Notes: 69 reviews! 69. Nice. Love you guys. Here is your present.
0900 hours, August 20, 2528 (military calendar)
Majestic Fox's Bridge
Majestic Fox, Slip Space
The crew was all in position ready to exit the jump. With everyone manning their stations and the fleet reporting as everything being green, they were going to exit in unison in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. With the sound of the fleet exiting the slip space they could see the stars of the space all around them. To the left in the distance was the glowing orb of their destination. Planet Harvest. The communications station that a crew member was at was receiving pings for communication to the person in charge. Setting up a link with Hiruzen they did a joint call and accepted the call.
'Fuck' was the thought running through Naruto's mind as one Admiral Kushina Uzumaki Namikaze appeared on the screen in her uniform. She had an emotionless expression but that seemed to fade a bit once she recognized them.
"It's good to see you two again. Hiruzen, son" she spoke softly as Hiruzen gave a soft nod saying "Kushina-chan". Naruto on the other hand just spoke "Admiral" as he refused to even say her name. As he promised to gramps earlier, he would be neutral in this conversation and keep all personal feelings about her out of it.
"I'm sending you the codes for our clearance in this area" he continued as he taps a few buttons on his chair to send the file. Pulling it up Kushina looked it over with a bit of surprise on her face.
"This is ONI clearance, and you own the company called 'Maelstrom'. When did this happen?" she asked confused. "A lot of things can happen when your mind is focusing elsewhere. We are on a strict schedule and I'm sure that you are too. May we proceed" he finished as she released a deep breathe
"Yes, your clearance checks out" "Good day" he finished quickly disconnecting from the call as Hiruzen frowned a bit at him. "I was neutral, and we are on a time schedule. We don't know when the Covenant will attack again" he explained as Hiruzen gave a nod of agreement. For now.
Planet Harvest
The Maelstrom entered the planet's atmosphere and maintained a defensive hover. They were currently hovering over an abandoned ruined city near a mountain. While Hiruzen was placing and coordinating the fleet to be ready for anything, Naruto and his platoon had launched from the 'Majestic Fox' by the 'Laughing Fox' to the site location. The Laughing Fox was pulled into a hover at the base of the mountain to scout the area before it lowered down for two warthogs to drive off and lift back into the sky on patrol.
Naruto was driving the lead warthog that had a chain gun mounted on it as a passenger warthog followed behind him. Following the GPS on the warthog he led the group to an abandoned dig site. Sliding to a halt he grabbed his battle rifle and lead Zabuza, Chouji, Shikamaru, Kiba, Shino, and Sai. You could tell from the different uniforms that the green was the UNSC affiliated, and the black was the Maelstrom affiliated. He had the three of the last troopers use the vehicles for a defensive line.
Taking the lead, he performed a sweep of the area. The people who discovered this place left in a rush as he could see abandoned excavator equipment all around and a single cave entrance. "Entrance is clear. Deploy the rest" he comm in as a "Roger" was heard. Appearing above him the "Laughing Fox" hovered above as a side hatch opened. Rope was thrown down as Maelstrom troopers repelled down to further secure the area.
"Shikamaru, Sai stay here to set up for the arrival of our VIP's. The rest will be moving forward" he ordered as the two set out to direct the troops. The rest followed him into the cave.
Within minutes of traveling down the cave they came across a blue glow up ahead. Cautiously they moved closer to see the cave massively expanded to show a massive metal structure with blue glyphs all over it.
"What is that?" spoke up Kiba as he never seen anything like this in his life and he been to many planets. "I don't know but I'm sure this is the reason why I was given the contract. Let's continue on but carefully" replied Naruto taking the lead once again heading for what he assumed was the entrance.
Walking up to the front he looked all over the strange tower for a way to open the door when a blue light slowly scanned the party. They felt nothing wrong or dangerous from the scan as it finished before opening up a door in front of them.
"You go messing around with things built by your doom? Foolish man" whispered a feminine voice in his mind. He looked around briefly to see that only he heard it and knew it was in his head.
'Who are you? What do you want?'
"No need to spoil the surprise now. You will learn it all in due time" said the voice disappearing from his mind. Shaking his mind of the voice he continued on inside trying to focus on the mission as much as he could.
Cave Entrance
Shikamaru had the area secured with troopers in defensive positions as the ship came around again but this time landing in front of them. Out walked Tsunade, Catherine, Shizune, Sakura, and Tenten with a guard of 5 Maelstrom troopers. When they were off the ship, it took off again to resume a patrol. The newly arrived group immediately set off for the cave with their gear in order to catch up with Naruto's party.
While Naruto wanted Sakura and Tenten to remain on the ship it would draw suspicion about why they were not with the group on this discovery. So, he very reluctantly allowed them to come with the party. He was still keeping the others on the ship though. That was not changing at all
Planet Harvest Orbit
Admiral Kushina was laying back in her command chair of her ship the "Red Death" which was a Punic-class supercarrier. Not many were built but they had a few in construction at Planet Reach and Earth at the moment. These beasts were able to put some engagements in the UNSC favor, but the downside was that since not many have been created, they could not be everywhere the UNSC was getting attacked.
While relaxing in her chair she couldn't help to think about Naruto. The was the first time in years that she spoke to him. She knew about him leaving the military but not of what he has done with his life. She should really try to reconnect with him. Him creating a company and fleet this big in such a short time was impressive but also suspicious. What benefactor would be interested in this type of growth in him?
