"Tangarus has failed, the humans still hold the forerunner fortress that leads to the tomb, are we to make our move yet?" The Harbinger drawled slowly, his mandibles parting aggressively at the prospect of joining his own blade with the fields of combat.
The Prophet of Storm rubbed at his lower beard, the hairs on his chin having had grown much ever since his first confrontation with the humans at high peak; then as he looked out to the few ships that now constructed his Thunder. Only the 'Reckless Bloodshed' remained of the original assault carriers, three small corvettes' providing as border support around the large fleet.
Finally as the San Shyuum looked down at the earth below, watching over the thick overgrowth of foliage and the occasional forerunner spires; he knew that the large structure that was positioned straight over the tomb was directly on the other side of the central sun. The Hierarch breathed in deeply and enjoyed the position of power he had always had over the forces of Storm, the Covenant and the Thunder.
"Initiate slip-space travel towards the tomb" The prophet quickly spoke, his voice agitated with the pressure and anxiety of this life long quest that had just started to reach fruition, as he turned around to face the operators his tone and projection reached top velocity, "My brothers and members of the mighty Thunder, it is time for your obedience an unquestionable loyalty to be rewarded; it is time for the mighty Precursor gods to look down upon us and bless us with their divine wisdom!"
The Sangheili operators growled in agreement and bowed slowly, their limbs completely controlled, paced and powerful.
Meanwhile
"Prepare last canisters for this last move" Drafter spoke up quickly, her voice set on monotone as she was unsure on how to truly respond on the actions she was about to encompass. She looked out to the operators and realised how determined they truly were to complete this once and for all.
"If any of you would like to leave, I guarantee a collection of drop pods are still usable for your immediate departure" The Admiral continued to speak, her solemn statement bearing the untold truth; the UNSC Red Dusk would not survive this physical assault.
But the operators did not move, they stubbornly sat down and grabbed at their monitors with stern and set ambitions; one of the pilots spoke up quickly, "With all due respect ma'am, you wouldn't be able to fly this thing without us so I guess you're stuck with us till the end."
The ONI specialist smiled at the operators under her command, through thick and thin they have fought against and defied all forms of evil until now they had reached the true impasse and final destination they would ever attempt.
"Spartans Gabriel and West, do you copy?" Admiral Drafter sat down at her captain's seat quickly and spoke into her communications with a smile on her face, the smile that revealed how glad she was that it was all to be over.
"I read you Admiral, what's the situation up there?" The female Spartan IV spoke up quickly on her own radio, the sound of coughing echoing through the headset as West responded curtly.
"It is time to end it West, the final frontier and assault has been placed and won by the forces of the UNSC" Drafter spoke dramatically, her own projection increasing as she continued to speak, "Over the years we have been beaten back and dominated by these forces of the Covenant but for once we have the upper-hand in the battle and I personally will see it done!"
"What are you suggesting Admiral?" Gabriel spoke up quickly, his own voice weak by the battle as well as the brutal ramming of his ribs and the bite marks that encased his right arm.
"I'm suggesting that you make this sacrifice count Spartan" The Admiral spoke up roughly, channelling the power of the auxiliary batteries into the primary thruster's in order to send the large battle cruiser forward, "It is time to finish this, once and for all."
"It's been an honour serving with you Drafter" Gabriel concluded for her, looking up at the sight of the massive battle cruiser known as 'Red Dusk' start to accelerate violently into the path of the covenant assault carrier, "All those years we worked together, I was wrong about you and now it's too late to properly show it."
"No need Gabriel, we all reveal the greatest strengths and weaknesses at the time of choosing" The ONI Specialist finalised her statements, concluding all the actions and commands of her entire career and life into one simple order of acceleration as she spoke, "And for all those years you knew me you never called me by my first name, Miranda."
And then without pause or hesitation, the entire battle cruiser thundered forward and violently exploded itself entire sense of being and mass straight into the side of the covenant assault carrier 'Razor.'
Meanwhile
"You don't need to do this Mort'ang" The large purple Shipmaster spoke sadly, his head dropped low as he watched the young Zealot harness golden armour onto his own body and prepare himself for the battle ahead.
"Ark'an" The Royal Zealot growled aggressively, barely caring for the kind words and wisdom of the foolish and almost heretic like Sangheili, "The Infamous Fury is attempting its final assault on the tomb, I cannot be seen withering away like a worm in the mud as honour is being bestowed of every Sangheili worth his own except for me!"
The purple elite sighed loudly, letting a heavy paw scrape down his head as he spoke blandly without any reason to hold back his true thoughts, "You let the concept of honour blind you Mort'ang, this battle will give you nothing but a fresh tomb and the overindulgence of death."
"You would have me betray the covenant and not follow them into the maw of the enemy!?" The Royal Zealot roared in absolute disbelief, the fact that Ark'an had deliberately ignored the Hierarch's orders in order to stay stationary was beyond confusion for Mort'ang.
"Yes I would, I would have you choose life over honour and humility over subservience" Ark'an spoke softly, almost like a father would speak to an aggressive and terribly brought up son. But if the Shipmaster was expecting anything other than violent retribution then he sure was shocked when Mort'ang turned around and activated his energy blade to slash the Shipmaster across the face with one fell sweep.
"Filthy heresy!" The Royal Zealot spat out in complete disgust, turning his back and deactivated his energy sword as he walked away and ran straight for a banshee that would allow him to follow the fleet of Thunder straight into the battle.
Ark'an wept slowly, allowing tears to slowly mingle with the purple blood as he looked up and spoke solemnly, "I failed you Mort'ang, I am sorry for the harm it will do to you in the second life."