Alright then sorry for the long wait over Christmas but we're back now and about to reach the apex of the fight.


"BRING THAT FUCKER DOWN!" Khane shouted not just out loud but into the coms as well. Everyone present heard her and did their best to accommodate the order.

"Enemy target lock!" a voice called out.

"Deploying countermeasures!" the voice from her right said without her needing to say anything about it.

"Primary target moving forward ma'am!"

"About fucking time!" she shouted, very uncharacteristic of her but she was far from the point of caring about what others thought of her deminer. She reached forward with both hands and started to type away on the small keyboard attached to the holo table, establishing a direct link to specific ground teams instead of just everyone "Lance teams be advised, the first ship is about to enter firing range. Get ready for target lock" she cut the com before they could even replay.

Her attention stayed on what was in front of her. Four of the smaller enemy frigates were still in working order with little if any damage visible on them. Not great, the only saving grace being that the large Assault Carrier that was moving towards them was damaged and not in a huge way but from what she could see, whatever they fired at it seemed to hit the hull, meaning that they'd been able to bring down its shield. Really good news for the Lance teams, she didn't doubt that if they could get a volley off then it would be brought down. Now that the ship was moving closer to the city it would be in range.

"Ma'am, massive gravitational spike. Something just entered the atmosphere!" a voice called from her left.

"What is it?" she asked back, not looking away from the table in front of her that showed a good view of the battle. From what she could see, many different enemy forces were slowly pushing into the city, current ground teams were holding better than could be expected but that was mainly due to the fire support she and the rest of the formation provided.

"Unknown, we've lost Rader instruments" the same voice called back.

If she had the time she would have rolled her eyes at hearing that but she couldn't. It went without saying that the Ajax as of the moment was a complete mess. Multiple Hull Breaches, hangers completely unusable and most likely whole corridors caved in. She didn't even want to think about what the med-bay looked like "It'll come into visual in a moment"

"Ma'am! Lance teams firing now!"

As she heard the voice she looked away from the holo table and out the front window. Quickly moving around it she jogged a couple of feet until she was standing right next to it. While she mostly saw the front of her ship given that the bridge was at the back of the ship. However, she could make out most of the city and most importantly the Assault Carrier in front of them. For a moment she assessed the damage to the ship with her own eyes, she didn't doubt that the Ajax was in much worse shape overall but so long as the shields were down it would get it done "Lance batteries firing first wave!" someone called out behind her.

It didn't take more than a couple of seconds before she saw them. Seven different missiles all firing from different points under the ship. Some looked like they were coming from the top of roofs while others were in the streets, all of them converging on the enemy. If they all hit then it would go down. That was why the Lances were so useful in situations like these. They weren't just missiles that had a larger blast radius of anything like that. The Lance was capable of flying at nearly Mach 10 to hit their target, the front of the missiles being a sharp and spinning drill that would burrow deep into the hull before detonation.

If aimed at the right spot, they would drill right in the ship's core before detonating. If the calculations were made correctly, then the Lance would go at least halfway into the Assault carrier before coming to a stop and exploding. This is why it was so important to bring the shields down, the hull was no problem but they wouldn't be able to get through them.

She saw as they all neared the enemy and for once she found herself grateful that they were so focused on her and the Ajax, whatever missile defences they had were pointed at them and not the Lances. The furthest small point of light followed by a white smoke trail hit the ship and as expected didn't explode. Then the second, then the third. One by one, every Lance was able to hit the Assault carrier, when they did all enemy fire from it halted, no doubt the crew were more focused on other things.

Then she saw it, a small flash of light coming from the starboard side of the ship, it wasn't large and easy to miss but she was looking for it. Then another and another. It was when the fourth light hit that she could see a large explosion come from the bottom of the ship's hull, huge chunks of metal being fired out and onto the ground below. She liked to think that it landed on some of them Covi bastards as well.

