Summary/disclaimer: Time for another chapter of Iron Cross. Enjoy the 5800-word chapter. I do not own Warhammer or Halo, Gameshop and 343 do.
(Installation 04, 2532, March 14th.)
"So… This is the plan," Igaros stated as Halius sighed.
"We go over it one last time, Igaros," Halius stated before he turned to the table.
"The cruiser has plenty of security but Master Chief's ancilla can punch a hole in their radars," Halius said, gesturing to the table. "Linda and a group of ODSTs will assault their clearing and clear out security with Master Chief… While we, Spartan Fred, Spartan Kelly, and a group of Imperial Scions board the cruiser… Cut down any defenses and meet in the cargo bay…" Halius added.
"Where we then all assault the bridge, find the data, and destroy the Truth and Reconciliation for good," Suriel stated as Halius nodded.
"Yes. That is the plan." Halius stated before he shook his head. "Let us also point out this plan hinges on several things going perfectly…. We cannot be certain we will be able to infiltrate the cruiser." Halius stated before Kasbiel sighed.
"This is not what the codex states." The Ultramarine stated.
"The codex has very little for the direct application of stealth missions," Halius stated before he looked at Linda. "Our mission hinges on keeping the covenant reliant on believing we wish to brute force our way to the cruiser," Halius stated before he turned to Igaros.
He was all too much for now when it came down to it all when all of it had been distracted for now and he sighed to himself.
There appeared a few seconds of silence, a few seconds of silence for now at the end. The idea of it was an exhaustion he could not stomach and it was clear they had issues.
Halius also knew the others within the camp were bothersome when it came down to it all… Something about it all had to be done and dusted.
"Anyone else bothered about the fact we were barely able to deal with letting us have any number of soldiers?" Halius heard from Igaros. "That Major Shiva is not very good at inspiring his soldiers," Halius stated before he looked to the side.
There were a few seconds of silence as Halius sighed and shook his head. Shiva had been far more hostile than he seemed capable of for an officer and it was pulling teeth to get a detachment of ODSTS without asking Forge.
'The Major does not at all seem to be a good soldier when it comes to morale and inspiring his men.' Halius thought to himself before he sighed, shaking his head once more.
There was a lot of thinking for now. He had a lot more to try and think of it all for now as he paused to try and think of what was growing on his mind.
He had a lot more to try and think of what to tell the others but he also knew better than to relax, than to deal with their issues so lightly and without pause.
Halius cleared his throat, looking to the others before he frowned, his helm held under his other hand.
"There will be no support. We will be completely on our own out there, I am glad we are used to this way of action." Halius stated before he frowned. "Grab some sleep, we leave in 4 hours and we will not be back for 6-7 if we are correct," Halius added, grabbing his helm, and going to leave.
"Is it true Captain Titus and the others are engaging the majority of the covenant up north?" Halius heard from Suriel. "I heard we are handling less important work while the bulk of our forces are fighting the majority of the enemy," Suriel added to which Halius frowned.
The Ultramarine turned, glancing at the man before he put his helmet on the table.
"We are handling something important, without this information? We do not know what the enemy is after." Halius responded, crossing his arms. "And either way? We must stop the covenant, if this mission brings us closer to our victory here. We shall handle it." Halius added before he sighed to himself.
He looked over at Master Chief, and the Spartan nodded in agreement as he and Blue Team took their leave.
Halius was tired, ready to sleep. He did not at all know what was growing on his mind… There was a need to distract them for now.
Part of their next move was fighting. The Ultramarine in him also focused on the fact he commanded a paltry force compared to the other officers.
He did not at all care. He was an instrument, a soldier of the Imperium, and an Ultramarine, a son of Guilliman and he would fight for his empire and humanity when it came down to it.
He was silent as he knew sleep would not come easy when it came down to it. There was a large amount of amusement when it came down to it.
There were a lot of different ideas going through his brain. Something about this all bothered him at the time being, an idea of it all had cut deeper and deeper within it all.
The Ultramarine was cut off by a tap on the shoulder. Linda glanced at him as he paused, thinking of what was growing on his mind and it had been harder and harder to think of what was going on when it came down to it.
He was silent, curious as he looked at the Spartan-II. The two supersoldiers were constantly curious about the other and it seemed as if they had come to a head when it came to such an idea.
