Chapter 30

November 27, 2552, 1530hrs, Voi, Kenya, East Africa Protectorate, Africa, Planet Earth

The time of respite for the Wolf Pack came to an end quickly. Just like with those at the Crow's Nest, the UNSC forces holding the line around Voi were being hard pressed. The Covenant were planning something and it seemed to be happening soon based on the invader's intensity of activity. Observers were reporting frantic activity at the dig site as if in preparation for something. That forced the hand of the human defenders who were being required to react definitively. Fortunately, the scratch force was not without assets with the Wolf Pack, Master Chief and Arbiter there. None doubted the job could get done despite the odds stacked against them.

As hasty O Group was called by the acting area commander, a Marine full colonel, named appropriately Steele. Mike surveyed the gathered officers and senior NCOs and couldn't figure who was getting the dirtier looks from the command group the Elite Arbiter or Natalia in her ONI uniform. The Arbiter stood proudly beside the Master Chief while Natalia looked obviously uncomfortable with the attention.

"All right everyone, listen up," the Marine colonel stated, "mission template is short and sweet. Command is preparing for a big air push and so whatever boots on the ground we have need to pave the way for it. We're committing everything we have to this. Intel says the Covvies are preparing something on their dig site so time is running out. We need maximum effort here; we throw everything at them. Questions?"

The seasoned officer gave the assembled group a few moments to let the sobering news sink in and each to begin their own mental preparation for what was to come. The experienced combat leader was proud of how his troops had responded to everything going on and was confident they would get the job done.

"Commander Mike, you're senior here on the ground amongst the special ops cadre since we've had no contact with Colonel Holland. That puts you in overall charge, how do you see this unfolding?" the Marine senior officer deferred to him.

Mike envied the Master Chief who turned and looked at him as the others did. It was impossible to know what he was thinking behind the visor of helmet as his body language betrayed no signs. In some ways he missed his old life as the Lone Wolf and being in the Chief's position but he realized anew the trade-off was worth it as Natalia stood beside him beaming confidently at the attention he was being given. The look gave him a boost so the experienced combat veteran did a quick assessment taking into account what he knew.

The collective group of leaders turned to look at him and none showed any signs of lacking confidence in his ability to get the job done.

"It's pretty simple, we need to eliminate the Covenant triple A assets in the east and southern grids," Mike began, confident in his thoughts. "When their AA guns are down, we hold a lane for the Navy strike package. Special Ops elements will punch through and expand along this line," Mike set a series of way points, "Marines will hold as Special Ops pushes out and creates a buffer zone. I will co-ord movement with OPs. Master Chief, you and the Arbiter will work independently exploiting targets of opportunity as they arise."

"Works for me, sir," Chief responded.

Mike looked around to ensure he had a good idea of what assets were at his disposal. He spied Gunnery Sergeant Stacker on the edge of the O group. "Your team good to go, Pete?" he called out.

"100%, sir," Stacker replied immediately with confidence.

"Excellent. You work with and support the Master Chief. You'll be his flying wing." Then turning his attention back to the broader group stated: "This packet gets priority with vehicle assets when we move out. They need to be mobile. The rest of us can hump in. TEAMCOMM and AREACOMM protocols will be in place. Let's make sure we communicate effectively and we'll get the job done for the fly boys."

"Sounds good, Mike," the colonel confirmed with a nod of approval. Then ensuring he had everyone's attention finished with," I don't need to impress on any of you the importance of this mission. Our very existence is on the line here, so we hold nothing back. You have 30 minutes to prep and load out then we step off. Again, any questions."

There were none.

"Dismissed."

As everyone went to brief their sub-units and get prepared Mike took a step and realized Natalia was frozen in place. "Everything okay?" he asked.

"What am I going to do?" she asked barely above a whisper.

"Let's go ask the colonel and find out where you can help," Mike replied with an easy smile.

