A/N: This is my 5th Chapter of this FanFic, which to be honest, I never thought would get over 1,000 hits. I started this when I was bored out of my mind on the bus, reading Titanicus. Just when I came across the chapter detailing an urban fight, with an enormous Titan, I thought why use a risky manoeuvre when Invicta's Fleet could just help from orbit? Remembering that the UNSC used orbital strikes against atmospheric targets by using Paris-Class Heavy Frigates at the Covenant Landing Zone on Reach, Orbital Defences on the running Corvette form Sword Base and the Voi Portal with Charon-Class Light Frigates.
2 Chapters in less than a month, don't get used to it. I had a lot of momentum behind my writing right now.
Hope you Enjoy the chapter and as always please read and review.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Halo (But I Wish I Did), Warhammer 40,000 and Titanicus or any reference to the popular Singer Tom Jones. Bungie/343 Industries/Microsoft Studios, Games Workshop, Dan Abnett and Tom Jones (Welsh Singer) Respectively.
Chapter 5: Counter Offensive
Captain Kirsty Goodacre, UNSC Navy, UNSC Spirited Fire Scarlett-Class Heavy Frigate, 60,000FT above Orestes Forge World 22:16 hrs, February 20th, 2895/UNSC Military Calendar/Military Standard Time.
Though the thick lightning clouds blanketed Orestes, making the Imperial Navy's job much harder, the UNSC Ships had no such problem with the odd atmospherics originating from the planet. The UNSC Heavy Frigate named 'Spirited Fire' was currently providing cover to an advance party of Legio Invicta's engines, three Warhound-Class Titans were running across the ruins west of the Jeromihah Subsids. While powerful enough to eliminate Chaos Ground Columns, it'll be trouble if they engage larger or more numerous Titans. the Frigate was there to assist with Missile Barrages and Onager Rounds to collapse the void shields.
The bridge was currently quiet compared to a few hours ago. Since the 1527 hrs confirmed sighting of an advanced Titan strike group, Imperial High Command ordered a sweep behind Legio Invicta's advance. To avoid Chaos Forces from pressing an advantage of having Imperial reinforcements scrambling to close any gaps, the UNSC recommended a counter thrust of their own to put the opposition on the back foot. Whilst the Imperial High Command did not believe this was an adequate use of troops, Executor Crusius and Princeps Maximus Gearhart supported the thrust wholeheartedly and offered Invicta's Titans to perform it. Originally it was to be a pair of Reaver's and a Single Warlord Titan, it would weaken Invicta's own advance thus three Warhound-Classes would lead with an UNSC Scarlett-Class Heavy Frigate at 60,000FT to provide fire support if required.
"Lupus Lex, Morbius Sire and Martial Nox have reached waypoint five without incident, Captain." stated Emma.
"Thank you, Emma. Send a progress report to the Lord Governor's residence, Executor Crusius and Lord Gearhart." the Captain replied. Hints of boredom was creeping into her voice. This counter thrust was a sound manoeuvre, however, it was getting 'late' and the Captain had been up for 69 hours. After the negotiations with Imperial High Command, she'd had little rest and with coffee and Emma's badgering she had stay awake. However, her body had its limit and was slowly shutting down due to her lack of sleep. She needed to get into her quarters to sleep.
"XO has the bridge." stated Kirsty, turning around she had thought she heard the XO's confirmation of the command change. Walking down the armoured bulkheads of the vessel, crew saluting her as she went along when finally she arrived at her destination. The Captain's private quarters was impossible to open with the Neural Interface all UNSC Personnel have implanted. This one had a special code to allow her to open it. Only one other woman had that, and she was sat right in front of her. Kirsty smiled back at her and a slight hand gesture, closed the armoured door behind them.
Princeps Maximilian Orfuls, Legio Invicta Morbius Sire Warhound-Class Scout Titan, Warhound-Class Command Bridge, Jeromihah Subsidary, Orestes Forge World, 779.M41.
