Got to work on this as soon as I could, and tried to push it out at a reasonable time.
Disclaimer: I don't own Halo or Space Battleship Yamato.
Chapter III: Gravestone in a Frozen Field
Saturn
The Yamato closed in on Saturn, making it's way towards the Icy moon of Enceladus, in need of Cosmonite-90 to make repairs to their condenser array after the first firing of the Yamato's Wave Motion Gun. The Primary Objective was to find the abandoned Cosmonite Mine on the surface, Secondary Objectives were to locate the sources two Distress Calls that came from around the region. The Yamato and her crew pressed forward, unaware that they were being watched and followed by a Gamilan Drone Ship hiding within Saturn's iconic ring.
"Target approaching orbit of the Eighth Satellite. Command Priority: Capture of Crew. Weapons use permitted, as necessary." The Android commander relayed to the Drones, speaking in an Alien dialect that would be deployed onto Enceladus as they were activated for their mission.
Yamato-Bridge
On the bridge of the Yamato, the crew were at theur stations as they made their approach to Enceladus.
"That moon looks more like a messed up Golf Ball to me." Navigation Officer Ota states.
"As Satellites go, its quite fascinating actually. It's surface is frozen, but tidal pull from Saturn and the moon cause Geysers which shoot Comet-like plumes into space." Executive Officer Sanada explained.
The Yamato proceeded to enter the moons thin Atmosphere, making its way to the surface.
"Prepare for landing on Enceladus. Prepare for descent." Captain Okita ordered.
"Approach angle set, forward at minimal speed, red fifteen, descent angle sixteen." Chief Navigation Officer Shima relayed.
The Yamato proceeded with its descent, making it's way towards a Canyon where the coordinates for the mine were said to be.
"Preparing to level bow. Ready for docking routine." Shima relayed.
"All Ready." Officer Ota replied.
The Yamato then fired it's Retro Rockets to counter the momentum, coming to a standstill a few meters off the canyon floor. Once docked, she lit up her spotting lights. Ahead, within visual range was a stash of abandoned Mining Equipment.
"Let's get to it XO. I want you in charge of the Mining Site." Captain Okita ordered Officer Sanada
"Sir." Sanada affirmed.
"Operations. You'll lead the rescue, take Analyzer and a Medic to the source of the Distress Signals. See if there's anyone you can help." Okita ordered Chief Mori.
"Sir." Chief Mori affirmed
"Kodai, you'll serve as Mori's escort." Okita informed the Chief of Tactical.
"Okay. And what does that mean?" Chief Kodai asked.
"I interpret you are meant to protect." Analyzer answered Kodai.
"That won't be necessary." Chief Mori objected.
"My order is final, now let's get this done so we can be on our way." Captain Okita ordered, much to Chief Mori's displeasure.
Enceladus-Surface
The Mining Team was at workd cutting away at cubes of Cosmonite needed for the Yamato's repairs.
"This place is a real treasure trove." Boatswain Isami Enomoto commented as he watched the Cosmonite being cut out.
"Boatswain, I need this done as fast as you can." Officer Sanada ordered.
"Aye Aye, Sir." Enomoto replied with a Salute. "I hear Kodai is escorting the Princess, that should be interesting." He commented.
"Hmm?" Sanada gave him a confused look.
"I know him, I was one of his instructors back in training school, so I was around him alot. That guy was always clueless when it came to women. I hope he comes back in one piece!" Enomoto joked.
Medical Team
Susumu Kodai sat in the Co-Pilot seat of the Seagull as Chief Mori piloted towards their destination, a bored look on his face.
"Two girls and a Robot on their own. It's a good thing the Captain overruled your objection." Kodai commented.
"I meant what I said, I'm not going to need your help down there." Chief Mori replied as she looked forward.
"I am quite capable of executing this mission aswell." Analyzer state in his monotone robotic voice.
"Well I'm glad to hear it. Babysitting was never really my thing." Kodai retorted as he crossed his arms and closed his eyes.
The teams Medic, Makoto Harada moved closer to the door, eavesdropping in on the two as they bickered.
"You may be the escort, but on the ground you obey my orders, is that clear Lieutenant?" Mori scolded.
"Ma'am yes Ma'am." Kodai replied in a bored attitude.
"Drop the attitude, one Ma'am is fine." Mori replied, annoyed.
"Ma'am yes Ma'am" Kodai replied in a quicker tone, being cheeky with a sly grin on his face.
"What did I say?!" Mori near-yells, even more annoyed.
