Place marked on the Map...
Special Operations Squad SE2
- Samual "Bull" Fynn - Squad Leader, Engineer
- Erin "Elf" Farrell - Second in command, Scout
- Abala Dawar - Medic
- Bruce "Oz" Baxter - Soldier
- Taras Petrenko - Grenadier
- James "Viper" Austin - Sniper
"I suppose this is the place." Bull shouldered his Bren, taking in the sight. The house
had seen better days, to put it lightly. About half the roof was missing and much of the floor space bare save for the occasional broken dresser or table. It looked like the last place anything important would be found... so clearly they'd found the right place.
"If the squealer can be trusted," Elf said as she unholstered her pistol, screwing the silencer into place. "Even if he is, ain't no reason to believe the place is empty."
"Right," The Engineer took a quick survey of the land before turning to his squad. "Oz, Elf, I want you to take a look around the perimeter for any signs of an enemy camp. Do not engage, just report back here if you spot something."
"No Prob." The Australian said with a wide grin, taking the clearer path to the west. Elf simply nodded and disappeared into the brush, heading north without a trace.
"Abala, Taras, keep an eye on the road, an ambush is the last thing we need."
"You are in charge." The Russian gave a noncommittal shrug as he prepped his SMG. The Medic took the order much more seriously, getting himself into a textbook guarding position. The other details settled, he took a spot next to the sniper looking on to the decrepit structure.
"Viper?"
"Way ahead of you." He said, head resting just behind the scope. "If I see any movement I'll let ya know."
"Good." Bull held his ground as the area fell into silence. If the place was occupied then holding the element of surprise would be the key. But waiting was always the hardest part. A light but steady clicking sound began to pick up as the waiting stretched on. After a solid minute Viper sighed and closed his eyes trying to focus.
"Sir..."
"Hm?" Bull blinked, "Oh, sorry... a bit of a nervous habit." The Engineer pocketed a worn looking pocket watch, bringing his Bren into a more combat ready position to keep his hands occupied. With the return of relative silence, Viper refocused himself to scanning the building. Though it was broken shortly after that, this time by muted conversation.
"You're a really wild Sheila, you know that?" Oz muttered, looking a little off his usual chipper attitude.
"I'm not sure if I should take that as a compliment or not."
"If you're taking the time to socialize, can I assume the area is clear?" Bull spoke up catching their attention.
"Aye, doesn't look like anyone's been here fer awhile."
"Besides, if anyone was here, his stomping around would have stirred them up."
"Oi, Stealth ain't exactly my strong point, but I know how to keep outta sight."
"Not all of the Axis is thick. I could have killed you twice."
"You nearly did." At this Bull leveled an even gaze on the scout. She crossed her arms, returning the look, but turned away after a moment.
"It was just a couple knives, wasn't like I was aiming to hit."
"Save that kind of 'practice' for the targets back at base, Farrell." He said using her name to cement the seriousness of the situation.
"Sorry, I know I shouldn't be slagging around on duty." She muttered with a sigh.
"Good." The engineer shook his head before looking to the soldier. "You okay, Oz?"
"Yeah, no harm done. Just gave me a bit of a scare." He said with his usual good spirits. "But there's still a bit of a problem."
"Hm?"
"Yeah," Elf spoke up. "There may not be any Axis gits slithering about, but the building is trapped up the arse, one wrong step and the whole place could go up!"
"Hm, figures... Couldn't just be an easy pick up."
"Should we try and contact the Colonel?" Abala spoke up with a slight glance back. "Might it be possible to get the path from the spy so we can safely pass later?" Bull shook his head.
"No, if we wait too long they'll have time to collect their equipment. They have to have realized by now that their spy was caught."
"Yes, their spy gave up the information MUCH too quick." Taras spoke in a slow in deliberate manner. "They're probably counting on hesitation on our part... Or perhaps for us to go up in a bang."
"That would seem to be the case." Bull looked to the deceptive house with a measuring eye before nodding to himself. "Well, I'll see what I can do
." Self assured, he placed his machine gun aside and slipped his tool back from the rest of his kit. As their leader moved off to start looking at the house, his squad could only look on.
"He can't be seriously thinking he can slip in there, can he?" Elf boggled, sure that even she wouldn't be able to slip past all those traps easily, Much less some hulking American.
"Oh I don't know." Oz chimed in. "I mean that's where his engineering training is right? For sticky situations like this."
"Explosives are not something to be taken lightly." The Russian watching The scene with interest. "Even for experienced technicians it, just takes one slip." Bull slowly worked his way around the edge of the building, seeming to take note of what he saw disappearing along the side.
"You gotta put some faith in the bossman." The soldier said with a chuckle.