"Report sent to the Spirited Fire, Princeps." Moderati Strakhov informed.
"Thank you, Strakhov." Princeps replied, gratefully. So far the enemy had eluded them for nearly 7 hours and even with the active pings coming in from the other titans, nothing had been detected. So when a scent was picked up by Morbius Sire's sensors, the other titans Martial Nox and Lupus Lex were quick to respond to the call.
"250 meter intervals spread, ahead full-stride." ordered Princeps Orfuls. Nox and Lex, sent their confirmation and began to spread out. allowing a larger amount of rubble to be swept at once.
"Should I inform Spirited Fire of our change Moderati?" asked Strakhov.
"No. Stick with schedule they gave us. Next report in one hour." Orfuls ordered, immediately.
"Yes, Princeps" Strakhov, nodding reluctantly, he didn't send another report. Glancing upwards, he searched for the UNSC Frigate assigned to them, to provide cover if an Archenemy Warlord-Class was sighted. He was baffled as to why Orfuls hadn't told him to inform the Frigate of the change in formation and the possibility of an engine battle. Especially this scent made him uneasy. Unlike other Titan crews who'd rush to get a kill mark, he preferred a methodical check of intelligence to spoil any surprises before they can hurt him, add to this the auspex was clouded with the tall refineries and the sandstorm blowing through made it nigh-impossible for visual identification. He wanted to check over the scent they were searching for, and by the grace of the Emperor, a stronger reading was taken indicating they were closing in. However as with before, the identity of the scent was unknown at this time and he hoped it can be identified before they reached it.
Captain Harry Middleton, UNSC Marines, Commander of M870 Red Wolf MBT, Legio Invicta - Astartes - UNSC Advance, 220 Miles from Orestes Principle Hive, Orestes Forge World, 23:31 hrs, 20th February, 2895/UNSC Military Calendar/Military Standard Time.
About 25 miles West of the Gox Subsidiaries, an 40 Mile spread of Orestean desert was a staggered line of illuminated figures, eerily quiet considering the size of them. Advancing towards the districts surrounding Argentum Hive. Shadowing Legio Invicta's line of Titans was an enormous amount of armoured vehicles. This was the combined elements of the 22nd, 89th, 111th, 303rd Armoured Divisions with the 50th and 81st Super Heavy Division spread throughout the force to serve as mobile Command and Control and as monstrous Anti-Air Defences.
The 22nd Armoured Division was in the very shadow of the advancing titans. Captain Middleton's squadron was between three Warlord-Class Titans, one either side and one ahead of them. Ploughing through the soft sand at 35MPH, and unending sand belt was being kicked out by the advancing UNSC Main Battle Tanks. The green and black shapes of the Salamanders could be seen, alongside the bright yellow and black of the Imperial Fists own armoured vehicles. The miniature tremors of another step from the Warlords, picked up a vast amount of sand to be drizzled over nearby vehicles, only for it to be swept away by the airflow of the speeding tanks.
Captain Middleton, sat on the edge of his hatch, Jamie leant against his own to his left. The billowing smoke of destroyed towns filled the horizon, so thick that he could taste and smell the waste products of whatever was being incinerated by the flames. The smoke column was visible to them due to the colossal fires that burned ahead of them.
"Be advised, enemy attack reported at Undergox Edge, repeat Imperial Titan under assault at Undergox Edge. 22nd and 111th Armoured Divisions are to divert to provide support to Legio Invicta's Engines. Over." An UNSC Officer broadcasted to the Argentum assault force.
Grabbing his data-pad, he looked up Undergox Edge and it's pre-war information. Tall buildings, population of 6,000,000 Imperial citizens, workforce to the Shaltar Refineries to the South and Argentum itself to its North-East. He'd seen enough, Urban warfare was about to start, with that he ordered Hannah to follow the advancing Titan group, redirected to aid the unknown Titan.
