Siege of Fargad

"This is it, ladies and gentlemen. The Covvies are on our doorstep, and heading this way. We could run, we could hide. We could hole up here like animals until those alien bastards burn us out. That's not going to happen though, is it? We're fighting. Every man and woman present is here because they chose to be here. This is where we draw a line in the sand. This is where we say not one step further! Every minute we spend holding our ground here gives our citizens more time to escape. We all know the price paid for our duty. How many of you have lost family or friends to the Covenant, or have them fighting? I have. I for one, am proud to be fighting alongside my own flesh and blood against these monsters. They have butchered millions, but not without a fight. So, it is here, brave men and women of the UNSC, I ask you, fight with me! This time tomorrow, we could all be dead. We could be standing here, on a mountain of Covvie corpses with our heads held high. In any case, we're not running. Not here! Not now! We're gonna fight, and give those alien bastards one heck of a fight!"

- Brigadier Richard Mack Senior, addressing troops before the Covenant invasion of the Capital City