A/N:

To ReannaExplosion, thanks! =D

Karen, what are you doing? Karen what u do? KAREN STAHP!

Thank you to those who told me the "spoilers" to Glasslands. I'm not being sarcastic here, I really do thank you. You guys have saved me a lot of grief from reading that book. (Now, how to get my money back).

I have to wonder what Frank O'Connor feels about this. They should've gotten Nylund in to write this. Hell, I would've paid $100 if Nylund (or Joe Staten, or William C. Dietz) was writing this, but he's (they're) not… and that makes me sad… I think I might need to go see a professional.

Overall, looking at the reviews and knowing what Traviss has done in the past, I must say, it will be very difficult for me to even consider buying The Thursday War.

XXxxXX

"Compared to the remaining S-Twos, Fhajad's a nice guy to be around with. The Chief? Well, he's the strong silent type. Kinda makes me feel uncomfortable, not knowing what's behind that visor."

-Commander Sarah Palmer

XXxxXX

CERBERUS CRUISER, DANTE

Incoming Communiqué
Priority: High

Commence attack. Neutralise the Council. Full authorisation of actions deemed necessary.

"Oxide, let's move," said Carbon, the team leader.

The young operative gave a quick nod as he picked up a Cerberus Harrier, and checked the clip.

"I thought they were going to call this off," Oxide said, "Intel says that there's an armada coming."

"That's why we go now, or we'll never get the chance," Carbon replied.

"Sounds risky."

"When is not?" Carbon asked, picking up extra clips for his Harrier.

"Jammers are up, let's hit them while they're blind," Ozone said, shouldering a Black Widow sniper rifle.

Oxide made rounds to make sure his team's armour was secure; he made sure that his optics goggles were fastened over his left eye, and gave his chest a pat. The dull grey armour gave a low thud, indicating that it was still good.

The team moved through the white hallways of the Cerberus vessel, and into the hangar bay. Every vessel participating in the attack, was unmarked, and made to look like refugees. With the massive influx of civilians every day, C-Sec would be overly taxed by workload, giving Cerberus the advantage of surprise.

With the diversionary force dressed in mercenary garbs, C-Sec would diverge its attention on the docks, allowing the more heavily armoured Cerberus forces to take C-Sec HQ and the Embassies by surprise.

"I'm not too comfortable about doing this," Oxide whispered over the TEAMCOM.

"None of us are," Carbon reassured.

Boarding a grey shuttle, Ozone banged on the side doors, signalling for the pilot to take them in. Vessels of various classifications moved towards their designated areas, while the teams inside waited for the signal.

"Group One has made it to the refugee docks," Carbon said, peering out of the windows.

"Group Two and Three are waiting at the wards."

Oxide sat on the bench, listening to the COM chatter of Group One. He could hear the doors hiss on the other end, followed by heavy gunfire.

"Get moving!" a squad leader ordered in his raspy voice.

Carbon decided to broadcast the COMs through the shuttle's speakers, allowing the team to hear. Gunfire and screams competed for dominance. Group One was firing indiscriminately at anyone in their path. The thump of the heavy machine guns provided a clue to what the carnage would be like.

"Oxide, get on the gun," Carbon ordered.

"Copy," Oxide complied.

The dual-autocannons unfolded and locked into position, the moment the doors open, Oxide would fill the air with heavy explosive rounds.

"C-Sec is responding," Ozone informed, "Group Two is moving in now."

The next wave of Cerberus marked ships appeared, and engaged the meagre defence fleet guarding the Citadel.

Frigates were the first to move in. Cerberus light capital ships opened fire on the unsuspecting Turian Battlegroup. Oxide watched as shields flared and winked out of existence. The defence fleet attempted to fire back, but the Cerberus frigates were already moving, forcing the Turian frigates to break formation and engage in a savage dogfight.

A small Alliance Battlegroup on the other side of the Citadel came around to assist the struggling Turians. Things seemed to even out for the defenders as the lone Alliance Cruiser began to unleash its firepower. A Cerberus frigate was unlucky enough to be caught dead in front of the Alliance ships, its shields offered little protection for the crew as the ship was torn asunder.

