Hello again, everyone, and welcome to my remastered Halo - MechWarrior/BattleTech crossover. Thank you for the reviews on the last chapter. I greatly appreciate the feedback that I got on that chapter. This chapter marks the end of the first story arc, and the next story arc will begin on Friday.
Just like last chapter, please read and review this chapter as well. My primary means of getting feedback are your reviews, as they alert me to inconsistencies that I need to fix, or ideas that I can use in the next chapter. Please do the same here. I would deeply appreciate it.
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Disclaimer: I do not own the Halo or MechWarrior/BattleTech crossovers. They are the respective properties and trademarks of Microsoft Game Studios, 343 Industries, Bungie, FASA Corporation, FASA Interactive, Catalyst Game Labs, Piranha Games Inc., etc. Any material original to the franchises belongs to their respective 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.
Reach
Asźod Territory
Near SinoViet/SLDF Ship Breaking Facility
A Few Minutes Prior
The Pelican gently rumbled along through the air at high speed, the airframe shuddering somewhat as it hit a patch of turbulence. In the Troop Bay of the VTOL, Six was getting ready in the event they were attacked by Covenant personnel while en route to the facility they were heading to. Nearby, he could see the other members of Noble Team, as well as two of the SLDF Elementals that were in the VTOL with him.
Jorge, who was sitting near the entrance, looked out over the region they were flying through: the Asźod Territory. From what Six could recall, the Asźod Territory was a mountainous, barren and mostly uninhabited region of Reach, characterized by rock formations, towering mountains, mesas and plateaus. Despite the difficult terrain, Man had, in his efforts to grow and expand, conquered this rough terrain, wrestling from nature enough space to build a Ship Breaking Facility here, along with some small outposts of civilization.
His thoughts were interrupted when Jorge said, "Never thought the day I would have to leave Reach would come. I always did remark that I would never leave Reach." The morose tone in his voice indicated that he didn't like what he was having to do.
"We'll come back, someday," Emile reassured the Spartan-II, nudging him in the shoulder. "I'm certain we'll win this battle." Looking at Kat, who was sitting next to the entrance to the Pelican's cockpit, he asked, "Are we winning this battle, Kat?"
"Looks like it, but we're paying a high price," Kat replied. "Most of the UNSC fleet, according to COM channels, has been wiped out, though the upgraded ships in the fleet are still in the fight. The SLDF's also arrived at Reach, and they're hammering the Covenant hard. I think we'll win this fight." Looking at Alex, she asked, "You think we'll win this fight?"
"Yes, but at great cost to the UNSC," Alex replied, a frown in his voice. "I do not like it when our ally suffers greatly in a battle like this. I am of the opinion that the SLDF will have to provide security until a fleet from Terra comes to reinforce Reach and defend it from further incursions."
"Sounds about right," Kat nodded. She was about to add something else when it happened.
The Pelican shuddered as something smashed into the front end of the vehicle, causing the VTOL to lurch violently to the right. Up in the cockpit, Carter let out a gasp of pain as plasma charred parts of his armor, while blood vessels in his lungs and nose popped, bleeding into those areas. Realizing the VTOL was about to turn over, he threw the controls to the left, stabilizing the VTOL and bringing it back on course.
He gasped again as pain threatened to overwhelm his senses. Get a hold of yourself, he growled, fighting through the pain with sheer force of will. Coughing some more, he looked at the sensors to see what had attacked them. Two Banshees were tailing the Pelican, firing their plasma weaponry.
"Noble Leader, seek immediate medical attention," he heard DOT say to him. When he didn't respond, she said, "Noble Leader, please respond." Ignoring her request, he focused on getting to their destination.
Behind him, Six was quickly moving towards the cockpit to check up on him, only to be stopped by plasma fire. In the back, Emile and the others moved quickly, with the former grabbing the SLDF Grenade Launcher that Six had brought along. Switching to an EMP grenade, he fired a shot out of the back.
It didn't hit the aircraft, as that would be impossible given the turbulence that the VTOL was experiencing, but it came close enough. with the grenade detonating right next to one of the Banshees. The detonation was powerful enough to send the affected Banshee into it's wingmate, with both Covenant ASF's flying into the ground, sending pieces of nanolaminate flying everywhere from the impact. Six, now that his path wasn't barred by plasma fire, continued forwards. "Commander," he called out, "are you alright?! Commander!"
In response, Six watched as Carter dropped his helmet onto the ground, before he let out a loud, grating cough. Blood splattered onto the view port for the Pelican, indicating just how severely injured he was. "Please respond, Sierra Two-Five-Nine," DOT said a moment later. "You are alarming me."
In response, Carter said calmly, but in a strained voice, "I'll be OK, DOT. Don't worry about me." Turning to Six and Alex, the latter having followed the former, he said, "Not sure how long she's gonna stay together from that last attack. Skies are getting jammed up anyways. Gotta get you and the others off here."
Turning to Alex, he said, "Alex, you've got command of Noble Team from here. I need you to get them to the Ship Breaking Facility at any cost. Get them and the package to the Autumn and get the hell out of here."
"We are not leaving you behind, Carter," Alex firmly stated. "I will have a pair of Donar strike craft escort you to-"
"Don't wanna hear it," Carter coughed out. "It's nice that you're looking out for me, but we can't spare anyone." Turning to the other members of Noble Team, he said, "Noble Team, go with them. It's a ground game now."
