Author's Notes:
As I said before, I will be shortening the part on dialogue. I will mostly focus the story on the Covenant side (hence the title). Thank you to all my reviewers!
Thoughts will be in italics.
Disclaimer: What? Me owning Halo?! Well, only in my dreams. All ownership goes to Bungie, Microsoft and 343 Industries.
Chapter 3: Invasion
Ship Master Rho 'Barutamee watched as his Phantoms and Spirits slowly descended towards the planet. It had now been three cycles since they first arrived. A map of Reach was being shown on the pedestal in front of him. The pedestal showed a large yellow arrow to where the drop ships were required to go. 'Barutamee waited. He leaned on a ledge on the bridge, being careful not to press any buttons. Just then, a COM opened up; 'Barutamee jumped at the sudden noise.
"Ship Master, the humans have taken back the relay. These humans were not the normal ones. They had shielding and armour. They also had vehicle support. I am the only one left", a Sangheili Minor said on the COM.
"Have the humans been able to contact their leaders and their fleet?" 'Barutamee asked. He was not pleased, not at all. How could humans have shielding? This must be some sort of nonsense.
"Excellency, I do not know, but the humans were able to access the control centre. If we are to take back the relay, we will need to send more experienced troops", the Minor stated.
"That doesn't matter. If the humans were able to access the control room, they have probably got the relay back on-line. Do have any good things to tell me, Minor?" 'Barutamee asked. He hoped there would be some success in the mission.
"Well, our team has found a human base near the north pole. I will send you the location. The humans call it Sword Base, Excellency", the Minor said proudly.
"Your team has found a human base? That is a very good find, Minor. I think that will be our next move. Good luck Minor, may your journey be great", the Ship Master stated as the COM closed. 'Barutamee slammed his fist on the desk. His mission had been a failure. The humans had found them. The prophets would have his head. Now it was a race to disable and cripple the humans defences before they could send reinforcements. On the other hand, they had found a base. 'Barutamee decided that he would send one corvette to this base and deploy troops. The troops would eliminate the humans in the base and retrieve information about the human's home world, weapons research, and other important information.
"Ship Master, our team has landed on the planet. We have eliminated some humans; however, it will take many cycles to build a spire. We are jamming the humans' communications", a Sangheili Zealot said on the COM. The Zealot was standing on a sandy surface with patches of grass and weeds. Behind the Zealot, there was a burning human vehicle, and multiple cloaked Phantoms constructing a pylon.
"Good job, keep the humans at bay. We will take their planet before they even know it!" 'Barutamee exclaimed. The roar of Sangheili throughout the bridge and on the ground was massive. The COM than closed, once again keeping the bridge of Long night of Solace quiet once again. 'Barutamee looked at the pedestal. He entered the location that the Sangheili Minor had given him. 'Barutamee thought about it. He only had five Corvettes plus his cruiser in his recon fleet.
"Send Journey's Watch to this location", 'Barutamee ordered. *
"Yes Excellency. The ship will be above the human base in two units", a Jiralhanae Major declared.
Within moments, the Corvette began to move towards the human base. When it got there it would wreak havoc on the base and the surrounding area. 'Barutamee knew he couldn't fail.
Ship Master Kmr 'Repree kept pacing as the Journey's Watch kept its heading towards the base. He started to grow impatient. He wanted to start the assault right away.
"How much longer until we reach the human base?" He asked an Unggoy Major.
"It will be another half a unit Excellency", the Major responded.
'Repree looked at the bridge. It was battle ready. Weapon crates lay in the room, carrying Energy Swords and Plasma repeaters. Finally, after what seemed like forever, the ship reached the human base.
"Send Phantoms with vehicles and ground troops. We must take this base", 'Repree commanded.
"Of course, Excellency", a Major Domo Sangheili responded. A moment later Phantoms began to leave from the Corvette. It wasn't long before human fighters started to engage the Phantoms. 'Repree clicked his mandibles.
"Ship Master, the humans have anti-air guns near the base. They have already taken down one Phantom", the Major declared.
"Tell the pilots of the remaining Phantoms to eliminate that base first and set up a landing pad for additional troops", 'Repree ordered.
"Yes, Ship Master", the Major responded. He soon told the pilots of the new orders.
