Equipment and Roster for Bravo Team, 2nd Battalion, USCM

  

Equipment and Roster for Bravo Team, 2^nd Battalion, USCM

Below is the Table of Organization and Equipment for the detachment of United States Colonial Marines deployed to the Hadley’s Hope colony on planet LV-426.

Background

                

     Hadley’s Hope was a terraforming colony funded by the Weyland-Yutani Corporation. Its primary function was operating and maintaining the nuclear powered atmospheric processing station, colloquially known as a “shake and bake colony.” It consisted of between 60 and 70 families.

                

     In 2179, contact was lost with the colony. There was reason to suspect this was the result of an infestation by a particularly deadly species of xenomorph, which prompted the decision to ask for military assistance. Two civilians accompanied the detachment; Carter Burke, a representative of Weyland-Yutani and Ellen Ripley, a former freighter pilot who had prior experience with the suspected species and was brought along as an advisor.

Command

Lt. Gorman, Scott- Lieutenant Gorman was an inexperienced officer, the deployment to LV-426 being only his second mission. He was a meticulous officer who liked doing things “by the numbers.” He possessed a broad knowledge of military procedures and technology but had difficulty when situations on the battlefield presented unexpected variables. Lt. Gorman was a newcomer to the unit and the only “outsider” among the Marines. This, no doubt, hindered his ability to command effectively.

MSGT Apone, Al-Master Sergrant Apone, an experienced veteran of the Marines, was the senior enlisted member of the detachment and second in command after Lt. Gorman and also commanded the team’s 1^st squad when on combat operations.  Apone could be a stern taskmaster when preparing for a mission but he had the respect of the Marines under him. In the rear he often maintained a joking, fatherly relationship with his Marines.

Only a certain kind of person would agree to put themselves in cryogenic sleep and travel across the galaxy only to reawaken to strange, usually dangerous worlds while the life they left behind passed them by. Apone understood the kind of personalities best suited to their mission and allowed his Marines some degree of freedom in their appearance and demeanor though he still held everyone to the highest standards when it came to performance.

First Squad

PFC Hudson, William- Hudson was a combat technician. His duties as such included operating the squad’s motion tracker, hacking through electronic doors and navigating any computer systems the Marines might encounter as part of their mission.

                

     Hudson’s enlistment was drawing to a close, having only 4 more weeks on his enlistment at the time of the deployment to LV-426.  Hudson was known for his sense of humor, being able to make jokes even in the grimmest situations. He also complained quite a bit but always did his job in the end. His sarcasm was a thorn in MSGT Apone’s side, especially when dealing with officers. Apone frequently had to reprimand Hudson. Despite this, Apone had a soft spot for Hudson, tolerating more from him than most NCOs would and referring to Hudson as his “little buddy.”

PFC Vasquez, Jenette- Vasquez was the heavy weapons operator for 1^st Squad, carrying the M56 Smartgun.  Her attitude and sense of humor were sarcastic and could be borderline disrespectful, especially toward any officer that she viewed as incompetent. However, she took her job seriously. She maintained excellent physical fitness and kept her weapons and equipment well maintained.

                

     She and Hudson maintained an ongoing friendly rivalry often making jokes at the other’s expense. She was close with Pvt. Drake, her counterpart and the heavy weapons operator in 2^nd Squad.

Pvt. Crowe, Tim-Pvt. Crowe was a relatively quiet member of 1^st Squad. Other than his chiding of Pfc. Frost for his generally pessimistic attitude, Crowe tended to stay to himself.

Pvt.  Wierzbowski, Trevor-Like his fellow squad mate, Pvt. Crowe, Wiersboswki was reserved and quiet.

Second Squad

Cpl. Hicks, Dwayne-Corporal  Hicks was a cagey veteran and assisted MSGT Apone in the running of the unit. He also commanded 2^nd Squad on missions. Hick’s greatest asset was his ability to stay cool under pressure and make quick decisions under fire.  He was also practical and discouraged useless heroics. Given the choice between a firefight or bombing a target from orbit, he would choose the latter if it were an option.

                

     Hicks also believed in being prepared. In addition to the standard issue pulse rifle, Hicks also carried a modified Ifhica Model 37 shotgun that he kept handy “for close encounters.”

Cpl. Dietrich, Cynthia- Medical Corpsman Dietrich was assigned to Bravo team as their medic. In the field she was expected not just to patch up any wounded Marines but also provide medical care to any civilians the team might encounter.  She had a very dry wit that could hide her compassion.

PFC Drake, Mark- Private Drake was the heavy weapons operator for 2^nd Squad, carrying the M56 Smartgun.  He had a generally grim attitude but could crack a smile for his closest friend and counterpart, PFC Vasquez.

PFC Frost, Rico- Private Frost had a good sense of humor that masked his oft times pessimistic outlook. He often voiced misgivings and “bad feelings” about missions at their outset. In addition to being a rifleman he was qualified to drive the team’s APC.

Support

Cpl. Ferro, Collette- Ferro piloted the team’s UD-4 "Cheyenne" Dropship. Her job was to ferry the team safely into and out of battle and provide air support when necessary. Piloting such a craft was no small feat as she would have to transition from the zero gravity of space into many different kinds of planet gravities and atmospheres, all the while carrying a full cargo of missiles, Marines and even an armored APC.

                

     Ferro knew the value of precision and could have a short temper with anyone running behind schedule.  Otherwise she maintained the calm demeanor of a veteran pilot.

PFC Spunkmeyer, Daniel- Private Spunkmeyer was Ferro’s co-pilot aboard the team’s dropship. Though the craft could be piloted by a single person, utilizing the ship’s full combat abilities required a second person. Spunkmeyer’s primary job was maintenance of the ship but he was a fully qualified pilot himself.

