Operation Poseidon
A Pelican arrives at Alamo 1 and lands in the underground hanger bay. The Spartans deployed to the United Kingdom step off with their wounded comrades of Spartan Team Zodiac. The battle for New Oreland's is still underway when they return. Over the next 24 hours they enjoy some much-needed R&R. Heath spent time with his girlfriend Jenny Hood. They go to one of the Alamo 1 nice restaurants. She's wearing a beautiful blue dress which brings out the color of her eyes. She was glad to see him without his MJOLNIR Armor on. He's wearing his dress blues. They each had some wine with their food and then they dance. He sees other military personal in the restaurant. The waitress brings them their food. "Jenny, there is something I would like to do before we eat." He goes down onto one knee and opens a box. "Jenny Emily Hood, will you marry me?" She looks directly into his eyes.
"Yes, I'll marry you," she answers. They kiss each other on the lips. A few minutes later a waitress brings them their order. As they're eating a Warthog pulls up outside and 2 Military Police officers exit and entered the restaurant. They're immediately showed to Heath and Jenny's table.
"Sir, ma'am sorry to spoil your dinner but Lord Hood request your presence back at command." One of the MPs tells them. Jenny gets out her purse. "The bill already been taken care of ma'am."
"What's the situation corporal?" Jenny asks him.
"Don't know ma'am but my orders are to bring Colonel Horton back to HQ." Heath gets up.
"I'll see you soon," he tells her. He follows them and gets in the passenger seat Warthog and they're off. Jenny gets into her car and heads towards HQ. upon arriving at HQ he's escorted to a briefing room and is surprise to find it packed, but he didn't recognize most of them. Master Chief John-117 and Lieutenant Commander Fred-104 are present and move over to join him.
"Glad you could make it colonel take your seat," Lord Hood says. he takes a seat. "Begin Cortana." The briefing room doors close.
"UNSC forces engage Covenant forces in the abandon city of New Oreland's. Georgia Company manage to planet a Fury Tactical Nuke onboard the enemy battlecruiser hovering above the city and stopped the Covenant invasion cold." Heath could tell there's a but. "We learned the battle of New Oreland's was a diversion. Somehow these clever bastards manage to take our underwater facility off the coast of South Carolina. This intel was brought to us by an Elite who's a member of the Swords of Sanghelios."
"Sir do you think it wise to trust an Elite after their own kind are attacking our world?" Captain Parker asks. The Arbiter along with four Sangheilli closely followed by a UNSC security team but the Arbiter and his Elites are still armed.
"My spies within the New Covenant Empire have told me they allowed the UNSC to shoot down one of their ships near one your continents. I'm not sure how they succeeded in taking your underwater facility but they could've brought underwater craft or use EVA suits," Thel 'Vadam tells them. "The Swords of Sanghelios are with humanity."
"The Arbiter has offered his help in defeating the New Covenant Empire. I purpose we accept his help. "The officers started arguing. Colonel Heath-118 gets up.
"Shut up all of you!" They all stopped. "The Arbiter has been our alley since the end of the first Human Covenant War. While he was gone was when the New Covenant Empire was formed we don't know what their plans are but from what I can gather and what April and Cortana gathered from the Covenant they want to enslave humanity rather than wipe us out. We're going to need all the allies we can get too win this war." He could tell he got too them. They nodded in agreement. Lord Torrance Hood begins talking again. Image appeared on the screens.
"Our Reconnaissance Drones have discovered the Covenant have a Spire keeping the water from reaching the damage supercarrier. Colonel Horton." Heath thought it was kind of weird to hear his last name being used since most people called him colonel, Heath, or Sierra-118.
"Sir," he answered nerveless.
"You will take a team of Spartans to join with Georgia Company, her two sister companies, and Foxhound Company and assault the facility reclaim it then assault the spire and the supercarrier."
"Yes sir," he answers. "Will we be getting any other support?"
"One battalion from the UNSC Navy Seals," Admiral Nimitz replies. The UNSC Navy Seals were created after the Human-Covenant War to preform operations on Earth so ODSTs, Spartans, and UNSC Army Special Forces can focus with exterritorial threats and with conflicts outside of Earth's atmosphere. They're training combine UNSC Army Special Forces training and ODST Boot Camp. Heath turns toward the Master Chief.
"Chief, assemble Blue Team."
"Yes sir," Master Chief answers. Lord Hood strode over to the colonel and hands him April's Data Disc.
"Good luck out their colonel," he says. Heath takes April's data disc.
"Thank you sir," he salutes and about face and leaves the briefing room. Commander Jenny Hood arrives off the elevator. She comes over to him.
"You've got another mission?" He nods. He comes up to her and kiss her.
"I will return." She watches him leave. He heads to his quarters to get ready for the mission. He places April data disc into a hologram projector. Her image appeared.
"Did you purpose to her?" April asks him.
"Yes," he answered. Heath gets into a machine to place his armor on. The helmet is the last thing he puts on. He inserts April disc into the back of his helmet. He felt the all familiar presence at times it still felt weird.
"Suit operating at 100%," she says.
"What's the status of Blue Team?"
"They're heading to the Hanger 12," she answers. He arrives a few minutes later. John, Kelly, Linda, and Fred are lined up waiting for him.
"Ready to go Blue Team?" He asks them.
"Sir yes sir," they reply.
"Well, what are you'll waiting for R&R get your butts on the bird." They chant sir yes sir and they board the Pelican. Heath gets on board and heads to the pilot compartment to tell the pilot they're ready to go. The Pelican lifts off and leaves Alamo 1 they're no on their way to Charleston, South Carolina. Heath looks over mission details and looked for a possibly way to assault the facility on a tablet.
The Pelican lands in Charleston, Lieutenant Colonel William Thompson is there to meet Blue Team. He salutes them and they return the salute. Heath and Lieutenant Colonel William Thompson shake hands. He even shakes the chief's hand as well as the others. Two Warthog drive up. Heath and Master Chief get into the first Warthog with Colonel Thompson while Fred, Kelly, and Linda take the 2nd. They arrive at HQ a few minutes later. Heath gets out. An MP stops them. "Sir, Admiral Blackwell would like to see you sir." The MP says to Heath. He follows the MP to the admiral's office and shows him inside.
