Disclaimer: I own nothing of Halo or Star Wars each fandoms go to their respective owners. All I own is original characters and ideas. So please don't me sue me. Anyways hope you all have a great time and enjoy the chapter

Chapter Shiny PT 3

No! I will fight! to my last breath! You imperial bastards aren't taking that away from me! – Unknown marine

The three pelicans jostled as they soared to the location of the disabled imperial cruiser. On board two of the Pelicans were shock troopers of every species. The troopers were excited for the coming battle as they checked one another's gear and weapons. Sangheili inspired the others, as unngoy, Kig-yar, and Human checked each other over before the coming battle. These soldiers were the best when it came to close quarters boarding operations. Equipped with only the top of the line CQC weapons and armor these troops were more than ready for the coming Hell.

Though most of the attention was centered on the lead pelican as four heavily armored figures sat quietly. These figures wore the most highly advanced Power Armor worn by key figures during the Great War. Mjolnir. Mjolnir was designed as a heavy power armor assault suit designed for specifically one type of troop that could wield the mighty armor. Spartans.

During the Great War and even before that, there was a project coming to fruition to make genetically modified super soldiers to deal with the Insurrection. These soldiers would be taken as mere children and put through painful augmentations and training that would surely kill even the most hardened marines.

These weapons, as most people called them, were the perfect soldiers and though great risks and sacrifices were made for them. It was all worth it in the end. They grew up to be the most deadliest weapons of the U.N.S.C and instilled fear into the hearts of insurrections.

With Superhuman strength, agility, and speed the insurrection was no match for the power that was the Spartans. That is, until the covenant came along. Spartans, were Superhuman and a cut above the rest of their own species, but when the covenant came along they were finally put to the test.

Throughout the 30 year long war, Spartans showed up across the vast amount of space. Every battle, every invasion, and every defense a Spartan was seen there fighting for Humanity Eliminating the covenant left and right as the chain reaction of small victories they caused started to amount to something. Though, there was always defeat.

The Covenant did not back down when Spartans where present, in fact they attacked more zealously to slay the Spartans or demons as they called them. And so the first few sets of loss began to set in. Spartans were killed across the board at a rate the U.N.S.C or O.N.I did not like. Every time a Spartan died Humanity lost more and more hope. Troops began to lose their fighting spirit and look at Spartans as nothing but covenant magnets.

This became a huge problem as it was seen more and more Spartans died in combat to the sheer numbers of the covenant. So much to the point that Spartans were forced to be listed M.I.A if they were killed in action. They believed this gave more hope to humanity then telling them their strongest weapons were killed. Though even after all they had faced, dead or alive Spartans always managed to affect the covenant negatively. Stations were destroyed and traps were set, the Spartans always managed to do their duty to the fullest.

Though once the War ended and the project was looked at once again, Humanity looked at ONI and the Spartans as weapons and tools. Even though it was a lone Spartan who had halted their extinction, little credit was given to him as the Project and ONI was battered. Appeasing the people, ONI was shut down and the project with it. Or so they thought.

Secretly behind the scenes Paige Silverman had delegated the handling of the project to the Spartan who had saved humanity and the other races. Thus, Leaving him and a former Project Spartan scientist, and her clone AI, the three set to do the project some good and away from the Public eye. Civilians may look at the Spartans as weapons and monsters but those within the now formed I.S.A knew they owed the Spartans everything. As such, this is where the now revived Spartan project chose their recruits. These men and women of all Species volunteered to be a cut above the rest and began training and augmentation under the Spartan known as, the Master Chief.

By the beginning of the project there were over one thousand trainees that had completed the training and had withstood the augmentations. All applicants from different species, they were trained the same, excelling in different areas than their comrades enough to even shock the Chief. Kig-yar already having excellent eyesight with the adding of augments had eyesight on a new level and were CQC experts that could even overpower most Sangheili. Sangheili acquired well rounded traits, though they excelled in strength so much that they could overpower most inexperienced Mgalekgolo. Humans, lastly acquired, well rounded traits as well though they excelled in different area than their comrades from marksman to heavy weapons experts. All the recruits in the entire program, Chief had trained these Spartans just hard as the others he trained with when he was a trainee

They were just as disciplined as Spartan II and were just as emotional and human as Spartan III. They were trained and were the most lethal soldiers among the I.S.A. Some even reached the status of Hyper-lethal being known as top of the line Spartans were trained to be Outstanding Leaders and Soldiers. Once their training was complete teams of four Spartans were formed out of the sixteen-hundred applicants. These teams all had their specific field of operations and each were different than one another but they all worked together efficiently. Master Chief's AI had even sent into high command for the formation of the teams into two 800 strong battalions of just Spartans should the need for a force ever rise.

