Hello again, everyone, and welcome back to my Halo - Mechwarrior/Battletech crossover. Thank you for your support for my Halo - Terminator crossover. I greatly appreciate the amount of feedback that you all have given it, and I hope you continue to provide good feedback in the future. Also, this new chapter is going to be a special treat for those who've always wondered what happens when a Spartan gets his/her hands on a BattleMech. As always, leave a review and enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own the Halo or MechWarrior/BattleTech franchises. They are the respective properties and trademarks of Microsoft Game Studios, 343 Industries, Bungie, FASA Corporation, FASA Interactive, Catalyst Game Labs and Piranha Games Inc. Any material original to the franchises belongs to their original developers and publishers. Any material not original to the franchises is of my own invention. I do not own any music listed in each chapter. Any music listed belongs to it's original composers and/or artists.
A New Dawn (Full Album Mix) – Arkham Bridge
SLDF/UNSC Forward Operating Base
Combat Vehicle/BattleMech Bay
February 16th, 2553
The elevator shuddered as Alex pressed the button to head downwards into the facility's 'Mech/Combat Vehicle Bay, which was located where the garage for the old base used to be. Moments later, the elevator began to descend, with the cargo lift reaching top speed after a few seconds. Unlike the previous elevator, which needed cables to go up and down, the elevator the SLDF installed used anti-gravity technology that was improved upon using the lessons learned from Covenant and Forerunner technology, allowing the elevator to smoothly travel down the shaft.
After about half a minute, the elevator reached the bottom of the shaft, coming to a smooth stop moments later. Walking forwards, Chief followed Alex through a hallway that led to an airlock, which opened to permit them inside. Looking around, Chief got his first look at what a true 'Mech/Combat Vehicle Bay looked like.
Arranged in neat rows on either side of the 'Mech/Combat Vehicle Bay were a series of rectangular recesses that were built into the walls, with large, metallic doors serving as doors to each of these recesses. Looking at an open one, Chief could see a series of racks that held Manticore-IV MBT's, Challenger-L HBT's, Scorpion-IIa MBT's, Warthog-IIa's and other Combat Vehicles that the UNSC and Star League made good use of.
The real cream of the crop, and the vehicle type that Chief would be using, were the BattleMechs, located at the far end of the Bay. There were a myriad number of BattleMechs, as the member Great Houses of the Star League made use of a wide variety of BattleMechs, from small 20-40 ton 'Mechs like the Jenner-IV, Flea-IV and Adder-IV, to gigantic colossi of 'Mechs, such as the Annihilator-IV, Atlast-IV, Dire Wolf-IV and the Mad Cat-IVb, the Assault version of the Mad Cat-IVa. Each 'Mech, thanks to it's design, could mount more weapons than a Combat Vehicle of the same tonnage, and were far more mobile than said Combat Vehicles.
It wasn't just the vehicles in the room either. All around, Chief could see technicians, engineers and other personnel walking everywhere, with many performing maintenance, refitting and repairs on each Combat Vehicle and BattleMech. Up ahead, he watched as several 'Mech technicians removed the Fusion Engine from the Annihilator-IV, with large, myomer actuated cranes smoothly and gently moving the damaged fusion reactor from the 'Mech, while a second pair helped install an undamaged version of the aforementioned Fusion Engine. Nearby, Chief watched as more technicians and engineers loaded in ammunition for a Scorpion-IIa's Advanced Gauss Rifle, with 120mm ferro-osmiridium slugs being loaded into each ammunition rack.
As for the 'Mech he would be piloting today, the Mad Cat-IVa in it's Prime Configuration, It was currently being loaded with more ATM's for the ATM/10 launchers that were mounted over each shoulder. Technicians and engineers scrambled to make sure the BattleMech was ready for combat operations, with a pair of robotic arms finishing the installation of some Advanced Ferro-Lamellor armor. Moments later, the last ton of ammunition for the missile racks was loaded in, with the technicians quickly, but safely, scrambling off of the vehicle. "She's all good to go, Chief," the Chief Technician of the base told him. "We just got her fully fixed up and ready to rock. This 'Mech will take an absolute beating before she goes down."