With the attack looking like it was going to fail, Cerberus Cruisers arrived, and caught the unsuspecting allied fleet off guard. The lead cruisers opened fire with their main guns, ripping through the weakened shields, before delivering the killing blow with a salvo of missiles.

Dante moved in, and led the attack from the front. Her main cannon fired non-stop, slinging heavy slugs at terrifying speeds. The Alliance Cruiser identified as Mombasa, barely managed to survive the onslaught, and turned to engage Dante head on.

Oxide guessed that the Captain in command of Mombasa new that the odds of winning were zero, which was why the Cruiser began to charge forward at full speed. Escape pods began to disperse from the fireship, only to be swept away by escorting fighters.

"Kai Leng is already moving," Ozone said, gesturing to four shuttles descending on the embassies.

"Fucking glory hound," Carbon muttered, "we'll hold here until we've been given the order."

Dante zeroed in on the Alliance vessel, but without aid from other Cerberus shuttles, Mombasa wouldn't be destroyed in time. Dante slowed down, in the hope that the accompanying ships will bypass, and help destroy the suicidal Alliance ship. But it wasn't enough; Mombasa rammed Dante at full speed. By far, the Alliance cruiser was heavier than her Cerberus counterpart.

Like dust shaken from a book, debris spewed into the blackness of space. Mombasa continued on firing with whatever she had left. Both ships managed to compromise on another's reactor core, the resulting explosion was tremendous, as it had caused the remaining Cerberus Cruisers to shudder.

Carbon whistled at the display of naval tact, before returning his sights onto the Citadel. Apparently stray rounds from the Cerberus strike group had caused pockets of heavy damage, but it didn't matter, so long as the embassies were relatively unscathed, then Cerberus's takeover would be smooth and quick. The Council would be assassinated, and no one would be none the wiser… save for the people soon to be dead.

A green light began to pulse in the cabin, signalling Group Three to deal the final hand. The shuttle hummed as it banked left and begun its approach.

"Prep the doors," Carbon ordered.

Ozone nodded, and placed his hand on the hatch.

"We're taking enemy fire from the ground," the pilot said as the rounds smashed against the canopy.

The lead shuttle hovered beside a balcony, offloading troops before heading back to the ships. A couple of troopers were picked off by enemy fire, before the squad managed to gain a foothold.

A group of phantoms that had gone in with Leng earlier, moved along the maintenance catwalks, and with a quick slash from their swords, the snipers fell.

Oxide felt himself tense up as the doors opened; he was forced to duck behind the gun's covers as a wave of arms fire swept through the cabin. The accompanying nemesis ducked behind the safety of the doors and readied their sniper rifles.

"Pull that trigger so they don't get back up!" Carbon roared.

Clenching his fingers, Oxide felt the gun thump as it unleashed a stream of heavy fire. C-Sec guards toppled over as the rounds bore gaping holes through their bodies, or tearing them apart. Tiles were ripped up from the floor as the explosive detonated, showering the defenders with shrapnel.

Once the main landing was clear, Atlas mechs dropped in, and lead the charge.

"Pilot, move us to the Council's escape shuttle," Carbon ordered.

"Let's hope those coordinates Udina gave us is correct," Ozone muttered.

The shuttle pulled away from the landing zone, and soared towards the restricted embassy areas.

"C-Sec, closing in on us!" Ozone alerted.

"Get on the second gun," Carbon ordered.

Ozone nodded as he mounted the left gun. Both turrets extended from the safety of the cabin, allowing the operators to have 180 degrees vision of fire.

The lead C-Sec squad care was caught dead centre by Ozone. The windshields were splattered with blood and gore before the entire vehicle was belching out smoke, and spiralling out of control into the Presidium.

After suffering heavy casualties, the remaining squad cars were forced to break off.

"I've got eyes on the evac shuttle," Oxide said.

"Make sure it doesn't fly again," Carbon said.

"Copy." Oxide's gun roared as it hurled the explosive rounds into the Alliance shuttle.