"Look at them, I'm sending some Chemistry." Makoto whispered to Analyzer with a smirk on her lips as she watched the two.
"I detect no unusual Chemical Reactions on board." Analyzer replies, causing Makoto to deadpan.
"You're such a bore, y'know that?" Makoto replied to Analyzer.
"It's strange, these Distress Signals.. who in the world could've sent them? The second one is even more peculiar, I've never heard if this UNSC." Mori said to no one in particular.
As Chief Mori spoke, Kodai looked over at her, taking in her features as memories from Mars flashed in his eyes. He noticed how she looked eerily familiar to the dead Iscandarian now buried there, the one that had delivered the plans of the Wave Motion Engine to them. The one who sacrificed herself so they could go on this journey to Iscandar. Who gave them the hope to save the Earth.
"Can I ask you something weird?" Kodai queried.
"I guess so?" Mori replied
"Yes! Here it comes!" Makoto inwardly squealed, as if expecting something to spark between the two, smirking.
"It's just..well, are you related to any Aliens?" Kodai asked.
"Huh?" Mori gave him a dumbfounded look at the unorthodox question.
There was a crash in the back as Makoto fell, as if knocked down by the absurdity of the question, flabbergasted.
"Nevermind, sorry." Kodai retracted his question and looked forward.
"Now approaching source of Distress Call Alpha." Analyzer announced.
Makoto recovered and used Analyzer's chassis to pull herself up, giggling as she recollected. The Seagull proceeded to land not too far away from a downed UN Cosmo Ship. As the team disembarked from the Seagull, something caught their eye, a Bright Flash from the moon's orbit.
"What was that?!" Kodai exclaimed as he watched the proceed to dim down
"Readings indicate a large Radiation Spike, possible explanation would be Minor Solar Flare." Analyer hypothesized.
Taking it as the best answer, the team continued towards the downed ship. As they approached, there were no distinct markings, the Ship was whited out due to Radiation stripping away the color of paint, all that remained were faded areas where paint used to be. Ice build-up blocked out any visible identification on the ship.
"This is definitely one of ours." Mori pointed out, "and with that distinctive Conning Tower.." she observed before getting cut off by Kodai.
"It's an Isokaze-Class Assault Destroyer. My brother Captained one of these." Kodai stated
"Lieutenant Mori, Lieutenant Kodai, we can enter the ship from down here!" Makoto signaled to them, pointing to the extended stairway that lead into the ship.
The team proceeded to enter the ship. There was no power, the only lights available were their own flashlights which showed the internal damage taken from either battle, or their crash. Busted panels, hanging wires, and Ice build-up filled the ships dark, narrow halls, eventually coming across a dead sailor who had unfortunately froze to death, much to Makoto's dismay. The crew then proceeded to the bridge, Ice hung from the ceiling and from railings, and broken glass from the ships busted viewports littered the floor. The only thing working was the Console used to set up the Distress Beacon, flashing with a tiny green light.
"There's the source of the call. Looks like the only system running." Mori pointed out.
"Yeah.." Kodai affirmed.
"I'll go look around a little more." Mori stated.
"Alright, I'll try to find the ships log." Kodai says as they nod in affirmation to eachother
Unknown to them, just outside, multiple Gamilan Armored Units closed in on their location. The Gamilan Tank took aim and fired, destroying the Seagull in a quick blow and destroying the Medical Teams only means of Transportion, and alerting them to the Gamilan threat. Kodai peaked out of the broken viewpoint and looked over the destroyed Seagull, and the Gamilan Tanks that circled them like hungry sharks.
"We got company!" Kodai called out as I climbed back into the ships bridge.
"Huh?!" Mori looked surprised.
"They got the Seagull." Kodai informed her.
"Hey, did something happen out there?" Makoto asked as she looked up the stairway.
One of the Tanks took another shot and caused Makoto to fall back, and the Bulkhead door to slam shut, trapping her. Kodai caught Mori before stepping could hit the floor and get hurt or possibly break her helmet.
"Go use that Console to call the Yamato!" Kodai instructed.
"Right!" Mori affirmed and went to do so.
"Hey Harada!" Kodai called out, rushing to the stairway.
"Help! I'm locked in!" Makoto called out, banging on the door.
Kodai went to attempt to open, but the Levers were stuck, Frozen shut. While Kodai tried to force the door open, Mori got the Comms started.
"Dammit! Analyzer, I thought you were Mister Capable, huh?!" Kodai scolded the Robot.