"Really?" Natalia asked, surprised at how quickly and easily he'd responded. Her heart soared at the simple confidence this man had in her. He had no doubt she could contribute and not because her name was Misriah and her dad could write a big check.

"For sure. Come on."

The pair walked over to where the colonel stood, having just finished a brief discussion with one of his supply officers on the state of ammo.

"How can I help, sir?" Natalia asked.

"Don't really need any intel right now or anything else ONI can do," the Marine senior officer replied with disdain, looking at her uniform and the name tape on it. "Listen, I'm pretty busy so I need to go."

"Wait sir, please. I'm rated as an Area Combat Controller," Natalia replied humbly, trying to not show how nervous she was, "and I served in that role on Mars in the Mare Erythraeum area."

"She was excellent too, by the way, and helped us out a lot," Mike added confidently. "There are a lot of troops still alive including my own because of what she was able to do there."

Natalia couldn't help but turn and look at him in shock. They'd talked little about Mars since then and while he'd thanked her for what she did the insecure woman thought it had only been to pander to her. He really does believe in me, she thought and loved him more for it.

"Well that's outstanding," the Marine smiled as his tone changed. "I could use the help since my command team is pretty thin. Go and see Major Grant. He's my OPSO and will get you squared away. Navy is going to assist with ground ops co-ording for what's coming. Ms. Misriah, you'll be one of our links. Let's get ready to move."

The colonel walked off leaving the pair alone to say their goodbyes.

"Thank you for standing up for me, Mike," Natalia said as her expressive eyes welled up with tears.

"No problem, but it was the truth," he replied not understanding the emotion of her response.

"I know, but you stood up for me and what I was able to do on my own," she explained as a couple of tears slide down her cheek. Unashamed the proud woman let them fall and continued," You believe in ME Mike, not who I am or what I can give. You believe in what I can do. And you always have. I guess I've not really understood that."

"You're an amazing woman, Tali, the more I learn about you the more I like. I know I've not been very good at saying it but this is all new to me. I'd like to learn everything there is about you."

The tears now fell freely and Natalia beamed in delight. Putting one hand lightly on his cheek and squeezing his hand with the other she said. "And I want to show you everything there is about me. Mike, I'd…I'd, like to grow old with you," she stammered.

"I'd like that too," Mike answered, voice suddenly becoming husky.

"Then please, stay alive and come back to me," the emotional woman implored.

"You kidding me? We're finally starting to get this right; you think I'm going let something like this attack get in the way of that?" Mike declared playfully.

"Jerk," she a laughed with snort punching him lightly on the arm. "I love you."

"I love you too Tali, see you soon."

The two parted, hearts filled to overflowing ready to take on the whole Covenant themselves.

Natalia walked over to a cluster of vehicles and modular tents that was being used as the hub of the area command and found an M6A1 Bobcat Command Vehicle. The 12-meter-long armored mobile command post was easy to spot with its cluster of antenna and sensors. She walked in confidently and found Major Grant, the operations officer, who was already waiting for her. He showed her to her station and she settled in and became familiar with the equipment and prepared for the coming fight.

Mike called the Wolf Pack together to give them their orders along with Captain McLynn, Gunny MacGregor and the Wolverines.

"Listen up. It's all coming down to this. There's one last push coming to dislodge the Covenant from Voi. We're going lead element in first contact."

"What else is new?" Matt chimed in sarcastically.

"We're good to go, sir," Alissa added.

"Wolverines?"

"Try to keep up with us, sir," Gunny MacGregor declared which elicited a whoop from the Helljumpers.

It seemed like everyone was back to old times. Mike was happy for the confidence since he knew this was going to be a hard fight. They were going against an enemy with a hardened defensive perimeter and were expecting attack. It would take everything they had to pull it off.

"Mission template is pretty straight forward," Mike continued, finding it hard not to smile. "We move in through the tunnel on the Tsavo," Mike gestured to the structure visible less than two kilometers from their staging area. "That'll give us some cover to approach. We push through and into a factory complex system." He projected a holo map so all could see. "This becomes our entry point to a dry lake bed where we push off from there. We take out enough triple A and Navy comes in and does the rest. Any questions?"

