Sorry about making you guys wait for such a long time.
Halo kinda… killed our motivation for the story with how crappy things have been being handled these past six months.
Looking at you Halo tv show, trust me, you'll be getting yours soon enough.
But we're back. So let's get to it.
Rate Read and Review and as Always Have Nice Day.
The Halo Effect War and Civilization Chapter 13: Burning Fire
-Procyon System-
-Arcadia-
-February 9th, 2531-
"Now exiting Slip-Space." Said the dry voice of Serina, AI to the Spirit of Fire.
The Phoenix-Class carrier sailed towards the colony world of Arcadia with an orbital battle underway.
Captain Cutter walked into the bridge of the Fire, going right over to the holo table in the center of the room.
"Serina? Situation update."
The ship's AI instantly brought up a display of Arcadia with several ships marked with blue for UNSC forces and red for Covenant.
"Arcadia is besieged by five Covenant vessels. Two SDV Corvettes, two CCS-class battlecruisers with the lead ship being an ORS-Class heavy cruiser."
"And our forces?"
"Four Halcyon Cruisers, Two Valor-Class attack Cruisers, two MC75 Star Cruisers being led by one Viscount-class Star Defender." Serina said, magnifying the identified UNSC ships.
"The Belfast, Pillar of Autumn, Texas, Armstrong, Oakwood, and Shyrri engaged immediately and caught a corvette with its shields down. The Viscount Defender Nautical destroyed the other Corvette and is still engaged with the ORS Heavy cruiser. We lost the Texas, Oakwood, and Belfast. The rest of the cruisers are engaging one of the cruisers with the two MC75's backing them. The other CCS Cruiser is engaged in surface activity. Multiple Covenant troops have been deployed with a forward operating base having been established by the cruiser. Currently, upwards of two hundred starfighters have engaged the Covenant ships in orbit."
The Captain turned out to Arcadia proper, eyes squinted as he picked up on the multitude of UNSC starfighters currently engaging the enemy forces.
A-wings, D-wings, Y-Wings, X-wings, V-19s and the Wookiee-designed Owool interceptors, more simply known as the O-wing for short.
"Have Lieutenant Moorce out there with her squadron. Prep all systems for battle." Cutter said straight away. "And what was this of surface activity?"
"I've managed to receive a visual of Arcadia's surface." Serina stated and wordlessly, the Captain looked down at a monitor that flashed on to display the surface of the UNSC colony.
At first, there was nothing but static until a more clear visual was displayed.
And what Cutter saw gave him a degree of hope and relief.
Three large and well-armored humans viciously fighting back against the onslaught of the Covenant forces on Arcadia.
The trio wore familiar Mjolnir armor yet each had a distinct color difference in terms of their chest, arms, and shoulder pieces.
One had a red-colored center with a helmet to match and the number 099 on the left side of the chest piece and in their hands was a large, apparently custom railgun.
The second was primarily blue, accents for the most part, and in this armored being's hands was what could only be described to be a mortar launcher. The number 025 was on this individual's armor.
The last and seemingly leader as this one pointed at a Brute for 099 to shoot at had a goldish-yellow color scheme on the arms and back chest piece of the Mjolnir armor they wore and in their hands was a Sangheili energy sword. This individual's number was 011.
And the unifying symbol that all three of these people had was none other than the Omega Symbol.
"Omega team." Cutter muttered out.
Looks like 092's statement of the Spartan-II fireteam of Omega being on Arcadia was true.
And they were fighting the Covenant whilst the Spirit of Fire was dilly-dallying their way over to the planet.
"Serina, get me Red team, my sergeants, and Sunray on the comm."
"Sir."
"Jerome. Forge. Kitomag. Major Vaughn. Do you copy?"
"Loud and clear, sir." Came the response from Sergeant Forge.
"Prep yourselves for orbital drop." Cutter instructed. "Omega team is leading a direct assault on an established Covenant operating base on Arcadia. We need to remove the Covenant's foothold and alleviate some pressure on our troops below. Major Vaughn?"
"Sir." Was the response from the gruff CO aboard his ship.
"Prep Boomerang Company." The Captain said straight away. "Sunray 1-1 is leading this charge with Red Team. Give them a warm Arcadian welcome."
"Feet first sir!" Vaughn loudly proclaimed on his end, the last thing being heard was barking out orders for a drop.
"Give 'em hell." Cutter said, cutting off the link before turning back to Arcadia. "Serina, launch Pods. Bring the ship to alert. Prepare for battle."
"Understood Captain."
Multiple squares and rectangular parts of the Spirit Of Fire began detaching themselves from the ship and positioned themselves over Arcadia. After a few seconds of tense silence, multiple drop pods were fired out from the detachments from the Phoenix-Class Carrier.
