RP:Glorious Oblivion

 '''--ATTENTION-- ALL PARTICIPATING PERSONELL! PLEASE LIMIT YOUR POSTING TO TWO POSTS PER DAY! --THANK YOU--'''

"Oh build your ship of death. Oh build it! / For you will need it. / For the voyage of oblivion awaits you." --D.H. Lawrence, The Ship of Death

GLORIOUS OBLIVION

=Introduction= It is the year 2552, the month of December. Earth is under siege by hostile Covenant Loyalist forces, and Humanity is on the verge of being utterly destroyed. This is the story of Humanity's struggle for survival, the Loyalist's quest for honor, and the Seperatist's search for truth. This is Glorious Oblivion. This is the battle for the Sol System. This is war.

Insert your character on any of the three major fronts: Earth, Luna, or Mars; add them to the list below, read over the rules, and begin. Good luck to you. You'll need it.

Participants
After recieving an invite from Spartan-091, post your name below.
 *  SPARTAN-091  |Admin|  [[Image:UNSC.jpg|15 px]] HelmetComm  00:32, 19 September 2007 (UTC) [MODERATOR] 


 * "Our Business is Life itself"  Umbrella  Corporation [[Image:Umbrella_Corp_Symbol-2.jpg|25px]] Communications[[Image:Umbrella Viruses.jpg|30px]] Products[MODERATOR] 


 * Kebath 'Holoree "Data Access"


 * AJ


 * Just Another Grunt Converse


 * --Petty Officer First Class [[Image:Spartan III.png|30px]]SPARTAN-G023  Comm ChannelMission History
 * RelentlessRecusant 'o the Halopedia Team http://images.wikia.com/rainbowsix/images/7/73/GDI2.jpg TALK • MESSAGE [MODERATOR] 
 * -Anno &#39;Rhculee(Recieve Commands from me)(My lance)
 * [[image:Photoshop_attack.png|35px]] Spartan-064 ,≈≈Ω≈≈De ma kh is http://www.wikia.com/skins/common/progress-wheel.gif Reporting [[Image:Private first class.jpg|25px]] •  <font color="#A9A9A9">Contributions
 * -- The State(Our Decrees and Law)(The State Alchemists we've enlisted)[[Image:ROY!.jpg|25px]] 00:06, 23 November 2007 (UTC)
 * Spartan 112 05:40, 23 November 2007 (UTC) and i dont have any special sig so BOO YA
 *  Master Gunnery Sergeant  Hank J Wimbleton IV COMHalo: Galaxy 22:20, 23 November 2007 (UTC)
 * SPARTAN-118
 * Chief Petty Officer [[Image:Jonathan.jpg|45px]] SPARTAN-039T COM Link Mission Log




 * Hollywood 02:53, 25 November 2007 (UTC)


 * CAF Master Corporal Spartan 501


 * [[Image:CommanderTony Logo.PNG|25px]] General  Tony  Talk 11/28/2007
 * --Project: Nemesis


 * -- It's good to be back. CaptainAdamGraves 00:57, 6 December 2007 (UTC)

Spartan-091

 * Role: SPARTAN-091
 * Location: Chicago Outskirts, North America, Earth
 * Status: Active


 * Role: UNSC AI JLT 8011-10 "Juliet"
 * Location: SPARTAN-091 Neural Network
 * Status: Active


 * Role: 1st Lieutenant Skadi Kobolds
 * Location: Chicago Outskirts, North America, Earth
 * Status: Active


 * Role: Captain Sylvie Grey
 * Location: UNSC Frigate Fountain of Spring, Earth Orbit
 * Status: Active


 * Role: 2nd Lieutenant Miles Jaeger
 * Location: ODST onboard UNSC Fountain of Spring
 * Status: Active


 * Role: Major Domo Sestas 'Laram
 * Location: Elite Liason onboard UNSC Fountain of Spring
 * Status: Active

RelentlessRecusant

 * Role: Dieter Friesen, UNSC Marine Corps 3rd Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (SFOD-D)
 * Location: Earth
 * Status: Unknown

117649 Annihilative Repentance

 * Role: Colonel Nicholai Grevdaeht
 * Location: Onboard Loyalist Assault Carrier, Memory of Loyalty
 * Status: Active


 * Role: Spencer Aragold
 * Location: Luna
 * Status: Active


 * Role: Brute Chieftain Optilus
 * Location: Onboard Loyalist Assault Carrier, Memory of Loyalty
 * Status: Active


 * Role: Gravemind
 * Location: On Earth, Crashed High Charity
 * Status: Active

Kebath 'Holoree

 * Role: Supreme Commander 'Holor
 * Location: Blade of the Storm/Mars
 * Status: Active


 * Role: [[Shrine Malor(ee)|Ship Master Malor
 * Location: On board Hollow Spirit/Mars
 * Status: Active


 * Role: Desert Brigade
 * Location: Mars
 * Status: Active


 * Role: 209th ODST Battalion
 * Location: On board Blood Moon/Mars
 * Status: Ready/Active

AJ

 * Role: SGM Arnold Lewis
 * Location: Kenya, Africa
 * Status: Active

Just Another Grunt

 * Role: Sergeant Valea
 * Location: Earth
 * Status: Active


 * Role:Prophet of Vigilance
 * Location: Luna
 * Status: Active
 * Other:One of the main leaders of the Seperist forces.


 * Imogo Oth Warpol
 * Location: Luna
 * Status: Active
 * Other: Lolna's "Brother", currently gaurdign Vigilance


 * Role: Lolna Oth Waluig
 * Location: Luna
 * Status: Active
 * Other: Imogo's "brother", currently gaurding Vigilance


 * Role: Qzech'Mere
 * Location: En route to Earth
 * Status: Active
 * Other: Leader of a Loyalist Drone Lance

Spartan G-23

 * Role: SPARTAN-G023
 * Location: en route to Mars
 * Status: Active
 * Other: SPARTAN-III Gamma Company, Squad Leader
 * Role: Team Murmillo
 * Location: Mars
 * Status: Active
 * Other: SPARTAN-III Gamma Company Team
 * Role: Maverick-060
 * Location: Luna
 * Status: Active
 * Other: SPARTAN-II, Red-5
 * Role: Havargus
 * Location: Luna
 * Status: Active
 * Other: Brute Stalker
 * Role: First Lieutenant Peter Lewis
 * Location: Pacific Coast, Earth
 * Status: Active
 * Other: Marine Corps First Lieutenant overseeing the delivery of a nuke
 * Role: Special Operations Commander Kwas 'Pudmee
 * Location: UNSC Desert Fox
 * Status: Active
 * Other: Covenant Elite, Covenant Special Operations Commander

Anno 'Rhculee

 * Role: Anno 'Rhcul
 * Location: en route to Luna
 * Status: Active
 * Role: Vera 'Zenor
 * Location: en route with Anno 'Rhcul to Luna
 * Status: Active
 * Role: Senior Chief Petty Officer First Class CHRIS-087
 * Location: en route to Earth
 * Status: Active

Demakhis

 * Role: Imperial Admiral Dyr 'Jar Refos
 * Location: En route to Mars
 * Status: Active


 * Role: Major Domo Hasus 'Redonn
 * Location: En route to Mars
 * Status: Active


 * Role: Kemgor
 * Location: En route to Mars
 * Status: Active


 * Role: Ultra Sin 'Vordyee
 * Location: En route to Luna
 * Status: Active

Spartan 112

 * Role: The six Members of the Sacred Shadow Special Operations Lance
 * Location: En Route to Mars
 * Status: Active

SPARTAN-077

 * Role: Brachshaw,
 * Location: Onboard the Cleanser, with the Covenant Fleet in orbit around Earth and Luna.
 * Status: Active


 * Role: Zeta Squad
 * Location: Onboard the UNSC Autumn, in orbit around Earth.
 * Status: All members active


 * Role: Linda Farr
 * Location: Luna
 * Status: Active


 * Role: SPARTAN-077, Edward
 * Location: Onboard the UNSC Autumn, in orbit around Earth
 * Status: Active


 * Role: Rhino Squadron
 * Location: Onboard the UNSC Necropolis, awaiting orders.
 * Status: All members active

Rotaretilbo

 * Role: Fleet Admiral Sir Terrance Hood
 * Location: Aboard Cairo Station, an Orbital MAC Defence Platform, gyrosynched orbit over Cairo, Egypt, Earth
 * Status: Active
 * Other: Commanding Officer, All UNSC Space Forces
 * Role: Vice Admiral Cory Johnson
 * Location: Aboard UNSC Winston Churchill, a Marathon-class cruiser, space above Earth
 * Status: Active
 * Other: Commanding Officer, Earth UNSC Space Forces
 * Role: Commander Brandon Rebuga
 * Location: Aboard UNSC Desert Fox, a newly captured Covenant cruiser, space above Earth
 * Status: Active
 * Other: Commander of UNSC Desert Fox
 * Role: Lieutenant Bryan Hänkel
 * Location: Aboard UNSC Desert Fox, a newly captured Covenant cruiser, space above Earth
 * Status: Active
 * Other: N/A
 * Role: Master Gunnery Sergeant Hank J Wimbleton IV
 * Location: Aboard Honorable Vassal, a Covenant light cruiser, unknown location
 * Status: Active
 * Other: Unknown
 * Role: Ship Master Ligi ‘Fleomee
 * Location: Aboard UNSC Desert Fox, space above Earth
 * Status: Active
 * Other: Ship Master of Enduring Faith (aka UNSC Desert Fox); prisoner

Matt-256

 * Role: First Lieutenant Jane Parkinson
 * Location: Luna
 * Status: WIA
 * Other: Commanding 5th Battalion's Third Company, which is currently stationed at Luna Station Gamma fighting off Covenant forces.
 * Role: Special Operations Major Shn'co Sthr
 * Location: Luna
 * Status: Active
 * Role: Master Gunnery Sergeant Dean Jackson
 * Location: Mars
 * Status: Active
 * Other: Commanding a small squad of Marines that have disabled a Covenant AA-Gun.
 * Role: Chieftain Taurus
 * Location: Rome, Earth
 * Status: Active
 * Other: Commanding ground forces who are currently in Rome.
 * Role: Admiral Yakubu Agahowa
 * Location: Onboard the UNSC Devastator, in orbit around Luna.
 * Status: Active
 * Other: Commander of the Helios Defense Group stationed above Luna.
 * Role: Special Operations Commander Anfa 'Dela
 * Location: On Luna
 * Status: Active
 * Other: Commander of a Special Operations Unit. Have formed an alliance with the UNSC.
 * Role: Team Wakisashi
 * Location: Mars
 * Status: Active
 * Other: SPARTAN-III Gamma Company Team.
 * Role: Team Bokuto
 * Location: Mars
 * Status: Active
 * Other: SPARTAN-III Gamma Company Team.
 * Role: Supreme Commander Sokha 'Dar Cytod
 * Location: Onboard the Harbringer of Ascendent, in orbit above Mars.
 * Status: Active
 * Other: Supreme Commander of the Fleet of Ascendent Purpose.
 * Role: Sergeant Major Jack Jackson
 * Location: Rome Station, in orbit above Earth.
 * Status: Active
 * Other: In charge of Foxtrot Company.

SPARTAN-118

 * Role: Vice Admiral Will McKay
 * Location: En route to Earth on the UNSC Normandy to assist the defense of of Earth.
 * Status: Active


 * Role: Ship Master Amje 'Ailot
 * location:In route to Earth on the Everlasting Grace to 'reclaim' forerunner artifacts
 * Status: Active

Lordofmonsterisland

 * Role: Captain Jim Wilson
 * Location: Near Houston Station, in orbit of Earth, onboard the UNSC Annihilator
 * Status: Active


 * Role: Angela
 * Location: In the UNSC Annihilator
 * Status: Active
 * Other: She's an AI


 * Role: The Seven Members of the First Team Alpha
 * Location: On Luna's surface
 * Status: Active


 * Role: The Seven Pilots of the First Dragon Squadron
 * Location: Near Houston Station, in orbit of Earth, onboard the UNSC Annihilator
 * Status: Active


 * Role: The Four Members of Delta Team
 * Location: On Earth's surface
 * Status: Active


 * Role: The Eleven Members of the Squad of Unrelenting Reparation
 * Location: On Mar's surface
 * Status: Active


 * Role: The Seven Recruits for the Second Team Alpha
 * Location: On Luna's surface
 * Status: Active
 * Other: Children of the members of the first Team Alpha


 * Role: The Seven Recruits for the Second Dragon Squadron
 * Location: Near Houston Station, in orbit of Earth
 * Status: Active
 * Other: Children of the members of the first Dragon Squadron

Hollywood

 * Role: Staff Sergeant Pierce Hae-jin Hayase
 * Location: Earth
 * Status: Active


 * Role: Lieutenant Andrew Sharp
 * Location: Earth
 * Status: Active - Pilot of Pelican Romeo-017


 * Role: Lieutenant Christian Berkley
 * Location: Earth
 * Status: Active - Copilot of Pelican Romeo-017


 * Role: Crew Chief Hunter White
 * Location: Earth
 * Status: Active - Crew Chief of Pelican Romeo-017

User:Spartan 501

 * Role: The Spartan IIIs of Fireteam Romeo
 * Location: Earth, currently in Sydney, varies
 * Status: Soon to be active (pending article)


 * Role: Brock Juno
 * Location: Luna, Luna Garrision F/A/72, varies
 * Status:Active
 * Other: 145th Naval Sqaudron


 * Role: EABT Seargent Jack Richards
 * Location: Luna, Letrone Crater, Varies
 * Status: Active

CommanderTony

 * Role: Major Anthony J. Stubblefield
 * Location: New York City, United States, Earth
 * Branch: UNSC Marine Corps
 * Unit: 2/27 Infantry Regiment, 501st Marine Division
 * Status: Active


 * Role: Captain Teka Sar 'Kelum
 * Location: New York City, United States, Earth
 * Branch: Royal Separatist Army
 * Unit: K'Eoro Warrior Legion, Sithe Corps
 * Status: WIA, Recovering from wounds sustained on Doisac


 * Role: Commander Kenji Kikmera
 * Location: New York City, United States, Earth
 * Branch: UNSC Marine Corps
 * Unit: Chimera Battalion, Royal Hayabusa Guards
 * Status: Active


 * Role: Imperial Admiral Tegar Luma 'Wattinr
 * Location: New York City, United States, Earth
 * Branch: Royal Separatist Navy
 * Unit: Sangheilian Armada of the Arbiter
 * Status: Active

Nemesis Project

 * Role: Fleet Master Zund 'Nerom
 * Location: Earth
 * Other: Fleet Master of the Fleet of Imperishable Remorse

1st Lieutenant Aiden Smith

 * Role: Captain Andy Smith, Unit (Survivor) Commander
 * Location: London England, Earth
 * Branch: UNSC Marine Corps, Nineth Rifle Division
 * Status: Active


 * Role: Gunnery Sergeant Lee Pullman, Sniper
 * Location: London England, Earth
 * Branch: UNSC Marine Corps, Nineth Rifle Division
 * Status: Active


 * Role: Staff Sergeant Alessandro Alexia, Scout
 * Location: London England, Earth
 * Branch: UNSC Marine Corps, Nineth Rifle Division
 * Status: Active


 * Role: Lance Corporal Carl Ball, Medic
 * Location: London England, Earth
 * Branch: UNSC Marine Corps, Nineth Rifle Division
 * Status: Active


 * Role: Special Operations Kaso 'Lumen
 * Location: London England, Earth
 * Branch:Covenant Separatist
 * Status:Active


 * Role: Major Tyandos 'Ranos
 * Location:London England, Earth
 * Branch:Covenant Separatist
 * Status:Active


 * Role:Minor Seseno 'Ilman
 * Location:London England, Earth
 * Branch:Covenant Separatist
 * Status:Active

=Rules=
 * 1) There is a limit on Spartan characters. There were only 33 Spartans after genetic alteration. But, many died in battle. There are only 17 Spartans left alive. All Spartans must be approved by the Chief Moderators.
 * 2) Forces are only Covenant, Human, and Forerunner constructs. There are Flood on Earth only, but Annihilative Repentance is in charge of them.
 * 3) Please remember that the Humans are impossibly outnumbered, and that they can't win many battles without a large casualty list piling up. Covenant weapons are extremely formidable.
 * 4) Not all Elites like the idea of working with Humans. Keep this in mind.
 * 5) There is to be no "teleporting"; i.e. moving your character to another planet just to save him/her.
 * 6) Transport between Fronts is limited, and ships are hard to come by. All transits must be approved by a moderator.
 * 7) Please sign at the top of your posts and include the name of a background music track that you think would go along with your post. Put the track name and the artist in italics at the top of your post.
 * 8) Please get permission from another person before eliminating their character. If you do not, you will be penalized.
 * 9) At least try to play a Covenant character along with your Humans; this adds a little variety.
 * 10) Your character cannot come out of this fight unsccratched! He/she must have at least on injury before the RP is over (Thanks to AJ for this rule is to defeat god-modded characters!)
 * 11) If unsure about something, please ask a Moderator.
 * 12) Please consult the talk page for more in-depth rules on starships and inter-planetary defense.

=Fronts=

Earth

 * SPARTAN-091
 * Juliet
 * 1LT Skadi Kobolds
 * Captain Sylvie Grey (in orbit)
 * 2LT Miles Jaeger (in orbit)
 * SGM Arnold Lewis
 * SGT Jeff Valea
 * Senior Chief Petty Officer First Class CHRIS-087
 * Zeta Squad (in orbit)
 * Fleet Admiral Sir Terrance Hood
 * Vice Admiral Cory Johnson
 * Commander Brandon Rebuga
 * Lieutenant Bryan Hänkel
 * Ship Master Ligi ‘Fleomee
 * Chieftain Taurus
 * SPARTAN-077 (in orbit)
 * Captain Jim Wilson (in orbit)
 * Dragon Squadron (in orbit)
 * Joe Harrison
 * Michelle Walters
 * Donald Summers
 * Randall Cragin
 * Sherri Black
 * David Davis
 * June Della
 * Delta Team
 * Lead
 * Ratchet
 * Burns
 * Sarge
 * Peter Lewis
 * Brute Chieftian Jarvargus
 * Vice Admiral Will McKay (In route to Earth)
 * Ship Master Amje 'Ailot (In route to Earth)
 * Qzech'Mere (In route to Earth)
 * Fireteam Romeo
 * SPARTAN-G145 Scott
 * SPARTAN-G257 Maya
 * SPARTAN-G013 Jason
 * Rhino Squadron (in orbit)
 * The Hesperus *En Route*
 * Captain Adam Deadrus Graves
 * SPARTAN-014 Adrian
 * SPARTAN-054 Angel
 * Curtis Jennings
 * Max (Maximus) Peterson
 * Jason Orion
 * Warren Leats
 * Staff Sergeant Pierce Hae-jin Hayase
 * Pelican Romeo-017
 * Pilot - Andrew Sharp
 * Co-Pilot - Christian Berkley
 * Crew Cheif - Hunter White

Luna

 * Anno 'Rhcul
 * Vera 'Zenor
 * SPARTAN-060
 * Prophet of Vigilance
 * Imogo Oth Warpol
 * Lolna Oth Warluig
 * Linda Farr
 * Brachshaw (in orbit)
 * Nicholai Grevdaeht
 * First Lieutenant Jane Parkinson
 * Shn'co Sthr
 * Team Alpha
 * Roy Koel
 * Clyde
 * Edwin Davis
 * Lisa Davis
 * Kymberli Wilson
 * Jerry Peters
 * Marshall Black
 * Amy Black
 * Havargus
 * Admiral Yakubu Agahowa
 * Anfa 'Dela
 * 145th Naval Squadron
 * Major Brock Juno
 * Staff Seargent Jack Richards
 * Ultra Sin 'Vordyee

Mars

 * Imperial Admiral Dyr 'Jar Refos
 * Major Domo Hasus 'Redonn
 * Kemgor
 * Ultra Sin 'Vordyee
 * Supreme Commander 'Holor
 * Ship Master Malor
 * Team Murmillo
 * SPARTAN-G023
 * SPARTAN-G059
 * SPARTAN-G202
 * SPARTAN-G331
 * Special Operations Lance Sacred Shadow
 * Uasu 'Sojam
 * Ckpe 'Cinot
 * Asbe 'Cinot
 * Orbe 'Yatut
 * Eysu 'Eojus
 * Idbe 'Vadum
 * Master Gunnery Sergeant Dean Jackson
 * The Squad of Unrelenting Reparation
 * Jemsal 'Emvadson
 * Ketynic 'Ilwol
 * Nibesa
 * Jaig
 * Ank
 * Luzzda
 * Cer Muso Coun
 * Den Muso Hico
 * Jarikus
 * Samorulan
 * Ameigh Broley
 * Special Operations Commander Kwas 'Pudmee
 * Team Wakisashi
 * SPARTAN-G256 (Matt)
 * SPARTAN-G051 (Oliver)
 * SPARTAN-G297 (Belle)
 * Team Bokuto
 * SPARTAN-G029 (Henry)
 * SPARTAN-G162 (Diana)
 * SPARTAN-G329 (Victor)

=Roleplaying=

1
Breathe Into Me- Red

Jared-091, SPARTAN-II, looked at the remains of what had once been a thriving metropolis, a bustling city on the Cradle of Humanity. The cradle which had been invaded by bloodthirsty aliens bent on humanity's utter destruction. ONI had pulled him back to Earth after the Manheim campaign, and assigned him to the barracks in Chicago. The barracks, and half of its Marine garrison were now destroyed, burned away by Covenant plasma. He had to admit, the most unexpected alliance had come from the Covenant "Seperatists", as they dubbed themselves. He heard that his brother-in-arms, John, was now working closely with the Elite leader, The Arbiter, but had no idea where they were.

His current objective was to defend the city's last remaining anti-air defenses, which kept the Covenant capital ships off of the giant generators that powered the Super MACs in orbit. Waves of Brutes, Grunts and Jackals had already assaulted his position, but his ODSTs and their officer, a former ONI Valkyrie named Skadi Kobolds, had thrown them back each and every time.

"We could have handled them ourselves, I'm sure, but their help is nice," the voice in his head quipped in an angelic tone of flippancy.

"Sure, I know. We want as many humans left alive as possible, though Juliet.  Keeping them with me helps them survive that much longer," he said, reloading his SRS99C-AM4 sniper's rifle. Another Brute chieftan swinging a gravity hammer was brought down with a headshot. The Grunts under his command panicked, but were pressed forward by the Brute pack behind them, charging straight into the withering hail of fire laid down by Skadi's turrets and Scorpion.

The commander of the last armored vehicle at the sigt hollered in approval as his gunner blew away a Phantom dropship still entangled in the act of dropping off its troops. Blue fire dimmed Jared's blast-shield as the craft exploded, killing the nearest Covenant. An ear-splitting roar deafened him temporarily as the SAM-IRX missile launcher behind him sent its speeding projectiles after a Seraph fighter that strayed too close to the generator complex.

"I wish we had more of us," Jared sighed, sighting back in on the oncoming Loyalists.

"So do I, Jared. So do I."

 SPARTAN-091  |Admin|   HelmetComm  01:15, 28 November 2007 (UTC)

2
Lewis pulled back the bolt on his BR-55HB SR. Their mission was to ambush a pack of brutes, one led by a Cheftain. Only the best Marines in his regiment were selected and he was picked to be the leader. A SPARTAN-I, Lewis knew more about combat than some of the Generals. He turned and he saw two members of his squad, fumbling with M7 SMGs. Lewis picked one up, silently cleared the bolt, reinserted the magizine, and fired into a nearby tree. He handed the weapon back to the Marine, who by the rank shown on his HUD was a Corporal. Lewis picked up his Sergeants Cap, and looked at the sky. In the distance, a flight of Hornets were in fierce combat with banshees. Their missiles made contrails in the sky. One of the banshees made a tight turn, and fired its' fuel rod cannon at the Hornet. The hornet stood still for a while, then it burst into flames. The body of the vehicle spun, fire spewing from its aft section. He followed the vehicle down into the forest. He was so wrapped up in the battle above him, he was spooked by a member of the assault squad. He was a young Private, probably no older than 16 Lewis thought. The UNSC was running low on personnel, and they went to conscripting anybody they could get their hands on.

"Sergeant Major... I'm scared..." said the Private. "Its ok son, just keep your eyes front and your finger on the trigger." "Sergeant Major... have you ever been scared?" asked the Private. "Plenty of times kid... plenty of times."

Lewis walked away from the Private, patting him on his back. Lewis took out his M6D Pistol, checked it and chambered its' explosive fifty caliber round. He slid it back into the holster, and he took out his M7 from his chest holster. He checked its sights, checked the magizine, and slid the butt out. He re-inserted the stock and put the M7 back into its proper place. The other Marines were checking their weapons, a mixture of MA5Cs, M7s, M6Gs, BR-55HB SRs and two SRS-99D S2-AMs. Lewis felt that this finely trained assault force was ready. He took out his TACMAP and checked the location. A former UNSC Camp... they probably have already eaten the survivors. Lewis thought. He spun his arm in the "rally" signal and they began to move out.

-- AJ

3
EARTH

//December 12th, 2552, 1200 Hours// //Sol System, Terra// //Australia, Sydney, HIGHCOM Facility Bravo-6//

Thick plumes of dark black acrid smoke rose up into the sky, dissipating slowly in the bright noon light. The putrid stench of sweat and stale fear covered the towering city and military bases. Sirens wailed in the distance, and cracked glass craters glistened in the sunlight. Burning wreckage of vehicles and aircraft littered the narrow streets, and burnt and charred bodies lay everywhere, some still smoking. Dead civilians lay on the ground, dirty with the city’s waste, ragged holes in their fashionable core world clothing. MA5C and BR55HB SR rifles, dropped from fleeing or dead soldiers lay on the ground; ammo counters still flickering, many with cooled spikes and burned holes in them. Injured humans crawled over the hot ground, blood leaking profusely from wounds, moaning and crying out for help.

The clawed feet of a pair of Jackals emerged from a low lying one story officer building, clacking in delight, plasma pistols still, smoking, and the sound of the screams just now dissipating. They moved dartingly through the body littered area, unmercifully gunning down survivors. Some tried to flee, others accepted their death with courage and dignity; others still tried to hide, but the alien’s keen senses proved their efforts worthless. A pair of banshee fliers swooped overhead, scanning the city. Pieces of broken concrete from buildings provided hiding places for some, but few were so lucky. Covenant troops moved methodically through the city, rounding up survivors, herding them into tight nit groups, and then letting savage and depraved grunts tear through them.

Two Jackals moved into a dark alleyway, sweeping it for survivors, sniffing the air, and scanning the shadows with their bright yellow eyes. They moved cautiously into the alley, pistols up, sweeping them over the area in wide circles. Suddenly, a muffled shot resounded through the alley, and one dropped, a glowing spike through its forehead. The other turned, its face live with anger, and then it stopped, looked down, and saw a pair of blades from a brute spiker sticking through its chest. It looked down for a moment, and then slumped over into a pool of its own blood.

Half a dozen grunts trotted through a downtown plaza, plasma pistols and needlers clipped to their thighs and backs. Their patrol route was simple, and they were not horribly bright. However, they were highly vicious; they were among those who were allowed to tear the humans apart with their teeth. Among these grunts was one known as Dipgab, a slightly more intelligent grunt than normal. Still, he was not prepared for what would quickly happen. They moved out of the plaza, into an office building. Dipgab split his squad of twenty into five groups of four, and then sent them to sweep the base. He ushered his group behind him, hefting his plasma pistol in his small stubby hands.

However, when he tried to contact his first group, they did not respond. But Dipgab wasn’t worried; he was not horribly smart, and the fact that they did not answer was not interpreted as anything significant, despite the fact that they were in the middle of a war zone. However, when the second, third, and fourth groups did not respond at all, and he heard detonations, he almost wet himself. As he tried to gather his wits, he noticed a sharp clacking sound, which they had taught him in training to associate with human weapons. Suddenly, something hot and sharp cut through his abdomen, and he flopped to the ground. His vision grew hazy, and the world around him seemed blurred; all he could see was his bright, cyan colored blood leaking out of a half dozen holes in his stomach. He rolled over, spotting three of his friends and squad mates next to him. Then he saw the attacker, clad in black armor, and partially cloaked like some kind of demon ghost. He barely managed to scream, before he saw the figure rack it's weapon's slide and fire. Everything went dark.

Almost three kilometers away, a group of Brutes sat in the temporary encampment that they had set up, devouring pieces of meat that they had stolen from the human fresheners. Suddenly, a single one dropped dead, its next broken and twisted. The remaining members stood up and roared, but they were unsure where the attack was coming from. A single sniper bullet flash out, slicing through the heads of three brutes at once. The two remaining brutes turned to run, only to see a frag grenade at their feet. It detonated in a plume of shrapnel and heat, shredding their bodies like tissue paper.

Across the city, a force assembled to hunt down the unknown killer or killers of these groups. A group of almost two hundred swept the city, killing everything, but the ghostly attackers were no where to be found. However, they left something to remember them by: a Fury Tactical Nuclear Warhead. During the sweep, no one noticed the three small outlines slipping into the outback, now kept as a wildlife preserve. Exactly two hours, ten minutes, and seventeen seconds later, the warhead detonating, obliterating what was left of the city. Hundreds of marines, ODSTs, and other personnel had died defending it. A fiery plume rushed out and consumed the buildings, and anyone who might have noticed anything never noticed anything every again.

LUNA

//December 12th, 2552, 1200 Hours// //Sol System, Lunar Surface// //Letronne Crater, Lunar Complex G/T/39 //

Red warning lights signaling for combat procedures flashed in circles through a labyrinth of tunnels, and alarm klaxons blared painfully loud. The tunnels were filled to the brim with movement; soldiers, battle-hardened EABTs, moving through to their rally points in their large visored armor, pilots, willing to fly and fight and die in the cockpit, and technicians, keeping the base alive. Squads rallied at airlocks, and pilots sealed themselves into the cockpit of Rapier interceptors, trusting training and technology and even luck to get them through the hours and days ahead.

The command center of the lunar garrison in the Letronne crater was buzzing with activity. Technicians, command personnel, and others frantically talked over the problem they now faced. On the view screen at the center of the command center, a tactical map of the crater, and the space beyond it had been laid out; detailing the desperate tactical situation they were in. A large oval was the center of the screen, and inside it was to large Xs in the middle, as well as seven small circles, some of which were solid, some of which were blinking rapidly, and others were faded, with red circles around them. Blue arrows dotted the space near these “nodes” and were angled towards the large Xs, signaling they were returning to base.

In the middle of what seemed like a perfect storm, Commander Gregory Thompson stood apparently calmly, though he was not so calm on the inside. All around him, Lieutenants and aides rushed past, delivering messages about their situation. But to their confusion, he ignored them, and stood staring at the view screen, perhaps for a spark of inspiration. Little did they know that he was not ignoring them at all, but was in fact frozen with fear, and the world around him seemed to be moving dizzyingly fast.

“Perimeter cameras are down, bat-packs got EMPed!”

“Contact lost with Node Golf, hailing!”

“I’ve got that radar ghost again; it’s moving on Southwest vector!”

“Flak guns in mountain sector twelve are down; I think the backup power supply just got pulse!”

“Toon A-J arriving at the base, they require immediate medical attention, dispatch now.”

All of these seemed to flow over Gregory, he was so terrified. He had specifically gotten a reassignment to Luna after seeing several worlds glassed, and several friends murdered. Luna was in the Sol system; it was supposed to be quiet. He never thought deep down that the war would ever reach Sol. But it had. Even now, Covenant troops were encircling his base, and with them jamming his maser and radar, he couldn’t call for help. Searching for some relief, he reached down into his shirt slowly and drew a highly illegal stimulant that he had procured from a Russian dealer on his leave Earth side. No one noticed him snort it quickly, and for a moment, there was blessed oblivion.

//December 12th, 2552, 1300 Hours// //Sol System, Lunar Surface// //Letronne Crater, Node Golf//

A boiling blue electric sun lit the air for a moment, and then crashed with devastating force into the main complex of Node H, known as the Putting Range to most of the EABTs, due to its phonetic name. Deep in trenches and cover, dozens of EABTs from D and E platoons of the 117th EABT Division scrambled as artillery fire rained down on them. Deep in the distance, a pair of hulking scarab tanks and two dozen wraiths rained death down on the small human force of 80, impossible odds. Covenant infantry charged, plasma and spike weapons blazing, and dozens fell in heaps of charred and spiky flesh. Fire from MA5B/VC and MA5C/VC Assault Rifles cut through the Covenant infantry from well placed and well aimed shots, but the hoard was too large.

A devastating swath of green light flared, and a beam of plasma the size of a warthog exploded from the main cannon of the first scarab tank. Heat boiled away flesh and bone in an instant, and the humans fled before the unstoppable onslaught. Left and right, men and women fell, glowing spikes or burning plasma enveloping them. Gunfire lit the night, but it was rare, as more and more troops turned and fled or were cut down. A trio of bright blue spheres crashed into the small structure of the Putting Range, and when the plasma billowed away, all that was left was a crater, shining in the reflected light of Sol. There were no prisoners; not with the Covenant, not for human filth. Single spikes and bolts of plasma hit the craniums of any to injure to fight back or run, killing them instantly. In vacuum, no one heard them scream.

Only half a dozen injured troops managed to escape the slaughter, and limp back to the UNSC base. Among these was Staff Sergeant Jack Richards, the only remaining member of his squadron. When the group of beleaguered EABTs finally spotted the garrison, there hearts jumped for joy. They were welcomed into the base among other survivors from similar massacres that were happening as the Covenant swept the flanks and prepared to assault the main base. Some groups were better off than Jack’s, others were worse. However, they were all sick with dread and grief, shocked by the death of their friends in the last few hours.

Jack was similarly stunned, but as a Sergeant, he had duties to perform. He moved throughout the small part of the garrison were the survivors gathered, giving comfort and food, as well as weapons and ammunition. Before long, the EABT survivors had come to terms with their grief, and their sorrow had transformed into a burning desire for revenge. With vengeance in their hearts, they moved out to positions around the base, preparing for combat.

Within the hour, the base was in much better shape than before. Squads of seasoned troops patrolled the perimeter, and snipers were perched on the hill to the North, weapons ready. A single mythos tank stood in the center of the base, its main cannon rippling with energy, its crew on high alert. Trenches were dug, sand bags laid, and turrets placed and linked to large ammo bases in the center of the complex. The base was ready for war, and the Covenant would happily oblige.

//December 12th, 2552, 1500 Hours// //Sol System, Lunar Surface, 3 Miles beneath surface// //Letronne Crater, Luna Garrison F/A/72//

In the darkened hangar, sixty sleek, well maintained, and deadly Rapier interceptors sat silently in their launch pads inside the vertical shaft 100 yards long and wide. The Interceptors were motionless, and beautiful to the proper eye, in the way that a well maintained rifle was beautiful. The ship’s sleek lines and powerful engines gave it half again as much thrust as the common Longsword and its simple controls made a single pilot using it an option. The ship’s shining black finish gleamed in the reflected light of alarm lights, making it shine with a red sheen.

In the cockpit of this small but powerful fighter, a single pilot sat at the controls, casually smoking a Sweet Williams cigar, unusual for a fighter pilot. It went against UNSC regulations, but Major Brock Juno didn’t care much for regulations. His hair was a mullet of black, and a dozen scars on his face were result of illegal fighting, drunken bar disputes, and other elicit activities. Juno was his own man, not the UNSC’s, and though he cared for his species and for his pilots, more so than even he realized, he also loved pissing people off, something that had kept him from promotion for years, despite his talent in the cockpit, and which had landed him a backwater assignment such as Luna.

However he didn’t care; he got to help train the new jockeys straight out of launch, and humble them a bit too. Fighter pilots were notoriously arrogant, especially just out of the academy; he felt that it was his duty to wizen them up a bit (that, and he just loved bustin their balls). With the pungent smell of his Sweet Williams filling his cockpit, Juno felt more at peace than he’d been for a long time; this was partly because of the intoxication, and partly because he knew he’d finally see some real action, not just training recruits. He hadn’t seen combat for years, and even though his skill had not decreased over time, he was anxious to see the enemy once again, and in his new Rapier, no less.

Juno knew that his role in this soon-to-be battle was dangerous. If the infantry managed to create a gap that the five squadrons in Luna Garrison F/A/72 could exploit, Brock and sixty other pilots would launch, and attempt to destroy a covenant picket craft just beyond the mountains, barely out of range of the hidden artillery hidden in their cliff sides. In the meantime, every pilot was on standby, and no one would launch until proper authorization was given.

However, Juno didn’t care about the wait; better here in the cockpit with his Sweet Williams and with his small portable COMM pad blaring his favorite music than out there, trying to escape the crowds of EABTs moving throughout the place. He was absolutely content to stay right where he was, and see what happened next.

Spartan 501 01:50, 28 November 2007 (UTC)

4
The Orbital Stealth Insertion Pod gave a loud shake as it smashed into the lush green Martian field. James opened up the door and walked out. He made sure that the M19 SSM Rocket Launcher was full on ammo and did the same for his MA5K SD Carbine. Full. Words flashed across his HUD as the orders were all too clear. Romeo Company of the 23rd Marine Battalion and his team were under heavy fire from a pair of Wraith Mortar Tanks. HIGHCOM sent in air support but an Anti-Air Wraith stopped them cold. They decided that a marine assault would loose too many lives so they sent in a single stealth unit. James new he stood no chance on his own against the Loyalists. He needed his team if he was going to get through the battle alive. The Photo-Reactive panels began to change colour in order to blend in with the terrain as he moved on. It was a long walk to the enemy wraiths.

First Lieutenant Peter Lewis looked over the serene ocean. It was calm. He sighed and looked at the crewmen. “So commander, how long till we get to Compton?” He asked. A covenant CCS-Class Battlecruiser had recently landed above the city of Compton on the Californian coast. The marines in the city were immediately overwhelmed and massacred, and only one-tenth of the civilians had been evacuated. The remaining marines were forced to resort to guerrilla warfare until they could get reinforcements. Unfortunately, HIGHCOM had no men to spare. They decided that the only option left was to send a company of marines into the city with a nuke, and detonate it while the cruiser’s shields were down. The only problem was, HIGHCOM had no ships to spare from orbit so they were forced to use a civilian cargo vessel meant for the sea. “Not good sir, we have a Phantom closing in fast!” Yelled the crewman at radar. “That answer our question?” the commander said. “Sergeant, what’s the best thing we got to use against these guys?” Asked Lewis. “Just a few M202 XP SAWs and a M19-B SAM Missile Launcher sir.” Replied the NCO. Lewis cursed. “Okay then, I want you to get the M19 and the M202s to get to a good position so that they have a clear line of fire at the seraph turrets. The more of those bastards that we can nail before the exit the dropship the better.” Order Lewis. The marines went to their positions as the phantom came down. Lewis loaded a clip into his M7 SMG and took cover as the phantom came down. As soon as its side doors opened the marines opened fire. The combined fire managed to destroy the phantom’s turrets and the rest of the marines came out of cover and fired in unison. As the two SAMs struck the side of the phantom the marines stopped firing for a second. As soon as that happened three brutes jumped out of the badly damaged phantom. The first one was a red-armoured brute chieftain wielding a gravity hammer. The second was a red-armoured Brute Captain, and the third was a brute with no armour and a piece of shrapnel in his arm. The Chieftain smashed his hammer and the surrounding went flying back and smashed into the cargo boxes. Lewis fired his M7 into the oncoming Chieftain, but the brute simply smashed nearby marines to bits as it charged towards Lewis. Lewis’ M7 clicked empty as the Chieftain brought its hammer to bear, but before it could swing, as full clip from an SRS99D went into the back of its head. The other two brutes fell as well. Lewis sighed. “The LZ is coming into view! ETA is 13 minutes!” Yelled a crewman.

The jackal crumpled as its suit decompressed in space. Before the BR round could hit the ground, Maverick fired another well-placed shot at the next jackal. He floated in space towards the decompression chamber and entered.

--<font color="#000000">Petty Officer First Class <font color="#000000">SPARTAN-G023 <font color="#006400"> Comm Channel<font color="#000000">Mission History 02:28, 28 November 2007 (UTC)

5
LUNA

//Sol System, Lunar Surface, descending into atmosphere//

The Phantom cruised low, slowly nearing the surface of the enormous orb of rock and dust that the humans called Luna. Within the dropship, Covenant Sangheili Separatists prepared for landing and contacting the humans on the moon. Among them, a pair of SpecOps Elites, one male, one female, oversaw the preparations. The male, named Anno ‘Rhcul, said to the female, Vera ‘Zenor “This ship should slip through the Loyalist ship’s orbit. Then we can aid the humans in their effort to repel the Loyalists” ‘Zenor replied “Anno, I can’t shake the feeling that something bad is going to happen.” ‘Rhcul reached out and placed his hand on her shoulder. “Do not worry, Vera. Those stinking Jiralhanae-“ Suddenly, the Phantom shook. ‘Rhcul looked rapidly around the ship, as if the hull would come to pieces at any moment. “Seraphs?! How the hell did those dammed apes figure out we were here?!” The pilot yelled “Sir! I have to take the Phantom into an emergency landing!” The Phantom shuddered again as it lurched into the atmosphere. It began to spin, and ‘Rhcul glimpsed the chaos that occurred below. It was no wonder the Seraphs had found them. They had flown right into the midst of battle. The Phantom lurched again, and careened towards the ground. ‘Rhcul yelled out “Brace for impact!”

-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-===-=-=-=-=--=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=--=-=-=--=--=-=--=--=-=

The Jackal sniffed at the remains of the Phantom. The wreckage had crushed several Grunts, Jackals, and one Brute. It leaned down to inspect the ruined cowls of the ship. A hand shot up and grasped its neck. The Jackal gurgle at the grip squeezed the life out of it. The Jackal’s life finally left it, and the hand released the lifeless corpse. ‘Rhcul pulled himself out through the hole in the ship’s side, and then paused to help ‘Zenor from the wreckage. “Are you alright, Vera?” She nodded. “I’ll live.” ‘Rhcul looked out over the moonscape. After a few moments of searching, ‘Rhcul found an Energy Sword, two Plasma Rifles, and a Carbine. He handed ‘Zenor the Energy Sword and the Carbine, claiming the Rifles for himself. They both turned to the dangerous close battle, and ran towards the chaos. -Anno &#39;Rhculee(Recieve Commands from me)(My lance)

6
Location: Arkel Province, Luna, Sol System

Time: December 12th, 2552. 1700 hours.

Colonel Grevdaeht breathed in, the air from his oxygen tank tasting odd. Unnatural. The man had always hated small confines, and Nicholai's suit was seemingly air-tight.

"How far from the complex?" the Colonel was anxious to get back into the complex again. Small though it was, it had a steady supply of "good" air, as well as much more ammo and rations. Since the start of their mini-mission, which had started about 5 hours ago, ammo and oxygen were steadily draining away. Nicholai only had about half of what he'd started with.

Through the heavy metal of his armor's gauntlet, Nicholai could hardly feel his weapon. It was a standard issue G-IV M7J7 Carbine. He struggled to remember; how many of his former 840 rounds did he use up? How many lifeless metal shells were embedded in the bodies of dead Covenant, floating aimlessly in the dark void of space? Too many. He checked his HUD's clock again, and saw that barely a minute had passed. This took god damned too long.

The fellow CCS member's reply was a minute late. He was no doubt checking his map on his HUD. "About a mile left, sir." A mile? Nicholai knew he could walk the distance, but he was starving... add on to that the fact that he'd hardly gotten a minute of sleep in the past half-week, and the fact that he'd witnessed a quarter of his squad die at the hands of one Brute Chieftain.

"Is there a chance we might get an air-lift?" the query was from Dallas; the newest member of Nicholai's squad. "Not a chance. For one thing, the space from here to the base is chock full of Covenant forces... besides, there's about ten banshees circling the area" the answer was not Colonel Grevdaeht's, but rather, Spencer, the SPARTAN-III. He'd refused to give up his armor, and his SPI made him stick out, when he wasn't nearly invisible of course. At times, Nicholai couldn't even spot him among his squad, and at others, he was the most prominent figure in the group, shining bright green among a group of blackish silver.

But still, Nicholai wished there could be an aerial removal. The squad simply didn't have enough resources to get through alive. This was potentially suicide.

However, that was what CCS troops were trained to do. Highly expendable. Just like the SPARTAN-IIIs. Just like Spencer Aragold.

--"Seek the truth and, perhaps, you will find it"  Monitor  of Installation-07 CommunicationsContributions

7
EARTH

The UNSC Battleship Normandy burst out of slipspace after half a day of travel form a distant battlefield. "Wow!" Vice Admiral Will McKay gasped as the ship decellerated. "Alright, shall we get to work. Order the rest of Task Force 14 to form up in attack formation." Vice Admiral McKay ordered. Task Force 14 consists of 1 Yorktown-class Battleship, 2 Marathon-class crusiers, 6 Destroyers, and 14 Frigates. The total amount firepower for the lazy person is as follows: 1 super MAC cannon, 37 Heavy MAC cannons, 40 SHIVA nuclear missles, 1 NOVA (gathering dust), and thousands upon thosands of Archer missles. "Open fire on the nearest ships!" the vice Admiral ordered. The fleet accelerated and fired it MAC guns, launched 4 SHIVA nuclear missles, and fired many Archer missles. The MAC slugs flew through space in there trademark way and here is what happened: Grand total so far; UNSC: 44 Ships, Covenant:1 Ship.
 * The Super MAC slug hit a supercarrier, killing it.
 * Heavy MACS hit 2 crusiers, cripping them, 4 destroyers, cripping or obliverating them, and 1 Battlecrusier, doing servere damage.
 * The 4 SHIVA missles detonated in diffrent places, causing widespead damage, death, and pain. Dozens of ships were destroyed or crippled. Dozens more had downed shilds.
 * The Archers did their thing, blowing chunks out of ships and murdering Covenant. A total of 10 ships destoyed.

8
Time Unknown, Date Unknown, Location Unknown

Questions. ''Where? What? Why? When?'' They all ran through his head at once. How did I get here? All he could feel was the cold floor. All he could see was the ceiling. The purple ceiling. This place is Covenant. He tried to look to his side, but couldn’t. He couldn’t move. He tried to move his arm. It too would not answer his mind’s call. Neither would his other arm. Nor his legs.

''Be still for you are in the presence of the very gods!' He thought. But it wasn’t him. It was a new voice in his head, a deeper, gravely sort of voice. He shut his eyes, concentrating.

''What is going on? What Covenant trick is this?''

''Fool! The Covenant is as the ground on which the foot trods!''

Then is ONI messing with my head?

You humans and your organizations are naught but bait!

What then?

All will be revealed; until then, in this grave you shall wait.

''Good time? How long have I been here?''

All this time goes by and still you pester me with question?

How did I get here?

''We could not convert you. Desist; that was no suggestion.''

Convert?

''Oh yes. But this will be explained all in good time, human.''

''What holds me here? I feel no bindings?''

In the empty grave, there is no movement; ‘tis my lumen.

''We shall see. We shall see.'' The invading presence drained from Master Gunnery Sergeant Hank J Winbleton IV’s mind.

D + 00:19:46 (Master Gunnery Sergeant Wimbleton Mission Clock) \ Aboard unknown ship, unknown location

MOVE! Hank willed himself. Still nothing. He had been trying to break the iron grip this other being had on him for at least twenty minutes since he had awaken. He had tried everything that came to mind. Nothing worked. He had a thought. What if he were to think about something that would tie up the mental intrusion?

I cannot be defeated by just any mere mortal. the voice replied, as if on cue.

Good thing I'm not any old mortal, Hank replied. Hank searched his memory for something extremely difficult. Then he had it. 1/1-1/3+1/5-1/7+1/9-1/11+1/13... His brow twitched.

There is no escape from which place you are now being held! the voice demanded.

...-1/15+1/17-1/19+1/21-1/23+1/25-1/27...

There will be no mercy given, and there will be no grace! the voice shouted in his head. He continued his mathematical equation. Hank brought his right hand in front of his face. A smile widened across his face. He continued to calculate in the back of his mind. He was still in his uniform. The only injury he could surmise was a puncture wound at the base of his neck. It seemed odd that it didn’t hurt at all. Hank’s guns were gone, but when he felt his back, his katana was still there, sown covertly into the uniform. He drew it and smiled even wider.

“Let’s find out who you really are!” Hank shouted. He paused and looked around. He was in a room. There were two doors. One was red, signifying that it was locked. The other was white. Hank walked up and the door flashed several times and chimed before sliding open.

They were everywhere. They were on the floor. They were on the walls. They were on the ceiling. They were atop each other. The Flood is here. Hank stopped. What can I do?

You can surrender now, and we will feast upon your flesh, the voice weakly ranted, having no pull over him anymore.

“No!” he shouted in defiance. Hank suddenly understood what the puncture wound was, and what the voice had meant by convert. He couldn’t be infected! He didn’t know how, but it seemed to be true. Hank looked to his left down a corridor. Just what I need. There stood a human combat form holding an SMG. Its back was turned to him. He rushed forward and sliced it first across the waste, cleaving it cleanly in half, and then again cleanly from top to bottom. He picked up the fallen M7. Turning, he fired on the swarm. After only a few seconds, the corridor was clear and Hank was out of ammo.

