Chapter 6: The Fall of Reach
Doctor Halsey had called the remaining SPARTANS of Noble Team (including Kat now back on her feet) as well as Daemon and Carth Onasi into her lab. She had an important mission for them, and time was of the essence. Inside the lab, they could all see the good doctor busy at work, and that hovering outside the lab was a large spherical structure. Emile asked the question that was on all of their minds:
"What is this stuff?"
"Knowledge." Dr. Halsey said matter-of-factly, "A birthright from an ancient civilization. This AI is its custodian, and she has chosen you as her carriers.
"Chosen? By an AI?" Emile found that just a bit ridiculous.
"By this AI, yes. Her measure of you carries as much weight as my own..."
Dr. Halsey moved away from view, revealing an AI resembling an attractive young woman with short hair, glowing pink, and busily analyzing data of some kind while sitting in a meditative stance.
"...Perhaps more. You are to take her to the UNSC ship-breaking yards in Aszod. There, you will find a Halycon-class cruiser waiting to get her off planet."
"I understand." Carter said.
Halsey raised an eyebrow."Do you? Mankind is outmatched. The appearance of new players in the game does nothing to change that. When Reach falls - and it will fall - our annihilation is all but certain. Unless...we can glean from this artifact a defense against the Covenant. A game-changer. On the level of the conical bullet in the nineteenth century, or faster-than-light travel in the twenty-third."
"And what if we can't?"
"An apt question if there were somewhere else to place our hope. There is not."
Carth Onasi felt like saying that the Republic could help turn the tide. Help stop these Covenant that had already killed billions of humans in this galaxy. But he wasn't so sure that was true. They had their own problems to worry about as it was. And none of them still had any real idea of what was going on. Just that they had to help.
Dr. Halsey looked at Cortana one last time before shutting off her projection. Jun took to examining the labs as Dr. Halsey pulled out a data storage unit that she then handed to Noble 6, catching the red-armored SPARTAN off-guard.
"Take it, Lieutenant... She has made her choice."
Unsure of what to do, Six turned to Carter and Kat. Both nodded their approval. Now assured slightly, Noble 6 took it. Halsey now addressed all within the lab:
"I don't think I need to tell any of you that this is of vital importance. Just know that if you cannot get this package off of Reach and onto the cruiser that will meet you at the shipyard, then the Covenant have already won. Is that clear SPARTANS?"
All of the SPARTANS saluted at the same time and responded in a chorus of "yes ma'am" and proceeded to put their helmets on. It was at that moment that a Republic soldier entered as well. Though republic soldiers were trained to not show fear if at all possible, it was written all over this one's face.
"What's wrong soldier?" Carth asked.
The soldier attempted to center himself and spoke, as calmly as he could (which wasn't saying much) "Admiral, we've seen their arrival. The Sith have come to Reach, and their ship is among those of the Covenant Fleet. Our scouts saw it with their own eyes."
So then the worst-case scenario had occurred: The Sith and the Covenant had joined forces. For what seemed like hours, there was only silence after the soldier was done speaking. It seemed like everyone had their own grim thoughts on what would happen next. Finally, Carter broke the silence:
"Then that means there's no time to waste. Noble Team, let's move out! We're headed for the shipyard!"
"Wait" Carth said as the SPARTANS where moving out. "What about Reach?"
"What of it?" Emile responded curtly, "You heard the doc, it's done for. We gave it our all but that just wasn't enough. There's no stopping those bastards now. The best we can do is get that package off of here and hope it can carry the war effort, which I personally doubt, but it ain't my place to say."
"Emile's right" Carter added "I of all people don't want to admit this, but there's nothing more that can be done for Reach. We have to focus on this last mission."
Carth thought for a moment, and finally, he stated "I've seen whole worlds be reduced to ash by the Sith and the Mandalorians, but only once have I willingly abandoned a world in need, and I don't plan to do it again. I wouldn't be much of a soldier if I did."