Holstering the SLDF Grenade Launcher, Emile made a fist-to-chest salute, with the others doing the same. "It's been an honor, sir," he told Carter.
"Likewise," Carter replied. "I'll do what I can to draw their fire." Turning to Six, he said, "Six, that AI chose you… She made the right choice." Behind them, Six nodded in agreement, before taking the AI Package off of his back. Holding it in both arms, he braced himself for a rough landing. Around him, the others also got into position, ready for a combat drop.
Once everyone was ready, Carter began the countdown, while spotting a small canyon that would serve as a good landing zone. "On my mark," he shouted, with the others ready to drop. Counting down with his fingers, he made a fist and shouted, "Mark!"
Just like that, the others immediately dropped out of the ailing Pelican, with each Spartan and Elemental plummeting towards the ground. Now that he was outside, Six could see why Carter had them drop out of the Pelican. Fire was streaming from one of the thrusters, and plasma scoring was present on large portions of it's chassis.
Moments later, his attention was occupied by the landing they were doing. As soon as he hit the canyon wall at the angle he was at, he felt the shields break, before the armor itself grated against the sandstone walls. There was a loud, scratching/grinding sound as titanium alloy scraped against comparatively soft sandstone, with rocks and dirt being dislodged from the canyon wall. Hitting the ground, Six tumbled to a stop, while the other Spartans had a similarly rough landing.
The Elementals, however, got off lucky. Six watched as what looked like thrusters fired, slowing the Elemental's descent to a much more sedate rate. Blue-white plumes of fire streamed out from thrusters on their backs, with nozzles quickly changing position in order to bring them to a smooth, and level, landing. Moments later, the four Elementals landed softly on the ground, with one rolling due to the fact that he nearly landed on the canyon wall.
"Everyone good," Alex called out.
"I'm good," Six replied. Checking the AI Matrix over, he was relieved to see that no damage had been inflicted to it.
"We're good here," Emile remarked, while Jorge quickly got up. Looking at the armor the Elementals wore, he said, "Built-in atmospheric thrusters? That's a pretty useful feature."
"All Nighthawk-L Power Armor variants, including the standard one, have thrusters built into it," Alex replied. "It is a standard feature. I just think of it as a nice bonus." Looking around, he said, "Still, we are not here for sight seeing. We have to get to the Autumn at all costs." Turning to Kat, he asked, "How far is the Autumn?"
"Not far," Kat replied, looking at a map of the area on her HUD. "There's a road near our position, along with some vehicles, mostly civilian ones, though. I doubt that they'll have enough carrying capacity for four Spartans and the same number of Elementals."
Alex was about to make his decision when he heard his MILCOM squeal. Keying it, he asked, "Star Commander Alex Conners here. Who is this?"
A moment later, he heard, "This is Dropkick 3-1, General Norman informed us of your mission. We're inbound on Garrot VTOL's with a SLDF APC, but we're seeing Covenant activity ahead of your AO. Recommend that you take them out."
"Aff, Dropkick. We will eliminate the Covenant stravag." Closing the MILCOM link, he said, "Move out." With that, they began moving out of the canyon.
After just a few meters of travel, they exited the canyon. Looking around, Alex noticed that they were standing at the edge of a cliff, probably 50m in height if he had to guess. Down below, he could see a dirt road, along with a number of rocks and desert brush. Off in the distance, he could see the joint UNSC/SLDF WarShip known as the Pillar of Autumn. Even from here, he could see the massive hulk, which was a comforting sight to him.
Unfortunately, there were a few complications. For one, he could see Covenant forces that were down on the ground. "Looks like a couple Elites, some Grunts, as well as a few Loyalist Skirmishers," he heard Ward observe. "My Thunderstroke IV is ready to go. Just say the word, sir."
"Engage at your discretion," Alex ordered. Looking up, he spotted Carter's Pelican, along with a few Banshees that were pursuing him. Keying his MILCOM, he asked, "You still with us, Carter?"
In response, Carter said, "Just stay low, let me draw the heat. You just deliver that Package."
"Aff," Alex replied. As soon as he said this, Ward fired off a shot. A loud, cracking sound echoed through the air as a ferrous slug cut through the air and into an Elite Major on the ground. The shields on the Elite's armor shattered, before the round tore through it's armor and into it's body. The blow was powerful enough that the Elite was bisected, with it's upper body flying backwards a few feet, while it's lower half was hammered into the ground.
That caught the Covenant forces off guard, with the others quickly turning to engage. Noble Team immediately capitalized on this moment of vulnerability, with Jorge roaring as his modified HMG fired. Six, calmly as ever, picked off enemy targets. One by one, the Covenant were whittled down, until, in just one minute, they were all gone.
"Contacts down," Six reported.
"Good," Alex replied. Keying his MILCOM, he said, "Gamma 1-1 to Dropkick 3-1. Area is clear. We are awaiting transport."
"Solid copy," came the reply. "ETA: 30 seconds."
Thirty seconds later, a single Garrot VTOL flew into view, it's engines roaring as it hauled over what appeared to be a wheeled vehicle. To Six, it resembled an APC from the 21st century, but with a number of notable modifications, which included two humped areas on the front and back that held a turret mount. The Garrot quickly descended to the ground, kissing it barely long enough to drop the vehicle before it took off once more. "What's that," Jorge asked.
