A/N: I know that I have been AFK for a long time, but Battlefield 4 Community Map Project (Operation Outbreak), Night Operations (Zavod: Graveyard Shift) so I have been distracted by those two maps and Halo 5: Guardians has been an amazing game and I do think that it will continue to distract me further into the future, but I do wonder where the Janus Key is now that REDACTED is REDACTED. [IMPORTANT: I will NOT incorporate the Halo 5 Campaign at this time. Once we know an ending, MAYBE.]
This is the third chapter of UNSC OPERATION: ORESTES LIBERATION and it will most likely depict UNSC POV's as they are deploying into an active War-Zone outside of dedicated Landing zones.
Enjoy this new chapter.
[UPDATE: Due to a guest review a few hours ago (9th December 2015) I will confirm that SPARTAN's in this FanFiction will NOT Be superior to Space Marines in every way. Maybe in the Shielding, Movement Speed, General Medical Technology and Forerunner-Inspired Designs. However, the Scout Marine is a veteran of possibly hundreds of campaigns and a battle-company squad, not to mention a pair of 1st Company veterans easily outstrip them in experience. But the SPARTAN's WILL have superior Fire SUPPORT behind them. They're going to balanced out but I can only balance them as I see fit. Sorry.]
UNSC Titan-Class Ultra-Heavy Carrier "Reach" En-Route to UNSC Landing Zone, Orestes Forge World, 03:43 hrs, 18th February, 2895/UNSC Military Calendar/Military Standard Time.
"The negotiations have gone well with the Imperial Lord Governor on Orestes. We have identified a suitable Landing Zone outside the City Limits, however, we cannot be certain of how far enemy forces have advanced." Captain Goodacre said via Slipspace Communication. "Imperial Guard Intelligence on this war is woefully inadequate compared to those of the Titan Legio Invicta and Forge-Controlled Forces. We have identified 2 off-world Guard regiments, both the 50th Royal Volpone "Bluebloods" led by General Gilbear and 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 6th Narmenian Armour Divisions under the overall command of Lord General Grizmund. Reports from Falchion wings are that numerous Imperial Navy squadrons have been confirmed to be in operation in the air campaign against Chaos Forces, Vox-Traffic has relayed that the strikes dealt out high payloads for no kills on enemy titans. Furthermore, Legio Invicta has confirmed they have made contact with an enemy Reaver-Pattern Titan massacring PDF Artillery. They had been saved by Invicta in that action too."
Stood at the Holotank was a veteran of the Human-Covenant War, the Storm's demise and pacification of Insurrection Planets. Fleet Admiral Thomas Jones had hundreds of years experience under his belt, fiercely respected by UNSC Personnel and most surprising passed SPARTAN-IV training and augmentations. Now, in-front of him stood Captain Kirsty Goodacre or if you're a close friend to him, then an old family friend. Like the majority of the UNSC population, they had lost family in the Human-Covenant War or to the Storm movement afterwards. The Fall of Reach had robbed her of both brothers and mother whilst her father was killed by Wraith mortar fire at the Ancient Buckingham Palace on Earth. Kirsty's only family left was her younger sister in the ODST's, who'd been stationed aboard the UNSC Reach.
"Additionally, Astropathic messages have been received by the Salamander Strike Force. They report they will be arriving on schedule to deploy alongside us. That is my official report concerning the Orestean War." Captain Goodacre finished.
"Thank you for that Captain. This will aid us in force deployments greatly." Fleet Admiral Jones complimented. "Anything you'd personally add, Kirsty?"
"Unofficially, this war is seems to echo the Human-Covenant War, except there are weapons in the field that help. Guard forces have nothing that can severely damage a Titan quickly. Only the Mechanicus seems to have that kind of firepower, however they are ignoring the Guard's Command Planning to make their own, Tom."
"So they can't organise a Piss up in a Brewery. Is that the idea you're getting to, Kirsty?" She nodded to that statement. "Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us, Captain." he said, and the connection was closed.
