Halo: The Atlas
Chapter 1: False Sense of Security
UNSC military Instillation on the Planet Conquest
August 17, 2542
SPARTAN-199 Rob drove his Warthog to take a Pelican up to the Fleet Admiral's flagship. He and the rest of his squad had finally received a mission. Apparently it was so top secret that the only one who could relay the message was the Supreme Commander of all of the forces in the Sector. It had been over a week since he saw the rest of his squad. Constant combat simulations left them with little free time and he was on a nightly shift as opposed to the rest of his squad who were on the day shift. He finally reached the hangar he submitted his ID though none was needed due to the fact that he was a seven foot green giant.
"Ok sir everything checks out, follow us please," the receptionist said.
As the Pelican rose through the atmosphere he could see the City lights shining off the planet. And then once they passed through the Stratosphere he began to see Conquest's impressive defenses.
The planet Conquest was the third most important world to the UNSC (after Reach and Earth). What little offensive operations the UNSC had against the Covenant started at Conquest. It was in an excellent position to defend the Outer Colonies from this new Genocidal race called the Covenant. The military presence on the planet was considerable. At all times there was a fleet of seventy-five warships and ten of the UNSC's new prototype Super MACs. These enormous mile long space stations kept in geosynchronous orbit around the planet at all times. The station was in a sense a giant space cannon. The Marines had one of their largest bases on Conquest. 5,000,000 marines, over 10,000 ODSTs and not to mention a squad of ONI's SPARTAN super soldiers equipped with their MJOLNIR armor. The planets operations were overseen by Fleet Admiral William Rague who was held up in UNSC flagship the carrier Heaven in Conquest.
As he exited the pelican he was met by a marine with a thick Irish accent who saluted. Rob returned the salute.
"Sir, Corporal Hawkes C company follow me to the bridge the Fleet Admiral's waiting," The Irishman said.
He finally reached bridge after a long series of gasps,awes, and salutes. He saw the rest of his squad waiting for him near the view screen. SPARTAN-133 Jena SPARTAN-134 Rick, and last but not least SPARTAN-017 Dane. Standing in the center was a man who looked like he was in his early 50's but when Rob saw the Five-Stars on his collar he immediately knew he was. Fleet Admiral Rague was the only person in FLEETCOM besides Lord Hood who didn't look like they were on there death beds. Rob immediately saluted. The Admiral returned the salute.
"We don't have much time so lets get straight to it," Rague said coolly "Command has devised that the Covenant's next target is this world take a look at this."
A tactical readout appeared on the main view screen. It showed a couple of Longswords scouting through an Asteroid field and then suddenly vanishing; KIA.
"After this I sent 5 destroyers to that vicinity, a single Covenant scout ship that had been hiding in the asteroid field the battle group engaged and destroyed it," he turned off the display, "Now we have no clue when the Covenant's assault forces are coming but we do know that Covenant ships have not been seen traveling in fleets greater than fifty. So we have the advantage in terms of numbers. Now as for your mission we need you to take a UNSC destroyer equipped with the new Genius AI and implant it in one of the Covenant Ships and use it to infiltrate their fleet and find out everything we need to know about the Covenant. The destroyer Aegis will be arriving in five days. Any questions?
"Uh. yeah what's a Genius AI," Dane asked
"Pretty much its a collection of over 100 military smart AI's that combine their knowledge of the Covenant. The Genius AI is the only reason why we can translate the Covenant language. Anything else? No you leave in five days."
"Yes sir! " the Spartans barked in complete unison.
'Back to the grime' Rob thought.
Councilor Sora 'Vran Rumilee stat in his command throne on the bridge of the Honorable Demise. This ship was truly a wonder to behold. The Command center itself was massive having an enormous platform which had the commanders chair as well as tactical displays and a planning table it also had chairs for the commanders guests. Then a lower level where at least thirty Sangheli sat at there stations. At twelve kilometers long the Supercarrier dwarfed even the mighty Assault Carriers. It hangar bay could hold a warship up to two kilometers in length. It held thousands of Banshee's and Seraphs. It served as more of a Space Station rather a warship. 'I wonder when the Minister of Reclamation would arrive' he thought.
"Excellency, the CCS-class battlecruiser Righteous Might has just slipped in system and is requesting permission to dock." the tactical officer said.
"Grant it, Supreme Commander you have command of the fleet until I return,"The Councilor walked out of the bridge his Honor Guards tailing him as he went into the Gravity lift.
