BDK-11 Peresvet
Oahu, Honolulu
23:13, October 17th 2014
The marines of the 87th Company stood up, breathing down each other’s neck. With one hand they each held onto their straps, in a dim-red lit room. The commander instructed each marine to wear Heavy armor Level V which was typically used by the Pact’s snipers: it was light and fairly flexible however it lacked armor, unlike the marines’ beloved Level VII that was far too cumbersome for surprised landing.
The commander however did promise to the company that they would receive Level VII once they get on solid ground.
The Soviet marines, stood at the ready, guns loaded, minds dagger sharp. Nicknamed the Black Devils by Nazis in the Second World War and Crows by the Americans in the Third (due to their black war paint), the Soviet Marines were ready to kill. The marines, like always, were sent to do the dirtiest job, they went where no one else wanted to be.
Currently they awaited at the Zubr class hovercraft. Five times the length of a school bus, it was deemed to be the armored tank of the sea. For a hovercraft which typically never had heavy armament, this one packed a punch. With four AK-630: 40mm auto-cannons and portable Strella missile launchers on board that could be used to take out both enemy’s aerial and ground equipment. Zubr also was armed with an Ogon system rocket launchers and even deployable mines for anti-submarine warfare. Its walls were thick enough to resemble a ship but the Zubr had its hovercraft elements as well: the black air-cushion and a pair of four bladed fans that helped it achieve lightning fast acceleration.
Even inside such hovercraft the marines were nervous as a couple of soldiers flexed their shoulders and jumped around making sure their equipment was well secured. They tried to occupy their mind with something other than the chaos that awaited them ahead. This was only natural before any battle, but each soldier found confidence through trust in not only their officers but the men with which they stood shoulder to shoulder.
Captain Klyashko personally inspected the troops an hour ago. To him they couldn’t be any more ready — the sheer determination in their eyes only reassured the commander’s belief. He went over the orders that were addressed to him personally as the commander of the 87th Company. They were tasked to land on the Ala Moana beach, along with the rest of 61st Marine Division.
With a final nod of approval, Sergei came to Captain Azarov who stood silently with his arms crossed eyeing the soldiers from the top
“I believe they are ready as they will ever be.” The Captain said.
Azarov took one last look and shook Sergei’s hand.
“Good luck.” he said.
“We don’t need it.” Sergei smiled and patted him on the shoulder. “Where we are…”
“There is victory!” his company exclaimed in a synchronized voice.
Azarov gave a nod, withholding his smile he left the small landing craft.
Perhaps you don’t with soldiers like that, even I would be so confident, and yet...
Everyone knew that at any point the doors could open as the light turned green. All eyes were fixed on it. The anticipation and tension was felt mutually by all the soldiers but Master-Sergeant Boris Rodin felt it especially. The man was bigger and taller than anyone in the company and yet the wait had given this man goosebumps — as a kid he would always be the first in line to the dentist or the school nurse who gave shots. Awaiting in fear for the inevitable seemed pointless to the man.
Just turn green damn it…
The Master- Sergeant’s wish was granted, the light flashed green and the front door of the ship opened. The ramp went down and the four Zubr-class air-cushioned landing craft took off. It accelerated slowly but kept its momentum. The four landing vessels that parted from Peresvet reminded him of an armed tank on top of water, with multiple anti-tank turrets, machine guns, and anti-air rockets, most of which were put to use as the company got closer to Ala Moana.