Half a unit passed. Even from the bridge of the Corvette, the sound of big explosions; both human and Covenant was heard. The Corvette itself was in good shape. Its health and shield sensors were at maximum.
"Ship Master, our team has landed and disabled the anti-air system", the Major said.
"That is great news my brothers!" 'Repree exclaimed. Now that the team was on the ground, the rest of the mission would be a piece of cake.
"Ship Master, I have detected a human COM array just units way from the base. I think we should take it out. After that, we can enter the base", the Major said.
"Good searching my brother. Tell them to take out the COM. I will send vehicle support in about one quarter unit", 'Repree said. If they could take out the COM, this would benefit them very much. Once again though, the bridge was quiet except for big explosions. 'Repree's troops worked away, looking at the ships systems and shield levels. 'Repree looked out the window. He saw the planet's moon. His thoughts were interrupted once again, however.
"Ship Master, my team is ready. We have one Revenant and one Ghost attached to our Phantom. My team of Sangheili, Kig-yar, and Unggoy are ready. An additional Phantom has two more Revenants", a pilot said.
"If all your troops and vehicles are ready to go, you are clear to go my brother. Good luck", 'Repree replied.
"Thank you Ship Master", the pilot replied. Within moments, the Phantoms left the shuttle bay for the surface. It would not take long to get there.
Within moments, the Revenants and Ghosts were on the ground. The troops mounted up and headed for the COM relay.
"Ship Master, human drop ships are imminent. They have a troops and a human light vehicle", the Major announced.
"Do not worry brother, our forces will crush them", 'Repree reassured.
"Ship Master, we have the relay in sight. Humans have landed. Our vehicles are taking care of them", a Sangheili Minor announced. The sounds of explosions were around him.
The bridge of Journey's Watch was once again quiet, well except for loud explosions on the ground. It was quite boring. 'Repree almost wished he had joined the battle, at least he would have something to do.
"Ship Master we have taken the COM. The humans have retreated to the base. We have disabled the COM and are now heading for the base. Our forces near the anti-air gun will assist us in trapping the humans", a Sangheili Ranger said.
"Great job my brothers. Push on toward the base!" 'Repree exclaimed proudly.
Even under fire from human anti-air and fighters, his Corvette was in excellent shape. Shields were still at or near maximum. He would be pleased to inform the fleet master that his ship wouldn't need repairs.
A half a unit passed without word from the troops.
"Send more vehicles and additional weapons for our ground troops", 'Repree commanded.
"Of course, Excellency", the Major responded. He immediately contacted shuttle bay 16 to launch Phantoms. Once again, within a few moments, the Phantoms left the shuttle bay. 'Repree hoped they wouldn't get shot down; he needed as many Phantoms as possible.
"Ship Master, we have taken the entrance to the base, however many of our brothers have fallen. The humans' defences are quite high here. We need additional troops", the Sangheili Ranger said.
"I have already sent additional troops and vehicles to you brother, do not fear", 'Repree announced.
"I will go for a walk. If anything comes up, contact me", 'Repree announced to the Major.
"Yes, Ship Master", the Major responded. 'Repree turned around towards the door. Two Jiralhanae Minors guarded it. 'Repree exited the bridge only to find a hallway of troops and other personnel scrambling about. Even though the battle was ground side, the ship was busy. The hallway was purple and had many lights and small terminals. Directions to different locations on the ship were also present. An Unggoy Minor ran through the hallway, and briefly bumped into 'Repree.
"Sorry Excellency", the Minor said before continuing going his way.
'Repree sighed. Unggoy were sometimes very clumsy. He walked back toward the bridge, taking his time. He walked past a shuttle bay, which had two Phantoms docked. The shuttle bay was large. A massive shield door covered the exit. Troops walked around, waiting for their turn on the battlefield. 'Repree turned around and headed for the bridge. Along the way, he saw hallway after hallway of troops followed by shuttle bays and more hallways. It was tiring. He finally arrived at the bridge. A moment passed then:
"Ship Master, our troops have taken the outside of the base and are now entering the interior. They say we should send in a Seraph team to start taking out targets on and near the base", the Major said.
"Agreed, however there could be intel on the humans' home world in that base. I will send a team to fire on the base. I want your team to collect any intel you can find on the humans and send it here", 'Repree ordered.