There were none.

"All right, full ammo load out, strip all non-essential kit. We need to move fast. We step off in 20. I don't need to tell you how important this is people. Covvies can't activate whatever it is they've dug up. Let's get it done people."

There was no cheer at the end as this was no pep talk. The Spartans and ODSTs quietly went about their own preparations feeling the weight of the coming fight. Each were left to their own thoughts.

There was one more order of business before battle.

Mike had noticed Melanie was absent from the meeting and still hadn't reported in. He realized she likely knew Natalia was around and that was likely what caused the distance. Still, they both had a job to do so the air needed to be cleared. Mike looked around and could see her off in the distance standing with Danielle and the ODST team their former teammate had been working with. He stared hard at her until Melanie finally looked at him. She waited a bit, leaned in and said something in Dani's ear which caused the confident operator to smirk, and then casually ambled over.

"What's up?" Mike asked, not hiding his irritation. "You missed my O group. We're stepping off shortly."

Melanie shrugged. "Other priorities. Listen, you don't need a recon element for this mission, it's a straight-up fight. I'm going to go where I can be more useful." She turned and looked back towards Dani and her team.

"So that's the way it's going to be?" Mike asked not wanting to argue as he realized what she meant.

"That the way it's going to be," Melanie declared definitively, looking back at him defiantly, waiting for what he'd say.

"Okay, take care of yourself, Mel," Mike said releasing her in more than one way.

"You too, Michael," Melanie said to him, her tone and face softening. "And thanks for everything."

The two parted and Mike had a tinge of sadness but then the look on Natalia's face came to mind and he knew this was for the best. None of them may be alive by the end of the day so did it really matter? Yet, in his mind, Mike knew it did for even if he died he'd experienced something he thought he'd never have- love and a sense of peace. It was worth all of it, even if only for a short period of time.

"Yea, you take care of yourself Mel," Mike said to himself as he watched the woman who'd caused him much torment of late return to her new team, putting her arm playfully around Danielle's shoulder and suddenly, he was free and everything was clear. He looked up in the deep blue sky that was marred only by intermittent clouds and he had a peace within that defied understanding. Mike Nantz was ready for whatever the future held.

Less than thirty minutes later Mike watched a convoy of three Warthogs roll into a tunnel on the Tsavo Highway and disappear into the gapping steel and concrete structure, with Master Chief riding shotgun in the lead vehicle. His force was all in vehicles also as were as many of the Marines as they had transport for. The rest were following in a quick trot behind. The concept was they'd push through and into the Covenant defensive position with the last element in the advance holding each position in succession. It would allow them to push forward aggressively and still have a fall-back position.

The now-familiar voice of Commander Miranda Keyes came over the AREACOM Mike was monitoring. "Chief, the Prophet of Truth has found the Ark. Our only chance of stopping him is a surprise aerial assault. Clear this sector of Covenant anti-air defenses. Make a hole for the Admiral's ships. Good hunting. Keyes out."

Mike could imagine the Chief stoically taking it in. He would have liked to have the opportunity to talk more to the legendary Spartan. It seems like they shared many similarities. It would have been nice to just talk as fellow soldiers. That would need to wait for another day.

As Mike's packet pushed into the tunnel the sight of abandoned and destroyed vehicles littering the way was a testimony to the destruction wrought on this formerly prosperous city. Moving through the tunnel and into the open the lead elements of the Lone Wolf's team rolled up to a sprawling factory complex. The sound of small arms fire could be heard echoing through the structure of the Traxis Industries facility. That along with the freshly dead Covenant around the entrance attested to the efficiency of the Spartan II and his Elite partner.