"Good," Chief replied. Walking onto a lift, Chief felt it shudder as it easily lifted his weight, coming to a stop as it reached the hatch that led into the 'Mech's cockpit. Walking onto the 'Mech, Chief lowered himself into the cockpit, before strapping himself inside, the checklist for starting up the 'Mech coming up on his HUD, though he had memorized the start up sequence almost perfectly. Flicking the switches, he began activating the 'Mech.
Moments later, he heard a synthesized female voice speaking over the internal speakers. "Reactor: Online," the internal computer systems reported. "Sensors: Online." As the computer went through the checklist, Chief felt various tremors, which he knew were the Myomers undergoing micro-flexes in order to determine if they were operational. Moments later, the HUD for his 'Mech came up, displaying his weapons, armor and systems integrity, heat levels, sensor readouts, as well as a compass and waypoints. "All Systems Nominal," the computer reported moments later.
As soon as the 'Mech was fully online, Chief heard some clunking sounds, which indicated that his 'Mech was now free to move. A holographic series of waypoints appeared on his HUD, showing him the path he needed to take in order to safely exit the 'Mech/Combat Vehicle Bay. The holographic path was red, indicating that he would be the next to leave once Alex's BattleMech, the Mad Cat-IVb he'd seen earlier, had moved past him. As soon as it did, the path turned green, with Chief accelerating into a slow walk. "Delta Star 1, form up on my lead," Alex said over the COM.
"Roger that," Chief replied, closely following Alex's 'Mech out of the 'Mech/Combat Vehicle Bay. Behind him, he could see the other 'Mechs in the Star following his own, with the other 'Mechs being a Jenner-IV, JagerMech-IV and a Shadow Hawk-IV. The Bay's interior rumbled with the sounds of myomer actuated legs and feet stomping on the ground, as the 'Mechs moved towards the exit to the bay.
The exit to the bay was a large, vertically opening door that was split in half at the middle. The door was heavily reinforced, with a honeycomb design that would allow it to withstand even the most severe assault that an enemy force could bring to bear. As soon as they were close enough, the door automatically opened, revealing a long vehicle corridor that was more than tall enough to accommodate even an Annihilator-IV BattleMech. Once inside the vehicle corridor, Alex accelerated to top speed, activating the MASC module in his 'Mech in order to reach a top speed of roughly 90km/h. Behind him, Chief accelerated as well, reaching his top speed of 87.5km/h. The others remained at roughly the same pace, in order to keep in formation with the rest of the group.
As they moved forwards, Chief spotted enemy contacts on his 'Mech's sensor readouts. "Enemy contacts," he reported. "400 meters and closing. Requesting permission to power up weapons."
"Permission granted," Alex replied. "Franklin, move up and neutralize the infantry forces attacking the exterior gate. Long, stick with Franklin in the event he encounters enemy Combat Vehicles, the Jenner-IV does not have enough armor to survive a Wraith for long. Smith, you will accompany me and Sierra-117 in your JagerMech-IV. If we encounter a lot of enemy ASF's, we will need your anti-air capabilities."
"Roger that," the other 'MechWarriors replied. Right on cue, Franklin in his Jenner-IV moved up past the others, with Long following him in her Shadow Hawk-IV. Smith remained with Chief and Alex, in order to provide backup in the event either one of them needed help.
At the same time, Chief pressed a holographic icon that was being displayed inside his 'Mech. "Master Arm Activated," the computer reported. "Weapon Systems: Online." Moments later, Chief watched as the ATM/10 Missile Racks, VS-LPL's, VS-MPL's and the Plasma Machineguns on his 'Mech powered up, with the reactor's humming increasing, as though it anticipated the firefight that was approaching.
After traveling roughly 400 meters, they quickly came to the exterior gate in question. The gate had opened up, revealing a large, curving pathway that used to be a river, which had dried up as the current and terrain shifted. The sides of the river bed were surrounded by rounded hills and dirt walls, with grass growing and trees clumped together here and there. Large rocks and boulders jutted out of the terrain here and there, interrupting the monotony of the grassy terrain.
