Chronicle of the Unknown Sector. (#Wattys2015)

Part 4: Lock & Load, Skull & Bone.

Planet Erghun, was once one of the Unknown Sectors top high end resorts due to it's lush jungle canopies ending in vast ocean sand beaches underwent a sudden spike in weather patterns covering it with a thick layer of ice creating a somewhat artistic landscape.

Serpent Company however wasn't there to admire the sights for they were given a paid contract to find and rescue survivors of a Psyoni research vessel, adding more caution to their mission aside being on sub-zero temperatures were scan reports of unknown life-signs and several Pirate staging grounds close to the crash-sight.

Troops, pilots and other personal whom accompanied Pablo to the surface all bundled up in cold-weather clothing still shaking to the bone, despite this chattered among themselves peering at their High-commander who stood not wearing the additional attire to his combat-armour unshivered.

"H..h..how can you take this c..c..cold?" Gab stuttered from the cold wrapping her arms underneath her armpit to warm her gloved hands making Pablo turn to look at her with a small smile as he walked over to her placing his cybernetic hand icy chilled upon touch along her neck, "Meep! Damn it that's near frozen. You are so childish." she shouted at him which only made him break into a minor laugh.

"Serpents are reptilian, thus we're cold-blooded. Like any predator to stay alive, they must adapt." he stated picking up a fur coat with his name on it covering it over Gabriella heading back to his former spot then after. A moment after the scout platoon he'd sent shortly after landing returned delivering their findings to him causing his eyebrow to raise then turn back barking out orders.

"Alright people we're moving on, if anything it'll get your blood flowing. Just weapons and ammo, drop anything else excluding your weather clothing. Got a medkit or a case of ammo bring it with you." being his words picking up a pulse rifle cocking back the charge handle then proceeded to pick up a large satchel flinging it over his back as the company headed out.

The hike being filled with banter between troops and echoes of bypassing gunships overhead, meanwhile Gabriella and Pablo at the forefront had a more one-sided conversation with her speaking about all sorts of topics and subjects regarding her upbringing, interests and favourite foods whilst he only gave one or rarely two worded responses as his eyes scanned the surroundings like a hawk with his thermal lens within the cybernetic eye.

Entering a vast narrow valley pass caused Pablo to hold up an enclosed fist swiftly sweeping his hand downward making him and the entire group take a knee, "What's wrong Pab.." Gab whispered before he darted back at her with his index finger over his lips with her nodding in acknowledgement.

Peering around he turned back to the group signing out orders "This is our fall-back point, first team hold here. Second when I give the signal make a go for me on that side with third shortly after" Pablo then took off the satchel on his back handing it to Gabriella whispering to her "Gabby, in there is a sniper-rifle with a thermal sight. You'll be on over-watch for us so if you see any movement that doesn't have a flickering black dot then you drop them okay?" with her giving a small grin nodding at him making him smirk abit turning his head frontward.

Three sharp sudden inhales later he bolted across a wide opening being met by outbursts of gunfire whizzing past him with most impacting inches near his feet before finally taking cover returning fire himself in quick two round bursts, "Second, Third! On me!" Pablo yelled out letting off another burst following up with another order "First! Don't just sit there OPEN FIRE!"

The firefight taking place in the small space with Pablo and Serpent Company on the low ground in the valley and the unidentified forces on the high ground as gunfire, shouts from the troops and orders from Pablo rang around the valley walls arching over them, both him and Gab neutralized targets with least amount of rounds possible.