First Responders

4 October 2024
Partial transcript, Hong Kong LOCCENT, 4 October 2024, 02:43 - 04:12 Kuching time
[LOCCENT] Welcome to Kuching, Rangers. KC-24, Category 4, codename Raksaksa, inbound. Contact expected in seven minutes.
[Marshal] This is Marshal Xiong Li-hua. Your orders are to hold the Miracle Mile. Standard team formation, Rangers.
[V. Byrd] Copy, Marshal.
[H. Hansen] Roger, Marshal.
[V. Byrd] Mammoth Apostle in position, Miracle Mile.
[H. Hansen] Striker Eureka in position and awaiting orders.
[Midas 1] Mammoth, this is Midas 1. We're your shadow.
[Midas 2] Mammoth, Midas 2 here. We have your six.
[E. Byrd] We get two of you? That's a lot of drinks to buy after we win.
[Midas 1] Mammoth, we'll go dutch.
{laughter}
[Marshal] Rangers.
[Midas 3] Striker, this is Midas 3, on your shoulder.
[C. Hansen] Try and keep up, Midas 3.
[Midas 3] Good luck shaking us, Chuckles.
{giggles}
[C. Hansen] {unintelligible}
[Marshal] Rangers.
[LOCCENT] Contact in two minutes. Get ready.
[Midas 2] Mammoth, Kaiju coming in on your four o'clock. Brace for it, guys.
[V. Byrd] Roger. We see it.
[V. Byrd] Striker come around and try to flank 'em.
[H. Hansen] Mammoth, you sure about wanting point? It's a big one.
[V. Byrd] Striker, just cover our ass, copy?
[H. Hansen] Copy, Mammoth. You have point.
[V. Byrd] Contact!
{shouting, alarm tones}
[Midas 1] Mammoth's in trouble.
[H. Hansen] Striker engaging.
[H. Hansen] Mammoth, fall back!
[V. Byrd] Striker, it's okay. We're okay.
[Midas 2] Kaiju's flanked Striker and headed for the river.
[Midas 3] Going upriver. Headed for the industrial estates.
[LOCCENT] Mammoth, we're showing heavy damage to your left arm.
[V. Byrd] LOCCENT, nothing serious. It'll shake out.
[Marshal] Mammoth, let Striker take point.
[V. Byrd] Mammoth in pursuit.
[V. Byrd] Sorry, Marshal. Didn't catch that.
[Marshal] Mammoth, stay back. Let Striker take point.
[Midas 1] LOCCENT, Mammoth's still out front.
[V. Byrd] Tattletale! LOCCENT, that's because Striker's dragging his feet.
[E. Byrd] Striker, I thought you were the fastest Jaeger on earth. Pick up the pace, slackers!
[H. Hansen] Mammoth, we're giving you a break from staring at our arse.
[V. Byrd] And what a fine ass that is, Striker.
[H. Hansen] You can kiss it when this is over, yeah?
[Marshal] Rangers.
[Midas 3] Kaiju has gone ashore at the first industrial estate. Moving west.
[Midas 3] LOCCENT, Striker has taken point.
[Midas 3] Kaiju's spotted Striker and is fleeing inland.
[V. Byrd] Awww... the big bad Kaiju is afraid of little ol' Striker.
[Marshal] Striker, catch up and try to drive it back into the river.
[H. Hansen] Copy, Marshal.
[H. Hansen] This bastard's slippery. We can't see him. Choppers, you have eyes on?
[Midas 3] Striker, we have visual contact 'bout a half-click off your one o'clock.
[H. Hansen] Roger. In pursuit.
[Midas 3] Mammoth, it's circling back toward you.
[V. Byrd] Copy that. Mammoth preparing for contact.
[H. Hansen] Striker turning to intercept.
[V. Byrd] Contact!
{unintelligible noises, shouting}
{alarm tones}
[Midas 1] Shit!
{breaking glass, sound of engine under stress}
[Midas 1] That was close.
[Midas 1 Actual] Midas 2, Midas 3, ascend. They're kicking up a lot of debris.
[Midas 2] What about you, Harper? That crane cable hit you.
[Midas 1 Actual] Only lost a window. Watch yourselves.
[Midas 1] Mammoth's in trouble. Losing right-side coolant.
[E. Byrd] Die, fucker, die! Fuck!
{shouting, alarm tones}
{metal tearing, alarm tones}
[V. Byrd] Cannon's gone!
{screams, shouting, alarm tones}
[V. Byrd] Left arm cold!
{shouting, metal tearing, alarm tones}
[C. Hansen] Almost there, Mammoth!
