CHAPTER 15
0805 Hours, August 15, 2553 (Military Calendar)/ Dropship Foehammer, above plasma-waves of planet Raiek
Alex slowly picked himself up. Looking onward, he saw James was over the edge, dangling on the lip of the door, just barely able to hold on. With a cry of fury, Alex launched himself at Brent, tossing his assault rifle to the ground. Brent spun just before he hit the Commander and grabbed Alex in mid-air.
"Want some more?" Brent growled. With a flick of his wrist, he sent Alex careening back into the far wall, where he slumped to the ground and moaned.
Brent turned back to James and raised his hand up high. With a snap, the tentacles shot out, and slammed into James's visor, cracking the side. It was then that Bryce came zipping back up. He landed on the deck and watched as James fell out of the ship, helpless to stop himself. Quickly loading his gun, he fired it back at the Commander, and the hook latched onto his boot. Starting the reel, Bryce ducked a swing from the combat Flood, and shoved the monstrosity backwards. Brent stumbled, clumsy as a Flood form.
James was coming back up realatively quickly, but so was Brent. He leaped onto his feet, but Alex launched himself at Brent's back. Using his mighty strong grip, he pulled Brent over backwards. They both fell. Brent shot a tentacle out, which snapped Alex in a pinch. He was tossed up from the deck and spun in mid-air, trying to stabilize himself.
James pulled himself over the edge and thanked Bryce for saving him. After untying himself from the hook, he and Bryce faced Brent as Alex was tossed, yet again, to the ground.
The Commander grabbed one tentacle, and Bryce grabbed the other, trying to hold Brent still. But it was no use. He was much too strong, so the combat Flood smashed the two of them together, and they fell as well.
Brent leaped to the door leading to the cockpit, but Jarrett launched himself from it, and nailed Brent in the chest. As he flopped to the ground, Alex and Bryce raised their MA5B assault rifles and opened fire. Brent took the rounds in his chest. He screamed and stumbled backwards towards the open hatch.
Jarrett looked around from his place on the floor as he opened fire with his gun as well. James was nowhere to be seen.
When Alex and Bryce stopped to slam new clips into their weapons, James dropped from the roof of the Dropship and landed in front of Brent. He pulled the pin of a Fragmentation Grenade and rammed it down Brent's mismatched throat. Screeching in pain, Brent fell over the edge of the hatch, and the grenade went off while he was still in mid-air.
That was two Spartans gone...four left.
0810 Hours, August 15, 2553 (Military Calendar)/ Surface of Orean, Moon of planet Raiek
Captain Moores was terrified. There were Covenant warriors swarming the place. He didn't know if the equipment they'd brought along with them would be enough to combat the forces or not. Even thought Orean's fortress wasn't much of a fortress, it was enough that it had significant defenses.
Looking towards one of his Lieutenants, he waved him over. "Look, Lieutenant," the Captain said, shaking. "We have no choice but to go for a frontal assault. With only twelve Warthogs and three Scorpions, we'll be taken down quickly from any direction. I want the Warthogs to go in waves of four. Totaling in at three waves."
"Pemission to speak freely, sir?" Sellers asked.
"Granted," Moores muttered.
"Perhaps it would be wiser to send the 'Hogs in four waves of three. That way, we'll probably supply basically the same amount of fire, and be able to send more waves. Agree, sir?"
Captain Moores thought over this. "Agreed, Lieutenant. Good work." He placed his left hand to his chin, relaxing his hold on the M6D pistol in his right hand. "I want the Scorpions to be close enough to provide cover fire, but be out of sight. Keep them back in the trees."
Unlike Raiek's harsh conditions, Orean was completely different. It had a better atmosphere, so it was warm on the moon. Trees sprouted up everywhere with red and purple leaves. The entrance to the underground complex was jutting from the ground at a ninety degree angle. It had many guards posted in front of it, but the clearing it was in was perfect to attack in their open position. Several impromptu plasma shields were erected at three-foot intervals around the opening, along with many Jackals, but it was void of shields other than that.
