Summary/disclaimer: Time for another chapter of Iron Cross. Enjoy the 5200-word chapter. I do not own Warhammer or Halo, Gameshop and 343 do.
(Jericho VII, August 5nd, 2531, 3 months after Operation 'Shooting Star'.)
Another fireball lit up the surface of the planet as Halius ducked behind a shattered building.
"How many more of them are there?" Halius questioned to which Igaros asked.
"You asked that after the last 100…" Igaros said before plasma flew past them. "And I counted 300… Maybe more." Igaros stated as Halius snorted.
"Maybe? Ah, great work as always." Halius stated before he turned and lobbed a frag grenade and was greeted by a dozen squeals and several shattered bodies.
The battle on Jericho VII had been going on for 2 days. Why? Because the UNSC and Imperium forces had divided the planet into different zones, Halius, a group of Ultramarines, and several hundred Mordian Iron Guard were asked to press the Covenant landing zone while UNSC forces created a landing zone.
The problem? Halius could tell most of his men were scattered… So? He had set up a line with 1 Ultramarine for every 10 guardsmen, the line had dug in and continued to fight off the rest of the Covenant.
"Master Chief? How are things on your angle?" Halius asked before a banshee strafed them. "The Covenant have pushed but we have killed 500 or so… I have lost 30 men so far, all guardsmen with 1 or 2 Ultramarines wounded," Halius reported.
Before he could offer a command on taking out the banshee, a familiar rifle crack caused it to wobble before slamming into the wall and then exploding as it impacted a stone.
Halius turned to see Linda as well as the Red Team. He paused, reflecting on the fact that again the Spartan-II had aided him, he watched as she leaped downwards onto the ground, ready for it now.
The rest of them looked over at the grunts who had finally backed off…. Finally.
"The Covenant have landed more troops… Several battalions." Linda stated as Halius hummed.
"That must be why Admiral Cutter told me to expect another assault on this position…" Halius stated as he sighed. "Igaros? Tell the others to fall back to the next line and dig in… What is the status in orbit? I know there are 30 Covenant ships." Halius stated as he walked up the hill.
"We lost 3 destroyers… Took out 6 Cruisers. Your navy is losing ground but they have shot down almost anything they sent… That last cruiser took out a cruiser from your side. They have another destroyer sending down ground troops." Linda stated as Halius cursed.
He knew more and more the Covenant was willing to sacrifice ships to take down their forces. Still? The fact there was a naval battle going on told him they were still alive.
"And Major Forge?" Halius asked as Linda hummed, thinking of it all now and for good reason.
She and he were unable to think of it once more as he clicked his fingers against one another.
"The battle isn't over yet," Halius stated to which Linda nodded. "Igaros? We are moving to another post." Halius stated.
Halius knew more and more the Covenant would be landing more soldiers to overwhelm them. That was not his concern, his concern was twofold.
1? Running out of ammo due to using it on the Covenant, something that seemed to be common despite the fact he would overpack on it.
2? This much conflict would invite Orks who were somewhat WORSE than the Covenant due to lacking their discipline and lack of restraint.
"Is the UNSC redirecting forces away from Jericho VII?" Halius asked while he and Linda walked.
"No, but Admiral Cutter is planning to pull back to the other side of the planet… We have been running low on supplies anyway." Jerome stated
"We have been killing grunts all day," Halius stated.
"Well, now we have elites and jackals…." Jerome stated.
"Wonderful… And the civilian population?" Halius asked as a comm channel popped up.
"The last of them are heading off now. The rest of the transport is away. It is just us and the covies." Halius heard.
"Glad to hear you, Major Forge," Halius stated before he turned to Linda. "We might need to leave. Our objective is done and I do not see a way to push the covenant back when they keep landing infantry." Halius stated.
"You are suggesting retreat?" Halius heard as he looked at Igaros.
"We were deployed to allow the civilians to retreat and to cause significant casualties to the enemy. We have done so; they simply do not relent. What do I suggest, Igaros? Is that we terminate a few more groups and then depart… I believe Orks are coming and the Orks will also inflict as many losses as we have." Halius stated.