D + 00:21:04 (Master Gunnery Sergeant Wimbleton Mission Clock) \ Aboard unknown ship, unknown location

Hank dropped the spent M7 and shifted his beautiful katana to his right hand. It was true that he could wield it just as well in his left, but he still preferred his right. Hank took a moment to consider the work of art his ancestor had forged so many centuries ago. The blade was made on an unknown metal. Diamonds couldn’t even scratch the surface. On it, written in Thai, an ancient and forgotten language, it read บดเยี ทำสัำย ม่ำ, which translated to Crush, Kill, Destroy. The blade was very fine, so fine that it could slice through steel like it was butter. Were this not so, Hank would surely not think it a practical weapon to use against the Elites with their shields and armor. Hank’s katana had never let him down, and he doubted it would let him down now.

Hank walked into the next room. It seemed to have once been an armory. On the right, Hank saw his helmet, his guns, and most importantly, his red shades. Hank sheathed his katana and approached the stack. He put the shades on, then the helmet, and finally holstered his two M7s, slung the MA5B across his back, and picked up one of the two M90s. The door across the way blinked and a chime sounded to alert Hank that the door was about to open. Hank grabbed an M9 fragmentation grenade from the table, primed it, and threw it too the door. As the door opened, revealing a clutch of combat forms, Elites this time, the grenade exploded, splattering the wall with green goo.

“It’s party time!” Hank shouted, grabbing up the rest of the grenades and then his second shotgun. He checked that both were fully loaded, and then set out through the door. A single combat form stood at the end of the corridor. He fired both shotguns simultaneously. The combat form was nearly shorn in half by the blasts. Hank flipped the shotguns up through the air, grabbing each by the pumps. He pumped them, and then flipped them back into his hands, fingers on the triggers. Two expended shells dropped to his feet. He’d have to conserve ammo. He only had two packs of sixty rounds in his small rucksack. Hank didn’t know where he was, but he figured he would have to get to the bridge to find the source of his problems. He had gotten as far on the math equation as he could in his head without concentrating, remembering down to the fiftieth decimal place. Now he had to focus as he listed each digit out.

Three. Hank charged down a corridor, hooked right, and blasted two carrier forms at range. Point. Both exploded, showering Hank with bits of flesh and green coagulation. One. Hank ran on, coming to a long service corridor. Four. The corridor was heavily guarded. One. A group of combat forms several meters ahead opened fire. Five. Hank dove into a roll around a bulkhead. Nine. Hank primed a grenade. Two. He threw it at the group and was rewarded by a shower of parts. Six. A group of carrier forms rushed forward. Five. Hank rolled another grenade forward. Three. There was another explosion, followed by a series of explosions. Five. Hank sprinted from cover. Eight. Hank blasted a combat form on the run. Nine. Hank didn’t have time to stop and cock the shotgun, so he slung it. Seven. Hank came to another group of combat forms and infection forms. Nine. Hank blew them away with his remaining shotgun. Three. Hank slung the shotgun and drew his assault rifle. Two. He rushed through another door. Three. He was in the bridge.

D + 00:24:37 (Master Gunnery Sergeant Wimbleton Mission Clock) \ Aboard unknown ship, unknown location

Submit to my indomitable will right this instant, it demanded.

Four! Hank struggled to regain control. Six! What Hank saw stunned him. Two! Before him, encompassing almost the entire bridge, was a single Flood entity of some sort. Six! Hank didn’t know what to make of it, having only encountered infection, combat, and carrier forms. Four! This was definitely the source of the iron will in his mind. Three! It must be using some mixture of Covenant technology. Three! If the Flood had ships, then all was lost. Eight! But Hank couldn’t fight this giant mass of flesh and tentacles. Three!

SUMBIT NOW BEFORE I TEAR YOU LIMB FROM UNHOLY LIMB!

''TWO! SEVEN! NINE!'' Hank clenched his fists in concentration. Five! He had to get out of here. Zero! There must be another way to win. Two! Hank spun on his heels and ran out of the room. Eight. He turned down a corridor. Eight. He only had fifteen digits left. Four. Hank ran, spraying and slicing as he went, down a service corridor. One. He came to another room. Nine. The door blinked thrice, chimed, and then slid open. Seven. He stepped in. One. Hank glanced around, looking for something vital. Six. There, that thick cable looked like it had some sort of major purpose. Nine. Hank took up his sword and easily sliced a neat line through the cable and the metal around it, cleanly severing it. Three. He did so a second time and then pried a piece of cable out, cutting the connection. Nine. The ship jerked as the engines and controls disconnected. Nine. Hank ran on towards the escape pods. Three. The ship violently decelerated and exited Slipspace, which surprised Hank enough that he nearly toppled over, not knowing that they had been in Slipspace at all. Seven. Hank jumped into an escape pod, which roughly similarly shaped to the Bumblebee lifepod used by the UNSC. Five. He hit one of the buttons and the door behind him sealed shut and a panel slid away to reveal controls. One. Hank began prepping for launch. Zero. That was as far as Hank knew.

Stay with me in my hollow grave for death is what you wish! Hank tightened every muscle in his body as if he were experiencing ten gees and then managed to bash his head into the launch mechanism. The escape pod blasted away from the ship. Hank feinted from mental stress.

Behind him, the Covenant light cruiser Honorable Vassal began accelerating uncontrollably. The pinch fusion reactors were no longer receiving responses from the control room, and as such, were increasing output at an uncontrolled rate. The reactors redlined. The Honorable Vassal sped into a nearby moon before exploding in a giant nuclear fireball. The explosion rocked the single escape pod violently, jarring Hank from his feint. He checked for his weapons. His sword was dug down to the hilt into the floor of the pod and one of his shotguns was still strapped over his back, but beyond that, he was unarmed. Of course, unarmed had little to do with lethality when it came to Hank.

1419 Hours, October 29, 2552 (Military Calendar) \ Sol System, Captured Covenant Cruiser UNSC Desert Fox

“Belay that!” Commander Brandon Rebuga shouted. The AI, Janglur Swifteye, gave him an odd look, but almost immediately understood. On the central screen, a Slipspace rupture opened, and the Honorable Vassal reappeared. On its port side, near the aft, an explosion ripped a huge chunk of its engines away.

“Sir, the engines have redlined. The ship is going to crash into Luna.”

“What is Hank up to?” Commander Rebuga wondered aloud. They all watched in silence as another explosion bloomed across the ship’s hull.

“I’m tracking a Covenant escape pod leaving the Honorable Vassal. It’s a ways out there.”

“Life signs?”

“From the ship or from the escape pod?”

“Both!”

“I’m running a thermal scan. The ship shows...lots of bodies. They’re all moving, but none of them are hot enough to be alive.”

“The Flood,” Commander Rebuga stated coldly. “I thought we saw the last of them at Installation 03!”

“The bridge is red hot. No idea what sort of anomaly this is.”

“What do you mean? Are there still crew in the bridge?”

“No, I mean the entire bridge is filled with something very alive...the escape pod reads one life sign.”

“That’ll be Hank. What is his current trajectory?”

“Currently heading towards the UNSC Autumn. It has a long ways to go, though. It should take him several days to make the journey from our position to the UNSC formations around Earth. Had he bailed out of the ship later, he would have a considerably shorter trip.”

“As long as he’s heading towards friends and not foes. Track the Honorable Vassal. Continue to scan for life signs. The Flood must not be allowed to spread!” The bridge crew watched as the Covenant ship lazily cruised into Luna, Earth’s only moon, leaving a blackened crater.

1834 Hours, November 3, 2552 (Military Calendar) \ Sol System, Captured Covenant Cruiser UNSC Desert Fox

Four days had passed. The fighting had died down. The Covenant was in disarray, and Commander Rebuga was intent on exploiting that. His captured cruiser was in the thick of the enemy, along with the UNSC Winston Churchill. Thus far, there had been no contact with the UNSC formed around Earth. The Vice Admiral was intent on mopping up the Covenant fleet before it regrouped and attacked Earth again.

“Sir, receiving a priority COM from the UNSC Winston Churchill. The Vice Admiral wants to talk with us,” Lieutenant Basham reported.

“Put him on.”

“Commander Rebuga, with all due respect, how long does it take to spin up a Covenant Slipspace drive?” Vice Admiral Johnson asked.

“Sir, the ship we were going to pursue has reentered the system, and is on a crash course with Luna.” The joke, which the Vice Admiral had been pestering the Commander about for four days, had gotten stale.

“''Well, in that case, I have important news for you. I managed to contact Fleet Admiral Terrance Hood, who is commanding all UNSC forces in the Sol System from an orbital defense platform above Earth. Apparently, the Elites are our friends.''”

“Wha?!”

“''I know, it’s hard to believe, but it’s true. Apparently, SPARTAN one-one-seven made friends with some important Elite character, goes by the Arbiter, I think, and now we’re all kissing and making up.''”

“So what’s all the fighting going on still? I see plenty of Covenant vessels engaging UNSC vessels, and vice versa.”

“''Apparently the Prophets, which are sort of like the rulers of the Covenant, betrayed the Elites, and established the Brutes, you remember them, as the new backbone of the Covenant. The Elites are none too happy.''”

“I can imagine.” The Commander turned to the prisoner. “Here that, split-jaw? We’re supposed to be friends.” Ligi ‘Fleomee looked at the commander, mistrust in his eyes.

“If what your leader says is true and the San’Shyuum have allied with the Jiralhanae and betrayed my people, then I am your friend, human.”

D + 46:04:57 (Master Gunnery Sergeant Wimbleton Mission Clock) \ Space

Hank silently cursed at himself for the fiftieth time for bailing out of the ship so early. It had taken him two days to make the journey to a nearby ship. Hank keyed the COM on the escape pod. No response. He keyed it again. Still nothing. Hank gave up, again, on the COM. This was bad. A UNSC ship wasn’t just going to allow a Covenant escape pod to dock. They would likely target him and blow him out of the sky. Hank shouted and expletive and slammed his fists on the panel.

“Identify yourself,” blared over the COM. Hank keyed the COM again. Still nothing. “''Incoming Covenant escape pod, identify yourself. Friend or foe?''” Hank found it odd that any UNSC personnel would even bother asking twice for a Covenant pod to identify itself, but he wasn’t about to question his luck. He keyed the COM yet again, this time in a pattern. Dot dot dash, dash dot, dot dot dot, dash dot dash dot, break. “''Roger that. Please proceed to starboard docking bay. And hurry, we’re due to land any minute now.''” Hank turned up the thrusters and aimed for the starboard docking bay. Again, it was odd that the UNSC would believe a Morse-code identification so easily, but, again, he wasn’t about to question his luck. His small pod eased to the floor of the docking bay, the hatch sealing behind him and atmosphere being pumped into the small chamber. The hatch in front of him unsealed with a rush and then slid open and he lifted off a few feet above the floor and moved through. When the small door to his pod slid open, he was greeted by the business end of more than one assault rifle. Hank felt reassured by the extra security precaution taken.

“Welcome to the UNSC Autumn…” the speaker paused for a moment as he regarded Hank’s Friend or Foe tags, “Master Gunns.”

“I’d ask permission to come aboard, but it’s a little late for that,” Hank replied. The marine who had just spoken, a staff sergeant, merely nodded, and turned. Hank followed the group as they led him to the bridge.

“And how did you happen by a Covenant escape pod?” the commander, one Captain Harold Lance.

“Sir, I’ll be honest. I have no idea. I woke up to find myself captured by a new race of aliens known as the Flood. I managed to escape and cause the ship to crash into Luna. I dearly hope I was the only survivor, because the Flood must be contained if we are to survive. If you would, scan for life signs around where the ship dropped out of Slipspace all the way along its course to the moon, as well as the crash site itself. The Flood must be contained.”

“I understand. Well, welcome aboard. If your CSV reads accurately, you’ll be a fine addition to this op.”

“Thank you, sir.”

1837 Hours, November 3, 2552 (Military Calendar) \ Sol System, Marathon-class Cruiser UNSC Winston Churchill

“So, have you released your prisoner?” Vice Admiral Cory Johnson asked Commander Rebuga.

“Y''eah. Says his name is Ligi ‘Fleomee. At least he can help us run this tub. You think he’ll want his ship back?''”

“The UNSC Desert Fox A-K-A the Enduring Faith will be the first example of UNSC-Elite relations. It will be a joint-run ship.”

“''Sir, Ligi requests that you stop calling him an Elite. He says his people are called Sangheili. I suppose the first step in this alliance will be calling each other by our proper names. He’s agreed not to call us scum or dirt if we stop calling him an Elite.''”

“Ha! Well, I suppose he’s right. I assume you do not have one hundred percent control of the ship, so have Ligi announce to his fellow crew that the humans are not their enemies, and that the Brutes…”

“Jiralhanae, sir.”

“…Jiralhanae and the Prophets…”

“San’Shyuum, sir.”

“Stop interrupting me! That the Jiralhanae and San…how’d you say it went?”

“San’Shyuum.”

“Yeah, whatever they’re called, that those guys betrayed them, and that we aren’t their enemies anymore.

“Will do, sir. Over and out.” The COM cut.

“How are the new FoF tags coming?” the vice admiral inquired.

“They are doing pretty well, Vice Admiral,” the ship AI, Will, replied. “I have managed to isolate Sangheili ships from Jiralhanae ships. Bringing up the updated TACMAP now.” The tactical display changed suddenly, half of the red ships turning green. “Blue, of course, are our forces. Green are our new allies. Red are our enemies.”

“Good work, Will.” The Vice Admiral assessed the TACMAP, finding that he was now in a swirl of green with few red ships nearby. “Set course for the Earth. Ask Fleet Admiral Hood if he wants us to form up.” Will nodded, his avatar brightening as he began to work.

1830 Hours, November 3, 2552 (Military Calendar) \ Sol System, Cairo Station

Fleet Admiral Sir Terrance Hood, or Lord Hood, as he was oft called, sat at the control stations of his orbital defense platform, in a gyro-synched orbit over Cairo, Egypt. The fighting had died down after the initial attack had been made, and Lord Hood had deployed all of his Spartans elsewhere. He was beginning to regret that, because it looked like battle was about to be joined. After the Prophet of Regret’s ship left the system, there had been no coordinated attack on Earth’s perimeter. But Lord Hood knew that would only last so long. For now, the battle was over. He could finally focus his attention elsewhere. He took the time to glance around the bridge of the Super MAC station. Alarms were going off everywhere, and there were several fires, all results of the Covenant’s attempts to board and destroy the station. He pulled up the TACMAP. He took pride in the fleet around Earth, in its nice formation. He zoomed the display out a bit so that he could see the remnants of the Covenant fleet. All around Earth, scatterings of Covenant ships were trying to regroup. Oddly enough, some of them were firing on each other.

“We’ve got a new contact. Unknown classification,” one of the crew, a Lieutenant Junior Grade, called out. Lord Hood only mulled on this for a second.

“It isn’t one of ours. Take it out,” he ordered.

“''This is Spartan one-one-seven. Can anyone hear me? Over,''” crackled over the COM.

“Isolate that signal!” Lord Hood shouted to one of the few remaining bridge crew. The officer nodded, signifying that the COM was open. “Master Chief? Do you mind telling me what you’re doing on that ship?”

“Sir, finishing this fight.”

“Is there anything we can do, Master Chief?”

“''Contacts. I think they are triangulating off of our signal. Requesting radio silence from here on out.''” The COM fuzzed to static. Lord Hood again surveyed the TACMAP. Some of the Covenant fleet was grouping around the ship. Others grouped away from it. As the two groups met, they clashed.

“We’ve got another new contact. Covenant assault carrier. They’re hailing us on E-Band.” Lord Hood nodded.

“More surprises... Patch them through.”

“''Sergeant Major Avery J Johnson, service number four-eight-seven-eight-nine-two-zero-one-one-four-A-J, reporting for duty. Over.''”


 * -- Master Gunnery Sergeant  Hank J Wimbleton IV COMHalo: Galaxy 04:58, 28 November 2007 (UTC)

9
'Nerom looked around the canyon, the light filtering through his optical aids tinged slightly red. "Must you insist on wearing that armor, Fleet Master? Would it not be easier to simply wear a Combat Harness?" they had been walking for so long in silence, and the fellow Elite's voice brought 'Nerom back to his immediate surroundings. "And what of the parasite, 'Poron? What should happen if the parasite were to ambush us, and you were left so vulnerable, while I remained secure?" the Zealot's reply was quick and to the point. It might have been the thoughts that the Seeker program had programmed into his brain, but it made common sense; the Flood were on Earth, and they were somewhere near the Covenant's main excavation site.

The lances' surroundings were within a canyon, baked by the heavy sun overhead. Jungle growth could be seen hanging from the cliffs, looking as if the trees on the edge would fall at the slightest touch. The plasma rifle clipped onto his waist stayed still, clamped in place by magnetic force. The many grooves and the perfectly smooth surface calmed him; the bright blue-purple color that showed in the sun always had for some reason.

"A word of caution, 'Nerom. Up ahead you will find a Brute pack; its Chieftain has already killed some of our men" the advice had come over his communications line; it was Councillor 'Evrolom, easily one of 'Nerom's superiors among the Separatists, as well as one of the only remaining Sangheili Councillors left alive after the Brutes' betrayal.

"Confirmed, Councillor. My lances will be cautious" 'Nerom answered, reassuring the old Elite; many things worried him. He cared for his race too much. "Very well. Good luck" the Councillor answered back a moment after, and clicked his mandibles twice. 'Nerom clicked his mandibles as well, and the channel broke.

"'Poron, you take the beam rifle and set up ten paces west of this position. See if you may have a chance to kill the Chieftain's guards. 'Bevden, you go with the grunts. Scout ahead, and if you encounter difficulty, call in support. The rest of you, follow 'Bevden" the Sangheili was almost out of breath, and the scorching heat did not help at all. "What about you, Fleet Master?" one of the other Elites asked, "I will be on my own. I have something to take care of."

With that, 'Nerom ran through another path in the canyon's many passages, and unclipped his plasma rifle. A vague silhouette appeared in front of him, hunched by the looks of it, with a large circle beside it.

The Elite Zealot aimed the plasma rifle, and pulled the trigger, the burning cyan substance flying in masses toward the unsuspecting jackal.

--Project: Nemesis

10
Luna (in orbit)

The Brute Brachshaw, Ship Master and Chieftain, gazed in satisfaction as the Covenant and Human fleets collided and tore each other apart. In his mind, Brachshaw believed those Human weaklings would fall before the might of the Covenant, but the resistance they put up was rather strong. Too strong, this fight might last long, but no doubt end with the Covenant victorious.

He turned to the bridge crew and shouted, "Status!?" "Ship Master, all systems are go!" A Brute reported back, Brachshaw consulted his tactical layout of the battle on his holoscreen, scratched his chin for a while, then said, "very well, hold position here, I will go with the ground forces and destroy the Humans on this piece of rock, if anything comes your way, destroy it."

The Brutes saluted and marched to their stations. Brachshaw exited, fingering the head of his Gravity Hammer.

Earth (in orbit)

Another blast led Zeta Leader, Kain Furrey, to the floor of the hangar. He quickly got back up, unhappy to see no one else had fell. "What are our orders again?" An ODST called out, "We're suppose to be reinforcements for the UNSC garrison in Chicago!" A Marine called back, "Chicago?" Zeta 3, Michael Higgins, said in wonder, "I've always wanted to go there...of course, not during the war, maybe on leave."

"So do they need help?" Kain asked a nearby man with the rank of First. Lt, "Not so much as help, rather...bulking up their forces, they lost an awful lot of men in the Covenant attack." "So we're going down to rebuild them?" Kain said, "Correct." The First Lt. said, "Ohhhhh, here comes the Colonel." The "Colonel" was the man who would probaly be accompanying them down and ordering them about, provided their wasn't a higher ranker in the city.

Still, the whole crowd of soldiers turned, lowered their weapons, and saluted. "At ease!" The Colonel shouted out, then, "board your ships, we're departing in 5 minutes, move out!!"

Second Lt. Linda Farr looked out from atop the tower she manned. It was located at Delta Base, a UNSC military base outside the Luna OCS Academy. The top of the tower was basically a glass dome with a machine gun sticking out that could be swiveled, still, it gave her a good view of everything around her. She looked over towards Earth, surrounded by explosions and flame due to the battle. Linda felt that she needed to intervene with the Battle of Earth, but she couldn't, her post was on Luna.

She looked to the "sky", wait, a Covenant ship was there? Linda couldn't identify the class, maybe destroyer or cruiser. A swarm of purple aircraft raced towards the surface, She grabbed her COM and clicked it once, it was on an all-base broadcast, "This is Second Lt. Linda Farr, lookout on Tower 2, we've got Covenant Phantoms inbound!" She clicked the COM off and swiveled the mounted machine gun into position, she took aim, she fired.

SPARTAN-077, Edward, sat on his cot, his helmet beside him, pondering. He usually had a list of things he wondered about: the War, his Spartan brothers and sisters, his life, his Spartan brothers and sisters lives', today he was pondering all of those.

The door to his room slid open, a man stepped in, the markings of a Master Sergeant were on his arm. Edward saluted. "At ease, Spartan, You've been summoned by the Captain." Edward put his hand down, "of course sir," He walked out the door.

-- The State(Our Decrees and Law)(The State Alchemists we've enlisted) 12:38, 28 November 2007 (UTC)

11
LUNA

The searing, blindingly hot molten plasma boiled it's way through the Unggoy's methane tank. It also lit the Methane on fire. The creature shot forward before slamming into the ground and dieing. ''This low-gravity combat is.... disorienting. I wonder how the Rangers handle it...'' He thought. Behind him, 'Zenor expertly twirled the energy sword and beheaded another Unggoy. Up ahead, several Brutes busied themselves with slaughtering the humans. "Vera, I trust you can handle these Unggoy?" 'Rhcul said. 'Zenor replied "When have you ever known me to give up?" 'Rhcul nodded and charged ahead. When he neared the first Brute, it seemed not to notice him until he brought both Plamsa rifles down on it's shoulders. Then it noticed him. It spun, and 'Rhcul found himself smacked away by the creature. In the low gravity, he righted himself and began firing on the ape-like creature. It bellowed and unholstered a Spiker. Prepared this time, 'Rhcul dodged a swing from the creature. In the momentary confusion, he activated Active Camo. The Brute rose up, and looked around. It knew that the Sangheili had used Camoflage. But it did not know where it was... 'Rhcul quietly stuck a Plasma Grenade to the back of the Brute's head, then dove for cover. Seconds later, as the Brute turned, it bellowed in suprise as the explosion engulfed it's body in Blue flame, ripping it's head to pieces. The scorched and headless corpse fell, then drifted a few feet above the ground. 'Zenor walked slowly up behind 'Rhcul, and they both turned and ran towards then other Brutes. Several Kig'Yar barred their way, swing up energy sheilds to block all progress. This gave time for the Brutes to finish slaughtering the human squad, and turn to face them. 'Rhcul had crushed a Jackal with it's own Energy shield. 'Zenor had stabbed another. The Brutes bellowed, and charged the two SpecOps officers, who looked up from the dead Kig'Yar, and stood ready for battle.-Anno &#39;Rhculee(Recieve Commands from me)(My lance)

12
LUNA

''0725 hours, December, 2552 (Military Calendar)\ Luna Station Gamma, Luna.''

Jane Parkinson checked her HUD once again. All her 120 ODSTs was alive and spread out all across the station. They were ready for a fight against a bunch of alien bastards, although Jane would have preferred that all her men was alive. Originally, Third Company had consisted of 300 fresh ODSTs, but now, after years of fighting 180 men were MIA or KIA.

Jane prayed silently for the dead in this war. Billions of humans had died by the hands of the Covenant. She just couldn't stand this. She finished her pray, and turned to her Company Sergeant. "Sergeant, what's our status?" "The first Covenant Dropships and Boarding Craft have attached to the station. So far, we beleive the Covenant have lost around thirty soldiers, and we have lost two. Short to say, we have taken heavy losses." "Not to worry Sergeant, I've got a plan!"

Earth

''14 cycles 10 units, December, Ninth Age of Reclamation (Covenant Calendar)\ France, Sol System, Paris.''

Taurus laughed as he watched his Brutes slaughter the inhabitants of this pitty city. He picked a civilian that tried to run with his hand. The human cried and tried to free himself. Taurus threw him up into the air, and swinged his hammer. The human flew thirty meters into a brick wall.

Elsewhere, files of Jackals tried to herd together the human survivors to a sport arena. What a waste, Taurus thought. They were going to die anyway. Taurus laughed again. Victory was his and the Covenant's.

Mars

''0612 hours, December, 2552 (Military Calendar)\ Sol System, Mars, Sector Delta.''

Dean rose from his cover. The scouts were gone. Good. He waved forward his squad of eleven Marines. They had a task: To destroy the Covenant AA-Gun in this sector. If they didn't, the UNSC wouldn't be able to launch an aerial counterattack. Dean drew and readied his Assault Rifle. He recognized it was the new model, the MA5C. He didn't complain. To win this war, the UNSC would need new weapons.

Chief Petty Officer SPARTAN-039T COM Link Mission Log 16:51, 28 November 2007 (UTC)

13
Now it was time to spring the trap. Lewis signaled the snipers to take their shots. Two 14.5mm Sabot rounds tore through the Brute Bodyguards. Lewis screamed into his microphone, the feedback making his head ache. He unslung the BR-55HB SR from his shoulder, and fired a three round burst into the head of a Brute Captain Ultra. The snipers took their second shots, sending grunts screaming. Lewis took out his M7 and fired on the fleeing unggoy. He hit one of their methane tanks, sending the body of the beast into his comrades before the tank exploded. Lewis looked and he saw the squad firing on the chieftain. The eleven foot tall beast took out his hammer, and he struck a blow on the Private he had talked to earlier. Lewis, in anger, took out his M6D and unloaded a full clip into the Beasts shields. His rounds took out the shield generator and the snipers fired their rounds into the Brutes' head. It exploded sending brains and skin flying everywhere. Lewis saw a Brute Regular charging at him. Lewis jumped out the way, took out his M6D, and fired. The explosive round impacted right in between the eyes of the Brute. They had one this however small battle. But Humanity didn't have much time left. Each dead covie was a victory. Lewis reloaded his weapons and reported back to base. The UNSC Regional Headquarters was in Tanzania, and they were coordinating a space and ground campaign. Lewis ordered his squad to destory all evidence of their attack and they began to move out to the next area that they had to clear. This time, although it wasn't a Brute pack, it would still cause havok among his men. -- AJ

14
Cairo Suite, Halo 2 Original Soundtrack Volume 2

EARTH, in orbit, near Houston Station, onboard the UNSC Annihilator

"Angela, load Archer launchers 12-30 and fire on those fighters. Warm up the MAC gun and punch through the nearest Covenant ship. Prioritize targets and fire at will!" Immediately, the AI began to work double-time, calculating the necessary angles, speeds and ammo counts to destroy the incoming Covenant forces. Captain Jim Wilson worriedly, wishing for a moment that he could do something to help, but then turned his attention back to the battle. "Are all fighters launched?", he asked Angela "Not yet", she replied "Well make it so. I want every single pilot on this ship into those fighters! If we can't fight off their Seraphs and Boarding Craft, we're as good as dead." "Understood sir", she replied as she sent out the message through the ship. It was a call to arms for all the pilots. She hoped they would be enough

Second section of the Cairo Suite, Halo 2 Original Soundtrack Volume 2

EARTH, in orbit, near Houston Station

Dragon Squadron rushed to their ships, eager for battle. But as they launched, they realized that this was more than a mere battle. This was the largest battle they had ever fought in. They could tell it would be tough, but they launched anyways, heading straight into the swarm of Seraphs. "Well everyone", said Joe Harrison, their leader, "I'll just say that, if we don't make it out of here alive, it was nice to have known all of you. I couldn't have had better squadmates" "Ditto", said Randall Cragin "I couldn't have said it better myself", said June Della Similar responses came from Michelle Walters and Donald Summers, while David Davis grunted in agreement. "What's with you people?", said Sherri Black, startling the rest, "Why the doom and gloom all the sudden? Dragons never say die! You remember that? We'll make it through this, in one piece, just probably not unscathed" Joe laughed. "Sherri, I got to hand it to you, only you could put it like that" "You know that's right", she laughed back. But then the Dragons entered the battle, and got serious. There would be few jokes, or even words passed between them. They were in a war, and they would not have time for laughing. This would be the battle of a lifetime. The battle for Human life.

Second section of the Cairo Suite, Halo 2 Original Soundtrack Volume 2

EARTH, in orbit, on Houston Station

Onboard Houston Station, a group of seven pilots stopped their training as a higher ranking officer came in. They saluted to him, and he returned it. Then he said simply, "Come with me" They quickly followed him down the halls of the station, until they came to the Admiral of the station himself. "You seven", said the Admiral, "Have been training to become an elite squadron of fighters. You will be called Dragon Squadron. And while your training isn't complete, we need every man that we can get to fight. So, you're going to have to fight. Get your fighters and get out there. Protect this station at all costs. We must have it in order to defeat the Covenant fleet. "Sir, yes sir", they all replied, and then ran out to get things in order. The Admiral hoped they wouldn't meet the current Dragon Squadron out there, as they weren't supposed to know about them yet. As they grabbed their gear, they did so in the order of their squadron. They started with Andrew Peters, their leader, and then went down through Dragons 1 through 6, in the order of Luke Donaghy, Brittani Della, Justin Cragin, Erika Black, Brittany Black and ending with Cindle Della. They then jumped into their fighters and entered the fight.

High Charity Suite, Halo 2 Original Soundtrack Volume 2

EARTH, on the surface, in Austin, Texas, USA

Delta Team moved through the broken streets of Texas' capital. The buildings were falling apart, the ones standing were being bombarded. It was a pitiful sight. The Covenant had managed to slip past Houston station, so now it was up to the ground forces to fend them off. Delta Team had been sent in to destroy one of the Covenant's major camps. Looking over the top of a ruined building they were using as cover, Lead realized how major this camp was. Hundreds of Brutes, Drones and Jackals, along with dozens of Hunters and thousands of Grunts were there. As Sarge, Ratchet and Burns looked over, even Sarge looked grim. "There's no way we can kill all of them", he said, "We need reinforcements, maybe more than the UNSC can spare" "We have to try", said Lead, "It's our duty" "Our mission is to destroy the camp, not ourselves", said Burns, "We were never told to do it single-handedly" "Fine, call for reinforcements", said Lead, "We'll wait for them, and if they don't come, we'll hold them off as long as we can. Or die trying"

Mombassa Suite, Halo 2 Original Soundtrack Volume 2

LUNA

Team Alpha's ship, the UNSC Thermopylae touched down. They had tried to fight in orbit, but they weren't skilled enough to fight such a large force in space. Besides, the bases on the ground were already under attack, though likely not as bad as the forces on Earth. Edwin Davis looked at the nearest base. It was already under attack by Covenant forces, and they couldn't wait to get there, since more men might die before they reached it. And with their small amount of forces, they needed every man they could get. "Jerry", said Edwin, "fire the guns at the Covenant forces near the station! That aught to keep them confused until we can get there" "Lisa, Kymberli, get ready, you're in the Warthog with me. Roy, you and Marshall take the Mongoose. Jerry, you and Amy take another Mongoose. We're going loud people!" The guns fired in rapid succession, and once the ship landed, Team Alpha burst out on their vehicles. While they couldn't go quite as fast as normal due to the lower gravity, they still sped them into the battle quick enough. As they arrived, Edwin and Roy quickly looked over the situation. Several packs of Brutes, swarms of Drones, Jackals and Grunts, and a pair of Hunters. It wouldn't be easy. "Jerry, take your Mongoose to the right", said Edwin, "Roy, take yours to the left. We'll go down the center. Divide and conquer! And don't forget to run 'em over!"

Unyielding, Halo 2 Original Soundtrack Volume 2

LUNA

Inside one of Luna's orbital stations, a team of trainees held their own with some Marines and ODST's against packs of Brutes. Their leader, James Davis fired his Assault Rifle with skill and precision, and in conjunction with their sniper, Katelynn Wilson, and their demolitions men, Clayton Peters and Devyn Peters, they managed to drive them back. Then Nicholas Summers, Jake Donaghy and Samuel Tyler closed in on the Brutes, driving them into a corner, were a couple grenades killed all of them. "I think we did pretty good", said Nicholas "For once, I agree with you", said Clayton

Reclaimer, Halo 2 Original Soundtrack Volume 2

MARS

The Endless Justice landed on the surface of Mars, unloading the Squad of Unrelenting Reparation on it's fertile surface. They were an advance group of the Covenant Separatists, sent to try and save Mars, which couldn't be too hard now that most of the Covenant were at Earth and Luna. The ship touched down, and they exited the ship in their vehicles. "Wait", said their leader, Jemsal 'Emvadson All nodded agreement, but waited for their mentor. Jemsal led them, with his second-in-command and stealth expert Ketynic 'Ilwol by his side. Following them was Nibesa, who was, strangely, a very brave Grunt. There were two Hunter bond brothers, Cer Muso Coun and Den Muso Hico. But while these five were what you would expect from a Separatist squad, the rest were not. Two Jackals were with them, Jaig and Ank, along with a Drone, Luzzda. These had stayed with the Squad both out of respect of Jemsal, and loyalty to their two Brute leaders, Jarikus and Samorulan. Jarikus and Samorulan had seen the folly of their brothers, and had stayed with their friend Jemsal, who they admired. But while all of these held together due to a brotherly comradeship, they also stayed together because of their mentor: Ameigh Broley. Ameigh was old, having been around since before the Human-Covenant war, but she was wiser than she was old. She had been created by the Covenant using Forerunner technology, a mixture of Elite and Prophet she was. She would lead the team into battle at any time, and defeat any foe. Or so she thought. "Come", she said as she jumped into her Ghost. "We have a planet to save!" With that, she sped off, the others in tow in their vehicles.

--

15
'''LUNA (In Orbit)

The Prophet of Vigilances flagship erupted from slipspace, putting most of the fighting over Luna in shadow. The huge ship's guns whirred hurriedly firing upon the Brutes ships. The Prophet shouted orders from his gravity chair, his two Hunter gaurds at his side. "Aim at the Brutes, fire the rear guns to the side, side guns at the ships below!". The ship slowly worked it's way through the battle, taking down a few Brute Frigates, before they were boarded.

'''EARTH (ROTARUA, NEW ZEALAND)

Jeff Valea sat at his post in Rotarua, staring atthe sky as purple and orange explosions dotted the sky. He watched as a large shape, slowly got larger, before splitting into a large group of Covenant dropships. Jeff swore, before shouting at his troops to split up.

Qzech'Mere and his swarm, darted through the forests north of Jeff's position, as the dropships started landing around them. Brutes and grunts hopped off, and soon the small legion was assembled. A Brute chieftein barked orders, and the group slipt away into the forest.

Jeff turned to comm "This if D1 to all C's and D's requesting reinforcements, over" Just Another Grunt Converse 19:36, 28 November 2007 (UTC)

16
Lewis ordered the squad to halt. He saw the faint glow of a Covenant Beam Rifle. Lewis knew that it was carried by a Jackal, but he couldn't see the purple glow anymore. Lewis knew the chicken-like alien had already reported their presence. Now, it was just a matter of time before the fight began. "What is it Sergeant Major?" "I just saw one of their snipers" "What should we do sir?" "Wait here... and I'm not a sir. I work for a living." "Yes Sergeant Major... should I take third squad and scout?" "Go ahead, just don't get shot up. Keep your SQUADCOM lines open." "Yes Sergeant Major. Third Squad, lock and load, we are scouting for those bravo kilos!"

The squad moved out, and Lewis saw them drift into the jungle. He looked up and he saw the blue glow of a plasma mortar.

"PLATOON! GET DOWN!"

The plasma mortar hit, sending a heat wave over the Marines head. Lewis looked up from his prone posistion and saw a Bravo-Kilo in Gold Armor. But this one had a Plasma Cannon. His snipers, both of which were in fourth squad fired at the Chieftain. The armor failed, and the brute staggered back. A second later, the brutes' head had exploded and there was nothing left but the headress. Lewis turned and he saw a file of Grunts moving in for a better firing position.

"Get some fire on those little bastards!"

A few seconds later, the grunt file had fell, blue blood oozing from various places on their body. The next thing Lewis saw was a spiker round fly through the air and hit him firmly in his stomach. He screamed, and took out the M6D. He pointed it at the Brute Stalker, his active camouflage now failed. The explosive rounds impacted the beast's legs, sending it crumpling to the ground. Lewis looked up and saw a member of the platoon come and drag him to saftey. He vectored in Hornets on the forest, and they fired their guns. Screams of aliens in terror as their comrades were cut down permeated his senses. He checked his TACMAP, and he noticed that 3rd Squad was now off the screen. They were dead, ambushed by the enemy before they attacked the main group. Lewis looked up at the sky, and he felt his body being lifted onto the Hornet. -- AJ

17
Hitman Blood Money, Ave Maria

‘Jar Refos looked in the bridge of his Assault Carrier, soaked in the blood of his divine brethren and the heathen Brutes. A councilor had accompanied them on their last mission as Covenant soldiers. He was their holy guest and the elites on the ship had failed him. The councilor had been fighting on the bridge with ‘Jar Refos and they were slaying the massive brutes. Ten or so had laid face down black charred holes littering their brown furred bodies. Then a Chieftain had walked in holding his hammer high, leading on the rest of his pack. ‘Jar Refos and the councilor had killed the rest of the chieftain’s pack and only he, the chieftain was left, shields gone, hammer low. The chieftain had taken a great swing at ‘Jar Refose, which he nimbly dodged. Except the gravity field had caught him off guard and thrown he against the opposite wall. The brute had ran straight at the now defense less elite with his hammer held high. As he neared, sweat dripped off the ugly ape like face and towering over the elite on the ground raised his hammer.

Before he could bring it down, two blue glowing prongs stuck out of the brute’s chest, molten flesh evaporating on the blade. The councilor ripped the blade out of the side of the brute’s body and step back as the brute turned to face his murder. The chieftain brought his hammer up and took a final deathblow at the elite councilor. The councilor not expecting this tried to dodge the falling hammers, but to no avail. It connected with the elites head with a sickening crunch and continued down his spine, crushing his head into his stomach.

Out of sheer anger ‘Jar Refos jumped up and repeatedly stabbed the brute till the flesh was so cut and burned, even the brutes mother could not recognize the body.

‘Jar Refos came back to the present as the door opened and one of his Ultras walked in accompanied by his two elite bodyguards, ‘Fert and ‘Redonn two major domos both very skilled.

“Where are your Hunter guards?” asked the Ultra by the name of ‘Jutr.

“Killed by heathen brutes I guess,” said ‘Jar Refos, pulling a spike out of his leg.

“Fierce warriors those brutes are,” said ‘Jutr “Those spikes look dangerous,”

“They are how long till we get to the Sol System?” asked ‘Jar Refos looking over at one of the last elites still piloting the ship through slipspace.

“Not long sir, within the hour,” said the crewman as he touched the holopad.

“Good get me there as soon as possible,” said ‘Jar Refos as he turned back to the audio player and put on his favorite music from the home planet.

“Yes sir,” the elite replied.

“Please ‘Jutr come with me,” said ‘Jar Refos as he walked out.

“What is it sir?” asked the Ultra looking at his blood soaked brother.

“This war does anything make sense anymore?”

Kemgor looked across the desert of the planet ‘’Mars’’, its deserted atmosphere and the horrible lack of water. He loved the atmosphere, its dry air and of course the hanging smell of blood. He looked at the arm he was now devouring, picking up his sniper and throwing the bone away. He looked at the approaching separatists force and called his brethren. The brutes primed their weapons under the large crowd of jackal, grunt squealed and ran about picking up their weapons. Vehicles were loaded up with brutes and grunts and wraith mortar tanks began to aim their guns.

Kemgor signaled and hundreds of purple beams shot out across the barren wasteland. Several elites fell holes burned straight through their heads, some stumbled as the concentrated beams of energy impacted with their energy shielding. Another lance of beams shot killing most without shields and blowing up several grunts as there tanks set on fire. Then Kemgor gave the signal to fire at will as several beams were returned from the Separatists force, killing several jackal.

Kemgor grabbed the carbine off his back and slid down the hill followed by at least 300 other jackals as the giant ball of plasma crashed down on the hill killing several jackel. Kemgor shot at the army of Separatists hitting a couple of elites, but overall doing very little damage. Their own Wraith tanks fired back on the Separatists killing several elites. The hunters from both sides charged forward fuel rods held high charging. The two armies collided, sounds of rage and battle struck out, elites and brutes dueling, spiker and brute shot blades met with the undersides of Plasma rifles and carbines. Blue and red streaks crossed the sky, balls of blue light streaked over the two forces, the ground already heavy with the smell of burned flesh, methane and blood of both sides.

Ghost sweeps from the Loyalist’s side began wiping a good number of the Separatist side. Fuel Rod Shots defeated them and Hunters smashed down on the front of the small Covenant bikes. A massive banshee and phantom battle raged over head blue and green blasts flying everywhere. Blasts struck out blue and red as spike and plasma exploded causing many deaths on both sides. Jackals yelled from the back as elites burst their way through the many ranks of brutes to finally get to them. The jackals scrambled, but not Kemgor he was their leader, so he stayed firing his carbine till a huge elite sword drawn confronted him, running straight at him. Kemgor readied his arm shield and waited till the elite slashed. He activated the shield and the sword deactivated it, but stopped it from killing him.

Kemgor let loose a flurry from his carbine hitting 6 shots deactivating the elites shields, but that didn’t stop him. He grabbed the Kemgor’s neck and held him aloft in the air. The jackal tried to fire his carbine, but found that it was empty. He dropped it as the elite brought his sword up to strike. They jackal pulled the lone grenade on his belt, a spike grenade and used it as a club hitting the elite on the head. The elite surprised still swung his sword stabbing Kemgor right through the stomach. Then the greande exploded killing the elite. Both bodies fell to the ground dead as dead could be. The battle raged on though, the bodies of fallen soldiers trampled under feet, grunt corpses littered the ground, after seven hours of fighting the battle stopped. The Loyalist had called in air strikes, which had effectively wiped out most of the Separatists heavy vehicles. The only thing that kept them from falling back. After the heavy vehicles were destroyed the elites ordered a full retreat. The Loyalists were victorious, but sustained heavy losses.

-- Spartan-064 ,≈≈Ω≈≈<font color="#D3D3D3">De <font color="#A9A9A9">ma <font color="#808080">kh <font color="#000000">is http://www.wikia.com/skins/common/progress-wheel.gif <font color="#A9A9A9">Reporting  •  <font color="#A9A9A9">Contributions   20:26, 28 November 2007 (UTC)

18
LUNA

The Energy sword cleaved flesh with ease. The Brute Minor finally stumbled, and fell. The rest of the Brutes oozed blood and drifted inches above the ground. 'Rhcul and 'Zenor looked around. Both were breathing heavily, and 'Rhcul had a slash mark on his arm. A Kig'Yar walked up to him with an Overcharged Plasma Pistol. He kicked it in the head, then shot it in the throat. One of the Rhcul's Plasma Pistols had a depleted battery, so he cast it away. 'Zenor's Energy Sword was out of charge. She clipped the hilt to the outside of her right hip, and brought out the Carbine. At that moment, a small group of Unggoy attacked. 'Rhcul and 'Zenor opened fire.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

EARTH

The Longsword cruised above the wrekage of the Seraph. Senior Chief Petty Officer First Class CHRIS-087 swung the craft sideways, to avoid another wreck. The enormous orb of greens and blues that was earth loomed below him. Super MAC Rounds tore ships. Chris flew through the line. He already had his orders. He was to land in what New Cleveland in the Americas and stop the Covenant from destroying the city. Chris grinned. The prospect of battle was already causing him to grin beneath his helmet. He would enjoy making those bastards suffer. The Longsword now cruised through the atmosphere, avoiding more engagment until he landed. For one moment, a flicker of optemistic thought flitted through the Spartan's mind. He allowed himself to think that maybe, just maybe, everything would turn out okay.-Anno &#39;Rhculee(Recieve Commands from me)(My lance)

19
Penhalm Fields, 150 km East of York, Mars

James looked over the hill and saw a single Loyalist lance moving down the hill. “Fuck….” He said. He immediately activated his SPI armour and walked around the side. The Brute minor leading the lance stopped for a second to sniff the air. James threw the napalm grenade at the lance. The flames form the napalm connected with the methane tanks on the grunts and ignited them, sending the lance ablaze. The brute screamed as the flames took down it shields and it jumped out of the flames firing its spiker. James fired his MA5K in return and the rounds tore through the unshielded brute. As the brute fell down dead James reloaded the carbine and ran across the open field. As he began to near the objective indicated by the NAV marker, he began to hear the firing of the wraiths. He immediately ducked to the side behind a rack of weapons as a pair of brutes passed by. “I smell something.” Said the first one. “I smell it as well.” Replied the other. “A human.” A simultaneous hiss came. James, using instinct took a spike grenade from the rack and threw it at the first brute before sprinting to a safer area. He brutes screamed and fired their spikers in his general direction as he ran. A bang was heard as the brutes were torn to shreds and more covenant came running in. James, using the small distraction to his advantage ran to the wraith tanks and fired his rocket launcher. The 102mm HEAT rockets hit the weak, exposed back of the mortar tanks destroying them. He then sprinted towards the location of the marines as he told them over the comm. “Wraiths are destroyed, you are free to assault.” “Good job G023, creating a rendezvous point for you and your squad, patching through to your HUD now.” Said the ONI Lieutenant Commander monitoring his actions through the use of a Prowler in low orbit.

Lunar Surface

Havargus wiped the dark red human blood from the blades on his spiker. He was to continue to maintain full stealth if his mission was to be a success. He heard voices of marines coming from around the hall and pressed himself against the wall. “Woah, what happened here?” “Not sure, close off this section and prepare for some of those NavSpecWars to search for whatever was here.” “Got it sarge.” Havargus gave a sigh of relief. The humans hadn’t discovered him yet. He needed to find out one thing: what on this large rock floating in orbit held for the humans that was important enough for them to have a large enough security force that could stop an assault led by Kig-Yar rangers, Jet Pack Jiralhanae with equipment and training for Zero-Gee, and Yamne’e attacks? He would have to find out. Havargus ran through the human door before it slammed shut.

100 metres off the Pacific Coast, Earth

The cargo ship came to a halt as it began to go into shallow waters. “This is the farthest we can get the ship! You are going to have to walk the next little bit!” Yelled the ship’s captain. It was a good thing that they were on a costal shelf, but the water would slow their movement and there was no cover leaving the open to enemy fire until they got to the beach. “Sergeant! Order the frogmen to prepare the package while the rest of us go out on foot.” Ordered Lieutenant Lewis. The sergeant grunted as he ran down the deck. “Ok people! We gotta wade through this water before we can reach the beach! Move as fast as you can!” Ordered Lewis. The marines used the lines on the side of to get as far as they could until the water became too shallow. The 130 marines jumped out of the boats as an instinct and sprinted towards the beach. After fifty metres Lieutenant began to realize something was wrong. The covenant would have, ‘‘should‘‘ spotted them by now. Lieutenant Lewis saw what was wrong. Ahead, buried in the sand, were two shade shielded plasma turrets. They covenant had waited until they were close enough to take out the snipers. “Turrets ahead!” Yelled Lieutenant Lewis over the com. The turrets opened fire cutting down several marines. The M19 opened fire, but the SAM was very little use at hitting ground targets and missed. The marines opened fire, but the shields o the turrets absorbed most of the blast, before finally a marine using an add-on 15mm RPG destroyed one of them. Lieutenant Lewis sprinted towards the turret and opened fire, downing the gunner. The marines all rushed towards the sand banks and took cover as ball turrets that were on higher up positions began to open fire. “How many did we lose?” Asked Lewis. “Twenty sir.” Replied an NCO. “Ok then, I want you to take ten men and try to flank the enemy. Lieutenant Jackson will then take thirty men and try to flank them from another side. I will take the remainder and lead a frontal assault.” Ordered Lieutenant Lewis.

Lunar Surface

Maverick let loose the full clip from his MA5B Assault rifle into the oncoming grunts. The stocky alien cannon fodder fell down easily as he reloaded. A roar was heard as two brute minors and a brute captain charged down the hallway. Marines opened fire, but were smashed to the side. Maverick threw a grenade, which exploded and ignited a nearby methane tank killing the minors and eliminating the shields on the captain, but he was slammed into the wall. Maverick fumbled for his M6D Sidearm, but the captain slammed him a second time and his shields depleted to one-quarter. Maverick pulled up his M6D and delivered the full clip into the head of the oncoming brute, but the creature still had enough strength to smash him into a wall before it died. Alarms went off as Maverick felt blood trickle down the back of his head. Maverick pulled off his helmet and inserted biofoam into the cut. As it healed he picked up his MA5B. “Brigadier General, this is SPARTAN-060. Sector Z and its airlock have been secured, but I suggest sending marines down here ASAP. Moving to Sector F.” “Acknowledged SPARTAN-060. Get to that area fast.” Maverick ran down the hallway towards Sector F.