"All vehicles, we will be entering an Urban Combat zone. Power up shields and defensive measures." informed the Captain. Changing channel, he requested to converse with the lead Warlord-Class Titan.
"Invicta Warlord, Invicta Warlord. Do you copy? Over."
"This is Invictus Antagonistes. Who is this?" replied an unfamiliar voice.
"Captain Harry Middleton, UNSC Marine Corps, Red Wolf MBT Commander, 22nd Armoured Division." the Captain informed. "To who am I addressing?"
"Moderati Bernal. What is it you want?" Moderati Bernal said.
"Just a word with your Commanding Officer. I'd like to formulate a battle plan with him." Unknowingly speaking to the Titan with him onboard.
"UNSC Captain Middleton, I am Princeps Maximus Gearhart." A voice came through the comms. "What is this battle plan you speak of?"
Nodding to Jamie, who sent a data burst to the Invictus' crew. "Data package sent and delivered." stated Jamie.
"My communications officer has sent it through to you. It details how I'd like to deploy the 22nd and 111th Armoured Divisions." the Captain explained.
"This shows that you'd be spearheading the attack. If this engine is under attack from another titan, you'd be outmatched." Gearhart responded.
"I beg to differ. Our Tanks were designed to penetrate T-47 Scarab shields and armour. And don't worry about use taking hits, we're built from from Starship grade armour with hard light shielding." Harry retorted quickly, not letting his force's tanks be mocked. "Let's get back on track."
"I believe that to be a wise decision, Captain." Gearhart replied, skeptical that an Armoured advance could fend off a Titan hit, let alone damaging one.
"The 22nd tanks would Blitzkrieg to the Titan from the west on four different avenues of attack. Whilst the 111th would split into two groups, half coming in from the East and the others coming in from the South. This would force them out of town, into your line of sight."
"What if you encounter Skitarii troops? Dark Mechanicus Artillery pieces? How will you deal with them." Moderati Bernal suddenly cut in.
"A large complement of Tiger AFV's alongside us to deal with Skitarii. If artillery shows itself, then it'll either be an airstrike or counter-artillery from the Coyote's Missile racks." Jamie stated. a nod from the Captain appreciating the support.
"Very well. Captain, you may proceed with your attack plan. We will be at Undergox Edge in 30 minutes." Gearhart concluded, no doubt this will go wrong.
"Thank you, Princeps Maximus. We won't let you down." replied Captain Middleton. Pleased to know that the UNSC Armour could change Invicta's reluctance to work alongside them. Switching channels, he was addressing all UNSC Armour. Two simple words were spoken, "Blitzkrieg, Blitzkrieg."
Vehicles previously cruising to stay with the Invicta Advance, suddenly speeded ahead as they increased to combat velocity of 55MPH. They would be within firing range of the distressed Imperial Titan in 10 minutes. He just hoped they would make it before it was too late for the crew.
Moderati Dolf Gentrian, Nicomach Ignix, Legio Tempestus Warlord-Class Titan, Warlord-Class Command Head, Undergox Edge, Orestes Forge World, 779.M41.
"They're in," Racking the slide of his shotgun and went over to the hatch at the top of the spinal shaft. Beams of stablights speared through Ignix's internals, casting odd shadows on the wall-ladder.
"Dues Mechanicus protect us all," he muttered.
"What the hell is this?" the sensori shouted out.
"What's wrong?" Following his gaze, he saw the auspex as it was pinging dozens of Baneblade sized vehicles. All of them charging towards Ignix, unrecognised codes, not Imperial, or Scrapcode were preceding them. The sensori was going on about exloaded codes. Shield noise was coming in too, not far behind the first groups.
Lustig stirred in his casket, uttering one word. "Invicta."