These super soldiers now equipped with Mjolnir power suits that were modified for the three species to push their specialties to their peak. The new generation of super soldiers was unleashed through I.S.A space to do menial tasks from eliminating rogue forerunner installations to dealing with small pockets of covenant. Now with the first contact of the Empire the Spartans finally had their wish for real combat.

Now prepping themselves, the four Spartans, known as Yellow team, began to check their weapons and gear. Standing up to address the team was the Lead Spartan Mako. Mako was recorded as one of the few tallest Spartans as it nearly had to bend down to address the others. Wearing the species modified Mark IV variant of armor, the Spartan wore a EVA helmet suited for these operations as was the rest of their Armor for CQB. They carried a covenant plasma repeater on the back of his armor, and an old model of the DMR. His thighs were equipped with two energy swords should the need for them ever arise. Their completely black armor seemed menacing as the Spartan addressed the other black armored Spartans. The only color on his armor was the insignia on their shoulder pad as it was the mark of shame carried by the Arbiter on top of a light blue energy sword

Beside Mako sat the team leaders second in command and marksman expert Foe hammer. Foe hammer got her name from the valiant pilot that went through hell and back for the chief during his first encounter with the forerunner rings, halo. It only seemed fitting to pay respect to her as they carried her insignia of a bright yellow Hammer striking a charcoal black pelican. Specifically being trained under Linda, Master Chief's marksman expert of blue team, Foe hammer had a sharp eye as they carried a DMR in hand and a Beam rifle on their back. Foe Hammer cared little about CQC weapons as their thighs carried two Magnums and a large, but rarely used, kukri knife equipped to their shoulders. Their Marksman variant Mark IV armor was slim and sleek as it gave the Spartan's body a much unnecessary figure.

Across from Foe Hammer sat Yellow Team's heavy CQC expert Lima. Lima was a Spartan that took a personality after the renowned Spartan III, Emile. They wore an Operator variant of the Mjolnir power suit as a heavy and experimental plasma shotgun was attached to their suits back. Resembling the common UNSC shotgun this one was loaded with small but very explosive and deadly rounds that were made to penetrate and eviscerate foes from the inside out. In hand was a simple silenced SMG and two kukri knives attached to their hips. The Armor was black completely like the others as the only color was the insignia on their shoulder pad of a two shotguns crossed on top of a light red shield.

Finally, beside Lima sat the shortest and lowest ranked member of the squad Beta. Beta was the newest member of Yellow team and was among the ranking of Hyper-lethal Spartans so respect was given to them when it was due. Beta was different than the other members of Yellow team as they wore a Mark III variant of the Mjolnir power armor. Beta chose this variant over the others because it was the armor Master Chief donned during his first halo encounter and how well it served him inspired most of the Hyper-lethal Spartans. Beta only carried the standard I.S.A assault rifle and a magnum on their hip. The Spartan opted out of wearing a vibrantly colored insignia as they carried the traditional insignia of Red team during the Great War.

Now that introductions were over Mako stood in front of the awaiting Yellow team. His voice was gravely and rough as he spoke to his comrades.

"I'll keep it short. We are to board the disabled cruiser and eliminate all hostiles up until the bridge. Once there we will secure the bridge and thus drag the bucket of bolts to be examined by techs at High charity. Beta, once we secure the bridge you and the accompanying shock troopers are to assault the ships brig and secure any prisoners they no doubt have secured from Traetov. Got it?"

The team was silent as they all gave nods of agreement before standing and letting Mako step past them. He faced the now opening bay door of the Pelican as it swung around putting the disabled cruiser in their sights. Mako glanced over his shoulder once more to address the others before leaping out into the depths of space towards their target.

"Yellow team, keep your emotions about shock troopers to yourself. Allies are allies."

Mako then leaped out of the pelican as did the rest of yellow team and the shock troopers as they floated through space towards the cruiser. The hangar bay doors was their point of entry until they realized it had been sealed shut. Cries of confusion rang out among the shock troopers until a squadron of longswords swooped by unloading their armament upon the doors and blowing them clean off. The Hangar doors were reduced to nothing but scrap as the ship quickly put up its ray shield to keep the precious and limited oxygen it had from escaping.

Mako led the boarding teams through the barrier as the white dots that were obviously stormtroopers prepared to face them as they hid behind scattered crates and equipment. Before Mako even passed through the barrier he halted as his armor hummed and powered up before seals hiding small thrusters opened and launched him threw the barrier and towards the metal floor of the ship at impressive speeds. His fist was the first thing to connect to the metal floor as he made a large dent in the flooring and knocked away or crushed any unfortunate clone to be near his point of impact.

Using the disarray to their advantage the rest of the boarding party quickly passed through the barrier and let the artificial gravity pull them to the ground. Though the scattered clones quickly recovered and fired heavily upon the entering boarders. Their shields held but some didn't as their bodies were thrown back and quickly falling to the floor not getting back up.