"All right, let's exploit the opening the Chief has given us," Mike called out. "Let's head down the bank into the lake bed and get into this fight." He pointed Matt who was driving the lead Warthog to turn right and follow a bumpy path down from the factory and into what had once been a healthy lake teaming with aquatic life. The Covenant dig the last several weeks had drained it of all water leaving only the sun-bleached carcasses and bones of dead sea life. The specter was lost on those preparing to be engaged as Covenant forces could be seen moving rapidly from the dig site east of their location to stop the human attackers. Terrell opened fire with the LAAG on their Warthog shredding the small Covenant defensive force trying to hold a perimeter around the factory for help to arrive. But already the invaders defenses were crumbling as the sound of explosions and increased small arms fire emanated from the factory causing the small Covenant blocking for to choose who to fight. The Wolf Pack gave them no opportunity for choice taking the fight to them. With Matt driving aggressively and Mike firing at targets of opportunity out of the passenger side and Terrell's blazing fire the defenders broke and ran. A second Warthog driven by Maia with Adam in the passenger seat and Alissa on the Vulcan pushed off to the right of the lead 'hog sweeping everything aside. The transport vehicles carrying the ODST Wolverines pulled up to the lip of the lake bed and disgorged their eager passengers led by Gunny MacGregor. Charging down the dry dirt slop into the bottom of the bed the Helljumpers ruthlessly eliminated anything that was missed by the Spartans. In short order they'd broken the Covenant line forcing them to fall back in disarray at the same time the Master Chief's team had broken resistance in the factory. Retreating Covenant from both locations literally bumped into each other creating a target-rich environment for the UNSC forces looking for revenge. Grunts and Jackals were cut down like grass while Brutes sacrificed dozens to save themselves giving a brief pause in action.

"Consolidate, lets ensure we have a hold on this position," Mike called out to his team signalling a halt in the advance.

"But Wolf One, look, the Master Chief is already out of the factory and taking the fight to the Covvies. We need to get in there," Matt called out in frustration.

"Wait one, Wolf Six," Mike ordered, "they have their mission we have ours. We move in disciplined bounds." The Lone Wolf then changed to AREACOMM. "Reaper Actual, this is Wolf Pack. Are you prepared to hold this pos so we can move to the next bound, over."

"Roger that, Wolf Pack. We're good to go and have your back. The door in is secured. Happy hunting," the commander of the lead element of Marines confirmed as they pushed into position and began to set up to hold.

"You hear that Wolf Pack? Let's go!" Mike bellowed. Tapping Matt on the shoulder the aggressive assaulter needed no other encouragement. With a whoop he punched the accelerator of the Warthog and pressed forward.

The second Warthog and Wolverines on foot moved to get into the fight. Seeing the Master Chief and his team controlling things to the left he set a series of waypoints to the front and right, marking two Covenant AA guns.

"Here's our immediate objective. We push through the defensive screen and take out those two guns I've marked. That's our rally point. We'll take right, Hog 2 left, Wolverines blanket us. Let's envelope them. Full attack, lets roll over these bastards like a wave."

The rest needed no other prompting.

Pressing forward aggressively they were finally met with concentrated Covenant resistance. The invaders vigorously fought to hold their ground this time, not willing to cede anything. Two Ghost Rapid Assault Vehicles joined the Brute-led counter attack and stopped the human advance cold. Plasma splashes hit Mike's Warthog causing damage but Matt deftly moved the heavy vehicle out of the way while Terrell nimbly changed positions to bring fire to bear on the lead Ghost. He connected with a flurry of armor-piercing slugs causing it to explode. The other Covenant vehicle zoomed past and instead went after the OST Wolverines coming up behind the Spartan team. Matt was too focused on the Ghosts and too late heard the familiar whoosh of an incoming plasmas mortar round. The burly assaulter did try to get out of the way but the round from an approaching Wraith clipped the Warthog causing an explosion that flipped it into a triple spin. Terrell was thrown clear and Mike jumped out but Matt was pinned in the driver's seat. With Mike covering, the team's machine gunner went and pulled his stunned teammate out of the vehicle and to safety. While Matt was unhurt, he was groggy and didn't seem to have all his faculties so Terrell began to drag him to the rear of the assault. Immediately a pair of ODSTs from the Wolverines covered the withdrawal.