Cutter silently watched on as the pods raced down towards the surface of Arcadia before looking back to the bridge crew.
"Prep all weapon systems, target every Covenant ship and prepare to blow them all to hell."
"SIR!" Was the resounding response from the crew.
Down below on Arcadia, chaos and fear reigned across the planet, specifically around the city of Arcadia itself.
Yes, the name of the capital was named after the planet itself.
Original, right?
But names didn't matter right about now. What did matter was that Covenant forces were continually landing troops upon the ground all while the civilian and UNSC forces fought in desperation to hold them back.
Thankfully, all was not lost as the Spartan-II fireteam of Omega was present in this battle, proving to be vital in holding back the onslaught of the Covenant.
Just as the Spartans finished off an Elite Ultra, they saw the oncoming next wave of Covenant forces.
Leon-011, Robert-025 and August-099 simply rolled their shoulders in a synchronized fashion and readied themselves for the next wave.
Just as they prepared themselves to sprint right at the oncoming horde, reinforcements came in from above.
A number of drop pods slammed into the ground in front of Omega team, their arrival causing the oncoming wave of Covenant forces to stop for the briefest of moments. Hatches then proceeded to fly off the pods and out came three armored humans and a squad of ODSTs the large group charged headfirst into the Covenant forces.
Omega didn't need any prompt as they were quick to join up with the newly arrived fresh batch of troops. They tore into the Covenant forces, the six Spartans and several dozen ODSTs laying waste to them with unbridled efficient fury.
They were joined seconds later by additional UNSC forces, several warthogs, tanks, and infantry all rushing in to beat back the invading Covenant.
"Forge to Fire, we've got an LZ secure." The Sergeant reported in, seeing that the enemy wave had been eliminated.
"Copy that sergeant, pelicans with reinforcements inbound." Cutter's voice came through the comms. "Standby for additional orders once battle group one arrives."
"Loud and clear, Captain." Was Forge's response, the man turning back to the assemblage of Spartans and ODSTs. "Hold position, cavalry's on its way."
He got verbal and silent head gestures of acknowledgment.
Forge proceeded to contact Arcadian Patrol whilst the Spartans and ODSTs readied themselves for further action and orders. During that time, Red and Omega took a moment to catch up.
"Harvest has been reclaimed?" Leon-011 remarked in slight surprise.
"For the most part." Jerome-092 stated, eyes set on the outskirts and skies above Arcadia's capital Pirth. "There is still a sizable battle group there that's been tasked with cleaning up the remainder of the Covenant fleet that didn't come here."
"Why did they come here to begin with?" August-099 inquired. "This feels a bit out of the way for them to go to."
"That's why Captain Cutter came here to find out." Douglas-042 chimed in. "We have a professor of Xeno technology aboard the Spirit of Fire who deduced the Covenant would come here looking for something. We came in pursuit of them and figure out just what they want here."
Before they were able to converse any further, timed with the arrival of fresh troops from the Spirit of Fire, their comms were lit up from the chatter of Arcadia's Patrol.
"Spirit of Fire, this is Arcadian patrol, civilians entering the city are being blocked by hostile forces. We need to clear that area, can you assist?"
"Arcadia Ground Control, this is Sergeant Kitomag." The Mon Cala marine responded. "Where are the civilians being held up? We're at the southwest entrance to the capital."
"The East." Was the response. "There are multiple Covenant drop ships that keep deploying troops and tanks that keep targeting our transport ships. It's turning into a blood bath here. We need support in this sector now!"
"Copy that, we're on our way." Forge replied this time, grunting in satisfaction at the warthog that had just been deposited in front of him.
Jumping up to the gun on the back, one marine took the driver's seat whilst the passenger was occupied by Kitomag. The troops gathered around the Sergeants for further instruction.
"Alright boys and girls, Covies are undergoing target practice on civilians so it is our divine duty to stomp a mudhole in those bastards and walk it dry."
He was met with a resounding "urah" before Major Vaughn walked up to his Warthog.
"Stone Cold? Really?"
"I'm more surprised you know about it, Major." Forge cheekily retorted. "But good shit is timeless, don't ya know?"
The ODST Major only shook his head in amusement, barking out orders for his company a second later.
The contingent of the Phoenix-Class ODSTs, Marines, and Spartans all made a beeline for the eastern quadrant of the capital city. Overhead flew a squadron of starfighters from the carrier being led by its Wookie leader to help alleviate some of the pressure on the civilians.
"Arcadia ground control, this is Forge. We're inbound to aid in evacuation efforts, help is on the way!"
They arrived in time to see Moorce reigning down a heavy payload on the Covies, decimating and scattering their right and center flanks.