"What about our snipers?" Sellers asked.
"They will trek up the hill around the sides. One team of five on the left, one team of five on the right. Finally, one team of the last four from the front, near the Scorpions. We have to make sure there is plenty of cover for the Warthogs to get through. If we get through with at least one wave before we run out, we'll be in good shape once Echo-415 shows up with more Warthogs and troops."
Moores had radioed the dropship earlier on that day, and he wanted to make sure that there was enough firepower to break into the complex and take it down with the Spartans' LOTUS bombs to blow it from the inside.
Keying in the command freq, Moores directed his orders to his team of Marines. They were going to bring down the fortress, with or without the help of the Spartans.
When Zaran's dropship had landed earlier, Jason swung out from underneath it and landed on the ground below. He slithered into a vent opening, and was gone in seconds. What he wanted was the Spartans when they came in. He planned to attack from the system of ventilation shafts, and take them all by surprise!
0846 Hours, August 15, 2553 (Military Calendar)/ Command Deck of Fortress Orean on moon of planet Raiek
Zaran burst into the command area on top of the entrance. It was a rather large room full of Elites and Jackals readying the automated Shades atop the room. They wanted to make sure that this fortress was well- guarded. There were several Grunts as well, but only high-ranking ones.
With one flick, he tossed the General into the hands of four able- bodied Howler warriors. They screeched aloud and held him steady. Although not the strongest of the Covenant, they were definitely able to hold a terrified human who was nearly numb with fear.
Zaran came up into the General's face, clicking his mandibles angrily. "So, human," he sneered angrily. The General looked up at the Elite, frightened beyond his own imagine. Looking left, he saw the Colonel dropped to the ground. He was still out cold.
"Tell me what you know about Moores and his troops. They weren't in the ship when we left, and I want to know where they have gone."
Standon gulped. The minute he revealed anything, he would be a traitor to the UNSC, and even if he escaped this place alive, Moores would never let him back in, if the Captain even survived the battle. He took a deep breath, and decided to become one of the biggest traitors in UNSC history.
"They left the ship with plans to attack the Fortress Orean. I believe they planned to station themselves outside and use a frontal assault. I overheard that from some of the Privates before they left the Colonel and I to rot to death in the ship. It's all I know."
Zaran frowned. He figured this human was telling the truth, but he wanted to at least try and press for more information. He lit the plasma sword attached to his wrist. With an angry face, he held it right next to the old General's quivering throat. "Very good, Standon. I am pleased enough to let you live a bit longer."
Standon relaxed, and the Howlers tightened their grip, feeling he might be trying to get them to let their guard down.
"But I want to know something else, General." He pressed the blade in enough to draw blood. "When will they attack?"
Trying to maintain regular breathing, Standon looked up at Zaran. "I have no idea when they are to attack the Fortress. All I know is that they're outside right now. I spotted them in the trees before we landed."
Zaran forced the blade in so far that it actually seemed to tickle Standon's skin. "You lie!" he screamed angrily. "Tell me all you know!"
Standon coughed violently against the plasma blade almost in his throat. He had already been gagged by his own forces, and now by the Covenant. He was beginning to get pretty sick of this gagging business. But if he wanted to escape alive, he would be forced to put up with it. For now. Once Zaran and he were alone, he planned to kill that son of a-
"Talk!" Zaran screamed.
Forcing back tears of pain, Standon struggled to keep a straight face. "I know nothing more than what I have told you!"
Zaran growled in frustration and withdrew his sword. Red blood spattered onto the ground. Zaran then switched off the sword and drew his plasma rifle. The glowing end of the weapon lit up the wrinkled features of the General's forty-seven year old face. Pressing the 'muzzle' against Standon's forehead, Zaran growled out a warning.
"I am not going to tolerate any more of this nonsense!" he howled. "Reveal to me when the humans plan to—"
He was interrupted by a Grunt running in, screaming his head off. "Excellency!" he cried when he got near. "Excelleny!"