"An APC," Alex replied. "Lightweight and fast, but well armored, and adequately armed. In other words, it'll get us to the Autumn."
As they walked towards the back, a pair of doors at the rear opened up, allowing the team to get inside. There was just barely enough room to fit everyone inside, with Alex moving towards the cockpit. Two SLDF personnel, a driver and a gunner were in the electronics filled cockpit, with both men turning to him. "We're ready on your mark, sir," one of the men, Albert according to his name-tag, reported.
"Take us to the Autumn," Alex ordered.
"Roger that," Albert replied. Turning to the controls, he said, "You might want to buckle in, sir. This is going to be a really bumpy ride." Nodding in agreement, Alex quickly entered the Troop Bay and buckled into a seat, just as the APC began to move.
Almost immediately, it was clear to the Spartans that the SLDF APC was superior in all aspects to it's UNSC counterparts. The XL Engine's hum began slightly more noticeable as the APC moved forwards, the electric motors in the wheels silently working to move the vehicle. Turning to the right, they began to drive over a nearby bridge, with the APC quickly beginning to accelerate to it's top speed of 140 km/h.
As soon as they crossed the nearby bridge, things began to escalate. Covenant deployment pods began to drop in from the sky, disgorging their contents into the open fields the APC was quickly moving through. To make matters worse, a Scarab dropped down from the sky as well. "Scarab," Emile shouted over the COM to the APC drivers. "Gun it!"
"Hold on," Albert shouted, gunning the throttle. In the back, Six felt himself being mashed into the acceleration chair he was in, no mean feat given that he was in some fairly heavy armor. The APC's electric motors whined in protest as the APC quickly accelerated to top speed. Dirt and rocks flew from the tire treads as the APC driver began maneuvering through the area with the skill of an Formula 1 driver.
At the same time, the gunner began using the weapons to hold off the enemy. Machine guns mounted on the turret fired on the Covenant ground infantry, while the twin Medium Pulse Lasers began firing at the Scarab. The Scarab was about to fire, only to be distracted when 70mm shells smashed into the back; moments later, Carter's Pelican flew overhead. "Get the Package out of there," Carter roared over the COM. "Remember your objective."
"Roger that," Albert replied, gunning the throttle. The vehicle quickly cut through the area, with the suspension and other handling components of the vehicle working overtime to prevent it from rolling over. The 10 tonne vehicle turned around a bend, smashing aside a civilian vehicle that was in the way as it powered through. Another Scarab dropped down from the sky, along with a few more Covenant deployment pods.
Weaving around them, Albert continued to drive the vehicle with the skill of a master, while the gunner continued firing on the Covenant ground forces, with the thumping of the twin machine guns vibrating throughout the chassis, with the Pulse Lasers firing silently. As they drove onward, he spotted something off in the distance: a bridge that led to another area in the region. Unfortunately, it appeared as though the Covenant had destroyed it, as the end on the far side slumped down into the canyon, while the end on the closest side was angled upwards.
"Everyone, hold on," he shouted. "We're about to jump through the air!" With that, Six and the others braced for a roller coaster of a ride, while Albert gunned the throttle, with the APC reaching top speed in just a few seconds. Moments later, they hit the impromptu ramp.
The APC flew into the air, with the vehicle soaring through the air towards the other side. Normally, the vehicle would've begun to tumble ass over teakettle, but thanks to the weight distribution of the APC, it instead gently nosed downwards, becoming level as soon as it hit the ground. Six felt the impact more than he heard it, with gravity attempting to crush him into the seat.
There was a loud CRUNCH as the APC's underside briefly ground into the dirt, with the vehicle nearly skidding out of control. It was only thanks to Albert's expert skill with the vehicle that it remained under control. Two polycrete barriers that were in the way literally disintegrated as the APC smashed through them, with the vehicle coming to a stop a few seconds later.
Despite the harsh landing, it was clear that everyone was OK. A moment later, Six heard Albert joke, "Thank you for choosing SLDF Transportation Services Ltd. We hope that you had a pleasant journey despite the harsh landing, and we are thrilled to have been of service." The joke was good enough that even Jorge, who was typically not very humorous, chuckled.
"We made it to the other side," Alex remarked. "Everyone, disembark. Albert, can you provide us with fire support?"
"Yes. We can do that. Just remember, we can't go everywhere. If there are caves up ahead that we can't move through, then you're on your own."
"Aff," Alex nodded. With that, he hit a nearby lever, with the doors to the APC's Troop Bay opening seconds later. Everyone quickly piled out, but not before Alex retrieved some weapons from a footlocker that was in the APC. "General Norman's gift package," he remarked. "Six, take this M42C. You will need it in close quarters." He promptly tossed the weapon to Six.
Grabbing the weapon, Six took a closer look at it. Aesthetically, he found that it was surprisingly similar to the MA5B that was issued to the UNSC Navy, but with some major differences. For one, the weapon didn't use a Projection Sight, but rather a rectangular sight that displayed ammunition, range and the aiming reticule. When he pulled the magazine out, he noticed gray colored blocks in the magazine.
