RP:Glorious Oblivion

"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]] •  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

Spartan-091

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


 * 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

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

Kebath 'Holoree

 * Role: Supreme Commander 'Holor
 * Location: Mars
 * Status: Active


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

AJ

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

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: Injured
 * 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 are trying to disable a Covenant AA-Gun.
 * Role: Chieftain Taurus
 * Location: In orbit above Earth
 * Status: Active
 * Other: Commanding a large pack of Brutes who are currently attacking Paris in France.
 * 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.
 * Role: Team Wakisashi
 * Location: Earth
 * Status: Active
 * Other: SPARTAN-III Gamma Company Team.
 * Role: Team Bokuto
 * Location: Earth
 * 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.

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: Berlin, Germany, Earth
 * Branch: UNSC Marine Corps
 * Unit: 2/27 Infantry Regiment, 501st Marine Division
 * 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

=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)
 * Team Wakisashi
 * SPARTAN-G256 (Matt)
 * SPARTAN-G147 (Oliver)
 * SPARTAN-G297 (Belle)
 * Team Bokuto
 * SPARTAN-G029 (Henry)
 * SPARTAN-G162 (Diana)
 * SPARTAN-G329 (Victor)

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
 * 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

=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 MISSIONCOM and reviwed 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. I'll finish the rest later. 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. "I 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.

EARTH, in orbit, inside Houston Station

Joe Harrison

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

Delta Team

LUNA, on the surface

Team Alpha

LUNA, orbital station

The Team Alpha trainees

MARS, on the surface, exact location unknown

The Squad of Unrelenting Reparation

'This will be finished soon. Do not delete' --

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