"Ship down, we are under Gamilan Attack, we require immediate assistance!" Mori transmitted through the comms.
"This is the Yamato. We are under attack by an enemy armored unit, please stand-by!" came the response, to Mori's displeasure.
Forward Unto Dawn - Vehicle Bay
"Pelican is prepped and ready Chief." Cortana informed as the Tank was hooked upto the back end.
"Good." Chief made his way to the pilot seat.
"Wait Chief, plug me into the Pelican, I can pilot it myself, that way you its not vulnerable when you get out and take the Tank." Cortana informed him.
Chief nodded and did that, after plugging her in, Chief moved and entered the Scorpions Driver seat.
"It should be a quick flight, the origin of that distress call came from directly below us." Cortana informed.
"Let's get there quick, who knows how long they'll hold out." Chief replied as the Pelicans engines came to life.
Yamato
The Mining Team was falling back to the Yamato for extraction, pulling back with the Mining Equipment and the Cosmonite they managed to take, all while being suppressed by Gamilan Tanks that were taking potshots at the Yamato.
"Bring it on fools!" Enomoto taunted the Gamilan Tanks before hopping into a Trench with Officer Sanada.
"They don't have the numbers to attack the Yamato." Sanada stated, looking through the binoculars with a light smile on his face and seeing three approaching Tanks.
"Not a chance." Enomoto affirmed, taking cover when another volley was fired at them.
Medical Team
Analyzer was hard at work, cutting through the Bulkhead with the Laser Cutter in his Finger.
"Looking good. Keep it up." Kodai encouraged.
"Guess you are useful." Harada commented.
"Naturally." Analyzer replied.
"That's odd, they stopped attacking us.." Kodai looked back up the stairwell to the Bridge, noticing how quiet it had gotten.
"Kodai! The Yamato is under fire too!" Mori called back fo him, causing Kodai to gasp.
Yamato
"We can't launch?!" Falcon Pilot Hiroki Shinohara exclaimed
"We're still waiting for the Mine Team to board, your fighters won't be able to launch until we're at a higher altitude." The flight officer informed.
"That's great, so what? We just stand here, lookin' pretty?" Hiroki joked.
"We'll just have to borrow them." Flight Leader Saburo Kato reasons.
"What them?" Hiroki asked
Someone had already beaten them to it though, an unknown Soldier in a pilot uniform was in the process of climbing into one of the Cosmo Zero Fighters and preparing to launch. Hearing the Engines start up, the deck officer turned around.
"Hey! Did they get a Launch Order for that?!" The Officer asked to no one in particular
"Who's in that Cockpit?!" Kato demanded an answer as he and Hiroki ran into the Flight deck to see the Zero getting ready to launch.
"Its not one of you guys?!" The Officer asked
Dumbfounded, they watch as the Unknown Pilot proceeded to launch with one of their only two Zero Fighters on board. As it launched, the Mining Team tried to buy some time by trying to fight the Gamilan Tanks with the Mining Laser, but watched as it did nothing to the Hull of the metal beast trudging right towards them. The Mining Laser only to be taken out by a Single Shot from the Tank. The Tank proceeds to roll over the Trench that Sanada and Enomoto are taking cover in, and as it proceeds to turn for another pass, it takes three 50mm shells and erupts into a ball of fire as the Zero passes overhead. The Zero makes another run and fires a 50mm shell straight into the top of another Tank, causing it to erupt into another ball of fire as its destroyed instantly. The Zero is then made to retreat from AA Fire from the Light Tank. However, the Light Tank is wuickly dispatched after two 50mm shells from the second Zero launched from the Yamato, piloted by Saburo who proceeds to fly alongside the other Zero.
"Hey, you! State your name and Rank!" Kato ordered through the Comms, but was interrupted due to incoming fire from an incoming Gamilan Deployment Ship. "Well, whoever the hell you are, get back to the Medical Team, pronto!" He ordered.
The Unknown Pilot nodded without a word, and made their way to the Medical Teams last known location.
Medical Team
"This is the Medical Team, Yamato, please respond!" Mori said through the Comms.
"Cosmo Zero 02 to Medical Team, I'm on my way!" A Females voice said through the Comms.
Mori smiled at those words, but it was cut short. Analyzer had finally managed to finish cutting through the doors. Freeing himself and Harada.
"Nice Work." Kodai congratulated, bit before anything else could be said, Mori's scream could be heard through the Comms. "Mori!" Kodai rushed back up the stairwell, only to have to take cover from incoming enemy fire.
