The SOCOM-class stealth cruiser out from the Slipstream gate- arrived at planet Avro's atmosphere. If it had ended up in the middle of the space battle between Human and Chimeran ships, it could have taken a while to enter Avro's atmosphere.
The SOCOM-class, named Set and Dawn, was designed in compressed-triangle body shape. Besides weapon installations, mostly Magnetic Accelerating Cannon and Attack/Air Support missiles, and Hanger launch docks, the word "stealth" means that this ship was accurately invisible to both any kind of radar and eyesight (if in cloak mode).
General Shaun "Overlord" Markus: This is it. We had several kiometres to our objective point. That is in Cosmo City from one of Atlantican states...Eagle Team, I'm signing you to land on Cosmo city and get to the Cosmo's Ancient Museum and find this.
The image on the holographic table revealed a cone objective, formed with four plates. Its five metres high, 1.5 metres in diametre, and also illustrated a core sphere in the middle.
Captain Dare: What's that sir?
Overlord: One of Forerunner structures that the Chimera and the Covenant are scavenging for. Some kind of EMP device; with one press of a key, it's powerful enough to absorb and disable any kind of technology made with electrical energy.
Buck: That will be the enemies' new weapon device if we don't stop them from taking it.
A shattering light warmed from the screen's surface, dim down into a young tall slender-female smart artificial intelligence. She wore white dress shirt and black pants and dress boots. Her long hair was black also.
AI Construct: It's known as a counterpart of ACS Module.
Captain Dare: Serina, no time-no seek.
Serina: Same to you Veronica.
Dare and Serina had known each other four years ago since they're first operation against the Chimera.
Anyways, my prediction was that if the Chimera got a hand of that Forerunner ACS module, they'll have the opportunity to disable all our defences; including the United Nation's Space Command Defence (UNSCD).
Overlord: It's not the Chimera they're going to steal the ACS...it's the aliens from a single Covenant vessel.
The holographic screen opened and zoomed in the map of Cosmo City, and captured the object of a Covenant Assault Carrier with its beaming gravity lift.
Captain Dare: We're running out time then, I'm moving out.
Serina: Good luck Veronica.
Cosmo Streets
Day 1 – 11:30:36
Cosmo City, United States of Atlantic, Avro (111 Tauri System)
Lance Corporal 'Rookie' Samuel
145th Orbital Drop Shock Troopers
Rookie watched from the back as one of the three dropships, MV-24H Vultures, rocket away from Set and Dawn. Their jet engines thundered and speared out towards the downtown city of Cosmo. It's almost dawn as the sun positioned over the burning city.
Rookie got his SOF Combat Assault Rifle (SCAR), with Holographic sight and Grenade Launcher, on his lap. He sat on the opposite side of Buck with his P190TR PDW, with Red Dot sight.
Vulture Pilot "Full Hammer": Scheduled landing in three minutes captain.
Captain Dare, with ACR-A1; Holographic Sight and Grenade Launcher: Good Full Hammer.
Mickey, with Sniper Rifle System 99D-S2 Anti-Material; ACOG Scope: Well let's rock Eagles!
Serine radioed through their communication channels. They're two kilometres away from the edge with tall buildings. Their windows and roof gardens, from condos to corporate business buildings were burned by plasma fire.
Serine (O.S.): This is Serine, be advised. We are receiving reports of enemy artilleries inflicting causalities. You guys better run cold turkey or flank the artilleries out.
Captain Dare: Roger; will flank them first if we have time.
Almost near the city, Rookie and Buck watched a convoy of military vehicles from above.
Marine (O.S.): "Immediate; Grid kilo two-three is hot. Recommend mission abort."
Pilot Full Hammer (O.S.): Roger Recon.
They passed two marine snipers from the roof top. Their Vulture dropship flew up and down as it faces wind turbulence. Rookie hated turbulence whenever he air travelled around for vacation or get transferred to different military camps.
Pilot Full Hammer: It's your call Captain.
Captain Dare: We're going in...(O.S.) Get tactical boys.
Dutch from the other Vulture dropship (O.S.): Aye Aye Captain Sexy.
Captain Dare: Oh shut up!
Rookie giggled a little and shook his head. He stopped when Buck pad his hand on Rookie's shoulder.
Buck: Hey..., just remembered your skills Rookie. Don't get pinned down on us.
Rookie nodded. He could feel the Vulture dropship lowered, preparing for landing.