He was about to ask what it was when Alberty, one of the Elementals, said, "The M42D uses caseless, 7mm APHE rounds. I take it you do not use caseless munitions."
"We do, but only in the M7 SMG," Six replied. "It's inaccurate at range, but in close quarters, it's a killing machine. I just didn't expect the SLDF to be using it in a rifle. Probably another indicator of how advanced the SLDF is."
"Correct. We tested that rifle against the MA5B. It is much more accurate, and is nearly twice as effective against shielded opponents. It also comes equipped with a Compact Grenade Launcher."
"That sounds nice."
"It is an efficient and lethal weapon," Alberty agreed. "Now, let us move. We cannot waste time chattering to each other." Nodding in agreement, Six moved up with the others.
The clearing they were in was inside of what appeared to be a security outpost that had been recently abandoned. A moment later, Carter said over the COM, "Noble, enemy forces blocking the road ahead." A moment later, his warning proved to be correct, as Alex spotted a collection of Grunts and Jackals. However, the Elites were absent, replaced instead by another foe. To him, it looked like a bipedal ape, only much larger and with armor plating on it's body.
When he saw it, he remembered what some of the Covenant defectors called them. Brutes, he thought. This will be fun. They are the only ones that can match an Elemental in raw strength, though they are not nearly as clever and inventive. Pulling out his M96IV, he said, "We have hostiles. Hoskins, you take Kat, Emile and Jorge with you. I will take Six, Alberty and Ward and move along the right side of the town. Quiaff?"
"Aff," came the reply. With that, the eight man squad split up into two fireteams, with one going left while the other went right. Once they were in position, Alex began counting down with his fingers, having explained to the others what they were going to do. Once he reached zero, they assaulted the Covenant.
Targeting a Brute, Six fired off the M42D that was in his arms. To his surprise, the rifle didn't generate as much recoil as the MA37, even though it matched the MA5B in terms of fire rate. It was also far more accurate, with the bullets fired remaining almost pin-point accurate.
What had his attention, however, was the effects that it had on the Brute he was firing on, who was practically unarmored. The APHE bullets, which were descended from the AP and HE rounds used in the early days of the SLDF, tore into the Brute with unmatched ferocity. The Brute's torso bulged, indicating that the rounds were detonating inside of it, before the massive alien fell to the ground, dead.
Six noted dispassionately that it only took four successful hits to kill a Brute, indicating just how powerful the rifle was. It will probably take double the rounds to terminate a shielded Elite, he thought, though the extra fire rate will ensure that is not a problem. Changing targets, he began firing on some Grunts, noting how it only took a pair of successful hits to kill them.
Nearby, the others also assaulted the Covenant in the area. Alex and the other Elementals proved to be extremely efficient, with their pulse laser weaponry tearing the Covenant forces apart, while Noble Team neutralized a few hostiles. They were about to advance when Emile shouted, "Got a Wraith! Southeast side!"
"I don't have any AT weapons," Jorge shouted.
Fortunately, he didn't have to worry. Just as the Wraith turned to engage them, the SLDF APC that had transported them to the area drove forwards. Every weapon on the APC opened fire, with bullets rattling the Covenant tank while pulse lasers cut through the thin polymer armor and into the nanolaminate hull. The Wraith fired back with a single shot, aiming directly at the vehicle.
While the APC was fast, there wasn't a lot of room for it to maneuver. As such, the vehicle took a direct hit from the plasma mortar. The vehicle was rocked on it's chassis, with the armor plating boiling off as the bolus impacted. "Shit," they heard Albert shout on the COM. "Fusion Engine's going critical! Initiating tactical ramming maneuver!"
"No," Alex shouted. "You can still make it! Just get out of there!"
"I'm sorry," Albert said over the COM. "Tell my wife and kids… that I love them very much." With that, the APC charged forwards, with an increasingly loud whine coming from where the Fusion Engine was located at.
"Get behind something," Alex shouted, with Noble and Gamma team quickly finding any cover that was suitable. As soon as they did, the APC smashed into the Wraith, it's nose crumpling as it rammed into the Covenant tank. This forced the Wraith against the southeast portion of the canyon wall.
As soon as both vehicles impacted the wall, the Fusion Engine on the APC went critical. The blast was incredibly powerful, with the APC and Wraith being ripped apart by a detonation that was the equivalent of a very powerful boiler explosion. The structures closest to the detonation were demolished by the blast, with pieces of titanium, polymers and polycrete being hurled into the air.
Further away, any structures in the area were severely damaged, but otherwise standing. Covenant that were still alive were sent flying through the air, screaming as they were hurled to their doom. Six, who had taken cover behind a large boulder, felt the boulder move from the force of the detonation, causing him to instinctive crouch further to the ground. He clutched the AI Matrix to his chest, using his entire body as a shield. When the blast faded, he and the others crept out of cover to see what had happened.
At the site of the blast, the two vehicles were completely gone, having been ripped apart by the detonation. Pieces of what used to be the APC were scattered through the area, along with bits of the Wraith. A small crater, around the size of a man, was located where the Fusion Engine used to be. Out of respect for the dead APC driver, Emile knelt onto the ground, bowing his head as he used his shotgun like a staff. The others also shared a moment of silence, with Alex whispering something under his breath after taking off his helmet.