Zaran whirled around, lowering his weapon. Standon relaxed again, and the Howlers held tightly. "What do you want, Grunt?" he bellowed.
"Excelleny, the humans are attacking outside the Fortress! We are trying to hold them off, but it seems like snipers are taking down some of our forces." Zaran looked out the window. It was true. Shades were being overturned as they spoke. It appeared as if several snipers were positioned all around the Fortress entrance, hidden from view, but dropping many Covenant warriors. Not a single human had died thus far.
Three Warthogs were parked not far from the structure. They fired their M41 light antiaircraft guns, or LAAGs. The 12.7X99mm armor-piercing bullets easily tore into the tiny Shade outposts, and the Ghost hover-sleds, like tissue paper.
Elites in the Ghosts roared and charged out. Only five of them remained, and they were easily destroyed as they came in by the Scorpions, which were firing from behind the trees, out of sight.
Zaran, from within the command deck, spun to the human General and knocked him easily to the ground, shoving the plasma rifle into his cheek. He was furious. "If we lose this battle, I will personally rip out your insides and hang them to dry!" He whirled to face his troops. "What are you waiting for? Order reinforcements!"
In his blind fury, Zaran never noticed the Colonel awaken. In an accidental and rather quick motion, he crushed the young soldier's head with his boot as crimson blood sprayed from underneath. "Oops," he muttered, emotionless.
Moores was trying to hold his position. However, it was not working as he'd planned. Even though the Ghosts outside had been ripped apart by the LAAGs' hail of bullet-fire, it seemed as if more of them were coming from under the base.
Several trapdoors in front of the base were obviously used to deploy Ghost vehicles, as well as Banshees. Larger, more elevatorlike doors were capable of putting out Wraith tanks, the Covenant version of a Scorpion, only much faster than a battle tank.
The Captain also had several soldiers armed with M19 SSM Jackhammers, standing several meters away from the snipers and Scorpions. Their job was to destroy any Wraiths that came out from the base.
Their efforts were met. Two Wraiths buzzed from their elevators and moved backwards. They remained motionless. Moores watched as energy collected on the end. With the loudest boom they had ever heard, a large fireball rocketed from the larger one and blasted into the air, where it seemed to hang at the apex of its journey.
Moores yelled into the command frequency. "Warthogs, retreat!" he cried. "Those fireballs will take all three of you out!"
The second Wraith fired another ball as well, which followed the first. The first ball seemed to snap from its suspension and come back towards the ground. With a cataclysmic slam, it erupted into a fiery explosion just inches in front of the Warthog sitting on the left.
A shockwave rolled over the one next to it, sending it tumbling into the third. The three 'Hogs exploded instantly, killing all the drivers and gunners. Moores knew now that the Covenant weren't messing around with this Fortress as they had with the one on Raiek. Now, they were serious.
But the Captain was serious as well. He held up his mic and spoke clearly into it. "Everyone! This is Captain Moores! Under my order...open fire." He waited for a minute for everyone to reload and take a breather.
Up on the left hilltop, the five soldiers took a sip from their canteens and put fresh clips into their sniper's rifles. After resting for several seconds, they re-aimed and zoomed in to the 2X scope. Once many more soldiers came out, it would be time to use the 10X scope. But twice zoomed was good enough for the time being.
On the right hilltop, one of the snipers heard the whine of engines. It was coming from overhead, and he looked to the heavens. To his horror and surprise, a Covenant Banshee flyer was swooping in overhead. He called to his teammated and pointed up. They all trained their sniper rifles up, and took aim.
"Sir," the lead sniper of the right hill called down to Moores. "We've got Covenant Banshees inbound! Orders? Over."
Moores' voice crackled back through the mic. He was unconcerned. "Take them down," he said without emotion. "I want two snipers concentrating on the Banshee and the rest of you keep on the Fortress. If the Banshee is destroyed, put one sniper on each hill on look-out. I'll try to get a Jackhammer up on each hill as fast as I can. Over."
