40 days and a Wake Up (OOC/Recruitment)

[gagonthis]

Firebase Valley Forge, Seven miles from the Cambodian border
Late October 1971
Early Morning 0500 hours

A group of battle weary American soldiers stand around a crude dug out pillbox, enjoying their cigarettes, one of the few pleasures to be found in this hostile environment. A large cargo plan approaches from the south, bringing the rest of the days supplies. The soldiers watch, their faces free of surprise as three bright yellow streaks come flying out of the jungle foliage towards the large C-130 Hercules. With a bright flash of light, the rocket powered grenades slam into the lumbering aircraft, the explosion eerily silent in the quiet jungle air. The right wing of the aircraft sheers off, falling harmlessly into the jungle outside the base. The pilot realizes the danger and swears loudly inside the cockpit as he turns the nose of the plane towards the dusty airstrip on the edge of the base. Soldiers scramble as the large plane falls, running back towards the safety offered by the trenches and pillboxes of the base. The pilot attempts to regain control but it’s too late and the large giant has taken too much damage. The plane falls with a large explosion that thunders through the jungle landscape. The group of soldiers watch the whole scene with disinterest. One looks to another and gestures to him. “Pay up man.” He says as he takes five dollars from the other. “It was a sucka bet. No way he was going to make it with that wing all fucked up.” The man says, stuffing the money into his fatigue pockets. “Thinking we’ll go after them?” Another of the soldiers asked, his eyes fixated on the flaming mass that was all that was left of the plane. “Nah, Charlie’ll be gone long before we got down there, Cap’n knows that.” The other soldier just shrugged and went back to his cigarette, watching the rescue crew rush towards the burning wreckage.

We cannot lose in Vietnam. Try as he might.
Though our generals are so stupid, our strategy so poor, as to all but guarantee defeat…
Though our morale is trampled in the deepest ditch, shot through with heroin and bitter failure…
Though we face the toughest, bravest fighters in the world, strange little men with hearts like those of tigers…
Though we make the world despise us…
Though we do things that will stain our souls forever…
Though America eats its own intestines over this, cities riven with unrest, leaders inspiring loathing and distrust…
We cannot lose…
Because when we are gone, when the brave little fighters kick us out, and we finally lose all stomach for the wretched knotted puzzle of a war… No one, NO ONE, in south east Asia or anywhere on Earth will look at what is left of Vietnam
And think it smart to fuck with the United States.

OOC: Looking for a few more people to join me in a Vietnam War based RP, I fully intend this to be a dark gritty roleplay, so if you are not comfortable with something like that please do not reply to this. If you are interested though, post your bios in here and I will select the people who I would like to join me. I don’t want to seem discriminating, but I’m looking for people I can rely on for good posts that will flow well with the story and won’t have me gnashing my teeth

 

[Crush360]

I think I'm up for something along the lines of this, and I'm usually on around at least once a day, would that be a good pace?

 

[impish_pixie]

Have you ever seen the movie - The Siege of Firebase Gloria?

If so, is that what you have in mind? If not, I recommend it.

 

[gagonthis]

No my main inspiration for this piece comes from a couple of sources, mostly full metal jacket, which I watched a couple nights ago, the big catalyst for starting this, Platoon, and a couple of books and graphic novels I've been reading lately.

As for you Crush, leave me a profile for a character, like I said I'll be choosing from the people who apply.

So Impish, any interest in joining? I've always enjoyed reading your writing.

 

[Crush360]

OOC:

Name: Clifford Mckenzie

Age: 26

Appearance: With short buzzed black hair, almost dulled brown eyes, and a somewhat intense demenor, Cliff's appearence is a paradoxal one of uncaring seriousness. His fatigues are dirty, and somewhat faded, more than several tears and holes signify that he's been involved in this war longer than he would have hoped for. He has several scars up and down his arms from several wounds that were treated too late, and his complexion is that of someone who is unhealthy. Just like everyone else.

Attitude: Cliff originally hated the idea of war, and swore to several of his hippie friends before he left that he wouldn't fire a shot. He quickly pulled a 180 when, just as a helicopter had let them off, several men, including one he had been talking to in the copter, were fatally shot and wounded. He quickly opened fire, and the rest of the men did the same. With every trap, every missle fired, and every crazy vietnamese soldier with a sword willing to die just to cause them pain, Cliff has become less of a complainer, more of a patriot, and more convinced that he can't die here. With only the will to live and the feeling on companionship he has gotten from the other men in his squad, Cliff still hates war, and it gives him all the more reason to keep fighting.

Bio: Raised in a small town from New Jersey, Cliff was drafted as soon as he got out of college at the age of 22. Leaving behind a large family, a girlfriend, and many close friends. Of all of these things, most important to him is his little brother. He swore that he would come home to him, and that promise gives him courage when he needs it.

IC: (his response to the plane)

Looking up as thier supply plane's wing was severed clean off, Cliff took a long puff from his cigarette and calmly let out the smoke. "Thats what? 3-4 days in a row the've been shot down?" he said. Cracking his knuckles, he felt several cuts split open again, he wiped the blood on his pants leg. Lighting a match, he held it to the cuts and calmly watched as the heat burned the flesh and made a quick scab. He let the match fall and calmly knocked some ashes off the end of his cigarette. "Hey, anyone wanna trade a meat ration for this can of peaches?" he looked around, "no?" he pulled a can opener out of a pocket and punched 5 small triangular holes, one after another. "Breakfast anyone?" he took a long swig and passed it on.

 

[gagonthis]

The thing with the plane is not part of the IC really, It was just a setup to give an idea of what kind of an outpost Firebase Valley Forge is. You can play off it if you'd like, but this isn't going to be the IC thread, I'll post that once I get enough people involved.

 

[Crush360]

Yeah just gettin a feel for what he's like IC.

 

[gagonthis]

Shameless bumps