"Colonel Horton," Admiral Blackwell says to him. He's shock to hear the admiral use his last name not may know his last name. "Your father spoke very highly of you he was proud of you." The admiral could tell the colonel was put at a disadvantage. Therefore, the admiral changes the subject. "Lord Hood has placed you in command of the operation and I'm to lend you all the help I can give."
"Thank you admiral," Heath says.
"Sir, how are we getting to the facility?"
"You'll be using a new vehicle they're called mini-subs." The Admiral tells him. "I'm sure you like to brief the men for the mission."
"Yes sir," Heath replies. He salutes the admiral and exits. As soon as he exits from the admiral's office he recognized the familiar presence of Rebekah-099. She goes to attention and salutes him. He returns the salute. "At ease major," he says. "It's good to see you again."
"Same to you too sir," she answers.
"Rebekah, I'm transferring you to Blue Team for this operation." She nods.
"Shall we go and meet the rest of the team?"
"After you," he replies. He follows after her. He finds what's left of Georgia Company as well as her two sister companies at attention. Colonel Thompson comes up to him.
"Colonel, the battalion is formed," Colonel Thompson tells him.
"Thank you colonel," he says. "Soldiers of the UNSC I'm sure your commanding officers have brief you on our mission we're fixing to embark on a dangerous mission to retake an underwater facility from an unknown number of hostile aliens. Our second objective is to destroy whatever the Covenant are constructing down there. I don't know what we'll face so if any of you don't want to take part in this operation you're free to go those who do want to go bring you A-game. Those who are coming take two steps forward." As one they stepped forward. "Thank you," Heath says to them. "Master Chief, take over. Master Chief John-117 steps forward.
"We'll be assaulting the underwater facility in mini-subs. As soon as we clear any defenses the Covenant may have down their transports will dock with the station and take it back from the aliens."
"Are there any questions?" John waited for a few minutes. "If there aren't any let's saddle up." BLUE Team head towards their mini-subs they're job using the mini-subs active-camouflage is to mark any enemy defenses so the others can knock them out and to make a stealthy breach into the facility and turn on the facility's armaments. The battalion along with Blue Team board a UNSC carrier named the Valley Forge. After they leave port everyone knows the Covenant can always launch an attack at them. Blue Team board their pods.
"Wait for my signal to launch we're going to take out their sensors and mark targets for you." Heath says to Lieutenant Colonel Thompson.
"Yes sir," Colonel Thompson replies.
Blue Team launched from the Valley Forge. They're on approach to the underwater facility. It takes thirty minutes for them to come within sight of the facility and they're shock to see the Covenant are expecting a fight. "Have they spotted us?" Lieutenant Commander Fred-104 asks.
"No, don't think they have," Heath answered. Several Covenant craft passes by them not even noticing them. They see the Covenant have their own version of a mini-sub but with only one pilot. The Covenant mini-subs look much like a Ghost but with a canopy protecting the driver. They even spot anti-air Wraiths retrofitted for underwater use.
"What are those things." Heath and John both asks their A.I.s They begin marking the Wraith tanks.
"Accessing files now," April and Cortana says. "They're called Type-43 Aqueous Assault Vehicle we can call them Sirens for short." They even spot several retrofitted Revenants for underwater use as well but instead of just having a Medium Plasma Mortar it has two twin plasma cannons on the front. "Spartans time to knock," Heath says over their private coms. Blue Team docked with the station. John and Heath are the first ones through the facility airlock closely followed by the others. They spot no immediate threat. April and Cortana have both infiltrated the facility systems.
"Can you'll access the facility's armaments?" John asks both A.I.s
"No, we can only do that from the control room. We manage to send enemy locations to each of your team's HUD." They reply.
"We're going to have to split up into teams," Heath says to them. John realized what he's doing the facility is big and if they stay together they could be easily detected. "Fred, you take Kelly and secure the nearest hanger bay our reinforcements are going to need a clear place to dock. Linda, Rebekah, you know what to do. John you're with me." They all nodded.
"April, we're going to need some heavy weapons especially if there are any Hunters in the facility." She places a NAV marker on his HUD to indicate the nearest armory. They see no Covenant in their immediate area. However, they see a squad of aliens heading their way. They enter the armory and Cortana shuts the door behind them. They stand still and watch the Covenant pass by them. Suddenly an alarm sounds throughout the station.
"Cortana, what's going on?" Master Chief John-117 asks her.
She responds, "Fred and Kelly have engaged Covenant forces near the hanger."
"Linda, are you near their position and if so go and support them." a blue acknowledge light blink from Linda. "Cortana, inform the Colonel Thompson they can begin their assault." She does that. John and Heath grab a rocket launcher and a multiple-shot grenade launcher from the armory and headed off for the control room to gain control of the facility weapon systems.
The mini-subs and transports are launched from the UNSC Valley Forge. Captain Jack Price and Lieutenant Dimitri are in one sub. They have never use these vehicles before they only had a crash course in the operation of the new vehicles while onboard the Valley Forge. Their sub and the others come within sight of the facility in a matter of minutes Sirens head straight for them. Each UNSC mini-sub gets a lock-on and fires their first torpedo at the enemy craft. The first two rows of enemy subs are vaporized. The Covenant return fire with plasma. The UNSC maneuver out of the plasma's way. The UNSC fired again knocking additional enemy craft out of the fray. One UNSC sub is destroyed by multiple plasma hits but it took 2 with it. Captain Price ordered them to split up and protect the transports. The UNSC transports have defensive and offensive weapons plus they can launch additional 45 min-subs if they need too. One UNSC min-sub strayed too close to the facility and is neutralized by and enemy underwater Revenant. Several UNSC subs headed on an attack run to destroy the enemy Wraith tanks. Several enemy subs give chase but Price, Anders, Thompson chase after them. Price, Thompson, and Anders fire a torpedo which neutralize 4 of the enemy craft. Revenants also move to intercept the human craft. The subs launched torpedoes at the Wraith tanks but the Revenants sacrificed themselves. Several human subs are destroyed as they pass by the Wraiths. Two enemy subs are also destroyed by friendly-fire. Anders voice appeared over the radio. "I have a bogie on my tail I could use some assistance."
"I'm on my way Anders hold on," Jack replies. Jack comes up behind the enemy sub and destroys it with its cannons saving his torpedoes for later. He destroys two more in a similar faction. However, he takes fire behind him. Anders returns the save. Georgia Company continued to dogfight with the Covenant mini- subs. Gunnery Sergeant John Connors nailed an enemy sub trying to get a kill on both Anders and Captain Price.