"Aye, sir," the Colonel responded. "I'll relay that, sir. Over and out."
"Affirmative," the Captain said back. Moores turned to his Lieutenant. "Sellers," he said, "I want two more Warthogs out into the open. Get them to unleash all they've got and make sure they don't get taken down. After that, we only have seven left. Order the drivers to drive right for the Fortress after five minutes, and then make sure the gunners know to open fire the whole way. Perhaps the bullets will pierce some of the defenses."
"What is the purpose of them going on a suicide run, Captain?" the Lieutenant asked.
"I'm ordering the Launchers to hammer the place for as long as they can while the 'Hogs wait and fire. Then, once the Launchers are drained after firing every several second, the Warthogs will charge forward and try to scatter the surviving Covenant forces."
Sellers hesitated. "You're sending those men to their deaths, sir."
Captain Moores nodded quickly and started long and hard at the young Lieutenant. He had a phrase his mentor had taught him. "Lives well-spent, not wasted."
The Lieutenant nodded back and turned on his mic. The orders were to be given immediately.
0935 Hours, August 15, 2553 (Military Calendar)/ Docking bay of Fortress Orean on moon of planet Raiek
The last shipment of plasma to arrive from Raiek was a fortunate one for the UNSC forces. Because the cannon mounted underground on Orean didn't have enough plasma to power it to the max, they would have to do with what they had, only about one-third of the recommended amount of plasma to power the device.
A black-clad Spec Ops Elite was overseeing the shipment. He was only one rank below wearing the beautiful golden armor, and with this mission, perhaps he would be promoted.
Seated in the co-pilot's chair, Gantu 'Mandamee turned on his radio. He keyed in Zaran 'Gangolee's freq to report that they were about to dock with the Fortress, and that they should open the hatch behind the entrance. Zaran's voice came back through the mic.
"I assure you, Gantu," Zaron replied, "that you will be able to dock and unload the remainder of the plasma with no trouble."
Gantu opened his mandibles to talk. Just then, a large shockwave rolled over the freight ship as they moved into the vicinity of the Fortress.
Ignoring the blast, Gantu spoke into the mic again. "Thank you, sir," he mumbled and killed the link. He turned to the red-clad pilot of the craft and spoke directly to him. "Make sure we get into the docking bay without those filthy humans shooting us down." The Elite nodded and faced back to the control panel.
Gantu leaned back in his chair. Perhaps things were going his way after all.
The Spartans were dropped off several miles from the compound. Keyes had ordered them to secretly attack from behind, and use the LOTUS bombs to destroy the base, effectively eliminating the only military outpost on the planet.
James spoke to the pilot. "What will happen to Farr?"
The pilot responded quickly. "Don't worry about your friend. I'm going to take him back to the battle cruiser that's going to arrive soon and drop him off. There he can be properly treated for his injuries. I'll make sure nothing happens to him."
As Foehammer circled near the clear patch of forest where they were to be dropped off, the pilot spoke back to them. "I'm thinking you'd better keep a heads-up for the Covenant. According to my scanners, several Grunts, Jackals, and Elites are in the area. I think I'm even getting several Hunter signatures."
"Thanks," James responded. "We'll keep our eyes open."
The dropship landed easily where they needed to be. All the Spartans figured the mission would be a quick in-and-out. They were dead wrong.
Jarrett was first off, followed closely by Alex. Bryce was next, and the Commander came last. All four of them had MA5B assault rifles with full ammo and as many clips as they could carry along with M6D pistols stocked with ammo. The four of them scanned the area, waving their rifles around, trying to locate any enemies as Foehammer lifted off and blasted away. Foehammer was supposed to return to another battleship en route to Orean and pick up more Marines, who were to be dropped off onto the moon.
Also, the new battle cruiser on its way was supposed to bombard the moon with its extremely useful MAC guns. Those would destroy the base in several seconds.
