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11/9/2012 1:19:36 AM
64
The Man Who Sang to the Stars
[May 2ND, 2554, Earth, Norfolk UNSC Naval Academy]
Major Eric "Smooth" O'Kife just finished teaching these young naval cadets on photographic intelligence. They were eager young minds who had been taking his Introduction to Electronic Surveillance 101.
This course educates the student on devices from a lapel cam to Drones. Useful applications in collecting intelligence and how to gather useful nuggets of intelligence.
Students filed out of the class room as the class was concluded for today.
Clearing up his notes on his holo display at his desk. He looked up to see Samantha Bright one of his top students." Sir that was quite informative today. I learned a great deal about how even with the best equipment it still comes down to the human factor."
Eric smiled at the young woman who was a lovely young brunette. " I related it back to World War Two when they did not have computers yet were able to get air recon over targets. In those days a pilot had to fly a mission to take the pictures. Later it developed into spy planes that were useful in the Cuban Missile Crisis and Even During the Vietnam Conflict. If you look it up you can find out how we got to drones and satellites but yes there is still a human factor in this."
Samantha shook her head yes at him. Excitement in her voice." I shall look that up sir. Thank you." She curtly left his classroom as he returned to clearing up his notes.
Stepping out of the class room he ran into the Commandant of the Academy. Who was making his rounds. He stopped to chat with Eric for a moment." Major i am glad i ran into you. I hope you have been treated well. Navy is not used to seeing Air Force personnel but you come highly recommended. The Covenant War has left us short handed."
Eric simply nodded at the true statement having lost too many good friends to the Alien Menace that was thankfully over." I am glad to be here sir. I accepted due to the fact my experience might rub off on these young minds. I accepted this position due to shortages all over and it i am proud to help out." This Made the Commandant smile.
" Good..good" Patting Eric on the shoulder." We should have a drink in the next staff meeting. I need to take care of a few things but we desperately need ten more of you but i will take what i can get so we can get these cadets graduated. Tell you more later keep up the good work." Patting Eric once again on the shoulder the Commandant walked on down the hall.
Exiting the building Eric did seem a bit out of place but his record shows he was willing to work with any one who worked with him. He headed back to his officer billet. It was a single house on a simple street. Military housing still was on the base yet he knew he would have to do "Paperwork" from his terminal inside.
He got into his car driveing off looking at the main building and its parade ground. Not to mention it's wet navy docks. Seamen have trained here for many years. He left the parking lot heading home.
After parking his car Eric entering his house. His loyal companion was a six month old Golden Retriever named George. Who bounded over to give him puppy kisses when he bent down to pet the dog. Passing his small Living room that lead to his kitchen he sat down opening his computer interface then petting George who was so happy to see him.
Giving George his favorite bone the dog happily chewed on it. Eric turned to do a few hours of work. He created a lesson plan for next week. George waged his tail before whimpering he was hungry.
Eric stood up feeding his loyal companion in his small kitchen. Giving George a pat on the head Eric looked outside to see that night had fallen.
Walking over to a worn guitar case. He took out his guitar from a case that was sitting on a couch. It had a blue finish yet was a familiar brand. Grabbing a few beers he headed out back. Carrying the instrument into his back yard,Plugging in his guitar to his set up.
It was a clear night with the stars shining bright. He left the sliding glass door open for George to come out if he wanted. Sitting down on a pre placed chair Eric began to play the blues.
It seemed as if time melted everything away. Even the crisp night air did not bother him. Twenty years of war faded from mind as he sang to the stars.
