Summary/disclaimer: Time for another chapter of Iron Cross. Enjoy the 5700-word chapter. I do not own Warhammer or Halo, Gameshop and 343 do.
(Charybdis IX, August 5nd, 2531, 3 months after Operation 'Shooting Star'.)
Halius looked at the dozens of marines and guardsmen before turning, helm held in hand to Igaros.
"Reinforce the lines and make sure we get the first 3 transports off the ground. If we can evacuate even a single group of civilians before the fighting begins? Tell me." Halius ordered as Igaros nodded.
He went mentally over the checklist of how many soldiers were here… 800 guardsmen from the Iron Guard. 600 marines, primarily from the garrison with another 400 from the fleet above…. And 25 Ultramarines as the other 75 of the Second Company were off-world.
"Lieutenant." He heard as he put his helm on and turned to Master Chief.
"Master Chief," Halius stated with a nod. "I dislike this. Waiting is a part of conflict I despise; it makes me fret over details I wish not to." Halius stated.
Chief nodded. Neither soldier liked the idea of waiting against the Covenant, both would have possibly asked for a first-strike operation to hit them, whittle down numbers, and stop open conflict or at least turn it MORE in their favor.
Halius was no Imperial Fist, they excelled more at siege warfare than he. Yet, he could wait and that allowed him time to check defenses, mounting one was another question.
"You know the Covenant more than I do. What do you believe they will do? I know orbital bombardment is a favored tactic." Halius stated.
"Force us into a chokepoint… They will catch on that we are not mounting a counterattack." They heard as Fred walked up. "Admiral Cole just finished making sure he is ready. We have 5 mass drivers, problem." Fred said as Chief chimed in.
"They can't crack the shields," Chief stated.
"They can… But we need a precision shot to take down anything bigger than a Corvette. The second they find out we can fight? I can guess at least 3 are going down." Fred stated.
"And those lance batteries? The 10 or 12 we have atop the walls?" Halius asked as he pointed to them.
The trio looked at the weapons, all too curious as to how best to phrase things.
"They are not going to do a lot of damage." Halius heard.
"Not to the hull, perhaps… But the shields? Yes, they will… And combined with the mass drivers? If we keep the attention on the ground? We can win, they will be forced to deal with Admiral Cole's fleet which gives us free chances." Halius stated before he sighed.
Fred nodded before Halius turned to Chief and then glanced to the sky.
"I feel a bad omen this battle will be harder than the previous ones we have fought," Halius stated.
"They realize we can fight them and the Covenant has sent an assassin, if I am wrong? They will no doubt deploy thousands of soldiers and while we are fortified for a direct strike? Part of me believes not even they are arrogant enough to fly into a siege of this." Halius stated as he sighed and then looked to the side.
They investigated the stars, knowing that PLENTY of Covenant soldiers would soon be here, soon there would be PLENTY left to lose now.
"Lieutenant? We found pockets of civilians… Armed, they said they are not giving up the planet." Halius heard as he looked to Chief.
"Insurgents?" Halius asked to which Fred shook his head.
"No, local militias." Halius heard to which he blinked.
"Let me speak to them," Halius said before he looked back at the Spartans.
"One final word if I do not make it through this assault… I do not outrank you; I might be a Lieutenant to the Ultramarines but I do not care. I am a soldier, and I wish to fight alongside these men and die alongside them and you, if need be, if you believe there are any personal ideas only Spartans or UNSC soldiers can implement. Deploy them, you know the enemy better and I shall not pretend otherwise." Halius added, pausing only to make sure his weapons were fashioned to his armor.
"I do have some ideas… But I would like to run them by him. See how he and the Ultramarines would do things." Fred stated.
"He is asking us to fight side by side like equals. He wants us to do things our way." Linda stated.
"How can you tell?" Fred asked.
"Because he's telling us to do what we need regardless of his rank," Chief stated with a nod. "The Admiral is right… He reminds me of a Spartan." Chief added as he turned to go and speak with Kelly.