The Covenant were present here, and they were extremely aggressive. As soon as they reached the gate, Chief could hear Franklin firing all of his 'Mech's weapons at the Jackals and Grunts down below, with the aliens being shredded by the Plasma Machineguns and VS-SPL's on the 'MechWarrior's 'Mech. Chief was about to fire when Alex added in his ATM/20's to the mix, blasting the Jackals and Grunts apart in a fusillade of missiles. "You will get your chance eventually," Alex told Chief. "If I know the Covenant, they will be sending a lot of vehicles at us in an attempt to restart their push on the base."
"Understood," Chief replied. "Is there anyone else in your 'Mech."
Chief got his answer when the Arbiter spoke over the COM. "I am present, Spartan," Thel replied. "I'm currently in the 'rumble seat', as Alex puts it, of this BattleMech. It's strange, being inside of a machine that can destroy a Wraith with ease, while having greater mobility than a Ghost."
Chief could understand the Arbiter's remarks. When he first got into a BattleMech, he had felt much the same way, as it seemed almost wrong for a vehicle to have greater mobility than a Warthog. Eventually, though, he had gotten used to the feeling, and had done his best to outperform everyone else in training, not an easy task when going up against Clan 'MechWarriors that had the same goal, but he had managed.
Exiting the tunnel, they came out into the open air and terrain of Africa, as Mombasa was located on that particular continent. Now that they weren't confined to a narrow tunnel, Chief and the others assumed a square formation, with the JagerMech-IV in the middle of the square, standard formation for a Star with an AA 'Mech.
As they moved up, Alex's prediction that the Covenant would send more Combat Vehicles at them came true. Several Ghosts, five Revenant's and a couple Wraith's appeared around the next bend, ready to open fire on the incoming 'Mechs. "Alright team, this is it," Alex called out. "Engage the enemy targets. Fire at will."
"Roger that," Chief replied. "Enemy Revenants locked on." As soon as he said this, Chief immediately let loose with the VS-LPL's mounted in each arm. Sapphire blue beams of rapidly pulsing light cut through the air, cutting into a Revenant's nanolaminate armor with relative ease. The vehicle exploded moments later, as the plasma reactor on the Wraith was compromised a couple seconds later. Targeting the second and third Revenant, Chief locked on with his missiles and fired, sending a salvo of ATM's at each vehicle. The Revenant's didn't even stand a chance, as they were promptly blown apart by missiles designed to tear through Advanced Ferro-Lamellor armor.
At the same time, Alex engaged with his Mad Cat-IVb, targeting the enemy Wraiths that were nearby. Firing an Advanced Gauss Cannon, Alex practically turned the first of the Wraiths inside out, with the vehicle being blown apart by the hypersonic ferro-osmiridium slug. Firing an ATM/20, he blew apart the other Wraith before helping Chief out with the Revenant's. At the same time, Long engaged the Ghosts, using the Advanced Hyper Assault Gauss Cannon on her Shadow Hawk-IV to destroy each enemy vehicle.
In the middle of the lance, Smith was scanning the skies for any enemy AeroSpace Fighters and VTOL's, while lending a hand to the others when they asked for it. Spotting an incoming Phantom with Wraiths attached to it, Smith immediately opened fire with his A-UAC/10's, sending hypervelocity 105mm APFSDS shells at the VTOL. Thanks to lessons learned from Covenant and Forerunner technology, the 105mm shells tore into the Phantom, blowing it and it's cargo apart into a million steaming bits.
Moving his 'Mech around, Chief spotted a Revenant that was too close for him to use his long range weapons. Firing his shorter ranged weaponry, he damaged the enemy vehicle, before lashing out with the foot actuator of his 'Mech. There was a loud CLANG as the Revenant was sent flying through the air, with the enemy Combat Vehicle reaching a height of fifteen meters as it was flung into the air. As soon as it reached the top of it's arc, Chief fired his VS-LPL's, tearing the enemy vehicle apart, with the pieces landing roughly forty meters away. "Olé," Smith shouted, succeeding in causing Chief to grin slightly, a rarity given the times they were in.