A moment later, Hoskins said, "I never really got to know that freeborn, but I can say that he died like a trueborn. May his legacy live on in his family."
"Seyla," Alex nodded. Putting his helmet back on, he said, "He got us this far, and we will honor him by completing the mission. Move out people; we still have to reach the Autumn." Nodding in agreement, the others got up from their moment of silence before moving on.
The road they followed led inside what appeared to be a cave. The walls of the cave were a sandy color, with the light from the sky giving the material a red hue. As they moved through, Carter came in over the COM, "Noble, you've got a… situation." As soon as he said this, a Scarab came into view, with a gap in the cave's roof allowing it to aim at them.
"Mother…" Emile cursed. "We can get past it, sir!"
"No you can't," Carter replied. "Not without help."
"Commander, you don't have the firepower!""
"No, I don't, but they do." As soon as he said this, Emile spotted a pair of missiles smacking into the back of the Scarab, tearing off nanolaminate armor plating. Moments later, a pair of Igor Heavy VTOL's came into view, firing Large Pulse Laser weapons as well as what appeared to be missiles. The Scarab turned to fire on them, and it was here that another SLDF soldier made a sacrifice.
Realizing that the weapons were ineffective, one of the Igor's began to accelerate, moving as fast as possible towards the Scarab. Just before the vehicle would've impacted, the pilot ejected, with the cockpit flying up and away from the vehicle. The rest of the vehicle smashed into the Scarab, tearing a massive hole in it's side, while unbalancing the enemy BattleMech. Unable to compensate, the Scarab lost it's grip on the rocky material it was on, and plummeted to it's unseen doom. A loud explosion marked it's death moments later.
There was a moment of silence before Emile said, "Wow, that guy had guts, or rather has." He pointed at a parachute that was gently lowering the pilot of the VTOL down towards the ground. Looking ahead, he said, "There's a crevice to the east."
"Move out," Alex ordered. With that, the team continued to advance, weapons at the ready. As they moved through the cave, he heard a loud, buzzing sound. "What is that," he asked.
"Oh, shit," Jorge growled. "Buggers."
"Drones," Kat added. As soon as she did, a swarm of large, insectoid aliens flew into the cave, chittering loudly as they flew in. Spotting the team, they opened fire with what appeared to be Plasma Pistols.
"Take them out," Kat shouted.
"Fuck me," Hoskins snarled. "I really, really hate bugs."
"Get in line," Alex replied as the team opened fire. While the Drones had numbers, the superior training and equipment that the Spartans and Elementals had proved to be more than a match, with Drones falling out of the sky like flies. It wasn't long before the Drone population in this area was extinct.
As they advanced, they quickly came to the exit of the cave. As soon as they did, they were treated to the sight of a massive facility, which Alex realized was the SinoViet facility, now owned by the SLDF. The UNSC Commonwealth was present here, though it was clear that it was now being scrapped for salvage and spare parts, as the massive husk of the once proud UNSC WarShip was lying on the ground. Further on, he could see the UNSC/SLDF Pillar of Autumn, it's hull standing strong in the area.
Looking down, the team saw a heated battle going on between the Covenant, and the joint UNSC/SLDF forces that were defending the facility. While the Covenant had made some advances, it was clear that the joint forces were successfully defending the facility. Pulse lasers, particle beams, bullets and plasma bolts were being exchanged between both sides. Covenant forces that were out of cover were being quickly cut down, while those in cover were being flushed out with grenades and explosives.
As soon as they exited, he heard his MILCOM beep. Keying the device, he said, "This is Star Commander Alex Conners, to whom am I speaking?"
Moments later, he got his reply. "This is Captain Keyes of the Pillar of Autumn. We are tracking you, Noble and Gamma teams, but we've begun the countdown sequence. Proceed to dry dock Platform D. I'll be on it myself to receive the Package."
"We will be their, sir," Alex replied.
"You'd better be, soldier, because my countdown has no abort."
"Aff, sir," Turning to the others, he said, "We need to get to Dry Dock Platform D ASAP. That is the number one priority now." With that, they began to move down a rocky path that led down into the scrapyard. By the time they did, the Covenant forces had been neutralized, unable to effectively break through the UNSC/SLDF defenses.
Still, there were casualties, as Six could clearly see for himself. A UNSC Marine had been blown in half by an explosion, his organs splattered across the ground, while another was screaming as he held his own guts inside his stomach, even as his squad did their best to treat his injuries. Nearby, an SLDF Corpsman was working on a Marine that had lost his entire right arm. Blood coated the ground like a coat of paint where the limb used to be, and the Marine was fading in and out of consciousness. Once he'd been stabilized, a robotic stretcher wheeled over, with the Corpsman placing the Marine on the stretcher, before it began heading for a medical station nearby.
Spotting the incoming personnel, a UNSC Marine shouted, "Spartans! Over here!" Once they came over, he said, "You're a sight for sore eyes."
"What is the status of the defenses?," Alex asked.
"Holding for now," the Marine replied. "The Covenant tried to take this position a couple hours ago. We've managed to hold them back, but we'll lose the Shipyard if they mount another assault."
"I see," Alex nodded. "Move your forces towards the interior of the facility. If you force the Covenant into a bottleneck, they will be forced to waste lives in order to take the facility. Set up barricades and turrets at the entrances and ambush points further inside."