Forge and Kitomag's contingent rushed in with guns blazing. Tanks blew away any vehicles that had survived the bombardment and the warthogs tore through or simply ran over any Covie they saw in their path.
In the middle of this battle, additional UNSC reinforcements began pouring in from other ships and bases on and around Arcadia to help in securing the city.
The battle dragged on for far longer than anticipated as Covenant forces kept getting replaced despite such losses.
"Where the hell do these bastards keep swarming in from?" Forge complained, smacking the butt of his shotgun into the face of a Geonosian, shooting its head off a second later.
"They came here before we did." Vaughn spoke up, grabbing a Vorcha by the head and violently jerking its head to snap its neck and kill it. "Maybe they established a ground base nearby."
Hearing this, Kitomag was quick to reach out to the AI of the Fire.
"Serina, did you hear what the Major just said?"
"Running scans upon the surface of Arcadia." Was the AI's immediate response. "Covenant base detected. Sending location to you now."
"Moorce, ya got 'em?" Forge questioned through the comms, hearing the Wookie pilot let out a warbling confirmation. "Good. Hit em hard and fast before we get there. Spartans."
"Sir." 092 was the one who responded.
"You guys move on ahead of us and start whittling them down." Forge instructed. "Still some stragglers we're dealing with here."
The six Spartans simply nodded in acknowledgment and broke off into a sprint as their HUDs received instructions on where to go. They became six blurs, running at full speeds towards the Covenant base a few clicks out from the capital.
"Jesus, that's just overkill." Vaughn murmured with a shake of his head. "You should at least give them a chance."
"What and deny the Spartans a chance to show off?" Forge retorted with a wry grin. "What do you take me for?"
"A glory hound." Kitomag casually, getting his human friend's brow to twitch upwards.
"I don't wanna hear that from you mister "artistic" killer."
"That is a horrible stigma against my people!" Kitomag shot back.
"That admiral Raddus started." Major Vaughn pointed out, making the Mon Cala sergeant stumble over his words.
"What's wrong with being artistic in battle?" Kit defensively asked.
"Nothing, just don't be a hypocrite and own up to it." John remarked, making his close friend scowl in his direction.
"Hark who's talking."
As this went on, Major Vaughn sighed, rolling his eyes at the pair bickering in the middle of a warzone.
"Does this happen often, Major?" Warrant Officer Quinn questioned by his side.
"All the time." Vaughn said, shaking his head, unable to hide his exasperated amusement in his tone. "They've known each other for years so when they're not arguing, either nothing has come up yet or it's serious."
Quinn simply accepted the statement as she wasn't really in a state to dispute such incredulity amid a battle zone.
Say what you will but the effectiveness of the pair was on full display as they managed to direct the flow of Spirt of Fire's and Arcadia's ground forces despite their small argument. The East sector of the city outskirts was secured minutes later, the troops all changing course in the direction of the pinpointed makeshift base that had been established by the Covenant.
They soon came across a large spire with seven extensions of dome-like structures serving as a staging ground for the Covies. It was currently being assailed by Moorce's starfighter squadron, being joined by Arcadian air support and six Spartan-IIs.
Several locations were on fire but it was holding strong in spite of all the damage it was receiving.
That was rectified with the arrival of the battalion being led by the two sergeants. Upon spotting the Covenant base, rockets, grenades, tank shells, gauss cannons and all were unleashed upon the spire.
The remaining Covies were killed off in rapid succession as the sector had been cleared and secured by the UNSC.
One final Elite tried firing at the marines only for Kitomag to tackle him from the side, Forge rushing in after and popping a shotgun shell right in its mouth.
"And that's how it's done." John stated in sadistic satisfaction at his kill.
"Kitomag to Spirit of Fire, we've taken out the enemy base." Kitomag said, holding up his arm to speak into his wrist comm. "Awaiting further orders."
The response from the Phoenix-class ship came a second later. "Sergeants, report back to the bridge ASAP. We've got a new problem."
Kit and Forge shared a look with one another, a gust of winding gaining their attention a moment later. Both looked up at a pelican coming down towards them, spinning about in midair for the back ramp to open up.
Once low enough, Kit and Forge were quick to move and get on the Pelican that took them back up to the Spirit of Fire.
Those that remained were given orders to pick off any Covies that might be around Pirth City whilst securing the city perimeter and await further instructions.
Spartan Teams Omega and Red along with Sunray 1-1 were sent on reconnaissance to see if there were any other Covenant Forces within the area.
Forge and Kit soon found themselves back aboard the Fire and made their way up to the bridge.
There they found Captain Cutter and Professor Anders looking over the central holo-table that was currently displaying a large holographic dome, with red dots floating above and around it. One of the red dots enters the dome.
"Alright, what's the situation this time?" Forge asked as soon as he walked in.