"Hey guys you might want to pay attention to your sonar there a lot of them out here," he says just as he launched a torpedo at a Revenant. His gunner McFee destroys another vehicle. Corporal Stein destroys another enemy vehicle covering Ander's ass. Jack fires a torpedo at an Anti-Air Wraith destroying it he parleys has enough time to evade a piece of debris. The debris hits a Siren coming behind them. The Siren spins out of control and crashed into a Revenant smashing the canopy and killing the two occupants then it sinks to the bottom of the ocean. Captain Price sees a dozen Sirens heading for the transports. Several Anti-Air Wraiths begin locking onto the transports. Jack radios the transports informing them of the situation.
"Roger captain take out those tanks we'll handle the Sirens," Colonel Thompson says.
"Aye, sir," Captain Price replies. "Carnage Platoon, follow me to clear out an air corridor." He gets acknowledge lights from his men/women. "Gunners watch our backs the Covenant aren't going to let us just destroy their tanks without a fight." Jack, Anders, Connors and several other squad commanders prepare for their attack run. Colonel Thompson and several other squadrons of UNSC min-subs head to intercept the Sirens heading for the transports. However, the transports launch a squadron of their own and armed their CIWS (Close in Weapon Systems). The attacking Sirens are vaporized. Carnage Platoon manage to take out the enemy tanks.
"Good work everyone, lets mop up these remaing Sirens and give those Spartan some support," Colonel Thompson says. He hears yes sir from his earpiece. The cleanup begins. After the destruction of the tanks and Revenants many of the Sirens headed away from the facility.
Meanwhile John and Heath are heading to the control room. Cortana and April both report majority of the Covenant troops are heading towards the hangers and airlocks to repulse boarders. A squad of Grunts appear with an Elite Minor in the lead. They're surprise to see two Demons but they open fire their Elite and Grunt plasma weapons hit the Spartans' shields. The 2 Spartans return fire with their assault rifles. Armor-Piercing Bullets tore through the Grunts striking several more behind them even the Elite falls from their fire. Heath's HUD ammo-counter reads 55 rounds left in his MA5D Assault rifle, while the Chief HUD reads 35 left. Additional Grunts arrive and the Spartans emptied their ARs into them. They eject the spent magazines and insert new ones just as another squad of Grunts arrived with 2 Elites. Heath and John primed two plasma grenades and throw them straight towards the Elites. The grenades stuck to the Elites heads and when they detonated they took the squad of Grunts with them. "Fred, is the hanger bay clear?"
"Yes sir for the moment but we have Covenant outside the door trying to burst in here," Fred replies. they hear gunshots. "They broke through."
"Can you hold?" John asks.
"Yes sir, they can only enter one at a time. Linda is taking care of them."
"We're almost to the control room we should have the weapon system online shortly," John tells them.
"Roger that sir," Fred replies. April reported that a UNSC transport is approaching the hanger with min-subs protecting it. A dozen Covenant soldiers are blocking their path. They open fire wiping out the Covenant soldiers with their assault rifles and a few fragmentation grenades.
"Hanger bay doors opening we have reinforcements," April says. They reach the control room. Only a few Elites are inside with around a dozen Grunts and Jackals. John and Heath throw flashbangs into the room follow by several concussion grenades. They enter and open fire with full automatic fire. John insert Cortana disc into the system so she could bring up the facility defenses.
"Hunters approaching," Cortana warns them. four pairs of Hunters enter the control room and open fire Heath parley had anytime to knock John out of the way. his rocket launcher goes flying away from reach. The Hunters are a serious threat. April reports additional Covenant soldiers entering the control room.
"What's the status of the defensive systems?" John asks Cortana.
"They're online and clearing away the last of the Covenant Sirens. The defenses inside are still offline something is trying to keep me from accessing them." John looks up and sees Huragok or Engineer as the UNSC calls them. Several plasma rounds hit just a few seconds after the Master Chief ducked down. John uses hand signals to communicate with Heath. John hands his M41 SSR rocket launcher over to him. John toss another flashbang to temporary blind the Covenant soldiers. Heath first the rocket launcher in between the two Hunters killing both. at the same time John takes out the Huragok with fire from his MA5B assault rifle and a plasma grenade. Heath fires again killing a third Hunter and numerous Covenant soldiers nearby. He drops the rocket launcher since it's out of ammo. Grunts, Jackals, and Elites are focusing on him turning his cover into nothing but it gives John the opportunity to fire into their flanks before they turn their attention on him. As they turn their attention onto the Master Chief Heath sees his rocket launchers lying and makes a dash for it. Several Sangheilli Minors open fire with their Carbines trying to bring the Demon down. He slides and rolls and picks up the rocket launcher. John reloads his assault rifle and begins hitting the Covenant soldiers in the flanks now their focus is back on the colonel. The Elites just take the rounds and return fire with their plasma rifles and plasma repeaters. He even tosses a few plasma grenades which silence a couple of Elites and some Grunts. Heath aims the rocket launcher at the final Hunter turning towards him and fires just as the Hunter fires, the Spartan dodges but the rocket hits the Hunter in the middle blowing it into and taking several Elites with it. Heath takes cover once again. The control room is taking lots of damage but Cortana manages to get the internal defensives online. Rounds tore into the Covenant soldiers that were still alive. Captain Jack Price and his platoon along with Fred, Linda, Kelly, and Rebekah were standing in their place.
"Good work," John tells them.
"Chief, we have a problem," Cortana says.
"What's the problem?" John asks.
"The Covenant have a bomb onboard," she answered. John turns towards Heath.
"Sir, we have a problem," he says.
"What's the problem Chief?"
"The Covenant brought a bomb onboard the facility."
"Not again," Heath says. "Chief take a team and neutralize the bomb the rest of us we're going to mop up any Covenant stragglers." John takes Blue Team except for Rebekah towards the location of the Covenant bomb while Heath, Rebekah, and Carnage move through the base taking out Covenant stragglers and they link up with the reinforcements.
