Hello again, everyone, and welcome back to my Halo - MechWarrior/BattleTech crossover. Thank you all for your support. I greatly appreciate it and any feedback that I can get.
This chapter is a little different from the others. This time, it focuses on the members of Xhov's insurrection. I think you will like this chapter, and greatly so. It's a nice change of pace.
Also, I've got a new crossover going. Since the category for it doesn't exist, I placed it in the Mass Effect fanfiction category. It's a crossover between Escape from Tarkov and Mass Effect. I'm new to Tarkov, so any feedback from anyone that's played it will be welcomed, in addition to the normal feedback that I get. Either way, thank you for your support, and I hope to see you in future chapters.
As always, leave a review and enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own the Halo or MechWarrior/BattleTech franchises. They are the respective properties and trademarks of Microsoft Game Studios, 343 Industries, Bungie, FASA Corporation, FASA Interactive, Catalyst Game Labs, Piranha Games Inc., etc. Any material original to the franchises belongs to it's respective developers and publishers. Any material not original to the franchises is of my own invention. I do not own any music listed inn each chapter. Any music listed belongs to it's original composers and/or artists.
SLS Farragut
Approaching Tau Ceti
September 21st, 2552
Looking at the readouts, Anders could feel his heart beginning to pound in his chest as they got closer to the location they would be holding position at. Sweat was starting to bead on his forehead, an indicator of how nervous he was, though the fact that he didn't shake for a moment was a true display of his discipline and determination. Get a hold of yourself, he told himself as he clenched a hand before relaxing it. You've been in worse situations than before. You can do this.
Looking at the flight path they'd plotted, he looked at where Tau Ceti IV, the sole planet in the system, was at. From this distance, it was merely a pale point of light, though it was getting larger since they were traveling at FTL velocities. Still, within a few minutes, or a few hours depending on what happened, Tau Ceti IV was going to be uninhabitable.
This is going to be big, he thought as the planet began to get larger and larger. Tau Ceti IV won't survive, and we'll have to maintain our distance from the blast. Fortunately, our FTL module will do the trick.
His thoughts were interrupted when Poseidon said, "Captain, we are approaching Tau Ceti IV. According to Xhov, there are agents of his onboard the station. They are going to plant the bomb as close as they can to the pinch fusion reactors, then detonate it on a timer. Should I inform 'Qualomee to load the bomb onto his Phantom?"
"Yes," Anders replied. "Do whatever is necessary, Poseidon." As the AI went to work, Anders reached into his uniform and pulled something out.
If one had been looking, they would've seen Anders holding a small picture frame, one that comfortably fit into the inside pockets of his uniform. The picture was that of a woman with dark brown hair, bright green eyes and light brown skin. In her arms was a young boy, no more than a year old.
When Anders saw the image, his eyes teared up for a moment before he blinked the tears away. I miss you, he thought as he stroked the picture with a couple fingers. The heart does truly grow fonder. When we get back, I will be retiring from the SLDF to spend the rest of my days with you. I will return soon, Fiona.
Holding back a sniffle, he slipped the picture back into that special inside pocket in his uniform. Rolling his neck, he focused back onto his work. Now, he needed to do violence to the Covenant, so that he would have a chance, if only a chance, to return home to his family.
. . .
'Qualomee had to admit, working with the SLDF was probably the wisest choice that he had made in his entire life. Sitting in the cockpit of the Phantom, he could feel the NOVA bomb being loaded, as the VTOL rocked gently as the Covenant Cargo Crate that Xhov had lent to the operation was placed underneath the VTOL. Once he got a green light, he engaged the gravity clamps, ensuring that the bomb wouldn't be dislodged from underneath the Phantom during normal flight.
All my life, I thought that all Humans were the same, he thought. I thought they were barbarians, heathens, heretics, savages unworthy of the light of the Forerunners. Now, I can't help but be happy to have been proven wrong.
Ironically, he knew that the SLDF was the greatest factor in opening his eyes. When he learned that they were from another universe entirely, he thought they were joking. Colonel O'Donnell decided, however, to take a great risk and show him that none of the commanding personnel in the SLDF were joking.
I couldn't believe that they were telling the truth, he thought as he reminisced on his reaction to learning that O'Donnell wasn't joking. But the more I think about it, the more sense it makes. They've come from a world where it seems that only their species exist, but it's a world where all their achievements were made by their own efforts, not by copying what some other species made before they came to exist. It makes me wonder if we would've been better off without the Forerunner's technology on our worlds.