"We found more Covenant and they've established another base of operations on Arcadia." Anders answered, eyes set on several more dots flying in and out of the dome shield.
"So...it's an energy shield that they can deploy on the planet?" Cutter surmised.
"How fast did they pull that off?" Kit asked in astonishment.
"They had a head start on us, remember?" Anders reminded the Mon Cala sergeant, leaning upon the holo-table, staring intently at the dome. "Any luck, Serina?"
"None so far." The ship's AI responded. "Smattering of chatter here and there but nothing concrete. If I were to have a guess as to what they may be doing under there, it can be easy to assume that it has something to do with what they were looking for back on Harvest."
Anders grimaced irritably, her gaze becoming like daggers as she pushed off the table, walking around it now.
"We can't see through it, but the Covenant are up to something."
"That much is a given but what is it?" Kitomag voiced the question he and Forge shared.
"We need to find out what that is." Cutter declared, turning to the Professor. "Can we use the ship's cannons and take it out directly?"
Anders shook her head, rejecting the notion. "We may destroy whatever's under there." She paused, taking a moment to think over several options on how they can approach this. "Covenant shield technology is susceptible to superheated plasma."
On the holo-table, holograms of three boxes appear outside the dome and begin to discharge large beams onto the dome. The dome hologram disintegrates after a few seconds.
"That's one way to do it but where are we supposed to get some plasma that isn't Covenant?" Forge pointed out, arms crossed in a huff.
"Some gauss cannons might work." Kit mused, shaking his head a moment later. "But that would take longer and who knows the effect it can have on the shield. Has the chance of punching right through it and destroying whatever it is the Covenant are doing there."
There was a pause shared between the three humans, Mon Cala and AI until Anders hummed aloud.
"Aren't we field testing some plasma-based Rhinos?" She inquired, looking between Forge and Serina.
"Pillar of Autumn inventory shows they have some prototypes." Came the AI's reply, making the Professor smirk.
"There's our plasma." She faced Cutter now. "It might take some time to get the right power settings. I'll need to be on the ground to do that."
Cutter appeared to be against the idea but he opted to stow it away, looking to his trusted sergeants. "Professor, Sergeants, let's get that shield down!"
John stepped forward with a roll of his eyes though there was no malice or annoyance behind them. "Ugh, babysitting again?"
Anders turns and gives Forge a quick smile.
"Have Boomerang company and Red Team prepped for redeployment on that dome." Cutter added on as the two sergeants and professor exited the bridge. "I don't want them caught flatfooted."
He then turned to back to the holo-table, contacting his starfighter squadron leader.
"Moorce?"
"Reh?"
"Sending coordinates of your next mission objective." Cutter stated. "There is a Covenant fighter presence so you're gonna need to keep those banshees and needles off our boys on the ground."
"GRAAA!" Was the growl of confirmation from the young Wookie pilot.
The Captain simply nodded at that, signing off and walking back over to the window of the bridge and gazing back down at Arcadia. He saw the remnants of the Covenant fleet that first came here, still engaging the UNSC ships around Arcadia.
Thanks to their arrival, they had been able to knock out the two Corvettes and one of the Battlecruisers. All that remained was the other Battlecruiser and the single ORS-Heavy Cruiser.
They had tried several attacks on the two ships yet they displayed particularly exceptional defensive maneuvers and strategies, having destroyed one of their frigates in the middle of it all. To Cutter, it was a clear sign that they may be stalling. But for what remains to be seen.
However, if the Captain was a betting man, it would be easy to deduce that they're still here and playing the defensive game due to their plans down on Arcadia's surface.
All the while…
The Arbiter of the Covenant, Ripa 'Moramee was currently walking alongside one of the three Prophets that dictated the entirety of the Covenant empire.
The Prophet of Regret, the San'Shyuum who personally appointed him to the position of Arbiter, floated alongside him within his specialized throne-like chair. The pair walked upon what appeared to be a floating walkway with Sangheili guards lining the runway.
They all stood rigid and unmoving, ready to move at a moment's notice should danger beseech Regret.
Though this was to be expected among the Elites of the Covenant, the Prophet of Regret has long been regarded as a favorite among the Sangheili. Of the three Prophets dictating the will of the Covenant, Regret has long since admired and been a fierce supporter and advocate for the Sangheili.
He was unlike most other Prophets wherein he preferred to be down on the battlefield or alongside a litany of Elites with their fleets, leading or delivering sermons of the Great journey and their holy crusade against humanity and their sinful compatriots. This in turn has earned a fierce loyalty from the Sangheili who have served under him, such as Ripa.
The duo continued their walk along the runway in the area that has been dubbed the Apex Site, the epicenter of control for the Forerunner world they currently inhabited.