[Midas 2] LOCCENT, Midas 2 pulling back. Can't see shit through the coolant.
[V. Byrd] Losing right-side hydraulics and {unintelligble}. Can't move! Striker!
{metal tearing, shouting, alarm tones, Kaiju roaring}
{screams}
[Midas 3] Striker's made contact.
{alarm tones, Kaiju roaring}
[Midas 1] Mammoth's down. Repeat. Mammoth is down.
[LOCCENT] We just lost all signal from Mammoth.
[H. Hansen] Godammit!
[Marshal] Striker, get that Kaiju away from Mammoth, now!
[C. Hansen] On it, Marshal!
[Midas 1] We've got fire visible at Mammoth's Conn-pod coupling.
[Midas 1] Radiation still at baseline.
[Marshal] Midas 2, Midas 3, prepare for rescue drop. Go as soon as Striker's clear.
[Marshal] Midas 1, prepare for reactor assessment drop. Go on Midas 2's signal.
[Midas 2] Roger, Marshal. Selecting target zone.
[Midas 3] Roger, Marshal. Getting into position.
[Midas 1] Roger, Marshal. Permission to pursue Striker until Midas 2's signal.
[Marshal] Midas 1, permission granted.
[Midas 1] Roger, Marshal. In pursuit.
[Midas 1] Midas 2, Midas 3, Striker's bought you a full click. Make your drop.
[Midas 2] Roger, Midas 1. Go go go!
[H. Hansen] Launching missiles!
[Midas 3] Roger, Midas 1. Go go go!
[Midas 2] Medics on the ground.
[Midas 3] Medics on the ground.
[H. Hansen] Kaiju's down.
[Midas 1] Confirming KC-24's down in the river.
[LOCCENT] Confirming loss of Kaiju signature.
[Midas 1] Returning to Mammoth.
[H. Hansen] Marshal, anything we can do to help?
[Marshal] No, Striker. Hold position and stand by for transport.
[H. Hansen] Copy, Marshal.
[Midas 2] Medics report two casualties in Mammoth.
[H. Hansen] {unintelligible}
[C. Hansen] {unintelligible}
[Midas 2] Midas 1, you're good to drop.
[Midas 3] Medics beginning sweep for civilian casualties.
[Midas 1] In position, ready to drop. Go go go!
[Midas 2] Medics starting casualty sweep.
[Midas 2] No civilian casualties found.
[Midas 3] LOCCENT, medics report two children with limb trauma trapped at edge of target zone. Requesting rescue equipment and ground ambulance.
[Midas 2] Medics beginning recovery operation.
[LOCCENT] Roger, Midas 3. Requesting locals dispatch help.
[Midas 3] Thanks, LOCCENT. Medics staying on scene.
[Midas 1] Specialists report complete emergency shutdown of Mammoth's reactor, but Level 2 containment damage.
[Midas 1] LOCCENT, requesting immediate support for containment.
[Midas 3] Midas 1, how long do my medics have until things get dicey?
[LOCCENT] Midas 1, Checkmates 1, 2, and 3 are launching and heading to your position.
[Midas 1] Roger, LOCCENT.
[Midas 1], Midas 3, a couple hours unless things get FUBAR.
[Midas 3] Copy, Midas 1.
[Midas 2] Recovery complete.
[Midas 2] LOCCENT, request destination.
[LOCCENT] Midas 2, you've got clearance to land at the Kuching airport. Locals will meet you there for transfer.
[Midas 2] Roger, LOCCENT. Headed to the airport.
[LOCCENT] Midas 3, locals say they can't get the equipment and ambulance to your position. They've put out flares at a landing point south of you. Go pick them and the gear up.
[Midas 3] Roger, LOCCENT. Headed to rendezvous.
[Midas 1] LOCCENT, ETA on the Checkmates?
[LOCCENT] Still fifteen minutes out, Midas 1.
[Midas 3] On the ground. Loading.
[Midas 1] LOCCENT, we have a situation. Containment damage is spreading. Now Level 3.
[Midas 1] Radiation now four units above baseline and rising.
[Midas 3] Returning to target zone.
[Midas 1] Midas 3, you've only got about twenty minutes to get those kids out of here before it gets too hot.
[Midas 3] Roger, Midas 1. We'll get to steppin'.
[Midas 3] At target zone.
[Midas 1] Midas 3, we've got our NightSun on a landing zone for you.
[Midas 3] Thanks, Midas 1. Goin' in.
[Marshal] Containment status, Midas 1?
[Midas 1] Holding at Level 3. Radiation now six units above baseline and rising.
