Here's Chapter 7. Things are starting to go downhill.
-CHAPTER START-
Reach
Szurdok Ridge, Ütközet
August 13th, 2552
A Scarab's foot came down several meters from the entrance to the cave Noble Team was currently hiding in. The walker failed to notice the Spartans passing into the cave, and stomped away.
"Our foe is more devious than we imagined" said the computerized voice of Auntie Dot. "That spire was indeed a teleporter linked to a cloaked Covenant supercarrier – a grave threat."
Jess, Jorge, and Jun walked into the cave, Jorge hefting some sort of case.
"Thankfully," Dot continued, "help is imminent. 60% of the UNSC Navy is en route to Reach from existing deployments. The first battle group should arrive within 48 hours."
"48 hours?" Jun said, exasperated. "That's 'imminent'?" He looked to his right, and promptly reached up and brushed the smoldering ash off of Jorge's shoulder plate. He then noticed the small debate/argument at the other end of the cave. "Uh-oh. Who's your money on this time?"
"Her" Jorge replied, gesturing at Kat as he removed his helmet.
"You always pick her."
"She's always had him dialed in."
"That thing's crushing us," Kat said, "and we're waiting for backup? They'll be backing up a graveyard."
"There's nothing we can do, Katherine" Carter replied. "All our nukes are either out-system or went down with the ships that carried them. You're preaching to the converted."
"How converted?"
"I know that look, Kat."
"You can say no."
"No."
"You don't even want to hear it?"
A sigh. "Fine, I'll hear it."
"Remember that accident a couple years back? Colony ship en route to Cygnus? 700 dead?"
"Vaguely. A slipspace drive malfunction, right?"
"Actually, the drive worked fine. But it was mounted improperly after a service haul-out. So, when it fired, it teleported half the ship to oblivion."
"And how is this relevant to our current situation?"
"A certain Covenant supercarrier could, with some assistance, suffer the same 'unfortunate accident'…"
"Even for you, Kat, that's…"
"Inspired?"
"Not the word I would use…"
At this point, the others came up everyone except Jess and Emile helmetless. "What's going on?" Jorge asked.
Carter looked to Kat. "Go ahead. Explain."
Kat reached for Emile's kukri; Emile responded by grabbing her by the wrist. "May I?" she asked, getting the message.
"…Don't cut yourself." He handed her the weapon. She crouched down and began using the blade to draw in the dirt.
"Objective:" she explained, "destroy Covenant supercarrier in geosynchronous orbit."
"This sanctioned, sir?" Jorge asked.
"What do you think?" Carter replied.
"Oh."
"Method: a slipspace drive, in lieu of the nukes we don't have. Delivery system? Us. Solvable? Getting us up there, and getting our hands on a slipspace drive." She stood back up, brushing the dirt off the tip of the blade before handing it back to Emile. "Thank you for sharing."
"So…" Carter said. "All we need is orbit-capable transport, and the single most expensive piece of equipment made by humankind."
"As a soldier in the field," Kat replied, "I couldn't possible have access to those kinds of resources. That said, a good place to look might be… I don't know… the nearest nonexistent launch site of the nonexistent Sabre Program, dismissed by three administrations as preposterous rumor… and in which our newest member…" she looked at Jess, "was certainly never a pilot."
Teana chuckled. Emile started. "…You're scary. You know that?"
"All we need is a green light from Holland."
"Good luck with that" Carter said.
"You're the one asking him" replied Kat as she handed him a datapad.
"…There's no way in hell he's gonna go for this" Carter muttered, as Kat helped remove a few sections of armor and got to work on getting the kinks out of Teana's shoulders. Being the only girls in the squad, they had to watch out for each other, after all.
-SCENE BREAK-
Sabre Program Launch/Research Range, Farkas Lake, Eposz
August 14th, 2552
Two Falcons flew in, dropping off their cargo: Carter, Kat, & Jess from one, and Jorge & Teana from the other. The craft flew back the way they came, as the five Spartans looked at the deceptively clear sky.
"Bit of a hike to the launch facility…" Jorge said, as his eyes followed a Seraph overhead.
"Any closer's too hot to land" Carter replied. "Move up the beach, Noble."
First Floor: Beaches, Aliens, Top-Secret Launch Facilities
The quintet passed between two large boulders, and emerged onto the main beach. The sky was filled with Covenant Seraphs, and with shots from AA guns in the nearby base. Jess pulled his pistol up and shot three Grunts in the head, just as a Covenant drop-pod landed behind the Grunts. From it came a blue-armored Elite. The combination of Jess' assault rifle and Carter's DMR quickly brought it down.