He also had a reason to believe strategically. There was no point in another slugfest, the Covenant was beginning to believe the Ultramarines and Spartans could turn the tide of war… Which they were.
"We are ready to return to the final defensive line," Igaros said as a pair of Thunderhawks landed right in front of them.
Halius was fine with retreating so long as the Covenant gained a pyrrhic victory. However? He was still angry.
They had lost good men and the Covenant would need to pay for that just as well.
Halius boarded the Thunderhawk along with Igaros and 18 of his brothers. It was mostly clear now that something again and again would come to light now and for good reason, now and at the end of the day.
Just too much had been so for a good reason, he knew more and more they had a LOT of things left to do before the day was over and a LOT of different ideas as to how to do it
To be fair? He also knew the Covenant would not be winning the war. There were plenty of other fronts they could and would engage the covenant upon. This? Let them have a single dead world. They would come back 1000 times as hard and steal it all back when it came to such a thing.
He had been busy thinking and not fighting so far. Being an officer was also beginning to make him annoyed as it removed plenty of things he could do.
"Captain Titus? The Covenant is pushing hard but we have accomplished all primary and secondary objectives. Permission to tactically withdraw?" Halius questioned as the Thunderhawk finally touched down and they exited.
"Permission granted, hold for 10 minutes and I'll have the Retribution evacuate the rest of the ground forces," Titus stated as Halius stated.
"Might be a bit," Halius said as a pair of banshees flew towards them and he was reminded the Covenant was not likely to give up.
"Spread out into cover, do not fire until they are closer…. We have limited air support and all groundside units are being evacuated to the fleet… Our mission is done, all that remains is for them to die on our spears." Halius stated as he checked his bolter.
Halius cursed and then realized very soon that there was going to be a much larger issue. A dozen pods of shattered junk streaked downwards, one impacting a Falchion Class Frigate which tore in two and slowly began to fall downwards toward the ground.
He cursed as he realized what the twisted spheres of metal were. They were about to have more trouble than before.
"Master Chief, there are Orks landing. I would advise you and your team to evacuate while possible, there will be more sooner or later." Halius stated as he cursed once more.
They had more and more to do and now? Now Halius did not feel so bad leaving the planet in Covenant hands. The Orks would give them as much trouble as any other.
That? And he knew the battle was lost but the war was going to continue.
"Understood." Master Chief stated before the line clicked dead.
Halius looked up at the dozens and dozens of pods that carried what had to be hundreds of Orks. Whatever army the Covenant had deployed? Well, it would not have been enough.
"I almost feel kind of bad for them," Igaros said before he readied his plasma gun. "Almost. We have transports coming in. The Retribution will pick us up, another UNSC destroyer is taking the others." Igaros stated.
Halius was silent, very silent as he realized the battle had turned into another three-way. They had just lost another warship, and it was clear the enemy would not be dying so easily.
They were met with more Banshees, dozens of them at least and he was going to be too tired of it to properly focus, he was already trying not to collapse at the sheer exhaustion of it all when push came to shove now.
So much work, so much violence as he raised his bolter and fired at the Banshee, managing to down it with a four-round burst.
"Get a line set up… Then we go from there." Halius stated before he turned back on his communication device.
"Master Chief? Can you and your forces pull back to this location? We can hold them off more easily when we are entrenched…" Halius stated.
Not a lie, the Imperium spot was more defended, Halius had made sure they were ready for a siege if needed despite the small landing. If the UNSC had gathered here? Nothing short of total bombardment to the ground would wipe them out.
Halius was met by static before he glanced up and was met by several suns crashing down.
Wraiths. They had brought wraiths. Fine, then he would handle this the Ultramarine way.
"Igaros? Prepare the line of defense." Halius said as he realized what the game plan was.
Halius noticed several Phantoms which dropped off more jackals and grunts… Then? He noticed the elites, a golden one who stood with an energy sword raised.
Halius and the 20 or so Ultramarines held their fire. Why? Because Halius was planning to turn their long-range against them.
"You do realize you are asking us to IGNORE the tanks for now," Igaros stated.
"Because they are not the true threat," Halius stated and Igaros nodded.
