1224 Hours, September 9th, 2552 (Military Calendar)/ Highland Mountains, Viery Territory/ Planet Reach, Epsilon Eridani System
The Pelican dropships weaved between the mountain peaks, piercing the mist swirling around them. The loud roar of the engines drowned out the sounds of battle two miles ahead. Four AV-14 Hornet gunships escorted the Pelicans, bouncing in the turbulence. Dozens of UNSC ground strike aircraft screamed by, bombing the enemy fortifications. Lieutenant Murphy came out from the cockpit, hanging on to a bar. He looked around the cabin, surveying the fourteen Orbital Drop Shock Troopers strapped into their seats. "We're approaching the LZ, get ready!" he yelled.
"What?!" Corporal McCormick replied, tapping the side of his helmet.
"LZ is coming up, lock and load!" shouted Murphy.
"Damn, Corm, even I heard him, and I'm further away!" Corporal Jones laughed, slapping a magazine into his assault rifle.
"Fuck off," McCormick said, looking at the ramp.
"Touchdown in ten seconds!" shouted the pilot. "Door opening!"
The back doors of the Pelican cracked open, and fell into a ramp. The back legs extended, and the transport rapidly approached the ground. Dirt started to kick up from the ground. Then, the Pelican hit the ground.
"Green light, go go go!" Murphy shouted.
The troopers rushed out of the dropship, and Private Nichols shouted, "Touchdown Seahawks!"
Staff Sergeant Williams, right behind the young Private, looked at him funny. Scott looked around, and watched the Pelican dropships lift off, after unloading the rest of Omega Platoon. Squads of soldiers rushed by, going to the battle. Omega Platoon assembled, and looked around for the command tent. Three M145D Rhino artillery platforms fired at the Covenant fortifications, pounding them with their 320mm guns.
"Williams! Woods! On me! Jones, get the platoon ready!" Murphy shouted, locating the command tent. Scott and Gary left the troopers under Eddie's command, and followed the Lieutenant to a large open tent, with around a dozen men in it. Most were working on computers, and the rest were huddled around a table, with one of them pointing at things on a map.
"Colonel Dawson, Lieutenant Murphy, Omega Platoon, 105th Shock Troops!" the LT shouted, getting the groups attention. He then gave a quick salute.
The one who was yelling stood up straight, and returned Murphy's salute.
"What's the situation, sir?" Murphy asked, walking closer to the table.
"You have your orders. Get going," Colonel Dawson said to the others, who ran out of the tent and joined their troops.
The three ODST's surrounded the table, and Colonel Dawson began speaking, looking at the map, "Two days ago, one of our armories up here in the Highlands went dark. Command responded with a company of troops." He ran his hand along the main road, up to a large complex. "Only one man came back. His report gave us the impression that a battalion of Covenant holdouts had taken over the armory. As a result, we responded with three battalions. All were wiped out." He was interrupted by a flight of Skyhawks letting loose with their cannons and missiles, before flying forward. He pushed two fingers up the road, and then made a fist at the armory.
"How many Covies, sir?" Scott asked.
"Turns out that about six thousand of the bastards are holed up in there," Colonel Dawson explained, forming a circle around the armory. "Scouts report that they have a skeleton crew on the inside, and most are in the exterior defenses. Hopefully they didn't find the tunnel."
"Sir?" asked Murphy.
"There are tunnels constructed under all UNSC military installations in this area, built in the first years of the war in case of Covenant attack. We've secured all other openings, and that's where you boys come in," Dawson said, looking at the ODSTs.
"You want us to infiltrate the armory, and attack them from behind?" asked Sergeant Woods.
Colonel Dawson nodded, and said, "We're just about to throw everything we can at them. Two armored brigades and two full infantry divisions are going in. If we can hit the bastards from two fronts..."
"The battle will be over before it begins," Murphy said, smiling.
Dawson nodded again.
"You'll enter through the tunnel opening literally just across the way," the Colonel said, pointing at a small bunker across the road. "Then, you follow the tunnel west two clicks until you reach the armory."
"How will we know?" Scott asked.
"It's the last stop, Staff Sergeant," Dawson said, tapping his finger on the map. "Then, take out everyone inside. Silently, if you can. Should that go south, just hold out until we break through. When the Covenant are all dead, or if you've been compromised, get in contact with me. We'll then launch our assault. Got it?"
"Yes, sir," Murphy said. The three troopers turned and started to leave.
"Oh, lieutenant?"
"Yes, sir?"
"We have an extra asset to go with you on your objective," Dawson said.
"And what would that be?" asked Sergeant Woods.
Then, a massive figure appeared behind the ODSTs. It was in green armor, and had a gold visor.
"Anton-044, reporting for duty," it said, taking a step in.
"Hello, Spartan. Have you been briefed?" asked Murphy.
The ODSTs looked at each other, uneasy.
"Yes, sir. I'm ready when the troopers are," Anton said.
"Sir? We have a Spartan with us? I'm sure that Omega Platoon can handl...," Murphy said, before getting cut off.
"Don't question orders, son. Just go. Good luck," Colonel Dawson said, interrupting the trooper.
"But... yes, sir," Murphy said reluctantly, before turning around and brushing past the Spartan.
...
