Mila's Loss - The officers 4

Chapter 7 - The Reporter

~~~ Holcum and the Marines

It'd been four days since they'd secured the hanger and between Wild, Holcum, and the SSGT had decided it was time. They were going to take the fight to whoever ran this ship. It was going to take some time since they knew how large it was. As they'd been approaching the ship, they'd been scanning everything they could. Their scanners couldn't penetrate the hull, but external scans were very detailed. It would help since as they were mapping the p-ways they'd use the external scans to build a 3D rendering. As they were moving it might be possible to extrapolate where parts of the ship were located.

Several were tossed out and they discussed them. Pending Danal telling them otherwise they were going to go as straight as possible and make note of side passages. They were going to try and identify as much as possible on the walls of the p-way. That and anyone we come across kill, strip, and keep moving, "Time to talk to the troops." He stood, stepped into his armor and collected his weapons. The others followed him out and he sent to all his troops.

"Keep guarding and I'm going to layout our plans. Most you have listened but a quick overview of what is planned." He ran them through the details and uploaded the plans to their armor. Once all the suit checks came back, he reminded them to conserve ammunition and for close combat knives and swords.

"This is a recon with the purpose of trying to identify who's running ship and from where. Danal indicated she's coming with. Something about wanting to make little and big booms. Keep in mind if she tells you duck don't ask, don't question, just duck. Remember the females of most species are some of the most vicious when irritated. I have a feeling she's feeling very irritated right now so listen. I don't want any of my Marines to have a sex change or loss of gender. Staff's going to remain here in charge of the Marines under the orders of Lt. Commander Wild. Any questions?"

"So, are we ready to go and say hello? I am. Remember, when it comes to explosives Danal will indicate what size and where. If she makes a suggestion on checking something do so. I'd try and explain why but what she and Jace are gives me headaches. He tried to explain it once and my cat offered to sit on him. Danal changed my fur to colors you don't want to think about. A technicolor cat is just wrong and can't hunt well. The order is going to be..." He hated it but he was going to be in the back, but it also meant he was their heavy weapons section.

They headed to the e-lock and the first two stepped into it. Only two armored Marines could fit. Thankfully the doors were easy to operate and didn't see much in the way of locking mechanisms. That bothered Holcum and everyone else. What it said about them nobody could really tell. It was going into the database of everything they were learning. If they could get the information back to Earth, they scientists there could massage it.

They watched the indicators as they opened the hanger bay, "Status Marines." Everything was going to be reported.

The first two went out and instantly found places for even partial cover. Both had to look down the p-way and had to stare for a moment. The damage was extensive, and they could see space through some of the nearest openings. Other damage appeared to be secondary damage from the initial blasts, "Open to vacuum due to extensive battle damage and secondary explosions. The P-way appears to be wide, long, and follows the curve of the hull. Don't see any sort of life or repairs going on. There might be some body parts but will not guarantee it. Moving forward and cycle the next two through."

Holcum had everyone cycle through before he and Danal cycled through. Semi-cover had already been deployed and every time the door was opened updated video was sent back and then to the shuttles. He glanced at the damage and it wasn't just one section it looked like it covered a goodly portion of the p-way. He quickly passed orders to move forward but take their time, get footage of everything and stop at the next p-way.