Halius watched with interest as the Covenant infantry began to split into waves. One of which slowly began to march forward, Jackals in front with the grunts trudging behind them.
Smart, attempting to soak up firepower for more seasoned soldiers. Only one issue, he was not stupid.
Halius held his fire… Until he nodded at Igaros who along with 3 other Ultramarines, all flew up…. And were met with dozens of plasma rounds as several Jackals tried to shoot them.
Then? Halius had the guardsmen unleash a volley of fire, slicing through a dozen jackals and more than a dozen grunts who all fell to the ground, bloodied and dying from holes punched in them.
Halius and his brothers all fired out, their bolters and meltas clacking as round after round was put through the remaining Covenant of that wave. They returned fire which sent at least 5 guardsmen to the ground in bad condition.
He was silent, very silent as he dropped the clip for his bolter and then slammed another into place. Round after round was sent at the Covenant as more soldiers took their place.
He would give them this, they were tenacious. He was clever, however.
"Brother? Cripple their armor." Halius ordered as the thunderhawk from before flew overhead.
The craft's bolters began to drum as the dropship strafed the covenant force, holes punched through the wraiths with one detonating in a massive fireball.
Halius let them engage the Banshees screamed, ready to open fire upon them then and there… So much had to be done for it to end then and there for good reason.
Halius watched as the next wave was organized… And then he guessed the Elite had changed tactics as 2 more Phantoms arrived with 2 more wraiths and several blue armored elites along with more jackals and grunts.
He of all soldiers was amused.
"They are annoying and persistent," Igaros stated to which Halius hummed.
"Then shoot and save me both the time and effort needed to respond to it," Halius stated before he felt plasma crack the stone in front of him. "They are trying to pin us in. if they were clever? They would have had more forces flank us than press both sides." Halius stated.
"Pincer strike? Against Astartes? I doubt even the Covenant are so bold." Igaros shouted back before firing through the gap.
"Never underestimate what an officer and commander will do to ensure victory, Igaros," Halius stated as he returned fire, bolter rounds rolling from his weapon. "They know we are going to retreat and they are eager to get glory. I care not for glory so much as how much we can bleed the enemy for their victory." Halius said as he finished off a blue-armored elite.
Halius was about to say something before a roar of anvil-II missiles slammed into a phantom, causing it to crash into the other in a ball of fire.
A pelican roared through the flames followed shortly by a pair of Stormravens.
"Anyone call for a lift?" Forge asked as Halius watched the Guardsmen nod and slowly board the transport, another Pelican joining them.
Halius watched as the familiar sight of Orks began to appear and he realized they had done enough damage to the Covenant. Without a single word? Halius backpedaled onto the Stormraven which had its doors slam shut a few minutes later, loaded with Ultramarines.
Within 2 minutes? The 4 aircraft flew off, leaving behind dozens of screaming Orks and hundreds of Covenant soldiers screeching war cries.
Halius looked over the rest of them, over his soldiers. The battle of Jericho VII was a pyrrhic victory for the Covenant at best and a strategic loss at worst. Tactically? They had still killed several thousand enemy soldiers.
In response? They had still lost thousands as well and it was clear from the arriving Orks they might lose the remains of their fleet; he knew damn well that such a thing was impossible to say for now.
The Ultramarine simply holstered his bolter, turned to his soldiers, and nodded before he slid into the uncomfortable silence of being an officer.
All of it was harder to say, harder to deal with now knowing the war was long from being over. They had PLENTY of things left to do and PLENTY of work left now, so much work left would only HASTEN what was going on, knowing the enemy.
Halius paused, more confused than anything by what was happening… Now and for good reason they had more to deal with. Now and forever, they had a lot more to see and do at the end.
Halius felt the rest of their forces leave into the Retribution. They were ready, far more ready than it would have been dealt with for now as he clicked his fingers.
They held a LOT of different ideas on what happened next. Halius? Halius guessed they were not done yet. This war had many battles.
Now came the part he loathed, talking about the politics of war… And all the stupid ideals they had to deal with.
(20 minutes later)
Titus looked at the hologram of Admiral Stanforth, Whitcomb, and Guilliman. He guessed the Primarch had been busy, his silver tongue helping them win as many hearts as it did battles.