"I do not lie when it comes to your skill being a deciding factor in this mission… If we cannot board the Reconciliation? We will not be able to succeed." Halius stated before he sighed and then shook his head.
He had been too focused on that sort of thing when it came down to it. He sighed and then looked at her before relaxing once more as he cleared his throat.
"You expect this to focus only on that angle." Halius heard from Linda.
"You are the best marksmen in the UNSC according to Master Chief and I trust you and Chief… The others seem to have their agendas. I have a hunch all but Forge, Johnson, and Titus believe we will win tonight." Halius stated before he sighed. "I am unsure who our allies are and what we are doing," Halius added before Linda put her hands on her hips.
Despite the small height difference? Halius knew that she was a skilled warrior and he respected her, his twin hearts felt more at ease around her than he was normally.
'She knows me, soldier to soldier… She knows me and she respects me… The only difference between us is I have a full century of experience and strength.' Halius thought as she looked to the side.
"There is more to this, isn't it?" Linda asked as Halius hummed and then shook his head.
"Nothing gets past the eye of the lone huntress and wolf, does it? Not even invisible ideals." Halius said, planting his helm atop his head.
"You are one of the few I would call friend… Astartes know only war but it seems the Spartans were bred for the same wars we were." Halius said, turning to the side. "You know me in the way only a Supersoldier could, I know you… And it is that something which… I fear. I worry about you and the other Spartans falling in battle, I worry about you far more for reasons I do not yet grasp. Igaros wished for me to be open on this to you and he will not quiet himself down at all unless I did." Halius stated before he sighed.
"Not used to having friends who can throw Spartans around like toys," Linda stated as she looked to Chief. "You look at us the same way Chief does… Like family, like something to fight and die for. Astartes do not have much like that outside each other, no?" Linda stated as Halius hummed.
The Ultramarine wanted to object… But she had something of a point. He had grown up in the Ultramar region, he had no real idea of their God Emperor.
"The Ultramarines raised me since I was young… I have been in their service for over a century. My brothers are more than simply comrades if that counts." Halius said, crossing his arms.
"There is also the fact we have spent much of this war fighting side by side… The commanders besides Captain Titus seem to be more focused on their own goals than all of us marching together." Halius stated, turning aside as he frowned.
There were a lot of different soldiers to deal with for now. Halius was bothered for now… Bothered with it all when it came down to it.
"We also have to worry about the fact this seemed too easy," Halius added with a frown. "The covenant gave up their position in orbit after losing only a handful of ships. They have been here for several days and yet? We have not seen stronger resistance from them." Halius said as Linda frowned.
"Covenant don't retreat… Chief was bringing that up as well." Linda responded, crossing her arms over her chest. "Major Shiva doesn't seem to take them very seriously for an ODST officer." Linda put in as Halius nodded.
"Yes, it seems we have enemies inward and outward," Halius said before turning. "I can assume the Spartans will not sleep? I would wish to not need sleep in general but we have nothing left to do but wait." Halius stated before more footsteps were heard.
"Even Ultramarines have to sleep, Halius." Halius heard before rolling his eyes. "We still need food and sleep." Halius heard from Igaros.
"You sleep enough for the rest of this squad, Igaros," Halius stated to which he sighed. "But sleep would benefit us. We cannot operate simply on duty and friendship. I will be sleeping if you need me, I have some tasks I need to complete before retiring for the moment." Halius added before he shook his head.
He was all too much thrown off, all too distracted by what was going on when that came down to it. He rubbed at his throat and then turned, looking to the way.
(Seeker of Truth)
"That is the 5th cruiser we have lost," Thel stated before turning to look at the aide next to him. "There has been nothing but death upon this holy ring," Thel stated more to himself than anyone who could hear.
The other members of his staff were silent, curious only as to how this would have happened… How it should have happened.
Both sides were silent, curious… Both wanted nothing more than to relax.
They also hated the Prelate… The damned San 'Shyuum who had brought them here, forced them to stay.
The ring was holy, yes… But they had no idea if this belonged to the military or holy Prophets.
Both the Prelate and two ministers had attempted to claim control and command of the Fleet of Particular Justice.
They were tired… And Thel had known even with their combined forces that fleeing out of concern for the ring had harmed their hold on its surface.
He knew the Fleet of Valiant Prudence could have at least prevented them from landing for a few days. Now? Now he had to construct another plan to end up overthrowing their fleet.