"Admiral, there is NOTHING MORE THAT CAN BE DONE. The Covenant will glass this world, and when they start, there's no stopping it. I've seen if enough times before to know. We've done our best, and we've saved as many as we could, but now it's time to make some sacrifices. The planet isn't much use to anyone anymore in its current state anyway."
Again, there was silence. Finally, Carth nodded. "I understand. Very well. Let's deliver this "package" of yours, and hopefully we'll all live to fight another day."
"Carth, do you want me to gather up the troops?" Daemon asked.
"Yes, I think that we should tell them what they're in for."
And so Daemon called in the Republic soldiers, who came in and lined up in rows, and Carth gave a bit of a speech, despite knowing that that was far from a strength of his:
"Now I'm not a man of words and big speeches, so I'll try to be brief here: I know that when we set off from Coruscant this was not exactly the kind of situation you all imagined going to. Instead of tracking down the Sith Lord we were supposed to, we have wound up stranded in an uncharted area of space, on a planet that's never heard of us experiencing its final hours. But I don't believe in coincidences. I feel that we've been brought here for a reason. And I should think that that reason is obvious enough. We need to help these people any way we can. Delivering this "package", that will help these people's war effort, that is how we help them. Now, I would be lying if I said that all of you would be making it out of this alive, but don't let that knowledge weaken your resolve. These people have given everything they have to defend their planet. We need to do the same."
It was then that Daemon walked up. "I've heard better Admiral, but I must say you said it better than I would have." He then turned to the soldiers: "Well you heard your admiral, load up and move out!"
At this, all of the Republic Soldiers saluted and moved off with the SPARTANS of Noble Team, who walked out to board a Pelican. Carth Onasi turned to a Twi'lek soldier.
"Flexil, escort the Doctor to the place called "CASTLE Base."
Upon hearing this, Halsey eyed the green-skinned soldier and his head-tails with a bit of revulsion. Seeing your fellow humans be butchered by aliens tended to make one a bit prejudiced, even if they weren't the same aliens.
"I require no escort, Admiral-"
Carth cut her off. "And make sure nothing falls into enemy hands."
"I'll do what's necessary, sir... " the soldier said in his native language, which only Carth and Daemon understood. "Good Luck."
"You too, soldier."
Meanwhile, the SPARTANS of Noble Team all loaded onto one Pelican. Carter took the pilot's seat, and Noble 6, Kat, Emile, and Jun all filed into the back.
"I need a heading, Dot."
The AI "Auntie Dot"'s voice, an emotionless, feminine, British accent, came on "At three kilometers north, turn right. Heading zero-five-zero."
"Which leads to?"
"The ship-breaking yard in Azsod. The only off-planet extraction point left on this continent. Small scale air attacks have decimated many convoys en route. An armada of Covenant and "Sith" cruisers have hastened to the site as well. UNSC cruiser, Pillar of Autumn is awaiting your arrival."
"Wouldn't be a Noble mission if it were easy." Carter said as the Pelican took off.
The stage was set for one last stand.
Meanwhile, on the Truth and Reconciliation, all of the Elites that where to be leading the final ground invasion gathered before their shipmaster and Supreme Commander. This included Reggad 'Nogardee and his old friends, Dranol 'Nosrednee, an Elite recently promoted to the Spec Ops division, and Lellt 'Retee. When the Supreme Commander at last appeared before his brothers, it was a fairly silent reception. There was no resounding ovation when he appeared. Everyone was silent and listening. He had a bit of a speech to give:
"My brothers, for ages now, our Covenant has fought for the Great Journey. The holy trek into the divine beyond that we have so long struggled and died for. But the humans would deny us our holy destiny. They would stand in our way. And that is why they must burn. And why their world must burn until it's surface is but a lifeless sheet of glass. You all of course, already know this. But I feel I must remind you why we fight, in the event that you have any doubts about committing what some might call "genocide" I ask you, not merely as your shipmaster, but also as your brother-in-arms, to fight, and fight to the death if need be, to bring down the human vermin, and continue our long struggle to holy salvation."