"What were the losses?" Vice Admiral Whitcomb asked.
"7 ships. They lost 12, and we killed at least 2000 Covenant infantry, neglecting any further losses the Orks incurred on them." Titus stated before the doors opened.
"Lieutenant." Admiral Stanforth stated.
"Admiral Stanforth," Halius stated a slight tilt of his head.
"Blue Team spoke of your last operation. They said you engaged a sort of high-value target." Whitcomb stated.
"I fought a sort of creature I am not familiar with," Halius replied with a slight tilt of his head, resting his helm on the table. "There is a LOT to discuss," Halius stated.
"Indeed. The Covenant have stepped up their strikes since the last few victories we have managed. I have not seen so many warships in the 5 years of conflict." Stanforth stated.
"Lieutenant," Guilliman stated as Halius tilted his head.
"My lord," Halius stated before the hulking man held up his hand.
"I thank you for the good first impression you have made upon the UNSC. It is good to know not every Ultramarine shoots first when faced with the unknown." Guilliman stated.
"I am simply a soldier and serve as one. My Primarch." Halius said as he turned to Admiral Stanforth. "I am aware you have called on me before, Admiral. You command the Spartans and they have spoken of me as often as I speak of them." Halius stated.
"Well, I need another soldier who can get results soon. You would have made a Helluva Spartan, son." Stanforth stated.
"Onto further issues," Guilliman stated that the holographic table showed the galaxy. "We have seen reports of the Covenant massing dozens of ships, perhaps for a large-scale siege. I do not know of their numbers, only that conventionally. We cannot crush their naval forces so easily." Guilliman stated.
"We need something else," Titus stated.
"Hmm," Halius stated.
"You wish to say something?" Admiral Whitcomb asked, tilting his head.
"Not yet. it is not my place to decide the course of the war, merely to plot the smaller battles. If I was suited to reign, I would have." Halius stated before he sighed as he leaned on the wall.
He was able to try and figure it out now and for a time being as of now when it came crashing to the ground. Halius looked to the side as he thought of what the second company when it came down to it.
They had a LOT to do now.
Guilliman was silent, observing each soldier, the UNSC was calm and reserved at the time being, each of them tossing their hats in the ring and seeming to have more hope for a stratagem that would work. It was clear they had been caught off guard by the Covenant so badly that they were backed into a corner.
Titus was silent but restless, he had been on a thousand different battlefields and eagerly seemed to be more at home on the edge of battle where he could help.
And then there was Halius. Guilliman could tell from his straight-eyed look, his constant checking of Willbreaker, and his general unease in this room that the Lieutenant was more of a soldier than most of them.
He wanted to be back in combat, not because it was just his duty but because it was what he was good at. The Lieutenant's eyes shifted around the room, clearly taking in every single detail, and adding them to memory.
A warrior and a strategist but not one who wished to be a leader or hero, simply a soldier who did his job and did not lust for the glory of it.
"Halius?" The lieutenant heard the booming voice of the Primarch. "Describe this warrior you dueled from your mission with the Spartans." He heard.
Halius blinked, caught off guard by this question from the master of the Ultramarines. He paced himself a few moments, taking a few deep breaths, and then spoke.
"Thin, they were thin with some sort of all-concealing armor, some sort of symbol or shield on their arm," Halius said as a picture of the warrior came up. "They were not hulking muscle but they fought like they were dancing, twirling through the air… It took a distraction for me to gain the upper hand in our duel." Halius added.
"Sounds like…" Titus went to speak.
"Eldar would never align with the Covenant, Captain… But it sounds like some sort of super soldier. If it could duel an Astartes so easily and was present? We must assume it might be part of an effort to destroy the most vital soldiers… Meaning all Ultramarines and Spartans." Guilliman stated.
"A covenant Supersoldier?" Whitcomb asked as he snorted. "Great, another problem. Lieutenant? I know you have been on the rise with the Spartans. I think I might need someone who can play the ground game as well as the Covenant can right now." Whitcomb asked.
Halius drummed his fingers on his helm as he tossed his gaze back and forth before he thought of it and then looked to the side.