It was a head scratcher, and a good one at that. He'd pondered the philosophical and technological implications of that thought for some time, long enough that he had forgotten to get food at one point, much to his chagrin. All thoughts were dispelled, however, when he heard the BattleNet receiver inside the Phantom ping. Answering, he said, "What is it?"
"You're go for Operation: FIRST STRIKE," Captain Anders informed him. "Remember, 'Qualomee, you are not to tell the Covenant the truth of what is going on. If they ask you what the cargo is, inform them that the cargo consists of spare parts and equipment for the pinch fusion reactors. Understood?"
"Fully, Ship Master," 'Qualomee replied.
"Good. Now, just so you know, you're not the only one that'll be assisting us in this operation. There are numerous members of Xhov's insurrection onboard the Unyielding Heirophant. When you arrive at the station, his team, posing as cargo handlers, will transport the bomb to whichever lobe that the crate is assigned to. Once they are there, they will prime the bomb and head back to your Phantom. If your Phantom is unavailable, they'll take one of their own and exfill. Anders out."
With those words, the BattleNet receiver went silent. I am alone now, 'Qualomee thought as he prepared to guide the Phantom out. I decided, long ago at Halo, that I had to betray my Covenant to save an innocent species. If I have to destroy this station in order to do so, then so be it. May the gods have mercy on my soul.
With that, he guided the Phantom out of the Farragut and into the coldness of deep space. With the bomb secured firmly to the Phantom, he guided the ship out, the impulse engines moving the Phantom through space and time faster than it's UNSC counterparts. Once the ship was out in space, he plotted a course that would allow him to swing around the planet, allowing him to establish line of sight with the Unyielding Heirophant. With his plot charted, he leaned back in the chair and waited.
After around thirty minutes of silence, during which he got himself something to drink, he heard a chiming sound from the console, indicating that the Phantom was about to complete it's maneuver around the planet. Returning to the console, he put his drink down and looked at the viewscreen.
As soon as he did, the Unyielding Hierophant came into view. The space station was massive, far larger than any that 'Qualomee had seen before, aside from Halo that is. The space station, according to the Humans he had talked with, looked like a pair of barbells, only with the disk weights replaced by teardrop shaped lobes. In the center was a rotating ring where, thanks to his sharp eyesight and the camera feed, he could see cruisers and carriers docked at.
All around, though, he could see well over five hundred Covenant WarShips in the area, ranging in size from cruisers and carriers, to small corvettes and scout ships. In between all of that were thousands, if not millions, of Seraph fighters, Banshees and what looked like Engineer operated vessels. Either way, this was a massive fleet, one that was only matched by the ones orbiting High Charity, the Capitol of the Covenant Hegemony.
By the gods, 'Qualomee thought, his mandibles slackening as he looked at the fleet itself. This space station is enormous, as well as the fleet accompanying it. If they were to head to the Human homeworld, the Humans wouldn't stand a chance. Their defenses would be boiled away, leaving the planet completely helpless.
His fist clenched as anger rose in his heart. Such cowardice and brutality, to obliterate your enemy in a manner like this. This kind of sight makes me know for certain that siding with Xhov after my interrogation by the new Humans was the right idea.
As the Phantom drew closer, he heard the BattleNet receiver chiming. Moments later, a deep, but oddly feminine voice said, "Unidentified Phantom, this is the Unyielding Heirophant. Identify yourself or you will be targeted by our defenses."
Clearing his throat, 'Qualomee swallowed his nervousness and spoke clearly and firmly. "This is Major 'Qualomee. I am transporting supplies and parts for the reactors on orders from Supreme Commander Thel 'Vadamee. I am requesting clearance to land inside the Unyielding Heirophant."
"We have not been informed of this arrangement."
"He is currently occupied by other affairs. He informed me that he would be unable to contact you, so he had me bring proof. Transmitting information now." The 'proof' in question was a series of reports that Cortana had created, using some of the data onboard the Truth and Reconciliation. It was an extremely clever forgery, one that 'Qualomee deeply hoped would survive scrutiny.
Fortunately, it seemed as though fate was smiling on him, as moments later, he heard, "Thank you for transmitting this information. Forgive me if I am cautious. This is as close to the Human homeworld as we have come. It would not fare well if we were discovered this close. You are cleared to land inside of the repair and refit bay inside of the port lobe. May we mind the path…"
"So that we may all participate in the Great Journey," 'Qualomee finished. As the BattleNet channel closed, he frowned. Words that felt and tasted sweet before, now tasted sour and bitter to him. I hate saying those words now, since I know the truth, he thought. Still, the fact that he had to use such terminology was… uncomfortable, to say the least. Still, he was on a mission, and he would do his best to complete it.