"Ma'am! Enemy ships core is going offline! It's crashing to the ground!" the announcement was followed by a loud cheer from everyone on the bridge, she allowed them the moment of celebration. She too felt herself take a deep breath as she watched the Assault Carrier slowly but surely start towards the ground. Many of the buildings on the city outskirts are flattened under its weight.

She turned and made her way back to the holo table "All ground teams, be advised…" That was as far as she got before the sound of the sky ripping itself open was heard. Her head snapped back up to the front window and what she saw caused the almost perpetual frown that's been on her face since this fight started to deepen.

She was looking deep into the horizon, almost as far as the large mountain range in the distance. The clouds in the sky parted, and a massive shadow came down. It was not what she was expecting. Of course, she was quickly informed of that Leviathan but she was told by Cole that it was dead in the water thanks to the ODP.

It certainly looked beaten enough, she would go so far as to say that it was in worse shape than the Ajax was. The ship was still a complete behemoth, but it was fucked up. The biggest piece of damage she could see was the large hole in the ship's front. It was massive and changed what was no doubt an admittedly smooth and good-looking hull to a creator of broken blackened metal, she could see flickering orange lights dancing within it and knew that they were fires. It didn't seem like much from this distance, but she didn't let that fool her, she knew that those fires must have been huge. At least the size of the bridge she was currently standing in some cases.

That wasn't counting the fires and explosions that seemed to go on throughout the entire ship body, how the thing was able to handle entry into the atmosphere she would never know "The gravitational disturbance?" she asked aloud without turning her head.

"…. Yes ma'am" the voice called out.

Khane watched with morbid fascination as the Bow of the Supercarrier smashed against the far mountains and it started to nosedive towards the ground. Normally she would have been overjoyed to see that monster go down but she couldn't, something wasn't right. The rock and snow of the mountains in the distance did nothing to slow it down and it crumbled under the force of the ship so fast it remained her of sand. The sounds it made didn't reach them for a few moments but when it did she could hear it through the glass. It didn't stop there, it continued to move forward until it touched down in the large grass plains outside the city. The amount of dirt it was kicking up must have been enough to fill dozens of large stadiums. It continued to move forward and she worried it was going to hit the city, if it did then this battle was over. No one is surviving that.

It should have stopped by now. It should have stopped moving so quickly once it started to kick up the dirt. But it didn't, if anything it seemed like it was going faster than before. That was when she saw the engines, from the angle the ship was facing, a long plank digging into the ground at a thirty-degree angle. She could see it from front to back, the engines were still firing thrust.

Before she could make an order they fired at its back engines in an attempt to slow it down. She was interrupted "MA'AM! Massive energy build-up coming from under the Supercarrier!" a voice shouted.

"What's it doing?!" she asked back with a yell, though before she could get the answer from her subordinate the rumbling was heard. Khane moved back to the front of the window and looked in shock at the sight before her. The ship, which should have finished crashing into the dirt was still moving. Instead of the back of the ship falling to the ground so it could lay there in a broken husk. The front of the ship started to raise up into the air "How the fuck can it still be in the air?" she muttered to herself as she watched.

The answer came quickly enough as she could see thrusters on the underside of the Supercarrier. They boosted the ship into the sky until it was level with the rest. They brought the Assault carrier, but they still had four corvettes to deal with and now the Supercarrier was floating in the middle of the alien fleet formation.

Her eyes flickered back and forth for a few moments as she thought about the best course of action. She turned without a word towards the holo table "This is Khane to all UNSC forces planet side. Delta squad focus fire on the Supercarrier. The ground Lance teams focus on the Corve…." That was the last word she was able to get out before a powerful blast of plasma hit the bridge of the Ajax and darkness claimed her.


Jorge tightened his grip on the heavy machine gun as the bullets fired into the narrow doorway they had just left. He and the rest of the survivors were now halfway up the building, only just being able to avoid getting surrounded on all sides. The only thing keeping them alive is the narrow doorway and staircase. Not to mention that the Covenant didn't bring the whole building down with their ships. To be completely honest Jorge didn't know why they hadn't done that already, why wouldn't they?

