ManGoBooms Log:

7:00 a.m.

Got new orders to move out and join up with a different unit this morning. It seems that blue squad over at Bam is taking a pounding by the red forces holding the opposing base and requested that an additional squad be assigned to aid in the taking of the enemy base.

As we line up for the hop through the slipgate I get that same sick feeling in my gut that happens each time I use this damn thing. No matter how many times they tell me that it's the safest way to travel, I still remember the screams of the poor saps that get telfragged.

7:30 a.m.

We arrive in one piece in the re-spawn room at Bam just in time to meet our new Captain, a tough old sniper named Bundy. The man's presence commanded our attention without the need for the order. We all have heard the stories of this veteran and there was no need for introductions, they were engraved on his scarred face, It was time to do our job, plain and simple, no questions about it.

I still cant help thinking of how many battles this man has survived, not all in one piece mind you, for he has taken the worse that could be dealt to any one human and more. By the look of the zipper like scar it appeared as if the man's only ear had been blown off and then stitched back on repeatedly by a battlefield medic. And where his other ear should have been was only a mass of scar tissue. Something about this man and loosing ears told me that there was no chance that this was going to be an easy assignment.

As we line up for inspection the Captain walks slowly up and down the ranks, checking weapons, uniforms, and packs. He seemed to take special interest in how well my Rocket Launcher was cleaned and if my flack jacket was buttoned up all the way, all without saying a word.

The plan was as he explained: Reconnaissance. Probe the enemy lines searching for weak spots, open a path for our scout and guard his back while he grabs the goods and makes his escape. Sounded simple enough, but as we would find out soon enough, it was far from being simple.

7:45 A.M.

The long ride up the elevator was time for instructions. Scout, Pyro and Medic's main objective was getting to the Flag while the job of diversion was up to Bundy, the rookie Demoman, and myself. Bundy would conceal himself on a ledge in the enemy courtyard and it was our job to create as much noise and chaos as possible to lure the defenders into his crossfire. This would also allow the others to get the flag-room undetected.

7:50 A.M.

Our team makes it across the bridge undetected and gains the front of the enemy base. Time enough for a quick weapon check and to get into formation while Scout scans the area for defenders. As we start our advance into the main lobby we hear the whine of a Heavy weapon guy spinning up his chaingun. Scout reports that his scan picked up three defenders just around the corner. Bundy gives the order and Pyro and Medic break out into the open drawing the fire of the heavy weapons guy, giving Scout enough time to plant a concussion grenade at the feet of the big lug. Just as the Grenade explodes sending him into a world of confusion, Bundy takes aim and gives him a third eye before any of us could take action. This guy is good!

By this time Demoman is taking damage from an enemy sentry gun that was hiding behind a crate of supplies. Seeing this I unleash four rockets at the man made killing machine, blowing it into bits before it has a chance to do the rookie in. (I bet that's the last time he rounds a corner without taking a listen first!) As I look for Bundy I see that he has worked his way into a concealed spot effectively setting up our trap, as I watch Demoman's back while he raids the Enemy health supplies.

It wasn't long until we had company.


7:55 A.M.

Concealed in the shadows on the catwalk I see the engineer come back to set up his gun again. Bundy radios in telling us that he doesn't have a clean shot and to eliminate the mechanic before he has a chance to set up his gun, but I already had a pineapple primed and ready. As soon as the gun went active I lobbed the Grenade down upon the victim and his creation blowing them both into bits. Unfortunately, while I was timing my shot I didn't notice an enemy medic sneak up behind me and sink his bio weapon painfully into my back. It cut through my blast armor infecting me with the deadly toxin just as Bundy's shot made him explode into a million bloody chunks too late.

I jump on the com and call for a medic, but I'm informed that they have their own problems and that Ill have to wait for assistance until they can get back to me. (Of course if they didn't get what we came for they wouldn't be getting back to me.) So it goes...

Realizing that I might not be making it back I make my move to the enemy re-supply room looking for health to prolong my death. As I emerge from the room twitching in pain I notice that two enemy soldier's had picked up on Bundy's position and was closing in on him. Unleashing a volley of rockets into the backs of the unsuspecting grunts I hurt them bad enough for the Rookie to finish them off with a MIRV before they had a chance to react. Our plan was working, for it was just then that Scout piped up on the radio that he had the enemy flag and was headed up the stairs. Bundy was already sighted in on the entrance to the stairwell and Demoman had a nice pipe trap waiting for the enemies that were sure to be in close pursuit of their flag. This was my chance to advance down the stairs looking to meet up with Medic and the others.

8:00 A.M.

Half way down the spiral I meet up with Scout, who runs past me at Mach1, the sound of combat close behind. By this time I had lost the majority of my health and the rest was fading fast, I had to move fast. I yell for a medic on the distress channel again and start my descent toward the melee going on around the corner. It's there that I see Medic coming up the staircase with his axe, he meets me and administers the antidote with a whack of his axe. I look up to thank him for saving my tail just in time to see a rocket smash into the side of his head, painting the walls with his brains and entrails. I turn to unleash a rocket or two of my own down into the bastard who just killed my friend but I see that Pyro had sent them screaming with a blast of his flame-thrower.

Picking up Medics unused ammo on the way (never leave anything for the enemy), Pyro and I start our retreat. When we reach the top of the staircase, I notice that Bundy and the rookie are busy cleaning up the remaining defenders in the main lobby insuring our escape.

I radio Bundy and tell him about Medic, but he is busy moving up to the enemy sniper deck to protect our backs, and doesn't respond.

As we emerge from the front of the enemy base I see the old geezer, gun on fully automatic cutting down every living thing on the balcony with deadly efficiency. I give him a shout on the radio that were clear and to hurry up, but all I see is his head turn with this little smirk plastered across his scar ridden face. He didn't need our help, I don't think he ever needed our help...


8:15 A.M. Mission debriefing, upper re-supply room...

I report our success to the commander and inform him of Medics death. He tells me that his replacement is already waiting for us to pick him up at the lower supply room.

As we head down the elevator shaft I cant help but wonder if Bundy made it out alive.

When I reach the door to the supply room I hear a familiar voice shouting profanities at the top of his lungs, as the door opens I see our new medic bent over working on a wounded man. The young Medic had a flushed look on his face. For it was he that was at the receiving end of the insults that were being bellowed from his patient. I bend down to see who it is, only to find that it is our Captain, Bundy getting his ear sewn back on, for what appeared to be the third time! Just then he looks up and sees me. "Get off your ass ManGoBoom! This ain't no coffee break! We got orders for patrol! And this time, tell me when you plan on leaving!"

Gee, I guess he didn't hear me...with the ear thing and all.

It figures. My first day on my new assignment and I have another Captain pissed off at me!

ManGoBoom, OUT!