There were also the demons. Thel had known the 'Astartes' and their demon allies would come; the Fleet of Particular Justice was too large for them to ignore and Thel knew the human leadership was aware of who the Sangheili was by now.
They had come for him and the ring. Thel was not stupid either, the demons? They were beyond covenant soldiers, no soldier within their ranks could best them.
Part of Thel wondered why they were unworthy of the covenant, they fought like monsters and were decent enough soldiers to be considered honorable.
Part of him thought of the idea that there was too much at stake. The covenant was eager to destroy humanity even when it became clear the war was no longer one-sided and the covenant may very well lose.
They had gone from slaughtering humanity to barely scraping the outskirts of their shield. He knew if the demons got here? No number of soldiers would have stopped them.
There was a lot more to deal with. The covenant was divided and it seemed the prophets would rather exterminate humanity outright than outthink and out-plan them.
He had tired very quickly of their designs, of their barking orders and such.
He had hundreds of soldiers near the holy temple of the ring. Why? Because they considered it better to turn the place into a damned fortress.
They had cost him 5 battlecruisers for their damn prattling and now their enemies were here, fighting… Winning.
He suspected they would soon find out what the covenant wanted. This entire campaign seemed centered more around trying to just kill more people than a blasted fight.
Something about that did not sit right with him. Thel turned to Rtas, clearing his throat.
"Triple security around the cruiser and sacred map… They will be upon us soon." Thel stated and shook his head. "We could have prevented this battle if we had struck them fully in orbit," Thel stated before shaking his head.
"The prophets decreed we were not to damage the holy ring," Rtas stated, frowning.
"The humans will be dealing with us showing them mercy… We lost 5 cruisers in 1 day due to attempting to take them out one way." Thel stated before he frowned to himself, tired and relaxed.
Something about it all had been too much to deal with for now… Something about it made him question humanity more than anything, how could they fight so well against death?
(With Halius and the others)
Halius cleared his throat, his mind buzzing despite all the enhancements within the Ultramarine. He had rarely slept, always taking the bare minimum, going back to war soon after.
He had a lot more on his mind… A lot more than he had wished now… It had hurt, it would always have hurt.
He thought of Linda's words. Halius had never met the emperor, never knew who he was or why he had allowed such chaos and war.
He was raised by the Ultramarines, given purpose since he was old enough to go to school. He was trained to be a weapon since he was a teenager, something he heard the Spartans share.
There was a lot he and his brothers had in common with the UNSC's most elite warriors.
It seemed unreal that he and they had plenty left to deal with… But he had a lot more to deal with, for now, an idea like this was more than he had wished.
Perhaps it was more than needed. Something about it all cut deeper than most wounds, even the warp had and it would continue to cut deeper and deeper.
There was a need to deal with those sorts of things. The chaos within his brain cut worse than a thousand chainswords.
It hit harder than he had wished but still? it had hit them all the same.
As a soldier? He had known only war, knowing what was growing on their minds scared them for now… An idea like this was more than either could manage for now.
Something about it all had been too much. They had fought, too distracted by war to notice how they felt.
He had been too thrown off and it bothered him as he fell asleep, forcing his enhanced body to surrender to the safety of sleep.
He had little in the way of dreams, nightmares… An Astartes knew only battle, only war. They fought any people at the end of the day and it had become harder to picture a life outside of fighting.
When Halius awoke? He was alert, scanning the entire area… He cracked his back, sleeping in his armor was not the same as sleeping without it and he felt awkward when it came to such a thing.
Halius was armored within 10 minutes, however, having known how to put such a thing on since he was 20.
Halius grabbed Blind Justice from the desk next to his tent and then armed himself. The Astartes never kept their weapons away from themselves.
He cracked his back and slowly yet surely walked outside, tired and distracted.
It seemed the Spartans were already prepared as they seemed dressed as well, both Fred and Linda finished placing their helmets atop their heads.
"Are we ready?" Halius questioned as Linda nodded. "Good…. Team 1 is inside their drop ship, and Team 2? We wait…" Halius stated as he turned.
He knew this battle would require 4 dropships. 2 pelicans, one Valkyrie, and 1 Thunderhawk, that was easy to ask for.
The issue? If the cruiser did read them as hostile? They would be shot down before they boarded the cruiser.
Halius did not at all know what was to occur now… Not at all sure what was to occur.
