My apologies for the delay, and my thanks for the reviews.

The Supreme Commander looked at the list of information that was in front of him. Some parts were pleasing, others not. The particular snippet was good. The rangers were in position for battle and his Wraith and Ghost groups were also ready for battle. Better yet was the information that the rest of his ships that had gone to Nelvaan to repair had been successful. He still awaited news of how the other groups of ships had done in their endeavours. Battle had been joined in the forest. Soon it would be time to abandon the outer trenches and moved to the second line trenches. There they would prepare for a larger battle. He raised the Field Master on the battle net.

"Field Master, how goes the battle on the front lines?"

"Well, Supreme Commander. We have repulsed many assaults."

"Good Field Master, we are right on plan."

Down at the trenches, the GA had launched another attack! Coming through the trees silently they suddenly opened fire from any hiding point that they might get! The Grunts in this section of the wall returned fire as best they could! Any dead were instantly dragged from the step and left empty. The Elites farther down held their fire, waiting for the moment when it would be best. As another Grunt fell with a thud, the Elite Ultra gave the command! Springing up the Elites added their own rapid blue Plasma Rifle fire to the green pulses of the Grunts Plasma Pistols. Two or three Elites also had blaster rifles and wielded them one handed as well as their own weapons and the two weapons made a lethal combination! One plasma shot blasted through the armour on one trooper, just as his sustained fire broke the shields and pierced the skin of an Elite Major! Carbine fire from the Elites also made for lethal madness in the pitched battle! Suddenly there came a cry from the GA side and they retreated into the shade of the forest.

Back a safe distance from the front lines the GA had set up a base of operations and they were preparing for a dangerous move. The 12th Commando had arrived, with their special armour, carbines, scatterguns and their extreme level of training. They were going to breach the trench line and break through. It would be a close quarters fight, but these troops were up to it. They were all different species as well and they had several wookiees which would annihilate the Elites when they went head to head. Their commander was taking to the Colonel in charge of the combat theatre.

"Here would be the best spot to breach."

"Got it. Once we're in we go right down the trenches until we can make a big enough hole."

"Right. Give the signal and my boys will be there to provide back up and to keep the hole open. These aliens will fight almost to the death it seems although we may be mistaken about that."

The Bothan Commander smiled. "Perfect. We wish them both the same thing then."

The Elites often took watch so that they could let the more easily tired Grunts rest and build back up their strength. Neither species had any illusions, they needed each other to survive.

Through the darkness the 12th slipped like wraiths. Bothans, Humans, Twi'leks, Wookiees, Adarians and a few Duros. They closed in on the target, silent, lethal and seriously camouflaged.

The Ultra Elite in charge of this particular section of line was surprised by the arrival of a Zealot! He clapped his fist to his chest as befitted a soldier of his rank.

"Sir, you strengthen us with your presence!"

"A worthy greeting Ultra. You are a wise commander. Good also that you kept your voice low. The Field Master believes that we may have a serious battle on our hands within the next few days. These Galactic Alliance troopers are probably going to try to breach our defences. Vigilance is needed."

"Indeed honoured sir. Will your sword be with us?"

"Yes."

The Commandos sneaked up to the nearest sentry, a quick slice of a vibroblade and the lifeless body of the Elite fell back with a slight thud!

That was enough for the next sentry who was coming to speak to his friend.

"Brothers!" came the call.

Instantly the Elites woke and personal lights lit themselves as the Covenant prepared for combat! The Commandos sprang into action. Their carbines began to stutter as they fired into the trenches and ran deeper in. The Zealot and the Ultra fired up their weapons and leaped down! The energy sword glowed in the darkness, making the need for a light unnecessary! Blast of plasma pierced the darkness and ripped into the attacking commandos other screams down the line indicated the infiltration was huge. Scattergun blasts also punctuated the night air and their shots kicked Grunts aside and stripped the shields off Elites in one blast! Even worse were the ionizer pistols that some troopers carried. Shields and electrical systems failed as they hit. Instantly vulnerable elites staggered around before they were blasted by at least six commandos. A wookiee tore a Grunt limb from limb and hurled him away! It's punch sent an Elite sailing! On the other side the Zealot came face to face with a wookiee and rammed his sword deep into the wookiees flesh! It burned through fur and bone to the heart and the wookiee died! Energy Swords were incredible weapons, almost as dangerous as a lightsaber and just as powerful an image! The Grunts rallied around the Zealot and charged back! A charged blast from a pistol whipped a wookiee out of the way in a second. It was at this point in the battle that a favoured weapon of the Covenant became apparent, the Needler! Pink energy needles ripped through armour and lodged before exploding! For the first time the GA troops could admire the brutal efficiency of the Covenant in full wrath! One of the Elites picked up a scattergun and its charges. Loading it, he took it into battle and quickly realised its potential!

But the battle was shorter than expected. The call came over the battle net from the Field Master himself!

"Abandon the trenches for the second line!"

The Elites instantly bean a fighting retreat whilst the Grunts fled. They had to get out of the trenches to get to the second line. For a moment it seemed that their backs would be exposed to the fire of the commandoes and the troopers who were coming to assist them. But there was a diversion to keep the occupied. Out of the night sky came the howl of the Banshees! Plasma fire ate into the trenches and Fuel Rod fire blasted chunks of earth and stone into the air in great gulps! When the aerial bombardment had subsided the Covenant were gone! Sniper fire worried the GA for the rest of the night.

Will be expanding on the other planetary assaults in the future. Please leave reviews