[Midas 1] {unintelligble} Shit. {unintelligible}
[Midas 1] We've got seawater leaking into the containment area. Drainage channel got blocked.
[Midas 1] Hydrogen buildup reported.
[Midas 2] LOCCENT, arriving at airport.
[Midas 1] Radiation now nine units above baseline and rising.
[Midas 1] Midas 3, how's that rescue going? It's starting to get hairy down there.
[Midas 3] One casualty coming on board now. Repositioning equipment for the second.
[Midas 1] Look sharp, Midas 3.
[Midas 2] LOCCENT, transfer complete. Orders?
[LOCCENT] Midas 2, volunteer your services for civilian medevac. Coordinate with the locals.
[Midas 2] Roger, LOCCENT. Transferring to local channels.
[Midas 1] LOCCENT, where the hell are the Checkmates?
[LOCCENT] Five minutes out.
{muffled thump}
[Midas 1] Oh Fuck!
{sound of engine under stress, alarm tones}
[Midas 1 Actual] I've got it! Hang on!
{shouting, sound of engine under stress, alarm tones}
[Marshal] Midas 1, what is going on?
{unintelligible}
[Marshal] Striker! Can you see what's happening with the choppers?
[H. Hansen] Too much smoke. Saw a fireball.
[H. Hansen] Want us to move closer, Marshal?
[Marshal] Striker, move up, but only enough to get a sensor reading, copy? Do not put yourself in danger.
[H. Hansen] Copy, Marshal. In motion.
[Midas 1] {unintelligible} ... hydrogen explosion. Concussion {unintelligible} ... That was close. Can't raise Visser or Dubbe on comms.
[Marshal] Striker, hold position.
[Midas 1] No response from Midas 3. Too much shit in the air to see anything.
[H. Hansen] Holding, Marshal.
[Midas 1] Oh, shit. Radiation up to twelve units above baseline and rising. Fast.
[Midas 1 Actual] Commander-on-scene declaring nuclear emergency.
[Midas 1 Actual] LOCCENT, commander-on-scene requesting shelter-in-place order for all of eastern Kuching and populations downwind.
[LOCCENT] Copy, Midas 1 Actual. Putting the word out.
[Marshal] Midas 1, where's Midas 3?
[Midas 1] Marshal, I think ... I think that building they were working in collapsed on them.
{unintelligible}
[Midas 1] Yeah... that's the tail rotor.
[Midas 1] Midas 3 destroyed.
[Midas 1 Actual] Marshal, request permission to land and check for survivors.
[Marshal] Midas 1, radiation level?
[Midas 1] Sixteen units above baseline and still rising.
[Midas 1] Marshal, we'll be okay for five minutes at that level.
[Midas 1 Actual] Marshal, we can do this.
[Marshal] Go.
[Midas 1] Thanks, Marshal. Landing.
[C. Hansen] Jesus.
{unintelligible}
[Midas 1] Lifting off.
[Midas 1] Checkmate 1, that you I hear?
[Checkmate 1] Yes indeedy, Midas 1.
[Midas 1] 'Bout fuckin' time, Checkmate.
[Checkmate 1] Skeedaddle, little brother. Let the big boys handle this.
[Midas 1] Checkmates, put on your lead panties. Radiation twenty units above baseline and rising.
[Checkmate 1] Shove off, Midas 1.
[Midas 1] {unintelligible} ... prick.
[Marshal] Status, Midas 1?
[Midas 1] We found and retrieved the kid the medics got out, Marshal. Everyone else was DOA. Even the locals trying to help.
[Midas 1] LOCCENT, passing the comms to Harper. Gonna go do my best for the kid until we get to the hospital.
[Midas 1 Actual] I have the comms, LOCCENT. Headed to the hospital.
[Midas 1 Actual] LOCCENT, kindly give the doctors a heads-up.
[LOCCENT] Copy, Midas 1 Actual. Calling ahead for you.
[Midas 1 Actual] LOCCENT, we're all going to need treatment for acute radiation exposure.
[Marshal] I thought you had five minutes of safe exposure, Captain Harper.
[Midas 1 Actual] It was a little hotter down there than we thought, Marshal. Ishino's and my dosimeters pegged as soon as we jumped out. No idea what the kid took before we got her out of there.
[Midas 1 Actual] LOCCENT, arriving at hospital. Locals signaling us down.
[Marshal] Copy, Captain Harper. You're officially off-duty. Let the doctors do their jobs.
[Midas 1 Actual] Yes, ma'am. Talk to you next drop. Out.
Category:Ficlet
Category:2024 (ficlet)
Category:Pages in need of tags