Tip of the Spear Part 1

Szurdok Ridge, Utkozet

August 12, 2552 8:00 Hours

The UNSC's response to the Covenant invasion forces that had been found the night before was far from small. Warthogs, mongooses, falcons, pelicans and scorpion tanks thundered over the dusty landscape. It would be a wonder if the Covenant wasn't ready for them when they arrived. Sure, the grunts and jackals could be dumb, but even they couldn't miss the mass of human vehicles speeding toward them. The light jeeps weaved around the thundering tanks, taking place ahead of them. They were going to strike at the Covenant fast and with all the force they could muster.

The familiar calm voice of Dot echoed in Shar's helmet. "It appears that Noble Team's discovery last night was not an anomaly." That couldn't mean anything good. "Large Covenant deployments have occurred undetected, and we are now under attack across the Viery territory, including orbital defenses." That was troubling news. The orbital guns were what made Reach so strong. They could take out even a Covenant cruiser. If they were taken out, then there would be nothing to save Reach. "As per the Winter Contingency, we are countering on every front. Noble's reconnaissance has also identified sophisticated Covenant army hiding canopies, and has been pinpointed what's believed to be a landing zone for additional Covenant forces, the origin of which is yet to be determined." The last part struck Shar as rather odd. They didn't know where the additional forces would be coming from? That didn't seem possible.

But for now Shar didn't need to worry about that. She glanced to her left where Kat sat in the driver's seat. She didn't seem at all phased by the information, or maybe Shar had just been away from the other Beta Spartan long enough that she no longer knew how to read her. For all she really knew, Kat could be thinking of the possible sources of more troops. Shar's gaze turned back to the way ahead. The dusty landscape just seemed to stretch on forever. She almost wished they were further back in the forces. At least then she would have something to look at.

"That landing zone has been tagged by UNSC command as a Priority One target." Shar Spotted the falcon moving over head, and Carter looking out the side of it, down at them.

"Det-charge link is loud and clear!" From the tone Jun seemed excited to see how well the charge he had planted would work.

"Copy that." Kat retrieved the detonator from her armor. "Acquiring signal lock on the pylon. Detonating in three, two…" Her thumb hovered over the button and as Shar counted down to one and zero in her head Kat hit the button. On the ridge to Shar's right a ball of fire erupted, destroying the pylon they'd found the night before.

Shar's attention was turned back to what was ahead of them as several gunners opened fire. Banshees were swooping in and the bright blue light of Covenant vehicle fire streaked across the sky. She knew that they would mount a counter attack, though she hadn't expected them to meet them this early. She'd hoped they would at least get a bit further into the territory before the Covenant struck back.

The banshees swooped low, bombarding the warthogs with plasma. The drivers swerved out of the way of the shots though several unlucky hogs were hit. The shots from the wraiths started to hit the ground, leaving burning blue marks surrounded by black ash. Warthogs burst into fire as they were hit and sent flying through the air. Still the UNSC troops pushed on, trying to make their way through the aerial assault. Through all of it, all Shar could do was sit in the passenger's seat, gripping her assault rifle tightly. Kat moved in line toward their target behind two other warthogs. They just had to make it across the bridge and then they would be into the ground troops, able to do something.

Unfortunately the Covenant realized this. Shar spotted the fliers overhead, the plasma falling. "Incoming!" She felt so helpless, unable to do anything as the bridge was hit.

Shar had to give Kat some credit. Despite the fire ahead of them she pushed forward. "Might want to hold on to something!" Kat moved to the side as the lead hog was sent tumbling backward and nearly hit them. The jeep that had been right ahead of them has swerved to the side, avoiding the bridge completely. The warthog accelerated and Shar's left hand moved up to grip the metal bar that ran above her and Kat down the middle of the jeep.

The speed still wasn't enough and their warthog hit the ground hard. The ground and sky tumbled before them as Shar was thrown forward. She could hear metal bending and glass breaking but all she was aware of was the forces around her. Without seatbelts there was nothing to hold her in place and she was bounced around between the seat and dash. There was fire before them and then everything went white.

