BXBX NOVEL Chapter 198 Arriving at Korean Peninsula
Chapter 198 Arriving at Korean Peninsula
Three hours and forty-five minutes later, Graves and his team, known as the Specters, gathered around a tactical map spread out on a table. Graves, as Specter-1, led the briefing.
"Listen up, team. We\'ve just entered Korean airspace. We\'ve got fifteen minutes before we make our jump," he began, his voice firm and commanding.
He pointed to the map. "Our drop zone is here, just outside of Seoul. Once you land, you\'ll regroup at Rally Point Alpha," he marked the spot on the map. "Our objective is to gather intel on the progenitor\'s last known location. This won\'t be a simple in-and-out. Expect heavy resistance."
The team nodded, their faces set with determination.
Graves continued, "Specter-2 to Specter-5, you\'ll take point on the initial sweep. Specter-6 to Specter-10, you\'re on overwatch and rear security. Remember, we\'re in enemy territory; maintain radio discipline and keep a low profile."
One of the team members, Specter-4, raised a question. "Sir, what\'s our engagement protocol if we encounter the progenitor?"
"Report back and wait for reinforcements. Should the progenitor spot you before any of the reinforcements arrive, you are to engage the target. This is not a capture mission so you are to kill him on sight. I want to remind you all that this mission is high-risk. The progenitor is a formidable adversary, and we cannot underestimate him. I\'ll be with you on comms. Now…for your first mission as a summoned personnel of the founder of the Blackwatch, are you ready to get some?"
"Yes sir!"
"I can\'t hear you…I said are you ready to get some?"
"Yes sir!" the team responded louder this time, their voices echoing in the cargo hold of the C-17.
Graves nodded with satisfaction. "That\'s the spirit. Now we wait for the go-signal from the pilots. "Speaking of which…pilot…how much longer for decompression?"
"Thirteen minutes to decompression," the pilot responded through the comms.
"Copy that," Graves acknowledged, turning to his team. "Thirteen minutes to decompression, Specters. Let\'s do a final gear check."
As the team conducted their final gear checks, let\'s take a moment to explain what decompression means in this context. In high-altitude military jumps like the one the Specters are about to undertake, decompression refers to the process of adjusting the internal pressure of the aircraft to match the external atmospheric pressure. This is crucial because the C-17 Globemaster, like most military transport aircraft, is pressurized for high-altitude flight to maintain a comfortable environment inside the cabin.
However, before a high-altitude jump, the aircraft\'s cabin must be depressurized to prevent a rapid change in pressure when the doors open, which could cause harm to both the jumpers and the aircraft. This process involves gradually reducing the internal cabin pressure to approach the ambient pressure at jump altitude, ensuring a safe environment for the paratroopers to exit the aircraft.
The team continued their preparations for the jump. Each member double-checked their parachutes and tactical equipment, ensuring everything was secure and operational.
Graves wore a state-of-the-art pressurized helmet to ensure his safety once the ramp was lowered.
Inside the cockpit, the pilots were busy with the decompression procedure. The co-pilot adjusted the cabin pressure control systems, gradually reducing the internal pressure. This controlled decompression was critical to prevent decompression sickness, also known as \'the bends,\' which could occur if the pressure change was too abrupt.
"Decompression sequence initiated," the co-pilot announced, carefully monitoring the cabin altitude and rate of pressure change. The process was automated, but they kept a vigilant watch to ensure everything went as planned.
The cabin altitude indicator slowly climbed, simulating a gradual ascent to higher altitude conditions inside the aircraft. This gradual change gave the team\'s bodies time to adjust to the lower-pressure environment they would experience upon exiting the aircraft.
"Approaching target decompression altitude," the pilot stated. He checked the altimeter and other flight instruments, ensuring the aircraft was on the correct flight path and altitude for the jump.
Back in the cargo hold, Graves signaled his team to prepare for the opening of the ramp. "Get ready, Specters. We\'re almost at jump altitude. Check your oxygen systems and be prepared for the cold rush of air."
The team members did a final check of their oxygen masks and tightened their gear. They knew that the sudden opening of the cargo ramp would expose them to the thin, cold air of high altitude, and they needed to be fully prepared for the shock.
"Decompression complete," the co-pilot finally announced. "Cabin pressure equalized with the outside atmosphere. Ready to open the cargo ramp."
The pilot nodded, "Opening cargo ramp."
With a hiss of hydraulics, the cargo ramp at the rear of the C-17 began to slowly lower. Cold, high-altitude air rushed into the cabin, causing a noticeable drop in temperature. The Specters braced themselves against the sudden change, their breaths visible in the frigid air.
Graves stepped forward, looking back at his team with a nod. "This is it, Specters. Go time. On my mark."
The team lined up at the edge of the ramp, looking out into the dark sky. Below them was nothing but darkness. Usually, it would have been brightly lit by the street lights, buildings, houses, and cars. But since this is Seoul in the apocalyptic scenario, there was nothing to see.
"Jump on three," Graves commanded. "One, two, three!"
One after another, the Specters leaped into the night sky, their figures quickly swallowed by the darkness. As they plummeted towards the earth, the cold, thin air whipped past them.
Each team member was equipped with a HALO rig, designed for this kind of operation. Their parachutes were specially designed for high-altitude jumps, providing stability and control during the descent. The suits they wore insulated them against the subzero temperatures and provided oxygen through built-in masks, essential for survival at this altitude.
As they fell, the team members monitored their altimeters closely. HALO jumps required precise timing for parachute deployment. Opening too early could leave them exposed and drifting while opening too late was obviously dangerous. They were aiming for a low-opening altitude to minimize detection from the ground.
Meanwhile, at the cargo hold, Graves watched the cargo ramp close slowly. And the moment it closed, he contacted someone.
"Specter-1 Actual to Eagle…the team jumped out of the aircraft, stand-by for visual."