"Sounds like you've had experience with this kind of thing before."
"I have. That is why I what I have told you is an order, not a suggestion."
"Affirmative, sir," the Marine replied. Turning to the others, he shouted, "Get the wounded inside the facility. Move the barricades and turrets to the entrances of the facility. If we do that, we can hold out against another assault. Move it!"
Just like that, the Marines began to move as though their asses were on fire. Personnel scrambled everywhere to gather whatever ammunition and supplies were outside, while others moved the wounded into the facility, where more mobile medical stations were at. Due to the stress of time, however, the dead were left where they were.
As they moved inside, it was clear that the Covenant had attacked from multiple angles, but thanks to the sheer tenacity of the defenders, as well as some clever traps, they hadn't been able to breach the facility. As they moved on through, they spotted UNSC and SLDF Marines placing IED's, anti-personnel mines and other explosives at key points in the facility. As they moved on, Alex asked the Marine that linked up with them, "What is the status of the rest of the facility?"
"The Covenant's got this facility covered from all angles, but we've been beating them back. We've held all the major facilities, but we'll probably lose them in the next attack. The Covenant's been attacking in 30 minute intervals. We've probably got just ten minutes before they mount another assault."
"Are there reinforcements inbound?"
"We contacted General Norman for that. All his forces are tied up at the moment, but once he's got a task force free, he'll send them over immediately. I've got a feeling, though, that they'll end up finding a graveyard."
"We will see about that," Alex remarked. "The tactics I suggested should give you more breathing room. Also, if the building you are in is not vitally important to the defense of this facility, do not hold it. Retreat to a more strategic location."
"Got it." With that, they continued through the facility, moving quickly in order to get to Platform D. As they proceeded onward, Six could hear what he thought was weapons fire.
As they moved through, Keyes came in over the COM. "Keyes to Noble and Gamma Teams. We're running out of time here, gentlemen."
"We are almost at the Platform," Alex reassured the Captain. "Last push, men. We are almost there." With that, they reached Platform D.
Platform D was located just outside of the warehouse that the Spartans and Elementals had traveled through. There were a series of platforms at the edge of what appeared to be a cliff, with buildings built on the small bluff, as well as inside of the actual rock face itself. Looking to the right, Alex spotted an SLDF Naval Light Gauss Rifle. The platform it was mounted on was heavily reinforced, most likely to compensate for the increased power and recoil that SLDF Naval Gauss weapons had.
Further on in the distance, however, was the Pillar of Autumn itself. From this distance, Alex could tell that it was a massive, and strangely beautiful WarShip. Even from this distance, he could tell that the SLDF and UNSC had been extremely busy upgrading the WarShip with the limited amount of time that they had. From what he could tell, just from appearances, the Autumn's original armor plating had been replaced with Lamellor Ferro-Carbide armor, while numerous weapons systems had been added.
It was also clear that Keyes was doing what he could to assist in the defense of the facility. Naval Pulse Lasers were firing at Phantoms that were coming in, along with Naval PPC's. There were Naval Gauss Rifles, but they weren't in use right now. Probably does not want to destabilize the cliff, Alex thought. A reasonable concern. Looking at a nearby Marine, he asked, "SitRep?"
"We've rigged a Light N-Gauss Rifle up top," the Marine replied, "and the SLDF's done the same in other areas. We lose that and the other ones, the Autumn will have no covering fire. She'll never make orbit."
"Copy that," Alex replied. Looking around, he began to consider who he wanted on the Light N-Gauss Rifle. A moment later, he said, "Alberty, you will man the N-Gauss Rifle. Hoskins, go with him and provide cover fire in case the Covenant tries anything funny. The rest of you, mount up and prepare for an attack. I have every reason to think that the Covenant is about to attack, and soon."
"Copy that," Alberty replied. "I will prevent the Covenant stravag from being able to land even a single man on this Platform." With that, he began running for the control booth for the N-Gauss Rifle, with Hoskins in tow.
Keying his MILCOM, Alex said, "Captain Keyes, we are present and waiting."
"Copy Gamma," Keyes replied. "My Pelican's ready. Clear an LZ, and I'll meet you there."
After a few seconds, Alberty said, "I am in position. Weapon system ready. Hoskins is covering me. We are good to go."
"And not a moment too soon," Jorge added. "Incoming Phantoms!" As he said this, numerous Phantoms began to move in, each one loaded to the brim with enemy personnel.
"Take up positions," Alex roared, with the Spartans, the other Elementals and the Marines quickly getting into position. "Do not let them take this Platform. I hereby declare a Trial of Annihilation against all the Covenant that step onto this platform." As soon as he said that, it was clear that the Elementals were ready for war.
Just like that, the Covenant launched their assault. The Light N-Gauss Rifle moved on it's swivel, with the weapon aiming directly at one of the Phantoms. There was a loud KRATHOOM as the Light N-Gauss Rifle fired, sending a massive slug directly at the enemy VTOL. A massive ferrous slug tore into the Phantom, literally disintegrating it. The weapon quickly reloaded, before Alberty targeted another Phantom and fired again.