The Bridge of the Titan-Class Carrier was small on most statistics when compared with Imperial Navy vessels of similar size but not performance, (A/N: Similar to the UNSC Infinity's Command Deck, just a bit… larger.) UNSC Vessels adopted a new practice of when the ship enters hazardous situations, the command deck shunts away into the Armour Belt found on UNSC Vessels, and the original position vented to prevent violent depressurisation. The crew uses hard light consoles and as redundant failsafes, detailed flat monitors. The bridge crew only consisted of 30, with most duties completed by Dumb A.I's, Smart A.I and controlled by their Human counterparts onboard the ship.
Fleet Admiral Jones' 3rd Fleet was the largest in Imperial Space that is active against 'Archenemy' Forces. The largest fleet protected the Slip-Space Gate 37,000 Light Years from the outwards edge of Segmentum Pacificus region, counting just shy of nearly two thousand vessels of varying classes, over 1250 PCSMAC Orbital Defence Platforms and UNSC Long Range Anchorage Bases spread throughout the Fleet to increase Fighter and Point Defence Grid/Close In Weapon System coverage.
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UNSC M780 SHSW/MODP Coyote, UNSC Landing Zone, 80 Miles from Orestes Principle Hive, Orestes Forge World, 05:15 hrs, 18th February, 2895/UNSC Military Calendar/Military Standard Time.
"What's the status of ground deployment?" Colonel Cobb asked one of his aides.
"The 50th Super Heavy Division has deployed en-masse and are patrolling the Outer Perimeter alongside elements of the 22nd Armoured Brigade" he replied.
"Right. When are the Salamander's coming in?"
"The UNSC Reach reports that the first Thunderhawks are en-route. They'll be landing outside to meet us." another aide said.
"And who will we be greeting, Captain Price?" The Colonel asked the young woman.
"We'll be meeting a Veteran-Sergeant of the Salamanders 4th Company, in 10 mins. He'll be accompanied by 9 other Salamanders." Price replied.
"Good. Let's get things ready for their arrival. And when do we Rendezvous with Guard Convoys?" Cobb said.
"4 hours from now, sir. They've started to organise their convoys into position." Price stated.
"Thank you, Ladies and Gentleman." Nodding to them all.
Command Decks on an Coyote were a large bustling place, filled with Weapon Stations in relative position to their emplacements, Radar Operators towards the Front, Main Gunnery Control behind a blast door at the rear, Drive Control up front with the Ship-Grade Armour Glass Ports, more decorative to let in light than functional when compared to the multiple camera displays in front of each driver. This Coyote's command was busier, and by default, louder than usual, being the Command and Control with UNSC Assets on the Ground in this theatre, meant that it would direct the Landing Operations of 2 Titan Carriers, the "Harvest" and "Corbulo", whilst providing directions for Imperial Navy Assets in the area.
"Colonel, sir! This just came in from Fleet Admiral Jones." relayed a Communications Operator, leaning back to hand him the Data-Pad.
Taking it, he transferred the data to his own, giving it back whilst he thanked the Operator. Walking away towards the drive area, he read the content of the pad, realising that this operation needed to be sped up. The Fleet was reporting that the Salamander Strike Force had arrived with another Astartes Force, the Imperial Fist's had also diverted a sizeable force to aid Orestes. Whilst this was an advantage, due to more Astartes, he now needed to deal with another Chapter that hadn't been briefed by Imperial High Command, not that they'd give a damn. He compiled his response to send to the Fleet, then sent another to the Armoured Units.
Captain Harry Middleton, UNSC Marines, Commander of M870 Red Wolf MBT, UNSC Landing Zone, 80 Miles from Orestes Principle Hive, Orestes Forge World, 05:19 hrs, 18th February, 2895/UNSC Military Calendar/Military Standard Time.