"Yes Excellency", the Sangheili Ranger said as gunfire erupted.
"General, send your Seraph team to bombard the facility. It is NOT to be destroyed!" 'Repree announced.
"Yes Ship Master", the General announced.
Moments later, a small amount of Seraph ships began to shoot and take out targets near and on the human base. It wouldn't be long before they could emerge victorious. Seraph fighters shot at the base and other targets. Within minutes, the Seraphs returned to Journey's Watch.
'Repree looked out the window of the Corvette. The Seraphs shot the base enough for parts of it to be destroyed. A fire burned on the top deck.
"Our team has taken the facility. The humans were no match for them", the Major said.
"Tell the team to look for any human intelligence. Bring anything straight to me", 'Repree ordered.
"Of course, Ship Master", the Major responded.
The bridge became quiet again, well only for a few moments.
"Ship Master, I am detecting multiple waves of human reinforcements", a Sangheili Minor announced.
"Get our troops ready", the Ship Master responded briskly. The Minor quickly obeyed as the Ship Master went for his break.
Within a unit or so later the battlefield looked different when 'Repree looked out the bridge window once again. He had apparently fallen asleep. That was quite embarrassing. In battle, leaders could not simply fall asleep right?
"Ship Master, while you were gone, the human reinforcements landed. Our team has engaged them; however they seem to be some sort of super human. Our team says that they have shielding, are super fast and strong. I think its nonsense", the Minor said, looking concerned.
"That's impossible. Humans have never had shielding before. Tell our team to keep pushing towards anything that is important", 'Repree replied.
"Ship Master, I cannot get any of our troops to respond to our communications", the Minor announced.
"Send in banshee fighters to eliminate the humans. Humans cannot survive a fuel rod cannon from a banshee, shields or not", 'Repree ordered.
Within moments, banshee fighters assaulted the base and the surrounding area. They fired on the human troops below and made quick work of any anti-air guns on the base.
Banshee swooped around attempts to shoot them down. Many of the human aircraft were shot down in their attempt to survive. Within a few moments however, the skies belonged to the Covenant!
"Contact our team again. If they cannot find anything useful, bring them back to Journey's Watch", 'Repree said.
The Minor repeatedly tried to contact their troops but to no avail.
"I can't contact our troops Ship Master. They may have been killed by the humans", the Minor said.
"Open fire on the base then. If our troops are dead, there is no point of sitting here doing nothing", 'Repree commanded. He looked at the weapon systems: they all were pointing in the green.
Plasma torpedoes shot from the Corvette almost immediately. Soon the base will be destroyed, and they could go home. 'Repree looked out the window of the Corvette once again. Many of his banshees were being shot down.
"Excellency, we have lost our banshees and left over reinforcements. Human anti-air is now engaging us. Human fast aircraft are approaching. They are trying to lock our coordinates", the Minor said worryingly.
"All forces retreat. Get Journey's Watch to a safe location", 'Repree ordered, worry heavy in his voice.
Immediately, the ship began to move almost at maximum speed. It started to gain altitude. 'Repree fell back on the floor because of the speed and pitch of the Corvette. They were almost out; soon they would return to a safe location.
Suddenly, there was a massive shake. The sound of broken metal and electrical equipment surrounded the crew. The Corvette's engines started to fail and they lost altitude.
"Our journey is guaranteed my brothers. Even in death we walk the path", 'Repree announced on the ships communications system. The last thing the bridge crew saw was the ice cold water of Reach.
NOBLE Six looked up at the sky. Banshee parts and dead pilots fell from the sky. He looked at the rocket launcher; it was empty. It had been a successful day for him. He had defended sword base from a Covenant attack. Six watched as the MAC gun penetrated the Corvette from above, crippling the ship and causing it to crash.
"Beautiful, isn't it? Someone should take a picture", Jorge said. Clearly, they both have had a good day.
"Nice work by the way", he added.
"I aim to please", Six responded. They watched as the Corvette began to sink in the cold waters away from the base.
"Five, Six get down to the science wing. Dr. Halsey wants a debrief and command says we're all hers", Carter said on the COM.
"Repeat? Sounded like you said Halsey?" Jorge asked with a mysterious look on his face.