The group moved right, mowing down another group of Grunts and a red-armored Elite. Another drop-pod landed up on a nearby small hill, and a white-armored Elite Ultra leapt out. Teana fired a 40mm grenade at it; the grenade smacked into the Elite's chest and detonated, weakening the alien's shields. A barrage of bullets from Jorge's machinegun did the rest.
As the group created the hill, a Seraph was hit by one too many AA rounds. It spiraled out of control, smashing into the launch facility at high speed, by sheer chance crushing the AA gun that had fired the fatal shot. Carter winced at the irony.
The Spartan team advanced toward the building, Jess throwing a frag grenade to kill a trio of Jackals. He then flanked right, going around a large boulder. He tossed his other frag at the four Grunts who were distracted by the other Spartans, killing them before they knew what hit them. Teana fired three-round bursts at an Elite Ultra higher up, but it ducked behind cover. Jess moved up, caught the alien unawares, and stuck a plasma grenade to its upper back. The burnt, headless carcass slumped to the ground, and the two Grunts nearby lost discipline, breaking ranks and trying to flee. Jorge gunned them down.
Teana fired three shots into the chest of one of the Jackal Marksmen guarding the door, while Carter shot the neck of the other one. The door opened, revealing an army trooper. "Everybody inside!" he called. "More hostiles on the way!"
The Spartans ran into the building, Jess grabbing the Jackals' needle rifle and five clips of ammo for it. As they went in, a Pelican swept in behind them, dropping a squad of marines to cover the door.
"Flight control's this way" another trooper said. "They're expecting you."
Noble arrived at the blasted-out section that the Seraph had crashed into earlier, stepping over bits of rubble.
"Still can't believe Holland said yes to this" Jorge muttered.
"Well," Kat replied, "some plans are too good to say no to."
"Let's get those Sabres airborne before he changes his mind" Carter said. As they passed, an army trooper fired a rocket at a Wraith down below. The rocket hit the top hatch, blowing it off. A second rocket went off inside the cockpit, fragmenting its driver and wrecking its controls. The tank dropped to the ground.
The group moved on, Jess leading, and was startled by the sight of an army trooper flying through the air from the right, crashing into a wall. An Elite Major stepped into view, and Jess quickly ran at him. He tackled the Elite, knocking him onto his face, and before the alien could get up Jess leapt up and then came boots-down on the Elite's neck. They continued on.
"Warning" the computerized voice came over the PA system. "Launch facility has been breached."
The next room was dark and filled with dead army troopers. As they reached the far side, a bulkhead rose to reveal a large craft sitting like a 20th-century-style space shuttle waiting for takeoff. Lights snapped on, highlighting the YSS-1000 'Sabre'.
"Jorge, Six" Carter ordered. "Get to the Sabre before the Covenant wreck it."
"What about you three?" Jorge asked.
"Teana's gonna head about five minutes down the hall to another Sabre and follow you guys up. Jun's on his way with a Falcon, so Kat & I will exfil after you launch. Go!"
"Launch teams," a trooper called, "Sabre is prepped and ready for launch." Jess and Jorge stepped through a curved hallway. On the way, Jess stopped at a dead Elite Ultra and grabbed the alien's plasma sword from its hand, clipping it to his waist. The two then walked up the catwalk to the craft's cockpit. Jess hopped in the pilot's seat, shifting to get comfortable, while Jorge hopped in behind him. The cockpit sealed shut, and the ramp detached and folded away.
"Struts disengaged" came a recording. "Commencing launch in T-minus 5, 4, 3, 2, 1…"
The Sabre's engines roared and flared to life, and after a few seconds the craft began to rise into the sky, gaining speed as it went. Half a kilometer away, another Sabre launched from a neighboring facility.
"First-stage engine burn nominal."
Soon, the craft left the upper atmosphere, reaching low orbit.
"Stage separation in 3, 2, 1… stage separation."
Several clanks sounded as the Sabre's booster rockets detached and fell away, to be consumed by Reach's atmosphere. The Sabre kicked in its engines and rocketed towards station Anchor-9.
"Second-stage ignition confirmed."
Below was a magnificent view of Reach, including a massive hurricane slowly but surely making its way for the coast. Soon, the craft reached the station.
Operation: UPPER CUT
"Noble Actual to Sabre Bravo-0-2-Niner, over" came a familiar voice over the comm.
"Copy, Actual" Jorge replied. "Colonel Holland?"