Even though they were meters below the surface, the battle above sounded like it was right next to them. Every few seconds or so, the ground would shake violently as the UNSC and Covenant exchanged artillery volleys. The ODSTs moved quickly, and had the electricity to the tunnels killed before they went in. As a result, their VISR's came in handy. Anton, the lone Spartan, could have easily been at the objective by now, but he had to follow the orders of Lieutenant Murphy. Scott was in the back of the platoon, watching the rear, in case any Covies spilled in through another entrance.
Lance Corporal Staples, on point, suddenly stopped, and held up a fist.
"What do you see?" whispered Murphy.
"Movement ahead," she replied, keeping her eyes forward.
"Weapons hot, people," Sergeant Woods said.
Jessica advanced slowly, aiming her silenced submachine gun down the tunnel. Then, a mighty roar came down the tunnel, echoing all throughout. The blue of an energy sword quickly followed, and a massive red Elite charged down the tunnel.
"Bring him down. Quietly," Murphy said quickly and calmly.
A sputter of silenced weapons fire brought down the Elite quickly.
"Alright. Go go go," Staples said, continuing.
...
"Right, this looks like the end of the tunnel," Lance Corporal Staples said, putting her hand on the rusty metal door. On it was a white metal plate that read 'UNSC Military Installation, Restricted Area'. She pushed on the door, and it creaked open slowly. Everyone raised their weapons, except for Anton.
"You stupid or somethin'? There could be a Split-Lip right around the corner," one of the troopers whispered to Anton.
"Trust me, I would know if there was something," the Spartan replied.
"Uh-huh, you freaks know everything," the ODST replied.
"Pipe down. Spartan, you cover our rear. Staples, stay on point. Lead us in," Lieutenant Murphy ordered.
"Got it," Jessica said, pushing open the door further. She then walked forward, into a stairwell. At the top was an open doorway, with sunlight coming through. She went up the stairs, Omega following her.
Scott, who was right in front of Anton, paused for a second, and the massive supersoldier bumped into him.
"Sorry," the Spartan said, closing the door.
"Watch it, buddy," Scott said, threateningly.
"Jeez, sorry for being human," Anton replied, gruffly.
"Yeah, well, you sure as hell don't seem like it," Scott said, going up the stairs. The Spartan remained silent. Omega quickly went up the stairwell, and got to the doorway.
"Right. When we get in there, take out anything hostile with your pistols," Murphy said.
...
One down.
...
Two.
...
Six dead Covenant.
...
Three plasma turrets rigged to explode.
...
Nineteen down.
...
Scott crept up behind a large gold Elite, who was shouting orders at its troops outside. The ODST gripped his silenced magnum, and rose it. He aimed it at the back of the aliens head, and slowly started to squeeze the trigger. Without warning, the Elite spun around and lunged at Scott, hitting the pistol out of his hands. The Elite lifted Scott by his throat, and shouted, "The humans are here! Attack!"
All around the armory, the sound of plasma fire erupted, and firefights broke out all over the complex.
"Fucking kill me already, you goddamn xeno," Scott choked.
The Elites grip tightened, and it snarled, "You wish for me to kill you? Very well."
With its free hand, the Elite flipped out an energy dagger, and turned the blade on.
Scott kicked the Elite in the stomach, and he was dropped to the ground. The ODST pulled out his combat knife, and held it in front of him. The Elite recovered from the blow, and then threw his dagger off to the side, chuckling.
"If you wish to duel, then lets do it fairly," the Elite said, approaching Scott. Scott lunged at the Elite, and was quickly kicked to the ground. The Elite picked up his dagger and was about to impale Scott when he was tackled to the ground. Scott sat up and saw the Spartan jam a magnum under the Elites mandibles, and fire. Brains splattered on the floor.
Anton got up and walked over to Scott, holding out his hand. Scott took it, and was brought up to his feet by the Spartan.
"Thanks," Scott said.
Anton nodded, and then moved quickly to another part of the building.
...
"Colonel Lawson, this is Lieutenant Murphy! We've been compromised! I say again, we've been compromised!"
"Say again, Murphy," Colonel Lawson replied over the radio.
"We've been compromised! Launch the attack!" Murphy shouted, as plasma fire rained over him.
"Roger that, Lieutenant. Hold your position," Lawson said.
...
The Rhino artillery fire slowed to a stop. All across the valley, UNSC vehicles began their push towards the armory. Hornet and Sparrowhawk gunships soared over, pounding Covenant positions from above. Hundreds of infantry rushed across the valley, shooting at the building. Covenant Wraiths fired their plasma mortars over the walls of the compound, destroying many Warthogs.
Scorpion tanks rolled down the main road, targeting the guard towers being used by the Covenant.
Longsword fighters screamed overhead, bombing Covenant positions.
Inside the armory, Omega Platoon had killed all of the Covenant, and began to attack the Covenant forces from behind.
...
The complex was wiped out. Aside from the weapons in the vaults of the main building, everything inside the complex was unusable. UNSC soldiers were packed inside the compound, sharing cigarettes and food. Omega Platoon was airborne, being flown up to their home ship, the In Amber Clad, in high Reach orbit. Any surviving Covenant forces were being hunted down by UNSC Army soldiers. The largest patch of Covenant resistance had finally been defeated, and the Viery Territory was liberated.