"Arbiter." Regret spoke up after a few moments of silence. "You are unusually quiet. What troubles occupy your thoughts?"
Ripa hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"Hierarch, I do not wish to be impudent but you have charged me with the destruction of humanity and their allies-"
"A most noble cause for one with such a troubled past such as yours." Regret reminded, cutting the Arbiter off for a second.
Ripa simply took in stride, humbly nodding his head. "And I am thankful for my task-"
The two reached the end of the runway, leading onto a platform that had a holo-sphere akin to the one on Harvest that allows control of the Forerunner relics upon this world.
"But sire, you have me skulk in ancient ruins and search in empty temples." The frustration was clear to hear for the Prophet. "How does this help me accomplish my task?"
Regret simply hummed, lacing his hands together for a moment of contemplation. He then had his chair float over to the holo-sphere.
"This war with the Humans, Wookies and Mon Cala has proven to be far more arduous than anticipated." The Prophet freely admitted. "Though we have our advantage in our technology and numbers, these heathens have proven to be far more versatile and tenacious than we expected. The loss of an entire system was the loss we needed to realize that it will take more than just mustering what we have to annihilate these sinful creatures."
The Arbiter ignited two plasma swords, proudly proclaiming, "I will take what we have-"
"And leave us defenseless?!" Regret cut him off, with a shake of his head. "No. Like before, in our time of doubt and loss, we must look to the ancients to provide us with clarity. This world shall be the birthplace for an invasion fleet beyond imagining. With it, we can crush our foes with ease."
"But noble hierarch, this world lies dormant." Ripa stated. "It is nothing more than a shell."
"What you speak is blasphemy." Regret forcefully said, turning back to the control sphere. "What we require is patience."
The San'Shyuum paused momentarily, his hand hovering over the controls.
"But perhaps there is a quicker way." He mused, hand placed under his chin now. "That human female from the ice relic… she appears to have some knowledge in this regard. The new planet the relic has led us has also led her."
Regret faced the Arbiter, expression stern. "Capture that human and bring her here."
'Moramee simply nodded his head. "It will be done."
Speaking of the new planet…
The shield dome the Covenant had established soon had a number of grizzly tanks with warthogs, gausshogs, Scorpions, Scorpions, Mongooses, and Starfighters approach its perimeter. From above flew Moorce in her personalized Y-Wing. She let out a battle cry all while speaking to the ground forces.
"We hear ya loud and clear, Lieutenant." Kitomag responded, inclining his head back towards the battalion that they had led. "Get ready for a heatwave boys and girls."
Behind the battle group was a watchtower where its current occupant was Professor Anders and a marine squad to keep her safe as she conducted her work.
"Make sure you keep those Rhino's safe." Ander instructed the two sergeants leading the UNSC forces. "With what my estimations are telling me, we'll need them all firing from coordinated locations to bring down the shield."
"Copy that, Professor." The Mon Cala sergeant responded, slamming a fresh clip into his assault rifle.
Forge saw Red Team standing by next to their Warthog and the Sergeant was unable to help himself.
"You're getting more time to show off, you know."
130 tilted her head slightly and though he could not see it, the human sergeant was quick to detect a coy air around the Spartan-II.
"Don't worry Sergeant, you'll have your time to shine when we're done."
092's shoulders slumped slightly, silently saying "Alice" through their private comms, getting nothing but a huff and laugh from his Spartan sister.
Forge snorted, shaking his head at the Spartan, refocusing just in time to see Moorce and her squadron drop many bombs upon the Covenant shield.
The shield dome rippled and out came a few dozen banshees and Geonosian fighters. Some engaged in an instant dogfight with the UNSC fighters whilst others flew directly at them.
"Looks like we only shook the beehive, we got multiple bogeys inbound!"
"I've got the positions set for where you need to place the Rhinos." Anders abruptly chimed in just as the battle was underway. "Relaying their locations to you now."
"Alright, we have a plan." Forge said, firing at a banshee that flew by. Clipping its wing, he smirked at his accomplishment watching with delight at the sight of the Banshee crashing headfirst into the ground.
"Alight people form up into separate teams." Kit barked out, hopping out of the warthog he and Forge occupied to go take one for himself. "Red team, you lead the northern most team in securing that spot for your Rhino. Vaughn, head west. Forge and I will handle the other two locations."
The groups were quick to divide up amongst themselves per Kit's instructions, the battle escalating moments later upon Covenant ground forces entering into the fray.
Forge was in the heat of the battle, directing his troops from atop his warthog whilst the Wookie driver ran over several Grunts and Jackals.
"Stand your ground until our Rhino gets into the first position." Forge shouted over the chaos, pulling out his pistol to shoot at several Bugs(Geonosians) that attempted a fly-by pick up of him. "Kit, how're things on your end?"
