By Acting Major Sainsbury, Mission Commander
Major Howland is not in danger, but his unfortunate head-crash means I will be in command for the duration. I have great confidence that you will all carry out your duties in a way reflecting honour on the Marine Corps and the Imperial Navy.
It looks likely we will be here for a hundred days at least. We face a complex problem. Therefore, I have in this document tried to explain the thinking behind my orders to you, to help you to explain it to your squads and to allow you to extemporise solutions to unforeseen problems.
All officers are to familiarise themselves with this document. Orders apply to all military personnel, except where named officers are ordered to carry out particular tasks. All personnel must co-operate to ensure success. In many instances the military will be relying upon civilian support, and you must be diplomatic to ensure you get this. This document is JOLLY SECRET and must not be divulged to civilian personnel without my approval. Note that I have asked Lt Mouat to lead on civilian liaison; but in the event of any problems you are unable to deal with, contact me immediately.
Any comments or questions are welcome.
Acting Major T. Sainsbury, Mission Commander
OBJECTIVE 1
To investigate the Alien Complex 'Peaceful Base' and other parts of Woods Asteroid, in order to maximise scientific and historical knowledge. To complete this investigation successfully is our paramount objective.
GENERAL ORDER 192/1 Military personnel will act in support of the Scientific and Historical Teams, (SHITs), ensuring their safety by reasonable means at all times. The cover story 'Ivory Tower' is to be maintained. The 'Rome' area is to be kept clear of all military kit save that used by the guarding squads, who are to carry their kit at all times.
GENERAL ORDER 192/2 All personnel, including those within 'Rome' and the Alien complex are on Rules of Engagement HOLDFIRE. All efforts are to be made to prevent damage to the Alien Complex. EXCEPTION: The Alien intelligence must NOT be allowed to repair itself using human equipment.
All kit must be denied to it and if necessary, SCA fire used to destroy the human kit (and not the Alien robot.)
GENERAL ORDER 192/3 Routine Security and Other Duties Each spell of duty will last for two days ( 2 x 24-hour periods) to be alternated between Able and Baker Groups. This may be altered by agreement between Group Commanders. The exact allocation of squads is up to the Group Commanders.
DUTY#1 Security to SHIT in Alien Complex 'Peaceful Base'.
DUTY #2 Base Surface Security, and participating in Special Missions (see below)
ORDER LT. MOUAT is to liaise with the Scientific Team and report to me on the security implications of their requests.
SPECIAL MISSIONS
ORDER TO LT PARRELL AND LT NELSON
Report to me at 1800 to discuss a plan for the exploration in detail, and mapping, of the surface and fissures of Wood's Asteroid, with the intention of preparing to defend it in depth or use it as a base for covert ops.
ORDER TO LT ROCKFORD AND LT PARRELL
To maintain morale and combat readiness I will announce a series of 'challenges' when the security situation has stabilised. Discuss this together and send me a list of possible sports, games and other activities suitable for competitive events during our stay on this asteroid.
ORDER TO LT SHIMASU , LT NELSON AND LT HOLLAND
You have special responsibility for all locations being maintained in a shipshape and orderly condition. One of you will accompany me on my daily inspection round at 0600.
To ensure the safety and well-being of all personnel. The nature of the threats to Mission Security from the entity calling itself MAJOR-DOMO and other Alien technology is uncertain. It is urgent that the Scientific Team ascertain this and advise me how to counter it.
While they are working on this, no precipitate and irreversible action must be taken. I do not consider it necessary at this stage to carry out any demolition work or remove marines from their armour, or withdraw robot support. I am concerned about security of communications.
GENERAL ORDER 192/4 All comms within the Alien Complex is to be by secure microwave or face-to-face; or by other method as approved by me.
ORDER LT. KEMP is to produce a detailed protocol for secure comms and supervise the construction of the necessary microwave link stations, plus if necessary optical fibre links, or such other solutions as he thinks fit, for my approval.
To prepare for the establishment of a long-term base on Woods Asteroid.