Two Hostile infantry units infiltrated the bridge and were kidnapping Lieutenant Mori.
"What now?!" Harada called out from the doorway.
"Just take cover!" Kodai instructed as he returned fire at the enemy with his pistol.
As the enemy fired down the stairway, abd without a clear shot, Kodai's pistol was knocked from his hand and fell down into the ships internals, he was forced to take cover as the Hostile pushed down the stairs. However, as rounds chipped away at Ice on the floor, he noticed another pistol. Quickly he went to retrieve it, and as the Hostile openly moved down the stairs, Kodai put two clean shots into him, one in the torso, and one in the head, causing him to fall down the stairs. With the threat dealt with, Kodai began to pursue the Mori's kidnappers.
"I should treat him." Harada said, knowing her duty as a Medic.
"That is an enemy." Analyzer reminded her.
"I don't care!" Harada retorted as she flipped over the body, but was shocked to see that it wasn't a person, but a robot.
As the other two made their way back to their vehicle, they noticed the Human following them and fired back to suppress them. Taking cover behind an Ice Mound, Kodai noticed an unfamiliar aircraft descending behind a small hill.
"Great, more Reinforcements?!" Kodai complained as he tried to fire at the Infantry that took Mori, but wasn't able to get a clear shot.
Kodai'a attention was grabbed again when he heard something rumble over the Hill. He looked over and saw it was another Tank, but this one was different. This one was on a set of four tracks, each one on it's own suspension, the Hull was flat, but lead to a Turret that was mounted in the back which had a long barrel. What surprised Kodai more however was the Barrel turned towards the empty Gamilan Tank that the hostiles were retreating to and shot it! Destroying it in a single hit.
"Who the hell is that?!" Kodai exclaimed, but his attention was brought back to the Hostile has he heard Mori begin to recover and struggle in her assailants grasp.
"That's one down, two to go!" Cortana cheered as she watched the first Tank go up in flames.
Chief turned the Turret of the Tank and saw two infantry units, one of them with a Hostage. Luckily, with the M808b model, there wasnt a need for a gunner seat, there was a 30mm Coaxial Machine Gun right beside the main barrel that was operated by the Driver, just like the main gun additional armor and engine components making it faster than the standard model. Chief would use this gun to completely tear one of the infantry units to shreds, but narrowly avoid an incoming shot from one of the other tanks before he could take care of the other. Taking evasive action he'd start moving the Tank, hearing the ice crunch under the treads as he took aim with the main gun, with the pull of the trigger, the recoil rocked the Tank and the area around it as he watched the 90mm Tungsten HEAT Round pierce the side of the enemy Tank with ease and detonate within the hull, causing the turret to pop off.
"Just one more!" Cortana informed as Chief took aim at the last tank, but noticed that it had a bead on him aswell.
Chief was being as maneuverable as he could with the Scorpion, trying to keep aim as best he could against the fast moving tank, but it simply outran his cross hair. The enemy Tank fired, one out of the three simultaneous shots striking the tank, but thankfully, the Scorpions sturdy armor held together. Chief watched the enemy Tank practically run circles around his slower Turret Traversal Speed. Chief then got an idea, using the Scorpions Neutral Traverse, he kept the Hull following the enemy Tank, but turned the Turret in the opposite direction, the Gamilan Tank practically ran into his crosshairs. Once the Tank was within the Crosshairs, Chief fired, and the 90mm Round made quick work of the Gamilan Tank.
"And that's three-for-three" Cortana clapped through the Comms as Chief disembarked from the Scorpion.
As he exited the vehicle, Chief watched as the last enemy infantry unit was taken down by another humanoid.
"Could that be who sent the Distress Signal?" Chief asked
"Well, it Certainly didn't look like those Tank were on their side." Cortana pointed out.
"Get Down!" Chief heard the man shout and looks over to see another Tank burst over another Ice Mound.
He went to board the Scorpion once again, but heard engines in the distance. Chief looked to see an aircraft strafe overhead and put a round into the back of the enemy Tank and destroy it.
"Can't get'em all sport." Cortana teased as Chief watched the aircraft fly off.
Chief looked over at the two by one of the burning Tank wrecks and approached. He was cautious, not wanting a repeat of the incident aboard the Dawn, they could be his and Cortana's only chance to get to get to Earth.