Over with his best friend, the Mon Cala sergeant slammed his boot into a jackal, wrestling its point defense gauntlet out from his arm. He slapped it on in time to deflect several plasma bolts sent his way by several Elites.
"Doin' just peachy, Forge." Kit answered with a growl, ducking for cover behind his warthog that had been blown up. "That makes twenty-seven."
"Why do you keep track of them?" Forge asked in bemusement. "You do know we lose a hundred hogs a battle."
"But I seem to lose them more than anyone else." Kitomag retorted, popping out of his cover to rapidly fire upon an Elite.
Its shields held strong for a few moments until a Wookie corporal charged in and stabbed her Ryyk blade into the side of the Sangheili. The Elite roared in pain, its shields bursting off of him giving Kit the chance to kill it with a clean shot to the head.
Kit nodded at the Wookie who garbled back in response, the two resuming their battle.
"We're holding out and our Rhino is almost in position." Kit said, seeing the tank get closer to its designated spot Anders had assigned for it.
"Red team reporting in." Jerome-092 chimed in. "Rhino is ready and secured in position."
On Forge's end, he only grinned, shaking his head. "Course it is. Damn Spartan glory hogs. Major Vaughn, Status update."
The ODST Major of Boomerang company swung his rocket launcher at full force, cracking a Vorcha right across the face. A moment later, Quinn came in and blasted a good chunk of its chest and shoulder right off, killing it.
The rest of his squadron was covering their backs, leading a hundred ODSTs as their sector were two of the closest to the Covenant shield dome.
"We're just about -FUCK OFF- Ready on our end." Vaughn said, pulling out his combat knife, tackling an annoying Geonosian that had been hounding him for a while now and repeatedly stabbing its face in.
As he finished killing the bug, the Rhino they had been escorting got into its designation location, the Major relaying their success to the rest of the squadrons.
"That's all four Rhino's." Forge yelled through the comms. "Professor, it's your show now."
"Cross your fingers!" Anders said from her post in the watchtower. "Firing all Rhinos in three, two, one..."
The Rhinos fire in sync with each other, their plasma shells impacting a specific point of the shield. Said section of the dome shield falters and dissipates, a large opening for all to see.
"The dome power supply is overloaded, we got it!" Anders exclaimed, raising a fist in victory. "Captain Cutter, we're in."
"Copy that, Professor, good work." Cutter praised. "Sergeant Forge, you have the MAC. Just point where it needs to be fired."
Back down on the ground, Forge had a wide smirk plastered on his face when he heard this.
"You're spoiling me, Captain." The Sergeant remarked, getting handed an Ordnance marker and pointed it at the Covenant bases he saw within the opened shield dome.
"MAC is coming online, single turret available." Serina informed the sergeant.
"Alright, the dome generators and the air defenses are the main targets. Light 'em up!"
A MAC round fired from the Spirit of Fire came down from on high and utterly destroyed the Covenant base.
"Good shooting, Fire." Forge said aloud, the cheer of the marines being heard over the comms.
A few moments later, Serina took command of the MAC.
"MAC fully online, all rounds loaded, I'll take out the remaining structures."
"Happy hunting, Serina." Kit encouraged, standing by as he watched one MAC after the other hammer the multiple Covenant structures, seeing them all get destroyed.
"Nice work." Forge praised. "Now, let's get down there and see what the Covenant found so damn interesting."
With a contingent of Scorpions leading the charge, Forge and Kit instructed their forces to divvy up into three contingents.
The pair of them up the middle, Red team leading the right and Vaughn with Boomerang Company on the left.
They were moving slowly and cautiously. Though the Covenant base and shield dome had been taken down, that's not to say this place was clear of hostiles.
There could be a whole host of other enemies just waiting to spring up and catch them off guard.
Like so…
*BOOM*
"What the hell was that?" Forge said, teeth clenched in anger at the sight of two of his Scorpions being destroyed by a beam of plasma.
"Scarab, sir." 092 said from his end, his flank spotting the source of the plasma beam. "Relaying visual now."
Upon seeing it, the Spirit of Fire's AI was the first to comment on it.
"A Scarab, large one at that." She stated. "It's incomplete it seems but its head is operational."
"But it's stationary from what we're seeing." Major Vaughn now reported in, spotting the scarab with its head moving about.
"Greh?" Was the grunt heard from Lieutenant Moorce who flew overhead with a dozen Y-wings on her tail.
"Don't engage just yet, LT." Kit quickly chimed in. "Looks like the Covies are smarter than they look. Anti-Aircraft cannons surround that Scarab, ain't no way you're dropping your payload without losing most of your squadron."
"Captain Cutter, this Red Leader."