[Edited on 11.08.2012 5:29 PM PST]
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[ October 26Th 2525, Eden] Staff Sergeant O'Kife lay flat not moving when the enemy drop ship passed. Strange Y shaped craft passed then descended towards Waycrest. He brought up the mini-display he strapped onto his right arm he began hitting buttons to bring up both Dragonflys sensors. Targets begin updating in the HUD of the squad members. Shifting one drone he opened the Camera showing the Drop Ship hover down to open its side doors. Strange looking alien warriors hoped down. Two were bird like carrying some kind of shields. Another looked fierce. More of those little aliens hopped out as well. He was glad the Dragonfly's fans were pretty quiet unless you got in close to ten meters or you visually can see it. His Dragonfly's were equipped with night vision lenses and outfitted with standard sensor package. All that data went to his com pack that interfaced with his laptop. He could plug in the computer external if he needed to or slide it into a slot. UNSC Air Force kit sometimes differed from the other branches depending on MOS. He was like a Radio Operator from back in the early days of war. These days equipment was lighter to carry. It was more versatile. In later years Forward Air Control Operators directed air strikes or were a vital communications link between ground forces needed air support. Most Army units have a FAC, Especially Special Operations Units. FAC give flexibility to friendly forces. Team Leaders have more tactical choices on the field. UAVs have been more of a intelligence tool for recon. It used to take six guys to coordinate Intel in a room and fly it. These days technology allows for one or two operating the Drones allowing them to operate away from bases or outposts. Drones come in all sizes. UNSC military ones can be the bigger ones like the Dart down to the portable ones like the Dragonfly. Smaller ones might not have the power or endurance depending on weather conditions or other factors. Most drone operators who operate in the field hang out at base camp. Assisting in communications and gathering Intel for the forces in the area. Rebels forced UNSC to re-evaluate the situation. Allowing more direct role by operating with the forces involved giving real time Intel and allowing for drones to find enemy targets even calling it in if the FIO is down. Drones can be armed. Even his Dragonfly's that mainly are unarmed. Weight Balance must be maintained. All that could be mounted is a pistol or rifle underneath the nose. Eric being a new breed of Intel Specialist/Crossed with a FAC allowed a new MOS to be created. So he went from place to place assisting units in need of his skills to get missions done that would have been much more difficult. It allowed the UNSC to train more like him. yet his training was even more comprehensive than a ODST or Ranger. Only a few were like him yet as time goes on he is sure to see more. Even this enemy gave him pause. Aliens who seem to share some sort of common bond. Sun was starting to creep over the burning mountains as he gathered the information on disposition of the alien forces. Speaking on the teams secure channel Eric spoke sofly." It looks like the enemy has been preparing." Updating there helmets HUD with his sharing the information. " They have gun turrets watching the south entrance. Same for the North. A patrol of enemy one man craft seems to be circling the perimeter." " Enemy forces seem deployed in five man squads. Alien Craft is still on deck. Total forces twenty nine hostiles. with unknown number inside." Eric rechecked to be sure. L.C. Hernandez touched the right side of his helmet changing com channels to [i]Devil Advocates[/i] main push." Hell Hound to Delta Able. We are marking targets for air support. Enemy forces are fortified. Over." Female voice replied." We can barely hear you. Signal Strength is Weak. We copy. Longswords inbound." They waited laying in ground cover or behind bushes. " Sandman Two to Wolf Pack. We are inbound with fireworks." Eric spoke with the Longsword pilot." This is Smooth we copy Sandman Two. Golf 203 Charlie 02 Delta 06. Attack direction East out of the sun. Marking friendly position with IR grenade." Eric tossed a IR grenade on his position. " After the air strike we hit them fast and hard." Hernandez directed every one to get ready. " Sandman Two we have friendly position marked. Rolling In." Missiles exploded on the enemy drop ship as it tried to rise. It lost control crashing before it could try to escape. Missiles blew apart the plasma turrets sending the little aliens scattering for cover. Two Longswords streaked past to make a second pass. 50mm guns chewed up earth as the enemy fired small arms trying in vain to hit the fast moving jets. "Sandman Two to Wolf Pack we are clear heading RTB at this time." Every one moved out fallowing Hernandez. Sniper fire and DMR shots picked off some of the enemy. Both sides closed as they did he noticed one of the drones was down. Nothing Eric could do now. They got closer to the south entrance with plenty of hostiles waiting for them all. Good thing about all of this was they could get it over with. [Edited on 11.28.2012 12:45 PM PST]