The evac transport winced and exploded into a huge fireball.

"The Council is trapped here now, let's go hunting!"

Carbon raised his COM and alerted Group Three reserves. "This is Three-One-Actual, we've eliminated the Council's evac shuttles. C-Sec is retreating."

"Copy that Three-One-Actual, Three-Two has finished up, they're moving to your pos right now."

"Roger."

A few moments later, a few more Cerberus shuttles joined 3-1.

"Sir, sensors are picking up movement, two-hundred metres up ahead," the Co-pilot said.

"Get us there."

"Yes sir."

The four Kodiaks formed a single file, and combed alongside the Presidium. Carbon ordered a few shuttles to drop off their chalks in order to create an inescapable vice.

"I've got eyes on the Council!" Oxide yelled.

XXxxXX

CITADEL, EMBASSIES

Thane Krios dug into his heels as he sprinted up the staircase. The final stage of Kepral syndrome has taken its toll, for the Drell had difficulty breathing. Every time he vaulted over an obstacle, his muscles would tingle and ache.

His soft heels touched the grey tiles, barely making a sound as he passed a Cerberus patrol. He needed to get to a communication relay, or the Citadel will fall. But the Drell wasn't at his best, and was spotted by a phantom.

"Get him!" she ordered.

Krios levelled his Phalanx pistol and fired at the troops. Cerberus combatants fell back as the pistol rounds drilled straight through their head, spraying blood and brain matter on the floor behind them. A lone nemesis hid behind a juice bar, waiting for the perfect chance to strike.

Thane had to commend her abilities as he was forced to throw himself behind a table as a bullet crashed into wall where his head was once in front of. Krios rose from cover again, and used his biotic abilities to crush the sniper against the wall. A satisfying clatter from her rifle indicated that her chest had caved in as the counter steamrolled over her.

The Drell had let a small smile form across his lips, even half dead, he still had most of his touch. Thane's shields sparked as the remaining phantom advanced on him with her palm blasters. In an unexpected move, Krios cartwheeled to the left, and threw a warp missile at the ninja on speed.

A violet field enshrouded the phantom, quickly chipping away at her health and armour. She attacked the Drell with her sword, but hit nothing but air.

Thane knew that he had to end this fight quickly; his sickly body could not keep up much longer. And within a few bouts, he held the phantom in a headlock.

"Be at peace," he whispered, before yanking her head violently.

The phantom's body dropped lifelessly onto the cold floor, giving Thane some respite. After recollecting his breath, he grabbed her sword, and the nemesis's sniper rifle.

It was time to move into the maintenance corridors to find a COM channel that hasn't been jammed.

Perfect, just absolutely fucking perfect, Ash thought as she led the Council away from the escape pad. Where the fuck is Valern? I hope Thane finds a fucking COM soon.

She had just witnessed a heavily muscled up shuttle rip the evac transport to shreds before heading her way. Now the newly appointed Spectre had to get the Council away from the advancing Cerberus soldiers.

Udina's quite calm, Williams pondered.

Without a moments warning, the Lieutenant Commander heard the unmistakable sound of a Kodiak Transport.

"Get down!" she barked.

Udina and Tevos threw themselves behind a wall; the Asari Councillor used her biotic abilities to cast a protective barrier around the small group. But Sparatus, the Turian Councillor wasn't fast enough.

The group watched in horror as Sparatus was turned into pulp. The heavy chatter of the gun didn't stop there, as it swung to face the Council members and chip away the wall.

"Goddess help us," Tevos whispered.

And it looked like her prayers were answered. A heavily damaged contingent of Turian and Alliance wings swooped in and racked up the shuttles. The lead Kodiak with the menacing guns wobbled before crashing into the lower levels.

Ash breathed heavily as she leaned against the wall. Death had almost claimed her, and she was glad that he didn't. But the interlude was short lived as the Cerberus chalks reached them and opened fire.

"Fuck!" Williams swore.

She raised her pistol and fired a few rounds down range. One of the bullets caught a Cerberus trooper in the throat, causing him to thrash about until he bled out.