Mako quickly took charge as the rest of his team had already entered the combat zone and were already taking to his orders. He stood tall and calm as he gave orders left and right all the while picking off clone after clone with his plasma repeater.

"Foehammer! up on that gunship now. Pick em off. Beta! Get behind them! Lima! Rush em!"

The team of Spartans acted quickly as now the surviving shock troopers joined the action. Lima took the initiative as he drew his Plasma shotgun and recruited a small group of the shock troopers to accompany him. Nodding to them he leaped from out behind the crates and rushed to the storm troopers position. The shock troops following right behind him fired upon the surprised Imperials as they were pelted with lead and plasma. Lima smiled under his helmet as he leaped over a crate hiding a squad of storm troopers who were unprepared for his advance. Firing his shotgun, the imperials were shocked to witness their comrade blown back and carrying a large hole in his body. One down, Lima twirled his shotgun like a baton firing left and right eight times killing an Imperial with each shot. Not even turning to face them he was alerted as the troopers now began to rush him. Quickly sheathing his shotgun, he drew the his two large kukri knives before twirling and stabbing one clone in the back of the head. Yanking the knife out with ease, he spun and stabbed two clones in their throats leaving them to bleed out. Leaving the knives in their throats he turned to deliver a fast and strong kick to a clones' chest surely cracking everything in his body. A quick elbow was delivered to a target behind him as the helmet visor shattered under the force of the blow and the clone's neck was snapped. Now having dispatched all the clones, Lima looked at his handy work before causally gathering his knives and watched as the clones were slowly pushed back under Foe hammer's scope.

Speaking of Foe hammer, she hummed a gentle tune to herself as she stood atop a latched gunship. DMR in her hand, she picked off Imperial clones with inhuman accuracy as she watched over all the shock troopers and her team. Placing a bullet in the head of a brave clone, she quickly reloaded before getting back to work. She had already amounted up 20 kills since she had boarded the ship and was continuously racking them up. She watched everything as she saw Mako and the first squad of Shock troops quickly push towards the Imperial's defenses. She saw Lima as he took second squad and rushed the imperials ahead of Mako. She even saw the Hyper-lethal Beta as he had somehow managed to flank behind the Imperials and was wreaking havoc on them behind their lines.

Beta slammed another magazine into the back of his assault rifle as he kicked a clone in his way a few feet. He fired his assault rifle dry once again as slammed another mag into the back of it. The clone had set upon had been massacred as they could not deal with the lightning quick movements of the Spartan. They tried their hardest to blast him from a distance as none of them dared engage him closely as he had made an example out of their captain. He had rushed the Spartan blindly and paid with his life as the dispatched him quickly with a strong punch to the chest making a loud cracking sound. The captain did not get up after the punch.

The imperials realizing this was a losing battle decided to cut their losses and defend the bridge. The few remaining Imperials made a dash for the corridor exiting the hangar as some of them were picked off by the ever watchful Foe Hammer. Making it past the doorway it was suddenly closed and sealed shut as the boarders used this time to recover and recuperate. Mako waved his arm as he gave the silent order to fall in and get a status check from the others

He looked over his team and the shock troopers accompanying them as first squad was at half its regular count while second squad was completely unable to continue. The entire squad was wounded or killed and the few that weren't were too busy tending to those injured. Mako gave a low growl as the thought of the Imperials putting a better fight than anticipated angered him. Sighing he realized the success of this op with no more casualties required a change of plans.

"Alright! Listen Up! Lima, Beta, you and first squad continue on to secure the bridge. Me and Foehammer will make a move for the brig. The rest of second squad, call in a MedEvac and get out of here. We'll finish the job."

Nods of affirmative were given as the shock troopers moved to the now sealed door and tried to pry it open. Foe Hammer had already left and was quickly moving towards the corridor that hopefully led to the prisoners. Lima and Beta nodded at one another before heading over to the straining shock troops. The two Spartans cared little about the shock troopers trying to pry it open bare handed as augmentations was something given to orbital drop shock troopers as well. Though their augments weren't as strong as a Spartan's they still had enough power to do what most men couldn't.

The two humans and sangheili grunted as they strained themselves trying to pull the door open until they couldn't take it and flew back. One of the troopers landed on his butt as he stared at the door angrily.

"No luck. Maybe we just need to find a way around the damn-"

He was cut off as the two Spartans, Lima and Beta, made themselves known. Unfortunately they were greeted with sneers and faces of disgust while some showed signs of respect and appreciation. This hate between Spartans and Orbital drop shock troopers was something of an annoyance during the Great War it had grew and festered even more during the forming of the ISA. With so many Spartans on the field, shock troopers felt they were being outshined by the freaks. Yet surprisingly to most Spartans they also were greeted with respect and friendship with some shock trooper units. This hate only existed due to the fact. Despite their training, some Spartan teams cared little for the safety of Marines and Shock troopers. This has broken out from arguments to fights among the Spartan ranks, though they were always squashed by the Master Chief, they tried their hardest to agree with the Chief's reinforcing attitude to care for your allies. You never know when you might need them. This hate while also not as strong as before was still large in numbers as most Spartans were volunteers from units. Units these same shock troopers may have served beside.