Suddenly Ignix rocked on its hydraulics, the noise outside was chaotic. Running to the cockpit ports, he looked out to see upwards of three dozen tanks, designs he's never seen before, charging down the main viaduct. The huge tanks, uncaring of the walls and charred vehicles in their way, were firing shell after shell at the Dark Skitarii beneath them. Explosions were rippling through their positions, accurately targeting and destroying gun platforms and foot-troops alike. The Skitarii were bringing their own weapons to bear on the charging tanks. Heavy gauge las-fire was discharged at them, expecting to kill it on its first salvo, the gunners had switched targets. Rocket Propelled Munitions streaked to their targets, intent on murdering the annoyance, they slammed into them. To say that he was shocked, was to be an enormous understatement. All the tanks continued the high speed charge towards the enemy, by now their pintle mounts secondary weapons were offloading to the deluge. More explosions, from another source threw up the opposing force, pieces of gun carriage and Chaos Skitarii had been systematically cleared from the feet of Ignix.
The Skitarii, having suffered massive casualties from their overconfidence, ran into the side streets on the hope of flanking the newcomers. Not 30 seconds later, they sprinted back into sight of the assaulting vehicles. This is where another force of tanks, were waiting had just driven them back scared.
Captain Harry Middleton, UNSC Marines, Commander of M870 Red Wolf MBT, Legio Invicta - UNSC Advance, Undergox Edge, 260 Miles from Orestes Principle Hive, Orestes Forge World, 23:53 hrs, 20th February, 2895/UNSC Military Calendar/Military Standard Time.
"Gunner! 11 O'clock, 5th storey! 1 Shot." ordered Captain Middleton, sighting another Enemy weapons platform dug in. The turret casing adjusted to his command, the barrels elevating to allow the gunner to take that shot to the letter.
"Target acquired!" informed the gunner, his voice cool as a cucumber, keeping track of the munition storage.
"Fire!" Another building had lost a sizeable chunk to the 285mm UNSC Plasma-Coated HEAT shell, its rubble causing more damage by crushing those underneath the impact point.
"Captain, signal from the 111th reports the enemy just attempted a breakout down the side streets." reported the Comms officer, who then went back to raking the skitarii taking cover by the Imperial Titan's feet. Chunks of augmented body and cybernetics were blown outwards by the 20mm Hyper Velocity Gatling Cannons that make up the tertiary armament on UNSC Armoured Fighting Vehicles.
"Get on the horn and inform Princeps Gearhart of the contact force. And tell those Gunships to hurry up a bit." grinned Middleton.
The other tanks in the Blitzkrieg carried on their job of killing the enemy foot mobiles. He had also called in a 12 ship flight of HG-84/HTC Hawks. The heavy gunships were from the 'Preston J. Cole' Hood-Class Super Heavy Escort Carrier in high-orbit of the planet. They had reported to have visual on the combat zone, and would be dropping munitions in the side streets and enemy Artillery positions soon. The Tigers carrying the SPARTANS would also be deploying their fire teams to clear out the Tempestus Engine. He had seen the cables latched onto the armour of the Titan, alongside the scorched maintenance hatches that had obviously been breached with explosives. Just would the SPARTANS be able to aid them before it was too late.
Moderati Bernal, Invictus Antagonistes, Legio Invicta Warlord-Class Titan, Warlord-Class Command Head, Undergox Edge, Orestes Forge World, 779.M41.
The crew of the 'Red Fury' watched silently. The destruction the UNSC Armoured Division had reaped was vast, habitat blocks, shops, burned out vehicles had been rammed aside to forge a path to the stricken Tempestus Engine. The Captain leading the assault had sent them an ongoing report of the engagement. It described the enemy skitarii had suffered massive casualties in the opening bombardment, citing the enemy 'thought they'd be destroyed after a salvo of high-power Las-fire and Rocket Propelled Munitions.'
"Orders, Princeps?" Asked Bernal.
"Ahead full-stride, voids to full." ordered Gearhart.
"Ahead full-stride, aye." informed the steersman. Antagonistes began to move at a much faster pace than before.