Ash spotted a couple of M8-Avenger Rifles belonging to a squad of fallen Alliance soldiers. She quickly policed those weapons and tossed them to the Councillors.

Tevos seemed to know what she was doing. The Asari Councillor slapped in a fresh thermal clip, and picked off a squad of Cerberus troops with a few bursts. Williams smiled inwardly, after having a newfound respect for the politician. Likewise for Udina, Ash may not have liked him, but at least he knew how to handle himself. He wasn't cowering in a corner, curled up in a foetal position. He was up on his feet, fighting. But even though the Councillors knew how to shoot a gun, didn't mean that they could fight their way out.

The COMs began to squawk, Ash was hesitant to answer it.

"Lieutenant Commander Williams?" it was a woman's voice, "this is Major Licil of the Asari Commandos, we're with Spectre Agent Gathal and are moving towards your position right now."

Relief flooded through Ash, she wasn't alone in this fight. "Copy that Major Licil, we'd appreciate it if you would get her on the double."

"Copy that, we're coming."

...

When the attack had happened, Lieutenant Laral didn't believe the reports flooding in. Cerberus had launched a station wide surprise attack, wiping out anyone in their way. From what she had gathered, the refugee docks were in tatters.

On the orders of Major Licil, Laral, and her group of Commandos were ordered to go and make sure that there weren't any survivors from the crashes. Easy enough, she and her squad wanted to get some revenge on the bastards that tore up the embassies foyer.

Laral led her team through the apartments and arrived at an expansive balcony, where the fire sprinklers had kicked in. In the middle of the lake were the remnants of two Kodiaks, obviously no one could've survived that.

But the two on the balcony, now there definitely could've been survivors from that, the heavily armed Kodiak that was mentioned earlier, lay on its left side, it's turret a twisted wreck.

"Move up slowly," Laral ordered.

Her team of seven Asari fanned out and encircled the downed vessel. The crashing of metal alerted the team that someone was still alive, and armed. What Laral saw next shocked her to very core. A grey armoured figure, with a matte black visor, sporting Cerberus livery, appeared. Smoke curled up from his armour, giving him an absolutely menacing look. But what he wielded shocked everyone entirely. It was one of the sideguns on the shuttle.

"Take cover!" Laral roared.

In just a span of a few seconds, two of her squad members were already killed, reduced to nothing but a smouldering corpse.

"Kill that fucker!" Laral bellowed. She broke cover and like the rest of her squad, threw powerful biotic attacks at him. But he only staggered under the impact before blasting away at their positions again.

"Who is this guy!" an Asari Sergeant said. There was absolutely no way a Krogan could wield a heavy gun that easily, let alone a human.

"There's another one coming out!" A private spotted.

Another one? Laral thought, Goddess help us!

The second Operative was wielding a Cerberus Harrier, with devastating effect. He managed to bring down a Commando's shields before finishing her off with a headshot.

The remaining Commando's began to grow desperate, never before had they been up against someone like this. They weren't use to being pinned, they preferred to use hit and run tactics.

"We'll hit the heavy in three," Laral ordered. Each of her sisters in arms prepared themselves. "One, two, three!"

In a heartbeat, the remaining four Asari hurled themselves in a biotic charge at the Cerberus Special Forces. Laral winced as she felt her biotic field disperse before she had hit her target. Everything else that followed after was such a blur.

Her sergeant was the next one to be killed, as she received a punch straight to her face. Her head just disintegrated under the impact. One by one, her squad was killed with brutal efficiency until she was the last one left.

The heavy towered over her, hell, the two Cerberus Operatives towered over Krogans. She felt the iron grip of the Operative as he grabbed her by the neck. She could feel the blood of her sisters rubbing against her skin.

"What are you?" she chocked.

Without even a moment's notice, she was looking down the barrel of a pistol.

Goddess be praised.

XXxxXX

"Ah fuck that hurt," Ozone groaned. His sniper rifle was horribly twisted in the crash, and it looked like the nemesis snipers weren't in any better shape.