Outside, the local area around the Coyote was a mass of movement and noise. Dropships, Fighters, Bombers, Multi-Role Craft, and a squadron of Scarlett-Class Heavy Frigates were in the airspace around the UNSC Landing Zone, whilst the Ground Vehicles were parked up, ready to move out proper. Captain Harry Middleton of the 22nd Armoured Brigade, was a highly decorated Tanker with a hundred or so kills. Kills that ranged from Storm Covenant Wraiths, Banshees, Phantoms and Ghosts. Whilst not built to destroy these targets, Chaos Vehicles didn't serve much better. AT70 Reavers, AT83 Brigands, N20 Halftracks, STeG 4, Usurper-Pattern Self Propelled Artillery and a combined kill on an enemy Baneblade.
Even with this experience, he'd lost friends along the way. On his first Squadron Command, they'd found a crate with 12 bottles of 2015's finest Whisky brewed that year. The idea was, the last Tanker standing would go to the locker where the crate was stored and share out a bottle with those he would happily repeat the tradition. They'd gone through two bottles in 12 years.
"Captain, sir!" That would be Jamie, one of the Tertiary weapon operators and Communication Officer. "Orders from the Colonel to make space for another dropship."
"Right. Hannah, move us closer towards those CSV's." the Captain ordered. The Tank roared into life, revving its engine at Hannah's commands and began crawling towards them. Captain Middleton, perched on the hatch rim, watched the other Commanders moving their respective steeds away from their previous spot. Stopping just 6 meters away from the trucks, the engine shut down.
Surveying the area they'd just vacated, he could see a clearing, that even an experienced Pigeon crew would find it hard to touch down there.
"What now, Captain?" Shurgart, he was the leftmost Remote Turret Operator on the Twin-Linked 20mm Chain Guns and the sensor officer onboard. "I mean, unless a Fighter lands, there's no point making this clearing?"
"That is what I am gonna ask the others." Swinging his legs round and jumping down onto the hull then to the sand below, he saw the other commanders conversing by Johnny's M860 with flasks of hot water for Tea or Coffee, not that the sand wouldn't get into it.. Noticing him approaching, they send their greetings while he returns them.
"Why do you think we moved?" he asked to no-one in particular.
"Apparently, there's another meeting happening but this time it's with some guys called the 'Space Marines'." Jessica Smith said, mocking the last words. "Well. They got a lot already, just over 65,000 of us!" With smirks forming around the group, they continued on about news from the fleet.
Veteran-Sergeant Tarsa, Salamanders 5th Company, Thunderhawk Gunship "Spear of Prometheus", En-Route to UNSC Landing Zone, Orestes Forge World, 779.M41.
"Brothers, we are here to talk with our allies in the coming war. Do not provoke them into doing something… unwise." Veteran-Sergeant Tarsa declared over the Thunderhawk's Engines. Sergeant Tarsa was the youngest Veteran-Sergeant of the Salamanders at approximately 300 years old. (A/N: Read note at end of chapter) After another glorious campaign against the Waaagh! "Umie Smasher was concluded, with his tactical squad successfully relaying coordinates for a concentrated Orbital Bombardment on Smasher's Factories, effectively ending his harassment of nearby Imperial Systems and eventually the Waaagh!
Glancing around the dimly lit interior of the Prometheus, his Green-Armoured brethren blending into the shadows around him. At the other end, he saw the stark contrast of the Imperial Fist contingent. The proud Imperial Yellow and Blood Red Highlights looked magnificent in this environment whilst the bright, green lights of their helmet retina 'eyepieces' shone like the Adeptus Astronomica in the Warp.
The intercom crackled "Brother-Sergeant, we will land in a large clearing by the meeting area." relayed the Pilot.
Raising the safety bar from across his head, Tarsa moved towards the ladder a few meters away and began to ascend into the rear of the cockpit. Hunched over and holding onto a handrail, he moved to behind the pilot's seat. Able to see what out of the armour-glass separating them and the screaming air of Orestes.
He noticed two blips on the Auspex nearing the Thunderhawk's position.
"Brother, have you identified the two blips behind us?" Tarsa's voice completely level. The pilot acknowledged with a slight nod. Suddenly, as if it were staged by the Emperor himself, the vox crackled to life.
