CHAPTER 7

Federation Colony Ariosa II

Chief Petty Officer Alice, alongside Major Smith walking through the corridors within the Main Installations. They almost arrive at the section Delta where the Computer Network is located, unfortunately, they hit a dead end for a while. The door to reach section Delta is locked, while the surrounding area is covered with Jiralhanae bodies. This a clear sign that the Covenant Forces are attempting to reach the data, but they have failed, for a while. Commander Stampson is attempting to open the door locking mechanism with tricorder but it appears that he has some difficulties. The locking mechanism is something he has never seen before.

Within five minutes though, Commander Stampson finally able to open the door. They entered section Delta where the computer network is located. Commander Stampson began working to purge all the Federation Database within the computer, while Major Smith check the installation condition.

"My God Commander, they are over the place. Section Echo is overrun, the remaining one is section Charlie. That is the direct section connecting to the Section Delta right here. We've got to move fast or these covenants will blow us to kingdom come!" Major Smith check the status of the installations including searching for life signs and it is not good as multiple sections are overrun.

"Loud and Clear Major, now give me a second of focus so I can purge the data." Commander Stampson is working as fast as he can to purge the data.

"Major, what are you doing?" Sergeant Timothy asks Major smith

"Checking this facility, or whatever left it is. Shield Installation is 20% and continue to dropping due to Covenant Air forces. I'm gonna put some power to the shields from the Auxilary Power." While Major Smith handling the Shield Installation, Sergeant Timothy look into the window and suddenly an attack from the sky decimate the Covenant Forces near the southern entrance.

"If you curious, that is USS Queen Victoria Air Support, using the Phaser array at minimum power to blast enemy position from space. And frankly, those covenants are pretty much roasted at their positions." Major Smith makes a comment about what happened outside. For alice, that kind of air support with such accuracy certainly can be a great advantage during ground combat.

"How much we have to wait commander? We here for five minutes, we are sitting ducks and waiting the covenant to eat us alive." Alice began complaining about the slow progress to purge the data. "Almost there Chief Alice, eradicating the database in this type of installation requires a lot of time and if you are not patient, you are..." Suddenly a voice from the computer as Commander Stampson attempt to purge the data appear.

"UNABLE TO PURGE, HIGHER AUTHORIZATION IS NEEDED! UNABLE TO PURGE, HIGHER AUTHORIZATION IS NEED!" The voice from the computer giving the information that purging the data require a Captain level authorization or above. "I can't purge it; it requires Captain Level Authority or higher." "So, this mission is wasted" Alice came out in disappointment. "Not necessary Alice, there are other ways. Come follow me!"

Commander Stampson open two panels at one of the consoles. It was an EPS conduit and the computer conduit. Commander Stampson check both the EPS Conduit and Computer Conduit, and he came up with an idea. "Major, take one of that cable from that section now!" Commander Stampson ordering Major to get a cable. "Mind if I ask sir, what's your Plan B?" Major asks

"I'm gonna connect the EPS Conduit with Computer Conduit." Commander Stampson gives his idea. Major Smith realize what he is doing "You are gonna to overload the computer conduit by using the EPS?"

"That's right Major. If we overload the Computer Conduit, then all of the computer network will be fried and the database will cease to exist. But there's a catch…" Commander Stampson about his idea but also telling the team what's happen next if he doing this. Alice-110 feel nervous about this and decide to ask. "What's the catch commander? The whole building explodes out of nowhere?" Alice asks.

"No, but we will lose our shields. By overloading the computer conduit, we will lose the shields. The EPS Conduit also gonna overload due to sudden surge after we overload the computer. In essence, there will be a feedback loop." Upon hearing the catch, Major Smith feel uncomfortable with the idea. "But sir, by doing this, the installations is at risk of aerial bombardment."

"That's right, but remember, you're the one who request to send FNIC Team Alpha, Bravo, and JAFO team one to the Planetary Shield Generator. If the Covenant ships arrive to our system sooner, we'll be protected from planetary bombardment." Commander explain it. Sergeant Timothy agree with Commander Stampson assessment.

MEANWHILE…

AT USS QUEEN VICTORIA

At the USS Queen Victoria, all crews appear to be busy handling the communication. Multiple communication from the ground team request for medical evacuations, air supports from USS Queen Victoria. Cargo Bay 1 has been turned into make-shift sick bay due to increase incoming of medical evacuations.

"USS QUEEN VICTORIA, this is team Omega-1, we are pinned down in here! We need an immediate air support now!" Team Omega-1 has beet hit hard by the relentless covenant forces. "Roger that Omega-1, send us the coordinate and we will do the job." Lieutenant Commander Vorik answering him from his tactical section.

"Coordinate, grid 885 mark 242! I said again Grid 885 mark 242!"

"Roger that Omega-1, we receive your coordinate, standby for air support!" Vorik replied to the coordinate by the team down there.

"Roger that Victoria! Do it now! DANGER CLOSE!" Team Omega-1 answers with desperation, signs that they are pinned down.

"Target set, phaser fire now!" Vorik fires multiple phaser attack into the enemy position that pinned down the Omega-1. From space, within a naked eye, nothing is happened as phaser energy was set into low. Extremely low at 5%. But from the ground, is whole different story. Team Omega-1 take immediate cover when USS Queen Victoria fires its phaser weapons. Covenant Forces were wiped out, or more precisely vaporized due to intense heat from the phaser. The heat also felt by the Team Omega-1, but nothing that they can't handle.

"This is Omega-1, great guns! Great guns! Thanks for the assistance! Team Omega-1, out!" Air support was successfully conducted by USS Queen Victoria.

Suddenly Engineering team contact the bridge.