"Affirmative, Noble-5. Welcome to Operation: Upper Cut. I'll be your control from here on out."
"Understood, Colonel."
"Noble-6, these Sabres have been customized for orbital defense. You may need to get reacquainted. Rendezvous at Anchor-9 with frigate Savannah and the other Sabres as soon as you're ready. Holland out".
Overhead, the UNSC frigate slowly approached the station, preparing to dock. Jess spent the next few minutes practicing light maneuvers and configuring systems. Soon, Charlie-0-1-7 joined in, Teana sitting in the passenger seat behind Captain Jacob Rawley, who was currently wondering how his Pelican-piloting sister Carol was doing.
The Sabres – seven in all – headed for the station. "Savannah Actual to Sabre teams" came the frigate's Commander, "be advised; we have multiple bogies inbound."
"Anchor-9 to all UNSC ships" radioed the station commander. "Station defenses are down. Requesting combat support until we can bring them back online."
"Here we go, Six" Jorge said to his partner. "Let's show them what you can do."
Several seconds later, multiple Space Banshees flew in, immediately engaging the station defenders. The Banshee Interceptors had numbers and maneuverability on their side, but lacked offensive power and defensive shields. The Sabres, protected by shields and carrying powerful guns, and piloted by elite-trained personnel, quickly whittled down the assault without losing any fighters.
"Anchor-9 to UNSC ships: impulse drive signatures detected – fighter class. Heads up, Sabres."
Five Seraphs warped in. These tougher craft gave a bit more trouble, carrying shields and heavier weapons. Nonetheless, despite a few very close calls, the Sabres managed to again triumph without loss.
"Anchor-9 to all craft in the vicinity, be advised: we show a large attack force inbound. Combat air patrol and Sabre teams are directed to engage and defend the station."
"Is there any place the Covenant isn't?" Jorge quipped.
"Anchor-9 to all UNSC ships: station defenses are back online. Clear the lane, and we'll light 'em up."
A mixed force of Banshees and Seraphs, larger than the previous two combined, warped in. Several Banshees were shredded by Anchor-9's now-active point-defense guns, and the Sabres joined the fight as well. This skirmish saw the first UNSC loss of the battle, as Alpha-1-3-7 took too many hits and exploded violently, its lone pilot at least being killed quickly by the blast rather than the horrible death of being thrown into a vacuum. A chunk of the Sabre, carried by momentum, tore through a Banshee Interceptor, shearing it and its pilot in two.
A few minutes in, five specially modified Phantom Gunboats flew in, protected by nigh-impenetrable forward-facing shields and carrying huge plasma guns. Charlie-017 and Bravo-029 flew past them, taking up position behind them, and opened fire with their missiles. Four missiles to the back end of each gunboat, and soon the five Phantoms were scrap being drawn in by Reach's gravity. The few remaining Space Banshees pulled a hasty retreat, being hounded by the Sabres and by Anchor-9's guns. All the Seraphs were already scrapped.
"Anchor-9 to all UNSC ships: all targets neutralized. Bravo-029, you are clear to dock."
"Holland to Bravo-029. Noble-5, you ready to go?"
"Affirmative, Colonel."
B-029 and C-017 flew toward the station, docking just outside the station's two hangars.
"I'm out here, Six" Jorge said.
"Warning" said a computerized voice. "M-Spec re-entry pack disengaged."
"I need your override."
"Warning. M-Spec re-entry-" the voice cut off as a hiss sounded. "Cockpit depressurization complete. Canopy release lever armed."
Jorge pulled a lever, and the two seats slid backwards as the canopy opened. He climbed out and pushed off, heading for a Pelican on the other side of the station. As he passed Teana who was heading the other direction, towards Jess' Sabre, he looked down at the carnage below, on the planet's surface.
"Megszakad a szivem..."
"Noble-5?" Dot questioned. "Please repeat."
"Pull up surface grid 19 by 22" was Jorge's response.
"Gladly" Dot said, as an explosion went off far below, "ONI Sword Base: Sector 18-G." Another explosion ripped through the area, clearly visible even this far up.
"Thermal enhance"
"…Noble-5, your pulse rate is elevated. There is nothing you can do for Dr. Halsey and the others inside Sword Base. The mathematics are determinate… Noble-5?"
"…I know."
Teana reached Jess' Sabre, climbing aboard and getting in the rear seat. "Bravo-029" said Anchor-9's control, "you are cleared to re-engage thrusters." Jess hit a switch, and the cockpit closed.
"Noble-6, this is Holland."