Jorge stopped firing as the last of the Elites fell to the ground, bleeding out through dozens of different wounds. Taking two deep breaths, the Spartan turned around and took a head count of those who were with him. Despite how exhausted they must be, four ODSTs were kneeling down in different positions, their weapons aimed at the door as well. Five of the local militia were there as well, though, unlike the droop troopers, they were standing with two others aiming out the building with the Snipers.

"We can't stop" he told the others as he moved through the large floor they found themselves on. Moving towards a door, not bothering to pay too much attention to all the desks and computers that were scattered around the open floor "We need to go higher" he added, opening the door which led to another staircase. No building worth a dam would have more than just one central staircase that could be used in an emergency.

"Wait, we can use the cover from the crash to make our way further into the city. Regroup with the others further in" one of the ODSTs spoke up.

Jorge turned away from the door and looked at him. All the others were looking as well. He understood the reasoning behind the idea, being in their position they had a great view as the Assault Carrier crashed in front of them, almost into them. The alien ship was brought down near them and slid across the ground, only just stopping before it could go through their own building. Naturally, it kicked up a lot of dirt and dust as it did so, as well as killing a lot of enemy troops that were under.

The idea had merit, he thought about it himself when it first happened "We can't" he said quickly enough "Without any vehicles, we'd never make it to the next line of defences before we're gunned down" he said calmly.

He looked out the wall of windows that would have normally given them a good view of the grass plains and the large mountains passed that but now all they could see was purple. The hull of the Assault carrier was taking up the entire window. They couldn't even see the sky when they had their eyes pressed against the window and looked up. The ship was pretty much pressed against the building, the fact they were still there was a miracle "We need to climb higher and make our way to the other side. The most we can do now is provide cover for the others or distract as many of the enemy as possible. The narrow corridors and doorways will let us hold ground for a good long while"

The others all listened to him and while he was sure they didn't like it, neither did he. The only way they survived this was if the enemy didn't see them as a big enough threat to be targeted by any real force. They were on their own now anyway, cut off from the rest of the ground forces, they would need to plan carefully.

Though all they could come up with as an argument was a sigh before they started to move through the door and up the stairs, Jorge waited for them to move before he joined them. He kept his eyes on those with him, the ODSTs were moving first and doing so with their weapons raised as they did so. He wouldn't expect less from some of the best the UNSC has, the militia on the other hand were barely holding onto their weapons as they staggered up the stairs. He didn't like it but there wasn't much he could do about it now.

While they seemed trained enough, it was clear that they lacked the same experience as the others. Right now all the adrenalin from the fighting earlier was starting to go off. He hoped they could make it up the stairs, they were on the twentieth floor now and they needed to make it to the forty-fifth at least. High enough that they needed to see over the crashed ship and report on the enemy movements to the others, take a couple of shots at some unexpecting targets. While being low enough that the enemy would just drop a bomb that would wipe out the top off of the building with them in it.

Jorge moved into the stairwell, making sure to look over the edge and down towards the ground floor. He couldn't see any enemies, which just goes to show how many were killed when the ship crashed. They could use the break from fighting, well, he could go on for a while but the others were going to need a break.


Jerome grunted as he stood up straight just after being able to climb out of the hole in the roof. He could see everyone else who was still firing at the enemy fighters and drop ships, not doing much more to acknowledge him other than nod in his direction, not that he would expect anything else. Knowing that he immediately needed to get back into the fight, he quickly turned to look back at the large hole that was created when the roof was caved in. The ODST was waiting for him, Jerome knew that he would be able to climb out on his own but they were running out of time.

Quickly kneeling down he reached out with his hand, the trooper looked at it for a moment before letting out a sigh and holstering his weapon to his back, jumping up with his extended. Their hands clasped together and Jerome pulled him up quickly. He let out a loud "Woah!" as it happened. As soon as his feet touched the ground, he was quick to find where the other ODSTs were on the roof and make their way over towards them.

