In Silent Dreams

CHAPTER 22 - Structure

Eva: Beth, One minute.

Elizabeth pulled the the magazine out of the weapon's mag feed. She inspected it and pushed it back in with a click.

Eva: Forty seconds.

Elizabeth fitted spider mines into her equipment belt holsters.

Eva: Thirty seconds.

The crossbow's arc was extended.

Eva: Twenty.

A distinct sound was heard as Elizabeth activated the sonar goggles.

Eva: Ten.

Elizabeth: "Let's do this."

The Eva descended into a dusty fog, and the ramp doors slammed onto the ground. Elizabeth leaped out of the ship, and landed on the hard ground with a thud. She immediately raised her weapon forward, and scanned the surroundings.

Elizabeth: "Nothing yet. Begin the preparations."

Eva: It has begun. I have sent a geographical layout hologram to your transponder. We have a few options here. One, we take the high route to a plateau overlooking the supply drop, and use a high powered scope on your rifle. Two, we take the low route, and prepare an ambush in the lower tunnels below the ground. You have to be wary of the local wildlife, so I suggest taking the higher route, as it will give you more awareness due to the height advantage.

E: "A good point. Our target is probably more familiar with the terrain and conditions of the planet though, so caution is always advised. The dust storm is working against our odds."

Eva: Calculating storm probabilities. The next dust storm will hit the area in about thirty minutes.

E: "Noted. Send the beacon when the storm is up. We could turn our disadvantage into an advantage."

Eva: How would you propose so?

E: "I have an idea." 

Elizabeth Shot a hook line up on the edge of a nearby cliff wall, and grappled upwards, while she took careful steps to reach the top. She displaced a small spherical object on the ground, and the sphere expanded out, emitting a radiant blue glow onto the ground and air around it. 

E: "It's for later."

Eva: The topography of this area is interesting. From what I can tell, the canyons seem to inhibit narrow tunnels and caves, the outer layer exhibits a varied level of heights, making it such that there are no see-all vantage points.

E: "The perfect cover. For both of us."

Eva: Detecting several unknown ship signals. Be prepared.

E: "Bounty hunters? Target escorts?"

Eva: The ships are emitting a type-vi signature. Class six weaponry. These ships are packing heavy firepower.

E: "Class six weaponry are often used to bombard areas and level structures. This planet is full of uneven terrain and low visibility conditions. Their offensive strategy is a gamble. They pound the ground with explosions while hoping to kill the target."

Eva: A straightforward strategy. Without the ability to carry out precise strikes heavy bombardment is used as a substitute.

E: "Such is the nature of their ships. Their heavy focus on ground bombardment would mean that most of their weapons payloads and systems are built for heavy bombing. These ships won't be as effective in precise combat."

Eva: A good analysis. Get back on board and we will see what they are up to.

Elizabeth: "On it."