"Go ahead, Colonel"
"We've flagged a Covenant corvette on a predicted docking track with our target."
Jorge reached the Pelican carrying the drive-cum-warhead, latching on the getting to work helping set things up.
"Get our makeshift bomb onboard that corvette," Holland continued, "and we have our delivery system. Noble-5 will escort the bomb. I need your Sabre team to clear the way for boarding."
"Understood, Colonel."
"As she's already donated her slipspace drive to the cause, the Savannah will be joining you to provide local fire support.
"This is UNSC Savannah" CMDR Hendrickson radioed, "Our wings may be clipped, but we've got your back."
The frigate detached from the station and took off, the six Sabres flying escort.
"I've stuck my neck out for this one, Noble" Holland radioed.
"We'll get it done, Colonel" Jess replied. "Six out."
Several minutes later, the UNSC force came into visual range of the corvette, the slightly smaller vessel unaware of the approaching frigate.
"Target corvette sighted within visual range of NAV Beacon RA-15" Dot said.
"We have visual" Jess said. "Target confirmed."
The Savannah got into position, and opened up with every non-MAC gun that had the Corvette in its field-of-fire. "Frigate Savannah in position" Commander Hendrickson called, "We are currently jamming the corvette's comms; hit it hard while it can't call for help."
"Agreed" Holland replied. "Sabre teams, clear a path to that corvette."
After 20 seconds of Banshee-shooting, Hendrickson radioed again. "Might wanna clip her engines, guys. See if we can slow her down."
"Good thinking, Savannah" Holland said, "That'll make boarding her a whole lot easier. Sabres, I'm marking targets; take out the corvette's main engines."
Three Sabres responded, Jess' one of them, the trio flying low and getting behind the vessel. They let fly their missiles, and the four thrusters tucked into the corvette's rear were soon billowing flames. Seconds later, a half-dozen Seraphs arrived from elsewhere.
"Heads up, Sabres" the Commander called. "Multiple impulse drive signatures detected. More bogies incoming."
"Echo-2 to Savannah Actual" a Sabre pilot radioed. "Where are the reinforcements coming from? I thought the target was jammed."
"Must be squadrons coming back from patrol, Echo-2"
"Don't let any of them get away, Sabres" Col. Holland ordered. "Kill them before they bug out and warn that supercarrier what we're up to."
The next few minutes were a relative turkey-shoot, as the startled Seraph pilots failed to organize an effective counter in time before the Sabres, combined with heavy fire from the Savannah's guns, took them out of the equation.
After the enemy support was destroyed, along with most of the corvette's defensive turrets, Col. Holland called in. "Dot, analyze all available data on that corvette. Find a way inside."
"Scans indicate a structural weakness surrounding a platform on top of the vessel."
"Assault teams, set down immediately on the corvette's topside landing pad".
The Sabres Bravo-029, Charlie-017, Alpha-218, and Bravo-074 set down around the large circular thing on top of the ship. Two Spartans and six vacuum-suited army troopers disembarked, readying weapons and double-checking supplies.
And The Horse You Flew In On
"Noble-6, Noble-7" Col. Holland radioed, "the Savannah's counter-measures won't last forever. Find a way inside, and permanently disable the corvette's communications. As soon as we're sure the corvette can't squawk, we'll initiate Upper Cut phase two."
A single Elite Ranger rose up through the shield, and was promptly skewered by Jess' plasma sword. Another popped up across the platform, and was gunned down by the troopers, with support from Teana's rifle. The team then leapt through and slow-fell into the comm. chamber. Dead Elites and Grunts littered the area. Only Elite Rangers and a Grunt Ultra, safe inside vacuum-sealed armor, remained to provide resistance. Assault rifle fire downed the Grunt, and Jess & Teana dispatched the two Elites, Teana slicing one across the neck with her energy bayonet while Jess took the other down with needle rifle fire.
"Holland to Savannah: enemy comm. relay is now offline."
"Copy that" Hendrickson responded. "Halting counter-measures; diverting all power and personnel to weapons."
"Alright, Noble," Holland continued, "let's get that bomb onboard. Six, Seven, head for the hangar."
A door opened, revealing a pair of Grunt Ultras who were gunned down in less than a second, having been caught unawares. An Elite Ranger farther in returned fire with a plasma repeater, and Jess leapt in front of a trooper, letting his shields take the hits. Teana threw a plasma grenade, and in the low gravity it seemed to fly as it stuck to the Elite's faceplate, detonating and blowing its head off.
