Hangar
V-44 Bay
Several hours before Mission Start
With everyone in the V-44, the bird had the green to go. With the doors closing, Sergeant Conde looked over her team. Men and women from different backgrounds, different nations all here to fight and extraterrestrial threat. While it wasn't her first time leading a squad, it was a first to lead one with team members of various backgrounds. And it was definitely a first against aliens. But she was prepared for it regardless of experience. They had a mission, and she was disciplined to follow through with her leadership role. Her only worry was corporal Artem, who was still injured from a previous Op.
"Alright everyone. Listen up for the mission debrief," Awa said, speaking to everyone in the transport's bay, "As you know, one of our birds was knocked out of the sky. We have confirmed that the pilot ejected from the aircraft before it crashed. So the mission is to find him and bring him home." She took a bit of a breathe before continuing on. She was not much of a speaker. Always a quick reader, and she could type her thoughts well, but when it came to speaking, she wasn't inspiring nor had the charisma. She can say her piece, but that didn't mean she would convince or draw eyes. The only thing keeping others to her was her authority and the enclosed space of the transport.
"High energy signatures were detected before the plane went down. Though it is not confirmed, it is assumed that it was shot down by an alien aircraft. Not only that, but there were other high energy signatures detected along the canyon the bird was shot down over, after it was shot down; Also assumed to be alien tech," Conde continued, "Our search will be along the canyon floor, based on where the pilot ejected before his plane crashed. The region is dotted with various abandoned mines, so our man will likely be hiding in one nearby. We are expected to encounter enemies with alien weaponry on the ground with possible support in the sky." Saying what was on the PDA was different from reading it. Her words felt like they had more weight than emotionless words on the screen. She had more sense of foreboding when hearing it in her voice than reading it. She suppressed it, but the feeling was still there. It was always there, against an enemy. Even more against an extraterrestrial one. Would they all make it? Would their guy still be alive? These questions popped up but she didn't want to answer them. She just looked on to her people, her responsibility, and continued.
"Remember people, this is a rescue operation. Our mission is to get our guy and get out. No recovery of the downed bird nor looking for enemies. Our modus operandi will be stealth. we'll keep to the canyon walls and the vegetation, no visible areas or clearings when we can manage it. If we have to engage the enemy, we'll eliminate them fast before they can use whatever they are wielding," she said, "The flight there will be long, so rest up before we land. I hope you are all mentally and physically prepared for this operation." She then went to sit. Just then, the V-44 started to lift off, signalling their departure to the mission.
Death Valley, California
V-44 Bay
Mission Start
The V-44 started descending, down into the long canyon that ran north-south in the area. Greenery was abundant but none higher than a couple of feet. The sun was high, but the ever increasing shadow along the western wall signaled its descent. Setting down on the canyon floor, the bay doors open, revealing this scene to the squad.
Sergeant Conde was already standing by the door, getting out first and scanning the scene. No hostiles. Not yet. She moved to a nearby shrub, pulling out the PDA. "Over here everyone," she ordered to them.