Despite his efforts, some Phantoms were getting through. Those that did, however, found themselves facing a coordinated and effective defense. Spotting an Elite, Alex fired his M96IV, shattering it's shields before cutting into it's chest with the laser weapon, killing it instantly. Nearby, Six gunned down an Elite with the M42D that he'd been given, noting again how much more powerful it was compared to the MA5B and MA37.
Up top, Jorge was providing suppressing fire with his HMG, roaring as he killed numerous Covenant that were foolish enough to stay out of cover. Emile, who was down below, was using the SLDF Shotgun he was loaned to devastating effect, often blasting apart numerous Covenant that got too close to him. Kat, who was with Alex, continued to pepper the enemy with weapons fire, while tossing a grenade every now and then.
Eventually, despite the massive amount of Covenant forces hurled at them, the Phantoms began to decline in numbers. After five minutes of intense fighting, the Covenant had been driven back, but not without cost. UNSC and SLDF Marines had been wounded, with some having been killed. As Kat did what she could for a disemboweled UNSC Marine, Alex said, "Gamma 1 to Keyes. We have cleared an LZ."
"On my way," Keyes replied.
With that handled, Alex switched frequencies. "Alberty, Hoskins, continue to provide cover fire. I will radio for an Anhur pickup for the two of you." Switching frequencies again, he said, "Star Commander Alex to any and all SLDF personnel. I need an Anhur pickup, stat. Over."
There was a few seconds of silence, before a voice said, "This is Kilo 3-1, I've received your MILCOM message. I am en route to your position. ETA: 10 mikes."
"Roger, Kilo 3-1." With that, he looked at Six and said, "We will board the Autumn once Keyes arrives. I must admit, Six, I had my doubts about you, but you have proven to be a valiant and honorable warrior. Clan Wolf could use someone like you."
"Thank you, sir," Six replied, "but I have to decline. The UNSC and ONI still need me. Even if I could accept, I wouldn't want split loyalties."
For a moment, Alex looked a little disappointed, though that faded a moment later. "I understand," he conceded. "Still, if you are discharged from both of those agencies, there will always be a place for you within my Clan. Now, it is time to meet the Captain and leave this planet for whatever mission Halsey has for us."
As they did so, they heard Keyes say, "This is Keyes, on hot approach to Platform Delta. Ready to take possession of the Package, Noble."
As they proceeded to the landing pad, the Pelican holding Captain Keyes quickly came in, landing on the pad moments later. Alex watched as a tall, middle aged man with black colored hair, wearing a white dress uniform walked off, hands clasped behind his back, while Marines filed out, weapons at the ready. The moment he saw those green colored eyes, Alex knew that Keyes was an experienced tactician and Captain, someone that could equal a Star Captain in his own Clan.
Walking forwards, Six presented Keyes with the AI Matrix. "Good to see you, Spartan, Elemental," Keyes nodded. "Catherine assured me that I could count on you two."
"Not just us," Six replied. "Our team helped out greatly. We wouldn't have made it without them."
"Agreed," Keyes nodded. "A wolf alone from his pack can't accomplish much, but a group working together can achieve many things. They and the Elementals will accompany us as well." Walking forwards, he gently took the AI Matrix into his hands, almost as though he was a father holding an infant child.
As he turned around, though, he stopped when he saw something in the stormy clouds overhead. Both his eyes widened slightly with horror when the shape of a CCS-class Battle Cruiser resolved itself. "Cruiser," he shouted, "adjusting heading for the Autumn. Gamma Two, I need fire on that Cruiser or we're not getting out of here! Do you copy?"
"Aff, sir," came the reply. "I will blast that stravag out of the sky."
As he, Alex, Ward, the Marines, and the rest of Noble Team got aboard the Pelican, Keyes said, "Bridge, this is the Captain. We have the Package. Returning to the Autumn now."
"Copy that," a Bridge officer replied.
Just as they did, a Phantom flew into view, fast enough that Alberty couldn't move the cannon quickly enough to engage. Plasma bolts shout out from the Phantom, hitting the second Pelican that had accompanied the one Keyes came in on, while the one holding Keyes shifted to avoid being hit. Six was nearly hurled out of the Pelican by the sudden motion, with the Spartan looking towards the Light N-Gauss Rifle.
At the Light N-Gauss Rifle, Alberty spotted the incoming attack. Somehow, he knew deep down who it was. Those Zealot freebirths, he realized. Well, if they want a fight, we will give them a fight. Turning to Hoskins, he said, "Incoming Zealots! Keep me covered while I gun down the Battle Cruiser."
"Aff," Hoskins replied. "Good thing I prepared the battlefield in advance." Just as he said this, four Elite Zealots, with one being a Field Marshal, jumped out of the Phantom, weapons at the ready, followed by Special Operations Grunts and what appeared to be an Engineer.
It was here that Hoskin's planning began to pay off. One of the Elites moved forwards, but unknowingly tripped an infrared laser tripwire. As soon as it did, there was a loud BOOOM as an anti-personnel mine detonated, shredding the Elite and two SpecOps Grunts nearby. The others, spotting the demise of their comrades, took cover and began firing back, with Hoskins firing his M96IV in return.
Alberty, knowing that time had been bought for him, began to make the most of it. Using the control panel, he used the spare power that he had been saving to accelerate the Rotation Collar for the Light N-Gauss Rifle, while boosting power to the magnetic coils in the actual weapon. With the weapon moving much faster, he could quickly engage enemy hostiles.