Master Chief John-117 and Blue Team arrived outside the power station. They had to engage several Covenant soldiers on their way. he can tell from the coms traffic the Covenant are abandoning the facility. "Cortana, on my signal turn off the lights." An acknowledge light wink. Blue Team gets into position. "Now," he says. the lights go out. John, Kelly, Linda, and Fred entered each taking a spot. John takes the center, Kelly, the left, Fred the right and Linda providing support. Several Grunts appear each with a plasma grenade in each hand. Linda fires right by the chief's helmet hitting the lead Grunt in the head plus the 2 behind him. the plasma grenades explode. They deal with several Elites, a couple of Jackals but mostly Grunts. Cortana's image appeared.
"Put me inside your head now," she says. John puts the chip back into the back of his helmet. He walks towards the bomb and touch the bomb just like he did on the Cairo back in 2552.
"How much time was left?" Fred asks.
"You don't want to know," Cortana answered. The Master Chief contacts the colonel.
"Sir, bomb been deactivated what's the status of the Covenant?"
"Great work Blue Team they're leaving the facility I need Cortana to pinpoint the exact destination of the down Covenant ship." It only takes her a few minutes to gain the intel he needs from the Covenant Battlenet.
"The Covenant have a supercarrier down here. They erected a Spire to keep the water at bay. They're almost done repairing the damage. The supercarrier is going to attack somewhere on the East Coast," She tells them.
"How many ships do the UNSC have on the east coast?" April is quick to answer.
"Accessing UNSC files," she says. "They have 4 on the east coast with 18 maritime ships majority of them are base at Northfolk, VA, and New York City."
"How many ships are close to Charleston?" John asks.
"Two, they're UNSC Valley Forge, and the URNA Swamp Fox," she answered.
"Chief, what would you do if you want to take out a city?" Heath asks John. However, anyone could answer if they have it.
"Neutralize the cities defenses," Captain Jack Price says. Heath nods.
"What does Charleston, Northfolk, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Boston, Orlando, Florida, and Baltimore have in common?"
"They're all important URNA cities along the east coast and have numerous weapon emplacements to defend if attack," John replies.
"Exactly they're all prime targets for the Covenant but which one would they mostly likely attack?"
"Sir, the most logical target would be Charleston, South Carolina since if they can take that they would have a large foothold on the continent we wouldn't risk a nuke with all the civilians." Jack says.
"I don't know the Covenant know Charleston would be what we would figure but I think we should inform all the cities down the east coast," Heath says. "Cortana, April inform Admiral Blackwell the Covenant may attack every major city along the coast."
"Yes sir," they reply. He gets onto the coms. "Carnage, Massacre Platoons, and Foxhound Company meet in hanger bay 9 in 10 minutes. Restock your ammo we still have more Covenant to kill." He hears them say yes sir. Ten minutes later they are all in hanger bay 9. "We're taking the fight to the Covenant Massacre Platoon, I want you in the min-subs, Carnage Platoon and Blue Team you're with me. Foxhound Company you'll be taking some new vehicles along the sea-bed to attack the Covenant." As he's talking 11 vehicles roll off the transports and lined up side by side. "These are the new Poseidon tanks they have 3 extra armaments then the Rex Tank. It was design to work underwater as well as on dry land. The tanks are also equipped with energy shields. A crew of six are required to operate the tank."
"Why six sirs?" Captain Ruth Meyer Foxhound Company CO asks.
"It requires a driver, 1 gunner for the M312 120mm-Rifled-Bore High-velocity cannon, 2 gunners for the M247H Medium Machine guns, 1 gunner for 1 Heavy machinegun and 1 tank commander."
"Sir, not all of us are going to be in vehicles." The commanding officer of Massacre Platoon says.
"You're quite observant lieutenant. No, the rest are going to be riding on top of the tank."
"We'll be sitting ducks," a lance corporal says.
"Yes, so I suggest as soon as you see an enemy vehicle you destroy it with whatever heavy weapon you pick or get off the tank."
"Where in the hell are you freaks going to be?" A lieutenant from Foxhound Company asks. Jack looked from the Spartans to the lieutenant.
"As I said Blue Team and Carnage Platoon will be with me and we're going to be dropping from the UNSC Midsummer Night with your platoon lieutenant." Jack looked at the lieutenant reaction it looked like the LT is in disgust and shocked plus he can tell the lieutenant wished for some other assignment. The lieutenant looked at Captain Meyer but she didn't look back at him. They all know Drop Pods or Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle (SOEIV) are vulnerable to AA-fire but not as vulnerable as dropships, but Helljumpers are trained for them. "Let's saddle up." Captain Meyer stroll over to the lieutenant.
"Lieutenant Sato, you better follow the colonel's orders or I'll make sure your busted back down to sergeant do you hear me lieutenant.
"Yes ma'am," he answers. He heads for the Pelicans. Lieutenant Sato glance back at Captain Price.
"We don't need these freaks," he says to them.
"Lieutenant, have you ever done an op like this before?" Jack asks. Lieutenant Sato shakes his head. "I have well not a water-op like this one but I've worked with Spartans before and I assure you we need their help."
"When have you work with Spartans before?"
"Sorry lieutenant that's classified." Jack answered.
"Lieutenant, why are you showing so much hatred towards the Spartans?" Dmitri asks. The lieutenant didn't answer. The launch pad rises above the surface and the Pelicans launched into the sky and head towards the hanger of the UNSC Midsummer Night. Once onboard they headed towards what the ODST called "Hells waiting Room" as soon as they're their they get into the SOEIV. Another platoon under the command of Lieutenant Mike Peterson are already in their SOEIVs. They get into the pods. The pods seals. The Midsummer Night A.I voice appeared "Live forever apes."
"Hoh," they said. The pods doors open and they're drop. Heath contacts Captain Meyer and Lieutenant Colonel Thompson telling them to begin their attack. He hopes majority of the Covenant would be focusing on the new threat and wouldn't spot them until it's too late. They enter the ocean and head right towards the Spire shield. As soon as they pass through Shades open fire on them. Several pods are destroyed from the Shade fire some others crashed into the Spire itself. Heath's pod land on top of an Elite crushing him. several Grunts with an Elite minor are causally approaching the SOEIV. His pod's door burst open crushing the Elite and a Grunt. The other Grunts are killed from headshot from his M6s. As soon as he clears his pod he replaces the M6s with his MA5D Assault Rifle. More Drop pods hit. He clears away several Covenant soldiers from the nearest drop pods. A few UNSC soldiers are killed before they even exit their pods. Heath gets Blue Team, Carnage Platoon and the survivors from Lieutenant Sato platoon and Lieutenant Peterson's platoon to follow him. he has Blue Team up front with him except for Rebekah-099 who's back in the back sniping any Covenant that shows themselves. Rockets hit Shades and Wraith tanks. Linda, Rebekah and Anders are sniping as many Covenant as they can since they know the ship will be a close quarters fight. They all throw grenades at the enemy. They reach a hole in the Covenant Supercarrier Lawgiver. They had casualties along the way. colonel Heath-118 knows majority of the Covenant are inside of their ship preparing for their invasion. They continue to fire the doors while April gets the doors open. The doors open and they enter.