Even when the SHITs have completed their initial investigation, I foresee the need to maintain a presence in force on this asteroid, possibly for years. Therefore we need to start laying the groundwork for a long-term base here. I will liaise with the mining expert, Mr Hideyoshi, as to the possibility of building new chambers and tunnels within the asteroid, where this does not jeopardise his work in support of the archaeology.
GENERAL ORDER 192/5 All officers are to report what they need to Lt-Cdr Ecchs, who will collate a list of purchase requirements from Tuskan. I start the list with 5000 additional ration packs, and 5km of fibre-optic cable.
ORDER TO LT-CDR ECCHS Command SS-Bravo 18 on a supplies trip to Tuskan, liaising with Captain Trimble and the other Sutton-Hoo astronauts.
ORDER TO LT-CDR MACKENZIE Accompany Ecchs with objective of assessing trustworthiness of Tuskan authorities; bringing additional naval personnel to support this Base (technical staff of any description, maximum 10 persons, duration MISCOM to me) and if necessary helping Ecchs obtain the supplies authorised for purchase.
To defend Woods Asteroid from enemy attack.
GENERAL ORDER 192/6
In addition to our security duties, there is a chance the asteroid will be subject to external attack. Should this occur, the Mission Commander will activate the following plan with codeword FESTERING SORE. All officers are to examine this plan, and prepare for its possible implementation.
CONTINGENCY PLAN FOR 'FESTERING SORE'; ORDERS
AREA OF OPERATIONS
Woods Asteroid and nearby space.
SITUATION
A powerful enemy force is heading towards Woods Asteroid with the intention of capturing it and destroying the Imperial Forces garrisoning it. We must assume this Force is large and powerful, such that the Tuskan Star Guard will be unable to prevent their arrival, or they will arrive stealthily.
A less powerful Force will, it is confidently expected, be destroyed (or dissuaded from approaching Woods Asteroid) by the Tuskan Star Guard.
ENEMY FORCES
Enemy Forces will be either a large force of humans, made up of naval vessels and associated soldiers or Starship Marines (Force Green) or a Berserker battleship with associated robots (Force Orange).
FRIENDLY FORCES
130th Marine Regiment, Group Able.
130th Marine Regiment, Group Baker.
Logs Group and Sutton Hoo Squad (any members of crew or scientists who wish to fight.)
ATTACHMENTS
There is a possibility Imperial Naval Forces from Tuskan, or Tuskan Star Guard Units, may be available to fight alongside us.
DETACHMENTS
Non-combatants, including a skeleton astronaut crew, are to be loaded onto SS Sutton Hoo, along with all finds and records, and ordered to attempt to hide and make contact with relieving force.
INFO REQUIREMENTS
Information about the intentions and resources available to the attacking Force.
MISSION
To defend Woods Asteroid at all costs and prevent it falling into the hands of Enemy Force until a Relief Force has arrived.
EXECUTION
Commander's comments
This asteroid contains secrets and scientific knowledge and technology of incalculable potential benefit to the Empire. It will be defended by us to the last SCA charge.
General Outline
One Marine Group will defend the Alien Complex ('Peaceful Base') itself, while the other Marine Group and other Forces will attack and harass the enemy to prevent him capturing the asteroid. Depending on the exact nature of the enemy force, SOPs should apply.
TASKS:
130th Marine Regiment, Group Able.
130th Marine Regiment, Group Baker.
The orders depend on which Group is on which duties when the codeword to start the operation is given. I, as Mission Commander, will accompany Able Group.
ORDERS FOR GROUP ON ALIEN COMPLEX 'PEACEFUL BASE' SECURITY. (#1) codename
- HUSSAR GROUP.
You are tasked to defend the base from enemy incursion and prevent its capture. You will build up a stock of rations and equipment at a suitable point within the base. You may be sealed inside the base by a deliberate rockfall. You will defend the base at all costs until relieved.
ORDERS FOR GROUP ON SURFACE SECURITY (#2) codename - LANCER GROUP.
You will, if time permits, use explosives to seal the entrance to the Alien Complex (Peaceful Base) once our defending 'Hussar' Group is ready (codeword WHITE FLASH to be issued by Hussar Commander.) You are to deploy your forces in cover (suggested aboard merchant supply ships, or on surface of asteroid) and seek an opportunity to attack and destroy the enemy.