The end of the Shipmaster's speech was met with deafening applause from his brothers. The Elites where already drawing their weapons, to symbolize their demanding the blood of the humans. Finally, they all filed into their awaiting Phantoms. Some who where pilots got into Banshees. Regardless, all Elites present got into the ships that descended on Reach, ready to at last bring it down. Reggad 'Nogardee and his friends where all on one Phantom, speaking amongst themselves.
"The Shipmaster made an impressive speech" Reggad remarked.
"Indeed" Lellt agreed "He's always known how to rally his men. Did you see what some of the higher-ups where doing? They were pounding their chests and drawing their swords. If not for the righteousness of the cause, I'd almost have to call it barbaric..."
-X-
Noble Team's Pelican kept up its flight, alongside a Republic Gunship, still making their way to the shipyard. Then right on cue, a pair of Banshees flew in, along with a Phantom. The Republic ship quickly opened fire on the Phantom, and managed to damage it, but then Sith Fighters arrived as well, and the Republic ship had to make some quick aerial maneuvers to avoid being shot down. The gunship retaliated with rockets that hit one of the Sith fighters but not the other three. Meanwhile, the Banshees and the Phantom began opening fire on the Pelican. Emile took out a grenade launcher and started firing grenades at the Banshees, but it wasn't terribly successful. Finally, one of the Banshee's fired a fuel rod blast at the Pelican. Carter carried it up just enough to keep the blast from flying into the troop area, but the blast still damaged the Pelican badly. Emile fired off another grenade, using its EMP effect to shut down one of the Banshees, causing it to plummet and explode upon colliding with the earth. Unfortunately, the Phantom kept up its assault all the same, but at least the Pelican was able to avoid it reasonably well due to Carter's skilled piloting. By now, the Republic Gunship had finished off the Sith fighters, and fired another round of rockets at the Phantom, destroying it instantly. Unfortunately, the other Banshee still landed another shot before being destroyed as well, shaking the Pelican violently. Noble 6 and Emile found themselves tumbling out of the back of the Pelican.
"SIX!" Kat shouted, reaching out with her hand as Noble 6 fell out along with Emile. The two went tumbling, before finally landing hard on the dusty earth. They staggered to their feet. Noble 6 checked the device Halsey had given him, now strapped on his back. Still intact, thankfully. The two made their way to a cliff face overlooking a canyon-desert region. The area was already crawling with Covenant. And "crawling" was a gross understatement. They were everywhere; Grunts, Jackals, Skirmishers, Brutes, Elites, and even Hunters where forming by the dozens, if not hundreds. Backing them up where humanoid soldiers in black and silver suits of armor armed with weapons similar to the ones the Republic soldiers carried, but with several notable differences; namely being sleeker, and of a light gray color. In addition to these soldiers, there were several more humanoids in light gray outfits with black boots, gloves, tunics, and hoods. They appeared to be the leaders of the other humans, at least as far as Noble 6 could tell.
"Those guys with the Covenant must be the Sith" he muttered.
"Yeah I guess so" Emile responded. He tried to sound emotionless as usual, but even he understood the severity of the situation. Emile and Noble 6 got into the nearby Mongoose, Noble 6 took the driver's seat and Emile sat in the back, and the two sped off into the distance. They drove through a group of grunts, running some over, and continued driving, Noble 6 trying to manage the steering wheel, and trying not to tip the very sensitive little car over. As Noble 6 kept driving, Emile was shooting down any grunt or jackal that the mongoose happened to miss as it continued its borderline suicide course through the Covenant army. Finally, the Sith Troopers started to open fire as well, laser blasts zipping through the air and narrowly missing the two SPARTANS.
"Six! It's the Sith!" Emile shouted.
"I know, I know, hang on" Noble 6 remarked, swerving to avoid another barrage of laser fire from the Sith Trooper's guns. But as they swerved, Noble 6 began to lose control of the Mongoose, and worse still, a Sith Trooper threw a grenade directly in the Mongoose's direction. Luckily, Noble 6 saw it coming just in time.