Jerome was quick to do the same and make his way over towards the others "Status!?" he asked quickly as he moved over towards the AA gun that looked beat up but still capable.

"We're getting overrun!" Alice shouted from her position "Whatever advantage we just got from the Assault Carrier going down just went away when that fucker showed up!" she told him as the two moved next to each other and started to fire at the Banshees.

Yeah, Jerome knew exactly what she meant. The Supercarrier was hovering in the air just outside the city, even as damaged as it was, it looked powerful enough to wipe out the city and everyone in it. All it had to do was fly over them and it could block out the sun.

"This is Khane to all UNSC forces planet side" The Spartans kept their weapons raised and didn't stop firing. Though listened closely to what was being said "Delta squad focus fire on the Supercarrier. The ground Lance teams focus on the Corve…." As the signal cut off, they didn't flinch but assumed the worst.

Khane was the acting leader of UNSC ground forces while Cole was busy, her rank was low for the position but she had a lot of experience and she was in command of the ships that were preventing them from being overwhelmed. Jerome took cover near the edge of the building and kept on firing at the enemy fighters, not that it did much good at this point. Though that didn't stop him from turning his head and looking into the sky, Delta squad was still keeping a tight formation but something was wrong. The Ajax was beaten to hell.

Squinting his eyes he could make out the bridge of the ship, he couldn't see it exactly due to the fire and smoke but that was all he needed to see. If Khane was done, then this whole situation got a lot harder.

Knowing that he needed to act, he did so quickly "This is Spartan Red team to all ground forces" he said into his radio on an open broadcast "The bridge of the Ajax is down and Captain Khane is MIA. Until contact is re-established with Admiral Cole, Governor Watts is the acting commander of ground forces" his voice was clear and precise.

There was no huge amount of different voices all speaking on the radio at once, not even a bunch of different understood signals from all ground teams. For a moment, no one said anything. Until the man himself answered "Message received Red Team" Watts's voice comes over the radio "Mission parameters have NOT changed. All Lance teams focus fire on the enemy Corvettes, Delta squad do everything you can to bring down that Supercarrier, if it makes its way to the city then this is over"

There was the UNSC colonel that Watts used to be. The man may have turned traitor and joined the insurrectionists but that didn't mean all that much when you had an army of powerful aliens in front of you. All grudges can be forgotten quickly in the face of death, not that he and the other Spartans had any grudges of course. It was built into them, missions and targets were never personal. It was always just that, a mission.

But without Khane here then they just lost a big player in this fight. He wasn't sure how well they were going to do without her "INCOMING!" Doug shouted from his own position. Jerome could only just turn his head before the whole roof rocked and an explosion nearly knocked him off to the ground floor.

He landed on his stomach roughly but was quick to pick himself up and turn around. The AA gun was wasted, a broken husk, the only thing he could make out was the one using it who was now a half-blown-up mess of guts and charred armour. Everyone else was in the same position as him, they didn't look injured and were picking themselves back up.

"Our position is compromised, and we've lost our means of defence" he said aloud as he moved over to the group of ODSTs who were picking up their weapons "Pack it up, we're leaving and moving the second defensive lines"

As he made the order, Alice was already moving towards Doug to help him out, Troopers on the other hand spoke up "We can't. She's stable now but her body's under too much stress. We move her now and she won't make it" the medic reported from he kneeled position next to the militia woman was seemed barely awake with her left missing from the knee down.

"Same over here" he heard Alice speak up and he turned to see Doug limping his way over with her "Doug can fight but without more impressive medical aid, he's not gonna be able to make the journey down" she reported.

Jerome was quiet as he thought about what to do next "It's ok" Doug beat him to it "I'll stay here with the injured woman while you all carry on"

"We're not leaving you behind" he shot the idea down quickly.