With the authorization to land came a flight path that would take him into the Unyielding Heirophant, or rather it's port lobe. As the Phantom drew closer to the massive space station, a series of hangar bay doors opened on a part of it, allowing him to fly the Phantom inside of the massive space station. The light of Tau Ceti soon disappeared as he flew inside, with the interior of the refit/repair bay now being lit only by artificial lighting.
As he maneuvered into position, he felt a slight jostle as docking clamps latched onto the Phantom. Looking at environmental readouts, he could tell that there was air outside, and breathable air at that too. Getting up, he looked at his hands, noting that they were perfectly still, despite his anxiety. It must be that Quil'Cha that I drank, or I must be getting used to this kind of thing.
His thoughts were interrupted when the Phantom's passenger bay doors opened, allowing him to step outside. Looking around, he could get a good glimpse of the Unyielding Heirophant's internal scale. Here, he could see the repair/refit bay doors curving out of sight, with the 'horizon' being roughly 300 meters away. Everywhere he looked, he could see Unggoy Workers moving barrels of sloshing liquid, and Huragok tending to repairs and improvements.
Stepping outside, he walked onto a catwalk that had been extended, just in time to see a number of T'Vao, Kig'Yar and Unggoy coming to the Phantom. One of the T'Vao, a tall, lanky one with green armor, advanced towards him. "I take it your journey was safe?" he asked. Moments later, he showed 'Qualomee his pendant in a way that only the two could see.
"Yes," 'Qualomee replied.
"Good," the T'Vao beamed. "Mind if I talk to you?" When the Sangheili nodded, the two moved to a more private area before the T'Vao whispered, "Orlesk 'Bhirn. When I heard that you had defected to the Humans, I was skeptical. Now I can see that it is true." Looking at the crate, he asked, "So, is that what I think it is?"
"Yes," 'Qualomee replied. "The most powerful weapon the Humans have yet devised. I take it you and the others will transport it to the reactor chambers, yes?"
"Correct. Xhov's had his eyes on the Hierophant for a long time, but he wasn't able to do anything about it until recently. With this device, we will ensure that the Covenant does not destroy the species that the gods have ordained as their successors. I only wish I'd seen the truth sooner, and with my own eyes, then I wouldn't have so much blood on my hands."
"Our assistance will ensure that the gods forgive us. I'm more worried that the Covenant will learn of what we are doing, and stop us."
"I agree. They're getting paranoid nowadays, always lookin' over their shoulders. If you ask me, I -"
"Excuse me," a deep, but distinctly feminine voice, said to them. "What do you two think you are doing?" Turning around, 'Qualomee was surprised to see a female Sangheili in Zealot armor looking at them.
By Sangheili standards, this female was very attractive. Her bust was the right size and proportions, though it was hidden by her armor, her hips were the right width, and she was the perfect height; in fact, all her proportions were near-perfect. Her green eyes gazed at 'Qualomee, promising pleasure and gratification, but there was a cold, hard intelligence in her eyes that promised agony and retribution should she be scorned or betrayed. It was clear that this was the Station Mistress of the Unyielding Heirophant. If that wasn't immediately clear upon seeing her, the Ultras standing to attention next to her was evidence enough.
"We were having a private discussion with each other," 'Qualomee replied. "I was congratulating him on his punctuality."
"I see," the Zealot replied. Turning her gaze towards Orlesk, she said, "Orlesk has a reputation for being punctual. I do not see any harm in sincere flattery." Turning towards 'Qualomee, she said, "As for you, I have some questions for you to answer. Once you do, you are free to leave on your Phantom."
"I understand," 'Qualomee replied. No doubt, she was wondering Supreme Commander 'Vadamee would send him on an unscheduled courier task. I hope she believes the cover story Cortana had me memorize mere hours ago, he thought. "I will answer your questions as best as I can."
"Good," the Zealot smiled, motioning her guards to leave. Walking closer, she said, "Perhaps if you answer them well, I can give you something… special." With that, she motioned 'Qualomee to follow him, a certain… look in her eyes.
Ugh, Orlesk thought as the Zealot walked away with 'Qualomee. Power hungry slut. I know what she means by 'something special.' Only a handful of people, Orlesk included, knew that Silena 'Volamee was looking for a mate. Her body was attractive enough that most Sangheili Males would fight for the privilege to mate with her. Fortunately, she had abstained from that kind of practice, as she wanted to mate with a worthy male once the war was over.