The Wraith had turned its attention to the remaining Warthog while the original Ghost joined by another was wreaking havoc on the ODSTs. The Covenant tank had to pull in closer to get a shorter shot and that made it vulnerable. Maia was able to skillfully maneuver out of the cone of fire of the tank while Mike began to pepper it with assault rifle fire. The Wraith pulled and turned trying to get a line on the Warthog or at least drop a round on the Spartan but each were able to annoyingly move easily before the slow-moving mortar rounds connected. In fact, twice the Spartans were able to move in such a way that Covenant troops were hit instead. The Brute driving could be heard to bellow in rage at the mistake. It was a last thing the shaggy Jiralhanae did as an ODST Wolverine hit the Wraith with a direct hit from a M41 SNPKR rocket launcher.

The tables now turned with the invader's armor gone. Alissa nailed one of the Ghosts with a stream of fire from the Warthog's LAAG and Mike took the other one out with a skillfully tossed grenade that was led perfectly sending the Grunt driver flying. Though there was a still a squad of Brutes between the Warthog, Mike and the Wolverines they were driven off. While this had been going on Marine forces along with the Master Chief had destroyed a series of Covenant AA guns. The mission was unfolding well thus far.

Resistance was broken for the moment but Mike could see the Covenant forces starting to regroup. Still, it was a successful effort with several AA guns destroyed and a firm foothold in the lake bed for the UNSC forces.

Maia drove up and nimbly hopped out of the Warthog.

"Nice driving," Mike commented, a happy note in his voice as he saw Matt coming back under his own steam.

"Just doing my job," the quiet teen said with a shrug though she did make the side V sign on the faceplate of her helmet which indicated a smile.

"All forces, hold up and consolidate for next phase of attack," Mike called out over the comms getting back to business. Despite everything going through his mind he couldn't help but be pleased with himself and the maturity he was showing as a leader. No longer was he the Lone Wolf, his legacy was now one of cool confidence under pressure. He switched the layers of radio communications to the general AREACOMM to get a sense of what was going on in the broader fight. Several times Natalia's voice came clearly through as he heard her giving reports and moving troops around. Pride swelled within him for the woman he loved. Part of him desperately wanted to say something to her but he knew he couldn't

A naval officer gave an update on what was happening overall. "All Brute cruisers are pulling back to Truth's ship. Winds inside the storm just hit 200 kilometers per hour. Energy cascades all over the artifact!"

Radio conversation died down a bit at that news as Covenant forces in the area seemed to be reorganizing before the naval element continued their reports.

"Admiral, a single Covenant ship has slipped in-system!" Commander Keyes noted with a sense of alarm

"Just one?" Lord Hood responded immediately. "What's its range and disposition?"

"Above the artifact, inside the orbital line. Seems to be holding steady."

"The attack proceeds as planned, commander," Hood declared. "We're not going to get another shot at Truth."

"Sir. Yes, sir," Commander Keyes answered. She switched to the command channel on the ground. "You heard the admiral, clear that last battery of guns and open that lane. They're coming in hot."

"Let's go people," Mike ordered. "One last push and we've got this."

The Arbiter and Master Chief were already in action as the rest of the Special Operations troops pushed out from their position. The Covenant forces that had appeared to be rallying now seemed content to give ground as if waiting for something. Other than the guards at the guns the rest of the invaders seemed to be pulling back towards the massive Forerunner artefact that was the center of attention. In short order there was only one target remaining in the lane the UNSC forces were opening up for the Navy. With the Wolf Pack and Master Chief all coming to bear the defenders were overwhelmed in under five minutes. The Master Chief then deftly tossed several grenades at the gun.