"I am going to talk with him," Linda said before Chief turned to Fred.
"I have an idea," Chief stated as Fred nodded.
(With Halius)
"We ain't leaving, Covenant ba****** or not!" One of the civilians stated, lifting an MA5B towards Igaros.
"Evidently," Igaros stated.
"What is the situation?" Halius asked, walking up to the duo.
The man turned his rifle on Halius who sized him up… Not a civilian, former military, his finger rested on the trigger with a practiced ease, and his feet were spread to absorb recoil.
"You tell the tin man here we'd die before we'd give up our home!" The man said as Igaros frowned.
"You might die then." Igaros snarked before Halius glared at him.
"You have military training?" Halius asked, crossing his arms.
"So, what if I do? You going to arrest me?" The man asked to which Halius took a step forward.
A combat stance and a rifle aimed dead center at his head. Halius chuckled mentally before speaking once more, his voice less friendly and more commanding.
"No," Halius said before he glanced at the man. "Do you know military tactics, how to flank an enemy, how to properly organize a squad?" Halius asked as the man gave a hesitant nod.
"You realize staying will possibly condemn you to death?" Halius asked to which another nod. "Then round up what men you have… Proceed to a landing pad and create a guard for the craft… When that is done? Then we will talk about getting a proper defense." Halius stated as Igaros walked over to him.
He looked at Halius with clear shock on his face as the Ultramarine Lieutenant turned.
"He wishes to defend this planet… And I can see a soldier clear as day. if he wishes to stay? That is his duty… Igaros? I need you to ensure the walls are secure, I will ensure that we are prepared for the conflict." Halius stated.
Halius frowned as he realized just how odd this was. Granted? He would need every soldier, every able-bodied man, and woman willing to fight here to win… But it was odd either way.
"You know they will die if they fight," Igaros said before Halius hummed.
"He knows. He is a soldier, I saw it in his eyes, and he would sooner drop dead than surrender the planet. If he was a guardsman? He would have been a Cadian…" Halius stated before the sound of footsteps behind them.
He turned, greeted by Linda, the Spartan-II sniper marching up to Halius as the Ultramarine Lieutenant took a step, meeting her mid-stride. Both soldiers stood an inch or so apart, their armor almost clanking off the other.
"I need to speak with you," Linda said as Halius nodded.
"Then speak and let us talk. Igaros? Ensure our brothers are aware of their positions atop the wall. The more time we waste here is another advantage for the Covenant." Halius stated to which Igaros nodded and left.
Linda looked at Halius who nodded before he looked at her, motioning her to speak.
"The Spartans have their ideas on how to conduct themselves?" Halius asked as Linda nodded. "Good. You are soldiers, I expect us to fight well side by side… Not to follow the same rules. What is it you suggest? I am already believing there are better plans than this one I have put together." Halius stated as Linda hummed.
"We still have the nuclear bombs from the operation before," Linda stated to which Halius hummed. "We should be willing to use them if push comes to shove," Linda stated.
"It would kill us all," Halius stated to which Linda nodded. "I also guess you wish to fight separately from your team? I have heard from your teammates. You are a lone wolf, work best alone…" Halius stated as he leaned on Willbreaker.
Halius hummed before he looked to the side, looking at a group of marines motioning the group of civilians up the hill towards a civilian transport.
The Spartan watched as Halius tapped the sword on the ground before he turned to the side.
"I do… And if push comes to shove? I can kill from high up." Linda stated before she looked down on the ground. "Chief will want to weaken the Covenant," Linda stated.
"Going against the enemy front is very risky even for the most elite soldiers. However? if you believe you can strike better from a different position? Do it." Halius stated before he frowned.
"I will… Most people would have made an example of people like him." Linda stated.
"I did," Halius stated as he turned. "We are fighting for humanity and the enduring species… They know the planet more than me and have the lay of the land, letting them know we support them and respect them as equals shows we will make better allies than enemies." Halius added.