Still, that didn't mean that she would pleasure herself with a male, without actually going through the biological act of sexual intercourse. It was a practice that made Orlesk sick, as he had spied on her without her know it at one point. I can't wait to blow her ass into nonexistence, he thought as he moved towards the cargo crate holding the 'special cargo', as Xhov had put it.
Outwardly, it didn't look any different from thousands of cargo crates that arrived at and departed from the Unyielding Heirophant. Internally, though, he knew that it held a bomb that was so powerful, it would make the excavator beam on the late Long Night of Solace look like a popgun. Well, I hope Xhov knows what he's doing. He even promised us a place in the SLDF, should we show we can do the job. I'm currently assigned to cargo duty, but being a soldier in the SLDF is my my taste. I was a warrior before I became a cargo peddler. I want to be out there, fighting for what's right.
Looking around, he noticed that the others were gawking at the cargo crate attached to 'Qualomee's Phantom. "Well, what are you standing around for?" he said to the others. "Let's move this thing to the reactor chambers. I don't want to be shocked by Silena's guards if they learned we failed to do our job. Make it quick! Chop, chop!"
With that, the personnel assigned to him exploded into action, using the equipment they were qualified for to remove the crate and move it to a more appropriate location. A pair of levitating cargo haulers quickly appeared in the area, with Orlesk moving inside of the Phantom to disengage the cargo. Once both hauler's gravity field arms were in position and engaged, he hit the release glyph, allowing the haulers to begin taking the cargo where it needed to go: the reactor core of the lobe they were in.
To do so, they would have to move through the commons area and into a cargo area that led to the reactor core. Given how important the pinch fusion reactors were, the crate would have to go through stringent scanning in order to be allowed inside. Hopefully, that shielding tech that Xhov put into the cargo container does it's job, he thought as they began moving out.
Moving through another hangar bay door in the interior wall of the lobe, they entered the main portion of the lobe's interior: the commons area. Unlike Human space stations, which didn't have lots of room and were built with efficiency in mind, the Covenant, due to their greater resources and different mindset, had other ideas. As such, the area they entered was far larger, and more grand, than most space stations.
The interior of this lobe was massive, large enough that it could boggle the mind with how large it was. The interior of the lobe was covered with walkways, ground pathways, buildings, spires, parks and other things that one would see in a city. There were no ground pathways for vehicles, as the primary means of transport was via small transports or Banshees that were inside the lobe. Given that the interior was populated with landing pads, it was a logical choice.
For Orlesk, despite being here for quite some time, he still hadn't gotten used to the unusual architecture of the lobe's interior, as he had a brief moment of vertigo before he managed to get a grip on himself. "You OK?" one of his workers asked.
"I'm fine," Orlesk replied. "Just a little disoriented. No matter how many times I work here, I still get vertigo inside of this place."
"You'll get used to it," his comrade reassured him. "I'm certain of it."
"I hope so." Internally, however, Orlesk knew that he wouldn't have to get used to the place, as it would soon be free floating atoms and molecules. Until they were out of here, though, he had to maintain the illusion that he was a loyal member of the Covenant.
As they traveled through the interior of the lobe, he spotted the location that they needed to go to: a large landing pad that could descend into the reactor core. Built into the shaft walls were scanners that could pierce through most shielding tech. Xhov, however, had found some shielding tech that might survive the scanning process, allowing the bomb to get inside without being detected almost immediately.
As for who tended to the reactor core lift, it rotated between handlers. Unggoy were never allowed to work there, as they didn't have the education nor attentiveness to handle such a high risk job. As such, the operation tended to rotate between the Kig'Yar, Sangheili and Jiralhanae. Depending on who you asked, this was either a good thing, or a bad thing.
Today, it appeared as though the Jiralhanae had the short end of the stick, as they were milling about, keeping a close eye on the reactor core lift. Spotting the cargo carriers coming over, their leader, a massive Brute with black colored fur and dark brown eyes, marched over to Orlesk and the others. "Why are you here?" he growled in a voice that indicated he had little patience for drama or nonsense.
"Parts and equipment for the reactors," Orlesk explained.
"I see. We'll have to scan it to make sure that it is what you say it is."
"Go ahead. I'm not hiding anything." Internally, however, Orlesk was beginning to sweat. His nervousness began to increase when they began to scan the container, putting it squarely in the center of the lift before letting the scanners have at the crate.