Pushing past all the troopers, Lima and Beta came face to face with the heavily sealed door. Looking at one another, the two Spartans nodded before getting either side of the door. The two gave each other a slow nod before they raised their legs and kicked the door. The shock troopers around them weren't surprised as they had left a large dent nearly caving in the door. Rearing back one more time the two kicked the door in launching it down the hallway and killing a few of the Imperials that waited on the other side for them. Greatly caught off guard by the door being kicked in, the others quickly set upon the imperials eliminating them with ease.

Lima looked towards Beta before giving him the thumbs up then walking off ahead. Beta could only shake his head and follow him with the shock troopers in tow. Their journey was mostly uneventful with pockets of imperials here and there until they reached the elevator. They and the others reached the closed elevators doors before Lima shrugged and eventually hit the call button. The Spartans were tense until the elevator finally reached their floor and slowly opened. Inside the very small elevator was nothing as everyone gave a sigh of relief and the Spartans began to calm. It was until Lima was about to be the first one in the Elevator that Beta suddenly ripped him back out as the black clone resembling droid appeared, slicing through the ceiling of the elevator. Everyone was tense as they all heard what the droid had done to other units on Traetov even going far as to nickname it the Dark trooper. Though Beta and Lima were less than impressed, Lima more so, as he casually walked towards the hulking machine. Not faltering slightly, Lima suddenly rushed the droid intending to end it with one punch as his fist connected with the droid. A loud crack was heard as too the shock of everyone the droid had caught Lima's punch. Despite the large dent in its palm, it had completely stopped the punch.

Lima realizing he was now in a shit situation quickly threw another punch with his free hand to force the droid to let go. His fist connected with the droids wrist caving it in slightly as it was forced to release him. Lima now free, quickly backed away as he now drew his plasma shotgun and aimed at the still droid. Lima was less than happy as his voice was now audible to everyone, as well as his strong Earth accent.

"Damn bugger! You wanna piece of me!?"

This seemed to agitate the droid has it had now entered a battle ready stance as it drew its large shield and vibroblade. Unlike, the ones on Traetov, this one was not equipped with shoulder mounted rocket launchers. Though it seems its armor was much stronger than the ones encountered before. Lima was tense as he rushed the droid once more as he called out to the others.

"Smoke this tin can! Beta help me out!"

Following his order the squad of shock troopers all fired upon the droid picking their shots wisely as they didn't want to distract the Spartans. Shaking his head, Beta ran after Lima assault rifle in hand as they both rushed the droid as it slowly began to move towards the others. Lima, making the first move, fired his plasma shotgun at the droid twice before leaping up and over the droid. The two shots had little to no effect on its shield as it turned to face him leaving its back exposed to Beta and the others. Beta hurried and unloaded two clips into the back of the droid before ducking as it sliced where his head would have been. Realizing this was a losing battle it turned to face the shock troopers as it had deemed them lesser threats and easier targets. Though Lima would not give him the moment as he unloaded to plasma shells into its back and receiving a sign it was hurt as it staggered.

Lima had a smile upon his face that quickly turned to shock as the droid had dropped its shield and turned to rush him moving at a speed he didn't expect. He was unprepared for the punch from the droid as it had hit him square in his helmet visor, cracking it and throwing him down the hallway and into the elevator. Not being able to handle the force of a Spartan being thrown at it, the elevator shuddered before suddenly descending rapidly with Lima still inside it.

Beta cursed as he realized this was not going to be so easy as he holstered his rifle and getting in a battle ready stance. The droid slowly turned to face Beta as it drew its vibroblade once again. Beta cursed as he rushed the droid and began to engage it in close quarters combat. Beta sidestepped a downward swipe before quickly upper cutting the droid. Not surprised it still had its head, Beta hurriedly threw two strong hooks to its side before quickly trying to kick its legs out from under it. This proved to be a mistake as the droid had recovered quicker than he had anticipated and swiped with its vibroblade once again cutting straight through Beta's shield and narrowly missing him as it left a long mark on the top of his helmet. Beta leaped back away from the droid as he tried to figure out a way to attack the droid's exposed back.

"This is gonna suck."