"Here, take this," Carbon said, handing him a spare Harrier. "C'mon, the Council is only a few levels up."

"Let's move before more arrives," Oxide said, dropping the spent turret.

"Alright, coming," Ozone breathed.

"Anything broken?" Carbon asked.

"Just a bit knocked about, s'all."

The team quickly grabbed whatever they could, and sprinted into the building. The fire sprinklers washed off the blood and ash off of their armour, making them look relatively new again.

Carbon scanned the surroundings with his optics, "on me," he said.

"Looks like they've got backup," Oxide said, as he a squad of Commandos rally to the Councillors.

"Well, at least you got the Turian Councillor," said Ozone.

"Remember, watch your fire," Carbon warned, "We don't want to hit Udina."

"Solid copy," Ozone and Oxide said.

Moving through the stairway, the group came upon the chalks they had dropped off earlier. Most of the Cerberus troops were now smears of blood on the tiled floor.

"Looks like they didn't do too well against the Commandos," Ozone commented.

"They couldn't have gotten far," Carbon said, "it's still open season."

XXxxXX

SERPENT NEBULA, CITADEL

It seemed as if a blackbody rip, tore itself into existence in the fabric of space. And out of the void, the UNSC Sol Fleet and Sangheili Fleet ofUnyielding Benevolence appeared. Flanked by two destroyers, the Normandy banked to port as it headed towards the Citadel docks.

Coalition ships maintained minimal distance in order to appear non-hostile. The violet glow of the nebula rained upon the Sangheili ships, making them look like the spirits of the great abyss.

Magnificent, was all that Shepard could think.

"Commander, we have a situation up here," Joker said over the COMs.

"Copy that."

Shepard quickly sprinted out of the officer's lounge and into the Cockpit. She found that John was already waiting for her there too.

"What do we have?" Shepard asked.

"A message," the Spartan-II answered.

Jane could hear COM static, it sounded as if the signal was being jammed.

"Patching up the signal, Commander," EDI said.

"Shepard?" it was Thane. His breathing was a bit laboured, something the static couldn't hide.

"Thane?" Jane said with a concerned tone, "are you alright?"

"I'm fine, Commander. Cerberus has attacked the Citadel. Most of the defence force has been wiped out. Spectre Agent Lieutenant Commander Ashley Williams is with the Council. I've been told to go find the Valern, the Salarian Councillor."

"Alright. Stay safe Thane, we're coming in."

Over the public channels, Jane could hear Fleet Admiral Hood issuing orders. UNSC Prowlers had rooted out the hiding Cerberus fleet, and were now taking care of things.

"Let's get groundside," Shepard said, beckoning the Chief to follow her.

Upon reaching the armoury, Jane pulled out her armour from the locker, pulled the privacy curtains, and donned her armour on. The seams of the bodysuit merged together, allowing Shepard to attach the armour plates on.

"Woah, Lola," James smirked, "be careful or someone will die just looking at you."

"And that's why you're single," Shepard grinned.

"Oh! Burn!" Thompson hollered. The dirty blond haired Spartan-IV eased his helmet; there was an audible hiss as the airlocks snapped into place. "Is it normal for junior officers to hit on senior officers, here?"

"He's cute, that's why I let him get away with it."

"Can't make blush twice using the same thing Lola," Vega chuckled.

"She made you blush?" Thompson asked.

"Yes she did," Cortez chipped in.

"Oh how did Mister Vega ever recover from such a blow, to his friggin ego?" Andrew said poetically.

"Alright, enough talk boys, let's get groundside," Shepard ordered.

From afar as John slid on his helmet, he noticed that Jane used humour to ease the nerves of the people under her command.

"Coming John?" Shepard asked over their private COM channel.

"Coming."

Cortez gunned the Greyhawk's engines and piloted the stealth transport towards the Presidium. Outside of the viewport, John could see Albatross Heavy Cargo Dropships and Ospreys move in on the Citadel. The Albatrosses soared over the wards, dropping in ODSTs, while the Marines rode in on the Ospreys.

