After finishing dinner with Emma, Gabe returned to his room. He had a few hours before the operation started at 2300 hours, and he figured he should rest some. He would likely be staying up all night and wanted at least a little sleep.
He got himself cleaned up and climbed into bed. However, the anxious nerves ruined any chances of him sleeping. He kept tossing and turning with no position comfortable enough to feel drowsy.
He eventually grew too frustrated and got up. He went and got a glass of water and sat in his chair while overlooking the city.
He took his time sipping the water while forcing his brain to think of anything other than the operation. When he felt himself finally grow drowsy, he slipped back into bed once more.
He forced his brain to continue thinking good thoughts. He was currently thinking about seeing his friend Lily once more and about how he was sure Emma would be glad to see her, too. He slipped into slumber a short time later. It wasn't a deep sleep, but it was enough for now.
—-
The military compound within Denver took up approximately a third of the government complex. It has a 10 story barrack, a fitness center, a firing range and multiple warehouses. There are also a dozen other buildings for the various needs of the military.
The massive complex, as imposing as it might be, was eerily quiet. Only a few stray people could be seen running between the large concrete buildings.
The reason for it being so empty was simple: the military wasn't needed much anymore. With the only conflicts being poorly equipped outlaws and mutated cockroaches, a large standing military was simply a waste. A waste of resources, a waste of labor and a waste of time.
The military complex was built at the beginning of the ecological collapse. Back when panic and unrest were the norm, a large 'peacekeeping' force was necessary. Since then, the military has only shrunk as people grew use to the situation and more hands were needed to keep the city fed and functional.
Currently, maybe only half of the first floor of the barracks was used. That included all the support staff that was needed to keep the military complex and equipment maintained.
Most of the rooms in the barracks were small and just big enough to room four people which was the size of a single fireteam. Each fire team would get their own room to build camaraderie.
The fireteam would be made up of three privates with a corporal leading them. One private would be the teams communications expert. Another would be the grenadier or heavy weapons expert. The last private would be the marksman or sharpshooter.
The marksman's equipment varied based on the mission, but it is usually a select-fire rifle. The marksman also tends to be the teams scout as they normally have a lighter loadout than the rest and can move more easily.
Three fireteams together would be called a squad with one of the fireteams leading with a sergeant. Three squads with four support personnel make up a platoon. The Denver military currently only consists of two armed platoons plus a support platoon. All together, Denver has less than a single company of military support.
Inside one of the small rooms, the fireteam leader had just entered their room. This wasn't just any fire team though. It was one of three special forces fireteams.
"Alright team, gather round. I've got orders," the man said to his three team members. The leader's name was Mateo Martinez. He was a sergeant while his team was corporals.
Special forces were always a rank higher than their regular counterparts so that if they found themselves in a dire situation they could take control. It gave them the flexibility they needed as special forces.
"The upcoming operation, I'm sure you've all heard rumors about, is code named Operation: Event Horizon. The time is now 2100 hours. We depart at 2215 hours. That should give you plenty of time to prepare. Everyone understand?" He questioned his men. He received three nods in response.
"Very good. This will be an escort mission. A squad of marines will be joining us in protecting a team of scientists to study an anomaly. Don't ask what the anomaly is. I have no idea. It is highly classified from what I can tell."
The men groaned hearing this was an escort mission. It is common knowledge that protecting VIPs is always a pain.
"The greenhorn up top has also sent with us a full compliment of powder and laser weapons. I heard he has a stomach ache and wants us to watch his girlfriend." He and his men snickered at that. The show Gabe put on during dinner had spread like wildfire over the Holo. Mateo cleared his throat and returned to his serious tone.
"Orders are orders though, so no complaints. The powder and laser weapons have only been sent for emergencies and will only arrive a few hours later. We do not have authorization to use them freely, so don't think about it. I'm talking to you, Ralph," Mateo said pointedly to the man.
Ralph was the heavy weapons expert for the team, and he had a history of excessive damage. He was a tower of bulging muscle, easily 6 foot 6 inches tall. He could only laugh awkwardly being called out like that.
"For the time being only E-Mag has been cleared," Mateo reiterated. "We will meet the marine squad at the front gate prior to departure. Any questions?"
"Yea, my toe has this—"
"Any serious questions? No? Good, I have a shit to take," Mateo said with finality before leaving the small room. Everyone else in the room chuckled at that.
The man he had cut off was named Tony. He was the communications expert in the team. The final member was nicknamed Whisper. He barely talks, but when he does, it's no louder than his nickname. He was the teams sharpshooter and a trained sniper. He could hit a target half a mile out with ease if he had the right gear.
The men chatted and joked while preparing. It wasn't often the special forces deployed, but when they did, they knew it was something big.
Although they made fun of Gabe, they knew that if the other councilors approved of their deployment, then the situation warranted it.