Beta rushed the droid once more hoping it would anticipate his movements and make the wrong call. The droid waited patiently for Beta to get close enough before doing a sideways swipe anticipating his sidestep. Though the droid was wrong as Beta had done completely different as he had leapt over the droid and landing right behind him. Not giving the droid the chance to think about moving he quickly propelled himself towards the droids back as his fist easily penetrated the armor. Not caring about what he grabbed he tore out as many wire and cables as he could until the droid reached behind and grabbed Beta by the leg before slamming him down like a ragdoll. Beta's armor alerted him as it began to enter a lock state sensing the impending danger of the suit and wearer meaning Beta's armor would lock and cease to function until deemed safe.

The droid grabbed the now weakened Spartan by his throat as the other's peppered it with shots hoping to have it let go. Beta helplessly punched the droid's wrist hoping it would let him go like it had done with Lima. Though it seemed that was not happening as the droid drew its vibroblade. Running out of options, Beta quickly drew a small energy knife and stabbed the droid in the head. It relayed its displeasure of the foreign object in its head as it threw Beta into a wall his form getting stuck in it. Its vision sensors a little hazy, the droid began to slowly approach the fallen Spartan.

"Hey Tin Can!"

The droid suddenly stopped as there stood Lima at the Elevator door frame. His helmet visor was cracked from the punch and his armor was had scarring and marks all over it. His form radiated anger as he stared down the droid and his helpless comrade Beta. He had been alerted as soon as his armor had entered the Lock Stage which must have been when it threw him like trash. No weapons drawn, Lima entered a combat stance as he goaded the droid.

"Come and get me ya bucket of bolts"

The droid,up to the challenge, rushed Lima like last time moving at speeds it shouldn't be able to. Though this time Lima was prepared as he watched the droid rush him and counted down.

"Three."

The droid had its vibroblade drawn this time as it surely intended to kill Lima.

"Two."

The droid was getting much to close for Lima's comfort but he had to time this right.

"One"

The droid was within a few feet of Lima and was about run through him with its blade.

"Now!"

Throwing his arm down and entering his armor ability stage Armor Lock. This stage is where all power of the suit is forwarded to the shield entering a almost invulnerable state. The only downside is that the owner becomes stationary and cannot move. Though the upside is when the stage is deactivated a large EMP blast is emitted short circuiting anything too close to the user. Such as Imperial death machines.

The droid was stopped as Lima had activated his Armor Lock at just the right moment trapping the droid's blade and therefore it as well. Before the droid could even process a counter attack, Lima deactivated his Armor Lock and setting off a small EMP. The droid was suddenly overloaded with energy it had no control over before quickly shutting down and falling back as it began it's slow rebooting process

"Not today bugger!"

Looking over the fallen droid, Lima didn't hesitate as he threw punch after punch at full force until the droids head finally caved in and was nothing but scrap. The battle over the shock troopers quickly moved forward to secure the stairs they would be taking to the bridge while the Spartans recovered. Lima breathed a sigh of relief before heading over to the Locked Beta. Touching him for only a moment the Armor quickly recognized a fellow Spartan's touch and lifted the Lock as Beta quickly got up and helped the drained Lima.

"That bastard took it all out of me…You head on Beta. I'll wait here and catch my breath.

Nodding, Beta grabbed magnum off his hip and handed it to Lima before running off to link up with the rest of the shock troopers. Fortunately they had been untouched during the recent fight or Beta's job would've been a lot harder. Being greeted by the squad lead, the soldier handed him a assault rifle before leading him to the others and the maintenance lift that had been found during the commotion.

"Seems like this lift goes all the way up sir. Your call."

Beta glanced at the troopers before looking up the shaft that lead all the way to the bridge. He could see that it was a very decent climb had they taken the stairs though the few fires that had been yet put out in the shaft did concern him slightly.

Shaking it off, he nodded before stepping first on the elevator to test if it was good before giving the go ahead to the others. Piling on to the lift the soldiers were quiet as they made their way towards the bridge. Only the sound of weapons being loaded was heard as they all prepared for the coming fight. Beta stood stall in front with 4 Sangheili beside him as they had the strongest shields and would protect those behind them should the lift come under fire. Kig-yar hugged the walls beam rifles and carbines raised as their pinpoint accuracy would be most beneficial. Finally, the last few humans of the squad drew shotguns as they enjoyed the CQC feel the ship gave off. Their excitement was visible as they loaded their shotguns with force.

The lift shuddered as it slowly continued to rise through the shaft. The few fires that pocketed the shaft fortunately meant nothing as the lift raised undeterred. All was quiet in the shaft until the sound of a blaster pinged and a marine went down. There was no time for words as more blasters pings rang out until the lift was eventually being pelted with bolts. Beta's shield held as strong as it could as he fired back onto the enemy.

Storm troopers had appeared at every lift entrance firing down on the shock troopers. Flurries of bolts, plasma, and lead flew back and forth as the lift slowly rose, uncaring of the raging battle. Beta ducked a bolt as it slammed into the kig-yar behind him, killing him instantly. Realizing this was the last place he and this squad need to be, he grabbed the dead jackal's rifle before picking off clone after clone. The others followed his lead calming down under the hell storm of bolts as they picked their targets one after the other.

