ProtoFramesEstell did not like ProtoFrames. Though they were better than normal battlesuits, they still did not offer the same performance as an actual frame. Still, she was with the Colonist Cell Militia, and with the resources running at an all time low, beggars can not be choosers. What made matters worst is that she was stuck in this ProtoFrame while in the hover transports cargo bay. The Thunderhawk hover transport was meant to carry troops with battlesuits, and was not meant to carry a machine that was nearly the size of a frame. Estell had to keep her body slightly hunched over so her exposed head did not hit the ceiling. When she received orders to be deployed to a combat zone in the desert regions, she had hoped that the Cell would at least provide adequate transport, but again, they were limited to what was left in their hangers.
She craned her neck to look behind her at her so-called 'partner' for this mission. The boy looked barely old enough to have graduated High School and the color green across his face told Estell that he was concentrating on keeping his last meal from coming back up to say hello. She wanted to speak to him to help calm his nerves, but at the same time, she was afraid that if he opened his mouth, the contents of his stomach would spew all over the harness that kept him in his own ProtoFrame. It was with a bit of a surprise that he spoke first once he realized she was looking at him.
"How much longer to the drop site?"
As though in answer, the transport took a sudden jolt to the side, however, both ProtoFrames and their operators remained steady. Estell checked her chromometer for the umpteenth time.
"Drop in 20 minutes!"
She said. He nodded in acknowledgement and returned to his silent suffering.
Estell hated it. She hated the whole situation. She recalled the briefing and how the higher ups asked for her specifically when the desert supply depot came under attack. The defending Colonists were suffering heavy casualties and had requested aid. Estell and her 'partner' were the only frame pilots nearby that could answer the distress call. Estell cursed again, if only they had actual frames to use instead of the current cast-offs they were given. At least command was considerate enough to give Estell proper time to customize her ProtoFrame with a Combat Cannon, a Comms Relay, and Drop Boosters. Plus she was also able to get it Quick-Sprayed in desert camo. Her 'Partner' on the other hand, did not receive the same luxury. Instead, the command staff practically grabbed him, threw him into the ProtoFrame that is on loan from another Cell and loaded him into the transport before he could form any objections. It was equipped with a Long Range Howitzer (Which in this cramped cargo bay, the end of the muzzle was mere inches away from the right side of her ear) and an Arm Shield that looked like it was about to fall off. But the worst of it, was that his ProtoFrame was still in Artic weather camo paint. White with grey, splashes of light blue and black are not the colors to have while in any desert region. He'll stick out like a bright yellow light in a pitch black room.
"This your first drop?"
She asked.
"First while under fire!"
He had to yell back as the transport began to shake and shutter. The sounds of bullets, lazer blasts, explosions could barely be heard over the roar of the hover pods.
"You always this nervous?"
She called back
"No. Motion sickness."
Estell then had a new form of respect for the guy. Dispite his ailments, he was still willing to continue the combat drop.
"Last minute details!"
Estell then yelled out
"We will have friendlies in the area, so check your targets! Also, once we drop, find some cover and provide long range support!"
"Yes Ma'am!"
"Listen close to this next one! If something happens to me, or I call a 'Mission Abort', What do you do?"
"Get to the extraction point and set off an emergency flare for extraction."
"Correct! Whoever is attacking that depot is determined to get it. We cannot afford to loose what resources we have!"
The sound of a brief explosion rang off. Judging by the volume of the sound, plus the sudden jolt of the transport, it was most likely a near miss. If Estell was not already desensitized to the horrors of combat, she would most likely be wetting her pants. She glanced at her partner and wondered if he was as disciplined.
"Three minutes! Run last systems check!"
Almost automatically, both Estell and her partner ran through the checklist of each of their Protoframes systems. Though lacking a physical heads up display, all of the suits systems were wirelessly transmitted to appear on their visors. Their eyes were filled with data flow that showed them the status of all systems: Weapon loadouts, ammo, fuel supply, armor density and so on. As experienced at they are, it only took the pair a moment to familiarize themselves with the layout.
"One more thing Rookie!"
She called back, just as a red light above the cargo bay door began to flash and the door itself slowly rose up
"I never did get your name!"
"Alton Burtz."
He answered. When the hanger door was finally opened all the way, and she could see explosion clouds popping into view, Estell moved her Protoframe to the opening with Alton shuffling close behind.
"Well Al, Welcome to Hell!"
And she jumped. One full second later, Alton followed.