--<font color="#000000">Petty Officer First Class <font color="#000000">SPARTAN-G023 <font color="#006400"> Comm Channel<font color="#000000">Mission History 21:28, 28 November 2007 (UTC)

20
EARTH, in orbit, near Houston station

The UNSC Annihilator continued to fire at the Covenant ships, causing their shields to fail. But the Covenant fired back, causing heavy damage throughout the ship. "Status!", yelled Jim. "We have an engine down, some minor damage to the shield generators and major damage to the port side of decks 4 and 5", said Angela. "Get to work fixing it!", he returned "Yes sir"

EARTH, in orbit, near Houston station

Outside, the squadrons of fighters engaged the Covenant fighters. Longswords, Shortswords, Broadswords, and various other fighters engaged the Seraphs, intrigately doing the dance of death. Dragon Squadron weaved their dance with the best of them, and dived in to assist the lesser squadrons from time to time. They were especially impressed by a small group of fighters that, while they didn't ever say a word, or give their names, or their squadron's name, were of excellent skill.

EARTH, in orbit, near Houston station

The trainees of next Dragon Squadron fought valiantly, though they had to be assisted from time to time. They were helped repeatedly by a very skilled squadron that they held in awe and reverence. They were one of the best out there, skilled beyond what Dragon Squadron had hoped for. They just hoped they could survive the battle to get instructions from them.

EARTH, on the surface, in Austin, Texas, USA

Lead waited for fifteen minutes, then no more. He snuck over behind some wreckage on the edge of their camp and threw several frags and flash-bang grenades into the camp. While a dozen died some of the grenades, the rest were aware of his presence, and started looking. But as several Brutes neared Lead's position, Ratchet fired his sniper rifle, taking the Brutes down, and Burns fired several rockets into the camp, killing two dozen more. Then Sarge rushed in, and Lead got up, both attacking. With the Covenant fully aware, it was do or die. They intended to do till they died.

LUNA

Team Alpha rushed in as fast as their vehicles would allow. The Warthog plowed down the middle, with the two Mongooses taking out any Covenant that tried to flee. Covenant were splattered all over the place by the vehicles, while bullets and rockets flew as well, taking out their fair share also. But one of the Brutes had a Gravity Hammer and, whether compelled by fear or bravery it didn't matter, he swung at the two Mongoose as their paths crossed. Both of the Mongoose were thrown over, one erupting into flame, destroyed and useless. The second was thrown high and far, due to the low gravity. As for the actual riders, Amy and Jerry's Mongoose was destroyed, with Amy's shields being completely taken offline by the flames. Jerry landed with a hard thud, knocked unconscious by the impact. Amy tried to get up, but the Chieftain was already upon her. He raised his Gravity Hammer, held it there for what seemed like forever, and then brought it down. Amy tried to roll out of the way, and while she partially did, the hammer landed on her arm with a sickening thud. She screamed in pain and agony, but then Marshall and Roy got up and shot several rounds into the Brute, who fell down dead. Marshall grabbed Amy and pulled her out of the fight, setting her behind some rubble. From there, she injected the biofoam, and peppered her foes with both grenades and a spray of bullets. Edwin, Lisa and Kymberli's Warthog had not shared the fate of the Mongooses, for the Chieftain had concentrated solely on the Mongooses. They had continued to shoot, grenade, and run over the Covenant. When Jerry, Roy and Marshall reentered the battle, they were almost all dead. Within 15 minutes, the Covenant attacking the station were all lying dead, with help from the Marines in the station.

LUNA

"Warning, borders inbound. They're latching on the Pelican launch bays", came the announcement across the station. The Team Alpha trainees grabbed some ammo and moved through the hallway to the Pelican launch bays. There, they found the Covenant already out and attacking. The squadmates attacked with whatever weapon they had in their hands. "Clayton, Devyn!", yelled James, "Get to far side! I want rockets on those Boarding Craft and anything that crawls out of them!" The two ran to the far side and opened fire. The rockets reigned down on the Covenant, taking them down, though the explosions felled some marines also. "Watch those explosions!", yelled Katelynn, "We need everyone we can get" Katelynn opened fire with her BR 55, while James let lose sprays from his MA5C. Nicholas, Jake and Samuel fired their weapons on ground level, taking out more. The room was soon cleared, and they moved to the next one.

--

21
1430 Hours | December 24th, 2552 (MILITARY CALENDAR) Sol System | Earth | Berlin, Germany Chancellor Lucas Reinhardt's residence

"Incoming!!!"

I felt the ground shake and tremble. Marines to my left and to my right were being slaughtered and torn up. My Spartan training told me to move on and fight 'til the last man, fight until nothing was left. Though my instinct told me to get my men out of this hell hole...and fast.

"Can anyone hear me, over?" said the stressed infantry Major over the COMM system.

"This is Lieutenant Reyes, what is your situation Major? Over."

"Brute infantry is closing in on our positions. We need immediate air support, over"

"What's your current location, over" replied the Lieutenant

"Grid Kilo Niner Six Two...drop ordnance...on my position, over" the Major announced

"Yes sir, ETA to target, 3 minutes and counting, over"

"Godspeed Lieutenant, over and out"

As I fired some of my last rounds, my Marines looked for guidance and orders. They waited for less than a second for those orders. Above me, the ground shook, whines could be heard from the distance...lots of whines. But, there was no Plasma mortars in the air. We feared the worst...more Phantoms and Seraphs.

Then, five dozen Longswords, Shortswords and Raptors screamed over the field. All of them were armed with napalm and HE weapons. We popped smoke and IR sticks for easy identification for the zumies.

"Marines! Retreat, back to the outskirts...carry out all of our wounded and dead comrades" the Major ordered.

"Aye, Aye, sir" replied the thousands of Marines under his command.

22
EARTH

"Give us flank speed to Berlin. Drop our 2 of our 3 ODST groups and tell the other ships to do the same. And have some of the other ships pelicans drop some troops, Tanks and Warthogs as well. Tell the company commander that Berlin HQ is in charge. STRESS THAT TO THE ODST GROUPS!!!" the Vice-Admiral added. "Sir, all ships ready to fire MACs," the communications officer reported. "Tell the other ships to privide covering fire if nessisary. We are going to see if we can stop Berlin from falling."

A group of D77-HAA/I Pelicans, with Warthogs slug underneath them, flew down to the surface in a tight formation. As soon as the the Pelicans were 100 miles away from Berlin, the Pelicans performed a bomb-burst and headed for predeiganted linding spots. In side the lead Peliacan, it was rather peaceful, all things considered. "Any idea where we are going, Sarge?" a young marine asked. "Son, we are heading to a city that has existed for almost 1000 years and lived through Would War Two. We get to see the sights, and kill Alian freaks at the same time. Ahhh...the life." the Sarge answered. "Will there be old wine?" a marine piped in. "No, you moron. Its not Paris. Its Berlin. The fin..." The Sarge was interupted by the pilot. "Berlin in sight. Its crawling with Covenant. We'll provide covering fire while you get in that Warthog. Don't be afraid to call us in as an airsrike. We can do damage too.", idicating the big 110mm rotery cannons on the wings and chin. The Warthog was the type without the big minigun. "Lets go reinforce those Marines. Lets lock n' load." the Sarge commented with a grim grin. SPARTAN-118

23
//December 12th, 2552, 1700 Hours// //Sol System, Lunar Surface, // //Letronne Crater, Perimeter of Luna Garrison F/A/72//

It was happening. Hundreds of Covenant troops were advancing around the Southeast flank, and contact had just been lost with Node Echo, after a short clipped transmission had been broadcasted by it proclaiming that they were under attack and were being overrun. Echo had reported Covenant heavy armor, and troops attacking from both the East and West flanks. They were doomed. As soon as the word filtered through the chain of command, everyone began to brace for combat. Squads of EABTs moved silently to their rally points, trenches and battlements set up to defend against the oncoming onslaught.

A team of snipers and spotters was placed on the high hilltops, which was giving minutely reports to the control center. The news was not good. An estimated 5,000 covenant infantry were advancing, with dozens of wraith tanks, and even a trio of Scarabs. The humans knew this may very well be their last stand. A group of anti air wraiths lumbered along behind the main group, watching the skies for any fighters trying to break and leave.

Teams of EABTs lay over in the trenches, weapons leveled at the distance, where a cloud of lunar dust could be seen, the wake of the advancing force. The EABTs had lost a near 2,000 troops during the battles for the different distant outposts, and there were only around 3,000 troops left in the division. It was a grossly lopsided fight; the covenant outnumbered them greatly, and though the EABTs would have to give much better than they got to succeed. Jack climbed into his own trench, sitting down next to a weary looking man (Jack couldn’t see his face, but his body language was clear, even in the bulky VCMK5 Boarding Suit.

Sighting through his BR55-M45 Battle Rifle, practical on Luna because of the Satellite’s gravity, he saw the figures in the distance slowly take shape. The scarab walkers towered above everything else; probably a good ninety meters in the air, the monstrosities moved ponderously forward, large insect like legs swinging forward and back. For a moment, Jack had a flashback to his childhood; sitting around the holo broadcaster, watching a holovid remake of an old Earth based fantasy epic. All he really remembered was when the giant walkers trundled forward, and slaughtered the good guys. Jack hoped the same thing wouldn’t happen now.

The scarabs continued moving, but now Jack could see other things; Covenant infantry, grunts first, swarming towards the garrison. Wraith mortar tanks in the back, cannons already exposed. Jack held his rifle with a death-grip, and he fingered tightened around the trigger. All around him, he heard a symphony of clicks and clacks of rifle bolts being pulled back. The Mythos behind him readied, and its colossal main cannon became streaked with energy running up and down on the barrel. Jack dared a look to his side, and saw the weary EABT now standing ready, prepared to fight and die to protect what little hope remained for the human race. Jack quietly realized that he was to.

“OPEN FIRE!” came the order from command, and Jack presses down the stud of his BR55-M45, releasing a single grenade.

The Scarabs let loose a volley of searing green plasma, raking it across the defenders, incinerating dozens in moments. White wispy trails cut into the charging covenant hordes from the snipers on the hill, breaching their suits and killing them instantly. The mythos open fired, a single bright blue blast, which blinded Jack for a moment. Then the powerful beam of energy crashed into the number one Scarab, destroying it. Pieces of wreckage and Covenant troops rained from the sky.

The infantry charged, cursing in their own language. Jack and 3,000 other men and woman laid down a withering crossfire, cutting their enemy to blood ribbons. Wraiths surged forward, their main cannons spewing bright cyan spheres of heat, which arced into the human trenches, detonating and killing many. There was no cover for the Covenant troops; only open ground, which meant that Jack could pick and pop targets at his leisure. He opened holes in dozens of suits, switching to semi automatic to conserve ammo.

But the Covenant were not without weapons of their own. Superheated spikes and plasma bolts, and even some fire from Brute RPGs rained down on the EABTs. Beside Jack, a dozen spikes hit the weary EABT in the helmet, slicing into his head and sticking there. Blood froze and vented in the cold, and Jack tried not to notice. Hundreds died every second, and it was chaos. The Mythos fired again, it’s main blast smacking another Scarab, downing it, and raining down pieces of metal onto the Jackal marksman unlucky enough to be underfoot.

The remaining Scarab refocused its attack, and sent a searing stream straight into the Mythos’s cockpit. The crew inside were burned away instantaneously, and the vehicle was split in half. Jack watched as the Scarab vented fire on the human forces with not only its main gun, but also its side turrets, and even its top mounted anti-aircraft gun.

The Covenant infantry continued to surge forward and now where getting close to the trenches. Jack saw a Wraith blast come flaming towards him, and he ducked down into his trench. Heat boiled and burned the thin atmosphere around him, and plasma washed over the trench. He looked up to see a sparkling crater in front of his trench, but more importantly, the face of a Brute in vacuum armor. Jack dropped his BR55-M45 and let loose a full auto spray with his MA5C/VC Assault Rifle.

The recoil was less pronounced than with the BR, in fact, there was none at all. However, it could be clearly seen that mircothrusters in the gun’s frame were firing tiny bursts of thrust to alleviate any recoil. At any rate, in vacuum, the brute didn’t stand a chance; dozens of vacuum enhanced bullets cut into its armor, panged off of it, and then broke its seal; the alien toppled over, dead from decompression. More enemies poured into the trenches, slaughtering the humans in them. Brutes sprayed spiker shots over the marines, and dozens fell. A spiker shot clipped Jack side, but he kept firing, even as yellow colored foam sealed around the spiker, embedding it firmly in place. Jack gritted his teeth but didn’t let up.

Over, the comm, Jack could clearly hear the garrison’s cry for help.

“This is Luna Garrison F/A/72, we are under covenant attack! Please send immediate help; we’re being overrun!”

//December 12th, 2552, 1700 Hours// //Sol System, Terra, // // Australia, Sydney, Wildlife Reserve 012/T/7 “Outback” //

In the bright sunlight, three shadowy figures moved swiftly through the jungle. Their armor was half camouflaged; part liquid shadow, part assault armor. If one looked beneath of Photo-Reactive Panels, one would see scorch marks and pieces chipped off from constant combat. One of the SPARTAN-IIIs carried a MA5C Assault Rifle, and had a large rocket launcher over his back. Another carried two sniper rifles, one in hand, and another across her back. Yet another had a brute RPG slung over his back armor plates, and had two spike rifles strapped to his thighs.

Overhead, a pair of Banshee fliers streaked southward, engine pods screaming. The group of Spartans stopped, leveled their weapons for a moment, and then lowered them when they discovered the Banshees had not noticed them. Inside his helmet, SPARTAN-G145, or Scott, as he was known to most people who knew of him, chinned the environment filter, turning the air conditioning inside his armor up. The air inside his SPI armor cooled with a slight stuttering sound, and he sighed contentedly as he moved.

The MA5C in his hands was chipped and dented, and even a little scorched from the constant fighting, and he and his fellow members of Fireteam Romeo had their weapons similarly damaged. Romeo had been caught in-between missions when the Covenant struck Sydney, obliterating HIGHCOM Facility Bravo-6 in a matter of hours, essentially cutting off the head of the main UNSC leadership. Several high ranking UNSC officers and Admirals had been hit, leaving a large gap.

The Spartans of Romeo were now just trying to get away; they needed pickup, but the EMP blast from their little nuke had fried their radios and masers, and with banshees patrolling the skies, they couldn’t well signal visually. Across his back, Scott felt the weight of the M19-D AA Missile Launcher, their only effective weapon against a banshee. They only had a couple of rockets though, currently magnetically attached to Scott’s thigh. High above, distant explosions could be seen from the space battle, but Scott was currently focused on the tactical situation, not the strategic one. And he was focusing real hard.

Up ahead, seventeen klicks out, the bulk of a Covenant CCS battle cruiser could be seen clearly. This was the ship that had launched the assault on Sydney, and Scott knew an opportunity when he saw one. The ship was hovering five hundred meters off the ground, its gravity lift deployed, and it was acting like a sort of command post for the forces. Dozens of Wraith tanks, ghosts, and even a row of banshees stood in neat orderly rows, but more importantly, a line of Phantoms were hovering just in front of the cruiser. Scott knew that any evac he would get would not be allied; he and his team would have to fight their way out.

A single Scarab patrolled the covenant encampment, its huge legs throwing up explosions of dirt as it passed. This was the biggest worry Scott had; if they did manage to hijack one of the phantoms that Scarab could shoot them out of the sky before they could escape. They would have to take it out, which could spark a panic, especially if the Covenant found out that there were three Spartans operating within their ranks. The trick was not to get spotted, and still destroy that monster. But S-IIIs of Romeo were Spartans, and they had an oath to the UNSC. They would live up to the age old tradition of Spartans doing the impossible. Or die trying.

Spartan 501 03:43, 29 November 2007 (UTC)

24
LUNA

Help arrived. Not a large amount, and not the official help, but by the longest stretch, it was help. 'Rhcul and 'Zenor arrived, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. 'Rhcul now had a larger hole in his arm, but it did not halt the limb's function. He gripped a Mauler in one hand, and the Plasma Rifle in the other. 'Zenor, on the other hand gripped a recharged energy sword. Blood stained her legs. 'Rhcul looked around the battlefield, despratly searching for something that would help in taking down the Scarab. 'Zenor impaled a wayward Unggoy. One of the Human's 'Scorpion' Tanks, miraculously undamged, stood out in the chaos. Though far weaker then the massive Scarabs, 'Rhcul considered it better then nothing. He and 'Zenor ran, as best as the low gravity would allow, to the Scorpion, and 'Rhcul got in the driver's seat. 'Zenor snatched a discarded Rocket Launcher, and got on the front right side. "Bastard apes. Let the fires consume you." The rocket tore the air, albeit slower then it normally would have. But luckily, the Scarab was slower too. The rocket crashed into the Scarab's left rear 'leg, and a few bits of purple cowling scattered. "It's a start." Said 'Zenor.-Anno &#39;Rhculee(Recieve Commands from me)(My lance)

25
EARTH

0914 hours, December, 2552 (Military Calendar)\Sol System, slightly outside the city of Paris, planet Earth.

Matt's HUD blinked. All six were here and active. Good. Matt switched to MISSIONCOM and reviewed their objective one more time. The capital of France, Paris, had been sieged and finally taken over by Covenant forces. All possible counterattempts by the local UNSC Army units had failed miserably, and the UNSC had no time or resources to focus on the city. So they were sent. Team Wakisashi and Team Bokuto had been sent one hour ago to try to retake the city, or in the worst case, destroy it along with the Covenant forces. While the two teams would sneak in, the last remaining UNSC soldiers in the country would make an attack for distraction. Matt waved the others forward, ordering them to activate their Camoflage Cloaks. It almost looked like they vanished as the cloaks went active.

LUNA

0854 hours, December, 2552 (Military Calendar)\Sol System, in orbit above Luna.

Admiral Yakubu Agahowa checked the TACMAP once again. But the results were the same: The Helios Defense Group (nicknamed Battlegroup Devastator) under his command was easily outnumbered by the Covenant. He had ten ships at his disposal, one UNSC Carrier (UNSC Devastator), his Flagship, four UNSC Destroyers, four UNSC Frigates and one Prowler. The Covenant had almost four times that much.

He sat down in the commander's chair, and turned to his officers. "Lieutenant Roberts, charge our engines and prepare to let fly around Luna." "Sir?" he said, but later changed his mind, "Yes sir." "Lieutenant Fork, charge our MACs and unlock the safeties on the Archer Missiles. Tell our other ships to do the same." "Yes sir!" The ships turned to go around the moon. 18 Covenant ships, 10 Frigates and 8 Destroyers quickly followed. They heated up their lateral lines and prepared to fire. Yakubu acivated FLEETCOM and reached the Commander of his Prowler. "Commander, activate the mines!" "Yes, sir!" The mines exploded and immediately took down 7 Frigates and 6 Destroyers, with the other ships's shields going down, wide open. "All ships, turn around and fire the bastards to hell," Yakubu yelled through the COM. A total of fifteen MAC rounds and hundreds of missiles flew through the black space and impacted with the Covenant Ships. All of them went down. Yakubu smiled. Although this was only a very small fragment of the entire Covenant Fleet, every destroyed Covenant ship was a victory. The crews of all his ships yelled in happiness. Suddenly 2 Carriers and 14 Cruisers appeared on the screen. The Covenant had come with reinforcements. "Fuck," Yakubu whispered to himself.

LUNA

0941 hours, December, 2552 (Military Calendar)\Sol System, Luna Station Gamma, satellite Luna.

Jane squeezed the trigger of her Assault Rifle. The bullets penetrated the body of the raging Elite. It fell down to the ground, with blood oozing out from its stomach. She looked over the room. No more hostiles. Good. Suddenly the Covenant were all over the station. Jane couldn't figure out how they did. They had not taken any of the Airlocks or hangar bays, at least not yet. That meant they must had come through the old mines underneath the station. Jane were now going together with an Platoon of her ODSTs while the other kept on holding off the incoming invaders.

She ran down the stairs, with her men being slightly behind. She gave the halt signal, and they stopped. She saw through the glass floor that it was full of Covenant downstairs. That had to be the site of one of the entrances to the old mines. She readied her Assault Rifle and pointed it on the floor. "Come on guys, we're going to attack them from above. Be prepared to blast through the glass floor and follow me, is that understood?" The men gave her the yes-signal. They fired at the floor all at once and jumped down. The confused Covenant looked up as the Helljumpers landed on their heads. Grunts were crushed by the ODSTs landing on them, but the Elites just threw them away.

The Helljumpers opened fire at the Elites and took them down. After the last Elite were shot down, they headed towards a hole in the wall, which they quickly recognized as the entrance to the mines.

Jane reloaded her rifle and followed the men into the mines. She, along with the others, were stunned as they watched. The mine tunnels were huge, at least thirty meters broad and twenty meters high. But that was not that stunned them. It was the Covenant inside the tunnels. Three dozens of Hunters marched in front of the main force, which held at least two companies of Elites equipped with Jackal Arm Shields and six companies of Grunts. "They'we got to be kidding!!"

Chief Petty Officer SPARTAN-039T COM Link Mission Log 18:53, 29 November 2007 (UTC)

26
EARTH, in orbit, near Houston Station

Joe wheeled his Broadsword to the right, dodging blasts from the Seraphs on his tail. They continued to fire, and he continued to dodge. Several bolts blasted his right wing, barely missing an engine. "I got three Seraphs on my tail", he said, "I can't shake 'em!" "I'm on it!", replied Donald, pushing the thrusters to their limit. Joe continued to dodge left and right, then did a loop-di-loop in an attempt to get behind them. He managed to do it, and shot down one of the fighters. But the Seraphs were much more maneuverable, and they managed to get behind him again, now knowing what a loop-di-loop could cost them. They stayed on his tail, no matter how many moves he managed to do. "Blast it, Donald, where are you!!", Joe yelled over the COM "Pull up Joe!", Randall yelled back over the COM as he headed at Joe's Broadsword head-on. Joe pulled up as fast as he could as Randall fired on the Seraphs that were now right where Joe had been. The Seraphs burst into flames, but Joe's Broadsword was still in need of repairs. His engines were at half power and his shields were down to 33%. "Joe", said Michelle, "Get out of here, you're no good to us dead!" "No, I'll keep fighting!" "Pull out, now!" Joe quit arguing and turned his fighter around, returning to Houston Station to get his ship repaired. He hoped that the rest of Dragon Squadron would be okay.

EARTH, in orbit, near Houston Station

The trainees of Dragon Squadron attacked the fighters, saving several other squadrons from death. But no matter how many Seraphs they destroyed, it seemed like there was always more of them. "Dragons", came the admiral's voice over their private COM, "We have boarders. Turn around and blast any of their Boarding Crafts that come near into oblivion!" "Yes sir", was the reply each gave. They turned around and sped to Houston Station, seeing the Boarding Craft even from the distance they were at. Soon enough, they were a few miles away from the station and opening fire on the Boarding Craft.

EARTH, on the surface, in Austin, Texas, USA

Lead continued to fire, even though the blood flowed from his right shoulder and left calf and the pain the wounds caused was distracting. He finally ducked behind some rubble beside a building, crawling through a hole in the wall to safety. He quickly and sloppily bandaged his wounds, then sped back out, firing his MA5C into the masses of Covenant. Sarge dove from one piece of cover to another, trying to stay out of the Covenant fire. Then, as the Covenant closed in, he threw both a Frag Grenade and a Smoke Grenade into their mist and ran. Once the grenades went off, he ran back in, blasting with his Shotgun at the confused Covenant. As the smoke cleared, another dozen Grunts lay dead, four Jackals and a Brute lying with them. Ratchet had used all the ammo in his sniper rifle, and was running down the stairs to get out of the building when a Brute Chieftain with a Gravity Hammer came up the stairs. In the enclosed space, Ratchet knew it was stupid to try and fight the Brute, so he looked for his other options. He could run back up the stairs, but the Brute would likely capture him. So that left one last option. He looked out the window, broke it, and quickly attached a rappel to the ledge. Then he jumped. The Brute saw it, ran up and watched him go, then cut the string. With the string broke, Ratchet fell twenty feet and landed on his back. He lay there, unable to move from the wind being knock out, but hardly able to breath. And then, darkness came... Burns fired his last rocket and threw his last grenade, then jumped out from behind his cover.

MARS, on surface

The Squad of Unrelenting Reparation sped over the desert plains for who knows how long in their vehicles. Jarikus and Samorulan, each in their personal Brute Choppers, started to doubt that they would ever find the Loyalists. Then, Cer Muso Coun and Den Muso Hico, up ahead in their Sprite, let out a roar, the type that only a Hunter could do. As the rest caught up, Jarikus and Samorulan looked down to see a large Loyalist army fighting a small group of Humans. While the Humans had about a hundred ODSTs and Marines, along with a Scorpion tank and a half dozen Warthogs, the Loyalists far out-ranked them. They had a dozen Ghosts, several Wraiths and AA-Wraiths, 50 Grunts, 20 Jackals and 5 Brutes. As Jemsal looked, he came over to Jarikus and Samorulan. "Now", he said, "I need your word. Do you fight for me? Or will you join your brethren?" The two Brutes stared at the Loyalists for a minute, then growled and shook there heads. "We will stand by you till the end!", they roared in unison. Jemsal grinned, then mounted his Spectre with Ketynic, Jaig and Ank. Jarikus and Samorulan mounted their Choppers, while the Hunters climbed back on their Sprite. Ameigh returned to her Ghost, while Nibesa and Luzzda returned to their Dual Ghost. "We fight!", yelled Ameigh, leading the charge into battle.

--

27
Brachshaw's Gravity Hammer made contact with a Human skull. Through the handle, the Brute could almost feel the bones shatter and break into pieces. He pulled his Hammer away and hefted it in triumph. The Human fell to the ground, Brachshaw observed the battle. A few other Covenant ships had joined the fight and sent troops to the ground, as did the Humans.

A full battle raged, Choppers and Prowlers clashed with Human Warthogs and Tanks, while Seraphs, Banshee's, and other craft battled Human Hornets and Longswords. Brachshaw signaled to his troops, pointed at the Human base, and roared. The soldiers and their vehicles pressed on with renewed ferocity, pushing the Humans back. But a group of Human fighters, not the common Longsword, appeared over the battle, they swooped, before Brachshaw could order a retreat, they launched their payload.

Bombs and missiles fell to the ground, impacting on the Covenant army, Jackals, Grunts, and Brutes screamed as explosions ripped them apart. Brachshaw roared in anger, his army, and that of the other ships' chieftains, was crippled. He hit his radio, hailing his ship, "Chieftain! Does your battle fare well?" "Call the handlers, tell them to unleash the Drinol onto the ground." Brachshaw growled.

The Pelicans, along with a few Hornets for protection, swooped down above the skies above Chicago. The city was in rubble, but some spots, which had evidently been held by UNSC soldiers, remained intact. "Banshee's detected, hang on," the pilot of Zeta Squad's Pelican advised, causing Kain to grab a hold on the wall. "Wait a minute! I've got AA Wraiths too! You really better hold on!"

Kain glanced out the window, the Pelicans were indeed taking fire. He saw one take 3 Fuel Rod Cannons and a whole volley of AA Wraith shots. It exploded in flame and fell to the ground. "LZ ahead, you'll be meeting the original defenders of the city." The co-pilot called to them. The Pelicans touched down, and the Marines and ODSTs dispersed.

-- The State(Our Decrees and Law)(The State Alchemists we've enlisted) 23:20, 29 November 2007 (UTC)

28
//December 12, 2552, 1800 Hours// //Sol System, Terra// //Australia, Sydney, Wildlife Reserve 012/T/7 “Outback” //

They were 2 klicks out when they stopped to rest. They checked ammo, checked weapons, pooled their firepower, and create a plan. They had the M19-D AA, half a dozen frag grenades, half as many spikes and plasmas. Scott carried his MA5C, Maya her M99 Special Application Scoped Rifle and a Sniper Rifle System 99D-S2 Antimatériel weapon, and Jason had a Brute shot and a pair of Spikers. In addition, they had four rockets for the M19-D, not including the one currently in the barrel, and a trio of Type 14 Magnetic/Anti-Tank Mines, fastened together with magnetic connectors to make a highly portable bomb. With materials all assembled, they began to formulate a plan.

//December 12, 2552, 1730 Hours// //Sol System, Lunar Surface, // //Letronne Crater, Perimeter of Luna Garrison F/A/72//

“FALL BACK! FALL BACK!”

The scene was chaos. Bodies littered the trenches, pockmarked with spikes and bullet holes. Vicious close combat had begun, with EABTs trying to hold back a slaughter of Brutes. The EABTs were falling fast, and their disorganization now that the enemy had breached their lines was taking their own lives. Jack let loose a full auto burst from his MA5C/VC, cutting through a dozen grunts vac suits like tissue paper. The small little bastards stopped moving and started choking, eyes bulging out. They died moments later.

The call to retreat was barely heard over the din of combat chatter that was flashing through the comm. Hundreds of shouts filled it every moment, but everyone still heard the order. The EABTs moved back, towards the entrance of the garrison, hoping to lead the enemy away from the Pilot Instruction Academy, where thousands of new pilots were bottled up in training. Superheated spikes flew over the retreating EABTs shoulders, slamming into the walls of the complex. Jack fled with them, cursing all the way. Beside him, a young EABT took half a dozen spikes to the gut, and flopped over on the ground, gurgling like a fish out of water.

The EABTs kept running, moving to the tunnels, where they could lure the enemy into chokepoints. The brutes followed, yelling at the top of their lungs, and sending it into the human comm channel. Jack turned, acting on instinct, and switched to his BR55-M45 and leveled it at the Brutes. What he was doing might slow the apes down long enough for his fellows to set up a decent trap. Jack pressed the grenade stud, and a single grenade launched into the enemies midst, cutting through them. More poured through, and Jack continued firing. He was inside the base, which held an atmosphere, and his aim was better than ever.

One, two, three brutes went down, and then something hot and sharp pierced his leg. He toppled over and saw a ragged spike sticking out. He screamed in pain as the spike hardened inside his leg, and then once the pain of his shattered bone reached his brain. A single brute stepped forward from the shadows, its active camouflage disengaging. Smoke curled up from the barrel of its spiker, and it roared victoriously and stepped toward Jack. Jack knew what he had to do. He raised his BR55-M45 to the aliens head, and open fired. Bullets pinged off the alien’s helmet, then its helmet dropped, and a trio of shots cut into its skull. Jack slowly got up, and looked out across the lunar plane.

The single Scarab was damaged (from what Jack didn’t know, perhaps some lucky EABT or even maybe some reinforcement). It was limping, and it was low enough that a service ladder was easily reachable. Jack quickly checked his suit; the foam had solidified, and even though his wounds were severe, he knew that he had the strength in him for one last fight. Picking up both of his weapons, he moved quickly out into the open, dropped into a trench, and then came out sprinting. His leg exploded in agony, but Jack pushed past the pain and kept running.

The scarab was close now, but his vision was growing hazy around the edges. Pushing back the black, he jumped, and in the light lunar gravity, flew up and touched the base of the ladder. He grabbed on, and quickly ascended it. A startled Jackal in a vac suit stared at him for a moment, giving Jack enough time to draw his Battle Rifle. The alien screeched and moved to activate its shield, but Jack fired and snapped its vulture like head back in a shower of dark blood. Jack felt a sharp explosion of pain from his back, but didn’t bother to see where it was from. He bounded down into the control room of the Scarab, and pressed a few buttons, sending the Scarab off course; straight atop the AA Wraiths. Then, knowing he was rapidly running out of time, Jack ran back up the steps and moved to the back of the Scarab. He thought about how crazy this was for a moment, before he felt something hot and sharp pierce his back. Several things. He peered back, where a growling brute stood, and then looked in front of himself. A few feet away, the core of the Scarab stood pulsating.

Exhausted beyond measure, Jack pulled out a single frag grenade, and pushed the ignition button. Jack quietly reflected on what he’d done and how many lives he might be saving in the moment before the grenade detonated. He closed his eyes, and for a moment wished he could be back on the farm where he had grown up, though it was cinders by now. He briefly recalled friends and family long gone, and wished he’d said good-bye to all those still alive. Then, with a puff of light, the grenade exploded, sending shrapnel flying into the core, and the blast knocked the brute overboard. The Scarab’s core flashed a brilliant red, signaling quick detonation. Then, with a blast of blue plasma and a rain of jagged metal, the Scarab exploded, crushing the AA Wraiths trapped underneath.

//December 12, 2552, 1845 Hours// //Sol System, Terra// //Australia, Sydney, Wildlife Reserve 012/T/7 “Outback” //

Scott rolled behind a pair of Covenant Resupply crates, cursing silently. A single grunt moved forward sniffing the air, perplexed by the sudden movement. But Scott’s SPI armor masked most odors, and the grunt decided it must have been the wind, and went back to inspecting the plasma batteries clustered around a Wraith tank, recharging it’s reactor. He was feet away from the Phantom, and he could clearly see the pilot, a Brute, standing in the back opening, which was opened to the air. The phantom’s sides were folded up, obscuring the two side plasma cannons, but the gravity lift hummed, though the ship was firmly on the ground with a pair of landing skids. Scott peered out from his makeshift hiding place, towards the bulk of the covenant cruiser. The gravity lift was still extended, and a group of grunts was currently going up it, ascending from the small circular pad underneath.

A dozen grunts moved through the permeable walls of a methane tent, small battlefield prefab shelters set up so that grunts could enjoy small reprieves without their masks. What none of them noticed however, was the single charge that had been placed barely a meter away from the entrance; indeed, no one noticed that every tent in this place had a charge. Scott pondered briefly as they moved into the tent and removed their masks how crazy this scheme of their’s was; problem was, they were stuck, on a continent with all major cites destroyed, and where they were possibly the only UNSC soldiers in the area.

A crackle of static startled Scott, but outwardly, he showed no signs of it. Over the small unit embedded in his helmet, he heard Jason checking in.

“G013 in position, ready for maneuver. Over.”

Scott clipped his own comm, and sent a clipped reply.

“Affirmative G013, permission to begin operation granted.”

Scott looked out from between the boxes, and looked at the Scarab. He increased magnification to a higher level, and then activated his IFF tracker. Immediately, a single signal showed up, G013, Jason’s Spartan designator. Scott could barely see his blurred outline, and he doubted the crew of covenant would notice him. Jason rappelled down from the monstrous anti-aircraft cannon to the core platform of the Scarab. He dropped down onto the deck, and raised a single combat knife. A single Brute was looking the opposite way, and easy target. Jason whipped his blade through the joints of the armor, sending it deep into the apelike aliens flesh. Blood spurted out, and Scott knew instantly that Jason had slashed the beast’s jugular vein.

Jason dropped the trio of Type 14 Magnetic/Anti-Tank Mines at the base of the core, and Scott increased the magnification once again. Blurry, he saw the timer ticking down. Scott cut the magnification and turned to his target. The brute’s comm pad had vibrated at its waist, and the beast dropped its large beverage and looked up, fumbling with the pad with its huge paws. Scott struck with lighting speed; he darted out from behind the barrels, him armor stuttering as it tried to mimic its surroundings on the fly. The Brute roared as it saw the half shadow SPARTAN-III charging, and unslung its spike rifle.

A glowing spike flashed past him, and Scott rolled to the side, decimating the Brutes aim. The foolish creature, not trained for normal combat, but rather flying dropships, tried to concentrate its fire, but Scott was too quick. He darted forward, and brought the butt of his MA5C up to its head. The alien’s skull cracked with a echoing sound, and the Brute toppled over. Scott stopped and fired a burst of his MA5C into the things face to make sure it was dead, and then he moved forward, into the cockpit of the Phantom.

Glowing holographic controls assaulted him, but Scott had had enough training with enemy equipment that he figured them out easily. Some buttons just seemed right to him, and left him with a strange feeling of something just out of reach, like a dream that one struggled to remember from the night before. Pushing aside the feeling, Scott sat himself into the cockpit, and activated the vehicle. It rose up five meters from the ground, humming with its anti-gravity drive. The landing gear folded up into the airframe, and the vessel’s main gun turret unfolded from below the cockpit. Scott wished it was one of the earlier models seen, which sported three turrets on the underside instead of one. But apparently, the Covenant liked this new design a lot better, with the two side guns to support advancing infantry.

Scott moved his hands over the holographic controls, and the phantom rose again. Suddenly, a deafening boom and a bright flash of light that nearly blinded him despite his polarized visor shook the dropship, and Scott moved forward. Scott clearly saw Jason sprinting across an open field filled with surprised and terrified grunts, towards the line of dropships, his SPI panels a bright harsh plasma blue; an imprint of the blast that was just now fading. Jason saw the single dropship rising towards him and altered his trajectory, straight for the ship.

A single gold plated brute charged out from a Covenant HQ, and barked at the grunts to open fire on the fleeing Spartan. The grunts finally seemed to get themselves together, and raised their weapons to mow down Jason—only to have one of their own explode in pieces of grey flesh and bright blue blood. A kilometer away, Maya open fired with her M99, sending grunts running for cover as the high-speed projectiles cut through their masses. Scott eased the dropship down in front of Jason, and Jason leapt five meters through the air and landed in the ships open back bay doors. Scott’s hands swam over the holographic controls, sending the ship high into the air.

“G145 to G257, your ride is here.” Said Scott into the comm, his voice thick with tension.

A dozen brutes had disembarked from prowlers and were engaging her. At close range, none of her weapons were any good. She was pinned down behind a large boulder, and dozens of spikes had hardened on the other side.

“Take over.” He said to Jason, who now stood in the cockpit. Scott got out of the chair and hurried aft.

Scott strapped himself into the side turret that would be facing Maya, and activated the plasma cannon.

“Pop the port hatch.” He said flatly through the comm, and the air tore at the bay from yet another side.

Scott let loose a hail of plasma, burning away at the brutes, mowing down five in seconds. Maya turned to the dropship, and Jason open fired with the dropships main cannon, sending the brutes dashing for cover. Scott rolled away from the turret and moved to the back hatch, and extended his hand to Maya. She grabbed it and leapt aboard, but a stray spike struck Scott in the side. Scott screamed but didn’t let go and forced back the pain. Scott and Maya tumbled away from the main hatch, into the heart of the dropship.

“Fasten you seatbelt, its gonna get rough.” Said Jason from the cockpit, and the bay door hissed close. Scott felt the ship rapidly ascend through the sky, gaining as much altitude as it dared. Scott activated grabbed a hand rail on the side of the bay and held his MA5C with one hand.

“All secure.” He replied, gritting his teeth against the pain of the spike.

“Copy that.” Said Jason, and Scott felt thrust tug at his SPI armor. He grabbed the spike and tugged it loose, then searched his armor for a can of biofoam, put the nozzle to the wound, and let the self sealing spray seal his innards. It felt like hundreds of wasps stinging his insides, but it was nothing compared to the pain of the spike coming out. He let himself fill with momentary pride over their victory. They’d done it.

Spartan 501 14:40, 30 November 2007 (UTC)

29
//December 13, 2552, 0616 Hours// //Sol System, Terra// //England, London, Charing Cross Underground Station//

The tunnel rumbled twice and then fell silent. The silence felt like the were waiting for death itself to approach. There was not left of the once great city of London, the Covenant had seen to that. The great landmarks and history wiped away in a matter of minutes.

"What's taking them so f****** long?" someone asked

"Shut it!" Smith whispered

Captain Andy Smith was the only officer left of the Nineth Rifle Division. Once a IT technician Andy felt it was his duty to fight the Covenant. His trim brown hair was now wild and bushy. He was covered in scars from his engagements with the Covenant, in particular the Brutes. The Brutes where a smart and dangerous foe. Andy had lost many a friend to there ferocity. A loud and soul shattering roar came from the tunnel. Andy raised his battered MA5C Assault Rifle and pointed it down the tunnel.

"They are coming."

1st Lieutenant Aiden Smith 15:57, 30 November 2007 (UTC)

30
LUNA

As 'Rhcul pulled the Scorpion around, he looked at the wreckage of the Scarab. He would congragulate whoever destroyed it, if they got out of this battle alive. He heard 'Zenor's voice from the side of the Tank. "Looks like we have two Banshees incoming, Anno." 'Rhcul said nothing, and swung the Scorpion's massive cannon up to aim at the lunar sky. Sure enough, the characteristic shapes of the Banshee Fliers came into view. 'Rhcul fired the cannon, but the Banshees nimbly dodged. One launched it's Fuel Rod cannon. The shell impacted inches away from 'Zenor's hooves. Her shields flared and went out, and she yelped in suprise. 'Rhcul yelled "Vera! Vera! Are you alright?" 'Zenor shook her head from a moment and blinked. "Yeah, I'm... I'm fine, it just took my shields." Rhcul replied "Get off the tank and take cover." 'Zenor said, simply, "No." She swung the rocket launcher up and fired of one of the Banshees. The rocket struck, and tore the purple flier to smouldering shreds. The Second Banshee fired it's fuel rod. 'Zenor screamed. "Vera!" 'Rhcul yelled. The Scorpion's integrity was failing. 'Rhcul lept out of the cockpit just as the Banshee dropped another fuel rod, destroying the Tank. He stumbled a few feet, his hooves scuffing up lunar dust, but he regained his footing and looked despratly around. He noticed a prone, purple-armoured form. As 'Rhcul ran for it, the shape got closer and more feminine until he was standing over it. There, laying in a pool of purple blood, was 'Zenor. 'Rhcul crouched low, and noticed she was breathing weakly. 'Rhcul picked her up and supported her on his shoulders. 'Zenor coughed, and purple blood dripped through her mandibles. Then 'Rhcul looked up and saw the Banshee whirl around. It prepared to fire.-Anno &#39;Rhculee(Recieve Commands from me)(My lance)

31
ABOVE LUNA

Several Grunts and Brutes entered the hangar on the Prophets ship, as Elites and Grunts from across the room fired wildly at them, a small pile of bodies starting to build up underneath the Loyalist dropships. For 18 minutes this continued, before the Loyalist numbers started to ware down the Prophets defences, the Brute shots taking down clumps of soldiers a shot.

"Sir, We lost Hangar 5", a Grunt shouted to the Prophet behind him, who shook his head, before slowly driving his gravity chair back towards his Hunter gaurds.

There was a slight crackling sound as the Elite activated his energy sword. A Brute opened the door to the corridor that he occupied, and got the Elites weapon lodged in his head. The Elite dragged the body in, and closed the door again.

Several Grunts sat in another corridor, their Plasma pistols aimed at the door, in preparation for the attack. The door opened, and plasma seared the walls around them, several of the Grunts droping dead. The ones still alive witnessed the ones who opened the door, also Grunts, collapse, in a bloodied heap, the grunts whimpered, until a shadow fell over them, from the Brute figure in the doorway. A Brute Shot killed the lot of the Grunts, leaving their corpses mangled, and in bits, strewn across the corridor.

The Elite heard the explosion, as more soldiers came through his door, then also the door behind him. The Elite screamed as he charged through the Brutes, flailing wildly with his energy sword, as panic spread through his thoughts. He felt searing hot pain, as Plasma burnt through his now shieldless armour. The Elite Collapsed, and the Loyalists proceeded.

The Prophet watched, as the Loyalist forces opened one of the doors to his control room, several Grunts ran in, and a Green burst from the Prophets Hunter Bodygaurd, Imogo, sent them all flying. In Tandem the two Hunters fought their way into the Loyalist forces, Brutes were tossed aside, Grunts no longer bothered trying to attack them, as the Hunters pushed them back towards the corridors.

Vigilance smiled as one of his gaurds crushed a Brute in half with his shield, then the Prophet was thrown across the room, the Loyalists had put a bomb on the Prophets ship and his smile quickly faded, " Everyone to the escape pods!" The Prophet yelled, as the Grunts and Elites around him ran off, his Hunter Gaurds came back, and helped him, quickly, to his own personal pod.

They shot out of the ship, as the explosions became more noticable, finally the ship started to fall, drwan by the moons gravity, towards the satelite.

Just Another Grunt Converse 20:10, 30 November 2007 (UTC)

32
//December 13, 2552, 0619 Hours// //Sol System, Terra// //England, London, Charing Cross Underground Station//

The Brute roared as the rounds seemed to almost bounce of their armour. All around him Andy's men where fighting with all there might to keep their city. Screams of men being struck down. Green splashes of plasma hitting all around them. Andy squeezed the trigger and with great response his MA5C cut down a Brute Minor but that just made the others angrier. A Brute Captain emerged with a Brute Shot and aimed it at a group of Marines.

"Look out!!!!" Andy screamed but it was to late

The Brute Shot blew the helpless Marines to pieces. Andy let out a cry of anger that rivaled a Brute itself. He faced the Brute Captain and both exchanged glances across the battlefield. Andy slung his MA5C across his back and pulled out two M7's and opened fire. The bullets hit their target but that just made it mad. The Captain went berserk and charged for the surviving Marines.

Now the battle would get interresting.

1st Lieutenant Aiden Smith 22:06, 30 November 2007 (UTC)

33
LUNA

On his HUD radar, Colonel Grevdaeht could see the thousands of red blips that showed hostiles. "I had no idea that they'd gotten so god damned many troops on Luna..." Nicholai muttered, gripping his G-IV harder. "Let's get this over with quickly. The quicker we get back to the base, the better" immediately after saying so, Spencer activated his SPI's cloaking. It was about 5 minutes into battle, and the Covenant had already gotten a f*cking scarab dropped off. Spencer tried to remain concealed, using his 1337 sniper rifle to dispatch hostiles, but it was getting continually harder with the fuel rod beams and stomping legs of the gigantic spider-like machine. "Colonel. What about the scarab?" he finally asked over the COM; he was nervous before. The old russian could be extremely heartless at times. "I'll take care of it. You just keep sniping; there are plenty more targets to kill" his strong russian accent was prominent.

Spencer watched as the Colonel ran to the scarab, grabbing three blue objects from his waist-belt. The man activated them at once, applying pressure, and quickly threw them on the scarab's leg. They were plasma grenades; a few seconds later, the three simulataneous explosions wore down the Covenant alloy, and Colonel Grevdaeht needed no more than to shoot it a few times, and kick it with his heavily armored boot.

The massive machine stumbled, its massive leg falling on the gray dusty sand of the moon, sending clouds of the sand into the 'air'. It continued to attempt to walk, however, the Colonel had already begun to repeat his actions on another leg. The other fell off as well, and the hulking metal beast fell to its knees. "SPARTAN. Do your job. Snipe" it was the Colonel. He was obviously speaking about the Brutes within the scarab. "Goodbye" Spencer muttered it silently, and the 7 consecutive shots marked the end of the Brutes within. For the scarab's main generator, Nicholai had a couple of frag grenades handy. The large explosion of crimson and cyan marked the end of the war-machine.

"Move forward! Save ammo if you can. We have a long way to go" Colonel again... it seemed like he was the only one ever to use the COM. But, duty called, and Spencer got back to his shooting.

--"Seek the truth and, perhaps, you will find it"  Monitor  of Installation-07 CommunicationsContributions

34
LUNA

Pulling 'Zenor with him, 'Rhcul dove out of the fuel rod's way. The Banshee soared overhead and turned to make another pass. 'Rhcul looked around, and noticed the Rocket Launcher that 'Zenor must have dropped when she was blasted off the Scorpion. One-handed, he hefted the launcher over his shoulder, and fired. Caught off-guard, the Banshee was no match for the destructive power of the rocket. In an explosion of red and blue, the flier was destroyed. The wreck fell, slowly, to the lunar surface. No exclamation of joy left 'Rhcul's mandibled maw. He simply dragged 'Zenor's limp form to the nearest piece of cover. 'Rhcul lay her down lightly, and she coughed more purple ichor. But slowly, her eyes flickered open. "Those damn... bastard... Jiralhanae." Said 'Zenor. she shook her head and tried to get up. "No." Said 'Rhcul. "Vera, you are badly injured. I cannot allow you to get up. We need to get you to whatever these humans use as a medical ward."

---

EARTH(above Berlin)

Chris looked down. He'd cut over Berlin to get to the continent of America. Suddenly, his Longsword lurched. The fighter shook again, and began to spiral downwards. "What the hell?!" Chris yelled. He took a look at the screens and dials on the Longsword's controls. It displayed multiple attackers coming from behind. Chris looked out of the Longsword's window to the rapidly closing earth below. The Seraphs behind continued to pelt his fighter. Just as the fighter was about to crash into the ground, he pulled it up into a glide a few feet above the earth. Confident that the ship would keep itself airborne for a short time, he ran from the controls and opened the door below. The ground rushed past. Chris jumped, and in one fluid motion, grabbed onto a tree limb and dropped the rest of the way down. A cool, female voice in his head said "Well, that was overly daring, wasn't it?" Chris ignored this, then swung his MA5K off his back. -Anno &#39;Rhculee(Recieve Commands from me)(My lance)

35
EARTH

0958 hours, December 2552 (Military Calendar)\Sol System, Earth, Warehouse section of Paris.

Matt watched over the room. No hostiles. He gave the all clear signal, and the two teams continued to their target. Since no human survivors could be found (which none actually expected), the group had been ordered to destroy the city and take the Covenant Loyalist forces with it. To accomplish that, Matt had been given a Fury TAC Nuke, which would be placed at a specific point in the city for maximum effect.