0805 Hours, August 15, 2553 (Military Calendar)/ Dropship Foehammer, above plasma-waves of planet Raiek
Alex slowly picked himself up. Looking onward, he saw James was over the edge, dangling on the lip of the door, just barely able to hold on. With a cry of fury, Alex launched himself at Brent, tossing his assault rifle to the ground. Brent spun just before he hit the Commander and grabbed Alex in mid-air.
"Want some more?" Brent growled. With a flick of his wrist, he sent Alex careening back into the far wall, where he slumped to the ground and moaned.
Brent turned back to James and raised his hand up high. With a snap, the tentacles shot out, and slammed into James's visor, cracking the side. It was then that Bryce came zipping back up. He landed on the deck and watched as James fell out of the ship, helpless to stop himself. Quickly loading his gun, he fired it back at the Commander, and the hook latched onto his boot. Starting the reel, Bryce ducked a swing from the combat Flood, and shoved the monstrosity backwards. Brent stumbled, clumsy as a Flood form.
James was coming back up realatively quickly, but so was Brent. He leaped onto his feet, but Alex launched himself at Brent's back. Using his mighty strong grip, he pulled Brent over backwards. They both fell. Brent shot a tentacle out, which snapped Alex in a pinch. He was tossed up from the deck and spun in mid-air, trying to stabilize himself.
James pulled himself over the edge and thanked Bryce for saving him. After untying himself from the hook, he and Bryce faced Brent as Alex was tossed, yet again, to the ground.
The Commander grabbed one tentacle, and Bryce grabbed the other, trying to hold Brent still. But it was no use. He was much too strong, so the combat Flood smashed the two of them together, and they fell as well.
Brent leaped to the door leading to the cockpit, but Jarrett launched himself from it, and nailed Brent in the chest. As he flopped to the ground, Alex and Bryce raised their MA5B assault rifles and opened fire. Brent took the rounds in his chest. He screamed and stumbled backwards towards the open hatch.
Jarrett looked around from his place on the floor as he opened fire with his gun as well. James was nowhere to be seen.
When Alex and Bryce stopped to slam new clips into their weapons, James dropped from the roof of the Dropship and landed in front of Brent. He pulled the pin of a Fragmentation Grenade and rammed it down Brent's mismatched throat. Screeching in pain, Brent fell over the edge of the hatch, and the grenade went off while he was still in mid-air.
That was two Spartans gone...four left.
0810 Hours, August 15, 2553 (Military Calendar)/ Surface of Orean, Moon of planet Raiek
Captain Moores was terrified. There were Covenant warriors swarming the place. He didn't know if the equipment they'd brought along with them would be enough to combat the forces or not. Even thought Orean's fortress wasn't much of a fortress, it was enough that it had significant defenses.
Looking towards one of his Lieutenants, he waved him over. "Look, Lieutenant," the Captain said, shaking. "We have no choice but to go for a frontal assault. With only twelve Warthogs and three Scorpions, we'll be taken down quickly from any direction. I want the Warthogs to go in waves of four. Totaling in at three waves."
"Pemission to speak freely, sir?" Sellers asked.
"Granted," Moores muttered.
"Perhaps it would be wiser to send the 'Hogs in four waves of three. That way, we'll probably supply basically the same amount of fire, and be able to send more waves. Agree, sir?"
Captain Moores thought over this. "Agreed, Lieutenant. Good work." He placed his left hand to his chin, relaxing his hold on the M6D pistol in his right hand. "I want the Scorpions to be close enough to provide cover fire, but be out of sight. Keep them back in the trees."
Unlike Raiek's harsh conditions, Orean was completely different. It had a better atmosphere, so it was warm on the moon. Trees sprouted up everywhere with red and purple leaves. The entrance to the underground complex was jutting from the ground at a ninety degree angle. It had many guards posted in front of it, but the clearing it was in was perfect to attack in their open position. Several impromptu plasma shields were erected at three-foot intervals around the opening, along with many Jackals, but it was void of shields other than that.