Placing a plasma round in a clone's head, Beta grabbed a plasma grenade off one of the fallen Sangheili before lobbing it into a entryway above him. The blue grenade was perfectly thrown as it had managed to stick to a clone who had little time to react as it blew up him and his comrades launching them out the shaft entry. Ignoring the screams of the fallen clones, Beta and the remaining soldiers of squad one relaxed as the lift passed the entryway of the few clones that had lived and were still firing.

Reaching the final entryway, the lift shuddered and stopped as all was quiet once again in the elevator shaft. Beta glanced behind him quickly as the door gave the indication that they were about to open. Squad one had been decimated by the attack as of the 10 survivors only 3 remained. A Sangheili donning ranger armor and a simple plasma repeater, breathed heavily as the exhaustion of the fighting was finally setting in on the male. A marine wearing basic ODST gear and silenced sub machine gun, was silent as she aimed her weapon at the door with one hand as the other and been shot and rendered useless. Finally, a lone Kig-yar with a arm shield and needler stood ready as his eyes dashed left and right searching for something no doubt.

Putting his attention back to the slowly opening doors Beta eagerly awaited and hoped the other side was clear. Though he would not get his wish as a squad of Imperials and a heavy troopers awaited on the side. Before triggers could be pulled on either side Beta and the sangheili made the first move. clearing the doorway before it had even open completely Beta holstered his rifle as he rolled through the doorway and tackled the stormtrooper in front of him surely killing him.

The heavy trooper was the main focus of the Sangheili as he even threw away his weapon in favor of his energy sword quickly making the close quarters battle a nightmare. Before the heavy trooper even had the time to spool up his heavy repeater the Sangheili twirled, blade in hand, quickly decapitating and silencing the troopers as he set upon the others with Beta. The marine and jackal assisted as well picking off what targets they could between the flurry of fists and the whirring heat that was an energy sword.

Delivering a quick punch, dropping the clone in front of him, Beta turned to duck under a plasma bolt before rolling once again and sweep kicking the clone's legs out from under him. The clone yelled in pain as the force of the sweep no doubt broke his legs. Ignoring him, Beta turned to see the Sangheili run through a clone with his energy sword before throwing him off quickly and powerfully kicking a clone behind him. The plastoid armor shattered underneath the large hoof of the Elite as the clone flew back against a wall. The Sangheili's breathing was ragged as the exhaustion and wounds were setting in. Beta stared at the soldier as if his ranger helmet didn't exist before examining the rest of his body. His suit detected the multiple wounds on the Sangheili until it found the deciding one and he shook his head. As if on cue the Elite coughed roughly and shuddered before collasping and gasping.

The others quickly rushed to his side as he tried desperately to breathe. Beta knew the Elite would not survive but he would tell the others that as they greatly tried to help and comfort him. Shaking his head slowly, Beta continued on without them as he moved down the corridor towards the command room his eyes staring dead ahead. he sighed before he loaded a magazine into the back of his assault rifle.

"That's another one dead on my watch...list just keeps getting longer."

Shaking off his disappointment, Beta reached a sealed door at the end of the corridor. His radar pinged as it picked up multiple hostiles on the other side patiently waiting for him he assumed. Grabbing his favorite grenade off his hip as well as a smoke grenade chuckled under his helmet before focusing back on the door.

The bridge was a mess as mock barricades had been setup to halt boarders as best they could. The few Imperials left to defend the admiral of the ship checked their weapons as they all aimed at the door. The clones were given specific orders to not let the Admiral be harmed and they wavered little in the face of death. They knew very well that most of their forces on the ship had unfortunately been eliminated at the hands of these super soldiers. But protecting the admiral was exactly what they were gonna do.

Speaking of which said Admiral stared at the holotable, sweat prominent on his brow, as he tried to figure out a solution to his current situation. He had tried repeatedly to reach the emperor to no avail and reinforcements had all but denied his cries for help. The admiral shook as his blonde hair showed out from under his officer cap. he stood no taller than the clones, but miserably thin, as his frail hands worked tirelessly to contact help.

Admiral VanHans quivered in his boots as he stared at the sealed door the last few remaining storm troopers were guarding. He had seen what the I.S.A dogs had done to the rest of his forces and to say he wasn't scared would be a huge lie. They had decimated his forces with ease and even when he had hope for the nicknamed dark trooper. It was all crushed by the accursed vermin that was his enemy.

He had no doubt their objective was to take him alive so he had a little joy in the back of his head he wouldn't be killed off like the rest of the expendable clones before him. He grimaced as he thought of the worthless soldiers. He very much believed their purpose was fulfilled after the Clone Wars and that they should be replaced by a more reliable force. Fortunately for him, As a Admiral his word carried weight in the discussions with the Emperor and his generals when it concerned the force of the army. So he very well knew a change was coming for the Grand army.