With that, all of the enemy contacts were down, allowing the team to move up. Spotting an observation/sniper tower, Chief blasted it with his VS-MPL's, tearing apart the tower and the unfortunate Jackal Sniper on it. A moment later, the left foot actuator of his 'Mech crushed the anti-gravity platform, crumpling the nanolaminate plating and permanently deactivating the device. A Brute with a Fuel Rod Launcher fired off a few rods, only for the plasma bolus' to splash harmlessly against the Mad Cat-IVa's energy shields. Rather than take any chances, Chief fired the Plasma Machine-guns, killing the Brute almost immediately.
As they moved up, Chief began to hear more COM chatter, indicating that a Pelican-IIa had been shot down. "To any and all UNSC and SLDF personnel, this is Sergeant Stacker," came the distress signal. "Our bird's been shot down. We're on Tsavo Highway nearby the FOB east of Voi. Someone, anyone, please, respond!"
Keying his COM, Alex said, "This is Star Commander Alex Wolverine of Clan Wolverine, we are on our way. Hunker down wherever you can and do what you can to survive. We are on our way. Please send coordinates."
"Roger that," Stacker replied. "Coordinates sent. Please get here as soon as you can." Moments later, Chief watched as a waypoint appeared on his HUD, indicating where the Pelican-IIa had been shot down. The 'Mech's sensors also detected a large amount of Covenant Phantoms in the area as well, most likely the ones that brought down the Pelican-IIa.
"Chief, move up to the waypoint and get those Marines some assistance," Alex ordered him. "Smith, there are a lot of Phantoms in that area. Go with Chief and provide him some AA cover fire."
"Affirmative, sir," Smith replied.
"Roger," Chief replied. Accelerating to top speed, Chief activated the MASC module in his 'Mech, increasing his top speed from 87.5km/h, to roughly 140km/h, nearly twice the speed of his 'Mech's standard top speed. Chief could feel the digital gyroscope in the 'Mech compensating for the increased speed, while Smith in his JagerMech-IV did the same, speeding up until they were both traveling at roughly the same velocity.
Before they could get to the crash site, however, Chief spotted something up ahead. Turning off the MASC module, he realized that the Covenant had established a blockade in the area, with a number of Wraiths, Revenants, Ghosts, and a lot of infantry in the area. There were a lot of Jackal Snipers in the area, as well as a number of Shade Turrets, each one ready to cause UNSC and SLDF personnel a lot of trouble. "Smith, enemy vehicles up ahead. Can you assist?"
"Roger that," Smith replied over the COM. "Chief, you get the Revenants and Ghosts. I'll handle the Wraiths. Once you've dealt with the Revenants and Ghosts, open fire on the Shade Turrets and Sniper Towers. I'll assist when I can."
"Roger," Chief replied. Firing his VS-LPL's and VS-MPL's, Chief began to carve a path of destruction through the Covenant, tearing apart any Revenants and Ghosts that got in the way. At the same time, Smith engaged the enemy Wraiths with his A-UAC/10's, firing APFSDS rounds at the enemy vehicles.
It wasn't just Alex that had a guest in his BattleMech. Smith had one as well, as Bero was sitting in the rumble seat of the JagerMech-IV that Smith was piloting. The young Sangheilian watched as Smith expertly guided the JagerMech-IV through the battlefield, blasting apart a Wraith with HVAPFSDS shells before turning on the other one. Moments later, that Wraith met a grizzly end as well, blowing apart into dozens of irradiated pieces.
When Bero had first met Smith, who was a tall human being with blue eyes, tanned skin and dark brown hair, he hadn't known that Smith was a 'MechWarrior. When Smith told him, he'd been pleasantly surprised, more so when he learned that Smith was actually a mercenary, one that had the supreme honor of being inducted into Clan Wolverine as a member of the Warrior Caste. Apparently, the reason why he had been inducted was because Smith had won a Trial of Position without knowing it, not an easy feat, even though Smith was an elite 'MechWarrior. After the Trial had been completed, he had won his position in Clan Wolverine, quickly becoming one of it's best 'MechWarriors.