"Astartes Aircraft, this is UNSC Falchion off your starboard wing. We will escort you into the Landing Zone." Moving his head so he could get a better view, the Veteran-Segeant saw the UNSC Falchion. It was a majestic bird, something that even he would like to see in the Chapter's arsenal. The body was so… different to what he had seen in his service for the God-Emperor. The wings had a similarity. But a different feeling to them too. The UNSC Pilot had sounded feminine. This was implying to him that they did not care about who fought for their cause, because male and female were both soldiers in their eyes. Soldiers willing to fight and die for humanity. Whether or not they break ranks and flee like Guardsmen, will have to be seen by him before the Captain will work with them.
"Brother-Sergeant, we are clearing the cloud cover now." informed the pilot. With that said, the dense cloud that been present for the last few minutes, disappeared. What was laid out in-front of them was impressive. Multiple Scarlett-Class Frigates were circling two, much larger vessels, both were disgorging thousands of aircraft heading to huge areas that had been lit up for landing strips. There was a grouping of larger vehicles near the centre with grids of smaller ground vehicles and tanks, however, they weren't bunched up like an inexperienced army. They had kept it close, whilst staying spread out so any artillery strike wouldn't outright destroy more than one or two.
"Spear of Prometheus, this is UNSC Air Traffic Control. You are to reduce airspeed to 160KM/H and land at these Coordinates, Over." Another voice, definitely male, informed them. Following the predetermined course, set out by the UNSC ATC, the pilot banked around with perfect precision to bring it onto an approach of a 'unlit' clearing, when there were a dozen tanks headlamps making a whitewashed space of desert. Said tanks were huge, probably larger than an Imperial Baneblade, one of which near the clearing had a group of non-augemented humans. This area appeared to have been hastily cleared with tanks resting nearby, the dust still lingering in the air.
"Machining our final approach, Sergeant." the pilot informed, switching to the internal vox. "Prepare for landing, Brothers."
Tarsa made his leave, descending the ladder to the forward troop bay. Moving to his armour restraint for the last part of the flight.
Captain Harry Middleton, UNSC Marines, Commander of M870 Red Wolf MBT, UNSC Landing Zone, 80 Miles from Orestes Principle Hive, Orestes Forge World, 06:32 hrs, 18th February, 2895/UNSC Military Calendar/Military Standard Time.
Harry was looking around for his Comms officer when he ran into his driver, Hannah.
"Sorry Hannah." Steadying her since she'd nearly fallen down. "You haven't seen Jamie anywhere, have you?" he asked her.
"Uh, I saw him this side of the Coyote, by the main ramp." That was what she said, and after thanking her, he went off to see where he was. But after 13 minute of looking, with no luck, he check the tank before he asked around. Walking back to the tank in these conditions, were like being at supermarket, whilst in a blizzard. Vehicles marshalled into grids, and in between those grids were the crews congregating around their mounts. Not a minute later, he saw Jamie stood on the back of an CSV Flatbed, rangefinders out and spotting something out in the distance. Jumping onto the the bed of the truck he waltzed next to him.
Jamie sensed that he was approaching him and he saw his CO's transponder kicking into gear. Still peering through the rangefinders, he hands them over to the Captain whilst he asks about some aircraft that seem to be on an final approach to the area they just cleared.
"Aw, shit." he exclaims "You think that thing's headed for us?" Tracking the unknown and the two Falchion with the optics in his grip. Said unknown looked like a cruciform armed to the teeth. He saw the underwing mounts with what appeared to be eight missiles, then on the edge of both wings were a pair of twin-short barrelled weapons with similar weapons on the frontal compartment flank's. But what got him really intrigued was the giant cannon on the aircraft's humped back. Looking a few moments longer, he then handing them back to his Communications Officer, who begins to track the green and black cruciform.
"Come on, lets get back to the others." ordered Harry. They both jumped off the flatbed and briskly jogged to the makeshift LZ, where the unknown was really getting low and slow. Arriving at his Red Wolf, he quickly scaled the vehicle and was perched by his hatch. Sparing a glance up the flank of the Coyote, he saw the upper and lower gunnery deck's Anti-Air and numerous Heavy pieces tracking the slow moving arrival whilst it manoeuvred into the clearing. The two Falchions, meanwhile, were both hovering 35 metres port and starboard of its wings. Their weapons hot, ready for any hostile stunt this aircraft might pull.