"You sound confident, how bout a wager then?" Elf said with a small grin. "Winner picks up the tab next time off."
"I'll take that," the Australian put out a hand. "Drinks says Bull figures a way through." The scout smirked a bit as she took his hand giving it a single shake.
"Bevvies says he gives and we have to get back up." The two broke hand and turned back to the building as Bull came out from around back still focused on mapping the web of traps.
"Hm, Even money the whole place goes up in flames and we need new commander." Taras said in his usual dry tone, ignoring the looks he received from his companions.
"That's a bit grim." The sniper grimaced as he set to strapping his rifle back to his kit. "Sides, this ain't a time to be betting... bad luck to set wagers on this kinda thing.
"Eh, there may be enough of him left for Medic to tape back together." The Russian's attempt at levity fell just as flat. Bull had finished his trip around and was now back at his kit sifting through his tools, eyes seemingly focused on the front door.
"Is he daft, he can't really be thinking of goin' in the front way? That's got to be the most trapped area.." Elf had a little concern mixing in with her exasperated tone.
"Er, maybe he spotted something we didn't see?" Oz ventured but didn't sound like he believed it either. Abala's curiosity had finally gotten the better of him and he had turned his gaze toward the building. The Engineer had a few things in hand and was crouched next to the entrance.
"Perhaps I should gets my things together... Just in case my services are required." Silence overtook the group as they looked on, checking for any sign of success or failure. After a few moments, Bull stood once more hustling back to his kit to a mix of relieved exhales. As their leader made his way back to the group, Elf couldn't help but grin a bit. There was no way he'd managed to disarm them all, looks like drinks were going to be coming from the soldier's wallet tonight. Free drinks always tasted the best.
"What's the matter Sammy? too much for you?"
"You might want to get your head down." He replied calmly as he ducked behind a nearby tree. The scout blinked, her mind not making the connection immediately.
"Wha-?" Her puzzlement was instantly drowned out by the thump of an explosion
. The entire squad hit the dirt as it was swiftly followed by a staccato
of
explosions
from all
over
the building. Each trap went off in succession, completely devastating the first floor. Even as the second floor started to fall, it too exploded, sending chucks of plaster and wood all through the forest. Though it barely lasted a minute, much of the squad remained face down waiting to see if it was really over. Taras, having extensive demolitions experience himself, was the first to recover, taking in the destruction with his usual ease.
"Seems I was half right. The Axis won't be using this hideout anymore. Just as well, it was an eyesore."
"Are you insane?!" Elf screeched as she got back to her knees.
"You could have given us a little bit more time to react..." Abala said, still a little stunned at the suddenness of it all.
"Their spies were particularly overzealous with their set up. I didn't have a lot of choices." Bull stood and started back toward what was left of the hideout. "Come on, if there are any patrols in the area, they'll know something is up."
"What are you expecting to find? You just blew the whole building to hell! If there was any equipment stored it's gone now."
"I'm not so sure." The squad leader said with a surprising amount of confidence. "I had a hunch... They pretty much trapped every inch of the floor but there weren't any places for radio equipment. If it's stored somewhere secure in the basement, then it would be safe even if someone tripped their surprise."
"So you're saying... you blew the whole house to kingdom come on a hunch?"
"I suppose you could say that." Elf turned away feeling very tired all of a sudden. The squad gathered at the edge of the building into what would have been the basement if there was any house left. Most of the above floors was piled to the sides, save for some stray scraps scattered about. Amongst the chaos, practically untouched, sat a secure locker
bolted into the center of the floor. Bull didn't even need to say a word as he hopped down into the hole to check the container. Elf could only cover her face.
"You've got to be kidding me..."
"Does that mean I win the bet?" Oz piped in with a hopeful tone, receiving only a groan in reply.
After the ludicrous nature of the situation got put behind them, it was hard to not to feel good about their mission. Inside the container was not only the radios, but some extra coded papers
. It seems they had struck at just the right time before they had been picked up. Intelligence was sure to get a boost out of the find for sure... though there was a general consent to soften the description of their leader's methods.
Another straight forward mission. I didn't have a high enough spot skill to see the traps so I couldn't try to disarm them. Thankfully there's no harm in blowing the building to hell as any items you can pick up will just fall to the basement. I could have spent some time 'training' my skills but I decided to put it off until I've gained some levels... which will have to wait until I do a REAL mission. I hope you enjoyed my story of this map though :) 
- cackles* Oh lord that ending was hilarious, no matter how many times I reread it, it brings a smile to my face.
Everyone else might be ungrateful bastards for not acknowledging this, but I have to say keep it up! Can;t wait to see what happens next.