"Engineering to Bridge." Lieutenant T'Pau contact the bridge. "This is the bridge, what's the matter?" Captain Claire asks. "I am sorry Captain but I have to put transponder offline again. Energizing coil is exploded once again. Fastest I can give you is fifteen minutes to repair" The Captain, though, was disappointed this happen again especially during this time. "Lieutenant T'Pau, once this is over, I want you to check how the hell the transponder system offline again. If necessary, tear it piece by piece!"

"Aye Captain!"

"Ensign Park, open the channel to the ground forces, including UNSC Aurora."

"Standbye Captain, Comms is open now" Ensign Park open communication to all channel so everyone can hear it.

"Attention! This is USS Queen Victoria. Transponder is not available within fifteen minutes, I repeat, transponder is not available within fifteen minutes. Medical Evacuation only can be done through your pods only! Out!" Captain Claire announce that Transponder system is offline, if anyone want to use for medical evacuation, they have to do it through their own shuttle do deliver it.

"Alright Gentlemen, lets focus for our people at the ground."

Back to the Colony Ariosa II

Section Delta, Starfleet Main Installation

Major Smith delivering some bad news after hearing that Queen Victoria will not be able to take transport.

"Commander, we have bad news. Queen Victoria Transponder system is out of action for Fifteen Minutes!" Major Smith inform the first bad news. "Alright then, the good news!" Commander Stampson asks. "Bad news again sir, Section Charlie is about to be overrun!" "Wonderful" Commander Stampson answer with sarcasm.

"Commander! You better deep-six those computers now or covenant will make us FUBAR!" Sergeant Timothy arrive from section Charlie after seing the Covenant Forces are about to overrun those section and storm section delta.

"I heard you sergeant; Connection is done! Now get out of the way, this thing will turn to ugly!"

Commander Stampson connect the cable between EPS Conduit and Computer Conduit, and soon enough, the computer conduit is overloaded and all the computer is exploded, now all the database is purged. The team immediately leave section delta as EPS conduit overloaded and set the entire section delta on fire.

While on running, one of the jiralhanae follows them with cloaking device. After the team reach and leave the southern entrance, suddenly the one jiralhanae decloaking and stabbed Commander Stampson at the back. Right away, Sergeant Timothy and Chief Petty Officer Alice shoot him. Killing him in the process.

"Alice! Check his wound now!" Sergeant Timothy ordering Alice-110 to check Commander's wound. "It's bad, he's pretty much banged up. The lung is rupture, he must get CASEVAC now!" Alice-110 treating his lung for a while by put a hollow neddle to the pleural space. The Commander is having a hard time to breath, but with the extra pain from the needle, he just screams like hell.

"AHHHHHH GOD! HELL!" Commander Stampson scream in pain but alice keep doing it, knowing that It could save his life. "It's ok commander! I'm right here. Corporal! Anesthetic now!" Major Smith arrive in time and gives him a temporary anesthetic. Making the pain gone for a while so the Commander do not have to suffer the pain. Unfortunately, time is against them as the Covenant forces has surround their positions.

Several ODST's coming to their position to aid them but that won't be enough. "Where's the Alpha 2? Alice-110 asks one of the ODST's. They currently heading to EXFILL, too much casualty for them. Omega-1 and Omega-2 still in place, but they still a bit far away sir!" one of the ODST's answering her question. Alice-110 decide to open the radio frequency.

"USS Queen Victoria, request an immediate air support, we are totally surrounded!" Alice-110 requesting a Phaser attack from the USS Queen Victoria.

"Roger that, give us the coordinate and we will cover you." Lieutenant Commander Vorik need the coordinate to fire precisely. But time is against them.

"Negative, NO TIME! We getting FUBAR in here! We at Southern Entrance, enemy position 250 meters from ours!" Alice-110 answering him.

"Be adviced team, that is extremely closed! The heat will give you the pain, do you still need a go?" Vorik asks due to hesitation.

"Affirmative Victoria! Do it now! The Cov smug us at all front!"

"Roger that, standby for phaser attack."

At the USS Queen Victoria.

Lieutenant Commander Vorik is hesitated to fire near the friendly position, so he decided to call captain for advice.

"Captain, Commander Stampson team need immediate air support. But they're position is too close with the enemy." Vorik tells Captain Claire about the situation with Commander Stampson team.

"Show me the map of their position!" Captain Claire asks for the map surrounding the Southern Entrance. As the Map showed up in the main screen, she sees their position and covenant position closing fast. With now 220 meters left, Captain Claire decide to order Vorik to fire their position.

"Vorik, set all ventral phaser to continuously fire on enemy position, all of them."

"Aye Captain, all Ventral Phaser is ready for continuously fire." Vorik prepares all the Ventral Phasers.

"Fire at will!"

Immediately all fifteen Ventral Phasers fired on covenant position, simultaneously and continuously. Phaser fired on the enemy position for two minutes until according to the scanner, there are no covenant forces.

"Victoria to Stampson Team, all target has been eliminated. You may proceed to your next position!" Vorik informs the team on the ground.

"Victoria, that is great guns! One hell of a fire! Thanks for saving our life! Be advised, Commander Stampson is wounded at the chest due to stabbing. His lung is puncture but we currently giving him a treatment!" Alice-110 on the ground notify Queen Victoria that Commander Stampson is wounded.

"Alice! This is the Captain, take him to Pod-61, its one of ours and its preparing for launch delivering casualty. Take him to there so we can take care of Commander Stampson." Captain Claire gives the information about Medical Evacuation that is currently on the way. "Roger that Victoria. We're heading to the EXFILL. Alice, out!"

With Primary Objective is secured, along side with Secondary Mission done by FNIC Team Alpha and Bravo including JAFO Team one, the team is heading to the Extraction point to take out the casualties while others with possible take secondary objective, which is wiping out the remaining Covenant Forces on the ground.