"Are the others going to join us?" Shepard asked, referring to the other Coalition races.

John looked at Donnie to answer his question.

"Yes," came the answer.

As the Greyhawk glided silently through the embattled Presidium, Shepard could see Cerberus forces wiping out entire Allied units. Elites dropped into the battlefield first, taking a couple of phantoms by surprise. The towering aliens ignited their plasma sword, and lunged forward with surprising speed. Cerberus forces were cut down where they stood as the violet plasma blade boiled away their armour and burned through flesh.

Grunts jumped from the dropships, dancing on one foot to the other, firing the crystalline shards at their new foe. Cerberus troops shuddered as they were impaled by needler rounds, seconds from being turned into pulp… inside their own armour.

Next to come out of the heavier dropships, were the infamous Hunters. The massive beasts were literally turned into walking tanks. Full body armour, energy shields and hybrid rotary arm canons, made them something to be feared.

A platoon of Atlas Mechs and Mako tanks converged on a bond of Hunters. Jane watched with great fascination as the hulking aliens raised their shields to absorb the firepower.

"Shit, those guys are badass," Vega muttered.

A couple of UNSC Airborne had been dropped in behind the Hunters, and decided to watch the show. In unison, the two brothers raised their weapons, and fired. The closet Mako didn't have a chance standing up against the murderous onslaught. In a matter of moments, it was reduced to nothing but slag, by the ghostly green stream.

The Hunters being the faster ones, charged at their mechanised opponents, and quickly overwhelmed anyone stupid enough to engage them on foot. Cerberus guardians were crushed underneath the boot of the Hunters, or simply swatted aside. Their shields were paled in comparison to the gestalt behemoths.

Switching to "flamethrower" mode, the Hunters shrouded the Cerberus forces in a firestorm of green plasma. Jane managed to catch a few outlines of centurions before they were turned into nothing.

Atlas Mechs didn't do any better against the faster pair of Hunters. The massive beings smashed their shields against the canopy, shattering it with ease and crushing the pilots.

"Chief, do you copy?" it was Cortana, who was stationed on Majestic.

"Copy, Cortana," John replied.

"Prowlers have wiped out the Cerberus fleet; we're going to be dropping in some light armour for you. Air Force and Army have decided to lend us a hand on this one."

"Roger that."

Shepard's visor hadn't polarised yet, allowing the team to still see her face. "If C-Sec is getting overrun, that means Cerberus has taken their HQ. So that's where we go."

John gave a slight nod, before flicking on his COMs and allocating units to complete certain objectives. Marines were going to act as the bulkhead, sweeping through Cerberus forces. ODSTs were to jump behind enemy lines and make things easier for the Jarheads, while Airborne were going in as search and rescue.

"Commander One-one-seven," said a voice, sounding similar to Shepard's, "Commander Palmer here, we've been assigned to your Command, what are your orders?"

"Is that contempt I hear in her voice?" Keyes asked over the public channel.

Jane looked at Essingdon in shock. Did he just say that over a public channel?

"Ah Keyes, good to see you still kicking," Palmer chuckled.

"Always a pleasure, get your people to follow us in."

"Copy that."

XXxxXX

"Corbulo was wiped out, what makes you think a breeding ground for spooks would do any better? That's why we're going in to pull those boys out."

-Commander Sarah Palmer, briefing Majestic Squad on the evacuation of Exemplar Grammar Academy during the Coalition-Covenant War

XXxxXX

A/N:

Quick sidenote, I have no idea who's going to live or die in Halo 4… so just assume in this story, that somehow the characters are resurrected OR they have an offspring named after them…

If you're asking about a Chief/Cortana pairing, I'm afraid I must say no. That kind of pairing doesn't work for me. I don't care how hot Cortana is, the fact that she's the younger, digitalised version of Doctor Catherine Elizabeth Halsey, who is a mother figure to the Chief… well, you can guess the rest.

And what makes you guys and gals think that I'm going to have a pairing?

Anyway, please review. I hope to get another chapter out soon.