"I am at your service, Admiral. However? I also serve the Imperium; it depends on the request." Halius stated to which he sighed and then thought of their next move.
The Lieutenant sighed before he wished to get back to work, he held no disrespect for these warriors but his place was back on the battlefield where he was able to command warriors.
The Vice Admiral dabbed at his brow, understanding that was hard but it was clear Halius of the trio was fine with grunt work… The Primarch was too busy and Titus often busied himself with the work of the Second Company.
Halius hummed as he paced back and forth restlessly.
"How shortly do you require me?" Halius asked.
"A week… 2 weeks, I am still getting forces together. The rebels are also plotting something." Halius heard.
"Lieutenant? You of all people should know rest is required by even the best warriors." Guilliman stated.
"I shall rest when the enemy is dead, my lord," Halius stated.
"No, you shall wait for the mission to be done… You have given the Ultramarines and the UNSC 3 victories recently. You need time to reflect." Guilliman stated.
"If you command," Halius stated before he turned to Titus. "Me and Titus have set up our forces on Arcadia so far… The planet has been mostly evacuated and the Orks driven from it." Halius reported.
"The planet I need help with is near Arcadia. It is something the Covenant is after; I am not sure if the Orks know about it but I do know if we do not get to it. There will be problems." Whitcomb stated.
"We cannot stretch our forces too much. The rest of the 3rd and 4th companies are engaged and I must see to them that we are not depleted of troops." Titus stated.
Halius frowned before the Primarch looked at him. Both were aware of what was going on and both had different ideas.
When Guilliman looked at Halius? He still saw a soldier who wanted to help… But Halius was willing to easily die if it aided them.
The lieutenant turned and began to walk away after giving the Ultimar version of a salute to the Primarch.
"Contact me when you have the details," Halius said as he grabbed his helm and placed it atop his head.
(3 hours later, UNSC/Imperium base Newton)
Halius continued to clean Willbreaker as he heard footsteps. The weight of them told him it was a Spartan.
"Spartan Linda," Halius said as he continued to fret over his sword. "Your comrades would look for you," Halius stated.
"I know," Linda stated, taking a seat on the scorpion. "It's why I am here. They are busy." Linda stated.
"Ah," Halius said as Linda paused to begin checking her weapon.
"Where's your friend?" Linda asked.
"Igaros is busy relaxing and inviting me to walk around," Halius said. "I declined. The Primarch has asked I prepare myself for a mission in 2 weeks, the UNSC wishes to make a defensive strike which might allow us a foothold in the outer colonies." Halius stated, scraping dirt off the blade.
"You only focus on work?" Linda asked.
"I do not act unbecoming of my station. I am Astartes, I will await the assignment and carry out my task." Halius stated.
"You remind me of Chief," Linda stated.
"I have heard of the Master Chief when I first met Spartan Jerome," Halius stated. "The leader of the Spartans as I have heard. His skills remind me of an Ultramarine." Halius said as he continued to sharpen and work upon the sword.
"The Ultramarines remind me of Spartans enhanced a thousand times," Linda stated as she cleaned the scope of her weapon.
"We were created to be the best soldiers in the entire empire we came from. Astartes were created purely for war, I would say we pass that description of being weapons purely by existing." Halius stated.
He was silent for a few moments as the two soldiers, both different yet capsulated in their ways continued to clean and prepare their weapons for combat.
"Sounds like Spartans," Linda stated as she brought up a rag to clean dirt off her sniper.
"I believe if you were born in our galaxy, you and the Spartans would be compared almost equally. If not for the damn inquisition? I believe the Imperium might have even allowed the Spartans in." Halius responded.
"Your home needs an army of super soldiers?" Linda questioned, pausing to start taking her sniper apart.
"Each of the 9 main legions has 1000 or so Astartes so we do have an army. It used to be MUCH larger than where we had 18." Halius responded.
"You had thousands of Astartes?" Linda asked, raising an eyebrow.
"We were bred to be the frontline of the empire, not special forces, not kill teams. We did have more traditional forces as you saw, we just were made to be the first line, led by the Primarchs, the emperor's sons." Halius put in, finally finishing his cleaning.