"Yes Excellency, I will do as you command," his second in command Recla 'Kar Sacramee said respectfully.
As he exited the Gravity lift he was met with many salutes and bows from the thousands of crew members in the Hangar Bay. Not to mention the battalion that stood at attention awaiting the Minister's arrival. The Righteous Might hovered above the Hanger bay floor its Gravity lift descending from the bowels of the mighty warship.
The platform hit the ground and the Minister of Reclamation, his accompanying Legates, in their ornamented robes and Gravity thrones, and 10 Jiralhanae guards all in Power Armor. One in golden Power Armor had a Gravity Hammer on his back.
" Welcome Minister. Before we start with the formalities would you mind telling me why those blasted apes are operating a mighty warship of that class!" the Councilor barked.
"They are my most trusted guards they are among the first Jiralhanae who will be armed with the prototype Power Armor," the Minister said calmly.
"This is heresy Minister the Writ of Union clearly states that the Sangheli have the final say in all military actions and can only be overridden by the..."
"The Hierarchs they approve this stating that if we could unleash the Jiralhanae against our new foes less Sangheli will need to die by the filthy Humans," the San 'Shyuum pulled out an official document signed by the Prophets of Truth, Mercy, and Regret.
The Minister and himself were of the same rank and both held positions on the High Council but a decree by the Hierarchs was absolute. For now he would have to play host to the Minister and his Jiralhanae pets.
"Very well Minister your Jiralhanae will be apart of the first wave of attack but a single hint of treachery and I will have their heads on a platter and I will have you replaced on the High Council," Sora said coolly.
"Then we are agreed !"the Minister exclaimed.
"Now come we should go a place where we can discuss the plans for the upcoming battle. Your Jiralhanae will wait hear though or it might cause a fuss on this ship."
They walked down a long corridor and bypassed four security checkpoints led by Naval security. Sora's Honor Guards took sentry positions outside of his quarters. As he passed them he could hear the crackling of their Energy staffs.
"Now, the Atlas is located on this Human world hear. It is heavily fortified with almost 100 of their ships in Orbit. In counter to that I have assembled 134 capital ships to assist in the conquest of this world." Sora said briskly.
"So I assume that you will not be using plasma weaponry and be ramming the enemy ships." The Minister said, "After all we do not know where the Atlas is and using plasma could harm its Holy structure."
"Simultaneously while we are attacking from the heavens we will deploy legions of Unggoy, Kig-Yar, Jiralhanae, Lekgolo and Sangheli. They will systematically check for the Atlas on the surface of the planet."
"But..."
"If we don't use the force required the Humans might destroy our fleet and stay out of range from ramming. Minister the plasma won't make it to the surface it will vaporise in the atmosphere."
"Very well, Commander but if you make a single error that jeopardizes the Atlas I will have you executed for high heresy."
"I am willing to jeopardize my life in the place of the countless lives that would be unnecessarily sacrificed if I used a ramming strategy."
"I believe we are done hear guards escort the Minister and his Legates to their quarters." The Councilor sat back on his throne and pressed a device on it.
Within an instant two Helios (Light of Sanghelios or Helios for short)guards clad in there pristine white armor entered energy staffs crackling.
"If you'd come with us excellencies," one of the guards said forcefully but respectfully.
Just as Sora was about to fall asleep a hologram appeared on one of the arm rests of his throne.
It was Supreme Commander 'Sacramee.
"What is it?" Sora barked slightly irritated.
"Forgive the intrusion excellency, but the fleet has completely assembled and the Prophet of Truth requires you give your daily report," Recla said.
"Very well I shall be there immediately," Sora said briskly.
He stormed out of his quarters receiving crisp salutes(different from human ones as the Sangheli pound there chests) Sora returned them. When he reached the Command Center it was chaotic the Supreme Commander was giving orders to all 100+ Shipmasters.
"Put the Prophet of Truth through, now," Sora said.
"Ah, Councilor Sora good to see you again," Truth said.
"I am humbled, excellency. I have good news my lord. The fleet has assembled." Sora said respectfully.
"Very well commence Operation:CONQUEST!" Truth barked.
The Councilor nodded and with that the navigation officer slipped the massive warship into another dimension. Soon all 134 warships vanished from our fabric of space and into Slipspace. The Conquest of humanity and the Atlas had begun.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Disclaimer I don't own Halo at all but do own the characters I create ect ect
ty Great Valley Guadian for first review