//------------------------------// // Chapter 5 // Story: CTF Haymaker // by totallynotabrony //------------------------------// Lombard reviewed the traffic reports. The ships of the Amphibious Ready Group monitored everything they could, but there wasn't much in the way of international air traffic, aircraft or otherwise. Ships were another matter, but unless Tauros asked the US Navy to interdict encroachers, there was nothing she could do. The Chinese fishing vessels were showing up in greater numbers now. Perhaps they were taking advantage of the disaster, assuming there would be no one to drive them away. It looked like they might be correct. Lombard turned her mind back to her mission. The pier in Minos was back in limited operation. Even if it wasn't, they could have unloaded equipment via LCAC. Somerset had discharged her remaining cargo and Lombard sent the ship to stand out off the coast and monitor the area. Makin Island was pierside now, and thick cables and pipes had been run from the ship into the city in order to provide electricity and fresh water. However, with the pier occupied, it would be more difficult to bring in other supplies via ship. That was where the Mobile Landing Platform came in. USNS John Glenn had come through the rift along with a couple of cargo ships. The MLP was a specialized vessel that could function as an adaptor, allowing vehicles and cargo to be taken off ships and loaded onto hovercraft without needing to pull into port. The LCACs stayed busy. An oiler passed through to refuel the ships of the ARG. While it was there, a helicopter transferred some journalists from the big name news agencies: CNN, AP, BBC. Lombard was the first to welcome them, but of course they wanted to see the action on the ground and the Marines came to fetch them. Diamond Joe, Borax Kate, and Schist Steve, the minotaur interpreters, were working round the clock. Literally, they had to divide into shifts so the CTF could have someone to translate ready at all times. Though he publicly complained that it was a load of bull, Schist still worked the night shift. He just wasn't as happy about it. Candless walked through the command center late one evening. A Japanese team was just rolling up with their reports. A Corporal named Hitoshi brought in his notebook and took it to one of the Japanese interpreters also working the desks. The Japanese had been working the central part of the country. They had been the first to report the disappearance of the citizens of Diony. Exactly what had happened to them was still a mystery. The Marines had launched small ScanEagle drones in an attempt to follow any signs, but it might require significant land tracking. The pegasi were forming up and drawing plans to also take on the task. Candless glanced at the latest version of the map. There wasn't much north of Diony. Where could they have gone? Henry stepped down from the Humvee in Phobos. It was nearly as large as the capital, but hadn't been washed away. Earthquake damage was still apparent, and he was sure to call in his report. They'd gotten word to be on the lookout for minotaurs from Diony. Henry walked over to where Specialist Lee was talking with a small crowd. It was odd to hear a human speaking Minotaur. The language was a curious mix of grunts and grumbles. Henry had picked up a few words on the trip so far, but was nowhere near proficient. It sounded like Lee was explaining about the supply run scheduled shortly. Henry saw him gesturing to the sky. Speaking of that, his ears caught the distinctive sound of an Osprey approaching. The sound shortly caught the attention of other residents of Phobos. There was a crowd waiting when the Osprey touched down. The tailgate opened and the aircrew began handing out packages of food from wooden crates. It looked like endless vegetarian MREs and Henry smirked to himself. Good riddance. However, the crowd apparently didn't see it that way. Even if they didn't realize what they were getting, they surely seemed eager to get it. It wasn't long before they were accepting the boxes directly from the aircrew at the back of the aircraft. In fact, the crowd seemed to be in competition to snag the most. Henry did sense some unrest, but it still came as a surprise when the first punch was thrown. He stepped forward and tried to separate the two bellowing minotaurs, but was casually elbowed back. Both of them had at least a hundred pounds on him. He put his hands on his M16, but wasn't immediately confident that the plastic rifle would do anything when used as a club, or even hold up to that kind abuse. Fortunately, one of the aircrew waded into the fray with a crowbar. He didn't swing, but instead pried the two fighters apart. A couple other humans pitched in for extra muscle. It helped that both minotaurs realized that fighting would only keep them from getting more food. The load of one Osprey wouldn't feed all of the city. If minotaurs got hungry, they could eat grass apparently, but that wouldn't last long. It was important to restore services so that wouldn't be necessary. However long that took.