The group had only encountered light resistance, which was easily dealt with. However, if they hadn't used their stealth capabilities, they knew they would have Brutes on them by now. So they continued moving slow and silent.

Matt halted to look down on the surface from the warehouse roof they were on. A pack of Brutes prepared Wraith Mortar Tanks and Choppers. They even had six Banshees down there. Could be good to use as an escape craft, Matt thought. He waved the team forward.

After five minutes of walking, they arrived at the spot. It was between two warehouses, and the Brutes would find it difficult to find it. "All right, drop the nuke and set the timer, we're outta' here!"

EARTH

Taurus held his traditional speech to his pack. The victory was theirs, and now the army would soon move ahead to capture the rest of this continent. Suddenly, a Brute Minor ran towards Taurus, yelling: "Chieftain, we've found several dead scout patrols. They seem to have been killed by humans!" "Roaar! Find the humans, KILL THEM!" Then another Brute Minor arrived, yelling: "Chieftain, we've found the pack stationed to protect our vehicles dead, and all the Banshees are gone!" Taurus roared even louder, his face burning red of anger. Then a third Brute Minor arrived, saying: "Chieftain, our Anti-Air Gun in the area has been destroyed by a half dozen Banshees!" Now Taurus went into an uncontrollable rage, crushing the skulls of three Jackals. He then jumped into the closest Phantom, ordering it to take off. It flew into the air, searching for the Banshees.

Then, the Nuke's explosion quickly consumed the entire city, destroying Taurus's entire army.

LUNA

0941 hours, December 2552 (Military Calendar)\Sol System, Luna, Mine tunnel underneath Luna Station Gamma.

Jane just couldn't beleive it. So many Covenant troops in this tunnel! What do they want? Jane couldn't figure out why this station would be so important for the Covenant. Suddenly, a white Elite walked in front of the army. It seemed as if it prepared to speak. Jane turned to her soldiers, telling them to not shoot. "Greetings, humans, I am Special Operations Commander Anfa 'Dela, and I have a proposition!" The voice from the female Elite echoed in the tunnel. Jane had never heard of female Elites in the military, although it didn't matter now. "Please continue," Jane said, "But I'm keeping my eyes on you." "Thanks human. Now, I suggest that we form an alliance against the Brutes!" Jane was shocked. None in the Covenant had ever said those words to a human. She decided that she wanted to hear more. "We both have the same enemy," the Elite continued, "And our different peoples have suffered long enough from this worthless war. I say, the time is that we unite against the Loyalists!" "So, is this your own suggestion," Jane answered, "or have you been sent?" "This is my own decision, but this army stands behind me too, so I'm not a weak ally if that's what you think." Jane paused. Could she really trust this split-chin? How long had the Covenant glassed the UNSC's colonies, and how long had they killed humanity where they could find it? But something in that Elite's voice made Jane trust her. She also remembered what Captain José Gonzalez had taught her: Always finish the missions in the way that results in the lowest possible casualties. Jane looked back at the Elite. "All right, we'll work together, but if you harm my men in any way, We'll rip your f*****g liver out!" "Same her human!" The commanders shook their hands, to their subordinates surprise.

LUNA (IN ORBIT)

1001 hours, December, 2552 (Military Calendar)\Sol System, In orbit around Luna.

How would he be able to take out these new Covenant ships? Yakubu sat down and thinked, trying to figure out a way to win this. But suddenly, the Covenant ships dearmed their Plasma Torpedoes. Was the Covenant giving up? "Sir, we have Lieutenant Parkinson on the COM," Lieutenant Adrianus said to the Admiral. "Pass her through." The Lieutenant appeared on screen. "Admiral, I've got something to tell you. We have allied with a Special Operations Commander here, and she has convinced the ship masters in orbit to join us." "I noticed that last part, but are you sure?" "Yes, the Separatist Taskforce will now help you defend Luna's orbit, because of reports of a Loyalist Taskforce on its way here!" "All right, tell them to prepare for everything, meanwhile, get your Helljumpers ready, you will be reassigned to a new station!" "Roger!"

Chief Petty Officer SPARTAN-039T COM Link Mission Log 23:35, 1 December 2007 (UTC)

36
EARTH

Staff Sergeant Pierce Hae-jin Hayase stood silently with four other ODSTs inside the ruins of a building. The building had been fortunate, still holding three of its four supporting walls, a fire burned in the corner warming their backs through their suits. He looked at them all with the slightest movements of his eyes, he only recognized one, Jaeger. Jaeger had been in his original squad, a German who had been a good friend and an even better soldier. The other three however he didn't recognize well, the five of them had been pulled together after the other squads had been decimated, they now created Fireteam Kilo. Pierce checked his assault rifle, he had checked it four times already but needed to keep his mind busy. He had run this scenero before, a downed Pelican under heavy fire with the crew needing evac.

"Kilo team get ready!" Another ODST yelled as he ran down the stairs to the mid-way point and went back up. Then in a loud roar the sound of gunfire rose dramatically. Three contrails of rockets knifed their way across an open square, over a Pelican and into a building. "GO!"

Pierce ran first, followed by Jaeger and the three others. He sprinted but had to stay hunched over to make a smaller target. Blue streaks of plasma struck the ground around them, they all broke into a zigzag pattern making harder targets. Pierce raised his weapon and slowed his pace just a little to study his aim and fired. A group of Jackals had moved to flank them and were in the process of lowering their shields when the rounds struck. One Jackal was hit in the chest knocking him down, the other three got their shields in position in time deflecting the rounds. Then their shields began to tatter and shake, the combined fire of Kilo team was taking its toll, Jaeger had purposely aimed low causing the shields the buckle under the pressure then exposing the bird like head and body. The remaining fell dead in an instant.

They continued and dove for the cover of the Pelican, its nose hung above the ground ten feet and a fire burned on its left wing. All five of them had spread out and fired at the numerous targets around them. Most of the Covenant had taken positions inside the buildings around the square and had a shot at the team and crew from all sides save for one. Pierce went towards the nose and climbed part of the hull to get ontop of it. The windshield had been blown away, little pieces of glass was everywhere, blood covered the controls but no one was inside. Pierce looked at Jaeger and pointed to the carrier bay before jumping down. He went towards the bay which was inside a large crater created by the crash of the Pelican. Jaeger looked at him and yelled "Two survivors!"

Pierce looked at the two survivors, the pilot and crew chief, the co-pilot lay dead in the corner. The carrier bay was littered with spent M7 clips and shell casings from the turret. "Alright get em fixed up and ready to move!" Pierce said to Jaeger as the other three members of Kilo entered the bay and took better cover. "Fourth Squad! We've got two survivors-" Jaeger gave him the thumbs up meaning they were ready to move "we need covering fire in fifteen seconds!"

"Copy that Kilo team, but we've got Hornets on the way for close airsupport ETA two minutes. Also things are getting pretty hairy suggest you hang tight!"

Pierce cursed, they'd probably have a better chance waiting for the Hornets but two minutes would last a long time. "Jaeger move that turret to a better spot we're gonna hold!"

"Pierce I'm running low man!" Jaeger yelled as he fired small bursts with the turret. The two minutes felt like an eternity, already two ODSTs were dead and Pierce was down to his last two magazines of ammunition. The other ODST had tried to throw a grenade at a pack of advancing Brutes but he had to duck for cover again, he was smart though, he didn't panick and still held down the grenades primer. Pierce fired over his head and the ODST threw. The grenade sailed through the air and landed in front of two Brutes as they fired spiker rifles. It detonated throwing hot shrapnel through their shielding and into their flesh killing them instantly.

"Fourth wheres that airsupport!" Pierce yelled reloading his assault rifle, his last clip. As if on cue the advancing Brute pack dissapeared in a mix of fire and lead. Two Hornets flew low firing their rockets and machineguns at the advancing mass. Another two passed overhead firing rockets into buildings, one building took the two hits and collasped crushing the Covenant occupying it.

"Kilo Team this is Viper Two we got you covered get out of there." The pilot said calmly as he fired with his machineguns at a balcony, two Grunts had tried to set up a plasma canon but instead were torn to bits.

"Viper Two can you land and pick us up?" Pierce yelled as he helped the crew chief and pilot up. As he pulled the pilot up he finally realized that the pilot was a women, he couldn't help but smile to himself, he had been to focused to notice.

"Negative we are way low on fuel." the pilot replied, Pierce heard the sound of rockets being fired then saw them impact a building blowing away the upperlevel. "There's a Pelican about to touch down to pick you up on the other side of the buildings."

"Understood! Alright everyone lets go!" Pierce yelled as again he went first firing from the waist, the pilot and crew chief followed, taking up the rear was Jaeger and the other ODST. Pierce had to admit the Hornets were doing their job, as they made their way towards the other ODSTs they recieved little fire.

"ARGH!" Pierce stopped immediately, in one solid motion he spun around and dropped to a knee and saw Jaeger get hit in the back by three long spikes.

"JAEGER!" Pierce yelled as he fired in the general direction and moved back "Rest of you go!" he yelled to the pilot and crew chief. The other ODST ran behind them giving covering fire until they reached the building then turned around and gave covering fire to Pierce. "Jaeger you dumb bastard!" Pierce said as the spikes turned cold, he couldn't risk pulling them out now without causing more harm to Jaeger. Pierce lifted the heavy soldier up and tried to help him walk but Jaeger didn't move. "Jaeger move damnit! F***ing bastard MOVE!" Pierce yelled, but he knew his friend was dead. He read the vital signs on his HUD as they flatlined. He put the soldier down and grabbed his ammunition and grenades, Jaeger would have been pissed if he didn't.

Pierce along with the rest of the platoon made their way towards the Pelican waiting for them. Of the original forty-five only sixteen remained. They had tried to hold back the Brutes but that failed, now all they could do was retreat and survive. Pierce saw the Pelican and the tag on it, Romeo-017. He was the last to board as the crew chief fired the turret towards a mass of Grunts and Brutes. As the Pelican gained altitude Staff Sergeat Pierce Hae-jin Hayase looked at where his his squad and friends died, "Mina-sama, Sayonara."

Hollywood

37
LUNA

"How long until base, sir?" all of the soldiers were surely exhausted; since the scarab, there had been thousands more Covenant troops. Two, at least the Colonel thought it was two, CCS had died on the battle-field. "Not long now. Keep your eyes on the horizon" Nicholai said it gently; giving them hope would make his troops last longer. In reality, they still had a ways to go before they could be considered 'close'.

He rechecked his ammo; of the 14 magazines he'd had, 3 had been used up. That left Colonel Grevdaeht with... 660 rounds of ammunition left, exactly. Not much, when you were facing endless legions of alien troops, especially Brutes. The gorilla-like creatures' newer armor took more than a single bullet to crack. "Everybody.. take ammo count. We can't afford to run dry in the middle of battle" Nicholai said it in a relatively calm voice, but his squad knew what it meant.

The results, however, were horrifically worse than expected. Most had only enough ammunition to get by a pack of Brutes. That meant that by far, Nicholai had had the most in the group. Worse even, his weapon had different ammo than the others' standard 1337 weapons.

"Then we should try to avoid hostiles. Stay low to the ground and-" however, before he could finish the sentence, a large, fat blob of burning blue plasma arced in the air and impacted near the group, causing the heating sand to turn to glass. "Shit..." Colonel Grevdaeht swore under his breath, and primed a grenade in his hand.

--"Seek the truth and, perhaps, you will find it"  Monitor  of Installation-07 CommunicationsContributions

38
LUNA

'Rchul supported 'Zenor on his shoulder, striding through the field of dead bodies. The battle still raged, but he had managed to get to one of the 'safer' zones. He looked up, and saw a hastily constructed human medical incampment. As 'Rhcul got closer, pulling 'Zenor along, the door of the med lab slid open. An SMG swung up to his face. The female marine holding it said "One more move and I blow your brains out." 'Rhcul replied "I work with you race, human. Lower your weapon, I mean no harm." Reluctantly, the human lowered her weapon. 'Rhcul pulled 'Zenor's limp form to one of the few empty beds, and lay her down upon it. One of the medical personell said. "You! Get her off there! We need that bed for human patients!" 'Rhcul turned, and strode towards the man. He loomed over the human menacingly. "I see. So, she does not deserve treatment as much as your human soldiers?" The human gulped, but then seemed to get his confidence back. "Yeah! Your kind did horrible things to us! We're not gonna take care of some bastard alien freak's girlfrie-" The man's tiraid was cut off when 'Rhcul grabbed his throat. The human let out a garbled cry. The guard swung her SMG forward again. 'Rhcul growled "Listen closly, human. I find it very charitable that I, and many others of my kind, have allied with you people. I have always respected you tenacity, and your will to fight. But if you ever, ever refuse one of my kind treament again, especialy her, you will find your head dissconnected from your body and burned to cinders!" 'Rhcul released the man's neck and turned away. The man said to his assistants, trembling, "Get.. get your best equipment out.. we have a new patient." -Anno &#39;Rhculee(Recieve Commands from me)(My lance)

39
York, Mars

James walked through the destroyed alleyway of a wrecked city. The area was in one of Mars’ largest deserts, quite ironic seeing as how there were grasslands 150km away. James walked to the location of the NAV point. “Stand down.” He said as his squad arrived and the deactivated their SPI armour. “Ok Petty Officer, we have the location of a covenant CP located in this city. Your job is to provide a small opening in their defenses to allow a marine assault through. Uploading the co-ordinates through the HUDs of the entire squad now” Said the ONI lieutenant. “Ok people, we got the location and we know what to do. Tuan, you take point. Will, you cover the rear.” Ordered James. His squad nodded as they moved down the alley.

York, Mars

‘Pudmee took cover as a Jiralhanae lance passed by. The creatures sniffed the air. “I smell a traitorous Sangheili.” The first one said. “And I as well.” Said the second. The Unggoy in the lance cowered in fear of having to face on of their former masters. ‘Pudmee allowed no time for it. He activated his energy sword and stabbed the first in the back. The second turned to fire his spiker, but ‘Pudmee cut him down as well. “Halt!” He yelled at the Unggoy. The stocky creatures froze in place looking at the SpecOps Commander. The aliens gave a small nod before rushing after the nearest brute lance, firing their weapons. Several of the Loyalist Unggoy fell before the others retaliated alongside their squad leader. As the unggoy fell, ‘Pudmee let loose his plasma rifles in full auto and cut the remainders down.

Pacific Coast, Earth

Lieutenant Lewis rolled to the side as a brute chopper flew over the ridge and cut down two marines. His M7 spat out rounds as the marines tried to kill the driver. Bullets pinged off of the metal surface, when the driver let out a scream and fell down dead. Lieutenant Lewis sighed. There were only fifty-five of them left. Lieutenant Lewis jumped into the chopper and drove it straight at the turrets while the marines followed. The guns on the chopper glowed as he destroyed the shades. He then opened fire on the Loyalists, with superiority from the chopper, he easily cut them down. The rest of the marines caught up, along with the frogmen totaling their numbers to eighty-five. “Ok, where do we take the nuke now?” Asked Lieutenant Lewis. “One kilometre east of here sir.” Replied the lead frogmen. Lieutenant Lewis nodded as the marine pushed farther into the city.

Lunar Surface

Havargus walked around the corner into the human command post. The Jiralhanae grabbed the firebomb from his belt and was about to throw it when he saw a shimmer of light. There was another stalker in the room. Havargus put the grenade back in his belt and pulled out his spiker. He aimed for the human that looked to be the highest rank and let loose a barrage of super-heated spikes. The human fell along with three of her guards and the rest aimed at Havargus’ general direction and opened fire. Havargus dove to the side as the rounds hit his shields, and the other stalker opened fire on the humans. As the humans fell down dead, an armoured behemoth came behind the other stalker. It opened fire with a human rifle, and the rounds easily tore through the light shielding on the stalker, and shredded its flesh. Havargus ran for the door and left before the creature saw him.

Lunar Surface

Maverick threw away his empty MA5B and took one of the BR55HB SRs from a dead marine. Two entire squads, including the second lieutenant in charge of Sector F were dead. The mangled body of the CO was lying on the control table. Maverick looked and saw that she was the first to die, and that the fire came from a direction other than the stalker he killed was. That meant more than one of the Brute Secret Police were on the base. “This is Maverick to Sector A, I am in Sector F, and its entire defense has been killed. There is also a live Brute Stalker in the base, I repeat a live Brute Stalker. I suggest a large marine force be sent to secure the area with me. I will hold until they can arrive.” He said over the com. “Roger that SPARTAN-060, reinforcements are en route to your location.” Came the reply.

--<font color="#000000">Petty Officer First Class <font color="#000000">SPARTAN-G023 <font color="#006400"> Comm Channel<font color="#000000">Mission History 18:46, 2 December 2007 (UTC)

40
EARTH

The Banshees flew away from France and went beyond the border to Spain. Matt noticed something on the ground. He ordered his team down. They maneuvered the Banshees and touched the ground. Matt now saw that it was a unit of UNSC soldiers. One of the soldiers went towards them. He had the eagle insigna of a Colonel. He started to talk. "This was not the kind of reinforcements I expected," he said, and Matt easily recognized his Spanish dialect. "Perhaps not, but I can assure you, my men and I are as good as a platoon of your soldiers," Matt responded, trying to sound like a Helljumper Sergeant, so that the Colonel would not beleive they were Spartans. Protocol clearly stated that the SPARTAN-III Program was to be kept secret, so Matt had to pretend to be a Helljumper. "Sounds good. I'm Colonel Antonio Garcia, in charge of 78th Battalion. What's your name, soldier?" Matt thought for a few seconds. He had to invent a surname to use, and another rank. "My name is Staff Sergeant Matthias... Peterson, in charge of Fireteam... Whiskey from the 5th ODST Battalion. My men are Private Oliver Enarson, Private Belle Peterson, Corporal Victor Watson, Private Diana O'Buck and Private Henry Solo!" "Pleased to meet you," Colonel Garcia said to all of them. It seemed as if he had fallen for it, Matt thought. The Colonel had probably heard that some ODSTs had begun to test a new type of armor, which looked like SPI Mark II. "What's the situation here, Colonel?" Matt asked. "I'm afraid that the Covenant plan an all out assault now that France have fallen into their hands. That's why my battalion has been placed here." "Your information are outdated, Colonel. Paris has been destroyed, and with it, most of the Covenant forces." Matt said in response, but he still had a hard time to sound like a normal ODST Sergeant. "Very well, then I'm not to use here," the Colonel said, "what do you suggest we do now?" Matt was surprised that a Colonel asked him for council. Nonetheless, Matt thought for a second and then said: "My men need to return to the closest UNSC ship in orbit. Do you have any dropships?" "Yes, don't worry, I'll extract you to the closest UNSC ship. The dropships are a hundred meters from here. You can go immediately."

Luna

Jane squeezed the trigger of her Assault Rifle. The AP rounds pierced through the Brute's neck, and it fell down, blood flowing out from its throat. Jane waved the ODSTs and Elites forward. The Elites's Plasma Rifles took down the Brutes's energy shelds, and then the Helljumpers's Assault and Battle Rifles took down the unshielded targets. The newly allied forces had learned to use this strategy very quickly, and it proved effective.

The Helljumpers and Separatists moved further into the corridors, clearing out the Loyalist soldiers. Many Grunts had surrendered and joined the Separatists. Finally, the combined troops reached the enomous dome at the center of the staion. It was filled with Loyalists, now noticing the intruders, and they quickly opened fire.

Suddenly, Jane felt an unbeleivable pain in her stomach. She tried to ignore it, but the pain just grew too heavy. Her vision blurred, and she finally went uncounscious.

20:54, 2 December 2007 (UTC

41
Arkel Province, Luna. Near a mile away from MISWA Arkel Facility.

"Shit..." Nicholai swore under his breath, and pulled the pin on his grenade, chucking it almost instantly afterward. The spherical explosive soared through the 'air', finally landing next to a Brute Captain. It roared as the grenade detonated, only managing to break off its armor. However, that was all that was needed; only a few seconds afterward, the alien dropped dead, killed by the lack of breathable oxygen.

The wraith however, had been only a few meters away; he had missed his target. Once again, a large glob of plasma arced, and impacted, this time near where Nicholai was standing. All around him, his troops were continuing to fight, only a handful of his squad left alive.

The Colonel opened a channel on the COM, but before he had a chance to speak, he felt a large, inhuman fist smack the back of his head. He fell, vision blurring, as he slowly slipped into unconciousness. It was hell all around, plasma and bullets flying about unchecked. Spencer could hardly aim his sniper rifle before one of the mortars from the damned wraith would nearly hit him. He was scoping again on his rifle, but before he did so, he saw a shimmer out of the corner of his eye.

A stalker. A Brute Stalker, one of the Brutes' Secret Police, had brought down Colonel Grevdaeht. He saw for a moment as it roared, and more shimmers appeared. Together, they lifted his body up and ran.

Spencer aimed his sniper, shooting down two, but the others, the ones that hadn't been shot or the ones that had survived, continued to drag his body. They eventually went beyond the SPARTAN's view. "God damnit..." he muttered, and he opened up a COM channel. "We have to retreat... the Colonel is down."

He said it with gritted teeth, but impossibly, like a blessing, a volley of missiles soared and eliminated the Loyalist forces that were assaulting them. Spencer looked up, seeing a group of modified hornets, and silently thanked god.

In orbit above Luna. Onboard Loyalist Assault Carrier; Memory of Loyalty.

Optilus stood resolute in the control room of his Assault Carrier, the Memory of Loyalty. He had been in many engagements against Human and Sangheili alike, however, the parasites that had taken residence on the Humans' home planet were indeed a challenge. "Chieftain... we have brought you a Human" the rough voice came from behind; it was a stalker. "Why bring him here? You could have eaten him" the words that Optilus said were true; he had no need for some Human. "He appears to have rank among the Humans, Chieftain. He could be of use" the stalker was intent on being congratulated. Optilus was about to punish the Brute, however, he soon saw, imprinted on the Human's armor, the insignia of a strange bird, in its grasp a group of sharp objects.

It appeared that the Human did indeed have rank. Optilus had seen others wearing this symbol commanding troops before. "Very well. You are dismissed" Optilus muttered, and with a "Yes, Chieftain..." the fellow Brute departed. "So... it appears that this day isn't uneventful afterall"

--"Seek the truth and, perhaps, you will find it"  Monitor  of Installation-07 CommunicationsContributions

42
As the Drinols Brachshaw had called down wreaked havoc on the UNSC forces, Brachshaw himself turned and walked the Grav Lift that had brought them down. Brutes, Jackals, and Grunts fell from the belly of the ship and settled down at the base of the Lift.

Brachshaw put his Hammer away, then motioned to the ground around them. "The enemy is in disarray, soldiers, lay waste to them! Destroy them!" The group of species split into seperate teams and ran in every which way, their adrenaline and excitement rising. Brachshaw merely grinned to himself, he had requested Scarabs to be dropped, soon, they would destroy the Humans on Luna, then, they would destroy Earth.

"Pull up!" Rhino Squadron did so, releasing their missiles into the unshielded hull of a Covenant Frigate. Multiple explosions and a deep rumble put a satisfied look onto pilot Katana Pheed's face. "Regroup!" Rhino Squadron circled around for round two. Plasma flashed an cut through their formation, a few wings took hits, but no big damage was taken.

"Rhino 5, 6, and 7, target those guns, keep 'em from away from, the rest, fire 15 of your normal missiles, Ellen, kindly show these guys what a Shiva is." Rhino Two, Ellen Clos, responded "Roger, Lead." Rhino 5, 6, and 7 sped ahead, locking their missiles onto the point defense lasers, they fired, white contrails of missiles swept through space and impacted on the guns. Katana, Rhino 2, 3, and 4 came next, firing their missiles at the midsection, they peeled off as Ellen fired her nuclear-tipped missile.

The Shiva flew into the midsection, there was a bright light. Katana's helmet polarized, it cleared. The lights in the midsection had gone out, "All ships, fire!" Katana shouted, Rhino Squadron flew in, firing 10 missiles each. After the final volley the Frigate started to split. When it did, Rhino Squadron had gone, engaging another threat.

-- The State(Our Decrees and Law)(The State Alchemists we've enlisted) 20:30, 2 December 2007 (UTC)

43
EARTH BERLIN, GERMANY The troop-carrier Warthog rounded a corner, running over some Grunts and a Jackle. The Marine who were sent to assist Berlin were being ambushed and killed continuosly. The marines were down to 25 warthogs filled with marines. This would be a bad battle. SPARTAN-118

44
LUNA

Suddenly, an explosion shook the med base. "What the hell was that?" Said the guard, brandishing her SMG. 'Rhcul looked up, and stood up from his seat next to 'Zenor's bed. "Jiralhanae." 'Rhcul grabbed an energy sword from his outer hip. In one swift movement, he ignited it, casting a white glow over the floor, the bed, and 'Zenor's prone form. A Brute Minor appeared, brandishing a Needler. It fired, the needles homing in on any targets. 'Rhcul hurled a Plasma Grenade at the Brute. Due to the Minor's low disipline(sp), the ape paniced when the Grenade stuck, long enough for the destructive ball of plasma to do it's job. The Brute was torn apart by the blue flames. The smouldering and damaged corpse smacked the cieling then struck the ground with a meaty thud. The guards of the med lab swung forth various weapons, and began to fire as the Brutes appeared. 'Rhcul charged, energy sword raised. He swung it downwards and struck another Brute Minor, who gurgled and fell. Another Brute smacked him in the stomach, but 'Rhcul recovered a few feet away. He wrammed the glowing blade of the sword into the Brute's neck, and the ape fell.-Anno &#39;Rhculee(Recieve Commands from me)(My lance)

45
MARS

Over a Martian desert, the UNSC Frigate Blood Moon soared as it was heading for a covenant encampment. It flew at least one hundred feet from the surface. Out of the back of the frigate bay, seven Desert Hogs driven by the Desert Brigade drove out and flew the hundred feet to the ground. The impact destroyed two of the warthogs and killing three marines. The frigate soon changes course and begins returning to the Martian orbit. Behind the Desert Brigade, four pelicans transporting scorpion tanks catches up to them, and drops them. "Every one mount up. Were going to have covenant for lunch." Jack Morrow ordered. The marines buried the dead in the sand, and drove off heading in the frigates original direction.

--

"Send the phantoms to the surface." Supreme Commander 'Holor ordered. The Assault Carrier Blade of the Storm launched four green phantoms indicating the separation from the covenant. The phantoms soon entered the atmosphere of Mars, and were caught off guard as an AA gun fired and destroyed one of the phantoms. "Commander 'Holor! We're under fire! Covenant AA guns have destroyed the Cleansing String!" an Elite exclaimed on the com. Another shot from the AA gun clipped off the wing of another phantom. From the open side of a linear phantom, an Elite watched as the phantom fell to the ground in burning as the flames engulfed it. As it smashed into the ground the explosion sent debris in every direct, some nearly hitting the fellow phantom. "Get us on the ground!" an elite ordered. The phantoms soon sped toward the ground, one of phantoms barely escaping the third shot from the AA gun. The two phantoms remaining land safely and start searching for any survivors of the other two destroyed phantoms. --Kebath &#39;Holoree 17:54, 3 December 2007 (UTC)

46
//December 13, 2552, 0620 Hours// //Sol System, Terra// //England, London, Charing Cross Underground Station//

The Brute flung itself over the Marines defence and charged for Andy. He back peddled firing all the rounds he had left in his M7’s but that was only a few rounds not enough to stop this beast. It jumped onto Andy and started to beat at him with its colossal claws. Andy struggled with all his might but the beast was just too powerful. It dented his armour as if it was nothing but a soda can. Andy was doomed.

A loud ‘’crack’’ came from the side and the Brute dropped dead. It had a hole in its head the size of a two pence piece. Andy jumped up and ran to cover quicker than a bullet.

“You ok?” a voice asked

The voice was of the tall, well built and proud soldier Lee Pullman. Lee was one of Andy’s best soldiers.

“Let me take a look at that sir,” Carl said in a concerned tone

Carl Bell was a caring young man from day one. He was a grade A doctor who could shoot well too.

“These cuts are quite deep but you’ll live,” Bell said sarcastically

“Of course he will. His the Smithmiester!!” Alexia laughed

Alexia was brave but stupid. He kept on getting struck by plasma bolts but he would not stay down.

“All right guys lets push this motherfuckers back to the pit that the crawled out of!!!”

1st Lieutenant Aiden Smith 22:34, 3 December 2007 (UTC)

47
EARTH

Lieutenant Andrew Sharp let out a sigh as he pulled his Pelican, Romeo-017 away from the square. On his radar he could see the Hornets were making their last run before turning tail to refuel and rearm and go again on another fire mission. As they gained altitude he looked at the city around, Seoul Korea seemed lost. Many of the buildings were destroyed and sent thick black clouds of smoke into the sky, a large fire had consumed one region and in the distance a sky scraper collasped. "Good thing command was smart enough to call the evac." Christian Berkley his copilot said. After the First Battle of Earth and the second nearing the people of Seoul and the surrounding area had evacuated, most went underground in remote regions while others chose to simply flee to the next city or country.

"Andrew, Lauren's back here." his crew chief, Hunter White said through their intercoms. Hunter had checked her for wounds and shared a small joke to cheer her up from the loss of her dead copilot.

"Christian take the controls for a sec." Andrew said getting up then opening the compartment door. He entered the carrier bay and saw the battered remains of the ODST platoon. There were too many of them to fit in the small bay so a few sat unprotected on the bay floor, he saw one still standing next to the hatch as if looking through it and at the square. He then checked on Lauren and they talked for a moment, he had wanted to make sure she was okay. Then he went back to the cockpit where Christian waited for him.

"All forces are to pull back," Christian said slowly as he read a message from a control screen, "we're to rally to these cooridinates."

Andrew thought off the order, odds were after all forces had left the area Seoul would be bombarded by Longswords then retaken by infantry. But then he looked at the cooridinates they were to meet, it wasn't even in the same country. "Tokyo?"

Andrew brought Romeo-017 in low towards the grey pad, "Touch down. Hunter open up the bay medics are waiting tell the ODSTs they're to meet..."

Pierce stepped off the bay slowly as medics moved past him, he watched from the side as they pulled away four of ODSTs on stretchers. Then after the four had exited the rest of the soldiers exited.

Hunter couldn't find an officer in the bunch of ODSTs, finally he asked for the highest rank and one ODST pointed slowly towards another who watched the others exit. Moving fast Hunter tapped his shoulder and the ODST turned to face him.

"Yeah?" Pierce answered slowly, even though they could communicate through his external speakers he wanted to breathe fresh air. He pulled the helmet away to expose short dark brown hair and brown eyes that stared off into the distance.

"You the highest rank the platoon?" Hunter asked.

Pierce looked around him at the others, too many had died if it meant he was now the leader. "Looks like it."

"Alright you and your ODSTs need to debrief in..."

Christian and Andrew exited the pelican as the crew approached to refuel and make minor repairs. They watched as other pelicans landed and unloaded equipment, vehicles, and men. Hornets also touched down to be meet by fast crews. "Jesus look at this place." Christian said looking around. Andrew had circled once before landing to see what was below, he had hoped for better. On the ground there was only an understrength battalion, a mix of ODSTs and Marines, there were also two platoons of Warthogs and only a single Scorpion. There were only seven Pelicans and just as many Hornets. However what worried Andrew the most was the fact that this battalion had been formed from two regiments. Two regiments meant around six battalions total, now there wasn't even enough to make one.

Hollywood

48
//December 12th, 2552, 1740 Hours// //Sol System, Lunar Surface// //Letronne Crater, Lunar Complex G/T/39 //

The world was a haze of pulsing red and throbbing green. The thunderous roar of dozens of panicking and cursing officers talking was like a sledgehammer inside his skull. He felt groggy, but happy, a feeling of emptiness, nothingness. Then the world began to fade back into focus, and the dumb happy feeling dissipated, replaced quickly by a churning fear, a dragon that rolled inside his stomach.

Commander Gregory Thompson hissed silently between pursed lips, and instantly regretted taking the intoxicants; he felt much worse now than he had before; the fear was worse, but also he had a feeling of helplessness; he didn’t know what was going on. He struggled to hear through the chaos what his aides were saying, attempting to piece together a tactical picture of what was happening.

“Bravo-Kilo contacts have entered the garrison! Trip cords are detonating…done!”

“Five Banshee groups inbound over that dammed mountain sector twelve!”

“Hostiles retreating from main generators! Alleluia! The EABTs just beat em’ back!”

“Over watch has contacts; multiple dropships, closing on our position! Spirits inbound!”

“Transmitting launch signal to the Rapier groups, dammed interference cut the lines for an hour!”

“Sections A-K are secure, holding actions are a success! EABTs are close to forcing groups away from areas P-Z!”

Thompson began to grasp the edges of the tactical position they were in, and realized that perhaps he wasn’t going to die today. The realization made him want to jump for joy, but despite his lack of courage and command skill, he knew that he had to keep calm in front of his men (he had probably appeared incredibly calm over the last few hours as well, the intoxicants kept your current facial expression) and he would need to contain his emotions. Thompson turned and looked at the main screen; it showed three large piles of rubble, numerous dead bodies, and small skirmishes all over the surface in front of the base. Continuing to watch, he realized what the plan was.

//December 12th, 2552, 1800 Hours// //Sol System, Lunar Surface, 3 Miles beneath surface// //Letronne Crater, Luna Garrison F/A/72//

Major Juno listened to his music and smoked his Sweet Williams, idly whistling the tune to himself. Suddenly, the music cut off, and something new came over the comm: orders.

“All Squadrons launch and engage!”

Juno almost dropped his sweet Williams as he scrambled to check the final preparations on his Rapier. All lights were green, everything was a go. Carefully putting out the Sweet Williams and shoving it into a flight compartment so that it could be used again—they were a brand that could be reused multiple times—he watched his reader board, waited for clearance, then flew.

Five dozen Rapiers broke through the main launch door of the garrison, nose mounted 160mm rotary guns flashing. Oversized slugs cut through the only Covenant air support, banshee fliers that were no match for the faster, deadlier, and bigger Rapier interceptors. Covenant troops that were charging broke ranks and ran as ASGM-10 missiles and hundreds of rounds sliced through their lines, sending plumes of dust up in the almost-no-atmosphere. Juno howled in delight as he strafed the ground, reveling in the pleasure of the enemy casualties.

Down below, the remaining EABTs—only a few hundred—cheered as the Rapiers swooped overhead. The covenant had been pushed out of the base, with ambushes and traps, and now the battle was being raged in open ground, across the Lunar plane, where the Covenant’s superior numbers gave them and edge. But at the sight of the sixty fighters, the battle changed. The EABTs charged with reckless abandon, screaming through tight beam comm channels directed towards the Covenant lines, and many used laser targeting systems to pinpoint for the Rapiers where to let loose the most lead, where to launch the most missiles, so as to inflict the most casualties on the Covenant. The Covenant had been overconfident, and hadn’t bothered to bring any decent air support, and now, now they would pay dearly. Juno swore it.

//December 12, 2552, 1915 Hours// //Sol System, Terra// //Over Indian Ocean, En Route to Madagascar//

Fireteam Romeo’s hijacked dropship rolled violently, and Scott’s grip on the handle hold almost slipped. In the pilot’s seat, Jason went fully evasive, sending it spinning and turning to dodge blasts of plasma from the half a dozen banshees on their tail.

“I can’t shake em!” cried Jason from the pilot’s seat, and Scott cursed inwardly. They were all out of options.

“Try and get help from Kilo Base!” yelled Scott to Jason over the hum of the gravity-pods, and he heard a faint transmission being sent.

“This is SPARTAN-G013 to Kilo Base, onboard a captured covenant phantom inbound on a westbound vector over the Indian Ocean! We are under attack by banshees, and need support!”

Technically, the members of Romeo weren’t supposed to divulge their real identities, due to the cloak of secrecy ONI had surrounded the SPARTAN-III program with, but under the current situation, this was the least of their worries.

“Attention G013, this is Firebase Kilo, we have inbound Hornets to your position, ETA seventeen minutes.”

Scott inwardly cursed; they didn’t have seventeen minutes; they would be cinders by the time the hornets arrived. If he didn’t act fast, they wouldn’t make it. He racked his brain for ideas, and finally settled on something that might work.

“Jason, cut the comm, and pop the hatch.” He growled through the comm.

Jason wasn’t happy with this idea. “Sir, I respectfully think you’re crazy.”

However, orders were orders, and the hatch opened as requested.

Wind instantly whipped at Scott’s armor, and he saw the waves flying past beneath them. The banshees saw the hatch open, and flew towards it. Bright sunlight streamed in, making Scott’s SPI panels shine like light fixtures. Scott took a knee and drew the M19-D AA, and leveled it at the banshees. They flew in, spewing plasma, blue bolts of heat that made the metal hull of the dropship bubble. A bolt exploded by Scott’s feat, but he didn’t move. His finger squeezed the trigger, barely on it. A fuel rod guns hit the main hatch mechanism, melting it to a blob of liquid metal.

“Come on…” whispered Scott as the M19-D struggled for a lock. It found one.

Scott fired, and a single M19-D flashed outward, straight into the middle of the close packed banshee formation. The missile, made for eliminating dropships and Seraphs, detonated in the center of the bunched up banshees. The blast expanded and tore the fliers apart, in a raging inferno that cut the ships to ribbons. Scott rolled as a fuel rod gun, launched before he fired the missile, sailed past him and hit the far wall. It melted through the inner walls of the dropship and left a gaping hole in the side of the craft.

Jason cursed through the comm and the phantom lurched to the side. The craft tilted as Jason struggled to regain control, and it abruptly listed to port again, slamming Scott into the bulkhead. The impact knocked the wind out of him, and he rebounded off of the surface and tumbled backwards. He fell out of the back hatch, and was about to fall. Unwilling to give up, Scott dug one of his armored hands into the metal, denting it inwards and creating a handhold.

Scott held on for his life, as the phantom dipped forward, falling towards the ocean. Wind clawed at his armor, and he cursed lividly. Maya ran forward to help him back in, but a sudden upward spiral sent her crashing into the bulkhead. She grabbed a handle hold and held herself steady, but if she let go to try and save him, the vicious ascent would send her falling past him. Scott growled in his throat, and suddenly saw the Madagascar shoreline come into view. He felt his grip begin to loosen as the metal on the dropship stretched. A haze of blackness settled around his vision as the intense day of fighting and g-forces began affecting him, and he struggled to remain conscious.

The dropship plummeted towards the shoreline, spiraling ferociously. Scott saw the ground coming up, a sandy beachhead that was glaring brightly with reflected sunlight. The dropship veered sharply, and accelerated towards the beach head. Scott saw the ground rushing up to meet him…and then all he saw was darkness.

//December 12, 2552, 1920 Hours// //Sol System, Terra// //Near former Afghani/Pakistani border, Pawas, Sector Six//

“Get down; get the hell on the ground!”

Lance Corporal Bruce Jacobsen threw himself onto the ground as an energy mortar from a Covenant wraith tank flew overhead. Beside him, a fellow marine, PFC Lance O’Bryan, fell to the ground as well. O’Bryan was his buddy, a term used by marine forces for a squadmate who served as sort of your right hand man. You covered your buddy, your buddy covered you.

“Move it marines!” bellowed their squad leader, and Bruce rolled to his feet, unslinging his BR55HB SR Battle Rifle. Plasma bolts flashed past, and Bruce sprinted for cover in the dented and burnt metal walls that were all that was left of a garrison in this sector. In the distance, he could see massive radio dishes, vital for communication across the planet and into lunar space, what they were defending. Chipped and battered walls littered the area, reminding Bruce of the ancient paintball fields that had been used for sport back in the 21st century, before TRR and the civilianized version RSR replaced them in 2516.

“Move you sorry ass marine!” their squad leader said again.

He was a mystery to the marines of Fireteam Tango, a big Irish man who some said had been fighting the Covenant since the war began. Bruce didn’t buy much into rumors, but he had to admit, the Staff Sergeant seemed to have been fighting the Covenant a long time. Bruce sprinted forward with the rest of his squad and plasma bolts and long speared spikes rushed over his head, embedding in the walls. Ten marines sprinted across the open ground, rushing towards the walls, enemy gunfire flashing over their heads.

“Bunker down, watch the flanks!” the Staff Sergeant yelled as they reached the base, and Bruce sprinted and rolled up next to one of the walls, taking cover behind it. Lance was already there, and he let loose a stream of fire from his BR55A3 Carbine—a modified version of the standard BR55 without the optical scope, which was normally used with spec ops troops, but were being slowly circulated around the Second Battle of Earth due to the lack of armament in some areas—giving Bruce the cover he needed to make it.

Bruce eased into a crouch, just behind Lance, and open fired with his Battle Rifle as well, taking down a pair of grunts that were charging forward. Spikes from the brute’s rifles cut into the wall, sending piece of concrete flying out into Bruce’s sides. Over the chatter of rifles and whine of plasma, he could hear the staff sergeant yelling into his throat mike.

“Need immediate evac at Sector Six, repeat Sector six! Multiple hostiles, repeat multiple hostiles! Covenant have armor and are heavily entrenched, repeat, no way can we hold!”

The orange tinged shooters glasses on Bruce’s face automatically attached a targeting reticule to his weapon, showing him what he was aiming at. All around, spikes were flashing past with increasing accuracy. Suddenly, Bruce saw a silver gleam in the hands of one of the brutes, and realized with horror what was about to happen.

“Brute RPG! Get down!” he cried, but to late; a half a dozen grenades from the gun’s entire magazine launched forward, blowing through a group of Bruce’s squad mates cover and sending hot shrapnel and concrete raining down on them. A half dozen of them fell to the ground; sides leaking blood, and two more were swatted away by the blast as if struck by an invisible fist.

Bruce stood transfixed at the sight, his weapon heavy in his hands. He saw the lone survivor, the Staff Sergeant, getting up already hefting his old MA5B rifle. A stream of hot lead issued from it, and the big Irishman cursed at the advancing hordes, yelling at them, and taunting them. Bruce didn’t bother to target, but instead fired blindly into the hordes of covenant. The Covenant troops charged forward, weapons firing, trying to push the humans from cover. Bruce watched in horrible stillness as a brute fired a spiker round, which lodged in the Staff Sergeant’s stomach.

The man didn’t look down, but remained firing, his weapon spurting shots. But he would not make it; another spike cut straight through his leg, drilling through his bone. The man crumpled to the ground, roaring in anger. The man’s jaw, which looked like it had been broken or dislocated before, was snapped as he hit the hard concrete blocks on the ground, and he roared in pain. Bruce moved to sprint for the man, but Lance caught his arm and kept him from moving. Bruce struggled half-heartedly, but Lance was much more muscular than he was, and there was nothing he could do.

Bruce watched as a dozen bolts of green heat slam into his body, shrouding it in green fire for a moment. Then, with the green haze faded, he was gone; ashes in the wind. Bruce was suddenly running, and he could see bolts of green plasma and glowing orange spikes slicing past him. He could hear Lance screaming into his mike, but Bruce’s mind was not able to compute what was going on. Suddenly, a low roar could be heard, a roar that steadily got louder and louder and louder. Then, it’s maneuvering jets flaring, he saw a Pelican slide into view over the hills, nose mounted chain gun spitting 70mm depleted uranium slugs. A chorus of missiles from the dropships two box-like missile racks hanging on the wingtips accelerated towards the covenant troops—this was one of the older, more expensive, but more heavily armored version, not the newer version that lacked the nose mounted chain gun in favor of the back mounted AIE-486H Heavy Machine Gun.

ANVIL-II Air-to-Surface Missiles, launched moments ago, slammed into the Covenant line, detonating in a bright fireball of death. An overpressure wave slammed into Bruce, throwing him to the ground, and he looked up and saw a half dozen hornets escorting the Pelican down. The Pelican turned to open the troop bay towards them, bringing the old M247 General Purpose Machine Gun to bear—the weapon that had been mounted on Pelicans before it got too expensive and had to be replaced with the AIE-486H. A some canister flew out from the mounted grenade launcher on the barrel, and the weapon clattered automatic into the smoke, where the surviving Covenant were attempting to regroup after the air strike. Bruce and Lance sprinted forward, as stray blasts of plasma and spikes flashed past them, aimed for the dropships gunner.

Bruce ran forward, grabbed a handle hold on the Pelican, turned…and watched a rogue spike spear through Lance’s head. Pieces of bone and bits of brain matter splattered over the wall of the Pelican, and on Bruce’s armor. He almost jumped down to retrieve his friend, but then he realized they were climbing. The Pelicans powerful thruster nacelles tore at the sky, as the six hornets followed vigilantly, their own VTOL jets flashing in the wind. Bruce looked down at the battered remains of the place, and saw that a few Covenant could still be seen, shocked and dumbfounded with the escape of their prey. But Bruce knew that it wouldn’t last; the Covenant troops would regroup, and then destroy the radio dishes. The place would have to be retaken before that happened.

Spartan 501 15:14, 4 December 2007 (UTC)

49
Mars

Fifth Cycle, 101 units (Covenant Battle Calendar)\Aboard Supercarrier, Harbringer of Ascendent; In slispace heading for Mars - System: Sol System (Human Designation)

"Supreme Commander, we've almost arrived at the human planet "Mars"," the Major Domo Crew Elite said to Cytod. "Good. Do we have any statistics about the battle going on?" Cytod replied. "The humans have apparently been defeated almost everywhere and are fighting a guerilla war in a try to retake the planet. Some brother Separatists have arrived to help, but the Brutes are still overwhelming in numbers." "Numbers doesn't matter here, Major Domo K'rakh, our intelligence are far superior to the filthy brutes." "Of course, Commander." "Supreme Commander, we're exiting slipspace in one unit," another crew member said to Cytod. "Good, prepare Energy Projectors, charge our Pulse Lasers, activate Plasma Turrets 1 through 9 and load the energy shield to maximum effect. Fire on the Brutes only, the Humans are our allies!"

Mars

1012 hours, December 2552 (Military Calendar)\Sol system, Mars, Unknown sector

Dean ducked behind a rock together with his squad. The AA-Gun was right ahead on the cliff edge. They would be able to destroy it with the Rocket Launcher Dean had carried on the back from the start, when it showed its battery core.

Dean told the squad about the plan one more time. "Privates Hensen and Tucker will cover us with Sniper fire. Corporal Gyro will lead Privates Griffin and Simmons on the right flank, distracting the bastards. Everyone else will come with me and disable the Gun. Have I made myself clear?" he whispered to the men. They nodded silently, and quickly took their positions. Dean waved to Corporal Gyro to move.

Gyro and his men jumped out of cover and took down four Grunts from quick firing. The confused Covenant soldiers began to target them, but then the snipers fired, as well as Dean and the rest of the Squad. The Covenant fell one by one, not being able to decide which one to shoot. Two Brutes shoot against Gyro's team with Spikers, and Private Griffin went down, with Spiker rounds piercing his stomach and throat.

Dean looked away, and killed a Brute with a precise headshot. He rolled away from Spiker rounds heading his way, pulling out the Rocket Launcher. He pointed it at the now revealed battery core, and fired two rockets. The first rocket heavily damaged the battery, turning it into glowing red. The second destroyed the battery and the whole cannon section of the gun. Then it exploded with a blue shimmer. Mission accomplished. But he had lost two of his men, and four were injured. He turned on his COM: "Command, AA-Gun have been neutrolized, request extraction on the double!" "Good work, Sergeant. Pelican's inbound."

18:31, 4 December 2007 (UTC)

50
Henrietta, The Fratellis

\\Space above Mars\\Battle Time 10 Cycles\\Fleet of Golden Redemption\\Imperial Admiral Dyr 'Jar Refos\\

‘Jar Refos grabed the COM off the wall and broadcasted on a open channel.

“To all Separatist forces in the area, this is Imperial Admiral ‘Jar Refos I will be taking control of this situation, first kill all Loyalists on sight, second if you see any scum, or humans as they call themselves attack them do not hesitate, I do not believe in a compromise” he said into the COM.

He then switched the channel to one he hoped was human.

“This is Imperial Admiral ‘Jar Refos, I don’t believe in a compromise between us, that is why I have order all Separatists to attack you on sight stay out of our way and we will not kill you,” he announced into the COM and a surprised gasp was heard on the other side. He turned off the COM and looked at his crewmembers.

“I want a full search of the planet find any Separatist and gather them by this point,” he said pointing at a spot on his own personal TAC map.

“Yes sir anything else?” questioned the Sangheili as the ship neared the planet.

“Yes, get the troops ready, ready for war,” he said walking out of the bridge and over in the direction of the hanger.

\\Mars\\Battle Time 11 Cycles\\Hasus 'Redonn's Lance\\Hasus 'Redonn\\

‘Redonn looked at the red planet as he jumped out of the phantom, the Imperial Admiral had chosen him to lead the first lance onto the planets surface.

“This is truly an honor,” said one of the minors in ‘Redonn’s lance.

“And you should be thankful to our commander,” said ‘Redonn to the minor named ‘Herc.

“I am ‘Redonn,” replied ‘Herc. He was one of the only ones left from ‘Redonn’s lance before the civil war, the others were slaughtered by the brutes. Several Unggoy squeaked as the phantom jittered in its descent.