"Voids lit, Princeps." Bernal stated, The machine spirit responded quickly to the commands, itching to attack the enemy force besieging another Warlord. If the reports were correct.
Glad the Invictus was cooperating well, he began to study the surrounding terrain. A proximity alarm suddenly sounded, Gearhart was ordering for the target to be found just as 12 Gunships rocketed past them, UNSC Transponders identifying them as 'HG-84/HTC Hawk Heavy Gunships.' The aircraft were skimming the building roof tops, their jet wash disturbing the smoke columns and blasting dust off the roofs that had collected in the area for so long. Then they unleashed a barrage of missiles, launched from the wings of each Gunship. Seconds later there was a multitude of different detonations, then much larger detonations began, suggesting that the barrage had scored some armour kills.
More UNSC Armoured Fighting Vehicles were speeding through the wreckage strewn roadway, these ones were on 8 wheels rather than 4 independent tracks and were swerving around the wreckage that their larger cousins would have just smashed aside. Two of them stopped by the crippled Nicomach Ignix, as the manifold was identifying it, and disgorged 30 troops in full body armour. They looked like Space Marines, but more Imperial Guardsmen in size and shape. And unlike the Astartes armour colours, these ones seemed to camouflage themselves in black and grey armour. 4 of them advanced to the Tempestus engine and began to ascend into the internals, hoping to evacuate the crew.
Captain Adam Scott, UNSC Navy, NAVSPECWAR, SPARTAN-IV Fire Team YORKSHIRE, Legio Invicta - UNSC Advance, Undergox Edge, 260 Miles from Orestes Principle Hive, Orestes Forge World, 00:12 hrs, 20th February, 2895/UNSC Military Calendar/Military Standard Time.
Captain Adam Scott and his fire team had just disembarked from the Tiger AFV and were already ascending the cables secured onto the Imperial Engine's towering frame. UNSC Marines covering them from below allowed his team to get into the internals of the Titan without cause for worry.
"Francis, what's it look like in there?" he asked his longtime friend.
"No power, no contact at this time. But a number of Skitarii did come through here by the looks of things." replied the Designated Marksman.
"Roger that. Yorkshire, let's clear the house." Scott said. 4 Blue acknowledgement lights winked on, then they began to climb the stairs leading to the Warlord's cockpit. Large amounts of leaking fluids dripping down the stairs, and down the central shaft. A shotgun boomed above them, then the distinctive crack of a las-weapons sounded in response and they were running up the flights of stairs to aid the crew that had survived. Another blast of the shotgun, then a sound that none of them had ever heard, made them quicken their pace to reach the firefight. And not 20 seconds later they sighted their enemy for the first time in the War. Skitarii were warriors that made the Astartes, forces they'd fought with before, look like Imperial Guardsmen. They stood two and half feet taller than the tallest of them at about 10-11FT Tall. The armour was spiked and bestial looking and trophies hung from its dark maroon carapace armour. The 4 Skitarii were baying at the door ahead of them, one that would lead them to the cockpit.
Nodding to one another, they began to sight up their chosen targets. Adam aimed his Anti-Material at the furthest one, near to the doorway. Francis swapped out his M439 DMR for the M779 SAW and sighted up another Skitarii, back towards him hunkered behind a bulkhead. Amy exchanged her MA7 ICWS for her M50 Tactical Assault Shotgun, and loaded it with 4-Gauge Depleted Uranium Dart shells and aimed it towards the closest one. Jennifer had been a bit more at work, setting up her M267K HMG as a sentry gun and equipping the M69 Medium Anti-Vehicle/Assault Weapon System and targeting the final one. How they'd chosen their targets without interfering with one another was the standard issue 'Squad Aim' which showed who was aimed at what with what weapon in hand. Adam activated the 3 second countdown on their HUDs, 3… 2… MARK!