"Emile, get out of the Mongoose now!" Noble 6 shouted. For once, Emile did as he was told and leaped out as Noble 6 abandoned the Mongoose to its explosive end. He quickly shot the approaching Sith Troopers in the head with his DMR. Emile, meanwhile, quickly got up and threw a frag grenade at some of the Sith and Grunts. The two SPARTANS then started running, Noble 6 using his rocket launcher to bring down a pair of charging Hunters. There was a bridge up ahead, in the distance, and Six and Emile knew Carter would be able to see them and pick them up. So Noble 6 and Emile kept running, desperately avoiding the torrent of lasers, plasma bolts, and needle rounds that came their way. A massive Brute suddenly appeared, but Emile blasted it at point-blank range with his shotgun and it fell down immediately. He and Noble 6 kept sprinting, finally reaching the bridge. Noble 6 turned around and started shooting at the pursuing Jackals. Just as the last one went down to his marksmen-ship, more Sith Troopers started to appear, along with Skirmishers, the deadliest of all Jackals. But then, out of nowhere, they where all vaporized from above. Noble 6 looked up, and saw that it was the Republic Gunship.
"SPARTANS, this is Nortom. I'm the one who's been providing covering fire for you and your ship. I'll be escorting you the rest of the way."
As Nortom spoke, Carter's Pelican flew in, and Emile and Noble 6 ran onto the ship as it flew off, narrowly avoiding shots from a Grunt Heavy's fuel rod gun as it flew away.
"Glad to have you back" Jun remarked.
"All right" Carter said, "the path to the shipyard we need to get to is far from clear, so hang on tight, and if you see any enemy resistance, be sure to shoot it down as quickly as possible, the Republic ship can't take everything down for us."
"That was some nice flying there by the way SPARTAN" Nortom complimented. "It's Good to see I'm not the only soldier with some piloting skills."
"Just keep sharp Nortom, we're not out of this yet" Carter warned.
The two ships kept up their flight for a little longer, before they reached a canyon. They flew through. Upon doing so however, they were promptly greeted by a swarm of Drones, or "buggers" as they were more often called. They flew in random directions, covering up the Pelican's windshield, making it difficult for Carter to see. The Republic Ship opened fire on the Drones, but they flew in seemingly random formations that where surprisingly effective at keeping them safe from harm. Only three drones where killed in the first barrage. The remaining drones began firing on the Pelican. Their plasma pistol shots did no real damage, but then some began to latch onto the Pelican and started clawing at it like frenzied dogs attacking a piece of meat. This was especially bad because there was no way Nortom could shoot them down without also shooting the Pelican. As it was, Nortom kept firing at the Drones still in the air, and again, only managed to hit a few. Some more flew around to the troop area of the Pelican and where greeted with a vicious barrage of bullets that promptly cut them all down. No pack of drones would ever take down a true SPARTAN team like Noble. Noble 6 cringed a little as he saw the dead Drones plummet. He hated the buggers. More so then most of the other Covenant species. They were damn annoying and rather creepy looking at that, not to mention hard to kill. And they'd almost gotten him more than once.
Finally, the two ships came out of the canyon, drones still clawing at the Pelican viciously and still more flying around. More Sith Fighters came in, and started shooting at the Pelican, which the pilots could clearly see was the more damaged vessel of the two. By now, the Pelican could take no more abuse, and began to smoke and catch on fire, as well as lose momentum.
"Noble Team, the Pelican is going down, I repeat the Pelican is going down, brace for impact!"
Carter steered the Pelican down to the surface while the Republic Ship entered a dogfight with the Sith Fighters. The Pelican continued to plummet, until at last is crashed violently, killing some of the drones that where still latched onto it while others flew away at the last minute, only to be caught in the crossfire of the dogfight happening above them. As the Pelican screeched to a stop, the members of Noble Team staggered out of the destroyed vehicle, and readied themselves for more fighting. Carter smashed the cracked windshield and staggered out, his DMR drawn and ready. He turned to his team.
"Let's move Noble Team, we still have a job to do. Come on, we can't afford to lag!"