Halius had another reason for responding to the threats with little to no violence. Terrifying people was not his goal, it was not something he enjoyed unless it was enemies, the morale of the galaxy was something that he wished to preserve.
They needed allies rather than enemies and currently? It killed two birds with one stone.
That and he was far more exhausted than he had wished to be. He saved his strength for combat if he had to fight soldiers who disobeyed them. He would rather it not detract from the coming battle and what supplies they had to fight it.
Halius turned and slowly retreated into the crowds. He knew very well that they would have a FEW extra Ultramarines but the bulk of their forces would be regular infantry against a very strong enemy.
His plan to wipe them out in close quarters also relied on being able to destroy enough siege units that they were unwilling to risk the range. Destroying a handful of Wraiths? Easily done with some rockets and a few Stormravens.
Destroying a battle cruiser before it could decimate their entire stronghold? Far easier said than done with the amount of limited support they held for the weapons. It was clear they had a LOT of different things to juggle.
The fact the Covenant also heavily outnumbered them bothered him. He had PLENTY of other ideas on how to ward off a few waves of hundreds of covenant soldiers, fighting a few million. They were not impossible odds but it was VERY much pressed against them.
"Lieutenant? We have heard from Captain Titus… It seems we have another Battle Barge inbound; 7th company markings." Halius heard to which he blinked.
Soldiers from the reserve companies? Halius pondered if the Ultramarines were busy debating tactics aboard the Primarch's flagship. Still? if they were to aid in his task? He welcomed them.
"Tell their commander I will greet them when I have finished things here," Halius ordered to which the soldier nodded.
Halius turned and looked up to see a pair of Thunderhawks flying down… Perhaps Titus had taken pity on him or perhaps he had seen this battle would not PURELY be won by tactical skill alone.
Halius hummed before he watched the dropships begin to land, full of Ultramarines who seemed to be all prepared for combat… A pair of Terminators as well, walked down the ramp before Halius blinked.
He hummed before he thought of the next option that he would do when it came crashing down.
Halius watched the outline of UNSC warships before he sighed and slowly started to look toward the Thunderhawks. He sighed to himself before he grasped it better than before it came crashing to the ground.
He also noted Linda, the Spartan-II looked down from a crane, her rifle lifted towards the rest of the plateau in front of them.
Halius watched as a Stormraven seemed to land downwards on the top landing pad. Halius was greeted by an azure-clad Ultramarine, their armor as prim and proper as status seemed to dictate.
The soldier was a Lieutenant, equal rank as him… Perhaps the captain of the company was not around or on business. Still? He walked up… Only to realize what they were due to their stature and height.
A Primus, one of the enhanced Astartes who were considered the upgrade of regular Astartes such as him.
Halius paused, Igaros and several of his squad behind him before he thought of his next option.
"Seems this is going to be a LARGE battle." Halius heard from Igaros as he sighed and then thought of it.
(2 hours before the battle)
Halius looked upwards at the 15 or so UNSC warships, and another 5 Imperium warships as he sighed, the soldier knew that they would be in for a fight…
Halius tapped at a datapad, information scrolled across it as the Astartes hummed, guessing tomorrow would be eventful at the end of the time.
Halius frowned before thinking of it before the sound of two familiar sets of footprints was heard behind him.
"Igaros, Spartan Linda." Halius stated, finally setting the datapad down on the ledge next to him. "Are we prepared for combat? We have one day before they are supposed to attack… Combat will not be easy; they will still be pressing the assault." Halius stated before he frowned once more.
Halius was greeted by what of them before he tapped on his arms before she looked to the side.
Linda and Igaros took positions next to them as Igaros spoke first. This seemed to be grasping it now while he thought of it when he crashed it to the side.
"We still have 4 more transports to load… The process is slow and we calculated that at least 2 transports will be lifting off tomorrow… Evacuating a large amount of the planet is not easy." Igaros stated to which Halius hummed.