It showed too, as Smith, without losing his wits, helped Chief neutralize the last of the Revenants and Ghosts, blasting them apart with his A-UAC/2's. "Enemy targets destroyed," Smith called out as Chief neutralized the Shade Turrets and Sniper Towers. "Moving up to the crash site."
"I must admit," Bero said to Smith, "I am deeply impressed with the capabilities of your BattleMech. Until the Star League came along, I thought the Covenant was the most advanced faction in the galaxy, aside from the Forerunners. Apparently, I was wrong to think that."
"Well, to be honest, you didn't know that there were other realities that existed alongside your own," Smith replied. "So, until we came along, you were actually correct in that belief. Now quiet down, I have to concentrate, and I can't do that while having a conversation. No offense intended, of course."
"None taken," Bero replied as he settled in for the ride.
As they moved up, Chief quickly reached the crash site that the Pelican-IIa had fallen at. Rounding the corner, Chief found that Stacker and the other Marines had taken refuge in a series of above ground bunkers that the SLDF had built when they demolished the older base in the region. Looking to the left, Chief could see that the Marines were engaged in a firefight with some Brutes, a few Grunts, some Jackals, as well as a Brute Chieftain, who had just jumped onto the roof of one of the bunkers. Acting fast, Chief killed the Chieftain with his VS-MPL's before it could activate it's overshields, splitting the alien in half from head to toe in the process. Taking aim, he fired his Plasma Machine-guns, killing the enemy combatants on the ground.
At the same time, Smith engaged the Phantoms in the air, firing his A-UAC/10's rapidly. Spotting a pair of Banshees coming at him, Smith fired off his A-UAC/2's and VS-MPL's, blasting and cutting the enemy ASF's apart. Within seconds, the rest of the enemy aerial forces were destroyed, with the remaining Phantoms retreating from the airspace above the crash site.
That was when the Brutes pulled out a new Combat Vehicle. Noticing a flicker of movement, Chief looked just in time to see a Brute vehicle charge directly at his 'Mech. It looked like a pair of oversized wheels had been slapped together, with armor and weapons glued to the frame with a driver's seat in the rear of the vehicle. The armor was shaped with a lot of spines and sections, giving it a more reptilian appearance. Charging forwards, the Brute vehicle smashed into the Mad Cat-IVa's leg; instead of knocking the 'Mech over, as the Brute had hoped, there was merely a dull CLUNK as the enemy vehicle was stopped dead in it's tracks.
Before the Brute could retreat and retaliate, Chief kicked it into the air, with Smith blasting it apart with a A-UAC/10 shell at the height of it's peak. "Cortana, what was that," Chief asked. "Is that a new Covenant vehicle?"
"Scanning," Cortana replied. After a few seconds, she said, "I know what it is. Apparently, it's the Brute's equivalent of a Warthog-IIa, which they call a 'Chopper.' Apparently, it's got two plasma autocannons on each side, and it's designed to tear any enemy vehicles apart by ramming into them. Not very effective against a BattleMech, as we just saw."
"Indeed," Chief replied. Looking at the armor integrity readout, Chief could tell that his 'Mech was undamaged. The Brute's Chopper hadn't even scratched the paint when it impacted the Mad Cat-IVa's right leg. "I think ineffective is an understatement."
"More like fucking stupid," Smith added. "If you're going to ram someone, you are either extremely stupid or extremely desperate, and there is a very fine line between both. Either way, those Brutes have proven they have the intelligence level of a insect. Let's keep moving. There's a tunnel nearby that we can use to get to the rest of the area. If it's too small, we'll just use our Jump Jets to hop over to the other side."
"Agreed," Chief replied, knowing that the SLDF had learned enough from the Covenant and Forerunner's technology to mount Jump Jets into their heavier BattleMechs, including the Mad Cat-IVa and it's variants.