"Cortana, access the ship systems find out how long we have before the ship can take off." Master Chief says to her.
"You're not going to believe this the ship is ready to take off now," she answers. The Lawgiver begins to lift off.
"What the fuck is that?" Lieutenant Sato asks.
"The ships taking off," Corporal McFee says. the lieutenant looks at him. "Sir," he says.
"Cortana, where is the ship head," Corporal Stein asks.
"New York city," she answered.
"Why would they head there?" The Master Chief asks.
"The UNSC Security Council is meeting with world leaders to discuss better defensive strategies. Even the UNSC president will be there." Heath says. "Time we scuttle this ship."
"Hoorah," Jack and the other marines reply.
"Sir, what formation are we going to use?" Fred-104 asks.
"Standard formation, check every corner use spider-mines to seal them I don't want any Covenant coming up behind us. Cortana, April, I need the best route to their core."
"What's spider mines?" Dmitri asks. Petty Officer Kelly-087 shows him the mines and she explains the mines to them.
"You throw them to walls, floors, or even doors and they emit a laser-web which will slice through any Covenant or Human that tries to get through."
"Sweet," they said. Kelly and Fred give them some.
"Let's move," Heath whispers. They head towards the NAV marker Cortana and April marked for them. As they come around a corner 4 Grunts appeared. Jack, Kelly, and Corporal McFee open fire. blueish blood splattered the walls and floors. They waited to see if any more would show up. Several soldiers moved ahead. Heath cause them back into formation, but several Kig-Yar entered with their energy shield gauntlets activated and a Needler in its right-hand. The Jackals opens fire pink needles of death headed right for them. Lance Corporal Sarah Sheppard who was the close to them take majority of the hits in the chest which explode. The explosion rips her in half. Linda fires a single round into one of the Jackal's head. Heath, Jack, John, and Connors rolled grenades underneath the Jackals' feet. The grenades detonate and toss the Jackals in different directions. Lieutenant Soto and some of his men rush forward to finish off the mortally wound Jackals.
"Lieutenant get back in formation." John shouts. However, three Elite Minors entered with a dozen Grunts. Two of the lieutenants' men are cut down by an Elite's energy sword. Lieutenant Sato takes cover. Plasma rounds hit around the bulkhead he took cover behind. He tosses a fragmentation grenade but he didn't hear any screams. Two rockets hit them. The lieutenant looks back and sees Graig McFee and Fred holding smoking rockets. Heath is already over at the dying corporal when the lieutenant made it back. She's screaming and cursing in agony but no one could hear her until the firing stopped. Corporal Sinclair is seeing to her but he looks at the colonel and shakes his head. Colonel Heath-118 pulls out his M6s and blows a hole into her head. Lieutenant Soto doesn't believe what he seen. His men even looked from their dead teammate to the Freak that killed her. Lieutenant Soto in his rage move towards the colonel and placed his pistol up against the colonel's helmet as one Blue Team pointed their guns at him and his men. Captain Price and Lieutenant Peterson and their platoon didn't know what to do. Blue Team was taught long ago by Chief Mendez about rules of engagement. 1 if they're superior officer you obey them, 2 if they were a teammate you helped them, and 2 if they're a threat you neutralize them and right now the lieutenant and his men are acting as a threat. "Lieutenant Soto, thank for a second if you fire it want do anything and my team will gun down your men."
"Do you think I care freak you just murdered one of my troopers." The lieutenant wasn't expecting for Heath to turn around and snatch his pistol from his grasp and point his own gun right between his eyes.
"You know there wasn't anything anyone could've done for her she was dying I just ease her suffering. We have a mission to accomplish and I can't promise if any of us are going to make it off this ship but I will promise this if you do this ever again I'll rip the spine out of your body and I'll make sure each one of the mutineers are executed." Heath holds the barrel of the gun offering it back to its owner. Lieutenant Soto hesitated for a second but took it. "Let's move before more Covenant show up." He marches off. They lower their guns. The Master Chief comes up to the lieutenant.
"You got lucky sir, the last soldier who attempted a mutiny on one of our missions during the first war was shot between their eyes." Chief says but everyone heard him. Lieutenant Soto gulp he already pissed himself when the colonel had his gun pointing between his eyes. The Spartans moved pass Lieutenant Soto and his men and took up positions beside the door. Captain Price comes up to him.
"You know Lieutenant I would have done the same if one of my soldiers were in that predicament." Even Lieutenant Peterson acknowledge the comment. Corporal Stein hands him her dog tags which Lieutenant Soto gladly accepted. They too join with the Spartans. Lieutenant Soto and his men bring up the rear. Fred opens the door since he's close to the door controls. Fred is standing face to face with a Sangheilli Zealot. Fred ducks as the Zealot attempts to bring up his plasma repeater but a hell storm of lead smash into the Elite Zealot causing him to fall backwards a couple of inches. Fred goes over to the fallen Elite and picked up the Elite's energy sword. He attaches it to his left hip. They continue. They approach another door.
"Where's all the Covenant?" Lance Corporal Jeremey asks.