As he continued to dwell on this he was unaware a loud pound was heard coming from the main door. Turning, fear evident on his face, he quickly hid under the holotable as the clones quickly met to face the foe. Blasters raised, the Stormtroopers moved to position themselves as the door was battered a second time slightly caving in. The troopers glanced at one another before turning their focus back to the door. the banging had stopped and silence had filled the room. The tension between all the clones was thick as they ever waited for the doors to be blown in. Seconds turned to minutes before one stromtrooper let his guard down and lowered his weapon believing the threat was gone.

"Don't think they can get through. Better try again sir before the-"

This time the bang sounded again completely bashing in the door and cutting the trooper off as it slammed into him dragging him to the front of the bridge, surely dead. Before the other clones could even react a large pole like object with spikes jutting out of it was thrown into the room landing behind them. Thankfully piercing a control panel the clones ignored the grenade once they saw it did not go off. However they were very mistaken as soon as the first trooper moved the grenade sensed his presence and made a slight ping before activating.

Everything happened in an instant as the grenade exploded sending super heated metal spikes in all directions. The clones plastoid armor was ill-equipped to handle such conditions and were easily shredded by the alien grenade. Screams and blood were sent everywhere as the gruesome spikes mortally wounded some and killed most. Admiral VanHans eyes were wide as dinner plates as he saw the 'inferior' clones under his command cry for help as they slowly bled out. Some of the clones even looked at him for help before finally succumbing to their wounds and passing until Vanhans was the last living soul in the room.

Heavy footsteps shook him out of his shock as the armored of legs of no doubt one of the super soldiers appeared. VanHans held his hand to his mouth to keep quiet as he watched the super soldier pace around the bridge. Loud gunshots rang out as he fired on the already dead clones making sure none were alive. His pacing and firing was setup in a clear path he noticed as the last clone he had yet to fire on was the one right in front of him. Getting the idea the soldier knew he was here he simply prayed that he would be ignored as the large armored legs appeared in front of him.

Completely ignoring the last clone, the massive legs turned around towards the holotabe before there was quick wrenching sound of metal being bent before the entire holotable above VanHans was lifted up and thrown like a paperweight.

His view not being blocked anymore, VanHans got a good look at the super soldier as he towered over him. He took it all in from the menacing black colored armor to the golden visor that showed himself in it unnerving him slightly as he slowly backed away from the menacing figure. Thee spartan wasted little time as he drew his sidearm and aimed it at the Admiral who weakly put up his arms to shield himself.

"No! Please! You cant kill me! I can...I can give you information! You cant kill me! Im a prisoner of war blast it!"

His chest raised with every breath as he pleaded for his life to the Spartan who was silent the whole time. His pistol was still aimed at the Admiral's head as his other two squad mates finally entered the room. ignoring the bodies, they weakly moved to the control panels and started accessing what they could. Beta sighed under his helmet, he knew very well they were exhausted and burnt out on this shit show of a mission and he was too. Focusing back on the scared Admiral, Beta spoke to the Admiral just once before he placed two bullets in his head.

"Your ship's got all the intel we need. next time don't panic and forget to remove sensitive information. Admiral."

The admiral was hardly given time to cry out before he was quickly silenced with two bullets to his head. Holstering his magnum, Beta moved over to the control panel with the others to see what they had found.

"Status?"

The marine was the first to respond as she turned and shrugged her shoulders to him as best she could.

"Well. One thing is for sure, there is a lot of data on board some of its sensitive and some down right critical. Problem is we don't have an AI to hack it all. So unless Command has a way of doing a clean data sweep from a remote location...this ship is coming with us."

Beta felt like shaking his head again but intel and the ship was better than nothing as he nodded and threw the marines arm over his shoulder and doing the same for the jackal. He carried them as if they were made of paper as they moved back to the elevator to head back to the hangar. Passing the Elite's body he saw they had done enough to cover up his body with cloth. Where they got it from was beyond him

"Well good work then. A ship and some intel is better then nothing. Now lets you guys back to the hangar and get you some rest. You've both had a long day. I'll inform command about this."

The trip back to the hangar was silent as they moved down the hallway Lima was set to guard. Speaking of Lima, leaning against the wall was the CQC loving spartan as he happily greeted Beta but instantly his posture turned to one of shock as he helped the marines and noticed the rest of the dead squad in the lift. Not even bothering to ask what happened the four were silent as they made their way back to the hangar to the already awaiting Mako and Foehammer. Surrounding were many of the planets civilians and military as well as tall furred beings that could be easily mistaken for brutes.