Slowly the white faded and vision returned to Shar. She looked down at her hand, trying to get her bearings. She must have been thrown from the jeep, as she seemed to be lying on the ground. She caught sight of a grenade launcher nearby. Good, a weapon, at least she could defend herself, even if she hated the damned weapon. Shar groaned as she pushed herself up. Her arms worked, and she could feel the pain in her legs. As long as she could move then she was sure she could survive.

Shar looked to her right just in time to see a warthog try to make the jump. Its front slammed into the broken part of the bridge and the trio of soldiers were lost into the valley below.

"Six!" It was Kat's voice, shouting at her. Shar looked to her left where Kat was on her feet. "Can you hear me? Six, you all right?" There was actual concern in Kat's voice, and for a moment Shar was sure she was just imagining it. Shar started to push her way to her feet. "I could use some help."

Shar's left hand found the grenade launcher and she pushed aside the pain, and how badly things had just gone. "On my way." The words were cold and steady. They had a job to get done, and they would do it. Kat moved forward toward their overturned warthog, using it for cover. Shar's gaze turned to the spirit drop ship that was moving over the landscape. This was not going to be an easy fight.

Shar was moving to do the same as Kat when she spotted the three banshees swooping in. They opened fire as one and the warthog burst into a ball of flames. Shar looked to Kat to see if she had survived and felt a wave of jealousy wash over her. Why did Kat get armor lock and she didn't? Shar pushed it aside, such emotions had no place on the battle field. She turned her attention back toward the field ahead of them, the bright red shields of jackals catching her eyes.

"Kat, Six, what's your status?" There was only the slightest hint of worry to Carter's voice, likely only because he had lost sight of their jeep when they'd veered off. She supposed it was one of those team things. She knew that when she'd worked with the ODST she'd felt a bit of apprehension when they would get out of sight or she would lose contact with them after something happened. This situation didn't seem much different.

Shar started to move up the hill, taking aim with her launcher. "Pylons are down, we're pushing up the hill." The words were muted in Shar's ears as heavy fire filled the air, aiming at a falcon above. Shar took aim and with the manual control detonated a grenade btween a pair of jackals that were paying more attention to the falcon above than the troops on the ground. Not that she could blame them. She and Kat were the only troops they needed to worry about, and she was sure they weren't aware yet that they were Spartans.

Shar charged in, as she often forgot she wasn't supposed to, putting her grenade launcher on her back in favor of her DMR. A few shots and the jackal before her was down. Remembering that she was supposed to be working with Kat, and that meant not running in alone, she backpedaled. Shar moved around a rock toward the top of the hill, finding a group of grunts. Two went down easy with bullets to the head while the others ran. She moved a bit more around the rock and found a grunt banding on its weapon. It didn't even look up to see her before it too joined the others in death.

Shots from a concussion rifle streaked through the air and both Shar and Kat moved back behind the closest rock. Shar moved out, deciding to draw their fire. She fired once and cursed at herself as she realized her clip was empty. With skill gained over years of fighting she moved, dodging each and every blast from the concussion rifle. She took aim at the ultra elite who was firing and started to shoot. The alien's personal energy shield flared and after five shots fell, allowing her to put three more shots into its chest until it died.

Shar then set her sights on the turrets that were causing the ground to sort of shake below her. They were firing heavily, trying to destroy the Spartans with pure overwhelming fire. She raced across the area, switching to her grenade launcher. She fired, detonating the grenade at the base of one of the shades. It didn't destroy it, but the grunt fled from the post in fear. Quickly swapping to her DMR Shar finished the small alien with a shot to the head. She turned to attack the other shade but found it empty. She paused for a moment, smiling a bit behind her visor. Seemed Kat could take care of herself.

"Kat, be advised: ONI has identified two hostile anti-aircraft guns southwest of your location." It was good to hear Carter's voice back to his normal serious tone.

Shar looked up to see a pelican moving over head. Kat moved up to where Shar stood, watching it as well. "Copy, Commander." Kat turned her gaze toward Shar. "New target, Six. Shut down those AA guns." Shar nodded and Kat turned her attention back toward the pelican which dropped down a warthog, though not the usual kind. Shar and Kat raced toward the vehicle, eager to get to work.