Halius hummed and crossed his arms as Igaros, Kasibel, and Suirel boarded the Thunderhawk, along with 10 scions.
The best soldiers within the imperium's standard army. Soldiers equal to Astartes in skill if not experience. Halius knew the other divisions of guardsmen would not cut it when it came to getting work done like this.
There was a lot more work to be done and that required specialized soldiers.
"We wait for Spartan-057 to reach the cruiser. Then? We all strike. If all goes well. The covenant will believe our entire force wishes to assess the cruiser directly… This will allow us to board the cruiser without delay… If we cannot? We go in guns blazing and destroy everyone and everything in our path." Halius stated before he shook his head. "Much of this plan feels based around luck more than anything," Halius added before Igaros chuckled.
"A strategy they do not expect is the best… Nobody expects us to kick in their front door and attack them when they're so well-guarded… Nobody expects a thing." Igaros stated before he turned to the side. "And if it doesn't? We die and nobody must care at all." Halius heard as he snorted to himself.
"You want to say that when it comes to insane plans," Halius stated before he looked to the side. "We need to be done sooner or later," Halius added before he looked to the side.
He shook his head, prepared for a few seconds when it came down to it as he thought of it all. He shook his head and questioned if it was a good strategy.
The covenant would not expect so bold a strike on their warship. He doubted anyone would, Cortana has already stated there were blind spots due to the damage done and she could spoof the rest of the scanners.
Linda hummed and then thought of what was growing in her mind. She also knew what Halius was guessing and it was going to be dealt with easily for now.
They had a lot of different ideas when it came to it all as she paused to look at him.
She was all too much. She thought of her next move as she thought of what was needed to occur.
There were a lot of different things to deal with. There was a lot more to try and get done at the time before it came crashing down.
Halius watched as the other soldiers slowly boarded their crafts and then thought of what was growing on his mind. This was a lot more amusing when it came down.
He turned to Linda and nodded as the Spartan-II and chief boarded a pelican with 15 ODSTS, all armored up and equipped with full weapons and armor.
He looked with the others at the Thunderhawk and shook his head before he made sure their armor and weapons were prepared for now.
Halius cracked his fingers and tapped his fist on the metal next to him as he paused to crack his fingers.
There was a lot more to try, he was too compressed into shape with each idea that cut through his mind.
He shook his head and boarded the Thunderhawk, prepared for their work. They had a lot more left to understand and he was thought with each little idea that cut into his mind.
He wanted out and he would have gotten out by any damn means needed to have secured something like this now.
There was more to their goals now, there was so much work on the line and they paused, they would continue to freeze so long as it came down to thinking.
Halius boarded the lead Thunderhawk with his team and felt the door shut behind him. He was all too curious as to this mission when it came down to it.
"We do know we have little way to cripple the cruiser further, correct? We lack the weapons for such a technique and the level of destruction asked is worse than we can place upon it." Suriel stated as Halius shook his head.
"We will disable it from the bridge…. There must be a self-destruction system and something that we can take full advantage of." Halius added, activating the holographic display.
"We will be working sooner or later on figuring that out… Lieutenant Halius? I've located a channel where we can all speak without the covenant splicing in." Cortana added as Halius fell silent.
The AI made him silent but since he heard they were spliced from human brains? It did not break their rule against AIs. That? And he was no tech priest… He fought for the Imperium and humanity but he was not the ally of the inquisitor and those who served within its office.
He fought for humanity, he fought for those who could not help themselves. Many would judge him a heretic but he was not a slave of the imperium, he was a soldier, a warrior.
He did not hate the covenant due to brainwashing and that of his training. No, he hated the alien empire for the cities they had burned, the planets they had reduced to ashes.
Their dropships flew, a series of them departing from the UNSC/Imperium base as Halius questioned how long it would take Linda to get into the ship.
There were a few different options with what was to occur for now.
He cracked his fingers, prepared for the time being to think of other plans. He was all too eager to get another plan off the ground in case it could have failed.
Halius hummed and started studying the cruiser, pondering what the move would be if they could not punch through their defenses directly.
"Trying this is going to be risky even if things go perfectly… The covenant will still be sending most of their soldiers to crush the UNSC and we will be left dealing with the fact we fight them on their turf." Halius stated, pausing to think as he sighed. "Then we will need to punch through their forces," Halius stated before he shook his head and then thought of what was growing on his mind.