"Probably preparing for their invasion," Lieutenant Soto says. The Master Chief goes over to the next-door console. As soon as the doors parts a Zealot and 2 minors are standing on the other side. They're shock to see humans onboard. John opens fire with his MA5B at the Zealot. The others fire onto the two Elite minors. One attempts to throw a plasma grenade but Rebekah-099 shoots the Elite in the hand and the grenade drops to the ground and takes the Elite in the explosion and depletes the second Elite Minors and the Zealots shields but as the Zealot shield collapse he swipe at the chief but Heath blocks the attack with his own energy sword. John fires into the opening the colonel made for him dropping the Elite to the deck. The other Elite minor attempted to flee but Gunnery Sergeant John Connors fires almost point blank with his M90 CAWS. Shortly after the 3 Elites are dead they continue, but had another firefight with Grunts, Jackals, and a dozen Elites. They dealt with them but had to use their rocket launchers. Three UNSC soldiers from Lieutenant Peterson's platoon were killed. Captain Price had one man wounded but after Corporal Stein or Doc has he is known by the old hands of Carnage patched him up he was good to go. Corporal Stein check the other soldiers who took some Needler Shards to make sure they're ok. They reloaded in preparation for another firefight. Another firefight breaks out seconds later. After the last Covenant soldier is dead they once again reloaded this time the Spartans deployed a few bubble shields which they were hoping to save when things got thick. Captain Jack Price comes up to Gunnery Sergeant John Connors who's feeding shells into his shotgun. During the firefight, Connors took out 4 Elites, 5 Grunts and a Brute single-handedly well he didn't see Rebekah and Anders nail two of them. "Nice work, Vulture, it's good to have you back on the team," Jack says to him.
"Thank you sir, it's good to be back," Connors says. Jack then goes over too Corporal Stein and talked with him who's bandaging up a few soldiers who were injured in the firefight. Graieg McFee is talking with Lieutenant Commander Fred-104. Cortana mage to gain access to the ship internal sensors after the Master Chief asserted her into the ships systems. She tells the chief and the colonel that she's going to send the Covenant on a wild goose chase, but to still be careful.
"Thank you Cortana," Heath says to her. They enter another passage way and find 8 Sangheilli with a dozen Grunts and 2 Hunters waiting for them. "Shit how come our motion tracker didn't pick them up." The Hunters fire but they duck down to side passage. They throw 2 Spider mines to make sure no enemies will sneak up on them. Corporal McFee steps out and fires both rockets at the same time the Hunters fire again, Fred pulls him back in. One Hunter cease to exist. The other Hunter charged forward trampling a few Grunts who are moving ahead. "Who want the Hunter?" No one volunteered. Heath rush out. Plasma bolts hit around him and some even hit his shields. He charges towards the Hunter firing his MA5D at the last second just as the Hunter swings his shield he slides underneath firing as he goes. As he comes out the other side he slams his fist into the Hunters back and leaves a fragmentation grenade behind. He throws down a bubble grenade. A Bubble grenade is like a Bubble shield when it activates except the occupant can fire through the shield. The explosion sends body parts and even shrapnel in different direction killing some Grunts and Elite. As the smoke clears the Elite and Grunts sees a lone Demon standing in the middle of the bubble-shield. The Elites and Grunts open fire knowing the Bubble shield want last long. All of sudden a rocket hits them leaving nothing behind blood, body parts, and blast marks. Two marines from Lieutenant Soto's platoon are holding smoky rocket launchers. They're holding the new rocket launcher the M57 Pilum. However, another Hunter appears and fires. However, Heath knocks the two marines out of harm's way and takes the full blast from the Hunter's Fuel Rod. Dmitri opens fire with his M247H until the magazine is emptied the HMG rounds tore through the Hunter's chest and armor killing him almost instantly. Dmitri reloads. Corporal Stein runs to check on the Spartan even though the Chief tells them he's find. Heath gets back to his feet just as Stein reach him.
"Colonel, are you okay?" Stein asks.
"Yes, I'm fine it'll take more than that to stop this Demon," he replies. After the firefight, they encounter no more Covenant until they enter one of the supercarriers hanger bays. The colonel spots several dock Phantoms and a Litch. "Carnage, Foxhound, Midsummer Night Platoon head to the Litch we'll cover you." Dmitri hands Fred his M247H and takes out his M90 CAWS. "Take care of her," he says to Fred who nods. Fred opens fire with the M247H cutting down Grunts, Jackals, Brutes, and Elites. McFee fires the last 2 rounds from his M41 SSR MAV/AW Rocket launcher in between two Hunters killing both before drawing his MA5C. He unloads a clip into an Elite while he running to the Phantom. Rebekah-009 and Linda take up positions and begin sniping. Anders has his MA5C out as well and just dispatched a Grunt when he hears the loud thud of Rebekah's sniper rifle and a cloak Sangheilli appeared inches in front of him. Lieutenant Soto is busy killing Grunts and Jackals and he felt something rush pass him he looked to his left and see the colonel fighting an invisible opponent until the Spartan breaks his active-camouflage gauntlet and realized it was a Jirheilli. The colonel stabs his knife into the creature's throat. He gets up and looks back at him. Lieutenant Soto gives him a thumbs up. The colonel opens fire onto several Grunts, Jackals, and a Brute which brings Soto back into reality. Jack is the first to reach the Litch he fires his BR55 HB covering his men and the others until the magazine runs dry. He attempts to reload but a Sangheilli Minor charge towards him but Lieutenant Peterson kills the Elite with a burst from his Battle Rifle. Jack reloads and continues to fire. Several soldiers are cut down as they're running for the Litch by Jackal marksmen on the balconies above them. Jack and Lieutenant Peterson aim up and they shoot several of the Jackals in the head and the tumble off the balconies. Rebekah and Linda are busy keeping other Covenant soldiers' heads down but they do fire on a few of the Jackal marksmen. Several soldiers have already entered the Litch and manned the plasma cannons and unleash them onto Covenant soldiers. Sergeant Major George Anders is running for the Litch a Jackal Sniper with a Needler Rifle fire barely missing his right leg. Anders stops takes out his sniper rifle. McFee and Dmitri sees him and they go and protect their teammate. Lieutenant Soto and his men are already onboard not doing much of anything except for those on the plasma cannons. Lieutenant Soto and a few of his men heads down the ramp to help Captain Price, Lieutenant Peterson and a few other soldiers. A Sangheilli marksmen aims at Lieutenant Soto, but Rebekah-099 sees him and fires the projectile from Rebekah's sniper rifle hits the Elite in the head but the Elite still manage to fire his Beam Rifle. The plasma hits Lieutenant Soto in the shoulder two of his men carries him back into the Litch. Dmitri fires his last 2 shotgun shells into an Elite Minor. He takes the Covenant Carbine from the dead Elite's grasp. Anders kills the Jackal sniper and several more. Rebekah-099 jumps down from the balcony her and Linda were on landing on top of an Elite. She puts a round into the Elite's head just to make sure he's actually dead. She places her sniper rifle onto her back and draws her M489. Linda jumps down after her leaving a satchel charge on the balcony which blows down several Elites and causes the balcony to collapse. Linda picks up a DMR from a dead soldier's body and continue to shoot Jackal and Elite marksmen on the balconies. Rebekah reaches the Litch and enters followed by the others. Rebekah heads to the cockpit to pilot the Litch. She pilots the Litch out of the supercarrier and they're on their way to the UNSC Valley Forge to warn them of the Lawgiver target. John watched them leave. Several Banshees and Seraph Fighters pursue them. "Cortana, they have hostiles on their tale."