"Thanks for helping us out," Stacker told Chief over the COM. "We were in a really tight spot there."
"Do you have any intelligence on what's up ahead," Chief asked.
"No," Stacker replied. "We were just coming in when a swarm of those Phantoms came in and took us out. There is something that I do see up ahead; looks like the Brutes have used a Shield Barrier to blockade the tunnel. If you can blow it to pieces, the others can keep up with ya."
"Roger that," Chief replied. "We'll keep an eye out for it." With that, the two men moved up, their BattleMechs stomping through the area. Reaching the entrance to the tunnel, Chief could see that Sergeant Stacker was right, as a shimmering energy barrier blocked the entrance to the tunnel. "Delta 2-1, this is Delta 2-2, we need assistance clearing out this energy barrier," Chief told Alex over the COM.
"Aff," Alex replied. "I am on my way." After a few seconds, Alex's Mad Cat-IVb walked into the area, with the Assault 'Mech walking up to Chief and Smith's 'Mechs. "Standard Covenant energy blockade," he determined. "Blocks vehicles and weapons fire, but allows infantry through. Stand back." Following his orders, Chief and Smith moved back, reaching a safe distance before Alex fired his guns.
Both Advanced Gauss Cannons fired off, twin PEW-BANG's ringing out as the ferro-osmiridium slugs smashed into the energy barrier. Overwhelmed by the sudden kinetic impact, the barrier's generator overloaded, blowing apart and causing the energy barrier to fade out of existence. "Piece of cake," Alex remarked. "Chief, Smith, you two will hop over the hill with me and Long to the other side. Franklin will go through the tunnel since his 'Mech's small enough. Quiaff?"
"Quiaff," Chief and Smith replied. Firing off his Jump Jets, Chief jumped over the hill that the tunnel passed under and to the other side, the ground shaking slightly as his and Smith's 'Mechs landed on the other side. Moments later, Alex landed behind them with Long, while Franklin came out of the tunnel a few seconds later. With the Star fully reunited, they continued to move up towards the rest of the area.
It turned out, they were traveling on part of Tsavo Highway, which led to the industrial town of Voi nearby. While the bridge could handle large amounts of civilian vehicles, it wasn't known how well it would handle BattleMechs walking all over it. Chief could feel the highway's support beams creaking and bending slightly as the 'Mechs walked on the highway, not enough to cause grave concern but enough that he noticed. As they walked along, Chief heard a loud, cracking BANG, with a severely damaged Covenant Carrier flying overhead moments later.
At the same time, he heard a COM burst from Miranda and Stacker. "Commander, we've got more Covenant WarShips flying overhead," Stacker reported to Miranda Keyes. "They're all heading for the Slipspace Portal Generator. Please advise."
"Continue to get to the base for resupply," Miranda informed Stacker. Switching over to Chief, she said, "Chief, Alex, the Covenant are increasing the amount of WarShips they have in that area. They're engaging the defensive fleet over Earth, but most are getting smashed by the defenders. Keep moving towards the industrial complex and neutralize any Covenant that are in the way."
"Aff, Commander," Alex replied over the COM. "We will get to the industrial complex and take out that AA cannon. Delta 2-1 out." With that, they continued to move through the area. Spotting a gap inn the bridge, the 'Mechs jumped over the bridge, using their Myomers instead of their Jump Jets to bridge the narrow gap.
As they moved up, Franklin, who had gone ahead to scout out the next area, shouted, "HELP! I need assistance!" Moments later, Chief saw the reason why: Franklin's 'Mech was being assaulted by Brutes wearing Jet Packs, each one clambering all over the 'Mech in an attempt to get inside. Spotting Chief, Franklin said, "Chief, fire your Plasma Machine-guns at my position. My armor and shields can take it!"
While Chief was hesitant about firing at a friendly, he knew that if he didn't act, the Brutes would get inside and kill Franklin. Pulling the firing stud on the controls, Chief blasted the Brutes off of Franklin's Jenner-IV, with the 'Mechs shield's flaring as the plasma bolts impacted. After a couple seconds, the Brute's were dead. "You alright," Alex and Chief asked simultaneously.