He had a lot more to distract him for now. The hologram of the cruiser beckoned to him; it made him curious… Much too curious for the time.
And now? Now he had a mission to keep onwards. He started to strategize the next time for the time being.
She had a lot more to try and think of what was growing for now… There were a lot of different ideas as he paused to try and think of what was occurring for now.
There was a lot more to try and think of it all before he thought of it all before now.
The Ultramarine also thought more and more of what was occurring now… There was nothing else to think of what was going on.
The hologram seemed to stare back at him. The battlecruiser was the goal, the battlecruiser was the thing he had to attack for now.
Halius looked at both Kelly and Fred, both soldiers clad fully in their armor.
"Ever attacked a covenant cruiser?" Halius questioned before he turned back to this hologram.
"At the start of the war… First mission during the war." Kelly stated as Halius hummed. "We don't know how to navigate the inside if you're going to ask," Kelly added before Halius frowned.
"Troop numbers? Blind points? Weak spots?" Halius asked, frowning behind his helm more and more with each shake of her head. "Any information helps. The more you know? The less they can do." Halius added with an obvious frown.
He knew they did not know. The enemy had to be against the sharing of information in any way. Only a fool would damn well believe in attempting to let them know anything when it came down to it all.
He was all too easily thinking beyond the chaos as he paused to think of what was growing for now.
There was something else to be said about the fact he was nervous. Despite the weapons planted on his armor? Despite the armor, his enhancements on his body? He did not at all feel confident in battle, he did not want himself to show fear.
But? He was all too distracted by the oncoming battle. Even if this battle did not involve thousands of soldiers? He knew more and more with each passing second.
Then again? He believed that he would not have been able to proceed without fear.
He needed fear, they needed to fight, and he? He was amused for now, too tired, and too eager to think of another angle.
They needed another way to win, something more than what they had now and it had to be good now when it came down to it all.
There was something else to distract them for now as he paused to get to the meat of their mission.
What came next was bothersome. They would all hinge upon Linda's work, her and Master Chief would need to get to work before something crazy happened and screwed up their plans.
All said plans would need to be done when it was said and done. They needed time, and effort to mature and grow or else they would be left with nothing more to throw at the enemy.
He was tired, too tired at the end of it all as he paused to think. They had a lot more to distract them.
So, he put that all aside… First came the mission.
(1 hour later)
Linda continued to climb, the woman looking down at the area around her as she clutched her SRS99-AM.
"In position," Linda stated, grasping the stone with one hand.
"How many?" Halius questioned as her radio crackled. "We are waiting until a hole appears… You and Master Chief will need to make one." Halius stated as Linda signaled her squad of ODSTs.
She and Chief each considered leading more than a squadron of soldiers as it came down to it.
"I count more than 10. Shade turret, light infantry." Linda stated before she frowned under her helm. "Chief? I will go on your mark." Linda stated, aiming for the major in charge of the group.
She checked to make sure she could hit the shade. The gunner was not her biggest worry but the stationary weapon could chew through them if not given proper attention.
"Lieutenant? I would make your approach as the fighting starts… It will be easier to pincer maneuver the covenant." Cortana stated to which Halius cleared his throat.
"They need to believe our attack on the landing zone is the direct threat. When they have fully committed to the idea the Spartans are their only threat? Then we shall strike." Halius stated, frowning though they could not see it.
"In position," Chief stated. "Firing," Chief added as the sound of sniper fire in the distance brought their attention to think.
Linda hummed and brought up her rifle before putting a bullet through the skull of the gunner, the grunt slumping in his seat. Then the elite major crashed to the ground, their weapon clattering as the MA5Bs of the 4 ODSTSs clacked.
The other pair who held BR55s opened fire. She put another round through an elite while a pair of grunts tumbled down the hill.
"Move in," Linda stated, switching to her M6G.
(With Halius, Fred, Kelly, and his team.)
"Prepare for combat," Halius added before he sighed. "The scions are the best soldiers short of Astartes," Halius said to Fred as the hologram blinked.
"Spartan Linda? They have launched reinforcements towards Master Chief's location." Halius reported before looking aside. "Now, we go now…. Clear the hanger, take down every soldier." Halius said before equipping his bolter.
They had something resembling anxiety in their mind. Now? Now he expected the covenant to show their biggest teeth.
"We should kill their officers first," Suriel stated before checking his melta weapon. "Astartes and Spartans will do better against the heaviest soldiers," Suriel added as Halius hummed.
