away from any illicit activities inside.
Luckily for the people inside Black was more invested in the whereabouts and well-being of the two sentries posted outside by the terrace. Both men were dressed in slick black suits coupled with nigh-stereotypical earpieces and aviator sunglasses. In fact both men matched eachother a bit too well, almost to a comical level.
Maybe they're brothers, or perhaps they lost a really bad bet.
Aside from that both were armed with M7 SMGs and, as judged by the printing by their respective hips, both men also carried concealed sidearms underneath their suit jackets.
Currently one sentry was busy leaning in the glass railing at the short end of the terrace with his weapon dangling freely infront of him whereas the second man was looking at his communicator.
Neither were aware of the three figures slowly ascending the exterior of the building using magnetic grapples.
Black watched as the three figures crept closer and closer with every passing second until they reached the far end of the terrace's long side. "First sentry is busy with his communicator. He's standing pretty close to the pool though," Black said.
Nodding, the lead operative started issuing orders via hand signals. The three operatives split up, with one moving to the edge of the pool whereas the other two slowly and silently vaulted over the glass railing with their silenced pistols trained at the first sentry. Once the operative at the pool was set the lead agent fired a single shot, causing the first sentry to twitch and collapse right down into the pool.
The splash alerted the second guard- who spun around- only to be shot by the third operative at the edge of the pool. Like his colleague his body seized up before going limp, after which he collapsed backwards onto a lounge chair.
"Clear," said Blue.
"Clear," repeated Red and White.
Black glanced over to the surveillance monitor by his side. Five thermal signs inside the penthouse, still pacing and chatting in a calm fashion. No alarms, no calls. "You're clear," he confirmed. He then pulled on a headset and adjusted the mouthpiece.
"Merlin this is Dagger Three, Dagger Actual has reached Oslo, over."
"Merlin copies all. Hammer inbound, ETA thirty seconds. Out."
Nodding to himself Black removed the headset and resumed his overwatch. Blue was now crouched behind the lounge chair sentry with his own silenced M7 at the ready. Meanwhile Red and White- with the former being the agent in charge- had both stacked up behind a small poolside bar.
Meanwhile, as Black monitored the terrace, a lone steel-grey D77-TC Pelican emerged from behind one of the taller skyscrapers. Cautiously yet gracefully the craft approached the terrace from a high-altitude downward angle as to prevent it from being spotted. Even with his limited training and knowledge on how to pilot aircraft Black knew that whoever the pilot was they were surely skilled as the dropship gently braked mid-descent to slow down its approach.
Soon enough its shadow encapsulated part of the penthouse roof as well as part of the terrace and pool though anyone still inside would most likely not be able to tell the difference.
Once the aircraft reached a distance of approximately one or half a meter it stopped and deployed a squad of UNSC Marines from its rear bay. Hand-picked by ONI prior to the mission on Cascade these marines had been "borrowed" from one of many Inner Colony-battalions as a delicate mission such as the one currently being undertaken by Red's team was deemed to be far too sensitive to be executed alongside the Colonial Military Authority and its many corrupt and pro-insurrectionist officers.
While eight marines might not seem like much whatever they lacked in sheer numbers they made up for in skill and tactical prowess as they split up into two fireteams of four and prepared grappling hooks and ropes on the non-terrace sides of the penthouse.
As they worked the D77-TC quietly took off by ascending straight up into the sky, hovering some hundred meters over the targeted building.
Black felt his own pulse increase steadily as the marines signaled to one another that they were clear.
"Hammer Actual, set." Reported the squad leader over TEAMCOM.
Black could see Red nodding. "All units; Execute, execute."
With little to no warning Black watched the assault begin from behind the safety of his surveillance monitor. Thermal imagery showed Blue, Red and White entering the penthouse via two different terrace doors. The sound caught the attention of those inside though they didn't expect any hostiles judging by their relaxed and calm chatter which continued right up until not one but two of the windows on the opposite side of the penthouse exploded into a million shards of glass each.
"Hammer, going internal!"
Black could see the people inside reaching for weapons- either sidearms tucked away on their person or rifles and other assault weapons lying about- just as the marines rappelled down and into the penthouse interior.
The efforts made by the rebels to stop the marines were already doomed to fail however. One of them was shot clean in and through the head as Blue appeared around a corner behind him. Another one collapsed forward like a sack of potatoes as Red and White both engaged the man.
With the sudden commotion behind them the remaining men were caught off guard and- in the middle of the confusion- seemed to forget about the eight heavily armed and armored marines coming in hot.
In a matter of seconds the two-pronged assault was over with the ONI agents and marine fireteams merging into one as they cleared all the bodies and all the rooms.
Finally, as the sound died down Black observed Red staring down at a UNSC hard case sitting atop a kitchen table.
"Merlin, Merlin. Dagger has reached Trondheim. I say again, Dagger has reached Trondheim."
As Merlin responded and relayed the next set of orders for the ground team Black sighed. Inside the penthouse everyone assembled visibly relaxed, with Red strolling out onto the terrace to wave at the building where Black was posted. "Good job, agent. Now let's head on home."
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