Aboard the bridge of the carrier, Cutter was looking at the holo-table that was displaying the current layout of where his men were.
"Go ahead, 092."
"Requesting danger close archer missiles package." Jerome said, portions of the map now turning red. "Marking targets now."
"Bold plan, Red Leader."
"We're pressed for time, sir." The Spartan reasoned. "The Covenant are looking for something on Arcadia. The sooner we find out what it is, the sooner we can drive them off the planet and maybe even figure out a means to use it against them."
Cutter mulled over the reasoning for a few seconds and nodded.
"Standby for archer missiles."
Back down on Arcadia, the UNSC forces stood back, out of range of the scarab whilst engaging in the Covenant contingent that surrounded the incomplete behemoth.
Seconds later, a few dozen missiles rained down from above, battering the stationary scarab as well as some of the surrounding tanks and cannons of the Covenant. The onslaught of lead and fire decisively destroyed the scarab with the Fire's ground forces now rushing in to sweep up the remaining disoriented Covies.
"Ah, that's beautiful." Forge remarked at the sight of the destroyed scarab.
"Looks like it was built in front of something." Anders noted, having come down from the tower to join the troops on the ground. "It looks similar to that ancient structure back on Harvest."
"Think it's worth investigating?" Kit inquired, the human professor nodding in response.
"Absolutely." She affirmed. "We can maybe even find something the Covenant haven't."
"Well, let's hope things don't go sideways like last time." Forge said beneath his breath. "Alright, secure a perimeter and see if there are any stragglers and take them out. Kit, let's keep the good professor company."
Kit silently nodded, looking over to several marines and gestured for them to follow after them.
They soon arrived at the base of the structure where the remains of the incomplete Scarab littered the area.
"Watch those tree lines." Forge said straight away, the marines dispersing to cover their bases whilst the two sergeants stuck close by Anders.
Seeing a scrapped piece of the scarab, Forge picked it up and held it like it was a trophy just as Anders turned in his direction.
"Hey, how bout one for the scrapbook, Professor?" He cheekily asked, holding the scrap by his face with a cocky smirk.
Ellen held her camera up at the Sergeant for a moment, rolling her eyes at his behavior.
"Forge, if you don't mind, I'm trying to document all of this here for study." She admonished.
"Alright, fine." Forge said with a sigh, tossing the piece aside. "Have nothing to show for your kids that you did awesome shit."
The Professor glanced back at the Marine for a moment before resuming her work.
What she didn't notice up until the last second was in front of her on the ground was a puddle. And on said puddle were two identical shapes side by side.
She then heard a ragged growl with some metallic movement and a moment later, the air from her lungs was caught in her throat. A multi-fingered hand was clenched firmly around her neck, the woman struggling to free herself from its grasp.
Anders was then lifted up into the air, the woman gasping for breath.
In the background, the woman heard multiple guns being pointed in her direction.
After a moment, the figure that held her decloaked, revealing it to be the Arbiter.
"You will be coming with me." Ripa growled menacingly, leaning towards her face, his breath causing further discomfort for the human woman.
"Why don't we put the lady down and talk about this man to freak." Forge challenged, trailing his pistol line-of-sight upon the Elite's head.
The Sangheili glanced around for a moment, counting the number of marines surrounding him and made what looked to be a sneering smirk.
"As you wish."
He tossed Anders aside, whipping out a plasma pistol to shoot at the closest marine to him, killing the soldier.
Ripa then turned invisible just as the marines opened fire upon him. Forge looked around rapidly whilst Kit moved to keep Anders safe.
The marines all looked about, trying to find the Sangheili when one of them was shot down by a plasma bolt from behind. This happened several more times, the marines all being killed off one by one until it was only the two sergeants and professor left.
"Alright you 20th-century knockoff, are ya done being a copycat, or are ya gonna show you- KIT!"
The warning came out just in time as the Mon Cala spun around to see the ground gain several footprints headed straight for him. The sound of a plasma sword was ignited and Kitomag dodged the blade at the last second.
He wasn't so fortunate as to avoid the kick that came to his gut. With the wind knocked out of him, he was open for the kill but Forge was already rushing in, firing at the Elite.
Ripa saw him coming and violently booted Kit to the ground, spinning around to catch Forge's hands and slash his plasma sword across his chest.
The human sergeant fell to the ground, clutching his chest in pain but still able to move.
Just as Ripa moved in for the kill, Anders rushed in with her arms spread out protectively in front of him.
"Stop!" She shouted desperately, actually halting the Sangheili in his tracks.
"Anders, get out of here!" Forge shouted despite being injured.
She ignored the man, facing down the Elite unflinchingly though her voice was shaking.
"I'll come quietly if you let him live." She softly said.