"I've already sent a message to any UNSC Aircraft in the vicinity. Covenant CIWS coming online," she says. Several of the Seraphs are blown out of the sky by their own weapons. The Spartans formed a circle. Additional Covenant soldiers are entering the hanger which include Hunters and a Titian. They surround the Spartans. The Covenant stopped firing for some unknown reason even though the Spartans continue to fire which is okay it will give their shields time to recharge. However, Heath orders them to hold fire. They stopped firing but so have the Covenant. They reloaded their weapons. A Sangheilli Zealot steps forwards flanked by several of his Zealots.
"Demon, I wish to fight you in a one v one match to the death." The Sangheilli Zealot says.
"Which Demon?" Fred asks.
"The commander of your race?" The Sangheilli Zealot says.
"What happens if I win?" Heath asks.
"You'll be allowed to exit this ship alive," the Zealot answered. Heath exits from the circle prior to exiting from the circle he hands the Chief something and told him to be ready. Colonel Heath-118 and the Sangheilli Zealot activated their energy swords. The Elite charged at him but he parries the strike. They begin the sword fighting dance. The Zealot swipes at the colonel's head again, but he rolls out of the way. and swipe at the Elite's leg cutting through the bone and flesh. The Zealot falls to the ground but he still attempts to swing but Heath blocks the strike and bring out his second energy sword and cuts the Elite's arm off. He then takes both swords and stabs him in the shoulder and pushes to swords all the way into the lungs and heart. He removes the energy sword just as the other Covenant soldiers open fire. John activates the bubble shield and Heath jumps into it. "Fire at will!" Heath orders. The Spartans open fire. Prior to the shield falling they reloaded. "Let's sprint this don't fall behind. Cortana, April have the doors open for us and seal them behind us." The shield drops and the Spartans ran firing as they go. The Grunts, Drones, and Jackals are the easiest foe to kill. The Brutes and Elites are a different story even without power armor the Brute's are still hard to kill but Spartans want go down without a fight and they want retreat from a fight either unless order too. The Covenant troops try to stop them but they fail. Blue Team entered the door straight in front of them and Cortana sealed it behind them. They can hear the Covenant firing at the door. "How long before they breech the door?"
"It wants take them long sir, the way they're firing," Fred says.
"Blue Team proceed on mission." Heath tells them.
"Sir yes sir," Blue Team replied.
"Heath, what are you going to do?" Kelly asks him.
"I'm going to cut the head off the snake," he answered.
"Let's move Blue Team," John says. ever since Boot Camp Heath has always been a commander and at times would become a Lone Wolf to complete a mission so he could be a diversion so his teams can complete their missions. It's risky each time he could've died or been captured but he has what Halsey, Cortana, and April calls luck. Heath heads for the bridge. He encounters no Covenant on his way to the bridge April and Cortana both informed him they're preparing for the invasion.
On the bridge a Sangheilli in very strange armor is arguing with the shipmaster about the human presence onboard. He arrives and looks with a probe to see two Sangheilli Honor Guards at the bridge entrance he activates his cloak to take care of them. He comes up beside the first one and stab the Elite in the neck with his combat knife the second not knowing what's happening attempts to reach for his plasma rifle before the Elite could even grab his weapon the Spartan puts 6 rounds into the creature's skull with his suppressed magnum. "April, on my signal turn off the lights." He pulls out 2 new grenades which combines a flashbang with a fragmentation grenade. As he's reading the grenades 3 Elites move towards the door. He tosses the grenades onto the bridge. The grenades explode both blinding them and killing the three Elites close to the door. He enters firing his MA5D at the nearest two Elites whose shields are depleted. A Grunt blind fires a full charge plasma pistol but it hits an Elite Ultra instead and the colonel puts the Elite down with a single headshot from his AR. He throws his combat knife into the Grunt's head. He has to duck behind cover as the Elites, Grunts, and Jackals recover from the flashbang part of the grenade. However, before he takes cover he throws a plasma grenade engulfing the shipmaster in the blast along with several of his bodyguards. As he's fixing to pop out to shoot another Elite he's grabbed from behind. An Elite Ultra has him and the others on the bridge point their weapons at him. However, the colonel use CQC on the Elite Ultra and forced the Elite to take the hits while he fires his magnum at them. After the magnum runs dry he discards the weapon and allows the body of the now dead Elite to fall to the deck. He sees an Elite wearing similar armor of the Arbiter but he knows he's not Thel 'Vadam.
"You fight well Demon, but let's see how you handle a real warrior." The new Arbiter ignites his energy sword and Heath does likewise. The other Elites lower their weapons one by one they exit the bridge follow by the surviving Grunts and Jackals. "Shall we begin?" The colonel nods. The Elite comes at him, he rolls out of the way of the Arbiter's strike. He gets on his feet and blocks the next strike. They begin to sword fight each other nether of them can score a hit on the other until the new Arbiter hits the colonel in the face with his gauntlet and a slash to the Spartan's chest but the colonel's energy shields protect him but his shields drop to 20% and an alarm sounds. The Arbiter attempts to follow up with another strike but the colonel parries his blow and mange to strike at the Arbiter's shields. The colonel backs away to give his nearly depleted shields time to recharge. The Arbiter pulls out his plasma rifle and open fires a few shots hit the colonel's shields but he dives for cover. Heath deactivates his energy sword and removes his M489 AR from his back and opens fire with a four-round burst. The projectile strips away the Arbiter's shields one of his rounds tires through one of the Arbiter's eyes which cause the Arbiter to howl in rage and agony and collapse to the floor. The colonel places the rifle back onto his back and reactive his energy sword. The Arbiter gets back on his feet and charges towards the colonel, Heath blocks the attack and once again they're back at it. The Arbiter hits the colonel with the guard of the energy sword staggering him back but the force of the blow causes the colonel to lose his energy sword and it goes flying and gets stuck in a wall. The Arbiter smiles. "Kill the Demon." Five Sangheilli Honor Guards appeared. All five Sangheilli Honor Guards activate their energy swords. Heath is in a crotch position with a plasma grenade ready. April is trying to find a way to help him. He throws the grenade at the nearest honor guard. The resulting explosion kills two of them and depletes a third's shields. The 3 remaining Elite Honor Guards attack him at once however he rolls out of the way and removes his M489 and opens fire. He drops two more Elites. The last Sangheilli Honor Guard forced the colonel to us his rifle as a shield but the energy sword cuts his AR in two halves.