"I'm not planning on dying here" he added as he limped forward and leaned against the wall near the door they would use to get down the stairs "But I will if I start moving so much. Chances are without the AA gun firing the Hinge-heads won't notice us"

He didn't like the idea, not one bit but if they all stayed up here then it was just a waste. He let out a sigh "Fine, keep your location a secret unless you have no other choice" he added before turning to the others "Let's head out" he added.

Alice stayed in place for a moment before nodding to Doug and making her way towards the door and down the stairs. The ODSTs did as well but slower than he would have thought, one stopped as he passed him and then handed him the sniper he was carrying "Might be able to get a couple of them marching on the ground" he reasoned as Doug accepted the long-range weapon. Jerome looked down at the injured woman who was staring at the body that was still on fire from the AA gun getting destroyed and back to Doug, he reached forward and placed a hand on his shoulder before moving out as well.

As he entered the stairs he spoke into the radio "117, this is Red team. Location is compromised and AA gun is down. Making our way to the secondary defensive line. How copy? Over" he asked.

The response was immediate "Solid copy Red team, letting them know you're on your way. Chief out"


There was a smile on his face, it's been a while since one has been there for a prolonged amount of time. Nam-Ek made his way through his ship, straight towards the nearest exit. His blood was boiling with him, begging to take part in the battle. He was more than happy to join them.

The chaos around him was paramount, no denying that. The alarms haven't stopped sounding since they were hit by that station. The injured and dying lay all around him as he moved, yet as he moved down the corridors, they moved to a kneeling position in reverence of him 'as they should' he thought to himself. He allowed nothing to step into his path, all doors that were too damaged to open, all collapsed corridors, he just walked through them. His form does not break stride for a single moment.

His honour guard followed him without complaint, not that he cared of course but it was worth noting. The sounds reaching his ears got louder and he knew that he was near his goal. Nearing the end of the corridor he was in, the door quickly opened upon his arrival and he was greeted with the sight of the hanger. There must have been hundreds of his lesser moving around ready to launch on his word.

All members of the covenant were present. Looking up he could see rows and rows of what he counted to be hundreds of different banshees. Some were fully closed up and others were open. They moved in convey lines, they moved near raised platforms and balconies, and lines of pilots stood waiting as they moved into their ships before the line moved and another hopped in the next.

As Nam-Ek made his way through the hanger. Nearly all heads turned to look at him, the work slowly stopped as they did so. He cared not for it, he wanted to get started. He turned right and looked at the massive entrance that would normally be blocked by a shield but the ship no longer had the power needed for it, the core was too badly damaged for it. He looked out and gazed at the horizon. He didn't say a word.

He just raised his hand into the air and the others all prepared for the call. Those on his ship knew full well what this was, he waved it forward, and his fingers pointed out "AAAAAHHHHHH!" a nearby Jiralhanae yelled in a battle cry, the others following after.

Above him, all the banshees dropped from their convey lines and moved out of the hanger. All of them that were ready, hundreds of them. He knew that the call would soon spread. Dropships started to move out of the other hangers.

Those within the UNSC defending the city from high positions could only watch in horror as more enemy craft than they could possibly defend against left the hangers of the Supercarrier. Nam-Ek savoured the moment of his army moving at his command before he jumped forward. Leaving his ship behind and making the ground below.


His eyes opened slowly, for a moment, for one single peaceful moment he forgot about what he was doing here, about who he was and what he needed to do. It was one of the most peaceful moments Alt has had for a long time. He stared up at the sky in bliss as he enjoyed the cool snow around his body. Something that was mostly exposed. His pants were somehow able to survive the heat from his re-entry. His eyes were a little blurry and his hearing wasn't great, but he found the strength to slowly turn on his side and then his stomach. Doing his best not to groan as he did so, he failed in that task. Slowly but surely, he was able to pick himself up off the ground.


Alright then guys, things are getting ready to a climax on this one. Let's see how it all comes together. Let me know what you think down below.

Next story update: Project Atlas