Pilot Full Hammer: Thirty seconds out... stand by to... oh shit!
The pilot made Rookie jumped, and got up to see what's in front of him. Looking through the cockpit, a large four-legged mecha fired yellow rain of charged plasma at the three Vultures. A big impact shook once, and the whole dropship lost control and started to spin around.
Pilot Full Hammer: May day! May day! We're going down; I repeat we're going down..."
The Vulture dropship crashed; all Rookie could see was black, feeling unconscious. Few seconds later, Rookie slowly returned to conscious, being shaken by Dare.
Captain Dare: Yeah, wake up! Wake up!
Rookie shook his head; he could only hear her in low sound. He could hear gunfire also. His eye slowly opened, seeing Dare with him and Buck firing his ACR.
Captain Dare: Good you're up. We need your help, Chimerans crawling over us.
When Rookie heard that, he tried to jump into action but felt little pain on his right leg. He doesn't care; he cautiously got up and saw up to seven Chimeran Hybrids launching assault against his group. They have dark-blue armour, armed with red energy Bullseye assault rifles.
Rookie and Dare jumped into action, firing their assault at the Chimeran Hybrids. Rookie fired his SCAR with several burst on each Hybrid. Since his SCAR was a 40-round rifle, he killed four enemies before reloading. Dare and Buck finished off the rest of the two, but there were more coming.
Buck: We've gonna have to get out of here, fast.
It was too late however. An additional of seven Chimeran Hybrids charged in from the north- west, plus two ape-like infantries, known as Jiralhanaes, or mainly Brutes. Brutes could be seen with blue armour armed with twin blade Spiker guns, and had energy shields, operated by their power armour, for additional protection.
Rookie made a quick throw of a frag-grenade, found from his armour belt. After letting it go and landed in the middle of the group of Chimeran Hybrids, the grenade exploded with four kills. Rookie took off his empty magazine and reloaded a new one for his SCAR.
Captain Dare: Hey!... Take this!
She pull the trigger of ACR's grenade launcher, fired the grenade bullet towards the two Brutes. The bullet exploded, making their armour spark a flash of light and it dropped itself into parts. Buck and Rookie together shoot through the Brutes' fur body, and both were finally killed.
Buck: Prefect...No additional forces coming here.
Serina (O.S.): This is Serina, what's your status over?
Captain Dare: This is Dare here; our dropships got hit by a Goliath. We're not sure if Mickey, Dutch, and Romeo were dead or alive.
No wonder what Rookie saw before they got hit. Rookie turned around and found the Vulture dropship crushed and burned; looks like the pilot was dead already. He looked around the buildings surrounding him; they could have crashed into one of those buildings.
Serina (O.S.): Our apologies. We were going to send you a warning about the Goliath, but we're too late. Looks like you guys have to go by foot. We're gonna give you an opportunity though; we located the nearest enemy artillery 1.3 kilometres from your position. It's at the Royale Plaza on Yogi Street.
Dutch (O.S.): Roger that, we're on our way.
Captain Dare: Dutch? We thought you guys are dead.
Dutch (O.S.): False arm Dare. Mickey, me, and Romeo are still in good condition.
Captain Dare: We I'll see you at Royale Plaza then, as long as you're still in active.
Serina (O.S.): Good luck Eagle Team. Find any artillery you can destroy so we can let US marines into the city. Out.
Rookie: That looks fun. We're in some kind of scavenging hunt right?
Buck: Maybe; but let's not waist our time. We're in the corner of Dalton Street and Yogi Street. Let's follow the Yogi Street.
Captain Dare lead Buck and Rookie down the hill stairs to the corner of the two streets. Cars and buses were crashed and shot down before the immediate evacuation. The advertisement screen in front of them on the top-wall building was smashed by crashed commercial VTOL.
Buck: Hey Rookie, switch your VISR. It's getting dark in here.
Rookie nodded and hits the VISR (Visual Intelligence System Reconnaissance) found on his helmet. On the view of his faceplate, orange lines were drawn on the edge of every object, including buildings. Except, the figures of Dare and Buck were lined green.
Captain Dare: See it Rookie...one with the green...that's us. The red ones are marked as hostiles; but any unrecognized contacts will be still marked as orange.
Rookie: Right.
They continued walking up the road hill, travelling through trash, burned civilian vehicles and some dead brave city authorities. Cautious was required in this situation, because there maybe possibilities of ambush, snipers, or worse, an enemy tank.