"Colonel," the army corporal radioed, "we're on our way to the hangar."
"Noble-5, meet 'em there."
"Affirmative" Jorge replied. "On approach."
The large hangar was populated by eight Grunt Ultras, four Elite Rangers, and an Engineer that floated high up, projecting an overshield onto the other Covenant forces. A trio of needle rifle shots blew it to pieces, and Jess then went up the ramp to the left, reaching a Covenant ammo crate and stocking up on needle clips, then getting to work on picking off targets. A shot from a needle-rifle-wielding Elite Ranger at the back of the room killed one of the troopers, the needle punching through his faceplate and his skull. Jess returned the favor, overloading the Elite's shields and head-shotting it. He then hopped down, drifting to the floor while shooting Grunts as he descended. Teana gunned down another Elite, and a third went down under sustained fire from three troopers. The fourth had its head lopped off by Jess' plasma sword. The hangar was clear.
"Noble-6," Jorge radioed, "go for those shield controls. I need in."
Jess leapt onto a platform and hit a glowing switch. Instantly the air returned and pressurized, the gravity coming back on in full, and the glowing blue shield wall changed hue. The Pelican passed through it, coming to rest as Jorge and six marines disembarked from the hangar.
"Powder keg is aboard, Colonel" Jorge radioed to Holland.
"Copy that" the Colonel responded. "Six and Seven, get your fireteam to the bridge; the corvette's refueling run with the supercarrier will have to be initiated manually. Five, stay with the bomb, and discourage the curious."
"My pleasure" Jorge said, and then turned to the other two Spartans. "Hear that, you two? I'll be all by my lonesome back here. Make it quick, would ya?"
"Save a few for us if you can" Teana responded. Jorge nodded and hefted his machinegun.
The surviving vacuum-suit troopers took up position around the Pelican, as did two of the marines. The other four marines formed up with Jess & Teana, who grabbed three frag grenades each, both checking their re-entry packs as they prepared themselves.
Two nearby doors opened, the left one revealing a very surprised pair of Grunts. Two needle rifle shots, and they were down. The other door, holding a pair of Grunts and two Elites – one Major, one Ultra – was more problematic. The Grunts went down quickly, but the Elite Major carried a carbine, and managed to shoot one of the army troopers through the chest. The man grabbed at his heart and keeled over. A marine threw a grenade, and it caused both Elites' shields to flare. Teana and the marines combined full-auto fire on the Ultra, taking it down, while Jess used the needle rifle to finish off the Major. A marine grabbed the Ultra's concussion rifle and three spare clips.
"Savannah to Holland!" came the panicky voice of Commander Hendrickson over the radio. "Sustaining major structural damage! We need to break off, Colonel!"
"Copy that, Savannah" Holland replied. "Our team is in! Disengage!"
The team entered another room, and Jess assassinated the lone Elite Ultra, but it was too late for the Savannah.
"Break off! Break off! Hull breach! Reactor's flaring! Damnit, I'm losing her!"
Small explosions rippled across the frigate's structure, and then a larger one accompanied the port engine breaking off and drifting away. Seconds later, a bright flash and a huge blast signaled the ship's reactor detonating, and the fried bits of ship drifted off in several directions.
"Savannah Actual, can you hear me?" Holland radioed.
"Frigate's gone, sir" Teana replied somberly.
"Damn it. Noble, you're in deep with no cover. Get that corvette moving and get the hell outta there!"
Another door opened to a winding corridor, and the team moved through. At the end, another door opened to a large, spacious room with a huge hologram of Reach in the center. Teana snuck through the various instruments, her relatively small size (5' 8.5" in armor, 5'6" without it) helping her as she reached the ship's navigations officer. A short jump, and she had a hold of his neck. A twist, and he collapsed.
This alerted the rest of the bridge crew, and the marines opened fire, mowing down the Grunts as Jess engaged an Elite, killing it before it could activate its active camouflage. Another Elite fell to Teana's sword, and then the Ship-Master emerged, clad in red and gold armor and wielding a concussion rifle. A shot from its gun caught a marine in the chest, blowing him open; his comrades returned the favor by pouring fire into the alien's shields. Jess grabbed a Needler off the ground and joined in, and soon they wore down the Elite's shields and buried themselves inside its flesh and armor. The eight needles super-combined, blowing the Elite's torso open. Jess casually stepped over the corpse and walked over to a highlighted panel. He hit it, and the ship lurched and began to move toward the supercarrier.
"Well done, Noble" Holland radioed. "UPPERCUT initiated; corvette is underway."
