Scout
posted by J Renfro, Tarakia 5.12 Local Time 5:43 AM
The mountains here are lush and green at the base and soar up to 10,000 feet at many points. I would like to see the sun rise over the white-crested peaks, but the sun could be out right now and I wouldn't know it. Thick clouds of black acrid smoke blanket the sky. The refreshing scent of the mountain air would be equally nice at this hour except all I smell is scorched earth and explosive residue.
A few short hours ago a massive battle took place. Tarakian Hound Squads converged here because of a Sal Kari Munitions Depot. The enemy Hounds are now just hulks of burnt-out metal. The depot itself is a charred ruin. Random explosions go off from the burning munitions, creating an impromptu fireworks show. This attack was more than just a search and destroy mission; this was retribution for the countless hit and run raids by the Sal Kar forces.
And what brought all this awesome firepower to bear on what was previously a secret enemy outpost? Some would say it was mission planning. Others say good fortune. But I would chalk this one up to a young, wiry Private named Teagan. As the first one on the scene, annihilation tends to follow in his wake.
Private 1st Class Peter Teagan is a Scout Hound Pilot. At 22 years old he is one of the youngest members of the squad. He admits he talks too fast for his own good and fidgets even more.
"I always have to be doing something otherwise I don't feel like I'm making a difference out here. My brain is always going faster than my mouth so the older guys always make fun of me," he says with a smile. This must all be in good jest because Pvt. Teagan does indeed seem to be making a difference out here. His skills as a Scout are unquestioned by his team mates.
"I'm most focused when I'm in the pilot's seat--there is so much information coming at you and you're just cruising along so fast. But at that point, everything kinda slows down for me. The guys always say that's the best time to talk to me because it's when I seem to make the most sense," he says with a laugh that's more of a snort.
As a reconnaissance specialist Teagan serves as the advanced eyes and ears of the main Hound Squad and his Hound is customized for the task.
"This baby is my sweet ride. The hovercraft attachment gives me mobility and speed. Land, water... it doesn't matter, I can handle it all!"
"Weapons?" I ask him noting the lack of menacing protrusions that I see so much of on the other Hounds.
He answers without missing a beat. "Sure, there aren't a lot of weapons on her. And the armor is scaled back too. But I need to be fast and extra weight is no good for speed. If I get mixed up in a drawn out fire fight, I've f'ed up. She's a Scout, not a Soldier. She does have a lot of sensors though, probably second only to the Tactics Commander."
I ask him about the word "Harbinger" painted on his Hound's cockpit.
"That's what I am--I'm the forerunner. When they see me they know I'm bringing an ass whoopin' right behind me."
This is pretty much what played out here earlier. Pvt. Teagan discovered this depot on his self-described "hunt" and with the main force close behind, they rolled in and destroyed it.
"The sensors are great, but sometimes it just comes down to instinct, though luck doesn't hurt either. I just have a knack for finding the bad guys."
Teagan downplays his own heroics during the operation. While waiting for the main force to close in, he was discovered by a Sal Kari Defender Hound. It was easily three times his size bristling with weapons and thick armor to match.
"Yeah, he would have made short work of me. I knew I couldn't fight him head on, but I also couldn't just retreat in case he signaled the alarm. So I jammed his transmissions and I kept zig-zagging so he couldn't get a bead on me. Lucky for me, one of our Sniper Hounds saw me as they were moving in and just zapped him. The Defender Hound was so busy trying to nail me I don't think he ever saw the shot from my Sniper. I definitely owe him a round of drinks now."
If Pvt. Teagan's lucky streak continues, the Sal Kari bases have slim chance to remain hidden. And as if by my own good luck, I think I see some sunlight peeking through the smoke and streaming down on the mountain.