"What about our snipers?" Sellers asked.
"They will trek up the hill around the sides. One team of five on the left, one team of five on the right. Finally, one team of the last four from the front, near the Scorpions. We have to make sure there is plenty of cover for the Warthogs to get through. If we get through with at least one wave before we run out, we'll be in good shape once Echo-415 shows up with more Warthogs and troops."
Moores had radioed the dropship earlier on that day, and he wanted to make sure that there was enough firepower to break into the complex and take it down with the Spartans' LOTUS bombs to blow it from the inside.
Keying in the command freq, Moores directed his orders to his team of Marines. They were going to bring down the fortress, with or without the help of the Spartans.
When Zaran's dropship had landed earlier, Jason swung out from underneath it and landed on the ground below. He slithered into a vent opening, and was gone in seconds. What he wanted was the Spartans when they came in. He planned to attack from the system of ventilation shafts, and take them all by surprise!
0846 Hours, August 15, 2553 (Military Calendar)/ Command Deck of Fortress Orean on moon of planet Raiek
Zaran burst into the command area on top of the entrance. It was a rather large room full of Elites and Jackals readying the automated Shades atop the room. They wanted to make sure that this fortress was well- guarded. There were several Grunts as well, but only high-ranking ones.
With one flick, he tossed the General into the hands of four able- bodied Howler warriors. They screeched aloud and held him steady. Although not the strongest of the Covenant, they were definitely able to hold a terrified human who was nearly numb with fear.
Zaran came up into the General's face, clicking his mandibles angrily. "So, human," he sneered angrily. The General looked up at the Elite, frightened beyond his own imagine. Looking left, he saw the Colonel dropped to the ground. He was still out cold.
"Tell me what you know about Moores and his troops. They weren't in the ship when we left, and I want to know where they have gone."
Standon gulped. The minute he revealed anything, he would be a traitor to the UNSC, and even if he escaped this place alive, Moores would never let him back in, if the Captain even survived the battle. He took a deep breath, and decided to become one of the biggest traitors in UNSC history.
"They left the ship with plans to attack the Fortress Orean. I believe they planned to station themselves outside and use a frontal assault. I overheard that from some of the Privates before they left the Colonel and I to rot to death in the ship. It's all I know."
Zaran frowned. He figured this human was telling the truth, but he wanted to at least try and press for more information. He lit the plasma sword attached to his wrist. With an angry face, he held it right next to the old General's quivering throat. "Very good, Standon. I am pleased enough to let you live a bit longer."
Standon relaxed, and the Howlers tightened their grip, feeling he might be trying to get them to let their guard down.
"But I want to know something else, General." He pressed the blade in enough to draw blood. "When will they attack?"
Trying to maintain regular breathing, Standon looked up at Zaran. "I have no idea when they are to attack the Fortress. All I know is that they're outside right now. I spotted them in the trees before we landed."
Zaran forced the blade in so far that it actually seemed to tickle Standon's skin. "You lie!" he screamed angrily. "Tell me all you know!"
Standon coughed violently against the plasma blade almost in his throat. He had already been gagged by his own forces, and now by the Covenant. He was beginning to get pretty sick of this gagging business. But if he wanted to escape alive, he would be forced to put up with it. For now. Once Zaran and he were alone, he planned to kill that son of a-
"Talk!" Zaran screamed.
Forcing back tears of pain, Standon struggled to keep a straight face. "I know nothing more than what I have told you!"
Zaran growled in frustration and withdrew his sword. Red blood spattered onto the ground. Zaran then switched off the sword and drew his plasma rifle. The glowing end of the weapon lit up the wrinkled features of the General's forty-seven year old face. Pressing the 'muzzle' against Standon's forehead, Zaran growled out a warning.
"I am not going to tolerate any more of this nonsense!" he howled. "Reveal to me when the humans plan to—"
He was interrupted by a Grunt running in, screaming his head off. "Excellency!" he cried when he got near. "Excelleny!"