Moderati Dolf Gentrian, Nicomach Ignix, Legio Tempestus Warlord-Class Titan, Warlord-Class Command Head, Undergox Edge, Orestes Forge World, 779.M41.
Another blast of the shotgun was sent at the hatchway, catching an enemy in the shoulder and sending him out of cover. The follow up blast from the shotgun ended the vile things desecration aboard Ignix. The sensori had been clipped by a las-round early on in the battle and was forced to prop his carbine on the chin seat like an Support weapon on a Tripod. The steersman had armed himself with a shotgun too and was shielding Lustig with his body in the alcove in the far-right of the command deck, was blasting any Skitarii who was missed by the others. This had been going on for about 20 minutes and they were beginning to run low on ammunition, where the rest was locked away in a weapons locker in front of the the shock troops.
Sensori, what's it look like there? canted Lustig, who since being as carefully disconnected and pushed away had been asking for updates.
Nothing, their scrapped just won't shut up the Sensori replied in cant.
Then an almighty amount of high calibre gunfire erupted from behind the enemy skitarri. 1 was felled in front of the hatchway without its head, and another eviscerated with fist sized holes in its body. By now the others had turned around and begun to fire, when a massive amount of fire screamed towards the two left standing draining the void shields on one and allowing it to be killed by another high-powered shot. The final sprayed the corridor, Gentrian and the sensori blasted its rear armour, for it to swing around and smack into the sensori's shoulder. Gentrian's first blast weakened the personal void barrier, and that was when the pressure wave hit him, then the heat that followed an explosion. Dropping down behind the chin seat and huddling down to avoid it as much as possible. Then a silence was draped over the scene, Lustig was confused and so was he. That was when he saw them, the four soldiers that were carrying the weapons that ended the four skitarii's lives. He didn't recognise them at first, but then they called out in low gothic.
"Nicomach Ignix crew, this is Fire Team Yorkshire, UNSC." shouted in flesh voice, making it non-mechanicus instantly.
"UNSC, never heard of it." called the steersman,
"That's because we arrived a day after Legio Invicta. We were the escort fleet for them." shouted another voice, this one sounded softer, more feminine.
"Invicta?! You're with Legio Invicta?" asked Gentrian, the relief in his voice obvious.
"Yes and no. Yes, we are operating with Legio Invicta and the Adeptus Astartes on Orestes. No, because the UNSC is a separate entity to the Imperium."
"Dues Mechanicus," whispered the sensori.
"Are injured?" called back the same voice as before.
"Yes, we have one serious." called back Gentrian.
"We're coming up to help you now."
With that the four individuals got out of cover and began to move towards them, Gentrian and the Sensori watching them for any hostile intentions. Their weapons were down, but seeing how they had taken care of the four skitarii that would have made Astartes pause for thought, made him treat them with extra care. One of the smaller ones with a an oddly designed helmet came forwards to the sensori and began prepping the most advanced field kit he'd ever seen before and applying it to the wounds that the crew member had sustained. Whilst another with a small slit approached Princeps Lustig and explained who they were and what they were doing. He was interesting in this UNSC that was mentioned, The now identified Adam Scott had mentioned they were with Invicta. The Moderati went over to greet him when the vox chimed, alerting them to a hail. He had answered it immediately.
"Nicomach Ignix, this is Invictus Antagonistes. What is your status over?"
A/N: So not such a bad chapter at all. Covering the events of Undergox Edge, the Imperial Advance and the UNSC recommended Counter-Thrust. About the slight story change regarding the outcome of Battle of Undergox Edge. I thought it'd be a bit of a waste for the Crew of the Ignix not to see their reinforcements in the flesh. So I decided to have them survive, simples really. And as for the apparent lack of Invicta involvement in this battle, other than destroying that chaos Warhound. Argentum Hive will be scaled up a bit more compared to the book. If you're confused about the UNSC Technologies, I have several Codexes explaining the Vehicles, Weapons and Orbital Vessels that'll help.
SmokeTinyTom.