The other SPARTANS did as they were told and followed Carter's lead. Meanwhile, Nortom destroyed the last of the Sith fighters and radioed Carter:
"SPARTAN, I just shot down the last Sith fighter but more are on approach. I'm going to keep them busy, and make sure the skies stay clear while you and your team continue your mission on foot. Sorry if this seems like I'm ditching you, but I think it's the smartest route to take."
"Understood soldier, we'll keep moving, just keep the skies clear as promised. Commander A-259 out."
But as the SPARTANS kept moving, they were confronted with a truly nightmarish sight: a massive, purple four-legged Covenant vehicle lumbered towards them, its huge frontal cannon already glowing a sickly green and getting ready for the kill. The five SPARTANS of Noble Team all rushed for cover, knowing they stood no chance against the Scarab. Nortom flew in at that moment.
"Nortom this is Carter, a Scarab is blocking our path, we can't get past it."
"No you can't. Not without help."
"Nortom, your gunship doesn't have the firepower!"
By now, the Scarab noticed the SPARTAN team and began to charge up its main cannon, aiming right at their meager excuses for cover. Nortom fired a volley of gunship rockets at the Scarab, turning its attention to him. Nortom fired then fired at the Scarab again, damaging part of it as he flew circles around it.
"You underestimate what these gunships can do SPARTAN. I've got this. You just complete your mission" he said over the COM reassuringly as he fired yet another volley at the Scarab.
Carter hesitated a bit before finally saying "All right Nortom. Give it hell."
"Will do. See you when you're done SPARTAN"
With this, Noble Team made their to the nearby UNSC facility, fighting their way through hordes of Covenant aliens and their new Sith allies. The minute a SPARTAN ran out of ammunition for a weapon during the intense firefight, they'd throw it to the ground and grab something else, anything else. They couldn't afford to stop, not now, not with things at their worst and with the stakes so high. Eventually, the team reached an abandoned building inside the facility that they holed up in. Noble 6 found ammo for his rocket launcher and started raining rockets down on the Covenant below. Several Grunts, Skirmishers, and even Elites where cut down. Reggad 'Nogardee and a few others survived the initial barrage and continued their own as Reggad hollered out orders:
"Aim for the Demon with the explosive weapon!" Reggad ordered, as he kept firing his twin Plasma rifles at the humans, careful not to let either one overheat. Jun popped out from behind cover and fired his sniper rifle at Reggad. Reggad rolled to avoid it just in time, and fell back behind the building along with the remaining two Elites to plan a new strategy:
"You, soldier! Arm your plasma grenades and aim for the demon with the heavy weapon. You, stay close to me. We will provide covering fire for our brother."
Both Elites responded with grunts of obedience and then followed Reggad in circling around to take aim. The first Elite did as he was told and prepared to hurl a Plasma Grenade. Fortunately for Noble Team, Jun saw in time and shouted at his fellow SPARTANS to move out of the way as he shot the Elite down. This enraged Reggad and the other Minor and they unleashed a barrage of Plasma fire as Sith Troopers came to their aid. Soon, Noble Team where being hit from all sides.
"Noble Team, abandon the building! Fall back further to the edge of the facility!" Carter ordered.
The Team did as instructed and ran off the building, gunning down more Covenant and Sith as they landed. Carter radioed Carth as he shot a Sith Trooper in the head and another in the chest, wincing a little as he knew he was killing fellow humans this time instead of aliens.
"Jedi! Admiral Onasi! This is Commander A-259! We're surrounded and under heavy fire, I'm not sure how much longer we'll last. Where are you? We need support here!"
Carth responded, as he dodged Plasma shots and laser blasts and retaliated with his own:
"I'm sorry Carter, but Daemon and I are pinned down. The Sith and Covenant here are tightly packed, and are putting up quite a fight. It's down to just a few of us, and I want to…"
The sound of Carth dodging more blaster fire and Daemon deflecting a blaster bolt back at a Sith Trooper could be heard.
"…And I want to keep what few men I still have left alive. I am sorry, but I can't come to your aid, not ye—"
Carth was interrupted by having to dodge the melee strikes of a Sith Trooper before shooting him down.