For a moment, when he heard an alarm, he thought that it was all over, and that he was about to die. "What's going on?" the Chieftain growled. As the chieftain growled, Orlesk prepared himself to fight.
Fate, however, conspired with him, as he heard, much to his surprise, a female Sangheili say, "It appears to be a scanner malfunction. I've done a personal scan of the container myself. There is nothing illicit inside of it. It can pass through freely."
"Are you certain?"
"Yes."
There was silence, then, "Good. Get it inside and stop wasting my time."
Orlesk felt his heart slowly calm down as he took a deep breath. As the crate, and he, descended into the reactor core, he was surprised to see a Sangheili wearing a Jump Pack descending alongside him. Landing on the cargo container, she asked, "Are you alright?", while clandestinely flashing her pendant to Orlesk.
Spotting the symbol of the Kig'Yar Insurrection, he sighed with relief before he said, "I am now. By the gods, that was far too close. I thought I was going to die there."
"I know," the female Sangheili replied. "The scanners detected the bomb, but that's why Xhov had me here: as a backup plan." Extending a hand, she said, "Ovala 'Zytamee."
"Orlesk 'Bhirn. Mind if we -"
"Hush," Ovala shushed him. "I do not trust these walls. They have too many eyes and ears. Once we are down in the reactor core, then we can speak."
It didn't take long for them to enter the reactor core, as they soon descended inside. Packed inside of the asteroid core that made up this lobe, were five hundred, 12 terawatt pinch fusion reactors, each one reminiscent of a shellfish inside of the ocean. A bright blue-white glow filled the interior, while heat radiating from the reactors gave the place the illusion of being underwater. Thousands of Huragok were flying to and fro, tending to the reactors as best as they could.
Moments later, there was a jolt as the cargo container landed on the platform that overlooked the reactors. Hopping off, Orlesk and Ovala walked to a portion of the cargo container, which opened up upon pressing a hidden pressure pad. A panel moved to reveal a keypad, along with a digital screen that held eight spots for a code. "You know the code," Orlesk asked Ovala.
"Of course I do," Ovala replied. "I memorized it." With practiced ease, she punched in the authorization code and pressed a few more buttons after that. Getting up, she said, "I've put the bomb onto a forty minute timer. The Huragok won't check it until forty five minutes after we leave. It is time to go."
"Agreed," Orlesk nodded. Hitting his communicator, he switched it to an encrypted channel and clicked it twice. "There, I've sent the signal to the others. They'll be leaving the Heirophant clandestinely. It is time for you and I to go."
. . .
Back at the Phantom, 'Qualomee waited for the others to arrive, his hearts beginning to race as he waited. It had been some time since he'd come back from the Zealot's meeting, and he was getting nervous. Offered me the chance to become her mate, he thought. I have a different person in mind. While I understand her disappointment in my refusal, I'd much rather have someone that loves me for who I am, not because I'm a worthy male. As such, the Zealot had let him leave, but had asked him to give her regards to Thel. Once he'd gotten back, he had begun to wait, as that was all he could do now.
He was about to go find the others when a group of ten people, a mixture of Kig'Yar, Unggoy and a single Sangheili, appeared in the repair/refit bay. "Sorry we took so long," Orlesk said to him. "We had to do this carefully. Do you have clearance to leave?"
"Yes," 'Qualomee replied. "They won't stop us from leaving. You came just minutes before the deadline."
"Good. Time to get out of here."
As the others loaded up, 'Qualomee looked at the Sangheili. I know her from somewhere, he thought to himself. He was surprised when the female said, "I didn't know you were here, 'Qualomee."
"Ovala," 'Qualomee gasped, eyes wide with surprise and relief. Walking to her, he gently pressed his mandibles against hers, purring and moaning happily as he grasped her waist with his hands. Ovala purred and moaned as well, pressing herself against 'Qualomee.
"You two know each other?" Orlesk asked the two.
"Ovala was the first Sangheili female that I met," 'Qualomee replied once he separated his mandibles from hers. "She and I know each other well… and yes, as you can see, I love her. She and I proposed to each other a few months ago." He purred happily as he kissed Ovala again.
"You still haven't given me your wedding present," she playfully chided, swatting at his arm playfully.
"The end of this war will be my wedding gift to you," 'Qualomee cooed to her. "Once this foul war has ended, we can be together, forever. Now, let us make haste. This place will not be around much longer."