"That warlord who showed up at Earth is one of the empire's sons?" Linda asked.
"Correct. He is the ruler of the Ultimar region where I was born, commander of all Ultramarines, and one of the Imperium's best soldiers. If Primarch Guilliman is leading us? The Covenant might as well self-destruct because they will not outmatch a mind such as his or slay a soldier who has fought 1000 times worse." Halius responded.
The two soldiers sat in silence afterward, their weapons placed beside them. Even with their helms on?
Both could read the other based on body language, Linda could tell that Halius was not lying, or bluffing, there was not a single trace of false pride in his tone nor a single bit of arrogance in the words from the Ultramarine.
Halius, Ultramarine as he was? Could tell that Linda was more curious than surprised. Not a bad thing as he guessed that she was still getting used to having an army of Ultramarines to supplant the UNSC military.
Halius hummed, pausing only for a moment to take a breath. The Astartes shifted slightly, and the titanium of the Scorpion under him creaked JUST enough to tell Linda that she was about to watch the Astartes leave.
He did not, however, do so. He paused in quiet contemplation, too tired now to let this go so easily. He of all different people could tell that Linda was not so much thrown off as he and she both were.
Odd, sure, but not impossible.
He sighed to himself, so tired and so exhausted. Yet? He endured because he was a soldier and because it was asked of him. Right now? He was curious as to what the Primarch expected of him. Why? Because he was a soldier and the way he acted now? it was not helping.
Halius was silent, very silent, all too much because he knew better and knew he had a LOT more to figure out now.
"Spartan…. Linda, may I ask a question?" Halius asked, turning on his heel.
"Depends," Linda stated.
"Were the Spartans… Raised to be soldiers? Like us? Astartes were bred to be soldiers from children until we were given the technology that made us this way." Halius stated.
"Classified," Linda said.
"Then that is a yes," Halius responded. "My real question…. If you were given the choice… Not to be a Spartan, to simply forsake it and be nothing… Would you end up doing it? Or would you still shoulder the burden? Shield those who cannot shield their own lives?" Halius asked.
"Why ask me?" Linda asked.
"Because I am on edge and I hate waiting, preparing for the next battle. My leaders have asked me to wait, to not take the fight to the enemy and I cannot stand it. I am forced to do nothing while the war goes on." Halius stated.
Ah, now Linda grasped it. The one thing Spartans hated deep down, was the idea that they were forced to respond to the moral limits of their bodies, unable to fight and act on the frontlines of combat, and unable to help their friends.
Yes, she could tell Halius was having as much trouble with downtime as anyone else. It was… Amusing to them, but it would have been a nightmare for a single soldier forced to accept that they had limits. Forced to admit they were not up to par and then fall through the portal.
She and he were different like that, she and he were… Oddly in tune. She could guess Halius was mentally screaming at the idea of being forced to wait, to collect himself.
Yet? He was human and so was she. They could only wait for so long before their bodies, human as they were… Had to be crashing to the ground.
They had a lot more to try and figure out now when it came down to it as of now. He had a LOT more to try and figure it out now when it came down to it.
Halius of all people was distracted, very much so, very much beyond certain things.
He had a LOT more to try and figure out when it came down the line, even then. They had plenty of work to leave as she thought once again when it all came crashing to the ground, something about it all seemed to be done and over.
He was tired, very tired at the end of the day. Halius thrived in sort of conflict when it came to it, this? This all was annoying.
Author Notes
Phew. Another chapter is done! A few things.
This war will last until 2535 at least, I do have plans to continue it PAST then, but the war at large might only go on a few more years.
I am skipping little battles in exchange for larger ones.
No, Chaos and the Tyranids… Maybe Tyranids. They will not be showing up, the UNSC would be Uber curb stomped into trash by Chaos and anything else. That and because evil magic is not a part of things.
I am aware Spartans do not talk a lot, Chief does not talk often and Linda is quiet in combat.
The next chapter will be in 2-10 months and will show more of both the planning of the next battle and setting up the next phase of the war. Until the 900–6500-word chapter, Lighting Wolf out!