"I'm sorry Carter, I really am. Admiral Onasi out."
And with that, the channel went silent. Carter shouted out to the rest of Noble Team: "Noble Team, the Republic forces are pinned down, we need to make it on our own, so keep running!"
"Well they where a ton of help…." Emile sarcastically muttered under his breath as he kept running along with everyone else. Finally, the team reached the edge of the facility. More Brutes, Elites, and Sith where waiting for them. One of the Brutes was a Chieftain. If hefted its massive Plasma Turret and began firing. The SPARTANS ducked to different sides to avoid it.
"This is it Noble Team, their last line of defense! Keep up the pressure, take down the Chieftain first!"
Carter and Jun opened fire on the Elites who returned fire with their Plasma Rifles and Needlers. Emile gunned down the Brutes that charged him. Meanwhile, Noble 6 followed Carter's advice and fired his last rocket at the Chieftain. The blast was enough to take him down, but not before several shots of the Plasma Turret hit him, depleting his shields a bit. A Dark Jedi who was near Noble 6 blasted him with Force Lightning. Noble 6 felt his shields be fried and his armor short-circuit as he fell to his knees from the strike. The Dark Jedi raised his lightsaber and prepared to behead Noble 6 when a shot rang out and he fell down dead. Noble 6 saw that Kat was standing over him, pistol drawn and smoking. She then kneeled beside him, hand outstretched to help him up.
"Six, are you OK?" Kat asked, for once showing obvious concern in her voice. Noble 6 got up and smiled under his helmet even though he knew Kat couldn't see.
"Glad to see you've taken to calling me six like everyone else. I'm doing fine honey, glad to see you're concerned."
"Don't honey me you arrogant Son-of-bitch." Kat retorted. "Besides, we aren't out of this yet."
Noble 6 stood up and started shooting at the Sith Troopers with his DMR. Kat followed suit with headshots from her pistol. Meanwhile, Reggad showed up with more Grunts as well as his fellow Elites.
"Smite the demons!" Reggad ordered
Unfortunately, one of the Grunts, a gunner, was just a tad too overeager in carrying out that order and shrieked with a strange mix of glee and religious fervor as he fired his Fuel Rod Gun at the SPARTANS
"Yes sir! Take this Heretics!" the Grunt squealed
"No you fool! Not yet!"
But it was too late. The Grunt fired the shot before Reggad had given the order. The SPARTANS not only saw it coming and dodged, but the blast also hit the remaining Elites the SPARTANS were fighting instead. It either killed them or fried their energy shields, making them easy pickings for Kat and Emile. Carter turned around and head-shotted the Grunt Gunner who fell backwards as he was shot. Needless to say, Reggad was more than a little infuriated and proceeded to vent his frustration out by firing his two plasma rifles at the SPARTANS. Reggad knew he had to move quickly if he wanted to finish off the demons, so he ordered his remaining Elites to form a line and ready their weapons. He turned to the two minors with concussion rifles.
"Fire!"
The Minors did as they were told and opened fire with their rifles as Reggad picked up the dead Grunt's fuel rod gun and fired. Pink and green-colored blasts flew straight at the SPARTANS, but Noble 6 saw the coming in time.
"Everybody move!" He shouted. Everyone ducked out of the way. Reggad shouted out again:
"Fire again!"
The Minors fired yet another barrage. This time, more Elites with Plasma Rifles fired as well. Things were getting hectic; and Carter, Kat, and Jun where so busy dodging that they couldn't fire off a shot with their weapons. Emile was also not much help, since he only had a shotgun. Only Noble 6 was able to fire off a few rounds from his DMR, right before it ran out of ammo.
"That's not good…."
"Fire!"
The SPARTANS dodged yet another barrage. Jun tried to land a shot, but was too busy dodging and missed his mark, for perhaps the first time in his life.
Reggad turned and could see Dark Jedi coming to his aid, red lightsabers drawn. Pleased by the sight of reinforcements, Reggad shouted once more, this time to all of the Covenant with him:
"FIRE AT WILL!"
