Chapter 9

February 9th, 2043Falmart, Alnus Hill/Base

Over a month of United States occupation had seen to a lot of change for Alnus Hill and the surrounding landscape around it. A five square mile area around the gate was identified as territory under the jurisdiction of the United States of America, and it was made so by the constant patrols of armored vehicles and small outposts made of basic fortifications such as sandbags and gabions.

Roadways were paved through the continued use of the newly established patrol routes with armored vehicles. Among these vehicles were the ones the US initially brought through at the start of Operation Olympus, and one the US just recently sent through now that the surrounding area was secured. The C1A5 Archon.

The C1A5 Archon wasn't designed as a combat vehicle, but as a command and control vehicle for use by field commanders when issuing orders and commanding large forces on the field. and that's what the Archon takes to heart. The massive vehicle was bigger than the M5 Schwarzkopf, but was used as a mobile command center loaded with advanced digital computers, sensors, and other equipment used in surveillance and intelligence gathering on the field. These high-tech vehicles offered an unseen value of battlefield awareness. While not designed as a combat vehicle, it came equipped with a remote operated M134 Minigun and Mk 47 Striker for personnel defense, while having four AGRs and a single MQ-27 Dragonfire under it's command to extend it's defensive capabilities and provide limited offense. The massive fifty nine ton vehicle was powered by twin VTA-1000T diesel-electric hybrid engines with 780hp each. Both engines powered a track separately, but both engines were capable of operating both tracks in the event one breaks down, but with reduced performance. In total, the machine was capable of accelerating up to fifty miles per hour.

The machine was also given two additional variants for vehicle recovery and as an Assault Breacher Vehicle fitted with either a recovery arm and crane, or a mine plow and line charges.

Such a vehicle was currently active with a unit of four M5A2 Schwarzkopf tanks and four M4A3 Bliss IFVs on patrol around the five square mile perimeter around Alnus Base.

In the center was the new Special Region joint HQ for the United States Army and United States Marine Corps, soon to be expanded for the United States Air Force. Alnus base was well fortified, with a mix of reinforced concrete walls and chain link fences with barbed wire lining the top edges, forming the shape of a pentagon. Inside were several pre-fabricated barracks, five armories, two motorpools, a clear spot for VTOL and rotor craft, and multiple other vital facilities holding some importance for military operation. Outside forming a perimeter was an outer line of full chain link fence and barbed wire with several checkpoints and wood made lookout posts where troops stood guard over the base. Sentry guns with the M134 were stationed around the concrete made walls and placed in small concrete made platforms fitted with their own long lasting batteries for power supply. The current project engineering teams were working on was a full functioning airfield as several trucks were brought through the gate carrying asphalt and concrete needed in the construction.

"At present we know too little about our current environment," The marine officer of intelligence stated. "Drones identified several settlements around our surrounding areas, so we're setting up several units with the Army to conduct extensive recon on the areas to scout out these settlements to determine whether or not they're hostile or neutral. You lieutenant will be leading one of these new units."

Second Lieutenant Alex Mason. Officer in the United States Marine Corps, and of Manhattan for his involvement against the invading Saderan forces and his actions in assisting groups of civilians in the evacuation of the city. Now instead of casual civilian cloths, he was now back in fatigues with woodland MARPAT.

"So, you're issuing me command of a new unit to scout out the terrain and native habitats?"

"Bingo lieutenant! Right on the money." The intelligence officer responded. "Your unit will be waiting for you at motorpool one. You'll have an LAV, two L-ATVs, and one MRAP at your disposal. Unit designation will be 5th Marine Recon. Other assets assigned to operate in your designated area will be 1st Marine Recon and 3rd Army Recon."

"Yes sir. One last question, will we have any air assets available as support at the moment in case we need them?"

"Yes Lieutenant. Helicopters will be available but at limited numbers until we can get more transported through the gate. We've set up an operation limit for our birds at three hundred miles from base. Any requests beyond that will be denied for the moment."

"Understood sir. I'll be on my way now." The lieutenant said and left the office room in the headquarters buildings. Making his way outside, he walked towards the armory containing his gear. There he requisitioned his gear from the Sergeant in charge of keeping inventory of all equipment when not in use.

His standard set was just like every other trooper in this base. The only major and distinct difference being the two separate camouflage patters used by the Army and Marine Corps. He secured on his ceramic plates vest with his name sewn on the chest piece and fitted on the armored shoulder pauldrons which were secured through the series of straps. Fitting on his side holster, he checked his own personal M1911 he purchased and fit it on. Securing on a chest holster, he packed away the M45 issued to him in the Marine Corps. Both pistols used the same .45 caliber issued as standard in the Armed Forces. Rolling up his sleeves, he slid on his gloves which lacked the pieces to cover his thumb and index finger. Picking up his head gear, he fitted on the enhanced combat helmet covered with a MARPAT themed cloth for better concealment, and attached earphones for both ear protection and receiving radio transmission. The slot above the helmet was barren with no attachments. His current primary weapon was an M5A3. This specific one was fitted with an M300 underbarrel grenade launcher, Vortex NGSW-FC scope device, muzzle break, and an olive green Specter Gear buttstock pouch and sling for ease of carrying and storage of an extra magazine. Grabbing his radio and a mic piece, he attached it to his vest behind his left arm on his back and hooked it to his headphones and mic which he attached to his left shoulder underneath the pauldron. Then came his thigh pouch which was strapped to his left thigh for holding his personal canteen and a mini med kit for applying self first aid. The last piece was his ILBE pack that weighed a shit ton, filled with vital equipment and rations he would need while on the field.

The Sergeant of the armory handed him all the magazines and ammo he needed for his kit. He fitted on two triple pistol mag pouches under his arms, six rifle mag pouches on his chest and waist, and five pouches for storing 40mm grenades on his belt. From there, he picked up eight twenty round box mags of 6.8mm and eight eight round box mags of .45 ACP, fitting each weapon with one magazine based on their respective caliber. Then he grabbed six 40x46mm grenades, fitting one inside the M300, and clipped two M70 fragmentation and two M90 flashbang grenades to his belt and vest.

Having acquired all his gear and weaponry, he shouldered his M5 and exited the armory after making sure his gear was in working condition. While not exactly in terms of quality, the hardware bought and produced for the Armed Forces was reliable.

Making his way towards motorpool one, he was stopped briefly to allow a convoy of Army M-ATVs and Cougar 6x6 MRAPs pass by. More vehicles and equipment were being shipped across the gates as the US continued to secure their positions in the Special Region.

Arriving at the motorpool, he immediately identified his new assigned unit by thirteen marines and three vehicle crewmen standing next to two L-ATVs, a Cougar 6x6 MRAP with a .50 cal CROWS and enhanced surveillance package, and an LAV-35 armed and ready to go. One of the marines happened to be a female, another noticeably black, and another was decked out in M-60 Power Armor.