“Be brave,” said ‘Redonne, the Sangheili had always liked the small Unggoy, their small amount of courage disappointed him, but in general he like them.

“We’re coming in for a landing, AA fire is everywhere, Landing, Go!” yelled the pilot as the phantom touched down. The gravity-lift activated sending a purple pillar down to the dusty sand below. The lance dropped a total of four Sangheili and 10 unggoy, a large lance. As soon as the lance hit the ground several volleys of AA fire hit the phantom. The lance ran from the drop point as the phantom exploded and a large burst of heat and blue fire. Nearly 100 meters away a grass plain lay, with several Loyalist brutes and Unggoy waiting with turrets and grenades.

“Charge the grass, we can hide there,” yelled ‘Redonn through the lance comm. The mix of race charge towards the grassy plain and the Unggoy scrambled to get to the turrets as brutes picked up their brute shots.

“Keul!” yelled ‘Redonn to their heavy grunt as he hefted his fuel rod and fired of four shots, two of which hit one of the turrets destroying it. The other for then became active and began to fire on the small group. The white-hot plasma burned the Separatists shields and skin killing three Unggoy and knocking out the shields of the two minors.

“Don’t give in, jump!” yelled ‘Redonn and as his lance complied a score of brute shots soared over their heads. ‘Redonn got up and ran the small distance of ten meters and hit the Unggoy out of the Shade turret, he got in and turned it on the brutes. The shielding fizziled and faded under the heavy fire of the plasma turret. The other elites followed suit and soon the brutes had been killed or their shields were gone. Several shots from the fuel rod later and the brutes were dead.

“Stay low, I will contact the Imperial Admiral and tell him of where to send more troops,” said ‘Redonn as Wraith fire crashed down about 100 meters away form them. They had 6 Unggoy and 2 Sangheili one being killed by the brutes, ‘Redonn would now have a large scar from hit left calf to the side of his stomach from the shrapnel.

-- Spartan-064 ,≈≈Ω≈≈<font color="#D3D3D3">De <font color="#A9A9A9">ma <font color="#808080">kh <font color="#000000">is http://www.wikia.com/skins/common/progress-wheel.gif <font color="#A9A9A9">Reporting  •  <font color="#A9A9A9">Contributions   04:43, 5 December 2007 (UTC)

51
LUNA

The Brute Chieften waved it's Gravity Hammer, which 'Rhcul narrowly dodged. The Brute grunted and swung the Hammer again, and 'Rhcul ducked. The Chieften's armor was gone in several spots. 'Rhcul stabbed the sharp end of a spike grenade ito a bare spot, and kicked the Brute with all his might in the stomach. He landed a few feet away, the the grenade exploded. The Brute fell, oozing blood. A voice echoed throught the med base. "We have two Loyalist Phantoms coming in!" 'Rhcul stared. "Damned Brutes." Was all he said. He disengaged his Energy Sword and clipped it to his outer hip, then picked up and SMG and a Plasma Rifle. A Unggoy was the first creature to appear. In and istant, it was on the ground with numerous holes in it's head, chest, arms, and legs. Next came two Jackals and a single Brute Minor. With a roar of rage, 'Rhcul lept forward.-Anno &#39;Rhculee(Recieve Commands from me)(My lance)

52
EARTH

Pierce sat with a Marine, they both looked out through windowframe that lacked a window itself. A sniper rifle lay between them as the Marine scanned the horizon with a pair of binoculars. "Inchon, Brute pack with choppers." said the Marine. They had started a small conversation, both of them came from squads where everyone else had been killed, the Marine continued to say how they were told to retreat here after his company had took a beating. "You?"

Pierce couldn't really remember what had happened to most of his squad, there was so many things happening at once that he only focused on what he was doing. "Seoul, wraiths." he lied, about the wraiths at least, well he thought he was lieing, he had engaged a wraith but couldn't remember if anyone was killed in the action or not. Maybe one night he would remember.

"That had to su...shit." the marine said as he moved from his seat and looked at the horizon. "I've got eyes on brute pack."

Pierce was already on his rifle and looking through the scope, "I see em." He focused on them, they were making their way over a hill and about to enter the city itself soon.

The marine grabbed the radio and began to report in. "Brute pack entering the area..." Pierce continued to watch them as his spotter made the report. Then he felt his heart sink, a chill ran up his spine and he lay frozen for a moment.

"That's a lot more then a Brute pack..." Pierce said almost to quiet for the marine to hear but he had noticed Pierce's expression and checked again.

"We've got a bigger problem."

Pierce and the marine now ran from a landing pad after being picked up by a Hornet to give a briefing. Pierce thought it was odd, they should have stayed to keep watch but they were later informed a platoon was put out to give constant info. They made their way into an olive drab tent, inside were multiple tables set with radios, computers, and screens, personel were busy at work and nobody took notice as they entered. Another table was centered in the middle giving off a holograph of the city and area around it. Finally one person turned, his BDUs were ubran camo and had the insignia of a Captain. Pierce and the marine saluted, the captain obviously busy gave a quick move of the hand then asked them to sit. Pierce then remembered him, he had been his Company Commander.

"Glad to see there's still some of Bravo Company heroes here." The Captain said extending his hand to Pierce, they shook and smiled to each other glad to know some others had lived. "Let's get to the point, Pierce, what are we looking at here?"

Pierce walked to the center table and touched one end of the holographic map. "At first we spotted a single Brute pack, ten to fifteen Brutes with Grunts. But that was just the scouting party, the main force was close behind." Pierce circled the area and tapped at its center once and the small circle he had outlined turned red.

"Numbers?"

The marine looked at the Captain with folded arms and then pointed at the building they had made the spot from. "From our position we could estimate upwards of two hundred Brutes." He then pointed to a small series of hills, "But these blocked our line of site so we can't be sure."

As if on cue a marine tapped the Captain on the shoulder, "Recon platoon has a fix on those numbers sir." He then passed a small handheld screen to the Captain, he tapped at it then looked with eyes wide open.

"You were right about it being upwards of two hundred." He said softly, everyone waited for just a moment to listen. "Eight hundred and fifty Brutes, two thousand Grunts, twelve hundred Jackals, and twenty-five Hunters."

Everyone broke out in murmur, Pierce looked at the red spot he had made and slowly without thinking typed in the numbers. Slowly the murmuring died down as everyone realized things would get very busy. "How long till they reach this point?" the Captain asked.

One marine answered as he lowered a handset from his ear, "Recon platoon says one day at least, also say they can delay them another day with roadside bombs." The Captain brought a hand up to his mouth to think, two days.

"Sir, how many engineers and explosives are available?" the marine asked, the same one who was with Pierce.

"About a company why?"

Pierce looked at the area the marine was staring at and realized what he meant. "A bottleneck." The Captain looked at him quizzically.

"Sir, if we set up defensive positions on this hill here," the marine pointed and highlighted, "use the engineers to use blow the skyscrapers down and form a bottleneck along this road here, we can deal with their numbers easier and force them to attack is from one direction." He drew one line that started at the hills width and brought it down about a mile away narrowing it as it got farther then went wide again. Two wide Vs faced each other creating a narrow path in the center.

The captain looked at the map, it could work. With two days the engineers would have time to bring down the buildings, the rest of the battalion could work on the defensive positions. Only problem was how to get the Brutes to get into the bottleneck instead of going around and flanking them. He asked the question and Pierce answered. "They don't seem to like our new allies very much."

Hollywood

53
M.I.S.W.A. Arkel Facility, Arkel Province, Luna

Spencer sighed, leaning his back against the cold metal wall. Fighting for too long could really get to a man. Imagine having to fight nonstop for years, with hardly any sleep... that was the life of a marine. Being a SPARTAN didn't help. Come to think of it, being in the CCS didn't help either. But what was he going to do about it? He was a soldier; expendable though they might be, humanity needed them.

His room was dark, but it was at least better than on the barren surface. Spencer hated going on the surface; lack of food, the threat of using up too much oxygen, and the constant Covenant assaults; it was pretty much hell. However, the Colonel had been taken; that meant that his team wouldn't have any more missions until they found Nicholai. the SPARTAN-III stood up, stretched, and opened the door; thinking and sitting was too boring.

Onboard Covenant Assault Carrier; Memory of Loyalty, in orbit of Luna

Nicholai opened his eyes slowly, still tearing a bit, and found himself without armor or weapons. From what he could tell, he was in some sort of prison, with an energy barrier separating him from the outside. Outside of his cell lay his armor and weapons, as well as a variety of others, and two grim-faced Brute Majors guarded his cell.

They were speaking, but Nicholai could not understand the odd alien dialect. It seemed, though, that they were talking about killing him, as they kept looking at him and gesturing toward their weapons. They stopped talking all of a sudden, and a golden-armored Brute Chieftain walked towards Colonel Grevdaeht, its footsteps echoing in the small space...

Onboard Covenant Assault Carrier; Memory of Loyalty, in orbit of Luna

Optilus walked towards the prisoner's chamber; he always enjoyed taunting his foes, especially when they were helpless. The two Brute Majors in front of the Human's cell were speaking about killing and eating the Human, before Optilus stepped before them and they fell silent.

"Open the cell" disciplined, as his warriors were, one responded after Optilus said 'Open'. The energy field dissipated, and the Human looked up at the Chieftain. Optilus switched on his translator, and spoke to the pathetic little man.

"Tell me, little man... who sent you?" Optilus said it clearly, and the Human looked up at him. "Why should I tell you, ape?" the Human spat at his feet, and rage filled Optilus. How dare he speak to him like that? Let alone spit at him? Optilus kicked the Human hard in the chest, his metal boot crushing the Human's lungs, ribs, and stomach with ease.

The Human coughed up blood, and fell to the floor. Optilus reached down and brought him up by his skull. "I will ask you again, Human... who sent you?" Optilus applied pressure to the Human's head, and his vains were showing on his skull. "Go to hell..."

Optilus smiled, admiring the Human's bravery a bit, and threw him hard against the wall of the cell. He surely wasn't dead, but he was heavily injured. "Close the cell" the Chieftain walked away after saying it, and the energy field re-appeared. He'd get the information out of the Human one way or another, in the end.

--"Seek the truth and, perhaps, you will find it"  Monitor  of Installation-07 CommunicationsContributions

54
EARTH

"That was easier then expected." the Captain said putting down a handset, he had just discussed the situation with their new allies the Elites. At first the Elite seemed angered just by the thought of helping them but after listening to the numbers the Elite seemed anxious, they had been itching for a fight after leaving slipspace and entering the air above the Yellow Sea. Their numbers were small as well but that didn't stop them.

"Sir, engineers are almost complete with setting up the charges for the demolition they'll need another six hours or so." a marine aid said. Since Pierce and the Marine had stated the plan everything was being done as fast as possible. As the engineers used Hornets and Pelicans to quickly move between to skyscraper to skyscraper the rest of the battalion was busy setting up defensive positions on the hill. Of their two platoons of warthogs there was a total of fifteen of the light vehicles, nine of those were armed with Guass canons, however three others were transports and set up in the back of the defensives for quick retreat. Marines had used position charges to blow somewhat planned craters in the ground to give the vehicles defilade leaving only the turrets exposed, then on the rim of the positions they placed barriers, sandbags, and anything available to provide more cover. Just infront of the line of warthogs a trench was made the same way, the trench came high enough to the average man's chest and reinforced with sandbags and barriers. Snipers made spider holes to try to cover themselves. Then behind the line of warthogs was the Scorpion tank also with defilade created by position charges. It to was covered with any kind of protection the marines could get their hands on.

The Captain looked at the defense layout from the holographic map. First the trenchline, then the warthogs, and the Scorpion at center-back. Then behind that would be the Pelicans and Hornets, they couldnt risk flying fire missions. The combined firepower from simple small arms fire would take down any pilot during their first pass. Instead they would be set up on ramps ready to fire weapons at airborne targets. They were also the escape plan along with the three carrier hogs.

Now the recon platoon had been busy setting up explosives, they set them inside abandoned cars, in trash cans, anything that would slow the advancing Covenant down. As the platoon lay down the charges they heard in the distance the sound of their first explosive they had laid go off. The dull explosion echoed in the streets then there was silence for a moment followed by a second explosion. The lieutenant orderd his men to hurry then grabbed his radio man to report in. "Sir! we've got a problem Brutes are moving faster then expected. I'd give it another five hours or so before they start gettin' real pissed." Another explosion. The lieutenant heard the Captain curse, "Sir, we'll complete the traps then hold position and give you as long as we can." --- Pierce stood at the edge of a Hornet as it rushed as quickly as possible through the streets at low level. Unable to risk flying high they would have to take the long way. He had volunteered to help the understrength recon platoon. He and another ODST would be the only reinforcements though, they would have to hold for about an hour for the engineers to finish and level the buildings. "We're coming in hot, recon's already engaged, I can't risk landing so be ready to jump." the pilot said. Pierce and the other readied themselves.

The Hornet turned a corner and immediately the pilot cursed. "Heads up weapons free!" Pierce felt the rumble as a pair of rockets were unleashed and the dual machineguns opened fire. The Hornet continued and lowered until it was seven feet off the ground then the two jumped down.

Pierce cursed to see that the recon platoon had taken cover inside a building and that the Hornet had dropped them off in the middle of the street. He landed and rolled then lifted himself to a knee firing a burst with his battle rifle. The other ODST landed and did the same then got up to run, Pierce joined them as they recieved a mass of spike rounds. "F*** THIS!" the ODST yelled as they dove for cover behind a car, they heard the pings as spike rounds began to cover the other side of the car. They then grabbed grenades, threw and ran in zigzags towards the three story building. They ran towards the door where a marine was waving for them then after sprinting through they jumped for cover and landed with a loud thud.

Hollywood

55
//December 13, 2552, 0620 Hours// //Sol System, Terra// //England, London, Charing Cross Underground Station//

Andy’s MA5C cracked as it fired it last cartridge.

“F***! My rifles out!”

“I’m running low to!” Alessandro shouted

Andy looked around of what was left of his men; they would not last much longer down in this hell hole.

“We’ve got to go back outside,” Andy said

“WHAT!!!” Lee screamed

“Sir, permission to ask are you crazy?!” Carl yelled

“Well personally I’d rather die with fresh air in my lungs!” Andy answered

Andy slammed a new magazine into his M7 and jumped out from behind the sand bags. He fired the M7 with great accuracy killing a Jackal and two Grunts in the process. He then dashed for the exit.

“What now?” a Marine asked

Lee shook his head and glanced at Andy. He saw the same glint in his eyes that he would when his mind would not be changed.

“F***!”

Lee dashed from cover and headed for Andy but as he ran a plasma bolt hit him square in the shoulder blades making him forward roll.

“Lee you ok?” Andy asked as he landed beside him

Lee did not answer but gave a thumbs sign. Alessandro slide in beside Andy and Lee.

“What’s up ladies!”

Carl came running but a got hit by a spike through his right arm.

“Argh!!!”

He landed face first in the dirt but was picked up by two passing Marines.

“You gonna be okay?” Lee asked

Carl yanked the spike out of his arm with a grunt.

“Nothing but a scratch!” Carl replied angrily

Andy turned and faced the three Marines still at the sand bags.

“Come on!!!”

However before they could move they where sent flying by a gravity hammer. The Chieftain roared as Andy’s Marines slammed into the wall.

“Chieftain run! Get out of here now!!!” Lee exclaimed

The survivors flew up the stair towards the bolted door. As they got closer Lee shot the locks off with his rifle. Andy glanced behind them to see the Chieftain hot on their heels with two bodyguards and lance of Grunts. As the Marines barged the door they where blind by the light.

“Sir look!” Andy heard an Elites voice say

“Open Fire!”

Andy heard the plasma fire and a waited the end. Finally he would get the peace he had wanted for so long

1st Lieutenant Aiden Smith 16:11, 5 December 2007 (UTC)

56
EARTH, in orbit, near Houston Station

The Annihilator continued to fire round after round of MAC shots into the ships, but they were hopelessly outnumbered. "Angela", said Captain Jim, "Try to get the Endeavor and Iron Fist to flank the ships. That may give us the opportunity we need to destroy several of their carriers." "Yes sir", replied the AI. She began to work quickly, sending orders and hoping the captain's plan would work.

EARTH, in orbit, near Houston Station

Dragon Squadron moved skillfully through the web of Covenant and Human ships, taking down on-ship turrets and Seraph fighters whenever they could, and whenever the Seraphs weren't on their own tails. Without Joe, they were a little bit lost, but they still fought on. They dodged plasma fire and head-on collisions left and right, nearly losing wings, engines and guns the entire time. "Hold together!", said Michelle, temporary leader until Joe was back, "We'll make it" Just then, several dozen Covenant ships exited slipspace right outside the UNSC line. "Oh great", said Michelle.

EARTH, in orbit, near Houston Station

The Dragon Squadron trainees attacked the Boarding Craft, blowing them to pieces. But it wouldn't be enough. There were simply too many and most could unload before they could be destroyed. "Dragons", said the Admiral, "Land in the station. We need you to hold off the boarders" "Yes sir", they replied, and turned around to dock in the Longsword bays.

--

57
Lewis was glad to be back on the battlefield. After spending two days at the regional UNSC Headquarters healing up from a spiker round to the stomach, he was re-assigned to Tanzania to push the Covenant Occupying forces from there. It was before dawn as the Hornets streaked over the tree line. Lewis saw the faint glow of plasma cores in the forest, used mainly by the Grunts. Their mission today was to strike at a Brute Headquarters Camp in a clearing in the forest. Lewis was to lead the ground assault team, while the Hornets were to provide Sniper support and air strikes. As the sun began to appear, Lewis checked his BR-55HB SR. Instead of his usual M-7 SMG and M6D, this time, he was carrying dual SMG's. The Brutes wouldn't let the UNSC have it this easy. As the time began to pass, Lewis began to wonder some things he thought ever since the War began.

Why don't they ask us to join their deluded Covenant? ''Why do they have to annihilate us? Is there some other way?!''

Then, the voice of the Hornet Pilot scattered his thoughts as they got to the Drop Zone. Lewis leapt ten feet from the jump seat of the Hornet, and immediately sighted a Brute Regular. With a three round burst, the beast fell, but his friends were already on it. They took out Spikers, and a hail of spikes filled the air. Along with that, the beasts were firing grenades at his position inside of a small ditch. Lewis threw a grenade, which miraculously, landed right by a stack of plasma cores. It exploded, sending the cores flaming through the camp. The Brutes seemed to not care though, and kept up their attack. Lewis thought they were going to be overrun until he heard the crack of a M-99 SASR. That Sniper Rifle was a mini-MAC gun in theory, and it could pass through five Brutes and wounding the one at the end. They had only made about twenty of the rifles, and now one was being used for fire support on his assault. When the Brutes stopped to reload, Lewis released a battle cry, and he dual wielded his SMG's. Running to a Covenant Weapon Containter, he sprayed the grunts and jackals starting to form a Phalanx. One of the Hornets came in from the sky and lit up the remaining Brutes. The rotting stench of death came over Lewis and he threw up his breakfast. Regaining controll of himself, Lewis let loose on the remaining survivors, while his men methodically cleared the "tents" the Brutes had set up.

-- AJ

58
1500 Hours | December 24th, 2552 (MILITARY CALENDAR) Sol System | Earth | Berlin, Germany Chancellor's field

"Parks, Fisher, Akizama, Benzine, get on those M41's ASAP" the Major shouted.

"YES SIR" replied the eager Marines.

The Marines began hosing down the hill with rounds coming from every direction. Brutes and Jackals were falling left and right.

"SNIPER!!!!!!!!"

Corporal Parks was down, two rounds were fired at him. One in the lower chest, and one skimmed right across his left ear. I ordered a team of Corpsman to get him back to the rear.

"Sir...were getting pinned down and outflanked, what are we going to do sir?"

Right as he said that, the zumies flew low over our position and sent Truth's minions back to hell. The Brutes, along with the rest of their Corps were burning and dying. We mopped up resistance from small bands of forces after that, with minimal causalties on our side.

Out of no where, my holopad starting making it's chimes and my commanding officer appeared. This could either be good or bad...I really didn't care about it though.

"General Jackson, it's a pleasure to hear from you sir" said Major Stubblefield.

"Pleasure is all mine Major. To get to the point. I know you and your boys are tired as hell and want some rest, though we need something done now...and quick"

"What's the assignment sir?"

"There is a large Covenant ship, hovering over a small lake about 20 clicks to your north"

"What's so special about it sir? I mean, we've captured many ships, how is this one special?

"It's an unknown class, we speculate that it has Active Camoflaging features built into it's shield. From it's size, we think that it might be one of their Sanghelios-class Dreadnoughts. Over 20,000 kilometers in length, and with a bunch of large Pulse Laser Turrets. ONI is trying to figure it out for sure right now."

After that short explanation, I wet my pants in excitement. This ship, if it came into our hands, could put a dent into the Covenant's grasp on Earth, and end the war before New Years. The problem was that I couldn't use my entire Second Battalion to storm the ship. I would have to use a small force, with my best Shock Troopers and Commandos.

"I know what you are thinking Major, and you are wrong. The ship is controlled by the Elites...not by the Brutes."

"And your point is what sir?"

"We've got word from Fleet Admiral Hood on the Cairo Station that we've made an unnofficial alliance with the Elites. And now I should tell you about your assignment."

"Go ahead sir"

"You, along with Commander Miranda Keyes, the C.O. of the Forward Unto Dawn, Sergeant Major Johnson, and senators from the Colonial Republic Senate will hold peace talks aboard the ship"

"Sir? Why do you need me sir? Commander Keyes is fully capable of doing this herself. Plus, she is arrogant at times"

"I know about your relationship Major, and frankly, and don't give a shit"

"But why me sir? I don't have any qualifications in politics...neither does Sergeant Major Johnson"

"Because your both Spartans...and I need the best to protect the Senators"

59
EARTH

"You ODSTs are crazy motherf***ers!" A marine yelled over the roar of his assault rifle. Pierce and the other ODST picked themselves up and almost stumbled again from the mass of shell casings littering the floor. Pierce went to the door they had ran to and dropped to a knee firing his battle rifle, the Hornet that had dropped them off was moving in reverse firing a steady stream of lead into the Covenant.

"Where's the lieutenant?" Pierce yelled as he reloaded.

"Roof!" Then the two ODSTs made their way towards the stairs and up, the second floor was occupied by a group of marines, one used a rocket launcher and fired both of the explosives within two seconds of each other. They continued to go up to the third floor, there marines fired with assault rifles, then once they had spent the clip dropped the weapon where a wounded marine would reload it, an assemble line had been made letting the shooters fire almost none stop. Then the roof where snipers fired as quickly as possible. Empty clips surrounded their position, one marine had gathered grenades and was tossing them with all his might high into the air to detonate after hitting the ground or still in the air to rain shrapnel on Covenant heads.

Pierce found the lieutenant firing with an assault rifle, a medic was busy filling a wound with biofoam. The ODSTs approached him and fired their weapons taking down a pair of Brutes. “Can’t say I’m too happy to see you guys, no more huh?” The lieutenant said looking at just the two.

“Sorry sir but we brought firepower!” The ODST said as he took a spartan laser from his back. The lieutenant gave them a smile showing blood on his teeth, the ODST then went back downstairs to the first floor. Pierce stayed with the lieutenant firing his battle rifle then watched a thin red line appear. It stayed for three seconds then with a loud whoosh a large bright red beam cut its way through the street and knifed through the Covenant mass. The laser made for anti-vehicle use easily burned through flesh and brought down a number of Brutes, Grunts, and Jackals.

“HUNTERS!” someone yelled, two of the large blue behemoths made their way to the street and prepared to fire. Pierce cursed as he saw one of them had taken aim at him.

Hollywood

60
EARTH, in orbit, inside Houston Station

Joe Harrison hopped out of his Longsword, as the men standing by began to make repairs. He stood at the edge of the room, watching them, marveling at how easy they made it look. But he could not do so for long, as the station shook. "What was that?", yelled one of the marines, "Did something just hit us?" "Warning", came a voice over the COM, "Houston station is being boarded. Report to Habitats Gamma and Beta, as well as Pelican Bays 10-14. Fend off the boarders at all costs." As the marines began to run off, Joe grabbed one. "I need a weapon", he said. "Right this way sir", said the marine, leading him down a few halls to a small armory. Joe grabbed an Assault Rifle, a Battle Rifle and an M6G Magnum, then followed the marine through the station to Habitat Gamma.

EARTH, on the surface, in Austin, Texas, USA

Lead used up the last of his Assault Rifle ammo, then switched to his Battle Rifle. His right arm was hang useless at his side, and his left leg moved slower than the other down to it's wound as well. He fired his gun, taking down several grunts and a Brute. To his left, Sarge fired his AR at the same group, taking down two more Brutes and a couple Jackals. Lead smiled. They had almost taken out this camp. But if the rest of the Covenant found out, they'd need reinforcements, and lots of 'em. Burns managed to get to the ground and helped them finish them off, then they stood there, catching their breath. "Wait a minute", said Burns, "Where's Ratchet?" "Ratchet?", said Lead, realizing he hadn't seen him for a while. They got up and started looking around for him. Then they found him, lying unconscious with several broken bones.

--

61
EARTH

Andrew looked into a small screen on his control panel, it showed on one side the rear of the carrier bay, another side showed the inside. He watched as engineers piled into the bay and took their seats as the last one entered Hunter gave a thumbs up to the camera and Andrew pulled Romeo-017 away. "Command this is Romeo-017 heading to last target building ETA two mike mike." Andrew said as he swept low inbetween the skyscrapers ready to be blown.

"Copy Romeo-017 be ready to pick up recon platoon as soo-scratch that Romeo-017 charlie mike out." The radio said, the two pilots looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders, had command given up on the platoon.

Pierce was about to give up. The lieutenant was died along with half the platoon. The other ODST had died as well, after firing the last of the spartan laser a brute shot had hit him dead center in the chest. Pierce had moved himself from the roof after Brutes had rained plasma and spike grenades on top of them. The only bright side was that the Hunters had been killed by the snipers. Now Pierce was on his last magazine of a M7 he had taken from a dead marine, most of the wounded had died as well. The remenants of the platoon had taken refuge in the second and third floor, the first floor was crawling with Covenant as they made repeated charges to take the upper floors. Pierce had taken spike grenades from the dead Brutes and thrown them against the walls as the Covenant charged up the stairs. The explosions sent the hot shrapnel in a cone and cut through flesh and bone.

He had and a sniper beside him fired at the onrushing horde. The sniper fired without aiming, he didn't have to, the target was close enough to just point and shoot, each round easily pierced through the multiple bodies and dug itself deep into the wall on the other end. But then the sniper was cut down, his frame became filled with both red hot metal spikes and pink crystals. Pierce saw more of the crystals in the air and dove away but it was useless. The projectiles homed in on him, one stuck into his thigh, it hit a piece of body armor and dug into an inch of flesh. Another hit him in his side and another in his shoulder. He grunted from the stabbing pain then yelled as the crystals exploded one after the other. He struggled to raise his M7 but it felt heavy, he fired but he couldn't control the recoil, again he was hit side with another crystal that later exploded. If it weren't for the body armor he would have been killed by the shards.

He reached for the magnum at his side, with his left hand he unholstered it and fired it at the frame of a slowly approaching Brute, behind him other Covenant began to work their way to the third floor. The Brute seemed to grin at him as the pistol clicked empty, the Brute raised a mauler to Pierce's head but hesitated, he motioned for another Brute beside him, they passed weapons and now he held the blade of a Brute shot to Pierce's groin. He had seen them cut captives in half in such a manner and he feared they would take their time making the cut upwards. The Brute roared and was about to swing but an explosion turned his attention away. The staircase to the third floor lite blue with the detonation of a plasma grenade. Then a Grunt and Jackal tumbled down the staircase dead. The Brute looked at them then at Pierce when a red cloud of blood blew away from the back of its head. Pierce looked at the source of the shot, hovering out the window was the form of a Phantom painted green. On the side was a Grunt gunner firing a plasma turret at the other Covenant on the floor, beside him Elites leaped down firing plasma rifles and carbines. From the staircase now more Elites came down. One approached Pierce and extended a hand.

Hollywood

62
MISWA Arkel Facility, Arkel Province, Luna

Spencer jabbed at the large bag dangling in front of him, his punches shaking it thoroughly. Although small, the facility's gym room still allowed him to blow off steam. "Spencer Aragold. Report to Major Greaven's room immediately" the facility AI's voice rang, and Spencer donned his normal clothes.

He got out, where the corridor T-ed, and went left, then right, then across the hall, then right again... the Agency's complexes were like labyrinths. In his first days in the MISWA, he'd get lost all the time.

Finally, he reached a metal doorway, with a small metal plaque on the left-hand side of the wall reading; ''Major Kain Greaven. Facility Co-Supervisor''. Indeed, the Major was the co-supervisor of the facility. Basically, in the complex, he could command anybody belonging to MISWA, except, of course, the boys at Corporate.

Spencer clicked the small button next to the door, and it opened for him, revealing a cramped, but fancy office. Polished dark wood desk, golden-lined, pearl-white walls, hand-carved chairs. And behind the desk, sat the Major, his dark eyes and British accent pretty much distinguishing him from others. The man simply sat a few minutes, filing reports and such, then looked up to Spencer, closing his lap-top. "So... I've heard of you, Mr. Aragold... CCS, and former Spartan-III I believe?" the accent could make some words hard to understand, but Spencer was used to it. "That's about right, sir." Simple responses were the key to these situations... if he was in trouble, it would help save his skin.

"I've heard of the SPARTAN programs... highly successful too. So, I suppose you're skilled enough for this mission?" Actually, it struck Spencer to know that he was being sent on a mission. Usually, the Major only called people in for punishment or scoldings. "Y-yes sir..."

"Good! Then I will debrief you at 0300 hours. Good day"

Spencer walked back out the office, both confused and excited. Another mission already.

Onboard Covenant Assault Carrier; Memory of Loyalty, in orbit of Luna

The golden-armored Chieftain threw him against the wall, and exited the cell, the energy field reappearing after his departure. Nicholai was wiping blood off his mouth; he'd forgotten just how strong the Brutes were. He guessed he had a few broken ribs, and his skull might have been cracked at least a little. It was a real wonder how he was still retaining conciousness.

"So... how to get out..." Nicholai said it slowly, to make sure the guards didn't hear, and then he found it; the key to his own freedom.

Onboard Covenant Assault Carrier; Memory of Loyalty, in orbit of Luna

Once again, Optilus was on his shipmaster's chair, commanding the Brutes operating ship controls like a king. "Chieftain, multiple Sangheili ships have been spotted east of our position. Orders?" the Brute who'd said it was young; he hadn't even had the 'us' suffix added to his name yet. "Class?" Optilus asked; it would be suicide to fight multiple other assault carriers or same-strength ships. "I identified 3 Frigates; the rest are Human."

Typical; the traitorous cowards hide behind even the Humans... "Engage them, call aid from the Indignant Malevolence."

"Yes, Chieftain"

Optilus braced himself; two assault carriers would, in his calculations, be able to defeat seven minor ships, but it would require skill and effort...

--"Enlighten the path of others-darkness lights its own way"  Monitor  of Installation-07 CommunicationsContributions

63
EARTH

Pierce slowly took the Elites hand who pulled him up easily. The red armor held his reflection and Pierce could see his BDUs turning darker from his blood. "Go to the roof, we will hold off the Brutes." The Elite said as he grabbed its deactive energy sword, Pierce saw the weapon and wanted to leave immediately, though it was true about the Elites siding with the Humans and he had experienced it first hand he knew odds where not every Elite liked the idea. Pierce thanked the Elite quietly and made his way to the stairs, he tried to make his way around the bodies but gave up, he simply stepped on the furred hides of Brutes and felt his boot sink a little as his weight crushed a Jackal's head. When he got to the roof he watched as Grunts helped carry wounded marines into the Phantom, one Elite supervised over them but itched to fight, the Elite stepped on board the Phantom and to one of the turrets and opened fire on a line of Jackals as they tried to cover the advance of more Brutes.

"Never thought this shit would happen." A marine said as a Grunt helped him sit down next to a comrade, Pierce watched the Grunt go to help another marine.

"Yeah." Pierce said quietly, the last marine boarded and the Grunts did the same, now Pierce jumped on. Still in the thick of battle the Phantom gained altitude and flew away from the fight as another passed by them towing a Spectre underneath them.

"Son of a b****..." Hunter said open mouthed, he stared as the green Phantom landed over the defenses and Grunts began helping move the wounded. Andrew and Christian watched as well, they had just landed, the engineers done with their trap. In just a couple more minutes the fun would start an engineer had said earlier.

Pierce walked slowly, the pain in his side, shoulder, and thigh had increased. A medic ran to him and helped him move faster towards a grouping of tents. He saw the Captain there and saluted as he made his way past him, the Captain followed until they laid Pierce on a table. They removed his body armor, helmet and then his BDUs. "One hell of a job." the Captain said.

"Did we hold long enough?"

"Yeah, we're about to blow the buildings, the Elites will draw the Brutes into the bottleneck." The Captain said with a smile, Pierce's body revealed a history that he was unaware of. He wondered what engagements he had been involved in but he knew not to ask.

"Get me back on the line." Pierce said trying to get up, not until now did he realize how tired he was. Now all he really wanted to do was rest.

"Just wait a while longer." With that the Captain walked out and saw a Phantom bring in a single Wraith. He smiled, it would help a lot, however the Elite reinforcements were light, too light. The group that had extracted the remenants of the platoon was about a third of the force they had brought, they too had been involved in heavy fighting since the start of their civil war and never recieved reinforcements. He motioned for his second in command, another Captain, "Blow the buildings, get everyone into position."

Hollywood

64
Lewis looked out the back of the Pelican at the city. His squad had been working their asses off to hold off the Covenant onslaught. Every human on the planet was fighting the Covenant. Lewis walked by a camp where he saw eight year olds trying to control the M7 SMG in practice firing. He hated the fact that the fight for humanities survivial had come to this, but he knew that it was necessary. The Covenant were larger, technologically superior, and more deluded. The city was practically crumbled builidings, ashes, and trash by the time the Covies were done with it. Lewis looked over to his right. An Elite, mandibles in a "fight" face looked right back at him. It was tall, eight feet, six inches in combat stance, and by his armor, he was a major. He held a Covenant Carbine, the Covie's version of Lewis' BR-55HB SR. Further back in the Pelican were a smattering of ODST's and Minor Elites, all gearing up for a fight. Humanity had to win this war one battle at a time. And this city was going to be one of the big ones. Over the loud speaker, the pilot spoke.

"ETA TWO MINUTES, GET READY MARINES!"

Lewis cocked his M6D and checked his Battle Rifle. Looking at the ground, he could see that some of the Brutes had already begun moving to the Drop Zone. In the air were two Phantoms, piloted by their Elite allies, and two Pelicans, loaded with a smattering of Marines and Elites. They were all skilled and trained.

"WE'RE OVER THE DZ!"<BR> "HIT IT MARINES!!!"

Lewis lept from the back of the Phantom and moved to the first defensive position he could find. Behind a destroyed car, he saw two brutes, both regulars, hefting their Spikers beginning to flank them. Lewis, on instict, let loose with the BR-55HB SR. The first brute fell, blood oozing from its skull. The battle had just begun. -- AJ

65
Earth (Rotarua, New Zealand)

Jeff Valea swore over the carnage before him, as he watched his men being hoplessly crushed by the Covenant forces. They had been fighting for hours, and still no reinforcements had arrived.

A young Corporal, Anh Ng, barely managed to duck under the hammer of a Brute Chieftain as it flailed across the battleground. It's hammer met with a marine, shattering his bones, and sending him flying, raising it's hammer for another swing, the chieftain again attempted to kill Ahn, though it only splitered a tree, as Ahn leapt out of the way.

Valea watched as one of his marines was grabbed by a Drone, flown into the air, and torn apart by it's claws. The Drone, Qzech'Mere, dropped the body, and stared back at the Sergent, who raised his rifle, before being tackled by a beserk Brute. Jeff felt the sharp pang through his back as he landed on a rock, and looked into the Brutes mouth as it roared, then watched it explode as he stuck his pistol in it and fired.

The Brute chieftain glanced at his comrade's death, giving Ahn enough time to fire a round of Assault Rifle ammunition into it's crotch, then as it fell, another to it's head.

Qzech'Mere surveyed the battle, and realised the loss of the Brutes, in fact, the fact that there was no Brutes left. This left Qzech as the highest rank left. The Drone felt a slight emotion, excitement, then despair, as he realised any failings would fall squarly on him. Though they still outnumbered the opponents to continue fighting, and then to lose, would be Qzech's fault alone, so the Drone ordered a retreat.

Jeff got up, as several Drones flew overhead, towards their landed Phantoms, the remaining Marines fired on the Grunts and Jackals that were running through the forest, with little return fire from the Covenant. A marine approached Jeff, "What now sir?"

"Noone came to our aid, that means there's battles virtually everywhere, we'll have a bit of a break for now, but then we head to the nearest Distress signal."

The marines nodded, as the Phantoms took off into the sky. Just Another Grunt Converse 05:39, 11 December 2007 (UTC)

66
EARTH

The combined forces of marines, ODSTs and a few Elites and Grunts watched the horizon. The tall skyscrapers that had kept them in shadow for the evening loomed high overhead. At closest skyscraper to their left began a clatter of dull but distinct thuds, they hammered out a continuous beat for a good ten seconds before stopping, then the tall building began to list. The explosives had been placed on only one side of the building to make it lean to on side, as it began to lean the other skyscrapers came alive with the beats. Then like dominos the buildings knocked each other down one by one. A cloud of dust engulfed the area, it had almost made it to the defensive positions but they had help from the wind and elevation. Then as the cloud settled the joint force looked out on a perfect bottleneck. Now it was just a matter of baiting the target.

The Elites that had relieved the recon platoon where in the middle of such a task. After holding for a little longer Phantoms had brought in three Spectres and two ghosts. The Elites had boarded the vehicles and began to backpedal as other Elites were forced to continue on foot. The Brutes they had engaged were close behind angered after seeing how the Elites would kill their Chieftains then weild their Gravity Hammers for a short time. Afterwards when the Elites knew the Brutes were quite angered at seeing the precious hammers at work they took their plasma grenades, stuck it onto the weapon and burned it away.

Pierce slowly pushed himself out of the medical tent and walked towards the defensive positions, he made his way next to the Scorpion and to an equipment locker. The buildings were already down, he had slept through it, he didn't mind he needed the rest but he did mind the fact that he hadn't prepared for the upcoming battle. He found the body armor and quickly strapped it on him, the only thing he couldn't find now was a helmet. Next he looked for a weapon, a loud roar broke a silence that had been lasting over the position, he looked at the bottleneck and quickened. He grabbed a sniper rifle and battle rifle then sprinted for the trenchline. He ran past warthog crews as they prepared weapon turrets and other marines and personal running back and forth trying to bring in weapons and ammo.

"This shit is actually going down." Hunter said walking into the cockpit through the compartment door, he had just cleaned and oiled the turret in the carrier bay, it had been the fifth time he had done it that morning. All three looked through the cockpit windshield over the defenses, if any Phantoms tried an airborne assault they could stop them in the air, hopefully. Andrew rubbed his breastpocket, inside was the picture of his dead wife who had been a field docter who had saved many marines lives. Christian smoked a cigeratte and sipped on a canned drink, he had a feeling it would be one of his last.

"Got eyes on Spectres, it's the Elites." A marine said next to Pierce, the marine looked through a pair of binoculars and had a radio set next to him, he would be giving the coordinates for the Guass turrets and Scorpion. There were many others like him out there, only because if he were to be hit another would quickly replace him. "Damnit they just lost a Ghost." Pierce looked through his scope just in time to see what looked like grenades from a brute shot hit dead center into the vehicle.

"Brute pack inbound..." Pierce whispered, then he listened as the marine spoke through the radio handset and gave coordinates. "You got a target rich area, advice first volley." Pierce said quietly again as he watched the Brutes coming through the bottleneck, it was less then half a mile wide and it was beginning to fill up quickly. The marine nodded. Then in a combined volley the odd noise of the numerous Guass canons fired a single round, every personal with watched for the effect.

The Guass canon rounds easily found targets in the mass of flesh, however the problem with the rounds was they had little area of effect. It would hit flesh then plow right through until it stopped in the ground somewhere maybe taking out two or three contacts, unlike a round fired from the Scorpion which would blast a group of enemy into the bits and leave the others nearby dazed and confused from the blast wave. Pierce watched as a the rounds struck Brutes, Grunts, and Jackals. A Brute was flew into pieces as it took a hit dead center and another behind him fall as its legs were torn away. "Good hits advice fire for effect!" Pierce yelled as he heard the loud cracks of sniper rifles firing. Then the Scorpion fired along with the Wraith. Pierce was about to pull the trigger and take out a Brute when a blue sun engulfed the Brute and left a smuldering crater.

The Elites quickly sped up in their Spectres and made their way towards the trenchline, one was hit with multiple brute shots and flipped. The gunner had been thrown into the air and landed on his side to quickly limp away along with another but the driver and a passenger had been crushed to death.

Soon a mass of firepower made its way towards the bottleneck as Brutes sprinted across, they would make it past the area that recieved the heavy firepower only to be picked off by snipers and soldiers with battle rifles. Brutes ran as Guass canon rounds whizzed by them or into them, Grunts would panick as the one in front of them would be blown to bits but then either continue the attack or risk being crushed by the Brutes behind them. The ground shook none stop and soon became littered with bodies.

After two minutes Phantoms appeard on the horizon and the Hornes and Pelicans went to work. They locked on target and fired. "Good hit!" Hunter yelled in excitement seeing the Phantom take the hits, drop and crash into the ground.

"We've got a problem here our ammo isn't going to last to long!" yelled a Guass gunner over the radio, soon others reported running low. Pierce looked around, so far things were going good but once the Brutes closed the distance everything would go to hell. The marine next to him was in the middle of giving coordinates when he stopped, a red mist flew from the back of his head and a inch size hole was on his forehead.

Pierce dropped for a second then grabbed the radio, "We got snipers! Get ready to fire on these coordinates!" he yelled then risked getting up to see through binoculars at a group of Jackals, they had moved away from the bottleneck entry and to the side, fifty of the Jackals held their shields into a wall while their snipers fired in relative safety. "001578 fire!" he yelled, there was a second pause then saw the round hit low of their position. "Raise fifty meters, left ten meters! FIRE FOR EFFECT!" Then after another pause a mass of the Guass rounds ripped into the formation, after ten seconds the formation was nothing more then a purple stain. "Alright get back on the entry fire at will!" Pierce yelled, the turrets had paused for a moment to take out the snipers letting the entry with less firepower.

The Covenant had advanced over halfway now and the rattle of machineguns grew louder and louder. He got back to his sniper rifle and fired rounds one after the other not having to aim much. Now it was no use, they were too close now, he looked around and saw what he was looking for. It was standard to keep grenades handy in defensive positions, here he had a crate full of at least fifty grenades. He primed one and threw, grabbed another and threw again. He kept on and on, two ODSTs saw him they ran beside him and fired with their assault rifles giving him cover. "Keep it up!" They yelled through small pauses of firing.

Now the Guass canons no longer focused on the entry, they fired at the oncoming mass approaching them. Only the Wraith kept raining down plasma on the bottleneck, it had become so full it was certain to kill many with each hit. But that didn't seem to have much of an effect on the oncoming horde.

Hollywood

67
"GET THOSE SPANKERS UP HERE!" Screamed Lewis. Although the Elite-UNSC force had moved through the city, they hit a snag when the Brutes brought out five Wraiths. Their plasma mortars were causing havoc among the UNSC forces, and their Gauss Warthog had been hit. Two Privates came up, and steadied the lauchers. On instinct, the Privates fired their lauchers. The first rocket impacted on the Wraith mortar, causing it to stop firing. The second of the rockets hit the bottom of the Wraith, causing it to flip. As the Spankers switched to the second tube, they fired again, sending the third and fourth Wraiths flying in a hail of fire and smoke. It was a small victory, but it would soon get worse.

"Sergeant Major, why is the ground shaking?" asked a young Private "ITS A WALKER!" Screamed one of the other Sergeants

The UNSC-Elite force ran for their lives through the city, as the Scarab fired, sending rocks crumbling onto the street. One UNSC Patrol drove their Warthog through the city, just to be crushed by the Scarab's menacing spider-like legs. That Warthog was sent flying through the street, crushing a young marine. Lewis kept on running. But then, he collapsed. His head was filled with memories of the insurrection, the glassing of so many colonies, the death of billions. One of the Lance Corporals ran back for Lewis and dragged him to the extraction point. But, UNSC High Command wouldn't authorize a single Pelican for their survival. They were to hold their position at all costs. Lewis soon cleared his head, and when he heard the news, he swore. He swore at the the UNSC, the Colonial Administration Authority, and the goddammed covenant. He checked his ammo count, and figured he had enough for the night. They set up in key positions, and waited for an even larger Covenant Assault on their position.

AJ

68
Chicago, Earth,

The battle for Chicago was getting worse. The Brutes, with great amounts of air and armor support, were moving in for the kill. But the UNSC was intent upon keeping the city at all costs. Zeta Squad and 10 other Marines had been on patrol when Brutes, Jackals, and Grunts had ambushed them.

"Crap, theres no end to 'em!" A Marine shouted, tossing a Frag into the midst, it exploded, showering a squad of Brutes with smoke. Marines fell upon the Brutes with Shotguns, Assault Rifles, and Battle Rifles. The Brutes were dead easily within seconds. Kain raised his Battle Rifle and fired a trio of shots into a Jackal's stomach, the bird-like creature fell, sqwuaking. A Grunt ran to Kain, firing it's Plasma weapon, sizzling shots struck Kain's bodysuit, he pulled through the burning and fired a burst that put the Grunt down.

"Bravo Kilos! 7 of them, 12 o' clock!" Kain turned, just as a Brute with a Carbine fell upon him. At the last second, however, a bullet and a tracer ran through the beast's face, downing it. "Thought ya might need a little help, boss," Michael Higgins, the team's sniper, said over the radio. A group of Warthogs and Mongooses came up behind the UNSC soldiers, revving their engines so as to get the Marines and ODST's out of the way.

They all stepped aside. The vehicles roared and drove through, Marines with rifles fired from their seats on the 'Gooses while the Warthogs turrets spat round after round, shredding the Brute armor in seconds.

UNSC Autumn,

"This is the bridge." The Marine said, gesturing to a door. Edward nodded his thanks, then stepped through. The place was a buzz of activity, bridge crew shouted out things to the Captain, who shouted back. Even a SPARTAN coming to the scene didn't quiet them, they were simply too preoccupied. "Spartan-077, welcome." Edward saluted to the Captain, who saluted back. "It's a little hectic, yes, but...." "I can understand that, sir."

"I have something to discuss, please, over here." Edward stepped over, a hologram of Earth and the moon lit up. "The thing is, I'm letting you choose your battlefield," the Captain pointed at the holograms. "I can...pick?" Edward asked, confused. "Yes, the main hotspots are the Southern California area, Chicago, Berlin and several other spots. On the moon, theres a lot of action around the UNSC Flight Instruction Academy and Luna OCS." Edward looked at the hologram, trying to decide.

-- The State(Our Decrees and Law)(The State Alchemists we've enlisted) 01:11, 14 December 2007 (UTC)

69
//December 13, 2552, 0623Hours// //Sol System, Terra// //England, London, Trafalgar Square//

The fresh air rushed through his lungs. He heard the terrifying sound of a plasma grenade hitting the ground and the explosion sent him head over heels. The shell shock was terrible, he heard nothing but ring and mumbled voices. The light burnt his eyes and as he lay there like a floundering fish a hand reached out and grabbed him. And as he rose Andy felt happy but as he reached the face of his helper his happiness was replaced by anger. The strange long head, dark black eyes and the disgusting long snake like mandibles. The Elite stood and it seemed to be smiling at him.

“This one has some fight to him,” the red Elite joked to his comrades

Andy slowly raised his M7 up into the Elite’s “mouth”.

“How about you drop me now you spit-chin f*** before I paint the pavement with your blood!”

“Enough!”

An older looking Elite appeared. He had aged looking skin where he could see it.

“Tyandos, drop the human.”

The red Elite dropped Andy to the floor and snarled at him.

“My name is Kaso ‘Lumen I am the leader of this unit and I have something that is going to surprise you.”

“Where friends with the Elites now,” Alessandro said happily

Andy looked around to see the others relieving the dead brutes and grunts of their weapons. Andy noticed the Chieftain’s hammer and picked it up from the floor.

“Not too heavy for you human?” a younger blue Elite asked

“No. “ Andy said with a smile “It’s perfect.”

70
EARTH

The horde kept coming. Pierce had thrown every grenade in the crate plus the ones the ODSTs had. With the combined firepower of every human and Elite they had been able to keep the Brutes a mere two hundred feet away from the trenchline. That distance however was in reach of the Brute's throw, they had lobbed spike and plasma grenades over the space and in the general area of the trench. Sometimes the grenades would fall short, other times they landed perfectly in the trench and the occupants rushed for their lives out. The men feared the plasma grenades more so far, if a spike grenade landed nearby all one had to do was jump out of the way of the direction cone of the explosion. However with plasma grenades it was a matter of making sure you were out of the blast radius and hope you wouldn't be stuck. The Brutes then were using their brute shots to good effect, some of the snipers were blown away by the grenade launchers. Now every sniper would fire a few rounds then sprint for a new position to fire again.