"April, now," Heath says. The lights on the bridge go off. He removes his combat knife from the dead Grunt's skull and comes up behind the Sangheilli Honor Guard and assassinates him. He runs to the navigation console to change the course of the ship and have it head into to the guns of the UNSC navy. His motion tracker picks up a contact behind him he almost forgot about the new Arbiter. He sidesteps just in the nick of time the new Arbiter's energy sword slams into the console, he punches the Arbiter in the side of the head a blow like that would've have killed most species within the galaxy. The Spartan removes the energy sword from the console but the Arbiter left a nasty surprise for him the plasma grenade goes off and blows the colonel into a wall.
Elsewhere Blue Team is heading to the engine room. They encounter a few Covenant soldiers mostly Grunts and Jackals with only 4 Storm Elites and one Elite Ultra which Linda took care of with her deadly sniper skill. Blue Team arrive at the engine room and manage to planet their Nexus bomb inside. Cortana warns them they have a small platoon of Covenant enroute they take up positions just outside of the engine room. The brief firefight only last a few minutes. A few well thrown plasma grenades silence the last of the Covenant soldiers. "Cortana what's our exit route."
"Head back to the hangers?" Cortana tells them
"What about the Covenant soldiers there?" Fred asks.
"I sent them in another direction," she replies.
"Chief what about the colonel?" Kelly asks. John knew the colonel can handle his assignment but he decides to give him some backup.
"Cortana give us the best route to the bridge?" She places a Nav Marker on their HUDs. They head towards the bridge.
Back on the bridge, the Arbiter is on the colonel before he has a chance to defend himself the Arbiter's energy sword goes though the colonel's shields and armor straight into his shoulder and into the wall. The Arbiter kneels. "Now Demon it's time to die." He wasn't expecting the Demon to head-butt him as he knelt to look at the colonel's helmeted face. As the Arbiter is shaken it gives the colonel precious seconds to remove the energy sword it hurt like hell but he has had worse injuries before. He discards the energy sword. He gets his fist up. A Spartan-II is just as dangerous with a weapon and without one. The Arbiter wasn't expecting to be punch in the face staggering him backwards and a follow-up with a kick to the side of the face. Heath wants the Arbiter's pain to last a little longer before he delivers the killing blow. The Elite gets up off the floor and attempts to punch but the colonel blocks his strike and gives another punch to the side of the face. He breaks the Elite's arm after that. Once again the Elite is knocked on the ground. the colonel straddles him and begins to repeatedly punch the Elite until his face is mulch. Blue Team enters as he's punching the Elite. He caves in the Elites face. He gets up, his armor is covered in blood with his adreline pumping he forgot about his wound.
"Sir mission was successful the Fury Tactical Nuke is planted." John tells him. Heath takes a deep breath.
"Good work Blue Team now let's get off this tub before it blows." Kelly notices his wound and comes up to him with a can of Biofoam and she takes care of the wound. "Thanks Kelly." She nods. They head back to the hanger. As they're heading to the hanger they felt something hit the ship.
"What's going on?" John and Heath said together.
"UNSC maritime ships are firing onto the ship," Cortana and April answered.
"Let's get to the escape pods the only way to get off the ship I'm betting the UNSC are focusing on the hangers to cause secondary explosions inside the ship," Heath says. Cortana and April place a Nav marker to the nearest escape pods. He instructs the AIs to tell the ships to disengage since they have a nuke onboard. The UNSC maritime ships begin retreating. They make it to the escape pods after 2 brief firefights. As soon as they're in the escape pods they're launched. Just as the clear the ship the nuke detonates. Their escape pods crashed into the ocean from the nuke's EMP. The UNSC Valley Forge sends rescue craft to rescue Blue Team. As soon as Blue Team is onboard they return to Charleston, South Carolina while other ships sweep the area of any Covenant survivors and clean up the debris. Once back in Charleston Harbor, Eight Pelicans lift off from the UNSC Valley Forge and land at Fort Sumter. Major Rebekah-099, Captain Jack Price, Lieutenant Soto, Lieutenant Peterson, Lieutenant Dmitri, Captain Meyer, Colonel Thompson, and Admiral Blackwell are there to greet Blue Team. They saluted and Blue Team returned the salute. They shake hands and Blue Team including Major Rebekah board an Albatross with a platoon of ODSTs. The ramp raises. As the ramp is closing Rebekah and Jack looked at one another. He didn't get to go on his date with her. He thinks to himself "War is hell." They watched as the Albatross takes off and disappears. One by one the other officers leave leaving only Colonel Thompson, Captain Price, and Admiral Blackwell standing there. A message comes over the radio telling them to report to Sumter HQ. They walk to the fort's HQ. As soon as they enter Lord Terrance Hood is present with 3 other officers.
"Great work today gentleman the UNSC thinks you for your service in the next couple of days or weeks metals will be given out to troopers who fought in the Battle of New Oreland's and Operation Poseidon," Lord Hood tells them. "I have some bad news though." Theirs's a short pause. "Georgia Company is being dissolve as well as her sister companies with that being said Georgia Company and her sister companies have done a very good job. However, a new division is being created which will be the 117th Division."
"Who shall command the 117th Division?" Captain Price asks.
"Colonel Thompson shall command as a new brigadier general." He didn't know what to say.
"Thank you sir," he answered.
"Georgia Company, her sister companies and a few more will be placed into the 117th Division. Captain Price you shall command Carnage Company."
"Yes sir," he replies. "Thank you sir."
"One more thing captain I'm giving Carnage Company 2 weeks of R&R." Admiral/Lord Terrance Hood tells him. "Give your company my congratulations on a job well done."
"Thank you sir," he says. "I will." He leaves to go and tell his men the good news.