The Elite said nothing but acquiesced as he roughly grabbed her by the neck again, walking past the downed Marine to be picked up via a gravity lift from a Covenant troop transport that swooped in to grab them.
Kit sent out a message for Moorce and her starfighters to not engage as they had taken Anders hostage.
Moments later, Red team came rushing in from a warthog, screeching to a halt in front of Forge and Kit who were getting back up to their feet.
"Sir?" Jerome-092 walked forward though Forge waved him down.
"I'm fine." Forge assured. "Spirit of Fire, this is Forge. We lost Anders."
"What happened?" Cutter's voice asked through their comm links.
"It was an Elite, sir." Kit grunted, nursing his head. "Big bastard came out of nowhere and snagged her right out from under us."
"Captain, I'm tracking her transponder." Serina was now heard. "It's heading away from the planet."
"Forge, Kit, get back up here now."
"Copy that, Captain." Forge said, wincing as he felt a searing pain in his chest.
Moments later, a pelican came down to pick up the five of them and the rest of the men and women of the Spirit of Fire also went back to their ship.
Though Forge was to be sent to the medical bay, the man ignored it as he, Kit and Jerome walked up to the bridge.
"We're all accounted for, sir." Forge said straight away upon entry. "Why haven't we left?"
"Why aren't you in the med-bay, Sergeant?" Cutter asked in return, seeing the large gash he had across his chest.
"He's too stubborn for his own good." Kit commented, looking down at the holo-table. "What's the status of Anders?"
"The Professor's signal has gone to lightspeed, headed for the border." Serina informed the group.
"She's out of any range of weapons we can use to disarm the ship." Jerome noted.
"We have to go after her." Forge emphatically stated.
"Sir, I can only track her transponder for only a few more seconds before it's out of range." Serina stated, making Cutter hang his head in deep thought.
"Captain, Anders is a serious security breach." 092 added. "If the Covenant have her then that means they have the means of gaining valuable information."
"You're not seriously suggesting what I think you are." Forge said accusingly, eyes narrowed at the Spartan-II.
"It's a risk we have to consider." Jerome countered without missing a beat.
"Captain-"
"Serina." Cutter's voice cut through all the bickering, silencing them all. "Get us under away immediately and stay on that signal. Prep the crew for Slip-space."
"Aye Aye sir." Serina said, Forge, Kit and Jerome exiting the bridge.
"So, we're leaving a note behind that we're leaving, yes?" Serina sarcastically asked, Cutter simply looking back at her dryly.
"I think a sudden arrival warrants just as sudden of a departure."
And scene.
Yeah, been a long, long while on this one, hasn't it?
Sorry about that folks, Bullet and I have been busy with our other projects and sessions of planning for future stories and such.
We wanted to put this out as soon as we started the Halo Wars storyline but not gonna lie, Halo itself sort of killed the motivation for the story.
BSX: So much content dropped since the last update some good and some worse from Halo in the past months. Don't get me started on the Halo TV series. But I'm excited that things are moving forward.
FMW: But if Bullet won't I WILL. JESUS FUCK, WHAT WERE THEY THINKING WITH THAT GOD-AWFUL EXCUSE OF A HALO SHOW?! HOLY FUCK, WHAT WAS THAT?! CHIEF SLEEPING WITH A PRISONER?! WHO CARES ABOUT THE INSURRECTION, WE'RE HERE TO SEE JOLLY GREEN FUCK COVENANT SHIT UP, NOT REMOVE AN "EMOTION CHIP" AND BANG A TRAITOR TO HUMANITY. That whole show was just a cluster fuck dumpster fire of a Halo show.
Appeal to a broader audience? Don't they know how big an audience Halo already has? It's a 20-year game franchise with new and old fans up the wazoo. It's a franchise that set the trend for all modern shooters.
But noooooooooooo that's not good enough for paramount plus and 343. I know there's some context with their quote around not playing the Halo games but….
WHY THE FUCK WOULD YOU NOT DO THAT AND HAVE THE AUDACITY TO SAY IT OUT LOUD.
THE HELMET STAYS ON YOU FUCKING MORONS, EVEN US HARDCORE HALO FANS WANTED THAT.
Phew, I'm ok, I'm ok. Just… if I rant any longer, it'll take up half the chapter.
BSX: Ditto. Mass Effect on the other hand we got small updates regarding the next installment but nothing too big as of right now, maybe that'll change the next time when a new chapter drops.
FMW: Yeah and we hope to get it out sooner than later cause we figured if 343 keeps fucking up Halo, it's up to us fans to try to retain some of its dignity.
So other than that, thank you all for being so patient with us and sorry that it had taken so long. Horrible shit of the things you love can kill motivation like that.
Rate Read and Review and as Always Have Nice Day.