Little did they know that Gabe forced their deployment. The rest of the councilors thought special forces was excessive. Gabe fought them though, his so called stomach ache convinced him something was wrong.
At 2200 hours, 15 minutes prior to departure, Martinez's team left the barracks to join the marines at the front gate. There they found a small convoy quickly being loaded. The convoy consisted of two M2078 light medium tactical vehicles (LMTV), one T27 light armored technical vehicle (LATV) and two P-090 light armored troop transports (LATT).
The LMTVs were being packed with weapons, supplies and research equipment. That would be all the supplies the teams should need for Operation: Event Horizon.
The LATV was for Ramirez's team. It came with a mounted 50 caliber powder based machine gun on top. Ralph could use the heavy weapon by opening a hatch in the roof of the vehicle. The front was armored with a plow for ramming through buildings or people.
The two LATTs were essentially small busses with an extra layer of sheet metal. This was where the science, support and marine teams would ride.
In total, there were 5 vehicles carrying 34 people: 16 soldiers, 10 scientists, 6 logistics/support personnel and 2 Intelligence agents.
While Ralph, Tony and Whisper moved to the LATV to pack and prepare, Mateo met with the sergeant of the marines squad, Olivia Martinez, his wife.
Olivia was a tall blonde woman who commanded her squad with ease. When she saw Mateo walk towards her, she dismissed the corporal she was speaking with. When Mateo reached her, she gave a small nod.
"Mateo, good evening."
"Awwee come on. Why are you so formal with me now. I coulda sworn last night you were—-"
"God you're so frustrating. We are on duty right now," Olivia cut him off with a sharp jab to his side. She loved him dearly, but she swore he tried to destroy her image in front of her marines at every opportunity.
"Fine, fine I get it," he said. Trying to calm Olivia down once she got worked up was a tall order, and he did not want to face the consequences later.
"I just wanted to let you know that command has given me tactical control for the duration of this mission. I highly doubt it, but if an emergency arises, my team will take control."
"Sounds good to me," Olivia replied. The two of them watched their men work on the convoy before she spoke up again.
"Our destination is the middle of a wheat field. Do you have any idea what is going on that would require this large of a response?"
"I have no idea. Whatever it is, it's beyond my pay grade." Even though the two were the same rank, being part of special forces granted Mateo a few special privileges.
"I do know however, that whatever it is, is smaller than what this task force is designed to handle. I have it on good authority that the newbie up top threw a bit of a fit saying that 'his tummy ache compels him to give us more toys,'" he said while mocking Gabe.
The two of them chuckled together in front of the gate. While that comment was certainly mocking, the two of them both knew that gut feelings saved lives. They would always prefer someone like Gabe, who actually listened to his gut, over someone who didn't. The joke was more to lighten spirits and nerves than anything else.
The two simply stood next to each other in silence and watched the logistics personnel of the complex load up their convoy. There was a strange sense of peace that came from watching a well oiled machine do what it did best. When the convoy appeared loaded and ready to depart, a private ran up to the two of them and saluted.
"Sir, ma'am, the convoy is prepared for departure. We are awaiting your orders," the young man reported. Mateo and Olivia looked at each other and nodded before Olivia responded.
"Thank you, private. Tell the drivers we set off in 5 minutes. Have them announce final checks."
The young man saluted once more before running back to the convoy to deliver the sergeants orders.
"Guess I should go load up. You be careful out there, okay Liv?"
"Always," she responded. Mateo leaned forward and gave her a quick kiss before walking away. He didn't care if she got angry about this. He was going to give his wife a kiss before they deployed.
Mateo made his way to the LATV to load up. While he was loading up, Tony, riding shotgun, spoke up. "You and the lady get some last minute—-" Again Tony was cut off, this time with a sharp punch to the shoulder.
"Watch yourself Tony, you'll be cleaning toilets again."
That shut Tony up real quick. The last time he did, he could literally taste the shit as he scrubbed it off the bottom of the bowls.
"We depart in one minute!" A private exclaimed to the convoy. It was time for the team to load up.
Ralph had to sit in the back where the roof hatch was to access the 50 cal mounted on top. Tony usually sat shotgun. It was the best location for him to have his communications equipment out. Mateo couldn't drive and give orders at the same time, so that left Whisper as driver and Mateo in the back with Ralph.
Over the comms equipment the team heard Olivia's voice. "All units, this is Sergeant Olivia Martinez, depart!" She ordered. The engines of the 5 vehicles hummed with electricity, and the convoy left the front gate.
Their destination was point Alpha which was the wheat field down the slopes of Denver. While Point Alpha was only 8 miles away from the closest sub-base, the convoy had to first leave Denver and make it to the sub-base.
In total the team had to travel about 40 miles, and with the military vehicles maxing out at 60 mph on the mountain's tight turns and slopes, it would take about 45 minutes to get there.
If there were no delays, the convoy would reach Point Alpha at almost exactly 2300 hours. Exactly when Gabe wanted boots on the ground.