"Hmm, you mean that there will still be civilians to protect tomorrow?" Halius asked as the Sergent nodded. "Then we handle it…. Spartan? I have heard Blue Team has split itself in half, 2 members per gun… Will that be, ok?" Halius asked.
Linda nodded before she looked to the side, too much involved with it to be able to think, she wished it to have been better now, and for a good reason. All of it would come crashing down upon them with the force of a damn sun.
There was also the beginning of confrontations and there was NOTHING when it came down to it as he paused to think of it when all when it was all said and done.
Halius seemed to be focused on it when it came down to it as he sighed.
Halius seemed to be thinking of it once more, she seemed to be thinking of it when it was all said and done. Halius frowned before he looked upwards into the sky.
"Halius? We have reports of a pair of ships…" Halius heard before he looked to the side.
Halius blinked before he looked upwards into the sky one last time… And was greeted by a dozen pods on the ground, all of them popping open as several elites popped out of them.
Halius blinked before he put on his helm. He looked to the side as he sighed once more.
"We need to get into position. They are in position soon." Halius stated before he frowned to himself.
He and the trio walked down the wall. Halius pondered how well they were getting into the next fight before he looked at Linda and he nodded.
"If you have a further plan? Get onto it… We do not attack them until a warship gets closer." Halius stated before he sighed before a message came over his Voxbox.
"Lieutenant? We have a Covenant Battlecruiser approaching the city, charging weapons." Halius heard before he blinked as he looked upwards and into the sky.
Halius blinked before he drew his bolter as they rushed towards the wall, heavy footfalls slowly starting to trail after them.
The sound of knuckles cracking made his mind seem to be thinking of what was going to be done and dusted.
Halius tapped his radio before he looked to the sky, more of the battlecruiser, floating in the void as he seemed to float his fingers onto his radio.
"Fire!" Halius yelled, glaring at the battlecruiser with pure contempt.
Halius watched as a silo of M85MM missiles flew upwards and into the sky, thinking of it like fireworks show more than anything.
A half dozen of the missiles exploded in a shower of fire… The other 20 all slammed into the cruiser, its shields blinking out in a golden flare of energy.
Then? There were several cracks of lightning and 5 bursts of lightning that slammed into the cruiser like bombs. The battle cruiser shifted to the side, flares and explosions cutting into its hull like knives before it began to slam down into the plateau.
Then? While the 3 others behind it started to regroup? Came Admiral Cole's fleet as well as the Imperium as well, several Longswords flying past the bridge as he hummed.
However? This was followed by dozens more pods slamming into the ground. Dozens of grunts and jackals emerged, and the trio of Covenant cruisers also unleashed their full complement of Banshees and several Spirit class dropships…
Along with several new Covenant dropships that flew towards them, Halius frowned before he looked to the other Ultramarines, holding up his hand as he thought.
There became more Spirits and the odd, tear-shaped dropship as the remaining ground forces of the trio of cruisers were sent down… Halius looked over and saw dozens of elites, jackals, and grunts… Even a few hunters. Odd, he was expecting some brutes within as well.
Halius waited as they approached, the elites shouting and screaming orders to jackals and grunts in an alien tongue he did not know.
Halius brought his fist down… And like clockwork? The 25 Ultramarines all fired in unison, bolter and melta rounds flying across the plains. Dozens of grunts spun and dropped, methene tanks punctured like balloons, jackals also collapsed, shields shattering… And he watched a trio of elites in crimson armor crash to the ground, meaty holes in their torsos.
"All forces, fire! Lure them in!" Halius ordered before he dropped his spent bolter clip and brought up another.
Halius watched as the gates opened, allowing a squadron of warthogs out as a pair of Stormhawks flew overhead, their stormcannons blasting out rounds which sent 2 of the Spirits spinning out of control, fire belching from their sides.
Halius watched as more gunfire came from the wall, Ultramarines, guardsmen, and UNSC marines all opening fire… Which was returned as the remaining Covenant closed ranks.