Priority target is the enemy ship, or if there are several, his flagship.
If forces are scattered, the Commander will co-ordinate the attack by use of the codeword RAZOR'S EDGE.
LOGS GROUP AND SUTTON HOO SQUAD (ANY MEMBERS OF CREW OR SCIENTISTS WHO
WISH TO FIGHT.)
You are to find cover as a reserve and will move to support any friendly attacks as ordered.
ADMINISTRATION
Combat Supplies
All personnel will be issued with a full combat complement. If time permits, extra munitions will be stockpiled in the Alien Complex (Peaceful Base) at appropriate points, and caches of ammo, water and rations will be hidden by you on the surface of Woods. This may be helped by combat mapping
COMMAND AND SIGNALS
Chain of Command:
SOPs apply. For most purposes, the two Groups will be operating separately.
Attached forces will report to commander of surface 'Omaha Group.'
Special Instructions:
Use 'hit and run' delaying tactics wherever possible. There will be no prisoners taken unless for intelligence purposes.
Rules of Engagement:
Once codeword 'FESTERING SORE' is given: TIGHTFIRE, READY
On approach of enemy, on codeword TRAITOR'S CLAW
FREEFIRE, READY
Codewords:
HUSSAR Group on Alien Complex ('Peaceful Base'); security duty
LANCER Group on surface security, plus attached forces
FESTERING SORE Launch Operation *
TRAITOR'S CLAW change Rules of Engagement to FREEFIRE
WHITE FLASH (Hussar issue) detonate explosives to seal Alien Complex ('Peaceful Base')
RAZOR'S EDGE launch attack on enemy on surface or in orbit (further targets may be specified)
BURNING HATE abort Operation.
LASER LIGHT enemy are withdrawing from my position.
RED DAWN (at… location) enemy destroyed or captured.
*Special Note: Commander MUST ensure Message has been despatched to Imperial Navy, requesting despatch of Relief Force, as soon as Operation is launched.
GENERAL ORDER 192/1 Military personnel will act in support of the Scientific and Historical Teams, (SHITS), ensuring their safety by reasonable means at all times. The cover story 'Ivory Tower' is to be maintained. The 'Rome' area is to be kept clear of all military kit save that used by the guarding squads, who are to carry their kit at all times.
GENERAL ORDER 192/2 All personnel, including those within 'Rome' and the Alien complex are on Rules of Engagement HOLDFIRE. All efforts are to be made to prevent damage to the Alien Complex. EXCEPTION: The Alien intelligence must NOT be allowed to repair itself using human equipment.
All kit must be denied to it and if necessary, SCA fire used to destroy the human kit (and not the Alien robot.)
GENERAL ORDER 192/3 Routine Security and Other Duties
Each spell of duty will last for two days ( 2 x 24-hour periods) to be alternated between Able and Baker Groups. This may be altered by agreement between Group Commanders. The exact allocation of squads is up to the Group Commanders.
DUTY#1 Security to SHIT in Alien Complex ('Peaceful Base').
DUTY #2 Base Surface Security, and participating in Special Missions (see below)
GENERAL ORDER 192/4 All comms within the Alien Complex is to be by secure microwave or face-to-face; or by other method as approved by me.
GENERAL ORDER 192/5 All officers are to report what they need to Lt-Cdr Ecchs, who will collate a list of purchase requirements from Tuskan. I start the list with 5000 additional ration packs, and 5km of fibre-optic cable.
GENERAL ORDER 192/6
In addition to our security duties, there is a chance the asteroid will be subject to external attack. Should this occur, the Mission Commander will activate the [above] plan with codeword FESTERING SORE. All officers are to examine this plan, and prepare for its possible implementation.
Authorised: Acting Major Sainsbury, Commander
Authenticated: Acting Lance-Major Cornelius, 2ic
Copy to all officers, Woods Asteroid; L-Mjr Kodak, Lt-Cdr McKenzie, Lt-Cdr Ecchs, Lts Mouat, Holland, Parrell, Kemp, Rockford, Nelson, Shimasu.
Document ends. 2163 words
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