Pierce took a moment to look behind him as spike rounds flew overhead. The Brutes had managed to take out three warthogs, two of them being the guass canons. The Scorpion was still operational along with the Wraith however the Scorpion was getting short on rounds. The Hornets and Pelicans had kept Phantoms and Banshees at bay, when one popped over the horizon it was quickly elimanated or force down. Pierce got up to fire, he shouldered his sniper rifle and aimed quickly, four shots one after another and four Brutes went down. He ducked back down to reload and saw streams of green knife by. He went wide eye as one stream hit a warthog, it exploded killing the crew around it. Another hit a bunker destroying a turret and the men inside, two more destroyed other warthogs, another grazed the Scorpion leaving it still operation. "HUNTERS!"

Pierce looked, multiple Hunter pairs had moved towards the front and fired on the position. Their weapons glowing green for another volley. Smoke trails of rockets flew by and hit two Hunters bringing them down, more went down with the guass canons and Scorpion. But still they were able to fire another devasting volley. Pierce saw one coming for him and he sprinted then dove. He felt the heat on his back and looked behind him, a gaping hole parted the trenchline and the two ODSTs that had been with him were gone, he could only find half of an assault rifle to prove their existance. Pierce looked around, then saw a marine become impaled by half a dozen spike rounds. The marine fell and dropped his weapon, a M41 rocket launcher.

Hollywood

71
CHICAGO, EARTH-- AIR DEFENSE BATTERY ZEBRA 2-10, PAD ALPHA

Jared expended his MA5C's last round, and dropped the now useless weapon on the snow-covered concrete pad that the SAM-IRX launcher sat on. The Covenant had kept coming, bringing with them two pairs of Hunters whose massive fuel rod cannons had decimated the UNSC troops defending the anti-air battery. A rainbow spectrum of blood colors spattered the landscape, and the corpses of ODSTs and Brutes alike were draped in a soft blanket of downy snow. Pieces of rubble from obliterated concrete roadblocks and destoyed buildings lay like boulders in the winty urban landscape of east Chicago.

He scanned the ground for weapons, and hefted a battle rifle with a half-clip of ammunition. More frantic searching discovered a box full of unused BR-55 clips, which he hastily loaded into the cargo containers on his belt. The "Spartan" laser on his back was at half charge since he had used the majority of the weapon's firepower to eliminate one of the Hunter pods. Skadi, dual SMGs blazing, backed towards the launcher, protecting an ODST who dragged his buddy by the combat harness. Jared had noticed an odd tendency in the officer, which worried him; Skadi never seemed to wear a helmet, preferring instead to let her white hair hang loose over her neck. The SPARTAN had seen ONI operatives disregard UNSCDF protocol before, and it seemed as if Lieutenant Kobolds was another to add to that list.

Strangely, he felt an odd sort of kinship with the lieutenant. Both of the two had been on Manheim together, and both had been biomechanically modified. Rumors around fleet was that the Alpha-batch Valkyries had some strange side effects from their modifications, odd symptoms like sociopathy, insanity, hallucinations, or extreme paranoia. Skadi was an Alpha, but she seemed to be alright to Jared, who had been through hell during his inhumane transition from soldier to SPARTAN.

The trooper checked his buddy at the foot of the launcher, and swore in a grief-choked voice. "No! No! He's dead! Damn it! Damn it, why?" He stood, fingers grasping at some imaginary throat. Withering Covenant fire forced Skadi to roughly pull the ODST down to cover.

"Keep it together, trooper," she said softly, reassuring the poor Marine, "There'll be time for that later. Focus. Focus!"

Nodding vigorously, the man drew his sidearm and began to return fire, swearing under his breath at the Brutes and Grunts and Jackals charging the battery.

Jared assessed the situation and then set his weapons behind the launcher's raised pad, next to Skadi and the ODST. She looked at him, violet eyes curious as to what he intended.

Reading her look, Jared answered. "Ma'am, I'm taking the fight to the enemy." He wrenched a surviving autoturret from its frame and peeled around the pedestal's corner. Then he opened fire, tearing bloody gaps in the advancing Covenant line.

"Juliet?"

"Yes?"

"Send out for help. This is all that's left between Chicago and a pool of molten slag, and one Spartan, one Valkyrie, and one ODST are not going to hold this position against forces like that."

"Will do. The other batteries are holding off the enemy, and the fire-control bunker is still safe. I could ask for support from the Scorpion teams at the other pads?"

"No. Then they'll get overrun, too. Radio to fleet for airsupport and reinforcements."

"Wait one... Message sent. I've got it on a repeat pattern that will broadcast until help arrives."

"Thanks, Juliet."

"My job, that's all it is."

The Covenant seemed to be ducking behind the rubble of buildings, regrouping for another assault. Jared checked the ammo counter of the autocannon. It wouldn't be enough to stop the next wave. If only he had another Spartan, or a wing of Pelican Seahawk gunships. Then he might be able to hold.

He settled back behind the pad to wait.

 SPARTAN-091  |Admin|   HelmetComm  16:29, 15 December 2007 (UTC)

72
Nairobi, Kenya

Lewis hid behind the wall. It was now night time and the Covenant still haven't assaulted their position. Lewis was wondering what was going on until they heard a fleet of phantoms. They were not coated in the separatist green, instead, they were painted loyalist purple. All of the Marines awoke and checked their weapons. The Marines/Elite force had set up a good position in the town. They were both in buildings at the end of a dead end street. That way, any Covie stupid enough to walk in there would be torn to shreds. At that time, the UNSC/Elite force had thirty members, three of which were snipers. Those who were in the building in the back saw the Covenant land about two blocks from their position. They weren't using Wraiths however, but they were using Choppers. Lewis saw through his binoculars that the Phantoms hadn't left the area, but were hovering about five clicks away. If the Brute force failed to decimate them, the Phantoms would just destroy the place. In SPARTAN-I training, Lewis had learned about a battle in the 20th Century, known as Black Hawk Down. There, 100 Special Forces personnell held out against a mob of millions. Strangely, this battle seemed a lot like it. Cut off from base, they were all stranded, left for the now approaching mob of Brutes. Lewis had noticed that the Covenant had sent out some of it's best, when he noticed the slight blur of active camouflage. One of the Elite Snipers noticed it also and took a shot with the Beam Rifle. The ionized beam cut through the Brute, causing his active camo to fail and then the beast fell. The other Brutes began to use tactics, moving through the buildings approaching them. Lewis from the back building noticed a door leading to his position. He knew that that door led to a building the Brutes were now occupying as he had ran through the same path. Lewis took some hand grenades, strung them all together, and made a booby trap. If they were all going to die, they were going to take some of them with them.

-- AJ

73
'''On Covenant Holy City, High Charity. En route to Earth.'''

The heavily infested city sped through the endless void, spores trailing behind in its wake. Gravemind himself had already orchestrated the infestation of Voi, and the Flood still retained a foothold on the precious jewel of a planet.

Surely they would be unsuspecting... who would know that the flood-infested High Charity would descend upon them? Who would know that the Flood would be able to enter the portal?

MISWA Arkel Facility, Arkel Province, Luna

He'd been debriefed, and was now on his way to the UNSC facility. It felt strange riding a pelican in space; he'd only known them as atmospheric vehicles, and yet, here he was, driving it to his destination. According to what he'd been told, the UNSC facility was under siege by Covenant, and it was Spencer's job to halt their advance.

In orbit of Luna, onboard Covenant Assault Carrier; Memory of Loyalty

Optilus was conversing with the Prophet when he heard the explosion, and afterward, a series of yells and roars. A Brute Captain ran to him only a moment after.

"Chieftain; the prisoner's escaped..."

"Which one?"

"The Human"

--"Enlighten the path of others-darkness lights its own way"  Monitor  of Installation-07 CommunicationsContributions

74
Will. It is defined as the wish or desire to accomplish something. That definition, in essence, comes as close as words can possibly come to summing up the definitive feeling of will within a person’s being. But, just like many other emotions the human body portrays and holds in its mind, such a feeling cannot be summed up in mere words. Human will is infinitive, yet fragile to the very touch like a thin veil of smoky ice upon the very prime layer of the human essence. It is a prominent motivation for one to continue forwards, even without the logical means to do so. To scrape, crawl or drag one’s self onwards is encapsulated in the raw, simplistic luminescence brightening the cavernous depths of doubt or fear. Will keeps people moving, even past the point of no return, when their backs are up against the wall and nothing positive can be proven by their actions. Yet they will strike back, lunging towards the darkness that threatens to envelop them with the sheer hope that their actions will save another from such a fate. Not many possess such a striking attribute to their being. When staring into the fiery eyes of the enemy, their entirety emanating the very primal thought of tearing you to pieces, the few are able to raise their fingers and lash out in defiance. Many would rather fall victim to their attackers fury and fall limp in their former struggle when not opposed head-on, face-to-face, with the protagonists to their fairy tale story. But is it the few, the ones with the will behind them to push back, to make a stand, who define the vast many with the vigor and voracity which perpetuate a movement. It is those with a cause worth sacrificing themselves for who end up coming out on top, who willingly throw themselves before their enemies with no intention of holding back; they are the ones who survive. For one to maintain their will, without it shattering to pieces like broken glass and splaying across the ground, they must abandon all hope for self-preservation and embrace a cause.

For an idea can never die…

‘All hands, assume stage four precautionary stations.’

The drill had become like clock-work. Every-time they exited slip-space, which had become often within the past few weeks of movement between galaxies to maintain a bit of secrecy and assure that the Covenant would not find them, they assumed such positions. Lieutenant Avery’s roughly cut feminine voice resounding that message no longer meant to buckle your drop-bay seats extra tight; no it had a deeper meaning now.

After all they had been through, the battle on the fore-runner world, the battle of Installation 03, the engagement of Altor IV and finally escaping the sentinel horde, the crew and soldiers who remained alive knew well what this deeper meaning hid. They had all grown so very much, even the soldiers. In their eyes no longer held the doubt that humanity was on the brink of destruction and that they couldn’t make a difference; they had seen first-hand what determination could bring you. It got you out alive from situations that tacticians would call blasphemous to even think of entering. It preserved your spirit even when the odds were overwhelming to be lightly put. Determination was the guiding light that would see you through the caves of doubt and duress to the clear skies of restitute salvation.

Beyond that, it didn’t hurt to have some luck on your side.

Metal soled boots clanged against the deck of the hangar bay as crew and marine alike scrambled to arm themselves with any ammunition they could get their hands on. After the last engagement, they had lost a significant amount of weaponry when they had to expel the Brutes from taking the ship and everything within it. The prize they were searching for, which was never acquired by the demonic beasts, had been both a curse and a blessing since its first discovery. It had saved countless lives and preserved the crew’s existence on several occasions. But it had also sent every Covenant and Forerunner creation following in the ship’s wake trying to retrieve or steal it.

The Devine Judgement.

That’s what the Covenant had first referred to it as. Upon further inspection, it was found to be a battery-like super generator capable of using slip-space to tumble any form of kinetic energy into usable extemporaneously siphoning energy which could filter from the small orb unto any conduit it was immediately touching or hooked up to. It had proven to be a life-saving source of power for the ship, and an overwhelming weapon in battle.

But it hadn’t come without a cost.

Because it had been so thoroughly pursued, many had lost their lives defending it. The valor and courage those men and women had when fighting against innumerable odds just to protect the smallest glimmer of hope that they could hang onto to preserve humanity was unlike anything else. It was the look in their eyes which let you understand their motive. ‘If I die here… I can make sure that another won’t die in the future.’ It was the embodiment of will at it’s very prime.

‘All hands, assume stage four precautionary stations.’

The alarms and sirens rang clearly through filtering external speakers which led unto a headset connected directly to the central neural core of the human brain; clear reception at the least. Every footstep and yell resounding throughout the cargo bay could be honed in upon, studied and reverberated through a system of features to discern its origin and meaning in a matter of seconds upon a single thought. Every dropped shell casing and sub-machine gun brought with it the hidden meaning of men and women scrambling despite war-hardened resolve.

No matter how long you fought, you could never shake the uneasiness right before battle.

All who felt it had different ways of dealing. Some dealt with this uneasiness by changing their breathing patterns to allow a purer flow of oxygen to their brains and bloodstream. Some talked louder and became more animated to relieve the stress; laughing at themselves and their antics to lighten the stress. Some found release in the expulsion of their lunch all over the cargo bay floor, which would help to get rid of any butterflies they could be possibly feeling. Everyone had a different way of dealing with it. “Two-hundred fifty six. Two-hundred fifty seven. Two Hundred fifty eight.”

And some were more calmed about their approach. It was those who could go straight from their prone anticipation to the battlefield without a second thought. It was a cool, calculating trial which prepared them for the engagement soon to come. It was inevitable, as they were heading back to earth, that a battle was in the near future. It was just a matter of when. Five days, ten days, a month or maybe it would be immediate. There had been no word over the channels for quite some time when they had been in open space on the last occasion. Some believed this to be a sign that humanity was lost, and there was no more remaining fleet to broadcast such messages. But others took it as a sign that there was a struggle going on somewhere and the resources were desperately needed; you could no longer have outposts just idling without combat. But overall, most just took it as a sign that they would be going into this integral jump blind.

A gauntleted hand rested upon the overhead hang of one of the seats. He stood looking very solemn to any outside onlooker, as if his stoic metallic image was somehow saddened in its appearance. The cuts, slashes and scars which marred the armored figure only seemed to perpetuate this appearance, as if it had been disfigured by the doings of an angry god and cast back into the very existence which it had loathed in the beginning. The armor no longer resembled that of a work of human hand, technological prowess at its finest, but seemed to give off another kind of aura to it. It seemed to scream of battles long since passed and held with it this air of regret that perpetuated forth.

But appearance can be deceiving.

All members of this ship knew that being from his distinguishing scarred armor and stoic presence. The respect that each and every soldier and crew-men alike had for this being was anything but that which accompanied a person looking defeated or beaten. He symbolized everything which they hoped was going to save humanity from utter annihilation. He was a testament to perseverance and skill, the truth to which humanity was going to make it’s stand and resolve this conflict. He had stared down thousands of the Covenant with only a rifle and his armor, defeated an entire Covenant battleship by falling from the upper atmosphere and laid waste to entire battlefields with vicious precision. He was the perfect soldier, the strength to which the humans would cast down the righteous hammer of victory with upon the deluded Covenant forces.

His name was Adrian Gray. He was Spartan-014. He was power.

At his side stood another figure, assuming a similar position, clad in equally finely crafted armor and about the same stoic height. Despite the fact that her armor was a tad bit less streamlined, and was obviously an older model, it was obvious to see that they were of the same series and class; the Mjolnir armors, Mark V and Mark VI, both fighting side by side in perfect harmony. They had endured more hardship, the two beings, than any being ever should have. Clandestine lovers pulled from each other’s arms twenty years prior, only to meet again after the decimation of the entirety of their comrades, and then to have one fall victim to enemy fire and slip into a deep coma whilst the other marched off to single-handedly destroy those responsible for such an atrocity was almost like a dream or rather a horrible nightmare. But, in the end, both had come out with scratches, bruises and each other to wrap their arms around. It was both a blessing and a curse, as most things in this war had been, to be re-united once again as they had been.

Adrian-014 and Angelica-054; the protectors of the UNSC Hesperus, savior to many a man and women and soul-mates bound by commonality. Whilst gauntleted hands gripped that sustaining bar, the other idle hands gripped each other; as if never to let go again.

‘All hands, assume stage four precautionary stations.’

‘Prepare for immediate slipspace exit!’

Lieutenant Avery’s voice filtered through the speakers as the ship’s Shak Fujikawa drive linked up with the fusion reactors to press forwards a tear into real space from the bleack emptiness which surrounded them at this time. Pristinely cut hair falling only chin long was brushed from the young woman’s face as she stared unto the different mechanics and displays which lined the paneling of the control room. This cockpit had seen its share of dire moments, and last minute maneuvers, which had tested the resolve, smarts and strength of every member of the six person pilot crew. Maybe most of all had been young Lieutenant Lylius Avery, who had started her tour with the Hesperus on its mission to Reach as a Ensign and proven her skills enough to make the jump to her current position. And it was well earned. She had kept her cool and supplied vital tactics during battle which had helped to sway the entire focus of the fight in many situations; an invaluable asset to have on their side.

A white gloved hand fell upon her shoulder, as if to try and comfort the obviously stressed young woman. At first, her eyes had widened behind wire-frame streamline glasses, and her first instinct was to turn around, but upon seeing her would-be comforter she only smiled and returned back to work as he passed by to survey the bridge before him in the tightly knit pilot’s ‘chambers’. Data scrolled across screens, holographs spun and toiled under the vectoring sequence to exit slipspace and various sounds could be heard from the other pilots doing all they to ensure they exited safely.

“And so, it begins again, Captain.”

The pale form of an angelic looking figure popped into focus on the holotank which resided within the bridge. For a moment, her image sizzled and cracked as it came into light and then reset its setting so that she could come forth in all of her glory. Long flowing hair bellowed down unto finely crafted shoulders and an equally distinct looking dress bellowed as if blown in the wind. Her eyes traced the man as he walked forwards, towards the very front of the bridge, staring off into the great resounding nothingness before them.

“That it does, Helen.” The deep, refined sounding voice from the young looking Captain echoed forth, sending shivers through the spines of all that heard it. This young man was nothing like what his age brought to mind. He looked thirty at the oldest, be it his true age was twenty seven. Nay, he was elder Captain’s mind and heart trapped into a younger man’s frame and physique. Shortly cut, slicked black hair played underneath the ghostly white starched uniform hat which rested upon his head. Displayed across his jacket and uniform were several awards and medals garnered, despite his civilian status. He was probably one of the most revered privately owned Captains commanding a vessel today. He had seen his crew and ship through nearly half a dozen engagements and had only a scar the length of the cargo bay door to testify to it; along with the blood testimonials of nearly a hundred men and women he had fought alongside with. He and his ship was unlike anything else the Navy had under its belt; a private company owned Captain commanding a freighter which had been outfitted spontaneously for ‘battle’ having destroyed several Covenant ships and procured one of the most valuable fore-runner artifacts to date. He was a legend in and of himself, at least to those who were informed of the goings on in the battlefield. Captain Adam Deadrus-Donalyn Graves; a prodigy in the making.

He turned to look at the Artificial Intelligence which had posted herself looking unto the same eerie nothingness that the Captain had been vesting into. He stared pensively at her, raising an eyebrow, before she looked back at him with large sorrowful eyes that seemed to hold within them entire worlds of feeling and meaning. Those pained eyes then turned into stone, a look of force and integrity. He smiled back to her, seeing her change so suddenly. “Excited, Helen?” He asked, turning with hands overlapping behind his back, and walking up to the upper most point of the bridge and retiring to his own seat.

“Of course.” She responded, smiling, before almost bouncing back to look forwards as the ship tore a hole into the black void and smashed its way through the dimension into the real space. What they saw upon exiting was reminiscent of a scene they had viewed only months prior; Reach.

Earth was being overtaken. There was a slight moment of pause by all those who vested upon the bridge as they stared upon the carnage laid before them. Having received no communication for nearly three weeks from any other human vessel, the ship’s comm. Channel had been left open on Fleetcom 7. Across the streaming line came sounds of chaos and calamity, accompanied by screams of terror and panic. There were those shouting orders to the fleet, and then others yelling out before being cut-off by impending ends. This was the finale`; Humanity’s last stand.

Then, everything clicked into motion with the crew upon the bridge, as if that moment of respite had been turned off by choice and not necessity. Because who would willingly sit and listen to that whilst they had a job to do which could distract them, if only for a moment. The behemoth lurched forwards, as the fusion reactors burst forth heated exhaust from the three enormous engines at the tail end of the ship. It sped through space, entering what had been previously considered Earth-AirSpace. Now, it could only be considered AirSpace. “Close that channel, open up something to broadcast a message to the fleet offering support and supplies.” Graves uttered, trying to think every move like a true strategist. He couldn’t make one wrong mistake. The floating debris of Marathon-Class Cruiser, five times larger than the freighter, was testament to that. They then locked Fleetcom 7, leaving it open and monitored for transmissions pertaining only to them on an automatic system, and then opened Fleetcom 4; a privatized channel for distress calls.

That was when Juliet’s message flowed into the communication channel, making Helen perk up straight upon receiving such a transmission. She turned to Graves with wide eyes, and then played the looped message through the speakers as well. “Sir, that’s another Smart AI. Military Serial Number JLT 8011-10, she’s registered to be alongside Spartan-091.” She fell silent, watching the Captain’s eyes take a bit of interest and widen as she uttered the word Spartan at the end of her speech. If there was one thing that they could be doing, it was preserving as many of those god-sends as they could. And if they needed some additional firepower, the Hesperus could serve it up. He stood up, taking his role with dignity and meaning.

“Helen, send a response detailing our acceptance and immediate departure for the area. And make sure to let them know who’s on-board.”

“Avery, stage five battle-stations, now.”

“Every-one else, plot a course directly for Chicago. We’re going into battle, now!” He shouted out, turning around and taking in a deep breath; letting the air flow into his lungs and seemingly clean him out. It was this situation, when he had his information, where he thrived. This was going to be another fight which they would survive… He was sure of that.


 * Attention, all soldiers fighting at location Zebra 2-10, this is the U.N.S.C./I.S.S. Hesperus. Please retreat to a safe location. Assistance is in-bound on your position. Be prepared for bombers upon your location in less than ninety seconds. Hold tight for now, as incoming dropships will be holding reinforcement including Sierra 014 and 054.||

‘Attention, all personnel to stage five battle stations!’

This new message came with new alarms and new sounds abounding throughout the cargo bay. As the ship had finished it’s lurch from slip-space into regular space, the various loose pieces of equipment had bounced around unfettered by the bounds set forth for the larger pieces of cargo. In the very beginning, upon their first combat jump, the cargo had been flung in all sorts of directions and smashed into walls and people; causing quite a problem. But by now, the crew had gotten the paces all right and knew exactly what to go to do when anticipating a harsh lunging jump. It was almost like clockwork.

Shuffling feet now made their way towards the rooms next to the cargo bay, to walk towards the hallways which led onto the hangars. Originally, the Hesperus had been outfitted with four pelicans to transport the equipment from the cargo bay down the surface of Reach. By now, there had already been the confirmed suspicions of many as to why they were going to use Pelicans. They had originally wanted to keep the secrecy of the new Mark VI armor system a top secret, so ONI had staged three dumby Pelicans to divert any possible attention from the Pelican dropping the armor from its intended target. All of that secrecy, and the Pelicans had turned out to be one of the most vital pieces of equipment in the entirety of the survival for the crew of the Hesperus. It had been nearly two months since the fall of Reach, and since then they had only lost one Pelican. That had been something necessary to kill off an entire platoon of Covenant forces who were coming to attack the ship; an integral necessity for the survival of the rest of the crew.

Finally parting, the two Spartans entered different Pelicans, each packed to the brim with soldiers carrying MA5B and MA5C assault rifles along with the elder variant of the BR-55 slung over their soldiers. Each was packing to the brim, carrying enough arms to fight whatever battle would come there way. This was Earth, there was going to be more fighting and bloodshed than any other battle that had ever been fought in the history of this war against the Covenant. This was the last stand for humanity, and it only made sense to pack that extra pistol because there won’t be a next fight to fire it off in. This was it. And everyone knew that, as the hatch doors began to open up and the Pelican bay doors began to close; the transport ships preparing to vacate the idling Hesperus.

“This is Jason Orion and Fleet Squadron Z11-10 of the UNSC/ISS Hesperus, sending out a welcome message to all surrounding Sword-Squadrons defending North America. The cavalry has arrived!” Jason Orion sounded off into his communication link head-set as he tinted his visor to the pilot helmet he donned upon his head. He had long since cut off the shoulder length straight red hair and went for a more traditional cut. He had shaved his hair off, allowing for the centimeter long red buzz to allow his scalp some breathing room. Despite losing his hairstyle, he was still the same radical redefinition of a Longsword pilot; fighting multiple Seraphs at once by pushing extreme angles, gees, and the very limits of what the human body can take. It was only when the two greats aboard the Hesperus came together to pull off the atmospheric drop when his true brevity shown through.

The idling Hesperus was sustaining altitude in the upper stratosphere so that the various drop-ships and planes could vacate the hangars safely without having the updraft sending them off course. This was going to be a very delicate insertion, requiring the Longswords and Shortswords to lay waste to the hostiles before the Pelicans even get within vision of the drop zone.

The hangar bay doors finally opened up along the left side of the large freighter, allowing the light to filter in upon the pelicans and the various bombers. Upon fully opened doors, the ships jumped into action; the bombers jutting out from the bay with speed and vigor before the Pelicans ever even began to hover. That was the power of using the various ships in conjunction with one another. They complimented the others weaknesses. While the Pelicans lacked in bombardment power and destructive force, they could insert troops and ground forces that would fight to take back the city. On the other hand, the bombers could incinerate all and any ground resistance but could never bring in reinforcements for the ground troops.

“Make sure that all of you friendlies keep your heads down!” The voice of the thirty-five year old wizard of the skies echoed into the communications channel for the ground forces at the Anti-Air battery that were clinging onto life. The sounds of streaking wings cutting through the atmosphere resounded through the skies above the battery, like the roar of a dragon as it prepares to wrench into its enemy. A moment later, the two Longswords and two Shortswords had passed nearly two-hundred feet above the heads of the Valkyrie, Spartan and ODST below; dropping hellfire en masse` upon the heads of the Covenant; resounding an echoing blast which sent debris in a whirlwind from the blasting of the type-14 anti-tank mines upon the Covenant forces.

In the wake of the bombing devastation, the Pelicans began their ever present descent down to the battle tarnished ground below. The hovering mechanisms of the declining drop-ships began to knock up dust all around the ground below as they slowly settled into place. The 55mm chain-gun sprayed across the ground below, destroying some of the grunts and such who had clung to life despite the destruction which had awashed the ground around them.

The bay doors of the Pelicans slowly cranked open, letting the light from the Chicago city sky flow into the bay area. The obliterated city scape before them finally came into view, the scorched ground from the anti-tank mines that had been fashioned and used by the various bombers. It was a horribly sad scene, but it could be multitudes worse. It could be under feet of clear glass…

A swarming mass of soldiers poured from the Pelicans, and an extended cab Warthog was dropped from the rear of the one that Angela-054 had been in. The Pelican which Adrian had gotten a ride from dropped a mongoose which it had been carrying onto the ground below, but it hit a small bump and rolled over onto its side. First the few crew men filtered forth, then the true UNSC marines, and then the couple of ODSTs who were still part of the Hesperus’ fighting forces. In the beginning, there hadn’t even been that many ODSTs outfitted for the crew. Even then, most of the remaining Orbital Drop Shock Troopers had accompanied Staff Sergeant Armstrong to destroy the second sentinel production facility and had met their ends. Now, there were only seven, and three of those had been on this first pelican drop from orbit. The third Pelican was still inbound, and was supposedly bringing the remaining troopers and some form of armed vehicle.

Finally, Adrian and Angela vacated the Pelicans, stepping firmly onto the cracked ground beneath their feet. The metallic pangs of their armors reverberated into the air around, as if creating a symphony with the sound of the hovering mechanisms of the Pelicans as they lifted off of the ground and began their ascension into the air to return to the Hesperus for a refitting and more infantry. On both of the backs resided their individual BR-55 rifles, and in Angela’s hands rested an MA5C assault rifle. She instantaneously began to get the several dozen marines and crew men into formation, taking up defensive positions and such with snipers and riflemen posted in key locations for flanking offensive attackers. Adrian slowly made his way over to where the Valkyrie and Jared had been hunkering down, a 99C-S2 AM in his clutches; held out for his Gray Team ally. “It’s good to see you again, Jared,” Adrian uttered in his resonating deep tone, nodding ever so slightly. Upon taking the rifle, Adrian was planning to swipe a finger across his visor, signifying how happy he was to actually make contact with another Spartan; nonetheless one that he had just fought with months prior on Installation 03; a reunion of sorts for those who had been so very frugally cast aside, the irony of the universe and its condition of fate playing out once more for all to see.

CaptainAdamGraves 04:58, 16 December 2007 (UTC)

75
Earth, in Pelican Bravo-333

Matt comforted himself in the Co-pilot seat in the Pelican. Belle sat in the Pilot Seat. She was the technology and vehicle expert, and recently, after Pete-G045’s death, also the CQB expert. Matt still felt sorrow in his mind because of Pete’s death. The two had been like brothers. They had survived the glassing of their homeworld together, they had volunteered to the SPARTAN-III Project together, they was put into the same team. Finally, on the mission at Coral, he had sacrificed his life to let his teammates escape.

Matt put his sorrow into a dark corner of his mind and re-focused on the task. The STARS device in Europe had told them to head for the Orbital Elevator in Rome, Italia. Rome had started producing fresh SHIVA-Nuclear Warheads a while ago, and was going to deliver them to the UNSC fleet using the city’s orbital elevator. However, Covenant forces had attacked the west Italian coast with a fleet of Phantoms, among them surviving Covenant forces from France. The 256th Army Regiment had gathered in Rome and prepared for the attack. They had, however been overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of the attackers and the raw strength from the Brutes. The Brutes captured the city within three hours, and along with the city, the Warheads. Now, Teams Wakisashi and Bokuto had been tasked with retaking the elevator, which contained the warheads.

Matt looked out of the cockpit. The Pelican closed in on the elevator. However, they had not gone unnoticed. Fifteen Banshees were following, firing their plasma cannons after the Dropship. Matt turned to Belle and said, “Belle, open the hatch so Oliver and Henry can fire their Sniper Rifles at the followers.” The hatch opened with a mechanical sound, and Oliver and Henry drew their Snipers. Matt then turned to Victor, saying, “Victor, lower the machine gun, open fire at them!” Victor nodded, and pulled out the Machine Gun in the Pelican’s roof, and started to pepper the banshees with AP rounds. One of the Banshees’ lost its wing, and fell towards the ground, unable to regain control. It crashed into one of the skyscrapers, whose material boiled away from the heat. Meanwhile, Oliver and Henry sniped down one Banshee each. One of the craft crashed into three others, making them all fall uncontrollable into a skyscraper, causing a big explosion. The other Banshees felled back. A small victory. The Pelican, who had the plates on its stomach almost entirely burned away by the plasma fire, closed in on the elevator. Matt noticed an entrance: a large window a little bit to the left of their current course. He showed it to Belle with his finger. She nodded silently, and turned the Pelican to the left.

They now had full speed. Matt held his arms over his stomach, preparing for a crash. The moment right before they hit the window, Belle hit the back thrusters, slinging everyone forward in the craft. The window shattered into millions of pieces as the Pelican’s nose broke through the window. It crashed on the floor, and after a few moments, stopped. Matt felt pain in his ribs. He ignored it and rose from his seat. Belle did the same and opened the door leading to the troop bay. The Spartans were allright. They seemed to feel a little pain in their bodies, but no real injuries. Good, Matt thought to himself. He gave the “fall back behind me” gesture, and they did so. They formed a line behind him, levelling their weapons. Matt gave the signal. The Spartans jumped out of the crashed dropship, and opened fire. Grunts fell down, bullets peppered all over them. Oliver pointed, and then fired two shots simultaneously. Two vulture-like Jackal Snipers fell to the floor. Matt targeted a Brute Captain with his Battle Rifle at its head. He scoped, and squeezed the trigger. Three quick three-round bursts took down the shield of its Power Armor, and a fourth burst pierced its large skull. The creature fell down to the floor, blood oozing out. The remaining Grunts and Jackals tried to flee, but they were quickly killed by Team Bokuto. The elevator was once again in UNSC hands. Matt inspected the large room. There were 14 Shiva Nuclear Warheads, along with two Fury TAC Nukes. Matt picked up one, and handed it over to Victor. He then looked at Belle, and yelled : “Belle, what’s the status of our Pelican?” Belle returned to the Pelican’s cockpit, pushing some controls. She then walked out, and answered : “Sir, it is flyable, at least for a while. But we can’t do a long flight; we may need to call for extraction.” “Roger, let’s get to work!”

Rome Station, in orbit above Earth Jack squeezed the trigger of his Assault Rifle. The first rounds bounced off the Brute’s power armor. Its shield went down to critical level. Jack rolled, and fired another burst. The AP rounds pierced the creature’s throat, and it fell down to the metal floor. Jack reloaded pushed in a new clip into his Rifle. The Covenant were no match for Foxtrot Company, it seemed. They had defended this station, Rome Station, from Covenant boarding parties for two hours now. The hangars were now filled with Covenant corpses. Their troops never got anywhere else than the hangars, were they were killed. The casualties from Foxtrot Company counted 10 dead, 15 injured. Suddenly, an explosion was heard. Jack and his Marines ran towards the large Hangar window. Zagreb, Sarajevo and Ljubljana Stations had all been destroyed. Seemed they had been destroyed by bombs placed inside them. Six Covenant Frigates now headed through the ashes of the destroyed stations. They seemed to head for the Rome Orbital Elevator. Jack cursed quietly for himself, and turned to go. Suddenly the station shook. Jack and several other Marines were slung to the floor. The alarm screamed all over the station. That meant it was about to get destroyed. The frigates must have fired a salvo of plasma torpedoes, Jack thought to himself. He turned to the Marines, yelling : “Marines, get into the Pelicans ASAP!” He jumped into the troop bay of a Pelican, shortly followed by other Marines. When they were filled, the Pelicans breached the hangar windows, and headed out into the black space.

11:41, 16 December 2007 (UTC)

76
"Attention, all soldiers fighting at location Zebra 2-10, this is the U.N.S.C./I.S.S. Hesperus. Please retreat to a safe location. Assistance is in-bound on your position. Be prepared for bombers upon your location in less than ninety seconds. Hold tight for now, as incoming dropships will be holding reinforcement including Sierra 014 and 054."

Jared heard the broadcast, and his eyes widened involuntarily. The Hesperus? Adrian and Angel? Long-lost friends, whom he hadn't heard from in years... and they were coming with vengeful force to assist him. Truth be told, he hadn't even expected reinforcements. The entire remnant of the UNSC fleet was engaged and fully committed in pitched battle against the Covenant Loyalists. And now... a ghost from the past, from Installation 03? He looked forward to seeing his surviving brother and sister again.

Fiery blasts reduced the horde of alien aggressors to so much atomic waste, and dropships laden with supplies, vehicles, and troops set down on the concrete landing pads next to the AA turret. The sight Jared saw made his heart skip one beat, but that meant quite a bit in laconic SPARTAN terms. A tall figure in battle-scarred MJOLNIR armor stepped from the Pelican's ramp, boot landing with a resounding clunk on the pavement.

Adrian.

Juliet piped up in his mind, whispering, "I had no idea they had survived... I wonder if... Well, what do you know?"

"What? What is it?"

She answered after handshake protocols had been established. "He has Helen with him!"

Jared nodded and took the proferred rifle from Adrian's gauntleted hands. Then he laid his own hand on his comrade's shoulder, a gesture that spoke volumes in the quiet language of the super-soldiers.

"It's good to see you, too." He nodded firmly, a great approval. Turning to the bewildered officer next to him, he said, "Ma'am, let me introduce you to SPARTAN-014 and SPARTAN-054."

The silver-haired young woman extended her hand, violet eyes wide. Adrian took it, gently and politely acknowledging Jared's aquaintance. Then the moment of peace was over, and it was back to the fight at hand. There would be time for reminiscence later, but right now, it was the fight that was important.

Skadi seemed to be aware of this subtle shift, and switched herself into commander mode.

"It won't be long before they come back," she murmered. "We need to strike at them while they're still reeling, take back some lost ground." Pointing out at the devastated snowy outskirts, she indicated a severely burnt building several clicks away that seemed to be alive with movement. "They are using that building as a firebase because it's just outside this AA complex's base of fire. Phantoms have been bringing in arty pieces all day. If we could take that building, we'd be able to cripple their offensive in Lima-Green and Kilo-Green sectors.  Do you SPARTANs have any thoughts?"

 SPARTAN-091  |Admin|   HelmetComm  19:49, 16 December 2007 (UTC)

77
2000 Hours | December 25th, 2552 (MILITARY CALENDAR) Sol System | Earth | New York City, United States UNSC Keyes (BDG-1)

I had never been so goddamn scared in my life. In an hour, i'll be on a ship full of badass Elites, and I bet they're waiting to slice the shit out of us with their swords.

"Major Stubblefield, you're needed in the SAH" said Captain Stevens over the COMM system.

"Yes, sir"

As I entered the Armada's command center, a large man was pacing left and right across the Commander Screen. It was Grand Admiral Sir Terrence Hood, the Supreme Commander & Chief of the United Nations Armed Forces. He was a legend in the services, racking up awards and decorations from one end of the galaxy to the other. Hood fought in nearly every battle during the first half of the war. Near the end of the Battle of Doisac, he destroyed four Covenant fleets for only a loss of ten of his own Frigates, This made him a hero for going to the Brute homeworld and eliminating their fleet. He was later awarded the Medal of Honor and was promoted to Fleet Admiral. One year later, he was appointed to the UNSC Security Committee and was given the honor of Supreme Commander & Chief of the United Nations.

"Sir, Permission to come aboard sir?"

"Permission granted Major. Nice to see you again" the Admiral said

"Likewise sir"

Then, over the COMM, the ship received word that the Ministers, Senators, Representatives, UNSC Generals & Admirals, and others arrived onboard the Keyes. Me, GADM Hood, and his Royal Hayabusa Guards proceeded down to the hangar deck to greet the guests.

78
Onboard Covenant Holy City High Charity

They were close now; it was inevitable. All would sacrifice their will to the Flood, and the Gravemind. For High Charity was close to its objective. Close to the portal. Close to the Ark. The last single thing that stood in the way of Gravemind and his personal agenda.

Pods launched as the former Covenant capital hurtled wildly toward Africa and the Ark portal. The infested shells of metal, formerly Covenant, spewed forth from the main mass in massive numbers, impacting upon Earth like bullets. The infection spread, and the infested Covenant City finally reached its destination...

'Onboard Covenant Assault Carrier; Memory of Loyalty''. In orbit of Luna.'''

It was as if God smiled at him at that point. For directly in front of him, in the corner of his cell and at the edge of the energy field, there lay a Fragmentation Grenade. Silently, Nicholai edged toward its place, pulled the pin, placed it at the front of the field, and laid himself against the back wall of the cell. All that remained was to wait.

The explosion was deafening, especially at such a close range. He needed a second to regain his bearings. The field had been destroyed, and the guards lay on the floor, still writhing. Nicholai stole a Brute Shot and ammo from the guards, spit on their faces, and obliged to end their miserable lives with the bayonette.

He put his armor back on, and silently tip-toed through the halls. He was outnumbered 99 to 1. It looked like this would be so much fun.

--"Enlighten the path of others-darkness lights its own way"  Monitor  of Installation-07 CommunicationsContributions

79
Matt helped to load the warheads on the Pelican. However, they soon figured out that not all the Warheads could be loaded into the Pelican. Four would not fit in. Matt wondered what to do then. They couldn’t just leave them behind. The Covenant would take them. “Sir, I’m spotting six Frigates,” Oliver yelled, “They’re coming this way!” Matt sighed. Things seemed to only get worse. Then he had an idea. He had figured out a way to use the four remaining Warheads.

He hurried to the Warheads and ordered his teammates to jump into the Pelican. He clicked some buttons on the installed computer on the missile-shaped warheads. He activated the countdown timer on one and a half minute. The timer started with a click. Matt quickly ran for the Pelican and jumped in through the opened cockpit. Belle already sat in the pilot seat, so Matt pulled himself into the other seat. He pushed a button, and the cockpit shut. He made sure that the hatch in the troop bay was shut, and then turned to Belle. “Belle, get this bird out of here!” He told her on a private COM channel. She gave a slight nod, and pushed the on-button. The engines roared as they flamed to life. The Pelican flew up into the air, slowly. Belle pulled a switch, and the craft roared away, through the crashed window they had come in through. They barely saw the sky, since it was mostly blocked by the six Covenant Frigates. Belle boosted to full engine power, getting away one moment before the combined explosions from the Shiva Warheads and the remaining Fury TAC Nuke destroyed five of the Covenant ships.

Jack looked through the cockpit window. Five of those Covenant Frigates were engulfed in the explosion from the elevator. The remaining Frigate had apparently lost its shield and some parts of bottom hull. The pilot turned to face him. “Sir, its shields are down,” he said, “What should we do?” “I think it’s pretty clear, pilot. We’re boarding it!”

Matt helped Belle to turn the Pelican around, towards the surviving Covenant Frigate. Matt was planning to board it. It may be a risky plan, he thought to himself, but it was necessary. The small Dropship closed in on the target. Matt saw in the distance that the Banshees were focused on several other Pelicans. It seemed to be more who was planning to board this ship. But that was good, considering it would be a lot easier. Belle hit the back thrusters. Matt was slung into the control panel in front of him. The Pelican dropped swiftly into the hangar. But Matt saw the welcome committee: two Brutes, four jackals and eight grunts. Matt bashed up the cockpit, and pointed his battle rifle on the closest Brute. He fired four quick bursts. The first two bursts bounced off its armor, while the third burst took down its energy shield, resulting in the armor to fall off the hairy creature. The fourth burst effectively killed It. Oliver and Henry burst out from their cover, and fired. The second brute went down, along with the single major Jackal. The remaining soldiers lost their team cohesion and tried to escape. Some bursts from Matt, Oliver and Henry quickly got rid of them. Matt turned to face his team. “Belle, Diana and Henry, stay here and make sure the warheads are safe. Victor and Oliver, you’re coming with me to the bridge!” Green acknowledgement lights blinked on his HUD. He reloaded his Battle Rifle, and waved Oliver and Victor forward. They went through a door, and were in a corridor where a group of Jackals engaged a Fireteam of Marines right ahead. Matt threw a Fragmentation Grenade towards the vulture-like creatures. Purple blood splashed on the wall. Matt went towards them, searching through the spattered bodies. He picked up two grenades, and handed another two to Victor, who grabbed them. The confused Marines saluted towards them. Matt and his team returned the salute. “Marines, where’s your CO?” Matt asked. “Uhm… he’s heading with two Fireteams towards the bridge,” one of the Marines answered. “Ok,” Matt said, “Marines, try to search through the ship and kill all Covenant soldiers you see, we’re heading towards the bridge.”

--

Now there was only through this door, and they would be at the bridge. Matt took a deep breath, and then opened the door. He ran in, screaming a battle cry. The confused Brutes inside quickly pointed their Spiker Rifles towards the Spartans. Matt fired multiple bursts simultaneously on the Brute Ship Master. Blood oozed out from the hole where there were supposed to be an eye. The Brute fell down to the floor. Oliver sniped down four Brutes in quick session. Victor drew his MA5K Assault Rifle and turned it on full auto. He finished off the last two Brutes with a full magazine.

A door on the other side of the room suddenly opened. There were three Marines in the corridor. They stepped into the room, walking towards the Spartans. “You seem to have done well,” he said, “you captured the bridge before we did.” “Excuse me, sir,” Matt said, “how many men do you have?” “We were 150 when we boarded. Now we have 48 men dead, and 32 injured. So we have 75 Marines who are fully functional. But we have won here at least. The entire ship has been cleared out.” "That sound good, sir", Matt said, "What should we do now?" Just as Matt had asked the question, his COM activated, and the familiar voice of Lieutenant Commander Michael Horn was heard. “Senior Chief, you’re there. Good. You and your teams have received a new mission: You need to get to Mars; they’re in extreme need of Spartans! I’ll make it to your position and pick you up, then we…-“ “No, sir that will not be necessary, we have our own ship to get there with: A Covenant ship!” Matt interrupted the Lieutenant Commander. “Very well, but get there immediately, its orders from Lord Hood. Lieutenant Commander Horn out!” The COM shut down. Matt sat down in the commander’s chair, and turned it to face his teams and the marines. “Belle, go to the navigations station. Sergeant Major Jackson, go for the weapons station. Everyone else, take the remaining stations!” He yelled to them. They all saluted, and went to their stations. Matt turned to Belle again. “Belle, get us into slipspace, now!” She nodded, and pushed some buttons and switches. The ship turned to the black space, then went into slipspace.

22:17, 16 December 2007 (UTC)

80
"So, Petty Officer, your choice?" "Oh, hmmmm, Chicago?" Edward asked. The Captain looked back at him, "I understand, your fellow Spartans are down there, aren't they?" "Yes, sir." "Very well then, give 'em hell." Edward saluted, "Of course sir." And then he exited. "Fire the MAC, heavy round..." Were the Captain's words as he walked out, reminding him of the battle. He began to ponder again.

"I've got wounded!" "I've got 5 KIA over here!" "Sierra Bravo, this is Tango Alpha, we need reinforcements!" The sounds of battle and moans of wounded echoed across the street. Kain himself was among the wounded, as he had taken a Spiker round to the arm without knowing.

He layed down while the doctors and medics worked to get it out. "Carefully..." A doctor instructed to a team of medics. "I got it!" Kain felt a sting of pain as the medic held it up to the doctor. "Hmmm, judging from where the blood stops, I'd say it went in a couple inches." "Can I get back to the battle sir, I've got a squad out there." "Of course, Sergeant," The doctor picked up Kain's Battle Rifle and handed it to him. "I have no interest in guns, I simply treat those who get harmed by them."

Picking up the rifle and thanking the doctor, Kain walked out of the cafe that was being used as a field hospital. He looked up, seeing UNSC dropships overhead. The UNSC had taken a part of the street, but Covenant forces were hitting hard. Other forces had secured an AA battery, there were whispers that there were even Spartans in the city. While most thought Kain, an ODST, would have a grudge against the Spartans, he truly thought they were good soldiers and deserved the respect of any other soldier. Some of his squad thought differently: Michael, for example, hated the II's. George and Martin both agreed with Michael, and the women were mostly neutral.

"Worms! Flee before the Jiralhanae!" Brachshaw shouted. His Brutes were attacking a crater that held a UNSC base, apparently Human and Sangheili soldiers were hiding out in here. Gunfire exploded from the base, peppering Brachshaw and his soldiers with bullets. Brachshaw felt several of his armor plates become loose and fall away, and bullets struck his flesh. "The Chieftain is under attack, protect him!" A Brute shouted, and they ran forward.

There were shrieks in the air and Brachshaw looked up, ah, his air support had arrived, Human fighters, sporting insignia, rushed up and did battle.

-- The State(Our Decrees and Law)(The State Alchemists we've enlisted) 21:19, 16 December 2007 (UTC)

81
On Earth, Onboard Covenant Holy City; High Charity

High Charity began its descent into the portal, Flood spores spewing out from its every crevice as the massive structure started its passage. Covenant and UNSC forces were battling heavily in the area, and after the great city hurtled down upon them, they were in large disarray. Flood overwhelmed them, and they surrendered their wills to the great entirety of the Flood Gravemind.

UNSC Facility (Specification Unknown), Luna

Spencer saw the chaos going on below; even from the surface, there were so many troops. He opened fire with the Pelican's machine guns before landing, getting out his battle-rifle, and moving onward.

'Onboard Covenant Assault Carrier; Memory of Loyalty''. In orbit of Luna'''

Optilus walked down the halls to the cells, only to find that the Human had left. Portable Plasma Cannon at the ready, the Chieftain continued to prowl around the corridors, searching...

--"Enlighten the path of others-darkness lights its own way"  Monitor  of Installation-07 CommunicationsContributions

82
EARTH

Pierce could see the M41 rocket launcher just ahead of him, the marine had just reloaded and was about to fire when the long red hot spike rounds had cut him down. Pierce tried to push himself up but felt him arms weak, he dragged his body closer pulling at the ground with his hands. Overhead another volley from the Hunters, the trenchline was almost gone, filled with gaping craters. Slowly now Pierce felt he could try once more and pushed, getting onto a knee he looked around. The line was falling fast, the warthogs were firing nonstop along with the Scorpion and Wraith. Marines ODSTs and Elites did what they could to hold off the oncoming horde. Covenant bodies began to come to the lip of the trench where the human and Elite defenders shot almost vertically to keep the Brutes at bay.

Pierce saw as one marine picked up a flamethrower, he let out a warcry and sent a stream of flame toward the mass. Again and again the marine burned away any attackers until a Brute Chieftain had lept upwards and came down on him with a gravity hammer. The marine was gone, crushed to a blood stain on the ground, however the Chieftain had almost made the mistake of crushing the flamethrower as well. The gas tank inside detonated from the pressure and engulfed the Brute in flames, it roared as it felt its skin burn away.