All of the Elites and Grunts opened fire with their respective weapons. By this point however, Noble Team was re-mobilizing against the barrage. Jun fired off another shot that killed one of the Elites with the Concussion Rifles. Carter and Noble 6's combined fire took down another Elite. Kat took to head-shotting some of the Grunts as well as finishing off an Elite that the others had missed. By this point, the other Elite with the Concussion Rifle fired another blast. This one hit home. Luckily for Carter, his shields where at full, so he was able to weather the blast well. Jun shot the Elite in the head, but not before it fired off another shot. That one missed completely. As the Elites kept firing and the Dark Jedi closed in, a blue blade suddenly appeared out of an Elite's chest and it fell to the ground. Another swing of the blade decapitated a Grunt. Reggad and the rest of his squad turned to face their attacker. It was Daemon, along with Carth Onasi, and a pair of Republic Soldiers.
Reggad roared in fury and back-pedaled, firing off his two Plasma Rifles, which were starting to run low on ammo. But the Jedi skillfully deflected all of the shots with his lightsaber and even sent a few back at Reggad, damaging his shields and sending him reeling. The SPARTANS, seeing their allies in the thick of things, opened fire once more, and between the two parties, not even the mighty Elites survived. Daemon, meanwhile, went at the Dark Jedi directly, his blue lightsaber clashing against the red blades of the Dark Jedi seconds before cutting each of them down.
The death of yet more of his brothers as well as the impending defeat at human hands threw Reggad into a frenzy. He turned and started firing his Plasma Rifles at Jun and started to deplete his energy shields. Unfortunately, his Plasma Rifles overheated just as Jun's shields fell completely. Cursing in his native language, Reggad put his Plasma Rifles away and an Energy Sword, the most prized, most sacred off all Sanghelli weapons. Reggad, as a Major, had just earned the right to use one.
Reggad charged at the SPARTANS in a fury, tossing a Plasma Grenade at Emile who barely dodged in time. Reggad kept running, knocking Kat and Noble 6 to the ground before they could shoot at him as he went after Jun. Jun opened fire with his sniper rifle, but his first shot missed and his second shot only damaged Reggad's shields. Reggad brought down his energy sword on Jun and….froze.
Daemon held out his hand, calling on the force to keep the Elite's blade from taking Jun's head off. Reggad couldn't understand what was going on. His mind was telling him to bring the energy sword down and slay the demon, but his arm, nay, his whole body, simply refused to so much as move an inch. Reggad was quite furious, but as his whole body was frozen stiff he had no way of expressing it physically. The SPARTANS, for their part, where just as surprised. So much so, that they didn't take a pot-shot at the Elite's head like they probably should have. Daemon meanwhile, followed things up with a massive force push that sent Reggad hurling back like he was hit by a human cannonball and knocking him into a wall which he was somehow pinned against. Reggad couldn't understand what was happening but knew it had something to do with that human with the blue sword.
Sure enough, Daemon fired another force push, this one more powerful then the last. Reggad could see the blast coming, but couldn't move, even though his mind and his instincts told him to do so. He could not. He simply could not move. Reggad figured that if this was how he was going to go on the Great Journey, then so be it. He would go out with defiance at his human killers. He roared in fury at the blast coming his way, right before it blasted him through the wall, destroying it, and knocking Reggad back. As the dust settled, the SPARTANS just stood there, awestruck. Ironically, the normally quiet Noble 6 was the first to speak up:
"Was that…the force?"
"Yes, it was."
"That was freaking incredible. You should have been on our side sooner. We definitely could have used you."
"Indeed. But let's not delay. I believe we have a ship to catch. And I sense more resistance up ahead."
"Yeah, you're right" Carter responded. "Let's go Noble Team, move out!"
And so, Noble Team, Carth, Daemon, and the Republic soldiers walked off together, Noble Six pausing only for a moment to take a look back at the wall the one Elite had been blasted through…
Author's Note: Long chapter huh? Please RR! I personally found Carth's speech to be a little weak but tell me what you think.