"Cruiser moving into position. I need it dead," Keyes shouted over the COM, a hint of worry in his voice as the Pelican he was on zoomed towards the Autumn. Nodding at that, Alberty began to fire, using the ammunition he had left to terminate any Phantoms moving in, though he made sure he had enough to engage the enemy WarShip. Behind him, Hoskins continued to valiantly hold off the attacking Zealots.
Despite the Phantom's best efforts, they weren't able to get close enough to assault the Light N-Gauss Rifle. Looking at the WarShip, he fired off a slug, only to snarl when it bounced off of the energy shield at the ventral projector. "Gauss Rifle won't crack those shields," Keyes said to him. "Steady, Elemental!"
"Hurry," Hoskins shouted. "I cannot hold them off much longer. I need assistance!" As he said this, Alberty could hear the sounds around him fading into silence, while the world seemed to slow down. At the same time, objects began to become sharper, more defined.
Normally, this would be cause for concern, but he knew what it was. Elemental Time, he thought. It was a phenomena that affected all SLDF and Clan Wolf Elementals, due to their use of nanotechnological and genetic augmentation. Whenever an Elemental entered a life-or-death scenario, the augmentations would accelerate the brain's processing speed, while boosting their reflexes and raw physical strength. The only other phenomena that was similar was the 'Spartan Time' that UNSC Spartans could enter. It was theorized that only a Spartan in 'Spartan Time' could match an Elemental in 'Elemental Time.'
As a result, Alberty knew exactly what to do. All the equations, strategies and outcomes had already been predicted in his head. Wait for it, he patiently whispered. The Covenant is about to learn that they are not the hunters. I am the hunter… and they are the prey.
As the ventral projector for the CCS-class Battle Cruiser powered up, he saw his chance: the energy shield protecting that area was retracted. "Fire now," Keyes roared. "Hit her in the gut!" As soon as he said this, Alberty mashed the firing stud, breaking it in the process.
While it was broken, the firing stud had fulfilled it's purpose, as the Light N-Gauss Rifle fired. An ovoid slug traveling at roughly 60 times the speed of sound ripped out of the muzzle of the weapon. A plasma trail formed as the air around the slug was superheated, with the slug flying through the air before smashing into the ventral projector of the weapon.
Smashing into the weapon system, the ovoid slug punched through the delicate components and into the harder nanolaminate hull. Ricocheting off, the slug traveled upwards, smashing more delicate components before embedding itself into the power conduits leading to the projector itself. All of this happened within a few milliseconds, with an explosion marking the destruction of the weapon itself.
"Good guns, Elemental," Keyes sighed, relieved that the Autumn had been saved. "All hands: brace for cast-off."
As the Autumn's engines powered up, Alberty, still under the influence of Elemental Time, moved out of the control cab for the Light N-Gauss Rifle to assist Hoskins, who was about to be overrun. Pulling a grenade out, he threw the device before grabbing Hoskins and hurling him backwards, with the man stopping just before he hit the railing. An EMP blast rang out, scrambling the weapon systems for the Zealots, and allowing Alberty to fire.
Within just a few seconds, the enemy forces were terminated. Laser beams severed limbs and pierced through armor. The Elite Field Marshal's head was decapitated by a laser beam, with blood spewing from the severed arteries in it's neck. Hoskins, having recovered, moved up and fired the Compact Grenade Launcher on his weapon, killing the remaining SpecOps Grunts. One Elite was left, and he was quickly terminated.
Looking around, Hoskins turned to Alberty, who was holding a part of his arm. "You are injured," he shouted.
"I am fine," Alberty replied. "The blast fractured my arm, which is no mean feat. I also think a few of my ribs are cracked, but that is not any major concern. What matters is that the Elites are dead, along with their Grunt counterparts. What of the Engineer?"
"The blast killed it, unfortunately."
"Nothing we could have done. Right now, we must await EVAC. An Anhur is on the way to get us out." With that, the Elementals decided to watch the Autumn's lauch.
Powerful, R7 thrust couplings moved the UNSC/SLDF WarShip out of it's mooring, with the ship moving to the right as it lifted off. At the same time, the Pelican holding Keyes and the others landed inside, with the hangar bay doors closing behind them. The Autumn continued to move, even as the enemy WarShip crashed nearby, landing near the front half of the late Long Night of Solace. Moments later, the powerful fusion thrusters in the back fired up, with the thrust couplings being detached as the WarShip sailed into space.
As it did so, Keyes said, "This is the Pillar of Autumn. We're away. And the Package is with us."
As the WarShip continued to climb, it zoomed past the SLDF and UNSC WarShips that were in the process of destroying the Covenant WarShip fleet. As it did so, it's heavily modified CORDEN Slipstream Space Drive activated, tearing a rift into Slipstream Space. As soon as the WarShip disappeared into the rift, the portal closed, leaving behind no evidence of it's existence. The only ones that pursued the WarShip were a handful of Covenant WarShips that escaped the melee and entered Slipstream Space as well.
What no one knew, was that the UNSC/SLDF-Covenant War was about to enter a new phase, one that would strengthen the SLDF and UNSC's resolve, and one that would shatter the Covenant's resolve.