Zaran whirled around, lowering his weapon. Standon relaxed again, and the Howlers held tightly. "What do you want, Grunt?" he bellowed.
"Excelleny, the humans are attacking outside the Fortress! We are trying to hold them off, but it seems like snipers are taking down some of our forces." Zaran looked out the window. It was true. Shades were being overturned as they spoke. It appeared as if several snipers were positioned all around the Fortress entrance, hidden from view, but dropping many Covenant warriors. Not a single human had died thus far.
Three Warthogs were parked not far from the structure. They fired their M41 light antiaircraft guns, or LAAGs. The 12.7X99mm armor-piercing bullets easily tore into the tiny Shade outposts, and the Ghost hover-sleds, like tissue paper.
Elites in the Ghosts roared and charged out. Only five of them remained, and they were easily destroyed as they came in by the Scorpions, which were firing from behind the trees, out of sight.
Zaran, from within the command deck, spun to the human General and knocked him easily to the ground, shoving the plasma rifle into his cheek. He was furious. "If we lose this battle, I will personally rip out your insides and hang them to dry!" He whirled to face his troops. "What are you waiting for? Order reinforcements!"
In his blind fury, Zaran never noticed the Colonel awaken. In an accidental and rather quick motion, he crushed the young soldier's head with his boot as crimson blood sprayed from underneath. "Oops," he muttered, emotionless.
Moores was trying to hold his position. However, it was not working as he'd planned. Even though the Ghosts outside had been ripped apart by the LAAGs' hail of bullet-fire, it seemed as if more of them were coming from under the base.
Several trapdoors in front of the base were obviously used to deploy Ghost vehicles, as well as Banshees. Larger, more elevatorlike doors were capable of putting out Wraith tanks, the Covenant version of a Scorpion, only much faster than a battle tank.
The Captain also had several soldiers armed with M19 SSM Jackhammers, standing several meters away from the snipers and Scorpions. Their job was to destroy any Wraiths that came out from the base.
Their efforts were met. Two Wraiths buzzed from their elevators and moved backwards. They remained motionless. Moores watched as energy collected on the end. With the loudest boom they had ever heard, a large fireball rocketed from the larger one and blasted into the air, where it seemed to hang at the apex of its journey.
Moores yelled into the command frequency. "Warthogs, retreat!" he cried. "Those fireballs will take all three of you out!"
The second Wraith fired another ball as well, which followed the first. The first ball seemed to snap from its suspension and come back towards the ground. With a cataclysmic slam, it erupted into a fiery explosion just inches in front of the Warthog sitting on the left.
A shockwave rolled over the one next to it, sending it tumbling into the third. The three 'Hogs exploded instantly, killing all the drivers and gunners. Moores knew now that the Covenant weren't messing around with this Fortress as they had with the one on Raiek. Now, they were serious.
But the Captain was serious as well. He held up his mic and spoke clearly into it. "Everyone! This is Captain Moores! Under my order...open fire." He waited for a minute for everyone to reload and take a breather.
Up on the left hilltop, the five soldiers took a sip from their canteens and put fresh clips into their sniper's rifles. After resting for several seconds, they re-aimed and zoomed in to the 2X scope. Once many more soldiers came out, it would be time to use the 10X scope. But twice zoomed was good enough for the time being.
On the right hilltop, one of the snipers heard the whine of engines. It was coming from overhead, and he looked to the heavens. To his horror and surprise, a Covenant Banshee flyer was swooping in overhead. He called to his teammated and pointed up. They all trained their sniper rifles up, and took aim.
"Sir," the lead sniper of the right hill called down to Moores. "We've got Covenant Banshees inbound! Orders? Over."
Moores' voice crackled back through the mic. He was unconcerned. "Take them down," he said without emotion. "I want two snipers concentrating on the Banshee and the rest of you keep on the Fortress. If the Banshee is destroyed, put one sniper on each hill on look-out. I'll try to get a Jackhammer up on each hill as fast as I can. Over."