As the unknown touched down, the soft dust of Orestes vacating the downforce, the engines held a while longer before dying down to nothing more that a low whine. Sounded like nothing more than a sliver of generator power for restart. As it was landing he made sense of the symbol on the front compartment's armoured sides, a daemonic-looking creature with flames out behind it. But what was to surprise him the most, would be the cargo inside.
Sternguard Veteran Ly'Sudnar, Imperial Fists 1st Company, Thunderhawk Gunship "Spear of Prometheus", En-Route to UNSC Landing Zone, Orestes Forge World, 779.M41.
Whilst the Prometheus was airborne, Ly-Sudnar was conversing with his fellow 1st Company Battle-Brother Rorn, about the future task of working with the UNSC on Orestes. However, whilst it seemed that two 1st Company Veterans seemed to be a gross waste of resources for simple talks, Chapter-Master Vorn Hagen asked them to lead the talks based upon past experience with the UNSC on the world of Verghast. While they were only present for the Ferrozoica Hive Army retreat, they still worked with the UNSC's forces in the glass plains, south of Vervunhive itself. Though it was short, they still had experiences with them, unlike the Salamanders present.
Speaking of which, an impassive body of MKVII Armour was walking towards their area in the Prometheus' troop bay. They both turn to him, eager to hear any additional details.
"Brothers, we are 5 minutes out from Landing." That had them wishing to know more, so they both slung their respective wargear round, below the Armour's Power Pack. Grabbing hold on an overhead guide rail, they moved towards the Pict-Screen, showing the co-pilot's viewpoint.
Said view was looking to one of the UNSC Escorts, but he nor Rorn recognised that particular design of aircraft. Then the view looked forwards again as the Pilot was announcing they were breaking through Orestes Cloud Cover, and almost suddenly their destination jumped in-front of them. The camera once again panned round so the complement could see what they were landing into, showing the massed ranks of armoured vehicles, supplies, Aircraft both Combat and Transport capable. What caught his attention, however, were the numerable amount of Orbital vessels in-atmosphere circling the Landing Zone, then there were those massive vehicles that looked like they were built for one thing, Siege Warfare. Before he could study it further, the camera swings around once more, following the Thunderhawk's bulk. Revealing another Siege Piece vehicle that had a large clearing in-front of the gaping ramp on it's starboard flank. Vehicles moving up into the beast, whilst many smaller ones moved down it onto the sandy grounds. They saw dozens of heavy vehicles alongside it, many were elevating weapons to meet them, some had their operators stood on the cupolas of the turrets or they were behind the bulk to escape the Prometheus' considerable downforce.
The view panned further right to see a UNSC Escort 35 meters away, matching the speed showing vector-thrust technology was being used. Then it looked ahead and the HUD on Ly-Sudnar's display showed the Space Marine that the pilots were tagging all potential-hostile emplacements, as all of those on the Siege Piece's starboard side, were slowly tracking the Thunderhawk's descent with unnerving accuracy, and with what he'd seen in the briefings, all UNSC CIWS's were guided by a power Artificial Intelligence. Not like the ones that the Imperium have designed, created and discovered, but the UNSC A.I's had been built upon having three important rules that could not be overwritten by the A.I itself. However, during the briefing, it was said that UNSC Military Smart A.I's can override the first rule due to the nature of its job, and at full capacity.
1. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
2. A robot must obey any orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.
He looked towards his Battle-Brother, Rorn turned to him and nodded his assent. If they were to go to war with the UNSC strength on Orestes against Chaos forces, then it would be quicker than if they had to Guard armour units. Seeing how large the UNSC Landing Zone was, when not 3 hours ago, it was nothing more than a barren piece of desert west of Orestes' Principle Hive. It spoke volumes of how they operated to the upmost efficiency to carry out the orders given, wait in organised grids in compact groups, yet have the space so no one artillery strike could destroy more than one tank for example. This war was going to get interesting.