"I did", Carter responded.
"Copy that on our way. Don't need command to tell me. Been all hers for half my life", Jorge said as the three Spartans started to make their way toward the science wing.
On their way to the science wing, the Spartans found a damaged base filled with bodies, weapons and debris. The science wing however, was locked. A guard quickly opened the door for the Spartans to enter.
"I requested your assistance, Commander, and do not need a report on events that occur on my own doorstep. What I do require is a detailed account of your previous engagement..." Halsey said as the Spartans walked in.
"Jorge, it's been too long", Halsey said looking at Jorge's armour.
"Ma'am", Jorge responded.
"What have you done with my armour?" She asked.
"Just a few... additions I've made", Jorge responded, looking at his orange armour.
"Indeed. Visegrad relay. Its data centre was home to one of my xenoarchaeologists, Professor Laszlo Sorvad. Perhaps you can shed some light on his death", Halsey demanded looking at Carter.
"If he was a civilian male in his mid sixties he died with a Covenant energy sword through his abdomen", Carter announced.
"Elites then?" Halsey asked.
"They engaged us as well. It was just, uh, just after we found your scientist's daughter, ma'am. She was hiding in the-", Jorge said as he was cut off.
"Irreverent. The Elites, tell me more about them", Halsey asked, still demanding answers.
"Three. Zealot class. One got by us. The leader, from the looks of him", Jorge stated.
"Zealots. You're certain", Halsey said with a raised voice.
"Their armour configuration matched", Jorge stated.
"Shield strength too", Six added.
"I gave the order not to pursue. Our primary objective was to get the station's relay back online", Carter said.
"Your primary objective? Commander are you a puppet or a Spartan?" Halsey asked. She didn't look pleased about Carter's decision.
"Ma'am", Carter stated looking surprised at the outburst.
"There are those at ONI, myself included, who believe the Covenant dispatch Elite advance teams to hunt down artifacts of value to their religion. Survivor accounts suggest such teams are small, nimble, and almost always Zealot class. No doubt they came to the station for the abundance of ONI excavation data stored there. And you let them get away", Halsey lectured.
"Data retrieval was not a command directive. Even had we known we had other, more urgent matters to attend to", Carter said.
"Like warning the planet", Kat said.
"Professor Sorvad's final entry in his field notes made reference to a latchkey discovery. Latchkey... Not a word he would use lightly. So let's hope that the data module your Lieutenant Commander stole contains it", Halsey continued to lecture the Spartans about their failure.
"Kat?" Carter asked, very surprised that his fellow Spartan would do something of that nature.
"Before you ask, I was alerted the moment you attempted to access its contents. As I am with any unauthorized tap", Halsey lectured.
Kat immediately dropped the module in the box.
"That data is classified tier one. I could send you to the brig for interfering with my work", Halsey continued.
"Maybe you would like to join her?" Carter challenged.
"I'm sorry?" Halsey sneered.
"We're currently under emergency planetary directive Winter Contingency. I'm sure you're familiar with the punishment for civilian interference with a Spartan deployment", Carter stated, looking at Halsey.
"Are you threatening me, Commander?" Halsey asked.
"Just making a reading suggestion, ma'am", Carter replied.
"Let's move NOBLE team", Carter said as he and Kat started to leave the room.
"Ma'am"? Jorge asked.
"That will be all Jorge", Halsey replied, now starring at the module.
The rest of NOBLE team left the room and quickly met up with Carter and Kat. The Spartans walked through and eventually exited the base while talking about their experience with Dr. Halsey.
"She really knows how to lecture us, doesn't she?" Kat asked.
"The module is very important to her. I wouldn't be pleased if one of you left say... my tacpad behind right? Carter asked.
"You're right sir. However, it's gone now. So let's stop thinking about it", Emile finished.
"Our Falcon is waiting outside. It will take us to CASTLE base. Colonel Holland will give us our next orders", Carter said.
NOBLE team walked outside the base. It was late afternoon. Fires burned near the base as a Falcon waited for the team on the tarmac. Soon, the team was on the way to CASTLE base to get their next orders.
Authors Notes:
*Journey's Watch is a made up name. I just wanted to point that out.
Thanks for reading! Please, review! It helps more than you think!
Word Count: 3,307