Hyperdine Systems, Model 341-B, Bishop-An android (though he preferred the term “artificial person”) attached to the combat team, Bishop’s duties encompassed a wide array of responsibilities.  He was expected to be fully proficient in the operation of all of the unit’s vehicles, fully versed in Marine procedures, perform maintenance on equipment and, when needed, act as the team’s science officer. Had he not been assigned to military duty, Bishop would have been a capable researcher in any laboratory and possessed an apparently very human curiosity.

                Although he was a synthetic, and did not even hold military rank, Bishop was fully a member of the crew who deployed with the team on missions. His programming expressly forbade him from harming any human which meant he was unable to participate in any actual fighting.  However, his actions often displayed bravery that went beyond his programming as he would selflessly put himself in harm’s way for his team mates, if the situation called for it.

Weapons

M41A Pulse Rifle

                The standard infantry weapon for the USCM, the M41A fires a standard 10x24mm caseless light armor piercing projectile. It has a maximum effective range of 500 meters and a rate of fire of 900 rounds per minute. It typically uses a 99 round magazine. Consumption of ammunition is monitored through a digital counter on the side of the weapon. The weapon is usually fitted with a U1 grenade launcher. It has a 4 round magazine and fires M40 High Explosive Dual Purpose grenades.

M40 HEDP grenade

                The standard grenade used by Colonial Marines. It is usually fired from the U1 grenade launcher. However, it can also be hand thrown. The red cap can be flipped open, revealing a depression switch. Activation triggers a 3 second fuse.

M240 Incinerator Unit

                This fearsome weapon, issued at least on the squad level, is used against enemy infantry, alien lifeforms and fortifications. It uses s highly condensed liquid fuel that is ignited as it leaves the barrel. Though it can be attached to a traditional back pack mounted fuel tank, traditionally it is fueled by a smaller attached canister, making the weapon lighter and easier to reload quickly.

VP 70 Combat Pistol

                The standard side arm for the USCM. It is blowback operated, double action, and fires a 9x19mm Parabellum round. It is typically outfitted with an 18 round magazine.

M56 Smartgun

                This is the standard squad level machine gun used by the Colonial Marines. It fires the 10x28 mm high explosive armor piercing round at a rate of 1,200 rounds per minute. The weapon is used in conjunction with a stabilizing arm and the M56 combat harness and head mounted sight. That sight connects to the weapon’s infrared sight which allows the gunner to fire accurately from the hip or around barriers.

UA 571-C Automated Sentry Gun

                Marine combat team’s often deployed with automatic robot machine guns that could be used to guard specific areas or create choke points for enemy forces.  They are equipped with M30 cannons which fire the same ammunition as the M56 Smartgun. The sentry guns are tripod mounted and utilize thermal imaging tracking.  The weapon can be left to operate independently or be operated remotely by its monitoring console which also records ammunition consumption.

Equipment

Armor

                Standard issue for Colonial Marines is the M3 Pattern Personal Armor. In addition to providing ballistic protection, the armor can be outfitted with biomonitors that transmit each Marine’s vital signs back to their respective command post. The armor is often fitted with the TNR shoulder lamp.

                Also standard issue is the M10 Ballistic Helmet. In addition to providing protection from light weapons and shrapnel, the helmet is fitted with a built in communications headset, drop down infrared sight and a camera that transmits a live feed allowing a commander to remotely view the battle from each Marine simultaneously. USCM pilots use the Mk 30 tactical helmet.

M314 Motion Tracker

                This scanner is used to discern moving targets within its range in a 360 degree arc. Location of targets is displayed on a screen. Distance to target is communicated both through the screen and the tracker’s signature ping. The tracker is issued at least on the squad level.

Miscellaneous equipment

                Other equipment typically used by Colonial Marines and issued on the squad level or individually include the M3 hand welder, M-94 marking flares, and infrared binoculars.

Vehicles

M577 Armored Personnel Carrier

                This light armored personnel carrier is designed to carry up to 12 Marines in addition to 2 crew members. It can also act as a mobile command post with a full array of computers and sensors. It can also provide fire support with its twin 2x RE700 Gatling cannon and retractable Boyars PARS-150 phased plasma cannon. The M577  has to provide a balance between protection and versatility. Its armor is by necessity thinner than more heavily armored carriers as it was designed to be light enough that it can be picked up and carried into battle by the Cheyenne Dropship.

UD-4 "Cheyenne" Dropship

                This rugged and versatile ship is designed to deliver Marines quickly from space to the ground. It can also carry the M577 APC and can deploy the APC and take off in a matter of seconds, decreasing the amount of exposure to both Dropship and the deploying Marines.

                The Dropship can supply tremendous air support being armed with a variety of weapons; GAU/113B Gatling canon, 32x  Mk 16 Banshee 70 rockets that are housed in retractable pods; two other retractable pods that have 14 hard points that can fit an array of missiles and bombs.

                The ship can be flown by a single individual but ideally it operates with a two person crew, pilot and copilot, to take full advantage of its tactical capabilities. The Marines of Bravo team deployed with 2 gunships named Bug Stomper and Smart Ass.

Conestoga Class troop transport

                These transports are designed to carry Marines and equipment over the vast depths of space and deploy the Marines from a low orbit and wait. Once the crews are deployed, the ship is designed to operate automatically staying in orbit until the crews return. It can also be operated remotely if needed.

                  

         The ship has cryogenic chambers for its crew to stay in stasis over long interstellar journeys. In addition to Marines, the hangers can hold, and deploy dropships.  The ships can be outfitted with an array of weapons’ including lasers, rail guns and orbital strike nuclear weapons.