"Aye, sir," the Colonel responded. "I'll relay that, sir. Over and out."
"Affirmative," the Captain said back. Moores turned to his Lieutenant. "Sellers," he said, "I want two more Warthogs out into the open. Get them to unleash all they've got and make sure they don't get taken down. After that, we only have seven left. Order the drivers to drive right for the Fortress after five minutes, and then make sure the gunners know to open fire the whole way. Perhaps the bullets will pierce some of the defenses."
"What is the purpose of them going on a suicide run, Captain?" the Lieutenant asked.
"I'm ordering the Launchers to hammer the place for as long as they can while the 'Hogs wait and fire. Then, once the Launchers are drained after firing every several second, the Warthogs will charge forward and try to scatter the surviving Covenant forces."
Sellers hesitated. "You're sending those men to their deaths, sir."
Captain Moores nodded quickly and started long and hard at the young Lieutenant. He had a phrase his mentor had taught him. "Lives well-spent, not wasted."
The Lieutenant nodded back and turned on his mic. The orders were to be given immediately.
0935 Hours, August 15, 2553 (Military Calendar)/ Docking bay of Fortress Orean on moon of planet Raiek
The last shipment of plasma to arrive from Raiek was a fortunate one for the UNSC forces. Because the cannon mounted underground on Orean didn't have enough plasma to power it to the max, they would have to do with what they had, only about one-third of the recommended amount of plasma to power the device.
A black-clad Spec Ops Elite was overseeing the shipment. He was only one rank below wearing the beautiful golden armor, and with this mission, perhaps he would be promoted.
Seated in the co-pilot's chair, Gantu 'Mandamee turned on his radio. He keyed in Zaran 'Gangolee's freq to report that they were about to dock with the Fortress, and that they should open the hatch behind the entrance. Zaran's voice came back through the mic.
"I assure you, Gantu," Zaron replied, "that you will be able to dock and unload the remainder of the plasma with no trouble."
Gantu opened his mandibles to talk. Just then, a large shockwave rolled over the freight ship as they moved into the vicinity of the Fortress.
Ignoring the blast, Gantu spoke into the mic again. "Thank you, sir," he mumbled and killed the link. He turned to the red-clad pilot of the craft and spoke directly to him. "Make sure we get into the docking bay without those filthy humans shooting us down." The Elite nodded and faced back to the control panel.
Gantu leaned back in his chair. Perhaps things were going his way after all.
The Spartans were dropped off several miles from the compound. Keyes had ordered them to secretly attack from behind, and use the LOTUS bombs to destroy the base, effectively eliminating the only military outpost on the planet.
James spoke to the pilot. "What will happen to Farr?"
The pilot responded quickly. "Don't worry about your friend. I'm going to take him back to the battle cruiser that's going to arrive soon and drop him off. There he can be properly treated for his injuries. I'll make sure nothing happens to him."
As Foehammer circled near the clear patch of forest where they were to be dropped off, the pilot spoke back to them. "I'm thinking you'd better keep a heads-up for the Covenant. According to my scanners, several Grunts, Jackals, and Elites are in the area. I think I'm even getting several Hunter signatures."
"Thanks," James responded. "We'll keep our eyes open."
The dropship landed easily where they needed to be. All the Spartans figured the mission would be a quick in-and-out. They were dead wrong.
Jarrett was first off, followed closely by Alex. Bryce was next, and the Commander came last. All four of them had MA5B assault rifles with full ammo and as many clips as they could carry along with M6D pistols stocked with ammo. The four of them scanned the area, waving their rifles around, trying to locate any enemies as Foehammer lifted off and blasted away. Foehammer was supposed to return to another battleship en route to Orean and pick up more Marines, who were to be dropped off onto the moon.
Also, the new battle cruiser on its way was supposed to bombard the moon with its extremely useful MAC guns. Those would destroy the base in several seconds.