The last of the three-legged AA gun in the sector exploded with a blue flame, sending the upper section flying down the cliff as a plume of black smoke rose in the air. The Master Chief and the Arbiter moved to stand on the cliff side of the crater on the hill of the recently destroyed anti-aircraft emplacement. Mike and the Wolf Pack walk up to join them after eliminating the last Covenant resistance in the area. The rest of the alien defenders were in full retreat back to the massive structure. There was no bravado or congratulations, rather a sense of anticipation looking back at the bodies of dead Marines and ODSTs. Each knew though it was a price needed to be paid to get to this point.

Any moments of reflection were lost when the skies opened up and in shrieked multiple squadrons of Longsword fighters streaking overhead, followed closely by three UNSC Frigates which entered atmosphere, including the Forward Unto Dawn, Lord Hood's flagship. The Covenant fleet before them seemed caught off guard and merely hovered in place, not responding. The main target for the UNSC attack was the Forerunner Dreadnought below the invader's fleet at the center of The Artifact.

Lord Hood's distinct voice came over all comm channels. "All ships: fire at will!"

All the frigates engaged the Forerunner Dreadnought with their MAC guns. The capital ship's Magnetic Accelerator Cannons discharged in volleys, coating the Dreadnought's surface in explosions.

"Yea, that's the way!" Matt yelled out, pumping his fist in the air as a spontaneous cheer went up for those watching the scene.

As the smoke and dust from the full-on attack dissipated though it was clear the alien ship remains unscathed.

"What? No, that can't be!" Alissa moaned as the others stood in stunned silence at the absolute futility of the attack and the cost to launch it.

The Forerunner structure began to hum and light up as it started to open like a starfish. The Dreadnought began to lower into the structure and at the same point a narrow blue energy beam began to shoot out of it and up into the sky. Lightning from all the electric energy began to dance all over the surface of the structure several kilometers in diameter as the beam of light grew thicker and the hum intensified and expanded finally sending out a massive shockwave of pure energy. The beam spread throughout the area and everything in its wake soon was blacked out.

The Spartans of the Wolf Pack and Master Chief all had their energy shields drained of power. Each reflexively moved into a defensive position ready for a counter attack but it never came. It didn't need to. The Covenant had achieved their goal and didn't need to continue to fight in the conventional sense.

A large glowing sphere of blue light soon appeared from the structure, centered by pitch darkness, in the sky above the artifact. The vessels of both UNSC and Covenant fleets were drifting disorganized in the air, which seemed to indicate they'd lost navigational control showing the EMP-like energy surge had been air-born as well.

Comms came back on line and Lord Hood was heard to say with a cough, "What did Truth just do? Did he activate the rings?"

"No, sir. But he certainly did something," Commander Keyes was heard to reply.

The Arbiter roared angrily in frustration while Alissa swore as the Forerunner Dreadnought began to rise safely into the sphere in the air. Once that happened it was followed in close order by the rest of the Covenant fleet who seemed to have control restored. They made no effort and showed no interest in the nearby UNSC fleet instead turning their noses up and flying into the massive sphere of blue light. The human attackers now seemed insignificant.

The event was not lost on the human command element.

"Evac wounded and regroup," Lord Hood ordered. "Wherever Truth went-"

A naval officer cut him off. "Sir, new contact - slipping in!"

A damaged Covenant CCS-class Battlecruiser emerged from a flash slipspace opening in atmosphere just to the east of Voi, hurtling just over the heads of those watching causing many to involuntarily duck. Smoking with rancid fumes, the air was darkened and smog rose from it veiling the sun. The ship quickly lost altitude and crashed to the ground out of sight with a flash of light. For a few moments there was silence then a strange, deep rumbling like the sound of thousands of small feet scurrying could heard. It was as if an omen of ancient evil was in the air.

"What is it?" the Arbiter exclaimed, ready to fight. "More Brutes?"

The Master Chief dropped his helmeted head in reflection and replied, "Worse."