Captain Harry Middleton, UNSC Marines, Commander of M870 Red Wolf MBT, UNSC Landing Zone, 80 Miles from Orestes Principle Hive, Orestes Forge World, 06:32 hrs, 18th February, 2895/UNSC Military Calendar/Military Standard Time.
Seeing that thick ramp come clanging down surprised him, especially when a fog rolled out behind it. Then the figures in Green and Black with Gold chests and ghostly Red retinas, strode out of the aircraft and out onto the ramp, the armour itself made a SPARTAN look like a marine in comparison on terms of armoured bulk. The weapon it was fielding looked like a massive assault rifle from the 21st century. The magazine receiver forwards of the trigger assembly, it had a naked look with no optics or attachments unlike the UNSC Infantry weapons. But just because the cannon had no obvious optics, doesn't mean that they weren't proficient using it and killing with it. Most of them carried one, making it look like the standard rifle they used, while a few of them had weapons that had a particular feel to them, like they were using thermals to eliminate the targets. That is when he saw the pilot flame on the end of the barrel assembly, making it a Flamethrower. He was surprised they'd take such an item when they conducting talks. Nevertheless, he keyed his radio piece and notified everyone in the vicinity of a possible Flamethrower, with many sighting on the individual and confirming the call-out. Ten figures in Green, Black and Gold armour appeared. Then two more stepped out in blatant Yellow Armour, a colour that had no place on the battlefield for camouflage, though these specific armoured figures carried different variants of the standard rifle used. They had a larger, box magazine with ornate decorations and an under-barrel attachment with ominous glow along its upper side. (A/N: They both have Combi-Plasma's since I can't be asked to describe the Combi-Melta) The Yellow clad Astartes wore an emblem on their shoulders depicting a black fist, with an Laurel around it. One of them caught his stare, and nodded to him, and out of respect nodded back to him.
The walking tanks were greeted by Colonel Cobb, who had his command uniform and just like he always did a pair of M27/Caseless Submachine Guns on magnetic holsters on his upper thighs. Alongside him were four SPARTAN's all of them Female in different armour configurations and same colours. They had varying weapons with all of them having another weapon on the Magnetic strips on their backs too. The first SPARTAN had an M439 DMR and BR98 Battle Rifle, the second had an M267K Heavy Machine Gun and M50 Tactical Assault Shotgun, the third had an MA7 ICWS and M69 Medium Anti-Vehicle/Assault Weapon System whilst the final one had an SRS-105D Series-7 Anti-Material and an M779 SAW. All of them then had magnetised M27/Caseless Submachine Guns on both thighs, except the one shouldering the Sniper Rifle since she had opted to grab the latest of the M6R PDWS that utilised the Universal Rail System found on all modern UNSC Weapons.
Glancing around to another Tank Commander, they both nodded and while she battered down the hatches on her tank, Harry looked at the other Commanders who realised what he meant. As powerful as those 4 SPARTAN's were, against 12 walking tanks, even with the heavy ordinance they have it'll be heavily one-sided. So as he dropped down into the turret he began to coordinate the other tankers if they potentially became hostile towards them. Even if they didn't kill them outright, any Red Wolf firing its primary armament at one would wound it significantly allowing follow ups from the Fire-Teams around them. Though at the rate things were progressing and the situation, it looked to be friendly. But it wouldn't hurt to be prepared for any eventuality.
A/N: That is my longest chapter ever, and it won't be the last before Christmas I hope! As usual I am open to suggestions on how to improve this story. Though at this stage I am unlikely to show the chapter in-depth of the Salamanders and Imperial Fists talking to the UNSC due to my laziness and complexity of Space Marine speech (In my opinion). The All Female SPARTAN Fire Team will be present later on in the story, but I just need to get the armour, colour scheme and bios like that done.
Please Review if you have any suggestions about the story.
SmokeTinyTiff.