Kodai watched Mori escape the Gamaloids grip and drop into the Snow. The Gamaloid took aim at Mori, about to gun her down, but was stopped as Kodai put several rounds into it, causing it to hit the Icy floor, destroyed. Kodai then watched as the Unknown Combatant destroyed the the other Gamilan Tanks. His concentration was broken however when he heard another set of tracks and looked to the source, seeing another Tank blitzing in their direction, turret aimed right at them. He rushed towards Mori, catching her off guard as he tackled her to the ground.
"Get down!" Kodai shouted as his body impacted into hers, just in the nick of time as the Tank fired in their direction with its machine guns, impact marks surrounding them.
Kodai looked up and saw a flash in the sky. Gasping, he shielded himself and Mori as the engines of a Cosmo Zero closed in. With a quick shot, the Zero put a round into the back of the Gamilan Tank, causing it to erupt into a pillar of smoke and fire. Kodai then got up and helped Mori, holding her in a protective manner as the Zero flew back to the Yamato.
"Pretty impressive work there." Kodai commented as their Savior took off.
"Yeah." Mori agreed before noticing their position. Cheeks heating up, she pushed herself out of his grip before straightening herself out, hiding her blush. "Thank you, you just saved my life." She thanked, trying to act professionally.
Kodai went to reply, but noticed the Green Armored Figure that was approaching them.
"Hold it right there!" Kodai shouted, raising the Pistol against the armored figure.
After the last Tank was destroyed, Chief began approaching the two figures that were standing close to the burning wreck of the Armored Vehicle. The Ice crunched under his heavy armored boots, he was hoping that these people could be his way back to Earth to figure out what's going on. It was then that he noticed that one of them was now pointing his weapon towards him.
"Hold it right there!" The man shouted.
Chief simply raised his hands and stopped walking, complying and showing he meant no threat. He understood him, so either the person was speaking English, or a language that his translator understood, unlike the ones that were aboard the Frigate.
"Identify yourself!" The man instructed, keeping his weapon raised.
"I am Master Chief Petty Officer Sierra-117 of the UNSC Forward Unto Dawn." Chief stated simply.
"Forward Unto Dawn? You're from the other Distress Call!" Chief heard from the other figure, a Female he could tell from the voice.
"Yes Ma'am." Chief replied.
"I am Lieutenant Yuki Mori, Radar Operator and Calculations Officer of the United Nations Cosmo Force BBY-01 Yamato Space Battleship." The Female introduced herself.
"And I am Lieutenant Susumu Kodai, Chief of Tactical Operations aboard the Yamato." The Male introduced, lowering his weapon, sensing no hostility from the stranger.
Hearing their ranks, Chief snapped to attention, which surprised them both at the suddenness of his posture.
"At Ease." Lieutenant Mori instructed, and Chief relaxed his stance. "Is there anyone else aboard your ship?" Mori asked.
"Negative Ma'am. I was the only one on board, once we return to your ship, I can provide a full Debriefing if your Captain will allow it." Chief informed.
"Alright." Mori nods to Chief.
Mori then once again looks again to Kodai.
"Again, thank you for saving me." Mori repeated her gratitude.
"This old thing did most of the work." Kodai said before noticing something on the Grip of the pistol. Gasping, he sprinted back towards the crash site of the Destroyer, worried and curious, Chief and Mori follow. They then watch as he starts blasting chunks of Ice off the side of the ships Hull, revealing large Japanese Characters that spelt out the name of the ship, 'Yukikaze'.
Upon seeing the words, devasted, Kodai collapsed onto his knees and looked up at them in disbelief. He looked upon the name etched on the back of the grip 'Mamarou Kodai'
"It was his all along. His ship, his crew." He said to himself before looking up at the downed vessel. "That's my brother's ship, the Yukikaze!" he exclaimed out in a broken tone.
While she too had suffered loss, due to her amnesia, she couldnt recall losing someone as close as a sibling, and kept quiet respectfully with head bowed down. Chief knew what it was like to lose family, many of the SPARTANS he trained and grew up with having been felled by the Covenants onslaught of the Human Race. While his duty never gave him time to mourn those who have fallen, he knew to properly pay his respects and kept quiet. Harada had heard the commotion and she and Analyzer too kept quiet as they exited the Destroyer, and allowed Kodai to Mourn.
After their Mourning they set up a plaque by the Entry point of the Destroyer.
"Here lie the Twenty-Four brave souls who crewed the Yukikaze. May they rest in peace."
Yeah, I know it's been a while, but shit happens, this Chapter was gonna be longer, but I felt like it fucked up some of the pacing, so I split it, hopefully I can get the next part to you guys soon.