"On that we can agree." With that, they loaded up inside of the Phantom, with Ovala and 'Qualomee moving through the required checklist with practiced ease.
"We are off," 'Qualomee told the others. "When will the bomb detonate?"
"We have twenty minutes to reach the minimum safe distance."
"That is good enough."
For the next twenty minutes, 'Qualomee and Ovala guided the Phantom towards the Farragut's location, doing their best to look as inconspicuous as they possibly could. It was when they were just past the minimum safe distance that Orlesk said, "Uh, oh. We've got trouble."
"I see it," Ovala replied. "A light attack ship just broke off. I've also got a number of heat blooms in the cruisers and carriers at the Hierophant."
"They must've realized they have a bomb onboard," 'Qualomee deduced. "Are we out of the blast radius?"
"Yes. Let's engage the impulse drive and get to the Farragut!"
"Agreed." With that, the Phantom disappeared as it's impulse drive activated. As soon as it did, all hell broke loose.
Deep inside the bowels of the Unyielding Hierophant, the NOVA bomb's timer calmly ticked down towards it's endpoint, with the systems onboard ready to unleash nuclear annihilation against the Covenant. Nearby, Huragok and Sangheili worked to disarm the bomb, and save the Hierophant. "How long until the bomb's disarmed?" the Station Mistress asked.
"We're about to disarm it," a Sangheili Artisan-Engineer replied. "I'm working on it now." Before the Zealot could give a reply, it happened: the bomb reached it's endpoint.
Within nanoseconds, the nine nuclear bombs inside of the NOVA bomb detonated, with the lithium triteride casing holding in the explosive, further amplifying the yield. Combined with the force from all nine bombs, the nuclear activity inside of the bomb climbed at a geometric rate, with the yield going from megatons, to gigatons, and finally, to teratons.
In a nanosecond, the reactor core, and everyone inside of it, was reduced to free floating atoms and molecules as the fireball expanded outwards, consuming everything in it's path. In a few microseconds, the bomb consumed the interior of the port lobe of the Unyielding Hierophant, consuming everyone and everything inside of it. Atoms and molecules that had hydrogen inside further fueled the expansion of the fireball, with those molecules being torn apart in an instant.
In a handful of microseconds, the fireball consumed the Unyielding Hierophant, utterly destroying the command and control space station. Within another few microseconds, the fireball reached it's maximum diameter of two hundred kilometers. What happened in the next few microseconds would not only change the course of the war, but the fate of the planet down below.
Ships that were closest to the space station were consumed by the fireball, their pinch fusion reactors providing fuel and energy to the explosive nuclear detonation. Those that were farther out were turned into blobs of molten metal that distorted as the blast wave tore through them. Those still farther out mostly retained their shape, as somewhat liquid, somewhat solid slag. Those farther out remained intact, but their crews were instantly killed by lethal levels of radiation, while critical systems onboard were permanently destroyed.
The planet of Tau Ceti IV suffered a similar fate. A large amount of the energy from the blast was absorbed by the planet and it's atmosphere, causing devastating effects. The carbon dioxide clouds on the side closest to the bomb vanished, before the air itself began to combust and burn from the intense radiation generated by the bomb. Rock on the affected side became molten within a minute, with mountains and hills turning into magma. Water that was on the affected side flash boiled.
At the same time, powerful winds, fueled by the energy of the blast, howled and roared, sending anything that wasn't strongly fixed to the ground flying through the air. Organisms present were sent screaming through the air to their deaths, either by debris in the air or by being dashed against the ground. Rocks and boulders flew through the air like missiles from a Catapult.
In the blink of an eye, an entire Covenant armada had been destroyed by one of Humanity's most powerful weapons. In the same blink of an eye, a world had died. There were only a few observers that were far away enough to watch the entire calamity in perfect safety, and those observers were the people onboard the Farragut.
Onboard the bridge, Anders watched as the NOVA bomb destroyed the Covenant fleet, and rendered Tau Ceti IV uninhabitable for the foreseeable future. For a brief moment, he was filled with a sense of shock and helplessness as he watched the blast. "Master Chief," he said to the Spartan, who was on the bridge, "what have we done?"
"What we can do," Chief replied. "What we've always done: give Humanity a fighting chance to live."
"The bomb has destroyed the entire fleet," Cortana reported. "Earth's got another chance to fight back."
"I know," Anders replied, "but at what cost?" There was silence as the question echoed inside of the bridge. After a few seconds, he said, "Let's get back home."
Yes, Chief nodded. Home.