"I'm fine," Franklin replied. "Slight armor ablation and shielding damage, but nothing serious. You just saved my life, Chief; those Brutes were about to get inside. They were forcing the hatch to my cockpit open. I owe you one."
"Just doing my job," Chief replied. "You don't owe me anything."
"You do, though," Franklin replied. "When we get some R&R, I'm buying you a few cases of Clan Wolverine's finest liquor." With that, they continued on to the next area.
The next area happened to be a small clearing, with an off ramp leading from the main highway to the next area of the riverbed. There were a number of buildings that were nearby, with the SLDF's symbol gleaming proudly on the sides of each building. A number of civilian trucks were in the area as well, with most being wrecked or abandoned by the civilians when the Covenant arrived. The Covenant were in the area as well, firing on UNSC and SLDF personnel that were sheltering civilians in the buildings.
Dropping down from the bridge, Chief, Franklin, Long and Smith engaged the Covenant, blowing away the enemy infantry while Alex remained on the bridge, using the Advanced Gauss Cannons on his 'Mech to blow apart any Covenant Combat Vehicles that he spotted. A Wraith and a pair of Revenants were promptly reduced to rubble in a few seconds, with the team moving up a few seconds later.
Continuing to the next area, Chief spotted some more Brute Choppers that were moving about, but those were not the real threat. The real threat was the shitton of Wraiths, Revenants and Ghosts that were up ahead. Apparently, the Chieftain leading the Brutes in this region had realized that the only way to stop a BattleMech was through overwhelming firepower. As a result, there were five Wraiths, nearly fifteen Revenants and around twenty Ghosts in the area up ahead. As soon as Chief and the others rounded the corner and got onto the highway again, the enemy vehicles opened fire, raining down plasma bolus' and plasma bolts onto the 'Mechs.
Unfortunately for the Covenant, Clan 'MechWarriors excelled in this particular field of combat, as instead of bunching up, Alex said, "Spread out, men! Use your missiles and long range weaponry to take out the Wraiths and Revenants! Keep an eye out for any Jump Jet Brutes in the area as well! You don't want to get pulled out of the cockpit!"
"Roger," Chief replied forcefully, throwing his 'Mech into a combat roll to avoid a plasma bolus that was aimed at his position. Taking aim, he locked onto a Wraith and pressed every firing stud on his control bar, a maneuver that 'MechWarriors called an 'Alpha Strike.' Almost immediately, missiles, Pulse Lasers and plasma bolts ripped out of every weapon on Chief's 'Mech, sending a furious whirlwind of firepower against the Wraiths in the area. At the same time, Alex and the others pulled off Alpha Strikes as well, sending an overwhelming tide of firepower at the Covenant forces.
The Covenant ahead of them might as well have turned tail and run, as none of them were even remotely prepared for the swarm of firepower sent at them. All five Wraiths exploded, as missiles, Gauss Cannon slugs and Pulse Lasers cut through their armor like cheese; Revenants were turned into odd collections of metal and Ghosts and Brute Choppers were promptly shredded. Any infantry in the area were almost immediately disintegrated, blowing apart in spectacularly gruesome fashion.
By the time the Alpha Strikes ended, there was nothing left. Looking ahead of his position, Chief could see that where there were Covenant infantry and Combat Vehicles, there were nothing but craters, scorch marks and pockmarks formed from plasma bolts, Pulse Lasers, missiles and Gauss Cannon slugs. "Well, I think we disintegrated them," Smith remarked.
"We did," Alex replied. "There is nothing left but a large amount of debris and craters in the ground. Good work, people. The town of Voi is up ahead, and we have a Prophet that needs to be toppled off of his throne and executed. Move out." With that, Chief and the others moved out, marching towards the town in their BattleMechs. The Covenant would not be prepare for the level of violence the Inner Sphere and the UNSC was about to unleash upon their forces.