"Guys," Jorge said, "our ride out of here is taking heavy fire! Get back to the hangar!"
The door back to the gun battery opened, and a needle rifle shot struck a marine through the neck. He dropped like a rock. Jess threw a frag grenade, and the blast killed the two Grunts and depleted the shields of the red-armored Elite. A needle rifle shot from Jess killed it, and the team moved back through the hall, back to the gun battery. Another frag grenade tossed through an opening door killed two Jackals and two Grunts.
The group reached the hangar, and at this point only Jorge, the two marines, and a single suited army trooper remained. Jess' team joined the fight, soon clearing the hangar. Jess grabbed a plasma launcher from the ground.
"Good of you to come" Jorge said. "Hostiles were pounding the hell out of the Pelican."
A force of six Jackals – four shielded and two marksmen – emerged from the door on the left. A frag grenade killed the shield-wielders, and Teana gunned down the two marksmen. A plasma bolt from across the room nailed the last army trooper in the back of the head, killing him, and the rest of the humans turned to face the new arrivals. A red-armored Elite and four Grunts opened fire, and Jorge returned the favor, cutting down two of the Grunts. The marines took down the Elite, while Jess killed the other two Grunts.
Jess, following an instinct, tossed a frag grenade at the opening door that led to the comm. room. He was rewarded by a half-dozen dead Grunts. He then took the left ramp up, encountering a pair of Elites – one red, one blue. The plasma launcher took care of them. He hopped back down to the main area.
Then, a quarter of white-armored Elite Ultras came down from the far side of the room. One wielded two plasma rifles, another a plasma launcher, the third a concussion rifle, and the fourth a carbine. The next few minutes were hectic as the Spartans took down the Elites, but lost the rest of the marines. Finally, it was quiet.
"Savannah did a number on the door" Jorge said. "There's no way back up to the Sabres. Six and Seven, form up on me." The two red-armored Spartans approached their taller friend, who walked up to the slipspace drive.
"Distance is closing on this vessel's refueling track with the Covenant supercarrier" Dot reported. "76 seconds to endpoint."
"Damn it…" Jorge fiddled with the timer. "So… it's gonna be like that…" He pounded it with his fist, and then turned to face his comrades.
"Well, I've got good news and bad news. This bird took some fire and her thruster gimbal is toast. Which means the only way off this slag-heap is gravity."
"And the good news?" Jess asked.
"…That was the good news."
"At current velocity, 53 seconds to endpoint."
Jorge pulled off his helmet, dropping it to the ground.
"The bad news is… the timer's fried. I'm gonna have to fire it manually."
"…No…" Teana's voice came out in a strained whisper as she realized what this meant. "…Jorge… you can't…"
"I'm sorry, Tia" Jorge replied, "but it's the only option we have left. You two'd better get going. They're gonna need you down there."
He walked up to the two, Teana's visor depolarizing to show him the shocked and horrified look in her eyes. "Reach… has been good to me. It's time I return the favor. Don't deny me this." He pulled his dog tags free and placed them in Teana's shaking hand, grabbing hold of her arm while doing the same to Jess with his other hand. He lifted them both off the ground and started walking towards the shield door. He could see the shocked yet understanding look in Jess' eyes, as well as Teana's wide eyes starting to tear up.
"Teana..." he said softly. "You've come so far. Your brother would've been so proud of you. I'll tell him you said hello." The girl couldn't speak, only shaking her head as she couldn't come to believe this was happening. Jorge smiled sadly. "I'm thankful that I got to meet you. You were like a daughter to me." At this, the girl's tears finally started to fall.
"Good luck down there… and tell 'em to make it count." With a final shove, he pushed the two out through the shield, and Reach's gravity grabbed hold of them. As the corvette grew smaller in their eyes, the corvette began to spark and warp as it reached the entrance to the supercarrier's main hangar.
A blue-white rift opened in space-time, swallowing up the midsection of the supercarrier. When it closed, the corvette was gone, as was the center of the titanic vessel. Its front and rear ends drifted helplessly away. Jorge's final sacrifice killed over 60,000 Covenant troops.
…
"Slipspace ruptures detected."
"Gamma Station control, reading multiple pings below the orbital defense grid."
"Yeah, we're picking up anomalies, too."
"Are you reading this?"
"Multiple Covenant signatures! Way too damn many!"
"Does anyone have a visual?"
"Goddamnit, they're everywhere!"
"My God, this can't be happening…"
"It must be their whole damn navy!"
There were screams, and then silence.
-CHAPTER END-
