Somewhere over 300 hundred kilometers westward from the island of Crescere.
On the stormy night amidst the constant heavy rainfall and surging winds, three V-22 Ospreys soared through the turbulent night skies with a determined destination. They were the vanguard reconnaissance and harassing force of the combined-offensive fleet, Spear of Longinus.
Within the leading V-22 Osprey was First Lieutenant Campbell with two squads of the Alpha 1st Platoon. He sat together with his subordinates while the interiors of the transport aircraft trembled from the torrid sky.
Campbell and his crew had already been briefed about what their mission was as the vanguard reconnaissance and harassing force of the Spear of Longinus.
But as per protocol, it was good to remind them of their current objectives before arrival.
With this in mind, the first lieutenant glanced at his subordinates who were sitting in silence, and began speaking to them with a calm voice.
"As briefed beforehand, our mission as the vanguard reconnaissance and harassing force is to strike deeper into enemy lines and cause chaos throughout it," Campbell said to his subordinates and continued.
"The first thing we need to do is strike their designated armories. The second is to cause chaos amongst their ranks as much as possible. And finally, the third… We must take down their coastal defensive fortifications and platforms before the arrival of the fleet."
"Am I understood?" First Lieutenant Campbell questioned his subordinates with a stern gaze.
All of them saluted at the same time, fully understanding what the mission was all about. It would be difficult, but it wasn't something impossible for the Marines.
For they were the warriors of the land and sea.
Seeing the determined salute of his subordinates, Campbell nodded in satisfaction. This would be their first operation deep into enemy lines. Some might die in this battle, but the Marines wouldn't fail it.
Before the first lieutenant could continue with his thoughts, the comms inside the cargo bay of the Osprey had an announcement to the Marines.
*Alpha Vanguard Strike Force, we are 10 clicks away from the drop zone. ETA 1 minute.*
Following the announcement of the pilots, everyone in the Alpha Vanguard Strike Force under the command of First Lieutenant Campbell prepared themselves.
They checked their rifles, ammunition, and utilities before being dropped from the skies. They also took their time making sure that they were wearing their parachutes correctly and that it was as functional as intended to be.
Their preparation was short-lived, only lasting 20 seconds.
A red light gleamed over them as they stood up from their seats. The interiors of the transport aircraft kept vibrating. Signifying a violent storm outside.
When there were 20 seconds left, they turned their bodies towards the rear of the aircraft as Campbell stood in front of them.
"Be careful to not hurt any of the locals. We don't want relations to fall with the ones we are supposed to liberate." First Lieutenant Campbell warned his men.
*Alpha Vanguard Strike Force, we have arrived at our drop zone. Operation is open,*
The voice of the pilot sounded out once again as the red light that shrouded them turned green in an instant. It was finally time to start the mission.
"Alright, Marines!" Campbell yelled while the rear loading ramp opened. The silence faded immediately followed by the loud roar of the storm. The wet windy gust rushed into the loading ramp as thunder cracked in the background.
*BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!*
Flashes of light revealed the thick storm clouds enveloping the skies. It was quite a horrific scene. But for the Marines, it was merely Friday.
"Take the leap!" With First Lieutenant Campbell's order, the Marines in the front hopped off the Osprey and dived into the stormy night skies. Many more followed as Campbell skillfully assisted them in their dive.
When the last Marine left the confines of the Osprey, it was Campbell's turn to dive with them. But before he did so, he glanced in the direction of the cockpit and radioed the pilots.
"Take care, Liberty 1." He said before diving into the turbulent storm without fear in his eyes. He could hear the echoes of the pilot's response to him.
*We will expect for all of you to return, First Lieutenant.*
Campbell merely cracked a smile from it and turned his attention to the violent storm. The heavy rain and the rushing wind were everywhere and he could feel them through his suit.
Despite the chaotic state of the skies, he could only hear his breathing echoing in his ears. He breathed as calmly as possible while passing through various bitter clouds.
*BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!*
Deafening thunderbolts flashed across the frigid night skies as though gods were fighting inside of them. He squinted his eyes when they gleamed radiantly in the darkness and maintained his attention to his mission.
Nonetheless, the scene was to be enjoyed by the Marines.
As he reached 100 meters from the ground, his parachute immediately opened and stopped him from diving further. He glided across the sky, barely controlling the parachute because of the rushing winds of the storm.
Luckily though, the low-altitude winds weren't as bad as the high-altitude ones. Otherwise, they would have been dragged somewhere far from their designated drop zone.
In the middle of a particular plantation, several parachutes fell gently from the stormy heavens. There were over a dozen of them, looking as though it was an invasion.
But without the lightning flashing the entirety of the heavens, it would be hard to see them falling from the skies. Unless one expects them, no one would practically be able to discover their infiltration.
When First Lieutenant Campbell made his landfall on the plantation. He swiftly dove into the mud after cushioning his landing and took off his skydiving suit.
He also got his backpack out, taking various utility equipment and weapons off it. Afterward, he wore his night vision helmet along with radio earpieces to his ears and armed himself with a rifle.
Campbell then checked his surroundings and discovered himself to be in the middle of a vast plantation. He carefully scrutinized his surroundings before checking into the radio.
"This is Alpha Vanguard 6, rendezvous in designated coordinates."
*Alpha Vanguard 1-6, Roger.* *Alpha Vanguard 2-6, Roger.*
*Alpha Vanguard 1-5, Roger.* *Alpha Vanguard 2-5, Roger.*
*Alpha Vanguard 1-4, Roger.* *Alpha Vanguard 2-4, Roger.*
*Alpha Vanguard 1-3, Roger.* *Alpha Vanguard 2-3, Roger.*
*Alpha Vanguard 1-2, Roger.* *Alpha Vanguard 2-2, Roger.*
*Alpha Vanguard 1-1, Roger.* *Alpha Vanguard 2-1, Roger.*
With the following response of his strike teams, First Lieutenant Campbell sighed in relief. He took out a compass and saw where northward was. He closed the compass and followed the direction it pointed with silence, cautiousness, and stealth.
*BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!*
Thunder cracks roared once again, illuminating the entirety of the heavens. The heavy rainfall masked Campbell's footsteps while the night shrouded his body.
It didn't take long before the first lieutenant arrived at the rendezvous point. But before heading towards it, he uttered their confirmation code amidst the shrouding darkness.
"Liberty Prime."
After such words escaped his mouth, the bushes ruffled and several figures revealed themselves. It seems that the Alpha Vanguard 1 Team has arrived first.
"First Lieutenant."