Just a few more feet and he would reach the launcher, a spike round flew past him but he ignored it. Slowly he regained his senses, he felt his strength coming back. Pierce dove and grabbed the launcher, in one solid movement he recovered himself by rolling into a kneeling position, shouldered the weapon and took aim. Two Hunters, their arms glowing ready to fire. Pierce fired the first rocket and was about to fire the next but he waited for just a moment. He wouldn't need to fire again, the first rocket had impacted against the Hunter's shoulder by pure luck and the grace of God. The explosion detonated the fuel rod canon on the Hunter's arm and the pair were engulfed by a green haze. Pierce smiled brightly as the pair were gone along with the unfortunate Brutes and Grunts around them.

"Shit! What the hell is he doing!?" Andrew yelled as he watched a Hornet begin to lift off its pad. The Hornet went up a hundred feet and let loose with its rockets and machineguns. From their position the Hornets and Pelicans could only deal with airborne targets, that way the would recieve little incoming fire from ground targets.

The Hornet fired nonstop. However the Covenant outnumbered him and opened fire en mass. Though normally groundfire wouldn't bring down a Hornet easily the shear number of plasma and spike rounds. The amount of green plasma fired from pistols had been enough to burn away the underside of the hull, spike rounds filled the cockpit and tore into the engines. After the first volley of fire the Hornet came crashing down and exploded, a thick black smoke column began to snake its way into the air.

Pierce dropped the M41, he had fired at another Hunter and killed it only to piss of its partner. Now he no longer had a weapon, looked around and grabbed a pistol he fired at a Grunt as it jumped into the trench. The round tore into the head and blew half of it clean off. Another Grunt followed to be quckly shot in the heart. Then a Jackal, it had seen Pierce and was in the process of raising it's shield up to protect him. Pierce through kicked forward hitting the shield on the upper section. The Jackal lost its balance and fell, it tried to fire its plasma pistol but ended up being shot through its open mouth and into the back of the head.

Hunter waved off a pair of medics. "We're full! We can't take anymore!" He yelled. Medics had been moving wounded into the Pelicans, already the carrier bay seats were all taken along with every space inside on the floor. He wouldn't be able to move to the cockpit and would have to relay on his headset to communicate.

"Hunter we got permission to fly outa here be ready!" Christian yelled. The Pelicans were all full now, they would have to keep low and fly toward someplace to leave the wounded. It couldn't be too far though, if they took to long on each trip marines would die. Luckily a couple Phantoms were with them to help.

"HOLD ON BOYS!" Hunter yelled as he readied the turret, the Pelican rose and began to turn around. He saw part of the battlefield before them. Many of the warthogs were gone, smoke trails went sky high. Humans and Elites were mingled together with Covenant Loyalist trying to fight for survival. He pulled the trigger, slow at first the turret began to build speed and spat out rounds. He couldn't risk firing at the Loyalists in the trenchworks without hitting a friendly so he aimed towards the mass that filled the distance from the trench to the entry. He fired nonstop, he wouldn't have to aim really.

Finally the Romeo-017 was away from the fight and Hunter stopped firing, he let go of the turret to find that his arms felt odd after feeling the heavy vibration of firing the weapon. He sighed wanting to drink from his canteen but instead he passed it around for the wounded.

Pierce threw the pistol at the Grunt's head, it was out of ammo. He threw himself towards a spike rifle on the ground and fired it. The Grunt busy trying to put its mask back onto his face when it was hit with the heavy rounds. Pierce looked around, he quickly found enough ammunition for the weapon along with a spike grenade. He pulled the odd trigger on the weapon and sent a stream of spikes into a Brute's stomach. He felt something bump into his back and quickly turned to fire the weapon but to his surprised saw an Elite standing over him with a carbine. "Target rich environment!" It yelled.

"Good hunting!" Pierce replied then fired with the Elite at a group of oncoming Brutes. They both threw grenades cutting the group down to just three, the Elite reached for something on his harness and activated an energy sword. Quickly it cut down the Brutes and let out a victory cry. He deactivated it then brought his carbine up again.

"Good hunting!" The Elite said then turned away to keep fighting. Pierce shook his head, they were losing fast.

Hollywood

83
MISWA Lion Island Facility, Australia, Earth

Jeff Valea tunred to the pilot of his Pelican, "Are you sure these are the coordinates the signal sent?", and recieved a convincing nod and yes sir. The marines lept from the vehicle into the only patch not covered in forest on the island below. The group slowly in a circular motion checked the area was clear, before another three Pelicans dropped off their soldiers.

A marine approached Valea, "Sir, there doesn't seem to be any real evidence of marine, of any forces being here."

"So, are you questioning the reliability of the pilot or transmission?" Jeff quickly retorted, as the marine replied in a series of mutterings before walking back to join some of the other marines, who turned to Valea as he breathed heavily, "Marines, we were going to aid whoever we got the first signal from, we got the signal from here, so they need our help, and we're going to bloody give it to them, now spread out, search the area properly, we'll leave if in 1.5 hours no evidence is found."

A marine yelled from the forest edge to the commander, "Uh...sir? No need for it to be that long, I think I found something..."

The soldiers expectantly rushed over, to find a small rundown hut, "There's still no sign of any armed for....." One of the marines started to say, until one of the marines pulled down a painted on wooden wall, to reveal a large metal door, "Ah...well....that's settled then!"Jeff roared as a smug smile spread across his face, "I want that door opened ASAP, it's probably another military lab..." But then how'd the Covies find it?.

Just Another Grunt Converse 04:50, 17 December 2007 (UTC)

84
EARTH, in orbit, near Houston station

Dragon watched as the Covenant ships exited slipspace. “Dragons, let's hit those new Covie ships hard!”, yelled Donald. Dragon Squadron sped toward the ships, readying their weapons. But then the Covenant ships turned toward the other Covenant ships and opened fire. “What are they doing!?”, said Sherri. “I was wondering the same thing”, said Randall. Suddenly, an Elite's voice echoed over the COM. “To all Humans, the twelve ships of the Covenant that have just entered your system are not to be attacked. We are Covenant Separatists, and we have come to kill the Loyalist traitors. Stay out of our way, and no harm will come to you.” “Dragon Squadron, disengage those ships now!”, yelled Captain Wilson over the COM, “I repeat, disengage NOW!!” “Yes sir”, they replied, and turned around to attack the Loyalists. “That was close”, said Michelle. “Yep”, replied David. “Can you ever say more than one word?”, asked Randall. “Nope” “Come on, you must have –” “Randall, on your six!”, yelled Sherri. Several plasma bolts sped past as Randall just barely dodged them. “Why you little....” “Cut the chatter and shoot!”, yelled Michelle.

EARTH, in orbit, onboard Houston Station

Joe fired the Assault Rifle's last bullets, then threw it aside and unslung his Battle Rifle as another Brute charged him. Before he could reload, the Brute was two feet in front of him. Joe side stepped and dodged the bullets, but the blade of the Brute's Mauler grazed his shoulder. As blood came out, Joe bashed the butt of his gun into the base of the Brute's skull, killing it. The Grunts panicked, and the marines quickly picked them off, while the Jackals hid in corners only to be blasted apart by grenades. Joe moved forward, grabbing some ammo from fallen marines. He hated to do it, but this was a battle were he couldn't afford niceties such as leaving the dead as they were. He turned a corner and shot a half-dozen Grunts, then entered a hanger. He found a small group of marines, weaving between Longswords and Pelicans, fighting off not only a dozen Brutes but two pairs of Hunters. Joe signaled for the marines he was with to attempt a flank on the left, while he went right. He drew his M6G and aimed for the head. He fired several times at one of the Hunters, and it dropped dead, bullets in the neck. It's bond brother turned and charged its' weapon, aiming for Joe. Joe quickly turned tail and ran, the Hunter right behind him. He heard two of the Brutes and another Hunter die, as he grabbed his Battle Rifle and turned. The Hunter leaped to bring down its' shield, just as Joe ducked and slid under it. He quickly fired several rounds into its' back, and the Hunter fell dead. Joe got up and went over to finish off the Brutes. As he killed the Brutes, he noticed a team of seven pilots. They were obviously the pilots for the docked Longswords, as they were the only ones geared up to use the ships. They were good fighters too, as they used superb teamwork to kill the Covies quickly and effectively. I'll have to find out who they are once this is all over, Joe thought. But, now wasn't the time, and with the Covenant forces in the hanger dead, he signaled for the marines and pilots to move out.

EARTH, on the surface, in Austin, Texas, USA

“Oh, my achin' head”, said Ratchet, “what happened?” “You fell several stories when a Brute cut your rappel line”, he could tell that was Lead, “We found you unconscious with several broken bones.” “But we finally managed to get some reinforcements”, that was Burns, “About 50 marines and some field surgeons with medical equipment.” “Good thing to”, that had to be Sarge, no mistaking it, “Cause otherwise you might not be here right now.” Ratchet grabbed the sides of his bed to push himself up, and sat straight, up then opened his eyes. He saw that their battleground with the Covenant earlier had become a small UNSC base. “So, what's our orders”, asked Ratchet, trying to get out of the bed. “You aren't going anywhere for a while”, said Sarge, pushing him back in to the bed, “That broken arm needs to heal some more.” “I am coming”, he said. “Not before that thing heals”, said Lead. “But I –”, he began, then stopped, “Fine” Ratchet waited another hour, but then he couldn't stand it. I will not be forced to stay in a bed when there's a battle to be fought, he thought. He got out of bed, threw off his sling, painfully, and marched to Lead, demanding to be put back into duty. Lead saw it was pointless, so he signaled Burns and Sarge. Once they arrived, he said “Let's go” He walked to the edge of the camp, then turned and said, “Marines, let's move out.” There was a flurry of activity as marines joined Delta Team while others helped pack up the camp. Soon though, they moved out through the broken remains of the city. After about 20 minutes of killing small groups of Covenant, Delta Team climbed a wall of rubble to see a large Covenant encampment on the other side. Thousands of Grunts, hundreds of Jackals and Drone, dozens of Brutes, and several pairs of Hunters, along with lots of vehicles. Lead motioned for everyone to get back, then he turned on the COM line. "This is Lead of Delta Team, stationed in Austin, TX. To any UNSC forces, we need immediate reinforcements. I repeat, we need reinforcements."

MARS, on the surface, exact location unknown

The two Brute Choppers moved in unison over the battlefield, jumping off small hills to crash down on vehicles and infantry, Jarikus and Samorulan roaring with delight all the way. The rest of team in their Dual Ghost, Spectre, Sprite and Ghost soon followed, running over Covenant and firing on the vehicles. They were joined by the marine's Warthogs as the Scorpion fired on the Wraiths. Jemsal's Spectre turned and fired on the enemy Ghosts, but not before they could blow up the Scorpion. All forces concentrated their fire on the Wraiths, and soon there were only half as many left. "Yeah, kick let's kick their butts!!", yelled one of the marines. But then, they heard something descending through the sky. Down dropped a Scarab, escorted by several Phantoms. "Oh no", said Ameigh. She opened her COM line, "This is to all Human or Separatist forces, we need assistance. We are fighting a Scarab, and need immediate assistance. Help, now!"

--

85
//December 12th, 2552, 1800 Hours// //Sol System, Lunar Surface// //Letronne Crater, Lunar Complex G/T/39 //

The Covenant troops outside of the complex were in full retreat now; their lines were broken, and they had been transformed from a disciplined, orderly fighting force into a panicked and unorganized group of individuals. There was no cohesion within the Covenant ranks; no one covered another, everyone just ran, as far, and as fast, as possible, away from the destruction. In the cramped cockpit of his Rapier, Juno growled deep in his throat with pleasure as he screamed over the Covenant lines, his 160mm cannons sweeping bullets across hordes of fleeing aliens. Alien bodies exploded into meaty confetti, and grunt back-mounted methane tanks exploded silently under the sudden pressure.

“Kilo Lead, move to vector oh-three, coordinate grid Juliet Zero Eight, provide air support for evacuation of medical patients at field tent X/F/27.”

Brock Juno grasped the pilot yoke of the fighter and twirled it, sending the craft in a roll that gave him the exact opposite facing as before. Across the matte grey lunar plane, bodies and wreckage from the battle dotted the area. A dozen or so Covenant dropships flew in formation up ahead, a rare sight indeed. Most had been either destroyed or disabled. Juno guessed that the dropships were either doing emergency pickups or a last ditch offense, and by their vector, which was exactly the same as his own, he suspected the latter. Brock dropped onto the tail of the first dropship, his cannons spewing oversized rounds into the unshielded fuselage of the U-shaped Spirit. The dropships had officially been replaced with phantoms, but some Covenant forces still used them out of necessity.

The 160mm bullets from the wingtip cannons tore ugly holes in the horseshoe shaped transport. Wreckage fell away from gaping maws in the crafts hull, and a moment later the ship was consumed in a flash of blue-white fire as the dropship’s plasma coils were breached by the slugs. The wreckage tumbled to the ground, and slammed into the surface in a plume of dust. The dropships split formation, and the half dozen more formidable phantoms turned to face Juno. Their plasma turrets warmed with a purple glow then spat luminous bolts of heat and Juno’s interceptor.

The phantoms single gun turret was not overly powerful…but Juno wasn’t taking any chances. Juno slammed the stick hard to port, and three bolts slashed past. Three didn’t miss. Layers of armor on Juno’s fighter boiled away, weakening the armor plating, but not damaging any critical systems. Juno cursed as his fighter listed to the side, but he regained control. Bellowing in rage, he mashed down the firing studs of the craft, tearing a pair of dropships apart. Orange fireballs flashed in space as Juno’s ASGM-10 missiles detonated on the remaining phantoms and the craft tumbled out of the air.

Up ahead the five remaining spirits swooped past the medical tent, underside cannon firing. Bolts of purple plasma lanced toward the place, hitting the cracking the ground into glass. A dozen EABTs and a pair of larger troops emerged, weapons firing. The wreckage of several dropships and the bodies of covenant troops lay outside the entrance, and in the distance, Juno could see a duo of phantoms retreating from the tent, separate from this wave. Shots from the ground troops pinged off of the armor of the Spirits, but did no serious damage. A single EABT hefted a M-19B Missile Launcher, and let loose a missile. The weapon was ineffective against larger and shielded covenant air support, like Seraphs, but the older and less effective spirits were easy prey.

A pair of dropships fell from the sky, flames spurting from holes in their hull. Juno hit his additional thrusters and swooped towards the combat. Five hundred meters ahead, the Spirits swung around into a sharp landing, and the twin tuning-fork shaped compartments swung open. Brutes, Jackals, and Grunts in vac suits streamed out of it, weapons flashing in the Lunar night. The dropships anti-gravity pods activated and the ships surged upward—and fell moments later, only pieces remaining. Juno flashed past, finally able to do some good in the small fight, then slammed the stick and rolled back to the fighting just in time to see pieces of wreckage from the dropships rain from the sky, crushing dozens of troops under the bent and burnt metal ribbons.

The remaining Covenant troops faltered under the combined air and ground assault. Confused and terrified grunts surged forward, knocking down their larger and more disciplined comrades. The EABTs saw the opening and pressed; a swath of automatic fire cut through the massed covenant lines, tearing holes in the vacuum suits. A half dozen brutes stood still and fired their spikers, dropping several humans. Suddenly, the huge soldier lunged forward, and jumped high in the air. It ignited an energy sword, landed in a crouch in front of the brutes, and swept the weapon across the brutes. They fell to the ground, steaming holes in their suits.

Juno flashed past, finally getting a good look at the huge human. But it wasn’t a human; it stood at least eight feet tall, and Juno would have recognized that shining black armor anywhere; it was that of a covenant elite, but it wasn’t firing at the EABTs, who stood there, warily watching it. Juno had heard talks about a truce of some kind with and unknown group over static filled transmissions that he had captured in his fighter, but he didn’t known who it was with. A moment later, a synapse in his brain connected, and he realized the implications of an elite fighting alongside humans.

//December 12, 2552, 1915 Hours// //Sol System, Terra// //Madagascar, Shoreline//

Smoke curled up from the burnt and melted wreck of the dropship, black fingers licking at the sky. Ribbons of purple metal, still glossy, and shining in the bright moonlight, lay scattered across the beach. The dark sky was filled with artificial light; bright orange and blue explosions from the battle in space above. The stars shone clearly, a breathtaking vista. Scott slowly came back to consciousness, his head throbbing as if it had been hit repeatedly with a sledgehammer. His SPI armor was unaligned in several places, and the camo panels were all screwed up; they showed the wrong images and camouflage patterns in all the wrong spots.

Scott slowly blinked his eyes to clear his vision, and drew himself onto his hands and knees to get a better view. Sand and grit rubbed between the armor plates, and tiny particles wedged into the gel-ballistic layer. Scott looked around the beach, and saw the ocean, black as vacuum now in the low light, lapping at his boots. He slowly got up, breathed, and felt a sharp rasp of pain. Broken ribs, most likely. He quickly assessed his own injuries; he must have broken several ribs, and most likely, due to the pain he had in his foot, had torn his Achilles tendon.

Scott glanced up the beach and saw a mechanical glint in the moonlight; his MA5C. He walked up the beachhead, and bent down and retrieved it. Feeling more secure with a weapon in his hands, Scott limped his way back down to the beach. Maya was lying in a heap near several pieces of smoking purple metal, evidence that she had been fully inside the dropship when it crashed. Scott assumed he had fallen out just before impact. Scott checked her vitals on his bio-monitor; she was unconscious, and by the looks of things, it would not be easy to rouse her. Her M99 lay in the sand a few feet away, and Scott walked up to it, only to see a large crack through the center of it, already filled with sand and soaked with water. It was useless.

Scott sighed mentally. He hated when good equipment, especially this good of equipment, was put to waste. Maya’s Sniper Rifle System 99D-S2 Antimatériel weapon was strapped safely across her back, and it appeared undamaged. Scott moved towards the other end of the beach, where pieces of wreckage dimly identifiable as the phantoms cockpit were visible. Scott approached warily, rifle held high, sweeping it across the wreckage for motion. He moved forward, and then cursed as something flashed lighting fast out of the bent metal. Scott ducked backwards, but it was too late. The blurred attacker smashed into him, and they both rolled backwards. They tumbled end over end in the sand, until Scott got a good hook into the face of his opponent.

He flew off, and Scott saw the glint of camo SPI panels. “Jason, stand down.” He bellowed over an open channel.

The attacker had rolled and was on his feet, a pair of spikers in hand. He let them fall warily to his sides.

“Sorry sir couldn’t take any chances.” Said Jason, and he clipped the pair of spike rifles to his thighs.

“Copy that, its fine, good thinking. At any rate, we gotta move.” Said Scott, getting full up, onto his feet.

“What’s Maya’s status?” asked Jason. A hint of anxiousness could be heard in his voice.

“Out.” Said Scott in a clipped tone, “Get yourself together and prepare to move out; we’re hoofing it to the nearest UNSC base. We’ll contact command from there.”

Jason nodded, and Scott returned to Maya. Her SPI armor was dented, and the camo panels had been deactivated by the sudden, jarring crash. Scott unlatched the S2 off of her back, and strapped it across his own. Scott checked his HUD on Mayas vitals, confirming his suspicions. She had no internal bleeding, but the crash had knocked her out, and despite her augments, she would likely not rise for a while yet. In the meantime, they would have to do what they could. Scott scanned the coastline, but saw no signs of any nearby human base. Covenant jamming had robbed his HUD of the GPS satellite TacMap that Scott was accustomed to using, and without it, it was impossible to tell where exactly they were.

Scott looked out across the tree line just up the beach, a calm jungle, a place as-yet untouched by the raging battle. Scott silently wondered how long that would last. A moment later, Jason walked silently up the beach, his SPI panels glimmering with reflected moonlight. Jason nodded to Scott, and lifted Mayas lithe body over his shoulders. Scott nodded in return, put two fingers across his visor in a signature Spartan smile, and started up the beach. They had a lot of ground to cover, and little time to do it.

//December 13, 2552, 0300 Hours// //Sol System, Terra// //En route from former Pakistani/Afghani Border to Austin, Texas //

"This is Lead of Delta Team, stationed in Austin, TX. To any UNSC forces, we need immediate reinforcements. I repeat, we need reinforcements."

Bruce fought back a wave of sleepiness as the Pelican dropship soared over the scarred and scorched land of the former state of Texas, the lack of sleep from the hours before beginning to wear him down. Throughout the bay, a half dozen mixed marine, ODST, and Army soldiers sat quietly, proof that the dropship had been running rescue missions for a long time. Across the bay, he saw Lance yawning sleepily, using his BR55A3 as a rest. The roar from the dropships engines was balanced by the sound of rushing air, and the bay was very cold.

Across the land they were flying above, the road into Austin was strewn with the carcasses of vehicles, and the corpse of infantry. The lack of movement was testament to no survivors. Bruce heard snatches of radio traffic from the cabin, telling tales of battles across the globe, and in space; Chicago, Berlin, Africa, even battles on the moon, around OCS and the Flight Instruction Academy. Bruce wondered what exactly six UNSC soldiers, a flight of Hornets, and a single Pelican could do, besides add to a slaughter, but he wasn’t one to ask such a delicate question.

The country side they flew over was now becoming more urban; low built houses, small shops, and factories covered the land, but the skyscrapers of Austin were not yet visible. However, they were close.

“Get ready boys and girls, were coming in hot.” Drifted the voice of the pilot from the cockpit. “Five hundred and closing to contested real estate.”

The sounds of war now came in with a roar; the staccato clacking of gunfire, the dull roar of distant explosions, and the high-pitched whining of plasma pistols and rifles. A new amount of radio chatter came in now as the cockpit radio switched to proximity. A chorus of clacks assaulted Bruce’s ears as the troops in the bay racked the slides of their weapons, a mixture of MA5B and MA5C Assault Rifles, BR55 and BR55HB SR Battle Rifles, and of course Lance’s BR55A3. In addition, one ODST in their makeshift squad had an M-19B SAM Missile Launcher on his back.

The copilot clambered out of the old Pelicans cockpit, momentarily leaving his station.

“I figured you guys might want an idea of what your up against; Austin’s been heavily attacked by the Covenant, and the only defense right now is commando squadrons, not enough troops to secure the area. Command is hard pressed for Earthside ground pounders right now, so every available soldier is being pressed in. Good luck.”

Bruce stared for a moment as the pilot moved back into the cockpit, and then felt adrenaline surge through him. It was time to repay the Covenant in kind, for all they had done.

“Delta, this is Pelican Golf Oh Two Seven, we’re inbound, suggest you take cover ASAP. Things are about to get a little hot down there!”

Static crackled over the channel, perhaps confirmation, perhaps not. Nevertheless, Bruce felt the muffled thumps that reverberated through the hull as the Pelican released a flurry of ANVIL-II missiles. The walls of the dropship shook as the chin mounted chain gun opened up, sending a wall of slugs downrange. Through the bay doors, Bruce saw the two hornets that had been covering the Pelicans back accelerate forward, spitting missiles and automatic fire. A chorus of radio chatter came over the comm, flight instructions from the hornets to other hornets.

“Stand to marines!” bellowed an ODST with a red stripe on his shoulder armor, and the assorted troops inside the bay, marines or not, yelled a war cry.

The Pelican swung around, and the naval crewman manning the gun turret unleashed a rain of metal. The Covenant encampment was in chaos, but it was already fighting back; a hornet fell from the sky, burning from its engines, and anti aircraft fire flashed up at the remaining fliers. The Pelican banked sharply and eased the six soldiers onto the cracked and scorched concrete ground. The UNSC soldiers bounded out of the bay, weapons at the ready, forgetting for just a moment the actual odds of this first strike.

Spartan 501 23:52, 17 December 2007 (UTC)

86
\\Space above Mars\\Battle Time 12 Cycles\\Fleet of Golden Redemption\\Imperial Admiral Dyr 'Jar Refos\\

"Sir we have detected something," said a Sangheili in the bridge of the Fighting Vengeance.

"What is it?," asked the Imperial Admiral turning towards the crew member.

"The Humans have a new ship which exited slipspace a moment ago, aboard that ship which is above a city they call Chicago, they have a Forerunner Artifact,"

"Really which one?," 'Jar Refos questioned the Sangheili further.

"The Divine Judgment," said Sangheili said, 'Jar Refos let out a small pray as the words were uttered.

"Then you know what we must do, leave half of the fleet here under the command of 'Ulang and the rest come with me, I will myself escort the Divine Judgment back to Sangheilios for further examination and preservation," said 'Jar Refos. As the members of the crew responded to his request, he got of his chair.

"To War to reclaim what is rightfully ours, venture into Slipspace and leave a message behind for 'Ulang, get the troops off Mars, and begin glassing,"

\\Earth, Hong Kong\\Battle Time 1700\\159th ODST Battalion\\Iota Seven\\

Iota Seven had been with the 17 ODST for over two days now and they were starting to get restless, the Covenant had taken the Energy Planet in Kowloon three hours ago and still were doing nothing. Iota Seven had called for back up, but all was being used for the Orbital Elevator and Energy Planet in Beijing. They had 600 Marines, 400 ODST,150 Pilots, 250 Warthogs, 30 Mongooses, 10 Scorpions, 25 Hornets and 50 Pelicans. They had already been assaulted by the Covenants Scouting force of 500 Brutes, 700 Jackals and 1000 Grunts. They were the ones who needed help.

The marines in Beijing were in for a tough night, but not as tough as in Hong Kong. The had been hiding south of Kowloon in Victoria Harbor, in a bombed out building on the edge of the water. Getting across the water was the toughest thing they had tried. Never-mind the burning plasma, but the spikes and sniper shots destroyed more then one of the fleeing boats.

"Ma'am we need to take back the Energy Planet," said one of the ODST, fingering the trigger of his Battle Rifle.

Iota Seven turned from the paper she was writing on, "Just what was thinking," she held out the piece of Blue print paper to the ODST.

"Ma'am i believe this plan is crazy,"

"Well listen just think, what would Brain Boitano do?"

\\Earth, Hong Kong\\Battle Time 2300\\159th ODST Battalion\\Iota Seven\\

The ODST had waited till night and equipped every weapon they had with a silencer, which they had found in a old warehouse down the street from the building they were hiding in. They were going for a ground assault using Stealth as their main advantage against crazy odds. They had brought the boats and were trying to drive as silently as possible.

"Ok, remember all other channels besides our own squad channel block, I don't want any interference for this mission, and second focus on stealth, if you see grunts together try to take them out at the same time, with as little sound as possible, other then that go for the goal,"

The ODST all replied in a different way some sitting quiet just waiting for this to be over and some whooped at the thought of kicking Covenant ass. As they reached the shore they split into their groups, one ODST with Iota Seven and the others in groups of three. Iota Seven entered through an western vent and thankfully encountered no Covenant, but she could hear suppressed gunfire as other fire-teams did. At one point two of the vital signs of the ODST flat-lined only to recover again when they put back on their helmets. She crawled through the vent and dropped down with a small plunk, right beside a grunt. It tried to squeal, but Iota Seven grabbed it's neck cracking it to one side then the other with a sickening crack. The other ODST land beside her as the tip toed along the hallway. The Covenant must have been sleeping or all eating in the room with the generators because Iota Seven and her fellow Fire-team member continued down the hallway.

They checked around the next corner and there stood two brute minors, Spikes jammed into the walls talking in their slight roaring language, she pulled one of the knives from the pockets in her suit and took aim. She threw the knife straight into one of the brutes neck. She ran out grabbing the knife, wrenching it out she stab the other brute in the stomach. Picking the Spiker out of the wall she stabbed straight down into the wounded brutes skull. Gore coated the blade as she let it drop along with it's hairy victim. She reached the Objective and covered the ODST as he step up the small gas container which contained the deadly nerve gas, which would fill the factory and kill all brutes and jackal, leaving only the grunts. The set the device and turned to leave, but straight out the door was a brute major. Iota Seven not caring about Stealth anymore grabbed a plasma grenade from her hip and shoved it into the brutes open mouth.

It's brain matter splash against the back wall and the explosion resounded along the hallway and a roar came from down the hallway. She started to run with the ODST behind her.

"What the hell are you doing!" yelled an ODST through the comm.

"Sorry bout that, is everyone done?" Iota Seven asked as she pointed her gun down the hallway and fired 3 round silent bursts at the Brute.

"Yep, Yep" came through the radio, only two. Iota Seven jumped out of the window near her and the ODST tried to follow, but seven red-hot spikes plunged into his back. He slammed his helmet against the window blood pouring out.

"I'm sorry," she said to herself and the dying ODST. She ran to the boats and saw the two Fire-teams who had responded to her question.

"Everyone get out they set up bombs!" said one of the ODST through the comm as a horrible noise of him being ripped apart sounded. Then they saw something a ton of Phantoms fly away.

"S#@%," whispered Iota Seven as the bombs detonated. A enormous blue haze shot up and blew the ODST off their feet. They climbed shakily to their feet and looked at the decimated piece of land that used to be the Hong Kong Generator.

-- Spartan-064 ,≈≈Ω≈≈<font color="#D3D3D3">De <font color="#A9A9A9">ma <font color="#808080">kh <font color="#000000">is http://www.wikia.com/skins/common/progress-wheel.gif <font color="#A9A9A9">Reporting  •  <font color="#A9A9A9">Contributions   02:29, 18 December 2007 (UTC)

87
EARTH

"Area is still hot!" Christian yelled, he wished now that they hadn't switched out their older Pelican, it had a turret under the nose that he could operate but war costs was too much. He and Andrew cursed together as their windshield took two hits from spike rounds. Both of the long hot spikes had hit the thick glass and stuck itself in creating a weblike shatter effect around it. Before them the defenses were a pretty much gone, the humans and Elites had pulled everything back to the edge and reformed a shabby defense line. However they were keeping the Loyalists at bay for the time being.

The Pelican came down and turned leaving the open carrier bay to face the battlefield, wounded marines ODSTs and Elites were put onboard immediately by medics until Hunter waved them off. They were already full and he had taken two more then he should have. "We're full get us outa here!" He yelled as the Pelican gained altitude again, they had only touched down for fifteen seconds. As they went up Hunter fired over the defenses and into the horde, he cut down Brutes and Grunts as they neared the line. But they also fired at him. Spike rounds pinged around the hull, Hunter could feel his skin burn as a plasma round hit the weapon but that didn't stop him. More and more Covenant feel by him until he felt weak and dizzy. He stopped firing then and looked down, two spike rounds had pierced his left lung. He tried to breath but only felt blood coming from his mouth. "Guys..." he whispered then felt his knees buckle underneath him. One of the wounded pounded his fist on the compartment door and yelled until Christian opened it and looked around. Those there were conscious pointed to the crew chief who pulled himself up by the turret and leaned against it.

Hunter could hear Christian behind him, he felt tired though. He knew he was dead. Turning slightly he gave Christian a thumbs up and thought of his girlfriend thanking God she had evacuated in time. "Sorry Hannah." He whispered and thought of her smile and pictured himself next to her then closed his eyes.

Andrew looked back as Christian entered the cockpit again. He had removed his helmet, his eyes were red and cloudy. "Hunter's gone."

Pierce breathed heavily, his arms were heavy and he wanted nothing more than to rest. His injuries from before were taking their effect now. Earlier he hadn't paid attention to them with the help of painkillers but now he could feel that one of the wounds had reopened. Luckily though the Covenant no longer kept up with the continous attack, they made wave after wave with varying intervals. It was a stupid thing to do on their part, they had given them the chance to regroup and reform new defenses. They had formed a tight perimeter using anything for cover such as warthog wrecks, barriers, crates, anything they got their hands on. Not to mention the heaping bodies of the Brutes, they had formed a large mound that was parallel to the defenses that way when they would charge they would have to take the time to get over the mound slowing their attack.

"Here they come!" A sniper yelled followed by three loud cracks. Other snipers joined in along with the Scorpion. Pierce looked over his cover, luckily he had snagged a spot right behind an actual barrier that was thick enough to stop most Covenant rounds. The Brutes had sent the Jackals first, they're arm shields lined up making wall. Behind them were the Grunts some carried plasma turrets, then in the back were the Brutes. The Scorpion fired and part of the wall shattered. Turrets took the opportunity and fired wrecking havoc on the Grunts and Brutes until more Jackals reformed the line. Snipers tried to fire through the wall with some luck but for the most part they couldn't get past. Another explosion created another gape then another as the few remaining guass canons join in. A group of Grunts had started a panic as they tried to flee the arcing blue sun that tumbled down on them. The paniced Grunts ran around and trampled each other, one set off a plasma grenade creating more panic, they pushed against the backs of the Jackals and began to break the wall. Brutes roared and fired onto the Grunts causing them to fearfully get back into formation as they recieved more fire. Then they stopped, the Brutes shouldered brute shots and fired blowing away the remaining guass canons and damaged the Scorpion. Then they charged.

Pierce fired an assault rifle until the counter read empty. Quickly reloading he slammed in another magazine and pulled the lever back and fired again. They made it to the mound and the Grunts had trouble climbing the bodies. The Jackals made it over the top and set up shields again only to be pushed from behind by Grunts and Brutes. The Brutes began to push the small Grunts over reguardless of their safety. One Brute even decided to attack a plasma grenade to a Grunt and toss him over. Pierce couldn't help but laugh as the stuck Grunt fly through the air to explode over their heads luckily the plasma burned everything away so that the marines below were safe from an unwanted shower.

More brute shots fired at the Scorpion and Wraith until both were destroyed one after the other. Pierce's heart sank, they no longer had any heavy firepower. He took a grenade and threw watching it sail over and behind a group of Jackals. It detonated and tossed the birdlike bodies into the air and hit the ground dead with a crash. Pierce fired his weapon and knew that this would probably end quickly.

"We've only got sixty able bodies on the line!" The captain yelled over a handset, he had been broadcasting for any kind of reinforcements. He gave their coordinates in Tokyo city and what his men were up against. "Is anybody f***ing out there!?" The captain was on the line as well, even now he fired a M7 inbetween cries. "GODDAMNIT DON'T LEAVE US FOR DEAD HERE!"

Hollywood

88
MISWA Lion Island Facility, Australia, Earth

A marine entered through the metal door, his hand fumbled for a lightswitch, eventually finding and actrivating it. The bright glow shone around the metallic room, revealing a lift in the centre of the small room.

Jeff turned towards his group of marines, huddled together staring into the illuminating room, "Ahn, you take a small group of men down, make sure the area's secure, the rest of us will then follow."

The marine gave a nod and a sir, waved over six marines, who joined him on the lift, the marine allready in their jumped in aswell and activated the machine, sending them slowly down into darkness.

Luna

The Prophet of Vigilance grabbed an oxygen mask from the wall of his escape pod, and exited the crashed machine, his hunter body gaurds following suit. An Elite from a nearby crashed pod, kneeled before him, "Prophet, we are nearby a human installation, Loyalists are fleeing the sight, but appear to be heading towards us, we do not have enough men to engage, what are your orders?"

The Prophets frown was hidden behind his mask, "We'll search for the other escape pods, the if there's time flank the fleeing Loyalists, their minds are no doubt filled with panic and if we can seperate a them from each other they will easily be taken down or captured."

The Elite nodded and shouted at the grunts to emerge from his pod and spread out. Eight grunts slowly waddled out, all brandishing plasma pistols. The Elite grabbed a communications device, and searched for any nearby pods, finding four of the six missing pods in the nearby vicinity.

"The Loyalists are on the horizon." muttered the Elite to Vigilance. Nodding the Prophet ordered the small force to move in to strike.

MISWA Lion Island Facility

Inside the labs a grunt mumbled into the comm, sending out information on it's exact location, to the Loyalist fleet. It described it's torture, how it had been experimented on. The Loyalists were sending aid. Lots of it.

Just Another Grunt Converse 06:32, 18 December 2007 (UTC)

89
Space above Earth,

Katana heard the call for reinforcements as soon as his finger closed around the firing control. Shots slashed through space, connecting with a Seraph and ripping it to shreds. Katana checked the signal's origin, Houston, Texas, USA. "Rhino Squadron, form up!" "Captain, permission to accept a call for reinforcements on the ground?" Katana asked Rhino Squadron's motherships' captain, Mary Cricon. "Permission granted, Katana." "Affirmative, Captain, alright, Rhino's, drop!" The Rhino's deccelerated and dropped drastically into the atmosphere.

Soon, they were above ground. There current position, the Gulf of Mexico. Texas was just a little farther ahead. "Lead, Seraphs, 3 o' clock!" Katana muttered a swear under his breath, "increase velocity! They need reinforcements!" Katana knew this most likely wasn't the right choice, but what did he know? He was, chronologically, barely 22. The Rhino's soon passed over barren desert ground, broken by spots of green.

"Lead! Seraphs are 300 yards and closing!" Sweat broke out on Katana's brow, his mind raced furiously. "Rhino 2, 3, and 4, your with me, the rest, destroy those Seraphs and then rejoin." "Affirmative, lead."

Chicago,

The Pelican Dropship dropped down below the clouds and was greeted with the air of Chicago. Littered with dust and choked with smoke, visibility wasn't the best, but the UNSC pilots had been trained for this, and they manuevered smoothly.

"We'll hit the ground in 3 minutes." The co-pilot called out to Edward and the small team of Marines. Captain Lance had decided to send a few Marines along with the Spartan, just in case.

-- The State(Our Decrees and Law)(The State Alchemists we've enlisted) 13:19, 18 December 2007 (UTC)

90
Former Covenant Holy City; High Charity, Africa, Earth

The city passed through as the portal closed, although the Flood left behind by the Gravemind still lingered. Dispersal pods had impacted upon Earth by the millions, spreading the infection further. For this was the Gravemind's grand scheme. The Flood would be supreme; who was there to stop them?

UNSC Lunar Facility, Luna

The entrance slid open as Spencer neared it, and he snuck in quietly before feeling the burning and piercing pain of a Spiker round hit his leg. Spencer crumpled at once; "Wonderful. Simply wonderful. The mission wasn't even 5 minutes in, and he was on the floor, with who knows how many Brutes around him."

However, he soon heard more shots, this time from an Assault Rifle, and a hand helped him up.

Onboard Covenant Assault Carrier; Memory of Loyalty, in orbit of Luna

Shit..." Nicholai muttered; he'd just seen the golden-armored Chieftain pass by holding a Portable Plasma Cannon. He had to take care not to be found, or it would all be over for him; he simply didn't have enough firepower, especially in a ship's corridors.

--"Enlighten the path of others-darkness lights its own way"  Monitor  of Installation-07 CommunicationsContributions

91
Mars, in orbit.

The ship exited slipspace right above Mars. Matt noticed that Belle had quickly learned to use the controls on this ship. She had always been a quick learner, especially in technology. “Sir,” Victor said suddenly, “we’ve intercepted a distress signal, apparently coming from a Separatist Special Ops unit.” “Can you play it?” Matt asked. Victor pushed a button, and a female Elite voice thundered in the speakers, saying the following: “This is Commander Ameigh Broley, leader of the Squad of Unrelenting Reparation. We need immediate reinforcements, the Brute forces are moving forward. Any Human or Sangheili force, please respond!” Matt thought for a little moment. Should he go to their aid? Or going and perform the operations he’d been assigned to do by FLEETCOM? He rose from the seat, and drew his Battle Rifle. He turned to the others. “Ok, team, listen up! We’re going down to help those who sent the signal. Meanwhile, I want Sergeant Major Jackson to have control of this craft. Now, let’s move!” he yelled to the crew. Five acknowledgement lights blinked on his HUD, and Sergeant Jackson took Matt’s place in the seat, at the same time ordering some of his Marines to take place at the consoles.

Mars, on ground

The Pelican closed in on the surface. A second later it entered the atmosphere. Matt could feel the heat. It was similar to using Human Entry Vehicles, but the latter was much warmer, and you couldn’t really tell where exactly it would land. They closed in on the ground, and Belle opened the back hatch of the Pelican. In the troop bay, Victor and Diana had mounted a Mongoose, with Diana sitting in the back wielding a Rocket Launcher. Oliver and Henry started to snipe down targets when the hatch opened. “Sir, we’ve got AA fire!” Belle shouted through the COM. Matt looked through the cockpit, and noticed large bulks of metal on the ground. It was Wraiths, and some of them were the new kind; AA-Wraiths. Belle tried to evade, but several blasts hit one of the engines. “Sir, we’re crashing, but I think I’ll be able to crash it into the Covenant Infantry who fights that Spec Ops Force!” Belle shouted. “All right, do it,” Matt said and then turned to the others in the troop bay. “Victor, drive the Mongoose out of the troop bay before we crash. Everyone else, jump!” Matt pulled Belle out of the seat, and rushed for the troop bay. Victor drove the vehicle out of the troop bay, landing smoothly on the ground, while Diana opened fire on the Wraiths. Matt nodded towards the others, and they jumped.

They landed on a cliff. Matt immediately pulled out his Battle Rifle and started shooting. Grunts fell quickly. Meanwhile, Belle boarded a Wraith, killing the driver and gunner, then jumping into the driver seat. She splattered four Jackals using the turbo. Then she started to shoot down other Wraiths with the mortar cannon. Suddenly, the Spec Ops Force broke out from their cover and fired with all they had. The Hunter pair crushed Brutes, the Jackals killed Grunts in quick session together with the Drone. The Elites stood a little bit behind, firing Carbines. The Covenant forces finally pulled back. The fleeing grunts were quickly killed. It was the same with the fleeing Jackals. The final Brutes were killed by the Hunters’ Fuel Rod Cannons. Matt went towards the group, while reloading his Battle Rifle. At the same time, one of the Elites went towards Matt. The Elite looked weird to be a Elite though; it shared some similarities with a Prophet. Finally, it said “Thanks for your aid. You’re good soldiers, and it will be an honor to make your acquaintance. I am Commander Ameigh Broley.” It was she who sent the distress signal, Matt thought to himself. He stretched his hand towards her, then said “I’m Matt, a Spartan, or as you say, “Demon”. It’s good to meet you.” She hesitated for a moment, and then shaked his hand.

10:06, 21 December 2007 (UTC)

92
//LUNA, on the surface, en route to Letronne Crater//December 13, 2552, 0500 standard hours//

Team Alpha's Warthog and Mongooses sped along, en route to the Letronne Crater. They had heard a call for assistance, and intended to give it. Amy and Marshall readied their weapons on the backs of the Mongooses, as Lisa double-checked her BR55HB in the Warthog. As soon as they were close enough, Edwin signaled both Mongooses to spread out. Jerry and Roy acknowledged, each veering off to either the left or right. All three vehicles increased their speed, as they heard weapons fire up ahead. As they finally came over the ridge, they saw that they had likely missed most of the battle. Several Human fighters fought from the sky, while a large amount of Covenant forces remained, only they were completely disorderly, and they hid behind their own wrecked dropships and ran, trying to get away. A few still held their ground, but for the most part they were running. Edwin turned on the COM, "Roy, Jerry, take care of the runaways, we'll clear out the ones next to the base. Move, move, move!" The Mongooses converged with each other, then rolled off to the far side of the crater. From there, they took care of many of the cowardly Covenant, finding little opposition. As the Warthog with the others neared the base, they also found little opposition from the Covenant, blasting away all comers. Once they were defeated, all the members of Team Alpha came to the UNSC base, and were greeted by the commanding officer. "What's the situation?", asked Roy "Not good. While this wave of Covenant may have been defeated, there'll be more. There always are." The soldier then went into an account of all that had happened, but as he did, an Elite walked up. "Get down", said Edwin as he raised his gun to shoot. "No, don't shoot!", said the commanding officer as he pushed the gun down, "The Elites are on our side. They've had a..... disagreement with the rest of the Covenant. They'll fight by our side." "Oh", said Edwin. I'm not too sure about this, he thought to himself, but didn't say a word out loud.

//LUNA, in orbit, Orbital Station Rho//December 13, 2552, 0500 standard hours//

Clayton pulled the Shotgun's trigger, sending the bullet into the Brute's skull, it's death instaneous, yet painful. Another Brute charged and he shot three times, finally meleeing it to kill it. He turned as he heard a noise, and found a Brute Stalker frozen behind him. It dropped to the ground, dead, and Devyn pulled a knife from its' back. "Thanks", said Clayton. "No problem", Devyn replied. On the other end of the room, Nicholas, Jake and Samuel fought another group of Brutes, Jackals and Grunts. As Jake and Samuel continued to fire their weapons and throw grenades, Nicholas bashed open a nearby vent and crawled in. He climbed through the vents until he was behind the Covenant line. He made sure his M6D Magnum and his two SMG's were ready, put his M6D on his hip, grabbed a Frag and broke the vent. He dropped down, threw the Frag, then opened fire with the SMG's. There were enough Grunts however for it to take all of his SMG ammo to kill only the Grunts. He threw the guns aside, threw two more Frags and drew his M6D. It was an older model Magnum, but it both came with a scope and did wonders on heads, which had Nicholas giving it two thumbs up. He fired about 6 shots into two Brutes heads, killing them, and reloaded, but had to dive behind rubble to avoid the Brutes fire. The distraction was enough for Jake and Samuel to sneak up on the remaining Brutes and knock them in the back of their heads. Then Samuel pulled Nicholas back up. "Thanks guys", said Nick. "What'd you think, we were going to let them kill you?", said Samuel. Jake turned toward Samuel and gave him a confused look. "What do you mean? I was just killing the Covies", he said jokingly. In the next room, James and Katelynn were already engaging the enemy. They had managed to get into the room before the Brutes & co. that the others were dealing with had come down another hall to block them. James fired the Spikers he had picked up at the nearest Drone, then threw one of them into a Brute's skull. He picked up a Needler to go with his remaining Spiker, and fired at a new wave of Covenant. A grenade flew into the Covenant, killing many of them, mostly the Grunts. Katelynn, on the ledge above, followed up with several sniper rounds, and all but one of the Brutes fell dead, who was then kicked in the face by James' boot. The Covenant forces dead, James signaled for Katelynn to come down. But as he turned around, he came face to face with a Brute Chieftain, armed with a Gravity Hammer. The Chieftain smacked James, sending him back about 5 feet and to the ground. Then the Chieftain dropped hi hammer, stepped on James' chest, and then grabbed his neck and squeezed. The Brute reveled in the moment and laughed. But, his laughter stopped as a blade appeared in the front of the Brute's chest. The Brute grimaced, but then the blade pulled back out. A few seconds after it did though, the Brute's right shoulder and arm smashed into the middle of its' chest as the Gravity Hammer hit it. The Chieftain flew into a wall, dying on impact. Katelynn slung the hammer onto her back and extended a hand to James. "Thanks", James said, "I thought that Brute was going to be the death of me" "Well, I don't think you need to worry about him anymore", said Katelynn, "Besides, don't you remember what everyone says: "Spartans never die", and that counts for us too." James shook his head. "Well, let's hope your right. Come on, we'd better make sure that others are still alive."

//EARTH, on the surface, in Austin, TX, USA//December 13, 2552, 0310 hours//

"Oh yeah, it's party time!", yelled Ratchet. The other members of Delta Team yelled with him, knowing that he was probably insane, and opened fire. The marines charged from behind them, and gunfire from a mix of various models of Assault Rifles, Battles Rifles, SMG's, Magnums, Sniper Rifles and Rocket Launchers added to the chorus of carnage. In response, Plasma Rifles and Pistols, Brute Spikers, Maulers and Shots, Carbines and Beam Rifles fired in return. Overhead, the Pelican and the Hornets fired down, though the rubble and remains of buildings made it hard for them to hit their targets. "There's to many of 'em", said one of the marines "We need more help", said Burns "Sarge, how's your ammo?", asked Lead "Not good, running low", he replied "Me too", said Ratchet Suddenly, as if to answer his statement, a voice crackled over the COM line. "Delta Team, this is Rhino Squadron. We're coming in for a bombing run, so you might want to get out of here" "Did you here that?", said Ratchet, "Bombing run! All right!!" "OK boys", said Lead over the COM, "We got some aerial assistance coming in, so let's move!!" The soldiers turned around as the Pelican and Hornets ascended. The Covenant cheered, thinking they were victorious, as Rhino Squadron swooped overhead and commenced the bombing run. Most of the Covenant were dead in one pass, but they turned around and bombed again, killing the remainder of the Covenant forces. A cheer broke up on the UNSC COM line. "Thanks boys!", yelled Lead. "No problem", replied Rhino Leader

//EARTH, in atmosphere, en route to Tokyo, Japan//December 13, 2552, 0500 hours//

"Help! We've only got sixty able bodies on the line!", A series of coordinates followed that would lead one directly into Tokyo Japan, "Is anybody out there!? DON'T LEAVE US FOR DEAD HERE!"

"Captain Wilson, this is Michelle of Dragon Squadron, request permission to answer call for assistance" "Permission granted", replied Captain Wilson, "Good luck" "Dragons, let's help them boys out!", yelled Donald. Dragon Squadron pulled out of the battle in space, and wheeled down towards the planet. They were generally above the Atlantic Ocean, so it would take a while, but they were giving it all they had. As they flew by, they noticed that Africa looked strange. "Hey look!", said Sherri, "What do you think that it?" As they looked, they noticed massive amounts of soldiers moving along the open plains. They dropped lower into the atmosphere, and saw to their horror that it was the Flood. "Oh no", said David. "I'm broadcasting this picture to Captain Wilson right now. All of the UNSC will know soon enough. But for now, we need to help out those soldiers in Tokyo. Let's just try to move a little faster." They sped forward, and within 15 minutes they were over Tokyo. They searched for a little bit until June said, "There they are!" "OK Dragons, commence bombing run!", said Michelle. Then she turned on the COM, "To UNSC forces requesting assistance in Tokyo, this is Dragon Squadron. We're commencing a bombing run, so get back." They went in, and opened fire. Within three runs, the Covenant were dead. "Thanks boys", came over the COM. "No problem", said Michelle.