"Mam, we are detecting slip space ruptures!" yelled out an officer catching her attention. "Scan them for identification" she ordered as the officer started typing away. "A Covenant fleet!"
"ALL HANDS TO BATTLESTATIONS! ALERT ALL FORCES IN THE AREA AND COMMAND! THE MINUTE THEY GET IN RANGE FIRE UPON THEM!" she yelled out as alarms on the ship was sounding off. "Yes mam!"
"Mam, the fleets Mizu's Shield is moving into low orbit in a protective stance and Kumo's Reckoning is moving for an attack!". "Support the Kumo's Reckoning from a distance but don't move forward. Do not hit a single ship of his! Alert the Maelstrom of the Covenant's presence"
"In range of MAC cannons!"
"FIRE!"
With Naruto's Party
Walking down the long hall the group continued heading for the center of the structure. All around the surroundings look the same. Strange metal, blue glowing panels, and blue glyphs all around. It was when they reached the end of the hall a door slid open for the group to enter a vast room. The room seem mostly open except for the device in the center. Approaching the device, they saw it was a large blue metal sphere with blue glyphs all over it.
"Is this why we are here?" questioned Zabuza as Naruto place his hand on the sphere. Once doing so a projection appeared above it showing the galaxy with multiple places highlighted in a language no one seen before. Moving his hand, it highlighted other areas of interest showing off large structures and different planets.
"What is all of this?" Naruto questioned looking at other spots.
"That's Forerunner technology" said a voice behind them to see Doctor Catherine and her group just entering the room in a hurried paste. Seeing as they were the experts, he stepped aside as they toke over bringing out their equipment to connect to the device.
"And what is Forerunner?" he questioned. As Catherine was connecting her equipment, she explained that "They are a very old civilization of high-tech aliens that are no longer among the living. Most likely extinct by unknown means. They had expanded across the galaxy and their technology and involving's are spread around. We have been studying them for years and always look for more of what remains. We have learnt and continue to learn so much from them". Finishing up with the connections the group started looking through the data when the area shook.
"Chouji, Sai head back with her three guards for a situation update. Zabuza guard the door entrance" he ordered as the two nodded and sprinted out. Zabuza on the other hand walked back and leaned next to the door with his arms crossed while looking around. Naruto was not leaving his sight until he puts a ring on Haku's finger. After he can have a 'accident'. 'Grampa Za will take care of his grand kids'.
Elemental's Sanctum Bridge
Admiral Hiruzen Sarutobi was on the bridge receiving information about the fight going on in orbit. He already had all ships in battle stations but was waiting on word from the fleets above for a further update of the situation. They were on contract for the dig site below, not to defend the planet. They were also not fully suited for ship-to-ship combat yet. They were low on crew numbers and troops.
"Admiral a few Covenant ships have broken through and entering the atmosphere. They are approaching our location" alerted a crew member
"Move the fleet to defensive positions near the dig site. The phoenix class ships in the front and the frigates in a defensive position around us. Have the Springhill-class ships stay behind them. Launch what Pelican's and Hatchet's we have and put everyone in a defensive posture. Don't move from our position but if they move within range of us open fire" he ordered as the crew went to work issuing orders for the fleets movement.
With the arrival of the fleet coming the Maelstrom fleet moved into defensive positions. The "Majestic Fox" assumed a safe spot between the two Phoenix-class ships but a little more distance behind. With the ships moving and jets being launched the coming fleet was moving closer from higher attitude.
Red Death Bridge
Another Covenant destroyer was exploding in their view was shells and missiles struct its unshielded and damaged hull. The fighting was heavy with the loses being high for each side. Kumo's Reckoning fleet had to be directed to fight off another battlegroup trying to flank. With both fleets heavily engage another fleet jumped in to get around them forcing the fleet Mizu's Shield to engage them.
"Mam, a few ships have broken through the defensive line heading into the planet!"
"What! Send me the information on the ships and their landings!" she ordered as the type of ships were brought up on display.
"Two CCS-class battlecruiser and three heavy corvettes are heading for the Maelstrom fleet. A CSO-class supercarrier, fifteen CCS-class battlecruisers, and 30 heavy corvettes are heading to the other side of the planet were most of our defenses and bases are located" was reported.
"Fuck. We need to hurry up with this battle. Inform the Maelstrom fleet and our ground forces. We will send ships to help fight them off ASAP" she ordered
Glossary of Today's Mentions:
Maelstrom Fleet:
Phoenix-class modified colony ship (Elemental's Sanctum) – Admiral Hiruzen Sarutobi
Springhill-class modified mining ship (Gravekeeper's Last Journey) – Captain Tazuna
Coreillian MPO – 1400 Star Cruiser (Majestic Fox) – A.I. Kora (Currently)
YT-1300 Light Freighter (Laughing Fox) – Hired crew
E/A-110 Hatchet - also known as the 'Electronic Thunder', is a UNSC trans atmospheric Electronic Warfare Strike Fighter
M12 Force Application Vehicle (Warthog) – Machine gun and passenger variants
UNSC Fleet
Punic-class supercarrier (Red Death) – Admiral Kushina Uzumaki Namikaze. One of the most powerful vessels ever constructed by humanity.
Covenant Fleet:
CSO-class supercarrier
CCS-class battlecruiser
Heavy corvettes
Final Note:
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