Captain Dare ended up with two divided roads. One slanted up and the other slanted down.
Buck: Right, Yogi Street should be on the left.
She nodded and they took the one on the left. Walking down, they spotted four red figures coming behind the garbage truck right ahead. One of them had a Brute Captain, with Red-Purple covered armour.
Rookie: Should we engage them?
Captain Dare: I don't know; take them out or slip pass; our call Buck.
Buck: I say we take them out the Chimerans first, and then the Brute.
They agreed and levelled their rifles, aiming the Chimeran Hybrids, and slowly advance forward. Rookie fired his SCAR first, sniping out the two Hybrids. Then Dare and Buck snipe the rest, except one single Brute. The Brute became aggressive and angry, and fired his spiker gun.
Rookie fired several burst on the head with the help of Dare and Buck. In few seconds after the Brute Captain's power armour depleted and torn off, the Brute was about the berserk, but got killed in no time.
Captain Dare: Good job guys...you can pick one of the Bullseye if you want Rookie.
Rookie: You're right. Those Chimerans and Brutes were busy fighting than patrolling.
Rookie picked up one Bullseyes and collected its magazines. They later end up the rotary. Buck believed Yogi Street continues to the left side, so he pointed to that direction. Captain Dare and Rookie followed Buck to the next road.
Buck suddenly raised his left arm up. Several red figures were coming ahead in front of him.
Buck: Quick, let's hide instead.
Captain Dare: Okay.
They hide behind the long truck and Buck took a peak at the back.
Buck: Yes, they're turning clock-wise.
When the road they should go was clear, Buck turn to Captain Dare and Rookie and wave back, telling them the road was clear. They got out and ran continue long the Yogi Street without being detected.
Running up the hill, they could artillery fire. The sound came from behind the curved building on the edge of the curved road.
Captain Dare: See that entrance glowing red, we can go there and seek through that building.
They got to the red glowing entrance, and the door automatically slide opened. Inside was so dark, but with the VISR operating, they could still walk through the dark. With rare spots of lights from the ceiling and computer monitors, Captain Dare guided them up to the stairs.
Rookie could hear artillery fire very close. It became louder after its second fire. They make their way up to third floor as artillery fire got louder than last time. Sunlight shined through the smashed windows.
Captain Dare: There it is. Just get down.
They kneel down and walk under the windows; because the hall has a monitor board glowing green background and yellow line patterns.
Serina (O.S.): Be advised Eagle Team, we deployed our F-99 UAV Wombat and it's escorting towards the enemy artillery in Royale Plaza. If you guys are near that area, Buck should do the Wombat airstrike. Out.
Buck: Yeah, I got the Wombat Missile Precision Strike (WMPS) laptop with me, unbroken....
Romeo (O.S.): Hey, this is Romeo calling over.
Captain Dare: This is Dare, where are you now?
Romeo (O.S.): I'm at the building near at the Royale Plaza; you?
Captain Dare: Same here. Buck is going to perform the Womb airstrike; standby.
Buck however hand the WMPS laptop to Rookie.
Buck: Here, you can take over without. You know how to use it right?
Rookie: No worries, I'm good with this.
Rookie received and opened the WMPS laptop. The screen viewed buildings surrounding the Royale Plaza. The artillery seemed bigger than he expected. Red squares indicated enemy infantries.
As the Wombat moved the scene, Rookie hit left click button and the camera view changed from the Wombat's optic to the missile's optic. The target mark appeared, and he used his thumb against the pad to move the launching missile. The view of the enemy artillery came closer and closer, and then...bang.
The missile strike sparked an explosion on the collapsing artillery, piping smoke and debrie.
Mickey (O.S.): Alright! You guys strike it!
Captain Dare: Excellent strike Rookie... Let's meet them outside.
Buck: Mickey, Romeo, Dutch, regroup us outside.
Mickey (O.S.): Roger that.
Everyone got out of the buildings and regrouped near the shredded-burned artillery. The artillery was Chimeran made, built with thick metal steel and powered with unknown Chimeran energy resource, or probably plasma energy.
Romeo got his Cheyenne Tact. 99D Anti-material sniper rifle system. For Mickey, he wielded with his AA-12 assault shotgun with Red Dot Sight and got his SPRNK-387L anti-vehicle rocket launcher on his back. And Dutch, M90 pump-action shotgun and the Euro F6 Non-linear Rifle were his best armaments.