--

93
EARTH

"EVERYBODY GET SMALL AIR COVER INBOUND!" Pierce heard the cry and didn't know what to do. He had just emptied a clip from a mauler as the men were in the middle of repelling another attack. He had heard the captain's cries for help on the radio earlier and knew they'd be dead soon. But overhead he could hear the roar of fighters, then saw the formation fly overhead to be followed by a wave of destruction. He drew himself into a ball as the ground shook tremedously. One explosive had been dropped close and he could fell the pieces of dirt and gore hit his backside. There was a pause until the roar came back and the ground shook again. Then heard the captain, he looked at him and could see tears in his eyes. "Thanks boys."

"No problem." was the reply.

But that wasn't it. When the men and Elites stood up to see they cheered. Before them was a burned away hell littered with bodies, unfortunately the bodies of their allies were there but none the less the majority had been Loyalist. Looking out there were little Covenant remaining, mostly near the chokepoint but throughout the battlefield only wounded moved. Pierce smiled brightly, the fighter squadron had saved their lives no doubt, he looked into the sky to see their small forms heading to the horizon. Pierce then looked back toward the line where marines and Elites cheered together like wild beasts, some fired shots into the air, some threw their helmets up, some hugged, while others cried. Pierce couldn't help but cry as well, tears rolled down his cheeks as he let the warm rays of the sun cover him and give him strength. The only thing to come to his mind was, I'm alive...holy shit I'm alive...holy mother of god I'm alive!

Pierce roared with a yell as well when he looked at his brothers around him. Then felt odd, they all grabbed weapons and ran forward. He was confused until he saw that they were taking the offensive, they rushed forward quickly shooting wounded Loyalists and kept going forward. He joined them, sprinting with the only avialable weapon at hand now, a pistol. He saw a birdlike hand move in front of him so he shot at its head as he past, then a grunt tried to crawl away when Pierce put a round into its head as well. It was odd, he was merciless killing but he was overjoyed. They had their chance to kill him and they failed, now they would recieve punishment. Continuing on the charging force cleared away any remaining Covenant force, they stopped and looked around still glad to be alive. But then reality hit them, of the thousand or so humans on the line that day, only forty-three made it off. The Seperatists had sent two hundred Elites and four hundred Grunts, they would walk away with seven Elites.

Slowly, the force turned around and looked to the defenses they had held, large craters filled the landscape and multiple columns of black smoke rose to the sky. Now they would have to do what they never thought they would do, or wanted to. They thought the would miss this part since they would all be dead, but being saved by the squadron and come with a price. They now had to gather their dead brothers.

"It's done." Andrew said as he brought his Pelican over the battlefield. Earlier his comm channel had been alive with talk between the fighter squadron and the captain, now there was a silence.

"Pelican Romeo-017 over?" the comm went alive again. Christian answered with a yes. "Romeo-017 you're going to be transferred soon so please head to these coordinates to refuel and rest then we'll debrief you over."

"Yes sir," Andrew said softly, "we're going to need another crew chief."

Pierce cringed as a medic looked to his wounds, luckily the medics and docters made it off the battle and now they were constantily busy. "Don't sweat it, there's a hospital nearby and we grabbed some things." The medic pulled out a siringe, "With this stuff you'll be feeling mighty fine and those wounds will be pretty much gone in about a days time." Pierce grunted in pain as the medic stuck the needle into his wound and injected the liguid. "Ah just think of something else, girlfriend?" the medic said with a smile.

"Yeah, she's underground." Pierce said feeling the area become numb.

"You best give her a call then." The medic then injected his other wounds and soon Pierce felt himself on a high from the drugs. But he heard yelling now, everyone looked up towards the sky as some pod-like object dropped down and impacted nearby. "Oh shit FLOOD!" the medic yelled jumping up and reaching for a sidearm.

Pierce though did something recklace, most likely from his high. He grabbed a flamethrower and walked straight to the pod as everyone ran away. He watched as a group of round creatures moved around and started to head for him. But from his high he was unafraid and he let the flamethrower speak for him. The stream of flame popped the creatures and engulfed the pod, more pops were heard along with bloodcurling cries. Then after a moment everything was silent again except for the cracking of the large fire. "It's gooooood!" Pierce said with a slur then dropped the flamethrower. Everyone looked at each other then at him.

"Wow..."

Hollywood

94
\\Earth, Hong Kong\\Battle Time 0000\\159th ODST Battalion\\Iota Seven\\

Iota Seven looked at the destroyed energy plant, they would need pick to go to Beijing or maybe Shanghai. She looked up, it had been an hour since the Covenant destroyed the power plant and now they began to blow Hong Kong station out of the sky with every weapon they had. The ODST had tried to get some sleep, but the constant blue explosions that light the night sky woke everyone up.

"Ma'am take a look at HK station is it getting bigger to you?" asked one of the surviving ODST. Iota Seven looked at the station and realized with horror that it was.

"Everyone get in the boats, we have HK station crashing in HK," she yelled half into the comm half to just the ODST. The ODST ran as fast as they could hoping that the ETA was more then five minutes, but due to the luck of those ODST it wasn't. They hadn't made it one third of the way across the harbor, when the large tower of metal crashed into the middle of Kowloon Harbor. The shock-wave was enormous sending almost a typhoon across Hong Kong bay and leveling half of the city.

Iota Seven and the rest of the ODST were sent across the harbor waters and hit the ground right after the water did. Iota Seven hit the ground with the force of a elephant, no more like a herd of elephant. She felt her leg hit a stone and several metal shards hit her. As she came to a stop against a stone wall, and her blood splattered against it as well.

Her head plopped against the wall and she tried to lift her arm to the comm, but it didn't want to go. She just tried to talk and that worked.

"This is Iota Seven request immediate pickup, I'm heavily injured and can't move, not sure if I can even stay conscious, please just pick me up, my coordinates are Hong Kong......" she fell unconscious, after uttering these words, blood pouring out of her wounds.

--SPARTAN-064,Demakhis 06:29, 20 December 2007 (UTC)

95
EARTH

Andrew couldn't help but look over his shoulder to the new member in Romeo-017, he had forgotten his full name but he did remember his first, Greg. He seemed experienced and well off, but Andrew didn't want to take any chances. "Hong Kong is supposed to be pretty screwed." Christian said breaking the silence.

"Yeah." Andrew said quietly, thinking back they were supposed to be on their way to another unit when command had relayed a distress signal from Hong Kong and had them respond to it. From what they heard all they could guess was that they would need medical supplies and they brought it. Problem was that the women giving the distress hadn't given the full coordinates and they could only hope her beacon was working.

Romeo-017 came in low over the waters, coming closer was Hong Kong with only a fraction of the city lights on. "Jesus look at that..." Christian murmurred as they came into the bay. The rooftops of buildings stuck out above water level and debris floated everywhere.

"Greg get ready." Andrew said calmly, though they hadn't found anyone yet he still wanted him ready to pull anyone into the Pelican and be on their way as quickly as possible.

"Only a handful of beacons...closest one is half a klick away." Christian said, Andrew looked on their radar and saw the blinking dot. He made his way towards it. As they neared they could see the water beginning to make its way back to the bay, on the ground was an ODST lying on their side. Andrew pulled the Pelican down as close as he could but Greg would still have to make a run for it.

"Christian I got the controls you cover Greg." Andrew said as he brought the Pelican down, Christian acted immediately exiting the cockpit and went to the bay and armed the turret as Greg took a medical pack and oddly got into a sprinting position in the back of the bay. The Pelican hadn't even touched down when Greg rocketed forward as quickly as he could and leapt off of the bay past Christian who cursed in surprise.

Greg loved this feeling of flying, it reminded him of his days in highschool with track and field. He saw the ground coming closer, he wouldn't make a soft landing and he prepared himself. His feet touched the ground and he immediately pushed off again to go into a roll. After rolling seven feet he pushed himself up into a run toward the body. He approached it and put a scanner next to the helmet, the person was still alive. Knowing he didn't have time he lifted the body up and sprinted back to the Pelican. The Pelican touched down and was only there for ten seconds before able to pull away again.

Greg laid the body along the bay floor and pulled the helmet away to reveal a woman. Blood smeared her face and hair. "Christian hand me that pack would ya?" He said. Quickly and effeciently he did what he could for the wounds until Andrew said that they were coming up on another ODST.

Andrew and Christian shared a canteen of coffee as they flew away from Hong Kong, they had picked up six ODSTs total. Now they were on their way to Beijing. They both sighed knowing this wouldn't be the end.

Hollywood

96
//December 13, 2552, 0310 Hours// //Sol System, Terra// //Austin, Texas //

Bruce slowly picked his way through the field of broken Covenant bodies. Their mangled corpses lay everywhere after the fighter attacks, and it had turned out that Bruce’s little team hadn’t been sorely needed anyway. At any rate, they were needed now, and would this would probably be their permanent home until they got shipped out—or until their corpses got added to the pile of bodies. Thirty meters away, Lance reached down and pulled a pair of undamaged sticky grenades from a grunt, shaking off blood and little pieces of bone matter with a look of revulsion on his face.

The six troops that had arrived via the Pelican now had the dissatisfying job of salvaging and looting whatever equipment, weaponry, and transportation that they could from the field of battle. Not at all a good job. Bruce stepped over a pair of mangled bodies—he couldn’t tell if they were grunts or Jackals—and saw an undamaged plasma pistol on the ground. He walked over and scooped it up, and threw it in the bag he had draped over his shoulder, adding it to a growing supply of carbines, beam rifles, spikers, plasma rifles, spike and plasma grenades, a few flares, and plasma pistols.

All across the debris strewn city corner, Bruce could see scattered UNSC forces making their way across the casualty zone, hands full of captured weaponry. However, despite the high amount of troops in the area, much of the ordnance was unusable; the air strikes had damaged a significant portion of the weapons that the enemies had been using. Still, the amount of weaponry claimed by the wary marines gave Bruce some hope that they may be able to hold out until further reinforcement. Then again, the last reinforcement had been six marines in an outdated Pelican and a flight of hornets, so who knew what command would be able to spare, if anything at all.

Bruce wondered silently what had become of New Legapasi on mars, but he figured it was probably destroyed in the battle on the red planet. Nothing seemed to be escaping destruction. Almost instantly, an overwhelming feeling of despair—that they would be able to save themselves, that everyone would die in the end anyway—came over Bruce, and he felt his stomach twist. He silently slapped himself back to reality, telling himself the same thing the drill instructors had told him every day of basic; war is fought one battle at a time.

Bruce realized that the tide of the war would most likely turn with this battle. This was the last stand, for him, and for hundreds others. It was time to break out everything they had, to fight until there was no fight left in them. Either way, scooping up plasma pistols off of the blood stained concrete was no way to win a war, but it was a place to start. In Bruce’s mind, it was the only place to start.

//December 13, 2552, 0650 Hours// //Sol System, Terra// //Madagascar, Shoreline//

The sun rose slowly over the tree line, a sweeping rainbow of red and gold that bathed the forest in warm light. In the sky, lights from the battle still lit the air, testament to the still raging war. Scott took a moment of pleasure in the warm sunny light, but did not allow himself anything more. The sunrise wouldn’t protect them from enemies, only a keen eye and a quick mind would do that. In the distance, exotic birds squawked and shrilled as the day began to unfold, and Maya stirred ever so slightly. However, despite Scott’s hopes, she did not awake.

“Stay sharp.” He muttered into the mike, and scanned the beach ahead.

However, despite their constant watch and alert, Scott and Jason had been unable to spot any resistance, Covenant or otherwise. This might have been for a lack of hostile’s altogether, but Scott was determined to stay alert until they reached somewhere to rest. Behind Scott, Jason quietly whistled a tune, a relaxed luxury that Scott couldn’t afford. He was the commander, and even if only one of his soldiers was awake, he had to maintain the high standard that his rank implied. Jason stifled a yawn, and Scott quietly wished that they had some form of faster transportation. The entire squad, Scott included, was running low on steam, and the lack of sleep and constant combat was beginning to wear down at their defenses. Even Spartans needed rest.

So, at 1230, he called the march to a stop and the duo found a small embankment to set up a camp just inside the forest. A lemur leaped from the tree they perched under; frightened by the strange armored creatures, but Scott ignored it. It would have been stupid to even acknowledge it; unless something had an effect on the mission, it wouldn’t do any good to try and worry. Jason crouched and laid Maya down on a moss covered log, and then removed a pair of nutrient bars from his suit. Jason tossed it to Scott, and Scott caught it and took a bite. The normally disgusting ration tasted better than the best luxury dinner.

“Sir, I’ll take watch, you get some sleep,” Said Jason “You look like you need it.”

Scott thought for a moment about trying to argue, but the truth was it wouldn’t have done any good. He needed sleep just as much as Jason (probably more) and it wasn’t like it would make him fight worse.

“Copy that.” Said Scott, already yawning. “Wake me at 1630 Hours”

He laid down on the soft log, safed his MA5C and Mayas sniper, and almost thought of removing his helmet. He couldn’t though, not in the middle of a potential combat zone. Scott’s vision began to darken, and he dimly saw Jason clamber up a tree for a better view of the surrounding area. It was good tactical thinking, and it would have made Lieutenant Commander Ambrose proud. This thought, about making their trainer proud stayed stubbornly in his mind, as he slipped into a blissful sleep.

//December 13th, 2552, 1330 Hours// //Sol System, Lunar Surface// //Letronne Crater, Lunar Complex G/T/39 //

Juno banked sharply to throw off the Seraph fighter’s aim, and then dove for the lunar surface. Sizzling blue bolts of plasma flashed past his narrow cockpit, and he prayed to god that this worked. The Seraph dove after him, plasma cannons flaring blue white, energy bolts streaming from mounted cannons. If this didn’t work, he would be dead. Juno pressed the release stud, and then increased his velocity. The grey plain rushed up to meet him, a welcoming embrace like an old friend, but Juno looped upward at the last second, barely missing a collision course. He pressed the ignition trigger for the Moray mine.

A flash of light was the only evidence of the mines detonation, but in his peripheral vision, Brock could see the Seraph fighter disintegrate into chunks and slam into the ground, pulverizing itself instantly into pebbles of metal. Thermal signatures flared on Juno’s displays, and then slowly cooled. Juno looped around toward the base, and saw the Rapiers mopping up the last of the Seraphs. As a last resort, the Covenant pickets beyond the mountains, safely out of range of the hundreds of cannons that would tear through them if they tried to cross, had launched their Seraph fighters to try and destroy the human group.

Problem was, Covenant Pickets, the craft that had landed the invasion force, carried only a handful of Seraphs, 2 per ship. That meant that 10 Seraphs had been pitted against sixty human Rapiers, not exactly an even fight. Only five rapiers had been shot down, and Covenant casualties had been 10/10, fitting payback for the casualties everywhere else. Even with the ground troops now in full retreat, the battle was still raging. EABTs rushed out to meet the attackers, and troops fought in deadly coverless clashes. However, the EABTs had air support, which was readily called upon. Without AA guns, the Covenant troops, who had put all their stock in the AA Wraiths, were utterly defenseless.

Brock strafed his cannons across the surface of the moon, cutting down infantry who tried to escape his bombardment. The EABTs joined in as well, downing more enemies with precise accuracy. All across the crater, the battle raged, as Covenant traded fire with EABTs from wrecked dropships. No more Covenant transports had come in, so Brock thought it was either because they had run out of craft, or had learned their lesson. Either way, it was good news.

“Major Juno, rendezvous with your squad, organize a formation with the 147th and the 573rd, and then prepare to assault those pickets. Command out.

Juno scanned his board, and instructed the computer to highlight members of the 145th, his squadron. He found them, and wasn’t shocked to see that two pilots, FOSC Jacob Orion, and FOSC Ted Banks were both dead, shot down during the Seraph attack. It was a shame. However, grief would come later, as it always had, and he would be expecting it.

“Form up.” He called into his comm, and watched the nine other pilots come into place behind him. The other two squadrons had taken no casualties, so they had a total of 34 ships, not a bad number.

Juno’s comm crackled, and one of the other squad leaders, a high ranked man than Juno began issuing orders.

“Watch your glass, not the displays, keep your fire on point, and target hard points first. Pulse lasers, anti grav generators, even the grav lift if you can manage.”

Juno nodded to himself inside his own ship, and had to admire the other pilot’s orders. They were perfect for the situation. Juno gunned his engines and sent his fighter flashing across the Lunar plain, close to the ground as he could manage. It wouldn’t be fitting for them to be detected to early and shot out of the air on approach by laser fire. Juno silently muttered a prayer as they crossed over the mountains, and he spotted the five Covenant Pickets floating above the moon’s surface. A total of 150 weapons emplacements all pointing at them…enough to make even the most experienced pilot afraid. And Juno was definitely, without a doubt, afraid.

//December 13, 2552, 1530 Hours// //Sol System, Terra// //Madagascar, Shoreline//

Scott awoke with a start, mind instantly awake. He immediately heard a low rumble, like a ship reentering the atmosphere, but it sounded closer. He stood up, and saw Jason was still up in the tree.

“Sir, better take a look at this.”

Scott heard Jason’s voice crackle over the comm, and grabbed the trunk of another tree and began to pull himself up. As he climbed, the rumbling became louder, soon a low roar. Birds squawked in terror and took flight, fleeing from the unknown menace. Scott grabbed a final branch, and then pulled himself up to the top and perched himself on it. The sky glowed a deep crimson red, and a raging fireball descended from the clouds. It moved on a collision course with the center of the island, and it seemed intent on slamming into the ground.

With an earsplitting crash, the object slammed into the middle of the jungle, throwing up trees and smoke. A shockwave hit Scott and threatened to throw him off of the tree, but he managed to keep hold. A flock of birds flew into the sky, and Scott could see dim movement away from the site as animals ran in terror. Scott looked over to Jason, who had almost fallen as well, and hand signed for him to drop. Scott jumped off of the tree, free falled for a moment, then grabbed a branch near the ground with one gauntleted hand and swung to a soft landing. Jason landed nearby in a pile of leaves, throwing up a crater of them all around him.

“Get packed up and ready to move out by 1540 Jason,” Said Scott “That crash looked close, and we’re going to check it out.”

Spartan 501 18:43, 20 December 2007 (UTC)

97
Mars Surface

"Men mount up. Get all gear together. The Blood Moon is on its way." Morrow ordered. The men looked around confused. Their work wasn't completed. "Sir, why are we leaving so soon? I mean we haven't even begun our main assault on the covenant..." one of the men spoke. Three pelicans appeared out of the clouds far to the east. They were headed their way. "Whos are they?" Morrow asked. One of the men pulled out a minocculor and looked at the pelicans. A symbol was barely visible on the nose of the pelicans. It was a circle with blood a liquid running down it. "Its the Blood Moons". the soldier replied. "Alright men we have little time to get everything. Move like you gotta purpose!" Morrow yelled. The men began running around and grabbing everything they could carry and threw it in the hogs. "Sir! We have a flat!" a soldier yelled looking at one of the tires. Morrow walked over to the warthog and looked at the flat. He began to speak but was cut off by the pelicans coms. "All personell be ready for pick up." the pilot said.

"Pilot, this is Commander Morrow. One of our hogs has a flat." he spoke on the com. "No matter, the frigate is coming down for the vehicles." the pilot replied. A loud noise began to fill the air. A squadron of longswords flew above them. "I wonder where their going.." Morrow asked aloud. In a flash of bright light, one of the longswords blew up and crashed into the ground. The dust cleared, revaling a massive anti air gun. "That things going to take out the frigate!" the pilots yelled. The squadron of Longswords began releasing their bombs, and only three bombs actually hit near the AA gun. Another shot from the gun clipped the wing on another longsword. It fell to the ground in a ball on flames. "Take that thing out!" Morrow yelled. A lonsword flew over the gun and dropped one of its bombs. It hit the gun, but the gun remained firing. "Its just not taking enough damage!" a pilot yelled. A longsword flew towards the AA gun, preparing to drop a bomb. But too quickly, the gun fired, hitting the longsword. Over the coms the men could hear-"I'm going down! I'm going down!" The longsword began spiraling downward at a fast pace. -"AAAAH!" [static] as the longsword crashed into the gun. The gun collapsed, and blew up upon hiitng the ground.

The Blood Moon came through the atmosphere. It slowed to a hualt, and lowered its bay trays. "Come on, were going to help attack a separatist traitor!" a voice on the com said. All the vehicles began driving onto the trays. Morrow looked back, the AA gun lies in pieces, flames rising and falling. He raised his arm in a salute. "Good job solider". He lowered his arm and walked onto the tray. The tray rose into the ship. The men and Morrow walked into the ship as it flew towards the atmoshpere. -- Kebath 'Holoree "Data Access"

98
Dawn, early morning

Lewis and his men had been fighting through the entire night. The Brutes had taken over two of the buildings, but the UNSC/Elite force had been causing havoc in their ranks. Lewis saw the Phantoms, still hovering just infront of the horizon. Over his radio, he heard screams, of men, being cut open, eaten, or even used as toys. He checked his remaining ammo. He only had two magizines left for his BR-55HB SR, and one mag left for his M7 SMG's. Then, he heard loud, thunderous steps coming up the hallway. He turned, just in time to see a brute lift his spiker. Within two seconds, the explosive charges Lewis set had detonated, sending the small scout team of Brute Stalkers flying. Lewis then turned to see the Phantoms beginning to move closer to the building. That's when Lewis ordered a complete retreat. They ran out a blown out hole in the side of a wall, running, faster and faster, into the forest. Behind them, Lewis could hear Brutes yelling war cries, and the Phantoms beginning to close in on them. The UNSC couldn't spend any Pelicans on them, so they just had to keep running, evading the enemy, until they reached friendly forces. Lewis turned to see one of the Privates trip and fall, holding his ankle. Lewis could've left the Private, and saved his own life, but Lewis didn't want to see anymore young men die. He ran back, found the Private, and hefted him over his shoulder. He ran slower, but still faster than a normal Marine. Then, he felt a spiker round hit his back, and he fell over, face first into the mud. -- AJ

99
York, Mars

“Mike Foxtrot behind that car!” Yelled a marine as the forces concentrated fire at the road. The burning wreckage from several cars and a tank line the street. The sides sloped down to reveal two neighborhoods filled with destroyed houses. James and his squad tried to stay as invisible as possible. Heavy urban combat was tearing through the city and some of the bloodiest fighting was from this small street. Each side controlled one of the neighborhoods, and the street was no-man’s land. James had seen attempts to capture the bridge from both sides. They all ended badly. James walked up to a squad of marines. The highest rank was a Corporal John Howard, and they were assigned to the 5th platoon. “Corporal! Where’s your platoon?” James asked as he deactivated his SPI Armour. “We’re all that’s left sir. The brutes hit the area we were defending hard. We managed to push them back, but most of the platoon was either killed in the defense or the counter-attack that followed. The other platoons don’t have enough troops to spare so we have to wait until HIGHCOM can send them in. There is a platoon of Colonial Militia due to come in fifteen minutes.” Replied the NCO. “Well you have new orders now. You guys are going to help my squad capture the road. We go in a small area, then slowly eliminate the outer defenses to allow the other marines in.” The Corporal gulped as he nodded and they moved out. James unslung his rifle and opened fire on the jackals defending the ally. The others followed and the jackals were cut down as the small group dashed across the road. Spikes and rounds criss-crossed from the rooftops and streets as the two sides fired at each other. James saw a grunt exit a two-story building and opened fire before marking it with a NAV pointer. The two squads dashed towards the building as the tried to secure a foothold. James threw a flash bang through the door, before they opened fire. The dazed grunts and the dazed brutes stood there as the rounds tore through their bodies. A bark was heard as grunts filed down the stairs at the end of the room and opened fire with plasma pistols. James rolled to the side, as one of the marines was hit multiple times and fell down dead, the plasma still burning his armour. The others opened fire and cut down the lance, but it meant that there were still two more brutes left in the building. The marines began walking in single-file up the stairs, when a brute came and fired its spiker. The rounds cut through the squad like a knife through butter as the marines fell. Corporal Howard was hit in the leg and pulled out his M6G before unloading it into the brute. The brute snarled as its armour fell off and shot the marine. The SPARTAN-IIIs used this as an opportunity and James put a through the brute’s head with his MA5K. George went up the stairs, his shotgun in front of him, and turned to see a brute captain. George quickly fired three shells from his shotgun and killed the brute. A single sniper jackal stood there, and threw away its beam rifle for a plasma pistol, but before it could fire Tuan shot it in the head with his M6D. “SPARTAN-G023 to the other marines, we have a secure foothold on the enemy side. Begin your assault.”

York, Mars

Lance Corporal Robert Prince dashed across the road as he took cover from the oncoming spiker barrage. Several marines crumpled as the spikes tore through their flesh and their armour. He looked down the small street lined with wrecked houses and saw nothing. The Second Lieutenant of his platoon moved forward and pointed at one of the marines to take point. As they moved forward, a lance came and charged forward. “All fire at the brute!” ordered his CO as the marines opened fire. The rounds impacted the brute’s shields as it was slowly depleted and the grunts were quickly killed. The brute charged and continued firing its spiker as it killed most of the marines, before falling dead. The remains of the platoon charged forward as reinforcements arrived on the scene. Lance Corporal Prince moved forward as he took cover in the remains of a leveled building, which looked almost like an Italian Piazza in the centre of a Renaissance age city. “Someone take out that Tango by the doorway!” Yelled his CO. The Lance Corporal aimed his BR55HB SR Battle Rifle at the brute and opened fire at its head. After continuous fire, the brute fell down dead and Lance Corporal Prince reloaded. He jumped over the small barrier and crouched beside the open doorway.

Lunar Surface

Maverick’s HUD polarized and he opened fire with his MA5B at the Brute. The relentless pounding of the rounds at near point-blank easily defeated its shielding and cut through it. He then continued to fire at the Loyalist grunts, still dazed as a result of the flash bang. As his rifle clicked empty, he discarded it for one of the brute’s spikers and stepped into the airlock. An oxygen gauge cam up on his HUD as the doors opened and Maverick was sent into space. He felt uncomfortable as his pack pushed him forward and he planted his feet firmly on the ground. He scanned the dark, grey, never-ending surface of the moon for Covenant Loyalists. As he saw none, he began to move forward and remained ever vigilant. He soon found what he was looking for. Crashed onto the surface of the moon was a Covenant CCS-Class Battlecruiser. The bodies of dead brutes, grunts, and jackals drifted by, killed by the immense pressure and lack of oxygen. He hefted his Sniper Rifle and saw several drones making repairs on the outside of the ship, while ranger jackals stood guard. Maverick crept to the side as he looked for a position to stay covered. He swore as he missed a small crater by a couple of centimetres and grabbed onto the side of a cliff and pushed himself forward again. He drifted into the crater and planted his feet firmly onto the ground. As he went prone he scanned the ship for any snipers. As he saw none, he focused his attention on the jackals that were standing guard. He took aim with the rifle and fired. The round suppressed by the endless void hit the first jackal in the chest and hit the drone behind it. As it allies brought their arm shields to bear and scanned the surroundings for the hidden sniper, Maverick fired another round at the lance. His aim was off and the round nicked the jackal’s arm, but that was all that was needed to kill it. The frightened drones and jackals began to back into the ship’s airlock, but Maverick still managed to put a third round through them. As the airlock shut, Maverick drifted towards the side of the covenant ship and grabbed a piece of its charred hull. As the jackals came out to investigate the deaths of their allies, Maverick fired a spiker round into the first one and threw a beacon into the airlock. He pushed off of the ship and fired his spiker at the oncoming rangers and stepped onto the ground while waiting for the cavalry to arrive.

Compton, CA, Earth

Lieutenant Lewis ducked behind the small crates lying overturned on the street. A marine jumped out and opened fire, which was followed by more from the rooftops. The hunters fired their fuel rods at the ambushers and wiped out the squad assaulting from the front, before combined fire from behind took them out. Lieutenant Lewis reloaded his SMG and turned to the frogmen. “How much further before we plant the nuke?” He asked. “Not much sir. Reckon we only have about a hundred metres to go.” Replied the sergeant. Lieutenant Lewis nodded as the remains of the company sprinted through the destroyed city. The CCS-Class Battlecruiser was looming ahead when the frogmen stopped. As they began to plant the nuke, the marines took positions around the site to cover them. “All set.” Said the sergeant. “Ok marines, we got ten minutes to get the hell out of here, so move it!” Ordered Lieutenant Lewis. The marines ran towards the beach, where the designated LZ was located. A plasma mortar flew towards them and sent several squads of marines flying. Lieutenant Lewis ignored it and continued running as more of the mortars killed his men. As soon as they reached the LZ, Lieutenant Lewis made sure he was the last one in the pelican. “Go! Go! Go!” He yelled to the pilot as the dropship lifted off of the ground and flew to safety, and got out of range just in time to see the nuke annihilate the Battlecruiser.

Earth

“Evasive actions!” Yelled Chieftain Tecknus. The Covenant Carrier, Pious Might jerked as it swerved to avoid the hail of MAC rounds and keep its already low shields. “Aim the pulse laser at the human ship and fire!” He ordered. The bright flash of light cleaved the human frigate in half. He must keep those aboard his ship alive. The Pious Might had no ordinary garrison. It had a legion of Yamne’e, Kig-Yar Rangers, and Jiralhanae Rangers for space combat, and another Jiralhanae only legion meant for ground combat. Although they had no cannon fodder for ground battles, they were always victorious. “Sir, a large amount of humans and Sangheili rangers are headed for our position.” Said one of his minors. “Send some of our space units to intercept. We shall be victorious.” Ordered the Chieftain. Specks of light came out of the side of the ship as units moved to intercept. The Sangheili were at the front of the assault, and a barrage of overcharged plasma pistol shots made easy work of their shields allowing more fire to kill them. Yamne’e flew towards the humans and clawed their suits, exposing them to the extreme pressure of space and killed them. As the battle raged on outside the ship, Tecknus turned to one of his crewmen. “Find a hole through the human defenses to land our units.” He ordered. The carrier flew through the hole around Africa. The Loyalists had already breached through the MAC defenses above the Earth continent and were flooding through like a herd of stampeding animals. The covenant carrier flew through the air and began to slow above the small UNSC held Iwo island chain. “Send out the Phantoms! Leave none alive!” Ordered Tecknus. The purple phantoms flew toward the islands, as a hail of AAAs opened fire.

Lunar Surface

Maverick touched back into the airlock. Something felt wrong. A spiker round flew through the air and exploded against his Mjolnir armour. His shields flared as he jumped for cover. He looked through the air, but saw nothing there. All around him were the bodies of several marines who had been guarding the area. Again, he fired his rifle into the air. A scream was heard as the rounds impacted the invisible brute. The creature ran off leaving a trail of blood and Maverick followed, right into a lance of Special Operations grunts. A fuel rod fired as he was sent flying backwards, still firing his MA5B. One of the grunts fell, but he couldn’t move. Maverick saw a metal shard sticking him to the wall.

--<font color="#000000">POFC <font color="#000000">SPARTAN-G023 <font color="#006400">Comm 23:01, 21 December 2007 (UTC)

100
//MARS, on the surface, exact location unknown//December 14th, 0730 hours// Soundtrack: Die Another Day from James Bond: Die Another Day'

Three Pelicans flew in and picked up the remaining marines and their last Warthog, then they flew off, leaving behind the Spartans and the Squad of Unrelenting Reparation. Jemsal scoured the bodies for more grenades, as well as to make sure that no Separatists or, more importantly, Elites were among the dead. He was glad when he didn't find any. He met back up with Ketynic and headed back towards Ameigh, who was discussing their next course of action with the Humans. "Once again, I thank you for the assistance", she said, "Now what is your next move?" "We have orders to stop the orbiting fleet from glassing Mars.", replied the leader, Matt is what she thought they called him. "But most of the ships orbiting the planet are Separatist." Ameigh's heart skipped a beat at her next thought. "Why Dyr 'Jar, you traitor." "What's that?", asked Jemsal. "Imperial Admiral Dyr 'Jar Refos. He never had a liking for Humans, so it's no wonder he'd order a glassing. When did you find out that he'd do this?" "Not sure, but at least five hours ago." "Then we need to hurry, before --" "Look!", yelled Nibesa. Several Covenant cruisers descended into the atmosphere as he said the words, glassing lasers nearly ready. "It's time to go!", yelled Jarikus as he jumped on his Chopper. The others followed suit, jumping onto their own vehicles. "On the Sprite!", Ameigh yelled at the Spartans. They were confused, never having heard of a Sprite. "The orange one!" They jumped on, and the Hunters pushed it to a start. All of them took of on their vehicles, but the beams began to fire. "What now!?", yelled Samorulan over the COM, "We can't escape that!" Ameigh tried to think of something, and as she looked around, she saw a cliff. "There, that cliff!", she said, "I'll call in the Endless Justice by remote. We'll jump off the cliff and land in the ship." "Can you pull that off?", asked Matt. "It's our only choice. It's risky, but it'll have to work. It has to." The vehicles increased their speed what little more they could, straining the engines and raced to the cliff edge as the ground turned to glass behind them. They had but 20 meters to go, but the beams had less till they reached them. "Now, jump!", yelled Ameigh. The vehicles flew through the air, and landed, just barely, in the Endless Justice's hangar. "Get us out of here!", said Ketynic. Jaig and Ank clambered up and raced to the controls, typing in numbers, punching buttons and pushing sticks and levers. The ship flew off just before the glassing beam hit them. "That was close", said Matt. "Too close", agreed Jarikus. Matt got up and walked over to Ameigh, who was already standing. "So, what's the plan?", he asked. "We convince the Imperial Admiral he made the wrong decision, peacably hopefully. You will use your ship, and any allies that will heed your call, as a distraction while we fly the Endless Justice into his flagship. We'll only revert to fighting if necessary; killing Refos himself will be our last resort, in which case I'll take command of the forces if none rank above Supreme Commander. Now, explain the plan to you ship, and hope that this will work."

--

101
EARTH

Pierce couldn't ask for more right now. He sat in a messhall in an underground base near Osaka Japan. Everyone that had taken part in Tokyo's defense was sent there. During his flight out of Tokyo he wondered if that battle had been the deciding factor in the area. Covenant activity over Japan was for the most part small, not as concentrated as in North Africa from what he had heard. Hopefully fighting on the four main islands would die down soon and they would be able to focus their efforts else where. But for now he enjoyed his moment. He took a seat at a table near the wall and leaned back, he felt sore throughout his body and lifting his coffee cup took effort. But the lack of duty wasn't what kept his spirits up, it was the small screen showing a bright happy face smiling at him. "How long do you get to stay?"

Pierce shrugged, "Not sure," he said to the screen, he was talking to Hanako Asahina. They had met earlier in the begining of the Second Battle of Earth in Nagasaki after losing contact with friendly forces. It was afterwards when they reached friendly lines did he learn of her popular singer statis, a Japanese singer and dancer that did most of her work for UNSC personal to keep moral up. Right now her hair was long and partially wet, her skin sparkled from her sweat and he could only bet that she had just given a concert for the people that took refugee in the underground/sea base near Nagasaki. "but hopefully it'll be a while."

"Can you come visit?"

"You know that's not possible, you guys are on stage eight lock down, no visitors." Pierce said after taking a sip of his coffee, it was warm and he held it in his mouth before swallowing it down. "Even if there was no lock down I probably couldn't they'll want us somewhere else soon."

Hanako's bright face went away for a moment saddened at his news, but she light up again knowing that he would need her support. She thought for a moment trying to think of her words, "Was...was it difficult?"

Pierce thought back, the remembered staying on the line as the Brutes charged forward and marines and Elites fell. "No, it wasn't that bad. We just laid ambushes and ran before they could attack us. Don't worry." Pierce said lieing through his teeth. No point in telling her the truth, she'd only be worried. He looked up hearing bootsteps and saw two officers, at first he thought they were hitting the messhall for food but they kept their pace and headed straight towards him. "Hey sweetie, I got to go right now. I'll try to call back later okay? jya ne, ai shiteru." he said with a smile and quit the feed. Before the screen turned black he saw Hanako giving him a smile and waving then blow him a kiss.

"Staff Sergeant Hayase?" the first officer said, a lieutenant.

Pierce quickly shoot up at attention through his sore and aching body. He threw a sharp salute, "Yes sir."

"We've got goodnews and badnews." the second lieutenant say. "I get to tell you the good news, Captain Wilson as put you in for a medal for your actions in Tokyo. The people need heroes so you'll probably end up getting one. Ceremony and everything for the war effort you know the deal."

"Thank you sir but..." Pierce said.

"To late paperwork is almost done. Now for the bad news." The first said, "You'll be getting transferred day after tomorrow."

Pierce formed a solid fist, he figured he wouldn't get long to rest. He wished it would be a little long so that his body could recover but that wasn't going to happen.

"Where to?"

Andrew and Christian watched as Beijing approached, they weren't very sure what to do now. Their last transmission had been filled with static before they lost communication completely. They were now in the dark about what to do. Hopefully a miracle would happen and show them a guiding light of what to do or where to go.

Hollywood

102
IN ORBIT-- EARTH, SOL SYSTEM

Sylvie Grey felt tired. She hadn't ever recovered from the extreme stress and lack of proper rest of the Manheim campaign, and she doubted that anything besides six weeks of solid sleep could ever fix her fatigue. But it was good to be back in command of a UNSC ship! The Fountain of Spring was a beautiful frigate, one of the last produced from the Mariposa shipyards on Mars, and her technology was an extreme update from the old Heavy Battleship Sylvie had once been in command of. Still, she missed the Myrmidon; it was a reliable old ship, and so well-armored and armed. Now, she doubted that she would ever see it again: it was in drydock near one of the repair stations on Luna, which was being swarmed with Covenant Loyalists.

What a nightmare it had been to jump back from Manheim and find Reach destroyed, Earth under siege, and Humanity fighting its penultimate battle for survival. At least Miles was still stationed under her command. She and the ODST NCO-turned-officer had grown quite close during the two months' siege of Manheim, and she was grateful that she had been able to keep him posted with her.

Sylvie had also heard radio chatter about SPARTAN-091, another of her closest friends. The supersoldier had saved the day in the Omicron Polaris system, providing the combat effectiveness of an entire battalion of Marines to the beleagured defenders of Neu Stuttgart. He was in Chicago, with three other Spartans, and she resolved she try and help him as much as possible.

She glanced around the small bridge, and saw Second Lieutenant Miles Jaeger pacing anxiously on the bridge, accompanied by yet another familiar face, the crimson-armored Elite Major Sestas 'Laram. She had met the Seperatist on Manheim, when the Elites had turned angrily on the Brutes, forming a tentative alliance with the last remaining Humans. Now, he was actually onboard her ship, a liason from the Sangheili Council.

"Archer missile banks 1 and 2, A-D have been depleted, ma'am," the weapons officer announced.

"Status on the MAC?"

"Still charging, ma'am."

"Understood. Divert power from the engines to speed it up."

"Yes, ma'am," the ensign said, and informed the ship-status computer of the power change.

"Major 'Laram, are your ship coordinating with our attacks?"

"Indeed they are, Captain," the veteran Elite answered in his deep basso voice. "They target the Jirahlanae ships that you currently engage. Do not worry about our resolve, Captain. Our shipmasters want Brute blood just as much as yours."

The MAC gun fired, bucking the bridge and sending a silver streak barreling towards the Loyalist cruiser, and Sylvie hoped that the Elite was telling the truth. Because it was only the SPARTANs and the Elites who could pull humanity back from the brink of annihilation.

 SPARTAN-091  |Admin|   HelmetComm  17:18, 24 December 2007 (UTC)

103
\\Earth, Romeo-17\\Battle Time 0100\\159th ODST Battalion\\Iota Seven\\

Iota Seven looked up as she regained consciousness, looking around she saw she was in a pelican. A mark on the wall read Romeo-17, trying to sit up she failed, the pain in her body almost unbearable. Through all the help of the crew she still had, a broken leg, separated shoulder blade, broken ankle, several broken and cracked ribs, three large metal shards imbedded in her body and a broken arm. From what she could tell the rest of the ODST had suffered the same amount of injuries.

"Where are we?" she croaked out and the crew chief ran over. He grabbed a towel and started to wipe the fresh blood out of her wounds.

"Almost to Beijing," he said he said as Iota Seven fell unconscious again.

\\Earth, Above Chicago\\Battle Time 17 Cycles\\Fleet of Golden Redemption\\Imperial Admiral Dyr 'Jar Refos\\

"Sir we are exiting Slipspace now," said a crew member as the ship reappeared in the blank void of normal space.

"Good where is the artifact?" the Admiral asked fingering his sword.

"It has moved down to the surface of the planet," said the crew member as he clicked on the commands of the console in front of him.

"Send down thirty lances of Sangheilli and Unggoy and then suit up my personal lance," said the Admiral standing up," 'Lagt you are in charge till my return and if I do not return then leave with your new rank Fleet Master,"

"Yes sir," said 'Lagt as 'Jar Refos walked out of the bridge. He walked into the armory and picked up a plasma rifle and a carbine with four more packs of ammo. He had his sword, the Blade of Vengeance which he kept with him at all times. As he neared the hanger he could hear the sounds of the many Phantoms preparing their flight to the surface of the planet. His personal ship's phantoms had instead of Green, a Blood Red coat of paint. He looked at the thirty one Blood Red Phantoms preparing to take of from the Assault Carrier. His small army of Sangheilli and Unggoy who were prepared to die for him.

"It is magnificent, is it not brother," said 'Feros, "Jar Refos's cousin a Field Commander who was part of 'Refos's personal lance. The two replacement Hunters lumbered out, Reter Van Helos and Telos Van Gerto. His four Major Unggoy and a Heavy Unggoy and the last two Sangheilli, 'Teros a Ultra another cousin of 'Refos and 'Hasus a Major who had shown bravery by being the first to land on Mars.

The Lance walked into a Phantom named Bloodied Vengeance which had enough lifting power to carry everyone.

'Refos opened a comm channel to all the lances about to take off form the hanger and travel down to Chicago," Today we go and take back something that is supposed to be ours, today we fight for glory, honor and heart full of blood!"

\\Earth, Chicago\\Battle Time 18 Cycles\\Fleet of Golden Redemption\\Imperial Admiral Dyr 'Jar Refos\\

The Phantom Soared down through the clouds spotting the Anti-air Battery that the humans guarded, they headed for that.

"Today blood will be spilled, human blood," said the Admiral to the small army as the neared where the SPARTANs stood.

--SPARTAN-064,Demakhis 20:28, 24 December 2007 (UTC)

104
EARTH

Hanako Asahina laid flat on a small bunk bed in a small cabin. Everything was cramped, it had to be to fit everyone in the underground base. She yawned and was bored, today she was free to do anything. No performances for the soldiers or refugees, just given the whole day off. But there was little to do underground, there was no shopping or movie theaters, every inch of space was used for housing refugees or used for defenses incase of a Covenant attack. The door opened and another singer walked in, she was Korean and they both had done performances together. "I'm bored."

"Me too." Hanako replied rolling around in the bunk, the other girl climbed a small ladder and crawled into her bunk as well. There was a moments silence until a tv screen hung in the corner turned on by itself. "Another broadcast." The tvs and radios were all controlled by the military forces stationed there and the only thing that was played besides one's own personal collection of movies were military updates that were baisis. First came on was an update of what was happening around Japan then a report came onscreen.

"Yesterday Tokyo was saved..." The news reporter said as a video showed the aftermath of the battle, they showed the body covered landscape surrounded by buildings collasped on their sides. Then showed pictures taken during the battle itself.

"Isn't your boyfriend in Tokyo?" the other sing asked as she watched, she noticed how the vidoes and pictures only showed the dead Covenant no dead humans.

"Yeah but he said he wasn't involved in anything big." Hanako said slightly hesitant.

"Now the brave soldiers who fought in the battle are being awarded." The screen changed to show an award ceremony. Officers and soldiers dressed in their best uniforms lined up as one by one the veterans of the battle were awarded.

They focused in on a Colonel as he pinned a medal on a marine's chest then saluted him and shook his hand. "Staff Sergeant Pierce Hae-jin Hayase." The colonel said, from the line the lone soldier clothed in the black ODST dress uniform stepped up.

"Pierce!?" Hanako said getting up and looked closer at the screen, the camera focused in on him and she knew it was him.

"For bravery in the battle of Seoul you are presented with the Red Legion of Honor." The colonel said taking the medal from a small box on a table beside him. He pinned it on Pierce then continued. "For being wounded in action during the defense of Tokyo you are presented with the Purple Heart." The colonel went through the action again. "For bravery and selfless acts of courage during the defense of Tokyo, the Colonial Cross. You've made us proud Staff Sergeant." The colonel saluted and Pierce gave a sharp salute in return.

"Baka..." Hanako whispered realizing what Pierce had done.

As Pierce and the other award reciepents walked away from the ceremony a lieutenant approached him. "Congratulations on the medals. Be ready for your transfer tomorrow morning okay?" the lieutenant said shaking his hand.

"Yes sir, I'll be ready."

Pierce tried to sleep but couldn't. The roar of the pelican's engines were too loud and the hull shook too much for him to be comfortable. He thought back to the night before, Hanako had called him and given him hell for lying but he could tell she was proud of him and how she was glad he was safe. Then he remembered this morning, how he had been put with a team of four other ODSTs. A captain had explained they would be going to assist in Beijing and more information would come later. He also stated that part of their mission would be to interrupt loyalists activities in the area. First they would be brought in by pelican to Tianjin near the coast where they would make a water drop for stealth. Once they made it onshore they would lay a series of ambushes and traps in the city for Loyalists then once out of Tianjin they would meet with allies and drive towards Beijing. It was a sloppy plan that was halfassed but Pierce knew it couldn't be helped, with so many things happening at once a good operation was hard to do.

Christian walked from the cockpit and to the carrier bay, he immediately smelled blood from the wounded ODSTs. Greg had done what he could for them but he wasn't a doctor and could only perform the basics of a medic. Greg had been wiped out afterwards, he sat on one of the seats and slept until Christian pushed his shoulders. Greg opened tired eyes and looked at Christian then rubbed the sleep away. "What's up?"

"We're made it to Beijing."

Hollywood

105
Lewis awoke from his sleep. As soon as he opened up his eyes, he began to get a severe headache. As his vision cleared, he saw that the Spiker round was gone from his torso, but the wound was still there. Then, the pain hit him. He screamed in agony, and when he opened his eyes again, he noticed where he was. The room was purple, and his arms were tied to the ceiling. He remembered from when he was captured on a Covenant Ship during the Battle of Orin and how they organized their cells. But this room was devoid of cells. Craning his neck around the room, he noticed blades, whips, chains, and serums. It was a torture chamber. He tried to clear out his mind when a Brute chieftain walked in. Then, the Brute released Lewis from the chains and began tossing him around the room. Lewis' life flashed before his eyes. The glassing of planets, the women he'd met, his family, the court case, even when he was first jumped into the gang life. The Brute then picked up a whip. Lewis got into a ball and felt the agonizing pain of the whip. It even had scales on it, presumably from some sort of reptilian animal. One of the younger Brutes picked up Lewis by the neck, then began to slap Lewis. Lewis, in defiance, began to spout insults at the beast. Then, he spit in the animals' face. The animal dropped Lewis, but then, another Brute in the room kicked him. Lewis flew fifteen feet across the room, and slid into the wall. Then, he saw the Brute with a blade coming at him. The Brute picked him up, and began to cut him. Lewis thought he was going do die, and from the pain, he went into unconsciousness. -- AJ

106
Luna, on ground.

Shn'co moved quickly, even though he carried one of his injured teammates on his back. Slightly behind him followed his other teammates, along with some survivors from the previous battle. It had been a massacre. When the main attack force, led by the human Jane Parkinson and Special Operations Commander Sangheili Anfa 'Dela, had arrived in the largest bubble at the station (which had the diameter of a Human Frigate), they had been ambushed by at least a platoon of hidden Jackal Snipers and Two platoons of Brute Stalkers, as well as the Brutes' main force. The rest was simple to clue out. Almost everyone, except for some Humans and Sangheili (among them Shn'co), had been killed.

Now they were on the run. They searched for a place to seek shelter. Shn'co looked ahead. A station was only 200 meters ahead now. But Shn’co also noticed that the ground in front of the complex was full of dead bodies, humans and brutes. There were some living humans, however, walking the perimeter. Shn'co walked towards them, and they looked up. "Can we get treatment for our injured?" Shn'co asked. The humans looked at each other, then at Shn'co's teammates, then at Shn'co again. "Eeh...sure! Come here, we'll show you the way!

Mars, on ground.

Dean looked up, and saw the glassing lasers. Terrified, he turned to his squadmates. "Everybody, RUN!" he shouted to them, and they immediately followed. Dean activated his COM. "This is Master Gunnery Sergeant Dean Jackson. I and my Second Squad need immediate evac. If there are any UNSC or Separatist dropships within range, please respond!"

23:37, 26 December 2007 (UTC)