Mako turned once he heard Beta and Lima had returned and was about to ask for status until he saw the two I.S.A soldiers they were carrying were critically wounded. Not wasting a moment he called for a medic and evac as the two were quickly setup to be stabilized until help arrived. Mako quickly grabbed Beta by the shoulder as the young spartan didn't dare look up to Mako. he knew very well those men had died under his command. It weighed on him more than any lecture Mako could give him.

"You did what you could. I know you strive to keep lesser soldiers under your care alive but you cannot protect them all Beta. Death is inevitable. Try too hard and you may end up getting them killed quicker.

Beta was silent the whole time as he clenched his so hard that his armor's warnings were all that had stopped him. He knew very well that Mako was right but he hated the fact that he was right. He did try to hard to keep soldiers alive and end up getting them killed quicker than they should be. But hearing it from Mako was only twisting the knife as he took time to really reflect on his actions as squad leader.

"But right now that doesn't matter. we need to see this intel you and your men got."

Mako turned as he lifted his wrist and a small holo pad appeared. He quickly scanned over the data both he and Beta had recovered during the mission. The furred beings might prove useful hopefully if the clones know to translate for them. The data recovered flashed from one another quickly as possible until a loud whirring noise was heard and his wrist comm went dark. Mako blinked in surprise under his helmet while Beta looked lost as well. Mako moved a cautious finger towards his comm before a figure appeared making him stop in his tracks. The figure was unseen as they hid under a large cloak, though the calloused hands and raspy voice indicated this figure was human at least.

"Ah. So these are the vermin who dare oppose me."

Mako and Beta glanced between one another before Mako turned his back to the figure. His helmet hid the angry eyes of the Spartan as he spoke to the figure with little respect.

"And you are the fool who dares to oppose the I.S.A. Speak now or leave at once. If you are who we believe you are then you will have a quick response after killing your forces. Attack our planets again and we may not be so merciful."

The figure frowned under his cloak before a large grin quickly replaced it. He slowly started chuckling before waving Mako off as he was a mere child

"Indeed, you vermin are smart. I lead the Empire that is correct. And the Chancellor is very much my tool as he answers only to me. Lord Sidious. You are right to expect a response. How quick it is depends on how well my plans go. But do not fret you and your pathetic I.S.A shall burn and I will make sure you witness every second of it. But, know this, in 3 years time the storm shall reach your home. It will batter and shake everything in its wake until not even the rubble will be safe from its wrath. Yet when the storm finally clears all that will remain is a lowly I.S.A flag. Tattered and worn as the armies of the Empire March for future conquests. So I suggest you make piece with one another and gather to fight me if you will, but your lives are doomed either way and I will be sure to end them all myself.

Mako growled heavily as the Hologram faded away making sure he recorded every bit of the audio for command. His anger had reached new levels as he roared before punching the nearest wall and going clean through it. Beta was silent as his commander raged, only staring at the spot where the hologram used to be before shaking his head as he moved to calm his commander.

"Sir. We need to go and report this to command ASAP. You heard the old bastard, we got 3 years to prepare so the quicker we mobilize and get the clones on their feet the better chances we'll have"

Still heaving as he thought about punching something else the large Spartan sighed before nodding as he glanced solemnly at his wrist communicator.

"You're right Beta, Let us go. We have unofficially just had war declared on us and we must hurry back."

Beta nodded as he joined his commander's strides as everyone began to load up on the drop-ships. Lima and Foe hammer had questions no doubt but they'd get them answered when the time was right.

"Yes Sir. Hailey's Hornets just finished up on the planet. I believe a recall back to earth is under way"

Mako chuckled under his helmet as he boarded the Pelican with his fellow Spartans.

"Can't believe they sent the hornets. Gods knows what all they destroyed. Pilot. Get a move on. We got Intel that they need to see ASAP!"

The group of Spartans all chuckled under their helmets as the Pelican jostled before finally taking off. The three Pelicans thrusters roared as they exited the hanger of the derelict Star destroyer. Leaving the silent ship to sit dead and quiet in space as I.S.A ships guarded it intently. Unknown of the information of a coming war they surely needed preparation for.

Sup guys! Sorry I'm a few days late with this chapter trying hard to stick with my chapter a month schedule but even school is making that hard. Anyways really did like writing this chapter on the Spartans and even more centering around the other species as I'm pretty sure you all know about Mako. If you don't...read more closely. Due to sudden inspiration from...Anime...I'll be doing a bonus chapter for this arc on Hailey's Hornets before I switch over the arc. So one more for this arc then we're on to broader horizons. Not much more to say here though besides um if your really well versed in Star Wars lore...mainly specs of ships and equipment and what not. Pm as it does help out the story very much. But anyways my guys see you all later this month with the next chapter "Desert Treads and Sandy Armor." Later my friends Mini Edit: in a few hours I will edit this chapter for any small errors such as missing I's or he's and what not But getting the chapter posted was my top priority

RC-Sektor-5555 signing off