Romeo: Glad you did an awesome strike down Buck.
Buck: It wasn't me actually. It was Rookie we should thank with.
Mickey: Right, that FNG had learned about using the Wombat since he was a damn marine.
Romeo: Hey, quit calling Rookie "fucking new guy", he had enough experie...
Roaring voices disturb the conversation from one of the buildings. Chimera Hybrids jumped out from the building where Rookie came out from. Rookie and Dare fired their assault rifles, and Romeo jumped on top of the artillery's leg and start sniping out the Hybrids.
Mickey: Man, knew they'll come for us.
Captain Dare: If they didn't know we're here before, they do now.
After the all the Chimeran Hybrids were killed, a Brute Captain and the two minors jumped from the roof to the platform behind the ODSTs.
Captain Dare: Yep. Here they come! Up high!
When two minor Brutes landed on the ground in the first place, Romeo sniped one of them with three shots. Buck attacked the other minor Brute with Mickey's sniping support. Dutch saw the Brute Captain touched down his feet in front of them, and he double blast the brute with his M60 shotgun. The Brute Captain got his shield down after two blast hits, and later got pinned in a third shot.
Mickey: Wow that guy almost kill-ya Dutch.
Dutch: Cut it out! I'm fine.
More roaring voices come from the right side of the plaza.
Captain Dare: More on the street! One o'clock!
More Chimeran Hybrids and two Brutes, one minor and one major, charged in. Romeo tossed his frag-grenade and it fell into the group of Chimeran soldiers. He saw Chimeran-made mortar turrets installed facing the group of hostiles.
Romeo: Someone operate those mortar turrets.
Rookie and Mickey charged for the turrets, grabbed on, and fire its several blast of yellow plasma. It formed huge sphere of plasma shots killing groups of Chimeran Hybrids and then the low-rank Brutes. Rookie found this turret more fun than shooting assault rifles.
After all hostiles were eliminated, they heard buzzing noises coming from behind the buildings on the south-west. Swarm of small drones appeared from the south-west buildings shooting charged shots.
Captain Dare: Patrol drones, over the rooftops!
Romeo: I got them!
Romeo grabbed one of the non-Chimeran purple/pink-coloured plasma cannons and fired the patrol drones into bits. Though they're cheaper-knock off, they're very dangerous, and annoying, when in large groups. Mickey got off the turret and fired his AA-12 assault shotgun at the drones.
Mickey: Man, I could have brought a machine gun with me.
It took several seconds until there were no more patrol drones coming at them. This was not over yet though; another wave of Chimeran-Brute forces jumped from the north.
Captain Dare: Across the plaza, twelve o'clock.
Again, Rookie continues fire his mortar turret neutralizing the Chimera Hybrids and Brutes. He was amazed about the turret, more than the .50 caliber installed machine gun he used when he was a marine. Once Rookie cleaned out the hostiles, everything seemed all clear.
Two lines of lighting shots from above strike near Buck and Dare and looked at the roof.
Captain Dare: Eyes up; Sharpshooters from the roof tops.
Chimeran sharpshooters were good marksman wearing different armour, other than the Hybrids' metal body armour. Mickey sniped off the two sharpshooters and both fell of the rooftops with their Marksman rifles.
Buck: Guess we're done, right?
Captain Dare: Yeah, we better get to the museum before those freaks capture the forerunner ACS module.
Captain Dare lead the Eagle Team to the north, several kilometres to where the museum is located on the other side of the long-extensive river. Therefore, they have to find transport and a bridge to cross ovver.
They ended up with a gate between the buildings, blocking their path.
Serina (O.S.): This is Serina. We have Hawk team from the 75th Rangers Regiment waiting for you at Foot Loose Hotel, but they're countering enemy resistance.
Captain Dare: Roger that Serina...Someone get a satchel on the gate.
Mickey: Roger that yoah.
The gate suddenly shook, raising dust. They back up, without realizing what's behind those doors. Dutch believed there's something big behind the gates, so he got his Non-linear rifle levelled and armed.
Rookie: Get ready, whatever it is.
A few seconds later, it breaks, and a pair of huge figures arrived. Dutch jumped and fired his long- bright red laser. The angled bright-red line of laser burned the two figures, and both were killed in a matter of seconds.
Captain Dare: You nail them Dutch...those Ravagers also killed us...Let's move before the Rangers gets pinned down.