"I am more worried about their fleet than I am about these guys," Igaros muttered as plasma burned at the steel around them.
"Leave that to Admiral Cole," Halius stated, pausing to put a round through a jackal. "Master Chief? How is your side of the defense? I see UNSC forces out on the plains." Halius stated as he ducked back into cover.
chief responded with gunfire as did the rest of the UNSC marines on their side of the wall. He turned to watch a warthog detonate in a brilliant ball of flames, the others appearing to act as raiders, their turrets rattling off rounds that lit up the plains.
As Halius predicted? He could see purple blobs upon the battlefield… Wraith tanks, a dozen or so of them which began to launch their trademark mortars… Falling short of them by miles… But catching a warthog in a massive fireball that consumed it.
Halius looked upwards at the battle above and questioned if Admiral Cole was able to elicit change. Halius did not command warships, he did not know the trappings of space-borne combat besides how to board a ship, destroy its systems, and slaughter its crew.
So? He would admit he was VERY caught off guard. The dozens of pinpricks of light below? Those were his concerns as this battle raged.
"All Imperium units on the ground. Form a kill zone, any soldiers who manage to slip into the gates will be first targets." Halius ordered before he turned and began to unload his second clip into the rows and rows of Covenant soldiers.
(Aboard Retribution's Thunder)
Thel would not give praise often. He was admitting honor was something part of him but also estranged… With that spoken? He would admit the humans had surprised him for now, they had struck like lightning… And it was clear they had prepared for this well enough.
"They have taken out two more ships… Shields at 50%." He heard from Zhar.
Thel watched as he looked to the side, the entire ship shaking as the torpedoes were launched from them. The shipmaster could only guess they had chosen to attack.
"Shipmaster, incoming…." Zhar stated as he cursed. "Shields are down, we have taken out two human strike ships…. A third is coming." Zhar reported.
Despite the addition of two burning husks belonging to a pair of Human destroyers? Thel, not noticing the human flagship? Was caught off guard by the fleet opening formation…. And the human flagship launched a beam of light towards them.
The Retribution shook and then began to crash downwards, a massive hole punched in the hull.
The warship crashed through the sky…. Sheering another UNSC warship, a corvette in half… In all? The warship took 3 UNSC warships down.
"Aim for the human dwelling… The gate." Thel hissed as he prepared for combat.
(With Halius and the UNSC forces.)
Halius watched as the destroyer which had destroyed 2 destroyers crashed downwards, the ship seemed to coast towards the gates.
"Move!" Halius ordered as the destroyer slammed down into the ground.
The warship which was on fire already? Slammed through the gate like it was tinfoil, the metal crumpling as the destroy dug a trench 20 meters into the soil. It broke in half as it did so, taking 20 guardsmen and 2 Ultramarines with it. Halius cursed before he realized the ship still had crew, Grunts, and Jackals beginning to waddle out.
"They pierced the wall, fall back to defensive positions!" Halius stated as he leaped down, gunning down a trio of grunts and a pair of jackals with the last of his ammo.
Halius rolled and tossed his knife into a charging Elite, the covenant soldier stumbling onto the ground as another Ultramarine offered a space clip.
"Covenant forces have breached the city. Protect the cannons, and get those two transports off the ground!" Halius ordered before he looked to the side.
Halius turned and fell back… Only to notice several shadows spreading out from the crash site… Elites, elites with their guns.
Halius decided to follow them, realizing they were all heading into the city… And if he lost them? They could still cause havoc with the defenses… Plus? Halius knew now this was not going to end just because he led the Ultramarines in a counterattack, they had something else to deal with for now.
Halius turned to himself before he thought of it, watching as Igaros was tossed to the side before he shot an elite in the side, something which crashed downwards.
Halius wished to think of it to the end… But he had no damn clue of the idea he held in his mind… Now and only now did he believe it would be different and he was part of it.