"Do not underestimate a single soldier within this group, brother," Halius responded before he looked to Fred. "How long do you believe it will take Master Chief and 058 to get their half done?" Halius added to which he was silent.
There was a moment of silence. Fred glared at the Ultramarine officer as both considered the next option now and before anything else happened.
There was a lot more to deal with and he tired of this damn pointless endeavor. They were right, it was better to go now than when there was even a chance of victory.
"Take us in," Halius ordered before slowly turning. "Prepare for combat, be prepared," Halius stated with a sigh.
He knew damn well there was going to be resistance. Even if they were left with fewer soldiers? There were still hundreds of covenant soldiers left to kill.
He prepared his bolter… There was no time for doubt or even a semi-slow desire to fight.
"Hostile dropship." Halius heard, the sound of the main cannon roaring. "Get ready." Halius heard as they passed through the shields.
They and the Valkyrie gunship landed and the doors opened as Halius felt the door hiss open.
"Forward! For Macragge and humanity!" Halius roared as he rushed down the ramp, crushing a grunt who happened to be in the way.
He slammed into the lead elite and plunged his knife through them, firing his weapon as the scions spread out, forming a solid line of armor and weapons fire as he nodded.
Igaros and Fred came down the ramp, gunfire rushing at the enemy as he thought of it all.
Halius was eager to get to work for now. He ducked into cover as a hundred plasma bolts flew toward his head.
And for once? He felt happy rather than conflicted for now. The battle was not something an Ultramarine savored.
But it was work he would take for now.
(With Linda and Master Chief)
The elite ultra crashed to the ground; a knife embedded in their head as Linda snapped the throat of the last jackal.
"Chief? I have almost reached the underside of the cruiser." Linda stated as gunfire came over the radio.
"Master Chief? We have boarded the cruiser…. Continue to push through to us… 087? There is a sniper on the upper gantry, can you take care of them?" Halius questioned as the sound of gunfire came down the road.
There was something else to deal with… Linda looked up at the cruiser. Her emerald eyes gleamed behind her armor as she sighed and then thought of it all.
"We're secure the cargo lift and move up… 3 ODSTS wounded," Linda stated before MA5B fire came in.
Linda motioned for the ODSTS to move ahead. She paused and then thought of what was growing on her mind… There was something to deal with.
She slowly yet surely thought more and more about what to deal with, for now, there was more work to deal with. Something about it all had cut deeper and deeper through her mind.
There was something else to distract her, duty… Her mission was to take the covenant down and she wanted to get to work, there was something to be done with it all now.
There was something to distract them for now. There was a lot more to try and understand on the mission when it came down to it all at the end of the day.
Whatever they had left to deal with? it would not be easy, not at all… Not when one of those things was as bothersome as ever.
It would not end for a perfect reason.
(With Halius and the others)
One of the elite majors slammed to the ground before Halius impaled them upon Blind Justice. The Ultramarine lieutenant glared at the rest of the soldiers in front of him as he cursed, silent… He was too silent to do much of anything beyond fighting.
Halius brought the blade up through an advancing elite minor, dropping their corpse in half behind him.
There was something to be said more and more about every single little thing he wanted to do… Each little chaotic fumble he made interested him.
Though? He would be fair… There was more than enough rage within him to quell that indecision.
"They are still going strong," Fred stated as he dropped another clip from his M392 and sighed. "And we're running out of ways to tell them to kindly leave," Fred added as Halius turned and cut down a fleeing jackal.
"I do not know who has it worse, us who are busy fighting dozens and dozens of covenant infantry or the Master Chief and 058…" Halius added as he sighed. "They are getting desperate… This much infantry without a clear-cut tactic? They are relying on volume over strategy." Halius stated, switching to his bolter, and returning fire with a burst of gunfire.
He knew damn well the covenant would break soon. The volleys of fire from the 15 or so scions were easily cutting down grunt and jackal alike.
Author Notes
Phew. Another chapter is done! A few things.
1. I am aware of the scions and ODST's reputation. I am still attempting to show the covenant as a threat.
2. After this will be Operation First Strike… Then Earth, Installation 05, then the Ark. It will move to post-war.
3. This battle will change the fate of some characters.
The next chapter will be in 2-10 months and be much more Linda/Halius-heavy. Until the 900–6500-word chapter, Lighting Wolf out!