Halius did not notice Master Chief following him, the Spartan also spotted the Elites and tried to keep them and the rest of the Covenant off the mass drivers which continued to blast away at the Covenant fleet above.
Halius turned to strangle a Jackal then toss a grunt aside…. And drew ever closer to them.
(With Thel)
Thel knew the human weapon emplacements were the most dangerous asset the Humans had. They and their demons had put up a massive fight around the wall to keep the Covenant out… Now that the wall had fallen? It would be merely a matter of destroying the only thing keeping the city from being glassed.
Thel paused to impale a pair of human soldiers with odd weapons which reminded him of Covenant…. Humans with less primitive weapons? Far more dangerous than before.
He was interrupted by a Major Elite sliding along the ground, its neck wrung like a chicken as he turned to see one of the armored demons…. Then? Came another, the ones in Green he was used to.
The larger demon pulled an object from its hilt and ignited it, the sword blazing like its own blades. He tore the two swords from his hips and ignited them like blazing stated.
"I can see you, Xeno," Halius stated before the trio clashed.
(With Halius and Master Chief)
Halius parried the first strike from the Elite only for the second to force him back a step, the next hit was a stab which he batted away, shoving the Covenant soldier away.
Chief's MA5B clacked out rounds as the elite vanished, growling as he tore after them, swords flaring out like licks of hellfire.
Halius parried a strike at Chief's hip as the Spartan slammed his rifle into the elite. It staggered back as Halius went to slice their head off only for a slash to force him back 2 steps.
Halius hummed, they were skilled, very skilled at combat. Halius watched them stab at him as he brought up Willbreaker, pausing the blades an inch from his face.
"Demon." The Elite hissed to which Halius snorted.
"To you, perhaps," Halius stated, pushing them back as Chief went to stab them only for the Elite to kick him, shields flaring.
Yes, very dangerous… This Elite reminded him of the covenant Supersoldier he had fought, whoever they were. He considered them dangerous, dueling him and a Spartan equally. This fight appeared to be capable of going either damn way at this point.
Still? Halius refused to relent, they were proving to be a dangerous threat, and if they managed to reach the Mass Drivers? This entire PLANET might soon damn fall in their wake.
Halius charged forward, leaping to launch a stab which the elite barely blocked Chief tossed an M9 at the Elite as Halius spun away, shrapnel pelting the shields of the Xeno as their shields buckled.
Halius drew his bolter pistol and then fired, the first 2 shots shattering their shields before they turned and activated their camo.
Halius and Chief raised their weapons to shoot him before a yell behind them made them turn. A Hunter put a bolt into Igaros which made him collapse to the ground, his armor smoking.
"Igaros!" Halius yelled as he lifted his bolter pistol and fired several times, the bolts exploding all around the creature, making it too thrown off to fight.
Halius rushed forward, gripping his sword as he tackled the hunt to the ground, crushing its skull under his boot with a growl.
By the time he turned around, the Elite was gone… Not headed towards the guns but fully retreated as was.
Halius spared a glance at his friend, gripping his hand as the armor burned, harming the Astartes as it cooled. Then? Halius glanced upwards, the Covenant fleet was retreating, several destroyers and a pair of Covenant cruisers burning… That? And a pair of Imperium destroyers broken in half and a pair of UNSC frigates falling to the planet.
Halius hummed… Then he turned back to Igaros. He waved one of the free apothecaries over to tend to his friend before he looked up at the carnage… Then back down towards his friend.
They had won, no doubt about it. Yet? At a cost, Halius was beginning to hate even if needed.
"I am sorry, brother," Halius said before he turned and walked away, watching as his brothers chased down the remains of the Covenant ground forces with the Marines…. Only to notice a few platoons swarming the transport which was still refusing to leave.
He and Chief shared a look… Then he paused to give Igaros a nod which was returned as the two set off to handle things.
He of all people was angry, very angry, and upset when it came to shove. He wanted to fight through it and he decided to… Still? He felt his mind aching, his mind cutting and ebbing.
They had a LOT of things to discuss when it was all said and done. A lot more on his mind as he sighed, interested in how he would help himself when it came down to it.
Still? He had a LOT of different ideas before he looked to the side, Chief surged alongside as both ran like they were moving tanks.
He also heard several bullets from the top of the tower, Chief moved much faster than he should have been and he was tired of fighting today as of now when it came to it, something about it all made him want to scream…. But he was too interested in something beyond now.
All of it seemed to be done when push was shoved, he wanted to fight and he did VERY good at trying to understand now more than anything… Anything he could and would have done now when it came down to it.
There was a LOT more to this now and for good and all. He had failed Igaros a few moments ago… He would not fail the transport and those aboard it when it was all over.
(Aboard transport Echo 216)
The 13-year-old boy watched as the handful of UNSC Marines fell, plasma burning or energy swords shoved through them… The snarling elite stomped towards the door as the 600 passengers all recoiled in horror.
The elite stabbed through the door, trying to wretch it off its handles… Before the sound of gunfire cut them off.
The boy looked through the window as he watched two soldiers, one pitch blue and the other green, fight a dozen elites.
The green one cut through 2 with bursts of fire before elbowing a third and tossing it to the ground, stabbing it in the throat… The one next to him gripped a zealot by the arm before stabbing it, parrying two further elites, and then shooting them, sending both crashing to the ground.
They fought like demons, shooting and stabbing at the elites who charged them… But fought like knights, gallantly defending the transport which was still having trouble lighting its engines.
After a minute? The green armored soldier elbowed the last elite to the ground, putting a burst into its head as the blue stabbed through the last of his elites. They nodded and surveyed the area before exchanging a few more words.
Then? The blue armored soldier walked to the transport, raising an arm as thick as a tree trunk… Before knocking on the door as gently as a breeze.
Without thinking, the boy hit the button to open the door, hissing open as the blue-armored soldier ducked in, barely squeezing through the door. He glanced at the boy before looking at the civilians.
"Is anyone aboard wounded or in need of medical attention?" Halius asked as they shook their heads. "I ask you to please evacuate; the battle is ending but there are still covenant forces outside, I cannot guarantee we will be present for more than a few minutes," Halius said.
Then Chief walked in behind him, sweeping his gaze across the civilians.
"Thank you… I am glad to have aid." Halius said before he felt a tug on his arm.
Both looked down at the boy who was gently tugging on their arms, Halius gently kneeled to look the young man in the eye.
"Thank you for s-saving us." Halius heard.
"I will always save you… Are you hurt? I saw one elite stab the door before the Master Chief intercepted him." Halius stated to which the boy shook his head. "Good… What is your name?" Halius asked as the boy blinked.
"Fernando Esparza… Why?" Halius heard as he gripped his helm and pulled it off, showing him that the soldier was human.
"So, I know who to protect…. I am Lieutenant Halius of the Second Company of Ultramarines, Fernando… And I and the Master Chief here are fighting to defend humanity… And we will not stop until you are all safe."
Author Notes
Phew. Another chapter is done! A few things.
Yes, that Elite IS Arbiter, the Battle of Charybdis IX was where he started his career in Halo Cannon. Yes, he did match Chief and Halius. Thel goes toe to toe with Grey Team in Cole Protocol… He is a master swordsman, I wanted to showcase how skilled he is and set up how familiar he is with Halius and Chief later.
Yes, that is Echo-216's pilot, the book said Charybdis was his homeworld. Why did Chief and Halius save him? Because I plan to go all the way to Infinite and set up how he knows Master Chief and why he is so giddy around him.
Yes, Igaros WAS hurt. I am not having the Ultramarines curb stomp the Covenant, super commandos or not, there would be no story if the Imperium was just 20 times better than the Covenant. That and to show Halius and his friends do not have infinite plot armor.
The next chapter will be in 2-10 months, feature a time skip and set up the next arc of the story. Until the 900–6500-word chapter, Lighting Wolf out!